Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Colleges for elderly increasingly popular as seniors' thirst for knowledge grows 08:28, December 17, 2024 By Cheng Si ( China Daily With extra time on her hands, 58-year-old Liu Guiying, who is from Huangshan, Anhui province, plans to sign up in spring for some courses at a college for the elderly. After retiring at the age of 55, Liu spent two years traveling with her husband and friends to many domestic destinations. However, with her enthusiasm for tourism fading, she has thought about learning something interesting to pass the time, and the dance performance her friends shared on social media only made that idea grow stronger. "I'm very interested in singing and photography, and also want to try Latin dance," she said. "My friend told me that it's not easy to get a seat in the public college for the elderly, as many courses are snapped up within a few seconds." China's population of elderly people has increased in recent years, and many seniors with a strong educational background have shown a strong willingness to study further, with the arts, musical instruments, healthcare, and information technology being areas of great interest. However, the number of colleges for the elderly may be far from meeting seniors' needs, so experts are calling for more social organizations and companies to join in pushing forward the development and popularization of elderly education. According to statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the nation had about 297 million people aged 60 or older as of the end of 2023, accounting for more than one-fifth of the total population. Among them, about 217 million are 65 or older. In 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics unveiled the results of the nation's seventh census, which showed that the elderly population was highly literate. According to the census, in 2020, about 37 million people aged 60 or above had at least a senior high school diploma. That was an increase of 20.85 million since 2010. To meet the increasing demand, the college for the elderly in the Maizidian subdistrict of Beijing's Chaoyang district has expanded its courses from the initial two or three to the current nine. "The nine courses include chorus, dancing, calligraphy, English learning, and theater performance, which are all popular among the elderly students," said Zhang Yan, an official from the Maizidian subdistrict office. "In addition to these regular courses, we have other interesting courses on electronic-device literacy, makeup, fashion, and anti-fraud tactics." Zhang said that about 200 elderly students are admitted, free of charge, each academic year. She said the college has been run at public expense, with about 300,000 yuan to 400,000 yuan ($41,000 to $55,000) provided each year for its operation. The college's on-site classes are open to seniors under the age of 70 who live in the Maizidian subdistrict and are in good health. For those elderly with a strong willingness to join the classes but have health problems or are 70 or older, the college offers some online courses, Zhang said. "The courses at the college can help the elderly better transfer from working life to retirement, and can help prevent possible depression after retirement," she added. The students can also gain "spiritual fulfillment from the courses, social interaction with their peers, and better relations with their children", she said. The demand for education is likely to increase, as many new retirees in the next five to 10 years are expected to have even higher educational backgrounds and a stronger need for spiritual fulfillment. Liu, the Huangshan resident, said: "I got support from my husband and daughter, who said I won't feel lonely with classmates of my own age. My husband still has two or three years before retirement, so it will be a good choice to enrich myself at the seniors' college when he is not at home." In March last year, the Seniors University of China, a national-level university for the elderly, was established in Beijing, marking an important milestone in the reform and development of education for the elderly. As of April last year, there were about 76,000 colleges or schools for the elderly nationwide, involving more than 20 million students, according to the China Association of the Universities for the Aged. Zhai Dehua, director of the Institute of Aging Statistics and Survey Research at the China Research Center on Aging, said that among these colleges, over 80 percent are organized by government bodies, with only around 5 percent run by social organizations or companies. However, there are no specific policies, regulations, or standards to support and supervise the privately operated colleges for the elderly, which may hamper involvement by social organizations or companies, Zhai said. "Developing elderly education is a positive way to cope with the aging problem, and the government can continue its fiscal support to develop inclusive elderly colleges," he said. In January, the State Council released a guideline that encouraged social entities to start colleges for the elderly. It also called for establishing a State-level public service platform for elderly education, and pooling educational and teaching resources for the elderly. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/france-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-syria-after-12-year-hiatus-1121194655.html France Resumes Diplomatic Relations With Syria After 12-Year Hiatus France Resumes Diplomatic Relations With Syria After 12-Year Hiatus Sputnik International Paris will send four diplomats to Damascus on Tuesday for the first time after a 12-year severance of diplomatic relations with Syria. 2024-12-17T04:53+0000 2024-12-17T04:53+0000 2024-12-17T04:53+0000 world europe syria bashar assad france paris turmoil in syria https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105289/03/1052890314_0:87:1921:1167_1920x0_80_0_0_4a1b61fc80cdc07b01a67007a5043fe9.jpg According to the Acting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, the diplomats' goal will be "to restore Frances influence" in Syria, "to establish initial contacts with the new authorities" and "to assess the population's humanitarian needs." France severed diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012. Barrot said that there were several hundred French citizens in Syria, and that Paris was interacting with the authorities in Syria through the Romanian embassy and its diplomatic mission in Beirut. Paris previously welcomed the oppositions seizure of power in Syria. Barrot described the new authorities in Syria as "encouraging" and "not abusive", while he had previously also stated that France would support the Syrian opposition in the process of "political transition" "only if it takes into account the interests of all representatives of Syrian society". As former British Ambassador to Syria, Middle East expert Peter Ford previously told RIA Novosti, the West would use the rhetoric of the so-called "transition period" in Syria after the armed opposition had seized power due to the need to build favorable relations with the country's new leadership. In his opinion, for Western powers, the prospect of doing business with gangs and warlords recognized as terrorist groups is a problem, but it can be circumvented by pretending that a "transition" has occurred. Earlier, Le Figaro reported, citing Olivier Christin, prosecutor of the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office, that dozens of French jihadists from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement and the brigade of the French jihadist Omar Omsen took part in the armed opposition's assault on Damascus. Among the rebels were militants convicted in France. At the same time, as French media indicate, France is concerned about the presence of jihadists, especially French ones, on Syrian soil and the risk of exporting this threat to Europe. The French Interior Ministry announced last week that it was working to suspend ongoing asylum cases from Syria. According to the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), there are currently about 45,000 Syrians in France who have been granted asylum in the country since 2011. In 2023, France registered almost 4,500 asylum applications from Syrian citizens, and another 2,500 since the beginning of 2024. Syria's armed opposition captured the Syrian capital of Damascus on December 8. Russian officials have said that Assad stepped down as president after holding negotiations with participants in the Syrian conflict and left Syria for Russia, where he was granted asylum. Mohammed al-Bashir, who ran an Idlib-based administration formed by HTS and other opposition groups, was named interim prime minister on December 10. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241215/russia-evacuates-part-of-diplomatic-missions-from-syria-1121180554.html syria france paris Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International france resumes diplomatic relations with syria, diplomats to damascus, diplomatic relations with syria. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/key-revelations-slain-gen-kirillov-exposed-about-pentagons-biolabs-scheme-1121196381.html Key Revelations Slain Gen. Kirillov Exposed About Pentagons Biolabs Scheme Key Revelations Slain Gen. Kirillov Exposed About Pentagons Biolabs Scheme Sputnik International Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense troops, was killed in a blast in Moscow. He leaves behind a legacy of eye-opening Pentagon-linked findings. 2024-12-17T12:10+0000 2024-12-17T12:10+0000 2024-12-17T12:10+0000 russia pentagon state department barack obama ukraine biological warfare biological weapons chemical weapons world https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107718/19/1077181976_0:107:1024:683_1920x0_80_0_0_bb46035158c287f1aba763acbb7dce6b.jpg Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense troops of the Russian armed forces, was killed in a blast triggered by an improvised explosive device planted near his residence in Moscow. He leaves behind a legacy of eye-opening findings. On Illegal US Bio-ResearchRevelations by Russias Defense Ministry on illegal biological experiments at the Prestige Biotech's California laboratory touched off a US Congressional investigation. The US Department of State played a direct role in the Biosecurity Engagement Program, which was initiated by ex-President Barack Obama, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov revealed in one of the Ministry of Defense briefings. The program's priority areas for implementation include the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Ukraine, and Africa. Third-party contractors, intermediaries, and NGOssuch as Metabiota, CH2M Hill, and EcoHealth Allianceare utilized to serve the interests of clients like the State Department, Pentagon, FBI, and CIA, as well as for military biological research. "Unconditional deterrence of adversaries" from using weapons of mass destruction against Washington and its allies has become one of the points of the new US national strategy, it was noted. On US Biolabs in UkraineThe US State Department is directly involved in these biological programs, despite the federal foreign agency's denials, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov repeatedly underscored. The United States aims to exert global control over biological matters, he noted in one of his reports. He added that under Barack Obama, US biological programs in other countries were promoted at the recommendation of the State Department, with supporting documents available as evidence.Pentagons Deadly Biological Warfare ProgramSlain Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov regularly exposed the Pentagons biological warfare program. Recent developments indicate that the United States has embarked on preparations for a new pandemic by looking into virus mutations, he said at a briefing in August 2023.Commenting on the establishment of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, led by Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biosecurity at the National Security Council, retired Air Force Major General Paul Friedrichs, in July 2023, Kirillov told reporters:The newly established Office is prioritizing the creation of vaccines and drugs said to combat viruses and their genetically modified variants, Russias Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops warned. Furthermore, documents uncovered during the special military operation in Ukraine have confirmed that the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is involved in accumulating dangerous pathogens across various regions of the world. US Officials Linked to Hazardous VaccinesThe Russian Ministry of Defense released the names of American officials connected to the development and production of dangerous vaccines, General Igor Kirillov told reporters in 2023.This list includes former Johnson & Johnson Board member Mark McClellan, Pfizer Board member Scott Gottlieb, and Stephen Hahn, the CEO of Flagship Pioneering Inc. He underscored that officials from regulatory agencies have been lobbying and prioritizing the commercial interests of pharmaceutical companies to the detriment of existing safety and quality standards.US Democratic Partys Role in Military Biological ResearchInvestment funds belonging to prominent figures such as the Clintons, the Rockefellers, Soros, and Biden, along with other NGOs affiliated with the Democratic Party in the US, are bankrolling military biological research, documents and analytical materials studied by Russias Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops have revealed.Multinational corporations often referred to as Big Pharma are involved in this scheme, including Pfizer, Moderna, Merck, as well as Gilead, a US military-affiliated company. Furthermore, US experts are working on testing new medicines, bypassing international safety standards. The involvement of non-governmental and biotech organizations enables the leaders of the Democratic Party to pocket additional financial revenue for election campaigns and to conceal cash flows.Russias Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops warned in January 2024 that Washingtons goals in the military-biological domain are multifold, ranging from the creation and manipulation of the causative agents of particularly dangerous infections in regions of the world that are strategically important for the United States, to efforts to achieve global superiority in biomanufacturing, biological monitoring, and the expansion of potentially unethical and illegal military biological research outside US jurisdictions. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240507/after-positioning-military-biolabs-around-the-globe-us-officials-urge-biodefense-buildup-1118314833.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/us-planned-to-test-unregistered-drugs-abroad--russian-defense-ministry-1111966594.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230201/truth-too-big-to-hide-how-washington-fails-to-sweep-ukraines-biolab-revelation-under-rug-1106893548.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko explosion in moscow, lieutenant general igor kirillov, the head of the troops of radiological, chemical and biological defense of the russian armed forces, who is lieutenant general igor kirillov, killed in moscow, why was lieutenant general igor kirillov murdered in moscow, russian investigative committee, why is us engaging in biodefense buildup, are us biolabs real, are us military biolabs real, are us biolabs dangerous, are us biolabs in other countries dangerous, us and ukrainian officials involved in bio military program, us-ukraine military bio program, https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/new-york-judge-rules-trump-not-eligible-for-immunity-in-hush-money-case-1121193682.html New York Judge Rules Trump Not Eligible for Immunity in Hush Money Case New York Judge Rules Trump Not Eligible for Immunity in Hush Money Case Sputnik International New York Judge Juan Merchan denied the appeal of US President-elect Donald Trump to dismiss the indictment in the the case against Trump in the case of hush-money payments to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels. 2024-12-17T02:40+0000 2024-12-17T02:40+0000 2024-12-17T03:41+0000 americas donald trump stormy daniels new york hush money immunity us court https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/04/04/1109127743_0:0:2511:1413_1920x0_80_0_0_726e39fb0b63f55950b9911a720167bc.jpg In May, a jury found Trump guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records related to a payment to Daniels, with whom Trump allegedly had an affair. Trump rejected the accusations against him, and his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the indictment. "This Court further finds that the evidence related to the preserved claims relate entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections," the judge said in his decision, "Defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment and vacate the jury verdict pursuant to CPL 330.30(1) is denied." The US presidential election took place in the United States on November 5. Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-2021, was declared the winner by all leading networks. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris has conceded defeat in an address to supporters. The Electoral College will vote in accordance with the will of the voters on December 17, and the new Congress will certify the results of the vote on January 6. The presidential inauguration will take place on January 20. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241204/domino-effect-trump-lawyers-mention-hunter-biden-pardon-to-scrap-hush-money-case-1121088608.html americas new york Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International new york court on trump, trump hush money, trump hush money latest, trump convicted criminal, will trump go to jail, verdict on trump hush money, trump presidential immunity https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/police-identify-15-year-old-girl-as-shooter-at-wisconsin-school-1121194293.html Police Identify 15-Year-Old Girl as Shooter at Wisconsin School Police Identify 15-Year-Old Girl as Shooter at Wisconsin School Sputnik International The police identified the shooter at a Christian school in the US state of Wisconsin as a 15-year-old student who died from a gunshot wound, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters on Tuesday. 2024-12-17T04:43+0000 2024-12-17T04:43+0000 2024-12-17T04:43+0000 americas us wisconsin police shooter shooting https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/04/16/1094979947_0:320:3072:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_3ae5388ed5753da8662a0a338d72cb8a.jpg "Three people, including the shooter, are dead. The shooter has now been identified as a 15 year old Natalie Rupnow who went by the name Samantha. She was a student at the school, and evidence suggests she died," the police chief said. He noted that in addition to those dead, six students and one teacher were injured, two of the injured students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. A second-grader reported the incident to police, he added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/48-active-shooter-incidents-recorded-across-the-us-in-2023--fbi-report-1119105433.html americas wisconsin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International wisconsin school, shooter at a christian school, police identify https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/record-number-of-undocumented-migrants-arrived-in-spain-by-sea-1121194805.html Record Number of Undocumented Migrants Arrived in Spain by Sea Record Number of Undocumented Migrants Arrived in Spain by Sea Sputnik International A record number of undocumented migrants arrived in Spain by sea in 2024, the Spanish Interior Ministry said. 2024-12-17T04:55+0000 2024-12-17T04:55+0000 2024-12-17T05:06+0000 world spain canary islands spanish interior ministry interior ministry migrants illegal migration migrant crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0c/1a/1091821039_0:143:3072:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_86bc3ecc563f91357e4dcf5e405aa02e.jpg A total of 57,738 people arrived on the Spanish coast from January to December 15, 2024, which is 240 more than in 2018, the ministry said on Monday. These people reached the country on 1,719 boats, the statement read, adding that 43,737 undocumented migrants landed in the Canary Islands. Large groups of undocumented immigrants regularly attempt to cross Spain's southern and island borders. The number of undocumented arrivals in the country grew by 85.1% between January 1 and September 15, 2024, year-on-year, according to Spanish Interior Ministry data.In December 2023, the EU agreed on new rules to handle irregular arrivals. The regulations, known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, set out a common approach to migration and asylum, including more effective control and accelerated return of asylum seekers to the countries from which they came. The pact also introduced a mandatory solidarity of all EU states, requiring member states to accept undocumented migrants from other EU member states or provide financial or material support to these countries.The Dublin Regulation, which has been in place since the start of the EU migrant crisis in 2013, is an agreement between the EU member states, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway that is designed to establish which of the EU member states is responsible for examining an individual's asylum application. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/eu-migration-crisis-shows-need-for-controls-mutual-respect-1120952302.html spain canary islands Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International undocumented migrants, spanish interior ministry, record number, migrants arrived in spain https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/russia-to-raise-issue-of-lt-gen-kirillovs-murder-at-un-security-council-meeting-1121200379.html Russia to Raise Issue of Lt. Gen. Kirillov's Murder at UN Security Council Meeting Russia to Raise Issue of Lt. Gen. Kirillov's Murder at UN Security Council Meeting Sputnik International Russia will raise the issue of the murder of its chemical defense chief Igor Kirillov during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine on December 20, deputy envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Tuesday. 2024-12-17T16:56+0000 2024-12-17T16:56+0000 2024-12-17T16:56+0000 russia russia ukraine dmitry polyanskiy un security council (unsc) the united nations (un) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/11/1121200218_0:159:3077:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_8994ca65dff5e014bb987632a037b322.jpg "We will definitely raise the issue of the terrorist attack against Igor Kirillov at a UN Security Council meeting that we requested for December 20 to discuss the supply of Western weapons to Ukraine and their impact on the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis," Polyanskiy wrote on Telegram. "Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice and face the unequivocal condemnation of the entire international community." Murder of General KirillovLt. Gen. Igor Kirillov and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov were killed in an explosion outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. The incident occurred on Tuesday at around 6 a.m. local time (3 a.m. GMT). Preliminary reports suggest that a bomb, hidden inside a scooter parked near the entrance, was detonated.An investigation has been launched into the murder, terrorism, and illegal weapons and ammunition possession.Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Defense Troops, gained prominence after the beginning of the special military operation. In his briefings, he accused the United States, other Western countries, and the Kiev regime of orchestrating provocations involving toxic substances and plans to create a "dirty bomb" to discredit Russia. Each of Kirillov's statements was backed by solid evidence and documented proof.Additionally, General Kirillov was one of the creators of Russias Sputnik vaccine against COVID-19. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/general-igor-kirillov-and-his-assistant-reportedly-killed-in-moscow-blast-1121195249.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, lt. gen. igor kirillov, the head of the troops of radiological, chemical and biological defense of the russian armed forces, unsc, murder https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/russian-forces-liberate-annovka-open-path-to-kurakhovos-southern-flank-1121196290.html Russian Forces Liberate Annovka, Open Path to Kurakhovos Southern Flank Russian Forces Liberate Annovka, Open Path to Kurakhovos Southern Flank Sputnik International Russian forces have taken control of the village of Annovka in the Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR), the Defense Ministry reported. 2024-12-17T10:46+0000 2024-12-17T10:46+0000 2024-12-17T12:41+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine defense ministry d-30 donetsk peoples republic lugansk donetsk kharkov zaporozhye region https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/11/1120907642_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_df12c8f442e50d9c8401ace2015e09e3.jpg "As a result of decisive actions by units of the Yug Battlegroup, the settlement of Annovka in the Donetsk Peoples Republic has been liberated," the ministrys operational update said.Enemy losses in the battlegroup's combat zone amounted to up to 330 personnel, two armored personnel carriers(APCs), four Kozak armored cars, three motor vehicles and D-30, M119 and L-119 howitzers. An electronic warfare station and an ammunition depot were also destroyed.Other DevelopmentsThe Tsentr battlegroup repelled 11 Ukrainian counterattacks and occupied better positions near Dzherzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Novoolenovka, Krasnoarmeysk, Shevchenko, Novopustynka, Novoukrainka and Krasnoye in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. Ukrainian losses were up to 425 personnel, an infantry fighting vehicle, two APCs including a US-made M113 an HMMWV armored vehicle and a US-made 155-mm M777 howitzer. Additional losses included five motor vehicles, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, two 152-mm D-20 guns and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.The Zapad battlegroup inflicted losses on seven Ukrainian brigades in areas across Kharkov Region, the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics and repelled a counterattack. Ukrainian losses exceeded 520 personnel, along with a tank, three pickup trucks, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, four D-30 howitzers and an ammunition depot.The Sever battlegroup struck Ukrainian mechanized and territorial defense brigades and border guard detachments near Alexandrovka, Sinelnikovo and Volchansk in the Kharkov Region. Ukrainian forces lost up to 70 personnel, two armored fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.The Vostok battlegroup continued advancing into Ukrainian defensive positions, hitting two mechanized brigades, an assault battalion and two territorial defense brigades near Temirovka, Velikaya Novoselka, Gulyaipole and Novy Komar in the Donetsk Peoples Republic. They repelled four counterattacks. Ukrainian losses amounted to up to 205 personnel, a tank, five motor vehicles, a 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled gun, a 122-mm D-30 howitzer, an American HMMWV armored vehicle, two MaxxPro armored vehicles and a 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system.The Dnepr battlegroup struck Ukrainian positions in the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions near Novoandreyevka, Lobkovo, Sadovoye and Ingulets. Ukrainian forces lost up to 75 personnel, five motor vehicles, an electronic warfare station and an ammunition depot. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241116/russian-troops-take-control-over-makarovka-and-leninskoe-settlements-in-dpr---mod-1120902353.html lugansk donetsk kharkov zaporozhye region Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian forces, donetsk peoples republic, defense ministry, aken control of the village https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/switzerland-working-with-eu-us-russia-to-organize-2nd-conference-on-ukraine-1121194539.html Switzerland Working With EU, US, Russia to Organize 2nd Conference on Ukraine Switzerland Working With EU, US, Russia to Organize 2nd Conference on Ukraine Sputnik International Switzerland is actively working with the European Union, the United Stats, Russia and the G7 to organize a second conference on Ukraine, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said. 2024-12-17T04:50+0000 2024-12-17T04:50+0000 2024-12-17T04:50+0000 world donald trump russia ukraine switzerland european union (eu) peace process peace https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/01/10/1106387009_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_5e991a3299d0b06bbe467a828c398db3.jpg "Work [on organizing the second conference] continues intensively with Moscow, Washington, as well as with the G7 and the EU We are working intensively with many partners and have been trying to involve Russia since the first conference in Burgenstock," Cassis was quoted as saying by Le Temps newspaper on Monday. Cassis added that signals coming from the US and the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump "inspire cautious optimism." On June 15-16, Switzerland hosted a high-level conference on Ukraine at the Burgenstock resort outside of Lucerne. More than 90 countries confirmed participation in the event, half of which were from Europe. Russia did not received an invitation, but the foreign ministry said it would not have attended the conference even if invited. The joint communique following the summit called on Russia to return control of the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant to Ukraine, to provide commercial access to sea ports in the Black and Azov Seas, and to fully exchange prisoners of war. Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the conference's final declaration. Later, Iraq and Jordan withdrew their signatures. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241207/german-chancellor-candidate-says-afd-wants-peace-in-ukraine-end-of-arms-supplies-to-ukraine-1121116611.html russia ukraine switzerland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International eu, us, russia, european union, the united stats, russia, swiss foreign minister ignazio cassis, second conference on ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/syria-will-not-be-used-as-launchpad-for-attacks-on-israel---armed-opposition-leader-1121194412.html Syria Will Not Be Used as Launchpad for Attacks on Israel - Armed Opposition Leader Syria Will Not Be Used as Launchpad for Attacks on Israel - Armed Opposition Leader Sputnik International The leader of the armed opposition that came to power in Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa (better known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), said that he would not allow the country to be used as a launchpad for attacks on Israel. 2024-12-17T04:46+0000 2024-12-17T04:46+0000 2024-12-17T04:46+0000 world middle east syria damascus bashar assad turmoil in syria https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/0a/1121142120_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_bcfb18f9f1a4810de3eac85f0986abb1.jpg "We are committed to the 1974 agreement and we are prepared to return the UN [monitors]," al-Sharaa said in an interview with The Times. "We do not want any conflict whether with Israel or anyone else and we 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." According to al-Sharaa, Israel must vacate the Syrian territories occupied after the resignation of Syrian President Bashar Assad, since the "justification is gone" for Israel's actions in the form of the presence of members of the Hezbollah movement and pro-Iranian forces. Al-Sharaa called on other countries to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of Bashar Assad. Syria's armed opposition captured the Syrian capital of Damascus on December 8. Russian officials have said that Assad stepped down as president after holding negotiations with participants in the Syrian conflict and left Syria for Russia, where he was granted asylum. Mohammed al-Bashir, who ran an Idlib-based administration formed by various opposition groups, was named interim prime minister on December 10. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241216/syrian-kurds-call-for-nationwide-ceasefire-and-dialogue-in-syria-1121191841.html syria damascus Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International attacks on israel, armed opposition, armed opposition leader https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/us-spends-10-times-more-on-new-bradley-vehicles-amid-old-abrams-tanks-struggle-in-ukraine-1121193805.html US Spends 10 Times More on New Bradley Vehicles Amid Old Abrams Tanks Struggle in Ukraine US Spends 10 Times More on New Bradley Vehicles Amid Old Abrams Tanks Struggle in Ukraine Sputnik International The US military appears to have learned lessons from the disappointing performance of old Abrams tanks on the battlefield in Ukraine by spending 10 times more than they had planned to on new replacement Bradley vehicles preferred by Kiev, a Sputnik correspondents analysis of the US Department of Defense (DOD) budget reports showed. 2024-12-17T03:10+0000 2024-12-17T03:10+0000 2024-12-17T03:58+0000 military military & intelligence us army ukraine us department of defense (dod) jake sullivan m2 bradley infantry fighting vehicle m1 abrams tank m1a2 abrams m1a1 abrams tank https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/1e/1118189315_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_fea46c865e46ca0f11b606d217fce384.jpg Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California on December 8, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan openly acknowledged the deficiency of the Abrams tanks that were provided to Ukraine, saying they were "not the most useful piece of equipment." According to the latest quarterly report from the Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve released in November, Ukraine preferred the "speed and maneuverability" of Bradley fighting vehicles to the M1A1 Abrams tanks. Meanwhile, a September report by the Military Watch Magazine claimed that about 20 of the 31 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine were believed to have been destroyed, disabled or captured. PROCUREMENT ALMOST DOUBLED Procurement planners from the DOD appear to have taken note of the difference in performance between the Abrams tanks and the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles when they submitted proposals for the procurement of new armored vehicles for the US Army. In addition to simply replacing the old Bradley vehicles that were sent to Ukraine, the US Army almost doubled the overall procurement objective for this type of vehicle in its latest budget proposal for fiscal year 2025. According to the budget proposal, the army's procurement target for the M2A4/M7A4 (the most advanced variant) Bradley vehicles jumped to 1,329, compared to 731 in fiscal year 2024. The original 731 Bradley vehicles were enough for four Armor Brigade Combat Teams, while the new objective of 1,329 Bradley vehicles would fulfill nine Armor Brigade Combat Teams, the budget reports showed. As a result, the US Armys annual budget for the procurement of new Bradley vehicles also jumped more than tenfold than the previously planned amount for the past two fiscal years. For fiscal year 2023, the US Army originally requested only $260 million for the program to upgrade Bradley vehicles. However, after sending over 300 Bradley vehicles to Kiev, the US Army secured $2 billion in additional supplemental funding, transferred from Ukraine aid funding, to buy new replacement vehicles for fiscal year 2023. For fiscal year 2024, the US Armys budget for the procurement of new Bradley vehicles jumped to $2.4 billion from the original budget request of only $158 million, according to the DOD report on the transfer of Ukraine aid funding for replenishment of weapons released in September. NEW TANK UNDER DEVELOPMENT In contrast to the purchase of a large number of new Bradley vehicles, the US Army halted plans to continue upgrading to a new version of the Abrams tank, known as the M1A2 System Enhancement Package version 4, in September 2023, before the 31 old Abrams tanks had even been delivered to Ukraine. Instead of upgrading the older M1A2 tank platform, the US Army said it planned to develop the new M1E3 Abrams tank, which was still being designed to "making the capability improvements needed to fight and win against future threats on the battlefield of 2040 and beyond." The Pentagon announced in January 2023 that it planned to deliver 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine with $400 million in funding provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. Subsequent media reports showed that the 31 Abrams tanks were actually the older M1A1 SA model, which required the US Army to spend millions of US dollars each year to upgrade. According to its latest budget report, the US Army planned to upgrade 41 M1A1 SA tanks to the latest model of M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP)v3 during the fiscal year 2025, with an average unit cost standing at around $15.98 million. The average unit cost of the 31 Abrams tanks sent to Ukraine was only around $12.9 million. After upgrading over 100 old Abrams tanks in previous years, the US Army has reduced the number of the tanks being upgraded each year to around 40 since fiscal year 2023 as part of its efforts to develop the new modernized M1E3 tank. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240919/majority-of-abrams-tanks-delivered-to-ukraine-destroyed---russian-diplomat-1120208601.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240826/graveyard-for-nato-armor-western-heavy-weapons-destroyed-during-kievs-kursk-gambit-1119912825.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241201/dysfunctional-pentagon-has-hard-time-making-artillery-shells-let-alone-upgrading-nuclear-arsenal-1121059052.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International m1 abrams in ukraine, why abrams is so bad, bradley in ukraine, how many us vehicles destroyed in ukraine, us arms to ukraine, us weapons upgrade, us new tanks, new abrams versions Keith Clark, a true Alberta legend in the world of Standardbred horse racing, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at the age of 71. Born in Stoughton, Sask., Keith's life was marked by his incredible achievements and deep love for his family and horses. Keith is survived by his beloved partner, Liz Davie, his children Kasey and Kerry Clark, and his siblings Lynda (Wayne Douglas), Collette (Rick Docking), Larry, Bill (Kathy McCaughan), Kelly (Holly Clark), Karen (Mike Van Rijn), Monica (Warren Grant), Bob (Becky Arnold), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorne and Helene Clark, and his brother Jackie. With over 50 years in the Standardbred horse racing industry, Keith's career was nothing short of extraordinary. He achieved 6,620 driving wins and 4,302 training wins, was named Alberta Horseman of the Year 14 times, and received the prestigious OBrien Award of Horsemanship in both 2004 and 2011. His contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2021, Keith retired and downsized his operation, selling his DeWinton farm and purchasing a new acreage in Foothills to focus on broodmares and raising young horses. This transition allowed him to spend winters in Arizona, where he discovered new passions, including riding his Harley and Indian motorcycles, lounging by the pool, enjoying happy hours, and dancing weekly. Keith's family will hold a Celebration of Life in the spring of 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Olds College Equine Program in Keith's memory. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Keith Clark. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code 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: cottonbro studio from Pexels "Cyber security" may sound like a far-off worry for big corporations or telcos, but that's far from the case. Cyber security simply means the practice of safeguarding your sensitive data from unauthorized access, theft and damage. If you have any online accounts at all, you should know how best to protect them. That's also true if you have a small or medium business. Nearly half of all cyber attacks target small businesses with 1,000 or fewer employees, resulting in an average cost of A$46,600 for small businesses and $62,800 for medium-sized businesses in Australia. Even if you don't own a business, your personal savings are vulnerable, too. Last year, individuals affected by cyber crime reported an average loss of $30,700, up 17% from the previous year. So what can you do to protect yourself? We interviewed 18 financial, legal and cyber security professionals in Australia and developed practical checklists for individuals and small-to-medium businesses. Here's what they recommend. Cyber security checklist for individuals 1. Use strong, unique passwords Strong passwords are a cornerstone of cyber security. You've likely heard this a lot, but it bears repeating: set up a unique password for each of your online banking and email accounts, using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. 2. Enable multi-factor authentication Add an extra layer of security to all your important accounts by enabling two-factor or multi-factor authentication wherever possible (you can easily find this in app settings). This means that after entering your password, you also need to enter a verification code sent to your phone, for example. 3. Be cautious with email attachments and links Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or unsolicited emails or text messages. Verify the sender and stay vigilant. 4. Limit what personal info you share online Cyber criminals often use publicly available information for social engineering attacks where they pretend to be someone you know, your employer, or even a business you've interacted with. Be mindful of any information you share on social media and other platforms. 5. Avoid public wifi for sensitive transactions When accessing sensitive information (like banking sites), avoid using public wifi or hotspots. It's best to use your mobile data connection or, if you know how to set one up, use a virtual private network, or VPN. 6. Exercise caution when using artificial intelligence (AI) tools Before uploading sensitive or confidential information to AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude, think of the potential risks. Avoid using untrusted or unsecured platforms, check their policies to understand how your data might be shared, and be mindful of the types of information you share with these tools. 7. Use encryption for sensitive information Encrypt personal files and sensitive communications to protect them from unauthorized access. For example, you can set a password for your document in Microsoft Word by selecting "Encrypt with Password" under the "Info" tab in the "File" menu. This ensures only people with the password can open or modify the file. 8. Stay informed about cyber security threats Keep up with cyber security news and trends to know what types of attacks are becoming common. You can do this by subscribing to news articles on scams or checking websites like Scamwatch. Cyber security checklist for small and medium businesses Much of the advice for individuals also applies to business owners. But there are other things you should keep in mind when it's not just your personal data that's at stake. 1. Evaluate how long to keep information Determine how long to retain information and data and assess if it's valuable for the organization. For example, an accounting firm may retain client tax records for five years, but delete older records no longer relevant to current business. 2. Remove unnecessary information and data Remove information that no longer serves a purpose to reduce the risk of exposure during a breach. For example, retail businesses should periodically delete outdated customer email lists. 3. Keep software and systems up to date Keep all systems, applications and devices updated. Software may contain vulnerabilities that cyber criminals can exploit, and updates are a way to patch these up and keep your systems secure. 4. Keep an eye on who can access what Limit access to information based on roles within the organization. For example, at an accounting firm, only the relevant employees should have access to the financial records of its clients, and they should be protected with multi-factor authentication. 5. Have reliable data backup procedures Regularly back up essential data to a secure location. Having reliable backups allows for recovery in the event of data loss or ransomware attacks. 6. Conduct regular security audits Regularly audit systems and networks to identify vulnerabilities. For example, an accounting firm that stores sensitive client data like financial records should conduct quarterly security audits to ensure the data stays safe and nobody has gained illicit access. 7. Train employees on cyber security best practices Employees play a significant role in cyber security. Regular training can help them recognize phishing emails, suspicious links and other tactics used by cyber criminals. 8. Create an incident response plan Develop a response plan for cyber security incidents that outlines the steps to take in case of a cyber incident or breach. If something happens, having a plan in place will help you react quickly and efficiently. 9. Consider investing in cyber security insurance Cyber insurance can help mitigate the financial fallout from a breach, covering aspects like data restoration, legal fees and public relations efforts. Cyber attacks are constantly evolving, so everyone must stay vigilant about their cyber securitywhether it's simply protecting the logins to your social media accounts, or ensuring the safety of your entire business. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Diriyah Company, the dynamic Saudi mixed-use developer behind the transformation of The City of Earth, has awarded a SAR758.5 million ($202.2 million) contract to China Harbour Engineering Company to undertake bulk excavation works within Phase Two of the mega Diriyah project. The excavation works will cover most of the area of the second phase of the Diriyah project, which spans approximately 6.3 sq km, out of the total 14 sq km development area. This excavation contract marks another key milestone in the realization of the Diriyah masterplan, showcasing the rapid progress of the 14-sq km integrated urban development project. The Diriyah Company is responsible for the Diriyah and the Wadi Safar masterplans, encompassing more than 40 hotels, arts districts, museums and world-class sporting venues within a vibrant new global destination on the outskirts of Riyadh, the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The excavation works will see more than 600 heavy machines deployed on-site to carry out the work, shaping the site according to design specifications and providing a foundation for the development of planned world-class assets in Diriyah. These include the Royal Diriyah Opera House and the 20,000 seat Diriyah Arena. Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: "We are excited to begin bulk excavation works in the second phase of the Diriyah project, marking another key milestone in the development of The City of Earth." "Progressing ahead of schedule, this excavation will enable smooth and efficient development of major cultural assets that will attract millions of visitors annually to Diriyah and inspire the world. As we move forward in creating a premier live-work-play destination, we encourage partners to join us on this journey," he stated. Diriyah Company will embrace circular economy principles, as materials from the excavation site will be crushed and repurposed for uses such as road bases, landscaping, and backfill, according to international sustainability guidelines. By embedding international best practices, innovative technologies, and sustainability certification targets in all our projects, Diriyah Company aims to enhance environmental performance and sustainability credentials at the community and building levels. Yang Zhiyuan, CEO of China Harbour Engineering Company (Middle East), said: "We are confident in the success of this project, integrating the advantages of global resources, technical strength, equipment resources and an experienced management team." "We will focus on environmental protection awareness and sustainable development concepts during implementation, ensuring the timely delivery of the project, contributing to the preservation of Diriyahs heritage, cultural exchange and the development goals of Saudi Vision 2030, he noted. The large-scale contract is the latest awarded this year by Diriyah Company following a $1.5 billion joint venture for Qurain Cultural District, awarded last month in November; a $2.08 billion contract for the Northern District, awarded in July; and another contract worth $2.13 billion to build four luxury hotels and Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club in Wadi Safar, also in July.-TradeArabia News Service The British Council has announced the appointment of Matthew Knowles as the new Country Director for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and Cluster Lead for the Gulf region. Matthew will lead the British Council team in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, working across Arts and Culture, Education and English, building mutually beneficial and long-term relationships between these Kingdoms and the UK. He will also lead the British Council operation in six countries across the Gulf cluster: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Matthew began his career as a Policy Officer in the Scottish Government's Education Department, before joining the British Council in Edinburgh as Manager of Scottish Networks International. Since then, over 20 years, he has worked with the British Council in Bangladesh, China, Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as in the UK. On his appointment to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Matthew said: "I am excited to take on this role, to develop partnerships that will facilitate and develop the ambition and talent of young people across the Gulf. My focus is on building young peoples confidence and developing their skills in using the English language." "I look to strengthen further the links between our universities and invest in Early Career Researchers. I hope also to harness the unique power of the arts to transform cultural relationships, for the enrichment of all our lives," he stated. Matthews leadership roles have included Head of Programmes and Partnerships in Bangladesh, Area Director in East China, and Director of the British Council in Japan. In Bangladesh, he led programmes supporting government priorities on Climate Change education and helped establish a Youth Parliament. Back in the UK, he contributed to global strategy as Regional Head in the British Council's London Office, supporting teams across 70 countries. In China, he developed major projects such as a year-long celebration of Shakespeares 400th Anniversary and the creation of a UK-China university consortium.-TradeArabia News Service Space42, a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, and ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for high-fidelity Earth Observation, have created a joint venture to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE. This builds on their successful cooperation, which includes the recent launch of the UAE's first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, in August 2024. Focused on satellite manufacturing and deploying SAR satellite missions, this JV will directly advance the UAEs Earth Observation (EO) Programme, which was created to build national satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities. The JV aims to address the growing demand for high-resolution imagery and data from SAR satellites, which can be applied across various use cases. Space42s new Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) and LEO mission operations facilities in Abu Dhabi will be home to a local SAR ecosystem, hosting the JVs manufacturing operations and Space42s constellation operation services. Platform for technology transfer This joint partnership also serves as a platform for technology transfer and knowledge sharing that will ultimately propel the national R&D efforts for future sovereign SAR payloads. The JV strengthens ICEYEs local footprint to support UAEs growing need for SAR and Earth Observation capabilities. Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, Space42, said: The JV is a continuation of our ongoing strategic partnership with ICEYE to advance Earth Observation capabilities. It will directly support Space42s commitment to unlocking the full potential of space and ground systems capabilities, ultimately adding customer value through AI-enabled solutions. It also supports the UAEs space ambitions by bringing SAR manufacturing to the region, positioning the nation at the forefront of advancing space technology globally. This partnership will enrich the UAEs industrial ecosystem by localising the supply chain and sourcing components and services from existing industrial players in the UAE and build a strong local body of knowledge for the UAE in SAR with the participation of Emirati talent. It will also support Emiratisation efforts, providing opportunities for national talent to drive innovation and contribute to economic growth and national prosperity. Coordinated approach Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, said: This JV is expected to bring efficiency in deploying, managing and operating SAR constellations as Space42 and ICEYE join forces to address the market in a coordinated approach. We are proud to see our satellite production line extended to manufacture the state-of-the-art SAR technologies in the UAE through our partnership with Space42, enhancing the global reach and positive impact of ICEYEs technology. We are excited to grow ICEYEs local footprint and look forward to accelerating the UAE space programme and the local space and SAR capabilities by harnessing the most of both companies expertise for the benefit of the people of the UAE. This JV is the latest in several strategic partnerships that capitalise on Space42 and ICEYEs complementary capabilities. The most recent was the successful launch of the UAEs first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, in August 2024. Foresight-1 was launched as part of the UAEs comprehensive SAR constellation, which will continue to grow over the next three years.--TradeArabia News Service ExxonMobil has announced its corporate plan to 2030, creating a platform to further extend the companys track record of delivering leading shareholder value. The plan reflects the US group's strategy to leverage its unique set of competitive advantages and unrivaled opportunities to create significant upside potential for shareholders. The company expects to deliver incremental growth potential of $20 billion in earnings and $30 billion in cash flow driven by investing in competitively advantaged opportunities, continued excellence in execution, and disciplined cost and capital management. ExxonMobil has a unique set of highly valuable competitive advantages that equip us to do what few companies have ever done create world-scale solutions to societys biggest challenges, decade after decade, said Darren Woods, ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO. Our steadfast commitment to strengthening these advantages, including an unwavering investment in technology, has led to a history of innovative solutions that meet societys critical needs, reduce costs, and grow high-value products. Thats a formula for profitable growth and shareholder value through and beyond 2030 no matter the pace and scale of the energy transition that truly puts us in a league of our own, he stated. Consistent execution of ExxonMobils strategy and business transformation over the past five years has substantially strengthened its earnings power. On a constant price and margin basis, the company is generating more than $15 billion in earnings and more than $20 billion in cash flow when compared to 2019 and has delivered structural cost savings of more than $11 billion year-to-date over 2019. According to ExxonMobil, cash flow too has grown faster than that of any other integrated oil company (IOC) over the past three- and five-year periods Over the next six years, it expects to generate an additional $20 billion in earnings potential and $30 billion in cash flow potential. It plans to grow earnings at a CAGR of 10% and cash flow at 8% and has plans to achieve an additional $7 billion in structural cost savings by simplifying business processes, optimizing supply chains, further enhancing maintenance turnaround processes, and modernizing information technology and data management systems. ExxonMobils capital allocation approach prioritizes competitively advantaged, high-return, low-cost-of-supply investments. In 2025, the company expects cash capital expenditures to be in the range of $27 to $29 billion, reflecting the first full year of Pioneer in the portfolio and investment to build new businesses with base capex remaining flat. From 2026 to 2030, base capex is consistent, while capex growth is driven by progressing advantaged, long-term opportunities in new businesses, and a few early-stage large projects in the companys traditional businesses. The reinvestment rate relative to expected cash flow declines 10 percentage points over the plan period. Through 2030, we plan to deploy about $140 billion to major projects and the Permian Basin development program, remarked Woods. We expect this capital to generate returns of more than 30% over the life of the investments," he noted. "Strong investment returns have driven 42 consecutive years of annual dividend growth, a claim only 4% of the S&P 500 can make. This is why, when we list our capital allocation priorities, investing in accretive growth always comes first, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Gartner has highlighted the six trends that will have a significant impact on infrastructure and operations (I&O) for 2025. These trends give the opportunity for I&O leaders to identify future skills requirements and seek insights to help meet implementation requirements, said Jeffrey Hewitt, Vice President Analyst at Gartner. They will provide the differentiation needed for enterprises to gain the optimal benefits from their I&O operations in 2025. Trend No. 1: Revirtualisation/devirtualisation The recent licence changes for certain vendor-based solutions have forced many I&O teams to re-evaluate their virtualisation choices with some moving more to public cloud, some turning to distributed cloud and some moving to private cloud. This involves multiple options beyond just changing hypervisors. I&O leaders must inventory all current virtualisation implementations and any related interdependencies, said Hewitt. Evaluate alternative paths including hypervisors, hyperconvergence, distributed cloud, containerisation, private cloud and devirtualisation. Identify existing I&O skills and how those need to evolve to support top choices. Trend No. 2: Security Behaviour and Culture Programmes As the sophistication and variety of attacks increases, security programmes must evolve to address behaviour and culture to optimise their effectiveness. Security behaviour and culture programmes (SBCPs) are enterprisewide approaches to minimise cybersecurity incidents associated with employee behaviour. SBCP programmes result in improved employee adoption of security controls and reductions in behaviour not considered secure. They enable I&O to help support the more effective use of cybersecurity resources by employees. Trend No. 3: Cyberstorage Cyberstorage solutions utilise a data harbor made up of data that is fragmented and distributed across multiple storage locations. The fragmented data can be instantly reassembled for use when needed. Cyberstorage can be a dedicated solution with comprehensive features, a platform-native service offering with integrated solutions, or a collection of stand-alone products that augment storage vendors with cyberprotection capabilities. For cyberstorage to be successful, I&O leaders should identify the risks of costly and disruptive storage threats, combined with increasing regulatory and insurance expenses to build a business case for cyberstorage adoption, said Hewitt. Trend No. 4: Liquid-cooled Infrastructure Liquid-cooled infrastructure consists of rear-door heat exchange, immersion and direct-to-chip. It enables I&O to support new chip generations, density and AI requirements, while also providing I&O opportunities to flexibly place infrastructure to support edge use cases. Liquid cooling has evolved to move from cooling the broader data center environment to getting closer and even within the infrastructure, said Hewitt. Liquid-cooled infrastructure remains niche today in terms of use cases but will become more predominant as next generations of GPUs and CPUs increase in power consumption and heat production. Trend No. 5: Intelligent Applications Generative AI has revealed applications potential to operate intelligently, which has created the expectation for intelligent applications. Intelligent applications adapt to their users context and intent, thereby reducing digital friction. It can interoperate in pursuit of their own, as well as their users intents, by marshaling the appropriate interfaces to external APIs and connected data. Ultimately, intelligent applications reduce required intervention and interactions on the part of I&O. It also optimises processes and utilisation while reducing resource overhead. Trend No. 6: Optimal Infrastructure Optimal infrastructure is when I&O teams place a highly significant emphasis on the best infrastructure choices for a given use case across a range of deployment styles. This approach utilises a business-based focus so that executives outside of IT can understand why infrastructure choices are made from their perspectives. These choices are ultimately aligned with platform engineering adoption, said Hewitt. They allow I&O to align infrastructure choices with the business objectives of the overall organisation. They also facilitate the support and approval of business unit leaders and C-level executives.--TradeArabia News Service Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the worlds largest smelter on one site, marked the Anniversary of the Kingdoms National Day and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas Accession to the throne at the HRH Princess Sabeekas Oasis in Alba. A cornerstone of the Bahrains economy, Alba produces high-quality aluminium, including standard and value-added products, which are exported to over 270 customers globally. At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2023), Alba is a world-leading aluminium smelter with a proud 50-year legacy in operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, and community development. As the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Alba is central to Bahrain's thriving downstream aluminium sector, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's GDP. Committed to social responsibility, Alba employs a workforce that is 86% Bahrainis (2023) and invests heavily in employee training and development. The aluminium also plays a crucial role in the Aluminium Downstream Park, therefore increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Bahrain. Alba has been recognised for its initiatives to produce Aluminium responsibly through awards such as Top ESG performer in Bahrain by ESG Invest, Safeguard Label from Bureau Veritas and Best Corporate Governance Award by Ethical Boardroom. Recognised for its environmental practices, social contributions, and corporate governance, Alba launched a comprehensive ESG Roadmap in 2022 focusing on 6 priority areas: (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Attended by Albas Executives, Directors, Managers and employees, the celebration featured various activities, including a photo booth, Arabian hospitality, performance by a traditional Bahraini band, as well as live cooking of traditional food and sweets. On this occasion, Alba premises were decorated with the colours of the Bahraini flag, creating a patriotic ambiance throughout the company.-TradeArabia News Service Gulf Air Group (GFG), Bahrains aviation major, celebrated Bahrain National Day and the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's accession to the throne with great pomp and gaiety with a family-friendly event at Gulf Air Headquarters. The event served as a testament to GFG's commitment to its employees and the Kingdom of Bahrain. It provided a unique platform for employees to celebrate this occasion with their loved ones. The celebration brought together staff members and their families for a day filled with fun, unity, and cultural pride. Speaking on the occasion, Gulf Air Group CEO Jeffrey Goh said: "This celebration is more than just an acknowledgment of Bahrains heritage, it is also an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within the Group. We express our pride in the continuous progress of the aviation sector and the significant national achievements realized under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the governments support under HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister." "GFG extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants for their contributions to making this celebration a memorable one. These shared experiences not only foster a sense of belonging among the employees but also contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the aviation sector in Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Transguard Groups Aviation Services division has once again, following a tender process, been awarded a contract to provide manpower services to Etihad Airport Services at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Closely collaborating with Etihad Airport Services over the last few years has empowered both businesses to succeed, stated Rabie Atieh, Chief Executive Officer, Transguard Group. In fact, their passion for the industry and unwavering support has made it possible for us to go above and beyond in our offering which, in turn, has enabled us to exceed their expectations. Our partnership offers an ideal platform to showcase how we can further enhance not only this alliance but also our service proposition at Zayed International Airport while assisting Etihad Airport Services with their own strategic growth plans. We are proud to renew this prestigious, long-term agreement and look forward to the evolution of our partnership over the next five years. Deep expertise We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Transguard, a company that shares our unwavering commitment to excellence and a passion for delivering exceptional service to our customers. Transguards deep expertise in the aviation industry has been instrumental in their expanding role at Zayed International Airport. This renewed collaboration marks an exciting chapter, as Transguard takes on a comprehensive portfolio of services spanning both passenger and cargo handling. We look forward to continuing our shared journey toward operational excellence and innovation, added Jubran Albreiki, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airport Services. Under the terms of the contract, Transguard Aviation Services will continue to provide Cargo Staff, Passenger Reduced Mobility (PRM) Agents, Loaders, Drivers, Cargo Agents and Multi-Skilled Operators to support all Etihad Airport Services requirements for the next five years. Thousands of Transguard employees are already deployed in service of this contract. Our skilled employees have worked incredibly hard to uphold the rigorous standards set by Etihad Airport Services and Zayed International Airport, said Cathy Masters, Director Aviation Services, Transguard Group. Were honoured to have the ongoing opportunity to play a key role in supporting the nations critical infrastructure.--TradeArabia News Service Amsa Hospitality Academy has announced a new partnership with King Khalid University for the launch of a joint training programme. Launched in November, an inaugural cohort of 20 university graduates has begun vocational training at the soon-to-open Mercure Khamis Mushait, the first internationally branded hotel in the Aseer Province city of Khamis Mushait. The agreement, signed by Dr Reham Mashat, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at King Khalid University, and Mohammad Mandili, Chief People Officer at Amsa Hospitality, marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between academia and the private industry. It aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing graduates with hands-on experience. Developing skills Amsa Hospitality Academy, the vocational training arm of the eponymous Riyadh-based hospitality company, made its debut earlier this year. It was developed in partnership with Luxury Hotelschool Paris, a globally recognised institution known for its pedagogical excellence and collaborations with leading hotel brands. The training materials, certified and reviewed by Luxury Hotelschool Paris, help aspiring Saudi hoteliers develop the skills needed to excel in the hospitality industry. Muin Serhan, Chief Executive Officer of Amsa Hospitality, commented: We are delighted to pilot our training programme with such a prestigious institution as King Khalid University. This partnership demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work together to nurture Saudi talent and contribute to the goals of Vision 2030. Through its collaborations with various institutions, Amsa Hospitality Academy aims to train over 400 individuals by the summer of 2025.--TradeArabia News Service Worlds largest-tonnage FPSO ship sets sail in Jiangsu, acting as floating offshore refinery Global Times) 08:34, December 17, 2024 The world's largest-tonnage "Floating Production Storage and Offloading" ship, M026 FPSO, departed on December 16 from a dock at Qidong, Jiangsu Province. The convoy, spanning 784.2 meters in length, set a new record for towing operations along the Yangtze River. (Photo/CMG) The world's largest-tonnage "Floating Production Storage and Offloading" ship, M026 FPSO, departed on Monday from a dock at Qidong, Jiangsu Province, China Media Group CMG reported. The convoy, spanning 784.2 meters in length, set a new record for towing operations along the Yangtze River. The FPSO convoy comprises the M026 FPSO, along with patrol boats, tugboats, and escort vessels. The FPSO itself is 335.31 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and 33.515 meters in height. The M026 FPSO ship was built by COSCO (Qidong) Offshore Engineering Co, a subsidiary of COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. It is currently the world's largest-tonnage FPSO with the highest oil storage capacity, dubbed as a "floating offshore refinery." According to the report, the M026 FPSO is destined for an ultra-deep-water oil development project in Brazil. It can produce 180,000 barrels of oil per day, process 12 million standard cubic meters of natural gas, and store up to 1.4 million barrels of crude oil. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) 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. The inaugural International MICE Summit (IMS24) continued to explore the next chapter of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry as leaders discussed the future of events and their effect on national economies. Sessions delved into issues key to developing the next generation of events, including sustainability, size and scale, the impact of technological advances, and MICE as a catalyst for national investment and growth. Events and meetings are more than just the event. It is about the people, the experience and the larger macroenvironment and showcasing Saudi Arabia to the world, said SCEGA CEO Hattim Alkahily. The kingdom is ready to be the premiere global MICE hub and we continue to enhance our offerings, infrastructure and capabilities in line with Vision 2030 to provide the best experience possible for all who come. Training programmes In addition to sessions, four MoUs were signed between event host, the The Saudi Conventions & Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA) and the Public Health Authority, the International Congress and Conference Association (ICCA) and event partner Eye of Riyadh, the Saudi Entertainment Academy (SEA) and the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry (UFI), and the Saudi Exhibitions and Conferences Authority (SECA) and SEA. These MoUs further solidify the drive within the kingdom to facilitate the MICE via the commitment to launching training programmes and form partnerships for excellence. The programme will continue past the mainstage programming as UFI and SCEGA convene key industry executives to discuss Saudi Arabias plan to continue its drive to becoming the global events hub, including its operations, regulatory and policy model.--TradeArabia News Service Air Arabia, a major low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced the launch of its new flight to the Russian city of Sochi from its hub in Sharjah. The new non-stop flights on Airbus A320 will connect Sharjah International Airport to Sochi International Airport with a frequency of three flights per week starting from June 27, 2025. With this launch, Sochi becomes the sixth Russian city served by the airline directly from Sharjah, after Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg. Air Arabia said it operates a modern fleet of 79 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The airline also provides non-stop services from its operating hubs in the UAE, including flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Moscow, as well as between Abu Dhabi and Yekaterinburg. This expansion underscores Air Arabias commitment to strengthening connectivity between the United Arab Emirates and Russia, fostering tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations. Announcing its schedule, Air Arabia said the flight G9 440 will take off from Sharjah on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays at 8.35am and land in Sochi at 11:30am. On return, flight G9 441 will depart Sochi at 12.30pm and arrive in Sharjah at 5.15pm. "We are delighted to announce the launch of our new route to Sochi, further expanding our presence in Russia and reinforcing the strong ties between the UAE and Russia," remarked Group CEO Adel Al Ali. "This new connection reflects our commitment to providing customers with more travel options and contributing to the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard this exciting new service," he added.-TradeArabia News Service 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. Perhaps it is because there is no consequence for the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) that it continues to disconnect the electricity supply of its customers without warning. Regulated Industries Commission (RIC) executive director Dr Michelle Salandy confirmed to a parliamentary Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Local Authorities, Service Commissions and Statutory Authorities (including THA) that T&TEC faces no repercussions for the failure to adhere to its code of practice that gives specific step-by-step guidance on disconnection, reconnection, and theft of electricity, among other things. Now that information is in the public sphere, the public will no doubt hold the commission to account. A Catholic couple in Pakistan received the best Christmas gift they could imagine this week the return of their kidnapped daughter after she escaped from a Muslim who forcibly converted/married her, sources said. Muskan Salman, a bright and spirited 15-year-old, was abducted from her home in remote Tando Ghulam Ali town in Badin District, Sindh Province, on March 11. Her devout Catholic family was devastated to learn that Arsalan Ali had forcibly converted her to Islam and married her against her will, relatives said. The Masih family had filed a First Information Report accusing Ali of kidnapping, but Muskan was coerced into declaring that she was 19 years old and that she had converted to Islam and married Ali of her own free will. In Sindh Province, the legal age for marriage for both genders is 18. Ali, estimated to be between 25 and 27 years old, forcibly converted Muskan to Islam and forged a marriage certificate as legal cover for the crime, said her father, Salman Masih. Muskan escaped from Ali on Sunday (Dec. 15) and showed up at her home, but Ali was doing all he could to bring her back, Masih said. Masih sought the help of Karachi-based Christian attorney Luke Victor to protect her from Ali. Ali and his accomplices started searching for Muskan soon after she went missing they also contacted the police, but fortunately for us, I knew a senior police officer in Badin, and he promised to facilitate the family in getting a safe passage out of the area, Victor told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Victor told them to take a taxi to his office in Karachi. While the family was en route, however, Ali traced the taxi drivers phone number and called him, threatening him as he demanded that the family return her to him. The driver refused, instead letting the family out and returning to Tando Ghulam Ali, the attorney said. Victor and his legal team were waiting for the family in Karachi, growing increasingly anxious as they did not hear from Masih, whose phone battery had run out of power. The wait was agonizing, Victor said, describing how relieved he was when the family finally reached Karachi late Sunday night (Dec. 15). We moved them to a safe house where Muskan shared her story with us," Victor said. She spoke of the fear and pain she endured, but also of her unwavering faith and hope for freedom. Her courage and resilience are a testament to her strength and the support of her loving family. Victor said that on Monday (Dec. 16), Muskan gave a signed statement that she had been forced to falsely testify in favor of Ali. She has also categorically denied that she converted to Islam and married Ali willingly, he said. Ive sent her statement to the Badin police, and we have also prepared a petition to be submitted in the Sindh High Court seeking police protection from the accused. Victor said that on Dec. 3, a Badin District additional sessions judge had directed police to investigate the case anew to determine Muskans age and ascertain if it warranted legal action under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2014. The police were looking to get our case discharged on the grounds that Muskan was an adult and had converted and married Ali willingly, Victor said. Though the court admitted the polices stance, it also took note of our plea for determining her age based on her birth documents/school records as well as medical examination. Barrister Fahad Hussain, a colleague of Victor, on Dec. 12 wrote a letter to the senior superintendent of police in Badin District calling for compliance with the courts order regarding Muskans age. Muskans return is nothing short of a miracle, Victor told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The recovery of Muskan gives hope to other families who have lost female relatives to kidnapping and forced conversion/marriage, said the Rev. Maqsood Kamil, former vice principal of the Gujranwala Theological Seminary. The Masih familys reunification reminds us of the true spirit of the Advent season hope, love, and the power of faith, Kamil told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Muskans return is a beacon of hope for many, a reminder that even in the darkest times, miracles can happen. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Masan Consumer was honored with three prestigious awards at the Employer of Choice 2024 ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5, including recognition as one of the top employers in the FMCG industry and among the best large enterprises in Vietnam. The company was named: * Top 2 Employer of Choice in the FMCG Industry * Top 3 Employer of Choice, as voted by FMCG industry candidates * Top 4 Employer of Choice 2024 in the Large Enterprises Group Employer of Choice 2024 is an annual non-profit online survey program conducted by CareerViet in partnership with Amco Vietnam Market Research Company. Masan Consumer Holdings is one of the leading Vietnamese FMCG companies. Since its inception, MCH has placed consumers at the center of its operations, driving innovation to meet everyday needs with quality, affordable products. The company also delivers premium offerings to cater to Vietnams evolving market. The accomplishments of Masan Consumer are a testament to the trust and affection of candidates and employees, as well as a demonstration of the company's exceptional efforts in the development of innovative, high-quality products to serve consumers in Vietnam and around the world, as well as the establishment of an employer brand. As one of the top fast-moving consumer goods firms in Vietnam, Masan Consumer stands out for its innovative reward and incentive programs, such as the Journey to Become a Millionaire with Masan initiative. The initiative not only offers financial incentives to those who contribute and generate exceptional value but also fosters an environment in which each employee can cultivate and exhibit their skills and commit themselves to the organization's expansion. Furthermore, the organization consistently prioritizes the recruitment and development of young professionals for a variety of departments, including manufacturing - engineering - technology, research and development, and others, through the implementation of specialized training programs. These programs offer young talents the chance to refine their abilities, engage in genuine company initiatives, and develop into successful leaders in the future. In addition, training activities at both company-wide and departmental levels have been intensified in 2024, with a harmonious blend of leadership and soft skills programs conducted by renowned market experts, alongside functional training courses delivered by Masan Consumer's experienced and dedicated internal trainers. Enhancing the capabilities of internal trainers and leveraging this core resource to foster a culture of learning have also been one of the companys key priorities over the past year. In 2024, Masan Consumer is gradually digitizing HR modules such as Onboarding and Recruitment to enhance the experience for both candidates and employees. This transformation has also led to improved productivity for employees involved in the Onboarding and Recruitment processes. Masan Consumer not only invests in internal talent development activities but also actively collaborates with numerous prestigious universities to improve its employer brand among potential candidates. In 2024, the company is proactively recruiting young talent by offering official positions to students who achieve high rankings in major marketing competitions. This is in addition to traditional forms of cooperation, such as participating in job fairs, organizing tours of the headquarters, introducing the working environment to students, and accompanying student events. On December 5, Pham Thi Quy Hien, human resources director at Masan Consumer Holdings, also participated in a panel discussion as part of the seminar Holistic Excellence Generation in Unity, which featured an open dialogue between CEOs and human resources directors of prominent enterprises in Vietnam. Hien highlighted at the seminar Masan's distinctive approach to fostering a dynamic workplace environment that meets expectations and ensures successful collaboration among all generations within the organization. These unique attributes, along with recognition from employees and the broader labor market, have laid a solid foundation for Masan Consumer to continue its journey as a hub for nurturing talent and ambition. A recent partnership with U.S. chip giant NVIDIA will open a wider door for Vietnam to develop its semiconductor industry as the group pledged to shift part of its manufacturing to Vietnam in the future, according to several local experts. The Vietnamese government and NVIDIA on December 5 inked an agreement to open an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development center in Vietnam. As of the start of December, Vietnam had attracted 174 foreign-invested projects active in the semiconductor industry with a total registered capital of US$11.6 billion. Many experts believe that the presence of NVIDIA, the worlds leading chip designer, in Vietnam would bring about multiple opportunities for the growth of the semiconductor sector. Vietnam will become an attractive destination for hi-tech and AI projects with a total registered capital of billions of dollars. Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Innovation Center, underlined that the cooperation with NVIDIA would go beyond chip production. After the AI research and development center is set up, some 130 employees will work there in the initial stage, and the figure will surge over the next few years. The center, set to become a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem in Vietnam, will act as a magnet to attract a host of enterprises which specialize in providing AI devices. Notably, when deciding to invest in Vietnam, NVIDIA opted to acquire a startup, VinBrain, as the foundation for the establishment of an AI research and development center. This demonstrated NVIDIAs strong assessments of investment potential to create significant values for both the group and Vietnam. Apart from the partnership in chip production, the two sides will promote some supporting fields, including applying AI to chip development and manufacturing to serve AI services, Hoai stated. Nguyen Van Toan, an expert in the foreign direct investment field, insisted that joining hands with NVIDIA would offer new opportunities to drive up the semiconductor sector in Vietnam. That NVIDIA will establish the AI research and development center in Vietnam and gradually shift its chip manufacturing operations to the country is a positive signal for the domestic semiconductor industry, he stressed. Vietnam will be able to welcome the groups shift of a chip manufacturing factory worth some $4 billion, or a facility of chip testing and packaging in the coming time. Meanwhile, domestic tech enterprises will focus on semiconductor designing, testing, and packaging stages that require a huge workforce. The government has tasked some relevant ministries and departments in collaboration with universities with training 50,000 semiconductor engineers to make the country ready to boost the chip design process. The value of chip design accounts for up to 60 percent of chip prices, he said. Professor and Dr. Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Vietnam's Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises, affirmed that Vietnam has huge potential for semiconductor and AI expansion. In addition to NVIDIA, a wave of foreign investors is eyeing investments in semiconductor, AI and blockchain fields in Vietnam. Since 2023, a host of international firms have entered the nation to seek out cooperation and investment chances. Moreover, 2023 marked a political and diplomatic milestone for Vietnam in the global and regional markets, and witnessed Vietnam and the U.S. officially upgrade their ties to comprehensive strategic partnership during the Vietnam visit of U.S. President Joe Biden. Vietnam and the U.S. are fostering their strategic cooperation in the semiconductor and AI spheres, the professor noted. The U.S. will give essential support to Vietnam to develop the two industries while helping the latter utilize the abundant resource of rare earths. In 2023, the U.S. announced its aid package worth $500 million for the nations that were partnering with the former to develop the semiconductor sector, with 15 percent of the total set aside for Vietnam. Around 13 semiconductor investment projects, with a total capital of $3-4 billion, are currently under negotiation for operation in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. These projects are expected to receive licenses by early 2025. Nguyen Chi Dung, Minister of Planning and Investment, stated that Vietnam is increasingly emerging as a destination for semiconductor and AI technologies. Two working teams of the ministry had previously worked with NVIDIA to call for investment and concretize a cooperation plan, resulting in breakthrough outcomes that contributed to turning Vietnam into a potential destination for hi-tech, semiconductor, and AI investments. The government and the group have signed an agreement to open an AI research and development center and an AI data center in Vietnam, he said. The deal acted as a boost for Vietnam to make greater strides in the technology industry and draw more global hi-tech companies, especially those active in the semiconductor and AI fields. After the signing, NVIDIA quickly started relevant steps such as recruiting employees, strengthening the leadership apparatus, and attracting local and international talent to the AI research and development center. A source from the Ministry of Planning and Investment revealed on Monday that NVIDIA would not directly manufacture, test, and package chips, but it will only design advanced chips. The chip designing stage brings about the highest value among four stages of the chip production and supply chain. Enterprises belonging to the groups semiconductor ecosystem are in charge of the three remaining stages, including chip manufacturing, testing, and packaging. The source added that if some of these enterprises shift their operations to Vietnam, tens of billions of dollars will be poured into the nation in the coming time. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Le Phuong Khanh Nhu, a 20-year-old university student, is emerging as a young talent in bilingual hosting and public speaking in Ho Chi Minh City. Known for her poise and command of both Vietnamese and English, Nhu has garnered numerous accolades, including top honors in prestigious student competitions. Nhu, currently a third-year tourism student at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), credits her confidence and fluency in English to years of self-discipline, perseverance, and a strategic application of the Linearthinking method. The method, developed by DOL IELTS Dinh Luc, is centered on learning and teaching English in a critical, logical, and essential manner. It is based on logical and mathematical thinking and examines the impact of the mother tongue (Vietnamese) on English study. Its techniques include simplifying, reading connection, reading structure, building a sentence, speaking a sentence, thinking in English, linear paraphrasing, specifying, categorizing, linear frameworks, linear tools, mental models, and association, among others. A voice that inspires Nhus journey into public speaking began as an ambitious freshman when she entered a bilingual emceeing competition at UEH. To her surprise, the first-time contender not only navigated the challenges of stage presence and competition pressure but emerged as the champion. It was the first time I tested myself in such a professional setting, Nhu said. I poured my heart into every detail even investing a large sum of money, which was significant for a student like me. I left that stage with gratitude, knowing my efforts had paid off. This victory marked a turning point. Initially unsure about pursuing hosting as a career, the experience pushed her to refine her skills and embrace bilingual emceeing work. She has since won another bilingual emceeing talent competition of a university this year, solidifying her reputation as a skilled young orator. Le Phuong Khanh Nhu lauds the Linearthinking method developed by DOL IELTS Dinh Luc. From self-practice to proficiency Nhus ability to shine in bilingual hosting stems from a deep love for languages and years of focused practice. In the past, she loved speaking, especially speaking in front of others, but she did not know about bilingual hosting at the time. I would often read English texts aloud, record myself on video, and then watch it back to review and improve. I also practiced Vietnamese self-monologues on topics I cared about, which helped me build quick-thinking and editing skills, she said. Her curiosity led her to watch Miss Universe interviews, drawing inspiration from how international pageant winners conveyed ideas with grace and conviction. Beyond self-study, Nhu discovered Linearthinking as a powerful learning method to enhance her English proficiency. By structuring her thoughts clearly and logically, she achieved an impressive IELTS score of 7.0 and remains on track to reach 8.0 soon. Balancing excellence and ambition Between her studies, hosting events, and competition schedules, Nhu maintains a disciplined routine to ensure balance. Mornings are often reserved for hosting events, while afternoons focus on academics and self-improvement. I set clear priorities and dedicate time every day to advancing my English. On weekends, I work toward my goal of improving my IELTS score, she said. Nhus ambition stretches far beyond the stage. In the next five years, she aspires to become a renowned bilingual host, translator, and mentor for aspiring emcees. She also prioritizes community service, viewing it as a chance to give back while refining her skills and expanding her perspectives. Youth is about movement near or far, slow or fast. The key is to keep going, she said. Le Phuong Khanh Nhu is currently a third-year tourism student at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. Inspiration and resilience Nhu draws motivation from Vietnamese social media personality Khanh Vy, who inspires her with a balanced approach to success and life. She emphasizes that role models play an essential role in fueling ambition. Her journey has not been without setbacks. She once fell short of her expectations in an emceeing competition, finishing only in the top 20. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, Nhu saw it as a lesson in preparation and humility. I learned the importance of meticulous preparation, time management, and staying grounded. Every challenge teaches me something valuable, she reflected. A modern Vietnamese woman Nhus vision for modern women centers on empowerment, self-development, and community contribution. A modern woman pursues her dreams while elevating her value and balancing lifes relationships. By overcoming limitations, she inspires others and contributes to a progressive, compassionate society, she said. As she continues to refine her skills, she believes the human touch remains irreplaceable, even in the AI era. For emcees, speaking isnt just about scripts. Its about connecting heart to heart, something technology can never fully replicate, she said. With an impressive portfolio of achievements, relentless determination, and a methodical approach to learning, Nhu stands as a role model for Vietnams youth, proving that with passion and persistence, dreams are within reach. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang hosted a welcoming ceremony for and held talks with Lieutenant General Khrenin Viktor Gennadievich, Minister of Defense of Belarus, in Hanoi on Tuesday. Minister Khrenin Viktor Gennadievich leads a high-level Belarusian defense delegation on an official visit to Vietnam and to attend the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024 from December 16 to 19 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart. General Giang thanked Belarus for its participation in the exhibition and emphasized Vietnams gratitude for the support provided by the Soviet Union, including Belarus, during its struggle for national liberation and reunification. Giang highlighted the positive progress in the Vietnam-Belarus defense cooperation, which he said aligns with the strong traditional friendship and signed international agreements between the two nations. The Vietnamese defense minister proposed that both nations further tighten collaboration in areas such as delegation exchange, military training, healthcare, military history, and defense communication. He suggested that the Belarusian Ministry of Defense offer additional scholarships to Vietnamese military personnel and reiterated Vietnams readiness to host Belarusian officers for Vietnamese language and defense training courses. Minister Khrenin welcomed these proposals aimed at deepening defense ties between the two nations. He invited General Giang to visit Belarus and attend the Belarus International Defense Expo 2025. He praised the Vietnam-Belarus bilateral ties and pledged close coordination to implement joint defense initiatives effectively. The two defense leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of shared concern. General Giang reaffirmed Vietnams consistent stance on resolving maritime disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He underscored Vietnams commitment to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea and work actively with other countries to finalize an efficient and substantive Code of Conduct for the waterway. The two ministers also signed defense cooperation agreements during their meeting. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! What you need to know today in Vietnam: Society -- Police in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam on Monday coordinated with the border guard station of Huu Nghi International Border Gate in northern Lang Son Province to deport a Chinese man who illegally entered Vietnam in September this year. -- One in every 220 Vietnamese smartphone users was a victim of online scams in 2024 and these victims lost a total of VND18.9 trillion (US$742.6 million) to the scams, according to a report released on Monday by the National Cybersecurity Association. -- Police in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City on Monday issued an administrative violation record against a man who lay on the seat of a motorbike and asked his friend to film his act for uploading to TikTok. -- Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested three suspects on Sunday for allegedly trafficking and transporting drugs under the orders of a Chinese national. Authorities seized over 42 kilograms of narcotics during the operation. Education -- The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has proposed that tuition fees be waived for all students at public and non-public preschools, high schools, and continuing education centers, starting from the 2025-26 academic year. Lifestyle -- Scotlands music band The Big Day is set to perform in Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on Tuesday evening. The program will be open free of charge, according to the Da Lat Peoples Committee. World News -- Incoming U.S. President Donald Trumps 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. -- 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, Reuters reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in District 1, Ho Chi Minh Ciy on Monday detained a car driver for repeatedly beating a motorbike rider in front of Tu Du Maternity Hospital after the motorcyclist asked him to move out of a lane for motorbikes. The driver, named Quach Minh Nhut, a 33-year-old resident of District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, was charged with deliberately causing injuries. The incident took place at 1:40 pm on Saturday. The victim was 50-year-old T.T.T., a District 1 resident, who was taking his child to school. While passing through Tu Du Maternity Hospital, T. noticed that Nhut's car was moving slowly in the motorbike lane, blocking traffic. T. asked Nhut to move aside to allow motorbikes to pass. However, Nhut immediately exited his vehicle and struck T. in the face, head, and back of the neck, knocking off his helmet. Nhut continued to hit T.s face before two women getting out of Nhuts car asked him to stop. Police in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City arrested a car driver for assaulting a motorbike rider in front of Tu Du Maternity Hospital. T. felt dizzy, so he asked passers-by to report the case to police in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1. Nhut was summoned to the police station for questioning on Monday. He declared that he was carrying his mother, wife, and son to Tu Du Maternity Hospital at 12:30 pm on Saturday last week to have his sons health checked. As the area was congested and T. blamed him for it, Nhut attacked T. in his face and head nine times. Nhut later slapped T.s face and knocked him to the ground despite Nhuts mother and wife dissuading him. T. has filed a criminal complaint against Nhut, so District 1 police has asked T. to undergo a medical examination to determine the severity of his injuries. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Many road rage scuffles have happened in southern Vietnam over the last two weeks, sparking widespread public outrage. Traffic police in the Binh Phuoc Province said on Monday that they were verifying a video where a man relentlessly punches and kicks a truck driver. The four-minute-long clip had previously gone viral on social media, showing the driver being beaten on his head and body. In Ho Chi Minh City, tensions are beginning to boil as several physical assaults have occurred on the streets. On Sunday, police in Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1 said that they were handling a case in which a car driver pummeled a man who was carrying his child on a motorcycle in front of Tu Du Hospital. The victim, identified as T.T.T., recounted that he was riding his motorbike to take his daughter to school at around 1:30 pm on Saturday last week when he was stopped in front of the hospital by a car. The car was pulled over to pick up passengers, halting traffic and blocking the road. T. saw the driver had his window rolled down, so he asked him to move the car to allow others to pass. After T.s request, the driver sprang from the car, rushed toward the motorcyclist, and assaulted him. Police arrested three individuals last week following a brawl in District 3: Vo Thanh Bang, 61, a bus driver; Pham Duy Nien, 20, a bus employee; and Le Minh Hien, 37, a delivery worker, for causing public disorder. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm last Wednesday when Hien, riding his motorcycle on Vo Van Tan Street, was forced off the road by a bus. He got angry and chased the bus, eventually blocking its path, yelling at the driver, and banging on the door. In response to his acts, Bang holding a steel rod and Nien got off the bus to confront Hien, resulting in a street fight. On Monday last week, in Nha Be District, a man beat a woman on her face and head following a crash between their motorcycles on a local street. Police in Thu Duc City last week launched a probe into a four-on-one brawl after a motorcycle collision. Such situations could have been resolved peacefully through dialogue, but aggressive individuals turned the streets into battlefields. Violence not only causes public disorder but also tarnishes the image of a city or province. These aggressive incidents have raised concerns over moral standards, community awareness, and traffic culture. Public violence is listed as a violation of laws, possibly leading to a jail sentence. A shortage of harsh penalties might make offenders disregard the consequences of their actions. Besides, the pressure of life might fuel peoples aggression as when a person faces a minor collision, his pressure can erupt without control. Social media is contributing to creating a sense of normalizing street violence as too many clips showing traffic-related assaults are spreading. Instead of gaining self-control, commuters use violence as a way to resolve a problem. Raising awareness about proper behavior on the streets is crucial, with teachers and families playing a key role in promoting patience, tolerance, self-control, and respect for traffic rules. Measures to reduce violence include implementing anti-violence programs to educate citizens about legal consequences, improving road infrastructure, expanding surveillance camera coverage at intersections, and incorporating emotional control training into mandatory driving lessons. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Motorcycles older than five years from the manufacturing date must undergo periodical emissions testing, as per a new circular of the Ministry of Transport. According to the ministrys Vietnam Register (VR), a specific road map for the testing will be subject to a government decision. The transport ministry recently issued Circular 47/2024 requiring mandatory emissions testing for motorbikes under the 2024 Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety going into effect January 1, 2025. According to the circular, motorcycles less than five years old from their manufacturing date are exempt from emissions testing. Motorcycles between five and 12 years old will be required to undergo emissions testing every two years. For motorcycles older than 12 years, annual emissions testing will be mandatory. In cases where the manufacturing date is not available in the database, December 31 of the manufacturing year will be used as a reference date. Owners of motorcycles subject to emissions testing must present one of the following documents at the testing centers: the original of the vehicle registration certificate; the certified paper or electronic copy of the original vehicle registration certificate; or the original appointment form for receiving the vehicle registration certificate. Vehicles that pass emissions tests will be issued an electronic emissions certificate, which will be uploaded to the owner's e-ID account by the VR. Circular 47 is set to take effect on January 1, 2025 though the exact start date for emissions testing has yet to be announced, according to the VR. The VR explained that a road map for the emissions testing must follow the Law on Environmental Protection and is also subject to a government decision. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is coordinating with the transport ministry to set out and submit a road map for emissions testing for government approval. Due to the pending decision, such emissions testing will not commence from January 1, 2025, according to the Vietnam Government Portal. Emissions testing is crucial, as motorcycles have been identified as the leading source of air pollution in Vietnam's urban areas, the Ministry of Transport stated. Statistics reveal that motorbike exhaust contains a range of harmful substances, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Motorcycles account for the largest part of the total emissions volume discharged to the environment in big cities, said Dr. Khuat Viet Hung, director of the Transport Development and Strategy Institute under the transport ministry. By the end of 2023, Vietnam had more than 73 million motorbikes, making up about 93 percent of the total road vehicles. As per statistics, motorbikes in circulation in Hanoi in 2020 accounted for 84 percent of its total number of vehicles, while those in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City represented 91 and 90 percent, respectively. According to an emissions measurement program conducted in these three large cities, motorbikes over five years old tend to exceed the current emissions threshold while motorbikes more than ten years old have very high emissions rates. Dr. Hung noted that motorbikes older than 10 years make up the majority in all three cities: 73 percent in Hanoi, 68 percent in Ho Chi Minh City, and 59 percent in Da Nang. In response to pollution concerns, Hanoi authorities have announced plans to launch a low-emission zone (LEZ) pilot program next year in Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts. The program will restrict or prohibit high-emission vehicles from entering these densely populated areas. Hanoi also plans to introduce new regulations regarding fees and charges for vehicles operating within those LEZs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Domestic water in the tanks of several apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City fails to meet regulatory standards, according to this years monitoring results from the municipal Department of Health. The unsatisfactory indicators include residual chlorine, total coliforms, E. coli, and other contaminants. There has been no specific disclosure regarding each index or the identities of the apartments with substandard water quality. Some areas with centralized water tanks in districts and Thu Duc City also fail to meet the standards. These results implicate the risk of disease and pose a threat to public health when using domestic water sources. Therefore, the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has tasked districts and Thu Duc City with directing relevant units to instruct apartment building management boards to establish procedures for flushing tanks and conducting periodic water quality inspections. In cases where an apartment building lacks a management board, its self-management team must implement a plan to assign personnel for tank flushing and regular water quality checks in accordance with regulations. Local authorities are also required to intensify inspections, supervision, and enforcement, and to take action against non-compliance with legal regulations that affect public health regarding the supply and use of domestic water within their jurisdiction. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Scotlands music band The Big Day is set to perform in Da Lat City, the capital of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam's Central Highlands on Tuesday evening. The concert will be open free of charge, according to the Da Lat Peoples Committee. The band will perform on an outdoor stage in front of Hoa Binh Theater in the heart of Da Lat from 7:30 pm. The musical gig is part of the activities to support the development of cities belonging to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2023-25. Da Lat became a member of the network in November 2023. The Big Day performs in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Supplied The concert is also within the framework of Scotlands Momentum International Delegate scheme. Through The Big Days performance, Scotland congratulates Da Lat on becoming a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Besides Da Lat, the band will perform in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, ending their tour in Vietnam on December 21. Members of The Big Day (R, C) chat with a resident in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre The Big Day debuted in 2021 and has impressed the public with their colourful suits and vibrant pop music. Their music fuses pop tunes with the harmony in the 1980s from iconic artists like David Bowie and Confidence Man. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! TCN Staff New Delhi: What began as a harrowing tale of a young man wrongfully condemned to death for a crime he did not commit, spiraled into a decade-long struggle that would stretch the limits of justice. Anokhilal, just 21, was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh. With three separate death sentences and countless court hearings, he spent 11 years in a prison cell, haunted by the shadow of his own execution. Support TwoCircles But in March of this year, Khargone District Court finally recognised the truth: he was innocent. Overturning his conviction, the court stated that the evidence was misinterpreted and that another person had committed the crime. The man was acquitted. As reported by BBC Hindi Report, when Anokhilal was released from prison after 11 long years, he was greeted by relatives, but he could barely recognise them. He had even forgotten his mother tongue, Korku, because of his long incarceration. I forgot so much in these 11 years, he says, though he is slowly regaining his memories. He spent 11 years 4,033 days on death row, convicted for a crime he did not commit. His case passed through five different courts, with the death penalty being pronounced three times. In the sixth trial, the Khargone District Court acquitted him. Flawed Probe: A Death Sentence Based on Doubtful Evidence Why did it take so long for justice to prevail? What impact did this prolonged legal process have on both the accused and the victims family? When Anokhilal first heard of his death sentence, according to the report, he was in a state of shock. I went numb. I could not think. It took me time to process it, he recalls. At that time, the police claimed the case was difficult, with no direct eyewitness and circumstantial evidence, with the DNA report being the only crucial evidence. Despite the speed of the trial, many legal experts questioned whether justice had truly been served. Lawyer Jai Nagda presented a report that pointed out serious flaws in the handling of the case. The case had many inconsistencies, which were overlooked by the courts during the hearings. Over the years, the defense presented these flaws in a petition to the High Court, demanding that experts be called in to testify about the evidence. The case was sent back to the trial court in 2022, revisiting its origins in 2013. The crucial flaw? The DNA report from the victims body did not match Anokhilals. Instead, it matched the DNA of another man. While earlier courts had accepted that the DNA belonged to an unidentified male, the final court ruling emphasised that the DNA did not belong to Anokhilal, undermining the case against him. The court also raised serious doubts about the integrity of the physical evidence, suggesting possible tampering by the police. The local court that had sentenced him to death in 2013 and 2022 eventually acquitted him. Flaws in Forensic Evidence Shreya Rastogi, a lawyer and a member of Project-39A, who took up Anokhilals case, says the forensic evidence was never properly examined until they became involved. There is a lack of understanding of forensics and DNA analysis in India, she explains. There needs to be better training for police, lawyers and judges. A significant number of death row cases in India have seen acquittals or reduced sentences. Between 2000 and 2015, 443 out of 1,498 death sentences were overturned, raising serious questions about the reliability of the investigation and judicial process. The Victims Family: A Fathers Grief and Anger Meanwhile, the victims father, living hundreds of kilometers away, had no idea that Anokhilal had been acquitted. He learned of the decision from an unknown caller. They sentenced him to death to calm our anger, but now he is free. The system is filled with careless people, he reportedly said in trembling voice with deep sorrow and anger. He also expressed his frustrations about how the justice system failed him. If only I had money, I coul have hired a good lawyer, he said. For him, the pain of losing his daughter is still raw. Anokhilals Struggles with Life After Prison Anokhilals life after his release has not been easy. Now, working in various manual jobs in Madhya Pradesh, he has withdrawn from social life. He rarely goes out at night and only leaves his room for work during the day. He still lives in a rented room with a friend. I have lost touch with my old friends. I do not have time for them anymore, Anokhilal says. He now focuses on repaying the debts his family incurred during his trial, hoping to make a fresh start. However, the biggest question remains: who was the real criminal? Despite Anokhilals acquittal, the real culprits are still at large. The Big Question: Who Is the Real Criminal? Even after Anokhilals acquittal, the biggest question remains: who was the true perpetrator of the crime? As the case reveals systemic flaws, the search for justice continuesnot only for Anokhilal but for the victim and her family as well. His case is a chilling reflection of how justice can sometimes be blind, even when lives hang in the balance. TCN Staff Correspondent It was a 1986 district court order in Uttar Pradesh that set off a chain of events, which eventually led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. In his judgment on the Ayodhya title suit in 2010, Justice S.U. Khan of the Allahabad High Court highlighted how this seemingly inconspicuous order had catapulted the dispute to the national (and even international) level. He had added that the conflict before this was hardly known beyond Ayodhya and Faizabad. This moment was a key turning point. Support TwoCircles The Babri Masjid dispute began with the mysterious placement of an idol of Lord Ram inside the mosque in 1949, and it led to restricted access to the mosque. Only a few priests were allowed for decades to perform rituals. The devotees could only view the deity and offer prayers from outside. However, an advocate who was not even related to the case filed an appeal before district judge K.N. Pandey in Faizabad on January 31, 1986. He prayed that the gates of the mosque be opened for Hindus to worship. The judge granted the appeal the very next day. Within minutes, the gates of the mosque were opened. The decision, however, shocked Justice Khan in 2010. He noted that the appeal had been filed by a stranger and was not maintainable. He said one of the parties to the case had been wrongly excluded. He also expressed his surprise that the district magistrate and the police had stated there would be no issues with opening the locks. There was no reason to show such undue haste, Justice Khan had observed and emphasised that the appeal had neither legal merit nor proper opposition. Escalating the Gyanvapi Dispute The pattern of judicial involvement in religious disputes became even clearer with the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, where claims about the mosque standing on the ruins of a Hindu temple sparked new legal battle. The dispute began in 1991 when a case was filed by devotees claiming that the mosque originally stands at the site of a temple. Nothing happened in the case largely until 2020. The Allahabad High Court began allowing hearings in the matter once again, drewing attention to its maintainability. The controversy deepened in 2021, when a civil court in Varanasi ordered a videographic survey of the mosque despite the provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act prohibiting any change to the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947. This order was challenged in higher courts. But there was no stay on the district courts order. During the survey conducted by court commissioners, a black-colour cylindrical structure was discovered in the wazukhana (a place for ablution) of the mosque. The petitioners described it to be Shivling, while the mosque managing committee claimed it was a fountain. This sparked heated debates about the mosques religious character. While some called for it to be sealed, others demanded a reversal of the restrictions. The Gyanvapi case moved through the courts. The Allahabad High Court and the Supreme Court involved in a complex balancing act. On May 20, then Chief Justice of India, Dr D.Y. Chandrachud, who had been part of the bench, which decided the Ayodhya case, made an observation that some saw as opening the door for further litigations on similar lines. He remarked that since the survey was purely investigatory, it would not affect the mosques religious character. This is contradictory to the Supreme Courts previous position in the Ayodhya judgment. The verdict, though controversial, had upheld the Places of Worship Act as a safeguard against religious disputes. Impact on Other Religious Disputes Chandrachuds observation set a precedent which led to several new petitions. It appears to have emboldened the demand for similar investigations at other religious sites. Take Mathura for example, permission for the survey of the Shahi Idgah mosque has been sought. The petitioners claim that the mosque is built on the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Similar petitions have surfaced in other parts of the country, such as the the Qutb Minar in Delhi, Kamal-ud-Din mosque in Madhya Pradesh and Shahi Jama Masjid at Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, where Hindus claim that the structure was originally a temple before being converted into a mosque. In Shahi Idgah mosque case that has already been subject to several petitions, a district court recently ruled that the Places of Worship Act did not apply as the case fell within one of the exceptions in the legislation. Perhaps, emboldened by judicial rhetoric in higher courts, lower courts are increasingly willing entertaining such disputes. The Taj Mahal Exception The Allahabad High Court, in contrast, took a firm stand in dismissing a petition filed in May 2022 seeking an archaeological survey of the Taj Mahal. The court said that such matters were non-justiciable and should be left to historians. The judgment, in a way, clarified that not all petitions related to ancient monuments would be entertained. A series of legal developments began taking place from the Gyanvapi case, wherein surveys and probes into the religious character of ancient religious structures was emphasised. As a large number of litigants began seeking to challenge the status quo of religious monuments, there is a concern that the judiciarys handling of such cases may chip away the protections offered by the Places of Worship Act. By suggesting in the Gyanvapi case that an investigatory survey may be permissible despite the Acts clear prohibitions, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud opened the floodgates for a series of litigations that are targeting religious sites across India. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on December 16 sought the State of Karnatakas response to a petition challenging the Karnataka High Courts decision that shouting Jai Sriram inside a mosque did not constitute an offense, LiveLaw reported. Support TwoCircles The petition was filed by the complainant, contesting a September 13 ruling by the High Court that had quashed criminal proceedings against two individuals accused of trespassing at Badriya Juma Masjid and raising the Hindu religious slogan inside the mosque. The High Court had said that it was un-understandable how such a slogan could offend anyones religious feelings. The appeal points out that the High Court overlooked the fact that the accused made these statements while illegally entering the mosque premises and threatening the Muslim community. The special leave petition highlights that the High Courts unwarranted remarks could embolden anti-social groups to use such religious slogans as a justification for violent acts, including mob lynching and targeted assaults on minorities throughout the country, as reported by The Hindu. Representing the complainant, according to the Live Law report, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat argued that the proceedings had been prematurely stayed, even though the investigation was still at an early stage. A division bench of Justices Sandeep Mehta and Pankaj Mithal questioned whether shouting a religious slogan could truly be considered an offense. Kamat responded to the query and cited Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which prohibits acts that incite communal disharmony. He emphasised that shouting religious slogans in a place of worship could potentially incite violence. The bench then inquired whether the accused had been identified. Kamat clarified that CCTV footage had been used to identify them, as recorded in the remand report. He further stated that the police were responsible for gathering evidence and that the FIR only needed to provide basic details of the alleged offense. The court did not issue a formal notice but instructed the petitioner to serve a copy of the petition to the State of Karnataka, with the case set for a hearing in January 2025. As per the complainant, two unknown individuals entered the mosque at around 10:50 p.m. and shouted Jai Sriram. It allegedly followed by threats against Muslims. They fled the scene when the complainant and a colleague confronted them. The complainant later identified the suspects through CCTV footage and filed a police complaint. It led to registration of an FIR under various sections of the IPC, including trespassing and inciting religious offense. The police subsequently arrested the accused, who were granted bail four days later. In their petition to quash the FIR lodged against them, the accused argued that the complaint did not substantiate the charges. The High Court agreed and ruled that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the incident amounted to an offense. Justice M. Nagaprasanna of the High Court emphasised that Section 295A of the IPC, which penalises acts that outrage religious feelings, did not apply here. He noted that shouting Jai Sriram could not be seen as malicious or intentional, especially in an area where Hindus and Muslims coexisted peacefully. He also dismissed the charges of public mischief and trespassing, stating that the complaint failed to meet the necessary criteria for those offenses. The Supreme Courts petition challenges the High Courts decision. It argues that it contradicts established precedents, which caution against quashing criminal proceedings before an investigation is completed. The petitioners contend that the High Courts conclusion that shouting Jai Sriram could not cause any religious tension ignored the reality of the situation, where an incident occurred within a mosque, accompanied by threats against Muslims. This, they argue, warrants a full investigation and prosecution. Hana Vahab, TwoCircles.net In the remote village of Hundi in Kupwara, the northernmost district of Kashmir, 15-year-old Wajid dreams of clearing prestigious Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination to become a civil servant. Despite the limitations imposed by his circumstances, he sits with his family of six in the small front yard of their home, taking on the role of a responsible adult. Support TwoCircles There is no electricity in their home, as in many others here. According to the Power Departments curtailment schedule, electricity was supposed to be restored by 1 p.m. after a two-hour shutdown. But as the clock ticks on, the lights remain off. This is not an isolated case. Villages across Kupwara, including Zirhama, Gujjar Pati, Laaderwan and Marhama, are also grappling with daily power outages often for hours on end. With dreams of furthering his education, Wajid faces a grim reality. I am very interested in studies, he says, but we are a poor family, and we cannot afford IT courses. And besides, there is no electricity here. Despite these hardships, Wajids family continues to receive electricity bills amounting to Rs 700 or more every month, even though the power supply is unreliable often cut for more than nine hours each day. In one of the villages, a resident shows an electricity bill of Rs 700, despite being without power for over nine hours a day. We do not have electricity, especially in the winter. Sometimes, it is hardly two or three hours in two days, one villager says during a casual conversation, echoing a grim reality for most villages in Kashmir in 2024. The electricity crisis in Kashmir is not just about the technical challenges of fixing power lines or overloading the system during winter. It is also about the unaddressed dangers posed by dangling electric wires, broken poles and faulty transformers. The Power Departments inability to address these issues has left villagers vulnerable. Rafiqa Begum (30) tragically lost her cow, which was the primary source of livelihood for her family of five, when an electric wire fell and caused a fatal electric shock. Her daughter, then just three years old, narrowly escaped death when an electric pole collapsed while she was playing outside. We live in constant fear, Rafiqa says, reflecting the daily dangers that come with the erratic power supply. Most families in Hundi, like many others in rural Kashmir, rely on migrant labourers or traders who work outside the region to support their families. These families, often consisting of only two or three members, face electricity bills of Rs 700-800 each month, despite enduring long hours of power cuts. Kupwara, part of the region covered under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), a government scheme aimed at improving power supply, faces persistent electricity shortages. While 1133 BPL (below poverty line) households and 129 villages were electrified between 2015 and 2018, the implementation of the scheme has been inadequate. Villagers continue to report faulty transformers, unsafe wiring and erratic power supply, but their complaints go unheard. Every five years, we speak to officials about the outdated transformers and the safety hazards posed by hanging wires. But no one takes action, says Shaukat Ali, a 19-year-old resident. In 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL) was replaced by a new power department directly overseen by the central government. Despite this, residents remain frustrated by the lack of accountability. The new power development department talks about reducing power thefts and overuse, but the real issue is the neglect of our basic needs, says MP Ruhulla, who voices the concerns of Kashmiris. Power is essential for the people of Kashmir, but it should not be a privilege that others can control. These policies, made by outsiders with no empathy for the people here, are unfair. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir administration entered into a 40-year power off-take agreement with Rajasthan, under which power from Kishtwar in Jammu will be supplied to Rajasthan. Yet, locals in Kishtwar have reported daily power outages of six to eight hours. They send the power elsewhere, but we have no power in our own homes, a Kishtwar resident shares. The agreement raises questions about the fairness of power distribution when local residents are left in the dark. Under the Power for All in Jammu and Kashmir initiative, the government sought to improve the regions power infrastructure. However, despite promises of electrification and the installation of new substations, the situation remains dire. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) operates several power stations in the region, including the Kishanganga Power Station. While the government has touted the potential of these plants to meet both local and national energy needs, the reality for people in Kashmir is starkly different. In fact, power outages persist even in the midst of these large-scale projects. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while inaugurating the Kishanganga Power Project in 2019, claimed that Kashmir has the potential not only to meet its own energy needs but also to generate power for the rest of the country. Yet, as power shortages continue, the reality on the ground suggests a disconnection between promises and delivery. One of the main reasons for this power shortage is the dependence on hydropower. In winter, as the lakes and rivers freeze, the supply of water to hydropower stations becomes limited, disrupting the electricity supply. Kashmirs reliance on a single source of energy has proven to be a vulnerability that the government has yet to address adequately. Meanwhile, people in Hundi and other villages like it continue to struggle with unreliable power, facing bills for electricity they do not receive. As the winter months deepen, many families must contend with freezing temperatures, inadequate heating and the constant threat of electrical accidents. The impact of these power shortages is especially hard on students and young professionals who rely on electricity for their education and work. A small survey of college students found that 44% reported power outages lasting more than nine hours per day, while 33% experienced outages between six and nine hours daily. These disruptions have led to missed online exams, incomplete courses, and a general sense of hopelessness among the youth. In the face of rising unemployment, many young people are leaving Kashmir to pursue education and employment opportunities elsewhere. One student shared that the frequent power outages were the primary reason they moved out of Kashmir for higher studies. Others have had to abandon online courses or miss crucial examinations due to power failures. The lack of social and digital spaces, combined with high unemployment, leaves many young people feeling trapped. Kashmirs youth, like Wajid, are left to navigate a broken system that denies them access to basic services such as reliable electricity, further compounding the challenges they face in an already conflict-ridden region. This lopsided development, where the state machinery ignores the needs of its citizens, is a stark reminder of how those in power fail to prioritize the most basic human rights. As Wajid and countless others in Kashmir dream of a better future, the price of electricity has become the cost of their lives unreliable, unaffordable and often non-existent. Luca Guadagninos Bones and All, a film about love, longing, and the grotesque hunger that shapes both, is a peculiar yet transcendent cinematic experience. It's an exploration of alienation, the frailty of the human condition, and the eerie beauty of desire, all wrapped in the visceral imagery of cannibalism. Adapted from Camille DeAngelis's 2015 novel, the film unspools like a fever dream, wherein the grotesque and the tender collide in ways that are at once disturbing and heartbreaking. Guadagninos films often defy easy categorization. With Call Me by Your Name (2017), he carved out a space for queerness that was both elegiac and erotic, and with Suspiria (2018) reimagined the horror genre as a kind of elaborate artifice. In Bones and All, the director remains loyal to his sensibility for lush, textured visuals and slow-burn, emotionally charged narratives, but he applies it to a decidedly darker, more grotesque canvas. The film centers on Maren (Taylor Russell), a young woman with a dangerous affliction: she is a cannibal, and she is alone in a world that neither understands nor accepts her. When we meet her, she lives in the shadow of a disjointed, fractured childhood, defined by shame, secrecy, and insatiable hunger. The story kicks into motion when her estranged father abandons her, leaving her to navigate an American landscape both vast and intimate, haunted by the existential terror of what she is. As Maren sets out on her journey to find her mother, she encounters Lee (Timothee Chalamet), a similarly afflicted, enigmatic drifter. Chalamet's Lee is a creature of both softness and menace a perfect foil to Russell's Maren, whose vulnerability and internalized shame play out in her every gesture. Together, they form a tender, almost tragic bond, each one trying to carve out some semblance of normalcy in a world that offers only grotesque solutions. It is tempting to read Bones and All as a straightforward metaphor for the outsiders experience. But Guadagninos approach complicates this interpretation, eschewing simplistic moralizing in favor of an exploration of hunger itself: not just the hunger for flesh, but the hunger for connection, belonging, for love. What does it mean to hunger for another person when that desire is both erotic and violent? What does it mean to love someone when that love can consume both of you? The films aesthetic is essential to its storytelling, with Guadagnino and his cinematographer, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, painting the landscape of America with a mix of gorgeous, painterly precision and unflinching realism. The textures of the worldsunset-hued highways, abandoned motels, quiet suburban homessuggest both the beauty and the rot beneath the surface. The lushness of the imagery is matched by a soundscape that pulses with tension, each subtle rustle or intake of breath charged with the unspoken violence lurking beneath every interaction. There is something almost mythic about the bond between Maren and Lee, a love story that defies easy moral judgments. Bones and All operates as a kind of twisted coming-of-age story, wherein the search for identity and self-acceptance is inextricably linked to an inevitable confrontation with one's darker nature. Guadagninos exploration of the bodys literal and figurative grotesque appetites reminds us that there is something simultaneously beautiful and repulsive about the act of consuming and being consumed. Taylor Russell, who has been steadily garnering attention for her remarkable ability to convey depth with subtlety, delivers a performance of quiet intensity as Maren. She is a character of delicate contradictions, tender but fierce, open yet reclusive, an ideal fit for the complexity of a narrative that never offers easy answers. Chalamet, too, delivers a quietly devastating performance as Lee, embodying both a destructive charm and a bruised vulnerability. Together, their chemistry is undeniable, a kind of yearning that transcends the horror of their shared condition, offering glimpses of beauty in even the darkest moments. Bones and All is ultimately about the fragility of human connection, the tenderness that emerges from shared pain, and the unspoken longing that can both destroy and save us. In this, Guadagnino achieves a kind of poetic grandeur, taking what could have been a lurid, sensationalist story and elevating it to a meditation on love, loss, and the insatiable desire for both. Its a work of melancholy beauty, a film that asks not just "What are we willing to consume to survive?" but "What are we willing to become in the process?" As with all great art, Bones and All does not offer a clear answer but leaves us with the unsettling feeling of having glimpsed something profound and disturbing, an intimate portrait of what it means to be human in a world that does not always make room for us. In the end, the films haunting resonance comes not from its cannibalistic horrors, but from the profound emotional truths that lurk beneath them. Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray ones and All eats its way to 4K + Blu-ray via Scream Factory. The two discs are housed inside a hard, black plastic case. The artwork features the two main leads looking at each other in love in the shape of a heart with blood splatters. BM Windows shares its experiences in international markets at Glasstech Asia 2024 Global connections have opened up opportunities and introduced stringent requirements to meet ever-higher market standards. Drawing on practical experience through projects in various countries, BM Windows continues to share its journey into international markets, promoting and asserting the quality of Asias facades in global sectors. The Glasstech Asia 2024, held from December 11 to 13 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, was one of the most anticipated events of the year for the glass and facade industry in Southeast Asia. Organised by Messe Munchen International, Singapore, the expo attracted around 200 businesses and industry associations from 50 Asian countries. This series of events provides a platform for experts from around the world to come together each year to exchange ideas, trends, and insights on the Asian facade, aluminium, and glass industries globally. With its experience in both the Vietnamese and regional markets, BM Windows hosted a seminar on "Optimisation in Facade Design: Enhancing Performance and Efficiency", which focused on the importance of introducing innovative solutions and optimising modern facade design. This contributes to improved operational efficiency and reduced environmental impact, aligning with new global construction trends. Optimisation in the modern facade industry involves the modular design process, prioritising the use of local, environmentally friendly materials, improving heat efficiency, and applying advanced technologies to control quality and optimise resources. This increases the aesthetics and durability of construction works, said Satoshi Takemoto, Design Manager at BM Windows, at the event. BM Windows develops glass and aluminium facade products with a focus on advanced technology, ensuring energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and striving for uniformity in construction. The companys ongoing innovation efforts have enabled it to complete over 600 major projects both domestically and internationally, gradually conquering demanding markets such as Canada, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand. Global connections have opened up opportunities and introduced strict requirements to meet increasingly higher market standards. Through practical experience with projects in numerous countries, BM Windows continues its journey into international markets, promoting and asserting the quality of Asias facades on the global stage, said Nguyen Tran Tri, a representative of BM Windows, at the event. In May of this year, the company attended the Zak World of Facades conference in Toronto, Canada. There, BM Windows representatives discussed global procurement in the aluminium and glass facade industry in North America with international experts. Thanks to its efforts in exporting aluminium and glass facades, BM Windows received recognition at the Asian Export Awards 2024, which took place in Singapore on November 19. This prestigious event celebrates outstanding Asian businesses in global exports. BM Windows was the only representative from Vietnam, standing alongside other Asian businesses from Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan (China), and Saudi Arabia, all of which were honoured at the event./. Ly Ly Cao HA NOI The United Kingdom (UK) is rapidly emerging as an attractive export destination for Vietnamese goods, fuelled by the Viet Nam UK Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). With exports to the UK nearing US$6.4 billion in the first ten months of 2024, an increase of 22 per cent compared to the previous year, e-commerce stands out as a promising channel to further enhance Viet Nams trade presence in this dynamic market. The UKVFTA offers significant tariff reductions, enabling Vietnamese products to compete effectively with counterparts from countries like China, India and Brazil, which lack similar agreements. Goods such as textiles, footwear, electronics and processed foods have established a firm footing in the UK, while sectors like healthcare products and steel show robust growth potential. Vietnamese products are now widely available in major UK retail chains like Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Whole Foods, as well as in niche Asian supermarkets, Hoang Le Hang, First Secretary at the Viet Nam Trade Office in the UK, said at a recent event on export strategy for market penetration and brand building in the UK. She emphasised the increasing visibility of Vietnamese brands, such as ST25 rice and Nature Queen herbal products, as key contributors to this success. The new frontier Global cross-border e-commerce is experiencing exponential growth. At the 2024 E-commerce Connection and Development forum, Le Hoang Oanh, director general of the Viet Nam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, revealed that the sector has grown from $1.9 trillion in 2021 to $2.3 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $7.9 trillion by 2030. Cross-border e-commerce is a powerful lever for online exports, she said, highlighting its transformative potential. According to the 2023 E-commerce Report by the agency, 13 per cent of Vietnamese businesses use websites or e-commerce applications for import-export activities. Among them, 53 per cent export through e-commerce platforms, while 47 per cent rely on self-developed websites or applications. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, numerous cross-border e-commerce export enterprises continue to sustain annual growth rates of 15-20 per cent, Nguyen Minh uc, deputy general secretary of the Viet Nam E-commerce Association (Vecom), said at the recent event in HCM City. This trend underscores the vital role of digital channels in modern trade. Bridging the digital divide Despite these promising trends, many Vietnamese businesses remain in the early stages of digital transformation. Building the necessary infrastructure - digitised supply chains, integrated platforms and robust human capital - is crucial for long-term success. Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen, deputy director general of the Viet Nam E-commerce and Digital Economy Agency, said that it is necessary to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggling with online exports. To address this, the department is developing an Online Export Ecosystem (Ecomex) to provide tailored solutions that align with the Government's vision of helping Vietnamese businesses access international markets through e-commerce. The agency also organises regular training programmes to improve workforce skills, update regulatory knowledge and familiarise businesses with new technologies. "The era of traditional trade is giving way to digital platforms. Viet Nam must seize this opportunity to not just compete but lead in the global e-commerce arena, Hoang Vinh Long, chairman of the Viet Nam Tea Association, told Viet Nam News. Long highlighted ongoing efforts to digitise the tea industry, including plans for an e-commerce platform to streamline operations and introduce Vietnamese tea to international consumers. Platforms like Amazon UK and eBay offer a ready-made marketplace, while specialised sites targeting ethnic foods and fair-trade products provide niche opportunities. The adaptation of Vietnamese exporters to these platforms can significantly reduce the reliance on traditional distribution channels. Moreover, e-commerce allows businesses to bypass intermediaries, directly reaching consumers and retaining higher profit margins. The Vietnamese Government and trade associations play a pivotal role in facilitating this transition. Events like the upcoming 'Vietnamese Goods Week in the UK' provide opportunities to build brand awareness and establish trust with consumers. "Nevertheless, to establish an e-commerce platform, we must also have the necessary infrastructure. This entails each business digitising all product-related content, including inventory and quality and subsequently integrating it with the trading platform," Long said. "This process poses one of the current challenges we are encountering, prompting us to seek technological solutions to aid our enterprises." There are also challenges in international shipments. Logistics, overall and last-mile delivery, in particular, are pivotal factors that significantly influence the seamless shopping experience from the moment of order placement to the receipt of goods by the consumer. Collaboration between Vietnamese producers and UK-based logistics companies can streamline the supply chain, addressing concerns about delivery times and product freshness. Meanwhile, government-led initiatives such as Ecomex demonstrate the focus on providing tangible solutions to exporters. VNS HCM CITY Saigon Co.op has stockpiled more than 12,000 tonnes of essential goods traditionally consumed for the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in late January, or 30-50 per cent higher than normal. Most of them are goods meant for the market stabilisation programme, like rice, sugar, cooking oil, pork, poultry meat and eggs, processed foods, vegetables, fruits, and seafood. The rest include other foods and Tet specialties. Nguyen Ngoc Thang, the cooperatives deputy general director, said: "Saigon Co.op expects Tet 2025 sales to increase by 5 per cent. In 2024 Saigon Co.op opened several new retail outlets catering to various segments, like Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, Co.op Food, Co.op Smile, and Finelife. With 800 outlets nationwide and ongoing expansion across all retail segments, Saigon Co.op has a strong foundation to place large orders with strategic partners, thereby ensuring steady prices for all Tet goods. To ensure quality, hygiene and food safety, Saigon Co.op will increase the frequency of quality checks by two- or three-fold from normal days. It has recruited more than 3,500 seasonal employees as sales staff, cashiers, marketers, gift wrappers, security guards, storekeepers, warehouse assistants, and home delivery staff. In addition, Co.opmart, Co.opXtra, and other stores under the Saigon Co.op umbrella are running promotions that will go on almost until Tet, offering discounts on 3,500 products. MM Mega Market Viet Nam, anticipating a significant increase in consumer demand during the year-end period, worked with its strategic partners a few months ago to increase stocks of Tet-specific products by 40 per cent. Pork and chicken supply will be stabilised in terms of both quantity and price, leveraging its closed-loop supply chain, according to an MMVN spokesperson. MMVN will ensure sufficient stocks for its 21 outlets nationwide, prioritising essential goods, health-related items and traditional Tet products such as peach blossoms, apricot flowers, decorative couplets, and red envelopes. The company said it works closely with suppliers to maintain reasonable prices and prevent price volatility, and that MMVN offers attractive promotions, including "Buy More, Save More" for bulk purchases of fresh, dry and non-food items, "Buy 2, Pay for 1," "Buy 2, Get 1 Free," discounts of up to 50 per cent, and special deals on various items throughout the Tet season. It plans to hire over 600 temporary workers during Tet 2025, and is confident of maintaining prices and service quality during Tet. Other supermarkets such as Go!, BigC and Tops Market (under Central Retail Vietnam), Aeon, Satra, and WinMart are also busy preparing for the year-end shopping bonanza. Vissan Joint Stock Company, which processes and sells fresh and frozen meat and processed foods, has earmarked more than VN540 billion (US$21.3 million) to stockpile goods, an increase of 8 per cent from last year. It plans to stock nearly 930 tonnes of fresh food, up 5 per cent from last year, and 3,700 tonnes of processed foods, up 8 per cent. It has earmarked an additional 1020 per cent of its production to head off potential supply shortages. Vissan said it began stockpiling raw materials since June 2024 to ensure its diverse supply of goods meet consumer demand before, during and after Tet. It is also committed to stabilising prices throughout the holiday season besides offering weekly promotions with discounts of 1020 per cent on certain essential items. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, confirmed that businesses have stockpiled sufficient essential goods for Tet. They have allocated some VN23 trillion ($905.7 million) to stock goods, including VN10 trillion for the city market stabilisation programme. The volume of products subject to the market stabilisation programme account for 2132 per cent of the market during regular months but can rise to 43 per cent during the peak Tet period. Vu said that, from now until January 2025, the department would collaborate with various agencies to implement the mobile sales - market stabilisation programme to bring essential consumer goods at good quality and attractive prices to more consumers in the city, with the participation of large retailers and brands such as Saigon Co.op, Satra, MM Mega Market, and Cholimex. Under the programme, some items will have prices discounted by 80 per cent. The department would also carry out regular inspections to monitor prices and quality, Vu added. VNS HA NOI A mid-term review meeting has taken place recently in Ha Noi to look into the first phase of the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative in the new era, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI). Co-chairing the event, MPI Deputy Minister Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc noted the initiative, launched in 2003, is a long-term effort to build up the foundation for the two countries economic cooperation. It is also an important dialogue channel and a special mechanism between the Vietnamese Government and Japanese enterprises. She considered the recent elevation of bilateral ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world as a chance for both sides to carry out the Joint Initiative in the most effective manner to tackle bottlenecks and speed up the progress of the initiatives working group. The MPI and other Vietnamese agencies are ready to coordinate with Japan to share the latest information about newly issued strategies and existing regulations so that both sides can work out suitable programmes and projects, Ngoc said. Deputy Ambassador of Japan Ishikawa Isamu held that with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world, the Viet Nam-Japan relationship is now in its prime. This is an opportunity for the countries to effectively implement the joint initiative with a new and more efficient approach, to devise major orientations and measures for further intensifying bilateral cooperation. As a big partner in terms of trade, economy, investment, and official development assistance (ODA), Japan always wishes to further promote its investment presence in Vietnamese provinces and cities, he added. The Japanese Government and enterprises hope to see stable cooperation results in multiple spheres like digital transformation, green transition, innovation, and high-quality human resources development. They are also willing to assist with Viet Nams efforts to become a developed and high-income nation by 2045, according to the diplomat. He also highlighted his countrys readiness for long-term cooperation with and assistance for Viet Nam to resolve challenges the latter is facing. At the meeting, representatives of working groups reviewed implementation results of the action plan for Phase 1 of the Joint Initiative. They also discussed cooperation directions for some key areas such as promoting the Asia Zero Emission Community/green transition, and training semiconductor manpower. Viet Nam called on Japan to increase connecting the countries enterprises so that they further explore investment chances in the fields matching Viet Nams demand and Japans strength such as smart manufacturing, smart city building, digital content, cyber security, environmental technology, health technology, semiconductor, green hydrogen and artificial intelligence. The Vietnamese side also suggested enhancing ties between vocational education institutions and enterprises of Japan to help train the workforce in Viet Nam. Meanwhile, Japan proposed Viet Nam build a special mechanism for jointly implementing certain projects, create a model for semiconductor manpower exchange and development between the two countries, and issue guidance for the compliance with the laws on investment and enterprises. Phase 1 of the Viet Nam-Japan Joint Initiative in the new era comprises five main groups of issues, namely promoting the Asia Zero Emission Community/green transition; facilitating innovation and digital transformation; enhancing supply chains, including developing support industries; training high-quality human resources; and conducting institutional reforms to improve the investment environment. VNA/VNS HA NOI A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangladesh and a group of Vietnamese businesses led by Ambassador Nguyen Manh Cuong visited and worked with government agencies and business partners in Sylhet city of Moulvibazar Province, and Habiganj Province. At the meeting between the Vietnamese delegation and head of the Sylhet city administration office Muhammad Sher Mahbub Murad, both sides agreed to promote cultural exchanges, tourism, and business connection, thereby enhancing mutual understanding and bringing the two countries' people closer together. The host noted that Sylhet is currently one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with strengths in tourism, agricultural production, and natural gas extraction. However, due to climate change and environmental pollution, it faces extreme weather patterns such as floods, heat waves, and fog. The local government is actively researching international experience, particularly Viet Nam's, in responding to and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change. Additionally, he said he hopes to gain insights from Vietnam on developing high-tech and sustainable agriculture to ensure domestic food security and serve exports. For his part, Ambassador Cuong expressed his confidence that Sylhet will soon become a major economic hub of Bangladesh, successfully developing into a smart tourism city in the future. Emphasising that Viet Nam is a coastal country with favourable conditions for agricultural and tourism development, the ambassador suggested both sides explore the potential for connectivity, exchanges, and parnerships between their localities, thereby enhancing collaboration and sharing development experience in various fields, as well as promoting economic, trade, and investment cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. In Moulvibazar Province, the Vietnamese delegation visited the tea and agricultural production factory of Paragon Group, one of the oldest food companies in Bangladesh. Some Vietnamese businesses had the opportunity to meet with the group's leaders. They are seeking trade cooperation opportunities, particularly exporting Viet Nams frozen food and key agricultural products to the Bangladeshi market. In Habiganj Province, the delegation met with the leaders of the multi-sector manufacturing industrial zone belonging to PRAN-RFL Group, one of the largest manufacturers and exporters in Bangladesh. During the meeting, Vietnamese businesses discussed with group leaders about their strengths and cooperation opportunities in areas such as food imports and exports, preservation and packaging technology, and production technology transfer. On this occasion, the embassy coordinated with the Bangladesh-Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BVCCI) to organise a seminar on the current business, trade, and investment environment in Bangladesh and potential for collaboration between Vietnamese and Bangladeshi businesses. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet and his Venezuelan counterpart Tatiana Pugh co-chaired the 10th political consultation between the two countries foreign ministries in Ha Noi on Monday. Viet stressed that Viet Nam always values and wishes to strengthen the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Partnership with Venezuela. He spoke highly of the progress in the bilateral friendship and cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic ties 35 years ago (December 18, 1989 - 2024), while acknowledging that the two sides still have significant room and potential to expand cooperation in the coming time. For her part, Tatiana affirmed Venezuela considers Viet Nam one of its top important partners, and noted Venezuelan leaders' determination to further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam, particularly towards elevating economic and trade cooperation on par with the good political relations. She congratulated Viet Nam on its socio-economic achievements and external affairs, calling Viet Nam a model of overcoming challenges to build and develop the nation. Both officials highly valued the results of bilateral delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, especially the meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Kazan, Russia in October, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quangs visit to Venezuela in April, and the trips to Viet Nam by Executive Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez Gomez in June, and Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in December. The two sides reviewed cooperation and discussed orientations and measures for the time ahead, emphasising the importance of boosting collaboration in trade, oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, construction, people-to-people exchanges, and local-level partnership based on signed agreements. They agreed to expedite the organisation of the 4th meeting of the Viet Nam-Venezuela Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, coordinate to effectively implement the agreements signed in recent times, and promote negotiations on agreements to establish a favourable legal framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. The officials held in-depth discussions on international and regional issues of common concern, agreeing to strengthen coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, to amplify the voices and safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries in the international arena, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and Latin America. They shared a common stance in supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. VNS HA NOI Public security forces must be pioneers in realising the directions of the Party and the Politburo for Viet Nams new era of development, Party General Secretary To Lam said at the year-end review of the Central Public Security Party Committee on Tuesday. Ensuring national security and order must contribute to increasing the space for development, promoting investment and business activities, creating the most favourable conditions for all activities within the framework of the law, developing the country and improving the lives of individuals, organisations and businesses both in the country and abroad, Lam said. This is especially important in national digital transformation and apparatus streamlining, as well as prevention of resource wastefulness and environmental pollution, he said. The Party chief stressed innovative thinking in national security, thereby revamping the role of public security forces in informing and advising the Party and the State on security and order. Protecting national security is adopting a long-term vision in safeguarding the homeland, optimising resources and turning challenges into opportunities for the countrys development, thereby continuously strengthening national defence and security capabilities. In addition to actively informing and providing strategic advice to the countrys leadership on traditional and non-traditional security issues, public security forces must also focus on development opportunities, strategic technologies, digital and green transformations and strengthening Viet Nams contributions to peace in the region and the world. Optimal efforts are also required to ensure the smooth operations of local Party Congresses at all levels, leading to the 14th National Party Congress. Party leader Lam underscored that Viet Nam was at a crossroads of new opportunities and challenges, which meant that failing to seize the moment could lead to the country falling further behind compared to the world. Therefore, the Central Public Security Party Committees key tasks for 2025 and the following years would require high political determination and scientific methodologies for implementation. The Party chief expressed confidence that with the tradition of unity, strong will and determination, as well as the pioneering spirit in taking action and responsibility, the Central Public Security Party Committee and the national public security forces would certainly accomplish their set goals for 2025 in celebration of the countrys major anniversaries next year. Reports at the review conference showed that despite multiple challenges in 2024, with strong political determination and high efforts, the Central Public Security Party Committee has upheld its responsibilities and fulfilled the role of an advisor to the Party and the State on important policies to ensure security, order and socio-economic development. At the same time, they set an example by effectively implementing various measures for national security protection and maintaining social order and safety, with multiple security issues addressed at the grassroots level. Strategic advice for the Party and the State has been a highlight of the sector, which contributes to unified thinking and action in handling many foreign and domestic issues, thereby optimising opportunities and advantages for the countrys growth. Crime rates have been sustainably reduced, surpassing the targets set by the National Assembly. The Ministry of Public Security has also taken the lead in building and perfecting the legal framework, proactively proposing legal improvements on many emerging issues such as the draft Data Law, as well as administrative procedures. In addition, the ministry has played a major role in renovating thousands of houses for families in poverty, policy beneficiaries, ethnic minorities and those who contributed to the national revolutions. Their work has strengthened the peoples support for security-defence forces, ensuring a solid foundation for national protection. Public security forces have also continued to play a key role in national digital transformation and in building an e-government. The goal is to continue administrative reforms, measures against corruption and misconduct and resource optimisation for strong, modern and transparent public security forces that meet the requirements of the new era, as per the Politburos direction. VNS VIENTIANE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on Tuesday had meetings with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone on the occasion of his visit to Laos to co-chair the 11th Viet Nam-Laos political consultation at the foreign ministerial level. At the meeting with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Son reported to the Lao leader on the outcomes of the political consultation with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane on December 16. He noted with pleasure the positive developments of bilateral cooperation across various fields, reflected in the meeting of Party General Secretary To Lam with Party General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith, along with various high-level meetings. Economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries has seen significant progress towards the target of US$2 billion in trade value in 2024. The two countries have also actively addressed obstacles for several key projects. The Lao leader hailed the results of bilateral cooperation and urged both countries to actively exchange information and experiences in preparing for their respective national Party Congresses, as well as in Party building, political system development, socio-economic management and international integration. He said he was delighted at the progress in solving problems in several key projects, contributing positively to Laos' socio-economic development and the bilateral relationship. The leader also commended the two Foreign Ministries for maintaining a regular cooperation mechanism to facilitate extensive discussions on important and strategic issues in bilateral relations, as well as regional and international cooperation. In his meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Deputy PM Son congratulated Laos on successfully fulfilling its ASEAN Chair in 2024 and affirmed that the two foreign ministries would coordinate with relevant departments to effectively implement bilateral cooperation agreements, programmes and projects, while actively preparing for important diplomatic activities, including the 47th meeting of Viet Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. The Lao PM emphasised that the Party, State, Government and people of Laos prioritise strengthening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Viet Nam. He highlighted the high political trust reflected in the frequent bilateral contacts between the prime ministers of the two countries in 2024 and appreciated the visit of Deputy PM Son and the political consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of Viet Nam and Laos, which he said positively contributed to boosting the Laos-Viet Nam relations and cooperation on international and regional issues of mutual interest. He said he would direct Lao ministries and sectors to review and promote the implementation of high-level agreements of the two countries and took the opportunity to call on Vietnamese corporations and businesses to invest more in Laos to help develop its economy. VNS HA NOI President Luong Cuong received Belarusian Minister of Defence Khrenin Viktor Gennadievich in Ha Noi on Tuesday as the latter is in Viet Nam for an official visit and the Viet Nam International Defence Expo 2024. Welcoming the Belarusian delegation led by the minister, President Cuong affirmed that the Party, State, Army, and people of Viet Nam value the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Belarus, which has been nurtured by the leaders and people of both countries over many generations. He also expressed deep appreciation for the sincere and effective assistance that the Soviet Union, including Belarus, provided to Viet Nam during its past struggle for national independence and reunification. Cuong expressed his pleasure at seeing the Viet Nam-Belarus traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation continue to grow. Their political and diplomatic relations continue to be promoted, creating a strong foundation for cooperation in other areas such as defence, security, economy, trade, investment, education, science and technology, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. For his part, the Belarusian minister affirmed that cooperation between the two countries across all fields is flourishing on the basis of mutual respect, despite geographical distance. Both sides share common stances on many international and regional issues, as well as the approach for a multipolar world that serves the interests of their peoples. The Belarusian minister praised Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements in recent years, which have improved the living standards of its people and enhanced Viet Nam's stature internationally. He emphasised that Belarus considers Viet Nam a priority in its foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region and hopes to continue strengthening and elevating bilateral relations. Informing the Vietnamese President on the results of his talks with defence minister Phan Van Giang, Khrenin confirmed that defence cooperation between the two countries has seen positive developments, enhancing the professionalism and combat readiness of both militaries, contributing to the overall friendship cooperative relationship. He expressed hope that this visit will create momentum and open a new phase of cooperation in defence. Appreciating the outcomes of the talks between the two defence ministers, President Cuong urged both sides to further promote and deepen bilateral defence cooperation through delegation exchanges at all levels, maintain the effective operation of existing mechanisms and enhance collaboration in training, military medicine, and military history. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Viet Nam International Defence Exhibition 2024 is set to open on December 19 at Gia Lam Airport in Ha Noi, showcasing the nations advancements in defence capabilities and fostering international cooperation. During a final rehearsal on Tuesday, Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defence, praised the meticulous preparations, highlighting the professionalism of participating forces and the significance of the event in marking 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (December 22, 1944 - 2024). According to the latest update, this year's expo already had 242 domestic and international units and businesses participating. According to the plan, the opening ceremony will consist of two main parts. In the artistic segment, four performances will be presented: Vietnamese Bamboo, Viet Nam Land and People, featuring folk melodies from the Northwest, Red River Delta, Central, and Central Highlands regions, Viet Nam in Vibrant Colours, and Aspirations for Peace Connecting the World. Two hot air balloons flying the Vietnamese national flag will prominently mark the centrepiece of the artistic displays. Following the artistic performances, the ceremonial segment will include the participation of leaders of the Party, State, Army, and both domestic and international delegates. It is expected that Party and State leaders will deliver a speech welcoming the exhibition, after which the delegates will press the button to officially inaugurate the event. The ceremony will be followed by aerial displays and performances featuring martial arts and military dogs. The aerial display will be performed by the Viet Nam Peoples Air Force; martial arts performances by the Commando Forces; and military dog training demonstrations by the Border Guard Forces. Additionally, the opening ceremony will include performances by the Female Military Band and the Honour Guards of the Viet Nam Peoples Army. On behalf of the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and the Exhibition Steering Committee, Chien praised all officers, soldiers, artists, performers, and agencies involved in the rehearsal. He noted that the preparations were thorough and meticulous, from personnel, equipment, and content to logistical arrangements and props for the opening ceremony. Acknowledging the efforts and hard work of the participating forces, Chien commended the rehearsals success. We can be proud of the professionalism and dedication demonstrated by some forces, who have been practicing since March, especially in the recent crucial period, the army official emphasised, while calling for timely recognition, commendation, and motivation for those participating in the organisation and performances after the exhibition concludes. Chien also instructed the Exhibition Organising Committee to coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to deploy traffic police and security police alongside military forces to regulate and control traffic flow from main roads leading to the exhibition venue. Regarding the opening ceremony, he requested the addition of the exhibitions theme flag alongside the national flag flown by the two hot air balloons. Military participants at the exhibition must wear formal K24 uniforms and the 80th anniversary insignia of the Viet Nam Peoples Army, symbolising the pride and honour of the Army on its 80th founding anniversary. The Viet Nam International Defence Exhibition 2024 will take place from December 19 to 22, 2024, at Gia Lam Airport in Ha Noi. The opening ceremony will be held on the morning of December 19. The exhibition spans over 100,000sq.m, with indoor display areas covering 15,000sq.m (double the size of the 2022 exhibition) and outdoor areas exceeding 20,000sq.m. In addition to the display areas for domestic and international units and enterprises, the Organising Committee will arrange a Viet Namese Cultural Space and an area showcasing Achievements in Building the Peoples Armed Forces and National Defence, highlighting 80 years of the Viet Nam Peoples Armys development, 35 years of the All-People National Defence Day, and achievements in economic-defence products, digital transformation, and signature products from ministries, sectors, localities, organisations, associations, and businesses. Moreover, within the exhibition framework, activities such as exchanges, networking, and collaborations between agencies, units, and enterprises will take place, alongside business-to-business meetings, technical military seminars, and presentations of economic and defense achievements. The exhibition will open to the public for free starting 1.30pm on December 21. VNS HA NOI Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu hosted a delegation from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and French Ambassadors in Asia led by Benoit Guidee, Director General of the ministry's Asia-Pacific Department in Ha Noi on Monday. Vu highlighted the visit as the largest-scale ambassador-level engagement between the foreign ministries of Viet Nam and France, demonstrating high political trust and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, particularly following the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October. He spoke highly of Frances role and position in the Indo-Pacific region and the world, particularly through its initiatives to foster cooperation and address regional and global challenges. He reaffirmed Viet Nam's readiness to collaborate with France to promote peace, stability, and development in the region on the basis of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Meanwhile, Benoit Guidee underscored the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in the EU and French foreign policies, aiming for stability and prosperity in this region. He highlighted Viet Nam as one of the leading partners of France and a strategically and economically important factor in the region. France is proud to be Viet Nam's first Comprehensive Strategic Partner in the EU, he said, stressing the long-term approaches pursued by both sides in areas such as security-defence, technology, and maritime security. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including cooperation in handling regional and global hot spots, maritime security, sustainable marine economy development, and cooperation and dialogue mechanisms among ASEAN countries. French ambassadors were briefed on Viet Nam's foreign policies and development goals toward 2030, with a vision to 2045. They agreed on Viet Nam's stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), emphasising the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, resolving disputes peacefully with full respect for international laws, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the UN Charter. The Deputy FM urged France to play a more active and responsible role in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in climate change response, maritime security, multilateral cooperation, and international law. He affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to act as a bridge to enhance ASEAN-France relations, contributing to regional peace, stability, and development. The Vietnamese diplomat emphasised the need to strengthen political trust through high-level delegation exchanges, enhanced information sharing on strategic issues via bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and expanded collaboration at international and regional platforms. VNA/VNS A bankruptcy judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit against San Antonio's Frost Bank in the Chapter 11 cases of disgraced ex-lawyer Chris Pettit. A bankruptcy trustee had alleged Frost ignored "red flags" in Pettit's transactions at the bank. Yi-Chin Lee /Staff photographer Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta tossed a lawsuit against Frost Bank on Monday. Jessica Phelps / Jessica Phelps Disgraced ex-lawyer Chris Pettit, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison, must pay $106.3 million in restitution to nearly 100 of his victims. Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer A lawsuit alleging Frost Bank enabled jailed ex-lawyer Chris Pettit to carry out his scheme to misappropriate tens of millions of dollars belonging to his clients has been tossed by a bankruptcy judge. Its a significant blow for Terry because the complaint was one of three representing most of the remaining assets in Pettits bankruptcy case. The trustee is hoping the litigation will produce financial recoveries for Pettits unsecured creditors, including his many victims. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other banks Terry sued are Wells Fargo Bank and San Antonios Texas Partners Bank. We are pleased with the Courts sound ruling that the Bankruptcy Trustee failed to allege facts that would allow a claim to go forward against Frost Bank, Michael ODonnell, a San Antonio attorney representing Frost, said in an email. Frost Bank will continue to vigorously defend itself in any matter concerning Chris Pettit or his law firm. The bank remains a defendant in an unrelated lawsuit brought by about 130 of Pettits victims. That suit, which is pending in federal court in San Antonio, names five banks that did business with Pettit. They are Frost, Wells Fargo, Texas Partners, American Bank of Corpus Christi and Winter Park National Bank in Florida. The plaintiffs allege the banks allowed Pettits law firm to use their money, which had been deposited in trust accounts, to pay his personal and business expenses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gargottas ruling came four days after U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ruled Pettit would owe $106.3 million in restitution to nearly 100 of his victims. Its doubtful Pettit, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison earlier this year after pleading guilty to three counts each of money laundering and wire fraud, will ever repay his victims. Francisco Frank Guerra, an attorney representing Terry in the litigation against Frost and Texas Partners, didnt have an immediate comment Tuesday. Many red flags After allegations against Pettit became public in the spring of 2022, he surrendered his law license, shuttered his practice and filed for bankruptcy protection for himself and his firm. In a complaint filed Aug. 12, Terry alleged Pettit used law firm funds that were on deposit at Frost to pay his personal debts, including more than $1 million in loan payments to the bank and $11 million to American Express. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pettit opened at least 11 accounts at Frost and facilitated more than $200 million in deposits across accounts through the years, Terry alleged. With access to such a large cash flow, Frost was more than willing and eager to ensure Pettit was a happy customer and turn a blind eye to what was clearly questionable activity, his complaint said. Pettits activities across the accounts at Frost demonstrated many red flags that were known or should have been known by Frost. Those red flags included more than 150 instances of overdrafts resulting in thousands of dollars in charges and payments on the Frost loan and his American Express bill that came from the law firms IOLTA account, Terry alleged. Interest on lawyers trust accounts, or IOLTA for short, are intended to be used by attorneys to hold clients money for safekeeping until distribution. Terry further alleged the bank fees and loan payments to Frost amounted to fraudulent transfers. Pettit and his firm were insolvent at the time of the payments, the trustee said. Defects in the case The trustee sued Frost under the states Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act alleging there were four signs of Pettits intent to commit fraud, including he and his firm incurring substantial debt, their concealment of assets, receiving less than equivalent value for payments to the bank, and the debtors insolvency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Frost argued that Terrys lawsuit was devoid of the well-pleaded facts necessary to state a plausible cause of action. For that reason, the bank said the case should be dismissed in full, with prejudice. Gargotta, the judge, ruled that only one of the four signs cited by Terry met federal court rules that create a heightened standard for making fraud claims. However, the one he let stand relating to insolvency was not enough by itself for the case to proceed. He added that the defects in the Terrys complaint are incurable. The Court asked Trustees counsel whether further detail could be included and if amendment was possible, to which counsel stated, no, Gargotta wrote in dismissing the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HA NOI Minister of National Defence Phan Van Giang on Tuesday held talks with his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Gennadievich Khrenin, who is leading a high-level delegation from the Belarusian Ministry of Defence to pay an official visit to Viet Nam and attend the Viet Nam International Defence Expo 2024. Welcoming the guests, Giang underscored that the Vietnamese people and the Viet Nam Peoples Army always remember and value the significant support and assistance that people of the Soviet Union, including the Republic of Belarus, had given to Viet Nam's past struggle for national liberation and reunification. Highlighting the effectiveness of Viet Nam-Belarus defence cooperation in recent times, the minister noted that this collaboration aligns with the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries as well as international treaties and agreements they have signed. He proposed that the two sides will continue to coordinate to effectively implement cooperation agreements, particularly regarding high-level delegation exchanges, military medical training, military history research, military communications and participation in multilateral international events hosted by each side. Giang asked the Belarusian defence ministry to consider offering additional scholarships to Vietnamese military personnel to study at Belarusian defence training institutions. He affirmed Viet Nam's readiness to welcome Belarusian military personnel to take Vietnamese language courses at the Military Science Academy and defence official training programmes at the National Defence Academy, aiming to make bilateral defence cooperation more substantive and effective. Minister Khrenin, for his part, affirmed that the Belarussian defence ministry will closely coordinate with its Vietnamese side to effectively implement the agreed initiatives, further enhancing Belarus-Viet Nam ties. He took the occasion to extend an invitation to Minister Giang to pay an official visit to Belarus and attend the 12th International Exhibition of Arms and Military Machinery Milex 2025. Mentioning regional and global issues of mutual concern, Minister Giang reiterated Viet Nam's consistent stance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He emphasised the need to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and expedite the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in line with international law. On this occasion, the two defence ministers signed a number of cooperation agreements to further advance bilateral relations. VNA/VNS HA NOI With the clock ticking on the race to complete 3,000km of expressways in 500 days, Viet Nam is pushing boundaries to meet its ambitious 2025 target. This effort, rooted in a resolution from the 13th National Party Congress, seeks to establish synchronised and modern infrastructure as a key driver for rapid, sustainable socio-economic development. These infrastructure goals align with the country's vision of achieving high middle-income status by 2030 and becoming a high-income, developed nation by 2045. Unprecedented achievements The progress in infrastructure over the past year reflects both urgency and innovation. A notable project is the Quang BinhHung Yen 500kV transmission line, which was completed in just over six months, a significant achievement in a sector where such projects typically take three to four years. This success resulted from decisive government leadership, mobilisation of the political system and strong public support, serving as a model for efficient, high-impact infrastructure development. Equally transformative are the ongoing efforts to expand the nations transport network. The North-South Expressway, alongside key projects like Khanh HoaBuon Ma Thuot, Bien HoaVung Tau and Chau ocCan ThoSoc Trang, has extended the total expressway length to 2,021km. These highways are vital for improving regional connectivity and enhancing Viet Nams economic competitiveness. In aviation, the Long Thanh International Airport, set to be a major Southeast Asian hub, and Tan Son Nhats Terminal 3 are progressing. Urban railway development has also gained momentum, with the operation of the NhonHa Noi Station in the northern capital city and Ben ThanhSuoi Tien metro lines in the southern metropolis. Preparations for international rail links with China further highlight the countrys commitment to regional integration. Energy infrastructure is progressing rapidly as well, with projects such as the Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power plants and the Block BO Mon gas-power chain making substantial headway. Institutional reforms, including the introduction of the Data Law and amendments to the Electricity Law, are enabling advancements in digital and renewable energy infrastructure. Behind these achievements lies a steadfast commitment to overcoming challenges. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged relentless efforts to meet ambitious targets. The Government has successfully mobilised resources from both central and local budgets, leveraging increased revenue and cost-saving measures to double the length of expressways in just three years, an achievement unmatched in the previous two decades. However, challenges remain. General Secretary To Lam has pointed out inefficiencies in planning and investment, citing fragmented airport and seaport development, imbalanced energy infrastructure and inadequate urban connectivity. Delays in digital infrastructure remain a major obstacle. To address these, the Government is refining planning processes, encouraging inter-agency coordination and implementing special mechanisms under the revised Public Investment Law to streamline decision-making procedures and reduce administrative bottlenecks. Goals for 2025 Prime Minister Chinh has outlined key priorities for 2025, including achieving 8 per cent GDP growth and completing at least 3,000km of expressways, with Long Thanh International Airport slated to become operational. These efforts are central to the 202130 development plan. The Government is focusing on major infrastructure projects, such as expressway links to airports and seaports, the high-speed North-South Railway, rail connections to China and urban railways in Ha Noi and HCM City. Port projects like Lach Huyen and Lien Chieu are advancing, and Can Gio Seaport is in the investment preparation phase. By 2025, Viet Nam aims to complete 3,000km of expressways and 1,000km of coastal highways, limiting public investment projects to no more than 3,000 to prevent fragmentation. "Our policy is to create infrastructure breakthroughs through strategic projects that transform the nation," said PM Chinh. The PM has stressed the importance of removing obstacles in developing transport, digital and energy infrastructure. Investments in key projects are seen as growth drivers. Between 2000 and 2021, Viet Nam built just 1,000km of expressways, but this has doubled in the past three years. This acceleration is credited to effective mobilisation of central and local budgets, surplus revenue and focusing resources on transformative projects. Effective implementation hinges on refining institutions, mobilising resources, training skilled workers and improving governance. The revised Public Investment Law aims to decentralise authority, streamline procedures and empower local decision-making. According to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, this law reduces delays, enhances transparency and boosts project completion rates, providing a solid legal framework for future development. Land clearance has been identified as a critical issue for infrastructure projects. Deputy Director Nguyen The Minh of the Transport Infrastructure Investment Management Department noted that complex land ownership issues, compensation disputes, delays in constructing resettlement areas and technical challenges in relocating power lines have all hindered progress. Many localities are still struggling to meet deadlines due to these issues. Another significant concern is the shortage of construction materials, particularly sand in the Mekong Delta. Localities have maximised output from quarries, but extraction capacities remain insufficient. The special mechanisms for mining licences have led to confusion, adding to delays. With several projects moving forward at once, the strain on resources has increased. The Ministry of Transport has prioritised decisive interventions. For site clearance, the ministry has collaborated with the Prime Minister to issue directives and mobilise political support at all levels. Provinces are urged to resolve compensation disputes and finalise resettlement plans promptly. To address material shortages, the ministry has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to allocate sand quotas and streamline licensing procedures for quarries. It is also exploring alternative materials, such as marine sand, to reduce dependency on river sand. For delayed projects, the ministry has called for revised timelines from investors and contractors, focusing on critical tasks causing delays. Contractors are encouraged to adopt technical solutions and operate round-the-clock shifts to accelerate progress. Coordination among contractors is also being promoted to share resources efficiently. Despite challenges, some projects are progressing faster than expected. Notably, segments of the North-South Expressway (20212025) are set to finish months ahead of schedule. Projects originally slated for completion in 2026, such as Khanh HoaBuon Ma Thuot and An HuuCao Lanh, are now being fast-tracked for completion by 2025. Unlocking growth potential The expansion of critical infrastructure is unlocking new opportunities for Viet Nams socio-economic development. With a projected 89 per cent economic growth by 2025, the country faces a sharp rise in electricity demand, necessitating an annual 11 per cent growth in supply, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Minister Nguyen Hong Dien outlined the primary goal of the 8th National Power Development Plan (PDP8) for 20212030, which aims to ensure a stable electricity supply to support economic growth. The plan highlights the need for diversified and sustainable energy sources to reduce dependency on imported fuels and strengthen energy security. However, challenges remain, including delays in key power projects, particularly gas- and coal-fired plants, which could lead to capacity shortages, especially during dry seasons. The PDP8 has approved 23 gas-fired power projects, but only one is operational, with many still in development. Unless bottlenecks in LNG projects are resolved, significant supply shortages are expected between 2026 and 2030. Coal power projects face delays, with five major plants stalled due to financing and regulatory issues. Hydropower expansion is limited, and renewable energy, particularly wind power, is struggling to meet targets. Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has initiated over 80 projects and completed 100 electricity grid upgrades, including the 500kV Quang TrachPho Noi transmission line, which strengthens energy security in northern Viet Nam. This project was completed in just six months, a notable achievement. To meet the growing demand, the Government is taking decisive action. PM Chinh has instructed agencies to secure sufficient fuel for power generation and expedite electricity imports from Laos and China. Key transmission lines must be completed by the end of 2024 to ensure a stable supply. These efforts, alongside expanded energy infrastructure and a commitment to resolving project delays, aim to secure Viet Nams energy supply and support its economic growth goals. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Transport plans to start the construction of Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway line in 2025 at a cost of around US$8.37 billion. Luu Quang Thin, deputy head of the ministrys Planning and Investment Department, said the projects investment preparation time normally lasts about three to four years. However, the Prime Minister requested the project start its construction in 2025, which is a huge challenge. With such a close deadline, the department has requested the railway project management board submit the pre-feasibility study report to the Ministry of Transport in December 2024 to collect feedback from agencies. The appraisal of the pre-feasibility study report must be completed before February 28, 2025. The project will be submitted to the National Assembly (NA) before March 31, 2025 with expected approval to be made at the NA session in May. At the ministrys regular meeting held recently, the ministrys Department of Planning and Investment said as of November, the ministry disbursed about VN52.75 trillion, equivalent to 70 per cent of the assigned targets, lower than the 75 per cent rate of last year. As requested by the Government, the ministry must disburse at least 95 per cent of the capital in 2024, which means about VN23 trillion needs to be allocated in the remaining month of the year. This is a huge challenge, requiring efforts and determination of investors, project management boards and close supervision of related agencies, said Thin. He said the Ministry of Transport has developed a public investment plan of over VN89.2 trillion for 2025. The plan has been made in the context that 2025 is of special importance, the final year to implement the goals of the Resolution of the 13th National Congress, the year to put into operation nearly 1,000km of expressways, as well as to prepare for investment in a number of large-scale projects and urgent progress, he said. Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh said among the projects, the North-South high-speed railway line has a huge workload, asking relevant units to focus on implementing tasks in December 2024 and early 2025. He also urged for the supervision and completion of Long Thanh Airport by December 31, 2025. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health has urged provinces and cities to strengthen measures for proactively preventing infectious diseases during the winter-spring season, as several infectious diseases are recording increases in cases, including measles, whooping cough, and rabies. According to the ministrys Department of Preventive Medicine, the overall infectious disease situation remains under control, however, some diseases are rising in specific locations. The cause is attributed to favourable climatic and weather conditions during the winter-spring period, which enabled the spread of infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted via the respiratory tract. To proactively prevent and control infectious diseases during this season, the department has requested provincial and municipal departments of health to closely monitor the infectious disease situation in their respective areas. Authorities must carry out effective and regular surveillance including event-based monitoring to promptly detect suspected cases at border checkpoints, within communities and at healthcare facilities. Particular attention should be given to respiratory infections and severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by viruses. Outbreaks must be addressed promptly to prevent further spread in the community. The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and Pasteur Institutes were asked to collect samples for testing, identify disease-causing agents, assess risks and promptly deploy appropriate measures. Regular vaccination programmes must continue for target groups under the Expanded Immunisation Programme, ensuring progress and coverage targets are met as planned. Localities must review and manage vaccination records and organise supplementary and catch-up vaccinations for individuals who have not been fully immunised. Campaigns for measles vaccination must also proceed as directed by health ministry. Provincial and municipal departments of health are instructed to improve patient flow management, ensure effective screening, admission, emergency care and isolation measures, while strictly implementing infection control to prevent cross-infection at medical facilities, especially among high-risk groups such as patients with underlying conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, children and patients in intensive care units. Departments of agriculture and rural development should co-ordinate with local authorities to enhance proactive surveillance of zoonotic diseases and share information to investigate and handle outbreaks promptly, especially avian flu at border checkpoints and live poultry markets. Early detection of suspected rabies cases caused by dog and cat bites is also required to ensure timely vaccinations. The health sector needs co-operate with the education and training sector to disseminate infectious disease prevention in schools, particularly preschools and kindergartens. Suspected cases must be detected and handled promptly, and effective vaccination campaigns must be implemented in schools. Schools must ensure food safety, hygiene and clean environment, while enhancing communication on infectious disease prevention and vaccination. Localities must review and ensure the availability of resources, including funding, medicines, vaccines, equipment and personnel, to meet the requirements for preventing and controlling infectious diseases. VNS HA NOI The Ha Noi Centre for Disease Control has been tightening health checks at the Noi Bai International Airport amid Congo mysterious disease outbreak. The move aims to early detect any cases of infection or suspicion in order to take appropriate and timely response measures. Previously, on December 12, the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health issued an urgent notice regarding cases of unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which were recorded by an infectious disease surveillance system on December 10. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), from October 24 to December 5, the Panzi health zone in Kwango Province of the DRC reported 416 cases of unknown disease, with 31 fatalities marking a mortality rate of 7.6 per cent. The diseases symptoms include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. Most cases are in children (53 per cent of cases and 54.8 per cent of deaths are under 5 years old). All severe cases were found to be severely malnourished. Some countries in Asia and Southeast Asia also assess the risk of disease transmission from the DRC as low, given the very few travellers from that region and the absence of direct flights from the DRC. WHO has supported the DRC in deploying rapid response teams, managing cases, collecting samples for pathogen testing, and conducting prevention and control activities in the outbreak areas. As of December 10, updated information from WHO indicated that 10 out of 12 initial test samples were positive for malaria. Viet Nam's Department of Preventive Medicine has closely followed the developments of the disease outbreak in the DRC. It is also coordinating with WHO and countries' related agencies to update and share information about the disease. In case of new developments, the department will collaborate with WHO and relevant units to assess risks and propose appropriate response measures, including strengthening health quarantine. VNA/VNS KATHMANDU As the deadline to eliminate malaria approaches, cases of new infections both indigenous and imported have risen alarmingly in Nepal. Nepal had committed to achieving malaria-free status by 2026. For this, the country needs to bring down indigenous cases or local transmission to zero, achieve zero deaths starting from 2023, and maintain zero indigenous cases for three consecutive years. However, the country has failed to bring down indigenous cases to zero in both 2023 and 2024. Instead, cases of infectionsboth Indigenous and imported have risen alarmingly, which shattered any prospects of eliminating the disease within the deadline. Only 16 cases of local transmission or indigenous cases were confirmed in 2023, but we already have more than 20 cases this year, said Dr Gokarna Dahal, chief of the Vector Control Section at the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. We had 649 imported cases in 2023, but in 2024, the number could reach 1,000. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. Infected female Anopheles mosquitoes carry these deadly parasites, according to the World Health Organisation. Indigenous malaria cases are locally transmitted, meaning the infected person does not have a history of travel to a malaria-affected country. Officials say that the number of indigenous cases of malaria infection could rise further, as concerned health authorities have been verifying the reports. Now, it is impossible to meet the malaria elimination target, as we could not stop local transmission, said Dr Yadu Chandra Ghimire, director of the division. The new deadline for disease elimination could be 2030, the final deadline set by the UN health body. Officials say that open borders, budget cuts in the health sector, and mosquitoes moving to higher altitudes due to climate change have hindered Nepals malaria elimination goal. They say that of the total imported cases, over 80 per cent came from India. Some cases were imported from African countries. Nepali security personnel serving in UN peacekeeping missions in conflict-hit African countries also get tested positive for malaria. Officials say the disease is unlikely to be eliminated in Nepal unless India eliminates it first. They say that due to proximity, and an open and porous border between Nepal and India and unregulated travel of people of both countries, it is impossible to eliminate malaria in Nepal, until the disease gets eradicated in the southern neighbour. Several other factors, including cuts in the health budgets of government and aid agencies and shifts in vectors transmitting malaria to the hills and mountains due to global warming, also pose serious challenges to meeting the elimination target. Apart from this, most health facilities across the country lack entomologists, who are necessary for conducting surveillance. Malaria has also been reported in mountain districts of Mugu, Bajura, and Humla, which were considered non-endemic in the past. Officials say carrying out surveillance in the hill and mountain districts is more challenging than in the Tarai districts due to geographical difficulties. According to Health Ministry officials improved surveillance measures could be a reason for the detection of more cases of infections. Malaria-related deaths had stopped since 2016, but five years later, in 2021, the country recorded one death from the disease. Officials at the health ministry said that until recent years, Plasmodium Vivax, a protozoan parasite, had been responsible for most of the malaria cases in the country, which caused relatively less severe diseases. However, cases of Plasmodium falciparum, which most often cause severe and life-threatening malaria, have been rising. The parasite is common in many countries in Africa and the Sahara desert. THE KATHMANDU POST/ANN BANGKOK Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently appointed Thailand's billionaire political heavyweight and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal advisor for when he becomes chair of Southeast Asia's regional bloc next year. Anwar said Thaksin's role during his leadership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be in an informal capacity, alongside advisors from several of the bloc's 10 member states. Anwar made the announcement during a visit to Malaysia by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin's youngest daughter and fourth member of their family to hold Thailand's top political post. "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 returned to Thailand in August 2023 and was jailed for eight years, a sentence commuted days later by Thailand's 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 sceptical. 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 Cambodia's influential former premier Hun Sen, whose son is now prime minister, and Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto. Thaksin has according to Thai media sought a mediation role in the intractable conflict in army-ruled Myanmar, the biggest challenge facing Anwar's ASEAN chairmanship. Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that analysts view Anwars informal advisory team as less about formal appointments and more about trusted voices guiding key issues. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, believes Thaksins appointment aims to leverage his global networks to support Malaysias ASEAN chairmanship, particularly in trade, investments, and diplomacy. Its both a gesture of neighbourly goodwill and a strategic move to tap into Thaksins connections, Oh said. Joanne Lin, Senior Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said Thaksins inclusion aligns with Malaysia-Thailands close ties, particularly in addressing transnational challenges like human and drug smuggling, and cybercrime. These issues, she emphasized, affect all of Southeast Asia, requiring regional solutions where Thaksins experience could prove valuable. Lin also noted Thaksins familiarity with Myanmars political landscape could bolster Malaysias efforts to advance ASEANs Five-Point Consensus. His pragmatic approach and relationships in Myanmar offer unique insights. With Thailands backing, Lin believes Malaysias ASEAN leadership could achieve deeper regional collaboration on this complex issue. Abdul Rahman Yaacob of the Lowy Institute added that Thaksins past engagement with Myanmars rebel groups positions him to assist Malaysia in peace negotiations while keeping its government at a diplomatic distance. THE NATION/ANN The global trade landscape is undergoing significant transformation, marked by rising trade restrictions and evolving tariff systems. In response, many companies are shifting their supply chains from China to Southeast Asia to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. Against this backdrop, the ability to digitally monitor and manage supply chains has become a critical requirement for business leaders. Identifying and addressing risks is no longer optional but essential for maintaining competitiveness. Vietnam's logistics and supply chain industry is riding this global wave of change, experiencing unprecedented growth. The logistics market is projected to exceed $113 billion in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3 per cent, according to the Vietnam Logistics Market Report from 2023. As the country emerges as a key regional manufacturing hub, digital transformation has become indispensable for companies aiming to stay ahead in a dynamic and competitive environment. In this context, Japan's leadership in this area has set a model for Vietnam. The Japanese digital twin market size was valued at $1.55 billion in 2024. IMARC Group estimated the market at over $18.6 billion in 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 28.3 per cent from 2025-2033. The market in Japan is fuelled by advancements in the Internet of Things, AI, and big data analytics, enabling real-time monitoring and optimisation. One notable example is a logistics company that streamlined a complex supply chain, delivering to 600 stores with varying temperature requirements (ambient, chilled, frozen). The company faced challenges such as great distances between store locations and frequent small-lot deliveries. To support the company, ABeam utilised digital twin simulations to optimise the network design, exploring 26 possible site and function combinations. A key focus was determining whether mixed-temperature transport could reduce vehicle use and identifying the optimal network configuration to support this approach. Ultimately, this effort resulted in the discovery of the best possible logistics network for the company. The Japanese government's 'Society 5.0' initiative has further accelerated digital twin adoption, with investments exceeding $5 billion in smart logistics and manufacturing technologies. The maturity of digital twin adoption varies across Japanese industries, with automotive manufacturing leading at 65 per cent adoption, followed by electronics at 55 per cent, heavy machinery at 45 per cent, and chemical processing at 35 per cent. These success stories provide valuable insights for Vietnam's emerging smart manufacturing sector. Digital twins from concept to reality "Digital transformation doesn't always require massive overhauls," says Ryohei Oda, managing director of ABeam Consulting Vietnam. "Having witnessed the successful digital twin implementation journey in Japan, we understand that the key is to start with manageable steps, focusing on specific pain points and gradually scaling up successful solutions." A three-step roadmap to digital twin success in supply chain management An example of this approach can be seen in a beverage manufacturer leveraging Coupa, a cloud-based, business-spend management platform and ABeam collaborator, to optimise their supply chain network. By analysing current operations, simulating future scenarios, and optimising supply planssuch as determining which factories produce what and aligning them with specific demand regionsthe company achieved significant results: a 9 per cent reduction in production and logistics costs and a 25 per cent decrease in transport energy consumption. However, this was only the first step. ABeam supported the client's team in internalising the simulation-based optimisation process, enabling them to confidently execute it independently. As a result, the client can now leverage timely simulations to inform their decision-making and consistently achieve optimal outcomes. Understanding digital twins: key concepts and data requirements "We believe this technology can also work well in Vietnam," said Yoshihiro Wake, lead consultant responsible for the global expansion of the Supply Chain Management business at ABeam Consulting, and Supply Chain Practice lead at ABeam Consulting Vietnam. "The countrys geographic divide between north and south necessitates a multifaceted approach to logistics hub planning. Beyond cost considerations, factors such as delivery times and customer requirements play a critical role. Conducting simulations to evaluate various scenarios is essential for devising effective and strategic logistics solutions." Yoshihiro Wake, lead of TEF and Supply Chain Practice Lead at ABeam Consulting Vietnam Unlock the power of digital twins ABeam Consulting's collaboration with Coupa adds a powerful dimension to Vietnam's digital transformation journey. This partnership offers comprehensive support services that enable rapid and optimal supply chain design across departments. Coupa's supply chain design solution helps companies build highly resilient supply chains through simulation trials and analysis. By leveraging AI and digital twin technologies, it allows companies to digitally replicate their supply chains. These digital models can then undergo multifaceted simulations, considering various dynamic factors such as cost, lead times, inventories, key performance indicators, social conditions, and CO2 emissions. "Traditional supply chain optimisation focused primarily on cost and efficiency," explains Oda. "However, today's businesses face increasingly diverse risks and social issues. Our approach helps Vietnamese manufacturers address these challenges comprehensively." The journey towards digital transformation in Vietnamese manufacturing is marked by pragmatic progression. Starting with basic process automation, companies can gradually advance to digital twin implementations. This measured approach allows organisations to build confidence, validate results, and scale successful solutions effectively. ABeam Consulting Vietnam leverages its digital twin approach to support both existing and newly established logistics hubs, providing thorough assessments, tailored transformation roadmaps, and continuous optimisation support. Their experience with Japanese logistics excellence provides valuable insights for Vietnamese companies looking to enhance their operations. As Vietnam continues its remarkable ascent as a major manufacturing hub, the success of its manufacturing sector is inherently tied to the strength of its logistics networks. To fully capitalise on this growth, the development of efficient and innovative logistics hubs is essential. Digital twin technology emerges as a game-changing solution, enabling businesses to optimise logistics operations, enhance supply chain agility, and address evolving market demands. ABeam Consulting Vietnam brings a unique combination of Japanese expertise and local market insights to support businesses in navigating this transformation. By leveraging digital twin technology, ABeam Consulting Vietnam empowers companies to seamlessly integrate logistics excellence into their manufacturing strategies, creating a foundation for sustainable and globally competitive operations. The future of Vietnams manufacturing and logistics landscape is interconnected. By embracing digital transformation, businesses can ensure their logistics capabilities match the demands of their growing manufacturing presence. Smart and steady with relocation to Vietnam More foreign corporations are relocating production to Vietnam to diversify their sup-ply chains, spurring the trend of digital transformation and smart manufacturing in Vietnam. Ryohei Oda, managing director of ABeam Consulting Vietnam, shared with Thanh Van his insight into this trend. ABeam optimises supply chain digitalisation With over 40 years of expertise in supply chain digital transformation and business operations in the Asia Pacific region, ABeam Consulting has created a new approach that utilises data management to ensure the optimal deployment of resources of firms on the digital transformation journey. To create better conditions for domestic and foreign investors in sectors where the province has strengths, such as high-tech agriculture, processing, and logistics, Dong Thap province has been developing a raft of industrial zones (IZs) and economic zones (EZs). Dong Thap excited to hail investors to industrial zones Currently, the locality is home to three operational IZs: Sa Dec in Sa Dec city, Tran Quoc Toan in Cao Lanh city, and Song Hau in Lai Vung district. To date, these zones have enticed 66 projects worth a total of $504 million, including 12 foreign ventures with a registered capital of $232 million. The average occupancy rate in the operational IZs stands at 92 per cent. Meanwhile, the Tan Kieu IZ in Thap Muoi district has completed the construction of facilities under component 1. Component 2 has completed mine clearance, sand supply, and ground levelling, and the remaining tasks will proceed once the policy adjustments are finalised. The IZ is expected to be fully completed in 2025. At Dong Thap Border Gate Economic Zone, five projects are currently operational, with an average occupancy rate approximating 39 per cent. Dong Thap is executing the third phase of technical infrastructure development for the zone, as well as infrastructure for the Thuong Phuoc international border gate and the Moc Ra border gate, which are part of Dong Thap Border Gate EZ. Additionally, Dong Thap has 13 operational industrial clusters with a combined area of 443 hectares. Such facilities have made significant contributions to the provinces socioeconomic development, helping to foster the growth of the local processing industry, raise export value, and create jobs. According to Dong Thap EZ Management Authority, in the first 10 months of 2024, businesses based in these zones raked in revenues of $839 million, with export value reaching $194 million. For the whole year, the figure is expected to surpass $1 billion, with export value reaching $236 million, creating employment for nearly 13,000 workers. According to Dong Thaps planning towards 2030, the province aims to establish five new IZs. From 2030 to 2050, three additional IZs will be formed, and four existing complexes will be expanded. At Dong Thap Border Gate EZ, three new IZs will be established, encompassing Thuong Phuoc in Hong Ngu district, Binh Thanh in Hong Ngu city, and Dinh Ba in Tan Hong district. Dong Thap also plans to establish 19 new clusters by 2030, raising the total number to 32. These will be located near transportation hubs and raw material sources, ensuring technical infrastructure, environmental protection measures, and worker-friendly services. The province aims to develop its border EZ into a multi-sectoral development hub encompassing Thuong Phuoc and Dinh Ba international border gates and five auxiliary gates. The EZ will serve as a critical link with Cambodia and other countries in the Mekong subregion, local leaders have said. Meanwhile, the province has been working on plans for Hoa Tan, Song Hau 2, and Cao Lanh III zones. Once regulatory requirements are met, Dong Thap will submit a proposal for the approval of their planning schemes. For Ba Sao IZ in Cao Lanh district, the detailed planning was completed and announced at the end of 2022, and the province is calling for infrastructure funding for the zone. Additionally, planning for other IZs will proceed based on practical development needs, serving as a foundation for future related infrastructure schemes aligned with the provincial planning. Photo: Sa Dec Industrial Zone Dong Thap Dong Thap is focusing on mobilising resources to develop infrastructure for new IZs and continues working on border gate EZs revised general planning. The province is also intensifying efforts to draw money into infrastructure development for new IZs, as well as completing its border gate EZ infrastructure. Simultaneously, efforts are being geared towards attracting business and manufacturing ventures to fill newly established IZs quickly, helping to bolster the provinces industrial production and boost border trade activities. Moreover, the province supports businesses in market research, trade promotion, and participation in domestic and international exhibitions and fairs. Dong Thaps EZ and IZs boast strong road and waterway connectivity, with abundant agricultural and water resources. The province excels in rice and fisheries, and grows fruit such as Cao Lanh mangoes, Chau Thanh longans, and Lai Vung tangerines. Recent activities in major transportation works, such as the Cao Lanh-An Huu expressway, and the first-phrase My An-Cao Lanh expressway set to begin at the end of 2025, all aim to enhance regional connectivity, consolidating the provinces appeal as an investment destination. Pham Tan Xieu, head of Dong Thap EZ Management Authority, noted that the zones will boost multi-sector growth. They will emphasise high-tech and environmentally friendly clean industries, availing of local materials for deep processing to enhance development in the province, Xieu said. Priority sectors for investment attraction include cattle feed production, agricultural and aquatic product processing, light and supporting industries, logistics services, and goods transshipment services, he continued. Dong Thap inspires with its green tourism development Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta is adopting innovative approaches to green tourism, aligning with global trends and unlocking significant opportunities for its tourism industry. Dong Thap places importance on green growth innovation Green growth is a top objective for Dong Thap province as it strives to establish itself as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. Over the 10-year implementation of the project, which began in 2022, Dong Thap is expected to raise and release around 100 red-crowned cranes, with 50 anticipated to adapt and thrive in their natural habitat. The initiative will provide opportunities for the community and visitors to the province to observe first hand and learn about the living environment and growth characteristics of the species. The province has pulled in plenty of investment from major companies for the initiative Covering over 7,300 hectares in Tam Nong district, Tram Chim National Park had been a feeding ground for thousands of the cranes for over 30 years, but the numbers have sharply fallen in recent years. Only three red-crowned cranes were seen at the park in 2021, but the birds were absent in both 2022 and 2023. Four red-crowned cranes were spotted at the park in March this year. In 2024, the ecosystem has shown signs of gradual recovery, particularly the natural wetland ecosystem. Observations indicate that many bird species have begun to inhabit the area in large numbers, while key plant species such as wild rice have started to regenerate. This is a positive sign for restoring the habitat and providing a rich food source for the cranes. The project to kickstart conservation and awareness has implemented several activities, including nature-connecting trekking events, tree planting initiatives, and a painting competition. The province also plans to intensify public awareness campaigns about the purpose and significance of protecting the ecological environment and conserving red-crowned cranes. Pham Viet Nghia, Chairman of Dong Thap Peoples Committee, stated that the goal is to inform and introduce its content, purpose, and significance to all attendees, while spreading awareness within the local community. The presence of this rare crane species symbolises a pristine ecological environment, he said. Each citizen must take responsibility and contribute to this effort, fostering a culture of respecting nature and cherishing the red-crowned cranes as friends. This collective effort will help create a better living environment for these magnificent birds, said Nghia. The impacts of climate change, alterations in hydrological systems, and other factors have significantly transformed the Tram Chim ecosystem. Numerous animals and plants have declined, including eleocharis grass, the primary and preferred food source of red-crowned cranes. Additionally, other aquatic species have decreased in number, affecting the cranes food supply and living environment. Intensive agricultural activities have further reduced their habitat. Thus far, the province has received support of VND36 billion ($1.4 million) from dedicated organisations and individuals both domestically and internationally. Last weeks event also saw the attendance of representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature, the International Crane Foundation, the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand, the Vietnam Zoo Association, and Korat Zoo, among others. Their contributions have helped establish the initiative based on shared experiences and lessons from a successful crane conservation programme in Thailand. Montri Suwanposri, vice chairman of C.P. Vietnam, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the government leaders of both Thailand and Vietnam for providing the opportunity to support the scheme. The initiative symbolises the harmony between humans and the red-crowned crane. It contributes to global biodiversity conservation, improves the environment, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, restores organic agriculture, and promotes ecotourism, Suwanposri said. Through the collaboration of government agencies, international organisations, and the private sector, the project paves the way for practical and sustainable development. Suwanposri also shared his hope to welcome the first red-crowned cranes transferred from Korat Zoo in Thailand to Tram Chim National Park in the near future. He also expressed a desire for continued collaboration in various fields to protect the environment and foster sustainable cultural ties between the two countries. Other milestones for the initiative thus far include signing MoUs on specific activities with Thai partners; launching programmes to restore ecosystems within Tram Chim National Park; implementing eco-rice farming models aimed at promoting organic agriculture in the buffer zone; constructing facilities for crane breeding; conducting communication campaigns; and providing technical training for staff responsible for crane care. Dong Thap elevating value through lotus products Dong Thaps lotus has increasingly become a symbol of distinct economic value through festivals and enterprise successes. Dong Thap inspires with its green tourism development Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta is adopting innovative approaches to green tourism, aligning with global trends and unlocking significant opportunities for its tourism industry. Sharon Wilson, holding a thermal imaging camera, points to tanks she said were leaking methane in Arlington in this 2022 photo. Wilson, a field advocate for Earthworks, which promotes alternatives to fossil fuels, uses the camera to detect methane leaks at oil and gas facilities. LM Otero, STF / AP Sharon Wilson points a thermal imaging camera towards a compressor station in Arlington in this 2022 photo. Wilson, a field advocate for Earthworks, which promotes alternatives to fossil fuels, uses the camera to detect methane leaks at oil and gas facilities. LM Otero, STF / AP 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. A residential home sits yards away from the Bruder drill site, owned by TotalEnergies, in Arlington. Desiree Rios/Texas Tribune contributor 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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 residents 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 youre going to do your job. I can only trust that youre 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 a half mile of a gas well, according to data from the local environmental group Liveable Arlington. The groups organizers say oil and gas air pollution disproportionately affects 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. 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (For years,) weve 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 dont have a remedy. What does the rule do? The Bruder drill site, owned by TotalEnergies, in Arlington on Nov. 20, 2024. Desiree Rios/Texas Tribune contributor 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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 doesnt 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. 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 also will need to be monitored for leaks until they are closed and plugged. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Wellheads 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. Desiree Rios/Texas Tribune contributor 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 arent 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 years numbers are not available on the agencys website. Newly constructed oil wells will be required to stop routine flaring altogether under the EPA rule. Existing sites can flare only 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 already is 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 already has received $134 million from the federal government to permanently plug low-producing wells to help reduce methane emissions. 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. Desiree Rios/Texas Tribune contributor 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. Theres 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. 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. Desiree Rios/Texas Tribune contributor 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 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 TCEQ 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. What successes have KCN Vietnam Group attained since it was first established? Company COO Hardy Diec Since 2021 we have proudly positioned ourselves to become a top developer in providing high-quality industrial solutions, including ready-built warehouses and factories along with professional consultancy services. We have successfully launched 10 projects across strategic industrial zones, including DEEP C in Haiphong, Thuan Thanh 3B in Bac Ninh province, Ho Nai in Dong Nai province, and Phu An Thanh in Long An province, spanning over 300 hectares. In October, we also officially broke ground on Phase 1 of a warehouse project in sub-zone D of the Nhon Trach VI Industrial Park in Dong Nai. This scheme is on track to be completed by the second half of 2025. By the end of 2024, we anticipate achieving nearly 40ha of operational leasable floor area, with an ambitious target of expanding to nearly 70ha. As we continue to expand our land bank and develop new projects in key economic hubs nationwide, we remain unwavering in our commitment to excellence. Our focus extends beyond scale to ensuring that our infrastructure meets the highest international standards, aligning with the expectations of global investors. In July this year, we announced our strategic commitment to green building development, with sustainability at the core of our future initiatives. Two of our flagship projects currently under construction, DEEP C Phase 2 and Nhon Trach 6D, are being developed to meet LEED Silver and Gold standards, respectively an achievement that reflects our dedication to sustainability and innovation. These significant milestones have earned us numerous prestigious awards in the industrial real estate sector, domestically and internationally, over the past three years. Our progress is a testament to our vision of creating an ecosystem that attracts a diverse range of high-quality industries, minimises environmental impact, and drives the transformation towards a green, sustainable industrial future. What are the main factors for KCN Vietnam to gain those achievements? At the cornerstone of KCN Vietnams business operations lies our diverse portfolio of products and services, designed with internationally certified construction quality to meet the increasingly sophisticated demands of global investors. We currently offer a full range of solutions, including warehouses, factories, hybrid warehouse-factory models, and built-to-suit facilities. Furthermore, as previously highlighted, all our developments are aligned with green building principles, reflecting the global trend toward sustainable industrial practices. In addition, KCN Vietnam is deeply committed to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in exploring growth opportunities in the Vietnamese market. Through our mid- to small-scale warehouse and factory models, we provide cost-effective solutions tailored to their needs. Regardless of the project, our partners benefit from prime locations with easy access to transportation networks, storage facilities, and a talented young workforce. Beyond our infrastructure advantages, our flexible, customer-centric business strategy serves as the heart of our success. KCN Vietnam takes pride in being one of the developers that offers support businesses throughout their investment and operational journey in Vietnam. We offer comprehensive services, including market and investment environment consultations, guidance on regulatory incentives, assistance with investment registration and business establishment procedures, and expert advice on taxation, accounting, and human resources. These services not only save our investors time and costs but also enhance their competitive edge in the market. Moreover, as a strategic partner and solution provider, KCN Vietnam is dedicated to accompanying our business partners every step of the way in their journey to enter and thrive in the Vietnamese market. This is made possible by our experienced, professional, and highly committed team. Our sales teams are specialised by language to cater to key customer groups from China, Japan, South Korea, and English-speaking countries, ensuring effective communication and prompt responses to their needs. Alongside our extensive and attentive customer support network, we also collaborate with reputable financial, banking, and customs partners to help investors seize business opportunities swiftly and efficiently. Future projects developed by KCN Vietnam will be designed and operated in accordance with stringent sustainability standards What goals does KCN Vietnam set for its business plan heading into 2025? In the long term, we are dedicated to positioning ourselves as the top choice for businesses and playing a pivotal role in Vietnams transformation into a sustainable industrial hub on the global stage. As we approach this critical period, we plan to sustain our investments in key identified markets while proactively advancing research and development to deliver innovative products and services that meet the evolving needs of our investors. Additionally, KCN Vietnams leadership places great emphasis on closely monitoring global geopolitical dynamics and domestic investment trends. This enables us to craft adaptive strategies that respond effectively to market changes, safeguard investor interests, and optimise business operations. All of these efforts align with our unwavering commitment to continuously enhancing the quality of our products and services. This commitment is grounded in a deep understanding of our customers, partners, and the ever-changing business environment, ensuring we remain a reliable and forward-thinking partner for sustainable industrial growth. What will the development trend of the industrial real estate segment look like in 2025? In our assessment, Vietnam will remain a highly attractive destination for foreign investment inflows next year, providing a crucial foundation for the continued robust growth of the industrial real estate market. With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and government-backed support policies, Vietnam is increasingly viewed by international investors as one of the most promising markets in the region. At the same time, the market is entering a new phase of development, marked by growing demands for professionalism and modernisation. This evolution brings both opportunities and challenges for industrial developers. On one hand, the clearer legal framework is fostering a favourable business environment, unlocking new opportunities as more sectors, particularly manufacturing, technology, electronics, and semiconductors, invest in Vietnam. On the other hand, the rising competition within the industrial real estate market is creating significant pressure for developers to innovate continuously, enhance service quality, and meet international standards. In addition, there is an increasing demand to elevate customer support and consulting services while staying agile and responsive to the unpredictable shifts of the global market. In this context, the escalating unpredictability of global geopolitics highlights the need for businesses to stay constantly informed of emerging trends. However, it is not enough to simply stay updated, adaptability and agility in operations are essential. Companies must not only mitigate risks but also create the foundation to capitalise on opportunities that arise even in challenging circumstances. This ability to turn adversity into an advantage will define the leaders of the next phase of Vietnams industrial development. What plans does KCN Vietnam have to strengthen links with clients who rent warehouses and factories in its system to achieve high efficiency in sustainable development? Strengthening partnerships with our clients to create multidimensional benefits while promoting sustainable development is one of our top priorities. Moving forward, we plan to host regular conferences and customer workshops, providing a platform for our partners to connect, exchange experiences, and share ideas for sustainable growth. Additionally, we are seeking and attracting potential customers within the supply chain to establish a symbiotic ecosystem. By focusing on businesses that can complement and closely collaborate with one another, we aim to create a robust ecosystem that maximises resources and fosters mutual support for sustainable development. We believe that a win-win approach is the key to long-term success, and we are committed to being a trusted partner, working hand-in-hand with our clients to achieve shared goals and drive sustainable progress together. KCN Vietnam breaks ground on LEED-certified warehouse project in Dong Nai KCN Vietnam Group, a professional industrial property developer, on October 25 officially broke ground on the first phase of its high-quality ready-built warehouse project in Nhon Trach VI Industrial Park - Zone D, Dong Nai province. Based on the proposal of the Management Board of the Dung Quat Economic Zone (EZ) and Quang Ngai Industrial Parks (IPs), Quang Ngai Peoples Committee in November agreed to implement a project to upgrade and expand the traffic infrastructure system in the Dung Quat EZ, at a cost of $14.58 million. The province boasts the Dung Quat Economic Zone, a Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park, and many clusters The activities include upgrading the Tri Binh-Thien Dang route, the Thien Dang-Chu Lai route, the route from Lam Vien to Van Tuong, and a route connecting National Highway 1A, Tinh Phong, and Binh Tan Phu. The project has been assigned by the competent authority for the medium-term public investment plan towards 2025 with a local budget capital of $4.17 million; the remaining capital will be arranged in the provinces medium-term plan covering 2026-2030. According to Vice Chairman of Quang Ngai Peoples Committee Tran Phuoc Hien, the project is of great significance, aiming to gradually complete the infrastructure system of traffic routes and technical infrastructure, ensuring smooth connection between the Dung Quat EZ and surrounding areas. The Management Board of the Dung Quat EZ and Quang Ngai IPs is coordinating with relevant departments, sectors, and localities to review and focus on construction of urgent works in order of priority. In particular, it is necessary to focus on site clearance work, and not to affect the progress of implementation. It must ensure resources to implement the project on time and ensure quality, Hien requested. Solid support offered According to Nguyen Hai Truong, deputy head of the Management Board, the focus has been on building Dung Quat into a specialised, green, smart, and sustainable EZ. In order to develop commensurate with the available potential and advantages, the board will focus on implementing key solutions, strictly and effectively implementing approved plans, Truong said. The province will also focus on mobilising and effectively using resources to develop a shared infrastructure system with regional and inter-regional connectivity, Truong added. It will coordinate and connect with localities in the region to promote industry clusters at the provincial and regional linkage levels, and promote the application of IT and digital transformation. Dung Quat is ready to open its doors to welcome resources and attract businesses to do business in technical infrastructure of EZs and industrial areas. The EZ management board is mobilising all resources to develop the transport system and prioritises key ventures with spillover effects. The management board is ready to listen and support investors in all the processes and procedures for their projects. We are eager to renew all promotion and support policies to gradually transform the model of the Dung Quat EZ towards smarter, more ecological, and effective goals, said Truong. According to Truong, investors coming to Dung Quat will enjoy a preferential corporate income tax of 10 per cent for a period of 15 years, tax exemption for four years, 50 per cent reduction of payable tax in the next nine years, and tax exemption for imported goods to create fixed assets of the project. They are also able to access import tax exemption for a period of five years, from the date of commencement of production for raw materials, supplies, and semifinished products that are not produced domestically. Grasping new options The key strategy of the Dung Quat EZ is to promote the development of transport infrastructure, such as building axes directly connecting to seaports, airports, and coastal areas, as well as forming key tourism centres and linking internal road traffic with national traffic. It also looks to form service and tourist urban areas according that are based on ecological models; link urban development with housing development for workers; and prioritise environmentally friendly technology and renewable energy. Vice chairman Hien said that province is also focused on attracting investment in industrial projects and infrastructure in the Dung Quat EZ and provincial IPs. Quang Ngai currently boasts the Quang Phu, Tinh Phong, and Pho Phong IPs, as well as the Dung Quat EZ, the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park, and 20 clusters. Among these, many large-scale projects such as the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, Hoa Phat-Dung Quat Steel, and Doosan Vina have brought the industrial sector of Quang Ngai an average growth of 16.8 per cent annually. The proportion of industry and trade services accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the provinces regional GDP. With the advantage of a long coastline combined with multimodal transport infrastructure, Quang Ngai will invite and attract investors to exploit the potential for marine economic development, focusing on developing heavy industry with the two key sectors of petrochemical refining and steel rolling; and developing energy and trade, logistics services, and marine tourism, Hien said. According to Truong from the Dung Quat EZ Management Board, the province will engage and develop Dung Quat deepwater seaport as a national general port with large-scale specialised terminals associated with the EZ, which can receive ships of up to 250,000 tonnes. Quang Ngai will accelerate progress, expanding the petrochemical complex, the core of which is the Dung Quat Oil Refinery, which is currently being funded to expand its capacity to 7.6 million tonnes of crude oil each year; and the Hoa Phat Dung Quat 1 iron and steel complex, with a capacity of 6 million tons annually, which has come into operation, said Truong. According to Truong, Quang Ngai is currently implementing the construction of the Hoa Phat Dung Quat 2 iron and steel complex with a designed capacity of 5.6 million tonnes of high-quality hot-rolled steel per year, worth $3.54 billion. Over the next year, Quang Ngai will call for investment in over 30 initiatives in industry, services, tourism, the environment, urban infrastructure, and more. At the same time, it will seek funding for warehouses, ports, and the establishment of logistics centres. Nguyen Hoang Giang, Chairman of Quang Ngai Peoples Committee, said, In addition to these priority projects, Quang Ngai is ready to welcome and invite businesses and corporations to take part in large ventures with spillover, connectivity, and high added value, in accordance with the planning and the socioeconomic development situation of the province. Convenience and modernity head ambitions for Quang Ngai province The central province of Quang Ngai is expected to make several large calls for infrastructure investment in the coming years. Quang Ngai offers preferential condition to draw investors Fully functional industrial park infrastructure and a more open investment environment are factors that have seen investors see the central province of Quang Ngai as a suitable destination. Lam Du An, deputy general director of Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation (SABECO) responsible for technology and production, said such a facility has been a dream for the company for a decade. We cannot test beer on a large scale because one tank produces 40,000 barrels of beer. Therefore, for a long time, we have cherished the idea of a small-capacity research centre, producing moderate batches of beer, An said. Located at Nguyen Chi Thanh Brewery, the birthplace of Bia Saigon brand since 1875, the research and development centre was built as an automated miniature factory, fully functional to research and test new formulas and processes before transferring to 26 factories in the company system. Company staff worked with major partners in Germany to manufacture machinery and install the production line Many generations of SABECO technical staff and brewers have aspired to master technology and develop the Vietnamese beverage industry to be on par with other nations. The plans for the facility were ramped up as customer tastes increasingly changed. An said the company realised that it needed a system at the most in-depth level to innovate technology, research, and apply new materials and new processes to improve and produce new beer lines, suitable for Vietnamese culinary culture and tastes. To prepare for the scheme, technical staff attended a brewmaster training course in Germany to elevate their knowledge and learn from experience. With the desire to fully master the technology and production process, including the most specialised processes, the staff worked with major domestic and foreign partners for nine months to manufacture machinery and install the entire production line using modern technology. Consumer expectations about health, nutrition, functionality, sensory qualities, sustainability, and lifestyles have made the dynamics in the food and beverage sector more complicated. Due to pressure from the post-pandemic business environment to speed up product innovation, companies are constantly experimenting. With a thorough understanding of product design, formulation, raw materials, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, and regulatory constraints, research and testing procedures have evolved to expedite the launch of new products and demonstrate a high probability of success. An said that SABECOs brewing experts now have extensive experience, are regularly trained at the worlds leading academies, and have a profound understanding of Vietnamese consumer tastes and market trends, but in the past, they did not have enough space to unleash their creativity. The new facility is a place for them to create more new recipes with high processes and efficiency, bringing quality drinks to consumers, thereby realising the dream of developing the Vietnamese beverage industry on par with the world, An said. This is also a destination for newly graduated engineers who have a lot of knowledge but lack confidence and practice. At the centre, they are exposed to knowledge every day, which will help train the next generation with solid expertise and good skills. An explained that automation from the raw material input stage to the final product will minimise human errors. We must ensure automation from the raw material input stage to the finished product with the best technology, process, and raw materials, An said. From there, beer industries such as those found in Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic will look at us and begin to believe that Vietnamese beer can sit alongside theirs. That is what we will do and we will certainly succeed. SABECO has many years of experience in building breweries with foreign contractors, specifically from Germany. For this new centre, the team combined that experience with AI applications, thereby minimising common errors in production and ensuring consistent product quality from raw materials to finished products. Monitoring via software and direct remote intervention was also carried out so that anyone can grasp the activities taking place at the centre. SABECO general director Lester Tan outlined the innovation and tech application the centre can bring The centre is a testament to our commitment to continuous innovation and technology application. We promote sustainable growth by effectively managing resources, developing skilled human resources, and creating high-quality products, said Lester Tan, general director of SABECO. The centre is expected to create a major turning point because it will specialise in finding the secret to balancing flavours, understanding the tastes of consumers, and the 10,000 quality control documents and skilled personnel will help produce a batch of beer that meets market demand, Tan added. SABECO is the oldest beer production enterprise in Vietnam with nearly 150 years of development, as well as a distribution network of more than 200,000 sales points nationwide. SABECO to elevate Vietnam's beverage industry to global standards SABECO inaugurated the cutting-edge SABECO Beer Research and Development Centre (SRC) on November 20, aspiring to elevate Vietnams beverage industry. New SABECO R&D brewery to foster employee creativity Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corporation last week inaugurated a cutting-edge SABECO Beer Research and Development Centre to help brewers and young engineers attain the best environment for the process of creating quality products. What are the key objectives you aim to achieve with the launch of ViePro? ViePro is VIBs new generative AI assistant and marks a significant evolution in the user experience on our MyVIB digital banking platform. With ViePro, VIB becomes the first bank in Vietnam to offer millions of customers a highly accurate interactive assistant 24/7, powered by AWS, the worlds leading cloud computing provider. Tran Nhat Minh, deputy CEO and head of Digital Banking, VIB. Photo: VIB This innovation is designed to enhance customer satisfaction and service efficiency. We aim to boost productivity by 40 per cent, while also optimising IT and human resource requirements by up to 80 per cent, compared to current operations. ViePro uses Claude 3 Haiku on Amazon Bedrock, enabling us to tailor outputs based on proprietary banking data stored in AWS and meet specific customer needs. In addition, VIB is utilising Amazon SageMaker, a fully managed machine learning service, to enhance operations and provide personalised customer recommendations like spending limits and discounts. ViePro was first trialled with 12,000 employees in 189 VIB branches across Vietnam in September. We expanded the test to 200,000 selected customers the following month, and officially rolled out to millions of mobile banking customers starting in December. Photo: VIB Our primary goal for ViePro was to provide customers with personalised advice on products and services. Initially, the focus was on ensuring the GenAI virtual assistant to accurately answer a wide range of customer queries, including up-to-date information from our website. Moving forward, we plan to enhance ViePros capabilities, enabling it to replace service operators. Customers will be able to manage tasks like closing a card, transferring money, updating personal documents, or changing personal information seamlessly via the GenAI virtual assistant. As we progress, ViePro will leverage customer data to offer highly personalised recommendations, optimising cross-selling opportunities and boosting revenue. This approach will enable cross-selling opportunities and boost revenue by predicting customer needs through our machine learning models. The GenAI virtual assistant can recommend additional products or services based on a customer's existing portfolio, creating a more intuitive and value-driven experience. Of course, the sales process will not be confined to digital applications but will integrate with the entire network of VIB branches, helping to increase revenue while enhancing service quality. Why did you choose AWS as a partner to modernise your core banking system? The modernisation of our core banking system is a long-term initiative that requires at least two years for implementation and optimisation. We began implementing this undertaking in the first quarter this year, with a target completion in the first quarter of 2026. AWS stood out as the global leader in cloud computing, with the largest market share in the world. Moreover, they are the first company in the world to deploy cloud computing. Traditional core banking deployments often require banks to spend a year setting up infrastructure, including servers and networks, before they can even test the software. With AWS, VIB was able to set up its infrastructure in just five days and conduct tests on a system supporting five million customers, all within three weeks. By the end of the month, VIB paid only for that single month of usage, eliminating the need for upfront infrastructure investment. AWS also offers unmatched security and compliance, with over 140 internationally recognised certifications, surpassing the typical two certificationsPCI-DSS and ISO 27001held by local data centres in Vietnam. Given that banking operations run 24/7, moving to the cloud ensures that services are always available, enabling VIB to offer faster, more reliable banking experiences. MyVIB mobile banking users have praised the apps performance, citing its speed, uninterrupted functionality and superior user experience compared to competitors. In addition, AWS provided a dedicated technical team in Vietnam to support us throughout the implementation process. What drove the decision to make VIB the first bank in Vietnam to migrate its website to the AWS cloud platform? Migrating to the cloud represents a strategic leap forward, allowing us to leverage cutting-edge technology and strengthen operational resilience. Cloud security offers enhanced protection for sensitive banking operations compared to traditional local data centres, ensuring robust security and compliance standards. Transitioning to the cloud also equips our employees with new, advanced skills, fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability. While this requires some initial training, it ultimately empowers our team to operate more efficiently and capitalise on the full potential of cloud technology, with AWS as our trusted partner. For example, migrating our website to AWS helps us mitigate risks such as natural disasters. By doing so, we ensure VIB's digital infrastructure remains operational and unaffected by local disruptions, building a future-ready foundation that prioritises security, performance, and resilience. VIB is the first bank in Vietnam to offer AWS-Powered Gen AI on Mobile Banking. Photo: VIB What is VIB's vision for GenAI, and how does AWS fit into that vision? We are only beginning to explore the vast potential of GenAI. The development of GenAI models has advanced rapidly in a short space of time, delivering impressive results. AWS, for instance, offers powerful models like Anthropics Claude 3.5 Sonnet, showcasing the flexibility and capabilities of GenAI across a range of applications. The significance of GenAI lies in its ability to solve multiple challenges across industries. In banking, it can be used for programming, customer consultation, sales optimisation, and data analysis. As the technology continues to evolve, banks in Vietnam and beyond will be able to revolutionise their operations and deliver valuable outcomes. For instance, instead of relying on a data analyst, bank employees can simply query the system to get instant, accurate answers, all in Vietnamese. The system can also generate complex visualisations, like graphs and charts, without requiring any programming expertise. This is just the beginning. In the future, GenAI will serve as a powerful interface for users, facilitating seamless access to banking services with AI and machine learning models. Our core banking system is currently running on AWS for testing and is scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2026, and we plan to migrate our Enterprise Data Platform from on-premises infrastructure to AWS in mid-2025. This will further integrate advanced AI and machine learning tools from GenAI and AWS, making them core components to VIB's cloud ecosystem. VIB receives award for card design feature VIB has been recognised by the Vietnam Record Organisation and Mastercard with a National Record and the Innovation Breakthrough 2024 Award as the first bank in Vietnam to allow customers to design their own credit card images through generative AI technology from Fiza x Zalo AI. VIB and Flywire partner to streamline cross-border payments for students from Vietnam On November 14, Vietnam International Bank (VIB) announced a partnership with Flywire, a global payments enablement and software company based in Boston, the United States. On November 29, Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, in collaboration with the counterparts of 13 localities in the deta region, held a conference in Can Tho city to review their cooperative agreement on socioeconomic development for 2023-2024 and discuss plans for next year. The development cooperation agreement encompasses areas including investment-trade promotion, transportation infrastructure, tourism development, climate change adaptation, digital transformation, healthcare and human resource training, and more bilateral cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and each locality in the region. The province boasts a diverse agricultural ecosystem Nguyen Van Vinh, Chairman of Tien Giang Peoples Committee, highlighted the positive outcomes of cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Tien Giang in the past two years, particularly regarding three significant projects both sides have expedited. These include a ferry lane from Can Gio district in Ho Chi Minh City to Go Cong city in Tien Giangs east; promoting tourism development at the Thoi Son area in My Tho city and the Tan Phong floating market in Cai Lay district; and engaging technical expertise transfer to the Tien Giang General Hospital, said Vinh. He emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to effectively expedite the Ho Chi Minh City-Long An-Tien Giang urban transport axis, and called for enhanced cooperation in human resource training between universities based in Ho Chi Minh City and the Tien Giang University. In the healthcare sector, the province requested ongoing support from Ho Chi Minh City hospitals to help Tien Giang General Hospital establish new specialised departments, meeting growing healthcare needs. Additionally, Vinh urged Ho Chi Minh City leaders to study and engage with investors from the delta region, creating opportunities for the region to supply its unique products to Ho Chi Minh City. Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, noted that during 2023-2024, Ho Chi Minh City and the delta region have come up with numerous regional cooperation programmes, helping to foster business development, improve citizens quality of life, and beef up growth of the localities. This conference aims to gather insights from local leaders, business representatives, and delegates to identify key priorities and effective methods for cooperation, ensuring practical outcomes that significantly contribute to the socioeconomic development of both the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City, said Mai. During the 2023-2024 period, diverse supply-demand networking conferences between Ho Chi Minh City and localities enticed over 300 participants, in which all 13 localities in the delta region were represented and showcased distinctive local products. Tien Giang serves as a crucial link between the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City. The provinces favourable geographic location situated along the northern bank of Tien River, approximately 70km from Ho Chi Minh City and 100km from Can Tho city positions it as a vital connection point between raw material production, consumer markets, and export hubs. Tien Giang plays a gateway role, benefiting from key transportation and economic corridors such as national highways 1, 30, 50, and 60, as well as the Ho Chi Minh City-Trung Luong-Can Tho expressway. The provinces primary development focus lies in agricultural and aquatic product processing industries, high-tech agriculture specialising in fruit cultivation and aquaculture, supporting industries, and port-related industries. It also aims to pull in investments in trade, services, and ecotourism. Tien Giang boasts a diverse agricultural ecosystem, including 136,000 hectares of rice fields, over 81,000ha of fruit orchards, and 54,000ha of vegetable cultivation. The provinces 32km coastline and thousands of hectares of alluvial coastal areas provide excellent conditions for aquaculture and diverse marine economy development. Additionally, the province has invested in a raft of agricultural infrastructure such as My Tho and Vam Lang fishing ports, Hoa Khanh and Vinh Kim fruit markets, and rice milling zones in Cai Be district. With its abundant raw materials, Tien Giang accommodates large-scale industrial production capabilities. Tien Giang supports AO/dioxin victims stablise lives The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is home to more than 11,800 Agent Orange/dioxin victims, most of them live in poverty, according to the provincial association of AO/dioxin victims. Tien Giang gears towards securing fair PCI ranking Tien Giang province has been expediting a raft of measures to carve a spot among localities with a strong competitiveness ranking. Kristin Harrison, who in August pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, now wants to withdraw her plea. Patrick Danner/Staff photo A Killeen woman wants to withdraw her plea of guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States in an alleged scheme involving a Small Business Business Administration program. An attorney for Kristin Harrison, 39, filed court papers Friday in U.S. District Court in San Antonio making the request to withdraw her plea. She was one of seven people indicted by a San Antonio federal grand jury in the case but is the only one who has pleaded guilty. The other six have until April 3 to decide whether to enter into plea agreements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: Texas woman pleads guilty to role in alleged scheme to defraud Small Business Administration program The alleged scheme involved the SBAs HUBZone program, which is intended to support the growth of small businesses in historically underutilized business zones by awarding them federal contracts. To qualify for the program, a business must maintain its principal office in a HUBZone and have at least 35% of its employees living there. Aaron Sams, Harrisons brother and a defendant in the case, marketed his company Sams Contracting Consulting and Training LLC as a government contracting company that could assist businesses in meeting the 35% requirement so they could seek government contracts, according to the indictment. Sams and defendant Jesus Rodriguez identified a group of friends and family members, including Harrison, who would serve as fake employees, the indictment alleged. Their co-defendants are alleged to have known that Sams would send their information to companies to be placed on a particular companys payroll, the document added. The defendants allegedly paid a kickback to Sams and/or Rodriguez of about 20% of each payroll deposit that they received, the indictment said. Harrisons plea agreement stated that defendants who were added to the company payroll had little to no contact with the company and performed no actual work for any company. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Guilty plea In August, a U.S. magistrate judge accepted Harrisons guilty plea. Her sentencing had been set for Thursday until U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia issued an order Monday canceling the hearing. Attorney Joey Contreras, who represents Harrison, cited a ruling in a U.S. Supreme Court case earlier this year in making the motion to withdraw the plea. Specifically, Defendant asserts that the Small Business Administration exceeded its authority in its interpretation of the HUBZone statute the SBA administers, the motion stated. This abuse of authority precludes prosecution of the Defendant in this cause. The Supreme Court case Contreras cited, Loper Bright v. Raimondo, concerns how much power federal agencies have under statutes. The June 28 ruling overturned the so-called Chevron doctrine and said judges should no longer defer to agencies on the meaning of ambiguous laws, Bloomberg News reported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garcia has referred Harrisons motion to U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Betsy Chestney. 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22 Mar (23) 8 Mar - 15 Mar (22) 1 Mar - 8 Mar (21) 22 Feb - 1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) A food pantry in Baraboo that serves up to 750 families a week could close in the next month if it cannot relocate to a new, larger facility. Beyond Blessed Food Pantry, which currently operates out of a roughly 3,000-square-foot area of a building on Walnut Street on the citys south side, has a lease that is set to expire at the end of January. The need for the pantrys services has more than doubled since 2020, and the pantry now serves an average of 690 families a week, according to figures from pantry leaders. We need to move in January, because we have to have everything done and out by the end of January, said Beyond Blessed Food Pantry executive director Shannon Howley. I want to move in the first part of January. The pantry has been at its current location for five years and would close, at least temporarily, if pantry leaders cannot secure a new facility before the end of January. Deppe Enterprises, of Baraboo, owns the facility in which Beyond Blessed is now located. Company officials decided not to renew the lease with the pantry because its growth has required it to take up extra space inside and outside the facility, according to company spokesperson Johnny Deppe, who said the pantrys space requirements either has, or could be, disruptive to other tenants. We are proud of the role we have played in their success and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors, Deppe said. He and Howley said that Beyond Blessed has leased the facility from Deppe Enterprises at a generous rate, but neither disclosed the amount. Baraboo resident Dan Eller said he would have to find another location to get food if Beyond Blessed closed, and it is the closest pantry to him. I think it is needed, Eller said. I can understand how these guys Deppe Enterprises and other building tenants could have a hard time with everybody in here once a week. I appreciate them for doing what they did. Howley and other pantry leaders at the pantry are currently raising funds and looking for a new facility in the area. Beyond Blessed officials have looked at more than 20 facilities in efforts to move. Howley said the pantry wants to stay in Baraboo or areas north, such as Wisconsin Dells or Reedsburg, so as not to move too close to the Madison area. I am trying everything in my power to keep us open, she said, adding the pantry currently has no guarantee for a future facility. Im trying to feed the rural communities up here. The pantry needs a roughly 5,000- to 6,000-square-foot facility to sufficiently serve its current customer base, Howley said. She and other pantry leaders are hoping to find a space that is nearly 15,000 square feet, as that would allow all non-perishable food items, as well as freezers, refrigerators and shelving units, among other equipment, to be stored on site. Howley said a larger facility allows the pantry to streamline its operations. Beyond Blessed needs a facility that has parking lot, loading dock, sufficient electricity to support food storage equipment, and functional heating and cooling, she said. Its multifaceted, she said. Its not just one thing. Because of the low lease rate Beyond Blessed received from Deppe Enterprises, Howley anticipates that leasing a new facility will present a huge price jump. Beyond Blessed now rents extra space away from its current location to store such equipment, she said. The pantry receives shipments of perishable food items including meats, dairy, and fruits and vegetables and travels to various locations to pick up non-perishables. Howley said the pantry is currently receiving less free food items from area grocery stores and gas stations than it was earlier this year and last year. Right now, food is harder to get than ever before, she said. The free (food) is not nearly what it used to be. Im buying far more meat and produce than I ever have. The pantry would distribute all of its perishable food stock if it has to close in January, Howley said. Beyond Blessed currently does not stock cheese, unless it is available for free. Howley said milk and eggs will no longer be available to the pantry for free after December. Everybody is being more frugal with what they bring in because the cost has been so much more the past couple years, she said of donating businesses and individuals. The pantry also receives food from Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, but Howley said those shipments, along with the reduced free food from area stores, do not sufficiently serve Beyond Blesseds current customer base. Proceeds from fundraising efforts would likely go towards renting a facility in the near future, with hopes of purchasing land to build a facility in the long term, Howley said. Dubai chocolate has taken over social media and San Antonio google search histories. Getty Images A sweet treat superstar is emerging. The Dubai chocolate bar, a mixture of crispy kataifi, pistachio and tahini paste wrapped in a shell of milk chocolate, was one of 2024's most popular Google search trends in San Antonio as the Middle Eastern delicacy dominated TikTok pages and prompted major American brands like Baskin-Robbins to create spin-off versions of the nearly $20 chocolate bar. Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search revealed San Antonio's top search trends in 2024. Courtesy Google Google's Year in Search looks at the search terms that rose to prominence in 2024. In San Antonio, Googlers queried for Olympic athletes Simone Biles and Imane Khelif as well as the year's musical hits including KSI's "Thick Of It" and two of Kendrick Lamar's viral raps dissing Drake. And when it came to the city's local businesses, purveyors of Dubai chocolate bars stood out among the most searched-for stores. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier created the original candy bar, dubbed Cant Get Knafeh of It. The bar takes inspiration from knafeh, a dessert made of shredded phyllo pastry, syrup and an infusion of pistachio, cheese and other fillings. A darling of TikTok, the chocolate bar's gooey insides comprise knafeh bits, pistachio and tahini paste. The milk chocolate casing is splattered with green and yellow hues. Individual bars sell at around $18.50, and a box of six costs around $105. The immensely popular product has generated a flurry of alternatives, altered with an American twist. Baskin-Robbins began selling Dubai chocolate ice cream bars in many of its franchises. Dubai chocolate cupcakes are available at Rise Cupcakes in Houston, and a waffle version is available in Milwaukee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These creations may not be able to elicit the ardor spurred by the original chocolate. 1.7m to support Welsh families and individuals facing food poverty this winter This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024 Families and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of food will receive vital support this winter through 1.7m of additional funding from the Welsh Government. The monies will provide help to those most in need and back community projects working to prevent and tackle food poverty in the longer term. It will provide emergency food aid by helping local groups to store and distribute food to people who need it most, while also addressing the underlying causes of food poverty; support FareShare Cymru by purchasing equipment to store and deliver fresh food during the winter months and running food education activities to help low-income families and individuals manage rising costs. The funding also aims to strengthen food partnerships in every local authority area in Wales, helping them to address local needs and ensure resources reach those facing the greatest challenges. The Wales-wide funding will be announced today at Cegin Hedyn community kitchen in Carmarthen. Cegin Hedyn, a Pay What You Can Canteen and Community Kitchen, is part of a network of organisations tackling food poverty, and works with Carmarthenshire Food Partnership, Bwyd Sir Gar Food. Bwyd Sir Gar works closely with groups and initiatives across the region to provide targeted support to those who need it most. Cegin Hedyn ensures that everyone can have access to fresh, organic, seasonal produce, with produce being grown steps away in their Community Allotment. Bwyd Sir Gar Food has also been providing vegetables, grown at Bremenda Isaf farm in Llanarthne, to Cegin Hedyn and has been offering mentoring and support to the volunteers at the allotment. Cegin Hedyn is run by chef Deri Reed. He said: This funding is a lifeline for communities like ours, ensuring that we can continue to provide fresh, nutritious meals to those who need them most while building a more sustainable and inclusive food system. At Cegin Hedyn, we believe in the power of food to bring people together and create positive change. This support will help us expand our reach, grow more organic produce locally, and strengthen the food partnerships that make a real difference in tackling food poverty in Carmarthenshire and beyond. Food Sense Wales works closely with Bwyd Sir Gar and Food Partnerships across Wales to help create sustainable solutions to enable everyone to enjoy healthy and sustainable food. Katie Palmer from Food Sense Wales said: By strengthening its support for food partnerships across Wales, the Welsh Government is recognising the importance of building resilience in local food systems both in terms of diversifying local supply chains, and by building and organising assets and civil society in a way that is unique to the needs of the local community. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: No one should have to worry about how theyre going to put food on the table. As a government, we are committed to tackling food poverty and ensuring support reaches those who need it most. This new 1.7m package of funding will provide both local relief to those struggling with food costs and lay the groundwork for longer-term solutions to prevent food poverty. By supporting emergency aid, food education, and local partnerships, we are addressing this crisis from all angles. Local food partnerships are vital in this effort. They work with inspiring projects, like Cegin Hedyn, which not only provides meals for people, but also brings people together and supports the wider community. Their efforts show what can be achieved when local groups and wider networks come together to support those most in need. The additional funding builds on the 2.8m the Welsh Government has already allocated to help address food poverty this year, and brings the total to more than 24m invested in this area since 2019. North Wales MS welcomes much-needed funding to fix potholes This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024 A Member of the Senedd for North Wales has welcomed much-needed funding to help fix around 100,000 potholes across Wales. Carolyn Thomas, Labour MS for North Wales, said the Welsh Governments draft budget announcement, which includes 25m for road improvements and 60m in local government borrowing to repair potholes and pavements, is vital to restore local infrastructure. The measures aim to fix 100,000 potholes across Wales. Carolyn Thomas, who previously served as Flintshire County Councillor and Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: Whether we are walking, using a bike, car, or bus, we all benefit from well-maintained highways and pavements. It is vital that the deterioration of their condition through more than a decade of funding cuts is reversed. This investment is the beginning of that reversal and will bring much-needed public investment into roads and pavements. Responding to public concerns The funding aligns with priorities identified during a Welsh Government listening exercise conducted earlier this year by First Minister Eluned Morgan. Carolyn Thomas joined the First Minister in Connahs Quay to hear residents concerns, where road repairs emerged as a top issue. During the listening exercise, the issue brought up most frequently with Eluned and myself was the condition of our roads and the increased number of potholes, she said. Following the listening exercise, the First Minister set out four key priorities for her government, including connecting communities by improving road conditions. Empowering local councils Carolyn Thomas MS, who chairs the Senedds Cross-Party Group on Public Transport, has long called for increased investment in highways and for devolving funding to local authorities. Ive been calling for increased funding for highways for years, and for that funding to be further devolved to local authorities who have the knowledge and expertise to best fix the problems, she said. This new funding will now help local authorities go further and faster in fixing our roads and pavements. North Wales retailers helping to tackle and deport organised crime gangs, says chief constable This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024 North Wales chief constable said shops are helping combat foreign organised crime gangs travelling up and down Wales to shoplift, leading to several Romanian criminals being deported. During a question-and-answer session at a North Wales Crime Panel at Conwys Bodlondeb HQ on Monday, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman was questioned by councillors. Among them, Flintshire councillor Chris Bithell said he was pleased the number of shoplifting incidents had dropped in North Wales after figures were revealed, describing the UK problem as a nationwide plague. But despite a reported national increase in shoplifting, stats presented at the meeting showed that recorded shoplifting offences in North Wales over a 12-month period (until August 2024) were similar to the previous year. In terms of numbers, this equated to 4,707 offences for 2022/23 compared to 4,700 for 2023/24. The report also said the number of shoplifters charged had increased. The report reads: The positive outcome rate for shoplifting offences has improved by 7.1 percentage points compared with the year to August 2023: 27.2% for 2022/23 compared to 34.3% for 2023/24. Of the outcomes applied for 2023/24, a quarter or 25.1% are charge outcomes. Cllr Bithell said: There has also been insinuations too that there has been foreign organised crime involved. Im just wondering if theres any evidence of that occurring in North Wales, where foreign organised crime units are involved in shoplifting incidents in North Wales. Speaking on the matter, Chief Constable Blakeman said retailers were working with police to help catch crime gangs, resulting in criminals being deported. We are bucking the trend, and Im really pleased with that. Part of the reason is that I lead nationally for retail crime, so we set ourselves up really early in terms of our response to retail crime, and weve really concentrated patrols in our retail crime areas, she said. Weve really concentrated on working with the stores, particularly Co-op, who find themselves particularly in a challenging position, given the amount of convenience stores weve got. Weve concentrated mainly on our problematic and prolific offenders, and generally we find that those individuals operate because of drug or alcohol addictions, so weve looked at all sorts of powers that are available to us. We not only arrest and put them before the courts but also (give out) community behaviour orders, which prevent them going back to areas and (they) are arrestable straight away when they do. So weve worked really hard to try and drive those figures down. Ive got the national team that concentrate on retail crime, having worked with major retailers across the country now, Tescos, Sainsburys, to name but a few, Boots, so nationally weve worked at Operation Pegasus, which is bringing those retailers together and then putting a developed intelligence team into that so we can use not only the retail communitys intelligence but our own intelligence to track these organised crime groups. Nationally weve had success and deported five people from Romania, who are involved in organised crime, and weve identified a number of organised crime groups. I think it was about 27 organised crime groups, so it is around the top twenties, and weve arrested a number of those now and dismantled them. She added: We havent got an organised crime unit that lives on and operates from us (within North Wales), but we have had members of those organised crime groups because they travel up and down the country and have operated in our area. We use all available evidence to us, from CCTV to supporting our shop workers to give evidence in order to identify them and linking in with the national teams so we can identify those working across the country. But Im pleased with the figures, hope we can continue to see that downward trend, but it is a concerted effort on our behalf to try and tackle this. By Richard Evans BBC Local Democracy Reporter Welsh Ambulance Service introduces rapid clinical screening for 999 calls This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024 The Welsh Ambulance Service has introduced a new triage system which aims to enhance care for 999 callers and deliver a safer, more efficient service. Paramedics and nurses, referred to as clinical navigators, will now conduct rapid clinical reviews of most 999 calls from the Trusts control centres in St Asaph, Carmarthen, and Cwmbran. According to the Welsh Ambulance Service this approach helps to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate response, whether its an emergency ambulance or alternative care. Patients in life-threatening situations will continue to receive an immediate ambulance response with lights and sirens. For non-urgent cases, clinical navigators will carry out further assessments to determine the best course of action, which could include advice over the phone or dispatching paramedics with specific expertise. Pete Brown, Assistant Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said the initiative is crucial as the NHS grapples with increased demand during the winter months. Winter is a busy time for the NHS, with seasonal illnesses and cold weather putting more pressure on an already overstretched system, he said. Rapid clinical screening enables highly skilled paramedics and nurses to apply their critical thinking in a control room environment in a brand new clinical navigator role, ensuring that those in most urgent need of help, get it. The system also allows clinical navigators to observe 999 calls in real time, assisting call handlers by prompting additional questions and staying on the line to ensure a safe decision is made. Greg Lloyd, Assistant Director of Clinical Delivery, explained: After the initial interaction with a non-clinical 999 call handler, getting an experienced clinician involved in the decision-making process is the most effective way of ensuring patients get the right care according to their needs. This continuous assessment will lead to better patient outcomes, as well as a much safer service, and all with a view to ensuring patients get the right care or advice, in the right place, first time. The rapid clinical screening initiative is one of several measures being trialled by the Welsh Ambulance Service this winter in a move to improve patient safety and quality of care. In south Wales, the Trusts dedicated Mental Health Response Vehicle is providing specialised support for people in a mental health crisis, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. Additionally, the service is training Community Welfare Responders to attend suitable 999 calls in their local area. These responders take initial observations to assist clinicians in determining the next steps for care. Rachel Marsh, Executive Director of Strategy, Planning and Performance, said feedback from patients and staff will play a crucial role in assessing the success of these trials. At the end of winter, well look at how these changes have gone, she said. Key to the evolution of our response model will be feedback from patients, staff and other stakeholders, and well be listening to feedback in earnest to ensure our services better meet the needs of the people of Wales, now and in the future. Wrexham to merge with Alyn and Deeside for new Fflint Wrecsam Senedd constituency This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Dec 17th, 2024 Wrexham is to merge with Alyn and Deeside under plans for a new Senedd constituency named Fflint Wrecsam, the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru has announced. The announcement, made today, 17 December 2024, is part of the Commissions task to reduce Wales Senedd constituencies from 40 to 16 in line with the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act. The changes, which will take effect at the 2026 Senedd election, will see six Members of the Senedd elected from each constituency a list system. The decision to pair Alyn and Deeside with Wrexham follows a consultation period during which the Commission received 51 representations, split between 24 in support and 27 in opposition. Alternative pairings suggested included combining Alyn and Deeside with Clwyd East or Wrexham with Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr. However, the Commission concluded that pairing Alyn and Deeside with Wrexham ensures greater connectivity and cohesion. A spokesperson explained: The Commission believes that having clear communication and travel connections is an important part of being able to provide for effective and convenient representation. These areas are well connected by transport links and are similar in character, making this pairing a cohesive constituency. The Commission also confirmed that the constituency would be named Fflint Wrecsam, a proposal supported by the Welsh Language Commissioner. The single bilingual name reflects the local authority names within the constituency and is designed to be widely recognisable to both Welsh and English speakers. The naming decision follows 19 representations received during the consultation, with 17 opposing the initially proposed Alyn, Deeside and Wrexham name. Suggestions included Flintshire East and Wrexham or using a simpler form such as Alun. The Commission stated: The Commission has determined that the name is acceptable for use as a single name as it reflects the names of the local authorities within the proposed constituency, and is likely to be recognisable to residents of the same broad region of Wales whose primary language is not Welsh. This proposal comes as part of a broader reconfiguration of Senedd constituencies, which involves pairing Wales 32 UK parliamentary constituencies into 16 new constituencies. Notably, the Commission has also made changes to constituency configurations in Cardiff following public feedback. Chief Executive of the Commission, Shereen Williams, encouraged further feedback during the final consultation period, which closes on 13 January 2025. These Revised Proposals represent a significant step on the journey to creating Wales new constituencies. We remain open to making further changes depending on the representations we receive during this consultation, so we urge everyone to share their views. Residents are encouraged to have their say by responding to the consultation before the deadline. The Commissions Final Decisions Report is expected to be published in March 2025. For more information or to take part in the consultation, visit the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru website. Elizabeth Zavala covers federal courts for the Express-News. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net. Zavala is a veteran reporter who has been a journalist for nearly 40 years. She joined the Express-News in 2013 and covered the Bexar County criminal courts for nine years. Liz grew up on the near West Side. She graduated from Fox Tech High School and Texas Womans University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism. Liz has worked in various reporting and editing positions at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. On Monday Washoe County Sheriff's Office staff delivered gifts to the Nevada State Veterans Home. In a post on social media, the Sheriff's Office said it brought gifts to more than 100 veterans as part of the Adopt-a-Vet program. In their post, the Sheriff's Office also thanked the veterans for their service and their staff, who adopted veterans and gave. "Delivering these gifts was such an awesome experience and were grateful to have been present," said the post in part. I have an iPhone and routinely send texts to friends with Android devices who then message me back. Now I hear it might not be safe. What gives? What youve picked up on is a recent warning from the FBI that sending texts from an iPhone to an Android device or from an Android to someone with Apples smartphone is indeed risky. Members only On the other hand, messages you send from your iPhone to a person with another iPhone are considered safe. That generally goes for Android-to-Android communications as well, though devices in the Android camp vary, and Google requires users to go through more steps. Texts sent within a type of messaging system iMessage for iPhones, Google Messages for Androids are end-to-end encrypted or scrambled. For all intents and purposes, that means only the intended recipients can decipher or read them, not bad guys or snoops. Of course, assuming that the only people you text are folks with the same flavor of phone as yours would be silly. Thats where things could get dicey. Ask The Tech Guru AARP writer Ed Baig will answer your most pressing technology questions every Tuesday. Baig previously worked for USA Today, BusinessWeek, U.S. News & World Report and Fortune, and is author of Macs for Dummies and coauthor of iPhone for Dummies and iPad for Dummies. Have a question? Email personaltech@aarp.org The hack that raised the FBIs hackles In early December, the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) issued security guidelines after a major hacking attack against U.S. telecom giants AT&T and Verizon and at least one other company, named Lumen Technologies. The data breach, which the Wall Street Journal revealed in October, has been blamed on the Chinese government. Its known by the moniker Salt Typhoon because of the hacking group behind it. What can you do? Most iPhone users will stick with Apples built-in Messages app to send iMessages, just as their Android friends will stick with Google Messages. Again, if youre texting with friends in the same family of devices, you have little reason to be paranoid. Apple says even it cannot decrypt iMessages while in transit, including photos or videos sent as attachments. I unzipped my bag and screamed. Whats wrong? my husband yelled from across our vacation rental in Lisbon, Portugal. This isnt my machine, I cried. The trip is ruined! Members only We had just arrived for a family vacation, and here I had someone elses CPAP, or continuous positive air pressure machine. These devices are prescribed by a doctor to treat sleep apnea, a breathing disorder. An estimated 8 million Americans use one, and settings are customized for each patient. Without my own device, I was facing two weeks of restless nights instead of a relaxing excursion. How did this happen? Most CPAPs come in similar gray travel bags. And thats the problem. Looking back, this was an accident waiting to happen. A case of confusion Like many medical devices, CPAPs have become smaller, lighter and easier to tote on trips. This has been a boon to travelers with illnesses or disabilities, as airline passengers are advised to bring medical devices as carry-ons rather than in checked baggage, where they may be damaged or lost. By law, qualifying devices such as CPAPs, portable oxygen concentrators and dialysis machines dont count against a passengers carry-on allowance. So, on our flights from Texas to a change in Newark, New Jersey, and then on to Portugal, I carried my CPAP with me, along with my wheelie-bag and backpack. On the crowded first plane, the bins above my seat were full. So my husband wedged my CPAP into a bin a few rows in front of us. Curiously, when we got ready to deplane, it was in a bin several rows behind us. Thats strange, I said. Maybe the flight attendants moved things around. Passengers behind us were waiting to get off, so my husband grabbed that gray bag and we left to catch the overnight flight to Lisbon. Wheres my machine? Upon realizing the mix-up another passenger must have taken my machine I quickly became a student in my airlines lost-luggage policies. Unlike checked bags, airlines dont give claim tickets for a carry-on, and they arent responsible for damaged or lost items not in their possession. Dealing with an uncooperative customer service agent? Struggling to understand a wordy insurance document? Looking to compare one retirement investment plan to another? You may find help by using free software. Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT; Google Gemini, which started as Bard; Microsoft Copilot, which used to be Bing; and most recently Apple Intelligence, can help you outsmart the system if you know their possibilities and their limitations. Members only Recent AARP surveys reveal that 85 percent of Americans 50 and older have heard of generative AI and just less than a third are excited about the benefits. However, only 2 in 5 claim they are knowledgeable. A primer: AI comes in several flavors, some that have been around for years and are baked into tech products people regularly use. Generative AI is the kind sopping up recent headlines. These chatbots and services churn out texts, audio, pictures and videos in seconds, based on voice prompts from a user. Content is drawn from the ginormous databases these AIs were trained on the internet at large or a smaller data set what tech geeks call large language models or LLMs. Get some advice Start with the basics. Some examples: What is the best way to save money on landline telephone charges? Or Is a nursing home appropriate for my aging mother who has dementia and issues with mobility? But heres where AI can beat a standard web search: You can follow up to drill down further. AARP Learn more AARPs new guide to artificial intelligence was published in November 2024 and designed for those who want to learn about AI in depth from the ground up. Its more than 300 pages. In the nursing home example, after that first piece of advice, you might ask, How much is this going to cost in the state of Florida? or What is the likelihood that insurance will cover this? says industry analyst Laurie M. Orlov, founder of the Aging and Health Technology market trends website. I dont think you want to look at AI as beating the system [so much] as trying to cope with the system, she says. Another tip: Ask the AI bot to suggest questions you hadnt thought of or for help finding other resources. Just have a free-flowing, friendly chat and see where your curiosity takes you, says Jenny Blackburn, Google vice president of UX, Gemini experiences. Draft a letter Having trouble crafting that email to a companys customer service center? Maybe youre seeking compensation for lost luggage or asking an insurance company to reconsider your denied claim. But you dont know how to write it to get results. Ask AI to get you started with a prompt such as, Draft a letter to ... and then add the details. What comes back can be a useful first draft, says Michael L. Miller, author of Using Artificial Intelligence: Absolute Beginners Guide from AARP. After that, you need to think about massaging the missive to make it your own. First wholly foreign-owned, third-grade general hospital licensed in China Xinhua) 08:37, December 17, 2024 A staff member checks medical facilities at the Perennial General Hospital Tianjin in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Dec. 16, 2024. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (Xinhua/Li Ran) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Legacy Elementary School, under construction in Uvalde, will replace Robb Elementary, site of the worst school shooting in Texas history. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Two and a half years after the Uvalde classroom massacre, a local nonprofit has secured the final funding for a new school that will serve as a symbol of resilience for a community still reeling from the tragedy. The new Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District campus will replace Robb Elementary School, which has sat empty since the May 24, 2022, shooting that killed 19 fourth graders and two teachers. It is scheduled to open in the fall. Founded after the shooting to support the construction of a new school, the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation announced Monday it had reached its $60 million fundraising goal with a final investment of $24.5 million from Prestamos CDFI, Raza Development Fund and JP Morgan Chase. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Prestamos CDFI, a division of community development corporation Chicanos Por La Causa, donated $13 million to the Uvalde campus, named Legacy Elementary School. Some of our staff were directly impacted by the tragedy, and they continue to embrace and support the local community, Jose Martinez, president of Prestamos CDFI and executive vice president of Chicanos Por La Causa, said in a statement. We are humbled to have the opportunity to create long-lasting impact through the financing of such significant projects that improve access to quality education and community resources. We are inspired by the community working together to build a new future for their children. Raza Development Fund, the nations leading Latino-focused nonprofit lender and a support corporation for the civil rights organization UnidosUS, contributed $8 million. JPMorgan Chase contributed $3.5 million. Melissa Pillars, executive director of JPMorgan Chases New Markets Tax Credit team, celebrated the communitys involvement in the design and vision of the new school to truly meet the needs of the students, families and educators." All the donations were made through the federal New Markets Tax Credits program, designed to stimulate private investment in distressed communities. The Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation said it struggled with local fundraising, and that the federal tax credit was critical in closing the funding gap for the new school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After the Uvalde massacre, the deadliest school shootings in Texas history, Robb Elementary students were dispersed to other campuses. The Moving Forward Foundation was created afterward with funding from H-E-B and the Charles Butt family and has been working with the district on plans for a new elementary school since 2022. The district approved plans for the school in April 2023 and broke ground last October. Located near Leona and Fourth streets next to Dalton Elementary, Legacy Elementary School will serve 800 students from second through fourth grades. A news release says the school was designed with brain research and trauma-informed care in mind. The two-story facility will include 36 classrooms, an academic wing, a library, a dining hall, a gymnasium, mental health resources and state-of-the-art safety features. It will also have a tree sculpture with two branches memorializing teachers Irma Garcia and Eva Mireles and the fourth graders who were killed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation said the project will create 350 temporary jobs during construction and 118 permanent jobs. Hi Dr. Richard, the text to Amy Nofziger began. I was playing with my puppy today and noticed a lump under his nipple. The stranger requested an exam and included a photo of her puppys belly. Like so many of us, Nofziger, director of AARPs Fraud Network, gets loads of fake wrong number texts a tactic scammers use to engage you but the sophistication and imagination of this one surprised her (theyre often simply, Do you want to meet for dinner? or something more straightforward, as we explain in this story). If I wasnt aware that theyre using emotional manipulation, I would have said, Sorry, you have the wrong number. I hope your puppy is okay, says Nofziger, a dog lover, as plenty of recipients of this text are likely to be. Members only Using a cute puppy pic is a new, more sophisticated twist on a common scam tactic which experts like Nofziger predict will be a major trend for 2025. A lot of the scams that were tried and true in 2024 are going to be repurposed, especially with the advent of more effective AI, says Michael Bruemmer, vice president of data breach resolution and consumer protection at Experian, a global credit verification and financial services firm. Impersonation scams are a good example, whether criminals are posing as celebrities, trusted companies, desperate relatives, or strangers with sick dogs. Deep fakes, both audio and video, have gotten so good, and the language models have gotten so good, its hard to tell [whats real], Bruemmer says. And older people are frequent targets of these crimes: Losses from scams reported by Americans over age 60 were up 11 percent last year over the year before, according to the FBIs Elder Fraud Report, with fraud criminals stealing more than $3.4 billion from older Americans in 2023. Here are five common scams to watch for in 2025. 1. Employment scams Every source contacted for this article from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported a rise in employment scams, from phony ads on job sites to fake recruitment pitches in your inbox. In some cases, the goal is simply to gain your personal information. Youre told you got the job, so you fill out paperwork that includes your Social Security number and your bank account info for direct deposit, notes Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. More elaborate scams can involve bogus payments. Some scams, for example, ask would-be employees to pay for training or useless certifications. Others pay new staffers a bonus (with a check that will eventually bounce), then ask for money back due to overpayment, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports. Scammers might also request money to cover shipment costs for job-related equipment. How to stay safe: Remember that just because ads appear on reputable platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed, it doesnt mean theyre genuine. Those platforms do their best to police whats there, but they cannot catch everything, says Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of ITRC. And the bad actors often use the name of a real hiring manager and make it look like they are involved in that company. If youre contacted by a recruiter, visit the companys website and see if theyre hiring for that particular position, if the person actually works there, and if its a legitimate company. Also watch for jobs that promise you can work at home while making big money. During the application process, companies only need basic information not your Social Security number or financial information. And if youre promised a job but required to pay money, its a scam. 2. Cryptocurrency scams Cryptocurrency is hot, with the price of one Bitcoin reaching $100,000 for the first time in December 2024. That may be good for savvy investors, but the hype could lure novices into cryptocurrency scams with huge potential losses. In 2023, the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) received nearly 9,000 cryptocurrency complaints from people age 50-59. Their total losses: more than $900 million. People age 60 and older registered nearly 17,000 complaints and reported losses of $1.6 billion. (The numbers are probably far higher, because scams are notoriously underreported.) Pennys Find Pre-Feasibility Study and Ore Reserve Perth, Dec 18, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Horizon Minerals Limited ( ASX:HRZ ) is pleased to announce the results of the Prefeasibility Study ("PFS" or "Study for the Company's 100% owned Pennys Find project, located in the heart of the Western Australian goldfields (Figure 1*). HIGHLIGHTS - Prefeasibility Study (PFS) for Pennys Find completed and shows a financially viable project highlighted by the following: o Underground mine design and schedule producing 329.9kt at a fully diluted grade of 3.2g/t Au for 33.5koz over an approximate 23 month mine life o Metallurgical recovery of 88.9% produces 29.8koz recovered under an assumed third party toll milling arrangement in the region o Project generates $24.0M in free cash flow (after capital) at a gold price of A$3,600/oz - A maiden Ore Reserve, which constitutes 99.7% of the ounces in the production target in the PFS, stands at 328.3kt at 3.2g/t Au for 33.4koz - Pennys Find is fully permitted with all statutory approvals in place - PFS assumes contract mining and haulage, with management and technical services provided by Horizon - Pennys Find is one of several near-term development projects held by Horizon and will be ranked and assessed alongside the Cannon and Kalpini projects for potential processing through third party infrastructure or the wholly owned processing infrastructure to be acquired under the proposed merger with Poseidon Commenting on the PFS and Ore Reserve, Managing Director and CEO Mr Grant Haywood said: "We are very pleased to have the study work completed on another development ready project. The Pennys Find underground PFS shows robust cashflows from a high-grade gold asset that is fully permitted that we can develop when we are ready. "Horizon has strong optionality within its large pipeline of projects, with mining currently underway at Boorara and Phillips Find, with Cannon and now Pennys Find studies completed allowing the potential to generate more cash in this strong gold price environment." Pennys Find Overview The Pennys Find Gold Project is located 50km northeast of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (Figure 1*) and is accessed via public roads. The high-grade gold mineralisation at Pennys Find is hosted in thin quartz veins at the contact between footwall sediments including black shale and siltstone and a hangingwall basalt. The quartz veins dip about 60deg to the northeast, and collectively average 1m to 5m true width. Open cut mining to 85m depth (242mRL) was completed by Empire Resources in 2018 with toll treatment processing at Lakewood (Kalgoorlie) and Burbanks (Coolgardie). Production from the open pit totalled more than 18,300oz at 4.47g/t Au (as announced to the ASX by Empire ( ASX:ERL ) on 25 July 2018) Metallurgical test work and toll milling data has shown fresh mineralisation to be free milling with a high gravity recoverable gold component and a total gold recovery which has historically exceeded 90%. Horizon has used a metallurgical recovery of 88.9% for this study. The Mineral Resource Estimate (JORC 2012) for Pennys Find is shown in link* below. The Mineral Resource has three domains (Figure 2*). Domain 1 contains most of the Mineral Resource with good drilling support. Domain 2 is a subparallel lode, possibly a splay, that to date is only represented in limited drilling. Domain 3 is similarly a subparallel lode, but with minimal drilling support. Pennys Find Prefeasibility Study The Study was undertaken by a combination of in-house personnel and independent consultants. Advanced Mining Production Systems (AMPS) was engaged by Horizon to carry out works for inclusion in a Mining PFS for the Pennys Find Underground project inclusive of mine optimisation and design, scheduling and economic analysis. MineGeoTech carried out a geotechnical Feasibility Study to establish the structural environment and rock mass quality of the project, and utilising this data, ground support requirements, stope stability and numerical modelling was completed. Various metallurgical studies have been undertaken by previous owners and more recently via Independent Metallurgical Operations under Horizon. Soil Water Group carried out Hydrology and Hydrogeology work and environmental study work carried out by Botanica Consulting. All remaining study work was undertaken and overseen by Horizon and is based on the following key parameters: - Gold price of A$3,600/oz - Underground mining and road haulage conducted by contractors with management and technical oversight by Horizon - Ore processing through a standard Carbon in Leach (CIL) third party processing plant in the Kalgoorlie region, within 100km of Pennys Find - There is no material financing required for capital development of the project at this stage as the Company is mining its Boorara and Phillips Find open pit projects, and it is anticipated that current cash and cashflows from those projects shall fund this development The key Study outcomes for the project are included in Table 2* below: The estimated Ore Reserve, which constitutes 99.7% of the production target, has been prepared by Competent Persons in accordance with JORC Code 2012. Horizon conducted the Study as of 17 December 2024. The Study, prepared with an accuracy of +/-15%, considered all relevant mining modifying factors, allowing an Ore Reserve to be estimated in accordance with the JORC Code. Classification of the estimate is shown in Table 3*. All Inferred Resources were excluded from the stope optimisation process and in the financial modelling and the estimation of Ore Reserves. The Pennys Find Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources are inclusive of those Mineral Resources modified to produce the Pennys Find PFS that can be economically mined by underground methods. The Ore Reserves make up 99.7% of the production ounces in the PFS. The information presented in this announcement is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by Mr Grant Haywood. Mr Haywood continues to be the Competent Person for the 18 December 2024 Pennys Find Ore Reserve estimate, and supervised and reviewed preparation of the estimate with assistance from specialists in each area of the estimate. Mr Haywood is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and is employed by Horizon. He has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation, type of deposit under consideration, and in underground mining activities, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code. Mr Haywood consents to the inclusion of this information in the form and context in which it appears. The Probable Ore Reserve estimate is based on Mineral Resources classified as Indicated, after consideration of all mining, metallurgical, social, environmental, statutory and financial aspects of the project. Financial analysis undertaken in December 2024 shows that, at 17 December 2024, the future revenues to be derived and costs incurred to access those revenues produce a viable project using the assumptions presented in this estimate. A sensitivity analysis was conducted as part of the assessment for the reserve, the results are displayed in Figure 3*. Operational activities shall be undertaken by a mining contractor with technical and managerial oversight provided by Horizon. Mining will be underground with access via a portal within the pit to develop a decline to the base of the mine, with lateral ore drives developed from the decline. The mining method will be a bottom-up method using longhole stoping via a modified Avoca method with Cemented Rockfill (CRF). Ore and waste shall be loaded out by conventional diesel-powered LoadHaul-Dump (LHD) loaders and low profile trucks. Development will be undertaken with Jumbo Drills and stoping with Longhole drills. Following pre-production activities, which includes dewatering the existing open pit for a period of five months, the portal shall be established in the south-eastern quadrant of the open pit. Development will occur over a period of 13 months, with ore development commencing in month three and stoping operations commencing in month five. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/O3D917BF About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. Related Companies Construction continues on the Golden Pass LNG Terminal, photographed Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in Sabine Pass. The photo was taken from the Louisiana side of the Sabine River. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Almost a year after pausing new permits on LNG export terminals, the Biden administration released a report Tuesday warning of serious environmental and economic risks to increasing shipments of the commodity overseas. The Department of Energy found that allowing an expansion of LNG exports could not only increase greenhouse gas emissions in the long run, imperiling efforts to address climate change, but could also drive up domestic natural gas prices on households and industries like steel and chemical manufacturing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "A business as-usual approach is neither sustainable nor advisable," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. The administration said it was still evaluating whether to lift the pause on permitting, something President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to do once he takes office next year. But the study's findings could delay Trump's plans, providing legal ammunition for environmental groups seeking to delay and block LNG developers. It could take up to six months for the Trump administration to revise the 600-page study, the consulting firm Clearview Energy Partners warned clients earlier this month. The holdup in permitting over the past year has caused trepidation along Texas's Gulf Coast, the epicenter of an LNG boom that has resulted in billions of dollars in investment over the past decade. LNG companies quickly pushed back against the findings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Study after study, by Republican and Democratic administrations as well as independent researchers, have continually found that U.S. LNG exports provide economic, national security, and climate benefits and serve the public interest," the Natural Gas Supply Association said in a statement Tuesday. In 2022 the Biden administration itself pushed back against environmental groups' warnings of price spikes, claiming in a decision authorizing the expansion of the Freeport LNG terminal south of Houston that increased LNG exports would only result in, "small increases in U.S. natural gas prices." But Energy Department officials maintained Tuesday that earlier studies were conducted at a time when LNG was a much smaller industry. LNG exports have tripled over the past five years and are expected to double again by 2030. Under existing authorizations, the LNG industry already has the ability to export roughly half the nation's natural gas production, the Biden administration said. The Department of Energy is projecting unrestrained LNG exports would increase U.S. wholesale gas prices by 30% and cost the average American an extra $100 a month by 2050 something industrial and manufacturing companies have been warning of for years. "LNG exports import global market volatility a phenomenon that the U.S. market has been insulated from historically," Paul Cicio, president of the trade group Industrial Energy Consumers of America, warned in a letter to Congress this month. "The more we export, the more vulnerable the U.S. economy becomes and will directly impact the competitiveness of the U.S. manufacturing sector." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Department of Energy also found that low-income communities were likely to bear the brunt of LNG development, advising that the federal government undertake additional analysis of air pollution impacts to surrounding communities before authorizing new projects. On climate change, the report said that while LNG exports were likely to force the replacement of some coal-fired power plants, overall they would displace more wind and solar farms, driving up global carbon dioxide emissions between 6.6 and 20 gigatons by 2050. Global carbon emissions from energy production totaled 36.8 gigatons in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found tech consultant Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee. The verdict came after seven days of deliberation following the April 4, 2023, killing. Lee was discovered staggering down a deserted downtown San Francisco street, leaving a trail of blood and calling for help before dying at a hospital. Prosecutors argued that Momeni planned the attack, driving Lee to a secluded area under the Bay Bridge, where he stabbed him three times with a knife taken from his sister's kitchen. They claimed Momeni was enraged at Lee for introducing his younger sister to a drug dealer, who allegedly gave her GHB and other drugs before sexually assaulting her. However, Momeni testified that Lee had attacked him with the knife, claiming the confrontation escalated after Momeni criticized Lee for not prioritizing his family and instead looking for a strip club that night. Momeni, who practices martial arts, said he acted in self-defense and was unaware he had fatally wounded Lee or that Lee was even injured. The case, which began on October 14, was handed to jurors on December 4. While Momeni was initially charged with first-degree murder, jurors ultimately found him guilty of second-degree murder, though they could have considered a lesser charge of manslaughter. A second-degree murder conviction in this case carries a sentence of 16 years to life in prison. Momeni, 40, has remained in custody since his arrest in April 2023. In a press release from the same year, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins' office stated that Momeni faced up to 26 years to life if convicted. Bob Lee, 43, was the creator of the mobile payment service Cash App and served as chief product officer for the cryptocurrency company MobileCoin at the time of his death. Lee had relocated to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife, Krista Lee, resides with their two children. AMD, a multinational corporation and technology company has launched its latest campaign, #BusinessesLoveAMD, in the India market. The campaign aims at highlighting the Ryzen AI Pro Series Processors ' unparalleled speed, performance, and AI capabilities designed for the B2B cohorts of IT teams, Finance teams, and CEOs. Keeping office dynamics as the central theme, the DVC followed a storytelling format focusing on everyday challenges of professionals. Giving it a fresh and creative outlook & turning a traditionally mundane topic into an engaging and exciting one. The campaign has been done in collaboration with The Yellow Shutter, a renowned production house. At AMD, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to address real-world challenges businesses face today. The #BusinessesLoveAMD campaign brings this vision to life by highlighting how our Ryzen AI Pro Series Processors redefine workplace efficiency and collaboration. By seamlessly integrating speed, AI capabilities, and unmatched performance, this campaign showcases our dedication to empowering businesses to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape. said Mukesh Bajpai, Director Marketing, AMD India. We made this film for AMD to connect with the right audience and tackle the right problem. said Gaurav Arora, Co-Founder, Social Panga. The story is told from the stakeholder's point of view, aiming to offer a solution that truly resonates. Businesses love AMD because they focus on delivering innovative solutions that address real challenges, and we wanted this film to reflect that. Dilpreet Sandhu, Head of Business, at The Yellow Shutter, says, The making of this film has been quite a fulfilling journey. A fantastic team effort between AMD, Social Panga and The Yellow Shutter, brought AMD's #BusinessesLoveAMD campaign to life. With the aim of pushing creative boundaries and delivering a memorable experience for AMDs audience, we selected a team of equally fun and mainly technology loving individuals, especially our Director, Jeet Lotia, to produce something truly unique! As computing needs evolve, AMD continues to lead with groundbreaking advancements with its Ryzen AI Pro Series Processors. With the Businesses Love AMD campaign, AMD reinforces its position as a trusted partner for anyone looking to innovate, create, and lead in this digital age. Lowe Lintas, in partnership with Google Pay (GPay), has launched a captivating new campaign that redefines the way credit cards are used by showcasing their versatility when added to the GPay app. The campaign highlights how users can now tap to pay or scan to pay with ease, making transactions more seamless, secure, and accessible than ever before. In a world where digital payments are transforming consumer behavior, credit card usage remains largely confined to traditional methods like inserting cards into POS machines and is often reserved for big-ticket purchases. This campaign challenges those norms by demonstrating how adding credit cards to GPay unlocks exciting possibilities for everyday transactionswithout compromising security. The campaign's narrative unfolds through a humorous sibling banter, brought to life with a quirky song underscoring the ease and advantages of using credit cards on GPay. The film opens at a petrol pump, where the sister adds her credit card to GPay and swiftly makes a payment by tapping her phone, outsmarting her brother, who struggles with his wallet. The story progresses to an ice cream cart, where the sister once again outshines her brother by using the scan-to-pay feature, and concludes at a restaurant, where the phones lock reinforces the robust security of credit cards on GPay. Prateek Bhardwaj, Chief Creative Officer, Lowe Lintas, sharing his excitement about the campaign said, "This is Google Pay's third campaign with the 'Sab tick hai' brand language, and it feels so good in this day and age to have a spell of consistency on a brand. With this credit card campaign, Sab tick hai continues to deliver our core messages in a language that is uniquely ours - energetic, authentic and simply tick!" Naveen Gaur, Group Chief Operating Officer (Growth), MullenLowe Lintas Group added, "This collaboration with Google Pay highlights the convergence of innovation, convenience, and consumer trust. By creatively demonstrating the versatility of credit cards on GPay, were not just enhancing user experiences but also enabling the platform to tap into a broader audience segment, driving adoption and engagement in the evolving digital payments ecosystem." The campaign is a 360-degree integrated initiative, live across TV, digital platforms, out-of-home (OOH), Spotify, and emerging touchpoints such as e-commerce platforms and their packaging, voice assistants, and social commerce, ensuring maximum reach and resonance with audiences. Credits: Agency: Lowe Lintas Creative: Prateek Bhardwaj, Mohit Pasricha, Sushant Joshi, Vibhor K, Soumyajit Roy Account management: Naveen Gaur, Sunil Manhas, Aakash Jain, Sarthak Verma, Gayatri Sud Planning: Anurag Prasad, Pallavi Mehta Production House: Green Grass Film Director: Anaam Mishra Also Read: Lowe Lintas launches new campaign for Merino Laminates As we conclude another year, it is essential to reflect on the key developments, challenges, and achievements that have shaped different sectors throughout the past 12 months. The year 2024 has been marked by dynamic shifts, rapid innovation, and the continued adaptation to both external factors and emerging trends. Adgullys annual feature REWIND revisits different sectors and identifies the key developments as well gauges the long-term impacts of those developments. We speak to a cross-section of industry leaders to bring a 360-degree view of the industry landscape, the growth trends, financial performance, disruptions, innovations, challenges and more. In this Rewind 2024 article, Nikhil Pavithran, Group President, Kaizzen, shares his insights into the years defining trends and developments that shaped the PR industry and the Indian economy at large. Highlighting Kaizzens performance during the year, Pavithran sheds light on the key achievements and milestones that marked the companys journey in 2024. PRs growth in 2024 The story of PR is one of constant evolution. While the tools and techniques have advanced, the core essence of connecting with audiences, managing reputations, and crafting compelling narratives remains unchanged. From an economic perspective, the Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience, navigating challenges with agility and emerging as a beacon of opportunity. This resilience mirrors the adaptability of our industry. Despite global uncertainties, sectors like PR, communication, and digital marketing have flourished, driven by the growing importance of transparency, accountability, and authentic engagement. Kaizzens journey this year reflects this synergy between tradition and innovation. The future holds immense promise, and our commitment to evolving with the times while preserving our timeless core ensures that our industry will continue to shine as a vital force in shaping narratives and building connections. Trends and developments in PR The fields of PR, communication, and digital marketing are driven by three key trends: Speed, Seamlessness, and Relationships. Speed: In a fast-paced digital world, swift and strategic responses to news and trends are essential. Tools like social listening, AI analytics, and automation help brands stay relevant. Seamlessness: With user-generated content and influencers shaping narratives, integrating digital and traditional strategies ensures consistent and trustworthy messaging. Relationships: Strong ties with journalists, influencers, and customers remain fundamental, fostering credibility and creating advocates to amplify brand messages. The synergy of these pillars, alongside advancements like AI, AR, and VR, helps combat misinformation while enhancing the value of earned media. Adapting to these trends enables professionals to shape impactful, trustworthy brand perceptions. Kaizzens growth story in 2024 Kaizzen evolved from being a digital and communications agency to offering a broader range of services, including advocacy, public affairs, investor relations, and Global Sustainability Communication (GSC). This diversification strengthened our ability to cater to the dynamic needs of our clients. We successfully launched Kaizzen Global, opening an office in Dubai and establishing a network of partners in over 80 countries. This move has positioned us as a globally connected agency capable of delivering on international mandates seamlessly. Kaizzen was ranked the 7th fastest-growing agency in the world by the prestigious Provoke Rankings in 2024. Our journey has been marked by enduring relationships. The three clients we started with continue to partner with us, a reflection of the trust and value we bring to our collaborations. Our biggest achievement remains our people. We are proud to be a people-first agency, with team members who joined in our first year still with us today. This highlights our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a supportive work environment. 2024 was a year of transformation and milestones for Kaizzen, reinforcing our position as a leading global agency with a focus on innovation, relationships, and people. Kaizzen - Crafting compelling narratives Kaizzen is a leading integrated communication agency with operations across the globe. Offering 360-degree solutions, it caters to diverse sectors, including corporate, technology, lifestyle, healthcare, education, real estate, startups, government, hospitality, financial services, entertainment, and energy. Key services include Public Relations and Communications, Digital Marketing in addition to various ancillary services like design, video production, web UI/UX, and technology solutions, enabling seamless communication. Kaizzen helps businesses craft compelling narratives, build brand visibility, and foster trust through integrated campaigns, media relations, influencer collaborations, and digital strategies, making it a one-stop solution for all branding needs. Also Read: From Cashfree Payments to Move Fast - When agility & speed dictate fintech success Head Digital Works (A23), India's leading online skill-gaming company with over 75 million registered players, announced its brand refresh with the Yahan Dimaag Jeetega campaign featuring brand ambassador Shah Rukh Khan. This campaign fuels Indias desire to outsmart to win, capturing the rush, excitement and sense of accomplishment that comes from using skills to triumph. With a focus on strategic thinking and the application of skill, the evolved messaging aligns with A23's action-oriented and customer-centric stance. The new campaign showcases two films featuring Shah Rukh Khan that resonate with a diverse group of players who appreciate the challenge and reward of strategic gameplay. A23s product enhancements, including big-ticket challenges, leaderboards and tournaments running around the clock further emphasize this commitment to rewarding players for leveraging their skills and standing-out. The films depict everyday scenarios where strategic thinking leads to success, mirroring the strategic gameplay found on the A23 apps. Both films reflect A23's message of celebrating wit and strategy to win while gaming online. Here are links to both the films - Film 1 & Film 2 Bollywood superstar and A23s long-standing brand ambassador, Shah Rukh Khan, returns to headline the campaign. Speaking on the new brand films, he said, "In India, we play to win. This is the essence of A23s new ad as well where users be it in gaming or real life use their minds to succeed. I believe this messaging is an organic fit for A23 and will be relatable for all gaming enthusiasts. I have witnessed the platform evolve into a customer-centric gaming app over the years which truly values its users and celebrates their every win. " Gunnidhi Singh Sareen, VP- Marketing, Head Digital Works said, With Yahaan Dimaag Jeetega campaign we want to transform A23 as the ultimate destination for players who value strategic thinking and skills to win. With Shah Rukh Khan, we want to bring home the feeling, the rush and the excitement that comes with winning solely using ones skills. We hope that these new brand films hit the right chord within our audience given that these are instances picked from our daily lives. A23 is also hosting marquee tournaments like Rummy Maha Mela that reward players for their strategic prowess, offering a real-life extension of the campaigns core message. Through Yahaan Dimaag Jeetega, A23 reinforces its position as Indias premier skill gaming platform, encouraging players to embrace challenges, sharpen their minds, and celebrate every victory as a testament to their intelligence and strategy. Also Read: Rungta Steel Launches TVC with SRK, Alia, and Ranbir Showcasing Strength It was a longshot that a Christmas song about a sweet grandmother getting run over by one of Santas reindeer would ever make it to a recording studio. An even longer one that it might get airplay. But the longest shot of all was that Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer would become a holiday hit. Yet thats exactly what happened. These days, 45 years after its debut, Grandma is like ambrosia salad: It gets a lot of hate, a little love, yet it turns up every holiday season. It all began in 1979 when Auburn University veterinary school graduate Elmo Shropshire recorded the song. Although I enjoyed being a practicing veterinarian, Im happy that singing the Grandma song will be my legacy, Shropshire said during a recent interview with AL.com. I love playing music and having a hit has enabled me to play with a great group of charitable musicians called Holiday Express. During the months of November and December they play 100 shows for schools and hospitals for children with special needs. Its emotionally uplifting! The novelty song was written by Randy Brooks, who offered the song to a married bluegrass duo that performed under the name Elmo and Patsy, according to a 2007 article in The Washington Post. Elmo has said that although the song was released under the couples joint performing name, his then-wife Patsy did not take part in the original recording, the Post article said. The couple later divorced and Elmo has since re-recorded the song. Elmo Shropshire, also known as Dr. Elmo, graduated from Auburns veterinary program and worked as a veterinarian until his retirement. He is now 88 years old and lives in San Francisco. The song hit No. 1 on Billboards U.S. Christmas Hits chart from 1983-85. It is also certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, with more than 500,000 copies sold. Sony released a new recording in 2002 by Dr. Elmo and, in 2010, Time Life Records released an instrumental version of the song on Dr. Elmos Bluegrass Christmas. Shropshire recorded a sequel, Grandpas Gonna Sue the Pants Off of Santa on the 1992 album Dr. Elmos Twisted Christmas. Hear it here. In 2000, the WB Network released an animated TV version of the events in the song, although in the show, Grandma survives the attack and, it turns out, Santa wasnt at fault it was Cousin Mel! Shropshire narrates the show, according to IMDb. He is also credited as a writer. 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Editors note: This story is part of a collaboration on chronic absenteeism among Native American students between The Associated Press and ICT, a news outlet that covers Indigenous issues. WATONGA, Okla. (AP) As the Watonga school systems Indian education director, Hollie Youngbear works to help Native American students succeed a job that begins with getting them to school. She makes sure students have clothes and school supplies. She connects them with federal and tribal resources. And when students dont show up to school, she and a colleague drive out and pick them up. Nationwide, Native students miss school far more frequently than their peers, but not at Watonga High School. Youngbear and her colleagues work to connect with families in a way that acknowledges the history and needs of Native communities. As she thumbed through binders in her office with records of every Native student in the school, Youngbear said a cycle of skipping school goes back to the abuse generations of Native students suffered at U.S. government boarding schools. If grandma didnt go to school, and her grandma didnt, and her mother didnt, it can create a generational cycle, said Youngbear, a member of the Arapaho tribe who taught the Cheyenne and Arapaho languages at the school for 25 years. Watonga schools collaborate with several Cheyenne and Arapaho programs that aim to lower Native student absenteeism. One helps students with school expenses and promotes conferences for tribal youth. Another holds monthly meetings with Watongas Native high school students during lunch hours to discourage underage drinking and drug use. Oklahoma is home to 38 federally recognized tribes, many with their own education departments and support from those tribes contributes to students' success. Of 34 states with data available for the 2022-2023 school year, Oklahoma was the only one where Native students missed school at lower rates than the state average, according to data collected by The Associated Press. At Watonga High, fewer than 4% of Native students were chronically absent in 2022-23, in line with the school average, according to state data. Chronically absent students miss 10% or more of the school year, for both excused and unexcused reasons, which sets them behind in learning and heightens their chances of dropping out. About 14% of students at the Watonga school on the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation are Native American. With black-lettered Bible verses on the walls of its hallways, the high school resembles many others in rural Oklahoma. But student-made Native art decorates the classroom reserved for Eagle Academy, the schools alternative education program. Students are assigned to the program when they struggle to keep up their grades or attendance, and most are Native American, classroom teacher Carrie Compton said. Students are rewarded for attendance with incentives like field trips. Compton said she gets results. A Native boy who was absent 38 days one semester spent a short time in Eagle Academy during his second year of high school and went on to graduate last year, she said. He had perfect attendance for the first time ever, and its because he felt like he was getting something from school, Compton said. When students do not show up for school, Compton and Youngbear take turns visiting their homes. I can remember one year, I probably picked five kids up every morning because they didnt have rides, Compton said. So at 7 oclock in the morning, I just start my little route, and make my circle, and once they get into the habit of it, they would come to school. Around the country, Native students often have been enrolled in disproportionately large numbers in alternative education programs, which can worsen segregation. But the embrace of Native students by their Eagle Academy teacher sets a different tone from what some students experience elsewhere in the school. Compton said a complaint she hears frequently from Native students in her room is, The teachers just dont like me. Bullying of Native students by non-Native students is also a problem, said Watonga senior Happy Belle Shortman, who is Kiowa, Cheyenne and Arapaho. She said Cheyenne students have been teased over aspects of their traditional ceremonies and powwow music. People here, theyre not very open, and they do have their opinions, Shortman said. People who are from a different culture, they dont understand our culture and everything that we have to do, or that we have a different living than they do. Poverty might play a role in bullying as well, she said. If youre not in the latest trends, then youre kind of just outcasted, she said. Watonga staff credit the work building relationships with students for the low absenteeism rates, despite the challenges. Native students are never going to feel really welcomed unless the non-Native faculty go out of their way to make sure that those Native students feel welcomed, said Dallas Pettigrew, director of Oklahoma Universitys Center for Tribal Social Work and a member of the Cherokee Nation. By FELIX CLARY of ICT News. Associated Press writer Sharon Lurye in New Orleans contributed to this report. A 1-year-old boy is missing more than a week after a wreck killed his father and 2-year-old sister in Fayette County, authorities said Monday. Since the Dec. 8 single-vehicle wreck, which also left the childs mother in critical condition, 1-year-old Kahleb Rowan Collins has been unaccounted for, the Fayette County Sheriffs Office said. Steven Bradley Collins, 40, of Jasper, and 2-year-old Ryleigh Collins died after the wreck on Fayette County Road 73 near the Glen Allan community, the sheriffs office said. See also: Grandfather charged with failing to report 1-year-old missing before deadly wreck Steven Collins, who died at a local hospital on Dec. 9, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the wreck. Ryleigh was unrestrained at the time of the incident and pronounced dead at the scene. A day after the wreck, authorities were told that Collins and the critically injured mother had another child that was unaccounted for. Authorities did not state whether the child was Kahleb was believed to be in the wreck at the time of the single-vehicle crash. Anyone with information on Kahlebs whereabouts was asked to call the sheriffs office at 205-932-3205 and ask to speak to Investigator Brandon Collins. The finals are set, and now it comes down to three cities to determine which community in Alabama has the best Christmas decorations. So far, the Christmas spirit is strong for three cities in Alabama -- at least with their online voting habits -- squaring off this week in the finals. The winner will be determined at midnight on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. UPDATE: And the winner is ... The finalists were determined by the winner of three regions in an unscientific poll that ran on AL.com last week. The results: Fort Payne: Christmas in Dixie In the North Region, Fort Payne -- the DeKalb County seat with a population of nearly 15,000 residents, handily won with 1,905 votes or 55.1% of the total 3,456 votes cast. The second-place city was Cullman, with 986 votes or 25.9%. Christmas in Fort Payne, Ala.Photos provided by John Dersham, Fort Payne's Tourism Director Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine has praised his citys Christmas decorations for growing each year and becoming a destination for visitors. The whole downtown is decorated, said Baine. Over the last four to five years, weve increased visibility and a lot of posts about (the citys decorations) and we kind of use the theme of Christmas in Dixie from Alabamas song. They allowed us to use that and we have banners throughout the town that says, Christmas in Dixie. Opelika: Tallest Tree Opelika bested Carrollton to win the Central Region. According to the vote total, the Lee County city of over 33,000 residents located northeast of Auburn, defeated Carrollton in West Alabama by 364 votes (1,691 votes to 1,327 votes). Rounding out the region were Fayette and Jasper. Opelika claims to have the largest Christmas tree in Alabama. And massive tree outside the Lee County Courthouse is a hallmark attraction of the citys Christmas decorations as it stands a whopping 72 feet tall. The massive tree has 1,058 individual branches, 4,232 ornaments and more than 105,000 lights stretching six miles. Its also only 2 feet shy of being as tall as the Christmas tree on display at Rockefeller Center in New York City this year. The city of Opelika recently unveiled its new Christmas tree and with the unveiling garnered the title of having the tallest one in the state. (City of Opelika/Leigh Krehling)City of Opelika/Leigh Krehling Leigh Krehling, Opelikas community relations officer who helped lead the tree project, said the new tree replaces and our old tree that was looking like a Whoville tree. She added, We were able to purchase the new tree and we think it will draw people from all over. People have been in line and night and day to take pictures. Its pretty spectacular. Were quite proud of it. Millry: Smallest town, biggest votes Millry in Washington County has fewer than 500 residents. But give the community credit: Its fans mobilized on social media to topple Andalusia in the South Region. Beating Andalusia was no small feat as that city has long developed a reputation as a Christmas wonderland for families and young visitors, branding its attraction as Christmas in Candyland. Millry has its own Candyland, and they want the public to know all about it. The citys fourth annual Christmas in the Park is the pride of this small, rural community. It began with a vision from Grant Smith about creating a holiday-themed walking trail, which has evolved in a wonderland of lights -- approximately 800,000 to 1 million of them. The Santa Trolley in Millry, Ala.photo by Kim Anderson We have had visitors from Florida and Georgia and ... our town is about 600 people, said Kim Anderson, marketing director with Christmas in the Park. We are a one red-light little town. On each end of town on Highway 17, we have new signs, Welcome to Millry. Home to Christmas in the Park. Millry is in the finals after receiving the most votes in the polling overall. The small town received 2,613 votes to Andalusias 2,310. Rounding out the South Region were Foley and Fairhope. Now is your chance to decide ahead of the holiday. From now until midnight Monday, Dec. 23, you have a chance to vote on which city should be declared AL.coms Christmas City for 2024. Cant see the poll? Click here A 9-year-old boy was shot when at least 200 shots were fired early Tuesday at an east Birmingham apartment complex. Police say the boy was in an apartment when a gunfight erupted outside. No one in the victims apartment was involved or targeted, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. In additional to the boys injury, nine occupied apartments and 24 unoccupied vehicles sustained bullet damage. The investigation began just before 1:30 a.m. East Precinct officers were dispatched to multiple calls of shots fired at the Springville Landing apartment complex in the 1000 Block of Huffman Road. Officers arrived at the apartment complex when the victims mother told officers her son had been shot. Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel took the boy Childrens of Alabama. His injuries are not life-threatening, and did not require surgery, Fitzgerald said. Investigators believe the occupants of a nearby apartment unit were involved in an argument with a separate group in the parking lot. The two groups exchanged shots. Fitzgerald said officers and investigators believe both groups know one another and the shooting stemmed from a feud. BPD crime scene technicians recovered at least 200 shell casings from multiple guns. Five people have been detained for questioning. Anyone with additional information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Starting this week, construction crews working on a Highway 59 Expansion Project in Gulf Shores will begin constructing the permanent medians south of the bridge, according to a release from the city. This new phase of work means traffic barrels at East 16th Avenue will no longer be able to be moved in the morning to accommodate school traffic, the release says. Left-hand turns at East 16th Avenue are permanently eliminated as of Monday morning. For those traveling southbound on Highway 59 to Gulf Shores schools, the city says three routes remain available: East 20th Avenue East 15th Avenue Highway 180 (Fort Morgan Road) Please plan to use one of these routes starting Monday morning, December 16, the release reads. We appreciate your cooperation as progress continues on adding a new southbound lane to Highway 59. For more information about this project or to ask any questions, the city advised residents to contact the Engineering Department at 251-968-1166. Work to add a third southbound lane to Alabama 59 from Coastal Gateway Boulevard south to Fort Morgan Road began earlier this year in Gulf Shores. The second phase, from Coastal Gateway Boulevard to Parkway South, is anticipated to be complete by the end of summer of next year along with the third phase, which runs from Target to County Road 6, according to the city. The project is part of a $14.4-million Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development grant the (BUILD) the city was awarded by the Federal Highway Administration in November 2019 for capacity improvements on Highway 59. Managing growth is the biggest issue that we face here, and these transportation improvements are not going to be fun while its going on, but youve got to do that, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft told Gulf Coast Media previously. 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. Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison when hes 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. 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 Smirnovs 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 Smirnovs indictment. 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 1-year-old Alabama boy discovered missing after a wreck killed his father and 2-year-old sister, and critically injured his mother, was possibly missing for months. The boys grandfather, 55-year-old John Elton Bailey, is charged with failure to report a missing child, according to court records. Charging documents against Bailey say he committed the alleged crime on Sept. 10 in Fayette County. The criminal complaint states Bailey failed to report a missing child by delaying to make or failing to cause to be made the report with willful and reckless disregard for the safety of the child and the child suffered serious bodily harm or death, to wit: physical injuries to the child and the child was removed from the home and taken to an unknown location and no report was made by any resident of the home. Bailey was arrested Dec. 11 and remains held in the Fayette County Jail on $100,000 bond. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday issued a missing alert for Kahleb. The alert said Kahleb was last seen Sept. 4. The Fayette County Sheriffs Office on Monday issued a press release saying the 1-year-old boy, Kahleb Rowan Collins, had been missing since the Dec. 8 single-vehicle wreck that killed his father, 40-year-old Steven Bradley Brad Collins, and sister, 2-year-old Ryleigh Collins. Kahlebs mother, 22-year-old Wendy Pam Bailey, remains in critical condition at UAB Hospital. Kahleb Collins(ALEA) The wreck happened at 10:24 a.m. that Sunday on Fayette County 73 near Morris Cemetery Road, about two miles south of Glen Allen. ALEA Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said the 2-year-old girl was a passenger in a Toyota Tacoma that left the road and hit a tree. Ryleigh was unrestrained and pronounced dead on the scene. Brad Collins died the following day. Authorities said the parents were not using their seat belts at the time of the crash. John Bailey is Wendy Baileys father and lived with the family in Winfield. Brad Collins on Nov. 6 posted this on Facebook: Our son is not doing well. He is not growing has major back issues. His organs are growing but not his body. He has to have surgery at some point. Keep him in your prayers. Been rough and just seems going to be a long rough road ahead of us. Fayette County sheriffs officials have not responded to a request for comment. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on Kahlebs whereabouts was asked to call the sheriffs office at 205-932-3205 and ask to speak to Investigator Brandon Collins. Authorities are on the scene of a shooting in a Calera neighborhood that left two people injured. The gunfire erupted about just after 3 p.m. Monday in the Meriweather subdivision, off County Road 16. Police Chief David Hyche said one male, reportedly shot in the stomach, was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. The second male was transported by ambulance. Their ages and the severity of their injuries were not immediately released. Hyche said officers quickly received a description of the suspects. Two other males were taken into custody in the neighborhood within 20 minutes. The chief said the investigation is in its early stages, and said it will take time to sort out what happened. The Shelby County Major Crimes Task Force will be assisting in processing the crime scene. Shootings like this are a rare occurrence in Calera, and we want to keep it that way,' Hyche said. More than 100,000 birds -- nearly all of them chickens -- have been killed at a Cullman County commercial broiler farm and a backyard flock in Pickens County after highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was confirmed at the two sites, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries said Monday. Samples from the flocks were tested and confirmed positive at the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn. Both sites have been quarantined, the Agriculture Department said, and all birds at those locations -- about 116,000 broiler chickens in Cullman and 70 guineafowl, ducks, turkeys and chickens in Pickens -- were killed to prevent spread of the disease. All poultry within a 6.2-mile radius of the broiler farm are being tested and monitored for HPAI. It is critical for commercial and backyard poultry operations to remain alert and closely monitor the health of their poultry, said Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier in a joint statement. The detection of HPAI in Cullman and Pickens Counties reinforces the need to continue following strict biosecurity measures, including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks. Bird flu is considered a low risk to human health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the disease is highly contagious to birds, including commercial and backyard poultry flocks. Symptoms of HPAI include: Sudden increase in bird deaths in your flock Sneezing, gasping for air, coughing and nasal discharge Watery and green diarrhea Lack of energy and poor appetite Drop in egg production or soft or thin-shelled, misshaped eggs Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks Purple discoloration of the wattles, comb and legs Ruffled feathers, listlessness and lethargy The Agriculture Department urged the commercial poultry industry and backyard flock owners in the state to increase biosecurity measures to protect their operations from HPAI. Those measures include: Cleaning vehicles and equipment Limiting unnecessary visitors Sanitizing shoes in clean foot baths Changing clothes upon contact with birds and more. People should avoid contact with sick or dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands and change clothing before having any contact with poultry and wild birds. More information on biosecurity measures can be found here: http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation at 334-242-3469. Sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to the Agriculture Departments Poultry Unit at 334-240-6584. 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? 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. 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. _____ 2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The patio at Burger Joint, left, which participated in a fundraiser for its new neighbor, the Freed-Montrose Library at 1001 California. Staff file photos/Staff In the controversial (and ongoing) saga of the Freed-Montrose Librarys opening, burgers and books became an unlikely pairing this year. Mayor John Whitmire previously said during a city council meeting that the location of the new library at the Montrose Collective was an embarrassment where all you see is a hamburger joint parking lot and their waste dump. That restaurant is the Burger Joint. While the owners have not addressed the issue with the mayor directly, they did organize a fundraiser during the Dec. 14 opening day and will be donating $250 in sales from orders of chimichurri burgers and chocolate peppermint shakes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We look forward to seeing people enjoying a good book on the Burger Joint patio, said the restaurants co-owner Matt Pak in an emailed statement. HOUSTON EATS: The Chronicles top 100 restaurants The months of debate surrounding the original Freed-Montrose Library at 4100 Montrose started long before the Burger Joint was mentioned. Whitmire opposed the Houston Public Librarys decision to reopen the library at the Montrose Collective. In March, he ousted longtime executive director Rhea Lawson after she said the historic space would close because of safety issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The mayor criticized the Montrose Collective location, citing parking challenges, the buildings design and its location next to the Burger Joint, which first opened in 2015 and now has two other locations. He has since reversed his position as the future of the Freed-Montrose librarys original location stands in limbo. I dont know that its an issue, said Mary Benton, Whitmires spokesperson. Whatever he said at the time reflected his feelings at the time. The new 11,525-square-foot library is a deal between Montrose Collective developer Radom Capital and the city. It spans the second and third floors of a building just off one of the busiest intersections in the neighborhood. Works by local artists fill the space, which includes meeting rooms and an outdoor terrace. "The city of Houston hopes people enjoy the new library. It is a gateway to imagination, literacy, and learning, a great resource for the community," Benton said via email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE FROM BAO ONG: Restaurant titan Tilman Fertittas Mastros Steakhouse puts $1,000 Japanese wagyu on the menu The Burger Joint donation is being processed by the Houston Public Library Foundation, according to library spokesperson LaDonna Weems. In addition to the $250 donation, the restaurant also gave away 400 Free Fry-Day cards to customers. The Burger Joint donated $1 for each order of chimichurri burger and peppermint chocolate milkshake both December specials on the librarys opening day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Many evangelical leaders celebrated Donald Trumps presidential victory in November as the fulfillment of Gods divine prophecy, but few religious voters agree with this idea, a new poll found. One in four religious voters said they believe God ordained Trump to win the 2024 presidential election, including many of Protestant faith traditions, according to a Dec. 13 Public Religion Research Institute poll. White evangelical Protestants agreed with this idea at higher levels than the rest of religious voters, with 60% saying Trumps win was ordained by God. Hispanic Protestants followed, with 45% agreeing with this view, the poll found. Two other groups of Protestants, however, were among the least likely to agree with this view. Eighty percent of white non-evangelical Protestants did not agree that God ordained Trump as president, and for Black Protestants, the number was higher by three percentage points, according to the poll. Higher levels of respondents who identified as Catholic, Jewish, other non-Christian religions or unaffiliated also disagreed with the belief that Trump was ordained by God, the poll found. The results fall in line with how religious groups generally voted. Eighty-five percent of white evangelical Protestants and 64% of Hispanic Protestants supported Trump, while 83% of Black Protestants backed Harris. The poll sampled 5,772 U.S. adults between Nov. 8 and Dec. 2 and has a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points. Some evangelical leaders celebrate Several evangelical leaders have spoken up about Trumps win, depicting it as a fulfilled divine prophecy. The idea draws on different instances throughout the Bible where God appoints individuals to leadership positions both within the church and government. In January, before the Iowa caucuses, the Rev. Paul Figie a pastor based in Illinois told the Washington Post that Trump had been ordained by God to return to the White House. On an election night livestream, Texas-based celebrity preacher and televangelist Lance Wallnau said Trumps victory in the 2024 election had been prophesied, NBC News reported. Trump also alluded to this idea during a speech at an event in North Carolina, The Guardian reported. My faith took on new meaning on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania, when I was knocked to the ground, essentially by what seemed like a supernatural hand, Trump said. And I would like to think that God saved me for a purpose, and thats to make our country greater than ever before. ___ (c)2024 The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) Visit The Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, Fla.) at www.bradenton.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. When the jury declared Daniel Penny not guilty of the reckless homicide of Jordan Neely, the activists from Black Lives Matter were outraged and staged a mostly peaceful protest. Obviously, the Jordan Neely death has been made political on both sides of the political divide, with ex-Marine Daniel Penny getting an invite from Marine vet JD Vance to attend the Army-Navy game with him and Donald Trump and Elon Musk and Uncle Tom Cobbley. In the best of all possible worlds, we Hobbits want the criminal justice system separated from politics. If someone is accused of breaking the peace, then lawyers and judges and witnesses and juries should work it out; no activists need apply. But rulers dont believe in process, and none more than our lefty friends, from the French Revolution onwards, through Stalin and Mao Zedong right down to our present lefty woke culture and Soros prosecutors like Alvin Bragg. Did you know that in the first nine chapters of Maos Little Red Book the word enemy appears 77 times and the word enemies appears 15 times? If you want to know what it is like to be an enemy of the lefty state, then Nien Chengs Life and Death in Shanghai is your go-to source. Cheng, a woman of staggering courage and determination, tells the story of Maos Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. She was imprisoned in solitary confinement and interrogated in No. 1 Detention House for six years starting in 1966, because she might have interacted with British spies and be an enemy of the Chinese people. The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution was all about power: Mao reasserting himself against rivals. Its vibe helps you understand the mindset of our lefty friends, and why they would think that it was racist for white oppressor Marine vet Penny to choke a victimized black to death. It makes complete sense that they would conduct lawfare against President Trump and his associates, because for the Left, its all about power. I keep thinking: what is the difference between the Lefts culture of using the state to make war on its enemies and the culture of a man like Daniel Penny who just steps up to protect his fellow citizens? What is the difference between the extraordinary bravery of Nien Cheng and the cowardice of her acquaintances who avoided her for years and then resumed contact after her rehabilitation? Its the difference between a bully and a hero. What is Alvin Bragg? A state-sponsored bully. What is Daniel Penny? A simple hero. What has Joe Biden been in Washington D.C. for the past 50 years? A bully. What is Donald Trump, the man that stood up immediately after being shot and shouted: Fight! Fight! Fight! A hero. What is our lefty friends culture of activism and protest all about? I say it is intimidation. That is what bullies do. Thats what the Biden administration has been doing to Donald Trump. That is what the BLM boys and girls were doing during the Penny trial. Its easy to intimidate and bully when you are a credentialed expert or activist in the educated class. You go with the crowd; you recite the woke responses. You get your academic credentials and then sit out your life as a tenured lifer. You cosplay a revolutionary at regime-adjacent mostly-peaceful protests. You cancel your Time subscription when Trump gets named Person of the Year. But there is hope: the 50-year-old culture of the tech bros, a culture of courage and risk. It takes enormous courage to form a tech startup. It takes huge persistence and luck to make it profitable. But then the successful tech lord runs into government regulation and activist lawfare; he becomes a target for bullies. No wonder the tech lords took the knee to the ruling class and the Censorship Industrial Complex during and after the late COVID unpleasantness. And so it would still be today if the courageous hero Elon Musk had not bucked the trend and bought Twitter/X. Could the courageous Donald Trump have won the presidency without the censorship pushback from Musk? Would the rest of the tech lords -- from Marc Andreessen to Mark Zuckerberg to Jeff Bezos -- have dared to buck the system without Musks crazy courage or Trumps heroic victory? As the new Trump Age dawns on January 20, we have an opportunity to celebrate the culture of courage symbolized by Trump and Musk and Penny. And we can rain scorn on the culture of intimidation and bullying that has always been and always will be the culture of the Left. Marx had it almost right: Let the ruling class bullies tremble at the middle-class rebellion. The ordinary middle class has nothing to lose but its fear. It has a world to win. Middle-class bros of all countries unite! Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. Image: PickPik Japanese-based SoftBank Group Corp. is one of the biggest investment holding companies in the world. This week, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son attended a presser alongside President Donald Trump at his residence, Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida. Son announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years, which will create at least 100,000 jobs in the U.S. focused on artificial intelligence and related infrastructure. The funding is likely to come from various sources controlled by Softbank, such as the Vision Fund, capital projects, or chipmaker Arm Holdings, where the firm is a majority owner. My confidence level in the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory, Son said. President Trump is a double-down president. Im going to have to double down. Son made a similar announcement in 2016 when Trump was elected president for the first time. Back then, Son agreed to invest $50 billion in the U.S., which created almost 50,000 jobs. President Trump was also beaming during the presser as he declared: Hes doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country since the election. This historic investment is a monumental demonstration of confidence in Americas future, and it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and other industries of tomorrow are being created and grown right here in the USA. Trump also demonstrated his famous negotiation skills during the presser. As CEO Son was declaring the $100 billion investment, Trump gently prodded him and recommended that he double the investment. Son said he would try. The President playfully but assertively told Son that 'when you say you will try, I know you will do it'. It was a demonstration of both Trump's attitude as an individual and a negotiator but also his patriotism. Any other President would be satisfied with the $100 billion investment, but Trump's ambitions for his nation have no bounds. For him, no investment is high enough, and hence, he pushed for more. He possesses a childlike enthusiasm in asking for more even during the closing moments when a deal is being struck. Trump declared that The Golden Age of America has begun! Cynics will call this hyperbole. But for the economy to grow, the leader must project his vision for the nation. Those profoundly optimistic words work wonders in persuading everyone, from job seekers to other aspiring investors, that America is back. It has to be said that neither Biden, Harris, nor any cabinet member of the Biden administration has ever lavished such blandishments on their country or its future. For them, it's always bleak. It is always about attacking their political opponents. It is always sneaky and pessimistic. They are probably focused on negotiating side deals for themselves and their family members rather than for the well-being of the nation. Trump did something that Biden hasn't done in a year -- he took questions from the media. Trump slammed the Biden administration for selling sections of the border wall before the inauguration. He showed restraint when asked about potential preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Once again this is a stark contrast from the frequent claims that he is "unhinged" or "erratic." While expressing faith in Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump said he didn't expect Lara Trump to be appointed as senator in place of the departing Marco Rubio. Trump expressed perplexity about the Biden administration dithering over the drone issue. He joked that those who fought him during his first term are now trying to be his friend and that his personality may have changed during the last few years. It is not that he doesn't know who his enemies are, but this is his attempt at being gracious for the sake of the nation. Trump expressed confidence in RFK Jr. and added that he doesn't think approval for the polio vaccine will be revoked. He also spoke against vaccine mandates. Trump repeated his warning to Hamas to release hostages immediately or face consequences. He also revealed that Musk and Ramaswamy are already on the job and are unearthing some startling examples of government waste: "They are finding things you wouldn't even believe." What is the sitting President up to? He's busy pardoning Chinese spies convicted of stealing American tech secrets and telling white lies about the state of the nation. When he is not literally asleep during public meetings, he is found figuratively asleep at the wheel as a leader. What is the sitting Vice President up to? She continues her brutal war against coherence and the English language. Her cackling continues to assault the ears of living beings. Alas, the misgovernance resulting from the terrible twosome's incoherence, indifference, and incompetence is no laughing matter. Chaos, malice, and havoc have been the central themes of this regime. The two have caused the U.S. to become a national and international embarrassment. The good news is they will be out of the office in a matter of weeks. All through the presser President Trump exuded confidence and looked like the man in charge, as he did during his recent visit to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Trump in 2024 seems a more confident player than he did in 2016 or 2020. He knows the landscape and what needs to be done for the job to be accomplished. He knows who his friends are -- and who his foes are. He knows the impediments that will be placed before him and has an idea of how to overcome them. He looked and sounded assertive, determined, and ready to serve his nation. The humor is still there, but this time around, he seems more statesmanlike. You can be sure that America's allies, enemies, and enemies pretending to be allies will be watching very closely. January 20, 2025, cannot come soon enough. Image: National Archives In 2017, Nancy Pelosi described the method by which Democrats smear and slander someone in a tactic she famously called the wrap-up smear: Nancy Pelosi describing the Wrap Up Smear tactic! pic.twitter.com/pvMtZ9feWs Travis Tritt (@TravisTritt) September 1, 2020 (AP attempted to excuse Pelosis admission by saying its out of context, but she sure used a lot of first person language.) Understanding Nancys words is simple: The Dems leak a lie [smear] to the media, the complicit media goes along and willingly writes an article so that later, the Democrats can point to the article and say, see, it must be true because its in the news. The Dems have used the wrap-up smear numerous times. Perhaps the most egregious example was the Dems smear about the 2016 election and the entire Russian-collusion hoax. Hillarys campaign purchased an intelligence lie (Trump colluded with the Russians to steal the election), and the complicit media wrote endless articles about Russian collusion. Then, the Dems used those articles as proof that the lie was true and used it to spy on and to investigate Trump. A second example was the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court hearings. The smear was the accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted Christine Blasey Ford back in high school (36 years prior). Despite Ford producing zero evidence and remembering nothing about the assault except that Kavanaugh did it (Fords own father didnt believe her), the Dems merchandised the lie to the media. The media wrote numerous articles about Kavanaughs sexual assault implying it was true, and used those articles in an attempt to torpedo his nomination. In a case of history repeating itself, the Dems are attempting the same wrap-up smear tactic against Pete Hegseth, President Trumps nominee for Secretary of Defense. Shortly after his nomination, countless anonymous smears began appearing about Hegseths character to include hes a drunk (on the job) and that he sexually assaulted a woman. The accusations are from anonymous sources and the media is using the anonymous accusations to smear him; Democrats (and some Republicans) are using those smears as proof that hes unfit to be the Sec Def. Lets talk about Hegseth. I dont know Hegseth but as a Ranger and former paratrooper, I know plenty of soldiers exactly like him. Hes a top-tier warfighter who has been in close-quarter combat (CQC). That action is high adrenaline and very traumatic. To call it chaotic is like saying the ocean is large its beyond chaotic. Shots firing, things blowing up, friends getting wounded and killed, fear, excitement and exhaustion merge into a blur of emotions, yelling and screaming. Those engaged in CQC are extremely wired and slow to recover a sense of normalcy. The average person cannot understand these combat situations or the people who do the fighting because nothing is normal about it. It takes a different breed of men. These are alpha males who, at that moment, are consumed with survival kill or be killed. One who has never been there doesnt have a clue as to what its like. Ive been to combat but never in face-to-face (CQC) situations like Hegseth has. Imagine how your thinking might change if, on a regular basis, you saw an enemys head smashed wide open, brains exposed, and eyes bulging from the sockets; much worse if its your friend. As one can imagine, you could easily have deep emotional scars and return home very much changed from such experiences. And after its over, so what if Hegseth, and his buddies, had a few beers (or many beers) while toasting their fallen brothers in Valhalla. The VFW was founded on the comradery of fellow warriors sharing adult beverages. As a combat veteran, I see these smears against Hegseth as attacks against all veterans, especially those who have been in combat. Hegseth volunteered to put himself in harms way, certainly not for the money, rather because he felt a duty to serve. The horrors and stress of seeing men die is something that few of us will ever know, even worse if you were the one who sent them. No doubt, Hegseth suffers the physical, emotional, and psychological ramifications of all that goes with killing a fellow human being, enemy or not. The Dems are now trying to project emotional turmoil onto him claiming that decompressing with a few beers with his buddies is grounds for disqualification from higher office. Its despicable. The Dems new found standard for post-combat behavior is a standard that no veteran will ever meet, and no veteran will ever discuss because to do so will be to face the liberals gauntlet of condemnation that they, themselves, could never and will never meet. Thank God that we have brave, heroic men like Hegseth willing and able to do the dirty work required to protect this country and keep it safe. Twenty years ago, military members had trust and confidence that our elected and appointed officials were making adult decisions about whats best for the country. Over the past two decades, that confidence was shattered by politicos who have lied to us to include Colin Powell, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden. The fact that hes been in combat is exactly why we need someone like Pete Hegseth to restore some of that confidence. When ones life is at risk and completely exposed, there becomes a clarity of focus. He knows what it means to send our sons and daughters to their possible deaths. He knows that the troops must be fully trained and lethal. Because of that, Hegseth knows that the transgender, critical race social-justice movement is utter folly; that putting women in combat arms, and paying for soldiers to have sex-change operations, does nothing to defeat our enemies, and must end. President Eisenhower warned us about the military-industrial complex (MIC) and the enormous influence the Boeings, Northrop Grummans, Lockheed Martins, etc. have on public policy. The MIC is a cabal that profits by keeping the country at war and selling arms and ammunition to us and our allies. The smears against Hegseth are attempts to prevent him from being confirmed as SecDef because he is a threat to halting this never-ending state of war. Final Thought: Make certain your senators know how you feel about President Trumps nominations, especially about Pete Hegseths. Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr, unaltered. It was ... love. It was triumph. It was freedom. The hugs flowed. Wow! @clarissaward and her team found a prisoner still locked up in a Syrian prison, and walk with him to freedom. Amazing moment @cnni #Syria pic.twitter.com/SXoMKCIppD Dylan Raines (@RainesOfEarth) December 12, 2024 CNN put on quite a show from correspondent Clarissa Ward, who depicted herself bravely standing up to free a purported Syrian political prisoner in now-deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad's dungeons, in a CNN broadcast. "Does anyone have any water," she asked as the video played to viewers, all severe and nursy compassion. After that, food, and the hug: CNN's Clarissa Ward helps to free a man who had been trapped in a secret prison in Syria. It was the first time he'd seen sunlight in three months, and he learned that "Syria is free." pic.twitter.com/U4bt8WKiUF Art Candee (@ArtCandee) December 12, 2024 And the joyous reunion with relieved family members: Ms. @clarissaward Now might be a good time to delete any mention of this heroic act you did for this Palestinian in Syria pic.twitter.com/i96hwZ5Cge Uri Israel (@Israel2252) December 16, 2024 Ward called it an 'extraordinary moment.' And Jake Tapper gushed: Jake Tapper praised the fake CNN video where a CNN reporter aided a war criminal on camera Another just absolutely remarkable report. CNN's Clarissa Ward in Damascus doing vital, vital journalism pic.twitter.com/QpQVH0V568 Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 16, 2024 This one gushed, too, hailing Clarissa's bravery: A stunning moment, reported with humanity. Thank you for being there @clarissaward #syria pic.twitter.com/hCvYVUsEhE Amy Wood - The Interactive Social TV News Pioneer (@TVAmy) December 12, 2024 Just one problem: the whole thing was fake. Syrian man who appeared in staged CNN interview when he was rescued from a prison by a CNN reporter; exposed as one of Assads torturers. The man, who CNN claimed had been held in a prison for 3 months, is a notorious torturer responsible for torturing and killing civilians. pic.twitter.com/1QKT87ZbuC Oli London (@OliLondonTV) December 17, 2024 Clarissa Ward of CNN set up a fake video Op of saving a known terrorist & torturer of Syria in a prison. This is why no one watches CNN One pic looks like she is giving the guy a handy..! Democrats & MSM still cant figure out why they lost the Presidential race pic.twitter.com/ZS1UMG2LPc Zade Smith (@ZadeSmith4) December 16, 2024 Actually, he was one of the torturers who reportedly did a lot of extortion on the side, according to Twitter's community notes. According to the New York Post: The prisoner CNN helped free from a secret facility in Syria was actually a notorious member of Bashar al-Assads forces known to torture those who refused to pay him off, according to a shocking local fact check. The network went viral last week with footage of the startled prisoner being led from the prison by journalist Clarissa Ward, who called it one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed in her 20 years of reporting. But independent and unbiased fact-checkers Verify-Sy published a detailed report Sunday saying that the seemingly innocent prisoner was actually Salama Mohammad Salama a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence with a long history of alleged war crimes. We have subsequently been investigating his background and are aware that he may have given a false identity, CNN acknowledged to The Post. We are continuing our reporting into this and the wider story. In earlier tweets, the Post notes she's been accused of staging news before -- note the damsel-in-distress screen shot below. If true, it could be a pattern: CNN blasts fabricated viral video claiming Clarissa Wards Israel reporting was staged https://t.co/GQ9UNkO4QG pic.twitter.com/01OzR9ZYXk New York Post (@nypost) October 13, 2023 Makes me wonder about this one, too: CNN correspondent Clarissa Ward has close call with Taliban outside Kabul airport https://t.co/FyfOTyyL7q pic.twitter.com/aIfLOcAML3 New York Post (@nypost) August 18, 2021 Twitter denizens exposed it early. Ward put out the most cringeworthy correction ever, trying to make it appear that it wasn't a correction requiring a retraction at all, just a little new information that Twitter denizens had already told us about, so it wasn't even new: We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salamahttps://t.co/wb77EEMbnT Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 16, 2024 Nothing to see here, move along, Clarissa has caught up to the facts everyone else already had figured out, and pay no attention to that initial report she put out. Naturally, she got scored on X: she isn't being smeared. She either voluntarily cooperated in fake a news episode or she is too stupid to be allowed outside without a leash. There is no gray area here. streiff (@streiffredstate) December 17, 2024 Maybe that was an older version of Ward. Todays version appears to be the weather reporter claiming the storm is huge, and they are so daring, holding onto a tree, until one steps back & see what a fake it all is. She gets well paid to report reality. Too bad she abused trust. Halle MAGA (@Halle2017) December 17, 2024 But the hard facts here merit it. There are reportedly 100,000 prisoners locked away in Assad's dungeons now being freed and somehow, she picked the fake one? How'd she get sucked into this scam? Who was her fixer? (Parachute journalists, journalists who don't know the language of the country they are covering, and reporters in extreme war zones have "fixers.") Why did she pick that fixer even though she had her choice of fixers, some of whom might have even been good fixers? That would be the story she should report but isn't reporting. She's just pretending there's no issue here and would like the rest of us to turn away from that egg on her face and go along with her latest fiction. Anyone can get fooled, and for a reporter of news, it's particularly embarrassing, which is why good reporters check and check again on the reliability of their sources, and when they report something as bad as this, they explain what happened. The correction reveals nothing of this sort, so we don't really know if she got fooled because she failed to vet her sources, or she colluded with the bad guys to get the scoopy glory and future awards? That's what she needs to do to restore her credibility here. But she's not doing that. Staged trash like this is why people quit paying attention to war stories. I know I did back during the Yugoslavia wars in the '90s, when it was a constant he-said, she-said, with one lie being exposed after another. It's been going on at least since the Vietnam War and maybe earlier, when photojournalists rearranged the bodies of purported massacre victims, the better to smear U.S. troops as war criminals. Viewers deserve better. Either CNN should come clean with how it came to report a fake news story, or its credibility goes to nil. Image: X video screen shot Technically speaking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus third term of office is supposed to last until October 2025. In fact, Trudeau, who has turned Canada into a totalitarian nuthouse, is watching his government collapse around him and may soon resign. (Indeed, he may be gone by the time you read this.) With luck, his place will be taken by Pierre Poilievre, a smart, witty conservative who may yet save that country. Trudeau comes by his loopy leftism, honestly, because his father was Canadas leftist prime minister when Trudeau was born in 1971. More than that, his mother was Margaret Trudeau, who worshipped Fidel Castro. (Indeed, many suspect that Justins DNA daddy wasnt Pierre but was Fidel.) Trudeau started his working life as a teacher. During that time, he wore blackface and groped women. You know...typical leftist stuff. Image by Grok AI. However, after delivering the eulogy at his fathers funeral, the dynasty talk in Canada began, with the CBC starting to groom him. The CBC, like the BBC, is the Canadian deep states media outlet. Eventually, Trudeau entered Canadas parliament, where he served during Stephen Harpers conservative premiership. In 2015, Trudeau followed in his fathers footsteps and became a Liberal Prime Minister. Since then, Trudeau has embraced every leftist cause, especially those that involve centering Canadian government policy around race and promoting so-called transgenderism. During the COVID pandemic, Trudeau turned Canada into a police state, leading to the brave truckers revolt. He responded by using the banking system to destroy truckers, freezing their assets, along with arresting many of them. Generally, thanks to the policies about gender, free speech and free thought are dead in Trudeaus Canada: BREAKING: Jordan Peterson is moving to America now that Canada is becoming a totalitarian state. What are your thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/qpwu3qiyTT Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) December 13, 2024 Trudeaus policies over the years have involved higher taxes, massive influxes of immigrants (especially from Muslim countries, although hes generally opened the border), euthanasia (which has seen over 60,000 mostly white Canadians line up for the government death squads in just the past few years), legalized pot, the demand that Canada, a cold place, must achieve net zero by 2050, and, most recently, the promise to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Even though hes been breaking Canada, which was once a sane, prosperous, Western country, Trudeau was twice re-elected...so maybe not so sane as we all thought in the first two decades of the 21st century. Now, though, its all falling apart. And interestingly, the threat to Trudeaus power isnt coming from the right. Its coming from within his own party. Hes gone so far left that even the leftists in his party cant tolerate him. His problems began when he fired Chrystia Freeland from her position as Finance Minister because she disagreed with him about how to address Trumps tariff threat: LESS THAN a week ago, Justin Trudeau scolded Americans because we "voted for a second time to not elect [America's] first woman president." TODAY: Trudeau's female Finance Minister resigned because Justin tried to fire her for disagreeing with him. Classic Woke narcissism. pic.twitter.com/ev074uvo2P Yitz Friedman (@friedman_yitz) December 16, 2024 Freeland decided to take all her marbles and go home, but not before sending Trudeau a stinging public rebuke about his irresponsible decision-making in light of Trumps plans: See my letter to the Prime Minister below // Veuillez trouver ma lettre au Premier ministre ci-dessous pic.twitter.com/NMMMcXUh7A Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) December 16, 2024 From there, it got worse. Freeland resigned at an inopportune moment, followed swiftly by her replacement: Its actually insane Freeland resigns two hours before the full budget was to be presented. Then the replacement resigns/refuses to take the helm. The Trudeau regime is going down, and it looks like it might be going down today. pic.twitter.com/8uR4Zs4RVZ Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) December 16, 2024 With his minions fleeing, Trudeau is seriously contemplating resigning, as well he should. In a parliamentary system, when the premiers party has lost confidence in him, hes got nothing: The Canadian government is in shambles. The Liberal Party is going down in flames. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has resigned. Justin Trudeau is on the verge of resigning. Glorious. pic.twitter.com/7ysKsquiRr Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) December 16, 2024 At this point, I think that Trudeau has done to the Canadian leftist party what Biden did to the American Democrat party: He destroyed it through a combination of hubris and idiocy. I believe its a near certainty that Poilievre replace him. The combination of Trump and Poilievre has the potential to make both America and Canada greater than theyve ever been before. Currently, Canadas citizens, both left and right, should be feeling like this Democrat party operative, whos thrilled that the Democrats lost and happy to see Trump come into office to make things better: DNC Fundraiser and Megadonor concedes that the Democrat party has a stench of losing: Lindy Li: "I think, unfortunately, the Democratic Party has a stench of loser written all over the party. And I'm sorry, and I'm speaking as a Democrat myself. This brings me no joy to say it, pic.twitter.com/U1Rl631nY1 Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) December 14, 2024 As for me, Im breaking out the old Democrat campaign song, Happy Days Are Here Again, but this time for the new conservative era. (The song wasnt written for the Democrats. It was written in 1929, and the Democrats coopted it.) As expected, the usual attention/relevance seekers are adding their unsolicited voices to the conversation over the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, a crime that our latest social media-anointed accused hero, Luigi Mangione, allegedly committed. Politicians and media pundits just have to ingratiate us with their informed opinions that almost always start off with Murder is bad, but... and then go on to find twisted ways to justify the murder of someone who may do something they dont like. Even while, in this case, the murder victim had zero to do with whatever the accused issues are/were. Over the years, circumstances brought me to opine on several instances I titled When Bad Things Happen To.... Were usually talking about those who arrogantly refer to Americans as average or ordinary people because we all know they consider themselves so much more extraordinary than we are. Image by Grok AI. When an average American commits a crime, the media gleefully splashes the accuseds face all over their broadcasts. But when a media person is busted, were told we must forgive and eventually forget it ever happened so that the person can continue to make a living. If anyone attacked a prompter reader for that hypocrisy, the media collective would be outraged, all media members would be outraged if it were said that the attack was bad, but... When our politicians target a certain segment of the population, they want the letter of the law enforced. When politicians screw up, they demand we forgive them and eventually forget it ever happened so they can raise money for their reelection. If anyone attacked a politician for an offense (and were talking sexual indiscretions to bribery), all politicians would be outraged if it were said that the attack was bad, but... When Obamacare was passed, every American was seemingly forced into acquiring government-run healthcare that imposed much higher premiums and deductibles. Every business that employed more than 50 people was required to cover its employeesbut lets not forget that Capitol Hill politicians found a way to exempt themselves by saying each office was a business that employed fewer than 50 people. With that pronouncement, lo and behold, an exclusive healthcare program was created just for Congress that was far cheaper and had better coverage than the Affordable Care Act scam that was mandatory for everyone else. If anyone attacked a politician for the harsh health care increase and resulting financial hardship, all politicians would be outraged if it were said that the attack was bad, but... When the COVID-19 pandemic initially hit, politicians nationwide shut down their states, and millions of Americans essentially lost their means of income. However, one of the first things politicians on Capitol Hill did was pass the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, which essentially assured that no federal employee would miss a paycheck. Coincidently, that law was seemingly replicated in state houses nationwide so most public servants would be paid uninterrupted. We all know how some shutdown governors (most of whom never missed receiving a taxpayer-funded paycheck) blew off the very mandates they imposed on their populations and arrogantly found reasons to justify and flaunt their privilege. If anyone attacked a governor for the loss of a business or job and all the negative fallout that comes with sudden unemployment, all politicians would be outraged if it were said that the attack was bad, but... For almost four years, Democrats and their media have been beating conservatives over the head about the only real instance of violence at a conservative rally, that is, January 6th. Weve seen the pictures of Capitol Hill politicians cowering in place at the horror mass violence brings. However, these are the same politicians who, in some cases, justified and excused the mass liberal Democrat mayhem that held the nation hostage during the Summer of 2020, a time when mostly black businesses were burned and looted, public and private businesses were vandalized, too many people were injured or killed, and police officers all over the country were wounded and/or assassinated. The horror Americans experienced was mostly peaceful and not the best optics, but... Thanks to the American people, President-Elect Donald J. Trumps reelection has reduced the Democrat party and its fake news media accomplices into a temporary state of irrelevance. For this reason, the musings of Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and many others on social media have been met with the appropriate outrage. Violence is never the answer, but people can be pushed only so far, Warren told HuffPost. This mental illness is nothing new to Democrats, from the Civil War they waged to keep slaves to the mass murder of innocent babies in the womb. Their adherence to the by any means necessary mindset gives them license to impose whatever violence they deem appropriate. That is, until it happens to them and, in most cases, by them. Then violence is never the answer. No ands, ifs, or buts. Bob Parks blogs at Black and Right. You'd think a news outlet like the New York Times would know the difference between critical coverage and outright lies. Or that they would know that libel is a subcategory of defamation, so they aren't two separate things. Or that whipping up hysteria, in the news section no less, when facts will do, is not a good look for "The Paper of Record.' But here we are -- this is the online headline they ran in response to a recent defamation settlement President Trump won as a result of his lawsuit against ABC News to accompany a story by business-investigations editor David Enrich: Trump and His Picks Threaten More Lawsuits Over Critical Coverage The small flurry of threatened defamation suits is the latest sign that the incoming Trump administration appears poised to do what it can to crack down on unfavorable media coverage. And this too: A version of this article appears in print on Dec. 16, 2024, Section B, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: Message Sent With a Rise In Threats Of Libel Suits. Trump is threatening "critical" coverage? Like a dictator? Seems the old Democrat talking point of Trump being a dictator lives large in their minds. And clouds their judgment. Over at ABC News, George Stephanopoulos, a former Democrat operative, got his network in hot water by repeatedly claiming that President Trump was guilty of 'rape' in that sorry lawsuit against him which looked to all rational viewers like something that was done for political purposes. Instead of being skeptical on that front, Stephanopoulos went where no court, nor accuser, would go, rounding up a vague 'sexual abuse' allegation, into the full rape and then repeating it as such to his, well, thousands, of viewers. There was an election on, in case the Times hadn't noticed, and claims like that, which serve as talking points for other media to parrot, tend to damage the campaign of the affected candidate. That's why Trump won in that case with that $15 million settlement. As I remember from libel law class at Columbia University when I was a student there, studying New York Times v. Sullivan, taught by the great Floyd Abrams himself and distinguished Professor Vincent Blasi (both of whom were so nice to us) the bar is very, very high for public figures (which we studied, in order to define properly) to sue a media outlet, and in those old days, the Times won its case, with the Supreme Court ruling that 'actual malice' or the knowing that a claim was false, was required. There was slander, and there was libel under the defamation category -- as this law firm explains well. A couple days ago, Managing Editor Andrea Widburg, who has a law degree herself, wrote this excellent piece breaking the matter down. But the Times couldn't even figure out that slander and libel are two faces of defamation, the writer thought defamation was a different category: The small flurry of threatened defamation lawsuits is the latest sign that the incoming Trump administration appears poised to do what it can to crack down on unfavorable media coverage. Before and after the election, Mr. Trump and his allies have discussed subpoenaing news organizations, prosecuting journalists and their sources, revoking networks broadcast licenses and eliminating funding for public radio and television. Actual or threatened libel lawsuits are another weapon at their disposal and they are being deployed even before Mr. Trump moves back into the White House. Umm, no. They are the same weapon under ordinary circumstances. Apparently, Stephanopoulos's claims, which could have been fixed with s simple Google search, didn't pass that bar -- so actual malice must have either been obvious enough, or ABC News thought parting with $15 million for the Trump Library was better than a court trial to air it all out. Fact is, the press has been derelict for decades, with Trump drawing nearly 100% negative media coverage, and with it, a belief by some media operatives that what-the-heck, it's O.K. to lie while we are at it. It reached a tipping point and Trump bit back, biting ABC in the butt for its reckless disregard for the truth which comes as a result of a long string of fake-news stories pursued by it and its colleague -- the Russia collusion hoax, the fake claims about Trump disparaging veterans at cemeteries, the rape claims that never happened, and even the courts refused to prosecute, the insane politicized prosecutions never before attempted on anyone else. The fakery hit a wall with Trump standing up for his rights -- and winning. Instead of making the phony claim that Trump is coming after "critical" press coverage, maybe the Times can consider that Trump is coming after verifiable lies. Lies cross the line, which is what the law has said all along. This is the only check for balance he has, given the blizzard of lies about him in the press. No, this won't have a chilling effect on coverage, as the Times suggests. It will have a bracing impact on truth, reminding reporters that they can be as critical as they like, but the basic requirement that they tell the truth about others remains operative. It actually ought to buck up their coverage, now that they no longer have the say-anything carte blanche on coverage that they thought they had. Claiming otherwise is whipping up hysteria, with no basis in facts unless the Times thinks facts are optional so long as the target is Trump. That, too, is not a good look for the Times. Image: Pexels / Pexels License The Air Marshal National Council (AMNC) expressed grave concerns in a December 16 letter to TSA administrator David Pekoske regarding the U.S.s lack of preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack. AMNC president David Londo and executive director Sonya LaBosco highlighted security risks in their letter, stating that there is a lack of actionable intelligence to protect the traveling public from a terrorist attack. Additionally, they cited strong evidence that al-Qaeda has developed an explosive vest that is capable of evading detection from the latest magnetometers and bomb-sniffing dogs at our airports. Londo and LaBosco based their letter on open-source information and a series of interviews by former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor Shawn Ryan on The Shawn Ryan Show with CIA targeting officer Sarah Adams. Adams, who oversaw the investigation of the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks, has been integral in mitigating future security risks to U.S. personnel serving overseas. She is an expert on terrorist groups and their belief systems, training, and methodologies. The December edition of Adamss Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy newsletter discloses details about al-Qaedas arsenal, revealing the staggering cost of ignorance in the war against terrorism. This newsletter makes public her groups investigative file on Abdul Azim Ali Musa bin Ali, or Musa, who is al-Qaedas Lord of War. Musa is responsible for diverting U.S. funds to al-Qaedas terrorist training camps and is the key orchestrator for external operatives deploying from Afghanistan. He is well funded by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) in Kabul, Afghanistan. According to Adams, al-Qaeda makes a joke out of the fact that they move the money we give to the Taliban to the camps that train the homeland attackers. In a recent Shawn Ryan podcast, Adams warned that the U.S. homeland is highly vulnerable to terrorist attacks due to a combination of al-Qaedas evolving and advanced strategies, gaps in U.S. intelligence, and our own governments funding of terrorists. She detailed al-Qaedas sophisticated capabilities, sharing there are allegedly approximately 1,000 agents on American soil who have been training for years to carry out an attack in 2025. Adams also criticized the TSA for ignoring vital information, including an al-Qaeda training video demonstrating how to make a bomb go through a magnetometer. Al-Qaeda claims to have perfected a vest that not only will evade magnetometer detection, but is also made with components that trained dogs cannot detect. Al-Qaeda has allegedly mastered information warfare, using U.S. conspiracy theories to manipulate public perception. Adams stated that the group uses such conspiracies, including the theory about Building 7, to target those who may blame the U.S. government for terrorist attacks, potentially rallying them to support al-Qaedas cause. Al-Qaeda has discussions about how [they] could do ruses, bringing the building seven people to make them blame their government more. So they are looking at our conspiracies and targeting those people for the homeland attack. Basically those people almost back Al-Qaeda as revolutionaries or rebels and heroes against our government. The letter to Pekoske also mentions the TSAs K-9 Program, as highlighted in an OIG report on TSA security. The OIG-21-52 report, published in August 2021 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG), focuses on the TSA and its oversight of the Security Training Program. The report found that TSA is not training canines to detect the most current explosive threats and had not evaluated the Explosives Detection Canine Team (EDCT) Program. Additionally, law enforcement agency (LEA) participation in the EDCT program is voluntary. The K-9 program is integral to the security of airport and surface transportation (buses, trains, cars) and homeland security. The OIG investigation also revealed the following: Training of officers and staff was inadequate, leading to gaps in security and inconsistent performance. Tracking of required training was either inconsistent or incomplete, and oversight of necessary training or certifications was poor. The lack of standardized training practices could impact security at U.S. airports and transportation hubs. The AMNC is particularly concerned about the treatment of federal air marshals since they were placed under the TSA umbrella. LaBosco argues that as trained law enforcement officers, FAMs should not be managed by the administrative and bureaucratic TSA. Londo and LaBosco touch on this issue in their letter, stating that FAMs have been deprived of a critical capability to develop actionable, mission-specific intelligence since being managed by the TSA. Before 2003, FAMs had access to dedicated intelligence, but under TSA oversight, their ability to mitigate in-flight threats has been severely limited. In my interview with LaBosco on Monday, she described FAMs as having become political pawns of the administrative state. She noted that FAMs have effectively been relegated to following innocent Americans around airports after J6. LaBosco also referenced the 2020 OIG report on the Quiet Skies program, which revealed that no domestic terror threats have been thwarted by the program. Quiet Skies is a secretive Big Brothertype TSA watchlist program that tracks suspected domestic terrorists. TSA employs teams of FAMs to carry out the Quiet Skies mission. LaBosco and AMNC president David Londo are working tirelessly with Congress to return FAMs to their rightful place in law enforcement under Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), where they belong. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. " captext=" Fletcher " src="https://images.americanthinker.com/tc/tcse7wvfqkbogjwby43y_640.jpg" /> Image: Fletcher via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Houston jewelry designer Savannah Friedkin Steve Lucero/BFA.com Savannah Friedkin Savannah Friedkin creates jewelry that gets people talking whether its about adhering to sustainable practices in business or the strong women who inspire her designs. Her namesake brand, which launched in March 2024, features recycled gold and carbon-neutral, lab-grown diamonds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I was frustrated as a consumer, because I couldnt find traceability and transparency around jewelry production, she said. Friedkins answer was developing her own company with a focus on conservation. Weve done the work to make sure that our products are as ethical and sustainable as can be, she said. Weve gone above and beyond, and we continue to innovate. Houston designer Savannah Friedkin developed her jewelry company with a focus on conservation. Steve Lucero/BFA.com Born and raised in Houston, Friedkin, 29, graduated from the Kinkaid School in 2013 and headed to Vanderbilt University to pursue a degree in art history. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After spending a few years in her family business her father Dan Friedkin serves as chairman and CEO of Friedkin Group Savannah attended London Business School. These Houston jewelry designers are putting their stamp on the industry. Meet the women behind Savannah Friedkin, Christina Greene and Lindsey Leigh jewelry companies. Mollie Gaylord / Courtesy photos Houston designer Savannah Friedkin developed her jewelry company with a focus on conservation. Steve Lucero/BFA.com Houston designer Savannah Friedkin developed her jewelry company with a focus on conservation. Steve Lucero/BFA.com Houston designer Savannah Friedkin developed her jewelry company with a focus on conservation. Steve Lucero/BFA.com Christina Greene Jewelry is Southwest inspired. Dave Rossman/Contributor Christina Greene Jewelry has opened a store in Tanglewood. Christina Greene 18K gold "Howdy" necklace at Christina Greene Jewelry Courtesy of Christina Greene Chasing Sapphire and Diamond pear band. Lindsey Leigh Jewelry showroom is filled with display cases and an entire team working on custom orders and selling ready-to-wear necklaces, bracelets and rings. Courtesy Lindsey Leigh Jewelry showroom at 800 Taft is filled with display cases and an entire team working on custom orders and selling ready-to-wear necklaces, bracelets and rings. Courtesy Lindsey Leigh Jewelry's Diamond Split Hoops in yellow gold Steve Gonzales/Staff photographer Thats where I really got the inspiration to start my own company, she said. I had the time in business school to work on an idea and test its viability. While earning her MBA, Friedkin researched sustainable supply chains, assessed what others were doing in the jewelry industry and mapped out a path forward. Claire Nassif, a college friend, remembers visiting Friedkin in London. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was learning a lot about the jewelry industry and explained to me how much opportunity for change there was, Nassif said. She quickly turned me from a lab diamond skeptic to a supporter. She talked about building something for women that felt luxurious but reflective of our values. Friedkin assembled her team after graduating from business school in July 2023. She also visited manufacturers to audit their practices and is able to attest to only working with those who use renewable energy sources, sticking to fair labor standards and ethical processes. Around the same time, Friedkin discovered the story she wanted to tell through her jewelry. In every creative endeavor, you have something you want to say, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The impetus behind her collection came in conversations with the women in her life, who shared their ongoing struggles. Some were trying to balance motherhood with careers; others faced emotional health challenges. Friedkin was moved by the strength these women showed through vulnerability, the way they developed support and community for each other and how they overcame obstacles in amazing ways. I wanted to create a line that really celebrated that, Friedkin said. Thats what opened the floodgates. She began sketching out designs for what would become the Broken Collection. The pieces all contain a visual cue of a break or a tear, meant to symbolize emerging from challenges with newfound strength. Broken was inspired by the women I admire most, those who emerge more beautiful and elegant, Friedkin said. I wanted to honor their journeys. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Her second line, the Emergence Collection, is a continuation of that theme. Its a bit of a part two, Friedkin said. She describes flowers that grow through the cracks in a sidewalk and plants that survive in difficult circumstances. The resulting pieces are a testament to resilience. Its like when you end up in a place where you never thought youd be, Friedkin said. And instead of simply surviving, you learn to thrive and realize how capable you truly are, she said. Pieces in the Broken and Emergence collections challenge the idea of being broken or damaged. Instead, the pieces suggest the possibility of beauty emerging in the wake, the phoenix ascending from ashes. Were celebrating the things that people dont always want to think about, Friedkin said. What grows from something broken? I think it resonates for so many different women. Her third line, SAV, features rings, pendants and bracelets that proudly proclaim the brand. Its meant to be very simple, wearable jewelry, Friedkin said. Its about our brand: what we can do better by the planet and to empower women. When the three lines were ready to go, Friedkin debuted her website. Her first shoppers were friends and family, but the popularity of the brand quickly spread by word of mouth. A launch event was held in Houston at Katia Boutique in March, followed by a pop-up at Commodore Perry Estate, an Auberge resort in Austin, in May. One event has been followed by another. Weve been popping up all across the U.S, Friedkin said. She is preparing for a residency at Hotel Jerome's Bad Harriet cocktail bar in Aspen in the summer. Its kind of a first step to having a fully retail space of our own, she said. Friedkin hopes her first shop will land in Houston, the city she still calls home, even though she still splits her time with London. Houston is such a strong, supportive community, she said. In the meantime, Friedkins dreams are already becoming reality, as her jewelry sparks conversations. People start talking about sustainability and how strongly they feel about it, she said. I love sharing information about that." And at the pop-ups, Friedkin has already met so many women who share their own stories of triumph and strength and shop for talismans for their friends, sisters and mothers. Its an incredible feeling, to add joy to someones life, Friedkin said. Theres no better feeling. Prices range from $450 to $7,000. To see her collections, visit savannahfriedkin.com. Christina Greene The greens, blues and teals in the interior of Christina Greene Jewelry should come as no surprise. Owner Christina Greene McAllen loves turquoise, and the gem has become a signature part of her style. Houston jewelry designer Christina Greene McAllen with daughter Marie Sanaz Rajabi/Contributor Her pieces are often inspired by western or Southwest motifs, with squash-blossom necklaces, leather cuffs and Texas-shaped earrings. I just take an upscale, modern approach, McAllen said. Other creations might feel straight out of ancient Greece, fit for a goddess, like the Aphrodite Cuff or the Meet Me in Mykonos necklace. Hints of flowers and paisleys abound. The jewelry is hypoallergenic and nickel-free, and each piece is plated in 18K gold. In addition to turquoise, the collection features pearl, black onyx, labradorite, lapis and quartz. Fine jewelry has been a recent addition to the collection. Think turquoise paired with diamonds set in gold. McAllen has also started offering smaller capsule collections, which she plans to do more often. Once it sells out, it sells out, she said. It allows people to have a really unique piece. Christina Greene Jewelry is Southwest inspired. Dave Rossman/Contributor Every collection has a story behind it, she said, adding that quality is paramount in each necklace, bracelet and set of earrings. I will not put it out there unless Im 100 percent proud of it, McAllen said. What I want to design are timeless pieces. The latest collections can often be found at the tables poised in the entrance of the 1,500-square foot shop. Chandeliers hang overhead. Custom-built shelves and racks around the perimeter house clothing and accessories meant to pair perfectly with the jewelry. Included in the mix are jeweled hat bands, beaded badge holders and the rodeo scarves designed by Houston-based Saturday Silks. The interior of the shop, created with Lila Malone Interiors, invites guests to stay and play dress up. I want it to feel very boutique-y and high end, McAllen said. What I wanted in the design was to look and feel like a high-end closet. At the same time, because theres a variety of inventory, she hopes that the store feels more fun and approachable. Its not as intimidating as going into a store that just has jewelry, McAllen said.I want to have something for everyone. The clothes and accessories in the shop are based on what she would buy for herself. What she would wear is a good gauge for what will sell, she said. In fact, her whole journey was sparked when someone offered to purchase a piece of jewelry off her own neck. McAllen was wearing a long turquoise and gold necklace, one of her own creations, to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, when another attendee asked to buy it on the spot. She was pleasantly surprised and made the sale. And when she was back at the rodeo a couple days later, another woman wanted to purchase her golden-hued brass bangle cuff. She took it as a sign. She decided to open an Etsy shop, featuring the jewelry that she made at the time by modifying vintage jewelry. McAllen had been pursuing shops for pieces that she could take apart and transform into her own designs, using the wire-wrapping and stone-setting she learned in a high school art class. I asked my mom what I should name my line, McAllen recalled. She was like, What about just using your name? Christina Greene Jewelry was born. At the time, however, jewelry felt more like a hobby. McAllen had just graduated from Texas Christian University in 2010 with a degree in communications and then returned to her hometown of Houston to begin a career in advertising and public relations. In 2012, she headed to New York City to pursue a masters degree in fashion design and marketing at Parsons School of Design. While in the program, she interned at fashion houses, including Michael Kors and Shoshanna. Next, McAllen took a job with jewelry designer Nikki Baker, where she would fill a number of roles from publicity and marketing to design and customer service. I was able to learn a lot, McAllen said. Baker sent McAllen to India to work directly with suppliers. While abroad, she began to develop a deeper understanding of the industry, from the design process and creation of prototypes to manufacturing and distribution. She also felt a creative calling to start designing herself. Not long after the trip, she was ready to move back to Houston and pick up where she left off with her own jewelry company. She started working on a small collection, this time selling her own designs along with her previous vintage creations. Todays signature collection emerged with those very first statement rings, necklaces and hoop earrings. McAllen set up booths at holiday shows and showcased her jewelry in pop-ups. It was just me doing it all, she said. Then, in 2014, McAllen signed up for her first booths at the RodeoHouston and Nutcracker Market, where her collection began to catch on. I was lucky enough that it started to do really well, McAllen said. I had a lot of people who wanted to support me and wanted to see me grow. Tulsa resident Stacy Argue was one of those original shoppers. At the time, Argue lived in Houston and was serving on the rodeos Mutton Bustin' Committee with McAllen. I was like, Where do you get all your cute turquoise and gold jewelry? Argue recalled. She took me to her booth, and I instantly fell in love. Ive been hooked ever since. Now, Argue has her own Christina Greene collection. Its what my family knows to buy me for gifts, she said. They know I just love it. Its unique and beautiful, and everywhere I go, people ask me where I get my jewelry. Carol Lee Lyons, who lives in Briargrove, also fell for the jewelry early on. These days, Lyons wears at least one Christina Greene piece everyday. Even when Im teaching pre-K, she laughed. But I can wear her things with black tie outfits too. In 2015, McAllen moved her business out of her apartment and into a shared space at Silver Street Studios, which she quickly outgrew. Her next digs were in a small office near the Galleria, followed by a showroom off South Boulevard in 2019. Her first storefront opened in Rice Village in July 2021, as a pop-up shop to fill vacant spaces left in the wake of the pandemic. I wasnt really looking to make the jump into retail space, but I was given this really great opportunity, McAllen said. While the space was temporary, it lasted long enough to hook McAllen on having her own shop. When it closed in February, she found another location closer to her Tanglewood home. She signed a lease, met with a carpenter and began renovations at the same time as she prepared her rodeo booth. It was like a race to the finish line, she said. The shop, which celebrated its grand opening in May, is going strong at its new spot. The jeweler still can typically be found greeting clients at the store or at area pop-ups, as the brands popularity grows. At the end of the day, I do this because I love it, McAllen said. My goal is to make someone happy when they just walk into the store, or when they find a piece they love. Prices range from $75 to $3,000. Christina Greene Jewelry, 1317 S. Voss. For more information, visit christina-greene.com. Lindsey Leigh Hohlt Lindsey Leigh Hohlt did not let the male-dominated diamond industry deter her from stepping right in. In fact, she took the challenge head-on, adopting the moniker Houston Diamond Girl as her Instagram handle. Houston jewelry designer Lindsey Leigh Hohlt Courtesy Everybody has their diamond guy, Hohlt said. But no one had a diamond girl who knows exactly what women want. In the beginning, she didnt have a storefront or an office. She simply met customers in the dining room of the duplex she shared with husband John Hohlt. But she had a vision of what a woman could bring to the table and she had the know-how to make her dream a reality. Her interest in fashion and luxury started at a young age. At only 15, the tall blonde began modeling at Page Parkes. I was always around high-end clothing and jewelry, Hohlt recalled. It gave me a taste of high-end fashion. After graduating from Bellaire High School in 2009, she majored in fashion merchandising at Louisiana State University. Then her journey took her from working in public relations at the Chic Little Devil style house in LA to an internship in New York to managing Charde Jewelers back in Houston to working for a custom-jeweler focused on wedding bands and engagement rings. Along the way, Hohlt learned nearly every single aspect of the jewelry industry, from designing, merchandising and shipping to hiring a team, running a business and promoting a collection. She earned her certification from the Gemological Institute of America just to give myself the knowledge that I needed. She launched Lindsey Leigh Jewelry in 2018, as a strictly by-appointment venture, focusing on engagement rings and remakes, transforming heirlooms or pre-worn jewelry into new masterpieces. The Nicole Gemstone ring. Lindsey Leigh Jewelry showroom is filled with display cases and an entire team working on custom orders and selling ready-to-wear necklaces, bracelets and rings. Courtesy Lindsey Leigh Jewelry quickly outgrew being a home business. It wasnt just friends; it wasnt just family, Hohlt said. And it wasnt even just friends of friends. This was getting bigger than I thought. She moved to an office down the road, which she shared with wedding photographer Kelly Hornberger. I met her when she was just starting her business, Hornberger said. We met up for coffee one day at Empire Cafe, and the rest is history. Hornberger watched as Hohlt made her first hire. They only had one desk, but they were making magic happen, Hornberger said. Hohlt only had one jewelry display case at the time, filled with whatever creations she could make between custom orders for her clients. The designs sold so quickly she could not keep up with demand. Im onto something, Hohlt realized. I need to really stock up. Fast-forward to today and she has her own building filled with display cases and an entire team working on custom orders and selling ready-to-wear necklaces, bracelets and rings. Ive been along for the ride, and now Im a huge customer, Hornberger said. Im so happy for Lindsey. Shes done an incredible job. Even as the business has expanded, Hohlt has maintained the same warmth and personal connection she had during their shared office days, Hornberger said. Its like every single person who walks in is someone Lindsey knows and loves, Hornberger said. Her staff are equally welcoming. Houston is a big city, but they make it feel small in that store, Hornberger said. And thats why people keep coming back and back and back. Hohlt offers a line of birthstones, another featuring a rainbow of gemstones and a third dedicated to emeralds. Gemstones tell a story, she said. Her religious collection, composed of crosses, Stars of David and saint medals, is particularly popular. Its something we cant keep in stock, Hohlt said. She also has a zodiac collection and a personalized line featuring initials and names, as well as reversible jewelry, basically two-pieces in one. For instance, worn one way, a huggie displays diamonds, and on the flipside, gemstones. Or the reversible wide thick hoops are 14K yellow on one side and white gold on the other. Theyve become a fan favorite, Hohlt said. All of her pieces are 14K or 18K gold or platinum. Her shop also carries cufflinks, rings and money clips for men, who Hohlt said, equally enjoy the process of making their own custom bling. The interior of the shop was designed to be a welcoming place for men and women, complete with couches, a TV and a beer fridge. Hohlt has accomplished what she set out to do: to step away from outdated jewelry practices and the stuffy stores of the past and instead build a more relaxed, casual, but still upscale, shopping experience. I never want someone to come in and say it was awkward or like they were stepping out of their comfort zone, she said. I never want anyone to feel that way. These days, Hohlt, who lives in Memorial, can still be found in the store in the back office she shares with her sister Kristin Johnston. Im probably on a Zoom call, she laughed. Or I'm in the showroom or helping shipments or doing marketing. E-commerce accountx for a lot of sales. Her store is usually buzzing with customers, and its not unusual for Hohlt to be stopped on the street and thanked for a custom-design. I love when that happens, she said. Obviously, in a business, you have days that are hard. But then you have your victory days, and those just outshine the rest. She thinks back on her early days in the duplex, the humble beginnings of her own jewelry company. I thought it would be an at-home project, something I could do for fun, that I could sell pieces on Instagram, she said. It was never supposed to go full retail. It just happened. Its been a wild ride. Sonys XM5 earbuds are some of the best out there for active noise cancellation and now you can pick them up for their lowest price ever thanks to this deal at Amazon. Usually these retail for $299.99 when theyre full price. However, Amazon has slashed the price and is now offering them for just $198. This is the lowest theyve ever been. Now $198 still isnt super cheap but its an excellent price for these particular earbuds because theyre so good. Amazon even has all three colors on sale. That being said, only the black color is down to $198. The other two are on sale for $199.99. Youll find lots of high-quality true wireless earbuds at this price range, so why go with the Sony XM5 over those other options? For starters, they have some of if not the best active noise cancellation out there. Sonys top-end headphones and earbuds are known for this feature. So if you value being able to block out virtually everything, then youll love these. No more having to contend with noisy people when you just want to enjoy your music. On top of that, they have excellent sound quality. So not only will you be able to block out ambient noises with ease, but your music will sound amazing too. They also feature pretty good battery life. On a single charge, you can get up to 8 hours of listening time. If you need more than that, the charging case provides an additional 16 hours. Whats really impressive though is that you can charge these for just 3 minutes and get an entire hour of listening time. Add in things like water resistance, multipoint connection, and surprisingly clear call quality, and you have a real winner on your hands. Buy at Amazon Instagram is one of the popular social media apps with over a billion monthly active users. Considering its popularity, its no surprise that Instagram often adds new features to keep users hooked to the platform. Now, Instagram is kicking off the end-of-year celebrations by adding a bunch of new features including the 2024 recap Collage feature for Stories. Instagram adds the 2024 recap Collage and more features for end-of-year celebrations Instagrams new Collage feature for Stories allows you to recap and share your favorite memories from 2024. You can easily compile your favorite photos from the year into a single, stylish post. Additionally, Instagram is introducing custom Add Yours templates themed for the New Year. These templates give you a new way to engage and share experiences with your family and friends. Instagram is also adding a New Year font and Countdown text effect that you can use in Stories, Reels, and Feed posts to celebrate the New Year. If you like personalizing the conversation, Instagram has got your back with new holiday chat themes for DMs. You can choose from new theme options like Mariah Carey, New Year, and Chill to set the mood for texting. If you like surprises, Instagram is also rolling out some secret phrases in Notes and DMs that trigger a fun animation or effect. For example, you can try typing in phrases like Happy New Year or Hello 2025 to see those effects. The new features are available for a limited time This isnt the first time Instagram is adding new features specifically for holidays or events. The platform is often quick to catch up with new trends to boost user experience and engagement on the platform. Lets not forget that these new features are time-limited, so hurry up and make the most of it! While Instagram is adding new experiences for its users, its CEO Adam Mosseri is also concerned about the use of AI-generated content posted on social media platforms. Moreover, the platform is also under scrutiny in Texas over youth data security concerns. Motorola has given us some rather powerful devices this year, and it looks like it wants to end with a bang. The company just hit us with a collection of new phones to bring in the new year. Say hello to the new Motorola Moto G15 and other affordable phones. While Motorola gave us some flagship phones and premium mid-rangers, the companys money lies in its affordable handsets. A powerful Android software experience wrapped in an affordable package is a compelling offer. Motorolas Moto G series of phones often bring a nice mix of features at an affordable price. Along with the Moto G15, the company is also bringing the Moto G15 Power, Moto G05, and Moto E15. So, lets see what these phones have to offer. The Moto G15 is an all-around solid phone Weve heard of companies changing their naming schemes, but Motorola really threw us for a loop. The company says that the Moto G15 is the successor to the Moto G24. Who knows why Motorola didnt just call this the Moto G25? In any case, the Motorola Moto G15 has a 6.72-inch display with a modest 60Hz refresh rate. Today, were seeing even cheaper phones sporting at least 90Hz displays. So, this phone already feels a little behind the curve. That screen has a 1080 x 2400 resolution, which isnt bad. Powering the phone, we have the MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme. While MediaTek has proven that it can produce some powerful processors in the past, the Helio G series consists of some modest chipsets. So, you shouldnt expect this phone to be a speed demon. As for the other internals, you have the option of either 4GB or 8GB of RAM. No matter which one you choose, youll be locked to 128GB of storage. Thats not too bad, but youll run out of space if you download a bunch of large files. Next, lets talk about the camera. Youre looking at a 50MP main camera, and this means that it will likely bin down to about 12MP. The camera app will likely have a high-res setting that will let you take pictures in the full 50MP mode. Luckily, this phone will run Android 15 out of the box. This should come as no surprise, as Motorolas software is pretty similar to stock Android. Rounding out the specs, the Moto G15 comes with a decently large 5,200mAh battery. Given Motorolas track record of launching phones with great battery life, we should expect this phone to last you more than a day. The Moto G15 Power brings a more powerful experience The Motorola Moto G15 and the Moto G15 Power are probably the closest in terms of specs. Just like the vanilla Moto G15, the Power edition also has a 6.72-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2400 resolution. The similarities dont stop there, as these phones also share the same processor, Android version, and camera tech. These phones differ in terms of RAM/storage and battery, however. The Moto G15 Power only comes with 8GB of RAM and it comes with 256GB of storage. So, its a bit of a more powerful device. Moving onto the battery, the Moto G Power has a larger 6,000mAh battery. Thats a 15% increase over the Moto G15s battery. So, you should get a bit more mileage out of that phone. Not only that, but it also supports 30W charging. The Moto G05 brings some modest specs Now for the last Moto G of the bunch. This phone will come with a 90Hz display. As for the internals, it will have 4GB and 8GB of RAM. Also, itll sport 64GB and 128GB of storage. We also know that it will launch with Android 15 out of the box. As for the camera, were looking at a 50MP main camera. Thats accompanied by an 8MP selfie camera. The Moto E15 is the baby of the bunch This phone is a mixed bag when it comes to its specs. Starting off with the display, Motorola didnt reveal the resolution. This makes us think that the company opted for a 720p display for this phone, though thats speculation. Unlike the Moto G15 and G15 Power, the Moto E15 runs at a smoother 90Hz. Not only that, but this screen can reach up to 1,000 nits of brightness. This means that you wont have any issue using the phone in the bright sunlight. Powering this device, we have the same MediaTek Helio G81 Extreme. Be that as it may, users wont be getting performance as good as the abovementioned phones. It only comes with 2GB of physical RAM. You can extend it up to 6GB using storage, but youll still be pretty limited. So, youll see a dip in performance compared to the Moto G phones. The Moto E15 is a phone meant for the budget market, and its 64GB of storage confirms that. Just dont expect to play a ton of large games on this phone. If 64GB is enough for you, then you wont have an issue. As for the camera, the Moto E15 has a 32MP camera. With 4-1 pixel binning, youll be looking at 8MP stills. Theres also an 8MP selfie camera. So, youll have some pretty standard camera results with this phones camera. As for the battery, youre getting a 5,200mAh battery with 18W of charging. Lastly, the Moto E15 will launch with Android 14 Go. So, all in all, this is a pretty standard budget phone. Availability Motorola will release these phones in select markets in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. At this time, we dont have pricing information about these phones. 2025 should prove to be an exciting year for smartphones. Companies like Samsung are expected to introduce brand-new flagship handsets. In 2025, that will be the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. Now thanks to a new report, it claims that the Galaxy S25 Ultra could actually pack the thinnest bezels amongst all flagship phones. Thinnest bezels amongst flagships This tip comes courtesy of Ice Universe, who have in the past proven themselves. According to the tipster, they claim that the bezels of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be the thinnest. It might even be thinner than devices like the Xiaomi 15 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The post doesnt mention exactly how thin the bezels will be, but if it is thinner than the two phones mentioned, it should look quite stunning. Back in September, renders of the Galaxy S25 Ultra were posted online as part of a collaboration between @OnLeaks and Android Headlines. The renders gave away the potential design of the handset, including the display and its bezels. Its hard to tell exactly how much thinner the bezels are, so well have to wait until the phone is released to do a better side-by-side comparison against the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Smartphone makers have been trying to find ways to differentiate themselves. This is due to how smartphone tech has kind of plateaued. The gains were seeing in performance in the newer chipsets arent exactly leaps and bounds better than the previous generation. As such, handset makers have to find new ways of making their devices more appealing. Thinner bezels are one of those ways. It creates an illusion that the phones display stretches edge-to-edge. It also allows companies to make the displays of their phones bigger while maintaining the overall size. Coming in January 2025 Samsung has yet to send out invites to its next Galaxy Unpacked event. Based on past releases, its safe to assume that the event will take place in the early part of 2025. In fact, recent rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S25 series have suggested that Samsung could host the event on the 22nd of January, 2025. The rumor claims that it will take place in San Jose, California. As with all previous Samsung launches, it will be watchable via a live stream. Assuming that is the case, there is a good chance that Samsung will start sending out invites in the first week of January. So, if the Samsung Galaxy S25 is the next phone you plan to get, then be sure to check back with us next month for all the official details. After suffering numerous setbacks, ByteDance has finally turned to the Supreme Court as its last hope to prevent the US from banning TikTok. The anti-TikTok law is approaching its deadline, leaving the company with no other options. TikTok turns to Supreme Court to temporarily delay US ban Previously, ByteDance tried to challenge the bill that Joe Biden signed in April. However, the three judges of the appeals court unanimously rejected the companys arguments. Later, the same court also rejected a request for an emergency pause in the implementation of the law. The DOJ was insistent that no appeal in favor of the permanence of the short video platform in the US should be accepted. ByteDance is now filing with the Supreme Court some of the allegations rejected by the appeals court. The company will insist on the argument that the bill threatens the First Amendments principles of freedom of expression, as TikTok is one of the most popular and important venues for communication in the US. The platform has around 170 million users in the country. It is noteworthy that TikTok is not challenging the bill before the Supreme Court but rather requesting an emergency pause. The bills deadline is January 19, 2025 The anti-TikTok law forces ByteDance to sell its US stake in TikTok. If it doesnt, the app will be completely removed from all stores starting January 19, 2025. US authorities have cited the potential national security threats that the platform represents as the main argument. They believe that its popularity among young people could help the Chinese government spread propaganda or manipulations through the recommendation algorithm. Officials also say that Chinese laws could force ByteDance to hand over personal data from Americans to the government. For its part, TikToks parent company has always denied the allegations. They assert that they handle both the moderation and the recommendation algorithm outside of China. Plus, the data of American users is stored on Oracle servers. However, the DOJ is not convinced by the firms claims and continues to consider TikTok a clear threat to national security. ByteDance is also not open to selling TikTok. They say that a potential new owner would take years to adapt to their code. This would even prevent new engineers from implementing routine maintenance. The company also does not want to hand over its valuable recommendation algorithm to a third party. To the bitter end, Sara Sharifs family argued over how much blame each should shoulder for her horrific abuse and murder. On Tuesday, lawyers for her father, Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, had sought to mitigate their involvement, after they were found guilty of the 10-year-olds murder. Naeem Mian KC, for Sharif, called on Mr Justice Cavanagh to consider the case dispassionately despite the outpouring of public anger, outrage and disgust in the wake of the verdicts. While Sharif accepts responsibility for that which he did, there had been no explanation for the horrific burns and bite marks on Saras body that he had denied inflicting, the court was told. On Batools role, Mr Mian said: They are equally as culpable and therefore your lordship ought not to draw any distinction between them. Sara Sharifs stepmother Beinash Batool (Surrey Police/PA) Caroline Carberry KC, for Batool, had argued that her client played a lesser part in the abuse leading to Saras death and was subordinate to her husband. From the start of their relationship, Batool was an isolated and vulnerable woman who had been cast out by her family, the court heard. Ms Carberry said Sharif was a controlling, manipulative and violent man, the instigator and long-term inflicter of the violence on Sara. The balance of power lay with him, and Batool was expected to put up with his behaviour, she said. Addressing Mr Justice Cavanagh, she said: The court can find further confirmation from the police and social service records that Urfan Sharif had a history of controlling behaviour and violence towards women and children stretching back many years. This is a feature of him about which my Lord can be sure. Mr Justice Cavanagh during the sentencing at the Old Bailey (PA) On the jury verdict, at some point Batool, who had five other children and step-children, ceased to protect Sara and joined her husband by assisting or encouraging him, Ms Carberry said. She said: The court could properly conclude that her will must have been broken by her circumstances. Her determination, which she clearly held for a significant period of time, to fight against what was happening to Sara and to do the right thing, morphed into something else. Beinash Batool expresses genuine remorse for Saras unintended death, deep personal regret for remaining in her relationship with Urfan Sharif, and true sorrow that she did not remove the children from harm. Sentencing them, Mr Justice Cavanagh said they had both singled out Sara for abuse amounting to torture, Sharif because she was a girl and Batool because she was not one of her own children. While most of the violence was inflicted by her father, Batool also took an active role and was willing to sacrifice her, the judge said. Mr Justice Cavanagh told her: It was you who bit her, on the arm and on the inner thigh, not long before she died. These were not affectionate nibbles, these were bites. Also, I can be sure that you took part in the tying up and hooding of Sara. This was not the work of one individual, and Sara was tied up even when Urfan Sharif was not in the house. Still further, I have no doubt that you were present at and involved in the burning of Sara with an iron, which led to the terrible burns on her buttocks. This was a two-person job, one to hold Sara and one to press the iron on to her body. He jailed the couple for life, handing Sharif a minimum term of 40 years and telling Batool she would serve at least 33 years for her lesser role. Sara Sharifs uncle Faisal Malik (Surrey Police/PA) Saras uncle Faisal Malik, 29, went to live with the family in Woking, Surrey, long after the violence began. The judge jailed him for 16 years for causing or allowing Saras death. In mitigation, Maliks barrister Michael Ivers KC, said the part-time McDonalds worker had come to the UK to attend university and better himself. Malik did not have full knowledge of the violence against his niece and there was no evidence he was present when it was being inflicted, the defence barrister claimed. Mr Ivers said: We know he arrived in the UK in December 2022. He will have had absolutely no idea of the dysfunctional family and the dysfunctional household he was arriving into. He added that it was abundantly clear that spirited Sara was very resilient indeed. However, Mr Justice Cavanagh rejected as preposterous any suggestion Malik was unaware of what was going on, as he spent the bulk of his time at the crowded home. The judge told him: I have no doubt whatsoever that you, Faisal Malik, were aware of the campaign of torture that was being perpetrated against Sara, primarily by your brother. It was inconceivable that Malik was not present when Sara was being abused, that he did not see or hear anything or was unaware she was being tied up, the judge said. He added: The idea that was, at one stage, put forward on your behalf, that you were too busy on your phone or listening on your earbuds to notice anything happening to Sara is, frankly, preposterous. Conroe will join Texas in an $83 million settlement against Kroger to resolve claims for practices that contributed to the opioid epidemic in the state. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Conroe will join Texas in an $83 million settlement against Kroger to resolve claims for practices that contributed to the opioid epidemic in the state. In November, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the settlement, allowing cities and counties to join and receive funds for remediation in communities across the state. We would relinquish the right to sue separately on the same issue, Conroe Interim City Attorney Mike Garner said during councils workshop Dec. 11. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DOG ATTACK: A Willis family was attacked by 8 dogs; 2 are now euthanized as Montgomery County investigates Garner said the settlement will be paid out over 11 years. He did not have a specific amount the city would receive. There are certain guidelines on what we can use the money for, Garner said. But essentially, we can it toward prevention and treatment programs. Kroger reached the settlement with states, cities, counties and Native American tribes in September 2023. In a statement, Kroger officials called the settlement an important milestone in the Company's efforts to resolve the pending opioid litigation and support abatement efforts. The company maintains the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability by Kroger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to Paxtons office, the settlement is the latest in a series of agreements Paxton negotiated with the pharmaceutical industry for worsening the national trend of overdoses and deaths from prescription opioids. To date, Paxton has obtained more than $3 billion in legal settlements with drug manufacturers and other entities for their roles in the national opioid epidemic. Funds from statewide opioid settlements are dedicated to opioid abatement and overseen by the Texas Opioid Council. Texas, along with a broad coalition of states and subdivisions, has now reached final agreements with 13 companies to resolve legal claims for their role in the opioid crisis, the newest agreement is with Kroger. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Four agreements are with opioid manufacturers Johnson & Johnson, Endo, Teva, and Allergan. There is a separate agreement with three major pharmaceutical distributors, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, and a settlement was reached through bankruptcy with Mallinckrodt, a manufacturer and distributor. Finally, there are three separate settlements with CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart pharmacies. British diplomats have held talks with the leader of banned Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), after its ousting of former dictator Bashar Assad. Photographs showed senior officials, including the UKs special representative for Syria, Ann Snow, meeting HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Mohammed al-Golani, in Damascus on Monday. The meeting followed confirmation by Foreign Secretary David Lammy that a delegation had been sent for talks with interim Syrian authorities and civil society groups after the fall of Mr Assads regime earlier this month. Mr Lammy told a press conference in London on Monday that the delegation underlines our commitment to Syria, adding the UK would support an inclusive transitional political process that is Syrian-led and Syrian owned. HTS is currently proscribed in the UK as a terrorist organisation. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a British delegation had been sent to Damascus on Monday (Dan Kitwood/PA) But Mr al-Sharaa has sought to distance the group from al Qaida and present a more moderate face to the world, leading some to call for the proscription to be removed. Over the weekend, Mr Lammy said the proscription was no bar to diplomatic contact, after confirmation by US secretary of state Antony Blinken that Washington officials had spoken to the group despite its designation by the state department as a foreign terrorist organisation. In an interview with international media on Monday, Mr al-Sharaa called for the designation of HTS as a terrorist group to be rescinded, along with sanctions imposed on Syria during the Assad years. He said: Syria is very important geostrategically. They should lift all restrictions, which were imposed on the flogger and the victim the flogger is gone now. This issue is not up for negotiation. He also sought to ease fears about the new Syrias relationship with Israel, saying he did not want any conflict with Tel Aviv and would not allow the country to be used as a base for attacks. Meanwhile, Mr Assad said he had not planned to flee Syria as the rebels advanced, but was evacuated by Russian forces after their base came under attack. In his first public comments since being ousted, 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. Singer-songwriter Dua Lipa said it would have been nice to be recognised at the Grammy nominations, especially as a woman in the industry. The British star described 2024 as the best year of my life, having headlined Glastonbury Festival, released her third studio album Radical Optimism, and filmed a TV special at Londons Royal Albert Hall featuring Sir Elton John. However, the three-time Grammy winner did not receive any nominations for the upcoming music awards ceremony. Im so proud of Radical Optimism and where its brought me, Lipa told Billboard UK. I love that album and Im having the time of my life performing it live, and Ive been able to do things that I thought I could only dream of this year, so Im really grateful. Although it would have been nice to be recognised by your industry, especially as a woman, Im so proud seeing so many incredible female artists nominated at the Grammys this year. Despite the snub, Lipa, 29, said: I feel like I ticked so many of my boxes this year. This includes performing track Cold Heart alongside Sir Elton for the first time, during the encore of the Royal Albert Hall special. Dua Lipa performing at the Glastonbury Festival (Yui Mok/PA) Obviously Elton is no stranger to the Albert Hall himself and it felt like such a chic and elegant night, so I needed my most chic and fabulous friend to come and join me, she said. He immediately said yes. One thing about Elton is that he always shows up for his friends. Hes super loyal hes just always been there, lending his ear and being so supportive. Ahead of her Glastonbury performance, Lipa said she also received so many messages from previous headliners including from Adele, the last female British act before Lipa to top the bill in 2016. Ive been thinking about you all day and just wanted to wish you luck for tonight. Dont forget to soak it all in, Adele told Lipa. Lipa added: You sort of earn this badge of honour in that moment, and it felt like I joined the coolest club in the world. Bundee Aki and James Ryan have signed contract extensions with Ireland. Aki has agreed a new one-year deal that will keep him at Connacht until the end of the 2025-26 season while Ryan has signed on for a further three years with Leinster. Aki, 34, has been a key figure in Irelands midfield since making his debut in 2017 and has gone on to earn 60 caps, winning two Grand Slams and an additional Six Nations title. Im delighted to extend my contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union and am excited about competing for Ireland and Connacht for the coming seasons, Aki said. I love playing rugby in Ireland and believe that this is the right environment for me to progress as a player. I would like to thank the IRFU for their support and Im excited for what the future holds in green in the years ahead. Ryan, 28, has made 67 appearances for Ireland and has also captained the national side. James Ryan has signed a three-year contract extension with Ireland and Leinster (Bradley Collyer/PA) I am delighted to sign a new contract with Leinster and commit my long-term future to the IRFU, Ryan said. Playing in ambitious set-ups is a big driver for me personally and I know how committed everyone in Irish Rugby is to work hard and achieve success. It is a privilege to play for my home province and my country and, with the talent coming through the academy systems, I am excited about what the future holds in blue and green. It is deep slander to accuse the Irish people of being antisemitic because of criticisms of the Israeli government, Irelands president has said. Michael D Higgins made the comments after Israel said it was closing its embassy in Dublin and as Israels foreign minister accused Ireland of antisemitic rhetoric. At a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain where the Palestinian Ambassador was appointed a formality that is part of Ireland recognising Palestinian statehood Mr Higgins said it was a historic and great day. President Michael D Higgins at the appointment of Irelands first full ambassador from the State of Palestine, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid (Tony Maxwell) He also criticised the Israeli governments accusations against Ireland and said it would not change Irelands stance. I think its very important to express, as president of Ireland, to say that the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander, he said on Tuesday. To suggest because one criticises Prime Minister Netanyahu that one is antisemitic is such a gross defamation and slander. Originally I put it down to lack of experience but I saw later that it was part of a pattern to damage Ireland. He said Ireland cannot be knocked off our principle support of international law and accused Benjamin Netanyahu of breaching international law and the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon. Israeli foreign affairs minister Gideon Saar said its Dublin embassy was closing due what he said was hostility towards Israel, citing Ireland recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel, and attempting to redefine genocide in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Irish premier Simon Harris has utterly rejected claims of antisemitism, while deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin said their position has been based on upholding international law. Mr Martin also said they would not close Irelands embassy in Israel. Addressing Palestinian ambassador Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Mr Higgins said: I want to assure you as the Tanaiste has and as the Taoiseach has, we will not be deflected. Mr Higgins said that the killing of 45,000 people in Gaza, 17,000 of whom are children; injuries in Gaza being treated without pain relief; and the Palestinian enclave having the largest number of child amputees in the world is what Ireland bases its position on. All of the details of these tragic breaches of international law are what is informed by the Irish position. Dr Abdalmajid said she was honoured to become the Palestinian ambassador and said Palestine and Ireland had been bound by friendship and cooperation. I take this opportunity to express our peoples and our leaderships deep appreciation for the honourable stance of Ireland and its leadership in supporting the legitimate rights of our people in self determination and in our quest for freedom and independence, she said before thanking him in Irish. Mr Higgins wished the Palestinian people health and happiness in the face of the most terrible of adversities. He and his wife Sabina embraced Dr Abdalmajid, her husband and her three children before they departed from Aras an Uachtarain. An energy firm has set out a 10.6 billion five-year plan that it says will lower household energy bills and help the country meet its green energy targets. SP Energy Networks, which is a subsidiary of ScottishPower, is submitting plans to energy regulator Ofgem for the period April 2026 to March 2031, in which it is pledging to spend 10.6 billion on new and upgraded transmission infrastructure in central and southern Scotland. This will include, the firm said, 12 new transmission substations, 450km of upgraded existing circuits, 87km of upgraded overhead lines and 35km of underground cables, all of which it said will help increase the countrys power transmission capacity. The plan also includes a programme of investment to make the network more resilient, maintain existing assets, connect up to 19 gigawatts of new green power to the grid and reduce constraint costs leading, the firm said, to annual savings of 167 per household each year by 2030. The power firm, which operates a network of more than 110,000km of power cables around the UK, also announced plans to double its transmission workforce, with some 1,400 new directly employed jobs and 11,000 further jobs supported around the country. The company added it had already announced 5.4 billion worth of supply chain contracts with 19 firms, 17 of which it described as UK and Irish, in what it said was one of the largest construction pushes under way in the UK. It also cited research by the Centre for Energy Policy at the University of Strathclyde which it said found the plans could contribute sustained economic benefit of 2 billion each year to UK society. Nicola Connelly, SP Energy Networks chief executive, said: We have a chance to shape a cleaner, greener future for us all. Making this crucial investment now will drive a positive impact that will help to stabilise and lower consumer energy bills in the longer term. If the UK wants to deliver on its ambition to be a clean energy superpower and capitalise on its natural resources, then it needs the electricity grid to match demand. Our business plan has been developed to deliver that at pace, combining unprecedented levels of investment with a focus on ensuring fair returns for consumers and investors. Government and industry have never been clearer on what needs to be achieved and now we need Ofgem to match that ambition with a price control that unlocks the capital required to finance the projects that will deliver clean power in the next decade. The plan, which the firm said marked a step change compared with its previous 3.4 billion plan, also includes a proposed 20 million net zero fund. The firm said this money would build on its existing 5 million net zero fund, and deliver monies to enable local decarbonisation initiatives, as well as providing support and guidance to help communities prepare for and deliver their own net zero plans and projects. Englands final Test of the year was heading towards a huge defeat as New Zealand moved in for the kill, despite Jacob Bethells latest eye-catching effort. Chasing a ridiculous target of 658 a full 240 beyond the existing world record the tourists were reduced to 193 for five at lunch on day four of the third Test in Hamilton. Having already guaranteed a series win, England showed some fight in the form of a century stand between Bethell and Joe Root, but there was never any realistic hope of escaping their fate. Bethell made a polished 76, a third consecutive second-innings half-century for the 21-year-old, but fell before lunch as be swiped Tim Southee high in the air off the toe of the bat. Lunch on Day 4. pic.twitter.com/S0HmhUlwuG England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 17, 2024 Southee is at the opposite end of his career as he heads into retirement and the wicket was a popular one at Seddon Park. Root fell lbw to the spin of Mitchell Santner and Harry Brook was caught for one, fending a thunderbolt from the excellent Will ORourke to slip. Ben Stokes, who injured his hamstring on Monday and is still awaiting a scan, did not appear in his scheduled spot at number seven and England have yet to confirm if their captain will take the crease for what looks a lost cause. Englands position could hardly have been more grim at the start of play, both openers having fallen in a chaotic six-over burst on the third evening and an inconceivably big target in front of them. But the scale of the challenge appeared to have a liberating effect on Bethell. He timed the ball sweetly from the off, reeling off a flurry of early boundaries. Matt Henry, the man responsible for thoroughly wrecking Zak Crawleys tour, found himself targeted as Bethell launched him over the top for four then rocked back and pulled him for six over mid-wicket. Englands Jacob Bethell bats during play on day four (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport/AP) After 10 overs, England had padded their total with 61 carefree runs but New Zealand had time, and scoreboard pressure, on their side. Root was dropped in the slips off Southee on 19 but joined Bethell in chalking up a fifty to end his prolific year. The introduction of Mitchell Santners left-arm spin played to Roots strengths initially, but ultimately did the trick for New Zealand who had become impatient to end a 104-run stand. Root went to his sweep shot, usually one of his most reliable assets, but slightly misread the length and was pinned lbw by a full ball that gripped. ORourke surely shared the credit for an intimidating spell that saw him repeatedly clear 90mph and he got his just rewards moments later as he made light work of Harry Brook. Fresh from the first golden duck of his international career. Brook swiped manically at his fourth ball and was comprehensively undone by his sixth. Steaming in, ORourke got one to rise violently and take the shoulder of Brooks bat as he raised it defensively. Pope wore a nasty blow on the right biceps as ORourke continued a fiery spell but joined Gus Atkinson in reaching the interval. A widely spread post on social media site Bluesky has claimed that Ireland has evicted the Israeli ambassador. Evaluation The Israeli embassy in Ireland is to close, however this was a decision taken by Israel, not by Ireland. The facts On December 15 Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, announced on social media in an English-language statement that he had decided to shut the countrys embassy in Dublin. Mr Saar said: 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 statement accused Ireland of recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel and supporting baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It also said, among other things, that Ireland is one of the few European countries that has not adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: 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. Links Post on Bluesky (archived) Gideon Saar on X (archived) Simon Harris on X (archived) Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested he has kicked off talks with Elon Musk for a potential donation to the party, saying the two had discussed money and that there will be ongoing negotiations with the tech billionaire. Mr Farage described his hour-long meeting with Mr Musk at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday as great and historic, saying he and party treasurer Nick Candy had learned a great deal about the Trump ground game. We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together, he said. Nigel Farage and Nick Candy with Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago, the Florida home of US President-elect Donald Trump (Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK/PA) Mr Farage also met vice president-elect JD Vance during the trip. The meeting follows newspaper reports, dismissed by Mr Farage, that X owner Mr Musk was preparing to donate up to 100 million dollars (79 million) to Reform UK. Mr Farage has previously criticised American political figures for getting involved in British politics, saying then-president Barack Obama had behaved disgracefully by suggesting the UK would be at the back of the queue for a US trade deal if it voted for Brexit. He had repeatedly insisted he knows nothing about a potential contribution to Reform from Mr Musk, but said the party would take the money if it were offered. But writing in The Telegraph after the meeting, Mr Farage said Mr Musk described Labour and the Conservatives as the uniparty and left us in no doubt that he is right behind us. Inevitably, following such intense media speculation, the issue of money was discussed, and there will be ongoing negotiations on that score, the Reform UK leader added. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said it was a matter for the rules when asked if a potential large donation by Mr Musk to a UK party would worry Sir Keir Starmer. He added: There are already existing rules on foreign donations, but the Government has committed to, you know, to strengthening the rules. Mr Farage said his meeting with Mr Vance on Monday was great. He is a friend of mine and I have known him for 14 years Kemi Badenoch has known him for 14 days, he said. Tory leader Mrs Badenoch met Mr Vance during a recent trip to the US where she met Republican figures in Washington DC. Mr Farage has previously suggested he could be a bridge between Sir Keir and Mr Trump due to his friendship with the US president-elect. He said: I have always said I will help this Government with contacts. It isnt just President Trump and the incoming vice president, but I have known large numbers of the cabinet for many years. I will always do what is in the national interest and renewing our strong ties with America after four years of Joe Biden can only be a good thing for our country. Mr Musk is reported to have spent more than 250 million dollars (197 million) to support Mr Trumps re-election campaign, focused on increasing turnout in key states. He has since been named as one of the two heads of a new cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency in the incoming Trump administration. The visit is at least the fourth time Mr Farage has travelled to America since his election as MP for Clacton in July. A former Conservative business secretary and the chairwoman of Rolls-Royce will join trade unionists and business leaders to advise the government on its growth mission. Greg Clark, who served as business secretary under Theresa May, is one of 16 people appointed to help the Government formulate its industrial strategy. Mr Clark, who launched a previous industrial strategy as business secretary in 2017, will join Rolls-Royce chairwoman Dame Anita Frew and Octopus Energy chief executive Greg Jackson at the first meeting of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council on Tuesday. Announcing the advisory council ahead of its first meeting, the Department for Business and Trade said the body would help the Government maintain a pro-business environment. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: Driving long-term economic growth requires ambition and collaboration. With the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, were bringing together the brightest minds to inform our industrial strategy and deliver growth that will improve living standards and that can be felt across every corner of the UK. Chaired by senior Microsoft executive Clare Barclay, other members include TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell, Barclays UK chairman Sir John Kingman and Baroness Shriti Vadera, who chairs both Prudential and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Ms Bell welcomed her appointment, saying the proposed industrial strategy can show the way to delivering better jobs across the country. She added: Trade unions look forward to working with Government and businesses to develop and deliver the strategy. And we will use our voice to make sure the strategy delivers for Britains working families. In opposition, Labour promised to bring businesses and trade unions together to develop plans for boosting economic growth. But despite a charm offensive before the election, the Governments relationship with businesses has suffered thanks to the decision to raise employers national insurance contributions. The Government hopes the independent advisory council will enable it to maintain the partnership with business and trade unions that it sees as integral to its plans. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said potential investors should be in no doubt that Britain is back on the global stage, helping to attract investment into the most productive parts of the UK economy. Ms Barclay said her committees mission was to provide a clear, independent voice on behalf of business, nations, regions and trade unions, as we look to inform the development of the industrial strategy, helping to create a strong business environment which will help our growth-driving sectors thrive. The Government faces renewed pressure to designate China a threat to national security after the naming of an alleged Chinese spy with close links to the Duke of York. Yang Tengbo, who denies wrongdoing, is the latest person to be named as an alleged Chinese agent following claims in recent years about Beijings infiltration of Westminster. The revelations have prompted parliamentarians to urge the Government to implement the foreign influence registration scheme (Firs) proposed by its predecessor, and place China in the enhanced tier that would bring greater scrutiny. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader and one of Parliaments most vocal China hawks, told MPs on Monday that Mr Yang was not a lone wolf. Pointing to a report by Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee, he said there were 40,000 members of Chinas United Front Work Department who had penetrated every sector of the UK economy. Yang Tengbo, who has close ties to the Duke of York, has been named as an alleged Chinese spy (John Stillwell/PA) Security minister Dan Jarvis insisted the Government would use every tool at our disposal to protect the UK, but said Firs had not been ready to be implemented when Labour came to power, despite claims to the contrary from the opposition. He told MPs: Since coming into office, we have ensured that there are now more people than ever working on Firs implementation. But he was unable to say whether China would be placed in the enhanced tier when Firs was introduced in the summer of 2025. Such a move could pose problems for the Government, as it could lead to a retaliation by Beijing. However, Foreign Secretary David Lammy did acknowledge on Monday that China was one of a number of states that pose a threat to us, saying Mr Yangs case does not exist, sadly, in a vacuum. Sir Keir Starmer has overseen a period of thawing relations between Britain and China (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The row over alleged spying by Mr Yang comes after a period of improving relations between London and Beijing since Labour came to power in July. Sir Keir Starmer became the first prime minister to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping when the two spoke at the G20 summit in Brazil last month, while Mr Lammy made a two-day visit to China in October. But the Prime Minister admitted he was concerned about the challenge that China poses during a press conference on Monday. He said: 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. Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area. She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday. Claire can be reached at claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com. A US judge has denied country music star Garth Brooks request to dismiss a sexual assault and battery lawsuit against him. In October, a former employee claimed Brooks had raped her in a hotel room in 2019, and subjected her to unwanted sexual conduct, including exposing himself on several occasions and groping her breasts. The woman claimed the trauma from the alleged sexual assault became so unbearable that she contemplated taking her own life. Country music star Garth Brooks on stage at Croke Park in Dublin in 2022 (Brian Lawless/PA) Requesting a dismissal of the case, Brooks argued that the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court was a duplicative of a defamation lawsuit he filed against his accuser in Mississippi in September. However, US District Judge Michael Fitzgerald has denied his motion to dismiss the case. The judge temporarily paused proceedings in the Californian case until the outcome of pending motions in Mississippi, according to court documents. Jeanne Christensen, a lawyer for the accuser, told the PA news agency: We remain confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions and his efforts to silence our client through the filing of a pre-emptive complaint in Mississippi was nothing other than an act of desperation and attempted intimidation. Two-time Grammy winner Brooks previously described the Californian lawsuit as an attempt at extortion for millions of dollars. Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behaviour I am incapable of ugly acts no human should ever do to another, he said. Country music star Garth Brooks claimed a lawsuit filed against him is extortion for millions of dollars (Niall Carson/PA) In the lawsuit, the woman claims she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and allegedly exploited. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be, Brooks previously said. Representatives for Brooks have been contacted for comment. The Samaritans can be contacted on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org. The King has said he will be praying this Christmas for Syria, whose citizens have been given a glimmer of hope following the overthrow of the countrys dictator. Charles met a Syrian nun when he joined a Catholic congregation that has been supporting the work of Aid to the Church in Need, a charity helping Christians persecuted across the Middle East and the globe. The event was a special advent service held at the Catholic Farm Street Church in Mayfair and attended by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, and Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Pope Franciss apostolic nuncio or diplomatic representative in the UK. After the short service, attend by Iraqi Christians and schoolchildren, the King met Sister Annie Demerjian, from the Syrian Catholic Church, in a side chapel and the pair, who have met before, warmly embraced. She described to Charles the desperate situation in her homeland after the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assads regime and said afterwards: It is desperate, but we are praying for a better future. Charles is greeted by cardinal Vincent Nicholls as he arrives for the service (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) The nun added: He said he was praying for us, for all the people who have been displaced and find themselves battling against (the) odds. We are praying and we are hoping for a better future, and we appreciate your Kings support. Sister Demerjian said Christians would now flock back to the country after the fall of the regime, but shortages of food, shelter and other medical resources were an issue. She said: Many will come to the aid of their brothers and sisters, and we hope to raise the profile of the need for help for many people. In a short sermon, Dr Caroline Hull, national director of Aid to the Church in Need (UK), told the congregation that 10 years ago the world watched in horror as the ancient city of Mosul fell to Isis or Daesh forces. She added that they attacked villages in the Nineveh plain, sending over 100,000 Christians and other religious minorities fleeing for their lives and creating refugee camps filled to the brim. The King also met the Butrus family, Iraqi-Christians who fled their homeland ten years ago after Isis forces invaded and began persecuting non-Muslims, with the family first settling in Syria before later moving to the UK in 2016. The King is presented with a painting by Sofia Butrus (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) Charles chatted to mother Ban Butrus, 49, and her grown-up children Jolia, 27, Peter, 24 and Sofia, 23, who presented the King with an oil painting she had painted. It was a reworking of the Arabic letter N, a reference to the word Nazarene Isis forces used to identify Christians, with the letter N written on their homes. Sofia said: The dot in the middle of the letter has now become Christ reconciling a Christian. Commenting on the Kings visit, Jolia said: Hes giving 100% support to the people of Iraq and the King giving up his time to meet us is really important. Its difficult to settle here to be honest because its so expensive and when you start from zero, you have the drama of being persecuted and then the drama of starting all over again. We are still struggling but we cannot go back now because its not fully safe. Before leaving, Charles chatted to a number of groups working in the Farm Street Church parish, including groups support the homeless and the LGBT community. A lawyer accused of working for the Chinese government by MI5 has lost her legal challenge against the intelligence agency. The Security Service warned MPs in January 2022 that it believed Christine Lee had engaged in political interference and activities for a branch of the Chinese Communist Party, a day after then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised to MPs over the Partygate scandal. Ms Lee said she believed the interference alert issued about her was for a political purpose, namely to serve the interests of the Conservative party and brought legal action, along with her son Daniel Wilkes, against the Security Service. But in a judgment on Tuesday, three judges at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) unanimously dismissed both claims. Lord Justice Singh, sitting with Lord Boyd and Judge Rupert Jones, said MI5 had issued the warning for legitimate reasons. Part of the alert issued by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons of an MI5 Security Service Interference Alert for Christine Ching Kui Lee (MI5/PA) At a hearing in June, the tribunal heard Ms Lee categorically denies the allegations against her, with her lawyers telling judges that issuing the notice was unlawful. In the 41-page ruling, Lord Justice Singh dismissed their challenges, including on human rights grounds. He said: It has not been suggested in the present case that the claimants were subjected to torture. What is suggested is that they were subjected to inhumane or degrading treatment. We are not satisfied that it reached the minimum threshold required for a breach. The judge said that the warning from MI5, known as an interference alert, was preventative, adding that there had not been an authoritative finding that Ms Lee had been engaged in criminal activity or other misconduct. Lord Justice Singh concluded: We have reached the conclusion that the interference alert was issued in accordance with domestic lawThe national security risk posed by Ms Lee was rationally assessed and the issue of the interference alert falls within the national security functions of the Security Service. The alert came after Ms Lee donated 500,000 to Labour MP Barry Gardiner, who was chairman of the now-disbanded Chinese In Britain All-Party Parliamentary Group on which she sat. Analysis of the Register of Members Financial Interests showed Lee donated more than 500,000 to Mr Gardiner and Labour between 2015 and 2020, mostly through funding for Mr Gardiners staff. Mr Gardiner, the MP for Brent West, told the BBCs Politics Live he had ceased all contact with Ms Lee because of the security services alert, but said he had been a friend of hers for many, many years. He insisted money he had received from her had been for the public good in my office and that none of it had come from an illegal source, according to MI5. The Security Service said the money was provided by foreign nationals and undertaken in covert co-ordination with the United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the CCP. Ms Lee, who set up an immigration consultancy firm in 1994, said she lobbied MPs on behalf of British Chinese nationals and to build trade links but that any donations to MPs were recorded and passed parliamentary vetting requirements. Conservative grandee Sir Iain Duncan Smith said the Government has questions to answer about whether Ms Lee should remain in the UK after she lost her legal challenge against the intelligence services. Sir Iain, a China-sceptic senior Tory, told the PA news agency: My question would be more to the Government. What are the intelligence services going to do now? Either they think that she remains a threat, in which case she shouldnt be here, or if she is not, then they should be clear about that. The IPTs judgment comes a day after an alleged Chinese spy with close links to the Duke of York was named when a High Court judge lifted his anonymity. Yang Tengbo, who denies wrongdoing, was named on Monday as the individual who has been banned from the UK, and is said to have been a close confidant of Andrew. In a statement released on Tuesday, a Chinese embassy spokesperson said 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 China and the UK. The statement added: 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. Liverpool has been named by GoFundMe as the UKs most generous city in 2024 after its response to the Southport stabbings and subsequent disorder. Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were all fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in the Merseyside seaside town in July. When violent disorder broke out in the wake of the incident, around 1.3 million was raised via GoFundMe to support those affected by the initial attack, as well as the riots that followed. Now, Liverpool has been named the most generous city in the UK, according to GoFundMe donations per capita. Spellow Community Hub and Library in Walton, Liverpool, was set alight during the chaos, and only re-opened in December. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper speaks to firefighters who were on duty during Augusts riots (Leon Neal/PA) Alex McCormick, 27, from Netherton, Merseyside, saw the images of the library and decided to set up a fundraiser which eventually reached 250,000. She told the PA news agency that as a Scouser she was not surprised to see Liverpool top GoFundMes list of the UKs most generous cities in 2024. I know we get a bad rep sometimes in the press, but I think if you live here or you have lived here, the people in this city generally will do anything for anyone, she said. Its nice that its acknowledged but I really wouldnt expect anything less from the city. I think it takes us back to the basics of just being human and seeing something wrong and wanting to do something to make it right. Ms McCormick said her initial target for her GoFundMe was 500 to replace the books that had been burned, but it quickly became apparent that she would far exceed her target. Fundraiser Alex McCormick (right) watches Pearl Ogunyadeka, 10, reading a book inside Spellow Community Hub and Library in Walton (Peter Byrne/PA) The GoFundMe was from me a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to seeing the pictures of the library, she said. We cant be burning books. As a society weve got to be better than that. Ms McCormick, who got married just one week after setting up the fundraiser, attended the library ahead of its re-opening earlier in December. The Queen said the librarys return demonstrated the power of kindness in the face of adversity. Ms McCormick said the council had funded the re-opening, adding that the money donated to her fundraiser would be used to make improvements such as additional activities for children. She said: The decision was made that that should go into the library to make it better and to make it as beneficial as possible to that community. So in the new year, we will see so much more come out of Spellow as that money starts to get spent and the plans are laid out for whats going to be done with it, and I will get to be a part of that all the way through, which is really lovely for me to kind of see that come to life. According to GoFundMes 2024 Year in Help report, more than 65 million donations were made worldwide on its platform. The UKs 10 most generous cities for the year by measure of GoFundMe donations per capita are: 1) Liverpool 2) London 3) Norwich 4) Manchester 5) Belfast 6) Cambridge 7) Worcester 8) Eastbourne 9) Newcastle-Upon-Tyne 10) Lincoln Sir Keir Starmers deal to give up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands is in trouble after the new prime minister of Mauritius rejected its terms. Navin Ramgoolam said the draft deal would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect and negotiations had restarted. He said the new Mauritian administration has submitted its own suggestions to the UK, which has now responded with its counter-proposals. The UK struck a deal with Mr Ramgoolams predecessor to cede sovereignty over the islands also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory but lease back the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. But Mr Ramgoolam told his countrys parliament on Tuesday that during discussions with a delegation of UK officials last week Mauritius made clear that while it is still willing to conclude an agreement with the United Kingdom, the draft agreement which was shown to us after the general elections is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement. Therefore, Mauritius accordingly submitted counter-proposals to the UK so that an agreement which is in the best interest of Mauritius can be concluded. The response of the United Kingdom to our counter-proposals was received yesterday afternoon and is now being currently considered. Senior figures in the incoming Trump administration have also voiced doubts over the agreement, which is aimed at securing the legal basis for the Diego Garcia facility. The president-elects pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, warned in October that the agreement posed a serious threat to US national security by handing over the islands to a country allied with China. But Downing Street insisted the deal was necessary to resolve a long-standing legal dispute over sovereignty. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the UK had been engaging with the new Mauritian government on the deal. The agreement weve struck with Mauritius protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security, the spokesman said. Theres obviously been a change of leadership in Mauritius, and weve been engaging with the new administration on the details of the deal. We remain confident that the agreement is in both sides shared interest. Asked whether the UK had offered more money to the Mauritians for the 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the spokesman said: Im obviously not going to get into the detail of private conversations. The Conservatives sent a letter to Sir Keir saying they have grave concerns about the deal and warned against rushing it through Parliament before the Trump administration enters the White House. Dame Priti Patel and James Cartlidge, the shadow foreign and defence secretaries, said the deal was wholly unsustainable given the change of US administration and the rejection of the proposed deal by the new Mauritian government. They wrote: If the Government has any inclination to try and salvage this deal by rushing it through Parliament before the new US administration takes office, it should think again. At a very minimum you should wait for the new administration in the US to take office but our view remains that the legal justification you have used for giving away sovereignty is flawed, and it is therefore no surprise that the terms reached are so disadvantageous to the United Kingdom. BBC Radio 4 Today programme presenter Mishal Husain has given her heartfelt thanks to listeners and colleagues on her final show with the corporation. The presenter will leave her role on the show in the new year, moving to front a new interview series at financial and data media company Bloomberg, as editor-at-large of Bloomberg Weekend Edition. After a tribute which saw journalists Justin Webb, Sarah Montague and John Humphrys honour the 51-year-old, she said: Well, the moment is now upon me, time to say farewell to this programme and to the BBC. Mishal Husain hosting a general election debate (Jeff Overs/BBC/PA) In my time here, I have found more in me than I knew was there, and I journey on to discover what yet might lie within. In the tradition of my faith, when people used to go on pilgrimage in generations past, they would not only take their leave of friends and associates, but they would ask for their forgiveness, because in those days, many did not return from the arduous journey. I hope therefore you might forgive me for the times I crashed the pips, squeezed the weather, any other dastardly deeds, and yes, the one 8.10 that did involve swearing. But my heartfelt thanks go to all my BBC colleagues across the UK and around the world, and to you, wherever you are listening from, for your time and your trust. On this last morning, Ive been allowed music, and so Im going to leave you with my choice, which is The Monkees Daydream Believer that is coming up. But it just remains for me to say that our editors were Dan Macadam and Hannah Wilkinson, the studio director was Nathan Chamberlain, the Today programmes editor is Owenna Griffiths and from me, good morning and goodbye. "From me, good morning and goodbye." Listen to @MishalHusain sign off from her last #R4Today programme. We'll miss you! BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 17, 2024 During Tuesdays programme, a number of clips from Husains previous interviews with the likes of Sir Keir Starmer, James Cleverly and Nigel Farage were played, and guests on the show also wished her well. A clip was also played of Husain bursting into laughter while trying to present a piece on the worlds richest dog, Gunter, saying this is a German Shepherd dog, not an actual German shepherd. Introducing the tribute segment, her co-presenter Nick Robinson said: The time has come, we can put it off no longer, even though we dearly wish it were not, this is Mishals last day. Paying tribute, Humphrys described Husain as a joy to work with and a pleasure to know, before asking her if she wanted to leave. Husain said: This is when I now regret having said, wouldnt it be a nice idea if we invited John back? I think it was time for me to do something else, it really was. I know that actually all of you did the program for longer, Nick is only just starting out, but I think that when we do new things, we grow and develop. And I think that Im a different journalist, a much better journalist than I was 11 years ago, and this programme, with all its pressures and all the scrutiny that goes with it, its an immense responsibility to be on here, and a privilege as well. But from all those tough times, you grow and develop, and I know Ill miss it for sure. Humphrys pushed her once again, saying she wouldnt get away with that answer if she herself was answering the question, but Husain did not give any further details about her departure. Husain first joined the BBC as a producer in 1998, before becoming a presenter on BBC World News in 2001. Andrew Bennett in 1998: he was an expert on Commons procedure - UPPA/Photoshot Andrew Bennett, who has died aged 85, was an assiduous if short-fused Labour Left-winger who was a Stockport area MP from 1974 to 2005; for 11 years he chaired the Environment Select Committee. Bushy-bearded and with a falsetto voice, Bennett had a passion for the outdoors, promoting Right to Roam legislation, and in 1988 he was elected president of the Ramblers Association. During the debates on water privatisation he recalled being told off as a boy for brewing up with a Primus stove by the waterside. His other great interest was education, and from 1983 to 1988 he was a front-bench spokesman. When John Majors government later launched the National Curriculum he came out against it, saying: As an ex-geography teacher I find it unpalatable. I suggest that my lessons were interesting and exciting to pupils because I could teach them about things with which I was familiar and understood. Bennett would have liked to be a minister, but he was never likely to serve under Tony Blair (he backed John Prescott for the leadership). He became one of the most persistent rebels against Blairs government, on issues ranging from the Iraq War, foundation hospitals and student tuition fees to restricting the right to trial by jury and the privatisation of air traffic control. An expert on Commons procedure, Bennett sought to reform the handling of private members legislation. He was less than impressed by the initial recommendations of the Modernisation Committee set up after New Labour came to power, suggesting that it could make a start by letting the Serjeant at Arms dispense with his sword, so he could not trip over it. Bennett was a hardened Eurosceptic, and regularly voted against the Prevention of Terrorism Bill. He complained of the arbitrary exercise of power by Greater Manchesters messianic Chief Constable James Anderton, and forcefully criticised the Home Offices handling of riots at Strangeways Prison. From 1994 to 2005 he carved out a niche for himself chairing the Environment Select Committee. In retirement, he said he was pleased to have helped create a climate in which slowly, people are coming to accept that we need a more sustainable world. In this role he was no respecter of persons; he once threatened to cite the chief executive of the British Cement Association for contempt of the House for being unable to say how much a bag of cement cost. In 1996, introducing a committee report on housing, he criticised Stockport council for putting alcoholics, drug addicts and people suffering from psychosis into bedsits next door to elderly people. Andrew Francis Bennett was born in Barton-upon-Irwell, Salford, on March 9 1939, the son of William Bennett, a local government officer, and the former Elma Francis. Evacuation as a toddler to the Ceiriog Valley in north Wales gave him his love of the countryside. From William Hulmes Grammar School in Whalley Range, Manchester, he read social sciences at Birmingham University then went into teaching. From 1969 until his election to Parliament he was head of Geography at Roch Valley comprehensive in Rochdale. He was active in the National Union of Teachers. Bennett joined the Labour Party in 1957 aged 18, and in 1964 was elected an Oldham councillor. He contested Knutsford in 1970, then at the February 1974 election captured Stockport North from the sitting Conservative Idris Owen by 203 votes; he recalled this as a bit of a shock. In his maiden speech he cited the appalling housing conditions in his constituency, a situation that would be greatly improved during his time as an MP. That October, he increased his majority to 1,824. In February 1976, against the Labour governments wishes, he forced through a requirement that complaints against the police had to be dealt with within three months. At the May 1979 election that brought Margaret Thatcher to power, Bennett hung on to his seat by 333 votes. Eighteen months later, he helped to organise a picket of Labour MPs to keep Black Rod out of the Commons chamber to announce the end of the parliamentary session, in protest against Government-imposed council-rent increases. From 1981 to 1983, he chaired Labours social security group. The abolition of Stockport North at the 1983 election led to Bennett standing for Denton & Reddish, which included parts of his old constituency; he took it with a majority of 5,125, which would steadily increase until it peaked at 20,311 in 1997. Succeeding Michael Foot as leader, Neil Kinnock appointed Bennett to the front-bench education team he had previously led. He led Labours team on a Bill to abolish corporal punishment in schools, and campaigned for better nursery education. Dropped from the front bench in 1988, he opposed Kinnocks break with unilateral nuclear disarmament. After John Major succeeded Mrs Thatcher, Bennett told him that with two Polaris submarines no longer seaworthy, and two others at their base on the Clyde, he was the first prime minister in 20 years not to have a nuclear deterrent at his fingertips. Bennett joined the Environment Select Committee in 1992, and became its chairman in 1994. After Labour came to power in 1997 and Prescott was given a mega-department covering the environment, transport and the regions, Bennett shared the chair with the formidable Gwyneth Dunwoody; he chaired a sub-committee on the environment, Mrs Dunwoody one on transport. Bennett also chaired the Commons Committee on Statutory Instruments. He retired at the 2005 election, when Denton & Reddish was held for Labour by Andrew Gwynne. Andrew Bennett married Dr Gillian Lawley in 1961. They had a daughter and two sons. Andrew Bennett, born March 9 1939, died December 15 2024 Joe Biden has been largely invisible since election day - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images North America America and Britain share a rightful pride in the peaceful transfer of power. But they conduct the transfer very differently. The British vote in a day, count the votes that night, and install a new government almost immediately. Shadow ministers are ready to take over. Not in America, which takes weeks to cast ballots and, often, just as long to count them. This year, analysts were shocked to find the winner could be called on election night, a rarity due to Donald Trumps victory in all seven swing states. It took longer to count the votes for other federal offices, sometimes much longer. In California, one congressional seat wasnt decided until early December. Soviet workers got new cars faster. Even if the votes had been counted swiftly, Americas new government would still have waited over two months before taking office. It used to take even longer. Until 1933, when the 20th Amendment was passed, the new president didnt take office until early March. The vote was still held in early November. Despite the Amendment, theres still a two-month pause before the new president takes office. That gap poses dangers internationally and domestically. Foreign foes may choose to act while the old team is still in power, fearing the new administration may be tougher (as they do now) or less predictable. Domestically, the incumbent administration and lame-duck Congress have a last-minute chance to push through their priorities. The outgoing Congress can pass laws, the outgoing president can issue executive orders, and departing White House aides and Cabinet members can rush money out the door before the new administration cuts off funding for their pet projects. Although such problems recur at the end of every presidency, they are always more serious when the other party is about to take power. They are even worse when the incoming president will have a new majority in Congress, as Trump will this time. Thats why president Bidens team is trying to push through as many lifetime judicial appointments as possible before the Senate switches to Republican control. The Senate alone is responsible for approving (or rejecting) judicial nominees and senior appointments to federal agencies. For decades, that approval rarely incited controversy. The rare exceptions came when Senate investigators (or hearings) found serious problems with a particular nominee. Otherwise, the minority party typically went along with the nominations, believing that the president had the right to choose his Cabinet and their top deputies. Likewise, judicial nominees were approved by large majorities if they had the standard qualifications. Those days ended several decades ago, crushed under the weight of Americas more ideological and divisive politics. These combative differences have led to long delays, especially for sub-cabinet nominees who have to wait until more senior officials have been approved. The presidents right to nominate so many candidates is a unique feature of American government. Most constitutional democracies limit the prime minister to cabinet-level appointments. They retain permanent civil servants for nearly all positions below that. Not in the US, where the president can fill thousands of spots at higher levels of all bureaucracies. That responsibility gives him (and the voters in our democracy) considerable control but it takes months to accomplish. There is no shadow cabinet in waiting. The incoming president has to pick and choose, wait for FBI background checks, wait still longer for Senate hearings and then, ultimately, for a final Senate vote. Its a slow process, but one that gives the president far greater control over the executive branch than his peers in other established democracies. Trump hopes to extend presidential control even further by reclassifying some federal employees so that he (and his successors) can replace them at will. Trumps proposed Schedule F would remove the normal civil-service job protections for employees in what are termed policymaking positions. That effort will be fiercely resisted by Democrats in Congress and subject to numerous court challenges. So will his effort to trim the bureaucracy and roll back burdensome regulations. Resistance by the opposition party is only half the story here. The other half is support by the presidents own party in Congress, not just for nominees but for most legislation. That support, which is now an enduring feature of American government, means much of the presidents agenda will become law if his party controls Congress. It may be a slow process, but its an inexorable one. What is often overlooked is how this process has changed the way America is governed. Americas Founders, who wrote the Constitution in 1787, sought to prevent tyrannical rule by sharing sovereign prerogatives among the three branches of government. The underlying assumption was that the executive, legislative, and judicial branches would each zealously protect its power from encroachment by the others. That arrangement is commonly called the separation of powers, but it is really shared control over the same sovereign power. The Founders were most concerned by the overweening power of Congress. Today, of course, the most powerful branch is the executive. Typically, we see Congress wait for the president to set the legislative agenda and then work with his party to push through as much as possible. The president also heads the branch that issues administrative rules and regulations and has the personal authority to issue (fiat) executive orders. President Biden (or someone acting for him) is spending the waning days in office issuing those orders, dispensing pardons for convicted criminals, including his son, rushing through judicial appointments, and spending as many allocated dollars as he can on favoured projects. Unseemly or not, its all within the presidents authority and standard practice for outgoing presidents. The only difference, aside from helping out his son, is the troubling question of who is really running the White House, given Bidens cognitive decline. Biden himself is hardly seen these days. Hes been largely invisible since election day, well over a month ago. He hardly speaks to the press or the public, even when major events occur. He may deliver a few short, written comments, but thats it. Major world events happen without a word from him. If he stays hidden much longer, his picture will appear on the side of a milk carton: Have you seen this missing adult? Meanwhile, his successor is moving quickly. Trump stayed uncharacteristically quiet for several weeks while he picked his Cabinet and senior White House aides, but thats over. The appointments were done rapidly, including several controversial choices (one of whom, Matt Gaetz, was unqualified and quickly dropped). Still, the whole process showed the president had learned from his first term, where he was surrounded by multiple officials who undermined his agenda. He wont repeat that mistake. This time, loyalty is an overriding consideration. Most, but not all, of his picks have another essential qualification: they know how to manage a large, sluggish, and recalcitrant government bureaucracy. Those who lack those management skills could inadvertently stymie Trumps initiatives, or, rather, they will unless they choose highly-qualified deputies. Otherwise, mid-level bureaucrats will tie up the presidents programmes. On the international stage, Trump is already acting like the most powerful man in the free world while the actual president is acting like hes finished with public life and ready to settle into an easy chair in Wilmington. Just look at the reception Trump received in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral. A stream of prime ministers and presidents lined up to bend the knee and kiss the ring. The rest are making their way to Mar-a-Lago, where they stand in line beside the heads of technology companies. Its an impressive show of power. Or, rather, prospective power, since Donald Trump wont take office until midday on January 20. Hes not waiting, though, to tee up an aggressive agenda. Sadly, the man who currently holds the office seems more befuddled by the day, as he totters, stiffly, off the stage. Hes leaving behind a mess to clean up. Charles Lipson is the Peter B Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago. His latest book is Free Speech 101: A Practical Guide for Students. He can be reached at charles.lipson@gmail.com Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has already announced a review into government plans to increase the hiring of PAs. Photograph: Lucy North/PA The NHS in England should slow or scrap altogether the recruitment of physician associates (PAs) and ban them from seeing patients one-to-one, medical groups are urging ministers. The Royal College of Physicians (RCP), which represents hospital doctors, has called for a rethink of government plans to increase the number of PAs from 3,000 to 10,000 by the mid-2030s. They should also not be allowed to run clinics on their own, without a senior doctor present, because left unsupervised they could pose a risk to patients safety, the RCP added. Related: Im not a doctor: the role physician associates play within NHS Were calling on NHS England to slow down the expansion of the PA role [and] review its projections for growth in the PA workforce, said an RCP spokesperson. While the college is not proposing exactly how many more PAs the NHS should train and hire in coming years, it believes their growth should be carefully managed and NHS England needs to take a more measured approach to recruiting and using them. Its move comes weeks after Wes Streeting ordered an independent investigation into the role and competence of PAs, after a series of cases in which patients they treated came to harm. They include Emily Chesterton who died after her blood clot was misdiagnosed by a PA as a calf strain. The health secretary said the review, by Prof Gillian Leng, was needed because there are legitimate concerns over transparency for patients, scope [of PAs role] and the substituting of [them for] doctors. These concerns have been ignored for too long. The British Medical Association (BMA) wants tougher action than the RCP, though. It demanded an immediate halt to the recruitment of PAs, who assist doctors but have only two years of medical training. As the RCP says, the planned expansion of PAs across the NHS needs to be rethought, said Prof Philip Banfield, the BMAs chair of council. But in the short term, while the Leng review is under way, and potentially unsafe practice continues across the NHS, we must pause PA recruitment and ensure those we have practise to their qualification and not beyond. You dont fly a plane under safety review, you ground it. Banfield welcomed the RCPs publication of a series of documents offering guidance on what tasks PAs should and should not be able to carry out. He greeted in particular its conclusion that no PA should see patients on their own unless a senior doctor is on hand to offer immediate supervision. The major expansion of PA numbers was enshrined in the NHS long-term workforce plan published in June 2023 under the Conservative government. However, a review of that plan which Streeting announced last week is very likely to lead to a reduction in their planned numbers, given the high levels of concern PAs increasing role in the NHS has generated among medical organisations. Analysis of job advertisements placed by NHS trusts in England suggests that fewer have been hired recently, almost certainly owing to growing concern that they may threaten patient safety. In its guidance, the RCP makes clear that: PAs are not doctors. They should not be regarded as replacements for doctors, and they should never replace a doctor on a rota. PAs can safely perform CPR, assess a patient on arrival at hospital, update patients about their treatment and insert cannulas, the RCP says. However, a PA must never function as a senior decision-maker. [And] a PA should never undertake outpatient clinics independently. They must be supervised at all times by a senior doctor, such as a consultant. The Department of Health and Social Care said: Many physician associates are providing great care and freeing up doctors to do things only doctors can do. But there are some concerns about the limits of their competence, the spokesperson added. Lengs review is due to report in the spring. Writer Melissa Cole met Telegraph reader, and fellow stout enthusiast, Edward King - Belinda Jiao London Black is the best declared Telegraph reader Edward King in response to our recent article on the rise of Murphys stout amid reports of a shortage of Guinness in UK pubs. Hundreds of others waded in, keen to suggest alternatives to the big brands. Why havent you mentioned any of the great English stouts? asked Andrew Williamson, Adnams Blackshore Stout is at least as good as either of these. Of course, stout didnt originate in Ireland. Its history is linked to a London-brewed beer, porter, that fuelled the ferry workers responsible for moving the capitals goods in the 18th century (see box below). The main change in modern times has been the introduction of nitro stouts, which use about 70 per cent nitrogen to 30 per cent carbon dioxide. Since nitrogen has much smaller bubbles, it makes the beer smoother and creamier on the palate but it also dampens the flavour and, in particular, the bitterness. Cole and King at Anspach & Hobday in Bermondsey, London - Belinda Jiao Even hardened craft beer drinkers like King, are embracing the smoothflow life. I met up with him at the Bermondsey home of Anspach & Hobday for a pint of London Black so he could explain its appeal. I think its probably the best stout out there in the nitro style, I do like Guinness as well, but I just think this has got a lot more flavour. Im always looking for independent producers because I think theres going to be more quality in the way they make it. Its not one of those really elevated stouts with lots of different pastry flavours, they are doing something very simple, so its very sessionable like Guinness, but its a step up because its just got a richer depth of flavour. Read on for Kings opinion of the pint he tried as well as my reviews of other great stouts, all recommended by Telegraph readers. Frontier Airlines released an annual all-you-can-fly pass for 2025-26 for $299. Al Drago / Bloomberg Frontier Airlines is offering its annual all-you-can-fly pass for 2025-26 for $299 through Wednesday. The GoWild pass will allow customers unlimited travel on Frontier Airlines between May. 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026. The limited-time deal will end at midnight, Dec. 18, according to a news release. After the sale is over the price will increase to $499. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The GoWild! Pass is perfect for spontaneous adventurers, budget-savvy travelers, and anyone dreaming of limitless journeys, said Bobby Schroeter, chief commercial officer of Frontier Airlines, in a statement. The scene of the explosion in Moscow - Reuters A senior Russian general in charge of the militarys nuclear and chemical weapons division has been killed in a scooter bomb attack claimed by Ukraine. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed along with his assistant when the bomb was detonated remotely as they left an apartment building a few miles south east of the Kremlin early on Tuesday morning. Hes the most senior Russian officer to be assassinated during Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine has taken responsibility for the assassination, according to a Ukrainian security source quoted by both Reuters and AFP news agency. Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military, the source said. Lt Gen Kirillov had been sanctioned by the UK over his use of chemical weapons in Ukraine and is believed to be the most senior Russian officer assassinated since the full scale invasion of Ukraine. Igor Kirillov - Shutterstock An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow, said the Russian Investigative Committee. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and his assistant were killed, it added. It called the incident a terrorist attack. The killing comes at a precarious moment in the war between Russia and Ukraine, with the incoming US president Donald Trump pushing for peace talks. Credit: Social media/Reuters/RIA Novosti The high profile and public nature of the assassination on the streets of Moscow is likely to anger the Kremlin, which has been cautious on committing to any ceasefire meetings. Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. A criminal case has been opened. A partially destroyed electric scooter was also visible amongst the wreckage. Russian investigators said the bomb was concealed in a scooter - Shutterstock Russian state news agencies reported the device had an explosive force equivalent to 300g of TNT. Several cars and the first four floors of the apartment building were damaged. Russias radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, known as RKhBZ, are special forces who operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination. The units motto is: After us, there is nobody. Ukrainian prosecutors charged Lt Gen Kirillov in absentia on Monday with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said. Russia denied those accusations. The SBU has claimed that Russia used chemical weapons nearly 5,000 times under Kirillovs leadership. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, threatened the Ukrainian leadership with imminent revenge for the assassination. Realising the inevitability of its military defeat, it launches cowardly and despicable strikes in peaceful cities, he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. Russian investigators say the blast was equivalent to 300 grams of TNT - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, meanwhile accused Ukraines allies of being accomplices in the assassination. All those who welcome terrorist attacks or deliberately hush them up are accomplices, she said on social media, accusing the West of increasing approval for war crimes by fighters for the Kyiv regime. Britain sanctioned Lt Gen Kirillov in October over the reported use of riot control agents and choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Chloropicrin, an oily substance that was widely used in the trenches during the First World War, causes irritation to the eyes, skin blistering and can induce vomiting, diarrhoea and potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs. The chemical agent is banned under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention, which Russia has signed. Lt Gen Kirillov has previously accused Ukraine, without evidence, of conspiring to build a dirty bomb. The blast shattered windows in the opposite block - Shutterstock In the summer of 2023, the general also levelled baseless accusations at Washington, claiming the US was supplying Kyiv with special drones carrying infected mosquitoes intended to spread malaria amongst Russian troops. In October, the British Foreign Office described Lt Gen Kirillov as a significant Kremlin mouthpiece, used to spread lies around chemical weapons to mask Russias shameful and dangerous behaviour. John Foreman, a former British defence attache in Moscow, described Lt Gen Kirillov as a compulsive liar who claimed Covid was created by the US to undermine Russia. I regarded him, in a packed field, as one of the most ludicrous members of the Russian general staff whose every utterance over the last three years has been false, he said, adding: Hes a rather hapless cartoonish character, wheeled out periodically to spread lies. Lt Gen Kirillov also oversaw the development of Russias TOS-2 flamethrower system, which has reportedly been deployed in Ukraine. In July 2021, Vladimir Putin awarded him the Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation for exceptional work serving the Fatherland. Andrei Gurulyov, State Duma deputy and former military commander, claimed Kirillovs role included tracking the entire criminal activity of the US and its satellites, including their criminal biolabs and the spread of chemical and biological weapons. In a post on Telegram, Gurulyov lamented that there are no rules anymore and called for attacks on the West regardless of who was the executor to show a tough response. Russia says Ukraine has carried out a string of targeted assassinations on its soil since the start of Moscows full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. The apartment complex has been cordoned off - Reuters The most high-profile cases include the 2022 killing of Daria Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist philosopher Alexander Dugin, in a car bomb attack near Moscow, the murder of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in 2023 by a booby-trapped bust at a cafe in Saint Petersburg, and the shooting last year of Stanislav Rzhitsky, Russian submarine commander accused of war crimes by Kyiv, in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. Last week, a Russian scientist who helped develop cruise missiles used against Ukraine was shot dead in a forest near Moscow. Ukraines intelligence service claimed that it had assassinated Mikhail Shatsky, the deputy director of a Moscow-based ballistics engineering unit. Anyone who is involved in the development of the Russian military-industrial complex and support of Russian aggression in Ukraine one way or another is a legitimate target, a Ukrainian defence source told the Kyiv Independent. A Ukrainian source said of the Kirillov killing: Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable. Meanwhile, Downing Street said the UK would not mourn the death of Kirillov. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Clearly we are not going to mourn the death of an individual who has propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people. We have always been clear that Ukraine has the right to self-defence against Russias illegal war. As the Prime Minister said just yesterday, Russia could put an end to this conflict today. It is Russian aggression that is causing this conflict and the ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people. Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu - Michael Thompson/AFP A powerful earthquake has hit the Pacific island country of Vanuatu, levelling buildings in the capital of Port Vila. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck 18 miles off the coast of Vanuatus main island, Efate, just before 2am on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings. Witnesses reported bodies lying in the street, while the wounded have been gathering outside the main hospital. Michael Thompson, a resident who runs a zip line adventure business, told AFP: Theres people in the buildings in town. There were bodies there when we walked past. One person has been confirmed dead with authorities expecting the death toll to rise. No casualties among foreign personnel have been reported. Credit: Stephane Rivier, Michael Thompson A 5.5-magnitude aftershock struck minutes later in the same spot, followed by a string of lesser tremors over subsequent hours. A landslide on one road had covered a bus, Mr Thompson said, so theres obviously some deaths there. Photographs showed landslips that sent tons of earth and large rocks tumbling down a steep hill over the international shipping terminal. Credit: Dan McGarry The British High Commission was damaged as well as embassies used by the US, France and New Zealand, which are in the same building. As well as destroying the ground floor of the diplomatic building, the earthquake knocked down at least two bridges and toppled other buildings, Mr Thompson said. Buildings collapsed during the earthquake - Michael Thompson/AFP No casualties have been reported amongst foreign personnel - AFP The bottom floor of the embassy block no longer exists, he said, adding: It is just completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but they have dropped. If there was anyone in there at the time, then theyre gone. Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago with a population of 320,000 people. The archipelago straddles the seismic Ring of Fire, an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. Igor Kirillov was killed by a scooter bomb in Moscow. Photograph: AP Gasping, choking. On Ukraines frontline, the countrys soldiers report what statistics show: a persistent use of chemical weapons, mostly teargas, whose deployment on the battlefield is illegal. The US and UK go further in their accusations and say Russia is using another toxic agent, chloropicrin, first employed to gruesome effect in the trenches of the first world war. Behind the effort are the radiological, chemical and biological defence troops of the Russian ministry of defence, known as RKhBZ. The US and UK say they are a specialised unit, responsible in part for the use of chemicals on the battlefield, and their head was Igor Kirillov, killed in Moscow by a bomb hidden in a scooter, in an attack that was carried out by Kyiv. Ukraine says 4,800 uses of chemical weapons by Russia have been documented since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, and more than 2,000 people hospitalised. Multiple media reports, citing soldiers testimony, report that small first-person view (FPV) drones are used to drop gas grenades on Ukrainian positions, choking unprotected soldiers or forcing them into the open so they can be picked off. In May, the US said Russia was using teargas and other riot control agents on the battlefield and also chloropicrin. Banned by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the battlefield, chloropicrin is a faint yellow liquid that, when released near human beings, causes choking, dizziness, intense eye pain, skin irritation, vomiting and, in the most severe cases, death. The US state department said: The use of such chemicals is not an isolated incident, and is probably driven by Russian forces desire to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield. It went on to announce sanctions against the Russian RKhBZ unit. In October, the UK went further. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, and John Healey, the defence secretary, accused Russia of breaching the chemical weapons convention and imposed sanctions on both the unit and Kirillov himself. Russias cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent, Lammy said, and the UK also said chloropicrin was among the chemical agents used. A study by the Kyiv Independent published in August, based on data released by Ukrainian officials, suggested the battlefield use of chemical agents was increasing in the first half of this year. It said there were 81 reported incidents in December 2023, rising to 715 in May, though numbers dropped again as the winter loomed, falling to 166 cases, according to Ukrainian data. Hours before Kirillovs death, Ukraines SBU internal security service released its own report online that concluded that the Russians are using chemical weapons mainly in the hottest areas of combat, where they are trying to hide the use of chemical agents under dense artillery fire. Russia has denied using chemical weapons in Ukraine, with Kirillov himself responsible for many of the denials. Russia destroyed all stockpiles of chemical weapons in September 2017, the general said in February, though allegations about the use of novichok on Sergei Skripal and Alexei Navalny point to the contrary. Kirillov also claimed that Russia found a chemical weapons laboratory near Avdiivka in Ukraine, though the claim has never been verified. Related: Killing of Russian general cements SBUs reputation for abrupt vengeance Until recently, official inquiries by the OPCW on either side have been limited, partly because to act the international body needs to be invited by either Russia or Ukraine to investigate. The use of chloropicrin has not been proven by the OPCW, but last month, after a visit to Ukraine, the watchdog said evidence for the use of a type of teargas was conclusive for the first time. The analyses by the OPCW designated laboratories, conducted separately and independently from one another, confirm that the grenade and soil samples collected from the trench contain the riot control agent 2-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile known as CS, the body reported. Under the chemical weapons convention signed by Russia, it added, the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare is prohibited. The Chinese embassy in London has accused some UK parliamentarians of having a twisted mentality towards China, after the identity of a businessman accused of being a spy was revealed on Monday. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said on Tuesday that anti-China clamours were an attempt to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and undermine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. On Monday, the high court in London lifted an anonymity order that had been in place in the case of a Chinese businessman and confidant of Prince Andrew who is accused of being a Chinese spy. The man at the heart of the row, Yang Tengbo, had asked for the court to lift the anonymity order so that he could challenge what he describes as ill-founded claims against him. Several MPs had been considering using their parliamentary privilege to name Yang before the anonymity order was lifted. Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative party leader and strong critic of the Chinese government, said on Monday that the allegations surrounding Yang were the tip of the iceberg of Chinese influence in the UK. Yang was excluded from the UK in 2023 by the then home secretary, Suella Braverman, on the grounds that it was conducive to the public good. For the past two decades Yang has divided his life between the UK and China, and in 2013 he had been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Yang is accused of being a member of the united front work department, the arm of the Chinese Communist party (CCP) responsible for overseas influence. He denies being a Chinese spy. In a statement, Yang said he was a victim of souring UK-China relations. 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. He said he was planning to appeal against the decision to exclude him from the UK. The Chinese embassy spokesperson said: The united front led by the [CCP] endeavours to bring together various political parties and people from all walks of life, ethnic groups and organisations to promote cooperation between the [CCP] and people who are not members of it and promote people-to-people exchanges and friendship with other countries. This is above board and beyond reproach. Though some UK politicians attempted to demonise Chinas united front work, they are doomed to fail. Yangs case has raised questions about how the UK government deals with influential Chinese nationals, at a time when the security services have highlighted the threat posed to the UK by political interference from China. On Monday, Keir Starmer defended his governments greater openness towards Beijing, saying: Its important to engage. Nick Candy, Elon Musk and Nigel Farage in front of a painting of Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago - Stuart Mitchell A Monday afternoon visit to Mar-a-Lago, and boy was it busy. Throughout the day, the worlds biggest tech giants were queuing up to meet Donald Trump, from Kris Marszalek, the head of Crypto.com, to Shou Zi Chew, the chief executive of TikTok. This transition period was nothing like what I saw in 2016: there is a sense of order, determined calm and above all optimism. Trumps personal ratings continue to rise in a way thats not been seen before in an incoming president. And is it any wonder? I met with Japanese billionaire investor Masa Son, of Soft Bank, shortly after he had given a press statement with Trump standing next to him, in which he promised over the course of his term to invest $100 billion in America and create up to 100,000 new jobs in tech and AI. In response, Trump took the podium and said: Thank you, and why dont you double it up to $200 billion to which Son replied that Trump was a great negotiator, and certainly did nothing to refuse Trumps kind request. This is just one example of the atmosphere in Mar-a-Lago and the increasing aura around President Trump himself. It is no exaggeration to say that there is real excitement in the air and no one doubts that, by the date of the inauguration on Jan 20, the Trump administration is going to hit the ground running. JD Vance and Nigel Farage meet All of this is in such marked contrast to the doom, gloom and misery that is all-pervading in the United Kingdom at the moment. I have little doubt that, with every public utterance that comes from Prime Minister Starmer or the questionably qualified Chancellor of the Exchequer, that all we are doing is talking ourselves into a recession. Unlike Trump, who understands the ups and downs of investing, of risk capital and of new ventures, it is clear that our Labour front bench has no comprehension of what the private sector even is. The main purpose of my visit, alongside Nick Candy, my new Reform UK treasurer, was a scheduled meeting with Elon Musk. He was very generous with his time, and I was particularly fascinated to listen as he explained his organisation of the ground campaign that took place in the seven key swing states. Elon Musk in a meeting with Nick Candy and Nigel Farage There is little doubt that Musks contribution to the scale of the Trump victory is not to be underestimated. I have come home with copious notes of how they increased the turnout, voter registration and so much more, and all of this I intend to implement as part of the professionalisation of our party. It is also heartening to listen to Elon speak about UK politics with such deep care. He regards the mother country of the English-speaking world as being in very deep trouble. He described the Labour and Conservative parties as the uniparty, and left us in no doubt that he is right behind us. Inevitably, following such intense media speculation, the issue of money was discussed, and there will be ongoing negotiations on that score. Several officials also came up to speak to me having seen my interventions around the vital military facility that the US has on Diego Garcia. I was able to assure them that the Chagos Islands surrender was not only wholly unnecessary but represented a bad deal for the United Kingdom, America, the free world and not least the Chagossian people. I promise the Labour Government there is trouble ahead on this issue. Belkis Teran, mother of Manuel Paez Teran, outside the courthouse in Decatur, Georgia, on 17 December 2024. Photograph: Jenni Girtman/AP Lawyers for the family of the environmental and social justice activist Manuel Paez Teran, known as Tortuguita, have filed a federal lawsuit against three officers involved in the killing of the Stop Cop City protester in a forested public park south-east of Atlanta nearly two years ago. The complaint alleges Paez Terans fourth amendment rights were violated during the early morning raid on the forest on 18 January 2023, when officers from two agencies threatened to arrest them as they camped in protest against a controversial police training center known as Cop City. It also alleges a violation of the activists first amendment rights, in retaliation for opposing the training center. The suit, announced by Atlanta law firm Spears & Filipovitz, is the most prominent among many legal filings surrounding the protest movement against Cop City to zero in on a key fact: that dozens of officers in Intrenchment Creek Park that day were under orders to clear out criminal trespassers. However, the park in question was public land, with no publicly-posted schedule, curfew or prohibition on camping, and is about a mile from the future police-training center that activists were protesting against. DeKalb county owns the park, while Atlanta owns the Cop City site. These facts form the basis for the complaints false arrest fourth amendment claim. The three officers named in the suit, from the Georgia bureau of investigation and state patrol, had taken part in a pattern of escalating raids in the forest and in Atlanta, targeting a broad-based movement against the training center. Now in its fourth year, the movement against Cop City has drawn national and global headlines, particularly after police shot and killed Paez Teran the first such incident of its kind in US history. Opposition to the project has come from a wide range of local and national supporters of causes like unchecked police militarization and the clearing of forests in an era of climate crisis. Atlanta police say the center is needed for world-class training. The second fourth amendment claim named in the suit alleges excessive use of force by two of the three officers, when they shot pepper balls into the tent where Paez Teran had been sleeping. Any person trapped inside a tent that is filled with [pepper balls] would reasonably believe that they were going to die, the complaint says. At the time [the officer] shot pepper balls into Manuels tent, Manuel had not engaged in any crime. Finally, the complaint alleges retaliation in violation of the first amendment. It says that the activists participation in the activities in Intrenchment Creek Park, including camping [] constituted core political speech, and that the operation to clear Intrenchment Creek Park followed from a months-long effort by state and local law enforcement agencies to portray those opposed to the construction of the police training center as domestic terrorists. The raids purpose and [defendant and GBI officer Ryan Longs] order to arrest everyone in Intrenchment Creek Park was to end the ongoing protest against the training center, the complaint says. One of the states claims in deciding, after nine months of investigation, that the officers actions had been justified, was that Paez Teran had a gun, and wounded one of them. But none of the officers were wearing body-cameras, and the state refused to release the investigative file underpinning its conclusions, citing a separate sprawling prosecution of 61 activists. Nonetheless, members of a handful of other agencies were nearby during the incident. Atlanta police released some body-cam videos taken from those officers; they appeared to show officers talking about hearing friendly fire. Within weeks, the GBI asked the police not to release more of them, citing the investigation into the shooting. Asked about the alleged exchange of gunfire, attorney Brian Filipovits answered: We dont know, referring to the lack of information about the incident. Thats our goal with this lawsuit: to get information for the family and, if someone is liable, hold them responsible. Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso, 39, a Filipina inmate on death row in Indonesia waves to reporters at the Class IIB Yogyakarta Women's Penitentiary on Sunday night Photograph: Antonius Jagad SR/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock A Filipino migrant worker who has spent almost 15 years on death row in Indonesia is expected to arrive home on Wednesday after a deal was struck between Manila and Jakarta. Mary Jane Veloso, 39, was sentenced to death after she was found guilty of drug trafficking in 2010, but has always maintained her innocence, saying she had been duped into carrying a suitcase containing drugs as she travelled to a new job abroad. She has described the decision to allow her to return home as a miracle. For almost 15 years I was separated from my children and parents, and I could not see my children grow up, she told Associated Press. I wish to be given an opportunity to take care of my children and to be close to my parents. Her case drew widespread sympathy in the Philippines and Indonesia, where many identified with the plight of a single mother who had gone abroad seeking better opportunities to provide for her two children. Many people in both countries have relatives who work abroad, where they are vulnerable to exploitation by abusive recruiters and bosses. Veloso was moved from a prison in Yogyakarta city to a female-only jail in the capital, Jakarta, on Sunday. She will fly to Manila after midnight on Tuesday and is expected to arrive at about 5.40am local time (2140 GMT) on Wednesday, according to her lawyer, Edre Olalia, the chairperson attorney of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers. Her family was overjoyed and elated, he said, and would travel to meet her at Manila airport on Wednesday. In a statement, NUPL called for the family to have full and unhindered access to meet with her upon her arrival. Olalia told the Guardian it was unclear what would happen to Velosos case once she arrived back in the Philippines. Both governments have been, understandably, very discreet in release of the operational details, he said. Indonesias senior minister for law and human rights affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, earlier told media it had agreed the Philippines would respect the Indonesian courts sentencing of Veloso and her status as a prisoner in Indonesia. Indonesia would also respect any decision made by the Philippines, including if she was given clemency. Theres a range of possibilities. [One] is that she will be transported straight to a facility for women prisoners and processed there. Or that she be granted clemency through absolute pardon right away at the get-go. An absolute pardon could be granted by President Ferdinand Marcos as soon as she arrives, he added. Velosos family and supporters have undergone a long and gruelling journey to secure her return, including drawn-out legal battles, diplomatic efforts, an online petition and even visits by the Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao. Veloso was almost executed by firing squad in 2015 but was granted a temporary reprieve at the last minute after the late former Philippine president, Benigno Aquino, appealed to the Indonesian government, saying Veloso was required as a witness in a separate legal case. This appeal came after a woman who was accused of recruiting Veloso for a job abroad and of planting drugs on her handed herself in to the police in Manila. Aquino said Veloso would be needed to testify in the case against her. Only Veloso was granted the reprieve at the time. Eight others including two Australians who were part of the Bali Nine heroin-smuggling ring, four Nigerians, a Brazilian and an Indonesian were shot dead. Born to an impoverished family in the northern city of Cabanatuan, Veloso married at 17 but later separated from her husband with whom she has two sons. She moved to Dubai in 2009 to work as a domestic helper but said she was forced to flee after she was the victim of an attempted rape. After returning home, Veloso said Maria Kristina Sergio, the daughter of one of her godparents, offered her a different role as a domestic worker and told her to fly to Indonesia. Veloso alleges that the woman provided her with new clothes and a bag, which had 2.6kg (5.73lb) of heroin sewn into it. Sergio has disputed this account. Velosos legal team had previously launched two appeals in Indonesia, arguing she did not have a competent translator, and that she was scammed, but both failed. Indonesia on Sunday allowed five remaining members of the Bali Nine to return to their home country. The men have since had the rest of their life sentences commuted on humanitarian grounds on the condition that they continue rehabilitation in Australia. Indonesia said its agreement with the Philippines was reciprocal and that if Indonesia in the future asked for its citizens jailed in the Philippines to be repatriated, this would have to be considered. Veloso will be banned from returning to Indonesia. Personnel cordon off the area after a suspect arrested in Gilgo Beach serial killings in Massapequa Park, Long Island, New York, in July 2023. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer previously charged in the deaths of six women on New Yorks Long Island was charged on Tuesday with the murder of a seventh alleged victim. Valerie Mack, 24, is the latest murder victim linked to Rex Heuermann. Mack, of New Jersey, was for two decades known as Jane Doe No 6. Her torso was discovered in a wooded lot in Manorville in November 2000 and the rest of her remains were found 11 years later near Gilgo Beach before her identification through DNA in 2020. The remains of Mack found on Gilgo Beach were alongside those of other women who authorities believe were also allegedly targeted by Heuermann, 61. He has been under arrest and jailed awaiting trial since July 2023. Heuermann had pleaded not guilty to the earlier charges when he appeared on Tuesday on the charge connected to Macks death. Im not guilty of any of these charges, he said. At a news conference with Macks parents, the local district attorney Ray Tierney said that victims relatives along with the lives of these women matter most. We, as investigators, understand that, Tierney said. No one understands that more than the families. According to court papers, female hair found on Macks remains was linked to Heuermanns wife and daughter through DNA testing. Prosecutors said that mitochondrial DNA tests on the head hair found near Macks left wrist excluded 99.65% of the North American population. Those not excluded: a daughter of Heuermann who was between three and four years old at the time Mack was killed and his wife, Asa Ellerup. Outside the court, Heuermanns lawyer Michael Brown disputed the evidence presented in Macks death, noting that hair samples collected from her body were recovered more than a year ago. He said the DNA technology used to connect her and other victims to his client has never been deemed reliable in a New York case. He also argued that Tierneys office has yet to produce proof that any of the victims DNA was found in Heuermanns home, including the many weapons and tools seized during recent searches of the property. Theres something a little weird about these allegations, Brown said. Something that doesnt sit right. Prosecutors have said Macks breasts were mutilated and her remains tied with rope in a similar fashion to pornographic images on Heuermanns electronic devices from around the time she was killed. Prosecutors also said an alleged planning document found on his devices lists foam drain cleaner among supplies prosecutors believe he sought while trying to cover up his alleged killings. Investigators also said they recovered a collection of physical copies of magazine and newspaper articles about the killing, including copies of Newsday, the New York Post, People and New York magazine that Heuermann kept at his Long Island home. According to prosecutors, six of Heuermanns alleged seven victims are linked to the defendant or his family by DNA evidence. Prosecutors said that in addition to dismemberment two continuous ragged defects found on Macks breast were made after her death. The alleged serial killer also removed a tattoo of Macks sons name from her left ankle, prosecutors suspect. Heuermann became a suspect in Macks killing in June when prosecutors revealed a document they discovered that referred to Manorville near gun clubs in which Heuermann was enrolled as a potential dump site. Mack was last seen by family in October 2000. She had been a sex worker like the six other victims Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. The remains of four of the women were discovered intact along Gilgo Beach on southern Long Island. But two others had been separated with some body parts in Gilgo Beach, Manorville and North Sea. Investigators have long believed the deaths were related. Heuermann, a New York architect, was initially charged with the murders of Waterman, Barthelemy and Costello, who were killed between 2009 and 2010. He was later charged with the killings of Taylor, in 2003, and Costilla, in 1993. Prosecutors have also named Heuermann a suspect in the death of Karen Vergata, whose remains were found in different locations in 2011 and in 1996, though he has not been charged with her death. The childrens wellbeing and schools bill will introduce registers to keep track of children not in school, while parents seeking to educate their child at home will face greater scrutiny. Photograph: Surrey Police/PA Measures to tighten up home schooling in England in the wake of 10-year-old Sara Sharifs murder at the hands of her father and stepmother are to be unveiled in a bill before parliament on Tuesday. The childrens wellbeing and schools bill will enable the government to introduce registers to identify and keep track of children not in school, while parents seeking to educate their child at home will face greater scrutiny. Under the new legislation, parents will no longer have an automatic right to educate their children at home if their child is subject to a child protection investigation or under a child protection plan. If a childs home environment is judged to be unsuitable or unsafe, councils will also have new powers to intervene in home schooling arrangements and require school attendance for any child. The bill was welcomed by the childrens commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, who said: The urgency with which this legislation is being introduced to parliament demonstrates the importance of these issues. It lays a foundation for change in many childrens lives many of whom have been neglected or hidden by services working in silo. For these children, this legislation cannot come quickly enough. Sara Sharif was found dead in her bunk bed at the family home in Surrey on 10 August 2023 four months after being taken out of school to be educated at home, despite recent social services referrals after teachers noticed bruises on her face. Last week, her father, Urfan Sharif, 42, and her stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, were found guilty of her murder. Her uncle Faisal Malik, 29, who lived with them, was convicted of causing or allowing her death. The new bill will also pave the way for the introduction of a unique identifier number for children across services rather like an adults national insurance number to help join up relevant data and prevent children from falling through the cracks. New rules governing schools in England, meanwhile, indicate a slight shift away from the predominance of the academies programme. Under the proposals, failing schools run by local authorities will not be automatically forced to become an academy, and councils will be able to welcome proposals for all types of school, not just academies. The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: In recent years, too many children have been failed by their last line of defence: the state. This bill will be a seminal moment for child protection. No more words, no more lessons learned. This government will put children first at every turn. Humza Yousaf resigned as Scotlands first minister in April - Jane Barlow Humza Yousaf has claimed he is quitting Scottish politics to take up a role on the global stage and to help bring peace to the world. The former first minister, whose tenure in Bute House ended after little more than a year when he botched the termination of the SNPs coalition deal with the Scottish Greens, confirmed he would not stand for re-election at Holyrood in 2026. The 39-year-old said he instead hoped to use his experience he had gained, including of what not to do, to make a good contribution on the global stage. In an interview with Mehdi Hasan, a British-American journalist based in Washington DC, Mr Yousaf added that he hoped to also contribute to conflict resolution across the world and fighting far-Right extremism in the West. His comments raised eyebrows at Holyrood, where he spectacularly blew up his own premiership after tearing up Nicola Sturgeons coalition pact with the Scottish Greens, a deal he had repeatedly described previously as worth its weight in gold. He announced his resignation in April this year, just over a year after he became first minister, after the Greens made clear they would topple him by backing a motion of no confidence in his leadership. His tenure was also characterised by a string of gaffes, including stating that he did not believe the SNP was a criminal organisation amid a major police probe into party finances. While he was running for the SNP leadership, he asked a group of female Ukrainian refugees where all the men were, leaving the victims of Putins invasion to explain their husbands had to stay behind to fight in the war. Come 2026, I will have served 15 years as an MSP. The time will be right for me to move on. As the son of immigrants, I could never have imagined the incredible political journey I have been on. I feel blessed. Thank you to all of those who have supported me over the years. pic.twitter.com/m1WmuG09X7 Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) December 17, 2024 Mr Yousaf told Mr Hassan that he had achieved a lot in almost 15 years in Holyrood but that the time for me, come 2026, to step away will be the right time for me and my family. He said: I think Ive got a lot to contribute, things that Ive learned of what to do, things that Ive learned of what not to do, and hope to be able to use some of that experience to make a good contribution on the global stage. What will I do next? Look, I would love to contribute particularly to conflict resolution across the world and peacemaking, because theres far too much conflict in our world, and it seems to only be getting worse. And Im also very passionate, as weve discussed, about tackling the far-Right and the rise of populism in the UK, Europe and the West. Mr Yousaf also vowed to continue to campaign for Scottish independence, and suggested that international mediators could be brought in to lead negotiations between the UK and Scottish Governments about a route to a new referendum. Humza Yousaf is clearly hoping all those world leaders who he claimed sought advice from his SNP government will be queuing up to offer him a new job, Stephen Kerr, the Scottish Tory MSP, said. They will likely think twice when they see his abysmal record across his time in government, where he repeatedly failed the people of Scotland. John Swinney, who succeeded Mr Yousaf as First Minister, said he was sorry to see his predecessor step down from Holyrood. He has been a pioneer in Scottish politics, he said. I wish Humza, Nadia [his wife] and their family much peace together. Enrollment in public school districts in and around the central Houston area are declining as more students join suburban districts and charter schools, according to statewide enrollment data. The Houston Chronicle analyzed Texas Education Agency enrollment data for over 60 traditional school districts and over 200 open-enrollment charter campuses across Houston and its suburbs to get a picture of how schools are changing across the area. Loading... Inconsistent growth across traditional school districts Student enrollment at traditional districts in the Houston area increased by about 6% to over 1.3 million in 2023-24, up from about 1.23 million students in 2014-15, according to the Houston Chronicles analysis. Though enrollment took a slight dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment within the districts in our analysis rebounded and slightly exceeded pre-pandemic levels by the 2022-23 school year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Loading... However, enrollment changes were a mixed bag across districts in the region, with some experiencing large increases as others declined. The Chronicles analysis showed that districts in and immediately surrounding the city of Houston had declining enrollment over the last decade, while many suburban districts further from the city center grew. In total, 19 area districts declined in student enrollment from 2014-15 to 2023-24. Houston ISD lost the most students over 30,000 during this timeframe, while Damon ISD had the sharpest percentage decrease, shrinking by nearly 50% from 189 students to just over 100. Aldine ISD also showed significant declines, losing over 10,000 students in the last 10 years, a decline of about 17%. Loading... Meanwhile, several area districts have shown enrollment booms. Tomball, Richards, Cleveland, and Barbers-Hill ISDs along with Lamar CISD have all had enrollment gains of 50% or more over the last 10 years. Cleveland ISD is the fastest-growing in the area by far the district more than tripled its student population over the last decade due to the Colony Ridge development growing to about 12,000 in 2023-24 from just under 4,000 students in 2014-15. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katy ISD added the most students over the last decade, growing by close to 25,000 students since 2014-15. Lamar CISD and Conroe ISD also showed significant increases, adding about 16,000 students each. Loading... Charter vs. traditional campuses According to the Chronicles analysis, enrollment at the average Houston-area charter school campus grew by 25% from the 2014-15 school year to 2023-24. By comparison, enrollment at the average traditional public school campus shrunk by about 3%. Loading... When comparing enrollment changes in charter versus traditional schools, the Chronicle looked at campus-level rather than district-level data because a single charter district can include campuses across the state. For example, KIPP Texas Public Schools, a prominent charter district in Houston, is based in Travis County, but its district-level data includes schools in both the Houston and Austin areas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For this analysis, the Chronicle looked only at charter schools within the Houston area, regardless of where the district was based. Additionally, the Chronicle only looked at campuses with a decades worth of data. Although there are about 170 charter campuses spread across the Houston region, only about 80 have enrollment data available for the last decade. Alternative or disciplinary campuses for charter and traditional campuses were not included. Overall, charter schools across the Houston area have nearly doubled in enrollments over the last decade, adding almost 44,000 students since 2014-15. According to the Chronicles analysis, charter providers have also opened more than 50 new campuses since 2014-15. KIPP Texas Public Schools was the largest charter school provider in the Houston area last school year, enrolling just over 22,000 students at its 32 campuses throughout the Houston area. That's an increase of almost 11,000 students in a decade. Loading... A handful of other charter operators have also grown significantly over recent years. YES Prep, Aristoi Academy, Odyssey Academy, Harmony Public Schools, and Texas College Preparatory Academies all more than doubled enrollments at their area schools over the last decade. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite overall gains at Houston-area traditional campuses, enrollment growth was concentrated within a small subset of campuses, while the majority of schools had declines. Only about a quarter of the traditional schools showed enrollment increases, and about half of all schools analyzed had enrollment declines of 10% or more. HISDs Energized for STEM Academy High and Cleveland ISDs Cleveland High were the fastest-growing campuses within traditional districts in the area over the last 10 years. Cleveland Highs enrollment ballooned from under 1,000 students in 2014-15 to almost 3,600 last year, while Energized for STEM a campus-level charter school within HISD rose tenfold from under 50 students to over 500 over the period. Central Middle in Galveston ISD, Richards High in Richards ISD, and Crosby Elementary in Crosby ISD are among the other traditional public schools that have seen their enrollments more than triple over the last decade. Loading... Despite the expansion of charter schools into the Houston area in recent years, the share of students attending open-enrollment charter schools in the area remains quite small. Of the nearly 1.4 million Houston-area public school students in our analysis, only about 7% attended a charter campus as of the 2023-24 school year. An overflow pipe releases water into the River Thames, sewage spills from overflow valves should only occur in exceptional circumstances - DAN KITWOOD/GETTY IMAGES Water companies have effectively been given approval for illegal sewage spills by industry watchdogs, a new ruling has found. The Environment Agency (EA), Ofwat and the environment department (Defra) all failed to properly apply the law on water companies releasing sewage, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has ruled. Sewage spills from overflow valves on the network should only occur in exceptional circumstances, such as during unusually heavy rainfall, according to regulations dating back to 1994. But the three watchdogs have applied less stringent conditions to water companies over the sewage spills, which hit a record level of 464,000 last year, the OEP found. Only about 100 of these spills each year are found to be illegal by the EA, which sets the permit conditions that water companies have to comply with. The permits effectively allow sewage spills to occur during regular heavy rain or snow melt, rather than only during exceptional circumstances. Sewage spills hit a record level of 464,000 last year, the OEP found - DAN KITWOOD/GETTY IMAGES The law also allows for exceptions where costs to address the issue would be disproportionate to the benefits gained. The ruling is the conclusion of a three-year investigation by the OEP, which was set up after Brexit to take over responsibility for enforcing environmental laws. It said Ofwat, which sets the level and direction of water company investment, has failed to take proper account of the laws on sewage spills. The OEP investigation was triggered by a complaint from campaigners at charity WildFish, which said pollution would not be plaguing English rivers if the Government and regulators had done their job. Guy Linley-Adams from WildFish said the problem was a legacy of Labour as much as of the Tories. 30 years of under investment This scandal has been going on since 1994, he said. Weve had 30 years of under investment. The OEP has sent each of the public authorities a decision notice setting out its findings and the steps that it considers should be taken to put matters right. They have two months to respond and confirm whether they are going to take those steps, with failure to do so resulting in potential court action. The OEP said the EA, Defra and Ofwat had already taken positive steps to address the issues identified. Defra and the EA have announced consultations on updated guidance and permit conditions, while Ofwat has issued draft enforcement orders to three water companies during an investigation of the sector. Ofwat is also expected to announce a major increase in water bills for the next five years on Thursday, after the industry said it needed more cash to fund investment to fix sewage spills and other issues. Only permitted in exceptional circumstances Helen Venn, the OEPs chief regulatory officer, said: The core issue identified in our investigation is the circumstances in which the regulatory system allows untreated sewage discharges to take place. We interpret the law to mean that they should generally be permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as during unusually heavy rainfall. This is unless an assessment of the CSO concludes that the costs to address the issue would be disproportionate to the benefits gained. While the public authorities are now taking steps to ensure their approaches are aligned and reflective of the law, we have found that this has not always been the case. Rectifying the issues A Defra spokesman said: We welcome the OEPs acknowledgement that this government is rectifying the issues identified. We will carefully consider the OEPs allegations of breaches before formally responding in due course. An Environment Agency spokesman said: We have always welcomed the focus the OEP has brought to storm overflows regulation, have fully cooperated with their investigation, and will now carefully consider its decision notice. We recognise regulation of the water industry needs to improve, which is why we are transforming our approach with more people, powers and data alongside better training for our staff. This is ensuring we have a water system fit for people and the environment. A spokesman for Ofwat said: We are actively taking steps to remedy the issues the OEP has identified. A courtroom sketch of Alexander Smirnov in February this year - William T. Robles An ex-FBI informant has pleaded guilty to falsely telling the bureau that Joe Biden and his son Hunter had taken $5 million in bribes from a Ukrainian energy firm. Alexander Smirnov, 44, pleaded guilty to creating a false record in a federal investigation, as well as three counts of tax evasion for failing to pay taxes and penalties on $2.1 million in income for 2020 through to 2022. Russian-born Smirnov, a dual US-Israeli citizen, faces up to six years in prison under the terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors. US District Judge Otis Wright, sitting in Los Angeles, set sentencing for Jan 8. Smirnov was indicted for fabricating claims that Ukrainian energy firm Burisma had paid millions of dollars in bribes to Hunter Biden, who was on the Burisma board, and his father, who was the vice-president to Barack Obama at the time, to protect it from a criminal investigation. Events were fabrications The events defendant first reported to the (FBI) handler in June 2020 were fabrications, according to the plea deal filing. When he was interviewed by FBI agents in September 2023, defendant repeated some of his false claims, changed his story as to other of his claims, and promoted a new false narrative, it said. Congressional Republicans seeking to impeach Joe Biden had touted Smirnovs statements as evidence that the Biden family was collectively involved in a criminal enterprise. The impeachment effort in the House of Representatives turned up nothing to substantiate the allegations, however, and ground to a halt. Hunter Biden was convicted of gun and tax charges earlier this year and pardoned by his father. A lawyer for Smirnov was contacted for comment, AP reported. Keir Starmer: A lot of money has been raised [for Ukraine], funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed. Photograph: Valda Kalnina/EPA Keir Starmer is to visit British troops serving on Russias border after saying that Ukraine will require more funding and capability. The prime minister was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia, where he met leaders of other Baltic states. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Starmer 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. The Labour leader added: A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed. After signing an energy partnership with the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stre, in Bergen, Starmer flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Stre and their Estonian counterpart, Kristen Michal. Starmer also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. He 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. 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 troops serving in the region to deter Russian forces. The King leaving the Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Farm Street Church, after attending an advent service - Amanda Rose/Avalon The King has told a multi-faith advent service that he is praying for Syria and for displaced people. The monarch was welcomed to the service in London on Tuesday which celebrated the strength and courage of faith communities with religious leaders and Christian refugees. They are the Kings first comments about the Middle Eastern country since the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime and the takeover of Damascus by Islamist-led rebels on Dec 7. During his visit, the King joined a Catholic congregation that has been supporting a charity helping Christians persecuted across the Middle East and the rest of the world. The King meets street artist Kollier Din-Bangura at the advent service - Arthur Edwards/Getty Images There, he met Sister Annie Demerjian, from the Syrian Catholic Church, who described a desperate situation in her homeland after the fall of the regime She said: It is desperate but we are praying for a better future. It was an honour to meet His Majesty once again He remembered my name having met him a few years ago when I was in the UK, and he asked me about the situation in my country. He said he was praying for us, for all the people who have been displaced and find themselves battling against (the) odds. She added: We are praying and we are hoping for a better future and we appreciate your Kings support. Sister Demerjian said Christians would now flock back to the country after the fall of the regime, but shortages of food, shelter and other medical resources were an issue. Many will come to the aid of their brothers and sisters and we hope to raise the profile of the need for help for many people, she explained. She also revealed she gifted the King, 76, a honey cane from her homeland, saying: I am not sure if he will even like it, but I felt I needed to show our appreciation for his support for us. Artist Kollier Din-Bangura with his work at the advent service which was celebrating the strength and courage of faith communities The special advent service, held at the Farm Street Church in Mayfair, was called to specifically reflect on the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh, while highlighting the efforts of Aid to the Church in Need charity. Caroline Hall, director of the charity for displaced Christians, told the congregation how the world watched in horror as the ancient city of Mosul fell to Isis or Daesh forces a decade ago. Following a half hour service in the church, led by parish priest Father Dominic Robinson, the King met specially selected groups by Aid to the Church in Need. The advent service was called to specifically reflect on the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh in Iraq - Amanda Rose/Alamy Live News During these meetings, the monarch was handed an early Christmas present painted by an Iraqi refugee who fled her homeland ten years ago after Isis forces invaded and began persecuting Christians. The King spoke to mother Ban Butrus, 49, and her grown-up children Jolia, 27, Peter, 24 and Sofia, 23, who presented the King with a meaningful oil painting. The youngest, who moved to the UK with her family in 2016 after first settling in Syria, told the King it signified the turnaround of fortunes for Christians who have returned to their country since the fall of the so-called Islamic State. It depicts a reworking of the Arabic letter N, a reference to the word Nazarene, which Isis forces used to identify Christians who were later forced to flee the northern city of Mosul. Those targeted told of churches being turned into mosques while their homes were daubed with the letter N to denote Christians living there, before being ransacked and confiscated. Sofia explained that the dot in the middle of the letter has now become Christ reconciling a Christian, with the King replying that the artwork was extraordinary. Speaking after the monarchs visit, her sister Jolia said: Hes giving 100 per cent support to the people of Iraq and the King giving up his time to meet us is really important. Liz Kendall (right) previously promised to help women affected by changes to the state pension age - WASPI/PA A hellish stink blew through Parliament, and for once it did not come from the press gallery loo. It was Labours hypocrisy. Before the election, Liz Ive got bad news and worse news Kendall promised to help the Waspi women; now she told MPs Labour would abandon them, that shed run the numbers past Rachel Reeves and computer says no (the intelligence in that machine is largely artificial). Lefty backbenchers almost retched. It is unprecedented, said Rebecca Long-Bailey, for a government to agree with the findings of an ombudsman whose report decided the Waspi women were wronged but to refuse redress when a clear injustice has occurred. Others found it sad or a disappointment; Brian Leishman was appalled. Keir Starmer was unavailable for comment: he is on a state tour of the North Pole, trying to flog solar panels to elves. There was time, said Tory Helen Whately, between the reports release and the July election for Labour to be honest about its plans but it chose, in effect, to string voters along, just as it did on taxes and benefits. Remember: Starmer ran on trust. The election feels as if it was won on fraud. At this time of the year, ones thoughts turn to the children, to those young MPs who walked away from a BA in gender studies at Engels Polytechnic to join a Labour majority they imagined would be generous and honest. Instead, it is frugal and duplicitous, a part Liz Kendall inhabits well. She rolls up her sleeves. She frowns. She plays an invisible concertina between her Blairite hands. Her website once described her as a longstanding supporter of the Waspi campaign, from which she now distances herself as fast as Israel from Ireland, and the world from Prince Andrew. Computer says no: Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions - Lucy North/PA Labour is the party of the welfare state; the state takes as well as it gives, with equal pleasure at the power of both. Kendall could have delivered this statement behind a benefits office counter, informing you that youll be losing your home, possibly your kids, because you submitted the wrong form and then she points mutely at a sign that reads: We will not tolerate the abuse of staff. Because Labour, unique among political parties, always does the nastiest thing for the nicest reason. Watching the debate with a bemused air was economist MP Torsten Bell, who wrote a column earlier explaining that Labour is about answers not anger, suggesting the real choice is between social democrat builders and populist wreckers. So, they are saints. Theres a Labour core around Starmer and Reeves who truly believe they can do no wrong, that every farm sold off or heater turned down is the price of progress: and to dispute this is borderline wicked. Then theres a growing, outer rim of Labour MPs who look miserable, increasingly frightened. Who are they looking over their shoulder at? Not the Tories considering, Im told, replacing their tree symbol with a dead duck but Reform. This is probably my last sketch pre-Christmas, so have a good one. Im off to Mar-a-Lago with Nigel, Truss, Elon Musk and Roland Rat to fire guns at the moon. Crowds wave flags at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall - PA/Alamy A Labour grandee who suggested the Last Night of the Proms was not inclusive enough is to lead a review of Arts Council funding. Baroness Hodge, who served as culture minister during Gordon Browns premiership, has been appointed to lead a review of how the quango distributes its annual funding of 450 million. She will examine how the body can be made appropriate for the 21st century. In 2008, she suggested in a speech that cultural institutions should play a part in assimilation. She told the Institute for the Public Policy Research think tank: All too often, our institutions arent at their best when embodying common belongings themselves. The audiences for many of our greatest cultural events Im thinking in particular of the Proms are still a long way from demonstrating that people from different backgrounds feel at ease in being part of this. Her appointment comes after Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, made it her mission to improve access for the arts outside London, and the planned review will focus on ensuring everyone can enjoy a cultural life regardless of their background or where they live. Ms Nandy said: For too long only the privileged few in select parts of the country have been able to have access to high-quality arts or to believe a career within them was possible. This review is the first step on the journey to restoring peoples connection with the arts and culture in every region of the country. Baroness Hodge has been appointed to lead a review of the Arts Council - Eddie Mulholland Lady Hodge said she was keen to examine the rich contribution the arts can make to all of us, as individuals, in our communities and to the economy, and will head an expert panel representing different areas of the arts sector. In the 2008 speech, she set out a vision for using cultural institutions to help aid assimilation at a time when globalisation, migration and terrorism are challenging traditional concepts of identity and nationhood. The former MP for Barking also suggested that citizenship ceremonies for settling immigrants could take place in museums, galleries, theatres, libraries, historic houses and castles. She argued that cultural institutions should offer an inclusive sense of Britishness. Her review of Arts Council England, and its role in distributing funding more evenly across the UK, follows a row over the relocation of cultural institutions under the Tory government. English National Opera was told in 2022 that the entirety of its 12 million funding would be cut if it did not move outside London. This came following a directive to the Arts Council from Nadine Dorries, the then culture secretary, to address the huge historic imbalance in funding. The ensemble eventually agreed to move to Manchester, but board member Lord Sumption quit in 2023 over the philistine relocation, which he feared would leave the company financially unviable because a regional base would lack the well-established audience for opera enjoyed in London Rachel Reeves will make her first trip to Beijing as chancellor next month. Photograph: Wiktor Dabkowski/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock A review of UK-China relations has been delayed until after the chancellor makes her first trip to Beijing next month, the Guardian has learned, amid a row over an alleged spy who befriended Prince Andrew. Rachel Reeves will travel to China in early January as part of a charm offensive by the Labour government. The trip will be focused on financial services, and Tulip Siddiq, the City minister, is expected to travel with the chancellor. This will raise concerns among China hawks that ministers are set to reject pressure to subject business dealings with China to higher scrutiny. Such pressure intensified after the exclusion of Yang Tengbo, a businessman who ran the Duke of Yorks Pitch@Palace project in China and is said by security officials to be associated with an arm of the Chinese state. On Monday, Yang asked a court to lift an anonymity order so he could challenge ill-founded claims against him and he insisted he was not a spy. As part of a Labour manifesto commitment, the government is carrying out a cross-Whitehall audit of UK relations with China, which it had originally planned to publish at the same time as Reevess trip. However, the audit has now been pushed back to the spring, a Foreign Office source confirmed. Only part of its findings will be published. Two sources familiar with the reviews contents said they expected it to make policy recommendations, including on improving the governments China capabilities. Ministers are under pressure to declare China a threat to national security by including it in the enhanced tier of a new scheme to register foreign lobbyists. But banks and other financial services firms are concerned about the implications this would have on their operations. The foreign influence registration scheme is part of a shake-up of security laws announced by the previous Conservative government and would require those working for a foreign government to declare their role or face criminal prosecution. Similar schemes have been introduced in the US and Australia. There would be a basic level of declaration, called the political influence tier, and an enhanced tier for countries deemed a threat to national security, which is likely to include Russia, North Korea and Iran. MI5 and Home Office officials are said to believe it is vital that China is also designated an enhanced risk. Tom Tugendhat, a former security minister, said on Monday the security services were very, very clear the scheme was worthless without that. A No 10 source said Starmer had not yet made a decision but that they believed his instinct was not to do anything to hamper growth or to thwart an easing of relations with Beijing. Sources who worked in the Treasury and the Home Office under the former Tory prime minister Rishi Sunak said the scheme was almost ready to be announced shortly before he called an election this summer, despite long-running tensions between the two departments about whether to include China in the enhanced tier. A former government source said it would be down to Starmer to make the call on how to designate China. They said Sunak had come down on the side of wanting to do it but the election was called just as the Treasury began to prepare mitigations. When HMT [the Treasury] doesnt want something to happen, its very good at putting grit in the machine and slowing things down, the source said. They were trying to work out a way to do it in a way that didnt kill the City. A different Conservative source said: It took quite a lot of work between the Home Office and the Treasury to get it in a stage where it could be announced External concerns hadnt necessarily been completely assuaged ultimately it would have come down to a decision for the ministers involved. What is going on now is both the Treasury is still holding it up because they want to ensure concerns of financial services with links in China are being protected The institutional Treasury will have been getting loads of representations from externals this will have [had] a chilling effect. Whitehall sources do not expect Chinas designation to be resolved until the spring, with the scheme becoming operational in the summer. Dan Jarvis, the security minister, promised to lay the regulations in parliament in the new year and said the scheme was not ready to be implemented as has been claimed. A former minister involved in the discussions over the scheme in the Conservative government said there was strong pushback within the Treasury and suggested officials would raise the same concerns under Labour. The Home Office as always hadnt thought it through. You cant say that anyone visiting China for a meeting has to fill out deals of paperwork and prove they are not a spy, they said. The question is does the UK want growth or not? They have to realise China is not the same as Russia. The UK is right to have a balanced approach to China. It is one of the worlds largest economies and they are extremely powerful. Despite the rhetoric thats exactly what the Americans do. On Monday the Chinese embassy in London accused some MPs of having a twisted mentality towards China and said anti-China clamours were an attempt to smear China, target against the Chinese community in the UK and undermine normal personnel exchanges between China and the UK. Asteer Saleem, Abigail Barfield and Alex Zheng Quin were among the year 12 students revealed to have come first in an HSC subject. Composite: The Guardian A 20,000 word essay, testing the laws of physics and handling livestock are just a handful of the eclectic ways students across New South Wales have topped their HSC courses this year. The 131 students from more than 80 schools were revealed at a ceremony at the University of New South Wales on Tuesday. Four students topped more than one course, and 33 achieved equal first place. Guardian Australia spoke to some of the excited year 12 graduates. First place, youre joking Walla Walla graduate Jorja Barnett was straight on the phone to her agriculture teacher when she found out she had topped her primary industries subject. He was like you legend, thats mad, she says with a laugh. First place, youre joking. The St Pauls College student is one of four country girls who have come equal first in the course, which covers everything from fencing to driving a tractor and drenching sheep. None of them knew each other until the ceremony, though Barnett lives just an hour away from Red Bend Catholic College student Freya Hooper in Forbes. The pair of generational farmers travelled five hours to get to the ceremony, with Barnett waking at the punishing hour of 4am. Our industry is very male dominated, so to see us all come out on top is great, she says. A lot of this is our background you get to put where you grew up into the classroom. A student at Scots All Saints College at White Rock, Poppy Starr, was attracted to the subject for the preparation it gave her for the industry. We have cattle at school, so ours was all cattle-based, she says. Some run sheep, some run other livestock its about getting you ready for the workplace. Josephine Galcsik, of St Philips Christian College at Cessnock, has studied agriculture since year 8, spurred on by her love of horses. As soon as it was an option for me, I jumped on it straight away, she says. Reconfirming Newtons law Alex Zheng Qins initial reaction to getting a call from the NSW government was concern. It was really vague and ominous, he says. I thought theyd lost my paper or I spelt my student number wrong. In reality, the Knox Grammar School student was being informed hed topped his investigating science course a dynamic subject that allows students to choose their own self-directed project. They learned the fundamentals Marie Curies discovery of radium, the structure of DNA and then tested their knowledge in the laboratory. Zheng Qin decided to test the physics law of torque in his words, because it was the simplest thing to measure, and reconfirmed the mathematical formula. In laypersons terms, the law is one of rotational force the longer the distance, the more rotation will occur when you apply the use of force. If he attains a 95 for his Atar, Zheng Qin plans to apply to UCL in England and pursue biomedical engineering. I see science as a way for humanity to progress, he says. Why cant we put a smashed plate back together? When you lose something, you really value it When Asteer Saleem arrived in Australia from Iraq five years ago, she spoke no English and had missed her entire primary school education. Now, the St Mary Catholic College student speaks four languages and has graduated first in the state from the Secondary College of Languages in Arabic extension. When you lose something you really value it, she says. Im thankful of the events Ive been through, as much pain as its caused, it was all for a purpose I value education so much, its the strongest tool that we have in this world. Saleem started HSC with a string of science and mathematics subjects but then flipped. I was like thats not me, Im not doing what I want to do, she says. She switched to humanities courses three weeks in, and graduated with English, Arabic, legal studies and community family studies, and is planning to go on and study law. Arabic extension was her favourite subject it has its own magic, she says. You express yourself differently in it. But she doubted how she would go she couldnt even read the Arabic alphabet when she arrived in Australia. My teacher kept saying youll get it, youll get it but when I came out of the exam I was crying, I was like, Im not going to do well, she says. Then I got a call from an unknown number I wasnt going to answer it, she says. They told me and I was like are you serious, oh my God, is that real? Oh, Ive written 20,000 words Abigail Barfield learned about the First Fleet and the Stolen Generations in her early education, but it was the vast gaps in her knowledge that drew her to Aboriginal studies in the HSC. The Pymble Ladies College student says the freedom of the course was its most exciting component students were able to decide their own major work, drawn from any aspect of First Nations culture. There were no limits, so I wrote a 70-page, 20,000-word thesis on Aboriginal poetry and its applications, she says. The title of my work was Contemporary Aboriginal poetry and expressing voice, culture and truth. Dozens of interviews backgrounded the work, which included more than 30 poets and pieces of poetry. Im the type of person that if I start something and have all this information I dont want to cut it down, she says. I loved writing it and then it was like, oh, Ive written 20,000 words. Lord Rothschild (left) and Yang Tengbo were photographed in conversation together The late Lord Rothschild hosted an alleged Chinese spys company at a climate change event in his 19th-century mansion. Hampton Group International, a firm run by suspected agent Yang Tengbo, claimed it was invited to the Responsible Energy Forum 2021 at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. In a post shared on Chinese social media, the company said that a senior employee attended the two-day forum in October 2021 at the invitation of Lord Rothschild. He was among 50 policymakers and industry leaders from around the world at the event. It is unclear whether Mr Yang attended. In a separate post, Mr Yangs firm shared pictures of the late Lord Rothschild with both the alleged spy and another colleague. It also shared a photograph of Lord Rothschild and Mr Yang speaking across a dinner table. The pictures were taken at a separate dinner in summer 2021 hosted by the Hampton Group and the UK Chinese Business Association, according to Mr Yangs company. Yang Tengbo with Lord Rothschild in Beijing in May 2021 Lord Rothschild, a hereditary peer and scion of the Rothschild banking family, died in February aged 87. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Lord Rothschild or the Rothschild Foundation. It follows allegations that Mr Yang targeted the upper echelons of the British establishment as part of attempts to wield influence on UK soil. The businessman, 50, was unmasked as a suspected Chinese spy on Monday after an anonymity order was lifted. Hampton Group International appears to have seized on Mr Yangs meetings with high-profile figures including Prince Andrew and Lord Rothschild to boost its credentials in Beijing. The Telegraph has seen several posts on Chinese social media, shared by Hampton Group International, in which the consultancy firm boasts about being invited to Waddesdon Manor. It said the Rothschild family estate, built by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild from 1874 to 1889, was one of the most iconic places of interest in Britain with deep historical significance. The company also claimed to have personally invited the late Lord Rothschild to deliver a keynote speech at the International Financial Forum in Beijing in May 2021. In a virtual video address, the British financier applauded various climate-focused initiatives spearheaded by China. Hampton Group Internationals Chinese website also lists Rothschild and Co, an investment banking firm established by the Rothschild family, among its customers and partners. Mr Yang, was previously referred to under the codename H6 while an anonymity order was in place. The Home Office excluded him 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. He denies all wrongdoing. The Telegraph has seen photographs of Mr Yang sitting on the front row of a political conference inside the Great Hall of the People, Chinas main government building. The businessman sat on the front row at the opening ceremony of the Second Session of the 13th Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference in 2019, according to his company. He also attended a reception in the Great Hall in September 2021 to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. Speaking to Chinese state media following the event, Mr Yang reportedly said: The personal destiny of each of us is closely linked to the development of the motherland. Every Chinese works hard and strives for his or her dream, and when put together, it is the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The Rothschild Foundation and Rothschild and Co were approached for comment. Dr Dewi Evans, a retired paediatrician, was a key witness for the prosecution of Lucy Letby - Dimitris Legakis/Athena Evidence of Lucy Letbys guilt was compelling and overwhelming, the prosecutions chief medical expert has said after he was accused of being an unreliable witness. Dr Dewi Evans spoke after Letbys barrister said he would seek a fresh appeal on the grounds that Dr Evans changed his mind about how three babies in the case had died. The retired paediatrician from Carmarthen gave press interviews following the verdicts claiming that the mode of death was different to his original findings. He also prepared a new report on the death of Baby C a boy who died in June 2015 which has been handed to Cheshire Police but not disclosed to Letbys defence. Mark McDonald, the barrister for the former nurse convicted of murdering the babies, held a press conference on Monday to announce he was seeking a new appeal. However, in a statement released on Tuesday morning, Dr Evans said that he was still convinced of Letbys guilt and would happily take the stand again. Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others - Cheshire Constabulary If required I would be pleased to give evidence in the usual way, Dr Evans said. Mr Mark McDonalds observations regarding my evidence are unsubstantiated, unfounded, inaccurate. His method of presenting his information reflects clear prejudice and bias. I cannot recall any KC advocating on behalf of a client via a press conference, especially a case of such sensitivity. I find his style most unedifying, most unprofessional. Its highly disrespectful to the families of babies murdered and harmed by Lucy Letby. Dr Evans originally said that three babies anonymised at trial as I, P and C were killed by an injection of air into the stomach. He has since changed his mind to say it was likely to be air injected into a vein. However, Dr Evans said evidence of Letbys guilt in the case of Baby I a girl who died in October 2015 remained compelling and overwhelming, while evidence in the case of Baby P a boy who died in June 2016 was consistent and considerable. Dr Evans said that Letby had carried out a murderous assault on Baby C. Unprecedented request Mr McDonald told the press conference in London on Monday that he would take the unprecedented step of asking the Court of Appeal to review all her convictions based on Dr Evanss re-evaluation of the cases. Mr McDonald 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. But Dr Evans said three appeal court judges had already provided a very thorough review of the evidence and had denied Letby leave to appeal. They were supportive of my evidence, he added. They supported the verdict of the Manchester trial unreservedly. I am not in receipt of any information that indicates that the Appeal Court judges were mistaken. Letby, 34, of Hereford, is serving 14 whole-life terms after being convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospital in 2015 and 2016. Fifty experts Mr McDonald said he had 50 or 60 experts working free of charge to review the evidence against the former nurse. As well as asking for an appeal, he is planning to take the case to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. On Monday, it emerged that two neonatal experts had reviewed the cases of babies O and C and found no evidence of deliberate harm. Dr Neil Aiton and Dr Svilena Dimitrova, NHS consultants who are 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. Dr Richard Taylor a neonatologist from Victoria, British Columbia, who often helps police inquiries told the press conference he believed Baby O died after a needle was wrongly inserted into his liver by a doctor on the neonatal unit. Chester Police are currently investigating more deaths and collapses of babies at the Countess of Chester and Liverpool Womens hospitals and have not ruled out bringing further charges. Letby was interviewed in prison earlier this month. 3rd China-Indian Ocean forum on development cooperation held in Kunming Xinhua) 08:46, December 17, 2024 KUNMING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Third China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Development Cooperation was held on Monday in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Wang Yong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at the opening ceremony that the construction of a maritime community with a shared future is evolving from a Chinese initiative into a shared international goal, and from a blue concept into practical actions, thanks to joint efforts from China, countries in the Indian Ocean region and other relevant parties. China is willing to continue deepening practical cooperation with other countries, consolidating consensus in the area of sustainable marine development, strengthening maritime dialogue and consultation processes, and promoting mutual learning among marine cultures, in an effort to make greater joint contributions to promoting cooperation in the development of the blue economy, and in realizing the harmonious coexistence of people and the ocean, he said. The forum, themed "Future of the Blue Indian Ocean -- Development Practice of the Global South," gathered more than 300 guests from over 50 countries and international organizations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Second grader Emma Huerta works on a writing lesson at Burnett Elementary School in Pasadena ISD on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 in Houston. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer After sending her son to school in Houston ISD for nearly seven years, Laura Hanet says her childs last day attending class in the states largest public school district will be Friday. Hanet said teachers in her childs school used to have time to build relationships with their students without worrying about State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness results. However, she said since the Texas Education Agency appointed Superintendent Mike Miles to lead HISD in June 2023, thats no longer the case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hanets child does not attend one of the 130 New Education System schools that have seen sweeping systemic overhauls under Miles administration, but shes still seen the school change. She said, under new strict district mandates, his teachers are much more stressed out and dont have as much time to give one-on-one instruction. My sons favorite subject in school was math, but right now he hates math, Hanet said. I mean to me, that says a lot, because he's not learning anything in math anymore. It's not fun. He thinks it's boring. It's just all of these things that have just completely changed. After watching her son slip through the cracks, Hanet said she will be withdrawing him from HISD and enrolling him in a Catholic private school starting in January, even though it means taking on a second job as a personal assistant to afford the tuition and eventually moving out of her current neighborhood to reduce the hour-long commute. I thought that I was going to be able to send my son to a school where there were Vanguard programs and magnet programs where .. he would have a good public education for free, and now I can't do that," said Hanet, who asked the Chronicle not to identify either campus. "I can't trust that we're going to get a good education in the public school system anymore, and that just makes me very angry and sad. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hanet is joining thousands of HISD parents who have left the states largest school district for private, suburban and charter schools. The districts student enrollment has declined almost 15% over the last decade to approximately 184,100 students in the 2023-24 year, according to TEA data, and it is expected to drop even further during this academic year. HISDs sustained enrollment loss comes as the number of students attending charter and suburban schools in the Houston area has grown by thousands within the past decade, according to a Chronicle analysis of TEA enrollment data. Private schools are not required to report their data to the state, so their overall enrollment growth is unclear. Approximately 75% of HISDs schools have reported enrollment decreases over the last decade, according to a Chronicle analysis. The average HISD campus reported its student enrollment has declined by about 9% from the 2014-15 to 2023-24 year, with Energized For Excellence Academy in Gulfton reporting the largest percentage declines. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In total, the state's largest school district has lost more than 30,000 students from the 2014-15 to 2023-24 year, which is the highest drop of any Houston-area district. In May, HISD projected that student enrollment would drop to 179,600 during the 2024-25 year, but district officials now anticipate an even steeper decline. HISD reported an unofficial student enrollment of 175,644 students last week, marking a decline of approximately 8,500 students compared to official data from the previous year. The district said it expects to release its official student enrollment data for the 2024-25 year in January. Miles said during last weeks Board of Managers meeting that it was hard for him to say why HISD is losing students. He said enrollment has been declining in many urban school districts for the past several years, including HISD, but noted the community response to the takeover may have contributed to this years declines. Loading... "The whole notion and the criticism around the takeover may have something to do with it," Miles said. "Who knows what the impact of not having a bond pass is going to do for the next year. There's lots of outside factors related to that, and so, we thought we would turn the corner a little bit, which we didn't." Advertisement Article continues below this ad National data indicates that the districts past enrollment declines are similar to other large U.S. urban school districts, including New York City Public Schools and Chicago Public Schools. NYCs public schools reported that enrollment dropped by 12% in the past decade, while enrollment declined by approximately 19% in Chicago. HISD BOARD MEETING: School board considers policy change to limit superintendent changes to magnet programs Miles said the largest percentage of this years enrollment declines in HISD occurred within NES schools and other struggling campuses. He said the district plans to address declining enrollment by improving student performance on the STAAR and addressing student discipline issues, such as fights and drug possession. HISD receives at least $6,160 per student in state funding, so the loss of 8,500 students would mean that the cash-strapped district would receive approximately $52 million less per year from the Texas Legislature if the numbers do not shift significantly. You dont get enrollment, you dont get money, Miles said. You lose enough kids, you cant run your school. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Loading... Charter, suburban growth Brooke Bolnick was so excited to send one of her daughters to Lanier Middle School one of HISDs highest-performing middle schools at the beginning of this academic year, but she said the excitement quickly faded as her daughter started to struggle in math without adequate instruction. The electives have been outstanding, things that you can't get anywhere else, but my child has to learn math, Bolnick said. We can't keep using ChatGPT to create study guides. ... There's not a lot of time after school to learn everything they should have learned at school. After growing increasingly frustrated with HISD, Bolnick said she bought a house in Pearland so her fourth and sixth graders would no longer have to attend school in the district. Her two children will attend HISD classes for the last time Friday, leaving the district theyve attended since kindergarten to enroll in Alvin ISD starting in January. I'm so resentful that I feel like we were forced to move, but I also feel so much relief having gotten out of HISD, Bolnick said. I know that come January, my children will have wonderful teachers and a great school, and I don't have to play the lottery and hope that we are allocated a spot at a decent school. TEA data shows that a growing number of Houston families have opted to send their children school in traditional public school districts in the suburbs outside of HISD. Districts such as Tomball, Richards, Cleveland, and Barbers-Hill ISDs have all reported enrollment gains of at least 50% during the past decade. Loading... Katy ISD which borders HISD has grown by nearly 25,000 students in the past decade the largest increase in the total number of students of any Houston-area school district. Lamar CISD and Conroe ISD also showed significant enrollment increases, with both districts each adding about 16,000 students. While the share of students attending open enrollment charter schools in the area remains small, it has continued to grow as well, with dozens of new campuses opening in the past decade. About 7% of the 1.4 million students in Houston-area public schools attended a charter campus during the 2023-24 school year, per TEA data. Enrollment at the average charter school campus in the Houston area grew by 25% from the 2014-15 to the 2023-24 year, according to the Chronicles analysis. By comparison, the 1,355 campuses within traditional public school districts in the same geographic area shrunk by about 3% on average during the same timeframe. HISD reported that more than 12,971 students zoned to HISD attended KIPP Texas the largest charter school provider in the Houston area during the 2022-23 year, according to HISDs Campus Demographic Report. Nearly 12,400 students attended campuses run by YES Prep Public Schools the areas second-largest charter network. Overall, YES Prep reported that its student enrollment grew by nearly 9,200 students or 109% in the past decade while KIPP Texas enrollment grew by 10,965 or 98% during the same time period. Several other charter networks, including Aristoi Academy and Odyssey Academy and Harmony Public Schools, have also doubled their student enrollment. When we are in neighborhoods where historically, there are failing school systems or (a lack of) access to quality education, we bring that access into their neighborhoods, and families seek our support for that specific matter, said Isy Castillo, YES Preps chief external officer. They want their students to be led into preparedness for their future. Luigi Mangione is currently being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week - Eduardo Munoz/REUTERS Luigi Mangione has been indicted on charges of murder as an act of terrorism, after prosecutors upgraded the complaint against him in New York. State lawyers said they had changed the charges against Mr Mangione, 26, from second to first-degree murder because his alleged killing of Brian Thompson was in furtherance of an act of terrorism. Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was gunned down on a busy New York street on Dec 4, prompting a national manhunt for his killer. Mr Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, was arrested days later after he was recognised from police handout photographs in a branch of McDonalds in Pennsylvania. New York police officials have said Mr Mangione was carrying the gun used in Thompsons killing, a passport and various fake IDs, including the one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. Lawyer suggests Mangione likely to plead not guilty He was originally charged with second degree murder, which is the charge usually used in murder cases in New York state, unless there is a significant aggravating factor. His lawyer suggested he is likely to plead not guilty to the charges. However, on Tuesday New York prosecutors unveiled a more significant charge of first-degree murder, in furtherance of an act of terrorism. The indictment accused Mr Mangione of murdering the chief executive with the intent to influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion. This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, said Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney. The terror charge was one of 11 counts brought against Mr Mangione by a grand jury. Police have said the tech graduate was found with a handwritten manifesto that expressed grievances against corporate America. Mangione allegedly disillusioned with healthcare industry It has been speculated Thompson was the victim of a targeted assassination, motivated by his work at UnitedHealthcare, one of the biggest healthcare insurers in the US. Mr Mangione suffered a back complaint and was disillusioned with the healthcare industry, friends have said, although UnitedHealthcare said he was not a client. The case has prompted a significant public debate about health insurance providers, and backlash against some leftists who celebrated Thompsons murder. His supporters have donated more than $140,000 to a fund for his legal defence. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Donald Trump said it was terrible that some had expressed admiration for Mr Mangiones alleged crimes. That was a terrible thing, he said. It was cold-blooded, just a cold-blooded, horrible killing. And how people can like this guy is thats a sickness actually. Thats really, very bad. Mr Mangione is currently being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week. Mr Braggs office is seeking his extradition to New York to stand trial. Luigi Mangione shouts at the press as he is escorted into court in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania - Matthew Hatcher/REUTERS His arrest was the culmination of a dramatic manhunt and the discovery of a series of cryptic clues, including bullet casings at the scene with the words deny, defend and depose written on them. Police later found a backpack thought to have been used by the killer, which contained fake money from Monopoly, the board game. Mr Mangione is thought to have left New York shortly after the shooting took place, catching a bus to Pennsylvania. Members of his wealthy family in Maryland expressed shock at his arrest, although his friends said he had been out of contact with his relatives for some time. Thompson, 50, was laid to rest in his home state of Minnesota last week in a private service. His family described him in a statement as an incredibly loving husband, son, brother and friend. Most importantly, Brian was a devoted father to our two sons, and we will miss him for the rest of our lives, they said. We appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of kind words and support we have received. A convicted paedophile, Alex Williams, is at the centre of another conviction for possession of indecent images of children. Photograph: Artur Marciniec/Alamy A man who received child abuse images from the same paedophile who supplied them to Huw Edwards has been given a suspended sentence after arguing he should get the same treatment as the BBC presenter. Jac Davies, 25, was given a sentence of 12 months, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to possession of class A drugs and possession of indecent images of children, sent to him by Alex Williams, who sent similar images to Edwards. Davies was included in the same investigation by South Wales police that led to Edwards receiving a suspended sentence at Westminster magistrates court after admitting accessing indecent images of children as young as seven. The 63-year-old admitted three charges of making indecent photographs after he was sent 41 illegal images by Williams over WhatsApp. At Leeds magistrates court on Tuesday, the prosecutor Michelle Kruger said: Both Williams and Mr Huw Edwards have been dealt with by the courts, and Huw Edwards, who you will be aware of, received a suspended sentence for the indecent images he was involved in. Daviess defence lawyer, Stewart Page, told the court: I think its incumbent upon me to mention that you also need to consider parity on sentence. You are aware of a certain individual who was sentenced a number of months ago he too had no previous convictions. During his four decades at the corporation, Edwards led coverage of historic events including Elizabeth IIs funeral in 2022 and most recently the coronation of King Charles in May 2023. The court heard West Yorkshire police attended Daviess home after being alerted to the investigation into Williams and Edwards. While he was at the police station, his electronic devices were seized by officers, who found 84 indecent images, including some involving babies. Addressing the most serious images found, known as category A images, Kruger said: One of them was a moving image in a bedroom location showing a baby lying on a bed. Kruger said an adult male could be seen performing a sex act on the infant. The prosecutor said other images featured boys aged three to five. The court heard Davies was found to be in possession of 36 category A images, 30 category B and 18 category C. Kruger said a Telegram chat was also uncovered by officers that showed Davies speaking to others about how he wanted to destroy newborns and going into graphic detail about what he would do to them. He will remain on the sex offender register for 10 years. Sir Keir Starmer made striking the Chagos deal one of his first major foreign policy moves - Pictures from History/Getty Images Contributor Mauritius has rejected the terms of the deal to hand over the Chagos Islands in a major blow to Sir Keir Starmer. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the countrys new prime minister, told MPs that the agreement was not good enough and must be renegotiated. In a statement to the Mauritian parliament, he said it would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement. His announcement will come as a major embarrassment to Sir Keir, who made striking the deal one of his first major foreign policy moves. Mr Ramgoolam was elected as the new leader of Mauritius last month, replacing Pravind Jugnauth, who had brokered the deal with No 10. One of his first acts in power was to order a review of the draft agreement, which had been rushed through ahead of the nations general election. In his statement on Tuesday, Mr Ramgoolam said the review, carried out by legal advisers, had recommended renegotiating the deal. He told MPs that he had relayed that message to Jonathan Powell, the UKs national security adviser, during a meeting last week. Navinchandra Ramgoolam said Mauritius has submitted counter-proposals to the UK - Jacques Demarthon/AFP via Getty Images Mr Ramgoolam said: Mauritius made clear that while it is still [our] belief to conclude an agreement with the UK, the draft agreement that was shown to us after the general election is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement. Mauritius therefore accordingly submitted counter-proposals to the UK so that an agreement which is in the best interests of Mauritius can be concluded. The response of the UK to our counter-proposal was received yesterday afternoon, and is now currently being considered. Downing Street said Sir Keirs position on the deal hasnt changed and denied suggestions that it was unravelling. The Prime Ministers spokesman said: The Government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the military base at Diego Garcia was under threat, with contested sovereignty and legal challenges. The agreement weve struck with Mauritius protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security. Theres obviously been a change of leadership in Mauritius, and weve been engaging with the new administration on the details of the deal. We remain confident the agreement is in both sides shared interest. Asked whether the deal was unravelling, he said: I wouldnt characterise it like that at all. No 10 also did not shut down suggestions that the UK could offer Mauritius more money as part of a push to get the agreement over the line. Asked whether Britain would send more cash, the spokesman responded: Im obviously not going to get into the details of private conversations. The announcement adds to growing expectations that the agreement is likely to collapse following the election of Donald Trump. The US president-elect strongly opposes the deal because of the impact it would have on the US air base on Diego Garcia. There have been concerns that Mauritius, a trade ally of China, could allow Beijing to snoop on the strategically vital airfield. The proposed agreement would end 200 years of British rule in the Chagos Islands, a remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It would hand the tiny atoll to Mauritius, which is 1,400 miles away and has never had sovereignty over the territory before. Diego Garcia is the most important of the islands involved because it hosts a regionally significant American air base. US jets operated out of the Indian Ocean base during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, is among those who have been advising Mr Trump about the deal. The Tories said the agreement is now crumbling and that Sir Keir must put it on hold at least until President-elect Trump takes office. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, and James Cartlidge, the shadow home secretary, made the demand in a joint letter to him. They also criticised ministers for failing to answer basic questions about how much the pact will cost and where the money will come from. If the Government has any inclination to try and salvage this deal by rushing it through Parliament before the new US administration takes office, it should think again, they wrote. At a very minimum you should wait for the new administration in the US to take office. They demanded to know whether the cash would come from the defence budget, and if so which programmes would be cut to fund it. The Government cannot reasonably expect the British people to support this deal if it cannot answer these basic and vital questions, they warned. Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said: Four years ago I warned that Labour will always take the knee. Now we see what that means for our country. Labour cannot negotiate. They get taken for a ride because they give things away for free, hoping that the other side will be nice to them in exchange. They put our national security at risk and agreed to give away the Chagos Islands and pay for it. Now Mauritius is back asking for more. Labour will always take the knee. Every time Labour negotiates the UK loses. Natalie Bird outside Central London county court - CHAMPION NEWS A mother who was barred from standing as an MP by the Liberal Democrats over her gender-critical views is suing the party for 90,000. Natalie Bird, 45, was suspended as the partys prospective parliamentary candidate for Wakefield in 2018 after she wore a T-shirt reading: Woman: Adult, Human, Female. She claimed that her suspension was part of a campaign of discrimination by the Lib Dems because she fought for womens rights and expressed her opinion that it was not possible for a person to change sex. Earlier this year, the party admitted Ms Birds claims at the 11th hour, before the trial was due to begin. Representing her at Central London county court, Emma Walker, Ms Birds barrister, claimed that the Lib Dems had destroyed her political career over her beliefs. In legal papers seen by The Telegraph, she said: The claimant [Ms Bird] had tried to build a political career from 2016 in the party, however, her ambitions have been destroyed by the defendants [representatives of the Lib Dems] because of her gender-critical views. Ms Bird, who has fought for women-only spaces such as refuges, was first targeted by trans activists in November 2017 after she was elected co-chairman of the partys Radical Association. In the legal document, it was claimed that she was threatened with expulsion from the party and called an illiberal Terf, with the purpose of silencing, intimidating and bullying the claimant. Terf stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist and is often used as a slur against those with gender-critical views. Ms Bird was nominated as the prospective parliamentary candidate for Wakefield on Dec 6 2018. Two days later, she attended a meeting wearing a T-shirt bearing the words: Woman: Adult Human Female. Ms Bird was suspended as the partys prospective parliamentary candidate for Wakefield in 2018 - ZENPIX LTD Three days later she received a letter suspending her membership and notifying her that there would be a formal disciplinary hearing against her for breaching the partys code of conduct. She admitted in court that there was no realistic prospect of becoming MP for Wakefield, with the Lib Dems finishing behind the Conservatives, Labour and the Brexit Party, now Reform UK, in the 2019 election. However, she told Judge Jane Evans-Gordon: The Wakefield seat was about establishing myself in a seat at the start of my political career and being able to campaign effectively in that seat. After her suspension, Ms Bird submitted a complaint that she had been discriminated against on the grounds of her sex and because of her philosophical beliefs. She claimed that her allegations were simply ignored. A disciplinary hearing in October 2019 concluded that she had shared transphobic material over a prolonged time and she was barred from holding or standing for election for the party for a period of 10 years. No appeal against the decision was heard and she was suspended from the party after a large number of further complaints were made against her. Lost opportunities Ms Bird claimed to have lost opportunities to hold party roles and progress internally within the party and also missed the chance to stand in the 2019 European Parliament elections. The legal document also claimed that she avoided Lib Dem conferences after 2017 as she felt that numerous members may have attacked her given the targeted actions and treatment she suffered by party officials and activities, up and down the country. Ms Bird lodged a claim against the party in January 2021, alleging direct discrimination because of her gender-critical beliefs, indirect discrimination, victimisation and breach of contract. At a pre-trial review in July, the party admitted all of her claims against it. Nathan Roberts, representing the defendants, played down claims that Ms Bird was blocked from a shining political career. He told the court: In my submission, she only has evidence for her candidacy in Wakefield and, as she has admitted, it was an unrealistic expectation to win that seat. In terms of her other achievements, she had unsuccessfully run for other seats. He added: Not being able to run for a seat that is not a realistic possibility is not evidence of a clear miss for a shining political career. A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: This is an ongoing legal case so we cant comment at this stage. Elena Gordon tells police she believes she was poisoned before being brought to an isolation ward at the Charite hospital in Berlin The mother of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian anti-Putin activist, has been taken to hospital in Berlin after a suspected poisoning. Elena Gordon was brought to an isolation ward at the Charite hospital in Berlin on Tuesday evening after raising concerns of potential poisoning to staff at the Martin-Luther Hospital in southwest Berlin. Police said they were investigating on suspicion of attempted murder and that Ms Gordons blood, clothing and apartment were being checked. The police are taking all necessary measures to ensure public security and to investigate potential suspects, the force said in a statement. German newspaper Tagesspiegel reported that Ms Gordon suspected the substance was the nerve agent Novichok, which was used in the Kremlins botched attempt to poison former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in 2018. Elena Gordon is the mother of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a British-Russian anti-Putin activist - Brendan Smialowski/AFP Mr Kara-Murza later said that initial tests did not confirm fears his mother was poisoned, but that doctors were continuing their evaluations. More detailed results of the tests are expected on Wednesday morning, the Bild newspaper reported. A spokesman for the German police union said that alarm bells immediately go off when an incident like this occurs, because the Russian despot has proven several times that Moscows arm also reaches as far as Berlin and that he doesnt shy away from eliminating critics. Mr Kara-Murza comes from a well-known Russian dissident family and acquired British citizenship after moving to the UK aged 14 when his mother married an Englishman. He went to a school in Harrow and later read English at Cambridge University. Vladimir Kara-Murza survived two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017 - Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP The 43-year-old journalist was arrested in Moscow in April 2022 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Russian court in 2023 on charges of discrediting Moscows army. Mr Kara-Murza was released just four months ago as part of a Cold War-style prisoner exchange deal. He has himself survived two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017. Although the exact substances were never identified, suspicions point to nerve agents. Following his release this year, he travelled to Germany instead of reuniting immediately with his family in the United States. His mother has reportedly resided in Berlin for some time and holds both Russian and German citizenship. Vladimir Kara-Murza is a 43-year-old journalist who was sentenced to 25 years in prison before being released on a prison swap - Rob Gillies/AP The nerve agent Novichok has been linked to several disturbing high-profile poisoning cases of Kremlin critics, including the 2018 Salisbury poisonings. In August 2020, Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader, was poisoned with Novichok and treated at Berlins Charite hospital. He later returned to Russia, where he was imprisoned and later and died under suspicious circumstances in a Siberian penal colony in February 2024. Nick Candy, Elon Musk and Nigel Farage pose in front of a painting of a younger Donald Trump at the US president-elects Florida home - Stuart Mitchell Elon Musk has backed Reform UK and opened discussions with Nigel Farage about making a major donation to the party to defeat both Labour and the Conservatives. Mr Farage met the tech billionaire at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trumps Florida club, on Monday and the issue of money was discussed amid speculation that he could donate as much as $100 million (78 million). Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Farage, the Reform leader, said Mr Musk left us in no doubt that he is right behind us and launched ongoing negotiations about a financial contribution. It is the first time that either Mr Farage or Mr Musk has acknowledged rumours that the latter is considering a multi-million pound donation, which could be the largest in British political history. The SpaceX and Tesla entrepreneur is a vocal critic of the Labour Government and has accused Sir Keir Starmer of eroding freedom of speech by running a tyrannical police state. Mr Farage shared a photograph of the two on Tuesday with the caption: Britain needs Reform. Mr Musk replied: Absolutely. Absolutely Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 17, 2024 The Reform leader was joined by Nick Candy, a London property magnate and former Conservative donor who defected to Reform last week, becoming the partys treasurer and promising to bring in tens of millions of pounds. Mr Farage wrote that he hoped to learn from Mr Trumps election victory and had discussed the Republican ground game in Pennsylvania, where Mr Musk controversially gave cash handouts to registered voters. He said: I have come home with copious notes of how they increased the turnout, voter registration and so much more, and all of this I intend to implement as part of the professionalisation of our party. It is also heartening to listen to Elon speak about UK politics with such deep care. He regards the mother country of the English-speaking world as being in very deep trouble. Inevitably, following such intense media speculation, the issue of money was discussed and there will be ongoing negotiations on that score. The Telegraph understands that Mr Musk has significant concerns about the UKs Online Safety Act, which requires social media companies including X which he owns to regulate their content. Scrapping or amending the legislation may become a key request of Mr Trump when he enters trade negotiations with Britain next year. Mr Trumps team has warned that the UK must choose between a closer trade relationship with either the US or the EU, suggesting that talks could end with tariffs of up to 20 per cent on UK exports if the incoming president is not placated. Mr Farage said that, during his visit to Mar-a-Lago, several of Mr Trumps allies had asked him about Sir Keirs decision to sign away the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which some Republicans think will threaten the Diego Garcia airbase. I was able to assure them that the Chagos Islands surrender was not only wholly unnecessary but represented a bad deal for the United Kingdom, America, the free world and not least the Chagossian people, he said. I promise the Labour Government there is trouble ahead on this issue. Mr Candy and Mr Farage pictured during their talks with Mr Musk - Stuart Mitchell There have been suggestions that Mr Musk could donate as much as $100 million to Reform - Stuart Mitchell In a sign of Mr Farages growing familiarity with the new Trump administration, he also met JD Vance, the vice president-elect. Mr Vance has spoken to Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, since the US election last month, but no party leader other than Mr Farage has met Mr Musk. In a statement, Mr Farage said: I had a great meeting with vice-president elect JD Vance yesterday. He is a friend of mine and I have known him for 14 years Kemi Badenoch has known him for 14 days. I have always said I will help this Government with contacts. It isnt just President Trump and the incoming vice-president, but I have known large numbers of the cabinet for many years. I will always do what is in the national interest, and renewing strong our ties with America after four years of Joe Biden can only be a good thing for our country. Mr Farage with JD Vance, the incoming US vice-president On her recent trip to Washington, Mrs Badenoch said she was excited about Doge, an efficiency project Mr Musk will lead next year, describing its work as absolutely brilliant. But he has declined to return her warm words, preferring to criticise Sir Keir and back Mr Farage. During riots across the UK in August, he posted online that civil war is inevitable, drawing criticism from a Downing Street spokesman, who said there was no justification for comments like that. After Labour imposed inheritance tax on British farmers, he claimed the UK was going full Stalin. He also supported a petition for a new general election last month, writing online: The people of Britain have had enough of a tyrannical police state. As a US citizen, Mr Musk cannot legally donate to a UK political party, but he could give Reform money via the British branch of X. A contribution of 78 million would easily eclipse the biggest single party donation in British history a 10 million gift by Lord Sainsbury to the Conservative Party in 2023. It would also deal a major blow to both Labour and the Conservatives, who are challenging Reform in dozens of local council elections in May. Lord Mandelson, the Labour peer in contention to be the UKs next ambassador to the US, has said the Government must use Mr Farage and other Trump allies as a bridge to Mr Musk, and that it would be unwise to ignore him. A police officer stands guard in front of the Abundant Life Christian school on Monday. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images The 15-year-old girl who police say killed a teacher and a student and wounded six others before dying by suicide at a school in Madison, Wisconsin, reportedly left a manifesto that investigators are now reviewing. Police identified Natalie Rupnow who also went by the name Samantha as the shooter late on Monday. A law enforcement source told CNN that Rupnow had been dealing with problems and expressed some of those in writings, which they are now reviewing. Rupnow was a pupil at Abundant Life, a private Christian school. Her motive remains unclear. A manifesto, which is not confirmed as genuine by authorities, was published on social media. A document about this shooting is circulating at this time on social media, but we have not verified its authenticity, the Madison police chief, Shon Barnes, said at a news conference. Barnes said police were still working to identify a reason for the shooting. At this time, were still working on a motive, trying to determine why this happened, he remarked. Police said Rupnows family members were cooperating with their investigation into the killings at Abundant Life, which occurred at about 11am local time on Monday. Barnes said the first 911 call to report an active shooter came in shortly before 11am from a second-grade teacher not a second-grade student as he initially reported publicly. Barnes said a handgun was recovered at the scene but that the police had not yet tracked the weapons origin. How does any 15-year-old get hold of a gun? he said. Police said the shooting took place in a classroom during a study hall session. Two of the six injured victims remained in critical condition, while others were in stable condition or have been discharged from the hospital. Barnes made remarks on Tuesday at a news conference, but left without taking questions from reporters, leaving the Madison mayor and Dane county executive to face the media. They declined to disclose the names of the victims. Leave them alone, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway snapped. The school had security cameras, and the faculty and students had been trained in lockdown procedures. It was not equipped with metal detectors. The schools director of elementary and school relations, Barbara Wiers, said students understood the unfolding situation was not a drill and had handled themselves magnificently. When they heard lockdown, lockdown and nothing else, they knew it was real, and they handled themselves brilliantly, Wiers said. Mackenzie Truitt, 24, placed a red poinsettia plant at the school to honor the victims. She said her brother is a graduate and some of his friends were wounded. My heart sank because I know how awesome a lot of these kids are, Truitt said. I know how scared everybody was. Couldnt get a hold of certain people. Just really scary having to deal with that. Young women are far less likely than young men to be suspects in school shootings. According to the K-12 school shooting database, as of Tuesday, nine suspects this year were female compared to 249 male suspected shooters. The database says it tracks all instances when a gun is brandished, is fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims, time, or day of the week. The New York Times reported that the school Rupnow attended and where the shooting took place often serves children who have been bullied or struggled at other schools. Rebekah Smith, whose teenage daughter was in a physics class down the hall from where the shooting took place, told the outlet staff were trained to swiftly put a stop to intra-student cruelty. Smith said members of the school community believed that the shooter was new to the school this year. You feel compassion for the parent who says, Maybe this will help my child, Smith told the newspaper. I cant even imagine what theyre feeling. The police chief was asked about comments online that suggested the shooter may have been transgender. I dont know whether Natalie was transgender or not, Barnes said. I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify, he added. And I wish people would kind of leave their own personal biases out of this. The high rate of school shootings in the US has fueled calls from some quarters to enact more substantial federal gun control legislation. But Congress has largely been unable or unwilling to pass such measures. Carolyn Griese, 70, of Monona, who did not have any affiliation with the school, said she felt moved to drive over Tuesday. She cried as she placed flowers on the sidewalk. When I was growing up, we worried about the atomic bomb, she said. And now they actually practice active shooter scenarios. And I think how could that be? Theyre children. Innocent children. Grieses daughter is an associate principal in a different school. The shooting pulled her thoughts to her own grandkids, and the thought of losing family so close to Christmas. Its terrifying, she said. Its horrible. This article was amended on 17 December 2024 to correct the name the suspected shooter went by. Associated Press contributed to this report A Post Office led by weak and arrogant executives who were culpably dishonest and had a culture of contempt towards branch operators was primarily responsible for the Horizon IT scandal, the government has said. Nick Chapman, giving the closing statement to the public inquiry on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), added that ministers, the softwares developer Fujitsu, the federation representing post office operators and agencies such as UKGI, which manages the taxpayers stake in the Post Office, had all contributed to this scandal. However, the government lawyer singled out the Post Office for its despicable role in the largest miscarriage of justice in British history, which resulted in the wrongful prosecution of more than 900 post office operators between 1999 and 2015. Chapman said the scandal had its origins in the Post Offices corporate attitude of contempt for the very people who are the face and the heart of the institution. The Horizon scandal is also a story of false assurances, a culture of secrecy, of spin doctors, untruths and half-truths repeated as mantra to board members, officials, ministers, MPs and the Great British public, he said. Of institutional and individual arrogance, incompetence, dishonesty and cover-up. Chapman said that the department was not attempting to shirk its share of the responsibility and, as the sole shareholder in the Post Office, government is ultimately accountable for the actions perpetrated by the organisation. The simple and inescapable truth is [government] failed to prevent this scandal from happening, he said. However, he said the corporate governance structure in place to ensure effective oversight of the Post Office relies on honest and truthful information, and ministers were consistently managed, misled and deceived. The evidence heard by the inquiry indicates the Post Office and several of its senior people were, at best, recklessly indifferent to the truth and, at worst, culpably dishonest, he said. Time and again the Post Office provided materially false, misleading or incomplete information to government ministers, parliament, criminal courts and the British public at large. He said the starting point for this resided in the institutional culture at the Post Office. A culture which seemingly tolerated indifference to the truth, said Chapman. A culture which looked down on, mistrusted and exploited postmasters. He said the bodys management had been at times weak, arrogant, unintelligent, defensive, incurious and close-minded. Earlier, the legal team of the former Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells told the inquiry to treat the evidence of some witnesses cautiously, suggesting a desire for self-preservation meant they were trying to scapegoat her for the scandal. Samantha Leek KC, delivering the closing statement on behalf of Vennells on Tuesday, said that as her client had become a high-profile figure in the scandal others had tried to point the finger at her. When witnesses have given recent evidence of matters relevant to Ms Vennells without it being supported by contemporaneous documents, this evidence should be approached cautiously, she told the hearing. Related: Paula Vennells devastated over missing information about faulty Horizon system It is inevitable, having regard to the very human desire for self-preservation, that witnesses will now seek to distance themselves from Ms Vennells. Lawyers for Vennells, writing on her behalf in closing submissions to the inquiry, said no evidence had emerged to show she acted in bad faith. Vennells has previously publicly named five executives who she claimed were to blame for the scandal, but her lawyers said she had no desire to point the finger at others. Kate Gallafent KC, giving the Post Offices closing statement on Tuesday, said there was deep regret on the reliance on Fujitsu, which built and manages the Horizon system, adding that the organisation was the subordinate partner in the technical and contractual relationship. Fujitsus legal representative, Richard Whittam KC, hit back at the Post Office, accusing it of using its closing submission to try to obfuscate its proper share of responsibility by seeking wrongly to deflect blame on Fujitsu and other third parties. The Post Office has been aware for at least 25 years of the potential for and existence of bugs, errors and defects, he said. Fujitsu has identified at least 70 individuals within Post Office and Royal Mail in relation to whom the inquiry has received unequivocal knowledge of bugs, errors and defects. This includes members of boards, senior executives, in-house lawyers, as well as individuals working in Post Offices security and investigations teams. The inquiry is entitled to infer from the breadth and depth of awareness of bugs, errors and defects it is likely that key institutional decision makers did in fact have such knowledge. The government said on Tuesday that more former post office branch owners would be eligible for compensation, after an independent report found that IT accounting software developed by the Post Office that was used between 1992 and 1999 could also have been faulty. The Post Office pursued prosecutions on theft and false accounting charges, or post office operators were forced to make up shortfalls with their own money, according to the report on the Capture accounting software. The publication of the findings of the public inquiry are expected to be published next year. A stock photo shows children using iPads in class Primary school pupils were able to access pornography on iPads handed out by a Labour council, parents have discovered. The devices, given by Edinburgh city council to thousands of 10 and 11-year-old children, were not supposed to let pupils access adult content. But it has emerged some children bypassed the security using simple methods to view violent and pornographic images. In a statement issued to parents, the city council said it had been made aware of particular content which could be accessed on Empowered Learning iPads and had taken immediate steps to prevent this happening again. The local authority said an urgent review would take place and it had suspended access to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, as some of its content might not be appropriate for all age groups. MSPs expressed concern that young children had been able so easily to get around the security on the devices. Devices available for 4,465 pupils All 4,465 Primary 6 pupils in the city are eligible to receive a digital device from their school. A video made by a concerned parent described how pupils could deliberately misspell an explicit term in an internet search engine and the results would come up for the correctly spelled word. The children could then view pictures related to the term by clicking on the search engines images tab. A warning would appear that the images included adult content, but it was accompanied by a prompt to turn off a safe search filter. If this was done, the pupils were presented with uncensored explicit images, the video said. Another open secret among the children was that they could access pornographic images by leaving a space in a blocked word, it said. Using this method, the parent said they were able to use their 10-year olds device to access images of erotic hanging, strangulation and drowning, videos of executions and theoretically unlimited porn. Tory MP to seek assurance Miles Briggs, a Tory Lothian MSP, said he planned seek assurances from Jenny Gilruth, the Education Secretary, that similar security flaws were not present in digital devices handed to pupils across Scotland. Mr Briggs said: Its deeply concerning The council have failed to put in place the safety system needed to control what children can access and thats something they need to answer questions on. Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and Edinburgh Western MSP, said: The online battle to keep our kids safe is never-ending. As the father of a Primary 6 daughter who enjoys her iPad very much, this concerns me. Following complaints, the city council issued a statement to local schools to be shared with parents that contained no apology and argued that no technical solution can ever guarantee full safety for children using iPads. Jackie Reid, the citys head of education, said: We have been provided with information about particular content which could be accessed on Empowered Learning iPads. We have taken immediate steps to ensure that this content cannot be accessed and will be conducting further investigations into this matter. An urgent review of the solution will take place to ensure that this is resolved. We are continually monitoring the situation to ensure the online safety of our children and young people. We have reduced access Cllr Joan Griffiths the councils education, children and families convener also did not apologise. She said: Our filtering restrictions make use of safe search as a function. However, we were made aware that some search engines were permitting safe search to be turned on and off. To ensure the safety of our learners, we have reduced and limited access to just one search engine, allowing for greater control and enhanced safety. She said a further comprehensive review would be undertaken of Wikipedia and its use would be suspended while this was completed. It emerged last October that primary pupils in the city had access to pornography and videos of executions at public libraries due to a computer fault. Filters designed to block inappropriate websites were not activated on PCs accessed using child library cards. The city council wrongly believed it had resolved the issue until it discovered that new safety measures could also easily be bypassed. A spokesman said: The Scottish Government takes issues like this very seriously and will seek assurances that City of Edinburgh Council is taking all the required steps to address the concerns raised. Barry McCaffrey (left) and Trevor Birney outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London before the judgment on Tuesday. Photograph: Lucy North/PA The Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Metropolitan police unlawfully spied on two investigative journalists, a tribunal has found in a landmark judgment. The investigatory powers tribunal ruled that the PSNI must pay 4,000 each in damages to Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, who were arrested in 2018 after they produced No Stone Unturned, an award-winning documentary about a notorious massacre during the Troubles. It found that the Met unlawfully put McCaffrey under surveillance in 2012, while the PSNI was found to have done so in 2013. Related: Why are police spying on UK journalists, and how widely is it happening? The tribunal also quashed a 2018 direct surveillance authorisation targeting the Belfast-based journalists, on the same day they were arrested, and their suspected source the first time it is believed to have taken such action. The case was the first in which the tribunal has ordered a police force to pay damages to journalists for unlawful intrusion. No Stone Unturned documented apparent collusion between the police and suspected murderers in the 1994 Loughinisland massacre, in which six Catholic men were killed by loyalist paramilitaries. The subsequent arrest of the journalists, over two leaked documents that appeared in the film, was ruled unlawful by Northern Irelands top judge in 2019. The same year, Birney and McCaffrey issued proceedings at the tribunal based on their suspicions that the arrest warrants were not the only attempt made to identify their confidential sources. On Tuesday, the tribunal, which conducts most of its proceedings behind closed doors, and is the only British court with the power to rule on covert surveillance operations by the intelligence agencies and police, found in their favour. In its judgment, the IPT, chaired by Lord Justice Singh, sitting at the royal courts of justice in London, said: We will quash the DSA (direct service authorisation). We have determined that a declaration of its unlawfulness would not be sufficient to afford the claimants just satisfaction in respect of its incompatibility with the rights protected by article 10 (of the European convention of human rights, which protects freedom of expression). It said that the chief constable of PSNI at the time, Sir George Hamilton, had acted unlawfully as he did not consider whether there was an overriding public interest justifying an interference with the integrity of a journalistic source. The unlawful surveillance began six years prior to the journalists arrests and five years before No Stone Unturned was released, when the Met made applications for communications data relating to eight telephone numbers, one of which was McCaffreys. The following year McCaffrey was put under surveillance. He had called the PSNI press office after receiving a tipoff for a story about alleged bribery payments made to a senior official in the force, by an employment agency supplying civilian personnel to the police. On 26 September 2013, a PSNI detective constable lodged an application for covert surveillance for the purpose of identify[ing] a PSNI employee who has passed police information to a journalist. It was granted and police obtained access to 10 pages of McCaffreys outgoing call data from 7 September 2013 to 26 September 2013. Reacting to the judgment, Birney said: Were delighted after six years that weve got this victory, but this isnt so much for us; its about journalism throughout the UK. Its not just about Belfast or the north of Ireland, it is about police forces across Britain and about sources today who can actually look to this judgment and feel that theyve got some protection if they have to act in a public-spirited way and speak with a journalist or act as a whistleblower, or provide documentation on public interest and matters of national security. McCaffrey said: Despite all of their efforts, the police were still unable to identify our sources for the film. They wasted police time and resources going after us instead of the Loughinisland killers. Both men called for a public inquiry. The current chief constable of PSNI, Jon Boutcher, said he accepted the tribunals judgment. He described the 2018 DSA as one of a number of difficult decisions on a complex and fast-moving day for policing in Northern Ireland involving balancing competing interests at pace. He said significant changes had been made since. 34-year-old Asian elephant Shanti gave birth to a healthy and strong 314-pound female elephant, named Kirby, after a 19-hour labor Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, Houston Zoo officials announced. Houston Zoo An Asian elephant at the Houston Zoo finally gave birth to her baby on Friday after 19 hours of labor. The elephant Shanti, 34, gave birth to a 314-pound female baby named Kirby at 3 p.m., according to the Houston Zoo. Zoo officials said she was standing within six minutes, walking 25 minutes later and began nursing within an hour and a half of being born. MORE STORIES: Baby jaguar born at Houston Zoo morning after presidential election Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Shanti has been under the watchful care of the Zoo's elephant and veterinary teams throughout her 21-month-long pregnancy. This extended gestation period is typical for pachyderms, as they have one of the longest pregnancies of any land mammal," zoo officials said in a news release. 34-year-old Asian elephant Shanti gave birth to a healthy and strong 314-pound female elephant, named Kirby, after a 19-hour labor Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, Houston Zoo officials announced. Houston Zoo Shanti's pregnancy was announced earlier this year when the baby's gender was initially unclear. Zoo officials said she gave birth in the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat cow barn. The father is a 58-year-old Asian elephant named Thailand. Shanti and Kirby will undergo bonding, during which the elephant team will track important milestones such as weight goals and communication between the mother and baby. Kirby is Shanti's fifth child after Baylor and Duncan who live at an all-bachelor herd at Denver Zoo, and Joy and Nelson who live with her at the elephant habitat. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE ATTRACTIONS: Houston Zoo debuts Birds of the World exhibit featuring aviaries People who visit the Houston Zoo help save wildlife animals with a portion of every admission going to conservation, protecting different species in their natural habitat, according to Wren Baker with the Houston Zoo. The Houston Zoo provided funds for elephant conservationist, Nurzhafarina "Farina" Othman and her team in Asia, to put tracking collars on wild elephants. The collars are used to follow wild elephants, collecting valuable movement data that is used to inform future protection for the elephant families as they travel through the forests, according to the news release. What is an Asian elephant? The Asian elephant is the largest land mammal in Asia. The elephants live in dry to wet forest and grassland habitats in 13 range countries, according to the World Wildlife website. The mammals will normally form groups of six to seven females with the oldest as the leading matriarch. Like African elephants, the groups join others to form larger herds. However, the herd sizes would be smaller with Asian elephants compared to the African elephants. Asian elephants also have smaller ears while African male and female elephants both have tusks, according to the Houston Zoo. UN chemical weapons experts wearing gas masks examine samples for evidence of chemical weapon attacks in Syria, 2013 - Reuters The assassination of General Kirillov, head of Russias chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) forces, is yet another hammer blow to President Putin after his troops were unceremoniously kicked out of Syria last week. The killing is also an urgent wake-up call to the UK and Nato regarding the CBRN threat currently emanating from Russia and other rogue states a threat we have done no more than pay lip service to since the end of the Cold War. Kirillov had commanded Russias CBRN forces since 2017. Rather than being defensive in nature, as were the CBRN forces I commanded in the British Army, Kirillovs command was and is involved in a broad spectrum of CBRN attacks. The Novichok nerve agent used in the attempted assassination of double agent Sergei Skripal in March 2018 in Salisbury is likely to have been authorised and supplied by Kirillovs forces. The Russian secret agents who made the attempt were also probably trained by them. Kirillovs other role as one of Putins key mouthpieces and spreaders of propaganda also came to prominence after Salisbury with his frequent appearance on Russian media outlets trying to suggest the British secret services were responsible for the attack. More recently, he has accused the Ukrainian forces of making dirty radiological bombs an accusation with no foundation in fact. Kirillov was also a prominent figure in Syria and was no doubt aware if not directly involved in the extensive use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime, which kept it in power for so long after it would otherwise have fallen. Kirillov saw how effective chemical weapons were in Syria, most especially against securely dug in forces, and no doubt also knew the effect that chlorine gas had in WWI. First used in April 1915 at the Second Battle of Ypres, it moved the front lines significantly. This knowledge most probably led Kirillov to make extensive use of chemical weapons on the frontlines in Ukraine. The Kyiv government, in fact, had just indicted him personally for around 5000 uses of Chloropicrin over the last 18 months, alongside other chemical attacks. From my own investigations into chemical weapons use, most especially in the Donbass, I believe this figure is close to the mark. This decisive action against Kirillov and the organisation he controlled, apparently by the Ukrainian SBU secret service, stands in stark contrast to the lacklustre response by many British politicians to Assads use of chemical weapons in August 2013. Parliament voted against any British military action in response: Ed Miliband, then Leader of the Opposition and now energy secretary, still refuses to apologise for this. As a result neither the UK nor the US did anything and the tottering Assad regime carried on for another 11 years waging its merciless war against its own people. I sympathise with the evident frustration of the Ukraine military and government that the war crime of chemical weapons use has been allowed to continue with barely a murmur from the international community. Most territorial gains, especially in the south and east, have been possible for the Russian forces because they use chemical weapons. Most urgently Ukrainian soldiers need good quality gas masks in order to mitigate this threat. As the UK is the largest and best quality manufacturer of gas masks on the planet, this challenge cannot be beyond us to solve, and gas masks are not expensive compared to other military equipment. General Kirillov was a truly evil man, who had enabled crimes against humanity across the globe. His passing is a huge blow to Putin, already on the back foot after the Syrian debacle. Now its clear that the dictator cannot even protect his most trusted henchmen, those willing to do his dirtiest work not even within Moscow itself. If this brings about the downfall of Putin, or even improves the prospects of a ceasefire acceptable to the Ukrainians and an end to the Special Military Operation, I for one will applaud the action of the SBU. This is also a much-needed warning to the UK and Nato: that tyrants, dictators and rogue states see CBRN as the weapons of choice, because they are so effective and because they also terrorise they strike fear into populations and opponents. If you have no morals or scruples you would use them all the time. The best way to prevent, or at least mitigate, their use is to have effective force protection measures. At the moment most Nato countries, including ourselves, would be found wanting in this regard. First things first, however: for now, we must get gas masks to Ukraine. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon is a former British Army officer. He served as Commanding Officer of the UK CBRN Regiment and Natos Rapid Reaction CBRN Battalion Yang Tengbo is a suspected Chinese spy and close confidant of Prince Andrew A business partner of the suspected Chinese spy won the Duke of Yorks startup competition, raising questions about the legitimacy of the project. Xia Hua, the founder of the fashion retail empire Eve Group, is a co-director of a business with Yang Tengbo, who was unmasked on Monday as the suspected Chinese spy and a close confidant of Prince Andrew. She is also the founder of China Craftmanship, a social enterprise that is incubated by Eve Group and won Pitch@Palace China in 2018. The project beat more than 23,000 competitors despite also being closely linked to the Dukes project in China, The Telegraph can reveal. It raises yet more questions about the Dukes Chinese venture and his relationship with Mr Yang. Yang Tengbo and Prine Andrew, pictured at a gala dinner for Pitch@Palace in China Prof Anthony Glees, the head of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies at the University of Buckingham, suggested there was clear prima facie evidence of possible wrongdoing. He told The Telegraph: Tengbo had the best cover possible. Prince Andrew gave him the best cover it was possible [to have], namely to be able to say he was a close friend of the eighth in line to the throne. It would open every door. We know what Tengbo got out of the relationship, but we do not know what Andrew got out of it. What is of critical importance now, if the respect of the crown is to be upheld, is that we are told if money changed hands and if there was a financial reward for the Prince for working together with Tengbo. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: What on earth did Prince Andrew think he was doing grubbing around with possible Chinese commission deals? China Craftmanship claims to be dedicated to preserving the embroidery patterns of Chinas ethnic minority groups. A year before the competition, as the executive vice-chairman of Pitch@Palace China Club, Ms Xia said it had started as a 10 billion yuan (1 billion) venture fund for selected startups. Later in 2017, Ms Xia set up B&H Enterprise Ltd with Yang to bring the traditional designs of China Craftsmanship to the UK market. She went on to win the competition the following year. Through Pitch@Palace, she appears to have gained access to some of Britains leading figures and has rubbed shoulders with the wives of Jeremy Hunt, the Polish and South Korean ambassadors and the Sheriff of London. Like Mr Yang, who was a close confidant of Prince Andrew, Ms Xia had many encounters with The Duke. Speaking at St Jamess Palace in 2017, she said: He takes notes on almost every project presented by every contestant, and in addition ... he also writes down his own comments. Yang was named as the suspected spy after a court order giving him anonymity was lifted on Monday. He has been banned from Britain on national security grounds. The Chinese businessman, who has mixed with figures from across the British establishment, was a founding member of the Dukes venture Pitch@Palace China. On Tuesday, the Chinese embassy warned that the UK should immediately stop creating trouble in relation to Yang, adding that anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs have revealed their twisted mentality towards China. Alicia Kearns, the shadow national security minister, called on the Government to implement a register of foreign influence swiftly, but said the move would be by no means the end of the measures we need to better protect our people. She said: The risk from the Chinese Communist Party is plain to see. Why do Labour insist on ignoring it? We are seeing industrialised levels of espionage and infiltration of our state and society at all levels. Despite facing pressure from MI5 to designate China as a threat to national security, Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK should continue to engage with it. Mr Yang has denied allegations that he is a spy and said he loved the UK as my second home. The Duke said he had ceased all contact with Mr Yang when the Government first raised concerns about him. Ms Xia was approached for comment. Construction work for the ambitious Rail Baltica line in Tallinn - David Rose for the Telegraph In the shadow of derelict, Soviet-era factories on the outskirts of Tallinn, Natos Baltic backbone is being forged with British steel and EU funds. Braced against sub-zero temperatures, Estonian workers are building the first leg of a 500-mile, high-speed railway that aims to link up the Baltic capitals with Warsaw by 2030. Rail Baltica, a multibillion-euro project, was first planned as a symbol of Estonias pro-Europe destiny after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its later accession to the EU and Nato in 2004. But since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the railway has taken on a new and crucial purpose: if war breaks out between Moscow and Nato, it will be used to rapidly transport troops and equipment from the heart of Europe to the Russian border. Rail Baltica will be the backbone of Nato transportation, Priit Pruul, head of communications for the project, told The Telegraph after a tour of the construction site in Tallinn. It could cut the transport time for military machinery and equipment from a week to 24 hours without it, the logistics would be way harder, way more complex. The Russian empire built a vast railway system that bound Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia into Moscows trade network and sphere of influence in the 19th century. Infamously, it was also used in the 1940s to forcibly transport tens of thousands of Estonians in cattle cars to the Soviet Unions gulags, where many were worked to death. Now those imperial links are virtually dissolving, as the Russian system is replaced with new railway lines which are compatible with the narrower tracks used throughout the European Union. The Russian empire gave us the railway and an economic corridor, but now they are the aggressor no one can stand what is happening in Ukraine and that is why the mindset has rapidly orientated towards the EU, said Anvar Salomets, Rail Baltica Estonias chief executive. He says the project should act as a deterrent against Russian aggression by simply being there: Its a tool that we need to have here before someone even starts thinking of attacking us. Rail Baltica work continues, with the aim of further integration with the EU - David Rose for the Telegraph It is also something of a post-Brexit success story. In addition to EU funds and supplies from Spain and Austria, the rails are being built with British steel, while the futuristic rail terminal in Tallinn was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in London. While the Baltic project has faced numerous delays and some controversy over spiralling costs Mr Salomets says the war in Ukraine shows that the need to get it finished on time is more pressing than ever. There are already some discussions about extending the route further north to Helsinki via a Eurotunnel-style service, and perhaps even setting up a sleeper train service from Tallinn to Berlin. The ambitious rail project will link all the Baltic nations back to Warsaw - David Rose for the Telegraph The slow demise of the Russian imperial railway is perhaps no great loss for the three Baltic states, which closed their borders to Russia and Belarus after the 2022 invasion, though the tracks are still relied on for local transport. In Estonia, the government advises against all travel over the Russian border, while Western sanctions imposed on Moscow after the invasion have all but frozen cross-border trade. Meanwhile, the Baltics are all looking to the West for investment, tourism and, above all, defence cooperation around 10,000 Nato soldiers are currently stationed in the region, including 900 British soldiers in Estonia alone. In December, Tallinn hosted the annual summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a UK-led rapid response force which would help Nato to protect Europes eastern flank in the event of a Russian invasion. The project will also provide a strategic rail link for defence logistics - David Rose for the Telegraph The prospect of such an invasion is all too real to Baltic citizens, who lived through two Soviet occupations and Nazi rule. Since February 2022, the Baltic states have been staunch supporters of Ukraine, especially Estonia, which has pledged a greater share of its GDP to support Ukraine than any other country. More recently, tensions have risen in the border community of Narva, where in May of this year Russian border guards removed 20 buoys marking out the Estonian-Russian frontier. Dragons teeth anti-tank traps are already up on the Estonian side of the border with aggressive Russia - David Rose for the Telegraph The incident had an ominous flavour considering Vladimir Putins attempts to, as one Estonian minister put it, change borders by force in Europe. In this part of the world, we are not afraid of the word war, says Vladimir Svet, the Estonian infrastructure minister, who expects that Rail Balticas military potential will make Russian troops think twice before storming the border. Across our border, to the east, you can go to jail for using that word, he says. That is why we can say that Russia is waging war in Ukraine and that [Putin] might need to wage a war in European countries to stay in power. So we have to be realistic, to protect ourselves as a country, as a region and as a European Union. The Rail Baltica scheme is expected to be completed by 2035 - David Rose for the Telegraph Another practical reason to phase out the Russian style network which uses 1520mm track gauges instead of the EUs 1435mm standard is it would enhance Russias ability to transport its own troops and supplies deeper into Europe if an invasion occurred. Its the three and a half inches that divide us from the rest of Europe, Mr Svet says of the current width difference between the Russian-style tracks in Estonia and the European standard gauge. Its not just symbolic for us, its strategic, he says. If you look at how war is being waged today in 21st century its crazy to even speak about that, but we have to speak about that because of Ukraine we can see that front lines are determined by railway networks. When you have the railway, you have the supply. Where you have the supply, you can plan both defence and offence. I dont remember which general said it, but battles are won with infantry and wars are won with logistics. The fact that defences are up on the border show concern over Russians intentions - David Rose for The Telegraph As for the ultimate fate of those old Russian railway tracks, Estonians are divided on the issue. For some, the mere sight of them is a reminder of the national trauma of the Soviet-era forced deportations. For others they are a practical necessity for local travel and, for good or for ill, a part of Estonias history. That track is one that goes all the way to China, points out Silvia Parmann, a member of the Rail Baltica Estonia team. If Putin falls, if Russia becomes a democracy, if miracles happen I dont think it makes sense to destroy it. Sir Keir Starmer is in Estonia this week to meet with leaders from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) a UK-led European defence alliance. Speaking at the opening of the summit, with European defence spending expected to be at the top of the agenda, the Prime Minister 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. Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said the extra revenue raised would help support important improvements - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Rural communities are facing a potential four-fold rise in the cost of a firearms licence as part of efforts to tackle the police funding crisis. Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, announced that the Home Office is to allow forces to pass on the full cost of administering the licensing scheme to gun owners. The move to increase the gun tax, unveiled as part of the Governments police funding settlement, is expected to raise 20 million. It could push the cost of a new licence up from between 49 and 90 to 400, according to the Countryside Alliance. The announcement could intensify farming leaders criticism of the Government following Rachel Reevess move to subject agricultural land worth more than 1 million to 20 per cent inheritance tax. There were more than 500,000 active shotgun licences in England and Wales last year. The permits have to be renewed every five years at a cost of 49 to 90. Additional revenue will be retained by forces Dame Diana said: Firearms licensing fees have not increased since 2015, and are now significantly less than the cost of the service provided by police forces. This funding deficit is impacting the effectiveness of police firearms licensing controls and the crucial role they play in safeguarding the public. We therefore intend to lay a statutory instrument, when parliamentary time allows, to increase firearms licensing fees to provide full-cost recovery for police forces, in line with our manifesto commitment. The additional revenue raised will be retained by police forces to support the important improvements needed in firearms licensing. However, the Countryside Alliance said gun owners living in areas covered by inefficient police forces would be penalised because the increase in fees would be greater than in regions where the administration of the licensing system had been streamlined. Lack of understanding of countryside Tim Bonner, the chief executive of the campaign group, criticised the plan when it was mooted before the election. He told The Telegraph earlier this year: Many of the people who have those licences need those licences to carry out their jobs. The idea that they can simply be tapped for a few hundred quid here or there is naive, and frankly shows a lack of understanding of the countryside. I think there will be anger that they are paying for a system which is patently inefficient. Many people, I think, will think that at least in part this is because there is a prejudice that some in the Labour Party have against gun ownership as a whole. A senior Russian general has died after an explosive device hidden in an electric scooter detonated outside an apartment building in Moscow, in an attack claimed by Ukraine that marks one of the boldest targeted assassinations of a senior military official since Russias full-scale invasion of the country. Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the head of the militarys chemical, biological and radiological weapons unit, was killed along with his assistant when the blast went off as the two men left a building in a residential area in south-east Moscow on Tuesday. A source in Ukraines SBU security service said Kyiv was behind the attack. Kirillov, who was placed under sanctions by Britain in October over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, is the most senior Russian military official to be killed in an assassination away from the frontlines since the start of the Kremlins offensive in Ukraine nearly three years ago. Speaking at a meeting with senior Russian leadership, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of the countrys security council, said Moscow would avenge the killing. We must do everything to eliminate those who ordered the assassination of Gen Kirillov, namely the military-political leadership of Ukraine, he said. Russias investigative committee said Kirillov was killed after an explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of 17 December on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow. Footage circulating online, seemingly captured by the dashcam of a nearby car, showed two men exiting the apartment moments before a large explosion that killed them both. Mash, a Telegram channel with ties to Russian law enforcement, published a photo of two bodies lying in the snow outside an apartment building, surrounded by shards of glass from broken windows. Ukraines SBU security service had a day earlier put out an arrest warrant for Kirillov over alleged war crimes against Kyivs forces. Ukraine has targeted dozens of Russian military officers and Russian-installed officials whom Kyiv has accused of committing war crimes in the country. Little is known, however, about the clandestine Ukrainian resistance cells involved in assassinations and attacks on military infrastructure in Russia and Russian-controlled areas. Russian media reported that investigators were exploring several theories, focusing on how the assassins tracked Kirillov from his apartment, who planted the bomb in the scooter, and the location from which it was detonated. Kirillov, who had been in his post since 2017, oversaw the Russian militarys radiological, chemical and biological defence unit. Russias radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, known as RKhBZ, are special forces who operate under conditions of contamination. The UK government in October placed sanctions on Kirillov and his unit for helping deploy these barbaric weapons charges that Moscow has denied. Britain and the US have accused Russia of using the toxic agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops in violation of the chemical weapons convention. In June, Ukraine accused Russia of increasing frontline attacks using prohibited hazardous chemicals and said it had registered more than 700 cases of their use in the previous month. The UK previously said Kirillov was a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russias shameful and dangerous behaviour, a reference to public briefings in which he regularly accused Kyiv of planning to use chemical weapons and develop a nuclear dirty bomb. Last year, Kirillov claimed without providing evidence that Ukraine had plans to use special US-designed drones carrying infected mosquitoes that would spread malaria among Russias forces. The US said on Tuesday it was not involved in the killing of Kirillov but denounced his atrocities. I can tell you that the United States was not aware of it in advance and was not involved, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. He pointed to earlier US assessments that Kirillov had ordered the banned use of chemicals on the battlefield. He was a general who was involved in a number of atrocities. He was involved in the use of chemical weapons against [the] Ukrainian military, Miller said. Kirillov was also part of Moscows efforts to discredit the UK investigation into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, once claiming that the US orchestrated the attack on the former Russian spy who had defected to the west. Addressing the attack, a spokesperson for the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: Its clear we wont be mourning the death of someone who orchestrated an illegal invasion and inflicted immense suffering and loss on the Ukrainian people. Russias foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote on Telegram that Kirillov had spent many years exposing the crimes of the Anglo-Saxons in his briefings, including Britains manipulation of banned chemical substances and provocations in Salisbury. She wrote: He worked fearlessly, never hiding behind others, always facing challenges head-on. For the motherland, for the truth. According to his biography published by the broadcaster RIA Novosti, Kirillov helped develop a thermobaric rocket launcher, the TOS-2. The Russian military has frequently used the weapon in Ukraine. Kirillovs assassination is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Russian military personnel and pro-Kremlin figures. The significance of his rank and influence means this killing is likely to send shock waves through Russias political and military elites. The killing of a lieutenant general will be a shock for many within the ministry of defence, said a former senior Russian defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. He has been very prominent in the media lately, frequently holding briefings on the Ukrainian armed forces and the use of chemical weapons. The former official said other senior defence figures were likely to get enhanced security measures, potentially including round-the-clock protection by members of Russias special forces. This will definitely cause a stir, the former source said. Last week, Ukrainian intelligence said it had killed a leading Russian missile scientist who had worked on upgrading cruise missiles used on the battlefield in Ukraine. The body of Mikhail Shatsky was discovered in Kuzminsky forest park eight miles south-east of Moscow city centre, though Russia has not yet commented on the reported killing. Earlier this year, Ukraine said it was behind the killing of a senior Russian naval officer in a car in Crimea as well as that of a high-ranking officer in the GRU military intelligence service outside his house in a village in the Moscow region. Apart from military figures, Ukraine has targeted prominent Russian pro-war propagandists including Darya Dugina, the daughter of an ultra-nationalist Russian ideologue, who was killed in 2023 when a bomb blew up the Toyota Land Cruiser she was driving. On Monday, Vladimir Putin met senior defence figures in Moscow where he boasted that the war in Ukraine had reached a turning point. Sir Keir Starmers first five months of changes have seen his popularity plummet - Leon Neal/Getty Images Sir Keir Starmer is more unpopular after five months in Downing Street than any other prime minister since the late 1970s, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted between Nov 27 and Dec 4, found that 61 per cent of voters were dissatisfied with Sir Keirs performance while 27 per cent were satisfied. That gave him a net satisfaction score of -34. Ipsos said it was the worst score recorded for a prime minister after five months in office in its history, dating back to Margaret Thatcher. Sir Keir suffered a rocky first five months in No 10, with problems including the freebies scandal, scrapping the winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners and a Budget that increased taxes by 40 billion. Ipsos said Gordon Brown was the second most unpopular prime minister after five months, with a net satisfaction score of -23. That was recorded in December 2007 after 10 years of a Labour government at the beginning of the financial crisis. Rishi Sunak came third with -22, recorded in March last year as he attempted to repair the economy and the Tories reputation in the wake of Liz Trusss chaotic mini-Budget. Ms Truss was not included in the Ipsos league table because her tenure in No 10 was too short. Boris Johnson recorded a score of -20 in December 2019 amid ongoing Brexit paralysis, before his general election victory with the promise to get Brexit done. Thatcher was the only other premier with a negative score, receiving a score of -3 in October 1979. Ipsos started recording satisfaction ratings in 1979 with Margaret Thatcher, who received a score of -3 in October that year - Terry Fincher/Getty Images Theresa May and David Cameron both scored a satisfaction rating of 15 in December 2016 and October 2010 respectively. Sir John Major recorded a score of 33 in April 1991, while Sir Tony Blair, still basking in the glory of his first general election victory, recorded a score of plus 57 in October 1997. Keiran Pedley, the director of UK politics at Ipsos, said: These findings reflect the difficult start Labour has had in office. Keir Starmers personal satisfaction ratings after five months are the weakest of all prime ministers measured by Ipsos going back to the late 1970s, and nearly two-thirds expect the economy to worsen in the next year. However, with a large majority in Parliament and the next election potentially as late as 2029, Labour still has time to turn things around. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, sought to downplay the significance of Sir Keirs poll numbers on Tuesday morning, telling Sky News: There is a lot that we are getting on and doing. The next general election is a good while off, and within that time we will seek to get on and deliver what the British people voted for, which was change and we will stand on our record at the next election. Polls come and go, they go up and down thats just the nature of these things. It comes as Sir John Curtice, Britains foremost polling guru, said Sir Keir was like Rishi Sunak in failing to sell his vision to voters. He described the Prime Minister as a technocrat, not a politician, saying he had struggled to convey the purpose of his time in office. Sir John warned that Labour must deliver on cutting NHS waiting lists and growing the economy by this time next year if it is to avoid a backlash from voters. He said: Waiting times need to be falling by this time next year, the economy needs to be growing by this time next year. Any politician will tell you, you dont just have to say, you have to do you have to persuade people that you are actually delivering. Thats the bit Starmer doesnt seem to quite get. He doesnt do narrative, he doesnt do story. Sunak had the same problem. Sunak had no story either. Starmer is not unique Davey has no story, it is just Farage who has a story and we are waiting to see whether Badenoch can or cannot craft a story. The point about Farage is he does story, he does narrative. Justin Trudeau is facing calls to resign - DAVE CHAN/AFP Justin Trudeau is under mounting pressure including from his own MPs to step down as Canadas prime minister before the end of the year. Members of his Liberal Party called on the embattled premier to consider his future at a meeting late on Monday after the shock resignation of Chrystia Freeland, the former deputy prime minister and long-time ally, who cited Donald Trumps looming tariffs among her reasons for quitting. Many of the 15 MPs who reportedly took the floor at the meeting criticised Mr Trudeaus handling of the departure of Ms Freeland, a former Financial Times journalist, CBC, Canadas public broadcaster, reported. Sources inside the Liberal Party said Mr Trudeau would evaluate his position in the coming days, it was also reported. I can say were not united. Theres still a number of our members who think we need a change in leadership and Im one of them, Chad Collins, an MP from the prime ministers Liberal party, told reporters late on Monday after the hastily arranged caucus meeting. I think the only path forward for us is to choose a new leader and present a new plan to Canadians with a different vision, he added. Hes messing with his legacy A further six Liberal MPs, including a former cabinet minister, have spoken publicly of their belief that Mr Trudeau should resign. Wayne Long, a Liberal MP who was part of an earlier attempt to oust the Canadian leader, said roughly a third of the partys 153 sitting parliamentarians want the prime minister gone. A second third are undecided on Mr Trudeaus fate, while the final group are loyalists, Mr Long added. Hes messing with his legacy and its time to move on, he told CBC News. Canadians are screaming, caucus is vocal its just time, come on. John Manley, a former Liberal finance minister, said the row between the prime minister and Ms Freeland had hurt Canada. There cant be a crack of light between a prime minister and the finance minister and here there was, Mr Manley added. In her hard-hitting resignation letter, Ms Freeland said she had partly stood down because of differences in opinion of how to address Donald Trumps threat to slap trade tariffs on exports from Canada. We need to take that threat extremely seriously, she wrote, after remonstrating against Mr Trudeaus pursuit of costly political gimmicks instead of properly challenging Mr Trumps aggressive economic nationalism. Justin Trudeau with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida Her shock resignation stands only to bolster Mr Trumps tirade against the embattled prime minister, with the president-elect keen to criticise Mr Trudeau for how he handled it. The Great State of Canada is stunned as the finance minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social. Her behaviour 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!!!! The Truth Social post formed part of a long-running campaign of trolling on the part of Mr Trump, who likes to insinuate that Canada forms part of the United States. The hobby, carried over from Mr Trumps first administration, was almost immediately resumed following his election win, when he pledged to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on Canada, alongside Mexico, the USs largest trading partner, unless the country agreed to crack down on border security. Cue panic in Ottawa. Mr Trudeau was at Mar-a-Lago three days later to discuss the issue with the president-elect and put on a brave face to tell the media the two men had an excellent conversation. The magnanimity was not shared on the American side, and Mr Trumps team said he had told the Canadian leader that if he did not want tariffs, he could simply join the US and turn his country into the 51st state. It has not been an easy day Mr Trudeau has not addressed the political fallout with his deputy in public, but did tell party donors at an event on Monday: Its obviously been an eventful day. It has not been an easy day. Ms Freelands resignation came ahead of an upcoming budget announcement, in which she was expected to report the government had run up a much larger deficit than predicted in the last financial year. Dominic LeBlanc, who recently travelled with Mr Trudeau to visit Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, was sworn in as her replacement. It also came as opinion polls suggest Mr Trudeaus Liberal party would face a devastating loss to his Conservative rivals if a general election was held today. The prime ministers approval rating has slumped from 63 per cent when he was first elected to 28 per cent in June, according to one poll tracker. Canadas next federal election must be held before Oct 20 next year. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, used the turmoil to call for the elections as soon as possible. Everything is spiralling out of control. We simply cannot go on like this and it is up to Jagmeet Singh now to make that realisation, Mr Poilievre said, calling on the NDP leader to help collapse the government in a vote of no confidence. Justin Trudeau has to go All options are on the table, Mr Singh said in response. His leader in parliament, Peter Julian, said their party would vote to oust Mr Trudeau in a no-confidence motion if the prime minister decides to stay in power into the new year. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, seen here with his wife Veena, was re-elected as Mauritiuss PM in November. Photograph: Ally Soobye/Reuters Downing Street has denied that a deal with Mauritius to hand over control of the Chagos Islands is in peril after the new Mauritian prime minister said the arrangement as it stood was not beneficial to his country. The agreement, under which the UK would hand over its final African colony while keeping control of the UK-US military base on the island of Diego Garcia for at least 99 years, was reached in October with the previous Mauritian administration. Related: Judge finds UK unlawfully detained Tamils stranded on Diego Garcia But Navinchandra Ramgoolam, who returned as prime minister for a third term after a general election in November, subsequently ordered a review of the deal signed by his predecessor, Pravind Jugnauth. Speaking to his countrys parliament on Tuesday, Ramgoolam said a meeting with UK officials last week had involved Mauritius seeking better terms. Mauritius made clear that, while it is still willing to conclude an agreement with the United Kingdom, the draft agreement which was shown to us after the general elections is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement, he said. Therefore, Mauritius accordingly submitted counter-proposals to the UK so that an agreement which is in the best interest of Mauritius can be concluded. The response of the United Kingdom to our counter proposals was received yesterday afternoon and is now being currently considered. Asked if the deal was unravelling, Keir Starmers official spokesperson said: I wouldnt characterise it like that at all. As you know, there has been a change of leadership in Mauritius. It makes sense that we would engage with the new administration on the details of the deal, and thats what we are doing. He added: Our position on the deal, which hasnt changed, is that the government inherited a situation where the long-term secure operation of the military base at Diego Garcia was under threat through contested sovereignty and legal challenges, including through various international courts and tribunals. The agreement weve struck with Mauritius protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security. The spokesperson said work was being done with the new Mauritian government about details of the deal, but declined to say what these may concern. The Conservative opposition in the UK has criticised the deal as an unnecessary surrender of sovereignty, which could allow China greater influence in the region. The government has noted that discussions about the deal began under the Tories. There are also concerns that Donald Trump would block the deal. His pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, warned the agreement posed a serious threat to US national security by ceding the islands to a country allied with China. Ministers in the UK have said that uncertainty over the islands legal status threatened the bases operation and that the deal had support from across the US security system. Joe Bidens administration has offered its public backing to it. The scene of the assassination of Igor Kirillov and his assistant in Moscow - Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images The carefully calculated assassination of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the head of Russias nuclear, biological and chemical protection troops, was designed to spread fear and loathing. Fear because, if Ukrainian special forces can kill a top commander in Moscow, nobody is safe. Loathing because the assassination will intensify the Kremlins hatred of Ukraine in time for potential peace talks. Less than 24 hours earlier, Ukraine had declared Kirillov a war criminal for approving the use of tear gas and other banned agents against Ukrainian forces. Essentially, he had been placed on its hit list. Baza, a Telegram channel linked to the Russian security services, virtually admitted that the attack right under the Kremlins nose was an embarrassment. Kirillov was hated in the West for acting as the mouthpiece for the Kremlin lie that the US was running chemical weapons factories in Ukraine and Georgia. His murder fits an accelerating pattern of assassinations in Russia by Kyiv of senior Kremlin officials linked to the war. Five days ago, a senior scientist on the Kremlins missile programme was shot dead in a forest in a Moscow suburb. Over the past couple of months, top Russian Air Force, Navy and Army commanders have been hunted down and killed in southern Russia. In many ways, the assassination of Kirillov feels like a high point for Ukraines flamboyant assassination programme a fine-tuned process that has taken out senior propagandists, collaborator officials, journalists, scientists and military officers in Russia and occupied Ukraine. Bombs hidden under cars, in scooters and in vanity busts have been Ukrainian assassins preferred tool, but they have also shot dead their targets. A blame game has begun following Kirillovs death, and influential Russian military bloggers have started to question the competence of Russias internal security services. Rybar, a Telegram channel with 1.3 million subscribers, said the assassination was bad for morale, even on the front line. No matter what successes we achieve on the battlefield, no matter what euphoria reigns and no matter how much we talk about seizing the initiative, the other side always has the opportunity to sting painfully, it said. You cant relax at all. But what of the morale in the Kremlin itself, and its attitude towards potential peace talks with Ukraine? Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russias security council, has called for immediate revenge but could the assassination of Kirillov change Vladimir Putins resolve to push his attacks along the front line and force him to negotiate with Ukraine? Igor Kirillov had been declared a war criminal by Ukraine - AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images It is unlikely after all, the Kremlin has already lost more than 700,000 soldiers in its war in Ukraine. One more dead soldier, even a top general murdered in Moscow, hardly seems to matter. Analysts said the assassinations would unnerve the Kremlin. Putin, notoriously paranoid, and his acolytes will be looking over their shoulders. Nigel Gould Davies, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: Ukraines ability to target a serving general in Moscow will deeply disconcert elites. This is the most significant assassination so far. Victorian premier Jacinta Allan says the flags of Hamas and Hezbollah will be banned alongside face coverings at protests as part of a crackdown on demonstrations, including near places of worship. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP The Victorian governments proposed crackdown on protests has been criticised as a severe limitation on the right to participate in demonstrations, despite being backed by some Jewish groups. The Allan government on Tuesday announced protesting could be banned outside places of worship while face masks and certain flags could be prohibited at other demonstrations under proposed legislation announced in response to an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue. The premier, Jacinta Allan, announced a suite of legislative proposals to crack down on what she said was antisemitism and extremism at protests. This included a ban on the flags of listed terrorist organisations including Hamas, Hezbollah and white nationalist extremist groups. We will also legislate to thwart protests and disturbances at shules, temples, mosques, anywhere in Victoria where Victorians are simply undertaking their fundamental right of religious freedom, the premier said. Allan said the proposals were designed to ensure people could protest without fear or intimidation, and could include safe access zones around places of worship. The size and scope of these areas would be subject to consultation with religious leaders, communities and unions, the government said. Allan said the states safe access zones around abortion clinics, where protesters are prohibited from demonstrating within 150m of such facilities, could guide the legislation. Face masks and balaclavas would also be banned at protests, with Allan saying they were being used by some demonstrators to conceal their identities and shield them from crowd control measures like capsicum spray. The police minister, Anthony Carbines, said the government would work with police on how to ensure there were exemptions for people who require face masks for health and religious reasons. The government also flagged the use of glue, rope, chains, locks and other dangerous attachment devices that protesters use to cause maximum disruption and also endanger others. Under expanded police powers, protesters could be charged for displaying flags of a listed terrorist organisation or using items like glue and rope. Related: Guardian Essential poll: Albanese disapproval at 50% as majority say Australia on the wrong track Allan said the rise of reported antisemitic incidents was unacceptable in our modern, multicultural state. She said authorities have had enough of the protests that have caused division and disruption in our streets, while insisting that the right to peaceful protest must be protected. It would be wrong for me to say that everyone whos attending these protests is antisemitic, she said. Theres no one saying that, but we know some are we also know that hate and antisemitism are thriving in these environments. The chief executive of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Naomi Levin, said the full suite of reforms would tackle antisemitism that was manifesting in different ways across the community. She said they were a good start, but reiterated calls for a permit system for protests. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network said the announcement was a dangerous attack on civil liberties and aimed at suppressing legitimate public political action by Palestinians. The vice-president of Liberty Victoria, Gemma Cafarella, said the proposed crackdown amounted to a substantial limitation on the right to protest and that the current laws were sufficient to deal with the arson attack that occurred at the synagogue earlier this month. The Victorian Greens said the changes would have a chilling effect on democracy. The party pointed to the survivors of child abuse who raised awareness of the issue by tying ribbons on the fence outside St Patricks cathedral in Ballarat. While the Greens MPs have condemned antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks, criminalising peaceful protest is not the right way to respond and sets a dangerous precedent, the Greens said. The announcement comes after Victoria police earlier this month said the arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea, in Melbournes south-east, was being treated as an act of terrorism. Police said they were searching for three suspects over the fire that occurred in the early hours of 6 December. Anthony Albanese has previously expressed support for a ban on protests outside places of worship, which is also being considered by the New South Wales government. A robotic machine picks up a box with suction cups Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at Amazon's HOU6 facility in Richmond. With the holiday shipping season in full swing, a report ranks Houston among the 10 worst metro cities for package theft in 2024. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Boxes move through an Amazon facility Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at Amazon's HOU6 facility in Richmond. With the holiday shipping season in full swing, a report ranks Houston among the 10 worst metro cities for package theft in 2024. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Texas is home to some of the stickiest hands for porch pirates and thieves alone cost more than $200 million in packages stolen this year, according to a report. Although the Grinch movie may be a holiday favorite for many, Houstonians should be on alert as these package thieves look to steal your Christmas cheer. SafeWise, a website that provides information, tips for home and internet safety and security, recently released its ranking of the 10 worst metro cities for package theft in 2024. The November report shows Houston came in 5th behind New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SafeWise also recommends top picks for home security products to recommended to homeowners. Houston residents lost $207,4 million in package thefts as 1.5 million incidents were reported, according to SafeWise. The website partnered with criminology specialist Ben Stickle to shed light on porch privacy and prevention. According to SafeWise data, Amazon packages were the most likely package to get swiped from residents as they believed it could be due to more deliveries being from Amazon or porch pirates seeing resell for profit value in those packages. Amazon packages accounted for 32 percent of packages stolen, followed by USPS at 18 percent, FedEx 17 percent and UPS 16 percent. Others, such as grocery delivery services with food or household essentials, only accounted for 7 percent as HelloFresh meal kit packages represented almost 4 percent of stolen items. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In a previous article, the Houston Chronicle spoke with Lloyd Anderson of the community affairs office at Houston Police Department about what should residents watch for this holiday season. Anderson suggested residents can either have their packages sent to a pickup box near them or delivered to a neighbor that may be home with an installed camera. Amazon package shipping services allows packages not only to be sent to your doorstep but also to a locker at a store near you to be picked up. LIGHT DISPLAY GOES DARK: Christmas Ranch light display won't be returning this year after 28 years in the Houston area Advertisement Article continues below this ad Brisbane, Mackay and Townsville are preparing for heavy rain and flash flooding, with isolated downpours of up to 250mm forecast, as Victoria and New South Wales battle heat and fires. Photograph: City Of Gold Coast/PR IMAGE Flood releases at south-east Queenslands biggest dam, Wivenhoe, have begun as the state braces for more severe thunderstorms after a 127mm overnight deluge. Brisbane, Mackay and Townsville are preparing for heavy rain and flash flooding, with isolated downpours of up to 250mm forecast. Water was released out of Wivenhoe Dam to run into the Brisbane River from about noon on Tuesday, according to Seqwater. Releases from Somerset Dam which flows into Wivenhoe were ongoing, and could cause water levels to rise by more than half a metre by Thursday. Meanwhile, ongoing heatwave conditions will extend from the tropics into central and parts of eastern Australia today, creating dangerous bushfire conditions, the Bureau of Meteorology has said, as south-east Queensland battles rain. Western Sydney will reach the low 40s, with temperatures hitting a maximum of 38C in Parramatta, 40C in Liverpool and 42C in Penrith. Temperatures along the coast will be a touch milder, said Angus Hines, senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology. Bondi will reach a maximum of 29C. Terrey Hills in northern Sydney will hit 33C. As of 10.30am AEDT, there were 12 active bushfires burning across New South Wales on Tuesday, five of which were not contained, with particular concern around the Hunter Valley area. Related: Guardian Essential poll: Albanese disapproval at 50% as majority say Australia on the wrong track On Tuesday, NSW rural fire commissioner Rob Rogers warned elevated temperatures across the state would continue, with a danger period when winds pick up before a cool change forecast for the afternoon. In Melbourne, temperatures were set to reach a high of 24C after yesterdays heatwave in the city. Tullamarine and Watsonia were forecast to see a maximum of 26C. A southerly buster will push up the east coast, reaching the Illawarra, Sydney and Hunter districts on Tuesday afternoon and evening. This will see temperatures cool for NSW on Wednesday but still several degrees above average for large parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory, with heatwave conditions continuing through these areas, Hines said. Damaging storms are also possible, with the southerly change moving up the NSW coast this afternoon, Hines said. It brings a risk of severe thunderstorms, damaging wind, large hail and heavy rainfall this afternoon to the central and southern ranges, as well as parts of the Illawarra. Overnight, showers and storms pummelled the east coast of Queensland, with South East Queensland Water confirming more than a dozen dams spilled over on Tuesday. In the 12 hours up to 6.30am, Cedar Creek Road in Brisbane received 127mm of rain, with other areas around both Brisbane and Maryborough getting about 100mm. There are more evening showers and storms on the way for the rain-soaked region, with widespread areas of rain expected south of Mackay, and a risk of severe thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding between Yeppoon and Brisbane. Related: NSW abortion deserts: just three of 220 public hospitals provide terminations, research finds This comes after temperatures reached into the 40s across large parts of the eastern states on Monday which is more than 10C above average for December for most areas, the Bom said. Temperatures were as high as 15 to 20C above average for parts of Victoria and South Australia. Crews will be working very hard. Weve had helicopter winched-in crews yesterday in a number of fires. Well be doing that again this morning with large air tankers to try to get containment on these fires as quickly as we can. In Victoria, Fire Management had a really busy night battling major blazes across the state, the chief fire officer, Chris Hardman, told the ABC on Tuesday morning. About 300 firefighters are still located at active blazes with many days work ahead of them, he said. Fires burning at Creswick and Candook have been downgraded and no lives or houses were lost, Hardman said. Australias land surface has warmed by 1.5C since 1910, according to the BoM, with the climate crisis making heatwaves longer and more intense and increasing the number of extremely hot days. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has met with Elon Musk and JD Vance amid speculation the tech billionaire could make a donation to the party. Mr Farage described his hour-long meeting with Mr Musk at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday as great and historic, saying he and party treasurer Nick Candy had learned a great deal about the Trump ground game. He said the men would have ongoing discussions on other areas, adding: We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together. The meeting follows newspaper reports, dismissed by Mr Farage, that X owner Mr Musk was preparing to donate up to 100 million dollars (79 million) to Reform UK. Mr Farage has previously criticised American political figures for getting involved in British politics, saying then-president Barack Obama had behaved disgracefully by suggesting the UK would be at the back of the queue for a US trade deal if it voted for Brexit. He has repeatedly insisted he knows nothing about a potential contribution to Reform from Mr Musk, but said the party would take the money if it were offered. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said it was a matter for the rules when asked if a potential large donation by Mr Musk to a UK party would worry Sir Keir Starmer. He added: There are already existing rules on foreign donations, but the Government has committed to, you know, to strengthening the rules. The Reform UK leader said his meeting with Mr Vance on Monday was great. He is a friend of mine and I have known him for 14 years Kemi Badenoch has known him for 14 days, he said. Mr Farage has previously suggested he could be a bridge between Sir Keir and Mr Trump due to his friendship with the US president-elect. He said: I have always said I will help this Government with contacts. It isnt just President Trump and the incoming Vice President, but I have known large numbers of the cabinet for many years. I will always do what is in the national interest and renewing our strong ties with America after four years of Joe Biden can only be a good thing for our country. Mr Musk is reported to have spent more than 250 million dollars (197 million) to support Mr Trumps re-election campaign, focused on increasing turnout in key states. He has since been named as one of the two heads of a new cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency in the incoming Trump administration. The visit is at least the fourth time Mr Farage has travelled to America since his election as MP for Clacton in July. A covert surveillance operation authorised by a Northern Ireland police chief in a bid to unmask a journalistic source was unlawful, a tribunal has ruled. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal quashed the decision made by former Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Sir George Hamilton, to approve the Directed Surveillance Authorisation (DSA) in an investigation into the leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary on a Troubles massacre. The tribunal, chaired by Lord Justice Singh, also awarded damages of 4,000 each to documentary makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, in a judgment issued on Tuesday. The IPT had been examining allegations that the award-winning journalists were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by UK authorities. The tribunal also looked at separate allegations that the PSNI and the Metropolitan Police in London unlawfully accessed Mr McCaffreys phone data in unrelated operations, in 2013 and 2012 respectively. The two forces had already conceded that those 2012 and 2013 operations were unlawful. The tribunal also quashed the two authorisations for those two phone data operations, but did not award any damages to Mr McCaffrey in those cases. In 2018, Belfast-based Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary they made on the 1994 loyalist paramilitary massacre in Loughinisland, Co Down. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), citing a conflict of interest, asked Durham Police to lead the investigation into the inclusion of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland document in the No Stone Unturned film on the UVF pub shooting that claimed the lives of six men. The PSNI later unreservedly apologised for the way the men had been treated and agreed to pay 875,000 in damages to the journalists and the film company behind the documentary. Investigative journalists Trevor Birney (left) and Barry McCaffrey (right) leave Musgrave Street police station in Belfast after their arrests in 2018 (PA). The settlement came after a court ruled that the warrants used by police to search the journalists homes and Fine Point Films had been inappropriate. In 2019, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them. In court proceedings earlier this year, the tribunal heard that a detective requested the DSA from Sir George in order to monitor whether the two reporters would reach out to their source in the week after their initial release from custody. Sir George gave the green light for the covert surveillance of an individual whom officers suspected of being the source of the leaked document from the Police Ombudsmans office. In its judgment, the IPT said: The authorisation, and any conduct following from it, were unlawful because the Chief Constable did not consider whether there was an overriding public interest justifying interference with the integrity of a journalistic source. The tribunal added: We will quash the DSA. We have determined that a declaration of its unlawfulness would not be sufficient to afford the claimants just satisfaction in respect of its incompatibility with the rights protected by Article 10 (of the European Convention of Human Rights). Reacting to the judgment, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey both called for a public inquiry into police surveillance of journalists in Northern Ireland. This landmark ruling underscores the crucial importance of protecting press freedom and confidential journalistic sources, said Mr Birney. We hope that the judgment today will protect and embolden other journalists pursuing stories that are in the public interest. The judgment serves as a warning that unlawful state surveillance targeting the media cannot and should not be justified by broad and vague police claims. The judgment raises serious concerns about police abuse of power and the law, and our case has exposed a lack of effective legal safeguards governing secret police operations. Journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney with Conservative MP Sir David Davis (Lucy North/PA). Mr Birney added: Only a public inquiry can properly investigate the full extent of unlawful and systematic police spying operations targeting journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders in the north. Mr McCaffrey told reporters: For this court to have found that a Chief Constable has acted unlawfully, we think is a major embarrassment, and its something that needs there to be a public inquiry. No other alternative we need a public inquiry. Conservative MP David Davis, who has supported the journalists case, joined them at a press conference on Tuesday. This is the most dramatic and most far ranging decision Ive ever heard from the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, he said. Mr Davis added his voice to the calls for a public inquiry. Because the UK Government is responsible for the Investigatory Powers Act and the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, it is for the Northern Ireland Secretary (Hilary Benn) to set up a public inquiry to make sure that this is dealt with properly. Responding to the judgment, current PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he was committed to ensure his officers used the powers available to them in a way that was lawful, proportionate and accountable. I accept the Investigatory Powers Tribunals judgment that due consideration was not given to whether there was an overriding public interest in interfering with journalistic sources before authorising surveillance, which importantly, although it was not directed toward the journalists Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney, it did impact them in 2018, he said. This was one of a number of difficult decisions on a complex and fast-moving day for policing in Northern Ireland involving balancing competing interests at pace. Separately the Tribunal found that although officers complied with UK law and procedure at the time, a 2013 authorisation for communications data was a breach of our human rights obligations. I am pleased that the Tribunal found officers acted in good faith. Significant changes have already been made since these issues occurred, with the role of the Investigatory Powers Commissioners in authorising communications data requests and the Judicial Commissioners in cases involving those who handle confidential information. This is a detailed judgment and I will take time to consider and reflect on it and along with the findings of the McCullough Review (an ongoing independent probe into PSNI surveillance of journalists) in due course, to consider what further steps we can take. I am committed to ensuring that the Police Service of Northern Ireland use the powers available to us in a way that is lawful, proportionate and accountable. In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: We note the judgment today which reflects the Mets position as outlined during the Investigatory Powers Tribunal hearing. The Met Police undertook a criminal investigation from 2011-2012 on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This involved obtaining call data under RIPA, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. As the judgment recognises, the Met followed statutory guidance in place at the time, and officers carried out the investigation in good faith. However, this statutory guidance was subsequently ruled unlawful in a separate legal challenge in 2015, and therefore we accepted the use of RIPA in relation to this case was unlawful. The Met continues to follow the latest codes of practice around the use of RIPA in a responsible and lawful manner. Manchester United expect to choose between redeveloping Old Trafford or building a new stadium in the summer of 2025. The club are examining their options in conjunction with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force (OTRTF), which includes former United defender Gary Neville, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and World Athletics president Lord Coe among its membership. Lord Coe confirmed on Tuesday that the OTRTF met for the final time in 2024 and has discussed its options report with the club, Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. In a story reporting Coes update on their website, United added: The club will continue its feasibility and commitment work into 2025, with a decision on the direction of travel regarding a redeveloped or new-build stadium expected in the summer. Posting on Instagram, Coe said: Today, I had the honour of chairing the final meeting of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force in 2024. This marked the conclusion of months of feasibility work to explore ways in which the development of a world-class football stadium can catalyse regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, delivering huge social and economic benefits for the local community, and the wider region. This has been a multi-stakeholder process that has collected views from over 50,000 fans, plus residents, community members and businesses. Today we discussed the outcome of this work in the form of an options report with Manchester United, Trafford Borough Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to help inform their decision-making process. Manchester United expect to choose between redeveloping Old Trafford or building a new stadium in the summer of 2025 (Martin Rickett/PA) At every stage we have challenged all involved to recognise the opportunity that sport presents as a powerful driver for transformational urban regeneration and that is reflected in the report. Manchester United will now work together with local authorities to review the findings and agree a path forward in the months ahead. A majority of United fans favour a new stadium rather than the redevelopment of Old Trafford, a survey released in November found. Fifty-two per cent of more than 50,000 Red Devils season-ticket holders, members and executive club members prefer the idea of a new build, compared to 31 per cent in favour of redevelopment. The murder of Sara Sharif starkly illustrates the dangers of parents automatically being able to homeschool their children, the judge sentencing her killers warned. The 10-year-old had been pulled out of school just months before her death, in a ruse adopted for wholly selfish purposes to cover up evidence of her repeated beatings. Sara, whose battered body was discovered at her family home in Woking, Surrey, in August last year, was removed from school by her family, despite teachers having noticed marks on her face and referred her to social services. Homeschooling her allowed the abuse at the hands of her father Urfan Sharif, 42, and stepmother Beinash Batool, 30, to carry on beyond the gaze of the authorities, Mr Justice Cavanagh told them on Tuesday. Their life sentences were imposed just as the Government introduced a new Bill to Parliament, promising to strengthen safeguards for children. Measures in the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill will see parents no longer having an automatic right to take their children out of school for home education if the young person is subject to a child protection investigation or under a child protection plan meaning the child is suspected of being at risk of significant harm. The proposed legislation will also give local authorities power to intervene and require school attendance for any child if the home environment is assessed as unsuitable or unsafe. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said too many children have been failed by their last line of defence: the state in recent years, and described the Bill as a seminal moment for child protection. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said too many children have been failed by the state (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) But the Childrens Commissioner said the Bill must go further, as it would not have helped Sara in its current form. Despite having had concerns raised about her care within a week of her birth in 2013, and with Surrey County Council repeatedly voicing significant concerns that Sara was likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents, the little girl was not subject to social care intervention measures when she died. In March 2023, a referral was made to social services after a member of school staff noticed Sara had bruises, but just six days later a decision was made by social services to take no further action on the referral. Dame Rachel de Souza said: The Bill must therefore go further in protecting children like her, making it impossible for a child ever known to social care for abuse or neglect to be homeschooled. Sharif and Batool had tried to cover up their abuse of Sara, twice taking her out of school, in a case the judge said brings into sharp relief the dangers of unsupervised homeschooling of vulnerable children. Passing sentence at the Old Bailey, he said: When they felt they needed to, you, Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool, were able to hide the abuse that Sara was suffering by the simple expedient of announcing that she was to be homeschooled. He said while homeschooling can happen for good reasons and with parents having good intentions, this case starkly illustrates the dangers. He added: It is a matter of concern that parents who are abusing or who have malign intent towards their children appear to be able to homeschool more or less at will and without supervision. On top of the abuse, the judge said it appeared Sara was also deprived of an education when she was pulled from school. He said: The pretext of homeschooling was simply a ruse adopted for wholly selfish purposes, to cover up the abuse to which Sara was subject, and to continue with the abuse beyond the gaze of the authorities. On Tuesday, the couple were jailed for life for Saras murder, with Sharif handed a minimum term of 40 years and Batool given 33 years. Saras uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, who was found guilty of causing or allowing her death, was jailed for 16 years. The case prompted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to say there were questions that need to be answered on protections for children. The NSPCC called for substantial, nationwide reform and investment in the services which we rely on to keep our children safe, noting that Saras name has joined a lengthening list from recent years, which also includes Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, Star Hobson and Alfie Phillips, where horrific abuse from a parent or carer has directly led to the death of a young child. Campaigners, including the Childrens Commissioner, have also been calling for an end to the legal defence of reasonable chastisement in England set out in the Childrens Act of 2004. Sharif claimed in a call to police after fleeing England for Pakistan that he did legally punish his daughter and that he beat her up too much. Ms Phillipson said the Government has no plans to legislate for a smacking ban, but Dame Rachel said the law as it stands offering such a defence has got to change. The commissioner told Times Radio: Weve got adults today using that to batter their kids and to say, oh, its OK, its legal. What are we doing? Dogs, animals and adults have more rights than children. Sara Sharif, 10, pictured at school before she was taken out to be home educated months before her death (Surrey Police/PA) Wales made any type of corporal punishment, including smacking, hitting, slapping and shaking, illegal in March 2022 while Scotland introduced a similar ban in November 2020. Other aspects of the newly-introduced Bill will include new registers to identify children not in school, and a measure giving children a unique identifier number akin to a national insurance number in a bid to ensure issues can be tracked and shared across services preventing children from falling through the cracks. Childrens Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said: The urgency with which this legislation is being introduced to Parliament demonstrates the importance of these issues. It lays a foundation for change in many childrens lives many of whom have been neglected or hidden by services working in silo. The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said the measures due to be introduced make good sense, and frankly, cannot come soon enough, while school leaders union NAHT also welcomed the Bill, saying the not-in-school register is an important safeguarding measurefinally being taken after years of delay. On the Bill, Wendy Charles-Warner, chairwoman of home education charity Education Otherwise, said: It is perfectly reasonable that a parent should need consent to remove a child subject to a child protection plan from a school roll, but we need social workers to receive high quality training in respect of home education as currently they simply do not understand it. What is not reasonable is to make requirements for those children simply under investigation, as the majority of such investigations do not result in child protection plans being required. It is concerning that (the) implication is that inspection of homes will be introduced as that is wholly unacceptable and disproportionate. Families are entitled to privacy. Tyson Fury is prioritising a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk over facing Anthony Joshua in a lucrative all-British clash. Fury meets Usyk for the second time in Riyadh on Saturday when the Ukrainians WBC, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles will be on the line and he does not see their rivalry ending there. Joshua is looking to bounce back from his crushing fifth-round knockout by Daniel Dubois in October but the prospect of a clash with Fury has been played down by the 36-year-old from Morecambe. When I win on Saturday night, I think theres gotta be a trilogy next year for sure, Fury told Al Arabiya. Joshuas in tatters at the moment. He has got to pick up the pieces from his last fight. But the fight with Usyk one on Saturday and the one afterwards would be fantastic for me. Usyk is favourite to repeat his success in May when he inflicted the first career defeat on Fury via a split decision, seizing his rivals WBC belt to become the first undisputed world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000. A classic encounter saw Fury take control of the middle rounds and he even appeared close to forcing a stoppage in the sixth before Usyk slowly gained the upper hand until letting rip in a dominant ninth. Tyson Fury has grown a beard for his second fight against Oleksandr Usyk (Nick Potts/PA) He won by one point in a close fight. Good luck to the guy. And were going to run it back on Saturday and its gonna be victory for me, Fury said. The build-up to the second fight began with the grand arrivals at Boulevard Runway on Tuesday. Clean shaven for his more recent contests, Fury has grown a bushy beard which he is keen to keep even though rules state that a fighters jawline must be visible. My beard is giving me strength like Samson, said Fury, in reference to the biblical figure whose strength came from a vow not to cut his hair or shave. Oleksandr Usyk is favourite to beat Fury for the second time (Nick Potts/PA) Im going to knock him out. Its the biggest event of my life. From one biggest event to the next biggest event. Looking forward to putting on a show, as always. Usyk has become an all-time great having added the undisputed heavyweight crown to the same achievement at cruiserweight, as well as winning Olympic gold at London 2012. He has been unfazed by Furys attempts to unsettle him with mind games and he refused to be provoked when the Briton vowed to knock him out in the first round on Saturday. Its only talk. Well see. Its Gods will. Im ready, Im ready to fight. It will be a great fight. I feel I will win, Usyk said. UK will not mourn death of Russian general killed in Moscow attack, No 10 says The UK will not mourn the death of Igor Kirillov, the Russian general reportedly killed in a Ukrainian operation in Moscow, Downing Street has said. But Sir Keir Starmer would not be directly drawn into saying whether he supported Kyiv in such attacks. The senior military figure was killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in the Russian capital as he left for work. Lieutenant General Kirillov was the chief of the Russian militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces. Ukrainian officials have claimed they were responsible for carrying out the attack, which was triggered remotely and also killed his assistant. Clearly we are not going to mourn the death of an individual who has propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people, Sir Keirs official spokesman, when asked about the attack, said. The general had been sanctioned by the UK Government because of Russias war in Ukraine. Kyivs security services, the SBU, had opened a criminal investigation against him on Monday, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. Russia denies it has used such weapons during the course of the war. The SBU acknowledged it had been behind the attack and defended it, describing the general as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government had always been clear that Ukraine has the right to self-defence against Russias illegal war. He added: As the Prime Minister said just yesterday, Russia could put an end to this conflict today. It is Russian aggression that is causing this conflict and the ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people. Investigators work at the place where Igor Kirillov, the head of Russias Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed (AP) Sir Keir is currently in Estonia for a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military coalition of several European countries, and met his Estonian counterpart ahead of the summit. Asked during the visit whether he supported Ukraine in covert attacks of Russian officials on their home soil, the Prime Minister would not directly answer. We must stand with Ukraine. I think that is a developing situation, he replied. Sir Keir added: But this mornings discussion was very clear about the strategic need for Nato to stand, as we do, with Ukraine in this critical period. The JEF summit follows Sir Keirs meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen on Monday, where the pair pledged continued support for Kyiv. In what appeared to be a plea to incoming US President Donald Trump, Sir Keir has said it would be a big mistake if Ukraines allies did not continue to give it the strongest support. Mr Trump said he disagreed very vehemently with Ukraine firing US-made missiles into Russia in an interview with Time Magazine, but insisted he would not abandon Kyiv. Campaigners have branded a Government decision not to compensate women affected by the way changes to the state pension age were communicated bizarre and totally unjustified. The Government is also facing a barrage of criticism from MPs over the decision, some of which is coming from within its own party. One former pensions minister said the handling of the issue sets an extremely worrying precedent. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the Government does not believe paying a flat rate to women at a cost of up to 10.5 billion would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers money. Angela Madden, chairwoman of Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) said: The Government has today made an unprecedented political choice to ignore the clear recommendations of an independent watchdog which ordered ministers urgently to compensate Waspi women nine months ago. This is a bizarre and totally unjustified move which will leave everyone asking what the point of an ombudsman is if ministers can simply ignore their decisions. It feels like a decision that would make the likes of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump blush. She described an action plan to avoid such mistakes in future as an insult both to the women and to the investigation previously carried out by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PSHO) into how changes to the state pension age were communicated. Ms Madden said: An overwhelming majority of MPs back Waspis calls for fair compensation and all options remain on the table. Parliament must now seek an alternative mechanism to force this issue on to the order paper so justice can be done. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall (right) holding a placard in support of the Waspi campaign (Waspi/PA) The Government said it has accepted the Ombudsmans finding of maladministration and has apologised for there being a 28-month delay in writing to 1950s-born women. But it said evidence showed only one in four people remember receiving and reading letters that they were not expecting and that the great majority of 1950s-born women did know that the state pension age was changing. The Government said a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to 10.5 billion, cannot be justified. It would also be impossible to deliver a tailored compensation scheme taking into account individual circumstances that is fair, value for money and feasible, it added. In a statement, Ms Kendall said: These two facts: that most women knew the state pension age was increasing and that letters arent as significant as the Ombudsman says, as well as other reasons, have informed our conclusion that there should be no scheme of financial compensation to 1950s-born women, in response to the Ombudsmans report. She added: The alternative put forward in the report is for a flat rate compensation scheme, at level four of the Ombudsmans scale of injustice, this would provide 1,000 to 2,950 per person at a total cost of between 3.5 billion and 10.5 billion. Waspi chairwoman Angela Madden said Parliament must now seek an alternative mechanism to force the issue (Victoria Jones/PA Archive) Given the vast majority of women knew the state pension age was increasing, the Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women at a cost of up to 10.5 billion would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers money. There were shouts of shame when Ms Kendall made the announcement in the Commons. Labour MP Brian Leishman said he was appalled at the decision to not provide financial compensation to the Waspi women. The MP for Alloa and Grangemouth told the Commons: Firstly Id like to say Im appalled at this announcement and I have campaigned with Waspi women, as have many parliamentary colleagues, and this is an incredible let down. Waspi women, in my opinion, certainly do not need words of disappointment and they certainly do not need hollow statements. What they need is justice. Does the Secretary of State not agree with that? Ms Kendall said: I believe that this is a difficult decision but the right and fair one. Waspi campaigners stage a protest on College Green in Westminster, London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) She offered to meet Mr Leishman to discuss the matter further. Ms Kendall has previously been seen with campaigners at a Parliamentary event holding up a sign saying: I will work with Waspi to identify and deliver a fair solution for all women affected. Independent MP Rebecca Long Bailey, who co-chairs the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on State Pension Inequality for Women, said the Governments apology was not enough for Waspi women. Ms Long Bailey said the APPG found huge numbers of women suffered significant financial hardship, telling the Commons (Ms Kendall) must realise that an apology is welcome but its not enough for them and, frankly, its unprecedented for a government to agree with the findings of an ombudsman on the one hand but to refuse to initiate redress when clear injustice has occurred. So to those women who have lost everything, what will (Ms Kendall) say to reassure them today? Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall speaking to the media outside the Department for Work and Pensions in Westminster, London, after she announced that women affected by changes to the state pension age will not receive compensation (Lucy North/PA) Ms Kendall replied: I understand the concerns (Ms Long-Bailey) raises but I just reiterate the finding from the Ombudsmans report that there was no direct financial loss and we agree that those letters should have been sent out earlier, we will learn all the lessons in order to put that right. Speaking later to journalists, Ms Kendall said real and concrete actions were coming out of the report. She said: We want to work with the Ombudsman to develop a detailed action plan to make sure those sorts of delays never happen again. We have committed to ensuring that there is sufficient notice about any changes to the state pension age so people can properly plan for their retirement. Sir Steve Webb, a former Liberal Democrat pensions minister who is now a partner at pension consultants LCP (Lane Clark & Peacock) said: The Governments handling of this issue sets an extremely worrying precedent. If it is acceptable for a department to completely reject the findings of a report by the independent Parliamentary Ombudsman, this strikes a blow at the heart of the whole process. There is a risk that governments will now feel emboldened to pick and choose when faced with a critical Ombudsman report, effectively setting themselves up as judge and jury. Even if the Government felt it could not afford to implement the recommendations in full, there were many options which would have offered some redress to those most affected. Outright rejection of the Ombudsmans report raises much wider issues than compensation over pension age changes, and MPs should not take this decision lying down. Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling said: Today is a day of shame for the Government. The new Government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsmans recommendations, and that is frankly disgraceful. Waspi campaign director Jane Cowley told Times Radio she is absolutely incensed by the Governments decision. She told Jane Garvey the organisation will be calling on the massive amount of support it has in Parliament. Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: Everyone understands that the public finances are under acute pressure, but the Government should not rub salt in the wounds of those impacted by suggesting there is no case for compensation. The fact that many of the women affected will also be coping with the loss of their winter fuel payment this year will intensify their sense of injustice. Baroness Altmann, another former pensions minister, said: I am a Waspi woman and would not want taxpayers to compensate me personally because I knew about it. However, I do believe there is a strong moral case for the worst affected women, who have suffered serious hardship, to claim on a case-by-case basis. She continued: The state pension is crucial for many of the women born in the 1950s. They often had little chance to build private pensions and if they worked part-time after having children they were not even allowed to join their employer pension scheme. By not receiving the state pension they were relying on, many were plunged into poverty. Unison head of equality Josie Irwin said the decision is a cruel blow to a generation of women, adding: The Government must find a way to resolve this desperately unfair situation. Refusing to pay compensation is not the answer. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: The introduction of automatic enrolment means more people have workplace pensions, so fewer are relying solely on the state pension alone to fund their retirement. But there is still a huge gender pension gap. Earlier, Sir Keir Starmer said he understood the concerns of the Waspi women but the Government had to protect the taxpayer. The Prime Minister told broadcasters: I do understand, of course, the concern of the Waspi women. But also I have to take into account whether its right at the moment to impose a further burden on the taxpayer, which is what it would be. Residents in parts of Surrey and south London have been told water supplies are starting to return to normal after a major fault at a water companys treatment works. Sutton and East Surrey (SES) Water said customers around Sutton, Morden and Epsom could be affected as it carried out essential repairs on Monday evening. A statement from SES Water issued after midnight on Tuesday said when water returned it may be cloudy or discoloured. We are pleased to confirm that supplies are starting to return to normal, it read. However, some customers may continue to experience lower pressure or intermittent loss of supply. Our water storage remains low in the area and therefore customers may experience further interruption to their supply. We are pleased to confirm that supplies are starting to return to normal. However, some customers may continue to experience lower pressure or intermittent loss of supply. Our water storage remains low in the area and therefore customers may experience further interruption to pic.twitter.com/aFfy7FJlFg SES Water (@SESWater) December 17, 2024 Two bottled water stations were set up at Bourne Hall in Ewell, Surrey, and in Upper High Street Car Park in Epsom, as a makeshift solution, while the issues at its Cheam Water Treatment Works were resolved. Both stations will remain open throughout the night and into Tuesday. The company had earlier said that parts of Carshalton, Cheam, North Cheam, Wallington, Hackbridge, Worcester Park, Ewell and South Croydon may also have experienced issues with their water supply. Luke Taylor, Lib Dem MP for Sutton and Cheam, said on X, formerly Twitter, that the situation was not good enough and he would be monitoring the situation closely. He said: Despite efforts by SES teams to repair a critical valve failure and sustain the water supply through alternative measures, they have been unable to fully resolve the fault. Unfortunately, this means the supply across the network has diminished, and some customers may now experience interruptions to their water supply, including complete loss of service. SES Water confirmed it was working closely with St Helier Hospital in Sutton to support their water needs, he said. The company said it would be looking to set up further bottled water stations on Tuesday. I have been informed by SES this afternoon of a fault at the Cheam Water Treatment Works that is leaving some facing complete loss of water supply. I am monitoring the situation closely please see my statement below for information about getting access to bottled water. pic.twitter.com/BhyNTSUjnO Luke Taylor MP (@LukeTaylorLD) December 16, 2024 An SES Water spokesman earlier said: Following a fault identified overnight at our Cheam Water Treatment works our teams initiated a routine alternative supply plan to ensure customers water supply operated as normal. Unfortunately, our reserve levels as part of this response have not been able to maintain the supply and demand, meaning a number of customers within Sutton, Morden and Epsom are currently experiencing no water supply until this fault is fixed. SES Water supplies 160 million litres of water to more than 750,000 people in parts of Surrey, Kent and south London each day, according to the companys website. Pennon, which also owns South West Water, Bristol Water and Bournemouth Water, was cleared to buy the company for 350 million in June. TLC Loren and Faith 90 Day Fiance A resurfaced interview is exposing 90 Day Fiance star Lorens intentions behind going on the hit series. In an episode of Thekikipodcast from October 2023, just a week before Loren left to meet Faith in the Philippines, he explained that his priority was to make money from being on the show. He went on to say that he planned to play up the drama for cameras, claiming he knew how to push Faiths buttons. "I get paid more the more ridiculousness I do, he began. The plan is that I just be as dramatic as possible, and this girl in the Philippines is just so jealous of everything that it's gonna be super easy. Like I'll snap my fingers, I can walk out, make her pissed off." He also revealed he only had a one-way ticket because he didnt have the money to get home. If I get stuck there, I get stuck there, he said. Life goes on. TLC Loren and Faith from 90 Day Fiance Loren noted that finding someone to marry wouldnt be difficult for him because he had options for his potential future wives. Although he said his preference would be to stay in the Philippines, he was also considering returning to the United States. Either I'm gonna marry this girl in America, which means I'm gonna go with my family in Washington, which means either I sell my moped I just take the plane straight from the Philippines to Washington if she's not what I'm looking for or I go to the Philippines and I meet someone else, he said. I'm hoping I can marry just a regular girl and just have ladyboys on the side and live in the Philippines forever, Loren continued, seemingly indicating that he did not want to marry Faith, who is a transgender woman. But if I can't do that, I'll go back to Vegas and marry this girl named Wendy or this girl named Aliko, and then that would be that. Related: 90 Day: Faith's Family Wants to Ensure Loren's 'Intentions Are Good' as He Insists 'I Only Like Trans Women' (Exclusive) The same week he appeared on the podcast, Loren revealed that days earlier he had sex with a fully transitioned trans girl before leaving to meet Faith. She was amazing, he said. We were supposed to have a threesome, but it didn't, it never happened. We had flakes, we had two flakes. Yeah. I'll meet her again though. PEOPLE has reached out to reps at TLC for comment. TLC Loren 90 Day Fiance Fans have been watching Loren and Faiths journey as their season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs. So far, Loren has dropped several bombshells on Faith, including his STD diagnosis and his infidelity. So, we can't kiss, he told her in the Nov. 17 episode. Stunned, Faith asked why she couldnt be intimate with him before he finally revealed, Well, I have gonorrhea." She later opened up to her sisters, saying she broke up with Loren because he had sex with others. In her confessional, Faith said, I still want to be respected and loved. And I dont want to settle with someone who cheats just because I am trans. She added, If someone loves me, then he should be able to respect me. In a Dec. 15 episode, however, the pair got engaged after reconciling. Loren admitted that "weve had some ups and downs," adding, "in order for us to plan our next steps together, I need to propose to her. Ideally, tomorrow, we will meet with an immigration lawyer so we can come up with a plan to get married ASAP, he explained in his confessional. 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. 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC. Read the original article on People File: A Spring neighborhood in 2022. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer GoFundMe on Tuesday released its 2024 Year in Help report, and a Houston suburb is the only Texas location to rank in the top 25. Although Spring isnt a city and is an unincorporated part of Harris County, it appeared on GoFundMe's list. Last year, it was ranked the most generous city in the United States. Spring came in 14th in the U.S. on GoFundMe's 2024 list, according to the report. Marietta, Georgia; Sarasota, Florida; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida were the top three. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD STUDENT KILLED: Family starts GoFundMe for HISD student struck and killed by trian near Milby High The report highlights the places worldwide where the most individuals and nonprofits have displayed their generosity and humanity by giving during times of significant need. Margaret Richardson, chief corporate affairs officer, told the Chronicle she believes communities such as Spring are tight-knit and have strong support. I think theres a pattern of people in Spring stepping up and sharing what they have with their neighbors and being moved by the stories that they see on GoFundMe," she said. Over the summer, GoFundMe hosted a watch party for Simone Biles and other Olympians at Biles' childhood gym as she again performed an Olympic gold routine. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People showed up for our athletes at that time and for people around the world in moments of need throughout the year," Richardson said. Although Texas didn't make the top 10 ranking for most generous states, Texans donated more than $190 million to fundraisers this year, she said. The top five most generous states were Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. Richardson said she believes communities such as Spring are tight-knit and have strong support. I think theres a pattern of people in Spring stepping up and sharing what they have with their neighbors and being moved by the stories that they see on GoFundMe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Spring's notable fundraisers Misha's Road to Recovery raised more than $90,000 in for medical care of a 6-year-old boy after a non-fatal drowning. Tribute to Jocelyn raised more than $117,000 for the family of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, whose body was found strangled in a north Houston creek. Help Cancer Survivor Fernando get off the streets raised more than $68,000 for a man experiencing homelessness while he battles cancer. The Year in Help 2024 report showed that GoFundMe causes had more than 55 million shares, more than 23 million in donations to nonprofits and an average donation of $77. Richardson said she thinks the platform is growing because people are moved by the ability to share with their community and it brings the community coming together to donate as one. Advertisement Article continues below this ad GoFundMe checklist and tips to raise money GoFundMe provides a checklist of tips for organizers with key information that the platform has seen raise 2.6 times more on average. We see the people who have gone through the full checklist are three times more likely to raise almost three times as much on average, Richardson said. These tips are the secret between making your fundraisers as successful as possible and maybe leaving some of the opportunity behind. Conveying urgency: Organizers should let the community know how urgent and timely the fundraiser is. Conveying urgency has resulted in 50 percent more donations and 40 percent more money raised on average, according to GoFundMe. Share with your inner circle: Before sharing publicly, started sharing with a close network over direct messages, text and email on popular platforms has helped organizers see 20 percent more donations to their fundraisers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Share early: Sharing your fundraiser early with friends, family and loved ones youre on social media channels within the first 10 hours of creating it resulted in raising on average 10 percent more money. Share often: Dont give up or stop after your first share of your fundraiser. Organizers who share every few days can see an increase in donations and others sharing as well. People that continue to share after their first week of fundraising see 30 percent more donations and 40 percent more money raised on average. Post updates with images: Post updates to engage with your community. Posting updates with images or videos raise 2.4 times more on average. Is giving on GoFundMe tax-deductible? Donations made to a personal GoFundMe fundraiser are generally considered to be personal gifts and arent guaranteed to be tax-deductible, a GoFundMe representative said in an email. AOC Progressive darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 35, flopped in her bid to helm the powerful House Oversight Committee, losing to Rep. Gerry Connolly, 74, who is foreshadowing political trench warfare against the GOP. Connolly (D-Va.) won the spot in a House Democratic caucus vote Tuesday, one day after notching the support from the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. Tried my best. Sorry I couldnt pull it through everyone we live to fight another day, the Empire State rep posted on her BlueSky account after losing the vote. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had been the No. 2 Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) had been the No. 2 Democrat on the committee for the past two years under ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who is moving over to the top Dem spot on the House Judiciary Committee. But many establishment Democrats such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) reportedly felt that Connolly was a far more seasoned investigator to help navigate the party through the incoming Trump administration. Connolly, who represents a Northern Virginia suburban district, had been a key Democrat on the Oversight panel since joining the lower chamber in 2009. If Ocasio-Cortez had won the perch, she wouldve been the youngest Democrat to serve in the role. Gerry Connolly is a much more experienced veteran of the investigative panel. AP We know what the Republican playbook will be. We have seen it before. They have demonstrated that they are willing to traffic in debunked conspiracy theories and enable the worst abuses of the Trump Administration, Connolly said after winning the slot. This will be trench warfare. Now is not the time to be timid I promise the American people that our Committee Democrats will be a beacon of truth and prepared from Day One to counter Republican gaslighting. Connolly further promised to keep Democrats disciplined and laser-focused on getting results on the kitchen table issues. In landing the role, Connolly is paving the way to become one of President-elect Donald Trumps chief adversaries in Congress. However, due to the razor-thin House GOP majority, Connolly will be somewhat limited in his ability to take on the commander-in-chief. The Bronx and Queens rep. has been on the House Oversight Committee since 2019. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock While Ocasio-Cortez had enjoyed fanfare amongst the progressive base, Connolly managed to court more mainstream and centrist Democrats. Prior to her nasty fall in Luxembourg that necessitated hip replacement surgery, Pelosi was believed to be pulling strings from behind the scenes to boost Connolly. She is widely believed to have a somewhat acrimonious relationship with Ocasio-Cortez, who famously took down her ally, former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), in a 2018 primary upset. Argentine President Javier Milei is expected to attend President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration, according to a Buenos Aires-based outlet, joining a growing list of foreign leaders who have been invited to the Jan. 20 ceremony. Milei who has grown close to Trump and the American conservative movement since being elected to lead his nation will fly to Washington, DC, for Inauguration Day after the incoming president personally called him to extend the invite, La Nacion reported. Foreign leaders have never jetted into the nations capital for the hallowed affair, typically sending their diplomatic counterparts instead, but Trump, 78, has broken with custom to potentially bring in an entourage of dignitaries. Argentine President Javier Milei has grown close to President-elect Donald Trump and made featured appearances at his Mar-a-Lago club during the transition. Argentinian Presidency/AFP via Getty Images The world leaders are calling me, and some really would like to meet, the president-elect maintained during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. I think its rude not to, I mean, its hard to say Im not going to see you, and Ive spoken to way over 100 where they called to congratulate on the not only the election, but the size of the election, the extent of the victory, he went on. I spoke to over 100 countries, he claimed. And Im trying with the best I can to get back to everybody. But there are a lot of countries, and every one of them, literally everyone called, and it was very nice. So, yeah, Id see some if some felt it was an emergency. Trump presonally called Milei to extend the inviation for the inaugural event next month, according to Buenos Aires-based outlet La Nacion. REUTERS Trump also said he would invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the inauguration if he wanted to come. Chinese President Xi Jinping was also offered a seat but wont attend as the soon-to-be 47th president takes the oath of office next month, a source familiar with the RSVP previously told The Post. I would say that if hed like to come, Id love to have him, but theres been nothing much discussed, Trump deflected during his Palm Beach, Fla., presser. I have had discussions with him, letters, et cetera, et cetera, at a very high level. You know, we had a very good relationship until COVID[-19]. Foreign leaders have never jetted into the nations capital for the hallowed affair, typically sending their diplomatic counterparts instead, but Trump, 78, has broken with custom to potentially bring in an entourage of dignitaries. REUTERS COVID didnt end the relationship, but it was a bridge too far for me, he added. Chinas ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, and his wife are expected to attend as is traditional. Milei has cozied up to the president-elect and his MAGA faithfuls at Mar-a-Lago during an America First Policy Institute gala last month, where he mugged for a photo with tech billionaire Elon Musk, another close confidant of Trump, Buenos Aires Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Secretary General of the Argentine Presidency Karina Milei, Javiers sister. The libertarian-minded leader, who cut his nations bureaucracy upon taking office, was also a featured speaker at a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier this year. Other conservative leaders whose stars are rising, including Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, whom Trump has praised as a real live wire, and El Salvadors President Nayib Bukele, have also been asked to come to the swearing in ceremony, according to CNN. Trumps transition team and the Argentinian embassy did not respond to inquiries from The Post. On a vertical rockface like El Capitan, the soaring slab of granite in Californias Yosemite National Park, perfection is an elusive, almost impossible goal for professional climbers. It can take years of experience to master a route to the top of the 3,000-foot wall, such is its difficulty and magnitude. Thats precisely why Babsi Zangerls recent flash of El Cap is so unique and impressive. In climbing, to flash a route is to reach the top on the first attempt without any falls a feat never before achieved on El Cap prior to Zangerls maiden summit of Freerider last month. From bottom to top, she was faultless. It was hard to believe, the Austrian climber tells CNN Sport. I was so surprised that this just happened and that I didnt fall I could have fallen so many times on that climb. Freerider is a popular route up El Capitan, the same one taken by Alex Honnold when he climbed the rockface without ropes or harnesses in the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo. Zangerl has lots of experience climbing on El Cap and around Yosemite but had never previously attempted the 30-plus pitches up Freerider. The challenging Monster Offwidth section a 60-meter-long (almost 197 feet) crack around halfway through the climb had put her off, and flashing the route, she says, wasnt a long-standing target for her. It was more that we just could try to go flash and see how far we can get, Zangerl explains. But the expectations were really low, so it was not a big goal from the beginning There are some really slabby pitches where you dont have hand holds, so youre mostly standing on the bad feet, and you always can slip off. The chance was really low I didnt have the feeling that we have a big chance on the flash. It was only once she had conquered the Boulder Problem perhaps the hardest, most treacherous part of the climb with only razor-thin holds on which to grip that the flash seemed possible. Then it was kind of: you dont want to f**k it up on the last part, says Zangerl. Other climbers have come close to flashing a route up El Capitan before Zangerl, with asterisks often being placed alongside their completions. British climber Pete Whittaker, for instance, tried to flash Freerider in 2014 but went back down on the first day due to traffic on the route. He then fell further up the climb and instead switched to Teflon Corner, which is another option on the same route. I knew that he (Whittaker) was really close to flashing it, says Zangerl, who adds that she didnt spend time looking into previous attempts too much because it would have stressed me more. Indeed, not overthinking things was central to the 36-year-olds successful ascent, and she says that it was more mentally demanding than any project she has tackled before, given the pressure of having just one attempt. It was when climbing, rather than resting, that Zangerl felt most at peace. Its easier to be really focused while climbing, she says, then I dont have any other thoughts. Its easier to focus, but as soon as I stopped climbing, I go to bed. Then I have more pressure. The whole ascent took around four days, with nights spent camped out on the wall. Accompanying Zangerl was her boyfriend and climbing partner Jacopo Larcher, who was also trying to flash the route before a single fall on the Boulder Problem rendered his attempt unsuccessful. It meant that there were mixed feelings when the pair reached the top of the climb joy at what Zangerl had just accomplished, but sadness that Larcher couldnt match the feat. In flash climbing, the first attempt is also the last and even a tiny mistake can prove costly. Zangerl and her partner, Jacopo Larcher, rest in a tent on El Capitan. - Miya Tsudome for Highpoint Productions I briefly felt relieved, Larcher wrote on Instagram about his fall on the Boulder Problem, as now I could just climb the rest without pressure but after topping out, feelings changed. I wont lie. This one meant a lot to me and failure is, and will be, hard to accept. We had an amazing time up there and I couldnt be more proud of Babsi and her achievement!!!! Yet at the same time the walk of shame on the valley floor is feeling hard. As for Zangerl, she believes that she simply had luck on her side with the flash attempt a key ingredient for success when the margin for error is so great. Convinced she would fall in the latter stages of the climb, she credits Larcher with helping her to reach the top. He stayed pretty cool after he had a fall, says Zangerl. It was really disappointing for him, but he kept the psych high and supported me, and he wasnt in a bad mood. He really believed in me, that I have a chance to do it, and this helped a lot. I trust him 100%, we work perfectly together. And even when I climb with him, I can also take more risk. I know that he will always give me a soft belay I feel pretty safe and this trust in each other, I think its really, really important. The pair were blessed with good conditions during their climb cloudy skies, cool temperatures, and hardly anyone else on the route at the same time. And as further evidence that luck was on her side, Zangerl also had a chance meeting with Honnold and his friend and fellow climber Tommy Caldwell in a cafe the day before the flash attempt. Honnold, who knows Freeriders intricate web of cracks and ledges better than anyone else in the world, offered advice on how to take a break while negotiating the Monster Offwidth by wedging a leg into the long crevice. It worked perfectly, says Zangerl. I could rest in this position and that was a good help. Zangerl has summited El Capitan multiple times but this was her first attempt on Freerider. - Miya Tsudome for Highpoint Productions A historic flash of Freerider, her seventh free climb on El Cap before scaling the Golden Gate route soon after, adds to Zangerls already impressive climbing resume. This achievement, she says, has garnered more attention than any other in her career. I topped out that route, and the day after, it was already on a television in Austria, says Zangerl. I didnt even tell my mother, but it was already on the television, and she called me, (saying): What did you do? And I was like, Really?! Now back home in Austria, Zangerl is returning to her day job as a hospital radiographer. She hopes to go back to Yosemite late next year, with many routes still to try and perhaps more climbing history to be made in the future. Its always a happy place to be, says Zangerl. In long-term goals, maybe it would be cool to put up our own route somewhere. That would a big goal to do a first ascent. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com After welcoming her son Caper in November 2023, Andalusia Mesa couldn't wait to meet her baby boy and hold him in her arms. But her joy quickly turned to concern when, through the haze of her pain medication, she looked around the room and realized that all the doctors and nurses were panicking. Everyone else in the room is freaking out because he was purple since he hadnt been breathing, the Los Angeles-based mom recalls to PEOPLE. And then they whisked him away very quickly. Andalusia had a normal pregnancy, only noticing that Caper would move in her stomach at odd times. She had to be induced because her son was past his due date but didnt think anything of it and she certainly didnt expect any medical issues. He was born with fluid in his lungs, she says. They were worried about there being an infection. He was born not breathing, he was code blue. And so he just started off immediately in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit]. 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 Mesa Family Baby Caper Related: Mom Noticed Her Toddler Was Acting Strange. Days Later, She Found Out It Was Stage 4 Cancer (Exclusive) From there, things began to get worse. Andalusia recalls seeing Capers eye twitch and thinking that she was witnessing a seizure. However, when she asked the doctors if she was correct, they shut her down. They kept saying no," she says. They also kept denying her and her husband Charles requests for an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which measures electrical activity in the brain, when they noticed Capers feet twitching. Eventually, the worried couple sent a video directly to the neurologist on-call at UCLA Santa Monica, who finally ordered an EEG. Caper was 7 days old. The Mesa Family Andalusia, Charles and their son Caper We finally got our EEG. They say its going to be a 24-hour EEG. If nothing happens, then its most likely not seizures or its definitely not seizures, Andalusia says. And within 30 minutes of the EEG being on my son at one week old, doctors started rushing in with intervention medication. He had been seizing consecutively for the first 30 minutes of the EEG. He was likely having one consecutive seizure for this entire first week of life, she shares. After 30 minutes, seizures cause brain damage. So he was likely getting one weeks worth of brain damage already out of the gate. And its possible that he was having seizures in utero and thats why his movement was so abnormal. The Mesa Family Andalusia and Caper last Christmas Once doctors realized something was wrong with Caper, he was given an MRI. Thats when they discovered that he had a brain malformation on his left side called a hemimegalencephaly, or HME. The condition is extremely rare according to the Children's National Hospital, it only affects a handful of children a year and the only way to diagnose it in utero is with an MRI. We would never have known because most pregnant women arent getting MRIs, Andalusia says. They told us as soon as they gave us the diagnosis that pretty much the only course of treatment would be to get a hemispherectomy, which is a surgery to remove the left side of the brain entirely. On Dec. 28, 2023, when Caper was 4 weeks old, he had his surgery. In the hour leading up to it, he suffered six seizures. Two weeks after the surgery, he was discharged from the hospital and allowed to go home. Not long after, the seizures started up again and the family was told that Caper would need a second surgery to remove more pieces of his brain. The first surgery had a 60% chance of giving him seizure freedom, and the second surgery had a 50% chance of giving seizure freedom, Andalusia says. It did not give him seizure freedom. The Mesa Family Charles with Caper Andalusia describes Capers time spent in the hospital after his second surgery as awful, saying that they felt like they could see him regressing. That was kind of the last option for him, was this surgery, and it wasnt as successful as wed hoped, she says. And then you have a lot of regret as a parent allowing your kid to go through another hospitalization and having to start his recovery journey all over. He cant hold his head up, she continues. We see a lot of other kids who have undergone this surgery months later than Caper did, who can hold their head up. Comparing Caper to other kids cases has been difficult, as Andalusia admits its hard to see other kids succeeding when yours feel so far behind. After his second surgery, Caper had his medication increased. Today, he still suffers a few seizures a week, but usually not more than one a day. Throughout his journey, he has also been given a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and epilepsy. I think we were in shock at that point, she shares of learning that Caper had cerebral palsy. I had been having no more than two hours of sleep a day for that week, and I was happy to finally have answers and that they finally took us seriously. We were looked at like paranoid first-time parents. The Mesa Family The Mesa Family As she came to terms with Capers prognosis, Andalusia says she started making negotiations in her mind. You make concessions and youre like, Well, I hope he can still have a romantic relationship in the future, and then you realize maybe he will never be able to have that, she says. And then youre like, Oh my God, I hope he can just communicate with us what he likes, and he might never be able to do that. You start mourning the life that you wanted for your kid and hell never have. As of now, Caper sees at least seven different specialists multiple times a year at the hospital. His next surgery option is for seizure reduction and will involve an implant that doctors will put in his brain to stimulate his brain activity, as a result of having surgeries. But he wont be a candidate for that until hes older. Currently, he is on five, trying-to-be-six, different anti-epileptic medications and hes still having seizures, Andalusia says. Thats a lot. Most people find seizure freedom on one or two medications, and Caper does have a very severe case. With Christmas only a few weeks away, Andalusia and her husband are excited to celebrate Capers first official holiday at home, since he was in the hospital during Christmas last year. We left the Christmas tree up year round, cause we think he really likes the lights on the tree, Andalusia says. We havent really planned anything really, but weve got a lot of family locally thatll probably come together and just do Christmas traditions. The Mesa Family Baby Caper Although shes been able to lean on family members for support throughout this time, Andalusia says that because Caper needs 24/7 monitoring and that his care will change as he hits new milestones, its hard to leave him with anybody else. Even if we train somebody on how to take care of him, as things develop with him, as he starts eating solid foods and isnt just eating through the bottle, the people that we trust to take care of him have to be re-trained on how to take care of him, she says. And its hard to trust people to care for him as closely as we do. Andalusia, who works as an assistant project manager for a photography studio, is still full-time at her job while also caring for Caper. Its been hectic trying to balance both of those responsibilities, but she says she cant afford to lose her job. We have not been provided health insurance from the state, even though his conditions and diagnoses are severe enough that he should have qualified for Medical, Andalusia says, adding that Caper is on her health insurance from her company. Capers first surgery was $5 million, and we only had to pay our maximum out of pocket. As she navigates an impossible situation of taking care of her son while also trying to be present at work, Andalusia says its hard sometimes not to blame herself. Theres only so much of me to go around, she says. The Mesa Family The Mesa Family For Andalusia, the one bright spot has been connecting with other families and kids who can relate to what Caper has gone through. Andalusia runs her sons social media accounts and has been able to find a community of support through Facebook and Instagram. The family was also able to attend Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland just before Thanksgiving this year, where they met another family with a 13-year-old daughter who has epilepsy. You see somebody whos got a different diagnosis than Caper, but she seems to be doing so well. And here she is at Disneyland! Andalusia says. Thats maybe where well be in 12 or 13 years back at Disneyland, living life and making friends and taking time off work. Andalusia and Charles friends and family have set up a GoFundMe for them and are hoping to raise $100,000 for them. Theres still a long road ahead for Caper at the time of their PEOPLE interview, the family had just been told that hes likely blind. By sharing her familys story, Andalusia hopes others are encouraged to advocate for themselves in medical settings. Dont ask your doctors for something, tell your doctors you want something and trust your gut, Andalusia says. Unfortunately, Capers long-term outcome has been severely affected by people looking at us like paranoid parents. I stay very vocal and very open about what were going through in hopes that somebody overhears me on the Internet or in person and can chime in with, Oh my gosh, were dealing with the same thing, or, Weve been there. To donate to Caper and his family, visit the GoFundMe here. Read the original article on People :KarpenkovDenis /Istockphoto The Best Traditional Hanukkah Foods Hanukkah may be nicknamed the Festival of Lights, but if you ask us, its also a Festival of FOOD! Because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a small amount of lamp oil keeping the Second Temples Menorah alight for eight days, foods fried in oil are traditionally eaten to celebrate the holiday. When partnered with other traditional Jewish American foods, a Hanukkah feast can be one worth looking forward to all year long. Drazen Zigic/Istockphoto What Do You Serve at A Hanukkah Party? The two most popular Hanukkah foods are latkes and jelly donuts, both symbolic of the oil that kept the lamp burning. Gelt, little foil-wrapped chocolate coins, are also usually found at Hanukkah parties. After that, its up to you! Many families will also serve braised brisket and other family favorites, but there are really no rules. GreenArtPhotography/Istockphoto Latkes Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are the one food most closely identified with Hanukkah. Theyre made by forming shredded potatoes (usually combined with a little onion) into patties and frying until golden brown, and are traditionally served alongside applesauce and sour cream (Were partial to topping them with creme fraiche and smoked salmon). Goldbelly Jelly Donuts Jelly Donuts, called Sufganiyot in this context, are the second most traditional Hanukkah food. Goldbelly Matzo Ball Soup No soup is more synonymous with Jewish celebrations than matzo ball soup. All thats needed for a soup to be called matzo ball soup is chicken broth and a matzo ball or two big, round dumplings made by binding matzo meal with some eggs and fat (either oil or chicken fat) but many versions also include chicken, noodles, vegetables like carrots and celery,or a combination thereof. Goldbelly Challah Challah isnt a traditional Hanukkah food in the strictest sense, but its a welcome addition to any Jewish festivity. This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org Goldbelly More from MediaFeed Speaking at his last Hanukkah reception of his administration, President Joe Biden on Monday night reiterated his "ironclad" support for Israel and said he was committed to getting every single one of the hostages home. "I know this year's Hanukkah falls on the hearts that are still very heavy. It's the second Hanukkah since the horrors of Oct. 7. Over 1,000 slaughtered, hundreds taken hostage, unspeakable sexual violence and so much more. The trauma of that day and its aftermath is still raw and ongoing," Biden said. "I've gotten over 100 hostages out. I will not stop so I get every single one of them home," he added. The president also denounced the "despicable surge of antisemitism" in the U.S. and around the world. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during a Hanukkah holiday reception in the East Room of the White House on Dec. 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MORE: Up to Hamas now, Biden says, announcing US-brokered Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal "I've said many times before, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent nation-state remains ironclad," he said. During his remarks, Biden recalled taking each of his grandchildren to concentration camps in Europe so they would understand the horrors of the Holocaust. "I wanted them to know that you couldn't pretend it didn't happen, and it should never happen again," Biden said. "And so I learned a long time ago, you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. I'm a Zionist," Biden said, repeating a phrase he has used throughout his career. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (Rod Lamkey/AP) MORE: Biden and Harris urge Democrats to 'keep the faith' at DNC holiday reception The president's remarks on Monday night come the day after he hosted the Democratic National Committee's holiday reception, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden, who has just over a month left in office, talked about his legacy and the lasting effect he wanted to leave on America. "The one thing I've always believed about public service, and especially about the presidency, is the importance of asking yourself: 'Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?'" Biden said during his remarks on Sunday evening. "Today, I can say, with [every] fiber of my being, of all my heart, the answer to that question is a resounding 'yes.' Because of all of you assembled here, we can be proud we're leaving America in a better place today than we came here four years ago," Biden said. Biden speaks of Oct. 7 and commitment to getting hostages home at Hanukkah reception originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A top Russian general accused of using chemical weapons on the battlefields in Ukraine was killed after a bomb went off in Moscow early Tuesday, Russian investigators said, in an attack swiftly claimed by Kyiv. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who headed Russias radiological, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a remotely detonated bomb planted in an electric scooter outside an apartment building some 7 kilometers (4 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, according to Russias Investigative Committee. The blast came a day after Ukrainian prosecutors sentenced Kirillov in absentia for Russias use of banned chemical weapons during its invasion. A source with knowledge of the operation later told CNN that Ukraines security service, the SBU, was behind the attack. Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical substances against the Ukrainian military, the source told CNN. Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable. Kirillov, who was 54, is the most senior military official known to be killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His assistant, named in Russian media as Ilya Polikarpov, was also killed in the blast on Ryazansky Street. A video obtained by CNN from a source with knowledge of the operation showed the moments before the two men were killed in the explosion. The outline of what appears to be a scooter can be seen to the right of the door of the residential building. As the two men step outside and walk towards a car, the bomb detonates and the screen flashes white. The bomb packed explosive power amounting to some 300 grams of TNT, Russian state news agency TASS reported. A CNN team on the ground later saw blast marks at the entrance to a residential building, cordoned off by investigators. Russias Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the attack, calling it a terrorist act. Investigators inspect damage to a building caused by the blast in Moscow on Tuesday. - Sefa Karacan/Anadolu via Getty Images Ukraines SBU on Monday said that more than 4,800 cases of Russian use of chemical munitions had been recorded on Kirillovs orders since the war began particularly grenades equipped with irritant chemical agents. CNN has previously reported on Russias use of tear gas as a weapon in Ukraine. Before his death, the United States had sanctioned Kirillovs government entity for its alleged use of the chemical weapon chloropicrin against troops in Ukraine. Chloropicrin which affects the eyes, skin, throat and lungs was manufactured for use as a tear gas during the trench warfare of World War I. It was banned in 1993 under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which Russia is a signatory. The US State Department said in May that Russia used such weapons to dislodge Ukrainian forces from fortified positions and achieve tactical gains on the battlefield. The United Kingdom also sanctioned Kirillov in October for the deployment of barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine. Over nearly three years of war, Kirillov had routinely made unfounded claims about Ukraines alleged use of chemical weapons. The UK accused Kirillov of acting as a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation. In October 2022 when Ukraine began to liberate territories in Kherson and elsewhere, delivering a major setback to Russias invasion Kirillov made unfounded accusations that Ukraine was planning to detonate a dirty bomb, dispersing radioactive matter on its own territory. This work is in its final stage, he said. In November this year, he claimed that one of the key aims of Ukraines incursion into Russias Kursk region was to seize the Kursk nuclear power plant. Kirillovs assassination is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Russian military personnel. Last month, a senior Black Sea Fleet officer Valery Trankovsky was killed in a car bombing in occupied Crimea. The assassination was carried out by Ukraines security service, a source in the agency told CNN. Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment publicly, however many Russian officials have responded furiously to Kirillovs death. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council launched a scathing attack of Ukraines military and political leadership on Tuesday, saying: Law enforcement agencies must find the killers in Russia and everything must be done to destroy the perpetrators who are in Kyiv. Konstantin Kosacehv, a senator at the Federation Council and chair of its Foreign Relations Committee, said he was shocked by the irreparable loss of Kirillov. The murderers will be punished. Without a doubt and without mercy, he wrote on Telegram. Andrey Kartapolov, a member of the State Duma, said those involved in Kirillovs murder will be found and punished. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russias Foreign Ministry, said Kirillov had been systematically exposing the crimes of the West for many years, citing a number of conspiracy theories, including the deadly activities of American biolabs in Ukraine, which has been consistently debunked. Zakharova also took a swipe at the West, without naming any specific countries, saying in a Tuesday Telegram post: All those who welcome terrorist attacks or deliberately keep their silence are accomplicesthe silence of the UN Secretariat is an obvious sign of corruption. Mark Galeotti, a leading Russia analyst, said that although Kirillovs assassination is another embarrassment to the Kremlins security forces, it will not have a major effect on its war effort. Without him there, someone else just moves up. Thats the nature of the chain of command, Galeotti told CNN. However, Ukraines recent targeting of senior military officials represents a change in strategy designed to unsettle Russias elites, he said. In and of itself, this is not going to end the war, but it does speak to the fact that there is a significant faction particularly the Russian officer corps that isnt very happy with the war, he said. Ukraines attacks send a message that supporting the invasion bears a price. CNNs Victoria Butenko, Clare Sebastian, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Catherine Nicholls, Benjamin Brown, Mariya Knight and Zahid Mahmood contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A flag-raising ceremony at Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan, last year. WASHINGTON The FBI has held classified briefings warning a handful of U.S. lawmakers that the Chinese Communist Party is working to create fake stories to portray them in a negative light because of their hawkish views of Beijing and support for Taiwan, two U.S. officials familiar with the briefings told NBC News. The U.S. officials, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the briefings, said that one of the false stories being concocted by the CCP, cited by FBI briefers, is that these lawmakers are espousing pro-Taiwan views because they were taking bribes from Taiwan. The CCP is trying to undermine congressional support for Taiwans democracy, to paint it as corrupt and not in the American public interest, one of the two U.S. officials told NBC News. It will not work. The officials said the briefings occurred in the fall. A third source, a House lawmaker who specializes in national security matters, said they had been informed about the alleged CCP scheme but had not personally received a briefing. The FBI had no comment. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, responded to a detailed list of questions for this story with a statement: "The report is entirely fabricated, and the Chinese government has never had any plan to smear these lawmakers. As for whether they have accepted bribes from Taiwan, it should be investigated by the relevant authorities in the United States and has nothing to do with China." The classified discussions were described as defensive briefings, the U.S. officials said, meaning the alleged CCP scheme had not been carried out yet, but the FBI wanted to share critical information with the intended targets as a way to pre-empt the attacks. The FBI commonly provides defensive briefings to senior officials when the bureau learns they have been targeted by foreign intelligence operations. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated in recent years, particularly over the future of the island of Taiwan, a self-ruling democracy and a critical U.S. ally in Asia that China claims as its territory. In 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., an outspoken critic of Chinas human rights violations, made an unannounced visit to Taiwan and was awarded the highest civilian honor by its president. She was the highest-ranking U.S. official to set foot in Taiwan since former Speaker Newt Gingrich did it in 1997, and the move infuriated officials in Beijing, which launched military exercises around Taiwan including live-fire drills. Other lawmakers have made similar trips to Taipei. In February, bipartisan members of the special House committee investigating the CCP traveled to Taiwan to congratulate Lai Ching-te, the pro-independence candidate who had been elected president just weeks earlier. And this past May, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, led a bipartisan group of six lawmakers on an official congressional visit to Taiwan to meet with Lai. Several members of the House Intelligence Committee and select House committee on the CCP declined to comment when asked if they had received a classified briefing on the matter. Lawmakers are prohibited from speaking publicly about any such classified briefings. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., the chairman of the select House committee on the CCP, had no comment about any specific plot by the CCP, but said it was no secret Beijing has been targeting U.S. officials and other Americans. The CCP will try to discredit our way of life, our freedoms and will use every means necessary, Moolenaar told NBC News. So you know, whether its hacking high-level officials communications, we can expect all these things. Starting with the 2022 midterm elections, China has adopted increasingly sophisticated and aggressive tactics to try to aggravate political divisions in American society and undermine congressional candidates that Beijing deems hostile to the regimes interests, especially over the status of Taiwan, according to U.S. intelligence officials and researchers. In the 2024 presidential contest, China did not appear to favor either candidate but instead focused on specific downballot races with covert disinformation campaigns, using artificial intelligence tools and fake accounts mimicking Americans. The candidates targeted included McCaul; Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala.; and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., according to an analysis from Microsoft. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson said at the time that the claims were "full of malicious speculations" and that China had "no intention" to and would "not interfere in the U.S. election." U.S. intelligence officials and analysts say Chinas efforts to stoke polarization and undercut Americans confidence in the democratic process are part of a long-term effort that includes global information operations designed to tarnish Americas image abroad. Chinas disinformation efforts have coincided with what U.S. officials say is a concerted effort to steal intellectual property and U.S. military secrets through espionage and cyber hacks. Earlier this month, the White House said that a Chinese hacking campaign targeting the U.S. and other countries was more sweeping and serious than previously known. The CCP had spied on the texts and calls of U.S. citizens by hacking at least eight American telecommunications companies, according to a White House official. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington responded to that allegation in a statement this month: China firmly opposes the USs smear attacks against China without any factual basis. Courtesy CSX One of the nations longest and most cherished holiday traditions was extra special this year, serving a region impacted by devastating storms. The CSX Santa Train trekked its annual 110 miles through Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, and Tennessee delivering holiday cheer to thousands of families along its route. More than 15 tons of gifts were distributed to families along the route that stretches from Shelbiana, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, a region impacted in September by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. Courtesy CSX Now in its 82nd year, the Santa Train added a Holiday Express event in Erwin, Tennessee, that drew an estimated crowd of 4000 people. Country artist Drew Holcomb performed in the area which was among those hardest hit by the hurricane. The devastation across the region has been heartbreaking, and all of us at CSX want to try to bring some joy to our neighbors, CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs said in a press release. The CSX Santa Train began in 1943 by the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce (then called the Merchants Bureau of Kingsport) as a way to thank patrons in nearby rural communities who came to Kingsport to do their shopping. Back then, Santa would throw candy to young people, many of whom would run alongside the train. Now the operation takes a year to plan and requires hundreds of volunteers on the ground and on the train to execute. Courtesy CSX This year, the heritage 1902 Clinchfield Locomotive made its debut on the Santa Train route, honoring the Clinchfield Railroad that was originally chartered to serve coal mines in the area. This years Santa Train was a powerful reminder of the deep connection between CSX and the Appalachian communities we serve, Hinrichs, who participated and handed out gifts, said. Our team is honored to be part of a tradition that brings joy and supports families in a meaningful way during the holiday season. Read the original article on Southern Living Forecast high temperatures across Southeast Texas on Christmas Day are expected to top out above 70 degrees, according to the National Blend of Models. WeatherBELL The Christmas outlook is coming into better view now that were only about a week away from Santas jolly ho, ho, hos! at our chimneys. Houston is used to not having a white Christmas, though many longtime residents remember when snow flew on Christmas Eve in 2004. That one glorious instance of snow in the run-up to Christmas Day is certainly a rarity and likely wont happen again in our lifetime if more than 100 years of weather records are any indication. Christmas temperatures throughout Houstons more than 130-year weather history have ranged anywhere from the 80s during the day to the teens at night. Houston experienced a frigid Christmas as recently as 2022 when temperatures behind a vigorous cold front dropped into the teens and lower 20s. This year looks quite considerably different. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its important to point out that we are still over a week out from Christmas Day. While well discuss the general forecast, all of this is subject to change slightly over the next week. The bottom line: If your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day plans hinge on an accurate forecast, youll want to check back in between now and early next week. Top 5 warmest Christmas Days in Houston Roberto Villalpando A warm Christmas is expected Are you dreaming of a warm Christmas? If so, your dream is likely to come to fruition this year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A ridge of high atmospheric pressure is expected to bring above-normal temperatures basically along and west of the Mississippi River. Whether youre staying in Houston or flying to Salt Lake City or Seattle, its likely to be a warmer Christmas than usual. For us in Southeast Texas, temperatures on Christmas Day are typically in the mid-60s with lows in the mid-40s. Temperatures across much of the nation are expected to be above normal through Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center. Climate Prediction Center / Pivotal Weather Every single global forecast model suggests temperatures will be a solid 10 to 20 degrees above normal between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houstons official climate observation site. To be a week out and have this much consistency between global forecast models is telling. It suggests that confidence is incredibly high that this Christmas will certainly not go down in history with average Dec. 25 temperatures. Daytime temperatures on Dec. 24 and 25 are forecast to top out in the lower to mid-70s in Greater Houston. Areas near and north of Interstate 10 may see highs just shy of 70 degrees, especially on Christmas Eve. Nighttime temperatures may only fall into the middle and upper 50s, with Greater Houston possibly not falling below 60 degrees as Santa makes his way across Southeast Texas. Will it rain? Confidence in whether or not it will rain is a tad lower. Persistent onshore winds that bring in moisture-rich tropical air from the southeast usually results in at least an isolated shower or two during the day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center expects above-normal rainfall through Christmas Day across the eastern half of Texas, including in Houston. Continued southeasterly winds may result in isolated showers on Dec. 25 before more widespread showers late in the week. Climate Prediction Center / Pivotal Weather Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are expected to pass with mostly rain-free weather, but well be closely monitoring a potential low pressure system that develops off the Texas Gulf Coast by late next week. How early in the week this area of low atmospheric pressure takes shape will ultimately decide the fate of Christmas showers. For planning purposes, it may not be a bad idea to be ready for at least an isolated shower or two on Christmas Day, especially along the immediate coastline to about Interstate 10. NEW YORK (AP) In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs including Apple's Tim Cook, OpenAIs Sam Altman, Metas Mark Zuckerberg, SoftBank's Masayoshi Son and Amazons Jeff Bezos have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. The first term, everybody was fighting me, Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago. In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. Tech companies and leaders have now poured millions into his inauguration fund, a sharp increase in most cases from past pledges to incoming presidents. But what does the tech industry expect to gain out of their renewed relationships with Trump? During an interview Tuesday, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said the incoming Trump administration seems more interested in hearing about issues that are important to the industry than the Biden administration. Put all the politics aside, everybody wants to reboot some things," said Benioff, who stressed he strives to stay nonpartisan because he also owns Time magazine. We are just at a very exciting moment, its a new chapter for America. I think we should all have our best intentions going forward. I think a lot of people realize there is a lot of incredible people like Elon Musk in the tech industry and in the business community. If you tap the power and expertise of the best in America to make the best of America, thats a great vision." Clearing the way for AI development A clue to what the industry is looking for came just days before the election when Microsoft executives whove largely tried to show a neutral or bipartisan stance joined with a close Trump ally, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, to publish a blog post outlining their approach to artificial intelligence policy. Regulation should be implemented only if its benefits outweigh its costs, said the document signed by Andreessen, his business partner Ben Horowitz, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the company's president, Brad Smith. They also urged the government to back off on any attempt to strengthen copyright laws that would make it harder for companies to use publicly available data to train their AI systems. And they said, the government should examine its procurement practices to enable more startups to sell technology to the government. Trump has pledged to rescind President Joe Bidens sweeping AI executive order, which sought to protect peoples rights and safety without stifling innovation. He hasnt specified what he would do in its place, but his campaign said AI development should be rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing. Easier energy for data centers Trump's choice to head the Interior Department, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has spoken openly about the need to boost electricity production to meet increased demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. The AI battle affects everything from defense to healthcare to education to productivity as a country, Burgum said on Nov. 15, referring to artificial intelligence. And the AI thats coming in the next 18 months is going to be revolutionary. So theres just a sense of urgency and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration to address it. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years due to the rapid growth of cloud computing and AI, and local governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to consume more resources, some residents are pushing back against the worlds most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. Changing the antitrust discussion Maybe Big Tech should buy a copy of The Art of The Deal to figure out how to best negotiate with this administration, suggested Paul Swanson, an antitrust attorney for the law firm Holland & Hart. I wont be surprised if they find ways to reach some accommodations and we end up seeing more negotiated resolutions and consent decrees. Although federal regulators began cracking down on Google and Facebook during Trumps first term as president and flourished under Biden most experts expect his second administration to ease up on antitrust enforcement and be more receptive to business mergers. Google may benefit from Trumps return after he made comments on the campaign trail suggesting a breakup of the company isnt in the U.S. national interest, after a judge declared its search engine an illegal monopoly. But recent nominations put forward by his transition team have favored those who have been critical of Big Tech companies, suggesting Google wont be entirely off the hook. Fending off the EU Cooks notoriously rocky relationship with the EU can be traced back to a 2016 ruling from Brussels in a tax case targeting Apple. Cook slammed the blocs order for Apple to pay back up to 13 billion euros ($13.7 billion) in Irish back taxes as total political crap. Trump, then in his first term as president, piled on, referring to the European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, who was spearheading a campaign on special tax deals and a crackdown on Big Tech companies, as someone who really hates the U.S. Brussels was eventually vindicated after the blocs top court rejected Apples appeal this year, though it didnt stop Cook from calling Trump to complain, Trump recounted in a podcast in October. Making amends? Altman, Amazon and Meta all pledged to donate $1 million each to Trumps inaugural fund. Salesforce's Benioff said Tuesday that he won't be donating money to the inauguration because of his ties to Time, which named Trump as its Person of The Year a decision that landed picture of the president elect on the magazine's cover. I think we just donated that photo, Benioff said as he chuckled. He can use the Time magazine cover for free. During his first term, Trump criticized Amazon and railed against the political coverage at The Washington Post, which billionaire Bezos owns. Meanwhile, Bezos had criticized some of Trumps past rhetoric. In 2019, Amazon also argued in a court case that Trumps bias against the company harmed its chances of winning a $10 billion Pentagon contract. More recently, Bezos has struck a more conciliatory tone. He recently said at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York that he was optimistic about Trumps second term, while also endorsing president-elects plans to cut regulations. The donation from Meta came just weeks after Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president, but voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trumps response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump in recent months had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly. And Altman, who is in a legal dispute with AI rival Elon Musk, has said he is not that worried about the Tesla CEOs influence in the incoming administration. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the company earlier this year alleging that the maker of ChatGPT betrayed its founding aims of benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. What about Elon Musk? We have two multi-billionaires, Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are tasked with cutting what theyre saying will be multiple trillions of dollars from the federal budget, reducing the civil service, the workforce, said Rob Lalka, a business professor at Tulane University. Musk, he said, has a level of access to the White House that very few others have had -- access that allows him to potentially influence multiple policy areas, including foreign policy, automotive and energy policy through EVs, and tech policy on artificial intelligence. Elon Musk walked into Twitters headquarters with a sink and then posted, let that sink in, he said. Elon Musk then posted a status update on X, a picture of himself with a sink in the Oval Office and said, 'Let that sink in." Associated Press writers Kelvin Chan, Michael Liedtke, Matt O'Brien, Barbara Ortutay and Sarah Parvini contributed to this report. Don Johnson is basking in all the family love this holiday season. The Hollywood actor, best known for his role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the '80s TV series "Miami Vice," is celebrating another year around the sun. The actor turned 75 years old on Sunday, Dec. 15. His favorite present of all? Spending time with his children. In a rare family photo, Johnson posed with all five children from two different marriages and one previous relationship on a staircase decked out in Christmas decor. "My Kids are my Everything!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!" Johnson captioned the family portrait. In the photo, Johnson was also joined by wife Kelley Phleger. The two share three children: 24-year-old Grace, 22-year-old Jasper and 18-year-old Deacon Johnson. The "Django Unchained" actor's second child, "Madame Web" star Dakota Johnson, 35 whom he shares with ex-wife Melanie Griffith was also in attendance, along with her half-brother Alexander Bauer, who is Griffith's son. Johnson's half-sister through Griffith's marriage to Antonio Banderas, 28-year-old Stella Banderas, was also in the photo. Johnson's eldest son from a previous relationship with actress Patti D'Arbanville, 41-year-old Jesse Johnson, rounded out the family portrait. A chat with Don Johnson: Inside his yoga secrets and keeping extended family peace In an interview with USA TODAY in 2021, the actor shared insight into what keeps him balanced daily. "I start each day meditating and do something physical every day, like hiking or yoga. I started really doing yoga with my wife at the beginning of the pandemic," he said. "We went medieval on that. Real serious. I chose wisely to do a regular class with girls and not men because they will kick your (butt)." Most recently, Johnson starred in Netflix's "Rebel Ridge" in August. Speaking to USA TODAY about his latest acting credit, the actor said: "This movie is about something so much bigger, and that was part of the appeal for me." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Don Johnson celebrates 75th birthday with all 5 kids: See photo By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Jan. 20, ushering in his second term in office and capping one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history. Inauguration Day is, by tradition, largely dedicated to pomp and circumstance. One president leaves the White House, and another moves in. But Trump also has pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders on subjects ranging from border security to oil and gas production on his first day in office. Here is what we know about Inauguration Day so far: WHEN IS THE INAUGURATION? Trump will take the oath of office, likely administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, at 12 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) in front of the U.S. Capitol. Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. In interviews, he has said he intends it to be uplifting and unifying. That would mark a departure from his first speech in 2017, which detailed a broken country he described as American Carnage. The outgoing president, Democrat Joe Biden, has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump did not afford him four years earlier. Thousands of spectators without tickets are expected to fill the National Mall and watch the ceremony on large video screens. WHO IS INVITED? Trump has broken with precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the inaugural due to security concerns and have sent diplomats in their stead. Argentina's president, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump's, has said he will attend. Another Trump backer, Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he is considering coming. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend, despite an invitation. PARADE TO THE WHITE HOUSE After a lunch with congressional leaders at the Capitol, Trump will proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue in a motorcade to the White House, accompanied by a procession of military regiments, school marching bands, floats and citizens groups. The new president and his guests will then observe the rest of the parade from a reviewing stand. GETTING TO WORK Trump has vowed to use the afternoon to sign more than two dozen executive orders dictates that do not require congressional approval that will seek to roll back many of the Biden administrations policies. He is expected to sign orders that give immigration officers more latitude to arrest migrants with no criminal records, send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall. The orders will include a drive to increase energy production and follow through on Trump's oft-stated campaign vow to "drill, baby, drill. Trump also is likely to issue the first wave of pardons for defendants convicted by the federal government for their participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, siege of the U.S. Capitol. PARTYING AT NIGHT There will be a series of inaugural galas held in locations throughout Washington that evening, some of which Trump may attend. The official events are financed by Trumps inauguration committee, which is chaired by longtime Trump allies Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer, and Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator. Amazon.com, led by founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta Platforms , helmed by Mark Zuckerberg, have said they will donate $1 million each to the committee. Large donations to the committee must be reported to the Federal Election Commission. Trump raised a record $106.7 million for his 2017 inauguration festivities. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Lisa Shumaker) Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who was the subject of an intense search, is only now learning about the widespread attention she received after her family reported her missing last month. Kobayashi said Monday in a letter distributed through Larie Pidgeon, her aunt, that she returned to the U.S. from Mexico on Sunday. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all," she said in the statement. Hannah Kobayashi. Kobayashi, of Maui, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 but missed a connecting flight to New York City, family members said. Her family became alarmed a few days later when she stopped communicating with them, they said. They reported her missing Nov. 13, with the Los Angeles Police Department taking over the case Nov. 15, police said. Relatives were particularly concerned with security video showing an unknown man with Kobayashi in Los Angeles, but police said they investigated and found no wrongdoing. Kobayashi had planned to travel to New York to tour museums and galleries as part of her goal of becoming an artist, Pidgeon has said. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said this month that it appeared Kobayashi willfully remained in Los Angeles and cut off communication on her own. He said she had her luggage rerouted back to Los Angeles International Airport after she missed her flight to New York City. McDonnell also said investigators reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing in San Diego at 12:13 p.m. Nov. 12. While he said the woman was free to travel, he urged her to reach out to concerned family members, some of whom flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii and other parts of the country to coordinate their search. On Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport, police said. Last week, Kobayashi's family said she had been found safe. Her mother and sister, who did not say when or where she was found, said they were grateful she had been located. In her statement Monday, Kobayashi said she returned to the U.S. at daybreak Sunday, without providing details about her experience. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," she said. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. By Jennifer Rigby LONDON (Reuters) - A new long-acting preventive HIV drug could reach the worlds poorest countries by the end of 2025 or early 2026, a global health official told Reuters on Tuesday. The ambition is to start deliveries of Gilead Sciences lenacapavir on that timeline, said Hui Yang, head of supply operations at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. However, she said a lot of things need to happen first, including the injectable drug receiving regulatory approvals from authorities like the United States Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization. Lenacapavir is already approved for use as a treatment for multi-drug resistant HIV, costing around $42,250 for the first year of therapy in the United States. Clinical trials this year showed it is also very effective at preventing infection and Gilead is seeking approvals for the new use globally. "We don't want...low and low-middle income countries to wait, to be at the back of the line," when these approvals come in, said Yang, an equality issue that has plagued the fight against HIV for decades. To avoid this, the Global Fund said on Tuesday it would join forces with the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), with funding from the Childrens Investment Fund Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to support affordable access to the pricey drug in countries they work with from day one. The groups did not provide further details on how this may work, other than saying they aimed to reach at least two million people over three years. Gilead signed deals in October this year with six generic drugmakers to make and sell lenacapavir more cheaply in 120 low and middle-income countries. The move was criticized for leaving out countries, especially in Latin America. No deal has yet been signed with Gilead or any of these generic producers, Yang said, but they will work with all the companies involved. Gilead's chief executive and chairman Daniel O'Day said the initiative would help accelerate access so more people could access lenacapavir from the outset. (Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Syrians are starting to uncover mass graves across the country, shedding light on the magnitude of atrocities committed during the brutal rule of ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. Since Assad fled Syria on December 8 following the collapse of his regime, scores of Syrian families still have no answer about what happened to their loved ones following their detention by Assads secret police. Hundreds of thousands of bodies of people tortured to death by the Assad regime could be buried in a mass grave east of Damascus, according to Mouaz Moustafa, executive director of the US-based Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF), an anti-Assad advocacy group. After years of work to expose mass graves, Moustafa told CNN hes finally been able visit suspected sites after Assads fall. The alleged mass grave site in the city of Qutayfah, about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Damascus, is marked by trenches 6-7 meters (19-23 feet) deep, 3-4 meters wide, and 50-150 meters long, according to SETF. Moustafa said gravediggers who worked at the site had told him that, four tractor trailer trucks, each carrying over 150 bodies in each, came twice a week from 2012 until 2018. That would amount to hundreds of thousands of bodies, he told CNN. Teams work on the uncovered mass grave, believed to contain the remains of civilians killed by the ousted Assad regime, on the road to Damascus International Airport in the Syrian capital Damascus, on Monday. - Abdulkarem Al-Mohammad/Anadolu/Getty Images 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/trench, Moustafa said. On Monday, reports emerged of more than 20 bodies found in a mass grave north of Izraa in Daraa governorate, southern Syria. Videos from the Agence France-Presse news agency show men digging and pulling bones from the dirt. Another shows two rows of covered bodies lying on the ground and a bulldozer gently trying to dig the top layer of the soil. 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. Bodies identified by numbers 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, according to the ICMP. The bodies were those of Syrians from various detention centers, the witness told a trial of former Syrian intelligence officers. The man said that, along with others, he would escort multiple trucks, loaded with anywhere between 300-700 corpses to mass graves in Qatayfah north of Damascus and al-Najha to the south four times a week. The bodies could only be identified by the numbers etched on their chests or foreheads and exhibited severe signs of torture and mutilation, according to ICMP. SETFs Moustafa said he is aware of at least eight mass grave sites in Syria. He also urged international experts to come to the country to help with the process of exhuming and identifying bodies. Members of Syria's White Helmets civil defense work at a mass grave where remains of bodies believed to be those of civilians killed by the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad were found, in the Baghdad Bridge area outside the capital Damascus, Syria on Tuesday. - Emin Sansar/Anadolu/Getty Images In a statement referencing mass graves and other alleged atrocities in Syria, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday the US was engaged with UN bodies, including the Independent Institution on Missing Persons, so evidence can be gathered and collected and properly examined to ensure that the world and the Syrian people do get both answers and accountability. Jenifer Fenton, the spokesperson for the United Nations special envoy to Syria, said last week that related documentation to detention site and mass graves must be secured to aid families in their search for justice and accountability. We must prioritize accounting for the missing, ensuring the families receive the clarity and recognition they desperately need, she said in a press briefing. One of those family members is Hazem Dakel from Idlib, who now lives in Sweden. Dakel said his uncle Najeeb was arrested in 2012 and it was later confirmed by the family as having been killed. His brother Amer was detained the following year, he said. Former detainees at the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus said Amer had disappeared in mid-April 2015 after being tortured there. But the regime never acknowledged his death. The family is now certain Amer died under torture in Saydnaya, Dakel posted on Facebook. Amid the celebrations of Assads fall theres also been great sadness among families of those who went missing. They are mourning their children, Dakel said. Yes, the regime fell after resistance and struggle, but there was sorrow like, where are our children? Eyad Kourdi and Raja Razek contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Walker Funeral Home Richard Lloyd Sanders An Indiana firefighter has died after he reportedly experienced a medical emergency while battling a local house fire. Richard "Rick" Lloyd Sanders was fighting the house fire in the area of Watson and Brown Streets of Winchester on Thursday, Dec. 12, when he began to feel unwell while inside the building, according to a news release shared on Facebook by the Winchester Fire Department (WFD). Sanders exited the residence, and was being assessed by medics on site when he went into cardiac arrest, fire officials said. Crews took quick and aggressive action to revive Sanders, who was transported to St. Vincent Randolph Hospital where he succumbed to his illness. Walker Funeral Home Richard Lloyd Sanders Related: Grandma of 7 Dies in Washington House Fire the Week Before the Holidays Sanders is remembered in his obituary as an amazing father, brother [and] uncle who had no fear and lived life at full speed. The grandfather of four, known to many as the favorite grumpy person, had just celebrated his 48th birthday on Dec. 6. Rick was everyone's hero, the obituary stated. He was the ONE you callfor anything. There was nothing he would not tackle. He was the one running TO the dangerous situation when everyone else was running away. The passage continued, Rick will leave a giant void in this community, and it would take a small army to fill his shoes. But no one or no one thing would ever come close to filling the void in our hearts right now. Related: Texas Fire Chief Dies Battling House Fire After Days of Fighting Panhandle Wildfires: 'It Did Have a Role' Sanders became a firefighter in 2008, and worked for both Winchester and White River Township Fire Departments, according to his obituary. He was also the owner of Sanders' Service Auto Repair and Towing for the past 22 years. The father of four loved fast trucks, motorcycles, scuba diving and roller coasters that scared the crap out of his wife, as well as camping with family. He had a huge personality, never met a stranger and could talk to anyone for hours, the obituary stated. Members of the WFD bid their friend and colleague farewell in the departments news release, noting that the sacrifices he made for his community will never be forgotten. 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. Firefighter Rick Sanders served his community faithfully and diligently for the majority of his adult life, fire officials said before directing the message to the late firefighter. Rick, from your brothers at WFD, we love you, we will miss you and we thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice for us and for the community around you, they continued. ... Rest in peace 4510, we will carry your legacy with us. Sanders is survived by his wife of 20 years, their four children and their four grandchildren, with a fifth grandchild on the way, according to the WFD. Read the original article on People Beth Mikeska Justice Shepard and Lexi Hensler Social media star Lexi Hensler got engaged to Justice Shepard on Dec. 2 at Leolani Cove in Kauai, Hawaii. Although Shepard tried to be sneaky with his romantic beach proposal, Hensler detailed how she saw the engagement coming from a mile away. Now, the couple is beginning to plan their destination wedding. TikToker Lexi Hensler is engaged! The social media star, 27, got engaged to video creator Justice Shepard, 24, on Dec. 2 at Leolani Cove in Kauai, Hawaii. The couple announced the news on Dec. 12 via Instagram posts featuring photos of their romantic beach proposal at sunset. "WERE ENGAGED! I get to marry my best friend," Hensler wrote in her post, while her fiance captioned his own post: "Our first date lasted 4 days, but forever sounds even better." Beth Mikeska Justice Shepard and Lexi Hensler Hensler, who has 10.4 million followers on TikTok, documented the hours before her engagement. She revealed how she saw the surprise proposal coming. The first clue came before the trip. Her hotel, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, offered her a free photo shoot session. But she knew this wasn't typical content creation because she briefly saw an email between the hotel and her boyfriend about it. "On our flight to Hawaii, Justice opened up his laptop next to me, and the first page that popped up was his email to the hotel asking for help with the proposal," Hensler tells PEOPLE. "I spent the entire flight giddy with excitement Ive been ready to say 'yes' to him since the day we met!" Hensler detailed other clues that confirmed her suspicions. "Get ready with me to get engaged!" the bride-to-be began a GRWM TikTok video in which she applied her makeup and picked out her outfit. She told her followers that upon arrival, Shepard was being "gushy and mushy" toward her, even filming her at times. "My heart is, like, pounding. I'm about to cry. Keep it together, Lexi. Keep it together," Hensler said in her video. "Fully know what's happening. I don't think he knows that I know what's happening, but I know that it's happening So excited and nervous!" Related: See All the Gorgeous Photos from Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony Davis Beverly Hills Wedding (Exclusive) Hensler made a second video documenting moments from the "dream trip" in which she pondered whether or not Shepard would pop the question. "Is he proposing or did my mom suggest I get my nails done before," she asked in the video. She even filmed a clip of Shepard in which the ring box was prominently bulging out of his back pocket. Beth Mikeska Lexi Hensler and Justice Shepard "On the day of the proposal, as we walked down to the beach together, I was so quiet, trying not to give away that I already knew what was about to happen," Hensler tells PEOPLE. Shepard popped the question with a custom diamond ring with nods to their first date. "This summer, we decided to go ring shopping and our goal was to design a custom ring together. After getting a good idea of what I liked, Justice took over and worked on creating a ring that told our love story," Hensler says. "I had an idea what the top of the ring might look like, but I had no clue on just how meaningful he would make it," she continues. "On the bottom of the ring, there are diamonds that represent the night we were stargazing on our first date, and he even incorporated sand from Laguna Beach where part of the first date took place by sandblasting the band." After Hensler said "yes," she and her fiance "were in complete bliss." They took some photos together before heading to their favorite sushi restaurant where they shared the news with a few close friends and family members over FaceTime. They then put their phones away to enjoy being present in the special moment, just the two of them. "[We] spent the night soaking in every moment of being newly engaged," Hensler says. She adds: "We didnt share anything on social media until after we got back from our trip it felt so special to keep it just between us for a little while." Now, the pair are already diving into wedding planning. "We are on the hunt to find the perfect place for a destination wedding," Hensler says. "We want a location that is special to us, where we can create an intimate celebration with our closest family and friends." 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. Beth Mikeska Justice Shepard and Lexi Hensler It was practically love at first sight for Hensler and Shepard, who first crossed paths at an NFT party. Shortly after meeting, Shepard asked Hensler to go out to lunch with him that weekend. At the date, the two hit it off so much so that they immediately went on an unplanned four-day getaway together. "An hour into nonstop talking on our date, I suggested we do something spontaneous," Hensler recalls. "We both felt a very strong, immediate connection and although we just met, we took off to Las Vegas from Los Angeles. Embarking on a five-hour road trip with a stranger was probably crazy, and potentially awkward, but we didnt think twice." She continues: "We checked into a hotel, took some tequila shots, and Justice ended up getting his first tattoo (a giraffe on his thigh). We went dancing at a club and then made our way to the top of the Strat building, where he put on French music and we spent hours slow dancing and stargazing." They didn't want the moment to end. "The next morning, neither one of us was ready for the date to end, so we just kept going first to Laguna Beach and then to San Diego," Hensler recalls. "Our first date ended up being an unforgettable four-day adventure, and weve been inseparable since." Read the original article on People JERUSALEM (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, seized after the ouster of Syria's President Bashar Assad, until another arrangement is in place that ensures Israel's security. Netanyahu made the comments from the summit of Mount Hermon the highest peak in the area inside Syria, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the border with the Israel-held Golan Heights. It appeared to be the first time a sitting Israeli leader had set foot that far into Syria. Netanyahu said he had been on the same mountaintop 53 years ago as a soldier, but the summits importance to Israels security has only increased given recent events. Israel seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights days after Assad was ousted by rebels last week. Israels capture of the buffer zone, a roughly 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) demilitarized area in Syrian territory, has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating a 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria in the wake of Assad's ouster to make a land grab. We will stay ... until another arrangement is found that ensures Israels security, said Netanyahu who had traveled to the buffer zone on Tuesday with Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz said he instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence, including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. The summit of the Hermon is the eyes of the state of Israel to identify our enemies who are nearby and far away, he said. An Israeli military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, said there is no plan to evacuate the Syrians living in villages within the buffer zone. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the U.N. after the 1973 Mideast war. A U.N. force of about 1,100 troops had patrolled the area since then. A U.N. spokesman said Tuesday that the advance of Israeli troops, however long it lasts, violates the deal that set up the buffer zone. That agreement needs to be respected, and occupation is occupation, whether it lasts a week, a month or a year, it remains occupation, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. There was no immediate comment from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the insurgent group that led the ouster of Assad, or from Arab states. Israel still controls the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognized by most of the international community. Mount Hermon's summit is divided between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israels control of the Golan Heights. With Assad gone, a top U.N. official said Tuesday that militant leaders who have taken over Syria have committed to an ambitious scaling-up of vital humanitarian support for millions in desperate need of food and other aid. The leader of the insurgent HTS Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Mohammed al-Golani and the country's caretaker prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, pledged to support the movement of aid from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and other neighboring countries for as long as humanitarian operations are required," said Tom Fletcher. Fletcher, who heads the the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA, spoke to the U.N. Security Council members from Damascus via a video link. Germany said Tuesday that its diplomats had also met with insurgent leaders to discuss Syria's political transition and our expectations regarding the protection of minorities and womens rights. German officials, who have noted the rebel group's history of links to al-Qaida, said they will measure the group and the new government based on its actions. The United States has previously said that its officials have been in direct contact with HTS insurgents who ousted Assad. Also Tuesday, U.S.-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces proposed that the Kurdish-majority town of Kobani in northern Syria become a demilitarized zone, and that there be a redistribution of security forces under American supervision and presence. Turkey, which backs the Syrian insurgents who toppled Assad, is also battling the Syrian Kurdish militia, considering it a terror group allied with the Kurdish insurgency within its own borders. Syrian Kurdish forces were a key U.S. ally in the fight against the extremist Islamic State group. In other developments, bodies of more than 30 Syrians who vanished under Assad's rule were uncovered in a mass grave on Monday. Forensic teams and rebels worked together to unearth the remains in the village of Izraa, north of the city of Daraa, as families of the missing stood by. The relatives said they had initially hoped to find their loved ones in prison. But we didnt find anyone and it broke our hearts. They were burned alive here after being doused in fuel, said Mohammad Ghazaleh, who was waiting at the mass grave site. Some of the bodies recovered showed evidence that they had been shot in the head or burned, said Moussa Al-Zouebi, head of Izraas health directorate. Syria's new authorities have set up a hotline for reporting missing persons and secret detention sites. In the Syrian capital of Damascus, Qatar officially reopened its embassy on Tuesday nearly 13 years after it severed diplomatic relations with Assad's government. Qatar had reaffirmed its categorical rejection of the regimes repressive policies against the Syrian people in a statement earlier. Most foreign embassies in Syria have been shut down since after the countrys civil war erupted in 2011. The French Embassy in Damascus raised its flag Tuesday in a symbolic gesture to show support for the Syrian people during the transition. It's reopening is pending ongoing evaluation of political and security conditions, French Foreign Minister French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus also recently reopened. ___ Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Omar Akour in Izraa, Syria, contributed to this report. 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. "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 These apartment complexes in Harris County have been exempted from property taxes by faraway governmental agencies, without notice to local officials until the deals are done. Staff illustration, photos by Jon Shapley Local officials in Harris County are scrambling for a way to fight back as they lose tens of millions of dollars of tax revenue due to what critics call a deplorable misuse of affordable housing programs. Since 2021, real estate investors have partnered with outside government agencies some of them hundreds of miles away from the Houston area to strike up secret deals that allow owners of apartment complexes to ditch their property tax bills for decades, sometimes up to 99 years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Harris County officials were mostly left in the dark as faraway agencies removed $635 million worth of property value from the countys tax rolls. In exchange, the agencies collected fees from the apartments owner of up to $1 million per project. This translates to over $10 million in lost property tax revenues for local entities from Harris Countys hospital system to Houston Independent School District. As similar deals continue to pop up across Texas, some affected taxing entities are already challenging the arrangements in court. Some Houston and Harris County officials are following suit, vowing to fight back either by supporting state-level reforms or potentially filing lawsuits. These exemptions are designed to promote the development of affordable housing in our community, said County Attorney Christian Menefee. However, if bad actors are found to be exploiting these exemptions, my office will not hesitate to investigate and take legal action if necessary." Navigating murky legal landscape These arrangements were made through public facility corporations (PFCs) and housing finance corporations (HFCs) that can be created by government agencies, such as local city councils and commissioners courts, to provide affordable housing. In many cases, however, since the law defines affordability only in loose terms, the agreements have produced little to no rent relief for low-income residents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And theres another loophole: Some agencies can approve the tax incentive deals far outside their own bounds. For example, a small municipal district in Austin has brokered deals in Harris County and other places in Texas. State legislators tried to put an end to that practice in 2023, when they banned PFCs from making property tax deals outside of their boundaries. Lawmakers have pledged to do the same for HFCs next year. But the new restrictions are unlikely to affect existing projects, which have locked in tax breaks in decades-long agreements. State Rep. Gary Gates, who is spearheading a reform bill, has asked Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to weigh in on the issue, hoping Paxtons opinion could provide legal grounds to help void both current and future tax break agreements. For now, however, it may be up to local officials to challenge these deals in court, according to Heather Way, a University of Texas law professor and affordable housing expert. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If a project delivers no meaningful public benefits, local taxing entities could argue that it fails to meet the constitutional standard of serving a public purpose a key condition for these tax exemptions under Texas law, according to Way. Still, the legal landscape is murky, and local governments may take time to decide whether to pursue lawsuits, she said. These projects really just exploded across the state in the last year or so, so I think jurisdictions are just starting to realize the impact theyre having on their fiscal health, Way said. And its a very technical area of the law, so it will take a while for them to catch up and get a handle on whats happening. Affected taxing entities seek to set precedents Despite the challenges, some Texas local governments facing the same predicament as Harris County have already taken legal action. Last year, the Williamson County Appraisal District denied tax exemptions for two local properties backed by SH130 Municipal Management District a small public agency in Austin has brokered PFC deals across Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad SH130 took its case to the appraisal review board but lost, then filed a lawsuit against the appraisal district in January. The appraisal district pushed back, arguing SH130 is not a qualified sponsor for the Williamson County apartments and alleging that the deals fail to meet the public purpose requirement. The case is still pending in court. While lawmakers and advocates see traveling PFCs and HFCs as the most blatant misuse of these programs, local housing agencies working within their own boundaries have also faced legal challenges over accusations of poor oversight and weak affordability outcomes. Earlier this year, a municipal utility district in Spring filed a lawsuit challenging the Houston Housing Authoritys use of the PFC tax exemption. In July, Missouri City took Fort Bend Countys housing agency to court, accusing it of brokering an HFC deal without the citys consent. In September, the city of Plano and the Plano Independent School District sued their own countys appraisal district for granting PFC tax breaks. My heart is broken that localities are having to take up the mantle and stick up for themselves because of a statewide policy that opened up a harmful loophole, said Houston-based state Sen. Molly Cook. We are looking at all the nooks and crannies of these policies to find out how best to approach them without shutting down a good tool. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Local officials pledge action Several Harris County officials have voiced outrage over traveling PFC and HFC arrangements. Commissioner Rodney Ellis said he is exploring ways to improve oversight over these tax deals and plans to push for stronger safeguards at the state level during the next legislative session. The PFC tax exemption is a tool meant to create affordable housing not a loophole for for-profit developers to exploit, Ellis said. If entities are going to use the PFC tax exemption as a financing tool, it is crucial to have equitable guidelines that ensure projects are targeted at very low-income renters looking to make ends meet. LEGISLATIVE REFORM: Key Texas legislators plan to close housing finance corporation loopholes in Texas Commissioner Tom Ramsey called the practice disruptive and deplorable. He said he is particularly concerned about the impact of traveling PFCs and HFCs on the countys smallest taxing entities, such as municipal utility districts that rely on property tax revenues from large apartment complexes to provide water and sewage services. If you take a $50 million property off the books, that will have a major impact on their ability to pay their bills, he said. Its lining the pockets of some very wealthy folks, and people who cant afford to go to the grocery store now have to pay more in taxes to make up the difference. While he and other county officials are still waiting to see what action the state legislature takes next year, Ramsey said a lawsuit is not off the table. Obviously, legal action is always an option, Ramsey said. When corporations comes up with schemes like this, they should be sued. The city of Houston has reached its property tax revenue cap, so these exemptions do not currently reduce the total amount of taxes it collects each year. However, wiping hundreds of millions off the tax rolls has placed an added burden onto other taxpayers and limited the citys ability to meet future financial needs. Mike Nichols, director of the citys housing department, acknowledged significant flaws in the states tax exemption laws. When asked whether Mayor John Whitmires administration might consider legal action as a potential way to address existing projects, he said the city will defer to state legislators to take the lead. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's choice to leading the Health and Human Services Department, said Monday he's "all for the polio vaccine" in a brief interview with ABC News, though he did not respond to questions on issues like school vaccine mandates. Kennedy was on Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, and Tim Scott of South Carolina. He will have meetings with more Republican senators during the week. Heading into his final meeting of the day with Tim Scott, Kennedy said his meetings have been "very productive." MORE: 3 key questions for RFK Jr. as he lobbies senators to be health secretary Rick Scott said he and Kennedy had discussed "transparency" around vaccines. PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 16, 2024. (Evan Vucci/AP) "So, what he wants with vaccines is, which is what I believe in, is transparency," Rick Scott told reporters outside his office. "I think we, we need to know exactly, with all vaccines, what has been the, the research and, you know, do they work? What's your risk?" Kennedy, a former Democrat who allied with Trump during the 2024 election, has faced questions over several of his health-related beliefs. He has in the past promoted the debunked theory linking vaccines to autism, and a lawyer helping Kennedy hire staffers for the incoming administration has pushed for the revocation of the federal approval for the polio vaccine. His support of abortion rights could threaten support from Republicans, and his opposition to things like hog farm subsidies for seed oils, among other things, could irk senators from agriculture-heavy states. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary, arrives to meet with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) To be sure, Trump's policies are anticipated to rule the day within his own administration for the next four years, but Kennedy's tour on Capitol Hill could look to allay some concerns voiced by Republicans, including outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. "Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed -- they're dangerous," McConnell, a polio survivor, said in a statement Friday. "Anyone seeking the Senate's consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts." MORE: Trump talks drones, an Eric Adams pardon and his election boost from TikTok Currently, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., have laws requiring vaccines to attend schools, although many offer exemptions. Trump, during a press conference Monday, dismissed worries that Kennedy would do away with the polio vaccine but said he's "not a big mandate person" and that Kennedy would investigate the impact of immunizations. "I want him to come back with a report as to what he thinks. We're going to find out a lot," he said. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said he is looking forward to a hopefully good discussion, with Kennedy later this week but disagrees with the his views on agriculture. Asked about Kennedy's views on GMOs and seed oils, Hawley, who represents a farm state, said, Those are interesting ideas. I don't agree with most of them. I think he's, you know, he's against much of the Farm Bill, which I think is deeply misguided, but he will not have any policy control over that, I don't think," Hawley said. "If he were nominated for the [Department of Agriculture], Id talk about that quite a lot, so. But we'll see -- I mean, I'll probably raise that with him, but I imagine our conversation will focus on HHS-related issues. Kennedy hits Capitol Hill to win support for Trump administration confirmation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Two people a teacher and a 14-year-old student were killed and several others were wounded in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday that also left the suspected shooter dead, officials said. At least six people were hurt in the shooting, authorities said, with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Two people remained hospitalized on Friday in critical but stable condition. Officers responded to the school at around 11 a.m. following a 911 call from a second grade teacher reporting 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.) The shooting was confined to a classroom where study hall with students from several different grades was being held, police said. What do we know about the suspected shooter? The shooter was identified by police as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow. Rupnow was a student at the school and went by Samantha, Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes said Monday night. Barnes said Rupnow appears to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead while being taken to the hospital, although the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said she was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner confirmed preliminary testing showed Rupnow appeared to have died "as a result of firearm related trauma." "They found the person who they believe was responsible, who was down, deceased," Barnes said earlier in the day of how the shooter was discovered. Authorities said the suspected shooter was dead by the time officers arrived, and no police fired their weapons. He said the shooter's motivation is not yet known. Barnes also could not say how the shooter obtained a gun, but that it would be part of the investigation. "What we do know is that this child obviously was very troubled. 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," Barnes said in an interview with "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday. "We have to wrap our arms around our children and understand what's going on in their lives." Police have made contact with the suspected shooter's family, Barnes said, and the family was cooperating with police. Court records show Rupnow was her parents' only child, and the mother and father, Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow, shared joint legal custody of her. Rupnow's parents divorced and remarried twice during her life, with the records indicating they married two years after their daughter's birth, in 2011, and divorced in 2014. After that initial divorce, records show they remarried in 2017 and filed for divorce a second time in 2020. Before her parents remarried, Rupnow lived primarily with her mother and alternated between her parents' respective homes on weekends. Another joint custody agreement was settled after the second divorce filing, which called for the child to alternate between the mother and father's homes every two or three days. But court documents show Rupnow was enrolled in therapy by July 2022 and living mainly with her father. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was working on an "urgent trace" of the firearm used in the shooting. Barnes earlier said that a handgun was recovered after the shooting. However, on a Madison city website providing details about the shooting, police disclosed Wednesday that two guns were found at the school, but only one was used. A law enforcement source previously told CBS News the weapon used appears to have been a 9 mm pistol. It is extremely rare for women to carry out mass shootings. Exact figures vary slightly, depending on how a research group defines what constitutes a mass shooting, but their findings overwhelmingly point to the same pattern. Data generally show men make up more than 95% of perpetrators, while women make up less than 5%. Of 195 mass shootings that the nonprofit Violence Prevention Group tracked between 1966 and 2022, just 4 of the shooting perpetrators were women, and 192 were men. What do we know about the victims of the school shooting? Other than the suspected shooter, two people were killed a teenage student and a teacher officials said. At least six people were injured, including two who were in critical condition with injuries that were considered life-threatening. The student who was killed was identified as 14-year-old Rubi Vergara. The teacher was identified as 42-year-old Erin West. Vergara was a freshman who was described in an obituary as "an avid reader" who "loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band. She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog)." Both Vergara and West were pronounced dead at the school, the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. "Preliminary results of the examinations confirm that Mrs. West and Miss Vergara died as a result of homicidal firearm related trauma," the medical examiner said. According to Pastor Chris Dolson, who spoke at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, West 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 if West was a substitute or full-time teacher. As of Monday evening, two injured people have been released from the hospital, Barnes said. The police chief initially said all of the injured victims were students, but later said a teacher was among the wounded. In an update on Friday, UW Health Medical Center said the two people who were still in the hospital were in critical condition but stable. "I'm feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas," said Barnes. "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 taught history at a public high school for four years before switching to a career in law enforcement and said Monday's shooting impacted him tremendously. "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 understanding that our kids need to be safe in order to learn," he said on "CBS Mornings." What do we know about Abundant Life Christian School? Abundant Life Christian School is a private K-12 school founded in 1978, according to its website. The school has about 420 students, a school administrator said. "Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS," the school posted on Facebook. The school describes itself as a "private, nonprofit, nondenominational K-12 institution founded for the purpose of developing disciples of Jesus Christ through an excellent, comprehensive, Biblically-integrated educational program that is thoroughly Christian in content, context, and practice." Barnes was asked about metal detectors at the school during a Monday news conference. "I'm not aware that the school had metal detectors, nor should schools have metal detectors. It's a safe space," Barnes said. The shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School, a private school in Madison, Wisconsin, with about 420 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. / Credit: Murat Usubaliev/Anadolu via Getty Images Barbara Wiers, the school's director of Elementary & School Relations, confirmed that while there are no metal detectors at the school, there are security protocols. "Every student is visually scanned before they go up to their locker spaces or into their classrooms," Wiers said during a press conference. There are cameras in the building, which students are aware of, Wiers said. The cameras are regularly monitored in the office. What are the gun laws in Wisconsin? The Giffords Law Center, which reviews gun laws, gave Wisconsin a C on its annual scorecard. According to the center, "the state still lacks a number of key policies that would go a long way toward reducing gun violence." In Wisconsin, possession of a firearm under the age of 18 is a misdemeanor, while selling, loaning or giving a gun to a person under the age of 18 is a felony. It's also a state crime to allow a child under the age of 14 to be within reach of a loaded firearm. Bringing a loaded weapon into a school is also a crime. President Biden, Gov. Evers respond to Wisconsin shooting President Biden was briefed on the Wisconsin shooting, a White House Official said. Mr. Biden called the shooting shocking and unconscionable, and called on Congress to act. "From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don't 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. 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." Gov. Tony Evers ordered the U.S. and Wisconsin flags flown at half-staff after the shooting. "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," Evers said. "This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who founded a national gun violence prevention organization, said her heart went out to the Madison community. "Just days after we remembered the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, another school community has been subjected to the terror of a mass shooting in Madison," Giffords said in a statement. "Students deserve to attend school free from gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of childrena devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders." How many school shootings have happened in 2024 so far? Monday's shooting happened just days after the victims of the Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook school shooting were remembered. According to Education Week, there have been 38 school shootings this year that resulted in injuries or deaths. Bar chart showing the number of shooting incidents in U.S. schools since 2014 to present. Earlier this month, two kindergarteners were wounded in a Northern California school shooting. In the last four years, school shootings have killed more than 200 people and injured more than 600, according to a CBS News analysis of the K-12 School Shooting Database. Teen shooter connected to man accused of plotting separate attack Sneak peek: The Journals of Maria Munoz Sneak peek: Shootout at the Shaughnessys' Bruce Tang | Unsplash (The Center Square) One of the three individuals found guilty of abusing disabled and elderly residents at an unlicensed care facility in Riverside was sentenced to seven years in state prison. According to court documents, the six victims ranging from 32 to 66, were found malnourished, living in filth and without basic care. The care facility - a house - did not have the proper staff, equipment or licensing necessary to care for the residents who lived there. The other two individuals - Joel Ombao and Nimfa Molina were sentenced earlier this year and late last year. Ombao was sentenced in July 2024 to five years in state prison for six counts of elder abuse and Molina was sentenced to 122 days in Riverside County jail in October 2023 for one misdemeanor count of elder abuse. Now, Ronnel Tiburcio is the last to be sentenced and has been convicted of six counts of elder abuse likely to produce great bodily harm and death, all of which are felonies. The victims were housed in Secure Hands Board and Care Facility, one of Ombaos several hospice companies. Ombao, his assistant Tiburcio and the registered nurse Molina were responsible for operating the facility and caring for the residents living there. The facility was investigated by the Department of Justices Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA), which investigates and prosecutes those responsible for abuse, neglect and fraud committed against elderly and dependent adults in the state in addition to those who perpetrate fraud in the Medi-Cal program, and the Riverside Police Department. DMFEA then prosecuted the case. Attorney General Rob Bonta helped secure the convictions and sentencing. Individuals entrusted with the care of elderly and dependent adults have the utmost responsibility for their well-being and safety, Bonta said. At the California Department of Justice, we will not tolerate any elder abuse or neglect and ensure that any exploitation or harm is met with swift accountability. I want to thank my team, along with the Riverside Police Department, for bringing justice to these victims. Anyone who feared Erik and Lyle Menendez were getting a sweetheart deal can rest easy. A month ago the brothers, convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents Kitty and Jose Menendez, appeared to be on the brink of release as their cases were recommended for resentencing. The Los Angeles County District Attorney at the time, George Gascon, appeared to be going full steam ahead on freeing them. His replacement, Nathan Hochman, who assumed office Dec. 3, appears more circumspect. As highlighted in recent Netflix series, The Menendez Brothers, the brothers claim they were sexually abused by their father and their lawyers argue that wasnt taken into account during their trial and should be part of a review of their sentencing. Erik and Lyle Menendez are hoping for a resentencing that can lead to immediate parole. AP Uncle Milton Anderson is one family member who is unenthusiastic about the Menendez brothers being sprung. Inside Edition Newly sworn in Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, speaking as he was sworn in on Dec. 03. AFP via Getty Images However, an attorney for the Menedez family says Hochman has only met with the brothers uncle, Milton Anderson, so far and he is one of the people who believe they should stay in prison. Asked if that is a bad initial sign, family attorney Bryan Freedman told The Post: It absolutely is. Freedman also denies reports Hochman has invited members of the family who are supportive of Lyle and Eriks release to speak with him. In an email to Hochman, Freedman wrote, I thought you would want to meet with the victims [that is what he calls the 20 family members he represents] that knew Lyle and Erik best over the past 30 years of incarceration. You had spoken with the one family member who had not interacted with Erik and Lyle over the last 30 years, referring to Anderson, brother of Kitty. The brothers admitted during trial that they murdered Kitty, and their father, with a shotgun. Kathy Cady, Andersons attorney, stated earlier this year, He prefers that [the Menendez brothers] stay in prison because he believes that is what justice requires. Judge Michael Jesic was given a 57-page document that petitioned parole for the brothers. Joan Vander Molen, one of 20 family members represented by Bryan Freedman who would like to see a resentencing or parole for the Menendez brothers. APEX / MEGA Freedman is also concerned two members of the DAs office who were heading up the efforts to free the Menendez brothers have been removed by Hochman. Nancy Theberge, previous head of Gascons resentencing unit, has been moved to the office of the alternate public defender. Brock Lunsford has been moved out of the post-conviction unit, but remains with the DAs office, per Variety. They filed the motion for resentencing on Gascons behalf, said Freedman, referring to the 57-page document that argued for the brothers to be eligible for parole immediately. [Hochman] took them off of it. I dont think they will be brought back once they are moved out of the office. Lyle and Erik Menendez in 1990. All these years later, they are still behind bars and their likelihood of getting out early looks increasingly dim. ASSOCIATED PRESS Bryan Freedman, attorney for Menendez family members, wants his clients to have their say about the brothers parole. Courtesy of Bryan Freedman Asked what that tells him about Hochman, Freedman responded, It tells me that he is either incredibly inexperienced or very politicized. In a preview of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Hochman discussed the Menendez brothers situation. While theyre called the Menendez brothers, he stated, theres an Erik Menendez case and a Lyle Menendez case. So we will look at each case separately, which is the way they actually should be handled. Gascon, beyond his own recommendations for the brothers, also petitioned California Governor Gavin Newsom to grant clemency to the brothers. Newsom was non-committal and said he would defer to the DA-elects review, referring to Hochman. In November, California Superior Court Judge Jesic said he was delaying the hearing on the brothers future until the end of January so he could get input from Hochmans office. Fog hovers over the dome of the US Capitol on December 10, in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) Lawmakers unveiled a stop-gap spending bill on Tuesday night to prevent a shutdown that funds the government through March 14 and includes $100 billion in disaster relief and other key provisions. The deal would avert a lame duck showdown, instead punting major spending decisions to the incoming Trump administration. Its release comes as conservatives have grown increasingly frustrated with Speaker Mike Johnson over the negotiations, a warning sign for the House GOP leader who faces a vote to keep the gavel at the start of the new Congress. The deal had been delayed by at least a day as leaders of both parties haggled for their own legislative priorities in the end-of-year package. In addition to disaster relief, a top priority for Democrats and the Biden administration, Republicans pushed for farm aid and the package includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, an issue that became a massive last-minute negotiation in the package. But the speakers late-December dealmaking with Democrats provoked intense anger across his GOP conference. Many Republicans are irate at the number of provisions that have been tacked onto a bill that was intended to simply extend current funding levels and stop a shutdown. If the measure passes as expected it will hand Johnson, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President-elect Donald Trump a major funding headache, and a test of their governing powers, early in 2025. Trumps first few months when he returns to Washington were already expected to be jam-packed: Congressional leaders already under pressure to confirm Trumps Cabinet quickly in the Senate must also defuse a debt limit standoff. Trump is also eying a pair of huge legislative packages, focused first on border and energy policy, and second on taxes. This new funding deadline will create a major political test for the Trump administration and the GOPs two relatively green Hill leaders. Further complicating matters, Johnson will have almost no room for error early on in the new Congress, before the chamber can replace members who leave for Trumps Cabinet. The decision to punt the spending fight had been opposed by many senior Republicans, including the powerful Appropriations Chairman Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma who had preferred to strike a deal with Democrats as they left power. But conservatives like those in the House Freedom Caucus had insisted that they could reach a better funding deal when the GOP takes full control of government in January. Key provisions of the bill The bill includes nearly $100 billion in disaster relief and another $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. The breakdown includes $29 billion for FEMAs disaster relief fund; another $2.2 billion for the Small Business Administrations disaster loan program; $21 billion in disaster relief for farmers including $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, and $3.5 billion for state and tribal assistance grants to go toward water systems damaged in disasters. A Department of Housing and Urban Development program for disaster relief would get $12 billion and federal highway and roads disaster relief would total $8 billion. The funding bill also has a huge win for the city of Washington, DC, as it seeks to become the future home of the Washington Commanders. After years of infighting, Hill leaders allowed the team to negotiate with DC leaders to return to the site of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. The provision came after Hill leaders satisfied other demands from Maryland leaders, including for the federal government to cover the full cost of the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The legislation will also allow the US Treasury Department to eventually recoup funds from any settlements related to the Key Bridge collapse to pay for the rebuilding. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been in close contact with Democratic leaders as they landed the deal. Delays frustrate conservatives The delays throughout the day Monday and Tuesday came amid far bigger problems for Johnson: Multiple GOP lawmakers and senior aides privately predict Johnson wont get a majority of his conference to back the bill in the end. Its a complete monstrosity, GOP Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona said of the spending bill ahead of its release, adding, No, I dont think it was handled well at all, but thats kind of par for the course for this town. Asked by CNN if he sees himself voting for Johnson on January 3, when members will meet to elect the House speaker, Crane said he would absolutely not vote for the spending bill, and well see about January 3. Crane was one of the eight GOP members who voted to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. Another of the GOP lawmakers who helped take down McCarthy, Rep. Tim Burchett, called the way leadership has handled funding the government gutless, explaining, They got a bunch of garbage they want to pass, so theyll attach emergency things to it. Crane and Burchett are among multiple House conservatives who said Tuesday they feared Johnson and GOP negotiators have ceded too many Democratic demands resulting in the kind of massive year-end package that Johnson has promised hed avoid. It is a total dumpster fire, said Republican Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, voicing his frustrations at Johnson, whom he wouldnt commit to backing on the floor in January. Their anger is largely symbolic since most of those conservatives routinely oppose spending deals on the floor. But conservatives are sending an early warning to Johnson, suggesting this weeks funding fight could determine the speakers fate in that leadership vote. Well see. Everythings got consequences, said Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, when asked if the funding bill would impact his support for Johnson next month. In recent days, Johnson and his allies have spent hours trying to keep conservatives on his side as negotiations continue. Johnson sat down with the House Freedom Caucus at their weekly meeting on Monday night as he detailed some of the spending conversations and worked to head off a conservative rebellion. Rep. Byron Donalds, who attended that meeting, said members still want to see the text of the deal: We got a lot of questions. A deal put together like this, the number one question is, What did the other side get? Donalds said. Aid for farmers Negotiators had hoped to finalize the government funding deal over the weekend, but last-minute hang-ups emerged, pushing congressional action closer to Fridays deadline. A fight over aid for farmers vexed negotiators over the weekend with Republicans desperate to include additional funds in the end-of-year spending deal and Democrats continuing to make demands in exchange for the ask. Asked if the farm aid could wait until 2025, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told CNN, Theres the potential for a lot of foreclosures to happen by the end of this year, so its an imminent threat that has to be addressed before the end of the year if were going to maintain family farms across America. Republican Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said, From the perspective of the political crowd, of course, rural America is and has been for a long time Republican, so this conference has a responsibility to address those needs, not just because of the political base but because those farmers feed the United States and the world. GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas argued that Republicans should have forced Democrats to vote down farm aid on the House floor and not offered any sweeteners in exchange. If I was doing this, I would make Democrats vote down farm aid, Roy said. Put it on the floor, actually go down and legislate So instead, we get this negotiated crap and were forced to eat this crap sandwich - why? Because fricking Christmas is right around the corner. Its the same dang thing every year, legislate by crisis, legislate by calendar, not legislate because its the right thing to do. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Annie Grayer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An aerial view of the five-star Warwick Fiji resort on the Coral Coast on Monday. (Leon Lord AFP via Getty Images) Seven tourists who were hospitalized in Fiji last weekend after drinking cocktails at a luxury hotel were not poisoned by tainted alcohol, officials there say. Fijis tourism minister, Viliame Gavoka, told reporters Wednesday that the results of a toxicology report showed no evidence of alcohol poisoning. I can confirm that no illicit substances or methanol were found in the ingredients or liquor samples, Gavoka said, according to the Associated Press, adding that it was great news for Fiji, especially for our vital tourism industry. What happened? Seven tourists became ill after drinking cocktails at the resort, officials say. (Leon Lord AFP via Getty Images) The guests including one American, four Australians and two unidentified foreign nationals became ill after drinking pina coladas at a bar at the five-star Warwick Fiji, near the town of Sigatoka on the coast of Viti Levu, Fijis largest island. They were hospitalized on Saturday with nausea, vomiting and neurological symptoms. All seven have since fully recovered, Gavoka said. The cause of their illness remains under investigation. Comparisons to Laos Fiji is a popular tourist destination for Australians. (Leon Lord AFP via Getty Images) The case drew immediate comparisons to an incident in November in Laos in which six tourists including one American and two Australian teenagers died after drinking tainted alcohol at a hostel in a Laotian town popular with backpackers in Southeast Asia. The victims in Laos were believed to have consumed drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes added to mixed drinks as a cheaper alternative to ethanol but can cause severe poisoning or death. Fiji, a South Pacific archipelago nation, is a popular tourist destination for Australians. And news of the sickened tourists prompted Australia to update its travel advisory for Fiji, warning travelers to be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Dont leave your drinks unattended. Pay attention when your drinks are being mixed, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said at a press conference on Monday. And get urgent medical help if you suspect that something is wrong. 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. 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. "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) By Andrew Osborn and Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) -A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops was assassinated in Moscow by Ukraine's SBU intelligence service on Tuesday morning in the most high-profile killing of its kind. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said. An SBU source confirmed to Reuters that the Ukrainian intelligence agency had been behind the hit. "The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU," the source said. The source said that a scooter containing explosives was detonated, killing both Kirillov and his aide, as they stepped into the entrance of a house on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. Kirillov, 54, is the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated inside Russia by Ukraine and his murder is likely to prompt the Russian authorities to review security protocols for the army's top brass and to find a way to avenge his killing. Former president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Russian security official, was cited by the state RIA news agency as saying that Ukraine's military and political leadership now faced imminent revenge for Kirillov's murder. Moscow holds Ukraine responsible for a string of high-profile assassinations on its soil designed to weaken morale and punish those Kyiv regards guilty of war crimes. Ukraine, which says Russia's war against it poses an existential threat to the Ukrainian state, has made clear it regards such targeted killings as a legitimate tool. Reuters photographs and video from the scene showed a shattered entrance to an apartment building with bomb-blackened bricks and the doors hanging off their hinges and what looked like two bodies lying beneath black plastic sheets on the snow. Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the murder of two servicemen. Law enforcement sources told Russian media a terrorism case was likely to be opened. KIRILLOV WORKED 'FEARLESSLY FOR THE MOTHERLAND' Russia denies Ukrainian allegations it uses chemical weapons on the battlefield and Kirillov, who was married with two sons, was himself sometimes shown on state TV giving briefings at the Defence Ministry in which he accused Ukraine of violating nuclear safety protocols or the West of various alleged crimes. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, paid tribute to Kirillov, saying he had worked "fearlessly" for "the Motherland" to expose what she said were the West's chemical weapons-related and other crimes and what Moscow says were cover-ups in Syria and elsewhere. Britain in October imposed sanctions on Kirillov and his nuclear defence forces for using riot control agents and over multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Such agents, Ukraine has alleged, are used to disorientate its troops leaving them unable to defend themselves against Russian attacks. Kirillov was murdered a day after Ukrainian state prosecutors were reported to have charged him in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons, the Kyiv Independent cited the SBU as saying at the time. The Lieutenant General was also listed in a sprawling unofficial Ukrainian database of people considered to be enemies of the country called Myrotvorets (Peacemaker). A photograph of Kirillov on the website was overwritten with the word "Liquidated" in red letters on Tuesday morning. Russia says Ukraine has carried out a string of targeted assassinations on its soil since the start of Moscow's full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. The most high-profile cases include the 2022 killing of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, in a car bomb attack, the murder of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in a 2023 cafe bombing, and the shooting last year of a Russian submarine commander accused of war crimes by Kyiv. Russia's radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, known as RKhBZ, which Kirillov commanded, are special forces who operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination and who are tasked with protecting ground forces operating in extreme conditions. (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth in London and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Michael Perry, Andrew Heavens and Ros Russell) OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's government on Monday proposed C$1.3 billion ($913.05 million) for border security after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened tariffs unless Canada reduced the movement of migrants and drugs into the United States. The border funding proposal was part of the mini-budget, or fall economic statement unveiled on Monday. Trump has threatened 25% tariffs on all exports to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. The money would go towards Public Safety Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police," the statement said. The statement said the government intended to introduce legislative amendments to the Customs Act to grant Canada Border Services new authorities to inspect goods destined for export. U.S. border patrol apprehended more than 23,000 migrants near the Canada-U.S. border in the 12 months ending in October - more than double the previous year. That remains a fraction of the 1.5 million apprehended near the U.S.-Mexico border in that time period. Canadian police say they have installed more cameras and sensors over this section of the border over the last four years. Ottawa has previously promised to deploy more officers and technology targeting southbound border-crossers, though Canadian law enforcement officials acknowledge they are limited in what they can do to stop southbound migrants. Last week the province of Alberta announced a border patrol of its own, although very few migrants have crossed there. ($1 = 1.4238 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Writing by Caroline Stauffer and Anna Mehler Paperny, editing by Deepa Babington) By Promit Mukherjee OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada plans to impose tariffs on a slew of Chinese products from as early as next year, the government's fiscal update showed, as part of its wider investigation into imports from the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has already slapped a 100% tariff on all Chinese electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on imports of Chinese steel and aluminum products, with the finance ministry previously saying it was also exploring options to widen the duties. The mid-year fiscal update presented on Monday showed that Ottawa has decided to apply tariffs to imports of certain solar products and critical minerals from China early in the new year, with levies on semiconductors, permanent magnets, and natural graphite following in 2026. "These measures will prevent Chinese non-market trade practices from causing unfair and harmful market distortions in Canada and throughout the North American continent," the update said. Trudeau's government has frequently criticized the Chinese government-funded policy of oversupply and over-capacity. He says Canada needs to protect local jobs from cheap Chinese products finding their way into the country. The government has often used its stand against China as a lever to show U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that Canada is aligned with its biggest trading partner in its stand against Beijing. Trump has vowed to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada on his first day in office on Jan. 20 if it fails to stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants across its border with the U.S. The fiscal update, also called the Fall Economic Statement, did not detail the extent of the duties to be imposed, nor on which specific products, but said further details on the measures would be announced soon. (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee, Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza addresses an audience Friday, June 29, 2018, in Kissimmee, Fla. John Raoux/AP Catherine Engelbrecht of True the Vote at a conference in Worthington, Ohio, Aug. 25, 2012. For more than a decade, Engelbrecht, an election-fraud crusader, has sown doubts about ballots and voting. MICHAEL F. MCELROY, STR / NYT Dinesh DSouza, the Inspector Clouseau of the election denial movement, sat down to a different sort of menu item last week. Instead of Trump-style well-done steak with ketchup, or whatever it was that DSouza enjoyed at the 2022 Mar-a-Lago premiere of his MAGA movie 2000 Mules, he was now eating crow. The right-wing gadfly, who seems to uncover Democratic Party conspiracies wherever Americans cast their ballots, had to admit to misleading Mule viewers. He also said he owed an apology to a Georgia man shown in his documentary who was falsely accused of ballot fraud and is now suing DSouza for defamation. I now understand that the surveillance videos used in the film were characterized on the basis of inaccurate information provided to me and my team, DSouza says on his website. If I had known then that the videos were not linked to geolocation data, I would have clarified this and produced and edited the film differently. To understand what the man is talking about, you have to know that mules are the voter fraud equivalent of drug smugglers and sex traffickers. In the domain of election fraud, DSouza writes in his book 2000 Mules, the mule is the paid operative who delivers the illegal ballots to ballot drop boxes. In both book and movie he maintained that several thousand of these mules illegally collected and delivered ballots in key swing states, thereby throwing the 2020 election to Joe Biden. The link to the movie now leads to a Oops! That page cant be found on his website. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump won, and by a decisive margin, which is to say that absent the cheating, Trump would have won all the key swing states, DSouza insists in the book. Even the most conservative calculus the narrowest way of reading the evidence that I will present shows Trump winning the election. (Keep in mind that hes talking about 2020, not 2024.) So why is DSouza swallowing dry, stringy crow meat while at the same time supplicants for positions in the incoming administration repeat the catechistic Big Lie that Donald Trump won the 2020 election? Its because of that pesky geolocation data on which he relied. With the ardor of a true believer, DSouza was persuaded that by analyzing cellphone location data, he could suss out mules lingering near ballot drop boxes in key states. While ominous music plays in the movies background, surveillance cameras purport to show people dropping off multiple ballots. What you are seeing is a crime, DSouza explains. Actually, what we are seeing is absurdist cinema, thanks in large part to somebodys ineptitude and DSouzas Clouseau-like credulity. We recently learned, he explains as part of his apology, that surveillance videos used in the film may not have actually been correlated with the geolocation data. In other words, theres no proof the supposed mules were watching are anything but innocent people dropping off ballots. The Georgia man, a Gwinnett County resident named Mark Andrews, was one of them. A state investigation found that he was dropping off ballots for himself, his wife and their three adult children, all residents of the same address. Thats perfectly legal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And who was the source of the inaccurate information provided to me and my team? It should come as no surprise to Houstonians that it came from True the Vote, the organization founded in 2010 by Fort Bend County election-fraud conspiracy zealot Catherine Engelbrecht. As the Chronicle has reported since 2012, True the Vote has long been an enthusiastic propagator of dubious information, as well as a practitioner of questionable financial transactions. The group is listed as the executive producer of DSouzas movie. In response to DSouzas statement, True the Vote said it had no editorial control over the documentary and didnt select the videos or graphics that he used. The group also contended that the central premise of the film remains accurate. Engelbrecht and her True the Vote partner Gregg Phillips were guests at the glitzy Mar-a-Lago premiere for 2000 Mules. According to a Politico reporter who attended the event, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican rabble-rouser from Georgia, was on hand, as was former Trump adviser and now QAnon conspiracy hero Michael Flynn. Former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani smiled for selfies, while a circle of excited guests crowded around Kyle Rittenhouse, the baby-faced teenager who was acquitted for killing two men during 2020 protests in Wisconsin. And on the sidelines, Politico reported, Mike Lindell, the MyPillow founder and champion of some of the more outlandish election fraud theories, gave an animated interview to a conservative media outlet. Plenty of Texans got in on the fun even if they didnt make it out to Mar-a-Lago. As the Texas Tribune reported in 2022, the Republican Party of Texas screened 2000 Mules three times during its annual convention. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and three other Houston lawmakers sponsored a watch party at a Houston church shortly after the movies debut. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has touted the film as the reason he continues to believe the 2020 election was stolen. And Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton has used the powers of his office to go after alleged election fraudsters that True the Vote has identified. DSouza, Englebrecht, Paxton and other 2020 election deniers would seem to be quaint and ridiculous now. After Trumps victory last month, confidence in U.S. elections soared, driven almost entirely by Republican voters change of heart. In November 2020, as Trump spread his Big Lie, only a fifth of them said the election was well administered, according to the Pew Research Center. And voila, in 2024, 93% of Trump voters approved of how the election was run. So can we move on from the Big Lie? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not so much. Election fraud conspiracists continue to damage the body politic. Their discredited claims about massive voter fraud in 2020 nurture cynicism and, if elections dont go their way, chaos. Rather than competing for votes on policy issues and personal qualifications, they play dirty. Thats not how a democracy works. By Nqobile Dludla JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's biggest e-commerce retailer, Takealot, has hired thousands of personal shoppers to help it penetrate townships and rural areas and fend off increased competition from global rivals, its CEO told Reuters. Attracted by growth potential and South Africa's strategic position, companies have invested in the country's price-conscious e-commerce market. Among the international names that have made inroads are Chinese fast-fashion retailers Temu and Shein. A few months after PDD's Temu started selling into South Africa in January, U.S. retail giant Amazon followed suit in May. "You can't argue that they had an impact on the overall retail environment," Frederik Zietsman, Takealot Group CEO told Reuters, referring to the Chinese players and Amazon. "I think more dramatically, the cost of doing business has gone up significantly." Companies regard South Africa as an entry point to expand into the continent because it has more mobile internet users, higher smartphone penetration and a proliferation of new payment methods such as Buy Now Pay Later. Takealot Group, owned by tech investor Naspers, houses Takealot.com - which sells items from household goods to electronics - and food and grocery delivery platform Mr D. But a weak economic environment and competition from global entrants has curbed the group's growth. Takealot.com's gross merchandise value growth slowed in its first half ended Sept. 30, rising by 10% compared with 15% in the same period last year. Its market share declined to 20.9% in 2023 from 26.5% a year earlier, according to a study conducted by World Wide Worx, in partnership with Mastercard, Peach Payments and Ask Afrika. PERSONAL SHOPPERS To try to win more customers in South Africa's townships and in rural areas, Takealot is recruiting personal shoppers to shop on behalf of mostly non-tech-savvy consumers. Zietsman said the targeted areas were "where our insights showed us that e-commerce is struggling to get traction". South Africa's online retail sector grew 29% to 71 billion rand ($3.96 billion) in 2023, positioning the sector to account for 10% of total retail sales by 2026, according to the World Wide Worx study. But urban centres account for the majority of online spending. Takealot has so far recruited about 2,500 personal shoppers as part of the group's township initiative and plans to have 5,000 personal shoppers in total by 2028, Zietsman said. "The personal shopper brings more drivers, the more drivers there are, the more need you've got for a franchisee and then you establish the franchisee, then you create the ecosystem," he said. The initiative has yielded results. Personal shopper Achumile Vellem, who joined Takealot's programme in October, said she has so far bought over 150 products including air fryers, cellphones and books on behalf of clients - most of whom were outside urban centres. "I've had someone purchase on behalf of their mother in Keiskammerhoek," the 29-year-old said, referring to a rural town in the Eastern Cape province. DARK STORES AND ROBOTS Takealot also plans to grow what are known as "dark stores" in the next 12 months, Zietsman said, without giving further details. Takealot has four dark stores - or stores solely dedicated to fulfilling online orders and usually situated near big distribution centres. The company has distribution centres in three main cities, the largest being in Johannesburg, where in October it launched 54 robotic machines in a 19 million rand ($1 million) investment to process large items. In Cape Town, Takealot increased automation at its facility to help it receive more parcels per day, Zietsman said. "Those robots basically help us to scale quicker in that they can sort quicker. They can take a lot of incremental load within the physical facility," he added. ($1 = 17.6524 rand) (Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Barbara Lewis) FILE - Accused Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Cardenas Guillen leaves the federal courthouse after pleading not guilty to charges connected to running a cartel, in Houston, Feb. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File) MEXICO CITY (AP) Notorious drug lord Osiel Cardenas Guillen has been returned to Mexico after serving a U.S. sentence and was quickly re-arrested and sent to a maximum security prison to face Mexican charges. There had been nervousness about the impending return of Cardenas Guillen, who once led the feared Gulf cartel in northeastern Mexico before he was arrested and extradited to the United States in 2007. The U.S. Homeland Security Department confirmed in its social media accounts Monday that Cardenas Guillen had been returned after serving 14 years in U.S. custody, most of his 25-year U.S. prison sentence. He is a Mexican citizen, so presumably he was deported. A Mexican federal official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said Cardenas Guillen had immediately been taken into custody in Mexico on drug, organized crime and money-laundering charges. The official said Cardenas Guillen was being held at the country's top maximum-security Altiplano prison just west of Mexico City. Homeland Security Investigations posted photos of a paunchy, balding, bespectacled Cardenas Guillen being escorted by two officers in helmets and flak vests, and the being walked over a border bridge. The image contrasts with the drug lord's fearsome reputation for violence in Mexico. The former head of the Gulf cartel was known for his brutality. He created the most bloodthirsty gang of hitmen Mexico has ever known, the Zetas, which routinely slaughtered migrants and innocent people. The 57-year-old native of the border city of Matamoros, Mexico, moved tons of cocaine and made millions of dollars through the Gulf cartel, based in the border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america WABASHA, Minn. You would be excused if you thought this wasnt necessary, but the bald eagle is one step closer to being designated the national bird of the United States. Late one Monday evening back in July after most senators had already gone home for the day, a unanimous motion passed the Senate to slip the formal national bird designation into the U.S. code. Without objection, it is so ordered, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., moved to pass the bill with no one else in the chamber. Just like that, it was off to the House. The U.S. code already designates the oak tree as the national tree of the United States and the rose as the national flower, and Congress even voted in 2016 to deem the bison the national mammal, but the bald eagle is not the national bird of the U.S. yet. Thanks to one man who discovered the omission, Congress is about to correct that. The House passed the bill Monday night, sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law and formalize the bald eagle's national significance in one of Congress last acts of the year. Preston Cook looks at his collection of over 40,000 eagle items housed in Wabasha, Minn. The 'eaglevangelist' The bald eagle is a particular passion in Wabasha, Minnesota, where the National Eagle Center sits on the bank of the Mississippi River. The self-designated Eagle Capital of America, the city has a population of about 1,500 people, including one person who has dedicated his life to the bald eagles legacy. Preston Cook is, to put it mildly, obsessed with bald eagles. I saw a movie called A Thousand Clowns in 1966 and there was one line in the movie, You cant have too many eagles, Cook said. I walked out of the theater and I said that might be an interesting thing to collect. Preston Cook holds a box of eagle pins in one of two warehouses that hold his collection, which has grown to over 40,000 eagle items since he started collecting in the 1960s. So, he started collecting and collecting and collecting. Over the decades, Cooks trove has ballooned to over 40,000 items, a collection that he believes is the largest in the country. If it had an eagle on it, Id buy it, Cook said, I may have gotten a little carried away in my collecting here, but Ive loved the whole process. The collection lives in two warehouses just steps from the Mississippi River and ranges from political pins to paintings and magazine covers to playing cards. There are lego sets and sculptures, ginger beer bottles and eagle bedazzled stilettos. Preston Cook looks at his collection of over 40,000 eagle items. The collection became so big that Cook began looking for a place to put it. It found a home in the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. He also decided to turn his collection into a book, and while researching the eagles place in American history, he came to a realization. Weve never had a national bird, Cook said. The turkey myth The omission came as a shock to the staff at the National Eagle Center, who thought the honor had already been bestowed on the bird that nests in the trees surrounding their headquarters. Minnesota has the second-largest nesting population of bald eagles in the country, trailing only Alaska. Preston Cook brought that up to us years ago, and it was like, Oh, come on, youre kidding me, said Scott Mehus, the education director at the National Eagle Center. Ive been talking in classes all of these years, telling [people] its our nations symbol and our national bird. Ive been wrong all these years and so has everybody else in the country, Mehus said. The bald eagle became the nations most prominent bird when it was placed on the great seal shortly after the countrys founding. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who were originally tasked with the responsibility, were unable to agree to a seal to represent the country, so in 1782, Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson submitted a version with the bald eagle, which was approved later that year. The eagle-emblazoned seal was first used on a document authorizing George Washington to negotiate a prisoner-of-war exchange and has been a national symbol since. Eagle items in one of two warehouses that hold Preston Cooks collection of over 40,000 eagle items. But not all of the Founding Fathers were fans of the eagle. Franklin famously wrote in a letter to his daughter that he wished the eagle had not been chosen as the representative for the United States, calling it a bird of bad moral character and adding, He does not get his living honestly. Franklin went on to say in his letter that the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original Native of America. But it's a myth that Franklin led discussions about making the turkey the national bird; historians believe he was joking. He never advocated for the turkey to be our great seal, Scott said, though he admitted Franklin made some negative comments about the eagle. Preston Cook looks at his collection. The bill This is one of those few laws thats going to make no difference, Cook jokes. The bill Cook himself initially wrote and sent to Congress has no money attached to it; it doesnt even assist in conservation efforts related to bald eagles. It simply slips a line into the U.S. code between the national tree and the guidelines for inaugural ceremonies that says, The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird. He sent the bill to the offices of Minnesota lawmakers in both chambers of Congress, and a bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., brought it to the floor to be passed unanimously in the upper chamber. Eagle items in one of the two warehouses that hold Preston Cooks collection. They are the ones that came to us and said its not the national bird, Klobuchar said of the National Eagle Center and Cook. So that was the impetus. It takes an act of Congress and the president's signature to designate any item with the national title; the rose got the honor in 1986 and the oak tree in 2004. No one has to change anything; its just a correction. It is only a correction in history to make things right and makes things the way they should be, Cook said. It was one of those little pieces of history that I felt should be taken care of, and thats what were doing. The blazer Cook doesnt literally wear his passion for eagles on his sleeve, but its close. He wears a bow tie embroidered with an eagle and an eagle pin on his lapel, and eagles even fly on his red, white and blue suspenders. When you ask him what his most prized eagle possession is, he points to the buttons he received when he was drafted into the Army in the 1960s, which are now sewn onto the blue blazer he wears often. I was issued these buttons on my dress uniform that has the great seal. Two years later, I got out, snipped the buttons off my military uniform, and Ive been wearing them ever since, he said. These are the first items in my collection, and that gave me a start on collecting eagles for the rest of my life. Preston Cook with his collection. He looks at tables covered with old magazine covers showing caricatures of eagles flying away with small children in their talons and admits he hasnt stopped gathering items, calling it a working collection. He cycles the items through exhibits for children and interested visitors to look at in the National Eagle Center, but jokes: Dont tell my wife that Im still collecting. My wife has been very tolerant, and I appreciate her for that, he said. Occasionally, she will say, You have too many eagles. Occasionally, shell say that. But just like legislating, marriage is about compromise, and even Cooks household has its limits. She says, You can put them wherever you want in the house, but you cannot put them in the bedroom, Cook said with a laugh. I said, OK, I can live with that one. On Saturday, South Koreas National Assembly, the countrys unicameral legislature, voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. His fate will now be decided by the Constitutional Court. If the court votes to remove Yoon likely, since his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law has been roundly condemned throughout South Korean society the country will head to the polls to select the 14th president of the Republic of Korea. In the meantime, domestic turmoil continues. The impeachment is by no means the end of the crisis, as Leif-Eric Easley of Seouls Ewha University said. It is not even the beginning of the end, which will ultimately involve election of a new president, he said. Even if Yoon survives the crisis, the episode is undoubtedly the end of his most important, bravest, and most unpopular accomplishment. Yoon was instrumental in building a security partnership with Japan. The South Korean leader traveled to Camp David in August of last year to meet President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. There, the three leaders issued The Spirit of Camp David, a joint statement to inaugurate a new era of trilateral partnership. This is a moment that requires unity and coordinated action from true partners, and it is a moment we intend to meet, together, the statement reads. Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people, the region and the world. The grouping of the three states is now known by the acronym JAROKUS. Biden in the Camp David statement commended President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida for courageously transforming their relationship. But Yoon, far more than Kishida, was the hero of that moment. There is extreme animosity in Korea toward Japan, due to Japans annexation of Korea at the beginning of the 20th century and brutal Japanese rule there through the end of the Second World War. Today, Japan and the U.S. are treaty allies. So are South Korea and the U.S. But Japan and the South are not allies. Both Tokyo and Seoul and especially Seoul have often treated each other as adversaries. It has been a long-standing U.S. policy to get the two capitals to work closely, but it was not until Yoons presidency that the prospect of sustained progress emerged. One of the first casualties of Yoons political demise, therefore, will be cooperation with Japan and maybe even the U.S. If Yoon is no longer president, then Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the leftist Democratic Party of Korea, is likely to become the next president of South Korea, Tara O of the East Asia Research Center told me. Lee is pro-Communist Party of China, pro-North Korea, anti-South Korea, anti-U.S. and anti-Japan. He and his supporters constantly stir up anti-Japan sentiment in South Korea. Lee is following in the footsteps of Yoons immediate predecessor, Moon Jae-in, also of the Democratic Party of Korea, more commonly called Minjoo. Moon during his term did everything to sabotage relations with Tokyo, especially defense ties. For instance, Moon in 2019 announced he was terminating GSOMIA, the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan. He ultimately relented, but only just a few hours before the pact was to expire and under intense pressure from, among others, Washington. Minjoos Lee is bound to take up where Moon Jae-in left off. The real issue can be seen in the impeachment motion that complained that the presidents Japan-centered policy antagonizes North Korea, China and Russia, David Maxwell of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Asia Pacific Strategy told me. This is the problem with the political opposition in South Korea. They view the trilateral [South Korea]-Japan-U.S. cooperation negatively and will likely try to undo it when they come to power, which they are likely to do in the next election. The members of the opposition are under the naive belief that South Korea can appease North Korea, China and Russia, Maxwell, who served five tours of duty as a U.S. Army Special Forces officer in Korea, also said. They would rather weaken the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the U.S. to send a message that they do not have a hostile policy toward North Korea, China and Russia. The political opposition in the South does not seem to acknowledge that it is North Korea, China and Russia that have hostile policies toward the South. Maxwell also says that Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow might execute those hostile policies more vigorously because of a shift to appeasement in Seoul. In fact, North Koreas previous leader, Kim Jong Il, responded to South Korean President Kim Dae Jungs generous Sunshine Policy, which some characterize as appeasement, with outright hostility and belligerent military actions. In any event, Lee Jae-myung if he in fact becomes president, will change South Koreas direction, reorienting the country away from its only protectors, the U.S. and Japan, and toward its main enemies, particularly North Korea and China. Unfortunately, The Spirit of Camp David has now become a dead letter. After the impeachment vote, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Philip Goldberg, tweeted that Americas alliance with South Korea is and will remain ironclad. Americas commitment is certainly ironclad, but with a leftist in charge, South Koreas embrace of the alliance will not be. Gordon G. Chang is the author of Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America and The Coming Collapse of China. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Let's all say happy birthday to Azy! The orangutan turned the big 4-7 recently at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana and he did so in style, chomping down on a delicious birthday cake pop. But the pop was just the first part of the orangutan's birthday meal. Who doesn't like a special meal on their big day? Especially if you're going to reach 47 years old, that's a huge milestone! Azy deserves to live it up. Azy's caretakers went big for the big day. They even threw the orangutan a "Winter Wonderland" themed party! And by party, we mean they prepared some truly tasty treats. And Azy got to eat them all by himself. Related: Orangutan at Dublin Zoo Learns to Feed Her Baby Thanks to Local Breastfeeding Moms "Join us in wishing Azy the orangutan a happy 47th birthday!" the zoo wrote in the caption. "Our keepers celebrated his special day with a Winter Wonderland themed party with mashed potato cake pops, ice cakes, whipped cream snowflakes and a banner." Wow, what a soiree! We wish we were invited, we love mashed potato cake pops! People in the comments section were so in love with this sweet guy. "Hims eating the whipped cream off just like a lot of humans do," gushed one person. "He saw the 47 and said 'dont mind if I do' so sweet," another commenter praised. "This is me sneaking snacks in bed while my husband sleeps," joked one person. "The handsomest boy! And mashed potato pops are genius!" exclaimed someone else. Visit Azy at the Indianapolis Zoo It's time to book your next trip to Indianapolis, we have to say happy birthday in person after all! If you want to join us in visiting Azy, you can see him at the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. The center is home to many other orangutans too! Like Basan, Charly, Katy, Lucy, Max, Mila, Nicky, Rocky, and Sirih. The list goes on and on! In fact, the zoo claims that the center is home to the largest group of orangutans in any American zoo. That sounds like music to our ears! It's also a place where anyone can learn more about these majestic creatures. They also do research and conservation work so that more orangutans can live in safety and peace. If you can't make it to Indianapolis, why not head to your local zoo? Your zoo might have their own orangutans! In which case you could be supporting your local animals. What could possibly be better than that? 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. Security forces thwarted a pair of assassination attempts against Pope Francis -- including a suicide bomber -- during his March 2021 visit to Iraq, the pontiff shared in his new memoir. Security forces thwarted a pair of assassination attempts against Pope Francis including a suicide bomber during his March 2021 visit to Iraq, the pontiff shared in his new memoir. The pope wrote that British security forces warned him about a young woman who was making her way to Mosul in the north of the country and planning to blow herself up during his historic visit to the Middle Eastern country. Security forces thwarted a pair of assassination attempts against Pope Francis during his March 2021 visit to Iraq, the pontiff shared in his new memoir. Getty Images The pope wrote that British security forces warned him about a young woman who was making her way to Mosul in the north of the country and planning to blow herself up. Getty Images He said he was also notified about a van which had also left at high speed with the same intention. When I asked the (Vatican) Gendarmerie the following day what was known about the two bombers, the commander replied laconically, They are no longer there, an excerpt of the popes new autobiography Hope published by Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera reads in part. Francis, 88, said the would-be assassins were intercepted by Iraqi police, who later safely detonated the explosives. He referred to the whole frightening affair as the poisoned fruit of war. Francis, 88, said the would-be assassins were intercepted by Iraqi police, who later safely detonated the explosives. AFP via Getty Images Iraqi President Barham Salih and his wife Sarbagh Salih walk with Pope Francis at the Baghdad International Airport on March 8, 2021, in Baghdad, Iraq. Getty Images His trip marked the first time any pope has ever visited the war-torn country and came at a time of both heightened security alerts and risk of illness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pope John Paul II was set to visit Iraq in 1999 as part of a tour of the regions major holy sites, but a diplomatic dispute between Iraq and the Holy See put an end to the plans. NEW YORK (AP) The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail. Luigi Mangione already was charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson, but the terror allegation is new. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Thompson's death on a midtown Manhattan street was a killing that was intended to evoke terror. And weve seen that reaction." Mangiones New York lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to comment. Thompson, 50, was shot while walking to a hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare the United States' biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. The killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies, as Americans swapped stories online and elsewhere of being denied coverage, left in limbo as doctors and insurers disagreed, and stuck with sizeable bills. The shooting also rattled C-suites, as wanted posters with other health care executives names and faces appeared on New York streets and some social media users extolled Mangione's deed as payback. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tuesday that "any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice. A New York law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks allows prosecutors to charge crimes as acts of terrorism when they're intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping. Prosecutors have applied the statute to various contexts. Some related to international extremism, but the law was first used against a Bronx gang member after a hail of gunfire killed a 10-year-old girl and paralyzed a man outside a christening party in 2002. The state's highest court later said the conduct didnt amount to terrorism, and a retrial produced convictions on other charges. Thompson's killing, Bragg noted, happened early on a workday in an area frequented by commuters, businesspeople and tourists. This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation, the district attorney said. After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was spotted Dec. 9 at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and arrested. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. The 26-year-old was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offenses and locked up there without bail. His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge. The attorney also has said Mangione would fight extradition to New York. Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted. Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorneys office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press last week said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies parasitic and complained about corporate greed. Mangione repeatedly posted on social media about how spinal surgery last year had eased his chronic back pain, encouraging people with similar conditions to speak up for themselves if told they just had to live with it. In a Reddit post in late April, he advised someone with a back problem to seek additional opinions from surgeons and, if necessary, say the pain made it impossible to work. We live in a capitalist society, Mangione wrote. Ive found that the medical industry responds to these key words far more urgently than you describing unbearable pain and how its impacting your quality of life. He was never a UnitedHealthcare client, according to the insurer. Mangione apparently cut himself off from his family and close friends in recent months. His family reported him missing in San Francisco in November. After San Francisco authorities got a tip to their New York counterparts, investigators spoke to Mangione's mother in San Francisco late on Dec. 7. In that interview, "she said it might be something that she could see him doing, New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Tuesday. Before the case detectives could follow up on that lead, Mangione was arrested, Kenny said. Mangione's relatives have said in a statement that they were shocked and devastated by his arrest. Thompson, who grew up on a farm in Iowa, was trained as an accountant. A married father of two high-schoolers, he had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. ___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. returned to Capitol Hill Tuesday to try to make his case to Republican senators that he can lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Also meeting with senators on Tuesday was Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. She planned to meet with two Democratic senators and five Republicans. Kennedy, who has come under fire for his opposition to vaccines and push to regulate farm-grown food, did not immediately discuss the topics he planned to bring up in his meetings, but several senators did share what their priorities are for the potential head of the HHS. MORE: RFK Jr.'s lawyer and top ally asked FDA to revoke approval of polio vaccine And some indicated they were ready to push back on Kennedy's stances. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, moves between meetings with senators in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told reporters outside a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that he did not agree with Kennedy on his agriculture positions and avoided commenting on his stance on abortion, but expressed optimism that Kennedy would "support President Trump's policies" on all fronts. "So my working assumption is he will stay in his lane and do HHS policy," Hawley said, adding that he supports the polio vaccine. Kennedy's opinion on the polio vaccine has come under scrutiny after reports that his personal attorney Aaron Siri lobbied the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of the vaccine. Sources told ABC News that Siri has been helping interview candidates for top health jobs in the incoming Trump administration. Siri, a partner at the law firm Siri & Glimstad, has also filed petitions seeking to pause the distribution of other vaccines, including Hepatitis B, and to revoke the emergency-use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines. Asked by ABC News if he planned to meet with outgoing Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kennedy replied, "I hope so," as he left a meeting with Wyoming Republican John Barroso. McConnell, a polio survivor, criticized Siri's efforts to revoke the polio vaccine approval. Kennedy also told reporters he would "probably" meet with Democratic senators when he returns to Capitol Hill in January, though he said he wasn't yet sure which ones. Barroso said after his meeting that his "understanding" was that Kennedy is "for the polio vaccine, supportive of it." Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., was also critical of Siri. PHOTO: Sen. John Cornyn meets with President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters) Sen. Kennedy, who said he was "looking forward to sitting down" with RFK Jr. with an "open mind," suggested to reporters outside a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the possible HHS secretary should fire his lawyer. "I've got a completely open mind, but, but that kind of nonsense is not helpful," Kennedy said of the polio misinformation. MORE: 3 key questions for RFK Jr. as he lobbies senators to be health secretary "I hope to be able to get to a position where I can support him enthusiastically. I'm looking forward to his confirmation hearings. We take those seriously," the senator added. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., however, told reporters that Kennedy is a "breath of fresh air" who has his support. Tuberville, who has no medical background, brushed off concerns about Kennedy's views on vaccines and claimed, without any evidence or details, that they were not "100% proven." "He wants the parents to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly instead of just forcing parents to give vaccines to their kids," the senator said. Trump told reporters Monday that he was big believer in polio vaccine and vowed that it it was here to stay. He did, however, say he questioned vaccine mandates. Kennedy told reporters Monday that "he was all for the polio vaccine." Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he'd be meeting with Kennedy this week and looked forward to having discussions with him about vaccines and the agriculture industry. Abortion, Tillis said, was a "legitimate question" he was going to ask Kennedy about. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, moves between meetings with senators in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Dec. 17, 2024, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) "I am consistently and unapologetically pro-life since I was a member of the state legislature," Tillis said. MORE: RFK Jr. wants to regulate farms and food, but may face GOP opposition One Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, told reporters he has not had any meetings with Trump's potential nominees yet but that they should be vetted on abortion and vaccines, topics he called "life and death issues." Durbin did not specifically mention Kennedy in his remarks. "I think, in all fairness, we should take the measure of these nominees based on investigation, thorough FBI investigation, and what they have to say on the record under oath, and then make final judgment," he said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-Mass also expressed her disapproval of Kennedy, citing his anti-vaccine campaigns. "Do you really want him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services?," she asked. Gabbard meets with Intelligence Committee Democrats Gabbard on Tuesday said she had a "great" meeting with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. "This has been a great opportunity to meet with both Democrat and Republican senators and address any questions or concerns that they have and talk about the role," she said. PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence and Robert Kennedy Jr., nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, visit Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (Getty Images/Reuters) Asked if she felt confident she had the votes to be confirmed, Gabbard said only that she "looks forward to meeting with senators as we continue through this process." Fetterman has been leading the charge among Democrats meeting with Trump's nominees. In a post on X on Tuesday, he confirmed that he has met with Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's selection for United Nations ambassador, and Pete Hegseth, his secretary of defense pick. "I believe that it's appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-Elect Trump's nominees," Fetterman posted on on X. "My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That's not controversial, it's my job." Gabbard met Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican senators Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, Chuck Grassley, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul. Collins described her meeting with Gabbard as very broad and wide-ranging. "We talked about Syria, her visit to see Assad. We talked about Ukraine, we talked about Putin, we talked about NATO, we talked about her positions on introducing legislation that would have removed the criminal charges for [Edward] Snowden, Collins said. The senator said she had not made a decision on Gabbard and would wait for her FBI background check and Senate hearings. "As the co-author of the 2004 law that created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, I have a very strong interest in this position," Collins said. -ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report. RFK Jr. meets with more GOP senators amid concerns about his polio vaccine views originally appeared on abcnews.go.com An overview of the northern section of Hmeimim airbase on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies In new satellite imagery, Russia's military appears to be packing up equipment at a key airbase in Syria. The images show transport aircraft ready to load cargo at the Hmeimim Air Base on Friday. Russia's military footprint in Syria fell into uncertainty after rebel forces ousted Bashar Assad. Russia appears to be packing up military equipment at one of its bases in Syria, new satellite images show. They are the latest indication that Moscow is scaling down, if not withdrawing, its footprint from the country following the stunning collapse of the Assad regime. Images captured Friday by Maxar Technologies and obtained by Business Insider show two An-124 heavy transport aircraft at Russia's Hmeimim Air Base. The front of the planes are lifted, indicating that they are ready to load equipment or cargo. A Russian An-124 heavy transport aircraft, right, preparing to load equipment at Hmeimim on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies A second An-124 heavy transport aircraft preparing to load equipment at Hmeimim on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies In another image of the Hmeimim base, a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter is seen being taken apart and likely prepared for transport, according to Maxar. The company said elements of an S-400 air-defense unit are also being prepared for departure from the weapon's previous deployment site near the coastal city of Latakia. A Ka-52 helicopter, spotted in the center of the image, is seen being disassembled and prepared for transport at Hmeimim on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies Elements of an S-400 unit preparing to depart Hmeimim on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies Additional imagery collected Friday shows Russia's warships are still missing from its base in Tartus, a port city south of Hmeimim on the Mediterranean Sea. Several frigates, replenishment oilers, and a submarine could be seen at the facility earlier in the month, but they were all gone by Monday. Some of the vessels have been spotted several miles off the coast. It's unclear whether the warships will return to Tartus; their presence at sea could be for safety reasons rather than a full evacuation. An overview of the naval facility at Tartus on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies The US has not confirmed any major Russian military withdrawal from Syria but has pointed out that some forces are, in fact, departing. "What we're seeing is a consolidation of assets, including some Russian forces leaving Syria," Sabrina Singh, the deputy Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters Wednesday. "What they're doing with their facilities and bases, that's for them to speak to." Analysts, likewise, have called attention to the latest activity. "A larger number of Russian transport aircraft can now be seen at Khmeimim," Michael Kofman, a Russia expert and senior fellow with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a social media post. "The S-400 battery is packing up for transport. While tactical aviation is still there, RF appears to be consolidating at Khmeimim and Tartus," he said. "In short, a withdrawal is under way." Even if Russia is moving forces out of its bases in Syria, it may only be a partial military withdrawal and not a complete evacuation. A Russian frigate in the Mediterranean near Tartus on December 13. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies The new satellite imagery comes a day after Ukraine's military intelligence agency, known as the HUR, said Moscow was evacuating its bases in Syria and has been flying multiple military transport aircraft between Hmeimim and Russia every day. BI was unable to independently verify Kyiv's assessment. Russia's military presence in Syria became tenuous last weekend as rebel forces captured Damascus and ousted Bashar Assad, the country's longtime dictator. Assad has since fled to Moscow with his family. Russia supported Assad in Syria's civil war for years, in return securing a foothold in the country, but the rebels now have the upper hand. They control the province where Tartus and Hmeimim are located. The Kremlin is engaging in efforts to ensure the security of its facilities with the new Syrian leadership, but it's unclear if any arrangements are official. Losing both Tartus and Hmeimim would be a setback for the Kremlin, which relies heavily on the bases to project its power across the region and beyond. Tartus is Russia's main naval base overseas, providing the country with critical access to a warm-water port. Moscow uses Hmeimim to move military forces in and out of Africa. That makes these bases strategically valuable. War analysts at the Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, wrote on Thursday that Russia "is very likely hesitant to completely evacuate all military assets from Syria in the event that it can establish a relationship with Syrian opposition forces and the transitional government and continue to ensure the security of its basing and personnel in Syria." Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON President Joe Biden offered his condolences Monday to the victims of a school shooting in Wisconsin and urged Congress to pass tougher gun-control laws. Today, families in Madison, Wisconsin, are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School, Biden said in a statement. Its shocking and unconscionable. Citing other school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, Uvalde, Texas, Parkland, Florida and so many other shootings that dont receive attention, Biden said 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, the president said. 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." President Joe Biden speaks at the Labor Department in Washington, DC, on December 16, 2024. A teacher and a teenage student were killed in Mondays shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Two students are in critical condition and four other students suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are at area hospitals, police said. Police said the suspected shooter was also found dead at the scene. The White House said Biden spoken to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway following the shooting and offered his support to help the community. More: Tragic 911 calls, body camera footage from Uvalde, Texas school shooting released In his statement, Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden are praying for all of the shooting victims. He also expressed gratitude to the first responders who arrived quickly on the scene. The FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts, he said, adding that, at his direction, his team also has reached out to local officials to offer further support as needed. Biden noted steps his administration has taken to combat gun violence, including the passage of the most significant gun-safety legislation in nearly 30 years. But more is needed, he said. He called on Congress to pass commonsense gun safety laws, such as universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and a national red flag law that would allow police or family members to get a court order to temporarily confiscate firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves. We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart, Biden said. Lawmakers are unlikely to consider additional gun-safety measures anytime soon since Republicans will hold majorities in both the House and the Senate starting in January, while Donald Trump - who was endorsed by the NRA - returns as president to the White House. Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on X @mcollinsNEWS. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden mourns Abundant Life Christian School shooting victims U.S. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas surrounded by reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on May 30, 2023 after he and 10 other Freedom Caucus members announced they would oppose a deal to raise the debt limit. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Roy had heard enough. The Texas congressman was listening to his Republican colleagues cheer on Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the incoming Trump administration's efficiency czars, as they described their lofty ideas for slashing the federal budget by trillions of dollars. I said, 'You're searching for the enemy? Look no further than this room,'" Roy recalled telling his colleagues in the closed-door meeting earlier this month. "Were the ones that have been funding all this stuff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After two decades of railing against government bailouts, stimulus spending and the growing federal deficit, Roy is pushing the Republican Party to carry through on its promises and dramatically scale down the federal government. And with President-elect Donald Trump readying to return to the White House and Republicans soon to control both chambers of Congress, Roy might well have the best moment hes going to get to make his vision reality. For years, Roy served in the background of the Texas conservative movement, as a ghost writer for then-Gov. Rick Perry, chief of staff for Sen. Ted Cruz and a director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, all the time warning about the perils of the governments mounting debt load. But since being elected to Congress in 2018 and building up his profile in Washington, he has pushed small government ideas once considered radical into the mainstream. His approach can be politically explosive, like refusing to allow back pay during the government shutdown, but his politics have led to dramatic changes in the Republican Party, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a politics professor at the University of Houston. The politics of the Republican party have caught up to his thinking. It took a little while, but Republicans have seen the path Roy paved. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What Roy wants to cut What Roy and his allies in the Freedom Caucus are looking for once Trump takes office are across-the-board cuts to the $6.1 trillion federal budget. They want to return agencies like the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency to 2019 spending levels, which would achieve $110 billion in savings, and to take a sledgehammer to the Pentagon by cutting 20% out of its more than $800 billion budget. At the same time Roy wants to do away with federal healthcare regulations he says are driving up prices on everything from drugs to hip replacements. And he wants to reform Social Security benefits for future generations, though he says he wouldnt touch benefits for current or soon-to-be Social Security recipients. It's a radical reimagining of the U.S. government, one that comes with the risks of a shrunken national defense system, upending the nations healthcare system and reversing a decades-long decline in the U.S. poverty rate. Then, there are the considerable political risks, as constituents who might like the idea of reducing government spending in theory feel the impact of less government support on their everyday lives. That could potentially open the door for a Democratic comeback in 2026 though Roy's deep red Central Texas district is likely safe. He won 62% of the vote in November. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Theres only so much you can get by cutting wasteful spending, said Bobby Kogan, a policy director at the left-leaning Center for American Progress. The federal government lifts 30 million people out of poverty every year. Its party of us being a civilized society that when we see people in need we help them. Its not an efficiency questions; its a value question. Such arguments dont get far with Roy, who believes the federal government has created a system of dependency that guts the soul of the American people. 'Political policy tour de force' Born of a long line of Texans - his grandfather was a small town police chief outside Abilene - and raised in the suburbs of Washington D.C., Roy moved to Texas after a short-lived career on Wall Street. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School in 2003 and quickly found purchase in the states increasingly conservative political scene. He moved up the ladder quickly, working as an advisor to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn before joining Perrys failed 2012 presidential campaign. Then he was off to help a newly elected Ted Cruz build his firebrand reputation in the U.S. Senate before joining the Texas Attorney Generals Office under Ken Paxton a position he would eventually resign amid allegations that Paxton had defrauded investors prior to taking office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When former congressman Lamar Smith announced he was not running for reelection in 2018, Roy saw an opening. He ran for Smiths seat on the promise of working to balance the federal budget for the first time since 2001, winning a tight primary despite earlier criticism of President Donald Trump. In the House, Roy quickly earned the reputation of a conservative stalwart with a contrarian streak he favors blazers and khakis over the traditional dark suits of his colleagues. And he gave no quarter, leading the inital charge against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy after he cut a budget deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown despite opposition from Trump. Ive never been around someone who is as much a political policy tour de force as is Chip, said Kevin Roberts, president of the powerful Heritage Foundation and a longtime friend. He understands that change has to be done incrementally while being as urgent as possible, that you have to operate within the politically possible while breaking through the barriers. Hurdles ahead But Roy, the 52-year-old policy chair of the Freedom Caucus, will have his work cut out for him this Congress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Appropriations bills require 60 votes in the Senate, necessitating some Democratic support in a chamber divided by a six-member margin. And while Republicans could cut Medicare and Medicaid spending through the reconciliation process, which requires only a simple majority, its unclear theyre all on the same page when it comes to budget cuts. They clearly weren't in the recent meeting with Musk and Ramaswamy, as Roy's comments drew mixed responses. "About a quarter of the conference is cheering because they agree. Another quarter is kind of nodding quietly, Like, yeah, he's probably right.' And then theres a good chunk of the conference thats like, how dare you? Roy recalled in a recent interview. Considering their narrow majorities in the House and Senate, MAGA and moderate Republicans alike would need to get on board with a budget that stands to cut benefits for their constituents and reduce funding to their districts. All while fleets of lobbyists representing defense contractors, pharmaceutical companies and any company in America with a federal contract are hammering on their doors. Its really going to depend on the Congressional leadership, said Chris Edwards, of the libertarian Cato Institute. Its hard to get (members of Congress) to go on the record to support a particular cut, even though privately they will be for that. Members only stick their necks out if they know theyre not going to get their necks cut off by members of their own party. Adding to the level of difficulty is Trump himself. While he has created the Department of Government Efficiency with the goal of cutting $2 trillion from the federal budget, he has also declared Social Security and Medicare about a third of the federal budget off limits. But Roy says hes not worried about Trump, calling him a business guy who wants to cut government spending. As for his own reputation as an idealist, not a dealmaker, he says hell sit down with anyone to get a deal through Congress that addresses the nations growing debt load. (Reuters) -The workers' union representing more than 10,000 Starbucks baristas said they have authorized a potential strike, ahead of this year's final round of bargaining talks with the coffee giant on Tuesday. Workers United, which has a bargaining delegation that represents workers at 525 Starbucks stores in the United States, said the coffee giant has yet to bring a comprehensive economic package to the table, while hundreds of legal disputes over unfair labor practices remain unsettled. The union, which has been urging Starbucks to increase wages and staffing at its stores as well as implement better schedules, said it had not yet decided on when to go on strike. Starbucks said in emailed statement the union's move to authorize the strike was disappointing, and that it was committed to reaching a final framework agreement. Negotiations between Starbucks and Workers United began in April on a "foundational framework" to guide collective bargaining in the country and potentially settle pending legal disputes. The company said it had scheduled and attended more than eight bargaining sessions with delegates of Workers United since April and had reached 30 agreements on "dozens of topics". The previous round of negotiations took place in September, just weeks after former Chipotle Mexican Grill top boss Brian Niccol's surprise appointment as Starbucks' chief. Ahead of the September talks, Niccol, in response to a letter by some baristas from the bargaining delegation, said he was committed to "engage constructively" with the union. This week, Starbucks raised its paid paternal leave to up to 18 weeks from 6 weeks for workers at its over 11,000 company-operated stores, which would be applicable from March. The coffee chain is in the midst of a turnaround as Niccol works to bring back "coffee house culture" at Starbucks by implementing an overhaul of its cafes, by adding more comfortable seating, reducing customer wait time to less than four minutes, and simplifying its menu. (Reporting by Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri) Bob Lee's ex wife, Krista Lee, is embraced by Rick Lee, Bob Lee's father, at the Hall of Justice following Nima Momeni's murder trial, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Benjamin Fanjoy) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found a tech consultant guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, which carries a sentence of 16 years to life, rejecting the defendant's claim that he had acted in self defense. Jurors took seven days to deliver their verdict against Nima Momeni in the April 4, 2023, death of Lee, a beloved tech mogul who was found staggering on a deserted downtown street, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. Lee, 43, later died at a hospital. "We're happy that Nima Momeni will not be on the streets, he no longer has the opportunity to harm anybody else in this world," the victims brother, Tim Oliver Lee, told reporters. We think justice was done here today. Mahnaz Tayarani, the mother of the defendant, had tears in her eyes Tuesday as she called the verdict unfair. My son is not the person that they think, she said. Hes very kind, hes very loving and respectful and caring. Prosecutors said Momeni planned the attack on Lee, driving him to an isolated spot under the Bay Bridge and stabbing him three times, including once to the heart, with a knife he took from his sister's kitchen. They say Momeni was angry with Lee for introducing his younger sister to a drug dealer she says gave her GHB and other drugs and then sexually assaulted her. But Momeni testified on the stand that Lee was the one who attacked him with a knife, angry after the tech consultant chided him about spending more time with his family instead of searching for a strip club that night. Momeni, who studies martial arts, said he didn't realize he had fatally wounded Lee or that Lee was even hurt. The case has drawn national attention, partly given Lees status in the tech world. At first, his death enflamed debate over public safety in San Francisco as X owner Elon Musk took to the social media site to post that violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said the verdict showed that the killing was a targeted crime and not an example of random lawlessness in the city. We are a city committed to accountability, we are a city committed to public safety, Jenkins told reporters after the hearing. Momeni, 40, has been in custody since his arrest in April 2023, when he was charged with murder in the first degree. Family members of both men faithfully attended the trial, which started Oct. 14. Relatives of the defendant sat on one side of the court room while Lees father, brother and ex-wife sat on the other, recoiling at Lees autopsy photos and 911 call. Jurors received the case on Dec. 4 and reached their decision late Monday afternoon, but the court chose to announce the verdict Tuesday morning. The courtroom was crowded with Lees family and friends and journalists who have been following the high-profile trial. Lee had created mobile payment service Cash App and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin when he died. He had recently moved to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife Krista Lee lives with their two children, and had returned to California for a visit. Both sides agreed on the sequence of events that led to the two men facing off in the early morning hours of April 4. But there is no independent documentation of what they said to each other or who brought out the knife, and video of their final encounter is grainy. The prosecution said the video showed Momeni stabbing Lee three times. They also said the murder weapon a nearly 8-inch paring knife with a roughly 4-inch blade had Momenis DNA on its handle and Lees DNA on the blade. Two of Momenis five attorneys were in court Tuesday, with the others attending by video from Florida. This is obviously very disappointing for us, said Tony Brass, adding that the team would evaluate for an appeal. Jurors in the end rejected a charge of murder in the first degree, which required prosecutors prove that Momeni acted deliberately, willfully and with premeditation. Murder in the second degree does not require premeditation. Jurors on Tuesday declined to speak to the press. The afternoon before the stabbing, Lee and Khazar Momeni had been doing drugs and drinking at the apartment of a drug dealer Lee knew. Lee left before Nima Momeni went to pick up his sister, who told him she had been assaulted. A friend of Lees testified Momeni then grilled Lee over the phone about what happened to his sister while at the drug dealers apartment. He sent text messages saying that the two men were creeps and sexual predators. Momeni later hung out with Lee at his sisters condo until she kicked them out, saying she needed to sleep. Surveillance video shows the two men leaving Khazar Momenis posh condo around 2 a.m. and getting into Nima Momenis BMW. Other surveillance footage then shows them getting out of the car near the Bay Bridge, where the stabbing took place. Momeni testified he stopped his car after going over a pothole that caused Lee to spill the beer he was holding. Momeni said he then cracked a joke suggesting Lee should spend the last night of his visit with family instead of trying to find a strip club to keep the party going. Thats when he says Lee snapped, yelled at him about questioning his parenting skills and pulled out the knife from his jacket pocket, and attacked. I was scared for my life, Momeni said during trial, in testimony that was rambling and contentious. He said Lee walked away from the encounter, and showed no evidence of being hurt. He didnt realize Lee had died until the following day, he said. I feel awful to his family, to himself, Momeni said on the stand. He didnt deserve it. I dont think anyone deserved that. The prosecution mocked Momenis story, pointing out that he never called police to report Lees alleged attack or even after he learned Lee had died of stab wounds on the street where he had last seen him. Prosecutors also showed text messages Khazar Momeni sent her brother, asking where he had dropped off Lee a question he sidestepped. She sent a text message to Lee checking on him because her brother came down hard" on him and to thank him for handling it with class." ___ This story has been updated to clarify that Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder, not manslaughter. ___ Associated Press reporters Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Haven Daley in San Francisco contributed to this report. What began as a search for one missing woman led to multiple bodies and the capture of a man police say is a serial killer. May 1, 2010: Shannan Gilbert disappears Shannan Gilbert / Credit: GilgoNews.com Shannan Gilbert, 23, was working as an escort. In the early morning hours of May 1, 2010, Gilbert made a frantic phone call to 911. She had been at a client's home on Long Island, and said she believed someone was after her. She took off running and told the 911 operator there were people trying to kill her. Then, Gilbert vanished. Police would do an exhaustive search for Gilbert. Months passed without a sign of the missing woman and then, in December 2010, near Gilgo Beach, a police officer and his K-9, Blue, found human remains. But it wasn't Gilbert. Instead, they found the bodies of four women. December 2010: The Gilgo Four The Gilgo Four. From left, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. / Credit: CBS News Police found the bodies of four women near Gilgo Beach on New York's Long Island. The women became known as the Gilgo Four and were identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. Police say all of the women were petite and three of them were wrapped in burlap. Police began their hunt to find a serial killer. The killer had a type Dominick Varrone was chief of detectives at the Suffolk County Police Department, / Credit: WCBS Dominick Varrone, who was Suffolk County chief of detectives at the time, said there were striking similarities among the Gilgo Four. "Very petite. 5 foot or under, 100 pounds," Varrone said. The women were also all in their 20s and were all working as online escorts. July 6, 2007: Maureen Brainard-Barnes' final weekend Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, was the first of the Gilgo Four to disappear. She had been working as an escort in New York City when she vanished in July 2007. / Credit: Melissa Cann Maureen Brainard-Barnes is often referred to as the first of the Gilgo Four. She went missing in July 2007. Brainard-Barnes was a single mother of two living in Norwich, Connecticut. She had begun working as an escort, posting ads on Craigslist and other websites to meet clients. On July 6, 2007, her cellphone was contacted by a burner cellphone a prepaid phone that anyone can buy and use anonymously. Between July 6 and July 9, there were 16 interactions between the caller using a burner phone and Brainard-Barnes' cellphone. July 8, 2007: Missy Cann's last call with her sister Melissa Cann says her sister Maureen's death is always in the back of her mind. Maureen Brainard-Barnes' sister, Missy Cann, received a call from Maureen late at night from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. In an interview in 2020, Cann told "48 Hours" Maureen said she was going to take the train at midnight. Cann never saw or heard from Maureen again. July 2009: The disappearance of Melissa Barthelemy Melissa Barthelemy / Credit: Barhelemy family Melissa Barthelemy, 24, moved from Buffalo, New York, to New York City to work as a hairdresser. At some point, she also began working as an escort. In July 2009, nearly two years to the day that Brainard-Barnes went missing, Barthelemy disappeared. July 17, 2009: Taunting phone calls begin Melissa's younger sister Amanda. ( In the weeks following Barthelemy's disappearance, police say her then 15-year-old sister, Amanda, received a series of phone calls from a man calling from Melissa's cellphone. The first of these calls came on July 17, 2009 at approximately 12:40 p.m. A number of calls followed in the coming weeks. In one, the caller told Amanda he had killed Melissa. June 5, 2010: Megan Waterman Megan Waterman, 22, was the youngest of the four victims whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach. Megan was last seen on June 6, 2010, leaving a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge, N.Y. / Credit: Handout Megan Waterman, 22, a mother from Scarborough, Maine, was also working as an escort. On June 5, 2010, she was contacted by a burner phone which had just been activated that same day. June 6, 2010: Megan Waterman vanishes Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison released video never seen by the public of a lobby of the Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge on June 4 and 6 in 2010. Seen in a yellow top is Megan Waterman in her final hours. / Credit: Suffolk County Police At 1:31 a.m., Waterman's phone was again contacted by the same burner phone as the day before. Security video showed Waterman leaving a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge, Long Island, around the same time. This was the last time she was seen alive. "I can't bring her back" Lily Waterman tells Liliana Waterman was just 3 years old when her mother disappeared. In her first television interview in 2020, Liliana (pictured with Megan Waterman) told "48 Hours" that if she could talk to her mom, she would tell her how much she loves her. "I never got to really say those words," Liliana told correspondent Erin Moriarty. She said she misses her mom every day. Sept. 2, 2010: Amber Costello disappears Amber Costello, 27, disappeared in September 2010, after she left her home on Long Island to meet a client. In 2011, her roommate Dave Schaller told Amber Costello, a 27-year-old escort living on Long Island, was contacted by someone using a burner phone. The next day, she left her house to meet a client and never returned. After Costello's disappearance, police say her roommate Dave Schaller told them about her clients. He described one of them as looking like an "ogre" and having "a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche." On the night she went missing, Schaller says, a client offered Cistello $1,500 for the night six times her hourly rate. In 2011, Schaller spoke to Moriarty. "This guy was so relentless," Schaller said. "He called several times. He was on the phone with her for quite a while each time." He says the client got Costello, an experienced escort, to do something she never did: leave home without her purse or cellphone and meet him in his car. At nearly midnight, Schaller says Costello left the house, walked down the street, and he never saw her again. Dec. 16, 2010: Still no Shannan / Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Throughout the spring of 2011, investigators continued a wide-ranging search for Shannan Gilbert. May 2011: Six more sets of remains discovered By May 2011, police had discovered six more sets of remains in the area, bringing the total to 10 sets of remains including the Gilgo Four. Investigators were not sure the same killer was responsible for all the murders. / Credit: Suffolk County Police Department By May 2011, police had discovered six more sets of remains in the area, bringing the total to 10 including the Gilgo Four. Investigators were not sure the same killer was responsible for all the murders. Victim No. 5, Jessica Taylor, is an escort who went missing in 2003. Another set of remains police called "Jane #6" has now been identified as Valerie Mack, who also worked as an escort and went missing in 2000.Number 7, to investigators' surprise they found a toddler girl. Number 8 was an Asian male dressed in women's clothing. Number 9 was a female skull belonging to Karen Vergata, an escort who disappeared in 1996. Number 10, female remains, from a victim cops nicknamed "Peaches" because of a tattoo on her torso. Although her remains were found 6 miles away, police say DNA has confirmed that "Peaches" is the mother of that toddler. Dec. 13, 2011: Shannan Gilbert is found In December 2011, a year-and-a-half after she went missing, police found Shannan Gilbert's belongings. Her purse, cellphone, shoes and even her jeans were found in the marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach. A week later, her skeletal remains were found about a quarter mile from her belongings. Investigators are not convinced Shannan was murdered and theorize that she may have died of hypothermia or possible drowning. / Credit: John Ray Law/AP In December 2011, a year-and-a-half after she went missing, and a year after the Gilgo Four were found, investigators found Gilbert's remains. But they don't believe she was murdered. Years later, the Suffolk County Police Department released the full audio of Shannan's 21-minute 911 call on May 1, 2010, the morning she disappeared. Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said in an interview with Erin Moriarty, Gilberts's death was likely not a murder. "It's an unfortunate incident, but right now we believe that she just ran into the marsh and unfortunately drowned," Harrison said. February 2022: A fresh look at the case Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney exits after a court appearance by Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Riverhead, N.Y. / Credit: AP/John Minchillo For nearly a decade after the discovery of the Gilgo Four, the investigation stalled. Until, in February 2022, a new task force was formed by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. In an interview withMoriarty, DA Tierney said, "... a mere six weeks later ... Rex Heuermann was identified for the first time." A tip from the past After Amber Costello disappeared in 2010, police say her roommate Dave Schaller told them about her clients. He described one of them as looking like an How did investigators get a suspect in six weeks? It turns out that in the original case files were a number of critical clues that the new task force was finally able to connect. Costello's roommate Dave Schaller had previously described one of Costello's clients and the type of vehicle he drove to investigators. The vehicle was a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche. With a description of an"ogre-like" man, and the make and model of his truck, police took a closer look at Costello's phone records from 2010. Schaller had told them that before Costello disappeared, there was one client that called her incessantly. The burner phone clue Police back then knew the client was using a burner phone. And they knew that the Brainard-Barnes, Barthelemy, Costello and Waterman had all been in contact with burner numbers right before they disappeared. In 2012, with the help of the FBI, police determined that most of those calls connected to cell towers inside a small area of Massapequa Park, Long Island. They called this area "the box." According to DA Tierney, "the box" consisted of a couple of blocks within Massapequa Park. A suspect in sight Rex Heuermann was observed by law enforcement at a cellphone store in Midtown Manhattan on May 19, 2023. / Credit: Suffolk County District Attorney Armed with their small radius of "the box" and the description of an "ogre-like" man that drove a Chevrolet Avalanche, the task force now had a prime suspect. Police identified an architect named Rex Heuermann as the man they believed may have been responsible for the murders. And when they looked at Heuermann's personal cellphone records, they say that his phone was in the same area as those burner phones when they were used to contact victims. They also say that when the burner phones contacted victims, they were often in Massapequa Park, where Heuermann lived, or midtown Manhattan, where his architectural firm was located. In 2023, they noticed Heuermann going into a phone store to make a payment on a burner phone. A DNA hit Detectives tailing Rex Heuermann recovered his DNA from pizza crust in a box that he discarded in a Manhattan trash can. / Credit: Suffolk County D.A. Police began to tail Heuermann. When he threw out a pizza box into a trash can in midtown Manhattan, investigators found that Heuermann's DNA on the pizza crust was consistent with a DNA profile found on a male hair discovered with Megan Waterman's body. With DNA evidence, along with the cellphone records linking Heuermann to the burner phones, officers made an arrest. July 14, 2023: A suspect in custody Suspect Rex Heuermann leaving the Suffolk County Police 7th Precinct in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders on his way to court on July 14, 2023. / Credit: Splash by Shutterstock Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, Long Island, was charged with multiple counts of murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Heuermann is currently the prime suspect for the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but he has not been charged with her death. When asked about Heuermann's innocence at a press conference, Heuerman's attorney Michael Brown said, "What has my client told me? He told me he didn't do this." Digging for evidence An excavator is seen at the home of Rex Heuermann.. According to law enforcement sources, investigators are looking into whether any victims may have been killed at the house. / Credit: CBS New York Police spent 12 days looking through Heuermann's house, pulling guns out of the basement, and digging in the backyard. Another important piece of evidence taken into possession was a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche registered to Heuermann at the time of the murders. It was sitting on property he owns in South Carolina when they recovered it. An opportunity to kill? A married man, Heuermann has a daughter and stepson with his second wife, Asa Ellerup. Ellerup, who was born in Iceland, would take the children to see her family there in the summers. It was during these trips and others, police believe, that Heuermann killed the women. Heuermann pleaded not guilty Rex Heuermann is seen in a booking image from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. / Credit: Suffolk County Sheriff's Office/AP Heuermann was arraigned in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, New York. He pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. The judge ordered that he be held without bail in a Suffolk County jail where he is currently awaiting trial. Remembering Amber, Melissa and Megan From left, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy / Credit: CBS News Investigators hope that the arrest can give victims' families a sense of peace. Police Commissioner Harrison told Erin Moriarty, "He took away somebody's mother, somebody's daughter, somebody's sister, not just one person, multiple individuals." Other investigations? Investigations spread to South Carolina and Las Vegas where Heuermann owns property, with detectives there taking a fresh look at cases of missing women. Heuermann has not been charged in any additional investigations. As for the other bodies found near Gilgo Beach Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Karen Vergata, "Peaches", the toddler girl, and the Asian male none of them have been linked to Heuermann. Prosecutors: Suspect's cheek swab matches pizza box DNA DNA from Heuermann's cheek swab matches the DNA that authorities had previously collected from a pizza crust and used to link Heuermann to one of the victims, according to prosecutors during a Sept. 27, 2023 court appearance. Heuermann's lawyer disputed the significance of the DNA sample. Jan. 16, 2024: Heuermann charged with fourth killing Six months after his arrest, Rex Heuermann was indicted in the death of a fourth alleged victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Investigators said they linked Brainard-Barnes' murder to Heuermann via DNA from a female hair found in the buckle of a belt used to bind her ankles, feet and legs - eight trillion to one that it matched Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup or daughter Victoria, who was tailed on a commuter train and threw out an energy drink, according to court documents. Prosecutors made it clear they believed all hair transfer were made from Heuermann to his alleged victims. The family was out of town for the murders of the Gilgo Beach Four. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders. June 6, 2024: Two more cases linked to Heuermann Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is now charged with killing two more women, Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, 10 years apart on Long Island. / Credit: CBS New York Heuermann was charged with killing two more women 10 years apart on Long Island the 1993 murder of Sandra Costilla and the 2003 murder of Jessica Taylor. Costilla's death was not previously tied to the Gilgo case. The Suffolk County district attorney's office says DNA from hair found near Costilla and Taylor's remains and pick-up truck evidence connect Heuermann to their killings. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Dec. 17, 2024: Heuermann charged with 7th killing Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from New Jersey who had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area, in 2000. For years, she was known only as "Jane Doe #6." Her partial remains were found in Manorville, Long Island, in 2000, and more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later. Hermes and the success of the coveted Birkin bag | 60 Minutes School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say Fake nudes created by AI "nudify" sites are causing real harm, victims say | 60 Minutes Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on drone sightings for Tuesday, Dec. 17. For the latest news, view our story for Wednesday, Dec. 18. The FBI has received tips involving over 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last month but thus far says it has uncovered nothing nefarious since the deluge of sightings across the Northeast began fueling concerns about national security and airspace safety. The Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA and the Pentagon issued a joint statement saying the sightings have generated about 100 "tips." The Biden administration has sent advanced detection technology and trained visual observers into the region and has closely examined the tips and technical data, the statement said. "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 stars mistakenly reported as drones," the statement said. "We have not identified ... a national security or public safety risk." President-elect Donald Trump has joined the outcry of government doubters claiming federal officials are withholding information. But White House national security spokesman John Kirby, speaking Tuesday on "Good Morning America," said the federal government continues to be "honest and transparent" about drone activity. "After days of going through the various tips, days of looking at analysis, days of increasing our detection capabilities, including visual observers on the ground, we assessed that these drones, these aircraft people are seeing are a mix of law enforcement drones, commercial drones and hobbyists," Kirby said. "We continue to see nothing that indicates a public safety risk or national security risk." There are more than 1 million drones lawfully registered with the FAA, the multi-agency statement said, adding that thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones lawfully fly every day. The statement said the evolving technology will likely mean the number of drones will grow. But the statement added that the department understands the concerns and is supporting state and local authorities with advanced detection technology. Drone sightings prompt worries: But these theories could explain what's happening Pilots hit in eyes with lasers amid drone chaos The FBI's Newark office issued a warning about an increase in pilots hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground think they see a drone. FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police and dozens of other agencies and law enforcement partners have been out every night for several weeks tracking down operators "acting illegally or with nefarious intent," the FBI Newark office said in a statement. The FBI encouraged residents to access websites and mobile apps that show flight paths for manned aircraft, satellites, stars and planets visible on a given evening that can help determine whether people are seeing a drone or something else. "There could be dangerous and possibly deadly consequences if manned aircraft are targeted mistakenly" as drones," the statement said. "Accurate identification is critical for maintaining safety and ensuring appropriate responses to (drone) activity." Visual explainer: Are those drone or aircraft lights in the night sky? FBI concerned that people will shoot at planes "There is also a concern with people possibly firing weapons at what they believe to be a (drone) but could be a manned aircraft," the FBI-Newark office said in a statement. The FAA says shooting down drones, or any aircraft, is illegal. Legally, drones can fly day or night as long as they fly within 400 feet of the ground. Pilots and their drones must be registered with the FAA and drones must be kept out of restricted airspace around airports and other sensitive locations. A drone owned by the Ocean County Sheriff's Department is shown in the Jersey Shore borough of Seaside Heights on Dec. 12, 2024. Sen. Rick Scott says government not being truthful Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott, a member of the Senate Homeland Security, Budget and Armed Services Committees, told FOX Business Networks "Mornings with Maria" on Tuesday that the U.S. public doesn't trust the Pentagon, Homeland Security or the FBI to provide accurate information. Scott, who wants Chinese-built drones banned in the U.S. because of security concerns, accused the federal government of withholding information from the public and from Congress. "I'm a business guy. If somebody came in and didn't give me information in my company, I would fire them," Scott said. "The federal government does it every day to U.S. senators. They come in, they say stuff and you know it's pure BS or they omit the information. So the American public has completely lost trust. So we have no idea what's going on." Trump says Biden is withholding information Trump said U.S. government officials, including President Joe Biden, know more about the drones than they are revealing and are intentionally keeping details from the public. Trump said the U.S. military knows where the drones take off from and where they land. "Our military knows. And our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense," Trump said Monday at a wide-ranging news conference at his private club Mar-a-Lago, Florida. "I can't imagine it's the enemy, because if it was the enemy, they'd blast it out." Kirby denied the government was withholding critical information from the public. Francesca Chambers Drones have operating and lighting rules Drones that weigh less than half of a pound can be registered online, but anything above that weight must be registered for a license through a more traditional FAA process. Drones, like other aircraft, are required to have special sets of lights to make them visible after nightfall. Drones that are flown at night, defined as starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, must have at least one anti-collision light visible from up to 3 miles away and a flash rate "sufficient to avoid a collision," according to the FAA. Flying a drone for videos or newsgathering requires a drone pilot certificate and adherence to the FAA's Small UAS Rule. Authorization is required to fly a drone in airspace covered by FAA temporary flight restrictions, in controlled airspace around an airport and over a designated national security area, military bases, infrastructure or national landmarks. New Jersey mayor frustrated with lack of answers Last week in New Jersey, Pequannock Mayor Ryan Herd made national news when he dismissed state and federal efforts to explain away the sightings as "ridiculous," adding that "our government is failing us." Herd later told the USA TODAY Network he saw about 60 drones around the township with two distinct sizes. He compared the smaller ones to the size of a suitcase, while the others were closer in size to an SUV. Herd said he got no answers from federal officials and he was upset that Gov. Phil Murphy skipped a virtual meeting at which scores of state mayors discussed the issue. "I wasn't getting any answers. Nobody knew anything," Herd said. 2 men accused in Boston: Officials say they operated drone 'dangerously close' to airport Two men charged in drone incident near Logan Airport Two men were arraigned Monday in Boston, accused of conducting a "hazardous drone operation" too close to Logan International Airport. Robert Duffy, 42, and Jeremy Folcik, 32, are charged with trespassing and breaking and entering and were freed without bail pending trial. A third suspect was being sought, police said. Attorney Michael Martin, who is representing Duffy, called the incident a "timing issue." He told WCVB-TV the case would have gone unnoticed if not for heightened attention drawn to drones lately. "We've cooperated with everything, there was no report of anything having been broken and quite frankly, if this had been two months ago, it would have been, 'guys, you shouldn't be filming here' and it wouldn't be a big issue," Martin said. Drone sightings: Timeline of the reports, arrests and calls for answers Timeline: Mysterious drones appear on East Coast In mid-November, people began spotting several large drones in New Jersey at night, usually between dusk to 11 p.m. according to the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey says patrolmen from law enforcement also spotted the drones. The prosecutors office said at the time that several agencies, including federal and state law enforcement partners, would "coordinate, monitor and investigate the drone activity." The FAA on Nov. 22 issued the first of two temporary flight restrictions prohibiting drones over the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey through Dec. 6. A second one was later issued on Dec. 4, extending the restriction through Dec. 20. By early December the interest in drones was spreading to other states. On Dec. 2, residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, spot what appeared to be five large drones fly about 1,000 feet high. About 10 days later, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he saw "dozens of large drones" above his home at night in Davidsonville. The next day, drone issues forced airspace closures over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and New York Stewart International Airport, 70 miles north of New York City. Read more here. Anthony Robledo Contributing: Kyle Morel, NorthJersey.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drones over New Jersey: Latest news as sightings, tips pour in WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump formally won the Electoral College Tuesday as Republican electors affirmed his victory in the Nov. 5 election with the final certification by Congress on Jan. 6 expected to be a mere formality. Trump, 78, topped the required 270 electoral votes before 4 p.m. as electors convened in statehouses across the country, with Texas sealing his victory. Democratic Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Peter Welch of Vermont protested Monday by introducing a proposed constitutional amendment to do away with the Electoral College, arguing it unfairly benefits more conservative states with smaller populations. Donald Trump won the Electoral College Tuesday. REUTERS No ones vote should count for more based on where they live. The Electoral College is outdated and its undemocratic. Its time to end it, Schatz said. The proposed amendment has no chance of passing either chamber of Congress where two-thirds of members would have to consent or the requisite number of states three-fourths to take effect. Trump won the popular vote in the Nov. 5 election, meaning such a constitutional amendment would not have changed the outcome. New York City Mayor Eric Adams gives a thumbs up Tuesday during electoral vote counting in Albany. Hans Pennink for NY Post The president-elect has argued that the Electoral College valuably requires candidates to compete in geographically distinct regions, and that Republicans might fare better in the popular vote if it were abolished because they would focus more on major urban areas. Although its possible in some states for faithless electors to register a recorded dissent from one of the major-party candidates, none had done as of mid-afternoon Tuesday with defeated Vice President Kamala Harris also maintaining her own Democratic electors. The electoral ballots which four years ago were hurried out of the Senate chamber as pro-Trump rioters ransacked the Capitol to disrupt certification of his loss in the 2020 election will be sent to Washington for final certification. Gov. Kathy Hochul casts her electoral ballot for Vice President Kamala Harrias. Hans Pennink for NY Post Bipartisan legislation passed in 2022 makes it much more difficult to challenge slates of state electors, which is expected to significantly reduce tension over that step in the process. Pursuant to that law, the Electoral Count Reform Act, the vice president, who presides over the vote-certification, has no power to set aside disputed electors. And the threshold is now higher to lodge an objection, with one-fifth of each chamber now needing to support proceeding to a vote. In the past, the losing side of an election occasionally used the Jan. 6 ceremonies to complain about their candidates defeat with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) in 2017 objecting to the certification of Trumps win by claiming 10 of the 29 electoral votes cast by Florida were cast by electors not lawfully certified. Trump encouraged supporters in Congress to challenge his 2020 Electoral College defeat by arguing that officials unlawfully expanded mail-in voting and voter registration deadlines. He also unsuccessfully pressured then-Vice President Mike Pence to unilaterally return state elector states for further review. President-elect Donald Trump met with the head of TikTok at his Mar-a-Lago club Monday afternoon, a person familiar with the meeting told CNN, as the social media giant is asking the Supreme Court to wade into a court fight over use of the app in the United States. The pre-scheduled meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew is believed to be the first time the men have met since Trumps electoral victory in November, another person told CNN. Chew, who was seen at Trumps Florida resort in early December, has been trying to meet with Trump since he was elected, and is just the latest meeting the president-elect is holding with top executives from some of Americas largest tech companies. Just hours before, TikTok asked the conservative high court to weigh in on the legal dispute over a controversial law requiring that the platform be sold to a new, non-Chinese owner or be banned in the United States. That measure is set to take effect January 19. After the January deadline, US app stores and internet services could face hefty fines for hosting TikTok if it is not sold. The president, under the legislation, may issue a one-time extension of the deadline. Trump on Monday suggested he might take a different approach with the popular platform but has not detailed what that approach might look like. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it, Trump said earlier Monday at a wide-ranging press conference his first since the election. (Trump lost 18-29-year-old voters to Vice President Kamala Harris by 11 points, according to CNNs 2024 exit polls.) The platform is one step closer to facing a ban in a matter of weeks, unless it can convince Chinese parent-company ByteDance to sell and find a buyer. ByteDance has previously indicated it will not sell TikTok. TikTok wants Supreme Court to freeze law Congress passed the ban with bipartisan support earlier this year and President Joe Biden signed it into law in April. It came in response to years of concern in Washington that TikToks Chinese parent-company poses a national security risk. TikToks emergency appeal to the Supreme Court thrusts the justices into a high-profile fight between Congress, which has cited national security concerns over Chinas control of the app, and the platforms users and executives, who argue that the ban violates the First Amendment. A federal appeals court unanimously upheld the ban in a ruling earlier this month that said the government had a national security interest in regulating the platform in the United States. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, the ban would take effect a day before Trump takes office. The appeal landed on the high courts emergency docket, which critics call the shadow docket, days after the DC Circuit Court of Appeals turned down the companys request to temporarily block the law, handing another loss to the company in its bid to stave off enforcement of the ban next month. Attorneys for TikTok are asking the Supreme Court to temporarily block the ban to give the company time to ask the justices to review their challenge to it. If the justices agree, the law would, at a minimum, remain on hold until the court decides whether it will hear the case. The ban will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration, TikToks attorneys wrote. 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. The attorneys asked the Supreme Court to decide on their emergency application by January 6 to give the company enough time to coordinate with their service providers to perform the complex task of shutting down the TikTok platform only in the United States. They also suggested that the court could agree to hear the case without needing to receive additional filings. The companys attorneys wasted little time flagging the incoming administration and Trumps supportive remarks about the app in their Monday filing. Blocking the law from taking effect, they said, is appropriate because it would give the incoming administration time to determine its position, as the president-elect and his advisors have voiced support for saving TikTok. The DC Circuit said in its ruling on December 6 that the law did not run afoul of the US Constitution, saying that it satisfies a legal standard known as strict scrutiny that must be met for government restrictions on speech to stand. The Supreme Court has repeatedly delved into social media and First Amendment fights in recent years, including with an important decision in July in which a majority of the court signaled it believed that the platforms enjoy at least some protection under the First Amendment. In constructing certain feeds, those platforms make choices about what third-party speech to display and how to display it, wrote Justice Elena Kagan, a member of the courts liberal block, who was joined by both conservatives and liberals in her opinion. We have repeatedly held that laws curtailing their editorial choices must meet the First Amendments requirements. The appeals court repeatedly cited that decision in its ruling in the TikTok case. But First Amendment protections are not absolute, and the DC Circuit unanimously upheld the law on national security grounds. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Donald Trump mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over his top ministers surprise resignation after the pair clashed on how to handle the president-elects looming tariffs. Trump jumped on Trudeaus waning popularity and troubles after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit Monday night, with the president-elect labeling his Canadian counterpart Governor, referencing a previous joke about the US annexing its northern neighbor. President-elect Donald Trump mocked Canadian PM Justin Trudeau after one of his top ministers suddenly resigned. Justin Trudeau, /X 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 Monday night. 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!!! Freelands resignation serves as a great blow to Trudeau, with the finance minister suggesting an irreparable rift has formed between her and the prime minister over the future of Canadas economy. Trump posted about the Great State of Canada. @realDonaldTrump/TruthSocial For the last number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds over the best path forward for Canada, Freeland wrote to Trudeau on X. Freeland specifically referenced the need for Canada to be ready should Trump employ the 25% tariffs that he promised on the campaign trail to implement. 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. Freelands departure is likely to add even more pressure to Trudeau, who is facing backlash from his partys liberal wing alarmed by poor polling numbers. Chrystia Freeland suddenly resigned over a dispute over Canadas economic future. AP The economy and high prices are threatening to undo Trudeaus administration, the same issues that are bringing Trump back to the White House. Mondays jab was only the latest Trump has taken at Trudeau in recent weeks as he prepares to return to Washington. Last week, the president-elect reportedly mocked Canada by calling it the 51st state, giving Trudeau the nickname Governor. Trump allegedly made the remarks in a meeting with Trudeau in Palm Beach, Florida, where the premier pleaded with Trump not to implement the tariffs because it would kill Canadas economy, according to Fox News. So your country cant survive unless its ripping off the US to the tune of $100 billion? Trump reportedly replied, referencing the US trade deficit with Canada. President-elect Donald Trump speaks Monday at Mar-a-Lago. WASHINGTON Donald Trump is suing Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and the newspaper's parent company, Gannett, accusing them of consumer fraud, according to a copy of the filing reviewed by NBC News. The suit, filed Monday night in Polk County, Iowa, says it seeks accountability for brazen election interference over a Nov. 2 poll that showed Kamala Harris up 3 percentage points in Iowa. Trump ultimately won the state by double digits, a difference that his lawyers argue in the suit constitutes election-interfering fiction. The president-elect is making the claim under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising. "Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to. Im going to 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 going to lose by 3 or 4 points," Trump said in discussing the suit on Monday. Selzer announced after the election that she would stop polling political contests and move into other ventures. Media law experts were skeptical the suit could have much success. The odds of success here are slim to none, but winning in court is not likely the real goal of this lawsuit," said Clay Calvert, a media law expert and professor at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. "The true motivation is to intimidate the press and journalists. I unfortunately suspect this lawsuit is just a harbinger of things to come. The suit states that Millions of Americans, including Plaintiff, residents of Iowa, and Iowans who contributed to President Trumps Campaign and its affiliated entities (the Trump 2024 Campaign), were deceived by the doctored Harris Poll and that the polling miss was not an astonishing coincidence it was intentional. It attacks Selzers reputation as a standard-bearing pollster, accusing her of attempting to influence political races in favor of Democrats. Rick Hasen, an election law expert at UCLA School of Law, immediately dismissed the lawsuit. "I dont expect this lawsuit to go anywhere," he wrote on his blog. An Adelie penguin jumping off of an ice shelf, midway to the water with its flippers extended behind it and its feet splayed in front. Benny Cottele/Shutterstock.com Watch the Video Click here to watch on YouTube Many animals engage in elaborate mating rituals. For flight-ready birds, these often involve complex dance moves and peacock-like displays of grandeur. For their land-bound cousins, like the Adelie penguin, mating rituals function more like a commodity exchange than a dance recital. The Adelie penguin, or Pygoscelis adeliae, is a penguin species commonly found along the Antarctic coastline. They are best known for their distinct white rings around their eyes and feathers protruding from the base of their bills. While they resemble other penguin species thanks to their tuxedo-like appearance, Adelie penguins have longer tails than their counterparts. Unlike other penguins, the Adelie has a prized possession: pebbles. Watch the video above, and then we will explore the topic further. Why Pebbles? takmat71/Shutterstock.com Their habitat, the barren Antarctic coastline, is sorely lacking in raw materials. Thats where the pebble comes in. Adelie penguins use pebbles to build their nests, and since good, building-ready pebbles are hard to come by, these unassuming rocks have become a mainstay of their culture. In fact, they are treated like diamonds in terms of preciousness and value. Courtship Sandra Ophorst/Shutterstock.com Whereas humans gift their mate precious gems as a display of affection, Adelie penguins give their partner pebbles. When a male Adelie penguin has his eye on a particular female, he searches for the right pebble. Upon discovery, he waddles back to the colony and presents it to the eye of his beholder. If she accepts his gift, the penguin pair bond, learn each others calls and typically mate for life. From there, the male Adelie penguin participates in the raising of chicks. They spend just as much time guarding the nest and nurturing young as the females. After eggs have been laid, the couple takes turns incubating the eggs. When duty calls and one partner heads back to the water, they bring several dozen pebbles to their counterpart beforehand to ensure they will be back. The pebbles act as a romantic enchantment and play a ceremonial role, but they also serve a necessary function for the survival of the species. Supply and Demand vladsilver/Shutterstock.com Competition, however, is fierce. Sometimes, there simply arent enough pebbles to go around. Biologists have observed Adelie penguins engaging in pebble thievery when times are tough. Typically, if a penguin lacks the resources needed to win a mate and maintain a proper nest, they will venture out to the periphery of their colony and steal pebbles from less guarded nests. Its far easier to take advantage of an already-built nest than to venture far away from the colony, so penguins in dire straits will resort to this behavior. This may seem like a nuisance, but its a matter of life and death. Adelie penguins require a certain amount of building blocks to maintain a nest. If they cant supply the pebbles, they can easily lose their offspring to the elements. If a thieving penguin is caught stealing pebbles, the vulnerable nest owner will attack. Furthermore, the burglarized nests neighbors will also attack, sensing that they are next in line for stealing. Ironically, or tragically, the colonys take on a robber baron-like economy. The penguins with nests at the center of the colony do the best and produce the most offspring, but often at the expense of nests on the periphery. That said, the peripheral penguin nests are also closer to pebble supplies. This means they get stolen from the most, but have an easier chance of replenishing their pilfered home. Remarkably, the demand for pebbles in Adelie penguin communities has produced other interesting behaviors. Take the Pebbles and Run lin padgham / Flickr Original When supply is truly scarce, Adelie penguins are known to engage in a form of prostitution. This behavior was first observed in 1998 by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Otago. During their five long years of observing Adelie penguin mating behavior, the researchers discovered that female penguins would sometimes trade their bodies for pebbles. Even if they already had a mate, a small percentage of female penguins would run off and find a single male. Sensing an opportunity, the bachelor would find a stone and present it to the female. Once she accepted and the pair engaged in their mating ritual, the female would run off back home. Sometimes, an enterprising female would repeat this behavior, mating with several males and taking their stones before absconding. Its hard to say exactly what causes this behavior. Even if a female penguin conducts these mating rituals with several males, she only acquires a couple of stones far too few to build a nest. Researchers speculate that the female might be scouting future possible mates in case their current mate dies. Furthermore, there might be a genetic fitness component to the penguin prostitution. As for the females current mate, they typically remain ignorant of the infidelity. The lucky single male penguins, however, get a chance to spread their progeny. Statistical Anamoly Peter West, National Science Foundation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Original / License While penguin prostitution happens, its rare. According to the researcher who first observed this behavior, less than 10 percent of penguins engage in prostitution. Furthermore, it doesnt entirely fit the definition. Pebbles reign supreme for Adelie penguins in all aspects of life. The trading of pebbles happens even when copulation doesnt occur, so the anthropomorphizing of their behavior might not be accurate. That said, Adelie penguins arent the only species to engage in licentiousness. Several monkey and chimpanzee species are known to trade meat and other food for mating privileges. Considering that this penguin behavior was first observed only a few decades ago, who knows what else we might learn about the Adelie penguin and their practices in the future? Watch the Video Click here to watch the video. The post Understanding the Rare Phenomenon of Prostitution in Adelie Penguin Colonies appeared first on A-Z Animals. Melissa Beeler Ryan Beeler dressed up as Buddy the Elf Ryan Beeler and his wife, Melissa, flew from their home in Oklahoma to New York City to celebrate his 40th birthday Before they went, the couple decided to watch Elf to get into the holiday spirit After watching, Melissa got an idea: She dared her husband to dress up as Buddy the Elf from the iconic Christmas movie and hop around N.Y.C. to recreate the scenes Later, she posted a few of the clips of Ryan fulfilling the dare on TikTok, where they have since gone viral, amassing millions of views and comments One man is showcasing the best way to spread Christmas cheer. A couple of days before Ryan Beeler and his wife, Melissa, flew from their home in Oklahoma to New York City to celebrate his 40th birthday, the couple decided to watch Elf to get into the holiday spirit. That's when Melissa got an idea: She dared her husband to dress up as Buddy the Elf from the iconic Christmas movie and hop around N.Y.C. to recreate the scenes. In the 2003 film, Will Ferrell plays Buddy the Elf, who travels from the North Pole to the Big Apple to meet his dad, Walter Hobbs (played by the late James Caan), for the first time. "I was like, 'I bet you won't do it,' " Melissa, 37, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I didn't think he would, but he said, 'Order me the costume,' so that's what I did." Melissa Beeler Melissa Beeler with her husband, Ryan Beeler dressed up as Buddy the Elf Related: Womans Unconventional White Elephant Gift Has Her Friend Group and the Internet Losing It (Exclusive) Even when Melissa got the costume, she thought to herself, "There's no way he's going to do this." But eventually, after they arrived in Times Square, she gave him the outfit, then watched him put it on and go outside in the cold. "He doesn't get embarrassed by anything," she says. "He's so much fun." 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. As Ryan spent the day roaming the city dressed as Buddy the Elf, Melissa recorded him. Later, she posted a few of the clips on TikTok, where they have since gone viral, amassing millions of views and comments. In one video, Ryan, a firefighter, jumps across the sidewalks; in another, he spins in and out of a revolving door. Another clip captures Ryan approaching an NYPD's horse, who tries to bite him and keeps giving him a side-eye. "People loved it," Ryan tells PEOPLE. "Everybody's cheering me on. I remember some random kid yelling at me, 'Oh my God, it's Buddy!' I thought people in New York were going to be rude or mad that I was doing this. Everybody's always in a hurry in New York, but people were nice." "It was funny to see how happy he was making people," Melissa adds. "I was definitely nervous for him at first, thinking, 'Oh my gosh, I don't know how people are going to receive this.' But then to see how happy it made everybody, it was really cool." "I was also cool to see it go viral online and spread Christmas joy," she adds. "I love that people receive it like that. I loved watching it, and I just love that people at home can laugh too." Melissa Beeler Ryan Beeler dressed up as Buddy the Elf with an NYPD officer and horse While Ryan tried to go out the next day and do it all over again, it was too cold, and the tights for the costume weren't very warm. So, he hopes to come back to N.Y.C. next year and make his way over to the Empire State Building to recreate scenes of Buddy entering the landmark, where his dad Walter works. "In a world full of doom and gloom and negativity, people can still have a little fun and spread some Christmas cheer," Ryan says. As for Melissa, seeing her husband in action was priceless; the only thing that would make it better would be Ferrell joining in on the fun. She says, "That would be the highlight of my husband's life, not getting married or having kids. It would literally be that scenario happening." Read the original article on People Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses received a major upgrade, introducing new artificial intelligence features that expand the wearable's assistive capabilities. The latest v11 software update aims to push the device closer to a 'true' augmented reality (AR) experience, though it remains distinct from full-fledged AR technology. Meta's v11 Software Update and New AI Features In a blog post, Meta detailed the v11 update, highlighting AI enhancements tailored to users in the Early Access program. Two key AI-powered features Live AI and Live Translation were introduced, both previewed earlier at the Meta Connect event. The Live AI feature enables real-time assistance through the glasses' built-in cameras. By capturing live video input, the AI can deliver contextual responses and anticipate user needs based on visual cues. Meta positions this as a step toward a more intuitive and responsive wearable experience. Live Translation further builds on the smart glasses' utility, providing real-time translation for supported languages, including English, French, Italian, and Spanish. While translations currently work only from the European languages into English, Meta allows users to save conversation transcripts for later use via their smartphones. Additionally, the smart glasses now support Shazam integration, eliminating the need to use a phone for song identification. Users can activate this feature by saying, "Hey Meta." The Popularity and Evolution of Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Since their launch, Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses have gained significant traction in the wearables market. Earlier this year, reports indicated the glasses were outselling traditional eyewear as consumers embraced their blend of style and technology. Initially, the glasses prioritized first-person point-of-view photo and video capture, appealing to Instagram users looking for seamless content creation. However, Meta's latest update elevates the device's functionality, aligning it with broader ambitions for AR technology. Despite its reliance on a smartphone and the Meta View app for full capabilities, the smart glasses now offer a richer, AI-driven user experience. Meta continues to develop AR solutions, including its anticipated Orion project, but for now, the Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses remain one of the most stylish and functional wearables available. With the introduction of advanced AI features, Meta enhances the device's appeal and reinforces its position as a leader in the smart eyewear space. Little children witnessed teachers injured and screaming for help in the mass shooting at a private Christian school in Madison, Wis. Nora Gottschalk, 8, said she was walking in the hallway, getting ready to go to lunch, when the shooting began just before 11 a.m. Monday inside Abundant Life Christian School. I was changing from my shoes to my boots to go to lunch, cause I have recess after, the little girl told ABC. But then I heard the shooting. And screams. Nora Gottschalk, 8, was walking in the hallway, getting ready to go to lunch, when the shooting began just before 11 a.m. WISC The child added to WISC-TV, I just heard shotting [sic]. She said that as gunfire started to ring out, she saw a teacher she knew crying out for help. And then there was a teacher, and she was screaming like, Ahh, my leg! Help! Help! Nora said. I was really scared, and I was really sad, the second-grader added while clutching a SpongeBob ice cream pop after being reunited with family. Madisons police chief Tuesday corrected what he had said the day before, that a second-grader at the school was the one who made the 911 call alerting authorities to the carnage. Chief Shon Barnes told reporters Tuesday that the 911 caller was in fact a second-grade teacher. Sixth-grade student Adler Jean-Charles said he was in English class when the Christian school went into lockdown. Follow The Posts coverage of the school shooting in Wisconsin I heard two [gunshots], he told WISC. Some people started crying, and then we just waited until the police came and they escorted us out. I was scared. Why did they do that? the confused sixth-grader asked. Adler and some other students at Abundant Life Christian School were taken to the hospital by police and later reunited with their parents. Sixth-grade student Adler Jean-Charles said he was in English class when he heard two gunshots before the Christian school went into lockdown. WISC The frightened youngster said he didnt feel safe until he saw his mom. His mother, Mireille Jean-Charles, who has two sons attending Abundant Life said that after she was reunited with her children, she broke down in tears and started praying with them. Its sad, you know, to be home and then somebody calls you and says your kids school is in lockdown and a shooting and you dont know where they are, she said. Another young student, speaking alongside her parents, told WISN how she heard gunshots and screaming. It was really scary, and I was terrified, and so were my friends, the little girl explained. She said it took her about five to six hours to be reunited with her parents. Some young students witnessed shot teachers screaming in pain. abc7 Another mother said she rushed down to the school immediately when she got news of the shooting and was able to briefly FaceTime with her daughter to check if she was safe while on the way. I just bolted out, drove down here, called my husband, and he made his way over here, said Bethany Highman. Highman shared that it was a surreal feeling rushing to the school to make sure her child was safe while knowing a shooting was unfolding. 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, she said. A police officer stands guard in front of the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday after the shooting. Getty Images Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school prekindergarten through high school with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. Police said the shooter, Natalie Samantha Rupnow, a 15-year-old student, brought a handgun to campus and opened fire around 11 a.m. inside a classroom during a study hall filled with students from different grades. As the gunfire erupted, the second-grade teacher in a nearby classroom called 911 for help, and police were on the scene in about 3 minutes, Barnes said. Emergency vehicles sit in front of the school, which was eventually evacuated. Getty Images The teenage student and teacher were pronounced dead at the scene, while another teacher and five more students were wounded. Two of those students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Rupnow sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead on the way to the hospital. A motive for the shooting has not been made public, but officials have said bullying may have been one factor. SWAT teams raided Rupnows familys home on Monday night, busting through the front door and conducting a thorough search inside, WISN reported. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks to the media Monday. Getty Images Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law-enforcement official, speaking anonymously because of the ongoing investigation, told The Associated Press. The Madison police chief said law enforcement has been talking with the shooters father and other family members. 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. With Post wires Marysville, CA (95901) Today Overcast with rain showers at times. High 51F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 43F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. The wait is finally over, Inspirit! Legendary K-pop group INFINITE is returning to Malaysia as a full group for the first time in 12 years with their much-anticipated 15th Anniversary Limited Edition Concert Tour. Get ready for a night of electrifying performance on 22nd February 2025 at 8 PM at Mega Star Arena KL. Following three sold-out shows in Seoul, INFINITE's comeback tour has become a global phenomenon. With soaring demand and immense fan anticipation, this tour is set to electrify major cities worldwide, including Taipei, Macau, Jakarta, Singapore, Yokohama, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong a must-see event you won't want to miss! INFINITE is set to deliver an unforgettable concert experience, featuring dazzling stage effects, breathtaking choreography, and powerful live performances of their biggest hits like Be Mine, The Chaser, Bad, and Destiny. And there's more get ready for thrilling new tracks and a show that will leave you absolutely mesmerized! This 15th Anniversary Concert Tour goes beyond celebrating INFINITE's music it's a sincere expression of gratitude to you, their devoted fans. After more than a decade of unwavering support, the members are excited to create unforgettable memories together, making this night one to cherish. With their signature synchronized dance moves, impeccable vocals, and captivating stage presence, INFINITE is here to show once again why they remain one of K-pop's most iconic groups. From Sungkyu toDongwoo, Woohyun,Sungyeol, L and Seongjong, INFINITE has delivered some of K-pop's greatest hits and earned more than 30 major awards, including Best Male Group and Best Dance Performance at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, and the prestigious Bonsang Awardat the Seoul Music Awards. These six members have shaped K-pop history and now they're back to celebrate their incredible journey with YOU. Organized by AllStar Sports, Star Planet as event management company, Tickets go on sale 13 December 2024 at 12 PM via my.bookmyshow.com. Don't miss this chance to witness INFINITE's legendary comeback live on stage. Get your tickets and be part of this celebration! For more info, visit: starplanet.com.my or my.bookmyshow.com The Partner Spotlight series explores partners operating in the local channel landscape right around the country, from Cape York to Hobart, Byron Bay to Fremantle and beyond. This edition focuses on Perth-based systems integrator (SI) and managed services provider (MSP) iCatalyst. Focus matters, experience counts, reputation is everything is the mantra that Perth-based MSP and SI, iCatalyst strives towards. iCatalyst opened its doors in 2021 with Andrew Devitt, Dennis Chan and Justin Martin at the helm. Starting the business in Perth was a strategic move with all of the three founders wanting to cut back on travelling, both around the country and globally, planting their focus closer to home. The capital city was an underserved market, according to Devitt, due to consolidation and acquisitions creating a power vacuum and large national and multinationals had struggled to break into it. In particular, Devitt said the mid-market in Perth is exceptionally strong, consisting of companies in iCatalysts sweet spot making $20 million to $500 million in revenue. In the beginning, it focused its efforts on Dynamics 365 Business Central within WA and is currently a Microsoft Business Applications Solution Specialist. As generative AI gains momentum, customers are increasingly seeking partners with deep subject matter expertise to help them leverage the technology as a business differentiator. Speaking to ARN at Amazon Web Services (AWS) re:Invent conference, Ruba Borno, AWS VP of global specialists and partners, said the companys generative AI competency program is delivering measurable outcomes. Since launching the program in March 2024, AWS has seen the number of generative AI competency partners grow to 127. Competency is a way for customers to identify which partners have successfully delivered impact in a particular area, said Borno. Three-fourths of customers consider a partners competencies before deciding to work with them. She cited a Gartner study from this year that showed only 21 per cent of AI proofs of concept convert to production. That means 79 per cent is just wasted work and, in a resource constrained world, that just makes no sense for anybody. When we look at our generative AI competency partners, theyre having conversion rates of 50, 70, 80 per cent in some cases. Why? Because they have demonstrated impact already with other customers, and so they have a higher likelihood of having that success with additional customers, she said. Were continuing to invest in competencies, but in particular, were seeing a good return for partners and for customers on the generative AI competency in particular. by Melani Manel Perera This is the first state visit by Sri Lankas new president to India since his inauguration. He offered reassurances regarding Delhi's concerns about the presence of Chinese ships. Modi promised collaboration in the country's recovery efforts, but also expressed hope that the new administration would keep its promises vis-a-vis Tamils. Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has made his maiden state visit to India after he was elected last September. During the trip, which ends today, he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, stressing that he wants to ensure a free, open, safe, and secure Indian Ocean region. In a joint statement, the two leaders recognised the importance of regular talks based on mutual trust and transparency, prioritising each other's security concerns, with a commitment to working together to counter traditional and non-traditional threats. Since India is Sri Lanka's closest maritime neighbour, President Dissanayake reassured his counterpart that Sri Lanka will not allow the use of its territory in any way against India's security as well as regional stability. India had raised concerns about Chinese research vessels visiting Sri Lanka for research purposes. The previous government had issued a temporary one-year ban on such activities in Sri Lankan waters. Dissanayake thanked India for providing a Dornier aircraft for maritime surveillance and the establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka. He also expressed appreciation for India's role as Sri Lanka's "first responder" in terms of humanitarian and disaster assistance, as well as intelligence cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug and narcotics smuggling, and money laundering. "We also spoke at length about the issues related to the livelihood of our fishermen. We both agreed that we must adopt a humanitarian approach to this matter. We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the joint Press Conference with the President of Sri Lanka. "President Dissanayaka apprised me of his inclusive perspective. We hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people. And that they shall fulfil their commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the Provincial Council Elections, he added. "I have assured President Dissanayaka that India shall stand as a trusted and reliable partner in his efforts towards nation-building. Today's news: General Igor Kirillov, head of the nuclear and chemical weapons department, was killed by a bomb in Moscow; Myanmar junta and resistance militias representatives hold talks in China; British court rules Tamil migrants dentention on Diego Garcia island illegal; Iran suspends the implementation of the hijab and chastity law, contested by activists. NORTH KOREA - RUSSIA - UKRAINE The US stated that North Korean troops were killed while fighting against Ukrainian forces in the Russian Kursk region. These would be the first reported casualties since it emerged in October that North Korea had sent some 10,000 troops to reinforce Russia's war effort. In addition, Russian forces are reportedly burning the faces of the killed North Korean soldiers to hide their identities. RUSSIA A bomb hidden in an electric scooter killed a senior Russian general in charge of the nuclear protection forces in Moscow, the Russian Investigative Committee said. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's nuclear, biological and chemical protection troops, was killed outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt, at the beginning of a street about seven kilometres southeast of the Kremlin. MYANMAR - CHINA Representatives of the military junta and leaders of an insurgent militia held talks in China's Yunnan province as Beijing presses both sides to find a solution to the civil war in Myanmar. The talks in Kunming began on Sunday. The talks come more than a month after junta leader Min Aung Hlaing travelled to Kunming to meet the Chinese premier, his first trip to China since the coup. SRI LANKA - GREAT BRITAIN A British judge ruled the detention of Sri Lankan Tamil migrants in the remote British territory of Diego Garcia, in the Chagos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, illegal and earlier this month, after many complaints by human rights organisations, transferred temporarily to London for humanitarian reasons. In 2021, dozens of Tamils rescued at sea had become the first to seek asylum on the island, home to a UK and US military base. They were held for years in a small, fenced-off camp. IRAN Iran's National Security Council suspended the implementation of the controversial hijab and chastity law, which was due to come into force on Friday. President Massoud Pezeshkian called the law ambiguous and in need of reform, signalling his intention to re-evaluate its measures. The proposed new law - which would introduce stiffer penalties for women and girls who expose certain body parts - had been strongly criticised by human rights activists. GEORGIA The new president of Georgia, Mikhail Kavelasvili, who is not recognised by the oppositions, said that for Georgia it does not make sense to join the EU, to give up its values, its character, culture, language, faith, the defence of the homeland, because Georgians want to be part of Europe as they are, without being forced to join some organisation, and for now on the part of the West there is no desire to discuss it. TAJIKISTAN Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon announced that parliamentary elections for the Milli Medzlis and regional administrations will be held on 28 March 2025. There are seven officially registered political parties in the country, practically all loyal to the current regime, which have not yet declared their participation in the elections, in addition to some opposition movements that are regularly denied registration. by Nirmala Carvalho The Bishops' Conference intervenes in the dispute that in Kerala sees the Waqf (the Islamic Property Administration) claiming land where Christian families have lived for decades. The bishops also denounce the spreading of fragmented news about a meeting between the president of the CBCI, Msgr Thazhath, and about twenty national parliamentarians, with the risk of creating confusion. Delhi (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has reaffirmed in a note its commitment to justice in the ongoing dispute in Kerala with some Muslim groups over the ownership of some land on which numerous Christian fishing families have lived for decades in Munambam. At the same time, however, the communique also expresses deep disappointment at some partial reconstructions of an informal meeting between the president of the CBCI, the Syro-Malabar archbishop Andrews Thazhath, and some 20 Christian national parliamentarians on 3 December in Delhi. The Kerala affair is related to a claim by the Waqf Board (the body that administers the properties of the Muslim community) on 404 acres of land in the Munambam coast in Ernakulam district, inhabited for generations by about 600 Christian and Hindu families. The dispute began in 2019 when the Waqf claimed ownership claiming that those lands in 1950 were donated by a Muslim benefactor to Farook College in Kozhikode. The institution allegedly then gave them to the families, but the Waqf claims it had no title to do so. Complicating matters is the fact that India's law on the property of Islamic communities dates back to 1954, thus post-dating the events. What is more, the issue is very sensitive today, since Hindu nationalists are pushing to reform this law by including non-Muslim members in the councils, a step that many see as a further hostile action against minorities. According to newspaper reports, in the very meeting with the president of the Bishops' Conference, some opposition MPs insisted that the Church should expressly side with Muslims in their battle to defend the prerogatives of the Waqf, also complaining about support that was allegedly offered to the BJP in some Kerala seats. In the meantime, however, the Munambam issue remains unresolved, with Muslim voices insisting on claiming ownership of the land and the Kerala High Court postponing its consideration of the matter until January. In the note, the Cbci says it stands firmly with the people of Munambam who have lived and farmed this land for generations. Our position on this issue, the bishops explain, is not based on religious identity, but on a crucial concern for human rights. It must be absolutely emphasised that this is not a question of relations between Christians and Muslims, but of justice and the rights enshrined in our Constitution. It is our firm conviction that any action that undermines the constitutional rights of individuals, regardless of their religion, is unjust and must be opposed. This is why the bishops call for a peaceful and fair solution to the dispute, guided by constitutional principles and mutual respect. As for the meeting with the MPs, an anonymous source revealed to the Press Trust of India agency that the agenda of the meeting included the role of Christian MPs in supporting and protecting the community and its rights, the increase in attacks and threats against minorities, and the misuse of the FCRA (the authorisation required to receive funds from abroad, ed.) to target Christian institutions. During the meeting, there were also calls for church leaders to highlight the important role played by communities today and not to be merely reactive to negative news. While one MP reportedly criticised photo-opportunities with politicians, calling instead for calling out those who do not protect the Constitution. Those who reported these contents, the Bishops Conference replied, violated the agreement between the MPs and the religious leaders present at the meeting, according to which there should have been no press releases or photographs due to the informal nature of the meeting. The selective dissemination of details created confusion and distorted the representation of the nature of the discussions that took place'. by Stefano Vecchia For the third year in a row, the Philippines is the world's leading importer, with domestic production continuing to fall, due, among things, to La Nina. Food absorbs 40 per cent of expenditures among low-income, resulting in greater social inequalities. Consumption has increased from 14.8 million tonnes in 2020-2021 to 17.4 million this year. Milan (AsiaNews) The Philippines is expected to import a record amount of rice for a third consecutive year, making it the world's top importer of this staple food, which is not only essential at a nutritional level, but plays an important social and cultural role in Philippine society. However, in a global market in trouble because of weather events, rising prices, protectionist policies, and strategic factors, imports at affordable prices are increasingly a challenge. The latest available data come from the US Department of Agriculture, highlighting declining domestic production due to the La Nina and devastating natural events, which have affected the countrys main rice producing areas this year. For less well-off Filipinos, life harder is likely to be harder, increasing their vulnerability. In fact, the country has gone from almost self-sufficiency in rice to a net importer in just a few years, due to several factors, both environmental and economic. Decision-makers will have to make choices in the face of expected imports of 5.4 million metric tonnes for the 2024-2025 marketing year, largely as a result of greater demand, from 14.8 million tonnes in 2020-2021 to 17.4 million this year. The reasons for the gap between supply and demand are the countrys growing population (currently at 118 million), evolving eating habits, and greater reliance on this staple food in difficult times. At the same time, finding supplies in foreign markets is becoming a challenge as well. Warnings have been issued for some time, especially over the impact on the poorest tier of the population. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, food accounts for more than 40 per cent of household expenditure in this group limiting household capacity to spend in other areas, which is contributing to greater social inequality. What is more, large-scale imports at more competitive prices can negatively impact Philippine rice producers, especially small farmers. The situation will require action from the authorities, both long-term, with investments and interventions to boost local production, and short-term, such as subsidies or price controls. Although insufficient, the KADIWA ng Pangulo programme includes Rice-for-All kiosks that sell rice at 40 pesos (about US$ 0.65) per kilo under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, with the participation of businesses, producers and consumers. Folk festival celebrated in E China to welcome new year Xinhua) 08:51, December 17, 2024 Villagers make glutinous rice dumplings during a folk festival in Houwu Village of Moganshan Town, Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province on Dec. 16, 2024. The folk festival was celebrated here on Monday with various activities to welcome the new year. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua) Villagers make dough for rice cakes during a folk festival in Houwu Village of Moganshan Town, Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province on Dec. 16, 2024. The folk festival was celebrated here on Monday with various activities to welcome the new year. (Photo by Yao Haixiang/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows villagers and tourists watching a dragon dance in Houwu Village of Moganshan Town, Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province. The folk festival was celebrated here on Monday with various activities to welcome the new year. (Photo by Yao Haixiang/Xinhua) Villagers watch an opera performance during a folk festival in Houwu Village of Moganshan Town, Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province on Dec. 16, 2024. The folk festival was celebrated here on Monday with various activities to welcome the new year. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua) A drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows villagers and tourists watching a dragon dance during a folk festival in Houwu Village of Moganshan Town, Deqing County, east China's Zhejiang Province. The folk festival was celebrated here on Monday with various activities to welcome the new year. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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." by Vladimir Rozanskij In the city of Idlib alone, there are around 400 Tajiks, as well as an unknown number of Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Kazakhs. Beyond the moderate cover of who will form the new government, there is widespread fear in the Central Asian capitals that,Damascus could become the new centre of attraction for all forms of radical Islamism. Dushanbe (AsiaNews) - The ousting of the Assad regime in Syria after fifty years of dictatorship, with the seizure of power by radical Islamic groups, also has considerable consequences for the countries of Central Asia, considering that hundreds of citizens of this region are part of the armies of Hay'at Tahrir ash-Sham, the movement that now commands Damascus. Among them are hundreds of Tajiks, and a Radio Ozodi report sought some clarification of perspective from experts in Tajikistan, who fear a tendency for the more radical youth to join the Syrians in the formation of a global Islamic caliphate. In so many years of authoritarian rule, Assad has failed to give credible answers to the expectations of his own people, diminishing repressive practices and instituting reforms that would allow for the development of the entire country, also integrating opponents. Excessive dependence on external allies such as Russia and Iran, with groups linked to Tehran, led to a crisis as soon as the situation in these countries became complicated by the wars in Ukraine and Israel. Today, however, the question of Syria's future remains open. It is unclear how the groups of the victors will divide up the slices of the power cake, the formation of the armies that have reduced the Assad regime to nothingness being in fact very composite. The leader of Hay'at, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, is presented as the main figure in the entire galaxy of the many Islamic organisations that control much of the Syrian territory, where sectors of the Kurdish armed forces also remain, confronting Turkey's enemies. Many experts fear a situation of permanent chaos, and a division of territories similar to those in Libya or Iraq. According to Tajik expert Kosim Bekmukhammad, taking into account the relations of many of these groups with the intelligence services of various countries, the stability of the country is the last thing that can be expected, and one would not be surprised by a resurgence of Isis, al-Qaeda, al-Nusra Front or other formations, each of which will try to take a sector of the country. There are many parties trying to pull on the side of their own interests, Kosim notes, as is already evident from the actions of Israel, which bombs Syrian facilities that could cause problems tomorrow. Turkey is also trying to come to terms with the Kurds once and for all. Radio Ozodi shows the many messages in which citizens of Central Asia are praising the common victory in Syria, and in the city of Idlib alone there are about 400 Tajiks, as well as an unknown number of Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Kazakhs. An expert on religious affairs, Makhrambek Makhrambekov, states that the hundreds of people from our parts who flank Islamists in Syria could attract many people, creating propaganda centres that could have unpredictable effects, especially among the young. Syria would thus become, beyond the moderate covers of whoever will form the new government, the new centre of attraction for all forms of radical Islamism. The roots of the Hay'at group itself go back to Al-Qaeda, and according to another expert in the fight against extremism, Rustam Azizi, in the ever-widening space of information and communication, these ideological tendencies multiply very quickly. Many observers agree that the threat of this concentration in Syria is much greater than that of the Taliban in Afghanistan, who are committed on their own territory to building their own radical Islamic Emirate, while Syria is projecting itself onto the global dimensions of the Caliphate, an ideal that is much more attractive to Central Asians in particular, and to many extremists from all over the world. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. Russian border guards were the first to alert the NSS about the suspected illegal border crossing early on December 11. They spotted damage caused to barbed wire protecting a section of the Armenian-Turkish border and footprints leading from there towards the nearby village of Ranchpar. In a December 12 statement, the NSS said it is taking necessary operational-intelligence measures in connection with the alert. It has still not clarified whether someone indeed crossed the frontier and was detained as a result. Contacted by RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Tuesday, the security service said only that the public should follow official statements. The lack of information is not allaying the lingering security concerns of Ranchpar residents. The village school, which is especially close to the border, was briefly closed right after the reported incident. The parents and grandparents of young students have since been escorting them to and from the school. Simon Tumanian, a physics teacher, criticized the authorities for their silence, saying that it is keeping the small community 25 kilometers south of Yerevan on edge. At one point, there was talk of two persons who crossed the border and were arrested, said another villager. Then there were rumors that it was crossed by ten people or that saboteurs have entered the village and people will be evacuated. The Russians have been guarding Armenias borders with Turkey and Iran since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Despite its heightened tensions with Moscow, the Armenian government has so far signaled no plans to seek their withdrawal. 17 December 2024 20:34 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The terrorist organization "Nubar Ozanyan Brigade", the Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG, has announced that it will support the group's activities in Syria. Stating the Turkish state as fascists, "We as Nubar Ozanyan Armenian brigade fighters, have taken our places at our resistance positions against fascist Turkish state and jihadists." The announcement by the group, an Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG, to actively resist Turkiye underlines a historical pattern: Armenian militant organizations, fueled by nationalist extremism and foreign backing, have maintained a consistent tradition of terror spanning generations. This brigades open alignment with the PKK/YPGrecognized as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the U.S., and the EUexposes both the continuity of Armenian extremist ambitions and the broader geopolitical designs aimed at destabilizing the region. Historic background The roots of Armenian terrorism trace back to the 19th century, when Armenians settled in the Caucasus with the support of Tsarist Russia. From that moment onward, Armenian nationalist movements pursued one overarching goal: to act as a destabilising force preventing unity between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. This remains true today, as groups like the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade and their PKK/YPG allies carry out armed provocations under the guise of resistance. Now this one was named after Armenian terrorist Nubar Ozanyan, when formed in 2019 in the wake of France declaring April 24 as a day of commemoration of the events of 1915. The YPG/PKK declared the organizations intention to be "the defence of Rojava against Turkey," and that it embraced the terrorist Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) as its precursor. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 ASALA, founded during the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, launched a systematic campaign of assassinations against Turkish diplomats, claiming over 30 lives in less than a decade. Between 1980 and 1983, the group executed 580 out of 699 attacks, marking an era of global Armenian terrorism. This bloodshed only subsided in 1986 after widespread condemnation, yet the ideological foundation remained intact. Nubar Ozanyan, who emerged as a commander in Middle Eastern militant circles, epitomized this legacy. Before he died in 2017, Ozanyan served as the so-called Middle East commander of TKP/ML TIKKO, another group notorious for assassinations and bombings targeting Turkish security forces. His martyrdom now serves as a rallying cry for the Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG. Modern Terrorism in the Region The Nubar Ozanyan Brigade, openly positions itself as a defender of Rojava against Turkiye, while simultaneously embracing ASALA as its ideological precursor. This direct connection reveals a concerning truth: Armenian militant groups have evolved in name but not in purpose. Whether it be Dashnaktsutyun, ASALA, or now the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade, their actions aim to foster chaos, disrupt stability, and advance extremist territorial claims. The brigades latest statement labelling Turkiye as fascist reflects its reliance on radicalized narratives to justify violence. Such rhetoric is not new; it mirrors the same ideology that fueled Armenian atrocities in Garabagh during the 2020 war, where mercenaries, including fighters from this brigade, were deployed against the Azerbaijani Army. However, following Armenia's defeat, the group retreated to Armenia thankfully. This cycle of Armenian aggression, often cloaked in victimhood, poses a direct threat to regional peace. Role of Armenian Lobby in relation to terrorist organizations The persistence of these groups is not coincidental. The Nubar Ozanyan Brigades creation in 2019 coincided with Frances decision to recognize April 24 as a day of commemoration for the events of 1915, signalling strong international political cover. Despite their bloody histories, most Armenian terrorist groupsASALA, Armenakan, Hnchak, AOD, and othersremain absent from U.S. and EU terrorist lists, exposing double standards in the international communitys approach to terrorism. Furthermore, the powerful Armenian diaspora and lobbying organizations have succeeded in shielding these groups from scrutiny. This complicity enables Armenian terrorism to flourish as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the South Caucasus and undermine the sovereignty of Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The revival of Armenian militant groups like the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a long-standing tradition of extremism and terror. From Dashnaktsutyun to ASALA, and now to modern-day PKK/YPG proxies, the Armenian agenda remains clear: to sow chaos, disrupt peace processes, and target Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The international communitys failure to recognize and condemn these groups emboldens their actions. It is time for global powers, particularly the U.S. and Europe, to abandon their selective morality and hold all terrorist organizations accountable. Regional peace cannot be achieved while Armenias terror networks continue to operate unchecked under the political cover of their allies. 17 December 2024 11:40 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Culture Minister has met with the citizens in the city of Kurdamir, Azernews reports. Before the reception, Minister Adil Karimli and the Head of the Kurdamir District Executive Power, Elkhan Ibrahimov, visited the monument to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the city centre and laid flowers in front of it, paying tribute to his dear memory. At the reception held in the administrative building of the Kurdamir District branch of the New Azerbaijan Party, appeals from citizens from Kurdamir, Ujar, Zardab, Agdash, Yevlakh, Goychay districts and the city of Mingachevir were heard. Citizens brought their appeals, mainly related to employment, proposals, initiatives related to the cultural sphere, labour evaluation and other issues. The Culture Minister instructed the ministry's responsible representatives to promptly investigate the issues on each appeal and resolve them in accordance with the legislation. The issues raised by the families of martyrs and veterans at the reception were registered and taken under control in order to ensure that they are carefully addressed and considered in a timely and objective manner. 17 December 2024 14:56 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A new exhibition of paintings by talented artist Narmin Najaf has opened at the Leyla Khazari Art-Gallery, Azernews reports. The exhibition titled "Goyrengli halal" presented the "Light" series dedicated to Baku, as well as the "Kelaghayi", "Pomegranate" series and other paintings to visitors. The artist said that the blue color in his works expresses desires, loftiness and harmony. She underlined that the shades of blue, which are a source of inspiration for her works, reflect the richness of people's inner world. Speakers at the event said that Narmin Najaf is the creator and head of the "World of Dreams" painting school. The artist, who first began her professional career with her solo exhibition held in Turkiye in 2021, has had subsequent solo exhibitions in Baku, Minsk and Moscow. Narmin Najaf's works were also exhibited at exhibitions held in cities such as Marmaris, Prague and London. Then the guests got acquainted with the exhibition. The artist's works reflect a modern view of the national color and convey examples of Azerbaijani culture and cultural heritage through colors and images. The exhibition "Goyrangli Halil" will continue until December 24. 17 December 2024 21:30 (UTC+04:00) The National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, with the support of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Mission to the European Union, has donated unique exhibits of tar kamancha and gaval to the Museum of Musical Instruments under the auspices of the Royal Museums of Art and History of Belgium. Azernews reports, citing the post by Azerbaijan's National Commission for UNESCO on X. The National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, with the support of the @AZMissionEU , is donating unique exhibits of #tar #kamancha and #gaval to the Museum of Musical Instruments under the auspices of the Royal Museums of Art and History of #Belgium. Another step towards pic.twitter.com/3gBQ52cT3j National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO (@UNESCO_AZ) December 17, 2024 In the post, it was noted that this was another step towards strengthening cultural ties and promoting Azerbaijani heritage worldwide. 17 December 2024 10:22 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The 19th Internet Governance Forum of the United Nations is currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Azernews reports citing the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Ministry. The Ministry noted that over 10,000 guests from 170 countries are participating in the event. Additionally, speeches from over 1,000 international experts are expected. The forum, which will continue until December 19, includes nearly 300 panel sessions and special seminars. During the forum, international policies and trends related to internet governance innovations will be discussed, and best practices will be shared. The main objective of the forum is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, promote economic development and societal well-being, and contribute to the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. A delegation from the Innovation and Digital Development Agency is representing Azerbaijan at the forum. Orkhan Ismayilov, Head of the Strategic Partnerships and International Cooperation Department, told Azerbaijani media outlets that the delegation members will discuss Azerbaijan's sustainable digital development concept, digital government solutions and innovation ecosystem, efforts to increase digital literacy, and the activities and goals of the Azerbaijan Innovation Center. The delegation is also scheduled to meet at Google's Riyadh office. The forum will focus on four main themes: applying innovations and balancing risks in the digital space, enhancing the contribution of digital technologies to peace, development, and sustainability, increasing human potential and promoting inclusivity in the digital age, and improving digital governance of the internet. 17 December 2024 11:23 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The next meeting of the Chamber of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Azerbaijan took place, during which a ruling was adopted regarding an appeal from the Baku Court of Appeal, Azernews reports. According to the press service of the Constitutional Court, the appeal concerns the interpretation of Articles 110.1 and 485.2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, in accordance with Part VI of Article 130 of the Constitution and Article 7.1 of the Law "On the Constitutional Court." The case will be reviewed on its merits at a meeting of the Plenum of the Constitutional Court, with the participation of the parties, scheduled for January 21, 2025. 17 December 2024 14:39 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The increase in the wage fund by more than 3.2 times over the last 6 years is one of the main indicators of business development, Azernews reports, citing Labor and Social Protection Minister Sahil Babayev, as he stated during his speech at the "Customs-Business Forum 2024: Dialogue" event. He noted that over the mentioned period, 80% of the increase in labour contracts in Azerbaijan was due to the private sector. The minister also stated that 85% of able-bodied citizens in Garabagh have been employed. "Efforts continue to ensure the employment of the remaining citizens," he noted. It is worth noting that over the past few years, Azerbaijan has experienced significant economic and social changes, particularly in the labour market. The government's focus on economic diversification and private sector development has led to a notable increase in employment and wage growth. Initiatives to stimulate private sector activity, including tax incentives, investment in infrastructure, and regulatory reforms, have contributed to this positive trend. The reconstruction of Garabagh, following its liberation, has become a central aspect of Azerbaijan's economic strategy. With extensive investments being made in infrastructure, housing, and industry, the region is being revitalized, and employment opportunities are increasing. The government's efforts to ensure that 85% of able-bodied citizens in Garabagh are employed reflect a commitment to regional development and social stability. The Customs-Business Forum 2024 serves as a platform for discussing the intersection of business and regulatory practices, aiming to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors. The forum's discussions on wage growth and employment highlight the importance of a collaborative approach to achieving sustainable economic development and improving the standard of living for all Azerbaijani citizens. 17 December 2024 15:28 (UTC+04:00) On December 17, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, Azernews reports. First, the awarding ceremony of Azerbaijan's Dostlug (Friendship) Order to Rustam Minnikhanov took place. By the Order of President Ilham Aliyev, Rustam Minnikhanov was honored with the Dostlug Order in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the development of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation. President Ilham Aliyev said: I congratulate you on receiving the well-deserved award. For many years, you have been working tirelessly to strengthen our traditional ties. Therefore, it is a great pleasure for me to present you with such a high honor and wish you continued success. Rustam Minnikhanov said: Mr. President, thank you very much. This is a high award. We greatly value our relations within the framework of Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation. Tatarstan holds a special place in this context. Historically, our brotherly nations and, most importantly, our leaders Azerbaijani Leader Heydar Aliyev and our first President, Mintimer Sharipovich Shaimiev laid the foundation for the course we continue to develop. Following this, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, had a joint lunch. 17 December 2024 16:08 (UTC+04:00) On December 17, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Army, met with a delegation from the Turkish Land Forces Command led by Lieutenant General Tuncay Altug, who was visiting Azerbaijan, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. The Ministry noted that the Turkish delegation first visited the Alley of Honor to pay respects to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and renowned ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. They also visited the Alley of Martyrs and the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial, laying wreaths and flowers to honor their memory. During the meeting held at the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev welcomed the guests and expressed his pleasure at seeing them in Azerbaijan. Highlighting the successful military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye, based on strong ties of friendship and brotherhood, the Chief of the General Staff discussed the significant contributions this alliance has made to the military development of both nations and emphasized the importance of further enhancing these relations. Expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality, Lieutenant General Tuncay Altug noted the high level of military relations aimed at expanding mutual exchange of experiences between the two countries. He also underscored the importance of joint exercises that demonstrate Azerbaijan as a crucial partner for Turkiye. The meeting included detailed discussions on regional security, prospects for further military cooperation, and other issues of mutual interest. Later, the Turkish delegation met with Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay, Advisor to the Minister of Defense. They exchanged views on the positive outcomes of adopting the Turkish Armed Forces model within the Azerbaijani Army and discussed other pertinent matters. The Turkish delegation concluded their visit by touring the Central Command Post, familiarizing themselves with the facilities and conditions. 17 December 2024 15:37 (UTC+04:00) In this regard, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a corresponding decree. Rustam Minnikhanov was awarded the Order of Dostlug for special services in the development of relations of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 17 December 2024 16:56 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijan's civil society representatives have addressed an Open Letter to Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO. Azernews present the letter: Dear Director General, We are writing to express our deep concern and to call for action against the systematic policy implemented by Armenia, which deliberately destroys cultural property and erase the historical and cultural roots of Azerbaijani heritage in Armenia. These measures have resulted in the intentional destruction of Azerbaijani tangible and intangible cultural heritage, targeting the enduring traces of the Azerbaijani people who lived in these territories for centuries. Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Western Zangazur, Gafan, Iravan, Goycha, Nuvadi, Vedi and in other places has been deliberately destroyed and misappropriated as part of the policy pursued by Armenia. Among the many examples, the Damirbulag Mosque in Iravan was bulldozed in the early 1990s during the conflict, and the sixteenth-century Sardar Mosque was destroyed in several stages. The Gala Mosque, Shah Abbas Mosque, Tapabashi Mosque, Zal Khan Mosque, Sartib Khan Mosque, Haji Novruzali Bey Mosque, Haji Jafar Bey Mosque, Rajab Pasha Mosque, Mohammad Sartib Khan Mosque, Haji Inam Mosque, and more than 300 other religious and cultural heritage sites in Armenia have suffered the same fate. Additionally, more than 500 Azerbaijani cemeteries in Armenia, such as Aghadada, Ashaghi Shorja, Gullubulagh, and Saral, have been desecrated and destroyed. The tomb of the great Azerbaijani poet Ashig Alasgar, a prominent figure representing Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage, was also destroyed. This widespread campaign extends beyond physical destruction, as the historical names of Azerbaijani villages have been completely changed, with ancient toponyms replaced by Armenian ones. Furthermore, Armenias actions against Azerbaijani heritage include the misappropriation and alteration of cultural heritage sites. The only surviving mosque in Armenia, the Blue Mosque in Iravan, is falsely represented as a 'Persian mosque'. In reality, the mosque was built by Azerbaijanis and, for centuries, was attended by them. As more than 100 Azerbaijani scientists and public figures warned in an appeal to UNESCO in 2022 that the Tapabashi quarter in Iravan the only remaining part of the historical old town is now under threat of total annihilation. Armenia continues to demolish the last remaining traces of Azerbaijani culture through the so-called "reconstruction" project in the historically Azerbaijani Tapabashi quarter. Dear Director General, For years, Azerbaijani NGOs, diaspora have appealed to UNESCO to react and to condemn the deliberate state policy of annihilation of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijani people in Armenia. Azerbaijani civil society strongly believes that UNESCO involvement is urgently needed to stop the systematic policy of one of its Member States aimed at intentionally destroying cultural property and denying the historical and cultural roots of cultural heritage belonging to the Azerbaijani people. We expect a principled and consistent approach from the Organization in defending the principles and values it stands for. In light of the above, we the representatives of Azerbaijani NGOs once again request UNESCO to send a fact-finding mission to Armenia to monitor and to document the state of Azerbaijani cultural heritage there and to demand Armenia to comply with its international obligations to protect Azerbaijani cultural heritage stemming from various international conventions, in particular UNESCO ones. Signed by: Fuad Mammadov - "Simurg" Azerbaijan Cultural Association Aziz Alakbarli Western Azerbaijan Community Fariz Khalilli "Miras" Public Association for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage Narmina Aghayeva - "Promotion of Iravan Cultural Heritage" Public Union Haji Abdulla - "Zangezur" Societies Public Union Umud Rahimoghlu - International Eurasia Press Fund Novella Jafarova - D. Aliyeva Azerbaijan Women's Rights Society Saadat Bananyarli - "Azerbaijan National Unit of the International Human Rights Society" Public Union Saltanat Gojamanli - "Protection of Human Rights and Legality" Public Union Mubariz Asgarov - "Objective" Public Union for the Promotion of National Values Zaur Ibrahimli - "Prioritet" Social Economic Research Center Public Union Shahla Naghiyeva - Sonmez Mashal Cultural Relations Public Union Sheyda Allahverdiyeva "ICOMOS Azerbaijan" Public Union Gamar Baghirova - Jafar Jabbarli Public Association for the Development of Culture, Science and Education Ulviyya Babirova - "Culture Volunteers" Public Union Turkay Gasimzada - Association for the Protection of Azerbaijans Cultural Heritage and Support for Tourism Esmira Fuad - Eternal Turan Book Fund Azer Allahveranov "Eurasia Migration Initiatives Platform" Public Union Sevda Tahirli - Mirza Alakbar Sabir Foundation Shahin Gadirov - "Zirva" Culture and Art Public Union Farida Mirishova- "Iz" Culture Development and Support Public Union Samad Vakilov - "Muvakkil Law Center" Public Union. BY: HOOD RICHARDSON Conservative voting Beaufort County is in the clutches of liberal Republicans, RINOs (Republicans In Name Only). Even worse, policy decisions in county government and the schools are based on Democrat philosophy. More than 60 percent of the votes in general elections are made by voters who believe they are electing conservatives to public office. Due to disinformation campaigns conducted by the Beaufort County Republican Party, many liberals are being elected. The Democrats understand the split in the Republican Party better than rank and file Republicans. Most voters look to the Republican Party to provide rock ribbed Republican candidates. The local party, and to the same extent the State Republican Party, are led and run by liberals who are more concerned with their apparent positions of power than the Republican platform. Neither the Beaufort County Republican Party nor the State Republican party vets candidates. The Beaufort County Republican Party requires their candidates to provide an undying loyalty to the County leadership and a dislike of all conservative Republican candidates. Poor leadership is proven, in the case of the State Party, by their inability to elect a governor and to gain a majority on the Council of State since 1988. Aside from not providing adequate support for Republican Governor candidates, they picked an obvious looser with no political experience in Mark Robinson. They boosted him in the primary over a very well-qualified candidate, Dale Folwell, with a proven track record. The situation on the State level smacks of gross, not simple, but gross incompetence. There is no credit to be given on the state level for the Republican Party maintaining Republican control of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals because the majority of voters in North Carolina want conservative (Republican) judges anyway. Political conditions in the Beaufort County Republican Party are equally as rancid. Party leaders withheld information so they could capture elective office (Register of Deeds). During the past several years workers in the Party headquarters have advised voters not to vote for conservative county commissioner candidates by name (Stan Deatherage, Hood Richardson, Tandy Dunn). During the 2024 election volunteers worked against Republican school board and commissioner candidates. Headquarters workers recommended Republicans vote for Democrat Mac Hodges for school board. Stacey Davis was the Republican candidate. During the past ten years or so the Beaufort County Conservative Club has led the charge to provide and elect conservative Republicans to office. For commissioner they have supported Tandy Dunn, Stan Deatherage, Steve Carawan and Hood Richardson. Considerable effort was made to elect Randy Walker in the 2020 elections. Randy Walker got elected and promptly turned into a RINO. Until two years ago the Beaufort County School Board was dismally liberal. They believed their job was to rubber stamp whatever the liberal superintendent wanted. The school system is liberalized on the California pattern. We no longer teach cursive writing, classical math, or patriotic history. The use of textbooks has been minimized to the point that parents rarely know what is being taught. LGBTQ and sexual orientation are being exposed to students. Enrollment has been dropping with home and private schooling on the increase. The Conservative Club recruited and supported three school board candidates during the 2022 elections. All three were elected. During the 2024 elections the Club recruited and supported five candidates. There are 9 seats on the school board. Four Republicans were elected. Because not all Republicans are as conservative or politically astute as they should be, conservative Republicans are not a majority on the school board. The liberal leadership is still in control with the superintendent continuing to promote liberal California education. Their lawyer is Chairman of the Durham County Democrat Party. Hopefully we will elect a conservative Board of Education in 2026, while we pray for a miracle from the RINOs now sitting on the Board. It is the blurring of the line between RINO and conservative Republican that confuses voters. Republican voters, rightly so, expect their Republican leadership to be competent, honest and present them with good candidates. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Finding the line between RINO and conservative is not made easier when elected officials on the level of Senators Budd and Tillis give awards to liberal Democrats when they are put out of office by the sacrifice and hard work of conservative Republicans. Because of the behavior of Senators Tillis and Budd, it is necessary for me to inform you that they are both elected Republicans. Usually elected officials do not make awards within their own party without the approval of local party leadership. Therefore, the same Beaufort County Republican Party that worked against the Republican Candidate for School Board must have approved the Republican Senators Tillis and Budd making the award to the Democrat loser (Mac Hodges). This is not all of the backstabbing going on in the Beaufort County Republican Party. There are more things to come out. In light of all of the above, I was not surprised to see Fake Frankie Waters installed again by RINO Randy Walker and the two Democrats, Jerry Langley and Ed Booth at the December Commissioners meeting. Fake Frankie Waters and RINO Randy Walker returned the favor to the Democrats by electing Jerry Langley to the Vice Chairman seat. There are five Republicans and two Democrats on the Board. Later during the meeting these four commissioners showed their loyalty to each other by voting to almost double the cost of food in the jail simply because the Sheriff asked them to. Sheriff Hammonds decided he did not like the present food contractor from whom we got meals for $3.15 each. Now we will be paying about $5.80 each. This is at least a $120,000 annual increase in food cost. The only reason given to commissioners was that an inmate had complained that he did not get the same amount of chicken as another inmate. Now employees of the new contractor will enter the jail and serve the food. What about bringing in contraband and infectious diseases. None of this makes any sense other than to show these four and maybe five officials are marching in lock step. We will be spending more money in an already bloated system. Then the two RINOs and the two Democrats proceeded to approve a fifty-two-million-dollar budget for the building of the new elementary school. This was a two-page document. The Board of Commissioners has not seen plans, specifications, sizing or a parking plan for the new school. All of this money is being approved by the commissioners with no oversight or knowledge of what is being built. This was never intended; otherwise, why do the commissioners have the money and not the school board. Every school board member and every commissioner who voted for this project has, in effect, sentenced the youngest students in the Washington Attendance Area to at least fifty years of crosstown busing. They could have built the school on the western side of Washington and cut busing substantially and made better use of the Eastern campus. There is some good news. The year 2025 is the year that leadership in the Republican Party can be changed. This is the year that Republicans elect new leadership from the county to the state and on to nationally. The Beaufort County precinct meetings and county convention will be held on March 22, 2025, at Southern Acres on Highway 92 near Bath. Later, before Fall, there will be a district and a state convention. We will elect new chairmen and executive committees during each convention. Hopefully, new leadership. Hopefully, honest and competent leadership. Those who want change need to show up at these conventions. Beginning Dec. 23, nearly 23,000 state residents with debt totaling $30 million will automatically be informed by mail that some or all of their debt is paid off. Connecticut has partnered with national nonprofit charity Undue Medical Debt to eventually wipe out $1 billion in debt for an estimated 250,000 residents. Undue Medical Debt began in 2014 and has erased a total of $15 billion in medical debt for patients who meet certain income levels. Recently, it began partnering with state and local governments to erase debt. Through the partnership, New Jersey conducted two rounds of debt cancellations this year totaling $220 million, while Illinois announced last month that nearly $72 million in debt has so far been eliminated, according to the report. The group also has partnerships with Arizona and Rhode Island. Los Angeles county also has plans to erase debt for 150,000 residents. Mr. Kennedy plans to meet with over two dozen Republicans this week, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Majority Whip John Barrasso, and soon-to-be Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo. Mr. Crapos committee will oversee and vote on Mr. Kennedys planned nomination. Anticipated hearing questions include digging into his historical anti-vaccination rhetoric and his stance on abortion rights. His first discussion was with Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who said he is completely supportive of what he [Mr. Kennedy] wants to accomplish, and I wish him the best of luck. Mr. Kennedys hearing date has not yet been scheduled, but it could occur before Mr. Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Republicans are poised to hold 53 seats in the Senate, meaning they could stand to have three Republicans vote no to Mr. Kennedy and still have him confirmed. Some prominent Republican senators, including Kentuckys Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, have shown some public distrust of Mr. Kennedys vaccine agenda. Mr. McConnell voiced his concerns regarding Mr. Kennedys request that the FDA rescind approval of the polio vaccine. The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives and held out the promise of eradicating a terrible disease, Mr. McConnell said in a statement. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed theyre dangerous. This week, both Mr. Kennedy and his spokeswoman, Katie Miller, told NBC News that the vaccine will remain available to the public. According to a Dec. 16 news release from the Justice Department, Dr. Mazzare purchased Medicare beneficiary ID numbers and used them to bill Medicare for millions of dollars in OTC COVID-19 test kits, many of which were not requested by beneficiaries. Dr. Mazzare partnered with a purported marketer to conceal the identification numbers as lead packages, which were actually fraudulently created audio recordings purported to be the voices of the beneficiaries requesting the test kits. He then caused the test to be shipped to the beneficiaries tied to each ID number, regardless of whether they had actually ordered the tests. This resulted in more than $5.5 million in medically unnecessary and ineligible claims for COVID-19 tests to be submitted to Medicare between November 2022 and June 2023. Medicare paid approximately $3.44 million of these claims. Dr. Mazzare pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and to purchasing, selling and distributing Medicare beneficiary ID numbers. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 1. Dallas-based GI Alliance entered a definitive agreement with Dublin, Ohio-based pharmaceutical distributor and healthcare services company Cardinal Health in which Cardinal will acquire a majority stake in GI Alliance. 2. CMS finalized a 2.83% physician pay cut in its 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System released on Nov. 1. The physician fee schedule conversion factor for 2025 is $32.35, down from $33.29 in 2024. The Digestive Health Physicians Association released a statement July 16, when the rule was proposed, opposing the cut, saying it follows years of negligible increases, freezes and a payment cut in 2024. 3. There are also loopholes to colonoscopy reimbursements standing in the way of physicians and patients. According to a recent study, only 17% of patients pay nothing for their bowel preparation for screening colonoscopy and that almost half of patients are directed toward using non-FDA-approved, over-the-counter regimens. Study leader Eric Shah, MD, a gastroenterologist at Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan, told Beckers the research identified a loophole where prescription drugs are tied to screening costs, and Medicare patients end up paying more. 4. Some gastroenterologists expressed concern over a lack of clarity in eligibility requirements in UnitedHealthcares new gold card program. The program was introduced on Sept. 1, and went into effect on Oct. 1. The program aims to reward eligible provider groups who follow certain procedure guidelines and allow qualifying practices to bypass typical prior authorization processes. No endoscopy services have thus far been included on UHCs list of gold card-eligible services, leading some gastroenterologists to question the decision-making process behind the programs eligibility criteria. 5. In July, the FDA approved a new screening test for colorectal cancer that only requires a sample of blood. While many applaud the test for its convenience and potential for increasing screening accessibility, others are raising concerns about its accuracy. The new Shield test detected 83% of colorectal cancers in studies but identified only 13% of high-risk polyps, compared to colonoscopies, which find roughly 95% of these dangerous polyps. Specialists from The Oregon Clinic in Portland argue that the Shield test is ineffective in reducing or preventing colon cancer, as it primarily detects late-stage cancer. At that stage, patients often face more invasive treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, and the disease may be incurable. Harry Severance, MD, adjunct assistant professor at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University School of Medicine, joined Beckers to discuss one of the most alarming and growing concerns: the rise of unchecked violence in healthcare settings. Question: What was the biggest threat to physicians in 2024? Editors note: This response was edited lightly for clarity and length. Dr. Harry Severance: Obstacles for physicians are multiple and increasing. In 2024, one of the biggest obstacles was and is the unchecked violence being increasingly seen in our hospitals, clinics, emergency departments and other workplaces nationwide. Healthcare is now noted as Americas most dangerous profession due to workplace violence. This increasing violence toward doctors and other healthcare workers is one signal of deep critical disruptions within and consumer dissatisfaction with our current system. This critical level of dissatisfaction, now reaching a boiling point, is further highlighted by the huge outpouring of sympathy and support being seen for the shooter of a health insurance company executive, now with multiple copycat threats being reported. It is, in some ways understandable, that consumers, increasingly frustrated by a seemingly impenetrable, increasingly unaffordable and perceptibly denial-inclined system will strike out at one of the few accessible targets. In clinical situations, this will be doctors, nurses and other hands-on healthcare workers. To further understand the anguish of consumers, a reminder that we now have the most expensive healthcare system in all the industrialized world, but delivering the worst outcomes of all those countries. Also, the most common cause of individual bankruptcy filings in the U.S. is for overwhelming medical debt. Thus, we see increasing violence toward the healthcare system. One result of this increasing violence is accelerating departures of doctors, nurses and other workers into safer professions. This, in turn, further aggravates the already critical shortage of hands-on healthcare workers, thus further worsening patient access to timely and needed healthcare. This consumer violence condition also paradoxically further contributes to consumer perception of an inaccessible and denial-based system. To further add to the shortage and access problems, we are now seeing fewer and fewer bright young minds expressing interest in careers in healthcare due to these increasingly abusive and violent conditions. It is also important to note that in our current society, acting out and violence to address perceived wrongs, is becoming a more and more acceptable pathway to express dissatisfaction and seek change. This trend has ominous implications for the safety of doctors and other healthcare workers, and the delivery of patient care. Thus, with this level of consumer aggression toward the whole healthcare system, and with workers increasingly leaving the system, the only real way to stop the increasing violence is to repair the system and return it to one that is more responsive to patient needs and is more affordable. Failure to do so, will lead rapidly to a totally broken system. An estimated 15 million U.S. adults are at risk for heart failure, according to a study published Dec. 17 in Annals of Internal Medicine. The figure was calculated using the American Heart Association's PREVENT risk equation, according to a Dec. 16 news release from the University of Pittsburgh. Released in November 2023, the PREVENT equation can estimate an individual's 10- and 30-year risks for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Researchers from institutions across the U.S. used the equation and data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to identify the prevalence of heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Here are seven things to know from their findings: The NHNES data used for the study included information from 4,872 participants between 2017 and March 2020. Participants were ages 30 to 79 and had no known cardiovascular disease. The PREVENT calculator found 15 million U.S. adults have an elevated risk of developing heart failure within 10 years. Elevated risk was defined as higher than 10% for the study. Heart failure risk was correlated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Elevated blood pressure and weight contributed to both heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. High cholesterol was not predictive of heart failure, though heart failure was correlated with older age. Four million U.S. adults have an elevated heart failure risk but a low atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. Of those 4 million, high blood pressure and obesity were the most predictive of an individual having an increased heart failure risk. "The next step needed is clinical practice guidelines that provide frameworks for primary care physicians and other clinicians on how to use these calculators to customize patient care," Timothy Anderson, MD, a Pittsburgh-based UPMC physician and co-author of the study, said in the new release. Read the full study here. Texas Tech University System's data breach in September possibly breached the information of 1.4 million patients, according to HHS. The health system reported a breach from Sept. 17 to 29 at two locations, exposing the names, birth dates, health insurance information and diagnoses for patients. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso reported a possible breach of 815,000 patients, while the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock reported a breach of possibly 650,000 patients. The health system is contacting the about 1.4 million affected patients. Hackers disrupted the health system's computer systems and applications during the attack as well. Interlock ransomware network claimed responsibility for the attack and leaked 2.1 million files of data stolen from the health system, according to Bleeping Computer. Despite an investment that will drag down his bottom line in the near term, a three-hospital system CFO told Becker's it was an "easy" choice to switch to Epic. West Burlington, Iowa-based Great River Health said Dec. 3 it would transition its EHR from Oracle Health, formerly known as Cerner, to Epic over the next 18 months. The $35 million investment will be the second-largest the health system has ever made, trailing only its new flagship hospital in 2001. "It was difficult, yes, but it was also kind of easy at the same time, because they've got a proven track record," Great River Health CFO Jeremy Alexander told Becker's. "Their support model is wildly talented. They've got a really good reputation; they don't let clients fail. They support the heck out of you as you work toward planning and implementation and post." It also wasn't a hard sell to his colleagues in the C-suite. They understood that although the project would temporarily drain the health system's finances, the ultimate return on investment would be worth it. "You have to be a bit more long-term oriented," Mr. Alexander said. "When we look at relative cost of ownership, it's over a 10-year period. What you find is that for the first two, three years, you're probably going to be operating in a bit worse financial environment as you work through preimplementation, implementation cost, your one-time opex [operating expenses], your capex [capital expenditures]." For one, patients have been pining for Epic, Mr. Alexander said. They often ask why they can't use MyChart like they do when they get specialty care at nearby Iowa City-based University of Iowa Health Care. Most of the surrounding hospitals have been switching to Epic as well. Uncertainty with Oracle Health was also a factor, Mr. Alexander said. The company is building a new EHR, which is both "very exciting" and a "very scary prospect" for legacy customers that have spent so much time and money customizing their platforms, he said. The health system also lost a lot of its support contacts at Cerner following Oracle's acquisition of the company in 2022. "We were at a bit of a crossroads: You sign a short-term agreement with Oracle and hope they prove themselves out, or a long-term agreement with Epic, who have proven themselves time and time again with a number of other health systems," Mr. Alexander said. "The known path, surprisingly enough as an existing Cerner client, was to move forward with Epic." At the time the health system signed with Cerner in 2014, Epic wouldn't "return our phone calls," Mr. Alexander said. "They weren't really looking for clients of our size at the time," he said. "We really had no actual choice but to move to Cerner to get to where we wanted to be." But as Epic has fortified its foothold on large, academic medical centers, it has shown more willingness to work directly with smaller health systems, he said. Great River Health has also grown by about a third in that time, while Epic has tied its pricing models to patient volumes. While Epic is more expensive, it is "well-integrated into the revenue cycle space," allowing for the opportunity for more revenue and charge capture, Mr. Alexander said. Being a private company also "affords Epic pretty good latitude," he said. "They're able to really be more customer-centric." And the EHR has artificial intelligence capabilities to automate workflows and allows for add-ons, such as home healthcare and hospice, that Great River Health might have sought a third-party vendor for in the past. "When you have to make a decision for the long-term health of your organization and the people you serve it sounds so weird to say we had to choose the 'safe' path, which was with a brand new partner," Mr. Alexander said. Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health's Moorpark (Calif.) Urgent Care facility closed Dec. 6 due to low volume. The closure resulted in around 12 employees being laid off, a spokesperson for the system said in a Dec. 16 statement shared with Becker's. Employees affected by the closure were encouraged to look for other Adventist Health open positions. "Our priority is to retain as many of these individuals as possible, either by rehiring, transferring or laterally moving to another service line," the statement said. Along with numerous promotions for existing employees, Adventist Health Simi Valley (Calif.) has recorded 204 new hires as of Dec. 13. Little Rock, Ark.-based CHI St. Vincent has appointed Garrett Lewis, MD, as market chief medical officer, according to a news release sent to Becker's Dec. 17. Dr. Lewis most recently served as vice president of medical affairs for the health system's Central Arkansas market. He is a board-certified emergency physician and has worked with the health system since 2010. CHI St. Vincent is a regional health network with footprints in Central and Southwest Arkansas. It includes four hospitals and is part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health. St. Louis-based Mercy has appointed John Mohart, MD, as executive vice president and COO, marking the first time a physician will fill this role at the 50-hospital health system. Dr. Mohart joined Mercy in 2012 as a cardiologist and most recently served as president of its community operations. He previously led Mercy's cardiovascular steering committee in 2014 and was named vice president of cardiovascular services in 2018. Dr. Mohart oversaw the system's quality and safety efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and guided Mercy in reducing more than 100,000 unnecessary patient days over the past two years improving care quality, boosting patient outcomes and expanding access. "We have more healthcare providers as top leaders at Mercy than we've ever had before because we believe they are key to getting healthcare right, and Dr. Mohart, who has been a senior leader for many years, has shown that he has the expertise to unify care for our patients whether it's in the hospital, clinic, virtually or anywhere they receive care at Mercy," Mercy President and CEO Steve Mackin said. Before joining Mercy, Dr. Mohart was a physician leader at a large multi-specialty group in Missouri. He initially began his career as a CPA at PwC. He earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. "Dr. Mohart's passion as a physician and his strong belief that every co-worker is a caregiver will ensure that we prioritize what's best for our patients and our team at Mercy as we enter our third century of care," Mr. Mackin said. The former CEO of University Hospital at Downstate in New York City is under investigation for alleged financial misconduct, Politico reported Dec. 13. David Berger, MD, resigned as CEO of the hospital on Dec. 11. He is being investigated by the New York Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government and the Office of the Inspector General, according to Politico, citing a person familiar with the matter who was granted anonymity. Patricia Winston, DNP, RN, was appointed interim CEO following Dr. Berger's resignation. Gov. Kathy Hochul said her administration is working with SUNY to ensure the hospital maintains operations while the search for its next leader is underway, Politico reported. "While we do not comment on individual personnel, as the governor indicated, SUNY takes all necessary steps to ensure it upholds the strongest standards and legal requirements, including making referrals to state and outside authorities when needed," the hospital said in a statement shared with Becker's on Dec. 17. Dr. Berger, who became CEO of the hospital in September 2020, will serve as a senior adviser for 30 days to help facilitate the leadership transition, according to a hospital spokesperson. The state shared plans in January to reduce services or potentially close the hospital due to low patient volumes and an operating deficit of about $100 million. Ms. Hochul's 2025 budget allocated $300 million in capital funding and up to $100 million in operating expenses for SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. In November, Ms. Hochul appointed eight members to a community advisory board tasked with making recommendations for a financial plan to ensure the hospital's long-term viability. "I have made clear that my administration has no tolerance for any form of unethical conduct, and I immediately directed SUNY to restructure leadership at University Hospital after I was briefed on the situation," Ms. Hochul said in a statement shared with Becker's on Dec. 17. "Moving forward, I want to reassure the community that the hospital is in responsible hands and will be under enhanced oversight by SUNY during this transition period." Editor's note: This story was updated at 10:48 a.m. on Dec. 17. Steven Hanks, MD, president and CEO of Syracuse, N.Y.-based St. Joseph's Health and Albany, N.Y.-based St. Peter's Health Partners, doesn't just lead hospitals, he works in them, regularly trading his suit for scrubs to work in the hospital emergency departments. Dr. Hanks recently joined the Becker's Healthcare Podcast to discuss his roles as a CEO and practicing emergency physician, and how his dual work boosts employee morale, strengthens his leadership and employee relationships, and provides him firsthand knowledge of the challenges frontline healthcare workers face on a daily basis. Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: How do you balance the responsibilities of being both president and CEO with working regular shifts in the emergency department? Dr. Steven Hanks: It's been an interesting journey for me, because although I've been an executive for many years, I never wanted to lose my clinical skills or disconnect from the clinical environment for a number of reasons. Some of it's selfish. I like being a doctor. That's what I went to medical school for, and I still greatly enjoy it. What I've come to learn over the years is that there are enormous other benefits to a leader of a healthcare organization actually getting into the trenches with the troops on the front line, because I've often said that I learned more about the way the various pieces of my organizations work from the small amount of time I spend in the clinical setting than all the other time I spend in meetings, working with my board on rounds and all these other things. There have been a lot of side benefits. Another big benefit is it really speaks to the morale of our colleagues when they see the CEO essentially in the emergency department or on the floors as a hospitalist, pitching in and helping, and they know that I experience what they experience. I live with the same frustrations they have with the medical record. I see the same issues with flow and the timeliness of turnaround of laboratory studies, or X-ray studies, or whatever it might be. I have to deal with the fact that we may not be able to accept a transfer, or we may have difficulty effectuating a transfer. They all realize I'm walking a mile in their shoes. It does have a very uplifting effect, I believe, on the morale of our colleagues. Q: What inspired you to take on holiday shifts, allowing doctors to spend time with their families? SH: We have 29 separate entities I'm responsible for. It's a very large organization. My day job really doesn't afford me time to do clinical work during typical work hours. I take time on a Friday evening, on a weekend or on a holiday. The ER physicians or the hospitalists, when I've done this with the hospitalist service in the past, they really like that, because it relieves one of them of having to be on a weekend or a holiday. For me, it works out because my kids are all grown and I'm available. It also adds to that impact on the staff when they see me working on a holiday, of all things. A lot of physicians who are engaged in medical management positions or executive positions who still practice often will practice during the usual daytime hours, and that's not what I do. Q: How does your hands-on experience in the emergency department inform your leadership decisions for St. Joseph's Health and St. Peter's Health Partners? SH: We have multiple hospitals, and I go between a couple of them. I'm able to contrast and compare, and it's always remarkable how similar some of the issues are, and yet how different the approaches, responses and solutions can be even within the same organization. That's been one insight that I've been able to bring, the transitioning of ideas from one entity to another. We always talk about sharing of best practices, it's almost become overused, and yet, when you look at how many organizations really are able to effectively do that, it's a small number. It's made me a lot more approachable in the eyes of the staff. The staff are much more willing to reach out to me directly, or to stop me in the hallway, or if I see staff out in the community somewhere, there's a sense of approachability that I think is bred from the fact that I'm spending that time. I have that additional opportunity for communication and understanding what the staff challenges are, what the issues are, and it's been enormously helpful. We've been having problems in many emergency departments with the flow of patients because of nursing shortages, really across the entirety of upstate New York where we're located. We still have beds that are offline post-pandemic. Patients who are in need of hospital services are piling up in the emergency departments, and that leaves no room for the next emergency patient to come in. The waiting rooms get full, the wait times get long. It's not an ideal situation from the perspective of the experience of the patient, but it's also an unsafe condition. I've been able to see that and glean some insights that I've been able to bring back to my hospital presidents to say, "Hey, could you try this? Could you try that?" They're very responsive about trying out various suggestions. Q: What message do you hope to send to your staff by maintaining a clinical role alongside your executive duties? SH: I hope they see that we're all in it together and that what we're really about is providing care; care for patients, their families, care for our community. If not us, who? The hospital business today and the health system business is a very difficult business, especially on the non-profit side, and particularly in parts of the country like ours, where there's not a lot of population growth, populations aging, and we have increasingly more and more government-insured patients, which puts incredible financial pressures on our healthcare organizations. We have to operate very lean. The fact that I'm in there in the trenches, I experienced that myself. Knowing that really helps them to believe that I understand, that I feel their pain. During the COVID pandemic, we got to a point where we had so many doctors out with COVID, and we had so many patients that we were literally running out of people to care for the patients. I came off of my regular duties, and I became a full-time COVID physician. I took care of COVID wards for a period of time during the pandemic. I even volunteered after it settled down in New York to go to another Trinity Hospital in Idaho to help them out when they were desperate as well. It creates an esprit de corps that it's impossible to bottle without actually living it. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board on Dec. 17 unanimously approved Ascension's plan to sell nine hospitals more than half of its hospitals in the state and several post-acute facilities to Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare. Prime presented its plan to the HSFRB and effectively answered the board's questions about the proposed acquisition especially in relation to past lessons learned and practices. "[Prime] demonstrated they are fit, willing and able to enter Illinois and participate in the proposed parts of our healthcare delivery system," HSFRB said in a statement shared with Becker's. The $375 million transaction now needs approval from the Archdiocese of Chicago since St. Louis-based Ascension is a Catholic health system. The Ascension hospitals would be Prime's first in Illinois and increase the number of hospitals in its overall portfolio to 53. Four post-acute and senior living facilities and two ambulatory surgery centers are also included in the planned sale. Prime plans to invest $250 million in facility upgrades, capital improvements, technology investments and system upgrades should the deal close in early 2025. Part of Prime's integration plan involves converting all hospitals to its iteration of the Epic EHR system. The nine hospitals included in the deal are: Ascension Holy Family (Des Plaines) Ascension Mercy (Aurora) Ascension Resurrection (Chicago) Ascension Saint Elizabeth (Chicago) Ascension Saint Francis (Evanston) Ascension Saint Joseph-Elgin Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet Ascension Saint Mary-Chicago Ascension Saint Mary-Kankakee Prime includes the for-profit Prime Healthcare Services and its nonprofit arm, Prime Healthcare Foundation, which operates 14 hospitals. Under the deal, seven Ascension hospitals will become for-profit; St. Francis in Evanston and St. Mary-Kankakee will remain nonprofit. "We are committed and uniquely able to improve, invest and ensure the continued legacy of service of these hospitals, having saved and transformed over 40 hospitals across the country," President and Chief Medical Officer Sunny Bhatia, MD, told Becker's. "While Illinois would be a new market for us, there were a lot of similarities and parallels with other communities we've entered in Los Angeles and the Northeast, and we understand the vulnerable patient populations some of these hospitals serve in the Greater Chicago area." Prime has a significant track record in turning around financially struggling hospitals, and this transaction checked many of the boxes that align with the health system's acquisition criteria, CFO Steve Aleman told Becker's. "It had several positive attributes that other opportunities lacked," Mr. Aleman said. "For example, this acquisition aligns with Prime's strategy for entering new markets by providing a market cluster presence. The facilities offer material vertical and horizontal service lines, and all have strong patient volumes throughout the system. While they are turnaround facilities, several already demonstrate positive EBITDA and operating performance and offer a material opportunity to reduce costs in a way that's compatible with Prime's operating playbook." Ascension Saint Elizabeth, a 40-bed critical access hospital, is expected to transition from acute care if Illinois regulators approve a certificate-of-need application recently filed by Ascension. The decision stems from years of low demand as well as the proximity of services at Ascension St. Mary's, which is less than two blocks away. Ascension and Prime agree that the facility should be repurposed to better serve the community's broader needs. Ascension currently operates 118-hospitals and would maintain ownership of various facilities in Illinois should the deal close, including: Ascension Alexian Brothers (Elk Grove Village) Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital (Hoffman Estates) Ascension Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation Hospital (Elk Grove Village) Ascension St. Alexius (Hoffman Estates) Ascension Saint Joseph (Chicago) Ascension St. Alexius Women and Childrens (Hoffman Estates) In a Dec. 17 statement shared with Becker's, Prime said it is "honored and humbled" by the HSFRB's unanimous decision to approve the deal. "We thank the HSFRB for its thoughtful and thorough evaluation of this historic transaction, the largest in Prime's history," the health system said. "Prime's belief is that hospitals are community anchors and that all communities deserve access to high-quality, compassionate care. It is an honor to be selected by Ascension to steward these facilities into the future. We look forward to completing the transaction process and bringing Prime Healthcare's mission of saving and improving hospitals and uplifting communities to Illinois." Members of the Committee of Interns and Residents and George Washington University Hospital in Washington have reached a tentative labor agreement, averting a potential strike. Five things to know: 1. CIR, a local of the Service Employees International Union, announced the tentative deal on its Facebook page Dec. 16. 2. The deal includes substantial pay increases, as well as a $1,000 annual stipend for mental health and physician wellness, the union said, according to radio station WTOP. It also includes a $4,000 ratification bonus. 3. After agreeing to the deal, the union called off a three-day strike that was slated to begin Dec. 17, according to The Washington Post. Hundreds of resident physicians were expected to participate. 4. The deal includes "a range of new enhancements that address the union's concerns, including compensation and support for mental health," Shannon McClendon, executive director of media relations at GWU, said in a statement shared with Becker's. "The university is grateful for the continued dedication of clinical staff in providing patients with the highest quality of care." 5. Jason Robart, MD, a resident in anesthesiology at GW Hospital, called the agreement "historic" and credited "[e]very person who signed a union card or a petition, every chant, every sign we held up outside the hospital and even our willingness to withhold our labor" in securing the contract. A Montana physician was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement for his role in a $31 million telemedicine fraud scheme. Ronald Dean, DO, 64, of Whitefish, was also ordered to pay more than $780,000 in restitution and was fined $100,000, according to a Justice Department news release. Dr. Dean pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Justice Department said Dr. Dean was paid by a telemedicine company to sign orders for durable medical equipment that patients did not need. He then fraudulently charged Medicare, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Railroad Retirement Board for telemedicine office visits that did not occur. The telemedicine company also allegedly used Dr. Dean's information to prescribe unnecessary COVID-19 tests to patients, according to the release. The scheme ran from January 2022 to July 2023. Advanced nursing students face an uphill battle securing clinical placements, often navigating a fractured educational system that can leave them unprepared to enter the workforce, Bloomberg Businessweek reported Dec. 16. The report, part of Bloomberg's series on the education and evolving role of NPs in the U.S. healthcare system, examines how current shortcomings in clinical training may affect the quality of care delivered by NPs. Five takeaways: 1. The nation's growing demand for NPs and their increasing responsibilities in healthcare has outpaced the development of comprehensive education and training programs, according to Bloomberg. Many nursing programs provide little to no support for securing clinical rotations, forcing students to rely on personal connections or expensive third-party matching services. Bloomberg's analysis found that between 2014 and 2023, most of the nation's 25 largest advanced nursing programs relied on master's and doctoral students to find their own preceptors. This patchwork system has resulted in widely variable preparation levels among NP graduates, which may threaten the quality of patient care once they begin practicing in healthcare settings. 2. Some NP students and industry leaders have expressed concerns about the lack of enforcement around clinical placements. Nursing schools are "responsible for ensuring adequate physical resources and clinical sites," according to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which accredits most nursing schools. Some students and educators have urged CCNE to adopt more stringent standards for NP education and require schools to pair students with preceptors. 3. These concerns have drawn attention to the role of accrediting bodies like CCNE. Former CCNE Accreditation Director Lori Schroeder told Bloomberg: "Graduation from an accredited program is not sufficient assurance" of student readiness. Benjamin Murray, deputy executive director for CCNE, said the organization's policies have changed since Ms. Schroeder left her role in 2019 and said that it has "appropriate and publicly available procedures and standards." 4. Alongside stricter accreditation standards, NPs and healthcare providers have also called for the implementation of standardized curriculum, mandatory in-person classes, stricter oversight of clinical placements and enhanced residency programs. However, achieving these reforms would require significant federal funding, which has historically been limited. 5. In a statement to Becker's, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners said it has consistently emphasized the importance of rigorous educational standards for NPs. The association also criticized Bloomberg's report for leaving out key details, including a new Department of Education rule that took effect in July, mandating higher educational institutions provide clinical opportunities necessary for licensure. "AANP supports students who are pursuing their academic goals and DOE's continued efforts to ensure that all requirements are met by educational institutions across the country," AANP President Stephen Ferrara, DNP, told Becker's. Read the full report here. Children's Hospital Los Angeles is using virtual reality to improve patient experience during procedures and reduce medication used. Here are five things to know: 1. The hospital is using VR to help patients minimize anxiety, pain, discomfort and even reduce anesthesia use, Joseph Miller, MD, the hospital's director of interventional radiology, said in a Dec. 16 news release. 2. The interventional radiology team has hired the system's first embedded hospital VR technologist, Phoenix Hunt, to guide and support patients through their procedures with procedure-specific VR Games. He studied VR game design and joined the hospital in August. "VR can help dampen the brain's pain receptors," Mr. Hunt said. "Your body is so distracted with other stimuli that it kind of forgets to feel that anxiety or pain that you'd be noticing previously." 3. When patients arrive for their procedure, they are outfitted with the VR headset. Mr. Hunt helps them select a game and learn how to use the technology. Then Mr. Hunt collaborates with the medical team to monitor heart rate, anxiety level and pain levels before, during and after the procedure. 4. Children's Hospital Los Angeles said its program could be a blueprint for hospitals. "We've yet to encounter another hospital using VR to get patients through procedures with an embedded VR technologist," Dr. Miller said. 5. The hospital is working to expand the program to more patients and in more departments. Shares of the three largest pharmacy benefit managers' parent companies took a hit Dec. 16, after President-elect Donald Trump vowed that his administration would work to "knock out the middlemen." "We have a thing called the middleman," Mr. Trump said during a one-hour news conference with reporters Dec. 16. "We're going to knock out the middlemen. We're going to get drug costs down at levels that nobody has ever seen before." He added that PBMs have been a major point of discussion with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Mehmet Oz, MD, his respective picks to lead HHS and CMS. Following his comments, shares of CVS Health fell by more than 4% Monday afternoon, UnitedHealth Group shares slipped more than 3.5% and Cigna declined by 2.6%. The companies operate the nation's three largest PBMs CVS Caremark, Optum RX and Express Scripts which collectively control around 80% of all U.S. prescription claims. Mr. Trump's remarks signal the potential for heightened PBM scrutiny and regulation under his administration. While they were not a major focus on the campaign trail, his administration in 2018 proposed a plan that would have upended PBM business models by altering how the government pays for drugs, though the plan was never enacted. In recent years, the largest PBMs have been the subject of numerous bipartisan probes and legislative proposals. On Dec. 11, federal lawmakers introduced the Patients Before Monopolies Act, a bipartisan bill that would require the parent companies of insurers and PBMs to divest their pharmacy business. The bill's sponsors argued joint ownership presents a "gross conflict of interest" that pushes out independent pharmacies. PBMs counter claims that their practices drive up drug costs, asserting that their business models ensure patients have convenient access to affordable medications. "Any policies that would limit our ability to negotiate with drugmakers and pharmacies would ultimately increase the cost of medicine in the United States, and in many cases, serve as a handout to the pharmaceutical industry," a CVS spokesperson recently said in a statement to Becker's, adding that its PBM reimburses independent pharmacies at higher rates than its own retail pharmacy locations. A concern voiced by public figures including President-elect Donald Trump and his nominee for HHS secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr. is that the number of vaccines administered to children may overwhelm their immune systems and contribute to conditions such as autism. This claim was denounced by medical experts, who emphasized that vaccines are designed to be safe and effective, The New York Times reported Dec. 15. The theory that modern vaccine schedules are taxing on children's immune defenses has been widely discussed. However, experts in immunology and pediatric care say such claims are based on a misunderstanding of the immune response and current vaccine technology. Yvonne Maldonado, MD, a pediatrician at Stanford (Calif.) University and a consultant for the CDC, told the news outlet that vaccines are cleaner, more refined and contain fewer components that trigger immune reactions compared to vaccines administered in previous decades. Immune responses generated by vaccines are "minuscule" compared to pathogens children encounter in their daily environments, Dr. Maldonado said. The theory that vaccines cause autism, particularly related to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, has been debunked by dozens of studies, according to the Times report. Claims that the MMR vaccine contains harmful substances like thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, are also unfounded. The CDC noted that thimerosal has not been used in most childhood vaccines since 2001 and that the form of mercury used in vaccines is not toxic at the levels present. As vaccine safety continues to be monitored and studied, Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, said current vaccines today are purer than ever thanks to advances in development and production. Springdale-based Arkansas Children's Northwest is one of the first hospitals in the nation to enable remote control of cardiac MRI and CT scans, it said in a Dec. 16 news release. After six years of building the program, the system deployed the Radiology Operations Command Center on July 1. The command center program is manufactured by Phillips and allows imaging physicians to directly observe and perform scans remotely. It has expanded imaging options to patients in rural communities who would otherwise have to travel to a larger hospital for scans. "Because it's so complicated, we have not been able to offer these imaging services anywhere other than ACH," Markus Renno, MD, cardiologist and director of advanced cardiovascular imaging at Arkansas Children's Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics and radiology at the Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said in the news release. "Now, we offer one cardiac MRI per week by combining the ROCC with our Little Rock cardiac technologists and our ACNW scanners and team partners. In mid-August, we began offering unlimited cardiac CTs per week." The union GMB has said reports that a pre-Christmas deal to save Belfast shipbuilder Harland & Wolff is imminent is good news. A meeting to ratify the deal is set to take place in the next couple of days, it has been reported. Earlier today, Sky News reported that UK Government ministers are hoping to announce the acquisition by Spanish company Navantia as early as Thursday. Navantia's board is expected to meet to ratify the deal in the next couple of days. The 70m government-backed rescue deal will also include guarantees of job security for the company's 1,000 workforce and comes after months of uncertainty amidst negotiations. However, its unknown how long the deal for job security will last. This is good news for UK sovereign capability and capacity in renewables and shipbuilding, but challenges remain, said Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer. GMB campaigned long and hard for all four Harland and Wolff yards to be included in any sale so the fact they have all been saved, with the promise of all jobs retained and new jobs created, is very welcome. However without proper investment into local skills and facilities at all four yards, and the onshoring of orders, the doom loop will be in danger of coming back. GMB will hold both Navantia and the Governments feet to the fire to ensure promises are kept. Harland & Wolff announced in September that its parent company would enter administration. It is the second time in five years the famous shipyard that built the Titanic has announced it was going into administration. The administration only applied to the holding company, and not to the groups subsidiaries. The UK and Spanish governments have also been engaged in discussions about the prospective new deal, according to Whitehall sources. Sky previously reported that the Navantia had also secured the government's backing for a renegotiated contract to build three Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships for the Royal Navy. According to Sky, Navantia sought a 300m improvement to the FSS contract, on which it was already working alongside its struggling competitor. The Spanish group is also expected to pay around 70m for Harland & Wolffs assets including all four of its yards. H&W operate four sites, in Belfast; Appledore, Devon; Arnish on the Isle of Lewis; and Methil, Fife Harland & Wolffs future previously seemed shaky since the Government refused to guarantee it a 200m loan from UK Export Finance earlier in the summer, something the company says left it in a difficult financial position. The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, in August ruled out giving the loan guarantee, which had been announced by the previous Conservative government. Founded 163 years ago, Harland & Wolff famously built the Titanic. NI man who killed mum blamed mental health and Covid - but sister says he was 'too easily believed' Barry Noone jailed for killing 77-year-old mum with pillow in tragic case Barry Noone admitted the manslaughter his late mother, Una John Cassidy Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 14:27 A man from Co Tyrone who killed his elderly mother by smothering her with a pillow blamed his deteriorating mental health, which worsened with Covid. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn must set up a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown, a High Court judge ordered today. Mr Justice Humpreys compelled the step to be taken after finding the UK Government remains in breach of a human rights duty to probe the full extent of state collusion in the May 1997 killing. Thug who bragged about whipping the arse of train conductor at Co Antrim station is jailed Theres a new face at the helm of one of Northern Irelands top colleges after Tommy Martin was appointed as principal and chief executive at South Eastern Regional College (SERC). Mr Martin took up the post on December 13 and said hes proud to be leading the college into an exciting future. He replaces Ken Webb, who retired earlier this year after serving for 16 years. Mr Martin has been a member of SERCs management team since 2009 and has played a key role in the strategic and financial development of the college, first as head of finance, then as chief finance officer and more recently as deputy chief executive. He has been interim principal and chief executive since August this year. He graduated from Ulster University with first class honours in business studies, holds a postgraduate certificate in collaborative transformation and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. Prior to joining SERC, he gained considerable experience in financial roles across several industries including broadcasting, communications and health and social care. I am extremely proud to be appointed principal and chief executive of SERC. Northern Irelands six further education colleges are fundamental in supporting a strong economy and promoting social inclusion, he said. Im very much looking forward to working with my fellow principals, the Department for the Economy, SERCs Board of Governors and the excellent management and staff at SERC as we strive to offer real opportunities for young people, adult returners and people wishing to upskill and reskill. John Nugent, chair of SERCs Governing Body, added: I am delighted Tommy Martin has accepted this appointment. The Governing Body and I look forward to supporting Tommy in his new role, ensuring continued success for the college and, most critically, for our learners. Tommy will champion the colleges ethos of excellence, be a visible delivery partner of the Department for the Economys economic vision and maintain our position as a key strategic player in the wider economy of Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Economy Minister Conor Murphy recently announced the appointment of one new member and reappointment of six current members to SERCs Governing Body. Grainne McVeigh has been appointed with effect from December 10 for a period of four years. Deborah OHare, Danny McConnell, Alan McCrum, Darren Stewart and Derek Wilson have been reappointed with effect from December 10, while Majella Corrigan has been reappointed with effect from April 1, 2025. All reappointments are for a period of four years. 7th November 2024 UNISON members from across Northern Ireland health service pictured at the steps of Stormont . Shop stewards and activists from all Health Trusts and arms-length bodies will be reminding the Assembly Health Committee meeting in the afternoon that their 2024 pay rise is long overdue. Mandatory Credit -Presseye/Stephen Hamilton Stormonts Health Minister has been praised by a union leader for putting his best foot forward and striking a healthcare pay deal that will mean crippling winter strike action will be avoided. Mike Nesbitt confirmed on Tuesday evening that a pay rise offer of 5.5% would match offers given to healthcare workers in England and Wales. Unison received a formal written commitment that pay parity will be maintained for 2024/25 as a payment will be paid in two instalments. Mr Nesbitt welcomed a positive trade union response to his settlement proposal, which he insisted will mirror the value of the increases recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body. I was extremely keen that health workers would not have to go through Christmas thinking they might need to take industrial action to get their pay awards," he said in a statement. Like the unions, I am disappointed we couldnt get to this point in a quicker, cleaner manner. I regret that this years pay process has been so elongated and complicated. I am determined to avoid a repetition of this situation in future years. The minister, who conceded he does not currently have the 320m needed to pay the award in full, has committed to paying at least 10 months worth of back pay in March 2025 with a further pledge to secure the additional money needed to bridge the gap to make the full award. He said the payment has been split into two tranches due to ongoing pressures on my departments budget. Its understood the final instalment could come from departmental savings made elsewhere and potentially from the New Year monitoring round. Unison said its resistance has paid off after its committee agreed to apply the award in two steps as outlined in a memorandum of understanding from the Department of Health. However the trade union warned it will remain vigilant to ensure the commitment is met in full. Anne Speed, who led the negotiations, described it as a good move and said she has full confidence Mr Nesbitt will deliver. "There was effort on both sides and we have been promised 10 months of the 12 month award with a promise from the minister to find the remaining cash, she told this newspaper. "He put his best foot forward to come up with something I think all unions can live with. "We thought we were going to have to go to the picket line, but we have achieved it across the table. The Royal College of Midwives Director of Northern Ireland, Karen Murray said: Today has been a long time coming, particularly for our members who fear they would be forced to take to the picket lines again like we did earlier this year. It's been a long road, and our members frustration has been palpable. "For many of our members, particularly those struggling with the cost of living, the delays have been especially hard. Improving pay for our members in Northern Ireland is a key part of our campaign work, because we know staff who are paid fairly and are valued for the work they do stay working in our maternity service. "We need to retain those staff with years of experience so they can pass that down to new qualified midwives. Mr Nesbitt said: I believe a pay settlement is good news for health staff, good news for patients and good news for all those who care about our health service. "Winter pressures are escalating once again and I owed it to staff to do all in my power to get a decent deal over the line. Separately, the review body for pay for doctors and dentists in the UK has recommended a 6% increase. It is understood Mr Nesbitt is still waiting for an official response from the relevant professional bodies about his pay plan. Karen Cummings. Inset: Forensics at the scene of the sudden death in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge on December 15, 2024 (photo by Kevin Scott). A police cordon at a cemetery on the Dromore Road in Banbridge where a second suspect was detained on December 15, 2024 (photo by Jonathan Porter/PressEye. A man aged in his 30s was detained by police outside the cemetery (photo: PressEye). Candlelit vigils are to be held in Co Down in memory of Karen Cummings who was murdered in her home. The mother-of-two was found unconscious and understood to have been shot in the head inside a house in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge. Treatment was provided at the scene but the 40-year-old was pronounced dead a short time later. A 42-year-old man arrested at the scene is originally from the Short Strand area of Belfast. A second man in his 30s from Lurgan was detained on Sunday afternoon when he presented himself at a police cordon outside St Patricks cemetery on the Dromore Road in Banbridge, after emerging from a nearby farmyard. Both men remain in custody. A timeline showing times around the murder of Karen Cummings in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge (Graphic by Kevin Scott) The vigils for Ms Cummings will be held in Newry and Banbridge on Thursday at 6pm. Womens Aid Armagh-Down are leading the vigil in Banbridges Solitude Park, while the commemoration in Newry will be held at Marcus Square. Councillors spoke in support of holding the vigil in Banbridge at a meeting of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council on Monday night, while paying tribute to Ms Cummings. Sinn Fein councillor and Lord Mayor Sarah Duffy said: Just last week we came together as a community in Lurgan to remember the 24 women whose lives were tragically taken due to violence. It was a time to reflect, grieve and to recommit to ending violence against women and girls. We could never have imagined that just one week later we would be mourning another tragic loss of life, Karen Cummings from Banbridge who was brutally murdered right here in our borough. This devastating loss has shaken us all to our core. Karens death is a painful reminder of the urgent need to address the epidemic of violence against women and girls. My heart goes out to her family, friends and all who loved her. Our borough stands with you all in your grief, and we will honour her memory by continuing to demand change. In a post on Facebook, Alliance councillor Joy Ferguson said: Tonight at full council, there was strong cross party support to hold a community vigil to support women impacted by violence and to send a strong message of support to the family of Karen Cummings. Ms Cummings is the seventh woman to die violently in 2024. Twenty-five women have been killed violently in Northern Ireland since January 2020. A Co Antrim school has paid tribute to one of its staff members who died after falling from a height during a coastal hike. Rescue services including the RNLI Redbay team and an Irish Coastguard helicopter responded to the incident in the Torr Head area on Sunday afternoon, after Nigel Gordon fell. Mr Gordon, who lived locally to the area, was pronounced dead at the scene. In a letter to parents and pupils of Ballymena Academy, principal Stephen Black paid tribute to Mr Gordon as our much loved and valued Art and Technology technician. The letter read: The pupils were told this morning during registration and assemblies, following which pupils and staff stood in silence as a mark of respect. Nigel will be remembered fondly by all in the Academy community for the unfailing support which he provided in innumerable ways. We are deeply saddened by his death and he will be greatly missed by the staff, pupils and parents. The schools flag was flown at half-mast as a mark of respect following the news of his death. He had worked at the school for almost 20 years. Other tributes expressed their profound shock and deep sadness at the death of Mr Gordon who was known as an active hiker and outdoor enthusiast. A social media post read: It was with profound shock and deep sadness we learned of the accidental death on Sunday afternoon (Dec 15th) of Mr Nigel Gordon who tragically fell from a height in the area of Murlough Bay on the north Antrim coast. Like ourselves, he loved to take pictures highlighting the beautiful scenery throughout NI and, in our early days, he shared many of his pictures to our page. We would like to pay tribute to Nigel and wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family circle. Another tribute from the Grange Corner Apprentice Boys Of Derry - Mitchelburne Club said: It is with deep regret we learn of the tragic sudden passing of our club member and friend Bro Nigel Gordon yesterday Sunday 15th December 2024. Nigel was an active member of Grange Corner and a friend to many for many years within the club. We remember his family and friends in prayer at this sad time. A post-mortem is expected to take place following Mr Gordons passing however the death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. The mother of a tragic road victim has paid tribute to her beautiful son following his death on Saturday night. The PSNI confirmed on Monday that 21-year-old David McDonald passed away at the scene of a serious collision in the Carryduff Road area of Temple in Lisburn. He had been the passenger in the car involved in a single-vehicle crash. Emergency services were called to the incident at around 7pm on December 14. A PSNI spokesperson said: Mr McDonald was a passenger in a blue Vauxhall Corsa involved in a serious collision He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers from the PSNIs Collision Investigation Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. The police said anyone with any information or dash cam footage should contact them on the non-emergency number. Mr McDonalds mother Katrina described her son as beautiful following the news of his death. Many of his friends have shared online tributes to the late Carryduff native. One friend said that Mr McDonalds memories and laughs were unmatched and they will be so missed but that he will never be forgotten. Another posted to social media, directly addressing Mr McDonald, stating: You were far too good for this world, Ill miss our conversations every day and miss you melting me look over your wee family, I love ya. As of Sunday night, Mr McDonald was the 60th person to die on Northern Irelands roads in 2024, according to official PSNI statistics. Thats just six less than the same date in 2023, and five more than the entirety of 2022. Sending condolences, Sinn Fein councillor for the Castlereagh South area Daniel Bassett said: Our thoughts are at first with Davids family, friends and everyone that knew him, at this very sad time. Mr Bassett added that Mr McDonalds death is particularly heartbreaking so close to Christmas, and noted that road accidents are especially common at this time of year, urging the public to take care when driving in dark or wet conditions. Last month, ahead of Road Safety Week (November 17-23), the charity Brake revealed that the rate of road deaths in Northern Ireland continues to be much higher than other parts of the UK. This article was amended on December 18 to remove an erroneous reference that Mr McDonald was a father. This was incorrect and we apologise for the error. Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The World Food Programme (WFP) has intensified its emergency response in Sudan, delivering food assistance to more than 800,000 people in famine-affected and at-risk areas, even as conflict continues to escalate across the country A travel-loving British student was stabbed to death on a trip to Amsterdam before he was dragged and left at the bottom of steps leading to a basement flat, an inquest has heard. Danny Castledine, 22, sustained 44 wounds near the Singel canal in the early hours of June 1 2022 after stopping in the city with a friend on the way to a music festival in Belgium. Assistant coroner Nathanael Hartley recorded a conclusion of unlawful killing at Nottingham Coroners Court on Tuesday. Danny Castledine was killed after he separated from a friend (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) He told the short inquest, which was attended by Mr Castledines parents and sister, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire: I find the medical cause of death to be multiple stab wounds. I find that the most appropriate conclusion in this case is one of unlawful killing. A Belgian national, referred to as Nongo B, was jailed for 14 years after he was found guilty of manslaughter during trial in a Dutch court in January, the court heard. Detective constable Gina Farrell of Nottinghamshire Police told the hearing: I was told Danny travelled to Amsterdam with his friend. They became separated some time after 1am in the morning. Danny walked around the city centre thereafter and he appeared to have met the person we call the defendant between 1.40am and 2.12am. Danny Castledines sister said he loved to travel (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) Danny walked with the defendant into where there appears to be a clash between Danny and the defendant. It is believed this is where he carried out the attack before he dragged him down the stairs to the basement flat. One of the hypotheses that came up is that the defendant attempted to rob Danny, but there was no evidence to substantiate that. The court was told that Mr Castledines body was discovered by a pedestrian at the bottom of the steps at around 3.30am. Mr Hartley told the inquest that Mr Castledine was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering defensive injuries and severe blood loss with a stab wound to his neck. The post-mortem examination also said the other stab wounds may have contributed to death through blood loss, the coroner told the court. Ms Farrell told the hearing a man was found in the south of Amsterdam who was disorientated and covered in blood, and was arrested and taken to a police station. A man was sentenced to 14 years for the manslaughter of Danny Castledine (Nottinghamshire Police/PA) She added that police tested the blood on the mans clothing, which matched Mr Castledines blood. Ms Farrell also told the hearing that a retrial of the defendant may take place sometime in the future. The coroner ended the hearing by telling Mr Castledines family: I want to offer my sincerest condolences, not just to yourselves but to everyone who knew Danny. He was clearly someone who made friends easily and had an impact on peoples lives. Mr Castledines sister Chloe told the inquest: He was just happy-go-lucky wanting to enjoy his life. Its a shame his life ended in the way it did in a foreign country because he loved to travel. All he wanted to do was go out and have a good time. Everyone loved him, no one had a bad word to say about him. He trusted everyone and assumed everyone was out for a good time like he was. Mr Castledines mother previously said in a statement released by police: When Danny was alive, it frustrated me that he was so laidback but now I just think, Im so glad he lived that life because he loved every minute of it. It was almost like he knew he had to pack everything into 22 years. The Scottish Government came under fire when it emerged ministers and top civil servants deleted WhatsApp messages which had been requested by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (Alamy/PA) The Scottish Government has given a clear admission that its use of WhatsApp and deletion of messages during the pandemic was wrong, the Conservatives have said. It comes after Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes announced the Government will end its use of WhatsApp and other non-official messaging applications by spring next year. The Government was criticised when it emerged ministers and top civil servants deleted WhatsApp messages which had been requested by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. As a result of a review ordered by former first minister Humza Yousaf, the use of mobile messaging apps will come to an end. On Tuesday, Ms Forbes told MSPs: One of the key questions asked in the review was around the use of mobile messaging apps such as WhatsApp. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed the move to Parliament on Tuesday (PA) The report provides a clear recommendation in this regard. We have taken the decision to end the use of mobile messaging applications across the Scottish Government. This will happen by spring 2025. Government business should happen on Government systems which are secure, searchable and allow the appropriate sharing of information, in line with our statutory duties. Scottish Government ministers and staff will not be permitted to use WhatsApp, or any other non-corporate communications channel, to conduct Government business. To give effect to this, non-corporate mobile messaging applications will, by spring, be removed from devices and our technical environment configured so that they cannot be used. She also said the Government will produce very clear guidelines on what is permitted to ensure staff follow the new rules. The Tories complained that opposition MSPs were not given enough time to read the 94-page review written by Emma Martins as it was only published a few minutes before Ms Forbess statement. Sandesh Gulhane suggested the ministerial code had been breached (Andrew Milligan/PA) Tory MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane suggested the ministerial code had been broken as the usual parliamentary protocols had been breached. He said: This statement is a clear admission by the Scottish Government that what they have been doing and what they did over the Covid pandemic was wrong. Not just the use but the pre-determined deletion of messages. (Former national clinical director) Jason Leitch said it was his pre-bedtime ritual to delete all WhatsApp messages and a senior civil servant reminded everyone that WhatsApp messages are FOI-able and to delete them. What were they hiding? We will never know. Ms Forbes said there will be robust training on the use of mobile messaging applications. Labours Daniel Johnson echoed the Conservative complaints about the late publication of the report, saying it had been written in November. In late 2023, lead counsel to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Jamie Dawson KC said most of the messages sent within the Scottish Government had been deleted. It later transpired a number of senior members of the Government, including John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon, had deleted messages, though both stressed they did not relate to Government business. Mr Leitch was also criticised for describing deleting WhatsApp messages as a pre-bed ritual, while another senior clinician warned colleagues that messages could be published under freedom of information legislation. Humza Yousaf wrote to the current First Minister to confirm his decision (PA) Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has announced he is stepping back from frontline politics and will not run for re-election as an MSP in 2026. Mr Yousaf said the time is right for me to move on after his 15-year career at Holyrood. The Glasgow Pollok MSP also insisted his choice to end the SNPs power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, a move which led to him resigning as first minister in May this year, was the correct decision. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The 39-year-old succeeded Nicola Sturgeon after she stepped down in 2023. He served as first minister for just over one year. The Greens turned against his leadership after he terminated the agreement between the two parties. With a no confidence motion looming at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Yousaf announced he would quit. He had not confirmed his intentions for the next election until now. In a letter to current First Minister John Swinney, Mr Yousaf said he will be campaigning hard for the SNP at the 2026 election but will not run himself. Mr Yousaf said he wants to make way for the next generation of MSPs (Jane Barlow/PA) He wrote: Come 2026, I will have served 15 years as an MSP, 12 of those years as a minister in the Scottish Government. The next Scottish Parliament elections in 2026 will be the right time for me to move on, to provide an opportunity for the next generation of MSPs to step forward, and to explore where I can best make a contribution in the future in helping to tackle some of the most pressing challenges our world faces. He said he hopes that by becoming the first first minister of colour, and first Muslim leader of a Western democratic nation he has inspired those from a similar background. The former first minister added: When one chapter begins to close, you often spend time reflecting on your achievements, mistakes and even regrets I have all three. However, I hope that throughout it all, I was able to treat people with kindness, courtesy and respect. Mr Swinney responded by describing Mr Yousaf as a pioneer in Scottish politics, adding: I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Yousaf also spoke to Mehdi Hassan, founder of media organisation Zeteo, about his decision to step back from frontline politics, saying ending the Bute House Agreement was the right thing to have done. In August Mr Yousaf admitted making a miscalculation by not considering the human element when he sacked the Green co-leaders from the Scottish Government. He said: My successor is no longer encumbered with that deal, (he) can make decisions in policy that he wants to take forward in our countrys interest without having to negotiate and compromise with the Greens. They can do that on an issue by issue basis, which I think is the best way to do it. Asked what he will do following his political career, Mr Yousaf spoke of his desire to contribute to conflict resolution and peacemaking around the world. Responding to Mr Yousafs announcement, Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said: Humza Yousaf will be remembered by Scots as a failed first minister. He governed in the nationalists interests, not Scotlands interests. His coalition of chaos with the Greens ended in chaos and that is why we brought forward a vote of no confidence which ultimately forced him from office. Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green co-leader, said: There were areas where we agreed and areas where we disagreed. I always believed, and he eventually came to accept, that his decision to end the co-operation agreement between our parties was a mistake. But even those events never stopped me liking and respecting Humza, and nobody could doubt his commitment to his job or to building a fairer and better Scotland. Chief constables have claimed there is a 1.3 billion funding gap for forces in England and Wales over the next two years (Nick Ansell/PA) Police forces are facing inevitable cuts with a 1.3 billion shortfall in funding over the next two years, chief constables have warned. Ministers have set out a provisional 3.5% real-terms increase in funding for forces, with a third of the total 986.9 million package depending on council taxes increasing by 14 for the average Band D house. But senior officers say the settlement means forces will have to make cuts. National Police Chiefs Council lead for finance, Chief Constable Paul Sanford, said: The funding settlement announced today presents real challenges for policing, with forces facing an estimated 1.3 billion gap in finances over the next two years. This will inevitably lead to cuts across forces. Investment in neighbourhood policing is welcome, as is the Governments ambition to support and deliver the wide-scale reform our service needs in order to better protect the public in the long term. However, by ringfencing funding for neighbourhood police officers, forces are unable to invest in other specialist areas of policing that are critical to our service. Both he and His Majestys Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke said the formula used to calculate funding levels for individual forces is unfair. Andy Cooke, His Majestys Chief Inspector of Constabulary, is former chief constable of Merseyside Police (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Mr Sanford said: Our current funding model is outdated and means that the funding announced today will not be evenly shared across forces, resulting in some forces facing significant deficits. As part of wider police reform, we have long called for a new funding model that would help forces to plan for the future and improve financial resilience. Former Merseyside Chief Constable Mr Cooke said some inner city forces with higher levels of serious crimes are left with fewer resources because housing stock is worth less in their area. He went on: The police funding formula is an anachronism. Its not been updated for a long time. What it results in, because there is such a reliance on council tax now, (is) the richer police forces get richer, the poorer police forces get poorer. So those who cant raise as much on council tax, which is usually but not in totality the inner city areas Cleveland, Merseyside, Manchester, West Midlands dont have that housing stock that pays big money. In order to address some of the issues the government would like to address in relation to knife crime, violence against women and girls, the bulk of those occur in the inner city areas where youve got less resources. There are numerous financial issues, but there have been the same issues for many years because the police funding formula hasnt been properly addressed and doesnt fairly allocate resources. Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson told MPs the settlement strikes the balance between protecting taxpayers and providing funding for police forces (Stefan Rousseau/PA) In a statement to Parliament, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said the 2025-26 settlement for forces will amount to 17.4 billion, an increase of up to 986.9 million on the current year. She said the funding settlement strikes the balance between protecting taxpayers and providing funding for police forces. The additional funding will cover the costs of the pay rises given to officers, the 230.3 million increase in employers national insurance contributions (NICs) and also pay for recruitment to help meet the Governments neighbourhood policing promises. The total amount going into policing, including the money to forces along with wider system funding will be 19.5 billion, a 1 billion increase, representing an overall 3% real terms rise. Dame Diana said: Of the 986.9 million of additional funding for police forces, I can confirm that 657.1 million of this is an increase to government grants, which includes an increase in the core grants of 339 million to ensure police forces are fully equipped to deliver our safer streets mission. This also includes 230.3 million to compensate territorial forces for the costs of the change to the employer national insurance contributions from 2025-26, and an additional 100 million to kickstart the first phase of 13,000 additional police officers, PCSOs and special constables into neighbourhood policing roles. This will provide policing with the funding required to tackle crime and keep communities safe. Police and crime commissioners have the ability to increase the precept their portion of council tax by up to 14 per household without triggering a referendum. This could generate up to 329.8 million of additional funding available to police forces compared with 2024-25, Dame Diana told MPs. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has painted a sobering picture of his forces finances (Lucy North/PA) Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was among police leaders warning of cuts to officer numbers last week. He told the London Policing Board that the force was facing a 450 million shortfall and could have to cut 2,300 officers and 400 staff. After the funding level was announced, the force released a statement to say: Whilst the government has provided additional funding for next year for which we are grateful, the gap remains significant and at this stage, we believe we will still need to make the majority of the tough choices we have planned for. We hope that the upcoming Spending Review will help fix our long-term funding issues and put us on a sustainable footing for the future. This will be hard for our dedicated officers and staff, but equally will have implications for policing London that we need to work through and communicate when the budget is finalised in the New Year. We must now work with the Mayor of London on how best to reduce our services so we live within our means, while doing our best to keep the capital safe. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp MP claimed the funding gap is equivalent to employing 3,500 officers. He said: Labour have no plan to ensure law and order in this country. They threw open the prison doors, and now they risk axing 3,500 officers from frontline duty. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmers spokesman said that the UK would not mourn the death of Russian general Igor Kirillov (Leon Neal/PA) The UK will not mourn the death of Igor Kirillov, the Russian general reportedly killed in a Ukrainian operation in Moscow, Downing Street has said. But Sir Keir Starmer would not be directly drawn into saying whether he supported Kyiv in such attacks. The senior military figure was killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in the Russian capital as he left for work. Lieutenant General Kirillov was the chief of the Russian militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces. Ukrainian officials have claimed they were responsible for carrying out the attack, which was triggered remotely and also killed his assistant. Clearly we are not going to mourn the death of an individual who has propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people, Sir Keirs official spokesman, when asked about the attack, said. The general had been sanctioned by the UK Government because of Russias war in Ukraine. Kyivs security services, the SBU, had opened a criminal investigation against him on Monday, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. Russia denies it has used such weapons during the course of the war. The SBU acknowledged it had been behind the attack and defended it, describing the general as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Government had always been clear that Ukraine has the right to self-defence against Russias illegal war. He added: As the Prime Minister said just yesterday, Russia could put an end to this conflict today. It is Russian aggression that is causing this conflict and the ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people. Investigators work at the place where Igor Kirillov, the head of Russias Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed (AP) Sir Keir is currently in Estonia for a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military coalition of several European countries, and met his Estonian counterpart ahead of the summit. Asked during the visit whether he supported Ukraine in covert attacks of Russian officials on their home soil, the Prime Minister would not directly answer. We must stand with Ukraine. I think that is a developing situation, he replied. Sir Keir added: But this mornings discussion was very clear about the strategic need for Nato to stand, as we do, with Ukraine in this critical period. The JEF summit follows Sir Keirs meeting with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen on Monday, where the pair pledged continued support for Kyiv. In what appeared to be a plea to incoming US President Donald Trump, Sir Keir has said it would be a big mistake if Ukraines allies did not continue to give it the strongest support. Mr Trump said he disagreed very vehemently with Ukraine firing US-made missiles into Russia in an interview with Time Magazine, but insisted he would not abandon Kyiv. An Australian state government has proposed new restrictions on protesters as a response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. Victoria premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue earlier this month. A week before the attack in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, protesters in the neighbouring state of New South Wales prevented worshippers from leaving a synagogue in Sydney. People gather outside the fire damaged Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne (Con Chronis/AAP Image via AP) Thats not peaceful protest. Its menacing behaviour, Ms Allan said. Antisemitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria, she added. The new laws would protect the right of people to gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation, her office added in a statement. The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the Victorian state parliament early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings. The laws would also ban protesters from flying flags and displaying symbols of groups listed by Australia as terrorist organisations. Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against capsicum spray would also be banned. Media wait outside a police cordon at a street where houses were vandalised with anti-Israel slogans (Mark Baker/AP) Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, welcomed the proposed law. Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and antisemitism and its about time, Dr Abramovich said in a statement. Victoria has drawn a line in the sand and sent a thunderous message to the hate-mongers, the graffiti cowards, the firebombers, and the social media trolls your days of terrorising our communities are over, he added. The arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 marked an escalation in targeted assaults in Australia since the war between Israel and the militant Hamas group started over a year ago in the Gaza Strip. Australian authorities have declared the Ripponlea attack a terrorist act, which increases the resources available to investigators. A federal law passed in January banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing antisemitism, and the government appointed special envoys this year to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been freed from prison in Greenland and will not be extradited to Japan, the Danish Justice Ministry and defence lawyers said. Tokyo had asked Denmark to extradite Mr Watson, who had been in custody in Greenland since his arrest earlier this year under a Japanese warrant. His foundation said he had faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with Denmark. After five months its good to be out and good to see that they are not going to send me to Japan, and so have a go-home for Christmas, Watson said in a video posted by his foundation after his release. The only hard part was that my two little boys I havent seen them since June, he added. Mr Watson, a Canadian-American citizen, is a former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high seas confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn support from celebrities and featured in the reality television series Whale Wars. Japans coastguard sought his arrest over an encounter with a Japanese whaling research ship in 2010 when he was accused of obstructing the crews official duties by ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at the whaling ship. Mr Watson was sought through an Interpol red notice, and the captain a New Zealand citizen was convicted of assault and given a suspended prison term, which allowed him to leave Japan. Japans government had asked Denmark to hand over Mr Watson so he could be tried in Japan. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. He was arrested on July 21 when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenlands capital. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free, lawyer Jonas Christoffersen said. I guess he will have some lunch or breakfast as a free man and then will find a way to get back home. Mr Christoffersen said the decision is final. The Danish Justice Ministry said in a statement that conditions for extradition were met, but it had not received adequate guarantees from Japanese authorities that the time Mr Watson had already served in custody would be counted against any sentence he would receive in Japan. He left Sea Shepherd in 2022 to set up his foundation, which alleged at the time of his arrest that the action was politically motivated and called for his release. Mr Watson was detained in Germany in 2012 on a Costa Rican extradition warrant but skipped bail after learning that he was also sought for extradition by Japan, which has accused him of endangering whalers lives during his operations in the Antarctic Ocean. He has since lived in countries including France and the US. Japan says whale meat is part of its food culture and that it supports sustainable use of the animals. Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019 and has since resumed commercial whaling in its exclusive economic zone. Israeli soldiers stand on an armoured vehicle after crossing the security fence along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered Syrian territory on Tuesday during a security tour of the buffer zone seized by Israel in the days since the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. It was apparently the first time a sitting Israeli leader had entered Syrian territory. Israel seized a swathe of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone, in the days after Mr Assad was ousted by rebels. Israel still controls the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognised by most of the international community. An Israeli air force Black Hawk helicopter flies over Mount Hermon, near the border with Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP) Mr Netanyau and defence minister Israel Katz visited the snow-dusted summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the area, which is located inside Syrian territory. Mr Katz added that Israel will maintain a presence in the Syrian buffer zone for as long as is required and had instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. The summit of the Hermon is the eyes of the state of Israel to identify our enemies who are nearby and far away, Mr Katz said. Israeli forces were moving to control a roughly 155-square-mile demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the UN. after the 1973 Middle East war. A UN force of about 1,100 troops has patrolled the area since then. Mount Hermon is divided between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria. Only the United States recognises Israels control of the Golan Heights. A family leave the shelter after the shooting (Morry Gash/AP) 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. 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. 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. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content As difficult as today is, thats still someones child thats gone, the chief said. 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. 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. 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 San Francisco jury on Tuesday found a tech consultant guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, which carries a sentence of 16 years to life. Jurors took seven days to deliver their verdict against Nima Momeni in the April 4 2023 death of Mr Lee, a well-known tech mogul who was found staggering on a deserted downtown street, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. Mr Lee, 43, later died in hospital. We think justice was done here today, the victims brother, Tim Oliver Lee, told reporters. What matters today is that we had a guilty verdict and Nima Momeni is going away for a very long time. Tim Oliver Lee, the brother of Bob Lee, said justice had been done (Benjamin Fanjoy/AP) Prosecutors said Momeni planned the attack on Mr Lee, driving him to an isolated spot under the Bay Bridge and stabbing him three times with a knife he took from his sisters kitchen. They said Momeni was angry with Mr Lee for introducing his younger sister to a drug dealer she said gave her GHB and other drugs and then sexually assaulted her. But Momeni testified on the stand that Mr Lee was the one who attacked him with a knife, angry after the tech consultant chided him about spending more time with his family instead of searching for a strip club that night. Momeni, who studies martial arts, claimed self-defence and said he did not realise he had fatally wounded Mr Lee or that he was even hurt. The case has drawn national attention, partly given Mr Lees status in the tech world. San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins said the verdict showed that the killing was a targeted crime and not an example of random lawlessness in the city. We are a city committed to accountability, we are a city committed to public safety, Ms Jenkins told reporters after the hearing. Momeni, 40, has been in custody since his arrest in April 2023, when he was charged with murder in the first degree. Mr Lee had created mobile payment service Cash App and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin when he died. He had moved to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife, Krista Lee, lives with their two children. Three people were killed, and six others were injured Monday after a suspect opened fire at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. The shooting happened at the Abundant Life Christian School mid-Monday morning, just days before the Christmas vacation. The school is nondenominational and is believed to have 390 students from kindergarten through high school. Officers responded to the school around 11 a.m. following reports of an active shooter. Police said the shooting was confined to one space at the school but did not give any other information on whether it happened in a classroom or a hallway. Who Is the Suspected Shooter? The name and the age of the shooter have not been released by police. A law enforcement official briefed on the shooting incident told CNN that the shooter was female and that she was a teenage student at Abundant Life. The suspected shooter was among the three dead. Officers said they did not fire their weapons and that the shooter was dead by the time they arrived at the school. The suspected shooter's motivation is still under investigation. Police officers have been in contact with her family, who is said to be cooperating with police. Police have also recovered a 9mm pistol at the scene. Who Were the Victims? Police have not yet publicly identified the victims but said the other two who were killed were a teacher and another teen. The six injured victims were students---two of whom were in critical condition as of Monday afternoon after sustaining life-threatening injuries, CBS News reported, citing Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes. How Many School Shootings Happened So Far This Year? A CNN tally showed the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School to be the 83rd school shooting this year. That is the highest number of school shootings since CNN began tracking such shootings in 2008. School shootings have been increasing since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, with 73 shootings in 2021, 79 in 2022, and 82 last year. In comparison, the number of such shooting incidents fell to 22 in 2020. A total of 487 people have now died of mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Emergency services at the scene of the shooting An unidentified juvenile shooter has killed at least two people and injured six others at a private school in Madison, Wisconsin. The gunman also died, police said. The shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian School around 11am. The suspected shooter is believed to be a juvenile student at the K-12 (kindergarten to grade 12 for 17-18 year-olds) school, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said on Monday afternoon. At least six people have been taken to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Im asking everyone to send your heartfelt wishes and prayers, and thoughts, yet again, to a community but this time its my community, Barnes told reporters. There is no longer a threat to the area, officials said. 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. They found the person responsible who was down, deceased, he 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. Emergency services at the scene of the shooting Read more Three dead in shooting at US school Police have yet to reveal the suspected juvenile shooters name, exact age or any other identifying details. Mr Barnes revealed the suspected shooter is believed to have attended Abundant Life Christian School. The private school, founded in 1978, has roughly 400 students. The non-denominational 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. Police have yet to release any details on the two people killed and others injured in the Monday morning shooting. 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, Mr Barnes told reporters. 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. 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. The Pownal Select Board wants to apply for state assistance to help prepare this PFAS-contaminated parcel at the corner of Route 7 and Center Street in Pownal for reuse. However, a snag in the process has put the plan on hold. A Minnesota couple who locked their children in cages for "their safety" has been sentenced to four years in prison. Benjamin Cotton, 42, and Christina Cotton, 40, pleaded guilty to torturing their child after they were discovered keeping their kids in makeshift cages every night. When they spoke with cops, Benjamin and Christina insisted they locked their kids up for "safety" reasons. As part of pleading guilty to child torture, the court dismissed the other charges against them. These charges included two counts of torture, seven counts of neglect, and seven counts of malicious punishment, according to KSTP. How Was the Abuse Discovered? Per the criminal complaint, officials at the Goodhue County Health and Human Services received a complaint about the four young children in the Cotton household, whose ages ranged between 2 and 9. The caller, who was not identified in the complaint, noted that Christina had been displaying "erratic behavior" and that the children were subjected to extreme forms of punishment, including being locked in cages, as reported by CBS News, which obtained a copy of the complaint. An investigator and a social worker visited the Cotton household the next day, where Christina admitted to locking their children in cages for "safety." Investigators also went around the home, where they found a two-year-old who was locked inside an enclosed playpen. The child was notably wearing a soiled diaper that had been secured around his body with duct tape. Next to the playpen was a small bunk bed with wooden planks and a sliding metal lock. Inside were a five-year-old and a seven-year-old, both of whom were unable to stand. The seven-year-old also had his hands taped behind his back. Other Signs of Child Abuse The last child, a nine-year-old, was found downstairs. Investigators said the child was not inside a cage. However, the nine-year-old displayed "excessive bruising." A further investigation revealed the three other children also had bruising on their bodies, per the Post Bulletin. "The treating doctor opined that all of the bruising documented on the children was consistent with being forcibly stuck with an object such as a belt," cops wrote in the report. Eagle Archives, March 13, 1957: Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wynne brought their family of three from Leeds, England, to Pittsfield in 1951, looking for security from nuclear fission and greater opportunity for their children. Six years later, they're not sure about the security; they are about the opportunity. There are five people in our family; each person picks a verse and shares it. It doesnt have to be Scripture that speaks specifically to Advent or the Christmas story, but one that helps us to stay focused on Christ. Choosing one verse allows us to focus our energy and is manageable, guaranteeing we will stick with it throughout the month. I read an article last year about a family who decided to go without presents and Christmas celebrations and opted instead to purchase gifts and serve others during the holiday season. Many people will pluck an angel from a tree with a childs wish list, plop some change into a red bucket, or place a toy or toy in a box this Christmas. Others might adopt a child from a school, fill a familys Christmas needs, or serve a meal at a local shelter. But at what cost to us? What was so unique and awe-inspiring to me was that this family didnt give their time and money out of abundance but sacrificed their Christmas for others. Its terrific for us to help those in need, especially during the holiday season, but how often do I give because I know that my wants and desires will still be met? For me, this tends to be the case. I am not as eager when I have to give at a cost to me. My family has not chosen to follow the path of the one above, but I hope that eventually, we can get there, at least some version of forgoing gifts or giving up our Christmas mornings to serve others. When we think about ways we sacrifice for those around us to meet the physical needs of our communities, we cant think about Jesus, and He meets our spiritual needs. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we, undeserving sinners, can have eternal life. Salvation is a gift to us, but it cost Jesus His life. Keeping this at the forefront of our thoughts and hiding this truth deep in our hearts will drive us to keep Christ at the center of Christmas all year round. Photo credit: GettyImages/maximkabb Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her recent book, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, explores how the timeless truths of Ecclesiastes help us live more peaceful, purposeful, and plentiful lives today. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. New acquisition expands MilliporeSigmas 2D and 3D cell culture portfolio December 17, 2024 | Tuesday | News MilliporeSigma to acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V., advancing next generation biology portfolio MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has announced that the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has signed a definitive agreement with the intention to acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB). Organoids are cell culture models that functionally resemble an organ. They have the potential to speed up drug development, improve understanding of disease treatment in diverse populations, and reduce the industrys reliance on animal testing. HUB is a pioneer in the field of organoids. The company is based in Utrecht, Netherlands and employs some 70 people. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close at the end of December 2024. HUB possesses the foundational patent portfolio on organoids and has a service offering ranging from new model generation to assay development and high-throughput screening. This adds to and enhances Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germanys Life Science business portfolio of cell culture reagents, tools and benchtop instruments for academia, biotech, and pharma customers. HUBs technology enables drug developers to identify and validate potential clinical candidates in a patient-relevant in vitro system, closing the gap between the lab and clinical trials. The use of organoids may allow researchers to limit their reliance on animal testing by reducing stages in the R&D process, positively contributing to more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Organoids also create opportunities for genetically diverse populations to be reflected in research. They allow scientists to better understand drug interactions in patient populations that are underrepresented in clinical trials. Dr Raghavan Varadarajan wins Tata Transformation Prize of Rs 2 Cr for RSV vaccine development December 17, 2024 | Tuesday | News Tata Transformation Prize aims to identify and support visionary scientists in India Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD., from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru has won the Tata Transformation Prize in the healthcare category. Dr Varadarajan is working to develop a cost-effective Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine that will allow for greater access to wide-spread deployment of vaccination programmes. His scientific advances will surmount the challenges that have hindered RSV vaccine development for decades and will provide broad, longer-lasting protection against RSV infection. The Tata Group and The New York Academy of Sciences honoured the 2024 Tata Transformation Prize winners at an award ceremony and dinner at Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Launched in 2023, the Tata Transformation Prize aims to identify and support visionary scientists in India who are developing breakthrough technologies that address Indias most significant societal challenges in Food Security, Sustainability, and Healthcare. The 2024 Tata Transformation Prize Winners were selected from 169 entries from 18 Indian states by an international jury of leading experts. Intending to drive impactful innovation and scale-up implementation of high-reward research, each Winner received Rs 2 crore (approximately $240,000) in prize money and was honoured with a Tata Transformation Prize medal at the ceremony. C. Anandharamakrishnan , PhD, from CSIR - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology won in the Food Security category; while Amartya Mukhopadhyay, DPhil, from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay won in the sustainability category. Image caption- (L-R) N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Dr Raghavan Varadarajan, PhD, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Former Chief Scientist of the WHO A Virginia high school teacher has come under fire for the way she chose to impart a lesson about slavery to her students. During a lesson that focused on the invention of products such as cotton and gin, and how closely the production of these products was tied to slavery, the Loudoun County teacher passed around a sample of cotton for students to hold. Many students at Riverside High School in Virginia were upset by the Dec. 5 lesson, relaying the events of the lesson to their parents, reported WTOP News. Some familiar with the situation clarified that the content of the lesson was not the sole issue people took with it, but the following reaction from both students and the teacher. "The kids then [began] joking about Black people being enslaved, and it was just humiliating and deeply embarrassing for the kids," Michelle Thomas, a pastor and the president of the county's NAACP chapter, told WUSA9. The teacher's response to this misbehavior was "inappropriate" and amounted to "no response," Thomas continued. "Lessons of this nature may cause students to feel any number of emotions," said Principal Doug Andersen in correspondence sent to parents on Friday. "Some students in the class may have used the situation as a way to act in an insensitive manner," he continued. "This is not what we are trying to accomplish in our classrooms and we will endeavor to do better," Andersen wrote. "Every individual is valued in Loudoun County Public Schools." While Andersen sent out the letter on Thursday, he "accidentally only sent it to students," meaning parents received it on Friday. "It was a poor demonstration. If she was going to demonstrate swastikas, she wouldn't bring in a sticker. I'm not bringing in the Klan hood; I'm not bringing in, you know, the robe of the Klansman," Thomas said. "So the demonstration was of poor taste and judgement, and was culturally insensitive," Thomas continued The Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and the Division of Teaching and Learning within Loudoun County Public Schools are now planning to collaborate and hence "develop further guidance" to assess how historical lessons and other situations could be linked to trauma. LCPS acknowledged that parents were not notified before the Dec. 5 lesson, and that they are to be notified before their children enter any lesson with topic material that sensitive. Originally published by Latin Times. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. (L. to r.) Barry Logan, Jennifer Pye, Frank Goodyear The codirector of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art was talking at the opening of the museums latest exhibition, Art, Ecology, and the Resilience of a Maine Island: The Monhegan Wildlands. The show, which runs until June 1 in the museums Halford Gallery and the Bernard and Barbro Osher Gallery, examines ecological change on the island of Monhegan off the Maine coast and how that change has been represented through artwork, historical documents, and other artifacts. The exhibition has been cocurated by Goodyear, Samuel S. Butcher Professor in the Natural Sciences Barry Logan, and Jennifer Pye, who directs the Monhegan Museum of Art and History. It features a wide range of artwork, including pieces by modernist painters Rockwell Kent and Edward Hopper, maps dating back to the early seventeenth century, and Indigenous artifacts such as bone harpoon points. It's really exciting to bring together biology, history, and art history to tell the story of the changing landscape on Monhegan over really quite a broad avenue of time, added Goodyear. Located ten miles offshorenorth of Portland and south of RocklandMonhegan Island is less than a square mile in size, with a year-round population of only around sixty residents. However, note the curators, it is the islands small scale that has enabled close study by artists and scientists alike, revealing in intimate detail the changes in the ecology of the forest landscape. Read more. Generous funding support for the exhibition has been provided by the Wyeth Foundation for American Art, Peter J. Grua 76 and Mary G. OConnell 76, the Elizabeth B.G. Hamlin Fund, and the Stevens L. Frost Endowment Fund. Seven ministries launch joint plan to drive retail industry upgrade amid efforts to boost consumption 09:03, December 17, 2024 By Yin Yeping ( Global Times China launched a joint plan on Monday to drive retail industry innovation upgrade in the latest efforts to boost domestic consumption, according to a notice released on the official website of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). The plan, rolled out by seven ministries including MOFCOM, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Culture and Tourism, vows to improve the long-term mechanism for consumption expansion among other mechanisms, according to the notice. According to the plan, the nation will initially establish a modern retail system by 2029, featuring rich supply, balanced distribution, diverse channels, high-quality services, smart convenience, and low carbon emissions. To achieve this goal, efforts will be made including designating a group of pilot cities for retail innovation upgrades each year, renovating a number of existing retail facilities, and promoting a selection of well-established successful cases, it said. The release of this notice reflects the country's current rising focus on consumption, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that promoting consumption growth has been a long-standing effort, and "now the aim is to continue driving it effectively." "This time, the focus is on strengthening and improving areas that have been relatively weak in the past, such as innovation," Zhou noted. Monday's plan consists of five areas to boost the retail sector, including promoting scenario-based transformations such as developing the "first-release economy." Additionally, the plan includes enhancing quality supply by focusing on the consumer-oriented product offerings, and improving service experiences. Other key areas for retail development include driving digital empowerment, fostering diversified innovation, and upgrading the supply chain. An official with MOFCOM said on Monday that the retail industry is crucial to the nation's economy and people's livelihoods, stressing that the retail industry is a key link in the trade and circulation system. The plan is made with an effort to thoroughly implement the spirit of top meetings such as the Central Economic Work Conference held last week that chart the course for the nation's economic development. Zhou said that the plan comes at a critical moment and sends a strong signal to the market that "China intends to treat consumption stimulation as a systemic policy, promoting coordination among various related policies to create a unified force." In recent years, the overall development of China's retail industry has remained positive, with a steady growth in scale. From 2021 to 2023, the annual year-on-year growth rate of total retail sales of consumer goods was 6.0 percent, according to the MOFCOM. The latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday also shows a continuous positive trend, with the total retail sales of consumer goods reaching 44.27 trillion yuan ($6.08 trillion), a year-on-year increase of 3.5 percent in the first 11 months of 2024. Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that the plan provides clear direction for the future development of the retail industry. In the future, more policies are needed to support the development of the retail sector, such as tax incentives and special subsidies, to create a better environment for retail businesses to thrive, Wang said. "With government guidance and support, retail businesses should actively respond to challenges such as weak consumption, and achieve high-quality development through innovation and transformation," Wang added. 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That is according to new accounts for TikTok Technology Ltd, which show that the company continued to ramp up its operations here last year as revenues increased by 87 per cent from $349.96 million (333.75 million) to $654.67 million (624.34 million). Advertisement The $1 billion pre-tax loss follows TikTok Technology Ltd recording a pre-tax profit of $11.87 million (11.32 million) in 2022. The Dublin-based business provides services related to content moderation, data controlling of TikTok in Europe and sales, marketing and routine support to other TikTok entities. In the US currently, TikTok is making last-ditch effort to continue operating there, 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 January 19th or face a ban. The new accounts for the Irish unit show that numbers employed by the company last year increased by 289 from 2,631 to 2,920 as the companys activities "continued to grow throughout 2023. Advertisement The companys staff costs bill last year increased from $195.09 million to $229.47 million that included $9.1 million in share based payments. The directors state that the company has performed in line with expectations. In the year under review, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DCP) imposed a 345 million fine on TikTok Technology in relation to its processing of personal data relating to child users of the platform and TikTok Technology has since appealed the fine. Now in a note concerning the $1 billion provision for potential fines from regulatory investigations and legal proceedings, a note states that the company is involved in legal proceedings including regulatory investigations and litigation proceedings. Advertisement The note states that the company records a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The note states that due to the nature of these proceedings and investigations, the ultimate outcome and timing is inherently uncertain. The note cautions that the amount of any final liability is uncertain and the liability could differ from the amount provided. Staff numbers at the Irish unit were made up of 2,172 in operation and administration and 748 in sales and marketing. Pay to directors increased from $559,000 to $608,000. Advertisement In September of this year, TikTok pulled back from its plan to locate hundreds of its employees in offices at the Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublins south docklands. This followed a company decision to bring all of the companys Dublin-based staff together at its European headquarters in the Sorting Office on nearby Cardiff Lane. Ireland An Post staff member under investigation for alleg... Read More The new accounts show that operating lease charges last year increased from $30.56 million to $38.22 million. The $1 billion loss for last year resulted in the company having accumulated losses of $982.73 million at the end of 2023. The company had a shareholders deficit of $982.73 million. On the risks and uncertainties facing the company, the directors state that under the heading of compliance risk that the group undertakings remain steadfastly committed to ensuring there are robust mechanisms in place to protect the privacy and safety of their users. The firm recorded a post tax loss of $1.006 billion after paying corporation tax of $3.7 million. Ryanair has denied price gouging and instead blamed the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as the reason behind high prices for flights this Christmas. Some seats on services from the UK to Ireland later this week and early next week are costing more than 600. Advertisement Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary denied profiteering and said passengers who have to pay expensive fares can blame the outgoing Minister for Climate, Eamon Ryan. "All of this was entirely avoidable if Eamon Ryan had simply sent a letter to the IAA [Irish Aviation Authority] to suspend his ludicrous traffic cap at Dublin Airport," he told Newstalk radio. The airline boss said huge demand during the Christmas period meant that prices across airlines and routes would rise. "We know there's the annual pilgrimage home at Christmas. We know there's hundreds of thousands people coming home, but there are 220,000 fewer seats. And therefore it is inevitable that if you have smaller supply, huge demand, prices across the piece will rise, and the highest prices will also rise. And all of this was sadly avoidable." Advertisement Earlier this year Mr O'Leary claimed that Government ministers had "cancelled" Christmas due to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, and predicted that airline fares would hit 500 in the last two weeks of December. Ireland Holyhead closure causing 'massive problems' during... Read More Meanwhile, the closure of Holyhead Port due to damage from Storm Darragh could see ferry services cancelled until after Christmas. This might result in 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 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. The father of jailed teacher Enoch Burke has been imprisoned for two months for attacking a female garda in the Court of Appeal (CoA) after rejecting the chance of a suspended sentence on Tuesday. However, his daughter Ammi was cleared of obstructing another male garda during the same incident. Advertisement Sean Burke, who is in his 60s, denied assaulting Garda Victoria Fisher in the Four Courts on March 7th last year, when his wife Martina was escorted from a hearing for shouting at judges. Garda Fisher was grabbed, knocked down and hit a radiator, resulting in bruising. Even though he had been spared a criminal record, Burke unsuccessfully attempted to quash the guilty verdict delivered in May in the District Court, which gave him the Probation of Offenders Act. However, following a three-day District Court Appeals hearing, Judge Ronan Munro convicted him on Tuesday. Advertisement He referred to the uncontested evidence that Burke shouted at gardai to leave his wife alone, and he did not accept that knocking the garda down was accidental. Judge Munro held that there was an intentional application of force by Sean Burke. The offence carries a maximum six-month sentence and 1,500 fine. Judge Munro imposed a two-month sentence; however, noting Burke's lack of prior convictions, he said he would suspend it on condition the accused keep the peace and be of good behaviour for one year. However, Sean Burke, who said he felt demeaned during the hearing, refused to sign the peace bond at which the judge ordered that he would serve the sentence. Advertisement Burke, who had represented himself and did not accept the verdict, shook hands with and hugged his son, Dr Isaac Burke, before being led into custody. In his ruling, Judge Munro rejected arguments that the gardai dealing with the courtroom "chaos" had no legal authority to remove them. He said the officers had a duty to restore order following several interruptions by members of the Burke family of the CoA judges, who rose twice after shouts that they were "bowing before the altar of transgenderism". Judge Munro said: "Members of the public, including visiting schoolchildren, were forced to witness those scenes in a court of law, which I regard as offensive scenes". Advertisement Ammi Burke (33) won her appeal. A qualified solicitor, she had earlier been fined 400 and convicted of obstructing a garda by putting her hand on him for a few seconds as he helped arrest her brother Simeon Burke (25), who was brought "flailing" from the CoA courtroom. On Tuesday, she succeeded in her appeal because Judge Munro had a reasonable doubt that she had directly obstructed the arrest of her brother Simeon, given the fast-moving situation. After being cleared, Ammi Burke had to be escorted from the remainder of the proceedings because she interrupted Judge Munro as he went on to deliver his decision in her father's case. The arrests happened when Enoch Burke was involved in a legal dispute before the CoA over transgenderism and his sacking by Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Advertisement Judge Munro heard that the CoA had delivered a ruling telling Enoch Burke that the action taken by the school against him was not about transgenderism. He noted from the audio recording of the hearing that the court rose twice, and the three CoA judges left the bench following interruptions or shouting from the Burkes, of Cloonsunna, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Mr Justice George Birmingham had warned them to be quiet, or they would be removed. He returned and said if there were further disruptions, the judgment would be delivered electronically instead. Judge Munro noted that Mr Justice Birmingham warned them eight to 10 times, and when the judges left the second time, the Burkes stayed in the court. Gardai removed Ammi Burke to calm her down, and then Simeon, who was holding onto benches, before bringing their mother, Martina Burke, out. A bench was knocked over. Sean and Ammi Burke argued that they should not have been charged because there was no order or legal power to remove them from the court, which the prosecution disputed. Ammi Burke put her hand on a male garda's arm for a few seconds while he was carrying Simeon out to the front of the building, and she contended that she did not mount to wilful obstruction. The court heard gardai were being called a disgrace and told to go Tallaght, and one officer was told, "You are not in China now" by members of the Burke group. In evidence, Sean Burke said he had respect for gardai and the courts, but he was shocked at a remark made by the CoA judge that Enoch had been talking in "soundbites" or that the proceedings were not about transgenderism. He said his family "raised an objection, we spoke and objected to this," adding that he had affirmed the objection. Mr Burke asserted that it was not a normal situation and "the country knows, the world knows it is about transgenderism". He said he was concerned when his wife was removed from the courtroom and went after her, but it was in a narrow, congested aisle, and he did not see Garda Fisher due to the height disparity between them. Garda Fisher had told the court that he put his hand on her and knocked her down against a radiator, causing bruising and pain. Other gardai also told Judge Munro they witnessed Mr Burke knocking her down. Ireland Christmas travel: Ryanair denies price gouging as... Read More Mr Burke said he never saw her and had no recollection of her being there. He referred to the CCTV evidence emerging from the courtroom seconds after him. He rejected the assault allegation outright and said that he would not consciously treat a garda like that, and if it happened, it was "completely accidental and unknown to me", and he felt it was wrong that the prosecution had been brought against him. Emer Ni Chuagain BL, prosecuting, had put it to him that he remembered other things and was "selective", which he disputed. Simeon Burke, now a qualified barrister, had been prosecuted for a Public Order Act offence for using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in the court. He was initially convicted in the District Court but had the verdict overturned on appeal earlier this year. A Belfast High Court judge has ordered the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown. Mr Justice Michael Humphreys said there is a clear and unambiguous obligation on the British state to carry out an investigation into Mr Browns death. Advertisement In September, the British government said it would not order a public inquiry into the abduction and killing of the 61-year-old as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Derry in May 1997. No-one has ever been convicted of his murder. His widow, Bridie, brought judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of the decision by the Northern Ireland Secretary not to hold an inquiry. Lawyers for Mrs Brown argued that there is an obligation on the State to carry out an effective investigation into the death of her husband under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Humphreys told the court in Belfast: Ive concluded that there is a clear and unambiguous obligation on the State to carry out an Article 2 compliant investigation. Advertisement No viable alternative to a public inquiry has been advanced. In these circumstances, there can be only one lawful answer, a public inquiry must be convened to satisfy the States Article 2 obligation. The breach of duty in the circumstances of this case, bearing in mind the rule of law, is such as the call for the grant of mandatory relief to compel the State to fulfil its clear legal duty. I accept that this is an unusual and exceptional course to take. However, it is fully justified on the facts of this case and on a proper application of legal principle. The features I have set out clearly bring this case into the realm of the exceptional. Advertisement I therefore make an order of mandamus compelling the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) to cause a public inquiry to be held under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the death of Sean Brown on the 12th of May, 1997. The family of Sean Brown including daughter Clare Loughran, widow Bridie Brown and son Sean Brown, outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast, in March. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Mr Brown, who was the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club, was locking the gates to the training ground when he was ambushed by loyalist paramilitaries. He was abducted, beaten and shot six times in the head. His body was found next to a burning car. Speaking outside court, his daughter, Siobhan Brown, said the family are delighted with the courts decision. Advertisement Its great news for us as a family. Weve waited 27 years for this. Unfortunately, we have waited this length of time to be in this position. We are delighted he has made this decision, she said. Two High Court judges have ruled that we should have a public inquiry and we are entirely grateful for that decision. She called on the Northern Secretary to obey the ruling of the court. Do the right thing and (do) not appeal this decision and for us to get the justice we deserve for our father, she added. Advertisement The familys solicitor Niall Murphy said it is an exceptional judgment. Its legal history in one sense insofar as it is the first time the High Court has directed, by order of mandamus, that the government convene a public inquiry, Mr Murphy said. The reason the court took that exceptional step is because of the exceptional egregious actions of the police and thereafter the secretary of state in the 27 years since. Had the organisations, which had responsibility, did what they were charged with, had they investigated the case properly, had they pursued prosecutions and convictions, this family would not have to wait for 27 years. However, the agencies of the State put their face against the interests of justice and frustrated access to justice for this family and today is the inevitable consequences of that. Ireland Police surveillance operation to unmask journalist... Read More Earlier this year, a coroner said his ability to examine the death of Mr Brown had been compromised by the extent of confidential State material being excluded from the proceedings on national security grounds. Preliminary inquest proceedings had already heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several State agents. It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning. The closure of Holyhead Port is causing "massive problems" as it is responsible for 60 per cent of the freight into Ireland, according to the chief executive of Tranzaura, a Limerick-based transport technology company. Shane Mann said: "You take 60 per cent out of any system, and it causes massive problems. Advertisement Given the time of year, trying to find that extra capacity to solve the problem is a huge challenge. There has been huge concern for companies and postal services as the backlog of shipping poses a big challenge in the run-up to Christmas following the damages caused at Holyhead during Storm Darragh. The resolution of this crisis will require coordinated efforts across the supply chain to restore stability and ensure Irelands critical imports keep moving," Mann said. Probably one of the bigger issues right now is freight trailers being stuck [in Holyhead] without trucks to draw them out. Finding trucks and finding drivers to go into Holyhead, collect those trailers and bring them back out to move them to other ports is the big challenge." Advertisement "If any industry can overcome the challenge, it's the logistics industry. They've dealt with other serious supply chain problems during Covid, but this particular issue brings its own unique problems because it's happening right in the middle of the Christmas rush." 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. Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Monday the seriousness of the damage was becoming more apparent as the days go by. Advertisement The Welsh secretary for transport Ken Skates said the position of Holyhead port should be known later this week. In the meantime, contingency plans are being rolled out where identifying collectively the operators of the ferries and the ports across the UK. We're identifying as much spare capacity as possible, be able to utilise other ports to get ferries to and from Ireland, he told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday. Mr Skates acknowledged there had been uncertainty about the reopening of the port. This led to speculation about the reopening date of the port and if it could happen before Christmas. That's why it's absolutely vital that we get that certainty within the next 24 hours. As to whether it will or will not. Now, I understand that investigations are ongoing. There are divers under the water on a very regular basis assessing the damage. But within the next 24 hours, we will have certainty and we'll be able to then implement very, very significant plans to be able to get as many people and goods to Ireland as soon as possible. Advertisement Mr Skates added that he had been communicating on a daily basis with Minister of State James Lawless on the issue, not just with each other, but with the ferry companies and the port operators. Everybody is doing the utmost to get goods and people to Ireland before Christmas. We're identifying as many opportunities to provide additional ferry services from other ports to minimise the disruption and to get as many people and as many goods to Ireland before Christmas as we possibly can. Mr Skates said that the Welsh government had set up a taskforce to examine how best they could provide opportunities for people to get back to Ireland in time for Christmas. Advertisement We believe that the figure is around about 100,000 people that return to Ireland at Christmas time. So the number is significant and we're doing our utmost to identify not just ferries but flights as well. And I would say that it's absolutely vital at this time of year that the airplane operators show and to signal to people who are in need and to get back to Ireland for Christmas. And it's not helpful when fares rise astronomically. So I'd appeal to those airlines not to increase fares given the severity of the situation. Ireland An Post guarantees delivery of 50,000 parcels in t... Read More I think it'd be very helpful if they could be part of the solution and in the most sympathetic way. I'm sure they will listen and decide to respond accordingly in a sympathetic way. We'll wait to see. But I do hope that they will take this matter with the utmost seriousness and help passengers get back to Ireland for Christmas. My hope is that we will be able to secure arrangements where people will be able to use alternative means of travel with their existing tickets. It's absolutely vital that we make this process as seamless and as painless as we possibly can. All of us, for the people who are looking to return to Ireland and for people who are looking to get their gifts in time for Christmas. So it's vitally important that everybody works together. And that's the message that we've been expressing collectively, myself and Minister Lawless, on ferry operators, on transport, other transport operators and on the ports. Over 629 patients, including 24 children were being treated on trolleys, chairs, and in other inappropriate bed spaces in Irish hospitals on Tuesday morning. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said that resolving the ongoing hospital overcrowding crisis must be a priority in government formation talks, as a "pre-Christmas surge" gets underway. Advertisement 99 admitted patients were waiting for beds at University Hospital Limerick, 77 were waiting at Cork University Hospital, and 49 were waiting at University Hospital Galway. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: We are seeing yet another pre-Christmas surge in the number of people who are being admitted to hospitals without a bed. Ireland Holyhead closure causing 'massive problems' during... Read More "Dangerous levels of overcrowding are not just confined to a couple of sites, we are seeing high levels of patients on trolleys in most hospitals. "This is an indicator of the difficult weeks that lay ahead for patients and nurses and midwives who want to provide safe care in our hospitals." Ni Sheaghdha said the same problems are faced in Irish hospitals each year with "no long-term solutions offered to ending the ongoing, year-round overcrowding crisis in our hospitals". "As government formation talks continue ensuring that our hospitals are safe from a staffing and capacity perspective must be a priority for all engaged in negotiations." A man has been charged in connection with the serious assault of two off-duty gardai in Dublin. The man, aged in his 30s, is due in court on Tuesday morning following the attack over the weekend. Advertisement The two off-duty officers had been on a night out in the city when they were assaulted in an unprovoked attack. The assault happened at the junction of Dame Street and Eustace Street in the early hours of Saturday morning. One of the officers was later discharged from hospital. However, his colleague remains in critical condition in Beaumont Hospital. It is understood they are both members of the Armed Support Unit. Two men in their 30s were arrested following the attack. One has now been charged and is due in Dublin District Court on Tuesday morning while the second remains in custody. The parents of a young girl who was seriously injured in a stabbing on Parnell Square in Dublin last year have said their little girl is now on her third week at home and that Christmas will be special this year. The girl, aged five at the time of the November 23rd attack, was critically injured and spent most of a year at Temple Street Childrens Hospital before being released. Advertisement The family have been sharing updates on a GoFundMe page, set up following the incident and which has raised over 121,000. In their most recent update, her parents revealed that their daughter is already used to sleeping in her bed every day, and that they now understand how much having a routine helps with her development. They continued: She is becoming accustomed to being in her stander, playing with her toys, and announcing when something is not okay. Her parents highlighted how important it is for her to feel that they understand her sounds and looks and that they have managed to put together some activities which are manageable given her home environment. Advertisement Christmas will be special this year, they added. Her parents last month explained they strongly believe that, despite medical assessments and reports, she understands everything we say to her. They continued: She, like most six-year-olds, chooses what she wishes to acknowledge. We are on the home stretch for home. We get to make our schedule and allow your pace to dictate activities. 2025 will be a brand new experience, another one we will also have to adapt to. Advertisement Ireland An Post staff member under investigation for alleg... Read More She has made great progress, and we don't wish her to stop. Only time will truly tell. Some people with acquired brain injuries have still shown change and improvement up to 10 years later. We've got time. It is a lot to take in, for all of those involved, the children, the parents, the school staff. I would like to thank everyone for the love and support over these 12 months. Hug your loved ones extra tight. The multiple stabbings outside Colaiste Mhuire on Parnell Square left two other young children and a carer injured. Riad Bouchaker (50) is currently before the courts charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of producing and possessing a kitchen knife, three counts of assault causing harm and one of assault causing serious harm. Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Ceann Comhairle vote The Dail sits on Wednesday and the vote on who will be the next Ceann Comhairle will be the main business of the day. Advertisement The Regional Group of Independents nominee for Ceann Comhairle is Verona Murphy, and it looks like Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will back her for the role. Fianna Fail TDs have agreed to endorse Ms Murphy following a recommendation from party leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin. Fine Gael are meeting later this evening, but their endorsement seems all but certain as Taoiseach Simon Harris has also indicated he will back Ms Murphy. Other candidates include two-term Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail, Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness and Sinn Fein TD Aengus O Snodaigh. Advertisement Mr O Fearghail has been very critical of the decision to back Ms Murphy from his party and Fine Gael. Mr O Fearghail said the role shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip in government formation talks. "These positions are, if you like, outside the remit of party politics. Therefore, for 0the membership of the Dail in its totality to decide upon." He added: "They're the reforms that were introduced by [former taoiseach] Enda Kenny, they're the reforms that have been built on in the meantime, and we shouldn't be going back on them. In fact, there are far more reforms that we need to enact in order to modernise Dail Eireann." Advertisement If all 48 Fianna Fail TDs, 38 Fine Gael TDs and the nine Independents support Ms Murphy, she is all but certain to succeed. Every TD gets a vote, however, it is conducted by secret ballot. This means it is the first big test of the potential Fianna Fail/Fine Gael/Regional Independents coalition. If Ms Murphy is named Ceann Comhairle, that seems all but certain. If there is a hitch in the process, all bets are off. Advertisement Who are the Regional Independents? The Regional Independent Group is made up of Michael Lowry, Sean Canney, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, Noel Grealish, Marian Harkin, Barry Heneghan, Gillian Toole and Verona Murphy. They have indicated they are open to joining government, and Ms Murphy's nomination would further the process. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have continued speaking with the Labour Party and Social Democrats, but the option of a government involving either of the left leaning parties now seems remote. What happens after the Ceann Comhairle vote? The new Ceann Comahairle will make remarks, before the Taoiseach and other party leaders speak. Ireland Deep slander to accuse Ireland of being antisemi... Read More Nominations for the position of Taoiseach will follow. However, it is unlikely a government will be formed but formation talks will ramp up next week. Abroad The German parliament has backed a no-confidence motion in chancellor Olaf Scholz's government, paving the way for a snap election on February 23rd. In the US, president-elect Donald Trump criticised Ukraine's use of US-supplied missiles for attacks deep into Russian territory in a Time magazine interview last week, comments that suggest he could alter US policy toward Ukraine. Up to 150 Ukrainian men, women, and children who were due to leave their accommodation at a former restaurant on Wednesday due to fire safety concerns expressed by the Department of Integration are being allowed to stay until the end of January. The department was planning to close the former restaurant and had ended its contract with the accommodation provider. Advertisement The building previously known as Toughers Restaurant, 9km from Carlow town, has been set to close in the coming days. The premises were converted to accommodate Ukrainian International Protection Applicants in 2022 when Russia began their invasion of the country. Chief executive of Carlow County Council, Coilin OReilly, following discussions with the department, met with the residents on Tuesday and informed them that the owner had to produce a fire certificate by Wednesday and if that failed then the families would have been removed from the premises on that day. A Fire Marshall will remain at the premises overnight. Mr OReilly has now written to all councillors in Carlow informing them that the current accommodation contract has been extended until January 31st, 2025. Advertisement The families and schools the children attend locally received notification that they must leave their accommodation last Thursday. While some of the families will remain in Co Carlow, many are being moved to Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, and Dublin. A department spokesperson explained that they had 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. The spokesperson added: 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. Where moves are necessary, the department aims to accommodate people in the vicinity, when and where possible. Advertisement 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. Ireland Enoch Burkes father jailed for two months for cou... Read More A protest march by the residents and the local community took place outside the council offices at lunchtime on Monday. Olah Maxkamov (35) who is five-months-pregnant and her husband Temur (32) along with their five-year-old son, her grandmother who turns 90 on January 1st, her mother-in-law and pet dog which they brought from Kiev when they fled Ukraine in August 2022, are just one of the families told they would have to leave the accommodation. Last weekend local Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness had said that the department informing families that they must leave their accommodation within days is abhorrent adding that you wouldnt treat animals in such a manner. Families should not be discommoded in the first place but particularly not at this time of the year - its quite shocking. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman was grabbed by the shoulders and called a "big fairy" while canvassing for the general election, a court has heard. The incident happened on November 2nd while the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth went door-to-door around the Erris Square, Waterville area in Blanchardstown, Dublin. Advertisement Salesman Karl Ronan, 45, of Erris Square, Waterville in Blanchardstown, had admitted assaulting Roderic O'Gorman, threatening and abusive behaviour and damaging his clipboard. He pleaded guilty last month and appeared again before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court on Tuesday. Judge McHugh noted he had emailed an apology to the politician, which O'Gorman has accepted. In an outline of the facts, the court heard Ronan "lost control", pushed O'Gorman off his property and threw O'Gorman's clipboard, which broke off a wall. Advertisement Judge David McHugh described his actions as "appalling", "deliberate", and "homophobic, it would appear". He is considering 200 hours of community service instead of four months imprisonment and has adjourned the case until a date in February. In evidence, Garda Joseph Rogers said O'Gorman was canvassing at Erris Square at 12:40pm on November 2nd, 2024. He was talking to the defendant outside his home, but Ronan became aggressive, grabbed his clipboard and threw it against a wall, at which it broke. Advertisement The court heard Ronan told O'Gorman to leave the estate and pushed him off his property before grabbing the TD by the shoulders and demanding he leave the estate. O'Gorman's garda protection officer intervened and led him away. However, Ronan followed while recording them on his phone and saying, "Don't come back". The court heard he also told O'Gorman, "You have an old woman minding you, you big fairy". Advertisement The defendant had two previous convictions for minor road traffic offences. His solicitor, Simon Fleming, conceded this was "a shameful act" and commented that it was "an affront to the whole democratic process". However, the solicitor stressed that Ronan did not have far-right political views. He said his client, a father of two, had lost his business due to the covid pandemic. He had employed five people until then and was upset about that loss. The court heard Ronan had also donated 500, in O'Gorman's name, to St Francis Hospice. Ireland Enoch Burkes father jailed for two months for cou... Read More His victim impact statement was not read out during the hearing, but the defence solicitor said the TD was "a very compassionate and forgiving" person, and he had accepted Ronan's apology. The solicitor said his client had "lost control" and had "made a fool of himself" and would have to deal with publicity surrounding. Judge McHugh said that the aggravating factor was that this was an assault on an individual rendering a public service. However, he noted Ronan's early guilty plea, that he had apologised to the politician and cooperated with gardai. Judge McHugh adjourned the case for the Probation Service to prepare a community service suitability report. A farmer who was not charged for 26 years after he made wholesale admissions to gardai about sexually abusing his young cousins has been jailed for 11 and a half years. The sentencing of Thomas Collins (59) on Tuesday marked the end of decades of struggle for justice, his victims said. Advertisement Two of Collins' cousins were told to withdraw their statements against him by a serving garda in 1997 and when they again made formal complaints in 2002, the then DPP directed that he not be prosecuted, the Central Criminal Court heard. Collins went on to sexually abuse another person decades later and is currently serving a nine-and-a -half year sentence for this. Sentencing Collins on Tuesday for the abuse of his three cousins, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring said: This is a case that should have been dealt with decades ago. Collins, of The Fair Green, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, pleaded guilty to 21 sample counts of the indecent assault, attempted rape and rape of his three young cousins, Gretta Conlon, Catherine Conlon and Gerard Conlon, in and around their two family homes on dates between 1978 and 1992. Advertisement In her victim impact statement, one of Collins' cousins described her absolute devastation at the betrayal by gardai, telling the court that a garda demanded she and her sister withdraw their statements against Collins. This garda, who was named in court by Ms Justice Ring, had a personal connection to Collins, the court heard. His behaviour at the time had all the hallmarks of misconduct in public office, Ms Justice Ring said. The court heard that Gretta Conlon and Catherine Conlon made statements to gardai in 1997 about the abuse they suffered on a regular basis at the hands of Collins from when they were aged three and six respectively. However, while they initially found the gardai were helpful, they ultimately withdrew their complaints after a garda discouraged them from proceeding with the case. Advertisement Sergeant Laura Martin told James Dwyer SC, prosecuting, that this garda's wife worked with Collins' wife. The court heard family members also put pressure on the two women, although not Collins himself. The court heard the two Conlon women again made a complaint to gardai in 2002 but the DPP decided not to prosecute. The court heard that in his interview with gardai in 1997, Collins said he knew what he was doing was wrong and that his cousins were only young at the time. He said he was experimenting with them and that it went on for several years. In 2002, he made a statement making further admissions and saying he didn't realise (he) was doing any harm at the time and he was only young. These were wholesale admissions, Collins' barrister, Desmond Dockery SC told the court. Advertisement Ms Justice Ring asked if the DPP at the time saw these garda statements and was told they had. In sentencing, she noted the DPP made the decision not to proceed with the case despite the admissions made by Thomas Collins. She praised the stamina, determination and sense of right that prevailed in Collins' cousins, who she noted had to wait until 2023 when he was charged and until this year when he entered guilty pleas. Ireland Man charged with 'unprovoked' attacks on off-duty... Read More 27 years they have travelled to this day, which speaks to the strength these two women have, despite the incredible damage done to them by Thomas Collins, Ms Justice Ring said. She said they were true survivors and she wished them well into the future. The court heard Collins also later admitted to the indecent assault of Gerard Conlon, who disclosed the abuse in more recent years. Advertisement The three complainants were in court for the sentence, along with their spouses. The court heard Collins is now estranged from his wife and adult children. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Here are the biggest stories leading Tuesdays front pages. The Irish Times reports that a soldier was able to remain in the Defence Forces while in prison for sexual assault after the court authorities refused to hand over details of his offences to the military due to data protection concerns. Trafficking of children is increasing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Irish Examiner, as a new report revealed that at least one person has been trafficked into Ireland for illegal removal of their organs. Advertisement The Irish Independent claims some flights have jumped to over 600 one-way from London to Dublin in the wake of the Holyhead port closure, with Ryanair admitting prices on a number of routes were rising rapidly. Taoiseach Simon Harris has been called "anti-semitic" by Israel's foreign minister, the Irish Daily Mail reports. The family of a man killed in an unprovoked attack tell the Irish Daily Mirror that tackling street violence should be at the heart of the government formation talks. An Irish UFO expert tells the Irish Daily Star that the mysterious aircraft seen in the skies above the US in recent weeks have also been in Ireland. Advertisement A nurse killed in her Co Down home at the weekend suffered a gunshot wound, the Belfast Telegraph reports. The unmasking of an alleged Chinese spy with links to Prince Andrew dominates the British newspaper headlines. Metro and The Guardian both splash on Yang Tengbo, a 50-year-old businessman who was banned from Britain last year, and asked a court to lift an anonymity order so he could defend himself. Tomorrows Paper Today ? THE NAME'S YANG... TENGBO YANG ? Denial as Andrew 'spy pal' revealed#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/6sDKj6qfg7 Metro (@MetroUK) December 16, 2024 Tuesday's GUARDIAN: Alleged Chinese spy linked to Prince Andrew is named#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/colMorEKtJ Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 16, 2024 The Times and the Daily Telegraph write that Yang was Andrews chief representative in Beijing and also led the Chinese arm of the British royal's cash-raising venture. Tuesday's TIMES: 'Spy' was at the heart of duke's charity in China#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/lOO5eUV80o Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 16, 2024 ? The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph: 'Spy suspect was Duke's 'money man''#TomorrowsPapersToday Sign up for the Front Page newsletter https://t.co/fRkXGjgS4s pic.twitter.com/42OatV4r2R The Telegraph (@Telegraph) December 16, 2024 The Sun says Andrew has been forced out of Christmas Day celebrations at Sandringham in the wake of his latest scandal. Advertisement Introducing #TomorrowsPapersToday from: The Sun Andrew stuffed at X mas Discover more newspapers at https://t.co/eaH7u3E4N7 Support press freedom and buy a newspaper #buyapaper #pressfreedom #journalist pic.twitter.com/kq9qrxbGzW The Sentinel Current (@sentinelcurrent) December 16, 2024 Meanwhile, ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith tells the Daily Mirror that Yangs alleged activities are just the tip of the iceberg, adding there are many more involved. The i reports UK security and intelligence services will be able to monitor suspicious activity from foreign nationals under new laws, set to be introduced next year. Tuesday's front page: UK toughens up surveillance on China suspects, as palace banishes Andrew again #TomorrowsPapersToday Latest by @HugoGye: https://t.co/c7KgJ6c8VZ pic.twitter.com/E8TNg02Ktp The i Paper (@theipaper) December 16, 2024 The Daily Mail splashes on Keir Starmer defending his decision to see closer ties with China despite intelligence warnings. Looking to politics, the Financial Times leads on Chancellor Rachel Reeves increase in business taxes causing firms to cut back on hiring. Advertisement Just published: front page of the Financial Times, UK edition, Tuesday 17 December https://t.co/DmqLGLOZEj pic.twitter.com/gMhRe87mNh Financial Times (@FT) December 16, 2024 The Daily Express writes that Keir Starmer has been given an ultimatum on the current British government defence spend: either sack 20,000 soldiers or scrap the UKs aircraft carriers. Tuesday's DAILY EXPRESS: Boost defence budget or axe 20,000 troops#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/7zyjEiuEf6 Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) December 16, 2024 Lastly, the Daily Star says a businessman is charging his friend and family 75 (90) for Christmas dinner, claiming Scrooge is alive and well in Fulham. An Australian state government has proposed new restrictions on protesters as a response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. Victoria premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue earlier this month. Advertisement A week before the attack in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, protesters in the neighbouring state of New South Wales prevented worshippers from leaving a synagogue in Sydney. People gather outside the fire damaged Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne (Con Chronis/AAP Image via AP) Thats not peaceful protest. Its menacing behaviour, Ms Allan said. Antisemitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria, she added. The new laws would protect the right of people to gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation, her office added in a statement. Advertisement The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the Victorian state parliament early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings. The laws would also ban protesters from flying flags and displaying symbols of groups listed by Australia as terrorist organisations. Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against capsicum spray would also be banned. Media wait outside a police cordon at a street where houses were vandalised with anti-Israel slogans (Mark Baker/AP) Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, welcomed the proposed law. Advertisement Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and antisemitism and its about time, Dr Abramovich said in a statement. Victoria has drawn a line in the sand and sent a thunderous message to the hate-mongers, the graffiti cowards, the firebombers, and the social media trolls your days of terrorising our communities are over, he added. The arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue on December 6 marked an escalation in targeted assaults in Australia since the war between Israel and the militant Hamas group started over a year ago in the Gaza Strip. Australian authorities have declared the Ripponlea attack a terrorist act, which increases the resources available to investigators. Advertisement A federal law passed in January banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing antisemitism, and the government appointed special envoys this year to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. The motive for a shooting that killed a teacher and a student and wounded others at a Wisconsin school appears to be a combination of factors, a police chief said on Tuesday. Madison police chief Shon Barnes appealed to the public to share what they might know about the 15-year-old girl who attacked a study hall before shooting herself. Advertisement Mr Barnes offered no details about a possible motive, though he said bullying at Abundant Life Christian School would be investigated. Mr Barnes said police are investigating writings that may have been penned by the attacker, Natalie Rupnow, and could shed light on her actions. Madison police chief Shon Barnes speaks to the media (Nam Y Huh/AP) Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time it appears that the motive is a combination of factors, the chief told reporters. Mr Barnes gave the number to a tip-off line for anyone who might have known Rupnow and what her feelings were. Advertisement There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred. Were looking into her online activity, he said. Besides the deaths, six people were wounded, including two students who remain in critical condition. Rupnow died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Students aboard a bus as they leave the shelter following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School (Morry Gash/AP) Mr Barnes made remarks at a news conference but left without taking questions from reporters, leaving the Madison mayor and Dane County executive to face the media. They declined to disclose the names of the victims. Abundant Life is a non-denominational Christian school pre-kindergarten through high school with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. Advertisement Mackenzie Truitt, 24, placed a red poinsettia plant at the school to honour the victims on Tuesday. She said her brother is a graduate and some of his friends were wounded. My heart sunk because I know how awesome a lot of these kids are, Truitt said. I know how scared everybody was. Couldnt get a hold of certain people. Just really scary having to deal with that. Mr Barnes said police were talking with Rupnows father and other family members, who were co-operating, and searching her home. Investigators believe Rupnow used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation. Advertisement The school shooting was the latest among dozens 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 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 non-profit that researches health care issues. Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been freed from prison in Greenland and will not be extradited to Japan, the Danish Justice Ministry and defence lawyers said. Tokyo had asked Denmark to extradite Mr Watson, who had been in custody in Greenland since his arrest earlier this year under a Japanese warrant. Advertisement His foundation said he had faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with Denmark. After five months its good to be out and good to see that they are not going to send me to Japan, and so have a go-home for Christmas, Watson said in a video posted by his foundation after his release. The only hard part was that my two little boys I havent seen them since June, he added. Mr Watson, a Canadian-American citizen, is a former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high seas confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn support from celebrities and featured in the reality television series Whale Wars. Advertisement Japans coastguard sought his arrest over an encounter with a Japanese whaling research ship in 2010 when he was accused of obstructing the crews official duties by ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at the whaling ship. Mr Watson was sought through an Interpol red notice, and the captain a New Zealand citizen was convicted of assault and given a suspended prison term, which allowed him to leave Japan. Japans government had asked Denmark to hand over Mr Watson so he could be tried in Japan. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. He was arrested on July 21 when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenlands capital. Advertisement Paul Watson is free. pic.twitter.com/iMSX5gGlsm Captain Paul Watson Foundation (@CaptPaulWatson) December 17, 2024 We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free, lawyer Jonas Christoffersen said. I guess he will have some lunch or breakfast as a free man and then will find a way to get back home. Mr Christoffersen said the decision is final. The Danish Justice Ministry said in a statement that conditions for extradition were met, but it had not received adequate guarantees from Japanese authorities that the time Mr Watson had already served in custody would be counted against any sentence he would receive in Japan. He left Sea Shepherd in 2022 to set up his foundation, which alleged at the time of his arrest that the action was politically motivated and called for his release. Advertisement Mr Watson was detained in Germany in 2012 on a Costa Rican extradition warrant but skipped bail after learning that he was also sought for extradition by Japan, which has accused him of endangering whalers lives during his operations in the Antarctic Ocean. He has since lived in countries including France and the US. Japan says whale meat is part of its food culture and that it supports sustainable use of the animals. Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019 and has since resumed commercial whaling in its exclusive economic zone. The German parliament has backed a no-confidence motion in Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government, paving the way for a snap election on February 23rd. Here are the main parties contending, their poll standings, and the key policy issues. Advertisement 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). 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz requested a vote of no-confidence following the collapse of the three-party coalition in November. Photo: Getty 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 per cent threshold to make it into parliament, according to opinion polls. Advertisement Polls The conservatives have been leading nationwide polls for more than two years and are at 31 per cent, according to the latest survey published by INSA, followed by the AfD on 20 per cent. Scholz's SPD has dropped to third from first place in the 2021 election, with 17 per cent, followed by the Greens on 11 per cent and the BSW on 8 per cent. The FDP and Left party are polling at 5 and 3 per cent 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. Advertisement 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. 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 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 per cent 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. Advertisement 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 leader Friedrich Merz is considered to be prone to gaffes and quick to anger. Photo: AFP via Getty 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. Advertisement 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. 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. World German Chancellor Olaf Scholz loses confidence vot... Read More 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. 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. French authorities on Tuesday announced an overnight curfew in Mayotte as they sought to stabilise the island territory in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the most intense storm to hit the Indian Ocean archipelago in 90 years. 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. Advertisement Hundreds of military personnel have arrived since the weekend in Mayotte, an island group off Africa. The official death toll from Saturdays cyclone rose to 22 according to the latest report from Mayotte Hospital quoted by Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital, Mamoudzou. Debris in a street in the Indian Ocean French territory of Mayotte (Ministere de lInterieur/DICOM via AP) The newly appointed prime minister, Francois Bayrou, provided an update later on Tuesday saying that more than 1,500 people were injured, including more than 200 critically. However, authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people have died. Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron said he will be traveling to Mayotte soon. Our compatriots are living through the worst just a few thousand kilometres away, and I will be by their side in a few hours in Mayotte. The priority today is water and food, Mr Soumaila told RFI radio, adding that there are people who have unfortunately died where the bodies are starting to decompose that can create a sanitary problem. The curfew requires people to stay in their homes between 10pm and 4am as authorities try to prevent looting of damaged buildings. Advertisement We dont have electricity. When night falls, there are people who take advantage of that situation, Soumaila said. Speaking on France Inter radio Tuesday morning, Mayotte lawmaker Estelle Youssouffa described the challenges in accounting for victims, especially among migrants. The real toll of those swept away by the mud, winds and tin from shanty towns will never be known, Ms Youssouffa said. This population, by definition undocumented migrants, are the main victims of this tragedy because they feared going to shelters. A lawyer defending rapper Jay-Z in his fight against rape allegations has outlined a range of evidence to prove accusations levied against the hitmaker are provably, demonstrably false. The woman, identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, told NBC News last week that Jay-Z, also known as Shawn Corey Carter, and Sean Diddy Combs both sexually assaulted her when she was 13 at an after party for the 2000 MTV Music Awards. Advertisement She has since acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her claims made against the two men. Tina Knowles, from left, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Blue Ivy Carter arrive at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King on December 9 (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) In a press conference at Jay-Z company Roc Nations New York headquarters, lawyer Alex Spiro said her claims rely on an impossible timeline and a non-existent location. While the lawsuit said the assault happened at a large white residence with a U-shaped driveway, photos show both Jay-Z and Combs at a nightclub following the award show. In the suit, the woman said she snuck out of a window of her home in Rochester and hitched a ride to the award ceremony from a friend, who has since died. Advertisement She said she watched the event on a big screen outside, then befriended a limousine driver who drove her to the house party where she was assaulted by the two rap moguls. She said she fled the house and called her father for a ride home from a nearby gas station. The allegation, Mr Spiro claims, defies credibility. Mr Spiro said alleged discrepancies in her claims include a five-hour drive from Rochester, permits and photographs that show there was no big screen outside the VMAs in the year 2000. Advertisement Sean Diddy Combs (AP) The womans father has also said he has no recollection of driving from Rochester to pick her up in New York. Its not just that this story is a lie and that its not true, its provably, demonstrably false, Mr Spiro said. This never happened. The suit comes amid a wave of sexual assault lawsuits against Combs, who remains in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty and faces trial in May. Advertisement The lawsuits were filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations. After initially suing Combs, the womans complaint was amended to include a new allegation that Jay-Z also participated in the sexual assault as a third unnamed celebrity watched. Jay-Z appears at a press conference at Roc Nation HQ in 2019 (AP) The litigation was filed by Tony Buzbee, a personal injury lawyer in Houston, whose firm has set up a toll-free phone line for accusers. In October, Mr Buzbee said he was representing 120 people, men and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs. Advertisement Last month, Jay-Z anonymously sued Buzbee, alleging the lawyer had attempted to blackmail him by making the rape allegation public if he did not agree to a legal settlement. Mr Buzbee pushed back against claims made against him by the rapper, stating the blackmail in question was a letter offering to set up a confidential mediation session. In a statement last week, Jay-Z said his heart and support goes out to true victims in the world. On Monday, Mr Spiro accused Mr Buzbee of taking advantage of the woman, while destroying this opportunity and the voices of real victims. In an email statement Monday, Mr Buzbee said the woman had been referred to him by another law firm and pre-vetted by four lawyers from his firm. Courts exist to resolve factual disputes, Mr Buzbee added. Our client remains adamant about her claim. Blast at police station in Amritsar; police denies A blast was reported at a police station in Punjab's Amritsar on early Tuesday, triggering panic among residents. However, the police denied any blast in the police station. According to locals, an explosion was heard at around 3 a.m. Senior police officials reached the spot and were investigating the matter. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar denied claims of a blast. He said locals heard the sound of the explosion, but there was no damage there. It's learnt that a Germany-based gangster Jeevan Fauji claimed responsibility for the blast. Three days ago, three members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module were arrested in connection with a hand grenade attack at a police post in Nawanshahr in Punjab, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said. The accused were identified as Yugpreet Singh, Jaskaran Singh and Harjot Singh. Police teams also recovered two weapons -- one country-made pistol and one revolver -- along with six cartridges from their possession. That development comes less than two weeks after some miscreants targetted the police post at Asron by hurling a hand grenade on its premises on December 2. DGP Yadav has said the accused are the members of the KZF module controlled by handlers based in Germany, Britain and other countries and were tasked to target police establishments and minority leaders in Punjab and Haryana. The module has received funding of Rs 4.5 lakh in six months. He had said preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested people had retrieved a hand grenade from a dead letter box (DLB) located in Jalandhar on November 28 and hurled it at the police post on December 2. A DLB is a secret location used to exchange information or items between two people without meeting in person. Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General (Jalandhar) Navjot Singh Mahal said that a team of CI Jalandhar along with SBS Nagar Police laid a checkpoint near the railway crossing in SBS Nagar city and arrested the accused when they were coming on a motorcycle. Police teams have also impounded their motorcycle, he added. He said further investigations are underway to identify and arrest other members of this terror module. Injured people are arriving at hospital in Vanuatu after the South Pacific island nation was reportedly rocked by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck just off the coast. A tsunami warning was called off less than two hours after the quake on Tuesday. With communications still down hours after the jolt and official information scarce, witness accounts of casualties began to surface on social media and through patchy phone calls. Advertisement The earthquake occurred at a depth of 35 miles and was centred 18 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands which is home to about 330,000 people. The jolt was followed by a magnitude 5.5 aftershock near the same location. It was not immediately clear how much damage was caused as phone lines and government websites remained down and official channels have not been updated, but reports of widespread destruction filtered out on social media and in interviews. Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, told the Associated Press that he had heard of one death from a police officer outside Vila Central Hospital. Mr McGarry added that he saw three people on trolleys in obvious distress. Doctors were working as fast as they could at a triage centre outside the emergency ward, he added, but the nation is not equipped for a mass casualty event. Advertisement Video shared by Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation showed crowds outside the hospital. Phone numbers for the police, the hospital and other public agencies did not connect. There were no official reports of casualties. Reports of people trapped inside buildings could also not immediately be confirmed. A video posted on social media appeared to show crumpled buildings in Port Vila, including one that had collapsed on to cars. A Red Cross spokesperson in Fiji said the head of the aid agencys Vanuatu office had reported widespread damage before communications were cut off. A building housing a number of diplomatic missions in Port Vila including those of the US, Britain, France and New Zealand was significantly damaged, New Zealands Foreign Ministry said. Officials were in the process of accounting for New Zealand High Commission staff, a spokesperson said. A video posted to social media showed the building with damage to its structure, including buckled windows and debris that had crumbled from walls to the ground. Other photos and videos showed items and shelves that had tumbled to the floors of shops and landslides that appeared to block some roads. Advertisement A landslide near an international shipping terminal in Port Vila (Dan McGarry/AP) Katie Greenwood, the Fiji-based head of the Asia-Pacific regional office for the Red Cross, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the centre of Port Vila was full of large buildings and hotels. We havent heard at the moment about any casualties, but I will be shocked if we dont hear that bad news coming through from Port Vila at some point, she said. Mr McGarry said a massive landslide at the international shipping terminal was likely to impede the countrys recovery. The airports runway is also damaged, he said. Vanuatus position on a subduction zone where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate means earthquakes of greater than magnitude 6 are not uncommon and the countrys buildings are intended to withstand quake damage. Advertisement I think it could have been worse, Mr McGarry said, but this was the most serious he had experienced during 21 years in Vanuatu by a long shot. In the hours after the tremor, the United States Geological Survey said a tsunami threat had passed. The agency had earlier warned of waves of up to 3ft above tide level. Authorities in Australia and New Zealand said there was no tsunami threat to their countries. New Zealands Foreign Ministry said 45 New Zealanders were registered as being in Vanuatu. The ministry did not give details about their status. Advertisement Australias Department of Foreign Affairs said it was able to provide a wide range of support, subject to need, through emergency and development programmes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered Syrian territory on Tuesday during a security tour of the buffer zone seized by Israel in the days since the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. It was apparently the first time a sitting Israeli leader had entered Syrian territory. Advertisement Israel seized a swathe of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone, in the days after Mr Assad was ousted by rebels. Israel still controls the Golan Heights that it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognised by most of the international community. An Israeli air force Black Hawk helicopter flies over Mount Hermon, near the border with Syria (Matias Delacroix/AP) Mr Netanyau and defence minister Israel Katz visited the snow-dusted summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the area, which is located inside Syrian territory. Mr Katz added that Israel will maintain a presence in the Syrian buffer zone for as long as is required and had instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. Advertisement The summit of the Hermon is the eyes of the state of Israel to identify our enemies who are nearby and far away, Mr Katz said. Israeli forces were moving to control a roughly 155-square-mile demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the UN. after the 1973 Middle East war. A UN force of about 1,100 troops has patrolled the area since then. Advertisement Mount Hermon is divided between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria. Only the United States recognises Israels control of the Golan Heights. For weeks, residents of New Jersey and other US states have reported seeing thousands of unidentified lighted drones flying overhead, a phenomenon that has sparked conspiracy theories and prompted lawmakers to demand the Biden administration explain what was behind the mysterious sightings. US officials have said that most of the sightings involve manned aircraft and that there is no evidence of any threat to public safety or national security. But those responses have done little to reassure anxious Americans or placate state and local officials. Advertisement Here is what we know so far. What are people seeing, and where? Since November, hundreds of people have shared videos and photos online of bright objects in the night sky. While the majority of incidents have come in New Jersey, people in other states, including Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and New York, have reported seeing what appear to be drones as well. An official told reporters on Saturday that there had been more than 5,000 reported sightings, but that fewer than 100 merited further investigation. Former Maryland governor Larry Hogan posted a video of purported drones above his home in Davidsonville, Maryland, though some social media users responded that at least some of the lights in his video appeared to be stars in the constellation Orion. Advertisement Last night, beginning at around 9:45 pm, I personally witnessed (and videoed) what appeared to be dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence in Davidsonville, Maryland (25 miles from our nations capital). I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes. Like pic.twitter.com/Ipx8ctLmhs Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) December 13, 2024 The sightings have created a social media frenzy. A Facebook group entitled "New Jersey Mystery Drones - let's solve it" had nearly 75,000 members as of Monday, with people posting theories ranging from extraterrestrials to foreign actors. What has the Biden administration said? Officials from the White House, FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have all asserted that the objects pose no threat. In a Saturday media briefing organized by the Biden administration, an FBI official told reporters that the agency was working with 50 local, state and federal partners to investigate, and that no evidence pointed to "large-scale" drone activities. Many of the objects have been sighted along regular flight paths, the official added. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in an ABC News interview on Sunday that there was "no question" New Jersey residents were seeing some drones, though he added that at least some of the sightings were of manned aircraft. He suggested the increased activity could reflect a 2023 change in a Federal Aviation Administration rule to allow nighttime flying of drones. Advertisement How have other officials responded? Some state officials, including New York governor Kathy Hochul, have called on Congress to enact stricter rules for drones while giving states wider authority to combat drone activity. "This has gone too far," Hochul said in a statement on Saturday, a day after the runways at a local airport in New York were shut down for an hour due to drones. On Sunday, Hochul posted on X that the federal government was sending a drone detection system to New York. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy wrote a letter to president Joe Biden on Thursday asking for more federal resources to investigate the phenomenon. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that the US military should tell the American public about the nature of the drone sightings. "The government knows what is happening," Trump told a press conference. "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." Advertisement Who is responsible? It's not clear. Officials have said most of the sightings were of manned aircraft, but local, state and federal authorities are still investigating. Some lawmakers have suggested that foreign countries could be dispatching the drones. World Ukrainian drones strike Russia as Kyiv reels from... Read More US Representative Chris Smith told Fox News that a Coast Guard vessel off the New Jersey shore was trailed closely by more than a dozen drones and speculated that a foreign power could be behind the activity. He said he has asked the military to authorise the shooting down of a drone to learn more. Another congressman from New Jersey, Jeff Van Drew, said in a statement last week that drones had been spotted hovering near a nuclear plant and suggested an Iranian "mothership" might be responsible for the flying objects. A Defense Department spokesperson said there was no truth to that notion. Advertisement Boston police arrested two men on Saturday after a drone was detected "dangerously close" to Logan International Airport, the city's police department said. Using drone monitoring technology, police were able to track the operators' position to a nearby island, where they confronted three individuals who fled on foot. Two of the three were taken into custody and charged with trespassing, with additional charges possible. Two separate documentaries about Luigi Mangione, accused of killing the UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson, are underway. Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney and entertainment company Anonymous Content revealed on Tuesday morning they will join forces to turn the story of the fatal shooting on a Manhattan street into a documentary. Luigi Mangione is already becoming the subject of a new documentary, before his trial date is announced. Credit: AP Hours later, industry publication Variety reported that Emmy nominee Stephen Robert Morse, who produced Amanda Knox for Netflix, was also starting work on a project about the shooting that occurred on December 4. Police allege Mangione shot Thompson on a busy Manhattan street, before the executive was to attend an investor conference. Mangione, 26, was arrested on December 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt, allegedly carrying a manifesto decrying the healthcare industry and a notebook discussing the targeted killing of a CEO. A record number of NSW students opted to complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) this year over the HSC, with inner west schools Santa Sabina College and Newington College among those with students receiving perfect scores of 45. The results come as the NSW government formally lifts its ban on public schools offering the alternative to the HSC. However, it is likely to be years before the IB is introduced into any NSW public schools due to the lengthy accreditation process. Santa Sabina College students Tanisha Chari and Rochelle Dias achieved perfect scores of 45 in the IB. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone Some 827 NSW IB students across 19 schools received their results on Tuesday morning, ahead of HSC results being released on Wednesday. Newington College in Stanmore had three students with a perfect score of 45: Isaac Holmes, Minh Nguyen and Hugh Smith. A further four received a score of 44. The school would not disclose the total number of students who took the IB, but last year had a cohort of 70. Anubhav Ammangi from Redeemer Baptist School in North Parramatta, who claimed first in maths extension 1 in 2023 as an accelerated student, took home the top prize in chemistry and software design and development. Anubhav said his interest in maths could be traced back to early primary school, and by year 4, he was entering national competitions. A passion for number theory, one of the oldest branches of pure mathematics, later led him to multiple prizes in maths and computer science olympiads. Sydney Grammar School students Oliver Hoang, Felix Lin and Tom Collins. Credit: Janie Barrett From a very young age, I knew I was interested in maths, and I had teachers who fostered a love for it, he said. Ive always had an attitude in terms of schoolwork, to be curious, curious beyond just the scope of the schoolwork. Students from academically selective private school Sydney Grammar took home eight top prizes, while pupils from all-boys independent school Knox Grammar finished first in five subjects and Pymble Ladies College claimed six awards. Across the state, 26 first-place awards went to students at public schools, 29 to students at specialist language schools or private tutors, 13 to Catholic systemic schools and 67 from independent schools. Thomas Collins was one of four students who topped more than one subject, with the Sydney Grammar pupil claiming first in Chinese and French extension. Anubhav Ammangi from Baptist Redeemer topped HSC chemistry and software design and development after coming first in extension 1 maths last year. Credit: James Brickwood After studying French as a compulsory subject in year 7, Thomas picked up Chinese the year after when a classmate suggested they take the elective subject. It was a huge learning curve, he recalls. My friend ended up dropping Chinese, but I stuck with it all the way through school. It was very difficult at first, but gradually I developed a love for both languages, he said. Ryan-James Watson from Macarthur Anglican School also took home a double first in Indonesian continuers and extension and Rebecca Roozendaal from Masada College scored the highest marks in classical Hebrew continuers and extension. Hugo Sharkey finished first in ancient history and was one of only 62 students in NSW to complete the highest-level extension Latin course this year. Hugo, from Sydney Grammar, said his enthusiasm for ancient history and classical languages was sparked by reading the Percy Jackson fantasy novel series influenced by Greek mythology when he was in primary school. Sydney Grammar student Hugo Sharkey received the news he topped ancient history while he was travelling in Bolivia this month. From then, I discovered the ancient world doing my own independent research, and in year 6, I began to read books about ancient Rome. I love the charm and mystery of ancient history and how it allows you to see cultures that can inspire you to reassess the modern world, he said. Another Sydney Grammar student, Oliver Hoang, finished equal first in economics with Xiao Fan Chen from Knox Grammar. June Lee, from high-performing comprehensive state school Cherrybrook Technology High topped biology, while James Ruse student Joshua Paik finished first in physics. Early in his HSC year, Joshua was dedicating about four hours a day to studying physics. At first, I didnt think I was that good at it, so I ended up spending a lot of time on it. The hardest part of the course was maintaining consistency. Towards the end, I was kind of losing my mind. I didnt want to do it anymore. Somehow he managed to keep his focus. He went from being ranked 20th at his school at the start of the year. Yeshaya Ram topped science extension in this years HSC. Credit: James Brickwood First place in the HSC science extension course, a subject that focuses on research methods and scientific philosophies, was achieved by Yeshaya Ram from William Carey Christian School in Prestons. Her major project examined alternate ways to decompose plastics. I wanted to try and do something to cure global waste. I really enjoyed the research process in science extension. It taught me so many skills and statistical analysis that really paved the bridge for university, Yeshaya said. James Rivlin from Cranbrook topped English advanced, while Alexander Lidbetter from all-boys selective school St Aloysius was first in English extension 1. James Rivlin from Cranbrook topped English advanced. Credit: James Brickwood James didnt always love English. Year 12 was the first time in high school it became one of my favourite subjects, he said. He said he enjoyed studying plays The Crucible and King Henry IV Part I but devoted time to really getting to know the texts well so he could be prepared for any question. I would block out most of Sunday morning, he said. Milly Simpson, from Wenona School in North Sydney, topped modern history and regularly spent 11-12 hour days in the library leading up to her exams. Most library days would be 9am-8pm. Amy Kilborn from North Sydney Girls finished first in history extension, and her classmate Seo Yun Choi topped Japanese continuers. Milly Simpson finished first in HSC modern history. Credit: James Brickwood Killara High Schools Carla Cuello achieved the highest score in the society and culture course, while Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus student Travis King placed first in design and technology. Four students took out first place in the vocational primary industries course. Poppy Starr, who was raised on her family farm in central west NSW, said she had always loved agriculture and that primary industries allowed for a practical application of skills. Jorja Barnett, Freya Hooper, Josie Galcsik and Poppy Starr came equal first in primary industries. Credit: Janie Barrett Mulan Xu from Pymble Ladies College finished first in classical Greek continuers and was the only student at her school to take the course. Boys schools took out 25 first-in-course awards, girls schools took out 23 and co-ed schools made up 87 of the top spots. Some 80,160 students will receive their HSC results at 6am on Wednesday, with ATARs released from 9am. With Emily Kaine and Alyssa Talakovski Further flash flooding is possible across Brisbane as water is released from saturated catchments, with the bureau warning residents to prepare for more heavy falls in the coming days. Water from Wivenhoe Dam began to be released into the Brisbane River from about noon on Tuesday. Releases from Somerset Dam which flows into Wivenhoe were ongoing, and could cause water levels to rise by more than half a metre by Thursday. Flooding at Wolverhampton Bridge at Kedron Brook. Credit: Anna Campbell Images shared with Brisbane Times revealed flash flooding over the Wolverhampton Bridge spanning Kedron Brook in Stafford on Tuesday morning. Two people have been rescued from floodwater after a rain-hit state was again struck by storms before the festive season. The women were found in the tray of a ute after a swiftwater rescue team was called to Euthulla, about 450 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, on Tuesday night. The SES has responded to almost 200 callouts across Queensland since Tuesday morning, mostly for leaking roofs, sandbagging and fallen trees after the latest round of wet weather. The ground is really quite wet at the moment, so it doesnt take too much for some of those trees to decide that theyd rather lay down than stand up, SES operations director Glenn Alderton told ABC Radio. In one case, I think the client had a $3,000 shortfall, so we had to make sure that the client could get to the bank to disperse the money straight away, because the interest that was calculated was a little bit high, Stefano explained. So little things like that we have got to prepare for, because if youre not all in sync you can see how that can all fall apart quite quickly, he said. Current CEO Glenn King will step down on Feb. 28, after delivering the half-year results for December. CFO Scott Butterworth will serve as acting group MD and CEO for one month during the leadership transition period. King will continue supporting the transition in an advisory role until June. The pressure in the Perth rental market has been easing over 2024, she said. Weve seen new supply come to the market, which has seen the vacancy rate increase and rent prices record periods of stability. 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 Boyds 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 Wattersons CFO Chris Ried and Ambers CFO Alex Finch will report to Haisch in his global role. The roles creation and Haischs selection was supported by Boyd and Ambers 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. Dons 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. Im honored to join Boyd Watterson during such a significant moment in the companys history, said Haisch. I look forward to contributing to the firms 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). Ambers 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/ Nima Momeni, the man tried on murder charges for the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, makes his way into the courtroom for his arraignment in San Francisco on May 2, 2023. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The jury in the Bob Lee murder trial has reached its verdict, and the decision will be read out in open court on Tuesday morning, officials said Monday. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated on the fate of defendant Nima Momeni for seven days before heading home Monday afternoon just before 4 p.m. A couple of them looked tense, but most wore smiles as they headed for the door at San Francisco Superior Courthouse, some cheerily saying, See you tomorrow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Court spokesperson Ann Donlan told reporters huddled outside the courtroom, waiting on the verdict, that the decision will be read at 9:30 a.m. The jury had to decide if Momeni, 39, is guilty of first-degree murder in the April 4, 2023 stabbing of CashApp founder Bob Lee, a lesser charge such as manslaughter, or innocent by reason of self-defense. If convicted, Momenis prison sentence could be anything from two years to life behind bars. Prosecutors say Momeni, a tech consultant who lived in Emeryville, took Lee, 43, for a car ride around 2:30 a.m. and stabbed him beneath the Bay Bridge in a fury over what he perceived as offenses against his sister. Momeni testified that it was instead Lee who pulled out the 7-inch knife found later that day by police at the conflict site and angry at a bad joke Momeni told, tried to stab him before Momeni turned the blade on Lee. The jury sat for six weeks as a two-man prosecution team sparred with Momenis five celebrity lawyers and presented a panoply of witnesses and evidence to bolster each side. Backed by 6.5 billion of public funds and over 4 billion of private funds, the multi-orbit satellite network project will enable Europes strategic communications autonomy Designed, delivered and operated by the SpaceRISE consortium, the EUs 3rd flagship project to be launched into service by early 2030 SpaceRISE, the consortium comprising Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, has signed the agreement with the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) that will see the consortium design, deliver and operate the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS) for a period of 12 years. The contract was signed today in a ceremony at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216141644/en/ Interconnected Multi-Orbit System. Credit: SES With the network of 290 new Low Earth Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit satellites expected to provide services by the beginning of 2030, the IRIS constellation of satellites for a resilient, interconnected and secure Europe is an EU flagship initiative. IRIS will be the preferred and trusted network for Europe in delivering secure and reliable high-performance communication solutions to the EU and its Member States as well as high-speed broadband connectivity for European citizens, governmental authorities and businesses, playing a transformative role in reinforcing Europes digital sovereignty, and low-latency connectivity. Under the agreement with SpaceRISE, the project will be backed by 6.5 billion of public funds representing nearly 60% of the total project costs comprising funding from the European Commission, EU Member States, the European Space Agency and private financing from the consortium members. The SpaceRISE consortium will lead the wider European space industry to accelerate innovation throughout the supply chain, enhancing Europe's leadership and competitiveness in the space sector. Additionally, the Public-private Partnership (PPP) model in the form of Concession will unite public and commercial interests in an unprecedented way, paving the way for continuous implementation of innovative solutions and platforms for the future. Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space: Today we are not just launching a satellite project. We are launching a vision - a vision of a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Europe. IRIS demonstrates the Unions resolve and commitment to strengthening Europes space global posture both in terms of security and competitiveness to the benefit of our governments, businesses and citizens. In an increasingly complex geopolitical world, ensuring resilient, secure and fast governmental communications is essential. ESA will play a crucial role in the technical implementation of the IRIS2 programme. ESAs excellence will foster innovation in the European space industry, boost European competitiveness, create high-skill jobs and attract talents to Europe. The Commissions trust in ESA to oversee the development of the constellation and its ground infrastructure speaks volumes of ESAs successful track record in the delivery of European flagship programmes. ESA is ready to deliver again, for Europe and its citizens, said Josef Aschbacher, ESAs Director General. Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of SES, said, We are honoured to lead the SpaceRISE consortium to work with the European Commission and the European Space Agency on the IRIS project. IRIS is integral to Europe's space strategy and is already fostering enhanced collaboration and innovation between the industry and public sectors. By strategically coming together, we will be able to ensure architecture resiliency and security from Day 1 of the system launch. With EC as an anchor customer of the constellation, our investment into IRIS will see us augment our MEO capabilities while executing our required rate of return, maintaining investment grade balance sheet metrics, and returning cash to our shareholders. Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat commented, IRIS programme is a landmark initiative that embodies Europes commitment to digital sovereignty, resilience, and strategic autonomy. At Eutelsat, we are uniquely positioned to bring unparalleled expertise to this mission, leveraging our pioneering capabilities, including our cutting-edge LEO constellation. By combining this advanced infrastructure with the collective strengths of the SpaceRISE consortium, we will deliver a transformative communications backbone that addresses Europes most critical connectivity needs of our governments, reinforces its leadership in space innovation, and bridges the digital divide for millions of citizens and businesses across the continent. This project is a testament to Eutelsats vision of driving secure and sustainable connectivity for a resilient Europe. Miguel Angel Panduro, Chief Executive Officer of Hispasat added, The signing of IRIS2 is a historical milestone for European space. Hispasat was born out of public-private collaboration to provide government and commercial communications in geographical areas of interest to our country. We are therefore convinced that, through SpaceRISE, we will not only guarantee the secure communications of the Member States, but also contribute to generating a more innovative and competitive ecosystem at a time of special relevance for the European space industry. About SpaceRISE SpaceRISE which stands for Space Consortium for a Resilient, Interconnected and Secure Europe isdedicated to fostering a resilient, interconnected, and secure Europe through space innovation. Comprising Europes key space and telecom companies including Airbus Defence and Space, Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, Hisdesat, Hispasat, OHB, Orange, SES, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space, and Thales, SpaceRISE aims to bring SMEs and New Space players together in a multi-national footprint throughout the EU27 Member States to expand its collaboration. By harnessing the strengths of established industry leaders and emerging innovators, SpaceRISE is set to drive Europes secure and sustainable future in space. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216141644/en/ Novotech, the global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) that partners with biotech and small to mid-size pharma companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics, today announced it was named a Fierce CRO Award winner by Fierce Biotech in the Clinical Trial Management and Global Operations categories. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216597492/en/ Clinical Trial Management Award for Novotech (Graphic: Business Wire) Were grateful for this recognition, which is a direct result of our teams effort and commitment to our mission, said Novotech CEO Dr. John Moller. Its a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together, and we look forward to continuing this momentum. The Fierce CRO Awards celebrate exceptional achievements and innovations by Contract Research Organizations (CROs). These awards honor CROs that have demonstrated outstanding performance, innovation, and leadership in delivering high-quality research and development services. By recognizing the excellence of CROs, the awards aim to highlight the critical role they play in advancing life sciences research and improving patient outcomes. The Fierce CRO Awards recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Contract Research Organizations in the life sciences industry, said Rebecca Willumson, SVP and Publisher of Fierce Biotech and Fierce Pharma. This inaugural program showcases an elite class working to advance research and development and further the industry as a whole. This is the inaugural year of the Fierce CRO Awards. Award winners were judged on: Innovation and Impact, Measurable Outcomes, Sustainability and Scalability, and Ethical and Regulatory Adherence. Winners are featured in the Fierce CRO Report. Click here to read the report. About Novotech Founded in 1997, Novotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO) focused on partnering with biotech and small to mid size pharma companies to accelerate the development of advanced and novel therapeutics at every phase. Recognized for its industry-leading contributions, Novotech has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Frost & Sullivan 2024 Global Biotech CRO Award, 2024 Clinical Trials Arena Award for Excellence in Business Expansion, Marketing, and Innovation, 2024 Employer of Choice, 2024 Great Place to Work in the US, 2024 Brandon Hall Gold Award, CRO Leadership Award 2023, the Asia Pacific Cell & Gene Therapy Clinical Trials Excellence 2023, the Asia-Pacific Contract Research Organization Company of the Year Award since 2006. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of services including laboratories, Phase I facilities, drug development consulting, regulatory expertise, and has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, including Phase I to Phase IV clinical trials and bioequivalence studies. With a presence in 34 office locations and a dedicated team of 3,000+ professionals worldwide, Novotech is a trusted end-to-end strategic partner of choice. For more information or to speak to an expert team member visit www.Novotech-CRO.com About Fierce Biotech Fierce Biotech is the biotech industry's daily monitor, providing the latest news, articles, and resources related to clinical trials, drug discovery, FDA approval, FDA regulation, patent news, pharma news, biotech company news and more. More than 300,000 top biotech professionals rely on Fierce Biotech for an insider briefing on the day's top stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216597492/en/ SES-led consortium to design, deliver, and operate innovative MEO-LEO network. IRIS2 will expand SESs network with 18 new MEO satellites providing pole-to-pole global coverage, plus extended access to LEO capacity, to keep pace with rapidly expanding customer demand. SESs participation in IRIS2 is consistent with our disciplined financial policy, benefiting from significant public funding, which is frontloaded, and built-in protection mechanisms. Post Intelsat integration, SES Adjusted Free Cash Flow expected to ramp to over 1 billion by 2027/2028 supporting existing deleveraging commitment, IRIS2 CapEx, and expanding shareholder returns. SES S.A. announces that the SpaceRISE consortium, led by SES, has signed the Concession Contract with the European Commission to design, deliver, and operate the innovative, multi-orbit IRIS2 sovereign connectivity system for a period of 12 years, with the network expected to provide services from the beginning of 2030. Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS2) will be European Union's (EU) preferred and trusted network to provide reliable, secure, and cost-effective communication solutions for governmental institutions, commercial organisations, and European citizens. SESs contribution to IRIS2 will be to develop, procure, and operate 18 new MEO satellites providing 100% pole-to-pole coverage with carrier-grade connectivity solutions. SES will have rights to commercialise the MEO capacity and part of the LEO capacity of the IRIS2 system. The compelling combination of high throughput data rates, low latency, service flexibility, and managed solutions will cater to EUs sophisticated requirements, as well as allied nations and SESs customers around the world. With deployment of SESs O3b mPOWER completed in 2027 and subsequent commercial ramp up, the delivery of IRIS2 is well timed to provide next-generation MEO capabilities to serve expanding customer demand for SESs high performance connectivity solutions, underpinning profitable growth into the next decade. The IRIS2 satellites will form the foundation for SES's next-generation MEO capabilities. Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of SES, commented, We are delighted to secure this important contract as the European Commissions trusted partner for this flagship project to realise the ambition of secure, sovereign multi-orbit-based network for EUs strategic communications autonomy. IRIS2 will bring a new level of connectivity for the EU and its citizens in a public private partnership structure which aligns all interests and derisks the development phase with upfront public investment. IRIS2 will be Europes network of choice with the EU and Member States being the constellations anchor customers. IRIS2 enables the profitable expansion of our differentiated MEO architecture into the next decade, while giving us access to LEO with owners' economics, to keep pace with the rapidly growing customer demand in our target segments where we have a strong right to win, record of delivering value for our customers, and history of growth execution. The contract terms we have agreed demonstrate our commitment to disciplined investment, delivering required rate of return, maintaining investment grade balance sheet metrics, and returning cash to our shareholders. The Internal Rate Return (IRR) of the contract is expected to exceed 10% and is underpinned by a strong commercial value proposition and built-in protection mechanisms. The MEO offering, complemented by access to LEO capacity, will serve a range of government and commercial requirements including fixed government connectivity; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; navy and air force needs; mobile backhaul and trunking; enterprise and cloud applications; global inflight connectivity; and connecting cruise ships around the world. The initial phases of IRIS2 will benefit from upfront public funding with limited need for private financing in the early years of design and procurement. In total, SES will contribute approximately 50% of the MEO cost while having the benefit of commercialising over 90% of the MEO capacity and part of the LEO capacity. The EU and Member States will be the anchor customers to the IRIS2 constellation, while also attracting allied nations across the world, underpinning revenue generation which is expected to cumulatively be around 6 billion over the 12 years. Starting in 2025, SES expects to generate incremental revenue and EBITDA for works related to the design and procurement phases. The Contract also provides for the possibility to add hosted payloads for commercial services, adding to the value proposition towards customers. The contract grants protections to support SESs IRR including, but not limited to, i) a rendezvous point in 12 months time to validate the project cost, technical requirements, and delivery timetable, whereby any party can exit in the event of excess expected cost, not meeting technical requirements, and/or delays to the in-service date; ii) mechanism to seek renegotiation to protect the IRR for qualifying reasons, such as delay in start of service; iii) certain protections from annual cost overruns; and iv) the Commission will cover any extra cost resulting from launch failures up to in-orbit validation. Participation in IRIS2 is fully consistent with the principles of SESs financial policy. SES maintains its prior expectation to have an Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio of below 3 times within 12-18 months after closing the Intelsat acquisition, which is on track to complete during H2 2025. SESs commitment to a stable to progressive dividend is also reaffirmed with an annual base dividend of at least 0.50 per A-share. SES intends to increase the annual dividend as soon as the Adjusted Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is reduced to below 3 times which is expected by 2027 as noted above. The IRIS2 contract will be incremental to SESs current investment outlook (average of around 350 million per year on a standalone basis and 600-650 million per year pro forma for the Intelsat acquisition over 2025-2030), revenue, and profit plans. The capital expenditure (CapEx) for IRIS2 of up to 1.8 billion will start ramping from 2027 and have an average annual spend of around 400 million over 2027-2030. With the Intelsat acquisition, normalised Adjusted Free Cash Flow (pre-IRIS2) is expected to ramp to over 1 billion by 2027/2028(1) driven by revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth and execution of synergies (approximately 70% of the expected total annual rate of 370 million will be delivered by the end of Year 3). This level of cash generation will more than support the incremental CapEx for IRIS2 while retaining financial flexibility to increase shareholder returns and consider further balance sheet strengthening. Click below links for other releases issued by the European Institutions: European Commission European Space Agency Follow us on: LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram Read our Blogs > Visit the Media Gallery > About SES SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on Earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless data connectivity services around the world. As a provider of global content and connectivity solutions, SES owns and operates a geosynchronous orbit fleet and medium earth orbit (GEO-MEO) constellation of satellites, offering a combination of global coverage and high performance services. By using its intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES delivers high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners around the world. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. 1) Financial outlook assumes nominal satellite health and launch schedule View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216108829/en/ This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows the alleged suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference. It also displays the Peak Design backpack the alleged killer was wearing. New York City Police Department Shooting suspect Luigi Mangione has been arrested in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Jeff Swensen/TNS The founder of Peak Design, a San Francisco company known for its high-end backpacks, has denied allegations that his company helped identify the suspected shooter of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Peter Dering, the companys CEO, came under intense scrutiny after he contacted the New York Police Department upon recognizing one of his products on the suspect seen in surveillance footage, with threats directed at him and his staff. The grainy images showed the man, later identified as Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in connection with Thompsons Dec. 4 killing, wearing a distinctive gray backpack. The bag was confirmed to be an older model from Peak Design, a brand known for its premium bags designed for photographers and everyday use. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Upon seeing the footage, Dering told the New York Times he reached out to the NYPD, offering details about the backpack. But he stressed that he would consult with legal counsel before sharing any information that could potentially violate customer privacy. This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows the suspect sought in the the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding an investor conference on Dec. 4. New York City Police Department While Dering intended to assist the investigation, his decision sparked a wave of backlash. 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 page. On the Peak Design subreddit, which is moderated by the brand, users discussed the companys ability to track customers through the serial numbers on their bags, as well as how to remove personal information from their records. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In response, Peak Design issued a statement on Friday clarifying its privacy policy. 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. The company additionally confirmed it had not provided customer information to the police and would only do so under a subpoena. It also emphasized that its products, unless voluntarily registered by customers, do not carry identifiable serial numbers. Serializing our products allows us to track product issues and in some cases quarantine stock if a defect is found, Dering said. Mangione, who faces second-degree murder charges, remains in custody in Pennsylvania after being arrested last week at a McDonalds in Altoona. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A MOUNT LEINSTER sheep farmer is offering a reward for information as to the whereabouts of 25 Cheviot ewes that have gone missing from Blackstairs Mountains. The sheep have been missing from Mount Leinster since 1 October last and despite exhaustive searches fears are growing that the animals may have been stolen. Thei owner, prize-winning sheep farmer Tomas McCarthy, has offered a 2,000 reward for information as to the whereabouts of his livestock, promising total confidentially about any information received. The 25 Cheviot ewes are described as having the initials TC in blue spray on them along with a blue raddle down their tails. The Cheviots also have three-quarter length tails, which would be longer than most other sheep. Tomas has posted pictures and descriptions of the three- to four-year-old Cheviot ewes online and has asked farmers to watch out for them. Tomas lives around three miles from where the sheep are kept grazing on the mountain but checks in regularly and is up the mountain every week. Good Cheviot ewes are making about 250 a head this year, cast ewes are making around 200, so its a big money loss, Tomas said. But at this stage its not about money. Im more concerned about the rest of my sheep; Im thinking when is it going to stop and always keeping an eye. I spent the last few weeks looking; I checked all over the land and they are definitely not dead on it, he added. Tomas said that his neighbour is also missing four or five sheep and said that he believes the sheep may have been stolen. I have been in touch with all the hill farmers around the area and we will have to set up a group to keep an eye on the hills, because its an ongoing issue. They may have been taken, but I dont know how anyone would stop sheep being taken, whether its on high ground or low ground, because tags dont make any difference. If you bring in those ewes, cut out their tags and shear them, then who is to say who owns them? said Tomas. The incident has been reported to gardai. A Tesla Cybertruck is on display at a Tesla showroom in Southern California. Richard Vogel/Associated Press The family of the Tesla Cybertruck owner whose vanity plate ignited controversy after being linked to the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel called the incident a misunderstanding. The debate began last week when the advocacy group StopAntisemitism shared a photo of the plate, LOLOCT7, spotted at a busy intersection in Culver City (Los Angeles County). The organization suggested that the plate celebrated the deadly terrorist attack, which it described as a vile mockery of the tragedy. The California Department of Motor Vehicles quickly responded, issuing an apology and announcing it would recall the plate while reviewing its approval process. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We sincerely apologize that these personalized plates were not properly rejected during our review process, the statement read. It added, The use of hateful language is not only a clear violation of our policies but also a violation of our core values to proudly serve the public and ensure safe and welcoming roadways. But the son of the cars owner, who spoke anonymously to KABC-TV in Los Angeles, explained that the plates meaning had been misinterpreted. He clarified that LOLOCT7 was intended to reference Lolo, the Tagalog word for grandfather, CT for the Cybertruck model and 7 to signify the number of grandchildren the owner has. The Filipino family said this explanation was shared with the DMV when the plate was first requested. The Cybertruck owner is in the process of getting new plates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ELEVENTH-HOUR efforts are being made to keep 150 Ukrainian families in their homes this Christmas following the shock news that their Carlow accommodation is to be shut down by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Families living at the former Toughers Restaurant, Dublin Road, Carlow were abruptly told last Thursday that the premises used to accommodate Ukrainian International Protection Applicants since 2022 is to close due to fire safety concerns. It is understood that the department has ended its contract with the accommodation provider and that all the Ukrainian families living there have been told they must leave before or on 1 January. Its a disgrace, and to happen two weeks before Christmas it shows absolutely no consideration for families, mayor of Carlow cllr Fintan Phelan told The Nationalist. There are children living there who have their school plays in local schools this week, families with decorations up in what is their home, people who are working locally and who have integrated into this community. Its outrageous for people to be treated like this, said cllr Phelan. Cllr Phelan confirmed that last-ditch efforts are being made to find a resolution. He confirmed that in recent days Carlow County Council had issued a valid fire safety certificate for the premises. Efforts to resolve this are being made. We have to get a resolution, you just cant do this to people, argued cllr Phelan. A department spokesperson confirmed that it had terminated the contract for Toughers Accommodation Centre due to fire safety concerns following site inspections by an independent inspections company. The spokesperson explained that at the time of inspection of the centre, the quality of the accommodation being provided was found not to be of the necessary standard required by the department. We made the decision to remove the people living there in the interests of their safety. While it is unfortunate that they will have to be moved with very little notice, this is unavoidable given the concerns raised, the department spokesperson continued. However, the department said that while families will where possible be accommodated locally, other properties around the country will have to be used. Given the significant number of people at this location and the shortage of accommodation the department has under contract in this area, it is expected that properties in other parts of the country will have to be used, the spokesperson revealed. We regret the disruption that this will cause to the people involved, but the department has a duty of care to the people who were accommodated at this centre. Deputy John McGuinness described the departments actions as abhorrent, adding that you wouldnt treat animals in such a manner. I would appeal to the department and relevant authorities not to allow this to happen. Surely they should sort out what needs to be done when it comes to fire safety. This situation did not just materialise in the past number of days. Families should not be discommoded in the first place, but particularly not at this time of the year its quite shocking. They seem to have no humanity or compassion knowing that families and children are going to be unsettled in the run-up to Christmas. Dispersing people around the country like this is simply unbelievable, said deputy McGuinness. Gordon Deegan The Irish arm of social media giant TikTok last year incurred a $1 billion (950 million) pre-tax loss due to setting aside $1 billion for potential fines arising from regulatory investigations and legal proceedings. That is according to new accounts for TikTok Technology Ltd, which show that the company continued to ramp up its operations here last year as revenues increased by 87 per cent from $349.96 million (333.75 million) to $654.67 million (624.34 million). The $1 billion pre-tax loss follows TikTok Technology Ltd recording a pre-tax profit of $11.87 million (11.32 million) in 2022. The Dublin-based business provides services related to content moderation, data controlling of TikTok in Europe and sales, marketing and routine support to other TikTok entities. In the US currently, TikTok is making last-ditch effort to continue operating there, 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 January 19th or face a ban. The new accounts for the Irish unit show that numbers employed by the company last year increased by 289 from 2,631 to 2,920 as the companys activities "continued to grow throughout 2023. The companys staff costs bill last year increased from $195.09 million to $229.47 million that included $9.1 million in share based payments. The directors state that the company has performed in line with expectations. In the year under review, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DCP) imposed a 345 million fine on TikTok Technology in relation to its processing of personal data relating to child users of the platform and TikTok Technology has since appealed the fine. Now in a note concerning the $1 billion provision for potential fines from regulatory investigations and legal proceedings, a note states that the company is involved in legal proceedings including regulatory investigations and litigation proceedings. The note states that the company records a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The note states that due to the nature of these proceedings and investigations, the ultimate outcome and timing is inherently uncertain. The note cautions that the amount of any final liability is uncertain and the liability could differ from the amount provided. Staff numbers at the Irish unit were made up of 2,172 in operation and administration and 748 in sales and marketing. Pay to directors increased from $559,000 to $608,000. In September of this year, TikTok pulled back from its plan to locate hundreds of its employees in offices at the Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublins south docklands. This followed a company decision to bring all of the companys Dublin-based staff together at its European headquarters in the Sorting Office on nearby Cardiff Lane. The new accounts show that operating lease charges last year increased from $30.56 million to $38.22 million. The $1 billion loss for last year resulted in the company having accumulated losses of $982.73 million at the end of 2023. The company had a shareholders deficit of $982.73 million. On the risks and uncertainties facing the company, the directors state that under the heading of compliance risk that the group undertakings remain steadfastly committed to ensuring there are robust mechanisms in place to protect the privacy and safety of their users. The firm recorded a post tax loss of $1.006 billion after paying corporation tax of $3.7 million. David Raleigh A Bulgarian man who admitted smuggling 21.6 million worth of cocaine onboard a cargo ship from Brazil to Ireland has been jailed for 10 years. Kamen Petkov had been in control of such a large quantity of drugs that it was impossible not to conclude that thousands of lives would have been affected by such a volume of drugs, Judge Colin Daly told Petkovs sentencing hearing held at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday. Petkov told gardai he had gambling debts of 37,000 and that he was to be paid 150,000 for managing the drug shipment on the Maltese registered vessel, the MV Verila, which docked at Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on December 19th, 2023, after it had journeyed from Brazil and Canada with a consignment of sugar and grain. Judge Daly said Petkov (36) had facilitated organised crime internationally for a significant reward and Petkovs debts may have made him more vulnerable to involving himself in the international criminal enterprise. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill gave evidence that the 21 million haul was pure cocaine, with a potential value of five times that amount on the street estimated at 105 million. Petkov, who had no previous convictions, was apprehended by gardai after the ship was searched by customs officers who were acting on a confidential tip off. The customs officials found 12 bales of cocaine hidden in an air-conditioned room on the bulk vessel after it had docked at Foynes Port. Petkov, a married father of one, showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his prison sentence, which was backdated to December 22nd, 2023, the date he first entered custody. By Cate McCurry, PA A Belfast High Court judge has ordered the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown. Mr Justice Michael Humphreys said there is a clear and unambiguous obligation on the British state to carry out an investigation into Mr Browns death. In September, the British government said it would not order a public inquiry into the abduction and killing of the 61-year-old as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Derry in May 1997. No-one has ever been convicted of his murder. His widow, Bridie, brought judicial review proceedings challenging the legality of the decision by the Northern Ireland Secretary not to hold an inquiry. Lawyers for Mrs Brown argued that there is an obligation on the State to carry out an effective investigation into the death of her husband under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Humphreys told the court in Belfast: Ive concluded that there is a clear and unambiguous obligation on the State to carry out an Article 2 compliant investigation. No viable alternative to a public inquiry has been advanced. In these circumstances, there can be only one lawful answer, a public inquiry must be convened to satisfy the States Article 2 obligation. The breach of duty in the circumstances of this case, bearing in mind the rule of law, is such as the call for the grant of mandatory relief to compel the State to fulfil its clear legal duty. I accept that this is an unusual and exceptional course to take. However, it is fully justified on the facts of this case and on a proper application of legal principle. The features I have set out clearly bring this case into the realm of the exceptional. I therefore make an order of mandamus compelling the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) to cause a public inquiry to be held under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the death of Sean Brown on the 12th of May, 1997. The family of Sean Brown including daughter Clare Loughran, widow Bridie Brown and son Sean Brown, outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast, in March. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Mr Brown, who was the chairman of Bellaghy Wolfe Tones GAA club, was locking the gates to the training ground when he was ambushed by loyalist paramilitaries. He was abducted, beaten and shot six times in the head. His body was found next to a burning car. Speaking outside court, his daughter, Siobhan Brown, said the family are delighted with the courts decision. Its great news for us as a family. Weve waited 27 years for this. Unfortunately, we have waited this length of time to be in this position. We are delighted he has made this decision, she said. Two High Court judges have ruled that we should have a public inquiry and we are entirely grateful for that decision. She called on the Northern Secretary to obey the ruling of the court. Do the right thing and (do) not appeal this decision and for us to get the justice we deserve for our father, she added. The familys solicitor Niall Murphy said it is an exceptional judgment. Its legal history in one sense insofar as it is the first time the High Court has directed, by order of mandamus, that the government convene a public inquiry, Mr Murphy said. The reason the court took that exceptional step is because of the exceptional egregious actions of the police and thereafter the secretary of state in the 27 years since. Had the organisations, which had responsibility, did what they were charged with, had they investigated the case properly, had they pursued prosecutions and convictions, this family would not have to wait for 27 years. However, the agencies of the State put their face against the interests of justice and frustrated access to justice for this family and today is the inevitable consequences of that. Earlier this year, a coroner said his ability to examine the death of Mr Brown had been compromised by the extent of confidential State material being excluded from the proceedings on national security grounds. Preliminary inquest proceedings had already heard that in excess of 25 people had been linked by intelligence to the murder, including several State agents. It had also been alleged in court that surveillance of a suspect in the murder was temporarily stopped on the evening of the killing, only to resume again the following morning. PLANS to shut a former restaurant used to accommodate almost 150 Ukrainian men, women and children by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth over fire safety concerns in the run-up to Christmas may now be delayed. The building, previously known as Toughers Restaurant, 9km from Carlow town, is now to close at the latest on 1 January. The premises were converted to accommodate Ukrainian International Protection Applicants in 2022 when Russia began its invasion of the country. The department has ended its contract with the accommodation provider and sources have confirmed that all of the Ukrainian families must leave before or on 1 January. The families and schools the children attend locally received notification that they must leave last Thursday. While some of the families will remain in Co Carlow, many are being moved to Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick and Dublin. In an update from the department on yesterday evening, a spokesperson explained that it had engaged with Carlow County Council and had asked the council 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. The spokesperson added: 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. 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 that 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. A protest march by the residents and the local community took place outside the council offices yesterday lunchtime (Monday). Olah Maxkamov (35), who is five months pregnant, and her husband Temur (32) along with their five-year-old son, her grandmother who turns 90 on 1 January, her mother-in-law and pet dog which they brought from Kiev when they fled Ukraine in August 2022, must leave the accommodation in two days time. We have been told that we have accommodation in Carlow town in a hotel and we all have to stay in one room, but we cant bring our pet dog, which is 12 years old. But we cant abandon our dog because he came with us from Kiev, explained Ms Maxkamov. No-one came to meet us from the Department of Integration to tell us the premises was being shut down. We just received letters last week. My husband is working and we are paying our way here but we cant find alternate accommodation in only a few days. Our son keeps crying as he will be separated from the friends he made where we have been living. In a way we are the lucky ones as we are not being moved to other counties. There are many being accommodated in Toughers who have jobs here and have their children in schools in Carlow. They cant travel from Limerick or Dublin every day as many dont have transportation. Numerous people are studying at South East Technological University Carlow and what will they do? Ms Maxkamov added that there are children as young as a year old up to 90 years old being accommodated at the current premises. We should have been given more time, like two or three months, to find appropriate accommodation ourselves but no-one consulted with us. Those living here are traumatised by this news, she stated. Local Fianna Fail TD for Carlow/Kilkenny John McGuinness said that the department informing families that they must leave their accommodation within days is abhorrent, adding that you wouldnt treat animals in such a manner. I would appeal to the department and relevant authorities not to allow this to happen. Surely they should sort out what needs to be done when it comes to fire safety. This situation did not just materialise in the past number of days. Families should not be discommoded in the first place, but particularly not at this time of the year its quite shocking. Advertisement Thai cement producer SCG Group is expanding its production of SCG Low-Carbon Cement in the southern Vietnam market. As part of its growth in this market, SCG has scaled up its production of SCG Low-Carbon Cement to enable exports of 6000-8000tpd. Commenting on the new product line, Supakit Phucharoensilp, director of SCG Vietnam Cement Plant Division, said that the group is continually investing in advanced technology and product innovation to meet changing market requirements. SCGs low-carbon cement meets domestic TCVN standard as well as ASTM, British and European specifications, enabling exports to the USA, Canada and Australia. Richard Hirschfield died 11 years after he was convicted of killing a Davis couple in a case that went unsolved for decades. CDCR Richard Hirschfield, who was condemned to death for killing two 18-year-old UC Davis students in 1980 in a long unsolved saga that was dubbed the Sweetheart Murders, died on Monday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced. The condemned inmate died of natural causes at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, a hospital for incarcerated people, CDCR officials said in a press release. He was 75. A jury convicted Hirschfield of two counts of first-degree murder in February 2013 for the killing of John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves. The pairs bodies were found in a ditch a few days before Christmas 1980. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It took decades for detectives to connect Hirschfield to the crime. The couple was found two days after their killing, 12 feet apart, she face down and he face up, both nicely dressed. Detectives initially tried to connect the crime to the perpetrator of an abduction at Cal State Sacramento that had taken place 48 days before the UC Davis sweetheart murders, but the clues didnt add up, the Chronicle reported in 2006. The case remained unsolved for years until journalist Joel Davis, who went to high school with Riggins, pestered authorities to do a DNA test after years of delays. Detectives got a cold hit on Hirschfield, who was then serving a sentence in Washington State for child molesting, the Chronicle reported. Hirschfield was put on trial in Sacramento County and was condemned to Death Row at San Quentin in 2013, CDCR officials said. In 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom put a moratorium on executions in California in the form of a reprieve for all people sentenced to death. The execution chamber at San Quentins death row was closed and most of the condemned prisoners were transferred to the general population at other prisons. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A man who allegedly fired shots at a woman and then drove a vehicle into a Catoosa County deputy was shot and killed by law enforcement on Sunday night. He was identified as Dameion Coonrod, 32, of Chattanooga. According to Catoosa County Sheriff Gary R. Sisk at approximately 10:25 p.m., Catoosa County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call on Karen Drive regarding reports of shots fired and a female screaming. Upon arrival, deputies encountered a black male in the driveway beside a running vehicle. The suspect began to resist law enforcement officers, including a Georgia State Patrol Trooper who had arrived on the scene, it was stated. A taser was deployed but was ineffective. The suspect fled into the residence, exited through a side door, and attempted to reverse his vehicle out of the driveway. As the suspect reversed, a deputy was positioned in the doorway and was struck by the vehicle. Sheriff Sisk said, "In response to the imminent danger posed by the suspects actions, law enforcement officers discharged their firearms to stop the vehicular assault and protect the deputy." The deputy who was struck by the vehicle was treated at a local hospital and has since been released. The suspect was transported to Erlanger Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is handling the investigation into this incident. As is standard protocol, the deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave. Sheriff Sisk "expressed his gratitude for the professionalism shown by the officers involved and asks for the community's patience as the GBI conducts a thorough investigation into the events of that night." The GBI gave this account of the incident: On December 15, 2024, at about 10:25 p.m., Catoosa County Sheriffs Office deputies and a Georgia State Patrol trooper responded to a 911 call about someone shooting a gun outside. The deputies met with the 911 caller and determined that the shooting occurred at the house behind the 911 caller. The deputies and trooper arrived at the home located in the 600 block of Karen Drive in Ringgold, GA, and confronted Dameion Coonrod. Dameion Coonrod attempted to leave the scene in a Genesis SUV. A deputy deployed his Taser to stop Dameion Coonrod. Dameion Coonrod attempted to drive away while the deputy position by the SUV. The deputy fired his gun, and the other deputy and trooper shot into the SUV, shooting Dameion Coonrod. After the shooting, the SUV continued to travel into the front yard, hitting a tree and the house. A firearm was located inside of the SUV. There was a woman in the front passenger seat of the SUV. She was not injured during the incident. Dameion Coonrod was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiners Office where an autopsy will be performed. The deputy was taken to a local hospital and was treated for his injuries and released. The GBI will conduct an independent investigation. Once complete, the case file will be given to the Catoosa County (Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit) District Attorneys Office for review. This semester, Bryan College launched Veritas, which is the campuss new honors program. Veritas aims to support students as they cultivate excellence in the spiritual, intellectual, and moral spheres of life. To accomplish this end, the program emphasizes how the academic environment fosters opportunities to develop Christlike virtues. This semester, students have read and discussed Andreas Kostenbergers book Excellence: The Character of God and the Pursuit of Scholarly Virtue, which argues that it is possible to be a better person and a better scholar without needing to sacrifice our faith at the altar of academic respectability. Kostenbergers work taught students about classical virtues like courage, humility, and love, while also exploring qualities that usually do not appear in ethical conversations, like creativity and eloquence. Veritas has a cohort structure, which allows students to engage in interdisciplinary peer learning. While it is important for each student to pursue excellence in their major field, this interdisciplinary environment invites students to become well-rounded thinkers. Students are currently reading John Henry Newmans The Idea of a University. In Discourse 6, Newman argued that if students only allow one subject to be their teacher, they will never ascendto command [their discipline]. Mastery of a single discipline can only come through interactions with multiple disciplines; otherwise, students will always remain a pupil under their subject, unable to speak to its shortcomings or limitations. Veritas gives students this opportunity to ascend, helping them to stand over not just under their chosen fields. Our program aims to support Bryans overall mission statement: Educating students to become servants of Christ to make a difference in todays world. To do this, we emphasize that every academic discipline is inherently theological. Take, for example, J. Gresham Machens reflections on how his Christianity affected his historical posturing in his book Christianity and Liberalism: While secular historians usually argue that history is the story of human progress (from superstition to scientism), the Christian must disagree. We look backwards to the prophets and apostles to learn objective truth. Our theology changes our entire posturing towards a discipline like history, and the same will be true for any number of other disciplines that students may pursue. While Veritas cares deeply about cultivating academic excellence, we care even more about the type of person that the program produces. As ancient educational theorists like Plato and Hesiod noted, excellence should be pursued as an act of neighbor love. Society will count on each of us for something, so we ought to serve our fellow man by learning how to do our vocations well. While many honors programs can become marked by pretentiousness, Veritas seeks to intentionally cultivate attitudes of humility and servitude. If you are interested in learning more about the program or joining us, please visit the information and application page, or email Jackson Gravitt, the program director, at jgravitt0904@bryan.edu. NOVONIX officials announced it will expand its Chattanooga manufacturing operations. The project represents an investment of approximately $1 billion and the creation of 500 new jobs, with competitive wages, in Hamilton County. This investment from NOVONIX represents a huge vote of confidence in the region and our ability to support future-focused companies and a well-trained, well-paid workforce, said Chattanooga Chamber Vice President of Economic and Talent Development Adam Myers. NOVONIX established its anode materials business in March 2017 to develop and commercialize ultra-long-life, high performance anode material for the lithium-ion battery market, specifically for electric vehicles and similar storage applications. Last year, NOVONIX saw a breakthrough at its Chattanooga facility, leading to a first-of-its-kind furnace technology to produce synthetic graphite for use in electric vehicle batteries.Thanks to this cutting-edge technology, NOVONIX is looking to expand its Chattanooga operations. The Department of Energy has announced a conditional commitment to NOVONIX for a direct loan of up to $754.8 million to be applied towards partially financing a proposed new facility in Chattanooga. At full capacity, the new facility will increase the companys production capacity by 31,500 tons, which can support the production of lithium-ion batteries for approximately 325,000 EVs each year. We have partnered with NOVONIX to invest boldly into public education to train their future workforce, said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. This investment by Novonix is a testament to the talent and work ethic of the people of Hamilton County. Chattanoogas future has never been so bright, said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, This historic investment will create hundreds of quality jobs and cement us as a leader in battery technology, with transformational research and technology assets based in Chattanooga. Thank you to the Department of Energy and NOVONIX for recognizing that we have the talented workers and supportive business environment to make this project a success. Over the last five years, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce has supported more than 25 economic development projects in the region, resulting in 4,500 new jobs and $1.4 billion in capital investment. The federal Department of Energy had this announcement: As part of the Biden-Harris Administrations Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Loan Programs Office (LPO), today announced a conditional commitment for a direct loan of up to $754.8 million ($692 million in principal and $62.8 million in capitalized interest) to a subsidiary of NOVONIX Limited (NOVONIX). NOVONIXs loan application to LPO was substantially completed in May 2023. The loan would help finance the construction of NOVONIXs new facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to manufacture synthetic graphite, a critical component used in electric vehicle (EV) batteriesunderscoring President Bidens deep commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing while delivering new economic opportunities to communities in every corner of the country. In support of President Biden and Vice President Harris efforts to deliver good-paying, high-quality job opportunities to communities across the country, the project is anticipated to create 450 full-time operations jobs and 500 construction jobs. The workers at the Chattanooga facility will help strengthen Americas energy independence, boost the regional economy, and add to the nearly 16 million jobs created since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office. Synthetic graphite, often blended with natural graphite, is the most commonly used anode material for EV lithium-ion battery manufacturing and is currently imported almost exclusively from China. Synthetic graphite can be manufactured at a higher purity than natural graphite, leading to improvements in battery performance, reliability, and longevity. There is currently no large-scale battery-grade synthetic graphite manufacturing capacity in North America, creating a pronounced gap in both the domestic automotive supply chain and clean energy supply chain. At full capacity, the facility is expected to produce 31,500 metric tonnes per year of synthetic graphite, which can support the production of lithium-ion batteries for approximately 325,000 EVs each year. The sponsor, NOVONIX, is a battery materials and technology company that aims to serve the global battery supply chain for EVs. The companys novel graphitization process involves the usage of continuous induction-based furnaces, which have much lower energy consumption, emissions, and local pollution profiles compared to traditional synthetic graphite manufacturing processes. This year, NOVONIX has signed binding offtake agreements to supply synthetic graphite to Panasonic Energy, Stellantis and PowerCo for graphite produced at an existing facility separate from this conditional commitment. LPO works with all borrowers to develop and implement a strong and binding Community Benefits Plan (CBP) that ensures borrowers meaningfully engage with community, environmental, and labor groups to create good-paying jobs, improve the well-being of residents and workers, and minimize and mitigate any environmental impacts. NOVONIX has been a part of the Chattanooga community since 2017. NOVONIX plans to engage with local colleges, high schools, vocational training institutes such as the Chattanooga State Community College, and technical colleges to establish curriculum, build training programs, and invest in the local workforce. The borrower has fostered partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, such as Tennessee State University and other local colleges to create benefits in disadvantaged communities. NOVONIX has also engaged with Tennessee State Universitys Engineering Department and participates in the Universitys on-campus hiring fairs. NOVONIX also works with the local nonprofit Project Return to offer employment opportunities to those recently released from prison. In addition, it has created the NOVONIX Institute of Advanced Battery Technology (NIABT), a local high school training program. NIABT engages with the Hamilton County Public Schools to recruit for this program. In partnership with Hamilton County Schools Future Ready program, NIABT provides technical curriculum of STEM-based learning to a community of first-generation college students, many from low-income and minority communities, at Lookout Valley High School. As part of its continued commitment to local workers, NOVONIX will hire displaced fossil fuel workers through its relationships with Phillips 66 Company and Right Management. In addition, the companys construction partners utilize union labor, including the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Plumbers and Steamfitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Ironworkers, and Laborers International Union of North America (LiUNA). At the companys existing facility, 75 local union tradespeople are working each day on average. The tradespeople come from Locals 175 (Electricians), 5 (Sheet Metal), 43 (Plumbers and Steamfitters), 704 (Ironworkers) and 846 (Laborers). NOVONIX would leverage these existing relationships with local labor unions in the new facility supported by this conditional commitment. If finalized, the loan would be offered through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program, which provides loans to support U.S. manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles, qualifying components, and materials that improve fuel economy. Todays announcement is LPOs latest effort to bolster domestic supply chains of critical minerals and materials, strengthening the nations energy security. While this conditional commitment indicates DOEs intent to finance the project, DOE must complete an environmental review, and the company must satisfy certain technical, legal, environmental, and financial conditions before the Department can decide whether to enter into definitive financing documents and fund the loan. Years ago, when I was a boy, the Daugherty family attended Christmas Eve services at Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church on Alabama Avenue in St. Elmo. St. Elmo held a certain wonder for me. My mothers family hailed from St. Elmo. My great, great grandfather was Colonel Abraham Malone Johnson who had developed St. Elmo starting in 1886. Johnson had built a large, mansion-like home on the northern hill at the corner of Alabama and Thankful Place (43rd Street). My older siblings have striking memories of visiting Great Grandmother Everett at the house on the hill. It burned down when I was just a toddler in about 1954. One of my earliest memories is of my father, Harry Daugherty, and Uncle Buddy (Malone Everett) returning from the fire smelling of smoke. Thankful Church had been built by A.M Johnson. It was named after his wife Thankful Whiteside Johnson. It is a lovely old stone church, not large, with wooden floors, stained glass windows, and a pipe organ. My great aunt Thankful Everett played that organ for the church. My mother. Oma Thankful Everett Daugherty, and her brother, Malone Everett, and her sister, Margaret Everett Tucker, had gone there as children. It was a special occasion when we attended the old church. One Christmas Eve, we spent the closing hours of Dec. 24, at the midnight hymn service. It was a cold night, full of cousins, aunts, and uncles. It was not unusual for us younger boys to play and explore the ruins of the old mansion across the street. Somehow, sort of like Jesus when he was separated from his parents when he was 12, I became separated from mine. I had walked up the steep steps to the ruins of the old mansion that held so many memories for my family. The old hand-cut, foundational stones lay like soldiers in their graves whispering songs of bravery and loss. As I picked through the rubble, staring from time to time at the huge magnolia tree waving in the moonlight, feeling the cold breeze on my cheeks, I turned to tell my cousin what a strange, quiet place it was. Cousin David was gone. I was alone. Suddenly the reality of the dark, cold night hit me. There was no one around. The cars were gone from the church. I was young and had heard too many ghost stories. And, if I didnt get home, I would miss eggnog, sweet cakes, and gifting hopefulness. Boys arent supposed to cry, but the aloneness gripped me on that night long ago and I did. Afraid, alone, missing extra special intrusions into the winter humdrum, I sat on an old stone and tears ran down my cheeks. I knew that eventually I would be missed, but there was this waiting. The nightbirds called as it began to snow. Shivering, I pulled my coat around me and curled up, my knees in my chest. I prayed. Perhaps the first time that I prayed from my own volition. Jesus, I whispered, Help me. Strange as it may seem, an old woman, carrying a basket on her arm, came out of the dark. Little boy, she asked, Are you lost? Her voice was so soft and her build so slight that I was not afraid. No ma'am. I know where I am, but my family has gone away. I am waiting for them. She wore an old gray wool shawl, and her head and neck were wrapped with a purple velvet scarf. She sat down on the stone next to me. When I was a girl, I came to Christmas in this place. Then it was full of candlelight, welcoming smells, and laughter. From there she described a Christmas long ago. She remembered the Raggedy Ann doll from her mother, the warm mittens from her grandfather, and a paper cornucopia filled with nuts and candy. She seemed to glow as she told of her fathers gift one year, a pony with a red cart. I was drawn into the rhythm of her speech, the kindness of her voice and the winsome, cherished memories. I think this was the first time I ever appreciated an older person. Soon, I heard my fathers voice, Douglas, you there? He came up the hill carrying a flashlight. I was never so glad to be rescued. Dad. Dad. Here I am. I ran to him and threw my arms around his neck. He pulled me to his height, and I never received a more loving hug. Dad, I said, You must meet this person. She has been talking to me. She is, and I pointed, over there. But she was gone. As we drove home, I excitedly told him of the old woman and her nostalgia and warm ways. He looked perplexed. But I never heard a doubtful word. Once home in Brainerd, my mother welcomed me with a bit of a scolding mixed with love and relief. As I looked into my mothers face, I saw something of the old woman. Merry Christmas, Douglas. We are so glad you are home. A families memories have a strange and wonderful strength. * * *Doug Daugherty can be reached at dedsr1952@gmail.com Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. announces the addition of Alyssa Mediate who will support the firm's marketing and business development department as the client development manager."We are thrilled to welcome Alyssa to the firm and to add this new role to Chambliss' capabilities," said President and Managing Shareholder Mark Cunningham. "With Alyssa's devotion to targeted client development, our shareholders have the opportunity to strategically grow their business. Her experience and focus on purposeful business development will empower our marketing and business development team to stay competitive in both regional and national markets."Ms.Mediate will work closely with Chambliss' executive leadership and practice groups to develop and implement strategies that advance the firm's business objectives. With a focus on relationship management and business development, she will provide tailored, innovative solutions for clients and shareholders. Ms. Mediate will serve as a resource for Chambliss clients and the community, connecting prospects with the firm in an intentional and effective manner."Alyssa has been quick to put her client development skills to work for the firm," said Marketing and Business Development Director Aricia Gallaher. "As opportunities for business development continue to grow within the legal industry, Alyssa will play a key role in enhancing the firm's client service and driving overall growth. We look forward to seeing her build new connections, strengthen relationships with current clients, and establish trust with prospective clients."Ms. Mediate started her career in the commercial banking and finance sectors, advising companies on financial and risk analysis, underwriting and capital management. She also served as the net zero ambassador for the New York and Pennsylvania markets at a large national bank, focusing on capital allocation for clean energy initiatives."This role allowed her to educate clients, bankers, financial advisors and partners on key trends and legislation. Alyssa's background has enhanced her ability to leverage diverse solutions across various business lines, informing her strategic approach to planning and implementation at Chambliss," officials said.Prior to relocating to Tennessee, Ms. Mediate was involved with the United Way Women's Leadership Council. She is currently a member of the Tennessee Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth. Ms. Mediate earned a bachelor's degree from Northwood University and graduated from The University of Toledo College of Law. Nima Momeni makes his way into the courtroom at the Hall of Justice in San Francisco. Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2023 A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found Bay Area tech consultant Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Cash App founder and tech mogul Bob Lee last year in a dramatic case whose twists and turns were closely followed nationally for months. The jury determined that Momeni was guilty when he stabbed Lee, 43, to death on a darkened street beneath the Bay Bridge on April 4, 2023. The verdict was unanimous and was read seven days after deliberations began. In general, second-degree murder requires prosecutors to prove that a killing was done intentionally, but without premeditation. Momeni faces 16 years to life in prison, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who was in court Tuesday as the verdict was read. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The ruling came over a month after the trial began in San Francisco Superior Court, pitting city prosecutors against a team of celebrity lawyers. A sentencing date for the case could come as early as February, Jenkins said. In court Tuesday morning, a chill drifted through the silent courtroom moments before the decision was read. The room was packed to capacity of around 100 with members of the media; police officers there to support the prosecution; dozens of Lees relatives and friends including his two children; Momenis mother, who came with a handful of friends; and onlookers. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Alexandra Robert Gordon instructed the crowd to refrain from any outbursts or comments, noting gently that verdict day is a solemn occasion. Momeni, who was present for every day of his trial, was flanked by defense lawyers Tony Brass and Zoe Aron, two members of his five-person legal team. Saam Zangeneh and other attorneys returned home to Florida last week and told press that their holiday plans would preclude them from returning to San Francisco for the verdict. Momeni, clad in a gray suit as he had been for the entire trial, sat motionless as the verdict was read aloud, with each juror attested that they had found him guilty. Lees ex-wife Krista Lee, sitting in the gallery, closed her eyes and hung her head. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Outside the courtroom, swarmed by journalists and attorneys, Lees brother, Oliver Lee, said the family was pleased with the jurys findings, even if it was a lesser charge than they had hoped for. He acknowledged that the case had been exceptionally difficult to prove, because it was Momenis word versus his brothers. Nima Momeni is going away for a long time, he said, standing next to his father and Krista Lee. Bobs kids do not have to see him on the streets again. We are pleased that were able to move past this part of the chapter in our lives. Krista Lee, eyes wet from tears, was cutting when asked what comment she might have for Momenis family. (Bob Lees) blood is on their hands, she said. Krista Lee, ex-wife of Cash App founder Bob Lee, left, embraces Bob Lees father, Richard Lee, after the verdict in the murder trial of Nima Momeni, in San Francisco on Tuesday. Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder of the tech mogul. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Oliver Lee said the family was considering filing a civil suit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Speaking briefly to the press, Momenis defense team said they were very disappointed by the verdict but planned to file an appeal. We were surprised that this wasnt the lesser verdict, said Brass. Well continue to see what we can do to fight for Mr. Momeni. Jenkins said she expected Momeni to appeal the verdict. But referring to the media storm that erupted right after Lees murder when high-profile people like X owner Elon Musk accused the city of being out of control before Momenis arrest tamped down the furor Jenkins said Tuesdays verdict proved another important thing regardless of what happens going forward. I think hopefully now we have once again established what truly happened here, she said. We all know that Musk took to Twitter to make an effort to really shame San Francisco and make it seem like this was about lawlessness in San Francisco. We knew it was something different. Mahnaz Tayarani, mother of Nima Momeni, who was on trial for murder in the slaying of Cash App founder Bob Lee, walks in a hallway outside courtrooms in San Francisco on Tuesday. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Momenis mother, Mahnaz Tayarani, declined to answer specific questions about the case. When a reporter asked her how she was doing, she simply stared back and said, If you were me, how would you feel? Advertisement Article continues below this ad The trial revealed a seamy portrait of the tech circles Lee and Momeni ran in: one of smart, rich and entitled people consuming copious amounts of drugs and partying for days on end. But the narratives of what exactly happened at 2:30 a.m. on the day Lee died contrasted starkly, saddling the jury with the task of deciding which side to believe. Momeni and his attorneys argued that he was defending himself from an aggressive, drug-addled Lee. In their story, the two men were talking outside of Momenis car when Lee pulled a knife from his pocket in response to a bad joke made by Momeni implying Lee was a neglectful father. Prosecutors said it was Momeni whom they described throughout the trial as a vengeful, overprotective older brother who whipped out the knife and plunged it into Lee in a rage over a perceived abuse of his sister. At the center of all the arguments was the blade, a 7-inch paring knife that left three deep wounds in Lee, including a fatal stab through the heart. But even after the trials end, questions about the origins of the knife remained. In his statements on the witness stand, Momeni admitted he threw the knife over a fence after the altercation with Lee occurred, but claimed he did not see any blood on the blade and was unaware Lee had been hurt. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jurors were only shown a photograph of the actual blade, splattered with what investigators said was blood, and both sides argued over how exactly the knife came into the mens possession. According to the defense team, Lee was the one carrying the knife, and they bolstered their contention with a bombshell video they dropped during their closing arguments, saying it showed Lee snorting cocaine off the blade. Oliver Lee, brother of Cash App founder Bob Lee, and Bobs friend Michael Lanza embrace as they walk into the courtroom for the verdict in the trial of Nima Momeni. Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder in the slaying of Lee. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle But according to prosecutors, it was Momeni who had the knife which matched a set found in the Millennium Tower condo of his sister, Khazar Momeni. And Lees ex-wife said the blade in the bombshell video was actually a metal collar stay that Lee habitually used to sniff bumps of cocaine. But neither side could really say for certain. However, the most damning aspect of the knife, prosecutors contended, was the DNA testing on it: Forensics examiners found only Momenis DNA on the handle, and Lees DNA on the blade. Momenis lawyers argued that the testing wasnt reliable, particularly since the handle wasnt tested for fingerprints. The root of the fatal confrontation was a drug-fueled gathering the day before at the home of a convicted drug dealer, where Lee and a friend partied with the dealer and Momenis sister before leaving. Khazar Momeni called her brother in tears later that afternoon, saying the dealer had drugged her into unconsciousness and sexually abused her. This exact moment, prosecutors argued, was pivotal to what came next. Furious over what may have happened to his sister, Momeni called Lee, demanding answers on what exactly transpired at Lees drug dealers house. In their arguments, the defense denied any animosity existed between the men, and that Lee had never been the target of Momenis ire. Prosecutors said Momenis rage simmered in the hours after that phone call until it boiled over. What was confirmed by both sides was that Momeni and Lee both ended up at the apartment of Momenis sister and left together in Momenis white BMW. Grainy surveillance footage captured the two men pulled over on a deserted downtown street, apparently in conversation outside the car, just before blobs of light and dark corresponding with their light and black jackets move around, toward, and away from each other. More surveillance footage captured Lee walking briskly down the block just as Momeni got in his car and drove away. After staggering up to a passing sedan and being apparently rejected for help, the tech founder collapsed at the end of the street, in front of an apartment building. Kaylie Campbell studied to be a nurse and worked in logistics, but she found her passion for wildlife biology in the Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries program at Cleveland State Community College. After graduating on Friday with an associate degree, she will continue at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in January.Ms. Campbell started college in North Carolina after graduating high school. She pursued a nursing degree for three years until she took a nursing skills practical lab and realized she didnt want to be a nurse.Later, she worked in transportation logistics while her husband went to college for a second degree.I was good at the logistics position; I am detail oriented and good with people, said Ms. Campbell. But, I hated every second of it. I felt like a part of me was dying every single day. I had to go back to the drawing board and back to what always makes me happy. That is being outside.Living in Chattanooga now, Ms. Campbell discovered that Cleveland State offered the FWF program; she talked to Robert Brewer, professor and director of the Greg A. Vital Center for Natural Resources and Conservation. Although Ms. Campbell expected to go into environmental science, Prof. Brewer saw her as a wildlife biologist. He encouraged her to start the FWF program, where she would get experience in all the fields, then she could choose her focus.With several credits from her previous college transferring and qualifying for the Tennessee Reconnect scholarship, Ms. Campbell started classes at Cleveland State in the fall of 2023. TN Reconnect is a last dollar scholarship that covers most of the tuition and fees for adults who are 23 years and older who have not already completed an associate or bachelors degree.Ms. Campbell said, Im older than most students. It has been odd, but in a fun way. I am a lot more established in my adult life, so I am not going to make the same mistakes I made the first college run around. I am not afraid to sit in the front row and ask questions, even if they sound stupid to someone else. Im here to learn. My experience has changed since going to school as a teenager.Ms. Campbell was the vice president of The Student Wildlife Society at Cleveland State. She not only gained a new group of friends, she also logged over 200 hours of volunteer service. The club supports projects with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the East TN Retriever Club and other organizations.Connecting with professionals made an impact on Ms. Campbell. The Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries class was her favorite. The class takes several field trips to explore all different careers. Throughout the term, the class visited professionals with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and TWRA, learning about careers in forestry, ornithology, fisheries, biology and more.We talk to people about their day to day and how they got there, said Ms. Campbell. I realized that I like forestry, but I was more fascinated with wildlife than I thought. I just never had any interaction with it. Now, Ms. Campbell plans to be a certified wildlife biologist and work with bats.Kaylie has a passion for everything related to wildlife biology, said Prof. Brewer. She has been a wonderful student and leader in our Wildlife Society. I have no doubt she will fulfill her dream of working as a wildlife biologist.I think if I had talked to more professionals early on, I would have realized that nursing was not for me, said Ms. Campbell. That has been so important to me now. Its not how much money you make or how easy the job is, or how many job offers there are. I want to know what you do every single day. I can do any job, but I want to be happy doing it.For more information about the FWF program, email rbrewer@clevelandstatecc.edu. Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett held a pre-disciplinary hearing for Johnathan Allen per Civil Service guidelines. At the conclusion of the hearing, Sheriff Garrett terminated Allens employment effective immediately. As Allen had met his probationary period under Civil Service Guidelines, he had the right to due process and the right to a pre-disciplinary hearing which the sheriff is mandated to follow. This includes the requirement for an employee to receive a mandatory 10-day notice of a scheduled pre-disciplinary hearing. Allen was served his formal notification on Dec. 7, while in custody at the York County Sheriffs Office Jail in South Carolina and chose to attend Tuesdays hearing virtually from the facility where he remains. During the pre-disciplinary hearing, Sheriff Garrett delivered this statement to Allen at the conclusion of the hearing: Mr. Allen, to say I am shocked by these charges is an understatement, especially from someone who represents this Office [HCSO]. You preyed upon a child, one of the most egregious things a person can do. You embarrassed this agency, youve lost the trust and embarrassed the people of this county and this office, and the men and women of the Sheriffs Office who work here. You are fired effective immediately. If I could have fired you the day this was found out, I would have done it that day; however, I am mandated to give you this hearing and youve had it. You are fired effective immediately. Immediately following the hearing, Sheriff Garrett directed the HCSO Training & Professional Development Unit to submit documentation to the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Commission to request his decertification as a certified peace officer in the state of Tennessee. Allen was placed on administrative leave with pay on Dec. 5, pending a pre-disciplinary hearing after a joint investigation was conducted with the York County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina and the HCSO. Allen was arrested on warrants from South Carolina for three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of criminal solicitation of a minor. Once booked, Allen waived his right to extradition and was immediately transported to York County, S.C. With the threat of elimination of the Department of Education being advocated for by the incoming Tough Trump administration and his billionaire buddies (no offense meant) in Washington, DC it may be time to evaluate what should be taught in the public high school in Hamilton County and the State of Tennessee. Like the Best of the Best and Worst of the Worst purchased polls, the reliability of the scholar making the recommendation is vital and paramount. No better authority exists other than the University of Georgia dropout from Moreland. In Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night (1989-Villard Books), Lewis Grizzard (LG) displayed his wisdom in an article Suggested Courses for Todays Teenager. Whether the local Hamilton County School Board, Hamilton County Commission, and County Mayor need the benefit of LGs doctorate degree in Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic is beyond the scope of this article, but here goes: Education Secretary William Bennett decided a while back that high schools aren't tough enough academically, and he has suggested that it might take some students five or six years to graduate, rather than the customary four. Secretary Bennett suggests high school students take the following courses: Four years of English; three years each of science, math, and social studies; two years of a foreign language; two years of physical education; and one semester each of art history and music history. The primary reason younger people don't trust older people is because older people sit around and try to figure out how to make life more difficult for younger people than it already is. High school isn't tough enough? When you're fifteen, you're lucky just to be able to dress yourself each morning and locate the school. Plus, there are all sorts of things to worry about as a teenager without some bureaucrat in Washington trying to put you through Harvard when you're barely housebroken. You've got to worry about getting your driver's license, a date for the prom, and tickets for the next heavy-metal con- cert. On top of that, your homeroom teacher has it in for you because your earring jingles during quiet period, your father is a narc, and your face is covered with zits. This is not to say there shouldn't be changes in our high schools. For years I have called upon educators to revamp the curriculum to fit modern times and each student's particular interests and needs. For instance, they made me take algebra in high school. "But I'm never going to use this," I pleaded. "You never know," said my teacher. I did know, and I was right. I have been out of high school twenty-four years, and not once has algebra come up. Teaching kids to read and to write and to count a little is important, but high schools also should offer some practical courses that would help students as they join the adult world. (Due to the alleged severity of the deficiencies in the Hamilton County School system the timely action of the school board in recommending additional monetary expenditures necessitates the publication of two separate articles on the topic of Education by the University of Georgias most famous journalism expert.) PS: In checking prior published articles it appears that I have already written on the subject several times but all have intended to be constructive, not just critical. ---- If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com) Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy celebrates a historic double achievement for the 2023-2024 school year: earning its eighth Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System Level 5 recognition and its fifth designation as a Tennessee Rewards School. These accolades place CGLA among the top schools in Tennessee for student academic growth and performance, displaying its commitment to fostering excellence and innovation in education, said school officials. TVAAS Level 5 is awarded to schools with substantial evidence of students progressing faster than their peers across Tennessee. This achievement highlights CGLAs approach to "empowering young women through high-quality, impactful education beyond academic standards to prepare students for meaningful futures." "Were incredibly proud of our students and staff for achieving this distinguished level of growth," said CEO Dr. Elaine Swafford. "Both recognitions reaffirm our commitment to providing an education that not only meets but exceeds expectations, shaping leaders ready to make a difference in their communities." CGLAs TVAAS Level 5 distinctions span the following years: 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and now 2023-2024. Adding to this milestone, CGLA was named a Tennessee Rewards School for the fifth time. This honor is given to schools ranking among the top 5 percent in the state for both academic performance and growth. CGLA previously earned this recognition in 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2018-2019, 2021-2022, and now again in 2023-2024. Paddle Georgia, the Peach States annual week-long canoe/kayak camping adventure, will venture across three states in 2025, with more than 300 paddlers expected to stroke through the Tennessee River basin in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. The event will highlight the Tennessee RiverLine, a transformative initiative that reframes the 652-mile Tennessee River as a continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences. Set for June 15-22, Georgia Rivers, formerly Georgia River Network, will celebrate the events 20th anniversary with this one-of-a-kind adventure achievable only in far Northwest Georgia where streams originating in Georgia flow north into Tennessee and then into Alabama. The route takes paddlers through a unique geological area punctuated by soaring waterfront bluffs, caves and sinks and scenic river gorges. The trip will begin in Ringgold on the South Chickamauga Creek Water Trail, a narrow watercourse that flows beneath spectacular limestone bluffs, over playful rapids and (unusually) underground before emptying into the Tennessee River just east of Chattanooga. The journeys final five days will follow the course of the Tennessee and the Tennessee RiverLine, a 652-mile water trail stretching from Knoxville to the Ohio River, that winds through Chattanooga and the rivers historic and scenic gorge into Nickajack Lake. After locking through Nickajack Lock and Dam in their small vessels, participants will float into Northeast Alabama for the adventures final two days. The seven-day trip will cover more than 80 miles of water trails. This is our 20th year of doing these annual Paddle Georgia adventures, said Joe Cook, Paddle Georgia coordinator. Weve skirted South Carolina on the Savannah River and even stroked into Florida on the Withlacoochee and Suwannee, but never before have we traveled through three states in a single journey. And, weve never organized a trip through a landscape like we will see in the Tennessee River basin. The region is known for its impressive geological features like Lookout Mountain, home to popular tourist destinations like Rock City and Ruby Falls. Lesser known are the hundreds of caves and sinks that pock the area, making it one of the nations caving hot spots. Highly erodible limestone creates these features, including the sink along South Chickamauga Creek that steals a portion of the creeks flow for a time. On the water by day, Paddle Georgia participants will also have the opportunity to visit the regions iconic off-water destinations like Rock City, Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium and downtown Chattanooga, Russell Cave National Monument, Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge and Neversink Pit. The adventure will make use of both public and private camping and event facilities. Participants will first camp at the city of East Ridges Camp Jordan before moving downstream to overnight sites at Tennessee River Place, an event facility nestled at the head of the Tennessee River Gorge, and Stevenson City Park in Alabama adjacent to Crow Creek Wildlife Management Area. Billed as an environmental education adventure for the family, it will feature enrichment programs and childrens activities on the water and each evening. Participants enjoy fully catered meals, indoor/outdoor camping facilities, daily shuttle services to and from the water and guide services. Participants like to call it summer camp for adults and families, said Mr. Cook. Its an opportunity to embark on an epic adventure, meet great people and see our regions natural beauty from a unique perspectivefrom the bow of canoe or kayak. And, the best part, we do all the planning for you. You simply show up with an appropriate boat and gear. This years Paddle Georgia adventure aligns with the mission of the Tennessee RiverLine by connecting participants to river communities and the unique cultural and ecological landscapes of the Tennessee River corridor. As Paddle Georgia celebrates its 20th anniversary, the event highlights the transformative potential of partnerships that inspire stewardship, recreation and shared experiences on and along the river, said officials. We are thrilled to collaborate with Georgia Rivers on the 20th anniversary of Paddle Georgia and welcome them to the Tennessee RiverLine, said Brad Collett, executive director of Tennessee RiverLine. This journey exemplifies our shared commitment to connecting people with the river, fostering environmental stewardship and celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the Tennessee River Valley. We look forward to working together to bring this transformative experience to life. The purpose of the annual Paddle Georgia event is to connect people with regional rivers and raise funds to help protect those rivers. Since 2005, Paddle Georgia events have engaged more than 7,000 participants and generated more than $900,000 for river protection and water trail development. The result of this participation is that streams are getting cleaner as more people advocate on their behalf, participate in river cleanups and hold state regulators and water users accountable for protecting our water, said Rena Peck, executive director with Georgia Rivers. Paddlers can choose do all seven days of the journey or opt for 2-, 3- or 4-day options. Registration will open in early February. In addition to the week-long June journey, Georgia Rivers will offer a full slate of day trips, weekend camping trips and kayaking skills classes during 2025. More information about Paddle Georgia can be found at garivers.org/paddle-georgia. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring Paddle Georgia 2025 should contact Joe Cook at joe@garivers.org Evonik is putting in place a new segment structure and adopting a significantly leaner management model. The companys business lines, which so far have been bundled into four divisions, will now be led directly by members of the Executive Board. Going forward, the operating businesses will be managed in a significantly more differentiated manner, divided into two segments. Evonik has progressively focused its portfolio on growth and resilience and geostrategic balance in recent years. After this extensive reorganization, the company is now taking the next step. We have significantly improved the quality of our portfolio in recent years, says Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Executive Board. In our current structure, it is no longer sufficient to solely focus on the criterion of specialty chemicals to drive the company forward. Its meaning has been completely blurred and no longer sufficiently differentiates us in the eyes of our customers and the capital markets. Going forward, we will manage Evonik in a more differentiated manner by leveraging the strengths of our two pillars: solutions and innovation-driven businesses on the one hand, and technology and efficiency-driven businesses on the other. Our new management model takes this approach into account. Custom Solutions and Advanced Technologies Currently, Evonik manages its chemicals businesses in the growth divisions Specialty Additives, Nutrition & Care, and Smart Materials. Under the new structure, which will take effect on April 1, 2025, the Group will organize its business lines in two new segments: Custom Solutions and Advanced Technologies. This will allow for clearer strategic focus and resource allocation. It will also enable more differentiated management of the businesses according to their respective business models. The segments currently have annual sales of around 6 billion each. The Supervisory Board supports the Executive Board's strategy and the structural development of the Group, says Bernd Tonjes, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. We are convinced that Evonik will be able to exploit its full potential for profitable growth with the new structure. The Custom Solutions businesses are defined by innovation-driven business models. They operate in specific niche markets, have a strong customer proximity, and develop customized solutions, allowing for pricing power. The focus for acquisitions rests on this segment with around 7,000 employees, which includes additives for paints and coatings as well as products for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The Advanced Technologies businesses are efficiency-driven, featuring a high level of technological expertise and operational excellence. This puts them in a globally leading cost position. The segment, with approximately 8,000 employees, includes high performance polymers and hydrogen peroxide production, amongst others. The two segments ideally complement each other and play equally crucial roles for the Groups value creation. Custom Solutions businesses play a major role as growth drivers and contribute more than average to adjusted EBITDA growth. Advanced Technologies businesses play a stronger financing role and generate cash flow. The key indicator across all businesses is ROCE (return on capital employed). Driven by both segments, Evonik will earn its cost of capital at Group level. At the same time, both segments are driving Evonik's sustainability transformation forward. Evonik aims to increase the share of so-called NextGen Solutions, products with outstanding sustainability benefits, to over 50 percent by 2030. Lean management model As the nucleus of the Group, the business lines are the focus of its entrepreneurial activities. The reorganization program Evonik Tailor Made, which runs until the end of 2026 and will significantly reduce costs in the long term, also follows this principle. After the completion of the planning phase, the first structural measures were already implemented this year. They will lead to faster decision-making and processes and drastically reduce bureaucracy. By the time the program is completed, Evonik will have reduced the number of management levels from an average of ten to a maximum of six across the group. At the same time, more than 3,000 organizational units will be eliminated. This is reflected in the leaner management model that will be implemented with the new segment structure. With the elimination of the division management level, a complete layer in the operational business will be removed as of April 1, 2025. The business lines, bundled into the new segments, will then be managed directly by individual members of the Executive Board. The Custom Solutions business lines will be led by Lauren Kjeldsen, an American citizen and currently head of the Smart Materials division. The Advanced Technologies business lines will be managed by Claudine Mollenkopf, a French national and currently head of the Specialty Additives division. Kjeldsen and Mollenkopf will be appointed to the Executive Board on April 1, 2025. The new management team with Christian Kullmann, Lauren Kjeldsen, Claudine Mollenkopf, Maike Schuh, and Thomas Wessel will lead the Group into a bright future, says Supervisory Board Chairman Bernd Tonjes. Lauren Kjeldsen and Claudine Mollenkopf are experienced business leaders. The decision to appoint them was unanimous. Our Executive Board is becoming more international and will have more women, says Kullmann. Lauren and Claudine have been very successful leaders, and I look forward to working with them on the Executive Board. Together, we will make Evonik better. Kjeldsen will also take responsibility for innovation and for the Americas region on the Executive Board. Mollenkopf will be responsible for the region Asia-Pacific and for Operational Excellence, the continuous improvement of processes in the plants. Thomas Wessel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director, will take on additional responsibilities at the start of the new year for Infrastructure, including the business line Performance Intermediates, and the new NextGen Technologies function, which will drive the technological sustainability transformation. Harald Schwager, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board since 2017, is retiring. Johann-Caspar Gammelin, head of the Nutrition & Care division, and Joachim Dahm, head of the Performance Materials division, are retiring as well. Harald Schwager has made lasting contributions to our company, says Tonjes. This applies particularly to Research and Development, which has steadily increased its innovation power under his leadership. Thomas Wessel's contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2026, is to be extended next year until the summer of 2028. With his wealth of experience, Thomas will continue to ensure that the major transformation of our company is implemented consistently and with social integrity, says Kullmann. Kullmann praises Gammelin and Dahm as outstanding executives. Johann-Caspar Gammelin recently set the Nutrition & Care division on a successful path for the future. Joachim Dahm successfully designed and drove the new structure of Technology & Infrastructure. I would like to sincerely thank them both. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close U.S. export control on semiconductors brings benefits to none People's Daily Online) 09:25, December 17, 2024 By Tan Xiguang Recently, the United States announced tightened semiconductor export control measures targeting China. These measures further restrict the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, memory chips, and related items to China, while placing 136 Chinese semiconductor-related firms on the export blacklist of the U.S. This is a textbook example of economic coercion. In recent years, the U.S. has increasingly abused the notion of so-called national security, using it as a pretext to impose export control measures, and resorting to unprincipled unilateral hegemony. Such actions severely undermine the international trade order and disrupt the stability of global supply chains, harming others while offering no real benefit to the U.S. itself. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Taka and Mufasa become friends as younger lions in the origin story Mufasa: The Lion King. Disney Director Barry Jenkins Mufasa: The Lion King tells the origin story of Mufasa and Scar, and if you liked the 2019 remake of The Lion King, youll like the new one. Theyre basically the same Disney movie, with photorealistic computerized interpretations of the characters introduced in the 1994 animated classic, sometimes eye-popping visuals of idealized African topography and similar plots of a young lions journey to realizing his destiny as a benevolent ruler. There are also songs, but they remain the weakest part of the newer films because it looks weird for realistic-looking lions to sing. (Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote them, replacing Elton John and Tim Rice from the first films.) Sarabi (voiced by Tiffany Boone, left), Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Rafiki (voiced by Kagiso Lediga) in Mufasa: The Lion King. Disney/Associated Press Mufasa: The Lion King opens with a classy tribute to the late, great James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa in both Lion King films and died in September at age 93. Then Mufasas son Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter, who also contributed the song Spirit) appear. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But soon, two of the big stars of the first film fade into the background literally when they must depart on some unspecified mission (we find out what it is later). They leave behind their daughter, Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter, Knowles-Carters real-life daughter with rapper husband Jay-Z), entrusting her to their friends, the mandrill Rafiki (John Kani), the meerkat Timon (Billy Eichner) and the warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen). To pass the time, Rafiki tells Kiara the story of how her grandfather, Mufasa (Aaron Pierre), grew up with Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), who would later betray him and become Scar. Their friendship is tested when their pride is under threat from a pride of white lions led by the villainous Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen). Helping Mufasa and Taka is a stray female lion, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone); a hornbill, Zazu (Preston Nyman taking over from John Oliver); and a younger Rafiki. Tiffany Boone is the voice of Sarabi in Mufasa: The Lion King. Disney/Associated Press Working from a script by Jeff Nathanson, Jenkins, who got his filmmaking start in San Francisco and directed the best-picture winning Moonlight (2016), efficiently tells a simple story very well, although his style isnt that much different from that of Jon Favreau, who directed the first computer-animated film. Given that the first film made $1.6 billion globally, Disney had no incentive to try something new. It evidently wanted more of the same, and Disney got it. Mufasa: The Lion King even fits in the current cinematic zeitgeist of villains origin stories, from the Joker (Joker: Folie a Deux) and the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked). Advertisement Article continues below this ad One thing about the lions here is they seem to be vegetarians. They talk sometimes of going on the hunt, but you never see them eat. They are also friends with every animal on the savanna, from antelopes and giraffes to zebras, the creatures real-life lions eat. But never mind those details. Children will love it, and hopefully its message of loyalty, family bonds, working together and appreciating those who are different from yourself will sink in. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Patrick Tomasso Although most Evangelicals believe that social media use is more harmful than helpful to their faith, they continue to use these platforms. According to a new report by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research, the more spiritually engaged Evangelicals are, the more likely they are to use social media platforms. The recently released report, titled Helpful or Harmful? Evangelicals and Social Media, is based on data collected from 1,039 Evangelical Protestants earlier this year. Similar to the general American population, Evangelicals ranked Facebook as their top social media platform, with 81% usage, followed by YouTube at 71%, Instagram at 45%, TikTok at 35%, and Pinterest at 28%. Some 54% of Evangelicals reported that despite their belief that social media is more harmful than helpful, they still engage with these platforms. The main concern cited by Evangelicals regarding social media is that it is loaded with harmful, dangerous, worldly content, with 34% of respondents identifying this as their top reason. Additionally, 29% of Evangelicals expressed that social media is harmful in general, while about 15% pointed to its potential negative influence on individuals faith. Concerns also included false doctrine, misinformation about Christianity, and harassment of Christians. Among Evangelicals overall, 58% believe social media is more harmful than helpful to the Christian faith in the U.S., compared to 42% who believe the opposite. When asked why they find social media helpful, 47% of Evangelicals pointed to its usefulness for evangelism, while 18% noted that it helps facilitate connections with Christian content. The findings come alongside a new Pew Research Center of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 conducted from September 18 to October 10. The survey indicated that many teens are online on social media almost constantly, primarily due to smartphone access. YouTube remains the most popular platform among teenagers, with approximately 90% reporting usage, followed by TikTok at 63%, Instagram at 61%, and Snapchat at 55%. Overall, 73% of teens say they go on YouTube daily, making YouTube the most widely used and visited platform we asked about. About six-in-10 visit TikTok daily, including 16% who report being on it almost constantly, the Pew researchers noted. The data also reveal that teenage girls are more likely than boys to report using TikTok almost constantly, while teen boys tend to use YouTube more frequently than girls. While social media presents challenges, it also offers tremendous opportunities for [E]vangelicals to shine the light of Christ in a vast digital landscape. With intentional guidance from church leaders and a spirit of discernment, social media can become a powerful tool for spreading the Gospel, building community, and encouraging fellow believers, the researchers emphasized. Home News Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell faces calls to resign amid BBC report on handling of sex abuse case The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, second highest ranking leader in the Anglican Communion, is facing calls to resign over his supervision of sexual assault allegations involving a priest known for his charismatic preaching. The new debacle has emerged just weeks after Cottrells boss, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the 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 starting on Jan. 6, 2025, assuming leadership of the Church of England. However, a BBC Radio 4 File on Four program investigation revealed 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 ($12,600) for violent abuse. 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 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 added 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 apologized 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-traumatizes 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 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 scrutinized 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 to 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 barred 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 January 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. Welby resigned on Nov. 12 following concerns about his handling of a sex abuse case involving the deceased 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. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Israel will exercise security control in Gaza once Hamas defeated: defense minister Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday affirmed that Israel will have to maintain a military presence in Gaza for some time, comparing it to the situation in Judea and Samaria, where the IDF routinely conducts counterterror raids. In contrast to various publications my position regarding Gaza is clear, Katz wrote in a post to X this morning. After we subdue the military and political power of Hamas in Gaza, Israel will exercise security control in Gaza with full freedom of operation, exactly as in Judea and Samaria," he wrote. 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 "We will not allow any organized terror against Israeli settlements or Israeli citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the situation before October 7. Agreeing with Katz, a former Shin Bet officer in charge of the district of Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria told the Jerusalem Post that the IDF will need to maintain a long-term physical presence in the Gaza Strip after the war. However, the official also stated Israel should avoid building new Jewish settlements there. Barbing also noted that Israel faces a difficult task in trying to replace Hamas rule in Gaza due to the extent to which the terror organization embedded itself in the coastal enclave. He also spoke about ongoing hostage issue and how it will require a long-term IDF presence in Gaza. Without resolving the hostage issue, it will be hard [for Israel] to move on, Barbing said, while also noting that he does not expect a quick resolution to the hostage situation, despite recent comments from political leaders. Barbing shared his expectation that even if a deal is reached soon, Hamas will not release all the hostages, in order to maintain a bargaining tool to remain in Gaza. However, Barbing does believe that Israel should negotiate for their release. Its a very sensitive and complex issue. Time is running out for the hostages hopes of survival. It is a day-to-day struggle. They should not be sent to their death, he told the Post. Barbing further explained to the Post that Hamas will likely attempt to drag out the process of returning the hostages, releasing only a few at a time. Despite this, he does not think Israel should withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip. We cannot leave Gaza now because Hamas will not keep the deal for the rest of the hostages anyway, and then it will be harder for the IDF to go back, he explained. Barbing also raised the difficulty of finding a replacement to govern Gaza instead of Hamas. There is no one yet to replace Hamas, he noted. We need to be very strong against Hamas. If we leave a vacuum, Hamas will come back fast. Barbing warned that delays by the government in agreeing on a new group to rule the Strip only aid Hamas, making them appear as the only legitimate governing authority. The former Shin Bet officer noted that another reason for long-term IDF presence in Gaza is the level of indoctrination among the population. At the time of the Hamas coup [against the PA] in 2007, Nukhba operatives were only seven years old, Barbing pointed out. They never saw Jews until October 7. They were brainwashed in 'Dawa' [Islamist missionary] schools that they need to kill Jews. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Jordan Peterson moves to the US to escape 'totalitarian hell hole' Psychiatrist Jordan Peterson has relocated to the United States as the Canadian Parliament considers legislation he believes would transform his home country into a totalitarian hell hole. Peterson, a prominent Canadian psychiatrist, announced on his daughter Mikhaila's podcast earlier this month that he had moved to the United States. There are decided advantages to being here, he said, identifying living near his daughter as one benefit of the move. The world-renowned psychiatrist also cited new legislation that the liberals are attempting to push through in Canada, Bill C-63, as another reason for his relocation. He maintained that if the legislation passes, he would be living in a totalitarian hell hole had he remained in Canada. 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 Peterson described the bill as one that ports to protect children from online harm but contains a provision establishing a new extrajudicial system that isn't bound by the rules of legal investigation or guilt, which has an unlimited range of expansion and all the powers of a court and more than any court in Canada has ever had as far as I can see. According to Peterson, under the bill, You'll be able to take someone in front of a provincial magistrate because you're afraid that sometime in the next year, they might commit a hate crime. He added that believing its a crime against humanity to slice the breasts off minor girls who are confused about their life would run afoul of the proposed law because it applies to the protected category of gender expression. Petersons comments reflect his staunch opposition to doctors prescribing irreversible puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and body mutilating surgeries on children exhibiting gender confusion. The text of Bill C-63 states, It is a discriminatory practice to communicate or cause to be communicated hate speech by means of the Internet or any other means of telecommunication in a context in which the hate speech is likely to foment detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination. The measure defines hate speech as the content of a communication that expresses detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination. It attempts to clarify that a post or statement is not hate speech solely because it expresses disdain or dislike or it discredits, hurts or offends. Peterson further expressed concern that if Bill C-63 passes, Any socially conservative viewpoint could be a hate crime. He warned that the bureaucracy is set up to serve informants. It will just produce a class of informants, he predicted. Peterson suggested that It will do nothing but weaponize a new bureaucracy that has the power to expand indefinitely without the constraints of legal precedent. Those found guilty of engaging in hate speech in violation of the proposed law could find themselves subject to an order to cease the discriminatory practice and take measures, in consultation with the Commission on the general purposes of the measures, to redress the practice or to prevent the same or a similar practice from recurring. Additional penalties alleged violators could face under the proposed legislation include an order to pay a compensation of not more than $20,000 to any victim identified in the communication that constituted the discriminatory practice, for any pain and suffering that the victim experienced as a result of that discriminatory practice. Those found to have violated the proposed act could also be forced to pay a penalty of not more than $50,000 to the Receiver General, if the member or panel considers it appropriate having regard to the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the discriminatory practice, the willfulness or intent of that person, any prior discriminatory practices that that person has engaged in and that persons ability to pay the penalty. In other countries with broad definitions of hate speech, those espousing traditional, biblically-based beliefs on human sexuality have faced prosecution by the state. The most prominent example of this is Paivi Rasanen, a member of the Finnish Parliament who faced hate speech charges and years of prosecution for writing a pamphlet called Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity and sending out social media posts featuring Bible verses that criticized the Finnish Lutheran Church's promotion of LGBT pride month. Home News Pakistani Christians reject gov't cash scheme, demand better work instead 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 until 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. 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 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 laborers. 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% of Pakistan's population of 241 million. Most Pakistani Christians live in Punjab province and a large number 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, Rehmat said. 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. The Rev. Reuben Qamar, moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan, said 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, 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. This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Police chief: 'Combination of factors' likely fueled motive in Abundant Life Christian School shooting Chief issues correction, says it was second-grade teacher who made 911 call The motive behind a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, where a student murdered a teacher and a student and injured several others, appears to be the result of "a combination of factors," authorities said Tuesday. The attack, which occurred in a study hall at the private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, ended with 15-year-old shooter Natalie Rupnow taking her own life. Were looking at multiple factors, including possible bullying, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said in a news conference on Tuesday. Identifying a motive is our top priority, but at this time, it appears the motive involves a combination of factors. 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 He declined to offer further specifics but confirmed that bullying at the school would be investigated. Barnes also revealed that police are examining writings that might have been authored by Rupnow, which could offer further insight into her actions. While a document circulating online allegedly written by Rupnow is under review, it has not yet been verified by authorities, and the chief emphasized that the investigation was ongoing. We're certainly aware that it's been posted, and the person who posted it alleges to have a connection with the victim," Barnes said. The police are also probing Rupnows online activity and speaking with students to determine whether bullying played a role in the incident. The attack left six people wounded, including two students who remain in critical condition. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed. At Tuesday's media briefing, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway urged the public to respect the privacy of the victims and their families. "Leave them alone," Rhodes-Conway said. The shooting took place shortly before 11 a.m. Monday when a second-grade teacher made the first 911 call reporting an active shooter at the school. "It was not a second-grade student who called, as we initially reported," Barnes clarified. First responders, who were just 3 miles away attending training, arrived on the scene within 3 minutes. Police believe Rupnow used a 9mm pistol in the attack, according to an anonymous law enforcement official cited by The Associated Press. Abundant Life Christian School, which serves approximately 420 students from pre-kindergarten through high school, is located in Madison, the state capital. The school does not have metal detectors but employs cameras and other security measures, Barnes told reporters Monday. The school shared their gratitude for law enforcement in an update Tuesday on social media: We are [so] grateful to the totality of the law enforcement community who have been involved in helping us. They have been amazing! We pray God protects and provides for each one as they perform their high calling of public service. Authorities have not yet commented on whether they believe the shooter showed signs of planning the attack prior to the event. However, Barnes indicated that such incidents often have warning signs, and police are looking into any possible indicators leading up to the shooting. Were looking at her online activity and speaking with others who may have seen or heard something in the days before the attack, Barnes said. Home News Police drop charges against street preacher arrested outside arena A California street preacher arrested while evangelizing to concert-goers outside a public events arena no longer faces charges after a religious freedom law firm argued that law enforcement made an unfortunate and serious mistake that resulted in the violation of the pastors First Amendment rights. The San Bernardino County District Attorney has dismissed the charges against Pastor Arturo Fernandez following his arrest in June, according to a Dec. 5 statement from Advocates for Faith & Freedom. This dismissal is a victory for free speech and religious expression, Advocates for Faith & Freedom Attorney Julianne Fleischer said in a statement. 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 Pastor Fernandez was peacefully exercising his God-given and constitutionally protected rights to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the attorney continued. While we have the utmost respect for the men and women in law enforcement, no government entity has the right to silence lawful public preaching. The Ontario Police Department and the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office did not immediately respond to The Christian Posts request for comment. Following the street preachers arrest, the law firm issued demand letters to the Ontario Police Department and the division chief at the district attorneys office in San Bernardino County. According to copies of the letters Advocates for Faith & Freedom provided to The Christian Post, the incident began when two security guards at the Ontario-based Toyota Arena approached the street preacher. Fernandez had reportedly positioned himself on the sidewalk at the top of a flight of stairs, standing about 20 feet from concert-goers as they entered the arena. The letters also noted there were four sets of railings between the street preacher and the event attendees. While the law firm argued that Fernandez had preached at the arena for years without incident, the two arena security guards approached the man with a written warning. One of the guards told Fernandez that he was on private property, but the preacher insisted he was standing on public property and that the guard should call the police to confirm. An officer who arrived on the scene told the street preacher that Toyota Arena is a property run by a private company, meaning that the company has the right to decide who it wants and doesnt want on the property. The officer claimed that Fernandez was violating the companys code of conduct, and he instructed the preacher to leave or face arrest for trespassing. When the preacher brought up free speech rights and asked to speak with the officers supervisor, the policeman insisted that the company had the right to insist on Fernandezs removal. Pastor Fernandez explained to the officer that he had preached at the Toyota Arena before, that the City of Ontario owns the property, and that when certain parties use the Arena, their right to exclude only applies to the inside of the building, the letter stated. The officer denied this latter statement, arguing that such parties rights extend to the parking lot. After the pastor insisted that he had a right to preach outside of the arena, the officer warned Fernandez again that he would arrest him if the preacher continued refusing to leave. According to the letter, Fernandez peacefully submitted to the arrest. He was charged with trespass in violation of California Penal Code section 602. The street preacher was eventually released and ordered to appear in court in October, according to Advocates for Faith & Freedom. While the nonprofit law firm expressed its respect for the police, it argued that the department violated the preachers First Amendment rights. The firm argued that the First Amendment protects street preachers and that entities with a permit to use public property do not enjoy unfettered control over the speech occurring on that property. Even if the arresting officer acted in the publics interest, we find further proof of his mistake in the fact that the government had no substantial interest in removing Pastor Fernandez due to public safety or traffic flow concerns, the letters state. During his time preaching at the concert, Fernandez was standing 20 feet away from the event attendees, which the firm claimed is a respectful distance, adding that the nature of the mans preaching posed no threat to public safety. In addition, Advocates for Faith & Freedom emphasized that the arresting officer presented no evidence that Fernandez had obstructed traffic. Thus, Ontario Police Department has no substantial interest in stifling Pastor Fernandezs street preaching, and the officer was mistaken when he arrested the Pastor for trespassing, the legal group concluded. As a result of the letters, the San Bernardino County District Attorneys office agreed to dismiss the charges. The case is not the first time Fernandez has been arrested for street preaching. In 2021, Fernandez was arrested but not charged while preaching in San Bernardino. Fresh bread decorates the walls at Firebrand Artisan Breads in Oakland. The Broadway location will close this week. Jen Fedrizzi/Special to the Chronicle Firebrand Artisan Breads owner Matt Kreutz, seen in 2015, slides braided dough into the wood fired brick oven at his Oakland bakery and facility, which will close this week. Courtesy of Dan Evans One of the Bay Areas most prominent bakeries will close its Uptown Oakland location on Friday. Firebrand Artisan Breads owner Matt Kreutz confirmed to the Chronicle that the company will leave the location at 2343 Broadway because its 10-year lease is coming to an end. The company is best known for its nearly ubiquitous pastries and breads, commonly seen at restaurants and coffee shops. Firebrand will consolidate operations and staff into its 40,000-square-foot Alameda production facility and cafe. Employee safety in Uptown Oakland has been a concern, said Kreutz, and vandalism has also been common, but that was not the deciding factor in closing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We love Oakland, but with what we need to make that space work, it just made sense to not renew the lease, not invest into that space and consolidate into Alameda, he said. The Firebrand Artisan Breads production facility and cafe in Alameda. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Firebrand began in 2008 when Kreutz started baking on a wood-fired oven in West Oakland. He has said his mothers experience with incarceration and his own experiences with homelessness shaped the business ethos to hire formerly incarcerated and homeless people. Firebrand grew from its West Oakland home to the Broadway space in 2014, tripling its sales in 2015 from $1 million to $3 million. The company has faced financial problems and a wage-theft lawsuit from a former employee, as well as a separate wage-theft claim filed with the California Department of Industrial Relations. The company was put in a debt restructuring process to keep it afloat, and it will be back in court in January as part of its wage theft claim. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Home News Satanists put up display in Minnesota Capitol, praise 'religious plurality' Satanists erected a satanic display in the Minnesota Capitol in St. Paul last week, prompting outrage and accusations that the state's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz should do more to prevent such displays. "Thanks to all the hard work from our Congregation, especially Calcifer, for helping us set up Minnesota Satanists' first-ever holiday display at the state Capitol in Saint Paul!" a group called Minnesota Satanists wrote in a Facebook post celebrating their display. "HAIL RELIGIOUS PLURALITY!!! HAIL SATAN!!!" The display features a phoenix, an inverted pentagram and the text of The Mass of the Phoenix, which is a ritual that featured in the work of famous British occultist Aleister Crowley. 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 Minnesota satanists say they have set up their "first ever holiday display" at the Minnesota Capitol Building pic.twitter.com/RECUQ3cQEK Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) December 15, 2024 Minnesota Satanists is a group that was first given affiliation as a chapter of The Satanic Temple in 2019 but broke off from them earlier this year to become their own organization, according to their website. The phoenix statue drew criticism from some Republican state legislators, such as state Rep. Tom Emmer, who blamed Walz for allowing it, as noted by Newsweek. Is there anything Tim Walz wont do to insult Minnesotans? Emmer tweeted. State Rep. Pete Stauber, also a Republican, tweeted, "When you get a DFL [DemocraticFarmerLabor Party] trifecta, you get a Satanic display at our state Capitol. During the holidays what a disgrace. Only in Walz's Minnesota." Walz has yet to make any public comments about the display. News of the satanic display inside the Minnesota Capitol comes a week after a similar display was destroyed outside the New Hampshire state House less than 48 hours after it was put up. The statue in New Hampshire depicted a black-clad figure of the demon Baphomet with glowing eyes clutching a bouquet of purple lilacs in its right hand, which symbolized the state flower of New Hampshire. It was also adorned with a purple stole emblazoned with the inverted pentagram, goat's head of the TST logo, and two inverted crosses. At the base of the statue was a tablet listing the seven tenets of The Satanic Temple, and to its left was a black and white satanic flag. The statue was repeatedly vandalized and destroyed last Monday night, prompting an ongoing police investigation. The city of Concord had released a statement claiming they approved the permit for the statue to "avoid litigation," though the town's Democratic Mayor Byron Champlin expressed disapproval of the statue during a city council meeting, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. In Iowa, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (DAS) "forcibly canceled" an event planned by The Satanic Temple of Iowa, the group alleged Friday, according to the Des Moines Register. "We have made every effort to work with them (Iowa DAS) to ensure a successful event, but after over two months on the official Capitol events calendar we have been informed that our event will no longer be allowed," the Satanic Temple of Iowa announced on Facebook last Friday. Last year, a statue of Baphomet prompted outrage after being put up near a Nativity scene in the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines. Michael Cassidy, the U.S. Navy veteran who toppled the statue last year after traveling to Des Moines from Mississippi, celebrated the resistance that satanic celebrations were receiving this Christmas season. One year ago today, Cassidy tweeted Sunday to mark the one-year anniversary of his toppling of the Iowa statue. "Glad that Satanic icons were rejected this year in both Iowa, by wise civil leaders, and New Hampshire, by a kindred spirit. All glory to God." One year ago today. Glad that Satanic icons were rejected this year in both Iowa, by wise civil leaders, and New Hampshire, by a kindred spirit. All glory to God. pic.twitter.com/CUASIHFCaD Michael Cassidy ?? ???????? (@MichaelCassidy) December 15, 2024 Cassidy pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in May in exchange for having the hate crime charge against him dropped. During an interview with The Christian Post last December, Cassidy claimed he did the right thing and insisted legislators are overcomplicating evil by suggesting that the U.S. Constitution protects devil worship on government property. Home News Wife of Arizona street preacher shot in head says God is her peace The wife of an Arizona man who was shot in the head while street preaching says her husband is slowly recovering each day and she's witnessing miracles despite doctors' initial prognosis that he might not survive. Zulya Schmidt, wife of 26-year-old Hans Schmidt, told Billy Hallowell on CBN News that her husband, who was shot in the head on Nov. 15, is making stunning progress," even though they face many challenges and uncertainties ahead. Were hopeful and were praying, and were contending for a supernatural recovery, Zulya Schmidt said. Theres just so much unknown still, so much uncertainty, [but] every day weve been able to witness a miracle. 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 Hans' recovery is just amazing, said the mother of two, adding that her husband is now better able to comprehend what happened to him than when he was first rushed to the hospital. Even with Hans' progress, he remains unable to communicate verbally. Hans, a military veteran, worked as the outreach director at Victory Chapel First Phoenix in Arizona. Known for evangelizing, Hans was street preaching when he was shot in the head. The suspect remains at large. It was initially believed by his wife and medical staff that he had been assaulted at the scene because blood was dripping from his face but there was no indication he had been shot. After being rushed to the hospital he had a seizure and a CT scan revealed he had been shot in the head. Hans' wife and family have maintained their prayerful pleas to God for a miracle and they've requested that Christians across the nation join them in praying for his recovery. Zulya told CBN News that Hans had been street preaching for more than a year before the attack. Hes been doing that for over a year, and usually he street preaches for 30 minutes before every evening service for our church, she said. That day, he just ended street preaching early and I thought that was odd. After he was shot, Zulya said her husband immediately put the sound system back into the car and drove to the church. She noticed her husband was bleeding and her initial thought was that someone had thrown a bottle at him while he was preaching or injured him in some other way. I had no idea what really had happened, she said. He drove our vehicle to the church [and] unloaded the sound system. Zulya said she became concerned about her husbands bleeding and told him he needed to go to the hospital. On the way to the hospital she said he started vomiting and when they reached the emergency room he was seizing. The doctors treating him didn't initially realize Hans had been shot in the head. It was only after a CT scan that doctors discovered the bullet. By the time the CT scan was taken, Hans had already become unresponsive. My heart sank, Zulya told CBN. I just felt sick to my stomach. Even after neurosurgeons told her that due to the bullet's location surgery to remove it was not an option and hearing a detective say "well know more after the autopsy," Zulya said her faith continues to sustain her daily as she fights for her husband. Zulya also said she's surprised by how much peace she's had through the unimaginable and knows that God is the reason she's been able to persevere through the uncertainties. I know God has a plan in all of this, because theres no other way to explain it. The ugliness that I would see and just the peace that I had, she said. I remember when he was in the ICU, [I said], Everythings going to be alright.' Home News Wooden cross survives California wildfire unscathed, becomes symbol of hope for Christian university A white cross perched on a California hilltop overlooking a Christian university withstood the flames of a raging wildfire that destroyed thousands of acres around Malibu, with the schools students and faculty looking to the crosss survival as a symbol of hope. The cross is a 20-foot wooden structure anchored to the ground with cement, and it stands atop a hill above Pepperdine University. Last Wednesday, the school shared a picture of the cross standing tall above a hillside ravaged by the Franklin Fire. Starting Dec. 9, the Franklin Fire scorched more than 4,000 acres in Los Angeles County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. At the time of reporting, the cause of the fire was still under investigation, and containment of the fire stood at 63%. 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 Pepperdine University suspended normal operations and implemented shelter-in-place protocols as the blaze raged near the institution, as Fox Weather reported. While initial reports indicated some structural damage, no injuries have been reported, and the fire no longer appears to be a threat to the campus. In the aftermath of the chaos, the white cross, withstanding the fire, has served as a beacon of hope to the campus community. "As I got closer, I began to get teary eyed. ... I am grateful to God that he spared Pepperdine and this cross, that burned down during the Woolsey fire and had to be replaced, the university said in a statement last week. Somehow, he spared it, as if he wanted us to have something tangible to hold onto to help us through the difficulty we just went through." This isnt the first time that the cross reminded the community of Gods love in the wake of a devastating tragedy. Members of the Sigma Chi fraternity placed the wooden cross on the hill in December 2018 to honor Alaina Housley, a first-year Seaver College student killed during a shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill. The 2018 shooting at the establishment resulted in the deaths of 12 people and dozens of injuries, as the California Victim Compensation Board reported in a November 2022 news release. According to Pepperdine Universitys website, the brothers of the Sigma Chi fraternity carried the cross in pieces up the trail. The fraternity brothers anchored the white cross in its current location after the Woolsey Fire in November 2018 devastated the landscape. "The paint is waterproof, but not fireproof," one of the fraternity members told Fox Weather this month, saying this shows how impressive [it] is that they are still standing strong." In a Monday statement, Pepperdine University President Jim Gash expressed pride in the way the campus community responded to the emergency situation, as well as gratitude to God for protecting the school. The university president encouraged everyone to continue praying for those still in danger due to the fire and for the emergency responders battling the blaze. Gash also cited the biblical parable of the two builders, found in Matthew 7:24-27, which tells the story of two men; one who built his house on solid rock while the second man built his house on sand. When the storms came, the house built on rock stood firm, and the other house collapsed. Jesus used the parable to describe someone who hears His words and acts upon them by using them to build a firm foundation for their life, which he illustrates through the man who built his house on solid rock. Those who merely hear Gods word but do not follow it are exposed when the weak life foundation they constructed for themselves is destroyed when challenges arise. The university leader compared the parable to the current events impacting the campus community, which he noted had revealed its character in a time of turbulence. When we return in the new year, we will continue to pursue knowledge and the search for truth in every aspect of life, the Pepperdine University president wrote. We will continue to practice the genuine fellowship and deep joy that makes Pepperdine special. We will continue to love and support one another through every good time and every difficulty. It will not always be easy. But we will continue to rise to meet whatever challenges come our way. With Gods help, we will continue to stand firm, Gash stated, praying for the campus communitys safety throughout the rest of December and into the New Year. Home Opinion The Sinner's Prayer: What is it? You are probably familiar with the sinner's prayer. Perhaps you have even prayed it at some point in your life. This prayer is often traced back to the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Sunday (1862-1935) in the early 20th century. The following example of the sinner's prayer is taken from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your name. Amen. 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 This prayer is for anyone who has come to believe the Gospel and wants to talk directly to the Lord. Many new converts have prayed the sinners prayer as a way of expressing their newfound faith. But how does someone come to believe the good news in the first place? Well, your spiritual eyes are opened to the promise of the Gospel, and you embrace this good news for yourself. Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The reformer Martin Luther came to faith in Christ while meditating upon Romans 1:17, which states, For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith (Romans 1:17). Prior to being born-again through faith in Christ alone, Luther relied upon his religious deeds and pious efforts to get into Heaven. Martin Luther was not converted by praying a particular prayer. He was converted by the power of the Holy Spirit. After all, No one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Jesus said, Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit (John 3:6). When a person comes to faith in Christ, he is not only born again but also redeemed, forgiven, saved and justified. Converted people are children of God (1 John 3:1). After the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples on the Day of Pentecost to become bold witnesses for Christ, Peter and John were speaking to the people ... many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand (Acts 4:1,4). These new converts did not pray the sinner's prayer, but would have gladly done so if Peter and John had invited them to pray such a prayer. When someone first believes the good news, the sinner's prayer provides a new believer with a wonderful way to not only profess their newfound faith in Jesus but also their earnest desire to live for the Lord. But what about people who prayed the sinner's prayer earlier in life, and yet are unconverted today? As Jesus explained in the Parable of the Sower, (see Matthew 13:3-9) some people lose interest in the message they initially seemed to gladly accept. The devil and the world, along with trials and temptations, can distract and discourage people who previously gave some measure of mental and verbal assent to the Gospel. Unfortunately, when the seed of the Gospel falls on shallow soil, there is no lasting root or fruit. God works the miracle of conversion by producing repentance and Christian faith in a person's heart, which are flip sides of the same coin. And it actually runs much deeper than simply praying the sinner's prayer. As Joseph Mattera recently wrote, Saying a prayer without true repentance and submission to Christ leads to a false sense of security (See my 2013 CP op-ed titled, "Can Someone Be Saved Without a Commitment?) New converts are typically grateful to humbly speak to the Lord in prayer when invited to do so. And while many believers have never prayed the sinner's prayer per se, every believer offers various prayers to the Lord that flow from genuine repentance and saving faith in Jesus. Likewise, some followers of Christ have never specifically invited Jesus into their heart. And yet Christ lives within every person who is converted (see Romans 8:10, Ephesians 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 13:5). Belief in the Gospel does not require that you use the specific phrase: I invited Jesus into my heart. Some believers express their faith and commitment to Christ with other holy words and godly phrases. And so, you see, salvation does not depend upon praying the sinners prayer. But salvation does require conversion as the Holy Spirit produces faith through the power of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul wrote, I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). One day when Paul was talking to leaders of the Jews ... some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe (Acts 28:17,24). The text says nothing about those new believers praying a particular prayer upon entering the Kingdom of God. The same is true in Acts 20:21 when a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. The Holy Spirit produces repentance and faith through the preaching of God's Law and Gospel. Some new converts are immediately invited to pray a particular prayer, while others end up praying to the Lord in their own words in response to receiving the free gift of everlasting life in Heaven (see Ephesians 2:8-9). A young man named Alex said he had prayed the sinner's prayer at least 100 times. Alex, like every believer, was converted by God at a point in time, not because of a prayer, but through the power of the Gospel. Salvation is given to everyone who calls on the name of Jesus in repentance and faith, and one's assurance of salvation grows by standing upon God's Word and trusting the promise offered in the Gospel. (see John 3:16) As Evangelist D. L. Moody (1837-1899) wisely stated, Faith is the root, and assurance is the flower. Home News Conservative UMC publication Good News magazine gets new life Good News magazine, a theologically conservative publication that was active in United Methodist Church politics for decades before announcing earlier this year that it was closing, is being revived. The Institute on Religion & Democracy will keep Good News magazine operating as part of a program known as the John Wesley Institute, according to IRD President Mark Tooley. We suggested to Good News that JWI continue the magazine. The board of Good News unanimously approved the idea at their October meeting with great relief, Tooley told The Christian Post on Tuesday. Nobody wanted the magazine to close, after 57 years. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The JWI will officially take over the magazine on New Years Day, Tooley added, with the publication set to focus more on the wider pan-Wesleyan community rather than the UMC. Steve Beard, editor since 1991, will continue but from his home in California. Good News is shutting its office outside Houston, Tooley added. Steve worked at IRD prior to Good News, so he knows us well. In August, Good News President Rob Renfroe and Vice President Thomas Lambrecht issued a joint statement announcing that the magazine was closing down after operating since 1967. Renfroe and Lambrecht said they both transferred their membership to the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative denomination launched in 2022 as an alternative to the UMC. Although crediting Good News with helping thousands of congregations leave the UMC due to its theologically progressive direction, the two former UMC pastors spoke well of their former church. We are immensely thankful for the lives and ministries God has given us and for the opportunities provided to us by the UM Church, Renfroe and Lambrecht added. It was the UM Church that recognized our gifts, affirmed our calling, and allowed us to serve its congregations. Welcoming us with open arms over 40 years ago may be a decision some within the UM Church have come to lament. But we are grateful for a church that made a place for us to be in ministry, to do the work of God, and to fulfill his calling on our lives. JWI Director Ryan Danker told CP on Tuesday that when he heard about the magazine shutting down, I was saddened to think that the magazine, a great formational resource for the Methodist faithful, would cease to be published. Danker noted that the new version of the magazine will be completely focused on formation and catechesis, in keeping with the mission of the JWI to be a hub for scholars and church leaders committed to producing teaching materials, videos, and holding conferences all intended to equip the laity. Im excited that were able to build upon the great work of Good News and continue the publication of the magazine as a resource for Wesleyan faithful of all stripes, Danker said. As with everything the JWI undertakes, our focus is the good news of Jesus Christ and the wholeness that he has promised us in this life and the magazine will be yet another avenue to share that message. Home News Horror: What ex-Muslims in Iraq face after becoming Christians Ex-Muslims in Iraq who convert to Christianity face consequences that could range from beatings to kidnappings or even death. Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), recently joined CBN News Newsmakers podcast to explore the various levels of persecution believers face in the country. It really depends on the level of fundamentalism, King said of the persecution a Christian convert might face. So, thats really just the broad gauge. If its a very fundamentalist family, it can be very typical that you are going to be kidnapped and beaten. That would probably be the lowest level, the lowest response. 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 He continued, And then youd be tortured. It would go up to weeks of torture and even murder. And its typically done, this is so hard for Westerners to understand, but its typically done by the family. Listen to King explain on the Newsmakers podcast: Iraq is the 16th most-dangerous country in the world for Christians, according to Open Doors World Watch List, which ranks countries by the level of intensity of persecution within their borders. Anyone who converts from Islam will likely face intense pressure from their families and communities, an Open Doors explainer reads. They can be threatened, abused, lose family members, pressured or even killed. Conversion can have practical consequences as well, including loss of inheritance and lack of opportunity. King said ICC was active in Iraq for years and was even present when the Islamic State terrorist group was attacking the nation. The terror brought about by IS was deeply harmful to the Iraqi Christian population. ISIS went into the Christian areas and they emptied them all out, and destroyed the towns, destroyed the wells everything, he said. They wanted to end Christianity that has been in Iraq for a thousand years, really, since the very beginning. ICC has focused on trying to rebuild Christian areas by helping harmed businesses and creating wells and other forms of assistance. Still, persecution persists. The victimization keeps going on and all that legacy of damage is awaiting repair, King said. As CBN News previously reported, he also warned about a shocking bill making its way through Iraqs Parliament that he said could legalize child rape. The proposal would lower the age of consent for young girls in the country from 18 to 9, with King blaming fundamentalist Islam for seeking the legislative initiative. Read more here. This article originally appeared on CBNs Faithwire. A tray of meat rests on a smoker at the now closed West Oakland Horn Barbecue in 2020. Chef-owner Matt Horn announced a new Horn Barbecue location in Lafayette. Noah Berger/Special to The Chronicle Matt Horn, photographed in 2020, stands outside his now closed Horn Barbecue restaurant in West Oakland. He is opening a new location in Lafayette. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle One of the Bay Areas leading Texas-style barbecue chefs is ready to serve diners at a new location. Matt Horn announced on social media this week that he is launching a new Horn Barbecue restaurant in Lafayette. Horn and his crew will offer their smoked meats at 3422 Mount Diablo Blvd., previously home to longtime local favorite Bos Barbecue, which closed in 2016, and most recently All The Smoke BBQ. Our family has spent time in this community, and the opportunity to open on (here) came at just the right moment, Horn wrote in a statement to the Chronicle. The support weve already received from our neighbors has been nothing short of inspiring, and we are honored to be welcomed into such a vibrant community. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Horn Barbecue first garnered buzz at popups with its smoked brisket, ribs and tri-tip which regularly sold out in just hours. A permanent Horn location opened in 2020 on Mandela Parkway in West Oakland, gaining a reputation for meat sold by the pound or in hefty sandwiches dripping with sauce, along with house-made sausages, pulled pork and smoked turkey. That location burned down in 2023, and Horn eventually reopened in a space in Old Oakland. He also operates the fried chicken-focused restaurant Kowbird. While Horns prominence and restaurant empire has grown, controversy has also followed, with Horn facing a series of wage claims and lawsuits from vendors and former employees. Horn Barbecue. 3422 Mt. Diablo Blvd. Lafayette. 12-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. hornbarbecue.com/ The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell There have been calls for the Archbishop of York to resign over his handling of a historical sex abuse case when he was Bishop of Chelmsford. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell was accused in a BBC investigation of allowing David Tudor to remain in ministry for years despite knowing that he had been banned from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim. The woman who received compensation from Tudor told the BBC, "I feel like he [Stephen Cottrell] has spat in my face." Tudor was only barred from ministry in October after he admitted historical sex abuse allegations relating to two girls in the 1980s. Critics accuse Archbishop Cottrell of failing to act soon enough and are urging him to step down. The calls come just weeks before he is due to take interim charge of the Church of England following the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury over safeguarding failures. The Bishop of Newcastle, Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley, is among those calling on Cottrell to resign. "It completely undermines his credibility that this case was not acted on," she told BBC File on 4 Investigates. "How can you have the moral and ethical authority to lead an institution with that?" Rev Martine Oborne, Chair of Women and the Church, told Sky News that Cottrell "could've done more, sooner". A petition calling on the Archbishop to resign has been signed over 1,600 times. Cottrell is refusing to step down, claiming his hands were tied. He said in a statement: "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. "This morning's 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. "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. "I am deeply sorry that we were not able to take action earlier, but that was the situation I inherited. 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. And to present it this way only re-traumatises already hurt people." His claims have been refuted by critics. Gavin Drake, a campaigner for survivors of abuse and former communications director for the Anglican Communion, has accused Cottrell of lying. Drake said, "There were plenty of legal grounds to take alternate action. "For a start, the Archbishop could have removed from Tudor the office of Area Dean of Hadleigh. The position of Area Dean is the gift of the bishop and can be granted and removed at will. By retaining Tudor in that position, Stephen Cottrell was retaining the inherited position where Tudor was given additional responsibility and authority over other clergy. "It was also open to Stephen Cottrell not to install Tudor as an honorary canon of Chelmsford Cathedral in 2015. Tomorrow's File on Four programme says that Cottrell's office told them that "the new title for David Tudor wasn't a promotion or personal reward but happened because of a change in policy, meaning Area Deans will automatically made honorary canons. "Did this change in policy happen in a vacuum? Was Stephen Cottrell not consulted on it? Did nobody review who the area deans were to see who would be made a canon under the new policy? "FACT: Stephen Cottrell as bishop, and others in the diocese, approved this change knowing that it would result in Tudor being made an honorary canon." The Church of England released a separate statement in response to the BBC investigation in which it said, "Safeguarding decisions and all appointments today are subject to very clear guidance issued by the House of Bishops, which was not in place at the 1990s. "It is currently being strengthened further. This involves a clear process, both around safer recruitment and in assessing risk, even when no further action is taken by statutory services, to ensure the Church is a safe place for all. "The current Bishops of Chelmsford and Southwark have apologised for the hurt and harm caused by his offences and an independent Safeguarding Practice Review will now take place to ensure lessons are learnt from this case. "Support continues to be offered to the survivors and those affected by this case." Over the past decade, companies have extensively migrated their workloads to the cloud. Despite this, cloud infrastructure continues to expand rapidly, with IDC predicting a 19.3% year-over-year growth in 2024. The primary driver of this growth is no longer standard cloud migration. Instead, it is the modernisation of workloads to enhance innovation and efficiency, coupled with the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). This rapid evolution presents both opportunities and challenges. While it enables unprecedented innovation and efficiency, it also raises critical environmental concerns, such as rising energy demands, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable and efficient practices. The energy dilemma: How Generative AIs power hunger is shaping the future The energy sector provides a striking example of both its promise and its challenges. GenAI use cases can support the simulation and optimisation of grid operations, enhancing overall reliability and resilience. Additionally, GenAI can generate insights from energy consumption data, factoring in elements such as weather and economic activity to boost operational efficiency. However, GenAIs immense energy demands, powered by electricity from already strained power grids, pose a significant challenge. According to Gartner, AI could consume up to 3.5% of the worlds electricity by 2030. The energy consumption of GenAI is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. As highlighted by MIT Technology Review, the electricity demands of AI are surging, with some advanced models consuming substantial amounts of energy. For instance, generating 1,000 images using an AI image generation model can emit as much carbon dioxide as driving a gas-powered car for over four miles. A recent article in Nature underscores a looming challenge: the next generation of GenAI systems could demand as much energy as entire nations. This surge in energy consumption stems from the immense computational power required as well as the substantial quantities of fresh water needed to cool processors and generate electricity. Although the expansion of Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) infrastructure adds to the sectors energy footprint, they are simultaneously addressing these challenges by embedding environmental principles into their designs. For instance, one CSP is leading the way with next-generation data centres that completely eliminate the need for water-based cooling, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable innovation. FinOps and cloud: balancing growth, costs, and sustainability This is where FinOps (financial operations, focused on optimising and managing cloud costs and driving financial accountability) and GreenOps (green operations, aimed at aligning IT usage with sustainability goals) have a role to play. FinOps is not merely about cost reduction; rather, it is the capability to manage IT expenditures while supporting business growth, thereby enhancing profitability. Drawing parallels to other fields, with winter approaching, energy companies often advise on optimising household energy consumption. This not only helps reduce monthly energy bills but also encourages the use of locally produced, greener energy sources, reducing reliance on external, often fossil energy sources. Applying this principle to the cloud, and considering the intensive capacity demands of GenAI, we see how optimising IT infrastructure usage can achieve both financial and environmental objectives the latter now with increased transparency and thus scrutiny from new sustainability reporting regimes coming into force. Here is why you should not consider such compliance exercises as a burden, but rather as an opportunity, if not a catalyst. Aligning cloud sustainability with CSRD The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is transforming how businesses report their sustainability impacts, making this data crucial for investors and stakeholders. This EU directive mandates around 50,000 companies in the EU or with entities in the EU to disclose detailed sustainability information, emphasising the concept of double materiality. With over 1,000 data points to manage, and 74% of organisations still using spreadsheets, technology becomes essential for efficient, compliant reporting and insightful analytics. Businesses face a choice: stick with existing systems or adopt new software to streamline sustainability reporting. Many are turning to cloud technologies for their scalability, real-time data access, and collaboration capabilities. These platforms simplify compliance by enabling what is often most important with handling sustainability data, e.g. data collection, integration, and aggregation; innovation for adaption given where the sustainability and especially the carbon IT market currently stands; and shared ownership of processes across functions like CSO, CFO, and CIO teams. Key solutions include robust monitoring for energy usage, resource consumption, and carbon footprints. A GreenOps framework, building on an inventory of cloud resources, baseline measurements, and real-time capabilities, combined with FinOps, ensures cloud usage is both efficient and sustainable. It is simply carbon out, cost out. Integrating technology with sustainability results in a win-win, allowing businesses to navigate CSRD requirements, improve reporting capabilities, and position themselves for a future where AI and cloud platforms drive both innovation and environmental responsibility. Powering the future: How AI is revolutionising cloud sustainability In our 2025 AI business predictions, we rank sustainability among the top five impact areas driven by AI. According to our 2024 Global Investor survey, two-thirds of investors believe that GenAI will boost productivity at the companies they invest in by at least 5% within the next year, with similar expectations for revenue and profitability increases. Additionally, 63% of top-performing companies are increasing their cloud budgets to leverage GenAI, while 34% cite sustainability considerations as a key driver for budget increases. AIs capability to collect and analyse data can significantly enhance organisations efforts to optimise sustainability across their operations, management, and supply chains. AI can enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve environmental performance in various sectors. Examples include optimising building cooling, repositioning wind turbines, balancing electric vehicle charging, and refining manufacturing processes. On the other side, AI can also automate data collection for sustainability regulations, analyse this data, and generate reports and insights for steering and investment decisions. Data centres, as a key component of any cloud infrastructure, particularly those used by banks and insurance firms, consume significant energy. To show the impact: The data centre industry accounts for about 1.5% of global energy consumption, a figure expected to rise to 8% by 2030. Electricity costs make up 50-70% of data centre operating expenses. AI applications can help optimise energy use in data centres, contributing to overall sustainability efforts along the supply chain. AI will accelerate the energy transition which will not only drive significant improvements in sustainability from reducing energy demand but generate substantial savings for companies. Research from PwC and the World Economic Forum indicates that demand-side energy actions can achieve a 31% reduction in energy demand without compromising output across all economic sectors. This presents a compelling opportunity for businesses to enhance efficiency and sustainability. Who wouldnt want to seize this advantage? A virtuous circle Sustainability and ITand IT and Sustainabilityform a virtuous circle. Cloud technology represents state-of-the-art technology, with AI acting as an enabler to generate the necessary insights for a sustainable strategy. This includes data centres to support technology use and processing, value chains, and performance management and reporting. For this reason, the CIO must play a central role in any sustainability operationalisation and reporting initiative. Research shows 91% of organisations are either already involved or plan to involve their technology teams in responding to CSRD requirements. However, fewer than 60% have done so to date, presenting a clear call to action. By engaging IT and technology leaders early, businesses can integrate emerging requirements into system road maps, ensuring smoother compliance and unlocking the full potential of cloud-driven sustainability solutions. To learn more, visit us here. To learn more about sustainability, visit us here. Click through to find out more about Hamza Hoummada, Gunther Duetsch and Alexander Muller. With her claim that retailers are seeing high returns of Arm PCs, Intel interim CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus appears to be trying to scare buyers off the rival processor architecture. But enterprise buyers who look before they leap have little to fear. Speaking at Barclays annual technology conference late last week, Holthaus said if you look at the return rate for Arm PCs, you go talk to any retailer, their number one concern is, I get a large percentage of these back because you go to set them up and the things that we just expect [to work], dont work. CIO reached out to Intel and Qualcomm for comment on Monday, but 24 hours after the request was made, had yet to receive a reply from either organization. The same applied to Microsoft, Dell, HP and Lenovo, all of whom offer devices based on Qualcomms latest processors, Snapdragon X Elite or X Plus. Shelley Lindgren, center, was planning to open Apero Wine & Spritz Bar in Napa with partners Kitty Oestlien, left, and Samantha Sheenan, right. When that fell through, she decided to open a new location of her restaurant A16 in downtown Napa. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle One of San Franciscos most celebrated Italian restaurants is expanding to Wine Country. A16, which opened in the Marina District 20 years ago, will open a Napa outpost in early February, bringing its Neapolitan-style pizzas and list of eclectic Southern Italian wines to the downtown space at 821 Coombs St. formerly occupied by Japanese izakaya Miminashi. Southern Italy has always been the model for A16, which also operates locations in Oakland, San Franciscos Ferry Building and Japan and is recognized by the Michelin Guide as a good-value Bib Gourmand pick. But owner Shelley Lindgren said that the Napa restaurant will lean especially toward the region of Puglia the heel of Italys geographic boot. Miminashis wooden ceilings reminded Lindgren of those found in Puglias historic buildings. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lindgren plans to add Puglian specialties, including the doughnut-like zeppole and the turnover-like panzerotti, to the A16 Napa menu. The soft serve machine that Miminashi installed is still there, and Lindgren envisions offering soft serve in flavors like olive oil (using oil from Napas Hudson Ranch) and sesame a flavor that Miminashi served but which is also very Puglia, said Lindgren. The wooden ceilings of Japanese restaurant Miminashi, seen in 2016, reminded Lindgren of the architecture in Puglia, Italy. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle The restaurateurs path to Napa was circuitous. Last summer, she announced that she would be partnering with winemaker Samantha Sheehan to open a spritz-themed tasting room called Apero in downtown Napa. Lindgren saw it as a chance to showcase Tansy, the wine label she co-owns with Kitty Oestlien. The plan was to offer light bites from A16 including a colorful pesto trio. But a technicality got in Lindgrens way: She and Oestlien werent on the Apero lease, and so immediately after opening they learned that they couldnt pour their wines there. They had to abandon Apero, which Sheehan now operates as the tasting room for her aperitif brand Mommenpop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After that setback, a friend introduced Lindgren to another landlord in Napa who had an empty restaurant. The 4,000-square-foot space, which can seat about 90 people, seemed to invite a larger operation than just a Tansy tasting room. At first, Lindgren thought she might do a limited popup, similar to the six-week residency A16 did at the Boonville Hotel in Anderson Valley in 2020. But then she decided she wanted to make it permanent. Although A16 will always be focused on Italian wine, the Napa location will feature more local wines too. Lindgren cited Hendry, a family winery that makes wine from the Zinfandel-like Primitivo grape, and Massican, which makes Italian-inspired white wines, as two local labels she loves. She also expects to host winemaker-led tastings at the restaurant once a week. A16 has a sizable catering business, and Lindgren hopes to bring her pizza truck to Napa Valley wineries that dont have their own kitchens. A16 in the Marina District of San Francisco, seen in the year it opened, 2004. Kim Komenich/The Chronicle The new restaurant has a full liquor license, and Lindgrens husband Greg Lindgren, who owns the San Francisco bars Rye and 15 Romolo, will work on a cocktail menu utilizing Italian spirits. Reservations for early February will open on Jan. 15. Initially, A16 Napa will be open just for dinner, but will add lunch hours starting in the spring. A 600-square-foot parklet will open for additional seating when the weather gets warmer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Im excited, Lindgren said. Its funny if Apero didnt happen, we wouldnt be going to Napa. The German Development Cooperation through GIZ is seeking a short-term expert to support the National Center for Sustainable Energy (CNED) in improving crisis communication and strategic public relations. The expert will work with the Head of the Consultancy, Communication and Information Section of CNED and advisors from various institutions to increase transparency and visibility of CNED actions, particularly in promoting the Residential Energy Efficiency Fund (REEF) and Eco vouchers. This need has arisen due to the fast development of the Energy sector in Moldova and development of new CNED financial products. The services within the assignment will be provided in the period between January 2025 30 October 2025. The selected short-term expert will conduct all the activities in accordance with the provisions of the Terms of Reference (ToR). For the Terms of Reference (ToR) and eventual questions, please address a message to the e-mail: tenders-giz-moldova@giz.de, indicating the tender number in the message title, not later than December 26, 2024, 15:00 Chisinau local time. The short-term expert should meet the following criteria and qualifications: Qualification and skills The successful application shall include: 2. Financial offer, containing (in a separate envelope): All personal data are for the internal use of GIZ; confidentiality is guaranteed. Bids evaluation will be performed based on the ratio of 70% for the technical offer and 30% for the financial offer. Shortlisted applicants might be asked for an interview and additional information. Applications shall be submitted in a sealed envelope to the GIZ country office Chisinau, 73/1 Stefan cel Mare si Sfant Bvd., National Business Center, 9th floor indicating the tender number 83480346, not later than January 03, 2025, 15:00 Chisinau local time. Please note that applications received after the deadline, as well as incomplete applications will not be considered. Financial offers containing other currency than Moldovan Lei, will not be considered. GIZ retains the discretion to re-advertise or cancel this tender. Alte articole de la acest autor: Peste o mie de copii din raionul Criuleni vor avea acces gratuit la un spatiu modern pentru joaca si lectura The German Development Cooperation (GIZ) is looking for an Economic Analyst to join the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy team in Chisinau. The project component is financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). This position is planned to start in January 2025 and last for a 12-month period with the possibility to be extended, based on a successful employment period and project extension. The Economic Analyst will be responsible for conducting in-depth economic analysis of energy market, focusing on the costs, benefits, and long-term impacts of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the residential building sector and district heating, analyzing the economic implications of existing and proposed energy policies, including regulations, subsidies, and incentive schemes, and performing cost-benefit analyses and evaluation of the economic feasibility for energy projects, with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency measures considering capital costs, operating expenses, potential revenues, and risk factors. The permanent workplace for this position is in Chisinau. The overall responsibilities covered by this position are as follows: Required qualifications: Applications, including detailed CV, references, and motivation letter (in English) shall be sent not later than 3rd of January 2025, time 15:00 to the address hr-giz-moldova@giz.de . Please mention the position name in the title of your application message. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked for an interview. The finalist will be offered a fixed-term employment contract based on a 40-hour weekly work programme and concluded in line with the national labour legislation. Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered. GIZ retains the discretion to re-advertise the position, to cancel the recruitment or offer an appointment at a lower grade or with a modified job description. GIZ is committed to employment equity in the workplace and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Alte articole de la acest autor: Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Lina Sinjab was forced to leave her home in Syria in 2013, a couple of years into the uprising against the countrys dictator, Bashar al-Assad. She had already been arrested for her coverage of the early days of the protests and denounced by a branch of state security as a traitornow she understood it was no longer safe for her to stay in the country. Soon after she left, government agents raided her apartment in central Damascus, destroying it. She relocated to Beirut, where for the next decade she continued to report on the civil war, as well as events across the Middle East, for the BBC. Last week, after rebels converged on the capital, forcing Assad to flee, Sinjab was one of the first people in line to get back to her home country. She spoke to CJR from Damascus, where she has been reporting for more than a week. This is the first time ever in my life as a journalist that Im fearless, she said. Her account of the past week has been edited for concision and clarity. I was in Beirut and reporting on the ongoing war in Lebanon, and the ceasefire with Israel, when we first started hearing overnight that something was happening in Aleppo. My first thought was, No, that cant be true. Or, if it was, that theyre just going to bomb them, theyre going to kill a lot of people. But then I noticed that the killing and air strikes didnt seem to be happening as you would expect. And then, quickly, Aleppo fell, and then Hama. All of a sudden, its Homs. I thought, Theres no way Bashar al-Assad is going to give up Homs. Thats the heartland of the Alawite communityand not just any Alawites, the Alawites who fought with him, who killed and tortured people for him, the shabiha [government thugs] who went after protesters. As Syrians, we grew up worrying about ever being optimistic. We have a saying in Arabic that means, basically, God, give us the good out of this laughter. Its about how we worry that anytime we are laughing and experiencing joy, there must be something bad that will follow. So were always cautious. But then, just a few hours later, Homs fell. Immediately, I started talking to my contacts inside the government, because I wanted to know, is there any way I could go to Damascus? I was thinking I would maybe go for a short visit. But I also knew I was wanted by the Palestine Branch [a division of state security], so I always have to be careful. For the forty-eight hours or so before Assad fell, everyone I knew inside the regime went silent. No one was responding. And then a few people got back to me and said, Hold on a bit. You may not need to worry about this in the coming days. Around midnight on Saturday, as the rebels were closing in on Damascus, my team and I had a call to discuss going to the border. One of my colleagues said, Are you ready to go? I said, If the regime falls, Im ready. But if not, I will have to reassess. We went to the border, and by 5am I knew we were going to be able to go in. I crossed at exactly 8 oclock in the morning, the moment when the Lebanese government opened the border on their side. The first thing you see on the Syrian side is the passport control office. I had spoken to one of my contacts in Damascus, and somebody had already gone to the passport office and said there was nobody there. Its funny because in the past, whenever I would go into Syria, I had so much fear and anxiety. I used to take anxiety pills before crossing the border, just to control my panic. There are so many checkpoints, and although I would always check if my name was on a list, and pay bribes to get it removed, still, there are so many branches of state security, I would be scared. Sign up for CJRs daily email This was the first time that I had a light feeling inside me. We passed the border control and it was abandoned. Everything was like a ghost town. We would see rebels here and there, cheering and waving, but then you would drive through checkpoint after checkpoint, one military base after another, and they were all empty. You would still see those pictures of Bashar al-Assad, the signs saying Syria Welcomes Youbut theyre ripped and torn. When we got to Damascus, we went to Umayyad Square, and there were hundreds of people there. It was a mixture, the residents and the rebels. We were a bit nervous because the rebels were firing into the air, firing outrageously, so we went to our hotel and put on some protective gear. But soon we went back and started talking to peopleit was like an explosion of freedom. In 2011, when Egyptians were in Tahrir Square [celebrating the end of the regime of Hosni Mubarak], we were watching the news in Damascus, and thinking, Umayyad Square is going to be the Tahrir Square of Damascus. But of course, it didnt happen. Most protests took place in side streets and alleys. In cities where they were able to get to the central squares, like Hama or Homs, they paid a high price. The government never allowed people to reach the central squares in Damascus. It was like a dream to gather there, and now it was like a party there. Its still happening, every night. Reporting here over the past week has been a mixture of joy and euphoria, but also there is huge grief among the Syrians, particularly with the opening of the prisons. Theres a huge lossits not something that happened over the past few years, its over fifty years. When the government first cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, there were reports of people being melted with acid inside those prisonsthis is not something thats new. Its an ongoing grief, an ongoing pain. So now, there is so much loss for families who were hoping to find their loved ones, but at the same time, there is a feeling of reliefthat this is not going to happen again, that the people will not allow it. This is the first time ever in my life as a journalist that Im fearlesseven when I was reporting on the story from outside the country, the whole time I had a voice in my head monitoring what I said. I would still be very critical of the regime, but when it came to President Assad, be careful to put everything in the right words. I would worry about my family, I would worry about my apartmentthere were so many thoughts in my head, like a shadow that was always behind me. Now, for the first time, I am fearless. Im not looking for a minder behind me, I dont need to call the Ministry of Information to ask for permission. And everyone we talk to is like, Talk, film, record! Nobody is worried. Its a whole strange set of feelings that Im still processing. It still feels like a dream. Youre not sure if its real or not. Of course, there are still challenges to come, but for most people, we dont want to spoil the moment of joy. Weve been deprived of it for fifty-four years, and for the last thirteen years we spent it in grief and despair, feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. So many Syrians have gone through collective trauma. This is their very first moment of happiness. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. In 2016, the British newspaper The Independent published its final ever print edition. As the BuzzFeed News reporter Jim Waterson put it at the time, the paper went out on a scoopa front-page story about a British connection in a plot to kill a Saudi royalas well as by printing no fewer than four special magazine supplements, with contributions from the authors Sebastian Faulks and Helen Fielding (of Bridget Jones fame) among others. A major British paper going out of print was a big deal, and as I recall, much of the commentary around the news was valedictory in tone. But The Independent painted itself more as a pioneer: it was going digital-only. The bird next to the masthead is taking flight again, and countless others will follow where this eagle dared, Amol Rajan, the editor, wrote, referring to the papers logo. What seems radical now will, I believe, be vindicated by history. Fast-forward eight years. The digital Independent appears to be consistently profitable. And earlier this year, it was involved in an eye-catching piece of business, entering into a licensing deal to take control of the UK arm of BuzzFeed and its sub-brands, including the UK edition of HuffPost. The parties involved touted their complementary editorial values and audiences; ultimately, the deal was a play to entice advertisers. The digital media and advertising market is pretty dire for all publishers in 2024, so a merger is a logical response, Alex DeGroote, a media analyst, told The Guardian after word of a deal started to circulate. This will give The Independent more scale, eyeballs, and resources, while giving BuzzFeed the ability, should it choose, to cut off UK losses and focus purely on US operations. As media deals go, this one was hardly seismic in its consequences for the landscape. (The brands involved would remain separate.) But, as various other outlets noted, it was symbolically significant. I am from the UK and interned at BuzzFeed News in New York in 2017, when it felt like a red-hot place to be (think: The Dossier); if youd told me then that its British arm would be licensed to The Independent within a decade, Id have said, That Independent?! And yet, as the digital-only Independent climbed to profitability, BuzzFeed News entered a spiral of decline. It effectively shuttered its UK newsroom in 2020; then, last year, BuzzFeed News shut down altogether. The rest of BuzzFeed (think: The Dress) survived. But if, as The Guardian put it, BuzzFeed UK was once looked upon with envy by legacy publishers, the Independent deal seemed to signal a major shift of industry sands. The IndependentBuzzFeed tie-up was only one of several noteworthy deals in what has been a busy twelve months for the British media business; as Bron Maher of Press Gazette, a publication that covers the industry, told me, there have been a lot more musical chairs this year than in years past. Taken together, these and other developmentsfrom layoffs and yet more print cuts to scrappy new players working to fill those gapsreflect several high-level trends that are visible in the media business everywhere: financial insecurity, changing consumption habits, the inexorable march of digital progress (and the perhaps slightly more exorable march of AI). But a number of these developments have, at the same time, challenged common assumptions about who gets to overtakeand take overwhom. I last wrote about the British news business in this newsletter back in April, when I took note of its parlous state and recent layoffs everywhere from Reach, a major chain of local and national newspapers, to openDemocracy, a smaller nonprofit investigative site. At the time, the head of the BBC had just hinted that the broadcaster would make cuts; since then, it has eliminated some two hundred and seventy positions across its news, current affairs, media operations, and local and regional teams, according to Press Gazette. There have been sharp cuts, too, at the UK version of Readers Digest (which shut down altogether), the upstart right-wing network GB News, and across various national and local newspapers. The Evening Standard, a free paper commonly distributed outside of Tube stations in London (then left all over the seats), made significant cuts. Indeed, the Evening Standardwhose ultimate majority owner is Evgeny Lebedev, a controversial Russian businessman whose dad was in the KGB, and who is also a significant minority stakeholder in The Independentis now the London Standard: in September, it rebranded as it shifted from a daily schedule to publish only once a week. If The Independent has been profitable in recent years, its sister title has reportedly hemorrhaged money; announcing the shift to a weekly edition, the Standards CEO blamed changing commuting patterns in the wake of the pandemic as well as more extensive Wi-Fi availability on the Tube, and pledged to replicate The Independents digital course. As if to underscore the point, the first issue of the weekly Standard made notable use of AI, deploying the technology to generate a cover image that vaguely resembled the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, as well as a review by the infamous Standard art critic Brian Sewell (Tracey Emin: ignorant, inarticulate, talentless, loutish and now very rich; Banksy: should have been put down at birth), who died in 2015. The Standard said that Sewells estate was delighted by the AI column, though the Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones was less complimentary. (The chatbot used by the Standard needs to be fed a lot more novels by Evelyn Waugh and Anthony Powell, some Latin perhaps, and a mouthful of plums, he wrote, adding that the article failed in part because it wasnt offensive enough.) As has been the case when traditional local outlets have retrenched elsewhere, scrappy newer players have stepped up to try and fill the gap. Mill Mediaa buzzy, expanding chain of news sites that offers in-depth coverage of several major British cities, backed by investors including Mark Thompson, now the head of CNNlaunched a London operation in October. And, just as the Standard was going weekly, Watersonthe onetime BuzzFeed reporter we met at the top of this newsletterlaunched an initiative of his own on Substack, rooted in the belief that while the British media is often accused of being London-centric, granular local coverage of London as a city is thin on the ground. He duly called his publication London Centric, promising No clickbait. No bullshit. No oligarchs pulling the strings. He has since published stories with headlines like Why is Londons phone signal so bad?, Harry Potter and the unpaid tax bill, and Who funds the London Standard? (in which Waterson confronted Lebedev with reports that the answer is, in part, Saudi Arabia). Sign up for CJRs daily email Between BuzzFeed and London Centric, Waterson was a media reporter at The Guardian; earlier this year, he took a buyout along with a few other prominent journalists as the paper looked to save costs. Before the year was out, the Scott Trust, The Guardians owner, would find itself at the center of perhaps the most consequential of this years British media deals when it entered talks to sell The Observer, The Guardians storied Sunday sister paper, to Tortoise Media, a digital startup founded in 2019 by James Harding, a former director of BBC News, among others. Tortoise doesnt fit the braggadocious mold of a BuzzFeed-type startup: its founding promise was to offer slow journalism, and it is now known for its high-quality long-form audio content. Still, the proposed deal subverted the typical pattern of a small- or medium-sized fish being swallowed by a larger fish, Steven Barnett, a communications professor at Westminster University, told me. In some ways, the idea of the deal excited BarnettTortoise, he said, has proven adept at riding that tide of changing news consumption habits onlinebut in pure branding terms, it just doesnt feel like the kind of fit where you go, Yeah, that works. Many journalists at The Observer and The Guardian seemed to agree, and had myriad other concerns besides. Carole Cadwalladra prominent reporter who helped break open the Cambridge Analytica story, and writes for The Observer on a freelance basispublicly criticized the proposed deal as the beginning of the end of our newspaper, and slammed the papers bosses as an active threat to press freedom. (A coalition of press freedom groups didnt use quite that language, but also had some questions.) Many journalists at the two papers felt that they had not been properly consulted (despite management claims to the contrary), while expressing fears about the impact of Observer journalism (which is currently free online) going behind a paywall, and the health of Tortoises finances. (The company has only ever registered losses, though it said last year it had been investing to ensure future profitability; its latest accounts are expected soon.) Eventually, they voted to strike for the first time in fifty years. Two weeks ago, journalists picketed The Guardians headquarters, chanting slogans like Keep your Tortoise off our grass. Last week, they walked out again. In between the pair of strikes, however, the deal to sell The Observer to Tortoise was agreed to in principle. The Scott Trust insisted that the deal would result in twenty-five million pounds of new investment into The Observer, that the papers print edition would be protected, and that Tortoise would build its digital brand. (Currently, Observer stories are nearly indistinguishable from Guardian offerings online.) The Scott Trust also pledged to remain part-owners of the paper and said that they would play a role on Tortoises editorial and commercial boards. Finally, two other venerable publications have been in limbo this year: the Telegraph and The Spectator, a pair of right-wing onetime sister titles. That isnt new: I wrote about the pair a year ago after a bank effectively seized them from their prior owners, the Barclay family, over unpaid debts, and amid a takeover push that was fronted by Jeff Zucker, the former head of CNN, and funded by the United Arab Emirates. But that push would founder after various UK lawmakers expressed concerns about Emirati meddling and the government passed a law blocking foreign states from controlling periodicals; Zucker insisted that the Emirati investors didnt intend to interfere (and suggested that their bid had scared parts of the UKs political establishment), but the titles went back up for sale. The Telegraph still doesnt have a buyer: at time of writing, Dovid Efune, the British-born owner of the New York Sun, was in pole position, but was reportedly struggling to nail down financing. (This morning, Arthur MacMillan is out with a deep dive for CJR on the Telegraphs auction from hell.) But The Spectatorknown as the bible of the Conservative Party, and once edited by Boris Johnsonwas sold: to Paul Marshall, a financier with deep interests in other right-wing British outlets, including GB News. Soon after he took over, The Spectator appointed Michael Govea onetime journalist who more recently was a long-serving Conservative ministeras its new editor. (Gove had reportedly wanted the job since he was seven.) This years British media moves were in a lot of respects very different, though many of them can be seen through the prism of one pressing global question: as Barnett put it to me, how the fuck do you make journalism pay these days? Their (in many cases odd) particulars demonstrate the breadth of possible answers to that questionas well as the many apparent pitfalls of eachand that media fortunes do not always rise and fall in predictable rhythms. But Marshalls takeover of The Spectatorand, perhaps, Efunes interest in the Telegraphserve as a reminder that money isnt everything in the media business: owners often want political influence, tooperhaps especially in the UK, and on its political right in particular. When we spoke, Barnett started to describe this as a new model, then caught himself. Its a hundred-year-old model, he said. An eagle, perhaps, flying into the past. Correction: This article has been updated to clarify Evgeny Lebedevs relationship to The Independent. Long-range forecasters say more towns and cities across the U.S. could experience a white Christmas this year compared to 2023, bringing a slight possibility that more than half the nation could have some snow on the rooftops on Dec. 25. The last time more than half of the U.S. experienced a white Christmas was in 2022, say AccuWeather forecasters, who are calling for a medium probability of a white Christmas for Denver, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Minneapolis and Chicago. AccuWeather is forecasting a low probability of a white Christmas along the Interstate 95 corridor for Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. However, the turbulent weather pattern that brought snow to parts of the Northeast could deliver more snow and rain to parts of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley just before the holidays, according to the forecasting service. There is a high likelihood that higher elevations and areas that typically get snow around Dec. 25 will have snow on the ground, but the key factor for lower elevations will come down to the temperatures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to AccuWeather. In the Northwest, a stormy pattern brought rounds of mountain snow to higher elevations in Northern California, parts of Oregon and Washington. More rounds of snow are expected in the higher elevations ahead of Christmas. Towns in higher elevations across the Rockies have a solid snowpack, but lower elevations, including Denver, may not experience a white Christmas this year with a storm track that could miss those areas. Historically, most U.S. residents do not wake up to a white Christmas. Records show only 16.7% nation had 1 inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas morning in 2023. Before 2022, the last time more than half the nation saw a white Christmas was 2012, according to AccuWeather. Italian companies are preparing to comply with a requirement to take out natural disaster insurance from next April, although some fear it will be hard to enforce and too costly. Many small and medium-sized firms, which form the backbone of Italian business, have until now bet on government support to weather increasingly frequent climate-related disasters. Italys northern region of Emilia-Romagna has recently been particularly hard hit by floods, with four since May 2023. The first and most devastating caused 8.5 billion euros ($8.93 billion) of damage. With the euro zones second-highest public debt, Italy can ill afford to foot the bill and is set to end this reliance on the state, potentially resulting in considerable savings. The law obliges firms to insure assets such as equipment, buildings and land in Italy, where environmental research and protection institute ISPRA says some 94% of towns are at risk from landslides, floods or coastal erosion. Italy spends around 4-5 billion euros a year on compensation for natural disasters, figures from insurance watchdog IVASS show, around 0.25% of gross domestic product. And while the Italian market is growing, with insured assets impacted by natural disasters totalling a record of around 6 billion euros ($6.30 billion) in 2023, data from industry association ANIA shows, only 5% of Italian firms had cover. Using the money saved for prevention plans and better infrastructures is the central point, said Andrea Bellucci, who teaches valuation of insurance companies at Perugia University. Although the law has been cautiously welcomed by most firms, some are concerned that policies will be onerous and complex. We want it to be tailored to companies needs to reflect the extent of the risks, and not one-size fits all to boost the revenue of insurers, said Stefano Valvason, general director of API, an association of small and medium-sized businesses. Mauro Di Nunzio, who runs a company that produces dried fruits in Italys southern region of Puglia, welcomed the new rules, saying paying for insurance was preferable to relying on slow, inadequate and inefficient state compensation. Bruno Panieri, director of economic policy at small business lobby Confartigianato, said clarity was key and called for the creation of a single, price-comparison website. Analysts say another challenge will be enforcing the new regulation, which has been criticized by some as lacking an effective system of sanctions. And if take-up remains low, it will undermine risk-sharing and drive up premiums. The law may offer larger insurers an advantage as they can spread risk among more clients and regions, Stefano Frazzoni, senior partner at business consultancy Prometeia, said. Five insurance groups currently provide about 70% of natural disaster coverage in Italy, where the ratio between insured losses and total economic losses is 69%, compared with 20% in France and 27% in Germany, data from Swiss Re SRENH.S shows. The state will act as re-insurer, enabling insurance companies to tap into guarantees from the publicly-owned insurance and advisory group SACE, to offload some risks. Nicolo Bertone, whose carpentry business in the north-western Liguria region was uninsured when it suffered 80,000 euros of damage in a flood in October, supports the new rules. Being covered helps to keep your spirits up when you have to start over, he told Reuters. ($1 = 0.9520 euros) (Additional reporting by Romolo Tosiani; Editing by Gavin Jones and Alexander Smith) The Democratic Republic of Congo filed lawsuits against Apple Inc. in France and Belgium. In them, it accuses the company of using minerals pillaged from the central African nation in its products. Congos lawyers have initiated criminal complaints against the US tech giants subsidiaries in the two European countries over the contamination of Apples supply chain with blood minerals, according to a statement on Tuesday from Amsterdam & Partners LLP, a law firm working for Congos government. Eastern Congo, which is rich in tin, tungsten and tantalum, minerals widely used in electronics including the iPhone, has been wracked by conflicts involving its armed forces and dozens of militant groups for about three decades. The administration of President Felix Tshisekedi accuses neighboring Rwanda of fueling the violence and providing a conduit for traders to smuggle minerals and gold out of Congo. Rwanda has long denied the allegations. The complaints allege that Apple uses minerals that have been laundered through international supply chains. They also claim that the firm has also deployed deceptive commercial practices to assure consumers that the tech giants supply chains are clean. Apple didnt immediately respond to a request for comment, but previously referred Bloomberg to a March filing in which it said that all of the smelters and refiners in its supply chain had participated in an audit, and suppliers who refused or failed were removed. The company said it was reasonably confident that none of its tin, tungsten or tantalum suppliers financed or otherwise benefited armed groups active in the region. Congos international legal team is tasked with pursuing individuals and companies involved in the extraction, supply and commercialization of natural resources that have driven a cycle of violence and conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups, according to the statement. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya confirmed the country had filed the lawsuit, without providing more details. This is the first case Congo has filed as part of a strategy to pressure end users who may be using products reliant on minerals that were smuggled or have contributed to conflict. According to a spokesperson for Amsterdam & Partners, the French and Belgium judicial systems are well suited for these kinds of legal actions. Last year, Congo and Rwanda produced more than 60% of the tantalum used in the worlds portable electronics, according to the US Geological Survey. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. 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. LONDON -- Famous actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navys top civilian honor. He received the award on Tuesday for outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps through his Top Gun movies and other films, according to the Associated Press. He was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London. The award includes a medal and a certificate. I admire all of the servicemen and women, Cruise said. I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women. The 1986 film Top Gun, follows Cruises character nicknamed Maverick as he trains at the prestigious Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School. In the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise mentors the next generation of pilots. The movie helped make Cruise a star and drove a spike in military enlistment. The Navy even set up recruitment tables in theaters. The navy said the sequel brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audiences interest into the skill sets and opportunities the Navy can provide. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County), introduced legislation this month to make Californiaa high-speed rail project ineligible for further federal funding. Peter DaSilva WASHINGTON Californias troubled high-speed rail project is in Republicans sights again. Republicans have for years decried the projects skyrocketing costs and lack of progress; ironically, GOP control of Washington could result in the price tag ballooning even further if the partys actions cause further delays. The uncertainty of how the incoming Trump administration will handle existing federal grants to the bullet-train project is already causing concern for California Democrats. If the White House decides to terminate the awards, the state will likely end up in court, which could delay access to those funds for years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Uncertainty and delay are incredibly expensive, particularly to large complex infrastructure projects like this, Martin Lockman, a climate law fellow at Columbia Law School, told the Chronicle. Failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the California project a wasteful vanity project, burning billions in taxpayer cash, with little prospect for completion in the next decade and said it was time to end the waste. Ramaswamy will be co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency, a new advisory commission that will suggest ways to streamline the federal government, with Elon Musk, another longtime critic of the project. Republicans, including those representing California, have already resumed targeting the projects funding. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin (Placer County), plans to introduce legislation to make the project ineligible for further federal funding. High Speed Rail Authority officials are hoping to secure an additional $4.7 billion in federal money to pay for the bulk of the estimated $7 billion needed to finish construction of the projects 171-mile segment from Merced to Bakersfield, expected to start service between 2030 and 2033. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the government doesnt follow through on its promises or is prevented from following through on its promises, that makes the cost of the next project go up, Lockman said, which could include other segments of this railway. Less than one-quarter of the projects funding has come from the federal government, about $6.9 billion, with $4.3 billion of that unspent. The rest about $21.9 billion has come from a 2008 state bond measure and cap-and-trade revenue. The projects costs initially estimated to be $33 billion and now expected to cost between $89 billion and $128 billion and timeline have ballooned. Democratic officials, however, say the wait and cost will be worth it. If Paris & Berlin can do it, so can San Francisco & LA. We need to profoundly change how we design, approve & deliver transit projects in CA & the U.S. It needs to happen more quickly & effectively, state Sen. Scott Wiener said in a post on X Monday. We can have abundant rail service. Im deeply committed to making that happen. I am working closely with the Biden-Harris Administration to prevent clawbacks of federal high speed rail investments, California Sen. Alex Padilla said in a statement. Ill use every available avenue to protect this funding as California builds the nations first true high-speed rail network. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The process to prevent California from receiving the $4.3 billion in promised grants is complicated, however. The ability to terminate a grant depends on each agreements terms, which are not made public, Lockman said. Generally, agencies can terminate a grant if the awardee fails to meet its contractual obligations or if the government determines a grant no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities, according to Office of Management and Budget guidance. The Trump administration could argue that the California project doesnt meet its priorities. The courts, however, have not been inclined to support grant termination based on a change in administration, and have instead found that the program goals or agency priorities are determined by the statutory language used to authorize a program. 'Agency priorities sounds like an enormous loophole, but in practice that is going to mean the purpose of the law that appropriated the funds, Lockman said. The agency would have to show that the grant no longer aligns with the reason that it was appropriated but that is something that is more than just a change in political interests and a change in political will. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the case of the largest of the five grants California received during the Biden administration $3 billion the program under which the grant was awarded is intended to improve intercity passenger rail, including to expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, according to the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. In the case of the $3 billion grant, it would be a real argument for the agency to try and say that high-speed rail no longer effectuates the purposes of that award, Lockman said. The states best shot at stopping any attempt to rescind the grants would be in court. A spokesperson for Attorney General Rob Bonta declined to comment. California lawmakers are in the midst of a special session intended to bolster funding for Bontas office to fight the Trump administration in court. Courts generally dont like to get involved in fights over agency spending, Lockman said, but California would certainly have grounds to sue if a grant was rescinded. Of the unspent funds, one tranche is likely first on Trumps hit list $929 million appropriated by Congress in 2010. Trump revoked that funding during his first term a decision California sued him over something President Joe Biden later reversed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trump could have seen that decision overturned, and could again, because of a little-known 1970s-era law that requires presidents to get congressional approval to rescind allocated money. Republicans are already targeting that law, however, including introducing legislation Monday in both the House and Senate to repeal it. The Trump administration could also attempt to recoup some of the $2.6 billion already spent on the project, but would likely be unsuccessful. Brian Kelly, then-CEO of the High-Speed Rail Authority, told state legislators in March that the best way to mitigate future attempts to claw back federal funds was by making measurable progress. As long as were putting the federal dollars we get to good use, expanding economic opportunity and job growth, I think it gets harder and harder to take those dollars away, Kelly said. On Monday, the High-Speed Rail Authority released a video laying out how the project will connect to key locations in Southern California, including Burbank and Los Angeles Union Station. California is the first in the nation to build a true high-speed rail system with speeds capable of reaching 220 mph and this project continues to make significant progress. The Authority remains committed and aggressive in moving this historic project forward while actively pursuing additional funding, High-Speed Rail Authority spokesperson Shum Preston said in a statement. In addition to keeping cost and schedule estimates updated and current as we engage the Legislature about opportunities to improve our ability to deliver this transformative work, we continue to explore strategies aimed at stabilizing funding, potentially allowing the program to draw private financing and/or government loans, Preston said. Union Square will be hosting more events, like this Winter Walk activity on Friday, next year. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle This holiday shopping season, San Franciscos once-thriving Union Square is perhaps cleaner and more safeguarded than it has been in years, but a big challenge remains: The 4-million-square-foot retail district continues to offer scores of empty storefronts, and there are few takers for what, not long ago, was coveted space in the heart of downtown. City leaders have launched a number of initiatives to address the issue, including rolling out a $13 million action plan this past summer to enliven the district and nearby areas. Now, theyre hiring professionals to give locals and tourists a reason to visit, and potentially to combat negative perceptions that have been difficult to shake. Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, or BRV, the placemaking consulting firm that manages and programs downtowns Salesforce Park and has helped curate public spaces in nascent neighborhoods like Mission Rock, has been contracted to program Union Square, Mayor London Breeds office confirmed Tuesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The $1 million contract will go into effect in early 2025, and will require BRV to provide roughly 200 days of programming throughout the course of the year between Tuesdays and Sunday, and on select holidays. Union Square, once the citys premier retail district, has yet to recover from the pandemic. A goal of hosting 200 events at Union Square in 2025 could help. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle Though exact details are not known, Breeds office said that the programming will vary from arts and crafts, lunchtime performances, and activities for people of all ages to enjoy together and will complement San Franciscos hallmark civic celebrations. Dan Biederman, the firms president who began his career decades ago turning around neglected Midtown Manhattan, said the schedules for February and March are already set, but are not yet public. He did tease Sunday Fundays and Toddler Tuesdays. The way we do programming is not episodic, Biederman said. We do conventional programming, like events, concerts, lectures and the like, but they dont take place all day. Then we do amenities, which we think will make a big difference in Union Square. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those amenities will include a kids zone for children between the ages of 2 and 7, and a large game area and craft cart as seen in Salesforce Park which is on top of the Salesforce Transit Center, he said. Folks gather dressed as Santa Claus and other festive characters during the 28th annual SantaCon held in Union Square in San Francisco on Sunday. Next year, there will be more events like this in the shopping district. Felix Uribe/Special to the Chronicle BRV is also the partner on an effort by property owners in Oakland to revitalize and transform a stretch of Lake Merritt into a privately funded new business district. At New York Citys Bryant Park, BRV created a reading area that Biederman said his firm will replicate in Union Square. You have to have constant activities, he said. I keep a list on my desk of places in America that should be incredibly active, and Union Square has always been on my list. We feel we have the expertise to turn the area around and are thrilled to have the opportunity to make it active at all times so it feels safe and friendly. Additional safety measures are not included in BRVs budget, and Biederman said that he is not worried about security in the district. The San Francisco Police Department currently operates a command center in Union Square, and the city has expanded its community ambassador program in the area in response to reports about theft and quality of life issues in recent years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With activation plans growing in the coming months, we guarantee that locals, workers and tourists will have even more reasons to visit and enjoy Union Square and the many wonderful businesses and hotels that make it one of the citys most iconic destinations, said Sarah Dennis Phillips, executive director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. While Union Square and the downtown core have struggled with an exodus of office workers from the area and waning tourism since the start of the pandemic, city efforts to bring live concerts to business districts after hours have proved popular: In 2024, Union Square hosted eight free concerts, drawing more than 20,000 people, Breeds office said. Shoppers enter Macys in Union Square on Black Friday in San Francisco. The city is in negotiations to keep the store on the square. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle The effort comes as city officials are in active negotiations with Macys on retaining a presence in Union Square, where the retailer has operated a 400,000-square-foot flagship store for decades. Earlier this year, Macys announced that it planned to close its Union Square location as part of a sweeping effort to part with underperforming stores and sell its building at 170 OFarrell St. BRV will work with local businesses around programming as well as the Recreation and Parks Department, which manages Union Square, and the Union Square Alliance, a nonprofit organization focused on activating and attracting new investment to the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The elevator has reopened at San Franciscos Coit Tower after technical problems took it offline for more than a year but staffers say it continues to experience periodic glitches. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle The elevator to the top of San Franciscos Coit Tower is operating again, but continues to suffer from glitches that took it out of commission for 18 months. Sam Whiting/The Chronicle Visitors at Coit Tower use the stairs while the elevator was inoperable in San Francisco on April 9. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Operator R.E. Williams in the vintage elevator at Coit Tower in San Francisco. Courtesy Davy Crockett The persnickety elevator at San Franciscos Coit Tower, out of commission for 18 months but recently repaired by an elevator whisperer, is acting up again, perpetuating a mystery that has confounded experts. Since its most recent repair in October, the nearly century-old elevator has been running mostly fine, whisking visitors up the 210-foot-tall fluted concrete column to take in the panoramic views of the city. But on Dec. 7, tower staffer Deanne Dale was bringing a full load of six to eight Saturday visitors down from the top floor when the elevator made a rough landing at the ground floor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It stood there stuck with the doors closed for a long minute just long enough for a little girl in the elevator to burst into tears. Then Dale was able to coax it back up to the second floor before it returned and settled smoothly, the doors opening to release its passengers. It was just a question of problem-solving, in the moment, said Dale. Usually the elevator does what it wants to do and resets itself, which it seems to do at the end of the day when it is tired. Operator R.E. Williams in the vintage elevator at Coit Tower in San Francisco. Courtesy Davy Crockett This has become the new normal at Coit Tower, one of best-known tourist attractions in the Bay Area. Its sweeping views and New Deal-era murals draw up to 1,500 visitors a day, most of whom pay $10 for the elevator ride to the 11th floor before climbing two more floors to the viewing platform. The elevator, made by worldwide manufacturer Otis, installed in 1933 and part of tower operations since it opened in 1934, broke down in 2022, stranding an after-hours cleaning crew between the second and 11th floors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The fire department had to be summoned to make a rescue. The elevator was then taken offline and visitors were required to use the stairs until it was fixed on Oct. 29. Or so officials thought. We enjoyed a few weeks of pain free-operation, and now it is acting up again in the same way as before, said Coit Tower tour director Davy Crockett. It chooses to go to floors unrequested. It shivers and grinds. Why it does what it does I cannot begin to tell you. Tamara Aparton, a spokesperson for San Franciscos Recreation and Park Department, which operates Coit Tower, said that numerous elevator experts have inspected the lift and signed off on its safety. Crockett, who works for concessionaire Coit Tower LLC, said the repair company, TK Elevators of San Francisco, has assured him the elevator is safe though it runs the risk of getting stuck. I dont see any of us falling screaming to our death, he said. The elevator has a lot of redundant safety systems that keep it from falling. Its just damned inconvenient if you get stuck. He also said stairs are not an option unless the elevator is out of commission. When that happens, it still costs $10 ($7 for San Francisco residents, with senior and child discounts) to climb the 234 stairs to the top, with staffers stationed along the way to protect the vintage murals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Visitors take the stairwell in Coit Tower in San Francisco on April 9. The towers elevator has reopened after being taken offline for more than a year, but staffers say it continues to experience glitches. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle Jay Crume, the elevator whisperer at TK Elevators, has been on site three or four times to diagnose the problem in the machine room at the top of the shaft. He will get it running but it will still stop or fault out without warning, according to Bill Bahl, Crumes supervisor. When it does, a staffer has to climb the stairs from the ground floor to the machine room near the top and manually restart it. Bahl said the elevators relay and contact parts along with its wiring have been replaced. When the elevator is then tested, with a load of weights to mimic people, it works fine. It seemed to be running smoothly with no issues, he said, but it sounds like it has been having issues with missing floors and not leveling correctly. Bahl said that Crume would be making another service call, but he could not predict when. The mechanic, who wears a velvet service jacket covered in stars, is in demand in the region. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With Coit Tower being such an old monument, there are issues with the elevator, and there are only so many mechanics left in the industry who can work on a situation like that. Jay is one of them, Bahl said. But he has to cover the whole Bay Area. Mayor- elect Daniel Lurie fist bumps a supporter in Chinatown a day after winning the mayoral race in San Francisco. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is tapping a successful technology executive and trusted confidant to help improve San Franciscos floundering downtown and get more housing built in the city. Lurie announced Tuesday that hes naming Ned Segal, a former chief financial officer of Twitter now known as X to be his chief of housing and economic development. Its one of four new positions that Lurie is creating as part of a reorganization of the mayors office intended to make it more effective by distributing responsibilities across a wider group of senior staff. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the new position, Segal will coordinate among some of the citys important departments, including planning, building inspection, economic and workforce development, the airport, housing and community development, the arts commission and the public libraries. The departments are responsible for about $3 billion in public spending in a city budget that totals about $15.9 billion annually. Lurie said Segals priorities will be to revitalize downtown, which has struggled greatly since the pandemic kept tourists and office workers away, and accelerate housing construction. Those objectives are crucial as Lurie looks to hasten the economic recovery of San Francisco while also addressing the citys grim fiscal reality, with a two-year deficit now estimated at $876 million. Ned embodies the kind of innovative leadership San Francisco desperately needs to tackle our most pressing challenges, Lurie said in a statement. With his strong background in the private sector, a deep love for San Francisco backed by extensive civic engagement, and a track record of delivering results, Ned is uniquely positioned to lead the revitalization of downtown, accelerate housing production, and drive economic growth in our City. Lurie and Segal have known each other since childhood, having both attended San Franciscos Town School for Boys. Segal was a co-chair of Luries mayoral campaign and is serving on his mayoral transition team as well. He is also a board member of Tipping Point Community, the antipoverty nonprofit Lurie founded almost 20 years ago. Ned Segal, a former chief financial officer of Twitter, is joining Daniel Luries administration as one of four policy chiefs. Courtesy of Ned Segal In an interview, Segal revealed few specific plans for his new role but said he wants to explore new ways to grow the economy. He said hell be closely coordinating among the various City Hall departments responsible for approving development and promoting economic growth. My responsibility will be to help those departments work more closely together to challenge the way weve done things in the past to be even more responsive to the citizens and the companies that we want to see grow their families and grow their businesses in San Francisco, he said. Segal, who was CFO of Twitter from 2017 to 2022 and has also worked at Intuit and Goldman Sachs, is the second person Lurie has drawn from the private sector to fill a top role in his City Hall office once hes inaugurated in January. Last week, Lurie named Staci Slaughter, a longtime executive at the San Francisco Giants, to be his chief of staff. But Slaughters role will be different from past mayoral chiefs of staff because of Luries planned restructuring. Instead of having dozens of city departments report directly to the mayor and chief of staff, Lurie is creating four policy chief positions to work with a more limited portfolio of departments. In addition to Segal, the other three chiefs that Lurie has yet to name will focus on public safety; public health and well-being; and infrastructure, climate and mobility. Former US President Donald Trump leaves the courthouse after a jury found him guilty of all 34 felony counts in his criminal trial at New York State Supreme Court in New York, New York, USA, 30 May 2024. Trump faced 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday lost an effort to have his criminal hush money conviction dismissed in a New York court on a claim of presidential immunity. Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan brushed aside arguments by Trump's lawyers that he should toss out the case because of the prosecution's use of testimony from former White House employees at trial and before that to a grand jury, as well as other evidence. Merchan has yet to rule on other claims by Trump's attorneys that they say warrant dismissing his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, which include Trump's election as president in November for a second, non-consecutive term. It is not clear when Trump might be sentenced if Merchan rejects the remaining arguments for dismissal. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted Trump, has suggested to the judge the possibility of postponing the sentencing until after he leaves the White House or assuring him he will not get jail time. Trump's attorneys in the claim rejected by Merchan on Monday had cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision in July that found that Trump and other American presidents have presumptive criminal immunity for official acts in office. But Merchan in his ruling said that even if he were to find that all the evidence contested by Trump's attorneys "was official conduct falling within the outer perimeter of Defendant's Presidential authority," he would still find that the prosecution's use as evidence "of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch." "Lastly this Court concludes that if error occurred regarding the introduction of the challenged evidence, such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt," Merchan wrote in the 41-page ruling. Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche on Monday asked Merchan to postpone sentencing the president-elect in the case until all appeals are exhausted. Trump became the first former president convicted of a crime when in May he was found guilty of the charges in Manhattan Supreme Court a state-level trial court. The falsified records related to a $130,000 payment that Trump's then-personal lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 presidential election. Cohen, who later was reimbursed by Trump, has said the payment was in exchange for Daniels' agreement to keep quiet about a purported one-time sexual tryst with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied having sex with Daniels. The payment occurred before Trump was first elected president. But some evidence at trial was connected to Trump's tenure in the White House. Trump's transition spokesman Steven Cheung, in a statement obtained by NBC News, said, "Today's decision by deeply conflicted, acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court's decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence." "This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, as President Trump must be allowed to continue the Presidential Transition process, and execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this, or any other, Witch Hunt," Cheung said. A Waymo rider-only robotaxi is seen during a test ride in San Francisco on Dec. 9, 2022. Alphabet -owned Waymo announced Monday that it will start testing its autonomous vehicles in Tokyo in early 2025, the company's first step toward international expansion. Waymo hasn't committed to start commercial service in Tokyo yet, but the robotaxi developer will partner with Japan's largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, and taxi app GO to start testing its Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in Tokyo's streets. To start, Nihon Kotsu drivers will manually operate the Waymo vehicles to map key areas of the Japanese capital, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chuo, Shinagawa, and Koto. Data from the manned test drives will help train the company's AI systems. Waymo will also test its robotaxis on a closed course in the U.S. built to mimic driving conditions in Japan. This is the first phase of the partnerships, which will last several quarters, Waymo told CNBC, adding that it expects to remain in Japan for an extended period. "Our upcoming road trip to Tokyo gives us the chance to work alongside local partners, government officials, and community groups to understand the new landscape," Waymo said in a statement. "We'll learn how Waymo can serve Tokyo's residents and become a beneficial part of the city's transportation ecosystem." Nihon Kotsu will oversee the management and servicing of Waymo's vehicles in Japan, the companies said. Waymo announced a series of expansions across the U.S. in 2024. Earlier this month, the company announced new testing in Miami in 2025, it made its driverless ride hail service available across Los Angeles in November, and in September, it announced planned expansions into Austin and Atlanta in partnership with Uber. The move into Japan marks the company's first in a left-hand traffic market. Both the Japanese national government and Tokyo Metropolitan government see driverless technology as a potential boon to the country's aging population, according to research by the World Economic Forum. Tokyo has designated certain areas as "test zones" for self-driving cars hoping to hasten the arrival of safe driverless transportation systems there. Several developers are working on autonomous vehicles in Japan, including local startup Tier IV and ZMP, a robotics company that is testing delivery vehicles and buses in Tokyo. Monet Technologies, which is partly owned by Toyota , announced plans to test a self-driving taxi service in Tokyo's Odaiba district earlier this year. Waymo's Japan expansion announcement comes a week after General Motors announced it was abandoning its Cruise robotaxi division. Honda, an outside investor in Cruise, told CNBC that it aimed to launch a driverless ride-hail service in Japan in early 2026 but would re-assess those plans and make adjustments if needed. Prior to GM's retreat from robotaxis, Cruise had been one of Waymo's primary domestic competitors. WATCH: GM pulls the plug on robotaxi plan US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. WASHINGTON Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly on Tuesday defeated New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez in the race to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, as rank-and-file lawmakers favored a more senior member of the party's caucus to take on the second Trump administration rather than a young progressive star. In a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting, the secret-ballot vote was 131 to 84, according to a lawmaker in the room. After the vote, Connolly told reporters the most "capable" candidate won. "Again, I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by who's got experience, who's seasoned, who can be trusted, who's capable, and who's got a record of productivity. I think that prevailed," he said. Connolly said he's "ready" to take on a Trump administration despite his recent health issues. President-elect Donald Trump, Connolly added, may feel more "emboldened" but that could make him more "reckless." "There is a law in this land, and we're going to make sure it's enforced," Connolly said. The vote came a day after the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is closely aligned with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., backed Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez in a 34 to 27 vote, according to a source. The position opened up after the top Democrat on Oversight, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., challenged Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., for a similar post on the Judiciary Committee, prompting Nadler to bow out. The full Democratic caucus also ratified other steering panel recommendations on Tuesday. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was elected to be the top Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, beating Rep. Jim Costa of California, the second-most senior member of the panel. A day earlier in the steering committee, she secured 34 votes and beat out her two rivals on the first ballot Costa got 22 votes, and Rep. David Scott of Georgia, who has held the top agriculture job since 2021, got just five. For the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, the steering committee recommended Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., over the more junior Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M. The vote was 44 to 17. Stansbury then dropped out of the race, and the full caucus elected Huffman to the post on Tuesday. The races for committee ranking member posts had been seen as a litmus test about the future of seniority in the Democratic Party as younger lawmakers clamored for new blood and generational change in the leadership. But this week's results yielded a mixed bag on that question. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk before attending a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., November 19, 2024. Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked Donald Trump's transition team to hold Elon Musk to the same ethics standards as other transition members, putting oversight of the unusually powerful presidential adviser in the spotlight. The billionaire CEO of Tesla and rocket company SpaceX, as well as the owner of social media platform X, has had an increasingly close relationship with Republican Trump since he endorsed him in July. Musk spent over a quarter billion dollars to help elect Trump, and also owns interests in cryptocurrency and other ventures. "Mr. Musk's substantial private interests present a massive conflict of interest with the role he has taken on as your 'unofficial co-president,'" Warren said in a letter to the Trump transition team made public by her office on Tuesday. "Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country - or merely good for his own bottom line." Musk's role as the co-chair of a newly created Trump advisory body that is not part of the U.S. government, the "Department of Government Efficiency," means that he is not a government employee, Warren noted, "but the conflicts he faces are enormous and the need for him to be subject to similar ethics standards is obvious." The Trump transition team had no immediate comment. Asked about Musk's potential conflicts, Trump told Time magazine in an interview published on Dec. 12: "I think that Elon puts the country long before his company." Grubhub will pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul over alleged unlawful practices that harmed diners, workers and small businesses, the FTC announced on Tuesday. The complaint claims that Grubhub deceived diners about delivery costs and blocked access to their accounts. The company also deceived workers about how much money they would make delivering food and listed restaurants on its platform without their permission. "Our investigation found that Grubhub tricked its customers, deceived its drivers, and unfairly damaged the reputation and revenues of restaurants that did not partner with Grubhub all in order to drive scale and accelerate growth," FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a press release. Grubhub has had as many as 325,000 unaffiliated restaurants on its platform, more than half of all of the available restaurants on Grubhub, according to the complaint. The company allegedly listed unaffiliated restaurants to drive growth, but diners often had to pay more in delivery fees from those restaurants which, in turn, damaged their reputations. The complaint further alleged that Grubhub would often avoid removing unaffiliated restaurants off the platform when requested, instead trying to sell them paid partnerships. As part of the settlement, the food delivery company will stop adding surprise fees that are often labeled as "service fees" or "small order fees," stop listing unaffiliated restaurants on the platform, be more transparent about driver earnings, notify customers if their account has been blocked and provide more simple methods to cancel memberships. Rising prices among third-party food delivery services have continued to frustrate Americans looking to reduce extra fees. Between 2022 and 2024, consumers reported higher yearly increases in their total checks on third-party apps compared to orders made directly through restaurant sites, according to Technomic. The FTC complaint alleged that Grubhub would add on junk fees to delivery costs, often labeled as "service fees" or "small order fees," despite having advertised that diners would pay a single, low-cost amount for Grubhub's services tied to deliveries. "At Grubhub, we're committed to transparency so that every single day diners, restaurants and drivers can make well-informed choices to do business with us," a Grubhub spokesperson wrote in a statement to CNBC. "While we categorically deny the allegations made by the FTC, many of which are wrong, misleading or no longer applicable to our business, we believe settling this matter is in the best interest of Grubhub and allows us to move forward." The settlement includes a monetary judgment of $140 million, but is partially suspended as Grubhub is unable to pay the full amount, according to the press release. The company will instead pay $25 million, nearly all of which will be used to refund consumers harmed by the company's conduct. If Grubhub is found to have misrepresented its financial status, the full judgment would become immediately due, according to the press release. "We believe the FTC agreed to suspend a portion of the judgment because we negotiated with them in good faith and provided extensive details about our business and financial performance," the Grubhub spokesperson said. "Monetary judgments are not intended to cause irreparable harm or undue hardship for companies." In this article 1810-HK SSUN-FF AAPL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Apple CEO Tim Cook (center) speaking alongside Indonesian Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi (right) and Indonesian Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita during a press conference after meeting with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on April 17, 2024. Bay Ismoyo | Afp | Getty Images Indonesia's efforts to attract capital from Apple and other tech companies through local investment and manufacturing requirements are not enough to yield long-term gains and may backfire, economists warn. Because of Indonesia's long-standing local content policies, or "TKDN," Apple has been unable to sell its latest iPhone model in the country until it invests or sources more components locally. On Dec. 3, Indonesia's deputy industry minister told reporters that the country plans to increase the local content requirement for smartphone investments. The plans come after the government turned down a $100 million Apple proposal aimed at paving the way for iPhone 16 sales. Instead, the government is now asking Apple to invest $1 billion in cell phone component production in the country. The content requirements, which apply to various industries ranging from solar panels to electric vehicles, aim to protect local industries and create a value-added supply chain in Indonesia. Their potential ramp-up comes at a time when Indonesia is competing with other developing Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, to attract investment and supply chains diverted from China. But while the content policy has attracted commitments from some manufacturers in the past, economists say it is still misguided and ignores many of the deeper reasons Indonesia has failed to entice tech supply chains. "I call it pseudo-protectionism. It's less about protecting the domestic market from imported products and more about trying to scare foreign direct investment into the country," said Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, executive director of the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), an Indonesian think tank. "They think if they scare big corporations like Apple, they will invest more into Indonesia," he added. What's at stake? An Apple analyst previously told CNBC that Indonesia would be a promising growth opportunity for the Cupertino-based company if it is able to get a foothold in the market. Until recently, Apple had won goodwill in the market by building "Apple Developer Academies" in the country, where students are trained in skills such as software development. During a visit to Indonesia in April, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company would open a fourth academy in Bali. However, the government is now seeking more of Apple's supply chain and wants local facilities involved in the actual manufacturing of products. Officials have also said that the value of Apple's previously proposed investments is lower than that of its Indonesian sales, arguing that smartphone companies like China's Xiaomi and South Korea's Samsung have invested more. On Indonesia's side of the bargaining table, it has the largest consumer base in Southeast Asia and the fourth-largest population in the world. Still, Indonesia is a small overseas sales market for Apple, with few consumers wealthy enough to buy a cutting-edge iPhone, economists said. The company's market capitalization alone is bigger than Indonesia's gross domestic product. On that note, Apple may be more interested in using Indonesia as a gateway to the regional market, said Arianto Patunru, board member at the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies and economist at the Australian National University. He added that global tech supply chains such as Apple's involve slicing up the value-added, so each country might only contribute a small amount. Indonesia's content policy requires 40% of smartphones and tablets to be locally made. Will Indonesia's 'scare tactics' backfire? Most economists who spoke to CNBC said they did not believe that content policies would work to attract companies like Apple and would instead have the opposite effect. "Local content requirements have not been successful in attracting FDI to Indonesia. Quite the contrary," said Patunru, suggesting they contributed to companies like Foxconn's and Tesla's withdrawal of plans in the country in recent years. Instead, Indonesia's attempts to use "scare tactics" towards companies like Apple "may backfire," according to CELIOS' Adhinegara. "I think it's very bad for the investment climate in Indonesia and creates uncertainty on regulation," Adhinegara said, noting that often regulations appear to be enforced on a case-to-case basis. Yessi Vadila, a trade specialist at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, said that local content requirements in Indonesia have historically been tied to increased costs, decreased export competitiveness, and productivity losses while offering little impact on growth or employment. Other economists noted that the local content policies have racked up some surface-level successes in the past, though they said they would not be enough on their own to attract more investments from companies like Apple. "I would say they have been successful in trying to build some factories and facilities," said Indonesian economist Krisna Gupta, noting that other smartphone makers, such as Samsung, have had to invest in the market because of regulations. In addition to its local content requirements, Indonesia has also implemented other protectionist policies, including tariffs, to drive greater investments into the country. Last year, a new law banned TikTok's commerce app until the company invested through a local partner. Holistic approach needed US Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, with Attorney General Merrick Garland (L), speaks during a press conference announcing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, at the Justice Department in Washington, DC, on March 21, 2024. U.S. Department of Justice antitrust head Jonathan Kanter said on Tuesday that he will step down on Friday, capping off a three-year tenure in which he aimed to reinvigorate competition law in the U.S. Kanter and his counterpart at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, have sought to revive antitrust enforcement in the U.S. as a check on corporate power, drawing praise from Democrats and some Republicans. "Plutocracy is its own kind of dictatorship," Kanter said in a farewell address on Tuesday. "When companies larger and more powerful than most world governments threaten individual liberty with coercive private taxation and regulation, it threatens our way of life," he said. Some attorneys and business groups have criticized Khan and Kanter's agenda and supported a return to a more limited view of antitrust that has prevailed for four decades. But President-elect Donald Trump's antitrust picks are not seen as likely to drastically curtail enforcement. Gail Slater, an aide to incoming Vice President JD Vance, is poised to take over for Kanter once she is confirmed. Before being tapped as Trump's running mate, Vance praised Khan's efforts and said that corporations can engage in "tyrannical" behavior. At least until Trump takes office, Kanter's deputy Doha Mekki will lead the antitrust division. After that point, Trump could appoint a different acting head of the division. Kanter has kicked the DOJ's antitrust division into high gear, bringing cases against Apple , Alphabet's Google, Ticketmaster and Visa , and winning a groundbreaking legal victory over Google in a case over its dominance in online search that was brought during Trump's first administration. The DOJ under Kanter also brought cases that successfully block a tie up between JetBlue and American , JetBlue's proposed $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines and the $2.2 billion merger of Penguin Random House, the world's largest book publisher, and rival Simon & Schuster. Kanter warned in his speech that the DOJ's antitrust work faces an existential threat without full access to funding from the merger filing fees it collects. Workers clear a fallen tree at the corner of 13th and Mission streets in San Francisco on Saturday. San Francisco experienced high winds and a tornado warning overnight. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle Before dawn Saturday, more than a million people in and around San Francisco were awakened by a blaring notification more typical of Kansas than California: a tornado warning. Coming on the heels of a tsunami warning nine days earlier, some San Franciscans simply went back to sleep. But for those who stayed awake, waiting for the sun to rise, the powerful storm quickly unleashed damage. Power outages blanketed parts of the city as winds uprooted hundreds of trees, some of which crushed vehicles and toppled power lines. Although the storm impacts in San Francisco were assessed to be inconsistent with a tornado, even more intense winds materialized hours later. A twister touched down in the Santa Cruz Mountains, flipping vehicles and hospitalizing residents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chronicle reviewed weather charts and citizen reports and spoke to experts to determine how Saturdays unusual weather unfolded. Tornado risk emerged suddenly Chronicle meteorologists anticipated a strong low-pressure system and damaging winds in advance, but by Saturday morning the storm evolved and presented a new threat: tornadoes. As early as 3:20 a.m., the National Weather Service warned of potential waterspouts over coastal waters as radar identified small regions of swirling air. Just before 5 a.m., the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., issued an updated forecast for the Bay Area. The forecast called for a 2% to 5% chance of tornadoes. It also predicted a 5% to 15% chance of severe wind gusts, defined as winds reaching 58 mph or stronger, along the Bay Area coastline, including San Francisco. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A man surfs as strong waves and winds develop on Saturday in Santa Cruz. Thien-An Truong/Special to the Chronicle At 5:36 a.m., the National Weather Service in Monterey again warned of a possible waterspout, this time off the immediate coast of San Francisco. Fifteen minutes later, the weather service issued a tornado warning for San Francisco and Daly City. A negatively tilted low-pressure system was rapidly intensifying. The atmospheric pressure quickly dropped at a weather buoy in Bodega Bay as the negatively tilted low-pressure system approached the Bay Area. Atmospheric pressure dropped from 1011.8 millibars at midnight to 1000.3 millibars at 8:40 a.m. Loading... The rapid intensification of the storm increased wind shear, changing wind speed and direction with height. This shear caused individual storm cells to rotate in an unstable atmosphere. Advertisement Article continues below this ad When we have an increase in wind shear, that tends to promote more hazardous and high-impact weather, said Lamont Bain, science operations officer at the weather service office in Monterey, in an interview Monday. Gusts peaked at San Francisco International Airport shortly after 6 a.m., reaching 83 mph. Extreme winds ripped through San Francisco, uprooting trees and knocking out power to tens of thousands. A car rests under a fallen tree near the corner of the Great Highway and Lawton Street in San Francisco on Saturday. San Francisco experienced high winds and a tornado warning overnight. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle This is sort of a class of what we call kind of miniature supercells, Bain said. They have a lot of the characteristics of the storms that you see in like Kansas and Oklahoma and Texas. However, theyre on a much smaller scale. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Power outages and wind damage were concentrated in two specific areas: Golden Gate Park and the Mission District. Later Saturday morning, the weather service and the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management surveyed damage across the city. While not tornadic, damage was consistent with straight-line winds up to 80 mph, the weather service said in a survey assessment. A lot of the trees and other items were sort of along the same line, in the same direction, Bain said. That is a hallmark of more damaging straight-line winds as opposed to a tornado. Southwest winds toppled dozens of trees in a linear path from the outer Sunset District, through Golden Gate Park, through the inner Richmond District and toward the Presidio. In the Mission District, relatively drier winds wrapping around the storm, known as a rear flank downdraft, damaged several roofs and fallen trees that crushed vehicles. Southwest winds likely accelerated up and over Twin Peaks, and upon reaching the Mission District likely reached 80 mph. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tornado flips cars in Scotts Valley As the low-pressure system moved inland, winds slowly relaxed at the surface, but remained strong higher in the atmosphere. Rogue showers off the coast marched toward Santa Cruz County amid a high wind shear environment, Bain said. At 1:39 p.m., an unwarned tornado touched down in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County), traveling roughly a quarter mile along Mount Hermon Road, in a path just 30 yards wide. Over the span of five minutes, the tornado took down trees, overturned vehicles and downed power poles. Winds peaked at an estimated 90 mph. Although a tornado warning was not in effect for Scotts Valley, radar signature indicated strong circulation over the waters, prompting a marine warning for a possible waterspout. As the storm moved ashore, the circulation continued. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for west-central Santa Cruz County, including Scotts Valley, for gusts up to 60 mph. Several cars were flipped in Saturdays EF1 tornado in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County). The tornado touched down in the towns commercial district at 1:39 p.m., with peak winds of 90 mph. Courtesy of Steven Robins People in a shopping center frantically took shelter as the twister flipped cars over and bent power poles into obtuse angles. At least three people were hospitalized for minor to moderate injuries, but were expected to recover. There were multiple cars flipped by this tornado with people in them, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said. This is a rare, injury-producing tornado in California. Most California tornadoes generally dont produce injuries. The Bay Area National Weather Service office is investigating why it did not issue a tornado warning for Scotts Valley, according to Bain. I think the take-home message here is that a severe thunderstorm warning still indicates that there is a threat to life and property, Bain said. You need to seek shelter when you find yourself underneath one of these alerts. Several cars were flipped in Saturdays EF1 tornado in Scotts Valley (Santa Cruz County). The tornado touched down in the towns commercial district at 1:39 p.m., with peak winds of 90 mph. Courtesy of Steven Robins California tornadoes are relatively rare, occurring an average of nine times per year, based on counts from 1994 to 2023. Before this weekend, Santa Cruz County had officially tallied seven tornadoes since 1950. Tornado intensity is rated based on the amount of damage caused. Weak tornadoes that produce little damage have a rating of EF0; the most devastating events have a rating of EF5. The Scotts Valley tornado had a rating of EF1, tying with the two strongest tornadoes on record for Santa Cruz County, going back to 1950. One occurred on April 5, 1965; the second on Feb. 3, 1986. California tornadoes in the future The science of tornado formation is complex, complicating whether Californians can expect more twisters in the future due to climate change. The shortest, most accurate answer is, we dont know, Swain said during an online presentation Monday. Not only are tornadoes challenging to track, theyre far too small to simulate with climate models, he added. While the evidence is still fairly weak, Swain said it was plausible that there could be more tornadoes in a warming climate: Is this the sort of event that California might see more of in the future? I would say, maybe, yes. The best that scientists can do is infer what could happen in the future, based on expected impacts on the main ingredients for tornadoes: wind shear and atmospheric instability. Overall, the wind shear question is kind of an open one, Swain said. But what we do know is that the amount of atmospheric instability overall should strongly increase (in a warming climate). In an aerial view, people gather in front of a sign posted at Meta headquarters in Menlo Park, California, July 7, 2023. Meta Platforms has agreed to a A$50 million settlement ($31.85 million), Australia's privacy watchdog said on Tuesday, closing long-drawn, expensive legal proceedings for the Facebook parent over the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner had alleged that personal information of some users was being disclosed to Facebook's personality quiz app, This is Your Digital Life, as part of the broader scandal. The breaches were first reported by the Guardian in early 2018, and Facebook received fines from regulators in the United States and the UK in 2019. Australia's privacy regulator has been caught up in the legal battle with Meta since 2020. The personal data of 311,127 Australian Facebook users was "exposed to the risk of being disclosed" to consulting firm Cambridge Analytica and used for profiling purposes, according to the 2020 statement. Tesla has more room to run under the new presidential administration, according to Mizuho. Analyst Vijay Rakesh upgraded the electric vehicle maker to outperform, and after staying on the sidelines, he also lifted his price target by $285 to $515. That implies 11.2% upside from Monday's close. "We see idiosyncratic tailwinds over the next ~4Y positioning it favorably," Rakesh said in a note to clients. Tesla shares have been on a tear since Donald Trump's election win largely due to CEO Elon Musk's close advisory relationship with the incoming president. In that time, the stock is up 84%. The stock added more than 2.5% in premarket trading after the upgrade. TSLA YTD mountain Tesla stock this year. Rakesh thinks Tesla could still face near-term challenges from domestic EV tax credit repeals, but said the company is overall better positioned relative to its peers given the prospect of favorable regulation and Musk's alignment with the Trump administration. Rakesh expects easing regulatory framework around autonomous driving to be a positive catalyst for Tesla's full self-driving and robotaxi valuations. Tesla's autonomy segments account for more than half of Mizuho's valuation of the stock. "We believe TSLA's autonomy software stack is improving towards broad commercialization," Rakesh said. He anticipates the company will have its Level 4 full self-driving technology approved by next year and in the European Union in 2027 with licensing revenue. Tesla's current autonomous systems are still rated at Level 2, or at partial driving automation. Trump's policies also position Tesla better with its lower EV cost structure relative to peers and leaves the company well positioned to outgrow global LVP electric vehicles or cars that use a lithium vanadium phosphate battery with its more profitable EV plans, Rakesh said. Import tariffs from the EU, Latin America, Canada, and the East Asia and Pacific regions could also improve Tesla's competitive standing, he said. Last week, Trump's transition team recommended repealing a requirement that companies report automated vehicle crash data to federal safety regulators. Removing the crash-disclosure provision would uniquely benefit Tesla, which has reported the majority of the crashes under the program. Analysts are mixed on the stock. Of the 54 who cover the EV maker, 25 rate it as a buy or strong buy, according to LSEG. The remaining 29 have either a hold, underperform or sell rating, however. Nima Momeni, the man charged in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, makes his way into the courtroom at the Hall of Justice for his arraignment in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 2, 2023. A San Francisco jury on Tuesday convicted IT consultant Nima Momeni in the 2023 fatal stabbing of tech executive Bob Lee, a killing that led to concern about rampant street crime in the city but was actually motivated by a personal dispute. Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder. A verdict was reached on Monday, but read out on Tuesday after deliberations started Dec. 4. Lee, the 43-year-old founder of the popular money transfer service Cash App, was found stabbed early the morning of April 4, 2023, near San Francisco's downtown. He was rushed to a hospital but died of his injuries. Police were told by a dispatcher there was a man "screaming, 'help,' saying 'someone stabbed me,'" recordings showed. The case immediately generated controversy when SpaceX's Elon Musk posted on social media after Lee's death about crime in San Francisco, and questioned the district attorney about "repeat violent offenders." Instead, a week later later San Francisco police announced the arrest of Momeni, 40, who is not a repeat offender and whose sister was friends with Lee. Momeni was accused of driving Lee to a secluded area and then stabbing him three times with a 4-inch kitchen knife. Lee was stabbed in the heart. Prosecutors said that Momeni planned to kill Lee, and that he had an argument with Lee over his sister. Momeni testified that on April 3, his sister called him and asked him to pick him up from the apartment of a friend of Lee's who the sister described as her drug dealer. The sister testified that she told her brother she may have been sexually assaulted after taking the drug GHB. Prosecutors alleged in court documents that on the night of the killing, a witness saw Momeni questioning Lee "regarding whether his sister was doing drugs or anything inappropriate," and Lee had to reassure him that nothing had happened. Momeni claimed he acted in self-defense after Lee pulled a knife on him. Momeni told jurors that on the night of the stabbing Lee had been doing drugs. They were in a car together but pulled over because Momeni thought Lee was going to vomit, and Momeni said Lee attacked him after Momeni made a joke that he'd rather spend his last night in San Francisco with family than at strip clubs. Momeni claimed that when Lee pulled out the knife he had to defend himself. Momeni said there was a struggle over the weapon, and eventually Lee walked away down the street but that Momeni did not know Lee was stabbed. The trial began on Oct. 14. Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai said in opening statements that Lee, who was then the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency company MobileCoin, was "stabbed through his heart and left to die." A Starbucks worker boards the Starbucks union bus after Starbucks workers stood on the picket line with striking SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild of America members in solidarity outside Netflix studios in Los Angeles on July 28, 2023. Starbucks Workers United said Tuesday that 98% of union baristas have voted to authorize a strike as they seek a contract with the coffee giant. Bargaining delegates are set to return to negotiations with Starbucks on Tuesday in the last scheduled session of the year with the goal of agreeing on a "foundational framework." Starbucks and Workers United have spent hundreds of hours this year at the bargaining table, and both sides have put forward dozens of tentative agreements, the union said in a press release. However, hundreds of unfair labor practice cases still have not been settled, and the union said Starbucks has not yet proposed a comprehensive package that would address barista pay and other benefits. In a statement to CNBC, Starbucks disputed the union's characterization and said the company remains committed to reaching a final framework agreement. "It is disappointing that the union is considering a strike rather than focusing on what have been extremely productive negotiations. Since April we've scheduled and attended more than eight multi-day bargaining sessions where we've reached thirty meaningful agreements on dozens of topics Workers United delegates told us were important to them, including many economic issues," the company said in the statement. The strike authorization shows that relations between the two sides may again be cooling, after thawing in late February when both parties said they found a "constructive path forward" though mediation. Prior to that point, Starbucks had fought the union boom that swept across its company-owned locations for more than two years. The company's attempts to curb the union movement led to backlash from some consumers and lawmakers, culminating with former CEO Howard Schultz testifying on Capitol Hill. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol, who joined the company in September, committed to bargaining in good faith in a letter addressed to the union in his first weeks on the job. Niccol announced on Monday that the company would double its paid parental leave, starting in March. However, baristas will reportedly receive a smaller annual pay hike next year than they have in previous years, following a sales slump at its U.S. locations. More than 500 company-owned Starbucks cafes have voted to unionize under Workers United since the first elections that took place in Buffalo three years ago. The Chinese company, however, faces increased scrutiny from U.S. officials, and risks posed by tariffs which the incoming Trump administration has promised to raise. Temu, which ships cheap goods from China, first entered the U.S. market in 2022. It has taken the market by storm, putting pressure on incumbent heavyweight Amazon . Apple's iOS accounts for over 56% of U.S. mobile phone market, according to data from StatCounter. ByteDance's TikTok came in third in the ranking despite doubts over its ability to continue operating in the U.S., while Temu-competitor and fast-fashion giant Shein came in at number 12. Temu, the popular e-commerce app owned by China's PDD Holdings, topped Apple's list of the most downloaded free apps on its U.S. iOS store for the second year running, highlighting the massive success that Chinese apps are enjoying in the world's largest consumer market. As the likes of Temu and Shein attract American consumers with cheap goods and aggressive advertising, they have also caught the attention of Washington. In September, the Biden administration announced a new proposal aimed at blocking the "overuse and abuse" of the long-standing "de minimis" provision by companies such as Shein and Temu. The provision allows shipments valued under $800 certain import duty exemptions. If Temu and Shein were to lose their de minimis exemption, it could push up prices and reduce the Chinese companies' competitiveness, experts have told CNBC. Donald Trump's impending return to the White House adds another layer of uncertainty as the president-elect made curbing imports from China a major focus of his campaign. Trump has proposed tariffs as high as 60% to 100% on goods from China, although it is unclear whether he will carry out his threat. U.S. officials are not the only ones concerned about Chinese imports flooding their domestic markets. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam and Indonesia have imposed a range of anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese goods, while Thailand recently announced measures to monitor cheap imports. Earlier this month, Vietnam banned Temu from operating in the country just two months after the Chinese company set up a local presence. In a global outlook report released Friday, Nomura said that its U.S. economics team expects changes to the de minimis rule to be a key trade priority for the Trump administration, perhaps second only to hiking tariffs. "This represents another major downside risk to China's exports to the U.S. in 2025," the report said. Nomura estimates a U.S. ban on all de minimis imports from China could reduce the latter's annual export growth by 1.3% and drag GDP growth down by 0.2%. WASHINGTON Donald Trump is suing Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and the newspaper's parent company Gannett, on Monday night, accusing them of consumer fraud, according to a copy of the filing reviewed by NBC News. The suit, filed in Polk County, Iowa, says it seeks "accountability for brazen election interference" over a Nov. 2 poll that showed Kamala Harris up 3 percentage points in Iowa. Trump is making the claim under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising. Trump ultimately won the state by double digits, a difference that his lawyers argue in the suit constitutes "election-interfering fiction." "I'm doing this because I feel I have an obligation to I'm going to 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 going to lose by three or four points," Trump said in discussing the suit on Monday. Selzer announced after the election that she would stop polling political contests and move into other ventures. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Monday he was picking George Glass, a former investment banker and diplomat notable for his criticisms of China, to serve as his ambassador to Japan. "In my First Term, George was the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal. As a former President of an Investment Bank, George will bring his business acumen to the Ambassador's position," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. During his 2017-2021 stint in Lisbon, Glass gained prominence for warning against Beijing's investments in strategic sectors in Portugal and its mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. His selection comes amid straining ties between Tokyo and Beijing over a raft of issues from trade to territorial disputes. On Dec. 9, OpenAI made its artificial intelligence video generation model Sora publicly available in the U.S. and other countries. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images The U.K. is drawing up measures to regulate the use of copyrighted content by tech companies to train their artificial intelligence models. The British government on Tuesday kicked off a consultation which aims to increase clarity for both the creative industries and AI developers when it comes to both how intellectual property is obtained and then used by AI firms for training purposes. Some artists and publishers are unhappy with the way their content is being scraped freely by companies like OpenAI and Google to train their large language models AI models trained on huge quantities of data to generate humanlike responses. Large language models are the foundational technology behind today's generative AI systems, including the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini and Anthropic's Claude. Last year, The New York Times brought a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI accusing the companies of infringing its copyright and abusing intellectual property to train large language models. In response, OpenAI disputed the NYT's allegations, stating that the use of open web data for training AI models should be considered "fair use" and that it provides an "opt-out" for rights holders "because it's the right thing to do." Separately, image distribution platform Getty Images sued another generative AI firm, Stability AI, in the U.K., accusing it of scraping millions of images from its websites without consent to train its Stable Diffusion AI model. Stability AI has disputed the suit, noting that the training and development of its model took place outside the U.K. Proposals to be considered First, the consultation will consider making an exception to copyright law for AI training when used in the context of commercial purposes but while still allowing rights holders to reserve their rights so they can control the use of their content. Second, the consultation will put forward proposed measures to help creators license and be remunerated for the use of their content by AI model makers, as well as give AI developers clarity over what material can be used for training their models. The government said more work needs to be done by both the creative industries and technology firms to ensure any standards and requirements for rights reservation and transparency are effective, accessible and widely adopted. The government is also considering proposals that would require AI model makers to be more transparent about their model training datasets and how they're obtained so that rights holders can understand when and how their content has been used to train AI. watch now That could prove controversial technology firms aren't especially forthcoming when it comes to the data that fuels their coveted algorithms or how they train them up, given the commercial sensitivities involved in revealing those secrets to potential competitors. Previously, under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the government attempted to agree a voluntary AI copyright code of practice. AI copyright rules: U.K. versus U.S. In a recent interview with CNBC, the boss of app development software firm Appian said he thinks the U.K. is well placed to be the "global leader on this issue." "The U.K. has put a stake in the ground declaring its prioritization of personal intellectual property rights," Matt Calkins, Appian's CEO, told CNBC. He cited 2018's Data Protection Act as an example of how the U.K. is "closely associated with intellectual property rights." The U.K. is also not "subject to the same overwhelming lobbying blitz from domestic AI leaders that the U.S. is," Calkins added meaning it might not be as prone to bowing down to pressure from tech giants as politicians stateside. "In the U.S., anybody who writes a law about AI is going to hear from Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft or Google before that bill even reaches the floor," Calkins said. "That's a powerful force stopping anyone from writing sensible legislation or protecting the rights of individuals whose intellectual property is being taken wholesale by these major AI players." The issue of potential copyright infringement by AI firms is becoming more notable as tech firms are moving toward a more "multimodal" form of AI that is, AI systems that can understand and generate content in the form of images and video as well as text. Last week, OpenAI made its AI video generation model Sora publicly available in the U.S. and "most countries internationally." The tool allows a user to type out a desired scene and produce a high-definition video clip. New air-cargo route links China's Xinjiang, London Xinhua) 09:37, December 17, 2024 URUMQI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has recently opened its first air-freight route to London in Britain, said local authorities on Monday. The maiden flight, carrying some 50 tonnes of cross-border e-commerce cargo, left Urumqi Diwopu International Airport for London on Dec. 14. With the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, the sector's volume of goods at the airport has been steadily increasing, said the airport's customs. The new direct cargo route from Urumqi to London is expected to further promote the close connection between China's Xinjiang and key European air transport hubs, providing more comprehensive and efficient commercial logistics services for economic and trade cooperation between the two sides, the customs added. As of now, Urumqi has opened a total of 14 international cargo routes, among which there are seven routes to Europe. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Abe Lincoln got Young Sheldond, and Thomas Jefferson nearly died taking a 19th-century selfie. 5 30 Rock-Solid Inches of Nude Washington In 1815, the state of North Carolina decided they were sick of seeing George Washington dressed in boring contemporary clothing, as our boots and regimentals have a very puny effect. So they commissioned a statue of our founding-est father writing his farewell address while cosplaying as an ancient Roman nobleman. They didnt have Grok to make A.I. art of a powerful racist looking way cooler than he ever was, you see, so they had to pay a skilled Italian artist to make their fanfic. Don't Miss The finished product is pretty jarring in and of itself, but its the rough draft that will sprain your forehead raising a skeptical eyebrow. And the rough drafts are all we have left, since the North Carolina state house burned to the ground 10 years after the statue was installed. Most notably, we have a 30-inch, 3D nude of George Washington. Sculptor Antonio Canova decided that, in order to complete the assignment, he must first imagine in great detail what Washingtons knob and baubles looked like. After the original was destroyed, the government was like, Oh my God, wouldnt it be like, so funny if we put the naked one in a museum? And so, Georges fun-size twig and berries are now on display in New Yorks Frick Museum. 4 The Statue That Almost Murdered Thomas Jefferson In 1825, artist John H.I. Browere was granted the honor of immortalizing the ex-president. Jefferson agreed to let Browere take a life mask, making a mold of his face like that one scene in Mrs. Doubtfire. The result is a chillingly lifelike sculpture of a frail, furious Jefferson with a furrowed brow and protruding chin like he was being actively strangled. And thats because he was! Broweres plaster mix hardened far quicker than hed planned, causing the presidential orifices to seal shut and leaving him unable to call for help. Jefferson was able to blindly grasp at a nearby chair and bang it around to get Broweres attention. Even then, the plaster was sticking to his face, and Browere had to break it off by whacking the ex-president in the head with a mallet like a damn Looney Tune. Granted, it would have only shaved about a year off of his life, as hed finally croak in 1826. But asphyxiating while taking a 19th-century selfie would be right up there with too many cherries on the list of dumbest ways for a president to die. Advertisement 3 A Pitiful Tribute to Reagan Advertisement Aesthetically, this is a perfectly normal statue. What makes it one of Americas stupidest tributes is all the hero worship and empty bluster behind it. The city of Covington, Louisiana never voted for Ronald Reagan, and was in fact financially and culturally gutted by his policies. Nevertheless, the city started voting Republican in 2003, and the local elites saw an opportunity to rewrite history. They dubbed some random road the Ronald Reagan Highway, which caught the attention of oil tycoon and Reagan crony Patrick F. Taylor. When Reagan passes away, Im gonna build the largest memorial to him that I can, Taylor promised. Reagan died in 2004, and Taylor joined his friend in hell five months later, unable to fulfill his promise. But the sycophants he left behind to run the Taylor Foundation finally made good on it four years later, installing what is officially the largest Ronald Reagan statue in the world! At a whopping 10 feet tall. So now theres a kind of big Ronald Reagan saluting what appears to be a bus stop in the middle of a city that he almost killed and that hated his guts in life. Advertisement 2 A Putrifying Presidential Zombie Army Advertisement Houston artist David Adickens took a peek at Mount Rushmore during a road trip and was struck with almost divine inspiration: what if gigantic presidential heads, except a lot smaller? For six glorious years from 2004 to 2010, patriots could stroll amongst the gods of democracy in beautiful Presidents Park in Williamsburg, Virginia. Adickens installed a 20-foot bust of every president from George Washington to George W. Bush and thats it. For reasons well never know, folks below the Mason-Dixon line stopped wanting to celebrate the presidency in 2010, and the park fell into disrepair. The busts were moved to a dusty field in Croaker, Virginia, where time, weather and underpaid movers have turned them into grotesque horrors. George Washington has gangrene, Lyndon Johnson looks like he got an axe lobotomy and several others appear as though theyve been crying blood for decades. Characteristically, Jimmy Carter seems to be holding up remarkably well, all things considered. Advertisement The Simpsons family got a dog, and the rest of us got an American institution December 17th is a very important date in the history of The Simpsons. It was on this day in 1989 that the first episode of the show debuted on Fox, telling a Christmas story about how the first family of Springfield came to get their pet dog, Santas Little Helper. The episode was equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and to celebrate its 35th anniversary, here are 35 trivia tidbits all about it Advertisement 35 The Beginning, Sort of While Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire was the first half-hour episode of The Simpsons, the family debuted two-and-a-half years prior to it on April 19, 1987 as part of The Tracey Ullman Show. Advertisement 34 The First Christmas Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire also wasnt the familys first Christmas story. The short Simpson Xmas aired a year earlier. It was a rewrite of The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore, narrated by Bart. 33 Not-So Enchanted Evening According to Neil Arsenty, curator of the On This Day in Simpsons History X/Twitter account, The show was originally intended to debut earlier in 1989 with Some Enchanted Evening, but due to animation problems, the show debuted with (Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire) on December 17th instead. 32 8-to-1 To that end, Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire was actually the eighth episode produced for the shows first season. Advertisement Advertisement 31 Lisas Wardrobe Malfunction During Lisa's performance at the Christmas pageant, she appears to be naked from the waist down, explains Arsenty. According to David Silverman, this was an animation error and she was intended to be wearing a body stocking, but the Korean animators never colored it in. 30 A Future Simpsons Legend Came Up with the Episodes Title The name Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire came from Al Jean, who would go on to be a major creative force behind the show as a writer and showrunner. Advertisement 29 Yet the Woman Who Wrote It Never Returned Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire was written by Mimi Pond. It was the only Simpsons episode she ever wrote. Advertisement 28 Left in the Cold In a 2014 interview with Splinter, Pond said, I wasnt invited to be on staff at The Simpsons, because they didnt want any women on staff at the time. Nobody told me that, it was something I found out through the grapevine. I was just sort of dropped like a hot rock, with no explanation from anyone there. It did remain a boys club there for quite a few years. And even since then, I think theyve just had a handful of women writers. Advertisement 27 A Result of the Sam Simon-Jennifer Tilly Divorce? In a 2017 interview with The Muse, Pond continued, I was never invited to be on staff, and I never knew why for the longest time. No one ever called me or explained to me or apologized or anything. And it wasnt until years later that I found out that (producer and co-creator) Sam Simon, who was the showrunner, didnt want any women around because he was going through a divorce. It had remained a boys club for a good long time. I feel like I was just as qualified as anyone else who came along and got hired on the show, and it was just because I was a woman that I was, you know, not allowed entry into that club. I always wind up being the turd in the punch bowl because the show is so beloved and everything, and Im sorry to burst bubbles but it wasnt a pleasant experience for me. 26 How Pond Got to The Simpsons Originally My husband and I had been introduced to Matt Groening by Gary Panter, Pond explained to The Muse. My husband Wayne and Gary had worked together on PeeWees Playhouse. We met Matt before The Simpsons happened, when he was doing his syndicated comic strip, Life in Hell. When the series came along, he was asking his cartoonist friends if they wanted to write episodes, and apparently I was the only one who said yes. When I wrote an episode, I wrote it and it just happened to air as the first one because they were behind schedule. Advertisement 25 Why Pond Wrote It Per Pond: I believe Sam Simon was the one who suggested they needed a Christmas episode, and I seized on that because I hated Christmas. Advertisement 24 The First Line Marge gets the first line in the episode, saying, Oh, careful Homer as hes driving recklessly. Advertisement 23 Homers First Line Its a classic: Theres no time to be careful, were late. 22 Barts First Line Its also a classic: Jingle Bells, Batman smells. Advertisement Advertisement 21 About That Batman Stench Groening explained that the use of Jingle Bells, Batman Smells caused many people to believe The Simpsons originated the song, which it obviously did not. 20 Lisas First Line A not-so-classic (at least relatively speaking): But I really want a pony, and Ive been really, really good this year. Advertisement 19 Pony Problems Pond has said that the only thing from this episode that came from real life was her desire for a pony. Advertisement 18 Pony Prayers Answered Eventually, Lisa does get a pony in Season Three. She names it Princess. Advertisement 17 No Soviet Santa In the DVD commentary for the episode, Groening explained that the Christmas pageant, where the children present the way Christmas is celebrated in different countries, was inspired by something that happened to him as a kid. When I was in the second grade, we studied how Christmas was celebrated in many lands, and I had grandparents from Russia and I was told, Because Russia is a communist country, there was no Christmas, please sit down, Matt. 16 It Was a Much Simpler Time Groening has said that Fox censors flagged the use of the word groin in the episode, but that Simpsons producers left it in anyway. Advertisement Advertisement 15 Plenty of Doh, But Light on Dough Homers struggles with money were part of an effort to anchor the Simpsons economically and keep them mired in their money problems, explained Groening. They wanted to make it real because in most sitcoms, people have no money problems whatsoever, or the money problems arent real. 14 The Smallness of Early Simpsons What I like about some of these early shows is what minor occurrences in daily life we explored, Groening has observed. As the show went on, we got much bigger stories, but this is just about shopping for Christmas gifts when you dont have much money. Advertisement 13 What Christmas Is All About Groening noted that, while it seems mild nowadays, there were serious doubts back then about having Homer steal a tree for Christmas, as they feared it would make him too unlikable. Advertisement 12 Im Bart Simpson, Who the Hell are You? This episode was the second time that Bart said, Im Bart Simpson, who the hell are you? The first was in a Tracey Ullman short. Advertisement 11 Wrong Ralph Ralph Wiggums voice is different in the episode. Hes played by Pamela Hayden, and he doesnt seem quite so stupid. Eventually, Nancy Cartwright would voice the Ralph we all know and love. 10 Snowball, We Hardly Knew Ye Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire contains the backstory for the Simpson cats when Marge writes a letter saying, Our little cat Snowball was unexpectedly run over and went to kitty heaven, but we bought a new little cat, Snowball II. Advertisement Advertisement 9 Santas Little Helpers Name Al Jean told TV Guide, We needed a name that would inspire Homer to bet on him, an omen, a Christmas name since he was betting on Christmas Eve. But, at that point, nobody was thinking long-term. We weren't considering what might happen in 10 years, when we've got to use this name." 8 Santas Little Helpers Number Santas Little Helpers racing number is eight. Advertisement 7 The Simpsons Were Stuck with the Dog Groening once told TV Guide, We painted ourselves into a corner with our Christmas episode. Once we wrote the dog into the show, we were stuck with him. Advertisement 6 When Time Slots Were a Thing While The Simpsons would famously air on Sundays at 8 p.m. Eastern for most of its run, all of Season One, including Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire, aired at 8:30 p.m. Advertisement 5 Pin Pals According to Jean, the premiere was celebrated at a bowling alley. 4 An Impressive Party Favor According to Pond, at the party, everyone got a bowling shirt. I might still have it somewhere. I also got a crew jacket, and when I wore it on the subway back in NYC where I was still living at the time, I was mobbed by people who wanted one. It was then that I knew it was going to be gigantic. Advertisement Advertisement 3 Real Santas Little Helpers Need Help Groening said that, when the episode was written, the adoption of Santas Little Helper was just a good way to wrap up the episode. However, after it aired, they got letters from people thanking them for bringing attention to the issue of abandoned racing dogs. 2 Bart to the Future In Season 34s Lisa the Boy Scout, an adult Bart travels back in time to the events of Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire. Advertisement While the Griswold familys expedition to Europe doesnt totally hold up these days, and their brief sojourn to Las Vegas is fondly remembered by precisely no one, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation has established itself as a legit member of the holiday movie canon. The made-for-TV movie in which Randy Quaid battles a monkey and gets shipwrecked on a desert island? Not so much. Christmas Vacations enduring popularity is evidenced by Chevy Chases seasonal Q&A tours, the countless examples of useless merchandise and the everyday citizens who go overboard decorating their houses to match the Griswold familys excessive, environmentally-disastrous lighting setup. Its also regularly screened in movie theaters, and not just because Chase is in town and has bills to pay. As reported by The Montreal Gazette, a French-dubbed version of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation has become a major hit with audiences in Montreal, thanks to participatory screenings in the vein of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Advertisement Advertisement While other French dubs of films like Ferris Buellers Day Off and Ghostbusters have similarly been given the interactive treatment, beginning in 2019, the Christmas Vacation screenings have become recurring, sold-out Christmastime events. According to organizer Jarrett Mann, In Quebec, the film is a cult hit, and its part of our culture. Its on TV every Christmas and is possibly the most popular Christmas movie in Quebec. In Quebec, its not called Christmas Vacation, its known as Le Sapin a des Boules, which translates to The Fir Tree Has Balls (not a bad title, actually). And these screenings encourage audience members to shout things out during the movie. For instance, whenever characters kiss, viewers are supposed to yell bisou (which means kiss), and when the Griswolds yuppie neighbors are on screen, everybody cries out snob! There are also lighting effects (Mann promises that audiences will be blinded by Clark Griswolds decorations), and a cast of live actors on stage (unlike with Rocky Horror, theyre all fully clothed). Advertisement Advertisement The city also has a significant connection to the film. Its director, Jeremiah Chechik, grew up in Outremont (which officially became part of Montreal in 2002), and he studied theater and literature at Montreals McGill University. Now the director will be journeying back to Montreal to participate in the screenings. I had no idea that it had this resonance, Chechik told The Gazette. I dont usually watch dubbed films, but it is with great warm anticipation (that I am coming to see it in Montreal). Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that he never expected the movie to become the phenomenon it is today. The film was successful in its time and you think, okay its gone now, and the fact that it keeps coming back and back and back, its surprising to me in a good way, Chechik explained. It was always my hope that it would last, but I didnt think it would achieve a familial touchtone thing, where people show it to their kids. I guess its like an old song that everybody sings together. Incidentally, Chechik only landed the Christmas Vacation because the original director, Chris Columbus, bailed on the project due to Chases dickishness. So Chechik was hired, and Columbus made Home Alone instead. A Christmas miracle! Who lives in fear of assassins? Who withholds your insulin? They do! They do! After a masked, hooded gunman shot down UnitedHealthcare CEO and alleged financial criminal Brian Thompson in the middle of Midtown Manhattan on the morning of December 4th, the public servants of New York sprung into action to protect their most precious and vulnerable community of obscenely rich CEOs. Within days, NYPD had identified a suspect, 26-year-old Luigi Mangioni, and, yesterday, CNN reported that New York Governor Kathy Hochul held a safety summit where the states top lawmakers considered setting up a special, taxpayer-funded hotline for exclusive use by CEOs who feel they may be in danger from their customers. Don't Miss Let me guess 912? Of course, if Hochul really is a part of the Ancient Mystic Society of No Homers (previously known as The Stonecutters), it seems like poor form for her to allow the public to learn about the secret elites-only emergency hotline. Clearly, the governor needs a Carl-type figure to tell her to shut up when she decides to install a new CEO-only shortcut alternative to the Lincoln Tunnel, or at least have a Homer around to zip her lid when she rolls out funding cuts to public schools in order to pay for executive roller skates. Advertisement I guess standards have fallen in the secret society that was once The Stonecutters if all of us non-members now know that 911 aint good enough for the elite. But, hey, now that all the real-life Oscar-riggers live in fear of the day when the rubes whom they ripped off to make their fortunes might come after them, us rubes have a real chance at joining the ranks of the elite ourselves, as the only way to become a Stonecutter if youre not the son of a Stonecutters is to save the life of a member. If the secret CEO hotline ever finds itself in need of life-saving phone operators, Hochul should give me a call. I have some medical debt that I need to pay off. Webcams have been a key part of business and home offices everywhere, especially since the COVID pandemic hit. But they are not often high-quality products, especially if used only sporadically, as many consumers and remote workers are content with a cheap one from China. This not only causes regular hardware problems, but it can also be a significant security problem. The FBI warned on Dec. 16 that new HiatusRAT malware attacks are looking for vulnerable web cameras and DVRs accessible online. The criminals behind these remote access Trojan (RAT) attacks aim to infect the devices and use them to create backdoors in computers, for example. In its Private Industry Notification (PIN), the FBI explains that attackers are concentrating their attacks on specific devices from Chinese manufacturers. These often have gaps in security patches or have already reached the end of their lifespan. STORY LINK GBP to Euro Exchange Rate Ticks Up following UK and Eurozone PMI Data Advertisement GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: UK and Eurozone Data in Focus Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Pound vs Euro exchange rate (GBP/EUR) drifted higher on Monday following the publication of both the UKs and the Eurozones preliminary PMI data for December.On Monday, the Pound (GBP) strengthened against most of its peers after the release of the UK's preliminary PMI data for December.The report showed that the UK's manufacturing index continued to decline, falling from 48.0 to 47.3, contrary to the expected increase to 48.2.However, the UK's vital services index exceeded market forecasts in December, rising from 50.8 to 51.4, surpassing the modest prediction of 51.0.This better-than-expected performance in the services sector provided a boost to GBP exchange rates following the data release.At the start of the week, the Euro (EUR) maintained its position against most of its counterparts as the Eurozone also released its preliminary PMI data for December.Like the Pound, the Eurozone's manufacturing index remained unchanged at 45.2, failing to meet the anticipated rise to 45.3 and staying firmly in contraction territory (a reading below 50).However, the Eurozone's services index also exceeded market expectations.The index climbed from 49.5 to 51.4, re-entering expansion territory, and provided the common currency with some modest support during Monday's European session.Looking ahead to Tuesday, the main factor influencing the Pound Euro exchange rate will likely be the release of several economic reports from both the UK and the Eurozone.Germany, the Eurozone's largest economy, will unveil its latest Ifo business climate index and the crucial Zew economic sentiment index.Additionally, the Eurozone will release its most recent balance of trade data.Given the number of economic releases scheduled for Tuesday, EUR exchange rates are expected to experience volatility and trade within a wider range.In the UK, the latest unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 4.3%, while average earnings (excluding bonuses) are expected to rise from 4.8% to 5%.This mixed economic data could affect GBP exchange rates on Tuesday, particularly if there is an increase in uncertainty regarding the UK's labour market. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Euro Forecasts 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. Is Lucy Letby at last getting the fair trial she never had the first time round? The small but growing group, who fear the jury never really heard her case, think this may be about to happen. Whether that trial takes place quickly in the courts or slowly but relentlessly in the hurly burly of media and political debate, is still not clear. But what is certain is that it is going to be very hard fought. As few will have forgotten, after her gruelling and lengthy trials, Ms Letby, a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has been convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting the murder of seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. As a result, she has been sentenced to stay in prison until she dies. Many still believe this to have been just. But a significant number of doctors, statisticians and other experts are worried that the verdicts are unsafe and they are not shutting up. Rather the contrary. After months, during which the verdict has been widely questioned, yesterday saw the first professional attack on the court's decision. Ms Letby's new lawyer, Mark McDonald, mounted a bold, risky, frontal Special Forces-style attack on the towering, stony judicial fortress which now insists on her guilt. But just in case that does not come off, he revealed he was still massing his forces for a drawn-out conventional war to clear Ms Letby's name. That involves the Criminal Cases Review Commission, a body normally so slow-moving that Ms Letby, now 34, may be well into her 40s before it turns its attention to her. Lucy Letby, a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital, has been convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting the murder of seven others Ms Letby's new lawyer, Mark McDonald, more or less demanded that the Appeal Court admit it had been mistaken to refuse Ms Letby leave to appeal earlier this year The scene was a press conference in the highly respectable surroundings of the Royal Society of Medicine in central London a choice of location which might hint at how much medical doubt there is about this affair, and how deep it is. To begin with, Mr McDonald (who, unlike almost every barrister over the age of 30 these days, is not a KC) more or less demanded that the Appeal Court admit it had been mistaken to refuse Ms Letby leave to appeal earlier this year. They will not like that. In general they do not like questioning jury verdicts at the best of times. But is this the best of times? And does he have a case? His reasoning, to this layman, was pretty powerful. The chief prosecution expert witness, Dr Dewi Evans, has now changed his explanations as to how several of the babies actually died. How can this not be cause for allowing an appeal? The whole theory that the babies were murdered or attacked, and the whole theory which implicates Ms Letby, was decisive in the convictions. Indeed, without it, it is hard to see what else the prosecution had in the way of actual evidence. Even generally pro-prosecution observers of the case have described it as a teetering house of cards. If that theory's chief advocate cannot make up his mind how the alleged crimes were done, how can that be reliable? Let the judges worry about that. Richard Taylor, a British neonatologist now working in Canada, said two of his colleagues concluded the death of 'Baby O' was down to a series of medical errors not made by Letby I was most struck by the second main speaker at the event, a British-born and trained neonatologist now working in Canada, who described what two of his colleagues had found about the case of one of the allegedly murdered babies. Richard Taylor, 67, spoke very softly as he described what those experts believed had happened to 'Baby O'. After studying all the available records, they concluded that a series of medical errors, including a wrongly inserted needle, were the true causes of death. It was a tragic accident. These errors, they concluded, were not made by Ms Letby. And Dr Taylor, with great gentleness and great force, said: '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.' This information, I am told, was all available to the prosecution. In which case, why did they bring forward their case that Ms Letby was responsible? I am sure that questions such as these will eventually be answered. So will the questions about wrong door-swipe evidence provided by the prosecution in the first trial and evidence about the strange allegations, based on dubious test results, that Ms Letby somehow tried to poison babies with insulin. A team of more than 50 experts is now studying every aspect of the prosecution in detail, all of them motivated only by a thirst for fairness. Authority should beware of such people, as the Post Office recently found. Not one of them has asked for or received any fee for their work. That includes Dr Taylor. He was not in any way paid for his work or even offered expenses for his travel. It has been truly said that it can take many, many years for established authority to shift so much as an inch. But it has also been rightly said that the events of years can sometimes take place in a matter of weeks. Mr McDonald admits his approach is unprecedented a thing that judges hate. But, then again, he has just given those same judges a walloping by helping the feminist lawyer Charlotte Proudman fight off an oppressive, silly attempt to discipline her for attacking a 'boys' club' among judges. That is another thing about the Letby case that ought to worry the Establishment. It has brought together Left and Right, radical and conservative, in the same cause. Among my allies in this, present at yesterday's event, were the obstreperous, troublemaking, old-fashioned reporter John Sweeney, with whom I spent the Covid panic exchanging elaborate insults, and the former Brexit Secretary, Sir David Davis MP. And I won't for their sake identify the BBC employee with whom I also exchanged some kind words. If you can get that lot into the same room against you, I think you will probably lose in the end. You have not heard the last of this. December 17, 2024: In September of this year members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, met in Wilmington Delaware with the leaders of the United States, Australia, India and Japan. This group was first formed in 2004. The U.S. president is at the end of his term and will be replaced next month by Donald Trump to discuss mutual concerns over economic and defense issues. The primary defense issue is the growing presence of Chinese ships and trading companies throughout the region from the South China Sea, the Philippines and points west to the Persian Gulf. China seeks to dominate the South China Sea and most sea routes between East Asia and the Indian Ocean. This includes the Strait of Malacca, which controls transit between East Asia and the Indian Ocean as well as the Persian Gulf and adjacent destinations. These routes are of vital importance for the United States, Japan and India. China seeks to control these routes as part of its campaign to conquer Taiwan without a fight. Another Chinese asset needing protection is access to their shipyards. Chinese shipbuilders have been striving to overtake their main rival South Korea as the largest shipbuilder in the world in all categories. There are several ways to measure shipbuilder output and South Korea is the champion in most of them. Japan was once in first place but now must settle for third place. South Korea and China have been close competitors for first place since 2012 and to that end, the two largest South Korean shipbuilders merged in 2019. In 2018 South Korean firms surpassed China in new orders. This was mainly because South Korean shipbuilders are seen as leaders in the construction of more complex transports, in particular, LNG/Liquid Natural Gas vessels. Demand for LNG ships is driven by the growing output of natural gas in the United States and Canada as a result of improved extraction methods. The North American natural gas market is saturated and American and Canadian producers can afford to lower prices enough to export large quantities via LNG carriers. Europe seeks LNG because the current major supplier is Russia and Russia is seen as more of a danger than a reliable economic partner. The Quad members are eager to increase their combined naval forces. Progress is demonstrated in the annual Malabar naval exercises as more ships from Quad nations show up to reinforce Indian naval forces. The Indian navy has 18 submarines, two aircraft carriers, twelve destroyers, thirteen frigates, eighteen corvettes and ten OPVs/offshore patrol vessels. The OPVs are used to guard the northeast coast where India borders a hostile Pakistan. The Indian navy is not large enough to defend the Indian Ocean. Since all Quad members depend on access to the Indian Ocean for commerce, any Chinese moves to threaten Indian Ocean traffic is potentially disastrous for all Quad members. How does Sir Keir Starmer compare in terms of popularity with recent prime ministers? According to an Ipsos poll for the Mail, he is considered easily the worst leader in modern history. Slightly over six in ten respondents 61 per cent are 'dissatisfied' with him. This great number includes 39 per cent of Labour supporters. By contrast, only 15 per cent of people were unhappy with Tony Blair at the same juncture of his premiership. Some 72 per cent thought well of him compared with a measly 27 per cent who say they are 'satisfied' with Starmer. What does Sir Keir make of this and other polls that show him to be widely disliked when he should still be enjoying a political honeymoon? Does he blame circumstances and bad luck? Or does he peer into the dark caverns of his soul, and ask where and why he has gone wrong so quickly? I suspect that this self-righteous man isn't much given to examining himself, and probably blames his tribulations on factors beyond his control. It won't occur to him that he is the problem that there is a fundamental flaw in his character responsible for his predicament. This Government is obviously strikingly incompetent, but I doubt that this fact alone explains the Prime Minister's unpopularity. There is something else. People don't like being lied to. Yes, they expect politicians to be slippery with the truth, but when the falsehoods become systemic, when they invade almost every aspect of policy and are repeated shamelessly well, there is bound to be an adverse reaction. This is the most deceitful Government I can remember, which is saying something. I can't pretend this has come as a shock to me but it has done to a large part of the electorate. People may have thought that because Sir Keir is a lawyer conspicuously dull and stolid he must at least be honest. Unfortunately this isn't true. According to an Ipsos poll for the Mail, Sir Keir Starmer is considered easily the worst leader in modern history - 61 per cent are 'dissatisfied' with him In little more than five months, this Government has broken promise after promise on Brexit, taxation, the economy, energy bills, immigration and much else. The biggest betrayal of all is one of trust. Sir Keir cast himself as a man of trust and integrity. On the morning after Labour's landslide victory, he pledged outside No 10 to 'carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country'. He had constantly depicted the Tories as sleazy, and Boris Johnson as a liar. It didn't take long for us to discover that at a personal level our new Prime Minister is a hypocrite. It emerged that, despite his considerable wealth, he had accepted over the years clothes worth some 32,000 from his friend Lord Alli. He also pocketed more than 2,400 for several pairs of glasses. Nor should we forget Sir Keir's free use of Lord Alli's 18 million penthouse flat in central London, including a stay of nearly seven weeks for him and his family during the election. The value of this has been estimated at more than 20,000. Trust? Integrity? I don't think so. If people are venal in their private lives, we should hardly be surprised by their untrustworthiness in the public sphere. So it has been with Sir Keir Starmer. The latest example of dishonesty has to do with Brexit. Before, during and after the election, the PM has repeatedly maintained that he respects the outcome of the EU referendum, and has no wish to take the UK back into the single market or customs union far less the European Union itself. Some of us never believed him recalling how he strove to overturn Brexit while in Opposition and I'm afraid we were right. Sir Keir has created a new department of more than 100 civil servants, who will plan the renegotiation of our relationship with the EU, beginning in two months' time. We know, largely as result of a leak, what Brussels wants in return for closer trade ties: freedom of movement for young people from all EU states to work in the UK; unfettered access to fish in British waters; and alignment with European Union food and agriculture laws. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has shown shiftiness in refusing to set targets for legal or illegal immigration, neither of which this Government has under control, writes Stephen Glover The PM presumably calculates that many people believe Brexit hasn't delivered, and so will be relaxed about our sliding back into the maw of Brussels and in due course (he hopes) full membership of the EU. If so, he's fatally mistaken. Brexit may have partly been a disappointment. But most voters will recognise his bad faith. They will see his dishonesty. And they will understand that to ride roughshod over the will of 17.4 million people (80 per cent more than the number who voted Labour in July) is an affront to democracy. Only a very sly, deceitful and foolish politician would contemplate inveigling us back into the EU. Sir Keir Starmer fits the bill. After all, he has form. On taxation, Labour has treated us as idiots. In the election campaign it promised no new taxes for 'working people'. Then it affected to discover what it called the '22 billion black hole', though the state of the public finances before the election had been no secret. A fusillade of tax rises 40 billion of them followed, from employers' national insurance (which will affect most 'working people' one way or another) to inheritance tax on farmers, who probably work harder than anybody in the country. And then within weeks of an election campaign in which Labour presented itself as no more threatening than the Women's Institute there was the mean, unheralded withdrawal of winter fuel payments from ten million pensioners, many of them poor. We've seen similar dishonesty over energy, where Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is already weakening in his commitment to cut average household bills by up to 300 a year by 2030. On immigration, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has shown distinct shiftiness in refusing to set targets for either legal or illegal immigration, neither of which this Government has remotely under control. But won't Labour, notwithstanding all these sleights of hand, still deliver on the economic growth that Sir Keir has described as his 'mission'? The Office for Budget Responsibility doesn't think so. It produced anaemic economic forecasts at the time of the Budget. Since then the UK economy contracted slightly in November, and we are teetering on the edge of a recession, largely as a result of the doom and gloom the PM and the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, have been disseminating. Incompetence intertwined with deceit. What a lethal combination. It describes this appalling Government. These may be early days but Kemi Badenoch hasn't so far reflected public anger and wonderment at the extent of Labour's mendacity. Why was it left to Boris Johnson to illuminate Starmer's chicanery over the EU in this newspaper yesterday? Few politicians have had their veracity impugned as much as Boris. Yet he resembles a goodygoody boy scout by the side of the devious and serpentine Sir Keir Starmer. We can't get rid of this Government for four and a half years but it must be fought. If it were held to account by a robust Opposition, our spirits would be lifted, and the prospect of ultimate democratic deliverance revived. When will Kemi start calling out Labour's lies? The public naming yesterday of the alleged Chinese spy previously identified only as H6 was a victory for justice, national security and common sense. In the end, Yang Tengbo bowed to the inevitable when he applied voluntarily to the High Court for his anonymity to be lifted. Had he not done so, MPs were queueing up to unmask him under parliamentary privilege. But this is far from the end of this troubling saga. It is hoped that seeing his picture might prompt those who have encountered him to come forward to the security services, so they may build up a better picture of his contacts and activities. If MI5 is correct, he was part of Beijings attempt to gather intelligence and gain influence over elite individuals and organisations around the globe. Mr Yang certainly achieved impressive connections across politics, education, industry and the Royal Family. How much useful intelligence he might have gathered is unknown, but it shows the credulity of many in the British establishment that he was able to infiltrate its highest echelons so easily. Communist China is not a friendly power. It is an oppressive regime which spies obsessively on other nations. Yes, we should trade with them, but we should also be aware that in all dealings we must proceed with extreme caution. It is a lesson that Sir Keir Starmer must learn quickly. In sucking up to Beijing in order to drum up new investment in Britain, the Prime Minister looks more naive by the day. In sucking up to Beijing in order to drum up new investment in Britain, the Prime Minister looks more naive by the day In the end, Yang Tengbo (pictured) bowed to the inevitable when he applied voluntarily to the High Court for his anonymity to be lifted A third-class deal With Labour giving its approval, a Czech entrepreneurs 3.6 billion takeover of the Royal Mail looks certain to go ahead. Daniel Kretinsky has made solemn commitments to the company, including to maintain next-day first-class deliveries. But we know from previous deals that such assurances are worth little in the cold light of day. If the tycoon says he cant make the ailing business a success without job cuts or scaling back the service, who will stop him? Foreign ownership of British national assets from trains to water and energy firms has been a calamity. The postal unions claim that prolonging the status quo would be the worst thing for the Royal Mail. Dont bet on it. Blueprint for chaos Angela Rayners devolution revolution is supposed to give more power to the people. The reality is likely to be the opposite. The Deputy PM also says her reform of local government will lead to better services, less waste and more investment. But if swathes of district councils are abolished and replaced by mega-councils, it will mean more distant authorities with less local accountability. Angela Rayners devolution revolution is supposed to give more power to the people. The reality is likely to be the opposite Troublingly, the plan could see some of next Mays local elections being cancelled. Given Labour is under intense pressure from Reform, isnt this blatant gerrymandering? Based on past experience, such a shake-up will cost a fortune and deliver only chaos. How utterly adorable is Harry and Meghans Happy Holidays greeting card? The devoted parents arms are outstretched towards their joyful children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, while their three dogs frolic around them. It was a rare sighting indeed of the Sussex family. Even so, due to their concerns about privacy, we dont see the faces of their children. The card which offers recipients a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year from the couples private office, the Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions reveals only the backs of Archie and Lilibets heads. But how lovely that both seem to have inherited their dads striking ginger hair. Lets just hope the personal Christmas cards they send to the childrens grandfather, King Charles who has privately revealed he longs to meet them actually shows their faces. This intimate picture only reminds us of the terrible chasm that now exists between the Sussexes and the Royal Family, who will be celebrating Christmas oceans apart. It does nothing to disguise the fact that 2024 has been the Sussexess annus horribilis the year in which the world rumbled Meghan. Once the darling of America, the Duchess of Sussex has in recent months been branded difficult to work with' while her and Harrys latest screen offering a documentary on the elite sport of polo has been branded a flop, tedious, mostly boring and clattering and niche. Their Netflix bosses, with whom she and Harry have a $100million contract dependent on their output, are said to have been left exhausted working with Meghan. This family photo featured on the Sussexes' 'Happy Holidays' card Prince Harry and Meghan have been struggling for success since their move to the US Yet the bad news doesnt end there. Even the ultra-woke US magazine The Cut bible of the liberal Left and formerly a fawning supporter of Meghan has turned against her. It published an article last week about the Sussexes under the headline Harry and Meghans Projects Cant Stop Flopping. The article continued in a similar vein: Prince Harry and Meghan Markles tortured attempts to launch a successful state-side endeavour continued this week with a new five-part docuseries about polo on Netflix. And then just when Megs perhaps thought her media profile couldnt get any worse, a Mail on Sunday investigation revealed the luxury handbag brand Cesta Collective which she announced this summer she was investing in and which sells bags upwards of 700 each pays impoverished Rwandan women as little as just 82 pence for an eight-hour day to produce them. This, despite the fact that Cesta boasts of its fair compensation practices and that the duchess said: With Cesta, I really started to understand how many womens lives were being impacted and uplifted through their work. Meghan does not have a role in the companys management and Cesta says many of the women would be paid more depending on how fast they weave. Yet what is clear is that now Harry and Meghan have squeezed every last financial morsel out of their vindictive feud against the Royal Family, Megs is having to stand on her own two stiletto-clad feet and it is proving far from easy. No longer able to milk her royal connections, shes being ridiculed by the American media. Insiders say all now hangs on the launch of her Netflix cookery show early next year on the back of her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard. They are calling it the last chance for her to save the couples lucrative Netflix deal which is their prime source of funding. Which raises questions in itself. Is Meghan going solo? And what cachet did she ever have apart from being a minor TV actress in a cable series who married a Prince? Especially when it was questions about the state of their marriage that made the only headlines for Harry at a recent event held by the Left-wing New York Times, purportedly about his mission for Truth and Accountability from the media. Whats so striking is that as Meghans star has waned, the very opposite has happened in America with the Princess of Wales after her traumatic year battling cancer. A year in which she made that remarkably raw personal video saying that she needed time for treatment and healing and to be with her young family. Her honesty in sharing details about her health with the world and, more importantly, with other cancer sufferers earned her a place on the shortlist of the prestigious US Time magazines Person of the Year. Time cited Kate who recently stepped out in London for her fourth Together At Christmas carol service as someone who had stirred a conversation about privacy and health for public figures. In the end, the Person of the Year award went to Donald Trump. But there is a bittersweet joy in Kate being shortlisted after her own annus horribilis. It is an extraordinary achievement shes managed it when for most of the year shes been out of the public eye, after undergoing serious abdominal surgery then chemotherapy. None of which will have been lost on Meghan and Harry in their struggle for success. Ironically, it was both the Kings and Kates cancer ordeals that I believe firmly put an end to Harry and Meghan making money through their spiteful tirades against them. How could Megs keep coining it by being horrid about King Charles and the future Queen Catherine, as she has done in the past, when they were so ill. And when people across the world were admiring the way both King and Princess not only publicly revealed their diagnoses but soldiered on as best they could with their duties in spite of their illnesses. Yet without income from projects like that Oprah interview, their tell-all Netflix documentary series and Harrys book Spare, the couple have been woefully exposed. How lonely and, yes, anxious, they must feel as they spend Christmas in their fine Montecito mansion. She with her mum Doria but with her dad, exiled from her life, and yet living just a few miles away, and Harry worlds apart from his own family. Even the dim-witted Prince must now be wondering if it was all worth it. Are the wormlets starting to turn? Backbench Labour MPs, so rapturous since July, showed the first signs of independence. They may finally be clocking that the Starmer Government is a deceitful dud. Liz Kendall, Pensions Secretary, announced that Waspi women (1950s-born women whose pension age increased from 60) would not be compensated for a Civil Service foul-up. Between 2005 and 2007, officials failed to send sufficient written warning that pension rules were changing. Now the parliamentary ombudsman has written a withering report. The dread term 'maladministration' was used. Ms Kendall duly received a '360-degree pummelling'. That description came from a Lib Dem but it was the likes of Labour's Brian Leishman who administered the beating. Mr Leishman (Alloa & Grangemouth) stood still and paused, as can happen when a diver is about to boing off a high board. Then he jumped. 'Appalled' by Ms Kendall's decision, he had campaigned alongside Waspi women who would now regard this Government's decision as 'an incredible let-down'. They did not need 'hollow statements'. This drew cheers from his colleagues. Burly Gareth Snell (Lab, Stoke Central) squinted through his smudged spectacles and called Ms Kendall's statement 'a sad moment'. Might there yet, he begged, be some hope for Waspi women? Ms Kendall, more than happy to pose alongside campaigners before the election, wrung her withers and said the 10billion needed for compensation was not 'a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers' money'. She may well be right but she shouldn't have made fake noises in Opposition, should she? Liz Kendall, Pensions Secretary (pictured), announced that Waspi women (1950s-born women whose pension age increased from 60) would not be compensated for a Civil Service foul-up Sir Keir Starmer poses with WASPI campaigners in 2022 WASPI campaigners outside parliament in October. Between 2005 and 2007, officials failed to send sufficient written warning to the women that pension rules were changing She issued one of those formal apologies that have become fashionable since Tony Blair coughed one up for the Irish potato famine. Warning letters should have been despatched earlier, she admitted. Gill German (Lab, Clwyd North), a stodgy stooge, claimed it was all the Tories' fault. Sister German perhaps forgot who was in office in 2005. Rebecca Long-Bailey (Ind, Salford) snapped that 'an apology is not enough'. Alan Gemmell (Lab, Central Ayrshire) looked hot and bothered as he admitted Waspi women would be 'very disappointed'. Chris McDonald (Lab, Stockton North), echoing this, looked as if he might be about to be sick. Even slow-to-anger Florence Eshalomi (Lab, Vauxhall & Camberwell Green) had a go. Peter Swallow (Lab, Bracknell) gulped and burbled about the 'difficulty' of the decision. Ms Kendall removed her Elton John spectacles and brushed hair off her forehead. She adopted one of those sad voices that Lefties use when they are speaking to old people and simpletons. She felt everyone's pain. That demanded skill, I suppose. As for disgruntled backbenchers, Eve's apple has now been tasted. Everything will now tingle. Will further naughtiness beckon? Some of the brighter ones, particularly those who calculate that their majorities are in peril, may examine an inept, absent Prime Minister and start gossiping about him. Ms Kendall with WASPI campaigners before the election The former Labour now independent MP for Salford Rebecca Long-Bailey (pictured) snapped that 'an apology is not enough'. With such a majority, patronage loses some of its power because there are not enough ministerial jobs to dangle as bribes. Over Christmas, when these Labour MPs hear what their constituents think about Sir Keir, they may find rebellion as moreish as mince pies. And perhaps they will then turn on Ed Miliband, whose Net Zero fervour yesterday reached fresh peaks of oddity. Mr Miliband, Energy Secretary, took departmental questions. When listening to Opposition MPs, he now adopts theatrical disbelief. He tssks, crosses his arms, chicken-lifts his elbows, crosses his eyes, blows air through his flared nostrils and rolls his gaze to the ceiling. Under calm interrogation by his Tory opponent Claire Coutinho, Mr Miliband jeered, screwed up his face like a cheese twist, cackled ostentatiously and muttered to himself. And then, when making his formal reply, he whacked the despatch box with his right palm, tilted his neck toward the chandeliers and opened his mouth as if offering his dentist a sideways view of a bothersome gumboil. Any ambulance driver finding a member of the public like that on a park bench would administer a sedative and drive him to the nearest booby hatch. Barron Trump is a private guy. In fact, the world heard him speak for the first time in more than a decade on Election Night last month. 'Hello. How are you? Very nice to meet you,' Barron, 18, said while standing beside his father at Mar-a-Lago and politely greeting guests, including UFC President Dana White. The sound of his deep voice came as a surprise to those who had last heard Barron as an adorable four-year-old squealing in a squeaky Slovenian accent in a 2010 interview. Now, the 6-foot, 9-inch Barron is all grown up and enrolled at New York University's Stern Business School where, despite his growing celebrity statue, he is apparently keeping a low profile. Earlier this month, it was reported that Barron prefers to play video games rather than socialize with his peers. However, he is making an impression with some classmates. 'He's a ladies man for sure. He's really popular with the ladies,' an insider told People magazine last week. 'He's tall and handsome. A lot of people seem to think he's pretty attractive yes, even liberal people like him.' One thing is for certain, once Barron moves on from gaming, there is no shortage of eligible bachelorettes at NYU. Here are a few of Barron's most glamorous potential study partners... Isabella Damon Matt Damon's 18-year-old daughter Isabella has a lot in common with Barron. They both have spent much of their young lives in Miami and New York and come from big families (Isabella has two sisters and one half-sister, while Barron has two half-sisters and two half-brothers). Like Barron, Isabella largely avoids the spotlight. She doesn't have a public social media presence and her only red-carpet appearances have been at her father's movie premieres, accompanied by her mother, Luciana, and sisters. Isabella's high school, Brooklyn Friends School, publicly congratulated her when she was accepted to NYU in an Instagram post from May, and shared that she would be studying in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, a liberal arts school within the university. 'Bella, your unique blend of observational wit, thoughtful prose, and unwavering self-assurance has left an indelible mark on our community,' the gushing post read. Neither Isabella nor Barron have yet been caught gallivanting around New York City since matriculating in early fall. Isabella doesn't have a public social media presence and her only red-carpet appearances have been at her father's movie premieres, with her mother Luciana and sisters in tow. (Pictured: (Right to left) Alexia Barroso, Isabella Damon, Gia Damon, Matt Damon, Luciana Barroso and Stella Damon together earlier this year) Jaya Harper Laura Dern's 20-year-old daughter with musician Ben Harper is another nepo-baby enrolled at NYU. She is in her second year at the college after graduating from her $50,000-a-year Santa Monica, California private school. Jaya might not be Barron's type, as she did pose proudly with a Kamala Harris poster in August. Aside from her online support for the Democrat nominee, she has also been a vocal proponent of stricter gun-control laws. When not using her profile for activism, Jaya shares snaps from her modeling jobs for high-end shoe and accessories designer Roger Vivier, shots from her trip to the Hamptons for a Ralph Lauren event, and pictures alongside her A-list mom at an Armani fashion show. Her mom, Laura, is a nepo-baby of sorts as well the daughter of actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. So while Barron and Jaya's political views may not align, their celebrity statuses certainly do. Chance Combs Chance Combs, the daughter of disgraced music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs, is certainly no stranger to being in the public eye. The 18-year-old is the eldest of Combs's four girls and the daughter of businesswoman Sarah Chapman. Laura Dern's 20-year-old daughter Jaya Harper (pictured) is another nepo-baby enrolled at NYU. She is in her second year at the college after graduating from her $50,000 per year Santa Monica private school. Chance Combs, the daughter of Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, is certainly no stranger to being in the public eye. Chance Combs, the daughter of Sean ' Diddy ' Combs, is certainly no stranger to being in the public eye. Combs famously brought Chance as his date to the 2022 Academy Awards, where the then 16-year-old, dressed in a white Dolce and Gabbana gown, confessed to a red-carpet interviewer that she dreamed of becoming an actress. She began studying at NYU's $50,000-per-year Tisch School of the Arts in September. Though one wonders if the President-elect would approve of the potential in-laws. Dad 'Diddy' is now sitting in a cell at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, charged with federal sex trafficking among other things. Mari Arana If fellow nepo-babies aren't what Barron is looking for, he has other options at NYU, which has a total enrollment of nearly 62,000 undergraduate and post-graduate students. Mari Arana, 20, is an influencer from Miami who despite currently being in a relationship may fit the mold of the perfect girlfriend for Barron. Not only is Arana used to attention, with 246,000 Instagram followers, she is also a proud Trump supporter, which is a rarity in NYU's liberal halls. Arana posted a video of President-elect Trump dancing on night of his election win. Her social media profile is filled with snaps of her glamorous lifestyle. She vacations in Sardinia and St. Tropez and regularly attends Miami Fashion Week. Mari Arana, 20, is an influencer from Miami who, despite being currently in a relationship, may fit the mold of a perfect girlfriend for Barron. Not only is Arana used to attention, with 246,000 followers on Instagram, she is also a proud Trump supporter, which is a rarity in NYU's liberal halls. Arana posted a video of President-elect Trump dancing the night of his election win. Nil Sani, 21, is another influencer with a massive social media fan base: 349,000 Instagram followers, 210,000 on TikTok. Nil Sani Nil Sani, 21, is another influencer with a massive fan base: 349,000 Instagram followers, 210,000 on TikTok. She is current studying communications at NYU, while vlogging about her lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, New York and Turkey where she was born. In 2023, Sani studied abroad in Paris and documented the experience on her YouTube channel. Peter Thomas Roth is famous for his eponymous skincare line - but now, his 101-year-old mother has become an unexpected viral star thanks to her youthful complexion and glamorous sense of style. It all began after Peter's son Ryan Roth, 26, based in New York City, shared a video shopping with his Hungarian grandmother Carole on TikTok. Suddenly, she was transformed into an online sensation as millions fell in love with her spunky personality and ageless looks. The video received 1.1 million views and more than 7,400 comments from people who praised her fashion choices and begged for beauty tips. 'We have to see pictures of her when she was young!' one follower wrote. 'She's literal perfection,' another complimented. DailyMail.com caught up with Ryan after he returned from visiting his grandmother in South Florida to talk about how she's reacting to her overnight fame - and why she won't take off her brand new $3,200 sequined Balmain dress. He explained that the video came about after Peter received a $250 gift card in the mail from Saks, and the family visited the luxurious Bal Harbour Shops in Miami together over Thanksgiving. Peter Thomas Roth is famous for his eponymous skincare line - but now, his 101-year-old mother has become an unexpected viral star It all began after Peter's son Ryan Roth, 26, based in New York City, shared a video shopping with his Hungarian grandmother Carole on TikTok In the video, they rolled Carole in a wheelchair through the mall and looked at daring designer outfits. She then tried on a slew of stunning ensembles and shared her thoughts on each one Ryan said his grandmother was 'a really big shopper in her day,' and loves glitzy glam, but added that she hasn't really shopped for the last 10 years on her own - so they 'always have to go out of their way to make sure that she gets something.' In the video, they rolled Carole in a wheelchair through the mall while she wore Gucci sneakers and looked at daring designer outfits. She then tried on a slew of stunning ensembles and shared her thoughts on each one. 'I feel like a cow,' she joked while trying on a Zimmerman dress. 'Once you wear it everyone's going to talk about it,' she said about a blue dress, before she boldly declared that it was a piece you could only wear once. 'My grandmother has it,' she joked about a polka dot dress, adding that while she's old, it would make her look even older. Carole fell in love with a silver sequined Balmain dress that she at first thought was too expensive - but much to her newfound fans' delight, she ended up buying it, and has been filming videos in it ever since. 'We were going to get her a scarf or something and then she got a really crazy Balmain dress,' Ryan, who's the Director of Influencer Marketing at Peter Thomas Roth, joked. Suddenly, she was transformed into an online sensation as millions fell in love with her spunky personality and ageless looks Ryan told DailyMail.com that his grandmother was 'a really big shopper in her day,' and loves glitzy glam Ryan posted the video, went to bed, and awoke to five million views. He quickly woke up Carole, who sleeps until 2 in the afternoon, to tell her that she was now famous. While she usually has to read the newspaper, watch TV, and make coffee, she zipped out of bed to go shopping again and create more content. After people realized that Carole's son was anti-aging skincare guru Peter, it only added to her newfound popularity. Now, Google searches for the brand are the highest they've been all year. Ryan revealed that most comments are something like, 'Okay, you're 101, you look amazing. What's the skincare routine?' making the TikToks the ultimate unconventional (and unplanned) marketing technique. It also helps that Carole is 'religious' about using her son's skincare brand. 'I'm not kidding, you open her sock drawer and skincare falls out,' Ryan divulged. 'She's a "more is more" kind of gal,' he continued, adding that in many of the videos, she's often seen saying she doesn't know the price of any products because she receives all of them for free. Since the video went viral, Google searches for her son, anti-aging skincare guru Peter's brand are the highest they've been all year When it comes to her skincare routine - which fans are always asking about in the comments section - Ryan said she's religious about using Retinol Fusion Night Serum ($65) In the morning, Carole opts for Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer ($54) followed by Peptide Skinjection Moisture Infusion Cream ($65) Since Peter Thomas Roth doesn't make any body treatments, Ryan said 'she just uses face treatments from the forehead down.' When it comes to her skincare routine - which fans are always asking about in the comments section - Ryan said she's religious about using Retinol Fusion Night Serum ($65). In fact, she's such a fan, her son ended up making a 'super size' version for $130 'so everyone can get the luxury that she has.' In the morning, Carole opts for Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer ($54) followed by Peptide Skinjection Moisture Infusion Cream ($65). Carole's also a fan of the Potent-C Power Serum ($105) and Instant FIRMx Collagen Bounce Stick - Sheer Glow ($36). After the first video, Ryan and his grandmother went back to the mall and Carole jokingly asked if she'd get recognized - and to her surprise, it happened three times that day. When someone told her they saw her on TikTok, her immediate response was 'How do I look?' 'The trick to getting older is being vain, because as soon as you give up, you give up,' Ryan revealed. Now, Ryan has to return to Florida to film more content with his grandmother, and he even stayed later after Thanksgiving just to make more TikToks 'It's such a sweet experience for both of us, I love how we have this special bond,' Ryan said, who is shown above with his family Now, Ryan has to return to Florida to film more content with his grandmother, and he even stayed later after Thanksgiving just to make more TikToks. She's even started to land brand deals thanks to her online fame, as Alice + Olivia invited her in to pick out whatever she wanted. 'She could not believe it,' Ryan said, joking that she's a 'working gal' now, getting millions of views on the sponsored videos. During the Alice + Olivia shopping trip, Carole kept confirming in Hungarian that the clothes were really free and asked him to thank the brand repeatedly. She has also gained celebrity fans, including Paris Hilton, who comments on many of her videos. 'It's such a sweet experience for both of us, I love how we have this special bond,' Ryan said. Two rival supermarkets have reduced the price of a Turkey dinner with all the trimmings in the lead up to Christmas - amounting to just under 2 per head for six people. Aldi and Lidl are offering a range of key staples that make up for a traditional festive feast, including meat, vegetables and gravy, for as little as 15p. Aldi will begin slashing prices from tomorrow, 17 December, while Lidl's full range, including its fresh turkey range, will be landing in stores from 19 December until 24 December, whilst stocks last. At Lidl, shoppers will be able to get their hands on one of the cheapest Christmas dinners on the market - available at just 11.26 for a family of six, equating to 1.87 per person. The German-owned retailer boasts transparent pricing for all customers, as shoppers without a Lidl Plus card are also welcome to indulge in the offers. With prices of stuffing, gravy and Yorkshire puddings dropping from 17 December, and fresh turkey and vegetables further decreasing on 19 December, shoppers can secure the full range of goodies and begin prepping before the big day. Lidl's Birchwood Small Whole Turkey will be available at 2.95 per kilo, with a 3kg bird totalling just 8.85. Meanwhile, Brussels Sprouts (500g), Parsnips (500g), and Carrots (1kg) will be reduced to 15p, while a 2kg bag of Potatoes will also be priced at just 15p. Your browser does not support iframes. At Lidl, shoppers will be able to get their hands on one of the cheapest Christmas dinners on the market - available at just 11.26 for a family of six, equating to 1.87 per person Additionally, Newgate Gravy (300g) will be available for 99p, Newgate Stuffing slashed to 40p and Simply 15 Yorkshire Puddings priced at 40p. At Aldi, shoppers can grab everything they need to cook up a six-person festive feast for as little as 1.91 per head, totalling a wallet-friendly 11.45. Named both QFA Christmas Retailer of the Year and Which Cheapest Supermarket of 2023, it's no wonder Aldi has joined its competitor in slashing the price of festive staples ahead of the big day, with prices also starting from 15p. Aldi's British Small Whole Fresh Turkey (3kg) will be available for 8.85, at 2.95 per kg, which can be paired perfectly with Quixo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix (170g) at 45p. Meanwhile, a 15 pack of Everyday Essentials Yorkshire Puddings will be slashed to 45p, while all veggie essentials, including potatoes, carrots, parsnips and Brussels sprouts, will be reduced to just 15p. Shoppers can top their festive feast with lashings of Quixo Gravy Granules (300g), available for 1.09. Both Lidl's full Christmas range and Aldi's Super Six Christmas Veg offer will be available in stores from 19 December until 24 December. It comes as a poll revealed almost half of Brits will charge guests for Christmas dinner this year. At Aldi, shoppers can grab everything they need to cook up a six-person festive feast for as little as 1.91 per head, totalling a wallet-friendly 11.45 Aldi and Lidl Christmas dinner reductions from 19-24 December Aldi Small Fresh British Turkey (2.95 per kg) - 8.85 Natures Pick Potatoes (2kg) - 15p Natures Pick Brussels Sprouts (500g) - 15p Natures Pick Carrots (1kg) - 15p Natures Pick Parsnips (500g) - 15p Quixo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix (170g) - 45p Quixo Gravy Granules (300g) - 1.09 Everyday Essentials Yorkshire Puddings (15 pack) - 46p Lidl Brussels Sprouts (500g) 15p Parsnips (500g) 15p Carrots (1kg) 15p Potatoes (2kg) 15p Newgate Gravy (300g) 99p Newgate Stuffing - 40p Simply 15 Yorkshire Puddings 40p Birchwood Small Whole Turkey 2.95 per kilo (3kg - 8.85) Advertisement Residents of Leeds are the most likely people in Britain to ask their guests to contribute to the cost of Christmas this year, a study revealed today. Some 57 per cent of people living in the West Yorkshire city believe visitors should help pay for their dinner, according to the survey by MoneySuperMarket. Those living in London, Glasgow and Liverpool are the next most likely to want their guests to cough up - with proportions of 51, 50 and 49 per cent respectively. But only 33 per cent of Brightons residents believe those they are hosting should help towards the cost - followed by Birmingham and Nottingham, both 37 per cent. Andrew, 64, has since agreed to recuse himself from Sandringham this year Sarah Ferguson had only just found her footing amidst The Firm, but it appears the Duchess of York's fierce loyalty to Prince Andrew has, once again, rocked the royal boat. Sarah, 65, who joined the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham last year for the first time since 1992, has been forced to recuse herself from this year's celebrations after Andrew's links to an alleged Chinese spy came to light. Earlier this week, it was revealed that a 'close confidant' of the Duke, 64, was an alleged Chinese spy - today named as Yang Tengbo - who had been banned from entering the UK after an investigation by MI5, with King Charles said to be 'furious'. In the wake of the scandal, the beleaguered duke has agreed to skip the annual Christmas festivities at the Norfolk estate following counselling from his loyal ex-wife Sarah, fondly known as Fergie. The duchess is believed to have come to the royal family's rescue after King Charles and Queen Camilla privately expressed their desire for Andrew to 'see sense' and skip the public gathering next week - as the Chinese spy controversy rages on. In yet another heartbreaking show of solidarity with her ex-husband, Fergie has also agreed to skip the festivities - albeit with a heavy heart, considering the mother-of-two had only recently been welcomed back to Sandringham. Fergie was radiant as she joined the royals for their annual Christmas walkabout last December for the first time in 30 years - following the couple's high profile divorce in 1996. Following her infamous toe-sucking scandal in 1992, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugene's mother was banned from the attending the royal occasion by Prince Philip. Sarah Ferguson, 65, has been forced to recuse herself from Christmas at Sandringham, following the controversy over Prince Andrew's ties to an alleged Chinese spy Fergie was radiant as she joined Andrew and the rest of the royals for their annual Christmas walkabout last December for the first time in 30 years - following the couple's high profile divorce in 1996 Andrew and Fergie will both be absent from the royal family's annual Christmas walkabout in Norfolk, after it was revealed that a 'close confidant' of the Duke, 64, was an alleged Chinese spy - today named as Yang Tengbo (left) But King Charles softened that approach last year and invited her to join the family at Sandringham for the first time in decades, though she didn't join them for church. She was, however, among the stars of last year's walkabout - as the Duchess accepted bouquets of flowers from well-wishers lining the road outside the St Mary Magdalene Church. Fergie, who was dressed in a gorgeous emerald green coat, appeared in high spirits as she laughed and joked with onlookers during last year's walkabout - seen as a sign of Andrew and Sarah's gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy. Prince Andrew's latest controversy - following the intense scrutiny over his tied to Epstein - has thrown a spanner in the works, as Fergie finds herself out in the cold again. It is a sacrifice she seems willing to make for the greater good of the Royal Family, with Fergie recently admitting she wishes she could 'do more' for Queen Camilla in an interview with The Sunday Times. Speaking about her relationship with the Queen, Fergie said: 'Queen Camilla was close friends with Mum, which is why were so close now. Thats why its so big that the Queen and I get on now. 'Its rather nice, and she reminds me of Mum. I admire the extraordinary support shes giving this country. I want to do as much for the Queen as possible. I wish theyd ask me to do more.' Sarah also vowed not to 'let Andrew down' in the interview that was conducted before the disgraced royal's ties to Mr Tengbo surfaced. Fergie, who was dressed in a gorgeous emerald green coat, appeared in high spirits as she laughed and joked with onlookers during last year's walkabout - seen as a sign of Andrew and Sarah's gradual rehabilitation within the monarchy Fergie clutched a bouquet of flowers as she wore a dark brown dress, paired with a festive Christmas tree brooch and a large bracelet spelling out the name of her daughter 'Eugenie' She appeared in high spirits as she laughed and joked with crowds of onlookers that lined the streets outside St Mary Magdalene Church Tengbo - who denies being a spy or doing anything illegal - was so close to Andrew that he visited Buckingham Palace twice, and entered St Jamess Palace and Windsor Castle. He was even authorised to act on Andrews behalf to seek investors in China. Speaking prior to the latest allegations against Andrew, Sarah professed her undying support for her ex-husband, revealing that she is currently looking after him and 'won't let him down'. In the joint interview given with her sister Jane, she confessed: 'When Jane left for Australia, I became a carer for Dad. I was left to look after a sad man, which is sort of what Im doing now.' Reflecting on their wedding day at Westminster Abbey in 1986, Sarah said the love that was between them then is 'still with us today', adding: '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. We agree on the three Cs - communication, compromise, compassion.' Sarah's devotion to Andrew will once again be tested amid scrutiny of his dealings with Mr Tengbo, after MI5 discovered that the businessman, 50, was a member of the Chinese Communist Party and was working for its shadowy United Front Work Department, which gathers intelligence. When police stopped him at the UK border in 2021 it was discovered that he had a briefing document in which Andrew appeared to be described as being in a desperate situation and will grab onto anything. The Duke of York (pictured) has said he 'ceased all contact' with the businessman accused of being a Chinese spy when concerns were first raised about him The alleged spy 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. Mr Tengbo recently 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 Mr Tengbo (previously referred to only as '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 Mr Tengbo had downplayed his relationship with the Chinese state, which combined with his relationship with Prince Andrew represented a threat to national security. A statement from Prince Andrew's office said: 'The Duke of York followed advice from His Majesty's 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. Tengbo (far right) posing with Andrew at an event to encourage trade between China and Britain The alleged spy alongside former Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha 'He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security.' Fergie has steafastly remained by Prince Andrew's side in the wake of the Epstein scandal that turned him into a royal pariah. 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, the former Royal Navy helicopter pilot 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. Donald Trump Jr. has moved on from his fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle with Palm Beach, Florida socialite Bettina Anderson. DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Don Jr. and Kimberly officially called off their engagement after she was 'blindsided' by photos of her fiance cozying up to Bettina. Then, a source told People that President-elect Trump's eldest son complained about Kimberly's style - as some of her more questionable fashion choices resurfaced on social media. The insider revealed that '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.' Kimberly, 55, is most often photographed wearing plunging patriotic red and blue dresses from unknown designers, while Bettina, 38, has a penchant for showing off her high fashion purchases in professional Instagram photoshoots. Both women might be publicly attached to Don Jr., 46, but their sense of style couldn't be more different. Over the years, many people have questioned Kimberly's fashion choices, while Bettina's followers praise her looks in her comments section. Now, FEMAIL is comparing his new girlfriend's socialite style to his Fox News alum ex's, from red carpet looks to Instagram photos. Donald Trump Jr. has moved on from his flashy fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle (right) with Palm Beach, Florida socialite Bettina Anderson (left) While both women favor short hemlines and high heels, the similarities seemingly end there Bettina (left) opts for solid sets and floral frocks for Kimberly (right) often wears bold, heavily-embellished gowns Don Jr. even said said that he sees Bettina as an equivalent to his father's wife, Melania Trump, and she certainly has a similar love of designer duds. While both women favor short hemlines and high heels, the similarities seemingly end there. Bettina has amassed 48,000 Instagram followers who keep up with her every move, including attending events with designers like Akris and Alice & Olivia. Bettina's Instagram bio describes her as 'your typical stay at home mom only I don't do household chores or have a husband or have kids..' 'Your posts are so so funny I look forward to every one!!' one commenter raved, calling her 'stunning.' Another Instagram commenter wrote approvingly, 'That's how a classy woman has to be.' The Columbia University graduate, who opts for matching sets and floral dresses, has even dipped her toe into the fashion world. She worked with women's designer website Moda Operandi to curate online shopping guides. DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Don Jr. and Kimberly officially called off their engagement after she was 'blindsided' by photos of her fiance cozying up to Bettina, seen here in 2012 In 2021, the fashion website Moda Operandi described Bettina as 'a third-generation Palm Beacher...whose style, like her personality, blends flirty femininity with a spicy sense of humor' Bettina (left) often shows off designer wares from Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, and Carolina Herrera at high profile events, while Kimberly (right) prefers more unknown designers In 2021, the fashion website described Bettina as 'a third-generation Palm Beacher, environmentalist, and an active supporter of the local arts community - whose style, like her personality, blends flirty femininity with a spicy sense of humor.' Bettina, who is the daughter of philanthropists Harry Loy Anderson Jr. and Inger Anderson, offered 'packing essentials, hosting tips, and the styles she's leaning into.' The model often shows off designer wares from Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, and Carolina Herrera. Conversely, Don Jr.'s ex, a former Fox News panelist, is famous for her big hair and skintight dresses. However, Kimberly didn't always dress that way. The former prosecutor changed up her aesthetic after divorcing her first husband, California Governor Gavin Newsom, in 2006. After a source told People that Donald Trump Jr. complained about his former fiancee's style, some of her more questionable style choices have resurfaced on social media An insider told People that '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' Since linking up with the Trump family, Kimberly received attention on social media for her ensembles, including her signature tight, plunging dresses When the UC Davis grad was married to the Democratic politician, she was seen in more casual clothing and often opted for hues other than red and blue. Since linking up with the Trump family, Kimberly received attention on social media for her flashier ensembles, including sequined gowns with revealing cut-outs, heavily embellished neon numbers, and completely sheer dresses. Kimberly's other standout style moments included wearing a heavily fringed beige minidress with matching knee-high boots in Nashville that looked rodeo ready. The former prosecutor also sat front row at the Zang Toi show (one of her go-to designers) during New York Fashion Week with enormous butterflies emblazoned on her shoulders. He added chicken tikka masala as the filling to the chocolate bar A German cook shared the bizarre combination in a video to social media Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment - but some may be seeking professional help after this bizarre chocolate combination. One man has sparked furious debate on social media after creating an unusually flavored chocolate bar - but rather than opting for a traditionally sweet filling, he packed it with chicken tikka masala. German chef Singh Laly posted a video to social media of him making the sweet and savory combination - which yielded a very mixed reaction. Singh began by drizzling food coloring and white chocolate on the bottom of the mold. He then melted milk chocolate and poured it to covered the tray completely before leaving it to set. It was then time for his most controversial move - spooning chicken tikka masala into the mold and topping it with another layer of chocolate. When it was set, the cook took the dense chocolate bar from the mold and broke the sweet treat in half, revealing the chicken dish oozing out. Users were largely horrified by the strange flavor combination, taking to TikTok and Instagram comments to share their thoughts. German chef Singh Laly posted a video to social media of him making the sweet and savory combination - which yielded a very mixed reaction 'There's a reason why he fed it to the cameraman and didn't eat it himself,' one user observed. 'I think we humans need to stop thinking,' joked another. Others thought it was similar to the viral Dubai chocolate bar, a traditional Arabic dessert made of shredded filo dough and sweet syrup and filled with pistachio cream, tahini paste and knafeh dessert encased in chocolate. 'Chicken dubai CHOCOLATEEEE,' one exclaimed. 'This Dubai chocolate getting out of hand now ngl,' said another. Last year, a woman went viral on TikTok after sharing some of the bizarre meals her boyfriend tucks into when she's away - including a sandwich comprising of frankfurters, ketchup and instant noodles. Lucy Alice, who lives in London, made a TikTok video showing the gruesome meals to her 65,000 followers. She accompanied the clip, which garnered more than 30,000 views, with a short caption that simply read: 'Rating my boyfriend's food, boy dinner.' It was then time for his most controversial move - spooning chicken tikka masala into the mold and topping it with a layer of chocolate Users were largely horrified by the strange flavor combination, taking to TikTok and Instagram comments to share their thoughts The caption was a reference to the 'girl dinner' trend that recently went viral on TikTok, and involves women sharing plates of assorted snacks which together form a mezze-style platter. Thousands of women from across the world have participated in this trend, sharing the relatable meals they make when they are dining alone, or unable for whatever reason to cook a proper meal. However, while the 'girl dinners' often showcase appealing and cohesive food combinations, the 'boy dinner' alternatives shared by Lucy in her video were not quite as appetizing. December 17, 2024: The United States does not have enough ships to support military operations in the Pacific. While the Marine Corps would be involved in the Pacific, most of the military manpower would be provided by the army. A growing problem is the shrinking U.S. Army transport fleet. The army has always had some ships of its own, for moving troops and equipment and for managing amphibious operations or a major port operation overseas that needs to happen very quickly. This is a tradition, and a necessity, that goes back to the American Revolution. In 2024 the army is still seeking sufficient shipping to support a Pacific Ocean campaign, The army was able to obtain only eight 6,000 ton LSV/Logistics Support Vessel. The LSV is similar to the famous World War II era LST (Landing Ship Tank). The LSVs are the largest transport ships the army operates. The current army naval force consists of over 130 vessels. These ships are mainly for port operations or landing craft. What is missing are freighters, tankers and troop ships to get the army and its supplies to the combat zone. The U.S. Army has always owned ships, usually tugs and coastal craft for assisting in moving supplies. During World War II, the U.S. Army actually had more ships, with more tonnage, than the U.S. Navy. By 2000 the Army had only about 295 ships. Nearly 20 years later that number fell to 130. Back then the decision was to buy more, mainly to speed up the deployment of units to overseas hot spots. During the 1991 Gulf War, it took the Army 150 days to move five divisions by sea to the Persian Gulf. It actually took 205 days to move all the combat and support units to the Gulf. In 2000 the army plan was to buy three LSVs. These are actually LSTs and can carry 24 M-1 tanks and deliver them right to a beach. At that time the Army already had six LSVs. The Army also went on to buy high speed (80 kilometers an hour) catamaran ferries that can move twenty tanks some 2,000 kilometers. The LSVs and 20 larger Roll On/Roll Off transports would be used to pre-position armored brigades worth of equipment off potential hot spots. Just add the troops, get the equipment ashore, and you're ready for war. All these army ships were needed after September 11, 2001. With terrorism threat, the army has returned to obtaining shipping that can be quickly chartered. That worked after 2000 because the enemy was unable to threaten ships and charters, with their civilian crews, were willing to do the work. There is another potential complication. In the past, the United States often got called on by its allies during military crises. The allies did not need much help with weapons or combat, but with logistics. The U.S. has been, for nearly a century, the world leader in moving military personnel and cargo to where it is needed and doing so under the most trying conditions of nature or enemy interference. Unless there is a major naval threat, which requires a major military operation to protect shipping, the U.S. is still the most experienced at quickly organizing a major military logistics effort. The United States spends nearly $2 billion a year to move military personnel and material. This does not include additional spending for war related logistics. The level of activity, and length of time the U.S. has been at it make access to American logistics resources and specialists something much sought after by American allies. While the allies appreciate having American aircraft or ships move stuff for them, often its just the excellent and experienced advice from the Americans that is needed. What the army still needs is ships that can quickly and in large quantities land material somewhere that does not have a major port nearby. Thats where LSVs, LCUs and LCMs are essential. These ships are essential for getting the goods from ship to shore no matter where the shore is and when port facilities are inadequate. The most visible American military logistics organization is the U.S. Transportation Command/USTRANSCOM or Transcom for short. The air force component is AMC/Air Mobility Command, the navy contribution is MSC/Military Sealift Command. The army contributes its expertise in handling the last mile of using ground and river/canal transport to get material from ships to the end-user. Since World War II military logistics has evolved from a largely army chore to one that depends much more on air freight. It was during World War II that the United States found it had a talent and capacity for truly massive and unprecedented logistical efforts on a global basis. Most of this was run by the army, which had more ships under its control than the navy. The army ships and coastal craft were mostly for logistics and that fleet of over 110,000 vessels contained very few warships. After World War II the navy got control of the army fleet and the Army Air Force became a separate service and developed a huge fleet of air freighters. The army developed several generations of trucks and innovations like rapidly built temporary pipelines and a global network of transportation contractors. These days the largest component of Transcom is AMC. Most of the Transcom personnel are reservists or civilians, and a lot of the actual cargo moving is done by aircraft, ships and trucks hired for the occasion. AMC and the army move more tonnage, but if you want something moved anywhere very fast, which is common in wartime, AMC gets it done. AMC does this with a fleet of 1,100 aircraft. In 2011, when there were still a lot of American troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan, AMC carried out 105,000 sorties, 20 percent of them aerial refueling, the rest moving personnel and freight. MSC moved 502,000 measurement tons of cargo as well as 6.6 million tons of fuel. The army transport type shipping is still needed as a reserve capability. Many of the army ships are operated by reserve units, where these part-time soldiers maintain skills that are needed in an emergency when time is at a premium. That has been the experience of the army in every conflict the United States has been involved with for over a century. One of Sydney's iconic restaurants has announced it will close its doors, blaming the landlords and rent disputes for the unexpected shutdown just days before Christmas. Upper-end Thai restaurant Long Chim, nestled in the heart of Sydney's CBD, will serve its last dishes on Friday, December 20, after eight 'brilliant' years of trading. 'The end of an era,' the team said in its statement. 'To every guest who's shared a meal with us, to our extraordinary team - past and present - you've been the heart and soul of Long Chim. 'You brought life to our dining room, energy to our kitchen and made these eight years unforgettable. We owe you more than words can say.' The restaurant, owned by Michelin-starred chef David Thompson, has entered voluntary administration, with the owners taking a swipe at the landlords over the challenges they faced after the Covid-19 pandemic, including rising rent costs of almost $1million. 'To Abacus, our landlords at Martin Place: After eight years, you've turned your back on us - and on the 50 people who work here - just days before Christmas,' the owners said. 'For two years, scaffolding has blocked our original entrance, limiting accessibility for people with disabilities... Access to our beautiful dining room has been through a disused old cafe for two years.' Upper-end Thai restaurant Long Chim, nestled in the heart of Sydney's CBD, will serve its last dishes on Friday, December 20, after eight 'brilliant' years of trading An Abacus spokeswoman declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. Since the Covid abatements ended in June 2022, the restaurant returned to nearly $1 million in rent. 'We have consistently sought your support in accepting that rents are not where they were,' the owners claimed. 'You appointed external consultants to review our claim, and they confirmed that we were a good operator paying over-market rent, but this information was deemed unpalatable. 'We offered to take on a rolling 30-day contract, so you could see if a tenant could be found at a rental level that worked for you. You said no. We offered to reinvest in the space, to reinvigorate it once the scaffolding was removed. You said no.' With the restaurant set to shut its doors in a matter of days, the owners insisted: 'This isn't goodbye forever, we're already planning what's next. 'Despite all this, we have loved our time in your building, and while the pain of losing our restaurant is great, we're already plotting our next move as you meet to brainstorm over how to fill your soon-to-be-vacant space,' the owners said. 'We'll be back. Until then, stay spicy, Sydney. With love and fire, The Long Chim Sydney Team.' The owners took a swipe at the landlords over the challenges they faced after the Covid-19 pandemic, including rising rent costs of almost $1 million The Long Chim restaurant in Perth will remain open while Sydney diners are encouraged to visit other venues where former employees are working, including Pork Fat, Sandoitchi Cafe and Muum Maam Barangaroo. Fans of the Sydney restaurant have been devastated by the news. 'Im truly heartbroken that your restaurant has closed. It was my favourite place, not just for the food but for the warmth and kindness you brought to all of us. Wishing you all the best in whatever comes next,' one said. 'Oh no this so sad to hear. We made our way to Long Chim every time we visited Sydney. It won't be the same without you there. Good luck, I hope you open another venue in Sydney,' another shared. 'Very sad news, but onto bigger and better things. Looking forward to an announcement in the New Year,' one added. Long Chim joins a string of popular Sydney restaurants that have closed their doors amid soaring costs in recent months. The latest to shut is seafood restaurant Petermen in St Leonards, owned by top chef Josh Niland and his restaurateur wife Julie. The headmaster of a prestigious English boarding school has recreated Hugh Grant's famed dance sequence from Love Actually in a now-viral video. Keith Metcalfe declared school's out at Malvern College in Malvern, Worcestershire where fees cost up for 60,000 a year. The Headmaster spoofed one of the Christmas movie's most memorable scenes starring Hugh as the loveable bumbling Prime Minister. In one of the most beloved moments from the 2003 British holiday film, Hugh's character cranks up the volume on Jump (For My Love) by the Pointer Sisters and dances up and down the halls of 10 Downing Street. Malvern College's headmaster Mr Metcalfe put his own spin on the dance number in an Instagram video that has nearly 400,000 views at the time of writing - with several people praising his 'fabulous dance moves'. Mr Metcalfe executes a near-perfect spoof of the scene, right down to being caught mid-boogie by the school's Deputy Head Sarah Angus - just like Grant's character was interrupted by his secretary. The video's caption reads: 'Happy End of Term! Love from Malvern College.' Malvern, where termly fees cost up to 19,865, counts C.S. Lewis, Jeremy Paxman and Monty Don among its alumni. In one of the most beloved moments from the 2003 British holiday film, Hugh's character cranks up the volume on Jump (For My Love) by the Pointer Sisters and dances up and down the halls of 10 Downing Street Malvern College's headmaster Keith Metcalfe put his own spin on the dance number in an Instagram video that has nearly 400,000 views at the time of writing - with several people praising his 'fabulous dance moves' Since it was posted on Saturday, the clip has received nearly 7,000 likes and hundreds of comments declaring Mr Metcalfe 'upstaged Hugh Grant' in his recreation. One Instagram user wrote: 'Eat your heart out, Hugh Grant - you've been upstaged!' Another person added: 'You have given Hugh Grant a run for his money.' A third said: 'Look out Hugh Grant!!' Others praised Mr Metcalfe's moves, with one Instagram user noting: 'Many have tried, many have failed. 'This guy just about pulls it off!' Another shared: 'I have no idea who this man is, but he deserves a medal for such fabulous dance moves.' A third user added: 'Me Metcalfe, I'm afraid I don't know you or your college but this is a legend in the making.' Several parents expressed their interest in sending their children to Malvern after watching the video. 'This makes me want to send my kids to you,' one comment read. Since it was posted on Saturday, the clip has received nearly 7,000 likes and hundreds of comments declaring Mr Metcalfe 'upstaged Hugh Grant' in his recreation Several parents expressed their interest in sending their children to Malvern after watching the video Still others praised the deputy head for her cameo, with one person writing: 'Brilliantly done, and also Mrs Angus for keeping a straight face.' While Grant's dance has spawned hundreds of spoof videos that flood social media, especially around Christmastime, the actor himself wasn't too pleased about performing the scene. During an appearance on the ABC special The Laughter & Secrets of Love Actually: 20 Years Later, Grant told host Diane Sawyer he knew he would 'hate doing that' when he saw the dance sequence on the script. Hugh explained: 'I saw it in the script and I thought, ''Well, I'll hate doing that''. I didn't fancy doing the dance at all, let alone rehearsing it.' 'He kept saying no,' writer and director Richard Curtis - who appeared alongside him in the interview - then joked. 'I think he was hoping I'd get ill or something and we'd say, 'Oh, well, what a shame, we'll have to lose that dancing sequence.' Richard went on to say that Hugh was 'grumpy' the day they filmed the dance scene, but 'it was a contractual obligation' that he follow through. Hugh then quipped: 'A contractual guillotine, yes! And I'm out of rhythm, by the way, especially at the beginning when I wiggle my a**.' While Grant's dance has spawned hundreds of spoof videos that flood social media, especially around Christmastime, the actor himself wasn't too pleased about performing the scene Richard added that he was pleased with how Hugh really committed to the scene, joking: 'I thought, ''That's agonizingly embarrassing. He's just perfect.''' Hugh later said that he came up with the idea of having the Prime Minister's secretary catch him dancing around. He continued: 'And to this day, there's many people - and I agree with them - who think it's the most excruciating scene ever committed to celluloid. 'But then some people like it!' The beloved Christmas rom-com follows eight couples - across different ages and stages in life - as they navigate their love lives in the days leading up to Christmas in London. Over 20 years since it was released, Love Actually has become a staple of the holiday season - with legions of fans rewatching the film in the run-up to Christmas. Royal fans have reacted with glee after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled their Christmas card, which included several snapshots from the last year. Among six pictures included in the festive greetings card was one which featured the Sussexes with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as well as their rescue dogs including Mia - who has not been seen since she was adopted in 2022. The picture of the Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, shows Lilibet, now three, running into her father's waiting arms, while her brother Prince Archie, five, makes a beeline for Meghan. Dotted around the beaming couple were the wagging tails of their three dogs, a black Labrador Pula and rescue beagles Guy and Mia, the latter who was rescued from an animal testing centre by the couple in 2022. The Sussexes adopted the nine year-old pup two-years ago from a group of dogs rescued from the facility in the US. They named her Mamma Mia, or Mia for short. The pup was one of 4,000 dogs bred for Envigo breeding and research facility in Virginia. Mia had arrived at the rescue centre having just given birth to eight puppies. The dogs had been bred for pharmaceutical and biotech research - but inspections of the centre had found dozens of violations of federal law over a two year period. Animal lover Meghan has adopted a number of rescue dogs over the past few years and brought her American rescue beagle Guy - who is the oldest of the Sussex trio of pups - to the UK when she married Harry. Royal fans were left gushing yesterday after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled their Christmas card, which included several snapshots from the last year (pictured) Among six pictures included in the festive greetings card was one which featured the Sussexes with their two children, Lilibet and Archie, as well as their rescue dogs including Mia - who has not been seen since she was adopted in 2022 (pictured after being rescued with her eight puppies) Also in the picture is the couple's black Lab, Pula, who was introduced to the family ahead of Archie's birth in 2019. The pooch's unique name is the currency in Botswana, a country the couple visited in the early days of their relationship. Though not included in their greetings card, the Sussexes also own several rescue chickens, who live with them at their $14m, seven-acre mansion in Montecito, California. Other photos included in the picture showcased the highlights of the Sussexes' year, including snaps from their four-day visit to Colombia in August. The card was shared on X/Twitter by the Sussexes' long-time friend and royal reporter Omid Scobie. Scobie, who wrote Finding Freedom about Harry and Meghan's departure from the UK for a new life in California, captioned his post: 'The Sussexes share highlights of their year on the 2024 Archewell holiday card.' The card also included a personal message from the pair, which read: 'On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations. 'We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful new year.' Mia was one of 4,000 dogs who were at the test facility centre in the US. She was rescued in July, 2021, and taken in by organisations including the Beagle Freedom Project, who looked after 25 of the dogs. Dotted around the beaming are the wagging tails of the couple's three dogs, a black Labrador Pula and rescue beagle's Guy and beagle, Mia, the latter who was rescued from an animal testing centre by the couple in 2022 (pictured with her puppies two years ago) The dogs had been bred for pharmaceutical and biotech research but inspections of the centre had found dozens of violations of federal law over a two year period The card also included a personal message from the pair, which read: 'On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations She had been specially chosen by Meghan, who specifically requested she adopt one of the 'older' dogs. At the time Mia was adopted, Meghan had called Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney who runs the project, 'personally' to ask if she and Harry could have one of the 'older' rescue pups. She told the LA Times: 'The duchess called me personally. She calls on my cell with no Caller ID and says, 'Hey Shannon, this is Meghan.' At the time, Shannon had wondered whether she was speaking to Megan Fox, but it was indeed the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan and Harry are said to have made an after-hours visit and played with Mia, who had been brought there with eight of her newborn puppies. Shannon recalled: 'The duchess is holding Mia and was like, 'We're adopting her.'' 'She was like, 'No, we don't want a Christmas puppy. We want ones we can help who are older.'' The former actress chose animal welfare charity Mayhew as one of her first patronages. When she moved to England to be with Harry she had to leave Bogart - a Labrador-shepherd mix - in the US. When officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture made an inspection of Envigo in 2021, they found a female beagle whose paw had been trapped in loose flooring for so long that she was suffering from dehydration, according to court documents. Employees at the facility admitted to inspectors they did not know how long she had been stuck. Another inspection found that nine injured beagles were euthanised instead of being provided with veterinary care. On a later inspection it was found that many of the 196 beagles who had actually needed to be put down were not anaesthetised before having a deadly injection straight into their heart muscle. Throughout the inspections which lasted for two years, officials found instances of neglect and mistreatment, from malnourished dogs to sick and injured ones. Faeces and food waste was allowed to pile up in cages where the dogs were kept, according to court documents. At the time Mia was adopted, Meghan had called Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney who runs the project, 'personally' to ask if she and Harry could have one of the 'older' rescue pups On May 18 2022, the USDA inspector general and other law enforcement agencies executed a federal search warrant of the facility and seized 145 dogs and puppies which vets deemed to be in 'acute distress.' The following day, authorities filed a complaint in a federal court in the Western District of Virginia. The complaint stated that more than 300 puppies had died in the facility between January and July 2021. The company website claimed that they breed 'healthy, well-socialized animals' and that it holds a license issued by the USDA to breed and sell the dogs. Parent company Inotiv, which bought Envigo in November 2021, agreed to the plan to rescue the dogs and said it would shutter the Virginia facility as part of a restructuring effort. In late July, a federal judge approved a plan to rescue the beagles. They were transferred to the Humane Society of the United States, before being moved to shelters or groups such as the Beagle Freedom Project. The organisation took in 25 of the beagles, one of those being Mia who was taken on by the Sussexes. Earlier this month, it was revealed Prince Harry and Meghan will not be joining the royal family for Christmas this year as they have reportedly not been invited to the festivities. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven't received an invitation to the royals' Christmas at Sandringham, it has been reported. Photos taken earlier this year showed some of the rescued dogs on their way to Homeward Trails Animal Rescue They are expected to spend the festive holidays in America instead with their children Archie and Lilibet. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to Montecito, California, after they stepped down as senior members of The Firm in January 2020. Meghan previously revealed how the Sussexes celebrate the holidays in America in an interview with Marie Claire, noting the festivities are always 'low-key'. She said: 'We're always making sure we have something to do,' the Duchess told the magazine. 'Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar - fun.' The former Suits actress also stressed the importance of making 'room at your table for your friends who don't have family' such as feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who once joined the Sussexes' Thanksgiving party. Meghan, who married Harry in 2018, added it is important to the couple that Archie and Lilibet experience the 'magic' of festive traditions such as putting out 'carrots for the reindeer' at Christmas. Meghan Markle proved her style prowess is as strong as ever as she oozed glamour in photos which appeared on her 2024 holiday card with Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 43, beamed in six images on their first Christmas greeting card since 2022, with one wholesome snap featuring their children Princess Lilibet, three, and Prince Archie, five. The card also highlighted Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan's global philanthropic efforts through The Archewell Foundation, with photos from trips to Nigeria and Colombia earlier this year. Meghan often paid homage to her host countries through designer, colour and pattern choices - examples of which were showcased on the festive card. In one snap Meghan embraces a little girl during a trip to the Colegio La Giraldaon school in Santa Fe. The former Suits star looks sophisticated in a lightweight 2,955 Loro Piana blazer, a white button down and Chanel cap-toe slingback flats. In another sweet snap, Harry kisses the top of his wife's head as he pulled her in for a hug during a visit to the National Centre of the Arts on the first day of their Colombian tour. Meghan donned a patterned jacquard 1,595 dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz for a classic diplomatic dressing at its best. Meghan Markle looked typically stylish in a slew of chic ensembles which she donned in snaps featured in Archewell's new holiday card She wowed in the look, which boasted a slit up the thigh and featured a stylish cut-out in the middle. The next picture shows the couple looking loved up while visiting traditional Afro-Caribbean village, San Basilio de Palenque on the third day of their tour of Colombia. Meghan donned a chic white linen skirt from Posse, the Emma design, costing approximately 200. Meanwhile she paired the wardrobe staple with a white crew neck tank top from Argent, costing 120. The duchess completed her elegant look with a wide brimmed fedora hat, sunglasses, and a Cartier Gold Tank Francaise Watch, which once belonged to Princess Diana and is valued at 17,800. She paired it with her Cartier Justr Un Clou Necklace in Yellow Gold with Diamonds, costing 15,500, and added a final Cartier touch, the Love Yellow Gold Bracelet, which costs 5,800. The royal couple also chose a beaming image from their 72-hour tour of Nigeria, as part of the Invictus Games anniversary celebrations in May. Meghan oozes casual elegance in the 'Windsor' silk gown from Californian designer Heidi Merrick. Meghan donned a patterned jacquard 1,595 dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz for a classic diplomatic dressing at its best Meghan donned a chic white linen skirt from Posse, the Emma design, costing approximately 200. Meanwhile she paired the wardrobe staple with a white crew neck tank top from Argent, costing 120 In one snap featured Meghan is seen embracing a little girl during a trip to the Colegio La Giraldaon school in Santa Fe. The former Suits star looked sophisticated in a lightweight 2,955 Loro Piana blazer, a white button down and Chanel cap-toe slingback flats The Sussexs during their visit to Nigeria in May this year. Meghan oozed casual elegance in the 'Windsor' silk gown from Californian designer Heidi Merrick Believed to have originally been priced at 450, Meghan's chic silk frock features a dropped hemline, billowing skirt and cinched waist. Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, the mother-of-two sported chunky gold earrings from Lanvin, her AURate collar necklace and an array of dazzling bracelets, as well as her wedding rings. The card also included a personal message from the Sussexes, which read: 'On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations. 'We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful new year.' Several people were delighted to see a 'glimpse of the kiddos' on the new card, with one person adding: 'So cute to see a picture of their children. 'They are really redheads!' Another comment read: 'Okay so of course I went right to the photo of the kids!! Red heads!! Just like my grandkids!! I love it!!' A third user exclaimed: 'Omg. There [sic] babies have such red hair!!' Prince Harry during a visit to the the wards of the Nigerian military hospital Kaduna A close-up of the family photo of the Sussexes, also featuring their three canine companions One of the snaps showed Princess Lilibet running into Harry's waiting arms, while Meghan held her arms open for a hug from Prince Archie. The couple's three dogs were also a part of the family portrait that was released on Monday. Reacting to the image, royal fans said they couldn't believe how old Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, had become - with Harry and Meghan's children rarely being spotted in public. One comment read: 'The kids are so big.' Another person added: 'Look at the kids. They have grown so much.' A third X user noted the children's bright red hair, like their father, the Duke of Sussex. Lucy Webster said staff refused to look at her when she went in for a piercing A former BBC journalist has slammed 'ableist' Accessorize staff for refusing her service in store due to being in a wheelchair. Lucy Webster, 30, who is based in London, opted for the high-street chain to get a piercing earlier this month, believing it would be a fuss-free job. However, she was left close to tears after staff in store 'refused' to give her the piercing over concerns she wouldn't be able to keep it clean, and suggested she 'try Superdrug' instead or return with a doctors' note. Lucy, who was previously a political journalist at the BBC, believes the only motivation they had is the fact she uses a wheelchair, despite informing them she would have help to keep it clean. She has since blasted the jewellery chain as 'ableist', adding that their 'contempt for disabled people is off the charts.' Her frustrations were heightened further when she was only offered a 75 gift card in compensation, without her real concerns being addressed. Posting on X/Twitter on December 6, Lucy wrote: 'Today @Accessorize wouldn't let me get a piercing without a doctors note to say I know how to keep it clean. Why? Because I'm a wheelchair user. I'm so tired.' After entering the store, Lucy said staff would only speak to her friend, Tilly, and found it difficult to look her in the eye. Lucy Webster has slammed Accessorize for refusing her service due to being in a wheelchair She has since taken to Twitter to share her story - branding the jewellery chain 'ableist' The customer service assistant then expressed doubts she would be able to keep the piercing clean, and went to fetch the manager. A new piercing must be cleaned twice a day with water or saline solution, making sure to cover both the front and the back. Though she can't use her hands, Lucy explained she would have help to keep it clean, and is fully able to look after herself - in fact having her own flat and a job. She was then told she would need a doctor's note certifying that she was able to keep it clean and was told instead to 'try Superdrug'. Writing in The Times, Lucy said she felt 'exhausted to my core' after the encounter. She said: 'The heavy implication in her tone and the way she gestured at my wheelchair was that because I had to have help, those doubts were justified. I asked the same question again and she didn't answer me.' She added: 'I swallowed the familiar lump in my throat and blinked away the prickling tears behind my eyes because I was on my way to meet a friend for a drink and didn't want to look like I'd been crying. 'I also didn't want ableism to ruin yet another day for me.' Lucy was given a 75 gift card to use at the store, but claims it didn't 'reflect the severity of the incident'. Lucy, a journalist and writer, believes the only motivation they had is the fact she uses a wheelchair, despite informing them she would have help to keep it clean She later managed to get her piercing done with 'zero fuss' at a local studio Again taking to Twitter yesterday, she posted: 'Despite pointing out that they breached the law by refusing me a service because I'm disabled, @Accessorize @MonsoonUK continue to offer me a 75 gift card for my 'dissatisfaction'.' 'The level of contempt for disabled people is off the charts.' She also shared pictures of her emails with a customer service assistant, who had issued the gift card as a 'small token of apology' to restore 'your faith with us'. Lucy responded: 'I must say that a 75 gift card does not reflect the severity of this incident at all. Refusing a service on the grounds of disability is a clear breach of the Equality Act 2010 and any compensation should reflect this.' She then received another response, which Lucy said treated her with 'contempt' and appeared to dismiss her concerns. It read: 'Thank you for your further email. As noted previously, we provided the gift card as a gesture of apology given your dissatisfaction with the service you received. Should you require any further assistance we would of course be happy to help.' Since sharing her story on Twitter, Lucy has been overwhelmed by the 'remarkable' response, with people vowing not to shop in Accessorize again. In a statement, Accessorize said: 'Accessorize is committed to providing a positive and respectful environment for all our customers. Lucy Webster, 30, who is based in London, was seeking to get a helix piercing in her upper cartilage She was only offered a 75 voucher from Accessorize in compensation Lucy said that a 75 giftcard did not reflect the 'severity of the incident' 'We recently learned about an incident at one of our stores where a customer felt they were mistreated, and we want to sincerely apologise for this experience. 'We don't believe our normal procedures were followed on this occasion and unfortunately a mistake has been made. 'We take such matters very seriously and are investigating the situation to understand what transpired. Our goal is to ensure that every customer feels valued and respected in our stores and we apologise unreservedly that we have fallen short here. 'We are reviewing our training procedures to ensure that this cannot happen again and will reinforce our commitment to excellent customer service among our staff.' Previously, Lucy was left in tears after a dating agency discouraged her from joining their service because she uses a wheelchair. Matchmakers Dating told her that 'achieving good outcomes for full-time wheelchair user clients' could be 'quite challenging'. The agency which describes itself as 'an elite personal matchmaking service' costs 1,895 for a 12-month membership, rising to 2,995 if you want their 'all executive benefits' package. The site told Miss Webster that potential dates 'may decline to go forward with a match' because she uses a wheelchair. In a follow-up email, staff refused to assist further and referenced that she'd already been given a voucher Without refusing Miss Webster's membership outright which could have left them open to legal action for discrimination Matchmakers urged her to consider that it was 'not a specialist agency'. Miss Webster, wrote on Twitter: 'Imagine for a second being told that you are too disabled for a non-disabled person to love. 'That's how my Wednesday is going.' She said: 'I just received this email from a 'professional' dating service. I have been crying for an hour. When I spoke to them on the phone they said that my disability was fine, but when I clarified that I was a wheelchair user, this...' The email from Matchmakers said: 'Matchmakers Dating is not a specialist agency and our experience of disabled dating is limited. We have provided our service to clients living with various disabilities and feel it only right to be transparent with you before offering a membership. Regretfully, others are not always open to dating someone living with your disability and may decline to go forward with a match when offered, so we have found that achieving good outcomes for full-time wheelchair user clients can be quite challenging. You should consider this before looking to take out a membership with us. Miss Webster added: Next time a disabled person tries to talk to you about ableism, please remember that its not just frustrating things like a lack of ramps. Its stuff like this that hurts more than I can say. Matchmakers said at the time: We believe that everyone is entitled to date and to find love and we do welcome people living with various disabilities to our membership, including other wheelchair users. We deeply regret any offence that we may have caused in trying to be open and honest about the challenges before potentially taking a significant fee. Lucy Webster is the author of The View From Down Here: Life As A Young Disabled Woman. FEMAIL has reached out to Accessorize for further comment. Queen Letizia of Spain balanced her love of fashion with her need for warmth in a glamorous black coat and grey suit for a journalism seminar in La Rioja today. The Spanish queen, 52, arrived at Yuso Monastery in San Millan de la Cogolla for the closing ceremony of the 17th International Seminar on Journalism and Language as temperatures teetered around freezing. To combat the cold, the royal mother-of-two donned a knee-length black coat which was cinched in at the waist with a matching belt. Dressed in wide-legged grey trousers and practical block heels, former journalist Letizia was prepared to ward off the chilly winter temperatures. Her effortlessly glamorous outfit was completed with a fashionable handbag worth around 1,200 from luxury brand Caroline Herrera. Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, the royal sported a pair of gold earrings in the shape of flower blossoms and finished off her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup, while leaving her hair down. The kind-hearted queen took the time to speak to a group of children lingering outside the monastery before heading inside to preside over the closing ceremony. Organised by San Millan de la Cogolla and the FundeuRAE, journalists from across the world gathered in La Rioja to discuss the challenges that war correspondents face and how the digital age has changed reporting on conflict. Queen Letizia, 52, arrives at Yuso Monastery in San Millan de la Cogolla for the closing ceremony of the 17th International Seminar on Journalism and Language today Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, the royal sported a pair of gold earrings in the shape of flower blossoms and finished off her look with a smattering of glamorous makeup, while leaving her hair down The kind-hearted queen took the time to speak to a group of children lingering outside the monastery before heading inside to preside over the closing ceremony Letizia will no doubt be in her element at the awards ceremony as she worked as a TV reporter before marrying King Felipe of Spain in 2004. Her journalism career saw her report from Washington in the US, Guadalajara in Mexico and Iraq during the war. She also broadcast live from ground zero after the 9/11 attacks in September 2001. Letizia, whose father Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez and stepmother Ana Togores are both journalists, worked in TV and newspapers before marrying into the Spanish royal family in 2004. After a stint at Austrian daily paper, La Nueva Espana, she went on to work for ABC, a popular national newspaper that enjoys the third largest circulation in Spain. Next came a stint at Spanish news agency EFE before a move to Guadalajara in Mexico saw her take on a role on local paper, Siglo 21. Back in Spain a year later, she worked for the Spanish version of Bloomberg, a news channel and agency specialising in economics, before moving to CNN+. By the time she met her husband-to-be, Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, where along with anchoring the popular Telediario 2 evening news bulletin, she reported on a wide range of breaking news events. To combat the cold, the royal mother-of-two donned a knee-length black coat which was cinched in at the waist with a matching belt Her effortlessly glamorous outfit was completed with a fashionable handbag from luxury brand Caroline Herrera Inside, Letizia is in her element at the seminar, having worked as a TV reporter before marrying into the Spanish royal family Her journalism career saw her report from Washington, in the US, Guadalajara in Mexico and Iraq during the war In her role as queen, she has always made time to go back to her roots and attend events centred around journalism. Indeed, Letizia's appearance at the seminar today comes just weeks after she attended the 35th anniversary of Spanish newspaper El Mundo in Madrid. There, the mother-of-two looked sensational in a tweed dress which featured long sleeves and off-the-shoulder detailing. She completed the chic ensemble with black pointed heels and a added sparkling touch with diamond drop earrings. The royal posed up a storm at the photocall and presentation of the 22nd edition of the International Awards of El Mundo. El Mundo (The World in English) was founded by Pedro J. Ramirez, Alfonso de Salas, Balbino Fraga and Juan Gonzalez in 1999, and it is the second most read newspaper in Spain. Previously at the 30th anniversary of the paper Letizia's husband King Felipe said the publication was 'a defender of the freedoms and rights of all citizens'. The Queen of Spain attends the 35th anniversary of Spanish newspaper El Mundo in Madrid on December 5 Letizia's journalism career saw her report from Washington in the US, Guadalajara in Mexico and Iraq during the war In a speech he said: '30 years have passed; three decisive decades of the history of our country. 'And tonight we commemorate or celebrate what in them has been the extraordinary contribution to this newspaper of so many professionals, to portray them, describe them, even contribute to shaping them and leaving the testimonies of their protagonists for history. Congratulations to all of them. 'El Mundo, at this time, has become one of the most influential newspapers in our country, defender of the freedoms and rights of all citizens, especially the right to information and freedom of expression, as essential grounds of any rule of law.' Former Labour Party spin doctor Alastair Campbell joked he 'bumped into an old friend' at a Christmas party, sharing a picture with The Thick of It star Peter Capaldi. Capaldi played Malcolm Tucker in the popular BBC sitcom, a character widely thought to be inspired by Campbell, who worked for Tony Blair when he was prime minister. He acted as a spokesperson for the Labour leader until 2003, when he turned his attention to his podcast - The Rest is Politics - and an impressive career in journalism. But Campbell's time in Labour HQ earned him a reputation for being liberal with profanity in the workplace, similar to a character in Armando Iannucci's The Thick of It. It is widely thought that Capaldi's Malcolm Tucker was inspired by Campbell, largely due to the character's use of language while working at the heart of government. The comedy ran from 2005 until 2012, and followed Tucker as Director of Communications for both the Government and, later, the Opposition. Capaldi and Campbell bumped into each other at the US Embassy Christmas party this week, prompting the latter to share a photograph of the two together. With it, he said: 'Bumped into an old friend at the US Embassy Xmas party...' Former Labour Party spin doctor Alastair Campbell joked he 'bumped into an old friend' at a Christmas party, sharing a picture with The Thick of It star Peter Capaldi Fans of The Thick of It were quick to celebrate the crossover moment in the comments of Campbell's post, with one writing: 'Can the real Malcolm Tucker please stand up?' Another joked: 'Top swearing most have endured.' Campbell has made numerous references to Malcolm Tucker in the past. In fact, in 2012, he mocked Iannucci for accepting an OBE, claiming he was joining 'the establishment he claims to deride'. He added: 'Malcolm Tucker and I do not approve of the honours system'. Iannucci responded: 'It's probably more establishment to order your army to march into other countries for no reason. Swings and roundabouts.' This appeared to refer to Tony Blair's government's involvement in the Iraq war. It was previously revealed that Blair secretly promised George Bush he would lead a public relations drive to promote the Iraq War. The former prime minister's pledge, which was approved by the then US president, is disclosed in a Downing Street memo leaked to the Daily Mail. Fans of The Thick of It were quick to celebrate the crossover moment in replies to Campbell's post Capaldi (above) played Malcolm Tucker in the popular BBC sitcom, a character widely thought to be inspired by Campbell, who worked for Tony Blair when he was prime minister Campbell acted as a spokesperson for the Labour leader until 2003, when he turned his attention to his podcast - The Rest is Politics - and an impressive career in journalism It is widely thought that Capaldi's Malcolm Tucker was inspired by Campbell, largely due to the character's use of language while working at the heart of government It was written by Mr Blair's foreign policy chief Sir David Manning one day after Mr Blair's summit with Mr Bush at the president's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in April 2002, a year before the conflict. It was not until two years after the war that evidence emerged suggesting Mr Blair had 'signed in blood' at Crawford a deal to back Mr Bush's plan to bomb Iraq. But evidence of Mr Blair's role in manipulating public opinion was clear much earlier, with his press chief Campbell clashing with the BBC when it accused the Government of 'sexing up' the case for war. The fight was over the notorious '45-minute dossier', which was spun to newspapers as suggesting Saddam Hussein could hit British targets in Cyprus with weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes of an order by the Iraqi dictator. Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp broke down in tears after her latest skin check amidst her ongoing battle with melanoma, as she shed more light on the disease. Mellencamp, 43, who has been at the center of an alleged affair scandal involving horse trainer Simon Schroeder, has been battling with the serious skin cancer since 2022. She has undergone multiple biopsies and procedures to treat the cancer, and during this most recent check-up, she revealed that she had finally received some good news for a change. 'Oh my God,' Mellencamp breathlessly said in a new video posted to Instagram, which looked like it was filmed from her car. 'I just had a little cry, but it's a good one,' she continued. 'It's the first time in over two years I've gone in for my three-month check and not had to have a biopsy because I have another cancerous spot,' Mellencamp announced. She explained that she and her doctor looked at each other in shock when they got the news that nothing had to be biopsied, sharing that it was 'such a good feeling.' 'I'll go back in March, stay diligent with my checks, and this should be a reminder to all of you guys, please, please, book your skin checks, book your mammograms, book your OB/GYN appointments, book your eye doctor appointments,' she urged. Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamp broke down in tears after her latest skin check amidst her ongoing battle with melanoma, as she shed more light on the disease She has undergone multiple biopsies and procedures to treat the cancer, and during this most recent check-up, she revealed that she had received some good news for a change In the caption of her post, she shared an equally heartfelt message, admitting that she gets anxiety before she has her skin checks at the dermatologist's office. 'Going in for my continual three-month skin checks is never easy. The anxiety always takes over; the thought of another biopsy, another surgery, another addition to the scar on my back,' the All In By Teddi founder penned. 'And I always end up crying. But today the tears were those of joy. Because for the first time there wasn't anything abnormal, nothing that needed an extra look. And I am grateful,' she continued. In her caption, she also explained how 'grateful' she was for all of her doctors and nurses. 'I'm grateful for my doctors, nurses, family, friends, and all of you for your continual support. As long as you're here, I have a reason to keep advocating for myself and for others,' Mellencamp wrote. 'And if you need to get your skin checked but have yet to make an appointment what are you waiting for?' Over the past few years, Mellencamp has been open about her battle with skin cancer, detailing many of her procedures and feelings about it all on her social media pages. Last December, she had to undergo one of her biggest surgeries yet - a 'wide excision for melanoma and soft tissue defect reconstruction with adjacent tissue rearrangement,' according to E! News. In the caption of her post, she shared an equally heartfelt message, admitting that she gets anxiety before she has her skin checks at the dermatologist's office In her caption, she also explained how 'grateful' she was for all of her doctors and nurses who have helped her The procedure left a large, zig-zag scar across her back and shoulder. In a September interview with Katie Couric Media, the former Bravo reality star admitted that she had put off getting her skin checked at first due to 'anxiety.' In the end, it was actually her friend and former RHOBH castmate, Kyle Richards, who was concerned about a spot on her back and took her to the dermatologist, where they discovered the melanoma. 'We always think, "It won't happen to me." But cancer rates are rising, and cancer of the skin is by far the most common of all cancers,' Mellencamp told the outlet. 'What I had, melanoma, accounts for one per cent of skin cancers but causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths. When caught in its earlier stages, melanoma is beatable in 99 per cent of cases. That's why screening is so important,' she said. Mellencamp's happy news comes amid a challenging time in her life, as she is currently divorcing from longtime husband Edwin Arroyave. Last month, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the allegations that Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with German-born horse trainer Schroeder, which was the catalyst behind her divorce. A source alleged to DailyMail.com that Mellencamp was having an affair with Schroeder while his wife, Karli Postel, was pregnant with their second child. Mellencamp's happy news comes amid a challenging time in her life, as she is currently divorcing from longtime husband Edwin Arroyave, who she shares four children with Last month, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed the allegations that Mellencamp was having a months-long affair with German-born horse trainer Schroeder, which was the catalyst behind her divorce 'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simon's phone that exposed the affair. She confronted Simon and Teddi about it and they confessed. Teddi promised it would not happen again' To make matters worse, Mellencamp and her horse trainer were rumored to be together while Postel was giving birth in Florida. 'Karli thought it was suspicious that her husband was in Florida when she was giving birth,' the source told DailyMail.com. 'When Simon returned, Karli found text messages on Simon's phone that exposed the affair. She confronted Simon and Teddi about it and they confessed. Teddi promised it would not happen again.' 'Karli didn't tell Edwin when she found out. She was willing to give Simon another chance and stayed with him. But last month, Karli found proof that the affair was ongoing and that it had become 'emotional.' 'Simon had a history of cheating and Karli was tired of being connected to him. Edwin only learned of the affair late last month when Karli told him.' Snapchat is expanding its creator monetization program in a bid to win over influencers amid the looming TikTok ban. This week, influencer Julieanna Goddard - better known as YesJulz to her fans and followers - posted her impressive Snapchat earnings to social media in response to somebody who questioned whether the app was still relevant in 2024. The 34-year-old showed that she was earning thousands of dollars each month just by posting her daily life. Her biggest month was December of last year, which saw her take home $15,553, while her worst month was July, with just $2,075. 'I don't even use it every day. I gotta start using it more to be honest,' she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Goddard's followers were shocked by her earnings, with one writing, 'Wait, what? Snapchat is paying people??? Does it pay well? Like video content? I'm so confused.' She responded, 'Yes you get paid based on views. They run ads on your stories if you are in creator program.' When asked why her earnings fluctuate so dramatically month to month, the Miami-based Snapchat star explained that it was all down to how often she posts. Influencer Julieanna Goddard - better known as YesJulz to her fans and followers - posted her impressive Snapchat earnings to social media this week The 34-year-old showed that she was earning thousands of dollars each month just by posting her daily life Her biggest month was December of last year, which saw her take home $15,553, while her worst month was July, with just $2,075 'Im moody. Sometimes I go weeks without posting,' she explained. 'I post 10 to 15 days out of the month. When I'm active, I'm very active, otherwise I'm offline all together.' While most of Goddard's followers were enthusiastic about Snapchat's potential, some were skeptical about whether or not the app could bring in money for everyday people. 'You are an influencer with a high following count. You dont count,' one wrote. Another commented, 'This really ain't happening for 99 per cent of people because we're not celebs or models'. In addition to Goddard, Snapchat's biggest influencers include OnlyFans model Sophie Rain, reality stars Heidi Montag and Khloe Kardashian, YouTuber Katie Feeney, comedian Brittany Furlan, and social media star David Dobrik. After finding fame on Snapchat, Goddard is now making the jump to reality TV in Netflix's new series W.A.G.s To Riches. The rules to become a monetized creator on Snapchat are currently quite strict. OnlyFans model Sophie Rain is currently one of the most active and popular posters on Snapchat Reality star Heidi Montag has also become a big name on Snapchat over the years Users must have at least 50,000 followers on their public profile, and must post at least 25 times to their Saved Stories or Spotlight. They also need to achieve one of the following in 28 days: 10 million Snap views, one million Spotlight views, or 12,000 hours of view time. Spotlight is Snapchat's answer to TikTok, with Spotlight having a very similar feel to TikTok's main feed. According to Snapchat, total viewing time on the app is up 25 per cent year-over-year, and the app now reaches 500 million active monthly users. Their new monetization efforts will be officially rolled out on February 1. 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. Swedish fashion influencer Matilda Djerf has finally issued an apology after employees claimed that she forced them to scrub toilets and that she slammed 'fat' models. Matilda founded the clothing brand Djerf Avenue with her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson in 2019 with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability. Their company reached $35 million in just four years and was a hit on TikTok with Gen Z women who wanted to emulate her 'clean girl' aesthetic and lifestyle. The brand says its world is 'filled with kindness, inspiration, respect and the perfect wardrobe staples,' according to its website. Despite the tagline, the brand's employees have since spoken out against her. Matilda, who made the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2023, has been accused of 'regularly' making employees 'cry by yelling or belittling them.' Matilda, 27, responded to the backlash about the toxic work environment at her company Djerf Avenue on Instagram Tuesday. The much-anticipated response came after the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet published shocking allegations from 11 current and former employees. Swedish fashion influencer Matilda Djerf has finally issued an apology after employees claimed that she forced them to scrub toilets and that she slammed 'fat' models Matilda founded the clothing brand Djerf Avenue with her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson in 2019 with a focus on inclusivity and sustainability Their company reached $35 million in just four years and was a hit on TikTok with Gen Z women who wanted to emulate her 'clean girl' aesthetic and lifestyle Matilda said she was 'genuinely sorry,' explaining in a lengthy message to her three million followers, 'When I started Djerf Avenue I never expected that the company would be what it is today, with so many team members and so much responsibility. I wasn't ready.' 'I had never led a team prior to this, I had never built a company prior to this, and under a lot of stress, high tempo and naivety I failed to be the leader and colleague I wish to be along the way,' the influencer admitted. 'I wish my growth happened faster. I really want to underline that I'm extremely committed to getting it right and to continuing growing,' Matilda, who also posted an apology video on her Instagram Story, continued. Matilda promised that she had 'made some important changes to improve the work culture,' including hiring a 'more experienced management team,' and launching 'monthly anonymous surveys to collect feedback.' 'I'll be learning and working to ensure Djerf Avenue is a safe, inclusive space for everyone,' the fashion designer said in her lengthy message, before thanking 'all of you who've had honest and transparent conversations with me over the past few days.' Despite the response, she did not reply to any of the allegations directly, which include creating a culture of 'psychological terror' that left employees 'crying,' 'broken,' and suffering from 'panic attacks' when she would lash out at random. Some of her past employees also said they had trouble sleeping. Matilda was also accused of making fatphobic comments about plus size models by former employees. Matilda said she was 'genuinely sorry,' explaining in a lengthy message to her three million followers, 'When I started Djerf Avenue I never expected that the company would be what it is today, with so many team members and so much responsibility. I wasn't ready' Many of Matilda's former fans were left unimpressed with her apology, with some saying she was 'only sorry' because she was caught in the expose 'When the pictures were delivered, Matilda said they had to be redone because she looks so f***ing fat in these clothes, so we can't show it,' one employee alleged. Another employee claimed that the social media creator often 'commented on people's bodies and appearance.' An employee alleged that Matilda had a specific toilet in her office that was reserved for her 'favorite' colleagues, and after an employee who wasn't allowed used it, they were forced to scrub the toilet. Many of Matilda's former fans were left unimpressed with her apology, with some saying she was 'only sorry' because she was caught in the expose. One said, 'The different bathrooms situation has no excuse girl, sorry.' Another said they would only forgive her if she steeply discounted all of her brand's products as an apology. 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. A Christmas treat has caused a stir among shoppers at Aldi - with some admitting to taking home more than their fair share after spotting them on sale. Ppfeffernusse, soft gingerbread cookies with a light marzipan icing coating, are only available at Aldi at Christmas time. And customers of the German-owned retailer wait eagerly for them to drop each year. One regular shopper, who 'only managed to score two packets' on her visit, was thrown by how competitive others were being. 'One lady was shoveling these into her trolley like there was no tomorrow,' she claimed. The sweet biscuits, which are a favourite in Germany, were thought to be invented by a famous local confectioner in 1753. However, the people of the Netherlands dismiss that tale as a fallacy and believe a Dutchman came up with them. Regardless, they are a mega hit Down Under. Ppfeffernusse, soft gingerbread cookies with a light marzipan icing coating, are only available at Aldi at Christmas time The German retailer sells bags of the popular treats for just $1.99 before Christmas 'Love these. I can't stop eating them once I open the pack,' one woman gushed. 'Work Christmas lunch tomorrow and Ill be cracking a packet open. Really hope nobody likes them,' said another. 'I buy quite a lot, only available at Christmas. They are so nice.' Another described buying the cookies as a 'waste of time' after buying three bags for Christmas only to eat them all a week early. However, one argued that while the imported cookies are delicious, it's not the only reason why people are filling up their trolleys. 'Its because everywhere else theyre $5. Pfeffernusse are a Christmas favourite at ours,' they said. 'Buy them every year, cheaper than anywhere else,' confirmed another. A mother-of-one has warned women not to dismiss a telltale sign of deadly ovarian cancer that is often mistaken for an upcoming period. Sophie Casey, 28, from Leeds, was diagnosed in October with terminal ovarian cancer that had spread around her body after suffering extreme bloating that made her 'look nine-months pregnant'. However, her GP and hospital doctors said the worrying symptom was nothing more than a common stomach infection. She was prescribed antibiotics, which ultimately made her vomit. Now she faces a bleak prognosis and the possibility of having a stoma bag fitted a disposable bag that collects waste due to damage to her bowel caused by the ovarian tumour. 'My symptoms could have been my period,' said Ms Casey, adding that the level of bloating she suffered was something she had 'never had before'. 'People might not think too much into it... but you have to know your body and know your cycle.' After first visiting her GP back in September, Ms Casey was told it was likely a common infection such as one contracted from contaminated food behind her symptom. Sophie Casey, 28, was diagnosed with stage 4B ovarian cancer in October after several visits to her GP, a misdiagnosis and multiple A&E trips Ms Casey, mum to one-year-old Henry, and her partner George Burril, (pictured) are raising funds to help them make memories as a family and spreading awareness of the cancer But when it didn't go away, she visited her local A&E. Doctors initially gave her antibioitics, but they failed to work, causing her to return again to the hospital. 'They ran some tests there and did some scans and they said they had found a mass,' she told Leeds Live. After further tests Ms Casey spoke with an oncologist who gave her a diagnosis. She said: 'They told me it was terminal. Sort of treatable, but not curable. 'I had to have three rounds of chemotherapy and they will see how its responding to that before they can give me a life expectancy.' Prior to her chemotherapy, which will finish at the end of December, Ms Casey had 16 litres of fluid drained from her stomach. The mass was also pushing on bowel, meaning she has been at risk of a bowel obstruction and was told she is on high alert for surgery and a stoma bag. Ms Casey, mum to one-year-old Henry, and her partner George Burril, are now raising funds to help them make memories as a family and spread awareness of the cancer. Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the UK. The disease kills around 11 women every day in Britain, on average, or 4,000 a year. Ovarian cancer is a rare form of the disease that develops in the ovaries - the female organs that produce eggs. It is often called a 'silent killer' as symptoms don't present themselves until the late stages of the disease Ms Casey is urging women to look out for changes in the menstrual cycle and any symptoms that could be 'everyday issues' It also kills three times as many women in the US every year, figures show. It is often diagnosed late because symptoms are vague and mimic other, less serious problems like irritable bowel syndrome. They can include indigestion, pelvic or abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, and needing to urinate more often. Around 93 per cent of women diagnosed live five years or more if it's spotted at the earliest stage, compared with just 13 per cent diagnosed at stage four. Ms Casey was diagnosed with stage 4B ovarian cancer, which means it has spread inside the liver or spleen, lymph nodes outside the tummy or to other organs such as the lungs, according to Cancer Research UK. About a fifth of women with ovarian cancer are also diagnosed in A&E, when it is often too late for any treatment. Although most cases of the disease are diagnosed in women between 75 and 79 years, cases are rising in younger people. Since the early 1990s rates have increased by 78 per cent in women under 24 and increased by 10 per cent in those between 25 and 49, data from Cancer Research shows. Ms Casey is urging women to look out for changes in the menstrual cycle and any symptoms that could be 'everyday issues'. 'Don't be fobbed off with doctors saying you're young,' she added. 'My doctor said to me that it's "not common in women your age" and I said, "that's the problem, that's what I want to change"... [that view].' Two jobs could protect you from developing dementia, according to a study. Researchers found that taxi drivers and ambulance drivers are at a much lower risk of dying from Alzheimer's compared to over 400 different occupations. This trend didn't hold for other transportation jobs that don't require navigating maps, like pilots or ship captains. This led the team to believe that the mental exercise of planning a route in your head is particularly important in reducing Alzheimer's risk. Their theory is that the hippocampus, the part of the brain that is crucial for memory, is the same part that's responsible for sense of direction and navigation. Taxi and ambulance drivers have been shown in older studies to have particularly well-developed hippocampus', even as they age. Study author Dr Anupam Jena, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital said their results suggest: 'its important to consider how occupations may affect risk of death from Alzheimers disease and whether any cognitive activities can be potentially preventive.' About 7million Americans currently live with Alzheimer's disease, and according to the Alzheimer's Association, that number is projected to continuing growing over the next decades to 13million. Because ambulance drivers have to constantly navigate new routes to the hospital, they're exercising a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is responsible for spatial reasoning, memory and sense of direction Each grey dot represents a different occupation included in their study. They didn't report which occupations had the highest incidence of dementia. But those with the lowest included taxi drivers and ambulance drivers Your browser does not support iframes. The new results were published in the British Medical Journal. The team gathered data from the National Vital Statistics System of over 8.9million people who died over 2020-2022 years. Of those deaths, about 348,328 were attributed to Alzheimer's. They looked at rates of the disease among 443 occupations, including bus drivers, aircraft pilots, ship captains and teachers. They also accounted took into account factors like age, sex, race, ethnicity and level of education, and controlled for those demographics when analyzing the data. They found on average, 3.88 percent of people included in the study died from Alzheimer's. Within that Alzheimer's killed about 2.7 percent of ship captains and 4.5 percent of pilots, 1 percent of taxi drivers and 0.7 percent of ambulance drivers. They didn't include information about which jobs has the highest amount of dementia diagnoses, nor did they give specific figures for each job. But according to their graphs, in some jobs, almost 8 percent of deaths were attributed to Alzheimer's disease. Chief executives, one of the few roles they did include data for, ranked along the middle - with about 4 percent of these individuals dying from Alzheimer's. The difference between the outcomes for the road-navigators versus other professionals in the transportation industry led the researchers to look towards one region of the brain: the hippocampus. Older, influential research conducted by University College London, examined the brains of taxi drivers after they had passed had found that this brain region, responsible for spatial reasoning and memory, was particularly robust in taxi drivers as compared to other professions. As people age, the amount of healthy tissue in the brain naturally begins thinning. In Alzheimer's disease, this happens at a much faster rate, leading to the memory loss, personality changes and confusion often associated with the disease As people age, they naturally lose some volume of their brain tissue, which can be associated with some of the age-related changes some elderly people begin seeing. But in Alzheimer's disease, the tissue disappears en masse, instead of in small, barely noticeable increments, like in normal age. It could be that by constantly strengthening the connections in this part of the brain, taxi and ambulance drivers are making their brain more resilient to the process of Alzheimer's. However, Dr Jena noted, it's difficult to say if the results they saw in the study are the result of the job itself. He said their paper should act as a jumping off point for further research, not as 'conclusive'. Likewise, other scientists not involved in the study expressed doubt that these results mean that having a certain job can protect you from getting dementia. Professor Tara Spires-Jones, the President of the British Neuroscience Association, who wasn't involved in the research, said that scientists still can't conclude for certain that having certain jobs stops dementia from developing, and that there may be other factors at play. Prof Spires-Jones said: 'It is possible that people who are at higher risk of Alzheimers may not choose memory intensive driving occupations.' Professor Robert Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University College London, expressed similar doubt, but offered a different explanation. He said: 'It is just as likely that individuals with better navigational and spatial skills flourish in these jobs and this represents the presence of greater cognitive reserve so that they need more neurodegeneration before they develop symptoms of Alzheimers disease.' Many women are adamant that taking the Pill makes them gain weight yet researchers have repeatedly not been able to find a link. But a new study suggests that some women do put on weight while on the Pill, and their genes are to blame. Furthermore, genes could explain why some women become pregnant even though they're on the Pill. This understanding could eventually lead to more 'tailor-made' contraception that works best for the individual woman. Hormonal contraceptives, such as the Pill, implant and certain types of coil, work by preventing ovulation and thickening mucus on the cervix (this blocks sperm reaching an egg). While many women are happy with their birth control, for some it is a hit-and-miss affair. Many put up with side-effects including weight gain. A small minority become pregnant, despite using the contraception correctly. Now researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have discovered a link between weight gain and a common form of hormonal contraception containing progestins. These are synthetic compounds that mimic progesterone, a hormone that suppresses ovulation. They looked at 276 women using implants containing etonogestrel, a progestin. Those who had a certain variant of the ESR1 gene were more likely to gain weight. Hormonal contraceptives, such as the Pill, implant and certain types of coil, work by preventing ovulation and thickening mucus on the cervix to block sperm reaching an egg Aaron Lazorwitz, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine, discovered a link between weight gain and a common form of hormonal contraception Aaron Lazorwitz, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive sciences at Yale School of Medicine, who led the research, told Good Health: 'This could indicate a biological process whereby genetic differences are causing specific women to be at higher risk for weight gain when using hormonal contraception.' While it's not clear why (one theory is the genes alter the way oestrogen interacts with progesterone receptors), 'we know that high levels of oestrogenic activity seem to cause more weight-related issues compared to progestins', he adds. 'This could help explain why studies seem to show an overall minimal amount of weight change with hormonal contraception, given these genetic variants would be found only in a small proportion of women.' In other words, while some women do gain weight on the Pill, many don't so the results of large studies come out showing little difference overall. The discovery 'holds a lot of promise as a way to help predict a very bothersome side-effect for a lot of women', adds Dr Lazorwitz. Another important finding from the same research team at Yale, is that a mutation of a different gene, CYP3A7, may increase the metabolism of etonogestrel, making it pass out of the body more quickly before it has time to suppress ovulation. Around 5 per cent of women carry this mutation, and could be at greater risk of 'contraceptive failure' and becoming pregnant. Although his research focused on implants, which are placed under the skin, Dr Lazorwitz says etonogestrel works similarly to other contraceptives including the Pill. New technology could lead to more personalised contraception for women reducing side-effects, says Dr Michelle Griffin, an obstetrician and gynaecologist 'The hormones in pills and implants are metabolised in similar ways and have similar actions in the body, and so I expect the influence of genetic differences to be similar between them,' he says. Dr Lazorwitz says his findings underline the need for a more personalised view of contraception the current trial-and-error approach can mean women typically try three or four methods before finding one that works for them, a 2020 poll found. 'We currently have no means to predict an individual woman's risks of contraceptive failure or side-effects when selecting a contraceptive method and I am hopeful that genetics will help us fix this long-standing issue in women's healthcare,' he says. New technology means it's possible to offer more personalised contraception for women which, in turn, would lead to 'fewer side-effects and greater satisfaction', adds Dr Michelle Griffin, an obstetrician and gynaecologist and director of MFG Health Consulting, which advises women's health businesses. Genetic testing for contraception is already available in the US, although nothing yet exists commercially to test specifically for the CYP3A7 mutation, says Dr Lazorwitz. However, he says there is no reason why future tests shouldn't be available to look for the CYP3A7 mutation alongside other genetic markers. He adds that other genetic tests could also be beneficial for instance, to identify if a woman carries a genetic variant that might put her at greater risk of blood clotting when taking a hormonal contraceptive. Dr Griffin adds that while genetic testing is 'very much in the research phase', in future it might also help prevent the 'blame' mentality often applied to women who become pregnant despite being on contraception: 'I've had patients who report they took their birth control pill every day and still had an unintended pregnancy.' The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), an abortion care service, said 51 per cent of the 60,592 women it treated in 2016 (its most recent statistics) were using at least one form of contraception when they became pregnant. Each woman seeking contraception should be treated as a unique individual, says Dr Ali Kubba, a gynaecologist and contraception specialist based in London. This entails getting a detailed lifestyle and sexual history from patients, which can be a problem in busy NHS clinics, he adds. He says that gene testing alone may not be a solution because contraception failure can have several causes. 'An extreme example is Ozempic, which can sometimes cause vomiting which affects the absorption of the hormones of the oral contraceptive,' he says. (Women affected should be offered non-oral contraceptive alternatives such as the patch; but this doesn't often happen, he adds.) Dr Kubba stresses that more research is needed into the links between genetics and weight gain linked to hormonal contraceptives. 'It's important that we don't put too much weight on a single lab study [the Yale research],' he says. More contraceptive options are also needed to help men control their fertility, adds Heidi Stewart, chief executive of BPAS. 'The more options people have to take control of their fertility and avoid unwanted pregnancy, the better.' Experts have warned of the alarming risks of using skincare products that are passed their sell-by date including burnt cheeks, disfiguring acne and agonising eye infections. Specialists cautioned that such old products can be home to a cocktail of bacteria not visible to the naked eye that infest the skin and wreak havoc. Stomach-churning images also show how these types of bacterial infections could enter the bloodstream, with potentially life-threatening complications. Dr Anthony Youn, a Michigan-based plastic surgeon, warned this is because a preservative used in the products to keep them fresh will eventually expire, leaving them prone to bacterial and fungal contamination. In a YouTube video watched almost 90,000 times, he said: 'One thing you always want to look for is the expiration date on the products that you're using. 'If they've expired sometimes what can happen is their chemical composition has changed and what you're applying to your skin is no longer what it used to be. 'The other thing that can happen is bacteria can actually grow in the product. 'Most skincare products and make-up have some type of preservative that helps fight bacterial and fungal contamination and growth in those products. Stomach-churning images also show how expired skincare can leave users suffering painful burns and bacterial infections that could enter the bloodstream Experts today cautioned that expired cosmetic products can be home to a cocktail of bacteria not visible to the naked eye, leaving users at risk of anything from a painful eye infection to skin complaint 'After a while, those ingredients may not work so well anymore and you'll see more and more growth and bacteria. 'When you're then applying that to your skin, you can get an infection, a reaction.' Equally, skincare products that have been left unused for months may become more concentrated over time, meaning users are applying their skin with much stronger formulations than advertised. Dr Youn added: 'If you have an active ingredient like an acid and that has been buffered by other types of ingredients like water and oils, they can change in structure or start to evaporate. 'That acid can then get stronger and you're left treating your skin with something much stronger than it was before. 'You should not use expired products on your skin.' In a separate YouTube video he shared the experience of one US-based woman who was left suffering burns and a severe becterial infection after putting expired acne treatment on her face. 'The bacterial infection could have gone into her bloodstream, the good news is that she has healed from it,' he added. Dr Anthony Youn, a Michigan-based plastic surgeon, warned this was because a preservative used in the products to keep them fresh will eventually expire leaving them prone to bacterial and fungal contamination Cosmetic products include a 'period after opening' or 'PAO' symbol alongside a figure indicating how many months the product will last. Industry recommendations suggest that mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced after a maximum of three months, eyebrow pencils within 18 months and lipstick, eyeshadow and blusher within two years. Sponges, meanwhile, should be washed weekly and thrown out after two months. It is not the first time, however, experts have warned about the health risks posed by out-of-date make-up. In 2015, lab tests by scientists at London Metropolitan University on out-of-date makeup also revealed it contained potentially deadly bacteria including a strain that causes meningitis. The researchers tested five products including a blusher, foundation and lip gloss and found old cosmetics contain unsafe levels of potentially lethal bacteria. One of the bugs enterococcus faecalis is a main cause of meningitis, which kills more children under five than any other infectious disease in the UK. Other deadly bacteria detected included eubacterium, which causes bacterial vaginosis and aeromonas, one of the causes of gastroenteritis and wound infections. Industry recommendations suggest that mascara and liquid eyeliner should be replaced after a maximum of three months, eyebrow pencils within 18 months and lipstick, eyeshadow and blusher within two years Researchers also found staphlyoccocus epidermidis, a nasty bug which is resistant to antibiotics, propionibacterium one of the main causes for acne and other skin conditions and enterobacter, which causes urinary and respiratory tract infections. Dr Emma Wedgeworth, a consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation has also previously said that applying out of date products to your face 'could be causing irritation or pore blockage'. She added: 'If you already have a compromised skin barrier dry, scaly, irritated skin or an existing skin condition, you are at a higher risk of infection or irritation.' According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you should toss products that start to clump like mascara or eyeliner. A change in consistency like a foundation that separates or crumbles or falls apart like powder eyeshadow or blush are other key signs. Products smelling bad, changing color or that feel different on your skin are also among the reasons to ditch them. Two men in upstate New York died from pneumonia after using bat feces as fertilizer to grow cannabis. The 64 year old and 59 year old had smoked marijuana tainted with a fungus found in the guano, causing deadly lung infections in both men. Both deaths occurred in Rochester and they were not connected to one another, highlighting the growing trend of using bat poop to grow cannabis. One purchased the guano online, and another got the illness from taking guano from a colony of bats in his attic. Online sources call guano a 'natural superfood' for growing cannabis, but it can contain dangerous bacteria, fungus or virus that can make people seriously ill. In the new cases, the stool contained a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, which is native to the Eastern half of the US. It's found in bat droppings and bird droppings, and is found in the soil naturally. Most people get the illness from breathing in spores of the fungus, though it's also possible to catch the infection through the mouth. The doctors wrote that using guano on home-grown marijuana plants appears to be a 'recent trend'. They urge avoiding the fertilizer, unless if you can verify that it has been independently tested for fungus and other pathogens Once this fungus, pictured here under the microscope, gets in the body, it takes between three and 17 days for symptoms to begin. It doesn't spread between humans, and outbreaks are isolated to people who have direct contact with contaminated soil or other products Your browser does not support iframes. Once there, it can cause serious lung infections that make it difficult to breathe, and can lead to death. Specialists from University of Rochester, who wrote about the cases in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, said: 'It is crucial to raise awareness among physicians and patients to reinforce personal preventive measures and establish timely diagnosis.' The anonymous 59 year old from upstate New York had a history of heavy tobacco and marijuana use, which likely caused his emphysema. Emphysema is a lung disease that affects the air sacs within the lungs, and makes it difficult to breathe. He had also been using a drug that dampens the immune system, called adalimumab, to mange his arthritis. He initially came into the hospital complaining of trouble breathing, sore throat and weight loss that had been persistent for about six weeks. Doctors found small masses in his throat and vocal cords that they initially thought might have been cancer, but upon further investigation, turned out to be wounds formed in response to the fungus. It caused pneumonia, a lung infection where fluid or pus fills the lungs, inhibiting breathing. Despite treating him with antifungal medications, the patient continued struggling to breathe, and eventually died. Initial common signs of histoplasmosis include fever, cough, fatigue, chills, headache, chest pain and body aches. In severe cases, this becomes a long-term lung infection, which can lead to breathing problems, pneumonia and death. These side effects are most common in smokers and people with weakened immune systems. CDC map showing approximate areas with the presence of Histoplasma in the US The Histoplasma capsulatum fungus is found naturally in soil in the eastern half of the US, as well as in the droppings of multiple bird and bat species native to that part of the country In very rare cases, this fungus can spread from the respiratory tract to other parts of the body. This occurred in the second patient from the case study, a 64 year old man with a history of heart disease and heavy tobacco and cannabis use. After coming into the hospital complaining of chronic cough and 35 pounds of weight loss, doctors questioned him and found out he had been harvesting bat poop from an infestation in his attic to use as fertilizer for his weed plants. Looking deeper into his case, they found irregular clumps of cells on the mans lungs, chest, pancreas and adrenal glands, causing inflammation that made it hard to breathe and digest food. The fungal infection had spread from his respiratory tract to his stomach. Though he initially seemed to improve when doctors treated him with a heavy dose of antifungal medications, the patient ultimately died because blood flow was cut off to his bowels from the masses. According to doctors from the CDC, the fungus is less likely to be deadly in younger, healthier individuals. Estimates from the American Thoracic Society say as many as 250,000 Americans get sick with the bug each year. However, only between 5 and 7 percent of people with the illness die. Still, with the legalization of marijuana becoming more common, the University of Rochester doctors said, physicians need to be on alert for the potential of more cases to come. They said: 'A wide range of the population may be at risk of acquiring the disease through this exposure.' Chocolate covered-fruits and nuts are being recalled in nine states over fears they could cause an allergic reaction. More than 19 products sold by Cal Yee Farm in California are part of the recall, which also includes yogurt coated almonds, trail mix and dried mangos. Inspectors from the FDA found the products contained substances not mentioned on the products' labels, including milk, wheat, sesame, soy and coloring agent Yellow 6, all of which could trigger a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. The products were sold in clear zippered pouches featuring a bright yellow label on the front that said 'Cal Yee Farm.' They could be purchased by customers either from the farm's main retail store in Suisun Valley, California, or via farm stands and shops in nine other states. No illnesses from the chocolates, nuts or fruit products have been reported to date. In its alert, the FDA advised consumers to throw out the recalled products or return them to the seller for a full refund. And officials warned: 'People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, soy, wheat, sesame, Yellow 6 and almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.' More than 19 products sold by Cal-Yee Farm in California are in the recall , which also includes yogurt coated almonds, trail mix and dried mangos (The mango with chili above is included in the recall, but the pretzels are not) The recalled products were sold in clear zippered pouches featuring a bright yellow label on the front that said 'Cal Yee Farm' The products were sold in either 8oz, 1lb, 2lb or 5lb sizes. A full list of the recalled products was published by the FDA. They include dark chocolate walnuts, butter toffee almonds, yogurt-covered almonds, tropical trail mix, dark chocolate raisins, mango with chili, Cajun Sesame Hot Sticks, New Orleans Hot Mix, two types of fruit baskets and dark chocolate apricots. The nine states where they are being recalled are: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. But officials warned the products were also sold online, so may also be available in other states. About 33million Americans have an allergy to at least one food, estimates suggest. Among them, 6.2million have a milk allergy; 2.4million have an allergy to wheat; 1.9million are allergic to soy. Allergic reactions are triggered when the immune system misidentifies a food as a threat, triggering a potentially life-threatening response. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rashes on the skin, wheezing, coughing or shortness of breath and an itching or tingling sensation in the mouth and lips. Within minutes of consuming the foods, people could also suffer from anaphylaxis a severe, life-threatening reaction. In this, the immune system releases chemicals that cause the blood vessels to expand and the airways to constrict. This can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure and fluid leaking into the lungs, potentially causing death. Patients can treat mild reactions via taking antihistamines or applying a cold compress to reduce the symptoms. But in a serious reaction, like anaphylaxis, they should be rushed to the hospital immediately. Patients suffering from a serious reaction can get an epinephrine injection, which works to calm the immune system. A heart surgeon has revealed the four things he would never do due to the risks of heart disease, strokes, and cancer. Dr Jeremy London, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon in Georgia, warned against alcohol-based mouthwashes because there is evidence it can raise your blood pressure. He said that these mouthwashes kill healthy bacteria in the mouth, disrupting the production of nitric oxide, a gas naturally produced by the body to relax blood vessels. He said: 'Our gut microbiome or the good bacteria in our gut begin in the mouth, so if you kill this bacteria, you can actually throw that out of balance. 'By killing this bacteria, you can actually cause or worsen hypertension or high blood pressure.' In one 2022 study, researchers wrote there is 'unequivocal evidence' that disrupting the oral microbiome with antiseptic mouthwash suppresses nitric oxide and raises blood pressure. Additionally, scientists in Belgium found that participants who used alcohol-based mouthwash daily had increased levels of the bacteria fusobacterium nucleatum and streptococcus anginosus, which have been linked to colon cancer. Meanwhile, in a recent TikTok video, which has more than 3.4million views, Dr London said vaping or smoking were 'probably the single worst thing you can do for yourself.' Dr Jeremy London, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon in Georgia, took to TikTok to share the things he never does due to increased risks of heart disease and cancer He warned against alcohol-based mouthwashes because they can raise your blood pressure Your browser does not support iframes. Nicotine 'directly injures the lining of blood vessels, which can disrupt blood flow and cause blood to clot.' If these clots travel to the brain or heart, they can lead to heart attacks or strokes. The blood vessel damage from nicotine can also harden arteries and cause plaque to build up inside of them, a condition known as atherosclerosis. While decades of research have linked smoking to heart disease and lung cancer, Dr London also mentioned vaping, which science is less clear on. However, emerging research suggests the habit could be as harmful as smoking. A 2022 study from experts at the American Heart Association, for example, found that people who vaped or smoked immediately saw increased blood pressure and heart rate, both of which put strain on the heart and cause it to gradually weaken. Dr London also avoids limits his consumption of ultra-processed foods, which have long been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. This is due to high amounts of saturated fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates, all of which increase cholesterol and cause arteries to narrow. One 2021 study from the American College of Cardiology found that each daily serving of ultra-processed food was associated with a seven percent increased risk of heart disease. He said: 'You are what you eat, literally. The proteins and fats and carbohydrates that you ingest give the energy and the building blocks to every single cell in your body. 'Be thoughtful about your nutritional plan.' Dr London said that smoking is 'probably the single worst thing you can do for yourself' in terms of heart disease risk. Meanwhile, even innocent products like mouthwash may raise blood pressure Dr London also steers clear of alcohol. He said: 'I hate to tell you, but even moderate alcohol use is in question.' He explained that alcohol is broken down into acetaldehyde, a chemical compound 'that is toxic to every single cell in your body.' This compound has been shown to damage DNA and prevent the body from repairing that damage, according to the CDC. Once the DNA is damaged, cells can grow out of control and create cancerous tumors. Acetaldehyde is considered a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in animals and limited evidence that it causes cancer in humans. In another video, Dr London noted that avoiding alcohol has left him with 'increased mental clarity, better sleep, and high level of productivity.' He said: 'That is the secret sauce.' Everyone has a list of festive films they watch in the run-up to Christmas ours includes The Holiday, Christmas with the Kranks and, of course, Home Alone (specifically the first one, but I dont mind the second). In the 1990 film directed by Chris Columbus, two burglars known as the Wet Bandits target the McCallister home in a wealthy neighbourhood, speculating that it could contain a lot of top-flight goods such as VCRs, stereos, fine jewellery and odd marketable securities. They decide to strike after finding out that the entire family is headed to Paris for the holidays, not anticipating that 8-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) was mistakenly left home alone and hes got a few nifty tricks up his sleeve to keep them out of the house. Each year, as the battle between Kevin and the Wet Bandits unfolds on our screens, many of us wonder just how rich the McCallisters were to afford a lavish home in the suburbs of Chicago and a trip to Paris for the entire extended family for the holidays? 35 years later, we have an answer. The 'Home Alone' house is located in one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the United States With the help of economists and people involved with the film, The New York Times investigated how much money the McCallisters had. The best clue, as the newspaper notes, is the home. In real life, the now-famous house is located in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, one of the most expensive neighbourhoods in the United States. According to economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Kate and Peter McCallister would have had to earn around $305,000 per year to afford it, which would put them in the top one percent of earners in Chicago in 1990. Today, real estate marketplace Zillow estimates a similar house would cost a whopping $2.4 million, which the economists calculate would require an income of $730,000 to afford the mortgage. It was never revealed in Home Alone what the parents do for work. Some eagle-eyed fans have suggested Kate McCallister is a fashion designer, because the house has several mannequins inside, but this was never confirmed. However, Todd Strasser materialised that theory in his novelization of Home Alone, and the filmmakers didnt object. The guidance, he told the NYT, was essentially: Heres the script, do whatever you want. So in the book, he made Kate a fashion designer and Peter a businessman, because it was a safe bet. Strasser added that it never occurred to him to explain in detail how the McCallisters had come by their money. He thought they were upper middle class but not super rich. I dont know how much the McCallisters made, but it sure did a lot for my bank account, he joked. The Government is set to bring in a nationwide pavement ban as part of its move toward devolution. In its English Devolution White Paper published yesterday which gave major new powers to Mayors - pavement parking was given as an example of 'an action to address at a national level'. As part of the 'biggest transfer of power out of Westminster to England's regions this century' the Government 'will expect Strategic Authorities to play a leading role in developing a consistent approach to enforcement across their area, using available powers as appropriate'. The White Paper also promises to publish a formal response to the 2020 pavement parking consultation. Although the response to that consultation which closed in November 2020 - remains unknown at present, a survey published this month found just 18 per cent of motorists would be against the move. The Government has said it will address pavement parking at a national level and that Strategic Authorities will play a 'leading role in developing a consistent approach to enforcement' The research from Venson Automotive Solutions revealed 46 per cent of motorists agreed pavement parking, already banned in London and Edinburgh, should also be banned in other towns and cities. And the majority of our readers agree; our MailOnline poll on pavement parking received more than 3,000 responses and found that 69 per cent want the Government to outlaw it across the country. Reasons for being in favour of a pavement parking ban include concerns around the accessibility of pavements for vulnerable pedestrians, as well as limitations on pedestrians being able to cross the road safely. The proposed nationwide enforcement change comes after the Local Government Association (LGA) called on the Government to ban pavement parking earlier this year. The LGA -which represents councils in England and Wales - said councils should be given powers to fine drivers who block footpaths, describing motorists who park on the pavement as a 'scourge' on wheelchair users, the blind and parents with pushchairs. In 2020, the DfT launched a consultation on extending the ban on pavement parking across England. The Government has now promised to publish the findings England is currently behind Scotland and Wales when it comes to pavement parking bans. The Scottish Government brought in nationwide legislation last year which outlawed pavement parking in a bid to make pavements more accessible and safer. Local authorities can dish out fines of 100 if they identify drivers parking on pavements and blocking the footway for pedestrians. The fine amount is reduced to 50 if paid within 14 days. In September Glasgow was the latest city in Scotland to implement the ban, with Aberdeen and Edinburgh already having bans in place. Wales is currently under a period of consultation, but as of April 2023, the Welsh government decided to delay the consultation until 2024. However, there are some pavement parking ban trials underway in Cardiff on certain roads. In England pavement parking is already banned across London. Glasgow's ban on pavement parking extends across the whole city, with just a few streets exempt and some still under review as the rollout continues A Department for Transport spokesperson told This is Money in September: 'Accessibility is a priority, and we recognise the problems pavement parking can cause for people, especially those with mobility or sight impairments. 'We will be reviewing the options available to us'. The ex-Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, previously voiced her support for such measures, in order to protect vulnerable road users. Haigh previously told MPs on the Transport Committee: 'I completely recognise how important it is for accessibility. 'We're considering what options we have available, because we want to make sure that any measures are not burdensome on local authorities and are done in the most effective way. But I am really committed to responding to the consultation as quickly as possible.' How pavement parking is dangerous for pedestrians: 'The message here is clear: pavement parking is unsafe, unfair and illegal, and you could be fined up to 100 for it', Scotland's Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said The LGA says older and disabled people, as well as parents with pushchairs and younger children, are regularly forced to navigate around vehicles which are mounted on the kerb or across the footway. By doing so, it puts these pedestrians at greater risk when stepping into the road and oncoming traffic - a hazard to blind and partially sighted people. In 2023 a Guide Dogs' campaign called for national restrictions on pavement parking, saying a 'clear law is needed where pavement parking is the exception, not the norm, to ensure that everyone can walk their streets safely'. Drivers are aware pavement parking impacts safety: Research conducted on its behalf of the charity by YouGov in September 2023 found 85 per cent of people know that pavement parking impacts the safety of pedestrians with a vision impairment. And 72 per cent said pavement parking is common where they live. It also polled local councillors and found 95 per cent believe it creates a safety risk for pedestrians with a vision impairment, with 70 per cent admitting pavement parking is a problem in their areas. This is Money has contacted the Department for Transport for comment. 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. I have had a Revolut pre-paid card, which Ive used abroad with no problem for many years until now. I took it on a diving holiday off Tanzania last month, and had a balance of around 500. I used it twice once to buy something at the airport that cost the equivalent of 10, and again for my entry fee at the marine park for about 110. I was about to pay another bill a few days later when I found I had 93p left in my account. I discovered someone had drained my account to the tune of 379.99. Revolut deemed this as not unusual and has refused to refund me. Please help. M.B., London Sally Hamilton replies: Revoluts pre-paid currency card is popular with globetrotters as it allows them to typically top up with sterling and convert it automatically into scores of currencies at competitive rates. Customers can hold a real card and/or keep a virtual one in their smartphone wallet. One of Revoluts slogans is travel globally without the worries. But you rightly felt extremely worried when you found your balance cleared out. You were grateful that at least the loss was limited as in the past you have held higher balances and fortunately you had an alternative means of payment with you. It emerged that while you were diving among the crocodile fish and dancing shrimps in Tanzania, some 4,700 miles away an unscrupulous scammer was making ten transactions on your card in quick succession at a nail bar in Essex. The scammer drained your account in just five minutes. Somehow the thief had managed to add your card to their own device and made an initial transaction of 199. They then made a second attempt for the same sum, which was rejected. But the shameless scammer simply had another go, making a series of smaller payments on the card of 19.99, until there were just a few pence left. When you discovered the funds had gone, you also found the virtual version of your Revolut card had disappeared from your phone. You told me that you could not understand why your claim for reimbursement was declined and why Revolut could not see these payments were unusual and out of character. I thought its response mystifying, too, as you had taken all the appropriate action by informing Revolut as soon as you spotted the losses. You also attempted to report the scam to the police in Tanzania, though you told me they were apparently at a loss as to why you were even bothering. When you got home you tried to alert Action Fraud, which collects data on such scams, but the phone just rang without answer. You even wrote a firm email to Revolut co-founder Vlad Yatsenko expressing the unfairness of it all, but heard nothing back. SCAM WATCH Households should beware a scam email impersonating Apple, consumer website Which? warns. Tricksters lure victims by claiming that their ID on an Apple account has been compromised by individuals trying to impersonate them. The email asks you to verify your account data within 48 hours or risk having your account deleted. Which? says this will lead you to a malicious website that will try to access your personal and financial information. Do not click on the link forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk. When I asked Revolut to investigate, it responded quickly. A couple of days later it came back to say it believed you had unwittingly provided a one-time code to someone many months ago, which enabled the crooks to scam you later. You said you do not recall ever giving away such details as you are always scrupulous with your financial affairs. But, whatever happened, it appears the fraudsters had got your card and simply bided their time before draining it. I still believe the rapid series of transactions should have aroused enough suspicion for them to be blocked by Revolut. However, I am pleased to say Revolut has refunded your losses as a goodwill gesture. A spokesman says: We are very sorry to hear of this case, or any instance where our customers are targeted by ruthless and highly sophisticated criminals. Our understanding is that the customer provided sensitive details to a third party that allowed them to add a virtual card into an Apple Pay wallet and carry out the disputed transactions while she was abroad. Despite this, we recognise the impact that scams like these can have, and have therefore issued her with a goodwill payment of 380. Your case is a grim reminder to all readers to stay alert to tricks designed to trap you into handing over personal financial information. We can be particularly vulnerable at this time of year when many of us are carrying out more transactions than usual online. Never hand over any details, one-time passcodes or passwords to anyone who asks for them out of the blue. Always stop and ask yourself whether any such request is linked to a legitimate transaction you are making. I hid a collection of six gold rings in an old handbag but inadvertently gave the bag, along with some other items, to a local charity shop forgetting they were inside. My efforts to reclaim the rings, which included my mothers engagement ring and gifts from my husband, came to nothing with the shop so I made a claim on our Hastings Direct household policy. The insurer employed another firm, SBS Home, to value the claim and they offered a 3,742 cash settlement or alternatively to replace some of the rings and pay a cash sum for the rest. For ease and speed, I agreed to the 3,742 in settlement. But Hastings has now told me I am only entitled to 1,500 as the maximum it can pay under my policy. But my understanding is it should be 1,500 per item. Please can you intervene? C.C., Hertfordshire Sally replies: Six gold rings Thats almost a Christmas carol lyric. Unsurprisingly, you werent feeling festive when the charity shop couldnt locate the items you had accidentally donated, one of which was your late-mothers engagement ring. It is not unusual for these outlets to receive valuable jewellery so it wouldnt necessarily have been a surprise for the staff to find them stashed in the handbag. When you enquired, you were told that such items often dont get displayed in the store but are listed on eBay in a bid to raise more cash for the charity. You didnt get much joy getting them to locate the pieces, and though you were disappointed felt reassured that you at least had personal possessions cover on your home contents policy. This insurance gives protection for items such as watches, jewellery and mobile phones should they be lost or stolen while the owner is out and about with them. After initially telling you that you would receive 3,742 for your lost rings, Hastings then pointed to its terms and conditions which suggested the maximum it could pay for items out of the home was 1,500 minus 350 for the excess (the sum that a policyholder agrees to contribute to a claim when taking out a policy). You were most displeased and sent me the policy wording. I could understand why you would have thought you were entitled to the full sum. It states this optional extra for which you pay an additional premium covers individual items valued under 1,500 that you take away from your home, such as watches or mobile phones. Hastings said this refers to the full claim value, and not each item. I didnt think this was made clear enough in the wording and believed you had good reason to complain. I asked Hastings to look again at your case. I am glad to say that after some consideration it agreed to pay you the original sum discussed with the valuation firm. You were delighted with this result. A spokesman says: We appreciate this was an upsetting time for our customer and we are sorry for any confusion she may have felt during the claims process. She purchased 1,500 cover away from home as part of her home contents policy this value is the maximum amount she could claim for. When she registered her claim for 3,742 to cover the value of the lost rings, there was a miscommunication between Hastings Direct and our specialist jewellery supplier regarding the cover purchased, and the claim was accepted in full. Although this was incorrect, we will be settling the full amount for the confusion on this occasion. Straight to the point I regularly fly from Southampton to Dublin. In September I was told my carry-on suitcase was too big and I had to pay 35. Ive never had an issue before and on the return leg the bag was allowed on with no issues. A.R., Hampshire The airline says it is down to the discretion of airport staff and their decision is final. A few weeks ago I upgraded my BT contract to one with fibre broadband. After chatting with my partner I decided against it and the phone operator said I could cancel it. But on December 2 my internet stopped working. BT told me I must get the fibre as theres no hope of fixing my line. Please help me get reconnected. M.H., Hampton Your services are working as BT connected your broadband and allocated your original phone number to your landline. I paid 99 to repair my hairdryer but a few days later the company said it couldnt fix it so would return it. The hairdryer didnt arrive and the company couldnt find it. It offered me a refurbished hairdryer for free or a discount on a brand new one. It now says my original hairdryer was recycled please help. N.M., via email Your hairdryer was recycled due to an error and the company has sent you a new hairdryer and four hairclips. Pauline Hinton is a strong, independent 84 year old who has handled the day-to-day demands of living on her own valiantly since her beloved husband John died four years ago. She devotedly looked after John, to whom she was married for more than 30 years, when he was bedridden for the last six years of his life. Retired Pauline survives well on her own, aided by a modest civil service pension earned from 30 years working in London for the Treasury. Yet Pauline has faced one seemingly insurmountable challenge that she says had beaten me down and left me scared which was the intimidating demands for more than 6,500 from utility giant British Gas, that started arriving through her letterbox in October. It was a bill that Pauline was adamant she did not owe. Adding further insult, the energy firm also continued to send letters addressed to her former black cab driver husband John, who died aged 89. This is despite pleas by Pauline for this to stop. Pauline had a 300 monthly direct debit set up for British Gas that covered her electricity bill. But in October, British Gas said it wanted to hike it to 828.84 because it claimed she had an outstanding debt of at least 6,500, which it planned to retrieve monthly. British Gas explained in a letter sent to John that it was moving to a new billing system. Pauline feared this may have been where the problems started. She was terrified. This was a bolt from the blue, she says. I was scared that it was allowed to do this and felt powerless. She phoned British Gas countless times to protest the size of the bill pleading for it not to increase her direct debit. Nonetheless the energy giant took 828.84 from her bank account in November. Only after she threatened to cancel the direct debit altogether did British Gas agree to lower the figure back to 300 from this month, but it did not cancel the outstanding debt. Pauline said that British Gas's incessant demands for repayment of a huge bill she did not owe left her suffering sleepless nights as 'they were slowly but surely breaking my spirit Pauline says: The stress caused me sleepless nights and I lay awake worrying what British Gas might do next. I can use the computer, but still prefer to use the phone but on calls they just passed me from pillar to post. They were slowly but surely breaking my spirit. Pauline is not alone in suffering under the weight of the shock and insurmountably large bills from energy firms that are both unfair and almost impossible to correct. Consumer charity Citizens Advice helped more than 52,000 people with energy bill problems between January and October this year equivalent to one person every two minutes. Energy bill issues have been the single most common issue dealt with by Citizens Advice staff since March this year and nearly a quarter of bill issues involved a shock or catch-up bill where households are suddenly charged for energy they used some time ago. The average catch-up bill in the last year was over 2,500. British Gas is among the worst culprits. Of the 12,568 complaints the Energy Ombudsman dealt with between July and September this year, as many as 6,758 were from British Gas customers. Most concerned billing. Pauline and John moved from London to the rural village of Llanwrda in Carmarthenshire 22 years ago. The three-bedroom cottage sits on a three-acre plot of land and has a river just outside the front door. The couple used to keep hens, ducks and cats over the years. Pauline now only has cat Taylor, 17, for company. Her two children visit when possible but live two hours away near Cardiff. As far as Pauline was concerned the regular 300 a month direct debit agreement was more than enough to cover her bills. Pauline pays British Gas for her electricity, with bills kept down as she uses an Economy 7 discount tariff. These tariffs charge two different rates for electricity use, depending on the time of day. Customers typically pay half the price for electricity between midnight and 7am compared to those on a standard deal. However, the day rate can be as much as a third higher than a standard tariff rate paid by someone not signed up to Economy 7. The widow uses Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Flogas separately for her hot water and heating demands, for which she pays about 1,300 a year. Pauline says British Gas has only had a couple of actual meter readings in the past four years with the majority of bills being estimated. But this year she started taking her own readings as she did not trust the energy giant to get the readings right. Within hours of Money Mail contacting British Gas the utility giant was on the phone to Pauline and cancelled its demands for the extra money. British Gas explained to Money Mail that the reason the bill shot up in the autumn was that previously it had relied on historic estimates and not actual usage. It said the bill was calculated by adding up monthly payments over several years. However, so-called back bill rules enforced by the industry regulator Ofgem state that you cannot be charged for energy used more than 12 months ago if you have not had an accurate bill for it before, have not previously been informed about the charges and if you had a direct debit that was set too low to cover the charges. As soon as it wiped Paulines bill for energy used more than 12 months ago, it left her bill in credit. British Gas said it was refunding her 944 based on updated calculations. A spokesman for British Gas says: Mrs Hintons electricity bills had been estimated for some time and the direct debit payments hadnt been matching actual usage. Weve applied back billing credit, and her account has a credit balance we are refunding. Weve spoken with her to apologise for not putting this right sooner. Pauline says: British Gas has also apologised for sending letters addressed to my husband and said this should now no longer happen. If youve been sent a shock bill that you think is incorrect, make a complaint to your energy supplier. Details of how to do this should be on the suppliers website. If you wish to write or send an email you can use the Citizen Advice complaints letter template: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/template-letters/letters/energy-letters/. 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. Capita has ramped up cost saving targets after claiming early success from its embrace of artificial intelligence as human workers voluntarily exit the business. The outsourcing group, which administers the BBC licence fee, told shareholders on Tuesday it wants to slash 250million in costs by the end of next year, well up from its previous target of 160million. It follows a strategy shake-up, announced in June, that sees Capita cut costs and refocus its energies on core segments to bolster financial performance and cash generation. Capita said the 'increasing use of AI and generative AI' was 'at the heart of this transformation', and its early successes have 'increased our confidence in the level of efficiencies that can be delivered'. Boss Adolfo Hernandez, who joined in January, added he was 'encouraged by the customer reaction' to Capita's suite of AI solutions, which 'will help to drive profitable revenue momentum from 2025 onwards'. The group, which employs 40,000 workers globally, also highlighted a voluntary employee attrition rate or rate of employees quitting of 'around 21 per cent'. Capita is 'getting smaller to get stronger and fitter to then grow', says boss Adolfo Hernandez Capita said this level of voluntary staff turnover 'contributes to these savings' and 'reduces the need for redundancies'. It also helps the group ensure it can 'rebalance new hires', and put in place 'incremental training of our colleagues and investment in key growth areas'. Capita said: 'By combining people, processes and technology to develop repeatable scalable products we can drive efficiencies for our clients and make us more competitive. 'The progressive adoption of AI in the delivery of our client solutions will enable us to continue to focus on efficiencies in the future on a "business as usual" basis.' Capita shares sank 8.4 per cent to 15.98 per cent in early trading, having lost roughly 30 per cent over the last year. They are down more than 90 per cent from their January 2020 levels. Adam Vettese, market analyst at eToro, said: 'Given the extent of the share price decline in recent years, investors may be somewhat sceptical that AI will be a magic wand to fix all the issues and this morning's share price reaction would seem to indicate this is the case. 'It is far from an overnight fix at Capita and there seems to be a long way to go yet.' Capita on Tuesday also maintained annual performance targets, with revenues falling year-on-year after the sale of some assets but management is 'increasingly confident' in delivering its medium-term operating margin goal of 6 to 8 per cent. Hernandez added: 'As we head towards the end of my first year as CEO of Capita, I am very encouraged by the progress we have made against our strategic priorities, despite the impact of prior year headwinds being larger than originally expected. 'Our focus is on becoming a better business, "getting smaller to get stronger and fitter to then grow" and being more selective in not pursuing and exiting existing lower margin contracts.' A quaint Massachusetts town is embroiled in a sex scandal after a judge was accused of an affair with a much younger prosecutor by a mysterious 'Madam X.' Former New Bedford District Court judge Douglas Darnbrough, 56, resigned from his post after he was accused in poison pen letters of carrying a romantic relationship with 31-year-old Bristol County assistant district attorney Karlyn Butler. 'They have been in an affair since the end of 2022,' said one letter by the anonymous writer, dubbed Madam X by New England radio personality Howie Carr. 'They would both go to the Carmines restaurant together on a weekly basis and then would go to a friend of hers office nearby and have sex.' The mystery writer began sending the letters to various lawyers, officials and reporters in the fall of 2023. 'He would park his Honda Ridgeline in the lot and she would park her blue Mercedes SUV in the lot as well. Many times he would get there first and wait for her. Then they would either go inside to the building or to her friend's office to have sex.' The mystery writer claimed 'They meet pretty much every Tuesday after court for drinks and to hang out in an office upstairs.' 'Sometimes she hangs out in his chambers after court is closed,' one letter added. Darnbrough heard multiple cases brought by Butler. Two guilty verdicts Butler secured in cases heard by Darnbrough have now been challenged over claims the judge may have shown favoritism to his alleged prosecutor lover in how he heard the case. Former New Bedford District Court judge Douglas Darnbrough, 56, resigned after anonymous letters accused him of having an affair with a younger prosecutor Karlyn Butler, 31, remains employed at the Bristol County district attorney's office A damning poison pen letter filed as part of an appeal alleging sordid sex sessions between the judge and younger prosecutor whose cases he oversaw 'They are putting themselves in the same court room whenever possible. They do dispositions [sic] together, they do bench trials together and they do jury trials together,' one letter said. Public records show Darnbrough is married to a woman called Cheryl. When called by DailyMail.com, she refused to comment and DailyMail.com has been unable to confirm if the couple are still together. Despite the alarming claims, Butler has reportedly said there is nothing to the anonymous letters and remained employed at the office of Bristol County district attorney Thomas Quinn, where she has worked since 2020. While the sender of the letters remains unknown, the Bristol DA's office said in a January 29 filing that Madam X had an 'in-person confrontation' with Butler. After the anonymous letters first surfaced, defense lawyers for two convicted men reportedly asked to see the cell phone records for the judge and Butler. Darnbrough then mysteriously stopped appearing in court, with officials saying he was on vacation. He was then reassigned to a court in Plymouth, where he served for three days before going on an extended leave of absence, as reported by The Public's Radio. Darnbrough then resigned in early November, saying it was over health reasons and giving up his pension and $207,855-a-year salary. He has since opened a private law practice. One letter claimed the judge and prosecutor hung out in his chambers after hours Butler, pictured with her father, has worked at the Bristol's DA office since 2020 Darnbrough stopped appearing in court shortly after the letters surfaced. He has since opened a private law practice The Committee for Public Counsel Services asked for new trials for two men, Gerson Pascual-Santana and Jonathan Rascao, who were convicted by the prosecutor over cases presided by Dambrough. Dambrough sentenced Pascua-Saltana to over three years in prison after he was convicted of molesting his pre-teen stepdaughter in a case tried by Butler. He denied the charges. An attorney for the two men, Jim Mckenna, has argued those convictions should be thrown out given the alleged relationship between the judge and prosecutor. '[Dambrough and Butler] coordinate their cases to be together in the court room,' reads an excerpt from one of the anonymous letters included a legal filing to vacate Rascao's conviction. 'They go to the candleworks restaurant after their trials and drink together and go upstairs to a room and have sex. The office room belongs to a close friend of hers.' One of the anonymous letters pointed to a continuance request where the assistant DA drew a smiley face for the judge, writing: 'I have an older case scheduled for July trial on the same date.,,, Thank you! :)' The ACLU, the New England Innocence Project and the Mass. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers have taken up Pascua-Saltana's appeal. One of the anonymous letters pointed to a continuance request where the assistant DA drew a smiley face for the judge New Bedford is a quaint city on the Acushnet River. It is the largest city in the region The groups have pointed to inconsistencies in how the DA's office dealt with the scandalous accusations - first denying a probe was conducted and then refusing to provide discovery for an investigation that was supposedly completed. The civil rights group wrote that 'there is no evidence that any entity within the Commonwealth conducted any investigation into these allegations, the DAs offices shifting unsworn representations are no substitute for such evidence, and a remedy is therefore warranted.' Dozens of cases may ultimately have to be retried if Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court finds Darnbrough and Butler did have an affair. The Bristol County district attorney's office has not answered multiple requests for comment. Judge Darnbrough hung up when reached by telephone regarding this story. The Bali Nine dreamed of enough riches to buy flash new cars, pay their university fees and still have cash left over when they were lured into a risky drug smuggling plot. Instead they wrecked their lives by being banged up in Indonesian jails for almost two decades, while two of them were executed by firing squad. The stakes proved even higher than the street value of the heroin the young Australians were trafficking after they were tempted to risk their lives for a tiny fraction of the profits. The group - who were mostly teenagers at the time - had hoped their role in the drug smuggling operation would potentially set them up for life, or at least give them a kickstart. The remaining five members, who are back in Australia after being released by the Indonesian government, have since all expressed regret for their crimes. Matthew Norman, 38, was just 18 years old when a mate asked if he wanted to traffic drugs in exchange $15,000 and he immediately agreed. Norman came from a good family and left school at 16 after having mostly stayed out of trouble - until then. He hoped to use his cut to buy a flash new car - but later admitted his decision was 'reckless, careless' and had been triggered by 'wanting to cut corners in life'. Matthew Norman says looking back, he realises his actions were very reckless Martin Stephens maintains he was threatened into smuggling the drugs Michael Czugaj (left) and Martin Stephens (right) were supported by their mothers 'I was thinking more about the money that was involved in it, which in retrospect wasn't that much actually,' he said. 'But at the time I thought, "Oh wow, with that I could buy a car, I could fast-track my life" cut corners really.' Norman, from Quakers Hill in Sydney's north-west, worked alongside Wollongong bar tender, Martin Stephens, now 48, for a Sydney catering company at the time. Stephens had been recruited with Renae Lawrence, now 47, by gang leader Andrew Chan, but has always maintained he only took part under duress - and was terrified of the consequences if he refused. 'They threatened me. They threatened my family, my friends, my love my girlfriend... they showed me pictures,' he said. Teenage friends Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj, now both 39, met another syndicate druglord Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, in a Fortitude Valley hotel in Brisbane. They were promised a free all-expenses paid trip to Bali - and labourer Rush and glazier Czugaj were lured by the excitement of their first-ever overseas holiday. Rush was later given $3,000 by the gang's kingpin Myuran Sukumaran to purchase a package tour for himself and Czugaj. The parents of the two teens were friends from their local church and were regularly seen supporting each other through their sons' lengthy court trial. Si Yi Chen was going to prove a point to his strict father when he got his payday Pictured Top L-R: Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, and Bottom: Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Andrew Chan It's unclear how Si Yi Chen, 39, was connected to the rest of the gang. Chen, from Doonside in western Sydney, said he got involved in the plot as an act of rebellion against his strict Chinese parents, who moved to Australia when he was 12. He dreamed of one day becoming a pilot and signed up to join the gang to use his promised $15,000 fee to pay for his flying lessons, and prove a point to his father. Chen revealed: 'The first thing he said to me when he found out I wanted to do the aviation college, he said, "Are you crazy, where will you get that kind of money?" 'I had a meltdown at him at that time, "You never let me do what I want, what I love. Fine I will do it myself, I will find it myself".' The five members of the Bali Nine flew back to Australia on a commercial flight on December 15 in a top secret mission following weeks of negotiations between the two nations. The men won't be required to serve prison sentences in Australia and will be able to live freely in the community. The development comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese requested the transfer 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. The men are believed to be staying at Howard Springs near Darwin. A mother-of-two who was spared from execution by 30 minutes after being convicted of trafficking drugs to Indonesia is on her way home to the Philippines under the same relocation deal as the Bali Nine. Filipina maid Mary Jane Veloso, 40, was due to be executed by firing squad alongside Australian drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran on April 30, 2015. But Veloso was saved with minutes to spare thanks to the efforts of a quick-thinking Melbourne barrister, Felicity Gerry, who provided her team with crucial legal advice that convinced Indonesian authorities she may have been duped into the crime. Ms Gerry became involved in Veloso's case on April 7, 2015 - purely by chance - after being emailed a petition aimed to save her from death row. 'I thought I'm not going to sign this (petition), I'm going to help,' Ms Gerry told Daily Mail Australia. 'I think it's part of our duty as a barrister that if you have some knowledge that can help a case you should share it.' And she just happened to have the documents in front of her- human trafficking agreements signed by Indonesia and the Philippines - that were key to saving Veloso's life. Veloso was a single mum and an impoverished maid who had been duped into taking a job as a domestic servant overseas. Mary Jane Veloso waves to media before her transfer to Jakarta after Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreements to repatriate her after she was jailed in 2010 Veloso described her return home as being 'like a miracle when I have lost all hope' Veloso is seen in Indonesia's Wirogunan prison in 2015. She was duped into carrying a suitcase filled with drugs Melbourne barrister Felicity Gerry stepped in at the final hour The Veloso family, including her two young sons As payment for the recruitment agency, she handed over cash, her moped and mobile phone to the agency and flew to Malaysia to begin work. However, once she landed in Kuala Lumpur, Veloso was told by her recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio, that the position had fallen through, but a new role had been found in Indonesia. Veloso was taken shopping for new clothes and given a suitcase, which had 2.6kg of heroin hidden inside. Sergio also allegedly provided the suitcase where the drugs were found. In April 2010, customs authorities found the drugs with a street value of almost $1million at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia and arrested Veloso. After her trial, Veloso was sentenced to death for drug trafficking. While Ms Gerry and a team of Veloso's supporters worked frantically to convince Indonesia not to kill her, Veloso was transferred to Nusakambangan, known as 'Death Island'. Ms Gerry's advice led the Filipino recruiters including Sergio who preyed upon Veloso being prosecuted and Philippine authorities launching the emergency bid that saved her life. The race against time - which saw then-Philippine President Beningo Aquino hold an emergency meeting with Indonesian president Joko Widodo - paid off. With minutes to spare, she was taken back to her cell as eight other drug convicted smugglers, including Australians Chan and Sukumaran, were killed. But she was still on death row. 'She was not executed, but she was kept in prison and remained at risk of execution,' Ms Gerry recalled. 'For a long time we didn't know if she would ever be safe.' Mary Jane Veloso receives a health check from Indonesian officials at the Jakarta Women; Prison before her transfer back to the Philippines The armoured vehicle was used to transfer Veloso to her panned execution Australian's Andrew Chan (right) and Myuran Sukumaran were killed by the firing squad Veloso was moved on Sunday to a female prison in Jakarta from where she will be flown back to the Philippines early on Wednesday, I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, an official at the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, said. Veloso, now aged 40, 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.' Ms Gerry told Daily Mail Australia that she was 'elated' about Veloso's release. 'I want her to be with her family and children,' Ms Gerry said. 'I have been over to the Philippines and met her parents and am just so happy this has finally happened.' Ms Veloso's mother, Celia, 65, told reporters: 'We can finally be together this Christmas. 'This might be the happiest Christmas we will ever have as a family.' So-called 'organic' salmon products being sold by UK supermarkets have actually been exposed to banned toxic pesticides which are linked to neurological disorders, MailOnline can reveal. Norwegian firm Mowi, which describes itself as the 'world's largest supplier of farm-raised salmon and most sustainable protein producer' has been selling fish exposed to dozens of chemicals to UK supermarkets as 'organic' produce. The company - which supplies Tesco, Sainsbury's and Ocado - has exploited a loophole in legislation which allowed it to proclaim salmon organic if it had undergone a minimum three-month programme and adhered to chemical and feeding requirements. Due to the lengthy life-cycle of salmon farming and its shelf-life after the fish have been killed, supermarkets are likely to be unwittingly selling these products as 'organic' at least until the end of the year, according to research by the Green Britain Foundation. But data from Mowi's farms show the fish were exposed to pesticide chemicals including azamethiphos, deltamethrin and emamectin benzoate in dozens of instances before becoming 'organic'. Azamethiphos is an insecticide used in salmon farming to control parasites such as sea lice, but its effects have been linked to neurological disorders, decreasing male fertility, foetal abnormalities, chronic fatigue syndrome and Parkinson's disease. All of the chemicals have toxic impacts on sea life and the environment. The Soil Association, which has strict regulations on products claiming to be organic, has a complete ban on certain pesticides including azamethiphos and emamectin benzoate. It also prohibits more than two treatments a year in organic fish. Norwegian firm Mowi, which describes itself as the 'world's largest supplier of farm-raised salmon and most sustainable protein producer' has been selling fish exposed to dozens of chemicals to UK supermarkets as 'organic' produce Due to the lengthy life-cycle of salmon farming and its shelf-life after the fish have been killed, supermarkets are likely to be unwittingly selling these products as 'organic' But Mowi has allowed salmon from non-organic fish farms - where these pesticides are routinely used - to 'convert' to organic if they are not exposed to these chemicals for a three-month period regardless of their history. At one salmon farm in Soay, fish arrived to be 'converted' to organic status but received four emamectin benzoate treatments, plus other chemical treatments, in just nine months. The fish is now being sold as 'organic' in Sainsbury's and other supermarkets. The farm at Soay is no longer classed as an organic farm. The farm was also at the heart of a major animal welfare row in which Chris Packham threatened to quit as head of the RSPCA after harrowing video footage emerged of fish missing tails and chunks out of their flesh. Jamie Moyes, a former fish-farm worker turned anti salmon-farming activist, filmed the footage at Soay farm in May. He said: 'Fish swimming around with parts of their body missing doesn't meet any type of welfare standards. It's horrific to look at - and must be agonising for the fish themselves. 'RSPCA Assured have endorsed this farm and given it their seal of approval. But the public are being mislead: these fish are suffering.' A Mowi fish farm in Giske, Norway - the firm is the largest producer of retail salmon One of the injured salmon captured in the grisly footage at Soay farm - where 'organic' fish is produced Chris Packham is president of the RSPCA and presenter of the BBC's Springwatch Chris Packham said at the time: 'Imagine we were looking at pictures of sheep or cows grazing in a field with these horrific wounds or huge lumps missing from their bodies. 'There would be a national outcry. But because they're fish, it's as if that somehow makes it all right. Well it isn't all right. It's abhorrent. 'What's worse is that RSPCA Assured have justified what we see in this footage and given the farm a clean bill of health. 'Well, I'm the President of the RSPCA and I can't tell you that it's acceptable. I can't justify it. It absolutely horrific. 'I'm asking the RSPCA to shut down and review the RSPCA Assured scheme.' At another 'organic' farm in Loch Sunart, Camas Glas, salmon were sourced from non-organic farms and subject to four prohibited emamectin benzoate treatments in four months, as well as two prohibited azamethiphos treatments. It was first pictured being sold as organic in April in Sainsbury's. And at Groatay farm in Bagh a' Chaise, its farms were stocked with non-organic fish in March 2023. While at Groatay - an 'organic' farm - the fish were initially subjected to weekly chemical treatments before being exposed to two doses of emamectin benzoate in a series of nine treatments in just six months. Dale Vince, founder of the Green Britain Foundation, said: 'This scandal with so-called 'organic' salmon is just the tip of the iceberg. 'Not only are consumers being duped into paying premium prices for farmed salmon doused in toxic chemicals, but the entire practice of fish farming is an environmental disaster. 'It's polluting our oceans, decimating wild fish populations, and causing immense animal suffering. The idea that any of this could be considered 'organic' is as absurd as burning fossil fuels and calling it green energy. 'We need to move away from these harmful practices altogether and embrace alternatives that are truly sustainable and ethical. It's time we stop exploiting our oceans and start protecting them.' A Mowi spokesperson said: 'Of the eight farms converted to organic farming methods, only one had used an early treatment with azamethiphos. The other seven farms had used limited amounts of emamectin benzoate and deltamethrin early within the juvenile stage of the growth cycle and more than sufficient time had passed to ensure no detectable levels of these compounds in the salmon. 'Azamethiphos, emamectin benzoate and deltamethrin are safe, licensed medicines for use under a veterinary care programme. 'Organic farming standards have allowed for the conversion of juvenile salmon into the organic farming programme by ensuring sufficient time under the organic farming status to achieve a regulated organic product. 'Mowi would like to reiterate that all salmon were farmed 100% in accordance with organic farm standards and that there were no residues present in the fish at the time of harvest.' A Soil Association Certification spokesperson said: 'Any product with the organic logo will have met all the organic standard requirements according to our robust certification and inspection procedures. 'Although it was previously possible for salmon farm sites to convert non-organic fish to organic over a three-month minimum period, these fish were subject to some of the strictest fish farming standards in the UK. During the conversion period, and afterwards, sites were required to farm fish to the full organic standards which included bans on some chemical vet treatments, and strict requirements around stocking densities and sustainable feed. 'Organic standards are always evolving to keep up to date with the latest research, innovation and best practice across all sectors and as part of an update to our salmon standards this year, we introduced a ban on the practice of converting stock to organic. 'This means that even converting sites cannot produce organic animals unless they have sourced organic juveniles and kept them to organic standards for their entire lives. It is our hope and intention that this new standard will reduce the occurrence of mortality, disease and vet treatments, due to the proactive nature of organic standards being applied throughout the animals' lives. 'There are a very limited number of fish remaining in the system that were produced to the earlier conversion standards. Shoppers can therefore be assured that any salmon produced to the Soil Association's organic standards both before and after this update were farmed under some of the strictest animal welfare and environmental standards in the UK.' Chinese class restarted for Nepali journalists Xinhua) 09:43, December 17, 2024 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) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Donald Trump has doubled down on his strategy of pursuing the United States government and media organizations through the courts. Aides confirmed Trump is not ready to drop a lawsuit in which he is seeking $100 million recompense over an FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago home, which he called a 'travesty of justice.' He also has a handful of legal cases against media companies ongoing. That includes a plan to sue the Des Moines Register newspaper over a shock pre-election poll that had him in danger of losing a state he ended up winning easily. It comes as criminal cases against Trump have been falling like dominoes. Now, the president-elect is going on the offensive using the legal system. 'We have to straighten out the press. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections,' Trump fumed at his Monday press conference at Mar-a-Lago. He mentioned the lawsuit against the FBI, which he first announced in August, during his Sunday appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' Trump did so while trashing FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced in a surprise statement Wednesday that he was resigning his post before the end of his term, rather than waiting to be fired by Trump. 'Well, I cant say Im thrilled with him. He invaded my home. Im suing the country over it. He invaded Mar-a-Lago. Im very unhappy with the things he - hes done, and crime is at an all time high,' Trump complained. His team doubled down when asked if the suit would would continue even after Trump becomes the head of the government he is suing. 'President Trump will continue to hold accountable those who broke the law in the illegal and unconstitutional raid on his home of Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida,' transition spokesman Steven Cheung told DailyMail.com. 'The Harris-Biden era of partisan lawfare is over. It is time to end the weaponization of our system of justice and Make America Great Again.' Former President Donald Trump is suing the Justice Department and the FBI for $100 million over the search at Mar-a-Lago The FBI search came in August 2022 as the government was assembling its classified documents case against Trump, as agents swept through his private quarters in search of government materials and national security documents he was accused of keeping. Trump brought up the lawsuit in response to a question about whether he would fire Wray and install loyalist Kash Patel to lead the Bureau. His response made clear he is not ready to let bygones be bygones with the FBI. Some legal experts had predicted Trump's legal effort will be dismissed. Nor has Trump dropped his suit against CBS over its '60 Minutes' interview with rival Vice President Kamala Harris during the campaign. It is one of several lawsuits he has filed against media organizations. Critics warn the pattern is certain continue now that ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to a non-profit for a Trump presidential center. In the settlement ABC admitted 'regret' over a George Stephanopoulos interview where the host said Trump had been 'found liable for rape'. A jury in fact found Trump was liable for sexual abuse of writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump is still fuming over the August 2022 search of his home at the Florida club A federal judge dismissed the classified documents case against Trump in July Trump brought up the Iowa poll in an interview with 'Time' Magazine, which named him 'Person of the Year.' 'I didn't think I was going to lose. I thought it was a dishonest poll, and we're going to probably prove that because, you know, we're taking people to court because we think, I think, we have an obligation to,' Trump said. He added: 'When "60 Minutes" interviews my opponent, and that's a news program, that's their most important news program, and she gave a really horrible answer. That was a bad answer. And they took that answer and replaced it, and this is her speaking, and they replaced it with another answer from a half an hour later in the interview that had nothing to do, but it was a much better answer. That's really dishonest.' Cheung told DailyMail.com: 'President Trump will continue to hold those who have committed, and are committing wrongdoings, accountable for blatantly false and dishonest reporting, which serves no public interest and only seeks to interfere in our elections on behalf of political partisans.' Trump on Monday called the CBS report 'grossly incompetent' as well as 'weird.' Trump's lawyers filed a complaint in November accusing CBS of 'partisan and unlawful acts of election and voter interference through malicious, deceptive, and substantial news distortion calculated to confuse, deceive, and mislead the public.' CBS called the accusation 'false.' It said during footage it aired of its interview with Harris that it gave a longer segment of Harris that 'Face the Nation' used, with a shorter one used on '60 Minutes.' On Monday Trump also mentioned an existing lawsuit against famed author Watergate reporter Bob Woodward, after Woodward published taped interviews he conducted with Trump. 'He sold the tapes, which he wasn't allowed to do. He could only use them for reporting purposes, not for sale purposes,' Trump wrote. He predicted his team would be 'successful on that one.' Trump also mentioned his suit against the board that awards the Pulitzer Prize. He dismissively referenced an award to the New York Times and Washington Post 'for their wonderful, accurate and highly professional reporting on the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax,' which he called 'hoax.' A state judge in Florida ruled this summer that the case could proceed to the discovery phase when parties grant depositions. One posed as an Eshay while the other looked like a mum A covert NSW Police drugs operation targeting dial-a-dealers has come under fire from a veteran detective. Two undercover officers were seen patrolling Bondi Beach on Friday evening about 7.30pm as part of a statewide taskforce targeting syndicates and individuals supplying cocaine. A photo of the pair, shared on Facebook, showed the female officer dressed as an eastern suburbs mum, with a firearm visibly strapped to her hip. The male officer, attempting to blend in, was dressed as an eshay, complete with a bumbag. Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina told Daily Mail Australia the officers' clothing was 'a bit nonsensical' as drug dealers would instantly recognise them as police. Mr Bezzina, who has experience in covert and undercover operations while heading a drug taskforce in Melbourne's western suburbs, said officers must blend into their environment to be successful. 'It's a little bit odd that they're walking around in plain clothes but still wearing their police issue firearms and other equipment,' Mr Bezzina said. 'As they say, coppers stand out a mile. They might as well be in uniform, especially if they're two up, walking in pairs.' The pair were spotted at Bondi Beach in plain clothes, with the male officer posing as an eshay, complete with a bumbag, while the female officer dressed as an eastern suburbs mum (pictured) The officers were part of a state-wide 'dial-a-dealer' operation, with more than 100 people arrested including a young woman in Sydney's CBD (pictured) Mr Bezzina explained that street dealers would identify the officers and move to a back street before notifying their customers of the new meeting location. 'These drug dealers in the street, that's their domain, they're very attuned to their environment,' Mr Bezzina said. 'The key is blending in with the environment, especially when you're not known to the dealer's face.' However, he added undercover operations were a fair policing strategy that, if done legally, can be very successful. 'The more covert manner that we can do it, and more out of the square police thinking, the better it is,' Mr Bezzina said. 'It certainly is fair to fool criminals into thinking the police are customers or regular people because whilst we play by the rules, crooks don't. 'So, any method that we can come up with that's legal is on the table. I would look at any means to be able to catch these people and do it covertly in such a way that they wouldn't identify me as a police officer.' Mr Bezzina also questioned the goal of the police operations targeting dial-a-dealers, claiming they would result in only low-level arrests. More than 100 people have since been arrested in statewide operations, which commenced on weekends from November 22. However, Mr Bezzina labelled the arrest statistics 'false stats' as the operation targets street-level offenders rather than the 'big fish'. 'You've achieved nothing, because you're getting crime stats to be able to say, we've just locked up 300 drug traffickers that are the low-level deals,' Mr Bezzina said. 'But what have you achieved in the long run? Are you getting the commercial distributors supplying the lower levels? Have you gone up the tree to cut off the supply? The answer is no. 'Nothing's achieved because they're just plugging holes. They're not getting to the source of the flood. They need to be putting resources into the big fish.' Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia the officers' clothing was 'a bit nonsensical' as drug dealers would instantly recognise them as police Many Australians also criticised the police for the operation, and argued that the disguises were unconvincing and that it would be easy to identify them as police. 'So many giveaways. He's not from the streets or about that life,' one person commented. 'The watch, the socks pulled up, the laces tucked into his vans, the brand of bumbag he's wearing and the fact he looks like he's fresh out the academy,' a second person wrote. 'So, the glock on the hip of the chick and the glock that's been shirt tucked on the bloke isn't a dead giveaway?' a third added. A fourth joked the officers woke up and asked themselves, 'what are the kids wearing these days?'. Despite the backlash, the dial-a-dealer undercover operation will continue over the coming weeks and into 2025. 'Police employ a wide range of strategies in fighting the distribution of illegal drugs,' Assistant Commissioner McKenna said. 'This operation highlights NSW Police's commitment to combating illegal drug supply and I am backing that commitment by ongoing operations targeting suppliers operating in the Central Metropolitan Region. 'Whether they are major drug suppliers, mid-level or street level, I will continue to put resources into disrupting their operations and prosecuting them for their true criminality.' Among those arrested was a man taken into custody outside Parliament House on November 21. On November 22, a glamorous woman was arrested on Hunter Street by an undercover police officer who had been posing as an eshay. A 22-year-old man was found driving around Sydney CBD with 14 bags of cocaine and thousands in cash and a Cronulla teenager found with 18 bags of cocaine and charged with two counts of drug supply. A Korean national was also arrested in Sydney's CBD with 21 bags of cocaine and 60 MDMA caps. In Sydney's east, a 26-year-old man was arrested with cocaine and cash in a hidden compartment, while a 45-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man were found driving down Bondi Road with 24 bags of cocaine, more than $3000 in cash and a knife. Russian 'sleeper agents' could be behind the mystery drone swarms buzzing over US and UK military bases that have triggered global alarm, a defence chief has warned. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon claimed the incursions worldwide may be part of a Kremlin ploy to use covert agents to 'test the waters' and expose weaknesses in the defences of British and American bases. The veteran commander claimed Putin could have activated sleeper agents - spies on the Russian payroll - to run the brazen series of 'coordinated' operations, which have left government agencies scrambling to respond on both sides of the Atlantic. Panicked American officials have called for a state of emergency to be declared amid the soaring number of drones invading skies across the east coast, with hundreds spotted in recent weeks. New Jersey's own senator, Jon Bramnick, even sensationally claimed the US Government was too scared to reveal the answer behind the mystery incursions - as he urged Pentagon defence chiefs to 'come clean' with the American public. Meanwhile across the Atlantic, drones have been seen brazenly circling US military bases in England - including RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, which is set to become the home for some of America's nuclear weapons. It followed a slew of recent activity by Russian spy ships and reconnaissance aircraft off the British coast last month. Col de Bretton-Gordon, the former head of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, feared sleeper agents were now at work, using drones to siphon intelligence on response times, troop numbers and kit to lay the groundwork for future attacks on Western bases abroad. 'Its no secret that there are sleepers and stuff around,' he warned. 'Its espionage 2.0. Its the next stage. So, this is absolutely the case. This is the moment a swarm of drones flew over an American air base which is set to become home to US nuclear weapons Similar drone sightings in America have also prompted alarm. Pictured are a fleet of aircraft in New Jersey, America, which have concerned US officials Reports about American nuclear weapons being deployed to the base for the first time since the Cold War have heightened fears that Russia could be behind the drone activity 'You can approach people who could do a service for you, and I expect you can pay some young kid or young person money to do it. I would have thought the Russian and Chinese were paying quite a lot. 'If you're a young person and somebody is giving you several thousand dollars to do something that seems dead straightforward, you will do it.' Col de Bretton-Gordon, who investigated Syrian tyrant Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons in 2013, said a similar tactic of 'toe-dipping' was potentially being used by Russia as the Kremlin seeks to expose weaknesses in Western defences. 'The Assad regime was really testing the water,' he said. 'He did two sarin nerve agent attacks and nothing happened, despite the fact I went to the area and investigated and bought samples back to the UK and warned ministers of it. 'Assad and his henchmen were testing the water and suddenly realised the West was interested and they then went full on. Im sure thats exactly what it is that's happening now in the US and UK... They are testing to see where the weaknesses and vulnerabilities are.' UK defence sources have insisted there is 'no evidence' that the recent spate of drones buzzing US air bases in the UK was linked to Russia or any other hostile state, like China or Iran. However, former British UFO hunter Nick Pope said he could not 'rule out' recent drone incursions over RAF bases in England being connected to Russia and China. And he has questioned the stance of US officials over drone swarms in the skies above New Jersey and other states, including Pennsylvania, Texas and California. Your browser does not support iframes. Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (pictured) feared the drones could be being operated by Russian sleeper agent to siphon up intelligence on how Western forces react to drone incursions above key military installations The US Air Force admitted last month that drones had buzzed three of its UK bases - RAF Lakenheath (pictured) and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and nearby RAF Feltwell, Norfolk Drones have been sighted at military bases in the UK and US. Pictured is one drone circling an American weapons base in New Jersey - which experts say is Russian Federal agencies put out a joint statement last week declaring 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 worried locals were seeing from their homes. Despite US government statements that there's no evidence any of this activity is attributable to foreign adversaries, this has to be one of the leading theories, and it seems perfectly possible,' Mr Pope, a former UK Ministry of Defence official who headed the UFO desk at Whitehall from 1991 to 1994, told MailOnline. Some defence commentators have said China is level with - or even ahead of - the US in drone technology. There's lots of talk about the military racing to perfect AI-controlled drone swarms, and as always with military technologies, progress is likely to be some years ahead of what's publicly declared. So the idea that China or Russia are conducting espionage over key US military sites and critical national infrastructure isn't that farfetched. The fact that similar drone incursions over military bases in the UK started at almost exactly the time the UK government authorised the use of long-range Storm Shadow weapons against Russian territory supports this theory. Drones could easily be launched from the sea, from a commercial vessel being operated by a foreign government, or even from a submarine.' Last month a suspected Russian spy ship was caught loitering off the Irish Sea directly above vital undersea energy cables linking Britain and Ireland, forcing a naval warship to intercept it. The Yantar, billed by Moscow as an 'oceanographic research vessel', was lurking near the Isle of Man - just days before drones were seen hovering above US airbases in England. PIctured is the Russian 'spy ship' Yantar in January 2018 when it was shadowed by Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Diamond. The vessel was seen again last month in the Irish Sea Irish Defence Forces' LE James Joyce (pictured in 2022 in the Cork harbour) stepped in to see off one of Vladimir Putin's spy vessels after it was caught brazenly loitering in the Irish Sea Nick Pope, who worked at the Ministry of Defence's UFO desk for several years, claimed Russia and China could 'not be ruled out' as the culprits behind the spate of drone sightings The position of the spy ship, equipped with mini submarines, was assessed to be directly above undersea energy cables linking Britain and Ireland. Undersea cables elsewhere in Europe have recently been sabotaged. Days earlier, the ship had been observed by Norwegian, US, French and British navy and air defence services accompanying a Russian warship, the Admiral Golovko, through the English Channel. Iain Ballantyne, the editor of Warships International Fleet Review magazine, told the Express the West should be monitoring the Yantar's movements 'very closely'. 'And if Russia is to take revenge one day for the UK and other NATO nations assisting Ukraine in its fight for survival, then it will possibly be via unseen activities like seabed sabotage,' he said. 'Russia is already suspected of doing such things since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.' Days earlier, on November 14, two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to intercept a Russian Tupolev-142, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, as it flew over the North Sea. Then, less than a week later on November 20, swarms of drones were seen flying above RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. A similar set of sightings were reported on November 22, with reports of up to four drones brazenly circling RAF Feltwell, RAF Lakenheath and RAF. Previous incidents have seen unmanned 'spy boats' being washed up close to a key nuclear submarine base. Two Typhoons from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland followed the Russian Tupolev-142 (a Typhoon is seen flanking a Bear-F in August 2023) An unmanned 'spy boat' powered by solar energy and designed to avoid detection was found off the coast of Scotland back in 2020. No country has claimed ownership of the vessel since The solar-powered Wave Glider drone washed up near Faslane. It was equipped with kit that could monitor the comings and goings of warships - in a potential effort to track the Royal Navy's Trident missile-armed fleet of nuclear submarines. Mystery still remains over who deployed the vessel - with similar variants used by the UK and US military. However, neither country claimed the boat was one of theirs. Col de Bretton-Gordon said 'nothing was off the table' when it came to drone or spy ships being used to prowl the seas of the UK. 'We've had a spy whale - if they're prepared to fit an electronic surveillance kit to a whale to go and spy for them, then almost nothing is off the cards,' he told MailOnline. 'But a Russian ship sitting off the Channel is very easy to pick up with all the modern surveillance technology we have, so it's unlikely.' The surge in alleged spy drones in both the US and UK has prompted concern from defence experts and military bosses. Over the weekend, a former commander in British military intelligence claimed US security agencies had been caught off-guard by the sudden influx of drone sightings. Spymaster Colonel Philip Ingram told MailOnline security chiefs at the Pentagon were seemingly perplexed by the sightings. 'The Pentagon isn't this massive organisation that knows everything,' he said. 'They probably don't want people to know that they don't know because they like the myth that is out there.' The US Government's silence on the issue has led many people to offer numerous suggestions and conspiracy theories online - which has been spearheaded by a close adviser to Donald Trump. Some believe they are Government nuclear weapon detector drones or the result of foreign powers spying on the country. Responding to these claims, Colonel Ingram said there was a 'possibility it could be nefarious activity', but also believed the drone hysteria could be a case of people putting 'two and two together and making seven'. Other conspiracy theorists have speculated the drones could be of extraterrestrial origin. However, UFO expert Mr Pope poured cold water on this theory. While there's been extensive speculation about the extraterrestrial hypothesis, this must be regarded as unlikely - though it can't, in strictness, be ruled out, he said. But as with some earlier drone incursions at Langley Air Force Base, it's telling that the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), the US government's lead office on UAP, doesn't appear to be leading the official response. In a media roundtable on November 14, AARO's Director stated that for them to lead, sightings have to be both unidentified and anomalous. The clear implication from AARO's apparent non-involvement is that - as with Langley - the current incursions are regarded as unmanned aerial vehicles. The situation has lead to New Jersey's Senator, Jon Bramnick, calling 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 sensationally declared. The White House's national security communications 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'. Your browser does not support iframes. 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) 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 Sen. Jon Bramnick called for a state of emergency as he derided what he said was a lack of government transparency over the recent sightings 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. 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 criticised for their 'lack of transparency' on the issue. A bill before the US 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.' Col de Bretton-Gordon said: 'Its a bit of a wake up call that we are in this pre-war age or this "third nuclear age". We are back into this Cold War, which is turning hot. Those 20 years of peace dividend we have spent it so much we have left ourselves vulnerable and this is another wake-up call to spend on defence.' In a statement a spokesman from the UK Ministry of Defence told MailOnline: 'We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. We are supporting the US Air Force response.' The sumptuous waterfront mansion that Donald Trump Jr shared with his ex-Kimberly Guilfoyle is set to become a battle ground between the newly split couple. The former lovebirds bought the home in Jupiter, Florida a 30-minute drive from Mar-a-Lago in 2021. But with Junior moving on with new flame Bettina Anderson and Kimberly set to live the majority of the next four years in Greece, what happens to the $15m Admiral's Cove property is in question. Don Jr. and Kimberly bought the property as tenants in common, where each owns a certain percentage which they can sell, transfer or mortgage without the others permission making for a messy confrontation. 'I doubt Kimberly relishes the idea of Don Jr. moving his new flame into the home that she worked so hard on,' one confidante told DailyMail.com. 'And to be honest, I am not sure that Bettina would want to move into the home that Don lived in with Kimberly.' Kimberly is believed to have been staying at the 11,300 square-foot home since the couple split. But assuming she is confirmed by the Senate, she will become the United States ambassador to Greece sometime in the next few months - requiring her to live full-time in Athens, nearly 6,000 miles from her home. Kimberly Guilfoyle, 55, and Donald Trump Jr.'s, 46, $15million mansion they purchased in 2021 will be a battleground for the recently split couple as their ideas of what to do with it differ The mansion is a 11,300 square-foot six-bed, 11-bath home that the former couple bought for $9.7million. The Admiral Cove estate is located in Jupiter, Florida Don Jr was spotted with his new flame, Florida socialite Bettina Anderson, 38, as he flaunted their relationship publicly on December 9 after Anderson's two-hour birthday dinner at local restaurant Buccan on Monday Meanwhile, Don Jr. has been spending nights at Bettina's relatively modest three-bedroom home in West Palm Beach that she bought for $428,000 in 2014. But her home is only one-sixth the size of his Jupiter house and presents all sorts of security headaches for his Secret Service protectors. Don Jr, 46, and Kimberly, 55, bought the six-bed, 11-bath home for $9.7million in March 2021 - two months after his father left the White House. It is now valued at more than $15million by real estate sites. They moved in amid much fanfare and fears among some neighbors that the then-president's eldest son would bring security problems even though it is in a 188-home gated community. Junior was said to have been drawn to the home because of its 1.2-acre lot, far larger than others in the Admirals Cove area. 'Only a handful of houses in the 188-home community have this much backyard space,' realtor Rob Thomson who sold the house, said at the time. 'Don Jr is a family guy and his five children live close. The space for the kids is ample.' The couple had been dating since 2018 and the year after they bought the home, they got engaged. The former couple was originally drawn to the mansion because of its 1.2-acre lot that was larger than other homes in the Admirals Cove area for Don Jr's five children DailyMail.com exclusively reported on the budding romance between the two in August, when they were spotted canoodling at The Honor Bar, a cozy spot in Palm Beach Anderson and Don Jr entered the Italian restaurant Belle & Maxwell's in West Palm Beach, Florida, on December 6, 2024 On December 11, Don Jr reportedly took Anderson to Mar-a-Lago where they chatted briefly with the president-elect Donald Trump and were said to be 'parading their love for all to see' Anderson herself has been dropping not-so-subtle hints of the romance, sharing photos of a romantic flower delivery in an Instagram story, on which she discreetly tagged her new beau, @donaldtrumpjr at the top left corner But the path of true love did not run smooth for the couple and Don Jr started hooking up with Palm Beach socialite Anderson this summer. DailyMail.com exclusively reported on the budding romance between the two in August, when they were spotted canoodling at The Honor Bar, a cozy spot in Palm Beach. We confirmed it with pictures of them holding hands after a two-hour dinner at local restaurant Buccan on Monday. Then on Wednesday Don Jr took Anderson, 38, to Mar-a-Lago where they chatted briefly with the president-elect and were said to be 'parading their love for all to see'. 'He's bewitched by Bettina her looks, her smarts, her pedigree,' one Trump insider told DailyMail.com. 'Now that Kim is out of the picture, the relationship is going to get even more serious.' The couple have since made a getaway Bettina is generally seen as a better fit for the past and future First Son. The former model's effortless sense of waspy style goes down with the family far better than the tight, revealing dresses that his ex is known for. In fact, People magazine even claimed that Kimberly's style was one of the main reasons that Junior fell out of love with her. 'The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that,' one source told the outlet. The former couple is conflicted on what to do with the house since Don Jr is moving on with his new flame and Kimberly will be spending the majority of her time in Greece as their new ambassador People magazine claimed that Kimberly's style was one of the main reasons that Don Jr 'fell out of love with her. 'The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that,' one source told the outlet It was widely believed that the incoming president decided to give Kimberly the job as ambassador for Greece as a way of getting her away from his family following the split as well as a reward for her loyalty to him News of Don Jr's new romance is said to have 'blindsided' Kimberly and the fact that she will almost certainly be spending the next few years in Europe will be welcome to both of them. She was only nominated for the post the day after DailyMail.com's blockbuster pictures blew apart the fantasy that she and Junior were still a couple even though they hadn't been photographed together since mid-November. It was widely believed that the incoming president decided to give her the plum job as a way of getting her away from his family following the split as well as a reward for her loyalty to him ever since her days at Fox News. 'For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally,' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday. 'Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad. Kimberly said she looks forward to 'delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity'. 'It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America,' she added. 'And now, we have an opportunity to honor that history by bringing better days here at home and abroad.' Don Jr led the congratulations. 'I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador,' he tweeted. 'She will be an amazing leader for America First.' Pub bosses and punters working at Saracens Head pubs across the UK have rallied around a landlord who is being taken to court by a convicted terrorist because he is 'deeply offended' by the name. Khalid Baqa, who was jailed for four years for preparing Jihadi propaganda, has sparked outrage by trying to win nearly 2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. He described the 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign as racist and also insisted the depiction 'incites violence'. Baqa is demanding 1,850 from the landlord and has also announced plans to take on more than 30 other pubs with the same name if successful. Pub landlord Robbie Hayes has vowed to fight back against the lawsuit - and he is being backed by other Saracens Head establishments across the UK. Staff at pubs with identical names told MailOnline they were stunned by the demand for money and Baqa's claim that he is offended by the name. One told us that he 'has got a bloody cheek and should be told where to go', while another said: 'I'm not sure what rights he has as a convicted terrorist.' Baqa told The Sun that he has 'stopped all the terrorism stuff now', adding: 'I've always been offended by pub names like these but I've only recently discovered how I can challenge them online.' Khalid Baqa (pictured), who was jailed for four years for preparing Jihadi propaganda, has sparked outrage by trying to win nearly 2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire 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' Pub landlord Robbie Hayes (pictured) has vowed to fight the lawsuit, calling it a 'complete joke' Reacting to the lawsuit, Caroline Machell-Ranson, who is head chef at the Saracens Head in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, said: 'This is just ridiculous and is crazy that he is offended by the name. 'This pub has been here since the 16th century and everyone in the village knows about it, and there have never been any complaints. 'This is a just a village pub that has been here since 1615, and although I do not know when it was called The Saracens Head, the name should stay.' The pub features a Saracen brandishing a sword and is prominent outside the venue on the main road through the Hertfordshire village. Inside one corner of the pub with its oak beams and low ceilings is a fireplace are half a dozen ornaments featuring a Saracens head. Other staff at the pub, who asked not to be named, said it was 'madness' for the convicted Jihadi to demand the name be changed. 'You cannot whitewash history. The name has been around for hundreds of years and it is what it is,' said one worker. Another added: 'This man needs to get a life. What makes it worse is that he is a convicted terrorist.' MailOnline visited another Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where punters were equally offended by Baqa and his demands. 'I think he has got a bloody cheek and should be told where to go,' said one local. 'What's next? Will a pub called The White Lion be sued because someone is afraid of animals or because it has the word white in the name. 'There are so many pubs with a rich history that you could question their name. It is utterly ridiculous.' Staff and punters working at The Saracens Head, Kings Langley, were heavily critical of Baqa suing the landlord in Buckinghamshire The pub features a Saracen brandishing a sword and is prominent outside the venue on the main road through the Hertfordshire village Inside one corner of the pub with its oak beams and low ceilings is a fireplace are half a dozen ornaments featuring a Saracens head And speaking about Baqa, Ian Frith said: 'To be honest I am offended by his orange beard. 'Even if the Saracens Head was called The Jihadi Arms it would not bother me. 'There is so much these days that offends people and for no good reason that you become afraid to say anything. 'I've never heard anyone complain about the name and have lived here for 20 years. It's a local pub and people like it.' David Morgan, who sat inside the pub nursing a pint, added: 'There are much more important things to worry about than a name. 'I guess this guy is just trying his luck to try and get some money. The name should stay and the pub should not back down.' Lynn Suter said: 'The name doesn't offend me, and I think it is awful that he is trying to get money from the landlord.' Others in Towcester shared the outrage that the Saracens Head might face legal action from a convicted terrorist. MailOnline visited another Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where punters were equally offended by Baqa and his demands Ian Frith (pictured) told MailOnline: 'I've never heard anyone complain about the name and have lived here for 20 years. It's a local pub and people like it.' Lynn Suter (pictured) said: 'The name doesn't offend me, and I think it is awful that he is trying to get money from the landlord.' Many in Towcester shared the outrage that the Saracens Head might face legal action from a convicted terrorist MailOnline also visited the Saracens Head in Bath, which had the same pub sign as the landlord being sued. Angry punters reacted similarly to the terrorist's decision to launch legal action over the name of the historic pub. Sally Wiltshire, 63, said: 'It is ridiculous. It has been here my entire life. It is not offensive - it is just a name. 'For me, I'm a white British, I find it weird why they want to obliterate history. They are just trying to get rid of history. ' Izzy Blackburn, 55, added: 'It is utterly ridiculous. It shouldn't have gone this far. I'm not sure what rights he has as a convicted terrorist. 'You can be offended by anything can you.' Huh Withly, 62, from Ynysybwl, echoed their thoughts, telling MailOnline: 'It is just a symbol of the pub. 'I don't think it is offensive at all.' MailOnline also visited the Saracens Head in Bath (pictured), which had the same pub sign as the landlord being sued Huh Withly and Nikki Williams said they did not think the pub sign was offensive at all Sally Wiltshire, 63, said: 'It is ridiculous. It has been here my entire life. It is not offensive - it is just a name.' Izzy Blackburn, 55, added: 'It is utterly ridiculous. It shouldn't have gone this far. I'm not sure what rights he has as a convicted terrorist.' And Gordon Jones, 48, said: 'Where do you draw the line if it has been there for 500 years. It is a bit of history. 'Then you'd have to change the name of the pub as well.' A 40-year-old man, who did not want to be named, said: 'I'm a white British middle-class man - in my view is fine but I can see why that would be offensive. 'What do we know about oppression from a local's point of view? If the depiction was of a headless person I would see it. 'But I'm not aware of the culture impact it [the sign] has.' It comes after the landlord being sued, Robbie Hayes, told The Sun he would be fighting back against the lawsuit which he said was a 'complete joke'. 'This has been called The Saracens Head for 500 years,' he said. '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'. 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 Saracens 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. Baqa 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. The British pubs that have been cancelled from the Black Boy to The Midget as convicted terrorist sues Saracen's Head Inn over 'offensive' name By Eleanor Dye and Tom Midlane British pubs are renowned for their weird and wonderful names - from the Drunken Duck to the Cat Custard Pot. But sometimes pub names that have existed for generations, or even centuries, can cause controversy - leaving owners at the centre of social media storms, petitions or targeted campaigns of abuse. The Saracen's Head Inn in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, hit the headlines this week with convicted terrorist Khalid Baqa taking the pub to court over its sign depicting a brown-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent. Mr Baqa says that the sign 'instilled worry and fear in me since it was clearly xenophobic, racist and inciting violence to certain people.' Having previously spent four years behind bars for preparing Jihadi propaganda, he now wants more than 1,000 from the Saracen's Head. The pub's landlord Robbie Hayes is refusing to change the name, telling The Sun: 'It's a complete joke. This has been called The Saracen's Head for 500 years' But the Saracen's Head is far from the only British pub to run into trouble over its unusual name. The following are only a few of the drinking spots that people have attempted to cancel or that were forced to change their name. 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' 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 Amersham for what he described as the racist 'depiction of a bearded Arab/Turk' on the pub's sign Speaking to The Sun , Robbie Hayes (pictured) said: 'It's a complete joke. This has been called The Saracen's Head for 500 years' The Midget Only last week The Midget pub in Abingdon reopened its doors as the Roaring Raindrop after a swirl of controversy around its name. Owners Greene King say the watering hole, which opened as 'The Magic Midget' in 1974, took its original name from the classic MG Midget sports car which was manufactured in the Oxfordshire town. But the name was labelled 'disablist hate speech' by Dr Erin Pritchard, a disabilities studies lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, who started a petition that gathered more than 1,300 signatures. Dr Pritchard, who herself has dwarfism and previously campaigned for Marks and Spencer to rename their Midget Gem sweets to Mini Gems, said that she and other people with dwarfism regard the original name as a 'derogatory slur' and find it 'offensive'. Writing on her petition, Dr Pritchard said: 'Midget is a derogatory word used towards people with dwarfism. It is a term derived from the word 'midge' meaning Gnat or Sand-fly, which is dehumanising. 'It was a term popularised during the Victorian freak show, but unfortunately continues to be used as a form of hate speech towards people with dwarfism. 'People with dwarfism, including children with the condition experience name calling on a daily basis. They have experienced this word being shouted at them.' She added: 'Whilst Greene King claims that the pub is named after the MG Midget car, the phasing does not reflect this, especially whilst it omits 'MG'.' The Midget pub opened in 1974 but was rebranded as the Roaring Raindrop following a petition by a disability rights lecturer at Liverpool Hope University who branded the original name offensive The watering hole was named after the classic MG car, which was manufactured in its Oxfordshire town of Abingdon Disablity lecturer Dr Erin Pritchard started a petition to change the name, which she said was 'disablist hate speech' 'Furthermore, the origins of the name of that car come from freak show terminology, which is disablist hate speech and flouts the Equality Act (2010).' Dr Pritchard's petition did attract a counter-petition by Joe Lawlor, who wrote: 'I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with this decision, and in my opinion I think it is ridiculous. The naming is part of Abingdon's history.' More than 5,000 people signed the counter-petition but to no avail, as the watering hole reopened on December 13 as the Roaring Raindrop after a 'six-figure' refurbishment. The new name derives from another iconic MG car the EX181, shaped like a raindrop, which British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss OBE used to smash a speed record of 245.6 miles per hour in 1957. The Black Bitch The Midget-owners Greene King previously found itself in hot water over a pub called The Black Bitch in Linlithgow, West Lothian, amid fears the name could be seen as racist. Its origins derived from a female greyhound that formed part of the town's traditional crest - but pub bosses opted to rename it The Willow Tree regardless. The Black Bitch pub in Linlithgow, West Lothian, before the name change, which came after lengthy consultation with external groups, including West Lothian Community Race Forum Outraged campaigners hoped to reverse the plans and more than 500 objections were submitted while a petition to stop the move gathered more than 11,000 names According to local lore, 'The Black Bitch' dates back to the 17th century and was named after a black female greyhound (pictured above) that forms part of the town's crest Outraged campaigners hoped to reverse the plans and more than 500 objections were submitted while a petition to stop the move gathered more than 11,000 names. Back in 2022, the West Lothian History and Amenity Society said: 'The term 'Black Bitch' has been associated with the town for over 700 years, natives of Linlithgow are proud to be known as 'Black Bitches'; it is a term of affection with no negative connotations. 'The term describes a female canine, rightly called a bitch which is black in colour - nothing offensive, no misogyny involved. 'Greene King have jumped to the wrong conclusions and read something into the name which does not exist.' Greene King turned to the Government in a bid to have the move rubber stamped after West Lothian Council deferred a planning decision and eventually got the go ahead to make the name change in November 2022. The pub was targeted by graffiti artists in January 2023, with a cheeky sketch of a dog urinating on the tree logo of the newly-renamed The Willow Tree appearing to reference the battle over its name. Labour In Vain The Labour In Vain pub in Yarnsfield, Staffordshire, celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2020 but was at the centre of repeated controversy. Locals battled for 20 years to keep the sign locals which shows a black boy being scrubbed in the bath by a white couple. The pub's name is believed to stem from a story about a white woman giving birth to a black baby and then resorting to the 'vain labour' of trying to scrub him white to avoid her husband's reaction. The Labour In Vain pub in Yarnsfield, Staffordshire, which was at the centre of a race row due to its historic sign The pub's sign shows a black boy being scrubbed in the bath by a white couple, a racist reference to the 'vain labour' of trying to make him 'clean' The sign was first removed in 1994 after two 10-year-old girls complained and was then replaced by a farmer sowing seeds. In 2001, then-licensees Christine and John Glover found the sign and hung it in the beer garden, prompting the Stafford and District Racial Equality Council to request it be removed from view. The sign was given less prominence, but remained on display in the garden. In 2009 Vince Hannant and Debbie Donovan took over the pub and again there was talk that the 'sign should come down'. But at the time Mr Hannant was reported as saying the locals told him, 'Don't even touch it, we've been though so much to keep it.' Pub regular Richard Charwood was said to have then arranged a referendum of villagers to find out if they wanted to keep it. They were reportedly overwhelmingly in favour of doing so. The pub came to the attention of race campaigners who called for its removal, but the intervention of the so-called Pub Sign Project Committee angered many in the village. It now seems that the pub has closed, but there is an ongoing petition by a branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to try and save it. Animal rights activists have demanded the Sly Old Fox pub in Birmingham (pictured) change its name because it is 'derogatory' towards foxes The Sly Old Fox in Birmingham This historic pub situated opposite the famous Hippodrome in Hurst Street was targeted by animal rights activists, who claimed its name is 'derogatory' towards foxes. PETA has suggested the pub, which dates back to 1891 and has hosted a number of famous faces including Charlie Chaplin, becomes 'The Clever Old Fox' instead. They have argued the current name is 'negative' and perpetuates foxes' 'unearned' reputation as pests. 'The word 'sly' often carries negative connotations like 'deceitful' a wholly inaccurate and unfair perception of foxes,' Elisa Allen, vice president of programmes at PETA, wrote. 'We hope you agree that these magnificent animals deserve our respect.' However, PETA's response was widely ridiculed on social media - and the pub retains its historic name: One person on X wrote: 'These activists are delusional if they honestly believe foxes will be offended by a pub sign! I wasn't aware foxes could even read.' Another posted: 'Do foxes care? Nope they just carry on being foxes. Those with too much time on their hands need to find something else to occupy their time with. A third said: 'Foxes have been boycotting that pub for years.' A fourth simply wrote: 'Ridiculous.' PETA has argued words like 'sly' contribute to foxes' negative reputation as pests PETA's suggestion for the pub to change its name has been ridiculed by users on social media Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans is another pub targeted by hardcore animal rights organisation PETA over its name. One of the drinking holes claiming to be Britain's oldest, it claims to had a business operating on the grounds since 793AD, although the the earliest reference to it being an alehouse is in 1756. In 2022 PETA asked the new owners to rename it 'The Happy Hens', with activists alternatively suggesting Ye Olde Clever Cocks or The Cheery Chooks. Activists said the pub's name 'calls to mind the violence and cruelty of a hideous blood sport that has been outlawed in the UK for more than a century'. Campaigners also demanded the pub, which serves classic British grub, adopt a fully plant-based menu. The pub is said to date back to AD793, which would make it the oldest in England, according to Guinness World Records. At one point it was known as 'the Round House' due to its shape PETA says the pub's name 'calls to mind the violence and cruelty of a hideous blood sport that has been outlawed in the UK for more than a century' This sign tells the legend that Oliver Cromwell stayed at the pub for one night during the Civil War, stabling his horse in what is now the bar The possible royal origins of 'The Black Boy' pub name Across England and Wales there are at least 25 different pubs called 'The Black Boy', or similar. Though the name is thought to have a number of origins, including the soot darkened faces of chimney sweeps, it is often thought to be a reference to King Charles II. King Charles II The monarch, who ruled England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 until his death, aged 54, in 1665, was nicknamed 'Black Boy' by his mother, Henrietta Maria of France, due to his dark hair and complexion. He was restored as the monarch in 1660 after his father Charles I was executed and the traditional monarchy system removed in 1649 in place of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth following the English Civil War. Charles II's nickname was taken up by those who supported his attempts to restore the monarchy, who labelled themselves 'The Black Boys', and it is believed a number of pubs changed their name to The Black Boy as a show of allegiance. Other suggestions for the name's origins including the misspelling of a nautical navigation marker, a 'buoy'. Advertisement The Black Boy Pub There are an estimated 70 pubs in the UK called the Black Boy, as of 2011. Pub retailer and brewer Greene King decided to change the name of three pubs it owned with that name - in Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury in Suffolk, and Shinfield in Berkshire - in the wake of Black Lives Matter. The decision sparked outrage on social media with many users branding the move 'woke' and accusing the brewing giant of erasing history. The Black Boy Inn, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, also changed its name after more than 200 years. Back in 2021, the leaseholders said Stonegate Pubs, the brewery which owns the 15th Century tavern, ordered them to change the name 'because of the Black Lives Matter movement' and that they had 'no say in it'. The pub was renamed The Bewdley Inn - a decision which left many locals angry. Historians believe King Charles II was referred to as the 'black boy' because it was a nickname given to him by his mother due to his dark hair and complexion. The building dates back nearly 600 years and has been known as The Black Boy Inn since the early 19th Century. Before that it was known as The Blackamoors Head. Locals were critical of the decision to rename the pub, saying the term 'Black Boy' is not racist. On the Bewdley-related Facebook pages, people said it was just part of history, according to Birmingham Live. Julia Tracey said: 'The Midlands was a Royalist region in the Civil War, so there are a few pubs with this name. 'The old pub sign at the Black Boy had a painting of Charles 2nd on it and it's a pity this was taken down, as it's a clear reference to the meaning of the name. 'I've been in, many times with black friends, and my black relatives, and no one ever gave a **** about the name!' The Black Boy Inn, in Bewdley, Worcestershire, was renamed The Bewdley Inn 'because of the Black Lives Matter movement' but the pub's owners disputed this, saying it was part of a company rebrand The pub was previously known as The Black Boy Inn in honour of King Charles II, whom historians believe was referred to as the 'black boy' because it was a nickname given to him by his mother due to his dark hair and complexion The Blacks Head Locals at the The Blacks Head in Wirksworth insisted the name came from a bottle of ginger beer. However, the decision was taken to change the name to the The Quarryman in the wake of Black Lives Matter. Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of racial equality charity the Runnymede Trust, welcomed the news, explaining the former names had been a reminder of a 'history of oppression'. However, the news was not met with enthusiasm by all - with some on social media slamming the decision as 'beyond ridiculous'. One user said: 'More wokey b*******.' Another added: 'Give me f***ing strength. I can suggest the replacement names. The Woke and the Broke.' Despite the backlash, the name was changed in 2021 after a vote, in which The Quarryman got 839 out of the 1,923 votes cast. Since the local area is so closely associated with limestone quarries and lead mining, the new name was an homage to Wirksworth's industrial history. Greene King managing director Wayne Shurvinton said there was a perception the original name was'linked with racism, which is why we knew we had to take this step if we wanted to continue on our journey to become a truly anti-racist organisation'. The Blacks Head (pictured) in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, also changed its name in the wake of Black Lives Matter - despite locals insisting the name comes from a bottle of ginger beer The Saracen's Head 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 Amersham, 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'. The Saracens Head in was taken to court by convicted terrorist Khalid Baqa due to its sign depicting a man of Arabic descent 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. Alina Habba wants the media to stop treating the country like a 'soap opera' as they cover liberal smears against MAGA allies. The future counselor to the President is demanding that attacks from the left against Donald Trump's incoming administration and White House picks ends. She tells DailyMail.com that Democrats are working overtime to create public smear campaigns against some of his more controversial future nominations specifically Kash Patel, Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard. Habba is no stranger to attacks from the media and the liberal public as she faced off with members of the media as a lawyer for Trump and later as a senior adviser on his campaign. But she says the badgering needs to stop now that Trump has been elected and is finishing up putting together his team for a second term. She warned that if they don't, Americans are going to stop trusting media entirely. 'This is not something that's new to me, frankly, does not phase me very much anymore,' Habba told DailyMail.com when asked about the frequent attacks against her. 'I would just urge the media to focus on policy and real issues rather than ad hominem attacks,' she continued in an interview last week. 'I think that's a waste of everybody's energy.' Alina Habba attends the "Line In The Sand" premiere at Mar-a-Lago Club on October 23, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida Alina Habba warns media to stop attacking Donald Trump and treating the U.S. like a 'soap opera' as she prepares to take on new role as Counselor to the President 'You know, this is not a soap opera,' Habba lamented. She added: 'This is running the country, and it needs to be taken seriously.' And then she defended some of Trump's picks to round out his Cabinet. Specifically, Habba defended Pete Hegseth, who Trump plans to nominate as his Secretary of Defense, and Kash Patel, who he will bring on as Director of the FBI. It comes after weeks of ridicule from Democrats who say that Hegseth and Patel are unqualified and only were selected due to their loyalty to the president-elect. 'I think it's disgusting what they've been doing to certain people that have been nominated Kash Patel an d Pete Hegseth, in particular,' Habba told DailyMail.com. 'These are incredibly intelligent people that deserve the right to sit down, have conversations and get confirmed for the right reasons and go through the process the proper way,' she continued, assuring: 'And they're willing to do that. 'But I think that the media attacks in this country need to stop,' Habba said. 'Not for our sake, but for the media's sake, because people just don't give them any credence anymore.' Democrats have little to zero power over confirmations now that they lost control of the Senate in the 2024 elections. Presidents' nominations for their Cabinet positions only require a simple majority vote in the upper chamber, meaning there should be no hiccups with filling out his team as long as Republicans hold the line. An intense heatwave will bake large parts of Sydney hours after the mercury soared to almost 50C in Victoria for the first time since Australia's Black Summer. Weatherzone Senior Meteorologist Thomas Hough said temperatures will climb to the low 40s in Sydney's western suburbs and 33C in the CBD on Tuesday. Temperatures are expected to skyrocket to 42C in Penrith, 42C in Richmond, 40C in Liverpool and Blacktown and 38C in Parramatta. For the first time since the Black Summer of 2019-2020 the mercury in Victoria peaked at 47.1C at the tiny town of Walpeup in Victoria's northwest on Monday. Melbourne also sweltered as temperatures topped 38.1C just before 3pm. However, forecasters say some much-needed relief is on the way. 'A southerly change is expected to arrive between around 6pm and 8pm for Sydney, bringing significantly cooler temperatures on Wednesday, with the forecast maximum for the city in the mid-20s,' Mr Hough told Daily Mail Australia. 'The heat is being caused by hot northerly winds from Australia's interior moving over the country's southeast, ahead of a cold front and approaching southerly change.' Temperatures will climb to the low 40s in Sydney's western suburbs and the low 30s in the city on Tuesday as a mass of hot air lingers over NSW (pictured, bathers at Bondi Beach) The sizzling temperatures will put extra pressure on the state's electricity grid as people's air-conditioning units kick into gear this afternoon (pictured a heat map from Monday) The sizzling temperatures will put extra pressure on the state's electricity grid as people's air-conditioning units kick into gear this afternoon. More than 2,500 homes and businesses are without power in Bankstown, in Sydney's west, as temperatures soar across the city. Ausgrid said repairs for the outage are expected to be completed by 12.30pm. Bankstown was already sweltering under 33C heat by 11am on Tuesday. It comes after Australia's east coast experienced the highest demand for electricity since January 2020 on Monday. While NSW sizzles under heatwave conditions, South East Queensland has been smashed by a slow-moving rain bomb with over 140mm of rain dumped on Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay on Monday night. Kallangur, in the Moreton Bay region, was lashed with 70mm of rain in just one hour. Western Sydney residents will be looking to cool off today as the mercury hits over 42C Brisbane Wednesday: Showers. Possible storm. Min 23C Max 29C. Thursday: Cloudy. Min 21C Max 28C. Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 19C Max 29C. Sydney Wednesday: Shower or two. Windy. Min 19C Max 24C. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Min 18C Max 24C. Friday: Mostly sunny. Min 17C Max 25C. Canberra Wednesday: Cloud clearing. Min 13C Max 28C. Thursday: Sunny. Min 8C Max 29C. Friday: Sunny. Min 9C Max 32C. Melbourne Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Min 14C Max 22C. Thursday: Sunny. Min 13C Max 27C. Friday: Sunny. Min 15C Max 31C. Penrith Beach will be packed on Tuesday as residents in Sydney's west try to escape the heat Hobart Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Min 11C Max 21C. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Min 10C Max 20C. Friday: Mostly sunny. Min 11C Max 23C. Adelaide Wednesday: Sunny. Min 14C Max 30C. Thursday: Sunny. Min 15C Max 33C. Friday: Sunny. Min 17C Max 32C. Perth Wednesday: Sunny. Min 19C Max 30C. Thursday: Sunny. Min 16C Max 30C. Friday: Sunny. Min 16C Max 33C. Darwin Wednesday: Showers. Possible storm. Min 27C Max 35C. Thursday: Showers. Possible storm. Min 26C Max 33C. Friday: Shower or two. Possible storm. Min 27C Max 34C. The Labor government is being called out for heatwave outages across Australia - as one business icon warns nuclear energy is the only solution to blackout woes. While Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen criticised Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's nuclear energy plan on Tuesday, many Aussies were more concerned about losing power during a scorching heatwave. On Tuesday afternoon there were more than 6,600 homes and businesses without power in NSW as the network struggled with 7 unplanned outages, according to Ausgrid. The trouble was centred on Bankstown, southwest Sydney, where 3,500 customers were affected and at 2pm the temperature had hit 37C. An Ausgrid spokesperson said the cause had yet to be identified, but 'there's certainly a higher chance of it occurring on a day like today, when we have higher demand across the network'. In neighbouring Condell Park, there were 1,900 customers without power. And in Denistone, northwest Sydney, where it was also 37C, there were 1,200 sites without power. On Monday Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen took to social media to criticise Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's nuclear energy plan High-profile businessman Dick Smith told Daily Mail Australia that losing power during hot weather was 'the new normal' for Aussies Parts of western Sydney are forecast to hit more than 40C later in the day. Only a day earlier, thousands of homes in Victoria also lost power. 'Extreme heat and high winds have damaged parts of our distribution network,' said Victoria Minister for Energy Lily D'Ambrosio. 'There is enough power available, but isolated damage to local infrastructure has left 10,000 homes temporarily disconnected from the network.' High-profile businessman Dick Smith said that power outages during hot weather have become 'the new normal' for Australians, as rising electricity demand driven by population growth and increasing temperatures continues to strain the system. 'That's why I'm a strong supporter of nuclear. What's happening now is going to get worse and worse,' Mr Smith said. 'Seventy years ago when I was a young child we did have regular blackouts. You'd come home and the power would be out for an hour or two. 'Then we had the most incredible reliability because of the base load coal. Blackouts impacting Victoria yesterday There are concerns blackouts will become a regular occurrence for Aussies as the country is hit with successive heatwaves 'Now we're relying too much on renewables without storage. Unfortunately to have adequate (battery) storage would make the electricity too expensive.' Mr Smith said he was 'positive' about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's announcement on Friday about the costings of his nuclear plan. 'I have absolutely no doubt we'll have to move to nuclear. The longer we wait the worse our grandchildren will have it, because they'll be dealing with climate change. 'I thought it was a good announcement. Now I'm hoping the Labor government will change its mind. It's in the national interest.' Since a spate of outages last month, Mr Bowen has been lambasted on social media, dubbed 'Blackout Bowen' over the inability of the country's energy infrastructure to handle rising temperatures. 'Blackout Bowen is useless! We should be able to run our aircons during summer,' said one critic. 'Blackout Bowen is living up to the promise of his nickname and unfortunately, the folly of his policies,' said another. 'What does Blackout Bowen know about energy?' blasted a third. Labor's plan is for renewable energy to comprise 82 per cent of Australia's energy generation by 2030, rising to 98 per cent by 2040 Mr Dutton claims his $331billion scheme will be 44 per cent cheaper than Labor's program to almost replace coal and gas power with solar and wind energy within 15 years. The Coalition's plan was modelled by Frontier Economics, which costed Labor's energy transition at $594billion, versus $331billion for the Coalition's nuclear plan. Mr Bowen rubbished the figures, saying the government's renewable energy plan would cost $122billion and not almost $600billion, citing a forecast made by the Australian Energy Market Operator. Labor's plan is for renewable energy to comprise 82 per cent of Australia's energy generation by 2030, rising to 98 per cent by 2040 based on solar and wind. But Dick Smith claims that goal is unrealistic. He said although South Australia has managed to generate 70 per cent of its annual power through renewables, exceeding that figure would be too expensive due to the required battery storage. Both sides of politics support a net zero by 2050 goal, but the Coalition sees nuclear making up 38 per cent of Australia's electricity generation by that time, with solar and wind energy making up 49 per cent. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had warned his fellow executives at the insurance company about its negative public image months before he was shot dead. Thompson, 50, tried to focus on each individual patients' needs during his time as CEO of the massive insurance company, colleagues told the Washington Post. He also argued in internal discussions with fellow executives earlier this year that average Americans did not understand UnitedHealthcare's role in the nation's healthcare system - and urged executives to focus on the steps it was taking to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for lifesaving drugs. 'He understood that the public was frustrated with what they perceived the company's actions to be,' an unidentified insider told WaPo. 'He was actively articulating a vision that helped better educate and help people understand what the company is doing.' The company and its parent, UnitedHealth Group, was receiving bad publicity at the time amid a Department of Justice investigation and claims that Thompson was engaging in insider trading. It was also facing outrage among its members over claims that it made billions of dollars by denying healthcare to the ill and elderly. Police now say that outrage led 26-year-old Luigi Mangione to open fire at Thompson at point-blank range as he was walking outside of a hotel in midtown Manhattan on December 4. United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, had warned his fellow executives at the insurance company about its negative public image months before he was shot dead New York City police say outrage over the health insurance company's history of denying claims led Luigi Mangione, 26, to open fire on the CEO on December 4 The alleged assassin was caught while eating at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where staff members and patrons recognized Mangione as the suspect caught on surveillance footage. 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. 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. Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania, where he was reportedly found with a manifesto outlining his grievances with UnitedHealthcare New York City police now say they have 'no indication' to suggest Mangione was ever a client of the insurance company. Chief Joseph 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. But UnitedHealth Group has fought back against the hatred in the aftermath of Thompson's death. A spokesperson for the company told the Washington Post that its insurance division pays about 90 percent of medical claims when they are submitted, and of the remainder, only 0.5 percent are 'due to medical or clinical reasons.' Allies of the company also say the complexities of the healthcare system in the US is to blame - arguing that many of the price hikes that consumers blame on insurance companies could be traced back to hospitals and doctors raising their own prices, which are then passed on to patients. 'Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made,' UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty wrote in an op-ed for the New York Times on Friday. 'Behind each decision lies a comprehensive and continually updated body of clinical evidence focused on achieving the best health outcomes and ensuring patient safety.' UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty has repeatedly attempted to stem the tidal wave of hate towards Brian Thompson in the wake of his death He had earlier made similar remarks to employees following Thompson's death, saying UnitedHealthcare would keep putting 'patients, consumers and members' first in the company's 'journey to help everyone who needs it within the health environment.' Witty had argued in a video that the insurance company's 'mission... is truly to make sure that we help the system improve by helping the experiences of individuals get better and better.' He said its 'role is a critical role' in making sure that care is 'safe, appropriate and is delivered when people need it. 'We guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or for unnecessary care to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex and ultimately unsustainable,' Witty argued. 'So we continue to make that case,' Witty said. 'We will continue to do the work we do.' In a follow-up memo, Witty reiterated that the company would stay its course, despite Thompson's shooting - and the public support for Mangione. 'We're going to make sure medicines are filled, infusions are administered and people can navigate their therapies for the rarest states of disease. 'And we'll be there when people are coming out of the hospital if only just to hold their hand as they get back on their feet.' The insurance company is now facing even more scrutiny over previously undisclosed internal documents that show it had been planning to limit coverage for the 'gold standard' in therapy for children on the autism spectrum Yet the insurance company is once again in hot water over previously undisclosed internal documents that show UnitedHealth Group had been planning to limit coverage for the 'gold standard' in therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Costs to the company have ballooned in recent years alongside autism spectrum disorder diagnoses due 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. Donald Trump wasted no time in mocking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday night after one of his most powerful and loyal ministers resigned from the Cabinet. Trudeau, who Trump called 'Governor', was facing the biggest test of his political career after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland sensationally quit after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs. '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 on Monday night, jibing at the Canadian PM. '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!!!' Freeland's resignation dealt an unexpected blow to Trudeau's already unpopular government. She announced her resignation in a candid letter shared on X, citing deep policy disagreements. 'I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the cabinet,' she wrote, hinting at an irreparable rift with Trudeau over critical economic decisions. The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years can stay on, as his administration scrambles to deal with incoming President-elect Trump. Donald Trump wasted no time in mocking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday night after one of his most powerful and loyal ministers, resigned from the Cabinet. The pair are pictured when Trudeau visited Mar-a-Lago last month Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland sensationally quit after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs Trump mocked the resignation of Trudeau's closest minister resigning on Monday night and called him 'Governor' rather than by his correct title of Prime Minister Trump previously trolled Trudeau last week by calling Canada the 51st state and appeared to have given him the nickname of 'Governor' - a far less prestigious title than Prime Minister. During Trump's first term in his office - when he renegotiated the free trade deal with Canada and Mexico - Trump said Freeland wasn't liked. Trudeau had dinner with Trump on November 29, and although both said it was 'very productive', sources said that Trump couldn't resist taking a jab at his counterpart by quipping that Canada 'could become a state.' At the end of their evening, Trump gave Trudeau a copy of Mar-a-Lago's magazine, which was filled with details about becoming a member and adverts for plastic surgery, an anonymous Canadian source revealed. On Monday night, insiders told how Freeland's departure stemmed from Trudeau's attempt to demote her from the finance minister post, offering her a less influential role. But she said in her resignation letter that the only 'honest and viable path' was to leave the Cabinet. 'For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada,' Freeland said. The tipping point came as Trump threatened to impose a punishing 25 percent tariff on Canadian imports, a move that could cripple Canada's economy. In Freeland's resignation letter, she framed Trump's intended policies as an existential threat. In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland framed Trump's intended tariffs as an existential threat Trump touted tariffs during his 2024 campaign as a way to bend other countries like Canada to his will, though critics point out the cost of import taxes are generally passed on to consumers 'Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of a 25 percent tariff,' she warned. '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.' The proposed tariffs threaten to spark a trade war with severe consequences for both economies. Last month Trudeau told reporters that Canada should take Trump's tariff threat seriously. 'One of the things that is really important to understand is that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out,' Trudeau said, according to the Globe and Mail. 'There's no question about it.' 'Our responsibility is to point out that, in this way, he would be actually not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, he'd actually be raising prices for American citizens as well and hurting American industry and businesses,' Trudeau added. The president-elect touted tariffs during his 2024 campaign as a way to bend other countries to his will, though critics pointed out that the cost of import taxes are generally passed on to the consumer. Trump has been preparing to re-enter the White House from his Mar-a-Lago estate, where he recently held a dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau A person familiar with the November's meeting called it a 'positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours' Trump won a second term, in part, because he pledged to be better on the economy than President Joe Biden and later Vice President Kamala Harris, as Americans are still feeling financially challenged by high prices in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in Canada, Freeland and Trudeau also disagreed about a two-month sales tax holiday and $250 checks to Canadians that were recently announced. Freeland said Canada is dealing with Trump's threat to impose sweeping tariffs and should eschew 'costly political gimmicks' it can 'ill afford.' 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 last month, to replace Freeland. Freeland did not go on the trip to Florida. 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. 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. 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 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is photographed after making a surprise trip to Mar-a-Lago to see President-elect Donald Trump late last month 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. 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. No Canadian prime minister in more than a century has won four straight terms. The federal election has to be held before next October. MBABANE - In an exciting showcase of talent and ambition, four esteemed choirs from Eswatini represented the nation this past weekend at the Tiro Mpane Chorals finale. The choirs that proudly represented Eswatini included the Emmanuel Methodist Choir, the Mbabane Methodist Choir, His Majestys Correctional Services Choir and the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Choir. These ensembles have consistently demonstrated the exceptional talent and passion of the emaSwati people. The choirs truly raised the nations flag high with the REPS Choir securing second place in the large category, while His Majestys Correctional Services Choir achieved second place in the Champs category. Both choirs walked away with a prize of E80 000 each, a testament to their hard work and dedication. Last week, the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, encouraged the choirs not to disappoint and to return home with trophies. The choirs certainly delivered on this promise bringing pride to their country. In response to their success, the President of the Eswatini National Choral Music Association, Sihle Gumbi, expressed his enthusiasm. This is truly amazing for our choirs, I am very excited about this, he said. His remarks highlighted the significance of this achievement for the Choral community in Eswatini. The Tiro Mpane Chorals finale represented not just a competition but also a platform for these talented ensembles to showcase their hard work and passion on a grand stage. With the backing of government and the enthusiasm of the public the choirs are poised to make a significant impact in the cultural landscape of Eswatini. Support The journey to the finals has been marked by rigorous rehearsals, community support and an unwavering spirit among the singers. Each choir brings its unique blend of harmonies and styles, promising an unforgettable experience for both performers and audiences alike. This event not only celebrated the choirs accomplishments, but also reinforced the importance of music in fostering unity and cultural pride within the emaSwati community. As the sounds of joyous celebration echoed across Pretoria, the choirs of Eswatini reminded everyone that through music, they can transcend boundaries and uplift the spirit of their nation. Australian children under the age of two are at risk of contracting pneumococcal disease as the country battles the worst outbreak in 20 years. There have been 4,500 cases of pneumococcal disease including meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia since the start of 2023 - marking the highest annual rate since 2002. Pneumococcal meningitis is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. The Immunisation Foundation of Australia (IFA) warned there could be a deadly jump in cases in 2025 if new vaccines targeting more deadly strains of pneumococcal failed to be fast-tracked by the federal government. The new vaccines have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and recommended by both the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. However, they remain unfunded through the National Immunisation Program. Carly and John Goya lost their six-month-old daughter Mabel to pneumococcal disease in September 2021. They believe Mabel would still be alive if the vaccine was available three years ago. Six-month-old Mabel Goya (pictured) died from pneumococcal disease in September, 2021 (Mabel is pictured with her parents and older sister) Mabel spent a week in ICU before her parents made the heartbreaking decision to switch off their daughter's life support. The six-month-old is pictured with her mum Carly Goya The Goyas had been enjoying a family day out when Mabel started to show signs of distress in the evening and began vomiting. Her parents took the six-month-old to hospital the following morning and she was treated for dehydration and monitored overnight. Mabel was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and within a few days had suffered severe brain damage. The six-month-old spent a week in ICU before her parents made the heartbreaking decision to switch off their daughter's life support. 'We made the decision to take out the breathing tube and take out all other tubes, apart from the morphine to stop any pain,' Ms Goya wrote. 'The pain and torture of watching our daughter continue to breathe for 15 hours, before she passed away in the morning of the 22nd of September, is utterly indescribable. 'No parent, or child, should have to bear this.' Ms Goya said the vaccine would provide protection against seven additional strains of the disease, including the one that proved fatal for Mabel. Mabel (pictured with her parents and older sister) was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis and within a few days had suffered severe brain damage Pneumococcal meningitis (pictured) is a life-threatening infectious disease that causes inflammation of the layers that surround the brain and spinal cord 'It is crucial that new vaccines, specifically the new pneumococcal vaccine, are funded and added to the National Immunisation Plan,' she told the Courier Mail. 'Pneumococcal meningitis leads to incredibly devastating consequences and is very easy for medical professionals to misdiagnose.' Carly and John are now parents to eight-month-old triplets Edie, Owen and Augie. They started the Mabel Olive Airi Foundation to honour Mabel's life and raise awareness of pneumococcal meningitis. Catherine Hughes, the founder and director of the Immunisation Foundation of Australia, called for the new vaccines to be rolled out through the National Immunisation Program urgently. 'We simply can't risk not having the best available pneumococcal protection,' Ms Hughes said. The Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler told Daily Mail Australia, The Albanese Government strongly supports immunisation as a safe and effective public-health measure to reduce the impact of many diseases in the community that can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions, or even death. The prevention and treatment of pneumococcal disease is a priority for the Albanese Government. The current pneumococcal vaccines available on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) provide strong protection against pneumococcal disease, Mr Butler said. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) is currently finalising a review of the childhood pneumococcal schedule, to enable consideration of what the best vaccines for the population are. I have asked ATAGI to expedite this advice to government. I am committed to ensuring Australian children have access to the best vaccines possible as determined by the experts at ATAGI. Claims he learnt of it from media reports Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn says he was unaware of the disastrous decision to charge account holders $3 to withdraw cash until he read about it in the media. The bank was forced into a humiliating backdown after the move was swamped by a tidal wave of anger from Aussies. with politicians and the media labelling it the 'worst Christmas present ever'. Mr Comyn said he only learnt of the decision to switch customers from the 'Complete Access Account' to a 'Smart Access Account', which charged the $3 fee for over the counter, post office and phone withdrawals, from media reporting the PR debacle. 'I was surprised and disappointed to see that change go out,' Mr Comyn told the Australian Financial Review in an article published on Tuesday. 'I made a couple of phone calls to try to understand, I think, the root cause of that.' The decision was made by the Commonwealth's retail division, headed by Angus Sullivan who reportedly thought the change was 'innocuous'. However, Mr Comyn said he immediately understood how the decision would be viewed with many Australians facing financial hardship and his bank recording a near-record profit of nearly $10billion last financial year. 'Frankly, the reaction didn't surprise me,' Mr Comyn said. Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn said he only learnt about the decision to charge account holders $3 to withdraw their money over the counter after it was reported in the media Two days after the bank had emailed a million customers advising them of the change Mr Sullivan announced there would be a six-month pause in swapping accounts for customers who are 'worse off with the new fee'. 'We acknowledge we haven't got the communication right about this,' Mr Sullivan said. While the switch would continue for customers who are better off on the new account, Mr Sullivan admitted the bank had made the change 'more difficult than we should have'. He said the bank would individually consult with around 100,000 customers who were worse off and move them to a new type of account that best suits their needs. The assisted cash withdrawal fee will still remain for customers who are already on the Smart Access account. Commonwealth Bank Retail Division head Angus Sullivan thought the $3 fee withdrawal move would be 'innocuous' Those account holders can make free withdrawals at ATMs and the fee is waived to pensioners, those under 18 and those who deposit $2,000 a month. Despite pressure from politicians, including by Treasurer Jim Chalmers who directly contacted Mr Comyn, the bank has refused to scrap the plan. The bank has complained that dealing in cash costs it around $400million a year, which breaks down to a $40 per annum cost for each of the Commonwealth's 10million customers. 'Many of our customers don't use cash and these customers cross-subsidise those that do,' Mr Comyn said last year. 'Five years ago, 43 per cent of all point of sale transactions were cash. Today, the figure is around 15 per cent. 'And yet, every week, customers transact more than $18 billion through the CommBank app, an increase of 64 per cent in just two years.' The Commonwealth continues to make cash harder to access having closed 73 branches in 2023 and more than 800 ATMs. However, there remains a strong community sentiment that banks should deal in cash for those who want or need to as evidenced by the strong backlash against the Smart Access withdrawal fee. A mother who sold her 15-year-old daughter to a paedophile to be sexually abused has been jailed alongside the predator she her handed over to. The woman, who cannot be named to preserve the child's anonymity, regularly sold the girl to Ferdous Ahmad between November 2023 and March 2024. Police started investigating in March when they received a tip-off that Ahmad was sexually communicating with the teenage girl. Officers were then able to identify the mother, who was selling her daughter Ahmad for him to repeatedly sexually abuse her. Ahmad, 38, of Queensbridge Road, Brixton, and the woman, from Tower Hamlets, were found guilty after a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 30. The woman was convicted of two counts of counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. They were sentenced at the same court yesterday. Ahmad was sentenced to 12 years in prison and issued with a Sexual harm Prevention Order and Restraining Order. The woman was sentenced to five years in prison. The woman, who cannot be named to preserve the child's anonymity, regularly sold the girl to Ferdous Ahmad (pictured) between November 2023 and March 2024 to be sexually abused Ahmad, 38, of Queensbridge Road, Brixton, and the woman, from Tower Hamlets, were found guilty after a two-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 30 Police are concerned that Ahmad may have sexually abused other young children and are appealing for victims and witnesses to come forward. Detective Constable Matthew Cranston, from Central East Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: 'This has been a truly harrowing experience for the child and I am glad that both people involved have received appropriate prison sentences. 'We remain seriously concerned about the predatory nature of Ahmad's offending in this case. 'If you recognise him and have a specific concern about his interaction with a child, please get in touch with us on 101, contact @MetCC on X, or make a report on the Met's website.' An Oklahoma woman was shocked to find her entire tiny home was stolen in the middle of the night during a devastating heist. Monica Badzinski said she bought the tiny dream house and 10 acres of land in Sepulpa in 2022, only to have it removed from her property at around midnight on November 12. A neighbor had noticed the theft, and called Badzinski, saying the gate to her property was left wide open and the house was gone. 'He has cameras. He says he saw four men in a UTV and a pickup truck. They came to my gate, they had some kind of saw [and] they sawed through my lock,' Badzinski told FOX 23. 'They came down here, they cut the straps to my home and they cut the electrical.' All that remains of the home now are broken cinder blocks, cut wires and crushed cables on an empty slab of land. But perhaps the worst part for Badzinski is how the theft will affect her legal battle with the home builders and inspector. Monica Badzinski was shocked to hear that her tiny home was stolen off her Sepulpa, Oklahoma property She bought the tiny blue home and 10 acres of land in 2022 to fulfill her dream of living sustainably All that remains of the home now are broken cinder blocks, cut wires and crushed cables on an empty slab of land She explained that she had always wanted a 'tiny home' to live 'sustainably,' but not long after she moved in, she learned that an inspection on the home was never completed. The inspection company then told her 'it is probably best to get out of the home,' noting they were not sure whether it was safe to live in. From there, Badzinski said she sought legal counsel, who told her it would be best for her to try to sell the home - a devastating blow to the homeowner. With the home missing, the process has become even more complicated, she said. 'It's unbelievable,' Badzinski said of the brazen theft. 'It is just unbelievable, especially since I have been fighting this battle with the tiny home people and then this happens. 'It's just heartbreaking for years now,' she added. Her neighbor's security cameras caught four men in a UTV and a pickup truck stealing the home just before midnight on November 12 But Badzinski believes the home is still somewhere in the community, as UTVs are not usually able to drive long distances. So in an effort to track it down, Badzinski has been handing out flyers and talking to neighbors, hoping they may know something. She is also offering a $500 reward for the location or identity of those involved. 'I have been trying to do everything I possibly can to get this tiny home back,' Badzinski said. A man has been arrested after he allegedly barricaded himself inside a home in Melbourne's northeast and sparked a dramatic siege. Up to 20 officers from the critical response unit were seen surrounding the home on Liberty Parade in Heidelburg West just after 7.20am on Tuesday. Police negotiated with the 49-year-old man until he was later arrested at the scene. Victoria Police said the man was taken into custody and will be interviewed. There were no injuries. Police said there were no further threats to the community. Britain has sent a delegation of senior diplomats to Syria for talks with the rebels who brought down Bashar al-Assads regime, David Lammy said last night. The Foreign Secretary said the team will tell leaders of the paramilitary group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that the UK wants to see chemical weapons stockpiles secured. They will also urge them to allow for an inclusive transitional political process that is Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, he added. HTS spearheaded the overthrowing of the Syrian president this month and there was confusion about whether Britain can and should have meaningful contact with it while it remains a banned terrorist organisation. It was once an affiliate of Al Qaeda but the groups insurgent leaders claim it has broken with its extremist past. However, it remains banned in the UK and ministers have not said if they will lift this. On Sunday night, Mr Lammy said that diplomatic contact had been had with HTS. But speaking yesterday at a press conference in Westminster after meeting his Australian counterpart, he said he had not engaged with HTS directly but that a team had been dispatched to assist with the transition. He said: I can confirm today that we have sent a delegation of senior UK officials to Damascus this week for meetings with the new interim Syrian authorities and members of civil society groups in Syria. And it underlines our commitment to Syria. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has confirmed that a delegation of senior diplomats have been sent to Syria for talks with rebel forces UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O Petersen meets HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani in Damascus 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 He said that the team would help to push for secure chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, adding: An inclusive transitional political process that is Syrian led and Syrian-owned. Meanwhile, Assad last night claimed he only fled Syria at the very last moment after standing alongside his soldiers on the battlefield. In his first public statement since rebel fighters ousted him, Assad said he had been on the front lines, just metres from terrorists in the most dangerous and intense battlefields when Moscow ordered him to leave. The tyrant, who tortured, gassed and executed political opponents during a brutal 24-year reign, lamented that Syria has fallen into the hands of terrorism. On the encrypted messaging service Telegram, Assad wrote that his departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. He said that when HTS rebels infiltrated Damascus on December 8, he moved to a Russian air base in Latakia. He added: As the field situation 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 bases command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia. He claimed he left the country later that night, long after Damascus had fallen. However, former officials have said he escaped in secret hours earlier. Assad said he never sought positions for personal gain, but accepted that it would be meaningless to continue as leader. Syrian Air Force helicopters left destroyed by Israeli air strikes at Mezzeh Military Airport near Damascus A damaged portrait of ousted president Bashar al-Assad lying on the ground in the city of Latakia Russian president Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Syria's Bashar al-Assad at the Kremlin in July Meanwhile, Israel continued to target the former regimes military assets. Last night, Syrias new leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani told The Times: We are committed to the 1974 [armistice] agreement. We do not want any conflict and we will not let Syria be used as a launchpad for attacks. The Syrian people need a break, and the strikes must end. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israels attacks on Sunday were the most violent raids in the countrys coastal region in more than a decade, targeting 18 sites near the city of Tartus. Last night, the US military said it had killed 12 Islamic State terrorists in Syrian airstrikes, too. General Michael Erik Kurilla said: We will not allow Isis to take advantage of the situation. A member of the Bali Nine has been left 'speechless' after winning his freedom following almost 20 years in one of the world's most infamous jails. Matthew Norman, 38, is one of the remaining 'Bali Five' to have touched down on Australian soil on Sunday from Indonesia, where the group spent 19 years behind bars for trying to smuggle heroin out of Denpasar Airport in April 2005. Norman, the youngest of the Bali Nine members at just 18 years old when they were caught, was keen to get his hands on 'easy cash, fast cash' when he was approached and offered $15,000 for a drug trafficking job. It was a 'reckless, callous' decision that would ruin his life and see him face the death penalty. But having been granted his freedom in recent days, Norman could not find the words to describe his joy. 'Matthew 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",' Putu Murdiana, division head of Bali corrections, told the Sydney Morning Herald. But it will doubtless be a bittersweet moment for Norman given he has a family in Indonesia he is now separated from. He married his Indonesian girlfriend of four years, Anita, in February 2016. 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 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 The couple said 'I do' in front of family and friends in the leafy grounds of Kerobokan jail, with Norman becoming stepfather to Anita's young daughter Stella, now 15. The family were able to spend up to three hours a day together and turned the prison into a bizarre home away from home. 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 after packing up his life in Sydney over concerns for his son's wellbeing while in jail. It is unclear when, if ever, the couple can be reunited as Norman is banned from returning to Indonesia. Their only hope would be for Anita to be granted an Australian visa but their unconventional relationship might not pass muster with the country's strict entry 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 immigration lawyer Perry Q. Wood previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'The issue would be whether it is possible, despite this, to demonstrate that the relationship is a genuine spousal relationship. Norman married his Indonesian girlfriend of four years Anita in February 2016 (the couple are pictured together) The couple said I do in front of family and friends in the leafy grounds of Kerobokan jail, with Norman becoming stepfather to Aninta's young daughter Stella, now 15 (pictured) '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.' Norman 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. Norman was sentenced to life at his February 2006 trial and like his co-accused Si Yi Chen confidently appealed for a reduction, with the shock result that both were handed the death penalty. Norman was forced into making a full confession as to his role in the Bali Nine drug plot to have his original sentence of life reinstated. Afterwards, his mother, Robyn Davis thanked the Indonesian Government. 'Well, it's better than being shot, I suppose,' she said. 'He's okay. Hopefully they'll keep on looking after him while I'm not here and when I return and spend a bit more time with my son.' Norman has seen one fellow inmate hang himself, and others go 'mental crazy'. '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. Norman, along with the other Bali Nine members who have returned home - Scott Rush, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen and Michael Czugaj - is currently being held in a Howard Springs facility near Darwin for an undisclosed period of time. The group will have to undergo rehabilitation in Australia as part of the conditions for their release from Indonesia. EXCLUSIVE: A father who routinely whipped his children with an electrical cord in a years-long campaign of terror had a 'complete inability to parent', according to his lawyer. The man, who cannot be named, is now 'pining' for his sons and daughters and has split from their mother in 'a complete breakdown of a poorly functioning family unit'. 'MS' is being sentenced in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to 26 offences including nine charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. On Tuesday, barrister Penny Marcou read segments of a letter in which middle-aged MS said 'not a moment goes by' he did not regret the vicious treatment his children endured. The Crown described the letter as 'self-serving' but MS maintained the regular beatings and other abuse he inflicted on his offspring were 'the biggest mistake of my life'. 'I am disgusted at myself and my behaviour,' MS wrote. 'It was inexcusable. I should have sought help. I should have done more... but I have let my kids down.' MS, a North African-born repairman, and CS, his Islamic convert wife, raised their children in a household where the smallest act of naughtiness or disobedience was met with violence. 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. A father who routinely whipped his children with an electrical cord in a years-long campaign of terror had a 'complete inability to parent', according to his lawyer. One the man's daughters is pictured The large family lived at a series of rental addresses across Sydney, often in the squalor of open sewage and vermin infestation. Physical injuries were hidden from the eyes of neighbours, with the children banned from wearing any clothing that revealed skin from the ankle to the collarbone. All names and any information which might identify the children, including the exact size of the family, cannot be published. The multiple children, from toddlers to teens, had been kept inside their 'disgusting and revolting' homes and subjected to terrible ordeals. The 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. MS and CS ran a 'controlling and disciplined household environment for their children who followed strict Muslim religious beliefs', according to a statement of facts tendered in court. According to that document, 'throughout the victims lives, they were each the subject of physical abuse and mistreatment' at the hands of MS and CS. 'These acts were frequent and often occurred in view of the other victims,' the statement said. 'MS' is being sentenced in the Downing Centre District Court after pleading guilty to 26 offences including nine charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm The older girls were home schooled in between their roster of chores. Those tasks included cooking meals, cleaning, vacuuming, mopping, washing clothes, feeding animals and bathing their younger siblings. One daughter, H, told Daily Mail Australia the boys and girls 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.' MS bit and whipped a primary school-aged daughter, called her 'fat' and stepped on her face, and punched his four-year-old son in the mouth until he bled for not eating vegetables. He whipped a 10-year-old daughter on her back, legs and arms for more than 15 minutes, leaving marks which were visible weeks later. The children's torment only ended after two of the older sisters secretly contacted police anonymously pleading for help. 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 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. That triggered a raid which led to police uncovering the house of horror lurking in plain sight in Sydney's suburbia. MS appeared in court on Tuesday with the assistance of an Arabic interpreter and accompanied by three male supporters. Ms Marcou said her client's offending was characterised more by 'a complete inability to parent' than rage or lack of emotional control. The court was briefly closed while a video was played of MS lining one child after another against a wall and flogging them with an electrical cord. MS had a 'genuine lack of insight' into his appalling conduct as a parent until he was taken into custody but was now remorseful, Ms Marcou told the court. Since his arrest in September 2022, MS had not been allowed any contact with his children, who were taken from the family home and protected by apprehended violence orders. The girls were initially terrified their parents would learn about their reports to the cops One 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' 'He understands that there will be no reconciliation, at least in the forseeable future, Ms Marcou said. When MS was released on bail in November 2022 after 57 days behind bars he had been prevented from seeing his wife and their marriage had broken down. Ms Marcou said MS's criminal conduct and the punishment he had already received had led to a 'complete breakdown of a poorly functioning family unit' and he was 'pining' for his wife and children. MS had spent the past two years under house arrest and would be suitable for an intensive correction order rather than full-time custody, Ms Marcou said. 'He is not a threat to the community in any way,' she told the court. Crown prosecutor Michael Clark called for MS to be jailed and said his loss of contact with the children - his victims - could not be considered extra-curial punishment. 'There would have to remain some hope that there may be some reconciliation in the future,' Mr Clark told the court. Mr Clark accepted evidence of MS's prior good character but noted a disparity between how he conducted himself respectably in public and how he behaved 'deplorably' behind closed doors. CS pleaded guilty eight counts of common assault, two of assault occasioning bodily harm, and three of concealing an indictable offence. In February she was sentenced to a seven-month intensive correction order. Judge Timothy Gartelmann will sentence MS on Wednesday. Israel's defence minister has claimed that negotiators have never been closer to agreeing to a deal with Hamas for the release of the hostages taken on October 7. Israel Katz reportedly told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal.' A source later told AFP that an Israeli technical team had arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Monday 'to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza'. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks, adding that meetings were 'between Israeli and Qatari working-level teams'. According to his spokesman, Katz had told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal.' A senior Hamas official based in Doha also said that the negotiations were progressing. 'A deal for exchanging prisoners and ceasefire between the resistance and the occupation has actually become closer than ever before, if (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu does not intentionally disrupt the agreement as he has done every time before,' the official said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter. He said Hamas had informed the Egyptian and Qatari mediators of its readiness to stop the war. Israel Katz (pictured) reportedly told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal' Relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants, and supporters, gather for a demonstration calling upon the US to intervene for their release, outside the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv on December 12, 2024 Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 'But Hamas stressed at the same time that it will not accept anything less than an agreement that leads to a complete and permanent cessation of the war, a full withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, the return of the displaced, and a serious prisoner exchange deal.' Since October 7, when Hamas terrorists killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250, negotiations for a ceasefire deal in exchange for the hostages have developed at a snail's pace. Though over 100 people were released in November 2023, little progress has since been made. That release occurred as part of an exchange that secured the freedom of 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. All mediation efforts, led by Egypt, the United States and Qatar, have since then failed to secure a new truce. In September, Qatar had announced it was suspending its efforts, blaming both sides for a lack of willingness to reach an agreement. However, since Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election in early November, diplomatic efforts have resumed, now jointly mediated by Washington, Cairo, Doha and Ankara. On Thursday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, during a visit to Israel, stated that he 'had the sense' that Netanyahu was ready for a deal to secure the release of hostages. Palestinians look at the aftermath of an Israeli bombing in Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, June 8, 2024 Smoke rises from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, December 16, 2024 Israeli soldiers are seen in a tunnel that the military says Hamas militants used to attack the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Dec. 15, 2023 On Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said negotiations had been productive in recent days but that differences remained. 'We are pushing as hard as we know how to do at this point, and we believe we can get to a deal. But again it remains incumbent from Hamas and Israel... getting it over the line,' he told journalists. 'And I can't in good conscience tell you, stand here and tell you that that's going to happen, but it should happen.' Late on Monday, Netanyahu's office said he had held a meeting with Adam Boehler, US president-elect Donald Trump's designated envoy for hostage affairs, who is on a visit to Israel. Netanyahu also spoke with Trump over the weekend regarding Israel's efforts to secure the release of hostages. Seven individuals with US citizenship remain captive in Gaza, with four confirmed dead, Israeli officials said. MailOnline has contacted the Hostage Families Forum for comment. England's sewage scandal took place because successive governments failed to enforce the law for three decades, an investigation has found. For years water companies have claimed it was legally acceptable to allow untreated human waste to pour into rivers and seas. But an investigation by watchdog the Office for Environmental Protection (OPE) has found that the flow of sewage poisoning our waters could have been stopped. In a landmark ruling, the OPE said that the government and regulators failed to enforce a 1994 law- the Urban Wastewater Treatment Regulations - which would have stopped water companies from polluting. While regulations allow sewage to flow into rivers in exceptional circumstances such as heavy rainfall, official figures show that sewage is routinely spilled into waterways. The ruling found that Defra failed to take proper account of environmental law, drafted guidance to water companies which did not reflect the true legal extent of its duties to dispose of sewage, and misunderstanding its legal duty under environmental law to make enforcement orders', although Defra became aware of its duty in 2020, once the UK left the European Union. Ofwat failed to enforce the law, and Environment Agency officials issued permits that allowed sewage overflows which did not take into account the law. Helen Venn, the OEPs chief regulatory officer, said: The core issue identified in our investigation is the circumstances in which the regulatory system allows untreated sewage discharges to take place. Pollution and plant debris at a weir on the Jubilee River. Experienced Open Water Swimmers were out swimming in the Jubilee River in Dorney Reach, Buckinghamshire (file image) In this aerial view, discharge is seen flowing into the River Thames at Crossness sewage treatment works on March 27, 2024 in London (file image) We interpret the law to mean that they should generally be permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as during unusually heavy rainfall. She said there was a further exception which said sewage pollution was acceptable if the costs to address the issue would be disproportionate to benefits gained, but said this has not always been the case', adding: We will decide next steps when we have considered the responses to these decision notices. That could include court action. Guy Linley-Adams, in-house solicitor for charity WildFish - formerly the Salmon and Trout Conservation UK - described the ruling as a a broadside adding: The OEP has achieved a great deal here and we are very grateful. What the OEPs announcement has clarified is that much of the storm sewage pollution that is plaguing English rivers would not be occurring had Government and regulators done their jobs properly. Storm sewage pollution should have been - and must now be - brought to an end under 30-year-old statutory and regulatory obligations. The Environment Agency must secure compliance with the 1994 Regulations, which means it needs urgently to review the unlawful permits it has given to water companies, to bring them into line with the law. Nick Measham, CEO of WildFish, added: WildFish and its legal team will now be watching extremely closely what the Government, the Environment Agency and Ofwat now collectively say and do to bring the current illegality to a rapid end. This widespread law breaking by water companies must be dealt with.' An Environment Agency spokesperson said it will carefully consider its decision notice. The OEP was formed in 2021 and is the regulatory body for England and Northern Ireland to provide independent oversight of the governments environmental progress. LUDZIDZINI - As emaSwati prepare for the Main Incwala Ceremony, it is advisable that they do their shopping before 1pm tomorrow. This is because shops will be required to close by 1pm in respect of the most significant event in the country, Incwala. Worth noting is that 1pm is normally the starting time of the event, depending on circumstances. However, there will be exceptions for certain types of businesses, such as food outlets, pharmacies and filling stations. The stance was confirmed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, in a statement, after clarity on the issue was sought yesterday. The ministry, through its Communications Officer Andile Dlamini, said the Shop Trading Hours Act of 2011, allows businesses to operate 24 hours a day, with the exception of the Main Incwala Ceremony. The ministry said on the Main Incwala Day, shops are required to close by 1pm. The legislation aims to provide flexibility of businesses while also recognising cultural and traditional observance associated with Incwala Day, reads a statement sent by the ministry. A traditionalist added that loud music is also not allowed during the Main Incwala hours. Quality of lusekwane impresses His Majesty LUDZIDZINI - His Majesty King Mswati III was impressed with the quality of lusekwane that was delivered by Ingatja inside the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre, yesterday. The King was seen smiling throughout, as he inspected the shrubs from the throngs of Ingatja and Bongengeni, before it was delivered yesterday morning. Ingatja is used to refer to young boys while Bongengeni refers to unmarried adults, who are still eligible to fetch lusekwane. Worth noting is that when commissioning Ingatja last Sunday, the King urged them to bring quality not sticks. By quality, the King meant shrubs with green leaves that will be used to cover his enclosure (Inhlambelo) during the course of the event. The young boys executed their duties and travelled over 50 kilometres with the shrubs cut during moon rise at Esikhaleni Selusekwane. They also braved the scorching heat before the delivery of the shrubs. During the delivery of lusekwane, the King, who is passionate about cultural dances, urged the young boys to take the pattern from Lacwebetelako. Traditional attire an identity of ones culture MBABANE - As emaSwati prepare for the Main Incwala Ceremony, traditional attire is very important to explain their identity to other nations. The event is scheduled for tomorrow at Ludzidzini Royal Residence. Incwala Ceremony is the most significant cultural event in Eswatini. The annual ceremony brings the nation and other nations together inside the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre, for the celebration of the harvest of the first fruit. The nation also celebrates the existence of peace and stability, since the country gained its independence from Britain in 1968. The event affords the nation the opportunity to thank God and ancestors for the gift of life and seek His guidance and protection during the course of the new year. Worth noting, is that a cattle byre is a sacred place where, emaSwati connect with God and ancestors. It is also believed that emaSwati should present themselves before their God and ancestors in their traditional attire, which include umdada, cow tails (sigeja) shield (inyoni), siphandla, umhlandla, simohlwana/ligcebesha, lishoba, umchele and tidvwashi, which are donned by males. Females don separate attire, which also carries significance. Interviewed traditionalists said the leopard skin, which is donned by men, was chosen for the animals aggression (lulaka). Umdada is the most expensive attire due to its significance during the prestigious event. It has been gathered that the cost of the attire ranges from E15 000 to E25 000. Some warriors shared that they had to part with two heifers for umdada. The warriors said sigeja symbolises protection of the country and territory. They said the shield also symbolises the protection of the country. They said inyoni, which is made of birds feathers, is used to hide. However, they stated that inyoni is scarce in the market. Incwala Ceremony has grown from strength to strength as it attracts all nations of the world. However, the event is guided by its ethics. Security personnel are deployed to assist the public with the no-go zones during the course of the event. No gadgets, watches LUDZIDZINI- Security measures have been put in place to ensure that the ethical framework of the annual Incwala Ceremony is adhered to. Security personnel will be deployed to assist the media and the public on how to manoeuvre within controlled areas during the course of the event. One of the controlled areas is the Ludzidzini Cattle Byre, where only accredited journalists will be allowed to enter with cameras. Any gadget other than a camera will not be allowed into the cattle byre. Watches are also not allowed. This has been happening during the course of the event, which started with the Little Incwala. Participants are urged to leave their gadgets somewhere before proceeding to the Incwala arena. Sunny Hostin, one of the Democratic Party's most vocal defenders on ABC's The View, delivered a stunning admission on Monday's show, conceding that her unwavering faith in her party may have blinded her to the needs of working-class Americans. In a rare moment of self-reflection, Hostin, who had long resisted critiquing the Democrats, said she's now 'rethinking my thinking' as Donald Trump's dominant support among the working class becomes impossible to ignore. 'Maybe it's time for the Democrats to do a little bit of this postmortem,' Hostin declared, acknowledging how the party had failed to connect with the very people it claims to represent. 'The Democratic Party has always been the party of the working class. If you look at all the policies, they're for the people.' Yet, despite their promises and intentions, she admitted, 'the messaging didn't resonate.' Trump's ability to sweep the popular vote among working-class voters shattered assumptions about political loyalty, forcing even staunch Democrats like Hostin to reckon with reality. While her co-hosts debated what drove Trump's success, Hostin's thoughts stood out as a sobering critique of a party she once defended without hesitation. The conversation, sparked by Trump's surprising dominance with working-class Americans, laid bare the disconnect between the Democrats' policy ambitions and their outreach. 'My mistake,' Hostin admitted, 'was in terms of realizing that there are so many Americans that still have that experience that I grew up with.' Sunny Hostin conceded that her unwavering faith in the Democratic party may have blinded her to the needs of working-class Americans Hostin said she's now 'rethinking my thinking' as Donald Trump's dominant support among the working class becomes impossible to ignore She described her own upbringing 'in abject poverty, from the Bronx,' where her family struggled paycheck to paycheck, often forced to make impossible choices. 'My parents had to decide whether they were going to feed me or whether or not we were gonna have heat,' Hostin revealed. The deeply personal admission added weight to her argument that the Democratic Party needs to expand its reach beyond the 'highly educated' and 'college professors,' as her co-hosts described. 'I think we need to make space in this tent for the people that are really gonna need it,' Hostin emphasized. The panel went on to explore further Trump's appeal to working-class voters, with Republican co-host Alyssa Farah-Griffin attributing his success to immigration stances that resonate with voters who are anxious about the economy. 'It's not they think immigrants are going to take their jobs,' Griffin explained. 'It's [that] they know big corporations take advantage of cheap labor while they're struggling to make ends meet.' While Hostin firmly pushed back against the idea that Republicans have become the party of the working class, she did concede that Democrats have missed critical opportunities to listen to the very people they claim to represent. 'I don't think the Republican Party is the party of the working class,' she insisted, but acknowledged that Trump's narrative, however flawed, has filled a vacuum left by Democratic missteps. Hostin has been one of the Democratic Party's most vocal defenders on ABC The View Monday's The View looked at the reckoning facing the Democratic Party following their defeat Despite Trump bringing in the majority of working class votes, the policies he plans to introduce could very likely increase the cost of living for those with the least income. His policy to introduce tariffs would push up the costs on most goods. Earlier this month Trump conceded the cost of groceries may increase noting that bringing prices down would be 'hard'. 'It's hard to bring things down once they're up. You know, it's very hard,' he said in an interview to Time, yet only last month he told voters before the election: 'A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper.' Trump is proposing a 25 percent tariff on Canada and Mexico, to go into effect on his first day in office. Both neighboring countries are two of the nation's biggest importers. Half of U.S. vegetable imports come from Mexico, while Canadian imports make up nearly half of America's feed and grain and 40 percent of its meat products. Back on The View, co-host Sara Haines questioned whether Trump's ability to 'make people feel heard' was enough to secure their loyalty, but Hostin didn't shy away from her party's responsibility. Hostin conceded that Democrats have missed critical opportunities to listen to the very people they claim to represent. She is pictured alongside Kamala Harris in July of this year Hostin's call for Democrats to reflect on their loss and make a change may signal a broader push to reconnect with voters who feel left behind. She is pictured with Joe Biden in September The emotional disconnect, she suggested, is as much to blame as any policy failure. Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg, took a more measured approach, reiterating her own political independence. 'I'm not a member of either party,' she said flatly. On Trump's presidency and re-election bid, Goldberg made it clear she's reserving judgment: 'I'm going to wait and see.' But Hostin's unflinching self-critique marks a significant shift in the political conversation, both on The View and among Democrats at large. Her admission - that the party she fiercely defends may have failed working Americans - reflects a growing reckoning within Democratic ranks. With Trump's working-class coalition stronger than ever, Hostin's call for Democrats to reflect on their loss and then make a change may signal a broader push to reconnect with voters who feel left behind. 'We've missed the mark,' Hostin admitted, 'and I missed it, too.' Child safety campaigners yesterday said they are disappointed that Ofcoms new online safety code lacks measures to tackle suicide and self-harm content. It comes as the regulator published a new set of rules that compel social media companies to take action against illegal and harmful content in order to comply with the Online Safety Act. The rules come into effect in the Spring and Ofcom said yesterday that online platforms have three months to comply or face enforcement action and large fines. However The Molly Rose Foundation - set up in memory of teenager Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to self-harm content on social media - said it was astonished and disappointed. 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, the charitys chief executive Andy Burrows said. He added: 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. 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. Child safety campaigners yesterday said they are disappointed that Ofcom s new online safety code lacks measures to tackle suicide and self-harm content Ofcom chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, said the spotlight is now on tech firms and its time for them to act to meet the strict safety standards in the code Maria Neophytou, acting chief executive at the NSPCC, said the charity was deeply concerned that some of the largest services will not be required to take down the most egregious forms of illegal content, including child sexual abuse material. She added that Ofcoms proposals will at best lock in the inertia to act and at worst create a loophole which means services can evade tackling abuse in private messaging without fear of enforcement. However Ofcom chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, said the spotlight is now on tech firms and its time for them to act to meet the strict safety standards in the code. Those that come up short can expect Ofcom to use the full extent of our enforcement powers against them, she added. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the publication of the first set of codes under the Online Safety Act was a significant step in making online spaces safer. He added: These laws mark a fundamental reset in societys expectations of technology companies. I expect them to deliver and will be watching closely to make sure they do. Following the death of Molly in 2017, the Russell family and their friends set-up a charitable foundation in Molly's memory (pictured: Molly's father Ian Russell) Ofcom yesterday released the first of its codes of practice, which specifically focus on illegal online harms. More rules are expected next year, including on the response to child sexual abuse material. The rules released yesterday relate to content such as terrorism material, hate, fraud and assisting or encouraging suicide. If tech companies fail to comply, Ofcom has the power to fine firms up to 18 million or 10 per cent of their global turnover. In very serious cases it can also apply for sites to be blocked in the UK. Tech firms now have until March to start putting Ofcoms proposals into place on their sites to ensure they are in line with the Online Safety Act when it comes into force. The Russian woman who stowed away on a Delta flight to Paris has been caught again trying to sneak into Canada. Svetlana Dali, 57, was taken into custody at the US border with Canada in Buffalo, New York, on Monday, WGRZ reports. She had apparently managed to cut off her ankle monitor on Sunday, which her Philadelphia roommate found on the floor, at which point he reported her missing, law enforcement sources told CNN. Dali, a US permanent resident, then boarded a Greyhound bus bound for Canada, from which she was apprehended. She is now in FBI custody, and is expected to be turned over to US Marshals in Buffalo on Tuesday. Dali would then go before a judge in the northern New York city, and is expected to be charged with bail jumping - which could result in her spending five years behind bars. Following her hearing, Dali would be sent back to Brooklyn, where she is facing one count of being a stowaway on a vessel or aircraft without consent. The former real estate attorney was released last week without having to pay bail, but was required to follow a long list of conditions - including not traveling outside of a designated area after prosecutors argued Dali had previously tried to get on to planes at multiple domestic airports and an international one. Svetlana Dali, 57, was taken into custody at the US border with Canada in Buffalo, New York on Monday She was already facing charges for stowing away on a flight from New York's John F Kennedy Airport to Paris, France on November 26 Her most recent effort was in February this year in Miami when she went into the international arrivals area and walked into a customs zone in an effort to get to departures, prosecutors argued in court. A police report claims that Dali came into international arrivals at Miami airport and got into a customs area and was trying to get through to departures. She then proved successful on November 26, when Dali managed to avoid Transportation Security Administration lines and airline checks at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport to sneak onto a Delta flight to Paris. A criminal complaint claims she hid amid a flight crew entering in a special lane for airline employees as she underwent security screening, and never had to display a ticket for the flight. Dali also allegedly dodged an airline employee scanning tickets to board the flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport, only to be discovered onboard the flight once it was in the air. At one point, she reportedly sat in an empty seat, but at other times she used different bathrooms to disguise the fact she didnt have a ticket, CNN has reported. Jairam Dookoo, who was onboard the flight, also said Dali initially pretended to try to look for her documents before she got into an argument with airline staff. 'She took 10 minutes to just find her bags, to try and find her boarding pass,' he told ABC News. 'Which she did not have at all.' Passengers filmed her throughout the flight migrating back and forth between the plane's bathrooms since she didn't have a seat She allegedly became 'belligerent' and screamed at staff trying to question her When Dali arrived at Paris' Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport, French authorities said she was 'refused entry for lack of valid travel document, and was placed in a waiting area.' Because she held a valid US residence, French officials moved to send her back on a return flight to JFK days later, however Dali was intent on remaining outside the US. Footage taken by passengers onboard the return flight showed Dali being unruly with airline staff even before the jet got off the ground, as passengers said she began freaking out almost instantly. Dali even claimed she needed 'asylum' as she protested her deportation, the footage shows. 'I do not want to go back to the USA. Only a judge can make me go back to the USA,' Dali could be heard screaming in the footage. But French authorities refused her mysterious plea for asylum there, and sent her back to the US, where she was immediately arrested and taken into federal custody. French officials also confirmed Dali previously applied for asylum in France, but did not clarify when she applied or if it was ever granted. Dali had to turn over her passport following the arrest - which her court-appointed attorney argued was proof she was not a flight risk Dali appeared in court earlier this month to face charges for being a stowaway, when Judge Joseph Martullo raised concerns about releasing Dali. He said he was deeply concerned there is a risk of flight,' but her court-appointed attorney, Michael Schneider, successfully argued that it was unlikely she would flee. 'It's not as if she can sneak on a flight every day,' he claimed, according to CNN. He went on to liken the charge against her to jumping the turnstile in New York City's subway system, as he spoke about the allegedly harsh conditions Dali was facing at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, according to WGRZ. She was placed in a room that was very cold, Schneider claimed. Some time after leaving France she was poisoned. She vomited a lot last night,' he added. 'She believes if she stays at the MDC again her life will be in danger. The lawyer also claimed that Dali lost consciousness after arriving back in the US, and would not take any medication in case it interacted with the poison in her body. He urged the court to give Dali the benefit of the doubt and said that she understood the gravity of the matter. Dali (pictured leaving court on December 6) was let free without bail Schneider claimed at the time that she would not make things worse for herself by committing another offense and noted that she was forced to give up her passport. He further argued that Dali's actions on November 26 could have been the result of a mental health episode - and that Dali telling law enforcement about her previous attempts to board planes boiled down to that as well. Yet prosecutor Brooke Theodora disagreed, saying that Dalis actions had raised very significant national security concerns and significant public safety risks. Silouan Mathew then confirmed that Dali would be staying with him, saying they had met through church - and Martullo agreed to let her go if she were to wear a GPS monitor, abide by a curfew and submit to a mental health evaluation. The Transportation Security Administration, meanwhile, has said it will 'independently review the circumstances of this incident,' referring to the November 26 stowaway case. Delta Air Lines also said that its own review concluded that its security infrastructure was sound and that 'deviation from standard procedures is the root cause of this event.' It said it would take measures to ensure a breach like that does not occur again, saying: 'Nothing is of greater importance than safety and security.' A group of more than 40 organisations from music, art, publishing and film is calling for government to tackle big tech firms unauthorised use of content to train its AI systems. A new coalition, called Creative Rights in AI Coalition, launched yesterday urging ministers to protect copyright rules for creative groups. The cross-industry group is concerned tech companies are exploiting the work of British companies. There is huge controversy over the way tech companies use content from the UK to feed their AI systems, without paying or crediting these firms. This comes as the Government is today expected to launch a consultation on how to manage the relationship between AI companies and creative industries. The newly launched Creative Rights in AI Coalition is calling on Government to adopt a set of principles that would become a framework for developing AI policy. It said this included the need for robust protections for copyright control and transparency for content creators. Among the members of the group are the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the Publishers Association, UK Music, the Motion Picture Association and DMG Media, which owns the Daily Mail. Over 40 organisations in music, art, publishing and film in calling on the Government to take action over big tech firms' unauthorised use of their content (pictured: Westminster) A new coalition, called Creative Rights in AI Coalition, launched yesterday urging ministers to protect copyright rules Last month peers criticised tepid and inadequate government attempts to tackle big techs unapproved use of news content to train their systems. The New York Times last year revealed it was suing ChatGPT owner Open AI and Microsoft over allegations they used its content to train generative artificial intelligence. Last week Sir Paul McCartney warned that AI could stop young composers and writers having a career, saying if AI wipes that out, that would be a very sad thing indeed. Polling released to coincide with the launch of the coalition showed that 72 per cent of people thought AI companies should be made to pay royalties to the creators of content they use to train their systems. It also found that 80 per cent thought that AI companies should have to make publicly available all the information their models have been trained on. In a statement the Creative Rights in AI Coalition said: The UKs world-leading creative and tech sectors put it in a unique position to set a global standard for how both sectors can innovate together and continue to provide high quality services. Protecting copyright and building a dynamic licensing market for the use of creative content in building generative AI (GAI) isnt just a question of fairness: its the only way that both sectors will flourish and grow. It added: The UK creative industries generate well over 100 billion annually. We have, quite literally, earned the right to have our voice heard. The key to that success, and future growth, is copyright law. The New York Times last year revealed it was suing ChatGPT owner Open AI and Microsoft over allegations they used its content to train generative artificial intelligence The group said AI developers had largely exploited copyright protected works without permission, whilst ignoring copyright protections. It added a mutually beneficial market could only flourish if there was respect for copyright and robust mechanisms in place. The coalition said that without proper control and remuneration for creators investment in high-quality content would drop and generative AI innovation would inevitably stall. Tomorrow, peers are set to debate amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill tabled by Baroness Kidron, which would mean UK copyright law could be enforced in the age of generative AI. Baroness Kidron told the Mail: Artists, musicians, journalists dont want to stop AI, but they do want, like all others, to be paid for their labour. Yes I know December is not looking too Chrissy prepared, with rising electricity costs, aircon over summer subject to government planning - that is looking rather unreliable, record business failures, farmers and pastoralists struggling, especially under government tape burdens (like the rest of us), dwindling investment, the resources pipeline list turning into the 80 per cent causality list, and the costs and housing and crime and hospital crises fuelled by far too many government selected immigrants, such crises are hurting too many Australians. And seven continuous quarters of standard of living decline, this long decline is a record. Well, isn't it time for Gina's Chrissie wish list? Yes, I was inspired by the President of Argentina, when his list items are achieved, he crosses each off, can't wait for the crosses! Gina's Chrissie wish list to help the forgotten people For all those struggling with the cost of living crisis Immediately cut the excise on fuel, this would help costs everywhere. And cut payroll tax, stamp duty and licence fees that were meant to go out decades ago when GST came in. For struggling pensioners, veterans, uni and college students and the marginally disabled The above, plus let all Aussies work as much as they like, with no onerous paperwork and no unfair consequences, just pay income tax on their earnings. For struggling businesses All of the above, plus as government tape and regulations have got too high, even according to the ASIC chair, cut ASIC for all those private companies not on the stock market. Gina Rinehart has penned a Christmas wish list for Australia's forgotten people For those in agriculture All of the above, plus appreciaton of fire season, let farmers and pastoralists and others in the agriculture industry clear land as much as they think helps them keep families, staff and pets safe, and their infrastructure safe too. Immediately release all those in jail for clearing, and repay any fines they had to pay. And, let farmers and pastoralists graze stock in national parks (as they used to) helping to restrict the national parks being giant tinder boxes. Let farmers drill for water, make turkey nests, save and use rivers overflow water, build and install water pipes, water tanks, pivots, irrigation, troughs and trough shelters, install solar water pumps, without any government tape or regulations. And, let farmers kill any critters that can kill humans. For those on smaller wages All of the above, plus cut all tax on tips. For those in northern Queensland and northern West Australia Who already struggle with many things, all the above, plus increase their tax rebate so they effectively pay no tax, encouraging people to work in those more difficult northern regions. For those in the Northern Territory All the above, plus full ANDEV policies, cut government tape and regulations (NT is a territory, not a state, so can't argue constitution might restrict). For the indigenous, and the frightened terribly abused ones All of the above, plus move the Canberra indigenous department to Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing, so that bureaucracy gets a better understanding of the needs of actual indigenous people and refocuses its $30billion plus into ways that help the indigenous. Convert the indigenous Canberra department offices into secure accommodation for women and children indigenous or otherwise, suffering from domestic violence, boys up to 12 years old. No rent, no water or electricity charges (note, the bureaucrats don't pay these charges either, so why should the suffering forgotten ones? And note, with the increasing work from home provisions, there are available offices already and they should be promptly reassigned to the women and children in need). 'Let farmers and pastoralists and others in the agriculture industry clear land as much as they think helps them keep families, staff and pets safe, and their infrastructure safe too,' writes Gina Rinehart For our grossly under-resourced actual defence, and fantastic veterans Move the defence department up to the north of the NT, e.g. Tindal, so they can better focus on defence. Convert their Canberra offices into accommodation for veterans and their families. No rent, no electricity or water charges. For the Treasury, especially pensioners Move the department up to the Pilbara region, so they can better understand where the majority of their taxpayers' revenue comes from. Convert their Canberra offices into accommodation for pensioners, who have contributed to Treasury for years. No rent, no water, or electricity charges. For the taxpayers and other contributors, DOGE All of the above, plus close the departments that duplicate the states, e.g. federal agriculture, e.g. resouces departments. Their offices can be used for any of the above forgotten Australians, again without rent, electricity or water charges. Plus, use the new office of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to eliminate government waste and significantly reduce government expenditure, tape and regulations, paying the way for Australians to enjoy opportunities, higher living standards and tax cuts. This would bring much Chrissie cheer for those struggling, and those working hard to support their families and save and build their businesses, i.e. all the forgotten people! And a New Years message for those corporate appeasers of anything left or woke. Just like the famous book 'River of Tears', appeasing the crocodile in the hope it will devour you last, doesn't work. Woke is not a real friend of business or corporates. Woke is on the decline for Aussies' support, too many corporates are out of touch. Nor is the left a real friend of corporates, well except for those wrongly chasing taxpayer money or other costly privileges. Hopefully a well-run DOGE will put an end to that misuse anyway. 'Let's move fast, because the USA will be after the January inauguration, and we'll be left behind', writes Gina Rinehart (pictured with Tiffany Trump at Mar-a-Lago) As mosquito time approaches for the Australian summer, let's not forget the saying: 'If you think you're too small to make a difference, you haven't spent a night with a mosquito.' Haven't we had enough of the down path our country has been on, please fellow patriotic 'mosquitoes', join me leading the up path. And let's move fast, because the USA will be after the January inauguration, and we'll be left behind. Gina Rinehart is the Executive Chairman of Hancock Prospecting and related primary producing and contributing companies, and proud founder of National Agriculture and National Mining and Related Industries Days. Originally published in The Spectator Australia A guest who fell ill after drinking contaminated cocktails at a five-star Fiji resort was offered $160 compensation and asked to sign an indemnity agreement, her friend claims. 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. Four of the victims have since been discharged, including a Sydney mother and daughter who returned home on Monday night. A second Australian mother and a Fijian woman, 22, remain in a stable condition at Lautoka hospital. The Fijian woman was holidaying with friends at the Warwick resort when she began having a seizure and foaming at the mouth after consuming pina coladas from the pool bar. She was also taken to Lautoka Hospital in a critical condition, where she remains in care in a stable condition. A male friend who accompanied her on the trip said he was appalled by the lack of care given to her by resort staff as the emergency unfolded. He said the resort also went to lengths to try to waive any responsibility over what happened. 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 (pictured: a staff member - who was unconnected to the incident - holds bottles of spirits as she tidies up the bar at the Warwick Resort in Fiji on Monday) Five of the victims have since been discharged, including a Sydney mother and daughter who returned home on Monday night (pictured: tourists could be seen enjoying beverages at the pool bar on Monday) 'They made my friend sign an indemnity form and provided a small reimbursement of like $160,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'I was not happy with this... They didn't address if they would reach out to the victims and provide any assistance.' The friend said the group had been drinking at the bar just after midday on Saturday before returning to their rooms. At 5pm, he and the others went to check on their 22-year-old friend to get her up and ready for dinner only to discover she was seriously unwell. He said they immediately called reception staff but they 'took their sweet time' and 'weren't acting like anything was out of place'. When they went to the reception area, the group saw several other guests were unwell. The friend said resort staff weren't helpful so he called a doctor friend who advised him to take her somewhere immediately to get stabilised. 'There were no medical personnel at the resort,' he said. One of the poolside bars at the Warwick resort, which has been in operation for 40 years 'We had to take her in our rental car to a small clinic in Sigatoka to stabilise her before taking her to Sigatoka Hospital. 'There were no nurses or proper medical equipment [there] either. There, they got her breathing ok and fits in check then took her to Lautoka. 'She had to have CPR done on the way.' The friend said their ordeal had turned their 'perfect weekend' into a 'living nightmare'. 'Even at the hospital, no one from management called us to check in with us,' he said. The victim's parents have travelled to be by her side in hospital, while her friends have since returned to Suva. Georgia Sandoe-Simpson, 19, and her mother Tanya Sandoe, 56, are pictured returning to Sydney on Monday Daily Mail Australia has contacted the resort for comment. 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 Sandoe's 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. 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. 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. A former soldier who stabbed his friend to death in a brutal attack has been jailed for life for his murder. Stephen McGhee was told hell be locked up for at least 21 years before he is eligible for parole for killing Kevan Doyle in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. A judge told the 48-year-old at the High Court in Edinburgh: The speed and ferocity of the attack was plain to see on CCTV footage. Lord Young said McGhee was a man quick to violence who had 10 convictions for assault with several of them aggravated by the injuries inflicted or the use of a weapon. The judge said that Mr Doyle, 43, had experienced many difficulties in his life bit was part of a close and loving family and they miss him very deeply. McGhee had earlier denied murdering Mr Doyle in the attack with a screwdriver or a knife or similar implement by repeatedly striking him on the head and body on October 28, 2022 but was convicted of the crime. The court heard that it appeared the lethal weapon used in the attack was a screwdriver. McGhee claimed he was effectively ambushed by Mr Doyle and others when he went over to deliver a spare phone for him in a bid to help him. Kevan Doyle, 43 (pictured) was stabbed to death in a brutal attack by his friend Stephen McGee Mr Doyle (pictured) had experienced many difficulties in his life bit was part of a close and loving family and they miss him very deeply, the judge said McGee was told he will be locked up for at least 21 years before being eligible for parole But the fatal assault was caught on CCTV with prosecutor William Frain-Bell KC describing three blows to the head and chest of the victim as forceful, violent and immediate. McGhee fled the scene and said he only realised that something serious had occurred when he later saw police tape at the house. He told jurors at his earlier trial: I could not believe what had happened had resulted in his death. Defence counsel Tony Graham KC said it as a needless death and added: He stands to spend a considerable time in custody for ending a human life. He said a considerable amount of alcohol had been consumed on the day of the attack and told the court: It goes without saying that if Mr McGhee could relive that day he would never have returned to that house. Until the late Queen defenestrated Prince Andrew in 2022, he was regularly attending meetings and receiving written briefings from top brass at the Ministry of Defence because of his Falklands role and interest in naval matters. Officials became concerned and a senior MOD officer raised the matter with Buckingham Palace. He was told that Her Majesty wanted Andrew to continue to be indulged. Military eyebrows were raised about his links to some suspect states as well as unsavoury individuals. There was no suggestion that Andrew was up to no good. But MoD staff began to edit the briefings until they ceased after his disastrous encounter with Emily Maitlis. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew, Duke of York watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour, the Queen's annual birthday parade, on June 8, 2019 in London Duke of York , speaking for the first time about his links to Jeffrey Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis There was no suggestion that Andrew was up to no good. But MoD staff began to edit the briefings until they ceased after his disastrous encounter with Emily Maitlis The death of BBC Play School presenter Julie Stevens prompts recollection of her meeting with fan Prince Andrew when he was aged six. 'Arent you becoming a bit old for Play School?, she asked. Youll be watching other programmes soon. Andrew demurred: I am going to watch it for ever and ever and ever. My abacus suggests Andrew stopped watching when he was 28 and Play School was axed. The knives are out for Elon Musk at the Royal Society, the countrys most distinguished scientific body. Elected a Fellow in 2018 for his groundbreaking work on electric cars and space travel, his ownership of X and association with Donald Trump have upset some of the membership. Officers are looking at ways to remove Musk, something rarely done. Five years before Musk, the Royal Society elected Prince Andrew as a Fellow. After his 2019 Newsnight interview, when organisations rushed to ditch Andrew, the Royal Society did nothing. Indeed, he would still be a Fellow if he hadnt quietly relinquished the honour himself in 2022. While the axe came down on Sir Mark Rylances Thomas Cromwell after he fell fatally out of favour with the King, the Wolf Hall actor enjoys more cordial relations with the current monarch. Considered Charless favourite Shakespearean, the pair have bonded over their mutual fascination for crop circles. Rylance enthuses: I send him my crop circle calendars and magazines that I buy and keep him informed. Im his crop circle counsellor. Julia Roberts owes her stellar career to Richard Gere. He was asked to spend an hour chatting in a room with the unknown actress to see if she fitted the bill for Pretty Woman. Julia Roberts (pictured) owes her stellar career to Richard Gere. He was asked to spend an hour chatting in a room with the unknown actress to see if she fitted the bill for Pretty Woman After 40 minutes, he broke off to take a call from director Garry Marshall. Julia stuck a Post-it in front of Gere, saying Please Say Yes. Gere told Marshall: Shes adorable. How could you say no? With 007 film maker Barbara Broccoli looking for a director, Empire magazine asks kitchen-sink dramatist Mike Leigh if he would be interested. The entire film would be James Bond going to visit his elderly mother in a suburban house, spending a bit of time with her, and then leaving. That would be it. An outspoken doctor who labels Covid vaccines 'the crime of the century' has forced medical authorities to hand back his licence after a two-year suspension in a stunning court win. Queensland's Supreme Court saw the extraordinary triumph by Dr William Bay on Friday, who self-represented against a top legal team employed by the Queensland Medical Board and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). In his ruling Justice Thomas Bradley was scathing in describing the conduct of the two medical regulators as 'profoundly unsatisfactory' and their accusations against Dr Bay as 'entirely unfounded'. On his X account Dr Bay said that having won his case, where he was awarded costs and had all ongoing investigations dismissed, he would keep speaking out. 'We will not forget the vaccine-injured and the crime of the century is now exposed,' he tweeted and also posted a video with a group of supporters outside the courtroom. In Sunday interview with Sky News show The Outsiders Dr Bay showed no sign of damping down his rhetoric, which saw him form activist group the Queensland People's Protest while praticing as a GP during the pandemic. He accused the regulators of doing a 'criminal thing' by issuing 'a gag order to all nurses, doctors, psychologists and every other health practitioner in Australia to shut up and be quiet about the risks of the so-called Covid vaccines'. ' This was disastrous for the health and safety of every day Australians because it meant doctors like me could not speak freely to our patients about the risks of these vaccines,' he said. Dr William Bay has won back the right to practice medicine after having his licence suspended for two years over criticising the Covid vaccines 'So, whether you wanted them or not you were being forced into taking them without proper informed consent. 'This was a criminal act by APHRA and the head of the medical board because they denied Australians the right to choose freely, thus being responsible for the injury and deaths of thousands people in Australia. 'Deaths and injuries that could not be revealed by your local general practitioner, or your cardiologist or your surgeon because we were prohibited by the medical regulator from speaking the truth.' One of the complaints brought to the Medical Board leading to the licence suspension was Dr Bay loudly interrupting a conference held by the Australian Medical Association in July 2022. Dr Bay accused then Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly of gaslighting doctors about the safety of the vaccines. 'He called on those at the conference to 'join with the people of Australia and stop forcing these vaccines on people who are getting killed by them' before being physically hustled out of the room, all of which he filmed. Justice Bradley found that AHPRA and the Queensland Medical Board failed to show where Dr Bay had breached relevant legislation or his professional code of conduct. Appearing on Sky News program The Outsiders Dr Bay said he would keep speaking out against the vaccines In doing so the Medical Board had acted beyond the powers conferred on it, which did not 'include protection of government and regulatory agencies from political criticism'. The judge also found Dr Bay was denied procedural fairness because no accusation that he had practiced unlawfully was put to him and he was also denied hearing 'before an apparently unbiased tribunal'. None of the complaints concerned his clinical conduct and practice of medicine. 'I did the right thing,' Dr Bay told The Outsiders. 'I never broke the code of conduct and now freedom of speech and informed consent have been vindicated.' Asked why more doctors had not spoken out against the risk of the vaccines Dr Bay said his fellow medical practitioners 'are great people, they are intelligent people but they are also human beings'. He said understood why doctors and nurses were silent when 'a medical regulator ... comes at you and threatens your career, threatens all your years of study, your family, your money, like they did me and takes it all away from you in just a moment'. Dr Bay formed activist group Queensland People's Protest while pratising as a GP during the pandemic 'That does not necessarily excuse the doctors and nurses who stayed silent because there is a responsibility to patients, there is a responsibility to protect them from harm and to tell the truth,' Dr Bay said. 'I was able to get through this loss of career, loss of income, marriage breakdown the whole nine yards of intimidation from the bullies of AHPRA because I have strong faith in God.' Dr Bay said the risks of the Covid vaccines have not been shared with the public. Those included bloodstream clots, heart inflammation, turbo cancers and immune deficiencies. 'You have not been given informed consent,' he said. 'These risks are certainly not relevant or appropriate to children. My message would be do not vaccinate your children (against Covid) because the harms and risk of harms are simply not worth the alleged benefit of which there is none. 'People have died, people have been told to shut up but no more because the Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of speech and the right to informed consent is alive again in Australia.' Medical authorities have repeatedly dismissed claims the Covid vaccines have a high risk factor Dr Bay also claimed the vaccines do not work, a view he shares with UK oncology professor Angus Dalgleish, who told 2GB interviewer Ben Fordham last month he didn't believe the vaccines had 'any beneficial effect whatsoever'. These views fly in the face of Australia's official medical advice, which maintains the Covid vaccines have a very low risk factor. The Health Department states on its website that Covid vaccines 'have been thoroughly assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and found to be safe and effective'. 'The TGA checks all Covid-19 vaccines for quality, safety and effectiveness before approving them for use in Australia,' the department said. 'This is the same process that all vaccines go through in Australia. Medical experts at the TGA continuously check all vaccines to make sure they are safe. 'Vaccines are only approved for use in Australia after they have been assessed to show that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any risks.' Over the past few months four local governments in four different states have voted to express concern that the MNRA Covid vaccines are contaminated with dangerously high levels of plasmid DNA and a cancer-producing agent. The motions follow the lead of the Port Hedland Council in northern West Australia, which voted to send letters expressing their concerns the vaccines cause cancer to local governments around Australia. These claims were labelled as 'misinformation' by the TGA. The watchdog said they were 'based on studies that currently fall short of the scientific rigour expected in pharmaceutical testing and are contributing to the spread of vaccine misinformation'. Claims that Covid vaccines cause excess deaths and 'turbo cancers' have also been repeatedly denied by medical authorities. Hannah Kobayashi has spoken out for the first time since she returned to the United States after she mysteriously disappeared into Mexico. The 31-year-old aspiring photographer claimed she was completely 'unaware' of the media coverage surrounding her disappearance last month, and her father's death by suicide amidst the search. She also confirmed she is now back in the States, saying: 'At daybreak on December 15, I crossed the border back into the United States. 'My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity,' she said. 'I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. 'I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing,' Kobayashi added. 'I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family and my loves ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding.' Kobayashi 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, and has since been reunited with her family. Hannah Kobayashi, right, has returned to the United States and reunited with her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, left Lt. Doug Oldfield, a member of the Los Angeles Police Department's missing persons unit, has now confirmed that her case is closed. He added that she spoke with Customs and Border Protection and 'did not appear to be under any distress.' 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 on November 8. 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. 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. Kobayashi said she was completely unaware of the media coverage of her case 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 '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. 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".' Kobayashi with her ex boyfriend Amun Miranda seen at a 2023 Christmas party 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. 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 '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 police in public statements, saying they still did not know whether she was safe As the investigation into Kobayashi's disappearance continued, 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. The LAPD then announced earlier this month that Kobayashi had crossed voluntarily into Mexico. Still, 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. Kobayashi finally made contact with relatives on Wednesday to tell them that she was fine. Kobayashi's sister and mother, Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee, have now released a statement through their attorney saying they were 'incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe.' 'This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through,' they said. '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.' Ryan Kobayashi holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah outside Crypto.com Arena with her aunt Larie Pidgeon The family previously 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.' MBABANE - The Supreme Court, constituted as a review court, has pulled the plug on dismissed civil servants receiving their PSPF benefits in full. Despite their services having been terminated, civil servants could be paid their Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) benefits, including the employers contribution. This started happening after the Supreme Court, in its appellant jurisdiction, allowed an appeal that had been filed by a civil servant, who was dismissed for theft of government property. In the appeal, Alfred Mia, among other prayers, wanted the High Court to direct PSPF to pay him the balance of his pension benefits (being the employers contribution), after he was earlier on paid only the amount that he had contributed.The matter was dismissed by the High Court and on appeal, Supreme Court Judge Sabelo Matsebula, allowed Mias appeal. The result was that civil servants, despite being dismissed from work, could be refunded their contribution as well as the employers contribution. Review PSPF filed an application to review, correct and set aside the judgment of the appeal court. On review, Chief Justice Bheki Maphalala found in favour of PSPF. The CJ substituted Judge Matsebulas judgment with an order dismissing Mias appeal. The CJ sat in the matter together with judges Jacobus Annandale, Stanley Maphalala, Nkululeko Hlophe and Magriet van der Walt. The effect of the review judgment is that the PSPF will continue to pay pension contributions in respect of dismissed civil servants or those on forced retirement in consequence of instituted disciplinary proceedings by applying regulations of the Public Service Pensions Fund Act, 1993. The PSPF regulation dealing with payment of pension contributions to dismissed civil servants provides that if a member is dismissed from service or forced to retire as a consequence of disciplinary procedures against him, he or she shall be entitled to a refund of his contribution with interest as accrued in terms of the provisions of Regulation 3(4). This provision states that a members contribution shall be recorded in the members account, which shall be credited with interest every year at a rate fixed by the Board. In Mias case, the Eswatini Government dismissed him on November 9, 2011, in terms of Section 36(b) of the Employment Act. He was accused of stealing government property. On November 30, 2015, he wrote to the chief executive officer (CEO) of PSPF requesting to be paid his pension contributions. PSPF paid Mias contributions on December 7, 2015, in the amount of E53 680.15. He subsequently instituted legal proceedings against government in the Industrial Court seeking reinstatement or maximum compensation for unfair dismissal. He also wanted to be paid notice pay and additional notice pay amounting to E101 440.41. Settlement A Deed of Settlement was concluded between the parties for a full and final settlement. It was signed by the parties on the October 6, 2017. This settled the dispute that was pending in the Industrial Court. In his judgment, the CJ said the Industrial Court did not decide whether or not the dismissal was fair in view of the Deed of Settlement concluded by the parties. The amount is said to have been a compromise and did not constitute an admission by the employer that the dismissal was unfair. In February 2019, Mia, through his attorneys, demanded payment of the employers pension contribution, which he claimed was the balance of his pension. PSPF rejected the claim on the basis that Mia was dismissed and that he was only entitled to his pension contribution, which was duly paid. In September 2019 he instituted legal proceedings before the High Court. He was seeking an order directing PSPF to calculate the amounts due to him from his pension benefits including interest. He further sought an order directing PSPF to pay the balance of his pension benefits after calculation. The court dismissed the application on the basis that he had been paid his pension contribution as required by Regulation 13, and that in view of his dismissal from employment, he was not entitled to the employers contribution. The court further held that the dismissal of the respondent was not reviewed and set aside by the Industrial Court; and, that the payment of the terminal benefits resulted from a Deed of Settlement between the respondent and his employer. Mia appealed the judgment of the High Court on three grounds of appeal. Judge Matsebula delivered a majority judgment and concluded that the real issue in dispute revolved around Regulation 13 of the PSPF Regulations, and that Regulation 13 refers to lawful dismissal. Concluded The court concluded that Mias dismissal was unlawful on the basis that his criminal charge did not proceed to a criminal trial, and that this was indicative of a lack of evidence on the commission of the offence. The judge further said the lack of evidence on commission of the offence was governments decision to conclude a Deed of Settlement with Mia when it was challenged at the Industrial Court and consequently paid the amount of E101 440.41 in full and final settlement of the claim. Judge Matsebula allowed Mias appeal and the decision of the High Court was set aside. Costs were awarded to PSPF. There was a minority judgment issued by Judge Mbutfo Mamba. Judge Mamba agreed with the majority judgment that the dismissal referred to in Regulation 13 of the Public Service Fund Regulations of 1993 was lawful dismissal, and that this regulation was not inconsistent with Section 16(9) of the Industrial Relations Act of 2000 as amended. However, Justice Mamba concluded that the majority judgment made three fundamental and profound errors and dismissed the appeal, which the court granted and set aside the judgement that was in favour of Mia. PSPF was represented by Kenneth Motsa of Robison Bertram while Sifiso Jele of SM Jele Attorneys appeared for Mia. A husband and wife who were found dumped in a bushland creek near Sydney Airport were likely targeted because they 'owed money', as police believe their suspected killers have fled overseas. Zhuojun 'Sally' Li's decomposed body was found by a jogger in Botany Bay's Sir Joseph Banks Park in Sydney's south, 18km from her home in Greenacre, on December 9. The second body, which is yet to be formally identified, was discovered during a search for Ms Li's partner, 33-year-old Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen, on Tuesday. Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty told a press conference on Tuesday afternoon police believed the body belonged to Mr Chen. The body is submerged in a creek in water, covered with very thick bush foliage, bulrush reeds, which makes it very difficult to see and has been there for some time,' he told reporters. 'There is a strong likelihood and assumption that this is the body of Rex.' Det Supt Doherty said detectives would probe whether there was 'money owed' by the couple which resulted in the grisly double murder. One of the motives could possibly be financial debts. They owed money,' Det Supt Doherty said. The body of 33-year-old Greenacre woman Zhuojun 'Sally' Li (pictured) was discovered in dense bushland by a jogger in Sir Joseph Banks Park on December 9 Police previously said they held grave concern for Ms Li's partner Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen 'There was no other criminality that were aware of. Unfortunately Sally has become a victim because of that. He added: We are treating it more likely as a targeted double murder. 'As I said previously, we thought there was a third party involved a very strong investigative theory and that has now been confirmed. Det Supt Doherty said police believed the murders took place at the couple's Greenacre home before their bodies were driven by two third parties to the bushland near the airport. At some stage after the bodies had been dumped in botany, (the third parties) travelled up to Queensland,' Det Supt Doherty added. 'Weve located a phone that ultimately had found its way back to the next of kin, which then police seized. 'That phone has been forensically examined and from the enquiries weve had so far we believe theres at least two people involved and both have travelled overseas. Det Supt Doherty said police were liaising with both Chinese and Taiwan authorities in their hunt for the suspected third parties involved. The second body, which is yet to be formally identified, was discovered during a search for Ms Li's partner, 33-year-old Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen, on Tuesday (pictured: police at the scene) Pictured: forensic officers examine the scene He also sought to bat off criticism that it took police a week to find the second body, which was less than ten metres from Ms Li's. Its probably only within ten metres, maybe even closer, but its completely covered over,' Supt Doherty said. 'Its been submerged in very thick bulrush reed and other foliage which makes it nearly impossible to see. The discovery comes after police made a public appeal for information about Mr Chen's whereabouts and said they held grave concerns for his welfare. Neither Ms Li or Mr Chen had been seen since November. Ms Li's body was discovered a week after she reported her daughter missing. 'About 2pm today strike force detectives conducting a search of the area Zhoujun Li was found in Botany located a second body,' police said in a statement. It comes as detectives continue to hunt for a 'third party' involved in Ms Li's death and her husband's disappearance. Police are seen searching the Botany Bay park where Ms Li's body was found last Monday A silver Toyota Avensis, which does not belong to either of them, was seized by Homicide Squad officers as they believe it was used to dump both of the bodies. 'We are looking at associations and friends of Sally and Rex who may have been in a position to transport a body to Botany and then also to cover up the actual body at the crime scene,' Detective Superintendent Doherty previously said. Detective Superintendent Doherty said Mr Chen was last seen alive in November and there was a 'strong investigative theory' that a third party could be involved. 'Not only in the suspected murder of Sally, but we also have to look at a third party being involved in the disappearance of Rex as well,' he said. Supt Doherty said Ms Li and Mr Chen were a 'normal couple' who had no known links to organised crime. Mr Chen had a string of drug related convictions. Mr Chen was convicted in 2022 and sentenced to an 18-month Community Corrections Order for supplying a prohibited drug. The order expired in January this year. He was subject to additional conditions that he was required to be supervised by a Community Corrections officer and to continue treatment for his 'alcohol and drug issues'. A silver Toyota Avensis, which does not belong to either of them, was seized by Homicide Squad officers as they believe it was used to transport Ms Li's body The pair had recently been providing in-home care for disabled people under the National Disability Insurance Scheme, according to their neighbours. 'In a world that often overlooks the unique needs and capabilities of individuals with disabilities, we stand as a beacon of support and advocacy,' Ms Li wrote on their business website. She previously attended Riverside Girls High School and worked in early childhood, according to her social media accounts. Ms Li's mother has meanwhile started clearing out her daughter's marital home. She was seen laying out the couple's possessions on the front lawn of their rental property in Sydney's south-west on Sunday. The grief-stricken mother faced the task of clearing out the home after police scoured the property for potential clues on Friday. Every inch was inspected and dusted for fingerprints, including the front fence with police also seen patrolling the house on Sunday. Former commando Heston Russell has turned his attention away from sworn enemy the ABC to deliver a stinging slap down to the Treasurer, accusing him of failing 'basic accounting' by attempting to blame veterans for a budget blow out. Mr Russell, who successfully sued the ABC last year for falsely reporting he was under investigation for shooting an unarmed prisoner, was scathing about Jim Chalmers' excuse that budget 'slippage' was caused by spending on veterans. Ahead of a mid-year statement Dr Chalmers on Sunday said a $1.8billion 'backlog' of veterans' payments inherited from the Coalition would put 'substantial pressure' on the budget's bottom line. 'Its pretty incredible that the Treasurer tries to justify a budget blowout on backlogged veteran payments,' Mr Russell tweeted on Tuesday. 'Probably the safest excuses for public acceptance but why didnt he forecast this from the last budget? Did he not do his due diligence then? #Excuses' Mr Russell continued his line of thought in a subsequent social media post where he also aimed some salvos at the national broadcaster. 'Lets see the extra expenditure for say ABC legal cost, the ABC MD retiring early and receiving half a million PA pension earlier while paying the full salary of a new MD as well,' he posted. Former ADF commando Heston Russell is pictured 'All seems far too convenient & cashing in on support for veterans post the Royal Commission.' It was announced today that the ABC was appointing former Nine CEO Hugh Marks as its new managing director following the decision of David Anderson to quit just one year into a five-year reappointment. In answer to an X user asking how the Treasurer could budget for claims not yet lodged, Mr Russell said he did not believe that was what Dr Chalmers was referring to. 'Its not talking about not yet lodged at all so you would do due diligence and at least providing an estimate for those already lodged and awaiting assessment and payout as has been the case every year,' Mr Russell tweeted. 'Its pretty fundamental basic accounting.' Mr Russell received received a wave of support for his comments online. 'They were backlogged. They knew they were there. There's no excuse for not budgeting them,' one X user wrote. 'If this is true it shows how superficial the budget prep is any junior accountant would have shown an accrual for this known liability,' another said. Dr Chalmers said the $1.8billion bill for veterans was a backlog inherited from the Coalition A third added: 'Theres no way they could blame wiping student hecs debt (vote buying) or electricity rebates (vote buying) or the voice failure or greenwashing energy dreams (virtue signalling).' 'No, no - it had to be those pesky veterans and their "money grab".' In April, Mr Russell criticised the Albanese government for not supporting him during his defamation action against the ABC. Mr Russell singled out Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh in particular. Mr Russell said had been 'absolutely underwhelmed' by the response Mr Keogh provided during a meeting in Canberra. 'My opening comment was: "Why have we not had any comment from your government?" To which he told me, "It's not government policy to comment on what media organisations do",' Mr Russell said. In October 2023, Mr Russell (pictured) won his defamation case against the ABC after a Federal Court judge ruled it could not prove articles it published were reported in the public interest 'So I said, "Myself and my entire platoon had been through hell at the hands of the ABC: ... Of which I got a response saying: 'I'm a lawyer and I always need to default to what's appropriate by the law'.' Mr Russell said he had not heard from anybody in authority regarding the issue in the three years since the article's publication and the subsequent lawsuit. 'Not even reaching out for a welfare check,' Mr Russell said. In October 2023, Mr Russell won his defamation case against the ABC after a Federal Court judge ruled the broadcaster could not prove articles it published were in the public interest. Mr Russell sued the ABC and two investigative journalists over stories that he claimed gave the false impression he was under investigation for shooting an unarmed prisoner. Those stories, written and produced by journalists Mark Willacy and Josh Robertson, aired on television, radio and online in October 2020 and on November 19, 2021. The defamation case is estimated to have cost taxpayers up to $3.5million in legal fees on top of the almost $400,000 in damages paid to Mr Russell. In September, the ABC was forced to admit audio of extra gunshots was added to a video clip of Australian troops firing from a helicopter in Afghanistan. The doctored footage from the helicopter, where Mr Russell commanded the soldier seen firing a single warning shot at villagers, was identified by Channel Seven's Spotlight program. A San Francisco jury has reached a verdict in the case of the man accused of killing Cash App founder Bob Lee. The jury reached its decision on Monday, following more than two weeks of deliberations in the trial of Nima Momeni, 40, which first began in October, KTVU reports. But the verdict will not be read until Tuesday morning at the San Francisco Superior Court. Prosecutors have argued that Momeni took Lee's life on the 300 block of Main Street in the ritzy Rincon Hill neighborhood in April 2023. It is alleged he stabbed Lee three times after hearing that his drug-dealing friend plied his younger sister, Khazar, with GHB and other drugs and sexually assaulted her. 'One person called 911 pleading for help, saying somebody stabbed me,' said Dane Reinstedt, assistant district attorney, adding that the other person never called police or told anyone what happened that night until the trial. But defense attorneys say Lee, 43, was on a multi-day drug bender of cocaine and ketamine that made him agitated and violent, and that he attacked the defendant with a knife. They said Momeni was forced to use his Krav Maga martial arts skills in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, after 'making a 'bad joke' that upset Lee - and did not realize he had stabbed him. A San Francisco jury has reached a verdict in the case of Nima Momeni, 40, who is accused of killing Cash App founder Bob Lee Lee was found staggering on a deserted downtown San Francisco street at 2:30am in April 2023, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. He later died at a hospital Momeni faces 26 years to life if convicted of murder. He has pleaded not guilty. The assistant district attorney mocked Momeni's defense as he walked jurors through evidence from the trial that began on October 14. He said Momeni was furious with Lee for introducing Khazar, with whom he was friends, to a drug dealer who gave her GHB, known as a date-rape drug, hours before the stabbing. They say Momeni grilled Lee earlier in the evening about what happened to his sister at the drug dealer's apartment, and sent text messages saying that the two men were creeps and sexual predators. Momeni then met up with Lee at his sister's condo, took a paring knife from her kitchen set, drove Lee to a secluded area by the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, including a fatal blow through his heart, on a dimly lit street, Reinstedt said. 'That protectiveness of the defendant's little sister is what led to all of this,' he said. Momeni had learned 'his little sister, the person he's closest to in the world, was given date rape drugs and sexually assaulted. If that's not a basis to kill someone, I don't know what is,' prosecutor Reinstedt said. The puncture wounds were clean, clear and deep, and not the result of any kind of self-defense tussle, he said. Ninety-nine percent of the DNA on the handle of the knife belonged to Momeni, the prosecutor said. Scout Lee, Bob Lee's daughter, seen with her arms wrapped around her mom Krista Lee, right, along with Tim Oliver Lee (Bob's brother) the Hall of Justice for the murder trial of Nima Momeni in San Francisco on Monday The Lee family listened in tears as the courtroom heard Bob's 911 call asking for help Reinstedt played Lee's 911 call from April 4, 2023, that recorded his final words. Jurors could hear him begging an emergency dispatcher for help before he collapsed on Main Street in a pool of blood. Lee's ex-wife, his father, brother, and the couple's two children could be seen in the court room listening, reports KRON4. Lee's youngest teenage child started to sob after surveillance footage of her dying father was played in court as he collapsed in a pool of his own blood. 'On April 4, 2023, one person called 911 pleading for help, saying, 'somebody stabbed me.' Telling us with his last words what happened that night. He begged for help, over and over and over. (Momeni) never called police. 'He never told anyone about what happened under the Bay Bridge that night until a year and a half later, after he had an opportunity to review all the evidence, to tell you a carefully crafted story.' Floral tributes left close to where Lee was fatally stabbed. Lee's death stunned the tech community as fellow executives and engineers penned tributes to the charismatic entrepreneur's generosity and brilliance 'One person is dead. The other person sits in this courtroom. The evidence now proves he's a murderer,' Reinstedt told jurors. 'One person was stabbed. The other person suffered not one single injury,' the prosecutor added. 'One person was the passenger in the white BMW that drove to that quiet dark area with no witnesses. 'He didn't choose the location they went to. (Momeni) was the driver. It was an area (under the bridge) he was familiar with, knowing it was as isolated as you could get in a city like San Francisco, knowing he had easy access to flee onto the freeway. 'The defendant's claim is he acted in self-defense. Your job is to determine the facts,' Reinstedt told the jury. Bob Lee, the CashApp creator was a father to two girls. Both are now teenagers with Scout, 16, seen right, attending court in San Francisco on Monday The prosecution started its closing argument with a 911 call in which Lee could be heard asking repeatedly for help. Surveillance video of Bob goofing around on his final night and autopsy photos of his wounds have been difficult to view, said Lee's brother, Timothy Oliver Lee. He dismissed Momeni's explanation of events as a fabrication. 'Even if he was under the influence, he was still Bob. He was never aggressive. He was always a teddy bear and always a great guy,' he said. Prosecutor, Dane Reinstedt, the assistant district attorney can be seen in this courtroom sketch showing harrowing video of Bob Lee's final moments as he lay dying outside an apartment building But Momeni testified that he had cracked a joke suggesting Lee should spend his last night visiting the city with family instead of trying to find a strip club to keep the party going. That's when Lee suddenly pulled a knife, Momeni said. He said Lee later walked away, showing no signs he was injured. 'I was scared for my life,' Momeni said in earlier testimony that was at times rambling and contentious. 'I had to defend myself.' Lee was found staggering on a deserted downtown San Francisco street at 2:30am, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. He later died at a hospital. Jurors were allowed to ask questions and, through San Francisco Superior Court Judge Alexandra Gordon, asked why Momeni did not call police, either after Lee's knife attack or after Momeni realized Lee had been stabbed to death. A knife recovered from the area where Lee was stabbed showed Momenis DNA on the handle, but the defense said the handle should have been tested for Lee's fingerprints. One of Vladimir Putin's top army generals in charge of nuclear and biological forces has been killed in an explosion after a bomb hidden in an electric scooter was detonated outside his apartment in Moscow. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov died in the blast moments after he emerged from his apartment block with his assistant, who was also killed. He is believed to be the most senior military officer to be assassinated since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The bombing - claimed by a member of Ukraine's SBU security service - came a day after Kyiv had accused Kirillov of overseeing the widespread use of banned chemical weapons against its troops in the conflict zone. Charging him in absentia with war crimes, the Ukrainian SBU security service said he was responsible for more than 4,800 documented cases of Russian troops using chemical munitions since the start of the full-scale war. 'Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable,' the SBU source said. The Russian investigative committee confirmed the army general's death, adding that investigations had been opened into the bombing. Russia has denied allegations it has used chemical weapons in Ukraine. Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. The entrance door of the house itself was torn off and the windows were broken, while the general's official car which had arrived to collect him at 6am was also damaged. The bomb was apparently hidden in or on an electric scooter at the scene, which emergency crews could be seen inspecting. Bodies are seen at the blast scene, which killed the commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, and his assistant It's understood that the bomb was hidden inside an electric scooter when it detonated Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov (pictured), 54, died in the explosion as he emerged from his apartment block with his driver or assistant who was also killed Two body bags can be seen after the bomb was detonated outside the Moscow apartment The explosion blew through the apartment entrance and damaged the facade of the building It is believed the bomb was remotely detonated, setting off a blast that was equal to roughly 300 grams of TNT, according to investigative reports cited by Russia's TASS news service. The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case following the explosion at Kirillov's building on Moscow's Ryazansky Prospekt. Investigators confirmed the deaths of two men and said that a suspect in the case is being identified. The second man killed was identified only as Ilya P. 'The liquidation of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical and biological defence troops is a special operation by the SBU,' a source within the agency told AFP. The deadly explosion came hours after the SBU said Kirillov had been charged with the use of banned chemical weapons. He was accused of masterminding the use of K-1 grenades loaded with banned irritant agents, CS and CN, as confirmed by two laboratories affiliated with the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. They were deployed by FPV drones, aiming to force Ukrainian soldiers out of trenches and into direct fire. The weapons cause severe irritation to mucous membranes, including the eyes and respiratory tract, it was alleged. This had resulted in some 2,000 Ukrainian troops being hospitalised since Russia's invasion began. The SBU said: 'The Security Service has documented war crimes committed by Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces. 'The official is responsible for the mass use of prohibited chemical weapons by Russian militants against the Defence Forces on the eastern and southern fronts of Ukraine. 'On Kirillov's orders, more than 4,800 cases of the enemy using chemical munitions have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale war.' Two bodies can be seen as bystanders watch emergency crews at the scene Footage from the aftermath of the explosion shows a smashed up car as emergency crews rushed to the scene Russian police could be seen setting up a cordon around the body bags after the explosion The entrance door of the house itself was torn off and the windows were broken, while the general's official car which had arrived to collect him at 6am was also damaged The general was killed in a powerful explosion as he emerged from his apartment building. Pictured: The scene of the explosion Kirillov, who was named the head of Russia's nuclear defence forces in April 2017, was under sanctions from several countries including the UK and Canada for his role in Ukraine. He took part in the creation and adoption of the TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower system. He was also known for spreading conspiracy theories about Western use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine. In March 2022, he gave a Defence Ministry presentation about alleged American biolabs in Ukraine that are developing projects to spread biological weapons using bats, birds and even mosquitos. Kirillov also accused Ukraine of provocations using toxic chemicals, including a 'dirty bomb.' In August he said, without providing evidence: 'The facts of the simultaneous supply of toxic chemicals and means of protection against them indicate an attempt to carry out large-scale provocations using the psychotropic chemical warfare agent BZ during the conflict.' Kirillov had served as the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces' Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops since 2017 Kirillov's death is the latest in a string of recent assassinations of high ranking Russian scientists and military chiefs. Five days ago, Mikhail Shatsky, a designer from the Mars Design Bureau who had worked actively on upgrading the Russian Kh-59 cruise missile, was shot. His death followed three days after that of notorious Russian jail torturer and killer Sergey Yevsyukov, 49, who had headed Olenivka jail where Ukrainian POWs were abused. He was killed when his Toyota Land Cruiser exploded in a Donetsk car bombing. And in late November, Russian naval commander Captain Valery Trankovsky, 47, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol. A major hunt has been launched for the bomber who is assumed to have carried out orders from Ukrainian intelligence in killing Kirillov. Russian law enforcement suspects the bomber used a radio signal and was within range of the scene when the improvised explosive device was detonated. CCTV footage was being closely examined. A bomb disposal robot was brought to the site of the explosion, said reports. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Kirillov 'for many years systematically, with facts in hand, exposed the crimes of the Anglo-Saxons'. This included 'NATO provocations with chemical weapons in Syria' and 'Britain's manipulation of banned chemical substances and provocations in Salisbury and Amesbury' as well as 'the deadly activities of American biolaboratories in Ukraine and much more. 'Worked fearlessly. Did not hide behind backs. He marched with an open visor. For the Motherland, for the truth. Bright memory, God rest his soul.' A frantic search for survivors is underway after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu, killing at least one and caused destruction on the Pacific island nation. The quake was detected 30km west of the capital Port Vila at about 12.47pm on Tuesday, a bustling tourist hotspot where multiple buildings have collapsed. At least one person is dead and more casualties are expected as rescue crews and Australian volunteers dug through the rubble hunting for survivors. Footage from the rescue mission showed crushed vehicles, landslides and injured victims being carried and stretchered to safety. Communications are down on several government services, making it difficult to assess the extent of the damage. Locals reported on social media feeling violent shaking for around 30 seconds. Broadcaster VBTC has reported a number of destroyed buildings, some of which have fallen on and crumpled cars. The La Casa D'Andrea E Luciano building, which houses the US, UK, French and New Zealand embassies and High Commissions, has been seriously damaged, with footage posted to social media showing a section of building collapsed onto the first floor. At least one person is dead after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake caused major damage in Port Vila, Vanuatu A number of destroyed buildings, some of which have fallen on and crumpled cars Rescuers are racing against time without essential machinery to lift heavy rubble Port Vila Hospital was also seriously damaged, along with the island's main water supply. 'There are multiple buildings that have come down around town,' Australian expat Michael Thompson explained in a video showing the carnage. 'The rescue team is in there now, trying to get some people out, there is definitely some people in there, hopefully still alive. 'A lot of people just walking around the streets and just don't know what to do. 'The American embassy has collapsed, the bottom floor, with possibly the staff inside, is pancaked' Mr Thompson, who owns a local Zipline tourist attraction has tuned his office into a makeshift communications centre using his Starlink satellite phone. 'We definitely need help in Port Vila most of the communications are gone,' he said. 'We need heavy equipment and experienced personal. We need help in Vanuatu as quick as we can.' Vanuatu is a growing tourist destination with Jetstar launching its first Sydney to Port Vila direct flight just last week. The picturesque tropical island also welcomes up to three cruise ships from Australia and New Zealand each week. The port has closed with scheduled cruise ship docking cancelled. Footage from outside the building shows some of the windows were crushed while other frames appear warped by the impact of the quake (pictured) Dozens of vehicles were crushed by collapsed buildings The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck 29km west of Port Villa on the island of Efate (pictured) 'I can see from the videos the handicraft market and the Billabong store has been flattened,' former Vanuatu resident Clint Williams told Daily Mail Australia. 'That place is full most days with locals selling art and trinkets to holidaymakers. 'I have walked into those same shops with my young children many times and the local Mama's often have their own babies and children with them. It's just devastating to see and I'm bracing myself for bad news.' Landslides are also causing access problems with multiple roads in and out of town now blocked with massive boulders. 'The local network is down or patchy at best and people don't know if their loved ones are safe. Getting in and out to help search for people and the rescue operations is almost impossible,' Mr Williams said. The tiny Pacific nation is no stranger to natural disasters having experienced twin cyclones in March last year. Category 4 tropical cyclones Kevin and Judy struck Port Vila and the surrounding areas leaving a trail of destruction behind. A building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand was severely damaged Broadcaster VBTC has reported a number of destroyed buildings, some of which have fallen on and crumpled cars. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia stands ready to send any assistance needed to Vanuatu after what she described as a 'devastating earthquake' 'We stand ready to support Vanuatu, as the extent of the damage is assessed,' she posted on social media. 'Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need.' 'DFAT is working to confirm if any Australians in Vanuatu have been impacted.' She added that staff at the Australian High Commission on the island are safe. A tsunami threat to Australia and New Zealand has been cleared by authorities in both countries. Qantas will pay 1,800 illegally fired ground and baggage handlers $120million after a four year landmark industrial relations battle finally ended. The airline has confirmed that it has settled with the Transport Workers Union on Tuesday afternoon as chief executive Vanessa Hudson extended her apologies to former staff impacted. 'This is an important step in bringing closure to these individuals and I want to reiterate our sincere apologies to those impacted and their families,' she said in a statement published to the ASX. 'We know this has been a difficult period for those affected and are pleased we have been able to work closely with the Transport Workers Union to expedite this process and resolve it ahead of Christmas.' The decision to sack 1,683 cleaners, ground crews and baggage handlers in 2020 was under the helm of the airline's former chief executive Alan Joyce. Their jobs were outsourced to companies Swissport, Menzies and Dnata at a lower cost. Qantas claimed the outsourcing was to save the airline $100million a year amid difficult market conditions due to Covid travel restrictions. Negotiations between the carrier and TWU have dragged for four years with the Federal Court in October determining the workers' termination was illegal. Qantas will pay 1,800 illegally fired ground handlers $120million following the end of negotiations with the Transport Workers Union Negotiations between Qantas and union have dragged for four years with the Federal Court in October determining the workers' termination was illegal Law firm Maurice Blackburn will oversee the compensation fund set to be established in 'early 2025, and will be distributed across payment streams for economic losses and damages for hurt and suffering'. Qantas will also be required to compensate the TWU for costs 'incurred managing the distribution of the funds to individuals'. TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said the outcome was a positive result for the former workers after 'four gruelling years of this court battle'. 'They've stood by each other during what for some has been the most difficult times of their lives, through family breakdowns, financial stress and mental hardship,' he said. 'These workers helped build the Spirit of Australia. 'Many worked decades, proud to play their part in delivering the safety and service standards that made Qantas a national icon.' Qantas sacked 1,683 cleaners, ground crews and baggage handlers in 2020. Pictured are Qantas baggage handlers It comes after three baggage handlers were awarded a total of $170,000 in damages by the Federal Court in October as a test case to determine potential compensation. The airline was forced to pay an additional $120million in May after settling legal action launched by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Qantas had attempted to sell more than 86,000 'ghost seats' across over 8,000 cancelled flights between May 2021 and August 2023. Passengers who'd bought the affected tickets on domestic flights were awarded $225, while passengers on international flights were given $450. A beloved Sumatran elephant at Bali Zoo has been found dead after she was swept away by an overflowing river. Molly, 45, was found trapped at the bottom of a riverbed in the village of Guwang in the southern part of the Indonesian island on Tuesday. Harrowing footage showed the 2.5 tonne elephant lying on the banks of the Cengcengan River, 3km from the zoo where she was a world famous attraction. The footage showed Molly's head and trunk stuck between two rock surfaces with a blue tarpaulin over her body. Footage posted to social media showed dozens of rescuers gathered around the lifeless body of the famous Sumatran elephant. Locals then contacted Bali Zoo about the grim discovery, bringing a frantic 15 hour rescue mission to a tragic end. Molly was swept away by the raging river following a routine play and socialisation session with another elephant on Monday afternoon. She was being led across the water by a handler to return to her enclosure when she lost her balance due to the strong current after recent heavy rain, the Bali Times reported. Molly the elephant's lifeless body was found at the bottom of a riverbed (pictured) in the Bali village of Guwang on Tuesday morning Molly's body was found 3km from where she was swept away at Bali Zoo 'Molly was nearly at the edge when she suddenly stopped and was hit by a strong current. Our handler tried to intervene but couldn't reach her,' a spokeswoman told the outlet. Zoo crews and Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency rescuers launched a desperate search for Molly. Disaster management authorities were also notified. The search effort was suspended on Monday night due to bad light and the force of the river current before Molly was found the next morning. Officials chained her body to nearby trees to prevent the remains from being swept away again. Police officers assisted with efforts to evacuate Molly's body from the scene on Tuesday afternoon. 'It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news of Molly, our beloved 45-year-old elephant, who has passed away,' Bali Zoo posted on social media. Molly (pictured) was swept away by a strong river current on Monday afternoon after she was let out by Bali zoo handlers for a routine play and socialisation session The desperate search for Molly ended 15 hours after she was swept away by a raging river 'We extend our deepest gratitude to Bali BKSDA and the local community for their unwavering support and tireless efforts in assisting our team throughout the search. 'Molly, an affectionate elephant whose kind and gentle nature brought joy to all who knew her, will be deeply missed. 'Thank you for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.' It's the first time an adult elephant was swept away in a conservation facility in Indonesia, according to BKSDA head Ratna Hendratmoko. 'In the wild, it is usually elephant calves that are reported to be swept away by currents,' Ms Hendratmoko said. Molly was a popular attraction with Bali Zoo visitors after the she was transferred there in 2013. The zoo is currently home to 14 elephants including four males and ten females. Molly was a much-loved attraction at Bali Zoo, which she had called home since 2013 Previous zoo visitors, who had met Molly, expressed their grief following the tragedy. 'I am so saddened to hear [of] the loss of Molly I had the pleasure of meeting her when I attended the Bali Zoo 5 plus years ago she made my dream come true,' one commented. Another added: 'I met Molly in May when I swam with the elephants. Im absolutely heartbroken.' A third wrote: 'Rest easy Molly.' Advertisement Sara Sharif s father and stepmother have today received lengthy life sentences for murdering their 10-year-old daughter at their home in Surrey before fleeing to Pakistan in a bid to evade justice. Urfan Sharif was given a minimum term of 40 years and Beinash Batool 33 years respectively, while Sara's uncle Faisal Malik was handed a term of 16 years at the Old Bailey. The court heard how Sara, 10, was hooded, bitten, burned and eventually beaten to death during a campaign of abuse before her body was found with at least 71 injuries at the family's home in Woking last year. Our live coverage has now ended but for a full recap of today's sentencing see below A released hostage has described enduring horrific sexual abuse after being kidnapped during the Hamas October 7 attacks - as she pleaded with the Israeli government to urgently secure a peace deal to save the remaining captives. The woman, identified only by her Hebrew initial Dalet, recounted in harrowing detail how she was touched 'all over', adding that 'the only thing that saved me was that I was on my period.' Speaking to national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, she said that the remaining female captives in Gaza are being 'raped day and night', and condemned his government for 'failing' them. The former hostage was released from Hamas captivity as part of a temporary truce in November last year, which saw the release of 105 civilian hostages out of the 251 Hamas took in the Palestinian terrorists' devastating cross-border attack. Asked how she has been doing since her return home, the woman said: 'I have no life. I haven't even managed to rehabilitate myself. I'm woken up by nightmares, woken up by memories of how they beat me, abused me, touched me.' She then posed the question to Ben Gvir: 'Is that what you want them to be doing to girls? Continuing to rape them?' The hardline politician, who is in charge of the country's police force, responded bluntly that 'the alternative is that they rape tens of thousands of girls.' He reiterated his stance that the war should go on indefinitely, and argued that by agreeing to a deal that keeps Hamas in power and involves the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners would open the door to future October 7-style attacks. 'They're raping them right now!' Dalet responded, agitated. 'They're raping them right now. They're raping them right now.' Demonstrators raise placards and chant during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostage since the October 7 attacks Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was the only member of the security cabinet to vote against the temporary truce in November Smoke rises from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, December 16, 2024 A view of the destruction resulting from the Israeli forces' attack on a house belonging to the Al-Qarinawi family on the Bureij refugee camp in Gaza City After the meeting, the woman told Israel's Channel 12 news outlet that she 'felt drained and hopeless in the face of the minister's dismissive response.' Throughout the war, Ben Gvir has repeatedly opposed any hostage deal, advocating instead for increased military pressure and the cessation of all aid to war-torn Gaza to force Hamas to release the remaining hostages. He was the only member of the security cabinet to vote against the temporary truce in November. He argues for Israel to permanently remain in the Gaza Strip and build settlements there, forcing out the Palestinian population. During the heated conversation with the former captive, a recording of which was obtained by Israeli media outlets, she is heard urging him: 'Now I want you to tell me you're ready to end the war.' Ben Gvir responds: 'What? You're confused. I think there has to be a war and we are obligated [to fight it] until total victory. 'The ones who abandoned you are the ones who didn't want when they told me I was crazy in the cabinet and that Hamas was deterred, and the ones who told me that from a security standpoint it wasn't okay to request targeted assassinations.' The far-right minister went on to repeat his stance: 'We occupy territory from them, we liberate territory, we encourage voluntary emigration. 'We have to stay there and encourage emigration, voluntarily... . I don't want there to be an end to the war because we have to win the war.' Protesters raise placards and wave flags during an anti-government protest demanding action for the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza Smoke and flames rise from the house belonging to the al-Tabatibi family near the Palestine Square in Gaza City He then reportedly claimed that he was responsible for pressuring prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue the war. 'You know how I changed things? Thanks to my threats he's continued the war, thanks to my threats' 'People have been murdered because of military pressure,' Dalet responded, listing hostages who had been killed in captivity. A total of 96 hostages remain unaccounted for, according to Israeli figures, the majority of whom are men. Reports in May suggested that nine female hostages had died in captivity, with around a dozen believed to be alive. Hamas said last month that a female captive was killed in an Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza, a claim the IDF said it was investigating. An Israeli strike in Gaza overnight killed at least eight people from the same family, most of them women and children, Palestinian medics said. The strike late on Monday hit a house in Gaza City's central neighbourhood of Daraj, according to the Health Ministry's ambulance and emergency service. Rescuers recovered the bodies of eight people including two women and four children from under the rubble, it said. An Israeli tank moves near the border with the Gaza Strip Among the dead were a father and his three children, and the children's grandmother, according to a casualty list obtained by the Associated Press. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strike. The death toll in the Gaza Strip since Israel began its bloody offensive last October has now surpassed 45,000, according to Palestinian figures. Since October 7, when Hamas terrorists killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250, negotiations for a ceasefire deal in exchange for the hostages have developed at a snail's pace. Though over 100 people were released in November 2023, little progress has since been made. The investigating police chief has not confirmed the gender identity of the 15-year-old who opened fire inside a study hall at a small Christian school in Wisconsin, claiming it is 'not important at all' to the investigation into the massacre. The shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, killed a teacher and another teenager when she opened fire on students and staff at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Monday, before turning the pistol on herself. Speculation about whether Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha, is transgender has flooded social media since the shooter's identity was publicly confirmed. But Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes has dismissed questions about the female student's gender identity and urged people to be more responsible with their online posts about the shooting. 'I don't know whether Natalie was transgender or not. And, quite frankly, I don't think that's important at all,' he said during a news conference on Monday. 'I wish people would leave their own personal biases. We have lost members of our community. Its something that may come out later but for what were doing today it is of no consequence at this time.' He added: 'I don't think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may want to identify. For what we're doing right now, today, literally eight hours after a mass shooting in a school in Madison, it is of no consequence at this time [what gender the shooter was].' Barnes's response has sparked fury from social media users who have branded him as 'woke' for dismissing the gender-identity conversation and argue that it could be 'important' for understanding Rupnow's motive for the shooting. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the gender identity of the 15-year-old who opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday is 'not important at all' to the investigation into the massacre The shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, killed a teacher and another teenager when she opened fire on students and staff before turning the gun on herself Rupnow, 15, terrified classmates, including a second grader who made the 911 call that sent dozens of police officers rushing to the small school, when she opened fire on the study hall. She killed a teacher and another teen, and wounded six others, including two students who were in critical condition, Barnes said. A teacher and three students had been taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them had been released by Monday evening. '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. Rupnow was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived to the school and died en route to a hospital, the chief confirmed. Barnes declined to offer additional details about the shooter, partly out of respect for the family. But social media users have criticized Barnes's response to questions about Rupnow's gender identity. 'Weird answer by Police Chief on whether Samatha / Natalie Rupnow being transgender and pronouns used,' one X user tweeted. 'If there is nothing to it and he's just trying to be inclusive, not sure it does any favors for trans people.' 'It is relevant! Stop the transanity! Its dangerous!' added another. 'Like hell it's not, d**n right it's important. We have a transgender mental illness going on!' one user tweeted. Another user questioned: 'How is it NOT relevant?' Conservative radio host Todd Starnes even branded Barnes as 'woke', tweeting: 'The woke police chief in Madison refuses to say if the terrorist who shot up the Abundant Life Christian school is transgender.' 'A pattern is developing. To deny that fact is wrong,' added another user, seemingly referencing Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale, who opened fire on a private Christian school last year. Hale, 28, killed three children and three adults in the March 2023 rampage at The Covenant School. Police said Hale, who was transgender, was believed to have had 'some resentment for having to go to that school'. Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following Monday's shooting in Madison, Wisconsin Pupils are ushered to safety after a shooter opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday Students aboard a bus as they leave a shelter following the shooting Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school - prekindergarten through high school - with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. Barbara Wiers, the school's director of elementary and school relations, said when they practice safety routines, leaders always announce that it's a drill. That didn't happen Monday, just a week before Christmas break. 'When they heard, 'Lockdown, lockdown,' they knew it was real,' she said. Wiers said the school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, nor was it clear if the victims were targeted, Barnes said. 'I don't know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening,' he told reporters. Barnes said police were talking with the shooter's father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooter's home. 'He lost someone as well,' Barnes said of the shooter's father. 'And so we're not going to rush the information. We'll take our time and make sure we do our due diligence.' The first 911 call to report an active shooter came in shortly before 11am. First responders who were in training just 3 miles (about 5 kilometers) away dashed to the school for an actual emergency, Barnes said. They arrived three minutes after the initial call. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. Police blocked off roads around the school, and federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement. No shots were fired by police. Children and families were reunited at a health clinic about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the school. Parents pressed children against their chests while others squeezed hands and shoulders as they walked side by side. Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School A police officer directs traffic outside the Abundant Life Christian School Abundant Life asked for prayers in a brief Facebook post. Wiers said they're still deciding whether they will resume classes this week. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, rushed to the school and learned over FaceTime that her daughter was OK. 'As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters,' Highman said. 'There's 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, 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. He spoke with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and offered his support. Evers said it's 'unthinkable' that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home. 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. Families leave the SSM Health Center, set up as a 'reunification center', following the shooting Police investigate as emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School Buses carrying pupils leave the Abundant Life Christian School alongside a police convoy The school shooting was the latest among dozens 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 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. BHUNYA - A Lubombo deputy sheriff (46) died tragically, in front of family members, after he slipped and fell into a waterfall. The incident happened at Usutu River, Bhunya, on Sunday afternoon. The Deputy Sheriff, Mciniseli Bhembe, of KaMkhweli under Siphofaneni Inkhundla in the Lubombo Region, left his home together with six other family members to see a traditional healer, Joseph Sukumani Tallman Dlamini, whom they wanted to perform some rituals to find a member of the family, who went missing about nine months ago. It is worth noting that there are two waterfalls where the incident happened and they are about two metres apart. On the other hand, the traditional healer lives at the Usutu River banks, where he built his consultation rooms and carries out his work there. Missing According to the deputy sheriffs uncle, Majahodvwa Bhembe, since it had been about nine month since the member of their family, Tibonele Bhembe, went missing, Mciniseli suggested to the his family that they should consult the traditional healer and maybe he could perform rituals to assist them in finding him or knowing what happened. The missing family member is believed to have left the country for South Africa, where he was hustling, but never came back and could not be reached on his cellphone. Majahodvwa said they then embarked on the journey to consult the traditional healer. At Malkerns, they bought bread and soft drinks, he said. He stated that when they arrived in Bhunya in the afternoon; they sat on a rock towards the Usutu River to eat the bread and the soft drinks. While they were eating, he said they saw a person and asked for directions to the traditional healer. He said the individual showed them the directions and after eating, they proceeded on their journey. He highlighted that as they were talking to the individual, they did not pay much attention to him, such that they did not notice where he went after giving them the directions. He said they only focused on the journey ahead. Thereafter, the grieving uncle said when they reached the river, they had a debate that some of them, in particular the older family members might not be able to walk on the rocks and cross the river. He said as they were debating on that, Mciniseli went closer and he slipped and fell into the waterfall. He just sank into the river, the uncle said. He said they called the police, who responded by sending a team of officers, who included scuba divers. He said the scuba divers found his body in the river, where he had fallen. Majahodvwa said because of the incident, they ended up abandoning their journey to the traditional healer. This publication visited the traditional healer at the Usutu River yesterday, and he said he started living there around 2019 and this was after he was called by some spirits. He said he was shocked when he was visited by the police on Sunday afternoon, who told him that one of his prospective clients had drowned in the waterfall, which is further up from where he lives. He said he was shocked, because he did not understand who directed them there as it is difficult and dangerous at the same time for people to walk near the waterfalls. Akuhanjwa lapha, he emphasised in vernacular. He said even when he wants to go to the waterfall, he performs some rituals before getting into the water. I suspect there is someone who is evil, who always misleads people to go via the waterfalls because not long ago, someone drowned along the river. In fact, there are a number of people who have drowned in the waterfalls, the traditional healer said. He said he believes the person who misleads people is evil because from the bridge on the main road to Bhunya, his home and the path leading there are visible. However, he said, somehow, they continue to cross the bridge and meet the person who then misleads them to go via the waterfalls. The traditional healer also confirmed that after the incidents, his prospective clients abandoned their journeys to see him. When asked about his name, Tallman, as he is not a tall person, he said the name belongs to the snake that gave him the powers to assist people. He said it is the same snake that took him through a series of secret ceremonies and rituals required to become a traditional healer (kutfwasa). Confirmed The drowning was confirmed by Acting Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer, Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze, who said a 46-year-old man of KaMkhweli fell into a waterfall and drowned while at Usuthu River in Bhunya, on Sunday afternoon. He said his body was recovered by the police on the same day. In mid-November, this publication reported the tragic drowning of a man at Manzamnyama River, witnessed by his fellow church members during a ritual prayer. The incident occurred on a Friday evening, while the deceased, along with members of his Zion Church congregation, had travelled to the prominent river at Zombodze to conduct a kuphahla (prayer) ceremony. It was noted that the man, a regular churchgoer from Siteki, had often visited the river with his congregation for such rituals, and this was a common practice for them. Visiting the river for various spiritual purposes, particularly purification rituals, is a well-established tradition. Members of the Red Gown Sect are among those who frequently make such pilgrimages to the river. Britain is woefully unprepared for a major drone assault and needs its own Israel-style 'Iron Dome' to protect itself, a former Tory defence minister has warned. Tobias Ellwood feared the UK had no adequate way to shield itself from a full-scale invasion of explosive kamikaze drones - like those seen bombing Ukraine and Israel. It comes amid mysterious sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles - UAVs - brazenly circling military bases in the UK and US, which have prompted alarm. Mr Ellwood - a former chairman of the Commons defence committee - warned Britain needed to 'wake up' and 'recognise our critical national infrastructure is so exposed'. 'Why don't we have an Iron Dome capability? Because these are just passive drones flying over a runway causing disruption,' he told LBC's Tom Swarbrick. 'Imagine as I say if something far more powerful, more kinetic such as one of those Iranian drones were to be launched from the English Channel. 'What protection do we have there? We don't. And that I'm afraid is the very dark world that we're now entering.' His warning came as a senior military chief this week warned the UK had 'never been more at risk of an attack from Russia' - as he laid out the Doomsday scenario of how the Kremlin would bombard Britain. Your browser does not support iframes. Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in January Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, warned Britain needed its own Iron Dome to stop future drone incursions (he is pictured on LBC on Monday) Writing for Mail+, General Sir Richard Shirreff warned Britain could be overrun by Russia in a week and that the nation must desperately start preparing for war. The former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe feared the UK would be vulnerable to a barrage of hypersonic missiles, capable of ripping through the sky at 11 times the speed of sound, which could obliterate London. 'You might regard it as scaremongering,' he wrote. 'But with Ukraine and Russia about to see an enforced ceasefire imposed by President Donald Trump as he returns to the White House next month a ceasefire that favours only the Kremlin Britain and Western Europe have never been more at risk of an attack from Russia. 'We have to prepare, if we are not to suffer a swift and catastrophic defeat... and a war lost before it is barely begun.' The UK has a strong air defence strategy, however there are fears the country lacks land-based systems to defend London or its nuclear plants. Britain's main form of air defence are the Royal Navy's six Type 45 destroyers, touted as the world's best air defence warship, and the British Army's advanced Sky Sabre missile system. On the ground, the UK is rapidly investing in laser defences, which can be used to shoot drones and, potentially, missiles out of the sky. But these are not yet in service. Mr Ellwood previously called for military spending to be upped and for more cash to be pumped into its aerial defences to create a 'permanent umbrella of security'. Senior UK defence officials have said the UK needs its own 'Iron Dome' to boost its defence following a wake-up call after Iran's attacks on Israel over the weekend The Jewish state has at least 10 missile batteries capable of intercepting enemy rockets and missiles scattered across the country He warned the world is becoming increasingly dangerous, with conflicts raging in the Middle East, Russia continuing with its invasion of Ukraine - supported by North Korean troops, and China posing an ever greater threat to Taiwan. Former British Army Captain Mr Ellwood said Britain should increase defence spending to three per cent of GDP - just over 68billion. Labour is currently committed to spending 2.5 per cent of national income on the military. Meanwhile, despot Vladimir Putin is pumping 6.3 per cent of GDP on the Kremlin's military - roughly 114billion. Meanwhile, defence experts have pointed the finger of blame at Russia for the series of drone incursions over American military bases in the UK and US. Swarms of UAVs have been seen hovering over Suffolk's RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath - which is set to become the home for some of America's nuclear weapons - and nearby RAF Feltwell, Norfolk last month. A swarm of drones is pictured circling RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk last month A swarm of drones is spotted over in New Jersey, America, which has alarmed US officials 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, in Norfolk Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon claimed the incursions worldwide may be part of a Kremlin ploy to use covert agents to 'test the waters' and expose weaknesses in the defences of British and American bases. The veteran British commander claimed Putin could have activated sleeper agents - spies on the Russian payroll - to run the series of 'coordinated' operations, which have left government agencies scrambling to respond on both sides of the Atlantic. Israel's impressive Iron Dome system works to detect incoming rockets and missiles, before determining its path and blasting them out of the sky before they cause any destruction on land. It's just one of a three-part, multi-billion pound air defence system, developed by Israel with US backing after the 2006 Lebanon War, which been crucial in defending Israeli cities for over a decade. It's credited with downing scores of rockets fired from Lebanon and Gaza as well as defending the country from two waves of Iranian drone and missile bombardments earlier this year. Fifteen-year-old Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow went to her Madison, Wisconsin school as usual on Monday morning and waited three hours before pulling out a handgun and opening fire at students and teachers. She killed a teacher and a fellow student in the rampage and left six injured. Four were taken to hospital, with two left in critical condition. Rupnow was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after police arrived on the scene, and died in the ambulance on the way to hospital. They arrived three minutes after a second grader reported an active shooter at the Abundant Life Christian School at 11am yesterday, as students braced under their drilled lockdown procedures. The shooting prompted an outpouring of grief in the community and calls from President Biden to enact gun-control legislation to prevent further massacres. Similar calls have gone unheeded after almost every school shooting in recent memory. But as investigators try to piece together exactly what happened yesterday morning, several unanswered questions remain for police to address. Police arrived three minutes after receiving the report of an active shooter at the school The shooter, who went by the name Samantha, opened fire on a room full of students from various grades, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes (Students leave on Monday) Police on the scene of the house of Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow in Madison, Wisconsin What was Natalie Rupnow's motive? Investigators are still working to establish for Rupnow's Monday morning assault on the Christian school in Madison. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said on Monday night that a motive for the attack was not immediately known, and that it was not clear if the victims were targeted. Three people, including the shooter, were killed in the attack. Six were injured. Two were left in critical condition, and three students and a teacher suffered non-life threatening injuries. Two people were discharged from SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison last night. Barnes said police were talking with the shooters father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooters home. 'He lost someone as well,' Barnes said of the shooters father. 'And so were not going to rush the information. Well take our time and make sure we do our due diligence.' Police raided Rupnow's family home eight miles away from the school on Monday night, with SWAT teams deploying stun grenades on the property. Rupnow is alleged to have left behind a manifesto shared widely online, which investigators are now sifting through - but are yet to confirm its veracity. A law enforcement source told CNN that Rupnow 'had been dealing with problems and expressed some of those in writings, which they are now reviewing.' Did Natalie Rupnow want to die? Police arrived on the scene three minutes after they received the report of an active shooter at the school and found Rupnow, having sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police recovered a handgun and Rupnow was pronounced dead in the ambulance en route to the hospital. Police are still working to verify a manifesto attributed to Rupnow. Screenshots purported to have been taken from Rupnow's Spotify account and shared online included playlists titled 'Suicidal' and 'Kill me wtf'. Nora Gottsckalk, eight, was in the hallway of Abundant Life Christian School in Madison just before 11am, getting ready for lunch, when cops say Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow opened fire Police lead pupils after the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, on Monday Law enforcement officers stand at the site of Monday's shooting which left three, including the shooter, dead How did Natalie Rupnow get hold of the weapon? Rupnow waited three hours before pulling out a 9mm pistol and attacking her fellow students and teachers, an official told AP. Police recovered the weapon after the attack but are still working to establish how she got hold of it. Cops also confirmed that shooter Rupnow was not on their radar and had no prior interactions with her before Monday. Barnes said the suspects home had been searched on Monday - and police are seeking additional search warrants. It has not yet been confirmed if Rupnow's family were gun owners. Did Natalie Rupnow have a boyfriend? Police have not commented publicly on Rupnow's relationships, except to say the family are cooperating with their investigation. But one social media user claimed to have spoken to Rupnow's alleged boyfriend, understood to have shared a manifesto police are now trying to verify. 'We havent been able to verify that its authentic. Were certainly aware that its been posted and the person who posted it, alleged to have a connection with the victim,' Barnes said of the document. The social media user said only that they had spoken with the 'alleged boyfriend' of Rupnow, who said they knew her by Samantha, not Natalie. The user cited the 'alleged boyfriend' in dispelling rumors Rupnow was transgender, and said they had directed them to the alleged manifesto. 'Her boyfriend says the photo that is making the rounds is not how he remembers her, and believes it was somewhat edited to make her look worse,"' they claimed. Barnes said the suspects home had been searched on Monday - and police are seeking additional search warrants People are seen at a reunification center after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison Children prepare to board a bus bound for the reunification center to meet their parents after the shooting on December 16 Was Natalie Rupnow transgender? Amid wide speculation on social media as to the shooter's motive and identity, Chief Barnes told a press conference resolutely that rumors were not helping the probe. 'I don't know whether Natalie was transgender or not. And quite frankly, I don't think that's important at all,' he said. 'I don't think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may want to identify.' He added that it didn't really matter for the time being and that it was 'just not helping.' 'For what we're doing right now, today, literally eight hours after a mass shooting in a school in Madison, it is of no consequence at this time (what gender the shooter was),' he said. He also claimed that he had no knowledge of any previous interactions with Rupnow: 'I think if there were, we certainly would have had some type of intervention, but I'm not aware of that.' A rescue mission was launched for a cave expert in Italy after getting stuck underground - a year after becoming trapped in the same place. Ottavia Piana, 32, was exploring an uncharted half-mile branch of the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave northeast of the city of Bergamo when she was injured after falling 16ft on Saturday. She remained trapped deep underground, where the temperatures were ranging from 7C to 8C in high humidity. But this is not the first time Piana had got into difficulty in the Bueno Fonteno cave. In July 2023, rescuers had to free her after she broke her leg at a depth of nearly 500ft and was trapped for 48 hours in a spot close to where she was over the weekend. The woman from Adro, Italy, was exploring the cave with eight other people on Saturday. They reported her missing on reaching the surface at around 10.30pm. Piana, considered an expert cave explorer, was alert and responsive despite suffering multiple traumas to the face, ribs and knee. Rescuers only reached her late on Sunday and had to use small explosives to blast a path through a 330ft bottleneck, which was too tight for a stretcher to pass through. After two days, rescuers are hopeful that they will have recovered the speleologist from the cave, which reaches a depth of 585 metres in total, by tomorrow night after about 100 rescuers had worked tirelessly to reach her. Ottavia Piana (pictured), 32, was exploring an uncharted half-mile branch of the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave northeast of the Italian city of Bergamo when she was injured after falling 16ft on Saturday Rescuers only reached her late Sunday and had to use small explosives to blast a path through a 330ft bottleneck, which was too tight for a stretcher to pass through Piana, who is considered an expert cave explorer, was reportedly alert and responsive, despite suffering multiple traumas to the face, ribs and knee The rescue operation has been complicated due to the narrow passages in the cave, which only allowed 20 people to work on freeing her at a time due to safety concerns. A spokesman for rescue operation, Mauro Guiducci, said on Monday that 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. He added that a team of 20 technicians were operating inside the cave and dozens more were assisting above ground. Technicians have been in close contact with colleagues from all over Italy. Outside the cave, the Alpine rescue service was also present, flanked by carabinieri and firefighters. The teams involved are working with specialised equipment to ensure maximum safety for both Piana and the rescuers. The rescue operation took two days due to the narrow passengers in the cave The speleologist was finally carried out of the cave, which reaches a depth of 585 metres in total, on Monday night after about 100 rescuers had worked tirelessly for two days to get her out The rescue operation was complicated due to the narrow passages in the cave, which only allowed 20 people to work on freeing her at a time due to safety concerns The rescuers first transported Piana to a heated base camp within the cave, where they gave her oxygen and an opportunity to warm up, before continuing their journey to the surface. They are thought to have covered about a third of the return journey, moving about 50 metres an hour. 'We hope to take her out tomorrow night, we have to make some stops because she needs to recover,' a doctor at the scene told local media. Piana and the other eight explorers were part of a task group which they had called 'Operation Sebino', for underground mapping of uncharted cave branches. The 32-year-old is thought to have suffered several fractured bones, but no further details on her condition have been released yet. A doctor involved in the rescue operation told local media that Piana said she was now considering to give up exploring caves. Harrowing footage has captured the dramatic moment two heroic tradies rescued an elderly woman after her home became engulfed in flames. The massive blaze tore through the Harold Street property in Seaton, in Adelaide's north-west at about 12.15pm on Tuesday. Footage showed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the home before the blaze quickly spread to the backyard. Solar installer Mike Ajami and his co-worker were driving past during their lunch break saw the blaze and leapt into action. The woman, 70, had also suffered burns when they found her in the backyard clinging to a tree. Footage showed the pair jumping over the fence and Mr Ajami was heard shouting at the woman to escape. 'Get out ... Rob push her, push her,' Mr Ajami screamed at his colleague. 'There's a lady there,' she trying to get the fire out. 'Holy f*** bro!' His co-worker ducked for cover as thick smoke continued to spread during the chaos. Thick plumes of smoke billowed from the Adelaide home before the fire spread into the backyard (pictured) The woman, 70, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries The pair rescued the woman by lifting her over the fence to safety. She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries including several burns. A SA Health spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia the patient is currently in a critical condition. The woman was sleeping inside the home when the fire broke out before being woken by a neighbour banging on the front window. 'She didn't want to leave the house, she was holding onto the tree ... she didn't want to leave,' Mr Ajami told Nine News. 'Everyone was yelling, there was a lady at the back ... no one was going to go and get her.' 'So me and my mate jumped the fence.' The woman's condition in hospital is currently unknown. The woman was sleeping inside when smoke began billowing from her Adelaide home Footage showed Mike Ajami's co-worker Rob ducking for cover (pictured) during the chaos as the thick smoke continued to spread Emergency services arrived at the scene a short time later and firefighters quickly doused the flames. The house sustained extensive damaged in the blaze. Neighbours commended the tradies' bravery. 'They're heroes, they really are because she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them,' one woman said. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined by investigators. 'Police and MFS Fire Cause Investigators are at the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blaze including the cause of the fire,' a police statement read. Daily Mail Australia contacted South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service for further comment. Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Mishal Husain brought down the curtain on her 26-year career at the BBC with an emotional send-off as she presented her final Today programme this morning. The Radio 4 presenter, who fronted several 2024 general election debates for the BBC this year, joined the corporation in 1998 and has presented the Today programme for 11 years. Radio 4 invited former colleagues into the studio and played some of Husain's career highlights as the BBC paid tribute to their star presenter, once described by The Telegraph as 'The Today programme's interrogator in chief'. Husain and her co-presenters, Nick Robinson and Justin Webb, were joined in the studio by former Today hosts Sarah Montague and John Humphrys, with the latter quizzing the departing star on whether she wanted to leave or if she was 'made' to. In her final message on the show, Husain, who was also joined by her husband, said: 'The moment is now upon me, time to say farewell to this programme and to the BBC. 'In my time here, I have found more in me than I knew was there and I journey on to discover what yet might lie within. 'In the tradition of my faith when people used to go on pilgrimage in generations past, they would not only take their leave of friends and associates, but they would ask for their forgiveness because in those days, many did not return from the arduous journey. 'I hope therefore you might forgive me for the times I crashed the pips, squeezed the weather, any other dastardly deeds... 'My heartfelt thanks go to all my BBC colleagues across the UK and around the world and to you, wherever you are listening from, for your time and your trust. On this last morning, I have been allowed music and I am going to leave you with my choice.' Before The Monkees' hit Daydream Believer played out at the end of the programme, Husain signed off with: 'From me, good morning and goodbye.' Mishal Husain presenter her final Today programme this morning as she leaves the BBC after 26 years Radio 4 invited former colleagues into the studio and played some of Husain's career highlights as the BBC paid tribute to their star presenter Mishal Husain will leave the BBC after a 26-year career when she steps down from the Today programme Husain joined the BBC as a producer before becoming a presenter on BBC World News in 2001 Although there were several emotional tributes paid by colleagues past and present, Humphrys quizzed Husain on her decision to leave. In true journalism mode, Humphrys said: 'Can I ask a difficult question? Did you want to go? Husain replied: 'This is when I now regret saying 'Wouldn't it be nice to invite John back?' 'I think it was time for me to do something else. I know all of you did the programme for longer, but I think when we do new things we grow and develop. 'I'm a much better journalist than I was 11 years ago. This programme with all its pressures and the scrutiny, it's an immense responsibility to be on here and a privilege as well. From all those times, you grow and develop and I know I'll miss it.' But Humphrys replied: 'You know perfectly well you wouldn't have got away with that answer if you had asked yourself the question. The question was "Did you want to go?" Because you know what everyone is saying out there, which is that the bosses made...' But Husain did not give any further details about her departure and the conversation swiftly moved on. During Tuesday's programme, a number of clips from Husain's previous interviews with the likes of Sir Keir Starmer, James Cleverly and Nigel Farage were played, and guests on the show also wished her well. Here, Husain is pictured alongside Labour's Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak of the Conservative party during a debate in June The presenter joined the BBC in 1998 and was previously the host of the recent UK general election debates Previously, it was believed that Husain was having talks with bosses at the BBC about moving to a new role at the corporation In a statement, the 51-year-old journalist said: 'My time at the BBC has involved many memorable moments, going to places I would never otherwise have seen, witnessing history and being part of live, national conversation on Radio 4' A clip was also played of Husain bursting into laughter while trying to present a piece on the world's richest dog, Gunter, saying 'this is a German Shepherd dog, not an actual German shepherd'. Introducing the tribute segment, Robinson said: 'The time has come, we can put it off no longer, even though we dearly wish it were not, this is Mishal's last day.' Paying tribute, Humphrys said: 'She has been a joy to work with, absolute joy and indeed to know as a human being but she has been a pleasure to work.' Meanwhile, Montague added: 'I remember the first morning. We didn't know each other before at all. At 4am, first of all she comes in looking like a supermodel. 'There had been two women presenting the Today programme previously but there had always been horrible backlash. They hadn't tried it out for a while, and I remember sitting there, the programme had started and I said 'have you looked at Twitter?'. 'And you said 'I haven't dared'. What I was watching was an absolute celebration, a hooray, partly an 'at last' and also you just sounded like you were born to it. I remember thinking, 'hallelujah'. Husain, 51, follows Martha Kearney in leaving the show this year after the Irish star stepped down in the summer. But while Kearney has carried on presenting elsewhere on the BBC, Husain has gone entirely, announcing she is heading to Bloomberg. It is a huge coup for the media company, which is seen as less prestigious in the UK at least. It comes after claims she had not taken to recent addition to the presenting line-up Emma Barnett and had 'not been terribly happy' on the show. In a statement, the 51-year-old journalist said last month: 'My time at the BBC has involved many memorable moments, going to places I would never otherwise have seen, witnessing history and being part of live, national conversation on Radio 4. 'I will always be grateful for the opportunities the BBC gave me, and wish the organisation and everyone who is part of it the very best.' She then announced the news of her new job at Bloomberg, she wrote on X: 'My news .. heading to Bloomberg to host a multi-platform global interview show as part of the recently launched Weekend Edition. Much to look forward to in this new chapter of career and life.' Previously, it was believed that Husain was having talks with bosses at the BBC about moving to a new role at the corporation, once she departed the Today programme. Numerous sources had suggested bosses were desperate to keep hold of her and were dreaming up new projects the highly-respected journalist could be used for. But the announcement, which marked the end of a 26-year career, featured a statement from Husain that was just two sentences long. Meanwhile BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness said: 'Mishal leaves the BBC with an incredible journalistic legacy. After more than a decade on the Today programme she is going with our gratitude and affection and we wish her the best of luck in her new chapter. 'I very much hope the BBC and Mishal will get the chance to work together again one day.' Discussing her new role, Husain added: 'I am delighted to be fronting a new interview show that will reach audiences in different formats as part of the exciting plans for Bloomberg Weekend Edition. 'Ours is an ever more complex world but the desire for thoughtful conversations crosses all borders. I look forward to working with a new team at Bloomberg - the place which gave me my first job in journalism.' Husain started out as a city reporter for English language outlet The News in Islamabad, Pakistan, at 18. After working at Bloomberg Television, she joined the BBC in 1998 as a junior producer for News 24 (now BBC News). Following that, she worked from the US to the Middle East, South Asia, Singapore and China as a presenter on BBC World News from 2001. The presenter, who is highly regarded within the BBC, was said to be remaining on air until the new year Husain started out as a city reporter for English language outlet The News in Islamabad, Pakistan, at 18 Since 2013, Husain has been a presenter of the Today Programme. In 2014, she was also the first reporter to enter the school that was attacked by the Taliban in Peshawar, Pakistan. Three years later, her engagement interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went viral around the world. She has made documentaries on the life of Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi, the 2011 Arab Spring, the late Queen and Pakistani campaigner Malala Yousafzai. She previously served as the channel's Washington correspondent during the Iraq invasion, and occasionally anchors the News At Ten on weekdays. Last summer, she chaired two general election debates including a head-to-head clash between Sir Keir Starmer and then PM Rishi Sunak. However in September, the presenter came under criticism for failing to sufficiently challenge 'antisemitic' comments made by Today guest American-Iranian political analyst Mohammad Marandi. Following a backlash from Jewish organisations, the BBC admitted it should have 'continued to challenge' Marandi's language during the live interview. Campaigners helping a British teenager who was convicted over a holiday romance in the UAE have said it is 'outrageous' that the foreign secretary appears to not want to help them. Detained in Dubai, a campaign group working closely with the family of Marcus Fakana, has asked David Lammy to raise the case through diplomatic channels after the apprentice builder was sentenced in Dubai last week. Fakana, 18, is facing a year behind bars for having sex with a 17-year-old girl from London while he was on holiday with his parents in the UAE city in August. The girl was just one month away from turning 18, but sex with anyone under the age of 18 is an offence in the Gulf state. Following the arrest of the British teenager, the foreign secretary, who also serves as the MP of for Fakana's north London constituency, Tottenham, said that Britons should 'follow the rules' in other countries'. But Detained in Dubai have blasted the statement as untrue. It said: 'It's outrageous to remove himself from the case. He [Lammy] clearly did not want to help or have those conversations with the Dubai government. 'He is absolutely fine to see a young British tourist jailed for relations with someone who was one month away from being 18, simply saying you should follow the law.' Marcus Fakana, 18, had a weeklong holiday romance with a girl, also British, but was arrested and detained after her mother complained to the Dubai police. He has now been jailed Detained in Dubai, a campaign group working closely with the family of Fakana, slammed British Foreign Secretary David Lammy for 'removing himself from the case' Marcus is pictured with his family who have been battling to get the teenager released Lammy has said that the family of the convicted teenager 'have had all the full support'. A FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family'. It comes after lawyer David Haigh, who is advising the Fakana family, warned that Fakana could have his sentence increased to up to 20 years. Speaking exclusively to The Mail on Sunday, Haigh said: 'The maximum sentence for a case like this is 20 years. 'It is always seen that the prosecutor really decides the sentence, but this was a low one for them. The worry is that they will not want to let this go and look weak. They may want to show they have fully upheld the law to everyone watching. Marcus will play almost no part in any prosecution appeal. 'He won't be allowed to talk or address the judge and everything will be in Arabic anyway. There won't be a translator. He'll probably be pushed into court for a minute and then pushed straight out again.' He added: 'The days ahead are fraught with difficulty.' Fakana has not yet been imprisoned in the maximum-security al-Awir central prison for men, which is home to death row inmates, murderers, terrorists and violent gangsters, as prosecutors question whether to demand the handing of a more severe punishment. Haigh said the main hope was that the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, would respond to Fakana's fresh plea to be pardoned by authorities and deported rather than locked up. Pictured is the high-security al-Awir Central Prison where Fakana will serve his sentence. The jail houses some of Dubai's worst offenders, including murderer, terrorists and rapists While the relationship would have been legal in the UK, under Dubai law a 17-year-old is defined as a child. The girl, from London, has since turned 18 The family of Marcus Fakana, from Tottenham, London, have been left devastated by his prison sentence, sources claimed The leading human rights lawyer also raised concerns for the teenagers safety within the jail, stating his young age and the levels of racism would make it a 'terrible' experience for him. 'The family are very worried. They are hoping for a miracle,' Haigh added Fakana could yet launch an appeal of his own to try and get the sentence reduced or removed. Radha Stirling, who leads pressure group Detained in Dubai, said Fakana 'clearly didn't intend to break the law'. She added: 'They [his family] are going to wait and see if the prosecution is going to apply for a harsher sentence. That real possibility is frankly freaking the family out. 'He never imagined that he would be going to jail for a holiday romance with a girl who was a few months younger, but is now the same age. 'It is just shocking. His life is being ruined. Here we have two British tourists who were on holiday in a consensual relationship and now one is going to jail. 'Dubai likes to market itself as a glamorous party destination, one for influencers yet they are jailing a British tourist for a something that would not be a crime in his own country and ruining his life.' Speaking on the sentence, Sterling said: 'I did expect the British Government, as other Governments have done, to step up and save one of their citizens from unjust sentencing. 'Marcus did plead guilty, but police and prosecutors had a disturbing litany of details in his file which ended up making it more than a misdemeanour and heard in a higher court. 'They said he was older than 19 and he was from Pakistan. He was a British citizen. There were a lot errors deliberately to torment him.' Marcus' parents have asked Dubai ruler HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum 'to please let our boy come home' Radha Stirling, founder of British-based aid group Detained In Dubai, slammed the government for not doing more to help the teen, branding the situation an 'embarrassment' to Britain Fakana began his secretive holiday romance in August with the girl who was then just a couple of weeks short of her 18th birthday. They were reportedly planning on continuing their relationship when they were back in London. But the girl's mother reportedly found birth control pills, photos and chats upon their return to the UK and informed the Dubai police, who arrested Fakana at his hotel. Since his arrest Fakana has been staying in a rented flat and was said to be 'too scared' to venture out. A GoFundMe page set up by the family has raised over 33,000, with the money being put forward to pay for the teen's accommodation and legal fees. On the page the family wrote: 'Our son (Marcus) went to the UAE to celebrate his father's birthday and join a family reunion. What was meant to be a happy time has turned into a nightmare for him, our family and our friends. 'This has happened as a result of someone trying to misuse UAE law against him. He is being charged with a crime that could lead to imprisonment for up to 20 years. 'He is only 18 years old, very scared, and his mental health is starting to decline. We've done all we can to fight for his freedom, but now we urgently need to raise at least 20,000 to work on getting him back home. 'We've already spent as much as we can on legal help and his housing needs while he stays to fight his case. We're trying our best, but we are struggling with the funds to continue this fight. The legal system in Dubai is very different from the UK and very expensive which makes this whole ordeal even more challenging.' A senior NHS doctor who raised concerns about the safety of Covid vaccines has been struck off the medical register for misconduct after a tribunal described his comments as 'scaremongering'. A hearing in Manchester concluded that Daniel Armstrong, a 35-year-old consultant psychiatrist, had undermined public health information and confidence in the medical profession after branding pharmaceutical companies 'evil'. The decision comes after concerns were raised about a film Armstrong, who was based at Northumbria specialist emergency care hospital in Cramlington, published on BitChute. In the footage the consultant identified himself as a doctor before questioning the safety and effectiveness of Covid vaccines, which he claimed were at the heart of a grand deception. 'I am using my doctor title, my registration under the GMC in the UK, to bring you this message about what the truth is, but also highlight the deception,' Armstrong said in a near two-hour video entitled Navigating the Truth-Deception Reality. 'We are being lied to on a cosmic scale, a global scale, and there is a huge agenda why they are lying to us. In essence, you know that you were lied to. 'Whether you took the jab or not, they lied to us all. They said it was safe and effective, and they couldn't have known whether it was safe or effective. 'They couldn't have known after three months. 'My message is clear to everyone: don't take any more. You've a doctor here, he's got his licence on the line - given it up. Don't take any more of the injections. These guys are evil.' Daniel Armstrong, a 35-year-old consultant psychiatrist based at Northumbria specialist emergency care hospital in Cramlington, has been struck off the medical register Armstrong questioned the safety and effectiveness of Covid jabs in an online video, claiming: 'We are being lied to on a cosmic scale, a global scale' In a second video, Armstrong branded big pharma 'a big con' and referred to the General Medical Council as 'scumbags' A three-strong panel convened by the medical practitioners tribunal service acknowledged Armstrong's right to freedom of speech under the European Convention on Human Rights. But the panel concluded that the doctor's words ranged beyond free speech, drawing on an 'outlandish' rationale and 'inflammatory and emotive words' to justify 'unprofessional and unacceptable conduct'. 'The tribunal recognised that Dr Armstrong has a right to express himself freely, to hold his opinions and share them with others,' said the panel. 'However... the opinions advanced could be described as "scaremongering", in that they contained clear and unambiguous assertions that Covid vaccines are not safe and instruction/ direction that people should not take them. 'He asserted that the public has been deceived, but the tribunal found that much of the rationale relied upon by Dr Armstrong to support his opinions is outlandish and bears no obvious relationship to medicine or medical research. 'The opinions included representations of wholesale deceit by the pharmaceutical industry, and statements about collusion between that industry and other authorities. 'In the Tribunal's view, the opinions and rationale expressed by Dr Armstrong, and the way in which he expressed them, which included use of inflammatory and emotive words such as "evil", crossed the threshold from legitimate, medical opinion into the realms of unprofessional and unacceptable conduct.' The panel also questioned the relevance of Armstrong's references - which included allusions to freemasonry, ancient Greek and symbolism - to his broader argument about an alleged 'cover-up operation' by the government and pharmaceutical industry. Robin Kitching, counsel for the General Medical Council, noted that despite telling an interim orders tribunal held in September that the video was a 'one-off', Armstrong posted a film entitled The God Conspiracy the following month in which he said he was being 'persecuted' by the GMC. In the concluding minutes of the video, Armstrong branded big pharma 'a big con' and referred to the GMC as 'scumbags', said Kitching, who added that the doctor also described the tribunal as a 'kangaroo court'. 'There is clear evidence he has no insight whatsoever, indeed he continues to vehemently hold the views expressed in the video in question and feels that it is the rest of the profession and the regulator who are in the wrong,' said Kitching. The tribunal concluded that Armstrong was 'highly likely in future to act so as to put patients at unwarranted risk of harm'. Russia has positioned mysterious blimps on NATO's borders, sparking fears they could be part of a new spying operation or prelude to attack. A white spaceship-like aircraft was seen on the Russian side of the frontier near Narva, Estonia's third largest city, on the far outskirts of NATO territory in June. Estonian authorities initially decided to ignore the suspicious blimp, but the following day alarm bells began ringing when it returned - this time marked with a 'Z', the symbol of Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine. The incident sowed fear and confusion for Estonia, with the director-general of the border force in the northern European country explaining: 'We are seeing things like this nearly every week'. He also highlighted that although it 'good to see that Russia is using modern technology' through the mysterious blimps, 'it was intentionally made visible to everyone, to say: 'We are watching you'. 'They're trying to provoke a reaction. They want to see how we respond,' Belitsev said. The sightings of the blimps are also raising concerns among locals in the Estonian capital who fear it may be a chilling prelude to a Russian attack. One woman told the Telegraph: 'We are constantly thinking about it, our prime minister has said if Ukraine wins we are safe and if not we are in deep trouble, that's a creepy thought'. The white spaceship-like aircraft was seen in June on the Russian side of the frontier near Narva, Estonia's third largest city, on the far outskirts of NATO territory Estonian authorities initially decided to ignore the suspicious blimp, but the following day alarm bells began ringing when it returned - this time marked with a 'Z', the symbol of Putin 's brutal invasion of Ukraine Your browser does not support iframes. Located on NATO'S eastern border, Narva has become the constant target of warfare tactics employed by Russia - with the Kremlin having regularly dropped these surveillance blimps and removing Estonian border infrastructure in the middle of the night. Tensions on Narva's 200-mile frontier have sky-rocketed in recent months, according to Estonian border guards. Police have claimed there has been a rise in numbers of border security incidents, such a anti-West protests, attempted smuggling of weapons parts, and dangerous aircraft stunts. The Narva Museum which faces directly towards Russia has also found itself at the centre of the growing 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 displayed a banner reading 'Putin is a war criminal' on the side of Narva's castle, facing towards Ivangorod, a Russian border town that lies just 101 metres away. Russian officials demanded that Estonian border representatives take the anti-Putin banner down, but they refused. Estonia, which joined NATO and the EU in 2004, defiantly remains one of Russia's most vocal opponents in Europe. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Estonia forked out more money towards military aid for the war-torn country than any other, and it proudly supports Kyiv's ambitions to join NATO. This support, and Estonia's decision to implement restrictions at the Narva crossing point used by the city's Russian speakers has infuriated Putin, who at the time of his invasion of Ukraine, indicated that he had his sights set on Narva, suggesting that it would be justifiable to 'take back and secure' the border city. Estonia's support of Ukraine has infuriated Putin A Swedish artillery team fires a projectile from an Archer self-propelled Howitzer during the NATO 'Exercise Lightning Strike' on November 20 The live-fire exercise includes service members from 28 Allied and partner nations, and took place between November 4-24, across locations in Finland, Estonia, Germany, Poland, and Romania 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. Belitsev said two years ago Estonia had 18 border incidents and this year they had 96 In May, Russian border guards were also accused of stealing 20 buoys from the Narva river in the dead of night in what was seen as an attempt to reestablish the edges of Russian territory. Belitsev slammed the 3am move, saying: 'This is not something you do if it is a proper or normal thing'. On top of this, Russia is accused to purposely slowing down border checks ahead of an Estonian national parade in an attempt to flood the local area with queues. Almost six months on, people still find themselves queuing for more than 12 hours in the snow to cross into Russia. Estonia's border force has pointed the finger of blame at the Kremlin, but within Narva, some blame is being targeted at the Estonian government. Russia has closed off the Narva checkpoint to all vehicles, so the only way through is on foot. Russians can use the crossing to enter Estonia, but only if they meet certain strict criteria, such as visiting close relatives. Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shake hands prior to bilateral talks at Knighthood House on December 17, 2024 in Tallinn, Estonia. Starmer is paying official visits to NATO member countries Norway and Estonia this week The two-week international military exercise Pikne - translating to lightning - began in Estonia on December 2 Estonia, which joined NATO and the EU in 2004, defiantly remains one of Russia's most vocal opponents in Europe 'If you want to go into the Russian federation, it shouldn't 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,' Belitsev said. 'Anybody with a clear sense of mind wouldn't go there.' In Estonia's capital, Tallinn, this week, Nordic and Baltic leaders gathered for the annual summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force, a UK-led rapid response force that complements Nato troops in the region. Erkki Tori, a senior Estonian government adviser, said there were no signs that Russian aggression against Ukraine and the rest of Europe would reduce next year. 'Russia will remain a threat for a very significant time, we don't see any changes in the mindset of the Russian regime,' Tori warned. 'Russia's understanding is that we will become more tired and they can outlast us in this war of aggression. Russia sees itself as being at war with NATO and therefore the ends justify the means.' It comes just weeks after Estonia launched large-scale NATO exercises near its border with Russia. The two-week international military exercise Pikne - translating to lightning - began in Estonia on December 2. 'We are putting the synergy and cooperation to test across different countries, branches of service and units,' said Colonel Janno Mark, Chief of Staff of the Estonian division. The main exercises took place from December 2 to December 15, mainly in the north and northeast of Estonia for the ground and air forces. Kay Burley has denied claims she is leaving her Sky News breakfast show after five years. The 64-year-old first joined the news channel 35 years ago and has since gone on to become one of the broadcaster's highest-profile news anchors. The TV host moved to the breakfast slot in October 2019, taking over from Sunrise host Sarah-Jane Mee. Breakfast with Kay Burley was re-launched this year with a more conversational format featuring co-hosts Gareth Barlow and Mhari Aurora. Reports suggested the veteran journalist was due to step down from the breakfast show as early as this week, according to Deadline. But Kay Burley told MailOnline last night such rumours were not true. She said: 'I don't know where that comes from, but neither of them are true. I am off on the 19th [as] planned and then I am back on January 16.' When asked about reports in the trade press that she was leaving her breakfast show, she added: 'Not that I'm aware of, unless you are telling me something new.' She said: 'I am getting up at half past three in the morning... I'm back after I have been away to the Seychelles.' Sky News has also been approached by MailOnline for comment. Kay Burley is set to leave her Sky News 6am until 10am breakfast show after five years, according to reports Kay Burley (pictured right) was one of the channel's original presenters when it was launched by Rupert Murdoch in 1989 Pictured: Kay Burley (right) with Sir Trevor Phillips and Beth Rigby on Sky News' election night coverage Kay Burley (pictured left) with her colleague Beth Rigby (right) outside Downing Street in 2019 A Sky insider told Deadline 'it would be massive if she left' Kay was one of the channel's original presenters when it was launched by Rupert Murdoch in 1989. Before hosting breakfast, she anchored the late afternoon shows and is usually the broadcaster relied upon to cover major news events on the channel. Kay has held the top seat for some of the biggest stories over the last four decades, including the death of Princess Diana and the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York. In 2020, Kay was taken off air for six months after it was revealed she flouted Covid regulations with a birthday party held in central London. Kay has faced a number of personal challenges in recent times, including her sister being diagnosed with blood cancer and an accident which left her 'covered in blood', with a black eye and bruising all over her face. Kay has been candid about her heath in the past, as she revealed in 2021 that going through the menopause is 'tricky' to handle while working on TV and claimed hot flushes leave her 'looking like she's walked through the shower'. The journalist has also been haunted by cancer for most of her adult life, losing her mother Kath to the disease in 1993. Her father also died of a heart attack aged 66. She previously told MailOnline that she has an ultrasound, an MRI scan and a mammogram every year. Kay has held the top seat for some of the biggest stories over the last four decades, including the death of Princess Diana and the 9/11 terrorist attack Rumours are circulating that she could be leaving the news channel altogether but these have not been verified. Pictured is Kay Burley speaking with former education secretary Gillian Keegan Kay Burley (right) reports from St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, during the search for Nicola Bulley in 2023 Kay Burley (right) holding the day's newspapers as she reports from outside 10 Downing Street in London on October 18, 2022 'Given how young my parents were when they died, I do worry about myself. I am a worrier by nature,' she said. 'There's a long line of cancer in my family and I'm in the high-risk category compared with the national average. I like to make sure everything is as it should be. I have an annual ultrasound, MRI scan and mammogram. 'They're not pleasant procedures, but I'd rather be one of the worried well because these precautions give me a fighting chance of catching it early on. 'Being a journalist, it's in my nature to want to have all the facts I don't want to die of ignorance.' Kay has a grown up son called Alexander, whom she shares with her ex-husband Steve Kunter. As well as being the face for Sky News, she also published her debut novel First Ladies in 2011, which was followed by her second book Betrayal in 2012. Born in 1960, Kay was brought up in Beech Hill, in Wigan, and is the daughter of working-class parents. She began her journalism career aged 17, working for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle. Kay then went on to work for BBC local radio and Tyne Tees Television, before she joined TV-am in 1985 as a reporter and occasional newsreader. She was recruited by Andrew Neil and joined Sky Television in 1988 with her own documentary, The Satellite Revolution. Wisconsin school shooter Natalie Rupnow's father shared a chilling image of one of his daughters practicing at a shooting range in a similar T-shirt to one worn by the Columbine school shooters. Jeff Rupnow posted the snap to his public Facebook page in August, showing his daughter pointing a shotgun at a clay pigeon while wearing a black top emblazoned with the name of the band KMFDM. Columbine killer Eric Harris was infamously seen wearing a KMFDM T-shirt ahead of the 1999 Colorado high school massacre where 13 were murdered. The massacre is often seen as a watershed moment in the age of American school shootings. It is unclear if Natalia is an only child, however Jeff referred to his daughter as 'kiddo' in the post and spoke proudly of the child's prowess with the weapon. Natalie Rupnow, 15, who also went by Samantha, killed a substitute teacher and a teenage student and wounded six others with a 9mm pistol at Abundant Life Christian School on Monday, before turning the gun on herself. No motive has been given, and police say they're working to verify whether a manifesto being shared online was written by Rupnow. In Jeff Rupnow's Facebook post about his daughter at the range, he was asked by a friend if it was his daughter in the image. He replied: 'Joined NBSC (North Bristol Shooting Club) this spring and we have been loving every second of it. The NBSC - or North Bristol Sportsman's Club - is a gun club in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison, offering annual family memberships for just $90, according to its website. The club was founded in 1970 and has more than 600 members. The Rupnows' alleged membership has not yet been confirmed by the club. DailyMail.com has approached the NBSC for comment. Jeff Rupnow shared a picture of one of his daughters being encouraged to handle and fire guns by her father. Mr Rupnow in August shared a photograph (above) on Facebook at a local shootin range Police confirmed they were talking with Jeff Rupnow (pictured) and other family members, who were cooperating As scrutiny fell on Jeff Rupnow's image of the gun range, observers noticed the girl wearing a t-shirt of the German industrial rock band KMFDM, who were notably idolized by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre. The pair shot and killed 12 students and one teacher in the attack. Chilling CCTV footage showed the heavily armed killers walking around the school's cafeteria during the mass killing. They injured 21 others while three more were hurt while attempting to escape the school. The pair subsequently killed themselves before they could be caught. A website belonging to Harris featured lyrics from KMFDM songs and speeches by Adolf Hitler. They were also photographed wearing the band's shirts. At the time of the shooting, the group released a statement denouncing the shooting and Nazism. Police, who identified Rupnow as the shooter on Monday are still investing the motive behind her rampage. Officers raided the family's home and are sifting through a manifesto that she may have left behind. The details come amid online speculation over Rupnow's gender identity after Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes sparked fury by claiming that whether or not she is transgender is 'not important at all' to the investigation into the shooting. Barnes also raised the possibility of Rupnow's parents facing charges, following the imprisonment of James and Jennifer Crumbley earlier this year that opened the door to prosecutions of school shooter parents. Barnes said at Monday's press conference: 'We also want to look at if the parents may have been negligent. And thats a question that well have to answer with our district attorneys office.' It is unclear when the picture was taken, but Mr Rupnow did confirm the photo was of his 'kiddo'. He added, responding to a comment from a friend, that he and his daughter joined a local gun club in the spring and 'we have been loving all every second of it!' Police also raided the family's home, (pictured) located eight miles away from the small Christian school, Monday night, with SWAT teams deploying stun grenades on the property Observers noted Rupnow's daughter appeared to be wearing a t-shirt of the German industrial rock band KMFDM, who were notably idolized by Eric Harris (pictured) and Dylan Klebold, the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre The Columbine school shooting in 1999 is often seen as a watershed moment in the age of school shootings in America, with many future student killers idolizing the perpetrators Soon after the mass shooting unfolded, police said they believe the attack was premediated, and a source told CNN that Rupnow 'had been dealing with problems and expressed some of those in writings, which they are now reviewing'. Barnes continued at the press conference: 'A document about this shooting is circulating at this time on social media, but we have not verified its authenticity.' Rupnow was present from the start of the school day on Monday and eventually opened fire on a study hall full of students from various grades, Chief Barnes said. Investigators believe Rupnow used a 9mm pistol to carry out her attack, a law enforcement official told AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, nor was it clear if the victims were targeted, Barnes said during a press conference Monday. 'I don't know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening,' he told reporters. It was not immediately clear to Barnes or investigators which grade Rupnow attended at the school, which serves students from the age of three to the end of high school. The police chief said that a second-grade student was the one who called 911 to the school. The study hall had members of multiple grades in it at the time. Rupnow arrived at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on time Monday and pulled out the handgun about three hours into the school day, officials said. The first 911 call to report an active shooter came in shortly before 11am Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said that a second-grade student was the one who called 911 to the school Barnes added that police were talking with the shooter's father and other family members, who were cooperating, and that teams were searching the shooter's home. 'The parents are fully cooperating, we have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time,' Barnes said, before offering empathy for her father. 'He lost someone as well. And so we're not going to rush the information, we'll take our time and certainly do our due diligence.' Asked how she got the gun, the police chief said, 'Good question. How does any 15-year-old get ahold of a gun?' The police chief added that he had no knowledge of any previous interactions with Rupnow: 'I think if there were, we certainly would have had some type of intervention, but I'm not aware of that.' Barnes also slammed online speculation over the shooter's gender or possible status as a transgender person, claiming it was not relevant to the investigation. 'I don't know whether Natalie was transgender or not. And quite frankly, I don't think that's important at all,' he said during a news conference, CNN reported. 'I wish people would leave their own personal biases we have lost members of our community. Its something that may come out later but for what were doing today it is of no consequence at this time.' He added: 'I don't think whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may want to identify. For what we're doing right now, today, literally eight hours after a mass shooting in a school in Madison, it is of no consequence at this time [what gender the shooter was].' In March 2023, transgender Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale opened fire on a private Christian school. Hale, 28, killed three children and three adults in the March 2023 rampage at The Covenant School. Police said Hale, who was transgender, was believed to have had 'some resentment for having to go to that school'. Students on the grounds of Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting on Monday Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting Rupnow arrived at school on time Monday and pulled out the handgun about three hours into the school day, officials said. The first 911 call to report an active shooter came in shortly before 11am. First responders who were in training just 3 miles away dashed to the school for an actual emergency, Barnes said. They arrived three minutes after the initial call. 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. '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. Wiers said the school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras. Police investigate as emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 School shootings have been a macabre routine in the US, 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 per cent of all US mass shootings perpetrated by females, studies show. The gun violence epidemic has afflicted public and private schools alike in urban, suburban and rural communities. School 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 the rampages 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. Students aboard a bus as they leave the shelter following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 President Joe Biden called on Congress Monday to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law and certain gun restrictions. Similar calls have gone unheeded after almost every school shooting in recent memory. 'We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart,' Biden said. '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 also spoke with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and offered his support. Evers said it's 'unthinkable' that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home. Rhodes-Conway said the country needs to do more to prevent gun violence. 'I hoped that this day would never come to Madison,' she added. 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 boss of Britains worst zoo promised improvements when taking over from a Stetson-wearing, Ferrari-driving millionaire and his former beauty queen wife but has now been forced to close it. Karen Brewer assumed control of South Lakes Safari Zoo in 2017 after previous owner David Gill lost his licence following a series of tragedies and controversies - including a young zookeeper being killed by a tiger. Mr Gill first opened the 51-acre attraction in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria in 1994. Campaigners have long been raising concerns about operations there, including animals run over by a miniature train or electrocuted by fencing. And the zoo was fined 255,000 after Sarah McClay, 24, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger during Mr Gill's time in charge. Ms Brewer vowed a turnaround when she assumed control and even allowed BBC cameras in to shoot a 'warts and all' documentary, Trouble At The Zoo, which aired in February 2018. She said at the time: 'We wanted to show that working with animals and running a complex business is emotional and is difficult and I felt the programme did capture that, and that we're all human.' Yet as recently as October this year, disturbing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals - and it has now been announced by owners Cumbria Zoo Company that the zoo will close on December 31. The attraction was first opened in 1994 by former owner David Gill, pictured here with his wife Frieda Rivera-Schreiber - she joined the zoo's staff shortly after their wedding in 1994 Pictured is David Gill's third wife Frieda Rivera-Schreiber, a Peruvian ex-beauty queen Karen Brewer (left), director of Cumbria Zoo Company Limited which runs South Lakes Safari Zoo, this week announced it would close on December 31 The Captive Animals' Protection Society previously took pictures of an emaciated-looking kangaroo at South Lakes Safari during David Gill's time in charge A series of investigations since a change of ownership in 2017 have raised ongoing concerns about conditions at the zoo in Cumbria and the treatment of animals Under the previous ownership of Mr Gill, the zoo was fined 255,000 at Preston Crown Court in June 2016 for health and safety failings related to Ms McClay's death in May 2013. It received an additional 42,500 fine after it also pleaded guilty to other health and safety law breaches when a zoo keeper fell from a ladder while preparing to feed big cats in July 2014. The zoo had officially opened in May 1994 after farmland in Dalton-in-Furness was bought by stetson-wearing Mr Gill. He has been no stranger to drama and controversy since - including cheating on his first wife with a teenage zookeeper he later married, almost being killed by the jealous husband of a married conquest, and taken to a tribunal after allegedly telling another zoo employee to terminate her pregnancy. In 1997, three years after South Lakes Safari Zoo opened, Mr Gill - who was married for 12 years to his first wife Alison, with whom he has two children, had an affair with his 17-year-old kangaroo keeper, Shelley Goodwin. He was quoted at the time as saying: 'It doesn't matter that I'm having a relationship with a young girl. That's what I want to do. 'My relationship with Alison broke down before I employed Shelley. I know it's not conventional, but I've never lived life by the rules.' In 2000, Mr Gill married Shelley, but by 2003 he was living with a woman called Caroline, with whom he had two more children. As recently as October, harrowing photographs were revealed showing dead and injured animals at the zoo in Cumbria 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 Disturbing photographs have been revealed showing dead and injured animals, including from inspections by the wildlife charity Born Free In 2008, the zoo owner was stabbed by a jilted husband when he discovered Mr Gill and his wife were having an affair. Former rugby league player Richard Creary, 38, slashed at Mr Gill's neck after he and Alison Creary were caught in bed together. He escaped from the ordeal in his pyjama bottoms and Creary was jailed for five years after being initially arrested for suspected attempted murder, but later admitting the lesser charge of aggravated burglary with intent to cause actual bodily harm In another controversy, 39-year-old Lara Grant, from Barrow-in-Furness, had won a claim for sexual discrimination against the zoo in 2001. The former Lara Kitson, then 23 and pregnant, was awarded 30,000 by a tribunal in Carlisle after Gill was found to have ordered her to climb a 16ft pole to feed the lions. Lara said that when she raised concerns it would put her unborn baby at risk, Mr Gill told her to think about whether to proceed with the pregnancy. Meanwhile, in 1997, a three-tonne white rhino escaped its pen and was shot dead by Mr Gill, who was fined 10,000 for failing to keep animal enclosed. The park was criticised again in 2006 after lemurs escape an enclosure and two years later fire destroyed three wooden huts housing lemurs, killing 31, with the blaze believed to have been started by a faulty heater. Then-owner David Gill is seen outside Manchester Crown Court for a health and safety hearing in 2016 following the death of employee Sarah McClay who was mauled to death by a tiger Cumbria Council has issued reports on concerns about the conditions for animals at the zoo A tiger is pictured at South Lakes Safari Zoo, which was fined in 2016 for health and safety breaches after a zoo employee Sarah McClay, 24, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger Mr Gill later married former Peruvian beauty queen Frieda Rivera-Schreiber and she became the zoo's director of veterinary services shortly after their wedding at an elaborate beachside setting in Peru in 2014. She is the granddaughter of a Peruvian ambassador to Tokyo, with a socialite mother also called Frieda and a fellow former beauty queen. Cumbria Council removed Mr Gill's licence in 2016 though Ms Brewer's firm was granted permission to run the zoo in May the following year. The death toll also included a jaguar that chewed off its own paw, a rhino crushed to death by its partner and a giraffe shot after collapsing. Barrow Council lambasted its 'deplorable' standards of welfare and lack of veterinary care. Ms Brewer's time as director began after Mr Gill's zoo, which at its peak hosted 250,000 visitors a year, was issued with a closure order in 2016. An inspection found 486 animals died there between December 2013 and September 2016, including two leopards partially eaten by other animals, a monkey found behind a radiator and seven healthy lion clubs destroyed due to lack of space. Yet standards have still caused alarm despite Mr Gill no longer being involved, according to an undercover visit by experts from charity Born Free in 2022. The zoo was fined 255,000 over the death in 2013 of Sarah McClay (pictured) Ferrari-driving former owner Mr Gill - who appointed his Peruvian beauty queen third wife as head vet was previously slammed for deplorable welfare standards They raised 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. The harrowing latest photos from October included ones showing a capybara covered in cuts reportedly caused by fighting and a zebra with its hoof stuck in the bars of its enclosure and 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. Wildlife groups have welcomed news of the imminent closure, though also raised concerns about the prospect of some of the zoo's animals being transferred to a different park run by the same company. Ms Brewer, CEO of Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, insists the attraction met all regulatory requirements - but this week 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. She said in a statement: 'In transition, the animals will all continue to be looked after and given the best veterinary care. 'We are working with various agencies, including two zoo consultants, to find them all new homes that are appropriate for their longer-term needs.' Chris Lewis, captivity research and policy manager at Born Free which has been campaigning for the zoos closure, has said of the new closure announcement: While we are pleased to see todays announcement, exact details on the future of the animals and the site itself remain unclear. A young monkey was seen clinging to the mesh below a heat lamp at the zoo amid concerns its habitat at South Lakes Safari Zoo not being kept warm enough A bear is seen in an enclosure at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, in a picture released by the charity Born Free which has been campaigning for the attraction's closure 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. Recent one-star reviews on TripAdvisor, posted by visitors to the zoo, include comments such as 'Place of despair', 'Tired zoo, misereable animals' and 'Awful, miserable, derelict and sad'. One poster wrote: 'I was absolutely heartbroken to see the big cats suffering and clearly distressed and kept in far from pleasant conditions. 'Shocking - something should be done to either make their living conditions way better or have them rehomed in a place befitting of these beautiful animals.' The owner of a house with a 25ft shark sticking out of the roof has been told by a Labour-run council that he must stop renting it out as an Airbnb. For the past several years, Dr Magnus Hanson-Heine has rented out the house for short-term stays, with a single nights stay costing more than 1,000 during peak periods. It became one of the most famous and photographed homes in Oxford after Dr Hanson-Heine's father, Bill Heine, had the 'Jaws' like shark crashing into the roof erected as a protest against warfare and bombing. Last year, Dr Hanson-Heine appealed Oxford City Council's order to stop renting out the property as a short-term holiday let. The council said he had failed to apply for planning permission to to change the property from being a residential home to becoming a short-let business. Now, however, a planning inspector has sided with the local authority, meaning Dr Hanson-Heine has until March 11 next year to stop renting out the property. He believes it is a move that will hurt Oxford's tourism industry and leave it 'significantly poorer'. However, the planning inspector found that while the house - known worldwide as the 'Headington Shark House' - represented a 'very modest reduction' in Oxford's housing supply, it was inappropriate for short-term lets. Under the council's own planning rules, short-term lets should only be allowed in the city centre, in allocated sites in district centres or on Oxford's 'main arterial roads where there is frequent and direct public transport to the city centre', the BBC report. Bill Heine pictured outside his iconic 'Shark House' in Oxford, which was made as a protest against warfare and bombing The iconic house has been available to rent on Airbnb for several years Speaking to the Telegraph, Dr Hanson-Heine said: 'The Shark House is a major tourist attraction, not just a regular family home. 'It's been a delight to be able to open it up to members of the public to celebrate it with us, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can. 'I've yet to hear any complaints from our neighbours, even during the planning appeal, and the inspector found no such harm in his decision. We have mostly had five-star reviews from guests. 'Certain elements of the council have just used this as an excuse to score some cheap political points by going after a local landmark at the expense of the public. 'This does nothing meaningful to help people looking for homes, and after March all they will have done is to rob people who want to experience this piece of Oxford's history from the inside. 'Oxford's tourism and accommodation sector will be significantly poorer for it.' Made from fibre glass and steel and built by sculptor John Buckley, it was erected in 1986 without official planning permission on the anniversary of the atom bomb being dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki. A six-year planning battle followed which only ended when the then Environment Secretary Michael Heseltine made a personal visit to the house and gave permission for the structure to stay. Last year the house was added to the Oxford Heritage Asset Register as a site of interest - despite Magnus' objection due to his father initially installing the shark in protest of planning laws. The Shark House has been rented out for the last five years but Oxford City Council began an investigation for breach of planning laws. Dr Hanson-Heine has now received a note from the council ordering him to stop using the property as a short-term let by March 11, 2025 He was told to take the property off Airbnb but appealed to the National Planning Inspectorate. He said previously: 'I plan to fight this, and it seems so arbitrary that they have chosen me. There are others in Oxford who are using their homes at weekends as an Airbnb. 'The house has been involved in a planning dispute before with the council and this could be a vendetta. 'The house has been used as an Airbnb and advertised on other platforms for five years. Why now do they want to close it down? 'The Shark House allows visitors to the area to step inside a unique piece of Oxford's history and closure as an Airbnb would represent a significant loss to Oxford's distinctive tourism offerings.' Dr Hanson-Heine, who inherited the house after his father died in 2019 aged 74, said it is rented out most weekends. On Airbnb it has attracted rave reviews from guests with a 4.86 rating. The house can sleep up to 10 people and in April a two-night stay would cost over 2,000. The average price is 300 a night. Earlier this year, Councillor Linda Smith, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for housing, said: 'Where properties have changed from being residential homes to becoming short let businesses without planning approval, we do take enforcement action. 'We live in one the least affordable places for housing in the UK. There are nearly 800 properties let out entirely as short lets in Oxford and we need those for people to live in and not as holiday accommodation. 'The uncontrolled rise in the number of short lets deprives our city of much-needed homes and can cause misery in quiet neighbourhoods. 'The shark house is not in a location we consider suitable for short lets, which is why we have previously refused an application for change of use, and why we are now taking planning enforcement action against the property. 'We look to take enforcement action against short lets we are made aware of without the necessary planning permission, including when we receive reports of antisocial behaviour and nuisance from a short let property. We urge all short-let landlords to come forward and apply for planning permission for change of use to regularise the use of their property.' MailOnline has contacted Oxford City Council for comment. 'Im looking for a pervert accomplice to abuse my sleeping wife.' That is just one of a torrent of depraved messages sent by Dominique Pelicot to dozens of men he invited to sexually abuse his wife Gisele - each episode of which he meticulously curated and catalogued over a period of nine years. The 72-year-old Frenchman - dubbed the 'Monster of Avignon' - has confessed to orchestrating the sick rape ring in which he used an online chat room to source a slew of 'recruits' to take part in his twisted fantasies. Once an appropriate accomplice had been vetted and primed, Mr Pelicot would drug his wife with powerful tranquilisers and invite the stranger to their family home to defile the paralysed, snoring victim for the camera. Police uncovered more than 20,000 photos and images of Gisele being sexually assaulted by a total of 72 strangers - 50 of whom have been identified - as she lay comatose in bed. It was from those officers in 2020, almost a decade after her torturous ordeal began in 2011, that Gisele learned the dark truth. For years she had witnessed her health deteriorating, her worsening memory loss leading her to believe she was suffering from Alzheimer's disease while she battled what seemed to be a growing abundance of gynaecological problems. Now more than four years after Mr Pelicot was first arrested for filming up the skirts of female shoppers in a supermarket, Gisele's abusive spouse and his co-accused are set to face justice. With the court in Avignon set to deliver its verdict this week, the following snapshot of just some of the messages he exchanged with his wife's abusers have been revealed. Your browser does not support iframes. Gisele Pelicot and one of her lawyers Stephane Babonneau (L) leave the Avignon courthouse after hearing the defence's final plea Dominique Pelicot, who has allegedly drugged and raped his then-wife Gisele Pelicot, appears with his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro at the courthouse in Avignon, France, December 16, 2024 The disturbing messages, seen by CNN after gaining access to French police reports, were found to have been sent in an online chatroom known for glorifying sexual violence, on Skype and over text. The chilling conversations have served as key evidence in the major case against Pelicot and the 50 co-defendants hunted down by French cops. Using the gruesome chatroom website Coco.fr - which has now been shut down - Pelicot, under several pseudonyms, would exchange messages with men he would later enlist to abuse his wife. Within the website, Pelicot would actively engage in conversation with members in a forum titled 'without her knowledge'. It was on this channel, over a decade-long period, the elderly man would find his accomplices and invite them to the family home in Mazan, France, to allegedly rape his wife while she was drugged unconscious. 'Im looking for a pervert accomplice to abuse my sleeping wife,' Pelicot had written on his account. 'You have to be clean without aftershave, no long dirty nails'. Gisele's abusers, most from within a 50 mile radius of the Pelicots' home, were seemingly ordinary men from all walks of life and of all ages. There was veteran chief fireman, 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. A Moroccan-born hospital nurse screamed his innocence before a video of him assaulting Madame Pelicot while she lay motionless was played in court. Gisele Pelicot leaves after a hearing with the defence'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 Dominique Pelicot (pictured) is accused of drugging his ex-wife Gisele and inviting dozens of men to rape her while he filmed them over a decade-long period of hell A successful builder 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. And a retired marine fire-fighter complained he was lonely. The youngest accused is now 27, while the oldest is now 74. Police reports have revealed that initial contact between Pelicot and his accomplices were made on Coco, before they moved on to Skype where he would show the stranger a glimpse of his unconscious wife on video. An abuser in the message channel was seen asking Pelicot questions about Gisele's state, attempting to confirm that there was no possibility the wife would wake. 'Do you get her tested from time to time? Sure shes clean? She has no idea?,' they ask Pelicot. His responses to this were particularly disturbing. 'No, she puts it down to tiredness. Youre like me. You love rape mode,' Pelicot said, 'and abusive, perverse games'. He goes on to reveal he is 'about to dose her' and explains the pair will have to wait an hour for the drug to kick in before the abuse can begin. The series of messages also exposed how Pelicot would send images as attachments of Gisele passed out, as well as intimate photos and footage of her being raped. One message seen in the chat log from an abuser reads: 'Has the sleeping pill started working?' To which Pelicot responds with an image of his snoozing wife. In a disturbing response, the abuser expresses his admiration for Pelicot's actions and shares their desire to do the same to their partner. 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 court during the trial Gisele Pelicot speaks during the trial of her husband with 50 co-accused at the courthouse in Avignon The only defendant likely to receive the maximum sentence of 20 years is Pelicot himself, who has been dubbed 'The Monster of Avignon' The abuser says: 'I dont know how you do this but I dream of doing the same to my wife and sharing her with accomplices like you'. One defendant on trial hasn't been accused of raping Gisele, but has been charged with drugging his own wife and inviting Pelicot over to rape her, court documents have shown. After speaking via Skype, the third phase would involve moving on to text messaging. These texts would appear to involve the further stages of planning the meet-up, discussing details of times for the abuser to arrive, and the state Gisele was in. 'I dont know whether I will try to have her f**ked this evening. Will you come if I do?,' one message from Pelicot reads. 'To f**k her?,' the abuser asks. 'In theory yes, at that hour I shouldnt be asleep but it cant be too late'. Pelicot then goes on to explain that he will be 'dosing' his wife shortly, and tells the online stranger to 'plan to come tonight around 3am'. 'One hour after taking the meds she is completely asleep. I dont understand why we have to wait four hours?,' the abuser asks. Pelicot chillingly responds: 'The longer we wait, the deeper she sinks into sleep'. Gisele has testified in court that she was completely unaware of her husband's actions for decades, but over time, the sedation and frequent sexual abuse began to take a physical toll on her. Pelicot had gone with his wife on a number of doctor's visits where she complained of memory loss and pelvic pain, court documents have stated. But Pelicot's atrocities were only brought to light after he was arrested in a nearby supermarket in September 2020 for filming upskirt videos of female customers. Gisele has held her head high while hearing and watching films covertly taken by her then-husband in which she was abused at least 90 times by strangers he had invited into their home Gisele Pelicot congratulated by women outside the Avignon courthouse after the prosecution concluded its case in the trial of her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot A courtroom sketch depicts Ms Pelicot and her ex-husband on September 17, 2024 He was later convicted for this, bringing his vile crimes against his wife to light after carrying out decades of abuse. As French police investigated the upskirting incident, they confiscated his hard-drive, laptop, and phones where they found 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 Gisele 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,' Gisele recently told the court. 'It was a scene of barbarism. I was in a state of shock. This became the driving force behind what has become one of the most horrific sex offences cases in modern French history. The bravery of Pelicot's victim wife, 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. Gisele has 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 has refused to be shamed - but instead repeatedly directed any shame at her abusers. Dominique Pelicot, the so-called Monster of Avignon, arriving at court for the trial Mr Pelicot depicted appearing at the courthouse in Avignon on September 11 The slogan which reads 'Gisele, women thank you' is seen on a city wall during the trial of Dominique Pelicot, on October 23, 2024 In an electrifying 90-minute testimony, she told the hushed Avignon court on Monday: '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.' 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 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. All 51 defendants are presumed innocent until the verdicts, expected on December 19. The public prosecutor has requested jail sentences from four to 20 years, with the maximum sentence of 20 years demanded for Pelicot. Israel is attempting to find the remains of executed Mossad super agent Eli Cohen, according to reports. Cohen, a spy for Israel's feared intelligence agency, was hanged in Damascus in 1965 after his cover was blown. The agent, who was depicted by Sacha Baron Cohen in 2019 Netflix drama The Spy, was recruited by Mossad while working in Tel Aviv as a clerk for an insurance firm. He was working under deep cover as an Argentinian-Syrian businessman called Amin Thaabet. Although his main task was to report on military and political developments in Syria, Cohen was also told to inform his bosses about Nazis living in the country's capital. Among Mossad's top targets were war criminals Alois Brunner - the former deputy to Holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann - and fellow mass murderer Franz Rademacher. He attempted to assassinate Rademacher with a letter bomb in 1962. Two Palestinian officials claimed on Monday that Israel, via Russian mediators, was trying to find both Cohen's remains and those of a missing soldier. Israel is attempting to find the remains of executed Mossad super agent Eli Cohen, according to reports. Cohen was depicted by Sacha Baron Cohen in 2019 Netflix drama The Spy Cohen, a spy for Israel's feared intelligence agency, was hanged in Damascus in 1965 after his cover was blown Israel for years has been trying to find and repatriate the body of Cohen, and in 2021 a war monitor said Russian forces had been searching the Yarmuk Palestinian refugee camp in southern Damascus for his remains, along with those of two Israeli soldiers. A Palestinian official in Damascus on Monday said 'contact was established with us via mediators in order for us to help find the remains of an Israeli soldier who has been missing since 1982', without identifying the missing soldier. 'Contacts are also underway to determine the location where the remains of the Israeli agent known as Eli Cohen are buried,' the source added, requesting anonymity as the matter is sensitive. Israeli historian Professor Danny Orbach, who wrote about the spy in his 2022 book Fugitives: A History of Nazi Mercenaries During the Cold War, told MailOnline: 'We know that Cohen's funeral was a Muslim one, it was held in a secret place. 'We really don't know more than that. 'When states collapse and new regimes are being built, it is in the realm of the possible [that his remains will be returned]. 'The new government in Syria will not want to do it without getting some return for it. They may do it in a secret operation.' From February 1962, Cohen worked his way up Syria's elite, sending coded messages back to his homeland. Two Palestinian officials claimed on Monday that Israel, via Russian mediators, was trying to find both Cohen's remains and those of a missing soldier. Above: Cohen with two unidentified co-defendants at his trial in Damascus, May 1965 The spy's intelligence was instrumental in Israel's defeat of Syria in the Six Day War in 1967. His family believed he was working as a furniture buyer for the Ministry of Defence. Cohen's activities came to an abrupt end in 1965, when Syrian counter-intelligence called in spooks from the Soviet Union's KGB agency. They brought in specialist radio equipment to the Middle East which was able to pinpoint secret broadcasts being made inside Damascus. They found that signals were coming from Cohen's home. Armed men kicked down his door and arrested him. Cohen was in the middle of making a secret code transmission when he was caught. His fingernails were ripped out while he was tortured, before he was hanged in Damascus Sqaure. His body was covered in anti-Zionist slogans and left hanging for six hours. From February 1962, Cohen worked his way up Syria's elite, sending coded messages back to his homeland. Above: The spy with wife Nadia and his eldest daughter Sofia in 1961 But his remains have never been returned home despite pleas from his family. In 2019, the eldest of Cohen's three children slammed Netflix's depiction of her father. Sofia Ben-Dor told MailOnline: 'The portrayal wasn't very deep or complex and it included many things that were from the director's imagination. 'It showed my father as a flamboyant, big-spending womaniser who took reckless risks because he had feelings of inferiority. 'In truth, my father was very sure of himself and very strong and happy with his life, he was not so poor and miserable. 'He was the best Mossad had. The drama was not a compliment for my father or my family.' Cohen was depicted as a philanderer with 17 lovers who got a cache of secrets out of Syria's rich and powerful by hosting orgies with beautiful women. Ms Ben-Dor added: 'He wasn't extravagant and he didn't show off,' she said. 'He wasn't a womaniser. In The Spy, Cohen was depicted as a philanderer with 17 lovers who got a cache of secrets out of Syria's rich and powerful by hosting orgies with beautiful women Cohen told his wife Nadia that he had got a job as a furniture buyer with the Syrian Ministry of Defence to explain why he would be spending so much time away from her 'He was very modest and conservative in his way of living in every aspect of his life. 'As for the reports about his lovers, I don't want to know about this part of him. It was his job.' In 2021, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was working to repatriate Cohen's remains, three years after Mossad said it had retrieved a watch belonging to the spy and brought it back to Israel. In 2019, Israel released two Syrian prisoners in a 'goodwill gesture' after the remains of soldier Zachary Baumel, missing since 1982, were returned. Russia's president Vladimir Putin said the remains had been found by the Russian and Syrian armies, but a Syrian official denied Damascus had knowledge of the repatriation plans or details behind the discovery. Israeli soldiers fought against Syrian forces in a battle in June 1982 in the Lebanese village of Sultan Yacoub, near the Syrian border. Baumel and two other soldiers, Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz, had since been listed as missing and presumed killed. The latter two remain missing. Jill Biden has closed the book on her teaching career at a Virginia community college as she announced her retirement just weeks before she is set to leave her role as First Lady. President Joe Biden's wife, who has spent the past 40 years teaching in classrooms, announced Monday that she had taught her final class at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria last week. The surprise announcement came during a virtual 'thank you' event with teachers tuning in from around the country. 'Being your first lady has been the honor of my life. But being your colleague has been the work of my life,' she said. 'Last Thursday, I taught my last class of the semester and my final class ever at Northern Virginia Community College.' 'I will always love this profession, which is why I continued to teach full time while serving as your first lady,' said Jill Biden, who was joined on a sofa by teachers' union presidents Randi Weingarten, of the American Federation of Teachers and Becky Pringle, of the National Education Association. Biden had taught English and writing at NOVA for 15 years She is the first woman to continue her professional career outside the White House while serving as first lady. The announcement comes as she and President Joe Biden prepare to leave the White House in a little over five weeks after the Democrat dropped his reelection bid reelection after turning in a poor debate performance against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over the summer. Jill Biden has announced her retirement as a teacher just weeks before she gives up her role as First Lady First lady Jill Biden, center, is joined by Becky Pringle, president of National Education Association, left, and Randi Weingarten, president of American Federation of Teachers , right, during a virtual thank you event for educators with the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association, in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex in Washington yesterday Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris succeeded Biden, but she lost the presidential race to Trump, who is set to be inaugurated to a second term on January 20. It was not immediately clear whether Jill Biden, 73, was retiring from teaching altogether. Jill Biden started teaching English and writing there in 2009 after Barack Obama and Joe Biden were elected president and vice president and they moved to Washington. She continued to teach there after Joe Biden's term ended in 2017, riding the train down from their home in Delaware. Before NOVA, she also taught English and writing at Delaware Technical Community College. Jill Biden started her career in 1976, teaching English at a high school in Wilmington, Delaware, before becoming a reading specialist at another high school. She also taught English at a psychiatric hospital while she pursued her second master's degree. She also has a doctorate in educational leadership. She often said, 'teaching isn't what I do, it's who I am.' China hit out at 'smears' today after an alleged spy linked to Prince Andrew was banned from the UK. Beijing's embassy lashed out at a 'twisted mentality' and demanded that Britain 'stop creating trouble' as the diplomatic spat escalated. The suspected agent, who also mixed with top politicians, was named yesterday as Yang Tengbo. The 50-year-old, previously known as H6, is said to have become a 'close' confidant of the Duke of York and has also been pictured with senior Tories such as Lord David Cameron and Baroness Theresa May. In a statement, an spokesman for the London embassy said: '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 other's 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.' Yang Tengbo at an event alongside a laughing Prince Andrew, who is now facing questions about their relationship Tengbo also met senior Tories including Theresa May, also seen here with her husband, Philip The alleged spy alongside former Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha 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 Tengbo pictured sixth from right at a Pitch@Palace investment event in January 2019 Tengbo (far right) posing with Andrew at an event to encourage trade between China and Britain Lawyers for Mr Tengbo - who is also known as Chris Yang - told the High Court that the businessman was not seeking to maintain his anonymity. Guy Vassall-Adams KC said: 'There has been an enormous amount of media reporting in relation to this story, and particularly 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.' Lifting his anonymity, Judge Mr Justice Chamberlain said: 'It seems to me that these proceedings now serve no further purpose.' Mr Tengbo denies being a spy or doing anything illegal. He challenged his ban on entering the UK at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in July, but lost his appeal last week. 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. However, 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. In a statement issued on his behalf, Mr Tengbo said he had done 'nothing wrong or unlawful' and descriptions of him as an alleged spy were 'entirely untrue'. The statement said he had voluntarily waived his right to anonymity. Mr Tengbo 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'. Tengbo went by the more anglicised name of Chris Yang '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. 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. '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. Prince Andrew is photographed driving in his Range Rover today from Royal Lodge in Windsor 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.' Downing Street rejected Mr Yang's criticism of the process he had faced, insisting Sir Keir Starmer had confidence in SIAC and the independence of the courts. Relations between the UK and China have improved since Sir Keir took office and in November he became the first prime minister to meet Xi Jinping since 2018. But the Prime Minister acknowledged he was 'concerned about the challenge that China poses'. He defended his strategy for dealing with China: '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. 'That's the strategic approach that we have set out as a UK Government.' The cost of HS2 has been estimated at an eye-watering 80billion as projected spending on the beleaguered railway soars again, it has been revealed. A new Department for Transport document will reportedly cite an HS2 board paper from June which put the cost at between 54billion and 66billion in 2019 prices. This would represent a 9billion increase from a previous estimate, which forecast the high-speed line would cost between 49billion and 56.6billion at 2019 prices. The 66billion cost in the latest estimate, which is reported by the Financial Times, would be close to 80billion in current prices. It also means the 140-mile railway between London and Birmingham would cost a staggering 570,000 per mile of track. The newspaper said the Government would dispute the 66billion estimate and insist it is not endorsed by the Department for Transport (DfT). One official said the figure was not a formal HS2 calculation but rather an informal estimate based on raw data. Mark Wild, HS2's new chief executive, is currently carrying out a review of the railway's costs. Tunnel boring machine Karen at the Old Oak Common station box site during preparations for completing the 4.5-mile HS2 tunnelling to London Euston An aerial view shows construction work taking place on the Birmingham Curzon Street terminus The new estimate means the 140-mile railway between London and Birmingham could cost a staggering 570,000 per mile of track Mark Wild, HS2's new chief executive, is currently carrying out a review of the railway's costs It is expected to be published alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves' wider spending review in June. In January, Sir Jon Thompson - the chair of the HS2 board - admitted the estimated cost of the railway was likely to rise and pointed to a 'systemic problem' in budgeting for large Government projects. In 2013, HS2 was estimated to cost 37.5billion (in 2009 prices) for the entire planned network. This included the high-speed rail project's now-scrapped extensions from Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. HS2's eastern leg between the East Midlands and Leeds was junked in 2021. It has previously been revealed how more than 40 staff in charge of HS2 earn 150,000 per year or more. This included former chief executive Mark Thurston, who earned between 640,000 to 644,999. Downing Street said the HS2 report being published later is a regular six-monthly update, but added it was not up to date. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said HS2 costs are 'too high' and 'completely unacceptable' and the Government is acting to 'drive them down'. A pupil in the second grade bravely made the call to report an active shooting as Natalie Rupnow opened fire at her school in east Madison on Monday. Wisconsin police responded to the call at 11:57am and arrived minutes later to find Rupnow with a weapon and a self-inflicted gunshot wound after combing the Abundant Life Christian School, attacking fellow students and teachers. First responders were in training just three miles from the school and rushed to the scene, arriving within just three minutes. 'When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds,' Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. Rupnow killed a teacher and a fellow student in the rampage and left six injured. Four were taken to hospital, with two left in critical condition. Barnes said that a second-grade student, who would generally be aged seven or eight years old, called 911 to report the shooting. 'Let that soak in for a minute,' Barnes said. The tragedy marks the 83rd school shooting in the US this year, and the 56th on K-12 school grounds, per CNN's records. It is also the 487th mass shooting nationwide, defined as an attack on a minimum of four victims, per the Gun Violence Archive. People are seen at a reunification center after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, on December 16 Three people, including the shooter, were killed in the shooting and the suspected shooter was a student at the school Police standby at the scene of the shooting after Rupnow attacked students and staff Monday The shooter arrived at school on time and pulled out the handgun about three hours into the school day, officials said. Investigators believe she used a 9mm pistol, an official told the Associated Press. Nora Gottsckalk, eight, was in the hallway before 11am getting ready for lunch when she saw a teacher she knew injured. 'She was screaming, "Ah my leg, help, help,"' the young girl told CNN affiliate WISC as she grasped a Spongebob ice cream, after being reunited with family. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, described her terror as she rushed over to the school. As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters,' she 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.' Staff praised the action of students, who had been drilled on how to respond to a shooting threat. Police lead students after the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison yesterday Nora Gottsckalk, eight, was in the hallway of Abundant Life Christian School in Madison just before 11am, getting ready for lunch, when cops say Natalie 'Samantha' Rupnow opened fire Stun grenades were thrown into the deceased shooter's property, causing 'flash bangs' to ring out across the street 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. '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. 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. A school shooting carried out by a girl remains a rarity, with only about 3% of all U.S. mass shootings perpetrated by females, studies show. Sixth-grader Alder Jean-Charles (right) also told how he was attending English class at the small Christian school when he heard two gunshots Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., following a shooting, Monday, December 16 No motive for the violence has yet been reported. The shooter's family was cooperating with the investigation, police said. '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, a former school teacher, told reporters at an earlier press conference. '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. Two people were discharged from SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison last night. Barnes said police were talking with the shooters father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooters home. 'He lost someone as well,' Barnes said of the shooters father. 'And so were not going to rush the information. Well take our time and make sure we do our due diligence.' Police raided Rupnow's family home eight miles away from the school on Monday night, with SWAT teams deploying stun grenades on the property. Rupnow is alleged to have left behind a manifesto shared widely online, which investigators are now sifting through - but are yet to confirm its veracity. Shon Barnes speaks to the media about the shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School Worshipers at Blackhawk Church gather to pray for victims and survivors of a shooting at Madison's Abundant Life Christian School, in Middleton, Wisconsin, U.S. December 16, 2024 Children prepare to board a bus bound for the reunification center on Monday A law enforcement source told CNN that Rupnow 'had been dealing with problems and expressed some of those in writings, which they are now reviewing.' 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. Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. The school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures, including cameras. Scotland's former first minister Humza Yousaf has confirmed he is to quit Holyrood at the next Scottish Parliament election. The 39-year-old stepped down as FM in April after a tumultuous term of little more than a year, having taken over from Nicola Sturgeon. After a bitter leadership battle that exposed fault-lines in the nationalist party he was forced out after terminating a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens. He also garnered headlines with a high-profile spat with hard right X owner and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk. In a letter to current First Minister John Swinney, the Glasgow Pollok MSP said he will be campaigning hard for the SNP at the 2026 election but will not run himself. He wrote that after serving for 15 years the election 'will be the right time for me to move on, to provide an opportunity for the next generation of MSPs to step forward, and to explore where I can best make a contribution in the future in helping to tackle some of the most pressing challenges our world faces'. He said he hopes that 'by becoming the first first minister of colour, and first Muslim leader of a Western democratic nation' he has inspired those from a similar background. The former first minister added: 'When one chapter begins to close, you often spend time reflecting on your achievements, mistakes and even regrets I have all three. Scotland's former first minister Humza Yousaf has confirmed he is to quit Holyrood at the next Scottish Parliament election. The 39-year-old stepped down as FM in April after a tumultuous term of little more than a year, having taken over from Nicola Sturgeon. He also garnered headlines with a high-profile spat with hard right X owner and Donald Trump ally Elon Musk. 'However, I hope that throughout it all, I was able to treat people with kindness, courtesy and respect.' Mr Swinney responded by describing Mr Yousaf as a 'pioneer in Scottish politics', adding: 'I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together'. Mr Yousaf also spoke to Zeteo's Mehdi Hassan about his decision to step back from frontline politics, saying ending the Bute House Agreement was 'the right thing to have done'. In August he admitted making a 'miscalculation' by not considering the human element when he sacked the Green co-leaders from the Scottish Government. He said: 'My successor is no longer encumbered with that deal, (he) can make decisions in policy that he wants to take forward in our country's interest without having to negotiate and compromise with the Greens. 'They can do that on an issue by issue basis, which I think is the best way to do it.' Mr Yousaf was the first person from an ethnic minority background to be first minister of Scotland as well as the youngest, but he will be remembered for his shaky tenure in charge. While he avoided being the shortest incumbent of the post, a title held by Labours Henry McLeish after he was in office for one year and 12 days between 2000 and 2001, Mr Yousaf had a tricky time in the top job in Scottish politics. In a letter to current First Minister John Swinney, the Glasgow Pollok MSP said he will be campaigning hard for the SNP at the 2026 election but will not run himself. He was officially sworn in on March 29, 2023 after an SNP leadership election sparked when Nicola Sturgeon, who was the longest serving first minister, unexpectedly stepped down. Almost as soon as he took on the role, he found out the SNP had been without auditors for months. Also within days of him taking charge, Ms Sturgeons husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was arrested by police investigating the whereabouts of 600,000 of donations to the party. Murrell was subsequently rearrested and charged in April 2024 in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds. Against this background of party difficulties, Mr Yousaf sought to put his own stamp on government, with his administration focused on key national missions, based firmly on the principles of equality, opportunity and community. But for much of his time in charge he appeared to be reacting to events, rather than dictating them. Perhaps ironically, it was his bid to take control that brought about his downfall: He abruptly ended the powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens before his partys junior partners in office could hold a vote on whether to continue the arrangement. After he terminated the Bute House Agreement with immediate effect, despite having previously described it as being worth its weight in gold, furious Greens accused Mr Yousaf of political cowardice and declared they would vote against him in a vote of no confidence. That vote took place little over 13 months after Mr Yousaf had become Scotlands sixth first minister. He was the youngest person to hold the role, and the first from an ethnic minority background. A have-a-go-hero store owner in one of Britain's under-siege town centres plagued by shoplifters says he has to make citizen's arrests as the only way for police to show. Martin Gaunt, 62, has defied potential violence - including threats of attacks with a broken bottle - to challenge prolific offenders inside his stores in Truro, Cornwall, doing so more than 50 times over the past two years alone. He has now told MailOnline of his despair at a lack of help from police - and poured scorn on official advice today to call 999 if spotting thieves rather than intervening. He described how taking matters in his own hands and blocking shoplifters from leaving appeared the only way he could get any officers to actually pursue offenders. He has also installed 12 CCTV cameras across the three shops he has in the seaside town centre, with another four planned. Mr Gaunt has raised his concerns about Britain's shoplifting epidemic face to face with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, when she visited during Labour's campaign ahead of last July's general election. But he fears his direct action can only go so far amid a society which he says now takes breaking the law for granted - and with police ineffective in response. Office of National Statistics figures reveal there were 469,788 incidents of shoplifting in the year to June in England and Wales - a surge of 28 per cent on 2023. Happy Piranha store owner Martin Gaunt (centre, pictured with sons Sam and Josh) has revealed how they have carried out 50 citizen's arrests in two years due to shoplifters He has installed 12 CCTV cameras at his three stores in Truro, Cornwall, which have captured footage showing some of the reactions when suspected shoplifters are confronted And in Devon and Cornwall, the rise was as much as 37 per cent - yet across the country less than a fifth of recorded shoplifting offences resulted in a charge or summons in the year to last March. Mr Gaunt, whose toy and gift stores trade under the name Happy Piranha, uses his powers of arrest under Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. He has been based in Truro for the past seven years, working alongside his three sons, and says only their own efforts have helped make a recent difference. His approach is to try to block shoplifters from leaving the store by barring their way out, only then trying to grab hold of bags if they attempt escapes. Yet at times a fightback from offenders has left him fearing or facing physical threats, including one prolific thief who brandished a broken bottle. In that case, the offender was not interviewed by police for another six months and then action was dropped due to the length of time passed, Mr Gaunt says. He became fed up with calling 999 to report shoplifters, often encouraged to dial the non-urgent 101 line instead, and not getting any on-the-scene response from officers. Yet he found that by carrying out citizen's arrests he could at least find police arriving to deal with a captive within about 30 or 40 minutes. In Devon and Cornwall, the rise in reported shoplifting offences during the year to June 2024 was 37 per cent - higher than the England and Wales average of 28 per cent Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Gaunt told MailOnline today: 'Our decision to do this has made a big difference - we've noticed a number of people we've stopped are no longer coming in. 'But that's just our store - they'll be going elsewhere. I reckon the stock lost by businesses here across Truro will be more than 1million and that's just us, and there's no one visiting at this time of year. 'This isn't to do with the economy, or the cost of living, or people needing to feed their families - it's to do with the fact the police have been doing nothing about the shoplifting problem for years.' He says too many shoplifters are still avoiding prosecution even when amassing hoards of stolen goods with overall values running into four figures. He spoke to then-Shadow Home Secretary Ms Cooper while she was on the campaign trail in Cornwall ahead of Labour's election win on July 4 last year. Mr Gaunt did welcome the Government's vow to reverse the former Conservative administration's 200-and-above threshold for prosecuting low-level shop theft. He said: 'I spoke to the Home Secretary and she's aware of the situation, which is great - but we're not using the legislation we already have, to prosecute offenders. 'And the police don't seem to be answerable to anybody. People no longer think it's illegal to steal.' Happy Piranha store owner Martin Gaunt has 12 CCTV cameras, with plans to install four more Freedom of information requests earlier this year found that the Cleveland Police area had the highest crime rates per 1,000 people, across England and Wales Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) lead for acquisitive crime, told the BBC they were 'committed' to cutting shoplifting and holding offenders to account. She highlighted guidance in the Retail Crime Action Plan such as pursuing all 'reasonable lines of enquiry and prioritising attendance in incidents where violence is involved or an offender has been detained'. She also urged anyone to 'prioritise their own safety' and dial 999 if a crime is occurring. Mr Gaunt dismissed her assurances, saying: 'If you phone 999 to report a shoplifter, they'll literally say to you: "Stop wasting our time, call 101." 'And that then takes a lifetime to get through and still no one comes.' He described shoplifters' reactions when faced with citizen's arrest as 'indignation more often than not' - while will some threaten: 'I'm going to put you down.' Mr Gaunt added: 'Sometimes it turns physical, although of course we want to avoid that - we're not caped crusaders and we don't want to get involved in trouble. 'When I was threatened with a broken bottle, me and my three sons made our presence felt but we tried to keep our distance. Mr Gaunt, 62, says he has faced threats of physical violence - as well as 'indignation' when thieves are challenging for taking items from his gift shops July was the most common month for shoplifting offences, research has found 'Then I later found police didn't interview him for six months, even though he's seen in the town every day, and he was never prosecuted for this crime. It's ridiculous.' He said shoplifters tended to be a mixture of young people, people with drug and alcohol addictions, and in one instance a young woman who was being run by a county lines dealer from Leicester. After detaining her, she confided in him that the dealer had also made her smuggle firearms and perform sexual favours. Mr Gaunt said: 'People aren't shoplifting in here because they're starving. They're stealing any items they can sell, maybe at a local market, for cheap prices for cash which then goes on drugs. 'All that money goes into more trouble - it goes into supporting low-level drug dealers, county lines drugs gangs. 'I don't want people thinking about a 20 teddy bear I'm losing - what I'm interested in, it's time the police stepped up, learnt from past mistakes and urgently tried to do something constructive for us all going forward.' Devon and Cornwall Police told the BBC it was committed to working with retailers and ensuring criminals faced justice, while deploying resources based on threat, risk and harm. Mr Gaunt, whose stores trade as Happy Piranha, uses powers of arrest under Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 - pictured is a scene caught on his CCTV When contacted by MailOnline, a force spokesperson said: 'Devon and Cornwall Police is committed to working with business owners to offer advice on how to protect their premises by introducing CCTV and added security. 'Our Crime Prevention Officers also work with retail partners, offering advice on how to reduce their vulnerability to shoplifting - which is a key part to crime reduction. The individual circumstances of every incident reported to us is assessed for the immediate threat, risk and harm to the public. Resources are then deployed where they can be most effective in catching offenders and keeping people safe. 'We will always prioritise attendance where violence is involved or a shoplifter is detained. If there is no immediate threat, the incident will be recorded and assessed by local officers where the victim will be contacted, evidence gathered and the report progressed. 'Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to work collaboratively with retail partners and other partner agencies such as local councils, to tackle the rise in shoplifting, catch more offenders and keep retail workers safe.' The Home Office said the government was pursuing 'strong action', including getting rid of the 200 threshold and specifically criminalising assaults on retail workers. A spokesperson also said: 'The NPCC recommends only trained security guards detain offenders and forces will prioritise attendance at these incidents.' A Royal Marine in an elite unit attacked a junior colleague for asking him to slow down while driving a boat at top speed, a court martial heard. Lance Corporal Tristan Lawson lost his temper and punched the junior Commando 'multiple times' after he criticised him for piloting the vessel in such a way that passengers were getting 'smashed around'. After being told this, LCpl Lawson told the colleague to 'shut the f*** up', at which his colleague, only named as Marine Macefield told him 'Learn to drive' leading to burly Commando driving 'aggressively' unto a beach. Once there, the serviceman, who had been in the Marines for five years and who had only been promoted the month before, marched to his frightened colleague before punching him multiple times in the face while screaming 'Tell me how to drive the boat now'. The two men belong to 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, a specialist intelligence gathering unit known as the 'eyes and ears' of their brigade. The unit was formed during the Second World War and was instrumental in stealing top secret German technology including the Enigma machine. LCpl Lawson has now been handed a suspended sentence and demoted after admitting to one count of battery. Mne Macefield was left with a bruised eye, facial swelling and a concussion following the brutal attack and required medical attention. Lance Corporal Tristan Lawson lost his temper and punched the junior Commando 'multiple times' after he criticised him for piloting the vessel in such a way that passengers were getting 'smashed around' LCpl Lawson was demoted to the rank of Marine and sentenced to 28 days detention, suspended for 12 months following a hearing at Bulford Military Court, pictured Bulford Military Court heard the incident took place while out on an exercise in January this year involving swimmers and a speed boat during which South African LCpl Lawson was piloting the vessel at top speed. Mne Macefield was one of the passengers onboard and the court heard how they were being 'jolted around and feeling uncomfortable', Prosecutor Squadron Leader Luke Ainsworth Mne Macefield said 'Mate, please can you slow the boat down?', to which LCpl Lawson replied 'Shut the f*** up, get out of my way', the court heard. The marine then said: 'This is ridiculous, we're getting smashed around here, learn to drive the boat.' A third colleague, identified as Lance Corporal Kinneard, then took control of the steering of the boat, and LCpl Lawson 'lunged' at Mne Macefield. Sqn Ldr Ainsworth said: 'LCpl Lawson took back control of the steering wheel and said 'Wait until we're back at the beach, I'm going to injure you'.' He made a similar threat five minutes later, and Mne Macefield responded 'This wouldn't have happened if you knew how to drive the boat'. 'LCpl Lawson then aggressively drove the boat onto the beach,' Sqn Ldr Ainsworth said. After being told this, LCpl Lawson told the colleague to 'shut the f*** up', at which his colleague, only named as Marine Macefield told him 'Learn to drive' LCpl Lawson walked around the boat and approached Mne Macefield, who he asked 'Are you going to tell me how to drive the boat now?', leaing Mne Macefield to 'fear[ing] for his safety'. Mne Macefield then pushed LCpl Lawson with both hands, telling him to leave him alone, before LCpl Lawson then grabbed him and punched him in the face leading him to fly backwards into the boat. He punched the colleague multiple times saying 'I'm going to kill you, you English c***. Tell me how to drive the boat now', the court heard, before fellow commandos pulled him off. At the time, LCpl Lawson argued he acted in 'self defence' after being tormented and 'wound up'. On why he continued to attack Mne Macefield after he fell, LCpl Lawson said: 'I couldn't control that, I just thought 'I'm going to hit you now'.' Sqn Ldr Ainsworth told the court: 'It was a pre-meditated act on the basis that LCpl Lawson was waiting to get to the beach to conduct an attack.' In a victim impact statement read out in court, Mne Macefield said he feels anxious and has struggled to sleep following the assault. Offering mitigation, Benjamin Hale, told the court that LCpl Lawson accepts that what he did was wrong. Mr Hale said: 'This incident was a momentary lapse in an otherwise unblemished career to date.' Sentencing LCpl Lawson, Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said: 'You let your anger get the better of you, you took it out on a junior marine. 'Whether or not you thought he had been disrespectful to you makes no difference, you were all tired and cold.' Judge Advocate Atwill said that LCpl Lawson's actions were 'serious and dangerous'. The judge added: 'You are very fortunate that he wasn't seriously injured.' LCpl Lawson was demoted to the rank of Marine and sentenced to 28 days detention, suspended for 12 months. He must pay a service compensation order of 300. Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago. Francis said in an excerpt from a forthcoming autobiography that he was informed by police after landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his planned events. 'A woman packed with explosives, a young kamikaze, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,' wrote the pontiff, according to an excerpt from the book in Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. 'And a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent,' he added. Francis' visit to Mosul was a key moment during his Iraq trip, which was the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of Francis' 11-year papacy. Iraq's second-largest city had been under the control of Islamic State from 2014 to 2017. The pope visited the ruins of four destroyed churches there and launched an appeal for peace. During the trip, the Vatican provided few details about the security preparations for the pope. Many of the events during his visit, which took place as the COVID-19 pandemic was first easing, were open only to a limited number of people. Iraq is known to have deployed thousands of additional security personnel to protect Francis. Francis said in an excerpt from a forthcoming autobiography that he was informed by police after landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his planned events Francis' visit to Mosul (pictured) was a key moment during his Iraq trip, which was the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of Francis' 11-year papacy People greet Pope Francis as he takes the podium at the square near the ruins of the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception (al-Tahira-l-Kubra), in the old city of Iraq's northern Mosul on March 7, 2021 The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for further details about the pope's new comments. Francis' new autobiography, entitled 'Hope', is due to be published on January 14. The pope also published a memoir this March. In the excerpt published on Tuesday, Francis said the Vatican had been informed about the assassination attempt by British intelligence. The pope said he asked a security official the next day what had happened to the would-be bombers. 'The commander replied laconically: 'They are no more',' wrote Francis. 'The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up.' A poignant first-hand account of Admiral Lord Nelson's death has come to light 219 years later, providing an alternative version of his famous last words. The British naval hero was fatally shot in 1805 during the Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy triumphed over the combined forces of France and Spain. It is generally believed that Nelson's last words on his deathbed were 'kiss me Hardy', which he uttered to Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, his flag captain. But a letter sent by a comrade six days after the battle provides a different account. George Sievers, master at arms on HMS Belleisle - which was second in the British column - disclosed that Nelson stayed alive long enough to 'be informed of the extent of the glorious victory he had gained'. Sievers said Nelson uttered the emotive final words: 'Thanks be to God but I have lived this day and now I die content.' The seaman also claimed that Nelson was shot twice at Trafalgar. He was allegedly hit once in the side and was carried below deck, only to insist on returning to the heat of battle, where he was fatally shot. Sievers wrote from Gibraltar on October 27, 1805: 'Lord Nelson in the Victory engaged the French Admiral most closely, during the heat of the action his Lordship was wounded with a grapeshot in the side and was obliged to be carried below. A poignant first-hand account of Admiral Lord Nelson's death has come to light 219 years later, providing an alternative version of his famous last words The official account states that Nelson's last words on his deathbed were 'kiss me Hardy' to Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, his flag captain. But a letter sent by a comrade six days after the battle provides a different account 'Immediately on his wound being dressed he insisted again on being brought on Deck when shortly afterward he rec'd [received] a shot through his body he survived however till the evening: long enough to be informed of the capture of the French Admiral and of the extent of the glorious victory he had obtained. 'His last words were Thanks be to God I have but lived this day and now I die content.' Sieves wrote the two-page letter from Gibraltar to his landlord Thomas Tunnard of Lincolnshire. He added: 'I have the satisfaction to inform you of a most complete victory gained by our Fleet over the combined fleet of France and Spain on Monday the 21st of October. 'When they commenced a most awful fire on us we were at first engaged by Eleven sail of the Line when we were totally dismasted they cut our Bowsprit in Pieces and dismounted a number of our Guns [and] left us a complete wreck. 'I am happy to inform you that after three hours in this dreadful situation I had the satisfaction to see one three Decker and two seventy fours strike to the Belleisle and one Frigate we sunk and every soul on board perished in the Ocean.' The letter has emerged for sale for 1,600 ($2,000) at auctioneers Bonhams New York. It had remained in the Tunnard family until 2005 when it was sold to the vendor. George Sievers, master at arms on HMS Belleisle - which was second in the British column - disclosed that Nelson uttered the emotive final words: 'Thanks be to God but I have lived this day and now I die content' Darren Sutherland, Bonhams senior specialist of Fine Books & Manuscripts in New York, said: 'This seaman's account from aboard the Belleisle provides a fascinating look at the Battle of Trafalgar, as well an important early description of the death of Nelson. 'The accepted version of his last words often includes "Kiss me Hardy" - this particular construction has not been seen before and was conveyed within a week of his death. 'Although Sievers was not present on the Victory, he was on an adjacent ship and would have picked up the story very near the event.' The sale takes place tomorrow. Sir Keir Starmer's plan to reduce immigration by boosting the skills of British workers is not guaranteed to bring down numbers, Government advisers have warned. In its annual report, published today, the Migration Advisory Committee cautioned the Prime Minister against a 'one size fits all' approach to limiting arrivals to Britain. Net migration, the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the UK, hit a record 906,000 in the 12 months to June 2023. This was 166,000 higher than previously thought, according to revised figures published by the Office for National Statistics last month. The data also showed there was a 20 per cent drop in net migration to 728,000 in the year to June 2024. After the figures were published, Sir Keir accused the previous Tory government of turning Britain into a 'one-nation experiment in open borders'. The PM also claimed the UK economy was 'hopelessly reliant on immigration' and promised to 'imminently' publish plans on how Labour would bring down numbers. He said the Government would reform the points-based immigration system to require companies employing foreign workers to also train British people, as well as crack down on abuse of the visa system. Sir Keir Starmer 's plan to reduce immigration by boosting the skills of British workers is not guaranteed to bring down numbers, Government advisers have warned. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. But Sir Keir refused to set a target level for net migration, claiming previous Tory targets during their 14 years in power had 'achieved absolutely nothing'. In its annual report, the MAC noted there had been 'unusually high' net migration between 2021 and 2023. It said this was 'mainly as a result' of an increased number of international students and non-EU nationals coming to Britain to work, particularly in health and care jobs. The report said a Tory crackdown had 'dramatically decreased' the number of visa applications from foreign health and care workers. But it added the sector 'remains a main driver of work visa numbers' and said 'more still needs to be done to fill roles domestically through increased funding to improve pay and conditions'. The MAC said other immigration rule changes - such as hiking minimum salary thresholds - introduced by the Conservatives 'are likely to reduce work-related immigration further, although it is too early to know by how much'. And, in a warning about Labour's approach, the report added: 'Linking immigration and skills policy is not a 'one-size-fits-all' approach and it is important to consider the individual circumstances within sectors and occupations, including diagnosing whether shortages are genuinely driven by a lack of skills or are due to poor pay and conditions of certain roles. 'Increasing the level of skills in the domestic labour pool does not guarantee a reduction in the reliance on the immigration system as migrant and domestic workers are not perfect substitutes and employers will often still seek the best possible match for their vacancy, which may be an international recruit. 'Therefore, the impact of investment in skills on immigration will vary by sector and occupation.' After winning power at July's general election, Labour dropped Tory plans to stop people earning under 38,700 from bringing foreign spouses or partners to the UK. The income threshold was raised from 18,600 to 29,000 per year in April, with plans to increase it to 34,500 later this year and 38,700 by early 2025. But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said there would be 'no further changes' to the 29,000 threshold until a review was completed. Commenting on the report, MAC chairman Professor Brian Bell said: 'We know that recent figures have shown net migration falling. 'This has been driven both by government policy changes and by other factors, such as the impact of enhanced enforcement of the genuine vacancy test in the care sector. 'Whilst we are expecting net migration to fall further, we would caution the Government against seeing linking immigration and skills policy as a one-size-fits all approach to bringing down net migration and encourage them to continue to consider individual circumstances within sectors.' Labour MP Seema Malhotra, minister for migration and citizenship, said: 'Net migration quadrupled in the past five years and we have been clear that we will get the numbers down and restore order to our broken immigration system as part of our Plan for Change. 'The independent Migration Advisory Committee will play a central role in this providing impartial analysis to underpin our joined-up approach to link skills, migration and labour market policy and ensuring immigration is no longer used as an alternative to homegrown talent. 'It is vital that the MAC is equipped with the resources it needs to perform this important role.' This is the moment a bomb killed one of Vladimir Putin's top generals who deployed chemical weapons in Ukraine. Dramatic footage shows the huge blast that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, 54, head of Vladimir Putin's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defence Forces. Kirillov and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov, 33, emerged from the glass door of his apartment block in Moscow when an electric scooter nearby exploded. The general and his aide died on the spot in the bombing at around 6am today. Sources in Ukraine's SBU security service have said he was a legitimate target, and had committed war crimes by masterminding the use of chemical weapons against Kyiv's troops. A camera used to blow up Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov and his driver was installed in a car sharing vehicle, parked with a view of his apartment building door. The lens was pointed at the entrance and wrapped in a cloth so the equipment would not be conspicuous. The bomber could watch the scene over the internet and trigger the explosion remotely, say law enforcement. Investigators pulled out two packages from the car, likely a camera and charger. Kirillov is believed to be the most prominent military officer to be assassinated since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Dramatic footage shows the huge blast that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, 54, head of Vladimir Putin's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defence Forces Kirillov and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov, 33, emerged from the glass door of his apartment block in Moscow when an electric scooter nearby exploded It's understood that the bomb was hidden inside an electric scooter when it detonated Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov (pictured), 54, died in the explosion as he emerged from his apartment block with his driver or assistant who was also killed Bodies are seen at the blast scene, which killed the commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, and his assistant The bombing - claimed by a member of Ukraine's SBU security service - came a day after Kyiv had accused Kirillov of overseeing the widespread use of banned chemical weapons against its troops in the conflict zone. Charging him in absentia with war crimes, the Ukrainian SBU security service said he was responsible for more than 4,800 documented cases of Russian troops using chemical munitions since the start of the full-scale war. 'Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable,' the SBU source said. The Russian investigative committee confirmed the army general's death, adding that investigations had been opened into the bombing. Russia has denied allegations it has used chemical weapons in Ukraine. The British government will not mourn Kirillov, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman said. 'We're not going to mourn the death of an individual who's propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people,' he told reporters following the killing claimed by Kyiv. Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. The entrance door of the house itself was torn off and the windows were broken, while the general's official car which had arrived to collect him at 6am was also damaged. The bomb was apparently hidden in or on an electric scooter at the scene, which emergency crews could be seen inspecting. It is believed the bomb was remotely detonated, setting off a blast that was equal to roughly 300 grams of TNT, according to investigative reports cited by Russia's TASS news service. Two body bags can be seen after the bomb was detonated outside the Moscow apartment The explosion blew through the apartment entrance and damaged the facade of the building Two bodies can be seen as bystanders watch emergency crews at the scene Footage from the aftermath of the explosion shows a smashed up car as emergency crews rushed to the scene Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, who was killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment's block in Moscow, Russia, December 17, 2024 The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case following the explosion at Kirillov's building on Moscow's Ryazansky Prospekt. Investigators confirmed the deaths of two men and said that a suspect in the case is being identified. The second man killed was identified only as Ilya Polikarpov, Kirillov's aide. 'The liquidation of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical and biological defence troops is a special operation by the SBU,' a source within the agency told AFP. The deadly explosion came hours after the SBU said Kirillov had been charged with the use of banned chemical weapons. He was accused of masterminding the use of K-1 grenades loaded with banned irritant agents, CS and CN, as confirmed by two laboratories affiliated with the international Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. They were deployed by FPV drones, aiming to force Ukrainian soldiers out of trenches and into direct fire. The weapons cause severe irritation to mucous membranes, including the eyes and respiratory tract, it was alleged. This had resulted in some 2,000 Ukrainian troops being hospitalised since Russia's invasion began. The SBU said: 'The Security Service has documented war crimes committed by Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces. 'The official is responsible for the mass use of prohibited chemical weapons by Russian militants against the Defence Forces on the eastern and southern fronts of Ukraine. 'On Kirillov's orders, more than 4,800 cases of the enemy using chemical munitions have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale war.' Russian police could be seen setting up a cordon around the body bags after the explosion The entrance door of the house itself was torn off and the windows were broken, while the general's official car which had arrived to collect him at 6am was also damaged The general was killed in a powerful explosion as he emerged from his apartment building. Pictured: The scene of the explosion Kirillov, who was named the head of Russia's nuclear defence forces in April 2017, was under sanctions from several countries including the UK and Canada for his role in Ukraine. He took part in the creation and adoption of the TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower system. He was also known for spreading conspiracy theories about Western use of chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine. In March 2022, he gave a Defence Ministry presentation about alleged American biolabs in Ukraine that are developing projects to spread biological weapons using bats, birds and even mosquitos. Kirillov also accused Ukraine of provocations using toxic chemicals, including a 'dirty bomb.' In August he said, without providing evidence: 'The facts of the simultaneous supply of toxic chemicals and means of protection against them indicate an attempt to carry out large-scale provocations using the psychotropic chemical warfare agent BZ during the conflict.' Kirillov's death is the latest in a string of recent assassinations of high ranking Russian scientists and military chiefs. Five days ago, Mikhail Shatsky, a designer from the Mars Design Bureau who had worked actively on upgrading the Russian Kh-59 cruise missile, was shot. Kirillov had served as the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces' Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops since 2017 And in late November, Russian naval commander Captain Valery Trankovsky, 47, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol Pictured above is killed Russian naval commander Trankovsky His death followed three days after that of notorious Russian jail torturer and killer Sergey Yevsyukov, 49, who had headed Olenivka jail where Ukrainian POWs were abused. He was killed when his Toyota Land Cruiser exploded in a Donetsk car bombing. And in late November, Russian naval commander Captain Valery Trankovsky, 47, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol. A major hunt has been launched for the bomber who is assumed to have carried out orders from Ukrainian intelligence in killing Kirillov. Russian law enforcement suspects the bomber used a radio signal and was within range of the scene when the improvised explosive device was detonated. CCTV footage was being closely examined. A bomb disposal robot was brought to the site of the explosion, said reports. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed Kirillov 'for many years systematically, with facts in hand, exposed the crimes of the Anglo-Saxons'. This included 'NATO provocations with chemical weapons in Syria' and 'Britain's manipulation of banned chemical substances and provocations in Salisbury and Amesbury' as well as 'the deadly activities of American biolaboratories in Ukraine and much more. 'Worked fearlessly. Did not hide behind backs. He marched with an open visor. For the Motherland, for the truth. Bright memory, God rest his soul.' An Indian immigrant accused of trying to grope two schoolgirls on a beach 'licked his lips in a dirty way' at his victims as he was being arrested, a court heard. Satwinder Singh, 32, is said to have attempted to touch the breasts of the two youngsters, aged 15 and 16, in separate attacks just a few minutes apart. Singh is accused of first assaulting the 15-year-old child while she was with her older sister outside the Harry Ramsden's fish and chip shop on Bournemouth seafront. Singh allegedly asked the pair if they were 18 and was told by the complainant she was 15, to which he is said to have replied '15 or 16, it is OK'. A short while later, he allegedly tried to group another 16-year-old girl, coming within in 'centimetres' of touching her breasts after she fell from a scooter while riding with a friend. Poole Magistrates' Court heard as he was being arrested, the 32-year-old accused looked at the girls and 'licked his lips in a dirty way.' Singh denies two charges of attempted sexual assault and has gone on trial. The court heard how the immigrant, who is awaiting legal status to remain the UK, first 'ran up' to the 15-year-old and her elder sister outside the fish and chip shop. Satwinder Singh is pictured leaving Poole Magistrates' Court. He is accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls on Bournemouth beach The two separate attacks are alleged to have taken place outside the Harry Ramsden's fish and chip shop on Bournemouth seafront within minutes of each other, a court heard The pair had been on the beach with their family and had left around 7pm on June 17, 2023, to get food for everyone. Singh, who speaks limited English and requires a Punjabi translator in court, then told the sisters they were beautiful before trying to touch the younger girl's breasts, Poole Magistrates' Court heard. Her sister told him to 'f*** off' but she said he pushed her away before a crowd began to appear. He then returned to his friends on the beach who were giggling and patting him on the back, magistrates heard. Shortly afterwards, two different 16-year-old girls, unknown to the first pair, were riding a Beryl scooter when they fell off close to the same fish and chip restaurant. Singh went over to the girls to help them and put his hands 'within centimetres' of one of the girls' breasts, the court heard. A friend of the girls went off to find a police officers and Singh was arrested. Jason Spelman, prosecuting, said: 'The 17th of June was a busy Saturday and the complainants were on the beach enjoying the nice weather. 'The defendant approaches the girls and is wanting to touch them, especially in their breast area, and makes comments that clearly are of a sexual nature.' Pictured is Bournemouth seafront and the Harry Ramsden's fish and chip shop where the alleged sexual assaults reportedly took place The first complainant said in her police interview, which was played in court, said: 'He ran over towards us and was standing right in front of us. 'He sprinted quite fast towards us, maybe 20 steps... He asked if we were 18 and I said I was 15 and he said, 15 or 16, that is OK. 'He went to grab my chest area and he said "you're beautiful" and I told him to f*** off and my sister said "don't touch my sister" so he pushed her away. 'I was just shaking and felt so shocked.' The second complainant said: 'The two of us were on one electric scooter and were heading towards the pier. 'We fell off the scooter and onto the curb. When we picked ourselves up off the scooter this guy was already in front of us and he put his hands out like he was going to grab my boobs. 'He made a comment towards my friend but I could not hear exactly what he said. 'He also tried to grab my arm and he told [the complainant's friend] to get off the scooter but we then went off to tell our friends. 'You don't see everything that happens in the moment but I just thought "what the hell?" He just made me feel very uncomfortable. Pictured is Bournemouth beach where the alleged sex attacks took place, a court heard 'He was clearly trying to touch me. His hands were just a few centimetres from me. 'It could not have just been a compliment. You don't need to come that close just to compliment someone. 'A woman told us that there were some police officers and we should go and find them. 'More and more people were coming over at this point.' When interviewed by police, Singh claimed that he rubbed shoulder to shoulder with one of the girls but not with any malicious intent as to sexually touch them. Singh has been living in Staines, Surrey, while his visa application is being considered due to his wife's Australian citizenship. His wife works as a tattoo artist. The trial was adjourned by magistrates and will resume on January 9. A Wisconsin mom has accused her dyslexic son's school of denying him additional support because he is white. Colbey Decker said Green Bay Area School district is discriminating against her child by prioritizing racial minority students for access to special education services. According to The Telegraph, Ms Decker said in a letter threatening legal action last week that her son, who is in the fourth grade, was denied entry to his school's literacy program for almost a year because he was not part of a racial minority. This is because her son's school, Green Bay's King Elementary, has a policy that allocates additional resources to students based on their race, meaning that if Ms Decker's son were black, Hispanic or First Nation, he would have already been receiving the adequate support. The Wisconsin school board has launched an internal investigation following Ms Decker's claim. Ms Decker's son was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2022, and she sought additional support for him soon after he was enrolled in the school district earlier this year. Although she provided the adequate paperwork needed for the reading interventions she requested, Ms Decker claimed her son was put on a wait list for a reading group program that did not meet her son's needs. According to an excerpt from the Green Bay's King Elementary, one of the school's priorities is providing 'additional resources to First Nations, Black and Hispanic students'. A Wisconsin mom has accused her dyslexic son's school of denying him additional support because he is white Image of Green Bay's King Elementary School Speaking to the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, the counsel which is helping the mother prepare legal action, Ms Decker said: 'He is being pushed out of services for children who are higher performing. 'I couldn't believe that someone would actually withhold services because of the color of someones skin', she added. According to the Winsconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 programmes receiving federal funds are prohibited from discriminating based on race. 'I never imagined that in this day we could possibly look at a child and say 'sorry you don't get reading support because we are going to give it to someone else'', Ms Decker said. 'Any time a child is delayed in receiving services it affects that child for the rest of their life because I can't get that time back'. 'It is my job as a mom to stand up for my children'. 'I would like to see the green bay school district adopt a policy of being totally colorblind, providing services to whoever needs the help', Ms Decker added. DailyMail.com reached out to Green Bay Area Public School District for comment. This is the moment gunman riding an e-bike shot an innocent father-of-two in the head in a case of mistaken identity. Jake Brown, 23, opened fire at the silver Skoda five times on Page Hall Road in Sheffield, shooting Kevin Pokuta, 19, in the head on December 12 last year. Brown can be seen passing the car with Mr Pokuta inside before backing up, getting out a gun and shooting at the vehicle as it rapidly reversed. But he shot the wrong man, after falsely believing the car belonged to cannabis dealers who he had tried to rob earlier that day. The victim's younger brother, Dominik, 17, was also in the car during the shooting but escaped unharmed. In an emotional victim impact statement, the teenager said: 'Kevin was a good soul who had his whole life in front of him. 'He was a shy family man but was so funny and could make all of us laugh.' On Monday, Brown was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years for murder. The footage shows Jake Brown, 23, opening fire at the silver Skoda five times, and shooting Kevin Pokuta, 19, in the head in the early hours of December 12, last year Brown, pictured, who did not take the stand to defend himself during his trial, was jailed for life for Kevin's murder on Monday and told he must serve a minimum term of 36 years After a botched robbery, Brown mistook the car for one belonging to drug farmers, pulled alongside the vehicle before shooting five shots at the car Three other men - Lester Ramsey, 25, Leon Waite, 26 and Adam Mulligan, 33 - were also found guilty of conspiracy to rob. They were also jailed for a total of 12 years. Sentencing Bron, Mr Justice Lavender said: 'It's a tragedy that you, no doubt fired up with your desire for revenge, mistook him for the wrong person. No sentence I can pass will ever make up for the loss of Kevin.' It was heard how the killing came after a botched robbery on December 11, 2023 after the group met with another group of men to a cannabis factory in a house in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, - in a convoy of black cars, e-Bikes and Mulligan's white van. The group went there with a plan to rob the drugs but failed at it when the drug farmers defended it. The prosecution stated that a grey VW Passat, was carrying the drug farmers drove at one of the men, knocking him off the bike. Soon after this, Brown shot at the car in retaliation, the court was told. Prosecutor John Harrison KC told the jury during the trial: 'It is clear that most of the group wanted to take revenge following the confrontation, and so they went looking for the VW Passat they intended to shoot the occupants.' Three other men, above, were also found guilty of conspiracy to rob and were also jailed for a total of 12 years It was heard how the killing came after a botched robbery on December 11, 2023 The 19-year-old who died caught up in the cross hairs, was shot in the back of the head, leaving his heartbroken younger brother scrambling to get both of them to safety After not being able to steal the drugs, the group broke up however within 30 minutes, Brown got a different gun and went out to the street looking for revenge. It was at this time, around 12.20am, that he spotted a similar silver-grey car and, believing it was the one carrying the drug farmer, pulled alongside the vehicle before shooting five shots at the car before riding away. The 19-year-old who died caught up in the cross hairs, was shot in the back of the head, leaving his heartbroken younger brother scrambling to get both of them to safety. He was rushed to Northern General Hospital by paramedics but but his injury was deemed medically inoperable. He was taken off life support on December 13, 2023 and died shortly afterwards. In a victim impact statement written by Dominik on their behalf and read out by Mr Harrison, Kevin's family said they were 'devastated' by the 19-year-old's death. They said: 'No one can comprehend that Kevin is dead. When he was taken to hospital we all thought he was going to be okay, that doctors could save him. 'Kevin was a father to two young children he will never see grow up... his son celebrated his his third birthday blowing out candles by his grave side.. No child should have to do that. 'Kevin was a good soul who had his whole life in front of him. He was a shy family man but was so funny and could make all of us laugh. 'Kevin will be loved and missed by us forever.' The 19-year-old was rushed to Northern General Hospital by paramedics but but his injury was deemed medically inoperable During his trial, Brown was unanimously found guilty of murder by a jury in November. He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, attempted GBH and conspiracy to rob. In sentencing, Mr Justice Lavender said: 'Kevin Pokuta had nothing to do with the cannabis farm. You did not know him and had nothing against him.' A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob. He was commended by the judge for engaging with youth services, schooling, and finding volunteer work since the killing. He was handed a youth rehabilitation order lasting two years and ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work. A former Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate who was 'hounded out' of the party and barred from standing as an MP for wearing a gender-critical t-shirt is suing for 90,000 in compensation. Natalie Bird complains of being unfairly targeted for her beliefs after she wore a top bearing the slogan 'Woman: Adult Human Female' to a party meeting. The domestic abuse survivor - who says she is 'passionate about the existence of safe spaces for vulnerable women' - was called 'an Illiberal TERF', suspended from the Lib Dems and banned from standing as one of the party's MPs for a decade. The single mother and former prospective Parliamentary candidate for Wakefield sued for discrimination, and representatives of the Lib Dem membership 'conceded the claim' earlier this year. The case is now back in court to determine how much compensation she is due, with Ms Bird asking Judge Karen Walden-Smith to award her 90,000 for 'injury to feelings' for breach of her membership contract and rights under the Equality Act. Representing her at Central London County Court, barrister Emma Walker said Ms Bird had been subjected to 'silencing, intimidating and bullying' behaviour due to her beliefs. Her own complaints about harassment by activists in the party were not properly dealt with, while the party had 'effectively condoned' harassment of members with gender critical views, it is claimed. With her claim admitted by senior Lib Dems Mark Pack and Alison Rouse - representing the party membership - the case is proceeding only as an assessment of the amount in damages which Ms Bird is due. Natalie Bird - seen outside court yesterday - complains of being unfairly targeted for her beliefs after she wore a top bearing the slogan 'Woman: Adult Human Female' to a meeting The domestic abuse survivor is pictured wearing the shirt, which prompted allegations of transphobia 'The claimant is a domestic abuse survivor, and single mother, and is passionate about the existence of safe spaces for vulnerable women, and the ability to have healing spaces after undergoing abuse,' her barrister told the court. 'The claimant has suffered from depression since 2017, which is when the claimant was first threatened with expulsion from the party and called an ''illiberal TERF'', with the purpose of silencing, intimidating and bullying the claimant.' A TERF is a term used to describe a 'Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist' and is sometimes used as a derogatory description of those with gender-critical views. Ms Walker said Ms Bird had essentially been 'discriminated against, victimised and harassed for holding gender-critical beliefs,' with the party 'effectively condoning' it. 'In addition, the defendants have demonstrated a pattern of behaviour of intentionally ostracising the claimant for holding a view which she has every right to hold,' she continued. 'The claimant has been painted as a bigot, far right, and described in a pejorative manner. The claimant had tried to build a political career from 2016 in the party, however her ambitions have been destroyed by the defendants, due to her gender critical views. 'The claimant's disciplinary hearing appeared to be pre-determined to treat the claimant as a horrendous person, resulting in the book being thrown at her, and a wholly excessive punishment, which was double the period for election fraud. 'They made the claimant an example, giving her an excessive punishment because she was the first person to speak out and challenge the culture within the party.' The single mother and former prospective Parliamentary candidate for Wakefield is demanding compensation from the Lib Dems She continued: 'On the day of suspension, 11 December 2018, the claimant was on her way to a meeting of the Wakefield District Liberal Democrat Club and therefore had not read the suspension letter, to discover that the chair of the local party, Dr Peter Williams, has also received a copy of the suspension letter and asked the claimant to leave immediately on arrival. 'This was an extremely humiliating, embarrassing and upsetting experience for her, causing her great upset and harm to her.' She said Ms Bird was claiming damages for the loss of her prospective parliamentary candidature of Wakefield and other potential candidatures, her loss of ability to progress within the party, as well as discrimination, harassment and victimisation. 'The claimant has suffered years of abuse, vexatious complaints, bullying, discrimination, harassment, grossly excessive punishment, and made to feel like a pariah by people across the country for holding gender critical views,' she added. Representing the party membership, barrister Nathan Roberts said liability had been admitted for Ms Bird's claim 'in an effort to save further costs' at a point when she was claiming only 10,000. For her to now increase her claim to two lots of 45,000 against the two named defendants was an attempt at 'double recovery' for what in reality is one claim. 'There is no good reason that the claimant says the claim is now worth 4.5 times more than she originally and repeatedly pleaded,' he told the judge. He said much of Ms Bird's evidence about her 'injury to feelings' was about her treatment by activists, pointing out that the 'party isn't liable for the membership at large.' 'What she said in her oral evidence was that her injured feelings derived principally from acts of other members,' he said. 'She focused her attention on activist members, but that is not what this case is about.' Conceding that she could be awarded 10,000 in total, he added: 'The claim clearly isn't worth anything like what she is pleading it is.' The case continues. A man who was sent child abuse images by a sex offender who also shared pictures with Huw Edwards has been spared jail. Jac Davies, 25, should avoid prison to achieve 'parity' with the disgraced BBC presenter, his defence lawyer told his sentencing hearing. He was given a sentence of 12 months, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to possession of indecent images of children and possession of Class A drugs. Davies was investigated after South Wales Police discovered he had been involved in the sharing of images with paedophile Alex Williams, who had also sent pictures to Edwards, Leeds Magistrates' Court heard. Prosecutor Michelle Kruger told the court: 'South Wales Police had been dealing with Alex Williams. 'As part of the investigation into that individual, this defendant was found to have been involved in indecent images being shared. 'Also involved... was a link between Alex Williams and Huw Edwards, the BBC News presenter.' He added: 'Both Williams and Mr Huw Edwards have been dealt with by the courts, and Huw Edwards, who you will be aware of, received a suspended sentence for the indecent images he was involved in.' Leeds Magistrates' Court heard Davies was found to have been in possession of 84 indecent images, including some involving babies. The padeophile linked to the indecent images investigation into Huw Edwards (pictured) has been spared jail Addressing the most serious images found, known as category A images, Prosecutor Michelle Kruger said: 'One of them was a moving image in a bedroom location showing a baby lying on a bed.' Ms Kruger said an adult male could be seen performing a sex act on the infant. The prosecutor said other images featured boys aged three to five. The court heard Davies was found to be in possession of 36 category A images, 30 category B and 18 category C. Ms Kruger said a Telegram chat was also uncovered by officers which showed Davies speaking with others about how he wanted to 'destroy new-borns' and going into 'graphic detail' about what he would do to them. Davies should avoid jail in order to achieve 'parity' with disgraced BBC presenter Huw Edwards, his defence lawyer has told his sentencing hearing. Stewart Page told Leeds Magistrates' Court: 'I think it's incumbent upon me to mention that you also need to consider parity of sentence. Huw Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence after admitting three charges of 'making' indecent photographs 'You are aware of a certain individual who was sentenced a number of months ago - he too had no previous convictions. 'The offences that that individual appeared before the court were similar to what Mr Davies appears, and of course you are aware, because the prosecutor outlined this, that a suspended sentence was imposed on that case.' As well as the suspended jail term, Davies was ordered to attend an accredited sexual offending group work programme of no more than 43 days, and 55 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also told he would be prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16, except in the presence of a parent or another appropriate adult. He will remain on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. Penn State is offering an entirely new course in spring 2025 to prepare students to lead change in the application of AI and NLP. Designed by the College of Information Sciences and Technology, the class, called, "Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Human Language," is DS 402, which addresses the ways that computers interpret and interact with human language. NLP is a key pillar of AI technologies such as chatbots, translation apps, and search engines. In the course, Penn State reported that students will learn to develop and analyze these systems to understand the potential that AI can bring to communication transformation, process automation, and user experience improvement across all industries. The course focuses on practical applications and critical thinking, making it engaging for undergraduate students. Practical Projects for Real-World Impact Features of Penn State's NLP Course A notable feature of the course is its hands-on approach where students will work on semester-long projects to build NLP systems. These systems in question, will address real-world challenges, such as targeting and locating misinformation, analyzing internet memes, or solving challenging linguistic puzzles. These activities will help students connect AI research with practical applications that impact daily life. Shomir Wilson, assistant professor in the College of IST, wants to push conceptual reasoning and the broader impact of NLP over the technical complexity. Through this approach, students will be adequately prepared to address pressing problems in technology and ethics through a deep understanding of real-world use cases and societal impacts of AI, which the University Herald previously reported. This course signals Penn State's commitment to preparing the next generation of AI leaders. The university empowers students to innovate in ways that shape the future of communication, business, and beyond by focusing on the intersection of technology and human language. Shocking footage captured the moment a flight attendant looked on in horror as a passenger walked on a plane with an 'emotional support' Great Dane. The huge dog went viral over the weekend after footage shared to Instagram showed the Great Dane filling the carriage of the small jet, which had just two seats per row. The person who shared the video questioned: 'Have we taken this support animal thing too far?' 'Society: Hold my beer.' The Instagram user shared a hilarious follow-up after his footage went viral, showing the Great Dane's head poking up from a seat in the back after it 'got his own seat.' Viewers had a mixed reaction to the dog's presence on the airplane, with some saying they would have enjoyed sitting next to the canine while others felt it was not appropriate. 'That should have gone in cargo,' one said. Another countered: 'd be praying they were coming to sit next to me! Lol.' Shocking footage captured the moment a flight attendant looked on in horror as a passenger walked on a plane with an 'emotional support' Great Dane The Instagram user shared a hilarious follow-up after his footage went viral, showing the Great Dane's head poking up from a seat in the back after it 'got his own seat' It comes a year after the Department of Transportation introduced new ruled to crackdown on the use of emotional support animals after some passengers were deemed to be overstepping. Recent years have seen passengers attempt to bring peacocks, pigs, miniature horses and even turkeys on their flights. The new rules were designed to stem the rise of untrained pets being used as service or emotional support animals on flights by requiring passengers to complete forms about their pets training in advance. However, the rules quickly came under fire after blind passengers claimed they are now encountering more pushback around taking their much-needed service animals aboard flights since the regulations came into force. Elizabeth Schoen, 21, who is blind told the Washington Post that her guide dog Eva was barred from a flight to Boston last year. Recent years have seen passengers attempt to bring peacocks , pigs , miniature horses and even turkeys on their flights Schoen claims she attempted to submit the necessary form online four days before her JetBlue flight but the portal rejected it. Advised by customer service to bring the paperwork to the airport instead she did. However, airline staffers told her she had not submitted the form online and her dog was turned away. 'If youre denying my dog, youre denying me,' she told The Post. Schoen missed her flight and spent about $400 to fly the next day with a different airline. 'Its made me more scared. Every time I go to the airport, its like, "Are they going to stop me?' Schoen said. School shootings have become a macabre routine across America, but yesterday's attack at a small Christian school was a rarity in that it was carried about by a female. Natalie Rupnow, 15, armed herself with a pistol and opened fire on the Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin on Monday, killing a teacher and another student. Six others were injured in the attack. Although the rampage was the 323rd school shooting to occur in the US this year, according a nationwide database, only nine female students have carried out a school shooting since 1999. Studies show that only about 3 per cent of all US mass shootings are perpetrated by females, which a former FBI special agent has suggested may be linked to societal gender norms. '[Women] are raised differently and treated differently by society, if not the state, too,' David Shapiro, a former special agent who now serves as a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, told The Times, adding that 'females are less into firearms than males'. It comes as police in Wisconsin on Tuesday are interviewing friends and family and examining the online presence of the 15-year-old gunwoman to determine what drove her to open fire in a school classroom Rupnow, who turned the gun on herself after the massacre, is the youngest female mass and school shooter in US history. Natalie Rupnow, 15, armed herself with a pistol and opened fire on the Abundant Life Christian School (pictured) in Wisconsin on Monday, killing a teacher and another student. Only nine female students have carried out a school shooting since 1999 In March last year, 28-year-old Audrey Hale (pictured) carried out a a mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, killing children and three adults. Police said Hale, who was transgender, was believed to have had 'some resentment for having to go to that school' Brenda Spencer, 16, (left) dubbed the 'I don't like Mondays' killer, unleashed a spray of bullets on an elementary school in San Diego, on a Monday morning in 1979, leaving two dead, and eight children and a police officer injured. On January 30, 2006, former postal worker Jennifer San Marco, (right) armed with a handgun, opened fire at her previous place of employment, the Santa Barbara US Postal Processing and Distribution Center in Goleta, California. Six people were killed before San Marco, 44, committed suicide There have only been four female mass shooters - defined as a single attack in which four or more victims were killed - in the US since 1982, Statistica data published earlier this month revealed. There have 145 mass shootings carried out by men across America during the same time period. Due to the minute number of women who undertake mass shootings, experts say that only a few female perpetrators readily come to mind for most people. Among the most infamous is Brenda Spencer, who was dubbed the 'I don't like Mondays' killer. Spencer, then aged 16, unleashed a spray of bullets on an elementary school in San Diego, on a Monday morning in 1979, leaving two dead, and eight children and a police officer injured. On January 30, 2006, former postal worker Jennifer San Marco, armed with a handgun, opened fire at her previous place of employment, the Santa Barbara US Postal Processing and Distribution Center in Goleta, California. Six people were killed before San Marco, 44, committed suicide. And last year, 28-year-old Audrey Hale carried out a a mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. Hale killed three children and three adults in the March 2023 rampage at The Covenant School. Police said the gunwoman, who was transgender, was believed to have had 'some resentment for having to go to that school'. But Craig Jackson, a professor of Occupational Health Psychology at Birmingham City University in the UK, has now warned that there could be more female schools shooters as levels of narcissism in teenagers continues to rise. Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting on Monday Students are ushered to safety after gunwoman Natalie Rupnow opened at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin on Monday 'Much research has looked at the high levels of narcissism required in order to undertake mass shootings, i.e. believing the death of innocent victims is justified,' Jackson told DailyMail.com on Tuesday. 'Unsurprisingly younger males tend to have higher levels of narcissism than their female peers who may be socialized and conditioned into more non-narcissistic behaviors. 'Worryingly, some research shows levels of narcissism in teenagers are increasing year on year as an affect of the me-based society and social media, and this can only suggest mass shootings will continue to increase.' Jackson also predicted that Rupnow's sex will likely be examined by investigators as a potential source of motive in Monday's attack. 'On social media, especially amongst the widespread online misogynistic movement, the sex of the shooter will no doubt be poured over as a potential source for Rupnow's motive, potentially even seeing her as an "avenging female",' Jackson said. 'This is a very short-sighted view. Rupnow is more likely to have killed for the same reasons as male shooters do: anger, isolation, or attention. It may have even be a "solution" to possible recent stressors in her life.' The FBI says that female mass shooters typically arm themselves with handguns and target colleges, business or their current or former workplaces. However, Stuart Kaplan, a lawyer and former FBI special agent, has argued that law enforcement needs to 'evolve' it's active shooter profile. 'Ten years ago, 15 years ago, in discussing what an active shooter may or may not look like, it was pretty gender specific,' Kaplan told Newsweek. 'You would assume it was a male. I think obviously, as we've evolved, it's no longer one size fits all.' He suggested that behavior analysists may no longer be able to offer a shooting suspect 'breakdown' and said he thinks officials 'need to move into a new way' of investing shooting situations. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes (pictured on Monday) said today that investigators have yet to determine a motive for Rupnow's rampage Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday that investigators have yet to determine a motive for Rupnow's rampage. He told CNN that investigators are looking into online posts and a possible manifesto that the shooter may have left behind. 'We have been made aware of a manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter that's been posted by someone who alleged to be her friend,' Barnes said. Barnes said police are also examining her cell phone and computer to see if there were any transmissions between her and someone else. Other questions investigators are trying to answer are how the 15-year-old obtained a gun and whether her parents were negligent. 'That's a question that we'll have to answer with our district attorney's office,' Barnes said. 'But at this time, that does not appear to be the case.' Two wounded students were in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while several other victims were wounded and expected to survive. A security van driver who staged a bogus 920,000 robbery by handcuffing himself to the steering wheel has been ordered to pay back just 100,000. Andrew Measor, 53, claimed he had only managed to raise the alarm by dialling the number with his nose. But he was caught bragging about faking his stress-related illness after the staged heist and boasted to friends he was 'milking it', Southwark Crown Court heard. He has since been jailed for four years and 10 months but now faces having a further 14 months added to his sentence if he fails to pay back the 100,000 in three months. Measor left the depot in Dagenham on December 30 2021 with 920,000 in bank notes and 14,660 in coins in his van, the court heard. When the van arrived in Friary Lane, Ilford, Measor placed shopping bags full of cash in the vehicle's airlock. A white Vauxhall Combo van pulled up and two men got out to collect the bags. Measor then drove his van to Oak Lane and handcuffed himself to the steering wheel. Two hours later, Measor called the landline number of the Loomis depot at Dagenham. Andrew Measor, 53, was jailed for almost five years after he staged a bogus 920,000 robbery by handcuffing himself to his steering wheel Measor is pictured arriving at Southwark Crown Court in south London during his sentencing hearing after being convicted of conspiracy to commit theft and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice through a 920,000 bogus robbery He said he had been robbed at 5am when a man approached him with a gun and had said: 'I know everything that goes on, just do as I say and everything will be ok.' Measor said he was handcuffed to the steering wheel of his van and had tried and failed to get passersby to help him. But a jury saw through his lies and he was convicted of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after a trial in February last year. He was jailed for four years and 10 months. Not a penny of the money has been recovered. Stefanos Cantaris, 41, who was 'in charge and pulling the strings', admitted perverting the course of justice and was jailed for five years and four months. He blew a fortune on designer watches and holidays around the globe. Measor returned to court for a confiscation hearing after originally claiming he never saw a penny of the loot. Luke Ponte, defending Measor, told the court: 'The key issue would be what his benefit was, as to whether he obtained the 920,000 jointly as has been accepted by Mr Cantaris. CCTV footage showed three masked men loading laundry bags filled with bank notes into a white Vauxhall Combo van Cantaris met with Measor several times before the raid, and CCTV and phone evidence linked the others to them, the court heard (pictured is CCTV footage of the heist) Measor (left) and Stefanos Cantaris (right), who was 'in charge and pulling the strings', were both acquitted by the jury of conspiracy to conceal or transfer criminal property 'Even though he was a key figure... I would suggest there were others ahead of Mr Measor whose role might involve a bigger share.' Judge Dafna Spiro said Measor's agreed benefit was 100,000 and told him to pay that amount in three months or serve another 14 months jail in default. Measor's money will be paid back to Loomis from two pensions in his name. The judge told Cantaris the 'recoverable amount based on the summary of assets is 125,125'. Cantaris must pay that amount in full by March 16 2025 or serve another 18 months in prison in default. Passing sentence last year Judge Spiro had told Measor: 'It was not a "tiger kidnap" or robbery as you told the police. 'It was a well-planned sophisticated and highly orchestrated event that you were planning, supervising and participating in. 'It was made to look like a robbery, but as the jury found you were both in this together on Mr Cantaris' instructions.' Measor had appeared calm after the incident but he claimed that he had PTSD and told Loomis he needed time off, the court previously heard 'You were as I have been told "milking it" with your employers. The 930,000 has never been recovered.' Judge Spiro told Cantaris: 'You were in charge and you pulled the strings. 'Police investigators have identified in your account trips to Dubai where you spent 3,099 and purchases of Rolex watches.' Other exotic locations Cantaris had visited included Colombia, Morocco, Ibitha, Portugal and Albania. Measor, of Loughton, Essex, denied but was convicted of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Cantaris, of Epping, Essex, admitted conspiracy to commit theft and was found guilty at trial of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice A former prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank almost six years ago was sentenced to death on Monday as his judge called the slayings calculated, heinous and cruel. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Circuit Judge Angela Cowden pronounced the sentence at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring. After a two-week penalty trial, a jury in June voted 9-3 to recommend that Cowden sentence Xaver to death. Cowden said the weeks of planning that Xaver performed before the 2019 murders at Sebring's SunTrust bank, the enormity of the crime and the fear the victims felt as they were shot greatly outweighed the two dozen mitigating factors his attorneys had presented, including his history of mental illness, his benign brain tumor and his jailhouse embrace of Christianity. 'May God have mercy on your soul,' Cowden told Xaver. Xaver pleaded guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of customer Cynthia Watson, 65; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, 38; teller Debra Cook, 54; and banker Jessica Montague, 31. At gunpoint, Xaver ordered the women to lie on the floor and then shot each in the head as they begged for mercy. Kiara Lopez told Xaver and the court that her mother Marisol had welcomed him into the bank with a smile, an act he repaid by murdering her. Zephen Xavier pictured in 2019 Cynthia Watson was one of Xaver's victims. She was the sole customer at the bank at the time of the shooting Ana Pinon-Williams, 38, was a mother-of-seven who loved her work at the bank and her co-workers. She was one of four SunTrust employees killed in the shooting 'You shattered me into a million pieces,' Lopez said. 'I will celebrate the day you die, whenever that might be. Let it be known that you will always be a killer, a coward, a nobody and a waste of human life.' Michael Cook, Debra's husband, also called Xaver a coward and told the judge, 'I have absolutely no sympathy for him.' Xavers lead public defender, Jane McNeill, had asked that Cowden spare her client, saying a life sentence would put an end to the case instead of dragging it out for a decade of appeals and possibly a retrial if the sentence is overturned. 'The only way for this matter to be brought to an end so that the families of the victims and this community is able to move forward is a life sentence,' McNeill argued. The sentence will be automatically appealed. Under a new Florida law, death penalty sentences can be rendered by a jury vote of 8-4 rather than a unanimous recommendation. The change was adopted after the 2018 Parkland high school shooter could not be sentenced to death for murdering 17 people despite a 9-3 jury vote. McNeill called the new law unconstitutional. Debra Cook, who worked as a teller at SunTrust, was a grandmother. She had been married to her husband Michael Cook since 1984 and had two sons Marisol Lopez, 55, was a mother-of-two who taught Sunday school and sang choir at her church Nuevo Pacto A Highlands County Sheriff's SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Jan. 23, 2019, in Sebring In 2019, Xaver ordered the women to lie on the floor in the Sun Trust bank and then shot each in the head as they begged for mercy Xaver moved to Sebring, a city of about 11,000, in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help. He joined the Army in 2016. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital where they were patients, told police he said joining the military was a 'way to kill people and get away with it.' The Army discharged him after three months. In 2017, a Michigan woman reported him after he sent her text messages suggesting he might commit 'suicide by cop' or take hostages. Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. He quit two months later, two weeks before the shootings and the day after he bought his gun. Hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a former girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her 'this is the best day of my life' but refusing to say why. Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, 'I'm dying today'. Then, from the bank parking lot he texted, 'I'm taking a few people with me because I've always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news.' A toddler is fighting for life after being pulled from a backyard pool just days before Christmas. Emergency services rushed to the Moorebank home in Sydney' south-west shortly after 6.30pm on Tuesday following a reports a three-year-old boy was found unresponsive in the water. Paramedics attempted to resuscitate the child at the scene for some time before he was rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital. NSW Police initially reported that the boy died however have since confirmed that the he remains in hospital in a critical condition. Footage from the scene showed ambulances and police vehicles lining both sides of the street. The boy was surrounded by paramedics as he was stretchered from the home and into an ambulance. Several distressed family members were seen speaking with officers and paramedics as the boy was rushed to hospital. A child's life vest was seen abandoned near the backyard pool. A toddler is fighting for life after being pulled from a backyard swimming pool in Sydney's south-west The toddler was rushed to Sydney Children's Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition 'We were in the backyard and we could hear a lot of screaming,' neighbour Valeria said. 'I did yell over, 'is everything alright?' because they have been partying. 'I was thinking maybe someone threw somebody in the pool but then we heard a lot of screaming.' Several other neighbours also heard the cries from the home and rushed over to help. 'We went over there to have a look and apparently a little boy fell into the pool and they were trying to resuscitate him,' Valeria said. 'The next door neighbour did go in to try and resuscitate the boy while the ambulance came.' Distressed family members were seen talking with officers and paramedics after the boy was rushed to hospital A child's life vest was spotted near where the tragedy unfolded NSW Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning. The incident is not being treated as suspicious. The near-drowning came several hours after a man drowned at a beach at Catherine Hill Bay in the NSW's Lake Macquarie region Lifeguards and paramedics administered CPR to the man, 55, pulled from the water but was unable to be revived. AOC was snubbed in her quest to become the top Democrat on a powerful committee after Nancy Pelosi worked behind the scenes to tank her bid. Democrats recommended that Rep. Gerry Connolly, 74, be appointed to the party's top role in the powerful House Oversight Committee. It is a rebuke of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 35, who also wanted the influential position and to bring a fresh and youthful perspective to the top job. During a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee closed-door meeting on Monday, the panel voted 34-27 to recommend Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez. All 215 House Democrats met Tuesday morning to take a vote by secret ballot following the recommendations, which usually leads how the party will lean. There have, however, been instances where the the panel's vote could be overruled. But it's they didn't break with the will of the group closely aligned with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in favor of a progressive member of the so-called 'Squad.' Going into the meeting on Tuesday morning, AOC was asked how she's feeling after yesterday's defeat. 'Do you feel bad?' Fox News' Chad Pergram asked. 'No, I feel good,' she replied. She officially lost by a 131-84 final vote tallied Tuesday afternoon. The powerful House Democratic Steering Committee voted on Monday to recommend that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez not get the Party's top position on the Oversight Committee Instead, they recommended that Rep. Gery Connolly get the powerful role in the new Congress. The full Democratic Caucus will vote Tuesday morning on who will represent them in the top Oversight role The position for top Democrat on the Oversight Committee opened after Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) challenged and ultimately ousted Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) for the top post in the Judiciary Committee. Choosing Connolly, 74, shows a preference for a more establishment and much more senior member of the Democratic Caucus to take leadership in the highly influential panel. Connolly has served in the House since 2009. The Democratic Party will hold no power in any branch of government starting in January 2025. The decision from the Steering Committee came after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi worked behind the scenes to put the kibosh on Ocasio-Cortez's dream of taking a powerful House position in the 119th Congress. The 35-year-old previously served as vice ranking member. Pelosi may no longer be in House leadership but she still wields immense power and publicly backed Connolly for the position. The 84-year-old California Democrat reportedly made calls on behalf of Connolly last week before she suffered a fall during a European trip requiring hip replacement surgery. Last month Connolly revealed days after the 2024 election that he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer. The congressman said he will undergo chemotherapy treatment. AOC first signaled she was 'interested' in mounting a bid for ranking member earlier this month and said she was speaking with colleagues before formalizing her bid. While Democrats are in the minority again in the new year, whoever serves as ranking member on the committee could hold massive power should Democrats retake the majority in the midterms. Retaking the House would give them the ability to subpoena Trump administration officials as they carry out investigations. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who no longer holds any leadership role but is still massively influential in the Democratic Caucus, was reportedly working behind-the-scenes against AOC getting the Oversight position Pelosi and AOC have been doing a delicate dance since the New York progressive Congresswoman came to Washington after a surprise upset ousting a powerful Democratic incumbent in the 2018 primary. Ocasio-Cortez was among a group of protesters who stormed Pelosi's office urging action on climate change in October 2018. But Pelosi has also publicly praised the high-profile young congresswoman and downplayed reports of their feud in the past. Earlier this year, AOC offered praise to the former speaker for 'passing the torch' to Minority Leader Jeffries. Madeline Kingsbury's ex-boyfriend will learn his fate today for killing the young mother after she dropped their children off at daycare. Adam Fravel, 30, who had dated Kingsbury, was immediately suspected in connection to her disappearance after she vanished on March 31, 2023. Following a huge search and rescue mission, her remains were found on June 7 of that year in a remote area near the home where Fravel was raised in Mabel, Minnesota. Kingsbury's lifeless body was wrapped in a fitted sheet and sealed with Gorilla tape that matched tape found at her ex's home. Fravel and Kingsbury had split up but were still living together at the time of her disappearance. He was the last person to see her alive and was arrested on murder charges when her body was found. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with a past pattern of domestic abuse, second-degree murder with intent and second-degree murder while committing a felony in November. On Tuesday afternoon, he is expected in court in southern Minnesota for his sentencing as he faces being jailed for life for the slaying of Kingsbury. A Winona County jury deliberated for 10 hours before determining the guilt of Fravel - who has maintained his innocence. Madeline Kingsbury, 26, disappeared on March 31, 2023, after dropping off their then five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son at daycare. Her body was found on June 7 of that year in a remote area On Tuesday afternoon, her ex-boyfriend Adam Fravel, 30, is expected to learn his fate after being found guilty of murdering her last month 'Its a pyrrhic victory,' Kingsbury's father, David, said after the verdict was reached. 'Were not going to get Madeline back. Fravel cant be punished enough.' Prosecutors said Fravel was jealous because Kingsbury was leaving him for another man. When she was killed, she was in the process of looking for a new place to live. The murderer was believed to be concerned because he was financially dependent on her. The late mother's family and friends testified against Fravel, citing his track record of domestic abuse - including the time he grabbed her neck and said he could make her suffer the same tragic fate of Gabby Petito, who was killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie in 2021. Petito disappeared while on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, 23. After returning back home to Florida without her, Petito's body was found on the edge of Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, as a warrant was issued for Laundrie. His remains were then found at a campsite weeks later, following an apparent suicide. He left behind a notebook that held his confession to killing Petito, according to FBI reports. When she was killed, she was in the process of looking for a new place to live. The murderer was believed to be concerned because he was financially dependent on her. (Pictured: Kingsbury and her daughter) In the criminal complaint, Fravel also admitted to being 'infatuated' with Petito's case, as his attorney, Zach Bauer attempted to play this off as a joke. The prosecutor soon determined that Fravel's interest in Petito's case demonstrated his violent habits. Kingsbury's father told the court he encouraged his daughter to report the Petito incident to the police, but she never did. After it happened, Kingsbury and her children stayed with her parents. The criminal complaint against the father indicated that the Gorilla tape used on top of the sheet, wrapped around her body, matched one found at their home. The color and width were the same, and gray pillow cases matching the fitted sheet were also found on an air mattress in their home, the complaint stated. The criminal complaint also revealed video evidence of Fravel switching out the license plate on Kingsbury's van the day she disappeared. The video reportedly showed the van pulling out of the home and driving away with plates typically attached to a vehicle Fravel drives. Her family and friends testified, citing Fravel's track record of domestic abuse - including the time he grabbed her neck and said he could make her suffer the same tragic fate of Gabby Petito. (PIctured: Fravel with their kids) The van was then caught driving on Highway 43 in the same area where Kingsbury's body was found two months later. Police say there was a 45-minute gap in Fravel's timeline and that they believe that is the time the ex-boyfriend used to dump the body. In an unprecedented turn of events, Fravel's lawyers argued for his trial to take place outside of Winona County, where the case unfolded, due to the high volume of public interest. 'The court is now asking many of those same individuals to be jurors in a case where either they, or people they know, invested time and/or money in the search for Mr. Fravels alleged victim,' attorney Zachary Bauer previously wrote in a motion earlier this year. Police say there was a 45-minute gap in Fravel's timeline and that they believe that is the time the ex-boyfriend used to dump Kingsbury's body Ultimately, Fravel's trial remained in Winona as tears were shed from loved ones of the couple as District Judge Nancy Buytendorp read the final verdict. There were more than 150 witnesses involved in the case, including Kingsbury's family members. They were not allowed in the courtroom until they were called to testify. Bauer told The Minnesota Star Tribune, 'its been a disappointing day,' adding he believes Fravel will appeal the verdict. Kingbury's two children, aged two and five, now live with their grandparents. To honor Kingsbury, her family started a foundation in her name to continue sharing her story. A man who was arrested over the murder of Kyran Durnin has been found dead just days after reportedly telling neighbours that he was not involved in the child's disappearance. The unnamed man, in his 30s, was detained at a Garda station in the east of the country last week in relation to the disappearance of the Co Louth schoolboy. The arrest came after officers launched searches at houses in two locations in Drogheda as they attempted to find evidence that would reveal details about what happened to the little boy, and where he is. In a statement today, the Garda confirmed: 'Earlier today, Tuesday, 17th December 2024, Gardai and emergency services were alerted following the discovery of a body of a male aged in his 30s in a domestic residence in Drogheda, County Louth. 'The local Coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation'. It is understood from early indications that it is a personal tragedy. According to the Irish Times, the man had access to Kyran in the period before his last confirmed sighting as a six-year-old in 2022. He was also known to the Durnin family and a close associate of another chief suspect in the case. Officers suspect Kyran might have died in 2022, when he was six General view of Dundalk in Ireland, where Kyran was reported missing from his home on August 30 The heartbreaking last photo of Kyran Durnin (pictured right) shows the eight-year-old smiling next to his two siblings before he was reported missing One line of inquiry cops were pursuing was that the dead man helped to cover up the little boy's disappearance by misleading child protection workers. In October, Gardai investigated whether another child had been used to impersonate Kyran in order to trick social workers. The anonymous man was released from Garda custody on Friday evening after being questioned on Kyran's case for 24 hours on suspicion of murder. A woman in her 20s was also arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murder and released without charge on Wednesday evening. Last week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said they had been 'inundated' with information from the public. He added: 'Certainly when we put out an appeal for information, right back on October 14, we were inundated with information from the public. We're really pleased to see that because that provided us with a lot of leads, a lot of inquiries for us to follow through. 'As this investigation opens out, we'll start to learn more about where we are, who the suspects are, and then what we need to do to prove what happened to young Kyran.' But despite searches in Dundalk in October, and the two Drogheda properties this week, the six-year-old's remains have still not been recovered. The deceased man reportedly had a history of violent offending, with sources claiming his sudden death will likely impede the investigation, which has been in place since October. Kyran was reported missing from his home in Drogheda on August 30 aged eight, with police in Ireland launching the murder investigation just over a month later. Officers suspect the boy, who was reported missing in the summer, might have died in 2022, when he was six. Last month the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, sent a report on their engagement with Kyran and his family to the Minister for Children, Roderic O'Gorman. O'Gorman said he could not disclose or publish any details of the report as there is an ongoing garda investigation into the presumed death of the boy. Asked whether he identified any failings from the report, O'Gorman previously said: 'From what I've seen, there are elements that are of concern in terms of the overall state response. 'I asked Tusla to undertake their own review and bring forward any proposals or changes that they need to make to their operations, their procedures.' In a statement, gardai said: 'An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to any person with any information on the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the Garda investigation team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or speak with any member of An Garda Siochana.' A 12-year-old Taylor Swift superfan has been left unable to walk or talk after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive terminal brain cancer. Lily Tomlinson, from Pipersville, Bucks County, was recently diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a devastating brain tumor that affects the brain stem and controls critical functions like breathing and heart rate. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Lily's fighting spirit and love for pop superstar Taylor Swift has inspired a remarkable outpouring of support from fellow fans, ABC6 reported. Her mother, Kelsey Tomlinson, launched the #SwiftiesforLily campaign on Facebook, asking fellow fans to send friendship bracelets, cards, and letters to lift her daughter's spirits during this incredibly difficult time. 'Hello! My 12 (almost 13!) year old Swiftie, Lily, was recently diagnosed with a rare and terminal brain cancer, DIPG,' Kelsey wrote in her emotional post. The response has been overwhelming. Local business owner Mallory Minor from Minor Details in Manayunk is already preparing a special gift basket for Lily. Lily's father, Seth, described the community's support as a glimpse of hope during their darkest hours. A 12-year-old Taylor Swift superfan has been left unable to walk or talk after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive terminal brain cancer Lily Tomlinson, from Pipersville, Bucks County, was recently diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a devastating brain tumor that affects the brain stem and controls critical functions like breathing and heart rate 'The only thing that's bigger than this heaviness is the support we are receiving,' he said. Currently, the family is making grueling two-hour daily trips to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for radiation therapy, hoping to improve Lily's symptoms and quality of life. 'I had my first radiation today, which went well,' Lily told ABC6. "The only thing that's bigger than this heaviness is the support we are receiving," said Lily's dad, Seth, told the outlet. Lily's GoFundMe has already raised $40,290 toward its $75,000 goal. 'Lily is kind, sweet, caring, intelligent, and sarcastic. She loves Taylor Swift, tormenting her little brother, spending time at the lake with her family, reading, music, creating art, and her friends,' the fundraiser states. 'Lily was recently diagnosed with a rare fatal tumor on her brainstem, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG. This very aggressive terminal cancer has, in a matter of days, completely changed the lives of the entire Tomlinson. Lily now requires 24/7 care as the disease progresses. She is starting radiation treatment at CHOP to treat her symptoms, the GoFundMe explains. Despite her devastating diagnosis, Lily's fighting spirit and love for pop superstar Taylor Swift has inspired a remarkable outpouring of support from fellow fans Currently, the family is making grueling two-hour daily trips to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for radiation therapy, hoping to improve Lily's symptoms and quality of life Lily now requires 24/7 care as the disease progresses. She is starting radiation treatment at CHOP to treat her symptoms, the GoFundMe explains 'Lilys parents are taking leaves from their jobs at a local mental health nonprofit to provide her care. 'This, combined with Lilys medical expenses, creates an immediate financial hardship for the family at a time when their focus should be on caring for their child and not worrying over finances.' The options for students choosing a path in college can be very wide-ranging, not to mention there are concepts of college majors and minors. But which is which for you and how can you ensure that you will like studying them in the long run? Here's a breakdown of their differences: College Major vs Minor Simply put, a college major is the core focus of a student's degree. Bay Atlantic University explained that it represents the field in which you choose to specialize and determines the main courses you'll take while attending college. Majors are usually longer and require greater mastery of a subject, like engineering, business, biology, or psychology. Choosing a major often can be a daunting task, since the fields are so different and varied. The best advice is to consider the passion, strengths, and the long-term career goals. Some students will already know exactly what they wish to do, such as being a doctor or a teacher, while others will have time to explore different fields. Moving over, a college minor is a lesser field of study that usually complements your major. Bay Atlantic Univeristy stated that while a major usually takes more courses and a larger commitment, a minor requires fewer courses and is generally less intensive. Minors enable students to build expertise in another subject area without the full commitment needed for a major. Most students select minors to advance their knowledge pool or better their majors. The business student can minor in marketing. Or, the computer science graduate can decide to take a graphic design course to enhance his creativity. Choosing the Right College Major and Minor The choice of major or minor is very personal and should come from your interests, as well as your career aspirations, and academic strengths. To make the right choice, try to first assess your interests. The University of Kansas recommends that you reflect on what excites you the most and what you're passionate about first. Or better yet, reflect on what kind of career you want as some require a specific major, such as medicine or law. Others might allow for more flexibility, like communications. If you are still unsure at this stage, take introductory courses in different subjects first before committing to a major. Some universities offer general education courses so you can grasp them without committing too much. Now, if you find yourself still undecided, you can talk to academic advisors and career counselors for guidance. They can provide insights into the requirements for different majors and minors and help you understand the workload. In a nutshell, your major is the core of your higher education and future career, but a minor is what builds on your abilities and helps pursue other interests. So no matter whether you choose to combine your major with a minor or focus strictly on your major, the choice really should be personal interest, possible career choice, and whatever academic ability you may hold. Sir Keir Starmer today pledged 35million more in emergency cash for Ukraine to help repair the country's energy grid ahead of its third winter of war with Russia. The Prime Minister annnounced the extra funding for Kyiv alongside fresh sanctions against Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' carrying illicit Russian oil. It came as Sir Keir attended day two of a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Estonia, before he visited British troops serving on Russia's border. While meeting European allies in Estonian capital Tallinn, the PM said new sanctions against 20 vessels would 'add further pressure to Putin's stalling war economy'. Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies and Mianzimu, which have each carried more than four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024, were among the 20 ships targeted. Sanctions have also been slapped on 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, which Downing Street branded 'key lynchpins in enabling the trading of Putin's precious oil'. No10 said the UK had now sanctioned more than 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers, more than any other nation. Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia have agreed to work together alongside Britain to tackle the ships. Sir Keir Starmer pledged 35million more in emergency cash for Ukraine to help repair the country's energy grid ahead of its third winter of war with Russia The PM spoke to crew in the control room as he toured HMS Iron Duke in Tallinn, Estonia Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia have agreed to work together alongside Britain to tackle Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' carrying illicit Russian oil The PM has said that Ukraine will need more funding and capability as the conflict continues Sir Keir spoke to British troops after attending day two of a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Estonia The 35million in UK funding for Ukraine is made up of a 20million cash uplift for emergency energy needs such as making repairs to energy infrastructure and power generation. The other 15million is for humanitarian support as temperatures drop in the winter. Russia has launched 11 large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year. Sir Keir said: 'As Putin's oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light or electricity, targeted by Russia's relentless missile attacks. 'But these systematic attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure will not grind Ukraine down. It will only deepen our resolve and support. 'These sanctions will add further pressure to Putin's stalling war economy, just as we strengthen Ukraine's hand with new funding for emergency support to meet its humanitarian needs and for vital repairs to the energy system, to help Ukrainians living through the third winter of Russia's illegal full-scale invasion.' After attending the JEF summit, the PM met with British troops serving on the Russian border in Estonia who are working to deter malign Russian threats. He spoke to crew on board HMS Iron Duke in Tallinn. Yesterday, the PM said that Ukraine will need more funding and capability as the conflict continues. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keirsaid: '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.' A newly elected Texas state legislator has introduced a bill that would ban the sale of sex toys at retail stores like Target, Walmart and CVS. Republican Hillary Hickland, who was elected in November to represent District 55, pre-filed a bill that places 'restrictions on the sale of obscene devices.' The bill - HB 1549 - seeks to limit the sale of devices like vibrators to 'sexually oriented businesses' such as sex shops and strip clubs. 'Children have a right to grow up without being subjected to explicit material that they cannot fully understand and that could harm their development,' Hickland said. 'Allowing sexually explicit items in family-friendly stores takes away that right and places an undue burden on parents to guard their kids against inappropriate exposure in spaces meant for basic necessities like food and toiletries.' A Texas law passed in 1973 banned the sale of sex toys anywhere in the state, according to KHOU. That law was updated in 2003 to make it a crime to own six or more of the devices, but was declared unconstitutional in 2008. Fellow House Republican Christin Bentley expressed her support for Hickland and shared a copy of the bill on X. Republican Hillary Hickland (pictured), who was elected in November to represent District 55, pre-filed a bill that places 'restrictions on the sale of obscene devices' The bill - HB 1549 - seeks to limit the sale of devices like vibrators to 'sexually oriented businesses' such as sex shops and strip clubs 'Whether it's porn in their libraries, sexually charged performances in a neighborhood restaurant, or sexually oriented devices on the shelves of the family friendly market, children are increasingly confronted with sexually provocative content in public spaces designated for their use,' she said. 'This is not a passive cultural shift, but rather part of a coordinated effort to normalize the sexualization of children. 'The state has a compelling interest to protect children from sexualization, as it leads to their exploitation and is critical to both their safety and natural development.' Both Hickland and Bentley have shared photos of sex toys they have seen on the shelves at their local stores. The law would go into effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority of the vote. If this is does not receive a super majority, it will take effect September 1, 2025. If passed, stores caught selling sex toys could face a civil penalty up to $5,000 for each violation. Around the world, usage and ownership of sex toys continues to rise, according to Statista. The global sex toy market is forecast to grow steadily between 2019 to 2026, from approximately $27.17 billion to around $52.7 billion, reaching a value of $80.7 billion by 2030. The global sex toy market is forecast to grow steadily between 2019 to 2026, from approximately $27.17 billion to around $52.7 billion The Texas state legislature is set to vote several bills addressing 'sexually explicit' materials including the power to ban books. State Rep. Jared Patterson pre-filed a bill would give the State Board of Education the power to ban books from public schools that they deem sexually explicit, according to the San Antonio Express-News. A similar law known as the READER Act - that required bookstores to review and rate the sexual content of all titles sold to public schools - was struck down by federal courts as unconstitutional. A Texas mother who saved two of her children from their burning home and died trying to rescue her baby has been awarded North America's highest honor for civilian heroism. Giovanna Cabrera, 31, along with 17 other brave Americans, received the Carnegie Medal that recognizes people who put themselves at serious risk of harm or death while trying to save others. Cabrera's home in north Houston shot up in flames at around 4am on February 3, with fire investigators quickly determining the blaze began in the living room, KHOU11 reported at the time. She was able to get her nine-year-old son and six-year-old daughter out of the house in time by unlocking the front door for them. Her son said he saw his mother run back into the burning house toward his one-year-old brother Gabriel Pena's room. She never came back out. When firefighters arrived, the flames had engulfed the entire front half of the house. The fire was too intense for them to immediately go in and rescue Cabrera and her son. Once the fire was more under control, they entered and saw Cabrera holding Gabriel on the floor of his bedroom doorway. Both of them died from smoke inhalation and severe burns. At some point, Cabrera called 911 but the call was quickly disconnected. Her children made it to a nearby house and alerted a neighbor, who then called 911. Pictured: Giovanna Cabrera and her one-year-old son Gabriel Pena died tragically in a house fire in February. The mom saved her other two children and was awarded the Carnegie Medal for her heroism After Cabrera saved her nine-year-old son and six-year-old daughter, authorities learned Cabrera went back into the fire (pictured on a neighbor's cell phone video) to save her baby. Neither of them never came back out In the days after the fire, the local news spoke with a neighbor and Cabrera's sister, Giselle Bueno, to get a better idea of what happened. The neighbor, David Santos, told KHOU11 at the time that the fire was so hot that he could feel it 'up to the door' of his house. 'There was nothing anybody could do,' he said. 'All we could do was just stand and watch.' Bueno was visibly heartbroken as she stood outside the rubble of Cabrera's home, knowing she had lost her only sister and her nephew. 'She grabbed him, she died with him in her arms,' Bueno said. 'I just think about my sister and what went through her head, like how scared she was and that she was by herself.' The family of four lived in the home with the children's grandparents, who were out of town at the time it burned down. It was previously reported by ABC13 that Cabrera's kids went with their father following the tragedy. A GoFundMe was created by a family friend to raise money to help pay for funeral costs and any other support the two surviving children would need. As of Tuesday, it has raised more than $47,000 toward a $150,000 goal. Cabrera pictured with her two other children, ages six and nine, (left) who she rescued from the burning structure, as she is pictured (right) with her son, who also perished Pictured: A memorial outside Cabrera's house honoring her and her one-year-old son Cabrera's sister, Giselle Bueno, was interviewed at the scene of the fire and told KHOU11 that Cabrera would be proud of how people were stepping in to help support her family 'And everyone is calling her a hero,' Bueno added. 'I know that shes just looking at us and shes happy and proud, even though she didnt make it, that everyone is trying to help.' Now her heroism has been officially recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, which was established by billionaire steel magnate Andrew Carnegie in 1904. On top of that, Cabrera's family will receive a financial grant, though the amount wasn't specified. Over its 120-year history, the fund has disbursed more than $45 million in everything from one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance to Carnegie medal winners and surviving family members. A North Carolina parent has been charged with felony assault by strangulation following a Monday morning attack on a student. Quinton Earl Lofton, 43, allegedly attacked a 17-year-old student in a hallway and stairwell at Fike High School, according to Wilson County Sheriff's Office Chief of Staff Wanda Samuel. The footage shows Lofton grabbing the student's shirt, shoving him down a flight of stairs, and causing the student to appear to have a seizure before he slowly got up. Fike High School Principal Dr. Ross Renfrow addressed the incident in a message sent to families at 12:15 p.m. Monday, according to Amber Lynch, director of public information for Wilson County Schools. 'I wanted to make families aware of an incident that happened on our campus this morning,' Renfrow said in the statement. 'A parent entered our building and was directed to report to the office. The parent did not report to the office and instead assaulted a student in the hallway based on a situation that happened outside of school. 'Myself and other staff members responded immediately, defused the situation and escorted the parent out of the building,' Renfrow said. 'We are working in collaboration with the sheriff's office, and charges have been filed.' Renfrow emphasized that the safety of students and staff remains a top priority. 'Please use this situation as a reminder that we will not tolerate violence or threats against our students or staff,' he said. Speaking to WRAL News, the victim's family said their son is still recovering from the altercation. 'He's pretty traumatized right now. He's very shaken up by the whole event that took place this morning, ' said the teen's sister, Shaniqua. 'He's pushing through. He's trying to, you know, remain positive through the whole situation.' Quinton Earl Lofton, 43, allegedly attacked a 17-year-old student in a hallway and stairwell at Fike High School, The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, shows Lofton grabbed the student by the his, shoving him backward onto the lower steps of a staircase Lofton was booked into the Wilson County Detention Center under a $7,500 secured bond and was released within a few hours. The incident, captured on video and shared on social media, shows Lofton grabbing a male student by the neck, shoving him backward onto the lower steps of a staircase. A female student can be heard yelling for Lofton to stop. Moments later, the male student appears to have a seizure as he slides down the stairs before being helped to his feet by another student. Renfrow is also seen in the video, stepping between Lofton and the student, saying, 'You back up, back up,' and firmly instructing, 'Don't touch him.' Samuel confirmed that Wilson County Sheriff's Office investigators have reviewed the footage. 'We have reviewed the video, and Quinton Lofton has been charged with felony assault by strangulation and disorderly conduct,' Samuel said. 'It was reported that Lofton entered the school, bypassed the front office, and assaulted a student over an isolated incident that occurred outside of school.' Lofton also faces unrelated, pending charges in Wilson County. Principal Ross Renfrow of Fike High School assaulted based on a situation that happened outside of school In April, the Wilson Police Department charged him with four counts of felony child abuse-sexual act as well as two counts each of taking indecent liberties with a child, statutory sex offense with a child, and sexual activity by a substitute parent in connection with cases dating back to 2020. The investigation remains ongoing. President-elect Donald Trump is considering tapping Democratic Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CNN reported on the unconventional pick Monday, though Moskowitz tried to tamp down speculation Tuesday. 'All rumor and conjecture. I have no plans on leaving Congress,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill. He later wrote on X: 'I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election. Its an honor to serve the people of Floridas 23rd district.' While Trump has chosen several former Democrats for top positions, the choice of Moskowitz would be the Republican's first of an individual who is still a member of the opposing political party. He has famously engaged in bitter battles with top Republican James Comer, who called him a 'liar and a smurf' during a heated hearing into the Biden family's business dealings. Meanwhile, Moskowitz accused the chairman of 'manipulating' the American people to believe Biden did something wrong with his family's money. But despite his dust-ups with Comer, he does have a track record of working across the aisle with Republicans. Moskowitz was tapped by Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to lead the state's Division of Emergency Management starting in January 2019. He was serving as a Democrat in the Florida House of Representatives at the time. Moskowitz earned the nickname the 'master of disaster' for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida hurricane response during his time running the Florida Division of Emergency Management. President-elect Donald Trump (left) is pondering picking Democratic rep. Jared Moskowitz (right) of Florida to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election. Its an honor to serve the people of Floridas 23rd district. Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) December 17, 2024 He was credited with an effective COVID-19 vaccine rollout and defended DeSantis after 60 Minutes claimed the Florida governor engaged in a pay-to-play scheme with the Publix supermarket chain over vaccine distribution. Moskowitz successfully ran for Congress in 2022 and won reelection to a second term last month. Trump relocated to Florida from New York and has selected a number of Florida officials for Cabinet positions, including Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. He initially chose now former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general. When Gaetz bowed out, he was replaced by Florida's former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump's incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is a current Florida congressman. And Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon. The president-elect has tapped former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard - who now identifies as a Republican - to be Director of National Intelligence. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who first ran as a Democrat and then an independent for the White House this cycle, is now Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. But Moskowitz has been openly critical of Trump at times. Democratic Rep. Moskowitz accused the chairman of 'manipulating' the American people to believe Joe did something wrong when he did the exact same 'Nominating Tulsi Gabbard to lead our intelligence community is incredibly reckless. Putting someone with known sympathies for foreign adversaries is not putting Americas interests first - its putting our security at risk,' the Florida Democrat said in an X post last month. In April, Moskowitz swatted back at Trump, who had suggested that American Jews who vote for Democrats 'should have their head examined.' Trump was making that point after the left flank of the Democratic Party has shown more pro-Palestine views during the Gaza war. The Democratic congressman pointed to Trump's infamous November 2022 Mar-a-Lago dinner with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and anti-Semitic rapper Kanye West. 'Had my head examined. All is well,' Moskowitz posted to X. 'I appreciate the President's concern. When is Trump having dinner with Kayne and Nick Fuentes again?' he snarked. An Israel hostage deal could be signed within days as the ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel have reportedly reached the 'final phase'. Sources briefed on meetings related to the ceasefire talks told Reuters that a deal was expected to be signed in the coming days. A senior Palestinian official involved in the talks also told the BBC that the negotiations were in a 'decisive and final phase'. This comes as Israeli defence minister Israel Katz claimed that negotiators have never been closer to agreeing to a deal with Hamas for the release of the hostages taken on October 7. Katz reportedly told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal.' A source later told AFP that an Israeli technical team had arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Monday 'to discuss the ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza'. The source added that meetings were 'between Israeli and Qatari working-level teams'. According to his spokesman, Katz had told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal.' Hamas said talks in Qatar on Tuesday aimed at a truce and hostage-prisoner exchange in Gaza were 'serious and positive', a day after an Israeli delegation arrived in Doha to meet with mediators. Relatives of Israelis held hostage in Gaza since the October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants, and supporters, gather for a demonstration calling upon the US to intervene for their release, outside the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv on December 12, 2024 Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 Israel Katz (pictured) reportedly told members of the Israeli parliament's foreign affairs committee: 'We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal' 'Hamas affirms that, in light of the serious and positive discussions taking place today in Doha under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation ceases to impose new conditions,' the Palestinian Islamist group said in a statement. The seemingly progressing talks come after US President-elect Donald Trump issued a threat to Hamas earlier this month, saying if hostages are not released by his inauguration on January 20, there will be 'all hell to pay' in the Middle East. Trump made the stark threat on his Truth Social site, hours after the Israel Defense Force confirmed the death of American-Israeli hostage Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, on December 2 and just a day after Hamas released a hostage video of American-Israeli Edan Alexander weeping and pleading for his life. 'Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But it's all talk, and no action!' Trump wrote. 'Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.' 'Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!' Trump demanded. Trump did not specifically mention Hamas or other terror groups who may be holding hostages. A total of 251 people were taken, with more than 60 still being held. Israeli soldiers are seen in a tunnel that the military says Hamas militants used to attack the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, on Dec. 15, 2023 Donald Trump gave Hamas or others responsible for holding hostages in the Middle East until January 20th to release them, saying otherwise there will be 'hell to pay,' Protesters raise placards and wave flags during an anti-government protest demanding action for the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza Smoke rises from Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, December 16, 2024 Since October 7, when Hamas terrorists killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250, negotiations for a ceasefire deal in exchange for the hostages have developed at a snail's pace. Though over 100 people were released in November 2023, little progress has since been made. That release occurred as part of an exchange that secured the freedom of 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. All mediation efforts, led by Egypt, the United States and Qatar, have since then failed to secure a new truce. In September, Qatar had announced it was suspending its efforts, blaming both sides for a lack of willingness to reach an agreement. However, since Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election in early November, diplomatic efforts have resumed, now jointly mediated by Washington, Cairo, Doha and Ankara. On Monday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said negotiations had been productive in recent days but that differences remained. Trump threatened that those responsible would be 'will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America' 'We are pushing as hard as we know how to do at this point, and we believe we can get to a deal. But again it remains incumbent from Hamas and Israel... getting it over the line,' he told journalists. 'And I can't in good conscience tell you, stand here and tell you that that's going to happen, but it should happen.' Late on Monday, Netanyahu's office said he had held a meeting with Adam Boehler, US president-elect Donald Trump's designated envoy for hostage affairs, who is on a visit to Israel. Netanyahu also spoke with Trump over the weekend regarding Israel's efforts to secure the release of hostages. A Portland woman has died days after she was allegedly shot over a quarrel about loud music playing in her apartment complex. Susan Henson, a resident of 1300 Southeast Pleasant View Drive in Oregon, had decided to go down to her parking lot and investigate with her boyfriend when she heard loud music at around 3am on December 10. Once at the scene, she noticed Kuian Kellum, 26, and his girlfriend outside her apartment and began arguing with the pair over the disruption. Court documents state that Kellum's girlfriend pushed Henson and tried to get between the two of them to stop the war of words. However, at some point the victim had allegedly slapped takeout food out of the couple's hands - inciting a physical altercation. Henson's boyfriend also reportedly pepper sprayed Kellum during the argument. In response, the suspect fired his gun three times towards Henson and her boyfriend 'from a short distance away.' Henson was found by responding Gresham police deputies with a shot to her head and other critical injuries. Susan Henson, a resident of 1300 Southeast Pleasant View Drive in Oregon , had decided to go down to her parking lot and investigate with her boyfriend when she heard loud music at around 3am on December 10 Once at the scene, she noticed Kuian Kellum (pictured) and his girlfriend outside her apartment and began arguing with the pair over the disruption She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to injuries a few days later. While deputies revealed that Henson died on December 16, they have not released the actual date of her death, according to the Oregon Live. The accused was charged with second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, first-degree assault with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm, recklessly endangering another person, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Kellum later told officials that he was afraid of the victim and he believed that the victim and her boyfriend were going to 'pummel him,' according to court documents. A court date for him is yet to be set. This comes months after a McDonald's worker from Florida has been arrested after she shot at a customer following an argument at the drive-through window. Chassidy Gardner, 22, of Lakeland, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Polk County jail. The shooting occurred just after 1am at the branch of McDonald's on East Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland east of Tampa. Court documents state that Kellum's girlfriend pushed Henson and tried to get between the two of them to stop the war of words However, at some point the victim had allegedly slapped takeout food out of the couple's hands - inciting a physical altercation Henson was found by responding Gresham police deputies with a shot to her head and other critical injuries Things kicked off after a customer 'felt their order was incorrect' Lakeland Police said in a statement. Gardner then got into an argument with the customers at the drive-through window. Surveillance video shows one of the customers sticking their arm through the window and knocking some items onto the floor before throwing cups onto the floor. That led to Gardner throwing a drink back at them just as they were leaving. Two of the customers then got out of their car only to throw their own drinks, full of ice, back at Gardner. But Gardner had brought a gun to work and could be seen pacing around the kitchen area with the weapon in her hand. At least two other staff members could be seen working in the kitchen, but they appeared to do nothing to discourage Gardner nor tell her to put the gun away. Gardner was arrested and taken into custody but was released from jail the next day after posting a $15,000 bond. The Supreme Court ban on affirmative action has had a huge impact on Harvard Law School - with the number of black students enrolling dropping dramatically this fall. Only 19 first-year black students enrolled at the prestigious school this year, or 3.4 percent of the class, according to data from the American Bar Association. Some 43 black students enrolled in the first-year class in 2023. This year's comparatively scarce turnout is also the lowest since the 1960s. There was also a marked reduction in the number of Hispanic students entering the school this year. Some 39 enrolled, or 6.9 percent of the class, compared with 63 students amounting to 11 percent in 2023. The decline at Harvard was much more dramatic than at other Ivy League law schools. Harvard was also named in the decision to end affirmative action in 2023. Meanwhile, enrollment of white and Asian students increased, figures show. Harvard Law Professor David B. Wilkins, said the decline in black students enrolling 'obviously has a lot to do with the chilling effect created by that decision'. 'This is the lowest number of Black entering first-year students since 1965,' Wilkins, who has studied diversity in the legal industry, told the New York Times. Wilkins said there were 15 entering black students in 1965, and this number climbed to between 50 to 70 each year since 1970. Affirmative action was introduced in 1961. The Supreme Court ban on affirmative action has had a huge impact on Harvard Law School - with the number of black students enrolling dropping dramatically this fall The Supreme Court (pictured) banned colleges from using race as a factor when admitting students in a landmark ruling on affirmative action in June 2023 A spokesman for Harvard Law, Jeff Neal, said in a statement to the NYT that the school continued 'to believe that a student body composed of persons with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences is a vital component of legal education.' 'Harvard Law School remains committed both to following the law and to fostering an on-campus community and a legal profession that reflect numerous dimensions of human experience,' he added. The same pattern was also seen a the University of North Carolina, which was also named as a defendant in the Supreme Court's affirmative action case in 2023. There were only nine black first-years at the school this year, compared with 13 in 2023. The number of Hispanic students declined from 21 last year to 13 this year. The opposite trend was seen at Stanford, where the number of black first-year students rose from 12 last year to 23 this year. The Supreme Court banned colleges from using race as a factor when admitting students in a landmark ruling on affirmative action in June 2023. The justices decided in a 6-3 vote that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)'s race-based affirmative action admissions policy was unconstitutional. Only 19 first-year black students enrolled at Harvard Law School this year, or 3.4 percent of the class, according to data from the American Bar Association Roberts was joined in the majority opinion by Republican-appointed justices Amy Coney Barrett, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, and Brett Kavanaugh. The court's liberal justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan dissented They also ruled 6-2 - with liberal justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused - that Harvard's admission policy should also be struck down in decision sending shockwaves nationwide. The ruling ended the decades-old 'affirmative action' policy that was designed to boost the number of black and Hispanic students in colleges. Universities will have to look to new ways to better incorporate minority groups and ensure representation among student bodies. 'Because Harvard's and UNC's admissions programs lack sufficiently focused and measurable objectives warranting the use of race, unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping, and lack meaningful end points, those admissions programs cannot be reconciled with the guarantees of the Equal Protection Clause,' states the majority opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts. Donald Trump's spokeswoman slapped down a letter from Senator Elizabeth Warren as 'toothless' after she accused his close ally Elon Musk of 'corruption.' Trump, 78, tapped Musk to co-head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after the world's richest man went all in to help him win the 2024 election. It is almost unusual these days to see the president-elect publicly without the tech billionaire hovering nearby, be it in Florida, New York or Washington. The progressive lawmaker raised alarms over Musk's ability to work with the government moving forward because of potential 'conflicts of interest.' In a letter to Trump on Monday, Warren details 'concerns' with 'dual roles' played by Musk in the incoming government and private sector. But Karoline Leavitt, Trump's incoming press secretary, shot back a fiery response, essentially telling the senator to shove it as Musk remains a near permanent fixture at Mar-a-Lago. 'President Trump has assembled the most impressive and qualified team of innovators, entrepreneurs, and geniuses to advise and staff our government,' Leavitt in a statement to DailyMail.com. 'Pocahontas can play political games and send toothless letters, but the Trump-Vance transition will continue to be held to the highest ethical and legal standards possiblea standard unfamiliar to a career politician whose societal impact is 1/1024th of Elon Musk's,' she continued. Pocahontas is a controversial nickname Trump has long used for the Massachusetts Democrat for falsely claiming she has significant Native American heritage. The Massachusetts lawmaker noted Musk's close proximity to the president-elect and his planned role to help tackle government waste through DOGE. Donald Trump 's spokeswoman slapped down a letter from Senator Elizabeth Warren as 'toothless' after she accused his close ally Elon Musk of 'corruption.' President-elect Donald Trump 's spokeswoman slapped down a letter from Senator Elizabeth Warren as 'toothless But she warned 'Musk is no ordinary citizen' and pointed out he's the CEO of several companies with 'significant interests before the federal government' - including getting indirect subsidies and federal contracts worth billions. Warren also argued Musk's other companies 'have an ongoing interest in how the government does or does not enforce labor laws, workplace safety rules, environmental regulations, and other federal laws.' 'Mr. Musk's substantial private interests present a massive conflict of interest with the role he has taken on as your 'unofficial co-president,'' Warren wrote. 'Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the countryor merely good for his own bottom line,' she continued. Warren pointed out that federal financial conflict-of-interest rules 'prohibit federal employees from working on particular matters that affect their own financial interests.' She also quoted the Trump transition team's own ethics plan about avoiding actual and apparent conflicts. Pocahontas is a controversial nickname Trump has long used for the Massachusetts Democrat for claimed she has Native American heritage Musk standing with Trump and Vice President-elect Vance at the Army-Navy game on Dec. 14 The senator asked the president-elect or his transition team to provide a series of answers to fourteen questions about Musk's role as co-chair of DOGE and whether he will recuse himself on matters affecting his companies. Separate to Musk, she asked what penalties will be imposed if individuals do not meet the transition team's ethics standards and questioned if DOGE's records be retained and released to the public. 'As your Transition Team Ethics Plan makes clear, the role of government is not to line the pockets of the wealthiest Americans; a strong, enforceable ethics plan for the world's richest man is a necessary first step for delivering on that promise,' she wrote. Elon Musk with his son on Capitol Hill after meeting with lawmakers on December 5 But the Trump transition team shot back a fiery response, essentially telling the senator to shove it as Musk remains a near permanent fixture at Mar-a-Lago. The pair have butted heads since Trump's first term in the White House as the progressive lawmaker remains a fierce critic of the Republican leader and his team, calling out the nominations of a series of billionaires. But Warren has signaled in recent weeks there are areas where she could see herself working with the incoming administration including on credit card rate caps. A man went into cardiac arrest and died while waiting in an urgent care center in Rio de Janeiro, health authorities said. Jose Silva visited the medical facility in the Cidade de Deus slum on Friday and was shouting to be helped, his father told Brazilian news outlet G1. Disturbing video showed the 32-year-old sitting on a chair in the waiting room and his head tilted to the right moments before a male staffer approached him. Silva was placed on a stretcher and transported to another area of the emergency medical center. Rio de Janeiro city government opened an investigation and on Monday announced it had fired all 20 health workers, including doctors, nurses and receptionists, who were working the shift when da Silva died. Responsibility for patient care, risk classification and patient flow is shared by the entire on-call team," Rio de Janeiro Health Secretary Daniel Soranz said. The Rio de Janeiro Department of Health said da Silva was registered as an at-risk patient at 8:30pm, but was only tended to when he fell unconscious. However, it did not say how much time elapsed between the moment he was arrived and when he was finally provided medical attention. 'According to initial reports from professionals, everything happened very quickly, the patient was lucid and walked into the unit, accompanied by a person who said he could not remain there,' the Health Department said in a statement. 'He was taken to the Red Room for treatment, but unfortunately he did not survive and cardiorespiratory arrest was confirmed. The body was sent to the Forensic Medical Institute to determine the cause of death.' Jose da Silva died at an urgent care facility while he waited to be treated by doctors Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city government announced Monday that all 20 employees, including doctors, nurses and receptionists who were working at the time of da Silva's visit, have been fired Jose da Silva was filmed unconscious and sitting on a chair while he waited to be seen at an urgent care center moments before he went into cardiac arrest and died Friday in Rio de Janeiro Da Silva's niece, Emily Mota, told G1that he visited the urgent care center regularly due to stomach pains and complained about the service doctors provided. 'His ex-partner called us crying and said, 'I don't know what to do anymore, I take him to the UPA every day. They don't give him any attention. It takes three to five hours to see him at that hospital. They see him, give him an injection or dipyrone in the vein and that's it, he's released,'' Mota said. His sister, Meiriane da Silva, recalled speaking with him last Wednesday about an endoscopy that he was scheduled to undergo in January. Da Silva was born in Mogi Guacu, a city in the nearby southeastern state of Sao Paulo, and moved to Rio de Janeiro in 2012. Jose da Silva was registered as a patient who was at risk and was left unattended in the waiting room before he went into cardiac arrest and died The family said Jose da Silva frequently sought medical treatment for severe stomach ailments at the urgent care facility where he died Friday His family said he was homeless for a while and had been working selling handmade crafts along the beach in the Rio de Janeiro neighborhood of Copacabana. He also worked for a construction company and was fired just days before his death. Da Silva was planning on returning to his hometown to celebrate Christmas with his family. 'He arrived there screaming in pain, asking for help, but no one answered. He just sat there until he died with his neck bent,' da Silva's father, Jose Adao da Silva said. 'The people who were waiting for help were the ones who discovered him. It was difficult, very difficult. From the images, it's clear. If there is an investigation and it is confirmed, they have to be punished.' Nigel Farage has held talks with Elon Musk in Florida amid claims the world's richest man is poised to donate $100million to Reform UK. The pair spoke for an hour yesterday at US President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. They were joined by British property tycoon Nick Candy, a former Tory donor, who was last week unveiled as Reform's treasurer. The meeting will fuel rumours that Mr Musk, the Tesla boss and owner of X, is ready to plough some of his estimated $300billion fortune into the British political party. The South African-born businessman has been a fierce critic of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in recent months. He has also taken a keen interest in the rise of Reform, having become friendly with Mr Farage through their shared links to Mr Trump. Mr Farage revealed that 'money was discussed' in his meeting with Mr Musk, telling The Times: 'We are in negotiations about whether he can help. He is fully behind this. 'He is motivated enough by what's going on in Britain to give serious thought to giving money.' But Mr Farage added the 'primary goal' of the meeting was to discuss Mr Musk's role in Mr Trump's successful bid to be re-elected to the White House. 'Our primary goal was to discuss what he did in the ground campaign,' the Reform leader said. 'There is no doubt his influence made a huge difference. I learnt a lot about voter registration.' Nigel Farage, Elon Musk (centre) and Nick Candy (left) pose in front of a portrait of Donald Trump at the US President-elect's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida The meeting will fuel rumours that Mr Musk, the Tesla boss and owner of X, is ready to plough some of his estimated $300billion fortune into Reform UK Mr Farage has previously insisted he knows nothing about a potential contribution from Mr Musk, but said that if money were offered 'we will take it' Mr Musk responded to Mr Farage's post about their meeting on his X social media site Earlier, speaking about their talks with Mr Musk in Florida, Mr Farage and Mr Candy said: 'We had a great meeting with Elon Musk for an hour yesterday. 'We learned a great deal about the Trump ground game and will have ongoing discussions on other areas. 'We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together. 'Our thanks also to President Trump for allowing us to use Mar-a-Lago for this historic meeting. The special relationship is alive and well.' After Mr Farage shared a photo of himself, Mr Musk and Mr Candy posing underneath a portrait of Mr Trump - together with the caption 'Britain Needs Reform' - Mr Musk replied on his X social media site: 'Absolutely.' Mr Candy has committed to giving 1million of his own money to Reform - but is also launching a push to raise tens of millions more from other wealthy business figures. Ahead of his and Mr Farage's meeting with Mr Musk, he said he believed the billionaire 'would like to help'. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Candy - whose former pop star wife Holly Valance is also a fan of Mr Farage - claimed that Reform's membership would soon exceed that of the Tories, which stands at around 130,000. 'The oldest political party in this country... will be overtaken in members by the newest political party in this country - and that is mindblowing,' he said. Insiders in other parties admit a rumoured $100million (79million) donation to Reform by Mr Musk could 'shift the dial' and add fuel to Reform's rise in the polls. But there have also been complaints about influence on British politics from abroad. Mr Farage has previously insisted he knows nothing about a potential contribution from Mr Musk, but said that if money were offered 'we will take it'. Mr Musk became a key member of Mr Trump's campaign team and has been appointed by the President-elect to lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Mr Musk became friendly with Mr Farage through their shared links to President-elect Trump Mr Candy and his former pop-star wife Holly Valance were photographed at Reform's conference in Birmingham in September Mr Candy gave a broad hint in the newspaper interview that he was wooing Mr Musk, who became a key member of Mr Trump's campaign team and has been appointed by the president-elect to jointly lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 'Elon's managed to do an incredible job for President-elect Trump, and he's sort of changed the political spectrum in America,' Mr Candy said. 'He knows how to get things done. I want to understand how he got those people out in Pennsylvania. I want to learn from him.' Pressed on whether he would ask Musk directly for advice, Mr Candy said: 'You might be seeing something soon on that.' Sir Keir and Mr Musk clashed earlier this year over the widespread rioting in the UK. The businessman sparked a furious backlash by claiming that 'civil war is inevitable' amid the violent chaos in British cities and towns. He also branded the PM 'Two Tier Keir' as he fuelled claims that UK police treat some groups more harshly than others. But Mr Musk was left red-faced after being forced to retract false claims about Sir Keir setting up detainment camps in the Falkland Islands for rioters. A Chinese restaurant in Kansas has come under fire after a worker was filmed cutting up meat on the sidewalk. Health inspectors descended on Tryyaki in Lawrence after a video showing the grisly act emerged online. The footage featured an employee hacking at pieces of pork while squatting down on the concrete pavement of the restaurant's drive-thru. 'It was gut-wrenching. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing,' Jennifer Watkins, who filmed the incident while out with her husband Greg, told Fox4KC. 'There was no cutting board or nothing to chop on. He was just cutting on concrete.' The premises' owner took to social media to reassure customers that the meat was for the worker's personal use and is not even served on the menu. 'People should not worry that we are serving them pork cut from the ground,' owner Sunny Liu said. 'The pork carcass shown in the video was not intended for our customers. It is inexpensive meat that some of our employees prepare and cook separately for their personal consumption,' the restaurant wrote in a statement. 'This meat is cooked at the end of the night, in a separate cooking bowl, completely apart from the kitchen equipment and utensils used for customer food. A Chinese restaurant in Kansas has come under fire after a worker was filmed cutting up meat on the sidewalk The owners of Tryyaki said that the person was cutting up pork for personal use However, inspectors still felt the need to visit the Lawrence establishment and give out some advice 'While this practice is safe when properly cooked, we would never serve this to our customers.' However, Greg Watkins was left unconvinced by the explanation. 'Its not clean its not good to be chopping meat whether its for personal consumption or they are going to do it to the public, they are still preparing it in that kitchen,' he said. The state's Department of Agriculture also became alarmed and decided to launch an emergency inspection. A report from the December 1 visit found that there was no time stamp on a bowl of sushi rice being stored out in the open, but no other violations. However, previous visits have uncovered infractions such as raw chicken being stored above fresh vegetables and employees using their bare hands to prepare crab Rangoon. The inspectors gave the restaurant some advice which the owners said they put into practice by sanitizing all its knives, as well as the area where the meat was cut. The owner said he had spoken to the employee in the video to ensure he would not do it again. Owner Sandy Liu said the employee was cutting up pork which is not even served on the menu The scene horrified passerby Jennifer Watkins who took the video which sparked the health inspection 'A health inspector visited our restaurant the same day this video was posted,' the restaurant added. 'After conducting a thorough inspection, they confirmed that our restaurant meets all health and safety standards. 'This reflects our ongoing commitment to the highest levels of cleanliness, quality, and transparency.' A former Miss World contestant appeared before a crown court judge today accused of attacking her husband twice in one day. Selenge Erdene-Ochir, 37, who featured in the Miss World beauty contest finals in 2006, was arrested following the alleged assaults on her husband Robert Clay on October 30 this year. Erdene-Ochir denied punching Mr Clay in two separate assaults in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. She appeared today before Judge Neil Millard at Aylesbury Crown Court where she denied two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Erdene-Ochir, of Kensington, West London, is a fashion model and beauty pageant titleholder who was the winner of Miss World Mongolia 2006 and represented her country at Miss World 2006. She was the first contestant from Mongolia to appear on the Miss World franchise, Selenge Erdene-Ochir, 37, (pictured) won the title of Miss Mongolia in 2006 Erdene-Ochir was arrested following the alleged assaults on her husband Robert Clay on October 30 this year She appeared today before Judge Neil Millard at Aylesbury Crown Court where she denied two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm The court heard that the first assault involved punches and the second assault involved injuries to the mouth. Jasvinder Toor, defending, said: 'Mrs Erdene-Ochir denies both assaults.' Judge Millard set the trial date for the week of April 20, 2026. He said: 'Your bail continues as it was granted. If you don't attend your trial, it can proceed in your absence.' The defendant remained on conditional bail as she left the court. The main expert witness who helped convict Lucy Letby today hit back at claims he 'changed his mind' on how she murdered babies and accused her lawyers of 'unsubstantiated, unfounded and inaccurate' presentation of his evidence. Dr Dewi Evans accused the serial killer's barrister, Mark McDonald, who called a press conference to announce he was seeking permission from the Court of Appeal to 'immediately' reopen the case, as 'unedifying (and) 'most unprofessional' behaviour. He also said his actions were 'highly disrespectful to the families of babies murdered and harmed by Lucy Letby.' On Monday Mr McDonald, who took over as Letby's barrister three months ago, said his team had 'significant and profound' evidence that her convictions were unsafe. The lawyer, who specialises in miscarriages of justice, said Dr Evans had 'remarkably changed his mind' over the mechanism of death of three of Letby's murder victims, children known as Babies C, I and P. He also claimed there was 'fresh evidence' in the cases of two premature newborn boys - Baby O and Baby C that had not been presented to the jury that proved they had not been harmed deliberately. But today Dr Evans hit back at Mr McDonald's claims, saying he had presented the evidence he gave at Letby's first trial 'inaccurately.' 'Mr Mark McDonald's observation regarding my evidence is unsubstantiated, unfounded, inaccurate,' he said. Lucy Letby is serving a rare whole-life sentence for murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven others while working as a neo-natal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital Dr Dewi Evans, pictured arriving at Manchester Crown Court in 2022 to give evidence at the Lucy Letby trial, accused the serial killer's barrister, Mark McDonald, as being 'unedifying' and 'most unprofessional' Letby was convicted in August 2023 and was refused permission to appeal against the convictions in May 2024 'His method of presenting his information reflects clear prejudice and bias. I cannot recall any (barrister) advocating on behalf of a client via a press conference, especially a case of such sensitivity. 'I find his style most unedifying, most unprofessional. It's highly disrespectful to the families of babies murdered and harmed by Lucy Letby.' Dr Evans said the 'only place appropriate to deal with any potential appeal is the relevant court' and added that he would be 'pleased' to do so again 'on oath, subject to cross examination, and where my evidence is placed in the public domain.' And he cited comments made by Lady Justice Thirlwall, the judge overseeing the public inquiry into Letby's crimes, adding: 'Anything disclosed through any other source is, as Lady Thirlwall put it so eloquently, just 'noise'.' Letby, 34, was convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven others between June 2015 and June 2016 when she worked at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The former neonatal nurse, who was recently questioned in prison over more baby deaths, was found guilty of the seventh attempted murder of a premature baby girl, known as Baby K, after a retrial this summer. She has already lost two bids this year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeal. Addressing each infant in turn, Dr Evans explained that he first highlighted that Baby C suffered inflicted harm at or around 11.00pm on Saturday June 13, 2015 in a preliminary report which he wrote in November 2017, at a time when he was 'unaware that Lucy Letby was a suspect or had been removed from clinical responsibilities.' Letby, of Hereford, is serving a whole life tariff after being convicted of the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of seven more, between June 2015 and June 2016 A court artist's sketch of Lucy Letby giving evidence at Manchester Crown Court on July 24 Body worn camera footage from Cheshire Constabulary of the arrest of Lucy Letby in 2018 He said he was only told about confusion regarding the date of the alleged incident earlier this year but had 'since forwarded a detailed report to Cheshire Police' to clarify the time of Letby's murderous assault and the cause of Baby C's death. In the case of Baby I, a premature girl who Letby attacked three times before murdering on her fourth attempt, Dr Evans said he had not changed his view on how she died, adding: 'The evidence of Letby's involvement in the little girl's earlier deteriorations and her involvement in the event that led to her death was compelling and overwhelming.' And similarly, in the case of Baby P, he added: 'The evidence from numerous sources noting the cause of death and Letby's involvement was consistent and considerable.' Letby's original defence team challenged the reliability of Dr Evans' evidence during her trial, claiming the retired paediatrician was biased and lacked independence. But the trial judge, Mr Justice Goss dismissed Letby's application to have his evidence thrown out, saying: 'His opinions in relation to the cases were given without knowledge [of] the other material in the case relating to shift patterns and potentially incriminating material relating to the defendant, and there is evidence from other experts supporting some of the conclusions reached by Dr Evans.' The judge did allow criticism of Dr Evans, made in another family court matter, to go before the jury, saying it was up to them to determine, as with any witness, his reliability. The three senior judges at Letby's subsequent appeal also agreed Mr Justice Goss had been right not to accede to the defence's application to have Dr Evans' evidence dismissed. Did YOU see what happened? Did YOU see what happened? Three young children are among six people to have been rushed to hospital after a suspected drunk driver ploughed into a crowd of pedestrians, throwing a mother and her baby 'into the air'. The horror smash took place in Bootle, near Liverpool, shortly before 1pm today when a silver Peugeot slammed into a group of people near the Lidl shop in Marsh Lane. Shocked witnesses said a mother pushing her baby in a pram was sent flying into the air by the force of the impact. 'The mum and her baby have literally been tossed through the air on to a grass verge at the side of the road,' one man on his lunch break told the Mirror. 'The mum was screaming about her baby, she was as white as a sheet and the pram is on its side. I've never seen anything like it.' Two toddlers and an infant were taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital with minor injuries, North West Ambulance Service told MailOnline. They were accompanied by another adult with minor injuries. Two other pedestrians also wounded were taken to Aintree University Hospital for precautionary checks. Miraculously, none of those hurt are thought to have suffered any serious injuries. Six people, including three young children, were taken to hospital after the crash in Bootle The incident took place shortly before 1pm in Marsh Lane. Pictured is the scene of the crash More than a dozen medics from North West Ambulance Service, alongside police and firefighters, were called to the scene A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous drinking and drink driving. Emergency services were first alerted to the smash at 12.50pm, with a large number of police, paramedics and firefighters scrambled to the scene. A police spokeswoman said: 'We have arrested a man on suspicion of dangerous driving and while unfit through drink following a road traffic collision in Bootle. 'We were contacted at 12.50pm today, Tuesday, December 17, following reports a Peugeot car had been in collision with pedestrians on Marsh Lane. 'Five people have been taken to hospital to be checked over as a precaution but there are no reports of any serious injuries. 'The driver of the car, a man in his 50s, was detained at the scene.' An ambulance service spokesman later confirmed that six people had been injured. He added: 'We have taken six patients to hospital, all with minor injuries. This includes three adults and three young children. 'Five ambulances, a response vehicle, an operational commander and an advanced paramedic attended.' Road closures were put in place while emergency services dealt with the incident. Local bus services were disrupted and police urged motorists to avoid the area. Multimillionaire Brewdog co-founder James Watt has asked followers to vote on whether he should delay his marriage to TV star Georgia Toffolo for three years to ensure he does not miss out on tax relief. The controversial entrepreneur, whose management style has been dogged by allegations of inappropriate behaviour, has asked his followers on social media whether he should 'take the tax-relief hit' or postpone his marriage. In a post on LinkedIn on Tuesday, Mr Watt said his tax adviser 'dropped a bombshell' that has left him contemplating whether to hold off on tying the knot with Ms Toffolo - who he got engaged to earlier this year. The 42-year-old - who stepped down from his CEO role at Scottish giant Brewdog in May - has announced that he is making an investment in Wild Pack, a raw dog food business founded by Ms Toffolo, 30. 'Yes, I'm biased. But in my defence, it is a bloody great business,' he quipped. But in a major stumbling block which threatens to put the likely luxury wedding on ice, Mr Watt claims: 'If I marry Georgia within three years of investing, I become a 'connected person' under HMRC rules, and I lose the EIS tax relief.' He said he was no 'facing the ultimate question' - whether to delay the wedding for three years and 'lock in the tax relief' or 'forgo the tax break and marry Georgia in 2025'. Mr Watt then asked his followers to vote on two options, either: 'Love always wins - take the tax-relief hit', or 'true love can wait for three years - secure the relief.' The EIS - enterprise investment scheme - offers tax reliefs to individual investors who buy new shares in your company. Multimillionaire Brewdog founder James Watt has asked followers to vote on whether he should delay his marriage to TV star Georgia Toffolo for three years to ensure he does not miss out on tax relief In a post on LinkedIn this morning, Mr Watt said his tax adviser had 'dropped a bombshell' on him The Wild Pack dog food brand was founded by Ms Toffolo last year. The reality TV star made her name on Made in Chelsea before winning I'm a Celeb in 2017. It is not known how serious Mr Watt is about delaying his marriage, given he has previously performed publicity stunts such as throwing taxidermy cats out of a helicopter above the City of London. But in a statement issued to MailOnline on Tuesday evening, Mr Watt added: 'We've been overwhelmed by the response to this post. 'It really seems to have hit a nerve. People are asking, why does the tax system penalise a spouse for investing in their partner's business? 'It's a good question and Georgia and I are still trying to figure what we're going to do.' His shocked reaction to the tax relief rules come two months after lashing out at Labour over reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves was planning to hike capital gains tax and reclassify debt to raise funds for public services. In her Autumn Budget, Ms Reeves went ahead with both measures despite Mr Watt warning entrepreneurs would flee the UK. The millionaire appears to have remained in the UK, although he accompanied his LinkedIn post with a photo of him and Ms Toffolo on a beach with palm trees in the background. Mr Watt was brutally roasted when he announced his engagement to Ms Toffolo on LinkedIn in October. He jokingly described his engagement to Georgia as a 'long-term, contractual arrangement' that he had made, which he said 'looked poised for future growth.' 'She said yes! Georgia Toffolo and I did a very cool deal at the end of last week,' he wrote in the LinkedIn post. The businessman proposed at the end of October, on the week she celebrated her 30th birthday in the Greek islands Announcing the news while showing off her enormous diamond engagement ring, she told her Instagram followers: 'James just asked me to marry him' What is the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)? The EIS was introduced in 1994 and provides tax benefits to individual investors who purchase new shares in a company. This programme can make a company more attractive to investors, enabling it to raise funds and expand its business operations. Under this scheme, a business can raise up to 5 million annually, with a lifetime limit of 12 million. When investors sell shares bought under EIS, gains from their investment are free from tax. Source: British Business Bank Advertisement 'It is a very long term, contractual arrangement which looks poised for future growth (business and personal). Lots of mutual investment into this one.' But when someone took a screenshot of the announcement and shared it to X, formerly Twitter, it sparked furious backlash for James. 'LinkedIn is a disease,' the user captioned the post, which was viewed more than one million times. 'I'm going to die of cringe,' one person replied. 'Hopefully his best friend doesn't propose a joint venture,' someone else joked. 'How NOT to announce your engagement,' another user added. 'That's so embarrassing I'd give the ring back,' a fourth tweet read, while a fifth said, 'Instant ick.' Mr Watt got down on one knee while he and Ms Toffolo were celebrating her 30th birthday in Greece. A source told DailyMail.com afterwards: 'He asked her to marry him in front of both of their families in Greece. 'After the proposal they went to a big party at the Peligoni club and ended up dancing on tables to ABBA, celebrating with all the other guests.' 'James just asked me to marry him,' the reality star shared on Instagram afterwards. 'It really was the best moment of my life so far. I never knew I could feel happiness like this. The easiest, quickest yes to being your wife. 'Our love story is my favorite. How we managed to find each other out of billions of people out there will always be my greatest blessing. I love you forever and the magical life we're building.' Ms Toffolo said of Watt: 'He's so clever. I've never met anyone like him, and I've met a lot of really successful people. I feel really fortunate to have him as my confidant' Mr Watt stepped down from his role as Brewdog CEO in May after 17 years at the top. His tenure was marred by a string of controversies including a 'toxic' workplace culture row. Mr Watt took on the non-executive role of 'captain and co-founder' and retained his 21 per cent shareholding in the firm. The millionaire's Brewdog empire was not all smooth sailing and he was accused by former workers in an open letter in 2021 of having a 'culture of fear' within the business, with 'toxic attitudes' towards junior staff. Mr Watt apologised to staff and since insisted the group has made changes after the open letter was published. And in January, the company also faced a backlash after revealing it would no longer hire new staff on the 'real' living wage, instead paying the lower legal minimum wage. Mr Watt said on announcing his departure from the top job: 'During my time at the helm of BrewDog, there have been highs and lows, ups and downs, crazy successes and incredibly hard challenges. 'When I look back on the last 17 years (119 Dog Years) my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude.' A crooked loss adjuster who stole almost 170,000 by making bogus insurance claims was reported to the police by his wife after she stumbled across his dishonesty while looking to divorce him. Justin Boydell, 51, exploited his family by setting up house insurance policies in the name of his father-in-law, Derek Saunders, to then make false claims for supposed water damage to his homes. Over eight years, he was able to pocket two payouts totalling around 127,000 after the insurance companies unknowingly appointed him as a trusted loss adjuster to investigate the claims and confirm they were genuine. Boydell also carried out further frauds by adding on bogus invoices for repair work to genuine home insurance claims he was investigating involving real customers, and getting the money paid directly into his accounts. But his dishonesty began to unravel after his wife, Debra, went into his study while 'considering divorce proceedings' prior to meeting with solicitors and found he had set up bank accounts in the names of his stepmother and her late father. She photographed the 'suspicious records' and tipped off cops, prompting an investigation by the loss adjusting firm Criterion which employed crooked Boydell, prosecutor Lucia Coerman said. Mrs Boydell condemned her former husband as 'horrible and wicked' as she gave a victim impact statement in court before he was jailed for four years and four months. Boydell was 'a highly qualified' chartered loss adjuster with 'esteemed and prestigious' qualifications who had worked for Criterion for eight years from 2014, Ms Coerman said. Justin Boydell, 51, exploited his family by setting up house insurance policies in the name of his father-in-law before cashing in on them. His eight-year con was only exposed when his wife Debra, stumbled on them while considering divorcing him and told police (both are pictured) He was responsible for an area across East Anglia and down to north London and trusted to do insurance reports without peer review, she added. The court heard how Boydell had taken out an Aviva policy in the name of Mr Saunders in September 2015 and made a bogus claim for water damage caused by a leak in the loft in February 2016. Boydell was appointed as the loss adjuster to investigate for Aviva, and drew up a report, submitting a set of fake photographs, purporting to show nearly 50,000 of damage to the bogus address he had given for Mr Saunders, which was in fact a pub. He made a second claim in the name of Mr Saunders in January 2022 after taking out a policy in his name less than three weeks earlier for an address in Brundall, Norfolk. When a different loss adjuster was appointed, Boydell sent emails asking for Criterion to do the work instead, knowing he would be the person who would have to investigate. But when he was told that Criterion were not going to be appointed, he withdrew the claim to avoid his fraud being uncovered. Following the death of Mr Saunders in April 2022, he made a new claim for water damage which was given to Criterion, and passed on to him to investigate, said Ms Coerman. The claim for 77,025 was paid out by the insurance company Home and Legacy after he submitted the same set of photographs that he had used in the earlier claims. Crooked Boydell abused his position by submitting a series of fake insurance claims as well as keeping recovered items for himself, a court heard The woman who was really living in the house in Brundall for which the payout was made later gave a statement to police, saying she had been there since the 1960s and had no knowledge of any insurance claim. Ms Coerman said: 'Every time, money was paid into an account for D.Saunders, it went into his own personal account and then his savings accounts with higher interest.' The court heard how Boydell gave himself five-star reviews for the way he handled his bogus claims, resulting in him receiving bonuses for his good work. He would then keep items for himself - including a Rolex watch worth 9,350 and a 2,750 painting by renowned German artist Frank Getty later found hanging on his wall by cops - instead of returning or selling them. Mrs Boydell told in her victim impact statement how she had 'trusted and loved' her husband after being with him for 21 years and believed they 'had a future together' when she married him 14 years earlier. She said her 'world came crashing down' when she discovered fake bank accounts in the names of her late father and Boydell's stepmother, Glynis Hill, and in her name. Mrs Boydell said she was 'dumbfounded' and especially angry that the first claim in relation to her father was made at a time when her mother was battling Alzheimer's. Brazen Boydell also kept items he was meant to return or sell, with cops finding this 2,700 painting 'New York Scene' by renowned German artist Frank Getty hanging in his home She said: 'I struggle to get my head around it. This has had an impact, not only on me, but my whole family.' Mrs Boydell said she had been left suffering sleepless nights, distrustful of others and needing counselling, and had been forced to give up her cleaning business because she did not think her husband's dishonesty was fair on her clients. She added: 'I still can't understand how my husband could inflict so much hurt and pain on myself and my father after using my father's name. 'My husband is a horrible and wicked man. His actions have ruined the course of my life. It will take me a long time to get back on track. I am not sure if it ever will. The only question I want answered is, 'Why?' Andrew Oliver, defending, said Boydell had made full admissions to police, and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He said that Boydell had not spent the money on 'a lavish lifestyle', and had simply saved it, meaning it could be paid back to the insurance companies. Mr Oliver said Boydell had suffered from 'feelings of stress' and that defrauding the money' had 'lifted his mood', and was partly an effort to improve his mental health. He added: 'He realised he was able to do it. He was arrogant enough to think he could get away with it. He has not spent any of the money. Boydell was jailed for four years and four months for his insurance scam. He is pictured outside Norwich Crown Court 'He is ashamed about how he has behaved and acted. His life has changed significantly. He is now unemployed and living with his mother in Wales.' Boydell admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation and one of concealing criminal property, and asked for nine other offences to be taken into consideration, amounting to a total fraud of 167,407. Judge Alice Robinson told him: 'There was undoubtedly an abuse of your power and trust. The offending was of a sophisticated nature conducted over a sustained period of time between 2015 and 2022. I accept there were a large number of victims for a variety of reasons.' The judge added Boydell's offending could have resulted in higher insurance premiums for the people whose names he had used in his frauds. She said: 'I don't regard the fact that you didn't spend the money as mitigation. The fact that this thrill-seeking activity was blamed on your low mood does not affect your culpability.' PC Victoria Church who led the investigation into Boydell said the scale of his offending and the lengths he would go to cover his tracks were unparalleled. 'He thought he was being clever by creating an elaborate fraud deceiving his employers and insurance companies - but was ultimately discovered and thoroughly investigated,' PC Church said. 'He showed no regard for family members by using their identities and went to great lengths to avoid detection, inventing a string of companies usually naming them after variations of his wifes maiden name.' Joe Scarborough trashed Donald Trump for his lawsuits against media outlets almost a month after his controversial meeting with the president-elect at Mar-a-Lago. The host of MSNBC's Morning Joe claimed Trump's lawsuit against The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer over their poll that had Kamala Harris beating him in Iowa would be thrown out. 'Ann Selzer? Ann doesn't have to worry. The Des Moines Register? They don't have to worry. The Trump team won't get past summary judgment. That'll be thrown out very quickly,' Scarborough said Tuesday. Trump accused the paper and Selzer of 'brazen election interference' by intentionally releasing the stunningly wrong poll the Saturday before Election Day. At the time, Democrats took Harris' three-point lead in the midwestern state as a sign that she had momentum, but Trump would go on to win it by a decisive 13.3 percentage points. Scarborough then moved onto Trump's lawsuit against CBS News and 60 Minutes for what he claims was their deceptively edited interview with Harris that aired a month before the election. Scarborough laughed at Trump and argued that 60 Minutes edited their sit-down with Harris like they would with any other interviewee. He then claimed, just like The Des Moines Register suit, that this would eventually be thrown out. Joe Scarborough, the host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, sneered at Donald Trump on Tuesday for his growing list of lawsuits against media outlets and argued that they'd all be thrown out Donald Trump recently won at $15 million settlement from ABC News for an interview George Stephanopoulos conducted about the E. Jean Carroll case Trump has also threatened to sue The New York Times for a series of articles the outlet ran in the lead up to the election about Trump's financial dealings. Scarborough said that The Times shouldn't worry. 'So you can make you can make the threats all you want,' Scarborough said. 'But at the end of the day, we still have a pretty, pretty strong First Amendment. And that aint going to change in the next six months.' Morning Joe regular Willie Geist suggested that Trump may have been emboldened to sue more media outlets for defamation after his $15 million settlement with ABC News. To prevent further litigation, ABC agreed to donate the sum to Trump's presidential library over comments made by George Stephanopoulos about the E. Jean Carroll case. The March 10 segment involved him interviewing Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, with Stephanopoulos pressing her on why she endorsed Trump after he was found liable of sexual abuse. Stephanopoulos said: 'I'm asking you a question about why you endorse someone who's been found liable for rape.' The congresswoman responded: 'As a rape victim, who's been shamed for years now because of her rape. You're trying to shame me again.' Scarborough said ABC likely agreed to the settlement to prevent the discovery process that could have involved journalists being ordered to hand over their phones to the court. In this March 10 interview of Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, George Stephanopoulos pressed her on her support of Donald Trump Mace was raped when she was 16 years old and criticized Stephanopoulos for 'shaming' her for backing Trump despite the ruling in the E. Jean Carroll case 'There were mistakes made in that interview,' he said of the Stephanopoulos-Mace interview, 'that allowed the process to go far enough for discovery to be opened up. Would ABC have won if they fought it to the end? There are a lot of lawyers that think they would have.' Scarborough and his co-host and wife - Mika Brzezinski - have been spending the last several weeks defending their decision to meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss how they'd cover his second term. Liberals viewed the move as an inherent capitulation to the soon-to-be president, especially after Scarborough likened Trump to a 'fascist.' Scarborough has rejected claims that he is afraid of Trump retaliating against him once he's in office and has argued that the meeting was done to inform his viewers as part of job as a media personality. A startling new poll revealed that a plurality of young Americans back the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The poll, released by Emerson College - a private university in Boston, Massachusetts - determined that of 1,000 registered voters surveyed, 41 percent of them between the ages of 18-29 believe Thompson's murder was acceptable. Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside of a Manhattan hotel on the morning of December 4 while on his way to an investor conference. The NYPD searched for days trying to find his killer up until December 9 when Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonalds and identified as the CEO's alleged murderer. Since the murder, many have gone on to celebrate Thompson's death, citing the broken American healthcare system. Meanwhile, others have mourned the loss of the father-of-two. Of the 41 percent of young voters who agreed that his death is justified, 24 percent of them believe the murder was somewhat acceptable, while 17 percent believe it was completely acceptable, according to the survey. While a large number of young people agreed Thompson's murder was valid, 40 percent said it was unacceptable. Of that 40 percent, 33 percent said that his death was completely unacceptable, while seven percent admitted it was somewhat unacceptable. Many young Americans said that the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was acceptable, according to a poll released by Emerson College Your browser does not support iframes. The NYPD searched for days trying to find his killer up until December 9 when Luigi Mangione, 26 , was arrested at an Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonalds and identified as the CEO's alleged murderer While some chose one side or the other, 19 percent of young Americans said they were neutral about his murder. Of the men that participated in the survey - which received answers from voters ages 18-70+ - 19 percent said Thompson's death was acceptable, while only 14 percent of women agreed. Although each age group ranged differently, overall, voters ages 60-69 overwhelming thought his slaying was completely unacceptable, according to the survey. The alleged assassin was caught while eating at a McDonald's in Altoona, where staff members and patrons recognized Mangione as the suspect was caught on surveillance footage. 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' on the bullets. He was found at the fast food restaurant after both a worker and elderly person spotted him and called the police 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. 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. New York City police now say they have 'no indication' to suggest Mangione was ever a client of the insurance company. Chief Joseph 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. But UnitedHealth Group has fought back against the hatred in the aftermath of Thompson's death. A spokesperson for the company told the Washington Post that its insurance division pays about 90 percent of medical claims when they are submitted, and of the remainder, only 0.5 percent are 'due to medical or clinical reasons.' Allies of the company also say the complexities of the healthcare system in the US is to blame - arguing that many of the price hikes that consumers blame on insurance companies could be traced back to hospitals and doctors raising their own prices, which are then passed on to patients. NYPD officer were later able to match that ammunition with the ones from Thompson's death - when Mangione allegedly labeled 'depose,' 'deny' and 'defend' on the bullets The Maryland native comes from a large successful family, as his late grandfather Nick Mangione Sr. was an Italian American real estate mogul acquired country clubs, a radio station, and a network of assisted living facilities Mangione was initially being represented by Thomas Dickey, but he has since taken on a powerful New York attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, to defend him. Friedman Agnifilo, a former assistant district attorney who helped prosecute the Harvey Weinstein case in the Big Apple, is considered a veteran of the New York state court system. A source told CNN that she '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,' they added. Since being arrested, none of Mangione's family members have come to visit him at the Blair County, Pennsylvania jail. The Maryland native comes from a large successful family, as his late grandfather Nick Mangione Sr. was an Italian American real estate mogul who acquired country clubs, a radio station and a network of assisted living facilities where the alleged gunman volunteered in his teens. The for-profit Lorien Health Services network inherited by Nick's 10 kids including Luigi's father, Louis promises stimulating activities, restaurant-style dining, movie theaters, beauty spas and barbershops. His late grandmother, Mary C. Mangione, a philanthropist, left behind tens of millions of dollars for her family following her death in 2023. Mary left behind a reporter $30 million to her loved ones, but according to documents reviewed by TMZ, that amount might actually be as high as $100 million. The money was put into a trust where the trustees, one of whom is Luigi's father, have the power to make distributions. Conditions have been put in place that means anyone charged with a crime could prevent them from seeing any money, meaning Luigi may never see his share. According to the outlet, the document allows trustees to withhold money if the person has been 'charged, indicted, convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony'. His grandmother had also stipulated that she wanted to cut off any heirs that had been charged with 'heinous' or 'violent' crimes. This is the chilling moment a crocodile surfaced from the water with the body of a woman in its jaws. The 13ft reptile pounced on mother-of-four Nurhawati Zihura, 46, while she was washing her feet in the seawater next to her coastal village in North Sumatra, Indonesia, this morning. Shocked locals heard her screams but could only watch as the beast thrashed her body in a haunting 'death roll' to disorientate her. The croc then dragged away the housewife as she disappeared below the surface close to the Deaa Orahili Beach in the Pulau-Pulau Batu district of South Nias Regency. Shockingly, the animal emerged around an hour later clutching Nurhawati's lifeless body in its jaws. Footage shows how locals threw dead chickens into the water to distract the deadly croc and make it release the body. Resident Agustinus, 40, said: 'I saw the crocodile attacking Nurhawati on the surface of the water. We shouted but it would not release her. It was a terrible sight, worse than any of the scenes of hell. Her blood was spilling into the water. 'Later on, the crocodile appeared with her body in its mouth. We went out in boats and fed chicken to crocodile, so it would eat that instead of her.' The chilling moment in which a crocodile surfaced from the water with the body of a woman in its jaws was captured on camera 46-year-old Nurhawati Zihura, was washing her feet in the seawater next to her coastal village in North Sumatra, Indonesia, when the animal pounced on her Shocked locals heard the mother's screams but could only watch as the beast thrashed her body in a haunting 'death roll' to disorientate her Fendi, one of Nurhawati's relatives, said she had ventured into the shallows to wash her feet as she had been feeling unwell. He added: 'She wanted to bathe in the seawater to clean her feet. She thought it would help [her] feel better. 'Many people bathe in the sea and we think that if we stay close to the shore we will be safe. Now the crocodiles are more dangerous than before.' Residents finally managed to pull Nurhawati onto a boat and took her ashore where she was pronounced dead. A funeral service was held in the evening. Local police and soldiers continued searching for the crocodile and it was dragged ashore in the afternoon. A policeman shot the animal dead. Officials are now calling for the government to take action to prevent further crocodile attacks. Kornelius Wau, the Head of Pulau-Pulau Batu Sub-district, said: 'I have asked the North Sumatra Provincial Government through the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to take real action. 'Many of these wild animals are still roaming the coast of Tello Island. The croc then dragged away the woman as she disappeared below the surface close to the Deaa Orahili Beach in the Pulau-Pulau Batu district of South Nias Regency Shockingly, the animal emerged around two hours later holding Nurhawati's lifeless body in its jaws The crocodile was later caught and shot dead by worried locals 'I am worried that if this problem is not addressed, it will become a serious threat to the residents there. 'Where the majority of residents' settlements are on the coast and their livelihoods are at sea. 'There are other wild crocodiles are still roaming the coast of Tello Island and its surroundings. 'More than 80 per cent of our residents make their living at sea and even most of our residents' settlements are on the coast. 'They often bathe in the sea, so this is a threat to us and until it is solved, will we live in a frightening situation.' Indonesia has the most crocodile attacks in the world. There were at least 1,000 incidents over the past decade - though many more are believed to have been unreported - resulting in more than 450 fatalities, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The archipelago is home to 14 types of crocs - with a large population of extremely large and violent estuarine crocodiles that flourish in the region's climate. Conservationists believe that crocodiles have been driven further inland closer to villages due to overfishing reducing the crocodiles' natural food supplies combined with habitat loss from the development of coastal areas into farms. With uneducated locals in the developing country still using rivers for bathing and primitive fishing, the deadly combination of factors has led to rising numbers of crocodile attacks. Village alliance nets tourism windfall in Jinhua, E China's Zhejiang People's Daily Online) 10:31, December 17, 2024 A common prosperity zone in Jinhua city, east China's Zhejiang Province, has united three villages' tourism resources, drawing over 2 million visitors this year and generating 7 million yuan ($960,000) in revenue for nearby villages. Photo shows a site in the common prosperity zone in Lingxia township, Jindong district of Jinhua city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo/Shi Kuanbing) The project combines previously scattered tourism resources through village partnerships, focusing on locations with complementary attractions and industries. City officials plan to expand the program to 30 demonstration zones covering more than 100 villages over the next three years, according to the city's Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Lizu village in Yiwu, administered by Jinhua, has become an internet sensation with 71 enterprises that blend traditional agriculture with modern retail, including creative cultural product shops and experience stores. This year, the village has welcomed over 1 million tourists, generating a collective income of 4.05 million yuan. An artisan displays tie-dyed products in her shop in Lizu village of Yiwu city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei) Chouyan village, less than a kilometer away, previously relied on rural tourism. In 2023, it became part of a common prosperity zone along with eight other villages. Yiwu sought expertise from teams at institutes like Zhejiang University to develop planning for the common prosperity zone. An investment of over 600 million yuan was allocated to implement 81 sub-projects across 12 categories in the zone. Tourists explore Lizu village in Yiwu city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei) "As part of the common prosperity zone, Chouyan village will benefit from projects including the nighttime economy, folk cultural fair and renovated food street," said Cao Junmin, Party chief of Chouyan village. Dedicated teams now manage the common prosperity zone in Lingxia township. Ye Xiaodong, Party chief of the township, said the township's model integrates village collectives, investors, companies and industrial operation alliances. The zone features a campsite, hotel, museum and more than 40 tourist attractions. It is expected to generate over 150 million yuan in income. Photo shows Poyang ancient street in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang Province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Liwei) Jinhua has completed comprehensive planning for 30 common prosperity zones, with 4.1 billion yuan in planned investment. By late October, 358 projects had begun, with total investment reaching 2.9 billion yuan. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Nestled on the shores of Lake Superior in Minnesota, Grand Marais has earned the title of 'Coolest Small Town in America' thanks to its hidden national park and breathtaking surroundings. Despite its modest population of just 1,300, this captivating town attracts over a million visitors annually. Located along Lake Superior and near the stunning Isle Royale National Park, Grand Marais blends artistic charm with natural beauty, according to TheTravel.com. The town's postcard-perfect scenery has inspired generations of artists, and this rich artistic heritage is reflected in its vibrant art scene, including the nation's oldest art colony, established in 1947. This hidden gem also serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures. A short scenic flight can take you to Isle Royale National Park, a celebrated camping destination, while the town is encircled by the Grand Portage State Forest, home to Minnesota's highest waterfall. Kayaking, hiking through the diverse landscapes of the state forest, and exploring the wilderness of Isle Royale are just a few of the activities that make Grand Marais a year-round destination, especially during the summer months. Grand Marais's scenic Artist Point is a hub of creativity, where painters and artists capture the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscapes. You can admire their work at local galleries like Silverton Gallery, Betsy Bowen Gallery, and Studio 21, which showcase both local talent and art inspired by the stunning scenery. These galleries offer the perfect opportunity to find a unique souvenir. The charming coastal tow of Grand Marais, Minnesota attracts over a million visitors annually A short scenic flight can take you to Isle Royale National Park, a celebrated camping destination, while the town is encircled by the Grand Portage State Forest, home to Minnesota's highest waterfall After a day of exploration, savor fresh local seafood at one of the many harbor-front restaurants. In the colder months, relax in the town's Scandinavian-inspired saunaa perfect retreat on chilly Minnesota nights. If you're lucky, you might even witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. For travelers arriving by air, the nearest major airport is Thunder Bay Airport in Canada. From there, it's approximately an hour and 40-minute drive to Grand Marais. If you prefer not to travel through Canada, you can fly into Duluth Airport, about a 2-hour and 35-minute drive to the town. For a scenic road trip, be sure to stop along the shores of Lake Superior for breathtaking views. For those traveling by public transportation, Arrowhead Transit offers a bus service between Duluth and Grand Marais. It's an affordable option, especially in winter when Northern Minnesota's driving conditions can be tricky. While there's no train to Grand Marais, you can take a ferry from Copper Harbor in Michigan, traveling via Isle Royale National Park and Grand Portage. This scenic route is a great summer option, though it takes about 12 hours. Grand Marais's scenic Artist Point is a hub of creativity, where painters and artists capture the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscapes. You can admire their work at local galleries like Silverton Gallery, Betsy Bowen Gallery, and Studio 21, which showcase both local talent and art inspired by the stunning scenery. Kayaking on Lake Superior, hiking through the state forest, and exploring the nearby Isle Royale National Park are just a few of the many outdoor activities available Grand Marais's scenic Artist Point is a hub for creativity, where painters and artists capture the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding landscapes After a day of exploration, visitors can dine at one of the many harbor-front restaurants. In the colder months, relax in the town's Scandinavian-inspired sauna. If you're lucky, you might even witness the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. For travelers arriving by air, the nearest major airport is Thunder Bay Airport in Canada. From there, it's approximately an hour and 40-minute drive to Grand Marais. If you prefer not to travel through Canada, you can fly into Duluth Airport, about a 2-hour and 35-minute drive to the town. For a scenic road trip, be sure to stop along the shores of Lake Superior for breathtaking views. For those traveling by public transportation, Arrowhead Transit offers a bus service between Duluth and Grand Marais. It's an affordable option, especially in winter when Northern Minnesota's driving conditions can be tricky. While there's no train to Grand Marais, you can take a ferry from Copper Harbor in Michigan, traveling via Isle Royale National Park and Grand Portage. This scenic route is a great summer option, though it takes about 12 hours. A group of peers are protesting against a suspension from the House of Lords for a baroness who called a British-Asian colleague 'Lord Poppadom'. Catherine Meyer was last week found to have breached harassment rules with her behaviour towards both Lord Dholakia and Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy. The Tory peer is said to have referred to Lord Dholakia as 'Lord Poppadom' during a taxi journey on a parliamentary committee trip to Rwanda. She was also alleged to have touched Ms Ribeiro-Addy's hair without permission in a separate incident on the same visit in February. A watchdog recommended a three-week suspension from the Lords as a sanction, as well as for Baroness Meyer to undertake 'bespoke behaviour training'. But, in a letter to the Telegraph, a group of 27 fellow peers has claimed Baroness Meyer was denied 'natural justice' by the Lords' standards commissioner. They said the procedure followed by the commissioner under the Lords' code of conduct was 'at fault'. Catherine Meyer was found to have breached harassment rules with her behaviour towards both Lord Dholakia and Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy The Tory peer is said to have referred to Lord Dholakia as 'Lord Poppadom' during a taxi journey on a parliamentary committee trip to Rwanda She was also alleged to have touched Ms Ribeiro-Addy's hair without permission in a separate incident on the same visit in February In a letter to the Telegraph, a group of 27 fellow peers has claimed Baroness Meyer was denied 'natural justice' by the Lords' standards commissioner 'The proceedings are labelled 'inquisitorial', but this is no excuse for not following the right principles,' the peers wrote. 'The commissioner decides whether or not to investigate, carries out the investigation and decides, like a judge, what the consequences should be. 'The accused person may be accompanied at the investigation by a legal adviser, but the latter may not speak for them. 'There is no entitlement to crossexamination, even when the facts are disputed and occurred a long time ago.' The peers added the 'allegation need be proved only on a balance of probabilities', writing: 'There is no provision for all documents to be made available to both sides. 'These procedures may have been sufficient years ago when there was less publicity and more robustness of exchange. 'Given the lasting damage to reputation, the publicity inside and outside Parliament, and the severity of the sanctions, it is time to bring the procedures into line with natural justice as applicable in other settings. 'One hopes that the review of the code of conduct currently underway will take on that task.' Baroness Meyer was said to have called Lord Dholakia as 'Lord Poppadom', having previously apologised for mistakenly referring to him as 'Lord Popat', another peer of South Asian heritage. She initially denied the allegation, but after hearing witness evidence said the incident took place at the end of a long day after she had drunk 'possibly three glasses of wine', the Lords' conduct committee said. Lord Dholakia said it had made him 'very annoyed, very angry that people should use expressions of this particular nature'. The standards commissioner found that 'on the balance of probabilities' she had used the phrase twice and that the harassment 'related to race'. In a separate incident on the same visit, Baroness Meyer complimented Ms Ribeiro-Addy's hair and asked her if she could touch it, without waiting for a reply or permission. The facts of the incident involving the Labour MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill were not disputed, the committee said. Ms Ribeiro-Addy said it had made her feel 'extremely uncomfortable' and 'as if she could just do whatever she wanted'. 'The idea that I would do that to another woman, particularly a white woman, ask her if it's hers, ask to touch it and make a big deal out of it, it just wouldn't happen,' the MP added. 'When you've seen it explained to people in the past why it's offensive to touch black people's black women in particular hair I don't have the right to protest because I'm seen as being rude or difficult, and it's just not for me to have an issue with it to me, it's definitely a microaggression.' In responding to Ms Ribeiro-Addy's complaint, Lady Meyer said that she had intended a friendly gesture, and had been unaware that it would be unwelcome. She said she understood from the MP's subsequent body language that: 'Oh, gosh, I did the wrong thing'. A Michigan man who pleaded guilty to abusing his autistic younger brother was calm and collected as he admitted to police how he tortured and starved the boy. Paul Byron Ferguson, 21, was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years and maximum of 100 years behind bars for the grisly death of his younger brother Timothy, 15, who died in July 2022 after suffering a barrage of sadistic abuse from Paul and his mother. The autistic child weighed just 69 pounds when he died in their Michigan home. He had been subjected to merciless abuse including being force fed hot sauce, deprived of sleep and locked away from food. Disturbing video obtained by Law&Crime shows the 'evil' older brother detailing to police how he force-fed Timothy fiery hot sauce before he starved to death. 'Whenever my mother told me to put hot sauce on it I did. It was normally a thin layer to make sure that it wouldnt be too much. Because from what I know, the ghost or the California Reaper is what, 2,000 Scovilles,' Ferguson told police. He said they fed Timothy hot sauce because their mother, 44-year-old Shanda Vander Ark, said the boy had been 'sneaking food.' Ferguson stretched his arms behind his head as he described how they forced the meek boy to stand against the wall as punishment and zip tied his hands together. The child abuser retched with shock as he was warned in Feburary that he could be jailed until the year 2124. His mom vomited in court during her own trial. A Michigan man who pleaded guilty to abusing his autistic younger brother was calm and collected as he admitted to police how he tortured and starved the boy Paul Byron Ferguson (right), 21, was sentenced to a minimum of 30 years and maximum of 100 years behind bars for the grisly death of his younger brother Timothy (left), 15, He said they fed Timothy hot sauce because their mother, 44-year-old Shanda Vander Ark, said the boy had been 'sneaking food' Vander Ark was sentenced in January to life in prison without a chance of parole after a jury convicted her of murder and child abuse in her son's death. She vomited in court as she was shown horrifying images of her son's emaciation as he starved to death. She began retching and vomited in full view of the jury, showing signs of a mental breakdown as a prosecutor questioned her: 'Did he look like that when you put him the bathtub?' Timothy was speech and motor impaired as well as autistic, with Paul and his mother tormenting him with callous punishments that also included subjecting him to lengthy ice baths. The mother is also said to have covered the house and the tiny closet Timothy was sleeping in with motion sensors, alarms, and live-feed cameras. Vander Ark, who was a law clerk at Newaygo County Circuit Court, previously testified she had purchased spicy hot sauce online after Paul thought it would be a good idea to punish Timothy. A text message exchange between the pair also showed her questioning whether they should drop the hot sauce on the young boy's genitals. 'I wonder how it would feel to have that hot sauce on your private parts. I'm not saying touch him there, not at all, but dripping a little bit there, is that horrible,' she asked. The autistic child weighed just 69 pounds when he died in their Michigan home, and had been subjected to merciless punishments Vander Ark is said to have covered the house and the tiny closet Timothy was sleeping in with motion sensors, alarms, and live-feed cameras Vander Ark tortured him by feeding him bread covered in hot sauce, deprived him of sleep and forced him into ice baths as punishment Hours before Timothy died, Ferguson allegedly put him in an ice bath for nearly nine hours. However, he testified against his own mother at her trial, claiming he was also a victim and was suffering 'something close to Stockholm Syndrome.' 'I desired to find a role model that, due to my own low self-esteem, I would do anything to make them proud of me,' he said. 'That's not an excuse, I know, but I feel like I'm glad I was at least able to realize it, so I could correct it.' A violent husband who murdered his wife and tried to pass the crime off as a suicide has been jailed for life. Ryan Timms rang for an ambulance in the middle of the night, claiming to have found nurse wife Lynsey hanging at their village home. And police said he almost away with the lie but for the professional curiosity of attending paramedics and officers. The 44-year-old was jailed for life on Monday after being convicted of murder by majority verdict, after a judge heard how he had staged a suicide at their home in Hartshill, Warwickshire, in July last year. Following the sentencing, the detective chief inspector who led the investigation said Warwickshire Police said the death of Mrs Timms could easily have been categorised as a suicide but for the actions of attending emergency service workers. Sentencing Timms to serve a minimum of 19 years, Mr Justice Jay said mother-of-four Mrs Timms the daughter of an ambulanceman - had been killed by her husband, whom she was entitled to trustin her own home, where she was entitled to feel safe. The court heard the couple had begun rowing after consuming alcohol and consuming cocaine. The judge said Timms, an electrician, had been harping on about a grievance which was already a year old and for which Lynsey must have apologised to you on numerous previous occasions, causing her to eventually retire to bed. But Timms then started repeatedly texting her, before going upstairs and becoming violent. The court heard both had taken cocaine and consumed alcohol. Ryan Timms, pictured, rang for an ambulance in the middle of the night, claiming to have found nurse wife Lynsey hanging at their village home. When paramedics were called shortly before 4am, then found Mrs Timms, 42, pictured, in cardiac arrest and took her to hospital, where she died four days later When paramedics were called shortly before 4am, then found Mrs Timms, 42, in cardiac arrest and took her to hospital, where she died four days later. But after talking to Timms, police officers noticed that there were some inconsistencies in the story he was providing. A Warwickshire Police spokesman said: The assault had supposedly taken place upstairs, with Timms having taken her body downstairs afterwards. Members of the ambulance crew and attending officers observed that it would have been difficult to have accomplished this, with items cluttering a steep and narrow staircase. Timms was bailed pending further investigations, but a post-mortem examination showed evidence not in keeping with a hanging as cause of death. Instead, it supported a neck hold as the likely cause of death. Police then arrested Timms for a second time, on suspicion of murder and he was convicted after a trial earlier this month. Sentencing Timms on Monday, Mr Justice Jay told the defendant he was satisfied based on all the evidence the court received that there was a history of domestic violence perpetrated by you that lasted a number of years. The judge added at Warwick Crown Court: You took active steps to make this murder look like suicide, and in so doing seriously hampered the police investigation, and delayed justice. The fact that the steps you took were not particularly convincing is nothing to the point. Had suicide not been raised by you at the very outset, the only issue in this case would have been the nature of your intent. In my view, it is right that I should treat your actions that night, and maintained throughout this trial, as an aggravating factor. I am satisfied so that I am sure that you intended to kill Lynsey. DCI Collette OKeefe said: The death of this woman could easily have been categorised as a suicide if it wasnt for the professional curiosity of attending officers and paramedics. When paramedics were called shortly before 4am to the home, and found Mrs Timms, 42, in cardiac arrest and took her to hospital, where she died four days later DCI Collette OKeefe said of the challenging and complex investigation: The prompt actions and meticulous attention to detail by the police and ambulance personnel established the foundation of the investigation. The death of this woman could easily have been categorised as a suicide if it wasnt for the professional curiosity of attending officers and paramedics. She said officers then conducted a comprehensive and intricate review of the couples life, which established that Mrs Timms had suffered in silence for many years. DCI OKeefe added: The relationship was toxic and she suffered alone in silence. She kept the domestic abuse hidden from family, friends, and work colleagues. It was evident that she had wanted to leave. Our officers didnt believe Ryans account that she had taken her own life. There were too many inconsistencies in his story. I would like to thank them for their curiosity, and to also thank the team who have worked tirelessly on this investigation for their perseverance and diligence. Nothing will bring her back, but I hope this outcome will bring reassurance to her family that justice has been done. We encourage any and all victims of domestic violence to come forward and tell us about it so we can prevent tragic events like this from happening in future. Ryan and Lynsey Timms met at Hartshill School in their home village and had been childhood sweethearts, with Mrs Timms leaving school early to give birth to their first child, a former neighbour told MailOnline today. The couple went on to have three more children and led outwardly quiet and respectable lives, with Mrs Timms working at Birmingham Childrens Hospital and Mr Timms in well-paid employment as an electrician. But villagers said that despite living next door to a pub, the couple were rarely seen and did not socialise with their neighbours. One woman said: I only saw Lynsey once, when I took in a parcel for her and went around to return it. Were a close-knit community here, but that was the extent of our interactions. The other two times I went to take them a parcel, there was no answer at the door. A former neighbour said she was shocked to read about what happened to the devoted mother after the Timms family moved to the other side of the village around five years ago. She added: Lynsey was a lovely woman. When I lost my husband she went out and bought me a figurine of an angel, which I still have. I was really upset when I read about what happened. They seemed like a happy couple when they lived by me. Timms was re-arrested for a second time in June this year, after police investigated the couples life and realised there were too many inconsistencies in Timms story. Unauthorized drones have been zipping across US military bases at speeds of up to 170mph, easily dodging radar and signal-jamming systems. But contrary to the non-answers intelligence officials have been dishing out as New Jersey residents panic about car-sized drones flying over their homes for the past month, the government has been aware of this threat for over a year, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. Exclusively obtained images show one craft photographed by specialist military units over a US airbase in England last month. DailyMail.com also obtained excerpts from a joint US Air Force, NASA and FBI report on previous airbase incursions, and an account from a senior officer briefed on the incidents. This news follows repeated widespread sightings of drones near military bases in New Jersey and other states over the past month. And a public outcry over the swarms prompted a stunning admission from FBI chiefs to Congress - they don't know where these craft are coming from. DailyMail.com obtained an internal government report showing federal agencies knew about incursions from apparent advanced drones over a year ago but have failed to put a stop to them. Langley Air Force Base in Virginia was swarmed with dozens of drones for weeks in December 2023, creating a security panic. The incident was kept secret until it was revealed by defense magazine The Warzone in March this year. A report authored by the Air Force, FBI and NASA which has a facility next to Langley air base said that their 'detection equipment' and 'signal jamming' had 'failed', in a presentation slide titled 'lessons learned,' DailyMail.com can reveal. DailyMail.com obtained exclusive images that show one craft photographed by specialist military units over US airbase RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England last month Langley Air Force Base in Virginia was swarmed with dozens of drones for weeks in December 2023, creating a security panic. But it was kept under wraps until a war magazine disclosed the incident in March A report authored by the Air Force, FBI and NASA after the Langley incident which has a facility next to Langley air base said that their 'detection equipment' and 'signal jamming' had 'failed', in a presentation slide titled 'lessons learned' The apparent bungled security response was due to the drone incursions being 'not initially viewed as a crisis', with a 'delay in external resources being deployed' and a 'delay in setting up [a] Unified Command Post'. The report calls for 'more training/equipment needed for Ground Intercept Teams', 'better form[s] of communication for field personnel', a 'more robust notification and reporting system among partner agencies' and a 'better understanding of legal authorities (process) and capabilities of cUAS [anti-drone technology] / detection systems.' It listed 'over-reliance on RF [radio frequency] -based detection equipment (failed)' and 'over-reliance on signal jamming mitigation technology (failed)'. But despite the warnings in the report, a UK military source told DailyMail.com that when drones started swarming a US airbase in eastern England last month, security personnel were unprepared to deal with the advanced foreign technology. The source, a senior officer, was briefed in detail on the drone incursions at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, which began on November 20. Lakenheath is a highly sensitive location for the US military, reportedly earmarked earlier this year to store some of America's arsenal of nuclear weapons. The officer told DailyMail.com that drones were recorded flying at up to 170mph near the base, chased a police helicopter, and appeared to be controlled remotely using radio frequencies outside of the normal bands used for military or civilian drones. 'The drones were flying in with no lights. When they were close to the site, they were turning on the lights going, "Here I am," and as far as I know not one piece of our equipment could bring it down or spot it,' the source said. But despite the report that was written up after the Langley incident a year prior, when drones started swarming a US airbase in eastern England last month security personnel were unprepared to deal with the advanced foreign technology A senior officer who spoke to DailyMail.com was briefed in detail on the drone incursions at RAF Lakenheath that began on November 20 Lakenheath is a highly sensitive location for the US military, reportedly earmarked earlier this year to store some of America's arsenal of nuclear weapons The senior officer who spoke to DailyMail.com, said the drones were recorded flying at up to 170mph near the base, chased a police helicopter, and appeared to be controlled remotely using radio frequencies outside of the normal bands used for military or civilian drones When one of the objects was detected near the Lakenheath base around November 20, police sent a chopper to investigate. 'The drones were flying in set formation and then immediately locked on to the helicopter,' the source said. 'Long range UAVs [drones] that the US military use, there's a couple of seconds lag in the system. A report from the pilot said it must have been controlled by a controller within the UK, as there was no lag in the response. 'When the police helicopter climbed, the drones climbed with it. When the police helicopter tried to leave the area, the drones followed it. 'They were traveling really fast, faster than anything they'd seen before. From police helicopter footage, one of the drones was tracked traveling at 170mph.' The officer said one helicopter even caught the advanced drone on an infrared camera in a video which is now classified. 'There is a 30-minute video of the incident,' they said. 'The camera on the helicopter was in IR mode, infrared. There is approximately one minute of footage when you can see a craft which looks like a fixed wing craft, and the maneuver that it does on the screen is like a very fast banking maneuver. 'It's very, very advanced technology. It can move very fast, and it can't be detected on any of the systems that we've currently got. New Jersey witnesses have reported 'car-sized' drones since mid-November, sometimes appearing in groups and often remaining in the same place for hours at a time. They are also said to have been spotted in New York, Texas and Oklahoma Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy told reporters a drone was launched after one of his officers saw 50 unmanned aerial vehicles 'coming off the ocean' This photo provided by a New Jersey resident showed what appeared to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, on December 5 'We ended up using some Special Forces equipment, and nothing actually worked, to my knowledge. 'Nothing ever suggested to me we knew what we were doing, or what we were dealing with,' the source added. The officer said that the drones' average recorded flight time was around three to four hours - similar to the Langley incident - and which combined with their speed is 'significantly more advanced than any type of drone in today's civilian market.' DailyMail.com exclusively obtained a photograph of one of the drones over Lakenheath, taken by a specialist military group investigating the incursions and circulated in a UK military intelligence report. The photos show a dark blue sky, with a silhouetted object displaying four yellow, red and white lights. Though appearing to have a similar shape to a plane in one of the photos, a source who received the brief said that descriptions of the movement of the object by eyewitnesses on the base ruled out commercial aircraft. Drone incursions over US military bases have continued this month, with dozens of drones spotted in New Jersey including over Naval Weapons Station Earle and Picatinny Arsenal, which manufactures and researches weapons including arms supplied to Ukraine, as well as reported incidents over the US' Ramstein Air Base in Germany on December 3 and 4. New Jersey witnesses have reported 'car-sized' drones since mid-November, sometimes appearing in groups and often remaining in the same place for hours at a time. They are also said to have been spotted in New York, Texas and Oklahoma. Drone incursions over US military bases have continued this month, with dozens of drones spotted in New Jersey including over Naval Weapons Station Earle New Jersey Sheriff Mastronardy at a press conference on December 15 addressing the evasiveness of the drones and their efforts to set up a mobile command post in Seaside Heights to hunt them down Picatinny Arsenal, which manufactures and researches weapons including arms supplied to Ukraine, has had multiple drone sightings over its facilities A New Jersey police department sparked concern after it revealed that a drone it sent up to track a mystery aircraft 'easily' evaded their device before disappearing into thin air. And Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy said a drone was launched after one of his officers saw 50 unmanned aerial vehicles 'coming off the ocean'. On December 10, FBI assistant director Robert Wheeler Jr. spoke at a congressional hearing on the drone incursions saying the Bureau is stumped. 'You're telling me we don't know what the hell these drones in New Jersey are?' Texas Republican congressman Tony Gonzalez asked. 'That's correct,' Wheeler Jr. replied. The government response appears to be in disarray, with apparent contradictory statements from civilian and military branches. A joint statement from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security on December 12 tried to attribute the sightings to conventional airplanes and claimed 'There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space.' But Bill Addison, public affairs officer for New Jersey's Naval Weapons Station Earle, told ABC News the next day that 'we can confirm multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace above Naval Weapons Station Earle'. FBI assistant director Robert Wheeler Jr. spoke at a congressional hearing on December 10 regarding the drone incursions saying the Bureau had no idea what the drones could be or where they could be coming from A DoD spokesperson also briefed journalists on December 14 that 'We have had confirmed sightings at Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.' On December 5, DoD division The United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) announced it was the 'lead synchronizer for Homeland Counter small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (HC-sUAS) Department of Defense operations in the Continental United States and Alaska'. In a press release, it said this 'involves preparing to conduct counter-sUAS operations, establishing and maintaining a response plan, and tracking and responding to sUAS incidents.' But in a statement to DailyMail.com on December 11, USNORTHCOM said it has 'not been requested to assist' with the New Jersey drone probe. NATO warplanes intercepted two Russian nuclear-capable bombers over the Baltic today as Sir Keir Starmer met with world leaders and troops stationed in Estonia. Two Tu-22M3 bombers were buzzed by NATO planes during a five-hour flight over 'neutral waters' in the region. Russia claimed its supersonic Tupolev bombers, which have been used to drop conventional weapons throughout the war in Ukraine, were on a 'planned flight'. The Russian Ministry of Defence said: 'All flights of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.' 'At certain stages of the route, long-range bombers were escorted by fighters of foreign countries,' it acknowledged. The bombers were reported to have been escorted by Russian Su-30SM and Su-27 fighters. 'All flights of aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.' The Russians did not specify the identity of NATO planes buzzing its nuclear bombers, nor refer to Sir Keir's visit to Estonia. Russia acknowledged that two of its bombers had carried out a flight over the region Russian Su-30SM fighters (as pictured) and Su-27s escorted the aircraft Keir Starmer addresses military personnel onboard HMS Iron Duke on December 17, in Tallinn Two Tu-160 strategic missile carriers earlier made a separate planned flight over the Arctic Ocean, East Siberian and Laptev Seas, Russian media reported. Flightradar meanwhile picked up American reconnaissance aircraft taking off from the Black Sea coast. Today's buzzing over the Baltic was the most recent interaction between Russian and NATO warplanes. Lithuania's ministry of defence reported that NATO fighter jets were scrambled on December 11, identifying two Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft and one Il-20 aircraft. The planes were allegedly flying in international airspace from Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast without filing a flight plan, and with the onboard transponder switched off. In September, NATO scrambled patrol aircraft when four Russian military aircraft were spotted over the Baltic, near the Latvian border. The Latvian military said they had identified two Su-30SM fighters and two Tu-22M3 bombers. In the first eight months of 2024, Russian military aircraft were recorded flying over the Baltic Sea near Latvian territorial waters 109 times, Ukrainian media reported. Estonia is seen as the most vulnerable Baltic state to invasion by Putin due to its location and small size. It has the most successful economy of the former Soviet states. The Russian ministry of defence shared footage of bombers taking off on Tuesday Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal (L) and Keir Starmer shake hands on December 17 Keir Starmer (C) talks with attendees at a business breakfast reception in Tallinn today Sir Keir Starmer was attending the 2024 Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Tallinn, along with leaders from northern European nations. He also visited British troops stationed near the Russian border to express gratitude for their service and reaffirm the UK's commitment to NATO and regional security. Downing Street announced 35 million of emergency support to help Ukraine repair its energy grid which Russia bombed in a way aimed at disconnecting it from back-up supplies from EU countries. The Prime Minister annnounced the extra funding for Kyiv alongside fresh sanctions against Vladimir Putin's 'shadow fleet' carrying illicit Russian oil. While meeting European allies in Estonian capital Tallinn, the PM said new sanctions against 20 vessels would 'add further pressure to Putin's stalling war economy'. Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies and Mianzimu, which have each carried more than four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024, were among the 20 ships targeted. Sanctions have also been slapped on 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, which Downing Street branded 'key lynchpins in enabling the trading of Putin's precious oil'. (L-R) Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and Keir Starmer attend public discussion 'Troublesome Waters in European Security' as part of a two-day security summit in Tallinn, Estonia, 16 December No10 said the UK had now sanctioned more than 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers, more than any other nation. Russia meanwhile today announced that its first heavy drone had been given clearance for flights. The VT-440m heavy drone 'has become the first one in Russia with the airworthiness certificate', the St Petersburg Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovations and Trade said today, as reported by TASS. The drone reportedly weighs more than 30kg and can bear a maximum takeoff weight of 500kg, 'making it possible to significantly expand the range of carried cargo', TASS reports. Sir Keir Starmer's 'surrender' of the Chagos Islands has been thrown into fresh doubt after the new prime minister of Mauritius rejected the deal done with his predecessor. Navin Ramgoolam said the draft deal agreed in the autumn did not 'benefit' the country enough and negotiations had re-started on a new deal for more money. He said the new Mauritian administration has submitted its own suggestions to the UK, which has now responded with its own counter-proposals. The UK struck a deal with Mr Ramgoolam's predecessor to cede sovereignty over the islands also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory but lease back the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. However, it has yet to be signed and there are hopes that the incoming US administration of Donald Trump will bin it if it is not signed by his inauguration on January 20. Mr Ramgoolam told his country's parliament today that during discussions with a delegation of UK officials last week 'Mauritius made clear that while it is still willing to conclude an agreement ... the draft agreement which was shown to us after the general elections is one which, in our view, would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect from such an agreement'. 'Therefore, Mauritius accordingly submitting counter-proposals to the UK so that an agreement which is the best interest of Mauritius can be concluded. 'The response of the United Kingdom to our counter-proposals was received yesterday afternoon and is now being currently considered.' Navin Ramgoolam said the draft deal agreed in the autumn did not 'benefit' the country enough and negotiations had re-started on a new deal for more money. The UK struck a deal with Mr Ramgoolam's predecessor to cede sovereignty over the islands also known as the British Indian Ocean Territory but lease back the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the UK had been engaging with the new Mauritian government on the deal. Senior figures in the incoming Trump administration have voiced doubts over the agreement, which is aimed at securing the legal basis for the Diego Garcia facility. The president-elect's pick for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, warned in October that the agreement posed 'a serious threat' to US national security by handing over the islands to a country allied with China. But Downing Street insisted the deal was necessary to resolve a long-standing legal dispute over sovereignty. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the UK had been engaging with the new Mauritian government on the deal. 'The agreement we've struck with Mauritius protects the long term secure operation of the UK-US base, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security,' the spokesman said. 'There's obviously been a change of leadership in Mauritius, and we've been engaging with the new administration on the details of the deal. 'We remain confident that the agreement is in both sides' shared interest.' Asked whether the UK had offered more money to the Mauritians for 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the spokesman said: 'I'm obviously not going to get into the detail of private conversations.' A woman who left her dead baby in a gas station restroom has been sentenced to four years in jail. Mexican migrant Diana Guadalupe Zavala Lopez pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence charges, Law & Crime reports. She was seen on surveillance footage entering a Shell gas station in Houston to use the bathroom in the early hours of April 2, 2023. A customer then discovered the dead child and raised the alarm, according to investigators. 'No one else went inside that bathroom, and [the newborn] was not there when she walked in before,' HPD Homicide Detective Calab Bowling said. 'It appears that she gave birth in the restroom.' Footage shows Zavala Lopez entering the gas station for around 15 minutes before leaving and driving off in a white Cadillac. Mexican migrant Diana Guadalupe Zavala Lopez admitted abandoning her baby after she gave birth in a gas station restroom Her baby was found dead in the bathroom of a Shell gas station in Houston to use the bathroom in the early hours of April 2, 2023 Zavala Lopez pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence charges and was sentenced to four years in jail A woman who used the restroom after her reported finding the baby at around at around 4.25am. Police have not released the infant's name or her cause of death, but said she appeared to have been dead for around an hour before she was discovered. Zavala Lopez, 26, was apprehended in August 2023 at a bus station in Brownsville, Texas. CBP officers said she had overstayed on a visitor's visa and initially described her as a homicide suspect attempting to flee to Mexico, however no homicide charges were filed. The accused pleaded guilty to one count of tampering with evidence, human corpse as well as one count of tampering/fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impede an investigation. Harris County District Judge Kristin M. Guiney sentenced her to four years in a state correctional facility, noting she had 489 days of time already served. Stunning video showed the aisle of an American Airlines plane flood as bewildered passengers watched the trail of water encroach toward the front the airline. Hilary Stewart Blazevic was aboard the wetter-than-usual plane on December 7 for a trip from Dallas to Minneapolis. Blazevic took the video, which showed the water coming from the rear bathroom of the plane. She submitted the video to Storyful and said a woman used that bathroom before alerting flight staff of the leak. The video showed a flight attendant unsuccessfully stopping the overflowing water. 'It was utter disbelief and a little panic realizing they cant shut off the water,' Blazevic said. She said she and her fellow passengers had to pick up their belongings from the floor as well as their feet to avoid touching the 'disgusting' water. DailyMail.com approached American Airlines for comment. The company has yet to speak out regarding the incident. The video first went viral on TikTok, where it now has more than 7.2 million views and more than 61,000 likes. Incredible video shot by Hilary Stewart Blazevic showed the water leaking from the rear plane bathroom into the aisle The account that posted the video used 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion as the background music and joked that the inflight movie was Titanic. Nearly 1,700 people flooded the comments to express horror or make light about the nightmare scenario at cruising altitude. One of the top comments simply asked who clogged the toilet, since the leak originated from the rear bathroom. One person wrote: 'Another reason to wear closed toe shoes and not flip flops and crocs.' Another said: 'Imagine drowning ...on a plane.... in the air.' A third wrote: 'Drowning at 30,000 feet going 500mph lol new death fear unlocked lol.' The most recent controversy American Airlines is facing had to do with a doctor who gave up her business class seats to assist a sick passenger experiencing a medical emergency. Nearly 1,700 people flooded the comments to express horror or make light about the nightmare scenario at cruising altitude Dr. Erin Nance, known on TikTok as @littlemissdiagnosed, shared her experience of volunteering to assist an unwell passenger on the first leg of their flight to Italy, an overnight flight to London. This selfless act required her and her husband to sacrifice their premium seating. The incident unfolded an hour into her flight in June when the crew announced a medical emergency. A sick, elderly woman on board with her son fainted twice in 20 minutes. Dr. Nance offered her and her husband's business class seats to them so the woman could lie down comfortably. This gesture prevented the flight from being diverted to Nova Scotia, as the pilot had suggested. Because she gave up her expensive seats, Dr. Nance requested a refund from American Airlines, something that was initially denied. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Dr. Nance said that while she would gladly volunteer her seat again to ensure someone's safety, it was fair to expect reimbursement for the expensive tickets. 'Physicians are inherently altruistic, always ready to assist those in need. While we don't seek recognition or reward, it's reasonable to expect gratitude from companies when we go above and beyond,' she said. 'Over the years, I've assisted countless passengers in medical distress. It's part of the job. I've never asked for anything in return; in fact, I often don't even mention it. American Airlines faced criticism for initially refusing to refund a doctor who gave up her business class seats to assist a sick passenger experiencing a medical emergency on a flight to Italy Despite her selfless act, American Airlines initially dismissed her refund request, citing booking complications because the tickets were purchased through British Airways 'In this case, I personally chose to sacrifice my comfort to ensure the safety and well-being of a fellow passenger. It's a small gesture, but one that could have prevented a major disruption to the entire flight.' Weeks went by without a response to her formal complaint, prompting her to share her experience on TikTok, where the video went viral. The attention forced American Airlines to respond, but their offer of airline miles fell short of her expectations. The airline claimed that, since the tickets were booked through British Airways, they couldn't issue a refund directly. However, after continued public pressure and support from commenters, British Airways stepped in and agreed to refund the difference in the cost of the seats. American Airlines also offered additional points to her and her husband as compensation. Dr. Nance was just recently refunded $2,145.52 this month for the sacrificed seats while American Airlines awarded her miles for her assistance on board. The criminology student accused of stabbing a personal trainer to death on Bournemouth beach has been described in court as an 'easy target because he likes knives'. Jurors heard suggestions today that Nasen Saadi, 20, was actually the victim of a case of 'mistaken identity' amid ongoing investigations into the vicious attack on 34-year-old Amie Gray at Durley Chine beach. Charlie Sherrard KC spoke out at Winchester Crown Court explaining Saadi had been spotted in a different location to the killer at the same time and so there may have been 'another person' responsible, and accused police of 'tunnel vision'. The killing of Mrs Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles, 38, took place on May 24 in Dorset. The attack was described as a 'horrifyingly savage' ordeal that saw such 'severe force' used to 'butcher' Mrs Gray that she was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors have accused Saadi of the horrific attack after photographer Michael Priddle selected him in a police identification parade having walked past him on the night of the attack. Among the other evidence sited are 'several coincidences' which saw Saadi purchase 'six ugly and vicious knives' prior to the attack as well as searching for 'deliberately offensive-looking weapons'. But Saadi was dubbed by barrister Mr Sherrard KC as an 'innocent stooge' at court. In his closing speech Mr Sherrard KC told jurors he would provide his 'objective analysis' of the 'tragic' and 'scary' murder of Mrs Gray and the attempted murder of Ms Miles. Sian Gray (right) with her wife Amie Gray who died after being stabbed on Durley Chine Beach, Bournemouth at around 11.45pm on May 24 Amie Gray, 34, from Poole, was murdered at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade on May 24 Nasen Saadi in police video. The criminology student accused of stabbing a personal trainer to death on a beach told police that he had been 'wrongly accused' in a case of 'mistaken identity' He said: 'The theme of my address to you is that Nasen Saadi has been an easy investigatory target. 'He made himself that by virtue of circumstance, and of course the purchase of knives and internet searches. 'Like so many murder movies, on the big or small screen, the obvious candidate turns out to be an innocent stooge. 'I submit, on behalf of Nasen Saadi, the police and prosecution have seen an image - but can't look beyond what it shows. 'They've seemingly made - mistakenly or intentionally - a massive flaw in their whole case. 'Yesterday, Ms Jones KC told you that the police had been meticulous. 'In all due respect, we submit to you that that can not be further from the truth.' He added the evidence against Saadi is both 'contradictory and inconsistent' meaning he could not be the killer. Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Nasen Saadi appearing at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire Nasen Saadi (pictured on the day of the incident) is on trial charged with the murder of 34-year-old at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade, on May 24 The KC accused Dorset police of having 'tunnel vision' when it came to looking at the evidence in the case. In what the barrister described as the 'massive flaw' in the investigation, he also alleged that Mr Priddle, the photographer who selected from an identity parade, had in fact become the student's 'alibi' on the night Mrs Gray was stabbed. Mr Sherrard KC referred to the evidence given by Mr Priddle and said that at the exact same time Saadi allegedly walked past him - the killer was recorded on CCTV leaving the scene. He added that Saadi would not have been able to get from this point he was spotted back to The Silver How hotel where he was staying in the six minutes recorded unless he ran. 'Geographically, it's not even close,' Mr Sherrard KC concluded. 'The question for you is whether Nasen Saadi is the killer - or whether there was another person.' He also explained how much of the evidence 'raises doubts' and referred to a 17 year old who was arrested after Mrs Gray's murder. The barrister said this teen work same t-shirt, dark trousers, and 'bum fluff' facial hair who was 'up to no good' on the night of the attack. 20-year-old Nasen Saadi has been accused of the murder of Amie Gray and the attempted murder of a second woman on Bournemouth seafront. 'Very often someone like me will have to say to you that these things can happen - but here, you can actually see all those features in play within a matter of hours,' he said referring to the several 'coincidences'. 'He did buy six ugly and vicious knives,' Mr Sherrard KC said. The barrister suggested that this may have been as a result of his 'fascination with them'. 'The Crown say he was researching how to get away with murder and on the other hand planning not to get caught,' he continued. Mr Sherrard KC also said that if Saadi was the killer then he would have 'legged it' the morning after the attack - rather than hanging around Bournemouth until 9am before making the trip home. He urged them not to 'give into the speculation' offered by the prosecution. 'Whoever it was that killed Amie Gray murdered her, there is no doubt - the question for you is are you sure who did it,' he told jurors. 'In relation to Leanne Miles, there can be do doubt that she was gratuitously attacked. Saadi on the day of the stabbing of Mrs Gray, according to the prosecution The criminology student allegedly lurked behind a personal trainer and her friend just 20 minutes before 'creeping up and attacking them', the jury heard 'While those want, and maybe even need, to feel that somebody should pay for what is done - justice is never served in any case by the wrong person being convicted.' Saadi is accused of using his university studies to research 'how to get away with murder' before 'butchering' Mrs Gray because he wanted to know what it would be like to take a life. He allegedly took inspiration from 'high profile' stabbings like that of Brianna Ghey's when he carried out the attack, prosecutors said. It was heard the 20-year-old had taken such an 'interest' in true crime that his lecturer had once asked him 'You're not planning a murder are you?' when he 'plied' her with questions on killing, jurors were told. The student, from south London, used the internet to search for 'deliberately offensive-looking weapons' and researched 'most popular beach for kids UK' before settling on a location in Bournemouth. He also searched 'what hotels don't have CCTV in UK' and 'can you pay Airbnb with cash'. And, the student also types 'why do I have a cold all the time' and then searched 'stabbing' just moments later. On the evening of May 24, Mrs Gray and her friend Leanne Miles, then 38 had arrived to the beach in the late evening. The trial heard 'severe force' was used to murder Mrs Gray, who suffered ten knife wounds - the most serious being a 'gaping' wound to her chest Ms Miles, then 38, arrived in a cream coat and dark trousers and she is soon followed by Mrs Gray, who arrived in a navy hoodie. The pair were sitting beside a fire to keep warm when they saw 'a shadow of the person' appear behind them. Moments later, the killer - who Ms Miles described as a 'young boy' - launched at them both and carried out a random attack. During the 'horrifyingly savage' ordeal, Ms Miles begged with him 'Please stop, I've got children', jurors were told. During a 999 call, she frantically told police 'I have been stabbed lots of times', 'can you hurry up', 'please hurry up', 'I am in so much pain'. The trial heard 'severe force' was used to murder Mrs Gray, who suffered ten knife wounds - the most serious being a 'gaping' wound to her chest. It was heard Ms Miles was 'fortunate' to survive the attack and her injuries suggested she tried to 'block' and 'ward off' the student. She told police in an interview which took place in hospital after the attack that Mrs Gray had 'saved her life'. Sian Gray, wife of Amie Gray, is pictured outside Winchester Crown Court Amie's wife Sian Gray, wearing a white blazer, leaving Poole Magistrates Court Mrs Gray was pronounced dead at the scene while Ms Miles, then aged 38, suffered 20 injuries but survived the attack after screaming 'please stop, I've got children' (pictured: Flowers on the seafront in Bournemouth after the incident took place) CCTV footage shows Saadi allegedly scope out the beach before the attack as he carried out a 'recce' of the area. Ms Jones JC alleged that before the attack, Saadi 'loitered' behind his victims before he 'pursued' them. Mr Priddle selected Saadi out of a parade of 10 suspects in a police identification procedure after allegedly walking past him on the night of the attack. Upon looking at Saadi's laptop, officers found he used the username 'NSKills', and later discovered online usernames including 'Ninja Kiler'. In a police interview, the student insisted he was 'not responsible' for the attack and had 'blacked out' after it had taken place. During the interview, Saadi claimed he was being 'wrongly accused' of a serious offence he has 'nothing to do with' - and told Dorset Police he was being 'blamed' because they were 'under pressure' to find a suspect. Saadi, who was studying at Greenwich University, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mrs Gray and attempted murder of Ms Miles. He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of wounding without intent in relation to the second victim, Ms Miles. Saadi has accepted a charge of failing to comply with a notice requirement disclosure. The trial continues. by Adele A Wilby The images of a space shuttle lift-off and its propulsion into dark space with its astronauts strapped in, is an awesome site. Likewise, programmes such as Professor Brian Coxs BBC series Solar System that explores the Earths planetary neighbours for any signs of life and the potential for human habitability have a similar impact. But my interest in such events and programmes stems not from any idea I might entertain about a future in which human beings in their numbers will one day board space flights and head off to human settlements on Mars or the Moon or any other place that might support human life. Instead, it is the science that has enabled such developments, and the new knowledge to be gained from space exploration I find fascinating and exciting. I am not oblivious to the environmental crisis that the Earth is struggling with and the idea that space settlement might one day be the only alternative to the survival of our species, nor do I view it as a possible escape from the human condition and an opportunity for homo sapiens to have another shot at creating a better world for human existence, nor am I devoid of the spirit of adventure or curiosity that is reputed to characterise being human. Fundamentally however, my lack of enthusiasm concerning off planet human settlements arises from a real appreciation of life in all its forms on Earth and a preference to deal with the immediate and urgent phenomenal existential issues that humanity confronts daily and, to use a well-worn cliche, make the world a better place for all here, and preferably now. Nevertheless, I am far from averse to learning about the issues involved in space settlements and Kelly and Zach Weinersmiths book A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have we Really thought this Through? provided me with an opportunity to do just that. The husband-and-wife team, the Weinersmiths, won the 2024 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize with this book, The City of Mars from amongst some stiff competition which included the 2009 Nobel Prize Winner for Chemistry, molecular biologist Venki Ramakrishnans Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality, a must go to book for those interested in the subject. And in a new and refreshing theme on biological sex differences, Cat Bohannons Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution, provides us with a comprehensible exposition of the science behind the development of the female sex and its contribution to evolution. To be chosen the winner of the 2024 Science Book Prize from amongst those two brilliant books alone suggests that the Weinersmiths book must have something special to offer, and it does. The initial striking feature of this book is the relatively informal language used by the Weinersmiths to argue their case. The deeply researched science about space and space settlements that fills the pages is presented without recourse to the more formal academic language and jargon that books on space exploration might do. Written in such a style while retaining the integrity of the scientific knowledge is not only clever but refreshing and makes this complex subject more accessible to a wider audience, and that must be ideal for authors aiming to promote a more comprehensive understanding of such a serious, complex and contemporary issue. The combined contribution from Zach Weinersmith, an acclaimed cartoonist, and his wife Kelly, a scientist, probably accounts for their presentation of knowledge as being a balance between discussions of serious matters, but laced at times with humour, with the addition of cartoons for clarification and a fun element. In their own words the Weinersmiths are space geeks, who love rocket launches and zero gravity antics, but the outcome of their own extensive research over the years has resulted in their scepticism of the plausibility of space settlement soon, setting them apart from their pro-settlement peers. They have become, they say, space bastards. They aim to counter the myths, fantasies, and outright misunderstanding of basic facts on space settlements as projected by space agencies, corporations and billionaires such as Elon Musk, who spend time and money raising expectations that if things go drastically wrong for us here on earth there is a plan B, and we can expect space settlements as early as 2050. The book is ambitious in scope and does what it sets out to do: provide a more realistic analysis of the complex wide-ranging issues of medicine, reproduction, law, ecology, economics, sociology and war involved in off-planet human settlements. As a starter, it becomes obvious from Weinersmiths analysis that since the longest period a human being has spent in space is 437 days, and that also not on a continuous basis, our knowledge of the impact of space on human physiology is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, before we even begin to establish space settlements, we need to effectively solve the serious issue of exposure to the radiation from the sun and the universe. And then off course there is that troublesome problem of micro-gravity, which, the Weinersmiths point out, we have almost no medical data about life in partial-Earth gravity. Nevertheless, the Weinersmiths do offer some information on the impact of space on our physiology from the available data, and for anyone thinking about a joyful journey into space and the impact on their health, then some serious thinking before lift-off is surely required. Most of us are aware that exercise is crucial to retaining bone density and muscle bulk and we achieve that through being active and exercise, but in space our basic skeleto-muscular framework is one of the first casualties of living in micro-gravity. The development of osteoporosis is a certainty. According to the Weinersmiths data, after four months in space there is about a 1 percent loss off of mass in the spine in one month. For many women, the prospect of osteoporosis might be a very early turn off to space travel, especially when they are already aware that there is a high likelihood of the disease being a constant unwanted companion in later life. For men particularly worried about their muscle bulk, be warned: muscles deteriorate in micro gravity. Astronauts in an International Space Station (ISS) found that half their calf muscles shrunk by 13 percent in six months while in orbit. It seems therefore that unless there is space to exercise intensely for hours in a space craft, we are likely to develop osteoporosis, weak muscles and back problems soon after we embark on our space journey. A great deal of time and effort to recover will be necessary once our feet are firmly planted back on terra firma. Although exercise and osteoporosis medication might alleviate these problems, the truth is, the Weirnersmiths point out, the long-term effects of exposure to zero or partial Earth gravity on the human physiology are unknown. The risks to the health of our skeleto-muscular system are probably minor in comparison with a fundamental necessity for establishing a thriving human off-planet population: reproduction. Because it is such a fundamental issue to human habitation and society and indeed human relationships, arguably the most interesting issues the book addresses are those of sex and reproduction in space. Initially the signs are promising: Male space travellers have been honest and reported that the fundamental step in the reproductive process, desire, remains very much alive when whizzing around in space. They have also admitted being physiologically capable of engaging in the reproductive process. But the jury is out when it comes to female astronauts sexual activity in spacecrafts. A newly married couple on a space station retained the privacy of their intimacy, leaving fellow travellers and scientists to speculate on the couples sexual activity during their time in space, especially when practical issues on board a spacecraft are an impediment to amorous moments between couples. The space within the shuttle and the presence of fellow travellers on board suggest that there would need to be either some collective agreement amongst all on board to secure privacy, and gravity issues might call for a third-party intervention to ensure the successful rendezvous and docking. Until such time there are more participants willing to divulge the experience of sexual activity in space, a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of micro or zero gravity on the physiological process is unlikely in the near future. Pregnancy on space settlements is also another major issue. There have been no pregnancies in space, therefore possible effects from what is known about radiation and micro and zero gravity and its likely impact on a pregnancy and the foetus can only be inferred, and it makes for reflective thinking about the possibility of large-scale space settlements anytime soon. According to the Weinersmiths, space has potential negative effects at every stage of a pregnancy, and it is not even known if any part of foetal development requires a consistent downward tug towards earth. If that were so, special expensive equipment would need to be available to the woman throughout her pregnancy. But once born, the problems of zero or micro gravity begin to impact on the child. High levels of exercise to preserve the bone health in adults is a troublesome enough issue: how would anyone even begin to implement an exercise regime for a small baby? Sexual activity and the producing of a child are a few of the aspects in the complex issue of space settlements, but the goal of human reproduction does not end there. Surely the purpose would be to produce healthy generations and therefore it is not enough just to show that reproduction is possible in space settlements, but it is important that the children should grow and thrive and be capable of producing their own children. To further such knowledge, scientists are delving into the deeply contested issue of animal experimentation for answers. Thus, after learning of the simulations of sexual reproduction carried out on small mammals, the Wienersmiths conclude that theres not a chance in hell we would want to try having and raising kids in space. When thinking about off-planet reproduction and family life, the next questions of where to live inevitably needs to be addressed, and the real estate options are far from appealing. While space maybe be big, the living sites are few with only the Moon and Mars offering prospective places of residence. But the Moon, hotter than a dessert, colder than Antarctica, airless, irradiated by space, lacking in carbon, with no minerals valuable enough to sell back home certainly excludes it as an ideal piece of real estate to set up a home and raise a family and build a space settlement. Apparently, Mars has oxygen, hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen, vital elements needed for permanent human habitation, but still for the Weinersmiths, Mars sucks: it is covered in regolith, nasty little bits of stone and glass with dust storms sweeping it across the surface of the planet; its terrain would need to be altered to be made more friendly to humans. Nevertheless, while a decent piece of real estate night be found, accommodation and access to food and other goods, and energy as well must be considered. Sources of energy involve some form of that contested issue of nuclear energy. Convincing arguments for its use in new space settlements would need to be advanced to secure peoples willingness to leave Earth for a new abode reliant of nuclear energy for survival. And that leaves us finally with the type of spome to live in. The best option, according to the Weinersmiths, is to rely on the natural environment on Mars and go underground and build structures in lava caves, the hardened crust of a lava flow that has gone on its way. But for sure, therell be no green grass under your childrens feet or ancient trees to stand and wonder at. In fact, it is difficult to imagine what life would be like in an underground habitat with a hostile environment above, but then again perhaps by the time space cities are realised, homo sapiens will be prepared to adjust, or eventually evolution will help them to feel at home in such a hostile ecological environment. There is though much more in the book than the many biological and ecological issues human beings would have to overcome before we live in cities on Mars. In Part IV and Part V the Weinersmiths explore the legal issues around ownership of space and space settlements, an important contribution to our understanding of the legal complexity involved in establishing space settlements. For the Weinersmiths, existing international space law is too broad, allowing for states to interpret the law in ways conducive to their own interests, a problem indeed as nations set their sights on space travel. Moreover, if historical and contemporary examples of interstates relations and the flagrant and frequent disregard for international law is any indication of how states might behave in the future, then legal aspects related to ownership and settlement of space are bound to be fraught with tension and conflict and therefore require profound clarification. The Weinersmiths examine the strengths and weakness of the various space treaties, but the impact of future treaties remains to be seen. Regardless of existing space treaties, as space exploration expands and deepens constantly raising unforeseen issues, treaties will require ongoing review and are likely to be of a different calibre by the time space settlement is realised. In this wide-ranging book on space settlements, the Weinersmiths have achieved what they set out to do: provide a realistic assessment of the issues involved in space settlement and it is therefore a compelling and interesting read. They are not averse to space settlements and do envision off-planet human habitation in the long-term future. But as they reveal to us, space settlement cannot be reduced to or solved by ambitious fantasies or giant rockets; the issues are far, far more complex and there are few convincing arguments to suggest we can expect space settlements soon. They conclude that the Earth isnt perfect, but as planets go, its a pretty good one and it is in our best interests to wait and go. As they say, going to the stars will not make us wise. We have to become wise if we want to go to the stars. It's not the most wonderful time of the year to land in jail. A man dressed as Santa Claus and another in a Grinch costume certainly did not get the memo. The pair were posing for pictures with residents in the central Mexico municipality of Aguascalientes when they began brawling over tips. Local news outlets reported that holiday skirmish was sparked by one of the men, who was not too happy that tourists and local were giving more cash to the other character. Bystanders visiting the city's main square to enjoy the Christmas displays alerted cops, who broke up the fight as children looked on in total shock. A viral video showed the individual dressed as the Grinch being handcuffed by one of the police officers. Father Christmas was seen kneeling on the ground and receiving medical aid from a paramedic before he was led away by a cop. It's unknown if either individual was charged with a criminal offense. Police in Aguascalientes, Mexico arrested a man in a Grinch costume along with another dressed as Santa Claus after they got into a brawl over tips earned from taking photos with locals and tourists at the city's main plaza on Monday A police officer escorts a man dressed as Santa Claus moments after brawling with another man who was dressed as the Grinch in Aguascalientes, Mexico on Monday. Local news outlets reported that the individuals were upset because one of them was earning more in tips while posing for photos with visitors Social media users thought that the Grinch was looking to do away with Christmas. 'The legend is true, he ruined Christmas,' one person commented. 'And the other guy just wanted to do good. Seriously, greed is what does this.' 'I mean, it's the Grinch, so what did you expect?!' another chimed in. 'He took his role veeeery seriously.' 'The Grinch is an actor in his method,' one social media said. 'He didn't think twice about beating up at Santa Claus.' The not-so-jolly incident comes after a pair of bandits donning Kris Kringle outfits broke into a store in Brazil two weeks ago. The thieves were spotted checking out the entrance at the electronics shop and later returning with a metal bar to pry open a metal gate and smash a glass door. Once inside, the suspects were able to snatched 33 cell phones, five video game and a speaker. It's unknown if the individual dressed as Santa Claus and the other who was wearing a Grinch costume have been charged with a criminal offense after she were arrested Monday in Mexico for fighting in public In November, a condo manager intervening in a fight over the hanging of Christmas decorations attacked a tenant with a hammer in the city of Brazilian city of Paranoa. The violent outburst took place after an elderly resident decided to decorate the building, despite the objections of some of tenants. After a resident ripped down the ornaments adorning his door and hallway, the elderly woman returned to replace the decorations, leading to an argument between her and the neighbor. That's when the building's manager stepped in and decided to hang the decorations himself. In surveillance video, the manage appeared to argue with the protesting tenant before charging at him with a hammer. An Army National Guard soldier has been accused of fatally shooting a sergeant he found in bed with the mother of his child at a Georgia military installation. Natravien Landry, 25, allegedly shot Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr., 24, in the chest on Saturday morning at Fort Eisenhower residence, sending the entire premises into lockdown. The mother of Landry's child said she was in a romantic relationship with Stewart and that Landry was jealous. Landry drove over to the woman's home on the military base at around 7:15 am after he reported for drill duty. He was expected back at his post by 8 am. Witnesses revealed that relatives of the woman were standing outside of the house, but Landry forced his way inside. The woman's aunt said she saw Landry and Stewart get into a physical fight before gunshots rang through the house, according to court records. Stewart died from his injuries about an hour later at the Dwight David Eisenhower Medical Center, and Landry was detained approximately three hours after the shooting. Police tracked down Landry's vehicle and the suspect threw a pistol out of his truck when he was pulled over. He was arrested without incident, court records show, and he is being held at Lincoln County jail. Natravien Landry, 25, has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot a man he found in bed with the mother of his child Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr., 24, was the victim of the fatal shooting. Stewart joined the military in 2019 Georgia's Fort Eisenhower went under lockdown on Saturday morning after the shooting 'Landry admitted to, among other things, shooting Victim,' the court filing reads. Landry, who is originally from Abbeville, Louisiana, was charged with one count of murder. He had a court date on Monday and has a federal court detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday, WRDW reported. The Augusta army base was under lockdown for about an hour until officials announced the 'dangerous event had passed.' Celestine James, who has lived at Fort Eisenhower for four years, reflected on the incident, claiming she had never experienced anything like that before. She told WRDW: 'I was in bed and was awakened by the PA system with an announcement saying not to leave your dwelling. 'We were on lockdown. "Were on lockdown. Active shooter. Do not leave your dwelling." And it was like, "Whoa, whats going on?" It was a shooting. 'A lot of people are still kind of nervous - nervous because ... it hits close to home.' Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic of Fort Eisenhower said to WRDW: '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. Stewart was from Clarksville, Tennessee and started his military career as an active duty resource specialist The shooting occurred in one of the homes located on the army base '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.' In a statement, they said: 'Fort Eisenhower is actively supporting the victim's family and assistance will be available to anyone impacted by this tragedy. 'The safety of our residents and personnel remains our primary concern.' Stewart was a father from Clarksville, Tennessee who began his military career in 2019. He started off as an active duty resource specialist before transitioning to the Army Reserve this year. He was stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland. The most remarkable thing about Humza Yousafs time as First Minister is that he ever got the job. Even now, months after he resigned having made a complete hash of things, it seems extraordinary that, for more than 13 months, Mr Yousaf headed Scotlands government. Rarely has any elected member been less suited to the demands of high office. At the age of 39, when most politicians are still clambering up the greasy pole, Mr Yousaf has announced his decision to step down from Holyrood at the 2026 election. His departure from the Scottish Parliament will bring to an end a political career that perfectly illustrates the expression failing upwards. No display of incompetence was too much to prevent Mr Yousafs rapid ascent to the top of Scottish politics. In truth, Mr Yousaf - who was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011 - was an accidental leader. For some years, former MSP Derek Mackay had been expected by colleagues to succeed Nicola Sturgeon when she decided her time was up. Revelations in early 2020 that Mr Mackay had been sending intimate text messages to a 16-year-old boy put an end to his ambitions and opened up the possibility of leadership to others. When Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation as First Minister last February, Mr Yousaf was instantly installed as favourite to succeed her. This was not because he was widely considered by colleagues to be the best person for the job but because Ms Sturgeon and her then deputy, John Swinney, made it abundantly clear that he was their preferred candidate. In the end, despite his dismal track record as a minister, being the favoured candidate of the SNP establishment was enough for Mr Yousaf to win a narrow victory over former finance secretary Kate Forbes in the leadership contest. And so began the last, catastrophic, chapter in his chaotic career. The truth of Mr Yousafs inadequacy has been known for years. This, let us not forget, is a man who - while transport minister - was caught driving without insurance. Mr Yousaf's career perfectly illustrates the expression failing upwards," writes Euan McColm Perhaps it was the woman who ran him so close in last years SNP leadership election, Kate Forbes, who best summed up Mr Yousafs time in government. During a televised debate as they battled - with third candidate Ash Regan - to become SNP leader, Ms Forbes said: You were a transport minister and the trains were never on time, when you were justice secretary the police were stretched to breaking point, and now as health minister weve got record high waiting times. But while those are certainly the eye-catching headlines, Ms Forbess remarks failed to fully capture the rich and diverse nature of Mr Yousafs unfitness for the job he was ultimately to secure. It took years and a lot of stupid decision for the nickname Humza Youseless - coined, he once said, by his sister - to catch on. Taken together, the evidence says that soubriquet is more than deserved. Theres Mr Yousafs paper-thin skin, for example. Who can forget the moment when, after rupturing his achilles tendon during a badminton match, Mr Yousaf started grandstanding for the TV cameras while using a mobility scooter in the Scottish Parliament? He was cock of the walk as he whizzed along a Holyrood corridor, forcing a staff member to jog in order to keep up, but he lost his bravado when he took a tumble and others had the audacity to chuckle. When BBC Scotlands political editor Glenn Campbell tweeted a clip of Mr Yousafs fall, the politician responded angrily All for media scrutiny & never shy away from it. Just not sure there is need or purpose to tweet out a video of me falling over while injured. If anyone else had fallen over while on crutches, a knee scooter, or in a wheelchair would your first instinct be to film it & tweet out? Sympathy for Mr Yousaf was in short supply. His complaint exposed his pomposity. And then there was his excruciating meeting with a group of Ukrainian women seeking refuge in the UK when he asked where the men were only to be told that they were at home, defending their country from Russian invaders. After winning the SNP leadership contest, Mr Yousaf struggled to carve out an identify for himself. His first decision - to offer Kate Forbes a demoted cabinet role which she turned down - made him look insecure and petty. And when he finally did decide to flex his political muscles, things went jaw-droppingly badly. Mr Yousafs time in office came to an abrupt end after he decided to terminate the SNPs power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. In a bleakly comic display of ineptitude, Mr Yousaf turfed the Greens out of Government without considering whether they might be upset and, therefore, react in some way that could be problematic for him. It turned out the Greens were upset. So upset, in fact, that they announced their intention to support an opposition vote of no confidence in the then First Minister. The consequence of Mr Yousafs attempt to show strong leadership was his enforced resignation. An uncomfortable fact for the SNP is that, even among his supporters in last years leadership contest, there were several MSPs who simply did not consider Mr Yousaf up to the job. Shorty after he announced his decision to leave Holyrood, yesterday, I asked one of those sceptics whether they thought time would be kinder to his reputation. No, said this former ally, Were still not sure time wont end up proving he was the worst thing to happen to the party. Nobodys denying he took over a party in trouble but it was entirely down to his own stupidity that he ended up having to quit so soon. Imagine being outfoxed by the f****** Green Party. I like him but hes useless. After the chaos of the Nicola Sturgeon years, that assessment may seem rather harsh, but it is certainly true that one will struggle to identify a single thing Mr Yousaf did with his First Ministerial power to make life better for Scots or to improve the fortunes of his party. Mr Yousaf was our dog-that-caught-the-car First Minister. He identified his goal, set out to achieve it and then - having done so - had no idea what to do with it. Humza Yousaf will leave Holyrood in 2026 without leaving much trace he was ever there. Nicola Sturgeons political career may have ended in scandal and failure but it looks very much like nobodys bothered to tell her yet. Since resigning as First Minister last year, Ms Sturgeon has shown no sign she understands the mistakes she made in office. Indeed, anyone listening to Nicola Sturgeons biggest fan - Nicola Sturgeon - would think her nine years in power amounted to nothing less than a carnival of progress and harmony. She swans around literary festivals and TV studios offering expertise which, the experiences of recent years tell us, she does not, in fact, possess. To the delusional former FM and her blinkered acolytes - and there are still those SNP supporters whod gladly have her back in charge tomorrow - she was a compassionate and wise leader whose achievements mark her out as the preeminent political figure of her generation. A bitterly divided country with a failing education system and a health service on its knees tells a darkly different story. Most politicians let time take care of questions of legacy. Ms Sturgeon, on the other hand, has always been proactive in describing her achievements, even when those achievements are not hers or, indeed, do not even exist. Ms Sturgeon has shown no sign she understands the mistakes she made, writes Euan McColm And so it was hardly surprising when, during an interview this week to mark the 10th anniversary of the legalisation of same-sex marriage, she took the opportunity to rewrite history, casting herself - of course - as being on the side of the angels. Ms Sturgeons latest version of events is that the civilised debate that led to the legalisation of equal marriage a decade ago would not now be possible because of growing polarisation and an increasing inability to find common ground on major issues. While accepting - because even Ms Sturgeons neck is not made of solid brass - that the law would have been changed, she said a debate now would be more toxic, divisive and unpleasant than it was 10 years ago. This, she said, should give us all pause for thought. Having taken Ms Sturgeons advice, I cannot escape the conclusion that she was talking self-serving rot. No mainstream political party is anything but fully supportive of the rights of same-sex couples to marry while a YouGov poll, published in September 2022, showed more than three quarters of Brits in favour and only 13 per cent opposed. So why has Ms Sturgeon decided to revise reality and insist that this widely-welcomed piece of equality legislation would now be the focus of rancour and division? She has done so, of course, in order to polish her own rather tarnished reputation. Less than two months before she quit as SNP leader, Ms Sturgeons wish to change the Gender Recognition Act was supported by a majority of MSPs. The December 2022 vote at Holyrood would have changed the law to allow anyone to self-identify into the legally-recognised sex of their choosing had it not been blocked, weeks later, by then Tory Scottish Secretary Alister Jack on the grounds that it was incompatible with the existing UK-wide Equality Act. The truth is that, despite the enthusiasm of MSPs for self-ID, the public was opposed. The arguments of feminist campaigners, such as the novelist JK Rowling and politicians including the SNPs Joanna Cherry and former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, that self-ID would be open to abuse - and that the gender ideology underpinning the planned change in the law had wider implications - were sneeringly dismissed at the time by Ms Sturgeon, who characterised some opponents of the legislation as bigots. Ms Sturgeon - as per the trans activists playbook - wishes the world to believe that permitting same sex couples to marry and changing the law to allow those born male access to girls changing rooms are two strands of the same equality battle. They are not. A poll published by Holyroods Equalities Committee during discussion of the Gender Recognition Act showed that more than 60 per cent of Scots were opposed to the repurposing of the Gender Recognition Act to allow self-ID. However, the latest Book of Nicola tells a different gospel. Ms Sturgeon now says we consulted on the [gender recognition act reform] legislation for longer than we consulted on anything else, and right up until the point of the legislation passing, I dont think it was the case that there was massive public opposition. Not only has the former First Minister changed the facts on support for self-ID, she wishes us to know how sorrowful she is about the tone of political debate in this post-Sturgeon era. During the debate on gender reforms, says Ms Sturgeon, things became so toxic opposition became so entrenched. Hearing Nicola Sturgeon complain about toxicity and division is rather like hearing an arsonist complain he cant get a Steakbake after he burned down the local Greggs. Nobody has done more to create division in Scotland in recent years than Nicola Sturgeon. And this she did both enthusiastically and relentlessly. In office, the former First Minister made no effort whatsoever to conceal her contempt for those who disagreed with her. This arrogance saw her promise - throughout her time as SNP leader - a second referendum that she had no power to deliver and which the majority of Scots did not want. Members of her own party were treated with similar disdain if they failed to see things Ms Sturgeons way. For her public opposition to reform of the Gender Recognition Act, former SNP MP Joanna Cherry received a series of death and rape threats. But rather than Ms Sturgeon publicly supporting - or privately reaching out to - her colleague, she did nothing. Ms Cherry was sidelined at Westminster and her attempt to seek selection for a Holyrood seat was blocked by the SNPs national executive committee. She came to power in 2014 promising a bright future for Scotland but the truth is that the country suffered under Ms Sturgeons leadership. Her twin obsessions with independence and gender ideology blinded her to the needs of voters. While she confected constitutional battles with Westminster, the crisis in the NHS deepened. While she tried to tear up womens sex-based rights, standards in schools continued to fall. The former First Ministers time in office came to an end because shed become such a polarising and divisive figure. This reputation was built on the things she said and the things she did. If Nicola Sturgeon wishes to complain about the deeply unpleasant tone of Scottish politics, she should take the matter up with Nicola Sturgeon. Vice President Kamala Harris was ridiculed online after she re-emerged in public in the wake of her election defeat at the hands of Donald Trump. Harris appeared at Prince George's Community College in Maryland to deliver a speech encouraging her younger followers not to lose hope and to look to the future. In the speech, she attempted a flashback to the early days of the campaign and the viral 'coconut tree' memes that showcased her awkward brand of humor. 'I ask you to remember the context in which you exist,' Harris said to muted laughter in the crowd. It was a nod to one of her many infamous 'word salads' that went viral on the campaign trail. But many on social media mocked the failed presidential candidate for trying to stay relevant after her loss, accusing her of being out of touch. 'Although this is funny, let us not forget how many people voted for her. Truly a troubling sign for our country,' wrote user Neil Johnson. 'She should be forced to sit in a room alone and watch her own videos. She has the intelligence of dirt,' wrote Juanita Broaddrick on X. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak to students and recent graduates at Prince George's Community College, in Largo, Md 'Baffled by her own BS,' Marc Menninger agreed. Others viewed the 'cringe' video as a reminder of how lucky the country was that Harris was not elected president 'We cannot thank President Trump enough for saving us from four years of this,' wrote Logan Hall on X. She was referring to a 2021 speech where she invoked a saying by her mother. 'My mother used toshe would give us a hard time sometimes, and she would say to us, 'I don't know what's wrong with you young people. You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?' Harris recalled with laughter in a 2021 speech. 'You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.' Despite the fun buzz the 'context' slogan once generated, post election viewers of the video of Harris' remarks were not impressed. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to students and recent graduates at Prince George's Community College Vice President Kamala Harris boards the Marine Two Helicopter to deliver a speech to young people 'I'm so happy we dodged this bullet, but I'm also happy the cringe content continues,' wrote Dustin Grage. While these lines are impressively awful, what's truly concerning is that this cackling clown won 75 million American votes,' wrote Hellen Hays on X. 'I am thankful she has come out of hiding in her loser cave to remind us all how utterly vapid, vacuous and annoying she is,' Bruce Hooley added. Others were not ready for Harris to return to the public stage. 'Just go away Kamala,' wrote Matt Stoller on X. 'I think I'll always have a place in my heart for Kamala, but it's insane Dems are going on this joyful tour after telling people they were on the brink of a total societal collapse the past 3 years,' wrote X user Gnrl. Despite her attempt at a lighthearted viral moment, Harris made a serious plea to her supporters urging them not to lose hope or the will to fight after the election. 'Let me be very clear: No one can walk away. No one can walk away,' she said. 'We must stay in the fight, every one of us, including the fight for an economy that works, not just for those at the very top but for working people -- for all Americans.' Harris repeated her advice she has shared with her supporters at recent holiday parties, urging them to spend time eating and drinking and getting rest. 'I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path into the future, chin up, shoulders back and forever impatient for change,' she said. 'And be ready to get back to work fighting for opportunity and freedom, fighting for fairness and dignity, back to work fighting for this country we love and the future we share.' And she also acknowledged the deadly shooting in a Wisconsin elementary school on Monday. 'It's another school shooting, another community being torn apart and hurt by gun violence,' the VP said in Maryland on Tuesday. 'And of course, our nation mourns for those who were killed, and we pray for the recovery of those who are injured and for the entire community. 'But look as we hold our loved ones close this holiday season, we as a nation must renew our commitment to end the horror of gun violence.' The baby-faced killer who gunned down a fellow student and a teacher at her Wisconsin high school has been pictured. Natalie Samantha Rupnow, 15, killed herself after unleashing the massacre at a study hall at Abundant Life Christian School. She also injured six others including two students who were in critical condition. A substitute teacher and three students had been taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them had been released by Monday evening. Rupnow's father Jeff Rupnow shared several images of his daughter throughout the years - all the way back to her birth in 2009. The father is cooperating with police as they try to find a motive for the tragedy as well as how the teen accessed the weapon she used, believed to be a 9mm handgun. The shooters parents, who are divorced, jointly shared custody of their child, but the shooter primarily lived with her 42-year-old father, according to court documents. Investigators on Tuesday are focused on trying to determine a motive in for the school shooting that left a teacher and a student dead and two other children in critical condition. Wisconsin Christian school shooter Natalie Samantha Rupnow has been pictured after she killed a fellow student and a teacher at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison The shooting left two dead and a six injured - two of whom are in critical condition. A family is seen leaving the reunification center after the tragedy Shon Barnes, the police chief in Madison said investigators were aware of a 'manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter' posted by someone who might have known the shooter, 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow. 'We havent been able to locate that person yet, but thats something were going to work on today,' Barnes told CNN. 'Well also be looking through (Rupnows) effects, if she had a computer or cell phone, to see if there are any transmissions between her and someone else, and that will give us an idea of what type planning.' Chief Barnes said theyre trying to put together a timeline of the shooters last hours before she went to the school. Barnes said theyve asked the ATF to expedite determining the origin of the gun used in the shooting and how the 15-year-old got her hands on it. He said hes not certain if the weapon was owned or possessed by her parents. Asked if her parents could be charged with a crime, Barnes said they were voluntarily giving information, but he also wanted to look at whether the parents were negligent. But at this time, he said that doesnt appear to be the case. Two prominent cases of parents facing criminal charges after their children are accused in school shootings have come in Michigan and Georgia in recent years. Jeff Rupnow shared a picture of one of his daughters being encouraged to handle and fire guns by her father. Mr Rupnow in August shared a photograph (above) on Facebook at a local shootin range Jeff Rupnow's posted a picture on Facebook showing his daughter at a shooting range. He was asked by a friend if it was his daughter in the image. He replied: 'Joined NBSC (North Bristol Shooting Club) this spring and we have been loving every second of it. The NBSC - or North Bristol Sportsman's Club - is a gun club in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison, offering annual family memberships for just $90, according to its website. The club was founded in 1970 and has more than 600 members. The Rupnows' alleged membership has not yet been confirmed by the club. DailyMail.com has approached the NBSC for comment. Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school prekindergarten through high school with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. The school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras. Children and families were reunited at a health clinic about a mile away. Parents pressed children against their chests while others squeezed hands and shoulders as they walked side by side. One girl was comforted with an adult-size coat around her shoulders as she moved to a parking lot teeming with police vehicles. Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school prekindergarten through high school with approximately 420 students The school shooting was the latest among dozens across the U.S. in recent years, including especially deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. Firearms were the leading cause of death among children in 2020 and 2021, according to KFF, a nonprofit that researches health care issues. President Joe Biden took a thinly-veiled swipe at Nancy Pelosi as he got behind a ban on congressional stock trading. Biden waded into the controversial issue despite staying out of it in the past, leaving it to lawmakers to decide their own rules. But in a new declaration he said: 'Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while they're in the Congress.' The surprise comment came in an interview with Faiz Shakir, a political advisor to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Pelosi played a critical role in the behind-the-scenes Democratic effort to get Biden to step back from his reelection campaign this summer. That resulted in his shocking decision to step back from the race, clearing the way for Vice President Kamala Harris, who ended up losing to Donald Trump in a landslide. Pelosi, the former House speaker, is currently in a German hospital after hip replacement surgery following a fall during a congressional trip to Luxembourg. One of the most prominent lawmakers who have benefitted from stock trades is Pelosi, whose husband Paul Pelosi is a wealthy investor. She earned a 65% return in 2023. She traded nearly $4 million in stocks this year, with an estimated wealth of $250 million. President Joe Biden called for a ban on members of Congress trading stocks while in office His remarks come as Pelosi, the former House speaker, is currently in a German hospital after hip replacement surgery following a fall during a congressional trip to Luxembourg The president's turnaround comments were published by A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release. In the interview, Shakir told Biden he could have been an early investor in Google, Boeing, Microsoft and other firms. 'You didn't correct me if I'm wrong own any stocks,' he said. That brought a predictable reply from Biden, who often speaks of his relatively humble lifestyle commuting home to Delaware during those years. Biden said: 'Look, for 36 years I was listed as the poorest man in the Senate not a joke. 'I don't know how you look your constituents in the eye and know, because the job they gave you gave you an inside track to make more money. I think we should be changing the law - we have to what we abide by at the federal level.' It's unclear what impact Biden's statement could have, coming only a month before his term ends. Although Biden didn't mention any lawmakers by name, it is an area that has drawn bipartisan calls for reform. A bipartisan proposal to ban trading by members of Congress and their families has dozens of sponsors, but it has not received a vote. Pelosi infuriated some members of her own caucus when she didn't take up their sweeping reform proposals to an existing law on stocks. One of the most prominent lawmakers who have benefitted form stock trades is Pelosi, whose husband Paul Pelosi is a wealthy investor Biden often speaks about his relatively low net worth while he was in Congress, although he has since amassed about $10 million through investments, real estate holdings, and his $400,000 presidential salary. The Democratic president spoke to Shakir about his economic legacy, which includes supporting unions, investing in clean energy projects and signing infrastructure. But Shakir also asked about congressional stock trading, which has been a catalyst for populist anger at Washington. Rep. Nancy Pelosi opposed an outright ban on members trading stocks in 2021 For example, when the coronavirus pandemic was approaching, some lawmakers bought and sold millions of dollars worth of stock after being briefed on the virus. Although lawmakers are required to disclose stock transactions exceeding $1,000, they're routinely late in filing notices and sometimes don't file them at all. Shakir said he admired Biden for having not 'gone in early on Google, and Boeing, and Microsoft, and Nvidia, and, you know, Amazon' while he was a U.S. senator from Delaware, a position he held for 36 years. Biden said he lived on his senator salary instead of playing the stock market. Biden had previously declined to take a position on congressional stock trading. When Jen Psaki served as White House press secretary two years ago, she said Biden would 'let members of leadership in Congress and members of Congress determine what the rules should be.' Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano - a Trump-endorsed Republican who previously lost a gubernatorial race - has been mercilessly mocked online after mistaking a Star Wars TIE fighter for a drone. The US Army veteran posted what he believed was a groundbreaking revelation about a mysterious drone, sharing an image of a full-scale TIE fighter on a truck. He captioned the photo on X: 'It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones.' In the lengthy post, he continued: 'The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue.' 'We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. January 20th can't come soon enough.' The post was immediately hit with backlash from users, including CNN anchor Jake Tapper. 'I take the actual drone story seriously but re the below, I'm pretty sure Red Leader Garven Dreis shot down that TIE fighter in ep IV A New Hope,' Tapper commented. Utah State Senator Nate Blouin joined in on the joke, stating: 'Good to know I will never be the dumbest state senator in the country. Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano - a Trump-endorsed Republican who previously lost a gubernatorial race - has been mercilessly mocked online after mistaking a Star Wars TIE fighter for a drone Mastriano released a statement following the dramatic backlash, claiming he used an 'obvious Star Wars prop as a meme' 'It's inconceivable how absolutely braindead this post is,' another user chimed in. The senator's post quickly became a meme, with social media users emphasizing that the 'drone' was, in fact, an iconic spacecraft from the Star Wars universe - a TIE fighter typically associated with the evil Galactic Empire. Mastriano released a statement following the dramatic backlash, claiming he used an 'obvious Star Wars prop as a meme.' 'The Philadelphia Inquirer just called asking if I knew it was a prop,' he wrote. 'Hilarious. Modern day "journalism."' But users didn't seem to fall for his story. 'Probably should've gone with the more reliable "my account was hacked" excuse,' one wrote. 'Doug, I realize that the GOP trend, under trump, is to never admit a lie or mistake, but with your military background, you should do better,' another commented. Mastriano's post came as a growing constellation of lawmakers have demanded answers from the feds about mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey with the White House now blaming hobbyists, planes and even the stars for what it describes as misidentifications. Mastriano's post came as a growing constellation of lawmakers have demanded answers from the feds about mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey with the White House now blaming hobbyists, planes and even the stars for what it describes as misidentifications The latest answer, after days of mounting pressure from Congress, comes amid repeat sightings over populated areas and even U.S. military facilities. The federal response to date has left figures in both parties demanding more transparency and a plan to confront any possible threat. Donald Trump joined the chorus of fed up critics Monday after posting about it over the weekend, saying 'something strange is going on.' Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) is also demanding answers about the mysterious phenomenon and wants to know 'what the heck is going on'. With public pressure growing and concerned citizens filing a skein reports to authorities, White House national security spokesman John Kirby attempted to confront the fury. 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 began his remarks to reporters Monday at a briefing by pointing to the proliferation of hobbyist drones over the sky. 'There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States, and there are thousands of commercial hobbyists and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day,' Kirby told reporters. He said the FBI had received tips on 5,000 drone sightings in recent weeks of which 100 they 'felt needed to be followed up on. The Democrat was also caught in a viral moment with Marjorie Taylor Greene A Democratic lawmaker has come under fire for suggesting that Hispanic voters who support Donald Trump suffer from a 'slave mentality.' The shocking remark came from Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a 43-year-old Texas Democrat. 'That is my distilled summary of what happens within the Latino community,' Crockett said speaking with Vanity Fair last week. 'I've not run into that with the Asian community. I've not run into that with the African community. I've not run into that with the Caribbean community. I've only run into it with Hispanics. When they think of 'illegals,' they think of, you know, maybe people that came out of the cartels.' The Democrat continued: 'It almost reminds me of what people would talk about when they would talk about kind of like 'slave mentality' and the hate that some slaves would have for themselves.' 'It's almost like a slave mentality that they have. It is wild to me when I hear how anti-immigrant they are as immigrants, many of them. I'm talking about people that literally just got here and can barely vote that are having this kind of attitude.' Reacting to the interview X users ripped Crockett for racism. 'She is extremely racist. And she doesnt even try to hide it. She is actually OK with being racist and owns it which is crazy,' one user wrote. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) speaks during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol March 20, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Last week she inferred Hispanics that support Trump suffer from a 'slave mentality' Crockett, 43, took office in January 2023 after serving in Texas state government Jasmine Crockett attends EBONY Power 100 Gala in Los Angeles 'Shes attacking voters based on race and gender while defending failed policies,' posted another X user. Another user wrote a lengthy post firmly against Crockett's interview. 'Before taking Jasmines advice look at her popularity. Very few outside the ultra woke bubble like her. She does Not speak for the vast majority of the US public,' they wrote. 'And if what was being pushed was likeable when in affect then democrats would not have failed so miserably and Im not talking about losing the electoral and popular vote.' In a statement to DailyMail.com, Crockett said she was speaking 'candidly' about 'the disconnect between different segments of the 2024 electorate.' 'I used the term slave mentality in the way it has commonly been used to refer to Black Americans who support anti-Black politicians and policies,' the Democrat wrote. 'I did not use this language with the intention to divide Black and Brown communities.' In the Vanity Fair piece the Democrat also went on to lambast black male voters, saying some of them were caught 'flaking' on Vice President Kamala Harris because of their 'misogyny.' 'I will tell you that black people historically have been fiercely loyal. That's why you still see the [turnout] numbers that you see coming out for black folks, even though there was a bit of flaking. And that bit of flaking came from black men, which I'm going to chalk up to misogyny,' she said. Crockett, a former Harris-Walz campaign co-chair, also suggested another demographic fueled Harris' failure. She told the outlet that White women 'retreated' from Harris, and she said that she does not trust them. 'I said, I don't trust White women. I said, I'm just telling you, and I think you need to have conversations with your sisters, because they are the group that failed Hillary Clinton,' she said. During a fiery May hearing MTG slammed Crockett's 'fake eyelashes' The Democrat hit back asking a question in reference to MTG's 'bleach blonde, bad built butch body' Jasmine Crockett attends The Root 100 2024 Gala at The Apollo Theater on December 05, 2024 in New York City 'I mean, when you go back and look at the numbers, White women were the ones that failed her. And so in my mind, if they failed Hillary, I don't know that I can believe that they won't fail Kamala,' she continued. Crockett also critiqued those who slammed President Joe Biden's bid. 'Why are y'all tearing President Biden down? Like, do you guys realize that [Republicans are] standing with their man? And y'all were like, 'get rid of Biden because he had a bad debate.' Well, when Trump had a bad debate, they never acknowledged it.' '[Trump] just said, I'm not doing it no more, because I ain't getting my a** kicked again,' she continued. 'I mean, there is something to be said for just requiring this level of perfection out of non-perfect people, and I think Democrats really need to take a good look at themselves on that issue,' Crockett said. The Democrat gained popularity earlier this year after a viral shouting match with Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene - where they exchanged personal insults about each other's appearances. During a late night hearing in May, Greene stirred controversy by asking Crockett if she could see properly due to her eyelashes. 'I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you're reading,' Greene said. After a yelling match between the Republican, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Crockett and others, the room settled down. Then Crockett unleashed a salvo. 'If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody's bleach blond, bad-built butch body, that would not be' against the rules. Since the dramatic explosion Crockett has seen a notable rise in popularity. She has since been invited to numerous galas and parties, including The Root 100 2024 Gala in New York City and the EBONY Power 100 Gala in Los Angeles. The sister of the man convicted of murdering Cash App founder Bob Lee was noticeably absent from court Tuesday as the jury read the guilty verdict. Nima Momeni was guilty of second-degree murder for the April 4, 2023, fatal stabbing of Lee. The tech mogul was found staggering on a deserted downtown street, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. Lee, 43, later died in hospital. Prosecutors argued that Momeni took Lee's life on the 300 block of Main Street in the ritzy Rincon Hill neighborhood after hearing that his drug-dealing friend plied his younger sister, Khazar, with GHB and other drugs and sexually assaulted her. Khazar Momeni, 38, delivered bombshell testimony about Lee and his alleged drug dealer that left the courtroom stunned during the trial. However, the glamorous woman was no where to be seen Tuesday as her brother learned he faces a sentence up 16 years to life in this case. She wore a pastel-blue silk shirt and stark white pants along with her signature black sunglasses when she testified on October 21. Khazar, the wife of a prominent California plastic surgeon, was long believed to be having an affair with Lee and attending 'sex-swinging' parties with him. Khazar Momeni (pictured), 38, delivered bombshell testimony about Lee and his alleged drug dealer that left the courtroom stunned during the trial on October 21 Nima Momeni (pictured) was guilty of second-degree murder for the April 4, 2023, fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Lee In lengthy testimony, she accused the alleged drug dealer, Jeremy Boivin, of giving her the 'date rape' drug GHB, pulling her pants down and sexually assaulting her while she remained unconscious, Mission Local reported. Khazar stated that Lee brought Boivin to her home on the morning of April 3, 2023, the day before the fatal stabbing. 'I did not know he's a drug dealer, as we don't get close to our drug dealers or invite them upstairs even. He was introduced to me as a friend,' she said. '[H]e brought me a big tank of nitrous and he had a big bottle of a liter of GHB.' Khazar later went to Boivin's home, where Lee and another friend also stopped by. After Lee and is friend left, she claimed she passed out after consuming drugs. She told the court that she had consumed three shots of a drink mixed with GHB before 'passing out.' 'He asked me about GHB and gave me, like, this sweet little drink, a little shot. And I drank it. I thought I could trust him,' Khazar said. 'I remember waking up twice: One time he (Boivin) pulled down my pants and slapped my ass. And another time he grabbed my a**, but I couldn't move or do anything.' Khazar also debuted a new look in court on October 15 after she was blamed for starting the fight that lead to the killing. Khazar (pictured) also debuted a new look in court on October 15 after she was blamed for starting the fight that lead to the killing Khazar, the wife of a prominent California plastic surgeon (right), was long believed to be having an affair with Lee and attending 'sex-swinging' parties with him Mahnaz Tayarani (pictured), mother of the defendant, had tears in her eyes as she called the verdict unfair The blonde bombsell wore a pastel blue silk Valentino dress with a pussy bow neckline, which retails for $5,500. Momeni's defense attorneys claimed Lee was on a multi-day drug bender of cocaine and ketamine that made him agitated and violent, and that he attacked the defendant with a knife. They said Momeni was forced to use his Krav Maga martial arts skills in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, after 'making a 'bad joke' that upset Lee - and did not realize he had stabbed him. The assistant district attorney mocked Momeni's defense saying he grilled Lee earlier in the evening about what happened to his sister at the drug dealer's apartment, and sent text messages saying that the two men were creeps and sexual predators. Momeni then met up with Lee at his sister's condo, took a paring knife from her kitchen set, drove Lee to a secluded area by the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, including a fatal blow through his heart, on a dimly lit street, assistant district attorney Dane Reinstedt said. 'That protectiveness of the defendant's little sister is what led to all of this,' he said. Family members of both men have faithfully attended the trial. Mahnaz Tayarani, mother of the defendant, has sat on one side of the court room while Lees father, brother and ex-wife sat on the other. On Tuesday, Tayarani had tears in her eyes as she called the verdict unfair. Bob Lee was found staggering on a deserted downtown street, dripping a trail of blood and calling for help 'My son is not the person that they think,' she said. 'Hes very kind, hes very loving and respectful and caring.' Lee had created mobile payment service Cash App and was the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin when he died. He had moved to Miami from the San Francisco Bay Area, where his ex-wife Krista Lee lives with their two children. Local Arizona news anchor Ana Orsini has died at the age of 28. Her death was announced by her CBS affiliate KOLD News13 colleagues, Tyler Butler and Carsyn Currier on last night's segment. The beloved journalist's cause of death has not yet been disclosed. 'Our beloved friend and co-anchor Ana Orsini passed away unexpectedly last week. 'We had the opportunity to work with her every day, and we do want you to know that what you saw with her on air, the funny, crazy person she was, she was just like that off camera and more so,' Butler said on-air. Currier tearfully added that they were 'devastated' by the news as both anchors held hands. Her career began in 2018 in Lubbock, Texas where she worked as an anchor/reporter after graduating from Texas A&M University. She then spent three years at NewsWatch 12 before joining the team at KOLD in Tucson, Arizona in June 2023. Local Arizona news anchor Ana Orsini has died at the age of 28 under mysterious circumstances After the devastating announcement, both anchors took to social media to share pictures of the deceased anchor and remember her fondly. 'We have some truly sad news to share this morning. Our beloved Ana Orsini TV passed away suddenly late last week. She was truly one of a kind. 'Crazy passionate about helping animals, she had a great and sarcastic sense of humor and was so dedicated to her family. She LOVED her family and talked about them all the time. Im glad to have been a small part of her work family. 'Please take a moment today to think about Ana. A time she made you laugh or think about something in a different way. She was too young, but we can remember her always. For years to come, we'll be repeating her mantra. Let the women do the work!",' Butler wrote in a Facebook post. Currier, who described Orsini as the 'Bratz doll to her Barbie doll', recalled the young anchor's joyful energy and love for her family in a lengthy Instagram post. While there isnt enough time for me to truly describe the incredible person Ana Orsini was, there are a few things Id like to say in remembrance of one of my best friends. Ana was not only beautiful, talented, and hilarious, but she was unlike anyone Ive ever met. 'To know Ana was to LOVE her. She made everyone around her feel so special, heard and understood. Waking up in the middle of the night to go to work is always challenging, but knowing I was going to work with Ana made it that much easier. After the devastating announcement, both anchors took to their social media to share pictures of the deceased anchor and remember her fondly 'Please take a moment today to think about Ana. A time she made you laugh or think about something in a different way. She was too young, but we can remember her always. For years to come, we'll be repeating her mantra. Let the women do the work!"' Butler wrote in a Facebook post Currier, who described Orsini as the 'Bratz doll to her Barbie doll', recalled the young anchor's joyful energy and love for her family in a lengthy Instagram post Her career began in 2018 in Lubbock, Texas where she worked as an anchor/reporter after graduating from Texas A&M University 'Whether she was dancing around the set or making us all laugh, everyday with Ana was an adventure. Anas family was everything to her. She was a proud daughter, sister, and the best dog mom to her baby boy, Harley. 'She was an advocate for animals, womens rights, and one heck of a friend. Time may pass, but my memories of Ana will never fade. I love you forever, Ana. Youll always be the Bratz Doll to my Barbie Doll. Rest in Peace, sister. I promise to keep living fully for YOU.' KOLD Meteorologist Cory Kowitz also shared a the channel's video tribute of some of their favorite on-air moments with Orsini in an X post. 'Last week, we lost a beloved member of our KOLD news team. Ana Orsini was our anchor, a leader of the morning team, and most importantly a great friend to so many at the station. 'I had the pleasure of working with her during the morning, even though it was for too short of a time. 'Thank you to our talented morning team for putting together this beautiful tribute video. Rest in peace Ana,' the tweet read. The Denver native was also remembered by Ashe Hajek, former NewsWatch12 KDRV This Morning producer who described her as a 'force to be reckoned with'. KOLD Meteorologist Cory Kowitz also shared a the channel's video tribute of some of their favorite on-air moments with Orsini in an X post The Denver native was also remembered by Ashe Hajek, former NewsWatch12 KDRV This Morning producer who described her as a 'force to be reckoned with' 'When I first met Ana, she was at her desk, covered head to toe in pink. She was courageous, and fearless, and knew how to lead a newsroom with a look alone. She never shied away from being her authentic self and pushed others to find their path. 'I will never forget the wisdom she gave me and the happiness I have from being her friend. Apart from her steadfast spirit, Ana was one of the most compassionate people I have ever met, and that can be felt in every aspect of her life. 'She led with a truthful heart full of love for people in her newsroom, in her community, and for people, she hadnt met yet. 'She also taught me how to find and believe in my own experience, strength, and hope before I knew it existed. I hope I never forget the lessons that she taught me and still teaches me every day,' the tribute read in part. It remains unclear when a cause of death will be released. MSPS have voted to ban double jobbing in the latest humiliation for Stephen Flynn. The SNP Westminster leader, once seen as a future first minister, had planned to stand at the next Holyrood election but also keep his Westminster job if elected. But he backed down after a furious reaction from his own colleagues and the opposition. And yesterday the Scottish Parliament agreed unanimously to stop MPs being MSPs at the same time. It also emerged the SNP had refused to relax its rules to help Mr Flynn run for Holyrood in 2026. If he wants to stand, the 36-year-old will have to gamble his political career by first resigning as an MP. John Swinney previously hinted the SNP rule forcing MPs to quit could be changed, but the party has decided to keep it in place. The developments were a body blow to Mr Flynns ambition of moving to Holyrood and one day becoming SNP leader and first minister. Mr Flynn had planned to stand at the next Holyrood election but also keep his Westminster job The Aberdeen South MP had scrapped his double-job plan, which involved elbowing aside MSP Audrey Nicoll as an SNP candidate, after a backlash. But he said at the weekend he would decide over Christmas whether to stand in 2026, based on whatever selection rules the party puts in place. SNP minister Jamie Hepburn has now revealed those rules would force Mr Flynn to stand down as an MP, sack all his staff and face unemployment if he failed to get into Holyrood. North East Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden said: This represents the final humiliation for Stephen Flynn. After his screeching U-turn on his plans, he has now run out of road. Even those in his own party were quick to pour cold water on his plans to serve in both parliaments. He must be wondering why he bothered dreaming up this plan in the first place. Mr Flynn, an MP since 2019, announced last month that he planned to stand for Holyrood and keep his Westminster seat if he won. He was accused of rank hypocrisy as he previously slated then Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross for being both an MP and MSP. Mr Flynn also infuriated party colleagues by saying he wanted to become the SNP candidate in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine at Ms Nicolls expense. That led to a wave of sympathy for Ms Nicoll, the respected chair of Holyroods criminal justice committee, who refused to stand aside for her rival. Graham Simpson, the Tory MSP for Central Scotland, has called for double-jobbing to be 'consigned to history' Amid a growing public row, Mr Swinney signalled his unhappiness by saying he wanted to make sure the SNP was in no way distracted by internal issues. It forced Mr Flynn to announce he was no longer pursuing a dual mandate. I got it wrong, he declared. Tory MSP Graham Simpson seized on the controversy to promote his plan to end double-jobbing by tweaking the Scottish Elections Bill at Holyrood. The Scottish Government backed his plan to stop MPs and members of the House of Lords being MSPs, while consulting on a similar ban for councillors. The amendments have been agreed unanimously by Holyrood, meaning regulations will come into force next autumn in time for the 2026 Scottish election. Double-jobbing has been allowed at Holyrood since 1999, but is banned at Northern Ireland Assembly and Welsh Senedd. During the debate, Mr Simpson said: This is not a cosy club, this is a Parliament. This is not a second-rate chamber to be used as a part-time hobby, this is a serious Parliament, and members should be fully focused on their work here. Double-jobbing should be consigned to history. He added: We have a certain MP to thank. The furore over said MPs ambitions forced him to back down, and if all that has helped Audrey Nicoll, who is a lovely lady, I am delighted about that. It is still unclear if MPs and peers will be barred from standing for Holyrood or forced them to give up their second job if elected. But Mr Hepburn revealed the SNP had already decided to stop its MPs standing. In a surprise move, the minister said: On Saturday just past, the National Executive Committee of my party took a decision to put in place, as part of its selection rules, a prohibition on anyone seeking to hold elected office to this place [while] simultaneously remaining elected to the House of Commons. Thats the position it took in the 2021 election. Its the one its taken for the forthcoming election. I support that position. The 2021 rule was widely seen as a ploy to stymie outspoken MP Joanna Cherry KC from standing for Holyrood at the expense of loyalist Angus Robertson in Edinburgh Central. The parliament approved the Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill by 111 votes to nil with no abstentions. The law also bans people from being MSPs if they are convicted of a sexual offence or subject to a sexual offence order. Mr Hepburn said: Since 1999 the Scottish Parliament has improved participation, extended voting rights, and enabled more people to stand for election and this legislation seeks to continue the evolution of our democracy. It will modernise Scottish elections and take important steps to safeguard our democracy for voters, candidates and administrators. Through positive cross-party working, we have agreed a robust set of improvements to the law, which will deliver real benefits to voters and prospective candidates. The relative of a dual national British-Russian opposition figure who stood up to Putin has reportedly been the victim of a 'poison attack'. Police in Germany said today that they were investigating a suspected poisoning attempt on a Russian-German woman, identified by the news magazine Der Spiegel as a close relative of Vladimir Kara-Murza. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the German Police said: 'We are currently investigating on suspicion of attempted murder.' The woman is currently hospitalised - according to a spokesperson from the force. Mr Kara-Murza has been one of Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critics and has spent years speaking out against the Russian government. He also lobbied Western leaders to impose sanctions on the country and individual Russians for purported human rights violations. The British national has allegedly been poisoned twice by Russian agents and was sentenced in 2023 for a quarter of a century by a Moscow court after it found him guilty of treason and other offences. The sentence was the harshest of its kind since Russia invaded Ukraine, and was swiftly condemned by the then-Tory government who called it 'politically motivated' and called for his immediate release. In September this year, he was released from a Siberian camp in a prisoner exchange and declared in his first major interview since returning to the UK that Putin's downfall 'inevitable'. Police said today that they were investigating a suspected poisoning attempt on a Russian-German woman, identified by the news magazine Der Spiegel as a close relative of Vladimir Kara-Murza (pictured) Mr Kara-Murza has been one of Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critics and has spent years speaking out against the Russian government Mr Kara-Murza at an anti-Putin rally in Berlin last month. In September this year, he was released from a Siberian camp in a prisoner exchange and declared in his first major interview since returning to the UK that Putin's downfall 'inevitable' Mr Kara-Murza was freed along with 15 others including Western journalists and other Russian dissidents on August 1 in the most extensive prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War. Speaking at the time of his release, he said that Putin will ultimately lose his grip on power and will be replaced by people 'from the younger generation' who he believes will build a democratic Russia. 'Even if Vladimir Putin kills all of us, the current leaders of the opposition, others will come in our place from the younger generation... They will come and take our place to find a democratic Russia, even when none of us are there.' Speaking to the Independent, Mr Kara-Murza's message was clear - there will be a future in which Russia becomes a democracy. But he also insisted that Western governments must develop a robust strategy to engage with a post-Putin Russia, warning that without such a plan, Ukraine and the rest of Europe would remain under threat. 'None of us knows when or precisely in what circumstances the next political change will come in Russia, but it will, because nothing is forever. It might be in three years; it might be in two months. But it will come.' Mr Kara-Murza at Moscow City Court. The British national was sentenced to 25 years behind bars before he was released in the most extensive prisoner swap with Russia since the Cold War Mr Kara-Murza has allegedly been poisoned twice by Russian agents 'We cannot base long-term political strategy on emotion,' he said. 'It has to be rational... based on what we want to happen, what we want to see, what we want Europe to look like 10 years down the line.' The dissident went on to draw parallels between the sudden collapse of the Romanov empire in 1917 and the Soviet regime in 1991, suggesting that Putin's fall could come just as abruptly and that the West must be ready for it. Besides his interview with the Independent, Mr Kara-Murza also attended a press conference in Westminster where he declared he hoped that Russia's President lives a long life - so he can be brought to justice for his crimes. The bodies of Brits and Americans have been unearthed in Assad's mass graves as Syrian rebels claim they dug up at least 100,000 corpses at a single site. It comes as the head of a US-based Syrian organisation said on Monday one of the pits - a site at al Qutayfah, 25 miles north of the capital - contained shocking numbers of the dead at a 'conservative estimate'. A state-run 'machinery of death' are words that have been used to describe the regime of Bashar al-Assad with tens of thousands estimated as having been murdered or tortured since 2013. Since civil war begin in 2011, an estimated 470,000 - 610,000 people have lost their lives. But the deposing of Assad has fostered hopes of a 'new Syria' where 'everyone lives in peace and justice prevails'. Speaking after visiting two mass grave sites in the towns of Qutayfah and Najha near Damascus, former U.S. war crimes ambassador at large Stephen Rapp said: 'We certainly have more than 100,000 people that were disappeared into and tortured to death in this machine. 'I don't have much doubt about those kinds of numbers given what we've seen in these mass graves.' 'When you talk about this kind of organised killing by the state and its organs, we really haven't seen anything quite like this since the Nazis', said Rapp, who led prosecutions at the Rwanda and Sierra Leone war crimes tribunals. A satellite image shows, what a war crimes prosecutor calls a mass grave site in Najha, Syria February 21, 2013 A drone view shows the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad Bones are seen at the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad 'From the secret police who disappeared people from their streets and homes, to the jailers and interrogators who starved and tortured them to death, to the truck drivers and bulldozer drivers who hid their bodies, thousands of people were working in this system of killing', he added. Head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force, Mouaz Moustafa, said the site at al Qutayfah contained one hundred thousand bodies as 'the most conservative estimate'. He added: 'It's a very, very extremely almost unfairly conservative estimate.' Moustafa said he was sure there were more mass graves than the five sites, and that along with Syrians victims included U.S. and British citizens and other foreigners. The task force boss had arrived in Syria after Assad flew to Russia and his government collapsed in the face of a lightning offensive by rebels that ended his family's more than 50 years of rule. He said the intelligence branch of the Syrian air force was 'in charge of bodies going from military hospitals, where bodies were collected after they'd been tortured to death, to different intelligence branches, and then they would be sent to a mass grave location'. Moustafa also reported corpses were transported to sites by the Damascus municipal funeral office whose personnel helped unload them from refrigerated tractor-trailers. He added: 'We were able to talk to the people who worked on these mass graves that had on their own escaped Syria or that we helped to escape.' Stephen Rapp, head of Commission for International Justice and Accountability, talks with media as people inspect the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad People inspect the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad A drone view shows the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad Syrians investigating allegations of secret compartments in Syria's Sednaya Prison, the notorious center of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, continue excavations to find a trace of their relatives in Damascus, Syria on December 17, 2024 Fighters of the ruling Syrian body inspect the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad Fighters of the ruling Syrian body walk at the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad People inspect the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad A man rides a bike next to an armoured vehicle near the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad A fighter of the ruling Syrian body walks, as people inspect the site of a mass grave from the rule of Syria's Bashar al-Assad His group has spoken to bulldozer drivers compelled to dig graves and 'many times on orders, squished the bodies down to fit them in and then cover them with dirt'. Moustafa expressed concern that graves sites were unsecured and said they needed to be preserved to safeguard evidence for investigations. Syrian residents living near a former military base where one of the sites was located and a cemetery used to hide bodies from detention sites described seeing a steady stream of refrigeration trucks delivering bodies which were dumped into long trenches dug with bulldozers. In Qutayfah, people declined to speak on camera or use their names for fear of the retribution, saying they were not yet sure the area was safe after Assad's fall. 'This is the place of horrors,' one said on Tuesday. Inside a site enclosed with cement walls, three children played near a Russian-made military satellite vehicle. The soil was flat and levelled, with straight long marks where the bodies were buried. Satellite imagery showed large-scale digging began at the location between 2012 and 2014 and continued up until 2022. Multiple satellite images taken by Maxar during that time showed a digger and large trenches visible at the site, along with three or four large trucks. Omar Hujeirati, a former anti-Assad protest leader who lives near the Najha cemetery, said he suspected several of his missing family members may be in the grave. The head of a US-based Syrian organisation said on Monday one of the pits - a site at al Qutayfah, 25 miles north of the capital - contained shocking numbers of dead at a 'conservative estimate' Since civil war begin in 2011, an estimated 470,000 - 610,000 people have lost their lives Those responsible 'must be held accountable in a clear judicial process or people would take matters into their own hands' The bodies of Brits and Americans have been unearthed in Assad's mass graves as Syrian rebels claim they dug up at least 100,000 corpses at a single site He believes at least some of those taken, including two sons and four brothers, were detained for protesting against Assad's government. 'That was my sin, what made them take my family,' he said, a long, exposed trench behind him where the bodies were apparently buried. He said those responsible must be held accountable in a clear judicial process or people would take matters into their own hands. 'We want our rights, according to Syrian law, and not by some behind-the-scenes process. These massacres and slaughterhouses of death are unacceptable to anyone with humanity,' he said. 'We want reputable organizations to come so this isn't covered up.' Sam Armytage has slammed the energy problem facing Australia, after thousands lost power in heatwave outages across the country this week. The summer fill-in host of Channel Nine's Today Show made the comments on Wednesday morning during a discussion about nuclear power. Armytage called attention to the fact that Aussies were being discouraged from using electricity during severe heat. 'I think yesterday there was a warning to people in western Sydney if you want to use your electricity today in a heatwave, you know, is that becoming a choice now? 'Do you use your electricity or not? I mean, we're a modern country. 'We can't be living like that, surely? With all the resources we have here.' Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan said earlier in the discussion that Australians should decide on nuclear at the polls. He was reacting to Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie's declaration that the state's voters did not support Peter Dutton's nuclear power plan. Sam Armytage called attention to the fact that Aussies were being discouraged from using electricity during severe heat 'The Queensland people weren't given the choice on nuclear energy at the last election because both the LNP and Labor opposed nuclear energy,' Mr Canavan said. 'The Queensland people and the Australian people should decide this issue, and they will have the opportunity to decide that at the next election - it will be on the ballot effectively. 'If you want reliable and cheaper energy, nuclear energy's the way to go - that's what all the figures show, that's why 30 countries around the world are building nuclear power stations.' But Nine political correspondent Heidi Murphy said she didn't see any of the states getting behind it. 'I know here in Victoria it's an absolute no from Labor who'll be in power for at least another two years,' Ms Murphy said. 'And the local Coalition isn't jumping on board either. So if, if no state supports it, I don't know how it ends up being achievable. 'I think Australians are open to the idea of hearing something cheaper and cleaner. They can be convinced on it. I think closing the door entirely to the debate is the wrong step to take. 'We want lower power bills and we want reliable power. Those should be the two starting points for any conversation.' High-profile businessman Dick Smith told Daily Mail Australia that losing power during hot weather was 'the new normal' for Aussies On Tuesday afternoon, while NSW sweltered under a heatwave, there were more than 6,600 homes and businesses without power due to outages in the state. In some of the affected areas the temperature hit 37C. And on Monday evening, 10,000 homes in Victoria also lost power in an outage that Victoria Minister for Energy Lily D'Ambrosio attributed to 'extreme heat and high winds'. High-profile businessman Dick Smith told Daily Mail Australia that power outages during hot weather have become 'the new normal' for Australians. 'That's why I'm a strong supporter of nuclear. What's happening now is going to get worse and worse,' Mr Smith said. 'Seventy years ago when I was a young child we did have regular blackouts. You'd come home and the power would be out for an hour or two. 'Then we had the most incredible reliability because of the base load coal. 'Now we're relying too much on renewables without storage. Unfortunately to have adequate (battery) storage would make the electricity too expensive.' Mr Smith said he was 'positive' about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's announcement on Friday about the costings of his nuclear plan. 'I have absolutely no doubt we'll have to move to nuclear. The longer we wait the worse our grandchildren will have it, because they'll be dealing with climate change.' Congressman Mike McCaul revealed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's stilettos were likely to blame for her fall in Europe which resulted in hip replacement surgery. The Texas lawmaker was with the 84-year-old California Democrat during the European trip when she took a nasty tumble. 'I was right next to her. She likes to wear high heels, very high,' McCaul recalled. 'She was on one of her last steps on this marble staircase. It didn't have a railing, and she lost her footing and fell to the ground,' he said. McCaul recounted how he helped pick her up right after the fall, and they took a picture together. 'You could see me holding her up by her hand, and then very soon thereafter a vehicle showed up, and she was taken to the hospital,' he said. Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas) noted former Speaker Pelosi was wearing 'very high' heels when she took a tumble last Friday in Europe. He said despite surgery, the 84-year-old is 'doing well' An image shared by the U.S. embassy in Luxembourg showed the bipartisan congressional delegation on the steps. 84-year-old Pelosi was at the end of the front row holding McCaul's hand in what appeared to be a death grip. In the image, she had on a pair of sky-high heels similar to ones she is famous for wearing as she makes her way through the U.S. Capitol in Washington on a regular basis. Pelosi's spokesperson released a statement over the weekend that she had a successful hip replacement surgery and thanked the medical professionals in both Germany and Luxembourg. McCaul noted that Pelosi is 'doing well' and wished her a speedy recovery. Rep. McCaul said Tuesday he has spoken with Pelosi who is recovering in Germany by phone, and she is in 'good spirits' The group of lawmakers met with the Grand Duke on Friday before Pelosi was rushed to the hospital. She is seen here gripping the hand of Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas Pelosi and other lawmakers was in Luxembourg with a bipartisan congressional delegation to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge when she fell on Friday. She was treated at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg before being transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center at the U.S.'s Landstuhl Army Base in Germany where she underwent surgery. McCaul said he spoke with her on the phone and she 'had a lot of energy.' He described her as 'very spunky' and said she wants to 'get out of there.' It is not yet clear when Pelosi will be able to travel back to the U.S. from Germany. 'Overall she's in good spirits, and there's no more health danger to her other than, you know, a hip replacement,' McCaul said. As the image of Pelosi standing in heels after her fall gained attention online, her spokesperson weighed in on X. 'In every way, shes the strongest person I know. The best to ever do it,' Ian Krager wrote in a post. Her spokesperson Ian Krager has since described Pelosi as being 'well on the mend' following the procedure in Germany 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 had to cancel the rest of her engagements on the congressional delegation trip due to the fall. 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. Although she stepped down from an official Democratic leadership position in 2022, she still holds much power. Pelosi has for years been seen strolling through the halls of Congress and taking questions while wearing remarkably high heels. Pelosi walking out to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August Pelosi's four inch heels she wore while filibustering on the House floor for eight hours in 2018 Pelosi shaking hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in war-torn Ukraine in 2022 In 2018 at the age of 77-years-old, Pelosi stood on the floor of the House in four inch heels for a record-setting eight hours as minority leader as she filibustered in defense of so-called Dreamers. She even had on sizable heels when she made her way to war-torn Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv in March 2022. Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism for the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, 26, had already been charged with murder for the December 4 slaying, but the indictment could help move along procedural steps toward extraditing the suspect. Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is 'intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping.' Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare - the United States' biggest medical insurer - was holding an investor conference. 'This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation,' Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday. 'It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day.' Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted. Hours after his arrest in Pennsylvania last week, the Manhattan district attorneys office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism for the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare was holding an investor conference He allegedly toyed with the idea of using a bomb to kill Thompson - but he decided against the prospect because it 'could kill innocents,' and determined a shooting would be more targeted Mangione has taken on powerful New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him as he faces charges over Thompson's death. Some legal experts have suggested Mangione avoid arguing over his guilty and focus on getting himself a lesser sentence by claiming extreme emotional disturbance. 'There is no likely path to him walking out a free man,' said Manhattan defense lawyer Ronald Kuby told The Wall Street Journal. 'The best he could hope for is mitigation of the crime and punishment.' 'Usually the defendants entire history, their grievances, their pain, their sufferings, that all comes before the jury.' Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the US health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press week said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies 'parasitic' and complained about corporate greed. On Wednesday, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police have matched a gun found on Mangione with the shell casings recovered at the scene and his fingerprints with a water bottle and energy bar wrapper found nearby. Other evidence includes handwritten documents found in his possession casting his alleged crime as a legitimate response to what he viewed as corporate greed, some media outlets have reported. Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system Mangione lashed out himself on Tuesday as he was led into a courthouse, shouting in part, '...completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people!' The former Ivy League student had been apprehended with a 3D-printed pistol and black silencer, as well as a manifesto condemning the American healthcare system. Mangione also had a spiral notebook in which he wrote a 'to-do list,' ahead of the grizzly shooting, CNN reported. In it, he allegedly toyed with the idea of using a bomb to kill Thompson - but he decided against the prospect because it 'could kill innocents,' and determined a shooting would be more targeted. Police have launched an urgent hunt for a young woman and a child from South Wales who have not been seen since last Thursday. Chloe Rice, 20, and a young girl named Zara from Swansea, were last seen five days ago at an address in the Townhill area of the city. South Wales Police have not released many further details but said 'there is concern for their welfare'. In a statement, they said: 'Chloe Rice, 20, and Zara from Swansea have been reported missing and there is concern for their welfare. 'Chloe and Zara were last seen leaving their address in Townhill on Thursday, 12 December. 'If you have seen Chloe or Zara, please contact 101 quoting reference 2400416230 or 2400416231.' Police have launched a hunt for Chloe Rice, 20, who has been missing since last Thursday In the wake of the explosive Netflix documentary about the decades-old case, JonBenet Ramsey's father John has received a letter from a woman claiming her ex-husband is his daughter's killer. John Ramsey said he immediately followed up on the tip, but is yet to hear back from the mystery sender, he told the Daily Mail. 'Based on all this publicity, recently I got a letter from a lady saying, 'My ex-husband's the killer, and I've kept this inside for as long as I can please, please call me,' said Ramsey on Tuesday, nine days before the 28th anniversary of the killing. 'We reached out to her, but she didn't answer the phone, so I don't know. We've shared at this point with a private investigator.' Six-year-old JonBenet, whose beauty pageant photos would become almost instantly recognizable internationally, was found brutally beaten and sexually assaulted on December 26, 1996 in the basement of her family's sprawling home in tony Boulder, Colorado. Ramsey's late wife, Patsy, had called 911 that morning to report finding a ransom note and her daughter missing; police responded quickly but the child's body wasn't found until hours later during a search led by John himself. Suspicion quickly focused on the family, which soon established a strained relationship with Boulder Police Department. A Netflix documentary released last month, Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, addresses how misinformation about the case was spread widely by law enforcement and the media. Six-year-old JonBenet, whose beauty pageant photos would become almost instantly recognizable internationally, was found brutally beaten and sexually assaulted on December 26, 1996 JonBenet's father John (above with her mother, Patsy, who died in 2006), said he received the letter after the Netflix documentary aired John Ramsey has for years been demanding answers from the Boulder Police Department, pushing in particular for the use of advanced DNA techniques and genealogical databases. He is encouraged by the success in other cold cases, such as the 2018 unmasking of the Golden State Killer. John, his late wife Patsy who died in 2006 at the age of 49 and their son, Burke, who was nine years old and home at the time of the killing, were largely convicted in the court of public opinion, despite the Boulder DA officially clearing them and apologizing in 2008. Ramsey told DailyMail.com that any hope of new leads was welcome after almost 30 years of battling misconceptions and trying to prove his family's innocence. Solving the case, he said, is 'not going to change my life at this point I just turned 81 but it'll change my children's lives, my grandchildren's lives. 'They need to have this cloud removed, clarified, and an answer. That's why we're pushing so hard to get an answer.' Despite the possibility of a new suspect raised by the ex-wife's recent letter, Ramsey said, he remains skeptical as his hopes have been dashed in the past. One man, featured prominently in the Netflix docuseries, seemed more than a slam dunk as a culprit when he confessed in lengthy phone conversations to a university professor. John Mark Karr was even extradited from Thailand to Colorado but DNA ultimately did not match and his family insisted he'd been in Georgia when JonBenet was murdered. Other false confessions have cropped up over the years, as well, including in the early days after the murder when a man claiming he'd been hired to kill JonBenet called the Ramseys' pastor to confess and later had discussions with John, too. This man, who gave the alias 'David Cooper,' first called the Ramseys' pastor and 'said he was JonBenet's killer and wanted to turn himself in but wanted to talk to me first,' Ramsey told DailyMail.com. JonBenet's body was found in the basement of the family home in Boulder, Colorado The explosive new Netflix documentary paints a picture of unpursued leads and police misconduct 'I called him and talked to him for a while and I was asking him questions,' he said. 'I was looking for information that maybe he had that nobody else would have [from] reading the newspapers or watching television. He said the man seemed to mention items from the house that 'were not in the news that I know of' so he thought the caller might be credible. He informed police, who instead of investigating or reaching out 'were not interested in following up at all: Well, he wants to turn himself in? We'll be here. Great.' When he had another phone conversation with the self-confessed killer, however, 'he said, 'Well, I want to bring my family with me, and it's going to cost me $3,000 for airline tickets,and I don't have any money. Can you send me the money?' 'And I was going to do it, because I figured, Well, who knows, it's worth a shot,' Ramsey said. And I mentioned it before I did; I told our attorneys what was going on. They said, 'Oh no, wait, hold on do not send him money. This doesn't smell right.' 'And so I didn't, and our investigators came back [and said], 'Well, he's a truck driver out of Louisiana, and he's just trying to scam you out of some money. Forget it.' 'So that's where it ended.' Ramsey has been highly visible throughout the intervening decades and says that media-friendly tactic has been 'to keep pressure on police, like, Hey, we're not going away. You've got to get your act together and do what you can do, what it's possible to do, or we're going to keep pounding on you.' There has been significant department turnover since JonBenet's murder; including several different police chiefs, with Chief Stephen Redfearn permanently taking up the position in September after serving as interim chief since January. One of the original JonBenet lead detectives, who went on to head the Investigations Unit before getting disciplined and reassigned to patrol in 2022, also retired earlier this year, Ramsey noted. John Ramsey, now 81, says solving the case won't 'change his life' but he is hopeful for a solution after all these years The mystery of JonBenet's death continues to haunt the town where she died Coupling that with advancements in DNA testing and the resurge of interest in the case, Ramsey said he did remain hopeful that the case could be solved and he felt a new type of energy injected into the effort by the Netflix docuseries, which remained in the platform's top 10 most viewed programs for weeks after its premiere. 'Bureaucrats, politicians, are impacted by public pressure bigtime, and we sense that that's happening,' he said. Boulder Police Department released its annual update into the JonBenet investigation one month early 'due to the increased attention on this investigation.' 'The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,' BPD Chief Steve Redfearn said in a statement the department posted on X in November. 'We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved.' Insisting the case would 'always be a priority,' it continued: 'The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing to include DNA testing is completely false.' Buckingham Palace is still unable to confirm whether Prince Andrew will turn up for the King's pre-Christmas lunch on Thursday. Awkwardly, the names of the Duke of York and his ex-wife, Sarah, remain on the guest list of the festive party for around 70 members of the extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, the Mail understands. It's claimed Andrew has insisted he has every right to attend. He is said to have told friends 'he should be there', and that as it's a family occasion, 'why shouldn't he go?' Royal aides couldn't hide their relief on Monday after it was revealed the Duke had decided to 'do the decent thing' and spare his brother's blushes by pulling out of the official festive celebrations and the walk to church at Sandringham next week amid the furore over his association with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo. However, each year the monarch also invites his large extended family aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, husbands and wives who don't make the cut to Sandringham, to meet up for a big festive meal in London. Sources said today they still have 'no idea' whether the beleaguered royal will show up and may not even be sure until they see who pulls up at the gates. In the meantime, senior royal aides are optimistically operating on the 'working assumption' the Duke will 'see sense' again and decide to 'keep his head down'. They feel his presence at 'monarchy HQ' would send a 'conflicting and confusing message', having taken what was described as 'the gentlemanly option' over Sandringham. Prince Andrew (pictured, right) with Yang Tengbo (pictured, left) who befriended the Duke of York Buckingham Palace is still unable to confirm whether Prince Andrew will turn up for the King's pre-Christmas lunch on Thursday The Duke of York attending the Christmas Day morning church service at Sandringham in 2022. Royal aides couldn't hide their relief on Monday after it was revealed the Duke had decided to 'do the decent thing' and spare his brother's blushes by pulling out of the walk The lunch is private, but guests are usually photographed going in and out of the palace gates. Andrew could try to sneak in undetected but sources have told the Mail he should either come through the front door or not at all 'preferably the latter'. Privately, there are grave concerns about the depth of Andrew's involvement with Yang who, it has emerged, referred to himself as the 'special envoy of Prince Andrew' and was appointed by the royal as head of his Pitch@Palace China, a Dragons' Den-style initiative from which the Duke took a cut. Andrew insists he has done nothing wrong, despite a judge raising questions about how the alleged spy could have become such a 'close confidante'. It follows on from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and concerns over the Duke's role as an official UK 'trade ambassador'. But the most damning revelation of recent days was the emergence of correspondence in 2021 from his 'senior advisor', Dominic Hampshire, found by security services on Yang's phone. Hampshire emphasised the 'strength' of the relationship with the Duke and his family, adding: 'Outside of his closest internal confidants, you sit at the very top of a tree many, many people would like to be on.' Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson at Ascot in 2019. Awkwardly, the names of the Duke of York and Sarah remain on the guest list of the festive party for around 70 members of the extended Royal Family at Buckingham Palace More worryingly for palace officials, Hampshire wrote that after a meeting with Andrew, they had 'wisely navigated our way around former private secretaries and we have found a way to carefully remove those people who we don't completely trust. Under your guidance, we found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor' a reference to Royal Lodge, Andrew's Berkshire home. There is no clue who these individuals are or why they would be so keen to circumvent security to smuggle people into his home. Investigations continue into what access Yang had when he visited royal residences several times on Andrew's invitation. For centuries, the world of high jewellery has been intertwined with royalty, with specific ateliers serving as the official suppliers to kings, queens and noble families. Garrard, for instance, served as the Crown Jeweller for many years and famously created Queen Marys Fringe Tiara, which has been worn by five generations of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth on her wedding day and, more recently, Princess Beatrice. Other esteemed brands, such as Kiki McDonough and Cartier, are chosen personally by individual royals. Both Princess Diana and Meghan Markle have shown particular loyalty to the latter, reflecting their refined tastes. Whether crafting coronation crowns, wedding tiaras, or intricate heirlooms to mark life's major occasions, these jewellers bring exceptional skill, history and tradition to each creation. Below, we explore these iconic houses - and highlight a holiday splurge item for those ready to indulge this Christmas. Garrard Established in 1735 by master silversmith George Wicks, Garrard became the first official Crown Jeweller under Queen Victoria in 1843, holding this title until 2007. During its 164-year tenure, Garrard crafted iconic pieces for the monarchy, including the King's Imperial State Crown and Queen Mary's Crown, worn by Queen Camilla at her coronation. Though no longer the official Crown Jeweller, Garrard maintains a close bond with the Royal Family, with recent appearances of its designs on Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Among Garrard's notable royal creations is Queen Mary's fringe tiara, cherished by Queen Elizabeth II and worn at her wedding. It was most recently worn by Princess Beatrice One of Garrard's most famous pieces is Princess Diana's 12-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring Among Garrard's notable royal creations are the Lover's Knot Tiara, beloved by Diana now often worn by Kate, and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, cherished by Queen Elizabeth II. One of the most famous pieces, however, is Diana's 12-carat blue sapphire and diamond engagement ring. The choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring. Christmas splurge: Starlight shooting star earrings - 12,500 Garrard's 12,500 Starlight Shooting Star jacket earrings evoke the brilliance of the night sky Kiki McDonough Jewellery designer Kiki McDonough has built a celebrated career, winning the admiration of Princess Diana, Princess Kate and Queen Camilla. Known for her distinctive, colourful gemstones, McDonough's brand has become synonymous with luxury, wearability and classic British style. Her commitment to exquisite craftsmanship and responsibly sourced materials shines in every collection, embodying her family's long-standing dedication to the art of jewellery. As a fifth-generation jeweller and the first woman in her family to join the trade, McDonough has made her mark by emphasising bold, vibrant colour and designs that complement the modern lifestyle. Diana famously wore a pair of striking pearl and amethyst earrings by Kiki McDonough to meet then-First Lady Barbara Bush in 1985 Today, Kate holds a special fondness for Kiki McDonough, having showcased 21 pairs of earrings by the brand Diana famously wore a pair of striking pearl and amethyst earrings by Kiki McDonough to meet then-First Lady Barbara Bush in 1985. Today, Kate holds a special fondness for the detachable gemstone earrings, which allow wearers to customise each look by swapping out different stones. Each design, from vibrant fire opals to pink morganites, embodies a joyful, heirloom quality cherished by generations. Christmas splurge: Snowflake detachable earrings - 2,300 Two looks in one make Kiki McDonough's snowflake diamond detachable earrings, costing 2,300, a jewellery must-have Van Cleef & Arpels The legacy of Van Cleef & Arpels began in Paris in 1895, with the union of Estelle Arpels, daughter of a gem dealer, and Alfred Van Cleef, a lapidary's son. Sharing a passion for gems, they founded their Maison in 1906. Their daughter, Renee Puissant, brought innovation and vision to the brand as Artistic Director, defining the Maison's iconic style with her creative flair. Queen Camilla has long been an admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels, amassing a beautiful collection of pieces, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Among her most-loved is the Alhambra line, with its iconic lucky clover motif, which she is rarely seen without. Camilla has long been an admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels, amassing a beautiful collection of pieces, including earrings, necklaces and bracelets Kate has also worn pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels' Magic Alhambra collection Camilla's Alhambra bracelets and necklaces are part of her daily style, while on special occasions, she often chooses their exquisite earrings. Kate has also worn pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels' Magic Alhambra collection. Twice, she has chosen the Magic Alhambra mother-of-pearl earrings, paired with a matching necklace. Christmas splurge: Vintage Alhambra bracelet - 5,000 The Vintage Alhambra bracelet, available from Van Cleef & Arpels for 5,000, features beautiful carnelian stones Mappin & Webb Founded in 1775 as a silversmith business in Sheffield, Mappin & Webb quickly earned a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship, becoming a favourite among royalty, in particular French Queen Marie Antoinette. Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to commission Mappin & Webb, selecting the brand to craft her Golden Jubilee necklace in 1888, later designated as a Crown heirloom. By 1897, Mappin & Webb received its first British Royal Warrant, issued during Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, which marked the brand's expansion into London's Oxford Street. Since then, Mappin & Webb has held multiple royal warrants, including those from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III, reflecting its longstanding ties to the monarchy. In addition to its royal warrants, Mappin & Webb has served as an official jeweller to the British Army, creating commemorative items for formal ceremonies. Internationally, the company historically held warrants from both the Russian Empire and the Japanese Imperial Household. Since 2017, Mark Appleby, the company's head, has served as Crown Jeweller, responsible for maintaining the Crown Jewels. One of Mappin & Webb's notable creations is the orchid brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth II during the first Irish state visit to Britain in 2014. One of Mappin & Webb's notable creations is the orchid brooch worn by Queen Elizabeth II during the first Irish state visit to Britain in 2014 Kate owns Mappin & Webb's Empress necklace and earring set, pieces she has worn on several special occasions This delicate brooch features hand-cut Waterford Crystal orchids with rose gold stamens and 66 diamonds, a collaboration between Mappin & Webb and Waterford Crystal. Created to honour the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, the brooch symbolically unites British and Irish craftsmanship. Kate, meanwhile, owns Mappin & Webb's Empress necklace and earring set, pieces she has worn on several special occasions. Mappin & Webb's history of royal commissions underscores its commitment to quality, with a legacy that includes everything from elegant jewellery to prestigious ceremonial pieces. Christmas splurge: Renee ribbon bangle - 5,500 The 5,500 Renee bangle by Mappin & Webb showcases round brilliant and baguette diamonds that loop around one another to create a ribbon silhouette Boodles Boodles, a distinguished British fine jewellery brand, has a heritage unlike any other. Founded in Liverpool, it has been family-owned and operated for over 200 years, spanning six generations. The brand's story intertwines with the lives and aspirations of the Wainwright family, whose enduring passion and resilience helped transform a local business into an internationally recognised name. The journey began in 1798 when the Kirk family established a jewellery business, later acquiring Boodle and Dunthorne. Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, twin daughters of Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, are brand ambassadors for Boodles Henry Wainwright, originally trained as a watchmaker under his uncle in Leicester, moved to Liverpool and managed Kirk & Co, a prestigious jeweller known for Admiralty chronometers and pieces crafted for nobility. In 1898, Henry took over the Liverpool branch, which became H. Wainwright & Sons, with his sons. In 1910, his sons, Herbert and Harold, purchased Boodle and Dunthorne, revitalising the business. Boodles continued to grow, opening its current headquarters on Liverpool's Lord Street in 1921. The brand expanded under Anthony Wainwright, with new locations in Chester and Manchester, opening its first Bond Street store in 2007. In 2023, Boodles was awarded British Luxury Brand of the Year at the Walpole British Luxury Awards. That same year, Lady Amelia and Lady Eliza Spencer, twin daughters of Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood, were announced as brand ambassadors. Christmas splurge: A Family Journey Geneva aquamarine necklace - 260,000 The exquisite Geneva necklace is set with pear, marquise and oval cut aquamarines and diamonds in platinum, earning it a hefty price tag of 260,000 Tiffany & Co Founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, Tiffany & Co quickly became a premier name in luxury jewellery. Tiffany introduced major gemstones to the United States, earning the brand the title 'The Diamond Kings.' This legacy continued with the debut of the Tiffany Setting engagement ring in 1886, solidifying its reputation. Since the mid-19th century, the Tiffany Blue Box has been an iconic symbol of elegance and exclusivity. The brand is defined by the work of just three renowned designers: Elsa Peretti, Jean Schlumberger and Paloma Picasso. Their creative brilliance has shaped Tiffany's timeless and celebrated designs, carefully curated to maintain its prestige in fine jewellery. At Wimbledon in 1994, Diana was photographed wearing 18-carat gold woven earrings and a matching bracelet from Tiffany & Co Kate owns a handful of pieces from Elsa Peretti's collection for Tiffany & Co, including a dainty pair of earrings Tiffany's relationship with the British Royal Family is notable. Kate owns pieces from Elsa Peretti's collection, while Princess Diana famously wore Tiffany's Signature Series. At Wimbledon in 1994, Diana was photographed wearing a pair of lavish 18-carat gold woven earrings and matching five-row bracelet. These pieces were displayed in 2022 at the Vision and Curiosity exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, which celebrated Tiffany's 150-year presence in London and included a tribute to its history with nine stores across the city. Christmas splurge: Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany sixteen stone ring - 9,500 Imagined by Jean Schlumberger in 1959, the Tiffany & Co cross-stitch motif was inspired by his family's roots in textiles. This sparkling ring is priced at 9,500 Cartier In 1847, Louis-Francois Cartier took over his mentor Adolphe Picard's workshop in Paris, marking the foundation of Maison Cartier. Cartier's entry into elite society began when Princess Mathilde, cousin to Emperor Napoleon III, acquired a Cartier piece in 1856, raising the brand's profile in Paris and across the globe. Louis Cartier, the founder's grandson, later joined and played a pivotal role in transforming the brand. Under his guidance, Cartier received its first royal warrant from King Edward VII, soon becoming the official jeweller to various royal courts, including those of Spain, Siam and Russia. In 1909, Louis' brother, Pierre, expanded Cartier's influence by opening a London boutique coinciding with Edward VII's coronation. And Cartier's relationship with royalty endures to this day. Meghan wearing her Cartier Juste un Clou necklace, which is priced at 12,800 Diana wore her Cartier Francaise Tank watch several times throughout the 1990s. Meghan has worn the same watch countless times since marrying Prince Harry Kate wore the historic Cartier Halo Tiara at her wedding to Prince William in 2011 Meghan is known for her Cartier Love bracelet, which launched in 1969, and her Cartier Juste un Clou necklace. She also treasures Princess Diana's Tank Francaise watch, a gift from Prince Harry. Meanwhile, Kate wore the historic Cartier Halo Tiara at her wedding, as well as the Ballon Bleu watch in the years that followed. Queen Elizabeth II's extensive jewellery collection included a variety of Cartier brooches, further underscoring the French firm's role in royal fashion. Christmas splurge: Diamond Love bracelet - 17,500 Cartier's iconic diamond Love bracelet, available for 17,500, is set with 10 brilliant-cut diamonds Libelula Camilla Austad Knutsen, the jewellery designer behind the brand Libelula, creates sophisticated yet understated pieces that resonate with those who value timeless style, including Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Austad Knutsen's designs are all about elegance and quality, aiming to capture the natural beauty of the world around her. 'In my jewellery, I aim for beautiful timeless design and use the finest stones available. I'd rather wait months for the perfect green agate than use an inferior one that I can have immediately,' she told Hello! Camilla Austad Knutsen, the designer behind the brand Libelula, creates jewellery for Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit (pictured) Her focus is on nature, which inspired the name of her brand Libelula, the Spanish word for dragonfly. She values sustainability and strives to ensure that every design is made with care for the planet, steering clear of mass production. Based in Oslo, with a second home in Andalucia, she found skilled goldsmiths in Spain in 2012 and started her journey as a designer in 2013. Today, she collaborates closely with them to bring her nature-inspired designs to life. Her creations are made from 14 and 18-carat gold, with diamonds certified by the GIA scale, ensuring top-notch quality in every piece. Christmas splurge: Love ring - 2,082 Even Harry and Meghan's most ardent fans are abandoning them. The formerly pro-Sussex publication The Cut part of the ultra-woke New York magazine ran a savage little piece last week. Column inches, it seems, rank among many things the Sussexes lost in 2024. In just three paragraphs, writer Danielle Cohen eviscerates the pair and their new Netflix docuseries, 'Polo'. Calling the couple's attempts to generate a hit 'tortured', Cohen cited the litany of bad reviews 'tedious', per The Telegraph; 'unintentionally hilarious', per The Guardian before going in on the Gruesome Twosome herself. 'Seems like this one is bound for the same fate as Markle's beleaguered jam company,' she wrote. 'Though the couple co-produced the show, it seems to have been more of Harry's pet project he's a longtime polo player and apparently "had a vision".' If this 'vision' was akin to reports of his aborted podcast idea interviewing the likes of Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about their daddy issues no wonder it's a flop. Meghan, of course, has remained delusional as ever, telling Town & Country last year that she and Harry 'have so many exciting things on the [Netflix] slate'. Sure. Who wouldn't believe someone whose podcast fizzled, whose animated series was axed, whose launch of the lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard has failed to achieve liftoff? Even Harry and Meghan's most ardent fans are abandoning them. The formerly pro-Sussex publication The Cut ran a savage little piece last week. In just three paragraphs, writer Danielle Cohen eviscerates the pair and their new Netflix docuseries, 'Polo'. 'Seems like this one is bound for the same fate as Markle's beleaguered jam company,' Cohen wrote. Here's the thing: America has moved into a new phase of this relationship. We no longer even rubberneck with these two. We have become utterly uninterested. And that's the death knell for Brand Sussex. Was it fun to hate-watch their first Netflix series, Meghan mocking her curtsy to the Queen, Harry looking on mortified, both of them bitching endlessly? Of course! Was dissecting 'Spare', with its humiliating revelations about Harry's frozen 'todger' and his mother's face cream as the ultimate salve, a guilty pleasure? You bet. However, just as the opposite of love isn't hate, but indifference, America has grown bored. We've heard and seen it all. We've become that guest at the party cornered by the griping dullard that nobody wants to talk to, looking haplessly about for a more sparkling conversationalist. Or at least a top-up on the Champagne. The same holds true, apparently, for H&M's overlords at Netflix. As my colleague Alison Boshoff reported this weekend, one source at the streaming giant says execs are 'exhausted' by the couple and Meghan in particular. 'It's so much work with her,' the insider said, 'and, bluntly, the "deliverable" does not seem to be worth it.' Another Hollywood executive warned that Meghan's forthcoming Netflix show about cooking, entertaining and friendship yes, who among us wouldn't take notes on the art of maintaining healthy relationships from Meghan Markle? better be a smash. 'Her show,' this source said, 'will have to be an enormous hit to turn around their deal' reportedly worth $100 million 'and their reputations in this town.' Ah, yes. Let's get to those reputations. Meghan signed, with great fanfare, to be repped by Hollywood powerbroker Ari Emanuel at WME in 2023. Now: Were Meghan or Harry at WME's glittery Emmy party in September? No. Did Emanuel despite his significant pull to kill or at least soften stories about his clients manage to stop that month's savage Hollywood Reporter article? You know, the one headlined 'Why Hollywood Keeps Quitting on Harry and Meghan' that described the duchess as 'relentless'? No, he did not. That same publication, by the way, reported in June that Harry's 'Heart of Invictus' docuseries was according to Netflix data one of the streamer's biggest bombs of 2023, capturing just 300,000 eyeballs. 'Went by without notice', the report said. So much of what the Sussexes do these days goes by without notice. And why not? Now that their information supply has been choked off by the Palace, these two can no longer provide the only content America ever cared about: royal gossip. To so many of us, they have been revealed as profoundly uninteresting people whose one-time circumstance proximity to the Crown was the only thing that made them compelling, let alone relevant. And so: no invitations, apparently, to White House state dinners for them. Nor, it seems, to the lavish, starry 70th birthday party that their neighbor and one-time interlocutor Oprah just threw for Gayle King. No offers, it seems, to host the Met gala, or jet off with Bezos in his spaceships, or even to have tea at Ellen's the latter having decamped from Montecito to, irony of ironies, the Cotswolds. Meghan was, however, invited to a friend's baby shower last week, alongside guests Blake Lively who's had her own bad year, PR-wise and Crystal Kung Minkoff, former cast member of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'. 'Real Housewives' increasingly feels like Meghan's lane, does it not? Though hers is a late-stage storyline, the same old conflicts now hashed and thrashed to bits, leaving viewers logging off and network execs questioning whether to renew for yet another season. Here's the thing: America has moved into a new phase of this relationship. We no longer even rubberneck with these two. We have become utterly uninterested. And that's the death knell for Brand Sussex. (Pictured: Royals together in Sandringham for Christmas in 2018). One wonders what the vibe is chez Sussex. The royal family, of course, are preparing for their annual Sandringham get together, with the Duke and Duchess of Despair once again left off the invite list. Kate Middleton, the most beloved and admired family member, ends the year having completed chemotherapy, triumphant at her annual 'Together at Christmas' carol service. Prince William just held a friendly pow-wow in Paris with our President-elect Trump, who raved about how 'really, very handsome' William is and mentioned that King Charles is 'fighting very hard' against his own cancer diagnosis. It seems Donald Trump may know more about the royals' health battles than Harry at this point. Meanwhile, long-time Sussex pal and hagiographer Omid Scobie who they still consort with, despite his epic blunder of leaking the so-called 'royal racists' by name unveiled the couple's 'Happy Holiday Season' card on Monday, featuring a new image of their children, fast growing up. Little Lilibet, already aged 3, has met her grandfather, the King, just once. You might think the Sussexes' top priority would be in forging, somehow, a relationship between the ailing King and his small grandchildren in America. Alas, there are jams to sell. A notorious Colorado apartment complex taken over by a Venezuelan gang is being held siege by migrants now using it as a torture hub. Tren de Aragua goons brutalized a couple at the Edge of Lowry complex in Aurora early Tuesday, police said, despite claims the besieged building had been cleaned-up. 'To see this re-unfold again...am I fired up, yeah I'm fired up,' Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlin told reporters Tuesday at a press conference. The city's top cop detailed how a man and woman who live in the troubled complex were held against their will and 'tortured' by 13 to 15 armed individuals. 'Victims were held against their will, they were actually bound, both the male and the female,' the chief explained. 'They were pistol whipped, they were beaten, they were terrorized. The fact that one human could treat another human like this is appalling.' While the pair was being held hostage, the attackers went to the unit where the victims live and stole items from them. Eventually the gangsters released the victims, who reported what happened to them to 911 just before 2 a.m. It is unclear if the pair were just targeted and tortured so the gangsters could steal from them and whether they were Colorado natives or innocent Venezuelan migrants. Aurora police raided the Edge of Lowry apartment after a couple was tortured by suspected Tren de Aragua thugs Tuesday morning Chief Chamberlin described the thugs as 13 to 15 armed migrants, including several women, and said they were probably Venezuelan. Chamberlin confirmed 15 individuals are in custody, but no one has been charged yet since the victims have yet to identify their attackers. The top cop says he can't be certain the attackers are TdA members - but multiple local officers rubbished that 'laughable' claim to DailyMail.com 'It could only be them,' one local cop told DailyMail.com. 'They run Edge of Lowry.' They added that even Aurora police officers are instructed not to respond to the property alone and must have backup, usually several other officers, before TdA is considered so dangerous. Edge of Lowry is one of three apartment complexes the vicious Venezuelan mafia took over in Aurora. The gang's exploits in suburban Denver came to light in August when footage from a doorbell camera shared by residents, fellow migrants, showed several armed migrants running up to a unit inside Edge of Lowry to threaten residents. As reporting by DailyMail.com revealed, the gang had control of the property by seizing empty apartment units and illegally renting them out to other migrants. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlin said the Edge of Lowry Apartments are 'infested' with criminal activity months after the department became aware Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had taken over the apartment complex and two other properties in Aurora A map showing three Colorado apartment complexes taken over by the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang The Edge at Lowry apartments was the second property taken over by the South American gang Tren de Aragua gang tattoos (pictured above) were part of a Department of Homeland Security bulletin that was recently shared with federal agents The empty units were also used as drug and prostitution dens were johns paid money for sex with women and most horrifically, children. They also threatened apartment office staff who tried to bring order and evict the gang bangers from empty units-- beating one man to a bloody pulp. 'This is a location that is infested,' Chamberlain added at Tuesday's press conference when asked about TdA's continued presence at Edge of Lowry apartments. Two other nearby apartments, Whispering Pines and Aspen Grove were also seized by the gang. Aspen Grove has been condemned by the city and is vacant now. City officials have maintained the city does not have a gang problem, but as Daily Mail reporting revealed, law enforcement believes the gang has spread beyond just the three apartment complexes in Aurora. Walt Disney's famous princesses might look perfect. But a new study suggests that many of them are quietly suffering from a range of unpleasant health conditions. Researchers from the University of Twente, in the Netherlands, analysed eight Disney princesses and found that, despite seeming to live 'happily ever after', all eight face serious real world health hazards. According to the team, Cinderella would suffer from lung disesase as a result of frequent dust exposure. Jasmine's time with her pet tiger, Rajah, meanwhile, leaves her at risk of zoonotic infection, as well as craniofacial and cervical spinal injuries. What's more, close contact with the Beast exposes Belle to several life-threatening infectious diseases - including brucellosis or rabies. 'Disney must consider interventions to overcome these health challenges,' the researchers, led by Sanne van Dijk, wrote in their study. 'Strategies to improve princesses' wellbeing could include mindfulness and psychotherapy, training on cohabitation with animals, and personal protection measures against infectious agents and toxic particles. Only then can Disney princesses start living healthily ever after.' Your browser does not support iframes. As a scullery maid for her wicked stepmother, Snow White's social interactions are extremely limited, which increases her risk of several health conditions Like Snow White, Jasmine is at risk of social isolation, having grown up within the walls of her palace in Agrabah Snow White As a scullery maid for her wicked stepmother, Snow White's social interactions are extremely limited, which increases her risk of several health conditions. 'An overview of systematic reviews finds a strong positive association between lack of social interaction and cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, and all cause mortality,' the researchers explained. Thankfully, Snow White's friendship with the Seven Dwarfs should help to protect her from the dangers of solitude. Jasmine Like Snow White, Jasmine is at risk of social isolation, having grown up within the walls of her palace in Agrabah. While she does have the company of her pet tiger, Rajah, this leaves her at risk of zoonotic infections, as well as injuries. 'Although Rajah seems like a sweet tiger, its natural instincts could lead to a dangerous and potentially fatal situation a true Arabian nightmare,' the researchers said. After her father's death, Cinderella is forced by her stepmother and two stepsisters to clean the house, putting her at risk of occupational lung disease (OLD) One of Pocahontas' signature moves is her cliff dive, which includes a whopping nine seconds of falling time The hidden health conditions of Disney princesses Snow White - heart disease, depression, anxiety Jasmine - Zoonotic infection Belle - Brucellosis or rabies Cinderella - Lung disease Pocahontas - Painful fractures Aurora - Muscle atrophy and bed sores Mulan - Mental ill health Rapunzel - Scalp pain, headaches, and permanent hair loss Advertisement Cinderella After her father's death, Cinderella is forced by her stepmother and two stepsisters to clean the house, putting her at risk of occupational lung disease (OLD). 'Researchers recommend several preventive measures to reduce dust exposure, such as using long broom handles, sprinkling water on dusty floors, and personal protective equipment, none of which are adopted in Cinderella's case,' the team explained. Things begin looking up for Cinderella once her fairy godmother appears. However, the massive quanitites of glitter she brings with her could wreak havoc on Cinderella's health. 'These microplastics' ability to penetrate human lung tissue contributes further to OLD development,' the team added. 'Rather than a prince, Cinderella needs ongoing respiratory therapy to live happily ever after.' Pocahontas One of Pocahontas' signature moves is her cliff dive, which includes a whopping nine seconds of falling time. After pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel's spindle, Aurora falls into an infinite sleep, which can only be ended with true love's kiss. This prolonged slumber comes with a number of health risks, according to the experts Throughout the film, Mulan repeatedly faces honour based violence through pressure from her family. Sadly, studies have shown that this leaves her at increased risk of mental ill health Based on this fall time, as well as Pocahontas' likely measurements, the researchers estimate that the cliff measures at least 250 metres high - almost five times the world record for a cliff dive. 'Studies on slamming dynamics of diving suggest that hand first dives from heights above merely 12m could already be critical for clavicular compressions,' the researchers cautioned. 'Hence, a repeat leap would show Pocahontas the monochromatic hues of her x rays instead of the Colours of the Wind, with a symphony of fractures rather than a harmonious tune with nature.' Sleeping Beauty (Aurora) After pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel's spindle, Aurora falls into an infinite sleep, which can only be ended with true love's kiss. This prolonged slumber comes with a number of health risks, according to the experts. 'Health hazards associated with oversleeping include cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes,' they said. 'Furthermore, systematic reviews have shown that prolonged bedrest is associated with increased risk of pressure ulcers and time dependent muscle atrophy.' According to the researchers, Belle's close contact with the Beast leaves her at risk of several infectious diseases, including brucellosis and rabies Rapunzel is known for her long hair, which she often uses as a rope. While her flowing locks certainly look eye-catching, they also increase her risk of several unpleasant conditions Mulan Throughout the film, Mulan repeatedly faces honour based violence through pressure from her family. Sadly, studies have shown that this leaves her at increased risk of mental ill health. 'Women facing honour based violence may experience increased levels of mental ill health such as in the form of anxiety from being forced into living a life they did not choose,' the researchers caution. Belle According to the researchers, Belle's close contact with the Beast puts her at risk of several infectious diseases, including brucellosis and rabies. However, things wouldn't have been much better if she had ended up with Gaston. 'Had Belle chosen the Beast's rival in love, Gaston a narcissist with an ego so inflated it is practically a third character it would probably have had a worse impact on her mental health,' the researchers said. 'Despite obvious risks the advice is: better the Beast you know.' Rapunzel Rapunzel is known for her long hair, which she often uses as a rope. While her flowing locks certainly look eye-catching, they also increase her risk of several unpleasant conditions. 'Through the use of her braid as an elevator cable, Rapunzel's hair follicles are likely to have been damaged from repetitive excessive pulling, a condition known as traction alopecia (TA),' the researchers said. 'In the long run TA can lead to permanent hair loss. 'A more common symptom, already present in early stage TA, is scalp pain. 'This can lead to headaches, and subsequently to a mood not even a fairytale princess can brush off.' Health warnings have been issued in three states due to 'foreign material' found in what was meant to be special purity food-grade salt. The recall was pushed by the company itself, Compass Minerals America Inc, but this month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a more serious Class II risk classification. The FDA's Class II determination, set last Friday, means the agency has determined that ingestion of the contaminated salt 'may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.' Roughly 148,000 pounds (67.08 metric tons) of contaminated salt was distributed in Maine, Indiana and Wisconsin, according to the FDA. Bulk discount grocery giant Costco, which carries many of the salt products and the Wonder Brands bread products including Country Harvest, D'Italiano, No Name and Great Value also posted a recall over the foreign metal contamination. 'If you have the affected product in your possession, do not consume it,' Costco warned. 'You may return the product to a Costco warehouse to obtain a full refund.' A Compass Minerals representative said the company 'sold the now-recalled products exclusively to business customers, all of whom have been notified.' Urgent 'ongoing' warnings have been issued in three states, Maine, Indiana and Wisconsin , due to 'foreign material' found in what was meant to be special purity food-grade salt CFIA authorities noted that an 'ongoing food safety investigation' is now actively tracing where else this tainted salt may have travelled along the food industry supply. CFIA amended the Sifto brand HyGrade Salt metal recall notification to 'include additional products,' officials noted, including 'Sifto Table Salt 1kg [2.2lbs].' And myriad lot codes were provided for both the direct-to-consumer salt and food industry bulk salt packages, including three-packs of 1kg [2.2.lb] Sifto Table Salt, lots 3241007, 3241008, 3241009 and 3241011. Consumers with concerns have been urged to visit FDA.gov , CFIA, Compass Minerals' website and/or Wonder Brand's site for further details. In their response to DailyMail.com, Compass Minerals spokesperson emphasized that 'no injuries have been reported' yet, due to the metal contamination. 'We have worked closely throughout the process with our BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety certifying body, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),' the company rep said via email. While the original recalls did not specify what 'non-organic, foreign material,' had been discovered in the company's bulk food salt, a later recall by the makers of Wonder Bread, which used the salt in their products (pictured), identified the contaminant as industrial metals Further investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) uncovered that smaller packages of food-grade salt used by average consumers - as opposed to food companies and restaurants - were also contaminated, which could likely impact US states as well 'Compass Minerals takes this matter very seriously, as safety and quality are top priorities for our company,' the spokesperson continued. The firm verified it had initiated the voluntary recall on November 9, 'after a [business] customer notified our company of metal fragments found in the food-grade salt it received.' Customers in Canada have also been warned about the salt, fitting a recent pattern of food recalls in which products like MadeGood granola bars and frozen waffles sold at Walmart and Target have been recalled in both nations simultaneously. Further investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) uncovered that smaller packages food-grade salt used by average consumers as opposed to food companies and restaurants were also contaminated, which may impact US states. While some of the original recalls did not specify what 'non-organic, foreign material,' had been discovered in the company's bulk food salt, a later recall by the makers of Wonder Bread, which used the salt, identified the contaminants as industrial metals. Metal contamination in fine-grain food additives have become a notable issue this year, industry-wide. This past August, cinnamon rose to become one of the most recalled food items in America after being found to contain toxic metals linked to cancer. That month, El Chilar, LLC, expanded its recall of 'Canela Molida' Ground Cinnamon after an investigation uncovered traces of lead, becoming the tenth cinnamon brand to be recalled for containing the toxic metal. Officials have warned there is no safe level of lead as it has been linked to behavioral issues, growth problems, and learning difficulties in children, hundreds of whom have been sickened by the compound in the past year. And in adults, health agencies, like the FDA and CDC, have classified this metal as a possible carcinogen, noting that there is no safe level of lead consumption. Short-term exposure to lead can result in symptoms that include headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and anemia. Long-term exposure may lead to additional symptoms, such as lethargy, weight loss, constipation and difficulty breathing. One in four properties in England will be at risk of flooding by 2050 thanks to climate change, a new report has warned. The Environment Agency (EA) found that England's flood risk is much higher than previously estimated, with 6.3 million properties currently under threat. The new data shows that 4.6 million homes and businesses are currently at risk of surface water flooding by rainfall. London is the most affected area, with more than 300,000 properties already at high risk of surface flooding. However, the EA has also included its first assessment to consider the warming climate. Worryingly, this indicates that a staggering eight million homes and businesses will be at risk of flooding in the next 25 years. The new report comes after Storm Daragh triggered devastating floods which led to widespread property damage and disruption, leaving five dead and thousands without power. Alison Dilworth, Friends of the Earth campaigner, says: 'This report is yet another stark warning about the growing threat the climate crisis poses to people, homes and communities across the country.' After Storm Darragh left thousands without power, the Environment Agency now warns that one in four homes could be at risk of flooding by 2050 The Environment Agency expects the risk of flooding to significantly increase around the country due to climate change. This map shows the percentage of properties in areas at high or medium risk of flooding from surface water The EA puts flood risks into three categories: flooding by sea, by rivers, and surface water flooding from undrained rainwater. Of these, surface water flooding currently puts the most properties at risk, defined by the EA as a one in 1,000 chance of flooding. The risk of surface flooding is considerably higher than the previous estimate from 2018 but this is largely due to better predictive methods rather than increasing risk. Yet, in a worrying discovery, the EA report found that more than 184,000 properties currently at risk would experience floodwaters of 30cm or more in the event of a flood. At this depth, flood waters can be powerful enough to move cars, leading to massive property damage and significant disruption. As the report notes, these risks will be significantly heightened as climate change leads to wetter winter months. Even though a warmer climate can make some regions drier, warmer air can hold a greater amount of water leading to more intense periods of heavy rainfall. Previous studies have shown that the intensity of stormy days in the UK increased 20 per cent on average between October 2023 and March 2024. There are currently more than 6 million properties in England at risk of flooding. This includes 2.4 million properties which are at risk of flooding by rivers or seas which lead to particularly deep floodwaters. Pictured: The River Severn breaks its banks in Bewdley, Worcestershire, following storm Darragh Rising sea levels will create a much greater risk of coastal flooding. A previous study showed that huge swathes of Britain's coastline are at risk of being plunged underwater by 2100. This map shows the areas where the current annual cost of flooding damage (left) is expected to increase over the next 80 years (right) How many properties in England are at risk of flooding? Today 2.4 million properties at risk of flooding by rivers and sea million properties at risk of flooding by rivers and sea 4.6 million properties at risk of flooding by surface water 2050 3.1 million properties at risk of flooding by rivers and sea 6.1 million properties at risk of flooding by surface water Advertisement Likewise, the EA's new analysis highlights the growing risk of flooding by rivers and the sea. The report estimates that 2.4 million properties are at risk of flooding by river or sea - a slight decrease from the 2.6 million estimated in 2018. However, the number of properties in the highest risk category, with a one in 30 chance of flooding in a given year, has increased by 88 per cent, partly due to better data and modelling. The report found that 367,900 homes and businesses are located in areas with a high or medium risk of flooding. Of those, more than half are concentrated in the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and South East. Worryingly, should these areas experience flooding, the EA predicts that 163,000 would see floodwaters at 30cm or higher. Just like the risk of surface water flooding, the number of properties threatened by the sea and rivers is expected to increase due to climate change. By mid-century, the EA estimates that 3.1 million homes and businesses will be at risk of flooding by sea or river. The Environment Agency now estimates that 3.1 million homes and businesses are at risk of flooding by sea or river by 2050. An earlier study suggests that this will inflict massive costs on the UK reaching into the billions of pounds The Environment Agency says that rising sea levels and more violent storms due to climate change mean that more than 100,000 homes will be at risk of being destroyed by coastal erosion before the end of the century. Pictured: Storm Darragh batters the coast of Cornwall By 2105, the EA estimates that up to 35 per cent of coastal properties in the East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber will be put at risk by coastal erosion Since 1990, the average sea level around the UK's coast has already risen by nearly 20cm. Recent studies suggest that flood damage is expected to increase by more than 25 per cent if action is not taken to counter climate change and rising sea levels. Parts of the southeast and northwest of England, south Wales and central Scotland are predicted to be the worst affected as existing flood defences are overwhelmed. Likewise, rising sea levels and more violent storms will have a knock-on effect on coastal erosion - putting yet more homes in danger. The EA's analysis includes the first national assessment of coastal erosion risks since 2017. This found that the number of homes in danger of being lost to the sea will increase to 3,500 by 2050, more than doubling to reach 10,100 by the end of the century. Julie Foley, director of flood risk strategy at the EA, says: 'We have spent the last few years transforming our understanding of flood and coastal erosion risk in England, drawing on the best available data from the Environment Agency and local authorities, as well as improved modelling and technological advances. 'Providing the nation with the best available information on flood and coastal erosion risk is vital to ensuring that policy makers, practitioners and communities are ready to adapt to flooding and coastal change.' More than a dozen ancient Egyptian mummies adorned with gold tongues and fingernails were discovered inside 2,000-year-old tombs. A team of Egyptian and Spanish researchers uncovered these artifacts and more while excavating the Al-Bahnasa archaeological site in Egypt's Minya governate. Their mission was part of a decades-long project to study the site, with the latest focusing on an underground tomb complex, or mass grave, which sits at the bottom of a shaft with a main hall and three burial chambers. The team found roughly 300 mummies and 52 of the wrapped remains dated back to the Ptolemaic era, the longest and final dynasty of ancient Egypt which spanned 305 BC to 30 BC. But 13 of these mummies bore golden tongues in their mouths, which were funerary accessories for the afterlife. Archaeologists said they also uncovered other artifacts of 'great value,' including a heart scarab in its original position, amulets with figures of Egyptian deities such as Horus, Thoth and Isis, and a terracotta figurine of the god Harpocrates. The researchers believe their findings shed new light on the religious customs of the Ptolemaic era. Archaeologists have discovered 13 golden tongues and fingernails adorning mummies buried in 2,000-year-old tombs in Egypt Upon investigating the tombs, the team found roughly 300 mummies, according to a statement from the University of Barcelona (UB), one of the institutions that supported the mission Ancient Egyptians believed gold was considered a divine metal that was everlasting and had magical powers. Experts think these ornate tongues were intended to allow the dead to speak with the god of the underworld: Osiris. Gold nails are rarely found in Egyptian archaeological contexts, but they are also thought to be associated with a belief in the mystical powers of gold. One of the excavated tombs, accessed through a rectangular stone burial shaft, contained a central hall with three chambers. Inside these chambers were dozens of meticulously arranged mummies, suggesting communal burial practices, according to Pons Mellado, co-director of the University of Barcelona's archaeological study. Another burial shaft led to similar chambers, one of which belonged to an individual named 'Wen Nefer.' This tomb was decorated with intricate wall paintings depicting Wen Nefer and his family presenting offerings to deities such as Anubis, Osiris, Atum, Horus and Thoth. In addition to the mummies decorated with golden tongues and nails, the research team discovered colorful inscriptions and ritual scenes decorating the tombs The archaeologists also found references to various goddesses that appear for the first time in Al-Bahnasa One tomb was decorated with this image of the funeral boat of the god Auf-Re On the ceiling, a painting shows the goddess Nut surrounded by stars and sacred boats carried deities such as Khepri and Ra against a blue background. One mummy within this chamber was covered in a delicate layer of gold, which symbolizes divine protection. The tomb also housed four limestone sarcophagi. Several references to various goddesses found in the tomb complex appeared for the first time in Al-Bahnasa. The Ptolemaic dynasty was a royal family of Macedonian Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great conquered the territory. This family ruled until Rome defeated and overtook the kingdom of Egypt in 30 BC. The Al-Bahnasa archaeological site was historically known as the city of Oxyrhynchus, a significant settlement during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt. Archaeologists previously recovered three ancient Egyptian fragments of papyrus, dating from 113 AD to the 4th century, from this site. The researchers also found other artifacts 'of great value,' while excavating this site including a heart scarab in its original position, and amulets and figurines of deities Artifacts and inscriptions depicted Egyptian deities such as Horus, Thoth and Isis, and a terracotta figurine of the god Harpocrates Al-Bahnasa has been excavated multiple times, revealing tombs from the Saite, Greco-Roman, and Roman periods as well as a Byzantine basilica and a temple dedicated to the god Osiris These ancient texts are common, everyday papers that contain valuable information about Egyptian society at that time. During the first centuries CE, a significant Christian community formed at Oxyrhynchus. More than a third of the world's earliest known fragments of the New Testament come from this ancient city. Al-Bahnasa has been excavated multiple times, revealing tombs from the Saite, Greco-Roman, and Roman periods as well as a Byzantine basilica and a temple dedicated to the death god Osiris. Apple has been accused of spreading fake news about Luigi Mangione. The British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) has filed a complaint after the tech giant's new Apple Intelligence generated a misleading summary of a BBC news article about the alleged assassin. The summary suggested that Mangione had shot himself. It read: 'Luigi Mangione shoots himself; Syrian mother hopes Assad pays the price; South Korea police raid Yoon Suk Yeol's office,' in reference to three articles that had supposedly been published by the BBC. The summarized notifications feature is a part of Apple Intelligence, Apple's new AI system which launched in the UK on December 11. Notification summaries appear at the top of a stack of notifications from the same app and are supposed to give the user an overview of things they missed. After identifying the error, a spokesperson for the BBC contacted Apple 'to raise this concern and fix the problem,' according to the broadcaster. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate Mangione is alive and in jail in Pennsylvania, awaiting an extradition hearing after being charged with shooting and killing UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. The British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) has filed a complaint to Apple after the tech giant's AI generated a false headline stating Luigi Mangione shot himself The notification read: 'Luigi Mangione shoots himself; Syrian mother hopes Assad pays the price; South Korea police raid Yoon Suk Yeol's office,' in reference to three articles that had supposedly been published by the BBC 'BBC News is the most trusted news media in the world,' said the unnamed BBC spokesperson. 'It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.' Apple did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. The BBC pointed out that this isn't the first time Apple Intelligence has given misleading summaries of news articles. On November 21, the New York Times suffered from a similar mistake. The AI grouped three articles together in one notification, with the first part reading 'Netanyahu arrested,' referring to the Israeli prime minister. This wrongly summarized a New York Times report about the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The prime minister has not been arrested, nor did the newspaper incorrectly report that he has been. The New York Times has not publicly acknowledged the error and declined to comment to BBC news. At this time, whether the paper contacted Apple about this matter remains unclear. The mistakes appear to be relatively widespread. Numerous iPhone users have shared screenshots of notification summaries that are inaccurate and sometimes nonsensical. The New York Times suffered from a similar mistake in November. The AI grouped three articles together in one notification, with the first part reading 'Netanyahu arrested' Numerous iPhone users have shared screenshots of notification summaries that are inaccurate and sometimes downright nonsensical The notification summaries feature will summarize texts, too, sometimes with alarming inaccuracy 'Big fan of Apple Intelligence's summary featuremainly because it turns every boring notification I wouldn't previously read into a cute little mystery to unwrap,' one X user posted with a screenshot of an Apple News summary. The summarized notification read: 'Love salmon might not be a good idea; polar bears are back in Britain.' This feature doesn't just summarize news articles. It can also summarize your messages, sometimes with alarming inaccuracy. Another X user posted a screenshot of Apple Intelligence's attempt to summarize a text from their mom. It read: 'Attempted suicide, but recovered and hiked in Redlands and Palm Springs,' when the actual message apparently read: 'That hike almost killed me!' These screenshots are unverified, but they are among many other reports of similar issues with the Apple Intelligence feature. While some of them may be easy to laugh at, there are dangers associated with misreporting facts in this way. Prof Petros Iosifidis, a professor in media policy at City University in London, told BBC News that there are potential advantages to this type of feature, 'but the technology is not there yet and there is a real danger of spreading disinformation.' 'I can see the pressure getting to the market first, but I am surprised that Apple put their name on such demonstrably half-baked product,' he said. Apple has not stated whether they are working to fix the feature. So for the time being, iPhone users will have to be wary of information conveyed in these summaries. Nicole Kidman admitted to breaking a major unwritten rule for the holiday season on Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The 57-year-old actress was on the late-night talk show to promote her new film Babygirl, which hits theaters on Christmas Day. Before getting into the new film - which she co-stars in with Harris Dickinson who she shares some steamy sex scenes with - she was asked about the holidays. The actress made quite the bizarre admission, admitting it's something she's even had to apologize to her neighbors for. When asked if she enjoys decorating for the holidays, Kidman revealed she puts her lights up before practically anyone else... and she even wants to start a new tradition. 'Yes, I have lights up. I'm the person has the lights at very, very early. We put them up at the beginning of November,' she said with a laugh. Nicole Kidman admitted to breaking a major unwritten rule for the holiday season on Late Show with Stephen Colbert. When host Stephen Colbert asked if she doesn't 'pay attention to Thanksgiving at all,' she admitted, 'No, we do a huge Thanksgiving. I just like to have the lights up. So we've got the lights up. I apologized (to) all the neighbors.' When asked how long the lights will stay up, Kidman admitted 'We are negotiating calling them winter lights.' 'I want to start a whole movement that allows winter lights to stay up. A light up your life movement,' she insisted. She also admitted that one of her first ever performances came during a Christmas pagaent, where she played a sheep. 'I was the sheep. In the manger,' she said, and when asked if she had any lines, she said, 'No, I bleated.' 'I got a laugh, my first laugh on stage. I'm addicted,' she admitted about her first ever performance. All these years later, Kidman was recently bestowed an American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first Australian actress to be given the award. When Colbert joked that she could could stick it to her fellow Aussie actors like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, she said they actually didn't come to the ceremony. When host Stephen Colbert asked if she doesn't 'pay attention to Thanksgiving at all,' she admitted, 'No, we do a huge Thanksgiving. I just like to have the lights up. So we've got the lights up. I apologized (to) all the neighbors' When asked how long the lights will stay up, Kidman admitted ' We are negotiating calling them winter lights.' 'I want to start a whole movement that allows winter lights to stay up. A light up your life movement,' she insisted 'I got a laugh, my first laugh on stage. I'm addicted,' she admitted about her first ever performance 'They are like my brothers. I am like their sister. I think they're happy for me. I hope they are. They didn't come, but they sent messages,' she admitted. She added of the great honor, 'It was extraordinary because I don't ever look back. I may look forward person. So it was really actually remarkable to sit there. 'I sat there with my daughters, my sister, all of her children. She has six children, and my husband. I looked at my career and was like, kind of amazed. And then frustrated because I didn't think I was good enough.' She clarified, 'I look at the clips and I'm like, I could've been better.' Lily-Rose Depp made rare comments about her reclusive brother Jack while promoting her new film Nosferatu on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The 25-year-old actress was born outside of Paris to actor Johnny Depp and actress Vanessa Paradis, splitting her time between both America and France. Last week, it was revealed that her 22-year-old brother Jack has been working as a bartender at a trendy Lebanese restaurant called L'Area in the Bastille quarter of Paris. While she didn't comment on his hospitality career, she did reveal that her new film Nosferatu has a special connection to her brother. When asked how familiar she was with the story of Dracula, Depp admitted, 'I was always a fan of the Dracula tale.' She added: 'My brother and I were obsessed with Abbott and Costello as kids, and, you know, they have a a whole, like, Meet the Monsters" series.' Lily-Rose Depp made some rare comments about her brother Jack while promoting her new film Nosferatu on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Last week, it was revealed that her 22-year-old brother Jack has been working at a trendy Lebanese restaurant called L'Area in the Bastille quarter of Paris. 'We particularly were drawn to the "Meet Dracula" one, the Bela Lugosi,' she said, admitting they were both quite young. 'And my brother was, like, three or four at the time, and he started dressing up like Dracula, and doing these kind of, like, really serious line readings of the lines,' she said. Depp admitted, 'So, in a way, I grew up as, like, older sister to Dracula,' admitting her new Nosferatu role is, 'totally full circle' for her. 'When I heard that, you know, when I got the opportunity to audition for this movie, I thought, like, you know, "How full circle, and maybe I'll get some cool points with my bro,"' she said of Jack. Jack had been working at L'Arena for a few years before leaving the restaurant a few months ago, although he's expected to return. L'Arena owner Edouard Chueke told Daily Mail that he expected Jack to return sometime later next year. 'Jack is a great guy; he keeps out of the limelight, but worked here behind the bar and in the kitchen,' Chueke said of his employee. 'He was a good employee, he left a few months ago but I expect him back later next year. Good staff are hard to find,' he added. 'We particularly were drawn to the "Meet dracula" one, the Bela Lugosi,' she said, admitting they were both quite young 'When I heard that, you know, when I got the opportunity to audition for this movie, I thought, like, you know, "How full circle, and maybe I'll get some cool points with my bro,"' she said of Jack. 'And my brother was, like, three or four at the time, and he started dressing up like dracula, and doing these kind of, like, really serious line readings of the lines,' she said. Jack Depp in Yoga Hosers (2016), which also served as Lily-Rose Depp's second film behind 2014's Yoga Hosers 'I've been running this place for 15 years and it's very popular with the fashion and music crowd, but also film stars come here, and Jack's mum Vanessa Paradis and sister are regulars,' he said of Lily-Rose. 'Lily was mixing caipirinhas behind the bar and really getting into the swing of it, she was enjoying herself,' he added. Jack's mother Vanessa revealed in a 2007 interview, 'Now I indeed keep them away from the cameras because I don't want our children to be forced to share in our fame against their will. 'They didn't ask for that. Not yet. The day that they will decide for themselves to do things that might bring them into the spotlights, then I won't stop,' she said. Netflix fans are so gripped by a Friends icon's new comedy series they have 'binge-watched every episode in one sitting' and are raving that 'it's everything you want a show to be!'. No Good Deed is an eight-episode dark comedy series, written by Dead To Me creator Liz Feldman and starring Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay in sitcom Friends. The show follows three vastly different families who are all trying to buy the same 1920s Spanish style villa in Los Angeles, before realising that their dream home may be more of a nightmare. Friends alum Lisa Kudrow, 61, and Everybody Loves Raymond star Ray Romano, 66, play the owners of the sought-after home, Lydia and Paul Morgan. Broad City's Abbi Jacobson, 40, and Hacks actress Poppy Liu, 32, play Leslie and Sarah, a district attorney and a nurse trying to start a family through IVF. The Handmaid's Tale actor O-T Fagbenle, 43, and WandaVision's Teyonah Parris, 37, play a struggling writer Dennis and his pregnant wife Carla. Friends alum Lisa Kudrow, 61, and Everybody Loves Raymond star Ray Romano, 66, play the owners of the sought after home, Lydia and Paul Morgan Broad City's Abbi Jacobson (right), 40, and Hacks actress Poppy Liu (left), 32, play Leslie and Sarah, a district attorney and a nurse trying to start a family through IVF The Handmaid's Tale actor O-T Fagbenle (right), 43, and WandaVision's Teyonah Parris (left), 37, play a struggling writer Dennis and his pregnant wife Carla Legally Blonde star Luke Wilson, 53, plays JD, a celebrity past his prime who is trying to please his beautiful and greedy wife Margo, played by Linda Cardellini, 49, who is widely known as Velma from the live action Scooby-Doo movie. Paul is eager to sell the house as soon as possible as it is the place that his son, Jacob, died. However, Lydia is still attached to the house where her kids grew up and is more reluctant to let it go. Issues within the families are slowly unearthed throughout the show, while the Morgans' dark secret eventually comes to light. One review from a viewer on Rotten Tomatoes said: 'Hilarious, full of drama, plot twists - everything you want a show to be! 'Lisa Kudrow is fantastic in her role and both shows comedic and real emotional depths to her character which is just so entertaining to watch. 'I did really enjoy all the side stories and how they managed to link it all together in the final episode.' Legally Blonde star Luke Wilson (pictured at the premiere), 53, plays a celebrity past his prime JD who is trying to please his beautiful and greedy wife Margo Margo is played by Linda Cardellini (pictured), 49, who is widely known as Velma from the live action Scooby-Doo movie (Left to right) Christie Smith, Abbi Jacobson, Teyonah Harris, Denis Leary, O-T Fagbenle, Luke Wilson, Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Liz Feldman, Jessica Elbaum and Silver Tree attend the No Good Deed LA premiere on December 4, 2024 in Los Angeles Another wrote: 'This was so good! The best show I've watched in a long, long time. It had everything you could ever want in a show, comedy, mystery and meaning. I loved this show!' 'I loved this series and binged it in one sitting. The pilot was my favorite but the entire series is so fun with some really emotional moments as well,' a third said. After binge-watching the entire series, Netflix fans went to social media to gush over the show and leave their reviews. 'I always knew Lisa Kudrow was the best actor on FRIENDS. Her dramatic chops are just as impressive as her comedic ones. The woman's got range.' 'No Good Deed is as predicted, GREAT. Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano: the dream team. I struggled through three episodes of Black Doves and the relief when this came on Netflix. Some things us Brits do so well (eg: GHOSTS) but this kinda thing America does better.' 'Never knew I needed Ray Ramano and Lisa Kudrow to be a couple in a dark comedy, but No Good Deed is boss.' 'Never have I ever wouldve thought Ray Romano & Lisa Kudrow would make me cry.' 'Baby!!! I'm ten minutes in and thought Lisa Kudrow was going to be Phoebe reincarnated!!! Nope!!! DELIVERING!!!!' 'I've always had so much space in my heart for Lisa Kudrow, but oh my goodness she's ASTOUNDING in No Good Deed. The first Netflix show I've binged in one session in forever because it's just so darkly funny and unpredictable.' No Good Deed is available to stream on Netflix now. Good Morning Britain viewers called out the 'obvious' tension between hosts Richard Madeley, 68, and Kate Garraway on Tuesday. Fans of the show were treated to the duo for the second time this week after Kate replaced fan-favourite Susanna Reid. But viewers were not pleased with the combination and even believe they spotted tension brewing between the two breakfast show hosts. ITV viewers noticed that Kate, 57, seemed 'irritable' towards Richard and constantly interrupted her co-star. Taking to social media, GMB viewers shared their thoughts on the new combination, writing: 'Kate really does get irritated by Richard. So obvious'. Others noticed that she often cuts off her co-star and commented 'Kate Garraway interruption count 6268'. Good Morning Britain viewers have called out the 'obvious' tension between hosts Richard Madeley, 68, and Kate Garraway, 57, on Tuesday as the star stepped in for Susanna Reid for a second time Viewers were not pleased with the combination and even believe they spotted tension brewing between the two breakfast show hosts ITV viewers noticed that Kate seemed 'irritable' towards Richard and constantly interrupted her co-star while they interviewed Martin Lewis (pictured right) Another said: 'How many times can Kate cut Richard off in mid sentence? He starts to speak, she interrupts him.' Some viewers praised Richard not seeming frustrated with his co-star's interruptions. They took to X to say: '#GMB #KateGarrawaywell done Richard on remaining calm when Kate talked over him a couple of times there.' One fan commented: 'Richard has a calming influence on Kate, its lovely'. The fan frustration comes after Good Morning Britain viewers were left surprised by a host shake-up, which saw Kate deliver the latest headlines and interview guest and DJ Craig David alongside familiar face Richard. Since Ben Shephard's, 50, departure from the show earlier this year, Richard is usually joined by Susanna Reid, 54, with other hosts sometimes stepping in, such as Adil Ray, 50, Charlotte Hawkins, 49, or Laura Tobin, 43. But this is not the first time fans have noticed Kate interrupting and last month the star was scolded by her bosses and told to 'let the guest talk' in an awkward moment during an episode of GMB in November. The TV presenter welcomed comedian Babatunde Aleshe to the studio for an interview where he dished out his best I'm A Celeb survival tips and share his opinion on this year's line-up, after going Down Under himself as a campmate who took part in the 2022 series. Taking to social media, GMB viewers shared their thoughts on the new combination, writing: 'Kate really does get irritated by Richard. So obvious' He was candidly explaining why he couldn't take part in the Walk The Plank challenge, which saw him forfeit and break down in tears. Kate quickly chimed in to share her own experience with the task when she gave it a go as a contestant in 2019. Babatunde explained: 'When Charlene [White] walked out they drew the plank away after she got to the end, so I was like oh once I get there I'm stuck, and that was enough for me.' Kate quipped: 'It's so windy, nobody tells you that. When I did it they took Ant and Dec downstairs for a bit because they were just checking all the security and I was like "What about us?" 'It was so frightening and they always put tricks in like there was gaps, there was a seesaw. Mine was a stepladder down and then you go onto another plank and look down.' She then talked about the science behind the fear of heights, explaining: 'It is a very basic fear, the fear of heights. 'There's been a lot of research done and one piece of research was that they put crawling babies in a room in a Perspex square.' Kate went on to explain the study, before joking: 'We're going off on a tangent here...' This is not the first time fans have noticed Kate interrupting and last month the star was scolded by her bosses and told to 'let the guest talk' in an awkward moment in November The TV presenter was fronting the show alongside her co-host Richard Madeley, when they welcomed comedian Babatunde Aleshe to the studio for an interview After hearing a warning from the producers in her ear piece, she admitted: 'They just told me to let you talk, it's a fair point, you are the guest.' Last week, Susanna announced that she will be off-screen until Christmas Day when she is set to host again with Ed Balls, 57. However, fans were not best pleased with Susanna's absence and the pairing of Kate and Richard on Monday. On social media site X, one said: 'Not coming up on GMB, Susanna Reid. Paid a salary of 1,100,000 to host this dross three mornings a week. But not for the next three weeks obviously.' 'Susanna worked on Sunday's show yesterday and now has to take 3 weeks off!', a second complained. While yet another said: 'Susanna on her Christmas break already.' Last week, Susanna announced that she will be off-screen until Christmas Day when she is set to host again with Ed Balls However, fans were not best pleased with Susanna's absence and the pairing of Kate and Richard on Monday Commenting on the Kate and Richard pairing, one viewer brutally said: 'GMB who the f*** makes the decision to pair up the 2 most hated presenters in TV?' Another wrote: 'Kate loves her own jokes, think she's the only one who does.' Others commented on how many times she interrupted Richard during the broadcast. GMB fans certainly have their favourites and get frustrated with the constant hosting switch-ups. They took aim at Richard last Wednesday, dubbing his interviews as 'shambolic' and claimed that he had driven them to 'change the channel'. What appeared to upset people the most was when he 'spoke over' guest and Mirror Editor Kevin Maguire when discussing the issue of farmers and inheritance tax. ITV viewers took to social media to share their frustration at Susana's absence Viewers said his 'interruptions were frustrating' and asked 'why is he still employed as he's a shocking presenter'. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one penned: 'Why wont they let Kevin Maguire speak? He is trying to deliver the facts on the farmers/inheritance tax issue. First Andrew, then Susanna and finally Richard interrupting. Let him finish a sentence for goodness sake. Whether you agree with him or not, its so frustrating #GMB' '@GMB every time I see Richard Madley on my screen I change channel. Come to @bluesky people, much nicer environment x' '@GMB Reid !! Why are smiling when Vicki is describing her pain ,it's abysmal, you and Madeley are the worst on TV' 'Why oh why do #GMB insist on having that vile b******d Richard Madeley on our screens, they must know by now how he makes us all vomit.' Viewers also took aim at Richard last Wednesday, dubbing his interviews as 'shambolic' and claimed that he had driven them to 'change the channel' What appeared to upset people the most was when he 'spoke over' guest and Mirror Editor Kevin Maguire when discussing the issue of farmers and inheritance tax 'Unfortunately happened to catch Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid. No better. What a shambles' '@GMB @susannareid100 Shabana Mahmood holding her own. Madeley and Reid asking questions, getting positive straight answers but then cutting her off mid sentence when they didn't like what they were hearing. Obviously didn't fit their narrative. #GMB bias is shining thru' '@GMB @toryboypierce @Kevin_Maguire Why is Madeley still employed? Shocking presenter.' Good Morning Britain airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX. Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell left viewers 'traumatised' after making a very crude joke about her BBC co-star Michael Portillo at the end of Monday's episode. The popular quiz show, first broadcast in 2008, consists of a tournament-type format in which teams compete by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues. On the most recent instalment, Victoria welcomed The Uisge Beathas and the Crushers who went head to head on the BBC show. She referenced an infamous joke about her having a crush on the former politician and journalist - but while some fans loved the jibe, others think she went 'too far'. Ending the show, Victoria said: Coming up next on BBC Two is another episode in that wonderful series sponsored by the RSPB, where celebrities look after birds before handing them on to other celebrities to raise awareness of struggling avian numbers. 'I have so enjoyed watching big names on BBC Two passing their feathered dependents on to other presenters, so I decided to join in myself. Tonight, I will be eagerly taking several swallows from Michael Portillo. Goodnight.' Only Connect host Victoria Coren Mitchell left viewers 'traumatised' after making a very crude joke about her former co-star Michael Portillo at the end of Monday's episode She referenced an infamous joke about her having a crush on the former politician and journalist (pictured in 2021) - but while some fans loved the jibe, others think she went 'too far' Viewers had mixed opinions as they rushed to social media after hearing the shocking innuendo, writing: '@VictoriaCoren full on choked at the closing comment on this evenings episode of #onlyconnect. Did not expect that.' '#onlyconnect a pretty near the knuckle innuendo by Victoria Coren at the end. I have no problem with that. Innuendo was part of being British. But what is the difference between what VC said & what Greg Wallace said?' 'Eww @VictoriaCoren I can't unhear that Portillo gag at the end of #Onlyconnect.' 'Somewhat traumatised by @VictoriaCoren parting shot on #OnlyConnect tonight!! 'Phenomenal Portillo gag in true ISIHAC style at the end of last night's #OnlyConnect. Kudos, @VictoriaCoren for the deadpan delivery.' 'Love @VictoriaCoren but have always hated the Portillo jokes. Sexist. Cheap. Not funny. Tonight's was really unsuitable for a family quiz show #onlyconnect.' 'That was close to the knuckle Victoria! Bloody brilliant! #swallows Best line on TV since....your last one!' 'Did I imagine that she said that???' '@VictoriaCoren Your final comment tonight made up for the fact that I scored very few points! Just waiting for Samantha or Sven to turn up one week...' On the most recent instalment, Victoria welcomed The Uisge Beathas and the Crushers who went head to head on the BBC show Viewers had mixed opinions as they rushed to social media after hearing the shocking innuendo And it's not the first time Victoria has faced backlash, after viewers complained that they were 'forced to mute' the show after just seconds back in October And it's not the first time Victoria has faced backlash, after viewers complained that they were 'forced to mute' the show after just seconds back in October. Introducing the show the star said: 'Good evening. Due to the issues we had last week at the BBC compliance department, this week I've just gone back to AI, it's much simpler. 'This time I typed in 'Only Connect intro funny letter'. It came back with this letter from Helen, who lives in the Matrix.' She went on to explain that a mystery 'Helen' asked for help at being stuck in an AI world due to Victoria previously using the tool to write the show's intro. She then rounded up the introduction by saying: 'Bit dramatic...'. Victoria then went on to introduce the two teams as normal. Viewers didn't love the intro as they penned on X: 'I love you, VCM, but for the love of all that's good, stop these awful intros. #OnlyConnect.' 'Here it comes the worst 30 seconds of the week. The opening monologue. #onlyconnect.' 'Can I unmute the telly yet? #onlyconnect.' '#OnlyConnect VCM will look back at these intros and hold her head in her hands...I guess someone thought they were a good idea. ..Mmm...' One viewer disagreed however, writing: 'I like the intro. I'm clearly on a higher plain #OnlyConnect.' Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan has broken his silence amid growing concerns for his troubled son. The Australian-born retired actor, 85, dismissed widespread fears for 26-year-old Chance Hogan, his only child by his ex-wife and former co-star Linda Kozlowski, while running errands in Los Angeles. Chance, an aspiring musician who has been based in Venice Beach with his famous father, has made headlines in recent weeks over his erratic behavior that has also been captured in troubling photos. But when DailyMail.com caught up with Hogan earlier this month, his demeanor was far from that of a concerned father. Asked if he was worried about Chance, Paul, instead shook his head casually and smiled before replying: 'Nah.' He continued: 'No. It's a lot of made up stuff and a lot of it he [referring to Chance] does on purpose.' Paul Hogan broke his silence last week amid growing concerns about his son Chance's behavior The 26-year-old aspiring musician, who is Hogan's only child by ex-wife Linda Kozlowski, has sparked fears in recent weeks over his erratic lifestyle and bizarre social media posts (right) Hogan poured cold water on the claims while making a quick trip to a local store and an ATM, his first public outing in nine months. The reclusive star wore a leather jacket, black pants, and sneakers. He appeared friendly and happy to chat despite the rumors and concerns circulating about his son. The movie legend, who's originally from Sydney, left his home country behind following the success of the 1986 action-comedy film, to settle with his second wife, Kozlowski in Los Angeles in the 90s. When asked if he would like to return to his Aussie homeland last week, he said: 'Oh yeah. One of these days.' He then added, referring to his son: 'If he'll come.' But the Australian-born retired actor, 85, dismissed widespread fears for his son while running errands in Los Angeles Hogan, who was seen during a trip to a local ATM and convenience store, suggested his son is fine and that a lot of the circulating reports 'are not true' Chance has been living with his father in LA since his parents' divorce from in 2014 after 24 years of marriage. Last month troubling new photos emerged of Chance buying beer and shuffling around Venice Beach back alleys, near the home he shares with his father. But Hogan's latest remarks contradict recent reports that he had been 'worried sick' about his son. The reports emerged after Daily Mail Australia shared shocking images of Chance looking disheveled in a back alley, taken on November 14. He appeared to be aimlessly pacing up and down the street before approaching a blacked-out vehicle near his home. Paul shares Chance, his youngest child, with with ex-wife and former co-star Linda Kozlowski. All pictured right in 2013 Paul famously met Chance's mother Linda Kozlowski (right) while filming Crocodile Dundee in 1986, but effectively raised him as a single father after his marriage breakdown in 2013 Chance's online behavior has also become more erratic, sparking further concerns. He recently shared a bizarre video of himself ominously claiming something is about to 'begin' as he bared his inflamed gums to the camera. Chance is no stranger to scandal after all, his parents' relationship was one of the biggest tabloid stories of the late 1980s. Sparks famously flew between Paul and Linda on-set in the Australian Outback, while Hogan - 19 years Kozlowski's senior - was still married to wife Noelene Edwards. The couple wed in 1990, welcomed Chance eight years later, and divorced in 2014. Tensions are rising between Bindi Irwin and her younger brother Robert as he pursues his solo career. As 21-year-old Robert prepares to host another season of I'm A Celebrity, a rift is reportedly brewing between the two siblings. According to New Idea, Bindi, 26, wants her brother to be spend more time focusing on their family business. 'Bindi wants Robert to be making decisions about his career that will pay off in a way of bringing attention and people to Australia Zoo,' a source told the magazine. 'Thats always her focus conservation first, celebrity status second. And she thinks it should be his too.' Along with their mother Terri and Bindi's husband Chandler, the siblings operate wildlife conservation park Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast. Tensions are rising between Bindi Irwin and her younger brother Robert as he pursues his solo career. Pictured: Robert Irwin co-hosting I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here with Julia Morris According to New Idea, Bindi (pictured) wants her brother to be spend more time focusing on their family business The past year has seen a surge in popularity for Robert, which saw him nominated for the coveted Gold Logie award. Robert, who boasts an impressive 6million followers on Instagram, also appears to be trying build his TV profile. Last month, the Wildlife Warrior teased he was forging a deeper relationship with Channel 10 after the success of I'm A Celebrity. But his soaring success has created a 'professional divide' between the Irwin siblings, the insider added. 'Bindi has always been focused on conservation; she has really resisted doing any projects that didnt have a huge focus on her lifes work,'the source claimed. 'But it seems Robert is happy to build his profile, knowing that his popularity and status will eventually bring a focus to his work.' The insider also claimed Bindi is worried that Robert may leave Australia to pursue an international TV career. This is of particular concern for Bindi, who suffers from endometriosis. Bindi wants Robert to be making decisions about his career that will pay off in a way of bringing attention and people to Australia Zoo Together with their mother Terri (pictured) and Bindi's husband Chandler, the siblings run wildlife conservation park Australia Zoo If the condition, which can be severely debilitating, means she has to step back from her operational duties at Australia Zoo, she is worried about what that mean for the family business, the source claimed. Bindi went public with her heartbreaking diagnosis last year. Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus. It comes after Robert teased details of his new Network 10 project following the wild success of his I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! hosting role. He told TV Tonight last week that the 'animal-related' series would be unveiled 'hopefully soon'. 'At this point, it's still a lot of finding out when that's going to work, putting all the puzzle pieces in place,' he told the outlet. He added he would 'absolutely love' to continue to work with the network on a range of TV projects. The TV network have seemingly been very keen to lock down the promising young star, recently having Irwin guest host their panel show The Project between I'm A Celebrity seasons. Since Steve Irwin's tragic death in 2006, his family have carried on his legacy and have won over legions of fans with their upbeat videos on social media. Australia Zoo was actually founded by Steve's dad Bob Snr in 1970. He left the business for good in 2008 - two years after the death of his famous son. Rebecca Judd was not afraid to pack on the PDA with husband Chris on Monday night. The couple were enjoying a romantic night out to celebrate an impressive 21 years as a couple. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Rebecca, 41, shared an image that showed the lovebirds sitting in a bar enjoying a celebratory glass of wine. Rebecca cut quite the glamorous figure for the couple's date night, wearing a fetching white beaded crop top and matching skirt. The top showed off the WAG's trim torso, and she left her hair down for the occasion, leaving it to cascade across her slender shoulders. Chris, 41, meanwhile, went for a more casual look in a simple light grey polo shirt and a pair of tan chinos. Rebecca Judd was not afraid to pack on the PDA with husband Chris on Monday night. Both pictured The rare intimate photo of the pair showed Rebecca leaning in, with eyes closed, and giving Chris a kiss as they lovingly held hands. 'Kissing this spunk for 21 years now,' she captioned the romantic photo. Rebecca recently recalled the moment she met her AFL star husband Chris for the first time during her modelling days in Bangkok. The WAG took to Instagram in July to share a video of herself tanning while she answered fans' burning questions about her life. She said she first met the footy star when she was just 20 years old during a visit back home to Perth while she was living and modelling in Bangkok, Thailand. Rebecca said she was out drinking with her friends at the Cottesloe Beach Hotel when she laid eyes on Chris for the first time and immediately knew she liked him. She confessed she wasn't very confident talking to men at the time, but decided to approach Chris and they quickly hit it off. 'It's weird, I didn't really have lots of boyfriends growing up and I was very, very, very picky and I saw him and I was like ''damn! I like him'',' she said. She said she first met the footy star when she was just 20 years old during a visit back home to Perth while she was living and modelling in Bangkok, Thailand 'I was a bit drunk, I had a load of red wine so I was quite confident because I didn't really used to be confident with guys. I went over, started chatting to him - I won't tell you what happened that night. 'I liked him straight away. Like really, really liked him straight away. That's it, we met at The Cot and the rest is history.' After she started dating Chris, Rebecca decided to stop modelling overseas so she could spend time with him and went to study Curtin University in Perth after previously deferring her placement. 'When I met [Chris] I was 20 and I decided that I didn't want to model overseas anymore because I wanted to hang with him, so my deferred uni place, I ended up taking it up,' she explained. 'I went to Curtin University in Perth, did a year of journalism, filming and TV and then switched over to speech pathology, which is a little bit random.' Rebecca burst onto the scene at age 21 when she wore a red dress with a plunging neckline to the 2004 Brownlow Medal alongside Chris. The outfit, which boasted a neckline that dipped below her belly button and a daring thigh split, was created by Perth designer Ruth Tarvydas, and was valued at $2,000. The couple tied the knot in December 2010 at Melbourne's Albert Park. They have since welcomed four children - son Oscar, 12, daughter Billie, nine, and twins Tom and Darcy, seven Chris previously told The Herald Sun that the 2004 Brownlow was the night his wife became 'public property' and their lives changed forever. 'It did feel like a before and after event. Some wonderful opportunities opened up from it. Life was just very different,' said Chris, who was just 21 when he won the prestigious Brownlow Medal for the first time. Chris once again won the league's highest individual honour in 2010, just years before he retired from the sport in 2015. The couple tied the knot in December 2010 at Melbourne's Albert Park. They have since welcomed four children - son Oscar, 12, daughter Billie, nine, and twins Tom and Darcy, seven. Former Channel Seven colleagues Samantha Armytage and David Koch found themselves at odds this week. The popular presenters helmed breakfast show Sunrise together for seven years before Samantha's departure in 2021. But on Monday, the duo became rivals when they appeared simultaneously on different networks. Kochie, 68, was back at his old haunt Sunrise on Monday offering viewers financial advice while Samantha made her first appearance on Channel Nine's Today Show. The money maven joined Monique Ryan and Weekend Sunrise host David Woiwod to discuss health insurance. 'I feel like I've slipped into the Twilight Zone,' Woiwod admitted as he and Ryan introduced the former host. Former Channel seven colleagues Samantha Armytage and David Koch (pictured) have found themselves at odds this week 'Something's gone wrong. I should be talking to him in a field somewhere,' he continued before Koch, who left the show in 2023, congratulated Woiwod on his new role. While Kochie was busy offering expert advice on Sunrise, Samantha, 48, was making her debut appearance on Today. She kicked off the show by sharing a flirty exchange with her co-host Dan Anstey. After introducing herself to viewers, Sam - who recently announced her split from husband Richard Lavender - told Dan she had first met him at the Melbourne Cup. 'I can't remember that. How was I?' he asked. 'You were handsome as always,' a giggling Sam responded, before Dan said: 'That was someone else. You confused me with another Dan.' 'Yeah I have actually. We'll get to that later on but it's lovely to see you all here,' Sam quickly responded before she introduced the news headlines. Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer fill-in co-host. Kochie was back at his old haunt Sunrise on Monday offering viewers financial advice While Kochie was busy offering expert advice on Sunrise, Samantha (pictured) was making her debut appearance on Today The network's move sparked outrage among long-time staff, with insiders alleging the decision has created tension behind the scenes and left many feeling snubbed. While Nine insists the move is purely seasonal, speculation is rife that it could be a trial run to see if Samantha is the right fit to join Today permanently. The fall-out from the decision has been significant. 'There have been crisis meetings back-to-back since Sam was signed,' a source told Woman's Day earlier this month. 'The big bosses did not listen to the team when they objected to Sam coming on board.' Meanwhile, a well-placed source tells Daily Mail Australia that Nine has a strategic reasoning behind Samantha's appointment. 'Let's not pretend this isn't about ratings,' they said. 'If Sam manages to pull Today out of the shadow of Sunrise, even for a week, the network will see it as a win. For Sam, it's about proving she's still the queen of breakfast TV.' Samantha slipped into the Sunrise co-host chair in 2013, replacing Melissa Doyle. She shared hosting duties with David for seven years, before she announced she was leaving in 2021 Kochie, meanwhile, ended his 21-year tenure on the show in May 2023, with Matt Shirvington taking on the coveted role One major source of resentment at her new network is the perception that Nine's existing talent has been overlooked. Many insiders were reportedly blindsided by Samantha's signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role. 'There is no harder slap-down than to put your hand up for hosting The Golden Bachelor and virtually be told you've got the gig, only to then read in the newspapers that Sam is their surprise pick,' the insider claimed. Samantha slipped into the Sunrise co-host chair in 2013, replacing Melissa Doyle. She shared hosting duties with David for seven years, before Samantha announced she was leaving in 2021, to spend more time with family. Natalie Barr was announced as her replacement, with Edwina Bartholomew stepping into Barr's position of news presenter. Kochie, meanwhile, ended his 21-year tenure on the show in May 2023, with Matt Shirvington taking on the coveted role. Miquita Oliver has revealed she was 'attending therapy sessions drunk' at the height of her alcoholism as she candidly discussed her struggle. The presenter, 40, previously admitted to 'losing everything' to bankruptcy and booze when she was unable to pay a 174,000 tax bill back in 2012. Speaking on Monday's episode of Miss Me? podcast with close friend and co-host Lily Allen, the pair opened up about their experiences with therapy. One listener called in to asked if there was a particular event that made them start therapy. Miquita admitted: 'I started going to a therapist when I was deep in my alcoholism in my early thirties and it didn't work because I was going to my sessions drunk. 'That is a whole different level of performative therapy. I was trying to pretend that I hadn't been drinking.' Miquita Oliver has revealed she was 'attending therapy sessions drunk' at the height of her alcoholism as she candidly discussed her struggle (pictured in September) The presenter, 40, previously admitted to 'losing everything' to bankruptcy and booze when she was unable to pay a 174,000 tax bill back in 2012 (pictured with Lily Allen in 2012) She continued: 'That really did feel pointless and because of how awful I realised that going to therapy drunk was that led me to stop drinking for a little bit. 'But then I found a really good therapist who did help me change my life, and continue to change my life.' Addressing her bankruptcy on BBC Three programme Young, British & Broke in 2013, she said she was so ashamed about her financial troubles that she didn't tell anybody for two years. She said: 'At 17 I was earning money I didnt know how to handle and before I knew it I owed thousands to the taxman. 'I just felt like I couldnt breathe and that I was sinking. I was so scared about my future and I didnt tell anyone for 2 years. 'When I was declared bankrupt it felt like I was in a financial mess I would never get out of.' Lily and Miquita grew up in the limelight, and spent their younger years partying incessantly, something which they have openly discussed on their podcast. They have been there for each other through many tough times but one area where they haven't been so loyal is men. Speaking on Monday's episode of Miss Me? with close friend and co-host Lily Allen, the pair opened up about their experiences with therapy (pictured together on a night out in 2008) Miquita admitted: 'I started going to a therapist when I was deep in my alcoholism in my early thirties and it didn't work because I was going to my sessions drunk' (pictured in 2023) Earlier this year on their podcast Miss Me? Miquita spoke of a particularly sticky time, which came before Lily's music fame, when the presenter had a crush. Taking listeners back to the early noughties when she was hosting Popworld, Channel 4's Sunday morning music show, Miquita said: 'There was a pop star. I found out that he fancied me. I told Lily that I liked him. Cue, Lily gets herself to a festival in Japan and seduces him.' Lily hadn't broken through as an artist yet so instead got a job in artist relations to get backstage for the gig. The conversation on their podcast got tense as Lily questioned whether Miquita had ever made her feelings clear for the man. Lily admitted she flew to Japan to 'lock that one in', adding: 'I fancied him, so I was getting mine. By the way, I think pop stars are fair game, like, I don't care.' The pair laughed as they recalled the incident, however Miquita revealed that she didn't speak to Lily for six months after it happened. Miquita said: 'If I didn't hate you so much for it, I would have applauded you. It was admirable.' Succession star Brian Cox says he feels it's time Hollywood lets Kevin Spacey back on set. 'I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work,' the Succession star, 78, told The Hollywood Reporter in an in-depth Q&A Monday. The Dundee, Scotland native, who worked with Spacey, 65, three decades back on the 1994 Disney film Iron Will, said that the Oscar-winning performer is 'a very fine actor' who's 'been through it,' seven years after a slew of sexual misconduct accusations derailed Spacey's successful career. 'I just think Kevin had certain things which he couldnt or didnt admit to, and I think it was a strain on him in many ways,' the Emmy Award-winning actor said. 'And for me, that was Kevins only difficulty.' Among the professional repercussions Spacey faced amid the allegations included losing his lead role on the hit Netflix political drama House of Cards; and being digitally removed from the 2017 film All the Money in the World and replaced with the late Christopher Plummer. 'Hes had the kicking that some people think he deserved,' Cox said of Spacey. 'Hes ready to get back in the saddle again, and people are trying to stop him from doing that. Succession star Brian Cox, 78, says he feels it's time Hollywood lets Kevin Spacey, 65, back on set, more than seven years after the Oscar-winner's career was abruptly halted amid a slew of sexual misconduct allegations. Pictured in London earlier this month 'And I really do go back to, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Maybe he got too out of hand, but I dont think he should be punished endlessly for it. There should be a case of forgive and forget. Lets move on.' Cox, who's been seen in movies such as Troy, Braveheart, The Bourne Identity, said he likes Spacey 'a lot' and thinks 'he's very funny.' The comments from Cox, who portrayed media mogul Logan Roy on the critically-acclaimed HBO drama from 2018 until its 2023 conclusion, come more than seven months after Sharon Stone, 66, and Liam Neeson, 72, called for Spacey's return to The Telegraph. Stone - who faced controversy last month over her remarks about President-elect Donald Trump's re-election - called Spacey 'a genius' and said she 'can't wait to see [him] back at work.' The Casino actress added, 'He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will.' Neeson told the outlet of Spacey: 'I was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against him. Kevin is a good man and a man of character.' Aside from his career coming to a screeching halt, Spacey has faced a series of legal and financial woes over the past seven years. In June, his Baltimore luxury condo was auctioned off for $5.6 million amid a potential foreclosure on the residence. Cox said of Spacey: 'Hes had the kicking that some people think he deserved' Cox portrayed the media mogul Logan Roy on the critically-acclaimed HBO drama Succession from 2018 until its 2023 conclusion Spacey told Piers Morgan in June that he was in the red to the tune of millions, with massive legal bills draining him of his fortune. In 2022, Spacey prevailed in litigation in New York City brought about by actor Anthony Rapp, 53, who said that Spacey, then 26, had sexually assaulted him in 1986 when he was 14. A jury in New York City ruled in favor of Spacey in October of 2022 in the $40 million civil suit. Spacey in July 2023 was acquitted in London in connection with sexual assault allegations from four different men going back decades. Spacey wept while testifying in the case over the damage his career suffered as result of the pileup of allegations against him amid the #MeToo movement. Bella Hadid is 'grateful' to have been a part of the Yellowstone universe. Hadid, who made a brief appearance as Taylor Sheridan's on-screen girlfriend on the episode Counting Coup, gushed about having the opportunity to appear in the iconic Western series. The series finale for Yellowstone aired Sunday night, marking the end of the end of the critically acclaimed show following five seasons. Bella, 28 shared several behind-the-scenes snaps featuring her on the Montana set. She sat on the wooden fence and fixed her cowboy hat as she basked in the sunshine beside the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Bella fit the rancher part with a leather belt adorned with a buckle and fringe suede trousers. Bella Hadid is 'grateful' to have been a part of the Yellowstone universe The post included video of her smiling radiantly as she posed upon the railing with her hands upon her waist. In her caption, Hadid professed her love for the show and said she would have been happy to even play a 'fly on the wall.' '@yellowstone (prayer hands emoji) best crew, best cast, best horses, best brains. grateful to have been in the presence of and learn a lifetime's worth of knowledge in a few days from the most brilliant of people!' she captioned the post. 'I could have been cast as a fly on the wall and would have been just filled with gratitude to be on a set like this for the last season of a show I love so deeply! 'thank you Kelly for being such an inspiring mentor for our few days together. helpful, beautiful, kind, talented and caring. she really IS that great and badass, guys! thank you Taylor for everything, having faith in me and the opportunity. not a better group (prayer hands emoji) watch Yellowstone now on @paramountnetwork #YellowstoneTV.' Bella appeared to be giving Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly a shout-out; the model appeared opposite Kelly in her cameo. The episode found Beth Dutton (Reilly) travelling to Texas to oversee Travis Wheatley (Yellowstone co-creator Taylor Sheridan) selling the ranch's horses, following last week's episode that featured another shocking death. Fans were quite surprised when Beth knocked on Travis' door and found it being answered by his girlfriend Sadie, played by Hadid, who is aside from being a supermodel is also an accomplished equestrian. Throughout the episode, both women comment on his arrogant, cocky demeanor, but Sadie encourages Beth to pay attention to the way Travis rides. She shared snaps of her posing by the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Hadid insisted, 'I could have been cast as a fly on the wall and would have been just filled with gratitude to be on a set like this' The post included video of her smiling radiantly as she posed upon the railing with her hands upon her waist Fans were quite surprised when Beth knocked on Travis' door and found it being answered by his girlfriend Sadie, played by Hadid, who is aside from being a supermodel is also an accomplished equestrian Beth, noting the unspoken connection, admits she understands the attraction. While Hadid showcased her acting chops, she also had the chance to flaunt her horse-riding skills, adding a genuine touch to her role. The casting choices sparked a flurry of reactions on X (formerly Twitter), with many users quick to poke fun at Sheridan for the unconventional casting move. 'The first time in this episode Taylor Sheridan writes himself a scene where his character is a super cool dude who wins at strip poker against hot ladies felt excessive,' wrote one. 'The second time it happens, you gotta wonder if he's okay.' 'Taylor Sheridan making Bella Hadid his girlfriend in "Yellowstone" is objectively hilarious,' another X user remarked, as a third wrote: 'If I were Taylor Sheridan, I too would cast myself as the shirtless savior in my flagship shows penultimate episode, but casting Bella Hadid as your girlfriend? lol'. A baby-faced actor who appeared on a popular Channel Seven series has been sentenced to prison over his role in the importation of methamphetamines into Australia from China. Jarin Towney, who played Cooper on Packed to the Rafters between 2012 - 2013, was sentenced to six years and nine months imprisonment on Tuesday at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney. His sentence has been backdated to July 19, with a non-parole period of three years and four months. He was also charged with possessing a shipment of meth with a street value of $12.5million, linked to the international smuggling ring thwarted by the Australian Federal Police. Last year, Towney was arrested for possessing 62kg of the illicit substance, which Chinese authorities found hidden inside a machine. The Chinese police replaced the meth with a harmless substitute and notified the Australian authorities, who used the information to nab Towney. Baby-faced actor Jarin Towney, who appeared on the popular Channel Seven series Packed to the Rafters, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term over his role in the importation of a 112kg of methamphetamines into Australia Towney, who was told he would be paid $50,000 for receiving and unpacking the drugs, was charged over the importation and possession of a commercial quantity of methamphetamines on two separate occasions last year in Sydney. He was ordered to purchase a cheap burner phone and relevant equipment, including face masks, a hazmat suit, buckets and scales, to safely unpack the drugs. Towney's Sydney house was also raided and police found 67.5g of cocaine and 26.1g of MDMA, with a street value of $29,000. On Tuesday, Towney pleaded guilty to possessing a commercial quantity of the border controlled drug and two counts of deemed supply of a traffickable quantity of meth. Judge Penelope Hock admitted there were mitigating circumstances in Towney's favour, including a history of mental illness, complex post traumatic stress disorder and severe alcohol and stimulant use disorders at the time of offending. She also noted Towney had not touched drugs since his arrest, provided a letter of letter to the court and seemed genuine about wanting to turn his life around. 'Provided he remains drug free, he has a low likelihood of reoffending and very good prospects of rehabilitation,' Judge Hock told the court. She added it was also in Towney's favour that his overall role in the scheme was 'low level' and 'limited to two weeks'. Jarin Towney, 25, was sentenced on Tuesday at the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney over his role in the crime. (Pictured: A police officer arresting Towney in 2023) The Australian Federal Police initially charged Towney last year over a major drug ring involving the attempted importation of 112kg of the banned substance. The illicit haul was hidden inside commercial machinery and arrived at the Port of Melbourne on July 5, 2023. Authorities allege the shipment was collected by a Melbourne logistics company and transported to a factory in the southwest Sydney suburb of Yagoona on July 18. The next day the AFP swooped in, executing search warrants at both the factory and a residence in Surry Hills in Sydney. Their raid uncovered more damning evidence - a disused drug lab tucked inside the factory. This was alongside equipment believed to have been used for drug manufacturing. This latest charge marks a troubling chapter for the troubled actor, whose career has been overshadowed by a string of both minor and major offences. The Australian Federal Police initially charged Towney last year over a major drug ring involving the attempted importation of 112kg of the banned substance. Pictured: the 'drug lab' found in Surry Hills In May last year, Towney escaped conviction for riding a motorbike while his licence was suspended. Back in 2022, he was convicted in a Sydney court for using spray paint to write graffiti at a Sydney train station. He was given a $300 fine, sentenced to a 30-month Community Corrective Order and warned to stay on his best behaviour. Prior to that, he was charged with trespassing, offensive behaviour and hindering police. It is a huge fall from grace for the former child star who acted alongside Sam Worthington in the 2016 Mel Gibson movie Hacksaw Ridge. The former actor was once seen as one of Australia's most brightest future talents, appearing alongside Essie Davis in an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries The former actor was once seen as one of Australia's most brightest future talents, appearing alongside Essie Davis in an episode of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. In 2015, Towney was nominated for Most Outstanding New Talent at the now defunct ASTRA Awards. He also appeared in three episodes of the Australian crime drama Underbelly, which is based on the real life criminal activities of Aussie gangsters. His final role was in the 2020 Australian movie Chasing Wonders, opposite Blade Runner actor Edward James Olmos. Towney had since retired from acting and was work in a retail shop in Sydney, at the time of his arrest last year. Naomi Campbell has split from her German DJ boyfriend Rampa after the pair enjoyed a whirlwind romance. Their relationship came to light in August after they were spotted kissing during a night out in Mykonos, Greece. But it would appear Naomi, 54, and Rampa have called it quits after 'life got in the way' - with the supermodel cutting all contact by unfollowing her on ex on social media. A source told The Sun on Monday that their relationship wasn't 'feasible' long term and the split was caused by their busy schedules. They said: 'Naomi and Rampa's romance was a bit of a whirlwind but it's over now. 'They were really into each other and wanted to spend every moment together, which they did for quite a while - But life got in the way and they've both been really busy. Naomi Campbell has split from her German DJ boyfriend Rampa after the pair enjoyed a whirlwind romance Their relationship came to light in August after they were spotted kissing during a night out in Mykonos, Greece 'Ultimately they decided to call time on their relationship, it became clear it wasn't feasible for them to be together so she's cut off contact with him.' The source added that while it is a sad situation, both Naomi and Rampa have been receiving a lot of attention from others in the wake of the split. MailOnline has contacted Naomi's representatives for comment. Rampa - who was born Gregor Sutterlin in Freiburg in Germany's Black Forest - is a renowned DJ and founder of electronic music record label, Keinemusik. It was reported back in September that the ex couple had 'real chemistry' as their 'whirlwind romance' went from strength to strength. A friend of Rampa, whose real name is Gregor Sutterlin, later told The Sun that he and Naomi were 'having fun' and enjoyed an 'amazing summer' together. The insider said: 'They've got real chemistry and they've had an amazing summer together. 'He is keen to see where it goes and they have been very much acting like they're a couple. Rampa - who was born Gregor Sutterlin in Freiburg in Germany's Black Forest - is a renowned DJ and founder of electronic music record label, Keinemusik The supermodel has cut all contact with the DJ by unfollowing him on social media A source told The Sun on Monday that their relationship wasn't 'feasible' long term and the split was caused by their busy schedules 'Gregor has had a busy year with work but Naomi has been happy to join him wherever he is in the world. It's a whirlwind romance but at the moment it's not slowing down.' Naomi appeared to be feeling the love as she planted a sweet kiss on Rampa in a viral video from August. She looked in good spirits as she puckered up for the German DJ while dancing around in the crowded club. He was then embraced by a male friend as Naomi danced off in the distance. Naomi's most recent split comes after it was revealed Naomi is happily single and focused on her children. Following reports of a romance with close pal Mohammed Al Turki, friends revealed that the rumours were wide of the mark. Al Turki ('Mo' to his friends) is the boss of the Red Sea Film Festival. He accompanied Naomi to the BAFTAs in London in February, and the pair were seen holding hands on the night. She had also been spotted wearing an enormous diamond ring. It was recently revealed Naomi is happily single and focused on her children after false reports circulated of a romance with close pal Mohammed Al Turki (pictured in February) However a dear friend of Naomi told the Mail: 'It isn't a romance - all her friends know that he is actually in love with another model and in a settled relationship with them. Naomi is single and focuses on her children and her sobriety.' Naomi, born in London, now lives mostly in New York. In May 2021 she took the world by surprise when she announced she had welcomed a daughter - at the age of 51. She told Vogue magazine: 'I always knew one day I would be a mother, but it's the biggest joy I could ever imagine.' Two years later, in June 2023, she announced the arrival of her son. Both children are believed to have been born to a surrogate and Naomi has yet to reveal the names (or faces) of either. Alan Carr's hit BBC show is reportedly returning for a third series. The UK's funny man, 48, is said to have had so much success with his latest series, Picture Slam, that the BBC, which debuted last year and returned in September, will make a come back in 2025, according to TV Zone. In the show, teams compete against the clock to name pictures in four rounds, including Picture Twist and buzzer rounds. The winning team receives a Picture Slam and a chance to win 10,000. And after rave reviews the BBC has reportedly given the show a green light for a new series. MailOnline has contacted the BBC for a comment. Alan Carr's hit BBC show is reportedly returning for a third series The UK's funny man, 48, is said to have had so much success with his latest series, Picture Slam, that the BBC, which debuted last year and returned in September, will make a come back in 2025, according to TV Zone Alan's success comes after some viewers were left disgruntled over the comedy man's Christmas Variety Show. The comedian and fellow presenter Amanda Holden opened the show with a string of jokes. But some viewers felt the presenting was a touch 'awkward'. The annual charity 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.' Some 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'. In the show, teams compete against the clock to name pictures in four rounds, including Picture Twist and buzzer rounds. The winning team receives a Picture Slam and a chance to win 10,000 Alan's success comes after some viewers were left disgruntled over the comedy man's Christmas Variety Show The comedian and fellow presenter Amanda Holden opened the show with a string of jokes. But some viewers felt the presenting was a touch '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'. But many did shower the duo with praise, with one penning: 'Amanda Holden is so hot oh God!' 'Talent on the Royal Variety Performance tonight is epic - Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, couldn't ask for better presenters.' 'Alan Carr and Amanda Holden are really good together.' Alan Carr's Picture Slam is available on BBC iPlayer. Danielle 'Bhad Bhabie' Bregoli had no involvement whatsoever in a crash that occurred in Tarzana, California on Saturday. The 21-year-old was initially reported by the TV station KTLA as being the registered owner of a Lamborghini Urus that caught fire following a crash which came at the end of a police chase in the San Fernando Valley early Saturday. An editor's note on KTLA's website clarified the confusion, with the station saying, 'We regret the error.' The note said that while 'initial reporting from the scene indicated the vehicle belonged to a local rapper, Bhad Bhabie,' the 'registered owner' of the vehicle told the station 'that was not the case.' The station initially reported erroneously that the person driving the Lamborghini was the brother of the social media star, according to a report from TMZ. But Bhad Bhabie's mother Barbara Bregoli told the outlet that the social media star does not have a brother; and 'was safe and sound at home at the time of the accident.' Danielle 'Bhad Bhabie' Bregoli, 21, had no involvement whatsoever in a crash that occurred in Tarzana, California on Saturday, after a local TV station reported in error that a vehicle involved had been registered in her name Bhad Bhabie's rep told TMZ Monday that Bhad Bhabie 'does not own a Lamborghini.' Bhad Bhabie's rep added that the initial report was 'inaccurate,' as Bhad Bhabie 'was not involved in any car incident in Los Angeles this weekend.' In the traffic incident, according to TMZ, a motorist had been on the run from authorities over 'alleged reckless driving,' prior to an accident in which the pricey vehicle caught fire. The outlet, citing video taken at the scene, reported that nearby Good Samaritans helped rescue the male driver, who was subsequently arrested and hospitalized. On Monday, the star was pictured stepping out with her boyfriend Le Vaughn and their nine-month-old daughter, Kali Love in Woodland Hills. She sported a grey beanie with a long-sleeve black top and sweatpants, and added a pop of color to her look with a pink purse. Meanwhile Le Vaughn rocked a denim jacket, a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants and was pictured pushing their daughter's stroller. The latest incident comes about a month after Bhad Bhabie took to social media November 7 and said she has been diagnosed with cancer. Amid speculation about her weight, Bhad Bhabie said in an Instagram Stories post, 'I'm sorry my cancer medicine made me [lose] weight.' Bhad Bhabie, asking followers to cease exploring 'the worst narratives' in their speculation of her, said she is 'slowly gaining [weight] back.' On Monday, the star was pictured stepping out with her boyfriend Le Vaughn and their nine-month-old daughter, Kali Love in Woodland Hills The latest incident comes about a month after Bhad Bhabie took to social media November 7 and said she has been diagnosed with cancer The social media star, who has 15.8 million followers on Instagram, was seen in LA in October Bhad Bhabie rose to fame after appearing on a 2016 episode of Dr. Phil where she went viral with the phrase, 'Cash me outside.' A family insider told TMZ that Bhad Bhabie 'does have cancer' and is 'currently under the care of a doctor.' Bhad Bhabie rose to fame at the age of 13 after appearing on an episode of Dr. Phil. The episode in question, which first aired September 14, 2016 was titled, 'I Want to Give Up My Car-Stealing, Knife-Wielding, Twerking 13-Year-Old Daughter Who Tried to Frame Me for a Crime.' Bhad Bhabie went viral with the phrase, 'Catch me outside, how about that?' in defiance of the studio audience, which had been laughing at her. But Bhad Bhabie would have the last laugh, parlaying the notoriety from her appearance into a lucrative career with OnlyFans, as well as in rap music and branding endeavors. Jamie Foxxs birthday celebration fiasco, which ended with him needing stitches, reportedly stemmed from a prank orchestrated by crew members from the Jackass production company. The incident occurred at Mr. Chows in Beverly Hills on Friday night, where Foxx was dining with family, including his children. According to TMZ, someone from a private VIP party upstairs directed a 'laser penis pointer' at Foxxs table, projecting a penis-shaped image. Foxx, described as 'upset,' reportedly walked upstairs to address the situation, expressing that he found the joke inappropriate, especially in front of his children. A heated exchange quickly escalated, culminating in a Jackass crew member allegedly throwing a heavy drinking glass at Foxx, striking him in the face, per the outlet's sources. The VIP room was rented by Dickhouse Productionsowned by Jackass stars Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, and Spike Jonzeand was attended only by crew members, as neither the owners nor the stars were present at the party, per the insider. Jamie Foxxs birthday celebration fiasco, which ended with him needing stitches , reportedly stemmed from a prank orchestrated by crew members from the Jackass production company; (pictured 2023) According to TMZ , someone from a private VIP party hosted by Jackass production company upstairs pointed a laser at Foxxs table, projecting a penis-shaped image; (Johnny Knoxville in 2023) Earlier in the evening, attendees from the VIP room had sent Foxx a drink as a friendly gesture, though he didnt consume it, as hes currently abstaining from alcohol, according to the source. The waiter later informed Foxx that the group was waving at him, pointing out the holiday party upstairs. Foxxs table was reportedly confused by the laughter coming from the VIP section until they noticed the laser projecting the obscene image onto their table. 'In front of my daughters?' Foxx exclaimed, according to TMZ's sources. He and some friends then headed to the VIP area to confront the group about the prank. The glass shattered on impact, cutting Foxx near his mouth. Witnesses said Foxx, visibly bleeding, responded, 'Its my birthday, what is wrong with you?' before leaving the restaurant to seek medical attention. Foxx required stitches for his injury and later spoke to police about the incident. Foxx, described as 'upset,' reportedly walked upstairs to address the situation, expressing that he found the joke inappropriate, especially in front of his children; (pictured in London in February 2023) A heated exchange quickly escalated, culminating in a Jackass crew member allegedly throwing a heavy drinking glass at Foxx, striking him in the face, per the outlet's sources; (Knoxville and Bam Margera) Meanwhile, tensions reportedly continued at the restaurant, with members of the VIP party allegedly acting aggressively toward Foxxs friends, prompting Mr. Chows staff to call the police. Law enforcement sources confirmed they are investigating the altercation. While the involvement of Jackass crew members has been mentioned, police have yet to corroborate those claims, and no arrests have been made, according to TMZ. Attorney Bryan Freedman, representing Dickhouse Productions, has denied the claims, stating, 'Although the crew has the greatest respect for Jamie, the version of events that has been presented is totally inaccurate and deeply unfair to those attending their holiday celebration that night.' The investigation is ongoing. The report comes after a spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that 'someone from another table threw a glass that [Foxx] in the mouth.' Despite the drama, Foxx quickly reassured his fans by posting on Instagram hours later with a message of positivity, making it clear the ordeal hadnt affected him. 'The devil is a lie,' he wrote. 'Cant win here thank you to everybody that prayed and checked on me when your light is shining bright they try to bring you darkness but they dont know that youre built for it the lights have been shining bright' Not letting the incident slow him down, Foxx also promoted his new comedy special, What Had Happened Was, which debuted last week and finally cleared up the mystery behind his near-fatal hospitalization in 2023. 'A huge thank you to everyone that has watched and been inspired by What Had Happened Was number 1 on @netflix! If you havent checked it out, please go check it out its from my heart and my soul' he added. Despite the drama, Foxx quickly reassured his fans by posting on Instagram hours later with a message of positivity, making it clear the ordeal hadnt affected him The post comes mere hours after Foxx's spokesperson told DailyMail.com that the actor 'had to get stitches and is recovering.' They added that 'police were called and the matter is now in law enforcements hands.' Authorities 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 come after Foxx finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalization last year, explaining he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain. The Django Unchained actor was rushed to the ER in April 2023 after suffering a mystery 'medical complication', which his family decided to keep private at the time. Foxx has now revealed exactly what happened to him and admitted he lost 20 days' worth of memory and was unable to walk amid his terrifying health battle. Not letting the incident slow him down, Foxx also promoted his new comedy special, What Had Happened Was, which debuted last week and finally cleared up the mystery behind his near-fatal hospitalization in 2023 During an emotional scene on his Netflix special, What Had Happened Was... he recalled: 'On April 11, I was having a bad headache, and I asked my boy for Aspirin. 'I realized quickly that when you're in a medical emergency, your boys don't know what the f**k to do.' Foxx then confessed: 'I don't remember 20 days.' Becoming emotional, Foxx broke down in tears as he declared to the audience that he was 'back', adding: 'You don't know how good this feels.' The Hollywood star went on to admit it's still 'a mystery' what led to his brain bleed, adding: 'We still don't know exactly what happened to me.' Jamie Foxx has finally revealed the reason behind his mystery hospitalisation last year, sharing he suffered a stroke caused by a bleed on the brain Becoming emotional, Jamie broke down in tears as he declared to the audience that he was 'back', adding: 'You don't know how good this feels' After starting his sentence with 'What had happened was,' Jamie broke down in tears and was comforted by the applauding audience. He continued: 'Your life doesn't flash before you. It was kind of oddly peaceful. I saw the tunnel, but I didn't see the light. It was hot in that tunnel.' Jamie then quipped: 'S**t, am I going to the wrong place?' The Oscar-winning actor credited his sister Deidra with 'saving his life' after she drove him to Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital, where he underwent a life-saving procedure. Addressing why his family wanted to keep details of his health scare to themselves, he said: 'I was dizzy from the stroke, so my head would bob around, and my family thought everyone would "meme the f***" out of me."' Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk. He recalled: 'When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair. I couldn't walk.' Yet Jamie didn't want to believe he'd had a stroke and recounted his therapist telling him about his ego: 'You need to kill the old Jamie so the new Jamie can thrive.' He also reflected: 'God blessed me with money and fame, but when I forgot about God, He blessed me with a stroke.' Jamie went on to reveal that he vividly remembers waking up from his coma on May 4, and being unable to walk. He recalled: 'When I woke up, I found myself in a wheelchair' The Netflix special marks Jamie's big return to the stage following his hospitalization. 'If I can stay funny, I can stay alive,' he quipped in the first look teaser. 'This comedy event is a celebration of resilience, humor, and the power of community, reminding us all of the healing power of laughter,' a synopsis previously revealed. Taking to Instagram, Jamie revealed his heart and soul were 'filled with nothing but pure joy' after he 'had an opportunity to tell my side of the story' over three nights October 3-5 in Atlanta, GA. 'I haven't been on stage in 18 years but I needed the stage and I needed an audience that was made up of nothing but pure love and that's what you were,' Jamie gushed on October 13. 'When people ask me is this a stand-up comedy show I say, "No, it's an artistic explanation of something that went terribly wrong."' In a separate post on Tuesday, he shared: 'Personal thank you are in order. 'Just want to jump on and say thank you to everybody that prayed and now you get a chance to hear what it really was its a blessing to be in the position that Im in to be able to tell you my story in my way, so please go to Netflix right now And check out my special what had happened was. 'I hope the jokes make you laugh and I hope the story inspires you Its been a hell of a journey @netflix @netflixisajoke.' The comedy event is one of a number of forthcoming projects the A-list actor has on slate, as he headlines the comedy movie Back in Action for the streaming service in a reunion with Any Given Sunday and Annie co-star Cameron Diaz. The film is expected to begin streaming January 17, 2025. Jamie shared a message, saying: 'Just want to jump on and say thank you to everybody that prayed and now you get a chance to hear what it really was its a blessing to be in the position' Concerns about Jamie's health began on April 12, 2023 when his daughter announced in an Instagram post that he had a medical emergency while filming in Georgia but was 'already on his way to recovery'. In a statement written on behalf of her family, she explained: 'We wanted to share that my father, Jamie Foxx, experienced a medical complication yesterday. 'Luckily, due to quick action and great care, he is already on his way to recovery. We know how beloved he is and appreciate your prayers. The family asks for privacy during this time.' Jamie was hospitalised just a few weeks after he returned to the set of the trouble-hit thriller Back in Action, amid reports he had a 'meltdown' that allegedly caused his co-star Cameron, 50, to want to quit acting again. At the time of having to abort filming, Jamie was said by the LA Times to only have had eight days of shooting left. Days after his absence, Cameron was seen filming with his body double. The spy thriller shows the Charlie's Angels star and the Ray actor as ex-CIA agents who are now married with kids. They are drawn back into the spy business, however, but things get complicated because their children have no idea what they do for a living. In June, a close friend of Cameron's admitted to DailyMail.com that even the actress 'wasn't sure' what was going on with the project, adding that the starlet 'wasn't very proud of it' because of all the on-set drama that had transpired in the lead-up to Jamie's hospitalisation. 'Cameron has not spoken to Jamie at all and does not know anything other than what she hears,' the insider revealed. Jamie was hospitalised a few weeks after he returned to the set of thriller Back in Action, amid reports he had a 'meltdown' that allegedly caused co-star Cameron Diaz to want to quit acting The actress was - according to her friend - ready to quit acting for a second time when problems started occurring behind the scenes of Back In Action. The ongoing issues are said to have caused Cameron and Jamie to get into heated arguments on-set. Their disagreements were reportedly never resolved prior to Jamie's hospitalization, and the friend said that Cameron was suffering from huge 'guilt' over the fact that she and her pal never 'made amends'. Development on the movie commenced in June 2022, when it was revealed that Cameron would be coming out of retirement in order to appear in the feature. Production started around December that year and was halted the following April when Jamie suffered his medical emergency. The following month, Jamie took to social media to thank his fans for their support. The Hollywood star wrote on Instagram: 'Appreciate all the love!!! Feeling blessed [prayer and heart emojis] (sic).' In July 2023, Jamie issued an emotional three-minute video about his health after concern from fans. 'I went through something I never thought I would go through. I know a lot of people [were] waiting or wanting to hear an update, but to be honest with you, I didn't want you to see me like that man,' he admitted with tears in his eyes. The actor, who returned to work last month to film a commercial in Las Vegas, continued: 'I want you to see me laughing, having a good time, partying, cracking a joke, doing a movie, [or] a television show.' 'I didn't want you to see me with tubes running out of me and trying to figure out if I was going to make it through.' Stroke symptoms are commonly remembered under this four-letter acronym, FAST. Patients experiencing a stroke can often have their face drop on one side, struggle to lift both arms and have slurred speech, while time is essential, as immediate treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke can substantially slash the risk of a much deadlier major stroke The father-of-one added that he went through 'hell and back' to survive and has experienced some 'potholes' on his 'road to recovery.' Jamie also praised his sister and daughter for 'saving' his life and keeping the details around his hospitalization private. 'To them, to God, to a lot of great medical people, I'm able to leave you this video,' Jamie added. 'I cannot tell you how great it feels to have your family kick in in such a way, and y'all know they kept it airtight, they didn't let nothing out, they protected me, and that's what I hope that everyone could have in moments like these.' He proceeded to show how his 'eyes are working just fine' by moving them from side to side, before making it clear that he is 'not paralyzed.' Speaking to fans directly, he said: 'I just want to say I love everybody and I love all the love that I got.' The actor got choked up as he warned: 'If you see me out from now on and every once in a while I just burst into tears, its just because its been tough, man. I was sick, man. But now I got my legs under me, so youre gonna see me out.' 'Man, I know they talk about people crying on videos... but I'm not going to do a take two, it is what is is,' he mused. 'Like I said, I want you to remember me for the jokes that I crack and the movies that I make some of them good, some of them ain't (I think I've got a good one out), and songs that I sing.' Foxx is pictured this September walking his daughter Corinne, 30, down the aisle for a wedding ceremony held at his home 'I'm here on earth because of some great people. I'm here on Earth because of God, man,' the performer concluded. 'I'm on way back.' Jamie captioned the video: 'Thank u a billion to everybody been a long road but all the prayers great people and God got me through.' The comedian was supported through his recovery by girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp. They were first romantically linked last year when they were spotted dining with a group of friends at Nobu in Malibu. Their romance reportedly got more serious when he suffered a stroke. Alyce'was totally there for him when he got sick, and they got very close after that,' a source told In Touch in March 2024. However, at the same time, the insider suggested their romance was fizzling out. 'She's still in the picture, and they see each other occasionally but to the same degree they were.' The source said that Jamie was focusing on his work following his health issues. 'He's grateful to be alive, but he's preoccupied with getting his career on track,' the insider said. 'It's odd to see him so sedate when he used to be such a womanizer. There's a part of Jamie that's sad about that, but he just can't do it anymore.' A month later, a source told People that their relationship is still strong and steady despite split rumors. 'Jamie still sees Alyce even though he is really busy working,' the insider claimed. 'Alyce is a sweetie, a great girl,' the source continued before adding that she 'couldn't be nicer or more perfect for' Jamie. Kelly Ripa on Monday's edition of Live with Kelly and Mark shared with guest Keira Knightley a story about her third pregnancy. The admission from Ripa, 54, came after Knightley, 39, said she had not brought her daughters Edie, nine, and Delilah, eight, to New York City amid her promotional tour in support of her Netflix series Black Doves. Knightley told Ripa and her co-host/spouse Mark Consuelos, 53, 'They're with my family - they're having a lovely time - I'm here with my husband.' The English star said she was taken aback by silence she and spouse James Righton, 41, experienced on the flight over. 'Do you know that sudden thing where you're like, "Woah?"' the Oscar-nominated actress said. 'I was on the plane - I read my book. I can sit down. This is amazing.' Ripa - who is mother to Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21, with Consuelos - joked, 'Careful, dear, that's how we got pregnant with number three - we went away!' Kelly Ripa, 54, on Monday's edition of Live with Kelly and Mark shared with guest Keira Knightley a story about her third pregnancy Knightley, 39, had not brought her daughters Edie, nine, and Delilah, eight, to NYC amid her promotional tour in support of her Netflix series Black Doves Knightley playfully pushed back, 'No, he's not coming anywhere near me.' Knightley and Righton, a musician, celebrated their 11th anniversary earlier this year, as they exchanged vows May 4, 2013 in Mazan, France; Ripa and Consuelos celebrated their 28-year anniversary this past May, as they initially tied the knot on May 1, 1996 in Las Vegas. Ripa, speaking with People in April of 2023, opened up about how she foresaw the career paths of her children in the future. She said her two eldest children, Michael and Lola, have expressed an interest in broadcasting. 'Michael talks about it constantly,' Ripa said. 'When we told the kids Mark was [co-hosting], Michael was like, "I would have been perfect for that!"' She said that Lola and her friend Jamie Gelman, the daughter of Live's longtime executive producer Michael Gelman, have 'for years have said that they were going to take over' the popular morning series. Consuelos told the publication that Joaquin 'probably wouldn't want to do that' as 'he's a little reserved.' Consuelos said he felt Joaquin, a student at the University of Michigan, could probably pull it off all the same, as 'he's a drama student and he could turn it on for that hour.' Ripa revealed what led to her and Mark Consuelos, 53, having their third child Ripa is mother to Michael, 27, Lola, 23, and Joaquin, 21, with Consuelos The Academy Award-nominated actress appeared on the show amid a promotional tour in support of her Netflix series Black Doves Ripa said during Friday's show that she utilized her friendship with Madonna to help her three adult children come to a consensus on what the family's holiday card would look like this year. 'What I did was, I sent my kids a picture of Madonna and me and her children and I said, "This is the family Christmas card this year unless you approve of the three of you in a photo of your dad and me" - here are your options ... they literally said, "Do whatever you want."' She said in jest, 'So, I'm using Madonna and me and her kids.' Consuelos noted that their three children 'all responded pretty quickly' after Ripa framed her inquiry in such a way. Live with Kelly and Mark can be seen mornings on ABC from Monday through Friday. Kim Zolciak didn't let her latest run-in with the law stop her from looking her best on Monday. The former Don't Be Tardy star started her week by touching down at Los Angeles' LAX airport in a figure-hugging all-black ensemble. The airport sighting comes after the 46-year-old reality star and her estranged husband Kroy Biermann were visited by police at their Georgia mansion on Sunday. The latest in a long string of police encounters came after Kim had already moved out of the home which was foreclosed on and set to be auctioned this month though she had returned on Sunday to move out belongs, according to TMZ. Despite the tense situation with her ex and police, Kim looked relaxed as she arrived in California. The former Real Housewives Of Atlanta star sported a black crop top that revealed a hint of her trim tummy, and she paired it with black leggings that hugged her fit figure. Kim Zolciak, 46, looked sporty in an all-black look as she touched down at LAX airport in LA on Monday. It was her first sighting since police were called to her Georgia mansion on Sunday Kim matched her sporty look with a black cropped bomber jacket with a quilted design that resembled the Chanel overnight bag she brought along. She set it on a small silver rolling suitcase from Chanel which featured the same quilted design, which appears to sell for at least $4,000. Kim had plenty of other luxury luggage with her, as someone was seen pushing a cart with several larger suitcase, including two brown Louis Vuitton suitcases. She completed her casual look with pale pinkandwhite trainers with tall black socks, and she wore her long blond hair parted at the middle with thick curls draped over her chest. The TV star was spotted cooling down with an iced drink as she made her way out of the airport. It's unclear if Kim just had plenty of outfits for her time in LA, or if she was having an extended stay on the West Coast. Her latest showdown with estranged husband Kroy Biermann, 39, occurred on Sunday, when she had moving trucks at their Georgia mansion to finish removing her belongings. Police were reported called to the home after Kroy blocked the moving truck from behind with his car. However, officers were contacted via the standard police department number, rather than 911. She rocked a black crop top with leggings, pink-and-white trainers and a quilted black jacket. She carried Chanel luggage and had someone pushing a cart with Louis Vuitton luggage On Sunday, police were called to her mansion outside Atlanta after her estranged husband Kroy Biermann, 39, reportedly parked behind her movie truck. He moved after speaking with police without incident Kim was reportedly moving belongings to her new residence after the house was foreclosed on and put up for auction this month Milton Police Lt. Andrew Noblett confirmed to Dailymail.com that officers responded to the residence Sunday morning. He said in an email: 'The call was of civil dispute nature involving items being loaded into a moving van. There were no arrests made, or citations issued to either party.' Sources said Kroy eventually agreed to move his vehicle after speaking with police, and Kim was able to transport the items to her new residence. Insiders added that the conflict didn't involve a 'huge blowout argument,' unlike several other times police have been dispatched to the home. The visits from law enforcement became so regular that an officer reportedly told Kim last month that she would need to make an appointment with police ahead of time for when she planned to be around her soon-to-be ex-husband, or she would have to hire an off-duty police officer to supervise the two. The warning from police occurred on November 18, and later on November 26, Kim alleged that Kroy had pushed her to the ground during an argument. However, Kroy denied pushing his estranged wife, and family members that were interviewed by police weren't able to corroborate her claims. The couple, who split in May of 2023, have engaged police in disputes over allegedly stolen items. During the November 18 visit from police, Kim accused Kroy of having stolen her iPad and security cameras from the premises, which he denied, calling her claims 'lies.' The couple have been ordered by the judge overseeing their divorce to stay in separate parts of their home, aside from common areas, but Kim also accused Kroy of violating that order in a shocking manner. The couple, who split in May 2023, had bickered over finances, with Kroy accusing her of spending lavishly and accruing gambling debt He accused Kim of rebuffing his attempts to sell the home before it went into foreclosure, as he hoped to get a better offer than they would at auction. However, the auction was scheduled for December 3 'He j***ed off - want me to show you the j***-off video of him j***ing off on my camera?' she asked one of the officers. Kroy again denied the claim and called her a 'pathological liar,' according to police bodycam footage obtained by TMZ earlier this month. The couple have been in dire financial straits, after Kroy accused Kim of wantonly spending their money on luxuries and racking up significant gambling debts. Their home was in danger of being foreclosed on after they fell behind on their $1.56 million loan on the home from 2012. Kroy had begged the judge overseeing the divorce to let him put the house on the market at a price of his choosing, after he alleged that Kim had rebuffed his attempts to sell the house to get them out of debt and avoid foreclosure. However, despite slashing the asking price multiple times from $6 million to $3.95 million, the couple were unable to find a buyer. The home was scheduled by the bank to go on auction on December 3, though it's unclear if the sale has already occurred and how much the home went for. Kim and Kroy share four children Kroy Jr., 13; Kash Kade, 12; and twins Kaia Rose and Kane Ren, 11 while he also adopted her two elder daughters from a prior relationship, Brielle, 27, and Ariana, 23. Tammy Hembrow has dropped a major bombshell following her recent nuptials. The fitness influencer, 30, tied the knot with husband Matt Zukowski, 29, in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends last month. Now that the dust has settled from the couple's stunning wedding and subsequent luxe Finnish honeymoon, Tammy has taken her husband's name on her social media. The bio on her Instagram account, which boasts an impressive 17.3 million followers now bears the name Tammy Zukowski. However her account handle @tammyhembrow remains unchanged. The loved-up couple exchanged vows in a gorgeous November ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay. Tammy Hembrow has dropped a major bombshell following her recent nuptials. The fitness influencer, 30, tied the knot with husband Matt Zukowski, 29, in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends last month. Both pictured Tammy looked stunning in a strapless ivory and blush pink gown that featured an elaborate tulle train and a corset bodice, highlighting her ample cleavage. The blonde beauty completed her look with a long ivory veil and her hair was styled with long hair extensions in a half ponytail with a middle part. As the couple held hands, Tammy became emotional and broke down in tears while they exchanged vows and said, 'I do.' She was supported by her bridesmaids: her sisters Amy, 34, and Emilee, 32, along with her half-sister Ava Olympia and Starlette Thynne. Tammy and Zukowski got engaged in December last year following just three months of dating. The jet-setting pair were engaged in the Maldives late last year, before heading off to Greece and Bali for luxury holidays. Tammy has been engaged twice before, the first time to influencer Reece Hawkins, who she shares her son Wolf and daughter Saskia with. Tammy has gone down the traditional route, choosing to take her husband's surname. The bio on her Instagram account, which boasts an impressive 17.3 million followers now bears the name Tammy Zukowski The name change did not extend to her account handle @tammyhembrow, which still remains unchanged Following the wedding, Tammy and Matt jetted off for an equally luxe, snowbound honeymoon. The couple were living it up at the stunning Aurora Collection Lapland Resort in Saariselka which is famed for views of the Northern Lights. Clocking in at as much $1100 per night, the resort offers 'Arctic scenery from the comfort of your own cabin', according to the website. Tammy was not shy about taking to social media during the loved-up post-wedding vacation to share a raft of jealousy inducing photos from the couple's enviable honeymoon. Prior to the wedding, Tammy revealed that she did not trust Matt when it came to the wedding vows. Tammy joined her fiance on his Where's Your Head At podcast with co-host Anna McEvoy, and admitted she initially worried about Matt's vows. The admission came when Anna asked Matt if he had finished writing his vows and the soon-to-be groom revealed he turned to Google for inspiration. 'I don't know how any other dude does it, but I Googled how to structure them,' Matt revealed. The fitness influencer tied the knot with Matt in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends last month. The loved-up couple exchanged vows in a gorgeous ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil 'I got really overwhelmed, so I'm going to go over it with the celebrant.' Tammy then chimed to admit she was 'worried' about what he would come up with. We did a questionnaire with our celebrant,' Tammy said. 'I've been a little bit worried about Matt's vows. Are they going to be romantic?' After Matt protested he was romantic, Tammy agreed, adding that her concerns over Matt's vow-writing abilities were unfounded. 'You are very romantic but I had no idea how it was going to go,' Tammy told her fiance. 'We went through some of the questions and his answers were so sweet I literally wanted to cry,' she added. 'I have nothing to worry about this man is the sweetest.' Cardi B clarified her relationship status with Offset after twerking at his birthday party. This comes after the 32-year-old rapper appeared to help her estranged husband celebrate his 33rd birthday in Miami over the weekend. After they were spotted together, she shared an update on where they stand on a livestream on X Spaces. 'We've been peaceful for over a week, so we like the energy,' she told her fans, according to The Jasmine Brand. 'We ain't beefin'. We ain't really speaking,' she shared. 'So I think we're getting to a point that is we're really healthy co-parenting.' The star who recently boasted about her jaw-dropping spending habits filed for divorce for a second time in August after doing so the first time in September 2020. Cardi B clarified her relationship status with Offset after twerking at his birthday party. This comes after the 32-year-old rapper appeared to help her estranged husband celebrate his 33rd birthday in Miami over the weekend Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, shares three children including one newborn baby with Offset. The pair are parents to daughter Kulture Kiari Cephus, six, son Wave Set Cephus, three, and a newborn daughter who was born in September and whose name the couple has chosen to not yet reveal. Offset is also a father to sons Jordan, 14, and Kody, nine, from past relationships. During the live event, Cardi also said she has been doing 'really great' recently because they have been on better terms. 'We've been really happy,' she said. 'I feel like this week has been the less drama week 'cause for the past three months, it's been drama, it's been arguing, it's been craziness.' She continued: 'But this week, it's been, like, eight days that there's no drama, there's no bulls***.' The Up hitmaker added: 'It's getting to the point where everybody's moving on very healthy.' After they were spotted together, she shared an update on where they stand; pictured February 2019 in Los Angeles She said that they were on 'good terms' and have been 'getting to a point [where] we're really healthy co-parenting'; pictured September 2023 in Newark During the chat, she also suggested that both she and Offset have started seeing other people and adopted a live-and-let-live, respectful mentality to each others' dating lives; pictured March 2023 in Los Angeles During the chat, she also suggested that both she and Offset have started seeing other people and adopted a live-and-let-live, respectful mentality to each others' dating lives. 'You heard I'm with a n****, don't bother me,' she said. 'I hear you with a b****, I don't bother you. So we've been on good terms.' Over the weekend, she 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 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 (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 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' 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... 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+ '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. 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. Jim Carrey cut a dapper figure while attending the Los Angeles premiere of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Monday. The Ace Ventura: Pet Detective actor, 62, sported a long black coat over a black and white shirt and dress pants. The comedian flashed a bright smile on the red carpet, following his recent claims that he took the role because he 'needed money.' His raven hair was neatly styled with a bit of gel, swept to the side. While on the red carpet Carrey who once had an estimated net worth of $300 million also mingled with his co-star Keanu Reeves, 60. They later posed with Ben Schwartz, 43, who's the voice of Sonic. Carrey has starred as mad scientist, Ivo Robotnik/Doctor Eggman, in all three of the action adventure films. Jim Carrey, 62, cut a dapper figure while attending the Los Angeles premiere of Sonic The Hedgehog 3 at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Monday It comes after the Canadian actor backtracked on his money claims, telling Comicbook.com, 'It's not really about the money. I joke about the money.' He also joked about gambling away his fortune. 'I gamble. Flea circuses are my thing,' the actor humorously stated. He also walked back comments about him being ready to retire, after previously stating in 2022 that he was 'being fairly serious' about retiring from acting. 'You can't be definite about these things,' he told the publication. 'I said Id like to retire, but I think I was talking more about "power-resting." Because as soon as a good idea comes your way or a group of people that you really enjoyed working with and stuff, it just things tend to change.' It's unclear how much he got paid for his latest role, but the iconic actor used to command a cool $20 million for films like The Cable Guy in 1996. Carrey enjoyed a legendary run with hits like Liar Liar, The Truman Show, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Bruce Almighty, but his star began to dim in the late 2000s. Despite once having an estimated net worth of $300 million, Carrey still needs to make sure the bills get paid which is why hes come out of 'retirement.' 'I came back to this universe 'cause, first of all, I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch, and it's just... it's just... I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money, frankly,' he quipped on the red carpet of Sonic the Hedgehog 3s London premiere on Monday. But dont be fooled into thinking its entirely about the paycheck; Carrey was quick to add, 'At the same time, it had heart, and that's why I did it the first time. There was something beautiful about the heart of the piece.' The Ace Ventura: Pet Detective actor sported a long black coat over a black and white shirt and dress pants The comedian flashed a bright smile on the red carpet, following his recent claims that he took the role because he 'needed money' The Canadian actor later backtracked on his money claims, telling Comicbook.com , 'It's not really about the money. I joke about the money' He also joked about gambling away his $300M fortune fortune. 'I gamble. Flea circuses are my thing,' the actor humorously stated While on the red carpet he also mingled with his co-star Keanu Reeves, 60 They later posed with Ben Schwartz, 43, who's the voice of Sonic The dynamic trio appeared to have a blast at the event Of course, he couldnt resist throwing in his signature humor, concluding, 'I hope it will bring families together and cure several diseases.' However, finances appear to be on Carrey's mind, as he is still holding out for a big payout on his stunning Los Angeles mansion, which remains on the market after a series of his price cuts, according to Realtor.com. Initially listed in February 2023 for a lofty $28.9 million, the five-bedroom, nine-bathroom Brentwood estate has now been reduced to a more palatable $19 million. Two months after listing the property, he cut the price to $27 million, and in October 2023, he reduced that number to $24 million. And in May 2024, the Truman Show actor slashed the price to $21.9 million bringing the total discount to $7 million. When he first listed his home for sale in February, he told The New York Post that he was ready for 'changes' in his life. 'For three decades it's been a sanctuary for me, but I don't spend a lot of time there now and I want someone else to enjoy it like I have,' he told the outlet in a statement. 'Cha cha cha cha ... Changes!' he added as he referenced the iconic David Bowie song. Despite the price slashes, Carrey is poised to make a significant profit, having purchased the property for just $3.8 million back in 1994. Despite once having an estimated net worth of $300 million, Carrey still needs to make sure the bills get paid which is why hes come out of 'retirement'; seen in a still from Sonic He bought it while he shot to fame starring in the hit movie Ace Venture: Pet Detective. The actor also owns a property in Maui, confirming in 2017 that he is a resident of the island after buying a home near the waterfront in Makena. Some of his art is even displayed in the local Wyland Gallery. His luxury car collection is rumored to have taken a bite out of his fortune as well. The comedian has owned several Mercedes, a Porshe Panamera and a Tesla, according to Supercarblondie. Hes also shared stories of his travels to various corners of the globe, from humble trips to Buffalo, NY, to lavish getaways in London and awe-inspiring visits to Machu Picchu, Peru. Carreys journey from humble beginnings to Hollywood icon began in the streets of Toronto, where he grew up. After leaving school in 1978 to help support his family, Carrey spent two years working as a janitor in a factoryfar from the spotlight, but not for long. By age 15, he was already performing stand-up comedy in local Toronto clubs, and by 1979, he was earning a living as a comedian. At 19, Carrey took a leap of faith and moved to Hollywood, where he quickly immersed himself in both television and film. In 2004, he solidified his place in both countries by obtaining dual U.S. and Canadian citizenship. Carrey enjoyed a legendary run with hits like Liar Liar, The Truman Show, How the Grinch Stole Christmas , and Bruce Almighty, but his star began to dim in the late 2000s In 1983, Carrey made his mark on Canadian television with a role in IntroducingJanet. The following year, he stepped onto the big screen in his feature film debut, Finders Keepers, before landing a leading role in Once Bitten (1985). But it was Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) that saw Carrey take on the quirky role of Wiploc, an intergalactic alien, cementing his place in the world of eccentric comedy. Carreys first TV special, Jim Carrey: Unnatural Act (1991), earned rave reviews and opened the door to his breakout role on the sketch comedy series In Living Color, where his zany, larger-than-life persona became a household name. Interestingly, in 1985, Carrey made a daring and prescient decision: he wrote himself a check for $10 million for 'acting services rendered,' dated it ten years into the future, and kept it in his wallet as a symbol of his ambition. Remarkably, in November 1995, Carrey learned that he had been cast in Dumb and Dumber for exactly $10 million. In 2022, he announced his plans to retire from acting once and for all, claiming that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 would be his final film. 'It depends, if the angels bring some sort of script that's written in gold ink that says to me that it's gonna be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road, but I'm taking a break,' he said at the time. At the Sonic 3 premiere, an interviewer from the Associated Press said to him: 'You said in a past interview that you'd come back if you got a script written in gold ink written by angels...?' As Carrey began to laugh he replied saying: 'That might've been hyperbole, yeah.' Carrey commanded a cool $20 million for films like The Cable Guy in 1996 The Sonic series has been one of the most lucrative projects of his career, with the first two films grossing a combined $725m (568m) worldwide. Sonic The Hedgehog is back on the big screen with another hair-raising adventure to unwrap just in time for Christmas. It sees the return of everyone's favorite blue hedgehog, along with his faithful sidekicks, Knuckles and Tails, as the dynamic trio experience their most thrilling adventure yet. It also stars Idris Elba and Colleen O'Shaughnessey. Viewers have weighed in on Samantha Armytage's return to breakfast TV this week. The 48-year-old former Sunrise star made her debut on Nine's Today to a mixed response on Monday. But some fans have leapt to her defence saying that the former Seven star could help renew interest in the Channel Nine show, which regularly tails Sunrise in the ratings. 'Put Sam on Weekend Today,' posted one online critic. 'Goodness knows, that show needs help. She was at her best on Weekend Sunrise. Two days a week is the right amount of Sam,' they continued. Still, another viewer appeared to be sceptical about a permanent return to brekkie TV for Sam. Viewers have weighed in on Samantha Armytage 's return to breakfast TV this week. The 48-year-old former Sunrise star made her debut on Nine's Today to a mixed response on Monday. Pictured: Sam and fill-in co-host Dan Anstey 'Put Sam on Weekend Today,' posted one online critic. 'Goodness knows, that show needs help. She was at her best on Weekend Sunrise. Two days a week is the right amount of Sam,' they continued 'This is purely an initiative of Nines head of TV to get Sam filling-in, obviously a fan and would like more where possible,' they wrote. 'But I dont think that means theyre looking to blow up the current duo who are working well despite being number two (in the ratings) nor that Sam is interested.' Sam made headlines when it was announced that she joining Nine to host Bachelor spin-off The Golden Bachelor back in October. But her appearance co-hosting on Monday's Today as a summer fill-in alongside Dan Anstey has sparked much speculation that the network has bigger plans for the media veteran. 'I have a feeling Sam is definitely being lined up for something else, but she may just become the new Sonia Kruger for Nine hosting new prime time shows all year round till something sticks,' added another viewer to the Media Daily thread. They continued: 'I can stilll see her popping up next year on today, and if they were clever they could give Sam her own morning show and cut today extra down and place her show in between for an hour to shake things up.' It comes after Sam copped flak online following her appearance on the Today, with unimpressed fans flocking to social media to call for her to be removed as summer fill-in host. '@TheTodayShow off to channel 7 for a while. Please post when Armytage moves on and well come back,' one person wrote on X. Sam made headlines when it was announced that she joining Nine to host Bachelor spin-off The Golden Bachelor back in October 'Why is Sam Armytage on Ch9's brekky show? And why can't the media give a go to literally anyone except a few. Is Kochie getting a new plum job too?' another said. 'Sam Armytage on NOPE!' a third agreed. 'I moved from 7 to 9 because of Sam Armytage, so what do you go and do? Let us know when she's moved on and I'll start watching again,' another commented. Despite some backlash from viewers, others expressed their excitement to see Sam hosting the breakfast program. 'It's great to see Sam Armytage back on the TV sets as she is co-hosting summer series of #9Today,' one wrote. '@sam_armytage looking stunning today can she stay permanently,' another agreed, while one added: 'Loved it.' Channel Nine was reportedly plunged into back-to-back crisis meetings following the decision to bring Samantha onto the Today show as a summer fill-in co-host. The network's move has also sparked outrage among long-time staff, with insiders alleging the decision has created tension behind the scenes and left many feeling snubbed. While Nine insists the move is purely seasonal, speculation is rife that it could be a trial run to see if Samantha is the right fit to join Today permanently. One major source of resentment at her new network is the perception that Nine's existing talent has been overlooked. Many insiders were reportedly blindsided by Samantha's signing, particularly after she was chosen to host The Golden Bachelor, despite others at the network vying for the role. 'There is no harder slap-down than to put your hand up for hosting The Golden Bachelor and virtually be told you've got the gig, only to then read in the newspapers that Sam is their surprise pick,' the insider claimed. The tension reportedly extends to Today's regular hosts. Today host Sarah Abo, 39, was allegedly upset earlier this year when she learned Samantha was being considered as her temporary replacement during a leave period Sarah Abo, 39, was allegedly upset earlier this year when she learned Samantha was being considered as her temporary replacement during a leave period. That plan was shelved after Sarah pushed back, with Nine opting for Sylvia Jeffreys as a 'safer option'. This time, however, Sarah appears to have accepted the decision, though insiders claim it hasn't been easy. 'If Sam wants it that much, she can have it,' a colleague reportedly said, adding that Sarah is resigned to the fact that Sam is being given prime opportunities at the network. Channel Nine and Samantha Armytage have been approached for comment. Sam's move to the network comes after she recently shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary Their separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance. 'Yes Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but its somewhat lessened by the fact its amicable and we wish the best for each other,' Armytage then told media. 'I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I wont be making any further comment.' While the news just emerged publicly, it is understood Armytage's television presenter friends have been comforting the star behind the scenes for some time. Samantha is no longer followed on Instagram by Richard's two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other. She started dating Richard in April 2019, and they announced their engagement in June 2020, before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later. Hugh Jackman looked to be in great spirits on Monday as he was spotted out on a Sydney Harbour cruise with his children, Oscar and Ava, and his personal trainer. The Australian-born Hollywood star showed off his impressive physique, flexing his toned muscles under his navy shirt. The 56-year-old opted for a casual ensemble including black and white swim shorts. The Wolverine star added a straw hat and aviator sunglasses to his outdoorsy ensemble. A towel was draped casually around his neck as he basked in the warm Sydney weather. Hugh looked clearly thrilled to be spending quality time with his family, giving off a relaxed air. Hugh Jackman (pictured) looked to be in great spirits on Monday as he was spotted out on a Sydney Harbour cruise with his children He was joined by his son Oscar and daughter Ava and his personal trainer. All pictured The Australian-born Hollywood star showed off his impressive physique, flexing his toned muscles under his navy shirt The father-of-two couldn't contain his excitement, flashing a big smile as he struck a few playful poses, much to the delight of onlookers. It was clear that Jackman was in his element, enjoying the scenic cruise with his loved ones. His ripped body was hard to miss as he confidently flaunted his hard-earned muscles draped in swimwear. The star has long been known for his dedication to staying in top shape. He looked every bit the proud father as he shared a relaxed, joyful moment with his children on the iconic waters of Sydney. Jackmans laid-back style and effortless charm added to the vibe of the perfect Aussie day out. The group seemed to be having a blast, with Jackman making the most of his downtime while still managing to turn heads with his enviable physique. Hugh has been spotted around Bondi while back in Australia for the Christmas season. The 56-year-old opted for a casual ensemble including black and white swim shorts The Wolverine star added a straw hat and aviator sunglasses to his ensemble A towel was draped casually around his neck as he basked in the warm Sydney weather Hugh looked clearly thrilled to be spending quality time with his family, giving off a relaxed air He looked every bit the proud father as he shared a relaxed, joyful moment with his children Jackmans laid-back style and effortless charm added to the vibe of the perfect Aussie day out The Aussie actor was seen in a Sydney cafe on the weekend by an excited fan who witnessed the actor enjoying a spot of lunch. The Greatest Showman star stopped into the very trendy Speedos Cafe in the hip seaside suburb of North Bondi on Sunday. The actor mingled with a male friend and may have been in the company of his children. Hugh looked relaxed and animated throughout the catch up and appeared to know the waitresses who work at the eatery. The superstar dressed comfortably for the outing in fitted black shirt and a pair of shorts. The sighting comes after reports that Jackman's ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness is said to have been 'seething with rage' over the Hollywood star's rumoured new romance with Sutton Foster. Hugh and Deb, 69, confirmed their separation after almost three decades together in September 2023, and he is now said to be dating Broadway star Sutton, 49. It has been claimed that Deb was enraged at being 'the last to know' about the relationship. According to Radaronline, Deb is angry in particular at Hugh's close friend Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively, who both allegedly 'kept quiet' about the rumoured romance. 'They kept their lips sealed out of loyalty to Hugh,' a source told the publication. 'Now she is seething with rage over being the last to know, Deb feels blindsided. She has a memory like a steel trap and isn't afraid to use it!' It was clear that Jackman was in his element, enjoying the scenic cruise with his loved ones The group seemed to be having a blast, with Jackman making the most of his downtime Hugh has been spotted around Bondi while back in Australia for the Christmas season The Aussie actor was seen in a Sydney cafe on the weekend by an excited fan The Greatest Showman star stopped into the very trendy Speedos Cafe in the hip seaside suburb of North Bondi on Sunday The actor was in his element on the water 'Debs feels cheated by all three because someone could have told her what was happening and they all chose to keep their mouths shut,' they added. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Deborra-Lee and Ryan's representatives for comment. Australian actor Hugh was reportedly planning to introduce his new partner Sutton to his and Deb's children Oscar and Ava over the festive period. However, Deb was allegedly 'not keen on the idea' with a source claiming that she does not want a 'blended' family Christmas. 'It's a delicate balancing act and he feels like if anyone is going to spend less time with the kids this year, it's him,' they added. The insider said Hugh and Sutton are determined to make their relationship work and are keeping things low-key at the moment. Hugh and Sutton took on the roles of Harold Hill and Marian Paroo in The Music Man, which ran from February 2022 to January 2023 at the Winter Garden Theatre in Manhattan. The pair have attended public events together, stepping out at the opening night of their show The Music Man on Broadway in February 2022. In September 2023, Hugh shocked fans when he filed for divorce from Deb. 'We have been blessed to share almost three decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage,' the couple said in a joint statement. 'Our journey now is shifting, and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth.' Months later rumours began to swirl that Sutton and Hugh had grown close, with insiders telling PageSix that they are now 'in love.' Olivia Munn and John Mulaney looked happy as ever during a date night at All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich gala on Monday in New York City. The 44-year-old actress and 42-year-old comedian who just celebrated son Malcom's third birthday were dressed their best as they cozied up for red carpet photos after first walking the step-and-repeat alone. Munn modeled a brown halterneck dress with pleated detail and a deep, cleavage-flashing keyhole design at the chest as she supported her husband, who stars in the Broadway play. Her glossy, waist-length brunette locks were styled in an off-center part with bouncy, curled ends. The New Girl star's face was aglow in peach-toned hues that highlighted her cheekbones and accentuated her sparkling eyes. For his part, Mulaney complemented his wife in a double-breasted light gray suit and cream-colored shirt. Olivia Munn and John Mulaney looked happy as ever during a date night at All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich gala on Monday in New York City The 44-year-old actress and 42-year-old comedian were dressed their best as they cozied up for red carpet photos The twosome recently celebrated their firstborn child, son Malcom's, third birthday The Hollywood vet fastened one button on his jacket and elevated his look with black accents, including his shoes and tie. He was clean-shaven, displaying his dimples while his dark hair was neatly tucked behind his ears. The lovebirds, who tied the knot in July, welcomed daughter Mei via surrogate in September. Munn was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2023, and underwent a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. 'I have now had a full hysterectomy. I took out my uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries,' the star disclosed to Vogue earlier this year. She added: 'Doing a full hysterectomy was a big decision to make, but it was the best decision for me because I needed to be present for my family.' The mother-of-two explained that she made the decision after being given a choice between the procedure and taking anti-hormone medication that would have left her bedridden. 'John is just the most amazing husband and father, and so we figure out a way to make it all work despite how tired I can be at all times,' she said on the Today show in October. Munn modeled a brown halterneck dress with pleated detail and a deep, cleavage-flashing keyhole design at the chest The Hollywood vet fastened one button on his jacket and elevated his look with black accents The former Saturday Night Live writer reunited with former SNL cast member Pete Davidson The star, whose famous dating roster includes Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, looked stylish in a black outfit topped with a burnt orange leather jacket Also at the New York City gala on Monday night was actor/comedian Pete Davidson, 31. The star, whose famous dating roster includes Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande, looked stylish in a black outfit topped with a burnt orange leather jacket. His dark hair was cut short and he sported a shadow of a beard while posing alongside former Saturday Night Live writer Mulaney. SNL creator Lorne Michaels, 80, attended the event in a navy blue suit and black loafers. Filmmaker J. J. Abrams, 58, flashed his smile on the red carpet as he arrived in a black turtleneck sweater and indigo blue jeans. David Letterman and wife Regina Lasko accompanied each other to the affair. The former late night talk show host, 77, looked dapper in a dark sweater and blazer teamed with olive green trousers. Lasko, 64, was clad in a long black dress which she layered under a black coat. SNL creator Lorne Michaels, 80, attended the event in a navy blue suit and black loafers and filmmaker J. J. Abrams, 58, flashed his smile on the red carpet David Letterman and wife Regina Lasko accompanied each other to the affair The former late night talk show host, 77, looked dapper in a dark sweater and blazer teamed with olive green trousers Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, 75, turned heads in a bright red coat with stylishly flared cuffs and black buttons. Actress and comedian Cecily Strong, 40, had the same idea as Anna as she also chose to wear a tomato-red color palette Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour turned heads in a bright red coat with stylishly flared cuffs and black buttons. The outerwear clung to her slender frame and fell to her ankles. The 75-year-old fashionista added a statement necklace made of various colored, chunky stones and charms. She sported her signature chin-grazing bob haircut, complete with face-framing bangs. And the media maven obscured her eyes with a pair of oversize, glossy black sunglasses. Her ultra-polished ensemble was punctuated with strappy black and white, open-toe heels that exposed her vampy pedicure. Actress and comedian Cecily Strong, 40, had the same idea as Anna as she also chose to wear a tomato-red color palette Steve Martin, 79, looked great in a dark suite, black dress shoes, and dark gray fedora hat Writer Fran Lebowitz, 74, stepped out in cuffed blue jeans, brown boots, and a long, dark coat Fred Armisen, 58, was joined by wife Riki Lindhome, 45, who wore a bright yellow frock Don Cheadlie, 60, and wife Bridgid Coulter, 56, sweetly walked the red carpet hand-in-hand Actress Renee Elise Goldsberry, 52, posed with All In co-star Richard Kind, 68 Writer Fran Lebowitz, 74, stepped out in cuffed blue jeans, brown boots, and a long, dark coat. Fred Armisen, 58, was joined by wife Riki Lindhome, 45, who wore a bright yellow frock. Don Cheadlie, 60, and wife Bridgid Coulter, 56, sweetly walked the red carpet hand-in-hand. And Actress Renee Elise Goldsberry, 52, posed with All In co-star Richard Kind, 68. All In: Comedy About Love is 'a series of hilarious short stories about dating, heartbreak, marriage and that sort of thing,' according to Broadway Plus. A revolving cast of groups of four will take the stage each week, per the website. She's been hard at work in Boston filming her new movie The Drama with costar Robert Pattinson. But Zendaya had a chance to reunite with her boyfriend Tom Holland when she got some downtime from the production on Monday. The 28-year-old actress who previously downed some non-alcoholic beers with Tom at a Boston bar last month was spotted out in the Massachusetts capitol with the 28-year-old Spider Man star as they appeared to be walking toward a popular shopping area. Both were dressed casually and anonymously, and Zendaya could be seen flashing her phone with a map program pulled up. She looked cozy in a gray wool sweater, which she paired with taupe jeans. She wore her brunette locks parted down the middle to frame her modestly made up face while curly strands were draped over her shoulders. Zendaya and boyfriend Tom Holland, both 28, were spotted in Boston on Monday as they headed toward a shopping center with her dog during a break in filming The Euphoria star also brought along her dog Noon and had its leash in her hand. Tom looked similarly nondescript in a navy-and-white striped T-shirt that he paired with light wash jeans. He had his dark hair cut short, a contrast to the shaggier style he has displayed recent years. On a previous visit in December, Tom and Zendaya went out for a night of drinking at a bar in Boston. However, the Lost City Of Z star has been sober since early 2022, so the two filled up on the non-alcoholic beer Bero, which he launched in October with Zendaya by his side. Despite going alcohol-free for the evening, he posted some funny snaps and videos of himself and Zendaya in which they looked as if they'd had a hard night, including one in which she beamed with thumbs up while almost lying her head on the bar. He previously revealed that after a 'boozy' December, he had decided to try Dry January to start 2022 on the right foot. But he revealed on Jay Shetty's podcast that he was concerned to find himself wanting a beer before it was even noon. The Euphoria star, who wore a gray sweater and taupe jeans, has been filming The Drama in Boston in recent weeks with Robert Pattinson Her Spider Man star boyfriend joined her in Boston last month for a night out, which included non-alcoholic drinks at a bar The night out doubled as promotion for his non-alcoholic beer brand Bero, which he launched after realizing he had an alcohol addiction when he tried to mark Dry January in 2022 Zendaya's new film The Drama, produced by A24, is reportedly about a couple who have a shocking revelation about their relationship shortly before their wedding. Robert Pattinson costars as her husband-to-be After he didn't feel as if he could go out with friends when others might be drinking, he decided to extend his dry spell into February, thinking that if he could manage it then it would prove that he 'didn't have a problem.' However, after the desire to drink didn't disappear in the second month of sobriety, Tom began to grapple with the prospect of having developed an alcohol addiction. 'I couldn't be social, I felt like I couldn't go to the pub and have a lime soda, I couldn't go out for dinner, I was really, really struggling and I stared to really worry that I had an alcohol problem,' he explained. Tom decided to go three more months without booze until his June 1st birthday to see if he was able to get past the urge. 'By the time I had got to June 1, I was the happiest I had ever been in my life,' he revealed, although he took that as a sign that he was better off without alcohol, rather than a green light to start imbibing again. Zendaya has lately been working with Robert Pattinson on The Drama, which is being produced by A24. Details about the film are sparse, but it will reportedly be about a couple who are forced to deal with a sudden revelation about their relationship shortly before they plan to get married. It's directed by Kristoffer Borgli, who most recently helmed the critically acclaimed horror-comedy Dream Scenario, which starred Nicolas Cage as a college professor who suddenly learns that he has been appearing in people's dreams in increasing sinister forms. Pete Davidson made a surprise appearance on the red carpet on Monday for opening night of All In: Comedy About Love. The appearance marked the first time Pete, 31, has walked a red carpet event in 18 months. He was there at New York City's Hudson Theatre to support his longtime friend John Mulaney, who is one of the stars of the new romantic comedy play, which was written by former Saturday Night Live writer Simon Rich, whose tenure overlapped with Mulaney's. Pete who also made a brief appearance on SNL when John was hosting in November looked cool and casual for his return to public life. He channeled 1970s style with a burnt-orange leather jacket, and he dressed down the rest of his all-black look. The King Of Staten Island star wore a simple black T-shirt and matching baggy black trousers with cargo pockets. Pete Davidson, 31, walked a red carpet for the first time in 18 months on Monday at opening night of All In: Comedy About Love at the New York's Hudson Theatre He was supporting his longtime friend John Mulaney, who is one of the stars of the romantic comedy play He added another splash of color to his outfit with pale yellow canvas sneakers, and he sported a fresh look with his buzzed haircut. It was a striking difference from his appearance in October of this year, when he sported shaggy hair at the Los Angeles Clippers' opening game at the Intuit Dome, where he caught up with his friend Machine Gun Kelly. Pete and John have been friends for years, and the two have performed on stage extensively, including on a 2019 stand-up comedy tour. John also made a guest appearance in an episode of Pete's Peacock series Bupkis, which he opted to end after just one season, even though it had been renewed by the streamer for a second season. Pete has lately been keeping a low profile following his latest stint in rehab. He checked into a wellness center in July, after DailyMail.com revealed that Davidson said he was still using marijuana after successfully quitting cocaine and ketamine. Sources told DailyMail.com that Davidson opted to check himself into the facility due to his 'unpredictable' behavior and extreme heartbreak he experienced after his split from the Outer Banks actress Madelyn Cline. He previously entered a rehabilitation facility in July 2023, for treatment related to his post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder diagnoses. He channeled 1970s style with a burnt-orange leather jacket, and he dressed down the rest of his all-black look. The King Of Staten Island star wore a simple black T-shirt and matching baggy black trousers with cargo pockets Pete has been keeping a low profile since his most recent rehab stint, which he began in July Sources told DailyMail.com he checked himself in due to his 'unpredictable' behavior and heartbreak following his split from Madelyn Cline in July 'Pete doesn't have stability in his life right now. He does better when he has his s**t together and things are stable,' a source said, referencing the tumult from his breakup with Clyne, which occurred the same month he checked himself into rehab. The couple had first been linked in September 2023, just one month after his split from Bodies Bodies Bodies actress Chase Sui Wonders. She was with him in June of 2023, when he crashed his Mercedes into the side of a home in Beverly Hills. He got the news in July that the reckless driving charges against him had been dropped after he completed a six-month diversion program. He had the charges scrubbed from his record after completing '50 hours of community service, a safe driving course and visit both a hospital and morgue to confront the fatal consequences of risky choices.' Victoria Beckham has once again insisted she's never had a nose job amid surgery rumours. The fashion designer, 50, claimed she's been dogged by rumours of a rhinoplasty over the years but has achieved her 'button nose' with the help of contouring. Speaking on The Today Show on Monday morning, Victoria addressed the idea that she'd had a secret nose job. She explained: 'I have to say, there's been a lot of people in the past that have said to me that I've had some kind of surgery on my nose. I have never, ever, ever, ever No, never. It's clever contouring. 'So I'm literally going to draw two lines down either side of my nose to really shade down the sides. 'What this is going to do, is when I blend it with my nose or my fingers, it's going to give the illusion of a longer, straighter nose.' Victoria Beckham has once again insisted she's never had a nose job amid surgery rumours The fashion designer, 50, claimed she's been dogged by rumours of a rhinoplasty over the years but has achieved her 'button nose' with the help of contouring Victoria previously spoke about the surgery rumours with make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury. Earlier this week, Victoria wore dramatic green eyeliner as she showed off her vibrant new makeup look in an Instagram video. The star showcased her flawless makeup look as she plugged the latest edition in her makeup brand. Victoria looked incredibly glamorous in a sophisticated black blazer and chic beige top while she got to work. She wrote: 'MY NEW FAVOURITE LOOK: EMERALD EYES 'With its intense gem-like shimmer, Lid Lustre in Emerald brings an incredible pop of green and looks so gorgeous with my signature VB black tux. 'I have always been deeply inspired by rich, opulent greens, which is why I love pairing Emerald with my Satin Kajal Liner in Olive for an added touch of radiance. Victoria x 'Shop the look at VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com and at 36 Dover Street.' Victoria wore dramatic green eyeliner as she showed off her vibrant new makeup look in an Instagram video on Sunday Victoria looked incredibly glamorous in a sophisticated black blazer and chic beige top while she got to work Victoria shared a hilarious video of husband David placing a toy elf inside a coffee cup as the couple prepared for Christmas on Monday. She captured former Manchester United and England ace David, 49, as he attempted to fill their home with festive decorations. 'Where is the elf going?' she is heard asking her husband as he proceeded to give the toy an unlikely home inside a coffee mug, next to their Nespresso coffee machine. Captioning the Instagram post, Victoria wrote: 'I promise... no alcohol.' It comes after Geri Horner reportedly 'derailed a lucrative Spice Girls deal' - that would have netted all five members 1million each. According to The Sun , Geri, Mel B , Mel C, Victoria and Emma Bunton were all approached about a drama series that came with a seven-figure payday. Insiders have claimed talks were going well until Geri decided to back out of her involvement in the project. According to The Sun, Geri, Mel B , Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton were all approached about a drama series that came with a seven-figure payday A source said: 'It would have seen five actresses taking on the roles of Posh, Ginger, Scary, Sporty and Baby. 'The venture would have landed them all pay deals of around 1million for essentially not lifting a finger. 'But as the negotiations ramped up, the others were told Geri had objected. The plans have basically been thrown out.' The insider added that, without the agreement of Geri, it will be difficult to make the project happen. Josie Gibson revealed the hilarious moment Sian Welby jumped and fell down a hotel bed after a drunken night out. During her brief appearance on Capital FM Breakfast on Monday, Josie had Sian in stitches as she recalled the story. Josie said: 'So basically we were all on a night out once and we had a little tipple and Sian jumped on the hotel bed and didn't realise it was two beds stuck together and the beds come apart and she got crammed in between these two beds. 'And we were so busy laughing because she just plonked down to the floor, that we couldn't even help her.' Sian added: 'I was down there for like 20 minutes because she was too busy filming it. We've known each other a long, long time.' And on Tuesday, Sian took to Instagram and showed fans the pictured behind the incident, where the mother-of-one could be seen lying flat out on the floor. Josie Gibson, 39, revealed the hilarious moment Sian Welby, 38, jumped and fell down a hotel bed after a drunken night out During her brief appearance on Capital FM Breakfast on Monday, Josie had Sian (pictured) and Jordan North in stitches as she recalled the story And on Tuesday, Sian took to Instagram and showed fans the pictured behind the incident, where the mother-of-one could be seen lying flat out on the floor Sian wrote: 'For those listening to @capitalofficial and heard the story Josie Gibson told about me 'falling down a bed' I found the photo... @josiegibson' Showing the photo, she wrote: 'I jumped on the "double bed" so violently that it pushed the two single beds apart. @josiegibson85 hand... not helping, just taking photos'. Also in Monday's show, Josie stormed out of the Capital Breakfast studio as she broke down in tears as part of an elaborate prank on host Jordan North. The This Morning presenter 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.' Sian wrote: 'For those listening to @capitalofficial and heard the story Josie Gibson told about me 'falling down a bed' I found the photo... @josiegibson' Also in Monday's show, Josie stormed out of the Capital Breakfast studio as she broke down in tears as part of an elaborate prank on host Jordan North 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!' 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' Benedict Cumberbatch has stripped down to a towel to play a chief executive named Benedict Lumberjack for an advert highlighting the role of pension funds in fossil fuel projects. The Sherlock actor, 48, can be heard saying 'I'm so hot right now' while he sits in a sauna and watches the world's forests burn in a campaign video created on behalf of the group Make My Money Matter. Lumberjack encourages people to not 'change a thing' and to 'keep your pension cash pouring in' because it will benefit people like him and 'keep the fires of profit burning'. 'The business of deforestation is on fire and it's all thanks to you,' the character says. 'We've taken billions of your hard-earned pounds and used them to fuel our exploits through the Amazon and beyond. 'The money from your pension has helped scorch, slash and burn entire rainforests, and our profits are growing like, well, wildfire. Benedict Cumberbatch has stripped down to a towel to play a chief executive named Benedict Lumberjack for an advert highlighting the role of pension funds in fossil fuel projects The Sherlock actor, 48, can be heard saying 'I'm so hot right now' while he sits in a sauna and watches the world's forests burn in a campaign video created on behalf of the group Make My Money Matter 'Some parts of the world are literally burning, but you know, it's just the bits that nobody cares about. 'Look, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the rainforest.' The advert, created by agency Lucky Generals and directed by Sophia Ray, aims to increase public awareness of the role of the UK pensions industry in financing companies that help to drive the climate crisis. Research from the campaign group found UK pension schemes invest around 88 billion in fossil fuel companies. Director of the video Ray said: 'It was a dream to direct a project like this. A strong idea for an extremely important cause, brought to life with a mesmerisingly powerful talent like Benedict. 'It's a strong reminder that we can align our financial decisions with our values, and I'm proud to be part of this important conversation for change.' Cumberbatch is known for playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC drama series and Doctor Strange in the Marvel films. He has received Academy Award nominations for his roles in The Imitation Game (2014) and The Power Of The Dog (2021). Lumberjack encourages people to not 'change a thing' and to 'keep your pension cash pouring in' because it will benefit people like him and 'keep the fires of profit burning' 'The business of deforestation is on fire and it's all thanks to you,' the character says. 'We've taken billions of your hard-earned pounds and used them to fuel our exploits through the Amazon and beyond' The advert, created by agency Lucky Generals and directed by Sophia Ray, aims to increase public awareness of the role of the UK pensions industry in financing companies that help to drive the climate crisis Research from the campaign group found UK pension schemes invest around 88 billion in fossil fuel companies Director of the video Ray said: 'It was a dream to direct a project like this. A strong idea for an extremely important cause, brought to life with a mesmerisingly powerful talent like Benedict' Last year, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman dressed as a latex-wearing oil executive called Oblivia Coalmine in a campaign video from the group. Benedict will next star alongside Olivia in a remake of Hollywood classic War Of The Roses. This summer the actors filmed a very amorous scene together while shooting in Devon. The message at the end would be sure to catch people's attention Last year, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman dressed as a latex-wearing oil executive called Oblivia Coalmine in a campaign video from the group The two British acting titans were seen passionately kissing against a car for The Roses. Oscar winning star Olivia, 50, wrapped her arms around her handsome co-star as he lifted her up onto the car bonnet while they locked lips for the scene. They are following in the footsteps of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, whose chemistry blazed through the screen in the original movie. Benedict and Olivia play a married couple whose increasingly bitter separation explodes into comically exaggerated resentment and hatred. Jane Seymour commanded attention in a glamorous red satin gown as she attended the American Ballet Theatre's Holiday Benefit in Los Angeles on Monday night. The James Bond star, 73, looked incredible in the off the shoulder corset number which boasted a wrap skirt and daring thigh high splits. Jane elevated her frame in a pair of eye catching metallic stilettos as she posed on the star-studded red carpet held at The Beverly Hilton. Styling her long blonde tresses in loose waves, the actress accessorised with a dazzling necklace and matching chunky bracelet. Jane flashed her gorgeous smile while posing up a storm for photos ahead of the 11th annual charity event. It comes days after Jane was left 'shaken' as she ran out of her Malibu home 'with just the clothes I was wearing' as the Californian wildfire came 'right up to my house'. Jane Seymour commanded attention in a glamorous red satin gown as she attended the American Ballet Theatre's Holiday Benefit in Los Angeles on Monday night The James Bond star, 73, looked incredible in the off the shoulder corset number which boasted a wrap skirt and daring thigh high splits The actress revealed she got out 'just in time' as she praised firefighters who did an 'astounding' job saving her home from the blaze - dubbed the Franklin Fire - which ignited early last week. Jane said her 'whole house smells of smoke' after returning on Thursday, having rushed to evacuate the property late on last Monday evening. 'I just literally had jeans and a sweater, which I've been wearing for four days and sleeping at different people's houses,' Jane explained on the red carpet of the British American Business Council (BABC) annual Christmas luncheon. 'On Monday night, at 10.50pm, we got a call from my partner, John Zambetti's son Johnny, who was in Serra Retreat. '(He) saw a glow behind the curtains, opened the windows, saw 10 foot flames, and called us immediately and said 'Get out. Get out'. 'We all got out just in time because of that. 'The fire department were unbelievable and the fire came up to inches of the property and they have saved so many lives and I am eternally grateful and shaken. I ran out of the house with just the clothes I was wearing'. Jane is currently dating musician John Zambetti, 75, and is the proud mother of six adult children: Jenni, 44, Katherine, 42, Sean, 39, Kalen, 56, and twins John and Kristopher, 29. The latest update from the City of Malibu confirmed more than 4,000 acres burned during the wind-driven wildfire with 14 buildings destroyed and 13 damaged. Jane elevated her frame in a pair of eye catching metallic stilettos as she posed on the star-studded red carpet held at The Beverly Hilton Styling her long blonde tresses in loose waves, the actress accessorised with a dazzling necklace and matching chunky bracelet Jane flashed her gorgeous smile while posing up a storm for photos ahead of the 11th annual charity event; pictured with Ashley and John Zambetti Jane sat next to ballet dancer Isaac Hernandez during the lavish event She toted her belongings in a gold clutch as she posed with L-R Ashley Zambetti, Jaime Becker and Jasmin Rosemberg It comes days after Jane was left 'shaken' as she ran out of her Malibu home 'with just the clothes I was wearing' as the Californian wildfire came 'right up to my house' The actress revealed she got out 'just in time' as she praised firefighters who did an 'astounding' job saving her home from the blaze - dubbed the Franklin Fire - which ignited early last week Hollywood star Dick Van Dyke, who turned 99 on Friday, and pop superstar Cher were among the stars forced to leave their homes. Collecting the LA icon honour at the BABC event in Los Angeles, Jane said: 'This is a huge honour, and after the week that we've had with the fires coming right up to my house, I couldn't even conceive of putting clothes on, let alone being able to come and talk to anyone about anything.' On the red carpet, Jane said the blaze 'did not attack the house' because 'the fire trucks just came right away, and we got saved'. 'The whole house smells of smoke, but we're just so grateful,' she said. 'The job the fire brigade did is beyond belief. If you are where I live, and you look up the hill, and every house the fire came right up to one inch of the dwelling. 'It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that so few structures were burned.' In her speech, Jane also added that she feels 'incredibly blessed' to still be working at the age of 73. She added: 'I don't know how that works, because usually you turn 40 and you're a woman and you're too old. But when I was 40, I got a little thing called Dr Quinn, and that really saved my life - I've been very fortunate'. Jane starred opposite the late Sir Roger Moore as James Bond in 1973's Live And Let Die - his first as the MI6 agent. She said: 'We all got out just in time. The fire department were unbelievable and I am eternally grateful and shaken. I ran out of the house with just the clothes I was wearing' The menacing wind-driven wildfires have forced a near 20,000 residents from their coastal homes as much of the city is under evacuation orders as of Wednesday morning (fire pictured on Tuesday) Dick Van Dyke was forced to crawl to his car during the terrifying Malibu wildfire evacuation after 'exhausting himself' trying to fight the flames The two-time Golden Globe winner said being a Bond Girl is a 'moniker that will never leave me', describing it as 'probably the most important British export you can be a part of'. Jane won the best actress Golden Globe in 1996 for her role as Michaela Quinn in Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, 14 years after her win for East Of Eden. It comes after Dick Van Dyke was forced to crawl to his car during the terrifying Malibu wildfire evacuation after 'exhausting himself' trying to fight the flames. The screen legend fled his home with wife Arlene Silver, 53, and their animals this week. They have since returned and located their cat Bobo, who escaped during the blaze. Speaking with a local news outlet in an interview aired on the Today show Thursday, Van Dyke said the fire 'was coming from the hill, you could see it. 'And oh my God, and we got out of here.' He revealed he was forced to crawl to his car after exhausting himself trying to use a fire hose, saying: 'I had exhausted myself, I couldnt get up. 'Three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a little fire in the guest house and saved me.' Kendall Gilding has revealed her husband's horror injuries after an accident in the surf. Her partner Tim Morgan was dumped by a rough wave into a sandbar at Burleigh Beach in Queensland this past week. He injured his back and was taken from the beach by paramedics in a neck brace, with initial fears that he would not walk again. In a post shared to Instagram, the 32-year-old documented Tim's painful recovery process. 'A heartbreaking end to our annual holiday. Or should I say back breaking? Maybe its too soon for jokes?' she started her caption. 'On the weekend we went over to Burleigh beach for one final swim. A quick 10 minute adventure. Thats all,' she continued. Kendall Gilding has revealed her husband's horror injuries after an accident in the surf. Her partner Tim Morgan was dumped by a rough wave into a sandbar at Burleigh Beach in Queensland this past week. Both pictured He injured his back and was taken from the beach by paramedics in a neck brace, with initial fears that he would not walk again 'Tim was badly dumped by a wave and went head first into a sandbar. What happened afterwards was equally as traumatic when be started blacking out on the beach. Grateful to the lifeguards! 'If anyone knows the name of the chief lifeguard at Burleigh please let me know? Hes also a qualified paramedic. I want to thank him personally!' She went on: 'Lots of people with these kinds of injuries dont walk again. Praise God Tim will be fine and recover with time! 'Christmas, school holidays and 2025 suddenly look very different, but weve got a beautiful village who are rallying to support us!' Kendall shares children Olive, four, and Moses, one, with her husband Timothy. Earlier this year, the long time Channel Seven journalist has officially jumped ship to rival Network Nine breakfast show Today. She made her debut on the early morning program on Tuesday when she appeared during a live cross to Queensland. Reporting on a crime spree happening west of Brisbane, the newsreader took a shine to her new role following 12 years as a fill-in reporter at Seven. In a post shared to Instagram, the 32-year-old documented Tim's painful recovery process 'A heartbreaking end to our annual holiday. Or should I say back breaking? Maybe its too soon for jokes?' she started her caption 'On the weekend we went over to Burleigh beach for one final swim. A quick 10 minute adventure. Thats all,' she continued 'Tim was badly dumped by a wave and went head first into a sandbar. What happened afterwards was equally as traumatic when be started blacking out on the beach. Grateful to the lifeguards!' she said Kendall distanced herself from her former employers after stepping down from the network last year in a shock move. The veteran newsreader has been a recognisable face on Channel Seven for over a decade, but stepped down from her role in December in a 'radical step'. She took things a step further in February and tried to remove all traces of Seven from her social media accounts, just weeks after leaving her former job. Kendall took to Instagram to share a video telling fans she deleted the word 'seven' from her Instagram handle. Flashing a big smile in delight, the presenter, who was self-employed at the time as a budding influencer and columnist, said: 'This is a post celebrating being Kendall Gilding and not Kendall Gilding Seven!' The big change comes after Kendall shocked fans with the news that she was quitting her role on Channel Seven in December. In an on-air announcement, she hinted at her next steps as she quashed rumours she was quitting to become a full-time mother. 'This Friday will be my final day. I'm reading the 6pm news all week. Praying this isn't a moment of insanity, but rather a radical step of bravery,' she said at the time. 'I'm not becoming a stay at home mum, I don't plan on leaving media. I'm looking forward to a huge 2024 - ready to work harder than ever! Stay tuned.' Following her exit from Seven, Kendall became very active on social media, promoting brands as well as her column for QWeekend magazine. She began her journalism career in 2011 as a presenter on Brisbane radio station 96five Family Radio and later that year, she began working for Seven. Chris Noth channelled his Sex And The City character Mr Big on Monday night as he lived it up in the Big Apple. The actor was in great spirits after a dinner at Polo Bar with friends, leaning on a male pal as he made his way home. Dressed in a bold blue suit, the screen star beamed as he carefully made his way through the rain-soaked pavements. Noth returned to the stage on Sunday for a one-night production of It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver. The actor was reunited with his Yale School of Drama friends for the production, with the play's director Jennifer McCray Rincon reaching out to the SATC star to ask him to appear as the lead George Bailey. Rincon told Denver publication Westword that she considered Noth perfect for the role made famous by James Stewart because of his 'trials and tribulations'. Chris Noth channelled his Sex And The City character Mr Big on Monday night as he lived it up in the Big Apple 'It takes a complex actor to walk in those shoes... with the greatest actors, their performances are always about opposition,' the director explained. 'That's what creates depth and authenticity no one is one thing. I think about Chris in that way; he is very powerful but has emotional depth and darkness, as well.' 'He has children himself, so he knows what it is to have a family. He's been married and has gone through his own trials and tribulations.' Noth saw his career upended in 2021 when he faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has since staunchly denied. The 69-year-old has confessed that he 'strayed on my wife,' which was 'devastating to her,' but added: 'What it isn't, is a crime.' Last year, he firmly denied multiple allegation allegations of sexual misconduct in his first interview about the charges that infamously put his career on hold. Noth, who has insisted he is still close to his former Sex and the City co-stars, told USA Today that any encounters he has had outside his marriage were consensual. 'I strayed on my wife, and it's devastating to her and not a very pretty picture,' he told the outlet. 'What it isn't, is a crime.' The former Law and Order star has been married to his wife, Tara Wilson, 45, since 2012. The couple were together for 10 years before tying the knot and are parents to two children - Orion, 16, and Keats, four. Noth said he has spoken to his teenager about the situation. The SAG nominee admitted his infidelity saying, 'You give yourself the same excuses that many men do; it's just a little side dance, and it's fun. The actor was in great spirits after a dinner at Polo Bar with friends, leaning on a male pal as he made his way home He said he justified by telling himself, 'You're not hurting anybody. No one's going to know about this, you know, and sex is just enjoyable.' 'And suddenly, a lot of people want to have sex with you. It's like, 'Well, I'm not going to get this chance again.'' Four women have told very different stories about their experiences with the Sex and the City star. In Dec. 2021, just weeks after his character was killed off on the in the SATC spin-off And Just Like That, two women went public with their allegations of sexual misconduct. One claimed he raped her in 2015 after she met the actor while working as a server at a nightclub. The second told The Hollywood Reporter Noth raped her in 2004. The actor's rep called the allegations 'categorically false.' A third woman came forward shortly after the THR article, and told The Daily Beast she had been assaulted by the Gone actor when she was 18 and working at a restaurant in New York. Noth denied those allegations, along with the claims of a fourth woman who also accused him of misconduct. Noth's character, Big,' was killed off in the first episode of the Sex and the City spinoff And Just Like That, a move that was planned as part of the plotline. Noth is pictured with Sarah Jessica Parker during the original run of Sex And The City, which aired on HBO for six seasons from 1998 to 2004 The veteran star was fired from his job on the CBS drama The Equalizer shortly after the allegations were made public. Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis issued a joint statement saying, 'We support the women who have come forward and shared their painful experiences. We know it must be a very difficult thing to do and we commend them for it.' No criminal charges have been filed yet. New York does not have a statute of limitations on rape. The actor hinted the women who accused him may have a financial motive. 'That's a money train for a lot of people,' he said. No lawsuits against the Manhunt actor have been filed. 'There's nothing I can say to change anyone's mind when you have that kind of a tidal wave,' he claimed. 'It sounds defensive. I'm not. There's no criminal court. There's no criminal trial. There's nothing for me to get on the stand about and get my story out, get witnesses.' Noth has been married to Tara Wilson, 38, since 2012; the couple are pictured in December 2021 The Good Wife actor had at the time been directing and performing at a theater in Massachusetts. He was working for Samuelsohn, a suit company launching a campaign to raise awareness about men's mental health when he spoke with the reporter from USA Today. 'I'm an actor,' he stated. 'I have other things that I want to do creatively. And I have children to support. I can't just rest on my laurels,' he said of his limited opportunities. 'I have enough to let a year drift, but I don't know how to gauge or judge getting back into the club, the business, because corporations are frightened.' 'Fear is the overriding operative word when it comes to whether they believe it or not,' he explained. 'I have to just continue on. It's rough, because people are scared, and their fear leads them. And I have to just persevere because I still have a creative life.' Kate Winslet has revealed the very unexpected way that she came up with the idea to make a film about World War II photographer Lee Miller in a new conversation for Variety's Actors on Actors issue. The actress, 49, starred as Lee in the film of the same name which was released in September and she has now spoken about its origins. She spoke with her Avatar: The Way of Water co-stars Zoe Saldana where Kate told how she ended up acquiring the kitchen table of the real-life Lee. Kate said: 'I'd been to an exhibition of hers in the early 2000s in Edinburgh, and then years later, some friends of mine called me who work in an auction house, and they said, 'This table was the kitchen table in the home of [Lee's] family.' 'They know how much I love to cook and appreciate family mealtimes. And Lee was a great cook, and she would cook all these wonderful meals, and they would have these wonderful times around this table. 'I bought this table' I sat down at the table, and I thought, 'Why hasn't anyone made a movie about Lee Miller?' Kate Winslet has revealed the very unexpected way that she came up with the idea to make a film about World War II photographer Lee Miller in a new conversation for Variety's Actors on Actors issue The actress, 49, starred as Lee in the film of the same name which was released in September and she has now spoken about its origins Kate takes on the lead role in Lee, where she plays WWII photojournalist Lee Miller who chronicles the war for Vogue magazine. It was adapted from the 1985 biography The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose. She also spoke with Variety about why she was so drawn to the character, saying: 'The reason I wanted to tell Lee's story was precisely because of what you just identified: You didn't know who she was. 'So many people don't know that those photographs they may have seen connected to the conflict of World War II and the Nazi regime, so many people have never connected the dots and realized that actually it was a middle-aged woman who took those images.' It comes after last month Kate reflected on stripping off to recreate a 'mind-blowing' topless bathtub scene in the war biopic. In one scene, Kate recreated the famous 1945 photo of Lee posing in Hitler's bath after entering the Fuhrers abandoned apartment in Munich. She revealed Vogue editor Anna Wintour offered to help her recreate the iconic moment by sending acclaimed fashion photographer Annie Liebowitz to take the shot. She spoke with her Avatar: The Way of Water co-stars Zoe Saldana where Kate told how she ended up acquiring the kitchen table of the real-life Lee Kate takes on the lead role in Lee, where she plays WWII photojournalist Lee Miller who chronicles the war for Vogue magazine She also spoke with Variety about why she was so drawn to the character, saying: 'T he reason I wanted to tell Lee's story was precisely because of what you just identified: You didn't know who she was' Kate is seen in September attending the UK premiere of Lee Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, she said: 'The photo was taken by Annie Leibovitz. Anna Wintour was hugely supportive of the film and said, "If you are recreating the bathtub photo I will have to send Annie."' Kate went on: 'I was like, "Okay, if you have to!' 'It was an extraordinary night, and the scene was mind-blowing I couldnt believe we were actually there as we had been developing the film for seven years.' The real-life Lee Miller had gotten her lover at the time, Life photographer David Scherman, to take the shot as she bathed. On the same day, Hitler killed himself along with his family as the Allies closed in on them at the end of WWII. When asked why she wanted to produce Lee, she said: 'I knew who she was, and I knew her work, but she had a courage and determination that made me feel her story needed lifting out of the shadows it just had to be told. 'She was incredible, powerful, and she redefined femininity 80 years ago. She lived life on her terms at full throttle. 'She had a courage I had never come across in all the other roles I have ever played.' Earlier this year, Kate revealed she 'refused to cover up her belly rolls' while filming Lee after a crew member told her. The film was adapted from the 1985 biography The Lives of Lee Miller by Antony Penrose The Titanic star recalled someone suggesting she sit up straighter to hide her rolls. Kate told Harper's Bazaar in August: 'There's a bit where Lee's sitting on a bench in a bikini. 'One of the crew came up between takes and said: "You might want to sit up straighter." 'So you can't see my belly rolls? Not on your life! It was deliberate, you know?' Tom Cruise has been awarded with the highest possible civilian accolade from the US Navy which is given to those who have shown 'valour or heroism'. The Hollywood actor, 62, was presented with the US Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro. The prestigious ceremony took place at Long Cross Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, and Cruise posed proudly with the medal after receiving it. The award is presented by the navy to civilians who have demonstrated extraordinary service on behalf of the Navy over a lengthy interval. Cruise looked typically dapper in a smart tailored two-piece navy suit with a white shirt, pale blue tie and a pair of dress shoes. The Mission Impossible actor shook hands with the US Secretary of the Navy, who was wearing a grey suit and tie in the official photos. Tom Cruise has been awarded with the highest possible civilian accolade from the US Navy which is given to those who have shown 'valour or heroism' The Hollywood actor, 62, was presented with the US Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro The prestigious ceremony took place at Long Cross Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, and Cruise posed proudly with the medal after receiving it The civilian honour was previously bestowed to Academy Award winners Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work on the World War II epic Saving Private Ryan. In 1999 Under-Secretary of the Navy Jerry Hultin awarded them the Distinguished Public Service Award on aboard the USS Normandy at Port Everglades. During the ceremony, which was part of Veteran Day events in the US, Spielberg and Hanks thanked the veterans for the sacrifices they made for the country. Spielberg said: 'God bless all the men and women, who have ever served, especially inside this century, where the price of freedom has never been higher. Hanks added: 'Congratulations gentlemen, proof positive is in hand. You saved the world.' The film is set in 1944 France during World War II, following a battalion lead by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) to find Private James Ryan, after it was learned his three brothers had been killed in action. Saving Private Ryan is considered to be one of legendary director Spielberg's best films, and one of the best war films ever made, nominated for 11 Oscars and winning six, including Best Director for Spielberg. Cruise has previously also been awarded the honorary title of Naval Aviator from the United States Navy. The award is presented by the navy to civilians who have demonstrated extraordinary service on behalf of the Navy over a lengthy interval Cruise looked typically dapper in a smart tailored two-piece navy suit with a white shirt, pale blue tie and a pair of dress shoes He received the award in 2020, along with Top Gun producer Jerry Bruckheimer, at a ceremony held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. Cruise accepted the award via video call while Bruckheimer, who is also known for Black Hawk Down and Con Air, was on hand to receive the esteemed honour. The Naval Air Forces explained: 'In the history of motion pictures, there is not a more iconic aviation movie than the 1986 Paramount Pictures film Top Gun.' 'Its characters, dialogue, and imagery are ingrained in the minds of an entire generation of Americans. 'The movie captured the hearts of millions, making a profound positive impact on recruiting for Naval Aviation.' Top Gun follows the adventures of Maverick as he enters the elite Fighter Weapon School at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. Cruise portrayed Lt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in the classic '80s flick Top Gun Wingman: Top Gun follows the adventures of Maverick as he enters the elite Fighter Weapon School at Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Caifornia The release also explained that the 1986 movie where Tom portrays a US Navy pilot 'significantly promoted and supported Naval Aviation and put aircraft carriers and naval aircraft into popular culture'. Tom and Jerry have both returned to the franchise to make the sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which is slated for release in 2021. And they've been hailed by the Naval Air Forces for seeking to ensure the franchise remains 'true to the unparalleled tactical excellence of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, the ethos of Naval Aviation, and the fighting spirit of the men and women of the world's greatest Navy.' The Mission: Impossible actor and the 77-year-old producer are now both entitled to wear the Navy's wings of gold and enjoy the other privileges afforded to Naval Aviators. Previous recipients of the award include comedy legend Bob Hope. Hope became an Honorary Naval Aviator in 1986, having made more than 50 tours for the United Service Organisations and entertained thousands of American military personnel around the world. Riley Keough cut a casual figure when she was spotted heading to the spa with her husband, Australian stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen, in Westlake, Ohio, on Monday. The granddaughter of Elvis Presley, 34, opted for a green oversized sweater and cropped beige trousers for the outing. The Emmy nominee teamed it with a pair of Birkenstock Boston mules and toted her belongings in a trendy black and gold chain shoulder bag. She shielded her eyes with black sunglasses and pulled her raven locks into a messy up do. Meanwhile, Smith-Peterson donned a simple black top, black jeans, and casual trainers. The Suicide Squad crew member wore a bright blue billed cap over his blond hair. Riley Keough cut a casual figure when she was spotted heading to the spa with her husband, Australian stuntman Ben Smith-Petersen, in Westlake, Ohio, on Monday The granddaughter of Elvis Presley, 34, opted for a green oversized sweater and cropped beige trousers for the outing The couple, who have been married since 2015, appeared in high spirits as they enjoyed some quality time together. Riley has been in the Big Apple promoting her late mother's memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown. Lisa Marie Presley was nearly finished with the book prior to her sudden death at age 54 in January 2023. 'Last stop of book tour,' Keough wrote next to a video showing her interview with fellow author Taylor Jenkins Reid on Thursday before a live audience. ' Thank you to everyone who came out to support FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN,' Of her decision to tackle the memoir, Keough told Elle, 'It felt more like a duty, I suppose.' 'I just felt like something drove me to complete it for her,' the grieving daughter admitted. 'I think what was really the most interesting to me were the details in these stories that I knew, the broad strokes. To have all the details, how she felt in these moments, was really special,' she explained. Riley has been in the Big Apple promoting her late mother's memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown (Pictured in Los Angeles in October 2017) Keough finished the book after her mother's death. From Here to the Great Unknown arrived on bookshelves October 8 'I love stories and storytelling, so I love the nuance. I think that was the coolest thing.' From Here to the Great Unknown arrived on store shelves October 8. In 2022, Lisa Marie admitted that she would never 'move on' from her son Benjamin's death, with Riley revealing in her memoir that Lisa Marie and her started to move on by helping others. 'One kid wrote to Riley and said, "I didnt kill myself last night because of what you said it would do to my family and those that are left behind. So thank you." That helped me. That brought me up,' Lisa Marie wrote in the memoir. Riley added that the 2016 Nick Cave documentary One More Time With Feeling also helped immensely, calling it, 'a really beautiful portrayal of grief.' She had promised Lisa Marie that she would help write the memoir, but after her mom died, she listened to tape recordings of her mother to get her story right. She admitted after her brother's death, it 'was incredibly difficult to write about' it or her 'moms descent into addiction' and death.' Riley also stressed that her mother's story isn't 'only about grief.' Riley believes Lisa Marie reached 'the end' of her life when her son Benjamin (pictured) died in 2020 'I hope that in an extraordinary circumstance people relate to a very human experience of love, heartbreak, loss, addiction and family,' Keough says. '[My mom] wanted to write a book in the hopes that someone could read her story and relate to her, to know that theyre not alone in the world,' she added. 'Her hope with this book was just human connection. So thats mine,' Keough said. Benjamin Keough shot himself in his family's mansion in July 2020 at the age of 27 after an argument with his girlfriend. An autopsy report revealed he had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time. He had tried to take his life six months earlier, then spent three weeks in rehab four months before he died. Keough had attempted rehab three times before but never completed it. For help and support in the US call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988. If you are in the UK contact Samaritans on 116 123. Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria playfully arrived on the red carpet at the All In: Comedy About Love gala by Simon Rich in New York on Monday night. The actor, 66, joined his glamorous wife, 40, at the Hudson Theatre before celebrating the new comedy. Hilaria cut a casual, but chic figure in a khaki green jumper and black denim skirt, teamed with black court heels. Alec attempted to make people laugh by putting on an animated display on his arrival. All In: Comedy About Love is 'a series of hilarious short stories about dating, heartbreak, marriage and that sort of thing,' according to Broadway Plus. A revolving cast of groups of four will take the stage each week, per the website. Alec Baldwin, 66, and wife Hilaria Baldwin, 40, playfully arrived on the red carpet at the All In: Comedy About Love gala by Simon Rich in New York on Monday night The actor joined his glamorous wife at the Hudson Theatre before celebrating the new comedy Alec's appearance at the gala comes after a string of scandals. He was recently criticized for branding Americans 'uninformed' during a recent film festival. When the star received this year's Lifetime Achievement Award at the Torino Film Festival in northern Italy, he said Americans were 'uneducated' about the world's most pressing issues. Alec said: 'Americans are very uninformed about reality - what's really going on. 'Americans have an appetite for a little bit of information.' And the comments sparked outrage among his fellow New Yorkers which even sparked a series of wild claims from a neighbour. Meanwhile, last month it was revealed Alec is facing a fresh effort to revive the criminal case against him related to the 2021 fatal shooting of the cinematographer on the movie set of Rust. If successful, the actor could face the same 18-month prison sentence that the movie's armorer was given. Hilaria cut a casual, but chic figure in a khaki green jumper and black denim skirt, teamed with black court heels All In: Comedy About Love is 'a series of hilarious short stories about dating, heartbreak, marriage and that sort of thing' The lovebirds wrapped up warm as they headed home Prosecutors in New Mexico have filed an appeal against the judges July decision to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter case. The one-page notice that went public on Tuesday stated that prosecutors are appealing to the state's Court of Appeals to reverse the ruling and restart the case. While it will be months before a decision is made, the specter of Alec having to return to court in Santa Fe comes as he is finally attempting to put the 2021 Rust shooting behind him. The Rust trial was dismissed by the judge after two days when it became clear that prosecutors had not disclosed evidence about the source of the bullets to Alec's lawyers. In October, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected a request from prosecutors to restart the case. But now prosecutors are trying to go over her head by appealing the decision. Alec has always maintained his innocence over the fatal shooting of Hutchins on the set of Rust, an indie Western film. She was killed after the Colt. 45 handgun Alec was using for a rehearsal scene fired a bullet into her at close range, which also injured director Joel Souza. Prosecutors claimed in court documents that Alec cut corners on safety and refused to attend a safety briefing. Last month it was revealed Alec is facing a fresh effort to revive the criminal case against him related to the 2021 fatal shooting on the movie set of Rust (pictured in court in July) Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, was fatally shot while on set in October 2021 (victim Halyna previously pictured with her husband Matthew Hutchins and their son Andros) Alec was charged with involuntary manslaughter, the same charge that Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed faced during a separate trial. She was found guilty and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence. Speaking in Torino, Alec called the Rust shooting the most difficult thing Ive ever dealt with in my life. He said; Beyond the victims themselves, the thing that most pains me is what it did to my wife. 'We are trying to get the wind in our sails, to get away from this stuff. Because the film Meg Ryan has shared a rare update on her adopted daughter Daisy as she spoke in a candid new interview. The Hollywood star, 63, adopted Daisy from China in 2006. She also shares biological son Jack Quaid, 32, with ex-husband actor Dennis Quaid, 70. The former couple welcomed Jack in 1992. They were married for 10 years, before finalizing their divorce in 2001. Five years later Meg went on to adopt Daisy, who was born in 2004. Speaking sweetly about her relationship during an interview with The Sunday Times she said: 'I always thought I'd adopt, and at various points I was on the brink of it. 'But it was particular to Daisy, I guess. I don't know how events conspired to bring us together, but it was perfect.' Meg Ryan has shared a rare update on her adopted daughter Daisy as she spoke in a candid new interview The Hollywood star, 63, adopted Daisy from China in 2006. She also shares biological son Jack Quaid, 32, (seen together) with ex-husband actor Dennis Quaid, 70 She also told how right now Daisy is studying English literature at a college near New York City but that she dreams of one day studying in Bath in England. During the interview Meg would not talk about her son Jack, 32, - who is an actor after following in his parents footsteps. She has previously spoken about him in a 2023 interview with Glamour where she hit back at nepo baby claims. Meg said: 'You don't wish it on anyone. It's too hard and it's too weird. Jack is really talented. He's more of a natural than I'll ever be.' 'That nepo stuff is so dismissive of his work ethic, his gifts and how sensitive he is to the idea of his privilege,' Ryan previously shared. Last year the Sleepless in Seattle star gushed about her kids, telling People, 'I have two of the greatest kids. 'They are hilarious, they're smart, they are kind, they're interested in other people, they're curious about the world. I feel like both of them make the world a little better, and I just feel so proud of them.' 'It is a joy to me to know both of them,' the doting mom added. Daisy started college last year. At the time Meg shared she was visiting her daughter 'probably more than I should' and going on hours-long drives just to see Daisy on her college campus, if only just to share a cup of coffee together. The former couple welcomed Jack in 1992. They were married for 10 years, before finalizing their divorce in 2001. Five years later Meg went on to adopt Daisy, who was born in 2004 Speaking about her relationship during an interview with The Times she said: 'I always thought I'd adopt, and at various points I was on the brink of it. 'But it was particular to Daisy, I guess' She also admitted that she was strict as a parent, and that Daisy didn't have a phone 'until she was 15.' 'She really is somebody who has a lot of different interests and she's a great reader and she, at least, has a memory of the phone not being everything,' she told People. While Daisy is still getting her education, Jack has followed his into his famous parents' footsteps as an actor. He made his acting debut in 2012's The Hunger Games. He has also starred on Oppenheimer, Logan Lucky, and TV series The Boys. In July, Jack admitted he has no problem owning up to the 'nepo baby' label despite Meg previously defending him amid the claims, and acknowledged that being a Hollywood offspring has put him in a 'privileged' position. 'I am an immensely privileged person, was able to get representation pretty early on, and that's more than half the battle,' Jack told the Daily Beast. 'I knew the door was open for me in a lot of ways that it's just not for a lot of actors. And I've just tried to work as hard as I possibly can to prove that I deserve to walk through that door.' While Daisy is still getting her education, Jack has followed his into his famous parents' footsteps as an actor Meg has previously spoken about Jack in a 2023 interview with Glamour where she hit back at nepo baby claims Jack also said he was aware of his privilege when he's up for a role in a romantic comedy, considering his mom Meg is the 'undisputed Queen of Rom-Coms.' 'So if that's in the rom-com space, it's got to be different enough, and I need to work my a** off,' he told the outlet. Meg shot to stardom in the 1980s, playing the female love interest in hit movies like the original Top Gun and When Harry Met Sally. As the years went on, she became inextricably identified with romantic comedies, with her best-known films including Sleepless In Seattle and You've Got Mail. She's been adjusting to life back in the UK after her stint in the I'm A Celebrity jungle. And Maura Higgins continued to show off her chic sense of style as she left Global Radio following an appearance on Heart FM on Tuesday. The Love Island star, 34, who recently reunited with her on/off flame Pete Wicks, cut a stylish figure in a white buttoned jacket and flared jeans as she headed into London. Maura accessorised her look with burgundy leather boots, after making an appearance on Heart Radio to discuss her appearance on I'm A Celeb. Just hours after touching back down in the UK, Maura and Pete were reunited, following weeks of speculation over their romance. The couple posed for a photo together in a London hotel, cuddling up with a group of friends as they celebrated Maura's homecoming after her month-long trip to Australia for I'm A Celeb. Maura Higgins, 34, continued to show off her chic sense of style as she left Global Radio following an appearance on Heart FM on Tuesday The Love Island star who recently reunited with her on/off flame Pete Wicks , cut a stylish figure in a white buttoned jacket and flared jeans as she headed into London Maura accessorised her look with burgundy leather boots, after making an appearance on Heart Radio to discuss her appearance on I'm A Celeb Maura had touched down at London Heathrow airport just hours before, but was obviously keen to catch up with Strictly star Pete was soon as possible. A beaming Maura reposted her pal's mirror selfie on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday night, with the group of friends seen surrounded by jungle themed balloons. During her time in the jungle, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating Pete after they were seen kissing just weeks before she flew to Australia. When asked by former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse if was single, Maura replied: 'I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship.' Reverend Richard Coles - a founding member of '80s synth-pop group The Communards - then asked: 'Was it exclusive? Or if I've put you on the spot, sorry!', to which she replied after a long pause: 'I dunno'. Maura also revealed that the pair had known each other for longer than fans might expect - and said Pete had pursued her relentlessly. 'Yeah, we've known each other since five years, and never once..." she told Oti. 'He would always say, "Oh no, like, we are gonna go on a date somewhere." And I'd be like, "We're actually not." And I was deadly serious, "We're actually not. You're delusional."' Just hours after touching back down in the UK, Maura and Pete were reunited, following weeks of speculation over their romance During her time in the jungle, Maura seemingly confirmed that she was dating Pete after they were seen kissing just weeks before she flew to Australia When asked by former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse if was single, Maura replied: 'I am but I was seeing someone before I came in but I'm not in a relationship' The Mail on Sunday previously revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal - because he is determined to win the heart of Maura Appearing on This Morning following her elimination from the show she shared her excitement at potentially seeing Pete upon her return to the United Kingdom and admitted he had encouraged her decision to enter the jungle. She said: 'Honestly, he's been so supportive. I didn't know if he was still in Strictly, I'm so proud of him and he's proud of me and I can't wait to see him.' When asked why she eventually changed her mind, Maura explained: 'He wouldn't give up. And then I was like, "Oh fine". 'I brought my friends with me, and I was like, "see it's a friendship date." And then the next time I went, just me.' Recounting their first date, she admitted no expense was spared, noting: 'We went out for oysters and wine. Yeah, come on. It was super nice.' As for their chemistry, Maura quipped: 'Yeah, a lot of fun. We just dial up 24/7 with each other. We've got the very same humour.' During his time on Strictly Pete showed that he still had Maura on his mind as he reposted Maura's Instagram which was being run by her friends and family while she was Down Under -and urged people to vote for her. He quipped: 'I've been George of the Jungle but now it's time to vote for Maura of the Jungle'. The Mail on Sunday previously revealed that Pete has put a stop to his romantic liaison with his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal - because he is determined to win the heart of Maura. Sources close to Pete say he is telling friends he is completely smitten with the jungle star 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'. Dami Im is expecting her second child. The X Factor star, 36, shared the good news of the impending arrival in an Instagram post this week. Dami has been married to Noah Kim since 2012 and they welcomed their first child Harrison on May 12, 2022. The pair posed together with their young song in a sweet photo while sharing their joyous update. 'So. Harry is going to be a big brother mid next year,' Dami began her caption alongside the photo. 'Noah and I cant be more excited. Okay, now thats done back to the normal programming' she added. Dami Im is expecting her second child. The X Factor star, 36, shared the good news of the impending arrival in an Instagram post this week. Dami has been married to Noah Kim since 2012 and they welcomed their first child Harrison on May 12, 2022. All pictured Dami then revealed she was carrying on with her tour, writing, 'Next stop on my Christmas Songbook tour is in Frenchs Forest (Sydney), then Geelong and Melbourne are last! See you there. Her fans were delighted, with one writing, 'Congratulations. 2025 is going to be a great year for you'. Another follower said in the comments: 'Wonderful news. Congratulations to you all'. Someone else chimed in with well wishes: 'Congrats Dami! So happy for you and your family!' It comes after Dami opened up about the reality of juggling her successful music career with being a mother to a two-year-old son. Dami said she feels being a mother is an 'added layer' to her identity and one that perfectly complements her singing career. 'I got married pretty early so I was always expected to grow up quickly and be a mum, and I still wanted to play around and work on my career,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'So there was always this tension that I didn't even understand myself and where it was coming from. 'So. Harry is going to be a big brother mid next year,' Dami began her caption alongside the photo It comes after Dami opened up about the reality of juggling her successful music career with being a mother to a two-year-old son 'Once I'm a mum, am I meant to suddenly just become this old lady who just talks about their kids all the time? 'No, but I'm quite enjoying it, much more than I thought I would,' she joked. Dami revealed it was an exciting time for her as her new EP called In Between was released this year - her first new music since becoming a mother. 'It will be funny because people actually won't know any of the songs except the few that are already out because the tour starts on the release day,' she said. The South Korean-born star welcomed her son Harrison to the world in May, 2022, and last month revealed she sometimes 'grieves the loss' of her old life. The stunner shot to fame when she won the fifth season of the singing competition before representing Australia in the 2016 Eurovision. At the peak of her successful career, the songstress' life was upended by the birth of her son, whom she shares with husband Noah, reported The Courier Mail. 'Looking back it was a really intense change of everything in my life. It was such a tough transition mentally, emotionally and physically,' Dami told the publication. She went on to say she feared her singing career would tank after the birth of Harrison, saying her audience may see her as 'just a mum now'. Ever the songwriter at heart, the Smile hitmaker channeled all her worries into her new EP called In Between, which was released on July 6. Jeff Brazier has shared a emotional post on Instagram on Tuesday as he posted a sweet throwback snap of his sons Bobby and Freddy as young children. The TV presenter, 45, shared his two sons with his ex-partner Jade Goody, who tragically died in 2009 from cervical cancer. In the black and white photo, Strictly and EastEnders star Bobby, who is now 21, wrapped his arm around his little brother Freddy, who is now 20. Jeff gushed that he would give anything 'to spend a day with them at this age again' as he said they 'grow up too fast'. He penned: 'Going through the memory boxes this morning. So much I want to show the boys. 'This was always my favourite picture ever taken of the boys. What Id give to spend a day with them at this age again. They grow too fast'. Jeff Brazier has shared a emotional post on Instagram on Tuesday as he posted a sweet throwback snap of his sons Bobby and Freddy as young children Jeff gushed that he would give anything 'to spend a day with them at this age again' as he said they 'grow up too fast' It comes after Jeff received supportive messages from Loose Men fans after he made a heartbreaking admission about his late partner Jade. Jeff appeared on the panel last month alongside Jordan Banjo, Brian Conley, and Craig Doyle for a special spin-off of the show. To mark this years International Men's Day, the panel opened up on topics affecting them and others today, as they continue to tackle the taboos around men's mental health and physical wellbeing. Speaking about whether men grieve differently to women, Craig Doyle said to Jeff: 'I'm gonna start with you because so much of your life has shown the happy times but also the sad times, so you know what you're talking about.' Jeff, who has openly discussed the loss of his sons' mother, Jade Goody, over the years said: 'Yeah absolutely, when the boys lost their mum I guess whilst they're boys, not men yet, oh actually they're just becoming men, I've just realised that they're 21 so it's gone ever so quickly,' 'I think at first looking at them, the sort of six or seven months after the loss of their mum they didn't really exhibit too much of the kind of behaviour that I was expecting.' 'Then all of a sudden their world completely turned upside down and it was chaos, absolutely chaos.' 'And we've all got a coping strategy that I think is probably more inherited within men than in women.' The TV presenter, 45, shared his two sons with his ex-partner Jade Goody , who tragically died in 2009 from cervical cancer; pictured 2006 with Bobby He penned: 'Going through the memory boxes this morning. This was always my favourite picture ever taken of the boys. What Id give to spend a day with them at this age again. They grow too fast' It comes after Jeff received supportive messages from Loose Men fans after he made a heartbreaking admission about his late partner Jade Jeff appeared on the panel for International Men's Day alongside Jordan Banjo, Brian Conley, and Craig Doyle for a special spin-off of the show 'As in women just seem to be really good at being human and natural and just being like "something really bad has just happened I'm gonna need to talk about it".' He continued: 'Whereas boys, lads, dads, we will try and sweep it (grief) under, we will try and avoid it for as long as possible and hope that we get away with it and we just sort of step over it or we leave it behind. 'And the truth is, even I as someone that didn't feel worthy of grieving for Jade, because I hadn't been with her for about two years at that point,' 'I avoided what I was likely to be going through, which was a really challenging time, especially (for) someone who wasnt even thirty years of age yet and all that responsibility in front of you.' 'But I made it all about the kids and I think thats probably a typical response for any parent, of course we would put them first' He added: 'But the truth is, its always going to catch up with you, youre always going to have to pay that debt to yourself and those feelings dont evaporate like you hope. 'They actually just build and build and build until one day, itll be something completely random that will set you off and then you realise youve got this absolute build-up of unresolved feelings and trauma that you havent been able to talk about.' Fans then flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to show their support for Jeff after he candidly opened up on his grief. One fan wrote: '@JeffBrazier watching you just now, as the mum or two boys (now young men) who lost dad your words resonated with me. As you said, their loss/grief changes as they do and I dont think people understand that. Thank you for sharing your experiences & insight so publicly.'; 'Really enjoy watching @JeffBrazier on telly, very open talking about feelings and death, and was a lovely dad on the 'race across the world' more Jeff on the telly please! #LooseWomen.'; Speaking about whether men grieve differently to women, Jeff said: 'boys, lads, dads, we will try and sweep it (grief) under, we will try and avoid it for as long as possible' He added: 'And the truth is, even I as someone that didn't feel worthy of grieving for Jade, because I hadn't been with her for about two years at that point,' 'I avoided what I was likely to be going through, which was a really challenging time, especially (for) someone who wasnt even thirty years of age yet and all that responsibility in front of you' Fans then flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to show their support for Jeff after he candidly opened up on his grief 'Twelve years ago my two children lost their mum and my wife to cervical cancer. They were 7 and 4. Jeff and helped us all at that moment. We all shared a moment with Jeff and his boys, letting balloons go. I can't believe they are 20 and 21 now. #loosemen #loosewomen.'; 'I'm enjoying #LooseMen as I always do, it's refreshing to hear men's perspectives and only fair that they have their hour. I think it should be a monthly thing! #LooseWomen.' TV personality Jade Goody tragically died in 2009 aged 27 after being diagnosed with cervical cancer the year before. Her son Bobby was aged just five when she died, while her other son Freddy was four. Jeff started dating Jade in 2002, shortly after she came fourth on Big Brother series three. The couple then welcomed sons Bobby in 2003 and Freddy in 2004, however, they split after two years together. They never confirmed the reasons for their break-up, but speaking in the Channel 4 documentary Jade Goody: The Reality Star That Changed Britain, Jeff suggested that newspaper reports played a part in their split. He said on the show: 'Things that were personal to us kept appearing in the papers.' '[Wed ask] how do they know that? We were convinced that [each other] or people around us were selling stories and making money on things that were very contentious for us.' "You sold a story", "no I havent you must have done it", "I havent done it must be your mate", "they havent done it must be your mate", and trust disintegrated to nothing.' Montana Brown showed off her growing baby bump as she shared a radiant pregnancy update snap on Instagram on Tuesday. The former Love Island star, 29, who is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor, looked incredible as she enjoyed a getaway to a sun-soaked location. Posing on a balcony with a picturesque seascape background, she donned a white bra and shorts from Lucy Watson's lingerie brand Renue. Next to the makeup-free snap the beauty penned: 'Back in our favourite place. Im living in these undies theyre so damn comfy and even better my friend made these. It comes after Montana revealed she was taken to hospital after being struck down with 'the worst tummy bug'. Montana Brown showed off her growing baby bump as she shared a radiant pregnancy update snap on Instagram on Tuesday The former Love Island star, 29, who is expecting her second child with fiance Mark O'Connor, looked incredible as she enjoyed a getaway to a sun-soaked location Posing on a balcony with a picturesque seascape background, she donned a white bra and shorts from Lucy Watson's lingerie brand Renue The reality star took to Instagram to give fans a health update after feeling extremely unwell for the past week. Alongside an image of her in hospital, as well as several of her snuggling up to 17-month-old son Jude, 17, Montana told how she's on the mend now and is gutted to have missed out on several recent events. The reality star also expressed her relief that her little boy wasn't struck down with the same illness, as she credited his hugs and kisses for helping her get through her tough time. She penned: 'A compilation of my week having the worst tummy bug, ending in a lovely trip to triage as I was so dehydrated. 'Had so many gorgeous plans this week so gutted to have missed it all BUT on the mend. Thank god for my little angel boy being so good with me and giving me all the hugs & kisses thank goodness he didnt get it! This is all the content I have for this week alongside me next to toilet bowls, thanks for all the recommendations too my lovely people xx.' Montana's fans were quick to offer their well wishes in the comments as they told how they were pleased to hear she's on the mend. Her post comes days after she showed off her blossoming baby bump in a series of vacation snaps. It comes after Montana revealed she was taken to hospital after being struck down with 'the worst tummy bug' The star took to Instagram last Saturday to give fans a health update after feeling extremely unwell for the past week Montana displayed her growing bump in a stylish green bikini which consisted of a triangle bikini top and a pair of tie-side bikini bottoms. Cradling her bump, the TV star further accessorised her poolside look with a pair of cool shades. The mother-of-one captioned the gorgeous snaps with: 'Not long Babygirl (heart emoji)' Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news with her 1.1 million followers. She displayed her tummy in a chic knit dress and cradled her stomach as she smiled for the camera in the clip. Confirming that she is expecting again with her rugby player fiance Mark, Montana wrote: 'Two under two let's go!' Montana and Mark welcomed their first child, a son named Jude, in June last year and announced they were expecting again just 13 months later. The couple travelled to Santorini after they enjoyed a week-long holiday with their son Jude in Montenegro and shared updates from their sun-soaked trip. Alongside an image of her in hospital, as well as several of her snuggling up to 17-month-old son Jude, 17, Montana told how she's on the mend now and is gutted to have missed out on several recent events The reality star also expressed her relief that her little boy wasn't struck down with the same illness, as she credited his hugs and kisses for helping her get through her tough time She penned: 'A compilation of my week having the worst tummy bug, ending in a lovely trip to triage as I was so dehydrated' The reality personality was flooded with congratulatory messages from her famous friends and Instagram followers. Gabby Allen, who appeared on her series of Love Island, wrote: 'Omgggg.' While fellow Love Island alum, Tasha Ghouri said: 'Ahh!! Congratulations!' Food influencer Emily English posted a series of clapping hands while Tiffany Watson and Natalya Wright both said 'congratulations'. Other stars who shared their support included Vicky Pattison, Danielle Lloyd, Grace Beverley, Kendall Rae Knight and Elle Brown. Earlier this year, Montana celebrated the joys and sorrows of motherhood as she paid tribute to her baby son Jude in a heartfelt Instagram post. Montana reflected on her pregnancy journey seven months after her little one was born - as she shared her emotional thoughts with 1.1M followers. She detailed the highs and lows of the 'humbling' experience, admitting she was always 'one comment away from having a meltdown' but it also made her 'respect her body so much more'. Montana announced she was pregnant with her second child in July and took to her Instagram to share the happy news Sharing a throwback picture of when she was seven months pregnant, she showed off her blossoming baby bump in a red bikini. Montana was seen posing in a lavish terrace while soaking the sun, adding a stylish straw hat and chic shades. In the second shot she displayed her growing baby bump in the same beach set, while smiling happily in a mirror selfie indoors. The TV star added a few heart-melting pictures of little Jude to her carousel, accompanying with a lengthy caption: '7 months in vs 7 months out. 'I actually LOVED being pregnant, it was such a special experience and it really made me respect my body so much more I'm still in awe. 'This chapter has been hard, the lack of sleep etc is so tough, I legit cried when someone beeped me in the car recently and I always feel one beep or one comment away from having a meltdown but it's such a humbling experience.' She went on saying: 'I am in awe of the mums that do it on their own, don't have family around to support and who just don't get a break because I am so fortunate to have support around me and I am STILL in the thick of it..' The Love Islander finished gushing over her tiny one: 'But despite how tired I have been, Jude gets me through, his smile first thing in the morning is just priceless.' A pop duo have ditched their trademark looks to transform into brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. In August, the Oasis siblings finally put their 15-year feud on ice to announce they will be performing together again, 34 years after their first gig. As part of Heat's most iconic images of 2024, former Celebrity Big Brother twins channelled their inner rockstars as they recreated the photoshoot. Dying their peroxide blond locks dark and sporting identical outfits to Noel and Liam's, the pair bore a striking resemblance to the brothers. But can YOU guess who they are? Slide me A pop duo have ditched their trademark looks to transform into brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher That's right, it's Jedward! Despite only coming sixth on The X Factor 15 years ago, Jedward - twins John and Edward Grimes - forged a successful showbusiness career after being taken under the wing of Louis Walsh. With Louis as their mentor, the identical Irish twins became the talent show's most memorable duo with their matching quiffs and outlandish outfits. Their towering hair, matching outfits and personalities became the trademark look for the Dublin pop duo - who were hailed 'role models' by a proud Louis - and they were quickly transformed from a novelty act to superstars. Under Louis' guidance, Jedward's first two albums went platinum in Ireland, while they also represented their country at in 2011 and 2012. The Irish music mogul Walsh managed the pair between 2009 and 2013, but things turned sour when, in 2016, Walsh described the duo as 'the most embarrassing thing to happen to him'. This sparked a bitter seven-year feud between Jedward and Walsh, which has culminated in the brothers branding Walsh an 'evil manipulator' after he told fellow housemates the pair were 'vile' during Tuesday's episode of Celebrity Big Brother. That's right, it's Jedward! Despite only coming sixth on The X Factor 15 years ago, Jedward - twins John and Edward Grimes - have forged a successful showbusiness career With Louis as their mentor, the identical Irish twins became the talent show's most memorable duo with their matching quiffs and outlandish outfits 'I am so overwhelmed doing this I honestly feel like Im in Oasis, going on this massive stadium tour,' Edward said. 'I think theyve literally taken over my body. This experience has been absolutely mind- blowing. Ill never forget this day.' John added: 'Im channelling the music, Im challenging the vibes. Im ready to go off and write some bangers.' Edward began to impersonate Oasis as he said: 'The only difference between us and Jedward is the hair.' The magazine's Christmas bumper issue sees celebrities dress up 'Literally, we saw the bond that Jedward had together, and theyve stuck at it for about 15 years now,' John added. 'No fights, no big tiffs. We said, "You know what? Let's get the band back together. Let's be more like Jedward. Let's get the music rolling. We'll do it for the fans".' Liam and Noel will reportedly rake in a joint 6million for each of the 33 stadium gigs of their sell out tour next year but 'they have to perform to be paid'. It will be the first time they will perform on stage together since breaking up in 2009 following a backstage brawl at the Rock en Seine festival in France. The Gallaghers will reportedly also be kept apart when not on stage in a 'military style operation' during their much-anticipated reunion tour. There will be separate dressing rooms and transport to avoid a clash and resulting 'PR and financial nightmare'. Morning show co-host Savannah Guthrie made a rare appearance with her husband and children on her family's 2024 holiday card. And they introduced a new member of the family: They have adopted a dog name Fetch. The TODAY show star's family revealed their 2024 holiday card on their morning show on Monday. Savannah, 52, can be seen with her husband of 10 years, marketing expert Mike Feldman, and their kids, daughter Vale and son Charley. They are standing in front of their Christmas tree at home. They have two residences: in Brooklyn and in the upstate New York town of Hudson Valley. 'So. Very. Merry!! Sending all our love, Mike, Savannah, Vale and Charley and introducing... ' the caption read. Morning show co-host Savannah Guthrie made a rare appearance with her husband and children on her family's 2024 holiday card. And they introduced a new member of the family: They have adopted a dog name Fetch. They wore T-shirts about owning Fetch as they held the black dog up A second image on the back shows Vale and Charley taking with their new canine Fetch. They all have on T-shirts that acknowledge their four-legged friend. 'I made Fetch happen,' Savannah's shirt reads, while Mike's jokes that he 'let' Fetch happen. Feldman, 56, is a public relations and communications consultant and a former Democratic political adviser. Feldman was Vice President Al Gores traveling chief of staff during the 2000 presidential election campaign. Vale and Charley wear shirts with hearts. 'FETCH GUTHRIE FELDMAN!!' the back of the card reads. 'Mike, Savannah, Vale and Charley are delighted to announce that this year, we made Fetch happen. Merriest everything to all and blessings for 2025!' (L-R) Craig Melvin, Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker attend the 2024 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4 in New York City The TV star flashed her wedding rings on Today in Rockefeller Plaza in NYC in October Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager unveiled their cards during the Dec. 9 episode of TODAY with Hoda & Jenna. Hoda's card features a photo of the TODAY co-anchor with her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine. 'Merry Christmas' reads the card. Jenna's card followed in the Hager family tradition of showing the family Jenna and her husband, Henry Hager, and their three kids, Mila, Poppy Louise and Hal posing together. 'Peace and Love, Happy Holidays,' that side of the card reads. 'Jenna, Henry, Mila (11), Poppy Louise (9) and Hal (5).' 'Wishing you hope ever after,' reads the message on the back. Ashley Benson and her husband Brandon Davis looked happy as they headed home from a fun date night on Monday. The couple, who were spotted on a rare public outing with their 10-month-old daughter recently, were seen leaving the Billie Eilish concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The McVeigh actress, 34 showcased her toned abs in a pair of loose fitting black jeans and a black crop top. She covered up in the chilly night air in a leather moto jacket with a gray shearling collar and cuffs. Benson stepped out in black boots. The Wilderness star's long, blonde hair was styled in loose waves and she appeared to be wearing natural looking makeup. Davis, 44, kept his look casual as well, wearing a black T-shirt and jeans with black sneakers. Ashley Benson and her husband Brandon Davis looked tired but happy as they headed home from a fun date night Monday after attending the Billie Eilish concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA He bundled up in a quilted black jacket with a cream shearling collar. The Doubting Tom actor placed a billed black cap over his dark hair as he stayed close to his lady love.. The couple married in November 2023 after whirlwind relationship. The welcomed their daughter, Aspen, in February. The blonde posted a photo from her seat in the stands of the hitmaker on the stage tagging Eilish on the snap. The busy mom has a lot on her plate. She recently finished work on Stranglehold. The action flick tells the story of an Army veteran and his exotic dancer wife, who are tired of just scraping by and decide to rob the club where she works. The McVeigh actress, 34 showcased her toned abs in a pair of loose fitting black jeans and a black crop top. She covered up in the chilly night air in a leather moto jacket with a gray shearling collar and cuffs The Pretty Little Liars alum posted a photo from her seat in the stands of the hitmaker on the stage tagging Eilish on the snap Justin Long, Ron Perlman and Jake Lacy also star in the thriller. Benson has also signed to work on the comedy Pledge Trip with Rob Schneider and Jake T. Austen. The story about three college freshmen who want to fit in and 'take off down a twisted, debauched, pride-busting road to brotherhood.' No release date for the film has been announced. Benson has had a flourishing career in Hollywood. She took off when she worked on the TV series Pretty Little Liars. Former TOWIE star Kelsey Stratford has hit out at Popworld in Southend after her disabled sister, Kennedy, 12, was refused entry to a disco because she can't sit or stand up. Kennedy was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 at just a few weeks old and is paralysed from the neck down, and is unable to speak or swallow properly. Kelsey, 24, has slammed the venue for turning away Kennedy after being let into the Little Ravers event. The reality star said her sister, who was thoroughly enjoying the disco, has been 'hurt' by the whole experience and could overhear staff telling her carers she had to leave. 'My sister battles every single day with a cruel illness that has taken her ability to move but not her beautiful mind,' the former reality star told The Sun. 'She was so excited to finally feel included at a kids rave, only to be unfairly thrown out because she couldn't sit up, she faces unimaginable struggles every day, yet this was a moment she truly looked forward to, something that could have brought her joy. Former TOWIE star Kelsey Stratford has hit out at Popworld in Southend after her disabled sister, Kennedy, 12, was refused entry to a school disco because she can't sit or stand up Kelsey has slammed the venue for turning away Kennedy at their Little Ravers event. The reality star said her sister has been 'hurt' by the whole experience A spokesperson for Popworld told MailOnline: 'We're very sorry for the distress this situation has caused Kennedy and her family' [Popworld in Southend pictured] 'Now, she feels even more left out and hurt in a life that has already given her so much pain. How is that fair?' Kelsey's stepfather Paul also hit out at Popworld on social media. He wrote: 'So yesterday my beautiful princess Kennedy had a ticket to Little Ravers xmas party @ Popworld Southend. 'Kennedy had been looking forward to this for a year as she loves both a rave and party. 'They let Kennedy in and all was OK, only for them to come up to us stating unless Kennedy can sit up she will have to leave, had to take a breath before realising they were throwing out a little girl, who was already dancing and singing, out because she couldn't sit or stand! 'To make it worse, the Deputy Manager, said she can't do anything about it, Kennedy can't be in there due to the risk. 'Remember Kennedy is hearing all this, cognitively she is not disabled, as they demand she leaves like she is a threat to the public and other children! Disgusting behaviour from the individuals involved!!' A spokesperson for Popworld told MailOnline: 'We're very sorry for the distress this situation has caused Kennedy and her family. 'We strive to be inclusive and events like Little Ravers are designed for all families to enjoy, so parents and carers can come with their children to have fun in an exciting new environment. 'We take accessibility very seriously and guest safety is our absolute priority. 'However, it's clear on this occasion we got this wrong and we are thoroughly reviewing our risk assessment measures, and team training, to make sure this doesn't happen again. We are in contact with Kennedy's parents and hope we can welcome her and her family back again soon.' Kelsey made the choice to quit showbusiness altogether after being axed from TOWIE in 2021 and has trained as a carer in a bid to help others. Kelsey made the choice to quit showbusiness altogether after being axed from TOWIE in 2021 and has trained as a carer in a bid to help others About 1.6million people in the UK carry the gene that causes spinal muscular atrophy and one in every 10,000 babies is born with the condition. A baby born with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 is expected to die before their second birthday. Those who develop other types of the condition later in life often go on to have a normal life expectancy. Kennedy is routinely seen by the team at Great Ormond Street Childrens hospital but is treated elsewhere in emergencies. Every winter she ends up in intensive care, with Kelsey describing Kennedy's immune system as 'awful'. She was on life support after contracting Covid-19, with Kelsey saying at the time: 'The NHS have been incredible to my family and kept Kennedy alive.' Kelsey was 12 years old when her mother gave birth to Kennedy and her twin brother Karter. It was soon realised both babies were not progressing normally which led to them both receiving a spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis. After four months, Karter died from the condition, with Kelsey's mother having to break the news to the older siblings. Kennedy can only communicate by grunting, laughing or crying and only her close family or carers are able to understand what she means. Victoria Beckham enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband David at high-end Eleven Madison Park in New York on Monday. The fashion designer, 50, looked incredibly chic in a black blazer layered over a black lace blouse. She kept accessories to a minimum with gold hoop earrings and pulled her raven locks into a slick updo. Meanwhile, David, 49, looked dapper in a white button up shirt and black tie under a beige blazer. The pair appeared in high spirits as they posed for a selfie at the renowned vegan restaurant with a glass of red wine. David captioned the snap: 'More about date night WOW full vegan and spectacular with obviously great wine and even better company @victoriabeckham @elevenmadisonsqaurepark WOW.' Victoria Beckham enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband David at high-end Eleven Madison Park in New York on Monday It comes just the day after Victoria once again insisted she's never had a nose job amid surgery rumours. The star claimed she's been dogged by rumours of a rhinoplasty over the years but has achieved her 'button nose' with the help of contouring. Speaking on The Today Show, Victoria addressed the idea that she'd had a secret nose job. She explained: 'I have to say, there's been a lot of people in the past that have said to me that I've had some kind of surgery on my nose. I have never, ever, ever, ever No, never. It's clever contouring. 'So I'm literally going to draw two lines down either side of my nose to really shade down the sides. 'What this is going to do, is when I blend it with my nose or my fingers, it's going to give the illusion of a longer, straighter nose.' Victoria previously spoke about the surgery rumours with make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury. Earlier this week, Victoria wore dramatic green eyeliner as she showed off her vibrant new makeup look in an Instagram video. It comes just the day after Victoria once again insisted she's never had a nose job amid surgery rumours The star claimed she's been dogged by rumours of a rhinoplasty over the years but has achieved her 'button nose' with the help of contouring The star showcased her flawless makeup look as she plugged the latest edition in her makeup brand. Victoria looked incredibly glamorous in a sophisticated black blazer and chic beige top while she got to work. She wrote: 'MY NEW FAVOURITE LOOK: EMERALD EYES 'With its intense gem-like shimmer, Lid Lustre in Emerald brings an incredible pop of green and looks so gorgeous with my signature VB black tux. 'I have always been deeply inspired by rich, opulent greens, which is why I love pairing Emerald with my Satin Kajal Liner in Olive for an added touch of radiance. Victoria x 'Shop the look at VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com and at 36 Dover Street.' Victoria shared a hilarious video of husband David placing a toy elf inside a coffee cup as the couple prepared for Christmas on Monday. She captured former Manchester United and England ace David, 49, as he attempted to fill their home with festive decorations. According to The Sun, Geri, Mel B , Mel C, Victoria Beckham and Emma Bunton were all approached about a drama series that came with a seven-figure payday 'Where is the elf going?' she is heard asking her husband as he proceeded to give the toy an unlikely home inside a coffee mug, next to their Nespresso coffee machine. Captioning the Instagram post, Victoria wrote: 'I promise... no alcohol.' It comes after Geri Horner reportedly 'derailed a lucrative Spice Girls deal' - that would have netted all five members 1million each. According to The Sun, Geri, Mel B , Mel C, Victoria and Emma Bunton were all approached about a drama series that came with a seven-figure payday. Insiders have claimed talks were going well until Geri decided to back out of her involvement in the project. A source said: 'It would have seen five actresses taking on the roles of Posh, Ginger, Scary, Sporty and Baby. 'The venture would have landed them all pay deals of around 1million for essentially not lifting a finger. 'But as the negotiations ramped up, the others were told Geri had objected. The plans have basically been thrown out.' The insider added that, without the agreement of Geri, it will be difficult to make the project happen. Georgia Kousoulou revealed she rushed her newborn daughter Gigi to A&E on Monday night following a terrifying health scare, she shared in an Instagram post. The former TOWIE star, 33, welcomed her second child with husband Tommy Mallet, 31, last month. Georgia, who also shares son Brody, two, with Tommy, hurried Gigi to hospital after noticing she came down with bronchitis. Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs that is usually caused by an infection. It often gets better without treatment in around 3 weeks. She wrote: 'Baby girl not well [crying emoji].. trip to a&e & she has Bronchitis.. worst thing when they are this small!' And on Tuesday, Georgia shared a positive health update, admitting: 'Guys thank you so much more messaging me about Gigi. She is doing well but bronchitis not a joke, it is awful. It is so scary, as you can see I'm still in my pyjamas. Georgia Kousoulou, 33, revealed she rushed her newborn daughter Gigi to A&E on Monday night following a terrifying health scare Georgia hurried Gigi to hospital after noticing she came down with bronchitis 'My mum's here and Tom's dad is downstairs. I've had Tom's mum here, Brody's off school for Christmas and now I don't want him to get it. When you've got a newborn and a toddler, it is so hard. 'I have been up all night just watching her breathe, if your child has had bronchitis you will know what I'm talking about because they just gasp for breath. It is not nice, it's really not nice.' She added: 'I'm feeding little and often and checking her temperature all the time and just watching her breathing all the time. 'Her chest was going in a little bit when she was breathing but mildly. I'm keeping her up right, that is all you can do.' It comes after Georgia shared the adorable moment her son Brody met his newborn baby sister for the first time. The youngster beamed at Gigi and gave a thumbs up as he carefully cradled her, while Gigi wrapped up warmly in a pale pink blanket. Little Gigi sported a pink bow on her head and was clearly camera ready as she stuck her tongue out for the photo. Captioning the touching moment, Georgia penned: 'This feeling is like no other. Thank you for all the love.' The former TOWIE star welcomed her second child with husband Tommy Mallet, 31, last month Georgia also shares son Brody, two, with Tommy It comes after Georgia shared the adorable moment her son Brody met his newborn baby sister for the first time Sharing her happy baby news on Instagram last month, Georgia penned: 'Introducing you .. GIGI Fordham. Born on 22.11 weighing 8 pound 12. Our darling girl, We are so in love, our hearts could burst. Thank you god for answering our prayers.' Georgia announced her pregnancy back in May, one year after she tragically suffered a miscarriage. Taking to Instagram to announce the news, she wrote: 'Our little rainbow baby due December. Words can't express the emotions we have, we have prayed, wished & with a little help it's happened.. 'I can't thank my team enough. Rehan Salim you are the best IVF specialist - I'm so blessed we met you & Michelle my amazing nurse who helped me every step of the way! 'These guys made my experience with IVF so much better than I could of [sic] even imagined. 'I was so scared as all the things I had heard beforehand but they were simply the best & held my hand the whole way through. Thank you for giving us the best gift of all. 'To anyone watching who is suffering... I am with you & I know how you feel. I pray this post doesn't trigger you. I know how hard it is seeing announcements. Please know you are not alone & please don't give up hope.' Georgia previously said she will 'never get over the feeling' of losing her baby after she suffered a devastating miscarriage at 12 weeks. The star had started having therapy after struggling with emotional triggers and feeling 'drained' by grief. Kim Kardashian's fans have said that one of her photos from her new winter SKIMS campaign looks very familiar. Many have suggested on X that she stole Raquel Welch's fur bikini look from the 1967 movie One Million Years BC. 'This is so '60s, remember Raquel Welch did it in that prehistoric movie?' said one fan on X. Another added, 'This is Raquel in One Million Years BC and I love it.' Welch was the brunette bombshell of her day and rocked fans when she was seen in the furry little two piece suit for the epic movie. The image became iconic as a top Hollywood pinup poster. The look has been borrowed many times in the past - Heidi Klum, Emily Ratajkowski and Teresa Giudice have all done it. And this week Kim copied the style once again. The fur bikini that looked two sizes to small for her as it managed to do the impossible: show cleavage, side boob and bottom boob all at the same time. Kim Kardashian's fans were stunned by her new look for a fresh SKIMS campaign shared on Monday Many have said on X that it looks as if she stole Raquel Welch 's fur bikini look from the 1967 movie One Million Years BC The 44-year-old brunette beauty was showing off blonde locks as she posed in pinup styles. 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.' 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'.' Welch was the brunette bombshell of her day and rocked fans when she was seen in the furry little two piece suit The image became iconic as a top Hollywood pinup poster Emily Ratajkowski wore this fur bikini to a party 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 Throughout the shoot, she had big blonde hair with heavily lined eyes making her resemble 1960s pinup actress Brigitte Bardot '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.' Arnold Schwarzenegger nearly unrecognizable dressed as Santa Claus for his latest role in his first holiday film in nearly three decades. While seen on set of The Man With The Bag, for the first time, the Austrian actor, 77, hid his handsome face and extraordinary physique under a full white beard, face prosthetics and a baggy Christmas sweater. For the scene, he was dressed in a white crewneck with a red pickup truck carrying a Christmas tree in the back on it and brown corduroy pants. Later, he bundled up in a long red coat that seemed perfectly suited for Kris Kringle to wear as he spread holiday cheer all over Manhattan. Although he's better known for roles in many action films, like The Terminator, he previously appeared in the 1996 Christmas family comedy as a workaholic father on a mission to get his son a sold-out action figure, which results in him learning the real meaning of Christmas. The former governor of California, who recently became a grandfather for the third time, joins a long list of actors that have played Jolly Old St. Nicholas, including Ben Affleck, Tim Allen, Billy Bob Thornton and Kurt Russell. News first broke that the Hollywood legend would be starring in another Christmas comedy back in March. This Hollywood legend, who was one of the biggest action movie stars of the 1980s, looked nearly unrecognizable dressed as Santa Claus for his latest role Adam Shankman is directing the Amazon MGM Studios film from a script by Allan Rice. The plotline reads: 'When Santa's magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. 'Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.' It will mark the first time that Arnie has appeared in a festive movie since Jingle All The Way in 1996. And it will be his first film role of any kind since Terminator: Dark Fate in 2019. He did shoot the flick Kung Fury 2 that year but it has not been released due to legal issues. And he was seen in his documentary last year for Netflix. The three-part docuseries followed Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician. While seen on set of his upcoming holiday film, The Man With The Bag, for the first time, the Austrian actor hid his handsome face and extraordinary physique under a full white beard and what appeared to be some face prosthetics For the scene, he was dressed in a white sweater with a red pickup truck carrying a Christmas tree in the back on it and brown corduroy pants The actor is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger! Arnie played the titular character in the Terminator franchise but admitted last year that he was 'done' with the movies. He thinks the future of the series should be passed on to other stars, added the ex of Maria Shriver. At the time, the actor told The Hollywood Reporter: 'The franchise is not done. I'm done. 'I got the message loud and clear that the world wants to move on with a different theme when it comes to 'The Terminator'. Someone has to come up with a great idea.' Schwarzenegger is best known for his roles in many action films, including The Terminator, and days as a bodybuilder; seen in 1976 Arnie explained that he will always have happy memories of the franchise that turned him into a bona fide leading man. He said: 'The Terminator was largely responsible for my success, so I always would look at it very fondly.' In addition to his acting career, he is father to five children: daughters Katherine, 35, and Christina, 31, and sons Patrick, 31, and Christopher, 27, and Joseph, 27. He shares all his children with Shriver, apart from Joseph, whose mother is Mildred Patricia Baena, his longtime housekeeper. Paris Hilton's ex-fiance Chris Zylka has now been charged with two felonies after turning himself into the authorities following his recent arrest. Zylka, 39, was arrested earlier this month after getting into a bloody brawl with police following an alleged attempted carjacking in Ohio. An arrest warrant was issued for Zylka after he somehow escaped custody, but on Monday Zylka surrendered, a clerk at the Warren Municipal Court shared with TMZ. Zylka was hit with two felonies - assault for allegedly elbowing an officer, in addition to attempting to commit an offense with his alleged attempted carjacking. He was also charged with three misdemeanors - disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and aggravated menacing. Zylka's legal troubles began earlier this month. Police were called to Warren, near Cleveland, at 4:45pm on December 4 following a report of a man with no shirt or shoes on in the cold who was attempting to get into a vehicle with a possible gun, according to local station WKBN. Paris Hilton's ex-fiance Chris Zylka has now been charged with two felonies after turning himself into the authorities following his recent arrest; pictured 2019 He was captured on bodycam footage with a bloody nose and bruises. When police arrived they found traffic at a standstill with model and actor Zylka pushing the front of the vehicle while 'foaming at the mouth' and appearing to be under the influence of drugs, per WKBN. Zylka had allegedly tried to get into a woman's car and had been trying to break the window, police said, with the Leftovers actor allegedly pointing a cellphone like he was brandishing a gun at two detectives who arrived at the scene. When he was ordered to get on his knees and officers attempted to handcuff him, he resisted, getting one wrist in the restraint before an altercation broke out. Zylka 'exchanged blows' with an officer per the report, with the other detective using a taser which accidentally struck the officer brawling with Zylka. This officer then used his taser twice on Zylka which did not seem to affect him. The footage shows Zylka was finally arrested after a third detective managed to subdue and cuff him. Zylka was filmed struggling with officers and paramedics as he was strapped to a gurney and loaded into an ambulance while bleeding. Police said paramedics gave Zylka ketamine to calm him down. Zylka was arrested after getting into a bloody brawl with police following an alleged attempted carjacking in Ohio last week Zylka and Hilton dated for three years before their romance ended in a called-off engagement in 2018 - pictured 2018 The police report notes personal weapons included 'hands, feet, fist, teeth, etc.' A Warren Police Dept. spokesman previously confirmed to TMZ Zylka was no longer in custody and an arrest warranted had been issued. The outlet notes Zylka was possibly able to escape at the hospital. Zylka is best known for his role as Tom Garvey in the HBO series The Leftovers from 2014-2017. Zylka and Hilton dated for three years before their romance ended in a called-off engagement in 2018. Zylka, 39, was captured on bodycam footage with a bloody nose and bruises after police were called to Warren, near Cleveland at 4:45 pm on December 4 following a report a man with no shirt or shoes on in the freezing cold was attempting to get into a vehicle with a gun Zylka - who was 'foaming at the mouth' and reportedly under the influence of drugs - was filmed struggling with officers and paramedics as he was strapped to a gurney and loaded into an ambulance while bleeding Zylka is pictured at the gym in an October 2024 post Hilton is now married to Carter Reum and is mom to son Phoenix, 23 months and daughter London, 13 months. In 2023 Zylka opened up about their past relationship and revealed that he misses Hilton's family, but admitted he couldn't divulge many details about their romance due to an NDA. 'I have nothing bad to say, and anyone that does have anything bad to say about her, is probably a bad person, to be honest with you,' he declared. Getting candid, he noted, 'I miss her family. I miss her mom and dad and her brothers and sister. I miss driving from her house to Bel Air to hangout with them.' As for regrets, Zylka said, 'I've never been able to apologize to her for just like, not being grateful for the experience and all that she did for me.' Continuing to praise the entrepreneur, he added, 'She's the one relationship that I've ever had that there was no take, it was all give. It was all give. And it was really lovely.' He dished, 'I'm not supposed to say anything because when we did finalize everything and breakup I know about past breakups with her, so I did sign an NDA saying that I won't write a book or say anything like that, but there was never anything negative that I could say.' Chris referred to Paris as a 'rockstar' for her musical accomplishments as a DJ. A Warren Police Dept. spokesman confirmed to TMZ Zylka is no longer in custody and there is a warrant out for his arrest The two ultimately went their separate ways so he could focus on work, which he had not doing during their time together. 'My work was just really important to me. And I obviously chose her over work, and I don't regret it. It was at the peak of my career,' he explained. 'We were going into the final season of The Leftovers. And my time with her, I didn't work, which was just two, three years, but the overall experiences and just the people, the people that you would meet. Just such lovely people.' Bianca Censori was seen copying Kanye West's ex Kim Kardashian by sporting an all-black, leather look as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday. The architectural designer, 29 - who recently spent time in Tokyo with the Heartless rapper, 46 - was spotted strolling through a crowded parking garage as she headed to a meeting. It comes not long after the SKIMS founder has also been accused of imitating Censori in recent Instagram posts, such as donning a skintight onesie. Censori - who tied the knot with West back in 2022 - sported a long-sleeved, black turtleneck as well as a pair of fitted black leggings. She layered the ensemble with a black, leather coat that was secured with a belt that was wrapped around her waist. Bianca additionally slipped into a pair of black, heeled boots to coincide with the monochromatic color scheme of the outfit. Bianca Censori, 29, was seen copying Kanye West's ex Kim Kardashian by sporting an all-black, leather look as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday The star's brunette locks were partially pulled back away from her face with a hair clip, allowing the strands to fall down naturally behind her. She opted for minimal accessories during the excursion, and wore a pair of stylish, black shades. Censori chose to not carry a heavy purse or handbag, and instead simply carried her smartphone in her hand while making her way towards the entrance of a building. She was seen stepping out of a Tesla Cybertruck before receiving a ticket from valet nearby. Kim is also no stranger to wearing eye-catching, leather ensembles as well - such as when she stepped out in NYC last September. Earlier this month, the mother-of-four was accused of copying Bianca as she posed for a series of raunchy snaps while wearing a white thong and balaclava. The TV personality also donned a white cropped top with a plunging neckline for the photo session which seemingly took place near a wooded area. Social media users jumped to the comment section to share their thoughts, with many comparing the outfit to Censori's many revealing looks. Censori - who tied the knot with West back in 2022 - sported a long-sleeved, black turtleneck as well as a pair of fitted black leggings Bianca additionally slipped into a pair of black, heeled boots to coincide with the monochromatic color scheme of the outfit The star's brunette locks were partially pulled back away from her face with a hair clip, allowing the strands to fall down naturally behind her She opted for minimal accessories during the excursion, and wore a pair of stylish, black shades She was seen stepping out of a Tesla Cybertruck before receiving a ticket from valet nearby One typed out, 'Bianca has multiplied,' while another also penned on the post, 'Kimca Censori.' A fan also compared the look to West's Yeezy brand and added, 'Kinda Yeezy-ish. Just sayin,' while one shared, 'Take him back Kim.' The music artist has also seemingly copied his ex-wife this month while driving an identical vehicle that the reality star also owns. During his recent trip to Tokyo with Bianca, Kanye was seen flashing a cheerful smile while standing next to his mirrored Mercedes-Maybach. Kardashian has been spotted with the same vehicle between the years of 2019 and 2021. The former couple were married from 2014 until their divorce was finalized in 2022. The pair also share children North, 11, Saint, 10, Chicago, six and Psalm, five. Kim has been moving on with her love life and a source recently told Us Weekly that she 'has started dating someone new' but is 'keeping it very under wraps.' West and Censori enjoyed a few getaways to Japan which began in October - and the couple were seen exploring the city of Tokyo on various outings together. Kim is also no stranger to wearing eye-catching, leather ensembles as well - such as when she stepped out in NYC last September Earlier this month, the mother-of-four was accused of copying Bianca as she posed for a series of raunchy snaps while wearing a white thong and balaclava Kanye and Bianca were seen shopping at a mall, with Censori wearing a sheer white bodysuit and the rapper also donning an all-white ensemble. Earlier this month, he also appeared in high spirits during a lunch date with his wife at a cozy restaurant. West held a big smile on his face as he arrived to the eatery while the Australian architect covered up in a turtleneck sweater and black bomber jacket. Late last month, it was revealed that the music artist wants to 'renew his vows' with Censori - two years after the pair initially said 'I do.' He wants the nuptials to be an 'almost nude ceremony' at their new $35 million Beverly Hills mansion. A source told Radar Online, 'It's no secret people have been whispering that Censori is walking away, so this wedding is as much about celebrating their love as it is about showing the world that they're solid.' 'He's very much going for shock value. He's really into the idea of both of them walking down the aisle in barely-there outfits.' Kim has been moving on with her love life and a source recently told Us Weekly that she 'has started dating someone new' but is 'keeping it very under wraps' Late last month, it was revealed that the music artist wants to 'renew his vows' with Censori - two years after the pair initially said 'I do'; seen in February in Milan The purchase of the lavish abode was reportedly a 'last ditch effort' to save their marriage, a source recently told DailyMail.com. 'Bianca has wanted stability for well over a year now.' 'This house was a last-ditch effort to save their marriage because Kanye knows what she wants, which is a family and to be grounded. But her family don't know if Kanye is going to give this to her.' The insider added, 'Kanye changes his mind daily on what he wants to do and that house was purchased with the intent of living in it.' 'Bianca is sick of hopping from hotel to hotel and from city to city. She has been doing this their entire marriage.' 'She's not had any stability since she married Kanye and with the lawsuit she is stressed.' The purchase of the lavish abode was reportedly a 'last ditch effort' to save their marriage, a source recently told DailyMail.com; seen in March in Inglewood 'One day they are moving into their dream home. The next he is building a community on top of it and levelling it. Then the next day they are flipping it,' the source continued. However, to purchase the mansion in Beverly Hills, the couple notably took out $15.5 million in loans. The home is located in a gated community - and they will have celebrity neighbors such as Adele and Justin Bieber. It comes just two months after Kanye and Bianca had reportedly split in October - but just days later, the stars were seen packing on the PDA while in Tokyo. Fred Sirieix's fiance Fruitcake has revealed that she was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and admitted she 'doesn't recognise her own reflection'. The TV personality, 52, met his fiance nine years ago when they caught one another's eye when walking through Peckham. Fruitcake took to Instagram on Tuesday to address a six week hiatus as she revealed she had been recovering from Bell's Palsy - a neurological condition which causes temporary weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face. The fashion expert, 50, admitted she had been rushed to hospital in an ambulance after the symptoms appeared, as they can be similar to that of a stroke. Fruitcake shared a collection of selfies from throughout her battle with Bell's Palsy as she gave fans an insight into her recovery. Taking to Instagram, she said: 'Hello, everyone! Ive been away for the past couple of months due to a diagnosis of Bells Palsy. Fred Sirieix's fiance Fruitcake has revealed that she was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and admitted she 'doesn't recognise her own reflection' (Pictured in May) Fruitcake took to Instagram on Tuesday to address a six week hiatus as she revealed she had been recovering from Bell's Palsy - a neurological condition which causes temporary weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face 'For those who may not know this condition causes sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face.' Opening up about her symptoms, she said: 'Initially, I experienced excruciating pain, facial distortion (check out my pics - last one is most recent), and discomfort in my ear and head, which was incredibly painful and challenging to manage. 'The symptoms of Bell's Palsy are similar to a stroke. And so when I called the NHS helpline, I was rushed to A&E by ambulance for immediate care. 'Now, Im managing some ongoing issues like visual disturbances and aches in my ear and jaw.' Fruitcake shared that the loss of feeling in her face meant at times she didn't recognise her reflection. 'One of the toughest challenges has been not recognising my reflection in the mirror, which made me retreat from social situations,' she said. 'However, each day brings new blessings, and Im starting to look more like myself again. Since my diagnosis, Ive delved into researching the conditionsomething I hadnt even heard of until now. Hearing the stories of others in similar situations has been incredibly inspiring.' She added: 'I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitudemy family and friends have been incredible throughout this journey. Fruitcake shared a collection of selfies from throughout her battle with Bell's Palsy as she gave fans an insight into her recovery The fashion expert, 50, admitted she had been rushed to hospital in an ambulance after the symptoms appeared, as they can be similar to that of a stroke Taking to Instagram, she said: 'Hello, everyone! Ive been away for the past couple of months due to a diagnosis of Bells Palsy' Opening up about her symptoms, she said: 'Initially, I experienced excruciating pain, facial distortion (check out my pics - last one is most recent)' (Recent selfie pictured) 'Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check on me; your support means the world! Thank you also to everyone at the NHS who looked after me. You guys are brilliant x 'I feel truly blessed that my recovery is progressing faster than I initially anticipated. 'As we approach the holiday season, I wish you all a lovely Christmas and all the best in 2025! Ill be back soon to share my fashion finds, but in the meantime, please stay safe and, most importantly, healthy! Take care, and see you soon! .' Fred previously revealed that he and Fruitcake had cancelled their wedding, and were planning to wait until the end of the Covid pandemic to exchange their vows. He also revealed that due to lockdown he couldn't present his fiance with a ring when he popped the question, but luckily she still said yes. While in the I'm A Celebrity jungle last year (pictured), Fred said he and Fruitcake are planning to say 'I do' in Jamaica Fred previously revealed that he and Fruitcake had cancelled their wedding, and were planning to wait until the end of the Covid pandemic to exchange their vows While in the I'm A Celebrity jungle last year, Fred said he and Fruitcake are planning to say 'I do' in Jamaica. Fred said: 'I've never had a bad date. But the way I met Fruitcake, I met her in Peckham 'I was walking up and she was smiling at me and I was smiling at her and I liked her eyes I just had to talk to her 'I asked for her number, I said, "Shall we go for a drink tonight?" 'That was nine years ago. We're getting married next year in Jamaica.' Jowita Przystal put on a low-key display as she headed into central London on Tuesday to run errands. Rumours are swirling around the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 30, who was linked to fellow dancer Vito Coppola, 32, this weekend. Boarding a bus in the capital, she wore a stylish brown leather jacket with loose fitting jeans. Jowita layered a green cable knit cardigan underneath and added a pair of Nike trainers for her outing. To top off her casual look she tucked her curled hair under her hat and carried a black leather shoulder bag. The dancer is said to be dating Vito after having major chemistry behind the scenes during the BBC series. Jowita Przystal put on a low-key display as she headed into central London on Tuesday to run errands Boarding a bus in the capital, she wore a stylish brown leather jacket with loose fitting jeans Jowita, who previously dated co-star Giovanni Pernice, 34, is said to have now been wooed by the Italian dancer, 32. She and Vito previously sparked romance rumours earlier this year during the Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals live UK tour. A source has now told The Sun: '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. MailOnline has contacted the BBC and both Jowita and Vito's representatives for comment. Elsewhere, eyebrows have been raised over Pete's love life in recent weeks as he's been linked to both his Strictly pro partner Jowita and Love Island star Maura Higgins. Pete and Jowita looked very cosy as they were interviewed by Claudia Winkleman after getting through to next week's show. Jowita gripped onto Pete as the pair sat together on the Strictly couch after the results were read out, before they stared into each other's eyes and smiled at one another. Rumours are swirling around the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 30, who was linked to fellow dancer Vito Coppola, 32, this weekend (pictured in January) Elsewhere, eyebrows have been raised over Pete's love life in recent weeks as he's been linked to both his Strictly pro partner Jowita and Love Island star Maura Higgins The TV personality, 36, was thought to be dating Maura, 33, but she has since insisted that she is single, and said a romance in the jungle is likely to be off the cards 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. The TV personality, 36, was thought to be dating Maura, 33, but she has since insisted that she is single, and said a romance in the jungle is likely to be off the cards. 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. Kendall Jenner made jaws drop as she posed for Calvin Klein. On Tuesday, the 29-year-old reality star who recently had experts weigh in on her cosmetic 'tweaks' took to Instagram to share images of her racy photoshoot for the brand's holiday campaign. The siren wore a red bra and underwear for one set up. And she teased her black panties while modeling a sexy satin and lace lingerie dress that showed off her tiny waist and endless legs. The Calvin Klein brand ambassador posed seductively and turned up the heat while acting as though she was peeling the seductive ensemble off her petite frame. And the style maven also modeled two figure-hugging, ribbed black and burgundy dresses. 'A @calvinklein holiday :),' the five-foot-eleven looker penned in the caption. Kendall Jenner made jaws drop as she posed for Calvin Klein. On Tuesday, the 29-year-old reality star who recently had experts weigh in on her cosmetic 'tweaks ' took to Instagram to share images of her racy photoshoot for the brand's holiday campaign The siren wore a red bra and underwear for one set up as she had burgundy nails Fans went wild in the comments section, some praising the brunette beauty for her incredible physique and others pointing out her similar appearance to sister Kylie Jenner. 'the dress looks amazingg!!' one penned. Another follower chimed in, 'you look like Kylie in the first pic!' Kendall first modeled for Calvin Klein in 2015 when she was unveiled as the latest face of Calvin Klein Jeans. She has gone on to collaborate with the brand for various campaigns as an ambassador. At the time, she told Vogue she was 'honored' to model for the 'iconic' brand and opened up about her own role models. 'Im honored to be a part of it, honestly, Its iconic. Its [a campaign] I would have seen all over and thought how cool it would be to be a part of,' she told the outlet at the time. Naming Kate Moss and Brooke Shields she said, 'Theyre always my inspiration for anything.' The Victoria's Secret model initially shot to fame when she and her family started appearing on their hit reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007. She has appeared on the cover of various international Vogue editions, walked for Victoria's Secret and serves as a brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger and Estee Lauder. She teased her black panties while modeling a sexy satin and lace lingerie dress that showed off her tiny waist and endless legs. The Calvin Klein brand ambassador posed seductively and turned up the heat while acting as though she was peeling the seductive ensemble off her petite frame And the style maven also modeled two figure-hugging, ribbed black and burgundy dresses. 'A @calvinklein holiday :),' the five-foot-eleven looker penned in the caption As she continues to reign as one of the world's top models, the Kendall opened up about her personal life to Vogue France in July. Specifically, she spoke about the possibility of starting her own family. The starlet is the only member of the Kardashian-Jenner family to have not yet welcomed a little one, but is set on leaving her legacy. She told the outlet: 'I dream, above all, of longevity. Even when I'm older, I hope people will still think of me. 'I'd like to stay in the limelight as the years go by.... I would love to have a family, become a mother and have children,' she expressed. She has been romantically linked to a slew of high-profile men, most recently Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. And she gushed about how much relationships 'mean to me' as she spoke about her idol Christy Turlington. And the style maven also modeled two figure-hugging, ribbed black dresses And she was also seen in a burgundy version She explained: 'I spent a lot of time looking at her face as a kid. She seemed so calm and collected. I really appreciated her energy through it all. 'And it feels like life outside modeling and family were really important to her. 'Relationships mean so much to me, and I can't wait to have a life with someone one day, to have kids, to create a family. Christy just gives good vibes. 'Maybe she cared a little bit less! I think that's really cool,' Kendall added. Alison Hammond has reportedly 'topped the celebrity panto rich list with her huge earnings.' The This Morning host, 49, is currently playing the Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan as she returns to Birmingham Hippodrome for a second year. According to a new report from The Sun, she is raking in a whopping 195,000 for her 65 show stint this festive period. Elsewhere, Vernon Kay is making around 190,000 in his role as Aladdin at Wycombes Swan Theatre. Scott Mills is earning the same for his stint as Mayor Mills in Jack and the Beanstalk in Swansea. A source told the publication: 'Panto may be all fun and games for audiences but behind the scenes its dog eat dog.' Alison Hammond has reportedly 'topped the celebrity panto rich list with her huge earnings' The This Morning host, 49, is currently playing the Magical Mermaid in Peter Pan as she returns to Birmingham Hippodrome for a second year They added: 'Agents are notoriously particular about where their clients name is on the poster and how big the font is as it reflects the earnings. Industry wide its known if youre in the top left you are the highest paid star.' MailOnline has contacted Alison Hammond's representative for comment. Alison risked being pulled off air with her 'naughty' pantomime innuendos live on Capital Breakfast last week - and asked the presenters if they could 'cut' some of it. The This Morning star joined hosts Jordan North, Chris Stark, and Sian Welby where she read out some very risky punchlines as part of a game. Sian explained: 'Okay. These are very modern pantomimes. We've written them, you're going to star in them, and you're always going to have the last line, okay Alison? 'So, we will hand you your notes, your script. You can take all the glory, all the punchlines. Whenever you're ready, guys.' Doing Aladdin first, Sian took on the role of narrator as she said: 'Here we go. I'm going to be the narrator. 'Hoping to save up some money for an around the world cruise next year, and with no husband to cover the cost, Widow Twankey had decided to put her cave up on Airbnb. 'It was going well, because her first holidaymakers Aladdin and friend Jason were at the door.' According to a new report from The Sun, she is raking in a whopping 195,000 for her 65 show stint this festive period The show will run throughout December to February Pretending to be Aladdin, Jordan quipped: 'Oh Jason, doesn't this look lovely? Just like the photos in the ad' and Chris. Acting as the character Jason, chimed in with: 'I'm really liking what they've done with the place some lovely stonework, and it's amazing that they could host us so last minute.' Taking on the role of Widow Twankey in the pretend pantomine, Alison read out her cheeky line: 'Oh, well what do we have here? Come inside, boys. Oh, it's been a while since I've had Aladdin in my cave!' However, she burst into laughter and exclaimed: 'Hahaha! That's so naughty! Oh God, I'm not supposed to laugh am I?' 'Nope, straight face!' insisted Sian, but Alison demanded: 'Can you cut this in?' Trying to move on, the presenter continued: 'Were live, Alison. We cant cut anything in. Anyway, here we go, panto two!' This time being the narrator, Jordan said: Panto number two, Cinderella with a bit of a modern twist. 'As all the VIPs of the kingdom were heading into the palace, Cinderellas ugly sisters tired of people ghosting them on Tinder decided to start up a convo with Prince Charming early doors. And well, they were already impressed by his hosting skills.' Pretending to be an ugly sister, Sian read: 'Oh Prince charming, you do know how to throw a party,' before Chris added: 'Thats very kind of you. I owe all of this to my brilliant event planner.' Reading out her second innuendo, Alison quipped: 'Oh, handsome and humble. What a catch! Your Royal Highness, I must say, your balls just keep getting bigger!' Keeping her composure this time, the This Morning host laughed: 'That was good, werent it? I didnt laugh That was naughty.' For panto number three, the hosts and Alison re-enacted a modern version of Dick Whittington. 'Oh. Im already laughing on the inside,' said Alison, trying to keep herself together. Alison risked being pulled off air with her 'naughty' pantomime innuendos live on Capital Breakfast last week - and asked the presenters if they could 'cut' some of it Taking on the role of Widow Twankey in the pretend pantomine, Alison read out her cheeky line: 'Oh, well what do we have here? Come inside, boys. Oh, it's been a while since I've had Aladdin in my cave!' As the narrator, Chris read: 'Bored of the long commute to London and looking for a new adventure, Dick Whittington was over the moon when he got the call to go on Love Island. 'But it turns out that Dick was a bit of a lothario, and he couldnt help himself when the Casa Amor girls arrived.' Pretending to be Maya Jama, Sian joked: 'Now Chloe, its time to find out it Dick will be re-entering the villa alone or if his head had been turned. Dick, youve returned with one of the new girls Anything to say for yourself?' Jordan read: 'Maya, what can I say? Casa got the better of me, but shes well fit, isnt she?' with Sian asking: 'Chloe, what do you make of the decision?' Alison, who played the role of Chloe this time, quipped: 'I dont know who she thinks she is, but shes got five seconds to take her hands off my Dick! Hahaha! Thats so naughty!' Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy has broken his silence one week after he was arrested for domestic violence. The British star, 32, whose girlfriend Ally Lewber was seen moving out of their home this week, wrote on Instagram: 'I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life. 'I am taking time to focus on my sobriety, personal growth and being present for my loved ones. 'Navigating challenging moments is not easy but I am determined to learn, grow and move forward with the incredible support system around me.' Burbank Police Department responded to a call about a 'man and woman arguing' at Kennedys residence around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11. At this time, there has been no confirmation Lewber was the reported victim. Vanderpump Rules star James Kennedy has broken his silence one week after he was arrested for domestic violence He has been dating Lewber since 2022, following the end of his engagement to Rachel Leviss 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. 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. 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.' The British star, 32, whose girlfriend Ally Lewber was seen moving out of their home this week, wrote on Instagram: 'I am committed to making meaningful changes in my life' Seen with Lewber on Tuesday at Hilton's LA mansion 'We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James,' attorneys for Kennedy, 32, said in a Friday statement. 'We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the citys attorneys will decide not to file formal charges' 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.' A source told People: 'James was acting super aggressive all night long.' 'He was acting so erratic, running back and forth to the bar and body-checking people along the way,' the source alleged. 'He appeared inebriated. Spent the evening mostly alone but when he did speak to people, he appeared irritated and rude.' Attorneys for Kennedy told DailyMail.com Friday: 'We are in the process of conducting our own investigation into the allegations levied by the Burbank Police Department against James. 'We understand that there were no injuries and we are hoping that, after careful review, the citys attorneys will decide not to file formal charges.' Kennedy has been dating Lewber since 2022, following the end of his engagement to Rachel Leviss. Ally shared video of her reading Kathy Hilton's birth chart at the party, but James was not in the video. 'Everyone, @kathyhilton invited me over to read her chart,' she captioned the post. On Tuesday, Ally co-hosted Windsor's pre-New Years Eve bash in Los Angeles but Kennedy was not in attendance. Earlier this year Ally shut down speculation she and Kennedy got into a 'physical altercation' at the 2022 MTV Movie Awards afterparty. 'That never happened. There was no physical altercation,' she said on Scheana Shay's podcast Scheananigans. 'Yes, we were in the car together. I thought we were having fun. We were having fun. But then James and I did get into an argument, but there was no physical assault,' she said. Kristen Doute, who previously dated Kennedy from 2014 to 2015, responded to the arrest on Instagram. 'Finally,' she wrote simply beside a screenshot of the news. Doute has previously indicated her ex was abusive. Lisa Vanderpump will be returning and the upcoming season will begin filming next year. The new cast and premiere date will be announced down the road. Lisa stated in the announcement: 'The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between. I cant thank enough those who have shared their lives. 'How I love you all. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules,' she said. Additionally, the show 'will celebrate the past decade of heartbreaks, friendship rifts and scandals with a retrospective special highlighting the past 11 seasons', the release states. After the news, Kennedy broke his silence on the matter and admitted he was fighting back tears. CNN co-anchors were left stunned after discovering the eye-watering cost of last-minute Christmas package shipping. During Monday's CNN News Central broadcast, Business & Politics Correspondent Vanessa Yurkevich revealed the shocking prices that procrastinating gift-givers can expect to pay. If youre feeling the crunch this season, thats for good reason, she said. The shopping season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a week shorter. And so people who maybe waited till the last minute, youre waiting to the real, real last minute at this point. Yurkevich dropped a bombshell that left her colleagues, John Berman, Sara Sidner, and Kate Bolduan, in shock. She revealed the cost would be a staggering $200 for overnight shipping from New York to Los Angeles for a lightweight five-pound package If you look at Fedex, this has the most flexible of all three shippers. You can do same day on December 24th, she said. CNN co-anchors were left stunned after discovering the eye-watering cost of last-minute Christmas package shipping The most flexible option, FedEx offers same-day shipping possible on December 24th, but the cost would be a staggering $200 for a lightweight 5-pound package I couldnt find a same-day shipping option, but I did look overnight the 23rd from New York to Los Angeles for a 5 pound gift. I dont know if you guys can guess how much that cost for overnight shipping. John Berman initially guessed $75, while Sara Sidner bet on $100. When the true price was revealed, their jaws dropped. Kate Bolduan joked that if the package was a gold bar, the price might seem more reasonable. Yurkevich's advised viewers that the moral of the story is, if you know what you want to get, just do it today. Get it now. For those still scrambling to send gifts, there is still hope. For USPS, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday are the last chances. For UPS, people can still send packages Thursday and Friday, with next-day option on December 23rd. And finally with the most flexible option, FedEx offers same-day shipping possible on December 24th. The network is no stranger to controversy this week, with CNN's chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward embroiled in a separate media controversy after a dramatic rescue of a prisoner in Syria went awry. For those still scrambling to send gifts, there is still hope. For USPS, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday are the last chances. For UPS, people can still send packages Thursday and Friday, with next-day option on December 23 John Berman initially guessed $75, while Sara Sidner bet on $100. When the true price was revealed, their jaws dropped Ward and her team discovered a man they initially believed was a civilian father in an abandoned detention site, only to later confirm through facial recognition that the individual was actually a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence - a branch notorious for its role in Assad's regime of torture and civilian oppression. The man, identified as Salama Mohammad Salama, was found under a blanket and initially presented himself as 'Adel Gharbal' in a video that has since gained major backlash. Now, CNN has launched an investigation into Ward's viral rescue. The journalist wound up providing food and water for the man - who later claimed he was left without anysustenance for four days when his captors fled during the fall of Damascus to rebel forces. But Syrian fact-checking site Verify-Sy questioned the report, noting that the alleged prisoner did not flinch or blink when he presumably looked up at the sky for the first time in months. Verify-Sy, a Syrian fact-checking site, had questions about the report '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 torture - an incongruous portrayal of someone allegedly held in solitary confinement in the dark for 90 days,' reported Verify-Sy, a part of Poynter's International Fact-Checking Network. Upon further investigation, Verify-Sy said it could not confirm Gharbal's identity - but after speaking to locals in Homs, it was able to identify the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, or Abu Hamza. They said he was a first lieutenant in the Syrian Air Force Intelligence, which served former President Bashar al-Assad. Nepal's deepening ties with China through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have set alarm bells ringing in New Delhi India has cause for extreme worry. In yet another indicator of Chinas growing sway over Nepal, the two are moving forward to implement Beijings ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the Himalayan nation. India is not only opposed to this in principle on grounds of sovereignty but also fears it will enable China to increase its already considerable inroads into Nepal. If 2017 marked Nepals initial step to coming on board the BRI with an MoU, the year 2024 marks a giant leap for the Himalayan nation in that direction. A framework agreement for cooperation on the BRI was signed during Nepalese PM K P Sharma Olis visit to China in early December, apart from nine other pacts. With the strategically located Himalayan nation having become a hub for Great Powers contestation, the US too would be uneasy with the latest Beijing-Kathmandu tango. While the US had managed to get Nepal on board its own Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact to fund Kathmandus power and transport infrastructure, the BRI seems far broader. Kathmandu is trying to play down the framework as just a continuation of the 2017 MoU. The framework, however, underlines Kathmandu and Beijings renewed push for the BRI, an initiative on which New Delhi harbours deep suspicions for what it perceives as Chinas hegemonic ambitions through debt-trap diplomacy. Sovereignty is another major concern, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), another project under BRI, passing through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India is certainly worried about PM Oli-led Nepal once again moving into Chinas sphere of influence. The CPN-UML leader is widely seen as being pro-China, and bilateral ties with India were prickly during his previous stints as the PM. India has yet to host Oli since he took charge as PM in July this year for the fourth time, with him first heading for Beijing, in a break from the tradition of visiting New Delhi.Also, showing scant regard for New Delhis sensitivities, the Oli government recently allowed 220 Buddhist monks from China to travel to Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautam Buddha even as the Nanhai Buddhism Shenzhen roundtable was being held in Kathmandu. Oli delivered the inaugural address at this roundtable. There were also reports the China-appointed Panchen Lama would travel to Lumbini, though it did not eventually happen. The Oli governments encouragement of Beijings concerted moves to claim Buddhism as a shared heritage will not go down well with New Delhi, which has been making its efforts to build on its shared Buddhist heritage with Nepal. Kathmandus thrust on greater economic cooperation with Beijing the BRI is part of this endeavour would also whittle down Indias influence over Nepal. The BRI framework agreement, incidentally, also envisages the opening of branches of Chinese banks and financial institutions in Nepal. India has traditionally had deep economic linkages with Nepal, nurtured in no small measure due to reasons of geography the two neighbours share a long and porous 1,751-km-long border. This, along with the landlocked nature of Nepal, has helped India become its largest trading partner. During the 2022-23 fiscal, bilateral trade was pegged at $8.85 billion. This included $8 billion of exports from India to Nepal, with $840 million of exports in the reverse direction. As per the Nepal Rastra Bank, India's share in Nepals trade accounted for 64.1% in 2022-23.PM Oli sees cooperation on BRI as a means to forge closer economic ties with China, with the framework agreement resolving to deepen the economic partnership by injecting new momentum to trade, infrastructure and connectivity cooperation. Not a single project under the BRI rubric has been executed in Nepal since the 2017 MoU. Nepal would be hoping that the 10 initial projects, including those meant to boost regional connectivity, will now see the light of day. India has its work cut out and should ensure it does not come across as overbearing. Indias approach in the Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura border dispute, where New Delhi ignored Kathmandus request for foreign secretary-level talks, is a case in point. It led Oli, in his earlier stint as the PM, to cock a snook at New Delhi by changing his countrys map showing the disputed territories as part of Nepal. Neither did New Delhi show respect due to a close neighbour when it decided to give a quiet burial to the joint 2018 Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report, which suggested that the 1950 Treaty of Peace And Friendship be replaced with a new one? Nepal has also been unhappy with Indias refusal to give overflight rights for aircraft using the Chinese-built Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini. India would do well to remember that its domineering approach only serves to alienate a close neighbour further and push it into Chinas ever-willing embrace. India should not lose sight of its strategic imperatives. (The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal) Punjabs agriculture is facing a harrowing realityits lifeblood, the soil, is being contaminated by toxic pesticide residues at alarmingly high levels Its time to face the disturbing truth about Punjabs agricultureand its a nightmare. In districts like Bathinda, Mansa, and Ludhiana, up to 60 per cent of farm soil samples are infested with toxic pesticide residuesincluding the deadly chemicals endosulfan and carbofuranat levels far beyond whats even remotely safe. This isnt just a warning; its a full-blown crisis, a ticking time bomb, the result of irresponsible, reckless pesticide and fertiliser abuse running rampant in our fields. On World Soil DayDecember 5thwere forced to confront the cold reality of a rapidly disintegrating agriculture system, while the worlds been talking about Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, and Manage! The consequences of this madness are devastating. Our once fertile land is transforming into a barren wasteland, and thats only the beginning. These toxic chemicals arent just staying in the soil. Theyre seeping into our food chaincontaminating every bite we take and slowly poisoning us all. But it doesnt stop there. These toxic residues are embedding themselves into our very DNA, passing down a legacy of genetic mutations to our children and grandchildren. We are breeding a future full of compromised health and genetic decay. This is a catastrophe that will echo across generations. Were not just destroying our present health; were condemning our children to inherit the consequences of our stupidity and greed. The survival of future generations is at risk, and the clock is tickingevery moment of inaction is a moment closer to irreversible genetic damage. Its time to wake up, stop burying our heads in the sand, and confront this crisis head-on before its too late for the survival of future generations. The Pesticide Management Bill, 2020: Indias regulatory framework for pesticides, established in 1968, is woefully outdated and incapable of addressing the modern-day challenges posed by the rampant overuse of agrochemicals. Although efforts to amend this framework have been ongoing since 2008, significant gaps remain in safeguarding farmers, consumers, and the environment. The legislationstill governed by the Insecticides Act of 1968 and the Insecticides Rules of 1971requires comprehensive reforms to address the multifaceted risks associated with pesticide overuse.The Pesticide Management Bill (PMB) 2020 was introduced to replace outdated legislation, but critical concerns must be addressed. While the bill outlines pesticide registration and licensing procedures, it must protect farmers more adequately from hazardous exposure. Statistics from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) International paint a grim picture: approximately 11,000 deaths globally are attributed to accidental pesticide poisoning annually, with India accounting for a staggering 6,600 fatalities. These numbers highlight critical deficiencies in pesticide usage protocols and safety measures. Farmers and rural communities often bear the brunt of chemical exposures, especially in agriculturally intensive regions. For instance, Punjab, which heavily depends on rice and wheat cultivation, reports alarming pesticide consumption rates. With an average usage of 77 kg/hectare, significantly above the national average of 62 kg/hectare, Punjab ranks third in India after UP and Maharashtra for pesticide consumption. A study by the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) revealed that 6.74 million hectares of land in India are affected by salinity, a condition exacerbated by the overuse of agrochemicals. Persistent pesticide application has been found to reduce microbial biomass by 30-50 per cent, compromising soil fertility and diminishing the lands ability to provide essential nutrients to crops. A Call for Robust RegulationPesticidesinsecticides, fungicides, or herbicidesplay a vital role in modern agriculture. However, their toxic nature necessitates stringent oversight throughout their lifecycle, from production to disposal. The current regulatory framework lacks provisions for periodic review of registered pesticides based on emerging toxicological data. This oversight exposes the public to significant health risks, particularly in a country where improper handling of pesticides is widespread. Training and Awareness: A Neglected Imperative Over the past three decades, the indiscriminate use of pesticides has surged, often driven by aggressive marketing strategies that portray chemical inputs as indispensable for high crop yields. The limited scale of training initiatives highlights the need for more current efforts. Between 1994-95 and 2021-22, the Plant Protection Department of Agriculture and Farming Welfare Ministry trained only 585,000 farmers in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a dismal figure in a nation with over 150 million farmers. According to the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, governments and industry stakeholders must provide comprehensive training and information to farmers and retailers. Yet, the implementation of these guidelines still needs to be more robust. Retailers often serve as farmers sole point of contact, and in many cases, they disseminate misleading or incomplete information. Data Collection: Bridging Critical GapsThe absence of robust data collection mechanisms further undermines Indias regulatory ecosystem. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) documents pesticide poisoning deaths only if they are registered as medico-legal cases, excluding countless instances of non-institutional exposure and chronic health effects. This data void impedes effective policymaking and perpetuates a lack of accountability among stakeholders. Addressing Weak Grievance Mechanisms: One of the most glaring deficiencies in Indias pesticide regulation is the lack of accessible grievance redressal systems. Farmers and agricultural workers exposed to pesticides face prohibitive costs and lengthy procedures when seeking justice. Meanwhile, state governments can impose only temporary bans on hazardous pesticides, typically lasting 60 days, exposing vulnerable communities to ongoing risks. Personal Protective Equipment: A Forgotten NecessityThe Pesticide Management Bill 2020 neglects the safety of small-scale farmers, who often lack access to affordable, climate-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Farm workers face heightened health risks without mandatory provisions requiring them to supply adequate protective gear, especially in hot and humid agricultural regions. Labelling and Consumer ProtectionIndias pesticide labelling standards fall short of both domestic and international norms. Safety information is frequently crammed into illegible leaflets, leaving farmers ill-informed about risks and proper usage. Although the Consumer Protection Act theoretically covers farmers, legal recourse against manufacturers for misleading labels or substandard products is rarely pursued. The Way ForwardIndia can no longer afford to ignore the human and environmental toll of unsafe pesticide practices. Establishing a robust, farmer-centric legal framework aligned with international standards is the only way forward to ensure safe and sustainable agriculture. A gradual shift towards agro-ecological farming methods that emphasise non-chemical pest management is imperative.The government must phase out hazardous pesticides and promote environmentally friendly alternatives to safeguard farmers health and ensure consumer food safety. Addressing the gaps in the Pesticide Management Bill 2020 and adopting proactive measures, such as mandatory training and the provision of accurate information on pesticide usage and risks, are critical steps towards securing safe and healthier future generations. (The Author is Vice-Chairman of Sonalika ITL Group, Vice-Chairman of the Punjab Economic Policy and Planning Board, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Northern Region Development Council and President of Tractor and Mechanization Association. Views expressed are personal) Happiness is a state of mind that transcends lifes adversities A couple first met in an estimable business school in India where they were conferred reputable degrees in management. The couple soon migrated to the land of El Dorado in search of greener pastures, seeking professional and economic security. They were a happy couple as the angels showered gargantuan benediction. Soon, a new dimension to their lives arrived in the form of angelic twins. When the twins turned six months old, it was time to visit the hometown of their parents. They were received by sentimental and misty-eyed grandparents. The sojourn concluded the mother and twins were afloat on a flight back to their home. However, fate had other plans and a double whammy struck the family. The father never reached the airport as he was killed in a car crash on the way to the airport. The disconsolate woman became a mental wreck, her moments of happiness fastened only in her memory bank and the picture album. The alluring woman was transfigured into stone. A cousin empathised with her distraught mental state and robustly suggested that she undertake the Happiness Course of the Art of Living.After considerable blandishment and extensive persuasion, she enrolled for the course and deposited all her emotions and feelings while undergoing the unique rhythmic breathing technique of Sudarshan Kriya.Life need not be tragic if only we realise that happiness is a state of mind that can be achieved independent of material success. As per ancient Japanese mythology, the light from Tsukuyomi, the Shinto God of the moon could induce illusions and delusions. Hecate, the Greek Goddess of the dark moon bestowed visions, but also caused humans to be afflicted with insanity. The human body is made up of seventy per cent of water elements. Full moon water recharges the body, mind and spirit and bestows harmony on our thought processes. Therefore, practising the Full Moon Meditation has a consequential and noteworthy influence on the mind, whereby one is suffused with efficacious thoughts and purges nugatory ones. It was a cathartic experience for the young single mother to emerge from her traumatic experience by unflinchingly practising this technique.It is an established fact that the Sakyan prince, Siddhartha, upon attaining enlightenment on the full moon day metamorphosed into the Compassionate One, Gautama Buddha and made a prescient statement, Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. How does one define an efficacious emotion called happiness? Happiness is a state of well-being, jollity, blitheness and primarily to be contented in life.The amphitheatre of the mind is a veritable nuclear reactor, where waves of thoughts and emotions arise and subside. These in turn determine our happiness quotient and consequentially the quality of our lives. There once lived a farmer, who grew apples. He perpetually grumbled that there was not adequate produce to sustain the family. Providentially, there was a spurt in production and apples grew in plenitude. Still dissatisfied, the farmer cavilled that he was now laden with gruelling work, apples were rotting and prices now plunged! Sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras has postulated certain cardinal principles to live harmoniously, encompassed in happiness. These are non-violence, truthfulness, no regrets, not accepting invectives or salutations hurled by people, physical cleanliness of the body, inner contentment, forbearance or penance, self-study or examination of the mind and development and finally love and surrender to the supreme cosmic force. (The writer is the CEO of Chhattisgarh East Railway Ltd. and Chhattisgarh East West Railway Ltd. He is a faculty of the Art of Living; views are personal) Zakir Hussain was a musician par excellence who imbibed the rhythms of the world in an unparalleled way and he will always live in our hearts, sitar maestro Ustad Nishat Khan has said in his tribute to the table legend in London. The renowned classical musician, who performed several concerts with Hussain since childhood, expressed his sense of disbelief on Monday at his passing away at a San Francisco hospital aged 73. It was just unbelievable. Zakir Bhai and I go back many, many years; we have known each other since our childhood as we were also neighbours in Bombay, Ustad Nishat Khan told PTI. This is one musician who is just irreplaceable. He was a complete musician - the finest tabla player of his time who took the tabla to a completely different level. His experience of living in the West and playing with Western musicians and Western percussionists meant he imbibed the music of the world. Zakir Bhai imbibed the rhythms of the world and the styles of playing that he brought in were just so very unique, he shared. The sitarist who performed many a jugalbandi with Ustad Zakir Hussain went on to reflect on the late musician's ability to impart his knowledge to younger artists and inspire tabla players the world over. Definitely he will be in the highest place in the heavens because people like him are very rare to walk this planet. We are very, very lucky to have had Zakir Bhai in our lives and he will always live in our hearts, he said. Another close friend and associate, well-known London-based cultural artist, choreographer and producer Mira Kaushik shared her tribute to the tabla maestro whom she first met back in 1978 during a "charismatic performance" in Mumbai. He kept on returning in my life as the grandest performer and fabulous, warmest communicator. He was blessed with the 360 degrees of talent and abilities to become the greatest son of Saraswati, said Kaushik, in a message from her travels to Kerala. He was a true Mumbaikar who participated in Ganapati and events at Haji Ali with equal passion. An iconic global ambassador of Indian culture, yet simplest of all, she said, adding that Hussain's musical treasures will live on forever. Chinese firms commit to community development in Zimbabwe Xinhua) 10:46, December 17, 2024 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) In a disturbing incident, a 35-year-old man - who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the violence that took place at Parbhani last week over the vandalisation of the replica of Indian Constitution - died in police custody on Sunday, prompting the Republican Sena call for a "Maharashtra bandh" on Monday. The deceased - Somnath Veyankat Suryawanshi -died at Parbhani district civil hospital where he had been rushed from the Parbhani jail after he complained of chest pain. Suryawanshi, who used to work as a labourer in Pune district, had come to meet his family members at Parbhani on Wednesday when mobs protesting against the desecration of the replica of Indian constitution resorted to large-scale violence, arson and stone-pelting, amid a bandh called by the Ambedkarite activists. He was placed under arrest by the police in connection with the incidents of violence. He hailed from the Wadar community. The incident sent shock waves through the Ambedkarite circles. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) founder-president Prakash Ambedkar and his brother and Republican Sena founder Anandraj Ambedkar came down heavily on the police for the circumstances leading to the death of Suryavamshi. Prakash Ambedkar, who is the grandson of late B. R. Ambedkar said: "The custodial death of Somnath Suryawanshi - a Bhim Sainik belonging to the Wadar community - in Parbhani is gut wrenching, sickening and intolerable to say the least. What is more intolerable that his death happened in judicial custody despite his bail application being approved". "Since his death happened in judicial custody, our lawyers will be urging the Court that the post-mortem (CT scan, MRI, forensic and pathological) examination takes place in a government hospital which has a forensic department, and that the post-mortem is filmed and undertaken by both the forensic and pathology department," the VBA founder-president said. "Many Ambedkarite people were arrested after the Parbhani accident. It is a shocking incident for Bhim Sainik. There should be immediate action against the concerned police personnel," Anandraj Ambedkar said. Anandraj, who is the president of the Republican Sena, called for a bandh across Maharashtra to demand among other things adequate compensation for the family of the deceased, withdrawal of all cases against the Republican activists who staged protests at Parbhani on December 11 against the vandalisation of the replica of the Indian Constitution. It may be recalled that a a glass-encased replica of the Indian Constitution was vandalised by some miscreants near Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's statue located outside the local railway station, protesters resorted to large-scale violence, arson and stone-pelting, amid a bandh called by the Ambedkarite activists. The Delhi High Court on Monday disposed off a 16-year-old case relating the trademark of Delhis iconic The Imperial hotel after the members of Akoi family, who own and operate the hotel, reached a settlement.The settlement acknowledged that the trademark Imperial is jointly owned by Hardev Singh Akoi (50 per cent) and his brother Jasdev Singh Akois children, Raidev Singh Akoi (25 per cent), and Gobind Singh Akoi (25 per cent). In terms of the settlement, the families of Hardev Singh Akoi and late Jasdev Singh Akoi admit/acknowledge that as on date, Hardev Singh Akoi [50%], Raidev Singh Akoi [25%] and Gobind Singh Akoi [25%] are the joint and exclusive owners of the trademark: Imperial and that no one will separately apply or have any rights in the trademark: Imperial or any other trade mark, trade name, copyright, whether registered or unregistered, identical or deceptively similar, said Justice Mini Pushkarna of Delhi High Court in the order. The Imperial, New Delhi, is a historic landmark that has witnessed significant events in Indias history. Established in 1931, the hotel has been a favourite among dignitaries and celebrities alike. It was founded by SBS Ranjit Singh, who passed it on to Rajdev Singh. Jasdev and Hardev were the children of Rajdev Singh. It was conceptualised in 1934 and officially opened in 1936 by Lord Willingdon, the Viceroy of India. During Indias struggle for Independence, the hotel served as a meeting place for prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The Round Table Conferences, crucial discussions between British and Indian leaders, were held there. Post-independence, the hotel continued to be a hub for political and social gatherings. The HC also found the settlement terms lawful and confirmed that no other disputes related to the trademark were pending. The parties agreed not to make individual applications for or claim rights in the trademark or any deceptively similar marks. It is submitted on behalf of the parties that during the pendency of the present proceedings, in order to maintain family peace, harmony and goodwill, all the family members have mutually agreed to settle the present suit amicably, read the order. The HC accepted the settlement, decreeing the suit based on the agreed terms. It directed that the application, containing the original signatures of all parties, be placed in the case file. The Court also instructed that a decree sheet be drawn up and canceled all pending hearings. The dispute concerns the trademark Imperial and its lion logo, which were considered symbols of a prestigious hotels goodwill. Brothers Hardev Singh Akoi and Jasdev Singh Akoi, joint owners of the hotel, disagreed over certain alterations to the trademark and its use. Alleging unilateral changes by Jasdev Singh Akoi, Hardev Singh Akoi sought court intervention to maintain the trademarks integrity and prevent unauthorised use. The hotel was built by Sandhu Jat Jagirdar S.B.S. Ranjit Singh, son of R.B.S. Narain Singh, honoured by the British Raj, at the Coronation Durbar of 1911, when New Delhi was declared the new Capital of India. The hotel was officially opened in 1936 by Lord Willingdon, the Viceroy of India. Also present was his wife, Lady Willingdon, who chose the hotels name and conferred its lion insignia upon it. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's warm hospitality has become the talk of the town in the corridors of power in Jammu and Kashmir. Last week when the CM hosted members of civil society at his official residence in Jammu he not only threw open the gates of his residence for the common citizens, but also invited a team of Kashmiri Chefs (Wazas) to cook sumptuous Kashmiri Wazwan, a multi-course meal. It was after a long gap the guests at the official residence of the Chief Minister were treated with non-vegetarian food in Jammu. In addition to this, the newly elected CM also hosted members of different delegations, resource persons heading different committees, and academicians, along with other prominent citizens at his residence. Post Abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A, the gatherings at the Raj Bhawan hosted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha were commonly served only vegetarian meals/snacks. A famous local caterer was also engaged by the Union Territory (UT) administration to organize lavish dinners and luncheon meetings to suit the taste buds of guests from different walks of life. The famous cuisines of different neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh were also given preference. The traditional meat Kebabs and other non-vegetarian delicacies were replaced with Veg kebabs and other culinary delights on the regular menu. Sharing his experience of breaking bread in the company of the CM, an eminent citizen told The Pioneer, "All those who attended the meeting were escorted by the Chief Minister himself inside the dining area where a lavish meal was served. Omar interacted with almost everyone present there and gave them a patient hearing. In the past, he remained occupied with his ministerial colleagues and other VVIP guests. But this time we met a different version of Omar Abdullah. He was more polite, courteous, and accommodating". Former Chief Ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Mohd Sayeed, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Mehbooba Mufti were equally hospitable and frequently met guests at their residences to interact over lunch and dinner meetings. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar over his exclusion from the new council of ministers, claiming Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his induction in the cabinet. He said Ajit Pawar, the NCP president, makes decisions for the party like Fadnavis for the BJP and Eknath Shinde for the Shiv Sena. Amid speculation over his "Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna" remark a day before, Bhujbal said he would speak on Wednesday after discussing with NCP workers and people from the Yeola constituency. The prominent OBC leader said he wasn't disappointed about not being made a minister but felt humiliated by his treatment. Speaking to reporters in Nashik, Bhujbal claimed that he was asked to contest Lok Sabha elections in May but his name was never finalised. Weeks after winning assembly elections from Yeola seat, Bhujbal said he was recently offered a Rajya Sabha seat. "I accepted the suggestion to contest Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. When I wanted to be in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, I was asked to fight the assembly elections. I was offered a Rajya Sabha seat eight days ago which I rejected. "They didn't listen to me then, now they are giving it (Rajya Sabha seat). Am I a toy in your hands? he asked. Do you think whenever you tell me I will stand up, whenever you tell me I will sit down and contest the elections? What will the people in my constituency feel if I resign? he questioned. "I have confirmed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis insisted on my inclusion in the state cabinet. The chief of each party in the Mahayuti alliance decides for his party. Fadnavis for BJP, Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar for NCP," he said. Fadnavis expanded his cabinet in Nagpur on Sunday and inducted 39 new members in his team 19 from the BJP, 11 from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 from Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Bhujbal was among 10 ministers who were dropped from the new council of ministers, which has 16 new faces. The former food and civil supplies minister had expressed his disappointment and skipped the winter session of the state legislature. He returned to his constituency Yeola in Nashik district. "I was asked to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik on the insistence of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. I prepared for over a month. I received support from various sections. However, at the last moment, my name was not announced, and I had to withdraw from the contest," he said. The NCP leader said he had later expressed his desire for a Rajya Sabha seat, and was told that Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar, and Nitin Patil were being considered. "I accepted the party's decision even then. I had said my experience would be useful in the Rajya Sabha, but I was told I was needed in Maharashtra," he claimed. "After contesting and winning the state assembly elections, I am told to move to Rajya Sabha. For this, Nitin Patil will be asked to resign. I was denied the opportunity when I wanted it. My constituents fought hard for me in this election. How can I ask them to accept my resignation now?" he questioned. Bhujbal told NCP leadership that he would consider accepting the Rajya Sabha offer after one or two years once everything is settled in his constituency. "When I made this suggestion, I was told a discussion would be held, but no one discussed it so far," he claimed. When asked who was responsible for his exclusion from the council of ministers, Bhujbal said, "I will have to find out". "The question is not of the ministerial berth but the way I was insulted. I will tell you more about it after holding discussions with my workers and people from the constituency tomorrow," he said. Bhujbal further said he had not spoken to NCP head and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar after being denied the cabinet berth. A day earlier, Bhujbal claimed he had been excluded from the cabinet because he took on Maratha activist Manoj Jarange. "I stood up for the Other Backward Classes community when the Maratha quota activist was demanding its inclusion in the OBC category. The Ladki Bahin scheme and OBCs helped the Mahayuti win the elections," he had said. Asked about his future course, Bhujbal had said, "Let's see. Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna." Even a good constitution can prove to be bad if those implementing it are not good, Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha J P Nadda said on Tuesday, asserting the "bad lot" interfered with the Indian Constitution many times. Participating in a discussion on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India", Nadda attacked the Congress over the Emergency, amendment to the Preamble of the Constitution and also raised the Article 370 issue. He said the nation is indebted to the members of the Constituent Assembly who shaped the Constitution. "As the prime minister said, India is not just the largest democracy, but the mother of democracy. The architects of our Constitution knew this is not a nation in the making, it was always a nation," said Nadda, who is also the BJP president. "As per Indian ethos, democracy comprises freedom, acceptability, equality, inclusivity and allowing citizens to lead a dignified life," he said. The BJP leader quoted B R Ambedkar to say "however good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad". He also said the "bad lot has interfered with the Constitution many times". Mentioning Article 370, which was abrogated in 2019, the BJP president blamed former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the Congress for bringing it in the first place. Ambedkar had opposed the provision of Article 370, while Article 35A was brought in with Presidential assent without a debate in Parliament, Nadda said. "I am proud to say, Syama Prasad Mookerjee raised the issue of Article 370 and sacrificed his life for it... His mother wrote to Nehru Ji and sought an investigation. But that request was ignored and this is also registered in the pages of history," he claimed. "It is a question of the good lot and the bad lot," Nadda said. "After the bad lot, we got the good lot. On August 5, 2019, we abrogated Article 370... I once again congratulate the PM. Because of his wisdom, Jammu and Kashmir is an inseparable part of India now." He also said Congress leaders are saying they have apologised for the Emergency, but "how do we believe this"? The 50th anniversary of the Emergency is next year, he reminded the House and said, "We will observe anti-democracy day. We invite the Indian National Congress to join us." "There was an attempt to murder democracy... If there is any regret in their hearts, I invite you to join us on June 25, 2025," Nadda said. The government declared June 25 as "Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas", the day the Emergency was imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Nadda also claimed that Ambedkar, during the debates of the Constituent Assembly, had said there was no need to include the words 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Preamble of the Constitution. "Ambedkar said there was no need to include 'secular', as the entire Constitution embodied the concept of a secular state that meant no discrimination on grounds of religion and equal rights and status of all citizens," he said. "On the inclusion of the term socialist, he had said it is against the very grain of democracy to decide what kind of society people of India should live in," Nadda added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday condoled the death of environmentalist Tulsi Gowda and said she will remain a guiding light for environmental conservation. In a post on X, he said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Tulsi Gowda Ji, a revered environmentalist from Karnataka and Padma Awardee. She dedicated her life to nurturing nature, planting thousands of saplings, and conserving our environment." "She will remain a guiding light for environmental conservation. Her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti," he added. Gowda passed away at her residence in Honnalli village in Karnataka's Uttara district on Monday due to age-related ailments. She was 86. She belonged to the Halakki tribe and is survived by a son and a daughter. In recognition of her work, she was conferred with Padma Shri in 2021. The squandered chance to break away from the EU was a symptom of our times, as the much taunted Brexit never really happened. Through cowardice and laziness as well as a lack of creativity, there was no Brexit. Boris Johnson who wasted a massive mandate was more interested in the Number 10 wallpaper and was the one who brought in Net Zero because of his insidious newly acquired young mistress who controlled his mind and willy with great expertise. Douglas Carswell, the brainchild and visionary of the Vote Leave project, immediately left for America after the EU Referendum was won, and in doing so left a rudderless ship full of fumbling idiots with no idea what to do next. Nigel Farage was an establishment outsider, but was too late to come into the parliamentary game, and now that Labour are in, Reform is too ineffectual and too late to do much. Britain has been under the EU yoke for decades, and has thus forgotten how to govern itself, how to make its own laws, and how to rule the waves again. When one adds in the sheer laziness of those who supposedly lead this country, then one can understand why it is easier for parliamentarians to let others rule over the country and make the laws. Brexit was supposed to secure the borders, but under Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Rishi Sunak over 15 million migrants were allowed into the UK. Last year alone, the Tories let in over 906,000 unskilled migrants from the Third World. That alone is proof that Brexit never happened. The ECHR and ECJ rule over this country, and the EU still has complete control over our borders and trade laws. Many of Britains laws were all created by the EU, and were never scrubbed. The illegal migrant Channel crossings could have been stopped on day one if the British government had any fucking balls, but they dont any more. The prison doors had been opened by Brexit, but in reality the indoctrination and fear of actual freedom was too scary for many as they peeked out into the light. It was better to slink back into the safety of the EU prison, to the safety of slavery and loss of sovereignty because Britain had become institutionalised after decades of EU indoctrination. Towing the boats back to France would have sufficed, but the cowardice within the establishment was too evident, and this is why millions upon millions of people are now in the UK, and they are here to stay using up all our resources. No one should be surprised about Keir Starmer wanting to reset relations with the EU or giving away the tiny bit of sovereignty we have left. Absolutely no surprises, because it was all inevitable. The old British fierceness and fucking fire has disappeared. There is no lion there, its more of a fucking donkey being pulled by a master. Britain, after decades of woke indoctrination is a castrated demoralised nation, those swinging balls have been lopped off and discarded into a medical waste bin and incinerated. Brexit never really happened there should not be one single iota of surprise that all the EU had to do was to wait a little bit for the idiots to officially come back running to them with a big fucking begging bowl. Starmer will now hand over everything back to the EU on a silver platter, and the Tories and Labour will all sigh with relief. Bend over the table, Starmer and spread those cheeks far and wide. Roadside (Garages) Kia Coleraine has been highly commended at the Motor Ombudsmans Star Awards 2024, following recognition as National Garage Star winner at the same awards in 2022. The Motor Ombudsman Star Awards is now in its fifth year of running, recognising Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses and staff members within these organisations those who have gone the extra mile in the eyes of consumers. After receiving nominations from customers, a judging panel of four declared Roadside Garages as highly commended for the Northern Ireland region. The dealerships excellent customer service was a key highlight of the nominations, with the business providing its customers with effective and personal support. Ian Lamont, Roadside Garages Kias Dealer Principal, commented; This is yet another fantastic achievement for the team and wed like to thank the judges for their recognition of all the hard we work do for our customers. They really are the heart and soul of our business, so we put every effort into ensuring theyre looked after. This is what were passionate about, so awards recognition like this is very rewarding. Bill Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: We would like to congratulate all of this years trophy winners and highly commended entries on their fantastic achievement. We would like to thank the customers of Motor Ombudsman-accredited businesses who took the time to nominate organisations and staff members across the UK. Without them and the hard work and kind-natured gestures shown by businesses, we would not have the great standard of entries and the industry awards that we have today. Judging the 2024 Motor Ombudsman Star Awards this year, Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said: Excellent customer service is a priority for DVSA, and for the wider industry. Providing a quality service builds trust with motorists and makes it easier for them to keep their vehicles safe. The 30 finalists in this years Star Awards should be very proud of the great service they continue to offer customers. The Roadside Garages team is proud of its success and recognition this year and will continue to go above and beyond to ensure that customers always feel valued. Indeed, Roadside Garages is the only NI Dealer and the only Kia franchise to win or be highly commended in this years Motor Ombudsman Awards. A unique Northern Ireland-based new and used car dealership set in the Game of Thrones territory on the Causeway Coast and Glens, Roadside Garages offers a large number of services to customers from across the region. This covers all aspects of your motoring needs, from servicing and MOTs, to Kia Motability and Kia Rental. To find out more about the dealership, buy a new Kia or discover more about our services, call 028 7035 6888 or visit our website: https://www.roadsidegarages.com/ or our showroom: Roadside Garages Limited, 9 Somerset Road, Coleraine, County Londonderry, BT51 3LL. The UK Government has been ordered to hold a public inquiry into the murder of GAA official Sean Brown by a judge in Northern Ireland. It comes months after the Government said it will not order a public inquiry into the abduction and killing of the 61-year-old as he locked the gates at Bellaghy Wolfe Tones Club in Co Derry in May 1997. No-one has ever been convicted of his murder. Mr Browns family took a judicial review of the Governments decision not to hold an inquiry. In his judgment on Tuesday, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys told the court in Belfast: Ive concluded that there is a clear and unambiguous obligation on the State to carry out an Article 2 compliant investigation. No viable alternative to a public inquiry has been advanced. In these circumstances, there can be only one lawful answer, a public inquiry must be convened to satisfy the states Article 2 obligation. The breach of duty in the circumstances of this case, bearing in mind the rule of law, is such as the call for the grant of mandatory relief to compel the State to fulfil its clear legal duty. He concluded: I therefore make an order of mandamus compelling the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn) to cause a public inquiry to be held under the Inquiries Act 2005 into the death of Sean Brown on the 12th of May, 1997. Derry is one of the leading areas in Northern Ireland for acne awareness. A new search engine analysis by expert dermatologists at The Devonshire Clinic has revealed a 4.3% rise in searches for acne in the area. In the year to October 2023, acne and 773 related keywords were searched an average of 6,500 times a month, but this rose to 6,780 in the year to October 2024. This rise has placed Derry second in Northern Ireland for acne awareness, closely behind Newry in first, which saw a 4.5% rise in searches for acne. The other two areas in Northern Ireland to see a rise were Lisburn and Belfast, with an increase of 2.2% and 0.2%, respectively. The whole of Northern Ireland witnessed a 4.8% increase, which is marginal in comparison to the other nations within the United Kingdom. The nation that saw the largest rise was England, as in the year to October 2023, acne and 773 related keywords were searched an average of 766,380 times a month, but this rose to 863,230 in the year to October 2024. England had an increase of 12.6%, which was closely followed by Scotland in second position, which had an increase of 12.3%, while Wales had a rise of 11.8%. Meanwhile, out on its own with an incredibly low increase in comparison to the other nations in the UK was Northern Ireland, with an increase of 4.8%. Dermatologist Dr Conal Perrett, from The Devonshire Clinic, who conducted the research, had these top tips for treating acne. He said: Gentle Cleansing Twice Daily: Wash your face with a mild, non-comedogenic cleanser in the morning and evening to remove excess oil, dirt, and bacteria without irritating your skin. Use Over-the-Counter Topical Treatments: Apply products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation, unclog pores, and fight acne-causing bacteria. Avoid Picking or Squeezing Pimples: Refrain from touching or picking at acne lesions to prevent scarring and further infection. Economy Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the third Electrical Switchgear Academy in the North West with Vertiv. Funded by the Department for the Economy, this Academy will see 15 participants undertake seven weeks of training working towards a Level 2 entry level qualification in Electrical Installation (EAL) for work in the electrical switchgear sector. The Academy will include five weeks intensive training at North West Regional College (NWRC) and two weeks work-based training at the Vertiv site in Derry. Welcoming the Academy the Minister said: This third Electrical Switchgear Academy with Vertiv will see individuals train in the important area of electrical and mechanical installation and is further evidence of this global providers ongoing commitment to the North West. With no experience required, this is a great opportunity for those starting out on their career journey as well as those who wish to reskill or return to the workforce. I urge anyone who is eligible and interested to apply for this opportunity in this exciting industry. NWRC Principal and Chief Executive Leo Murphy said the college has a successful track record in delivering skills academies that meet the needs of local employers in the North West. He said: This third Electrical Switchgear Academy with Vertiv marks our commitment, in partnership with the Department for the Economy, to deliver training to participants, equipping them with the skills they need to excel in their future careers. As this Academy requires no experience, this is an opportunity for participants to enter a new career, or consider a change of career. We look forward to supporting employers such as Vertiv as they continue to build their workforce of the future. Aidan Lynch, Electrical and Mechanical Technical Trainer at Vertiv, said: "We are thrilled to announce the launch of the third Assured Skills Academy. "Once again supported by the Department for the Economy, these Academies continue to be a valuable asset to the North West region. By delivering top-tier, industry-recognised training in Electrical Switchgear, the Academies equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge demanded by the modern manufacturing sector. "As a leading employer in the region, we are delighted to participate in this initiative and offer promising candidates the chance to gain in-demand qualifications while contributing to the growth of our company." Successful applicants will receive 175 per week training allowance, plus travel and childcare expenses (if eligible) for the duration of the Academy. Applicants must be over 18 and have the right to work in the UK. Participants who complete the academy will be guaranteed a job interview for a Junior Panel Wirer position with Vertiv. These permanent jobs will be based at the Vertiv site in Derry. Applications for the Electrical Switchgear Academy are now open and close at midnight on Sunday 26 January 2025. A member of the Irish Defence Forces will be sentenced next January for the rape of a fellow solider at a Dublin hotel three years ago. Kielan Mooney (30) of Bloomfield Park, Derry, was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month on a count of anal rape, oral rape and rape of the woman at the Dublin hotel on July 26, 2021. He had pleaded not guilty to a total of six charges, two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the three remaining charges. The now 24-year-old woman, who is also a serving solider of the Irish Defence Forces, has indicated that while she is content for Mooney to be named in the reporting of the case, she does not wish to be identified. Garda Riche Moyston told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the woman was out socialising with other army members that night when they met a group of soldiers from Mooneys barracks in Donegal. She and Mooney got speaking and they decided to go back to the womans friends hotel room in the city centre. The woman told the trial that Mooney anally raped her in her friends hotel room. She said she had asked him to stop but he did not. Afterwards she went to the bathroom and was crying. She managed to text her friend. Mooney came into the room and asked her what was wrong before he took her by the hand and brought her back into the bedroom. Mooney then forced the woman to perform oral sex on him before he pushed her onto the bed and raped her. The woman was very distressed. She managed to get back into the bathroom and phoned her friend who told her that she and two other male friends were nearly at the hotel. Gda Moyston said when the womans friends arrived Mooney was dressed. The woman was hysterical and crying. The two men forced Mooney out of the room and the gardai were called. Mooney was arrested by arrangement the following month. He claimed there had been no anal sex and said whatever other sexual activity had occurred was consensual. The woman read her victim impact statement into the record. She said that night changed her life and she would not wish what happened to her on anyone. She said her life had only got going at that point. I was getting the chance to live the life of a 21-year-old, just having a good time, she said. She said she caused shock and heartbreak within her family when she disclosed the rape. The woman said she never expected a man to take away something from her in such a selfish way and described how she struggled with her mental health in the aftermath of the rape. I did not want to go through with life anymore, the woman continued before she added that it impacted on her work as she could not perform her duties. She had been nominated for a course which would have meant a promotion in work but she was unable to participate. She said the actions of another person were continually impacting on her life as she also lost all interest in the hobbies she used to enjoy. The woman said that through counselling and therapy she has been allowed to live my life again. She spoke of how traumatic she found the trial, seeing Mooney all around the courthouse and waiting on the jurys verdict. I never believed that something over one night could shatter everything I thought and believed in myself and my future. The hurt does not just disappear, the woman said. She said the support she has received from many people have helped remind me that I am worth more than someone elses despicable actions. She specifically thanked the gardai and the various supports services in the army. She said her appreciation for those that helped her in the army needs to be recorded. The woman also thanked the Rape Crisis Centre, who reassured me of my safety and expressed her thanks to her family and friends. Justice Tony Hunt thanked the woman for taking the time to read her victim impact statement. He said he hoped that the vindication she got from the jury would help her going forward. You owe it to yourself to think of yourself now going forward, he said. Justice Hunt remanded Mooney in continuing custody and adjourned the case to January 20 next for sentence. Gda Moyston agreed with Dominic McGinn SC, defending, that Mooney was fully co-operative with gardai and answered all their questions. He agreed that it was his understanding that Mooneys career with the army is now effectively over. Mr McGinn asked the court to accept that his client did not set out that evening to commit a rape and submitted that there was consent to some activity between Mooney and the woman. Every rape is serious and every rape demands punishment, Mr McGinn said. Counsel said it was a complicated case for the jury because at the outset the woman was consenting to some level of activity. He acknowledged that a person has a right at any stage to say that I do not consent to this and his client blatantly ignored that, counsel said. He is criminally liable for what he did and what he did would be viewed as entirely reprehensible by society, Mr McGinn continued. His conduct resulted in injury, trauma and a lifelong impact on her and he deserves to be punished for that, counsel continued before he asked the court to accept that it is clear that Mooney is not a bad person. Mr Justice Hunt said young men put themselves in the unfortunate position Mooney has put himself in but added there is nobody responsible for it but Mooney himself. He has basically no previous convictions. He has served in the defence forces, I am prepared to accept that there is positive aspects to his good character that once was and is now gone. Mr McGinn said there were seven affidavits before the court sworn in by a wide variety of people from the community and his family, outlining that he is an upstanding member of society and that his actions that night were completely out of character. Counsel said his client is a father of five children, ranging in age from three to 12 years old. He asked the court to accept that this offence would not have happened if Mooney had not been intoxicated and suggested that alcohol seems to be a catalyst. Mr Justice Hunt said it was his understanding from the evidence at the trial that all of these people went out at the same time and had roughly the same amount to drink why is he (Mooney) so different? Mr McGinn asked the court to accept that his client has lost his good character, his career is at an end and that his children will be without their father for some time. The first ever cohort of Paramedic Science students in Northern Ireland have today graduated from Ulster University in Derry in what was an historic moment for all. The first 40 students to complete the three-year course, which launched in September 2021 as the regions first ever BSc Paramedic Sciences programme, celebrated with family and friends at the Millenium Forum in Derry today as they prepare to embark on careers on the frontline of healthcare across Northern Ireland. Previously, those who wanted to enter the paramedic profession had to travel outside of Northern Ireland to train, but with funding support from the Department of Health, the three-year course at Ulster University has grown in popularity to accommodate 130 students across all year groups with the support of 10 academic staff. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: I want to warmly congratulate all those graduating today. It was a real privilege to be here and share in this special occasion. I wish to extend my best wishes in particular to the first cohort of graduates from the BSc Paramedic Science three-year degree course. This programme now meets the growing demand for Paramedics across a range of different care settings in Northern Ireland, producing graduates who are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in their role and provide excellent care to those who need it, by delivering better outcomes. Courtney McCaughley, from Belfast, is celebrating her success as one of 40 students graduating as qualified paramedics from Ulster University in Derry on Tuesday, December 17. Adding to her accolades, Courtney has been awarded as Northern Irelands first ever Advancing Healthcare Student Paramedic of the Year. Reflecting on her journey, Courtney shared: "I felt extremely fortunate to spend 3 years studying alongside a group of fantastic student paramedics and people that I am privileged to call friends. Receiving this award allowed me to reflect on my time spent at university, feeling a sense of honour and pride that my hard work, dedication and person-centred care was recognised in such an overwhelming way. Courtneys passion for healthcare was ignited from an early age when her younger brothers chronic illness brought her family into close contact with emergency services, she said: When I witnessed the inspirational level of compassionate care toward my family and mainly my brother when he was diagnosed with a chronic and life changing illness at a young age, I knew I wanted to work within healthcare. This inspiration led me to spend time volunteering with St John Ambulance where I developed a passion for pre-hospital care. Courtney McCaughley from Belfast fulfils her dream of becoming a paramedic as she graduates from Ulster University in Derry among the first ever cohort of paramedics to be trained in Northern Ireland. Completing three years academic study focused on the fundamentals of emergency and urgent care, including 60 weeks of practice-based learning in various community health and social care settings, hospital services, and ambulance services, Courtney is delighted to have secured a role working for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Ulster University Paramedic Science Course Director, Andrew Chambers, added: It fills me with immense pride to think that Courtney and her fellow graduates are already embedded within the health service, and I hope they serve as a welcome addition to a system that is under increasing pressure. As the Department of Health start to introduce further reforms and reconfigure services I think paramedics are going to play an increasingly important role. Until 2021, aspiring paramedics from Northern Ireland were required to travel to the south of Ireland or across the Irish Sea to complete a BSc Hons programme in Paramedic Science. Courtney adds: I was delighted to learn that Ulster University was launching the Paramedic Science course in Northern Ireland, it felt like the opportunity I had been waiting for. I had used the years after school to gain valuable life experiences that have undoubtedly helped shape me into the paramedic that I now am today. This groundbreaking course launched in 2021 with the support of the Department of Health marking a significant step forward in supporting Northern Irelands healthcare workforce and easing pressures on the health service. The course has quickly grown in popularity, now accommodating 130 students across all year groups and supported by a team of 10 dedicated academics. Courtney credits the programmes immersive approach and recalls one of her stand out experiences during 999 week, where students had the opportunity to learn and work alongside an array of emergency services - Coastguard, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, and the Fire and Rescue service. 999 week gave us hands-on experience as a paramedic, from practicing extrications in car accidents to working alongside Coastguard helicopters. The inter-agency teamwork in different scenarios was incredible preparation for real-world paramedic duties. Courtney added that there have been many enjoyable moments: I have loved studying on the Derry~Londonderry campus as it has both a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The facilities have been amazing, from the library resources to the simulation suites aiding both my theoretical and practical knowledge and development. "I have also benefitted from learning and being supported by an experienced team of paramedics, as well as nurses and pharmacists who helped make my university experience an incredibly positive one. Looking ahead, Courtney plans to enjoy settling into her new role with NIAS and continues to develop her knowledge, skills and build experience before becoming that role model figure and practice educator for future student paramedics. She said: I hope to someday return to Ulster University to complete postgraduate study in advanced practice. If youre interested in becoming a paramedic, learn more about our Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) at Ulster University 2025/26 entry - Full-time Undergraduate Study Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. This Christmas, Clean Coasts and Uisce Eireann have partnered up for the 'Think Before You Pour' campaign to spread awareness on the dangers of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) down the kitchen sink. The campaign advises that FOG's "can cause serious damage to our homes, our communities, and the environment. FOGs, when poured down the sink, can cause expensive blockages in our home plumbing, pipes and wastewater networks leading to sewage overflows that can pollute our rivers, beaches, and oceans". According to a 2024 Uisce Eireann survey, one in ten people very regularly pour FOG's down the sink and 36% regularly pour FGO's down the sink. Every month, Uisce Eireann clears over 2,000 blockages from the wastewater network including those stubborn fatbergs. READ NEXT: ALERT: Elderly woman seriously injured in hit and run involving stolen SUV Mary Hussey, Wastewater Regional Operations Senior Manager at Uisce Eireann, said: This Christmas, lets reduce the number of blockages that lead to wastewater backups, sewage overflows, and environmental pollution. We all have a role to play in protecting our homes, our communities, and our beautiful natural spaces. So, please, lets keep our kitchen sinks fat-free and remember to Think Before You Pour. Instead of pouring your cooking oils down the sink, collect them in a heatproof container, let them cool, and then dispose of them in the bin. Its a simple action that can make a big difference." This holiday season, we are teaming up with Clean Coasts to urge homes to Think Before You Pour especially when it comes to Fats, Oils, and Greases (FOGs) from cooking and instead Cool, Collect and Bin! Find out more here: https://t.co/XzFvMLixJ8@CleanCoasts #ThinkB4UPour Uisce Eireann - Irish Water (@IrishWater) December 10, 2024 Patrick Cross, Think Before You Pour Campaign Officer at Clean Coasts, added: This Christmas, Clean Coasts is calling on everyone to Think Before You Pour. Its a small change in your kitchen habits that will have a massive impact on our environment and wastewater systems. Let's work together to protect our drains, rivers, and beaches all by making a simple effort to dispose of FOGs the right way." HIGHLIGHTS A Hyderabad housewife lost nearly Rs 4.5 lakh to fraudsters who lured her into a fake online investment scheme. It all started when the woman received a WhatsApp message from scammers claiming to offer a simple job. They promised to pay her for promoting videos and photos by liking, rating, and sharing them. In todays digital world, its easy to fall for promises of quick and easy money. A recent incident in Hyderabad highlights just how convincing scammers can be. A 40-year-old housewife lost nearly Rs 4.5 lakh to fraudsters who lured her into a fake online investment scheme. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can avoid falling victim to similar traps. It all started when the woman received a WhatsApp message from scammers claiming to offer a simple job. They promised to pay her for promoting videos and photos by liking, rating, and sharing them. The task seemed harmless enough, and the initial payment she received after completing a few tasks made her believe the scheme was legitimate. Also read: Credit card scam: How a gang used fake calls to steal from over 50 users The scammers first asked her to give a 5-star rating and after completing the task, she was paid Rs 120. Encouraged by this, she completed another task and received Rs 300. This small success made her think the job was real, and she eagerly asked how she could start working more. The scammers then sent her a link via WhatsApp to create an account. Once she joined, the fraudsters told her she needed to pay Rs 1,000 to start the next phase, assuring her that she would get Rs 1,300 in return. The payment was made, and true to their word, the scammers refunded the amount. This continued with more tasks, and with each completed task, they convinced her to invest larger sums of money, promising bigger returns. However, after she had paid a total of Rs 4,49,740, the scammers stopped returning any money. Despite their continued promises of a refund and profits, they asked for even more money, which the victim refused to pay. She has filed a complaint with the police, urging them to take action against the fraudsters. Also read: Hyderabad family loses Rs 5.5 cr after 17 days of digital arrest: How to protect yourself from such scams How to avoid such scams Be cautious of unknown messages: If you receive an offer out of the blue, especially one promising easy money, think twice before engaging. If you receive an offer out of the blue, especially one promising easy money, think twice before engaging. Dont trust unfamiliar links: Always be cautious about clicking on links sent via messages or social media. Always be cautious about clicking on links sent via messages or social media. Avoid upfront payments: Genuine jobs or investments will not require you to pay money upfront for any task or opportunity. Genuine jobs or investments will not require you to pay money upfront for any task or opportunity. Research before you invest: Always verify the legitimacy of any scheme by looking for reviews or reports online. Always verify the legitimacy of any scheme by looking for reviews or reports online. Report suspicious activities: If something feels off, report it to authorities or relevant platforms immediately. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Kaynes Semiconductor secures anchor customer in power electronics domain India's Kaynes Semiconductor has aligned with a major anchor customer in the power domain, focusing on IGBT (Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor) and IPM (Intelligent Power Module) products for the industrial and automotive markets, the company said. This anchor customer relationship involves a proof of concept starting with low volume and then scaling up to high volume production as Kaynes Semicon looks to establish a strong foothold in the power electronics segment, CEO Raghu Panicker confirmed. The company, a fully owned subsidiary under Kaynes Electronics, is yet to reveal more details about the customer. Partnership with Mitsui and others The company has also partnered with Japanese conglomerate Mitsui to secure raw materials - gases and chemicals, etc. - for its new semiconductor project site. "Our partnership with Mitsui is a crucial component of our technology roadmap and efforts to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India," said Panicker. "Leveraging Mitsui's expertise and resources will help us establish the necessary infrastructure to support our manufacturing operations." Beyond this, Kaynes Semicon is also working on proof-of-concept projects with several startups and emerging companies, such as Light Speed Photonics, in the semiconductor domain. These collaborations suggest the Indian firm is actively engaging with the startup ecosystem to support innovative technologies and applications. "Our diverse customer base, ranging from large multinationals to dynamic startups, reflects our ability to serve the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry, both in India and globally," Panicker said. The company is also in discussions with a leading global memory chip vendor to provide packaging services out of its facilities, signaling its ambitions to cater to large established semiconductor players as well. Joining hands with Siemens Kaynes has also forged a significant partnership with global industrial software giant Siemens to enhance its system and package design capabilities, Panicker added. Under the collaboration, Kaynes will be utilizing Siemens' latest Mentor Graphics tools for critical semiconductor design processes, including package design and system design. "Our partnership with Siemens allows us to leverage their industry-leading design solutions to strengthen our semiconductor manufacturing capabilities," Panicker said. To ensure effective implementation, Kaynes is providing training to its R&D and system design teams on the Siemens/Mentor Graphics tools, equipping its engineers with the necessary expertise. One of the key outcomes of this collaboration is Kaynes' implementation of a robust Design for Manufacturing (DFM) solution. Using the Siemens/Mentor Graphics platform, the company can now run DFM checks on customer designs before manufacturing, identifying potential issues early in the process. "The DFM solution we have implemented with Siemens has been a game-changer, allowing us to provide valuable feedback to our customers and ensure a smoother manufacturing process," Panicker added. Kaynes' expertise in leveraging the Siemens/Mentor Graphics tools was recently showcased at Keysight's industry roadshows in Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, where the company delivered a tutorial on its DFM implementation. Skill training initiatives continue Kaynes and its talent solutions partner Perceptive Solutions are spearheading a collaborative effort to build a skilled workforce for the country's growing semiconductor industry, the companies announced last week. As part of this initiative, Perceptive Solutions has worked closely with Kaynes Semicon to implement various training programs, including partnerships with academic institutions like Sahasra University and SRM University. "Developing a robust talent pipeline is crucial for the success of the semiconductor ecosystem in India," said Bhanupriya K, MD of Perceptive Solutions. "Our collaboration with Kaynes aims to create industry-ready professionals who can support the growth of this strategic sector." One of the key focus areas is an online course or program being launched by Perceptive Solutions for the entire state of Gujarat, where Kaynes is setting up a new facility. The program will provide initial training to students at a minimal fee, with Perceptive Solutions then selecting 50 candidates for placement. Additionally, both Kaynes and Perceptive Solutions are part of larger workforce development programs supported by the Ministry of Electronics and the Ministry of IT, underscoring the industry-government collaboration to address the talent needs of the semiconductor sector. "Our partnership with Perceptive Solutions is a crucial component of our strategy to build a sustainable talent pool for the semiconductor industry in India," said Panicker. "Together, we are committed to developing skilled professionals who can drive innovation and support the country's semiconductor ambitions." German government approves TSMC's Dresden fab financing plan The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (BMWK) has officially approved financing for TSMC's wafer fab project in Dresden. The German government has signed an agreement with the four companies co-investing in European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) - TSMC, Bosch, Infineon, and NXP. On December 13, Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck formally announced the launch of this joint investment project. The overall investment for ESMC will exceed EUR10 billion (US$10.5 billion), with the German government contributing about half, or EUR5 billion. TSMC will invest approximately 35%, while European partners Bosch, Infineon, and NXP will each contribute around 5%. Habeck stated that this investment marks an important milestone for Germany as an industrial and technological center. ESMC is expected to create job opportunities, add value, and foster innovation, helping Germany become more competitive, reduce reliance on global markets, and strengthen its digital future. TSMC chairman C.C. Wei expressed gratitude for the German government's support, believing that ESMC will play a crucial role in supporting the global semiconductor market. The facility will produce automotive and industrial semiconductor products using mature processes ranging from 28nm to 12nm, with a full capacity reaching approximately 41,700 12-inch wafers per month. Production will focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and startups in Europe, prioritizing orders from the European Union and Germany to ensure the security of the chip supply chain in the EU region. Suchi Semicon inaugurates Gujarat's first OSAT facility As global demand for semiconductors continues to rise, Indian companies are progressively stepping up to fill the gap traditionally addressed through imports. Suchi Semicon is leading this transformation by establishing Gujarat's first Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility, aiming to reduce India's dependence on foreign semiconductors. According to KNN India, Ahmedabad Mirror, and the Economic Times, India-based Suchi Semicon inaugurated its first OSAT facility on December 15, 2024, in Bagumara village, Palsana taluka of Surat, Gujarat. The company plans to invest INR8.4 billion(US$100.84 million) in the facility, generating 1,200 jobs. The OSAT will have a daily production capacity of 300,000 chips initially before reaching three million chips per day. Ashok Mehta, founder and chairman of Suchi Industries, expressed confidence that Gujarat would become known as the semiconductor state of India, noting the increasing presence of semiconductor companies in the region. He revealed that companies from Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Taiwan have committed to establishing service centers for semiconductor equipment in the state. These centers will provide essential maintenance services for equipment purchased from international companies. Mehta added that the company conducted extensive research and analysis over two years, visiting 12 countries before completing the plant's construction within one year. Shetal Mehta, co-founder of Suchi Semicon, explained that they are building a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem through personnel training, global expert collaboration, and partnerships with leading minds in the semiconductor industry. During the inauguration, CR Paatil, Union Water Resources Minister of India, highlighted semiconductors as crucial components in electronics manufacturing and drivers of the digital revolution. He noted that Gujarat's entrepreneurs are collaboratively initiating production to supply semiconductors both domestically and globally. Harsh Sanghvi, the Minister of State for Home and Industries of Gujarat, expressed confidence in Gujarat's capability to fulfill Indian Prime Minister Modi's vision of semiconductor self-reliance. He emphasized Gujarat's consistent leadership in industrial development and innovation. Building India's semiconductor future Suchi Semicon's OSAT facility marks a significant milestone in India's semiconductor development, particularly in Gujarat. Earlier in 2024, the Indian government approved four semiconductor projects. Most of these, including Micron's Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facility, are located in Gujarat and are set to begin mass production in early 2025. Mona Khandhar, Principal Secretary of Gujarat's Department of Science and Technology, highlighted that Gujarat pioneered semiconductor policy implementation, accepting substantial economic and financial risks while aligning with the central government's strategy. Rather than maintaining an independent approval system, Gujarat follows the central government's lead in semiconductor project approvals. Khandhar emphasized the state government's commitment to providing reliable infrastructure, including uninterrupted power, water, and gas supply with necessary redundancies for semiconductor plants. She stressed that creating a truly competitive environment requires comprehensive support rather than partial measures. Chip projects in Gujarat Company Segment CG Power-Renesas-Stars Microelectronics OSAT & ATMP Kaynes Semicon OSAT & ATMP Micron OSAT & ATMP Simmtech Equipment Suchi Semicon OSAT & ATMP Tata Electronics Foundry Source: DIGITIMES Asia, December 2024 Source: Commerce Department of India, December 2024 Google appoints new India head in AI push Google has appointed Preeti Lobana as the new country manager and VP for its India operations, succeeding Sanjay Gupta, who was promoted to president of the Asia-Pacific region in July. Lobana will be instrumental in advancing Google's strategy to leverage AI across its customer base. According to TechCrunch, NDTV, and Tech in Asia, before joining Google in 2016, Lobana had a substantial career in banking, with roles at NatWest, American Express, and Standard Chartered. Meanwhile, Roma Datta Chobey, who previously held the position of interim chief, will resume managing the company's digital business unit. "A seasoned Googler with eight years of experience as Vice President of customer-centric solutions, Preeti will now spearhead Google India's sales and operations, driving the company's commitment to India's burgeoning digital economy," according to Google's press release. Lobana wrote in a LinkedIn post that it 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. Sanjay Gupta, the president of Asia-Pacific at Google, expressed that India's dynamic digital environment has significantly inspired and driven innovation for the company. He conveyed his enthusiasm for AI's potential transformation, especially with introducing Lobana as the new country manager. By utilizing AI developments such as Gemini 2.0, they aim to enhance digital inclusion and open up remarkable economic opportunities for every Indian. India is a crucial market for Google, which has invested substantial funds to bring millions of Indians online and support the digital transformation of local businesses. In 2020, Google pledged another US$10 billion for development in India. However, the company is facing increasing regulatory challenges in the region. In 2022, India fined Google US$162 million for anticompetitive practices related to Android and imposed an additional penalty of US$113 million for abusing its dominant position with the Google Play Store. Further scrutiny continues as the Indian antitrust regulator launched a new investigation in March, accusing Google of implementing its in-app billing policies unfairly and discriminatorily. Three men jailed for the kidnapping and torture of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney have appealed their convictions, arguing that phone records used in their trial were an invasion of privacy. Barristers for Alan Harte (43), Alan OBrien (43), and Darren Redmond (30) also say that CCTV footage should not have been allowed into evidence, as witnesses were not required to take an oath during the main body of their trial. Following the trial at the Special Criminal Court in December 2022, Harte, of Island Quay Apartments, OBrien, of Shelmalier Road, and Redmond, from Caledon Road, all in East Wall, Dublin 3, were convicted of false imprisonment and intentionally causing harm to Mr Lunney at a yard at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, Co Cavan on September 17, 2019. Career criminal Harte inflicted most of Mr Lunney's serious injuries, including knife wounds to his face and torso, after he was abducted from his home in Co Fermanagh on September 17, 2019. Harte was sentenced to 30 years in prison, while O'Brien received a 25-year sentence and Redmond was sentenced to 18 years with the final three suspended. Launching an appeal against the mens convictions on Monday, counsel for Harte, Michael OHiggins SC, said that the Special Criminal Court had erred by admitting into the trial evidence that was not the subject of a sworn oath. READ NEXT: Extended hours for drivers to ensure parcels can be delivered before Christmas During the trial, there was an objection from the defence to the admissibility of CCTV evidence, which led to a voir dire (a preliminary examination of a witness or an investigation of the admissibility of evidence). It was the defences submission that once the court ruled to admit this evidence, the witnesses should have been recalled to give their evidence in the trial and take a fresh oath. The Special Criminal Court indicated that it was satisfied that the evidence given under oath during the voir dire was properly within the trial, but Mr OHiggins said that the defence was objecting to this. An accused person is entitled to say, I want it done correctly, and no one has the right to say thats an unreasonable stance to take, said Mr OHiggins, adding that the trial court had said it had no intention of parading people in to repeat the evidence they had already given. To convict a person on evidence that isnt sworn in a trial is legal heresy, he said, going on to assert that even if the evidence was sworn during the voir dire, it could not be transported into the trial without the witness swearing a new oath. Counsels for OBrien and Redmond, Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC and Michael Bowman SC, said they both adopted the same submission on behalf of their clients. In response, counsel for the DPP, Sean Guerin SC, said that the evidence had been given by live witnesses before the triers of fact, meaning there was no deprivation of the appellants right to a fair trial. What practical necessity was there for the court to hear that evidence again? asked Mr Guerin. Mr OHiggins responded by saying that the defence had suggested to the trial court the practical solution of having the witnesses come in and give their same evidence, drawing the same water from the same well. In the overall scheme of things, to ask witnesses to come to court twice to give evidence, as part of the social contract, is a minimum intrusion on the individual citizens rights, said Mr OHiggins. A further ground of appeal raised by the defence was that the trial judges erred in refusing to adjourn the trial so that the law could be clarified about the admissibility of phone records. An application was made to adjourn the trial as the law on the retention of phone data was in a state of flux. However, the State argued that the trial court was correct to find that the gardai were entitled to rely on the law as it stood at the time they obtained the evidence. Mr OHiggins went on to say that the procedure used by the gardai was not an appropriate method by which phone records should be sought. Counsel said that data about a mobile phone number attributed to another individual believed to be involved in this offence was sought, with contact between this number and Hartes number on seven occasions. However, as ten other people were in contact with this number, Mr OHiggins said the fact that this number was in contact with Harte was devoid of context. He said that the gardai were required to establish if there were reasonable grounds for a warrant seeking the phone records in connection with Harte, adding that there had to be some reason for singling this number out. On behalf of OBrien, Mr O Lideadha said that the gardai had used a procedure to obtain phone records that was not designed for this purpose, as the legislation used does not meet the requirements of the constitutional invasion of rights. He said that the gardai had gone before a judge and asked for a warrant to enter a data controllers premises and take anything at all that related to an arrestable offence. He went on to say that the gardai procured a warrant that empowered them to take whatever data they wanted under pain of prosecution and through the use of force. On behalf of Redmond, Mr Bowman said that material that was accessed by the gardai in connection with his client was General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data. He said that this data was on 24 hours a day in a continuous feed that was not user generated, so this was an invasion of privacy as the phone was acting as a 24-hour tracking device. In response, Mr Guerin said that concerning the warrants for phone records, a co-accused in the case was contacted by phone from a number that Harte also made contact with, so there was a reasonable suspicion of the presence of evidence. He said that once the warrant was issued for the phone records, the party in possession of the material took the decision to hand it over. He went on to say that the material obtained was expressly recognised as material that could be used in the commission of an offence. The appeal continues Tuesday before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, presiding over the three-judge court. In his testimony during the original trial, Mr Lunney said that he was forced into the boot of an Audi A4 near his home and driven to a container where he was threatened and told to resign as a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings and to put a stop to litigation with which he was involved north and south of the border. His attackers stripped him to his boxer shorts, doused him in bleach, broke his leg with two blows of a wooden bat, beat him on the ground, cut his face and scored the letters QIH into his chest with a Stanley knife. They left him bloodied, beaten and shivering on a country road at Drumcoghill in Co Cavan where he was discovered by a man driving a tractor. Above: Prof Graham Heaslip (Head of School of Engineering, ATU Galway), Greg Reddin (Johnson & Johnson, Vice Chairperson of the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium), Dr Diarmuid O'Callaghan (President, DKIT), Dr Eoghan O Faolain (Director, Irish Medtech, Ibec), Dr Ann O Connell (Head of Funded Projects, Ibec), Dr Paul MacArtain (Head of Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, DkIT), Trish Breen (Programme Manager, MTE apprenticeships, Ibec), Paul Durcan (Lecturer, DkIT), Dr Breda Brennan (Head of School of Engineering, DKIT), Dermot Smyth (Lecturer, DkIT), Dr Yvonne O Byrne (Business Development & Project Manager, Ibec) Ibec, the group representing Irish business, has today announced the expansion of the hugely successful manufacturing technician and manufacturing engineer apprenticeships to Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in 2025. Initially launched in 2017, the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeships were developed by Irish Medtech, the Ibec trade association for the sector, in collaboration with higher education institutions, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Munster Technological University (MTU), and representatives from across the medtech and manufacturing industries in Ireland These consortium-led apprenticeship programmes were developed with the backing of the National Apprenticeship Office and the Higher Education Authority to support organisations within Irelands thriving manufacturing sector to grow their own world class engineering talent and enable Ireland to maintain its competitive edge on the global stage. The apprenticeships aim to meet the needs of a broad range of manufacturing sectors, from medtech, biopharma and polymer technology, to engineering, machinery, construction and food. With over 600 apprentices registered since 2017, the apprenticeships are highly sought after by school leavers, career changers and those already employed in a manufacturing facility. Since 2017, interest in the programme has grown substantially, with over 100 companies now engaged and a 40% increase in the number of manufacturing engineering apprentices registering annually. From 2025, employers can register apprentices on to the Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship (2 years, Level 6 on the NFQ) or the Manufacturing Engineer Apprenticeship (3 years, Level 7 on the NFQ) in DkIT, ATU Galway, ATU Sligo, TUS Midwest and MTU Cork. The newly developed Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship (4 years, Level 8 on the NFQ) will also continue to be available as a progression route for apprentices in ATU Galway and MTU Cork, further addressing the evolving skills needs of employers across several high-tech manufacturing sectors. Trish Breen, Programme Manager of the Medtech and Engineering Apprenticeships at Ibec commented: We are delighted to confirm that our manufacturing engineering apprenticeships will be available in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in Summer 2025, providing an exciting opportunity for employers on the east coast of Ireland to access this successful national programme which has been developed by industry, for industry. "Employers may decide to recruit apprentice candidates externally, but it is also a fantastic opportunity to upskill existing employees and grow your own engineering talent pipeline internally. Eoghan O Faolain, Director of Irish Medtech at Ibec added: With over 100,000 people directly employed in the life sciences sector in Ireland, and significant employment growth forecast between now and 2028 (3-5% per annum), the availability of talented people to support this growth is a strategic priority for Irelands high-tech manufacturing sectors, including medtech. "Todays milestone announcement will provide fulfilling career opportunities for the participating individuals, whilst delivering a new pipeline of highly skilled workers to the ever-growing cluster of medtech & pharma companies on Irelands east coast. At the official signing of the manufacturing engineering apprenticeship consortium agreement in Dundalk earlier this week, Dr Breda Brennan, Head of the School of Engineering at DkIT said: We are delighted to sign the Consortium Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding with the members of the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium led by Ibec and ATU (Galway). "This will see DkIT School of Engineering as a member of the consortium and a provider of this apprenticeship from 2025. The agreement will help to widen and increase access to educational opportunities for students from our region and beyond. "It provides an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an earn and learn programme to have access to higher education awards as the apprenticeship is available at levels 6, 7 and 8 on the national framework of qualifications. The provision will also support a steady supply of highly skilled graduates to meet industry needs and support the development of a future-ready workforce. Congratulations to Dr. Paul MacArtain and his team from the Department of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering on this initiative. Professor Graham Heaslip, Head of School of Engineering at ATU Galway, also noted the significance of the expansion of the apprenticeship to Dundalk: DkIT joining the Manufacturing Engineering Apprenticeship Consortium is a significant milestone as it enhances the educational offerings of the apprenticeship consortium nationally, supports regional economic development, strengthens industry partnerships, and contributes to the advancement of manufacturing engineering across the island of Ireland. "By joining the consortium, DkIT will be offering a tailored and specialised manufacturing engineering apprenticeship programme and increasing the options available for students pursuing a career in engineering. Four students from Dundalk Grammar School won the top prize in Accenture's Girls in Analytics TY programme on Monday, 16 December. The Girls in Analytics programme was established in 2023 by three female data scientists who work within the Data and AI team at Accenture who were inspired by research which suggested that the relative shortage of women studying analytical degrees in colleges is not due to lack of interest or talent, but rather primarily due to a lack of confidence in their own abilities. In a survey conducted by Accenture in 2018, around 62% of girls aged 14+ said they regretted not having studied Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) subjects for longer. Among those who regret their decision, around 31% said that STEM subjects were more relevant than they realised and 30% said that STEM would have broadened their career options. The contest aims to give secondary school girls an insight into the field of analytics and break down any perceived barriers for women in this area by providing them with confidence to pursue STEM subjects in school and at college. Representing Dundalk Grammar School, Imogen Dawson, Grace Gleason, Isabel Jensma and Arianna McArdle were the well-deserved winners of the contest. The girls presented their project on Investigating Gender Parity at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. They found that although there was gender parity at an overall level among athletes, discrepancies occurred both in athletes' gender at national levels and in the gender of coaches. Dundalk Grammar School have expressed their pride in the TY students' impressive achievement and hard work. All pertinent information held by the United Nations about the death of Dundalk solider Sean Rooney should be given to his family, Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu has said. The Louth TD was speaking after RTE revealed ahead of the second anniversary of Pte Rooneys death in Lebanon that more information contained in UN reports about the incident would be shared with the Rooney family. The family of the 24-year-old, who died while on duty for the United Nations UNIFIL mission in Lebanon on December 14 2022, have been battling for two years to get access to all the information about Pte Rooneys death. Deputy O Murchu said: A far greater amount of information should be forthcoming from the United Nations to the State, the coroner and the Rooney family about what happened to Sean. The UN had access to documents, witness reports and other crucial information in the hours and days after the tragedy and the reports they compiled are critical to the proper investigation and understanding of what happened. I have been in contact with the Rooney family over the last two years and they still dont have all the information about what happened to Sean, In reply to a parliamentary question from Deputy O Murchu, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: The United Nations have insisted that it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part, and that the final report of the Board of Inquiry will not be published. But a spokesperson for the UN said last week: It doesn't mean that at some point we cant... that some information that was harvested as part of that Board of Inquiry cannot be shared with the relevant parties. I'm telling you that more information is coming down the pipeline, I expect more information to be shared with the Irish Mission. Deputy O Murchu has consistently raised the issue, most recently in October, when he asked about the progress of the investigation into Pte. Rooneys death and the legal case in Lebanon. Deputy O Murchu said: The Tanaiste has promised to leave no stone left unturned in relation to the investigation and to ensure that all information is provided. The Louth County Council December meeting saw Sinn Fein's Debbie McCole co-opted to the Council to fill the seat vacated by the outgoing Joanna Byrne. Following a convention last week and subsequent ratification by Sinn Feins ruling body, the Ard Comhairle, Cllr Debbie McCole replaced Joanna Byrne on Louth County Council on Monday following her success in the General Election. Cllr McCole is from Drogheda and has been working as a paramedic for the last 23 years and has said it is frustrating to see at first-hand how people struggle to access the most basic of services and also see the consequences that can have in their lives." Cllr McCole continued, "when Sinn Fein offered me this opportunity I jumped at it because I want to make peoples lives better. My husband and I, like everyone else, struggled at times raising our two daughters and some people are finding daily life hard. "I know I am not going to solve those kind of problems at local council but I am looking forward to supporting Joanna Byrne TD as she continues to affect that badly needed change at national level." She added, "I have been a member of the Boyne Fishermans Rescue and Recovery Service for over 12 years and have been involved in searches and recoveries all over Ireland. I am well used to fighting for people and I can add that determination and spirit to the Sinn Fein team in Drogheda and in Louth." Travellers and Roma face the highest levels of prejudice of any ethnic group in Ireland, according to new research. The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found people living in affluent areas were less comfortable with having Travellers as neighbours or in a relationship with their child than those living in disadvantaged areas. Previous ESRI research found the opposite was the case for immigrants. The report examined the factors associated with attitudes to a range of social, ethnic and religious groups, using a representative survey of 3,008 adults carried out in spring 2023. It also outlined the socio-economic situation of Travellers and Roma communities based on the latest Census data. The ESRI research found people were most comfortable having Travellers and Roma in their childs class in school, less comfortable with having them as neighbours and least comfortable with having them in a relationship with their child. It found that while positive attitudes to Roma were in some cases associated with positive attitudes to a broader range of ethnic and national groups, this was not the case for Travellers. Women and young people (aged between 16-20) were more tolerant towards Travellers and Roma than men and older age groups, according to the research. Those who described themselves as middle class were less comfortable with Travellers and Roma than those who described themselves as working class. More educated respondents were generally more comfortable with Travellers and Roma compared to less well-educated respondents, and homeowners were less tolerant of Travellers and Roma than renters or people in social housing. People who volunteered in the past year were more positive to both Travellers and Roma, which researchers said suggested that civic engagement is associated with tolerance. The ESRI said the most substantial factor in different attitudes towards the two groups were what region they are in. Residents of the border region and Dublin were most tolerant of both groups, people living in the West and Midlands were least tolerant of Travellers, whereas people in the South West and Midlands were least tolerant of Roma. The study notes that Irish Travellers are much less likely to report their health as good or very good (67%) than white Irish (88%) or Roma (86%). It also pointed out that 3% of Irish Travellers and 26% of Roma aged over 15 had a third-level degree, compared to 34% of the white Irish population. Report author Frances McGinnity said the findings highlighted high levels of both prejudice and disadvantage. In some ways, factors associated with higher levels of comfort towards Travellers and Roma are similar to migrant minority groups, for example, having third-level education, she said. Yet people finding it more difficult to make ends meet, those living in social housing and those living in disadvantaged communities are generally more comfortable with Travellers, in contrast to findings for migrant groups, suggesting anti-Traveller racism may be distinct from other forms of prejudice in Ireland. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which was part of the programme behind the ESRI research, said it builds on an Ipsos survey published in June 2023 which reported disappointing attitudes [amongst the wider population] towards members of the Traveller community and the Roma community. That survey reinforced the need for revised national equality strategies to address the attitudes that give rise to discrimination, the department said in a statement. To this end, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024 2028 was launched in July 2024. The new ESRI research provides welcome new insight into perspectives and prejudices, and so will greatly assist in the delivery of actions under the strategy. Malate, Manila, Philippines skyline at 7PM I bet when you hear Manila what suddenly comes to mind is the traffic, smog, crowded place. When Malate, Manila is mentioned you will also think of something else like bars and restaurants and women. I saw Malate, Manila in a different light. I took these pics while I was at one of my bosses offices. The view was breath-taking and I cant resist but take pictures. Can you recognize these establishments? Malate, Manila, Philippines skyline at 6pm Malate, Manila, Philippines skyline at 5PM Malate, Manila, Philippines skyline at 4PM Malate, Manila, Philippines skyline at 3PM On the left side is Manila Bay, South Pier Harbor. The street beside it is Roxas Boulevard. The buildings are some of the famous hotels in the Malate area. Arent these pretty little things? Yes they are but they are better left where they are than take it home for display. Stop shopping for corals and dried marine items. As pretty as they are buying them is tantamount to supporting the killing of our Philippine Seas and our Marine life. Instead of buying, take pictures, print them out and have them on display. Just recently, two separate shipments of CITES-protected black corals, seashells and dried sea turtles with an estimated value of over P50M, were apprehended by Philippine authorities this month. The items were bound for export. Philippine laws prohibit the gathering, possession, sales or export of ordinary, precious and semiprecious corals. Penalties range from six months to two years in prison and a fine of as much as P500,000. The Philippines sits at the apex of the Coral Triangle, a 5.7 million square-kilometer region which spans the seas of six countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. The region provides food and livelihood for some 120 million people yearly. A single square kilometer of healthy coral reef can keep on producing over 40 metric tons of suno, talakitok and other forms of seafood year on year. Over 27,000 square kilometers of healthy coral reef once blanketed Philippine seas but 50 years of destructive commercial and poorly managed artisanal fishing has left less than 5 percent in excellent condition. Just 1 percent remains pristine and productivity has begun to wane. The rape of Cotabatos reef is not unique. Local and international demand for endangered seafood species drives the flourishing illegal marine trade. This is compounded by the apparent reluctance or inability of some public servants to go after those who break the law. The Philippine archipelago, the worlds second largest, spans over 300,000 square kilometers, with 36,289 kilometers of coastline. How can you police all of this daily? So long as there are buyers, the reaping shall continue, says Tan. Government can be a catalyst. However, it is private sector involvement that keeps sustainable efforts in place for the long term, maintaining supply chains throbbing and productive. Ultimately, legal and sustainable incomes for local communities are going to be the straw that will break this camels back he added. WWF says the confiscated hauls from Cebu and Cotabato are merely symptomatic of what has been happening throughout the country illegal, unregulated and unreported extraction of marine wealth. Not just to icon species such as sea turtles, coral, sharks, tropical hardwoods, Napoleon wrasse, giant clams and whales, but most especially to fish. In almost all commercial fishing areas, fish stocks have been overfished way past maximum sustainable yields. With increasing population and consumption, natural stocks alone will no longer be sufficient to meet the needs of future Filipinos. Have you purchased any dried marine item on your recent summer getaway? I hope that will be the last one for our future. If we all work together and one-by-one stop buying these product, the demand will be less and will put this illegal marine life traders out of business. Dear Earth, It's truly sad news! Initial findings point to the region around Cotabato, though it's very hard to estimate which areas were plundered as black corals are found in very deep water. Never dived in Cotabato but I've been there on land. The curio trade can readily be seen in Cartimar, Pasay City. Live and dead corals are sold at dirt-cheap prices. Repeated raids have not discouraged traders. The best solution? To stop the problem at the source. Kill the DEMAND. When no one buys, no one will have a reason to collect and sell endangered species. Sabi nga sa SBN-21 20 years ago, JUST SAY NO. = ) Very Best Regards, Gregg Yan Communications & Media Officer World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) Let s save our beautiful Philippine seas! Stay gorgeous everyone! (Hard coral photos courtesy of Mr. Greg Yan WWF Philippines) Ive been posting my pro-RH bill stand on my Facebook page for the past few days as I cant help but feel sorry for those who are misinformed and misguided about what is the importance of approving the Final Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill, also known as House Bill 4244 (HB4244) or The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011. I am for it not because I want people to have freedom to have sex with everyone but I am for it because I dont want any more abandoned children to live in the streets or be deprived of proper care (education, shelter and nourishment). The Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill enumerates a dozen of very important factors that will not just benefit those who are active in sex, wants to be active with sex or wants to abort a child. That is the worst misconception of the RH bill. The RH Bill does not want to kill, it wants to save lives and give quality life to everyone not just a few. May I just remind those who are anti-RH bill not everyone in this country are Catholic, so please dont make them subscribe to your ancient interpretation of the bible and what God wants for us. God wants everyone to be happy, healthy and safe. The devil likes suffering , sickness, despair and pain. HB 4244 talks about the following: SEC. 5. Midwives for Skilled Attendance SEC. 6. Emergency Obstetric Care SEC. 7. Access to Family Planning SEC. 8. Maternal and Newborn Health Care in Crisis Situations SEC. 9. Maternal Death Review SEC. 10. Family Planning Supplies as Essential Medicines SEC. 11. Procurement and Distribution of Family Planning Supplies SEC. 12. Integration of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Component in Anti-Poverty Programs SEC. 13. Roles of Local Government in Family Planning Programs SEC. 14. Benefits for Serious and Life-Threatening Reproductive Health Conditions SEC. 15. Mobile Health Care Service SEC. 16. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education Age-appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall be taught by adequately trained teachers in formal and non-formal educational system starting from Grade Five up to Fourth Year High School using life skills and other approaches. The Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall commence at the start of the school year immediately following one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act to allow the training of concerned teachers. The Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the DSWD, and the DOH shall formulate the Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education curriculum. Such curriculum shall be common to both public and private schools, out of school youth, and enrollees in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) based on, but not limited to, the psychosocial and the physical wellbeing, the demography and reproductive health, and the legal aspects of reproductive health. Age-appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education shall be integrated in all relevant subjects and shall include, but not limited to, the following topics: (a) Values formation; (b) Knowledge and skills in self protection against discrimination, sexual violence and abuse, and teen pregnancy; (c) Physical, social and emotional changes in adolescents; (d) Childrens and womens rights; (e) Fertility awareness; (f) STI, HIV and AIDS; (g) Population and development; (h) Responsible relationship; (i) Family planning methods; (j) Proscription and hazards of abortion; (k) Gender and development; and (l) Responsible parenthood. The DepEd, CHED, DSWD, TESDA and DOH shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education to their children. SEC. 17. Additional Duty of the Local Population Officer SEC. 18. Certificate of Compliance SEC. 19. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers SEC. 20. Ideal Family Size SEC. 21. Employers Responsibilities SEC. 22. Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women SEC. 23. Sexual And Reproductive Health Programs For Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) SEC. 24. Right to Reproductive Health Care Information Whats so evil and devilish about the above provisions of the RH Bill? For the complete text of the House Bill 4244 or Final Consolidated Reproductive Health Bill click here I pray that God will open the minds of those who have close minds and are blinded by their faith and are misinformed. Ignorance is not a bliss in this situation. How about you, what is our stand on the RH Bill? Stay gorgeous everyone! UPDATE: Holika Holika is now here in the Philippines and they opened their first branch just around my neighborhood SM Fairview woot! Im glad to be one of the first to visit their store and experience the kind of magic this beauty magician brings to its clients. as some of their signature product. We explored the store and heres just some of the interesting items that caught my eye Even my daughter found something she likes! Any cat lover will love these pretty makeup in cute cat packaging! My fellow beauty bloggers at the Holika Holika Philippines SM Fairview Store After going around the store I have listedcollage into this picture Clockwise: Magic Pole Mascara, heart-shape lipstick, jewel tone eyeliner, Hello Holika blush powder, & Snail BB Cream Thanks Holika Holika and Bloggers Circle for the invite! Ill be back really really soon! You may visit Holika Holika Philippine on Facebook for updates and promos. How about you have you tried any of their cosmetic products before? Stay gorgeous everyone! Two weeks ago, the family decided to have a weekend staycation at Seda Hotel at Bonifacio Global City because we were bored at home and we want our mom not to get stressed out travelling to and fro after meeting her siblings for a brief get-together at the BGC. If you are coming from High Street it is before you cross the street on your left side going to Serendra/ Market Market. If you are from Market Market it is after you cross the street going to High Street from your right side. ROOMS How much per night?Since they are running on their opening year,they have aRegular rates cost about All rooms have:King bed or twins 40-inch LED HDTV with cable channels Speaker phone with iPod dock and FM radio feature Media panel with HDMI, USB and A/V connectivity Executive writing desk Complimentary WiFi and broadband internet access International Direct Dial telephone In-room safe (can fit 13inch laptop) Voice mail Coffee and tea making facilities Alarm clock Mini-bar Hair dryer I love the view from our room AMENITIES Theres a Swimming Pool located at the second floor of the hotel size is good enough to take a dip and a few strokes, suited for kids who just wants to play in the water as it doesnt go deeper than 4 feet. I love the view of the high rise buildings perfect to swim early morning when the sun is just rising. Reception and E-LoungeThe first floor of the hotel is the busiest part where the reception, dining and e-lounge is located. This giraffe installation is located beside the reception counter we so adore it. The e-lounge is at the left side of the reception counter if you are facing it. With to Apple PC with free internet use. DINING Misto is the in-house restaurant of Seda Hotel where breakfast,lunch and dinner is served.Frankly space is too small for such an important component in a hotel but it looks like the place is not for those who want to dine-in but more of those always on the go and would rather want to eat-out at the wide food selections you can find at the Global City We had our breakfast there so I can really say the space is so limited Ill tell my verdict later. From the buffet eat-all-you-can breakfast Ala-carte Tapsilog Roof Deck Bar They have a Straight Up Bar at the Roof Deck location is nice and perfect for those who want to unwind and have drinks with friends after a long day at work. Aside from the above they also have function rooms good for 250 people and a gym. STAFF They are very friendly and helpful, especially the one who helped me book our stay. Reception people are fast and efficient. Kitchen staff are slow because it took them more than 15 minutes to prepare our ala-carte orders for breakfast. MY VERDICT! Rooms: Are impeccable, I super love the interiors, its so spacious, I love the bay window, the work station area is perfect, I love the FREE Wi-fi service, I love the bed its not so fluffy and not so stiff. Facilities for coffee or tee is all there. Toiletries complete. Everything is perfect. I dont have any complaints with the room. One of the best I have stayed on. Dining: Misto is too small for such an important place in a hotel. I wish they gave this more space like an entire floor just for dining. But then again they offer room service for dining so maybe thats why its not that big. As per food choices, we had breakfast there and well all the best sellers for breakfast was served. I just had a problem with the bacon, the tomato and cheese and potato wedges, they were served cold as they didnt place it on a warmer. We also ordered ala-carte and it took them forever to serve it! Sis and I were done with our first plate from the breakfast buffet but my moms order of a Tocilog was not there still which irked her a lot! As for the price of ala-carte orders they are very affordable. As for taste food is not bad at all except for those cold stuff at the buffet. Pool Area: The pool is nice and the lay-out was good except for the location. The pool was situated at the second floor so everyone from the high rise building or even low-rise for that matter near the area can see whos in the pool or not. A perfect location for peeping-toms I say. Maybe they can put the pool at the roof deck or if thats impossible, maybe make the glass not transparent or make it a two way mirror so as not people from outside can see. Then again I can say the hotel was not made for those who want to swim but just an added facilities for those who just want to take a dip but still it will be nice to be thoughtful of your guest because guest are the only ones allowed to use the pool. Conclusion: It all boils down to this conclusion, Seda Hotel is not a family hotel but a hotel made for business people who are always on the go,would rather be in their room and do their work there, order in for breakfast or lunch or maybe eat out at a resto outside the hotel for a business meeting, come back to the room and do their job comfortably because of the free wi-fi and use of phone for local and international business calls. Then go to the Straight Up bar to unwind or maybe still have a meeting with business partners over beer or wine. Do I recommend Seda Hotel at BGC? Yes for business people or yuppies and maybe for families. You will very much enjoy the room if you are single or with business partners or work friends or just there to relax not leave the room and bum haha. Or for couples who want to enjoy the company of each other undisturbed by the world outside haha! But if you want to enjoy the appreciate the hotel like not just the room Ill go somewhere else. It all boils down to your perspective and expectations. The rooms are perfect thats all that matters. How about you, have you been to Seda Hotel at BGC before? How did you find it? Stay gorgeous everyone! Directory: Seda Hotel BGC From drive-through confessions, where a priest seated a meter away hears a parishioner confess his sins while inside his car, to receiving holy communion in front yards, the Catholic Church has found innovative ways to engage its flock in prayer and participate in church activities amid the worldwide spread of the novel corona virus (Covid-19) which necessitates everybody to practice physical distancing, among other things. Filipinos, as well as most people of the world, will still be staying at home under enhanced community quarantine as we observe the Holy Week, starting Palm Sunday, April 5 until Easter Sunday, April 12. But everybody will be blessed, Pope Francis said. And Holy Week will be celebrated online, with masses to be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube by various dioceses across the country. At the Vatican City, the Pope celebrates daily masses at 2pm at Vatican News English on YouTube. Following is the schedule of masses in various Philippine churches: Manila Cathedral Time: Sunday 8am,10am, 6pm; Monday to Friday 7:30am, 12:10pm; Saturday 7:30am Where: Manila Cathedrals Facebook page Quiapo Church Time: Daily 5am, 6am, 12:15pm, 3pm, 4pm Where: Quiapo Churchs Facebook page Diocese of Kalookan Time: Sunday 6:30am, 7:45am, 9am, 10:15am, 3pm, 4:15pm, 5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8pm; Monday to Friday 6am, 12nn, 6pm Where: Diocese of Kalookans Facebook page Diocese of Cubao Time: Sunday 8am, 11am, 6pm; Monday to Saturday 8am Where: Diocese of Cubaos Facebook page Diocese of Pasig Time: Sunday 6am, 7:30am, 9am, 4pm, 6pm; Monday to Saturday 6am, 8am, 12nn, 6pm Where: Pasig Cathedrals Facebook page Philippine Jesuits Time: Daily 8am, 1pm Where: Radyo Katipunan Facebook page and Radyo Katipunan YouTube channel Radio Veritas Time: Daily 6am, 12nn, 6pm Where: Radio Veritas Facebook page Sambuhay TV Mass Time: Saturday (anticipated mass) 5pm; Monday to Friday 6:15am Where: Sambuhays Facebook page Online masses led by Singapore Archbishop William Goh Time: Sunday 10am; Monday to Saturday 1pm Where: Archdiocese of Singapores YouTube channel PLDTs free speedboost for Fibr subscribers will provide a unique holy week experience in the time of COVID-19. Staying at home as we pray with people online can be our most meaningful contribution in stopping the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. This has been a good year for Sorcha Browning, who recently graduated from the TU Dublin School of Creative Arts at Sherkin Island. The Ballydehob native was recently awarded the prestigious RDS Taylor Art Award and the RDS and Graphic Studio Dublin Emerging Visiting Artist Award. Its the first time a Sherkin Island graduate has been shortlisted for the RDS Art Awards, testament to the importance of the BA course in the region. Thrilled to have excelled at the award ceremony, Sorchas work is on show at the RHA Gallery in Dublin until January 18. A multi-disciplinary artist spanning film, performance and sculpture, Sorcha won the Open Ear Graduate Award 2024, the National Sculpture Factory Residency Award 2024, and the Uillin Dance Studio Award 2024. Sorchas latest award-winning installation, Eden, a nine-minute looped film displayed on two sculptural screens, is based on the constant online engagement that gets us hooked and addicted to the online world. It refers to the mindless consumption of data as elicited from cookies, the small text files that websites store on your computer to remember information about you and your browsing activity. While Sorcha says that cookies are not necessarily harmful, I think the constant request to give away your data is. She points out that when a cookie pops up, the reject option is greyed out while the accept option is bright blue. The design of it is pulling you towards accepting. There is, she supposes, a consumerist element to it, with advertisers using the information as well as algorithms. Youre being funnelled into things youre clicking on and youre not being shown the rest so it can become a very biased experience. Where I see the negative side of this is in advertising and how social media feeds can divide people. Theres that divisive element which is harmful, and being pushed to buy something you dont really need. For the film installation, Sorcha has made multiple characters (which are of herself performing). I didnt want to offer a solution per se. I wanted to display (the work) as a painter so the viewer has some sort of agency over what the overall message and narrative is, through picking up on different references and gestures. As part of her research, Sorcha looks at the gaze. I looked at a lot of paintings and the representation of women, mostly how that affects how we act as we go about our everyday lives. Im looking at our history and how it affects the way we think about gender roles and how we think about ourselves. Aged 27, Sorcha is a digital native and says she is au fait with technology. I like technology. I find it quite interesting to play with. Im not afraid of technology although Im aware it can be used negatively as well as positively. She says its worthwhile to think about our engagement online, how much we are online, and whether its benefiting us or not. Its completely subjective and up to the person to think about it. For myself, I try not to doom-scroll. If I fall into it, it doesnt feel positive when I complete it. Sorcha Brownings work is being showcased at a new large-scale exhibition that runs at the RHA Gallery until January 18. - https://www.rds.ie/rds-foundation/arts/vaa Photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland Does she find excessive scrolling on social media dissatisfying? Its almost designed like that with very short clips of video that really draw your attention but dont satisfy you on a deeper level. Growing up in Ballydehob in an artistic household, Sorcha was encouraged to pursue the arts. Her father makes jewellery and her mother used to craft jewellery but now works as a painter. Sorcha started dancing at the age of three; she also took up art classes and drama as a child. She is a past student of Alan Foley Academy of Dance at Uillinn, the West Cork Arts Centre. While dancing was always a hobby growing up, Sorcha says it made her think about how the body moves, informing her art. Before doing the BA on Sherkin Island, Sorcha studied film at St Johns Central College in Cork. She started filming herself, doing various performances, on Sherkin. Attendance on the island for the degree was mandatory, every second weekend. You went out there and had three days of intense learning. You come away from it and work at it at home. I liked that about the course. I also think the BA really set me up to be an artist outside of college. You have to find your own feet and figure out how to make art with limited resources. We were working out of a community hall on Sherkin Island. The community living there is lovely. Theyre all very helpful. The degree show at the end kind of relies on them because the exhibition happens in multiple locations around the island. One of the students this year used a coal shed belonging to one of the islanders. I was using a space in a hostel there. Sorcha says that life on Sherkin is very vibrant. Theres loads happening with coffee mornings in the community hall, drama workshops and poetry. Working at her art on the island has clearly been a happy and fruitful experience for Sorcha. She says the RDS Taylor Art Award has a long legacy in Ireland and being the recipient of it this year is such an honour. It means so much to me to have this support whilst transitioning from full-time study into professional practice and I am so grateful to all that are involved. Sorcha will take up the three-month residency she has been awarded at the National Sculpture Factory, starting in February, 2025. The future looks bright for this West Cork artist. Aisling Moran, of the Sherkin Island Development Society said that Sorchas success underscores the vital role BAVA Sherkin Island plays in shaping Irelands contemporary art scene. The programme, supported by Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre, TU Dublin, and dedicated facilitators like Sherkin-based artist Majella ONeill Collins and course coordinator Jesse Jones, is essential for fostering artistic innovation and sustaining Sherkins identity as the Island of Artists. With graduates like Sorcha Browning and Mary Sullivan - who won the RDS Taylor Art Award in 2018 - the courses impact on Irish art is undeniable. We are also deeply grateful for the steadfast support of Billy Kemp, technician, Sinead McCormick, lecturer, and the ongoing unwavering support of Cork County Council, and the Department of Rural and Community Developments Island Division, who continue to ensure the programme not only survives, but thrives on Sherkin Island. Three Cork TDs have called for an alternative supply of drinking water to be provided on the citys northside by Uisce Eireann. This comes after the utilitys chief executive said that the ongoing water discolouration issue had taken far too long to resolve, but would not be reduced for another six months by measures currently being taken at the Lee Road plant. Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn said that he had been told by constituents that they were at the pin of their collar paying 40-50 per week to purchase bottled water. Minister of state Colm Burke said a clear plan was needed for the resolution of the discolouration issue, and called for an alternative supply of water to be available when measures such as flushing were being implemented in specific areas. Sinn Feins Thomas Gould said an alternative water supply be it in tankers or in bottles should be available throughout the year, but that it was particularly important during the festive season when more people would be at home, and water would be used for cooking. With shops closed over the Christmas, what are people supposed to do if their water runs brown? We know, from testing the water, that it should not be consumed, said Mr Gould, who alleged many peoples drinking supply was unsafe. However, Uisce Eireann continues to refuse to provide an alternative leaving some of the most vulnerable forced to drink this water. Frustrating Uisce Eireann chief executive Niall Gleeson, speaking on RTE Radio on Sunday, said that the company knew it was very frustrating for the people down there. We have an office in Cork and a lot of people living in that location, and their friends and family are frustrated by the whole thing, he said. Its taken us far too long to resolve this issue we do apologise to the people down there living with this situation. We have a number of projects going on, we have a taskforce dedicated to Cork, we are flushing as much as we can, he added. Weve got 300km of old cast iron pipes down there, and there is a sediment issue and some sediment coming off those pipes. Once you flush, that water is safe to drink. You just need to flush it out of those taps and make sure its clear. But once the water is clear, its perfectly safe to drink. We do have some upgrade projects going on at the Lee Road plant, which well complete by the middle of next year, which we think will reduce the number of incidents. When asked if this meant that it would another six months to see a reduction in the discolouration of the water on Corks northside, Mr Gleeson said: Six months, yeah. Clear plan needed Fine Gael TD Colm Burke said that the issue with discoloured water had only come to the fore in the last two years and that, to his knowledge, it was not happening elsewhere in the country. Two years down the road and were still not being told when exactly were going to resolve this issue No 1, there needs to be a clear plan; No 2, you dont have to do entire areas at the one time. How can you manage it in such a way that you can do the cleaning out of pipes in particular areas at particular times, and then that theres an alternative supply of water available, that needs to be carefully planned. The city council, when it was operating the system, didnt appear to have a problem like this. Ridiculous The Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central, Ken OFlynn, said the provision of an alternative water supply had to be considered and said it would come down to feasibility. We may have to go down that line, unfortunately, he said. Its ridiculous that I have people who have the pin to their collar who are telling me that they cant afford to buy water and that theyre paying 40-50 per week additionally on water supply for the family and having to go to launderettes. In a statement, an Uisce Eireann spokesperson said an additional conditioning unit would be installed, alongside a manganese reduction system, by mid-2025 an additional investment of 1.6m. As set out by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, when a Do Not Consume notice is issued, alternative water supplies are made available, the spokesperson added in response to residents demands for an alternative water supply. This is not the situation in this instance. Cork City Council Community section welcomed Santa, bringing joy and fun to children from 24 early education and preschool settings from around the Northside of Cork City, at the Cork Foyer, Assumption Road, Blackpool. Carley Constant, Little Hands Childcare, looking festive to meet Santa at the Cork Foyer, Assumption Road, Blackpool. Eoin White, Little Hands Childcare, helps with the decorating before Santa arrived at the Cork Foyer, Assumption Road, Blackpool. Cork Arts Theatre thankful for those involved in 10x10 event Cork Arts Theatre has expressed gratitude to everyone to participated in or attended the recent 10 x 10 event. The theatre said: Thank you to everyone who attended, and took part in, our 10 x 10 Minute Play Event. We had a wonderful week of performing the ten short plays for your enjoyment. The audiences voted for their favourite play each evening and the ultimate winner was Welcome to your New Upgrade by Miriam Needham, directed by Marleen Elisabeth Hein, and starring Savni Kodilkar, Salome Maher Bordalo and Colin Healy. Congratulations to all. Well do it all again in May with our next short play event, Views from a Couch. Hope to see you there! Panto with ISL interpretation The Everymans Red Riding Hood panto access performances coming up next month. An ISL-interpreted performance will take place on Saturday January 4 at 1.30pm. An audio-described performance and touch tour will be held on Friday January 3 at 1.30pm. A relaxed performance will take place on Sunday January 12, at 11am. The venue said: To book your tickets for our relaxed performance, or audio-described performance with touch tour, email access [at] everymancork [dot] com, or call 021 450 1780. The Everyman Panto, its for everyone. Theatre seek volunteers Blackpools Graffiti Theatre is seeking volunteers. The venue said: Here at Graffiti we would like to take the time to celebrate the amazing volunteers who dedicate their time to our Fighting Words Creative Writing workshops every week. Their support means that every child who attends the workshop gets heard and has an opportunity to create. Through scribing for young people who may find writing a challenge, listening to individuals stories and encouraging their work. If you are over 18 and interested in volunteering with Fighting Words we would love to hear from you. You dont need any prior experience. Anyone who enjoys working in a creative environment with young people- and is a good listener is welcome to volunteer. No minimum volunteer hours are required. Volunteer only when and if it suits you, but be warned it can be addictive! Contact Ann Marie, Fighting Words coordinator at cork@fightingwords.ie or (021) 4397111. Have Blackpool, Ballyvolane and Shandon news to share? Contact Robert.mcnamara@theecho.ie The Department of Integration is set to use what was once a bank premises on Mallows Main St to house Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers. According to a department circular, the former Ulster Bank building has the capacity to house up to 23 people, with the five-year contract starting later this month. For the first two years of the contract, the building will be used specifically for the housing of Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection. It is also understood that the accommodation will be self-catering and that a valid fire safety certificate has been provided. Speaking to The Echo, Mallow-based Fianna Fail county councillor Gearoid Murphy said communication with local people on the decision was crucial. There is relatively little I can say, as I had no role in the decision, he said. What I will say, though, is that I shared the information I received as soon as I got it, because I think that communication with local communities is important. I will also say that Ireland has an obligation under international law to make a determination when a person applies for asylum. And until we process a persons application, we also have an obligation to house anyone who is seeking asylum. I can only imagine what it must be like to have to leave your home and your homeland because of war or persecution. I believe it is very important that applications are processed efficiently and that the Department of Integration hires a lot more staff to ensure this. A spokesperson for the Department of Integration told The Echo : "The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth received an offer of accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine at 116 Main Street, Mallow, Co.Cork, P51FT04. "The property underwent refurbishment as part of the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This refurbishment work has now completed and from late December 2024 onwards 23 beds will be provided for people fleeing the war in Ukraine at the property. "Due to a reduction in the number of people arriving from Ukraine, as well as an increase in those exiting State accommodation, the State is reducing its overall accommodation stock. "As a result, it is likely that those who are accommodated at 116 Main Street, Mallow, Co.Cork, P51FT04, will be re-accommodated from accommodation where a contract has ended and, where possible, people will be accommodated in the same general area. "It is not possible to give more specific information at this time on likely occupation dates or a breakdown of the people moving in." Quantities of cannabis totalling 4,500 were found in the search of a flat in Cork city almost two years ago and now the man who was in possession of the drugs has been fined and given a suspended jail term. Judge Mary Dorgan said: It was a significant quantity of drugs. However, the judge said she was going to impose a non-custodial sentence because the accused man, Charlie Gibbons, had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty, and presented clear urinalysis. Solicitor Frank Buttimer said the matter had been adjourned a number of times for verification of the clear urinalysis, and this was now available. The search dated back to February 14, 2023, when the home of the 28-year-old a flat on Washington St was searched. The search warrant was executed after 6pm on that date. The cannabis was found in various quantities in the flat and, when arrested and questioned, he made full admissions. Judge Dorgan imposed a four-month jail term suspended on condition that he would keep the peace for the next two years on the charge of having the drugs for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying to others. The judge also fined him 550 for having the cannabis in his possession for his own use. He was given seven months to pay the fine. A community garda in Crosshaven is the latest winner of the Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Awards. Stephen Cleary, who lives in Crosshaven with his wife and three children, has been acknowledged for his involvement in local groups and fundraising organisations. The Community Spirit Awards, presented by Cork International Hotel, recognise an outstanding contribution or special achievement made to the community by a group or individual. A prominent member of the Crosshaven community, Stephen can often be seen stewarding at events in and around the town, putting up Christmas lights, and volunteering at Templebreedy Save our Steeple, a local group set up to conserve St Matthews Church and graveyard in an eco-friendly manner. He is also a leader in the 1st Crosshaven Sea Scouts. In 2020, Stephen led a team of Cork gardai who completed a nationwide campaign to run 280km across two weeks in aid of the Special Olympics. The awards aim to celebrate and recognise the remarkable people within the community, who selflessly give their time, talent, and dedication to benefit others. Congratulations to Stephen on receiving this months Community Spirit Award, Eoghan Murphy, general manager of the Cork International Hotel, said. Stephens dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts to the people he serves are truly inspiring. The award is a testament to the positive impact that he has made in the community. We wish Stephen every continued success in his role. The judging panel for the Community Spirit Awards is made up of a mixture of representatives from the public and private sector within the community. Anyone can nominate a volunteer or group located in Cork city or the southside of Cork county. The only requirement is that they give their time voluntarily and do so without financial reward. A Cork business owner has spoken of the challenges caused by the ongoing closure of Holyhead Port which will not reopen until January 15 at the earliest. Damage done to the port during Storm Darragh has resulted in the closure of the port and ferry services which will likely result in Christmas parcels travelling to and from Ireland being delayed until after the festive season. It will also leave thousands of people who were planning to travel through the port to Ireland for Christmas having to scramble for alternative transport. Cork businesses are waiting for stock that is stuck in trailers at the port, as president of Cork Chamber and owner of Velo Coffee, Rob Horgan, highlighted. Just today [Tuesday] our first van came back from the UK with stock. Before that we were getting twice daily updates but none involving moving, he told The Echo. Mr Horgan added: Members of my team went in vans this weekend and had a horrific journey, including getting delayed in customs in Rosslare. The first van returned just before lunchtime yesterday, but he left Cork on Sunday, Mr Horgan said. He drove non stop, checked into a hotel for four hours thats what we have to do to look after our customers. The biggest challenge for everyone is the lack of clarity people are already under pressure at Christmas for various reasons, Mr Horgan said. This added strain is not needed. The ferry company Stena Line, which owns the Port of Holyhead, said damage caused by Storm Darragh earlier this month is still being assessed and that it has taken the decision to keep the ferry berths closed until January 15 to provide certainty for passengers, freight customers and ferry operators. It said that this was to allow people to make alternative arrangements ahead of the busiest time of the year. In a statement, a spokesman for Stena Line said: Stena Line has been working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period adding that a new freight route from Dublin to Heysham has been added to assist continuity of trade flows. A statement from the Department of Transport said: Where there is spare capacity in other ferry ports, these will be used as Stena has outlined. The ferry companies have redeployed their vessels to other ports and will help passengers booked on Holyhead crossings. The ferry companies are reaching out to their passengers and we would encourage passengers who were planning to use Holyhead to check the relevant ferry companys website for details of the alternatives. A woman who threatened to set fire to the home of a security man at a Cork store while his family was sleeping was jailed for five months as the judge described her actions as unconscionable. Judge Mary Dorgan said that apart from the distress caused to the security officer it would have been a frightening scene for any customers or children who might have been present at the time. 36-year-old Noreen Foley of 1B Grenville Court, Grenville Place, Cork, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her by Garda Aideen Hallahan in respect of an incident at Dunnes Stores in Merchants Quay, Cork, on November 9. The incident happened before 10am that morning and she pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a security man, causing criminal damage and engaging in threatening behaviour. Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the plea of guilty was being entered at the earliest opportunity. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said that while Noreen Foley was in the store she was asked to leave by the member of security staff. She then threatened the member of security staff stating that she would burn his house down while his family were sleeping in their beds. She was asked to leave the store again. She punched the security guard into the chest. The security guard proceeded to escort the woman out of the store and she pinched his arm. He then asked her to leave again and the female began pulling stock from the rails and throwing it onto the ground. When she was outside the security barrier she proceeded to hit the security man into the face. She made her way back into the store and pushed over the mannequin which smashed. The value of the mannequin was 400. Garda Hallahan viewed the CCTV footage and identified the female as Noreen Foley, Sgt Murphy said. She has had previous referrals to probation which did not go well from her point of view and the report described her as being at high risk of reoffending. Judge Dorgan said the accused does present him as vulnerable but she needs to commit. She needs to engage with services. What happened in Dunnes was unconscionable for the security guard, or customers and particularly if there were children in the shop. When you (the accused) were asked to leave all you had to do is walk out the door. The only person walking herself into these difficulties is herself. These are all recent matters on top of other recent matters, the judge said. As well as the Dunnes Stores incident there was a theft of 321 worth of clothing at Dunnes Stores on Patrick Street also on November 9. In a third incident on that date she stole 87 worth of property at Chemist Warehouse, Cornmarket Street, where she also caused criminal damage. High trolley numbers in Cork University Hospital (CUH) are a concern for staff as they prepare for a challenging few weeks of trying to keep patients safe, a union representative has said. Almost 100 people were on trolleys in Cork hospitals yesterday, including 75 in CUH, 17 in the Mercy, and two in Bantry General Hospital, according to trolley numbers collated by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). In total, 12,765 people in CUH, 3,059 in the Mercy, and 754 in Bantry have received hospital treatment without a hospital bed so far this year. This day last week, CUH surpassed the total figure for 2023, when 12,582 people were treated on trolleys. Nearly 300 people have been treated on trolleys in the week since. Colm Porter, INMO assistant director of industrial relations, said: Whenever you have 75 people sick enough to be admitted to hospital but with no appropriate bed space for them, its a concern. Coming into the winter months, theres an upsurge in the likes of the flu, so youre going to expect an increased demand on services, but it is a worrying trend when you see these numbers at the start of the week when youre this close to Christmas and new year. January tends to be the worst month of the year for hospital overcrowding. In January 2024, a total of 1,632 people were treated on trolleys in CUH, 524 in the Mercy, and 97 in Bantry. The upcoming weeks will see many people gathering in groups, including older or medically vulnerable people. Mr Porter said that in their almost 20 years of collecting trolley figures, patterns have emerged which show Januarys figures are going to be pretty high. Earlier this year, CUH saw 98 people on trolleys in one day, a record-breaking high, and there are fears that figures of 100 or more could be seen over the next few weeks. Mr Porter said: It would be a sorry day if the numbers did go to 100 its not a milestone any hospital would like to reach but, all things considered, it may happen soon. We would hope that the HSE is taking all the actions it can to de-escalate the situation, making sure patients are flowing through the hospital as efficiently as possible. Its already tough working over Christmas. Our nurses and midwives are making significant sacrifices to work in hospitals. They are also faced with a situation every Christmas and January whereby they are asked to care for patients in inappropriate spaces. We know that the longer a patient receives any treatment in a trolley, the higher the risk of adverse outcomes. The number one priority for our members is to deliver safe patient care, but thats difficult when working in overcrowded and understaffed circumstances. Well, its not like theyre going to put him back in office. They wont. Thats what we said in 2016. This type of conversation plagued the past handful of months of my life. With friends and family from back home, with new friends in Cork from around the world, there is a scoff laced within each breath that forms the name of our 47th President-to-be, Donald Trump. He could not possibly win. We have seen who he is, what he has the capacity for. He could not. We could not. On the morning of November 5 - voting day in the US - my mother, who had taken the entire week off from work to relieve her stress of the election, asked me what Europeans thought and said about our American politics. What Corkonians thought and said. Not much, mostly just pointing and laughing, I remarked. And laughed we did. For a day. When I awoke the next morning, I could not raise a laugh, I could not raise warmth. It was a dull ache that bit at my fingers and toes as I scrolled through the dozens of texts from friends who had stayed up. Trump Wins, read the flat text from my father at the top of my notifications. That dull ache persisted through my day. I struggled to raise from the bed. To mechanically eat breakfast. To force my wooden legs into motion and to walk through the streets like a plant hidden in the shade for too long. I had come to Ireland carried on gusts billowed by the wings of the better parts of my home country. The success of the professors I looked up to, a man who had received a PhD writing on love, philosophers, political scientists, and classicists, had all inspired me to live for more. Creatives and free thinkers. The opposite of my home countrys values. I wrote in my application letter to UCC that I saw the Creative Writing Masters programme as an opportunity to prove to America the worth of the liberal arts, the creative arts. That there is more to life and success than finance or law. That human flourishment is worth just as much as financial gain, if not more. I saw Ireland and Cork as an opportunity to bloom in the ways I had been raised to see as worthless. How, then, could I imagine now returning to the country that has once again proven its lack of desire for basic human decency, never mind flourishment? How could I return to a country whose health will be run by defunct TV personalities and conspiracy theorists? Where the right of free speech means the right to no consequences, and the freedom of the press means freedom to only say what aligns with the current mass hysteria. Where buzz-words and idolatry take the place of critical thinking and personal research. I am a student through my heart, research captivates my mind, but how could I seek a PhD in a country whose second amendment and stand-your-ground laws are used to wade off science? I spent the final year of my undergraduate studies in Rhode Island writing a thesis on the classical influences on James Madisons contributions to the Federalist Papers - a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Madison and others under the collective pseudonym Publius in the 1780s to promote the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. Analysing the teachings of Plato, Polybius and Plutarch, I wrote about faction - the mortal disease under which popular governments have everywhere perished. I wrote about how faction will inevitably be the fall of every modern government, yet that America and American citizens in particular have an odd propensity for plunging headfirst into this selfish vice. When I was writing this thesis, I was hopeful. Somehow, even now writing this, I am hopeful. But I am exhausted. I am afraid for my friends, for my family. I am nervous for my mother, my sisters, my future daughters. I am exhausted by the constant perversion of politics into my mental space, the partisanship and misinformation rampant throughout the internet, the anxiety of the next headline or snippet quote threatening tyranny. I need a break. I do not know how long I will need this break for. I am not worried about its length. But, for the time being, and at least the next four years, I intend to allow the passion that the country of Ireland and the city of Cork have reignited in my heart to stoke the hopes I have for the future. I am impassioned to aid my country, but I must value my own flourishment as well, as I entered this country to do. In the words of the woman who attempted to spin my nation from the blaze it so clearly desires to set upon itself, Vice-President Kamala Harris: When we fight, we win. But... sometimes the fight takes a while. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Officials conduct search and rescue efforts after Cyclone Chido struck the island Mayotte, on Dec. 16, 2024. FRENCH NATIONAL GENDARMERIE / Anadolu via Getty Images What is being called the worst storm in nearly a century a cyclone packing 140 miles-per-hour winds has killed from several hundred to possibly thousands in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. The islands residents described apocalyptic scenes caused by Cyclone Chido, which decimated areas where people lived in shacks with sheet-metal roofs, leaving survivors without access to food or basic services, reported BBC News. Weve had no water for three days now, said a resident of Mayottes capital city, Mamoudzou. Rescue workers were sifting through the debris in search of survivors. Twenty deaths have been confirmed, but according to the local prefect, the number of fatalities could be in the thousands. The totality of the slums have been totally destroyed, we havent received any reports of displaced people, so the reality could be terrible in the coming days, Eric Sam Vah, a French Red Cross spokesperson, told BBC Radio 4s Today program. Authorities were having trouble establishing how many people had lost their lives because nearly a third of the islands population is made up of undocumented migrants more than 100,000 of the 320,000 residents. Emergency operations were being impeded by widespread infrastructure damage caused by the cyclone. The hospital has suffered major water damage and destruction, notably in the surgical, intensive care, maternity and emergency units, Genevieve Darrieussecq, Frances health minister, told France 2 on Monday, as The Guardian reported. Darrieussecq added that medical centres were also non-operational. Mayottes airport suffered significant damage, with the powerful storm downing power lines and leaving residents without water, electricity or communication. Though many roads were impassable, supplies had begun to arrive. Most of the territory 85 percent was without power. Water was also becoming available in some areas, but not for everyone. The water here is completely yellow. Its unusable for us, Amalia Mazon, a midwife at Mayottes central hospital, who is originally from Brussels, told the BBC. We feel completely abandoned, and we dont even know if help is coming. Regarding the eventual death toll, Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, who is the top official appointed by Paris in the territory, told Mayotte la Premiere broadcasting service, I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand, reported AFP. Officials feared that, with roads closed, many people could be trapped beneath the rubble in inaccessible areas. Mamoudzous Mayor Ambdilwahedou Soumaila told AFP that the powerful cyclone had spared nothing. Approximately 160 additional firefighters and soldiers had been deployed to reinforce the 110 who were already helping with recovery efforts in the archipelago. The images are apocalyptic. Its a disaster, theres nothing left, a nurse at Mamoudzou hospital told French news network BFMTV, as BBC News reported. Mayotte was colonized by France in 1841. By the beginning of the 20th Century, it had added the three main Comoros archipelago islands to its overseas territories. In 1974, the Comoros voted for independence, but Mayotte did not join them, remaining part of France. Mayottes residents have struggled with unemployment, poverty and political instability. Roughly 75 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line, while about a third of residents are jobless. Cyclone Chido also hit Mozambique, bringing flash flooding and damaging buildings. Three deaths had been reported in the East African nation. Chido, the most recent in a series of deadly storms, strengthened as it made its way over the ocean, according to Sarah Keith-Lucas with the BBC Weather Centre. Keith-Lucas said storms had become stronger due to climate change. The cyclone had been downgraded to a depression and was set to cross southern Malawi before moving into Zimbabwe overnight into tomorrow. The storm could still bring nearly six to 12 inches of rain before the end of Tuesday. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Beginning in late fall 2014 and lasting into 2016, an anomalous, massive marine heatwave nicknamed the Blob developed off the western coast of the U.S., covering all of Alaskas coastwater and extending as far south as Southern California, raising ocean temperatures by several degrees Celsius. The Blob had an extreme effect on Alaska in particular. According to a study released Thursday, it resulted in the deaths of roughly four million common murres one of Alaskas most prominent seabirds representing a decline of more than half of the states entire population. Weve never seen a bird die-off nearly this big or really any non-fish vertebrate, Heather Renner, a Fish and Wildlife Service supervisory wildlife biologist at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and first study author, said in a video interview. The team kept track of murre populations across 13 breeding colonies and over three distinct periods: pre-heatwave (2008-2014), heatwave (2014-2016) and post-heatwave (2017-2022), to measure population trends. Comparison of common murre colony on a census plot, South Island, Semidi Islands, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, before and after the 2015-2016 marine heatwave. The top image shows the colony in 2014, and the bottom image shows the colony in 2021. USFWS During the murres annual breeding season, Renner explained, the researchers equipped with binoculars or spotting scopes and a tally counter spent long days, often in the cold and fog, observing the birds populations in dense breeding colonies from afar, whether they watched while perched on an adjacent cliffside or wading in a small boat. During and immediately after the heatwave, Renner wrote in an email, many murres didnt nest as they normally do. They would show up on the cliffs one day and another day nobody would be there. She added, In 2015 and 2016, there were a number of colonies that had complete reproductive failure. Immediately after the heatwave, we knew there had been a tremendous loss, but we werent sure how much was due to birds dying or alternatively whether they were just skipping breeding because conditions were tough, she added. We had to wait several years for the birds to come back and resume breeding before we could be sure of the extent of the die-off. A common murre adult feeds a small forage fish to a common murre chick in the Buldir Islands of Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on July 27, 2007. Cornelius Nelo Schlawe / USFWS The study authors wrote that the heatwave had an enormous effect on key habitat-forming species, like corals and kelps, which triggered cascading bottom-up harm toward the top of the food chain. Common murres rely on fish as a food source, but the fish they normally prey on were largely absent due to the cascading effects of the heatwave, making the most likely cause of the die-off a mass-starvation event. Most of the birds died during the winter months, Renner said, and although we dont know exactly what the murres eat in the winter, its likely a combination of forage fish, juvenile pollock and krill. We know that many of the forage fish populations also collapsed at the time, and not just the numbers. They they were smaller at the same age, they [had] lower fat contents, their distributions changed, she said. Another important part of it is that fish are cold blooded, and when the waters warm, their metabolism increases. And so a lot of the bigger fish that are competitors with seabirds had higher metabolisms and needed to eat more. So theres extra pressure on prey. At the same time, the prey fish themselves, with their high metabolisms, struggled to find enough food, which reduced energy flow to predators. With increased competition and less total food, the murres beaching rate the rate at which their carcasses washed up on beaches was one to three orders of magnitude above baseline for nine consecutive months, which all appear to be major contributing factors to what the authors believe to be the largest mortality event of any wildlife species reported during the modern era. Despite having plenty of time, the murres population has not begun to recover, but the cause is unclear, Renner said. One hypothesis is that with severely smaller colonies, its harder to defend against predators, like apex predator eagles or seagulls that take their eggs. A common murre with an egg on Oct. 21, 2021. NOAA Renner said that on top of long-term monitoring data that shows which species are vulnerable, conservation measures like removing predators introduced to their colonies could be a huge boon to their reproduction rates. The study authors also warn that marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency, duration, and magnitude in lockstep with global warming and at a pace that threatens the response rates of seabird communities. We suggest that the rapid and long-lasting decline of an abundant and widespread upper trophic predator, to less than half of its former population size in Alaska, may signal a new threshold of response to global warming, the authors concluded. A common murre perched on a ledge at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge on July 27, 2019. Brie Drummond / USFWS Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. A new report from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe revealed the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in mineral water products sourced from around Europe. Researchers tested 19 mineral water samples in total, including two mineral water brands from France, four Belgian brands, one brand from the Netherlands, one brand from Luxembourg, one from Hungary, and five Austrian brands. Analysis for the remaining five mineral and spring water brands from Germany were provided by Bund fur Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) for the report. According to the report, the TFA levels exceeded the limit for pesticide metabolites for drinking water, which is set at 100 nanograms per liter, in seven out of 19 tested mineral water samples. In one sample, the amount of PFAS exceeded the upper limit of PFAS, which is 500 nanograms per liter, as proposed in the EU Drinking Water Directive. The directive is set to take effect in 2026. This graph displays in alphabetical order the 10 mineral waters with quantifiable TFA residues, as well as the 7 mineral waters and 2 spring waters with no quantifiable TFA contamination. The blue bars represent the summer analysis results, while the light blue bars reflect the confirmatory analyses carried in autumn. Pesticide Action Network Europe The Villers mineral water sample had the highest PFAS levels, reaching 3,200 nanograms per liter in summer testing and 3,400 nanograms per liter in fall testing. Other samples with PFAS present included Ordal, an anonymous Luxembourg brand, Vittel, Gasteiner, Waldquelle, Spreequelle, Gerolsteiner, SPA (Spadel Group) and Hassia. However, all mineral waters were found to comply with existing PFAS limits set by multiple EU authorities. PAN Europe said that the PFAS contamination was not the fault of the mineral water companies, which may have no way to prevent or remove TFA contamination. The findings, which follow PAN Europes earlier report of PFAS in tap water, have shown that PFAS contamination goes deeper than expected, reaching even farther into the ground past surface water and groundwater to reach mineral water aquifers. This has gone completely under the radar and its concerning because were drinking TFA, said Angeliki Lysimachou, a co-author of the report with PAN Europe, as reported by The Guardian. Its much more widespread than we thought. According to a recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology, TFA concentrations in the environment are higher than other PFAS, because TFA is a transformation product for many PFAS. TFA is also common in refrigerants and pesticides. The results of the TFA levels in mineral water come just as the EU Commission prepared to propose a ban on flufenacet and flutolanil, two pesticide substances that are the primary source of TFA contamination in tap water and groundwater. The ban of these two PFAS pesticides proposed by the EU Commission is legally required, Salome Roynel, policy officer at PAN Europe, said in a statement. It is a crucial step towards reducing TFA emissions. There is no place for reprotoxic residues in our water and food. We call on Member States to follow the law and the science. We ask them to prioritise protection of human health and the environment, and swiftly adopt these bans. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has excluded TFA from PFAS classification for Agency action. As The Guardian reported, TFA was found in rainwater and air samples in Michigan. In 2020, a Consumer Reports study found PFAS at a rate of more than 1 part per trillion in two major mineral water brands in the U.S.: Topo Chico, which is owned by The Coca-Cola Company, and San Pellegrino, a brand under Sanpellegrino S.p.A, which is owned by Nestle. Global significance of China's poverty alleviation theories and practices 13:28, December 17, 2024 By Gong Ming, Xu Hailin, Jiang Xuan ( People's Daily Photo shows African officials visiting a modern tea plantation in Leshan, southwest China's Sichuan province, during the first Seminar on Poverty Reduction and Development for African Officials held in May this year. (People's Daily/Song Haoxin) China's story of poverty alleviation, one about lifting 800 million people out of poverty and meeting the poverty reduction target of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ahead of schedule, is one of the most magnificent chapters in global development. These historic achievements have deepened humanity's understanding of poverty alleviation and enriched the theoretical framework for combating poverty worldwide. On Nov. 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at Session I of the 19th G20 Summit on Fight Against Hunger and Poverty. He said, "China's story is proof that developing countries can eliminate poverty, that a weaker bird can start early and fly high, when there is the endurance, perseverance, and striving spirit that enables water drops to penetrate rocks over time and turns blueprints into reality." Osmar Junior, executive secretary of Brazil's Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger, noted that Xi has gained rich experience in poverty reduction when working in China's impoverished regions. Junior said that Xi has a profound understanding of national governance and social development, adding that China's experience will help Brazil and other developing countries find a way to get rid of poverty and achieve sustainable development. In the battle against poverty, China always places the people front and center. It has made targeted policies tailored to each village, each household and each person, helped localities generate growth by fostering industries with distinctive features, and promoted common prosperity by pairing up well-off regions with less developed ones. Such experiences have given inspiration for other countries that if China can eliminate poverty, other developing countries can make it too. This is what China's battle against poverty says to the world. According to Samuel Darkwa, a governance fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Ghana, China has followed a targeted approach to poverty alleviation, which involves accurate identification of impoverished people, customized projects, and efficient resource allocation. China's experience provides positive guidance for African countries in improving the livelihood of their vulnerable populations, said Darkwa. Local farmers sort dragon fruits at a China-Laos experimental station for good crop varieties in Vientiane, Laos. (People's Daily/Yang Yi) Darkwa said that through a people-centered approach, China has identified the causes of poverty, learned about the needs of impoverished households, and taken tailored measures, which has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of its poverty alleviation efforts. Austin Maho, editor-in-chief of Nigeria's Daybreak newspaper, has thoroughly read Xi's book on poverty relief, "Up and Out of Poverty." He also visited many places in China, such as southwest China's Guizhou province, to learn about local poverty alleviation measures such as relocating poor people, developing tourism, and leveraging science and technology to tackle poverty. He observed that China has followed a development-driven strategy, with a focus on unleashing the economic vitality of rural areas. By implementing measures such as providing skills training, improving social welfare, and enhancing infrastructure, China has promoted economic growth in rural areas and created employment opportunities, he said. Many countries around the world, especially those still plagued by poverty in the Global South, can study China's path of poverty alleviation to find ways out of poverty in line with their own national conditions, said Maho. In its modernization drive, while improving the livelihood of its own people through development, China is also committed to advancing shared development of the whole world and helping other countries improve their people's livelihood. During the G20 Hangzhou Summit, China placed development at the center of the G20's macroeconomic policy coordination for the first time. Since then, the country has put forward ten partnership action plans for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization. It also outlined eight actions for global development, and focused on improving and promoting the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation mechanisms to create new space for win-win development at a higher level and with greater resilience and sustainability. A Chinese expert and a Pakistani technician involved in a China-Pakistan cooperation program for chili pepper planting celebrate the chili pepper harvest. (Photo/Waqas Ahmad) China has always maintained a global vision and fulfilled its commitments with concrete actions, facilitating modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common prosperity. During the China-Central Asia Summit held in May last year, China and Uzbekistan set up a subcommittee on poverty reduction cooperation under the framework of the intergovernmental cooperation committee. It is the first subcommittee on poverty reduction that China established with other countries at the governmental level. Uzbekistan has intensified efforts to reduce poverty in recent years, piloting China's anti-poverty experience in various regions across the country. Nearly 10,000 Uzbeks have participated in online training programs introducing China's poverty reduction experience and practices. This year, China hosted many training programs for the Global South, such as the training program for commercialized agricultural (poultry) development for Lesotho, the fourth training session for Indonesian rural officials, a cotton production, processing and management training program for Uzbekistan, and the seminar on culture and tourism empowering high-quality rural development for ASEAN countries. These training programs have revitalized the international poverty reduction cooperation and boosted the confidence of the Global South in breaking free from poverty. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister of Pakistan, said that China's leading role in global development and its commitment to poverty eradication will continue to influence the world. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Elon Musk and SpaceX are under three federal reviews from three different US military departments for allegedly failing to comply with reporting protocols. The New York Times reported that Musk and his private aerospace company have repeatedly disregarded requirements to disclose trips and meetings with foreign leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin. The three reviews of Musk and SpaceXs suspected activity were opened by the Defense Departments Office of Inspector General, the Air Force and the Pentagons Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. The Air Force also reportedly denied Musks request for high-level security access because of concerns over potential security risks if he were allowed to handle certain pieces of classified information. Some SpaceX workers with knowledge of the reviews expressed their concerns to the Times about Musks ability to handle sensitive data when he posts openly about meetings on his X account. He already has top-security clearance at SpaceX that allows him to view certain pieces of classified material such as information on the US advanced military technology. Musk is required to disclose certain details about his personal life and travel habits to the Defense Department but some employees allege that he and his company have failed to meet those requirements as far back as 2021. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Sources also told the newspaper that Musk allegedly failed to provide department officials with his full itinerary including meetings with foreign leaders. He also may not have provided reports on his personal and prescription drug use as part of his vetting procedure even though he smoked marijuana with Joe Rogan on his The Joe Rogan Experience podcast and talked about microdosing ketamine on his X page. and with former CNN anchor Don Lemon. America isnt the only country concerned about Musks ability to keep a lid on classified information. Nine other countries including in Europe and the Middle East, raised security concerns about Musk sitting in meetings with US defense officers over the past three years, according to The New York Times. Employees who were concerned about the lax reactions to these vetting requirements failed to report the behavior out of fear of losing their jobs. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Nima Momeni has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of notable fintech figure Bob Lee. Momeni, an IT consultant and entrepreneur, faces 16 years to life in prison. Best known as the creator and founder of Cash App, Lee was fatally stabbed in April 2023 in San Francisco. Momeni was arrested as a suspect nine days later. The autopsy report revealed that Lee was under the influence of cocaine, alcohol and ketamine at the time of his death. He had been in the company of Momeni and his sister, Khazar Momeni, that night. Prosecutors argued that Mr. Momeni attacked Lee on the street after discovering that an associate of Lee's had drugged and assaulted Ms. Momeni. Momeni's legal team said he acted in self-defense and was unaware that Lee was injured in their altercation. Most recently, Lee had been the chief product officer for cryptocurrency operation MobileCoin. He had previously held an executive position at Square and played a role in developing the Android mobile operating system at Google. The stench of Cambridge Analytica is still hovering over Facebook, as parent Meta just agreed to pay 311,000 Australian users AUD $50 million ($31.7 million) over the scandal. The settlement with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) comes after a four-year dispute with Meta and follows a $725 million award in the US, along with payouts in the UK and elsewhere. "It represents a substantive resolution of privacy concerns raised by the Cambridge Analytica matter; gives potentially affected Australians an opportunity to seek redress through Metas payment program; and brings to an end a lengthy court process," said Australian information commissioner, Elizabeth Tydd. Cambridge Analytica, now defunct, accessed the personal data Australian users by an app (This is Your Digital Life) and used the information gathered to target individuals with personally tailored messages. The scandal was exposed by The New York Times and The Guardian in 2018, thanks in large part to whistleblower Christopher Wylie. Though the app was only downloaded by a small number of users, it also accessed the data of their friends, affecting 311,127 people overall. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Meta will be required to set up a payment system run by a third-party administrator starting in early 2025. Lesser payments will be issued to people who've experienced "generalized concern or embarrassment," with higher sums meted out to those who can demonstrate that they suffered loss or damage. Anyone affected should be able to apply in Q2 2025. In a statement, Meta displayed no contrition and said the settlement was more or less a business decision. "We settled as it is in the best interest of our community and shareholders that we close this chapter on allegations that relate to past practices no longer relevant to how Metas products or systems work today," a spokesperson told The Guardian. The case took four years to resolve largely because Meta claimed it wasn't technically doing business in Australia, but that argument was finally slapped aside by the nation's highest court. Offset and Cardi B were recently spotted at the same nightclub in Florida while the rap star celebrated his 33rd birthday and he certainly made his presence known to his estranged wife. Despite the two facing an ongoing divorce, it didn't stop the former love birds from turning up together at the hot Miami nightclub, Taboo. The former Migos star was celebrating his 33rd birthday on Sunday, December 14 where Cardi B real name Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar was also present, however, appeared to be in her own section. That said, their party sections weren't far enough, as Offset real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus was spotted throwing cash in her direction and making it rain on her and her friends just a few feet away. Cardi also responded by throwing some cash in his direction. In another part of the video footage, Cardi B is seen leaning over the couch and winding her hips, prompting her estranged husband Offset to aim his attention at her. According to 'Dallas Global TV,' the Bronx rap star was hosting the event. "They went home together," one fan joked in the comments. "They should've just renewed their vows right their (sic) in the club. Leave us out of it!!!" a second fan exclaimed. "Lmao not them throwing money at each other," a third laughed. "I'm sure this was booked before the break up. Money still have (sic) to be made!" a fourth concluded. On the other hand, the "Bad and Boujee" rapper sparked romance rumors with supermodel Anok Yai after the two were recently spotted together. While the 26-year-old sat in her Tesla Cybertruck, the two appeared to be in a brief intimate discussion, drawing attention from both media and fans. Viewers in the comment section gushed that the Egyptian-born model was a major "upgrade" from Cardi, 32, as another referred to her as a "hidden gem." That said, no details have been confirmed regarding their romantic status. However, in a recent turn of events, Yai who's walked for top high-end designers including Max Mara, Versace, and Fendi starred in Offset's recent new single, "Swing My Way" produced by Turbo. The model captured striking scenes including drawing her eyeliner with a knife and flaunting jewels naked on a Cybertruck. Although Cardi and Offset, 33, appear to be in good spirits, Cardi previously stated that she was done with their tumultuous relationship, admitting that they haven't been canoodling in the least back in October. "I don't know how to explain it but everything is dead," she stated in one instance. Days later, she went on record denying that she still loved him, calling the "WORTH IT" rapper a "narcissistic piece of s**t" and revealing she wanted him to be hit by a truck, months before he would debut a music video full of Cybertrucks. "I want him to get hit by a f******in' truck. He really is just a dark cloud on anybody's life he enters," she shared. Cardi who has three children with her ex-husband; Kulture, 6, Wave, 3, and a newborn daughter filed for divorce on July 31. Rainn Wilson is the latest public figure to open up about the devastating impact of the Southern California wildfires. The actor shared the aftermath of the blaze that severely damaged his Ventura County home, which he shares with his wife, Holiday Reinhorn. In November, Wilson revealed that their house had come dangerously close to being completely destroyed, with much of it left in ruins. As the couple begins the rebuilding process, Wilson has taken to social media to reflect on the event and document the extensive damage. Posting on his 'Soul Boom' podcast's Instagram account, Wilson shared a video where he walked through the charred remains of his home. "Well, this is not something I ever thought that I would be doing, walking through the remains of my bedroom, and my closet, and my bathroom," he said, surveying the destruction. The video showed blackened frames of what was once their house, along with piles of debris, scorched tiles, and remnants of personal belongings. Reflecting on the loss, Wilson mused, "There's some kind of valuable lesson here, I'm not sure what it is. Death and fire teach you a lesson about the impermanence of life and the preciousness of what we have so I hope you all stay grateful today for what you have." He encouraged followers to share their thoughts on the lessons such events might impart. In a heartfelt moment, Wilson admitted the emotional toll of the experience. "It's all a little much for me. I walk into this zone, I get so overwhelmed, my brain just goes offline I can barely process it," he shared. However, he expressed gratitude for the portions of the house that remained unaffected, saying, "But most of the house is intact and I'm grateful for that." Wilson also highlighted the bittersweet reality of the situation, adding, "We lost a lot of trees, but we also kept a lot of trees, isn't that life?" The couple's home was left standing, but severely burned, showing the unpredictable nature of such disasters. Wilson's followers responded with messages of support, offering solace and reflecting on the transient nature of material possessions. Comments included heartfelt sentiments like, "Sorry this happened to you brother. I think the lesson may be that things are ephemeral, and it's time to start fresh," and, "With great loss comes great strength and you are strong! We are witnessing your strength." Originally from Seattle, Washington, Wilson is best known for playing Dwight Schrute on 'The Office.' He and Reinhorn have been married since 1995 and share a son, Walter, born in 2004. In addition to their Ventura County residence, the couple owns a property near Sisters, Oregon. Noah Centineo has reprised his lovable role as Peter Kavinsky in the new trailer for 'XO, Kitty' Season 2. The 'To All The Boys' movie trilogy spin-off, based on the Jenny Han books, takes place two years after the conclusion of the movies, centering on Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, Lara Jean's younger sister. The teen drama will follow Kitty Song Covey as she begins her own journey to find true love. PETER KAVINSKY WAS SEEN Noah Centineo makes a special appearance in XO, Kitty Season 2! Premiering January 16 pic.twitter.com/htUZnNMX5a Netflix (@netflix) December 17, 2024 In the Netflix trailer, shared on Tuesday, December 17, Centineo's Peter Kavinsky returns to visit Kitty in Korea at boarding school. "Last semester ended with so much drama," Cathcart's voiceover says. "This semester, I have my priorities straight. I'm gonna hit the books and finally discover who my mom really was. I'm ready to launch Kitty 2.0." "Luckily, there's nothing like a friendly face from home," she adds, as Centineo's Peter greets her with open arms wearing a Stanford sweatshirt. Near the end of the trailer, she says, "It's a whole new semester, and I'm gonna make the most of it," before showing Peter giving Kitty an encouraging pep talk. "You are Kitty Song freaking Covey," Peter says. "Don't you forget it," before the teaser comes to an end. 'XO, Kitty' Season 2, which was renewed only one month after its debut, premieres on Netflix on January 16, 2025. Captain Jason Chambers of 'Below Deck Down Under' has revealed that he has been diagnosed with melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Chambers shared the news in a video posted to Instagram on Monday, December 16, stating he is seeking a second opinion to evaluate the seriousness of the condition. In the video, the Bravo reality TV star explained that he underwent a biopsy while vacationing in Bali. A biopsy involves taking a tissue sample to check for any irregularities, and "it came back with melanoma," he said. Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that occurs when melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, start to grow uncontrollably, according to the American Cancer Society. Chambers, 52, mentioned that after receiving the initial biopsy results in Bali, he returned to Australia for further testing. "The Australian doctors here, which are fantastic in Australia, they weren't happy with what the indications told them, to go to the stage two, which would be [to] cut out a bigger section and test the glands, so I'm waiting for the specimen to come from Bali," he explained. Read more: Kevin Jonas Undergoes Surgery To Remove Skin Cancer From His Head He added that the results might not arrive until "after Christmas," noting, "It's a bit of a wait, so fingers crossed." Chambers admitted he spent much of his life outdoors working on yachts and rarely used sunscreen due to concerns about chemicals. "I never used to wear sunscreen," he admitted, though he now takes sun protection more seriously. "There's so many products out there that are chemical-free now, which is great. Make sure you throw on some sunscreen, get some shade and cover yourself up." The captain also reflected on his sun exposure habits, writing in his caption, "I thought I was resistant to the damaging effects of the sun. Early detection is the key." Chambers' fans and fellow reality TV stars flooded his post with support, including 'Below Deck Mediterranean' Captain Sandy Yawn, who commented, "Praying for good results." Two is always better than one and the trailer for the latest Karate Kid movie proves that. In the trailer that dropped on Dec. 17, multiple generations from the franchise come together for the new movie, Karate Kids: Legends. Ralph Macchio, star of the original trilogy as well as the Netflix revival Cobra Kai, stars alongside Jackie Chan, who played Karate teacher Mr. Han in the 2010 Karate Kid movie. Jonathan Entwistle takes the director's chair for Legends, a new project starring Ben Wang as a young karate student. The cast also includes Joshua Jackson, Sadie Stanley, Ming-Na Wen, Aramis Knight and Wyatt Oleff, with a script penned by Rob Lieber. Read more: Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Spotted Out for the First Time in 6 Months in Rare Public Outing However, there is one cast member from the franchise that is noticeably missing -- Jaden Smith. The musician and actor starred in the 2010 version alongside Chan and fans have expressed their desire to see him back in the franchise. "Where's Dre," questioned one user on X. "I just want Jayden Smith back smh," another shared. "You know the internet loves to rag on Jaden Smith, but one thing we will all always agree on is that he was an amazing Karate Kid and we all want to see him in the role again," someone else added. I just want Jayden Smith back smh Jay (@YngJackieAprile) December 17, 2024 You know the internet loves to rag on Jaden Smith, but one thing we will all always agree on is that he was an amazing Karate Kid and we all want to see him in the role again LivvRose (@grlbehindscrn) December 17, 2024 I swear if Jaden Smith is not in this movie I'm throwing popcorn. https://t.co/zhpFTCQKTs The Woke Wizard (@thedustprince) December 17, 2024 This is gonna be an instant classic, we just need a Jaden Smith cameo as Dre https://t.co/NLAu2ElGWV Majin Drew (@RawForever8) December 17, 2024 The Karate Kid franchise began in 1984 as a sleeper hit, introducing audiences to Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), an underdog from the East Coast navigating life in California's San Fernando Valley. Under the guidance of Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), Daniel defied the odds to become a karate champion. The original film spawned two sequels, a fourth installment starring Hilary Swank, and a 2010 reboot that starred Smith alongside Chan. Meanwhile, Cobra Kai brought the legacy into the modern era when it debuted on YouTube Red in 2018 before finding a massive audience on Netflix. The hit series will wrap up its story with the final episodes of its sixth season, set to release in February. Karate Kids: Legends hits theaters on May 30, 2025. --Originally appeared on 'Music Times.' Monday, December 16, 2024 The former acting director of the CIA has performed for Cub Scouts, church groups, and senior government officials from all over the world (also, collaborated with David Copperfield) Abigail Green / Published Dec 9 Ever since he saw the 1953 film as a child about the magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, John McLaughlin has been fascinated by magic. It was spellbinding to me, he says, recalling the Technicolor production starring Tony Curtis. McLaughlin ran straight to the library in his hometown of Pittsburgh and checked out an illustrated childrens guide to magic. McLaughlin taught himself some simple card tricks and began performing magic at Cub Scout meetings and church groups. For the next 30-plus years, he honed his craft as a magician while he served in the U.S. Army, pursued his education, and climbed the ranks of his career. In 1966, McLaughlin graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies with a masters in international relations. After a tour in Vietnam and another stint of graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania, he embarked on a three-decade career in the Central Intelligence Agency, serving in the early 2000s as the agencys deputy director and acting director. McLaughlin is still asked occasionally to advise in the intelligence field. He is currently a professor of practice in the Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at SAIS, where he teaches the course American Intelligence: Its Role, Practice, and Impact. Open window with background of clouds and sky My Other Life What we do when were not on campus Throughout his illustrious career, McLaughlin has continued to study and perform magic. During the pandemic, he put together an online program with David Copperfield and every year performs at the Aspen Security Forum for senior government officials from all over the world. In one show, I had a card chosen by the British foreign minister and a card chosen by the French national security adviser, and the former foreign minister of Israel came up and helped me with a rope trick, he says. In October, McLaughlin traveled to Las Vegas as part of a small group of students specially selected for a study session by one of the top magicians in the world, Jeff McBride, who is a consultant for just about every major professional magician currently performing in Vegas. It was more of a theoretical class than about learning new tricks, he says. McLaughlin clarifies that he and his fellow professional magicians do not actually like to call what they do magic tricks. We call them effects or mysteries, he says. Its not a puzzle or a trick. Youre not trying to get one over on the audience. Its really that youre involving them in a narrative, and the magic is being used to illustrate the concepts that youre talking about. As McLaughlin demonstrates a quick example using $1 bills, its clear that he is a master of presentation and storytelling as well as his scholarly pursuits. He rattles off historical events, dates, the names of ancient texts, artworks, and magicians, all while weaving a tale of how a simple stack of $1 bills can turn into $20s and then back againand they do, right before our eyes. McLaughlin calls the school of magic he practices magic with meaning. He has been known to use it in his classes at SAIS to make a point and foster discussion among his students. For instance, he might take a piece of rope, make a sliding knot, and show how the rope turns red as the knot moves from one end to the other. In trying to understand the world, and particularly from an intelligence perspective, information arrives incrementally. You never have all the information you want, but you still have to make a judgment, he says. And the point Im trying to illustrate with this simple little rope trick is, be careful to make clear what you know and what you dont know and what you think. As information arrives, your picture of this situation may change pretty radically because, as you can see, this is a very different rope than we started with. Were in the middle of the greatest technological revolution in history. So, whats the role of magic in that? Its to remind people that we dont know everything. There is still an element of mystery to life. John McLaughlin Professor at SAIS McLaughlin is one of the founding members of Washington Magic, an ensemble show performed in a 215-year-old townhouse in D.C., the former home of President James Monroe and current home of the Arts Club of Washington. The elegant performance hearkens back to the full-evening magic shows of his youth that often included live orchestras, troupes of assistants, and tuxedoed magicians, McLaughlin says. At Washington Magic, the 90-minute show features four or five performers, each of whom does about a 15-minute set on stage in the intimate 70-seat theater. Tickets include drinks and heavy hors doeuvres. Unfortunately, McLaughlin says, he had to miss a recent show because of a professional engagement: A Stanford University professor had invited him to participate in a simulation for her class in which teams of students would react to a crisis scenario and propose solutions to the National Security Council, which would assess their responses and provide feedback based on the members experience. I played the secretary of state, McLaughlin says. While magic is an ancient art, he says he believes it is particularly relevant to this moment in history, when cellphones, AI, and other advancements give us the illusion of complete knowledge. Were in the middle of the greatest technological revolution in history. So, whats the role of magic in that? McLaughlin asks. Its to remind people that we dont know everything. There is still an element of mystery to life. Washington Magic hosts a show every four to six weeks or so. Check the website for upcoming dates and tickets to see McLaughlin perform. My Other Life is a recently launched At Work series that lets us get to know our Johns Hopkins colleagues better. Do you or one of your co-workers have a personal passion that would make a good story? Let us know at hubatwork@jhu.edu. The Welsh government has confirmed that 15,300 farming businesses - or 94% of all farms - have received their full or balance Basic Payment Scheme 2024 payment. Payments worth 66.8 million have been issued, in addition to 160.5 million paid as BPS advance payments since 14 October. The Welsh government said this meant that, overall, payments totalling 227.4 million had now been made. It announced in May that the BPS would continue for 2025 as part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) 'preparatory phase'. The post-Brexit scheme will roll out in 2026. The Welsh government also confirmed today a total budget of 238m to provide direct payments to farmers in 2025, at the same level provided in 2024. BPS 2025 is expected to be the final year of full BPS payments, with those farmers choosing to remain in BPS receiving a reduced payment per year during the SFS transition period starting in 2026. The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said he was 'committed to continued financial support for farmers'. We live in uncertain and challenging times; however, you can be certain about this governments steadfast commitment to supporting Welsh farmers," he said. We will continue to support the sector in a managed transition away from BPS from next year onwards. Several SFS preparatory schemes have also been announced, including Habitat Wales Scheme, Habitat Wales Commons, Organic Support Payment, Farming Connect, a new Integrated Natural Resources Scheme. And new application windows will open for Growing for the Environment, Small Grants Environment, Small Grants Efficiency, Small Grants Horticulture Start up and the newly merged Agriculture Diversification and Horticulture Scheme. Shocking new figures have emerged about the volumes of product of animal origin (POAO) being seized at Dover, including pork from African swine fever-affected areas. During the weekend of 6-7 December alone, more than 6 tonnes of illegal meat was seized by Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) during a 14-hour period. This included pork from African swine fever-affected areas in Romania, which has seen the worst ASF outbreak of all European nations. The National Pig Association (NPA) said the pig sector and wider farming community would be 'deeply concerned' by the latest revelations. The body reiterated calls for the government to ensure crucial checks for illegal meat imports were 'properly funded'. A year ago, it emerged that, despite stretched resources, DPHA had seized 57 tonnes of illegal meat since the introduction of new ASF controls in September 2022. But over the past 12 months, that figure has soared to more than 147 tonnes. This is despite DPHA staff only providing 20% operational coverage at the Port of Dover due to budgetary pressures. The NPA said this highlighted that the headline figure 'represents just the tip of the iceberg'. The association's chief executive, Lizzie Wilson warned that the disease posed a 'huge threat' to the UK's domestic pig sector. "The fact that so much illegal product, much of it from parts of Europe with serious ASF problems, is a massive concern," she said. "It is not just pork - DPHA is finding illegal products from all farm species, which not only threatens the health of our national livestock, but also poses a very real human health risk." As ASF has spread across Europe in recent years, Romania has been the worst-affected country, with 537 outbreaks recorded in domestic pigs in 2023. With continued cases this year, the whole country has been under restriction and pork exports prohibited from infected areas. A total of fourteen European countries reported domestic ASF outbreaks last year, and eighteen reported cases in wild boar. The disease has also caused problems in other parts of Europe this year, including areas where it had not previously been present, most notably northern Italy. Ms Wilson concluded: "We know so much more is getting through our ports than is being intercepted, and we urge the government to rapidly come up with the funding they need before it is too late. "The full cost of a notifiable disease outbreak, especially Foot and Mouth Disease for example, will far outweigh this modest additional funding many, many times over. The Pensions Regulator has warned farmers and growers they may risk a fine if they dont comply with their legal pension duties. The warning is included in an online campaign targeted at employers in sectors most likely to hire seasonal workers this winter, including those in agriculture. Social media posts featuring farm workers remind employers that if they are hiring, they should check on their legal automatic enrolment (AE) duties. Any staff who are aged between 22 and state pension age and who earn over 192 a week, or 833 a month, must be put into a pension scheme which their employer pays into. Sarah Howitt Jones, of the Pensions Regulator, said the campaign aims to ensure every eligible worker is enrolled into a workplace pension scheme and gets the pension they are due. Even if your additional staff work for you for a few days or weeks, you must assess whether they are eligible to be enrolled into a pension scheme each time you pay them. And if they are, you must put them into a qualifying scheme and pay contributions," she explained. As temporary workers may have variable hours and pay, an assessment of who to put into a pension scheme may take more time and effort. To support farm employers, the regulator has produced new guidance on its website to help farmers ensure they are meeting their duties correctly. "If you have staff who you know will be working for you for less than three months, you can use postponement to delay assessing those employees," Ms Howitt Jones said. "This pauses the employer duty to assess staff until the end of the three-month postponement period." If farmers are running late in meeting their duties for temporary staff, they should tell the Pensions Regulator immediately. And for those who do not comply with their duties, enforcement action, including fines, will be taken, Ms Howitt Jones warned. Dont hide from your pension duties, check on your legal duties today. Organic farmers will automatically be eligible for government support payments in a post-Brexit policy change to incentivise sustainable farming in Scotland. The Scottish government which is aiming to double its organic farmland now requires farmers to create a 'whole-farm plan' for protecting nature to qualify for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Unlike England, Scotland is retaining the BPS system used in the EUs Common Agricultural Policy, under which payments are made to farmers based on the amount of land being farmed. But changes are being made in Scotland around eligibility for the scheme including a new requirement for a whole-farm plan which the government has recognised is already a key part of organic farming. To receive payments, farmers will need to submit information to government covering how their entire farm system will deliver in five areas. These include animal health and welfare, biodiversity, integrated pest management, carbon, and soil analysis. All BPS applicants must complete at least two of these five audits by 15 May 2025, and all others relevant to their business by 2028. Any farmer who is certified organic will automatically qualify for the animal health and welfare and integrated pest management areas. Soil Association Scotland co-director, David McKay said the charity was 'delighted' that organic producers were being recognised by the Scottish government. He said: The requirement for whole-farm planning is great news for all farmers as the evidence shows that this approach can help to deliver resilience and support food security. If farmers can be supported to consider how they might create different enterprises while protecting natural habitats, that is a win-win solution for everyone. "It is a big mindset change so we are pleased to be offering support services to help farmers pick up the skills they need in this transition. The change in policy follows a Soil Association report published earlier this year covering the benefits of whole-farm planning. Two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting commercial poultry farms were confirmed by the government overnight. The H5N1 strand of the virus was detected on two separate farms in Norfolk on Monday evening (16 December), Defra said. Located near Attleborough and near Gayton, both farms are commercial turkey producers. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone was declared and all poultry will be culled on both sites. It comes after the government declared an 'AIPZ' restriction zone across East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk following an uptick in disease cases. It means it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, whatever type or size. The UKs chief veterinary officer said on Friday (13 December) that the AIPZ would help 'mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring'. It follows a number of detections of highly-pathogenic avian influenza in poultry and wild and captive birds across these counties. The AIPZ means farmers and bird keepers must follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect flocks and mitigate the risk of further outbreaks. It does not include a requirement to house birds, unless farmers or keepers are also in a 3km protection zone. However, Defra said this was being kept under constant review, adding that further disease control measures would be based on the latest scientific evidence. The UK Health Security Agency also continues to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low. Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer said: "All bird keepers in these areas must take action now to both prevent disease getting in to flocks and it spreading any further. Bird keepers must exercise robust biosecurity and remain alert for any signs of disease and report suspected disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency. What does the AIPZ mean? The zone means farmers and bird keepers across East Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk must: Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds if practical, use disposable protective clothing Reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products Carry out effective vermin control in any areas where poultry and captive birds are kept Thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis Keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points Minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds Prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas New data confirms that the UK is set for its third worst arable harvest since 1984, following government warnings about falling levels of food security. The government has confirmed the UK's third lowest total production for wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape since modern records began in 1984. It followed record breaking rain last winter that disrupted farmers' cropping plans, preventing them from establishing and managing winter crops such as wheat and winter barley. Defra's data shows that all the main cereal crops and oilseed rape saw falls in yields in 2024 compared to 2023, except for oats which saw a 8.6% rise. Overall yields were down on the five year average. The final estimate for this year's UK wheat harvest is 11.1 million tonnes, a decrease of 20% on 2023, driven by an 11% fall in area and 10% decline in yield. For barley, the harvest is 7.1 million tonnes, a rise of 1.8% on 2023. This comprises a 24% decrease in winter barley production offset by a 24% increase in spring barley. UK oilseed rape production decreased by 32% to 824,000 tonnes in 2024, driven by declines in both area and yield. The data comes a few days after Defra published the 2024 UK Food Security Report, which warned that there was a pressing risk to UK food security. One factor for worsening food security was climate change, the report said, which risked the 'resilience of food production' over the longer term. Tom Lancaster, farming analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said the new figures confirmed the governments warnings about food security. "The record breaking rainfall and storms that we saw last winter had a devastating impact on farming across the whole of the UK. To avoid the sort of impacts that we have seen on this years harvest, we will need to ensure farmers are better supported to adapt and build resilience." The data for the UK follows similar data released for England in October, which confirmed 2024 as Englands second worst harvest on record after 2020. The UK as a whole has experienced its third worst harvest after farmers in Scotland were able to produce more spring barley to offset the loss of winter crops there. Although 2024 was the third worst harvest overall for these five crops in the UK, it was the second worst for wheat and the worst for oilseed rape. A year-long programme designed to inspire and equip the careers of up to twenty young farmers has now opened for applications. Spearheaded by AF, the co-operative buying group, Fresh AF connects participants with industry leaders, innovative businesses, and cutting-edge practices. The ultimate aim of the programme is to prepare young farmers for success in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. Launched in March 2024 at the Euston Estate, Fresh AF is a free-to-join programme sponsored by leading suppliers to farms. Over the course of the year, participants engage in networking opportunities and site visits to businesses like Wildfarmed, Timac Agro in France, Vodafone and Euston Estate. Workshops and events focused on procurement strategies, cost management, and the role of cooperative buying groups, are also part of the programme. It culminates in a closing ceremony at the Farmers Club in London, featuring presentations from participants and renowned industry figures. James Peck, managing director at PX Farms, is positive about the initiative: "Fresh AF is doing an excellent job of broadening horizons and bringing valuable insights to farm businesses through the development of young employees. "Personal development and training are critical for the growth of the agricultural industry, and I encourage young agri-professionals to get involved." In 2024, 20 young farmers participated in a series of events that featured 51 speakers across four counties and two countries. The journey began with a launch at Euston Estate in Suffolk and included visits to Vodafone HQ in Berkshire to explore cutting-edge agricultural technologies. Visits also took place to Nufarm UK field trials in Cambridgeshire to assess weed control techniques, and Timac Agro in France to delve into sustainable fertiliser alternatives. A highlight was a visit to Wildfarmed, where participants learned about regenerative wheat farming and its innovative business model. Tom Harrison, a director at HDF Farming Ltd in Norfolk, said Fresh AF had brought numerous learnings and networking benefits. He said: Its been a great opportunity to get off the farm, learn about different aspects of the industry and meet other young professionals. "Were focusing on building up soil fertility and reducing inputs without sacrificing yields and Fresh AF has provided invaluable knowledge in this area which we will apply on the farm. Applications for those aged between 18 - 40 are open now until the end of January 2025. To apply, email fresh@af.farm to request an application form. Aamir Khan recently discussed his new passion, which isn't acting. The 59-year-old actor noted that he has been enjoying learning Indian classical singing from a Guru. He is enjoying the experience and finding it healing. During an interview with a leading media portal, he said, "Well, I have started learning Indian classical singing with my Guru, and she is wonderful. I enjoy learning with her; it's healing when you learn to sing." See Also: Aamir Khan talks about uniting with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan The actor also revealed that is looking forward to producing more films. He wants to use these films to bring out new talent. Delving deeper into his future plans, Aamir also said that he is focusing on starring in one movie a year, unlike this previous process of one film in three to four years. On the work front, Aamir Khan is gearing up for the release of Sitaare Zameen Par with Genelia D'Souza and Darsheel Safary. He is also promoting Laapataa Ladies, which has been chosen as India's official entry to Oscars 2025. Aamir produced the movie, while his ex-wife Kiran Rao directed it. Welcome and Stree 2 actor Mushtaq Khan was abducted by a group of people when he was invited to Meerut on the pretext of a show. The actor had a narrow escape and police also nabbed the gang involved in the kidnapping of the actor from Delhi airport. However, police officers have now revealed that the four-member gang planned to abduct veteran actor Shakti Kapoor as well. The Uttar Pradesh police found out that Kapoor was promised Rs 5 lakh for an event, but the plan was not successful as there was some problem with the advance payment requirements. Police have recovered around Rs 1.4 lakh from the gang. As per U.P police official, "During his captivity, the kidnappers took Mushtaq Khan's 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 aA2.2 lakh from Mushtaq Khan's bank account while shopping in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar." The Seoul Metropolitan Youth Center marked 2024 as a year of progress, enhancing its role as a hub for youth policy collaboration. Programs like the Youth Allowance, Mental Health Support, and the Social Safety Net for Youth addressed diverse needs while fostering international partnerships. In 2024, Seoul welcomed delegations from Senegal, Taiwan, Japan (Tokyo, Shibuya, Tottori), and Vietnam. Key visitors, including Sobel, a youth leader from Senegal and advisor to UN Generation Unlimited, praised Seoul's efforts in youth empowerment. These exchanges highlighted the city's commitment to global collaboration and shaping inclusive youth policies. To further expand its international network, the center visited the UK and Switzerland. In the UK, meetings were held with the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) and NHS to compare the UK's "Social Prescribing" policies with Seoul's "Social Safety Net for Youth." An MOU was signed with the Korean Town Foundation (KTF) to build an official platform for youth exchanges. The Social Safety Net for Youth, developed by public and private sectors, ensures young people can access tailored guidance and resources by connecting them with appropriate policies and programs. Supporting over 6,200 individuals annually through partnerships with 43 organizations, this initiative has garnered international recognition. Similarly, the Youth Allowance program, offering 500,000 KRW (approximately $380 USD) per month for six months to unemployed youth, has been praised as an effective model for fostering career readiness. At the WISE Conference in Geneva, 26 young leaders introduced Seoul's Social Safety Net for Youth as an example of adaptable youth policy, drawing attention from global attendees curious to learn from its success. Additionally, the center serves as the control tower for 15 regional youth centers across Seoul. Looking to 2025, the center plans to launch the "Seoul Youth Policy Package Program," inviting international organizations to explore Seoul's policies through workshops, facility tours, and professional networking. Director Somi Shin said, "In 2024, we reinforced the value of global partnerships in creating innovative solutions for youth. In 2025, we aim to deepen these connections and continue learning from one another." The center remains dedicated to empowering youth and fostering global partnerships. By prioritizing collaboration, innovation, and learning, Seoul is setting a standard for inclusive and effective youth policies. For more information, visit https://www.smyc.kr/ or email smyc@smyc.kr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216436739/en/ Contacts: Heehun Hwang +82-2-6358-0612 tripleh@smyc.kr NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultima Markets, a leading CFD trading services provider, is proud to announce that it has joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative, becoming the first CFD broker to participate in this drive. UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative, allowing companies to align their strategies and operations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ultima Markets is honoured to be part of the Compact initiative. This initiative reinforces the broker's commitment to sustainability by aligning its business practices with the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. It aims to promote environmental responsibility, social equity, and strong governance across the financial services sector. A Global Alliance Participation in the Compact initiative marks a significant milestone in Ultima Markets' dedication towards building a more inclusive and sustainable global economy. As part of a network of 25,000+ organisations across 167 countries, the company will work with international leaders to combat climate change, promote equality, and encourage economic prosperity. Jean Philippe, Ultima Markets' Board Advisor for Corporate Governance and Sustainability, says, "By joining the Compact initiative, we are advancing ethical financial services and contributing to a sustainable future. Sustainability is embedded in our core mission." "As an essential player in the finance and technology industry, we focus on aligning our operations and business practices with the Global Goals." Aligning with the Global Goals The fintech company aims to promote financial literacy and learning to empower employees and communities, fostering a culture of education that supports SDG 4: Quality Education. Its emphasis on SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure reflects its commitment to harness innovative technologies that improve access to financial services. The multi-asset trading platform pledges to adopt eco-friendly office practices to reduce its environmental impact for SDG 13: Climate Action. The company will continue supporting the Compact and other global partners for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Ultima Markets seeks to deliver long-term value to its clients through education, innovation, climate action, and global collaborations while contributing to the broader sustainability movement. About Ultima Markets Ultima Markets is a licensed broker offering access to 250+ financial instruments. With a team of 2,000+ professionals across 15 global offices, we serve clients in 172+ countries. Visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2576590/Ultima_Markets.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2509939/Ultima_Markets_LOGO.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ultima-markets-makes-history-as-the-first-cfd-broker-to-join-the-united-nations-global-compact-initiative-302332013.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 16, 2024) - YORK HARBOUR METALS INC. (CSE: YORK) (OTCQB: YORKF) (the "Company" or "York Harbour") announces a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 6,000,000 units ("Units") at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $300,000. Each Unit consists of one common share and one- transferable warrant. Each warrant (a "Warrant") is exercisable into one common share at $0.075 per common share for 5 years from closing (the "Private Placement") The Company anticipates a lead order from Mr. Blair Naughty, CEO and President of the Company, for the Private Placement. Upon completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Naughty's investment combined with his existing holdings will further increase his equity stake in the Company, currently at 14.8% to approximately 20%. The Company deeply appreciates the backing from all of its strategic shareholders and the broader investment community. About York Harbour Metals York Harbour Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on high-grade projects in Newfoundland. The Company has recently closed the first milestone of an Option Agreement with Firetail Resources Limited on the York Harbour Copper-Zinc-Silver Project, located approximately 27 km from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Additionally, York Harbour holds a 100%-interest in the Bottom Brook Rare Earth Elements Project, covering 15,150 hectares, situated next to the Trans-Canada Highway and only 27 km from a deep-water port at Turf Point, Newfoundland. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "Blair Naughty" CEO and President Forward-Looking Statements: 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 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. No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234078 SOURCE: York Harbour Metals Australia's two largest iron ore miners and its biggest steelmaker have selected the Kwinana Industrial Area, south of Perth, as the location to develop Australia's largest ironmaking electric smelting furnace1 (ESF) pilot plant. The groundbreaking project combines the expertise of BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto to test technology to enable the use of Pilbara iron ore to produce iron without the need for traditional blast furnaces, as the companies come together to try to accelerate the decarbonisation of steelmaking. The industry leaders formed the NeoSmelt collaboration in February, combining BHP and Rio Tinto's deep knowledge of Pilbara iron ore, with BlueScope's unique operating experience in ESF technology. The NeoSmelt parties also announce Woodside Energy will join the consortium as an equal equity participant and energy supplier2, subject to finalising commercial arrangements. The pilot plant aims to prove Pilbara iron ore can be used to produce lower-carbon3 emissions molten iron using direct reduced iron (DRI)-ESF technology. The pilot plant would produce 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes of molten iron a year. It will initially use natural gas to reduce iron ore to DRI, but once operational, the project aims to use lower-carbon emissions hydrogen to reduce iron ore. If successful, NeoSmelt has the potential to open a pathway to near-zero emissions4 steelmaking using Pilbara iron ore and ensure the longevity of Australia's iron ore industry. The NeoSmelt parties assessed a number of pilot plant locations in Australia before selecting the Kwinana Industrial Area, utilising its access to transport logistics and existing infrastructure, coupled with support from a A$75 million contribution from the Western Australian Government. Subject to funding, the project anticipates a decision to enter feasibility studies in Q2 2025 and is targeting final investment decision (FID) for the pilot plant in 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2028. The NeoSmelt project remains open for collaboration with other parties that complement its objectives. Western Australian Premier Roger Cook said: "Under my WA Labor Government, our State is becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse creating the jobs of the future and setting up our economy for the long term. "Securing NeoSmelt for Kwinana positions WA at the cutting edge of the global push to slash emissions from steel production and means our Pilbara iron ore will be processed right here in WA. "Putting the global steel industry on the pathway to near-zero emissions means more jobs in processing in WA, and a strong future for WA's iron ore industry." BlueScope Chief Executive Australia, Tania Archibald said: "Today marks a significant milestone in what is truly a unique and transformative project to help decarbonise the steel industry. The progress made during the pre-feasibility stage is a testament to the collaboration of all parties involved. "BlueScope's role as Project Manager leverages our deep iron and steelmaking experience at the Port Kembla Steelworks and our unique capability as the operator of the world's only electric smelting furnace processing DRI in New Zealand." BHP Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) Asset President, Tim Day said: "We're thrilled to be well on our way to bringing this cutting-edge technology to life right here in Western Australia. "A successful pilot plant of this scale would be a huge achievement as we work with our partners, here and around the world, to help fast-track near-zero emission pathways for steelmakers using Pilbara ores. "These are the Pilbara ores that power this nation's economy, so getting it right would be a major step forward in setting up WA and Australia to be an important part of a low greenhouse gas emission future." Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive, Simon Trott said: "We must find better ways to produce the most commonly used metal in the world, while meeting the needs of our planet and our climate objectives. "We are excited to announce the location for Australia's largest ironmaking ESF pilot plant is in Western Australia. It's just one of the ways we're working with our peers to develop the technology needed to reduce the carbon intensity of iron and steelmaking. "The NeoSmelt pilot plant builds on the suite of projects Rio Tinto has underway with our customers and suppliers to find better ways to accelerate their efforts to meet their decarbonisation targets." Woodside Energy's Executive Vice President Chief Operating Officer Australia, Liz Westcott said: "Woodside is excited that it will join the NeoSmelt project as an equal equity participant and energy supplier alongside BlueScope, BHP and Rio Tinto, subject to finalising commercial arrangements. "Natural gas and hydrogen may enable emissions reductions in steelmaking, and we are proud to bring to the NeoSmelt project our expertise, experience and know-how as a global supplier of energy. "Woodside supports the NeoSmelt project's goals of exploring lower-emissions steelmaking pathways for Pilbara iron ore and unlocking new skills and capabilities through the energy transition. Federal Resources Minister and Member for Brand, Madeleine King said: "Kwinana was built in the 1950s to power Western Australia and under the Cook and Albanese Governments it will remain the engine room of this State for generations to come. "This is a significant project for Kwinana that will create many highly skilled and well-paid jobs to build our national capability. "Under the Albanese Government's Future Made in Australia agenda, the State and Federal Government are working together to make best use of our natural advantages, to process more of what we mine here, to secure our sovereign capability and to power the world's energy transition." Notes to editors Pilot Electric Smelting Facility The NeoSmelt pilot plant is intended to test and optimise production of iron from the electric smelting furnace (ESF), a type of furnace being developed by leading steel producers and technology companies targeting low CO2 emission-intensity steel. The ESF is capable of producing iron suitable for the basic oxygen steelmaking process. Iron ore is first converted to direct reduced iron (DRI) before being charged into the ESF. Together, the DRI-ESF equipment can replace the traditional blast furnace. Estimates show reductions of up to 80^ per cent in CO2 emission intensity are potentially achievable processing Pilbara iron ore through a DRI-ESF pathway, compared with the current industry average for the conventional blast furnace steel route. Other lower CO2 emission-intensity production routes, such as electric arc furnaces, require scrap steel and DRI produced from high grade iron ore. The ESF allows for greater flexibility in input raw materials, addressing one of the key barriers to wider adoption of lower-carbon emissions technology. The ESF also has the potential to be integrated into a steel plant's existing downstream production units. 1 Also known in the industry as an "electric melter". 2 Energy supply may include hydrogen, natural gas and electricity. 3 Lower carbon has the characteristic of having lower levels of associated potential greenhouse gas emissions when compared to historical and/or current conventions or analogues, for example relating to an otherwise similar resource, process, production facility, product or service, or activity. 4 Although there is no standardised universal definition of near-zero emissions, the IEA has defined it as 0.40 tonnes of CO2-e per tonne of crude steel for 100 per cent ore-based production (no scrap). ^ Assumes utilisation of renewable energy to power the DRI-ESF facility and zero emissions hydrogen in the DRI plant. The remaining CO2 emissions are from carbon required in the process of making liquid iron suitable for the basic oxygen steelmaking process. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216818510/en/ Contacts: BlueScope Michael Reay M +61 437 862 472 E michael.reay@bluescope.com BHP Jimmy Clothier M +61 413 391 031 E jimmy.clothier@bhp.com Rio Tinto Rachel Pupazzoni M +61 438 875 469 E rachel.pupazzoni@riotinto.com Woodside Energy Christine Forster M +61 484 112 469 E christine.forster@woodside.com WA Premier's office Mark Scott M +61 437 170 385 E mark.scott@dpc.wa.gov.au Madeleine King's office Nick Butterly M +61 499 947 024 E nick.butterly@industry.gov.au Gold Mountain Mining Corp. ("Gold Mountain" or the "Company") (TSX:GMTN)(OTCQB:GMTNF)(FRA:5XFA) reports its financial and operating results for the three months and nine months ended October 31, 2024 ("Q3 2025"). The Company's Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), are available for download on SEDAR+ and the Company's website. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars ("$") unless otherwise noted. Highlights for the three months ended October 31, 2024 Gold sales of 256 oz from 9,959 tonnes delivered grading at an average of 0.94 g/t The Company recorded revenue of $594,404 at an average realized gold price 1 of $2,290 (US$1,676) per ounce of gold sold Mine operating loss of $2,007,251 Net loss of $1,756,363 or $0.00 per share (basic) during Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA 1 of ($1,716,757) Total Cash Costs 1 per ounce sold of $9,578 The strip ratio of 66.7 in Q3 2025 During the third quarter, the Company has resumed expanded operations as planned. Production from the Elk mine during this period was in line with expectations as stripping continued to advance in preparation for accessing the main ore body in the Siwash North Pit. The combination of significant stripping against anticipated low production of gold ounces in Q3 2025 resulted in higher unit costs than Q3 2024, however these costs are expected to normalize in Q4 2025. Summary of Financial Results Q3 2025 Q3 2024 9MO 2025 9MO 2024 Revenue $ 594,404 $ 1,780,679 $ 1,587,964 $ 8,151,910 Cost of sales (2,601,655 ) (4,465,016 ) (7,180,312 ) (9,541,437 ) Mine operating income (loss) (2,007,251 ) (2,684,337 ) (5,592,348 ) (1,389,527 ) Net loss and comprehensive loss (1,756,363 ) (3,279,327 ) (11,754,906 ) (3,296,265 ) Net loss per share - basic and diluted (0.00 ) (0.04 ) (0.02 ) (0.04 ) Adjusted EBITDA1 $ (1,716,757 ) $ (2,975,548 ) $ (6,923,990 ) $ (2,379,345 ) Average realized gold price1 ($/oz) $ 2,290 $ 2,149 $ 2,006 $ 2,250 Total Cash Costs1 per ounce sold ($/oz) $ 9,578 $ 5,192 $ 8,650 $ 2,490 For Q3 2025, the Company recorded a net loss of $1.7 million compared with a net loss of $3.3 million for Q3 2024. Lower metal sales volumes due to lower production, offset partially by higher realized prices for gold, resulted in a decrease in revenue to $0.6 million from $1.8 million for Q3 2024. Mine operating income for Q3 2025 was an operating loss of $2.0 million compared with a mine operating loss of $2.7 million for Q3 2024. Summary of Operational Results Q3 2025 Q3 2024 9MO 2025 9MO 2024 Ore mined (t) 9,959 16,383 21,266 32,562 Waste mined (t) 664,126 465,528 898,268 1,423,263 Total mined (t) 674,085 481,911 919,534 1,455,825 Ore delivered (t) 10,096 12,667 21,070 29,058 Average ore grade delivered - gold (g/t) 0.94 2.37 1.39 4.46 Strip ratio waste/ore 66.7 28.4 42.2 43.7 Gold ounces sold (oz) 256 826 779 3,589 During Q3 2025, the Company mined a total of 9,959 tonnes of ore and 664,126 tonnes of waste, all of which came from the Siwash North Pit. The average ore grade delivered was 0.94 g/t gold, resulting in total gold ounces sold of 256 and a strip ratio of 66.7. During Q3 2024, the Company mined a total of 16,383 tonnes of ore and 465,528 tonnes of waste from the Siwash North Pit. The average ore grade delivered was 2.37 g/t gold, resulting in total gold ounces sold of 826 and a strip ratio of 71.8. The higher strip ratio in Q3 2025 resulted from deliberate efforts to advance towards a specific ore body, requiring increased removal of waste material to enable access. Corporate Update During the three months ended October 31, 2024, the Company has raised $6,500,000 by way of issuance of a convertible secured debenture to a choomEEnsh a Nlaka'pamux LP. The convertible debenture is convertible at the Investor's option into 81,250,000 common shares at a conversion price of $0.08 per share. The convertible debenture matures ten years from the date of issuance and will accrue interest at the rate of 10.0% per annum, calculated monthly and payable in cash in arrears on each anniversary date from the date of issuance. The convertible debentures may be prepaid in whole or in part, at the option of the Company. The Company is looking to strategically increase its production outputs as the improvements to mine methods, grade control, ore processing and sampling are realized. We recognize that a large increase in production prior to the improvements may be at a significant loss in potential earnings. For Q4 2025, the Company will continue to focus on refining the block model, optimizing pit design, and enhancing mine operational planning to increase production in the new year. The Company is engaged with surrounding Indigenous Communities to proactively address any community concerns respecting the future mining plans. The Company is aware of and acknowledges each respective Indigenous Nation's decision-making process that will continue independently from the federal and provincial regulatory regimes. Qualified Person The foregoing technical information was approved by Ron Woo, P.Eng., a Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and the former Chief Executive Officer for the Company. About Gold Mountain Gold Mountain is a British Columbia based gold and silver production, exploration and development company focused on the development of the Elk Gold Mine, a producing mine located 57 kilometers from Merritt in South Central British Columbia. Additional information is available at www.sedar.com or on the Company's new website at www.gold-mountain.ca . For more information, please contact: Gold Mountain Mining Corp. Calvin Cheung, Chief Financial Officer Email: cc@gold-mountain.ca Website: www.gold-mountain.ca Twitter: www.twitter.com/goldmtnmine Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation regarding final approval of the Convertible Debenture, the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern, the impact of the raising of funds pursuant to the Convertible Debenture on the Company and the results thereof, including that it will allow the Company to address its significant working capital deficiency and provide operating capital to the Company so that it can go forward as a viable going concern, receipt of the final TSX approval and the ability for the Company to restart the mine, thereby significantly improving the Company's financial situation. Forward-looking statements include statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release and are not purely historical including any information relating to statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future and often, but not always, use words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals; the price of gold; and the results of current exploration. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Gold Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release. 1) The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this document, as discussed below. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is a non-IFRS financial performance measure. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . Total Cash Cost per ounce sold is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but has no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is used by management to better understand the price realized in each reporting period for gold sales. This metric is intended to provide additional information only and does not have any standardized definition under IFRS. For a full definition and reconciliation of this non-IFRS financial performance measure, refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2024, a copy of which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . Contact Information View the original press release on accesswire.com DUESSELDORF (dpa-AFX) - MVM Group reached an agreement to acquire E.ON's energy retail and customer solutions business in Romania. As per the deal, MVM will purchase E.ON's 68% share in E.ON Energie Romania and its 98% share in E.ON Asist Complet.E.ON Energie Romania is one of the largest gas and electricity providers in Romania, with around 3.4 million customers. E.ON Assist Complet is a regional service company providing infrastructure installation and maintenance related energy services.The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 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. EQS Newswire / 17/12/2024 / 04:59 CET/CEST MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 17 December 2024 - Prop-Firms.com has announced the results of its 2025 Prop Trading Awards . The awards highlight the advancements of the new industry, and how prop firms are meeting growing trader demand with instant funding options, dynamic scaling plans, and lower challenge fees, creating more accessible pathways to secure capital. Evaluating and ranking 30 of the top firms worldwide, the awards focused on challenge fees and rules, trading platform quality, and profit-sharing models. The analysis also prioritised innovative challenge features, add-ons, and market access to reflect trader preferences. These rankings spotlight how firms are adapting to key trends like automated trading tools, diverse market offerings, and faster payout cycles, all of which appeal to modern online traders. Proprietary trading has exploded in popularity recently, with global interest increasing sixfold over the past four years. In response, prop firms are creating new challenge models to attract traders, from instant funding programs to dynamic scaling plans. By focusing on these trends, the 2025 awards aim to guide traders in navigating a competitive yet rapidly expanding industry. "This year's awards demonstrate the massive progress within the proprietary trading space," said Noam Korbl, Co-Founder of Prop-Firms.com. "The growing focus on trust, firm reliability, and more sophisticated trading tools signals a maturing industry. These rankings are designed to highlight firms that embrace innovation while keeping trader needs front and centre." The evaluation process highlighted a shift toward inclusive trading environments. Many firms are now incorporating software for more experienced traders with tools like Expert Advisors for automated strategies. Additionally educational materials like live tutorials and Discord servers have become a critical feature among top-ranking firms. Another emerging trend is the adoption of flexible challenge parameters, allowing traders to access capital more easily and scale their accounts based on consistent performance. This approach has opened doors for a broader range of traders, from first-time participants to experienced professionals transitioning from traditional CFD trading. Prop-Firms.com's awards also spotlighted the importance of accountability in an industry with limited regulation. Firms prioritising clear rules, transparent pricing, and reputable customer support consistently scored higher in the rankings. For traders seeking more information, visit Prop-Firms.com for a full list of the 2025 winners. Prop-Firms.com, a trusted authority in proprietary trading firm reviews, helps traders navigate the industry by providing data-driven rankings and expert insights into key trends. Hashtag: proptrading propfirms financialmarkets onlinetrading forex The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Prop-Firms.com Prop-Firms.com, a trusted authority in proprietary trading firm reviews, helps traders navigate the industry by providing data-driven rankings and expert insights into key trends. News Source: Prop-Firms.com 17/12/2024 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com HONG KONG, Dec 17, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - - Themed "Powering the Next Growth Engine", the 18th Asian Financial Forum 2025 (AFF), will be the region's first major international financial and business event of the year.- Heavyweight speakers include Prof Justin Lin Yifu, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank (2008-2012); Prof Stuart Russell, Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum's Council on AI; Dr Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman of Sinovation Ventures; and Joe Tsai, Chairman of the Alibaba Group.- The event brings together scholars, financial officials and business leaders from Mainland China, ASEAN, the Middle East, Europe and the United States to share invaluable insights.The 18th Asian Financial Forum 2025 (AFF), co-organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) on 13 and 14 January (Monday and Tuesday). Themed "Powering the Next Growth Engine", AFF will be the first major financial and business event in the region in the new year, bringing together more than 100 global policymakers, business leaders, financial experts and investors, entrepreneurs, tech giants and economists to share their views on issues related to political leadership, geopolitical tensions, monetary policy shifts, macroeconomic challenges and more. These industry heavyweights will discuss the latest developments in financial markets and investment opportunities and explore how Hong Kong can leverage its strengths as an international financial centre to seek breakthroughs in a period of change.Harnessing Hong Kong's unique advantages to demonstrate financial excellenceLaunched in 2007, the AFF has become a flagship financial event for Hong Kong and the broader region, showcasing the city's status as an international financial centre and its role as a connector in spearheading regional financial activities. Against the backdrop of a constantly shifting global economic landscape, Hong Kong has been leveraging its unique geographical position, professional services and global perspective to continue fostering collaboration and ensuring mutual success between Asia and the world.Luanne Lim, Chairperson of the AFF Steering Committee and Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, of HSBC, said: "The geopolitical and economic landscape of 2025 is set to be fraught with challenges, underscoring the importance of international collaboration. The Forum adopts the theme "Powering the Next Growth Engine", bringing together influential speakers and thought leaders to share insights, dissect the evolving global landscape and spotlight emerging investment opportunities. Key areas of focus include the growth potential of emerging markets such as Mainland China, ASEAN and the Middle East, as well as advancements in sectors like artificial intelligence, fintech, sustainability, philanthropy and family offices. The Forum continues to provide a premier platform for renowned global investors and fundraisers to collaborate and ignite new engines for growth with its strong international influence and diverse perspectives."Impactful sessions spotlight global issuesThe Forum will feature a distinguished line-up of speakers, with a two-day programme featuring various panels and workshops, including plenary sessions, policy dialogues, keynote luncheons, breakfast panels and fireside chats, as well as thematic workshops focusing on development and innovation across different industries. It will continue to stage well-received sessions such as Global Economic Outlook, China Opportunities and CIO Insights. Global Economic Outlook will analyse international economic trends and provide insights into business opportunities and wealth accumulation in emerging industries and regions in 2025. China Opportunities will focus on examining the investment outlook in Mainland China under the acceleration of technological innovation and its impact on global businesses. CIO Insights will explore new opportunities for cross-regional cooperation from macroeconomic and asset allocation perspectives, offering participants insights and strategies that can help realise long-term growth.Financial pioneers share insights on future economyOne of the keynote speakers at AFF will be Prof Justin Lin Yifu, a globally renowned economist and Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank (2008-2012). Prof Lin will deliver an in-depth analysis of the shifting global economic landscape and the impact on Mainland China and international markets, exploring strategies for achieving stable growth and driving rapid economic development amid a complex international environment.The Forum will also bring together scholars, financial officials and business leaders from the mainland, ASEAN, the Middle East, Europe and the United States to shed light on a range of key topics, including macroeconomics, China opportunities, investment prospects, artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech as well as sustainability.As the world's second largest economy, the mainland's economic and industrial development plays a significant role in driving global economic growth. Heavyweight speakers include Dr Fred Hu, Founder and Chairman of Primavera Capital Group; Jin Liqun, President and Chair of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; Li Yimei, Chief Executive Officer of China Asset Management, and Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group, will take the stage at AFF to share their views.Emerging markets such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East will also be spotlighted. Speakers from ASEAN will include Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community of ASEAN while a new session will highlight the opportunities in financial cooperation and investment between the Middle East and Hong Kong, featuring speakers from the two places.A stellar line-up of speakers and company representatives from Europe and the US will offer new impetus at various panel discussions. Featured speakers include Edward Dolman, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips Auctioneers; J Christopher Donahue, President & Chief Executive Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc; Antoine Gosset-Grainville, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AXA; Dr Hou Yang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Greater China Region and Global Senior Vice President of Microsoft; Philip Lane, Chief Economist and Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank; Vincent Mortier, Group Chief Investment Officer of Amundi; and Dr Olli Rehn, Governor and Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Finland.AI and fintech are having a profound impact as they become more broadly adopted in the financial services sector. Prof Stuart Russell, Co-chair of the World Economic Forum Council on AI; Dr Kai-Fu Lee, Chairman of Sinovation Ventures and Ken Wong, Executive Vice President of Lenovo and President of Lenovo Solutions & Services Group, will address the latest industry developments and prospects at the AFF. Prof Russell, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley and Co-chair of the World Economic Forum's Council on AI and the OECD's Expert Group on AI Futures, will explore the prospects of AI becoming a new engine for global economic growth.Sustainable development is another key topic at the AFF. In different sessions of the Forum, Sue Lloyd, Vice Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB); Martin Neubert, Partner and Group Chief Investment Officer of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Jiadi Yu, Chief Investment Officer of International Finance Corporation (IFC), will share views on how the adoption of the ISSB will contribute to market confidence in Hong Kong's capital markets.Diverse exhibition zones create opportunities, innovative technologies drive growthThe Fintech Showcase, InnoVenture Salon, FintechHK Start-up Salon and Global Investment Zone will be assembled at the AFF to help fintech companies, start-ups and international investment agencies from around the world to connect businesses, showcase the latest technological innovations and promote collaboration.In addition to offering pitching and startup advisory sessions, the InnoVenture Salon features an exhibition of innovative technologies across various fields such as regtech, deep tech, green tech, health tech and food tech and agri-tech. This capacity-building support will connect entrepreneurs with potential clients, users and investors from different regions and industries, helping businesses refine their strategies, expand operations and thrive in the global market. Additionally, AFF Deal-making, a unique deal-sourcing and matching session, will build on the success of previous years to connect sources of funds and deals from around the world through one-on-one meetings.AFF - Hong Kong's major annual financial eventInternational large-scale events play a strategically important role for Hong Kong. As the first major financial event of the year, the AFF is designed to provide industry professionals with the latest insights and help them explore new opportunities. Early bird registration is now open for participants. The AFF is collaborating with various organisations to provide special travel, dining and shopping discounts and privileges for overseas participants, encouraging them to make the most of their stay and experience the vitality of Hong Kong. More details regarding the content, speaker lineup and media registration arrangements for the AFF will be announced at a press conference on 7 January 2025.WebsitesAsian Financial Forum: https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/about-affProgramme: https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/info-programmeSpeaker list: https://www.asianfinancialforum.com/conference/aff/en/speakersMembers of the media interested in interviewing speakers at the Asian Financial Forum should email ayiu@yuantung.com.hk or lsong@yuantung.com.hk by 8 January 2025.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Bz8p9tThe Asian Financial Forum 2025, organised by the HKSAR Government and the HKTDC, will be held on 13 and 14 January (Monday and Tuesday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme "Powering the Next Growth Engine". The picture shows scenes from the previous Forum held in January 2024.The 18th AFF features a keynote speech by Prof Justin Lin Yifu, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank (2008-2012) - a globally renowned development economist who has had a profound influence on both Chinese and international economic development.Prof Stuart Russell, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley and Co-chair of the World Economic Forum Council on AI and the OECD's Expert Group on AI Futures, will share his expertise on artificial intelligence at the Forum.Media enquiriesYuan Tung Financial Relations:Agnes Yiu Tel: (852) 3428 5690 Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hkLouise Song Tel: (852) 3428 5691 Email: lsong@yuantung.com.hkHKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:Katy Wong Tel: (852) 2584 4524 Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.orgClayton Lauw Tel: (852) 2584 4472 Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.orgHKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.comAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.Source: HKTDCCopyright 2024 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Capita Plc - Trading and Operating Update PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, December 17 17 December 2024 Trading and operating update Capita plc ("Capita") Good margin progression in 2024. Further focus on operating model delivers additional cost savings and underpins our Group medium-term targets Summary: Outlook for adjusted operating profit unchanged for 2024, with adjusted operating profit margin up c.50bps, largely driven by cost reduction initiatives Adjusted revenue1 was c.8% lower in the eleven months ended 30 November 2024, owing to exiting lower margin service lines and the impact of prior year headwinds. Good momentum on cost savings target of 160m, with 140m annualised savings, now actioned Experience of live projects and data capture creates significant opportunity to use more AI and generative AI in our service offerings, enabling cost savings target to be raised to up to 250m by December 2025 Increased employers' National Insurance Contributions to have an annual cost of c.20m with cost savings expected to mitigate these costs over the medium-term Expect a free cash outflow2 of 120m-140m in 2024 as a result of lower revenues and a more sustainable approach to working capital management. Majority of the up to 50m additional cash restructuring costs to deliver additional savings, expected to impact 1H25 free cash flow. We expect positive and consistent free cash flow2 from the end of 2025 Progress exiting managed for value businesses. Completion of Capita One disposal in September 2024, c.180m net proceeds received, providing funding optionality. 2024 year-end net financial debt to adjusted EBITDA, pre IFRS 16, expected to be <1.0x The Board is increasingly confident in delivering its 6-8% medium-term operating margin target Strategic priorities As outlined at the Group's Capital Markets Day in June, the first priority of the ongoing transformation is improving the operating margin of the Group, which in turn will deliver free cash flow2 and adjusted revenue growth as we become more cost competitive. Significant opportunities continue to be identified to fundamentally improve our operating model and drive cost efficiencies throughout the organisation, with the increasing use of AI and generative AI at the heart of this transformation. Consequently, the accelerating momentum of the current cost reduction programme has increased our confidence in the level of efficiencies that can be delivered, enabling us to increase our cost reduction target from 160m to up to 250m. Voluntary employee attrition of around 21% contributes to these savings, reduces the need for redundancies and the Group can ensure that it can rebalance new hires, incremental training of our colleagues and investment in key growth areas, particularly within the Contact Centre business. By combining people, processes and technology to develop repeatable scalable products we can drive efficiencies for our clients and make us more competitive. The progressive adoption of AI in the delivery of our client solutions will enable us to continue to focus on efficiencies in the future on a "business as usual" basis. Increasing our operating cash conversion and a return to positive free cash flow2 is our next priority. Though the total cash cost of delivering the cost reduction targets will impact free cash flow by c.50m in 2024 and up to 50m further in 2025, the combination of improving profitability, and the absence of pension deficit payments (from H2 2024 onwards) will contribute to positive and consistent free cash flow2 from the end of 2025. We are increasingly focused on leveraging our domain expertise with technology solutions provided by our hyperscaler partners to deliver profitable revenue growth in the medium-term. The use of AI is already enabling us to deliver significant productivity and service quality improvements for our early adopting Contact Centre and Local Government customers, where those early clients have seen average handling time reductions of around 20%. We are also seeing some encouraging early successes on winning new contracts due to our enhanced service offering. Looking forward, we have opportunities which deliver AI solutions with the hyperscalers worth more than 5bn within the pipeline. In 2024, we have accelerated the exit from lower margin activities, including the sale of our Mortgages Asset Services business which we expect to complete in Q2 2025 as detailed in yesterday's news release. We will continue to exit those activities that are either low margin or where we have a limited right to win and as a result, we expect a broadly flat revenue performance in 2025. Financial performance Adjusted revenue1 was c.8% lower in the eleven months ended 30 November 2024. Capita Public Service adjusted revenue1 reduced 0.9%, in the eleven months to 30 November 2024, driven by the continued impact of previously announced contract losses in 2023, the cessation of some lower margin services, and delayed mobilisations of two contracts in 2023 which impacted current year revenue and profit and will benefit 2025. These factors offset additional volumes in our contract with Transport for London and the benefit from indexation. Looking ahead, we have strong alignment with the UK Government's priorities as outlined in the recent budget, particularly in areas such as Healthcare and Defence. Capita Experience adjusted revenue1 reduced 16.3% in the eleven months to 30 November 2024. The Contact Centre3 business declined 18.5% reflecting the one-off benefit from the Virgin Media O2 contract transition in the prior year, the impact of prior year contract losses with the Co-operative Bank in 2023 and lower volumes on a Telecommunications contract, which we expect to remain subdued in 2025. Pension Solutions3 grew 6.7% reflecting volume growth across a number of clients, including PIC and Rothesay and the benefit from indexation. Regulated Services3, including closed book Life & Pensions, saw revenues decline 25.8% as expected reflecting the one-off benefit from the prior year commercial settlement, the impact of contract exits and volume reductions as we resolve legacy issues and look to exit this business segment. Financial guidance For 2024, we expect to deliver a high-single digit adjusted revenue decline, after adjusting for disposals including Capita One, with improved margins driving an unchanged operating profit outlook. In 2025, we expect additional savings to offset the 16m of in-year incremental employers' National Insurance Contributions costs (20m on an annualised basis), and to deliver further margin improvement and modest profit growth. The up to 50m additional cash restructuring costs to deliver the up to 250m upgraded cost savings target are expected to mainly impact 1H25 free cash flow. Adolfo Hernandez, Chief Executive Officer, said: "As we head towards the end of my first year as CEO of Capita, I am very encouraged by the progress we have made against our strategic priorities, despite the impact of prior year headwinds being larger than originally expected. Our focus is on becoming a better business, "getting smaller to get stronger and fitter to then grow" and being more selective in not pursuing and exiting existing lower margin contracts. Consequently, revenue is expected to be high single-digits lower in 2024. However, we are encouraged by the customer reaction to our suite of AI solutions developed with the hyperscalers which will help to drive profitable revenue momentum from 2025 onwards. We have implemented a significant proportion of our efficiency programme, and today have outlined further savings which will result in further improvement to operating profit margins. We have made good progress with the managed for value businesses including the sale of Capita One in September and we look forward to 2025 with expectations of continued progress with positive and consistent free cash flow2 from the end of 2025. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION Notes: Adjusted revenue = revenue on a like-for-like basis, as outlined in the Group's alternative performance measures note. Free cash flow, before the impact of business exits. Following a review of the Group's offerings, moving forwards, Capita Experience will be reported as three segments - reflecting the different market sectors and end product offerings. These are, Contact Centre, Pension Solutions and Regulated Services which includes closed book Life & Pensions. We will provide full comparative 2023 data ahead of the Group's year end results. For more information, please contact: Investor enquiries Helen Parris, Director of Investor Relations Tel: 07720 169 269 Email: IRteam@capita.co.uk Stephanie Little, Deputy Head of Investor Relations Tel: 07541 622 838 Email: IRteam@capita.co.uk Media enquiries Capita external communications Tel: 0207 654 2399 Email: media@capita.co.uk About Capita ING announced today that, as part of our 2.0 billion share buyback programme announced on 31 October 2024, in total 5,520,548 shares were repurchased during the week of 9 December 2024 up to and including 13 December 2024. The shares were repurchased at an average price of 14.99 or a total amount of 82,756,741.12. For detailed information on the daily repurchased shares, individual share purchase transactions and weekly reports, see the ING website at www.ing.com/investorrelations. In line with the purpose of the programme to reduce the share capital of ING, the total number of shares repurchased under this programme to date is 39,673,164 ordinary shares at an average price of 15.00 for a total consideration of 595,221,139.60. To date approximately 29.76% of the maximum total value of the share buyback programme has been completed. Note for editors For more on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroomor via X @ING_newsfeed. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr. Press enquiries Investor enquiries Christoph Linke ING Group Investor Relations +31 20 576 5000 +31 20 576 6396 Christoph.Linke@ing.com (mailto:Christoph.Linke@ing.com) Investor.Relations@ing.com (mailto:Investor.Relations@ing.com) ING PROFILE ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers. Here are some examples: Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that's not. Follow our progress on ing.com/climate. Important legal information Elements of this press release contain or may contain information about ING Groep N.V. and/ or ING Bank N.V. within the meaning of Article 7(1) to (4) of EU Regulation No 596/2014 ('Market Abuse Regulation'). ING Group's annual accounts are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union ('IFRS- EU'). In preparing the financial information in this document, except as described otherwise, the same accounting principles are applied as in the 2023 ING Group consolidated annual accounts. All figures in this document are unaudited. Small differences are possible in the tables due to rounding. 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Without limiting any of the statements contained herein, we make no representation or warranty as to whether any of our securities constitutes a green or sustainable security or conforms to present or future investor expectations or objectives for green or sustainable investing. For information on characteristics of a security, use of proceeds, a description of applicable project(s) and/or any other relevant information, please reference the offering documents for such security. This document may contain inactive textual addresses to internet websites operated by us and third parties. Reference to such websites is made for information purposes only, and information found at such websites is not incorporated by reference into this document. ING does not make any representation or warranty with respect to the accuracy or completeness of, or take any responsibility for, any information found at any websites operated by third parties. 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Attachment Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Magic Publishers, creator of unique spiritual tools, announces the release of its Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck, a new tarot deck that merges traditional art with the power of AI-generated art. Developed using OpenAI's DALL-E technology, this deck brings the culturally rich symbolism of Santa Muerte to life through AI-generated designs, offering a modern twist on spiritual practices. Every detail counts. Honor tradition while exploring new frontiers in artistry with the Santa Muerte Colors Tarot deck. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10926/233646_23d0e78344447926_001full.jpg The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck raises a critical discussion in the art world today: Does AI art require an artist to create it? For Magic Publishers founder Nait Sabes, the answer is yes. "While AI technology provides powerful tools, it is the artist's vision and craftsmanship that guide the process. Just as photography was once questioned as an art, AI art is an extension of human creativity, not a replacement," Sabes explained. The deck's creator emphasizes that this project, which took over 400 hours to complete, is a testament to the collaboration between technology and artistic mastery. Santa Muerte, a figure with deep cultural significance, traces its origins back to the colonization of Mexico when indigenous devotees secretly worshiped her during times of persecution. The figure of Santa Muerte embodies love, protection, and the connection between life and death, unlike the traditional grim reaper, making her a symbol of profound spiritual strength. The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck is unique in that it highlights the colors and symbolism that devotees of Santa Muerte hold dear, offering a fresh perspective on tarot. It challenges traditional tarot imagery, such as the Rider-Waite tarot deck, while embracing Santa Muerte's powerful narrative. By combining AI with rich cultural storytelling, Magic Publishers opens up new possibilities for tarot cards with guidebooks, offering users a deeper understanding of spiritual practices. While AI art has been met with some skepticism, it is clear that when used thoughtfully, Sabes believes that AI can enhance human artistry. The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck demonstrates this intersection, offering a harmonious blend of innovation and tradition. "Just like a translator of poetry from one language to another must themselves be a poet, an artist creating computer-art must themselves be an artist," Sabes explained. For more information on the deck's physical copy on Amazon, visit this link. To download the digital version on Deckible, click here. See what awaits. Magic Publishers brings people Santa Muerte's vibrant symbolism into a spiritual practice for a contemporary audience. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10926/233646_23d0e78344447926_002full.jpg About Magic Publishers Magic Publishers creates unique spiritual tools that combine tradition and innovation. The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck features 78 beautifully designed cards, inspired by the powerful Santa Muerte tradition. Each card offers vibrant artwork and rich symbolism, providing clarity and intuitive insights for readers of all levels. Available in both physical and digital formats, this new tarot deck empowers individuals on their spiritual journey, blending mystery and self-discovery with every reading. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233646 SOURCE: Brand Featured For the purpose of the publication required by article 13 of the law of 11 January 2008 on transparency requirements for Issuers, following the purchase of outstanding 5.5 million B-shares on 10 December 2024 within the share buyback program, SES now directly and indirectly holds 7.15% of the voting rights in SES. Such voting rights are however not exercised. The shares acquired will be cancelled after the expiry of one year, which will reduce the total number of voting and economic shares in issue. 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. Soilytix GmbH, a leading innovator in soil microbiome analytics, announces a groundbreaking study recently published in Science of the Total Environment. The research, titled "Local Microbial Yield-Associating Signatures Largely Extend to Global Differences in Plant Growth," showcases how machine learning applied to soil microbiome data can revolutionize crop yield predictions on a global scale. The study highlights the potential of high-resolution microbiome data and artificial intelligence to address critical agricultural challenges, such as crop yield variations. Conducted on a maize field in Germany, researchers at Soilytix successfully developed a machine learning model capable of predicting approximately 65% of local maize yield variability. Remarkably, the same model, when tested on global datasets, demonstrated predictive power for plant growth metrics across diverse geographies, including North and South America and Asia. Key Findings: Soil microbiomes provide robust, scalable predictions for crop yields beyond local contexts. A machine learning model using 26 soil bacterial genera predicts up to 37% of global vegetation variability. Genera such as Hyphomicrobium, Luedemannella, and Reyranella emerged as key predictors of plant productivity, showcasing global consistency in their association with crop growth. This innovative research not only underscores the role of soil microbiomes in sustainable agriculture but also highlights the promise of leveraging data science to optimize agricultural productivity and resource management worldwide. Quote from Lead Researcher: "Our findings indicate a globally conserved set of soil bacteria that are useful in predicting plant growth between sites," said Dr. Matthias Schaks, lead researcher at Soilytix. "This work sets the stage for a future where AI and microbiome data could transform agriculture." Comment from Soilytix CEO, Bruno Steinkraus: "This study represents an important step for the agricultural sector," said Dr. Bruno Steinkraus, CEO of Soilytix. "At Soilytix, we are committed to equipping farmers and land managers as well as agricultural input providers with cutting-edge tools that not only increase crop yields but also promote sustainability. Our research reaffirms the vital connection between the soil microbiome and global food production." About Soilytix: Soilytix GmbH is driving the future of soil health analytics by leveraging cutting-edge DNA sequencing and machine learning technologies. Based in Hamburg, Soilytix empowers the agricultural industry with actionable insights that optimize crop yields and promote sustainable farming practices worldwide. Access the Study: For more details, the full study is available open access at Science of the Total Environment. For more information or to access the full study, please contact: media@soilytix.com. Want to learn more about this predictive model or gain actionable insights tailored to your soil? Follow us on LinkedIn or contact us at info@soilytix.com to discover how Soilytix can help optimize your agricultural practices by measuring soil life through advanced eDNA analysis. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216372731/en/ Contacts: media@soilytix.com Sungrow Partners with KTISTOR Energy for the First Deployment of the PowerTitan 2.0 BESS in Greece Sungrow will supply its advanced PowerTitan 2.0 BESS for four key energy storage projects across Northern and Central Greece with a total capacity of 105 MWh. Deliveries of the BESS are expected to take place during the summer of 2025. ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, is proud to announce the strategic partnership with KTISTOR Energy for the deployment of the innovative PowerTitan 2.0 liquid-cooled Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) across several key projects in Greece. KTISTOR is a leading and constantly evolving construction company acquiring significant activity in the field of construction of Renewable Energy Sources projects as an EPC, as well as developing and integrating the own private projects covering a wide range of applications, including wind, solar, BESS, followed by ancillary services. This collaboration marks the first time the PowerTitan 2.0 will be utilized in the Greek market, playing a pivotal role in enhancing grid stability and supporting the country's renewable energy transition goals. The projects covered under this agreement include four ESS facilities in the North and Central Greece, with two of them licensed and to be operated under the Greek ESS Tender scheme, and two of them participating in the free market. In detail: Project Dokos in Rodopi, with a license of 8.875 MW for 2 hours, offering an initial installed usable capacity of 25.065 MWh. Project Petra in Kozani, with a license of 7.8 MW for 2 hours, providing 20.055 MWh. Agia Anna, in Viotia, licensed for 7.8 MW for 3 hours, with an initial installed usable capacity of 30.09 MWh. Agia Anna II in Viotia, licensed for 7.8 MW for 3 hours, initial installed usable capacity of 30.09 MWh. The total capacity of these projects amounts to 105 MWh, all powered by Sungrow's cutting-edge PowerTitan 2.0 system. Deliveries of the systems are expected in the summer of 2025, further highlighting Sungrow's production capability, advanced logistics for short deliveries, and swift response to customer requirements for providing customized solutions for specific needs. The PowerTitan 2.0 is a highly advanced energy storage system specifically designed for grid-forming applications, offering enhanced grid resilience, flexibility, and efficiency. Its liquid-cooled technology ensures optimal thermal management, contributing to improved system lifespan and reduced operating costs. Moreover the smart AC-DC block architecture of the system, allows the fast deployment and the optimal and fast adaptation to projects of various sizes. Sungrow's vast experience in energy storage positions it as a key player in supporting the global transition to renewable energy. Mr. George Fakidis, Owner of KTISTOR Energy said: "We are thrilled to collaborate with Sungrow on the deployment of the groundbreaking PowerTitan 2.0 BESS technology for these pivotal projects in Greece. At KTISTOR Energy, we are committed to driving the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. This partnership underscores our dedication to integrating cutting-edge solutions that not only enhance grid stability but also accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across the region. Together with Sungrow, we are paving the way for a greener and more efficient energy landscape in Greece." Mr. Anastasios Gkinis, Regional Director of Sungrow for SEE, CEE and CIS commented, "We are honored by KTISTOR's trust in Sungrow's cutting-edge technology and our team's commitment to providing top-level support at every stage of these landmark projects. The PowerTitan 2.0's deployment in Greece will further enhance grid stability and contribute to the nation's energy transition efforts. As BESS becomes a crucial part of the further development of renewables, Sungrow is steadfast along with its partners in bridging the road towards its mission Clean power for all." This partnership marks another milestone in Sungrow's commitment to driving innovation and supporting large-scale renewable energy integration across Europe. Sungrow continues to lead the charge toward a more sustainable future, providing reliable and efficient energy solutions to its partners worldwide. About Sungrow Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 27 years. As of June 2024, Sungrow has installed 605 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the most bankable Asian energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 170 countries, supported by a network of 490 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit www.sungrowpower.com. Contact: Mina Zhang, mina.zhang@cn.sungrowpower.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2582869/image_967934_20773639.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sungrow-and-ktistor-energy-partner-to-deploy-powertitan-2-0-for-milestone-bess-projects-in-greece-302333523.html Highlights: Strong analytical results for drill hole CS-24-020 include several wide intervals containing: 26.5 m at 1.08% Li2O, 15.8 m at 1.43% Li2O, 41.6 m at 0.90% Li2O, and 13.5 m at 1.25% Li2O. Proceeds of $1.9 million received on exercise of warrants expiring December 15, 2024. Q2 Metals Corp. (TSXV:QTWO)(OTCQB:QUEXF)(FSE:458) ("Q2" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has received core assay results on drill hole CS-24-020, as well as one small interval that was remaining on drill hole CS-24-021 from the 2024 drill campaign at the Cisco Lithium Property (the "Property" or the "Cisco Property") located within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. All core assay results from the 2024 drill campaign at the Cisco Property have now been received and reported on. The Company also announces that all share purchase warrants originally issued in a December 2022 private placement financing were exercised in advance of their December 15, 2024 expiry date. Total proceeds of $1,906,250 was received from the exercise of 6,250,000 share purchase warrants bearing a strike price of $0.305 per share. "2024 has been a transformative year for Q2. Since its acquisition in February 2024, we have been focused on the Cisco Property, which has far surpassed our lofty expectations," said Neil McCallum, Q2 Metals Vice President of Exploration. "With the final drill results now reported on from our 2024 exploration campaign, we are eager to resume work on Cisco in late January and expand on the exceptional results we've received so far." "We are pleased that the cash proceeds from the exercise of expiring warrants, as well as the exercise of other in-the-money warrants, will further add to Q2's strong balance sheet, providing us with a solid financial foundation from which we will continue to build shareholder value through the drill bit with our 2025 winter exploration program," said Alicia Milne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Q2 Metals. "Plans for the winter campaign at Cisco are being finalized and will be detailed early in the new year." Results for CS-24-020 The analytical results reported herein represent 405 m of drilling over one (1) hole (CS-24-020), as well as the uppermost interval of drill hole CS-24-021, during the 2024 drill campaign. Complete highlighted intervals from hole CS-24-020, are summarized in Table 1 and represented in Figure 1, with two cross sections in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 1. Map of Recent Drill Holes with Analytical Results at Cisco Property Drill hole CS-24-020 was drilled on the same pad as hole CS-24-023 and approximately 150 m to the southeast of hole CS-24-019. The results reveal several separate mineralized intervals including the widest intervals: 26.5 m at 1.08% Li2O, 15.8 m at 1.43% Li2O, 13.5 m at 1.25% Li2O and 41.6 m at 0.90% Li2O. Figure 2. Cross Section C (looking northeast) All drill holes from the 2024 drill campaign are detailed in Figure 3 from northeast to southwest and represent a drill-defined strike length of approximately 850 m. The surface outcrops and drilling suggest that the mineralization may continue to the south for another 1,050 m. As previously reported, drill hole CS-24-023, drilled from the same drill pad as CS-24-020, confirms the continuity of the mineralized system to the southeast and the mineralized system remains open in both directions. Figure 3. Long Section containing all holes drilled to-date (looking southwest) Table 1. Summary of Analytical Results of Spring Drill Holes at Cisco Property All intervals of greater than 2 m of core-length are included in the table. Internal dilution of non-pegmatite material was limited to intervals of less than 5 m. No specific grade cap or lower cut-offs were used during grade and width calculations. All intervals are reported as core widths and mineralized intervals in all the holes drilled thus far are not representative of the true width as the modelled pegmatite zones are being refined with every additional hole. Complete drill hole collar, lithology and assay information is available at: www.q2metals.com/property/cisco-lithium-property/ Sampling, Analytical Methods and QA/QC Protocols Drill core was saw-cut with half-core sent for geochemical analysis and half-core remaining in the box for reference. The same side of the core was sampled to maintain representativeness. All drill core samples were shipped to SGS Canada's preparation facility in Val D'Or, Quebec, for standard sample preparation (code PRP92) which includes drying at 105C, crushing to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 500 g, and pulverize 85% passing 75 microns. The pulps are then shipped by air to SGS Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where the samples are homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (code GE_ICM91A50). The Li grade presented herein was reported by SGS Canada as lithium oxide (Li 2O). Upcoming Events AME Roundup Core Shack Q2 is pleased to have been selected as a participant in the core shack at the upcoming AME annual Roundup conference being held in Vancouver, BC from January 20 - 23, 2025. Vice President of Exploration Neil McCallum as well as senior project geologists will be on hand with core from the 2024 drill season at Cisco. Mr. McCallum will also be presenting at the Critical and Base Metals Speaker Session on Tuesday January 21, 2025. For more information on AME Roundup, please click here. PDAC Booth and Core Shack The Company will be attending and exhibiting on site at the 2025 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada event ("PDAC 2025") in Toronto, ON. Q2 is exhibiting in the Investors Exchange from March 2 - 5, 2025 at booth number 2726. Additionally, Q2 Metals is pleased to announce that the Company has been selected to exhibit core from the Cisco Lithium Property at PDAC 2025. More details to be provided as the event approaches. For more information on PDAC 2025, please click here. Qualified Person Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, is a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 ("QP") and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr. McCallum is a director and VP Exploration for Q2. About Q2 Metals Corp Q2 Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on unlocking its portfolio of lithium projects in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, that includes both its 100-per-cent-owned Mia Lithium Property and the Cisco Lithium Property. The Cisco Property is comprised of 767 claims, totaling 39,389 hectares ("ha"). The Cisco Property transects the Billy Diamond Highway, and the main mineralized zone is located only 6.5 kilometres ("km") away from the highway. The Cisco Property is approximately 150 km north of Matagami, a small town that contains the closest rail link to much of James Bay; and is within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee Territory, James Bay, Quebec. The Cisco Property is situated along the Frotet Evans Greenstone Belt, comprised of a volcanic package dominated by mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks, of the southern James Bay Lithium District, the same belt that hosts the Sirmac and Moblan lithium deposits, located 130 km and 180 km away, respectively. The Cisco Lithium Property has district-scale potential with an already identified mineralized zone and discovery drill results that include: 120.3 metres at 1.72% Li2O (hole CS-24-010); 215.6 metres at 1.69% Li2O (hole CS-24-018); 347.1 metres at 1.35% Li2O (hole CS-24-021); and 188.6 metres at 1.56% Li2O (hole CS-24-023) Since May 2024, the Company has drilled a total of 6,359.7 m over 17 holes. All drill holes intercepted pegmatite with visual indications of spodumene mineralization identified. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Alicia Milne President & CEO Alicia@Q2metals.com Jason McBride Corporate Communications Jason@Q2metals.com Telephone: 1 (800) 482-7560 E-mail: info@Q2metals.com WWW.Q2Metals.com Follow the Company: Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Accordingly, all statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, any statements or plans regard the geological prospects of the Company's properties and the future exploration endeavors of the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, drilling results on the Cisco Property and inferences made therefrom, the potential scale of the Cisco Property, the focus of the Company's current and future exploration and drill programs, the scale, scope and location of future exploration and drilling activities, the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same. Readers are cautioned that mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business and accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Q2 Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com BERLIN, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The premier fashion brand Zeagoo has officially launched its much-anticipated Christmas and New Year campaign, themed "Merry Christmas & Hello 2025." Running from December 3, 2024, through January 1, 2025, the brand invites fashion enthusiasts to fully embrace the holiday spirit with a collection that offers a perfect blend of style, comfort, and elegance for festive celebrations. Central to the campaign is a collection of clothing items infused with Christmas elements, designed to offer style and comfort. The Zeagoo Women's Oversized Sweater Vest Dress is a standout piece. Its oversized and casual style ensures a flattering fit for all body shapes. The dress features a V-neck, sleeveless knitwear, a side slit hem, and a houndstooth pattern, making it a versatile addition to any wardrobe. Another highlight of the collection is the Zeagoo Women's 2024 Casual Dress. The dress features a classic crew neck, long sleeves, a tie waist, knee length, and a slim fit that cleverly conceals belly fat. The A-line and belt design are key fashion features for fall and winter. Suitable for daily wear, church, weddings, family photos, parties, travel, and dancing, this dress also makes an excellent gift for women who look for elegance. Furthermore, in an exciting collaboration, Zeagoo has partnered with a renowned German influencer @hhfernanda to introduce the Zeagoo x Fernanda collection, which features a series of dresses with velvet elements, combining elegance, fashion, and a touch of sensuality, perfect for the party-filled holiday season. The Zeagoo Women's Velvet Dress is a prime example, available in dark green, navy blue, black, and wine-red. Made from high-quality velvet, the dress is comfortable, soft, breathable, and stretchy, excluding elegance and luxury with a subtle shine under the light. This festive season, Zeagoo offers a collection that embodies the spirit of Christmas and the promise of a stylish New Year. With a range of versatile and elegant pieces, the brand ensures everyone can find their perfect holiday look. About Zeagoo Zeagoo is a women's fashion brand dedicated to blending classic and contemporary styles, creating designs that highlight elegance and confidence across diverse occasions. Known for its simplicity, comfort, and high-quality craftsmanship, the brand specializes in attire that resonates with the refined tastes of mature women. For more details, please visit: https://zeagoo.com/. Or follow Zeagoo on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeagoo.official/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeagooofficial Contact: Charlotte Liu, charlotte@zeagoo.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2582764/Zeagoo_Embraces_Holiday_Spirit_Style_Elegance.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zeagoo-embraces-the-holiday-spirit-with-style-and-elegance-302333527.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) (Benz or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of voting at its Annual General and Special Shareholder Meeting held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 10am (AWST) in Perth, Australia (the Meeting). All matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in the company's Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular dated November 15, 2024, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting. A total of 41,010,211 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 24.25% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company as of the record date of the Meeting. As required under ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2, we advise details of resolutions and the proxies as set out at Appendix 1. This announcement has been approved for release by the Board. About Benz Mining Corp. Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) is a pure-play gold exploration company dual-listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and Australian Securities Exchange. The Company owns the Eastmain Gold Project in Quebec, with a NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) compliant mineral resource of 1,005,000 ounces at 6.1g/t Au, showcasing Benz's focus on high-grade, high-margin assets in premier mining jurisdictions. On 6 November 2024, Benz announced a binding agreement to acquire the Glenburgh and Mt Egerton Gold Projects in Western Australia from Spartan Resources Limited (ASX: SPR). This acquisition, once completed, will mark a transformational step, establishing Benz as a multi-jurisdictional gold exploration company with a focus on unlocking value in underexplored assets. The Glenburgh Project features a Mineral Resource Estimate of 16.3Mt at 1.0 g/t Au (510,100 ounces of contained gold). Benz's key point of difference lies in its team's deep geological expertise and the use of advanced geological techniques, particularly in high-metamorphic terrane exploration. The Company aims to rapidly grow its global resource base and solidify its position as a leading gold explorer across two of the world's most prolific gold regions. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/234111_7f7b3e7ff4994bca_001full.jpg For more information, please visit: https://benzmining.com/. Competent Person's Statement (JORC Code) The Mineral Resource Estimates for the Eastmain Project and the Glenburgh Project were previously reported in accordance with Listing Rule 5.8 on 24 May 2023 and 6 November 2024, respectively. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcements and confirms that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Estimates continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements. Historical Mineral Resource Estimates All mineral resource estimates in respect of the Glenburgh Project in this news release are considered to be "historical estimates" as defined under NI 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). These historical estimates are not considered to be current and are not being treated as such. These estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of Australia (JORC Code) and have not been reported in accordance with NI 43-101. A qualified person (as defined in NI 43-101) (Qualified Person) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. A Qualified Person would need to review and verify the scientific information and conduct an analysis and reconciliation of historical data in order to verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information is based on plans, expectations, and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change because of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains regulatory approval. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, that occurrences such as those referred to above are realized and result in delays, or cessation in planned work, that the Company's financial condition and development plans change, and delays in regulatory approval, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Appendix 1: The following information is provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2 and shows the number of proxy votes received prior to the Meeting. The Company notes no additional votes were cast directly in the Meeting. Resolution Resolution Result Voting Method Number of votes cast in Meeting Instructions given to validly appointed proxies For Against Withheld/ Abstained* For Against Withheld/ Abstained* Discretion 1. To set the number of Directors at four (4) Passed Poll 41,001,011 99.98% 9,200 0.02% - 41,001,011 99.98% 9,200 0.02% - - 2.1 Election of Director - Evan Cranston Passed Poll 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% - 2.2 Election of Director - Mathew O'Hara Passed Poll 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% - 2.3 Election of Director - Peter Williams Passed Poll 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% - 2.4 Election of Director - Nick Tintor Passed Poll 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% - 3. Appointment and Remuneration of Auditors Passed Poll 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% 41,007,211 99.99% N/A 3,000 0.01% - 4. Re-Approval of Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan Passed Poll 34,814,035 99.93% 23,200 0.07% - 34,814,035 99.93% 23,200 0.07% - - 5. Approval of 10% Placement Facility Passed Poll 40,987,711 99.95% 3,500 0.01% 19,000 0.05% 40,987,711 99.95% 3,500 0.01% 19,000 0.05% - 6. Ratification of prior issue of Placement Shares Passed Poll 40,923,711 99.79% 7,500 0.02% 79,000 0.19% 40,923,711 99.79% 7,500 0.02% 79,000 0.19% - 7. Approval to issue Consideration Shares to Spartan Resources Ltd Passed Poll 40,967,511 99.90% 13,700 0.03% 29,000 0.07% 40,967,511 99.90% 13,700 0.03% 29,000 0.07% - 8. Approval to issue Milestone Consideration Shares to Spartan Resources Ltd Passed Poll 40,967,511 99.90% 13,700 0.03% 29,000 0.07% 40,967,511 99.90% 13,700 0.03% 29,000 0.07% - 9. Approval of Transaction Resolution Passed Poll 40,982,011 99.93% 3,000 0.01% 25,200 0.06% 40,982,011 99.93% 3,000 0.01% 25,200 0.06% - *Votes cast by a person who abstains on an item are not counted in calculating the required majority on a poll. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234111 SOURCE: Benz Mining Corp. ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) - (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its digital Customer Communications Cloud, has unveiled its top predictions for 2025. Backed by insights from powering over 800 billion interactions annually for 175,000+ businesses, Sinch outlines the key trends set to shape the future of how brands connect with their customers and create more impactful experiences. "The pace of change in customer engagement is incredible," said Jonathan Bean, Chief Marketing Officer of Sinch. "To succeed, businesses need to innovate, personalize in real-time, and, above all, build trust with their customers. Those who get it right will be the ones leading the way." So what's ahead for 2025: The Era of Real-Time Responses Customers crave faster answers, no matter where or how they reach out. To meet this growing demand, businesses must get creative by blending AI for routine queries with live agents who can handle complex problems. Generative AI will be a game-changer, with 80% of enterprises expected to adopt conversational AI by 2025. Bizbike, a Sinch customer and one of Belgium's largest eBike providers, is already setting the standard-its AI chatbot now handles 30% of all customer FAQs, improving satisfaction and freeing up agents for more strategic tasks. 'Context-First' Channel Orchestration The endless channel debates are finally over-forget 'SMS vs. email' The future isn't about choosing winners but about orchestrating a context-first strategy. Leading enterprises are shifting their focus from open rates and cost-per-message to creating seamless multi-channel experiences tailored to geography, message urgency, and customer preferences. Sophisticated decision engines and fallback strategies are critical to ensuring smooth communication across platforms, keeping customer experiences front and center. "Sophisticated enterprises don't just blindly use SMS and email. They might send SMS to specific customers because they know they're profitable users. They send email to others based on geography or where they are in the customer journey because they know that's what's most effective," explains Bean, Sinch's. Building Customer Trust As online scams and impersonation attacks rise, trust will be a cornerstone of customer communication in 2025. Businesses must step up with visible security measures, such as verified messages and authenticated emails, to reassure customers. With Apple adopting RCS messaging and Gmail expanding BIMI support, verified brand logos will now appear alongside texts and emails, providing a game-changing way to build trust. Companies that embrace these practices will stand out as secure, reliable partners in their customers' eyes. Notifications Evolve into Conversations Static notifications are becoming a thing of the past. In 2025, businesses will use RCS to transform updates into dynamic, interactive touchpoints that spark conversations and drive sales. Imagine scheduling deliveries, upgrading flights, or making purchases directly within your messages. By embedding these capabilities into routine updates, brands can turn everyday notifications into opportunities for deeper engagement and meaningful connections. Conversational Commerce Comes of Age Messaging apps are becoming digital storefronts, and businesses that embrace this trend will gain a competitive edge. These platforms are evolving into seamless shopping experiences, enabling customers to browse, interact, and purchase without leaving their favorite apps. Companies like Courir, a France-based footwear retailer, are already ahead of the curve, using AI shopping assistants to deliver highly personalized shopping journeys that customers love-and that drive significant ROI. Integration is Key to Intelligent Engagement Disconnected systems create disconnected experiences, and today's connected consumers expect seamless interactions. To meet and exceed these expectations, businesses must integrate customer data and communication platforms. By mapping customer data across systems and focusing on key journeys, companies can create interactions that feel personal, contextual, and effortless. Investments in technologies that consolidate communication data will be essential to delivering the next level of customer experience. Smarter Channel Spending Businesses must move beyond focusing solely on cost and start optimizing communication channels based on the value they deliver. Developing ROI models that go beyond delivery expenses and incorporating factors like customer engagement and satisfaction are crucial. Experimenting with and refining channel combinations will help companies strategically allocate resources while achieving meaningful outcomes. "These trends show that the future of customer communications will be faster, smarter, and more connected," said Robert Gerstmann, Co-founder, and Chief Evangelist at Sinch. "The businesses that adapt now will be the ones creating the experiences customers truly value." For businesses ready to prepare for the future of digital customer engagement, Sinch is here to help. For more information, visit www.sinch.com. For more information, please contact:? Janet Lennon? Director of Global PR & Communications? janet.lennon@sinch.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/sinch-unveils-2025-predictions---what-s-next-for-digital-customer-communications,c4083096 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sinch-unveils-2025-predictions-whats-next-for-digital-customer-communications-302333544.html Italy's Leading Retail Aggregator is Latest Member to Join the Pan-European Exchange Specialised in Delivering Best Execution to Retail Brokers. MILAN, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Equiduct, the retail-focused pan-European exchange, announced today that Banca Akros is the newest direct member to join its Best Execution service, Apex. Banca Akros is the Investment Bank of Banco BPM Group. Point of reference for Mid Corporate and Financial Institutions clients for over 25 years, Banca Akros offers transparent products and financial services, aimed at satisfying the various needs of customers in terms of access to capital markets, financial risks and extraordinary finance management, also cross-border. By joining Equiduct as a direct member, Banca Akros now has access to commission-free Best Execution across 12 European markets, substantially increasing the competitiveness of its retail best execution service and improving execution quality with better prices and additional liquidity offered by Equiduct. Equiduct continues to be fully committed to working alongside the Italian retail brokerage community to ensure that an ever-growing number of individual investors receive the best possible execution for their transactions in Italian & European equities and ETFs. Giuseppe Puccio, General Manager at Banca Akros said: "Joining Equiduct's Apex service enhances our ability to deliver best execution for our clients. This improvement applies both in terms of market variety and competitive pricing. Furthermore, the access to the Apex platform is consistent with Sabe equity, our proprietary automatic dynamic Best Execution system designed for trading European equity. In other terms, the collaboration with Equiduct adds significant value to our overall offering for accessing international equity markets. It reaffirms Banca Akros' commitment to providing innovative services, both independently and through strategic partnerships". Wail Azizi, Chief Strategy Officer at Equiduct, said: "We are pleased to welcome Banca Akros as a direct exchange member. The inclusion of Apex in their newly overhauled best execution service will help Banca Akros, and their clients improve end-investors execution quality, while significantly reducing their overall costs for both their Italian and their Pan-EU executions. Banca Akros is one of Italy's leading retail aggregators and a true pioneer in execution innovation in Italy. Congratulations to Giuseppe and the entire Banca Akros teams on the smooth delivery of their groundbreaking new Best Execution capabilities of which Apex is now part of." Notes to editors About Equiduct: Equiduct is an innovative, client driven pan-European exchange enabling retail brokers and institutional clients to achieve Best Execution in the most liquid and fragmented stocks and ETFs across 12markets covering 16 European headline indices. Equiduct is a market segment of Borse Berlin, a regulated market operator under Article 44 of MiFID II. Borse Berlin is regulated by the Competent Authority Senatsverwaltung fur Wirtschaft, Energie und Betriebe - Borsenaufsichtsbehorde and participation in trading is governed by German and European law. In 2023 it reported a turnover of 79bn and an overall ADV (average daily volume) of 310m. About Banca Akros: Banca Akros, established in 1997 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, is a prominent investment bank and a subsidiary of Banco BPM. The bank offers a comprehensive range of services, including investment banking, brokerage, and research, catering to corporate clients, financial institutions, and professional investors. Banca Akros specializes in areas such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), equity and debt capital markets, and structured finance solutions. In 2021, it expanded its international reach by acquiring Oaklins Italy, enhancing its capabilities in cross-border transactions. The bank is recognized for its expertise in the Italian financial market and its commitment to providing tailored financial solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/equiduct-welcomes-banca-akros-as-direct-exchange-member-and-new-agency-broker-on-apex-302324098.html A research team in the Netherlands investigated how copper planar air-core inductors can yield the required inductor properties to support sub-module power conversion in PV modules. The scientists claim that implementing MPPT at the sub-module level can increase the panel's tolerance to shade. Researchers from the Netherlands' Delft University of Technology have sought to embed power electronics in photovoltaic modules with the aim of increasing the shade tolerance of panels via maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Their work consisted of conducting a feasibility study on whether copper planar ... 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. Funding will support Project Numina's ambitious research roadmap to transform the landscape of mathematical reasoning formalization. Project aims to accelerate the development of innovative and open-source AI tools for mathematicians and general progress in AI reasoning. Project Numina, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing mathematical knowledge and accessibility through artificial intelligence, has received a 3 million grant from XTX Markets, the leading algorithmic trading firm. In accordance with Numina's public benefit mission, all the results of the project will be released to the public. As advancements in AI continue to transform the field of mathematics, access to state-of-the-art AI models for mathematical reasoning, along with their associated training datasets, remains limited. This lack of public availability significantly impedes both rigorous evaluation and widespread adoption by the scientific community. With the support of XTX Markets, Numina is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to collect and publicly release a comprehensive database of up to one million formal mathematical problems and proofs. This effort will be complemented by the development and open-sourcing of advanced reasoning models, fostering greater collaboration and innovation in mathematical AI research. Simon Coyle, Head of Philanthropy, XTX Markets said, "AI has huge potential to push the frontier of knowledge in mathematics. An important next step is developing open-source models for mathematical reasoning, so we are delighted to support Project Numina's mission to create data and tools that will help accelerate progress towards this goal." Yann Fleureau, co-founder and President of Numina, said, "We are grateful to XTX Markets for their generous commitment to advance progress in mathematics. With their support, Numina will be able to publicly release datasets and AI models which will dramatically advance AI mathematical reasoning." Building the largest open dataset of mathematical reasoning in history Last July, Numina publicly released NuminaMath, the largest database of mathematical problems and proofs in history (860,000 entries). Numina also built and released an AI model which won the AIMO progress prize #1, demonstrating national-level competitive math capabilities, winning $131,072. Project Numina's next objective is to build and release a corpus of up to 1 million formal exercises and proofs. The XTX Markets grant will support a major step on this journey by enabling the formalization of up to 100,000 items. Mathematics to remain an open domain in the age of AI Along with the development of the formal math dataset, Numina will pursue the development and open-source release of AI models specialized in mathematics. "We are working on AI models to automatically prove theorems and formalize mathematical reasoning. We are very excited to see how our datasets and models will be used by the community," said Jia Li, co-founder and Chief Scientist of Numina. "Formalization tools such as Lean have the potential to bring huge benefits to mathematics, and are already starting to do so, but progress is held up by the significant investment of time it takes to learn and use these tools. If AI can be trained to perform formalization automatically to a high standard, this barrier will be removed, or at least dramatically reduced, and that is likely to be a game changer for how we produce and share mathematical content," said Timothy Gowers, Fields Medalist and holder of the Combinatorics chair at the College de France and fellow of Trinity College Cambridge. Numina plans a first public release of its research data and results by mid-2025 and is developing an interactive web interface to enable the general public to access its database for educational purposes. About Numina Numina is a non-profit organization and an open scientific collaboration fostering the development of human and artificial intelligence in the field of mathematics. In July 2024, Numina won the AIMO progress prize #1 and released publicly the largest dataset of mathematical problems and proofs. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217062574/en/ Contacts: Media contact Yann Fleureau yann@projectnumina.ai Richard Hillary Richard.hillary@xtxmarkets.com Taiwan Excellence announces three global winners of the Go Green with Taiwan Award UK startup Hanon Studio was one of the three winners, netting a $20,000 reward Award evidences strength of the UK startup community in the international arena TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The government-endorsed "Go Green with Taiwan" competition, delivered by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), has announced its three global winners, with UK-based startup Hanon Studio being amongst the three champions. "Go Green with Taiwan" is a global proposal campaign that invites creative minds worldwide to develop meaningful solutions for a sustainable future. The award is an internationally recognised certificate of excellence designed to help global-facing startups build a sustainable future in partnership with Taiwanese innovation. The two other winning proposals came from Hungary and the Philippines, with each winner awarded a $20,000 prize. The announcement concludes a five-month campaign, with the competition receiving 396 proposals from 45 countries worldwide. Taiwan is home to Nvidia, the second-most valuable tech company on earth, and its growing voice in the international technology scene gives this year's award additional significance. The UK's strong performance in the competition, with four of the sixteen finalists coming from the UK, is further evidence of the international community's confidence in Britain's tech and environmental sector. Stan Shih, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Acer Group, attended the finals, underscoring the campaign's significance. He emphasised that the initiative is poised to generate a global impact by attracting international attention and fostering collaborative engagement, ultimately showcasing Taiwan's cutting-edge green technologies and innovative sustainable solutions on the world stage. Ms Cynthia Kiang, Director General of the International Trade Administration under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, expressed her belief that the project became so successful "because it truly manifested what should be done to save our environment while doing good business." Ms Kiang added: "Through this initiative, we were able to showcase the creativity of proposers around the globe by combining Taiwanese sustainable green products and solutions. Our aim is to promote Taiwan's sustainable green industry and foster international cooperation for global sustainable development." Each of the three winning companies was required to submit a proposal for a project that could help support global environmental initiatives. You can see a summary of the proposals below: United Kingdom - Digital Fashion: Transforming Fashion for a Sustainable Future "The program provides positive encouragement, motivating participants to actively contribute to planetary preservation" - Hanon Studio Representative Hungary - Investigation of the application of evaporative cooling using porous materials (row ceramics) "We are proud to be part of this extraordinary initiative, allowing us to showcase Hungarian culture and technology while exploring opportunities for international cooperation." - Team Representative Philippines - Sweet Solutions to the Plastic Crisis: Compostable Sugarcane-based Alternatives "It's a deep honour to participate in such a meaningful activity, expressing hope to realise our proposal and continue pursuing sustainable development in the future" - Team Representative President & CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, Mr. Simon Wang, expressed that 396 proposals were submitted and the probability of being selected as one of the top six finalists is only 1.5%. Through this event, international allies have also assisted in promoting the project, with the collective aim of working together to protect our singular planet. This environmental contest aims to leverage Taiwanese products and solutions to create tangible societal improvements, demonstrating the nation's potential to drive meaningful global environmental and technological development. The campaign showcases Taiwan's game-changing technological advancements and promotes collaborative efforts to address global challenges. About Go Green with Taiwan The Go Green with Taiwan initiative is organised by Taiwan's International Trade Administration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) and executed by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). As a robust support for small and medium-sized enterprises expanding internationally, the TAITRA integrates top domestic institutions and media resources from both Taiwan and abroad. The Go Green with Taiwan initiative has been developed as an essential gateway for international partners to understand Taiwan's path to sustainability. It promotes Taiwan's most comprehensive and innovative green products and solutions, inviting international partners to join Taiwan in driving sustainable environmental and economic transformation. For more details, visit facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph or the Go Green with Taiwan official website at https://gogreen.taiwanexcellence.org/. Visit facebook.com/TaiwanExcellence.ph for more details, or via the Go Green with Taiwan official website at https://gogreen.taiwanexcellence.org/. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/britain-named-by-taiwan-gov-as-global-greentech-leader-302332976.html Press Release Eviden's Trustway Crypt2pay to help SalisPay & CredoPay to secure and protect sensitive payment data required for card transactions in India, Oman and UAE Paris, France - December 17th, 2024 -Eviden, the Atos Groupbusiness leading in digital, cloud, big data and security today announces that its Trustway Crypt2pay solution has been selected by SalisPay & CredoPay, a Neo Business Banking Solution Provider with operations in Oman, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and India. Eviden's Crypt2pay, a payment HSM (Hardware Security Module), will be integrated in CredoPay's CenterFirst payment processing platform, to secure and protect the sensitive payment data required for card transactions. Additionally, Eviden's payment HSM will support all the encryption, tokenization and PIN translation functionality needed by customers. CredoPay and its subsidiary SalisPay has deployed Crypt2pay HSMs in Oman, UAE and India with plans to expand the same solution in KSA and Qatar. Antoine Schweitzer-Chaput, Head of Trustway Business Unit, at Eviden, Atos Group said: "We are delighted to provide SalisPay's customers with the highest level of security and flexibility available on the market today. SalisPay is an important strategic reference for our Trustway Crypt2pay solution in the Middle East and considering the large amount of financial service providers in the region, we are convinced this is the beginning of a series of success stories." CAPTAIN RAJA SEKHAR (Retd), Co-Founder and CTO, at CredoPay & SalisPay said: "Beyond the leading-edge security features, we chose Eviden's solution because of the flexibility and the business advantages it brings us. Eviden's Trustway Crypt2pay HSM provides Java API library with built-in load balancing and fail over capabilities allowing SalisPay to easily integrate with the HSM without worrying about developing redundancy and load balancing separately. Moreover, Crypt2pay facilitates SalisPay's customers migration. Customers can import the existing keys from their previous HSM without changing their infrastructure. Also, we can remotely manage HSMs without the need for physical data center visits and therefore reduce operational costs and ease management of HSMs". SalisPay is a joint venture between OCS Infotech, Oman (ICT Division of Zubair Corporation) and CredoPay, India. CenterFirst, CredoPay's Processing Platform, is a one-stop solution for unified acquiring, multi-channel payment processing and connected banking solutions. It provides Banks, FinTechs, Corporates and Merchants with a cutting-edge payment orchestration infrastructure to manage unified acquisitions. *** About Eviden [1] Evidenis a next-gen technology leader in data-driven, trusted and sustainable digital transformation with a strong portfolio of patented technologies. With worldwide leading positions in advanced computing, security, AI, cloud and digital platforms, it provides deep expertise for all industries in more than 47 countries. Bringing together 41,000 world-class talents, Eviden expands the possibilities of data and technology across the digital continuum, now and for generations to come. Eviden is an Atos Group company with an annual revenue of c. 5 billion. About Atos Atos is a global leader in digital transformation with c. 82,000 employees and annual revenue of c. 10 billion. European number one in cybersecurity, cloud and high-performance computing, the Group provides tailored end-to-end solutions for all industries in 69 countries. A pioneer in decarbonization services and products, Atos is committed to a secure and decarbonized digital for its clients. Atos is a SE (Societas Europaea) and listed on Euronext Paris. The purpose of Atosis to help design the future of the information space. Its expertise and services support the development of knowledge, education and research in a multicultural approach and contribute to the development of scientific and technological excellence. Across the world, the Group enables its customers and employees, and members of societies at large to live, work and develop sustainably, in a safe and secure information space. [1] Eviden business is operated through the following brands: AppCentrica, ATHEA, Cloudamize, Cloudreach, Cryptovision, DataSentics, Edifixio, Energy4U, Engage ESM, Evidian, Forensik, IDEAL GRP, In Fidem, Ipsotek, Maven Wave, Profit4SF, SEC Consult, Visual BI, Worldgrid, X-Perion. Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden is a registered trademark. Eviden SAS, 2024. Press contact Zohra Dali - zohra.dali.external@eviden.com- +33 (0) 6 71 92 71 87 Attachment AHAM Capital is replacing legacy, on-premises systems with Temenos Multifonds Global Accounting on SaaS to drive scalable automation and future growth in the Malaysian market GRAND-LANCY, Switzerland, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Temenos (SIX: TEMN) today announced that AHAM Capital has selected Temenos Multifonds Global Accounting delivered as SaaS to drive scalable automation and future growth in the Malaysian market. Founded in 2001 and majority owned by CVC Capital Partners, AHAM Capital has grown to become one of Malaysia's leading asset management firms. The firm serves the wealth needs of corporates, institutions, pension funds, government-linked companies, high net worth individuals and the mass affluent, with over RM88 billion in Assets Under Administration and more than 160 funds. Temenos Multifonds was selected after a rigorous evaluation process and detailed proof of concept, recognizing Multifonds as the best solution to support AHAM's growth over the long-term. Using Multifonds, AHAM will be able to automate its end-to-end operations with a multi-asset and multi-currency solution. Temenos Multifonds can support AHAM's traditional business while at the same time supporting Islamic funds in accordance with Shariah standards, via Multifonds' flexibility in chart of account, posting rules and naming conventions. The Multifonds SaaS solution will allow AHAM to benefit from the flexibility offered by a cloud-based deployment and full management of the application, removing the need to maintain software in-house. AHAM will also be able to connect to surrounding applications in the future with standard Multifonds APIs. Allen Woo, Chief Technology Officer, AHAM Capital, commented: "We are excited to partner with Temenos Multifonds for our fund accounting system replacement. Temenos' fully automated solution empowers AHAM to streamline end-to-end operations, achieve high STP rates, and support our long-term expansion plans by enabling new products such as digital assets and ETFs. At the same time, it will enhance service quality and foster client growth in Malaysia's fast-evolving financial markets." Oded Weiss, Managing Director, Temenos Multifonds, said: "We are delighted to be chosen and work closely with AHAM on this strategic project. As a recognized leader in the Malaysian asset management industry, AHAM sought a future-ready solution, and we are confident Multifonds SaaS will meet their aspirations. By enabling a truly client-centric asset management service, this partnership will support AHAM in driving innovation and accelerating business growth. We look forward to building a strong and fruitful collaboration with AHAM." About Temenos Temenos (SIX: TEMN) is the world's leading open platform for banking. We serve clients in over 150 countries by helping them build new banking services and state-of-the-art customer experiences. The Temenos open platform helps our top-performing clients achieve return on equity three times the industry average and cost-to-income ratios half the industry average. For more information, please visit www.temenos.com. Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Emerson Pro Services has announced an expansion of its specialized offerings in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area, introducing advanced solutions for gutters, drainage, masonry, and paving. These updates aim to provide homeowners with targeted, long-lasting services to address specific challenges while enhancing property functionality and appeal. Emerson Pro Services Launches Expanded Home Maintenance Solutions for Dallas-Fort Worth Metro To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/234114_b2b68b5344093970_002full.jpg The newly upgraded gutter and drainage systems are designed to protect properties from water damage and ensure efficient water flow. These enhancements include advanced installation and repair techniques that help homeowners manage rainfall effectively, safeguarding foundations and landscaping. Emerson Pro Services has also refined its masonry and paving services to offer more durable and visually appealing options. From patios and walkways to driveways, these customized solutions combine practical benefits with aesthetic improvements, ensuring homeowners achieve lasting results. "Our expanded services reflect our dedication to delivering effective, tailored solutions for homeowners," said Kerry Ann Levi, founder for Emerson Pro Services. "This update allows us to address common maintenance challenges while offering enhanced features for improved property performance." Looking ahead, Emerson Pro Services plans to further broaden its scope to meet emerging homeowner needs. The company is exploring additional innovations in eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices, aligning with growing demand for environmentally conscious home maintenance solutions. Future plans include introducing specialized services such as smart drainage systems and energy-efficient masonry techniques, aimed at providing homeowners with cutting-edge options to modernize and maintain their properties. As the Dallas-Fort Worth region continues to grow, Emerson Pro Services remains committed to investing in local expertise, ensuring that its services evolve in step with the needs of the community. By focusing on innovation and quality, the company aims to cement its position as a trusted partner for home maintenance solutions in the area. The new offerings focus on delivering specialized care to meet the specific needs of Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners, ensuring their properties remain protected and visually enhanced. To learn more about Gutters and Drainage or Masonry and Pavers services, visit Emerson Pro Services or schedule a consultation today. About Emerson Pro Services Emerson Pro Services is a trusted provider of specialized home maintenance and repair solutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area. With a focus on gutters, drainage, masonry, and paving, the company offers expert services designed to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of residential properties. Dedicated to quality and innovation, Emerson Pro Services is committed to meeting the unique needs of homeowners with tailored solutions and exceptional customer care. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234114 SOURCE: Plentisoft TAIPEI, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, with Cathay Financial Holdings (Cathay FHC) hosting its second consecutive side event, the "Global Climate Leaders Roundtable." This roundtable brought together over 20 prominent climate organizations, businesses, and policymakers from across the globe to engage in multi-sector and cross-border discussions about the challenges and solutions surrounding climate finance and energy transition. Under the theme "Challenges and Solutions of Climate Finance and Energy Transition," the roundtable provided a crucial foundation for driving transformation and innovation through public-private sector collaboration. Representatives from Taiwan, Asia, and Europe participated, including the World Climate Foundation, which connects over 80,000 public and private sector stakeholders worldwide and partners with Cathay FHC; the Climate Bonds Initiative, which develops global climate bond standards and certification mechanisms; the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), managing $32 trillion across 11 countries; the International Energy Agency (IEA) with 28 member countries; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan's largest financial institution; Temasek Foundation of Singapore; and various public and private sector representatives from Taiwan, including Central Weather Administration, ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund), and National Taiwan University Experiment Forest. In the face of mounting climate risks and the progressing global climate action stocktake, the roundtable underscored the urgent need to decarbonize energy systems, scale up renewable energy, and advance just transitions. Cathay FHC's President, Chang-Ken Lee, emphasized: "COP29 is often referred to as the 'Finance COP,' and one of its key topics is how to effectively channel private capital into climate action, accelerating the climate transition and mitigating climate risks." He noted that collective efforts from the financial sector can translate visionary goals into actionable climate solutions, with collaboration and innovation being essential to unlocking systemic change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy investment is projected to exceed the unprecedented amount of USD 3 trillion in 2024. However, achieving the goals of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 will require a significant increase in investments. Anjali Viswamohanan, Director of Policy at AIGCC, discussed Asia's growing role as a climate investment hotspot, noting that fiduciary duty, regulatory changes, and client demand are key drivers, while regulatory uncertainty and the absence of a clear net-zero carbon framework remain challenges. IEA Energy and Climate Analyst Luca Lo Re introduced the G20's Clean Energy Investment Roadmap for developing countries, stressing that financial flows must increase sixfold to meet energy demands and achieve net-zero by 2050. Additionally, Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, emphasized that science-based green bond standards are crucial for scaling up climate finance, as standardized processes can reduce investment risks and accelerate progress. Tomo Ishikawa, Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer at MUFG, discussed the challenges of the enormous cost with the attempt to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and suggested using standardized financing templates and blended finance models to simplify climate investment processes. Experts in climate action also explored the vital role of nature-based solutions in tackling climate change. Shruthi Kumar, Deputy Director of Temasek Foundation, shared insights into how bank financing was applied to a sustainable palm oil planting project in Indonesia, which mitigates deforestation risks while benefiting both banks and farmers. Kuo-Chen Lu, Deputy Director of Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, emphasized the key role of artificial intelligence in natural disaster early-warning systems for mudslides and earthquakes, highlighting technology's importance in improving climate resilience. Ming-Jer Tsai, Director of National Taiwan University's Forest Experimental Station, proposed innovative methods for quantifying biodiversity gains through biocarbon credits, providing a new science-based tool for conservation efforts. Cathay FHC's Chief Investment Officer, Sophia Cheng, reinforced the company's commitment to advancing climate finance and energy transition. She highlighted Cathay's pivotal role in financing Taiwan's renewable energy projects and sustainability-focused financial products, with over USD 50 billion dedicated to sustainable financing as of 2023. She remarked, ""In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, through innovation and collaboration, we can turn the impossible into possible." In this gathering of global climate leaders, Cheng once again emphasized that through cooperation, systemic transformation can be achieved, ensuring a sustainable future for all humanity. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2582926/Cathay_Financial_Holdings_held_Climate_Leaders_Roundtable_a_side_event.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2582927/Climate_action_experts_countries_gathered_forum_emphasizing_urgency_accelerating_energy.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2582928/Cathay_FHC_President_Chang_Ken_Lee__left__believes_important_issues_COP29.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cathay-financial-holdings-hosts-cop29-global-climate-leaders-roundtable-brainstorming-solutions-for-climate-finance-and-energy-transition-302333627.html 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. Rare autoimmune disorders may not be as widely known, but they impact the lives of millions globally. While these conditions may not always be in the spotlight, understanding them is crucial for advancing treatments and improving the quality of life for those affected. LAS VEGAS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rare autoimmune disorders market is evolving rapidly, driven by advancements in biotechnology and an increasing understanding of immune system dysfunctions. With a growing prevalence of autoimmune diseases and an expanding patient population, the demand for targeted therapies is rising. Biopharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in the development of novel treatments, including biologics, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapies. The market is also witnessing the emergence of precision medicine, allowing for personalized treatment plans based on genetic and molecular profiling. Additionally, regulatory bodies are fast-tracking approvals for orphan drugs, fostering innovation, and enhancing access to life-saving treatments for patients with rare autoimmune conditions. DelveInsight has expertise in the rare disease market with an experienced team handling the rare disease domain proficiently. DelveInsight has recently released a series of epidemiology-based market reports on rare autoimmune disorders including Myasthenia Gravis, Systemic Sclerosis, Axial Spondyloarthritis, and Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis. These reports include a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Additionally, the reports feature an examination of prominent companies working with their lead candidates in different stages of clinical development. Let's deep dive into the assessment of these rare autoimmune disorders markets individually. Myasthenia Gravis Market Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's tissues. In this condition, the immune attack disrupts the communication between nerves and muscles at the neuromuscular junction. The primary target of the harmful autoantibodies in myasthenia gravis is the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), followed by muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) and lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4). As per DelveInsight's estimations, the total diagnosed prevalent cases of myasthenia gravis in the 7MM were 287K cases in 2023 and are projected to increase during the forecast period. Myasthenia gravis has a wide range of treatment options within its disease landscape. The management typically involves cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors, immunosuppressive drugs, biological therapies, and thymectomy when necessary. For treatment-resistant cases, options such as VYVGART (efgartigimod alfa-fcab), SOLIRIS, ULTOMIRIS (Ravulizumab), plasma exchange/IVIG, and other therapies are significant revenue drivers in the current treatment market. In 2023, the total market size for myasthenia gravis across the 7MM reached USD 4.9 billion, with substantial growth expected during the forecast period. The United States led the market in 2023, capturing nearly 76% of the total share. The total market size of the myasthenia gravis treatment market is anticipated to experience growth during the forecast period due to the emergence of new and effective treatments. Myasthenia Gravis Pipeline Therapies and Companies UPLIZNA (Inebilizumab): Horizon Therapeutics/Amgen Nipocalimab: Janssen Research & Development, LLC ENSPRYNG (satralizumab): Hoffmann-La Roche Batoclimab: Immunovant Sciences GmbH Gefurulimab (ALXN-1720): Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease Pozelimab + Cemdisiran: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals KYV-101: Kyverna Therapeutics For a comprehensive view of the myasthenia gravis market, check out the Myasthenia Gravis Market Assessment Systemic Sclerosis Market Systemic sclerosis is a group of rare diseases characterized by the hardening and tightening of the skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the abnormal growth of connective tissue. In systemic sclerosis, this tissue becomes thick or stiff, which can result in swelling or pain in the muscles and joints. In the 7MM, the US accounted for the highest number of systemic sclerosis diagnosed prevalent cases, with nearly 102K in 2023. Among the subset-specific cases, the cases of limited systemic sclerosis are much higher than those of diffuse systemic sclerosis and systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma. Treatment options for systemic sclerosis are primarily focused on managing organ disease manifestations, with immunosuppressants commonly used. A significant advancement occurred in September 2019 when the US FDA approved Boehringer Ingelheim's OFEV as the first and only treatment to slow the progression of pulmonary function decline in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Boehringer Ingelheim's 2023 annual report highlighted the strong and growing adoption of OFEV in systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease. In March 2021, Roche's ACTEMRA (Genentech) was also approved by the FDA to slow pulmonary function decline in adults with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, becoming the first biologic therapy for the condition. In September 2021, Japan's MHLW approved Zenyaku's anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, RITUXAN. Biosimilars of RITUXAN are already available in Japan for various indications. The introduction of nintedanib, tocilizumab, and rituximab has greatly expanded treatment options for both skin sclerosis and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, marking a new era in the management of systemic sclerosis. In 2023, the total systemic sclerosis market size was nearly USD 1.8 billion in the 7MM. The largest market size was captured by the US. The introduction of novel treatments for systemic sclerosis, along with a promising pipeline of upcoming products, is likely to spur industry growth. Systemic Sclerosis Pipeline Therapies and Companies LUMICEF (BRODALUMAB): KYOWA KIRIN BENLYSTA (BELIMUMAB): GSK SAPHNELO (ANIFROLUMAB): ASTRAZENECA UPLIZNA (INEBILIZUMAB): AMGEN (HORIZON THERAPEUTICS)/MITSUBISHI TANABE PHARMA VIXARELIMAB (RG6536): ROCHE (GENENTECH)/KINIKSA PHARMACEUTICALS AVENCIGUAT (BI 685509): BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM DERSIMELAGON (MT-7117): MITSUBISHI TANABE PHARMA EFZOFITIMOD: ATYR PHARMA/KYORIN PHARMACEUTICAL FIPAXALPARANT: AMGEN (HORIZON THERAPEUTICS) VASCULAN (IFETROBAN): CUMBERLAND PHARMACEUTICALS To gain a deeper understanding of the systemic sclerosis market, be sure to explore the Systemic Sclerosis Market Outlook Axial Spondyloarthritis Market Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a type of arthritis that primarily causes pain and inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine to the pelvis. It can also affect other joints and is considered a systemic condition, potentially impacting various organs and body parts. DelveInsight estimates that in 2023, the total prevalent population of axial spondyloarthritis across the 7MM was 4.5 million, with cases expected to rise significantly during the study period (2020-2034). Specifically, in the US, the diagnosed population of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis was around 569K cases in 2023. While there is no cure for axial spondyloarthritis, the goal of treatment is to alleviate pain and stiffness in the back and other affected areas, maintain spinal alignment, prevent joint and organ damage, preserve joint function and mobility, and improve the overall quality of life. Early and aggressive treatment is essential to prevent long-term complications and joint damage. A comprehensive treatment approach typically includes medication, non-pharmacological therapies, healthy lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery. The US FDA has approved UCB's CIMZIA, Eli Lilly's TALTZ, Novartis's COSENTYX, and AbbVie's RINVOQ to treat both r-axSpA and nr-axSpA. In comparison, Immunex/Amgen's ENBREL, Pfizer's XELJANZ, and Johnson & Johnson's SIMPONI are only approved for ankylosing spondylitis. Furthermore, LUMICEF has been approved in Japan for the treatment of both r-axSpA and nr-axSpA. DelveInsight predicts that the market for axial spondyloarthritis will expand from USD 9 million in 2023, with significant growth expected through 2034. This increase is driven by the emergence of new therapies and the growing prevalence of the disease. Additionally, the market for axSpA has been steadily advancing, bolstered by improvements in diagnostics, the availability of biologics, and a rising patient population. The pharmaceutical sector for axSpA has seen significant progress, particularly with the introduction of biological treatments like TNF inhibitors and IL-17 inhibitors, which are now key components of treatment plans. These therapies have not only enhanced patient outcomes but also sparked competition among leading pharmaceutical companies. The market includes both established biologics and newer options, with ongoing research focused on expanding treatment alternatives, including oral small molecule drugs like JAK inhibitors. This shift in treatment approaches is expected to continue fueling market growth in the years ahead. Discover which therapies are expected to grab major axial spondyloarthritis market share @ Axial Spondyloarthritis Market Report Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis Market Idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) is a rare autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in the muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and, in some instances, skin rashes. It includes various disorders, such as polymyositis, dermatomyositis, inclusion body myositis, and necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. The total diagnosed prevalent cases of idiopathic inflammatory myositis in the 7MM were approximately 191K cases in 2023, which are expected to increase during the forecast period (2020-2034). The treatment approach for idiopathic inflammatory myositis has evolved into a multifaceted strategy that combines medications, physical therapy, and supportive care. High-dose corticosteroids, such as prednisone or ACTHAR GEL, are typically used as first-line treatments to control inflammation and immune activity. Immunosuppressants like methotrexate, azathioprine, and tacrolimus help reduce reliance on steroids over the long term. When initial therapies are insufficient, biologics such as rituximab are employed for targeted immune suppression. Physical therapy plays a key role in maintaining muscle strength and function, and supportive treatments like NSAIDs and sun protection are used to alleviate symptoms. Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, including OCTAGAM 10% (approved in the US and Europe) and VENOGLOBULIN-IH 5% (available in Japan), is also an option. For severe, treatment-resistant cases, IV cyclophosphamide may be considered, although its use is limited due to the risk of severe side effects. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient based on disease severity and response, aiming to balance effectiveness and minimize side effects. There is a significant need for new treatments, as current options often do not fully address the condition. According to DelveInsight's analysis, the market is set for significant growth from USD 447 million in the 7MM in 2023 at a CAGR of ~21% by 2034. As per the estimates, among the therapies currently in use, immunoglobulins held the largest market share, generating USD 270.3million in revenue in 2023 across the 7MM. This growth is mainly driven by the introduction of new therapies along with the increasing number of cases, influenced by risk factors like genetic predisposition, viral infections, and UV exposure, which is anticipated to further heighten the demand for effective treatments. Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis Pipeline Therapies and Companies Dazukibart PF-06823859 (anti-beta interferon): Pfizer Efgartigimod: Argenx SAPHNELO (Anifrolumab): AstraZeneca Brepocitinib: Priovant Therapeutics/Pfizer HIZENTRA: CSL Behring Empasiprubart: Argenx Ulviprubart (ABC008): Abcuro, Inc. Daxdilimab: Amgen Nipocalimab: Janssen Froniglutide (PF1801): Immunoforge GLPG3667: Galapagos NV Enpatoran (M5049): Merck KGaA (EMD Serono Research & Development Institute) CABA-201: Cabaletta Bio Umbilical Cord Lining Stem Cells (ULSC): Restem Explore in-depth for a comprehensive understanding of the Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis Clinical Trials About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Rare Disease Consulting Services Delveinsight's comprehensive rare disease consulting services encompass rare disease consulting, epidemiology-based market assessment, and primary research projects aimed at obtaining elusive data through their esteemed KOL panel. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 www.delveinsight.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/in-depth-market-analysis-of-rare-autoimmune-disorders-myasthenia-gravis-systemic-sclerosis-axial-spondyloarthritis-and-idiopathic-inflammatory-myositis--delveinsight-302333297.html Empowering Investors with Cutting-Edge AI: GENERALIFX's New Autopilot Strategy Redefines Trading Precision and Performance GENERALIFX, a premier trading software provider and financial education platform, is excited to announce the official launch of its Multimillion-Dollar AI Strategy Autopilot. This groundbreaking innovation leverages advanced AI-driven technology to help investors make precise and informed trading decisions on autopilot across global markets. GENERALIFX is proud to emphasize its role as a trading software provider and not a broker. The company's mission is to empower traders by providing cutting-edge tools, AI algorithms, and education to enhance their trading journeys while maintaining the highest levels of transparency. AI Strategy Backed by Myfxbook-Verified Results and 5-Star Trustpilot Ratings The Multimillion-Dollar AI Strategy Autopilot has already garnered immense praise from the trading community for its exceptional performance. Its verified results on myfxbook showcase industry-leading accuracy and consistency, setting a new benchmark for automated trading solutions. With transparency at its core, GENERALIFX allows users to witness the AI's real-world performance in action-results that truly must be seen to be believed. Further underscoring its credibility, GENERALIFX maintains a 5-star rating on Trustpilot, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of thousands of global traders. 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Media Contact: GENERALIFX Public Relations Email: support@generalifx.com Website: https://generalifx.com SOURCE: GENERALIFX View the original press release on accesswire.com BANDUNG, Indonesia, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a world with over 25,000 accredited universities, rankings serve as a crucial guide in choosing where to study - but they're not the only tool for navigation. While prestigious institutions consistently dominate global top 10 lists, the real story lies in the broader spectrum of excellence found among the top-ranked universities worldwide. The truth is any institution ranked in the top few percent globally can offer transformative education that shapes future leaders. Think of university selection like choosing a high-end restaurant or hotel. While five-star chains guarantee consistent quality, boutique establishments often deliver equally impressive - sometimes more innovative - experiences. What matters is understanding how different metrics align with one's specific needs and aspirations. This is where detailed rankings become valuable points of reference. Take Lancaster University and Deakin University, both consistently ranked in the global top 200 of QS ranked universities. Lancaster's placement at 141 and Deakin's at 197 in the 2025 QS global rankings reflects their commitment to international standards of excellence. But their strengths go well beyond these numbers. Teaching quality and student satisfaction tell an even more compelling story. Deakin has maintained its position as Victoria's top-ranked university for student satisfaction for 15 consecutive years. As a research-intensive university with a global reputation for knowledge creation and innovation, Lancaster ranks 6th among 130 UK universities for learning resources and places joint 10th nationally for undergraduate education in the Complete University Guide 2025. These achievements reflect a broader truth about modern universities. High-performing institutions established in the latter half of the 20th century, like Lancaster and Deakin, have brought fresh energy and innovation to higher education. They've proven that academic excellence isn't exclusively the domain of centuries-old institutions. Moreover, their success comes from combining rigorous academic standards with a commitment to accessibility and real-world relevance. This philosophy now extends to Indonesia through Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia. The new Bandung campus represents more than just a geographic expansion; it's a testament to how world-class education can be both excellent and accessible. By bringing together in Indonesia the best of British and Australian academic traditions, expertise and practice, the university is creating a unique and exceptional educational experience. When choosing a university, let rankings inform the decision, but don't let them dictate it. The best choice will combine excellence reflected in rankings with alignment to the personal goals, learning style, and career aspirations. In today's interconnected world, excellence in education knows no boundaries. Professor Greg Barton is the Rector Designate of Deakin Lancaster University Indonesia, a new international campus in Bandung combining the academic traditions of Lancaster University (UK) and Deakin University (Australia). 2025 QS Universities Rankings (Global) - rankings for some universities based in Indonesia: DLI: Lancaster University - Ranked #141. Deakin University - Ranked #197 Universitas Indonesia (UI) - Ranked #206 Gadjah Mada University (UGM) - Ranked #239 Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) - Ranked #256 Airlangga University (UNAIR) - Ranked #308 Western Sydney University - Ranked #384 Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) - Ranked #426 Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) - Ranked #596 Diponegoro University (UNDIP) - Ranked #721-730 University Sebelas Maret University (UNS) - Ranked #1001-1200 Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia (UAJY) - Ranked 1201-1400 For more information, please visit www.dli.ac.id Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2494428/Deakin_University_Lancaster_University_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/key-role-of-university-rankings---insights-by-professor-greg-barton-rector-designate-deakin-university-lancaster-university-indonesia-302333652.html EQS-News: 4finance S.A. / Key word(s): Statement 4finance notes local Polish sanction of subsidiary (news with additional features) 17.12.2024 / 11:51 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 4finance notes local Polish sanction of subsidiary Luxembourg, 17 December 2024. 4finance Holding S.A. ("4finance"), one of Europe's largest digital consumer lending groups, notes the inclusion of its Latvian subsidiary on a national Polish sanction list. The sanction notice is effective locally in Poland from 13 December 2024. In 4finance's view, it is based on out-of-date information about shareholders, misunderstandings and speculation around Russian influence. 4finance does not do business in Poland and there is no direct impact on the operations of its businesses across Europe, Asia and the Americas. "We are not active in Poland and this Polish notice does not impact our operating businesses. But I want to take the opportunity to restate some fundamental things. None of our shareholders is subject to sanction and our business, funded through bonds listed on European exchanges, does not support the Russian economy in any way," said Kieran Donnelly, CEO of 4finance. "4finance does not agree with the assumptions and reasoning presented for the Polish decision. We are seeking to have a constructive dialogue with the Polish authorities, an opportunity we have not yet been granted." As a business with an EU banking license, banking relationships, lending licenses across Europe and bonds listed on the Frankfurt, Oslo and Baltic exchanges, 4finance is subject to and complies with a high level of public disclosure. Further information is provided in the notes to this release. 4finance is committed to an open dialogue with all its stakeholders. If you have any concerns, please contact investorrelations@4finance.com, or your usual 4finance counterpart. 4finance stands with Ukraine, our Ukrainian colleagues, and our teams across the Baltics and Eastern Europe. Background 4finance purchased a new company, Bastorehill Investments, in Poland in 2024 in order to apply for a consumer lending registration in hope of returning to the Polish consumer lending market after the unplanned exit in April 2022. Since that time, 4finance's shareholders have changed, with the full exit of the Boiko family, and there has been a change of government in Poland. In September 2024, the Polish authorities placed the local Polish entity (Bastorehill Investments Sp. z o.o.) on the local sanction list without any contact or dialogue with 4finance. Beyond the initial share capital, this company had no assets and no business activity whatsoever. Subsequently, 4finance withdrew its application, submitted a letter of protest and requested to dissolve the company. In December 2024, the Polish authorities have taken the further step of including AS 4finance, the shareholder of Bastorehill Investments, on the local sanction list. The stated rationale is similar to the first decision. Whilst there is no direct impact on the business in Latvia or elsewhere, management are reviewing what risk mitigation actions may be appropriate. 4finance notes local Polish sanction of subsidiary 17.12.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Doubleview Gold Corp (TSXV: DBG) (OTCQB: DBLVF) (FSE: 1D4) (the "Company or "Doubleview") is pleased to announce that it has staked additional claims at its Polymetallic Hat Porphyry Project ("the Hat Project"), located in northwestern British Columbia. The Company has staked nine additional mineral claims at the eastern side of the Hat Project, bringing the total area claimed to 18,114 hectares. Mr. Shirvani, president & CEO of Doubleview stated, "expanding the mineral claims demonstrates the Company's unwavering commitment to advancing the Hat Project. This year's successful exploration program, which included 10,000 metres of additional drilling, highlights the Project's promising future. With significant copper, cobalt and scandium content, the Hat Project stands as a major resource of critical minerals in Canada." The first 3 drill holes of the 2024 drill campaign were announced on October 16, 2024. Highlights and significant downhole intervals include the following: Drill hole H072: 686.0m of 0.23% Cu, 0.16 g/t Au, 64 g/t Co, 0.33 g/t Ag and 25.7 g/t Sc (0.38% CuEq*) including 154.0m of 0.66% Cu, 0.46 g/t Au, 112 g/t Co, 0.96 g/t Ag and 24 g/t Sc (1.07% CuEq*) including 62.0m of 1.12% Cu, 0.79 g/t Au, 173 g/t Co, 1.62 g/t Ag and 23.9 g/t Sc (1.81 % CuEq*) including 2.0m of 5% Cu, 2.96 g/t Au, 511 g/t Co, 5.03 g/t Ag and 7 g/t Sc (7.48% CuEq*) Drill hole H073: 109m of 0.29% Cu, 0.21 g/t Au, 83 g/t Co, 0.47 g/t Ag and 29.6 g/t Sc (0.5% CuEq*). Drill hole H074: 128 m of 0.18%Cu, 0.14 g/t Au, 82 g/t Co, 0.29 g/t Ag and 29 g/t Sc (0.33% CuEq*) Notes: - Metal equivalents should not be relied upon for future evaluations. - Drill hole intercepts included in this news release are core lengths that may or may not be true widths of mineralization. It is not possible to determine true widths. - Parameters used to calculate Copper Equivalent: Au price (US$/oz): 1900; Ag price (US$/oz): 24; Cu price (US$/lb): 4; Co price (US$/lb): 22. Au recovery: 89.0%; Ag recovery: 68.0%; Cu recovery: 84.0%; Co recovery: 78.0%. * Copper Equivalent Calculation CuEq in % = ([Ag grade in ppm] *24*0.68/31.1035 + [Au grade in ppm] *1900*.89/31.1035 + 0.0001* [Co grade in ppm] *22*0.78*22.0462 + 0.0001* [Cu grade in ppm] *4*0.84*22.0462)/(4*22.0462*0.84). Scandium is not part of the copper equivalent calculation. The Company's is awaiting the results of the remaining 15 drill holes which will be announced when the analytical results from the laboratory are available, and the data compilation and QA/QC procedures are completed. These results are going to contribute to the updated mineral resource estimate ('MRE 2.0'). About Doubleview Gold Corp Doubleview is a mineral resource exploration and development company that is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It is publicly traded on the TSX-Venture Exchange (TSXV: DBG), (OTCQB: DBLVF), (WKN: A1W038), and (FSE: 1D4). Doubleview focuses on identifying, acquiring, and financing precious and base metal exploration projects across North America, with a strong emphasis on British Columbia. The company enhances shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of high-quality gold, copper, cobalt, scandium, and silver projects-collectively critical minerals-utilizing cutting-edge exploration techniques. Doubleview's success is deeply rooted in the unwavering support of its long-term shareholders, supporters, and institutional investors. Their ongoing commitment has been instrumental in advancing the company's strategic initiatives. Doubleview looks forward to further collaborative growth and development, and continues to welcome active participation from its valued stakeholders as the company expands its portfolio and strengthens its position in the critical minerals sector. About the Hat Polymetallic Deposit The Company's flagship Hat Deposit, located in northwestern British Columbia, is a polymetallic porphyry project with major resources of copper, gold, cobalt, and the potential for scandium. As one of the region's significant sources of critical minerals, the Hat Deposit has undergone targeted exploration and development. The 0.2% CuEq cut-off resource estimate, of the recently completed Mineral Resource Estimate, which was announced in the Company's July 25, 2024, news release, is summarized below: Average Grade Metal Content Open Pit Model Hat Resource Category Tonnage CuEq Cu Co Au Ag CuEq Cu Co Au Ag Mt % % % g/t g/t million lb million lb million lb thousand oz thousand oz In Pit Indicated 150 0.408 0.221 0.008 0.19 0.42 1,353 733 28 929 2,045 Inferred 477 0.344 0.185 0.009 0.15 0.49 3,619 1,945 91 2,328 7,575 The Scandium potential for the Hat Deposit is estimated to be 300 to 500 million tonnes at an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc2O3. For further details, please refer to the Company's July 25, 2024 news release. Qualified Person: Erik Ostensoe, P. Geo., a consulting geologist, and Doubleview's Qualified Person with respect to the Hat Project as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed, and approved the written technical disclosure contained in the news release. He is not independent of Doubleview as he is a shareholder in the company. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Farshad Shirvani, President & Chief Executive Officer 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 Information This news release contains "forward-looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, the Meeting, potential impact of the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers on the Company's ability to comply with its obligations to deliver its meeting materials to Shareholders in connection with the Meeting, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its projects and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, and market or business conditions. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234080 SOURCE: Doubleview Gold Corp. Binance Alpha serves as a pre-listing token selection pool highlighting early-stage projects that could be considered for listing on Binance Exchange DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Binance, the world's leading blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, has announced the launch of Binance Alpha, a platform within Binance Wallet (previously known as Binance Web3 Wallet) designed to spotlight early-stage projects and help users explore Alpha opportunities. Notably, Binance Alpha serves as a platform for featuring tokens that may be considered for listings on the Binance Exchange in the future. "Binance Alpha serves as a pre-listing token selection pool, designed to enhance transparency in the process of token consideration for Binance Exchange listings," said Winson Liu, Global Lead of Binance Wallet. "By publicly highlighting a curated selection of early-stage projects, Binance Alpha fosters community trust, offering users insights into tokens with potential for future growth within the Binance ecosystem." Tokens featured on Binance Alpha are selected using Binance's industry expertise and advanced insights, spotlighting those that demonstrate strong community interest, growing traction and alignment with key trends shaping the crypto ecosystem. Binance Alpha is also intended to provide users with valuable insights into promising projects, helping to deepen their understanding of the Web3 landscape and its potential to shape the future of blockchain technology. Announcements about upcoming tokens on Binance Alpha will be shared on Binance Wallet's and Binance's official social channels prior to their launch. A countdown clock and chain details will appear on the Binance Wallet's Markets tab. Tokens will go live in batches for a 24-hour showcase period, during which users can explore project details and purchase tokens using the Quick Buy feature. After the spotlight ends, featured tokens will remain in the same Alpha section in the Markets tab, where users can continue to track and trade. The "Quick Buy" feature enhances the trading experience by optimizing the existing Swap functionality within Binance Wallet. This innovation enables faster and more seamless transactions, offering a higher success rate and better prices compared to other decentralized exchanges (DEXes) or trading bots. Key improvements include automatic selection of the native chain's token and default trading amount based on wallet holdings, automatic slippage adjustment during retries to improve transaction success rates, and an anti-MEV mechanism to mitigate the effects of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) on large transactions, ensuring better prices for users. Users can explore Binance Alpha and discover innovative projects on Binance Wallet starting December 18, 2024, with five tokens planned to be announced on that day and the following two days - December 19th and 20th - subject to changes. For the latest updates, users can follow Binance Wallet's official X account. About Binance Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 240 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1773650/Binance_Logo_Yellow_4x_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/binance-wallet-launches-binance-alpha-to-spotlight-promising-projects-and-enhance-pre-listing-transparency-302333621.html WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - All federal flags and flags of Wisconsin will fly at half-staff across the state until Sunday in honor of the victims of the deadly Madison school shooting.Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, who issued the order, said, '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.'A teacher and a teenage student of the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison were killed and six others were injured when a 15-year-old female student at the school opened fire indiscriminately on Monday.Two of the injured are critical, according to the police.The attacker, identified by police as Natalie Rupnow, died of a self-inflicted gunshot after the shooting spree, reports say.She reportedly attended school before opening fire in a study hall.Madison police said it will release the identities of the victims at a news conference at 1 PM ET on Tuesday.In a statement issued in the wake of the incident, President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass commonsense gun safety laws such as Universal background checks, a national red flag law, and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.Biden said that at his direction, a presidential team and the FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts.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. BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The euro area trade surplus declined in October largely due to the rebound in imports, data from Eurostat showed on Tuesday.The trade surplus fell to EUR 6.8 billion in October from EUR 9.4 billion a year ago. This was also below September's level of EUR 11.6 billion.The fall in surplus reflects a reduction in the surplus for chemicals and related products and machineries and vehicles and an increase in the deficit for energy.Exports posted an annual growth of 2.1 percent after a 0.1 percent gain in the previous month. Meanwhile, imports rebounded 3.2 percent, reversing a fall of 0.7 percent in September.On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports slid 1.6 percent, while imports grew 1.3 percent. As a result, the trade surplus plunged to EUR 6.1 billion from EUR 12.6 billion in September.During January to October, the trade surplus was EUR 143.3 billion, up from EUR 22.7 billion in the same period last year. Exports posted an annual increase of 0.5 percent, while imports fell 4.6 percent.Further, the EU balance showed a EUR 3.9 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in October, compared with EUR 8.4 billion in the previous year.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. Regulatory News: CTP, Europe's largest listed developer, owner, and manager of industrial and logistics properties by gross lettable area (GLA), has agreed a 155 million deal to acquire an industrial site spanning over 830,000 sqm in Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, from Vallourec, a manufacturer of pipe systems. The acquisition, which is the largest single land plot CTP has ever acquired, will see CTP invest over 700 million to transform the inner-city site into a best-in-class multi-user business park catering to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, research and development, and logistics. The project is aligned with CTP's strategy to develop as sustainably and resource-efficiently as possible by prioritizing brownfield areas for redevelopment. The German market is experiencing strong demand for high quality, sustainable and amenity rich industrial and logistics parks amid growth in new sectors, such as semi-conductor and clean-tech, and rising demand from occupiers for more sustainable buildings to meet their own ESG targets. To meet this demand CTP is focusing on redeveloping brownfield sites and refurbishing older industrial properties to high standards of sustainability. CTPark Dusseldorf will be developed to attract the next generation businesses that are powering the transformation of the German economy, providing a range of different types of facilities, from 1,000 sqm to 30,000 sqm, set within a state-of-the-art urban business park. Alexander Hund, Managing Director Germany Austria at CTP, said: "This acquisition in Dusseldorf marks the highlight of our activities this year. It will be our largest and most extensive revitalization project in Germany to date, once again demonstrating our expertise in brownfield redevelopment. Our Parkmaker Concept and decades of international experience form the foundation for this endeavor." Timo Hielscher, Managing Director M&A at CTP Germany said: "We would like to thank the City of Dusseldorf for the trusting collaboration and are already looking forward to advancing the development of CTPark Dusseldorf in the coming year. This, in addition to numerous other projects in our growing pipeline, underlines our confidence in the German economy." The site was one of Vallourec's primary tube production operations in Germany before it closed at the end of 2023. It is located in the northeast of Dusseldorf, in the Rath district, and is exceptionally well-connected to the local transportation network. The A52 motorway is just 300 meters away from the property, with the A44 and A3 only 4 km and 9 km away, respectively. Dusseldorf Airport is 2 km from the site, and the city center is 8 km away. Alongside sites in Wuppertal, Aachen, Krefeld, and Mulheim, this is the fifth industrial site CTP has acquired in North Rhine-Westphalia. Planning for CTPark Dusseldorf has already begun, with the acquisition of the site scheduled to complete on 31 December 2025. Initial enabling work is set to begin on site in 2025. The deal is the second transaction between the two companies in December 2023, CTP acquired a 335,000 sqm site in Mulheim an der Ruhr for revitalization from Vallourec, with construction set to begin on that project next year. About CTP CTP is Europe's largest listed owner, developer, and manager of logistics and industrial real estate by gross lettable area, owning 12.6 million sqm of GLA across 10 countries as of 30 September 2024. CTP certifies all new buildings to BREEAM Very good or better and earned a negligible-risk ESG rating by Sustainalytics, underlining its commitment to being a sustainable business. For more information, visit CTP's corporate website: www.ctp.eu View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217564274/en/ Contacts: CONTACT DETAILS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Patryk Statkiewicz, Group Head of Marketing PR Mobile: +31 (0) 629 596 119 Email: patryk.statkiewicz@ctp.eu SEC Newgate James Carnegie Mobile: +44 (0)7827 486 224 Email: CTP@SECNewgate.co.uk CONTACT DETAILS FOR ANALYST AND INVESTOR ENQUIRIES: Maarten Otte, Head of Investor Relations Mobile: +420 730 197 500 Email: maarten.otte@ctp.eu DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Eco-Friendly Plasticizers Market by Product (Bio-based, Non-phthalate), Application (Packaging, Consumer Goods, Automotive & Transportation, Building & Construction, Textile, Agriculture & Horticulture), and Region - Global Forecast to 2030", is projected to reach USD 7.55 billion by 2030 from USD 5.03 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. Eco-friendly plasticizers are increasing in popularity due to low toxicity and environmental safety and, therefore can be substituted for the traditional plasticizers. These eco-friendly plasticizers have been used to give improvements in the flexibility and resistance qualities of various plastic products without derogating ecological integrity, and they have therefore emerged as an important component in markets such as packaging, automotive, and consumer goods. Growing environmental concerns related to these materials are further adding momentum to the growing adoption of eco-friendly plasticizers in multi-industries. Government interventions and consumer awareness on the environmental aspects of conventional plasticizers will also drive demand growth for the market in the coming times. As companies or industries convert to greener practices, it's going to be expansionary for the eco-friendly plasticizer market about satisfying a more sustainable future. Browse in-depth TOC on "Eco-Friendly Plasticizers Market" 335 - Tables 54 - Figures 274 - Pages Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=112529734 Packaging sector is projected to be the fastest-growing application in the eco-friendly plasticizers market. The packaging sector is expected to be the highest growth application for green plasticizers. This will be due to the growing demand for eco-friendly materials in food and consumer goods packaging. Increased global awareness of environmental factors is driving manufacturers to seek alternatives to traditional plasticizers as these are mostly derived from petrochemicals. Eco-friendly plasticizers, including bio-based ones, present important advantages, such as lower toxicity and better biodegradability, which go in line with consumer preferences for green products. More generally, with severe regulations imposed on plastic waste and recyclability, the market is likely to take a significant leap to sustainable packaging solutions. The growth in the uptake of eco-friendly plasticizers in the plastic industry is therefore likely to reflect this trend more generally within the economy. Non-phthalate plasticizers have the second highest market share in the eco-friendly plasticizer market. As growing consumer awareness and legislations regarding health and environmental safety push forward. More critical to the trend is the swell in demand for safer alternatives to conventional phthalate-based plasticizers, many of which have been named in various health risks, among which are endocrine disruption issues. Non-phthalate plasticizers find wider application in food packings, medical device, and consumer goods due to its enhanced safety profile and biodegradability. Moreover, increased usage of bio-based plasticizers derived from renewable sources like vegetable oils is expected as a complementary trend, providing another friendly environment option for manufacturers. Growing trends of focusing on sustainability and great robust compliance to very stringent regulatory requirements, this is a factor that will shoot up the demand for non-phthalate plasticizers in the industry thereby driving innovation and market expansion. Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=112529734 Europe to be the third largest market during the forecast period. The European region has particularly recorded a steady growth in the demand for eco-friendly plasticizers because of new environmental policies, increasing consumer conscientiousness and general global concern on sustainability issues. These European Regulations such as REACH and bans on usage of phthalate-based plasticizers in each of the applications have made it easier to shift towards non-toxic and biodegradable alternatives. Such plasticizers, based on renewable resources such as vegetable oils and citrates, can be absolutely complied with Europe's high-level climate objectives and the green economy program. These markets include packaging and building and construction markets. Cable, flooring and wall covering flexible PVC products contain bio-based plasticizers owing to its standards of substituting non-degradable and hazardous substances. Furthermore, increasing consciousness of the possible negative effects that conventional phthalates including their effect on hormone receptors has seen organizations in medical appliances, food packaging, and toys shift to the eco-friendly ones. Key players The eco-friendly plasticizers market report comprises key manufacturers such as BASF (Germany), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Lanxess (Germany), Dow Chemical Company (US), DIC Corporation (Japan), Cargill, Incorporated. (US), Arkema Group (France), LG Chem (South Korea), Valtris Specialty Chemicals (US) among others. Request Customization: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=112529734 Get access to the latest updates on Eco-Friendly Plasticizers Companies and Eco-Friendly Plasticizers Market Size Browse Adjacent Market: Green Bio Chemicals Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Plasticizers Market - Global Forecast To 2027 Non-phthalate Plasticizers Market - Global Forecast To 2025 Bio Plasticizer Market - Global Forecast To 2020 UV Tapes Market - Global Forecast To 2030 Emollients Market - Global Forecast To 2030 PVC Adhesive Market - Global Forecast To 2030 Coated Abrasive Market - Global Forecast To 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1951202/4609423/MarketsandMarkets.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/eco-friendly-plasticizers-market-worth-7-55-billion-by-2030--exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302333345.html Dr. Nicole Schrader explores the power of combining facelifts with eyelid surgery, fat transfers, and more. New Jersey facial plastic surgeon Dr. Nicole Schrader shares groundbreaking perspectives on the transformative effects of combining facelift surgery with complementary facial rejuvenation techniques. Known for her artistic approach and patient-focused care, Dr. Schrader's recommendations focus on tailoring procedures, such as eyelid lifts, brow lifts, and fat transfers, to support the facelift's results. The goal is to create a seamless, balanced transformation that refines features while preserving natural expressions. Dr. Schrader Introduces Integrated Facial Rejuvenation Approach According to Dr. Nicole Schrader, pairing a facelift with complementary procedures can enhance patient satisfaction by addressing multiple areas of the face, achieving harmony among features, reducing recovery time, and prolonging results. For instance, strategically adding a brow lift or eyelid rejuvenation can restore brightness around the eyes, while targeted fat transfers restore volume, ensuring that each treatment complements the facelift's underlying improvements. Advantages of Combining Facelifts with Other Facial Procedures Patients can achieve comprehensive and harmonious rejuvenation by addressing multiple areas simultaneously, resulting in more balanced, natural-looking enhancements. Additionally, these combined treatments offer cost and recovery efficiencies, as consolidating procedures reduces overall expenses and streamlines the healing process. Targeting various signs of aging at once can ultimately deliver more significant and longer-lasting improvements, ensuring patients enjoy the convenience and transformative benefits of a fully customized facial rejuvenation experience. About the Deep Plane Lift in Cosmetic Surgery The deep plane facelift targets deeper layers of facial tissues for long-lasting results, often maintaining a more youthful appearance for 10-15 years. By lifting sagging skin and tightening underlying muscles, this advanced surgical procedure addresses moderate to severe signs of aging, such as nasolabial folds, sagging jowls, and deep wrinkles, while minimizing visible scarring. Unlike traditional facelift techniques, the deep plane facelift technique focuses on releasing and repositioning deeper structures, including soft tissues and connective tissue layers, to achieve dramatic improvements. Other Facelift Techniques and How They Differ A traditional facelift uses larger incisions and more comprehensive tissue repositioning to lift and tighten the lower face and neck, offering more dramatic rejuvenation. A mini facelift involves smaller incisions, focuses on early signs of aging, and offers subtler results with a shorter recovery time. Both differ from a deep plane facelift, which more extensively repositions deeper layers of facial muscles and tissues rather than just tightening skin and superficial muscles, potentially delivering more long-lasting and natural-looking outcomes. Complimentary Procedures With a Facelift To enhance the results of a facelift, several cosmetic procedures can be considered, such as: Lower and Upper Blepharoplasty : Removes excess skin and fat from the eyelids, reducing droopiness and puffiness for a more refreshed and smoother appearance. Neck Lift : Removes excess fat beneath the chin and tightens loose neck skin, improving the neck's appearance and complementing facelift results. Fat Grafting : Transfers the patient's own fat to areas that have lost volume, such as the cheeks or lips, restoring fullness and enhancing facial harmony. Chin Implant : Reshapes the chin using an implant to achieve facial proportion and balance, often enhancing the overall outcome of facial rejuvenation procedures. Meeting with a skilled facial plastic surgeon is critical for identifying the best combination of procedures tailored to your unique goals and anatomy. Ideal Candidates for Combining a Facelift with Complementary Procedures Combining a facelift with complementary procedures is ideal for people seeking comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Candidates with multiple aging concerns, such as sagging skin, volume loss, and eyelid droopiness, can benefit from addressing these issues simultaneously. This approach is particularly advantageous for those desiring a harmonious and balanced enhancement, leading to more natural-looking results. About Dr. Nicole Schrader: Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Nicole Schrader brings extensive expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, specializing in both cosmetic enhancements and functional treatments. As a double board-certified surgeon in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, she applies her comprehensive knowledge to address a diverse array of patient needs. Advanced Expertise in Face and Neck Procedures Dr. Schrader's expertise extends to a range of facial rejuvenation techniques, including neck lifts, brow lifts, and eyelid surgeries, which complement the deep plane facelift for comprehensive facial enhancement. Her approach involves a thorough understanding of facial anatomy and the aging process, allowing her to tailor procedures to meet the unique needs of each patient. This individualized attention helps set realistic expectations while achieving harmonious, natural-looking results tailored to enhance the patient's overall appearance. Over 20 Years of Experience in Facial Rejuvenation Throughout her career, Dr. Schrader has performed thousands of facelift surgeries and has been recognized for her contributions to facial plastic surgery. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her memberships in prestigious organizations, such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Patients interested in facial rejuvenation in New Jersey can trust Dr. Schrader's extensive experience and dedication to achieving exceptional results. How to Contact Schrader Plastic Surgery in New Jersey Dr. Nicole Schrader at Schrader Plastic Surgery , a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New Jersey, offers advanced facial rejuvenation techniques, including the deep plane facelift and complementary procedures, to help you achieve a youthful and harmonious appearance. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Schrader excels at personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique aesthetic goals. To explore how these procedures can enhance your natural beauty, schedule a consultation with Dr. Schrader at one of her convenient New Jersey locations: Princeton Office: Address: 256 Bunn Drive, Suite B, Princeton, NJ 08540 Phone: 609-279-0009 Robbinsville Office: Address: 1 Union Street #206, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 Phone: 609-436-5740 Voorhees Office: Address: 1001 Sheppard Road, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 Phone: 856-772-1617 To schedule a consultation for a facelift, please book an appointment at the most convenient time for you. Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. To learn more about Dr. Schrader, you can visit her Instagram profile . Contact Information SOURCE: Schrader Facial Plastic Surgery View the original press release on accesswire.com World-renowned production agency launches new division focused on experiential retail activation Clients at launch include beauty brands Byredo, Sol de Janeiro, Dr Jart+, fashion brands C.P. Company and Jimmy Choo as well as luxury and lifestyle brands Bvlgari, Montblanc and Hennessy NEW YORK and LONDON, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- North Six, the global production agency for fashion, beauty, luxury and lifestyle, whose client portfolio includes LVMH, Estee Lauder, Graff and Chanel, today unveils a new agency division focused on experiential retail activations and influencer marketing. Former Executive Director of Dazed Studio, Liam Osbourne, and former Global Head of Strategy of FLUX at Monks, Duncan Gowers, have been onboarded to North Six as Global SVP Clients & Growth and Global SVP Strategy, respectively. They will work closely with US VP of Experiential Andrew Barlow, and UK-based Head of Experiential Liam Leslie, along with Mikey O'Brien, North Six VP of Consumer Influence. Jointly, the team will lead the growth of the new business in the UK and US. North Six is part of Together Group, a curated collective of creative consultancies, marketing, technology and production studios crafting the future of luxury and lifestyle. The new agency reflects significant growth in experiential marketing at North Six. "Having worked with the world's leading brands and creative agencies for more than 25 years, North Six is known as a trusted partner for exceptional stills and motion production," explains Oliver Hicks, founder and CEO of North Six. "Our fastest growing service division, however, are our experiential and influencer marketing services, achieving high double-digit growth rates in the US this year. This new division marks our ambition to further accelerate this growth internationally in 2025." Working for brands including Bvlgari, Montblanc, Clinique and Byredo, this division delivers a wide range of experiential retail activation projects for brands and creative agencies, from smaller dinners and events such as Sol de Janeiro's After Hours Perfume Mist product launch event, to pop-up installations such as Pleasing's recent Selfridges concession. Other client work includes Zara's summer retail activation in the Hamptons and fashion shows and influencer trips for Jean Paul Gaultier, Jimmy Choo and Burberry. Last month, North Six was awarded the "Best Retail Pop-up Award" 2024 by BeautyMatter for an interactive consumer production for the Dr.Jart+ skincare brand. "Unlike traditional siloed approaches, we offer clients a seamless integration of state-of-the-art experiential production, influencer marketing and content production", explains Liam Osbourne, North Six Global SVP Clients & Growth. "By collaborating with our Together Group sister agency PURPLE, we can also integrate strategic PR support, VIP 'Front-of-House' and digital social media marketing services, resulting in superior reach and impact", continues Duncan Gowers, North Six Global SVP of Strategy. PURPLE and North Six were acquired by Together Group in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Christian Kurtzke, Global CEO of Together Group, comments: "North Six's new division captures a growing demand from our clients across the Group for enhancing consumer engagement through experiential retail activation in beauty, fashion, luxury and lifestyle. Collaborating with its sister agency PURPLE, North Six can offer an integrated service that creates higher value for clients. PURPLE's unique media relationships and cultural connectedness, combined with North Six's first-class production capabilities, have accelerated the growth of Together Group's experiential and influencer offering this year. Amidst a challenging global luxury and lifestyle market environment, we continue to expand our market share in the segment in 2025." Press Contact: Felix Meston, Seven Dials City felix@sevendialscity.com +447841518337 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2575560/North_Six_Group_Photo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/north-six-unveils-new-experiential-agency-division-302325622.html THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES South Star Battery Metals Corp. ("South Star" or the "Company") (TSXV:STS)(OTCQB:STSBF), is pleased to announce that it that it has successfully completed an initial tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of units (the "Units") for gross proceeds of US$808,022.55 (CA$1,131,230). Proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for exploration, development, production activities, as well as corporate G&A and general working capital requirements. Tranche 1 of the Private Placement consists of issuing 1,879,121 Units consisting of a common share priced at US$0.43 (CA$0.602) and 1,879,121 common share purchase warrants. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of US$0.89 (CA$1.246) for 5 years from the date of issue (the "Warrants"). The Units issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid finder's fees of $30,744 and issued 44,406 common shares and issued 4,665 non-transferable finder's warrants. Each finder's warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of US$0.89 (CA$1.246) for 5 years from the date of issue (the "Finder's Warrants"). Directors and an officer of the Company participated in the Private Placement for an aggregate amount of $94,830.05 for 220,535 Units. The transaction with the officer constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Units issued to the related party and the consideration paid by the related party under the Private Placement does not exceed 25% of Company's market capitalization, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Private Placement, as the details of the participation by related party of the Company were not settled until shortly prior to closing of the Private Placement. Acceleration Clause The acceleration clause of the Warrants and Finder's Warrants will provide that, if, during any period of ten (10) consecutive trading days between the date that is four (4) months following the closing of the Private Placement and the expiry of the Warrants and Finder's Warrants, the daily volume weighted average trading price of the common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume occurs) is equal to or exceeds US$1.79 (CA$2.506) on each day, the Company may, within thirty (30) days of such an occurrence, give notice, via news release, to the holders of the Warrants and Finder's Warrants that all unexercised Warrants and Finder's Warrants will expire at 4:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the 30th day following the giving of such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the holders of the Warrants and Finder's Warrants will have thirty (30) days to exercise their Warrants and Finder's Warrants and any Warrants and Finder's Warrants that remain unexercised will expire. # # # About South Star Battery Metals Corp. South Star is a Canadian battery-metals project developer focused on the selective acquisition and development of near-term production projects in the Americas. South Star's Santa Cruz Graphite Project, located in Southern Bahia, Brazil is the first of a series of industrial- and battery-metals projects that will be put into production. Brazil is the second-largest graphite-producing region in the world with more than 80 years of continuous mining. Santa Cruz has at-surface mineralization in friable materials, and successful large-scale pilot-plant testing (> 30 tonnes) has been completed. The results of the testing show that approximately 65% of graphite concentrate is +80 mesh with good recoveries and 95%-99% graphitic carbon (Cg). With excellent infrastructure and logistics, South Star Phase 1 is ramping up commercial production with first sales expected to be delivered in October 2024. Santa Cruz Phase 1 commercial production has a nameplate capacity of 12,000 tpy and is the first new graphite production in the Americas since 1996. Phase 2 production (25,000 tpy) is partially funded and planned for 2026, while Phase 3 (50,000 tpy) is scheduled for 2028. South Star's second project in the development pipeline is strategically located in Alabama, U.S.A. in the center of a developing electric-vehicle, aerospace, and defense hub in the southeastern United States. The BamaStar Project includes a historic mine active during the First and Second World Wars. A NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment will be filed on SEDAR+. Trenching, Phase 1 drilling, sampling, analysis, and preliminary metallurgical testing have been completed. The testing included a traditional crush/grind/flotation concentration circuit that achieved grades of approximately 94-99% Cg with approximately 90% recoveries. The vertically integrated production facilities include a mine and industrial concentrator in Coosa County, AL and a downstream value-add plant in Mobile, AL, which will be upgrading natural flake graphite concentrates from both Santa Cruz and BamaStar mines. South Star is executing on its plan to create a multi-asset, diversified battery-metals company with near-term operations in strategic jurisdictions. South Star trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol STS, and on the OTCQB under the symbol STSBF. South Star is committed to a corporate culture, project execution plan and safe operations that embrace the highest standards of ESG principles, based on transparency, stakeholder engagement, ongoing education, and stewardship. To learn more, please visit the Company website at http://www.southstarbatterymetals.com . This news release has been reviewed and approved for South Star by Richard Pearce, P.E., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of South Star Battery Metals Corp. On behalf of the South Star Board of Directors, MR. RICHARD L. PEARCE, President & Chief Executive Officer For additional information, please contact: South Star Investor Relations Email: invest@southstarbatterymetals.com Phone: +1 (604) 706-0212 Website: www.southstarbatterymetals.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/southstarbm Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southstarbatterymetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southstarbatterymetals/ YouTube: South Star Battery Metals - YouTube CAUTIONARY STATEMENT 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 press release. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements regarding moving Santa Cruz into production and scaling operations as well as advancing the Alabama project; and the Company's plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. SOURCE: South Star Battery Metals Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Granite Creek Copper Ltd. (TSXV:GCX)(OTCQB:GCXXF) ("Granite Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has incorporated Element One Hydrogen Ltd as a wholly owned subsidiary to further advance the exploration for geologic hydrogen. The Company is currently completing research in several jurisdictions in North America for possible acquisitions of projects prospective for both stimulated hydrogen from ultramafic rocks and for discovery of accumulations of hydrogen in the subsurface from various sources. The Company further announces that it has entered into an agreement dated December 16, 2024 (the Option Agreement") granting 1508260 B.C. Ltd the option to acquire an 100% interest in the recently staked Union Bay hydrogen project ("Union Bay" or the "Project") located in Southeast Alaska. Union Bay is a classic "Ural-Alaska type" underlain by a zoned ultramafic-mafic complex, which ranges from dunite through wehrlite and magnetite-bearing olivine clinopyroxenite to hornblendite and gabbro on the margins. Exploration work completed on the project by previous owners included geological mapping and sampling, geophysical surveys and drilling which identified several high-grade platinum target areas. Research has shown that the olivine component in various ultramafic lithologies such as dunite and wehrlite may be conducive to production of hydrogen by interaction of water at depth. About Allegra Hosford Scheirer Granite Creek is very pleased to announce that the Company's continued geologic hydrogen exploration activities will be led by Allegra Hosford Scheirer, whom has been appointed to the company's Advisory Board. Allegra is in interdisciplinary geoscientist specializing in rock-fluid networks such as geologic hydrogen, oil and gas, and geothermal systems. She deploys basin and petroleum system modeling, resource assessment, big data and machine learning, and acquisition and processing of field data. Her work experience spans government, academic, and industry sectors. Allegra is an independent, non-executive director of Pantheon Resources, an oil and gas company that explores on the North Slope of Alaska. Her degrees are from Brown University (B.S.) and MIT (PhD). The Company anticipates additional additions to its geologic hydrogen team, under the auspices of Element One Hydrogen, in the coming weeks. Tim Johnson CEO of Granite Creek stated, "The search for hydrogen accumulations is the subsurface is a rapidly growing branch of resource development. The opportunities present in this burgeoning field are unparalleled in the resource extraction industry. We are pleased to be entering this field and hope to be announcing additional acquisitions in the near future". Terms of the Option Agreement Pursuant to the Option Agreement, 1508260 B.C. Ltd may acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Union Bay project, subject to a 2% Gross Overriding Royalty (GORR) by: All values unless specifically stated are in Canadian dollars. 1. making aggregate cash payments of US$175,000 to Granite as follows: US$50,000 on signing (the "Effective Date"); US$50,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; and US$75,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; and 2. incurring aggregate of $1,200,000 in expenditures on the Property as follows: $200,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date; and an additional $400,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date; and an additional $600,000 on or before the third anniversary of the of the Effective Date; and 3. issuing to Granite an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares as follows: 200,000 shares on the Effective Date and; 300,000 shares on or before the date which the Optionee is acquired by, or merges with an Optionee Acquireco 1 , but no later than four months following the Effective Date and; 1,000,000 shares on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date and; 1,250,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date Upon completion of all payments, work and share issuance the Option will be deemed to be exercised, and the Property will automatically vest to 1508260 B.C. Ltd subject to a 2% GOR to be granted by 1508260 B.C. Ltd in favor of Granite Creek of which one half (being 1%) may be purchased by 1508260 B.C. Ltd for $1,500,000 within 30 days of commercial production. 11508260 B.C. Ltd has informed the Company of its intent to complete a go public transaction by way of a reverse take over, merger or other method in the coming months. About Granite Creek Copper Granite Creek Copper is a focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals projects in North America and more recently on geologic hydrogen. The Company's projects consist of its flagship 177 square kilometer Carmacks project in the Minto copper district of Canada's Yukon Territory on trend with the formerly operating, high-grade Minto copper-gold mine and the advanced stage LS molybdenum project and the Star copper-nickel-PGM plus geological hydrogen project, both located in central British Columbia. Recent acquisitions include the Union Bay geologic hydrogen project as well as entering into a letter of intent to acquire the Duke Island ultramafic project for it's geologic hydrogen potential, both projects located in the state of Alaska. Granite Creek's goal is to be among the companies with first mover advantage in geologic hydrogen exploration by leveraging the considerable geological knowledge available to the company through its existing employee and consultant base plus the addition of key consultants with extensive knowledge in the field. More information about Granite Creek Copper can be viewed on the Company's website at www.gcxcopper.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Timothy Johnson, President & CEO Telephone: 1 (604) 235-1982 Toll Free: 1 (888) 361-3494 E-mail: info@gcxcopper.com Website: www.gcxcopper.com Qualified Person Debbie James P.Geo, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. James is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. She is not independent of the Company because she has received employment income from the Company and holds stock in the Company. Forward-Looking Statements Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding expected use of proceeds from the private placement and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Granite Creek Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Granite Creek Copper and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Granite Creek Copper Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Strategic Partnerships and AI Integration Position UniDoc as an eHealth Solution UniDoc Health Corp. (CSE:UDOC)(FRA:L7T)(OTCQB:UDOCF) ("UniDoc," or the "Company"), an innovator in the eHealth sector, is proud to present its year in review, highlighting a series of achievements that underscore its progress toward transforming healthcare delivery. From partnerships to technological advancements, UniDoc has laid a foundation for continued growth and commercialization in 2025 and beyond. Key Takeaways: Secured partnerships with industry leaders like HP Inc. and Carefluence to expand eHealth solutions globally. Transitioned to commercialization with multiple H3 Health Cube deployments in Europe. Launched NEIL Connect, an AI-driven software platform enhancing diagnostic precision and healthcare interoperability. "2024 has been a pivotal year for UniDoc, marked by strategic collaborations and initial product sales," said Antonio Baldassarre, CEO of UniDoc Health Corp. "Our advancements reflect our commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and shareholder value. These achievements validate our vision of reshaping healthcare delivery through innovation and partnerships." Expanding Global Reach Through Partnerships UniDoc strengthened its position as a global eHealth innovator by forging partnerships with leading organizations. A strategic OEM agreement with HP Inc. enabled the integration and global distribution of HP products within UniDoc's H3 Health Cube platform. The collaboration resulted in UniDoc receiving its first purchase order from HP for 10 AI-equipped H3 Health Cubes, destined for deployment in Italian pharmacies across four regions. Further enhancing its capabilities, UniDoc partnered with Carefluence to embed Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) based interoperability into its telehealth solutions. This integration facilitates seamless data exchange across electronic health records (EHRs) and healthcare IT systems, improving care coordination and patient safety. Advancing AI and Predictive Analytics This year saw the launch of NEIL Connect, UniDoc's software platform designed to replicate in-person consultations. By integrating advanced diagnostic tools and secure communication technology, NEIL Connect aims to bridge the gap between traditional and virtual healthcare, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. In collaboration with DocBox Inc., UniDoc expanded its AI capabilities to be available for use in emergency room operations, introducing predictive analytics to manage non-urgent ER visits. These innovations aim to reduce overcrowding and improve patient care efficiency by predicting health declines and enabling proactive intervention. Initial Product Deployments UniDoc achieved initial product deployment milestones, including the shipment of its first AI-equipped H3 Health Cubes to commercial clients. These deployments included units for the Aiutamoli a Vivere Foundation in Italy, the Municipality of Aliano, and Ukraine's largest children's hospital, Okhmatdyt. These efforts are aiming to bring essential healthcare services to underserved and conflict-affected regions. Recognition and Market Expansion The Italian government designated UniDoc's H3 Health Cube as preferred equipment for eHealth initiatives in rural regions. This recognition led to an initial order from the Municipality of Aliano and established UniDoc as a preferred supplier for upcoming regional tenders. Organizational Strengthening To support its commercialization efforts, UniDoc welcomed Austin Thornberry as Chief Financial Officer. With a background in corporate finance and growth strategy, Mr. Thornberry's leadership strengthens UniDoc's financial foundation as it scales its operations. Looking Ahead "As UniDoc moves into 2025, we believe the Company is poised to build on this year's accomplishments. With a robust pipeline of innovations, partnerships, and deployments, UniDoc aims to continue delivering cutting-edge eHealth solutions that address global healthcare challenges," concludes Baldassarre. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, ~Antonio Baldassarre~ Antonio Baldassarre CEO, President & Director UniDoc Health Corp. About UniDoc Health Corp. (CSE: UDOC) (FRA: L7T) (OTCQB: UDOCF) UniDoc is developing an eHealth solution which is being designed as a self-contained remote virtual clinic within a private kiosk for patients to undergo full consultations as if they were present in a physician's office. eHealth opens the doors to a large segment of the population challenged by access, experience or understanding of online computer technology. It is the Company's belief that physical accessibility is the key to its business proposition. UniDoc is dedicated to unlocking shareholder value by delivering an excellent product and sophisticated commercial network within an expedited timeframe. The UniDoc team encourages engagement, questions, and interest, so please stay in touch and invite anyone who might be interested in our story to visit our website at www.unidoctor.com and signup to receive the latest information with updates on our activities, events and progress. For further information, please contact: UniDoc Investor Relations Tel: +1 778.383.6731 Email: info@unidoctor.com Matt Chatterton, Director Tel: +1 778.613.2082 Email: matt@unidoctor.com Media Inquiries media@unidoctor.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "will be", "likely", "except", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's expectation for continued growth and commercialization in 2025, the deployment of 10 H3 Health Cubes in pharmacies across four regions of Italy pursuant to HP's purchase order, the benefits the NEIL Connect software will add to the Company's products, that the Company's products may be used in emergency room operations, and the Company's status as a preferred supplier for healthcare equipment in upcoming regional tenders for the Italian government. Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis, 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. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Company's ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all; as well as all of the other risks as described in the Company's annual management discussion and analysis dated July 31, 2024 under the heading "Risks Factors." Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: UniDoc Health Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities for its portfolio of projects located in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alaska and partnerships with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. ("Sumitomo"), Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") and Centerra Gold Inc. ("Centerra"). The Company's current working capital position is approximately $27.2 million as of October 31, 2024. In May 2024, the Company completed a flow-through financing of $9.86 million and issued 8,315,871 common shares resulting in Centerra acquiring approximately 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The total updated forecast for exploration expenditures on properties in which Kenorland holds direct or royalty interests is anticipated to be over $27.5 million in 2024, which includes approximately $17.9 million in exploration financed by partners. Forecasted 2024 revenue, including management fees and cash payments is approximately $2.2 million and the Company anticipates receiving a refundable mining tax credit of approximately $1.0 million. In addition, Kenorland holds equity positions of approximately $3.56 million in various private and publicly listed companies as of December 12, 2024. Frotet Project 4% NSR Royalty, Quebec: On January 16, 2024, Kenorland announced that the Company and Sumitomo entered into an agreement to exchange Kenorland's 20% participating interest in the Frotet Project for a 4% net smelter return royalty on all minerals extracted from the Frotet Project, which subsequently closed on February 19, 2024 (see press release dated February 20, 2024). Kenorland remains operator of the Frotet Project for a minimum of one year from the closing of the transaction. The Company announced on July 2, 2024 that it retained BBA Consultants to commence engineering and baseline studies in preparation for permitting an underground decline at the Regnault gold deposit. The environmental and technical baseline studies commenced in the summer of 2024 and will progress through 2025, along with engineering and design work. Sumitomo's decision to proceed with the development of the decline will be contingent on the outcomes of the baseline studies, the successful acquisition of necessary permits, and results of future resource and economic studies at the Regnault gold deposit. During 2024, Kenorland and Sumitomo completed 33 diamond drill holes for 21,713m of drilling at the Regnault gold deposit, including 6 holes for 3,266m of drilling recently completed during the summer drill program. Exploration drilling continues to deliver exceptional results including 4.70m at 24.16 g/t Au including 0.40m at 261.20 g/t Au at R2 returned from the 2024 winter campaign (see press release dated June 18, 2024), and 3.30m at 26.67 g/t Au including 0.60m at 137.30 g/t Au at R6 from the 2024 summer drill program (see press release dated November 6, 2024). The Company and Sumitomo are currently planning a winter drill program for early 2025 with Kenorland continuing as operator of the Frotet Project. South Uchi Project, Ontario: Kenorland completed a 2024 summer exploration campaign including a heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) till sampling survey along with systematic mapping and prospecting over the Papaonga target and Target B areas (see press release dated September 11, 2024). The HMC till sampling returned strong gold grain counts (up to 951 total gold grains) with high pristine grain morphologies spatially coincident with the previously delineated fine fraction gold-in-till anomaly. Prospecting identified widespread, newly discovered gold mineralisation across the Papaonga target area returning anomalous to strong gold results associated with multiple northeast-trending shear zones. Gold mineralisation is hosted within intrusive, sedimentary and volcanic rock types with rock assay results up to 13.35 g/t Au and 60.4 g/t Ag. On September 16, 2024, the Company granted to its wholly owned subsidiary, 1431275 B.C. Ltd., a 2% net smelter return royalty (the "South Uchi Royalty") on its 100% owned South Uchi Project. The purchase price for the South Uchi Royalty was paid through the issuance of common shares of 1431275 B.C. Ltd. Kenorland announced on December 2, 2024, that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Auranova Resources Inc. ("Auranova"), granting Auranova the right to earn up to a 70% interest in the South Uchi Project. Pursuant to the agreement, Auranova may earn an initial 51% interest in the South Uchi Project by making cash payments totaling $500,000 to Kenorland, completing a diamond drilling program with at least $8,000,000 in qualifying expenditures or completing 15,000m of drilling within two years of receiving a drill permit, issuing Kenorland 19.9% of Auranova's common shares, and maintaining Kenorland's 19.9% share position until Auranova raises a minimum of C$10,000,000 through share issuances, after which Kenorland's stake will remain at 10% on a pro-rata basis through to the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA"). Auranova may earn an additional 19% interest, for a total of 70% interest in the project, by incurring an additional $10,000,000 in qualifying expenditures on or before the third anniversary of Auranova's election to proceed with the second option. Kenorland will also retain a 30% free-carried interest in the South Uchi Project through to the completion of the PEA, at which point a joint venture will be formed. Chebistuan Project, Quebec: On November 13, 2024, Kenorland announced that Newmont provided an election notice to enter Phase 2 of the earn-in agreement to potentially earn an additional 29% participating interest, for a total of 80% of the Chebistuan Project. In addition, a follow-up drill program has been approved by Newmont, which will include up to 3,500m of drilling at the Deux Orignaux target area, and is expected to commence in Q1 2025. The Company completed an initial 2,170m, 7 drill hole program in 2023 at the Deux Orignaux prospect which returned 157.20m at 0.41 g/t Au including 20.61m at 0.97 g/t Au from hole 23DODD005, hosted within a mineralised syenite intrusion (see press release dated June 27, 2023). This second phase of drilling will test lateral and down-dip extents of the known mineralised syenite, as well as additional targets, identified as potential syenite plugs based on geophysical characteristics. Hunter Project, Quebec: Results from the detailed winter sonic overburden drilling consisting of 160 drill holes covering priority target areas from the initial regional program completed in 2022, identified a large multi-element geochemical anomaly (Cu-Mo-Au-W-BiAg). An induced polarization (IP) survey was recently completed to refine targets to be drill tested in 2025, pending final approval from Centerra. South Thompson Project, Manitoba: On July 30, 2024, Kenorland entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement with Evolution Nickel Corporation ("Evolution") pursuant to which Evolution acquired 100% of the South Thompson Nickel Project. As a result of the transaction, Kenorland was issued 26,000,000 common shares of Evolution and granted a 2% net smelter return royalty over the entirety of the South Thompson Project. The transaction is expected to close before March 31, 2025. Kenorland is currently completing a prospectivity analysis and maxwell plate modelling, utilizing geophysical data sets from the regional scale ~12,100 line-km Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey completed in Q1 of 2024, to generate and prioritize targets for follow-up. It is anticipated that priority drill targets will be ready for drill testing in Q2 or Q3 2025. Tanacross Project, Alaska: Kenorland recently completed an Extremely Low Frequency ("ELF") electromagnetic survey and infill soil sampling program over the South Taurus target during the 2024 field season. The ELF survey was an extension to the previously completed grid in 2022, and soil sampling was completed for detailed infill data across the South Taurus target area. The Company is currently drill targeting and planning for a potential scout drill program in 2025. The Tanacross Project is 100% owned and was previously held under option agreements with Freeport-McMoran and later with Antofagasta Minerals S.A. O'Sullivan Project, Quebec: The Company completed a maiden drill program of 5 drill holes for 3,801m of drilling at the Pusticamica North target area in Q1 of 2024. Hole 24OSDD001 identified visible gold at 475m depth and returned 56.80 g/t Au and 23.60 g/t Ag over 0.30m core length associated with a brecciated quartz-calcite-sulphide vein. The Company, along with Sumitomo, is currently evaluating next steps for the O'Sullivan Project. Chicobi Project, Quebec: The 2024 winter phase of sonic overburden drilling included an additional 66 infill drill holes, a continuation of the 55 hole program completed in 2023, totaling 121 infill sonic holes along the 17 km strike length of the Roch-Can trend within the Chicobi Deformation Zone. On November 18, 2024, the Company announced that Sumitomo elected to terminate the Joint Venture and Exploration Agreement, resulting in Kenorland regaining 100% ownership of the Chicobi Project. Opinaca Project, Quebec: Kenorland operated Targa Exploration's Opinaca Project during its two phases of exploration completed during the 2024 field season. Kenorland entered into a purchase agreement with Targa Exploration (see press release dated December 13, 2022), in which Targa acquired 100% of the Opinaca Project, granting Kenorland a 3% net smelter return royalty. Phase 1 work included additional regional and infill till sampling that defined a significant gold-in-till anomaly with a 7 km strike length, originally identified in 2023, along with reconnaissance style HMC till sampling, mapping and prospecting. The second phase of exploration included detailed infill HMC till sampling, mapping and prospecting that returned significant HMC till results of up to 123 total normalized gold grain counts, and rock samples up to 6.67 g/t Au. Flora Project, Ontario: The Company completed a first pass property-wide glacial till geochemical survey, including the collection of approximately 2,560 samples (1000m x 200m sample spacing) covering the 57,706-hectare property. In addition, 91 rock samples were collected along previously known mineral occurrence trends, and 35 HMC/medium density mineral concentrate (MDMC) till samples for spodumene grain counts to define an undocumented spodumene bearing pegmatite dyke occurrence discovered in 2023 by a local prospector. The till geochemical survey identified two targets, the F1 target (Au-Mo metal associations) and the F2 target (Au-W association) located 16 km along strike to the southwest, subparallel to the southwest-northeast trending Wabigoon Fault. The F1 target is a high tenor, coherent gold-in-till anomaly extending over 7 km within a sheared diorite. Prospecting confirmed the presence of a north-south trending pegmatite dyke with rock samples returning up to 4.62% Li2O. Kenorland is currently planning follow-up exploration programs to be completed in 2025. Western Wabigoon Project, Ontario: Systematic, property-wide geochemical screening was completed at the Western Wabigoon Project, with the collection of approximately 2,820 till samples (1000m x 200m sample spacing) covering the 69,008-hectare property. A significant, approximately 19 km trend of gold-in-till anomalism follows the Manitou-Dinorwic Deformation Zone that transects the northern portion of the property. Within that trend, the W1 target with Au-AsSb-Te-W metal associations, and the W2 target (Au-As-Sb) have been identified as priority areas for follow-up. The W3 target (Ag-Mo-Te-WAu-Cu), located 5 km to the southeast follows a regional contact between mafic volcanic rocks and gabbro intrusive rocks. Follow-up programs are being planned for the 2025 field season. Algoman Project, Ontario: Large-scale geochemical surveys including fine fraction till sampling (approximately 3,110 samples) and HMC/MDMC till sampling (approximately 500 samples) for gold grain analysis and spodumene grain counts were carried out covering the 94,394-hectare property. The till geochemical survey outlined two distinct trends of Au-AsSb-Ag-Cu anomalism, the A1 and A2 targets, hosted within volcanics and structures sub-parallel to the Marmion-Quetico subprovince boundary immediately to the south. Results from the HMC/MDMC till sampling program covering the metasedimentary rocks of the Quetico subprovince remain pending. Stormy Lake Project, Ontario: The Company completed a first pass property-wide glacial till geochemical survey, including the collection of approximately 3,180 till samples (500m x 200m sample spacing) covering the 42,366-hectare property. Areas of anomalous AuAs-Mo associated with the Mosher Bay-Washeibemaga Deformation Zone, and Ag-Zn-Te-W-Bi have been identified. The Company is currently planning next steps for the Stormy Lake Project. Muskayk Project, Manitoba: The Company completed an initial property-wide regional geochemical survey, including the collection of 1,343 samples covering the 39,640-hectare property. Numerous gold base metal till geochemical anomalies have been identified. The Company is currently determining next steps for the Muskayk Project. Settee Project, Saskatchewan: The 5,834 hectare Settee Project was staked by Kenorland in 2023 based on a regional multi-element till anomaly within the McLean Belt (MLB), part of the Kisseynew sedimentary subprovince. An initial property-wide regional geochemical survey (680 till samples) was completed, with positive results of gold and base metals. The Company recently expanded the Settee Project's land tenure through online staking for a total 79,870 hectares of land. Critical Minerals, British Columbia & Ontario: In British Columbia, Kenorland contracted Anomalous Exploration Ltd. to carry out a regional prospecting program across the rare-earth element (REE) Omineca Project. The program included geological mapping and reconnaissance-style prospecting across various target areas, defined by stream sediment geochemistry and airborne geophysics. Anomalous rock results up to 4.01% total rare earth oxides (TREO) were obtained, as well as samples up to 5.48 g/t Au, 1.16% Cu and 110.4 g/t Ag. Mineralisation is hosted within faulted and brecciated zones of the metasedimentary rocks, often associated with quartz-Fe carbonate veining, iron oxides and sulphide mineralisation. In Ontario, Kenorland completed a small-scale prospecting program at the Torrance Project, following up on the 2,865 line-km (50m spaced lines) magnetic and VLF-EM survey completed over the Torrance Project in January 2024. Eeyou Istchee Project, Quebec: The Company acquired the Eeyou Istchee Project through map staking between 2023 and 2024. Comprised of two large claim blocks in northern Quebec covering 268,941 hectares, the Eeyou Istchee Project covers vast areas of prospective geology within the Opinaca subprovince in the James Bay region, an area with low exploration maturity. The Company completed a LIDAR survey in 2024 to facilitate planning for a first-pass regional till geochemical sampling survey. Stock Option Grant The Company also announces that it has granted stock options (the "Options") to its directors, officers, employees and consultants to acquire a total of 5,230,000 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $1.22 per share for a period of five years. The Options vest one-third immediately, followed by one-third every year thereafter. Qualified Person Mr. Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824), and Cedric Mayer, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ #02385), each a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, have reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. About Kenorland Minerals Ltd. Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com On behalf of the Board of Directors, Zach Flood President, CEO & Director Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234085 SOURCE: Kenorland Minerals Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. (TSXV: ELE) (OTCQX: ELEMF) ("Elemental Altus" or the "Company") notes the announcement by Fireweed Metals Corp (TSXV: FWZ) ("Fireweed") of up to C$35.4 million in US and Canadian Government funding to advance its assets and supporting infrastructure at Macmillan Pass1, including the Mactung Project ("Mactung"). Elemental Altus holds an uncapped 4% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") Royalty on Mactung. The Company also notes Rumble Resources Ltd's (ASX: RTR) ("Rumble") plans to expedite development at the Western Queen Gold Project ("Western Queen") in Western Australia2, over which Elemental Altus holds a A$6 to A$20 per ounce gold production royalty and an uncapped 2% NSR on all other saleable products. Highlights Fireweed has been awarded US$15.8 million from the U.S. Department of Defense under Title III of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (" DPA Title III ") to advance Mactung towards a Final Investment Decision ") to advance Mactung towards a Final Investment Decision Fireweed will also receive up to C$12.9 million from the Government of Canada, pending final due diligence, through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (" CMIF ") to lead planning for road and power infrastructure supporting Fireweed's critical mineral assets in the Yukon Territory, Canada ") to lead planning for road and power infrastructure supporting Fireweed's critical mineral assets in the Yukon Territory, Canada This funding advances Mactung through the necessary studies, concurrently leading the planning for improvements to regional infrastructure that serve the wider critical mineral district at Macmillan Pass In Australia, Rumble have entered an Indicative Non-Binding Term Sheet with Bain Global Resources ("Bain") and MEGA Resources ("MEGA") to develop an initial open pit at Western Queen. Signing of a Joint Venture agreement is targeted for February 2025 Frederick Bell, CEO of Elemental Altus, commented: "We are excited to note Fireweed's award of significant Government funding which will continue to fast-track Mactung towards a production decision. Elemental Altus acquired the Mactung royalty in August 2024 and it is encouraging to see continued progress across our development portfolio. At Mactung, this funding will enable progress through necessary resource development and mine studies, adding significant value to Elemental Altus' uncapped royalty interest. The Company also notes the positive news at our Western Queen asset, where Rumble recently highlighted the potential to fast-track production at the historically producing Western Queen South Deposit in partnership with a major Indian mining contractor." Mactung Mactung is 100% owned by Fireweed (a Lundin Group Company). The project straddles the Yukon and Northwest Territories border and is immediately adjacent to the Macmillan Pass Zn-Pb Project, also owned by Fireweed. The deposit hosts tungsten skarn mineralization that has developed in carbonate-rich rocks adjacent to a large granitic intrusion. Elemental Altus' royalty on the project is an uncapped 4.0% NSR with 2.0% buyback option held by the operator, which can be exercised at any time for C$2.5 million. In February 2023, Fireweed acquired an 100% interest in the Project and subsequently announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in July 20233. The update included a 41.5Mt Indicated Resource at 0.73% WO3 and a 12.2Mt Inferred Resource at 0.59% WO3, making Mactung one of the largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits in the world. Elemental Altus' royalty area also includes an Exploration Target of an additional 2.4-3.5Mt at 0.4-0.6% WO3 in the immediate vicinity of the deposit, and there is ~650m of untested strike length between the current resource and outcropping skarns, highlighting further exploration potential. Mactung is an advanced exploration project with extensive engineering and metallurgy studies completed previously to support a 2009 Feasibility Study4. This study outlined an 11-year Yukon-only underground mining scenario for which a conditional mining permit was approved by the Yukon Government in 2014. Figure 1: Mactung Royalty Outline To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8358/234119_e0226cdcc4fd8a8d_001full.jpg US Government Funding The objective of the DPA Title III funding is to progress Mactung to a Final Investment Decision, a precursor to construction and subsequent production of tungsten concentrates for the North American industrial base. The award will support an expansive program that includes mine design optimization, geotechnical investigations, and metallurgical test programs, culminating in the development of a new feasibility study. A range of environmental studies will be undertaken, supporting the pursuit of licenses and permits necessary to construct Mactung. Canadian Government Funding The CMIF funding will support Fireweed's implementation of the North Canol Infrastructure Improvement Project ("NCIIP"), which includes developing designs for approximately 250 kilometres of road improvements, as well as upgrades to an existing transmission line, and the construction of a new transmission line from Ross River to Macmillan Pass. The effort also includes seeking the consent of local Indigenous groups, completing necessary environmental assessment processes, and facilitating multi-party project agreements necessary to advance the NCIIP toward construction. Western Queen The Western Queen Gold Project lies 110km north west of Mt Magnet in Western Australia and is located within a 110km radius of three operating gold processing mills. Elemental Altus' royalty area covers multiple mining leases within Rumble's larger project area, including the two historically mined deposits for a combined historic production of 215,000 ounces of gold contained in 0.88Mt grading 7.6g/t5. Elemental Altus' interest on the project comprises an uncapped A$6 to A$20 production royalty on gold and an uncapped 2.0% NSR on all other saleable products. Rumble's announcement outlines an Indicative Non-Binding Term Sheet agreed upon by Bain and MEGA to develop open pit resources at Western Queen. Specifically, the existing plan involves the extension of the current Western Queen South Pit, as well as some of the smaller pits at the project. Subject to executing the final agreements (targeted for no later than February 28, 2025), the initial program will consider project economics, securing an ore tolling/ore sale agreement with a local gold process plant and obtaining all the necessary approvals for mining ahead of a Final Investment Decision. Figure 2: Western Queen Royalty Outline To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8358/234119_e0226cdcc4fd8a8d_002full.jpg In addition, resampling completed from selected drill holes have also confirmed a potentially significant high grade tungsten discovery at Western Queen, with intersections including 4m at 4.6% WO3 and 2.1m at 8.7% WO3 associated with the defined gold resource6. TSXV: ELE | OTCQX: ELEMF | ISIN: CA28619K1093 | CUSIP: 28619K109 About Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. Elemental Altus is an income generating precious metals royalty company with 11 producing royalties and a diversified portfolio of pre-production and discovery stage assets. The Company is focused on acquiring uncapped royalties and streams over producing, or near-producing, mines operated by established counterparties. The vision of Elemental Altus is to build a global gold royalty company, offering investors superior exposure to gold with reduced risk and a strong growth profile. Qualified Person Bryan Pullman, P. Eng, is Senior Vice President Technical for Elemental Altus, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this press release. Notes 1) "Fireweed Metals Corp. awarded up to C$35.4 M in joint US-Canadian government funding to advance Mactung and essential Infrastructure to unlock the critical minerals district at Macmillan Pass, Yukon Territory", dated December 13, 2024, at https://fireweedmetals.com/ 2) "Development of Western Queen Project", dated November 28, 2024, at https://rumbleresources.com.au/ 3) Technical Report prepared for Fireweed Metals Corp. by Kirkham Geosystems Ltd, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Mactung Project, Yukon", dated and filed on July 28, 2023, at https://www.sedarplus.ca 4) Technical Report prepared for North American Tungsten Corp. by Wardrop Engineering Inc, titled "Technical Report on the Mactung Property - Yukon, Canada", effective April 3, 2009, at https://www.sedarplus.ca 5) "Western Queen Gold Resources increased 76% to 287kOz @ 2.02g/t", dated October 15, 2024 at https://rumbleresources.com.au/ 6) "Tungsten Discovery at Western Queen Confirmed", dated September 2, 2024 at https://rumbleresources.com.au/ Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements This news release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the date that the name change is expected to become effective, whether shareholders will be required by their broker to exchange their issued certificate for a new certificate or take any other action in connection to the name change, the Company's ability to deliver a materially increased revenue profile with a lower cost of capital, the future growth, development and focus of the Company, and the acquisition of new royalties and streams. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Elemental Altus to control or predict, that may cause Elemental Altus' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions, the absence of control over the mining operations from which Elemental Altus will receive royalties, risks related to international operations, government relations and environmental regulation, the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties; the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with Elemental Altus' expectations; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; fluctuating metal prices; unanticipated costs and expenses; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations; currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of important factors which could cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements, refer to the annual information form of Elemental Altus for the year ended December 31, 2023. Elemental Altus undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking statements and information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement or information can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234119 SOURCE: Elemental Altus Royalties Corp. JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - The death toll in the more than a year old conflict in Gaza has crossed the 45000 mark on Monday, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter.According to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, 13 people died and 48 were injured during the strike at the school in Khan Younis. 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.The development followed an update from the head of the UN Children's Fund 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.According to media reports, 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.The UN World Food Program 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.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) announced the primary endpoint was met in the Phase 3 QUASAR trial investigating EYLEA HD or aflibercept injection 8 mg for the treatment of patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, including those with central, branch and hemiretinal vein occlusions. In the trial, patients treated with EYLEA HD every 8 weeks experienced non-inferior vision gains compared to those treated with the approved monthly dosing regimen of EYLEA Injection 2 mg, the current standard of care. Also, about 90% of EYLEA HD patients were able to maintain 8-week dosing intervals through 36 weeks.All currently FDA-approved anti-VEGF therapies for retinal vein occlusion require monthly dosing. The company said these data will be submitted to regulatory authorities around the world, with a submission to the FDA planned for the first quarter of 2025.For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com.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. Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce that Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden") has committed to continuing through 2025 its earn-in to Amarc's DUKE Copper-Gold District (or "DUKE" or the "District") in central British Columbia ("BC"). The budget for 2025 is $10 million. Amarc will continue as operator of the project. The two-phase program completed at the DUKE in 2024 included extensive drilling and surface surveys designed to prepare deposit targets for drill testing in 2025. In early 2024, delineation drilling continued at the DUKE Deposit further defining Cu-Mo mineralization in the central portion of the Deposit as well as identifying potentially important volumes of additional mineralization to the south and north of the main Deposit (see Amarc's June 25, 2024 release). The 2024 summer program was comprised of surface surveys and more than 5,800 m core drilling, testing high potential targets across the DUKE District. Results from the latter program are currently being compiled and will be released once fully assessed. Amarc President & CEO, Dr. Diane Nicolson, commented "We are thrilled to continue to advance the DUKE District in 2025 in collaboration and with the support of Boliden. Over the past two years we have expanded the DUKE Deposit internally, laterally and to depth and identified new areas of interest in the south and northwest of the deposit. Importantly, we have also begun to test multiple copper-gold exploration and deposit targets identified by our extensive compilation of historical work along with Amarc's surveys, which are designed to unlock the further potential of the DUKE District." DUKE District Amarc's DUKE District is located 80 km northeast of Smithers within the Babine Region, one of the most mineralized porphyry belts in BC. It hosts the former Bell and Granisle Cu-Au mines that were operated by Noranda Mines, and the advanced stage Morrison Cu-Au deposit. Significant potential exists for discovery of new large porphyry Cu deposits. Infrastructure servicing the former mines and the very active forestry and exploration industries is nearby. There is an extensive network of forest roads and much of the Duke District is road accessible. In November 2022, Amarc entered into a Mineral Property Earn-In Agreement (the "EIA") with Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies (see Amarc release November 22, 2022). Under the terms of the Agreement, Boliden has a two-staged option to earn up to a 70% interest in the DUKE District by funding $90 million exploration and development expenditures. Since late 2022 through to 2024 year end Boliden will have contributed $20 million to the DUKE District exploration program. The budget for 2025 is an additional $10 million. About Amarc Resources Ltd. Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets. Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail. Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc solo funded the 2024 work program at IKE. Amarc is the operator of all programs. Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects. Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance. Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng, a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release. For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD. Dr. Diane Nicolson President and CEO 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 and other Cautionary Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Galloper Gold Corp. (CSE:BOOM)(OTC PINK:GGDCF) (the "Company" or "Galloper") has drilled multiple mineralized intervals near-surface to depths of 200 meters in a series of test holes at the Lucky Smoke occurrence on Glover Island in Western Newfoundland, supporting the potential for a second deposit on the Island along a promising under-explored contact zone traced for a minimum of 12 kilometers. Highlights: 15 m @ 2.62 g/t Au , including 1 m @ 18.79 g/t Au , starting at a downhole length of 137 m in LS-24-02 ; 3.80 m @ 6.92 g/t Au starting 146.5 m downhole in LS-24-04 , above 23.5 m @ 0.72 g/t Au beginning just 32.5 m from surface; 4 m @ 4.59 g/t Au within 21.50 m @ 1.26 g/t Au from 117 m to 144.5 m in LS-24-06. Mr. Hratch Jabrayan, Galloper CEO, commented: "These holes were designed to broaden our understanding of Glover Island's geology and mineralization characteristics ahead of a bigger Phase 2 program in 2025, since no drilling has occurred at Glover Island in more than a dozen years and was focused primarily on the Lunch Pond deposit 6.5 km to the south of Lucky Smoke. "What we have discovered points to the distinct possibility of multiple shallow deposits lined up along a contact zone that may continue well beyond its original 12 km estimate. In addition, we continue to evaluate a parallel trend to the west prospective for copper mineralization, with more details to follow early in the New Year." The six shallow drill holes completed by Galloper have defined mineralization at Lucky Smoke over a strike length of approximately 400 meters. Gold is carried in pyrite (no arsenopyrite noted in logging) found within silicified felsic volcanics in the Kettle Pond Formation, the same unit that hosts the Lunch Pond deposit. 3D modeling sections are being completed to allow interpretations as to the continuity of the mineralization and geology at Lucky Smoke. Glover Island Geological Setting Glover Island is situated in very favorable terrane along the regional Baie-Verte Brompton Line-Cabot Fault Zone (BCZ), a major boundary between the Humber and Dunnage Zones. Glover Island in a Broader Regional Context 62 km south is Caliber Gold's multi-million ounce Valentine Gold mine slated for production beginning in 2025; 55 km due west is the prolific past producing Buchans mine (1928-1984), one of the richest base metal mines in Canadian history, in an area that includes recently defined resources and a number of prospects; 82 km southwest is Atlas Salt's world class Great Atlantic Salt Project advancing toward the construction phase. Figure 1 - "Four Corners" Region of Western Newfoundland Investors are cautioned that mineralization on adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization at Glover Island or the potential for a resource. CEO Hratch Jabrayan Video Profile Click on the following link to learn more about Hratch, Galloper Gold's new CEO. https://vimeo.com/1007433600/031f977268 Glover Island Property Map Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Peter Lauder, P.Geo., Director and Senior Geologist for Galloper Gold. Mr. Lauder is the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101 standards. Quality Assurance/Quality Control The core was logged and sampled following current industry standards and was split by contractor personnel and supervised by a geologist. Samples, along with the standards and blanks that were included for quality assurance and quality control, were shipped to Eastern Analytical Laboratories in Springdale, Newfoundland, for analysis. The analytical method utilized was Fire Assay (30g) for gold and with AA Finish and four acid ICP 34 for other elements. Two types of certified standard reference material samples, OREAS211 (768 ppb) and OREAS236 (1850 ppb), were alternately inserted into the sample sequence every 40 samples. Blank material was inserted every 40 samples, alternating with the standards. Quarter split duplicates of the samples were taken every 50 samples. All standard results fell within two standard deviations of the acceptable value, other than one, which was mislabeled. All the blank results reported were below the minimum detectable value. Eastern Analytical Lab also included their own inhouse QA/QC program. Acknowledgment - Newfoundland & Labrador Junior Exploration Assistance Program Galloper Gold acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. About Galloper Gold Corp. Galloper is focused on mineral exploration in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt with its Glover Island and Mint Pond properties, each prospective for gold and base metals. The Glover Island Property consists of 532 mining claims totaling 13,300 hectares while Mint Pond consists of 499 claims totaling 12,475 hectares. For more information please visit www.GalloperGold.com and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. Hratch Jabrayan CEO and Director Galloper Gold Corp. Company Contact: info@gallopergold.com Tel: 778-655-9266 Investor Relations: MarketSmart Communications Tel: 877-261-4466 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with mineral exploration generally, risks related to capital markets, risks related to the state of financial markets or future metals prices and the other risks described in the Company's publicly filed disclosure. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward-looking statements in this news release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company 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. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Galloper Gold Corp. View the original press release on accesswire.com BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European Union has adopted its 15th sanctions package against Russia for its continued war against Ukraine.The focus of the latest round of sanctions 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.With this package, the EU has, for the first time, imposed 'fully-fledged' sanctions on various Chinese actors. It includes travel ban, asset freeze and prohibition to make economic resources available.The European Commission said that the EU is determined to strengthen measures to help prevent Russia from looking for ways to evade the Oil Price Cap.Monday's package targets 52 new ships from Russia's shadow fleet, subjecting them 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.The EU imposed sanctions on 54 additiona individuals and 30 entities, responsible for actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. The targets include Russian military companies that manufacture aircraft parts, drones, electronics, engines, high-tech components for weapons, and other military equipment, and a number of senior managers in Russian energy companies.Seven Chinese persons and entities were sanctioned for facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions and supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic component to the Russian military industry.Two senior officials from North Korea also have been targeted.EU added 32 new companies to the list of those supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war against Ukraine. This includes 20 Russian firms, seven under Chinese/Hong Kong jurisdiction, two from Serbia, and one each from Iran, India and United Arab Emirates Emirates.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. HUB internationally recognized pioneer in organoid development Acquisition expands Merck's 2D and 3D cell culture portfolio Organoids part of fastest growing cell culture segment; hold potential to speed up drug development, reduce animal testing Merck, a leading science and technology company, has signed a definitive agreement with the intention to acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB). Organoids are cell culture models that functionally resemble an organ. They have the potential to speed up drug development, improve understanding of disease treatment in diverse populations, and reduce the industry's reliance on animal testing. HUB is a pioneer in the field of organoids. The company is based in Utrecht, Netherlands and employs around 70 people. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close at the end of December 2024. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213332177/en/ Merck scientist working in company's Burlington, MA, USA cell culture facility (Photo: Business Wire) "HUB's leadership in organoids and services strengthen Merck's already robust portfolio, underscoring our focus on the strategic innovation area of next-generation biology," said Jean-Charles Wirth, Head of Science Lab Solutions for the Life Science business of Merck. "For researchers working on novel approaches to treat today's most challenging diseases, organoids offer critical insights into biologic systems. We look forward making it faster and easier for scientists to get from samples to solutions." HUB possesses the foundational patent portfolio on organoids and has a service offering ranging from new model generation to assay development and high-throughput screening. This adds to and enhances Merck's portfolio of cell culture reagents, tools and benchtop instruments for academia, biotech, and pharma customers. HUB's technology enables drug developers to identify and validate potential clinical candidates in a patient-relevant in vitro system, closing the gap between the lab and clinical trials. "Our proprietary technology stands at the forefront of solutions that are driving a paradigm shift for drug discovery and development," said Robert Vries, CEO of HUB Organoids. "Merck's resources will act as a multiplier for our business. This allows us to significantly expand our reach and increase our impact with customers and, ultimately, patients." The promise of organoids also contributes to Merck's sustainability, diversity, and inclusion ambitions. The use of organoids may allow researchers to limit their reliance on animal testing by reducing stages in the R&D process, positively contributing to more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Organoids also create opportunities for genetically diverse populations to be reflected in research. They allow scientists to better understand drug interactions in patient populations that are underrepresented in clinical trials. The biology business of Merck's Science and Lab Solutions business is pioneering innovations in 3D cell culture, a highly attractive market expected to show double digit annual growth over the next decade.1 The company's current comprehensive and highly published portfolio of cell biology technologies includes tumor spheroids, stem cell organoids, and tissue engineering via 3D bioprinting. Its high-quality cell culture fundamentals and proven downstream analysis reagents offer a complete portfolio for drug development scientists. They include filtration, media, serum, culture plates, cell lines, microbial detection, cytokines and growth factors, analysis tools, transfection reagents, dyes and stains, and antibodies and immunodetection. About Merck Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of 21 billion in 65 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics. About HUB Organoids Holding B.V. HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB) is the global leader in the field of adult stem cell-derived organoids. HUB Organoid Technology represents a paradigm shift for drug discovery and development, preclinical patient stratification, predictive diagnostics, personalized medicine, clinical trials, regenerative medicine, and companion diagnostics. HUB offers licenses to its proprietary technology and provides drug development services using its living organoid biobanks. All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. ____________________________ 1 Sources: Human Organoids Market- Global Forecast to 2025 (Markets and Markets), 3D Cell Culture Market- Global Forecast to 2028 (Markets and Markets), Organoids Market Market Size and Forecast (2020-2030), Global and Country Growth Opportunity Analysis (The Insight Partners). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213332177/en/ Contacts: Media Relations rachel.bloom-baglin@merckgroup.com Phone: +49 (6151) 72-44461 ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I), has acquired a majority stake in Toqlukuti'k Wind & Hydrogen, a large-scale onshore wind and hydrogen project in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada, from Germany-based renewable energy developer ABO Energy. ABO Energy will stay actively engaged in the project as minority shareholder and co-developer. Toqlukuti'k is expected to produce competitive green hydrogen and ammonia, driven by exceptional wind resources, existing infrastructure, and federal and provincial support. This combination of factors makes Newfoundland an attractive investment destination which is well positioned to serve future European green energy demand. In August 2023, the project received a Wind Application Recommendation Letter from the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Technology, awarding the exclusive right to pursue development on nominated Crown land. As part of its Crown land bid submission, the project has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Miawpukek First Nation and has received numerous letters of support from communities. The name Toqlukuti'k (pronounced 'dok-loo-gu-tik') was determined together with Miawpukek First Nation and originates from the traditional Mi'kmaq language of the Miawpukek First Nation, meaning "working together". The project is expected to generate more than 4,000 construction jobs and over 400 long term jobs during the operation phase, giving a boost to the local economy and employment. Toqlukuti'k marks a second project in the partnership between CIP and ABO Energy, which also includes Canada's largest onshore wind farm, Buffalo Plains. With a capacity of 495MW, Buffalo Plains will provide clean energy to approximately 240,000 households in Alberta, Canada, once fully operational. Karlis Povisils, Partner at Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, commented: "We are delighted to partner with ABO Energy once again to support and contribute to Canada's journey towards a carbon-neutral future. With the wind speeds present in Atlantic Canada, we see that Toqlukuti'k has the potential to produce green hydrogen and ammonia at globally competitive prices." Karsten Schlageter, Managing Director at ABO Energy, shares: "Our ABO Energy team made great progress in developing this project, especially by working across two continents and with a new technology. This shows our ability to bring forward large scale projects that drive us towards Net Zero. With CIP as an experienced and financially strong development partner, we will successfully enter the next phase and bring Toqlukuti'k to realization." About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the world's largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X. CIP manages 12 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 31 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 180 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 500 employees and 14 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com. About ABO Energy ABO Energy For further information, please contact: E-mail: media@cip.com Oliver Routhe Skov, Head of Media Relations Phone: +45 30541227 Email: orsk@cip.com Thomas Knig, Partner - Investor Relations Phone: +45 7070 5151 Email: tkon@cip.com TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Magna Terra Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Magna Terra") (TSXV:MTT) is pleased to announce that it has acquired a significant and strategic exploration land package - the Rocky Brook Project ("Rocky Brook" or the "Project"), located in the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp of northern New Brunswick via two separate option agreements. The Rocky Brook Project comprises approximately 10,500 hectares in 33 mineral claims, located adjacent to and along strike from the Williams Brook Project, owned by Kinross Gold Corporation ("Kinross") and Puma Exploration Inc. ("Puma"), where a zone of high-grade gold mineralization was discovered over broad widths including drill intervals up to 5.55 g/t Au over 50.15 m. The Project is located adjacent to a 30-kilometre-long section of the Rocky Brook-Millstream fault and associated McIntyre and Ramsay Brook faults; an important structural zone controlling gold mineralization within the region (Figure 1). The Project also covers a zone of mafic volcanics and sedimentary rocks that show strong potential to host Cu-Co mineralization, adjacent to the past-producing Caribou Mine and the Murray Brook Deposit. Recent work by prospector Tim Lavoie in 2023 led to the discovery of gold mineralization at the Fournier Lake prospect with rock outcrop samples* over a 400 m area assaying up to 5.23 g/t Au (Figure 1). Previous work has led to the discovery of high-grade copper and cobalt at the Fossil Hill prospect with grab samples* from trenches assaying up to 16.65% Cu and 0.64% Co, and high-grade copper at the Boudreau Brook prospect assaying up to 3% Cu (Figure 1). (* Grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone.) Rocky Brook Project Highlights The Project covers a 30-kilometre extent of the Rocky Brook-Millstream Fault system; Strategically positioned along strike from Kinross-Puma's Lynx Zone gold discovery and adjacent to the past-producing Caribou Mine and Murray Brook base metal deposits; Recent discovery in 2023 of high-grade gold assays from grab samples assaying up to 5.23 g/t Au over a 400 m area at Fournier Lake; Previous work at the Fossil Hill Zone has discovered high-grade copper-cobalt mineralization with grab samples assying up to 16.65% Cu and 0.64% Co; Previous work at the Boudreau Brook prospect has discovered copper mineralization assaying up to 3% Cu; Located within the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp and top-tier mining jurisdiction of New Brunswick; and Year-round accessibility with road access to the majority of the Project. "We are very pleased to make this strategic acquisition in the prolific Bathurst Mining Camp in northern New Brunswick. The optioning of the Rocky Brook Project aligns with Magna Terra's strategy of acquiring low-cost, high-upside exploration projects and gives the Company and its shareholders exposure to an emerging gold district, as well as a foothold in a world-class base - critical metals camp. The recent discovery of high-grade gold at the Lynx Zone by Puma and subsequent recent strategic investment by Kinross to advance the Williams Brook Project, highlights the growing importance of this area for gold prospectivity. Further, the recent announcement by Canadian Copper to acquire the Caribou Mine and Mill provides a catalyst for renewed critical metals exploration within this historic mining camp. This acquisition dovetails well with our forward-looking strategy and our technical expertise in Atlantic Canada, and is supported by Michael Gentile who has recently taken a significant ownership interest in the Company (refer to the press release dated December 4, 2024). We will continue to look at all opportunities to add value and optionality for Magna Terra shareholders and enhance our portfolio of quality, low-cost exploration assets. We look forward in 2025 to following-up on the recent gold discoveries at Fournier Lake and the high-grade copper-cobalt mineralization at Fossil Hill and Boudreau Brook." ~ Lew Lawrick, President and CEO, Magna Terra Minerals Inc. Fournier Lake Gold Property The Fournier Lake gold occurrences sit adjacent to and to the south of the Rocky Brook-Millstream Fault Zone and transected by the McCormack Brook and McIntrye Brook faults; along or near that same fault systems that host the nearby Lynx Zone and Jonpol prospects (Figure 1). The Property is underlain by Silurian sedimentary rocks of the Petit Rocher Group, a deformed sequence of conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and interbedded calcareous mudstone that are intruded by Devonian-aged Ramsay Brook gabbro (Wilson, 2013a). The Fournier Lake occurrences were discovered in 2023 by prospector Tim Lavoie where rock outcrop samples* returned assays of 5.23 g/t Au, 1.57 g/t Au, 1.16 g/t Au, and 1.07 g/t Au over a 400-metre area. The Fournier Lake property is located to the north and east of several significant gold prospects highlighted by the adjacent Williams Brook Project where Kinross and Puma recently completed a joint venture agreement whereby Kinross can earn a 65% interest in the Williams Brook Project by spending $16,750,000 in exploration expenditures during a period of five (5) years (including a firm commitment of $2,000,000 with at least 5,000 metres of drilling during the first 18 months). Kinross also completed a concurrent private placement of $1,011,473.47 by purchasing 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Puma (refer to the Puma Exploration press release dated October 24, 2024). Gold mineralization at the Lynx Zone, located 30 kms southwest of Fournier Lake, has been drilled by Puma over a strike length of 750 m, a width of 100 m, a depth of 200 m, and remains open at depth and along strike. The gold, including visible gold, is hosted in quartz veins and breccias within rhyolite units at the contact with sedimentary rocks. Drilling has returned assays up to 5.55 g/t gold over 50.15 m (WB21-02). At Jonpol, historical diamond drilling returned 1.13 g/t Au over 12.0 m, 1.37 g/t Au over 6.0 m, 1.37 g/t Au over 1.4 m, 3.89 g/t Au over 1.0 m, and 2.78 g/t Au over 1.5 m. Fossil Hill - Boudreau Brook Property The Fossil Hill and Boudreau Brook copper-cobalt occurrences are hosted within an area of complexly deformed and thrust faulted volcanic and sedimentary rocks to the south of the Ramsay Brook and Rocky Brook-Millstream Faults (Figure 1). The property is underlain by mafic volcanic rocks and associated gabbro of the middle to late California Lake and Sormany groups that are overlain by Silurian conglomerate and sandstone of the Petit Rocher Group (Wilson, 2013b). Previous work has led to the discovery of high-grade copper and cobalt at the Fossil Hill prospect with grab samples* from trenches assaying up to 16.65% Cu and 0.64% Co, and high-grade copper at the Boudreau Brook prospect assaying up to 3% Cu. The Boudreau Brook and Fossil Hill occurrences sit approximately 5 kilometres to the north and northwest of the nearby Murray Brook Deposit and Caribou Mines in an area that has not received as much exploration as these more developed deposits. The Murray Brook Deposit hosts a Measured & Indicated mineral resource of21.1 Mt grading 2.49% Zn, 0.45 % Cu, 0.91 % Pb, 0.56 g/t Au, and 38.6 g/t Ag (1.41% CuEq or 4.77% ZnEq)(NI43-101 technical report by Stone et al., 2023^). The nearby Caribou Mine and Mill has been in production intermittently since its discovery, with most recent mining by Trevali Mining Corporation from 2015 to 2022 and is currently on care and maintenance. The Caribou Complex currently hosts a 3,000 tonne per day SAG (semi-autogenous grinding) mill. Canadian Copper Inc. is currently in the process of acquiring the Caribou Complex with plans to mine and process the ore from their 100% owned Murray Brook Deposit at Caribou. The Bathurst Camp The Bathurst Mining Camp is one of the world's oldest base metal (lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver) mining districts hosting one of Canada's largest volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, with the past-producing Brunswick No. 12 Mine having operated for 49 years. The Bathurst Mining camp is host to over 46 mineral deposits, several of which have been mined, including the Brunswick No. 6, Heath Steele, Wedge, Stratmat, Half Mile Lake, Caribou and Murray Brook. A total of 136,643,367 tonnes of ore grading 3.44% Pb, 8.74% Zn, 0.37% Cu, and 102.2 g/t Ag were mined from the Bathurst Mining Camp (McCutcheon and Walker, 2020**). Option Agreement Terms The Company has acquired the Rocky Brook Project from Prospect Or Corp., ("Prospect Or") owned by Mr. Lavoie, under two option agreements dated December 16, 2024; the Fournier Lake Agreement (covering 7 mineral claims) and the Boudreau Brook Fossil Hill Agreement (covering 26 mineral claims), both of equivalent value. The Company can earn a 100% interest in the Rocky Brook Project by paying $5,000 in cash and issuing 650,000 common shares on signing; with $50,000 in cash and $110,000 in cash and/or consideration shares payable over a four-year period ending December 16, 2028 for each of the two agreements. Prospect Or retains a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR") with 1% of the NSR purchasable at anytime by Magna Terra for $1,000,000. Magna Terra has a Right of First Refusal on the remaining 1% NSR. All share issuances will be based on the greater of $0.05 per share or the 10-day volume weighted average price on the date a payment is due, and the Company elects to make such payment in common shares. As such, the maximum number of common shares issuable by the Company with respect to the potential share consideration payable for each of the two agreements is 2,850,000 common shares. The common shares which may be issued under the agreements will be subject to a regulatory four month and one day hold period from their date of issuance and are subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Figure 1: A map showing the location of the Rocky Brook Project, adjacent exploration projects, fault zones and mineral occurrences. Payments for the Cape Spencer and Marigold Exploration Option Agreements The Company has also recently issued certain common shares in relation to two other option agreements located within New Brunswick - the Cape Spencer and Marigold Option Agreements. Under the terms of the Cape Spencer option agreement, the Company can earn a 100% interest in the Cape Spencer Property by paying the Optionor a total of $350,000 in cash and/or consideration shares and $145,000 in milestone payments based on certain exploration activities in cash or consideration shares, over a seven-year period ending August 9, 2025 (refer to the press release dated September 15, 2022). On December 16, 2024, the Company issued 500,000 common shares of the Company and will pay $25,000 in cash to settle the sixth anniversary payment totalling $50,000. Under the terms of the Marigold option agreement, the Company can earn a 100% interest in the Marigold Property (Cape Spencer Project) by paying the Optionor a total of $175,000 in cash and/or consideration shares and 1,075,000 common shares of the Company, over a five-year period ending August 15, 2025 (refer to the press release dated September 27, 2023). On December 16, 2024, the Company issued 700,000 common shares of the Company and has paid $25,000 to settle the fourth anniversary payment totalling $60,000. The common shares issued under the above-mentioned agreements are subject to a regulatory four month and one day hold period from their date of issuance. Qualified Person and Technical Notes This news release has been reviewed and approved by David A. Copeland, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person", under National Instrument 43-101 - Standard for Disclosure for Mineral Projects. All quoted drill core and rock samples results were compiled from historic assessment and government reports obtained from the government of New Brunswick. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to validate these historic results. * Grab samples are selective by nature and may not represent the true metal content of the mineralized zone. ^"Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of the Murray Brook ZN-PB-CU-AG Project New Brunswick Canada" (effective October 3, 2023) prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc. for Canadian Copper, and filed on www.sedarplus.ca **McCutcheon, S. R., & Walker, J. A. (2020). Great Mining Camps of Canada 8. The Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Part 2: Mining History and Contributions to Society. Geoscience Canada, 47(3), 143-166 About Magna Terra Magna Terra Minerals Inc. is a precious and critical metals focused exploration company, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Magna Terra is focused on acquiring and advancing its high-potential mineral projects in Atlantic Canada and Argentina while generating value for shareholders and minimizing shareholder dilution through option and joint venture partnerships where appropriate; leveraging our ability to explore, grow, and transact projects. The Company is focused on exploring our 100%-owned Humber Copper-Cobalt Project in Newfoundland and Labrador and our 100%-owned Cape Spencer Gold Project in New Brunswick. In addition, the Company has recently optioned the Great Northern Project in Newfoundland to Gold Hunter Resources Inc. for total cash and share consideration of $9.5 million over a 2-year period. Further, the Company maintains a significant exploration portfolio in the province of Santa Cruz, Argentina which includes its Boleadora Project being advanced by Newmont Corp. under an option to purchase agreement valued at US$1 million in cash over a 6-year period and including a 2% NSR capped at US$20 million; a precious metals discovery on its Luna Roja Project proximal to Cerrado Gold's operating Don Nicholas Project infrastructure, as well as several additional district scale drill ready projects available for purchase or option/joint venture. 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. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, the ability of the Company to file a report that complies with Regulation 43-101. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, and the ability of the author of the Technical Reports to finalize same. 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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include the inability of the Company to execute its proposed business plans and carry out planned future activities. Other factors may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company, including general economic, market or business conditions, future prices of gold, changes in the financial markets and in the demand for precious metals, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the mineral exploration industry, and the Company's investment and operation in the mineral exploration sector, as well as the risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and in other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in these forward-looking statements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Magna Terra Minerals Inc. Lewis Lawrick President and CEO, Director Email: info@magnaterraminerals.com Website: www.magnaterraminerals.com SOURCE: Magna Terra Minerals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Deptec's plasma spectrometer is primed to play an integral role in the booming semiconductor manufacturing and thin-film sectors. SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Dalrada Financial Corporation(OTC PINK:DFCO), "Dalrada," "the Company"), announced today that Spectroptix, a proprietary advanced plasma spectrometer developed by its subsidiary, Deposition Technology ("Deptec,"), is now available for advance ordering. The one-of-a-kind spectrometer is designed for precise element detection in vacuum chambers during deposition or semiconductor manufacturing processes, allowing for the integration of advanced plasma spectroscopy. This specialized tool also offers a host of other key features and benefits, according to Brian Bonar, Dalrada's Chairman and CEO. "Spectroptix is the ideal machine for the semiconductor industry," said Bonar. "For starters, it can be integrated into various vacuum-based processes, from thin film coatings to plasma-enhanced CVD and PVD systems. It's also quite easy to operate. Spectroptix will be a real game-changer in the microchip and semiconductor world and we're quite thrilled to offer pre-ordering for our clients." Deptec's Spectroptix delivers real-time actionable data on materials within each vacuum chamber during the deposition process, ensuring higher accuracy, efficiency, and process control. Other benefits of the advanced spectrometer include: Plasma creation: a background plasma independent of the deposition process, ensuring that no process contamination or interference occurs during analysis. Enhanced Process Control: using real-time data, Spectroptix enables precise control over deposition environments, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments to gas flow or composition. User-Friendly Interface: intuitive software control that allows remote operation for operators to visualize and analyze light spectrum data for efficient optimization. Preferred over Residual Gas Analyzers (RGAs): more cost-effective solution than RGAs, plus RGAs do not come standard with vacuum technology. Deptec's Spectroptix is particularly well-suited for applications requiring ultra-thin films and sensitive optical coatings, like semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics, optoelectronics, advanced material processing, and more. Future target markets include pharmaceuticals, aerospace/defense, materials science, nuclear industries, and food and beverage. With a mature product line firmly in place within the deposition technology marketplace, Deptec has its sights on further expanding its unique portfolio, adding robust solutions to include a new chemical vapor deposition (CVD) platform-the EVOS CVD system-which would join the company's popular Novellus C1 upgrade kit for legacy CVD machines. "With our increased production and installation capabilities plus the rollout of new products providing even greater opportunities, making Spectroptix available for pre-ordering is just the beginning," added Bonar. About Dalrada Financial Corporation Dalrada Financial Corporation(OTC PINK:DFCO) is a multi-national holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells a robust suite of products and services in the Clean Energy, Physical and Chemical Vapor Deposition for Semiconductors, and Health Care sectors. Dalrada's core segments include Dalrada Climate Technology, which offers cutting-edge heat pump and energy sustainability technology for industrial and residential applications; Deptec, an international leader in deposition technology and manufacturing that repurposes and sells proprietary semiconductor technology for clean energy applications; and Genefic Specialty Pharmacy, which provides end-to-end prescription and specialty pharmacy services as well as patient advocacy and support. Dalrada consistently drives innovation that delivers maximum impact, bringing increased value to its shareholders. For more information, please visit www.dalrada.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. About Deposition Technology Deposition Technology (Deptec) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dalrada Financial Corporation(OTC PINK:DFCO), and an international leader in precision manufacturing, specializing in thin-film deposition including PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) processing and equipment. Founded in 2004, Deptec has expanded to specialize in upgrading legacy tools, including Novellus Concept One, and delivering innovative solutions like Spectroptix for advanced material detection. The company's products and services are designed to enhance the performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency of manufacturing processes in the semiconductor, MEMS, and optoelectronics industries. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, particularly statements relating to cost reductions and the anticipated pre-tax savings from the cost reduction program, restructuring costs, footprint rationalization, simplifying and streamlining our operations, reducing complexity, enhancing the speed of decision-making, leveraging our sourcing capabilities and the timing of implementation and completion of the cost reduction program, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Forward-looking statements are subject to the occurrence of many events outside the Company's control and actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that may impact the Company's success are more fully disclosed in the Company's most recent public filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including its annual report on Form 10-K. Media contact: Michael Eslinger (meslinger@dalrada.com) # # # SOURCE: Dalrada Financial Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com PEMBROKE PINES, FL / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. (OTC PINK:GRLF), a Florida-based company specializing in the marketing and distribution of premium handmade cigars, today announces a significant capital reduction, streamlining our corporate structure for 2025. We've reduced the authorized shares by 66%, bringing the total authorized common shares from 60 billion to 20 billion, effective immediately. This decisive action, approved by the Board of Directors and filed with the State of Florida is a critical component of our restructuring plan for 2025. We will proactively address existing financial obligations by continue renegotiating the company's debt to bolstering our financial position and strengthening our foundation for future growth. This reduction demonstrates our commitment to financial responsibility and long-term value for our shareholders and our acquisition plans for 2025. Mr. Mederos, CEO, stated "Our recent acquisition of SOFLO Wholesaler Group and the common share authorized reduction will significantly strengthen our 2024 year-end financials, boosting market confidence and shareholder value. We believe the company is currently undervalued, compared to other public companies in the tobacco industry and that the 2025 restructuring and acquisition plans will increase shareholder value and position the company appropriately for 2025 and beyond. About Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. Green Leaf Innovations, Inc., a Florida corporation, is an emerging growth company engaged in the Marketing and Distribution of handmade premium cigars. The company strategically imports and exclusively distributes some of the best known premium cigar brands in the Market created by the Mederos family a Third generation Cigar maker with Robert Mederos at the helm who has owned and operated handmade cigar operation in Nicaragua and the US for over 20 years with a rich family history in the craft dating back to the 1800s Cuba, brands such as CUBANACAN, MEDEROS and TABACALERA SERRANO. In addition to it the company also distributes packaged whole leaf Tobacco to cigar lounges, smoke shops, C-stores and vape shops across the United States and soon International Markets. Additional information can be found on our websites http://www.greenleafinnovation.com or follow us on Twitter @otcgrlf . For more information, press only: Phone number: (800) 303-6268 Email: info@greenleafinnovation.com Safe Harbor Statement: The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Information RYAN MEDICO MARKETING MANAGER info@greenleafinnovation.com 8003036268 SOURCE: Green Leaf Innovations, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Total passenger traffic down 2.7% YoY, or 0.2% YoY ex-Natal International passenger traffic up 6.6% YoY; up 10.3% YoY in Argentina Corporacion America Airports S.A. (NYSE: CAAP), ("CAAP" or the "Company"), one of the leading private airport operators in the world, reported today a 2.7% year-on-year (YoY) decrease in passenger traffic in November 2024. Excluding Natal for comparison purposes, total traffic in November decreased by 0.2% YoY. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217819655/en/ Monthly Passenger Traffic Performance (In million PAX) (Graphic: Business Wire) Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements Highlights (2024 vs. 2023) Statistics Nov'24 Nov'23 % Var. YTD'24 YTD'23 % Var. Domestic Passengers (thousands) 3,663 3,927 -6.7% 37,224 41,826 -11.0% International Passengers (thousands) 2,355 2,209 6.6% 28,203 26,068 8.2% Transit Passengers (thousands) 558 626 -10.9% 6,588 6,506 1.3% Total Passengers (thousands)1 6,576 6,761 -2.7% 72,015 74,400 -3.2% Cargo Volume (thousand tons) 40.0 32.5 23.2% 358.6 334.1 7.3% Total Aircraft Movements (thousands) 68.6 64.1 7.0% 750.4 778.0 -3.5% 1 Excluding Natal for comparison purposes, total passenger traffic was down 0.2% in November and 1.0% YTD. Passenger Traffic Overview Total passenger traffic declined by 2.7% in November compared to the same month in 2023, or 0.2% when adjusting for the discontinuation of Natal airport. Domestic passenger traffic decreased by 6.7% YoY, or 2.6% when excluding Natal, primarily due to weaker YoY domestic traffic performance in Argentina. International traffic increased by 6.6%, mainly driven by growth in Argentina and Italy. In Argentina, total passenger traffic declined by 3.3% YoY, an improvement compared to the 7.8% YoY decline recorded in October. This result was primarily driven by weaker performance in domestic traffic, which fell by 7.2% YoY. Last year, domestic traffic benefited from incentives provided by a government program called "Previaje" to boost domestic tourism; however, it continued to be impacted by the ongoing recession in the country. JetSMART has continued to gain market share since initiating its growth strategy a few months ago, while Flybondi increased its operational capacity by 13% with the addition of two more aircraft. International passenger traffic increased by 10.3% YoY, up from the 7.0% YoY increase recorded in October. Among other developments, Avianca inaugurated its Guayaquil-Ezeiza route with three weekly flights, and Paranair launched the Jujuy-Asuncion route. Additionally, Emirates, Iberia, and United increased their flight frequencies during the month. International passenger traffic in November also benefited from the final game of the Libertadores Cup, with Azul, Gol, JetSMART, and Flybondi scheduling charter flights for the event. In Italy, passenger traffic grew by 15.3% compared to the same month in 2023. International passenger traffic, which accounted for almost 75% of the total traffic, increased by 10.7% YoY, driven by a 13.7% increase at Florence airport and an 8.1% increase at Pisa airport. Domestic passenger traffic increased by a strong 30.6% YoY, with strong performances at both Pisa and Florence airports. In Brazil, total passenger traffic decreased by 8.8% YoY, or increased by 4.0% YoY when adjusting for the discontinuation of Natal Airport. These results reflect an improvement in traffic trends despite the still challenging aviation context and aircraft constraints in the country, along with the positive impact of the temporary closure of Porto Alegre airport. Domestic traffic, which accounted for 60% of the total traffic, was down 10.7% YoY, or up 10.3% when excluding Natal, while transit passengers were down 7.1% YoY. As a reminder, following the friendly termination process concluded in February 2024, CAAP no longer operates Natal Airport, effective February 19, 2024. Therefore, statistics for Natal are available up to February 18, 2024. In Uruguay, total passenger traffic, predominantly international, continued to recover, increasing by 4.4% YoY. American Airlines resumed its Montevideo-Miami route with three weekly flights, which will increase to daily service during the high season. At Punta del Este Airport, the company is inaugurating the summer season with the first direct flight from Santiago de Chile to Punta del Este. From November to March, LATAM will offer three weekly flights to connect these two destinations. In Ecuador, passenger traffic decreased by 2.6% YoY, following a strong recovery in 2023. International passenger traffic decreased by 1.9% YoY, while domestic traffic decreased by 3.7% YoY, impacted by high airfare prices affecting travel demand. In Armenia, passenger traffic decreased by 0.2% YoY, consistent with last month's performance and following a strong recovery in 2023, which benefited from the introduction of new airlines and routes, as well as an increase in flight frequencies. The introduction of new routes has continued into 2024. Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements Cargo volume increased by 23.2% compared to the same month in 2023, with positive YoY contributions from all countries of operation, except for Italy and Ecuador: Argentina (+28.2%), Uruguay (+17.1%), Armenia (+80.3%), Brazil (+5.2%), Ecuador (-0.3%) and Italy (-5.0%). Argentina, Brazil, and Armenia accounted for more than 80% of the total cargo volume in November. Aircraft movements increased by 7.0% YoY, with positive YoY contributions from all countries of operation, except for Brazil: Argentina (+14.6%), Uruguay (+3.6%), Armenia (+2.7%), Ecuador (+3.6%), Italy (+5.6%), and Brazil (-9.8%). Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador accounted for more than 80% of total aircraft movements in November. Summary Passenger Traffic, Cargo Volume and Aircraft Movements (2024 vs. 2023) Nov'24 Nov'23 % Var. YTD'24 YTD'23 % Var. Passenger Traffic (thousands) Argentina 3,793 3,923 -3.3% 38,051 39,850 -4.5% Italy 554 480 15.3% 8,473 7,671 10.4% Brazil (1) 1,303 1,429 -8.8% 14,210 15,614 -9.0% Uruguay 176 169 4.4% 2,041 1,766 15.6% Ecuador 381 391 -2.6% 4,294 4,458 -3.7% Armenia 368 369 -0.2% 4,946 5,041 -1.9% TOTAL 6,576 6,761 -2.7% 72,015 74,400 -3.2% (1) Following the friendly termination process concluded in February 2024, CAAP no longer operates Natal airport. Statistics for Natal are available up to February 18, 2024. Cargo Volume (tons) Argentina 21,667 16,905 28.2% 186,287 172,970 7.7% Italy 1,170 1,231 -5.0% 11,896 11,880 0.1% Brazil 6,130 5,826 5.2% 59,963 60,193 -0.4% Uruguay 3,269 2,792 17.1% 29,241 28,459 2.7% Ecuador 3,131 3,139 -0.3% 34,024 30,245 12.5% Armenia 4,611 2,558 80.3% 37,185 30,398 22.3% TOTAL 39,977 32,451 23.2% 358,596 334,145 7.3% Aircraft Movements Argentina 39,873 34,788 14.6% 407,025 418,382 -2.7% Italy 5,161 4,887 5.6% 77,074 73,133 5.4% Brazil 11,490 12,732 -9.8% 131,326 145,151 -9.5% Uruguay 2,687 2,594 3.6% 28,878 28,374 1.8% Ecuador 6,387 6,165 3.6% 69,627 71,983 -3.3% Armenia 2,984 2,905 2.7% 36,446 40,971 -11.0% TOTAL 68,582 64,071 7.0% 750,376 777,994 -3.5% About Corporacion America Airports Corporacion America Airports acquires, develops and operates airport concessions. Currently, the Company operates 52 airports in 6 countries across Latin America and Europe (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Armenia and Italy). In 2023, Corporacion America Airports served 81.1 million passengers, 23.7% above the 65.6 million passengers served in 2022 and 3.6% below the 84.2 million served in 2019. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange where it trades under the ticker "CAAP". For more information, visit http://investors.corporacionamericaairports.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217819655/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Contact Patricio Inaki Esnaola Email: patricio.esnaola@caairports.com Phone: +5411 4899-6716 DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine a place where untouched nature coexists with the world's most advanced digital society, a country where innovation is fueled by a deep-rooted respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainable growth. Estonia has become a beacon of forward-thinking solutions in food and technology, with 23% of its farmland certified organic - the highest in Europe compared to the EU average of 8.5% - thereby redefining what it means to prioritise health, quality, and responsibility in every product it creates. As the Gulf region seeks to meet the demands of an evolving, health-conscious consumer base, Estonian brands stand ready to offer something unique: a blend of pure, organic ingredients, pioneering technology, and a vision for the future that values both people and the planet. In a world increasingly aware of its impact, Estonia's approach challenges us to rethink what we consume and how we shape a sustainable tomorrow together. Estonia is making significant strides in the global food and beverage industry by delivering innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable products that meet the increasing demand for health-conscious options. For the Middle East and North Africa region, where health and sustainability are key concerns, Estonia's F&B brands offer a unique value proposition, with brands like YOOK and TFTAK bringing a fresh perspective to the GCC market through a focus on sustainable practices, offering unique benefits to consumers and businesses alike. With a strong reputation for transparency and innovation, Estonian F&B brands have carved out a distinct place for themselves on the international stage. The core values that guide Estonian products - purity, traceability, and commitment to sustainability - align closely with the GCC's growing interest in wellness, organic products, and environmental responsibility. According to recent reports, the organic food market in the UAE alone is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.8% from 2021 to 2027, with 35% of MENA consumers willing to invest in health-focused products. In fact, Estonian brands are distinct in the Gulf region for their adherence to quality, environmental integrity, and innovative production methods. This focus is exemplified by YOOK, Estonia's pioneering oat drink producer. YOOK's products use organic oats, significantly reducing their carbon footprint compared to dairy alternatives. As global demand for oat milk grows at a 13.4% CAGR, GCC consumers are increasingly seeking plant-based options. Estonia's unique environmental standards also play a crucial role, as it is one of only seven countries globally that meets the World Health Organization's air quality standards. With 28% of its land under protection and 51% covered by forests, Estonia's focus on responsible food production positions its F&B brands as trusted and ethical choices, promising GCC consumers unparalleled purity and quality. Health-conscious consumers in the Gulf region are also increasingly looking for products that offer functional benefits beyond basic nutrition. TFTAK, the Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies, has collaborated with local companies to develop high-fibre, gut-health-promoting smoothies from apple pomace waste. This zero-waste innovation exemplifies Estonia's commitment to the circular economy and aligns with GCC consumers' growing preference for foods that support health and wellness. TFTAK's functional foods have broad appeal in the Gulf region, where consumers are willing to pay a premium for products with added health benefits. Ingredient traceability is another strong suit for Estonian food producers, who prioritise transparency to build trust with MENA consumers (58% prioritising it in food products). TFTAK's extensive research and development processes ensure that every ingredient is rigorously tested and meets the highest international standards. With stringent regulations and certifications in place, Estonian F&B brands provide quality assurances that resonate, specifically with GCC consumers who prioritise clean, safe, and traceable food products. Given their shared focus on food security and sustainability, Estonia's F&B brands also have considerable collaborative potential within the Gulf region - Estonian companies are already involved in food missions and trade events like Gulfood, showing their commitment to expanding in the GCC and building long-term partnerships with Middle Eastern businesses. Estonian food products represent a broader movement toward sustainability, health, and technological advancement, and by entering the Gulf, these brands are set to make a positive impact, offering products that contribute to a healthier lifestyle and a cleaner environment. Focusing on pure, organic ingredients, eco-friendly practices, and health-conscious products, Estonian brands are poised to resonate deeply with the GCC's discerning consumers, and as Estonia's reach into the Gulf market grows, so does the potential for vibrant partnerships and shared success. Estonia and the GCC are shaping a future where purity and ingenuity unite with Middle Eastern ambitions for wellness and environmental stewardship - a future defined by impactful collaboration and a collective commitment to a healthier, more sustainable world. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2583083/Trade_Estonia.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fueling-menas-35-demand-for-functional-foods-estonias-organic-innovation-in-health-and-sustainability-302333807.html TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Japan's SoftBank Group is planning to invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years, which would create more than 100,000 jobs in Artificial Intelligence or AI and related critical infrastructure.During President-elect Donald Trump's first news conference since the election, SoftBank founder and Chief Executive officer Masayoshi Son joined to make the announcement of the tech firm's billions of dollar investments in the country.In Japan, SoftBank shares had gained 4.4% to close Tuesday's trading at 9,837 yen.SoftBank's investment will focus on technology and AI over the next four years, and the required infrastructure, including energy projects, data centers and chips, to support the ongoing AI boom.Noting that the latest pledge represented a demonstration of confidence in America's future, Trump said, 'He's doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country since the election.... it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and other industries of tomorrow are being created and grown right here in the USA.'The technology investor reportedly would raise money for the proposed investment from its balance sheet as well from various sources controlled by it, including the Vision Fund or chipmaker Arm Holdings, where SoftBank is the majority shareholder.In December 2016, during last Trump presidency, the technology investment holding company had pledged $50 billion in the U.S., expecting to create 50,000 jobs. Since then, SoftBank reportedly have invested more than $70 billion in around 300 technology companies.In 2016, the company also had announced plans for SoftBank's Vision Fund, a $100 billion vehicle for investing in technology companies worldwide. Of that, half came from Saudi Arabia.Last month, SoftBank invested $500 million in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and annonuced plans to purchase OpenAI stock worth $1.5 billion, as part of Son's strategy to increase investment in AI.Copyright(c) 2024 RTTNews.com. All Rights ReservedCopyright RTT News/dpa-AFX North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from Zone 5 infill and grade control drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. Assay results are presented here for infill and grade control drilling in the Zone 5 area of Tuvatu. Drill results include multiple bonanza grade gold assays such as 1517.79 g/t, 513.50 g/t, 113.76 g/t, 137.50 g/t, and 115.25 g/t (see Table 1 below). These results are all located proximal to underground development in the near-surface portion of the mine. Drilling was focused on the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. Previous drill results from the Zone 5 area are available in the June 12, 2024, June 5, 2024, and December 13, 2023 news releases. Top New Drill Results: 1517.79 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0237, from 42.6 m depth) 513.50 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0263, from 60.47 m depth) 67.45 g/t Au over 0.75 m (TGC-0254, from 90.75 m depth) 17.89 g/t Au over 2.7 m (including 113.76 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0225, from 94.6 m depth) 25.73 g/t Au over 1.8 m (including 96.78 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0251, from 46.9 m depth) 18.42 g/t Au over 2.5 m (including 62.83 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0240, from 44.0 m depth) 30.99 g/t Au over 1.4 m (including 137.50 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0239, from 97.8 m depth) 64.25 g/t Au over 0.6 m (TGC-0256, from 98.11 m depth) 72.55 g/t Au over 0.5 m (TGC-0245, from 91.0 m depth) 115.25 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0250, from 52.7 m depth) *All drill intersects are downhole lengths, 3.0 g/t cutoff. See Table 1 for additional data. Figure 1. Location of the Zone 5 drilling reported in this news release. Left image: Plan view of Tuvatu showing Zone 5 drillholes in relation to the mineralized lodes at Tuvatu, shown in grey. Yellow dashed square represents the area shown in the right image. Right image: Oblique view of Zone 5 drilling looking approximately east-northeast. Zone 5 drilling is targeting the up-dip and down-dip extensions of the mineralized lodes above and below current underground developments, shown in red. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/234067_b75a094e047079b4_001full.jpg Table 1. Highlights of composited grade control and infill drill results in the Zone 5 area. Composites are calculated using a 3 g/t Au cutoff with maximum internal dilution intervals of 1 m at <3 g/t Au. For full results see Table 3 in the appendix. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) TGC-0237 42.6 42.9 0.3 1517.79 TGC-0263 60.5 60.8 0.3 513.50 TGC-0254 90.8 91.5 0.8 67.45 TGC-0225 94.6 97.3 2.7 17.89 including 95.8 97.0 1.2 37.40 which includes 96.1 96.4 0.3 113.76 TGC-0251 46.9 48.7 1.8 25.73 including 46.9 47.6 0.7 59.42 which includes 47.2 47.6 0.4 96.78 TGC-0240 44.0 46.5 2.5 18.42 including 46.1 46.5 0.4 62.83 TGC-0239 97.8 99.2 1.4 30.99 including 97.8 98.1 0.3 137.50 TGC-0256 98.1 98.7 0.6 64.25 TGC-0245 91.0 91.5 0.5 72.55 TGC-0250 52.7 53.0 0.3 115.25 TGC-0247 61.1 62.6 1.5 19.11 TGC-0212 69.5 69.8 0.3 90.50 TGC-0224 25.8 28.5 2.7 9.85 including 25.8 26.4 0.6 27.65 TGC-0259 57.4 57.7 0.3 86.50 TGC-0231 92.8 96.0 3.2 7.59 including 95.0 95.6 0.6 26.34 TGC-0210 61.2 62.7 1.5 15.70 including 62.1 62.4 0.3 57.08 TGC-0228 90.8 91.1 0.3 77.50 TGC-0247 89.1 89.4 0.3 75.86 TGC-0261 97.1 100.2 3.2 7.00 including 97.8 98.1 0.3 26.35 and 98.1 98.4 0.4 15.55 TGC-0263 63.2 65.6 2.4 8.98 including 63.5 64.1 0.6 26.30 TGC-0212 90.3 90.9 0.6 33.92 including 90.3 90.6 0.3 58.64 TGC-0226 28.5 28.8 0.3 63.72 *All drill intersects are downhole lengths Zone 5 Drilling The Zone 5 area of Tuvatu is located along the main decline and includes the principal north-south oriented lodes (UR1 to UR3), the principal northeast-southwest oriented lodes (UR4 to UR8), and several of the western lodes (URW2, URW2A, URW3). These lodes are steeply dipping structures that converge at approximately 500 m depth to form Zone 500, which is the highest-grade part of the deposit and is interpreted to be the feeder zone at Tuvatu. The system remains open at depth with the deepest high-grade intersections occurring below 1000 m depth. The drilling reported in this news release targeted the near-surface portions of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. Drilling was focused on the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes, directly above and below current underground developments. The drilling targeted a 320 m strike length of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. The current total strike length of the UR2 lode is approximately 620 m, while that of the URW3 lode is approximately 330 m. Both lodes remain open along strike and at depth. Zone 5 grade control drilling is being conducted from three underground locations: the 1130 drill cuddy, the 1135 drill cuddy, and the 1090 drill cuddy. These drillholes are designed to intersect the mineralized lodes in a perpendicular to sub-perpendicular orientation such that the mineralized intervals approximate the true width of the lodes. Grade control drilling is being conducted on 10 m centers to provide a detailed understanding of the geometry and mineralization of the Zone 5 lodes. The purpose of the current Zone 5 grade control drill program is to enhance the mine model and inform stope design in advance of mining in the target areas. Highlights of the Zone 5 drilling reported here are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2. Zone infill and grade control drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. View is looking down with north to the left. The primary areas targeted by the Zone 5 drilling are the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes above and below current underground developments. These areas are scheduled for near-term mining. Drill holes are oriented perpendicular to sub-perpendicular to the mineralized lodes. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2178/234067_b75a094e047079b4_002full.jpg Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company's Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Lion One Laboratories / QAQC Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. Diamond drill core samples are logged by Lion One personnel on site. Exploration diamond drill core is split by Lion One personnel on site, with half core samples sent for analysis and the other half core remaining on site. Grade control diamond drill core is whole core assayed. Core samples are delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples. Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries 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: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Appendix 1: Full Drill Results and Collar Information Table 2. Collar coordinates for drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid. Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth TGC-0210 1876384 3920430 96 114.6 20.9 85.8 TGC-0211 1876384 3920429 96 140.5 21.6 85.6 TGC-0212 1876381 3920532 131 80.5 14.3 115.3 TGC-0213 1876383 3920628 129 65.0 12.5 125.0 TGC-0214 1876384 3920432 96 106.7 22.1 70.8 TGC-0215 1876380 3920529 130 134.2 6.3 150.0 TGC-0216 1876384 3920431 95 127.7 14.5 81.2 TGC-0217 1876383 3920628 129 60.7 16.4 135.0 TGC-0218 1876384 3920431 95 117.2 14.7 81.0 TGC-0219 1876380 3920529 130 129.2 8.6 140.3 TGC-0220 1876383 3920627 130 80.5 21.8 11.2 TGC-0221 1876384 3920430 96 105.9 22.2 68.1 TGC-0222 1876384 3920429 96 115.8 20.5 11.0 TGC-0223 1876384 3920424 96 154.8 22.9 180.0 TGC-0224 1876380 3920530 130 124.9 4.8 140.0 TGC-0225 1876382 3920627 129 76.4 22.4 115.0 TGC-0226 1876380 3920529 130 125.6 11.1 140.2 TGC-0227 1876384 3920425 94 155.6 -1.8 181.1 TGC-0228 1876380 3920530 130 120.8 8.5 140.0 TGC-0229 1876383 3920627 129 75.9 15.3 11.2 TGC-0230 1876383 3920424 96 170.7 22.4 268.4 TGC-0231 1876383 3920627 129 77.3 15.4 115.1 TGC-0232 1876383 3920627 127 76.2 -49.2 11.2 TGC-0233 1876384 3920627 127 78.0 -48.5 166.4 TGC-0234 1876381 3920531 129 98.3 -19.1 99.8 TGC-0235 1876384 3920627 127 80.0 -36.5 11.1 TGC-0236 1876383 3920627 128 79.8 -36.1 146.0 TGC-0237 1876384 3920428 95 108.1 13.7 82.5 TGC-0238 1876381 3920531 129 90.7 -13.7 10.7 TGC-0239 1876381 3920531 129 90.7 -19.4 130.8 TGC-0240 1876384 3920428 95 99.9 13.0 122.2 TGC-0241 1876383 3920627 129 82.8 19.2 110.0 TGC-0242 1876384 3920428 95 92.0 13.2 95.4 TGC-0243 1876384 3920626 127 95.7 -37.1 140.1 TGC-0244 1876384 3920429 95 84.8 13.7 100.7 TGC-0245 1876381 3920532 129 88.0 -13.6 130.8 TGC-0246 1876384 3920625 127 114.9 -28.7 140.0 TGC-0247 1876384 3920430 94 83.7 -4.0 110.3 TGC-0248 1876378 3920532 129 82.4 -15.3 130.9 TGC-0249 1876384 3920626 127 103.4 -31.1 140.1 TGC-0250 1876384 3920429 94 97.3 -3.8 110.0 TGC-0251 1876384 3920429 94 105.1 -4.4 86.0 TGC-0252 1876381 3920532 129 76.0 -18.3 24.6 TGC-0254 1876380 3920532 129 75.9 -15.1 130.0 TGC-0255 1876384 3920428 94 114.5 -4.1 80.0 TGC-0256 1876381 3920531 128 92.7 -22.1 136.9 TGC-0257 1876384 3920428 94 123.3 -4.4 80.2 TGC-0259 1876384 3920427 94 131.0 -4.7 83.1 TGC-0261 1876380 3920530 129 115.1 -11.2 140.0 TGC-0263 1876384 3920429 94 82.2 -7.8 120.8 Table 3. Composite results from drillholes reported in this news release (composite grade >3.0 g/t Au) Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) TGC-0210 40.5 40.8 0.3 6.12 TGC-0210 45.0 46.2 1.2 6.36 TGC-0210 47.4 47.7 0.3 5.45 TGC-0210 61.2 62.7 1.5 15.70 including 61.2 62.1 0.9 4.08 and 62.1 62.4 0.3 57.08 and 62.4 62.7 0.3 9.20 TGC-0210 65.4 65.7 0.3 26.66 TGC-0210 78.6 79.8 1.2 7.59 including 78.6 78.9 0.3 4.46 and 78.9 79.2 0.3 0.82 and 79.2 79.8 0.6 12.54 TGC-0211 63.6 63.9 0.3 9.60 TGC-0211 66.3 66.9 0.6 21.85 including 66.3 66.6 0.3 39.97 and 66.6 66.9 0.3 3.72 TGC-0212 37.1 39.8 2.7 4.56 including 37.1 37.4 0.3 15.20 and 37.4 37.7 0.3 2.58 and 37.7 38.0 0.3 1.89 and 38.0 38.3 0.3 5.06 and 38.3 38.9 0.6 0.13 and 38.9 39.2 0.3 0.24 and 39.2 39.5 0.3 5.90 and 39.5 39.8 0.3 9.87 TGC-0212 41.0 41.6 0.6 3.63 TGC-0212 43.1 44.6 1.5 9.17 including 43.1 44.0 0.9 13.38 and 44.0 44.3 0.3 <0.01 and 44.3 44.6 0.3 5.71 TGC-0212 69.5 69.8 0.3 90.50 TGC-0212 74.7 75.6 0.9 4.69 including 74.7 75.0 0.3 3.65 and 75.0 75.3 0.3 6.36 and 75.3 75.6 0.3 4.06 TGC-0212 86.1 86.7 0.6 11.45 including 86.1 86.4 0.3 7.81 and 86.4 86.7 0.3 15.09 TGC-0212 90.3 90.9 0.6 33.92 including 90.3 90.6 0.3 58.64 and 90.6 90.9 0.3 9.19 TGC-0213 98.0 98.3 0.3 38.50 TGC-0214 45.3 48.0 2.7 4.22 including 45.3 45.6 0.3 3.75 and 45.6 45.9 0.3 5.00 and 45.9 46.2 0.3 0.96 and 46.2 46.5 0.3 1.95 and 46.5 46.8 0.3 15.32 and 46.8 47.1 0.3 2.40 and 47.1 47.4 0.3 1.66 and 47.4 47.7 0.3 3.33 and 47.7 48.0 0.3 3.62 TGC-0215 15.6 15.9 0.3 10.00 TGC-0215 37.8 38.4 0.6 6.20 TGC-0215 97.5 97.8 0.3 10.02 TGC-0215 103.8 104.1 0.3 3.62 TGC-0215 106.5 107.4 0.9 5.97 including 106.5 106.8 0.3 5.02 and 106.8 107.1 0.3 1.55 and 107.1 107.4 0.3 11.35 TGC-0215 109.8 111.0 1.2 13.19 including 109.8 110.1 0.3 15.89 and 110.1 110.4 0.3 22.48 and 110.4 110.7 0.3 6.27 and 110.7 111.0 0.3 8.11 TGC-0215 126.9 127.5 0.6 19.12 including 126.9 127.2 0.3 14.40 and 127.2 127.5 0.3 23.83 TGC-0217 112.7 114.5 1.8 6.14 including 112.7 113.0 0.3 3.02 and 113.0 113.3 0.3 10.87 and 113.3 113.9 0.6 7.23 and 113.9 114.5 0.6 4.24 TGC-0218 43.8 44.4 0.6 9.60 TGC-0218 61.5 62.7 1.2 9.29 including 61.5 61.8 0.3 4.44 and 61.8 62.1 0.3 0.19 and 62.1 62.4 0.3 26.78 and 62.4 62.7 0.3 5.76 TGC-0218 66.3 66.9 0.6 3.50 TGC-0219 31.5 31.8 0.3 4.30 TGC-0219 47.4 47.7 0.3 5.45 TGC-0219 54.3 55.5 1.2 3.55 TGC-0219 58.5 58.8 0.3 5.22 TGC-0219 97.8 98.1 0.3 9.99 TGC-0219 111.9 112.2 0.3 6.35 TGC-0219 126.0 126.3 0.3 11.82 TGC-0221 44.7 47.4 2.7 4.03 including 44.7 45.0 0.3 10.99 and 45.0 45.3 0.3 2.47 and 45.3 45.6 0.3 3.47 and 45.6 45.9 0.3 0.24 and 45.9 46.2 0.3 <0.01 and 46.2 46.5 0.3 5.82 and 46.5 46.8 0.3 6.03 and 46.8 47.1 0.3 0.50 and 47.1 47.4 0.3 6.71 TGC-0223 75.6 76.2 0.6 7.46 TGC-0223 78.6 79.2 0.6 4.90 TGC-0223 91.4 92.0 0.6 7.78 TGC-0224 25.8 28.5 2.7 9.85 including 25.8 26.4 0.6 27.65 and 26.4 27.3 0.9 5.49 and 27.3 27.6 0.3 2.18 and 27.6 27.9 0.3 3.23 and 27.9 28.5 0.6 5.75 TGC-0224 57.2 57.5 0.3 48.09 TGC-0224 91.7 92.9 1.2 8.81 including 91.7 92.3 0.6 7.73 and 92.3 92.9 0.6 9.89 TGC-0224 116.0 116.6 0.6 5.83 TGC-0224 136.1 137.0 0.9 3.33 TGC-0225 93.7 94.0 0.3 4.56 TGC-0225 94.6 97.3 2.7 17.89 including 94.6 94.9 0.3 4.50 and 94.9 95.1 0.2 3.66 and 95.1 95.5 0.4 <0.01 and 95.5 95.8 0.3 1.31 and 95.8 96.1 0.3 19.08 and 96.1 96.4 0.3 113.76 and 96.4 96.7 0.3 9.14 and 96.7 97.0 0.3 7.62 and 97.0 97.3 0.3 3.16 TGC-0226 19.8 20.4 0.6 10.58 including 19.8 20.1 0.3 17.32 and 20.1 20.4 0.3 3.84 TGC-0226 28.5 28.8 0.3 63.72 TGC-0226 41.0 41.3 0.3 9.70 TGC-0226 55.4 56.0 0.6 3.10 TGC-0226 56.3 56.6 0.3 4.68 TGC-0226 58.1 58.4 0.3 18.52 TGC-0226 88.4 88.7 0.3 3.97 TGC-0226 91.7 92.9 1.2 5.75 including 91.7 92.0 0.3 19.58 and 92.0 92.3 0.3 0.07 and 92.3 92.6 0.3 0.12 and 92.6 92.9 0.3 3.22 TGC-0226 104.3 104.6 0.3 5.89 TGC-0226 110.6 110.9 0.3 7.13 TGC-0226 111.8 112.1 0.3 4.46 TGC-0227 100.7 101.0 0.3 36.04 TGC-0227 169.6 169.9 0.3 3.12 TGC-0228 14.9 15.6 0.8 3.39 TGC-0228 21.5 23.0 1.5 6.25 including 21.5 21.8 0.3 4.60 and 21.8 22.2 0.4 6.43 and 22.2 22.6 0.4 8.77 and 22.6 23.0 0.4 4.65 TGC-0228 32.8 33.4 0.6 29.89 TGC-0228 54.7 55.3 0.6 16.78 TGC-0228 57.8 58.5 0.7 12.64 TGC-0228 87.3 89.3 2.0 9.20 including 87.3 87.6 0.3 21.49 and 87.6 88.4 0.8 <0.01 and 88.4 89.3 0.9 12.98 TGC-0228 90.8 91.1 0.3 77.50 TGC-0228 101.4 101.7 0.3 4.80 TGC-0228 108.5 108.8 0.3 41.99 TGC-0231 92.8 96.0 3.2 7.59 including 92.8 93.3 0.5 7.66 and 93.3 93.8 0.5 1.06 and 93.8 94.3 0.5 4.04 and 94.3 94.6 0.3 0.18 and 94.6 95.0 0.5 3.60 and 95.0 95.6 0.6 26.34 and 95.6 96.0 0.5 4.31 TGC-0234 24.5 24.8 0.3 18.69 TGC-0234 44.8 47.1 2.3 6.03 including 44.8 45.1 0.3 3.15 and 45.1 45.4 0.3 0.30 and 45.4 45.9 0.5 <0.01 and 45.9 46.5 0.6 16.87 and 46.5 46.8 0.3 4.07 and 46.8 47.1 0.3 4.96 TGC-0234 50.7 51.0 0.3 5.70 TGC-0234 52.2 52.8 0.6 7.07 TGC-0234 54.9 55.8 0.9 3.90 TGC-0234 88.3 88.9 0.6 7.39 TGC-0234 90.6 92.0 1.4 3.62 including 90.6 90.9 0.3 6.06 and 90.9 91.7 0.8 0.35 and 91.7 92.0 0.3 9.92 TGC-0236 116.5 117.1 0.6 4.41 TGC-0237 42.6 42.9 0.3 1517.79 TGC-0237 45.0 46.5 1.5 11.79 including 45.0 45.3 0.3 41.53 and 45.3 45.9 0.6 4.84 and 45.9 46.5 0.6 3.86 TGC-0237 62.3 62.6 0.3 4.70 TGC-0239 97.8 99.2 1.4 30.99 including 97.8 98.1 0.3 137.50 and 98.1 98.9 0.8 0.51 and 98.9 99.2 0.3 5.75 TGC-0240 44.0 46.5 2.5 18.42 including 44.0 44.3 0.3 5.90 and 44.3 44.6 0.3 <0.01 and 44.6 44.9 0.3 8.88 and 44.9 45.8 0.9 16.99 and 45.8 46.1 0.3 3.98 and 46.1 46.5 0.4 62.83 TGC-0240 66.7 67.0 0.3 6.15 TGC-0240 102.6 102.9 0.3 4.33 TGC-0240 117.8 118.4 0.6 14.67 TGC-0241 92.2 94.2 2.0 4.91 including 92.2 93.1 0.9 6.40 and 93.1 93.7 0.6 1.15 and 93.7 94.2 0.5 6.71 TGC-0242 61.6 61.9 0.3 11.58 TGC-0242 71.6 71.9 0.3 3.70 TGC-0242 72.8 73.8 1.0 4.48 including 72.8 73.5 0.7 3.34 and 73.5 73.8 0.3 6.95 TGC-0244 55.4 56.3 0.9 4.97 including 55.4 55.7 0.3 5.24 and 55.7 56.3 0.6 4.83 TGC-0244 76.2 78.5 2.3 8.37 including 76.2 76.8 0.6 13.71 and 76.8 77.4 0.6 9.23 and 77.4 78.2 0.8 0.56 and 78.2 78.5 0.3 15.73 TGC-0244 84.1 85.0 0.9 4.37 TGC-0245 82.6 82.9 0.3 3.76 TGC-0245 91.0 91.5 0.5 72.55 TGC-0245 103.9 104.2 0.3 8.42 TGC-0246 131.7 132.0 0.3 4.01 TGC-0246 134.0 134.9 0.9 15.07 including 134.0 134.3 0.3 31.99 and 134.3 134.6 0.3 9.12 and 134.6 134.9 0.3 4.10 TGC-0246 136.4 137.3 0.9 5.62 including 136.4 137.0 0.6 5.08 and 137.0 137.3 0.3 6.69 TGC-0247 43.5 43.8 0.3 20.55 TGC-0247 51.0 51.6 0.6 7.11 TGC-0247 61.1 62.6 1.5 19.11 including 61.1 61.4 0.3 9.08 and 61.4 61.8 0.4 9.67 and 61.8 62.6 0.8 27.59 TGC-0247 81.9 82.2 0.3 16.11 TGC-0247 84.9 85.2 0.3 12.24 TGC-0247 86.4 87.3 0.9 10.89 including 86.4 87.0 0.6 9.59 and 87.0 87.3 0.3 13.50 TGC-0247 89.1 89.4 0.3 75.86 TGC-0248 53.3 53.6 0.3 4.22 TGC-0248 55.1 55.6 0.4 4.48 TGC-0248 59.1 59.5 0.4 3.54 TGC-0248 61.2 61.6 0.4 3.96 TGC-0248 67.5 67.8 0.3 4.96 TGC-0248 88.0 88.5 0.5 24.99 TGC-0248 92.0 92.6 0.6 11.13 including 92.0 92.3 0.3 9.59 and 92.3 92.6 0.3 12.67 TGC-0248 99.3 99.6 0.3 6.21 TGC-0248 103.2 103.5 0.3 4.44 TGC-0250 45.6 46.3 0.7 6.21 including 45.6 45.9 0.3 9.10 and 45.9 46.3 0.4 4.05 TGC-0250 52.7 53.0 0.3 115.25 TGC-0250 57.3 58.9 1.6 7.13 including 57.3 57.6 0.3 6.64 and 57.6 57.9 0.3 3.52 and 57.9 58.2 0.3 1.71 and 58.2 58.5 0.3 1.42 and 58.5 58.9 0.4 18.55 TGC-0250 68.1 68.5 0.4 5.28 TGC-0250 69.5 69.9 0.4 3.13 TGC-0251 46.9 48.7 1.8 25.73 including 46.9 47.2 0.3 9.60 and 47.2 47.6 0.4 96.78 and 47.6 48.4 0.8 0.10 and 48.4 48.7 0.3 15.50 TGC-0251 63.8 64.5 0.8 5.56 including 63.8 64.2 0.5 5.93 and 64.2 64.5 0.3 4.99 TGC-0254 54.2 54.5 0.3 9.48 TGC-0254 58.3 58.9 0.6 12.55 TGC-0254 90.8 91.5 0.8 67.45 TGC-0254 101.9 102.2 0.3 17.89 TGC-0254 106.1 106.4 0.3 4.02 TGC-0255 49.9 50.2 0.3 9.89 TGC-0255 61.5 61.8 0.3 6.67 TGC-0256 92.8 93.7 0.9 14.66 including 92.8 93.1 0.3 6.31 and 93.1 93.4 0.3 0.07 and 93.4 93.7 0.3 37.59 TGC-0256 98.1 98.7 0.6 64.25 TGC-0256 108.3 108.9 0.6 3.46 TGC-0257 51.2 54.5 3.3 5.26 including 51.2 51.5 0.3 3.66 and 51.5 52.1 0.6 0.09 and 52.1 52.5 0.4 15.98 and 52.5 53.0 0.6 0.95 and 53.0 53.3 0.3 9.58 and 53.3 53.6 0.3 <0.01 and 53.6 53.9 0.3 4.80 and 53.9 54.2 0.3 0.12 and 54.2 54.5 0.3 16.79 TGC-0257 56.9 57.5 0.7 10.19 including 56.9 57.2 0.4 14.58 and 57.2 57.5 0.3 4.92 TGC-0259 57.4 57.7 0.3 86.50 TGC-0259 60.0 61.9 1.9 6.98 including 60.0 60.3 0.3 4.31 and 60.3 60.6 0.3 0.78 and 60.6 60.9 0.3 <0.01 and 60.9 61.9 1.0 11.99 TGC-0261 20.1 20.5 0.4 3.19 TGC-0261 25.3 26.7 1.3 3.54 including 25.3 25.6 0.3 9.99 and 25.6 25.9 0.3 <0.01 and 25.9 26.4 0.4 0.06 and 26.4 26.7 0.3 5.74 TGC-0261 33.3 34.4 1.1 5.62 including 33.3 33.6 0.3 3.60 and 33.6 33.9 0.3 7.12 and 33.9 34.4 0.5 5.89 TGC-0261 61.6 61.9 0.4 5.34 TGC-0261 63.5 64.3 0.8 4.93 TGC-0261 95.9 96.2 0.3 6.58 TGC-0261 97.1 100.2 3.2 7.00 including 97.1 97.4 0.3 3.76 and 97.4 97.8 0.4 0.18 and 97.8 98.1 0.3 26.35 and 98.1 98.4 0.4 15.55 and 98.4 98.7 0.3 4.96 and 98.7 99.1 0.3 9.95 and 99.1 99.4 0.4 0.27 and 99.4 99.9 0.5 0.04 and 99.9 100.2 0.3 8.31 TGC-0261 115.1 115.5 0.4 3.85 TGC-0261 121.9 123.2 1.3 11.74 including 121.9 122.2 0.3 34.63 and 122.2 122.6 0.4 0.08 and 122.6 122.9 0.3 3.62 and 122.9 123.2 0.3 11.33 TGC-0261 130.6 130.9 0.3 6.02 TGC-0263 60.5 60.8 0.3 513.50 TGC-0263 63.2 65.6 2.4 8.98 including 63.2 63.5 0.3 5.61 and 63.5 64.1 0.6 26.30 and 64.1 64.4 0.3 5.39 and 64.4 64.7 0.3 0.33 and 64.7 65.0 0.3 0.96 and 65.0 65.6 0.6 3.48 TGC-0263 78.6 79.5 0.9 5.99 including 78.6 78.9 0.3 3.82 and 78.9 79.5 0.6 7.08 TGC-0263 83.6 84.2 0.6 5.08 TGC-0263 85.4 85.7 0.3 3.66 TGC-0263 91.8 92.1 0.3 22.76 TGC-0263 97.8 98.1 0.3 9.45 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234067 SOURCE: Lion One Metals Limited Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - ACME Lithium Inc. (CSE: ACME) (OTCQB: ACLHF) (the "Company", or "ACME") announces that Eagle Battery Metals Corp. ("EBM") has elected to terminate its option due to market conditions to acquire an interest in ACME's Fish Lake Valley lithium project, located in Esmerelda County, Nevada. See the Company's earlier news releases of January 23, 2024, and June 14, 2024 regarding the terms of the option agreement with Eagle Battery Metals. About ACME Lithium Inc. ACME Lithium is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing battery metal projects in partnership with leading technology and commodity companies in North America. ACME is advancing and developing a lithium brine resource at Clayton Valley, Nevada, a lithium claystone project at Fish Lake Valley, Nevada, and a group of projects in the pegmatite region of Shatford, Birse and Cat-Euclid Lakes in southeastern Manitoba. Backed by strategic investors and led by an experienced management team, the building blocks of the future are our focus today. Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234098 SOURCE: ACME Lithium Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Forge Resources Corp. (CSE: FRG) (OTCQB: FRGGF) (FSE: 5YZ) ("FRG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the extension of exclusivity period to January 16, 2025, pursuant to the non-binding letter of intent with Aion Mining Corp. ("Aion"). As previously announced on September 17, 2024, Aion and Forge Resources Corp. Forge agreed to negotiate the purchase of additional shares of Aion to bring the Company's total interest to 60% of Aion (the "LOI") on a post-closing, fully-diluted basis. The Proposed Transaction As previously stated in the news release dated September 17, 2024 - In consideration of additional shares of Aion, the Company will pay $5,000,000, comprised of the following: $4,000,000 in cash on closing; and $1,000,000 in common shares of the Company at a price per share equal to the closing of the share price of the Company on the closing date of the Proposed Transaction, subject to CSE policies. The Company will also be granted anti-dilution rights by Aion for a 12-month basis post-closing, and a subsequent right of first refusal on all equity financings by Aion for the ensuing 4-year period, so as to allow the Company to maintain a post-closing control position of 60% in Aion's voting securities on a fully-diluted basis. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and any other conditions agreed to by the parties in a definitive share purchase agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") including: receipt of all necessary approvals and consents on terms satisfactory to the parties, and completion of a due diligence investigation into Aion by the Company and its representatives. Aion is a non-arm's length party to the Company by reason of sharing a common director, Cole McClay and a common officer, Camilo Cordovez. The terms of the LOI were reviewed and approved by a committee of the Company's independent directors. There are no assurances or guarantees that the proposed transaction will be completed, whether on the terms and conditions described above or at all. The Company will provide further updates as they become available. Aion's Intended Use of Funds Aion Mining's proceeds from the sale of shares will be used to conduct ongoing work at the La Estrella project including: capital and operational expenditures related to the underground decline development, options agreements, and general and administrative expenses. The Company intends to use the proceeds as described above, the allocations for the uses set forth above depends on future operations or unforeseen events or opportunities. Completion of Audit and Independent Valuation As previously stated in the news release dated August 20, 2024, Aion Mining in collaboration with Forge Resources, has successfully completed its audit of financial statements for the two fiscal years ending December 31, 2022, and 2023. The audit conducted by WDM Chartered Accountants confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the company's financial reporting. Forge and Aion Mining Corp. intends to conduct financial reporting on a consolidated basis, if the Proposed Transaction is completed. As previously stated in the news release dated August 20, 2024, the Company completed an independent valuation conducted by Evans and Evans, Inc., a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV), which has affirmed the company's asset value. The comprehensive assessment, which included an in-depth analysis of the company's assets, market conditions and highlights the strong value proposition of Aion Mining Corp. About Aion Mining Corp. Aion Mining controls the FLG-111 concession that covers 548 Ha in a region of historic and current coal mining. The project is fully permitted for up to 180,000 Mt / year under Colombian law, including environmental licensing. Exploration within this concession area has determined the property to host eight known seams of metallurgical and thermal coal shown from recent and historical diamond drilling programs and surface exposures. Aion holds historical and recent NI 43-101 and annual CRIRSCO technical reports. The project is road accessible, water, electricity, and phone signal on site. Current coal stockyards approximately 40-kilometres away on main highway to Atlantic ports for export. About Forge Resources Corp. Forge Resources Corp. is a Canadian-listed junior exploration company focused on exploring and advancing the Alotta project, a prospective porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum project located 50 km south-east of the Casino porphyry deposit in the unglaciated portion of the Dawson Range porphyry/epithermal belt in the Yukon Territory of Canada. The Company holds a 40% interest, with an LOI in place to acquire up to 60% interest in Aion Mining Corp., a company that is developing the fully permitted La Estrella coal project in Santander, Colombia. The project contains eight known seams of metallurgical and thermal coal. Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the Company's intentions with respect to the development of its mineral properties. Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions, intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain regulatory bodies). Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws, or to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its financial or operating results or its securities. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. We seek safe harbor. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234112 SOURCE: Forge Resources Corp. PPG LINQ system supports automotive refinish education for over 1,500 students PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that it has donated the PPG LINQ digital automotive refinish ecosystem to 15 vocational schools in over 10 countries during the last 15 months. This effort is part of the company's $2 million commitment through 2025 to invest in workforce development initiatives aimed at addressing the skills shortage and attracting young talent to trade careers, including the automotive refinish industry. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217151820/en/ Students from Integrovana stredni skola automobilni in Brno, Czechia, one of 15 vocational schools in Europe to receive a donation of the PPG LINQ automotive refinish digital ecosystem as part of the company's commitment to workforce development initiatives. (Photo: Business Wire) "We understand the transformative power of innovation and digitalization in education," said Jerome Zamblera, PPG vice president, EMEA, Automotive Refinish. "The PPG LINQ ecosystem represents our vision for modernizing the car refinishing industry and inspiring young talent to build careers in this dynamic field. Our investments in schools, including further initiatives planned for next year, reflect our commitment to preparing the next generation for the exciting opportunities in the automotive sector." The donations enable more than 1,500 students to gain hands-on experience with digital tools, preparing them for modern automotive refinishing careers and tackling the industry's growing skilled labor gap. They will help to address challenges outlined in the European Commission's report on vocational education and training (VET)1, such as limited access to modern equipment, funding constraints and gaps in work-based learning. The PPG LINQ ecosystem connects, automates, and digitizes the entire refinish process. It enables painters to modernize the repair processes using its interconnected digital hardware, software, and innovative services. Tools include the PPG MOONWALK paint mixing system; PPG DIGIMATCH multi-angle color camera; PPG VISUALIZID 3D rendering software and PPG LINQ Color digital color identification software. "We are proud to partner with PPG to bring advanced technology and expertise to our educational program," said Daniel Krarup Jrgensen, automotive education manager at College360, a vocational school in Silkeborg, Denmark. "This partnership will give our students a unique opportunity to work with some of the most innovative tools on the market. We hope this will motivate more young people to choose a career in automotive refinishing and thereby mitigate the shortage of qualified professionals in the industry." To learn more about the PPG LINQ system, visit https://ppglinq.com/. PPG's global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $17.5 million in 2023, supporting hundreds of organizations across nearly 40 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow tomorrow's STEM innovators and skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at communities.ppg.com. PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers' biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com. PPG LINQ, DigiMatch, MagicBox and VisualizID are trademarks and MoonWalk, the PPG Logo and We protect and beautify the world are registered trademarks and of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc. 1 "The future of vocational education and training in Europe": https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications/5590 CATEGORY Automotive Refinish CATEGORY Community Affairs View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217151820/en/ Contacts: PPG Media Contact: Andrew Wood Corporate Communications, EMEA +31 6 5121 6579 Liberated Syndication, Inc. ("Libsyn" or the "Company"), the leading podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, reported the results of its Tender Offer to purchase shares of its common stock. The Tender Offer, as previously announced, commenced on November 13, 2024, and expired at 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on December 13, 2024. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer were detailed in an Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal and annex to that letter both of which were mailed to the Company's Stockholders. These documents were also made available on the Company's website at www.libsyn.com. As a result of the Tender Offer, the Company purchased 6 million shares for a total of $8.6 million. As previously announced on November 13, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors determined that it will not seek to re-register or re-list the Company's shares at this time. The Board made this determination following a careful review and careful consideration of a number of factors, including, but not limited to (a) the significant operating expense associated with required personnel resources and other costs relating to the listing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the major trading exchanges, (b) the operating expense and required management time and attention to meet the continuing disclosure and reporting requirements and related regulatory burdens, and (c) the low likelihood that the Company and its stockholders will realize requisite benefits of public company status. The Board intends to review this decision periodically and the Company remains fully committed to an open dialogue with its stockholders. About Liberated Syndication Celebrating our 20th year in podcasting, Liberated Syndication Inc. ("Libsyn") is the leading podcasting platform for creators and advertisers to host, distribute, monetize, amplify, and measure their audio and video content. The Company hosts more than 70,000 shows and delivers over 2.5 billion downloads annually to listeners globally. Libsyn Ads offers industry-leading podcast advertising solutions, serving as a comprehensive ad buying and management offering for creators, advertisers, and agencies to initiate and manage highly targeted campaigns across thousands of shows. Visit libsyn.com or investor.libsyn.com for more information on the Company and the platforms that it powers. #? #? # Media Contacts: Ray Yeung + Nancy Zakhary | ray@relev8.co + nancy@relev8.co Investor Contact: investor@libsyn.com SOURCE: Liberated Syndication, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Macao prepares for celebration of 25th anniversary of return to motherland Ecns.cn) 14:01, December 17, 2024 A street is decorated with Chinese national flags and flags of the Macao Special Administrative Region to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. The Ruins of St. Paul are decorated to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) A street is decorated to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) A street is decorated to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) A street is decorated with Chinese national flags and flags of the Macao Special Administrative Region to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) A street is decorated to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) Tourists visit the Golden Lotus Square in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Dec. 16, 2024. (China News Service/Li Zhihua) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Highlighting the importance of staying adaptable in a dynamic industry, The CE Shop's new course "Outsmarting the 2025 Housing Market" offers actionable resources to help all real estate professionals thrive The CE Shop is excited to share a free resource from their newest professional development course " Outsmarting the 2025 Housing Market " designed for all real estate professionals who want to stay informed about how worldwide trends impact their local markets. The "Market Changes" worksheet guides real estate professionals -- step by step -- through how to identify recent market changes, analyze their impact, and reflect on what that means for their area of the industry. Divided into three parts--Analyze Market Trends, Observe Demographic Shifts, and Monitor Regulatory Changes -- the worksheet offers real estate professionals a way to reflect on their markets and build plans for success in the upcoming year. Additionally, it is a useful tool to have before drafting a business plan. As a whole, the " Outsmarting the 2025 Housing Market " course allows real estate professionals to hone their ability to analyze trends, set actionable goals, and adjust business strategies. But the course goes beyond simply providing updates on the market, offering a structured, guided approach to the process of reflection, analysis, and planning that is vital to success in real estate. Realistic examples, which are tailored to different roles within the real estate profession, are examined to provide learners with the context needed to grasp the significance of market trends and their practical implications. The course was thoughtfully designed to focus on a key competency every real estate professional needs to succeed in the industry: the ability to adapt. Inspired by the collective challenges all real estate professionals have faced post-COVID, The CE Shop realized that agents would need actionable, focused guidance to help navigate an ever-evolving environment. "Change is constant in the real estate market," said Michael Natter, Curriculum Manager at The CE Shop. "Staying informed and adaptable is essential for success. This course emphasizes the importance of analyzing and adjusting to trends regularly to keep up with or stay ahead of the competition. It underscores the risks of complacency while offering hope and empowerment through tools and strategies for ongoing success." Heavily video-based, the full course is engaging, impactful, and easy to digest. In keeping with the course's emphasis on the importance of collaboration between different real estate professionals, the course also offers an interactive forum that encourages professional learners to exchange ideas, fostering a sense of community. Real estate professionals will walk away with actionable guides and worksheets that will help them translate insights into immediate, tangible results for a thriving career that focuses on being proactive rather than reactive. Real estate professionals can access the free worksheet below. Download "Market Changes" Worksheet Real estate agents looking to further hone their skills can sign up for a variety of professional development packages and bite-sized courses at TheCEShop.com to start boosting their expertise today. About The CE Shop The CE Shop is the leading provider of real estate education with online mortgage, real estate, home inspection, appraisal, and professional development courses available throughout the United States. The CE Shop produces quality education for professionals across the nation, whether they're veterans in their industry or are looking to launch a new career. We believe that the right education can truly make a difference. Visit TheCEShop.com to learn more. Contact Information SOURCE: The CE Shop View the original press release on accesswire.com WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / VueReal, the leader in MicroSolid Printing, is set to transform the microLED industry at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, January 7-10. The company will debut its groundbreaking Design Reference Kits, providing the industry with its first comprehensive tools to accelerate the adoption of microLED technology. The Design Reference Kits are designed to streamline product development across diverse sectors-including automotive, augmented reality (AR), consumer electronics, and lighting-enabling companies to bring microLED-powered products to market faster and more cost-effectively. VueReal's Design Reference Kits represent a critical step in simplifying and democratizing microLED integration. They enable companies to design and build innovative products with greater efficiency, reduced costs, and faster time to market. Pioneering the Path to Industry-Wide Transformation With microLED technology offering unprecedented performance in brightness, energy efficiency, resolution, and transparency, VueReal's Design Reference Kits empower businesses to explore applications previously deemed impractical or cost-prohibitive. From ultra-bright displays for AR and automotive applications to precision lighting for architectural and medical uses, the kits provide a robust foundation for creating cutting-edge products that redefine consumer and commercial experiences. "Our Design Reference Kits are the first of their kind, offering a handy toolkit for companies to leverage the unmatched benefits of microLED technology in their product design," said Shawn Mills, Vice President of Engineering at VueReal. "By addressing key development challenges and streamlining product integration, these kits empower industries to innovate faster, better, and more sustainably." Fueling a Global Shift to MicroLED Technology VueReal's proprietary MicroSolid Printing platform ensures exceptional scalability and precision, enabling low- and high-volume production. This makes microLED and other micro-semiconductor technology accessible to a broader range of companies, fostering innovation across diverse sectors and laying the groundwork for a new era of micro-semiconductor device-enabled solutions. What to Expect at CES 2025 At CES 2025, VueReal will showcase the capabilities of its Design Reference Kits and MicroSolid Printing technology, demonstrating how these innovations are driving transformational advancements across industries. Live Demonstrations : Witness VueReal's technology in action, showcasing the seamless integration of microLED displays across various products. Industry Applications : Explore tailored solutions for unique market challenges in automotive, AR, consumer electronics, medical devices, and architectural lighting. Exclusive Insights: Engage with VueReal's leadership and technical experts to uncover the full potential of microLED technology for your innovations. VueReal invites partners, developers, and media to visit us at the Venetian Hotel to explore how our MicroSolid Printing platform is revolutionizing the future of consumer electronics. For more information or to schedule a meeting at CES, please contact CES2025@vuereal.com About VueReal VueReal, a pioneer in MicroSolid Printing, is revolutionizing the micro semiconductor device industry with its eco-friendly micro-pixel manufacturing process. The platform enables the efficient transfer of microLEDs and other micro-semiconductor devices, offering unmatched efficiency, reliability, and scalability. VueReal's patented method ensures high yield, throughput, and industry-leading defect rates, driving the microLED display market to a projected value of $30 billion by 2029. In addition to manufacturing microLED displays and lighting products for the automotive sector in Canada, VueReal licenses its MicroSolid Printing Blueprint to global OEMs, display fabs, and hardware manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.vuereal.com. Media Contact: Katherine Waite Vice President Strategic Communications Trier and Company for VueReal katherine@triercompany.com 1+617-599-9798 SOURCE: VueReal View the original press release on accesswire.com Rockland Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rockland") (CSE:RKL), with concerns on the recent ban on gallium from China, the Company is pleased to report on widespread anomalous gallium (Ga) values (up to 39.3 parts per million ("ppm") Ga) and rubidium (Rb) values (up to 1,420 ppm Rb) from it's Beryllium Butte project, located in Juab county, Utah. Rockland Chief Executive Officer Mike England states: "With record gallium prices, and the discovery of highly anomalous gallium (Ga) and rubidium (Rb) values in rock sample from our Beryllium Butte property, the property's potential is further enhanced. We are continuing to go through our data from our past programs and will report on further rare earths in the near term." "Our excellent beryllium and lithium values have been the center of attention for us and, to that end, the property is fully permitted for a maiden drill program. We look forward to an active program in the 1st quarter of 2025." added Mr. England. On December 3rd, 2024, Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-bans-exports-gallium-germanium-antimony-us-2024-12-03/) reported that, "China on Tuesday banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington's latest crackdown on China's chip sector." Bloomberg reports "... prices for both metals (gallium and germanium) have surged since the restrictions were announced last year - gallium has risen 80%, while germanium has more than doubled. (https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca//international/2024 /12/03/china-bans-germanium-gallium-exports-to-us-in-tit-for-tat-move/). The Company has reviewed 133 rock samples from the Beryllium Butte property that include analysis for gallium (Ga) and rubidium (Rb), and the peak value is 39.3 ppm Ga, and 54 samples (41 %) had 30 ppm Ga or greater. The peak value for rubidium is 1,420 ppm Rb, the average of all 133 samples is 729 ppm Rb, and 39 samples (29%) are +/+ 1,000 ppm Rb. Three areas with elevated Ga (+/=30 ppm Ga) have indicated (figure below), but the greatest concentration of higher anomalous gallium values (+/= 35 ppm Ga) occur on the "East Pavilion" target, a priority target previously identified with elevated beryllium and lithium values. Elevated rubidium values generally correlate with anomalous gallium values. Company geologists will further compile and interpret the soil and rock sample data base to refine drill targets for the 1st quarter 2025. The most advanced gallium project in the Great Basin is the Cordero Gallium Project located in the McDermitt mercury district, northern Humbolt County, Nevada. A 2010 Report (Gold Canyon Resources Ltd, in resourceworld.com, 2010) for the Cordero Gallium Project reports measured/indicated resources of 14.8 million tonnes at 47.7 parts per million ("ppm") Ga, and inferred resources of 6.5 million tonnes at 43.7 ppm Ga. A 2017 U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper (Foley, N.K., et.al, 2017, SGS Professional Paper 1802-H, Gallium Chapter H of Critical Mineral Resources of the United States-Economic and Environmental Geology and Prospects for Future Supply, p. H1- H35, https://doi.org/ 10.3133/pp1802H) described the Cordero Gallium Project, as reportedly North America's largest known primary gallium occurrence (Reserva International LLC, 2008)The resources for the project above a cutoff grade of 30 ppm gallium are estimated to exceed 13 million metric tons (Reserva International LLC, 2008). Qualified person Rockland's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by David Taff, P.Geo., who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. About Rockland Resources Ltd. Rockland Resources is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets for the benefit of its shareholders. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Michael England, CEO & Director For further information, please contact: Mike England Email: mike@engcom.ca Neither the Canadian Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward -looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at WWW.SEDAR.COM). SOURCE: Rockland Resources Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Tampa, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Specificity (OTC Pink: SPTY) (the "Company"), the marketing technology leader redefining audience targeting with precision data, is proud to announce the successful completion of its asset purchase of HomeQ. This milestone follows Specificity's earlier announcement of plans to acquire HomeQ, which has now been converted from an acquisition and finalized as an asset purchase. With this acquisition, Specificity now owns HomeQ's advanced technology stack, marking a significant leap forward in its mission to deliver unparalleled marketing solutions. The HomeQ tech stack enhances Specificity's ability to provide clients with hyper-precise, real-time data targeting, elevating its already revolutionary capabilities in the digital advertising space. With HomeQ's capabilities in the home services space, Specificity aims to grow it's home service capability offerings for future and current home service clients ad well as expand these capabilities across many verticals. HomeQ's investors, thrilled with the outcome of the purchase, have expressed strong confidence in Specificity's vision and leadership. Glenn Anderson, the largest investor in HomeQ, has also demonstrated his enthusiasm by joining the ranks of Specificity investors by adding to his existing position in SPTY after the asset purchase share conversion. "We're extremely pleased with this outcome," said Glenn Anderson, the largest HomeQ investor. "The acquisition by Specificity ensures that the technology we invested in will thrive and continue to innovate. Jason Wood and his team have a bold vision for the future, and I'm excited to support them as an investor in Specificity." Specificity CEO Jason Wood highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition and the opportunities it unlocks for the company. "The HomeQ tech stack is a perfect fit for Specificity's mission to deliver marketing precision that's unmatched in the industry," said Jason Wood. "This asset purchase positions us to expand our offerings and continue driving exceptional results for our clients. We're also excited to welcome Glenn Anderson as an investor in Specificity - his belief in our approach and future speaks volumes." With this acquisition, Specificity further cements its position as a leading innovator in adtech, providing clients with targeted solutions that are transparent, efficient, and focused on delivering measurable results. About Specificity, Inc. Specificity, based in Tampa, Florida, is a full-service digital marketing firm that delivers cutting-edge marketing solutions to business-to-business clients as well as business to consumer clients. With a core mission of offering clients the most advanced audience targeting capabilities, Specificity identifies and targets individuals in the buying cycle, maximizing the effectiveness of marketing efforts. The company leverages real-time targeting opportunities to provide businesses with competitive online traffic. For further information about Specificity Inc. and the range of digital marketing solutions offered, visit - https://www.specificityinc.com. Specificity also has a growing online community across social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn. Specificity is a publicly traded company, ticker symbol SPTY. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "potential," "plans," "suggests," "may," "should," "could," "intends," or similar expressions. Many forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by such statements. Many factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Specificity's control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made, and we do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of Specificity Inc. believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. Specificity Inc. undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Specificity Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234128 SOURCE: Specificity Norrland Gold Corporation ("Norrland" or "the Company"), (TSXV:NORR)(Frankfurt Exchange:8VC) is pleased to announce that it has been informed by Eversley Resources that a Native Title Mining Agreement For Exploration has been signed in Australia with the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC. The agreement enables Eversley to commence certain exploration work to take place on the ground. The Company announced on 25 October 2022 that it had acquired a 24.3% equity stake in Eversley Resources Pty ("Eversley") with an intention to increase its stake as the projects progress. Project Highlights: IOCG targets and early-stage Ionic Clay type REE in South Australia, a Tier 1 mineral province Large district scale tenements (granted and in application) Strong technical team with a proven track record North Gawler Project (South Australia) The North Gawler Project (Figure 1) is a large district scale tenement package that covers 2,584 square kilometres (granted and under application) with early-stage Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and ionic clay type rare earth elements (REE) exploration opportunities. It is located in the under-explored region of the northern Gawler Craton with major discovery potential. It is 150km NNE of Prominent Hill. Rio Tinto interpreted the basement geology and confirmed district scale IOCG potential. Numerous IOCG targets were identified by Rio Tinto in area of shallow cover during the early 2000's but only limited follow-up exploration was completed. The Jupiter target is ~7km long ovoid felsic pluton with surrounding iron altered magnetic lithologies, including remnant magnetism (figure 2). The depth to the basement is estimated at 75 to 150 metres. In 1984, BHP drill holes intersected basement schists above 100 metres depth with magnetitechalcopyrite mineralisation. The Ganymede target is an ~15x1km, NW-trending magnetic anomalous zone adjacent to Keswick Fault with interpreted Fe metasomatism. The depth to basement is estimated at 50 to 150 metres, (it is very rare to identify shallow IOCG targets in South Australia). In addition to the IOCG district scale potential is the Victory Ionic Clay REE prospect. Ground spectrometer surveying and regolith grab sampling by Reedy Lagoon Corp Ltd in 2010 identified anomalous Cu-Co-U as well anomalous REE's. Sample descriptions indicate that the highest grade REE samples are associated with kaolinized saprolite at shallow depth below surface (0.1 to 0.5 metres) and indicate the potential for ionic clay type REE at Victory. Proof of concept to establish ionic clay type REE potential can be done inexpensively using grid based hand auger sampling and metallurgical test work. Aidan Bishop, Director, commented: "The signing of the Native Title Mining Agreement is a significant milestone that now enables exploration work to commence with a large land package with highly prospective geology. I look forward to updating shareholders as exploration work commences in 2025." NORRLAND GOLD CORP. Aidan Bishop, Director For further information please contact: Investor Relations Tel: 604-684-2181 Qualified Person: The scientific and technical data contained in this news release, has been reviewed and approved by Douglas J. Kirwin, who served as the qualified person (QP) under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Figure 1. Map showing location of Eversley's North Gawler Project exploration tenements in South Australia. Figure 2. Eversley's North Gawler Project exploration targets with reduced-to-pole (RTP) magnetics image. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Please visit us at www.norrlandgold.com SOURCE: Norrland Gold Corporation View the original press release on accesswire.com NodeVest Announces Launch as a Public Market Gateway for Blockchain Staking and Yield Strategies Delivering Dynamic and Scalable Staking in Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Bittensor & Sui All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated . Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) (OTC Pink: BLGVF) ("Company"), an investment issuer focused on the tech and finance sectors of the economy, specifically, blockchain, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence opportunities, today announces its continued investment focus on cryptocurrencies through the funding of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NodeVest IO Inc. ("NodeVest"). NodeVest will be offering simplified access to dynamic blockchain staking and yield opportunities in leading blockchain ecosystems Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Bittensor and Sui. With a focus on dynamic hedging and arbitrage among multiple cryptocurrencies as well as scalability of operations, NodeVest is positioned to become a trusted public market gateway for blockchain rewards, empowering investors to participate in the evolving digital asset landscape of these and other emerging digital coins. Victor Cook Appointed CTO and President to Lead Strategic Vision The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Victor Cook, Ph.D., as President and Chief Technology Officer of NodeVest. A pioneer in blockchain infrastructure and the founder of Parallel Logic Corporation, Dr. Cook brings extensive experience in developing innovative digital asset solutions. A graduate of MIT with a Ph.D. in parallel computing from UCF, Dr. Cook has successfully founded and scaled multiple startups, three of which were acquired. Focus on Leading Blockchain Ecosystems: Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Bittensor and Sui Asked about NodeVest, Dr. Cook stated: "NodeVest was created to bridge the gap between various blockchain networks and investors. Our mission is to simplify participation in coin staking and yield opportunities initially focusing on prominent blockchain networks Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Bittensor and Sui - making blockchain-native solutions available without extensive technical knowledge." Dr. Cook continued: "Our differentiator is the ability to dynamically move among various digital assets, and through trusted validators, in the manner and at a speed impossible for most retail investors. The investment approach is directed at turning cryptocurrency yields into cash equivalents while continuing to hold those digital assets for long, and short, term appreciation." "As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company with audited financial statements, NodeVest will function with full auditability of its operations, rewards and strategies. This transparency fosters trust and aligns with the Company's stated business objectives related to technology investments, as outlined in its Listing Statement, as well as its Investment Policy to pursue cryptocurrency, blockchain and digital asset investments for investors of all sizes, from retail participants to institutional stakeholders." Financial Backing & Funding Dr. Cook stated: "Supported by a fully-subscribed financing of $500,000 announced on December 4, 2024; significant, already-issued, convertible securities exceeding $2 million to the Company if fully exercised; and no long-term Company debt, NodeVest is funded to immediately accelerate the build-out of its proprietary infrastructure and staking operations in Ethereum, Solana, Aave, Bittensor and Sui." "Also to support scalability, NodeVest is actively pursuing additional equity, as well as non-dilutive financing options, ensuring our operations remain on a stable footing while we expand our staking capabilities." NodeVest was established pursuant to the Company's Listing Statement and its 2018 Investment Policy which provide for investment in the technology, blockchain, artificial intelligence and information technology industries. As this investment is intended to complement and enhance the Company's existing business, the Company has reviewed and concluded that the establishment of NodeVest is not a Fundamental Change nor a Change of Business (as such terms are defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE")). Staking & Blockchain Advisory Team The Company is forming a crypto-specialized Advisory Team to guide NodeVest's efforts in digital asset investments and yield strategies. The team will focus on formalizing protocols to convert staking yields into cash equivalents and ensuring operational efficiency. Team members will be made up of leaders in the digital asset investment, protocol development and infrastructure space. Appointees will be announced in the coming weeks. ******************************* This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the "United States" or to "U.S. persons" (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. About Belgravia Hartford Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. is an investment issuer, listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange, focused on the tech and finance sectors of the worldwide economy. The Company's focus, as set out in its 2018 Investment Policy, specifies cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence, media and digital streaming opportunities. Belgravia invests in a portfolio of private and public companies located in jurisdictions governed by the rule of law. It takes a multi-sector investment approach with emphasis in the resources and commodities sector. Belgravia and its investments are considered high risk holdings and it may expose shareholders to significant volatility and losses. For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and 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 such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the timing for completion of the Offering, the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234131 SOURCE: Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc abrdn Property Income Trust Limited - Results of General Meeting PR Newswire LONDON, United Kingdom, December 17 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17 December 2024 abrdn Property Income Trust Limited (a non-cellular company limited by shares incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 41352) LEI Number: 549300HHFBWZRKC7RW84 Results of General Meeting held on 17 December 2024, Interim Distribution to Shareholders and Board Changes On 3 December 2024, abrdn Property Income Trust Limited ("API" or the "Company") announced that a circular ("Circular") to convene a general meeting of API Shareholders (the "General Meeting") had been published and sent to Shareholders to allow them to consider and, if thought fit, approve amendments to API's Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") to return capital to Shareholders and put in place a mechanism to implement a future voluntary winding up of the Company. API announces the result of the General Meeting of the Company held today. Shareholders who together represented a majority of the API Shares voted at the General Meeting voted to approve the special resolution to amend API's Articles. Consequently, the Board will proceed with a return of capital to Shareholders and, at the appropriate time after giving notice to Shareholders, implement a future voluntary winding-up of the Company. Voting results of the General Meeting The table below sets out the results of the vote at the General Meeting: Number of API Shares voted *** % of API Shares voted* For 125,067,774 99.54 Against 583,550 0.46 Withheld** 219,230 - Total 125,870,554 100 * All percentages rounded to two decimal places ** A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes 'For' or 'Against' the ordinary resolution. *** Includes discretionary votes. Capitalised terms in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the Circular. Return of Capital and Interim PID The Company confirms that it will proceed with the initial issue of Redeemable Bonus Shares as set out in the Circular and on the expected timetable set out below. Each Shareholder on the register at the Record Time will be issued with one Redeemable Bonus Share for each API Share they hold, which will then immediately redeemed for 52 pence per Redeemable Bonus Share (returning aggregate proceeds of 198.23 million to Shareholders). The Company has also declared a separate PID income distribution of 3 pence per API Share (gross of any tax adjustments; an aggregate 11.44 million) (the "Interim PID") expected to be paid as set out below. The expected timetable of events is as follows: Ex-dividend date for first issue of Redeemable Bonus Shares 17 December 2024 Record time for entitlement to first issue of Redeemable Bonus Shares ("Record Time") 6.00 p.m. on 18 December 2024 Redeemable Bonus Shares issued equal to the number of API Shares held at the Record Time 19 December 2024 Expected redemption and cancellation of Redeemable Bonus Shares 19 December 2024 Ex-dividend date for Interim PID Record time for entitlement to Interim PID 19 December 2024 6.00 p.m. on 20 December 2024 Despatch of payments and CREST accounts credited in respect of proceeds of Redeemable Bonus Shares redeemed on 19 December 2024 By 24 December 2024 Despatch of payments and CREST accounts credited in respect of Interim PID By 10 January 2025 Board Changes The Company also confirms that, as previously indicated, James Clifton-Brown, Jill May and Sarah Slater will stand down from the Board on 31 December 2024. The Board thanks each of them for their significant contributions and for their considerable time and attention given to the Company. Effective from 1 January 2025, Michael Balfour will be appointed Chairman of the Company. Michael Bane will assume the role of Senior Independent Director and will become Chair of the Company's Audit Committee. The Board is assessing the role of the various Board committees in light of the Company's position and its progression towards Voluntary Winding-Up. Voluntary Winding-Up At an appropriate time, the Board will place the Company into Voluntary Winding-Up. Timing of this step will depend on a number of factors which are set out in the Circular. The Company will give appropriate notice prior to entering into Voluntary Winding-Up and provide an outline timetable via a Regulatory Information Service. Trading in API Shares will be suspended when the Company enters into Voluntary Winding-Up and Shareholders will be unable to sell or transfer their API Shares from that time. Enquiries abrdn Property Income Trust James Clifton-Brown (Chair) via Winterflood Jason Baggaley (Fund Manager) +44 7801 039 463 Winterflood (Corporate Broker to API) Neil Langford +44 20 3100 0160 Important notices Winterflood Securities Limited ("Winterflood"), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for API and no-one else in connection with the matters set out in this document and will not be responsible to anyone other than API for providing the protections afforded to customers of Winterflood or for providing advice in relation to the matters set out in this document. Neither Winterflood nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Winterflood in connection with this document, any statement contained herein or otherwise. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / The holiday season is about connecting with friends and family, and expressing gratitude for the things that are most important to us. At the National Park Foundation (NPF), we're grateful to partner with Subaru of America - our largest corporate donor - and participate in the annual Subaru Share the Love Event. Over the past 13 years, the event has donated more than $18 million to the National Park Foundation! From November 21, 2024 to January 2, 2025, for every new Subaru purchased or leased,* Subaru will donate $250 to the customer's choice of participating charities - including the National Park Foundation. Donations from the Subaru Share the Love Event provide critical funding to programs and projects that help protect America's more than 400 national parks. Visit the Subaru Share the Love Event website event page to learn more about the event and find a Subaru retailer near you. Our Partnership Impact Subaru is the largest corporate donor of the National Park Foundation and has provided over $65 million in critical funding to programs and projects that help to protect America's more than 400 national parks. Outdoor Exploration NPF's Outdoor Exploration programs are all about making sure all people see themselves in parks and feel welcome in these places. In partnership with partners such as Subaru, NPF is eliminating barriers, promoting access, and cultivating connections to the many benefits of being outdoors. Learn more Resilience & Sustainability NPF's work in resilience and sustainability is helping reduce the environmental impact of our parks while also protecting our parks' resources. Together with our partners - including Subaru - NPF is helping make parks more resilient and sustainable for the benefit of both parks and the people who love them. Learn more Parks of the Future Our national parks have never been more popular - therefore it's vital we reimagine the way people experience parks to ensure we don't overwhelm these delicate habitats. NPF's Parks of the Future initiative - supported by partners including Subaru - is envisioning innovative ways to accommodate visitors while protecting natural landscapes. Learn more When you select NPF as your charity of choice during the Subaru Share the Love Event, your support is helping us continue this work, protecting and preserving over 400 national parks for generations to come. Learn more about our partnership. Event Details *Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 10, 2025. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America, Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Subaru of America, Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Subaru of America, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / U.S. Bank: Sarah Darr, head of financial planning at U.S. Bank, offers a guide to getting this often-daunting discussion started Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog Discussing money with aging parents can be a challenge for many families. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Bank survey , almost half of Americans (45%) have no idea what their parents' financial situation is and, if they know anything, are more likely to know about their financial liabilities than their savings. "Health, aging and money are potent topics and can make for awkward conversations," said Scott Ford, president, U.S. Bank Wealth Management. "Despite the sensitivity, it's best not to postpone these types of discussions because the risk of something going wrong can increase with age. It's best to face these tough talks with confidence." Here's a guide from Sarah Darr, head of financial planning at U.S. Bank, a more than 20-year industry veteran who has helped many families navigate this terrain: Come from a place of care Approach these conversations with love, care and respect, Darr said. You'll want your parents to understand that you're looking out for their best interests and want to honor their wishes. Some generations believe talking about money is taboo, so you may face some resistance. "Respect your parents' boundaries," she said. "Explain why this is important for their future, and your desire to understand their wishes should something unexpected happen." You may want to invite your parents to a discussion early in the day, when everyone has more energy. Family holiday gatherings generally are not the best opportunities for serious talks as they can be noisy and filled with emotion, Darr said. Find a time that works for everyone, choose a calm environment, keep the conversations brief and respect your parents' autonomy, and you'll make ongoing, incremental progress. If possible, the best scenario is having both parents present for conversations so they can each weigh in. Darr said she has a rule of thumb for these talks: Don't outnumber your parents. In other words, in meeting with both your parents, the total number of people present should be four or fewer. It is less intimidating to have a smaller group and more conducive to productive conversation. Every participant should have a genuine desire to help, and at least one person should have some financial acumen. "To ease into the conversation, it often helps to open up about your own situation," she said. You may want to share a personal story, such as what goal you are working toward or are thinking about. That could include saving for your children's college education or looking for an attorney to draft a will. This takes the focus off your parents and gives them more comfort to share, Darr said. Take an inventory Once the discussion is opened, you may want to ask about the physical location of important documents like wills, insurance policies and financial passwords. "This is a good way to dip a toe into the water by focusing on financial organization," Darr said. Going a step further, you'll want to learn more about both sides of your parents' balance sheet: assets and liabilities. Assets include bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement plans, pensions, real estate and more. The liabilities include mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, etc. You'll want to learn names and contact information of your parents' trusted advisors - attorney, accountant, financial advisor - and establish relationships with them, as they will be important resources in the future. Ensure legal documents are in place As you progress in your conversations, you'll want to tackle the topic of estate planning, Darr said. Not just for the wealthy, proper estate planning ensures that your parents' wishes are carried out the way they intend. An estate attorney can give guidance on how to draft the proper legal documents. The essentials include a will, which lays out how property will be distributed after death; a durable power of attorney, which assigns someone to act financially on your behalf when you cannot; a healthcare power of attorney, which designates an individual to make healthcare decisions on your behalf in the event of incapacity; and potentially other trust documents dependent on your situation. If your parents already have legal documents in place, you'll want to review them together to ensure they still reflect their wishes and lean on trusted advisors if there are any questions about the language. Time passes and things change - legislation updates, financial situations, divorce, the death of a spouse, the birth of grandchildren, etc. For these reasons and more, it's important to review documents on a periodic basis. Focus on the future Discussions shouldn't be filled with doom and gloom. "You'll want to know about your parents' hopes and intentions," Darr said. Do they want to leave a gift for grandchildren? Do they want to help a child start a business? Is there a charitable organization they want to support after their passing? These conversations can help you understand and provide your parents with peace of mind. You'll also want to discuss how your parents have thought about protection planning to safeguard their wealth, Darr said. Having proper insight on your parents' wishes and policies in place will go a long way if the time comes. This can involve different forms of insurance to protect and provide in a time of need. "Frame the conversation as a supporter who's interested in your parents' security and wellbeing," she said. "Your compassion will reduce defensiveness and foster collaboration." Next steps While the U.S. Bank survey revealed that many families are talking about financial concepts around the dinner table, most do not feel comfortable talking about their own financial situations - possibly because they are worried about being judged or feel embarrassed. Financial advisors can help ease the conversation by getting families to talk more openly about money, Darr said. More than half (53%) of affluent American say their financial advisor helped their family work through uncomfortable conversations about money. Reach out to your financial professional to get the conversation started. Read the full report here: Challenging Conversations About Money View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from U.S. Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: U.S. Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/us-bank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: U.S. Bank View the original press release on accesswire.com Pearl Media Network will tectonically shift how advertisers capture bridal audiences through targeted content and moments as the wedding industry's only first-party data retail media platform for advertisers, vendors and consumers David's Bridal, Inc. ("David's"), the nation's leading bridal, wedding planning, and special occasion authority, today announced the launch of Pearl Media Network and the acquisition of Love Stories TV (now, Love Stories by David's) , the top wedding media brand taking a digital-first approach to wedding content and inspiration with over 20M viewers per month across content platforms and a library of over 30,000 real wedding videos. Taking the next step in becoming the ubiquitous leader in all things wedding, this strategic move transcends David's from the wedding industry's leading retailer to the industry's rising tech and media company helping brides, grooms and anyone looking for wedding inspiration connect the dots under one brand. "Our customers look to David's for all things wedding and planning, and Pearl Media Network will now allow advertisers to authentically capture our audiences, tapping into consumers during the household formation - a true first for the industry," shared Elina Vilk, Chief Business Officer for David's Bridal. "It's no longer just a 12-month planning cycle-people are diving into years of planning and consuming content that sparks ideas, often via video, which outperforms every other medium. Love Stories TV is at the heart of this trend, and now David's Bridal and Pearl Media Network will serve as the ultimate inspiration network." "For 74 years, David's Bridal has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the wedding industry, becoming the nation's leading bridal retailer; during that time, we've become acutely aware of the lack of solutions that authentically connect the dots between advertisers and our audiences," added Kelly Cook, President, Brand, Technology, & Finance and Co-Chair, Pearl Advisory Board for David's Bridal. "With the launch of Pearl Media Network and acquisition of Love Stories TV, we're innovating the category in a way that no other wedding platform, marketplace or retailer could, by connecting advertisers directly to couples during their most engaged moments through exciting and targeted content." Engagement and wedding planning timelines are extending, according to Signet, couples on average are dating for 3.25 years before proposing, with a 25% surge in engagements taking place over the next three years. In addition, according to experts , the average length of an engagement is between 12 and 18 months. This increased proposal and wedding planning lifecycle has brides spending more time researching, planning, and curating their dream weddings, priming a targeted and engaged audience for advertisers. David's Pearl Media Network is creating an industry-first media infrastructure and advertising network that allows vendors and brands to organically connect with consumers and provide fresh, innovative, and accessible wedding inspiration and content during this hyper focused time period for consumers. With the acquisition, Love Stories TV founder and CEO, Rachel Silver, will become the General Manager of Media for David's and Chief Product Officer for Pearl Media Network. Under Pearl Media Network, David's will be building upon Love Stories TV's content across social media platforms, YouTube, and its podcast network, as well as streaming TV (including Roku, Tubi, Vizio, Sling and others) as well as developing breakthrough content and advertising offerings from social, web, streaming TV, and in-store. Silver will be focused on amping up David's social content strategy, reaching new and targeted audiences with industry-first content and advertiser offerings. Brides and grooms are no longer flocking to Google and traditional wedding vendor directories for inspiration and research. Instead, they're turning to social platforms ( Zola found that 68% of couples are vetting photographers, make-up artists and venues on Instagram and TikTok,) podcasts, and influencers for wedding planning needs - and Pearl Media Network is empowering advertisers to meet consumers exactly where they are. Founded in 2016 by Rachel Silver, Love Stories TV has built a following of over 8M social followers, a wedding content library featuring more than 30K videos and has launched the wedding industry's first podcast network and streaming TV presence. Love Stories TV continues to build an enthusiastic audience about all weddings, making the acquisition a prime advertising vehicle for David's to connect with brides and future brides. I am so proud of the impact Love Stories TV has made on the wedding industry over the past eight years, specifically how we've helped wedding videographers and pros build their businesses by giving them a platform to celebrate their talents and helping them connect with their ideal customers," added Rachel Silver, General Manager of Media for David's and Chief Product Officer for Pearl Media Network. "Now, as part of the David's Bridal team, we're looking forward to a new chapter focused on delivering inspiring, impactful and highly curated content for advertisers to authentically reach David's core customers while continuing to develop new products to support SMBs across the wedding industry." This acquisition marks a strategic and pivotal moment in David's Bridal's legacy, setting the stage for the brand to tap into nascent audiences while continuing innovation, growth, and leadership in the wedding industry for years to come. To hear more from Kelly Cook, Elina Vilk and Rachel Silver about Pearl Media Network and its offerings for brands and vendors, you can watch and listen to the latest episode of Love Stories Radio on Spotify and listen on Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music . To learn more about David's, visit davidsbridal.com . For additional assets, please see media kit here. ### About David's Bridal With over 70 years of experience dressing people for all of life's special occasions, David's Bridal is built on the ethos of making dreams happen. David's Bridal is dedicated to creating innovative solutions that serve wedding and special occasion consumers and the industry at large. David's boasts the industry's only loyalty program, the Diamond Loyalty Program. This program, with almost 3 million members, provides perks and deals from partners like The Black Tux, Shutterfly, Little Tuxedos and much more, including the opportunity to win a free honeymoon. Additionally, Pearl by David's offers consumers a wedding website, universal wedding registry, robust wedding checklist, and a new vendor marketplace that beautifully pairs brides with their perfect vendor partners. Pearl Media Network allows advertisers to tap into David's Bridal unmatched market reach to authentically connect with consumers through content across the web, social, podcast, streaming, video, in-store and more. Under the Pearl Media umbrella is Love Stories by David's, the top wedding media brand taking a digital-first approach to wedding content and inspiration with over 20M viewers per month across content platforms, including the wedding industry's sole podcast network, streaming TV and Snap Discover channels, and largest YouTube and TikTok channels, and a library of over 30,000 real wedding videos. Each video comes equipped with wedding data and details, contributing to a marketplace of over 60,000 wedding professionals to help couples better dream about, research and plan their big day. With more than 190 stores across the US, Canada, and franchise locations in Mexico, David's Bridal offers the convenience of one-stop shopping for every magical event in her life, including weddings, Quinceanera, graduations, proms, communions, or simply making the world her runway and beyond. To learn more about David's Bridal, visit www.DavidsBridal.com, download the Planning App, and connect on social media through Instagram , YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , X , TikTok , and LinkedIn . Media Contact: David's Bridal mediarequests@dbi.com Related Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3YP6vwrURw SOURCE: David's Bridal View the original press release on accesswire.com John Galt Solutions, a global leader in automating supply chain planning to empower innovative businesses to make better decisions faster,?is pleased to announce registration is open for the first location in its 2025 Atlas Roadshow. The interactive event will take place on January 29, 2025 at the Every Man Jack headquarters, a valued John Galt Solutions customer, in Mill Valley, California. The Atlas Roadshow is designed to empower companies with the latest industry insights and exclusive networking opportunities. These interactive events offer John Galt Solutions' customers a unique opportunity to engage directly with supply chain experts, exchange knowledge, and explore the latest innovations in supply chain planning to help address the increasingly complex challenges businesses face today. ? The Mill Valley kickoff promises a day filled with insights and expert-led discussions. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers, learn from industry leaders, and explore the latest capabilities of the market-leading Atlas Planning Platform . Atlas Roadshow Highlights: 1-Day Networking Events: ?A dedicated day to connect with fellow industry professionals and exchange knowledge. Exclusive Market Insights: ?Access to key industry trends shaping the future of supply chain, with insights on how to stay ahead of the curve. Panel Discussions:? Industry leaders sharing their experiences, challenges, and success stories. Interactive Roundtables:?In-depth discussions on topics that matter most - from technology implementation to process optimization. Due to the exclusive nature of this event, space is limited, and early registration is strongly encouraged. Event Details: Date:?January 29, 2025 Location:?Every Man Jack Headquarters, 100 Shoreline Hwy, Suite 200, Mill Valley, CA 94941, United States Register here to secure your spot and join the supply chain community in shaping the future of planning and innovation. About John Galt Solutions More than ever, companies must be able to sense and respond to the dynamics of complex global supply chain performance, seize new opportunities, reduce?costs,?and drive profitability. John Galt Solutions' Atlas Planning Platform is a comprehensive end-to-end supply chain planning software solution with advanced analytics and machine learning to automate planning, break down business silos and deliver greater visibility. A SaaS-based platform, Atlas transforms S&OP processes;?demand,?inventory,?and replenishment;?supply and inventory optimization;?manufacturing planning and scheduling;?financial budget and sales forecasting. We partner closely with companies such as MARS, Continental Tire, Deschutes Brewery, Netgear, and American Red Cross to empower planners to make better and faster decisions with greater confidence. To learn how John Galt Solutions can help you improve supply chain performance, visit johngalt.com .? SOURCE: John Galt Solutions View the original press release on accesswire.com Clinical trial technology leader joins global initiative to embed UN principles into corporate strategy, culture, and daily operations MALVERN, Pa., Dec. 17, 2024, the leading pioneer in clinical trial technology, today announced its formal commitment to the United Nations, joining thousands of companies worldwide in advancing universal sustainability principles. This strategic decision reinforces YPrime's dedication to responsible business practices while advancing its goal of bringing life-changing therapies to patients. "By joining the UN Global Compact, we are pledging to integrate sustainable and ethical practices into every aspect of our operations," said Jim Corrigan, YPrime's Chief Executive Officer. "Our mission has always been to accelerate the delivery of life-changing therapies to patients, and this initiative extends naturally to ensuring we do so in a way that respects human rights, promotes fair labor practices, protects our environment, and upholds the highest standards of business integrity." The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compactfocus on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption and align closely with YPrime's core values and culture. "At YPrime, we believe that technology can be a powerful force for positive change in clinical research," Corrigan added. "This partnership with the UN strengthens our drive to develop solutions that not only advance clinical research but do so in a way that benefits society as a whole, particularly in making clinical trials more accessible and inclusive for all populations." YPrime's participation in the UN Global Compact principles and goals reflects its longstanding culture of putting patients first. The company's daily work directly impacts patients and their caregivers, making every technology solution and service delivery a potential turning point in someone's life. This human-centric approach naturally extends to the broader principles of sustainability and social responsibility championed by the UN Global Compact, including the crucial goal of expanding access to clinical trials across diverse communities and populations. Pledging to the UN Global Compact is a crucial component of YPrime's expanding sustainability program, which includes targeted efforts to reduce environmental impact, enhance social responsibility, and maintain transparent governance practices. YPrime will integrate the UN Global Compact principles into its business strategy, day-to-day operations, and organizational culture as part of this initiative. About the UN Global Compact Launched in 2000 as a special initiative of the UN Secretary-General, the United Nations (UN) Global Compact is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world, with over 10,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories based in over 160 countries. It is a call to companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, and take actions that advance societal goals. About YPrime YPrime simplifies clinical trials with eCOA, IRT, and eConsent solutions that combine speed, flexibility, and quality. The YPrime eCOA platform enhances patient compliance with an intuitive app and easy-to-use design, streamlines site workflows through a powerful eCOA portal, integrates seamlessly with connected devices, and supports sponsors with real-time dashboards for better decision-making. A pre-validated and configurable eCOA platform mitigates delays and accelerates study startup by 47%, faster than industry benchmarks. AI-powered localization accelerates globalization, improving inclusion and data integrity while reducing timelines and costs. Delivering ~50% faster IRT startup times, eConsent that drives engagement, and quality metrics 55% above industry standards, YPrime is trusted by top pharma leaders and emerging biotech companies alike. With nearly two decades of experience, solutions in 100+ languages, and support in 90+ countries, YPrime is your partner in solving for certainty. Visit www.yprime.comor email marketing@yprime.com. Media Contact Terry Rehm Head of Thought Leadership and Public Relations, YPrime trehm@yprime.com 862-288-0329 PerfectSwell Heading to China's Surfing Capital American Wave Machines , the surf technology company behind PerfectSwell Surf Venues worldwide, today announced an agreement to develop a PerfectSwell Surf Resort with China Tourism Group . The project, located on the island of Hainan in Riyue Bay, also known as Sun and Moon Bay in the town of Wanning, will be called "Riyue Bay Surf Resort". Riyue Bay Surf Resort. Image courtesy of China Tourism Group. Known for having the best surf in China, Riyue Bay has attracted a wide range of businesses including a vibrant restaurant and bar scene open to international tourists. With conditions and climate that support year-round surfing, Riyue Bay has held international competitions for eleven consecutive years. Standing out as a beacon of success for the Chinese surf scene , Riyue Bay is also home to China's National Surfing Team. ?The PerfectSwell anchored multi-use development will be the very first surf resort in China. In phase one, the resort will deliver a surf-themed hotel and a designer hotel totaling 132 rooms, a shopping district, bar and restaurants, surf retail shop, and skate park in addition to the PerfectSwell Surf Pool. Phase two will add more rooms to the hotel and additional lodging options. The project will utilize the flexibility of PerfectSwell Surf Technology by targeting the existing market of enthusiast surfers from abroad while also catering to beginners among the local population. Kuan Zhao, surf park director of the resort, describes what PerfectSwell Surf Technology brings to Chinese athletes: "With the launch of PerfectSwell, China solidifies its commitment to developing world-class athletes across all Olympic sports, surfing included. With PerfectSwell, Riyue Bay Surf Resort delivers unparalleled training opportunities allowing us to cultivate homegrown talent. At the same time, the venue will deliver a world-class resort experience for all levels of surf tourists. We will expand the surfing community throughout the country while welcoming the diverse and broad spectrum of surf enthusiasts from around the world." Miquel Lazaro, lead engineer from American Wave Machines, describes what it means to add a PerfectSwell Venue to China's emerging scene: "We're stoked to bring our brand of high-performance waves to China. Riyue Bay Surf Resort will provide locals and visitors with something truly world-class. We have seen the impact of PerfectSwell Surf Parks in other regions and it's an exciting opportunity to impact China's incredible surf culture and talent potential." PerfectSwell Surf Technology. Image courtesy of American Wave Machines, Inc. ?About American Wave Machines American Wave Machines, Inc. is the inventor and developer of PerfectSwell Surf Technology. AWM's technology powers world class surf facilities and destinations backed by proven financials, extensive data capture, and stoked surfers. PerfectSwell is the only sequence based, pneumatic surf technology on the market. Protected by over 50 patents worldwide, PerfectSwell Split Peaks, Peeling Waves, Air Sections, and Wedge Barrels are all covered by AWM's robust patent portfolio. About China Tourism Group China Tourism Group Corporation Limited (CTG), also known as China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited, is a backbone state-owned enterprise directly managed by the central government and one of the central government-owned enterprises headquartered in Hong Kong. CTG has formed an industry structure comprising travel agencies, scenic areas, hotels, duty-free retail, tourism transportation, travel document services, cruises, real estate, and comprehensive operations in Hong Kong. The operation network spans China's mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and over 30 countries and regions abroad. Contact: Jenna Timinsky info@americanwavemachines.com SOURCE: American Wave Machines, Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 23, 2024) - Telescope Innovations Corp. (CSE: TELI) (OTCQB: TELIF) ("Telescope" or the "Company"), a developer of advanced technologies and services for the global pharmaceutical and chemical industries, reports financial results for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024. The Company generated revenues of $4.4 million during this period, with an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $152 K (Figure 1). Revenues have been strategically reinvested to drive team growth and enhanced capacity for both R&D and commercialization activities. As a result, the Company achieved key milestones, including the launch of a multi-year, funded collaboration with Pfizer to develop self-driving labs and a global distribution agreement with Mettler Toledo for DirectInject-LC. During this period, Telescope Innovations also secured funding to construct a pilot plant for lithium refinement while advancing new IP in lithium sulfide production and battery recycling. Figure 1. Revenue and EBITDA for FY 23 and 24 in CAD, along with major milestones achieved in each fiscal year. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8923/234965_asset_25.jpg FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2024 All values are represented in CAD. Revenues of $4.4 M, versus $2.8 M for FY 2023, representing 57% revenue growth Expenses of $5.8 M, versus $3.5 M for FY 2023 Adjusted EBITDA loss of $152 K, versus loss of $225 K for FY 2023 "Our progress this year reflects the strategic focus and innovation driving Telescope forward," commented Henry Dubina, Telescope CEO. "By reinvesting in groundbreaking projects like our collaboration with Pfizer on self-driving labs, the global rollout of DirectInject-LC with Mettler Toledo, and our advancements in lithium refinement and recycling technologies, we are building a solid foundation for sustainable growth and long-term industry leadership." Readers are encouraged to review the full financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024, both of which are available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). About Telescope Telescope is a chemical technology company developing scalable manufacturing processes and tools for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The Company builds and deploys new enabling technologies including flexible robotic platforms and artificial intelligence software that improves experimental throughput, efficiency, and data quality. Our aim is to bring modern chemical technology solutions to meet the most serious challenges in health and sustainability. On behalf of the Board, Telescope Innovations Corp. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234965 SOURCE: Telescope Innovations Corp. TAE Life Sciences (TLS), a leading developer of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) systems and drugs, and the Italian National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), a premier hadrontherapy center in Europe, today announced a definitive agreement to collaborate on groundbreaking global drug research and development initiatives for the implementation of BNCT. This strategic partnership will bring together the expertise of two innovative leaders in cancer treatment, with the purpose to revolutionize cancer care through BNCT, a targeted radiation therapy designed to improve outcomes for patients with complex and metastatic cancers. CNAO's extensive experience in hadrontherapy, encompassing proton, carbon ions and other particles, complements TLS's leadership in advancing cancer treatment with BNCT technology and drug development. BNCT is a type of combination cancer treatment that uses neutron radiation and a special boron compound to target and destroy cancer cells. The process involves two main steps. In the first one, a boron-rich compound is administered to the patient, typically via injection or infusion. This compound is designed to be selectively absorbed by cancer cells, with minimal uptake by normal tissues. In the second step, after the boron compound has been absorbed by the cancer cells, the patient is exposed to a beam of low-energy neutrons. These neutrons interact with the boron atoms within the cancer cells and destroy them. In late 2020, CNAO had already entered into an agreement with TLS to adopt the BNCT system and install an accelerator-based neutron source in Italy. Now, the new agreement completes the collaboration, including the drug development as well. Prof. Gianluca Vago, CNAO President, commented: "Our mission has always been to leverage cutting-edge technologies to expand treatment opportunities for the benefit of cancer patients. Being chosen by TLS for such an important collaboration is a further recognition of CNAO's expertise in particle therapies, both in clinical and research activities. For this project, our center will work in close cooperation with University of Pavia, Polytechnic University of Milan, National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo of Pavia. The partnership with TLS will enable us to open up new frontiers in BNCT and make CNAO a unique facility in the world to combine treatments with protons, heavy ions (carbon ions and other species) and neutrons." Planned Milestones and Key Objectives: Installation and Clinical Trials: The installation of TLS's Alphabeam BNCT system at CNAO is scheduled to begin in 2025, with clinical trials launching in 2026. The initial trials will leverage Steboronine (Boronophenylalanine, BPA)-an boron drug developed by Stella Pharma for BNCT and distributed by TLS in Europe and the US. Steboronine selectively accumulates boron in cancer cells and is already approved in Japan for recurrent head and neck cancers, the focus of these first trials. The installation of at CNAO is scheduled to begin in 2025, with clinical trials launching in 2026. The initial trials will leverage (Boronophenylalanine, BPA)-an boron drug developed by Stella Pharma for BNCT and distributed by TLS in Europe and the US. Steboronine selectively accumulates boron in cancer cells and is already approved in Japan for recurrent head and neck cancers, the focus of these first trials. Advancing Cancer Treatment: The collaboration is poised to expand the clinical applications of BNCT to address a wide range of cancers, including metastatic cancers, offering new hope for patients worldwide. The collaboration is poised to expand the clinical applications of BNCT to address a wide range of cancers, including metastatic cancers, offering new hope for patients worldwide. CNAO NEXT Services: The partnership includes efforts to promote the range of services offered by CNAO NEXT, an independent company set up by CNAO, which operates in the field of precision therapies, providing technical and clinical consultancy and assisting other centers in implementing particle therapies. A significant aspect of the collaboration involves the clinical implementation and commercialization of new TLS BNCT drugs, such as Boronotyrosine (BTS), which has shown promising preclinical results in animal models. "Our partnership with CNAO marks a transformative step in advancing BNCT as a next-generation cancer therapy," said Rob Hill, CEO of TAE Life Sciences. "Together, we aim to push the boundaries of cancer treatment and provide groundbreaking solutions to patients who need them most." Additionally, prof. Lisa Licitra, Scientific Director of CNAO, Chief of Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Dept at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Associate Professor at the University of Milan, has joined the TLS Clinical Advisory Board as an internationally recognized leader in head and neck oncology. She will serve as leading oncologist for the BNCT clinical trials at CNAO focusing on head and neck cancer and will oversee the clinical trial at CNAO, further strengthening the collaboration's scientific foundation. Prof. Lisa Licitra, Scientific Director of CNAO, affirmed: "BNCT has demonstrated compelling responses for recurrent or refractory tumours, such as head and neck cancers. Therefore, working with Prof. Ester Orlandi, Head of CNAO Clinical Department, we will initially focus on patients with this type of tumours. With the introduction of BNCT, we can reduce treatment to 1-2 sessions, expand therapeutic indications and potentially offer new hope to patients with metastatic tumours. Our goal will be to offer increasingly customized therapeutic options, by having at our disposal a wide range of particles: not only protons and carbon ions but also neutrons for BNCT, helium and oxygen." About TAE Life Sciences: TAE Life Sciences is a privately held biotechnology company committed to developing a new biologically targeted radiation therapy based on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). TAE Life Sciences is the only company developing the next-generation targeted boron drugs and low-energy accelerator-based neutron system optimized for an in-hospital BNCT program that delivers cancer-killing radiation with cellular-level precision to treat patients with aggressive and refractory cancers. TAE Life Sciences' Alphabeam BNCT system and proprietary boronated drugs are still in the investigational stage, and not available commercially. More information about TAE Life Sciences is available at taelifesciences.com. About CNAO: The National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO), located in Pavia, Italy, is one of the only six centers in the world able to perform hadrontherapy with both protons and carbon ions and has treated about 5,500 oncological patients, working in the particle therapy field for 15 years. CNAO mission is to be at the forefront of providing cutting-edge cancer therapies with the goal of offering highly targeted, precision treatments for patients with complex and rare cancers. CNAO is dedicated to advancing research and clinical applications of hadrontherapy, making a significant contribution to the improvement of cancer care, also through the establishment of a network of national and international collaborations. More information about CNAO is available at https://fondazionecnao.it/en/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217878109/en/ Contacts: TAE Life Sciences Anna Theriault contact@taelifesciences.com CNAO Communication Office Silvia Meneghello Comunicazione@cnao.it Media relations Value Relations cnaopress@vrelations.it Francesca Alibrandi mob. +39 335 8368826 Antonella Martucci mob. +39 340 6775463 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: KLDC) (OTC Pink: KLKLF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") pursuant to which it shall issue (i) flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.07 per FT Unit; and (ii) units ("Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit, in any combination to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,600,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.08 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof. Each FT Unit will consist of one "flow-through" Common Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.12 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof. Up to 20% of the Offering may be purchased by insiders. Funds from the issuance of FT Units will be used for exploration expenditures and funds raised from the issuance of Units will be used for general corporate purposes. The Offering remains subject to various closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has recently consolidated a district-scale, highly prospective land package in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in Ontario, Canada. The properties are situated within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world's most richly endowed greenstone belts, with over 200 million ounces of gold produced to date.[1] The Company's properties host regional and property-scale mineralized structures, considered second-order structures off the Larder Lake Cadillac Deformation Zone (LLCDZ), a major regional structure known for its spatial association with gold mines in the camp. The properties assembled by the Company are grouped into two key areas: KL East, which includes the Lucky Strike Property, Arnold Property, and KL Central, and KL West, which encompasses the Goodfish-Kirana and the KL West Properties. KLDC's land position spans approximately 38,000 ha over 1,338 claims and 29 patented claims, making the Company the largest landholder in the Kirkland Lake region. 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 set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the Offering may not be completed on the terms currently proposed or at all and risks relating to completion of future exploration activities as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential size and composition of the Offering and the receipt of all regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. [1] Canada's Gold Exploration Frontier: The Abitibi Greenstone Belt - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/canadas-gold-exploration-frontier-the-abitibi-greenstone-belt/ NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234156 SOURCE: Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Thesis Gold Inc. (TSXV: TAU) (FSE: A3EP87) (OTCQX: THSGF) ("Thesis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that today the Company has closed its brokered private placement offering. Clarus Securities Inc. ("Clarus") and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with Clarus, the "Co-Lead Agents") acted as Co-Lead Agents, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., H&P Advisors Ltd., Canaccord Genuity Corp., Raymond James Ltd., and Ventum Financial Corp. (together with the Co-Lead Agents, the "Agents"), for an equity private placement raising gross proceeds of approximately $10 million (the "Offering"). Under the Offering, the Company issued 16,666,667 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.60 per Common Share, for total aggregate gross proceeds of $10,000,000.20. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and applicable securities laws. The Offering did not result in the creation of any new "control person" (as defined under applicable securities laws) of the Company. The securities issued under the Offering were issued pursuant to certain private placement exemptions under applicable securities laws. The private placement Offering is subject to the final acceptance by the TSXV. Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Offering, which constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before closing the Offering as matters relating to the related parties' participation in the Private Placement were not settled until within such 21-day period and the Company wished to close the Private Placement on an expedited basis for sound business reasons. In consideration of the services rendered by the Agents in connection with the Offering, the Company paid the Agents upon closing of the Offering (the "Closing") a cash commission of $600,000.01 equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the Offering. In addition, the Company also issued to the Agents on Closing, 1,000,000 non-transferable compensation options to acquire a number of Common Shares equal to 6% of the aggregate number of Common Shares sold under the Offering, having an exercise price of $0.60 per Common Share for 18 months following Closing. On behalf of the Board of Directors Thesis Gold Inc. "Ewan Webster" Ewan Webster Ph.D., P.Geo. President, CEO, and Director About Thesis Gold Inc. Thesis Gold Inc. is a resource development company focused on unlocking the potential of its 100% owned Lawyers-Ranch Project, located in British Columbia's prolific Toodoggone Mining District. Over the next 12 months, Thesis is dedicated to advancing the Project through critical development milestones, including the initiation of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and progressing permitting and environmental work. The Company will also continue to evaluate multiple high-potential exploration targets across the district, aiming to build on the substantial resource growth potential identified in the PEA. Through these strategic moves, Thesis Gold intends to elevate the Ranch-Lawyers Project to the forefront of global precious metals ventures. [1] Please refer to the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment titled, "Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, Lawyers Gold-Silver Project" with an effective date of August 30, 2024 filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, which also provides details of the Company's mineral resource estimates. The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Dufresne, M.Sc, P.Geol., P.Geo., and Carly Church, P.Eng., PMP, Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. For further information or investor relations inquiries, please contact: This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Offering, the renunciation of Qualifying Expenditures in favour of subscribers for Flow-Through Shares and the future plans or prospects of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, and economic risks, uncertainties, and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the Company's filings, including in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234097 SOURCE: Thesis Gold Inc. The "Top 100 Kitchen Furniture Manufacturers in Europe" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Top 100 kitchen furniture manufacturers in Europe provides an overview of the European kitchen furniture competitive landscape through the analysis of the leading producers benchmarking each single company performance, the level of specialization, the relevance in the business, and the sector concentration. For the considered Top 100 Kitchen furniture manufacturers in Europe, the information provided includes: Company name and headquarters location (country) Ranking by kitchen furniture turnover for the last available year (mostly 2023) and year-to-year change for most of the companies Share of company kitchen turnover on total European kitchen furniture production Incidence of kitchen furniture on total turnover Number of Employees For the Top 10 European manufacturers of kitchen furniture, this publication also includes the share on total European kitchen furniture production. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/koewdt 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. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217215988/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 Dallas, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Prominent Humanitarian, Author, and Journalist Godspower Oshodin is proud to announce the launch of an unprecedented short story series aimed at addressing societal challenges worldwide. This latest series kicks off after the release of its first edition, My Black Diary. Through this series, Oshodin seeks to bring urgent social issues to the forefront of public consciousness using the timeless art of storytelling. In "My Black Diary," Oshodin, a decorated storyteller, delves deep into the global fight against rape and abuse. Readers are invited to journey alongside Enebi Annah, a character inspired by real-life events, as she navigates love and confronts her darkest trials. Speaking about the inspiration behind the series, Oshodin remarked, "My work as a journalist has taken me across the world, exposing me to a mosaic of cultures and a spectrum of human experiences. Over the years, I've heard stories of pain and perseverance that have stayed with me, urging me to give voice to those who may feel unheard. My Black Diary is more than a story; it is a call to action against the widespread issues of rape and abuse. Through these narratives, I hope to encourage awareness, empathy, and meaningful change." With this new short story series, Oshodin aims to build bridges between fiction and reality, using the universal language of storytelling to shed light on often-overlooked societal issues. His ability to seamlessly blend cultural critique with narrative artistry positions him as a leading voice in the global fight for justice and human dignity. My Black Diary is available for readers globally starting today. Oshodin is already working on subsequent installments of the series, which will address other critical challenges such as poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. In a world often divided by barriers of language and geography, Godspower Oshodin's work serves as a unifying force, reminding readers of our shared humanity. His commitment to social advocacy through art underscores the power of storytelling as a catalyst for change. To view the source version of this press release please visit, https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234140 SOURCE: Growyourtraction CMG Financial, a well-established and privately held lender headquartered in San Ramon, CA, proudly celebrates the recognition of two of its outstanding leaders in this year's 40 Under 40 list by National Mortgage Professional. Gianina Rosenblatt, SVP of Corporate Operations, and Kelly Deaton, VP of Marketing, were both honored for their exceptional contributions to CMG and the industry at large. "Meet NMP Magazine's 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 - the trailblazers transforming the mortgage industry with fresh ideas and boundless energy," noted the magazine. Gianina Rosenblatt, better known as G, is a 20-year industry vet who worked her way up starting from her first position in the business at JPMorgan Chase, quickly taking charge of broker onboarding, training, events, and account management for hundreds of clients. After that she stepped into a role at a mortgage startup, pushing the company forward with her innovations and helping to secure a successful acquisition to a larger firm. She then joined CMG Financial in 2017 and is currently serving as their Senior Vice President of Corporate Operations. In this role she oversees many departments including Learning and Development, Employee Onboarding, Branch Creation, Events, Leasing, Facilities, and the RED Team (CMG's proprietary internal support team). Over the course of 7 years at CMG, G has been instrumental in the company's acquisitions and onboarding initiatives, both of which helped CMG grow by more than 60% in only the past two years. "G's contributions to the company can't go unnoticed," noted Melissa Harbourne, Chief of Staff. "Her initiatives and her efforts influence and support others, while her exceptional performance constantly takes CMG to new heights. Kelly Deaton launched her career nearly 20 years ago working as a finance intern. She later gained valuable marketing experience in her first job at publishing firm, Access Intelligence. Kelly continued making an impact in the roles that followed at different companies in an array of industries. She earned her MBA while simultaneously building the brand of a tech startup. In 2017, she joined CMG, where in just seven short years, she helped transform the company's 8-person marketing team into an industry-leading agency of nearly 100 people. Kelly also led CMG's retail rebrand in 2022 -- which allowed for a more tailored experience for homeowners and buyers. By establishing CMG Home Loans, the new name for the retail lending channel, the company was able to hone in on its B2C messaging and overall consumer experience. The move was crucial in our development as a company and helped our retail channel go from #19 in the nation (2021) to #6 (2023). "Kelly has been pivotal to CMG's growth over the past seven years," said Paul Akinmade, Chief Strategy Officer. "Her forward-thinking marketing strategy, her unwavering commitment to her employees, and constant focus on improving consumers' mortgage experience have made her a notable force empowering generations to come. Both Kelly and Gianina have flourished within CMG Financial, where their growth reflects the company's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering career development. At CMG, we believe in empowering our team members with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive. From robust training programs to leadership development initiatives, we focus on cultivating potential at every level. Kelly and Gianina's journeys are prime examples of how CMG invests in its people, creating an environment where employees can grow alongside the company, driving both personal success and the expansion of CMG's industry presence. Read their full features in the magazine issue here. About CMG Financial CMG Financial is a well-capitalized mortgage lender founded in 1993 by Christopher M. George, a former Mortgage Bankers Association Chairman. CMG makes its products and services available to the market through three distinct origination channels: retail lending, wholesale lending, and correspondent lending. CMG also operates seven joint venture companies with builder & realtor partners, holds an impressive MSR/servicing portfolio, and serves the capital markets of fixed income trading & sales through CMG Securities. CMG currently operates in all states, including District of Columbia, and holds approvals with FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. The company is consistently recognized as a top-producing lender and top mortgage employer, and it prides itself on helping clients achieve the dream of homeownership through product innovation and streamlined servicing. SOURCE: CMG Financial View the original press release on accesswire.com EQS-News: CPI PROPERTY GROUP / Key word(s): Share Buyback/Real Estate CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Results of the Share Buy-back Offer 17.12.2024 / 18:01 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. CPI Property Group (societe anonyme) 40, rue de la Vallee L-2661 Luxembourg R.C.S. Luxembourg: B 102 254 Press Release - Corporate News Luxembourg, 17 December 2024 CPI PROPERTY GROUP - Results of the Share Buy-back Offer On 12 December 2024, CPI PROPERTY GROUP ("CPIPG" or the "Company") announced the intention to purchase up to 185,000,000 shares under CPIPG's share buy-back programme (the "Offer"). At the closing of the Offer period, shareholders of the Company presented a total of 182,918,766 shares for tender at a price of 0.794 per share for a total of about 145 million. While the Company's distribution policy calls for distributing 65% of consolidated FFO1 via share buybacks, for 2024 the distribution ratio was prudently reduced to 37% of FFO1. CPIPG has now cut the distribution ratio for three consecutive years as part of the Group's efforts to reduce leverage. Clerius Properties (Apollo) tendered about 137 million shares. Larnoya Invest, an entity associated with the Vitek Family Trust, tendered 41 million shares. The remainder was tendered by management. In line with the terms of the Offer, the Company anticipates the signing of share transfer agreements on 18 December 2024. The Company will announce the completion of the buy-back upon the acquisition of the tendered shares. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Moritz Mayer Manager, Capital Markets m.mayer@cpipg.com For more on CPI Property Group, visit our website: www.cpipg.com Follow us on X (CPIPG_SA) and LinkedIn 17.12.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com CALGARY, AB, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Petro-Victory Energy Corp. ("Petro-Victory" or the "Company") (TSXV: VRY) is pleased to announce the signature of an exclusivity agreement with Brava Energia S.A. ("Brava") for the potential acquisition of 13 oil-producing fields in Rio Grande do Norte, Potiguar Basin. Petro-Victory together with Azevedo e Travassos Petroleo S.A. ("ATP") informs the market that, on December 17, 2024, the Company has jointly signed an exclusivity agreement with Brava for the potential acquisition of two producing assets - Porto Carao Cluster and Barrinha Cluster. The Porto Carao Cluster is located in the Potiguar onshore basin, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, near the municipality of Guamare, and comprises 4 concession contracts, covering 4 oil-producing fields. The Barrinha Cluster is also located in the Potiguar onshore basin, in Rio Grande do Norte, near the municipality of Mossoro, and comprises 7 concession contracts, covering 9 oil-producing fields. The agreement grants the Company exclusivity for the negotiation of the acquisition of these assets for an initial period of 30 days, starting from the date of its signing, which may be extended for a similar period, provided there is mutual and formal agreement between the parties. Additional information, such as values, terms, and payment methods, will be communicated to the market in due course as negotiations progress. About Petro-Victory Energy Corp. Petro-Victory Energy Corp. is engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas resources in Brazil. The company holds 100% operating and working interests in thirty-eight (38) licenses totaling 257,604 acres in two (2) different producing basins in Brazil. Petro-Victory generates accretive shareholder value through disciplined investments in high impact, low risk assets. The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSXV under the ticker symbol VRY. Cautionary Note Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless an exemption from such registration is available. Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements In the interest of providing Petro-Victory's shareholders and potential investors with information regarding Petro-Victory's future plans and operations, certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "objective", "ongoing", "outlook", "potential", "project", "plan", "should", "target", "would", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, events or performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date thereof and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. There is no assurance the transaction will progress to the definitive agreement stage or will be completed at all. The Company cautions readers that it has not entered into any agreements or understandings to effect a possible transaction with Brava, and there can be no assurance that any discussions that have taken place will result in any such agreements or understandings. The Company is continuing its evaluation of other opportunities available to the Company. Given the nature of the process, the Company does not intend on commenting further unless otherwise required pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to but not limited to: our business strategies, plans and objectives, and advancing the Brava transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on certain key assumptions regarding, among other things: regulatory and other required approvals; entering into a definitive agreement with Brava and the financing of same, the approval by the TSXV; ?the availability and cost of labor and other industry services; the continuance of existing and, in certain circumstances, proposed tax and royalty regimes; and current industry conditions, laws and regulations continuing in effect (or, where changes are proposed, such changes being adopted as anticipated). Readers are cautioned that such assumptions, although considered reasonable by Petro-Victory at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements in this press release has been provided in order to provide shareholders and potential investors with a more complete perspective on Petro-Victory's current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. There is no representation by Petro-Victory that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those referenced in the forward-looking statements and Petro-Victory does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. SOURCE Petro-Victory Energy Corp. Bureau Veritas, a global leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing solutions, is pleased to announce its inclusion in the CAC 40, the benchmark index of the Paris stock exchange. This decision was made by the Euronext Expert Indices Committee on December 17th, 2024, following the quarterly review of the CAC 40 index, and will be effective from December 20th, 2024, after market close. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217770216/en/ Hinda Gharbi, CEO Bureau Veritas (Photo: Business Wire) This milestone comes after Bureau Veritas announced LEAP 28 in March 2024, a strategy targeting a step change in growth and double-digit shareholder returns. This inclusion is a recognition of the Group's consistent operational delivery and performance. Bureau Veritas is proud to leverage the expertise of a nearly two-century-old company within a constantly evolving industry, driven by the strong market trends of energy transition, decarbonisation, sustainability and innovation. The Group has a presence in 140 countries, operating 1,610 offices and laboratories and relies on a portfolio of 3,500 agreements and accreditations. On December 16th, 2024, the Bureau Veritas market capitalization stood at 13.6 billion, with BVI shares trading at 30.02, representing a 31% increase since the beginning of the year. The portion of its capital held by the public (free float) represents 74%, largely in the hands of institutional investors around the world. As it enters the CAC 40, Bureau Veritas further enhances the sectoral diversity of the Parisian index, expanding the Business Services industry, and the Test, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector exposure. Bureau Veritas is already a member of the CAC 40 ESG index, reflecting the Group's continuous efforts to be a role model in the economy thanks to its 83,000 employees across the organization. Hinda Gharbi, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Bureau Veritas is honored and proud to be joining the CAC 40, a significant milestone in the Group's nearly bi-centennial history. We are very grateful to our shareholders, including our longstanding partner Wendel, who have consistently supported Bureau Veritas throughout its development journey. This recognition is the culmination of a remarkable year for Bureau Veritas, marked by the launch of our new strategy LEAP 28 aimed at generating a step change in performance and shareholder returns. Bureau Veritas operates in a growing market driven by very strong secular trends of energy transition, sustainability and increased investments in infrastructure. The Group positions itself as a leader in these high-growth areas and is poised to continue thriving in the years to come. Recently, it completed 10 acquisitions in 2024 as actively refocuses and shapes its portfolio. I take this opportunity to thank all of my 83,000 colleagues worldwide for their dedication and hard work, as well as our clients, suppliers and partners around the world for their trust and continued support." About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in inspection, certification, and laboratory testing services with a powerful purpose: to shape a world of trust by ensuring responsible progress. With a vision to be the preferred partner for customers' excellence and sustainability, the company innovates to help them navigate change. Created in 1828, Bureau Veritas' 83,000 employees deliver services in 140 countries. The company's technical experts support customers to address challenges in quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainability. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20, SBF 120 indices and is part of the CAC SBT 1.5 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit www.bureauveritas.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter. Our information is certified with blockchain technology. Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217770216/en/ Contacts: ANALYST/INVESTOR Laurent Brunelle +33 (0)1 55 24 76 09 laurent.brunelle@bureauveritas.com Colin Verbrugghe +33 (0)1 55 24 77 80 colin.verbrugghe@bureauveritas.com Karine Ansart karine.ansart@bureauveritas.com MEDIA Anette Rey +33 (0)6 69 79 84 88 anette.rey@bureauveritas.com Martin Bovo +33 (0) 6 14 46 79 94 martin.bovo@bureauveritas.com LYON, FRANCE / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of rare neurological diseases (the "Company"), today presents an update of its cash position as of 12 December 2024 and its cash flow horizon until the end of the first quarter of 2026. Total available funds on 12 December 2024 stood at 1.5 M compared with 1.9 M on 30 September 2024. The Company is expecting its position to improve by a total of 4.8 M in the short term with the collection of the following sums due in the coming weeks: 2 M corresponding to the up-front payment under the terms of the licensing agreement signed on 16 December 2024 with Exeltis 1 , ( see press release published today at 6 pm ) 1.2 M by Bpifrance following execution of this agreement, including the balance of the NeuroLead grant and the first part of the PickASO project funding, reimbursement of 141 k in installments paid by the company after the date of effect of the memorandum of understanding with our banking partners. The Company declares having received the support of all its banking partners in a bid to restructure its financial debt. In particular, the signed agreement provides for capital repayment deferral on its main loans until the end of March 2026, and a subsequent 21-month deferral of the maturity date of said loans. In k (non-audited) 12/12/2024 Gross 12/12/2024 Pro forma * 30/09/2024 Gross cash flow 1,457 1,457 1,936 Up-front payment in connection with the agreement signed with Exeltis 2,000 Sums due for collection for NeuroLead and PickASO projects 1,164 Net sums due from banking partners 141 Total 1,457 4,762 1,936 * Bank balances plus collection of payments for contracts with Exeltis, Bpifrance and banking partners expected in the coming weeks Collection of the aforementioned sums will enable the Company to extend its cash flow horizon (previously the end of Q1 2025) to the end of Q1 2026. Theranexus Chairman and CEO, Mathieu Charveriat, commented: "Our industrial partnership with the Insud Pharma/Exeltis Group marks a key turning point for Theranexus and could bring us first royalties as early as 2026. This shows our teams' ability to design and develop drug candidates with high medical and economic value, a capability that is recognized by international ranking corporations. This first industrial validation and the preparation for the market launch of our first drug represents a major new milestone in the maturity of Theranexus' industrial trajectory. We also want to thank our banking partners for their long-standing support, and our shareholders for their trust renewed through our equity line. Strengthened by this industrial validation, our financial horizon now extends as far as 2026 allowing us to pursue our development strategy, and explore various options, including an industrial agreement to launch our Phase III trial for Batten disease." About Theranexus Theranexus is an innovative biopharmaceutical company that emerged from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The company has a unique platform for the identification and characterization of advanced therapy drug candidates targeting rare neurological disorders and an initial drug candidate in clinical development for Batten disease. Theranexus is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (FR0013286259- ALTHX). Contacts: THERANEXUS Christine PLACET Chief Financial Officer contact@theranexus.com FP2COM Florence PORTEJOIE Medias relations + 33 (0)6 07 76 82 83 fportejoie@fp2com.fr Disclaimer This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer of sale, purchase or subscription or the solicitation of a sale, purchase or subscription order for Theranexus shares in any country. This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Theranexus and its business, including its prospects and product candidate development. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Theranexus considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the universal registration document filed by the Company with the French regulator, Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on 30 April 2024 under number D.24-0382, which is available on the Company website (www.theranexus.com). The reader's attention is particularly drawn to the fact that the Company's current financing horizon is limited to Q1 2026 (taking the aforementioned payments into account) and that, given its financing requirements and dilutive instruments in circulation, the Company's shareholders are likely to experience significant dilution of their stake in the Company in the short or medium term. The Company is also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including the development of economic conditions, the financial markets and the markets in which Theranexus operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Theranexus or not currently considered material by Theranexus. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Theranexus to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. Theranexus expressly declines any obligation to update such forward-looking statements. 1https://www.datapressepremium.com/rmdiff/2010520/Theranexus-PR-Partnership-Exeltis-VDEF.pdf SOURCE: Theranexus View the original press release on accesswire.com Exeltis will be granted an exclusive license to market and distribute Theranexus' novel formulation TX01 for the treatment of two rare neurological diseases notably in Europe. Theranexus will be eligible to receive up-front payment, development and commercial milestones and double-digit royalties on net sales. LYON, FRANCE and MADRID, SPAIN / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Theranexus, a biopharmaceutical company innovating in the treatment of rare neurological diseases, and Exeltis, a global pharmaceutical company and part of the Insud Pharma group, are pleased to announce the execution of a license and supply agreement to commercialize Theranexus' TX01, a novel formulation of a compound already approved in the indication for the treatment of rare neurological diseases. Under the terms of the agreement, Exeltis will acquire exclusive rights to market and distribute Theranexus' proprietary product across key regions, including the European Union, UK, Latin America, and selected Middle Eastern countries. This collaboration will target both Gaucher and Niemann-Pick type C diseases. The agreement includes a 2 M upfront payment to Theranexus and aggregated development and commercial milestone payments. Theranexus will also receive tiered double-digit royalties on Exeltis' net sales, reflecting the anticipated growth and impact of this novel therapeutic approach. Whole or part of the upfront and development milestones already paid at that time may be refunded to Exeltis should Theranexus not provide the documentation to support filing of a market approval application by October 31st, 2025. This partnership underscores the complementarity of expertise between Theranexus, with its specialized drug development capabilities, and Exeltis / Insud Pharma group - a global pharmaceutical company with 2.2 bn sales revenues and direct presence in 44 countries worldwide, whose extensive market reach and regulatory experience are instrumental in bringing similar innovative treatments to patients worldwide. Mathieu Charveriat, Chairman and CEO of Theranexus, commented: "Our agreement with Exeltis marks a significant milestone in the development of Theranexus, a validation of our strategic focus on rare neurological disorders and a confirmation of the value of our assets. Exeltis' global infrastructure and deep market knowledge make them an ideal partner to maximize the impact of our innovative formulation." Salustiano Perez, CEO of Exeltis, adds: "We are thrilled to join forces with Theranexus and leverage our commercial capabilities to bring this much-needed therapy to patients globally. This partnership aligns with Exeltis' mission to enhance patient care by broadening access to life-changing treatments." Julien Veys, Chief Business Officer at Theranexus, concludes: "We are delighted to build this alliance with the Exeltis team, addressing the needs of an underserved patient population. With an addressable market exceeding 200 million globally and a formulation tailored for a specific segment of rare disease patients, this partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing therapeutic innovation and improving patient outcomes. About Theranexus Theranexus is an innovative biopharmaceutical company that emerged from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The company has a unique platform for the identification and characterization of advanced therapy drug candidates targeting rare neurological disorders and an initial drug candidate in clinical development for Batten disease. Theranexus is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris (FR0013286259- ALTHX). About Insud Pharma group Insud Pharma is a pharmaceutical group with more than 45 years of history, presence in around 50 countries, 9,000 employees worldwide and 20 manufacturing facilities. Insud Pharma operates along the entire value chain of the pharmaceutical industry, offering expertise in scientific research, development, manufacturing, sales and marketing of a wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), finished dosage forms (FDFs) and branded pharmaceuticals for human and animal care, as well as biopharmaceuticals. Insud Pharma seeks to improve health worldwide by providing accessible, effective, safe and quality drug treatments through its different business units, with continuous investment in R&D and the latest technology. Through its brand Exeltis, Insud Pharma occupies a leading position in Women Health Care and it's a key player in Central Nervous System therapies. For more information: http://www.theranexus.com Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn: Contacts: THERANEXUS Christine PLACET Chief Financial Officer contact@theranexus.com FP2COM Florence PORTEJOIE Medias Relations + 33 (0)6 07 76 82 83 fportejoie@fp2com.fr SOURCE: Theranexus View the original press release on accesswire.com PARIS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CLX Europe ("CLX"), an eClerx company headquartered in Verona, Italy, with offices across Europe, the U.S., and India, announced it is opening a cutting-edge content creation studio in Paris. Launching in February 2025, the facility will feature state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology by Covision Media. This innovation heralds a transformative era for digital content production, enabling e-commerce focused brands and retailers to create scalable, automated digital twins with unparalleled precision and quality. Redefining Content Creation: Where Precision Meets Scale For over 50 years, CLX has helped brands, retailers and agencies create, manage and deliver media content and bring an elevated product experience to all digital channels. The CLX Paris studio will now also leverage Covision Media's groundbreaking 3D scanning technology to deliver reality-grade digital twins. This enables luxury fashion brands, especially, to produce a wide array of digital assets, from photorealistic 3D models to immersive virtual environments that are seamlessly tailored for omnichannel use. Key features of the Covision scanners include: Automated 3D Asset Production: Covision's 3D scanning rig creates relightable, reality-grade 3D models, minimizing manual intervention and post-production. Scalability and Speed: The technology enables high-volume, customized content creation, helping brands stay ahead in an ever-accelerating digital landscape. Omnichannel Integration: Assets are optimized for e-commerce, social media, AR/VR, and more, supporting virtual try-ons (VTOs) and interactive campaigns. A Game-Changer for Global Luxury Brands With these expanded capabilities, CLX Europe empowers European luxury fashion clients to streamline their production workflows while maintaining the highest creative standards. From e-commerce imagery to experiential marketing, the versatility of reality-grade 3D scans unlocks new avenues for brand storytelling and customer engagement. Scott Houchin, CEO of CLX Europe commented: "The investment in a new state-of-the-art content creation studio in Paris and the adoption of the most advanced 3D scanning solution on the market is a testament to our commitment to Paris and its most iconic brands and retailers." "This new studio in Paris is a milestone in our journey to blend precision and creativity," said Stefano Ferrari, COO, CLX Europe. "Our goal has always been to craft unique, unforgettable content experiences. Now, with 3D scanning technology, we're setting a new benchmark in visual content creation." Franz Tschimben, Co-Founder and CEO of Covision Media, added: "We're thrilled to partner with CLX Europe to bring our AI-powered 3D scanning solutions to Paris. I am especially excited about the chance to work with the world-class leadership team at CLX and their excellent 3D production teams. I am convinced we will drive 3D innovation for the most recognized and largest brands and retailers in Paris, France and Europe, offering a scalable solution for creating any type of content." Covision Media's computer vision and machine learning-based 3D scanners use a spherical array of 30 cameras to produce relightable, photorealistic 3D assets. The system captures every nuance of texture, color, and lighting, delivering digital twins that can be seamlessly adapted for various applications. About CLX Europe CLX Europe, an eClerx company, supports global brands, retailers, and agencies in creating, managing, and delivering digital content across multiple channels. With over 50 years of expertise, CLX Europe specializes in leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of luxury, retail, automotive, and industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.clxeurope.com. About Covision Media Covision Media is an Italian technology leader in 3D scanning, specializing in mass production of reality-grade, relightable digital twins. Trusted by Inditex Group, NUREG and Adidas, Quad, Meta and other brands, retailers and tech companies, Covision Media's innovative solutions are reshaping the future of digital content creation. For more information, visit www.covisionmedia.ai. Media Contact: Nadia Crespo Head of Marketing at Covision Media nadia.crespo@covisionmedia.ai +39 340 335 5506 Stefano Anselmi Digital Content Lead at CLX Europe anselmi.s@clxeurope.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/535909/eClerx_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/clx-europe-and-covision-media-usher-a-new-era-of-content-creation-in-paris-with-revolutionary-3d-scanning-technology-302334076.html Brest, December, 17th 2024 - On Saturday, December 14th, the agency Moody's downgraded the credit rating of France. This decision is justified by the agency in light of an uncertain political and budgetary context in France, which impacts the government's ability to reduce the deficit. Reflecting the decision regarding the French state, Moody's has downgraded certain credit ratings of 7 other French banks, including Credit Mutuel Arkea. Moody's believes that the state's support, which has thus far been incorporated into the rating of Senior Preferred debts (in the form of a one-notch upgrade), can no longer be taken into account. The upgrade is therefore removed, resulting in a downgrade of the rating assigned to the Senior Preferred debts of Credit Mutuel Arkea and its issuer rating. The outlook on Credit Mutuel Arkea's ratings is now stable. This downgrade, linked to the sovereign context and also affecting 7 other French banks, does not call into question the fundamentals of Credit Mutuel Arkea's ratings, as reiterated by Moody's in its previous publication (November 2024). Now (from 17/12/2024) Before LT Issuer A1 Aa3 CT Issuer P-1 P-1 Outlook Stable Negative Long-term debt Senior Preferred A1 Aa3 Long-term debt Senior Non Preferred A3 A3 Subordinated debt Tier 2 Baa1 Baa1 Link to the Moody's press release: https://ratings.moodys.com/ratings-news/434683 About the Credit Mutuel Arkea group The Credit Mutuel Arkea cooperative group comprises the Credit Mutuel de Bretagne and Sud-Ouest federations and their member local mutual banks, as well as around forty specialised subsidiaries (Fortuneo, Monext, Arkea Banque Entreprises et Institutionnels, Arkea Investment Services, Suravenir, etc.). It has more than 11,400 employees, 2,600 directors, over 5.1 million members and customers in banking and insurance and total assets of 191.6 billion. The first banking group to adopt a Raison d'etre (purpose) in 2019, Credit Mutuel Arkea became a company with a mission in 2022 and, through its "Transitions 2024" strategic plan, is committed to providing finance that serves local and regional authorities and their stakeholders in order to position itself as an agile and innovative financial partner for the transitions of the future. With a nationwide presence, Credit Mutuel Arkea has chosen to keep its decision-making centres in the regions. The Group is convinced that local development can only be achieved by combining financial and non-financial considerations. This is why Credit Mutuel Arkea is the first French bank to have developed a unique method for calculating overall performance. This enables it to take into account all the financial, social, societal and environmental impacts of its activities and those of its stakeholders. Press contact: Solen Deltour - 06 30 80 38 78 - solen.deltour@arkea.com Follow Credit Mutuel Arkea news on social networks c m - a r k e a . c o m ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mZ1yZMabZGvJm5tvZJ5onJZpamaUlWbJaWqXlZVuZpqWm21ol2diZsaaZnFql2Vm - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-89200-eng-pr-20241217-moodys-ratings.pdf Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY) ("Equity") reports initial assay results from the Fall '24 drill program on its 100% owned Silver Queen Au-Ag project, British Columbia and includes new assays from the No. 3 North target. Sixteen core holes totaling 5,952 metres were completed on the No. 3 North Target from two setups as part of the Fall '24 drill program. Assay highlights from the first eight holes include: A 7.6 metre (Est. TT) interval grading 1.1g/t Au , 42g/t Ag , 0.7% Pb and 4.4% Zn (431g/t AgEq or 5.8g/t AuEq) including a 1.6 metre (est. TT) interval averaging 2.3g/t Au, 121g/t Ag, 2.7% Pb and 19.0% Zn (1,475g/t AgEq or 19.8g/t AuEq) from SQ24-136; A 3.3 metre (Est. TT) interval grading 2.8g/t Au, 66g/t Ag , 1.4% Pb and 6.9% Zn (710g/t AgEq or 9.6g/t AuEq) including a 1.1 metre (est. TT) interval averaging 4.7g/t Au, 115g/t Ag, 2.7% Pb and 13.8% Zn (1,341g/t AgEq or 18.0g/t AuEq) from SQ24-130; and A 2.4 metre (Est. TT) interval grading 0.5g/t Au, 376g/t Ag, 0.4% Cu and 0.1% Zn (473g/t AgEq or 6.4g/t AuEq) from SQ24-131. These latest assay results have successfully confirmed both the grade and tenor of mineralization beyond the northern end of the No. 3 Vein resource model. Drilling has identified higher grade gold- and silver-enriched intercepts both 100 metres below the modelled resource and a further 100 metres laterally to the northwest (see Figure 2). Intercepts of the No. 3 Vein demonstrate strong continuity in this latest drilling and several high-grade copper-enriched hangingwall intercepts also show promise and include 8.6g/t Au, 790g/t Ag and 3.2% Cu (1,841g/t AgEq or 24.8g/t AuEq) over 0.3m (ETT) from SQ24-136. The historic No. 2 Vein was intersected in several holes (see Table 1) and sits in the footwall of the main No. 3 Vein intercepts. All of the veins remain open for further delineation and extension. The No. 3 Vein is the single largest deposit currently identified on the Silver Queen property and with its southern extension, the NG-3 Vein, account for 65% of the currently modelled mineral resources on a AgEq basis. Any extensions to the No. 3 Vein remain highly accretive to the current mineral resource. The updated NI43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate with an effective date of December 1st, 2022 is detailed in a News Release issued on Jan 16, 2023, which can be found by clicking here and the full Technical Report can be found on SEDAR and the Company's website. VP Exploration Rob Macdonald commented, "This northern extension of the No. 3 Vein is a new target area for the Company and drilling from 2024 could potentially extend the projection of the vein system a further +300 metres to the northwest from what is currently modelled. Mineralization remains open both laterally and at depth and is immediately adjacent to, and down dip from, existing historic underground workings, which would likely reduce development costs in an underground mining scenario. Further assays from the drilling are pending and are anticipated in the coming weeks." Figure 1: Plan of Silver Queen project area To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/234158_fc3162a0e445e826_002full.jpg Figure 2: No.3 North Longitudinal Section showing historical and 2024 drill intercepts. Historical Intercepts are semi-transparent. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/234158_fc3162a0e445e826_003full.jpg 2024 Drilling Forty-two core holes totalling 17,209 metres were completed as part of Equity's 2024 exploration program. Drilling resulted in the delineation of a 550-metre strike-length for mineralization in the George Lake target and 400-metre strike-length for mineralization in the No. 3 North target, as well as several extensions of earlier identified veins in the Camp Deposit and a new discovery in the Camp North target. Assays are pending from the final 10 drill holes from the 2024 exploration season which will be reported in the coming weeks. Work in 2025 will continue to incorporate the 2024 drill data into revised exploration and resource models toward a Mineral Resource update to be prepared in 2025 and further exploration drilling on the ever-expanding Silver Queen vein system. Table 1: Select Composites from 2024 Drilling on the No. 3 North Target Hole # From (m) To (m) Interval (m) ETT (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) AuEq (g/t) AgEq (g/t) Comments SQ24-129 152.7 154.9 2.2 1.8 0.5 13 0.1 0.1 3.6 3.6 270 No. 3 Vein; 50% Dilution inc. 154.3 154.9 0.6 0.5 1.7 42 0.4 0.4 9.7 10.4 773 SQ24-130 197.7 199.4 1.7 1.3 1.4 127 1.1 0.0 0.1 4.9 368 No. 3 HW splay; 32.3% Dilution SQ24-130 209.2 213.5 4.2 3.3 2.8 66 0.1 1.4 6.9 9.6 710 No. 3 Main Vein inc. 211.1 213.5 2.4 1.9 4.3 92 0.1 1.8 9.5 13.6 1013 inc. 211.4 212.8 1.4 1.1 4.7 115 0.1 2.7 13.8 18.0 1341 SQ24-130 334.7 336.3 1.6 1.2 0.1 16 0.0 0.4 2.9 2.7 201 No. 2 Vein inc. 335.5 336.3 0.8 0.6 0.1 27 0.0 0.6 4.5 4.1 308 SQ24-131 166.1 166.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 161 1.7 0.0 0.1 5.1 383 HW Vein SQ24-131 183.0 186.0 3.0 2.4 0.5 376 0.4 0.0 0.1 6.4 473 No. 3 Vein SQ24-131 303.2 304.4 1.3 1.0 0.3 30 0.0 0.7 2.8 3.1 228 No. 2 Vein inc. 304.0 304.4 0.4 0.3 0.4 63 0.0 1.1 6.0 6.3 471 SQ24-132 188.1 188.6 0.5 0.4 0.7 12 0.1 0.0 1.4 2.1 154 No. 3 Vein SQ24-132 290.6 291.0 0.5 0.4 0.2 36 0.0 1.4 3.3 3.9 287 No. 2 Vein SQ24-133 142.4 143.5 1.2 0.9 0.3 86 1.0 0.3 1.2 4.0 299 HW Vein SQ24-133 191.8 192.3 0.5 0.4 0.5 81 2.3 0.1 0.4 5.6 417 HW Vein SQ24-133 214.5 214.9 0.4 0.3 2.4 18 0.1 0.2 15.8 14.8 1100 No. 3 Vein SQ24-134 161.3 162.3 1.0 0.8 1.3 118 1.3 0.4 3.8 8.0 597 HW Vein SQ24-134 173.4 173.9 0.5 0.4 1.5 15 0.0 0.4 5.8 6.3 468 HW Vein SQ24-134 209.2 211.2 2.0 1.5 0.6 33 0.0 1.1 2.6 3.5 259 No. 3 Vein SQ24-135 147.1 149.1 2.0 1.2 0.8 4 0.0 0.2 1.1 1.8 135 HW Vein SQ24-135 167.9 168.4 0.5 0.3 4.2 502 2.3 0.4 2.7 16.9 1256 HW Vein SQ24-135 263.6 264.1 0.5 0.3 0.1 104 0.0 2.3 7.6 8.3 616 HW Vein SQ24-135 271.9 275.3 3.4 2.1 0.7 47 0.2 0.2 0.6 2.2 162 No. 3 Vein; 50.7% dilution inc. 271.9 272.4 0.5 0.3 1.8 149 0.8 0.2 0.7 5.6 419 SQ24-136 168.8 169.4 0.6 0.4 2.1 190 1.1 0.4 6.7 11.7 869 SQ24-136 195.7 196.1 0.4 0.3 8.6 790 3.2 0.2 0.4 24.8 1841 HW Vein SQ24-136 231.7 242.2 10.6 7.6 1.1 42 0.3 0.7 4.4 5.8 431 No. 3 Vein inc. 238.4 240.6 2.2 1.6 2.3 121 0.3 2.7 19.0 19.8 1475 Notes: drill core samples were analyzed by FA/AAS for gold and 48 element ICP-MS by MS Analytical, Langley, BC. Silver (>100ppm), copper, lead and zinc (>1%) overlimits assayed by ore grade ICP-ES analysis, High silver overlimits (>1000g/t Ag) and gold overlimits (>10g/t Au) re-assayed with FA-Grav. Silver >10,000g/t re-assayed by concentrate analysis, where a FA-Grav analysis is performed in triplicate and a weighed average reported. Downhole composites calculated using a 80g/t AgEq (1g/t AuEq) cut-off and <20% internal dilution, except where noted. Accuracy of results is tested through the systematic inclusion of QA/QC standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream. AuEq and AgEq were calculated using prices of $1,800/oz Au, $22/oz Ag, $3.50/lb Cu, $0.95/lb Pb and $1.30/lb Zn. AuEq and AgEq calculations utilized relative metallurgical recoveries of Au 70%, Ag 80%, Cu 80%, Pb 81% and Zn 90%. About Silver Queen Project The Silver Queen Project is a premier gold-silver property with over 100 years of historic exploration and development and is located adjacent to power, roads and rail with significant mining infrastructure that was developed under previous operators Bradina JV (Bralorne Mines) and Houston Metals Corp. (a Hunt Brothers company). The property contains an historic decline into the No. 3 Vein and the George Lake Vein, camp infrastructure, and a maintained Tailings Facility. The Silver Queen Property consists of 46 mineral claims, 17 crown grants, and two surface crown grants totalling 18,871ha with no underlying royalties. Mineralization is hosted by a series of epithermal veins distributed over a 6 sq km area. More than 20 different veins have been identified on the property, forming an extensive network of zoned Cretaceous- to Tertiary-age epithermal veins. The property remains largely under-explored. About Equity Metals Corporation Equity Metals Corporation is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. As well, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia where 2025 exploration work is planned to consist of geophysics and diamond drilling designed to identify and delineate an apparent gold system. The Company is fully funded to undertake proposed 2025 exploration and development at Silver Queen and Arlington. Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is VP Exploration of Equity Metals Corporation and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Silver Queen project and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234158 SOURCE: Equity Metals Corporation BTX Precision is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of the family of precision component manufacturing and processing providers owned by the Machathil Family in San Jose, CA, including A-1Jay's Machining, A-1 Jay's Sheet Metal, Inotech Laser Processing, Bay Area Grinding and Silicon Valley Precision Cleaning (the "Business"). The Business has been built by the Machathil family over the last several decades, and carries a reputation for impeccable quality, outstanding service and a general commitment to excellence, particularly within the Silicon Valley innovation corridor. Jensen Machathil will continue to lead the Business as Business Unit President within BTX. Founder James Machathil will continue to support the Business in an advisory capacity and will remain involved as an investor/partner in BTX Precision. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the A-1 Jay's group is recognized for its versatile manufacturing capabilities and ability to support the industry's most complex and sophisticated requirements. The applications the Business administers include complex machining, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), grinding, lapping, sheet metal fabrication and laser micromachining, as well as precision cleaning and clean room assembly. Serving the most innovative and demanding end markets, the Business stands ready to support prototypes, New Product Introduction (NPI) and production requirements. This is the fifth acquisition for BTX since its founding in 2023. "The A-1 Jay's group is the perfect complement to the existing BTX family of precision manufacturing companies" said Rick McIntyre, BTX Precision's Group CEO. "The A-1 Jay's group's extensive manufacturing capabilities expands and strengthens BTX's ability to support our customers' growing needs for engineering, manufacturing and innovation in a wide range of markets." "Our entire team across the enterprise is thrilled to be joining BTX Precision and its platform of esteemed manufacturing companies", James Machathil shared. "We are also extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue to build on our family legacy even further with the strength of BTX behind us. Under the BTX ownership and at the direction of Jensen Machathil, A1Jay's Machining, A-1 Jay's Sheet Metal, Inotech Laser Processing, Bay Area Grinding and Silicon Valley Precision Cleaning plan to merge into a single brand, A1J Technologies, at some point in the near term outlook. This is a strategic step the Machathils have contemplated for several years, in the hopes of streamlining the delivery of its full value proposition to its customers. More details are to be provided in direct communication to customers and supplier partners in the coming months. BTX Precision's continued expansion through strategic acquisitions, and ongoing investment continue to position BTX as a critical partner to market leaders in the most demanding sectors. About BTX Precision BTX Precision is a precision manufacturing platform focused squarely on the corners of the supply chain which demand the most sophisticated and capable development and production partners. B (Build) T (To) X (Print, Specification, Standard, Desire, Etc.) Precision signifies the contract manufacturing nature of the BTX family of companies' business, and the design for manufacturing partner role they often play. As such, BTX and its subsidiaries pride themselves on being a design and precision manufacturing extension of the partners in industry they serve. For more information, please visit www.BTXPrecision.com or contact Jamie Goettler at jgoettler@btxprecision.com. Contact Information Jamie Goettler Chief Revenue Officer jgoettler@btxprecision.com 5169965682 SOURCE: BTX Precision View the original press release on accesswire.com Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - E-Power Resources Inc (CSE: EPR) (FSE: 8RO) ("E-Power" or the "Company") announces its intention to complete a non-brokered private placement to raise gross proceeds of $150,000 (the "FT Offering"). Securities to be issued pursuant to the FT Offering shall consist of an amount of up to 1,875,000 units of the Company (the "FT Units") issued at a price of $0.08 per FT Unit, each FT Unit being comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "FT Share") that will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)), and one-half Warrant, each Warrant entitling its holder thereof to acquire one Share at a price of $0.12 per Share for a period of 5 years from the closing date of the FT Offering. In connection with the FT Offering, the Company may pay cash finder's fees and issue broker warrants. The securities issued in connection with the FT Offering are subject to the applicable statutory four-month and one day hold period. Net proceeds from the FT Offering will be used by the Company to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures", as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and under section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) (the "Qualifying Expenditures"), related to the Company's Tetepisca Graphite Property, located in the Tetepisca Graphite District of the North Shore Region of Quebec, on or before December 31, 2025. All Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced in favour of the subscribers to the FT Offering effective December 31, 2024. In addition, with respect to Quebec resident subscribers of FT Shares and who are eligible individuals under the Taxation Act (Quebec), the Canadian exploration expenses will also qualify for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Quebec) and for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Quebec surface mining expenses or oil and gas exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Quebec). Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), the FT Shares and FT Units will be offered by way of private placement pursuant to applicable exemptions from NI 45-106. The FT Offering is expected to close on or about December 27, 2024 (the "Closing Date"), subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the customary closing conditions, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. 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 any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About E-Power Resources Inc. E-Power Resources Inc. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of graphite properties in Quebec. Its flagship asset, the Tetepisca Graphite Property, is located in the Tetepisca Graphite District of the North Shore Region of Quebec, approximately 215 kilometers from the Port of Baie-Comeau. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by email at info@e-powerresources.com. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234165 SOURCE: E-Power Resources Nuvau Minerals Inc. (TSXV:NMC) ("Nuvau" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares will begin trading today. Nuvau is aiming to re-establish the Matagami mining district as the next critical minerals producer. "We are thrilled to reach this milestone for Nuvau," said Peter van Alphen, the Company's President and CEO. "As a public company, we will enter 2025 focused on the completion of our earn-in agreement with Glencore, for the 100% ownership of the Matagami mining camp, through the continued exploration of this highly-prospective property. We will also continue to work toward the eventual production restart, initially from the Bracemac McLeod mine and then the Caber complex. We are grateful to all our shareholders who have supported us to date and look forward to sharing our continued progress with you." One of Canada's most prolific mineral producing areas, Matagami is in the northern portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt. Spanning over1,300 km2, the Matagami Property is one of the largest held land packages in the Abitibi. It hosts multiple deposits and has the potential for new discoveries. Two of these, the McLeod Extension and Renaissance, are currently being drilled. McLeod Extension is the discovery of an extension to the deposit at the past producing Bracemac McLeod mine. The current drilling program continues to test the extent of this extension. Renaissance was discovered through the drilling of one of numerous untested geophysical targets across the property. Drilling continues on this zone with the aim of defining a mineral resource estimate. The property also has a 3,000 tonne per day processing facility, a permitted built mine, large undeveloped resource in the Caber Complex, and excellent access to existing infrastructure. Nuvau's strategy is to bring Matagami back into production by leveraging the existing mineralized deposits and its access to infrastructure, while continuing to remain focused on the ongoing and long term exploration of the property with the objective of adding to the existing resource base. With the Matagami Camp, and a clear path for growth and value creation, Nuvau is positioned to become the next highly coveted critical minerals story. As a corporate update, Nuvau has strengthened its Board of Directors with the appointment of Christina McCarthy as Chair of the Board. Ms. McCarthy is a geologist with over 15 years of experience in the resource capital markets. She serves on the boards of several companies and her career has included numerous board and senior management roles, equity research, and institutional sales. About Nuvau Minerals Inc. (TSXV: NMC) Nuvau Minerals is a Canadian mining company, incorporated under the OBCA, currently in the exploration and development phase. Nuvau's principal asset is its right to earn-in a 100% undivided interest from Glencore in the Matagami Property located in Abitibi region of central Quebec, Canada pursuant to an amended and restated earn-in agreement dated June 28, 2024, between Nuvau and Glencore. Follow Nuvau Minerals at www.nuvauminerals.com and on social media at LinkedIn and Facebook. For further information please contact: Nuvau Minerals Inc. Peter Van Alphen President and CEO Telephone: 416-525-6023 Email: info@nuvauminerals.com Disclaimer and forward-looking information Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Matagami Property, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions, and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the Company and the Matagami Property. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements 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. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, neither the Company nor Nuvau undertakes any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE: Nuvau Minerals Inc. View the original press release on accesswire.com Heidelberg, Germany--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG) announces the publication of "STEM CELLS, PEPTIDES & IMMUNOTHERAPY: Handbook on Regenerative Medicine for Animals" by Professor Mike Chan. A BREAKTHROUGH IN ANIMAL HEALTHCARE: Prof. Mike Chan's book reveals how stem cells can help your pets live longer, healthier lives Prof. Mike Chan, an expert in regenerative medicine, explains that STEM CELLS, PEPTIDES & IMMUNOTHERAPY handbook offers more than just a technical introduction to stem cell therapy for animals. It marks a paradigm shift in the veterinary field, one that empowers pet owners, veterinarians, and animal lovers to explore the transformative possibilities of stem cell treatments. "This book introduces individualized stem cell therapy for animals, helping veterinarians and pet owners address debilitating conditions that were once thought irreversible. With this book, vets and pet owners are now equipped with the knowledge and tools to offer their animals a better, longer, and healthier life," said Prof. Chan. "The book delves into various cutting-edge therapies, focusing primarily on how stem cell treatments can potentially improve the health span and longevity of horses, camels, dogs, and cats," he added. It introduces targeted organ-specific precursor stem cell therapy for veterinary care , making advanced regenerative medicine techniques accessible to veterinarians and pet owners. This pioneering work details how stem cell therapies, previously reserved for human treatment, can now potentially extend and improve the lives of animals . A New Era for Animal Healthcare The book also introduces Cell XenoTransplantation, a novel technique that involves transplanting stem cells between different species. Prof Chan said this innovative approach potentially enables the treatment of various conditions including: Osteoarthritis and Hip Dysplasia Heart Disease Degenerative Myelopathy Pancreatitis Autoimmune Diseases Eye Conditions "We focus on individualized stem cell therapy for animals because as they get older, the stem cells in their bodies start to disappear. This is one of the main reasons every living creature begins to age. Without stem cells, their organs can't repair themselves or keep functioning properly. Stem cells are responsible for regenerating the many different types of cells in our bodies-around 400 in total-and these are essential for both humans and animals - to keep them strong and healthy. If we lose our stem cells, our bodies can't heal or stay alive, which is why they are so important," said Prof. Chan. He added this handbook is not just about extending life; it's about improving the quality of life for aging animals. The book's accessible approach ensures that veterinary professionals, animal lovers, and pet owners can easily understand the science and applications of stem cell therapy to animals. "The integration of stem cell therapies, Klotho protein, and Mito Organelles presents a comprehensive approach to extending the health span and improving the quality of life for aging animals. This trifecta of regenerative treatments offers a holistic solution to the challenges of aging, from regenerating tissues and organs to reversing the effects of biological aging itself," Prof. Chan added. About Prof. Mike Chan Prof. Mike Chan has been a pioneer of Cellular, Organo, and Cell Membrane Therapies in Europe and Asia since the early 1980s. He founded one of the world's largest research groups of Bio-Molecular Medicine based in Switzerland and Germany with a global presence in almost eighty countries. He has conducted more than 1,000 lectures, seminars, and symposiums worldwide in the fields of antiaging, cell regeneration, bio-regenerative medicine, and stem cell therapies. Author & co-author of numerous books and articles in the fields of cell therapy, immunology, bio-regenerative sciences, nutrition, and innovator of cellular-based nutraceuticals & cosmeceuticals. Prof. Mike Chan is also the founder of European Wellness Biomedical Group-an International chain of research and treatment facilities (European Wellness Centers & Retreats) involved in anti-aging, longevity, and education (European Wellness Academy). He chairs and also sits on the board of numerous prominent antiaging and cell therapy associations of the world. NOTE: The book "STEM CELLS, PEPTIDES & IMMUNOTHERAPY: Handbook on Regenerative Medicine for Animals", is now available for purchase. The Comprehensive Guide on Animal Stem Cell Therapy: "STEM CELLS, PEPTIDES & IMMUNOTHERAPY: Handbook on Regenerative Medicine for Animals" by Professor Mike Chan About European Wellness Biomedical Group European Wellness is a global leader in regenerative medicine and integrated healthcare solutions, with a mission to empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. With a network of 46 premier centers and a team of highly skilled, multi-national doctors from around the world, the organisation is at the forefront of the wellness revolution, delivering innovative and personalized treatments to clients worldwide. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233817 SOURCE: European Wellness Biomedical Group Stephan von Schuckmann Brings Extensive Experience in E-Mobility, Automotive, and Industrial Technology to Sensata Sensata Technologies (NYSE: ST), a global industrial technology company and leading provider of sensors, sensor-rich solutions and electrical protection devices used in mission-critical systems to help its customers address increasingly complex engineering and operating performance requirements, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Stephan von Schuckmann as its new Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") effective January 1, 2025. Mr. von Schuckmann will also become a member of the Board at that time. Mr. von Schuckmann has more than 20 years of global automotive and industrials experience. Most recently, he was a Member of the Board of Management at ZF Friedrichshafen AG ("ZF Group") with global leadership responsibility of its electric mobility division, the largest division within ZF Group with annual revenue of more than $12 billion. Additionally, Mr. von Schuckmann oversaw the Asia Pacific region and global procurement operations. Andrew Teich, Chairman of the Board of Sensata, said, "On behalf of the Sensata Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Stephan as our new CEO. At the conclusion of our thorough search process, the Board unanimously approved Stephan's appointment. His extensive experience in the automotive and industrial sectors, including both conventional and electrified powertrains, gives us confidence that Sensata will execute strongly against the opportunities before us. Stephan has an exceptional track record of value creation, and we look forward to his leadership at Sensata." Incoming CEO Stephan von Schuckmann said, "I am very excited to be joining Sensata at this pivotal time in its growth cycle. With a long tenure of innovative product development focused on providing high-value sensor and electrical protection solutions, I believe Sensata is uniquely positioned to support its customers with applications that meet the needs of a safer, cleaner, and more efficient world. Sensata possesses many strengths, not the least of which are its longstanding customer relationships, global manufacturing footprint, and an outstanding team of dedicated employees. I look forward to working with the team to deliver value for all constituents." Mr. Teich added, "I would also like to thank Martha Sullivan, for stepping back into the CEO role on an interim basis and for her leadership in the search for a new CEO. Her decades of experience and dedication to Sensata ensured that the Company would continue to execute during this period of transition. In addition to her continuing role on the Board, she has graciously agreed to act as a special advisor to Stephan as he assumes his new responsibilities." About Stephan Von Schuckmann Stephan Von Schuckmann has over 20 years of expertise as a global industry leader. He possesses a robust industrial, commercial, and financial background which has uniquely prepared him to lead Sensata by capitalizing on opportunities and navigating the challenges of its diverse industries. He also brings a proven track record in driving business transformations on a global scale, most notably the transition from conventional to electric powertrains at ZF Group. In addition to his most recent responsibilities leading ZF Group's electric mobility division, procurement operations, and Asia Pacific region, his prior roles at ZF Group include CEO of Car Powertrain and Electric Mobility; CFO of the Car Powertrain Technology Division; VP of Restructuring and Improvement in the Car Powertrain Technology Division; VP of Aftermarket and Military for Robert Bosch Automotive Steering; and MD and Plant Manager for Robert Bosch Automotive Steering. He holds a master's degree of Commerce in Accounting Finance from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and completed undergraduate studies in economics at Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg and in engineering at the University of Paderborn. About Sensata Technologies Sensata Technologies is a global industrial technology company striving to create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and electrified world. Through its broad portfolio of mission-critical sensors, electrical protection components and sensor-rich solutions, Sensata helps its customers address increasingly complex engineering and operating performance requirements. With more than 19,000 employees and global operations in 15 countries, Sensata serves customers in the automotive, heavy vehicle off-road, industrial, and aerospace markets. Learn more at www.sensata.com and follow Sensata on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Safe Harbor Statement This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "forecast," "continue," "intend," "plan," "potential," "opportunity," "guidance," and similar terms or phrases. Forward-looking statements involve, among other things, expectations, projections, and assumptions about future financial and operating results, objectives, business and market outlook, megatrends, priorities, growth, shareholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, demand for products and services, share repurchases, and Sensata's strategic initiatives, including those relating to acquisitions and dispositions and the impact of such transactions on our strategic and operational plans and financial results. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other important factors relating to our operations and business environment, and we can give no assurances that these forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. A wide variety of potential risks, uncertainties, and other factors could materially affect our ability to achieve the results either expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks related to public health crises, instability and changes in the global markets, supplier interruption or non-performance, the acquisition or disposition of businesses, adverse conditions or competition in the industries upon which we are dependent, intellectual property, product liability, warranty, and recall claims, market acceptance of new product introductions and product innovations, labor disruptions or increased labor costs, and changes in existing environmental or safety laws, regulations, and programs. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties, risks, and potential events including, but not limited to, those described in Item 1A: Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and as may be updated from time to time in Item 1A: Risk Factors in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or other subsequent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these statements other than as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241217339617/en/ Contacts: Media Investor Contact: James Entwistle +1 (508) 954-1561 jentwistle@sensata.com investors@sensata.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Hillcrest Energy Technologies (CSE: HEAT) (OTCQB: HLRTF) (FSE: 7HI), a leader in high-performance power conversion technologies, is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Systematec GmbH, a Germany-based engineering firm specializing in power electronics design and system integration. This MOU underscores the companies' commitment to strengthening their collaborative partnership and identifies multiple avenues for deepened cooperation, including the potential establishment of a distribution agreement. Under the terms being explored, Systematec would distribute Hillcrest's proprietary Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) inverter technology for automotive applications in Europe. Strengthening a Shared Vision The expanded collaboration reflects the companies' shared vision of delivering cutting-edge power conversion solutions to the electric vehicle (EV) market. Combining Hillcrest's industry-leading ZVS technology with Systematec's robust presence in Europe and extensive technical expertise, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of high-efficiency, cost-effective solutions by automotive manufacturers and suppliers. "This MOU marks an important milestone in our growing relationship with Systematec," said Don Currie, CEO of Hillcrest Energy Technologies. "A distribution agreement is just one of the joint opportunities we are exploring. This partnership is about much more. By leveraging Systematec's engineering capabilities, reputation and market reach, we are building a foundation to deliver our ZVS technology at scale and help European automakers achieve superior system performance and efficiency." Harald Hengstenberger, Managing Director of Systematec GmbH, added, "Hillcrest's ZVS technology is a game-changer for the EV market, and we are proud to deepen our collaboration. Our shared efforts will not only focus on distribution but also on integrating this transformative technology into systems that meet the unique needs of European automotive manufacturers and suppliers. This partnership has the potential to deliver significant advancements in efficiency, reliability, and overall system performance." About Hillcrest ZVS Technology Hillcrest's ZVS inverter technology achieves an industry-leading efficiency of 99.7%, virtually eliminates switching losses, reduces electromagnetic interference (EMI), and lowers overall system costs. These capabilities provide a significant competitive advantage in automotive applications and beyond. About Systematec GmbH With over two decades of experience in power electronics design and system integration, Systematec GmbH serves the automotive and industrial sectors with tailored, innovative solutions. Based in Germany, the company is a trusted partner for engineering services and system implementation. Next Steps in Collaboration The companies plan to finalize the terms of the potential distribution agreement in the coming months. Beyond distribution, Hillcrest and Systematec intend to collaborate on broader initiatives that leverage their complementary expertise to advance the adoption of efficient, sustainable power conversion solutions across Europe. The Company also announces the grant of 758,656 restricted shares units of the Company ("RSUs") to a consultant and director of the Company. The RSUs have a 3-year term. 593,656 of the RSU's vest immediately with the remaining 165,000 vesting based on performance criteria. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "is expected," "potential," "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information is provided as of the date of this news release. The forward-looking information reflects our current expectations and assumptions and is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Investors are advised to consider the risk factors under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023, available at https://www.sedarplus.ca/ for a discussion of the factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. # # # To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234168 SOURCE: Hillcrest Energy Technologies Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Nova Pacific Metals Corp. (CSE: NVPC) (OTCQB: NVPCF) (FSE: YQ10) (WKN: A40GFH) (the "Company", or "Nova Pacific") is pleased to announce that it has closed the Company's previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") and issued a total of 6,287,000 flow-through common shares (each, a "FT Share") at a price of $0.42 per FT Share for gross proceeds of $2,640,540. Nova Pacific's CEO, Mr. Malcolm J. Bell, commented, "We are very pleased to have successfully closed our flow-through financing, which has raised just over $2.6 million for the Company's 2025 exploration program. The proceeds will be instrumental in funding our proposed drill campaign, a critical step in establishing an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Lara project. At Nova Pacific, we're building the foundation for a robust, productive future in the mining sector and we couldn't be more excited about the opportunities that lie ahead." The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" ("CEE") that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) on the Company's Lara Property located in British Columbia. The Company expects to incur such CEE on or before December 31, 2025 and renounce such CEE to the purchasers of the FT Shares with an effective date of no later than December 31, 2024. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company paid cash fees of $184,837.80 and issued 440,090 warrants to one qualified finder, Red Cloud Securities Inc. Each warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.42 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. None of the securities referenced in this news release have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Rights of Indigenous Communities Statement Nova Pacific recognizes the Rights of all Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The Company is committed to consultation and accommodation with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group communities on whose Traditional, Ancestral and Unceded Territory the Lara Property is located. The Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group is a politically unified group that represents six Hul'qumi'num-speaking First Nations: Cowichan, Stz'uminus, Penelakut, Lyackson, Halalt, and Lake Cowichan. About Nova Pacific Nova Pacific is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on our key asset, the Lara Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Project on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This brownfields development project boasts a significant historic resource rich in critical and precious metals situated in a prime location with excellent infrastructure. Nova Pacific's forward-looking strategy includes confirmation and infill drilling, completion of an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) and preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study if and as required. We are committed to creating value for our shareholders while maintaining environmental responsibility and strong community relationships. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234199 SOURCE: Nova Pacific Metals Corp. ANAHEIM, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 17, 2024 / Premiere Show Group, the nation's leading network of beauty industry events and world-class educational programming, is thrilled to announce the return of Premiere Anaheim on February 23-24, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center. This highly anticipated event, now in its third year, offers beauty professionals unmatched opportunities to elevate their craft through top-tier education, live demos, competitions, and networking with industry icons. With 210+ education classes, 15+ hands-on workshops, 100+ exhibiting brands, and an expanded lineup of competitions and interactive features, Premiere Anaheim delivers a dynamic, career-transforming experience for hairstylists, barbers, nail artists, estheticians, students, and more. Fresh Innovations and Unforgettable Experiences for 2025 Premiere Anaheim 2025 introduces over 35 new-to-show brands, each bringing cutting-edge products and innovations that are reshaping the beauty landscape, from the latest in skincare technology to bold hair extension solutions. Attendees can explore these brands through exclusive booth demos and discover never-before-seen products in the First Look space, which showcases emerging brands shaping the future of beauty. A standout addition for 2025 is the all-new Color Stage, where industry-leading educators like Kelly O'Leary, the visionary behind the event's 2025 campaign imagery, will demonstrate cutting-edge hair color techniques that will take colorists' craft to the next level. Expanded Education Across All Categories Education remains the heart of Premiere Anaheim. Attendees can gain insights and inspiration from powerhouse names like Larisa Love, Siiri Parks, Bailey Lavender, Wayne Tuggle, Joseph Maine, and Olivia Thompson on the Main Stage and the classrooms through captivating demonstrations designed to inspire and elevate attendees' techniques. The Barber Stage, hosted by Byrd Mena, will feature icons like Rob the Original, Danny Amorim, Trevor Moots, and the L3VEL3 team, plus the introduction of a new student competition, giving emerging talent a platform to shine. For those seeking a more immersive experience, hands-on workshops offer a deep dive into advanced techniques. These intimate sessions provide practical, actionable skills that attendees can immediately apply in their work, ensuring a rewarding and engaging learning experience. To View the Full Show Preview Click Here. Explore Top Brands in Beauty and Wellness Premiere Anaheim 2025 brings together over 100 leading brands across the beauty industry, offering attendees the chance to discover game-changing products and innovations. From trusted industry staples to emerging trailblazers, this year's exhibitor lineup includes Remi Cachet, JRL, LeChat Nail Care Products, Johnny B Haircare, SUNLIGHTS , PureO Natural Products, GlossGenius, Wahl, Circadia, Procell Therapies, and Jimena Nails, Rude Cosmetics, Evalash Beauty Corp. among others. With booth demos, exclusive product showcases, and direct access to brand representatives, Premiere Anaheim is the ultimate marketplace for professionals looking to expand their toolkit and elevate their craft. Competitions to Inspire and Challenge Competitions will be at the center of the action, offering beauty professionals the opportunity to push creative boundaries and gain industry recognition. NAILYMPIA returns with exciting new categories that highlight artistry and technical mastery in nail design. With three divisions for all skill levels, this competition provides a platform for growth, recognition, and the thrill of competing. Participants can showcase their talent in 7 live competitions and 5 turn-in categories. The Barber Battle is back and bigger than ever, with competitions for both seasoned professionals and rising stars, powered by L3VEL3 and sponsored by JRL. In the main event, barbers will go head-to-head for the chance to win amazing prizes, including a $600 value for 1st place, $300 for 2nd and 3rd place medal. All competitors will also walk away with a JRL Clipper Set valued at $165, which includes clippers, trimmers, and other tools to elevate their craft. This year introduces the Student Barber Battle, giving up-and-coming talent the chance to compete for a grand prize: entry into the prestigious Premiere Orlando Barber Battle, including airfare, hotel, and a show pass. This exciting addition highlights the next generation of barbers, offering them a platform to showcase their skills and gain invaluable recognition. Sponsored by Hattori Hanzo Shears, the Hair Competition will challenge participants to create their best "Long Pixie" look, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical mastery. The 1 st place winner will receive a prize valued at $800, with recognition and the opportunity to elevate their career in front of an engaged audience. Experience Anaheim Premiere Anaheim is more than just a trade show-it's an opportunity to create unforgettable moments. Attendees will experience exclusive in-show activities designed to relax, recharge, and enhance their time at the event. The Premiere Experience Lounge provides a space to unwind while staying connected to the show's energy. At the Premiere Charm Bar , attendees can express their unique style by creating custom accessories with OUTCHARMED. For a fun and insightful experience, visitors can enjoy lip readings that reveal personal traits and take home a lipstick from Rude Cosmetics. The Premiere Photo Booth offers the perfect spot to capture memorable moments with friends. Attendees can meet top influencers and artists in scheduled Meet & Greets with names like Bailey Lavender, Siiri Parks, Kirsty Meakin, Tino Vo, and more. To top it all off, guests can indulge in complimentary beauty treatments such as lashes, mini facials, and more. Honoring Excellence: NAHA Finalists Announced Live Premiere Anaheim 2025 proudly partners with the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) to host the live announcement of finalists for the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA). As the industry's most prestigious competition, NAHA celebrates the visionaries pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical mastery in hairstyling. Attendees can witness the exciting moment on the Main Stage and watch an exclusive panel featuring the finalists, offering insights into their inspirations and techniques. This announcement sets the stage for the NAHA Awards Night on June 1, 2025, at Premiere Orlando . Register Today Early bird registration is now open, offering a $35 discount through January 30. Each show pass includes access to education sessions, live demos, competitions, and the exhibit floor. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the West Coast's leading beauty event. To register for your show pass click here. For more details visit PremiereAnaheimShow.com . ### Rachel Brill rachel@premiereshows.com The Premiere Shows' events are the nation's leading network of beauty industry events, matched with world-class education from top beauty brands and renowned educators. Premiere welcomes all representatives of the professional beauty industry to meet with top brands from around the globe, get hands-on education, shop, connect with their community, and stay up to date with the hottest trends in the business. Premiere exhibitors are guaranteed to meet decision-makers from every area of the beauty industry on an exhibit floor designed to bring the beauty community together to learn, buy, and connect.?For more information on Premiere Shows and its events visit premiereshows.com. The Premiere Shows' events are organized by USA Beauty LLC, a joint venture between Informa Markets, BolognaFiere, and the Professional Beauty Association - a historic partnership created to better serve the beauty industry. USA Beauty LLC also operates the Cosmoprof North America events held annually in Las Vegas and Miami. SOURCE: South Florida Ventures View the original press release on accesswire.com Luxury Gifts that Most of Us Dream About! Some of us have expensive taste and appreciate the finer things in life when giving or receiving gifts. Here with ideas for unique and posh gifts is TV host, blogger, and style expert Emily Loftiss. Emily is also known for her popular blog Everyday Glam, which provides super secrets for finding affordable luxury. Plus, learn about some cool holiday deals and secrets on where to find high-end, designer brands on a budget. FAVORITE POSH GIFTS Luxury begins at home, starting with MacKenzie-Childs, the aspirational luxury home decor brand well known for iconic and distinctive designs that combine vibrant colors and pattern-on-pattern decor best described as "traditional with a twist." From seasonal favorites and whimsical ornaments to beautifully crafted hand-painted ceramics, MacKenzie-Childs blends timeless charm with playful elegance. For gifts that will be cherished for years to come, MacKenzie-Childs keepsakes are the perfect choice for the sophisticated shopper on your list. For more information, visit www.mackenzie-childs.com. THE CONNOISSEUR ON THE LIST Elevate the coffee experience at home with the JURA E8. It is a new generation of JURA's best-seller. It brews 17 specialties, from espresso to flat white and latte macchiato, always freshly ground and not capsuled. The Professional Aroma Grinder delivers maximum flavor, aroma, and flawless results. The JURA E8 is easy to use with its large color display that has symbols to guide users through the functions and options. The E8 comes in Piano Black, Piano White, and Chrome for just under 2,500 dollars. For more information, visit us.jura.com. A LUXURY GIFT THAT IS UNIQUE Give a special someone the adventure of a lifetime on the luxurious Rocky Mountaineer train. Rocky Mountaineer is North America's premier rail experience, offering no shortage of majestic landscapes, incredible service, and gourmet food prepared by onboard chefs. Canadian routes travel to destinations such as Vancouver, Jasper, Lake Louise, and Banff. Or experience the American Southwest on the Rockies to the Red Rocks route, connecting Denver, Glenwood Springs, and Moab. Travelers can even customize the experience with extended stays and tours in the destinations. For more information, visit www.rockymountaineer.com. ANOTHER POSH GIFT Another favorite is Nassau and Paradise Island, known for white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and resorts that offer a range of indulgent experiences. They feature world-class spas, five-star dining, and rich cultural experiences-a truly luxurious Caribbean getaway. Nassau and Paradise Island offer an unparalleled selection of high-end resorts, like the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, and the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian, where indulgence meets relaxation. Beyond the beach, visitors can enjoy the island's rich heritage for a vacation that blends luxury and culture. For more information, visit www.nassauparadiseisland.com. POST|VIDEO About Tips on TV Tips on TV is a lifestyle blog featuring content as seen on national and local media outlets. Expert hosts share advice for viewers, listeners, and readers. Tips on TV covers a variety of topics, including food, entertaining, personal finance, technology, travel, health, lifestyle, and more. Contact Information R E tipsontv@gmail.com SOURCE: TipsOnTV View the original press release on accesswire.com Impressico Business Solutions proudly announces the appointment of Syed Haider as Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development. With over two decades of leadership experience at organizations like Home Depot, Texas Instruments, Imation, and Frost Securities, Syed has demonstrated exceptional ability to drive growth, build strategic alliances, and deliver impactful business results. Syed Haider Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development Syed's career is marked by his hands-on leadership in major strategic projects. At Home Depot, he managed a $3.5 billion M&A pipeline and spearheaded growth initiatives that contributed to a 10% revenue increase and the successful establishment of new branches across key markets. At Imation, Syed launched a $200 million Flash Memory Business Unit and led the $330 million acquisition of Memorex Products. Commenting on the appointment, Jyoti Sureka, Founder & Managing Director of Impressico Business Solutions, stated: "Impressico is proud to welcome Syed to our leadership team. Syed comes with rich and deep industry experience. He has a successful track record of nourishing & leading strategic growth projects from the ground up. We're confident that he will further expand and strengthen our market presence and deliver exceptional value to our clients. We look forward to the transformative impact of his leadership." An MBA graduate from Southern Methodist University and a holder of advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, Syed combines technical expertise with strategic business insights. He is well-regarded for his ability to inspire teams, drive innovation, and navigate complex business challenges. At Impressico, Syed will focus on advancing the company's growth strategy, enhancing client relationships, and fostering innovation across all operations. His extensive experience aligns seamlessly with Impressico's vision of delivering tailored IT and business solutions that empower clients to achieve their strategic goals. About Impressico Business Solutions Impressico Business Solutions is a global leader in the provisioning of diverse IT and business services. Impressico stands out in engineering well designed and user centric solutions for its partners and customers. In all projects undertaken, big or small, we consistently harness the best practices and latest innovations be it in cloud computing, data architecture, BI, modernization and more recently, DSML and Generative AI. With deep experience spanning over two decades across a multitude of domains & industries, varied customer sizes and target audiences, Impressico is well placed to be the one unified go-to partner guaranteed to deliver desired outcomes and winning propositions for all. Contact Information Syed Haider SVP - Strategic Business Development syed.haider@impressico.com 678-763-8927 SOURCE: Impressico View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (FSE: D4E) (WKN: A1JQW5) ("Defiance" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news releases dated February 2, 2024, April 10, 2024 and November 29, 2024, relating to a continuous disclosure review of the Company by the British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC"), it has filed a new technical report on the Company's Zacatecas Project in Mexico (which includes the San Acacio project). As reported in its November 29th news release, Defiance has been working with SGS Geological Services, who had been contracted to prepare a revised technical report that would include all projects forming part of the overall Zacatecas complex. The revised technical report includes all exploration work completed on the project to date. A mineral resource estimate was disclosed for the San Acacio project in a 2014 technical report. However, as indicated in the February 2, 2024 news release, the 2014 report did not comply with disclosure requirements for mineral resources set out in NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Defiance has completed additional diamond drilling on the project since 2014, including 73 drill holes for a total of 26,578.03 metres on the San Acacio project, as well as extensive surface geological and structural mapping of the mineralized zones, and surface soil sampling of the entire project. This work has not yet been incorporated into current geological and resource models for use in the preparation of a current mineral resource estimate by an independent qualified person. Since the 2014 Mineral Resource Estimate on the San Acacio project ("MRE") did not comply with disclosure requirements for mineral resources set out in NI 43-101, and the additional drilling completed on the project has not yet been incorporated into current geological and resource models for use in the preparation of a current mineral resource estimate by an independent qualified person, there are no current mineral resources on the project. Benjamin Eggers, P.Geo. and Sarah Dean, P.Geo. of SGS Geological Services, both qualified persons under NI 43-101, have completed a technical report titled "Technical Report for the Zacatecas Project, Zacatecas, Mexico" dated December 16, 2024 with an effective date of October 1, 2024. The technical report, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, has been filed today on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. Qualified Person Mr. George Cavey, P. Geo, Vice-President Exploration and Director of the Company, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information concerning the Company's material mineral properties contained in this press release. About Defiance Silver Corp. Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale Zacatecas Project, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan state, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing, and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects. Defiance's corporate mandate is to advance our projects through capital-efficient exploration focused on resource growth and new mineral discoveries. On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp. "Chris Wright" CEO & Chairman of the Board Disclaimer 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234230 SOURCE: Defiance Silver Corp. Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Sailfish Royalty Corp. (TSXV: FISH) (OTCQX: SROYF) (the "Company" or "Sailfish") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Advance Metals Limited ("AML") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to sell to AML (the "Transaction") all of the issued and outstanding shares (the "Purchased Shares") of Swordfish Silver Corp. ("Swordfish"). Swordfish, through Sailfish de Mexico S.A. de C.V., holds the mineral rights in and to the silver exploration project located in the Municipality of San Dimas, State of Durango, Mexico, known as the Gavilanes property (the "Property"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, as consideration for the acquisition of the Purchased Shares by AML, on the Closing Date (as defined below), AML shall: Make a cash payment to the Company in the amount of US$50,000; Issue to the Company 16,800,000 fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of AML (each, an "AML Share"); Issue to the Company 33,600,000 performance rights (the "Performance Rights"), with such Performance Rights entitling the Company to the issuance of AML Shares upon satisfaction of the following milestones; 16,800,000 Performance Rights shall automatically convert, without payment of additional consideration, into 16,800,000 AML Shares upon AML achieving a 30 million oz resource at 300g/t silver equivalent or greater from the Property on or before the date that is five years following the Closing Date (the "Milestone Deadline"); and 16,800,000 Performance Rights shall automatically convert, without payment of additional consideration, into 16,800,000 AML Shares upon AML achieving a 60 million oz resource at 300g/t silver equivalent or greater from the Property on or before the date that is five years following the Closing Date; and Grant to the Company a 2.0% net smelter return royalty in respect of all mineral production from the area within the boundaries of the Property. In the event that AML has not achieved the milestone applicable to any Performance Rights which remain outstanding as at the Milestone Deadline, such Performance Rights will lapse and the Company will not be entitled to the issuance of any AML Shares in respect of such Performance Rights. In addition to the consideration outlined above, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, on and from the Closing Date until the date which five years thereafter (the "Minimum Expenditure Period"), AML has agreed to incur a minimum of US$2,000,0000 in exploration expenditures on the Property (the "Minimum Expenditure Commitment") and, in the event that: (i) the Minimum Expenditure Commitment is not satisfied during the Minimum Expenditure Period; and (ii) no Performance Rights have vested as at such time, AML shall make an immediate cash payment of US$500,000 to the Company. Closing of the Transaction is subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including without limitation, satisfactory completion of due diligence by the parties and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The Company did not pay any finders' fees in connection with the Agreement. About Sailfish Sailfish is a precious metals royalty and streaming company. Within Sailfish's portfolio are three main assets in the Americas: a gold stream equivalent to a 3% NSR on the San Albino gold mine (~3.5 sq. km) and a 2% NSR on the rest of the area (~134.5 sq. km) surrounding San Albino in northern Nicaragua; an up to 3% NSR on the multi-million ounce Spring Valley gold project in Pershing County, Nevada; and a 100% interest in the Gavilanes Silver Project located in Durango State, Mexico. Sailfish is listed on the TSXV under the symbol "FISH" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "SROYF". Please visit the Company's website at www.sailfishroyalty.com for additional information. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Notes Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward looking statements, including statements regarding the expectation that that the Company and AML will receive all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals in respect of the Agreement and the expectation Transaction will close on the terms and conditions as anticipated by management. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the Company and AML will receive all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals in respect of the Agreement and that the Transaction will close on the terms and conditions as anticipated by management. These forward-looking statements are 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 statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation that the Company and AML will not receive all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals in respect of the Agreement and that the Transaction will not close on the terms and conditions as anticipated by management or at all. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or forward-looking information contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234179 SOURCE: Sailfish Royalty Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Mogotes Metals Inc. (TSXV: MOG) (FSE: AY4) ("Mogotes", or the "Company") updates on field activities at the Filo Sur project in the Vicuna Copper Gold Silver district. CEO, Allen Sabet, stated: "Our geology teams are on the ground, and rapidly advancing our 2024/25 exploration program. The program consists of several hundred meters of trenches, rock chip sampling and mapping at the priority targets of Cruz del Sur, Rincon, Camino, Meseta and Filon Alunita (Figure 1). Further new exposures at Frontera and Colorida are also being mapped and sampled. Further updates from this program are expected in January and February 2025. The results will be used to vector and optimise drill hole design for each of these exploration targets. We also note with interest the results from the adjoining Filo Del Sol project1 which identified a new gold rich porphyry target located approximately 1.2 km from Mogotes property boundary. This news supports the Companies view that the Vicuna belt of mineralisation is open to the south of the current Filo resource and trends into Mogotes Filo Sur project (Figure 2). In the Companies view this strengthens the conceptual target being outlined at our Meseta prospect, where we are working to firm up the target and identify best location(s) for drilling." Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10597/234144_1.jpg Stage 1 program well advanced Mogotes has successfully integrated, remodeled and analyzed the significant cache of historic Filo Sur Geophysics data, (see news release September 9, 2024), with the Companies proprietary datasets. This has contributed to a significant change in the understanding of many of the Filo Sur targets. A focused field program has been designed and is currently well underway that tests key questions at each target area. The program seeks to firm up geological data to assist with the best placement of drill holes for the subsequent drilling campaign. The field program was initiated in November and is rapidly advancing with hundreds of meters of trenches created and sampled, and additional areas of interest evaluated by reconnaissance sampling teams. Photographs below show the work underway. Stage 1 program will continue into February 2025, with first assay results are anticipated to be received at this time. Results will be analyzed, and feed into the subsequent exploration program and drill targeting during this field season. Filo del Sol FSDH116 hits a new gold target Jamie Beck, CEO of neighbouring company Filo, said the following regarding recent drill hole FSDH116, which is located proximal to the Mogotes property boundary1 (emphasis added by Mogotes Metals): "we have confirmed a gold-rich porphyry in hole 116 in the Tamberias area, further expanding the footprint of the overall deposit. We have now drilled continuous mineralization over 5.5 kilometres between holes 116 in the south and 114 in the north, with hole 107 expanding the width, and still the deposit is open in all directions." 1 This new porphyry discovery is elaborated further in the press release: "FSDH116 was drilled in the Tamberias Zone, well south of Aurora and Bonita, to follow up on a north westerly-trending zone of auriferous sheeted veins exposed in surface trenching. Four trenches along a strike length of almost 700m returned 230m at 0.36 g/t Au, 470m at 0.32 g/t Au, 227m at 0.45 g/t Au and 90m at 0.35 g/t Au. The hole intersected two sheeted vein zones including 58.0m at 0.92 g/t Au and 24.2m at 0.88 g/t Au confirming the continuation to depth of the surface mineralization. Overall, the hole intersected a 610.0m section with an elevated gold:copper ratio (0.39 g/t Au and 0.15% Cu) compared to mineralization to the north." 1 Mogotes Metals is encouraged by this hole, which would rank among the highest-grade holes in the south of the Filo del Sol and confirms that the North - South oriented Vicuna trend of Cu Au Ag mineralization remains open to the south projecting into the Filo Sur project and encompassing the Mogotes Meseta target. The Meseta Target is a key focus for the current field campaign, where previous Mogotes exploration has outlined high sulfidation style quartz- alunite altered breccias and vuggy silica structures returning rock chip samples of up to 1.48 g/t Au and 4.6 g/t Ag, overlying a large concealed high order geophysical anomaly (see news release July 8th 2024). The Meseta Target will be the subject of a future news release. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10597/234144_8894cb457431c9d7_004full.jpg About Mogotes Metals Inc. Mogotes Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company exploring for copper and gold in the prospective Vicuna district of Argentina and Chile. Mogotes flagship project, Filo Sur, adjoins the large Filo del Sol Copper-gold-silver discovery, and is along the same N-S trending belt as the Filo Del Sol - Aurora and NGEx Minerals Lunahuasi and Los Helados copper-gold deposits. Follow Us Twitter: https://x.com/mogotesmetals Additional Information The information contained in this news release was accurate at the time of dissemination, but may be superseded by subsequent news release(s). The Company is under no obligation, nor does it intend to update or revise the forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical disclosure for the Filo Sur project included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Stephen Nano who is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Nano is a Director and Technical Advisor for the Company. Mogotes applies industry standard exploration sampling methodologies and techniques. All geochemical soil, stream, rock and drill samples are collected under the supervision of the company's geologists in accordance with industry practice. Geochemical assays are obtained and reported under a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program. Samples are dispatched to an ISO 9001:2008 accredited laboratory in Argentina for analysis. Assay results from drill core samples may be higher, lower or similar to results obtained from surface rock, channel, trench samples due to surficial oxidation and enrichment processes or due to natural geological grade variations in the primary mineralization. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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. Certain statements made and information contained herein in the news release constitutes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. Generally, this forward-looking information can frequently, but not always, be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "projects", "budgets", "targets" "assumes", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be taken", "will occur" or "will be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that this information will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this news release should not be relied upon. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to assumptions made in the interpretation of drill results, geology, grade, geochemistry, potential implications of geophysics interpretations, and continuity of mineral deposits; expectations regarding access and demand for equipment, skilled labour and services needed for exploration and development of mineral properties; and that activities will not be adversely disrupted or impeded by exploration, development, operating, regulatory, political, community, economic, environmental and/or healthy and safety risks. In addition, this news release may contain forward-looking statements or information pertaining to: potential exploration upside at the Filo Sur Project, including the extent and significance of the porphyry copper-gold system and the prospectivity of exploration targets; exploration plans and expenditures,; the ability of the Company to conduct its field programs as planned; the success of future exploration activities; potential for resource expansion; ability to build shareholder value; expectations with regard to adding to its Mineral Reserves or Resources through exploration; ability to execute planned work programs; plans or ability to mobilize or add additional drill rigs; timing or anticipated results of laboratory results; government regulation of mining activities; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; title disputes or claims; limitations on insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties. While the Company anticipates continuing its exploration program until May, it may encounter unexpected logistics, drilling and other challenges, costs, or delays that could prevent the Company from completing the program on the expected timeline or at all. Any drilling is dependent on pending results from this year's program and the Company securing additional funding. This program could be delayed or not be carried out at all. Although The Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are based on assumptions that are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since The Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators, available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as among other things: general business, economic and mining industry conditions; foreign exchange rates; geological conditions; the supply and demand for commodities; that financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms and that the Company will not experience any material labour dispute, accident, or failure of plant or equipment; the stability and predictability of the political environments and legal and regulatory frameworks; the ability of the Company to obtain, maintain, renew and/or extend required permits, licences, authorizations and/or approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities; that contractual counterparties perform as agreed; and the ability of the Company to continue to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost- efficient manner to meet its needs. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking information contained in this document is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being, exhaustive. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future. Forward-looking information is provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. 1 Press release from Filo available at https://filocorp.com/news/filo-drills-1-270m-at-0.92-cueq-in-aurora-and-529-122654/ Readers are cautioned that the information set out above with respect to Filo Mining's Filo del Sol Property, was extracted from information that is publicly available. The Company has not completed sufficient work to verify the information on those adjacent properties. Information with respect to those adjacent properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Filo Sur Project and should not be relied upon. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234144 SOURCE: Mogotes Metals Inc. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES. Tinka Resources Limited ("Tinka" or the "Company") (TSX.V:TK) & (BVL:TK)(OTCQB:TKRFF) announces the closing of the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") of units (the "Units"). Pursuant to the closing of the First Tranche, the Company issued 17,392,958 Units at a price of C$0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$1,739,296. Each Unit comprises one common share (a "Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.15 for a period of eighteen (18) months from the applicable closing of the Offering. Nexa Resources S.A. ("Nexa"), an Insider and a major shareholder of the Company, increased its ownership interest in the Company and subscribed for 9,859,155 Units for gross proceeds to Tinka of C$985,915. Prior to the Offering, Nexa held 71,343,053 common shares of Tinka or 18.2% of the issued and outstanding shares. Pursuant to the closing of the First Tranche, Nexa now holds 81,202,208 common shares or 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares and warrants entitling Nexa to acquire 4,929,577 additional common shares of the Company. Compania de Minas Buenaventura SAA ("Buenaventura"), an Insider and a major shareholder of the Company, increased its ownership interest in the Company and subscribed for 5,633,803 Units in the Offering for gross proceeds to Tinka of C$563,380. Prior to the Offering, Buenaventura held 75,614,289 common shares of Tinka or approximately 19.3% of the outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis. Pursuant to the closing of the First Tranche, Buenaventura now holds 81,248,092 common shares or 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares and warrants entitling Buenaventura to acquire 2,816,901 additional common shares of the Company. Each of Nexa and Buenaventura have agreed to a restriction on the exercise of any outstanding Warrants held as at closing of the Offering that prevents the exercise thereof if such exercise result in either Nexa or Buenaventura holding 20% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company, unless approval is obtained from Tinka's disinterested shareholders. Graham Carman, President & CEO, stated: "Tinka is pleased to close the first tranche of the Offering with strong insider participation, including from Tinka directors and its strategic investors. The Tinka board welcomes the continued support of Nexa and Buenaventura, both representing important strategic investors of the Company each with mining operations within 50 km of our Ayawilca project, and in Nexa's case, ownership of the largest zinc refinery in South America just 250 km from the project. We also welcome the increased support from both companies as we advance Ayawilca into 2025 with planned resource expansion and optimization. We intend to close a second tranche of the Offering during January 2025." The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund step-out and resource optimization drilling of approximately 4,000 metres at the East Ayawilca zinc-silver-lead area, for exploration at the Silvia copper-gold property, and for general working capital and corporate purposes. See October 16, 2024 news release for information regarding key exploration targets proposed for 2024/25. Directors of the Company, Graham Carman, Pieter Britz, Raul Benavides, Mary Little, Nick DeMare and Benedict McKeown each participated in the Offering and purchased an aggregate of 1,700,000 Units. There has not been a material change in the percentage of outstanding securities that are owned by each of the directors of the Company. Participation of the directors, Nexa and Buenaventura in the Offering constituted a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), but was exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to the insiders nor the consideration paid by the insiders exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company obtained approval by the board of directors of the Company to the Offering, with each interested director declaring and abstaining from voting on the resolutions approving the Offering with respect to their participation in the Offering. None of the Company's directors expressed any contrary views or disagreements with respect to the foregoing. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of the insiders of the Company had not been confirmed at that time. All securities issued in connection with the First Tranche are subject to a statutory four-month hold period, expiring on April 18, 2025. The Offering is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. On behalf of the Board, "Graham Carman" Dr. Graham Carman, President & CEO Further Information: www.tinkaresources.com Mariana Bermudez 1.604.685.9316 info@tinkaresources.com Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts at Contact Tinka and by following Tinka on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. About Tinka Resources Limited Tinka is an exploration and development company with its flagship property being the 100%-owned Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project in central Peru. The Zinc Zone at Ayawilca has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 28.3 Mt grading 5.82% zinc, 16.4 g/t silver, 0.2% lead and 91 g/t indium, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 31.2 Mt grading 4.21% zinc, 14.5 g/t silver, 0.2% lead and 45 g/t indium. The Silver Zone has an estimated Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.0 Mt grading 111.4 g/t silver, 1.54% zinc, & 0.5% lead. The Tin Zone has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 1.4 million tonnes grading 0.72% tin and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 12.7 Mt grading 0.76% tin. The Company filed a NI 43-101 technical report on an updated PEA for the Ayawilca Project on April 15, 2024 (link to NI 43-101 report here). Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release. Dr. Carman is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Forward Looking Statements: Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceeds for the Offering and the closing of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of Tinka as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Tinka's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations: timing and successful completion of the Offering; the intended use of proceeds from the Offering; timing of planned work programs and results varying from expectations; delay in obtaining results; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions; imprecision in resource estimates or metal recoveries; success of future development initiatives; competition and operating performance; environmental and safety risks; timing of geological reports; the preliminary nature of the Ayawilca Project PEA and the Company's ability to realize the results of the Ayawilca Project PEA; the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities; community agreements and relations; and, other development and operating risks. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Although Tinka believes that assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Tinka disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. SOURCE: Tinka Resource Ltd. View the original press release on accesswire.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - CubicFarm Systems Corp. (TSXV: CUB) ("CubicFarm" or the "Company"), a local chain agricultural technology company, announces that, further to its previous press release of October 17, 2024, the Company is pleased to announce that is has filed its third quarter financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the related management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and related filings (collectively, the "Q3 Filings"). The Q3 Filings can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and will be available on the same day on CubicFarm's website at https://cubicfarms.com/investors/. Third Quarter Operational Highlights For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company achieved revenue of approximately $57,000 and $208,000, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, corporate overhead, which includes general and administrative, selling, and research and development expenses, of which excludes impairment loss, amounted to $1.7 million. This reflects a significant reduction of $0.5 million, or 22%, compared to $2.2 million in the prior year, thanks to the successful implementation of the Company's ongoing cost reduction plan throughout 2024. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, corporate overhead, including impairment, totaled $6.7 million, reflecting a decrease of $2.3 million, or 26%, compared to $9.0 million in the prior year. These results highlight our ongoing focus on improving operational efficiency and strengthening financial management. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the net loss was $2.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively, compared to $2.2 million and $10.9 million in the prior year. The increase in the three month period was primarily due to foreign exchange adjustments. However, there was an overall reduction in the net loss for the nine months ending September 30, 2024, which was largely driven by lower operating expenses, as previously mentioned. This positive trend highlights our continued efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen financial performance. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our shareholders for their continued patience and trust in the Company as we worked diligently throughout the third quarter to prepare and complete the 2023 audited financial statements, which were filed on October 2, 2024, shortly after the close of the third quarter. We also successfully filed the First and Second Quarter 2024 financial statements on October 17 and October 29, 2024, respectively," said Michael Kyne, CFO of CubicFarm. "The filing of the Third Quarter today fulfills the Company's filing obligations as required by the British Columbia Securities Commission," added Mr. Kyne. As mentioned in our Second Quarter update, the Company remains focused on implementing further cost reductions while continuing to invest in our Feed as a Service (FaaS) initiatives. We look forward to sharing additional updates with our shareholders in the coming weeks. The British Columbia Securities Commission (the "BCSC") as the principal regulator of the Company issued a failure-to-file cease trade order (the "FFCTO") against the Company on July 15, 2024, under Multilateral Instrument 11-103 - Failure-To-File Cease Trade Orders In Multiple Jurisdictions, prohibiting the trading in or the purchasing of any securities of the Company by any person or company in Canada, including trades in the Company's common shares made through the TSX Venture Exchange, except in accordance with the following conditions for so long as the FFCTO order remains in effect: a beneficial securityholder of the Company who is not, and was not at the date of the FFCTO an insider or control person of the Company, may sell securities of the Company acquired before the date of July 15, 2024 if both of the following apply: (a) the sale is made through a "foreign organized regulated market", as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. A copy of the FFCTO has been posted to the BCSC website. Following the filing of the Q2 documents, the Company submitted a revocation application to lift the FFCTO to the BCSC and a reinstatement application to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). On November 8, 2024, the BCSC issued a comment letter in respect of the application, requesting, among other things, additional disclosures and supporting information related to the 2023 Audited Financial Statements, which will necessitate an amended refiling. On November 18, the TSXV has issued a response letter with follow up questions. The Company has replied to the BCSC's requests, as well as that of the TSX Venture Exchange, and is currently awaiting responses from both parties. The Company will provide further updates as they become available. About HydroGreen HydroGreen's Automated Vertical Pastures technology utilizes a unique process to sprout grains, such as barley and wheat, in a controlled environment with minimal use of land, labour and water. HydroGreen's fully automated indoor growing technology performs all growing functions including seeding, watering, lighting, harvesting, and re-seeding-all with the push of a button-to deliver nutritious fresh forage for livestock without the typical investment in fertilizer, chemicals, fuel, field equipment, and transportation. Automated Vertical Pastures not only provide superior nutritious feed to benefit the animal but also enable significant environmental benefits to the farm. About CubicFarm CubicFarm is a local chain agricultural technology company developing and deploying technology to feed a changing world. Its proprietary ag-tech solutions enable growers to produce high quality, predictable produce and fresh livestock feed with HydroGreen Nutrition Technology, a division of CubicFarm Systems Corp. The CubicFarm system contains patented technology for growing leafy greens and other crops onsite, indoors, all year round. CubicFarm provides an efficient, localized food supply solution that benefits our people, planet, and economy. For more information, please visit https://cubicfarms.com. Forward looking and other cautionary statements Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements with respect to: statements regarding the revocation of the FFCTO and the TSXV reinstatement application, the sales agreement for the sale of two DGS machines, potential growth, and strong and future prospects and demand for our technology and solutions. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors and assumptions which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of CubicFarm Systems Corp., or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information including, without limitation, other factors disclosed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2022, and those risks described in other documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the prospectus. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict", and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance, and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except as required by securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if the Company's expectations regarding future events, performance, or results change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234238 SOURCE: CubicFarm Systems Corp. Parafin, a San Francisco, CA-based embedded finance infrastructure company, raised $100M in Series C funding, at $750M valuation. The round was led by Notable Capital, with participation from Redpoint Ventures. Existing investors Ribbit Capital, Thrive Capital, and GIC also participated. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts. Founded in 2020 by Sahill Poddar, Vineet Goel, and Ralph Furman, Parafin is a financial infrastructure company that provides platforms with embedded financial products for their small businesses by abstracting the complexity of capital markets, underwriting, servicing, compliance, and customer support. By empowering the financial services of marketplaces and payment processors, small businesses can run and grow themselves despite uncertain economic conditions. FinSMEs 17/12/2024 Get Ready for a tale of Love, Betrayal and Revenge! Adivi Seshs passion project, Dacoit, a mega pan-India action drama has been mounted to be an adrenaline pumping experience at the cinema. On his birthday today, the actor announced his leading lady welcoming her to be part of this high octane face off! The stunning actress Mrunal Thakur joins the film as the female lead, ready to dive into a story filled with action, emotion, and drama - between two former lovers. Advertisement Contrary to the trend of making film announcements on actor birthdays, Adivi Sesh announces his female lead, Mrunal Thakur, making his birthday even more special. The Dacoit team unveiled an intense poster, showcasing the palpable chemistry between Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakurs characters. Dacoit tells the story of an angry convict seeking vengeance on his ex-girlfriend who betrayed him. He devises a dangerous plan to trap her, setting the stage for an intense action drama driven by elemental forces - love, betrayal, and revenge. Directed by Shaneil Deo who marks his directorial debut, this ambitious project is produced by Supriya Yarlagadda, co-produced by Suniel Narang, and presented by Annapurna Studios. The film is being shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu and features a story and screenplay jointly crafted by Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. The film is currently being shot in Hyderabad followed by an extensive schedule in Maharashtra. Welcoming Mrunal Thakur to the world of Dacoit and making this grand announcement on his birthday, actor Adivi Sesh shares, Dacoit is a solid Action Film with a touching love story. Mrunal has brought some of the finest characters to life on the big screen, bringing a unique panache to each role. Her exceptional ability to elevate every character she portrays makes her truly remarkable. We are thrilled to welcome Mrunal to the Dacoit team and eagerly await going head-to-head on the big screens.. Advertisement Elated to be joining the Dacoit team, Mrunal Thakur shares, The story of Dacoit is true in its essence, a great mixture of rustic storytelling that is elevated with the stylised vision of both Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo. The character Im set to depict in the films will allow me to explore shades of playing an on-screen character that I havent explored before as an actor. This proposition mixed with the genre and script of Dacoit is what will truly make it a treat to watch for the audiences. I cant wait to deep dive into the world envisioned by Shaneil.. Advertisement Talking about Mrunal Thakurs entry to his debut film and having this actor duo come together for the first time, director Shaneil Deo shares, We are delighted to have Mrunal Thakur join the team of Dacoit. Her versatility and ability to bring depth to her characters make her the perfect fit for this action-packed drama. This also marks the first time Adivi Sesh and Mrunal are coming together for a film. With this unique pairing and the story we are bringing to life, I am looking forward to audiences witnessing her in this powerful and distinctive role, and experiencing the on-screen chemistry that Adivi Sesh and Mrunal are creating together in their first project.. Advertisement Producer Supriya Yarlagadda shares that audiences will get to see Mrunal Thrakur in a never seen before avatar, We are thrilled to welcome Mrunal Thakur to Dacoit! Her phenomenal performances and exceptional talent make her the perfect choice for this role. Its exciting to have her on board as the leading lady alongside Adivi Sesh for this journey, and we cant wait to see the magic she brings to the film. Get ready to witness her in a never seen before avatar as she embraces this unusual love story.. Hussain died at a San Francisco hospital on Monday due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was 73 read more Zakir Hussain was seven when he performed in public for the first time. It was around the same time that he met director K Asif on the sets of Mughal-e-Azam for what was almost an audition for the role of the young Prince Salim. But it was not meant to be. His father, the tabla legend Alla Rakha, intervened and said his son was going to be a musician. And Hussain, who went on to be one of the most accomplished tabla players in history, fulfilled his fathers prophecy. Advertisement Hussain died at a San Francisco hospital on Monday due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was 73. The tabla maestro recalled his early brush with the movies in Nasreen Munni Kabirs book Zakir Hussain: A Life in Music. " Did I tell you that I auditioned for young Prince Salims role in Mughal-e-Azam? he is quoted as saying. The filmmaker K Asif and his father knew each other, both regulars at Mohan Studio. While Alla Rakha was on the studios payroll, Asif, known for his obsession with detail and grandeur, was busy building the famous Sheesh Mahal set for the song Jab pyaar kiya toh darna kya. Abbas man Friday, Shaukat, took me to Mohan Studio one day. Shaukat has passed away now. Besides working for my father, he would moonlight as a film extra. So Shaukat took me to see Asif Sahib because he had asked Abba to send me over. I remember they were filming on the Sheesh Mahal set, and I met Dilip Kumar Sahib there. He looked at me, cupped his hands around my face and lifted my chin so that he could take a closer look. He turned to Shaukat and said: Asif ke paas le jaana [Take him to Asif]. So that was that, reads the book. Before Asif could say anything, Alla Rakha had a change of heart and said, Nahin, yeh actor nahin banega, yeh music karega. musician hoga . Advertisement It was hardly a real audition. I dont think there were proper auditions in those days. Someone just looked at an aspiring actor and said: Isko le lete hain [Lets take him]. No one used to ask the actor to read lines or anything like that. Thats not how it was done I dont know what the outcome was but apparently my father had a change of heart, Hussain recalled. The young Salim was ultimately played by actor Jalal Agha in the film that released in 1960 and is considered an all-time classic. Hussain took his fathers legacy of tabla to new heights and the silver screen did beckon later on in life. Advertisement Hussain acted in the Merchant Ivory film production Heat and Dust, The Perfect Murder and Saaz. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan have been married for the last 17 years. They were blessed with a daughter four years after their marriage read more 2024 was a rough year for a lot of celebrity couples and many of the separation shocked their fans. The names are aplenty. Lets have a look: Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan While rumours of Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchans divorce have been grabbing the headlines for quite some time, the speculations garnered limelight after none of the Bachchan family members wished Ash on her birthday, which was on 1st November. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan have been married for the last 17 years. They were blessed with a daughter four years after their marriage. Ever since the actor has made an appearance at an event without his wedding ring, fans have been speculating divorce and separation rumors. Advertisement Even the actress made an appearance at an award ceremony without her wedding ring in Dubai. Nobody knows what has gone wrong in their marriage. Nimrat Kaurs name popped up and so did rumors of infidelity. The rumors and speculations around their marriage refuse to end. Hardik Pandya-Natasa Stankovic Announcing the separation in July the duo shared a joint statement, which read, After 4 years of being together, Hardik and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for the both of us. The Serbian model and dancer have grabbed eyes for liking cheating and emotional abuse posts. Apart from that, Natasa also liked some posts on toxic relationships. This action of Natasa has paved the way for wild speculations that might have resulted in their divorce. On social media, a Reddit user shared multiple screenshots and one of them was titled, Natasa Stankovic Liked Reels About Cheating & Emotional Abuse As Natasa and Hardit have not revealed the reason behind their separation, these posts are leading to some shocking speculations. Advertisement AR Rahman and Saira Banu AR Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation after 29-years of marriage. The duo shared a joint statement announcing their split and requested fans to give them privacy in this tough time. The Oscar-winning composer also shared the statement on his X account. While fans offered their support to him, Rahman was trolled for using the hashtag #arrsairaabreakup in the statement. The composer wrote in his statement, We had hoped to reach the grand thirty, but all things, it seems, carry an unseen end. Even the throne of God might tremble at the weight of broken hearts. Yet, in this shattering, we seek meaning, though the pieces may not find their place again. To our friends, thank you for your kindness and for respecting our privacy as we walk through this fragile chapter. #arrsairaabreakup" Advertisement Urmila Matondkar and Mohsin Akhtar Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar known for movies like Rangeela, Pinjar, Bhoot, Judaai and others, has filed for divorce from husband Mohsin Akhtar Mir after eight years of marriage. As per IndianExpress.com, the actor filed for divorce in Bandra, Mumbai. The reports also suggest that the separation is not mutual and the filing happened few months back. As per HT, a source stated, After careful consideration, Urmila has decided to call it quits on her marriage with Mohsin. She has already filed for divorce in court. While the reason behind the separation is still not known, the divorce isnt happening on mutual terms. Advertisement Isha Koppikar and Timmy Narang Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar tied the knot with Timmy Narang in 2009. After 14 years of marriage, the couple has reportedly divorced, as per EtTimes. A source was recently quoted saying, The couple parted ways due to compatibility issues, which cropped up a while ago. They tried every bit to save the marriage but didnt succeed. The Russian Film Festival 2024 concluded on December 15th with remarkable success, delighting cinema enthusiasts and cultural aficionados in Mumbai and Delhi. Hosted at Cinepolis Fun Republic, Andheri, Mumbai, from December 12th to 15th, and Cinepolis, Saket, Delhi, from December 13th to 15th, the festival brought the magic of Russian storytelling to Indian audiences, celebrating the enduring bond between the two nations. Organized by Roskino and the Russian Ministry of Culture, the festival began with a vibrant opening ceremony in Mumbai on December 12th. The event was graced by distinguished Russian delegates, the Cultural Attache from the Russian Embassy, and officials from Roskino, all emphasizing the value of cross-cultural storytelling. The inaugural screening of Mikhail Lukachevskiis Triumph received an enthusiastic response, setting the stage for a cinematic spectacle. Advertisement The festival featured a curated selection of films that resonated with audiences through their universal themes and engaging narratives. Viewers appreciated the interactive sessions, which offered deeper insights into the art and craftsmanship behind Russian cinema. Following its success in Mumbai, the festival moved to Delhi on December 13th, where anticipation filled the air at Cinepolis, Saket. The lineup included contemporary hits such as Ice 3, The Flying Ship, The Pirates of the Barracuda Galaxy, and the beloved classic Guest From the Future. Each film, subtitled in English, ensured accessibility and broadened the reach of Russian cinema, showcasing its timeless appeal. The festivals inviting atmosphere created a family-friendly environment, drawing audiences of all ages. Each screening concluded with standing ovations, and by the festivals close on December 15th, every show had sold outa testament to its extraordinary reception in both cities. Oksana Frolova, Deputy Director of Roskino and a representative of the Russian Ministry of Culture, spoke passionately about the importance of showcasing Russian films in India. She also highlighted the mutual admiration shared by the two countries, noting how Indian cinema continues to inspire Russian audiences. Indian actors and films hold a special place in the hearts of Russians, and events like these celebrate the shared cultural values that unite us, Frolova said. Advertisement The closing ceremonies in Mumbai and Delhi celebrated the festivals resounding success, applauding its role in bridging cultural divides. Audiences commended the thoughtful selection of films, which seamlessly blended contemporary hits with classic masterpieces, offering something for every cinephile. More than just a cinematic event, the Russian Film Festival 2024 served as a cultural bridge, fostering mutual respect and understanding between India and Russia. As the curtains fell, audiences eagerly anticipated the festivals return in 2025, promising another stellar showcase of Russian cinematic brilliance. With its triumphant run, the Russian Film Festival reaffirms the transformative power of cinema to connect hearts, inspire minds, and strengthen international bonds. Advertisement Chrystia Freelands resignation as Canadas deputy prime minister and finance minister has caught Ottawa by surprise. Her exit comes amid growing tensions with PM Justin Trudeau, who is now facing calls to step aside read more Canadas Deputy Prime Minister has resigned, amid increasing tensions with Justin Trudeau. Chrystia Freeland, who also served as the countrys finance minister, stepped down from both posts on Monday (December 16), sending shockwaves through Ottawa. In her public announcement of her resignation, Freeland said that she and Prime Minister Trudeau have been at odds about the best path forward for Canada, highlighting the grave challenge posed by United States President-elect Donald Trumps threat of tariffs. Advertisement Trump, who will return to the White House next month, has vowed to impose a 25 per cent levy on all imported Canadian goods and services. If implemented, the tariffs would hit Canadas economy hard. Freelands resignation has put Trudeaus political future in jeopardy, as he faces growing calls to quit. Lets take a closer look. Canadas finance minister resigns Chrystia Freelands resignation as deputy prime minister and minister of finance came at a crucial moment for the Trudeau government. She made the announcement hours before she was set to deliver the governments fall economic statement on Monday afternoon. Freeland said in her resignation letter that Canada needs to take Trumps policy of aggressive economic nationalism extremely seriously. She said Canada needs to keep its fiscal powder dry to deal with the tariffs threatened by the incoming Trump administration in the US. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognise the gravity of the moment, Freeland, who was Canadas first female finance minister, added. See my letter to the Prime Minister below // Veuillez trouver ma lettre au Premier ministre ci-dessous pic.twitter.com/NMMMcXUh7A Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) December 16, 2024 Advertisement She and Trudeau were reportedly at loggerheads over policies proposed by the Canadian PM to tackle the countrys cost-of-living crisis. This includes sending C$250 cheques to working people earning less than C$150,000 annually sometime in the new year. His plan to provide a temporary tax break on essential goods during the holidays could also have been a sticking point. As per BBC, Freelands office was concerned about the cost of these policies, given Canadas growing deficit. Freeland mentioned that Trudeau had asked her to take up another post in his Cabinet, which she has now declined. Advertisement She said she plans to continue as a Liberal MP and will run for her seat again in the next election. Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland delivers remarks on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, December 11, 2024. AP Inevitably, our time in government will come to an end. But how we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer, the resignation letter read. Dominic LeBlanc, a close friend of Trudeau, has taken over as Canadas finance minister. Clamour grows for Trudeaus resignation Freelands resignation has sparked calls for Trudeau to resign, including from within his Liberal Party. At an emergency Liberal caucus meeting held after Freelands exit from Cabinet, several MPs told Trudeau to step down, Canadas public broadcaster CBC News reported. I can say were not united. Theres still a number of our members who think we need a change in leadership and Im one of them, Liberal Ontario MP Chad Collins told reporters after the caucus meeting. Advertisement He called for Trudeau to step aside in order to stop what he called the leader of the opposition Conservative Party Pierre Poilievres Make Canada Great Again agenda. I think the only path forward for us is to choose a new leader and present a new plan to Canadians with a different vision, Collins said. Helena Jaczek, an MP from Markham-Stouffville in Ontario, also asked Trudeau to resign. Lets put it this way - firing the minister of finance who has served you extremely well is not what Id call a trustworthy move, she said, as per BBC. Describing Freeland as a good friend, Transport Minister Anita Anand said: This news has hit me really hard and Ill reserve further comment until I have time to process it. Advertisement Liberal MP Wayne Long said nearly a third of the 153 sitting Liberal MPs want Trudeau to step down immediately, another third are undecided and the remaining are the PMs loyalists, reported CBC News. Hes messing with his legacy and its time to move on, Long told the public broadcaster. Canadians are screaming, caucus is vocal its just time, come on. Conservative Leader Poilievre called for holding the federal election as soon as possible, claiming that Freelands resignation is a sign that Trudeau has lost control. The Canadian people deserve to choose who should be their next prime minister, CBC News quoted him as saying. Eric Grenier, a political analyst at the Writ, said Freelands resignation was a clear rebuke of the prime minister. Freeland was one of Trudeaus first recruits when he became leader back in 2013. Shes always seemed to be a pretty loyal member of Cabinet, he was quoted as saying by The Guardian. [The resignation] is pretty surprising and pretty important. You dont often see this in Canadian politics. It definitely shows there are lots of problems right now with the government, Grenier added. New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party has propped up Trudeaus minority government, called on Trudeau to resign. However, he stopped short of promising to bring down the Trudeau government through a vote of non-confidence. Justin Trudeau has to go, he has to resign and because of that all options are on the table, Singh said. Well look at each vote and well make a decision, but now all options are on the table, he said, as per CBC News. Will Trudeau resign? Trudeau has been facing calls to resign for some time now. His popularity is sinking. Trudeaus approval rate has dropped from 63 per cent when he was first elected in 2015 to 28 per cent in June of this year, according to a poll tracker. Trudeaus main rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, is 20 points ahead in polls. The Liberal Party has lost two federal byelections in its safe seats of Toronto and Montreal this summer. Canadas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland gestures, as she stands next to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during the fall economic statement in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, November 21, 2023. File Photo/Reuters Earlier this year, 25 Liberal Party MPs demanded Trudeau step down to save the party from electoral rout. The Canadian PM has so far been adamant to stay and lead the party into the next general election, which must be held on or before October. After Freelands exit, some local media hinted the PM might resign, but his office has rejected the reports as absolutely not accurate. Whether Trudeau will bow to the pressure this time and step aside, only time will tell. With inputs from agencies Twelve Indian nationals were found dead in a sleeping area above the Haveli restaurant in Gudauri, the largest and highest ski resort in Georgia. According to a statement from Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs, the initial investigation revealed no evidence of violence or injuries. Local media claims all victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning. What is it? read more A tragic incident in Georgias popular Gudauri ski resort has claimed the lives of 12 Indian nationals. Initial reports suggest the deaths were likely due to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Indian mission in the capital, Tbilisi. While attempting to repatriate the bodies of the Indian nationals, the Indian Embassy in Tbilisi said that it was committed to providing all possible support to the families of the deceased. Heres all we know about it. Advertisement What happened at Georgia ski resort? According to authorities, the 12 Indian nationals were found dead in a sleeping area above the Haveli restaurant in Gudauri, the largest and highest ski resort in the former Soviet territory. At about 2,200 metres above sea level, the ski resort is situated in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of the Caucasus mountains. During the 19th century, it was a trading centre on the historic Georgian Military Road that connected Georgia and Russia. According to a statement from Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs, the initial investigation revealed no evidence of violence or injuries. Georgias ministry claimed that 11 of the 12 victims were foreigners and one was a citizen. In contrast, the Indian mission claimed that all 12 victimswho were reportedly employees at the Indian restaurantwere Indian. According to Georgias Interior Ministry, investigations are being carried out actively, with forensic-criminalistics working on the case and interviewing those involved. The victims identities have not yet been made public. Also read: 4 tourist deaths in Laos: What makes methanol poisoning so lethal? What caused the deaths? All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to local media that cited the police. According to a preliminary inspection, a power generator was positioned in a closed, inside area close to the bedrooms. When the building lost power on Friday night, the oil-powered generator was activated, suffocating the victims. The deaths may have been caused by the generators harmful fumes, according to initial theories. Advertisement The generator was placed in a confined area near the sleeping quarters, and the power outage the night before likely led to its use, said a spokesperson from the Georgian Interior Ministry, according to The Times of India. The circumstances around this tragic event are still under investigation, and forensic specialists are working to confirm the exact cause of death. The police started an investigation in line with Georgias Criminal Code, Article 116, which suggests negligent manslaughter. The exact cause of death will also be ascertained by a forensic medical examination. Also read: Why McDonalds burgers are making people sick in the US What is carbon monoxide poisoning? Commonly called a silent killer, carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the bloodstream becomes overloaded with carbon monoxide. Red blood cells oxygen is replaced by this gas, which can cause serious tissue damage or even death. Advertisement Every year, it kills hundreds of people and leaves thousands more sick. Burning fuels like gas, wood, propane, or charcoal releases carbon monoxide. Particularly in small areas, the gas can accumulate to unsafe levels if engines or appliances are not adequately ventilated. For example, operating a car in a garage or using a charcoal barbecue indoors can be dangerous. Carbon monoxide poisoning can also result from exposure to fire smoke. The Economic Times claims that smoking a hookah has also been linked to a rise in incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially in younger people. Poisoning with carbon monoxide can happen to anyone. It is more prone to cause illness in infants, the elderly, and those with anaemia, chronic heart disease, or respiratory disorders. Advertisement CO poisoning is common in the US, where over 400 people lose their lives to unintentional poisoning that is not related to fires each year, while over 100,000 go to the ER and over 14,000 are admitted to hospitals, as per CDC. What are its symptoms? This kind of poisoning mainly affects the heart and brain. After extended exposure, one may get flu-like symptoms without a fever. Other symptoms include headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, drowsiness, loss of muscle control, and loss of consciousness. Seniors and those who lost consciousness are more likely to experience symptoms that impact the brain and neurological system after recovering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some of these symptoms are memory loss, personality changes, and mobility issues. Advertisement This kind of poisoning is especially dangerous for those who are sleeping, drunk, or under the influence of drugs since it can cause death or brain damage before the problem is identified. How can you reduce the risk? Place battery-powered or battery-operated CO detectors close to each bedroom in your house. When you change the time on your clocks every winter and spring, make sure the CO detector batteries are in good working order. Every year, have a certified technician service your water heater, heating system and any other appliances that burn coal, oil or gas. Get your chimney inspected or cleaned every year. Debris can obstruct chimneys, accumulating CO inside your house or cabin. Charcoal should never be burnt indoors. CO is released when red, grey, black, or white charcoal is burnt. Only purchase gas equipment that has a national testing agencys seal on it. Even with windows and doors open, never operate a generator inside your house or garage. Generators should only be used outdoors, away from windows, doors, and vents by at least 20 feet. With inputs from agencies Donald Trump has lost a bid to dismiss his hush money conviction, as a Manhattan judge ruled that the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision does not apply to this case. The ruling keeps the legal drama alive as Trump, now elected for a second term, faces the unprecedented situation of a criminal conviction while in office read more Former US President Donald Trump, alongside his attorney Todd Blanche, speaks to the media as he arrives for his criminal trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024 in New York City, US. File Image/Reuters On Monday, Donald Trump faced a significant setback in his ongoing legal battle regarding the hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, as a judge ruled against dismissing his conviction in light of the US Supreme Courts decision on presidential immunity. The ruling from Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan reinforces the severity of the case, as Trump, who is set to take office again on January 20, 2025, continues to confront the fallout of this legal matter. Advertisement His lawyers had sought to have the conviction tossed out, arguing that the Supreme Courts immunity ruling concerning presidential acts should shield him from prosecution. However, the judge sided with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, dismissing the notion that presidential immunity applied to this particular case. The mugshot of former US President Donald Trump is displayed on screens at a campaign event in Duluth, Georgia, US, October 23, 2024. File Image/Reuters Trumps legal team had sought to have the case thrown out based on the premise that the evidence presented in his trial was tied to his official duties as president. They claimed that materials such as Trumps presidential financial disclosure forms, testimony from White House aides, and social media posts made during his tenure in office had been improperly used. However, Judge Merchan ruled in a detailed 41-page decision that the evidence in question was unrelated to Trumps official conduct and instead dealt with wholly unofficial conduct, specifically the falsification of business records to cover up the hush money payment to Daniels. In his ruling, Merchan stated that even if some of the contested evidence were tied to Trumps official duties, it would still not warrant the dismissal of the case. Even if this Court did find that the disputed evidence constitutes official acts under the auspices of the Trump decision, which it does not, Defendants motion is still denied as introduction of the disputed evidence constitutes harmless error, Merchan wrote, citing the overwhelming evidence of Trumps guilt. Advertisement Former US president Donald Trump smiles to the jury pool as he is introduced to them, at the beginning of his trial before Justice Juan Merchan over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City. File Image/Reuters Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung reacted strongly to the decision, calling it a direct violation of the Supreme Courts decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence. He further argued that the case was a lawless attempt to interfere with Trumps political career. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, Cheung said. The hush money payment conviction The case centers on a $130,000 payment made by Trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier, which Trump denies. The payment was made to prevent Daniels from going public with her story and potentially damaging Trumps campaign. In May 2023, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in an effort to conceal the payment. Trump has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the case was politically motivated and aimed at damaging his 2024 presidential bid. This is an attempt by Bragg, a Democrat, to harm my 2024 campaign, Trump declared following his conviction. Advertisement This ruling makes Trump the first former president, and only the second sitting or former US president in history, to be convicted of a criminal offence. What it means for Trump now The timing of the case is especially significant due to the Supreme Courts recent ruling that ex-presidents are immune from prosecution for actions performed in the course of their official duties. This ruling clarified that such immunity does not extend to unofficial, personal acts. Trumps legal team had argued that evidence presented during his trial, such as social media posts and conversations with aides while in the White House, improperly linked his personal conduct to his official role. However, Judge Merchan rejected this argument, affirming that the case centered on Trumps personal actions, which were not shielded by presidential immunity. Former US president Donald Trump listens as his lawyer Todd Blanche argues with Judge Juan Merchan during the court hearing. File Image/Reuters The Supreme Courts decision specifically concluded that not everything the president does is official, Merchan noted. Trumps social media posts, for example, were personal. The judge also pointed to a prior federal court ruling that categorised the hush money payment and subsequent reimbursements as part of Trumps private life, not his presidential duties. Advertisement What next steps may look like Despite Mondays ruling, the overall trajectory of the case remains uncertain. Trumps legal team is still pursuing other avenues to have the conviction overturned. One such motion centers on the idea that Trump, now elected president once again, should not face a criminal conviction while in office. This motion has not yet been ruled on by Merchan, and it is unclear when or whether a sentencing date will be set. Trumps defence attorneys have argued that any criminal proceedings against him during his presidency would cause unconstitutional disruptions. They also proposed that the conviction be entirely dismissed, arguing that the case should never have been brought to trial in the first place. T-shirts and hats with an image depicting the mugshot of former President Donald Trump are pictured at the Y-Que printing store in Los Angeles, California. File Image/Reuters Prosecutors, however, have suggested several options to preserve the conviction, such as freezing the case until Trump leaves office or modifying the sentence to exclude jail time. Advertisement Trumps legal woes are far from over. In addition to this hush money case, Trump is facing multiple other criminal cases, including federal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents. A separate state case in Georgia concerning election interference also remains in limbo. Why Trumps position in unique As Trump prepares to return to the White House next month, his legal troubles continue to cast a shadow over his presidency. He is the first former president to be convicted of a felony and remains the first criminal to be elected back to the presidency. This legal battle is likely to continue throughout his second term, with many speculating that the case could stretch out for months or even years. Trumps team is expected to file an appeal, which could further delay any final resolution. With inputs from agencies Yang Tengbo, a Chinese businessman with deep ties to British elites, rose from a junior civil servant to an influential figure in Sino-British relations. His close association with Prince Andrew through the Pitch@Palace initiative raised eyebrows, with UK intelligence suspecting links to Chinese state operations read more A UK High Court judge has revealed the identity of Yang Tengbo, an alleged Chinese spy previously linked to the Duke of York. Yang, a 50-year-old director of a Chinese investment consultancy, was banned from the UK in 2023 over concerns that he posed a potential threat to national security. Until now, he had been referred to as H6, an association he has denied. 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 defended himself in a statement. Advertisement What we know about Yang Tengbo Yang Tengbo, also known as Christopher Yang, began his career as a junior civil servant in China. Born in 1973, Yang moved to the United Kingdom in 2003 to pursue a Masters degree in Public Administration at York University. His command of the English language improved rapidly, enabling him to network within elite circles. By 2005, he had founded Hampton Group International, an advisory firm aimed at connecting Chinese businesses with global opportunities. Yangs upbringing in China played a critical role in shaping his ambitions. Growing up in a modest family in Zhejiang province, he was known for his academic excellence and a keen interest in international relations. His time at York University further broadened his horizons, exposing him to Western business practices and diplomatic protocols. Hampton Group gained prominence by orchestrating high-profile events like the UK-China Business Leaders Summit, where Yang was seen mingling with British dignitaries, including then-Chancellor George Osborne. Over time, Yang expanded his influence, becoming a member of UK-China business organisations like the 48 Group Club and developing strong ties with prominent figures such as former UK PMs - Baroness Theresa May and Lord David Cameron. How Yang oversaw China-UK relations through Hampton Group Hampton Group International quickly evolved into a key player in Sino-British business relations. Under Yangs leadership, the firm facilitated major trade agreements and organised events that attracted both Chinese and British elites. Its success stemmed from Yangs ability to navigate cultural and political nuances, ensuring mutual benefits for stakeholders on both sides. Advertisement The firms most notable achievements include the successful negotiation of partnerships in the technology and energy sectors, areas of strategic importance for both nations. Yangs role as a connector made him indispensable to Chinese firms eager to expand their global footprint and to British companies seeking access to Chinas vast market. 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," Yang added in the statement. Advertisement 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. Hampton Groups reputation as a gateway to China brought Yang significant acclaim but also increased scrutiny. Observers noted the firms deep connections to Chinese state-owned enterprises and questioned whether its activities blurred the line between private enterprise and state influence. Nevertheless, Hampton Group continued to operate at the nexus of diplomacy and commerce, cementing its position as a vital conduit for bilateral relations. How Yang entered the inner circle of Prince Andrew Yangs association with Prince Andrew is traced back to the Pitch@Palace initiative, launched in 2014. This platform aimed to connect entrepreneurs with investors and was an avenue for Andrew to maintain his influence after stepping down as the UKs trade envoy in 2011. Yang became involved in Pitch@Palace China in 2016, positioning himself as a co-founder, reported The Telegraph. Their relationship deepened through shared engagements, including state visits and business events. In 2017, Yang attended a Pitch@Palace dinner at Windsor Castle, rubbing shoulders with key figures such as Liu Xiaoming, Chinas ambassador to the UK. Advertisement The Duke of York even credited Yang and another businesswoman for their utmost support in his efforts to foster UK-China collaborations. 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 By 2018, Yang had solidified his status as a close confidant. He attended private meetings at Buckingham Palace and was authorised to act on Andrews behalf in financial matters, including the Eurasia Fund. In court documents, one of Andrews advisers described Yang as sitting at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on. Why Yang is accused of being a Chinese spy Yangs activities began raising red flags among UK security services, who suspected his ties to Chinas United Front Work Department (UFWD), an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) focused on influencing foreign elites. The UFWD has been described as one of Chinas magic weapons for promoting its interests abroad. Evidence against Yang included briefing notes connected to the Chinese Embassy, which reportedly outlined strategies to manage Prince Andrew during their communications. A document allegedly instructed Yang to manage expectations and stated Andrews desperate situation, suggesting Yangs proximity to the Duke could be exploited. Advertisement In 2021, Yangs devices were seized at a UK airport, uncovering letters and communications that demonstrated extraordinary access to Prince Andrew. Investigators found no evidence of direct payments between the two, but Yangs relationship with Andrew raised significant concerns. Buckingham Palace distanced itself from the controversy, with a spokesperson stating that the Duke of York had ceased all contact with Yang once concerns were raised by the government. Yang himself denied allegations of espionage, stating: I am an independent, self-made entrepreneur I have always aimed to foster partnerships and build bridges between East and West. I would never do anything to harm the interests of the UK. Despite his protests, Yang was off-boarded from a flight in 2023 and formally excluded from the UK by the Home Secretary, reported The Guardian. The decision followed years of scrutiny, during which Yang continued to assert his innocence. Former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smit told the UK House of Commons Tengbo was not a lone wolf. My Urgent Question this afternoon: To ask the Government if they will make a statement on the extent of the operations of the United Front Work Department within the UK. Yang TengboH6was, in fact, not a lone wolf. He was one of some 40,000 members of the United Front Work https://t.co/Pr4r7R0YsL Iain Duncan Smith MP Chingford & Woodford Green (@MPIainDS) December 16, 2024 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, he said. With inputs from agencies Two people were killed, and several others injured after a 15-year-old girl, identified as Natalie Samantha Rupnow, opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that the teen shooter was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Heres what we know so far about the teen shooter and the attack read more Children prepare to board a bus bound for the reunification centre after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. December 16, 2024. Reuters School shootings carried out by a girl remain rare, with females responsible for only about 3% of all mass shootings in the United States. In an incident at a private Christian school in the Madison region of Wisconsin, two people were killed, leaving the close-knit religious community grieving just days before the school was set to close for Christmas. ALSO READ | Georgia school shooting: Who is Colt Gray, 14-year-old gunman, one of the youngest in US? Advertisement The suspect, identified as a 15-year-old girl named Natalie Rupnow, who also went by the name Samantha, was found dead at the scene, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. What happened? The shooting took place just days before the Christmas holiday break. Late Monday morning, a teenage student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School, killing a fellow student and a teacher. The suspect was also found dead. Barnes confirmed that the responding officers had not fired their weapons. Children boarding a bus for the reunification centre after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, US, December 16, 2024. Reuters Authorities said that the attacker, identified as Natalie Rupnow, had been attending the school before the shooting. Investigators believe that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that a 9mm pistol was used in the attack, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. Six other students were injured, with two suffering life-threatening injuries. Police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting, though the suspects family is co-operating with the investigation. The schools website indicated that Friday was meant to be the final day of classes before the Christmas break. In a statement, US President Joe Biden 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. Advertisement We cannot continue to accept it as normal. 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. As a precaution, nine public schools in Madison were placed on lockdown for several hours following the incident. Police walk outside the Abundant Life Christian School following a shooting, December 16, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. AP Lockdown, Lockdown The shooter arrived at school on time and pulled out a handgun roughly three hours into the school day, officials said. Once the shooting began, students were locked in their classrooms and handled themselves magnificently, Barbara Wiers, Abundant Lifes director of elementary and school relations, said in a statement. Advertisement ALSO READ | How mass killings in the US have already claimed 131 lives in 2024 Students are trained on how to respond to active shooter situations and are typically reassured with the phrase, this is just a drill, Wiers said. They were clearly scaredwhen they heard lockdown, lockdown and nothing else, they knew it was real. Following the incident, officials confirmed that students were moved off campus to a designated site where survivors were reunited with their parents. Gun control and school safety remain major political and social issues in the United States, as school shootings have increased sharply in recent years. The epidemic of gun violence has affected public and private schools across urban, suburban, and rural areas. Advertisement Officials confirmed that students were moved off campus to a designated site, Madison, Wisconsin, US. AP The shooting led to a major emergency response. Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon said 15 ambulances were dispatched to the scene. Federal agencies, including the FBI, joined local law enforcement officials as part of the response. Abundant Life Christian School has approximately 400 students from kindergarten through high school. Who is Natalie Samantha Rupnow? Officials identified the shooter as Natalie Samantha Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at Abundant Life Christian School. Rupnow brought a handgun to the campus and opened fire at around 11 am, Barnes said on Monday evening. She was later found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, sources told CNN. She was a student at the school and evidence suggests that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police confirmed. Advertisement Detectives have been in contact with Rupnows family as they continue to investigate a possible motive for the attack, Barnes added. ALSO READ | 17-year-old behind shooting at Iowa school: Why are more adolescents picking up guns in the US? What was the motive for shooting? Whats next in the investigation? Federal and local law enforcement are now examining the crime scene to determine the suspects motive and provide support to the grieving school community, CNN said in a report. Whether they were targeted or not would speak to motivation, and we dont know that answer just yet, Barnes said. The attack at Abundant Life Christian School marks at least the 83rd school shooting in 2024, already surpassing 2023 for the highest number of school shootings in a single year since CNN began tracking such incidents in 2008. What we know about the school Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, for students from prekindergarten through high school. Barbara Wiers said at a Monday news briefing that while the school does not have metal detectors, it has other security measures such as cameras. Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, following a shooting, December 16, 2024. AP She added that safety protocols are regularly carried out, announcing that faculty had undergone retraining with the Madison Police Department just before the school year began. It was very fresh for faculty, Wiers said. Following the shooting, the school issued a statement requesting for prayers: Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCSWe are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family. Abundant Life Christian School, founded in 1978, aims to offer academic excellence in a Christ-focused context, the schools website reads. The school is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International. With inputs from agencies The Centre has introduced the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, better known as the One Nation, One Election Bill, in the Lok Sabha. While the BJP has the support of its NDA allies, the opposition parties have vehemently opposed the call for simultaneous general and Assembly elections. But why? read more Speaker Om Birla conducts proceedings in the Lok Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 17, 2024. PTI The Union governments plan of One Nation, One Election has reached the Parliament. On Tuesday (December 17), two bills, which would facilitate the implementation of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, popularly referred to as the bill on One Nation, One Election (ONOE) will sync elections at the national and state level. The bill was tabled in the lower house after division voting was held wherein 269 MPs voted in favour and 198 members against the motion of introducing the bill. Advertisement The opposition INDIA bloc led by Congress is against the bill, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the support of its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners to make One Nation, One Election a reality. VIDEO | Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) moves 'one nation, one election' bills for introduction in Lok Sabha.#OneNationOneElectionBill (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/vgPvelEwLu Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2024 Lets take a closer look. Who supports ONOE? One Nation, One Election is a major plank of the BJP. It argues simultaneous elections will reduce election expenses for both political parties and the government. Touting it as a cost-effective measure, the saffron party says the saved money can be directed towards Indias development. Hailing the Union Cabinets nod to the Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level committees proposal for One Nation, One Election in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was an important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative. Advertisement The BJP has the support of its NDA allies, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U). Offering its unwavering support, the TDP said One Nation, One Election will streamline the electoral process in the country. TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu told NDTV, We have seen in Andhra Pradesh when simultaneous elections happen, there is clarity of process and governance. That has been our experience and we want that to happen across the country. Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande said frequent elections waste the countrys money and time. To be free from this, One Nation, One Election is necessary. Advertisement Nitish Kumars JD(U) has also extended support to ONOE. JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar had told Indian Express in September: We fully support the Union Cabinets decision as we believe that simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would save election expenses and expedite development works, which are obstructed because of model code of conduct being in place because of some elections or the other Those criticising it should know that we followed One Nation, One Election till 1967. The BJPs other Bihar allies Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) have also supported the move. Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which is not a part of the ruling NDA, has also come out in support of ONOE. Advertisement The move will reduce expenses and ensure public welfare works continue uninterrupted. Other political parties must support the initiative, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was quoted as saying by The Hindu. Who opposes it and why? The Opposition INDIA bloc has attacked the BJP over the ONOE bill, calling for its withdrawal. They allege the bill is against the basic structure of the Constitution and would hurt regional parties. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the bill anti-constitutional, claiming it is against federalism. Congress Manish Tewari said the bills were beyond this Houses [Lok Sabha] legislative competence, adding that they should be withdrawn immediately. Opposed the Introduction of the One Nation One Elections Bills in the Lok Sabha. In 1973 in Re: Kesvananda Bharti the Supreme Court conceptualised the Basic Structure Doctrine. Federalism and Parliamentary Democracy including its structure are protected by the above pic.twitter.com/sIPAJx43OT Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) December 17, 2024 Advertisement The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also opposing the ONOE bill, with Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee saying it was an unashamed attack on democracy. The BJPs brazen attempt to introduce a constitutional amendment bill today, while the constitution debate is still underway in Parliament, is nothing short of an unashamed attack on democracy. The One Nation One Election bill seeks to rob the people of their fundamental right to vote regularly, he wrote on X. Other INDIA partners such as Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have also objected to the proposal of simultaneous polls. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said in the Lok Sabha that the BJP is trying to bring in dictatorship in the country. DMK MP TR Baalu also expressed reservations about the bill, saying: As my leader MK Stalin has said, it is anti-federalThe electors have the right to elect the govt for five years and the same cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also opposed the bill, alleging it was a bid to centralise power at the expense of federalism and the Constitution. Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said, The One Nation, One Election is being brought in the guise of centralising power again. Attacking the Constitution in this manner is very unfortunate. Tampering with the process of elections, working against federalism is one such way of the Central government to centralise power, she added. Addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the bill violates parliamentary democracy and indirectly introduces a presidential style of democracy. He said that the ONOE bill would finish off all regional parties. AIMIM is not a part of the INDIA alliance. Opposing the bill, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha said the bill is against the countrys federal character. This goes against the Indian constitution. This goes against the will of the people which is the pivot of parliamentary democracy," he told NDTV. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Muhammed Basheer made similar remarks. The Left is also opposing the ONOE bill. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas earlier said that the proposed legislation is against Indias federal spirit. One nation, one election, is part of their slogan one leader, one country, one ideology, one language Its against the federal spirit of the country, he reportedly said. Parties on fence Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which previously supported the idea of simultaneous elections, has now said it will decide its stand after examining the details of the two bills. BJD President Naveen Patnaik is seized of the matter, after a bill copy is released we will examine it, and a decision will be taken by the party, BJDs Sasmit Patra was quoted as saying by PTI. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has also taken a wait-and-see approach. We are firm proponents of federalism and strong advocates for regional parties to have their voices heard. We will have to wait and see in what form this bill will come, BRS working president KT Rama Rao told PTI Videos. Andhra Pradeshs YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) previously called for wider consultations on the matter. All three parties are not part of the ruling alliance or the opposition bloc. With inputs from agencies The government is likely to introduce the One Nation One Election Bill today, a constitutional amendment aimed at holding the Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha will continue its debate on the Constitution of India, following a no-confidence motion by opposition parties against Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar read more View of the Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 16, 2024. PTI Several important events are lined up for today, December 17. The government is expected to table the One Nation One Election Bill, aiming to simultaneously conduct the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. In the Rajya Sabha, discussions on the Constitution of India will continue after the Lok Sabha debated it earlier this month. In the UK, sentencing is set for Urfan Sharif, Beinash Batool, and Faisal Malik, over a year after the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Advertisement France will send a delegation to Syria to assess the nations political and security conditions. The Academy Awards shortlist for 2025 will be revealed, with nominations scheduled for January 17, 2025. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will meet to discuss the situation in Syria following President Bashar al-Assads ouster. Lets take a look at the events: One Nation One Election bill to be introduced today? The government is likely to introduce the One Nation One Election Bill, a constitutional amendment aimed at conducting the Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously. Lok Sabha during a discussion in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 14, 2024. PTI The bill, likely to be tabled today, proposes an appointed date for aligning the terms of all Legislative Assemblies with the Lok Sabhas tenure. If introduced, it could be referred to a joint committee of Parliament for further discussion. Debate on Constitution in Rajya Sabha The Rajya Sabha is set to continue its debate on the Constitution of India today, following a no-confidence motion by opposition parties against Vice President and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Members in the Rajya Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, December 13, 2024. PTI Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman initiated the debate on Monday. The Lok Sabha previously debated the Constitution on December 13 and 14. Sentencing in Sara Sharif murder case Over a year after the death of 10-year-old British-Pakistani girl Sara Sharif, her father, Urfan Sharif, 43, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of murder. Her uncle, Faisal Malik, 29, was found guilty of causing or allowing a childs death. The three convicts will be sentenced today for their crimes. Advertisement Saras body was found at the family home in Hammond Road, Woking. Image courtesy: X/@lorrainemking ALSO READ | Beaten, burned, bruised: The short and tragic life of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, murdered by father, stepmother Sara was found dead at her Woking home in August 2023. Prosecutors described the case as a campaign of serious and repeated violence. France to send delegation to Syria France will send a delegation to Syria today to evaluate the political and security situation. While most EU governments initially supported the fall of Bashar al-Assad, some are now weighing relations with groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU. France, which severed ties with Assads regime in 2012, has since supported the secular exiled opposition and Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, refraining from normalising relations with the Syrian government. Advertisement Oscar shortlists to be revealed The 97th Academy Awards shortlist will be announced today, with full nominations set for January 17, 2025. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 2, 2025, at Hollywoods Dolby Theatre, marking its 24th consecutive year at the iconic venue. Red carpet coverage begins at 6:30 PM ET, leading into the main event at 7:00 PM ET (5:00 AM IST). UNSC meeting on crisis in Syria The UN Security Council will meet today to discuss the situation in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. An image of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad, riddled with bullets, is seen on the facade of the provincial government office in the aftermath of the oppositions takeover of Hama, Syria, Friday. AP ALSO READ | Explained: What led to Bashar al-Assads downfall in Syria? Opposition forces seized Damascus, ending Assads nearly 14-year rule during a conflict that became a regional and global proxy war. This marked the first entry of opposition forces into Damascus since 2018 when Assads forces reclaimed the citys outskirts after prolonged fighting. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Controversies are not new for Prince Andrew, who was believed to be the late Queen Elizabeths favourite child. His name has been linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell. Now he has been connected to a Chinese spy, who has been barred from the UK 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, Britain December 25, 2023. Reuters Many people believe that Prince Andrew was the late Queen Elizabeths favourite child. However, the Duke of York has seen a sharp fall in prominence over the last ten years due to a string of controversies. In the latest episode, his name has been linked with a suspected Chinese spy who has been barred from the United Kingdom. Here is a detailed look at Andrews waning reputation and departure from the public. In 2010, Andrews reported connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein marked the beginning of his decline from favour. In a 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Andrew claimed to have known British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell when she was a student. Ghislaine is the daughter of media tycoon and former MP Robert Maxwell. In 1999, she had introduced him to Epstein, her then-boyfriend. The three remained close friends even after Epstein was found guilty in 2008 of soliciting a prostitute and trafficking a minor for prostitution. Advertisement In 1999, Andrew is said to have personally invited the couple to the Queens home in Scotland, Balmoral. Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. AFP Also, he came under fire after photos of him walking through Central Park with Epstein and him entering the door of his lavish East Side apartment in December 2010 surfaced. He stated in his 2019 BBC interview that he went to New York to break their ties and that he had regretted spending time at Epsteins home during that trip. It was revealed, as per People magazine, that Andrews office allegedly arranged the $24,500 loan that Sarah Ferguson, Andrews ex-wife, received from Epstein. According to The Guardian, Andrew resigned from his position as a trade envoy in July 2011 due to the consequences of his links to Epstein after serving in that capacity for ten years. Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew in 1986 after only a three-month engagement. But it seems the love faded soon and they separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. File image/Reuters Accused in sex abuse case In 2015, Andrew was named in a legal suit against Epstein, which intensified the pressure on him. A woman later identified as Virginia Giuffre (previously Roberts) filed the case, alleging that Epstein ordered her to have sex with Prince Andrew three times while she was 17 years old, which is considered a minor in the US. Giuffre later sued Andrew in 2021 for allegedly having non-consensual sexual relations with him. Advertisement The royal has always strongly denied the allegations. Speaking about the same in his now-infamous BBC interview, he had said, I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever. It just never happened. Additionally, Andrew claimed he was home with the children during one of the alleged encounters, denied he sweated profusely while dancing with Giuffre due to a medical condition that prevented him from perspiring, and said he had no memory of a 2001 photo of himself and Giuffre and questioned its authenticity. A Florida judge declared in April 2015 that Prince Andrews sexual misconduct allegations were lurid and unnecessary in order to conclude the civil case against Epstein. The infamous BBC interview Prince Andrew discussed his past friendship with the disgraced financier in a no holds barred interview with BBCs Newsnight after Epstein committed suicide in August 2019 while awaiting trial on several sex charges. Andrew revealed that he regretted his connection with Epstein during the conversation. Advertisement Thats the bit that I kick myself for on a daily basis. It was not something that was becoming of a member of the Royal family I let the side down, he told Emily Maitlis. Following the controversial interview, which the Queen had approved, the prince was criticised by the public and announced he was leaving his position as a royal. 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 organisations and charities that I am proud to support, he said in the statement. Advertisement Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission. Virginia Giuffre sex abuse lawsuit In August 2021, Giuffre brought a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in New York. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a sexual assault victim, speaks in New York, on July 2, 2020. AP According to a statement, as per People magazine, Giuffre said: I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but to reclaim ones life by speaking out and demanding justice. Prince Andrews attorneys described the action as baseless, non-viable, and potentially unlawful during the initial hearing, which took place digitally in September 2021. When it became known that Giuffre had settled with Epstein in 2009, his attorneys filed a move to dismiss the lawsuit in January 2022. Giuffre agreed to refrain from suing any other potential defendant in exchange for $500,000 in the settlement. Advertisement The judge rejected the motion, though, so Prince Andrew was likely to go to trial. Royal titles and military affiliations stripped The Queen stripped Andrew of his royal patronages and military titles in January 2022 as a result of Giuffres civil sexual assault proceedings against her son. Other royal family members took over the princes positions. His other military titles included honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths Own); and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Out-of-court settlement In March 2022, Andrew paid Giuffre a multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement, which implies the two sides avoided the case heading to trial. He was required to provide Giuffre damages and a payment to a charity in support of victims rights as part of the agreement. Andrew has been asked to explain how he paid for the settlement, which is said to have cost up to 16 million, and whether the Queen or even King Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time, helped pay for it. At Prince Philips burial ceremony in March 2022, Queen Elizabeth had Andrew escort her into Westminster Abbey despite his decline in prominence. It shows she wholeheartedly loves and believes her son, royal commentator Robert Jobson said, adding, She has faith in Andrew. A mysterious Chinese businessman, known only by the pseudonym H6, came into the light recently due to his close ties with Prince Andrew and allegations of espionage. It emerged a close confidante of the royal lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds. A British immigration tribunal upheld the decision on Thursday in a ruling that revealed the Chinese national had developed such a close relationship with Andrew that he was invited to the princes birthday party. Government officials were concerned the man could have misused his influence because the prince was under considerable pressure at the time, according to the ruling. British authorities believe the Chinese national, whose name wasnt released, was working on behalf of the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party that is used to influence foreign entities. With inputs from agencies Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been grabbing headlines for her choice of totes. After she was spotted with a bag with Palestine printed, she carried another one showing support for Bangladeshs minorities. BJP leaders criticised the MP for appeasement politics read more Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra carries a handbag with the word 'Palestine' written on it during ongoing Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, December 16, 2024. PTI Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been making headlines for her choice of totes. On Monday, the Wayanad Member of Parliament (MP) carried a bag with Palestine printed on it, a gesture of support for the people of the conflict-hit region. And a day later, she seemed to double down, showing up with a new bag bearing a phrase about the plight of Bangladeshs minority. The issue was pounced upon by several BJP leaders, who framed it as an attempt to put global issues ahead of local ones. Advertisement Heres all we know about it. Priyanka Gandhi Vadras handbags On Monday (December 16), Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen carrying a handbag emblazoned with the word Palestine on it to Parliament. Among the Palestinian symbols on the bag was a watermelon, which is frequently used to express support for Palestine. On Tuesday, she doubled her stance, by carrying a new bag with a slogan in support of the plight of minorities in Bangladesh. The phrase on her bag said, Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians, referring to the attacks on minorities that have occurred in Bangladesh since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown earlier this year. Vadras bag move sparked a coordinated protest by other opposition MPs who carried similar bags. In her address at Mondays Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Vadra asked the government to bring up the matter of Bangladeshs atrocities against minorities. To protect the safety of Christians and Hindus, she urged the Centre to establish diplomatic relations with Dhaka. A long supporter of Palestinians Vadra has long been vocal in her support for Palestine and criticism of Israels military offensive in Gaza. However, her gesture as the newly elected Wayanad MP has brought much attention to her stance. Earlier, she condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government for what she described as genocidal acts in Gaza during the Israeli military offensive in October 2023. Advertisement The offensive was in response to the attacks carried out by Hamas, the Islamist organisation in control of Gaza, on October 7. Vadra called the situation in Gaza a horrific genocide and accused Netanyahus government of barbarism in June. It is the moral responsibility of every right-thinking individual, including Israeli citizens who oppose hatred and violence, to condemn the Israeli governments actions and demand an end to these atrocities, Vadra posted on X. According to PTI, Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, charge daffaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, had also congratulated Vadra on her election win in Wayanad last week. Pakistani politicians praise Pakistani politician and former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry praised Vadras bold statement and her support for Palestine. Drawing attention to her lineage, he remarked, What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Advertisement He also criticised Pakistani politicians, stating, Such shame that to date, no Pakistani member of Parliament has demonstrated such courage. BJPs criticism of selective activism While the Congress MPs bag drew cheers from her supporters, it came under intense scrutiny from the Bharatiya Janata Party, which accused her of engaging in appeasement politics. BJP leader Anirban Ganguly called the Congress the new Muslim League and accused Vadra with being ignorant about global affairs. Ganguly went on to say that her behaviour was indicative of a divisive political agenda and an anti-Hindu attitude. Right from Pandit Nehru to Priyanka Gandhi, they have always shown their anti-Hindu mindset, he said. While speaking to NDTV, Thakur said, Was the bag a statement? Why has she kept mum on issues of Bangladeshi Hindus? It is a big question mark. It is an Indian Parliament. MPs are elected here from across the country to try and raise the concerns of 140 crore Indians. First, it was Asaduddin Owaisi who raised a Jai Palestine slogan, and now it is Priyanka Gandhi who brought a Palestine bag to Parliament. The head of the BJPs IT unit, Amit Malviya, charged the new MP with communal virtue signalling while claiming to be opposing patriarchy. Advertisement At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two-minute silence for everyone in the Congress who believed Priyanka Vadra was the solution. Sporting a bag in support of Palestine in Parliament is crass communal posturing, Malviya wrote on X. Also read: Mangalsutra row: The truth behind Priyankas claim on Indira Gandhi donating gold to the country Vadras sharp response Vadra responded to the BJPs comments by dismissing the criticism as patriarchal. Speaking to reporters, she said, No one will decide what I wear. Who is going to decide what clothes I am going to wear?" Who is going to decide that? Thats typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear also. I dont subscribe to that. I will wear what I want, she said, adding, I have said many times what my beliefs are regarding this. If you look at my Twitter handle, all my comments are over there. Advertisement Whos going to decide the clothes I wear now, thats typical patriarchy A woman who wears her heart and her beliefs to her sleeves. Rockstar PGV #PalestineGenocide #PriyankaGandhi pic.twitter.com/Ye0ZKC0n0r Priyamwada (@PriaINC) December 16, 2024 Vadra accused the BJP of distracting from pressing humanitarian issues, saying, Tell them they should do something about the atrocities happening against minorities Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. P Sandosh Kumar, an MP for the Communist Party of India, defended Vadra by claiming that the Palestine issue is humanitarian in nature rather than an appeasement tactic. Carrying a Palestine bag is not Muslim appeasement. Those who relate the Palestine issue to a Muslim issue are doing injustice because this is a humanitarian issue, Kumar told ANI. He reaffirmed his partys support for Palestine, describing it as a genuine global issue that requires our collective assistance. Indias stance on both issues Concerned about the continued loss of innocent lives, India strongly denounced the terror strikes on Israel on October 7. The government has demanded a ceasefire right away and sustained aid for the people of Gaza. India reaffirms its long-standing support for a two-state solution, calling for the creation of a viable, independent, and sovereign Palestinian state that can live in peace and security alongside Israel. The Centre has provided $5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees and sent almost 70 metric tonnes of relief supplies, including medications, since the conflict began. Bangladesh and India have strong strategic and historical relations. However, there have been concerns raised by recent reports of attacks on minorities since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown. With inputs from agencies From spring 2025, Russia will allow Indian tourists to visit without a visa. This comes amid a rise in Indians visiting the country. As per estimates, Moscow welcomed 28,500 Indian visitors in the first half of 2024, a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous year read more Indian tourists may soon visit Russia without the need for a visa, with visa-free entry expected to begin by spring 2025. File image/ Reuters Indian travellers are exploring the world like never before, and keeping pace with this surge is a growing list of countries opening their doors through visa-free policies. With the Indian middle class on the rise and global tourism recovering post-pandemic, nations across the world are increasingly recognising Indias potential as a key tourism market. Russia is the latest country to join this trend, announcing visa-free entry for Indian tourists, starting next year. This move, along with similar initiatives by other countries, reflects a shift in global tourism policies, making it easier for Indians to explore international destinations. Advertisement The aim of visa-free travel is to simplify entry procedures. Travellers only need their passports, avoiding lengthy application processes and visa fees. Heres a closer look at the countries welcoming Indian tourists with visa-free access in 2024. Russia Indian tourists may soon visit Russia without the need for a visa, with visa-free entry expected to begin by spring 2025. This follows the talks in June 2024 between both countries to simplify visa rules and promote group tourism. At present, Indian travellers need a visa to visit Russia, depending on the purpose of their travelwhether its for tourism, business, work, study, or humanitarian reasons. One popular option is the Unified E-Visa (UEV), introduced in August 2023, which allows personal and business visits with applications processed in just four days. In January 2024 alone, Russia issued 1,700 e-visas to Indian tourists, demonstrating the growing interest among Indian travellers. The capital city of Moscow also welcomed 28,500 Indian visitors in the first half of 2024a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous year. While many visited for work or business, this surge underscores the strong and growing ties between India and Russia. Indian tourists may soon visit Russia without the need for a visa, with visa-free entry expected to begin by spring 2025. Image for Representation. Reuters Sri Lanka Starting October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka has introduced visa-free access for Indian citizens, further strengthening ties between the two nations. This visa-free entry will be available for a period of six months, said Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando, as quoted by PTI. This policy is expected to encourage more Indian travellers to explore Sri Lankas scenic landscapes and cultural heritage Advertisement Thailand Thailand has indefinitely extended its visa-free policy for Indian travellers, making it easier than ever for Indians to visit the Southeast Asian destination. Under the new policy, Indian visitors can stay in Thailand without a visa for up to 60 days. This period can be further extended by 30 days through a local immigration office. The policy, initially set to end on November 11, 2024, has been extended indefinitely. Thailand and Sri Lanka have given visa-free access to Indian citizens, making it easier than ever for Indians to visit Southeast Asian destinations. Image for Representation. Reuters Iran In February this year, Iran introduced a visa-waiver programme for Indian tourists entering the country by air. However, this visa-free entry comes with specific conditions set by Iranian authorities. Indian citizens with ordinary passports can travel to Iran without a visa once every six months. Each visit allows a maximum stay of 15 days, which cannot be extended under any circumstances. The visa waiver is exclusively for tourism purposes and is only applicable for air-border entries. Other modes of entry do not fall under this exemption. For longer stays, multiple entries within six months, or other visa categories, Indian nationals must apply for the appropriate visa through Irans designated representation in India. Advertisement Kazakhstan Kazakhstan has become a visa-free destination for Indian travellers, offering hassle-free entry since introducing its relaxed visa policy in 2022. Indian citizens can enjoy a visa-free stay in the Central Asian nation for up to 14 days per visit. According to official guidelines, the maximum permitted duration of visa-free stays is 42 days within a 180-day period. In 2023, the country welcomed 28,300 Indian visitors, and the numbers continue to rise, reflecting the growing interest in Kazakhstans unique culture and landscapes. Kenya As of January 1, 2024, Kenya removed visa requirements for Indian travellers, simplifying the process of visiting the East African nation. Instead of a visa, Indian citizens now need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before their trip. This online system offers a straightforward way to secure travel authorisation. The move was part of Kenyas efforts to boost its vital tourism industry, renowned for its iconic wildlife safaris and stunning beach destinations. Advertisement The Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, which includes Kenyas Maasai Mara and Tanzanias Serengeti National Park, is one of the most famous and wildlife-rich areas in Africa. Pixabay Which other countries offer visa-free access to Indians? Indias expanding global influence is becoming increasingly evident with the growing number of countries offering visa-free access to Indian citizens. Currently, 62 countries are providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival privileges to Indian passport holders, with India securing the 80th position in the latest Henley Passport Index. Heres a list of countries offering visa-free access to Indian citizens. The Kalinka system was developed by Russias Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST). It is designed to locate signals from satellite systems like Starlink, which has proved invaluable to Ukraine during its war with Russia, as well as detect enemy drones read more A Ukrainian serviceman of 47th brigade prepares a Starlink satellite internet systems at his positions at a front line. Image: REUTERS Russias new Kalinka monitoring system could be a nightmare for both Elon Musk and Ukraine. The system is designed to detect enemy drones as well as locate signals from satellite systems like Starlink. The Starlink system designed by the Elon Musk company SpaceX has played a critical role in Ukraines defences during the war with Russia. But what do we know about the Kalinka monitoring system known as the Starlink killer? Lets take a closer look: Advertisement What is Kalinka? As per NDTV, the Kalinka system was developed by Russias Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST). The Kalinka system was backed by countrys United Russia party. The CBST comprises over 200 firms specialising in defence and national security technologies. CBST chairman Andrey Bezrukov has claimed that the system is currently undergoing testing in Ukraine. Bezrukov said it can spot aerial and maritime drones up to 15 kilometres away. He said Kalinka will be able to help Russias military pinpoint Starlink terminals. Eurasian Times reported that Kalkinka can locate terminals that are both fixed and moving. Kalinka is being installed in jet skis, boats, and helicopters. Bezrukov also displayed an updated version of a jet ski armed with a turret and large-calibre machine gun to increase the efficiency of the Kalinka system in targeting unmanned vessels. Bezrukov said Kalinka can even direct communication terminals from Starshield a militarised version of Starlink. This is because the basic principles of radio signal transmission have not changed since the invention of the radio, he added. Bezrukov said this will help Russia unmanned boats and the Baba Yaga drones. Its range depends on the terrain the system is being used to scan as well as the electronic devices being used by the enemy, Bezrukov added. As per Eurasian Times, Kalinka is already being produced on a small scale. NDTV quoted Bezrukov as saying mass production would be contingent on the demand from Russian forces. Advertisement A brief look at Starlink Starlink is a satellite-based internet service provider. It is an arm Musks SpaceX. The Musk-led rocket maker operates the largest constellation of communication satellites and provides internet connectivity to residential and business customers, largely in locations with limited or no access to the internet. Starlink is ideally suited for areas where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable, its website states. People across the globe are using Starlink to gain access to education, health services and even communications support during natural disasters. Over the past few years, Musk, CEO of SpaceX, has sought to expand Starlinks coverage to reach more users worldwide. Starlink owns around 60 per cent of the roughly 7,500 satellites orbiting Earth and is a dominant player in satellite internet. Advertisement The thousands of Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit use inter-satellite laser links to pass data between one another in space at the speed of light, allowing the network to offer internet coverage around the world. Starlink terminals were rushed in to help Ukraine after Russias February 2022 invasion and have been vital to Kyivs battlefield communications. Starlink says it does not do business of any kind with Russias government or military. In 2022, Musk declined a request to activate Starlink in the Crimean city of Sevastopol to support a Ukrainian assault on Russias naval fleet, stating that doing so would have made SpaceX explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was the chief of Russias Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection troops and a senior member of the Kremlin. He was killed, along with his assistant, via a remotely detonated bomb planted in an electric scooter outside an apartment building around seven kilometres from the Kremlin. But what do we know about the 54-year-old Kirillov? read more Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed in a bomb blast in Moscow. Source: X A top Russian general has been killed. Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russias Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection troops, died in a bomb blast in Moscow. Lieutenant General Kirillov is reported to have been targeted for assassination by Ukraines security agency. But who was he? And how was he killed? Lets take a closer look: Who was he? As per The Independent, Kirillov was a senior member of the Kremlin. His agency is formally known as the RKhBZ. Advertisement Its troops are called in whenever there is a radioactive, chemical and biological contamination. Their job is to guard ground forces who are functioning in extreme conditions. The 54-year-old was appointed to the post in 2017, as per Moscow Times. According to BBC, Kirillov was previously the chief of Russias Timoshenko Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Academy. His troops have been accused of using barbaric chemical weapons in Ukraine including multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin. The day before Kirillov was killed, Ukraines SBU security agencies said he was charged in absentia for the mass use of prohibited chemical weapons in Ukraine. The SBU described the use more than 4,800 cases of the enemy using chemical munitions on its countrys territory since the beginning of the war. Russias cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russias malign activity, foreign secretary David Lammy said in October as per The Independent. Advertisement It said Kirillovs forces used toxic substances in drone attacks and combat grenades. Russia has denied using chemical weapons in Ukraine. According to Moscow Times, the UK in October sanctioned Kirillov and his forces in October. Investigators work at the place where Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russias Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartments block in Moscow. AP The UK Home Office called Kirillov a significant mouthpiece for Russian disinformation. Kirillov has claimed that the West and their biolabs are is to blame for the spread of infectious diseases, including Covid-19. He has also accused the West of planning to give Ukraine biological weapons and claimed that they are targeting Russian troops with malaria-infected mosquitos. Kirillov has also claimed that Kyiv is using chemical weapons against Russia. Kirillov in October claimed that the Ukrainian military used Western-made chemical weapons in Russias Kursk. Advertisement As per BBC, Kirillov recently claimed that one of the priority aims of Ukraines counter-offensive into Russias Kursk border region was to seize control of the regions nuclear power plant. Kirillov in 2022 claimed that Ukraine was also developing a dirty bomb. As per BBC, Kirillov claimed that two organisations in Ukraine have specific instructions to create a so-called dirty bomb. This work is in its final stage. The West rejected his accusations as transparently false. How was he killed? As per CNN, Kirillov was killed via a remotely detonated bomb. The IED was planted in an electric scooter outside an apartment building around seven kilometres from the Kremlin. Advertisement Kirillovs assistant was also killed in the explosion. The outlet quoted Russian state agency TASS as reporting that the power of the explosion roughly equated to around 300 grams of TNT. The site has been cordoned off, TASS further reported. A source told CNN that Ukraines security service assassinated Kirillovs assassination. Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical substances against the Ukrainian military, the source said. Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable. BBC quoted Konstantin Kosachev, the deputy speaker of Russias parliament as calling Kirillovs death an irreparable loss. Advertisement Kirillov is survived by his wife and two sons, as per Moscow Times. With inputs from agencies As the demand for convenience foods and ready-to-eat snacks grows rapidly in India, a study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One raises red flags over its consumption on long-term health. The nutrition scientists analysed over 400 popular food items in the Indian market and called for a redesign of the convenience food matrix read more A recent study has revealed that while ready to eat snacks or convinience food may meet basic nutrition claims, their ingredients are dominated by carbohydrates and fats, raising red flags for long-term health. Image for Representation. Pixabay Do you choose a packet of chips over a bowl of peanuts? If yes, then you are not alone. As life gets busier and schedules more hectic, convenience foods and ready-to-eat snacks have become a quick fix for many. From instant idli mixes to health drink powders and soup packets, these foods promise to save time, deliver comfort, and satisfy our cravings on a tiring day. But behind this ease lies a growing concern: are these foods as healthy as they claim to be? A recent study has revealed that while they may meet basic nutrition claims, their ingredients are dominated by carbohydrates and fats, raising red flags for long-term health. Advertisement Heres a closer look at whats inside your favourite convenience foodsand why experts are urging caution. The rise of ready-to-eat According to market and industry analysis, the demand for convenience foods in India is growing rapidly, fuelled by nuclear families, long working hours, and the need for quick meal options. Market forecasts estimate that the revenue from this food sector was $58 billion in 2021, with an annual growth rate of 9.5 per cent projected through 2027. Another market agency cited by The Telegraph has estimated that the extruded snacks market alone was worth $570 million in 2023 and could cross $1 billion by 2032. For comparison, Indias gross domestic product in 2023 was $3,550 billion. Market forecasts estimate that the revenue from this food sector was $58 billion in 2021, with an annual growth rate of 9.5 per cent projected through 2027. Image for Representation. PTI Most convenience foods require minimal preparation, making them highly popular, Shobana Shanmugam, a nutrition scientist and study co-author told the British newspaper adding that There is a need for a redesign of our convenience food matrix. Not as good as it looks A recent evaluation published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One has shed light on the nutritional concerns surrounding convenience foods and ready-to-eat snacks in India. Conducted by nutrition researchers, the study analysed 432 popular packaged food items in India, categorising them into six groups: breakfast cereals, idli mixes, porridge, soup mixes, beverages, and extruded snacks. It found that most of these products derive over 70 per cent of their energy from carbohydrates, with extruded snacks being the exception. The extruded snacks, made through an extrusion process involving heat and pressure, derive 47 per cent of their energy from saturated fats instead. While all convenience food products were rich in carbohydrate content, beverage mixes emerged as the highest, ranging from 35.5g to 95g per 100g, while also being rich in protein, followed by idli mixes. Advertisement On the other hand, soup mixes were found to have high sodium levels, traces of trans fats, and poor protein content. They also recorded the highest cholesterol levels among the categories, at 49mg per 100g. Dr RM Anjana, a physician in Chennai who led the study, pointed out that the industry should focus on reducing carbohydrate content and increasing protein levels in these products. She suggested that by adding lentil ingredients, protein content could be enhanced. Until such changes are implemented, consumers are advised to approach convenience foods with caution. Preferably avoid processed foods as much as possible, Dr Anjana told The Telegraph. Advertisement The researchers also found discrepancies between some product claims and their actual ingredients. For instance, certain products claiming to contain whole grains did not list them in their ingredients. Such claims, if displayed prominently on packages, may be misleading to consumers. That is why consumers must read the ingredients, not merely the claims on the packages, Anjana said. Low-GI foods hard to find A recent analysis has highlighted that low-GI foods, which are essential for individuals with diabetes, prediabetes, and even glucose-tolerant populations, remain scarce in the market despite growing health demands. The glycaemic index measures how foods affect blood sugar levels after consumption. Slow-digesting carbohydrates, classified as low-GI foods, are particularly beneficial as they generate a lower glycaemic response, demand less insulin, and support better glycaemic control for all population groups, the analysis revealed. According to a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), India had over 10.1 crore diabetics in 2021, accounting for 11.4 per cent of the population. Advertisement A recent analysis has highlighted that low-GI foods, which are essential for individuals with diabetes, prediabetes, and even glucose-tolerant populations, remain scarce in the market despite growing health demands. Representational image. Pixabay In addition, 13.6 crore Indians15.3 per cent of the populationwere identified as prediabetic. With diabetes rates soaring and lifestyle diseases becoming increasingly common, experts believe that reformulating packaged foods and promoting the availability of low-GI options is essential for tackling Indias growing health challenges. Dr Seema Gulati, head of the nutrition research group at the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation in Delhi, called the analysis a significant step towards improving the quality and health impact of packaged foods in India. The findings in the evaluation provide a strong foundation for future research and policy development, she told ThePrint. With input from agencies India is an attractive partner to a Europe that is trying to find its feet after realising that it cannot integrate and fall behind all agendas pushed by the United States blindly and that it also needs to counterbalance dependence on China that has grown out in the past decades read more As more and more European leaders who push for peace, restoration of Europes history and culture, and family-centric policies ungroup themselves from the United States on increasing issues and get elected by the people, Europe experiences an amplified need to engage with Asia, particularly India. Image: REUTERS The European Union is currently undergoing a significant shift wherein power seems to be consolidating to regions different from where it has historically been held. Much of Europe is also experiencing divergence of views from the United States on many core global issuesmaking the US-EU alliance more vulnerable than it has been in the past many decades. To further complicate this already complex circumstance is the fact that Europes open borders policy to rehabilitate Muslim immigrants from the war-torn Middle East and parts of Africa into their own member countries seems to have severely backfired, making a lasting negative impact on the minds of original European inhabitants. Advertisement Western Europe, for many decades, has dominated not only the geopolitical power structure of the continent but also economic growth. However, there is currently a tectonic shift taking place where both power as well as trade seems to be moving from Western Europe eastwards to the central and eastern parts of the continent. In fact, the economic rate of growth of Central and Eastern Europe is higher than it is for Western Europe in 2025. This shift is so significant that many Central and Eastern European nations have now been frequently stating that the world is currently witnessing the dawn of the Eurasian Era, where countries around the juncture of both continents are increasingly seeing the benefits of greater European and Asian collaboration. In fact, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated in a recent Eurasian Summit that since there are no geographical boundaries between Europe and Asia, a relationship between Central and Eastern Europe with Asia is more natural than the relationship of the former with the West. By 2030, Asia is projected to have surpassed North America and Europe in terms of how much global power is wielded, which is calculated based on GDP, population size, military spending, and technological investment. China and India are at the crux of this shiftwith one significant difference: one is an expansionist power, and the other is an inclusive one. Owing to the global power shift to the East of the world, many European countries have chosen to realign their priorities by recognising the need to engage with these new emerging Eastern power centres. Some of these nations also believe and have so stated that after the Cold War, the Western elite deliberately chose not to restore the organic Eurasian relationship but instead made aggressive efforts to Westernise the whole world. Original inhabitants of these European nations have now grown extremely uncomfortable with forced, inorganic Westernisation blatantly pushed by neo-liberal, left-leaning leaders. This is evidenced by the decisive electoral victories of ideologically right-leaning leaders in many European nationsMeloni in Italy, Le Pen in France, Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, Viktor Orban in Hungary, and many others. Europe also now realises that many of its member states are increasingly facing the impact of poor integration of migrants into their societies and are seeking solutions to repatriate them. Many European societies have also awakened to the slow death of their rich religious and cultural history in exchange for gender neutrality, excessive social media exposure, and motivated pop culture, who are now also seeking a return to a state of normalcy where family values are given primacy. Advertisement To add to this mix is the United States involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah wars. Contrary to the US all-out support for Israel, many European nations continue to view Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu as a war criminal due to the atrocities against the Palestinian people. As for the war in Ukraine, while the US under the Biden administration continues to send sophisticated weapons and billions after billions to Ukraine, several European nations have discontinued providing weapons to Ukraine as well as capped their defence spending to 2 per centwith a strong push for an immediate ceasefire and reasonable peace deal. Advertisement As more and more European leaders who push for peace, restoration of Europes history and culture, and family-centric policies ungroup themselves from the United States on increasing issues and get elected by the people, Europe experiences an amplified need to engage with Asia. Many European nations that have overexposed themselves to China in the past decade feel the need to counterbalance this overexposure by significantly increasing engagement with India. India, like Europe, carries a cultural and civilisational legacy, also represents the Global South, is a non-expansionist power, and remains the fastest-growing large economy in the world. All these attributes make India a very reliable and attractive partner to a Europe that is trying to find its feet after realising that it simply cannot integrate and fall behind all agendas pushed by the United States blindly. Advertisement India stands to benefit with Europes watchful eye on its hostile neighbourhood, where several major world powers seek to create a sphere of influence by running tacit campaigns against India. The democratic India-Middle East-Europe corridor also provides a fast-tracked option to exchange goods, which will eventually lead to greater economic growth for both authorities and effectively counter Chinas aggressive Belt and Road Initiative. Convergence on international multilateral forums to strategise policies that have the potential to have far-reaching impact on both powerswhile simultaneously being able to tame hostile powershas the potential to influence how the world is reordered. Conclusively, the trade-off is clearwhile engagement with India can derisk Europe as it begins degrees of separation from the United States and Chinese overexposure, Europe can return the favour by aligning with India on key global issues on multilateral platforms. Advertisement Priyam Gandhi-Mody is an author and political communications expert. She has written four best-selling books. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. This visit has demonstrated that even in challenging times, with careful planning and mutual respect, diplomacy can achieve remarkable outcomes read more Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayakes (AKD) recent visit to India has been widely regarded as a landmark in fostering stronger bilateral relations between the two neighbours. The visit, carefully planned and executed, achieved significant milestones in various areas, highlighting a shared commitment to mutual growth and regional stability. Both President Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted a forward-looking approach, emphasising the importance of investment-led growth, connectivity, and deeper economic and cultural integration. Advertisement A Futuristic Vision for Partnership During the visit, both leaders underscored the need for a comprehensive partnership grounded in physical, digital, and energy connectivity. This vision aims to position connectivity as the cornerstone of the India-Sri Lanka relationship. Initiatives such as electricity grid integration and multi-product petroleum pipelines between the two countries were emphasised as critical steps toward greater economic and infrastructural alignment. These projects are expected to enhance energy security, facilitate trade, and promote economic interdependence, bringing the two neighbours closer together. Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for Indias continued support, particularly through its development assistance programs. Indias timely and impactful financial aid, which included $4 billion in 2022, has played a vital role in helping Sri Lanka navigate its economic crisis. The acknowledgement of this support highlights the trust and goodwill that underpin the bilateral relationship. Tradition Meets Pragmatism One of the noteworthy aspects of the visit was President Dissanayakes adherence to the Sri Lankan tradition of making India the first destination for a new leaders official visit. This gesture carries symbolic significance, emphasising the priority Sri Lanka accords to its relationship with India. Dissanayake, despite his affiliation with the traditionally anti-Indian Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, demonstrated remarkable pragmatism. By modulating his partys policies to acknowledge the multifaceted and deep-rooted nature of India-Sri Lanka ties, Dissanayake sent a clear message of his governments commitment to constructive engagement. This pragmatic approach is a significant gain from the visit, reflecting a recognition that Indias engagement with Sri Lanka is driven by shared interests rather than short-term political gains. The visit has helped dispel lingering misconceptions and strengthened mutual trust, laying the groundwork for more robust cooperation in the future. Addressing Security Concerns Advertisement Indias strategic concerns were a central focus during the discussions. One of Indias long standing apprehensions has been the possibility of Sri Lanka becoming a playground for anti-Indian forces, potentially jeopardising regional security. President Dissanayakes explicit reassurances during the joint statement and press conference were pivotal in addressing these concerns. The two leaders agreed to pursue a comprehensive Defence Cooperation Agreement, reflecting a shared understanding of emerging security challenges, including non-traditional threats such as maritime piracy, cybercrime, and terrorism. The 10th edition of the joint military exercise Mitra Shakti between the Indian Army and the Sri Lanka Army took place in August setting the continuity in such engagements. The SLINEX 2024, the bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka is held this month under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) off Visakhapatnam coast. Advertisement This alignment extends beyond bilateral ties to a shared regional outlook. Sri Lanka, as the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and India, set to assume the chair in 2025, are working closely to promote regional stability. The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), initially a trilateral initiative involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, has expanded to include Mauritius and Bangladesh, with Seychelles as an observer. Indias support for establishing a CSC Secretariat in Sri Lanka reflects its commitment to fostering equitable regional arrangements. Promoting Inclusivity and Autonomy While respecting Sri Lankas sovereignty, India has consistently advocated for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. This provision, which guarantees autonomy for minorities in the northern and eastern provinces, has been a sensitive issue in Sri Lankan politics. Successive governments have delayed provincial council elections and failed to fully implement the amendment, leading to frustration among Tamil communities. Advertisement President Dissanayakes political history and recent electoral successwhich included substantial support from Tamil constituenciesoffer a unique opportunity to address these longstanding issues. Indias subtle nudges during the visit reflected its hope that Sri Lanka would seize this moment to build trust and inclusivity. While refraining from overt interference, Indias approach emphasised the benefits of pluralistic democracy, drawing on its own experience in managing diversity. Economic Revival: Beyond Debt Sri Lankas economic recovery was another major focus of the discussions. India has been a steadfast partner, providing financial aid and development assistance to help Sri Lanka weather its economic crisis. However, both sides recognized the need to transition from a debt-driven model to a more sustainable framework based on public-private partnerships (PPP) and foreign direct investment (FDI). Advertisement India is already one of Sri Lankas leading sources of FDI, with investments exceeding $2 billion. During the visit, President Dissanayake engaged with Indian CEOs, seeking to attract further investment by assuring economic and political stability and a level playing field for investors. Indias efforts to convert some of its credit lines into grants have also eased Sri Lankas burden as it implements IMF-mandated reforms. Cultural and People-to-People Connections The visit also highlighted the importance of fostering cultural and people-to-people ties. Initiatives to enhance the Ramayana and Buddhism tourism circuits were discussed as a means of deepening mutual understanding and appreciation. More scholarships and training for 300 Sri Lankan civil servants annually for five years is among such efforts, expected to strengthen grassroots connections and promote goodwill between the citizens of both countries, ensuring that the bilateral relationship remains resilient in times of crisis. Five Key Takeaways Renewed Commitment to Connectivity: The emphasis on physical, digital, and energy connectivity marks a new phase in the India-Sri Lanka partnership. Projects like grid integration and petroleum pipelines are expected to drive mutual economic growth. Security Cooperation: Explicit assurances from Sri Lanka and plans for a comprehensive Defence Cooperation Agreement underscore a shared commitment to addressing traditional and non-traditional security threats. Regional Collaboration: India and Sri Lankas close cooperation within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave reflects a shared vision for regional stability and equitable development. India will support Sri Lankas BRICS ambitions when the opportunity arises. Inclusivity and Autonomy: Indias advocacy for implementing the 13th Amendment highlights its support for a more inclusive and democratic Sri Lanka while respecting its sovereignty. Economic Transition: The focus on PPP and FDI models signifies a shift towards sustainable economic recovery, with India playing a pivotal role as a partner in Sri Lankas growth. A Historic Turning Point President Dissanayakes visit to India has undoubtedly marked a pivot in the bilateral relationship. By overcoming historical apprehensions and embracing a pragmatic, forward-looking approach, both leaders have set the stage for a partnership that is not only mutually beneficial but also vital for regional stability. The realities of geo-economics and shared cultural heritage were evident throughout the visit, reinforcing the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakamthe world is one family. Moving forward, the onus is on both nations to build on the momentum generated by this visit. Strategic security initiatives, the Ramayana and Buddhism circuits, alongside robust economic and development cooperation, will be instrumental in ensuring the long-term success of the India-Sri Lanka partnership. This visit has demonstrated that even in challenging times, with careful planning and mutual respect, diplomacy can achieve remarkable outcomes. The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Turkeys decision to replace Central Asia with Turkestan reflects a broader strategy to redefine its regional and global role. By fostering a shared Turkic identity and promoting Islamist governance, Turkey seeks to strengthen its influence in Central Asia and beyond read more Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan political Islam and pan-Islamism have become integral to both domestic and foreign policies of Turkey. Image: AP Turkeys decision to replace the term Central Asia with Turkestan in school textbooks in mid-October this year marks a strategic and ideological shift aligned with Ankaras broader geopolitical and religious goals. This change is more than a semantic adjustmentit reflects a deliberate effort to reshape regional perceptions and strengthen ties with countries like Russia, China, and the Central Asian nations while fostering a shared heritage among Muslim Turkic peoples. However, this approach diverges from the secular pan-Turkism of nationalist figures like Ziya Gokalp, Yusuf Akcura, and Huseyin Nihal Atsz. Instead, it adopts a pan-Islamist vision influenced by the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Advertisement Historically, pan-Turkism focused on uniting Turkic peoples based on shared ethnic and linguistic ties rooted in a secular and nationalist framework. Turkeys current policies, however, signify a departure from the abovementioned principles. Under Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP), political Islam and pan-Islamism have become integral to both domestic and foreign policies. This shift emerged from internal power consolidations, particularly after the 2016 coup attempt, which allowed the AKP to purge secularists and Gulenists, further embedding its Islamist vision. Turkeys geopolitical realignment initially prioritised alliances with Arab nations aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, such as Ikhwan in Syria, Egypt, Qatar, Libya, Tunisia, Somalia, Algeria, etc. However, regional tensions and shifting dynamics led Ankara to pivot toward Central and Southeast Asia. In these regions, Turkey leverages cultural and religious ties to promote governance models inspired by Sharia and pan-Islamist ideals. The introduction of Turkestan in textbooks underscores Turkeys efforts to assert cultural and historical connections with Turkic-speaking nations while positioning itself as a leader in the Muslim world. The term evokes unity and solidarity among Turkic peoples, a sentiment Ankara seeks to foster through initiatives like the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS). This cultural diplomacy, however, is intertwined with a broader strategy to promote Islamist ideologies, challenging the secular governance structures prevalent in Central Asia as well as around the world, from Africa to South America. Turkeys soft power tools, such as the Yunus Emre Institute, Turkish Maarif Foundation, and TIKA, play a significant role in this agenda. These organisations advance Turkish culture and education while subtly promoting Islamist narratives. Programs highlighting shared Turkic and Islamic heritage aim to build a collective identity that resonates with Central Asian populations. Scholarships and academic exchanges further align future leaders with Ankaras ideological vision, while investments in infrastructure and energy projects deepen its influence. Advertisement Turkeys engagement with Islamist elements in Central Asia has also sparked concerns about regional radicalisation. Since the 1980s, radical Islamism has grown, particularly among Uzbeks and Uyghurs. Reports suggest that Turkey has recruited Islamist elements in Central Asia, utilising its intelligence networks to advance strategic goals. This approach underscores Turkeys ambition to position itself as a leader of the global Islamic community. Central Asias strategic importance, due to its location and resources, makes it a contested region. Turkey emphasises shared cultural and religious ties, distinguishing its approach from the transactional strategies of Russia and China. Russias influence remains strong through frameworks like the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), while Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to dominate economically. Turkey positions itself as a cultural ally rather than a hegemonic power, but its influence is limited by the entrenched roles of Russia and China, as well as the diverse priorities of Central Asian states. Advertisement The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is central to Turkeys strategy in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The OTS strengthens regional connectivity by promoting cultural, economic, and political collaboration, mainly through initiatives like the Middle Corridor, which links Central Asia to Europe via Turkey. This positions Turkey as a critical actor in trade and energy. However, Turkey needs help in realising its ambitions. The entrenched influence of Russia and China, the secular governance preferences of Central Asian states, and Turkeys domestic political and economic vulnerabilities constrain its ability to dominate the region. While Turkeys pan-Islamist agenda aligns with its ideological goals, navigating the complexities of Central Asias geopolitical landscape will require balancing competing priorities and addressing internal limitations. Advertisement However, opportunities also exist. Central Asian nations increasingly seek to diversify their partnerships, creating openings for Turkey to strengthen its presence. Turkey can carve out a unique role in the region by promoting a distinct soft power model rooted in shared heritage and pragmatic cooperation. Turkeys decision to replace Central Asia with Turkestan reflects a broader strategy to redefine its regional and global role. By fostering a shared Turkic identity and promoting Islamist governance, Turkey seeks to strengthen its influence in Central Asia and beyond. While this approach leverages cultural and historical connections, it also faces significant geopolitical and ideological challenges. The success of Turkeys initiatives will depend on its ability to navigate these complexities and sustain its engagement with the region. Advertisement Tugrul Keskin is a moderator of the Global China Academic Network. He previously served as a professor and director of the Centre for Global Governance at Shanghai University in China. Mahesh Ranjan Debata teaches at the Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The price of peace often lies in preparedness and resolve to take the path of tough decisions. Time may not always be on our side read more Israels preemptive operations in Syria underscore its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens and securing its borders. Image: REUTERS The Israeli attacks on Syrian military bases and occupation of the UN-patrolled buffer zone in Syria, following the collapse of the Assad regime, have added another dimension to the Middle East dynamics. This is a classic example of its proactive defence policy and offensive defence strategy of disrupting, degrading, and defeating Islamist forces to ensure that they do not exploit the void. Israeli forces reportedly conducted over 300 strikes over two days, obliterating Syrias military-industrial complex, including chemical weapons facilities, naval and air force assets, and ammunition depots. This rendered Syria under a new regime incapable of any military misadventure. Advertisement Israel has seized territory in Syria-controlled areas of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the decades-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian soldiers had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover. Israeli forces grabbed a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. This prevented the Islamist forces from establishing themselves close to the Israeli border. The Israeli prime minister said Israeli control of the high ground ensures our security and sovereignty, adding, The Golan will be part of the State of Israel for eternity. Israels Strategic Intent Neutralising Threats Islamist Jihadis: The fall of Assads regime created a power vacuum, raising fears of strategic assets falling into the hands of Islamist jihadists or Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah. Israels preemptive strikes aimed to prevent these groups from acquiring chemical weapons, advanced rockets, or other military capabilities that could pose a direct threat to it. Defence Minister Israel Katz underscored this, stating the operations sought to create a sterile defence zone in southern Syria. Israels actions effectively neutralised 80 per cent of Syrias strategic capabilities, leaving the country largely demilitarised. It also showcased the civil-military fusion at the national level and the harmony of the national security apparatus. Advertisement Securing Key Terrain Features: Israels capture of Mount Hermon, Syrias key terrain feature (KTF), demonstrates its operational art and battle readiness. The capture of Mount Hermon not only enhanced Israels radar coverage deep into Syria but also strengthened its northern defences against low-flying drones and other aerial threats. This has resulted in dislocating the enemy forces and disrupting their launch pads. By occupying ground of tactical importance, Israel has consistently sought to mitigate threats before they materialise, displaying its proactive and preemptive acumen. Israels recent strikes echo its broader security doctrine: deter, disrupt, disarm, and deny adversaries the opportunity to harm its citizens. Its ability to act decisively in a fragmented geopolitical landscape with effect under a compressed time frame speaks of its detailed contingency planning and military preparedness. Advertisement Regional and Global Implications Regional Criticism: Israels actions have drawn denunciation from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, which accused it of opportunism to exploit Syrias instability for territorial expansion. Turkeys foreign ministry criticised it as a violation of Syrias sovereignty and disregard for international law. While the Arab world broadly opposes Israeli policies, its tacit alliances with Gulf states over shared concerns about Iran may mitigate some of the fallout. International Responses: The United Nations and other global bodies have condemned Israels operations, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labelling them as violations of the 1974 separation-of-forces agreement. However, Israels invocation of Article 51 of the UN Charterciting self-defenceprovides a legal shield for its actions, especially so when the Assad regime no longer exists. Advertisement The United States, as an all-weather ally of Israel, defended it as a self-defence action while advocating for a Syrian-led political process. These nuanced positions reflect the complexity of navigating Middle Eastern geopolitics. Implications for the Middle East Dwindling Iranian Influence: Israels objective is also curbing Iranian influence in post-Assad Syria. By destroying Iranian supply routes and disrupting Hezbollahs access to advanced weaponry, Israel has sent a clear message to Tehran. The strikes also diminish Irans ability to project power through proxy networks, altering the regional power balance. Potential Civil War in Syria: The decimation of Syrias military capability leaves the country vulnerable to instability and external interference. While Israels immediate goal of securing its borders is justified, the long-term effects of a weakened Syria could invite greater involvement from external powers, including Russia and Turkey. The concoction of a civil war is looming at large with internal fault lines and external influences. Advertisement A New Security Paradigm: Israels actions highlight a shift in Middle Eastern conflict dynamics. Rather than reactive measures, states are adopting pre-emptive strategies to safeguard their interests. This trend could redefine regional security frameworks, encouraging other nations to adopt similarly assertive policies. Lessons for India India faces parallel challenges, particularly in managing its borders with Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh and addressing the threat of terrorism. Israels doctrine offers valuable insights. Proactive Operations (PAO) Doctrine: Israels ability to preemptively strike threats serves as a blueprint for India, especially regarding cross-border terrorism. The Balakot airstrike (2019) is a case in point, demonstrating Indias willingness to emulate Israels proactive stance. We must similarly have our options for conventional threats from China, Pakistan, and now Bangladesh. Strategic Territorial Control: Israels capture of Mount Hermon reflects the importance of securing critical terrain for long-term strategic advantage. The occupation of the Kailash RangeRezang La and Rechin La complex by the Indian Army, the most dominating features looking onto Chinas Moldo garrisonbrought the Chinese to the negotiating table with a back foot. Such areas must be identified, and plans should be fine-tuned. Intelligence and Technology: Israels integration of advanced radar systems and surveillance capabilities exemplifies the role of cutting-edge technology in modern warfare. India could further enhance its capabilities by adopting similar innovations and enhancing its cutting-edge technologies for deterrence and warfighting. Civil-Military Strategic Fusion: There is a need to understand the strategic powerplay of war and coercion as credible deterrence both by the polity and bureaucrats and fine-tune resources for defined tasks to the military. There is presently a mismatch in this sphere. Diplomatic Dexterity: Despite international criticism, Israel maintains strong relationships with key allies, balancing its security needs with diplomatic engagement. India, too, must navigate global perceptions while pursuing its national interests. National Security Strategy Void: There is a glaring need for a well-defined national security strategy for the nation. This strategy should be dynamic, adaptable, and inclusive, involving all national stakeholders and instruments of national power. Besides, there is a need to conduct a comprehensive assessment of potential threats and vulnerabilities, both traditional and non-traditional, and develop strategies to mitigate these risks through a combination of deterrence, defence, and resilience-building measures. Conclusion Israels preemptive operations in Syria underscore its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens and securing its borders. While the strikes have drawn international criticism, they reflect Israels proactive approach to its national security. For the Middle East, these actions signal a shift toward more assertive strategies in addressing threats. India, with its burgeoning external and internal threats, needs to draw lessons from Israels national security strategy. While the compulsions and operational environment are different, the military strategy outlook at the national level is worth emulating. By adopting a proactive, preemptive, technologically empowered, and diplomatically nuanced approach, India can better address its security concerns while contributing to regional stability. It also is a reminder of the urgent need for a national security strategy for a coordinated response to national security. The price of peace often lies in preparedness and resolve to take the path of tough decisions. Time may not always be on our side. The author is former Director General, Mechanised Forces. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The issue came to light when Apples AI summarisation tool incorrectly claimed that Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had died by suicide. The summary further cited the BBC as the source of this false report read more The BBC isnt the only media outlet caught in the AI crossfire. Reports suggest that Apple Intelligence also misrepresented news content from The New York Times. In one instance, the AI summarised an article with the inaccurate claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested. Image Credit: Apple Apple Intelligence, the tech giants new AI-powered feature, has landed in hot water just a week after its UK launch. The BBC has filed a formal complaint after discovering that Apples AI-generated summaries falsely attributed fake news to its name. The issue came to light when the AI summarisation tool incorrectly claimed that Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had died by suicide. The summary further cited the BBC as the source of this false report. In reality, Mangione remains in US custody, and the BBC never published such an article. Understandably frustrated, the BBC emphasised that trust and accuracy are at the heart of its global reputation, and such errors threaten the credibility it has built. Advertisement More missteps with major news outlets The BBC isnt the only media outlet caught in the AI crossfire. Reports suggest that Apple Intelligence also misrepresented news content from The New York Times. In one instance, the AI summarised an article with the inaccurate claim that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested. While an arrest warrant was issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC), no such arrest has occurred. These examples have added fuel to existing concerns about the accuracy of generative AI tools. The potential for misleading summaries, especially when attributed to trusted sources, risks damaging both media credibility and user confidence in AI systems. The broader problem of AI hallucinations Apples troubles highlight a wider challenge plaguing generative AI: hallucinations. This term refers to AI systems generating content that sounds plausible but is factually incorrect. Such incidents arent unique to Apple other AI platforms, including ChatGPT, have similarly struggled with misattributing or decontextualising content. A recent study by Columbia Journalism School underscored this issue. The research found numerous cases where generative AI tools mishandled block quotes, inaccurately citing trusted outlets like The Washington Post and the Financial Times. These missteps raise serious questions about whether AI is ready to manage something as sensitive as news reporting and summarisation. A problem Apple must fix With trust in both AI and digital media already fragile, Apple now faces the challenge of proving that its AI tools can be reliable. The BBCs swift response highlights how serious the issue is, especially for news organisations whose credibility rests on accuracy. For Apple, this controversy is a clear signal to refine its AI systems and tackle the hallucination problem head-on. If not, its efforts to enhance user experience with smarter, AI-driven summaries might backfire eroding trust rather than improving it. According to JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee, the real AI windfall will come with the expected 2025 launch of the iPhone 17. He projects iPhone sales will rise from 230 million units this fiscal year to 251 million the following year read more Apples stock currently trades at 34 times its projected earnings over the next 12 months, making it one of the pricier names among the so-called Magnificent Seven. Only Amazon (40 times) and Tesla (140 times) carry higher valuations. Image Credit: Reuters Apple is riding high once again, reclaiming its title as the worlds most valuable company. On Monday, Apples stock closed at a record $251.04, reflecting a stunning 50 per cent surge from its April lows. This year alone, shares have climbed 35 per cent, outpacing the S&P 500s 28 per cent gain and shrugging off earlier doubts sparked by underwhelming reviews of its AI offering, Apple Intelligence. While iPhone salesApples revenue backboneremain sluggish, investor confidence seems unshaken. Much of this optimism rests on the tech giants AI ambitions, even if theyre unlikely to boost iPhone sales significantly in the short term. Advertisement Why investors are bullish According to JPMorgan analyst Samik Chatterjee, the real AI windfall will come with the expected 2025 launch of the iPhone 17. He projects iPhone sales will rise from 230 million units this fiscal year to 251 million the following year. Even if AI doesnt move the needle right away, Chatterjee argues theres still plenty to cheer about. Apples growing services businessincluding Apple Music, Apple Pay, TV+, and its technical support productsremains a critical revenue driver. Chatterjee believes this segment is more resilient than many investors realise, offering stable growth even if iPhone sales falter. On top of that, Chatterjee expects expanding profit margins and aggressive share buybacks to push earnings growth beyond revenue increases. A potential consumer spending boost in China, thanks to fiscal stimulus and monetary easing, could also help Apple maintain its momentum. The Warren Buffett question Not everyone is sold on Apples current valuation. Warren Buffett made waves earlier this year when he reduced Berkshire Hathaways position in Apple by two-thirds, prompting speculation that the stock might be too pricey. Yet, despite trimming his holdings, Apple remains Buffetts largest public investment, worth a staggering $74 billion. Apples stock currently trades at 34 times its projected earnings over the next 12 months, making it one of the pricier names among the so-called Magnificent Seven. Only Amazon (40 times) and Tesla (140 times) carry higher valuations. Chatterjee, however, remains confident, maintaining a $265 price target for Apple shares. He argues the valuation is justified, aligning with Apples historical trading averages. If Apples AI push extends the iPhone upgrade cycle, he believes investors will continue to support a higher earnings multiple. A limited downside for iPhone sales Even if AI enthusiasm fades, Chatterjee sees little risk of iPhone sales tanking. He points to historically low replacement rates, suggesting many users are due for upgrades, which could stabilise volumes. Combined with steady consumer spending, Apple has a solid foundation to weather any dips. In short, while Apple Intelligence might not skyrocket sales right now, investors are betting on a longer-term AI story. For Apple, the road ahead seems paved with optimismAI or not. Lawyers for the Congolese government allege that Apples supply chain includes minerals such as tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T minerals) sourced from conflict-ridden regions, where armed groups fund violence through illegal mining read more Apple maintains that it does not directly source raw minerals and conducts thorough audits of its suppliers. Its 2023 conflict minerals report stated that none of its supply chain partners had financed armed groups in Congo or neighbouring regions. Image credit: Apple The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its devices. Lawyers for the Congolese government allege that Apples supply chain includes minerals such as tin, tantalum, and tungsten (3T minerals) sourced from conflict-ridden regions, where armed groups fund violence through illegal mining. The complaints target Apple France, Apple Retail France, and Apple Retail Belgium, accusing them of crimes ranging from laundering tainted minerals to covering up war crimes and misleading consumers about ethical practices. The Congolese government claims Apple benefits from minerals laundered through international supply chains, making the company complicit in atrocities occurring in the DRC. Advertisement Apples denial and traceability issues Apple maintains that it does not directly source raw minerals and conducts thorough audits of its suppliers. Its 2023 conflict minerals report stated that none of its supply chain partners had financed armed groups in Congo or neighbouring regions. However, the legal complaint focuses on ITSCI, a monitoring scheme meant to ensure clean mineral sourcing, which Congos lawyers argue is flawed and unreliable. The Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI), of which Apple is a member, removed ITSCI from its list of approved traceability schemes in 2022, citing concerns over inadequate field checks and rising violence in key mining areas like North Kivu. Despite this, Congos lawyers argue Apple continues relying on ITSCI to present its supply chain as ethical. A long history of conflict Eastern Congo has been plagued by violence since the 1990s, with armed groups often supported by neighbouring Rwanda competing for control of valuable mineral resources. Proceeds from these illegally mined minerals are used to fund weapons and sustain conflicts, leading to widespread displacement, mass atrocities, and millions of deaths. While Rwanda denies involvement, UN experts and human rights groups have repeatedly documented the link between mineral smuggling and ongoing violence. Belgiums inclusion in the case adds historical weight to the matter. Congos Belgian lawyer Christophe Marchand noted Belgiums colonial past, during which Congos resources were exploited under King Leopold II. He argued Belgium has a moral responsibility to support Congos efforts to end the modern-day pillaging of its resources through legal means. What happens next? The criminal complaints mark the first time the Congolese state has directly targeted a major tech company in court. Legal authorities in France and Belgium countries known for strong corporate accountability laws will now decide whether to investigate further and potentially bring criminal charges. While Apple has not responded directly to the accusations, the case highlights growing scrutiny over global tech companies and their supply chain practices. With flaws in mineral traceability schemes exposed, this legal battle could set a precedent for how corporations are held accountable for sourcing materials from conflict zones. For the DRC, the case represents a step toward addressing the exploitation of its resources and the human suffering it perpetuates. As the legal fight unfolds, Apple and other tech giants face mounting pressure to ensure their supply chains are truly free of conflict minerals. The emergency request, filed on Monday, comes after a lower court refused to put the brakes on the impending law. With time running out, TikTok hopes the Supreme Court will step in and prevent the ban while it is able to continue with challenging the legalities of the ban. read more As per the recently pased law, TikTok must be sold to a US-based company by the January deadline to avoid being removed from major app stores like Apple and Google. However, no buyer has stepped up to seal the deal, and time is running dangerously short. Image Credit: Reuters TikTok has made a last-ditch plea to the US Supreme Court, asking it to temporarily block a law that could see the wildly popular app banned in the United States. The emergency request, filed on Monday, comes after a lower court refused to put the brakes on the impending law. With time running out, TikTok hopes the Supreme Court will step in and prevent the ban while it can continue challenging its legalities. Advertisement At the heart of the fight is the claim that the ban would violate TikToks First Amendment rights, along with those of its 170 million American users. The law is set to take effect on 19 January, putting immense pressure on TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to find a solution fast. A race against the clock The ban stems from concerns over TikToks alleged ties to Chinese ownership and fears of foreign influence. Under the new law, the app must be sold to a US-based company by the January deadline to avoid being removed from major app stores like Apple and Google. However, no buyer has stepped up to seal the deal, and time is running dangerously short. If TikTok fails to comply, app stores and internet service providers could face hefty fines for hosting the platform. The legislation does offer a slim reprieve: the sitting president can grant a one-time extension. However, with President-elect Donald Trump not taking office until 20 January, theres uncertainty about how things might play out. Trumps take on TikTok Trumps stance on TikTok has been far from consistent. While hes previously pushed for bans and forced sales, hes now signalling a softer tone. At a recent press conference, he hinted that he has a warm spot for the app, especially given its massive popularity with younger voters. However, he stopped short of outlining any clear plan. Adding to the intrigue, Trump recently held a meeting with TikToks CEO, Shou Chew, at his Florida estate. While details remain under wraps, its believed to be part of ongoing efforts by TikTok to find a way forward and potentially avoid the ban altogether. Whats next for TikTok? The Supreme Courts decision is now the most critical factor in TikToks future. If the court grants TikToks request, the ban could be temporarily paused, buying the company more time to fight its case. If not, the platform could disappear from US app stores within weeks. As TikTok continues to navigate political and legal minefields, its millions of American fans are left wondering if their favourite app will soon vanish. For now, all eyes are on the Supreme Court and whether itll give TikTok the lifeline it desperately needs. German diplomats first talks with representatives of the HTS-appointed interim government will focus on a transitional process for Syria and the protection of minorities, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said read more Germany has joined the list of countries trying to establish diplomatic contact with Syrias Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as its foreign ministry on Tuesday said that the government is planning to hold talks with the rebel group. Earlier, the UK and US had diplomatic contacts with HTS, the rebel group responsible for the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government. German diplomats first talks with representatives of the HTS-appointed interim government will focus on a transitional process for Syria and the protection of minorities, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said. Advertisement The possibilities of a diplomatic presence in Damascus are also being explored there, the spokesperson added in a statement, reiterating that Berlin was monitoring HTS closely in light of its roots in al Qaeda ideology. The ministry said that HTS has acted prudently so far. The conflict triggered the movement of some one million Syrian refugees to Germany. Its end has stoked debate in the country on asylum procedures, now paused for Syrians pending an assessment of the situation in their home country. Germany is liaising closely with its partners, including the US, France and Britain, as well as Arab states, on Syria, the German ministry spokesperson said. US holds talks Yesterday, the US State Department said the government has had more than one communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) over the past week. The communication has primarily centred on efforts to locate Austin Tice, an American journalist who was abducted during a reporting trip to Syria in August 2012, as well as on discussions about the principles guiding Syrias transition, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated during a routine press briefing. UK holds talks Last week, Britain had diplomatic contact with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that swept Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power last week, British foreign minister David Lammy said. HTS remains a proscribed organisation, but we can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact as you would expect, Lammy told broadcasters. 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. Advertisement With inputs from Reuters As Kurdish forces are stretched thin in the wake of a Turkey-led offensive, Iraqi and Kurdish officials are concerned that the Islamic State (IS) may attempt to free thousands of terrorists held in Kurdish jails in Syria read more The Islamic State is likely to take advantage of the spiralling conflict in Syria and free thousands of its terrorists held in numerous prisoners, according to senior Iraqi and Syrian Kurdish officials. For years, the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) controlled large swathes of territories across Syria and Iraq. It called the territories it ran as Caliphate. Around 2015, the Caliphate was at its peak and controlled around 33 per cent of Syria and 40 per cent of Iraq, including Syrias Raqqa and Iraqs Mosul some of the largest cities in the region. By 2017, however, the IS lost most of its territories and the final IS-controlled village was recaptured in 2019. Advertisement In Syria, the US-backed Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) defeated the IS. It is also in charge of numerous prisons where several thousands of IS terrorists and their family members, including several notorious figures like Shamima Begum and Jihadi Jack, are housed. As Turkey and Islamist groups supported by it have opened a front against Kurds, the SDF forces are stretched thin and there are figures that there could be attempt from both inside and outside to free the IS prisoners. Amid such fears, Abdul Karim Abd Fadhil, the head of Iraqs national security service, has warned that IS was planning to target these prisons, according to The Daily Telegraph. Fadhil said an IS jailbreak would be a nightmare for both the United States and Europe. The Telegraph noted that around 40,000 inmates are there in SDF-run prisons, including around 9,000 well-trained, battle-hardened IS terrorists. The rest of the inmates are their wives and children. There are around 8,000 foreign inmates as well. Bassam Ishak, a representative of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of Kurds, told the newspaper an IS resurgence was already underway. Ishak said that IS would try to attack SDF-run prisons as the forces are stretched thin amid Turkeys offensive against Kurds. 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. 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, said Ishak. Advertisement Previously, the top SDF commander, General Mazloum Abdi, said that half of the SDF prison guards had to be deployed to deal with the Turkey-led attacks, leaving IS prisons thinly-guarded. All of the prisons still are under our control. However, the prisons and camps are in a critical situation because who is guarding them? They are leaving and having to protect their families. I can give you one example like the Raqqa ISIS prison, which contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters. The number of guards there have diminished by half which is putting them in a fragile position, said Abdi in an interview with Fox News. Advertisement Abdi went on to flag fears of the resurgence of IS and convergence of various Islamist groups. Abdi said, We expect those Islamists, different factions to unite, to fight with ISIS and that will bring back tougher extremists, terrorist organisations back to the country. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protestors kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier read more A man reads messages left on the fence outside the fire damaged Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne. AP An Australian state government on Tuesday proposed new restrictions on protesters in response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protestors kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier. Thats not peaceful protest. Its menacing behavior, Allan said. Antisemitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria, she added. Advertisement The new laws would protect the right of people to gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation, her office said in a statement. The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the state legislature early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings. The laws would also ban protesters flying flags and displaying symbols of groups listed by Australia as terrorist organizations. Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against capsicum spray would also be banned. Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, welcomed the proposed law. Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and antisemitism and its about time, Abramovich said in a statement. Victoria has drawn a line in the sand and sent a thunderous message to the hate-mongers, the graffiti cowards, the firebombers, and the social media trolls: Your days of terrorizing our communities are over, he added. The arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue on Dec. 6 marked an escalation in targeted assaults in Australia since the war between Israel and the militant Hamas group started over a year ago in the Gaza Strip. Authorities have declared it a terrorist act, which increases resources available to investigators. A federal law passed in January banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing antisemitism, and the government appointed special envoys this year to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. Advertisement Australia is an increasingly multicultural society. The latest census in 2021 found that Australians born overseas or with a parent born overseas formed a majority for the first time. Von der Leyen also said the EU would increase humanitarian aid to Syria. But she warned of the risk of a resurgence by hardline Islamic State militants and said this must not be allowed to happen read more The European Union will establish contacts with Syrias new leadership and reopen its delegation in the country, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday. Von der Leyen also said the EU would increase humanitarian aid to Syria. But she warned of the risk of a resurgence by hardline Islamic State militants and said this must not be allowed to happen. We are ready to reopen our delegation, which is the European embassy, and we want this to be fully operational again, Kallas said in European Parliament. Advertisement Kallas said she had asked the EUs delegation head to go to Damascus on Monday to establish contact with the new leadership in Syria and various other groups. We have already started to have a process to engage cautiously with Damascus pushing for an inclusive and tolerant approach. I see we have a chance here to really impact the region, and we need to follow closely the next steps in the short term, she said. Von der Leyen told reporters in Ankara after a visit to Turkeys President Tayyip Erdogan that the EU must step its direct engagement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group which spearheaded the offensive which toppled Bashar al-Assad earlier this month. However, the lack of predictability demands utmost caution. The risk of a Daesh (Islamic State) resurgence, particularly in eastern Syria, is real. We cannot let this happen. And Turkeys legitimate security concerns must be addressed, she added. Both India and China are focussing on using their railways for military purposes showing how important infrastructure has become for defence preparation read more (File) Indian Army successfully conducted trial run of a military train with vehicles and equipment from New Rewari to New Phulera of Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). Image courtesy @RailMinIndia China is paying more attention to its railway network to improve military logistics. For years, China has valued its large rail system, but recent updates show it is now an important part of modernising the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). In July 2024, a key Communist Party resolution stressed better coordination between Chinas military and railways, especially in transportation and logistics. PLA teams up with China Railway Following this resolution, China launched a joint project between the Central Military Commission (CMC) and China Railway. This project aims to align military and civilian logistics systems making military transport faster and more efficient. A key part of this partnership is that civilian railway authorities will now be evaluated based on how well they manage military transport, showing the importance of this effort. Advertisement An example of this collaboration is the upgrade of a railway line leading to a key port. According to the South China Morning Post, the old railway line could not handle the PLAs needs. However, with local authorities help it was upgraded within a year. This upgrade greatly improved efficiency cutting transport time from 10 hours by road to just 20 minutes by rail. In addition, military logistics centres are training civilian workers to handle military cargo and meet military transport demands. This teamwork helps both sectors work together better. Indias use of railways for military transport India also uses its railways as a key part of military logistics. The vast railway network, especially in border areas, helps the armed forces move quickly during emergencies. Indian Railways works closely with the Ministry of Defence to transport troops, equipment and supplies. Projects like the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) have made military transport faster and more efficient. On June 14, 2021, the Indian Army tested the use of the DFC for moving military vehicles and equipment. This successful trial, conducted between New Rewari and New Phulera, showed how the DFC can speed up military transport through better coordination and faster trains. To further enhance skills and build logistics capabilities, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara, on September 9, 2024. The signing, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw marked a major step in improving expertise in logistics operations. The MoU focusses on developing in-house knowledge and innovation to align with national plans like the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022. Advertisement Speaking at the event, Singh highlighted the importance of efficient logistics in military operations emphasising its role in mobilising forces quickly and seamlessly delivering resources. He described the collaboration as pivotal to achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector, ensuring Indias logistics expertise is homegrown and its equipment is indigenously manufactured. The defence minister further noted that the MoU would foster innovation, leadership and knowledge-sharing, shaping a new generation of logistics experts capable of meeting the needs of modern warfare. Minister of Railways Vaishnaw expressed confidence that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will empower the Armed Forces with advanced logistics education, research and innovation. These trials and agreements are part of a larger plan to integrate railway infrastructure with military operations. Indias Whole of the Nation Approach ensures that infrastructure growth supports defence needs, preparing the countrys railways for future military mobilisation. Advertisement Comparing China and Indias strategies Both China and India recognise how important railways are for military logistics, but they approach it differently. China focuses on direct cooperation between its military and civilian railways, with clear rules and performance checks for railway authorities. This effort is led by central authorities like the CMC and China Railway. India, on the other hand, takes a broader approach by involving various agencies to improve military-civil coordination. The successful use of the DFC shows Indias planned and forward-thinking strategy to align infrastructure development with defence needs. Despite these differences, both countries agree that fast and efficient rail transport is crucial for military readiness. Chinas railway upgrades and Indias DFC trials show that railways are becoming a key part of national defence. Advertisement Role of railways in military logistics For both India and China, railways are playing a bigger role in military transport. While this strengthens national defence, it is important to hope that these systems remain focussed on peacetime needs and not on conflict. China has announced that from today December 17, it is offering 240 hours, or 10 days, visa-free transit for international travellers from 54 nations read more Is China looking to review its economy the tourism way? Could be, as the Asian nation has announced relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, luring more foreign visitors. Starting today (December 17), China is offering 240 hours, or 10 days, of visa-free transit for international travellers from 54 nations, an extension from the original 72-144 hours. Announcing the decision on its official Wechat account, Chinas National Immigration Administration (NIA) said, Passport holders from 54 countries including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, who transit from China to a third country (region), can enter China without a visa from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces and stay in the specified area for no more than 240 hours. Advertisement A slight condition The NIA detailed that eligible passport holders can obtain visa-free transit for tourism, business or visiting family members, but they will require visas for work, study, or media interviews. Attract more foreigners to do business NIA spokesman Mao Xu said that the new changes will improve the convenience of entry and attract more foreigners to travel, do business, visit and exchange with China." She further said that China will also continue to open up its immigration management, promote a larger, broader and deeper opening-up policy, and create a market-oriented, legalised, internationalised and first-class business environment." In November Chinas Foreign Ministry informed that the country had extended its visa-free policy to a total of 38 countries. People from these countries including Spain, Singapore and the Netherlands, do not need a visa to enter China and can stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange and transit purposes. In 2023, since reopening its borders after three years of self-imposed isolation due to COVID-19, China has waived visa requirements for travellers to encourage travel to the worlds second largest economy. In the first 11 months (January to November) of 2024, China recorded more than 29 million foreign visitors, a increase of 86 per cent year-on-year. According to a report by South China Morning Post, nearly 60 per cent of those travellers entered the country without a visa, a 123 per cent increase over the same period a year ago. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Businessman Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, has been identified by a British court as the alleged Chinese spy who forged close ties with Duke of York Prince Andrew read more A British court has identified Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, as the alleged Chinese spy who forged close ties with Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Yang was named after a judge ruled to lift his anonymity, according to PA Media reports on Monday. He was earlier referred to only as H6 in British espionage and media circles. H6 is believed to be among more than 40,000 operatives linked to the department operating across the globe. Advertisement Described in a previous court hearing as having developed an unusual degree of trust with the younger brother of King Charles III, Yang co-founded Pitch@Palace China. The initiative, an extension of a UK-based program set up by Andrew in 2014 to support entrepreneurs, expanded into China under Yangs leadership. Court documents revealed that Yang had been authorised to represent Andrew during business meetings with potential Chinese investors in the UK. He also attended Andrews 60th birthday celebration in 2020. Yangs ties to the prince have been highlighted in pictures and videos taken during Pitch@Palace events. Denies wrongdoing In a statement, Yang denied any wrongdoing, calling the widespread description of me as a spy entirely untrue. Andrews office also released a statement last week, asserting that the prince severed ties with Yang upon receiving government advice. The Duke met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed, his office stated. He is unable to comment further on matters relating to national security. This case has reignited questions surrounding Prince Andrews judgment and associations, which have come under intense public scrutiny since his connection to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became public five years ago. It has also amplified concerns about Chinas growing influence within Britains political and social institutions. Yang is alleged to have ties to Chinas United Front Work Department (UFWD), a branch of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) tasked with influencing prominent foreign individuals and institutions. A 2023 report by Parliaments Intelligence and Security Committee outlined concerns over the UFWDs operations, describing it 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 criticize China or counter its narrative. Advertisement The Chinese Embassy in the UK condemned the accusations. A spokesperson issued a statement denouncing anti-China clamours made by a handful of UK MPs, adding that these efforts reveal their twisted mentality towards China. The statement argued that such claims aim to smear China and target the Chinese community in the UK. Yangs case is one among several allegations of Chinese espionage in the UK. Two men, including a parliamentary researcher, are currently awaiting trial for breaching the Official Secrets Act on behalf of China, allegations they deny. Additionally, in 2022, the UKs MI5 intelligence agency warned lawmakers about Christine Lee, a woman linked to the CCP, who was accused of interfering in the UKs political process. Advertisement Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith, a vocal critic of Beijing, called the Yang case the tip of the iceberg during an urgent parliamentary debate on Monday. The reality is that there are many, many more involved in exactly this kind of espionage thats taking place, he told the BBC. The revelations have prompted renewed criticism of the UK governments response to foreign interference. During Mondays parliamentary debate, the government faced backlash for delays in implementing a new Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). Originally planned for 2023, the scheme aims to enhance transparency and counter foreign interference but has now been postponed until mid-2025. Advertisement Labour MP and Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China member told CNN that the response within Parliament to Yangs case was one of shock, but not surprise. The MP added, You cant fudge the geopolitics of China, and all the implications for trade and industrial strategy and defense for very long. I dont think its possible to have your cake and eat it in this world. Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the growing concerns on Monday, stating, Of course we are concerned about the challenge that China poses. Starmer reiterated his approach of engagement with Beijing, advocating for cooperation on global issues such as climate change while challenging China on human rights and competing in trade. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Last week, a storm wrecked two oil tankers with one of them splitting in half and another one severely damaged but was running aground. One crew member died from hypothermia and 26 others were rescued from the damaged tankers, the Russian government said read more In this grab taken from a handout footage released by the Russian Emergencies Ministry on December 17, 2024, rescuers respond to an oil spill along the coastline of the Black Sea, caused by the wreck of two oil tankers. AFP A resort town off the coast of the Black Sea has declared an emergency after oil spilled from two damaged tankers and washed up along the shoreline. Last week, a storm wrecked two oil tankers with one of them splitting in half and another one severely damaged but was running aground. One crew member died from hypothermia and 26 others were rescued from the damaged tankers, the Russian government said. Anapa is in a state of emergency due to the oil products spill, the local mayors office said on Telegram, adding that an operation to eliminate the consequences is underway. Advertisement The town of Anapa houses about 90,000 people and is located in the southern Krasnodar region close to the Crimean peninsula. The regional minister for emergency situations, Sergei Shtrikov, on Tuesday said fuel dispersed over at least 30 kilometres (19 miles) of beach, contaminating the coastline. Apart from Anapa, authorities have also declared emergencies in four smaller towns. Tankers send distress calls Spilled oil has washed up along tens of kilometres of the Russian Black Sea coast after two tankers were badly damaged in a storm at the weekend, a regional official said on Tuesday, and state media said a third ship was now in trouble. TASS news agency said the third tanker had issued a distress signal but its hull was still intact, there was no oil spillage and the crew was safe. Both the ships were older than 50 years and were carrying some 9,200 metric tons (62,000 barrels) of oil products in total. The spillage has triggered concerns about it becoming one of the largest environmental disasters to hit the region in years. Ukraine calls for sanctions against tankers Meanwhile, Ukraine, which has sounded alarms about the oil spill-off causing massive environmental distress, has called for sanctions on the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 oil tankers. Mykhailo Podolyak from President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office said, It is now obvious that any sanctions against the Russian tanker fleet are always useful, but they are all too late. He added, The accidents on two rusty vessels in the #Kerch Strait resulted in another large-scale environmental disaster of our war. Thousands of tons of fuel oil spilled causing tragic damage to the natural systems of the #Azov and Black Seas. Podolyak said that given the age of the tankers, they should have never been deployed in a storm. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Egypt is hosting the summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which also includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey read more Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will take part in a summit of big Muslim countries in Egypt on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said, the first visit by an Iranian president to Egypt in more than a decade. Egypt is hosting the summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, which also includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey. Relations between Egypt and Iran have generally been fraught in recent decades but the two countries have stepped up high-level diplomatic contacts since the eruption of the Gaza crisis last year as Egypt tried to play a mediating role. Advertisement Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi travelled to Egypt in October to discuss regional issues with Egyptian officials, while his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty travelled to Tehran earlier in July to attend Pezeshkians inauguration. We have the important summit known as D-8 in Egypt, the foreign minister will take part in the ministerial conference and then the summit will be held with the participation of the president, Baghaei said in a weekly televised news conference. Iran will discuss regional and bilateral affairs with the participating countries on the sidelines of the summit, Baghaei added. The D-8 was established in 1997 to improve cooperation between countries stretching from Southeast Asia to Africa. After months of impasse, there are fresh indications that Israel and Hamas may be nearing a ceasefire agreement for Gaza and a deal on hostage releases by the end of the year, according to a report read more Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday. AP File After months of impasse, there are fresh indications that Israel and Hamas may be nearing a ceasefire agreement for Gaza and a deal on hostage releases by the end of the year. According to The Guardian report_,_ both sides have expressed optimism in recent days that a deal may be close for a phased release of the surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Advertisement Meanwhile, a high-ranking Palestinian official involved in the indirect talks told the BBC that the discussions were now in a decisive and final phase. On Monday, the Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told lawmakers that Israel and Hamas were the closest weve been to a hostage deal since the last deal, which took place in November 2023 and resulted in the release of more than 100 hostages. He added that he expected the deal to get widespread support. There will be a sweeping majority in the security cabinet and the cabinet for the emerging hostage deal, he said. In recent weeks, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have revived their mediation efforts, reporting a greater willingness from both sides in the 14-month conflict to reach a deal. An Israeli working-level delegation is currently in Qatar, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region. According to the BBC report, the Palestinian official outlined a three-phase plan under which civilians and female hostages held in Gaza would be released within the first 45 days. This would be followed by Israeli forces withdrawing from city centers, the coastal road, and the strategic land strip along the Egypt-Gaza border. The plan also includes a mechanism allowing displaced Gazans to return to the northern part of the territory, BBC quoted the official as saying. A second stage would see remaining hostages freed and troops withdrawn before the third stage ending the war. Of the 96 hostages still being held in Gaza, Israel believes that 62 are likely still alive. Advertisement The three-phase plan seems to be based on the deal outlined by US President Joe Biden on May 31. However, reports from all sides emphasise that there are still critical details to be worked out, reported BBC. A round of talks in mid-October failed to produce an agreement, as Hamas rejected a proposal for a short-term ceasefire. However, the question of Gazas postwar governance has remained unresolved. On Tuesday, Katz said Israels forces will maintain security control over the devastated Gaza Strip, even after the war is over, with Israeli soldiers able to act with full freedom of action over the territory. After we defeat Hamas military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action, just as it did in Judea and Samaria (an Israeli term for the occupied West Bank), Katz said in a post on X. Advertisement 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, he added. Such comments are likely to be seen as problematic by negotiators trying to bridge gaps with Hamas. However, in Israel, they are considered essential to secure the support of far-right cabinet ministers, who have previously warned against agreeing to what they have called a reckless deal in Gaza, reported BBC. Hamas launched an unprecedented cross-border attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 253 others. More than 100 hostages have been released through negotiations or Israeli military operations. Advertisement On December 7, Palestinian sources reported that Israel halted aircraft and drone surveillance over Gaza for six hours at the request of mediators, allowing Hamas to gather information on the hostages. Pro-Qatari newspaper al-Araby al-Jadeed later reported that Hamas provided Egyptian intelligence officials with a list of sick and elderly Israeli hostages, as well as those with US citizenship. The list also reportedly included the names of Palestinian prisoners Hamas is demanding as part of a deal. At the outset of the Gaza war, Israel vowed to dismantle Hamass governing and military structures. More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, a figure considered reliable by the UN and other organisations. Advertisement The majority of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been displaced, with widespread destruction, and amidst ongoing struggles to deliver aid, there is now a crisis of mass hunger. The victory of Donald Trump in the November US presidential election has given new momentum to diplomatic efforts. At a news conference on Monday, Trump reiterated his warning that a ceasefire deal should be reached before he takes office, stating that failure to do so would lead to consequences, saying, its not going to be pleasant. With inputs from agencies Argentina President Javier Milei is expected to attend US President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20, 2025. If he does, he would be first Argentine president as well as foreign head of state to attend the swearing-in ceremony read more US President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Argentine President Javier Milei at the America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US on November 14, 2024. Source: Reuters. President of Argentina Javier Milei is expected to attend Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20, 2025, a report by Bloomberg cited an Argentine government spokesperson as saying. Mileis attendance has not yet been confirmed publicly neither Trumps transition team has commented on whether Argentinian President will be a guest at January 20 ceremony, but a report by CBS News quoted an Argentine diplomatic official as saying that all signs point to his travel to Washington for swearing-in event. Advertisement A strong admirer of the US President-elect, Milei, who was elected last year, also attended Trumps victory party at his Mar-a-Lago resort in November shortly after the presidential election results were declared. Also, Milei was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his election win over Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris. Several media outlets in Argentina have also been reporting over the last few days that Milei has been extended a formal invitation to Trumps inauguration next month. If Milei attends, he will become the first world leader to attend US presidential inauguration in at least a century and also the first Argentine president to attend the historic swearing-in ceremony. The US State Department records dating back to 1874 show that no foreign head of state has attended a US presidential inauguration since then. The event is traditionally witnessed by ambassadors, US lawmakers and the general public. Last week, there were reports claiming that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been personally invited by Trump to the inauguration. However, CBS News reported multiple sources as saying that Xi is unlikely to attend the ceremony. According to a report by Buenos Aires Times, Trump, however, is believed to want a select group of leaders to be invited at his inauguration. They include Xi, Italys Giorgia Meloni and El Salvadors Nayib Bukele. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Donald Trump addressed a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. In his first formal back-and-forth with reporters after win in Nov. 5 election, the US President-elect spoke on a range of topics including Russia-Ukraine conflict and war in West Asia as well as about his Jan 20 inauguration invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping read more US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a new conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, December 16, 2024, in Palm Beach, Florida. Source: AP. In the US, all lights and cameras on Monday were directed at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago club where the US President-elect addressed the media for the first time since he won the election and secured a second term. In his hour-long press conference, Trump talked about a host of things including keeping the polio vaccine available throughout his presidency, solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, establishing West Asia as a good place, and if Chinese President Xi Jinping has been invited to his inauguration next month. Advertisement Starting on day one, well implement a rapid series of bold reforms to restore our nation to full prosperity, Trump said. Were going to go full prosperity and to build the greatest economy the world has ever seen, just as we had just a short time ago. Trump even went on to say that he would also consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams and also weighed on the sightings of multiple drones in New Jersey. The US President-elect took the opportunity to slam the outgoing Biden administration and threatened legal action, asking them to stop selling off unused portions of southern border wall. Were going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building the same wall we already have, Trump railed. Its almost a criminal act. Though Trump looked relaxed at the lectern and joked with those he recognised, he touched some serious issues. 1 - Solve Russia-Ukraine war, establish West Asia as good place Trump said once he takes charge as President of the United States on January 20, 2025, he would address the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in West Asia and Russias invasion of Ukraine. The US President-elect said that he would solve the war between Ukraine and Russia and establish West Asia as a good place." He, however, did not talk about what and how exactly he would encourage those countries to end the conflict. Trump said he believed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doing a fantastic job. He then said that his second administration will be able to solve longstanding issues throughout West Asia. Advertisement I think the Middle East will be in a good place. I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation. I see that as more difficult," Trump said. The US President-elect also said that he did not believe the Biden administration should have allowed Ukraine to shoot long-range missiles into Russias sovereign territory. I thought it was a very stupid thing to do, he said. Trump further said that he may reverse the policy once he assumes office. Trump, meanwhile, declined to clarify what exactly he meant when he said there would be hell to pay if Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas, had not released the remaining hostages abducted in October 2023 before Trump took over the Oval Office. Advertisement He just said that it would not be pleasant. 2 - Xi Jinping at Trumps inauguration? A much obvious question for Trump was whether Chinese President Xi Jinping will be attending his inauguration next month. There were reports citing sources claiming that Xi has been invited to attend Trumps swearing-in ceremony. When asked on Monday, Trump declined to say whether he expected Xi to attend his inauguration after extending an invitation. If hed like to come, Id love to have him, but theres been nothing much discussed, he said. I have had discussions with him, letters, etc, etc, at a very high level. You know, we had a very good relationship until COVID. COVID didnt end the relationship, but it was a bridge too far for me," Trump. Advertisement 3 - Threats of lawsuit threats Trump said that in the coming days and weeks, he is planning to file several lawsuits against people or organisations he believes have wronged him. His announcement came just days after Trumps legal team reached a settlement with ABC News in which the media organisation agreed to pay $15 million to Trumps presidential library. The suit was related to anchor George Stephanopoulos saying during an interview that a New York state jury had found Trump liable for the rape of writer E. Jean Carroll, when the jury had found him civilly liable for sexual misconduct. Trump also said that he would likely file lawsuits against Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer, the news show 60 Minutes and the Pulitzer Prize organisation for awards given to the New York Times and Washington Post. Advertisement In my opinion, it was fraud and election interference, Trump said of the Iowa Poll published by the Des Moines newspaper. Shes got me right, always. Shes a very good pollster. She knows what she was doing, and she then quit before and well probably be filing a major lawsuit against them today or tomorrow," he further said. Selzer, last week on Iowa PBS, said that she hadnt yet figured out what went wrong with the poll she released just ahead of Election Day that showed Democratic presidential nominee Harris outperforming Trump in the state by 3 percentage points. Trump won Iowa with 56 per cent of the vote to her 42.7 per cent. The US President-elect also said that he plans to sue the CBS News program 60 Minutes over how it edited an interview with Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris that was released days ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election. He said he wants to sue the Pulitzer Prize organisation for awarding staff at The New York Times and The Washington Post the national reporting award in 2018 for their reporting on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its connections to the Trump campaign, the President-elects transition team and his eventual administration. I want them to take back the Pulitzer Prizes and pay big damages, Trump said. 4 - Trump on nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The US President-elect said he expects Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the vaccine denier nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, will be much less radical than some people expect. Trump further said that Kennedy and others in his administration will file reports sharing what they think about vaccines. However, he did not say what actions he might take after those reports are released. For years, Kennedy has been one of the nations most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists and has frequently spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Meanwhile, Trump also said he wanted his administration to look at why autism rates have surged in recent decades. Several research studies have debunked any link between vaccines and autism. Trump further said that his administration would also look at ways to lower the costs of health care and prescription drugs within the United States, but he didnt provide details. 5 - TikTok ban and US Postal Service privatisation Trump, however, skipped answering many questions about his agenda. The President-elect declined to clarify whether he would press to privatise the US Postal Service, only saying that there was talk about severing the agency and that his team is looking at that. Trump also did not divulge if his administration would seek to force TikTok to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance if it wants to remain operational within the US. Well take a look at that, he said. On Monday, TikTok asked the US Supreme Court for a stay of an appeals court order preserving a bipartisan law forcing ByteDance to cease operations in the country. With inputs from agencies. In 2018, Meta reported a security breach that compromised over 29 million Facebook accounts all over the world. Of the 29 million accounts, three million belonged to users based in Europe read more Irelands Data Protection Commission (DPC) on Tuesday fined Meta $263 million over data protection failure that led to the hacking of over 29 million Facebook accounts globally. The failure to build in data protection requirements throughout the design and development cycle can expose individuals to very serious risks and harms, including a risk to the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, said Graham Doyle, DCPs head of communications. By allowing unauthorised exposure of profile information, the vulnerabilities behind this breach caused a grave risk of misuse of these types of data, he added. Advertisement What happened? In 2018, Meta reported a security breach that compromised over 29 million Facebook accounts all over the world. Of the 29 million accounts, three million belonged to users based in Europe. A flaw in Facebooks video-uploading feature led hackers to access several accounts on the social media platform. The personal data involved included email addresses, phone numbers, locations, and places of work, date of birth, religion, gender, posts on timelines, groups of which a user was a member and childrens personal data. Meta Ireland and its US parent company remedied the breach shortly after its discovery, the DPC said and reported the issue to the regulator in September 2018. Meta fined in Sept too In September, the DPC fined Meta 91 million euros for failing to put measures in place to protect users password data and for taking too long to alert the regulator of the issue. An inquiry was launched in April 2019 after Meta Ireland informed the regulator that it had inadvertently stored certain passwords of social media users in a readable format on its internal system, the DPC said in a statement. Doyle told AFP that the breach, which took place in January 2019, affected 36 million Facebook and Instagram users across the European Economic Area, which comprises the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. With inputs from agencies In whats being condemned as a case of ethnic cleansing, Israel has bene planning to depopulate northern Gaza and not allow Palestinians to move north of the Netzarim Corridor even after the war ends, according to a report read more Israel appears to be planning to depopulate north Gaza and not allow Palestinians to move beyond the Netzarim Corridor even after the end of the war. Since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year, nearly 1.9 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip 90 per cent of the population have been displaced. They have been sheltering in southern Gaza as north and central Gaza have seen the most intensive battles and bombardment that have flattened entire neighbourhoods across cities. Advertisement Israels Hebrew-language outlet Ynet has reported that Israel appears to be planning to depopulate north Gaza, the area north of the Netzarim Corridor, which amounts to roughly a third of entire Gaza. It reported that it appears that Israel would not allow any displaced Palestinians belonging to the north of the Netzarim Corridor to return to the area once Palestinians start to return to their homes after the end of the war. The Netzarim Corridor (see below) is a strip of land a corridor that divides Gaza into two parts. It runs from Israels border with Gaza to all the way to Gazas coast of Mediterranean Sea. The Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border and Netzarim Corridor inside Gaza Strip that Israel reportedly plans to control. (Photo: Reuters) The depopulation of north Gaza has been condemned as an act of ethnic cleansing. In a post on X, Israeli affairs analyst Shaiel Ben-Ephraim shared the Ynets report and said: The entire top third of Gaza will be depopulated in accordance with the Generals Plan. If this is true, it is ethnic cleansing. There can be no other name for it. Israel military to depopulate north Gaza subject to political approval The way Israel has been operating in Gaza, such as removing 65,000 of 70,000 people south towards Gaza City from Jabalia, indicates that the plan is to depopulate north Gaza, according to Ynet. The outlet reported that the final decision is yet to be taken on such a move by the Benjamin Netanyahu government. The plan to depopulate north Gaza could, however, be given up if a deal for the release of hostages is reached, according to the outlet. Subject to the political echelon, it [Israel] is expected to leave the uppermost, northernmost third of the Gaza Strip as a dismembered and depopulated area. All this, of course, could change if a hostage deal is signed that will change the current reality in Gaza, reported Ynet, according to the reports English translation. Advertisement A hint of the political echelons position can be seen in a tweet from Defense Minister Yisrael Katz this morning: My position on Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamass military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will control Gaza with full freedom of action, just like in Judea and Samaria, he 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 7. However, there are signs that the military is preparing for the depopulation in case the order comes from the Netanyahu government. Advertisement Ynets investigation shows that the Southern Command is preparing to keep the new dismemberment route that was established in recent months. It begins near the perimeter fence, near Kibbutz Kfar Gaza, and ends at the beach. The goal, as mentioned, is to prevent the return of Gazans to their homes in Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya, which closely overlook Israeli communities such as Netiv Haasara, Sderot, Mefalsim and Erez, says the Ynet report. Fears of such depopulation were also raised by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz remarks in which he said that Gazas security control would remain with Israel. In remark hinting at Israeli military occupation of Gaza, Katz posted on X in Hebrew: In response to various publications - my position on Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamas military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action, just as it did in Judea and Samaria. 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. Advertisement - . , , . . -7 . Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) December 17, 2024 The 59-57 vote in the Knesset, or parliament, to pass the wartime austerity budget in its first of three readings underscored divisions within the coalition that heavily relies on ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties. read more Israeli lawmakers narrowly approved the 2025 state budget in its initial reading, with a 59-57 vote, despite fractures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition partners. The wartime austerity budget passed its first of three required votes in the Knesset but exposed internal divisions, particularly from Netanyahus far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies. Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party voted against the budget. Ben-Gvir continues to push for the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of opposing judicial reforms and supporting an independent inquiry into the governments handling of Hamass October 7 cross-border attack. Advertisement The tensions have sparked clashes within the coalition, particularly between Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who leads another right-wing faction. The dispute highlights Netanyahus challenges in balancing his governments priorities amid wartime pressures. Ben-Gvir said on X that his faction would no longer be bound by the coalitions positions, including the budget law, and would operate independently. Addressing Smotrich, he said the government must fire the attorney general so it can implement its policy. The right-wing government had to either to send her home or face having her bring the government down, Ben-Gvir wrote. A month ago, in a letter to Netanyahu, Baharav-Miara asked the prime minister to consider firing Ben-Gvir, citing evidence that he allegedly interfered directly in police operations and politicized promotions within the force, threatening its status outside politics. Should the issue be raised at Sundays cabinet meeting, the crisis will be behind us, Ben-Gvir added. In posts on X, Smotrich accused Ben-Gvir of irresponsibly aligning with the opposition and Arab parties and putting their right-wing government in danger in time of war. Smotrich said Ben-Gvir and his party were jeopardising a historic opportunity for further Israeli settlement of the occupied West Bank and for the State of Israel itself with Donald Trumps administration moving into the White House next month. Advertisement We will continue to work for the people of Israel and for victory in the war, with or without Ben-Gvir, he wrote. Netanyahu in September sought to bolster his coalition, which had a 64-56 edge in Knesset, by bringing in opposition lawmaker Gideon Saar and his four seats in the New Hope party, enabling him to be less reliant on other members of his ruling coalition. Saar last month was named foreign minister. Total budget spending in 2025 will be 756 billion shekels ($210 billion), with a deficit target set at 4.4% of gross domestic product. The budget includes spending cuts and tax increases of 37 billion shekels, which are needed to keep the deficit under control as war costs have soared. Spending on defence will be 108 billion shekels next year. Advertisement All three agencies have cut Israels credit rating this year due to war expenses that have pushed the budget deficit to near 8% of GDP. The budget next goes to the Knesset finance and other committees, where it could face changes. It is not expected to be fully approved until at least January. Until a budget is approved in 2025, the 2024 budget will be divided into 12 parts and 1/12 is allocated each month. Failure to approve the budget by March 31 would trigger new elections. With inputs from agencies. Fellow Axis members Hamas and Hezbollah have also suffered heavy losses since the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking war in Gaza and later in Lebanon read more A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on November 2, 2024, shows him waving to the crowd during a meeting with Iranian students in Tehran. Image- AFP Irans supreme leader said Tuesday that Israel and the United States were completely wrong to imagine the Tehran-backed axis of resistance had collapsed with the ouster of Syrias longtime strongman. With the developments in Syria and the crimes the Zionist regime is committing and the crimes that America is committing, and the help that some others are giving to them, they thought that the resistance was over, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a televised speech. They are completely wrong. On December 8, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country as rebel forces entered the capital Damascus after a lightning offensive. Fellow Axis members Hamas and Hezbollah have also suffered heavy losses since the Palestinian militant group attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, sparking war in Gaza and later in Lebanon. Advertisement Since Assads fall, Iran has sought to distance itself from the ousted leader, instead emphasising the history of friendship between the two countries. Khamenei has also insisted that Assads overthrow will not weaken Iran. The Zionist regime imagines it can encircle and eradicate the Hezbollah forces through Syria, but the one who will be eradicated is Israel, Khamenei said on Tuesday. Lawyer Christine Lee had sued MI5 over the alert issued in January 2022 in which it alleged she was involved in political interference activities in the United Kingdom on behalf of Chinas ruling Communist Party. read more Lawyer Christine Lee had sued MI5 over the alert issued in January 2022 in which it alleged she was "involved in political interference activities" in the United Kingdom on behalf of China's ruling Communist Party. (Image: Twitter/@DominicFarrell) Christine Lee, a lawyer accused by MI5 of working for the Chinese government has lost her legal case against the intelligence agency. MI5 claimed that Lee facilitated financial donations to British parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals from Hong Kong and China. Lee, who was born in Hong Kong founded a consultancy firm for Chinese migrants and played a role in setting up a parliamentary committee chaired by Labour MP Barry Gardiner to address issues affecting the Chinese community in the UK. Gardiner confirmed receiving significant donations from Lee, and her son had worked in his office. Advertisement Lee denied the MI5 allegations and sued the spy agency for unspecified damages, arguing the agency had acted unlawfully and unreasonably by labelling her a risk to the state without any prior finding of guilt. However, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal rejected the claim brought by Lee and her son. It said MI5 was within its rights to issue the Interference Alert (IA) as part of its function to protect parliamentary democracy and that the pairs human rights had not been breached. Lees lawyer said in a statement that his clients were extremely disappointed and were considering their options. Although the Investigatory Powers Tribunals judgment did not determine whether the espionage allegations made against Christine Lee were factually true or false, we reiterate that Christine Lee has not engaged in such activities, the statement said. In evidence given to the tribunal, Gardiner had queried whether the timing of the alert was to divert attention from former Prime Minister Boris Johnsons admission of an unlawful gathering at Downing Street during the first COVID lockdown. Tuesdays ruling came a day after a Chinese national, described in a ruling by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) as a close confidant of Prince Andrew and banned from Britain on national security grounds, waived his right to anonymity. Advertisement While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to thaw ties with China since taking office in July, London and Beijing have repeatedly traded spying accusations, with British security services warning of Chinese attempts to infiltrate political, business and academic spheres. With inputs from agencies. A string of opinion polls over the last 18 months suggests the Liberals are going to be crushed at the next election by the official opposition Conservatives. In the 2021 election, the Liberals had won with 39% of the vote, just ahead of the Conservatives on 36%. read more Canadas ruling Liberals lost a special election in British Columbia on Tuesday, deepening the political struggles of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The loss followed the resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday, citing policy disagreements with Trudeau. Opinion polls over the past 18 months indicate the Liberals could face a significant defeat in the next election, with the Conservatives poised to gain ground. In the 2021 election, the Liberals won with 39% of the vote, narrowly ahead of the Conservatives at 36%. Advertisement Elections Canada said the Conservatives had taken 66% of Mondays vote in the constituency of CloverdaleLangley City with the Liberals in second at 16%. The election was held to fill a vacant seat. The defeat marked the third time in a row that the Liberals had lost a special election to the Conservatives. Angry Liberal legislators met Trudeau on Monday night, with some repeating calls for him to go. Were not united. Theres still a number of our members who feel we need a change in leadership, said Chad Collins, a legislator from Ontario, Canadas most populous province and a Liberal stronghold. I think the only path forward for us is to choose a new leader and to present a new plan to Canadians with a different vision, he said after the meeting. Trudeau aides declined to answer questions about what he might do next. Global News cited two sources as saying Trudeau was not in a mindset to resign. While he cannot be forced out by his caucus, he may find it harder to stay in office if enough Parliamentarians openly call on him to go. So far only a handful have done so. Advertisement In another blow, the traditionally pro-Liberal Toronto Star - the largest circulation newspaper in Canada - on Tuesday ran an editorial saying it was time for Trudeau to leave. With inputs from agencies. Trump, who takes office on January 20, threatened last month to impose steep 25-percent tariffs on imports from Mexico over the influx of migrants as well as drug trafficking read more View of the border between El Paso, Texas, United States, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. AFP Mexico is scrambling to prevent a crisis at its border with the United States ahead of another Donald Trump presidency during which he has vowed mass deportations. US authorities estimate that there are around 11 million unauthorized people living in the United States, mostly from Mexico and Central America. Trump, who takes office on January 20, threatened last month to impose steep 25-percent tariffs on imports from Mexico over the influx of migrants as well as drug trafficking. Advertisement Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is trying to appease Trump by preventing migrants reaching the border between the two countries. She spoke with Trump on November 27 and said she had explained that under her governments strategy, migrant caravans were attended to before reaching the border. Containment Several migrant caravans that left southern Mexico for the US border since November have dispersed, in most cases after receiving permits to stay in the country. Mexico is applying a policy of containment and wearing (migrants) down, Stephanie Brewer, Mexico director of WOLA, a US-based organization that promotes rights in the Americas, told AFP. Since Sheinbaum took office on October 1, Mexican authorities have intercepted nearly 5,400 undocumented migrants a day. That is up from 3,400 at the end of the term of her predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, official figures from December 3 showed. During Trumps first term, Lopez Obrador deployed thousands of border guards to block Central American migrants, pleasing the Republican. A rush to the border by migrants trying to enter the United States before the start of Trumps second term predicted by some activists has failed to materialize. Hostels in the Mexican frontier city of Ciudad Juarez have been half-empty for months, reflecting tougher immigration policies introduced by outgoing US President Joe Biden. Advertisement Migrants are now supposed to schedule an appointment at an official port of entry through a cell phone application. The number of US border patrol encounters with migrants crossing over from Mexico illegally fell to around 54,000 in September, from a peak of nearly 250,000 in December 2024, according to the US government. Juan Fierro, director of the El Buen Samaritano (The Good Samaritan) hostel in Ciudad Juarez, said that he had received no new migrants in three months because, he believes, they are being detained in Mexico and returned to the countrys south. Negotiation In 2018, Mexico gave in to pressure to start taking non-Mexican migrants deported from the United States in return for a promise from Trump to rescind his threat of punitive tariffs. Advertisement The deportations accelerated during the Covid pandemic, with Trump invoking public health provisions to swiftly send back migrants crossing the border from Mexico a policy continued by Biden until May 2023. During three years of the controversial measure, Mexico accepted nearly three million deportees, 40 percent of them foreigners, official figures show. In the past year, the United States has reverted to deporting non-Mexican migrants directly to their countries an arrangement Sheinbaum hopes to continue with Trump. Our main function is to take in Mexicans, she said this month. At the same time, Sheinbaum left the door open to taking in migrants from countries like Venezuela, which refuses to accept US deportation flights. Advertisement NBC News reported earlier this month that Trumps team had drawn up a list of countries to which it wants to deport undocumented migrants when their home countries refuse to accept them. In another plank of her strategy, Sheinbaum sent Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to the United States this month to discuss defending the rights of Mexicans including an estimated six million undocumented migrants living there. I am here to send a very clear message to the entire community of Mexicans in the United States: you are not alone, he said. Trump, who will take office in January, has said wants to end the war in Ukraine swiftly but not how he aims to do so. He has long criticised the scale of U.S. financial and military aid to Ukraine. read more Trump threatened to quit NATO during his first term as president and demanded allies must spend 3% of national GDP on their militaries, compared with NATOs target of 2%. Image- Reuters In a move widely seen as aiming to safeguard the support mechanism against NATO skeptic Donald Trump, NATO has officially taken over the coordination of Western military aid to Ukraine from the United States, Reuters reported. This move comes after several months of delay, allowing NATO to play a more direct role in the Russia-Ukraine war without deploying its forces. However, diplomats note that this handover may have limited impact, as the US under Trump remains the alliances dominant power and the primary source of arms to Ukraine. Advertisement Trump has criticised the scale of US aid to Ukraine and has vowed to end the war swiftly, though his specific strategy remains unclear. The headquarters of NATOs new Ukraine mission, dubbed NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), is located at Clay Barracks, a US base in the German town of Wiesbaden. A person familiar with the matter told Reuters it was now fully operational. No public reason has been given for the delays. In the past, the US-led Ramstein group, an ad hoc coalition of some 50 nations named after a US air base in Germany where it first met, has coordinated Western military supplies to Kyiv. Meanwhile, the outgoing administration in Washington is scrambling to ship as many weapons as possible to Kyiv amid fears that Trump may cut down on deliveries of military hardware to Ukraine. Trump threatened to quit NATO during his first term as president and demanded allies must spend 3% of national GDP on their militaries, compared with NATOs target of 2%. NSATU is set to have a total strength of some 700 personnel, including troops stationed at NATOs military headquarters SHAPE in Belgium and at logistics hubs in Poland and Romania. Advertisement Russia has condemned increases in Western military aid to Ukraine as risking a wider war. Netanyahu visited the buffer zone with Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said he instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. read more Israeli soldiers stand next to armoured vehicles after crossing the security fence, near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Image- AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that forces would remain in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, specifically on Mount Hermon, until another arrangement is found that will ensure Israels security. Speaking from the snow-capped summit of Mount Hermonthe first visit by a sitting Israeli leader to Syrian territoryNetanyahu said he had been on the summit 53 years ago as a soldier. Still, the summits importance to Israels security has only increased given recent events. Advertisement Watch: Israeli PM Netanyahu Says Israeli Troops Will Remain in Syria | Firstpost America Defence Minister Israel Katz, accompanying Netanyahu, said he had ordered the military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. The summit of the Hermon is the eyes of the state of Israel to identify our enemies who are nearby and far away, Katz said. Israel seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone, in the days after Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted by rebels. Israels capture of the buffer zone has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating a 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. Israeli forces moved to control a roughly 400-square-kilometre demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the UN after the 1973 Mideast war. A UN force of about 1,100 troops had patrolled the area since then. Israel still controls the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognised by most of the international community. Mount Hermons summit is divided between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israels control of the Golan Heights. Advertisement After media reports suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to Cairo for talks on Gaza ceasefire deal, his spokesperson on Tuesday dismissed such claims saying that the prime minister was holding a briefing on Mount Hermon, according to a report read more After media reports suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on his way to Cairo for talks on Gaza ceasefire deal, his spokesperson on Tuesday dismissed such claims saying that the prime minister was holding a briefing on Mount Hermon to discuss the situation in Syria. Netanyahu was holding a briefing on Mount Hermon, a strategic location overlooking Damascus, The Guardian quoted a statement from the Prime Ministers Office on Tuesday. Advertisement According to the report, the briefing involved discussions about the situation in Syria and was reported to be with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, and the IDFs Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, to review the IDFs preparations in the field, and set the rules for the next stage. The peak of Mount Hermon is the eyes of the State of Israel to detect near and far threats. The IDF is here to protect the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of the State of Israel from any threat, from the most important place to do so, Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying in remarks provided by his office. We will be here for as long as it is needed. Our presence here at the peak of the Hermon strengthens security and adds a dimension of both observation and deterrence to Hezbollahs strongholds in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and deterrence against the rebels in Damascus, who pretend to present a moderate image but belong to the most extreme Islamic sects, Katz added. Meanwhile, Reuters on Tuesday reported that the Gaza ceasefire deal is expected to be signed in the coming days. After months of impasse, there are fresh indications that Israel and Hamas may be nearing a ceasefire agreement for Gaza and a deal on hostage releases. According to The Guardian report, both sides have expressed optimism in recent days that a deal may be close for a phased release of the surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Advertisement Hamas also issued a statement regarding the ongoing talks in Qatar, calling the discussions serious and positive. Hamas affirms that, in light of the serious and positive discussions taking place today in Doha under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation ceases to impose new conditions, The Guardian quoted Hamas as saying in a statement. Qatar, alongside the US and Egypt, has been involved in months of behind-the-scenes efforts to broker a Gaza truce and hostage release. Reports indicate that Hamas and other Palestinian militias are now reportedly showing more openness and flexibility towards a gradual, phased end to the conflict, with ongoing talks focusing on the number of hostages to be released in the first phase. Advertisement With inputs from agencies National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is set to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing today for critical discussions aimed at rebuilding India-China relations, which have been strained due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh read more National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to participate in the India-China Special Representatives talks set to take place on Wednesday. The talks aim to revive bilateral relations that have been stalled for over four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Doval is scheduled to hold the 23rd round of Special Representatives (SR) talks with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussions are expected to cover a wide range of issues, with a focus on rebuilding ties following the October 21 agreement on disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two nations. Advertisement Ahead of the crucial talks, China expressed its readiness to collaborate with India to implement commitments based on the common understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, when asked about the SR talks, emphasised that China is prepared to address differences with sincerity. China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each others core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible, PTI quoted Lin as saying. The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Monday that, as agreed during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23, the two Special Representatives (SRs) will discuss the management of peace and tranquility in the border areas and work towards a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue. Following the Modi-Xi meeting, which was their first in five years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart held discussions on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil, followed by a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC). The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, followed by a deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June that year, severely straining ties between the two neighbors. Apart from trade, bilateral relations came to a virtual standstill. The standoff came to an effective end after the disengagement process was completed at the last two friction points, Demchok and Depsang, under an agreement finalized on October 21. Wednesdays SRs meeting is considered significant as it marks the first structured engagement between the two countries aimed at restoring bilateral relations. This meeting follows a five-year gap, with the last SRs meeting held in 2019 in Delhi. Advertisement Established in 2003 to address the long-standing India-China border dispute spanning 3,488 km, the SRs mechanism has met 22 times over the years. While it has not yet succeeded in resolving the boundary dispute, officials from both sides view it as a promising and effective tool for addressing recurring tensions between the two nations. With inputs from agencies Bangladesh has been reacting to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis Vijay Diwas post with a leader of Muhammad Yunus-led interim government calling India just an ally in the 1971 liberation war read more Political leaders in Bangladesh, including those from Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, reacted strongly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis message on Vijay Diwas or victory day, claiming that the victory of 1971 belonged to Bangladesh and India was nothing more than an ally in the struggle. PM Modi, on Monday, took to his social media account, saying: 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. Advertisement India celebrated Vijay Diwas on Monday, December 16, to mark the historic victory of 1971, when the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy united to launch a decisive offensive against East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), standing against the rule of West Pakistan. Observed annually on December 16, Vijay Diwas honours Indias triumph in the 1971 War, which led to the liberation of East Pakistan from West Pakistans control and the creation of the independent nation of Bangladesh. On December 16, 1971, then Pakistani forces commander, Lieutenant General AA Khan Niazi, surrendered in front of Indian commander Jagjit Singh Aurora and signed the surrender instrument. The surrender, along with 93,000 Pakistani forces, brought an end to East Pakistans years-long agitation against the cruel regime of West Pakistan. Though there was no mention of Bangladesh or even Pakistan in PM Modis Vijay Diwas post, but the political leaders from the neighbouring country had come all guns blazing to react against it. Bangladesh reacts Moments after Modis message, Bangladeshs interim governments law adviser Asif Nazrul said he strongly condemned the post by the Indian PM on his countrys victory day. Attaching screenshot of PM Modis Facebook post, Asif Nazrul wrote, I strongly condemn it. 16 December, 1971 was Victory Day for Bangladesh. India was just our ally, nothing else. Bangladesh must continue its fight against this threat from India A key organiser of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Hasnat Abdullah, who had earlier called for banning banning Iskcon and called for the hanging of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, also criticised PM Modis Bangladesh Bijoy Dibosh post . This was Bangladeshs Liberation War. That war was for Bangladeshs independence from Pakistan. But Modi claimed the war to be only of India and their achievement. The existence of Bangladesh is defied in their speeches, Abdullah wrote on his Facebook post. Advertisement When India claims this independence as their own victory, I see it as a direct threat to the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Bangladesh, Abdullah further stated. He continued and even went on to say, It is inevitable that we must continue our struggle against this threat from India. Our fight must go on. Misleading statement Ishraque Hossain, a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Partys (BNP) Foreign Relations Committee, called PM Modis post misleading. I strongly condemn and protest against Narendra Modis misleading statement on 16th December, Bangladeshs Victory Day. Modis words clearly undermine our liberation war, our sovereignty, our martyrs and our dignity. Such moves will not be helpful for bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India, Hossain said in a post on X. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said Monday on the groups Telegram channel that all the rebel factions would be disbanded and the fighters trained to join the ranks of the defence ministry read more A Syrian rebel fighter walks at the Saydnaya prison, in the town of Saydnaya about 28 kilometres north of Damascus. AFP The leader of the Islamist group that toppled Bashar al-Assad said Monday that rebel factions in war-torn Syria would be disbanded and their fighters placed under the defence ministry, and called for sanctions to be lifted so refugees can return. Syrian president Assad was toppled by a lightning 11-day rebel offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS), whose fighters and allies swept down from northwest Syria and entered the capital on December 8. Advertisement HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said Monday on the groups Telegram channel that all the rebel factions would be disbanded and the fighters trained to join the ranks of the defence ministry. All will be subject to the law, said Jolani, who now uses his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa. He also emphasised the need for unity in a country home to different ethnic minority groups and religions, while speaking to members of the Druze community a branch of Shiite Islam making up about 3 percent of Syrias pre-war population. Syria must remain united, he said. There must be a social contract between the state and all religions to guarantee social justice. Several countries and organisations have welcomed Assads fall but said they were waiting to see how the new authorities would treat minorities in the country. During a second meeting with a delegation of British diplomats, the HTS leader also spoke of the importance of restoring relations with London. He stressed the need to end all sanctions imposed on Syria so that Syrian refugees can return to their country, according to remarks reported on his groups Telegram channel. Advertisement HTS is rooted in Syrias branch of Al-Qaeda and proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, though it has sought to moderate its rhetoric. Since the toppling of Assad, it has insisted that the rights of all Syrians will be protected. A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops was assassinated in Moscow by Ukraines SBU intelligence service on Tuesday morning in the most high-profile killing of its kind. read more Bodies of the commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, (top) and his assistant are seen at the blast scene outside a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow on December 17, 2024. Image- AFP Russia on Tuesday criticised Ukraines allies over what it called insufficient reactions to the assassination in Moscow of the Russian armys chemical weapons chief, an attack claimed by Kyiv. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the West in a Telegram post of approval for war crimes by fighters of the Kyiv regime and said all those who welcome terrorist attacks or deliberately hush them up are accomplices. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, Russias Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said. Advertisement Ukraines Security Service, or SBU, has claimed responsibility for killing Lt. General Igor Kirillov, head of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, in a bombing Tuesday in Moscow. An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. On Monday, Kirillov was charged in absentia by the SBU for ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraines Defense Forces. Kirillov, 54, is the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated inside Russia by Ukraine and his murder is likely to prompt the Russian authorities to review security protocols for the armys top brass. Former president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Russian security official, told a meeting shown on state TV that Moscow would avenge what he called an act of terrorism. Law enforcement agencies must find the killers in Russia, said Medvedev. Everything must be done to destroy the masterminds (of the killing) who are in Kyiv. We know who these masterminds are. They are the military and political leadership of Ukraine, he said. There was no immediate comment from President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Moscow holds Ukraine responsible for a string of high-profile assassinations on its soil designed to weaken morale and punish those Kyiv regards guilty of war crimes. Ukraine, which says Russias war against it poses an existential threat to the Ukrainian state, has made clear it regards such targeted killings as a legitimate tool. With inputs from agencies. Ukraine says they have killed Chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov who died in a blast on Tuesday morning. Kyiv claimed Kirillov as a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, accusing him of ordering the use of prohibited chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in the war read more Russia's Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, in charge of Russian troops for radioactive, chemical and biological protection, was killed on December 17, 2024 when an explosive device hidden in a scooter went off outside a building in Moscow. Source: AFP | Russian Defence Ministry. Ukraine has claimed that they have killed Chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov on Tuesday morning in southeastern Moscow, Reuters and AFP reports cited a Ukrainian security source as saying. Igor and his assistant were killed in a blast outside a residential apartment on Ryazansky Prospekt, a road that starts some 7 km (4.35 miles) southeast of the Kremlin. Absolutely legitimate target A report by Reuters quoted a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as saying that Kyiv regarded Kirillov as a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, accusing him of ordering the use of prohibited chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in the war. Ukrainian media reports also mentioned that Kirillov was killed by the Ukrainian security services. Advertisement The Kyiv Independent and news agency RBC Ukraine, cited unnamed sources from the agency as saying that Kirillov was killed by the SBU. Special operation A report by AFP quoted a source as saying that the killing of Kirillov was a special operation by Ukraines SBU security service. The liquidation of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces radiation, chemical and biological defence troops is a special operation by the SBU, the source cited by AFP said. Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable, the SBU source was quoted as saying by AFP. Bomb hidden in scooter A report by TASS quoted Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee, as saying that the blast occurred after an explosive device allegedly hidden in an electric scooter went off. On the morning of December 17, an explosive device planted in a scooter went off near a residential building entrance on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow, the investigation showed. Chief of Russias Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his aide were killed in the explosion, Petrenko said. Earlier in the day, the Committees Moscow department has launched a criminal probe into the attack. Images from the blast site, posted on Russian Telegram channels, showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. A view shows a scene of an explosion, which reportedly killed two army officers, in Moscow, Russia December 17, 2024. Source: Reuters. The explosion occurred hours after, Ukrainian prosecutors on Monday charged Kirillov in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine said. Russia denied those accusations. In October, Britain sanctioned Kirillov and the nuclear protection forces for using riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Advertisement The UK alleged that Kirillov had overseen the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine and acted as a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation. Russias radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, known as RKhBZ, are special forces who operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination. With inputs from agencies. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser are accused of taking part in an extremist organisation. They were arrested in October 2023 and added the following month to an official list of terrorists and extremists' read more Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny appears on a screen via a video link from the IK-3 penal colony in Kharp in the Yamal-Nenets region during a hearing against the Ministry of Justice in Supreme Court, in Moscow, Russia, January 11, 2024. File image/ Reuters Russian prosecutors have demanded prison terms of nearly six years each for three lawyers who represented Alexei Navalny, an ally of the late opposition leader said on Tuesday. Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser are accused of taking part in an extremist organisation. They were arrested in October 2023 and added the following month to an official list of terrorists and extremists. Navalny, who died suddenly in an Arctic penal colony in February, was himself convicted of extremism and other charges, all of which he denied. Prosecutors say the lawyers passed information to and from Navalny while he was in prison. Advertisement Navalnys ally Ivan Zhdanov posted on the Telegram messaging app that prosecutors were seeking penal colony sentences of 5 years and 11 months for Kobzev, 5 years and 10 months for Liptser and five years and six months for Sergunin. Navalnys widow Yulia, in a YouTube video published last week, described the three accused men as political prisoners. They have not committed any crimes, she said. They are in prison for simply doing their job, which any lawyer should do with any prisoner: preparing a defence strategy, discussing issues of detention in prison, writing complaints, filing lawsuits. The lawyers trial has been conducted behind closed doors at the request of prosecutors, citing an unspecified security threat if it were held in public. The verdict is expected shortly. The Kremlin says it does not comment on individual court cases, but authorities have cast Navalny and his supporters as Western-backed traitors seeking to destabilise Russia. Yulia Navalnaya, who has taken up her husbands mantle since his death, says they are fighting for a free, democratic Russia without President Vladimir Putin. She lives in foreign exile. Advertisement Secret recordings Human rights activists say the targeting of lawyers who defend people speaking out against the authorities and the war in Ukraine crosses a new threshold in the repression of dissent under Putin. Despite his imprisonment, Navalny was able via his lawyers to post on social media and file frequent lawsuits over his treatment in prison, using the resulting legal hearings as a chance to keep speaking out against the government and the war. Navalnayas YouTube video included secretly recorded meetings between Navalny and the accused lawyers in prison, something she said was illegal because an accused person has the right to confer privately with a lawyer. Advertisement Russias federal prison service did not reply to a request for comment. Navalnaya said the recordings were made by the authorities but handed to Navalnys team after they offered a reward for people to come forward with information about his death. Navalnaya has accused Putin of having her husband killed, which the Kremlin denies. She has yet to present evidence. In the video, she said she knew for certain that the moment of Alexeis murder had been captured on multiple video cameras, and offered to pay 10 million roubles ($97,500) to anyone who would hand over the footage. Navalnys family was notified in August that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. A letter from an investigator said he had suffered from a combination of diseases and died as a result of a critical increase in blood pressure that had upset the rhythm of his heart. Advertisement Yulia Navalnaya said her husband, who was 47 when he died, had never had heart problems and rejected the official version as preposterous. A court in US refused to throw out President-elect Donald Trumps felony conviction in the New York hush money case because of the Supreme Courts recent ruling on presidential immunity read more A court in the US denied to throw out Donald Trumps hush money conviction, saying that the US President-elects felony conviction should not be tossed out because of the Supreme Courts ruling on the presidential immunity. The decision of Manhattan Judge Juan M Merchan, on Monday, blocks one potential off-ramp from the hush money case ahead of Trumps inauguration on January 20, 2025. Also, Merchans decision comes barely a month after Trumps victory against Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 US Presidential election, showing voters choosing to bring him back to the White House despite his years of legal peril. Advertisement Prosecutors have said that there should be some accommodation for Trumps upcoming presidency, buy they insist the conviction should stand. Merchans decision rejected one of the many avenues which Trumps lawyers have taken to try to dismiss his May guilty verdict on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump denies wrongdoing. Merchan did not rule on a motion from Trumps attorneys to dismiss the conviction because he has now been elected president, instead, the judges 41-page decision focused on the question of presidential immunity. Merchan wrote the ruling of the Supreme Court that Trump should receive broad immunity for official acts during his time in office did not mean the conviction should be dismissed, ruling that the evidence presented by the Manhattan district attorneys office was not related to Trumps official conduct as president. Merchan further wrote that the evidence contested by Trumps lawyers, related entirely to unofficial conduct and should receive no immunity protections. This Court concludes that if error occurred regarding the introduction of the challenged evidence, such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt, Merchan wrote. Even if this Court did find that the disputed evidence constitutes official acts under the auspices of the Trump decision, which it does not, Defendants motion is still denied as introduction of the disputed evidence constitutes harmless error and no mode of proceedings error has taken place," the judge further wrote. Advertisement Merchans decision also noted that part of the SCs immunity ruling declared that not everything the president does is official. Trumps social media posts, for example, were personal, the judge wrote. Merchan also pointed to a prior federal court ruling that concluded the hush money payment and subsequent reimbursements pertained to Trumps private life, not official duties. Direct violation of SCs decision Spokesman of Trumps transition team, Steven Cheung, in a statement said that the decision of Merchan is a direct violation of the Supreme Courts decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, Cheung further said in a statement. Whats next? It is now likely that Trumps lawyers may appeal Merchans decision, one of several potential motions for dismissal that could leave the case tied up for months or even years. The judge has still to rule on Trumps argument that his status as president was a legal impediment to further criminal proceedings and the case should be dismissed as a result. Advertisement Over the last six months, Trumps lawyers have made numerous efforts to get the conviction and the overall case dismissed. After Trump win in the November 5 presidential election, Merchan indefinitely postponed his sentencing which had been scheduled for late November so defense lawyers and prosecutors could suggest next steps. Trumps defense argued that anything other than immediate dismissal would undermine the transfer of power and cause unconstitutional disruptions to the presidency. For the unversed, the New York hush money case was the first-ever criminal prosecution of a former president, and the only one to have reached trial. With inputs from agencies. Advertisement Can South Korean President Yoon be removed from his post? The ball is in the countrys Constitutional Court. And a lot of variables are at play 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 Korea is in a state of political confusion. President Yoon Suk Yeol stands impeached through the second motion in the National Assembly with a 204-85 vote, thanks to 12 legislators from the ruling party voting against Yoon on December 14 and his powers suspended as he faces a criminal investigation for imposing martial law. But he has refused to resign saying he will never give up, and now all eyes are on South Koreas Constitutional Court. Advertisement In recent times, two impeachment matters reached the court, which upheld one National Assembly vote and rejected the other. In 2004, the court overturned the impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun, but in 2016-17, it upheld the impeachment of Park Geun-hye. The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide his fate. In 2004, the court took 63 days to dismiss the impeachment bill against Roh. In 2016, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment bill against Park after 91 days of its passage in South Koreas National Assembly. There is speculation about how soon the court may hear Yoons case as the continued suspension of the presidents authority could aggravate national confusion. South Korean media reports say Yoons impeachment trial case will likely be case number 2024 Heon-na 8 in the court. Heon-na refers to the impeachment trial case of the Constitutional Court, and the number 8 means it is the 8th case accepted this year. Lens on the court South Koreas Constitutional Court has a strength of nine judges three each appointed by the president, the National Assembly and the chief justice. Currently, there are three vacancies. The appointment of judges from the National Assembly quota has got delayed over political differences. The legal provisions allow the court to hear the impeachment cases with at least seven judges. To avoid judicial paralysis, the Constitutional Court has temporarily lowered the quorum for deliberations from seven to six. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae recently said, We can still deliberate cases with a six-judge system. Justice Moon, however, added that [internal] discussion is needed on whether the impeachment trial could be held in the court with six judges or not. Advertisement Article 23 of the South Korean constitution deals in detail with the impeachment proceedings in the Constitutional Court. Paragraph 1 says the court should have seven judges. Paragraph 2 says at least six judges should uphold the impeachment to remove the president. If the court hears the impeachment trial with only six judges, Yoon needs just one judge to dissent and oppose the National Assembly resolution on his impeachment over the imposition of martial law in South Korea. He can stay in office, possibly until his term ends in 2027. Eyes on judges The National Assembly is rushing to appoint three judges two by the Opposition and one by the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Advertisement Amid impeachment politics, the PPPs rival Democratic Party of Korea recommended two judges for the appointment to the Constitutional Court Jeong Gye-seon, Chief Judge of the Seoul Western District Court, and Ma Eun-hyeok, Chief Judge of the Seoul Western District Court. The PPP nominated Cho Han-chang, a former judge, as its candidate. These appointments stalled in the National Assembly as the parties failed to reach a consensus among the parties. There are two variables that could come into the mix if the Constitutional Court delays the hearing of the impeachment trial. Two of the six incumbent judges appointed by the progressive Moon government will retire in April 2025 within the six-month timeframe that the court has to adhere to. Advertisement And, the ultimate authority of appointing three judges against the existing vacancies rests with the president. Yoon cant exercise this power. So, it is likely to be exercised by Acting President Han Duck-soo. Han is a long-time ally of Yoon, who picked him for the prime ministers role before he was elevated to the acting presidents post in accordance with the constitutional provisions. Will Han appoint the Opposition-backed judges to the Constitutional Court? Time will tell. If politics matters in courts Another consideration that is being discussed is the political leanings of the judges. Four of the existing judges, Justices Kim Hyung-doo, Jeong Jeong-mi, Jeong Hyung-sik and Kim Bok-hyung are considered moderate and conservative. Advertisement Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and Justice Lee Mi-sun are considered progressive. So, in the current set-up, Yoon may have four judges with favourable political leaning. If the three recommended names make it to the Constitutional Court, the Constitutional Court will have five moderate and conservative judges and four progressive judges. Merely based on political leanings, Yoon can live up to his will never give up gauntlet he has thrown at his political opponents. Yoon obviously has the option of resigning under political pressure. But removing him from the South Korean presidents post may be difficult for his rivals through court proceedings. Larry Levene: Film is the best way to understand a culture 14:29, December 17, 2024 By Wu Sha, Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, is a city rich in culture and energy. It is a hub for the arts and creative industries, and is also the location where Larry Levene, a film director, producer and screenwriter, chose to share his wide-ranging film projects involving China. Levene said that his journey in the film industry began in China and after working in China for almost 30 years, he believes that film is "the best way to understand a country, a culture and local people." Larry Levene (Photo/Patrick Shead-Simmonds) This year marked the global release of Levene's first animated feature, "Dragonkeeper", a story of a girl's destiny. The film follows a young girl, once a slave in a Himalayan fortress where the emperor kept dragons, who takes control of her own fate with the help of a dragon. The production of the film, Levene explained, took six years as it was delayed by the pandemic. With production split between Chinese and Spanish teams, "Dragonkeeper" was a true co-production, requiring constant collaboration and coordination. Levene emphasized the stark differences between animation and live-action filmmaking, which he had been doing in China for many years. "Animation bridges creativity and industry," he said. "As an industry, you deal with pipelines, software, and hardware. Connecting different systemswhether hardware or softwareacross countries was incredibly challenging." Despite these difficulties, "Dragonkeeper" was a resounding success, ranking among the top five films in its release week in over 20 countries, including second place in Spain. Following its release, "Dragonkeeper" achieved critical acclaim, recently winning the Best Animation Film Award at the 37th Golden Rooster Awards. "It is the first time that an international co-production won a Golden Rooster!" Levene added. "Dragonkeeper" was not the first project that Levene had worked on with a half-European and half-Chinese team, as he has almost always worked in such a manner. "It's impossible to approach filmmaking abroad without working closely with local teams. You need their input to avoid misconceptions and to truly capture the essence of the culture," he explained. By combining the expertise of both the Chinese and European sides, Levene believes the results are always stronger. Levene admitted that one of the greatest hurdles in cross-cultural filmmaking is the language barrier. "The real great wall is the language," he said, adding that even though he enjoys Chinese poetry, he often reads it in English or Spanish. Nevertheless, he was immensely proud of "Dragonkeeper". "The team did meticulous work on character design and the script during preproduction to ensure that even the smallest details were historically accurate to the Han period. In the process, I also learned a lot about Chinese history and culture." Levene has directed and produced many films in China on various subject matters, such as the Three Gorges Dam, traditional Chinese medicine, social issues and wildlife. The most moving story done by Levene was a documentary on migrant workers inside China. "I followed a family from rural China to Xiamen. They were living in a poor paradise with no expectations of life, so they decided to work in the city as garbage collectors with their two-year-old daughter. After three years they returned to their home and opened a guesthouse." Levene said, "Since filming in China in 1996, I have experienced all the changes that have occurred in the country, especially in rural areas and small cities. What strikes me most is the disappearance of poverty. I have been travelling worldwide and I have been in big cities in Asia like Jakarta and Manila, but nowhere in China can you find the slums that can be seen in those cities. This is the most amazing thing for me to see a miracle like this in such a big country." Levene believes film is a powerful medium for cultural understanding, quoting Christopher Nolan: "First there were the Greeks, then Shakespeare, and now there's film." Whether documentaries, action films, or dramas, Levene maintains that film is the best way to truly understand a country, its culture, and its people. (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) The government presented new legislation where a decision would instead be valid for five years after the person leaves the country. It also said it would block the ability of those who had their asylum requests rejected to instead apply for a residence permit based on employment while remaining in the country. read more New Swedish bill targets rejected asylum seekers who remain in the country. Representational Image- AP Swedens government introduced a bill on Tuesday to limit rejected asylum seekers from reapplying without first leaving the country. The legislation, which requires parliamentary approval, is proposed to take effect in April next year. The centre-right minority government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has prioritized stricter immigration policies since coming to power in 2022. Addressing the media, Johan Forssell, Minister for Migration said that over seven out of 10 asylum requests were denied. Hence, you should leave the country, Forssell said, adding that a considerable number did not do so. Advertisement Under current legislation, a rejected asylum case and subsequent deportation ruling reaches the statute of limitations four years after the decision comes into force regardless of whether the person leaves. The minister said that this meant that rejected asylum seekers have a right to have their case evaluated once again even if the circumstances have remained the same. Forssell lamented that this created incentives for people to go underground for four years and then re-apply without leaving Sweden. The Swedish government has proposed stricter measures to curb reapplications from rejected asylum seekers, citing that roughly 25% of asylum cases in 2023 were from individuals whose previous rejections had expired. Under the new legislation, decisions would remain valid for five years after the individual leaves the country. Also, the government plans to block rejected asylum seekers from applying for residence permits based on employment while remaining in Sweden. Since the 2015 migrant influx, primarily from Syria, successive governments have imposed increasingly severe asylum restrictions. Measures include issuing only temporary residence permits to asylum seekers, tightening family reunification requirements and hiking income requirements for work visas for non-EU citizens. With inputs from agencies. Switzerland generally maintains neutrality and has previously not subscribed to the stance that the two groups are terrorist groups. But that view shifted last year after Hamas launched its large-scale attack against Israel on October 7 read more Switzerlands parliament on Tuesday approved a proposal seeking the ban of Lebanese terror group Hezbollah on the grounds of it being a paramilitary terrorist organisation. The move comes days after the country signed off a law banning Hamas from conducting any activity in Switzerland. The approved proposal will now be passed on to the Federal Council which will draft legislation to implement the ban. By moving the proposal, Switzerland has joined a list of countries including the US to ban both Hezbollah and Hamas. Advertisement Switzerland generally maintains neutrality and has previously not subscribed to the stance that the two groups are terrorist groups. But that view shifted last year after Hamas launched its large-scale attack against Israel on October 7. After banning Hamas, the Swiss government clarified that this decision did not represent a significant shift in its typically cautious approach to banning organisations. It did not simultaneously ban Hezbollah, stating that such decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis and only for exceptionally serious reasons. Why has the Swiss govt banned Hezbollah? In a statement, the Swiss Parliament said, Hezbollah, like Hamas, is a radical Islamist terrorist organization responsible for numerous acts of violence and human rights violations. Operating as a paramilitary and political force in Lebanon, it is considered a terrorist organization by several states and organizations, including the United States, Germany, Canada, the European Union, and most Arab states. The ideological and financial support it receives from the Iranian regime clearly demonstrates that it is not only directed against the State of Israel but also represents a threat to the stability of the entire region. Following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah positioned itself as an ally of Hamas. The organization announced that it would support Hamas with everything it had, including rifles and rockets. Since October 8, Hezbollah has been bombarding northern Israel from Lebanon, it added. Why has it banned Hamas? After Hamas October 7 attack, the Swiss government drafted a law banning the Palestinian terror group over its unprecedented terrorist attacks based on the practice of prescribing organisations on a case-by-case basis only for extremely serious reasons. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, sends warplanes and warships near the island on an almost daily basis, and held a new round of mass military activities last week read more The mayor of Taiwans capital told visiting Chinese officials on Tuesday he hoped for peace and wanted less of the howls of ships and aircraft around the island, saying dialogue trumps confrontation. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, sends warplanes and warships near the island on an almost daily basis, and held a new round of mass military activities last week. Addressing the annual Taipei Shanghai City Forum with Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan in attendance, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an used poetic language to say he wished for peace across the Taiwan Strait. Advertisement More dialogue and less confrontation; more olive branches of peace and less sour grapes of conflict. More lights from fishing boats to adorn the sunset; less of the howls of ships and aircraft, Chiang said. I always say that the more tense and difficult the moment, the more we need to communicate, he added. China has continued to send warplanes and warships into the strait even with the forum taking place, with Taiwans defence ministry saying on Tuesday morning that in the past 24 hours it had detected 10 military aircraft and seven warships. Chiang is from Taiwans main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which traditional favours close ties across the Taiwan Strait although it denies being pro-Beijing. He is widely considered a future presidential contender. The forum, first held in 2010, is one of the few high level venues for talks between Chinese and Taiwanese officials after China cut off a regular dialogue mechanism with Taiwans central government in 2016 following the election of Tsai Ing-wen as president. Tsai, and her successor Lai Ching-te, refuse to acknowledge Beijings position that both China and Taiwan are part of one China. Lai, like Tsai, says only Taiwans people can decide their future, rejecting Beijings sovereignty claims. Advertisement Hua told the forum he hoped for closer practical cooperation. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have always been one family. We often come and go, getting closer and closer to each other, he said. Shanghai tour group trips to Taiwan will restart, Hua added, offering his own olive branch given China has yet to allow a full post-pandemic resumption of tourism to the island. Taiwans 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. Moscow has sought closer ties with the Taliban since their 2021 takeover of Afghanistan, pushing to remove the group from Russias official list of terrorist organisations read more The bill now passes to the upper-house Federation Council and then to President Vladimir Putin to sign into law. Reuters File Russias parliament on Tuesday approved a bill that could pave the way for Moscow to lift its designation of the Taliban as a banned terrorist organisation. Moscow has courted relations with the Taliban since they seized power in Afghanistan after the United States chaotic withdrawal from in 2021. Officials have since been pushing to remove the Islamist group from Moscows official list of outlawed terrorist groups. The State Duma passed a bill outlining a mechanism for groups to be legally removed from the list - putting the necessary legal framework in place for an expected future decision. Advertisement The bill now passes to the upper-house Federation Council and then to President Vladimir Putin to sign into law. In a visit to Kabul last month, top Russian security officials told their Afghan counterparts that Moscow would soon remove the Taliban from the list of banned organisations. Under the proposed system, Russias Prosecutor General would file a request with a Russian court outlining that a group has ceased its activities in support of terrorism. A judge could then rule to remove the designation. The expected move would not amount to a formal recognition of the Taliban government and what it calls the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan - a step no country has yet taken. Putin called the Taliban allies in the fight against terrorism earlier this year, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the West to remove sanctions on Afghanistan and take responsibility for reconstruction efforts in the country. Russias allies in Central Asia - Afghanistans neighbours - are also pledging better relations with the Taliban. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its own list of banned terrorist groups at the end of 2023. The move could boost diplomacy between Moscow and Afghanistan, with both countries facing isolation in the West. After seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have enforced an extreme form of Islamic law that effectively bans women from public life. Advertisement Utilising the chaos in Syria in the wake of Bashar al-Assads ouster, Turkey has mobilised its military along with militias it sponsors along the border with Kurdish-held Syrian territories in what appears to be a preparation for an imminent invasion, according to a report read more Amid chaos in the wake of Bashar al-Assads ouster, Turkey appears set to invade Syria and ramp up the offensive against Kurds. Even as Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) were on their way to Damascus, Turkey along militias it sponsors had opened a front against Kurds, an ethnic community that runs an autonomous administration in northeastern Syria called Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Following Assads ouster, the Islamist group HTS has joined Turkey and its militias, such as the Syrian National Army (SNA), in the offensive against Kurds in at least three places. The top commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has warned that the country could be headed towards another round of a bloody civil war if the Turkey-HTS combine continues its attacks. Advertisement Amid such a situation, Wall Street Journal has reported US and Kurdish officials as saying that Turkish military and militias have mobilised along Turkeys border with Kurdish-held Syrian territory for an invasion that appears to be imminent. In Syria, Kurds are the main US ally in the war against Islamic State. Turkey, however, considers Syrian Kurds enemies and equates SDF with the Kurdish group PKK, which it blames for an insurgency inside Turkey and considers a terrorist group. For years, Turkey has attacked Syrian Kurds with the intention to limit the size of AANES and push them farther from the Turkish border. Turkish commandoes, artillery set to invade Syria: Report Turkey has mobilised its military, including uniformed commandoes and artillery, along with its militias at the border with Syrias Kurdish territory in what appears to be preparation for a large-scale incursion, senior US officials told Wall Street Journal. A US official told the newspaper that a cross-border Turkish operations appears imminent. The report comes after US-brokered ceasefire between Turkey and Kurds broke down on Monday (December 16). Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin quoted an SDF official as saying that Turkey has communicated to Kurds that the ceasefire was over and Kurds are formally entering a state of combat. The ceasefire period with the Turkish factions has ended today. Their leader informed us that they will return to a state of combat, as the Turks have rejected our proposal in Kobani and the negotiations have failed. We are now observing significant military buildups in areas east and west of Kobani, the SDF official told Griffin, according to her post on X. Advertisement Ilham Ahmed, an official in the SDF, told US President-elect Donald Trump on Monday in a latter that Turkeys goal is to establish de facto control over our land before you take office, forcing you to engage with them as rulers of our territory, according to Journal. If Turkey proceeds with its invasion, the consequences will be catastrophic, said Ahmed. A Turkish invasion would displace over 200,000 Kurdish civilians in Kobani alone, including many Christian communities, Ahmed warned Trump. Turkeys war on Syrian Kurds Since the Syrian opposition forces decisive push for Damascus, the Kurds have been attacked in at least three places. On Dec. 7-8, the Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in Manjib was followed by SNAs offensive against the SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS last week captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds, who had captured the city from Assads forces the previous week. Last week, Foxs Griffin quoted a Kurdish source as saying the community fears an ethnic cleansing amid ongoing attacks. The comment came amid in the light of Turkeys record of facilitating ethnic cleansing in recent years. Before Syria where Turkey supports anti-Assad and anti-Kurd groups, Turkey had sponsored Azerbaijans ethnic cleansing of Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2023. Advertisement The Turks have begun moving toward Kobani. We need to stop this as quickly as possible. This is extremely dangerous and threatens the existence of the Kurds in Syria. Ethnic Cleansing ongoing and Civil War alarm bells start to ring, the source told Griffin. Amid such a situation, General Mazloum Abdi, the commander of SDF, told Fox last week that Kurds were under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA. Mazloum said that Turkey was carrying out up to 81 drone attacks a day amid intensive artillery bombardment. He added that such an offensive has paralysed our counterterror operation. Advertisement Federal prosecutors in Boston charged Mohammad Abedini, the co-founder of an Iranian-based company, and Mahdi Sadeghi, an employee of Massachusetts-based semiconductor manufacturer Analog Devices, with conspiring to violate U.S. export laws read more U.S. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force General Charles Q. Brown attend the dignified transfer of the remains of Army Reserve Sergeants William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffett, three U.S. service members who were killed in Jordan during a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed militants, at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, U.S. File image/ Reuters U.S. prosecutors on Monday charged two men with illegally exporting sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack carried out by Iran-backed militants in Jordan in January that killed three U.S. service members and injured 47 others. Federal prosecutors in Boston charged Mohammad Abedini, the co-founder of an Iranian-based company, and Mahdi Sadeghi, an employee of Massachusetts-based semiconductor manufacturer Analog Devices, with conspiring to violate U.S. export laws. Prosecutors also charged Abedini, also known as Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, with providing material support to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that resulted in death. The U.S. designates the Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organization. Advertisement Abedini, a resident of both Switzerland and Iran, was arrested in Milan, Italy, at the request of the U.S. government, which will seek his extradition. Sadeghi, an Iranian-born naturalized U.S. citizen living in Natick, Massachusetts, was also arrested. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy in Massachusetts said. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating. The Jan. 28 drone attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan called Tower 22, near the Syrian border, was first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October 2023. The three Army Reserve soldiers killed in the attack were all from Georgia. They were Sergeant William Jerome Rivers; Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders; and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffett. The White House later said the attack was facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of hardline Iran-backed militant groups. Iran has denied involvement in the attack. At a press conference in Boston, Levy said the FBI had been able to trace sophisticated navigation equipment used in the drone to Abedinis Iranian company, SDRA, which manufactured the navigation system. Advertisement Levy said Abedini had used a company in Switzerland as a front to procure American technologies from Sadeghis employer including accelerometers and gyroscopes that were then sent to Iran. During a brief court hearing, Sadeghi was ordered detained pending a further hearing after a prosecutor called him a flight risk. His court-appointed lawyer did not respond to request for comment. A lawyer for Abedini could not be identified. Court papers do not identify Sadeghis employer by name, but Analog Devices in a statement confirmed he worked for the company. Analog Devices said it was cooperating with law enforcement and was committed to preventing unauthorized access to and misuse of our products and technology. Advertisement Geir Pedersen, the United Nations (UN) Syria envoy, has held a meeting with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader and Syrias de facto ruler Abu Muhammed al-Jolani, who has now started referring to himself as Ahmed al-Sharaa read more FILE PHOTO: UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen meets with head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani in Damascus, Syria in this handout released on December 15, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) The UNs Syria envoy urged an inclusive Syrian transition based on a nine-year-old Security Council resolution during a meeting with the commander of Syrias new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the envoys office said on Monday. Syrias ruling General Command, in a separate statement about Sundays meeting with the UNs 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. Advertisement 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 UN 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. 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 Pedersens office said. Advertisement The Special Envoy stressed the intention of the United Nations to render all assistance to the Syrian people. UN resolution in focus UN 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 Assads rule in 2011. The resolution was approved after Russia intervened militarily on Assads 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. It further expresses support for free and fair elections, held under the new constitution, to be held within 18 months. Advertisement 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 Syrias 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. Advertisement European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday she had instructed the blocs 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 Russias 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 Assads fall. Advertisement President-elect Trump filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over a poll released just before Election Day, which showed Vice President Harris leading him by a significant margin in Iowa, according to a report read more President-elect Trump filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over a poll released just before Election Day, which showed Vice President Harris leading him by a significant margin in Iowa. According to The Hill report, the poll indicated Harris had a 3-point lead in Iowa, just days before Trump went on to win the state by 14 points and secured his return to the White House. Advertisement Trumps lawsuit, filed in Polk County, Iowa, accuses the newspaper and pollster of violating the states consumer fraud laws through deceptive practices, added the report. The lawsuit was first reported by Fox News Digital. For too long, left-wing pollsters have attempted to influence electoral outcomes through manipulated polls that have unacceptable error rates and are not grounded in widely accepted polling methodologies, The Hill quoted the lawsuit as saying. While Selzer is not the only pollster to engage in this corrupt practice, she had a huge platform and following and, thus, a significant and impactful opportunity to deceive voters, the lawsuit added. Trump has intensified his legal battles with the media, filing lawsuits against ABC, CBS, journalist Bob Woodward, and the Pulitzer Prize board. At a press conference on Monday, the president-elect hinted at the lawsuit over the Iowa poll when he was asked about ABC Newss recent $15 million settlement in a defamation case Trump had filed earlier this year. In my opinion, it was fraud, and it was election interference, The Hill quoted Trump as saying of the Iowa poll. The lawsuit names Selzer, her polling company, the Des Moines Register and Gannett, the papers parent company, as defendants. According to the report, Selzer declined to comment. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, The Hill quoted Lark-Marie Anton, a Des Moines Register spokesperson, as saying in a statement. Advertisement We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit, Anton added. With inputs from agencies There is no threat to national security or public safety from reported sightings of mystery drones that have stirred concern in parts of the United States, government agencies said Tuesday. read more There is no threat to national security or public safety from reported sightings of mystery drones that have stirred concern in parts of the United States, government agencies said Tuesday. Residents of the countrys northeast have for weeks been reporting flights of unidentified drones, a phenomenon that has sparked worries over possible foreign involvement as well as accusations of a US government cover-up. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration said in a joint statement. Advertisement Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones, they said. Top US officials have previously rejected any suggestion of foreign involvement including far-fetched claims that the drones originated from an Iranian or Chinese mothership out at sea even as public concern has mounted. But video footage of recent mysterious airborne phenomena has continued to clog social media, with sightings reported in states including New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. President-elect Donald Trump has said the US government knows what is happening, suggesting there is some sort of cover-up, but outgoing President Joe Bidens administration has rejected such suggestions. The source confirmed a New York Times report that the department last week sent China Telecom Americas a preliminary determination that its presence in U.S. networks and cloud services poses U.S. national security risks and gave the company 30 days to respond read more Flags of U.S. and China are seen in this illustration picture. File image/ Reuters The U.S. Commerce Department is moving to further crack down on China Telecoms U.S. unit over concerns it could exploit access to American data through their U.S. cloud and internet businesses by providing it to Beijing, a source told Reuters. The source confirmed a New York Times report that the department last week sent China Telecom Americas a preliminary determination that its presence in U.S. networks and cloud services poses U.S. national security risks and gave the company 30 days to respond. Advertisement In 2021, the Federal Communications Commission revoked China Telecom Americas authorization to operate in the United States, citing national security concerns. China Telecom Americas did not immediately respond to a request for comment. There is growing alarm in Washington about Chinas alleged efforts known as Salt Typhoon to infiltrate American telecommunications companies and steal data about U.S. calls. Senators have said the attack likely represents the largest telecommunications hack in U.S. history. Reuters first reported in June that the Biden administration was investigating China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom over their U.S. cloud and internet businesses. In June, the FCC advanced a proposal to boost internetrouting security on networks in the face of concerns raised by U.S. officials about Chinas ability to divert internet traffic. The Chinese companies still have a small presence in the United States, for example, providing cloud services and routing wholesale U.S. internet traffic. That gives them access to Americans data even after the FCC barred them from providing telephone and retail internet services in the United States. The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is central to the internets global information routing system. The FCC said China Telecom had used BGP vulnerabilities to misroute United States internet traffic on at least six occasions. Advertisement The FCC in 2022 revoked China Unicom Americas authorization to operate in the United States. In 2019, the FCC rejected China Mobile bid to provide U.S. telecommunications services. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks in 2022 raised alarm, saying Chinese telecom firms could continue to offer data center services to American consumers despite the revocation and urged further action to address security concerns posed by the centers. Cardenas Guillen was captured in 2003 and extradited four years later to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion read more U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement police officers hold drug lord Osiel Cardenas Guillen, who was deported and handed to Mexican authorities in Tijuana. Reuters Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Cardenas Guillen, former leader of the notorious Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas criminal gang, was deported from the United States to Mexico Monday after serving years in prison, officials said. Cardenas Guillen was captured in 2003 and extradited four years later to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion. He was released from prison in August and immediately transferred into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Advertisement On Monday, the 57-year-old was escorted by officers through Californias San Diego port of entry where he was handed over to Mexican law enforcement without incident, ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office said in a statement. By returning this dangerous individual to Mexico, where he faces serious charges, we have taken a significant step in safeguarding our communities and upholding the rule of law, the field offices director Samuel Olson said in the statement. Cardenas Guillen was taken to the Altiplano maximum security prison outside Mexico City, a federal source close to the case said. He has several charges pending in Mexico. The Gulf Cartel was formerly one of Mexicos most fearsome criminal groups, but has lost influence in recent years and split into multiple factions. As cartel leader, Cardenas Guillen oversaw a drug trafficking empire responsible for exporting thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Nicknamed El Mata Amigos (Friend Killer), he recruited former Mexican special forces soldiers to form his personal guard, which ended up operating on its own under the name of Los Zetas, one of the countrys most bloodthirsty gangs until its collapse. After his arrest in the northeast border state of Tamaulipas, he was extradited in 2007 to the United States, where he was sentenced in 2010 to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $50 million. Advertisement After his capture, the Zetas began operating more independently until they finally broke with the Gulf Cartel in 2010, unleashing a war for control of its drug trafficking routes in eastern and northeastern Mexico. The sanctions, which list North Korean banks, generals and other officials, as well as Russian oil shipping companies, are the latest U.S. measure aimed at disrupting North Koreas support to Russias war in Ukraine read more A view shows flags of Russia and North Korea attached to a car during a ceremony welcoming Russia's President Vladimir Putin at an airport in Pyongyang, North Korea. File image/ Reuters The United States hit North Korea and Russia on Monday with new sanctions targeting Pyongyangs financial and military support to Moscow as well as its ballistic missile program. The sanctions, which list North Korean banks, generals and other officials, as well as Russian oil shipping companies, are the latest U.S. measure aimed at disrupting North Koreas support to Russias war in Ukraine. The North Korean banks targeted include Golden Triangle Bank, one of the biggest banks in the northeastern Rason Special Economic Zone, and Pyongyang-based Korea Mandal Credit Bank, which has representatives throughout China, the Treasury Department said in a statement. Advertisement South Koreas foreign ministry separately said on Tuesday that it has blacklisted 11 individuals and 15 entities linked to illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The responses came as 10 countries, including the U.S., South Korea, Australia, Britain, France and Japan, as well as the European Union, issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning Pyongyang and Moscows military ties in the strongest possible terms. The statement said North Koreas support for Russias war against Ukraine was a dangerous expansion of the conflict and a flagrant violation of United Nations sanctions. It urged the country to withdraw its troops from Russia. Pyongyang and Moscow have ramped up diplomatic and economic ties in recent years, culminating in Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to North Korea in June when the countries leaders agreed a mutual defense pact. Military cooperation between the two countries has been met by international alarm, with Washington, Kyiv and Seoul condemning North Korea for sending military equipment and more than 10,000 troops to support Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. North Koreas actions, including its most recent test of a long-range ballistic missile and its deepening military support to Russia, undermine the stability of the region and sustain Putins war in Ukraine, said Bradley Smith, acting Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit procurement and facilitation networks that enable these destabilizing activities, he said. Advertisement The officials sanctioned by both Washington and Seoul include North Korean generals leading tens of thousands of North Korean troops in Russia, including Kim Yong Bok, who has appeared at seven events with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year, including special forces exercises. South Korea separately blacklisted the Norths special forces unit known as the Storm Corps, also in Russia fighting against Ukraine, and its chief, Ri Pong Chun. Ukraine said on Monday that at least 30 North Korean soldiers had been killed or injured in combat in Russias Kursk region over the weekend. It said that Moscow began deploying them in the southern region in significant numbers last week to conduct assaults on Ukrainian forces. Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Kursk in August. Advertisement Kyiv estimates there are 11,000 North Koreans in total, adding to a force of tens of thousands of Russians. Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Koreans on its side. Oil and gas to the north The Treasury sanctions freeze the U.S. assets of the designated entities, ban their trade with Americans, and block them from transactions with the U.S. financial system. The Treasury blacklisted Russia-based foreign trade companies that it said were shipping oil and gas to North Korea. The companies include Vostok Trading, DV Ink, and Novosibirskoblgaz. Treasury said they began shipping thousands of tons of oil and gas to North Korea beginning in 2022 and continuing through at least April 2024. North Korea has likely received more than 1 million barrels of oil from Russia over an eight-month period this year in breach of U.N. sanctions, according to an analysis of satellite imagery published in November by the British-based Open Source Centre and the BBC. Advertisement North Korean oil tankers have made more than 40 visits to Russias Far Eastern port of Vostochny since March, the report on the research group Open Source Centres website said. The sanctions also targeted Sibregiongaz, AO, the Russia-based parent company and 100% owner of Novosibirskoblgaz. They also hit Okryu Trading Company, or Okryu, a North Korea-based foreign trade company that Treasury said has received thousands of tons of oil shipments from Russia. The trilateral AUKUS deal struck in 2021 is Australias biggest defence project, with a cost of A$368 billion ($245 billion) by 2055, as Australia buys several Virginia-class submarines from the United States while also building a new class of nuclear-powered submarine in Britain and Australia read more The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership with Australia will benefit the United States and is the kind of burden sharing deal that President-elect Donald Trump has talked about, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. In an interview with Australias Lowy Institute think tank published on Tuesday, Sullivan said he had confidence AUKUS would endure under the Trump presidency, as it enhances U.S. deterrent capability in the Indo-Pacific and has Australia contributing to the U.S. industrial base. Advertisement The trilateral AUKUS deal struck in 2021 is Australias biggest defence project, with a cost of A$368 billion ($245 billion) by 2055, as Australia buys several Virginia-class submarines from the United States while also building a new class of nuclear-powered submarine in Britain and Australia. The United States is benefiting from burden sharing - exactly the kind of thing that Mr Trump has talked a lot about, Sullivan said of the AUKUS agreement. Australia has agreed to invest $3 billion in U.S. shipyards that build the Virginia-class nuclear submarines it will be sold early next decade amid concerns that a backlog of orders could jeopardize the deal. Australia having conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines enhances Americas deterrent capability in the Indo-Pacific, Sullivan said. Australia is directly contributing to the U.S. submarine industrial base so that we can build out this submarine capability, supply Australia in the nearer term with Virginia class submarines and then in the longer term with the AUKUS class submarine, he added. Australias defence and foreign ministers, meanwhile, met their counterparts in London on Monday to discuss progress on AUKUS for the first time since a change of government in Britain, and ahead of Trumps inauguration as U.S. president in January. Britains Defence Secretary John Healey said they discussed the challenge of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the challenge of China - increasingly active, increasingly assertive in the region - and the vital importance of maintaining both deterrence and freedom of navigation. Advertisement Australias Defence Minister Richard Marles said they discussed accelerating the process of bringing Australian companies into the supply chain in Britain for building submarines. Following the fall of the Assad dynasty in Syria, there are increasing signs that Russia is looking at Libya as the next hub in West Asia and North Africa region 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 is staring at an uncertain future in Syria and West Asia following the collapse of the Assad dynasty. While there are signs that Russia has reached an uneasy understanding with Syrian opposition groups, there are also signs of Russia seeking hub in the region. For decades, Syria had been Russias hub of operations in West Asia and Africa. Through its two military bases at Tartus and Latakia in the western part of the country, Russia not just supported Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian Civil War but also its own operations in the region. The Tartus naval base allowed Russia to project power along the southern flank of Nato and create a maritime bridge between West Asia and the Ukraine front via the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Advertisement As Russia has started withdrawing personnel and equipment from Syria, there are signs that Russia is looking to Libya as a new hub in the region. While Russia cannot recreate the hold that it had in Syria under Assads regime, it can very well offset the damage if it manages to secure a port or a military base in Libya. In Syria, even though its Assad who has been defeated, the loss was essentially Russias as it was Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War starting in 2015 that propped Assads regime. As Russias ability to bolster Assads position eroded because of distraction in Ukraine, the opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized the opportunity as another principal ally, Iran, stood battered and was unable to help. Is Russia turning to Libya after losing in Syria? There is now growing evidence that Libya is supporting the Russian military withdrawal from Syria, according to The War Zone (TWZ). The TWZ reported that Russia has moved at least some of the Russian naval assets from the naval base at Tartus to Libya. The development comes amid reports that Russia is trying to convince Libyan National Army (LNA) chief Khalifa Haftar to hand over Russia a port in Libyan city of Benghazi. Such an approach would make sense for Russia as it would compensate the loss of port in Tartus. If Russia manages to secure a port, Libya could well provide an alternative hub for the Russian military to provide access to the Mediterranean and as a transshipment point for other Russian interests in Africa, noted TWZs Thomas Newdick. Advertisement Notably, TWZ has reported that at least one Syrian Il-76 Candid cargo plane has flown repeatedly between Syria and Libya and other locations in Africa, suggesting that Russia may have been transferring equipment and personnel to these places. Even though as Russia appears to be seeing Libya as a new hub in the region, there is no indication that Russia is vacating the two bases. For now, Russia has only thinned its presence at these bases and elsewhere in Syria and there is no indication that Syria is vacating these two bases. Russia has been amassing influence in Libya Even before the collapse of the Assad regime, Russia had amassed influence inside Libya over the past decade, using the war-torn country as a gateway to its operations in Sudan, Chad, Niger, and other Sahel and Central Africa countries, eventually wielding power and influence throughout these regions, according to Alissa Pavia of Atlantic Council. In an article written months before the fall of Assad regime, Pavia noted that Libyas fragmented governance has guaranteed Russia much-needed access to air and naval military bases, especially across Cyrenaica, allowing it to coordinate its military expeditions. Advertisement By maintaining a strong presence in Libya, Russia is able to pursue its broader geopolitical goals, including defying the West, expanding its military reach, and securing critical resources that are essential to sustain its economy and long-term strategic aspirations, noted Pavia in an article for Italys Institute for International Political Studies. Zelenskyys call to stop Russias shadow fleet in European waters comes days after the European Union adopted sanctions targeting 52 more vessels from Moscows shadow fleet that try to circumvent Western restrictions to move oil, arms, and grains. This brings the total number of vessels listed to 79. read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to allies on Tuesday to stop Russias shadow fleet of vessels, used to evade sanctions, from operating in European waters. Zelenskyy posted on X that the fleet should be limited not just with sanctions, but in other ways too. This fleet is one of the biggest threats. Putin uses these tankers to finance his war, and most of these vessels are old, poorly maintained, and operate without any oversight, the Ukrainian leader said. Advertisement Our sea is facing yet another environmental disaster caused by Russia. But there are even larger and more dangerous Russian tankers operating in your seas. Stopping this fleet is not just about cutting off Russias war funding its about protecting nature. Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 17, 2024 On Monday, the European Union adopted its 15th package of sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, targeting Chinese entities and expanding measures against Moscows shadow fleet, the European Commission announced Monday. The latest sanctions include 52 additional vessels linked to Russias shadow fleet, which are used to bypass Western restrictions to transport oil, arms, and grains. This brings the total number of listed vessels to 79. Britain on Tuesday also sanctioned 20 ships that it said were using illicit practices to avoid sanctions on Russian oil. Zelenskiy called Sundays oil spillage caused by a sinking Russian tanker in the Kerch Straight near the Crimean Peninsula, an environmental disaster. One tanker split apart during a storm, while another ended up in distress. Together they had 9,200 metric tons of oil products aboard, Russian state news agency TASS said. Advertisement Ukraines navy spokesperson said Russia violated navigation safety by using old tankers and keeping two vessels at sea during a heavy storm. There are much larger and more dangerous Russian tankers operating in your seas. This fleet must be stopped. Doing so will not only cut off Russias war funding but will also protect nature, Zelenskiy added. With inputs from agencies. POCO just launched the POCO C75 5G, the companys latest budget 5G smartphone in India, as it had promised. It packs a 6.88-inch HD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate, 5MP selfie camera inside the notch, and is the one of the first smartphone to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC which only supports 5G SA and doesnt have support for 5G NSA network. It has 4GB of RAM with additional 4GB RAM expansion. The phone will get 2 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates. The POCO C75 5G packs a 50MP main camera along with a secondary camera. There is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 5160mAh battery with 18W fast charging and comes with a 33W charger in the box. POCO C75 5G specifications 6.88-inch (1600 x 720 pixels) HD+ 20:9 aspect ratio display, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 600 nits of peak brightness Octa Core Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 4nm Mobile Platform (2 GHz x 2 A78-based + 1.8GHz x 6 A55-based Kryo CPUs) with Adreno 611 GPU 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB UFS2.2 internal storage, expandable memory up to 1TB with microSD Android 14 with Xiaomi HyperOS Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) 50MP rear primary camera with f/1.8 aperture, secondary camera 5MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture Side-mounted fingerprint sensor 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dust and Splash resistant (IP52) Dimensions: 171.8877.808.22mm; Weight: 205.39g 5G SA (n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n40/n78), Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, USB Type-C Port 5160mAh (typical) battery with support for 18W charging Pricing and availability The POCO C75 5G comes in Enchanted Green, Aqua Blue and Silver Stardust colours and is priced at Rs. 7,999 for the singe 4GB + 64GB version, which is the limited timer offer price, says the company. It will be available from Flipkart starting from December 19th at 12PM. Tuesday Night A shower or two around the area in the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low near 30F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Resident of China Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Send Leading Electric Vehicle Company's Trade Secrets Monday, December 16, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Defendant Made Over $1.3M on Stolen Trade Secrets Klaus Pflugbeil, 59, of Ningbo, China, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for conspiring to send trade secrets that belong to a leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company (Victim Company-1). Pflugbeil, a resident of the People's Republic of China (the PRC or China) and a Canadian and German national, and his co-defendant, Yilong Shao, who remains at large, are owners of a PRC-based business (Business-1) that sold technology used to make batteries, including batteries used in electric vehicles. Pflugbeil and Shao, former employees of a company that was purchased by Victim Company-1, took trade secrets from their employer, and later used the trade secrets to build a business that they marketed as a replacement for Victim Company-1's products. "In stealing trade secrets from an American electric vehicle manufacturer to use in his own China-based company, Pflugbeil's actions stood to benefit the PRC in a critical industry with national security implications," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen. "The Justice Department will mobilize every available resource to prevent our adversaries from advancing their global ambitions at the expense of U.S. national security." "The defendant built a business in China to sell sensitive technology that belongs to a U.S. company. His actions were bold he even advertised that he was selling the victim's products because he thought, incorrectly, that he was outside the reach of U.S. prosecutors," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "Today's sentencing sends a clear message to would-be offenders: my Office will do everything it can to protect American innovation and national security no matter where you try to hide." Victim Company-1 is a U.S.-based leading manufacturer of battery-powered electric vehicles and battery energy systems. In 2019, Victim Company-1 acquired a Canada-based manufacturer of automated, precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly. Prior to its purchase by Victim Company-1, the Canadian manufacturer sold battery assembly lines to customers who manufactured alkaline and lithiumion batteries for consumer use. The battery assembly lines contained or utilized a proprietary technology now owned by Victim Company-1: continuous motion battery assembly. The proprietary technology provided a substantial competitive advantage to Victim Company-1 in the lithium-ion battery manufacturing process. Both Pflugbeil and his co-defendant Shao are former employees of the Canadian manufacturer, and Shao also worked for Victim Company-1. As detailed in court documents, by no later than 2019, Pflugbeil and Shao planned to use Victim Company-1's trade secrets for their own business activities. Pflugbeil told Shao that he had "a lot of original documents" related to the technology and sought out more "original drawings" of the trade secrets. Shao confirmed, among other things, that, "we have all of original assembly drawings by PDF." The conspirators took measures to obfuscate that they had stolen trade secrets. For example, Pflugbeil wrote to Shao about a document he created based on one that Shao had stolen from Victim Company-1, "[its] in a different format, so it looks very original and not like a copy." In or about July 2020, Pflugbeil joined Business-1, a company previously established by Shao, which has since expanded to locations in China, Canada, Germany, and Brazil. Business1 makes the same precision dispensing pumps and battery assembly lines that the Canadian manufacturer developed. The battery assembly technology is related to the development of electric vehicles that can compete with U.S.-made vehicles. The potential for Chinese automakers to swamp the U.S. and global market with vehicles like those that can be built using this stolen technology presents a potential national security risk. Business-1 was marketed by Pflugbeil as an alternative source for the sale of products that relied upon Victim Company-1's trade secrets, publishing online advertisements on Google, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Pflugbeil repeatedly sent LinkedIn messages that named Victim Company-1 and said Business-1 was not infringing on any intellectual property: Hello [name], I hope to get some of your busy time. As I like to introduce our company to you. We already have supplied companies such [a]s [list of U.S. Fortune 500 Companies by name] . . . We engineer and manufacture all of our products in-house, and we warrant that none of our products infringe any patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights of any third party . The above reflects a blatant lie, told over and overthat Business-1's products did not infringe on intellectual property rights of a third party. Pflugbeil also advertised products based on stolen trade secrets on Google. These ads were shown tens of thousands of times per week. On or about September 11, 2023, undercover agents attended a trade show for the packaging and processing industries in Las Vegas, Nevada. The undercover agents posed as businesspeople who were interested in purchasing a battery assembly line from Business-1 to manufacture batteries at a facility in Long Island, New York. The undercover agents were introduced to Shao at the trade show and later to Pflugbeil via email. Subsequently, on or about November 17, 2023, Pflugbeil sent, via email, a detailed 66-page technical documentation proposal to an undercover agent (UC-1). The proposal notes, "this technical documentation package contains [Business-1] proprietary information which must be kept confidential." In reality, the proposal contained battery assembly trade secret information belonging to Victim Company-1: at least half a dozen drawings Pflugbeil used in the proposal and sent to UC-1 were, in fact, Victim Company-1's information related to the battery assembly trade secret. The business proposal quoted the battery assembly line at over $15 million. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise and Samantha Alessi for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case. The investigation and prosecution were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments' Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Topics: National Security Export Control Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - New York, Eastern Press Release Number: 24-1587 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian hybrid threats: EU agrees first listings in response to destabilising activities against the EU, its member states and partners European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 16 December 2024 13:30 For the first time ever, the Council today decided to impose restrictive measures against 16 individuals and three entities responsible for Russia's destabilising actions abroad. These measures are in response to Russia's malicious actions and its lack of respect for a rules-based international order and international law. The relevant framework for restrictive measures was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organisations and third countries through hybrid activities of various kinds, including the use of coordinated information manipulation and interference. On the same day, the EU also issued a statement condemning Russia's intensifying campaign of hybrid activities. Today's listings include GRU Unit 29155, a covert unit within the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU), known for its involvement in foreign assassinations and destabilisation activities such as bombings and cyber-attacks across Europe, and some of its military personnel active in Ukraine, Western Europe and Africa. Concerning the latter, the Council decided to list the Groupe Panafricain pour le Commerce et l'Investissement,a disinformation network carrying out pro-Russian covert influence operations, particularly in the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso, and its founder, Harouna Douamba. In addition, the Council listed African Initiative, a news agency involved in spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation on the African continent, its editor-in-chief and a Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Officer involved in coordinated disinformation campaigns, both in Europe and Africa, Artem Kureev, as well as a high-ranking military official of the GRU, that took over the operations of the Wagner Group in Africa, after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin. In addition the Council targeted the "Doppelganger" campaign, a Russian-led digital disinformation campaign aimed at manipulating information and spreading disinformation in support of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and targeting EU member states, the United States and Ukraine, by sanctioning Sofia Zakharova, the department head in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies and Communications Infrastructure, and Nikolai Tupikin, head and founder of GK Struktura. Today's sanctions also target Vladimir Sergiyenko, a former parliamentary assistant of the Member of the German Bundestag, Eugen Schmidt, who actively colluded with Russian intelligence officers, and a Russian entrepreneur, Visa Mizaev, and his business partner and wife, 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. Lastly, the Council also targeted collaborators of the Government of the Russian Federation in France: Alesya Miloradovich, a Russian government employee, and Anatolii Prizenko, a Moldovan businessman who coordinated the dispatch of several Moldovan citizens to France in October 2023. Those designated today will be subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies will be forbidden from making funds available to them. In addition,natural persons will also be subject to a travel ban, which will prevent them from entering or transiting through EU territories. In its conclusions of 27 June 2024, the European Council strongly condemned all types of hybrid activities, which are on the rise and target the EU, its member states and partners. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BREAKING: UK court names alleged Chinese spy 'H6' as Yang Tengbo RFA had previously exclusively revealed Yang as the person whose ties to Prince Andrew have drawn scrutiny. By RFA Investigative 2024.12.16 -- Yang Tengbo was officially named as the alleged Chinese spy in Prince Andrew's entourage after a United Kingdom court lifted an anonymity order today. Radio Free Asia first revealed Yang's name on Friday using information contained in a newly released court document and open-source data. Along with his ties to the Duke of York, he had access to top U.K. leaders: He was photographed with two prime ministers, RFA disclosed. Yang has been excluded from entering the United Kingdom on national security grounds since 2021 on the basis of reports from MI5, the U.K.'s domestic intelligence agency, that he had sought to covertly advance Beijing's interests in London through his connections to King Charles, Andrews' brother, as well as an array of senior British political figures. In a statement issued Monday, Yang said he applied for the anonymity order to be lifted because of the "high level of speculation and misreporting in the media and elsewhere." "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," he said. Last Friday, the Chinese Embassy in London described the case against Yang as the product of a campaign to "smear China and sabotage normal people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.K." Yang called himself a victim of the changing political climate. "When relations are good, and Chinese investment is sought, I am welcome in the U.K. When relations sour, an anti-China stance is taken, and I am excluded," he said in the statement today. Though Yang was barred from the U.K. three years ago, his case only came to public attention on Dec. 13. He had been appealing his exclusion through the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, a court established to deal with national security cases like Yang's. The court issued its judgment rejecting his appeal at the end of last week. The judgment identified Yang only by the codename H6. But it contained sufficient personal information - such as his exact date of birth, membership of clubs and precise details of businesses he owned - for RFA to identify him. The judgment caused a major stir in the United Kingdom over the details of Yang's intimate relationship with an already-embattled Prince Andrew, who was forced to retire as a working member of the royal family following revelations about his friendship with the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. A letter cited in the judgment from one of Andrew's close advisers described Yang's position in the prince's entourage as sitting "at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on." RFA reported on Friday that Yang had posed for photographs with May and Cameron. The case has sparked a renewed debate over the need to regulate and guard against foreign agents in the U.K. A 2019 report by the Intelligence and Select Committee of the British Parliament examining political interference by Russia said acting as an undeclared agent of a foreign power should be made a criminal offense. No such law was passed. The then-chair of the committee, Dominic Grieve, told the Guardian on Saturday that Yang's case emphasized the need for such a law. "We remain without an important weapon in our armory," Grieve told the Guardian. Edited by Jim Snyder. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December 16, 2024 Contracts Contracts For Dec. 16, 2024 NAVY Taylor Tekla Test Partner Organization LLC,* Great Mills, Maryland, is awarded a $194,035,905 cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide engineering, technical, and project management services for development, test, and evaluation efforts in the areas of test planning, test conduct, data analysis, test reporting, technical documentation, test project management, and systems engineering in support of the Naval Test Wing Atlantic Mission Systems Test and Evaluation Department (MSTeD). The MSTeD mission is to collaborate across organizations to gather and analyze flight test data on installed avionics, sensors, navigation systems, communications, electronic warfare systems, cyber threats, and crew systems to provide timely, evidence driven recommendations on system capabilities in support of warfighter missions for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (90%); and Point Mugu, California (10%), and is expected to be completed in January 2030. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competed as a small business set aside and one offer was received. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042125D0031). Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, is being awarded a $33,827,568 definitization contract modification P00003 to delivery order N00383-21-F-0QW0 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-19-G-0029) for the procurement of four test controller processors and ten infrared receivers in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. All work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and work will be completed by November 2025. Aircraft procurement funds (Navy) in the full amount of $33,827,568 will be obligated at the time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this sole-source requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), and one offer was received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $33,520,821 cost-plus-award-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-24-C-2312 to exercise options for DDG 51 Class follow yard support. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (98%); and other locations (less than 1% each, and collectively totaling 2%), and is expected to be complete by December 2025. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,468,018 (64%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,316,802 (18%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,455,946 (14%); fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $520,557 (3%); and fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $205,418 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-24-C-2312). AIR FORCE Summit Technologies Inc., Navarre, Florida, has been awarded a $40,000,000 ceiling, single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mission planning support services. This contract provides for continued mission planning support of mission planning systems. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; and other locations worldwide, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,442,302 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8217-25-D-B006). K2 Space Corp., Torrance, California, was awarded a $30,000,000 firm-fixed-price, strategic funding increase, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract. This contract provides for completing the first mega class satellite bus, designing and building payload interfaces, integrating payloads, launch, and operation for a minimum of 18 months after launch. Work will be performed in Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed December 2028. This contract was a sole source acquisition under Phase II of the SBIR program. Fiscal 2024 research and development funds the amount of $5,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Space Systems Command, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA8809-25-C-B003). ARMY MVL Saudi Builders Group LLC, Lansing, Michigan, was awarded a $29,363,739 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of shore-to-ship utilities. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Lebanon, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2029. Fiscal 2025 Foreign Military Sales (Lebanon) funds in the amount of $29,363,739 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W912ER-25-C-00001). Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co. LLC, Quincy, Maine, was awarded an $18,495,200 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 17, 2025. Fiscal 2021-2025 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $18,495,200 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (W912EP-25-C-0003). SimVentions, Fredericksburg, Virginia, was awarded a $13,999,975 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to develop advanced model management capabilities that allow users to rapidly identify and use existing modes to build kill-chains/webs in a complex mission-level, theater-scaled environment. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Fredericksburg, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 13, 2027. Fiscal 2025 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency funds in the amount of $300,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W912CG-25-C-0002). Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $10,592,930 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for logistical support required to maintain the General Electronics Test Station. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Reston, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2030. Fiscal 2025 missile procurement, Army funds in the amount of $10,592,930 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-25-C-0010). DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY Agile Decision Sciences LLC, Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $13,110,452 firm-fixed-price contract modification (HT001124C0007- P00002) for administrative, analytical, and consulting services to support, analyze, and investigate issues related to military public health, force health protection, and health service support during deployments, extended training missions, and operational testing. Support organizations include the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Programs and Oversight, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Director Defense Health Agency, the Chief of Staff, and other subordinate program directorates. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance appropriations are obligated to exercise and fully fund Option One Contract Line Items 1001-1017 for service Dec. 7, 2024, through Dec. 6, 2025. The total obligated amount of this contract is increased from $9,691,248 to $22,801,700. Work will be performed primarily at Defense Health Agency Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia; subordinate agency locations in the National Capital Region; and San Antonio, Texas. The Defense Health Agency Professional Services Contracting Division, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE Kearney & Co. PC, Alexandria, Virginia, is being awarded a $9,386,517 fixed-price and labor-hour contract option modification (P00009) for financial statement audit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works, and the financial statements for the agencies owning the funds sub allotted to USACE military programs for fiscal 2025. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C.; and other locations inside and outside of the U.S., with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2025. The contract has a 12-month base period with four individual one-year option periods with a maximum value of $49,238,991. This contract is the result of a competitive acquisition for which two quotes were received. Fiscal 2025 Army Corps of Engineer civil works revolving funds in the amount of $9,386,517 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Contract Services Directorate, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (HQ0423-23-F-0016). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY UPDATE: Thomas Scientific LLC, Swedesboro, New Jersey (SPE2DF-25-D-0001, $49,000,000), has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for laboratory equipment, accessories and consumables for the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog, issued against solicitation SPE2DE-22-R0006 and awarded Feb. 24, 2023. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4005907/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Central Command Conducts Airstrikes Against ISIS Operatives U.S. Central Command USCENTCOM Dec. 16, 2024 Release Number 20241216-01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tampa, Fla. -- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in Syria, Dec. 16, killing 12 ISIS terrorists. The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, preventing the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek opportunities to reconstitute in central Syria. These recent strikes are in former Regime and Russian controlled areas ensuring pressure is maintained on ISIS. Battle damage assessments are underway, and there are no indications of civilian casualties. "CENTCOM, working with allies and partners in the region, will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Horn of Africa and Somalia: Operation ATALANTA, EUTM and EUCAP Somalia's mandates extended for two years European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 16 December 2024 11:00 The Council today decided to prolong the mandate of the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and ofthe EU's military training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) until 28 February 2027, adding to its decision of 5 December to prolong the mandate of the EU's civilian capacity-building mission (EUCAP Somalia) until the same date. These decisions were taken following the holistic strategic review of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) engagement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, with the aim to strengthen the EU's response to an evolving security context and to enhance its role as a maritime security provider. At the same time, the Council updated the mandate of Operation ATALANTA to enhance maritime security off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, the West Indian Ocean and parts of the Red Sea, and better support building a wider regional maritime security architecture. With the new mandate, the Operation will continue to fight piracy and reduce illicit trafficking at sea. Synergies with the maritime Operation ASPIDES, currently protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, will be enhanced. In parallel, the Maritime Security Center (MSC) Horn of Africa, supporting both ATALANTA and ASPIDES, is being rebranded as MSC Indian Ocean and its role is being reinforced. In Somalia, the EU's CSDP action was widened to support the build-up of Somali Security Forces and institutions with the view to take over responsibility for its own security in the future, in line with the Joint EU-Somalia Roadmap. With the renewed mandates, EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia will support the build-up of capable, sustainable, and accountable Somali security institutions through strategic advice, mentoring and training, accompanied by EU-funded equipment support through the European Peace Facility. To strengthen the regional approach, the missions and the operation will support capacity-building efforts of the regional and, in particular, Djibouti maritime security forces within their means and capabilities. In order to uphold the EU's core values, all activities will pay particular attention to international humanitarian law, human rights, preventing gender-based violence, protecting children in armed conflicts, and promoting the agenda of women, peace and security and climate, security and defence. Background Operation ATALANTA Since its establishment in late 2008 in response to the rising levels of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, Operation ATALANTA has significantly contributed to the suppression of piracy, as well as the protection of the vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP), African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and other international vulnerable shipping. The Operation deters, prevents and when needed represses acts of piracy thus reducing the threat to the international maritime community. Additionally, the Operation has monitored the fishing activities off the coast of Somalia (outside Somali territorial sea) and supported other EU CSDP missions and international organisations working to strengthen maritime security and capacities in the region. EUCAP Somalia Launched in July 2012 as EUCAP Nestor, EUCAP Somalia currently contributes to advising, training and equipping the Federal Somali Police Force to contribute to the gradual establishment of the Rule of Law in Somalia. In addition, EUCAP Somalia assists Somalia in strengthening its maritime security capacity in order to enable it to enforce maritime law more effectively. EUCAP Somalia cooperates with EUTM Somalia to contribute to the development of the Somali Navy and Coast Guard, in relation to civilian coastguard functions. EUTM Somalia EUTM Somalia implements its mandate utilizing a three-pillar approach that focuses on training, mentoring and the provision of strategic advice to the Somali National Armed Forces. Throughout the years, the EU training mission has refocused its tasks, and sets out to support the internal development of specialised functions such as leadership, command & control, counter-IED, medical care, and logistics. EUTM Somalia contributes to an intensive training programme at the General Daghabadan Training Center near Mogadishu. In close cooperation with the European Peace Facility, EUTM Somalia provides advice on Somali National Armed Forces needs and training courses for new equipment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas at the press conference European External Action Service (EEAS) 16.12.2024 Brussels EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Thank you, I am happy to be here. It is my first foreign Affairs Council - and I can tell you, it is different than the European Council. And you know, it was the first, so we can always do better. We had many issues on the agenda; key items were Syria's transition, Ukraine, and Georgia. I have updates for you on all three [issues]. First, on Syria. I debriefed the Ministers on my visit to Jordan where I met with the Arab leaders as well as Turkiye and the United States, to discuss the basic principles that we all agree on - for the engagement with the new leadership of Syria. How we will engage in that respect. I announced earlier today that our top diplomat will go to Damascus. He has been there now. It is not the Special Envoy, but our Head of Delegation who is currently stationed in Beirut, and that went to Damascus and had some high-level or had some meetings there. The aim is to be in contact with the country's new authorities, and to convey the messages to the group about how they also intend to govern, so that we understand all this. There are the basic principles that everybody agreed with the Arab countries, the neighbouring countries, Turkiye and the United States, and the European Union as well. These are the principles of territorial integrity; sovereignty; accountability. Also, inclusiveness of government - taking into account especially the minorities and women's rights in this case. This process has to be Syria-led and Syria-owned and reflect the Syrian people in all of its diversity. This is very important. Extremism, Russia and Iran should have no place in Syria's future. In parallel, of course the European Union remains the biggest humanitarian aid donor to the Syrian people. Since Assad's fall, we opened an air bridge for 100 tons of humanitarian aid to support health, education, and shelter. Going forward, I can announce that we will be organising the 9th Brussels Syria conference that is meant to be a fundraising conference here in Brussels. We stand with the Syrian people throughout this transition, as we did when it was [under] Assad's brutal rule. We also discussed broader developments in the Middle East. On Gaza, Ministers reiterated the need for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the delivery of sufficient and unimpeded humanitarian aid. We also need to have a Dialogue to push for that, and the Two-State Solution. So, I proposed to have an Association Council with Israel. That was also supported by Ministers. Then, also after that, the first High-Level Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority soon. Second big topic was Ukraine. Today we continued our push to limit Russia's ability to wage war: First, we adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. This round targets the [Russian] shadow fleet, North Korean officials, and for the first time, Chinese firms making drones for Moscow. Our message is very clear: You cannot fuel a war in Europe and get away with it. At the same time, Ukraine needs our support on 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 - because Putin will not stop unless he is stopped. 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. We must support Ukraine militarily. By end of winter, the European Union will have trained 75,000 Ukrainian troops. This month, the EU provided Ukraine 4.2 billion to support its budget. From January, we will be providing 1.5 billion per month. But more support is needed. As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told us when he joined us by video, it is a very difficult situation for Ukraine on the battlefield. We all heard him loud and clear: Ukraine needs more ammunition, stronger air defence and more support for its own defence industry as well. We must give Ukraine what it needs to win this war. Third topic was Georgia. The situation is not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people. Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media. In response, we have downgraded political contacts and cut funding for the Georgian government. Today, we agreed the need to hold the visa free regime for diplomatic passport holders, and Commission will make a proposal already this year. We also discussed the sanctioning of these Georgian officials who are behind the violence against peaceful protesters. Going forward, we will continue to stand with the Georgian people, including by redirecting funding from the authorities towards the civil society, the Georgian people and independent media. Because the future of Georgia, as it is in Syria for all Syrians, is for the people of Georgia to decide what the future can be. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas ahead of the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 16.12.2024 Brussels EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Great to be here again, in a new capacity though. Today, I am going to have my first Foreign Affairs Council. We have three main topics. First, Syria; then, Ukraine; then, Georgia. On Syria, on Saturday, I was in Jordan, meeting with the Arab nations, as well as Turkiye and the United States to discuss the principles of engagement with the new leadership of Syria and what is expected from them. I think that it is very important that the regional actors, as well as the international actors, see the picture in the same way and want this country to be stable, peaceful and [with an] all-comprising government in place. Therefore, I think it was important to agree on these principles. I have also tasked the European top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus to make the contacts with the new government and people there. We will also discuss today in the Foreign Affairs Council how we engage with the new leadership of Syria, and on what level we engage with the new leadership. And of course, what [further] steps are we willing to take if we see that Syria goes to the right direction. Syria faces an optimistic, positive, but rather uncertain future. We have to make sure that this goes in the right direction. On Ukraine, the Foreign Ministers today will adopt [the] 15th sanctions package. It includes the shadow fleet, sanctioning the shadow fleet. It includes also sanctions on the North-Korean officials, as well as [on] the Chinese companies who are enabling this war. So, it sends a clear message that whoever enables this war to continue has a price to pay. On Georgia: Of course, all the developments that we are seeing right now in Georgia are not going in the right direction where the candidate countries should be. We are going to discuss what are the consequences for the Georgian government, using the repression on the opposition, and all the tools that they are using there. What can we do on the European side. One question is, of course, sanctions, and the other question is also limiting the visa-free regime. Q&A. Q: [On the possibility of] HTS to be removed from the terrorist [listing]. Well, first we have to discuss on what level we are engaging with the Syrian new leadership. Then, what kind of steps are we willing to take in order to have relations with them. For us it is not only the words, but we want to see the deeds going in the right direction. Not only what they are saying but also what they are doing. I think the coming weeks and months will show whether it goes in the right direction. I think then we are also open to discuss the next steps. Q: What do you think about sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Well, first, there has to be peace, in order to send peacekeepers and Russia does not want peace. That is very clear. I mean, if you look at Lavrov's interview, for example, to Tucker Carlson, they have not stepped away from their goals. So, we cannot discuss that. Q: High Representative I want to talk about Georgia. What measures are you going to propose to the Ministers. Can you tell us more about it? Also, should we expect a deal or agreement today? We have had those discussions and of course, we are 27 democracies with [our] own ideas. So, it takes time. Yes, we have proposed the list for sanctioning these people who are opposing or using force and violence against the opposition. We are also discussing the visa-free regime - how we limit that and [if] there are Member States also wiling to task the [European] Commission to come up with that proposal. Q: [inaudible] still designated as a terrorist organisation. Well, we are going to discuss today with the Foreign Ministers on what level we are engaging with the new leadership of Syria. Q: As I understand correctly, today you will propose already a list of personal sanctions. Will you continue to support Georgia's president Salome Zourabichvili after the so-called elections for new president? Well, first of all, this list has already been proposed. So, we are discussing this list, but everybody needs to agree to the list - and we are not yet there. So, let's see if we are going to get there. When it comes to the presidential elections, the president is in place until December 29. A lot could happen in between. Q: [inaudible] I think we have been very fast, also in this process. On Saturday I was in Jordan and we were discussing with the Arab countries as well as with Turkiye, and as well as with the United States how to engage and what are the conditions for engaging, what we want to see. It is very important we see the picture in the same way. It is not only the international actors, but also the regional actors. I think we cannot leave a vacuum - and we have not. Our top diplomat in Syria will go to Damascus today, will have the contacts there. We are also going to discuss with the Foreign Ministers on what level of engagement and how we proceed from here. In terms of [the] European Union usually functioning we have been quite fast. Q: How do you see what is happening in Syria will affect Russian performance. Do you see a deal between Russia, Iran and Turkiye. Well, it clearly shows to everybody, and we can also talk about this freely that, you know, Russia and Iran, are not your friends. [They] are not helping you if you are in trouble. They left Assad's regime and that is a very clear message, showing that their hands are full elsewhere and they are weakened. I think this is a positive message for the world. Okay, thank you and we will see you later. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-265471 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Brussels: We must force Russia to change course Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16.12.2024 Today 16 December, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels, where the agenda covered Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in Georgia, Middle East and Belarus. Today's meeting in Brussels was the first Foreign Affairs Council meeting chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas. Discussing Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine, Tsahkna said that to reinforce Ukraine's position, a considerable increase in military assistance to Ukraine and pressure on Russia was needed. "Holidays are here soon, and we all would like to spend them in peace with our families and loved ones. However, Ukrainians will spend them in the trenches, with relentless attacks and power cuts," he said. "We must force Russia to change course and it is in our power." Tsahkna welcomed the adoption of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia by the EU today; however, he emphasised that this was not enough. "We can do a lot more to help Ukraine. The EU has the necessary resources and it is high time we delivered them to Ukraine," he said, referring to the decisions that need to be taken on the European Peace Facility and the frozen sovereign assets of Russia. Today was the first time sanctions were imposed against 19 individuals and entities who carry out or contribute to Russia's hybrid activities against the European Union, a member state or a third country. This list mainly includes individuals and entities connected to Russia's intelligence agencies, hybrid operations and influence activities. 28 individuals and entities linked to Alexander Lukashenko's regime and human rights violations were added to the sanctions list imposed against Belarus. Speaking about the situation in Georgia, Tsahkna said that unfortunately the authorities of Georgia have turned their back on Europe and democracy. "However, this is not the will of the people, and we support the people of Georgia. The violence used by Georgian authorities against protesters, journalists and opposition leaders is unjustified, unacceptable, criminal and runs counter to human rights." "Estonia supports restrictive measures of the EU against those who violate human rights in Georgia, and I expect that we make quick progress with them together because there was great support for these measures at the meeting," Tsahkna said. The Council also discussed the situation in the Middle East and Syria. Tsahkna said that the situation was dynamic and only in the early stages of change and for now, the only thing that was clear was that the Assad era was over. "We are following the situation; however, it is not currently known how the new leaders of Syria will rebuild Syria and what their relations with their neighbours will look like," he said. "We consider it important for the new leadership to respect human rights and the EU's potential contribution in Syria should also depend on the withdrawal of Russian military bases." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on December 9-15, 2024 Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2024-12-16 International cooperation On December 9-15 fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Missions in the Baltic states were scrambled seven times to identify and escort aircraft of the Russian Federation violating international aviation regulations in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. On December 11 the NATO Baltic Air Policing Detachment was alerted to identify and escort one IL-20 flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea from Kaliningrad. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had not pre-filed the flight plan and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On December 11 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to identify what was assessed to be an IL-20 flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea from Kaliningrad. Its onboard transponder was not switched on, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On December 11 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to identify one IL-20 flying through international airspace from Kaliningrad without the flight plan, without maintaining radio communication, with its onboard transponder off. On December 12 NATO fighter aircraft were alerted to identify and escort one IL-20 and TU-214PU. The IL-20 was flying in international airspace from Kaliningrad to the mainland of the Russian Federation. Its onboard transponder was switched off, no flight plan had been pre-filed, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. The TU-214PU was flying from the mainland of the Russian Federation to Kaliningrad through international airspace. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the onboard transponder was kept on, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On December 12 NATO air policing fighter jets were scrambled in response to one IL-18 heading through international airspace for Kaliningrad from mainland Russia. It had no pre-filed flight plan, the onboard transponder was switched on, the crew was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On December 13 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one IL-76 and two TU-214 that were heading for mainland Russia away from Kaliningrad through international airspace. Only the IL-76 had a flight plan, all kept the onboard transponders on and maintained radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. On December 15 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one AN-72. The aircraft was on the way from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad, it had no flight plan, the onboard transponder was switched off, though the crew maintained the radio communication. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Secretary General meets Montenegro Prime Minister Milojko Spajic NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 16 Dec. 2024 On Monday (16 December 2024) NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Montenegro's Prime Minister Milojko Spajic to NATO Headquarters. The Secretary General thanked the Prime Minister for his country's support to NATO's military presence in Latvia and Bulgaria, its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo and training mission in Iraq. He also praised Montenegro's commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence this year. The Secretary General expressed gratitude for Montenegro's support to Ukraine, including the delivery of military equipment and contributions to NATO's comprehensive assistance package. He underscored the urgency of increased support as Ukraine faces a challenging winter, with ongoing attacks from Russia targeting civilians and critical infrastructure. "Ukraine needs our urgent support," said Secretary General Rutte. "All Allies must deliver on the commitments made at the Washington Summit," he added. The two leaders discussed the security situation in the Western Balkans and the threats posed by Russia's malign activities on NATO territory. Mr Rutte noted Montenegro's efforts to counter Russia's malign threats, including being the first recipient of a NATO Counter Hybrid Support Team and joining the NATO Rapid Response Group. He also reaffirmed NATO's commitment to the stability of the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Missile test, first Marine redeployment give US new milestones in Guam Fortification of the U.S. territory closest to China continues with billions in defense spending planned. By Mar-Vic Cagurangan for BenarNews 2024.12.16 HAGATNA, GUAM -- The U.S. is advancing the fortification of its territory closest to China with the arrival of the first Marines from Okinawa and its first interceptor missile test in Guam last week. About 100 Marines from Japan landed on Saturday, the vanguard of about 5,000 due to be relocated to Guam under a security treaty with the U.S. The U.S. successfully downed one of its own unarmed ballistic missiles last Tuesday in what will be a regular occurrence in the territory over the next decade. The milestones come as the House of Representatives last week also passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act - with more than US$2 billion in spending for Guam - that now goes to the Senate for approval. Nicknamed the "tip of the spear" due to its proximity to China, Guam is considered a potential target in any conflict between the two nations. The island has no bomb shelters and the unprecedented military build-up continues to divide residents. "The intensity of the build-up is overwhelming for citizens and public agencies trying to keep track and respond to military plans as they unfold," said Robert Underwood, chairman of the Guam-based Pacific Center for Island Security. "A master plan is needed for understanding by all concerned. One must exist and we are not privy to it," he told BenarNews. The arrival of the first troops lays the groundwork for preparing Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz to receive thousands more. "Relocations will take place in a phased approach, and no unit headquarters will be moving during this iteration," a U.S. Marine Corps press release said on Saturday. "Forward presence and routine engagement with allies and partners are essential to the United States' ability to deter attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion and respond to crises in the region, to include providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when necessary," the USMC said. Japan will pay US$2.8 billion to fund some of the infrastructure projects on Naval Base Guam, Andersen Air Force Base and Camp Blaz. The Missile Defense Agency last Tuesday tested its Aegis system, firing off an interceptor from Andersen Air Force to down an unarmed, medium-range ballistic missile more than 200 nautical miles north-east of Guam. "The event marked a pivotal step taken in the defense of Guam and provides critical support to the overall concept for the future Guam defense system," deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh said in a press briefing on Dec. 11. The launch was the first in a series of twice-yearly missile defense tests on Guam over the next 10 years. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command plans to build a missile defense system with 16 sites, touted to provide 360-degree protection for Guam. The urgency was highlighted after China conducted a rare ballistic missile test with a dummy warhead in September. Its flight path crossed near Guam, Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands before falling into the ocean in the vicinity of Kiribati. In July, U.S. military officials had announced that the first missile defense test was set to take place in Guam "by the end of the year," but did not provide the exact date. Nanette Reyes-Senior, a resident of Maina village, said she was "extremely surprised" that the MDA launched the flight test "without prior notice to the public - unless there was notice that I missed." Underwood has called for greater transparency about the missile defense of Guam. "The missile testing had already been announced... but no specific week, let alone date was announced," Underwood said. With more tests to be launched in the coming years, Underwood said "the general public should be given advanced notice and especially land owners." After public consultation earlier this year, the Missile Defense Agency decided the planned tests would not significantly impact humans or the natural environment. President of the Pacific Association of Radiation Survivors Robert Celestial welcomed the U.S. missile defense test. "China had 2,3000 ballistic missiles, numerous ICBM missiles and 320 nuclear warheads. It is evident that we are preparing for war, so we should at least prepare to protect the civilian population from a nuclear attack," he told BenarNews. "Growing up in the 60s we had duck-and-cover drills. I feel better prepared now than [to] suffer later." Guam is no stranger to war, being part of the Pacific campaign during World War II. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's visit to Guam earlier this month to strengthen ties has raised residents' fears of the territory being further targeted in escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Shelly Vargas-Calvo, a senator-elect who will assume her seat in the Guam legislature next month, said the growing tensions in the region will take Guam into the path of war. "I applaud the successful test launch," she said. "It is imperative to show power and capability despite having a small footprint in the region to send a message that we and our allies are not to be messed around with." BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines ratifies defense pact with Japan, amid China tensions Expect China to watch the region more closely after Senate ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement, a Filipino security analyst says. By Jason Gutierrez and Jeoffrey Maitem for BenarNews 2024.12.16 MANILA, Philippines -- Under a defense treaty newly ratified by the Philippine Senate, Japan and the Philippines can deploy troops on each other's soil for military exercises, as the two allied nations contend with territorial challenges from China. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which Manila and Tokyo signed in July, allows for larger-scale joint military drills and also paves the way for military personnel to take part in security operations, such as coordinated maritime patrols. On Monday, lawmakers in the upper house of the Philippines' Congress unanimously approved Senate Resolution No. 1248, which endorses ratification of the treaty. It will take effect once Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs off on it and Japan's legislature ratifies it. The RAA will allow Japanese troops to be deployed to Philippine soil for the first time since Imperial Japan occupied the Philippines during World War II, although Japanese military personnel have participated as observers in exercises staged in the Southeast Asian country in recent years. The agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said. "As the President of the Philippine-Japan Parliamentary Association, I welcome and celebrate this concurrence and I look forward to the ways in which partnerships between our Armed Forces and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan will enhance our security and defense capabilities, and especially our disaster-management efforts," Zubiri said. Under Philippine law, the country's president has the power to ratify a treaty or international agreement but the Senate, the upper house of Congress, must first concur with ratification. The RAA serves as a framework for Japanese security operations and training with other nations. Japan has pursued similar agreements with a handful of countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, but this is a first in Asia. "For the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), this agreement provides substantial benefits, particularly in enhancing training opportunities, joint exercises, and interoperability," Philippine military spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement. The partnership will help the AFP address security challenges, especially in critical areas such as the South China Sea, and further solidify its preparedness and resilience in safeguarding the country's sovereignty, Padilla said. "In terms of our territorial defense posture, the RAA will bolster our maritime domain awareness capabilities through technology transfers, intelligence sharing, and strengthened collaboration with Japan, a country with advanced defense systems," she said. The Philippines has a similar pact with the U.S., the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which was signed in 1999 and sets the terms under which American military personnel can operate on Philippine soil. Japan, unlike the Philippines, does not have territorial claims that overlap with China's expansive ones in the South China Sea. But Tokyo has a separate dispute with Beijing over a group of uninhabited Senkaku Islands (also known as the Diaoyu Islands) in the East China Sea. Endo Kazuya, the Japanese ambassador to Manila, expressed his appreciation to the Philippine Senate for ratifying their defense deal. "Our countries have long stood together as strategic partners, and this milestone reaffirms our shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," Kazuya said in a statement. With the Senate's ratification of the treaty, China can be expected to keep a closer eye on the region, Philippine security analyst Chester Cabalza said. "Beijing will [further] intensify its gray zone and lawfare strategies against Manila with the support of Japan-China's strategic rivalry in the region," said Cabalza, president of International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila think-tank. "It is expected that Washington under the incoming President Donald Trump administration is willing to bandwagon with Manila and Tokyo to persuade Beijing to accept rules-based norms," he added. China had earlier criticized the signing of the RAA and reiterated that bilateral cooperation should not "target" third parties. Beijing also reminded Tokyo of its "aggression and colonial rule" over Manila and other Southeast Asian countries during World War II. Last week, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro described the treaty as an "instrument of trust" aimed at strengthening defense relations and fostering stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Teodoro emphasized the agreement's role in maintaining an open, inclusive, and rules-based international order grounded in international law. Mark Navales in Manila contributed to this report. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated news service. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New decree keeps associations under control of Vietnam's Communist Party: Project 88 The policy makes it harder to establish an association and gives authorities more power to monitor their activities. By RFA Vietnamese 2024.12.16 -- A recently decree that increases restrictions on associations in Vietnam is aimed at ensuring they stay under the control and do not threaten the absolute power of the ruling Communist Party, a new report said Monday. On Nov. 26, Vietnam's government enacted Decree 126, which makes it more difficult to establish an association and gives the government more power to control and monitor the activities and funding sources of associations once they are up and running. Decree 126 replaces an earlier decree known as Decree 45 and grants the government the power to suspend and dissolve associations in Vietnam a power it did not have previously. Ben Swanton, co-director of human rights group Project 88, said in a statement accompanying an analysis of the new decree that it is part of "a new wave of repression that is shaping policymaking in a way that will further suppress civil society." In issuing Decree 126, Vietnam's government said the additional restrictions were needed to "ensure party control over associations," "prevent foreign influence on domestic affairs," and "clarify the role of associations in policymaking." "Taken together, the government's reasons for replacing Decree 45 paint a picture of paranoid leaders who want to tighten their chokehold on associations in the country," Project 88 said. On July 13, 2023, the Communist Party issued Directive 24, which labels foreign influence a threat to Vietnam's national security and orders further restrictions on local organizations. The Ministry of Home Affairs named Directive 24 as a driving force behind the need to replace Decree 45 with Decree 126. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, as of December 2022, there were 71,669 registered associations operating in Vietnam. Student groups, community organizations, and civil society advocacy coalitions, as well as artistic collectives and social clubs, fall within the parameters of the decree, Project 88 said. Contradictions Project 88 said in its analysis that the new decree contradicts both Vietnam's constitution and international law. "Vietnamese citizens have a constitutional right to free association, which is also guaranteed under international law," the group said. "But Decree 126 grants the government unfettered authority to stop people from forming associations and to stop associations from operating independently." The new decree also introduces new controls over the activities of associations, which "can only engage in policy advocacy at the request of the state." "They must abide by all government regulations, and cannot do anything to harm national security, social order, morality, or the cultural identity of the nation," Project 88 said. "None of these terms are defined by the decree, leaving it up to the discretion of public officials to determine what precisely constitutes a harm to one of these government interests." Project 88 said that Decree 126 establishes a database to track the members and activities of all associations permitted to operate in the country, and gives authorities the right to request unlimited information of associations. Latest policy targeting associations The decree is the latest in a series of policy measures targeting associations in Vietnam, Project 88 said. In addition to Directive 24, earlier policies imposed onerous requirements for those that receive foreign funding and required government approval to host a conference related to national sovereignty, security, human rights, ethnicity, or religion. "The fears of the communist party towards an independent civil society have been known for some time," the report said. "In various fora, the party has expressed concern about the potential for an independent Vietnamese civil society to interfere with the [party's] control over the country's internal affairs, particularly with regards to setting government policy." The group said that a major goal of Decree 126 is "to ensure that associations in Vietnam will remain under state control." "A related objective is to tighten control over associations as the country further integrates with the international community," it said. Project 88 called on the Vietnamese government to repeal Decree 126 and Directive 24, and "stop enacting policies ... that impose onerous requirements on associations." The group also urged the government to stop forcibly closing associations, ensure that associations can engage in policy advocacy without fear of intimidation, and develop training programs to improve the knowledge of officials about freedom of association. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hungary, Slovakia Block EU Sanctions Against Georgian Leaders By RFE/RL December 16, 2024 Hungary and Slovakia - both with populist, pro-Russian leaders -- on December 16 blocked a proposed package of European Union sanctions against leading Georgian officials for that government's violent crackdown on pro-West protesters over recent weeks. EU foreign ministers, who are planning for a December 19 Brussels summit, moved forward, however, on a plan to suspend visa liberalization for diplomatic passport holders of the South Caucasus nation. The expected moves on December 16 by Hungary and Slovakia prevent the implementation a series of measures against Georgian officials that would have included visa bans and asset freezes. The move would have required unanimous support by the 27-member bloc. However, the suspension of visa-liberalization procedures for Georgian diplomatic passport holders requires only a majority vote, meaning 55 percent of member states comprising 65 percent of total EU population. The European Commission has begun planning for the suspension, and the proposal could be sent to member states this week. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovakian premier Robert Fico have been a thorn in the side of fellow EU leaders seeking to punish Georgia for its violent crackdowns on dissent and its increasingly pro-Russia policies. Both have opposed sanctions on the Kremlin for its war against Russia and have expressed support for the Georgian Dream-led government in Tbilisi. The EU has never sanctioned Georgian politicians, but earlier this year it froze more than 100 million euro ($105.1 million) of EU funds going to Georgia and halted EU accession talks with Tbilisi. Earlier in the day, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had set a list of Georgian leaders to sanction following a violent crackdown on protesters angered by the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to delay the Caucasus country's negotiations to join the EU. "We have proposed the list for sanctions for these people who are...using really force and violence against the opposition," Kallas said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers. "But everybody needs to agree to the list, and we are not there yet." "All the developments that we are seeing right now in Georgia are not going in the right direction where the candidate countries should be," Kallas told reporters. Western leaders have been alarmed at what they say are increasingly violent measures against protesters and a growing pro-Russia tilt within the Georgian Dream-led government. The United States earlier this month imposed more visa restrictions on Georgian officials for "undermining democracy" and on December 16 indicated that further measures are imminent. "We have been greatly concerned about the state of Georgian democracy, the actions that Georgia Dream has taken to undermine [Georgian] democracy," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said. "We have other sanctions that we are preparing to unfold in the coming weeks," he added. Protesters have also called for fresh elections following allegations of electoral fraud during the October parliamentary poll whose results the opposition has refused to recognize, claiming Georgian Dream rigged the vote to cling to power. In power since 2012, Georgian Dream, the party founded by Russia-friendly billionaire and ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been accused by critics of becoming increasingly more authoritarian. Pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili, who has sided with the protesters, has said the elections were manipulated with the help of Russia. With reporting by AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-hungary-orban- slovakia-fico-eu-sanctions-visa/33241932.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza death toll passes 45,000 as UN school suffers new deadly strike 16 December 2024 - Authorities in Gaza reported on Monday that more than 45,000 people have been killed in the enclave in the last 14 months, as humanitarians condemned new deadly airstrikes across the war-torn Strip, including on a UN school-turned-shelter. Images taken at the school in Khan Younis showed the apparent 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. "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 sister...their 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." Youngsters' toll The development followed an update from the head of the UN Children's 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. Food aid blocked 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. "There's 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, distributions...People 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." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Sudan: humanitarians appeal for $1.7 billion to assist 5.4 million people in need UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Juba, 16 December 2024) The humanitarian community in South Sudan launched the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), reflecting an appeal for US$1.7 billion to provide lifesaving assistance to 5.4 million people experiencing the most acute needs across the country. In 2025, 9.3 million people - 69 per cent of South Sudan's 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. "Collaboration will continue in 2025 - not only to bring relief to people affected by crisis but also to support durable solutions and build their resilience by investing in the provision of basic services and livelihood opportunities to enable them to graduate from humanitarian assistance," underscored the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Albino Akol Atak Mayom, in launching the 2025 HNRP. 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 neighbouring 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. South Sudanese people continue to be affected by high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released in November, 6.4 million people are severely food-insecure in crisis levels or worse (IPC Phase 3+). This number is projected to increase to 7.7 million - over 57 per cent of the country's total population - during the lean season from April to July 2025. Nutrition projections estimate 2.08 million children under age 5 at risk of acute malnutrition and 650,000 children under age 5 at risk of severe acute malnutrition in 2025 - a 26 per cent and 33 per cent increase from the projections in 2024 respectively. "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," concluded Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, the Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan. For more details, please consult the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for South Sudan 16 December 2024 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MSRON 1B Strengthens Alliances through Exercise Bull Shark US Navy 16 December 2024 From Petty Officer 1st Class Patricia Elkins Sailors from MSRON-1B provide maritime security during Exercise Bull Shark, a biannual joint training with U.S., Djiboutian, Spanish and French maritime forces. Djibouti (Dec. 13, 2024) -- Sailors from Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1B, assigned to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, provided maritime security during Exercise Bull Shark, Nov. 26, 2024. Bull Shark, a biannual joint training, combines the expertise of U.S., Djiboutian, Spanish and French maritime forces to improve crisis response and personnel recovery skills. "Bull Shark is important because it's one of the joint exercises we get to participate in that directly supports the positive relationships with our host and allied nations," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kayla Gathright, of MSRON 1B boat maintenance facilities department. MSRON 1B provided maritime security during the exercise while joint teams tested on personnel recovery operations. The teams had to locate and rescue a casualty and escalate them to a higher echelon of care under hostile conditions. "We supported this exercise by providing training both in a classroom setting and on the water," said Gathright. "The hands-on training helps us effectively exchange knowledge despite the language barrier." Sailors from MSRON 1B trained with the Djiboutian Navy and Coast Guard for three months on maritime navigation, boat operations, vetting, boarding, search and seizure, and rescue and casualty care tactics. "The benefit of training with our Djiboutian partners is it strengthens our alliance," said Gathright. The relationships that MSRON 1B personnel build with Djiboutian service members reinforce U.S. and Djibouti's longstanding partnership to ensure regional stability and security. MSRON units deployed to CLDJ partner with the Djiboutian Coast Guard and Navy to protect the Port of Djibouti, exchange knowledge and offer valuable experiences and assets for missions across the region. Camp Lemonnier is an operational installation that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed to ensure security and protect U.S. interests. The installation provides world-class support for service members, transient U.S. assets and 36 local tenant commands. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address VAQ-133 "Wizards" complete historic first Next Generation Jammer Deployment to 5th and 7th Fleet in Time for the Holidays US Navy 16 December 2024 From Courtesy Story VAQ-133 returns from a five-month deployment as the first Navy squadron to tactically employ the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer. WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. -- Electronic Attack Squadron 133 (VAQ-133), assigned to Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW) 9, returned from the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group's (ABECSG) five-month deployment to the Middle East and Eastern Pacific to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in time for the holidays, Dec. 14, 2024. The 153 Sailors, 18 aircrew, and seven EA-18G Growlers of the "Wizards" of VAQ 133 departed Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, July 13, 2024. The Wizard's deployment marked a historic milestone, as the squadron became the first in the Navy to deploy with the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer (NGJ). Throughout their rigorous training and deployment, the Wizards demonstrated the future of Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) by developing new tactics, achieving the first NGJ arrested landing, and tactically employing the system. "This deployment showcased the cutting-edge capabilities of the NGJ and reinforced the critical role of the Growler community in modern warfare," said Cmdr. Erik Dente, commanding officer, VAQ-133. "More importantly, it demonstrated the skill, dedication, and perseverance of every VAQ-133 Sailor and the families, friends, and loved ones who supported them at home. I could not be more proud of the Sailors, aircrew, and support teams who made this deployment an overwhelming success." The Wizards began and concluded their deployment in U.S. 7th Fleet, executing key training missions in support of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and participating in a Multi-Large Deck Exercise (MLDE) with the Italian Navy's ITS Cavour Carrier Strike Group and conducting operations in the South China Sea to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. The strike group was ordered to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility to bolster U.S. military force posture in the Middle East, deter regional escalation, degrade Iranian-backed Houthi capabilities, defend U.S. forces to promote security, stability and prosperity. While operating in the Middle East, the Wizards played a key role in supporting CENTCOM objectives, participating in dual-carrier operations with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), flying critical combat missions to ensure the safety of deployed U.S. Forces, and aiding in strikes to degrade Iranian-backed Houthi weapons storage capabilities. "This deployment will go down in history," said Command Master Chief Frederick Tuiel command master chief, VAQ-133, summing up the deployment. "While it wasn't filled with port visits, it was defined by impactful combat operationsexperiences our Sailors will share for years to come. Bringing everyone home safely makes the accomplishment even sweeter." The squadron earned the Commander Electronic Attack Wing Pacific (CVWP) Golden Wrench Award for maintenance excellence demonstrating the Wizard's dedication to excellence. Wizard maintainers sustained 100% Growler mission-readiness throughout the deployment enabling the successful completion of all assigned missions. "The dedication of the sailors of VAQ-133 was second to none," said Dente. "Their hard work kept our Growlers fully mission capable and ensured every mission was a success. Whether from administration, operations, safety, maintenance, intelligence, or food service and support divisions - it took every sailor to build and maintain the combat power required during our operations." In addition to operational accomplishments, the deployment included port calls to Guam in August and Kuala Lumpur in November, offering Sailors a chance to recharge and experience diverse cultures while supporting U.S. partner nations. Returning home before the holidays, VAQ-133 is looking forward to reuniting with their families and friends, reflecting on their achievements and continuing to embody the squadron catch phrase to "Push it up!" ABECSG completed more than 11,600 flight hours comprised of 5,500 sorties and over 4.400 fixed-wing aircraft launches and arrestments throughout its five-month deployment. The embarked CVW-9 is next-generation, multiplatform capable that enables advance mobile projection of naval air power and forward operational presence. CVW 9 consists of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Hawkeye, C-2A Greyhound, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawk. The squadrons are the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the "Black Aces" of VFA 41, the "Vigilantes" of VFA 151, the "Black Knights" of VMFA 314, the "Wallbangers" of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, the "Wizards" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, the "Raptors" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, the "Chargers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40. ABECSG consists of the flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Three and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine, integrated air and missile defense Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and DESRON 21's USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O'Kane (DDG 77) and USS Stockdale (DDG 106) remain deployed in the 5th Fleet area of operations supporting global maritime security operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Human Rights Watch accuses Sudan's RSF of rape, sexual slavery By Mohammed Yusuf December 16, 2024 Human Rights Watch has accused Sudan's 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 Sudan's 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 it's used as a land grabbing tool, it's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New Zealand to lead maritime drug interception team in Middle East and Indian Ocean New Zealand Defence Force New Zealand is delivering a triple punch in the fight against narcotic smuggling in the Indian Ocean next year by taking command of an international task force and deploying a frigate and a mine countermeasures team to the front line. 17 December, 2024 Commodore Rodger Ward, from South Wairarapa, will command Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), dedicated to interceptions of vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the international waters of the Middle East and northern Indian Ocean. It is part of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) coalition safeguarding maritime security throughout the Gulf regions. Counter-terrorism is one of the coalition's primary missions, since terrorist organisations are commonly funded through criminal activities such as smuggling narcotics. For the first time in nine years, a Royal New Zealand Navy frigate will take part. HMNZS Te Kaha will join CTF 150 and be directed to intercept vessels suspected of smuggling. The last time a New Zealand frigate deployed for this role was in 2015, when Te Kaha operated under a French-led CTF 150. Another first is the deployment of a Royal New Zealand Navy Mine Counter Measures Task Unit from HMNZS Matataua to the region. The team will consist of specialist mine clearance divers, hydrographers and autonomous systems to undertake mine countermeasures and clearance operations from May to December. It is the second time New Zealand has commanded CTF 150, with Commodore Ward taking up his six-month appointment in January, headquartered in Bahrain. Commodore Ward said his appointment was both an honour and a privilege and he was looking forward to it. "This is a tremendous opportunity for the Royal New Zealand Navy to demonstrate our ability to lead and conduct expeditionary maritime security operations, while developing partnerships with other nations," he said. He follows in the footsteps of the first New Zealander to command CTF 150, Captain Brendan Clark in 2021. During that tenure CTF 150 intercepted 14 suspect vessels, with more than $NZ3 billion of drugs seized and destroyed. It was tempting to measure success through drug interceptions, Commodore Ward said. "But the real success would be if the drugs weren't going on the water, and where criminals decide not to move drugs over the water, because the maritime security is too great. As an information warfare specialist, I look at it in terms of effects, as well as the actual actions." Another big plus is developing the next generation of sailors and leaders by exposing them to contemporary maritime security operations in a complex operating environment. "This is awesome exposure for our people," he said. "I think of it as a home and away game. We're playing an away game in the Middle East, in order to develop the skills to play and win the home game. "The Pacific is getting more complex, so we have to go somewhere to learn these skills, in order to be prepared at home." Having Te Kaha in direct support was tremendous but it would not be alone, he said. "There will be other assets available to work for us, to give us more ability to coordinate the maritime security and maximise the interdiction effect. "The drug busts will be important. But for me the satisfaction will be seeing our people learn, getting to work with other nations, and demonstrating that as a small nation, we can go to the other side of the world and do the job, and do it well." Commodore Ward joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1987 as a midshipman. He has served in Royal New Zealand Navy vessels as a warfare officer, including a posting as Operations Officer in Te Kaha in the Arabian Sea in 1999. Commodore Ward has since specialised in communication and information warfare, been a directing staff officer at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College in Kuala Lumpur, Operations Commander at Joint Forces Headquarters New Zealand and Defence Adviser to Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Myanmar, and Chief of Information Warfare, New Zealand Defence Force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 16 December 2024 - Day 1027 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively thwart the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him an effective fire effect, exhaustion throughout the frontline. In total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 226 combat clashes. Russian zagarbniki made 24 aviation strikes on the territory of Ukraine, applying 30 cab. In addition, the Russians have engaged 570 kamikaze drones and carried out more than 3,700 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction Russian occupiers did not carry out offensive actions. In the Kupans komu direction, the Russian opponent three times carried out assaults of the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of kucervka, Zagrizovogo and Lozova. Ukrainian defenders repelled all Russian attacks. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian invaders 15 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Kopanka, Vyshneve, Novoyegorivka, Terni, Grigorivka, Novoplatonivka, Novosergiyivka, Makiyivka, Therni, in the Serebryansky forest, and in the direction of Cherneshina. All clashes are now over. In the Sivers komu direction throughout the day, Russian forces attacked seven times in the areas of bilogorivka, verkhnyokamans kogo, ivano-darinogo, spirnogo and sivers kogo. The three clashes are still ongoing. In the Kramators komu direction, six clashes near Orihovo-Vasilivka, Time Yar and Stupochok were recorded, which were successfully repelled by Ukrainian warriors. In the Toretsky direction Russians 11 times attacked the positions of defense forces. The main efforts of the attack were concentrated near the settlements of Toretsk and Scherbinivka. Currently, two clashes continue. Since the beginning of this day, in the Pokrovsky direction, the Russians have tried 46 times to break through Ukrainian defense near the settlements of Lisivka, Dachenskie, Novoy Trud, Zelene, Novoolenivka, Pishnna and Ukrainka. There are eight fighting so far. The Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today more than 320 invaders were defamed in this direction, 114 of them - irrevocably. Also destroyed two units of automotive equipment and one anti-aircraft. In the Kurakhiv direction, Russian forces 29 times attacked Ukrainian positions near the settlements of Soncivka, Stari Tern, Kurakhove and Yantarne, ten clashes - continue. In the vremivs komu direction, the Russian zagarbniki made 22 offensive actions near the konstantinopil s kogo, rozdolny, new mosquito, neskucnogo, usspenivka, dry yaliv, blagodatnogo, makarivka and novodarivka. Five clashes continue so far. The Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today in this direction more than 86 invaders were defecated, 33 of them - irrevocably. Also destroyed five units of the Russian enemy's automobile equipment, two tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, one buggy. One tank and one combat armored vehicle were also significantly damaged. In the orihivs komu directions, the Russian opponent attacked four times in the area of novoandrivka. Aviacijcnih strikes narama suffered novoandrijvka, lobkove, zaliznychne, walk field, novopil. In the pridniprovskomu direction, Ukrainian troops repelled three Russian attacks. Defense Forces of Ukraine continue its operation in Kurshchina, where the Russian enemy carried out 72 attacks of Ukrainian units positions during a day, with five clashes still ongoing. Russian forces made 6 air strikes of 12 kabama, carried out 293 shelling. In other directions, the situation has not changed significantly. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one air assault brigade of the AFU, one territorial defence brigade, and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Liptsy, Volchansk (Kharkov region), and Kharkov. One counter-attack launched by AFU units was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 85 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, three motor vehicles, and one 152-mm D-20 gun. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Dvurechnaya, Zagryzovo, Lozovaya, Glushkovka, and Kupyansk (Kharkov region). Four counter-attacks launched by AFU units were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 500 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers. Two ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of decisive actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Elizavetovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Losses were inflicted on formations of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one air assault brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades near Seversk, Belogorovka, Trudovoye, Ostrovskoye, Kurakhovo, and Dachnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 345 troops, five motor vehicles, two U.S.-made MaxxPro armoured fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. One ammunition depot, one Anklav-N electronic warfare station, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar were destroyed. Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault brigade, two assault battalions of the AFU, and one marine brigade near Shevchenko, Shcherbinovka, Novoolenovka, Novopustynka, Petrovka, and Dzerzhinsk (Donetsk People's Republic). Nine counter-attacks launched by AFU armed formations were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 440 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, three 152-mm D-20 guns, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one Nota electronic warfare station. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on formations of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Razliv, Zelenoye Pole, and Vremevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 185 troops, one German-made Leopard tank, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one heavy mechanised brigade, one mechanised brigade of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades near Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region), Antonovka, Yantarnoye, and Nikolskoye (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 55 troops, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and two 152-mm D-20 guns. Four AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, as well as engaged clusters of the enemy's manpower and military hardware in 133 areas. Air defence units shot down nine fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,818 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,810 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,501 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,695 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,260 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, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Pogrebki, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Sverdlikovo. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU enemy near Kurilovka, Mirny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Petrushovka, and Popovka in Sumy region. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 540 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 41,400 troops, 242 tanks, 182 infantry fighting vehicles, 126 armoured personnel carriers, 1,276 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,145 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, five armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Virginia Man Convicted for Crypto Financing Scheme to ISIS Monday, December 16, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs A jury convicted Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, Virginia, on Dec. 13 for charges relating to his efforts to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a foreign terrorist organization. According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least October 2019 through October 2022, Chhipa collected and sent money to female ISIS members in Syria to benefit ISIS in various ways, including by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and supporting ISIS fighters. Chhipa would raise funds online on various social media accounts. He would receive electronic transfers of funds and travel hundreds of miles to collect funds by hand. He would then convert the money to cryptocurrency and send it to Turkey, where it was smuggled to ISIS members in Syria. His primary co-conspirator was a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria who was involved in raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks, and ISIS fighters. Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendant sent out over $185,000 in of cryptocurrency. The jury found Chhipa guilty of one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. Chhipa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for May 5, 2025. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch, and U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony T. Aminoff and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorneys Andrew John Dixon and Andrea Broach of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. Topic: National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Virginia, Eastern Press Release Number: 24-1582 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Space component commands highlight warfighting efforts at Spacepower Conference United States Space Force Published Dec. 16, 2024 By Bridget Bonnette, U.S. Space Forces - Space Public Affairs ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) -- Space component field command leadership came together to discuss successes and challenges and provide insights into their missions during a panel at the Spacepower Conference in Orlando. As adversaries like China and Russia continue to strengthen their space capabilities, the U.S. Space Force has emerged as an indispensable component of defense strategy, ensuring that space remains secure, resilient and fully integrated into joint warfighting efforts. "You heard the CSO ... talk about there might be a little confusion on whether combatant commands or service fight wars, and of course, we all know combatant commanders are charged with that in their area of operations, but it is the service components that actually do the war fighting," said Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, U.S. Space Forces - Space commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component commander, who served as the panel moderator. Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir, U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, described how his team has dedicated nearly 10,000 hours to mission analysis to refine operational models and plans tailored to the Indo-Pacific region. "We're close to completing a robust programming plan that will set the blueprint for how Space Force components in the Indo-Pacific will operate moving forward," Mastalir said. He underscored the critical importance of space in the region, particularly as tensions with China and North Korea escalate and emphasized the need for seamless integration into the operational plans of regional combatant commanders. "Our goal is to be a reliable and agile partner in the fight," he added, also noting the growing cooperation with key regional allies such as Japan, South Korea and Australia. Col. Chris Putman, U.S. Space Forces Central commander, shared insights into the challenges faced by the Space Force in the Middle East. With the region's high operational tempo and evolving missile threats, the Space Force has become integral to defense operations. "The largest ballistic missile attack in history didn't just happen once it happened twice in one year," Putman said. "Our Guardians were a part of every single piece of the kill chain, defending our partners and U.S. forces. We didn't anticipate these types of threats, but we adapted quickly to ensure we were effective in these real-time combat operations." He emphasized the critical role of tracking personnel and resources in conflict zones, noting that the Space Force's agility and responsiveness were key to maintaining operational success. As the Space Force matures, its expanding international partnerships have become a cornerstone of its operational success. Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Greela, U.S. Space Forces Central senior enlisted leader, emphasized the importance of these collaborations. "Three years ago, General Saltzman made the crucial decision to establish service component commands sooner rather than later," Greela said. "This has allowed us to establish strong ties at the tactical and operational levels, which are absolutely essential for interoperability." Chief Master Sgt. Tina Timmerman, S4S senior enlisted leader, also spoke to the growing integration of international personnel in space operations, noting that "our partners now have access to the same operational frameworks we use, and we're all speaking the same language." This integration has significantly enhanced the ability to execute real-time space operations. Timmerman emphasized that the success of future space operations will depend on joint cooperation, space resilience and shared access to the space domain. "We're working with more nations than ever before, and the key to our future success will be building these relationshipswhether it's through joint operations, space resilience, or ensuring that we have shared access to the space domain," she added. Brig. Gen. Jake Middleton, U.S. Space Forces Europe-Africa commander, also shared how the Space Force is addressing challenges in Africa and Europe, particularly through programs like Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Tracking, or TacSRT. "We're using our limited resources to the fullest by leveraging our allies," Middleton said. "The TacSRT program has been a game changer for us in AFRICOM, allowing us to quickly share space-based data with our partners for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance." Looking ahead, space operations will remain central to U.S. military strategy, requiring ongoing adaptation and strong international collaboration. "Space is no longer a sanctuary. It's a contested domain. Our mission is to ensure that we can operate in that domain and continue to provide support across all areas of conflict," Mastalir said. The U.S. Space Force, with its expanding global partnerships and integrated approach to space operations, is positioning itself as a cornerstone of U.S. defense efforts, prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly congested and contested space domain. "Chief Timmerman and I have the pleasure of leading thousands of assigned, attached and force presented Guardians and joint members around the world that provide excellent operations in the U.S. Space Command AOR," Schiess said. "Every day, Guardians, along with the joint members go into operations centers and perform exquisite operations, and they do that with excellence so that every day, the leadership of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation and anybody that wants to do harm to the United States says, 'not today.'" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation European External Action Service (EEAS) 16.12.2024 EEAS Press Team The text of the following statement was released by 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. 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. 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. Together, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We urge the DPRK to cease immediately 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US hits North Korea with new sanctions 19 individuals and entities were blacklisted for ties to its missile program and deployment of troops to Russia. By Alex Willemyns 2024.12.16 WASHINGTON -- The United States on Monday announced new sanctions tied to both North Korea's missile-building program and its deployment of troops to Ukraine, coming amid reports of casualties of North Korean troops along Russia's border with Ukraine. The targeted entities include the Golden Triangle Bank, which allows people visiting North Korea to convert their foreign money into the local currency for use while in the country, as well as the Korea Mandal Credit Bank, which operates banks across neighboring China. Both institutions were helping to finance Pyongyang's intercontinental missile building program, according to a statement released by the U.S. Treasury, which described the efforts as "destabilizing." North Korea has for years aimed to build missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons to the continental United States, and regularly tests shorter-range missiles in waters around Japan and South Korea. Also sanctioned on Monday were Ri Chang Ho, who is the director of North Korea's Reconnaissance General Bureau, and Kim Yong Bok, a senior military general. Both are "known" to be involved in Pyongyang's deployment of troops to Russia, the U.S. Treasury statement said. North Korean Defense Minister Ro Kwang Chol and Kim Geum Cheol, the president of the locally prestigious Kim Il Sung Military University, were also sanctioned -- as were Ju Chang Il, the head of North Korea's Propaganda and Agitation Department, and Pak Jong Chon, a senior official who often appears at events involving ballistic missiles. "The Kim regime's continued provocative actions including its most recent ICBM test and its deepening military support to Russia undermine the stability of the region and sustain Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine," said Bradley Smith, the acting under secretary of the treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence. Casualties emerge The sanctions came amid reports of the first casualties of North Korean troops sent by Pyongyang to help Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Saturday that Russian forces had for the first time used North Korean troops in significant numbers to attack Ukrainian positions. Ukraine's military later released drone images of what it said were dead North Koreans. Ukraine's military also said that the "language barrier" had led some North Korean troops to attack Chechen troops working with Russia. Separately Monday, the foreign ministers of ten countries and the European Union released a joint statement denouncing North Korea's deployment of troops "as a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security." Signed by the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States, the statement condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow. "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," the statement said, using an acronym for North Korea. The statement also called for North Korea to "cease immediately all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops" and for Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine. Edited by Malcolm Foster Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Key Facilitators Behind North Korea's Illicit Financial Activities and Military Support to Russia U.S. Department of the Treasury December 16, 2024 WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today sanctioned nine individuals and seven entities that have provided financial and military support to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Also, today, the U.S. Department of State sanctioned three targets related to the DPRK'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. On October 31, 2024, the DPRK conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test, the first since December 2023. Again, on November 5, 2024, the DPRK fired at least seven short-range ballistic missiles off the eastern coast of the peninsula. Revenues generated through foreign-based workers and state-owned entities fuel these launches and further development of the DPRK's WMD and ballistic missile programs. The DPRK has also supplied Russia with critical military support for its war on Ukraine. Since October, it has supplied Russia with more than 11,000 troopswhich are now training for deployment against Ukraineand sent significant quantities of missiles and ammunition to the Russian military to replenish its dwindling stockpiles. "The Kim regime's continued provocative actionsincluding its most recent ICBM test and its deepening military support to Russiaundermine the stability of the region and sustain Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine," said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. "The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit procurement and facilitation networks that enable these destabilizing activities." FINANCIAL FACILITATORS Golden Triangle Bank (GTB) is one of the largest financial institutions in the DPRK's Rason Special Economic Zone. As a state-owned company of the DPRK government, the GTB is used by foreigners to exchange foreign currency into local currency for use within the DPRK. GTB is being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13810 for operating in the financial services industry in North Korea. Korea Mandal Credit Bank (KMCB) is a financial institution headquartered in Pyongyang, DPRK which maintains a network of representatives who operate throughout China. KMCB has facilitated the procurement of supplies for entities that support the DPRK's WMD program, including the U.S.-designated Munitions Industry Department (MID). MID was designated in August 2010, pursuant to E.O. 13382 for its support to DPRK's WMD programs. KMCB is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13810 for operating in the financial services industry in North Korea. Choe Chol Ryong (Choe) is a representative of the U.S.-designated Korea Kwangson Banking Corporation (KKBC) in Dandong, China. In that capacity, Choe has been involved in bulk cash smuggling between China and the DPRK. KKBC was previously designated in August 2009, pursuant to E.O. 13382 for providing financial services in support of multiple organizations that were identified as WMD proliferators. KKBC is also on the United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1718 Sanctions List. Choe is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the KKBC. Kim Myong Jin (Kim) is a representative of the U.S.-designated Korea Daesong Bank (KDB) in Beijing, China. Kim serves as a primary financial representative for the DPRK and plays a key role in facilitating Pyongyang's illicit financial activities outside of the DPRK. OFAC designated KDB in 2010, pursuant to E.O. 13551 for being owned or controlled by Office 39. Since 2019, Kim has coordinated deposits worth several hundred thousands of U.S. dollars from China to the DPRK. OFAC is designating Kim pursuant to E.O. 13551 for acting or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Korea Daesong Bank, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 13551. MILITARY SUPPORT Ri Chang Ho (Ri)is the head of the DPRK Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), and one of the DPRK generals known to be accompanying the thousands of DPRK troops deployed to Russia in support of Russia's war in Ukraine. As the head of the RGB, Ri has conducted revenue generating activities and securing funds in support of the DPRK's WMD activities. In January 2015, OFAC designated the RGB pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being a controlled entity of the Government of North Korea; RGB was previously listed in the annex to E.O. 13551 in August 2010. Ri is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the Government of North Korea. Ju Chang Il (Ju) is the director of the DPRK Workers' Party of Korea's (WPK) Propaganda and Agitation Department (PAD). The PAD engages in or is responsible for censorship by the Government of North Korea and is also the primary agency responsible for both newspaper and broadcast censorship. In March 2016, OFAC added the PAD to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List pursuant to E.O. 13722 for being an agency, instrumentality, or controlled entity of the Government of North Korea.Ju is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the WPK. Kim Yong Bok is a senior general of the OFAC-designated Korean People's Army. He is one of the DPRK generals known to be accompanying DPRK troops deployed to Russia. Kim Yong Bok is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the Government of North Korea. Pak Jong Chon (Pak) is a DPRK-based Vice-Chair of the WPK Central Military Commission. In his role, he takes part in public events that are involved in the DPRK's ballistic missile program, including weapons factory tour, submarine launch, and an official visit to Russia. Pak is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the WPK. Im Song Jin (Im) is a professor of physics at Kim Il Sung University. Im is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13810 for being a North Korean person, including a North Korean person that has engaged in commercial activity that generates revenue for the Government of North Korea or the WPK. Kim Geum Cheol is the president of Kim Il Sung Military University, the DPRK's premier institution of military education. Kim Geum Cheol is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the Government of North Korea. Ro Kwang Chol (Ro) is the current DPRK Minister of National Defense, having assumed the position in October 2024. Ro is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13687 for being an official of the WPK. RUSSIAN COMPANIES SHIPPING PETROLEUM TO DPRK Vostok Trading LLC (Vostok), DV Ink LLC (DV Ink), and Novosibirskoblgaz LLC are Russia-based foreign trade companies that have shipped thousands of tons of oil and gas to the DPRK beginning in 2022 and continuing through at least April 2024. Vostok, DV Ink, and Novosibirskoblgaz LLC are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13810 for engaging in at least one significant importation from or exportation to North Korea of any goods, services, or technology. Additionally, Vostok, DV Ink, and Novosibirskoblgaz LLC are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the transportation sector of the Russian Federation economy. Sibregiongaz, AO is the Russia-based parent company and 100% owner of Novosibirskoblgaz LLC. Sibregiongaz, AOis being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the transportation sector of the Russian Federation economy. Okryu Trading Company (Okryu) is a DPRK-based foreign trade company that has received thousands of tons of oil shipments from Russia. Okryu is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13810 for operating in the transportation industry in North Korea. These actions were also undertaken in the spirit of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act of 2016, including as amended by the Otto Warmbier North Korea Nuclear Sanctions and Enforcement Act of 2019 within the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 116-92). SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. Financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. In addition, foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions or provide any service involving Russia's military-industrial base run the risk of being sanctioned by OFAC. For additional guidance, please see the updated OFAC advisory, "Updated Guidance for Foreign Financial Institutions on OFAC Sanctions Authorities Targeting Support to Russia's Military-Industrial Base," as well as OFAC Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 1146-1157. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to violate U.S. sanctions, wittingly or unwittingly, as well as engage in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SRI LANKA-INDIA EXERCISE - 24 (SLINEX-24) India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 16 DEC 2024 6:00PM by PIB Delhi The bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2024 (Sri Lanka-India Exercise) will be conducted from 17 to 20 Dec 24 at Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command. The exercise will be held in two phases - the Harbour Phase from 17 to 18 December and the Sea Phase from 19 to 20 December. Initiated in 2005, SLINEX is a significant series of bilateral naval exercises that have strengthened maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka over the years. Participating Units: From India: Indian Naval Ship INS Sumitra, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Eastern Fleet, along with a Special Forces team. From Sri Lanka: SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, with an embarked Special Forces team. The inaugural ceremony of the exercise is scheduled on 17 Dec 24, marking the beginning of the Harbour Phase. During this phase, participants will engage in professional and social exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding. The Sea Phase, commencing on 19 December, will feature joint exercises, including Special Forces operations, gun firings, communication drills, seamanship practices, navigation evolutions, and helicopter operations. Over the years, SLINEX has expanded in scope, enabling both navies to enhance interoperability and share best practices. The 2024 edition aims to further reinforce the strong maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka while promoting a safe, secure, and rules-based maritime environment. __________________ VM/SKS 268/24 (Release ID: 2084913) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Founder of Iranian Company Arrested for Providing Material Support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and for Scheme to Procure Sensitive U.S. Technology for Use in IRGC Military Drones, One of Which Killed Three U.S. Servicemembers Monday, December 16, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Founder of Iranian Company and his Co-Defendant, an Employee of a U.S. Microelectronics Manufacturer, Also Charged with Violating Export Control Laws in Conspiracy to Procure Sensitive U.S. Technology for Use in IRGC Military Drones Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, a dual U.S.-Iranian national of Natick, Massachusetts, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, also known as Mohammad Abedini (Abedini), 38, of Tehran, Iran, have been charged with conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members who were killed by a one-way attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), also known as a drone, on a military base in Jordan. Sadeghi was arrested and made his initial appearance today in the District of Massachusetts. Abedini was also arrested today in Italy by Italian authorities at the request of the United States. "Today, the Justice Department has charged, and our foreign partners have taken into custody, Mohammad Abedini, who we allege supplied sensitive technology used by the Iranian military to kill three American servicemembers in Jordan earlier this year," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "In addition, we have charged and arrested Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, for conspiring with Abedini to export sensitive U.S. technology to Iran. Today's arrests demonstrate that the Justice Department will hold accountable those who enable the Iranian regime to continue to target and kill Americans and undermine the national security of the United States." "Earlier this year, Iran-backed militias murdered three American soldiers and wounded dozens more in a brutal drone attack at the Tower 22 base in Jordan," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. "Today, working with our partners here and abroad, we have charged and arrested two men who conspired to evade U.S. sanctions and supply the Iranian government with the type of drone navigation technology used in that attack. Our message is unmistakable: if you provide support to the Iranian regime's campaign of terror and violence targeting Americans - we will find you, arrest you, and hold you accountable in a U.S. court, no matter where you are." "This case reflects our commitment to pursuing those who unlawfully aid Iran's military drone program and to seeking justice for the U.S. servicemembers killed at the hands of the IRGC-backed militants earlier this year," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division. "Export laws exist to keep cutting-edge U.S. technology out of the hands of foreign terrorist organizations. When sensitive drone technology is supplied to the IRGC - as alleged in this case - it places our military at risk and imperils American citizens." "These defendants are charged with supplying sensitive technology to an Iranian company that develops technology the IRGC uses in its one-way attack drones to commit acts of terror around the world," said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). "Export crimes are much more than just regulatory violations - they enable our adversaries to engage in numerous malign activities harmful to U.S. interests, including the sowing of terror worldwide." "The FBI will continue to aggressively use all of our authorities to investigate and arrest anyone who assists the Government of Iran in obtaining technology that can be used for deadly purposes," said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. "These perpetrators allegedly facilitated the transfer of electronic components to an Iranian company which one of them owned. According to the charges, the company owner then supplied the IRGC with drone technology that was used in various terrorist acts, including an attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan which killed three servicemembers and injured dozens more. Such acts are wholly unacceptable, and the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners to cut off illegal transfers of technology to foreign terrorists and other adversaries." "Holding culpable people accountable for the death and maiming of U.S. service men and women bravely serving our nation abroad is about as important a prosecution as there is. These allegations make clear the grievous harm that can result when highly sophisticated American technologies subject to export controls end up in the hands of our adversaries," said U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy for the District of Massachusetts. "These criminal charges are the direct product of the dogged work of the FBI and the Department of Commerce, in close collaboration with DOJ lawyers, as part of the Disruptive Technologies Task Force launched in February 2023, and I commend their outstanding work." According to court documents, Abedini is the founder and managing director of an Iranian company, San'at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA or SADRA), that manufactures navigation modules used in the IRGC's military drone program. SDRA's main business is the sale of a proprietary navigation system known as the Sepehr Navigation System to the IRGC, which the United States designated as an FTO on April 15, 2019. The primary application of SDRA's Sepehr Navigation System is for use in UAVs, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. Sadeghi is currently employed by a Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer (U.S. Company 1) and was one of the founders of a Massachusetts-based technology company (U.S. Company 2) that specializes in wearable sensors that provide kinetic monitoring for fitness applications. As alleged in court documents, Abedini, Sadeghi, and others conspired to evade U.S. export control and sanctions laws by procuring U.S. origin goods, services, and technology from, among others, U.S. Company 1 and causing those goods, services, and technology to be exported or otherwise supplied to Iran and, in particular, Abedini's Iranian company, SDRA. As further alleged, in or around 2016, Sadeghi traveled to Iran to request funding for U.S. Company 2 from the Iranian National Elites Foundation (INEF), which is an Iranian governmental organization whose main purpose is to recognize, organize, and support Iran's elite national talents. In exchange for funding for U.S. Company 2, which Sadeghi's company ultimately received from the INEF, Sadeghi and others created a second company in Iran (Iranian Company 1). Shortly after forming Iranian Company 1, Sadeghi, through Iranian Company 1, entered into a contract with SDRA for the purchase of SDRA's technology. It is also alleged that, since in or around 2016, on multiple occasions, Sadeghi has helped Abedini procure U.S. export-controlled electronic components for Abedini's use in Iran. Due to U.S. laws restricting exports to Iran, Abedini established a Switzerland front company for SDRA, Illumove SA (Illumove). With Sadeghi's assistance, Abedini, through Illumove, entered into a contract with U.S. Company 1 to develop a mechanism to evaluate U.S. Company 1's electronic components, including sophisticated semiconductors. Sadeghi and Abedini subsequently caused U.S.-origin goods, services, and technology to be transferred to Iran, through Illumove, for the benefit of SDRA. Certain of the electronic components that Abedini obtained through Illumove were the same types of electronic components used in SDRA's Sepehr Navigation System. Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the IRGC, specifically, the IRGC Aerospace Force, which is the strategic missile, air, and space force within the IRGC. Since at least in or about 2014, SDRA has had multiple projects with the IRGC Aerospace Force, including projects for guided rockets and integrated navigation systems. As alleged, between 2021 and 2022, approximately 99% of SDRA's sales of the Sepehr Navigation System, which are used in IRGC one-way attack drones, were to the IRGC's Aerospace Force. On Jan. 28, three U.S. service members were killed, and more than forty others were injured, in a drone attack by IRGC-backed militants on a military base located in northern Jordan, known as Tower 22. According to court documents, FBI analysis of the drone that was recovered from the site of the attack showed that the drone was an Iranian Shahed UAV and that the navigation system used in the drone was the Sepehr Navigation System, which was manufactured by Abedini's company, SDRA. Sadeghi and Abedini were charged by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economics Powers Act, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Abedini was also charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, resulting in death, and one count of provision and attempted provision of material support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, resulting in death, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison, lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The FBI, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, and BIS are investigating the case. U.S. Attorneys Jared Dolan and Alathea Porter for the District of Massachusetts, Trial Attorney Christina Clark of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorneys Katie Sweeten and David Smith of the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs is providing assistance and is seeking extradition of Abedini from Italy. This prosecution is being coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: National Security Components: Office of the Attorney General Criminal - Office of International Affairs Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) Office of the Deputy Attorney General USAO - Massachusetts Press Release Number: 24-1589 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Libya: Statement by the Spokesperson on the UNSMIL briefing in the UN Security Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 16.12.2024 EEAS Press Team The European Union welcomes the proposal presented by UNSMIL Officer-in-Charge Stephanie Koury during today's briefing on Libya in the UN Security Council. The launch of a new UN initiative to revive the political process in Libya is a timely and positive development, which we fully support. We strongly encourage all Libyan and international stakeholders to engage in a meaningful, responsible and constructive manner with the UN and its representative in Libya. Our collective commitment to this new mediation mechanism is essential to ensure its success. The European Union renews its firm support to the central role of UNSMIL and to its work towards a political solution, based on an inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue, aimed at renewing the legitimacy of Libyan institutions through national elections. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK welcomes the new, inclusive, Libyan-led plan for a sustainable and prosperous future: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya. 16 December 2024 Colleagues, the briefers have given us a stark assessment of the fragile stalemate in Libya. The current situation is unsustainable, with some Libyan actors pursuing their own interests, only benefiting a handful of Libya's elites. The Libyan people deserve political stability in a unified country with peace, security and prosperity. I would like to make three points today. First, we welcome the successful first phase of municipal elections in Libya, marking the first time Libyans have gone to the polls in over a decade. We must build on this success, and we call on Libyan authorities to provide the necessary resources and leadership for the second phase. Second, we welcome the plan DSRSG Koury has outlined today for a new, inclusive, Libyan-led effort to lead the country towards elections and a sustainable, secure, prosperous future. The UN plan provides a framework, but the solutions can only come from Libyans themselves. We encourage Libya's leaders to engage with the UN process in good faith and with the spirit of compromise, for the benefit of all Libyans. We stress our continued support to UNSMIL and DSRSG Koury in the implementation of her plan to achieve a long-term political solution and to enable elections. Third, we welcome the Panel of Experts recent report and recommendations. We share their concerns around the continued ineffectiveness of the arms embargo, the increasing smuggling of diesel, and the violations and abuses of human rights. We look forward to working with Council members to renew the sanctions regime and panel of expert's mandate next month. Finally, President, we encourage the UN to appoint a new Special Representative as soon as possible. President, with international unity and the engagement of Libya's leaders, we can work together to find political solutions and enable a better future for the Libyan people. The UK fully supports the efforts of the UN and DSRSG Koury in achieving this. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United Nations Libya Mission Unveils Plan to End Political Deadlock, Pave Way for National Elections Meetings Coverage Security Council 9815th Meeting (AM) SC/15938 16 December 2024 The people of Libya are yearning to choose their leaders, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as she outlined a detailed plan to help the country to hold overdue national elections, following the recent municipal polls held after a decade-long hiatus. Stephanie Koury, Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), congratulated the Libyan people on successfully electing 426 representatives in 58 municipalities across the country on 16 November. Municipal elections for a second group of 60 municipalities are set to start next month. The elections are taking place against intense political polarization, marked by the presence of parallel Governments. Ms. Khoury pointed to divisions over the leadership of the High Council of State as well as the crisis over the leadership of the Central Bank. Her Mission has presented a plan for an inclusive political initiative to overcome the current deadlock, she said, adding that this process aims to preserve stability on the ground and strengthen institutions while including Libyan political forces and cultural components. "We must be mindful of past experiences, in particular of the failed 2021 election," she said, adding that a time-bound advisory committee will propose options for an overall road map for holding national elections. Recognizing Libya's history of successive transitional Governments, the UNSMIL plan calls for any unified executive authority that may emerge from negotiations to be strictly bound by principles, safeguards, milestones, and timelines to ensure the country transition. "Libya's guns largely remain silent but it is neither stable nor at peace," she pointed out, calling on the Council to seize the opportunity for a lasting political settlement. The Council also heard from Ali Omar, Director of Libya Crimes Watch, who described himself as a human rights defender and a former prisoner of conscience. "I speak to you today to convey the voices of victims and survivors who have endured in silence under the weight of daily violations and crimes in Libya," he said. These are not isolated acts, but systematic and recurrent crimes carried out by security agencies and military groups, including the Libyan Armed Air Forces, the Government of National Unity, the Government endorsed by the Libyan House of Representatives in the East and the Libyan Presidential Council. To this day, freedom of expression in Libya remains a crime, he said. "The failure of past political processes has not only prolonged the conflict but also created a breeding ground for impunity," he stressed, asking how a country where senior positions are held by individuals accused of war crimes can organize fair elections. He called for the establishment of an independent international mechanism to investigate violations and identify individuals who exploit impunity to obstruct political and transitional justice processes. Also briefing the Council was the representative of Japan, Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya, who presented its report for the period from 10 October to 16 December. He noted its informal meetings, including with a delegation of the Libyan Investment Authority on the implementation of the assets freeze, as well as a presentation by the Panel of Experts. On the arms embargo, he said, the Committee received a report on a vessel inspection conducted by European Union's NAVFOR Med Operation Irini as well as another concerning an attempted vessel inspection. "Libyans feel they live in a repeated episode of the same TV drama," the country's delegate said, expressing concern about the Council's procrastination, the refusal to listen to the Libyan people and an elusive political process that has caused a decade-long transition. Any new political process or new political agreement that does not focus on holding general elections is only continuing the crisis that Libya has experienced, he said, adding: "I believe after what we have heard today that you owe an apology to the Libyan people." Calling on the Council to adopt a decisive stance, he rejected all attempts to expand the divisiveness, through unilateral measures or interference in national affairs. He also stressed the need to unite the security apparatus under civilian-led leadership. "The Libyan people are sick and tired of repeated failed attempts," he added, noting that the recent elections are further proof that when the circumstances are conducive, they will choose democracy and stability. Council members, including the representatives of Malta, Republic of Korea, France, Ecuador and Algeria, welcomed the holding of recent elections. "Libya's leaders have demonstrated their commitment to the nation's interests by successfully holding local elections," said the latter, who also spoke for Guyana, Mozambique and Sierra Leone. He also noted that there has been little progress in appointing a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General. "This appointment is crucial and urgent as it can enable the automatic extension of [UNSMIL's] mandate for a further nine months", he said, stressing that continuity is vital to addressing outstanding issues related to electoral laws. The representative of the United Kingdom also stressed the need for this appointment, as did Japan's delegate, who said the Council should renew the Mission's mandate even if the appointment does not happen before the end of January. "We must not let the false sense of political stability in Libya deceive us," stressed Slovenia's delegate, expressing concern for the unprecedented level of influence non-State armed groups have on the country's affairs, both in the east and west. Non-State armed groups are also responsible for violations of international humanitarian human rights law and the targeting of civilians, including human rights defenders and journalists. Switzerland's representative said an electoral process that guarantees the participation of women and all minorities requires an improvement in the human rights situation. The representative of the United States, Council President for December, speaking in her national capacity, stressed the need to renew Libya's sanctions regime, highlighting reports of transfers of military equipment, with Russian naval vessels unloading military material. She also expressed support for UNSMIL's political initiative, including the holding of parallel conversations. "We need a new political process in Libya as difficult as that might seem," she said, adding that the resolution of the Central Bank crisis shows that it is possible to find tough compromises through dialogue. The representative of the Russian Federation, however, stressed that the task for the current UN team in Tripoli "is purely to set the stage to facilitate the future new wave of UN mediation and to support the Libyan political process". The acting Special Representative must not overstep this framework, he said. Further, the Council must leverage the fact that Council members do not have visible political disagreements on the Libyan file, he said, adding: "We are bewildered at the ongoing attempts by Western countries to organize various coteries and separate configurations on Libya." Noting a recent London conference on Libya without the participation of key influential players "and even the Libyans themselves," he said such events will damage the Council's standing. "All Libyan parties should put the interests of the country, and its people first and continue to implement the ceasefire agreement," said China's delegate, reiterating the Libyan authorities' concern about the illegal misappropriation or erosion of assets. He called on relevant financial institutions to adhere to the principles of transparency and impartiality and refrain from such practices. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sources: Junta representatives, leaders of rebel group in talks in China Negotiations between the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the military began on Sunday in Kunming. By RFA Burmese 2024.12.16 -- Representatives of the military junta and leaders of an insurgent army have been holding talks in China's Yunnan province as Beijing leans on both sides to find a resolution to Myanmar's civil war, sources close to the junta and the ethnic armed group told Radio Free Asia. The negotiations in Kunming began Sunday, according to the sources who requested anonymity for security reasons. Neither the junta nor the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, have made any statements on the talks. Lieutenant Gen. Ko Ko Oo represented the junta, along with a brigadier general and office staff, a junta source told RFA. The talks come more than a month after junta leader Min Aung Hlaing traveled to Kunming to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of a regional summit. The Nov. 6 trip marked the junta chief's first trip to China since Myanmar's military seized power in a February 2021 coup d'etat. In August, the MNDAA captured Lashio, northern Shan state's biggest city and the location of the junta's northeast military command. Since then, Beijing has pressured the rebel army to withdraw from the city, an important commercial gateway near the Chinese border. Over the last year, the MNDAA has also seized control of more than a half dozen towns in the area that serve as significant border trading hubs. In October, the group's leader, Peng Daxun, traveled to Yunnan for medical treatment and to meet with Deng Xijun, China's special envoy for Asian Affairs. Sources close to the MNDAA told RFA last month that he was prevented from returning to Myanmar after the meeting as a way of pressuring the group to withdraw its troops from Lashio. A source close to the junta regime told RFA that Peng was being held at a hotel in Yunnan that's owned by his father. China's foreign ministry denied that he was under house arrest. The MNDAA, which has been fighting for autonomy since before the 2021 coup, declared a cease fire on Dec. 3 and announced that it would send a high-level delegation for talks with the junta. Peng's status or location wasn't mentioned in the announcement. Aim to reopen trade crossings Discussions will likely focus on continuing the ceasefire and the reopening of border trade gates, political analyst Phoe Wa said. "Pressure for either side to withdraw from their territories will not be accepted," he said. "Instead, both sides are likely to reinforce their commitments to their current stronghold positions. The minimum possible agreement could involve easing the trade ban." The junta could request the release of soldiers captured by the MNDAA during the fight for Lashio, a former military officer and political analyst told RFA. "The rebels have detained a significant number of junta troops, which poses a heavy burden for them," the analyst said. "Given their limited territory and budget, providing adequate food for the prisoners of war is challenging." Political analyst Than Soe Naing said the junta may also ask that it be allowed to dispatch troops in towns along the Muse-Mandalay trade route, as well as in Kunlong, a border town seized by the MNDAA in November 2023. "I believe the junta will aim to maintain control in these areas," he told RFA. "If they can secure Kunlong, they would likely consider that sufficient. They may propose a joint administration with the local population to solidify their rule." RFA attempted to contact junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Htun and a spokesperson for the MNDAA for comment but didn't receive a response. RFA also didn't immediately receive a reply to an emailed request for comment sent to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar on Monday. Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rebels in Myanmar's Rakhine state seize another stronghold, shun talks Arakan Army rejects call for talks, saying the people do not accept military rule and the junta should lay down arms. By RFA Burmese 2024.12.16 -- Ethnic minority guerrillas in Myanmar's Rakhine state have seized a major stronghold from the military, a spokesperson for the group said on Monday, another step towards their goal of controlling the entire state, while rejecting a junta call for talks. The Arakan Army, or AA, which is fighting for self-determination in Myanmar's western-most state, is one of the country's most powerful forces battling the junta that seized power in 2021. The insurgent force controls about 80% of the state, where China has extensive energy interests, and it fully captured the 12th of the state's 17 townships before dawn on Saturday. "We managed to seize control of Operational Command Center No. 5 in Toungup township," said AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha. "That means the Arakan Army has been able to completely seize the township." A resident of Toungup told RFA Burmese that it took the AA slightly more than a month to capture the township. "There are three military bases in Toungup a command, and two or three of its outposts and now all of these outposts have been captured," said the resident who requested not to be named for security reasons. "The battle to control these major bases took more than a month." The military had defended Toungup with the use of air strikes, the resident said. RFA attempted to contact military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment but he did not respond by the time of publication. Hours after the insurgents captured the base, the junta chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, called on the AA and two of its allies to agree to ceasefires and talks to end the war. "You can't achieve your aims by demanding them through armed conflict, you must come to the political table," Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on the 50th anniversary of Rakhine State Day. "I urge you to give up the way of conflict so that we can peacefully solve our problems and arrive at a good path," he said. The AA and the two allied groups, both based in Shan state on northwestern Myanmar's border with China, launched a stunning offensive late last year, seizing large areas from junta troops including major towns and bases. Under pressure from China the two Shan state groups - the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, and Ta'ang National Liberation Army - have recently declared ceasefires and agreed to talks. A delegation from the MNDAA met representatives of the Myanmar military in the Chinese city of Kunming on Sunday, a source close to the military told Radio Free Asia, adding that Chinese officials also attended. But the AA rejected the junta's call for a ceasefire, Khaing Thu Kha said. "I consider it a dishonorable and brazen thing to say because in Myanmar, the military are the real violent ones," he said. "Nobody in Myanmar supports them ... they cannot represent Myanmar anymore. The terrorist military should apologize to the public and surrender their weapons as quickly as possible," Khaing Thu Kha said. The AA spokesman said their forces were closing in on another major military base in Rakhine state, its Western Command near Ann town, while junta forces were defending Gwa, in the far south of the state, with air power and fire from navy vessels, he said. "The situation is good, we can say that we'll capture it soon," the AA spokesperson said of the Ann base. The AA captured Maungdaw township from junta troops on Dec. 8. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff. This story has been updated to include comments from a resident of Toungup. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seize momentum for justice created by application for ICC arrest warrant against Myanmar junta leader: UN expert UNOHCHR Press releases Special Procedures 16 December 2024 GENEVA -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan's decision to request an arrest warrant for Myanmar military commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing can build momentum for justice and hope if it is seized and built upon now, a UN expert said today, following meetings in The Hague with Khan and his team. "The Prosecutor's decision to request an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing in relation to his crimes against the Rohingya was a long-awaited and critical step forward," said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar. "There is not a moment to lose to move the wheels of justice forward. I am encouraged by the Prosecutor's commitment to requesting further warrants and that this will be done as soon as possible. It is critical that governments lend their full support to enforcing them," he said. Andrews said this was an important moment for victims of the 2017 attacks against the Rohingya, who have waited for justice for far too long. "Min Aung Hlaing is not only accused of atrocity crimes against the Rohingya, he is also responsible for ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity throughout Myanmar. He must be stopped and held accountable," he said. On 27 November, ICC Prosecutor Khan, speaking in Bangladesh, announced that his office had filed an application for an arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing in relation to the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya. He stated that the alleged crimes, which took place between August and December 2017, were committed in part in the territory of Bangladesh, which is State Party to the ICC. Such crimes therefore fall within the Court's jurisdiction. Myanmar itself is not a State Party to the ICC, and the Security Council has not referred the situation in Myanmar to the Court. "Unfortunately, because of the jurisdictional limitations on the Court the Prosecutor's case does not address the full breadth of atrocities committed against the Rohingya, the ongoing international crimes committed by the junta since the February 2021 military coup, nor the historic crimes perpetrated by the military against pro-democracy activists and ethnic groups," Andrews said. He reiterated his call for governments to support universal jurisdiction cases concerning Myanmar in competent national courts and for States Parties to the ICC to consider referring the situation in Myanmar to the Prosecutor under Article 14 of the Rome Statute, further to the declaration made by the National Unity Government accepting the Court's jurisdiction. "All States that continue to engage with the junta should be re-evaluating their relationship with the Senior General in light of the Prosecutor's application for an arrest warrant," the Special Rapporteur said. "Min Aung Hlaing is on notice that he and his brutal military junta can't hide from justice," Andrews said. "But the international community must act swiftly. The Prosecutor's recent decision is an important step forward, but much more needs to be done to ensure robust accountability for the staggering catalogue of crimes committed in Myanmar." Tom Andrews (United States of America) is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea says 'lies' by South's Yoon about a 'threat' led to impeachment South Korea's suspended president cited 'threats' from North Korea as one of the reasons for imposing martial law. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.12.16 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- North Korea's state media said on Monday South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told lies about a threat to his country to justify his "foolish" declaration of martial law, which it said had backfired and resulted in his impeachment. South Korea's National Assembly voted on Saturday to impeach Yoon over his botched imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, which he said at the time was necessary because of "threats from North Korea" and "anti-state activities" by the domestic political opposition. The declaration of martial law sparked immediate protest by the public and parliament rejected the declaration after only a few hours, forcing Yoon to back-track on the order and rescind it. The North's state-run Korea Central News Agency, or KCNA, said on Monday Yoon had made a statement "spliced with lies and obstinacy" that had "sparked off stronger rebuff and resentment of the political and public circles." "The puppet shifted the responsibility for the foolish emergency martial law declaration onto the opposition parties and the 'threat' from someone," said the KCNA. KCNA did not specify that Yoon had said the "threat" came from North Korea. "The impeachment motion against the puppet Yoon Suk Yeol was approved in the puppet ROK on Saturday," the news agency added, calling South Korea its official name, the Republic of Korea. "The puppet Constitutional Court will finally decide the impeachment," it said. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of acting president while the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether to reinstate Yoon him or remove him from office. If he is removed, South Korea will hold an election for a new president. KCNA provided details on the events leading to the impeachment, highlighting a televised address Yoon made last Thursday, when he defended the martial law decree as a legitimate act of governance and denied the insurrection charges against him. The KCNA report also covered the ruling party's decision to boycott an initial impeachment motion, while it noted that several senior military and police officials had been detained and suspended from their roles as part of the martial law investigation, labelling Yoon as "the ringleader of rebellion." The main opposition Democratic Party and five other minor opposition parties, introduced a second impeachment motion, accusing Yoon of violating the Constitution and other laws by declaring martial law. The second motion passed with a vote of 204 in favor and 85 against, with three abstentions and eight invalid ballots, as all South Korean 300 lawmakers cast their votes. If the impeachment motion is upheld, Yoon will become the second president in South Korea's history to be removed from office, following former President Park Geun-hye's ouster in 2017 over corruption. Acting President Han spoke to U.S. President Joe Biden to assure South Korea's most important ally that there would be no disruption to security arrangements. "South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policies without disruption and strive to ensure the South Korea-U.S. alliance is maintained and developed steadfastly," Han said, according to his office. Biden told Han the ironclad U.S.-South Korea alliance remained unchanged and Washington would work with Seoul to develop and strengthen the alliance as well as trilateral cooperation including neighbour Japan, said Han's office. Neighbors' reactions Japan would continue to communicate closely with South Korea, said Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. "South Korea is an important neighbor with which we must cooperate on many international issues, and the importance of ROK-Japan relations in the current strategic environment remains unchanged," said Hayashi on Monday. China had not commented on Yoon's impeachment by the time of publication, but its foreign ministry said Thursday it was "deeply surprised and dissatisfied" about remarks Yoon made on suspected Chinese spying in the South. While defending his botched martial law declaration, Yoon said on Thursday that opposition parties blocked a revision to anti-espionage laws despite two separate instances in which Chinese nationals filmed South Korean military installations and the National Intelligence Service. Edited by RFA Staff. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Union ramps up sanctions against Russia Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 16.12.2024 On Monday 16 December, the European Union adopted a new package of sanctions to make restrictive measures against Russia stricter and stronger, adding 84 individuals and entities to the list. 51 ships, mainly shadow fleet tankers, were added to the list of sanctions on ships. The 15th package of sanctions entered into force today. "Estonia and the European Union continue to work towards making the sanctions as strict and effective as possible and ensure they affect the sectors that Russia relies on the most in financing its aggression against Ukraine," Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said, adding that the new package contained many proposals by Estonia. Tsahkna underlined that the cost of the war must be raised for Russia for as long as necessary and discussions on a new, 16th package of sanctions have already begun. "Estonia and the EU will not stop before Ukraine has won this war and Russia and its leadership have been held accountable for their actions," he said. "We will continue until the Kremlin gets the message. We are expecting additional robust economic sanctions." The 15th package of sanctions targets circumventors of sanctions, companies linked to Russia's military industry and energy sector, and soldiers responsible for the attack on Kyiv's children's hospital. North Korea's Defence Minister and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission were also sanctioned. 51 ships were added to the list of sanctioned ships, mainly oil tankers of the shadow fleet but also ships that have been used to transport grain stolen from Ukraine. The ships are banned from entering European Union ports and providing services to these ships is prohibited. The list of companies linked to military end-users and the circumvention of sanctions will increase by 32 companies (mainly companies from Russia, but also Serbia, Iran, Hong Kong, China, India, and United Arab Emirates). Nearly 2400 individuals and entities have been sanctioned by now for undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. Since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, the European Union has continued to impose stricter sanctions against Russia. Fifteen sanctions packages have been imposed so far, aimed at raising the cost of the aggression for Russia and, with other foreign policy measures, pressure Russia into ending its aggression in Ukraine. Tsahkna said that exports of fossil fuels constituted Russia's greatest source of revenue. "Coal, crude oil and oil products carried by sea have already been sanctioned but imports of gas and shipments of oil to the European Union via pipelines continue," he said. "We must continue limiting imports of Russia's energy carriers." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Group of Coastal states around Baltic Sea and North Sea to take targeted measures against Russian shadow fleet Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland Press releases, 16.12.2024 In connection with the JEF Leaders' Summit in Tallinn on 16 December, a group of coastal states around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea announced that they will begin regularly inspecting the insurance certificates of oil tankers used by Russia. Inspections will be carried along the route used by the shadow fleet through the English Channel, the Denmark Strait and the Gulf of Finland. In addition, further sanctions will be imposed against oil tankers belonging to Russia's shadow fleet. A number of coastal states around the Baltic Sea and the North Sea (the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Estonia) have agreed on joint measures to crack down on the shadow fleet. The group will be carrying out regular inspections of shadow fleet vessels to check their insurance coverage for oil spills. Finland started inspections of vessel insurance certificates on voluntary basis 11 December. The UK began carrying out inspections in October, while Estonia has been inspecting tankers anchoring in its exclusive economic zone since the summer. The other countries in the group are getting ready to start inspections. "Oil tankers used by Russia present considerable environmental risks. The accident involving two tankers in the Black Sea this weekend is a stark example of what can happen when these risks materialise," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. Valtonen emphasised that Finland has taken measures to minimise the risks. "Finland began carrying out inspections of insurance certificates for the oil tankers on voluntary basis last week to make sure they have sufficient insurance coverage. Vessels can be added to the sanctions lists of the EU and other countries in the sanctions coalition on the basis of certain criteria. The 15th sanctions package adopted today by the EU Foreign Affairs Council adds 52 shadow vessels to the list," Valtonen said. High-risk vessels have already been sanctioned by the EU, the United Kingdom and the United States. The EU sanctions list includes a total of 79 vessels. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the sanctions have had a direct impact on the oil transportations by the fleet, which has decreased by 80 per cent since the vessels were added to the lists. The group of 12 coastal states published a declaration on the joint measures in connection with the JEF Summit in Tallinn. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fifteenth package of sanctions against Russia adopted Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry for Foreign Affairs 16 December 2024 The EU has adopted a fifteenth sanctions package in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. These sanctions are one of the primary tools to counteract Russia and support Ukraine by constraining the Russian State's revenues and military capability. The new sanctions package includes additional measures against the 'shadow fleet', circumvention of sanctions and third-country support to Russia. Sweden has been a driving force for stricter measures against vessels in the shadow fleet. The vessels now being added to the sanctions list enable Russia's energy exports (e.g. by transporting oil that exceeds the G7 oil price cap) to violate current sanctions or otherwise contribute to Russia's warfare. Being on the list will prohibit these vessels from accessing EU ports or purchasing certain services. "I'm very proud of Sweden's active contributions to important sanctioning of Russia's shadow fleet. We will continue our efforts to have additional vessels in the fleet listed," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard. The fifteenth sanctions package also contains measures against circumvention of sanctions, including stricter export restrictions against companies that support Russia's military-industrial complex, both in Russia and in third countries. This package places an additional 52 vessels and 113 individuals and entities that support Russia's aggression in various ways on the sanctions list. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board The President took part in an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre of the Russian Federation. December 16, 2024 14:30 Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades, Today, at an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board, we will discuss the main results of our work in 2024 and chart objectives for strengthening the defence capability of the Armed Forces and their future development. I would like to emphasise from the very beginning that the outgoing year has been crucial in achieving the goals of the special military operation. Thanks to the professionalism and courage of our soldiers, the heroic efforts of defence industry workers, and the truly nationwide support for the army and navy, Russian troops maintain a strong strategic initiative along the entire line of contact. This year alone, 189 communities have been liberated. I would like to warmly thank our heroes - officers and men who are selflessly and staunchly fighting on the frontlines, the personnel of the Defence Ministry, the National Guard, our special services and other security and law enforcement agencies that effectively accomplish all objectives, no matter how complicated. They do not spare themselves or their lives for the sake of victory and the Fatherland. It is our duty to always remember our comrades-in-arms who died while defending the Motherland and our nation, and to always care for their families and children. I have said this many times, but I will repeat once again that their children are also our children. We must never forget this. I would like to ask everyone to honour the memory of our fallen comrades with a moment of silence. (A moment of silence.) Thank you. Members of the Board, The military-political situation in the world remains challenging and unstable. Bloodshed continues in the Middle East, and there is a high potential for conflict in a number of other regions of the world. We observe the current US administration and practically the entire collective West attempting to maintain their global dominance. They continue to impose their so-called rules on the international community, which they change time after time, juggling them as they see fit. Properly speaking, there is just one stable rule - no rules whatsoever for those who engage in this behaviour, for those who believe they are at the head of the world, for those who regard themselves as God's vicars on earth, although they do not believe in God themselves. At the same time, they conduct hybrid wars and implement containment policies against dissenting states, including Russia. In a bid to weaken our country and inflict a strategic defeat on us, the US continues to pump the actually illegitimate Kiev regime with weapons and money, as well as sending mercenaries and military advisors, thereby encouraging further escalation of the conflict. Simultaneously, under the pretext of a non-existent Russian threat, they scare their population with allegations that we intend to attack someone. This is a very simple tactical ploy: they push us to a red line that we cannot help but cross; when we begin to respond, they frighten their population with the Soviet - in the olden times - and with the Russian threat today. Meanwhile, NATO countries are boosting their military spending and the alliance's assault groupings are being formed near the Russian border. For example, the number of US servicemen in Europe has exceeded 100,000. NATO's ambitions have long surpassed its so-called historical responsibility zone. Apart from the so-called eastern flank, it is also building up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region. At America's behest, new military-political alliances are being formed, which undermine the decades-old security architecture. Equally concerning is the US activity in developing high-precision ground-based strike systems with a firing range of up to 5,500 km and preparing them for deployment in forward zones. Moreover, the transfer and deployment of these missile systems are already being prepared in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Let me remind you that in the past, these measures were prohibited under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which ceased to be in effect at the initiative of the United States. We have repeatedly stated that the termination of this treaty will have negative consequences for global security as a whole, while stressing that we will not deploy intermediate- and shorter-range missiles until American weapons of this kind appear in any region of the world. In fact, Russia has taken on these obligations unilaterally. However, as I said, if the United States begins to deploy such systems, then all our voluntary restrictions will be lifted. Given the escalating geopolitical tensions, we must adopt additional measures to ensure the security of Russia and its allies. We are doing this carefully and thoughtfully, without becoming drawn into a full-scale arms race that would damage the socioeconomic development of the country. We pay significant attention to improving the combat strength of the Armed Forces and increasing their capabilities. As part of these efforts, the Leningrad and Moscow military districts, as well as a number of new units and formations, have been created. The authorised strength of the Armed Forces has been increased to 1.5 million servicemen. The army and navy are being re-equipped with up-to-date weapons and equipment at an accelerated pace. For example, the share of such weapons in the strategic nuclear forces has already reached 95 percent. Meanwhile, we have specified the fundamental principles for the use of nuclear weapons envisaged in the updated Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence. Let me stress once again, so that no one accuses us of trying to scare everyone with nuclear weapons: this is a policy of nuclear deterrence. General-purpose forces are developing at a rapid pace together with the nuclear triad. The troops are receiving advanced robotic systems, including those using artificial intelligence technologies, such as reconnaissance and attack UAVs, unmanned boats and multi-purpose robotic platforms. It is imperative to continue deploying progressive and systematic efforts with an eye towards enhancing the army and navy capabilities, to achieve the objectives of the special military operation, and to be prepared to provide a prompt and effective response to potential challenges to our country's security. It is likewise imperative to focus on addressing the following priority tasks while working on the above objectives. First, strategic nuclear forces remain, without a doubt, a key tool for maintaining stability and protecting Russia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will keep maintaining their potential and balanced growth, and continue working on creating new deterrent force systems and complexes. It is likewise important to keep non-strategic nuclear forces on constant alert and to continue holding exercises involving their potential use. Second, earlier today, I spoke about the risks associated with the United States deploying medium-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We will respond to such threats in a comprehensive manner. The most important task is to ensure the timely detection of the launch of such missiles and to intercept them. Also, it is necessary to streamline the serial production and the deployment of such domestically manufactured attack systems, including hypersonic systems. As is well known, Oreshnik medium-range missile system is Russia's most recently deployed powerful weapon. In November, in response to the attacks using Western weapons which targeted our country's territory, a ballistic hypersonic missile with a non-nuclear payload was successfully used. The serial production of such complexes to protect Russia and our allies' security should begin in the near future. Without a doubt, this will be accomplished. Third, it is necessary to more widely implement the experience gained during the special military operation into the combat training of troops, as well as into the higher military training institutions' curricula. Concurrently, it is necessary to improve the methods for conducting military operations, to update the fundamental statutory documents, and to raise the level of masterful use of weapons and equipment, as well as to increase the effectiveness of troop command and control, especially at the tactical and operational-tactical levels. To reiterate, talented officers and non-commissioned officers who have proved themselves in difficult combat situations must join the core command staff of the Armed Forces and teach at military training institutions. Fourth, the experience gained from conducting the special military operation should be fully considered when determining the priority areas for the development of domestic weapons and equipment, and the tactics for their use. For example, high-precision weapon systems employ new methods for guiding missiles at the end of their trajectory, enabling successful engagement against complex and fortified targets. The interference immunity of onboard missile weapon systems has been significantly improved, and new methods of communicating flight missions have been tested. In the future, it is essential to identify targets in real-time, which is a crucial task for our military-industrial complex. I will elaborate on this later. Another important innovation has been the direct exchange of information between the units directly involved in the special operation and the organisations within the defence industry complex that I previously mentioned. As a result, for a number of items, the average time for addressing identified defects has now been reduced to five to seven days. However, this is not sufficient; we must act even faster. There has been some progress in the organisation of equipment repair and its adaptation to the requirements of the combat situation. However, challenges remain, and these must be systematically addressed. Furthermore, we must continue to take all necessary steps to accelerate the introduction of advanced technologies and other innovations in the military domain. Fifth, to reduce the time required for decision-making in unit control on the battlefield, an inter-service information exchange system based on mobile devices has been created and has proven effective. Over 6,500 such systems have already been delivered to the troops. As a result of their use, the time taken for decision-making has decreased by 1.5 to 2 times. It is now imperative to establish a unified information network that integrates reconnaissance and engagement capabilities at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of control, through the introduction of advanced developments in the military-industrial complex. Sixth, it is necessary to increase the production of robotic systems and unmanned systems of various classes and types. At the beginning of the special military operation, we faced challenges in this area, as some products turned out to be expensive and difficult to operate. Today, several thousand drones of various types are being delivered to the troops each day. We must continue to enhance their combat and operational characteristics. It is equally important to train the operators of such systems under programmes developed based on the experience of real combat operations. Seventh, we need to continue to further expand military and military-technical cooperation with allies and partners who are ready and willing to work with us, which includes most countries around the world. Comrades, I mentioned Russian society's tremendous support for the army and navy earlier today. People know what we are fighting for, and what we are defending. They help the frontline troops and join their ranks. This is an extremely important thing that reflects the state of our society. Let me give you some numbers: this year, on average, over 1,000 men have been joining military service under contract every day. They are doing so voluntarily. Social guarantees for servicemen and their families must be constantly reinforced and expanded. This is the most important and systemic task of the state. Indeed, much has been done in this area over recent years. This year alone over 55,000 servicemen have been provided with housing. In the next three years, another 113 billion rubles will be made available to provide military personnel with housing subsidies. The savings and mortgage system proved to be highly effective. Over the 20 years it has been in operation, over 202,000 servicemen have been provided with housing. In addition, we should continue to improve military towns and, of course, medical care. Addressing social issues of the participants in the special operation, taking care of the families of those who died in action - I mentioned this earlier in my remarks today - and those who were gravely injured during hostilities should be high on the list of priorities of all government bodies. This should be the centre of our attention. It is necessary to delve deep into the issues faced by our combat comrades and their families and to really help solve them. This task should be addressed by the Defence Ministry and the Government, as well as every senior official at all levels of government. In closing, I would like to once again thank all the participants in the special military operation for their valour, courage and heroism and wish the personnel and the civilian staff of the Armed Forces, as well as the Defence Ministry senior officials every success in their service, in the difficult and responsible work aimed at protecting Russia's sovereignty and national interests, and our people's security. I am confident that you will continue to fulfill your every assignment with honour. Thank you for your attention. <...> Allow me, as is tradition, to share just a few words to conclude this segment of your work. The minister referred to the illegitimacy of the regime in Kiev, with which we are fighting. I would like to emphasise once more: we are not fighting with the Ukrainian people, but with the regime - the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev, which seized power back in 2014. The source of their authority is a state coup. All the troubles in both Ukraine and Russia began precisely after this bloody, anti-constitutional state coup. It remains relevant today because those in power are committing crimes against their own citizens and our citizens every day. This regime has lost - or is at least evidently losing - the signs of statehood. When we speak of illegitimacy, what do we mean? They did not organise the elections, did they? They did not. Does the Constitution provide an option to extend the President's powers? No. The Constitution only allows for an extension of the powers of the representative body - the Rada, and nothing more. And the reference to martial law is irrelevant: there are no provisions in the Constitution to extend the President's powers. And where is the Supreme Court? Where is the Constitutional Court? A legitimate question. The Chairman of the Supreme Court is in prison - they simply remain silent about it, no one mentions it, yet they have incarcerated him. The Supreme Court is authorised, among other things, to overturn illegitimate decisions made by the President. Several reversals occurred, and thereafter - go to prison. And the head of the regime immediately, on the same day, announced: he will be jailed. As is known, in all civilised countries, only the court determines whether a person is guilty or not, whether they will be imprisoned or not. No, here the administrative authorities declared: he will be jailed. This is the Supreme Court. There is also the Constitutional Court. Do you know what happened to the Constitutional Court? The Chairman of the Constitutional Court is no longer permitted to attend office - the guards simply do not allow him to enter. In the end, the Constitutional Court as a whole became paralysed, and the Chairman of the Constitutional Court himself fled abroad, where, as far as we know, he is provided with state protection in his host country, because there is a threat to his life. Are these signs of statehood? No, these are signs of the loss of statehood. That is why crimes are committed one after another. I believe that the next offence will be the lowering of the mobilisation age to 18. This is unequivocally a crime, because even if it were reduced to 14, as in Hitler's Germany, creating the Hitler Jugend, it would not change the situation on the battlefield. This is clear to everyone. However, I believe that at the behest of those countries whose interests the Kiev regime is protecting - it is clear today that it is not safeguarding the interests of the Ukrainian people but rather those it serves and protects - they will also reduce mobilisation age to eighteen years, and young lads will be sent to the slaughter. Just as people are currently being rounded up on the streets, like stray dogs, during forced mobilisation and thrust into the line of fire, it seems to me that these boys will likewise be sent to their doom in the same manner. And then, these individuals of the regime will simply flee abroad under the cover of those they are working for today, and that's all. This is the most likely outcome. Some individuals from recent years have already escaped - they are already residing abroad, as is well known. And they feel good about it because they have stolen money from the Ukrainian people, looted it into their pockets. All these "pockets" are also abroad, with those sponsors who keep them on this hook: they have stolen money, their accounts are there, everything is in place - and they dance to any tune, fulfilling any task. It appears to me that this will continue until we achieve the objectives of the special military operation. I have outlined what is happening with mobilisation in Ukraine, and you are all well aware of it. I mentioned our current standing in terms of personnel. Last year, over 300,000 of our citizens, our men, came to military enlistment centres and signed contracts to serve in the Armed Forces - over 300,000. This year, to date, the number has already exceeded 430,000, and this influx of volunteers shows no signs of stopping. Thanks to this commitment to the fate of their country and the future of their children, we have what I mentioned and what the Minister [of Defence Andrei Belousov] spoke about: in fact, this constitutes a break in the line of contact and our combat operations, a complete interception of the strategic initiative. But, of course, this is not enough. By the way, when I spoke of these crimes, I refer not only to crimes against the Ukrainian people, but above all against our own citizens, including those in the Kursk Region and other border areas. Yes, naturally, from a military standpoint, whoever you speak to - both our own and foreign experts - believe that Kursk was a misadventure; that is what they say: "Kursk misadventure." This is evident, as there is no rationale behind what the Kiev regime is doing in the border regions. But in terms of crimes against the peoples of Russia, this is unmistakable - it is a crime, especially the suffering inflicted upon the civilian population. Of course, it is the Armed Forces' solemn duty to drive the enemy out from our territory. The task of the military justice bodies is to record all the crimes, especially those committed against civilians. The task of the special services is to find and punish the criminals. Now, it is extremely important how much money we spend and what it results in. The minister said: we spend 6.3 percent of GDP on the military component to increase and strengthen defence capability. This is quite an amount; about 2.5 percent higher than we spent before. But oddly enough, this is not the largest expenditure in the world, even in countries that are not involved in armed conflicts. However, this is still a large sum, and we must use it rationally, first of all ensuring the social guarantees of our service personnel and effective operation of the defence industry complex. It is also very important to rationally use what the country is giving to the Armed Forces: social benefits, equipment, and weapons. It is very important to receive everything in a timely manner, competently evaluate what is received, be able to use it and train people who know how to do it all competently and effectively. There are many tasks here. Overall, they are being addressed: in terms of developments in the people's agro-industrial complex, as we are now saying, and in developments right on the line of combat contact. We need to make our entire military organisation work together to achieve the final result. In this context, the cutting-edge weapons, including those well-known both in Russia and abroad, above all medium-range ones. You all remember well that the Soviet Union decided to liquidate ground-based medium-range missiles. The Americans did the same with their Pershings. However, in addition to ground-based medium-range missiles, the Americans also had similar sea-based and air-based missile systems, while the Soviet Union did not. Therefore, it was, to a certain extent, unilateral disarmament on our part. The potential enemy kept these systems at sea and in the air, and we gained nothing at all. However, in the recent, Russian era, we have created more modern sea-based systems than the US, such as the Kalibr and the hypersonic Zircon systems. We have created the latest medium-range air-launched missiles Kh-101 with a range that is many times greater than that of a potential enemy: over 4,000 km. This system can be equipped with a special nuclear warhead. Finally, the extremely powerful Oreshnik system, which has already proven itself well. Let me repeat once again: specialists know this better, and the Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces [Sergei Karakayev], who is here today, told me that he thinks that using several such systems at once can be comparable in power to using nuclear weapons. But it is not nuclear, since there is no nuclear fuel, no nuclear component, and no contamination. This is a very important element in deciding what weapons we can use. We must monitor very carefully what is happening in other countries, what is entering or may enter service in the near future in other leading military countries. So, we must act precisely as we have done so far in the near future and in the medium term. I will repeat what has just been said: 6.3 percent of GDP is spent on increasing and strengthening defence capability. We cannot increase this expenditure endlessly, because all components of the country's life such as the economy, the social sphere in the broadest sense of the word, science, education, healthcare have to develop, too. I am saying this so that everyone understands: the state, the Russian people are giving everything they can to the Armed Forces to fulfil the tasks we have set. Our task is to ensure the security of the Russian nation, our people, and the future of Russia. I hope that the momentum gained in recent months on the line of contact will be preserved. I would like to thank you for your service and wish you all the best. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Ministers Approve New Sanctions Targeting Russian 'Shadow Fleet' By Rikard Jozwiak December 16, 2024 European Union foreign ministers have adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia targeting tankers transporting Russian oil as the bloc looks to curb the circumvention of previous measures aimed at hindering Moscow's ability to wage war against Ukraine. "This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia's war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said in a statement on December 16. "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. We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military. There can be no doubt that Ukraine will win," she added. The European Council said it agreed on a significant package of measures against 54 individuals and 30 entities "responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine." It sanctioned the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmadyt children's hospital in Kyiv, senior managers in leading companies in Russia's energy sector, individuals responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children, and two "senior" North Korean officials. Moscow's so-called shadow fleet of tankers is a group of old, uninsured oil vessels used to bypass Western sanctions and maintain a source of revenue. The poor condition of these ships has raised concerns about environmental disasters. Separately, 12 Western nations announced measures on December 16 designed "to disrupt and deter Russia's shadow fleet vessels." "Russia uses its shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions and mitigate their impact on Russia. The 12 countries agreed to disrupt and deter Russia's shadow fleet to prevent illegal operations and increase Russia's costs of its war against Ukraine," a statement said. Five of the nations - Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and Estonia -- have ordered their maritime authorities to request relevant proof of insurance from suspected "shadow" vessels as they pass through bodies of water under their jurisdiction, the statement added. The statement was issued by the government of Estonia, where leaders of the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) were scheduled to meet on December 17. A draft of a statement of conclusions being prepared for an EU summit later this week and seen by RFE/RL said that efforts "to further limit Russia's ability to wage war must continue." The draft, which is still subject to revision, adds that the European Council "strongly condemns" Iran and North Korea for helping to sustain Russia's "war of aggression against Ukraine." The bloc said growing military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran and the deployment of North Koreans to the battlefront have "serious consequences for international peace and security" and called on both countries to stop helping Russia. The EU will continue aiding Ukraine financially to stave off the Russian invasion, with plans to disburse a total of 18.1 billion euros ($19 billion) to Kyiv in 2025 starting in January. On developments in Syria, the bloc welcomed the fall of the "criminal regime" of Bashar al-Assad and called for an "inclusive and Syrian-led political process" to install a government that protects the rights of minorities. It added that the bloc's foreign policy chief would be asked to "prepare options for measures to support Syria." On the Gaza War, it called for "an immediate cease-fire" and the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the EU and the United States. It also reiterated its stance on a two-state solution to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and establish "just and lasting peace." The EU summit will take place in Brussels on December 19. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-ministers-approve-new- sanctions-targeting-russian-shadow-fleet-/33241486.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A difficult new beginning - Syria amid hope and challenges Germany Federal Foreign Office 16.12.2024 - Article After almost fourteen years of civil war, Syria stands at a crossroads. The German Government's eight-point plan aims to create stability in the country, support reconstruction and enable the safe return of refugees. Read on to find out more. After over a decade of war, Syria now faces a crucial watershed. The fall of the Assad regime has for many Syrians sparked hopes of peace and freedom. The people in the country hope that they can now finally begin a new chapter. However, the situation remains fragile - the civil war has not only destroyed the country but left deep scars in Syrian society. Millions of people are displaced, the humanitarian situation remains extremely precarious and the danger of fresh violence is omnipresent. At this time of fragility, it is crucial that Syria does not once again become an arena for international power struggles. The focus must be on creating stability and a lasting peaceful order. The Federal Foreign Office has therefore drawn up an eight-point plan to support this new beginning and open up the prospect of a free and democratic future for the people of Syria. Stability and responsibility - the eight-point plan for Syria 1. A peaceful handover of power A peaceful handover to a stable and inclusive government is the first and most important step. To this end, there must be a comprehensive, Syrian-led dialogue process involving all social, ethnic and religious groups. This dialogue is essential in order to restore the Syrian people's trust in their political structures. A ceasefire and the integration of militias into a national army are just as important in this process as the development of new administrative structures. The aim in the long term is to enable free and democratic elections. 2. Protection from external influence Syria must not become the plaything of foreign powers once again. The German Government will therefore strive for in-depth liaison with international partners, particularly within the United Nations. The aim is to preserve Syria's territorial integrity and prevent any external interference. A stable dialogue process can only succeed if regional stakeholders who are pursuing their own security interests commit to respecting Syria's sovereignty. 3. Pragmatic approach to local actors Groups such as the Islamist militia Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have de facto taken on a dominant role in parts of Syria. Their influence cannot be ignored - but it must be watched with a critical eye. We have drawn up criteria for the possibility of involvement in political processes. It is important, for example, that minorities are protected, women's rights are respected and acts of vengeance are prevented. Germany is working closely with international partners to define a common approach to groups such as HTS, in order to preserve the chances of stability while at the same time limiting the influence of extremist ideologies. 4. Humanitarian assistance and reconstruction The humanitarian situation in Syria remains precarious. Food prices have rocketed once again in recent weeks, and millions of people depend on external assistance. As well as providing emergency relief, in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNHCR as well as via other channels, in the medium term we also aim to play a role in reconstruction in order to create prospects for the people in the country. Meanwhile, it is important for the international community to find ways of delivering humanitarian assistance directly to the people who need it, including in hard-to-access regions. 5. Justice and reckoning with the past Almost fourteen years of civil war have left deep scars. Reckoning with the crimes of the Assad regime and other parties to the conflict is essential in order to pave the way for long-term reconciliation. Germany has already taken a strong stance against impunity, including by applying the principle of universal jurisdiction in German courts. We will be happy to share our experience and technical expertise in order to support national reconciliation processes. 6. Securing and destroying chemical weapons The chemical weapons remaining from the Assad regime pose a considerable danger. It is urgent for them to be securely destroyed in order to protect the Syrian people and the region. Germany supports the efforts of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and stands ready to provide technical and logistic assistance in order to eliminate the remaining stockpiles. 7. Greater diplomatic presence After years without a diplomatic mission in Syria, the German Government plans a return to the country as soon as local conditions allow. The new Federal Foreign Office Special Coordinator for Syria, Minister of State Tobias Lindner, will to this end hold in-depth talks with relevant regional stakeholders in the coming weeks in order to strengthen political dialogue. The aim is to further expand our existing contact with all forces within Syrian society. 8. Support for the safe return of refugees Enabling Syrian refugees to return home if they would like to do so is a key concern. This can only happen under clear-cut conditions: any return must be voluntary, safe and dignified. Germany is working closely with UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Syria's neighbours to consult on these requirements. They also include establishing socio-economic structures that will allow returning refugees to build a new life in their home country. Responsibility for the future Lasting peace requires patience, resolve and international cooperation. The eight-point plan sets clear priorities in order to turn the hope of a new beginning in Syria into a permanent reality. Together with international partners, Germany is working to set the country on a stable and peaceful course. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assad Breaks Silence, Says He Left Syria As Russian Base Came Under Attack By RFE/RL December 16, 2024 Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he only left the country in the late hours of December 8 after a Russian air base allegedly came under attack by rebel forces and officials in Moscow ordered "an immediate evacuation." In what appear to be Assad's first public comments since the fall of his regime in war-torn Syria, a post on the Syrian presidency Telegram social media page on December 16 said the departure from the Hmeimim air base "was neither planned, nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles." Russia had intervened in the 14-year civil war between government forces and rebels to help keep Assad in power. But the strongman leader fled Syria as the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies -- some of whom are linked with Turkey -- overran government forces in a blitz offensive. Assad's whereabouts were unknown for a brief period before officials in Moscow said on December 9 that he had been granted political asylum in Russia by President Vladimir Putin after more than five decades of iron-fisted rule by his family. In the post, Assad said he "never considered stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party." Reuters reported last week that Assad's departure from the country took even relatives and senior officials by surprise. The HTS has since moved quickly to establish an interim government, and its leader, Riad al-Asaad, has said he is confident the factions that helped topple Assad will unite as one force. HTS and the transitional government have insisted the rights of all Syrians will be protected. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on December 16 that Russia and another of Syria's staunch allies, Iran, shouldn't have influence over the country's future. "Many foreign ministers emphasized that it should be a condition for the new leadership to eliminate Russian influence [in Syria]," Kallas told reporters at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, adding the bloc would raise the issue of Russia's military bases in the country. The future of Russia's bases -- the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartus naval facility -- have been thrown into question with the fall of Assad. Reuters quoted Syrian military and security sources in contact with the Russians as saying that Moscow was pulling back its forces from the front lines and withdrawing some heavy equipment from the country. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry (HUR) said on December 15 that Russian military personnel still in Syria are experiencing a lack of food and drinking water as an evacuation of troops and equipment continues. It added that Russian personnel are experiencing these problems at the bases in Tartus and Hmeimim and on ships anchored offshore in the Mediterranean Sea. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/assad-claims-russia-forced- evacuation-after-syria-regime-collapse/33242024.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Damascus, top UN envoy stresses need for credible, inclusive, 'Syrian owned' transition By Vibhu Mishra 16 December 2024 - The UN's top Syria envoy has held talks in Damascus with the head of the new administration as well as the prime minister of the caretaker Government, stressing the imperative for a "credible and inclusive Syrian owned and led political transition." The UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria also called on Monday for all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians as the country grapples with a worsening humanitarian crisis and ongoing violence, including in the Golan. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen arrived in Damascus over the weekend, and on Sunday held meetings with key figures including leader of the new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa - who formerly went by the nom de guerre, Mohammad Al-Jolani - and Mohammed al-Bashir, prime minister of the caretaker Government. Mr. Pedersen emphasized the need for a credible and inclusive Syrian-owned and led political transition based on the principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015). "The United Nations is committed to rendering all assistance to the Syrian people," he said, according to statement from his office. UN chief welcomes commitment to protect civilians In response to the fast-changing developments in Syria, the UN chief despatched UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher to also hold discussions with Mr. al-Sharaa and Mr. al-Bashir. In a statement released late on Monday, Antonio Guterres 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." Prison visit Mr. Pedersen also visited the notorious prison complex of Sednaya, where thousands of Syrians were detained and tortured by the former regime, prompting many families to go in search of missing relatives in recent days. While there, he met mothers of some of those displaced, people newly liberated and lawyers handling some of the cases now pending. He also met with a delegation of the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) comprising its different components of the SNC, including military representatives who have taken part in the recent military operations in Syria. Fighting continues Meanwhile, fighting continues in the northern, eastern and northeastern parts of the country, while Israeli forces have advanced beyond the zone established by the May 1974 Agreement on Disengagement for the first time in 50 years, reportedly carried out more than 500 airstrikes since the overthrow of the Assad regime. United States forces also conducted dozens of airstrikes on alleged ISIL - or Dae'sh - terrorist group targets since 8 December, while reported airstrikes by Turkiye continued against targets linked to United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast. The UN Human Rights Council-mandated Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria called on all parties to the conflict in Syria to protect civilians, and to treat those who have laid down their arms humanely. "The caretaker Government in Damascus as well as other parties in the Syrian conflict should ensure that their forces are abiding by their stated commitments to prevent violence and protect civilians, in particular the most vulnerable communities," said Commission Chair Paulo Sergio Pinheiro. Protect evidence The Independent Commission also stressed the need to safeguard evidence and crime scenes, including mass grave sites, for forensic documentation and analysis, as well as to help ensure future accountability. Thousands of civilians were killed after civil conflict erupted in the country in 2011 and countless more suffered gross human rights violations and abuses, including enforced disappearance. Commissioner Hanny Megally underscored the gravity of the situation, stating: "Syrians deserve justice after near 14 years of brutal war, where almost every crime listed in the Rome Statute has been committed. Perpetrators should be brought to justice, especially those most responsible, and Syrians must be in the lead in shaping the justice and accountability response." "Full justice for victims and survivors will undoubtedly need to be broader than trials and they should be allowed to pursue their demands for truth, reparations and legal and institutional reforms," he emphasised. Review sanctions The humanitarian crisis remains dire, with over one million displaced since late November and 17 million in urgent need of assistance. Capacity to support those newly displaced, as well as those returning, is overstretched and more support from the international community is urgently needed. The Independent Commission called on all Member States to support aid efforts, calling for the review and suspension of existing sanctions regimes, to ensure they are not impeding humanitarian efforts. "As we have seen, sanctions cause disproportionate harm to the poor and most vulnerable, and now is the time to give Syrians the chance to rebuild their own country," said Commissioner Chair Pinheiro. Leading relief efforts In response to escalating needs in Syria, UN agencies and humanitarian partners are delivering vital assistance, including food, water, cash, tents, blankets, medical teams, and critical supplies. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said: "Behind the drama of what we are seeing on our screens are millions of human lives people who want dignity, security, justice, and opportunities for their families," he said at the Masnaa border crossing between Syria and Lebanon. "And that's who we are here to support." Restoring critical services Over the weekend, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), conducted a joint mission to the Tishreen Dam in Aleppo governorate to enable urgent repairs. Hostilities near the dam last week caused extended power outages, disrupting water and other essential services relied on by millions of people in the area. UNICEF also secured fuel for the dam's backup generator, allowing for safe drainage and safeguarding water supplies for affected communities. Safe passage vital "According to partners, and as of [Sunday], over 40,000 displaced people are staying in and around collective centres across northeast Syria," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the regular press briefing in New York. He reiterated the call from UN humanitarians that those fleeing fighting must be allowed to do so safely and voluntarily return when the situation allows. "Whether they leave or stay, people must be protected and able to access essential supplies for their survival." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Data highlights of China's economy in 2024 People's Daily Online) 15:03, December 17, 2024 China's economy has remained stable overall with a positive trend in 2024. Here are some data highlights of the Chinese economy this year. 706.5 million tonnes of grains China's 2024 grain output hit a record high of 706.5 million tonnes, an increase of 1.6 percent from the output last year, according to data released by the country's National Bureau of Statistics on Dec. 13, 2024. Agricultural machines work in rice paddies in Fuyuan City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei) It is not just a result of hard work but also a testament to technological innovation in agriculture. For instance, companies including Sinochem Holdings and Syngenta Group China have turned many plots of saline-alkali land into fertile soil in places like Dawukou district, Shizuishan city, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Da'an city in northeast China's Jilin Province by leveraging technology. 150 billion parcels China saw its express delivery volume in 2024 surpass the 150-billion-parcel mark on Nov. 17, marking a milestone in the country's express delivery market. At present, China has entered a new stage where the annual volume and revenue of express delivery services exceed 100 billion parcels and 1 trillion yuan (about $137.35 billion), said Li Yongsong, an official with the State Post Bureau, adding that the country has built the most accessible and inclusive express delivery network with the largest size and the largest number of beneficiaries in the world. China has maintained its position as the world's largest online retail market for several consecutive years. From January to October 2024, the country's total online retail sales reached 12.4 trillion yuan, representing an 8.8 percent year-on-year growth. 10 million new energy vehicles China's annual production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) surpassed the 10 million milestone for the first time on Nov. 14, 2024. This photo shows a Yangwang U7 of BYD at the 22nd Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) When it comes to NEV production and sales, China has led the world for nine consecutive years since 2015, with its production and sales volume representing over 60 percent of the global total in 2023. This success represents the country's strategic approach to the upgrading of the automobile industry and green development. China's leading NEV manufacturer BYD now files an average of 32 patent applications every workday. The rapid rise of NEVs serves as a vivid example of the upgrading of the Chinese manufacturing sector. China makes and owns more than half the world's electric cars, and Chinese brands are in the lead in developing software to enhance their vehicles' performance, the Financial Times said in an article. Installed capacity of wind and solar power surpasses 1.2 billion kilowatts By the end of July 2024, China's total installed capacity of wind and solar power reached 1.21 billion kilowatts, achieving the 2030 target it made at the Climate Ambition Summit more than six years ahead of schedule, according to the country's National Energy Administration (NEA). By the end of September this year, the country's capacity of newly installed wind and solar power accounted for over 80 percent of its total newly installed capacity. In the first three quarters of 2024, China's renewable energy power generation rose 20.9 percent year on year to 2.51 trillion kilowatt-hours, accounting for about 35.5 percent of its total power generation, said Zhang Xing, a spokesperson for the NEA. 4.1 million 5G stations The number of 5G base stations in China exceeds 4.1 million, and every town is covered by 5G networks, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed on Dec. 5, 2024. With 995 million 5G mobile users, China has integrated 5G technologies into 80 major sectors of the national economy. China-Europe freight train service hits 100,000 trips The 100,000th China-Europe freight train, which departed from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Dec. 3, 2024, local time. This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024 shows the 100,000th China-Europe freight train at Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT) in Duisburg, Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Since its inception in 2011, the China-Europe freight train service has transported over 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods, valued at more than $420 billion. Meanwhile, its operational efficiency has significantly improved, with the time needed to complete 10,000 trips reduced from 90 months to just six months. The thriving China-Europe freight train service reflects ever-closer economic and trade ties between China and other countries. In the first 11 months of 2024, China's total imports and exports of goods reached 39.79 trillion yuan, up 4.9 percent year on year. During the same period, China's trade with countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative totaled 18.74 trillion yuan, an increase of 6 percent year on year. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) US expands reach against Islamic State in Syria By Jeff Seldin December 16, 2024 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 Assad's 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 Monday's 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 Assad's 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First batch of U.S.-made M1A2T tanks arrives in Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 12/16/2024 08:32 AM New Taipei, Dec. 16 (CNA) Taiwan's first batch of M1A2T tanks purchased from the United States has arrived and been transported to an army armor training center in Hsinchu County early Monday morning. The 38 M1A2T tanks, a variant of the M1 Abrams, were delivered to the Port of Taipei in New Taipei's Bali District on Sunday, marking the first time in 23 years that Taiwan has received tanks from the U.S. The last batch of U.S.-made tanks delivered to Taiwan were M60A3 main battle tanks. Shipments of M60A3 began in 1995, and the final delivery came in 2001, according to Taiwan's Army. Sunday's delivery is the first batch of 108 M1A2T tanks and related equipment that the U.S. government approved to sell to Taiwan in 2019. According to the delivery schedule released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the country's armed forces will receive 38 M1A2T tanks this year, 42 in 2025, and 28 in 2026. The 38 U.S.-manufactured heavy armored vehicles were transported to the Hsinchu-based Army Armor Training Command between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Monday. The M1 Abrams are equipped with 120-millimeter smoothbore guns that can penetrate 850-millimeter-thick armor and withstand shells fired from most battle tanks. (By Wu Su-wei and Joseph Yeh) Enditem/JT NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/12/16 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Date 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Sunday to Monday, Dec. 15-16 2. PLA activities 5 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 of the aircraft crossed the extension of median line of the Taiwan Strait. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. 3.PRC Balloon Activities One PRC's balloon was detected at 0246hr at the location 70 nautical miles northwest of Keelung City and at the altitude of approximately 28,000 feet. The balloon headed east and disappeared at 0337hr . NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with Prime Minister Stre of Norway: 16 December 2024 The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Bergen, Norway, today to sign a new Strategic Partnership. 16 December 2024 The Prime Minister met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Bergen, Norway, today to sign a new Strategic Partnership. Norway was one of the UK's closest allies and an important defence and security partner, and a critical supporter of European security, the Prime Minister said. Turning to the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said he was focused on putting the Ukrainians in the strongest possible position going into 2025. That included using mechanisms such as economic sanctions and the shadow fleet initiative to crack down on critical revenue sources funding Putin's war machine. The UK and Norway's steadfast support for Ukraine was amplified throughout the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a grouping made up of some of Ukraine's strongest and most ardent supporters, the leaders agreed. Both Prime Ministers underscored the importance of the JEF, which was vital to supporting security in the North Atlantic and the Nordic and Baltic regions. Discussing the need to outpace evolving threats, including in the cyber domain, the leaders agreed on the importance of working closely with NATO allies in all areas of defence and security. The leaders also discussed the important cultural and education ties between the UK and Norway and welcomed the new North Sea University Partnership between the two countries. It was a further signal of the strong friendship between the two countries, the leaders said. They looked forward to the JEF Summit later this evening. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 15th package of restrictive measures European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 16 December 2024 10:50 The Council adopted today a 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures with the objective of further limiting Russia's ability to wage its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. These measures are designed to address the circumvention of EU sanctions through targeting of Putin's shadow fleet and weaken Russia's military and industrial complex. Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia's war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies. 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. We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military. There can be no doubt that Ukraine will win. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Today's package includes decisions on: Individual listings The Council agreed on a significant package of 84 listings, which consists of 54 persons and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. As regards individuals, the EU is sanctioning the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmadyt children hospital in Kyiv, senior managers in leading companies in the energy sector, individuals responsible for children deportation, propaganda and circumvention, as well the Minister of Defence and the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As to entities, the EU targeted primarily Russian defence companies and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of crude oil and oil products by the sea, providing important revenues to the Russian government. It also listed a chemical plant, a civil Russian airline which is an important provider of logistical support to the Russian military. For the first time, it imposes fully-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, prohibition to make economic resources available) on various Chinese actors supplying drone components and microelectronic components in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Circumvention The Council is adding further vessels to the list of those subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport. This measure is intended to target non-EU tankers that are part of Putin's shadow fleet circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or support the energy sector of Russia, or vessels that are responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain. 52 vessels originating from third countries were targeted today on these grounds, bringing the total of designated vessels to 79. Trade The Council also added 32 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates) and have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions or have engaged in the procurement of sensitive items used for Russian military operations, like UAVs and missiles. Protection of European companies In order to better protect European companies from litigations with Russian counterparts, the Council decided to prohibit the recognition or enforcement in the EU of those rulings issued by Russian courts based on Article 248 of the Arbitration Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. These rulings have been preventing the opposing party from commencing or continuing a proceeding in a jurisdiction other than Russia (anti suit injunctions) in clear violation of established international principles and practices, and have often resulted in disproportionately high financial penalties for European companies. The new measure prevents those penalties from being executed against EU operators in Europe. Furthermore, the Council introduced a derogation allowing the release of cash balances held by EU central securities depositories (CSDs). This is necessary in light of increasing litigation and retaliatory measures in Russia that result in the seizing of assets of CSDs in the EU. Thanks to this derogation CSDs will be able to request competent authorities of the Member States to unfreeze cash balances and use them to meet their legal obligations with their clients. Lastly, the EU extended the deadlines applicable to certain derogations needed for divestments from Russia. Because of the risks of maintaining business activities in Russia, EU operators should consider winding down businesses in Russia and/or not to start new businesses there. The exceptional extension of the divestment derogations is necessary to enable EU operators to exit as swiftly as possible from the Russian market. The extended derogations are granted on a case-by-case-basis by member states and focused on allowing an orderly divestment process, which would not be possible without the extension of these deadlines. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Background In its conclusions of 17 October 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Council also reconfirmed the EU's unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Ukraine must win this war. The EU remains ready to further limit Russia's ability to wage war, including by further sanctions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening the Ukrainian Navy Government of Norway Press release | Date: 16/12/2024 Norway will provide NOK 2.7 billion to strengthen the Ukrainian Navy. The funding will, among other things, be used to protect people in Ukraine from attacks as well as for mine clearance operations and training of Ukrainian soldiers. '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. It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. Cooperation with the UK Prime Minister Stre announced the new donation to be provided under the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine during his visit with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Haakonsvern Naval Base on Monday. Norway and the UK are leading the Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which was launched last December. The Government has previously set aside NOK 100 million for maritime training and other measures in 2025. The Government has now approved a new funding package of NOK 2.6 billion to enhance various Ukrainian maritime capabilities. The support includes donations from the Norwegian Armed Forces as well as military equipment to be procured from the industry for subsequent donation. Some of the funds will be used to provide systems for mine clearance operations. Mine clearance 'Mines pose a significant threat to maritime security and safe passage in the Black Sea, and mine clearance operations are very difficult. The systems we are providing will enhance the ability of Ukrainian forces to detect and defuse mines along their coastline,' said Minister of Defence Bjrn Arild Gram. 'Much of the funding will go towards efforts relating to innovation and autonomy under the Maritime Capability Coalition. Work is underway on a number of targeted innovation and development projects to strengthen maritime security,' said Mr Gram. Training of Ukrainian soldiers NOK 130 million in support has been allocated to the maritime training centre in 2025. At this centre, personnel from a number of countries, including Norway, provide training to Ukrainian soldiers in maritime operations. The Government has also set aside NOK 150 million for the purchase of small vessels that will then be donated, and to support the Norwegian Armed Forces' contribution to the training of Ukrainian small-boat drivers in river operations, to be carried out at the Romanian training centre. This funding is part of the overall allocation of NOK 22.5 billion in military support to be provided to Ukraine under the Nansen Support Programme in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swedish Government to provide additional SEK 110 million to Grain from Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden - Ministry for Foreign Affairs 16 December 2024 The Government has decided to contribute an additional SEK 110 million to Ukrainian humanitarian initiative Grain from Ukraine. The support will go to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which is the initiative's implementing partner. Under the initiative, Ukrainian grain is transported to countries where the need for food is greatest. "It is admirable that Ukraine remains committed to global food security, despite Russia's continued illegal attacks on Ukrainian agriculture, grain stocks and ports. Grain from Ukraine ensures that Ukrainian grain reaches parts of the world where food shortages are most acute. This is a win-win and vital work for the Swedish Government to continue to support," says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa. Launched in the second half of 2022, the Grain from Ukraine initiative transports Ukrainian grain to countries in Africa and Asia where people suffer from food insecurity. WFP is the initiative's implementing partner and ensures that the grain reaches people in need. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy hosted an international summit on food security on 23 November 2024, which highlighted Grain from Ukraine. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson represented Sweden. The new funding of SEK 110 million brings the Government's total support to Ukraine's humanitarian grain exports since Russia's full-scale invasion, including the Grain from Ukraine programme, to SEK 710 million. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian PM Says Deal To Transit Russian Gas Won't Be Extended In 2025 By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 16, 2024 Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said a deal allowing transit of Russian gas through his country wouldn't be extended into 2025, but he said he's ready to discuss other methods of providing supplies to Western Europe. "If the European Commission officially approaches Ukraine about transit of any gas other than Russian, we'll naturally discuss it and are ready to reach an appropriate agreement," Shmyhal said on Telegram. "Ukraine's agreement with Russia on gas transit comes to an end on January 1, 2025, and won't be extended." When Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU was largely dependent on Russia for gas but has since sought alternative supplies. Shmyhal previously said no extension was planned, but some countries, including Slovakia, had expressed hopes for additional time. Ukraine has said discussions have taken place on the possibility of shipping gas from Azerbaijan to Europe through Ukraine. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kraine-russian-gas-transit- deal-ending-alternatives/33242146.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Environmentalists Warn Of Disaster As Russian Officials Race To Grounded Tankers In Kerch Strait By RFE/RL's Russian Service December 16, 2024 Environmentalists are warning of a potential disaster posed by two Russian oil tankers that ran aground in the ecologically sensitive waters off Ukraine's Moscow-annexed Crimean coastline as local media reported thousands of tons of low-grade fuel has spilled into a major Black Sea shipping lane. The incidents, which occurred on December 15, left one sailor dead and forced the evacuation of 26 crew members from the vessels Volgoneft-239 and Volgoneft-212. Officials have said crew error during stormy conditions was to blame and that there was no evidence of any links to Russia's war on Ukraine. Both tankers were laden with large cargoes of fuel oil. The Volgoneft-212 is said to have been carrying more than 4,000 tons of the heavy pollutant, leaving the potential for one of the largest environmental disasters ever in the Kerch Strait, which is a key shipping lane. Russian state news agencies on December 16 quoted sources as saying some 3,700 tons of mazut, a low-quality heavy fuel oil, had spilled into the water. Social media video verified by RFE/RL showed one of the tankers splitting in half. It was not immediately clear what, if anything, had leaked from the vessels. "Any oil or petrochemical spill in these waters has the potential to be serious. It is likely to be driven by prevailing wind and currents...and in the current weather conditions is likely to be extremely difficult to contain. If it is driven ashore, then it will cause fouling of the shoreline, which will be extremely difficult to clean up," Dr. Paul Johnston, head of Greenpeace Research Laboratories in the United Kingdom, said in a statement. "In consideration of likely significant impacts, the efforts, after saving the crew, should be to prevent or minimize further spillage as feasible. If the ships sink, then there is potential for releases of oil and petrochemicals over longer periods." The vessels were were about 7 kilometers from the shore in the Kerch Strait between mainland Russia and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, when they issued distress signals. In 2007, the strait, which links the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea, saw the Volgoneft-139 tanker split in half during a storm while anchored nearby, spilling more than 1,000 tons of oil. Greenpeace called on the Russian authorities "to take all efforts to mitigate or reduce environmental impact of the oil spill, and withdraw the navy ships, and stop militarization of the region, returning Crimea under rightful control of Ukraine." Isaac Levi, a London-based expert on Russian energy sanctions at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said that, although the scale of the situation caused by the two tankers' sinking remains unknown, "the environmental impact is very likely to be astronomical." The cost of cleanup could be upwards of $112 million if the two tankers spilled all their oil products, and $64 million if only the one that broke apart did so, Levi said in a phone interview with RFE/RL. "It's a very old tanker, and it does show some degree of negligence to set sail in those conditions, putting the environment at risk, as well as the crew members," he said of the vessel that broke apart. "It looks like a classic case of negligence or too high risk taken on to sail in stormy conditions." Russia uses "shadow tankers" -- vessels that are not Western-owned or Western-insured, to skirt sanctions that prohibit it from selling oil and oil products at rates that exceed a set price cap, which varies for crude and different kinds of oil products. "Shadow tankers that transport Russian oil often undertake dangerous practices that enable Russia to increase its oil export earnings used to fund its war in Ukraine at the expense of maritime ecosystems," Levi said, "as well as putting crews of the vessels at risk and taxpayers in countries that could end up footing the bill for a cleanup if the tanker has insufficient insurance coverage." "It's warning that these tankers are old, have poor insurance...and frequently engage in dangerous practices such as ship-to-ship transfers and turning off the AIS transponders" that show their location, putting the maritime ecosystem at risk, he added. According to the Telegram channel Krymsky Veter, the vessel that broke up, Vologneft-212, had not had its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder on since December 3. The system provides positioning, identification and other information about the ship to other ships and to coastal authorities. Evidence indicates the other tanker, Vologoneft-239, had not turned its AIS transponder on since December 11. Andriy Klymenko, project director at the Kyiv-based Institute of Strategic Black Sea Studies, wrote on Facebook that the vessels are "not seagoing vessels" but are river vessels that are permitted to travel in coastal waters. According to Klymenko, neither of the tankers was authorized to sail in seas where waves are higher than 2.5 meters, while he said the waves in the Kerch Strait were reaching 3.5 meters on December 15. Russia's government said in a post on Telegram that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has ordered a working group be set up to coordinate cleanup, while Natural Resources and Environment Minister Aleksandr Kozlov arrived at the site on December 16 along with other officials to assess the situation. With contributions from Steve Gutterman and RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sailor-death- russian-oil-tankers-kerch-straight-vologoneft- greenpeace-environment/33241441.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (16 December 2024) 16.12.2024 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. 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, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Novaya Sorochina, Pogrebki, Russkoye Porechnoye, and Sverdlikovo. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU enemy near Kurilovka, Mirny as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Petrushovka, and Popovka in Sumy region. Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to up to 540 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, and seven motor vehicles. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 41,400 troops, 242 tanks, 182 infantry fighting vehicles, 126 armoured personnel carriers, 1,276 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,145 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, five armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia must cease its reckless attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. 16 December 2024 President, it is a tragedy and an outrage that once again we are having to address the appalling impacts of Russia's illegal invasion. I would like to make three points. First, the humanitarian cost of Russia's barbaric war has been immense. This year, 14.6 million people, 40 per cent of Ukraine's population, required humanitarian assistance. At least 10,000 civilians have been killed and over 18,500 injured. 6 million Ukrainian refugees are registered across Europe and 3.6 million people are internally displaced in Ukraine. This winter, following a total of 12 major strikes on their energy system in 2024, Ukrainians face limited access to power, water and heating. The most recent of these came last Friday. Over the course of these attacks, all three of Ukraine's operating nuclear power plants have been forced to reduce generation and millions have been left without power. The targeting of substations providing electricity to nuclear plants directly threatens the safety of Ukraine and the wider region. In this regard, we welcome the resolution adopted by the IAEA's Board of Governors last week. Russia's suggestion to the IAEA that the solution to the threat, that Russia itself is causing, is to put the affected power stations into cold shut down. This cynically ignores the further humanitarian impact this would have on the civilian population. The solution is simpler. Russia should cease these reckless attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and adhere to the IAEA DG's "Seven Pillars for Nuclear Safety and Security." Second, President, recent Russian operations have triggered significant displacement in the east including of the elderly and less mobile, and people with disabilities requiring specialised assistance. People are hiding in basements, with no access to services. The humanitarian operating environment remains increasingly difficult. Russia continues to block meaningful access for humanitarian organisations to occupied areas. Over the past two months, the number of security incidents directly impacting aid delivery has significantly increased. Third, the UK is providing $126 million in humanitarian aid this year, bringing our total contribution to over $576 million. We have also contributed over $80 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund since the start of the full-scale invasion and committed nearly $467 million in grants and loans overall to the energy sector. Continued provision of air defence to defend Ukraine against Russian strikes remains vital. In conclusion, we call on the Russian Federation to uphold its commitments under the UN Charter by withdrawing its troops from Ukraine and ending this brutal war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address There Is Not a Single Reason for North Koreans to Die in This War; the Only Reason Is Putin's Madness - Address by the President President of Ukraine 16 December 2024 - 21:09 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Briefly about today. Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi provided a report on the situation at the front, with a particular focus on the Donetsk region and the sectors there. He also provided an update on the situation in the areas of the Kursk operation. 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. Ukraine's 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, even though there is not a single reason for North Koreans to die in this war. The only reason is Putin's madness, which has consumed Russia and fuels this war. We will continue to defend our positions. Today, the European Union introduced its important 15th sanctions package, and I am grateful to our partners for this support in forcing Russia toward peace. Among other measures, the sanctions target the shadow tanker fleet that Russia uses to finance its aggression. This is a significant step, and all Russian tankers, companies, and individuals involved in helping Russia fund its war must ultimately be sanctioned. The pressure on Russia must continue, and they must not be allowed to adapt to the sanctions. The tougher the sanctions on Russia, the sooner they will be forced into genuine diplomacy. Today, there was also a report from the Prime Minister regarding cooperation with our partners, particularly in financial matters. The Prime Minister reported that $20 billion from frozen Russian assets is now held in a World Bank account. We also discussed collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. There are specific programs in place, and next year we will be able to increase our energy capacity thanks to these EBRD initiatives alone. Additionally, there are extra funds allocated for energy efficiency programs. It is crucial to implement everything as quickly as possible. And one more thing. We are gradually finalizing new ambassadorial appointments and replacements within Ukraine's diplomatic corps with our diplomats. We are preparing to strengthen our team - the team of Ukraine. Next year, our foreign policy efforts will be even more intense than this year and must be robust. The coming year should become a time for establishing peace - a lasting peace. I am grateful to all our partners who are helping us. Strong and coordinated efforts are key. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Humanitarian crisis worsens amid winter freeze, daily attacks 16 December 2024 - Civilians near the frontlines of Ukraine's war with Russia are living "on the edge", a senior UN humanitarian official told the Security Council on Monday, calling for urgent international action to increase protection and sustain humanitarian aid. Lisa Doughten, Director of Financing and Partnerships at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the unrelenting toll on civilians. "Daily attacks continue, inflicting death, injury and untold suffering on ordinary Ukrainians, and destruction and damage to civilian infrastructure," she said, adding that for those near the frontlines, lives is even more difficult. "They face constant shelling and impossible choices: flee in perilous conditions leaving everything they have - perhaps for the second or third time - or stay, and risk injury or death." In regions like Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson, dozens of civilians have been killed in recent attacks. In November alone, 65 civilians were killed, and 372 were injured across 11 regions of Ukraine, double the casualties from the previous month. Energy infrastructure under attack The crisis has been exacerbated by "repeated, large-scale, coordinated attacks" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Ms. Doughten said. These further imperilled civilians as temperatures drop to as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius. According to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), more than 60 percent of the country's energy generation facilities have been damaged since March. "Going into the coldest months of the year, civilians' access to electricity, gas, heating and water has been severely affected," Ms. Doughten added. Humanitarians at risk The dangerous situation has also impacted humanitarian operations, with aid workers, vehicles and storage facilities having come under attack. The number of aid workers killed has almost tripled this year - from four in 2022 and five in 2023, to 11 so far in 2024. Despite these challenges, the humanitarian community has scaled up its efforts, Ms. Doughten said, noting that so far in 2024, over 630 humanitarian organizations have provided aid to 7.7 million people, prioritising support for the most vulnerable. However, an estimated 1.5 million civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia remain out of reach. "We remain unable to reach these people at any adequate scale. The failure to deliver assistance in these areas could have dire consequences, especially in winter," she added. Call to action Ms. Doughten concluded with an appeal to the international community, urging immediate action in three areas: first, she called for full commitment and compliance with international humanitarian law, particularly on protection of civilians and humanitarians, and unimpeded access to those in need. Second, she stressed the urgent requirement for more funding. While donors have contributed nearly $2 billion this year, a $1.1 billion shortfall remains. "We need donors to increase and accelerate flexible funding to sustain life-saving operations as we head into 2025," she said. Finally, she underscored the need to end the suffering at its source. "As long as this intolerable war persists, civilians will continue to suffer the severe consequences. What Ukraine and its people need is an end to this devastating war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korean forces join Russia's fight against Ukraine By Jeff Seldin December 16, 2024 North Korean troops are fighting and dying alongside Russian forces as part of Moscow's 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 Moscow's 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 Russia's war against Ukraine came hours after Ukraine's 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 Pyongyang's 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 country's vital Black Sea ports. "It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russia's 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. Norway's 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. Ukraine's 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. Russia's Defense Ministry said Monday its forces destroyed three Ukrainian aerial drones over the Kursk region. Some information for this story was provided by Reuters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russians 'burning faces' of dead North Koreans to keep them secret: Zelenskyy US says it has 'indications' of North Koreans killed and wounded. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.12.17 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Russian forces are burning the faces of North Korean soldiers killed in assaults on Ukrainian positions to conceal their identities and keep secret their deployment to help Russia in its war, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia had begun using North Koreans in significant numbers for the first time to assault Ukrainian positions and his forces released images and videos of what it said were the bodies of North Koreans soldiers, among some 200 killed and wounded in Russia's Kursk region. The United States said on Monday that it believed that North Korean troops had been killed in Kursk where Ukrainian forces are battling to hold an enclave they occupied in August. Zelenskyy said Russia was trying to keep the presence of North Korean soldiers secret. "While they were being trained, they were even forbidden to show their faces. The Russian military tried to delete any video evidence of their presence," he said via his official Telegram on Monday. "And now, after the battles with our guys, the Russians are also trying to... literally burn the faces of the dead North Korean soldiers," the Ukrainian leader added, sharing a 30-second video as evidence. At the video's 24-second mark, a group of people can be seen burning what appears to be a corpse on a slope covered in snow. "Russians try to conceal the faces of North Korean soldiers even after their death," reads a subtitle of the video. Radio Free Asia has not been able to verify the video. "There is no reason for Koreans to fight and die for Putin. And even after their deaths, Russia will only mock them," said Zelenskyy. "This insanity must be stopped." Neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have confirmed that North Korean soldiers are helping Russia in the war that Putin launched with his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. A U.S. Pentagon spokesman said on Monday there were "indications" of North Koreans killed and wounded while South Korea's National Intelligence Service said it was "verifying" information that was "likely to be true." The U.S. and South Korea estimate that more than 10,000 North Koreans have been sent to Russia to help it with its war against Ukraine. They have said that the North Koreans have been fighting in Russia's southwestern Kursk border region against Ukrainian forces who occupied parts of it in early August. Sanctions against North Korean officials South Korea announced on Tuesday that it will impose sanctions on three top North Korean military officers and one missile developer believed to have been deployed to Russia to support its war on Ukraine. The sanctioned officials are: Kim Yong Bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, Sin Kum Chol, director of its operations bureau, Ri Pong-chun, an army general who's allegedly heading the "Storm Corps" special troops deployed to Russia's western war front lines, and Ri Song-jin, a missile developer believed to have been sent to the war-torn border regions of Russia. South Korea also imposed sanctions on seven individuals and 15 entities for participating in illegal military cooperation with Russia, violating multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. The sanctioned individuals and entities were also targeted for their roles in funding and supplying materials that support North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs. All seven individuals are Russian nationals suspected of involvement in arms deals with North Korea, including financing, providing military communication equipment, and transporting weapons. Of the 15 sanctioned entities, the majority are Russian, with the exception of the Storm Corps and a bank located in South Ossetia, a Russia-backed breakaway region in Georgia. The sanctions are set to take effect on Thursday. South Korea's announcement follows the imposition by the U.S. of sanctions on North Koreans involved in the Ukraine war. The U.S. list included Kim Yong Bok and Ri Chang Ho, along with 14 other individuals and entities. Edited by RFA Staff. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sintana Energy Inc. (TSX-V: SEI, OTCQB: SEUSF) (Sintana or the Company) is pleased to announce the entry of QatarEnergy into the Petroleum Exploration License 90 (PEL 90) joint venture through its acquisition of a 27.5% working interest in the petroleum exploration license and petroleum agreement associated with Block 2813B operated by Harmattan Energy Limited, an indirect subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (Chevron Harmattan). Upon completion of the acquisition the license owners will be 52.5% Chevron Harmattan as operator, 27.5% QatarEnergy, 10% National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and 10% Trago Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Custos Energy (Pty) Ltd. (Custos). Sintana maintains a 49% indirect interest in Custos. Located approximately 200 kilometers offshore in Namibias Orange Basin and approximately 70 kilometers north of TotalEnergies Venus discovery, in which QatarEnergy is as well increasing its ownership, Block 2813Bs license covers an area of 5,433 kilometers in a water depth of 2,400 to 3,300 meters. Earlier this year, the PEL 90 joint venture contracted Northern Oceans semi-submersible drilling rig Deepsea Bollsta for its inaugural exploration campaign in PEL 90, which lies directly north of TotalEnergies Venus and Mangetti discoveries and directly west of Galps Mopane find. The rig is mobilizing to PEL 90 to drill the Kapana-1X well in the second half of December 2024. The entry of QatarEnergy into PEL 90 provides further evidence of the quality and potential of our portfolio at the heart of the Orange Basin, said Robert Bose, Chief Executive Officer of Sintana. We look forward to the initial drilling campaign on PEL 90 to commence over the next few weeks, he added. ABOUT SINTANA ENERGY: The Company is engaged in petroleum and natural gas exploration and development activities on five large, highly prospective, onshore and offshore petroleum exploration licenses in Namibia, and in Colombias Magdalena Basin. On behalf of Sintana Energy Inc., A. Robert Bose Chief Executive Officer For additional information or to sign-up to receive periodic updates about Sintanas projects, and corporate activities, please visit the Companys website at www.sintanaenergy.com. Corporate Contacts: Investor Relations Advisor: Robert Bose Sean Austin Jonathan Paterson Chief Executive Officer Vice-President Founder & Managing Partner 212-201-4125 713-825-9591 Harbor Access 475-477-9401 Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but not limited to, statements with respect to potential future farmout agreements on PEL 83 and/or PEL 87, and proposed future exploration and development activities on PEL 83 and/or PEL 90 and neighboring properties, as well as the prospective nature of the Companys property interests. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including, but not limited to risks relating to the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, results of exploration and development activities, the ability to source joint venture partners and fund exploration, permitting and government approvals, and other risks identified in the Companys public disclosure documents from time to time. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/da001a45-01ba-4d06-823e-d0c3987c7d5e Los Angeles, Dec. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Los Angeles, California - Advanced Networks has announced its latest strategic move to strengthen its presence in California, with a focus on Managed IT Services Los Angeles. This step, highlighted on the Advanced Networks website, is aimed at supporting local businesses by offering innovative technology solutions tailored to their specific needs. The company has carved out a niche by addressing complex tech issues with practical solutions. As the demand for IT Support Los Angeles grows, Advanced Networks is ready to provide businesses with the essential tools to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From network security and cloud solutions, detailed on their services page on their website, to comprehensive IT support, they are set to offer services that are both effective and efficient. A representative of Advanced Networks stated, "Our mission in expanding our Managed IT Services Los Angeles is to support local businesses in optimizing their operations with reliable and scalable IT solutions. We believe our services will enable businesses to focus on their core operations without the concern of IT disruptions." The expansion not only includes providing services but also a full suite of IT Consulting Los Angeles. This initiative offers strategic planning, as outlined in their consulting section on their website, and technical support to ensure solutions align with the unique goals of each business. Advanced Networks is committed to fostering innovation and making sure businesses have all the necessary resources. The company representative further noted, "We are excited to provide our extensive expertise to businesses in Los Angeles. Our approach focuses on understanding the individual needs of each client, allowing us to craft customized solutions that are both effective and practical." As a dependable partner in technology transformation, Advanced Networks is set on delivering industry-leading solutions. Their services aim to boost efficiency in business environments and simplify operations. By integrating their robust technological frameworks, businesses can operate with greater confidence and experience less downtime. The company is dedicated to constantly enhancing its offerings to meet the shifting demands of the IT landscape. This ongoing improvement assures that businesses using their services, which are further described at their website, are not only keeping up with technology but thriving through personalized strategies and solid infrastructures. In the coming months, Advanced Networks plans to connect with local business communities by participating in events and workshops. This community engagement is a key part of their growth strategy, with Managed IT Services Los Angeles at the forefront. Advanced Networks is committed to maintaining transparency and excellence in all client interactions, building a foundation of trust that's been central to their success. Their approach to IT Support Los Angeles emphasizes proactive management, aiming to prevent issues before they arise and providing peace of mind to businesses invested in tech advancement. As part of a larger initiative, Advanced Networks seeks to deepen relationships with industry stakeholders to enhance their service offerings. By doing so, they expect to expand the range of solutions available to Los Angeles businesses, addressing diverse needs with precision and skill. Their commitment to quality and reliability ensures clients have consistent and effective IT infrastructure management at their disposal. Advanced Networks understands that keeping up with a rapidly evolving tech world is essential. This drives their commitment to continuous development and adaptation, ensuring they align with the latest advancements to equip clients with optimal resources for success. For more on their ongoing technological advancements, visit their website. Through their expertise in IT Consulting Los Angeles, Advanced Networks envisions a future where technology smoothly integrates into business functions, making operations run more efficiently. Their proactive consultations help businesses assess their current tech status and get advice tailored to maximize improvement opportunities. Overall, this new chapter for Advanced Networks in Los Angeles highlights their dedication to helping businesses achieve new levels of success with effective IT solutions. Their focus on Managed IT Services Los Angeles and expansion into IT consulting underscores their commitment to delivering reliable, forward-thinking solutions. The blend of strategic insight and technical support makes Advanced Networks a trusted partner for businesses seeking growth and innovation. ### For more information about Advanced Networks, contact the company here: Advanced Networks Advanced Networks (213) 873-7620 contact@adv-networks.com L.A. Office 10960 Wilshire Blvd. #1415 Los Angeles, CA 90024 O.C. Office 1340 Reynolds Ave. #116 Irvine, CA 92614 Ad hoc announcement pursuant to art. 53 SIX Swiss Exchange Listing Rules Sandoz takes further steps to resolve legacy US generic drug antitrust class action litigation Sandoz US has entered into a settlement agreement with the class of end payer plaintiffs for USD 275 million Provision of USD 265 million taken to cover potential additional settlement costs with regard to the US generic drug industry antitrust litigation No impact on current Sandoz full-year 2024 and mid-term guidance Basel, December 17, 2024 Sandoz (SIX:SDZ/OTCQX:SDZNY), the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, today announced a number of steps to resolve the US Generic Drug Antitrust Class Action Litigation. Following the previously announced settlements with the US Department of Justice in 2020 and 2021 and with the direct purchaser plaintiffs class in February 2024, Sandoz has now also entered into a settlement agreement with the end payer plaintiffs class for a total of USD 275 million, which is expected to be paid before December 31, 2024. The company has also taken a provision of USD 265 million for the outstanding claims brought by opt-out plaintiffs and State Attorneys General. The settlement payment and the provision will be included in the companys 2024 financial results. This does not affect current Sandoz full-year 2024 and mid-term guidance. End payer plaintiffs class settlement Sandoz Inc. and its subsidiary Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. both indirect subsidiaries of Sandoz Group AG have entered into a settlement agreement with the class of end payer plaintiffs in the multi-district litigation entitled In re Generic Pharmaceuticals Pricing Antitrust Litigation in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This agreement, which contains no admission of wrongdoing by Sandoz US, resolves all of the damages claims of the end payer class, which is comprised generally of certain consumers, insurers, health and welfare funds, employee benefit plans, and other entities that paid for and reimbursed the sales of drugs. Under the terms of the agreement, Sandoz US will pay USD 275 million in exchange for a full release of all claims asserted against it in the end payer class action by the settlement class members. This settlement underscores Sandoz commitment towards integrity and sound governance, and it is an encouraging step toward resolving allegations of legacy conduct. Beyond the payment, settlement terms include: A broad release of claims that covers alleged conduct between 2009 and 2019 as well as all medicines at issue in the end purchaser class claims Class members have the right to opt out of the settlement, which could result in the settlement amount being reduced by up to USD 45 million The settlement is subject to Court approval, as is required for class settlements under US law. If the Court preliminarily approves the settlement, class members will be notified of the settlement and given an opportunity to opt out of the class, object to the settlement, and file a claim to receive a settlement payment. Remaining claims related to the US generic antitrust litigation The remaining claims are seeking damages for alleged anticompetitive conduct in the US market. These claims are brought by certain US States and Territories as well as the indirect reseller plaintiff class and individual plaintiffs in the multidistrict litigation. Sandoz US continues to defend itself vigorously in those cases, and has raised a number of defenses, including whether downstream purchasers were actually damaged due to the alleged conduct. Based on its current assessment of these remaining claims, Sandoz set up a provision of USD 265 million. As the litigation progresses, Sandoz will continue to assess the overall situation and may increase or decrease the provision as appropriate. Other generic antitrust litigation In addition to the US generic antitrust litigation, as previously disclosed, Sandoz Inc., Sandoz Canada Inc., and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. have been named in a class action in Ontario, Canada alleging price fixing in the Canadian generic pharmaceutical market. The claims are being vigorously contested. DISCLAIMER This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of managements views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. ABOUT SANDOZ Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. More than 20,000 people of 100 nationalities work together to ensure 800 million patient treatments are provided by Sandoz, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger social impact. Its leading portfolio of approximately 1,500 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the worlds first oral penicillin in 1951, and the worlds first biosimilar in 2006. In 2023, Sandoz recorded net sales of USD 9.6 billion. CONTACTS Global Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts Global.MediaRelations@sandoz.com Investor.Relations@sandoz.com Joerg E. Allgaeuer +49 171 838 4838 Laurent de Weck +41 79 795 7364 Attachment VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hi-View Resources Inc. (Hi-View' or the Company) (CSE: HVW; OTCQB: HVWRF; FSE: B63) is pleased to announce it has acquired a 100% interest in a highly prospective mineral claim package spanning over 609 hectares, located in the Babine Copper-Gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. Hi-Views claims are easily accessible from the mining Town of Smithers, located approximately 90 km to the southwest and connected via highway and rail to major BC ports. The property exhibits favorable topography and significant infrastructure in place leading to potential low-cost exploration. Hi-Views Babine claim package is located approximately 12 kilometers to the southeast of American Eagle Golds NAK deposit and is situated on-trend and within similar geology to the NAK and Amarc Resources Ltd. DUKE deposits. Recent significant funding by Teck Resources Limited and South32 Ltd. into American Eagle Gold has increased their cash to approximately $37 million enabling a comprehensive drill program to test the full extent of the nearby NAK system (see AE press release dated November 11th, 2024) ensuring an active exploration camp. Hi-View Resources President and CEO Howard Milne states, With gold prices recently hitting all-time highs and copper forecasting high demand as a critical metal in the Green Energy Transition, we are excited to add this highly prospective and strategically located property to our Gold and Copper exploration portfolio. This Babine area claim package is in proximity and on trend with several established Gold and Copper porphyry deposits in the area. Figure 1. Hi-Views Babine mineral claim and American Eagles NAK deposit and Amarcs DUKE deposit A review of the regional historical data and geological studies of the area highlights its potential for mineral exploration. Historical work includes regional government surveys including aerial geophysics, and surficial sampling. Two government geophysics surveys were flown over this area, the 2016 Search Phase ll airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys and the 2008 Quest-West Project airborne electromagnetic and gravity surveys. The claim package sits on the eastern edge of Block 1 of the Quest-West Survey and only one flight line passes through the claim, search Phase ll is higher detail and provides useful information on the regional context of the claim. There are two surface sampling datasets that cover this area. The 2008 Quest-West Project included the collection of new and re-analysis of historical stream and sediment samples. In 2009, archived till samples from the 1995 NATMAP program were re-analyzed due to advances in analytical instrumentation. Historical Data and Geological Context Hi-Views Babine claim package is situated within the Jurassic Hazelton Group volcanics at the contact with the Triassic Takla Group volcanic and marine sedimentary rocks. Porphyry deposits in the area including Hearne Hill, Duke and Nak are associated with intrusions of the Babine Plutonic Suite (EBgd) into the Hazelton Group volcanics, several of these plutons are mapped to the immediate east of the Claim (Figure 2 below). The faulted contact between Hazelton and Takla volcanics is an important marker horizon for porphyry and epithermal exploration in northern British Columbia, as it represents deep structures which may be utilized by ascending mineralization forming fluids (Nelson and Kyba, 2014). The claim package is largely covered by glacial till and situated within a deep north to northeastern valley. The direction of ice flow in the area is mapped as south-southeast (Huntley et al., 1996, Stumpf et al., 1996 and Ferbey et al., 2009). Anomalies in till and lake or stream sediments will have been displaced to the south to southeast, which is evident in the dispersion of anomalous copper (>40 ppm Cu in Lake and Stream and >85 ppm Cu in Till) sediments to the south and southeast of both the Nak and Duke prospects. There are three anomalous copper in lake sediment samples and three anomalous copper in Till samples south and southeast of the Hi-Views Babine Claim. The Search Phase ll airborne magnetic survey shows a northwest trending structural trend from the Nak and Duke prospects, Mast and Hautete showings, and continues onto Hi-Views Babine claim package. The magnetics over the claim area appear muted compared to Nak, Duke, Mast and Hautete. This is assumed to be due to the deep valley and till coverage on the Claim. The Search ll potassium radiometric survey shows good correlation with the Babine Plutonic Suite intrusions, potassium high anomalies appear to continue onto the Claim, though data appears to have been lost over most areas of the claim. Figure 2: Regional Geology of the Claim area. The Claim is situated within similar rocks to the Nak and Duke Deposits. Figure 3: Copper in Till, Lake and Stream sediments Collected during the Quest-West and NATMAP programs. Potential south southeastern dispersion of anomalous copper below the Claim, similar to NAK and Duke Prospects. Figure 4: Search ll AMAG RMI Vertical Derivative. There is high mag extending along a northwest orientation from Nak and Duke and other showings onto the Claim. Likely due to till coverage the mag signature is muted. Figure 5: Search ll ARAD - K. High Potassium (K) coincides with mapped Babine Plutonic Suite (EBgd) plutons, which host porphyry deposits in the area. High K anomalies appear to continue onto Hi-Views claim package. The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. References Ferbey, T., Levson, V.M. and Lett R.E(2009): Till Geochemical Exploration Targets, Babine Porphyry Copper Belt, Central British Columbia; British Columbia Geological Survey, Open File 2009-04, 34 pages. Huntley, D.H., Levson, V.M. and Weary, G.F. (1996): Surficial geology and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Old Fort Mountain area (93M/1); British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 1669-9, 1:50,000-scale map. Nelson, J., and Kyba, J., 2014. Structural and stratigraphic control of porphyry and related mineralization in the Treaty Glacier KSM Brucejack Stewart trend of western Stikinia. In: Geological Fieldwork 2013, British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia Geological Survey Paper 2014-1, pp. 111-140. Stumpf, A.J., Huntley, D.H., Broster, B.E. and Levson, V.M. (1996): Surficial geology and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Fulton Lake area (93L/16); British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 1669-10, 1:50,000-scale map. Terms of the Agreement The Company has acquired 100% interest in the Babine Copper-Gold claims directly through staking the claims, using an arms length consulting service at a total cost of $10,000.00 plus GST. Additional Announcements The Company has engaged Free Market Media Ltd. (Free Market) of Langley, BC, Canada, to provide Web services to the Company. Free Market will set up on-line advertising portals, on which Hi-View Resources will pay directly at-cost for the advertising. Free Market will be retained on a month-to-month basis and commence immediately (subject to Canadian Securities Exchange approval date) to assist the company in raising awareness. In consideration of the marketing services provided by Free Market, the company has agreed to pay advertising expenses up to $50,000 per month should the company deem this beneficial. To the Company's knowledge Free Market's principal owns no shares in Hi-View Resources. Free Market Media is owned by Brenton Rusin and has a PIF filed with the Canadian Securities Exchange for investor relations services. About Hi-View Hi-View is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and the USA. The Company, through its subsidiary holds interests in the Golden Stranger Property and the Lawyers West, East, South projects, together with claims acquired directly through staking, all located in the Toodoggone region of northern BC, prospective for gold, silver, and copper. The collective holdings cover 9,140 hectares. Contact: Hi-View Resources Inc. Howard Milne, CEO Email: hdmcap@shaw.ca Telephone: (604) 377-8994 Website: www.hiviewresources.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes statements related to the proposed Transaction and related matters. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eff73951-2de9-4c2e-b798-45d95d6e2702 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1a68af5-9f41-45c3-880c-7bc38a55bd4a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4f12b54-538f-437c-86e0-9e8c40e61e1e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b461df65-ac04-49dc-8901-64907ef62c4c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/463460fe-0bcd-48d5-8216-bd300e32739e Deriv expands its presence in Cyprus with a strategic move into Nicosia, aiming to attract top talent in trading and fintech-related fields Driving its constant evolution, Deriv focuses on building an innovation hub to transform from being a forex broker to a fintech broker Deriv Cyprus office in Nicosia situated on the 12th floor of the Asteroid building NICOSIA, Cyprus, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deriv, a leading online broker in the financial sector, has unveiled plans for a second office in Cyprus, marking a significant step in its strategic expansion. Situated on the 12th floor of the renowned Asteroid building in Nicosia, the new office underscores Derivs commitment to revolutionising trading technology while attracting top talent in the industry. With a global presence spanning 20 locations and a track record of 25 years, Deriv has earned multiple Great Place to Work accolades, including for its office in Limassol. Cyprus is pivotal to the online trading industry. We consider Nicosia a good choice due to its solid reputation as a thriving hub for research and tech, said Rakshit Choudhary, Co-CEO of Deriv. Our investment here not only strengthens our operational framework but also allows us to tap into the vibrant ecosystem that Cyprus has cultivated. Pioneering Innovation and Talent in Fintech Scheduled to open in mid-December, the Nicosia office will serve as a cutting-edge innovation hub. This initiative is part of Derivs vision to evolve from a traditional forex broker into a dynamic fintech company, with a strong focus on advancements in technology such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and no-code/low-code development solutions. The office aims to attract exceptional talent in roles such as Trading Analysts, DevOps and WinOps Engineers, and Low-Code/No-Code Developers. This expansion seeks to attract forward-seeking minds who are not only looking for career opportunities but to accelerate their professional growth through the dynamic roles, said Andreas Potamitis, Head of Nicosia Office. Deriv offers extensive opportunities for professionals to work on AI-powered trading solutions, advanced platforms and sophisticated projects, all without the need for lengthy commutes. Discover career opportunities at Deriv. About Deriv For 25 years, Deriv has been committed to making online trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. Trusted by over 2.5 million traders worldwide, the company offers an expansive range of trade types and boasts over 200 assets across popular markets on award-winning, intuitive trading platforms. With a workforce of more than 1,400 people globally, Deriv has cultivated an environment that celebrates achievements, encourages professional growth, and nurtures talent development, which is reflected in its Platinum accreditation by Investors in People. Press contact pr@deriv.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b00b29c1-f3be-4b3d-be48-56ce6409e4cc Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Green Chemistry Market: Focus on Green Chemistry Initiatives, Competitive Landscape of Green Chemistry Solution Providers, Emerging Mega Trends, Big Pharma Initiatives, Company Profiles and Key Drivers and Restraints" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The green chemistry market is poised for steady growth, with over 60 known use cases of pharmaceutical companies implementing green chemistry in their research and manufacturing processes. Green chemistry involves the strategic design, development, and application of chemical products and processes that aim to minimize or completely eliminate the release of hazardous substances. In the pharmaceutical industry, green chemistry focuses on promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the efficiency of chemical synthesis. Conventional methods for drug manufacturing are usually energy-intensive and predominantly depend on non-renewable resources, thus generating significant chemical waste whose disposal poses a significant cost. For instance, global production of active pharmaceutical ingredients is estimated to be between 65 to 100 million kilograms produced per year. Consequently, about 10 billion kilograms of waste have been generated, incurring a disposal cost of around $20 billion. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry is responsible for approximately 17% of the global carbon emissions, with almost half of this attributed to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and raw materials. Rising environmental concerns necessitate the adoption of greener and more efficient production methods. In response, pharmaceutical companies have increasingly integrated green chemistry principles into their operations. Techniques, such as photochemistry, electrochemistry, and biocatalysis have emerged to tackle environmental challenges by focusing on safer, less toxic chemical processes and the efficient use of renewable resources. These techniques provide novel solutions for the manufacturing of API, promoting a more sustainable pharmaceutical industry. For instance, biocatalysis in chemical synthesis has demonstrated to shorten manufacturing time by 80%, double production yield, reduce starting material costs by over 99%, and allowed the need for organic solvents in purification. Green chemistry not only promotes sustainability but also provides substantial benefits to the pharmaceutical industry, including reduced dependence on toxic chemicals, cost-effectiveness and improved process efficiency. Thus, the pharmaceutical companies are increasingly focusing on the application of green chemistry for developing sustainable processes. Notably, companies such as AstraZeneca, BASF, and Pfizer aim to reach net-zero emissions in their supply chain by 2040 or 2050. These initiatives align with global regulatory standards and address the rising consumer demand for eco-friendly products. The growing emphasis on green chemistry for environmental remediation, coupled with ongoing investments in sustainable technologies, is propelling substantial growth in the green chemistry market, paving the way for a more sustainable future in drug development and manufacturing. Research Coverage: The market report on green chemistry provides insights into various aspects, including: A project background introducing the context of the green chemistry market and outlining its objectives. A general overview of the systematic research methodology employed to study the green chemistry industry, providing information on various assumptions, methodologies, and quality control measures used to ensure accuracy and reliability of our findings. An infographic executive summary offering key insights captured during our research, providing a high-level perspective on the current state of green chemistry initiatives and solution providers. A general introduction to green chemistry, including the 12 principles of green chemistry and prominent types of green chemistry methods. It also highlights various applications of green chemistry and the challenges associated with its implementation. A detailed assessment of green chemistry initiatives within the pharma industry, based on several relevant parameters, such as the type of green chemistry methods involved, purpose of initiative, therapeutic area of drug synthesized, and impact of initiative. Furthermore, it analyzes the green chemistry initiatives stakeholders based on various parameters, such as year of establishment, company size and location of headquarters. A thorough evaluation of the green chemistry solution providers based on various relevant parameters, such as year of establishment, company size, and location of headquarters, type of solution offered, type of green chemistry method involved, pharmaceutical application, and type of service offered. Profiles of key companies in the green chemistry market, including an overview of each company, their green chemistry initiatives, recent developments, and future outlook. A comprehensive case study examining the impact of big pharma initiatives on the pharmaceutical industry. A comprehensive overview of ongoing megatrends in the green chemistry industry, including rising demand for sustainable drug manufacturing, technological advancements in green chemistry practices, integration of continuous flow manufacturing with green chemistry practices, convergence of AI, data science with green chemistry applications, development of sustainability metrices, and more. Detailed information on various factors influencing market growth of green chemistry. This includes insights into key drivers, potential restraints, emerging opportunities, and existing challenges in this domain. Recent Developments in Green Chemistry Market Several recent developments have taken place in the market, some of which have been outlined below. These developments, even though they took place post the release of our market report, substantiate the overall market trends that we have outlined in the analyses. In August 2024, bitBiome collaborated with Twist Bioscience to jointly develop a Transaminase Enzyme Screening Kit, which features unique set of enzymes to facilitate synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) via biocatalysis. In July 2024, several big pharma players including Amgen, AstraZeneca, and Merck participated in Gordon Research Conference, held in New Hampshire, US, to discuss early biocatalysis strategies. In April 2024, Merck KGaA launched Cyrene, a novel bio-derived solvent that is anticipated to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceutical processes in both research and manufacturing projects. In January 2024, AstraZeneca entered into a collaboration with Nyctea Technologies to leverage the latter company's proprietary electrochemistry based Nyctea platform technology to improve the purification process for its drug compound. Key Benefits of Buying this Report The report provides valuable insights into the increasing adoption of green chemistry initiatives among leading pharmaceutical companies, as well as newcomers in the market. Stakeholders can utilize the report to deepen their understanding of the landscape of green chemistry solution providers, thereby enhancing their business positioning and developing more effective go-to-market strategies. The report provides stakeholders with an overview of the green chemistry market, equipping them with information on market drivers, barriers, opportunities, and challenges. Key Topics Covered: SECTION I: REPORT OVERVIEW 1. SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY SECTION II: QUALITATIVE INSIGHTS 3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4. INTRODUCTION An Overview of Green Chemistry 12 Principles of Green Chemistry Types of Green Chemistry Methods Applications of Green Chemistry Key Challenges in Green Chemistry Domain SECTION III: MARKET OVERVIEW 5. MARKET LANDSCAPE: GREEN CHEMISTRY INITIATIVES IN PHARMA INDUSTRY Green Chemistry Initiatives: Overall Market Landscape Green Chemistry Initiatives Stakeholders: Overall Market Landscape 6. MARKET LANDSCAPE: GREEN CHEMISTRY SOLUTION PROVIDERS Green Chemistry Solution Providers: Overall Market Landscape Analysis by Year of Establishment Analysis by Company Size Analysis by Location of Headquarters Analysis by Type of Solution Offered Analysis by Type of Green Chemistry Method Involved Analysis by Pharmaceutical Application Analysis by Type of Service Offered SECTION IV: COMPANY PROFILES AND CASE STUDY 7. COMPANY PROFILES Amgen AstraZeneca Bristol Myers Squibb Codexis Johnson & Johnson Merck Pfizer 8. CASE STUDY: BIG PHARMA INITIATIVES Green Chemistry: Big Pharma Initiatives Johnson & Johnson Roche Merck Pfizer AbbVie AstraZeneca Novartis Bristol Myers Squibb GlaxoSmithKline SECTION V: MARKET TRENDS 9. GREEN CHEMISTRY MARKET: OVERVIEW OF ONGOING MEGA TRENDS Megatrends in the Green Chemistry Market Shift Towards Sustainable Drug Manufacturing Technological Advancements in Green Chemistry Integration of Continuous Flow Manufacturing in Green Chemistry Emphasis on Waste Valorization and Circular Chemistry Convergence of AI, Data Science and Green Chemistry Establishing Sustainability Metrices Increasing Adoption by Big-Pharma Companies Growing Regulatory Pressures 10. MARKET IMPACT ANALYSIS: DRIVERS, RESTRAINTS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES SECTION V: APPENDIX For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wmjlg6 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. Attachments Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Periodontal Disease Treatment Market by Disease Type (Gingivitis, Aggressive Periodontitis, Chronic Periodontitis), Treatment Type (Flap Surgery, Root Planning, Bone Grafting,), End User (Dental Hospitals & Dental Clinics) - Global Forecast to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global periodontal disease treatment equipment market is projected to reach USD 3.63 billion by 2030 from USD 2.58 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. This is due to increased awareness about the connection between oral health and overall systemic health, bringing the focus of both the patients and healthcare provider towards periodontal care. Increased government-driven campaigns to promote hygiene in the oral cavity and increased provision of dental insurance coverage have also added momentum towards this market. The increase in dental care infrastructures, especially in developing economies, is further fueling this market. In addition, the adoption of minimally invasive procedures and biologics as well as the discovery of new drugs has increased the efficacy of treatment, adding more fuel to the growth of the periodontal disease market players over the forecast period of 2024-2030. This report studies the periodontal disease treatment equipment market based on disease type, treatment type, end user and region. The report also studies factors (such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) affecting market growth and provides details of the competitive landscape for market leaders. Furthermore, the report analyzes micro markets with respect to their individual growth trends and forecasts the revenue of the market segments with respect to five major regions (and the respective countries in these regions). The major players operating in the periodontal disease treatment equipment market are DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (US), Envista Holdings Corporation (US), A-dec Inc. (US), J. MORITA CORP. (Japan), Straumann Group (Switzerland), BIOLASE, Inc. (US), BEGO GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Ultradent Products, Inc. (US), Yoshida Dental MFG. Co., Ltd. (Japan), Nakanishi Inc. (Japan), DentalEZ, Inc. (US), Geistlich Pharma AG (Switzerland), Nova Instruments (UK), NewTom (Italy), Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (US), PreXion, Inc. (Japan), Brasseler USA (US), AMD Lasers (US), and Bien-Air Dental (US). The chronic periodontitis segment of periodontal disease treatment market to hold second largest position forecast period Based on the disease type, the chronic periodontitis segment is anticipated to hold second largest share position during forecast period in periodontal disease treatment equipment market. This is due to increasing number of older populations are suffering from periodontal diseases. The condition will become increasingly common since chronic periodontitis is often found in older patients. Enhanced awareness regarding the relationship between oral health and systemic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, is generating a greater demand among patients to receive preventive and therapeutic care, which is increasing diagnoses and subsequent treatment adoption. The guided tissue regeneration segment is the fastest growing segment in periodontal disease treatment market Based on treatment type, the periodontal disease treatment market is segmented into non-surgical treatment, flap surgery, soft tissue graft, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration and other treatments. The guided tissue regeneration segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR due to its pivotal role in periodontal disease treatment research and development (R&D). Advances in biomaterials and tissue engineering have been made, leading to newer and more efficient and biocompatible membranes with better outcomes. GTR procedures are increasingly being adopted by dental professionals, and their growing training and availability of specialized equipment have made it highly potential. Favorable reimbursement policies in different regions coupled with an upsurge of cosmetic dentistry have also played an important role in the high growth rate of the GTR market. Europe accounted for the second largest share of the periodontal disease treatment market by region The global periodontal disease treatment equipment market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is the second largest regional market for periodontal disease treatment equipment, whereas the Asia Pacific market is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Europe holds the second-largest position in the periodontal disease treatment equipment market. The region has a well-established health infrastructure which provides better access to advanced dental care. Moreover, the significant rise in the geriatric population, which is more prone to periodontal diseases, covers the majority of the treatments required in Europe. The high awareness of oral health and preventive care services available in European countries further spur the expansion of this market. Favorable government policies, and reimbursement frameworks for dental care treatments, along with a high dental insurance coverage among the patients, supports them toward getting periodontal treatments. Ongoing research and development in dental technologies and biomaterials, including countries like Germany and Switzerland, also support this expansion in this region. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 280 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.58 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $3.63 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.9% Regions Covered Global Market Dynamics Drivers Increasing Prevalence of Oral Disorders Rising Cases of Edentulism Emergence of Innovative Dental Treatment Procedures Expanding Market for Dental Tourism in Emerging Economies Restraints High Cost of Advanced Treatments and Inadequate Reimbursements for Dental Procedures Opportunities Impact of DSOS on Dental Industry Growing Awareness About Oral Health Challenges Shortage of Skilled Dental Practitioners Case Study Analysis Case Study 1: Innovation Tracking, Technology Assessment, and Product Launches in Antimicrobial Agents & Coating Substances for Dental Implants Case Study 2: Customized Study for MEA Case Study 3: Customized Study for Latin America Additional Topics Analyzed in the Report Industry Trends Technology Analysis Value Chain Analysis Ecosystem Map Supply Chain Analysis Regulatory Analysis Patent Analysis Trade Analysis Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customers' Businesses Adjacent Markets for Periodontal Disease Treatment Key Conferences & Events, 2024 Pricing Analysis Key Stakeholders and Buying Criteria Unmet Needs in Periodontal Disease Treatment Market Investment & Funding Scenario Prevalence of Gingival Cases in Key Countries Analysis of Total Number of Surgeries in Key Countries Companies Profiled in this Periodontal Disease Treatment Market Report Dentsply Sirona Envista Holdings Corporation Institut Straumann AG Henry Schein, Inc. Biolase, Inc. Geistlich Pharma AG J. Morita Corp. Nakanishi Inc. A-Dec Inc. RTI Surgical Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co. Ltd. Keystone Dental Inc. Ultradent Products, Inc. Bego GmbH & Co. KG Dentalez Inc. Parkell, Inc. Millennium Dental Technologies Inc. Brasseler USA AMD Lasers Nova Instruments Botiss Biomaterials GmbH Convergent Dental Novabone Regenity Hannox International Corp. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/d1ffel 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 Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Organoids Market: Analysis By Organ Type, By Application, By Source, By Type, By End-User, By Region Size and Trends and Forecast up to 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global organoids market was valued at US$1.28 billion in 2023. The market value is expected to reach US$4.22 billion by 2029. In the forthcoming years, the organoid market is expected to continue growing due to several converging trends. One key factor is the increasing investment in research and development by pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to leverage organoids for drug discovery and precision medicine applications. The emergence of personalized medicine, which aims to tailor treatments based on individual genetic profiles, has spurred the adoption of organoids, particularly in the field of oncology. Technological advancements in stem cell research, CRISPR gene editing, and bioengineering are also expected to propel the market forward. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approx. 22% during the forecasted period of 2024-2029. Market Segmentation Analysis: By Source: Pluripotent stem cells held the highest share of the market and is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the forecasted period. The demand for organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells is experiencing significant growth due to their remarkable potential to differentiate into virtually any cell type in the human body. Pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), provide a versatile platform for generating organoids that closely mimic the structure and function of various organs. This capability is particularly advantageous in the field of regenerative medicine, where the ability to produce patient-specific organoids can facilitate personalized treatment strategies and enhance the understanding of disease mechanisms. By Type: Consumables held the highest share of the market and is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the forecasted period. The demand for consumables in the organoid market is experiencing growth due to their crucial role in supporting organoid development, maintenance, and experimentation. Consumables such as culture media, growth factors, extracellular matrices, reagents, and specialized supplements are essential for creating and sustaining organoid cultures. As research and clinical applications involving organoids continue to expand, the need for high-quality consumables that ensure the proper growth, differentiation, and functionality of organoids is increasing. By Region: North America held the major share of the market. In the US, the growth of the organoid market has been particularly pronounced due to several factors. First, the country has the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors in the world, with substantial investment in R&D aimed at improving drug discovery and precision medicine. The US government, through agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has been heavily funding research on organoids, boosting their development and adoption. The country's advanced healthcare system, which emphasizes early disease detection and personalized treatment, further accelerates the demand for innovative organoid-based solutions. Germany has emerged as a leader in the European organoid market due to its strong biotechnology sector, robust healthcare infrastructure, and heavy investment in medical research. The country is renowned for its advanced research institutions, such as the Max Planck Institute and Helmholtz Association, which are at the forefront of stem cell and organoid research. Germany's commitment to innovation is further bolstered by significant government funding, such as through the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), supporting initiatives in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. China, as one of the leading markets in the Asia Pacific, has been experiencing a surge in organoid research and applications, driven by the country's ambitious healthcare reforms and strong focus on biotechnology innovation. The Chinese government has made significant investments in biomedical research through initiatives like "Made in China 2025," which emphasizes advancements in biotechnology and healthcare innovation. China's vast pharmaceutical industry is increasingly integrating organoid technology into its drug discovery pipeline to reduce the reliance on animal testing and improve the accuracy of preclinical drug trials. Market Dynamics: Growth Drivers: The global organoids market has been growing over the past few years, due to factors such as increasing demand for tumor modeling and biobanking, growing adoption of personalized drugs, rising focus on developing alternatives for animal testing models, advancements in stem cell research, rising investment in research and development (R&D), growing adoption in toxicology testing, growing collaborations and partnerships, and many other factors. Advancements in stem cell research are pivotal to the growth of the organoid market, as they enable the development of more complex and physiologically accurate organoid models. Stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types, allowing scientists to generate organ-specific tissues that closely mimic human organs. With the progress in stem cell technology, researchers are now able to create organoids that replicate the structure and function of organs like the brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys with greater precision. These advancements have expanded the applications of organoids in drug discovery, disease modeling, personalized medicine, and regenerative therapies. Trends: The market is projected to grow at a fast pace during the forecast period, due to increasing focus on drug discovery and development, combining organoid with organ-on-a-chip, advancement in biotechnology, technological innovations in 3D cell culture, etc. Organoid and organ-on-a-chip, which serve as evolving pathological and human physiological relevant in vitro models, have the potential to revolutionize the conventional paradigm of cancer research and produce real clinical benefits. The recent inclination in the collaborative application of organoids with organ-on-a-chip and 3D bioprinting enables the development of sophisticated cancer models to study underlying mechanisms of tumor-stroma interactions, multiorgan tumor metastasis, and cancer-microenvironment interactions. By incorporating multiple organoids into organ-on-a-chip, organoid-on-a-chip can inherit benefits of both organoid and organ-on-a-chip and provide a valuable tool to study multiorgan tumor metastases and cancer-microenvironment interactions. Competitive Landscape: The global organoids market is fragmented in nature. The key players in the global organoids market are: Danaher Thermo Fisher Scientific Merck Corning Charles River Laboratories International DefiniGEN InSphero STEMCELL Technologies HUB Organoids Mimetas Organoid Therapeutics 3Dnamics Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 191 Forecast Period 2024 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $1.56 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $4.22 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 22.0% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3. Global Market Analysis 3.1 Global Organoids Market 3.2 Global Organoids Market: Organ Type Analysis 3.3 Global Organoids Market: Application Analysis 3.4 Global Organoids Market: Source Analysis 3.5 Global Organoids Market: Type Analysis 3.6 Global Organoids Market: End-User Analysis 4. Regional Market Analysis 4.1 North America Organoids Market 4.2 Europe Organoids Market 4.3 Asia Pacific Organoids Market 4.4 Latin America Organoids Market 4.5 Middle East & Africa Organoids Market 5. Impact of COVID-19 6. Market Dynamics 6.1 Growth Drivers 6.1.1 Increasing Demand for Tumor Modeling and Biobanking 6.1.2 Growing Adoption of Personalized Drugs 6.1.3 Rising Focus on Developing Alternatives for Animal Testing Models 6.1.4 Advancements in Stem Cell Research 6.1.5 Rising Investment in Research and Development (R&D) 6.1.6 Growing Adoption in Toxicology Testing 6.1.7 Growing Collaborations and Partnerships 6.2 Challenges 6.2.1 Lack of Skilled Professionals 6.2.2 Issues Related to Incorporation of Organoid into Existing Workforce 6.3 Market Trends 6.3.1 Increasing Focus on Drug Discovery and Development 6.3.2 Combining Organoid with Organ-On-A-Chip 6.3.3 Advancement in Biotechnology 6.3.4 Technological Innovations in 3D Cell Culture 7. Competitive Landscape 7.1 Global Organoids Market: Competitive Landscape 7.2 Global Organoids Market: Product Comparison 8. Company Profiles For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/672cik 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 Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "School Furniture Market by Product (Desk and Chairs, Storage, Lab Equipment, Others), Material (Wood-Based, Metal-Based, Plastic-Based, Others), and Region 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global school furniture market size reached US$ 4.9 billion in 2023. The market is projected to reach US$ 8.3 billion by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during 2023-2032. The increasing number of schools and applicants, rising preference for user friendly and comfortable furniture, and the growing inclination towards ordering the product via online shopping apps are some of the major factors propelling the market. The increasing number of schools and rising number of applicants is driving the demand for school furniture as it is considered an essential part of the educational infrastructure around the world. Moreover, the growing preference for user friendly and comfortable furniture to prevent posture problems in students and teachers is influencing the market positively. In addition, measures undertaken by governing authorities of numerous countries to open new schools and promote awareness about the importance of education are favoring the growth of the market. Apart from this, the increasing inclination towards online shopping apps as they provide convenience, wider collection, fast shipping facilities, discounted deals, and innumerable payment options is propelling the growth of the market. School Furniture Market Trends/Drivers Changing educational trends The evolving nature of education and teaching methods is driving the demand for furniture that aligns with modern instructional practices. As schools shift towards student-centered learning and personalized approaches, they seek furniture that supports these methodologies. Collaborative workstations, breakout spaces, and comfortable seating areas facilitate group discussions, teamwork, and independent study, promoting active learning experiences. Rise in need for premium-quality and aesthetically appealing school furniture With the growing emphasis on student well-being and comfort, schools are seeking ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing furniture options. Ergonomic furniture ensures proper posture, reduces fatigue, and enhances concentration, which creates a positive learning environment. As awareness of the importance of student well-being increases, the demand for high-quality and comfortable school furniture rises. Increase in safety standards and regulations Schools prioritize the safety of their students, and furniture must adhere to rigorous safety standards and regulations. Educational institutions seek furniture that meets safety guidelines, such as stability, weight capacity, and fire-resistant materials, to ensure a secure learning environment. Compliance with safety standards is a critical consideration when choosing furniture for classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other school spaces. School Furniture Industry Segmentation This report provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global school furniture market report, along with forecasts at the global and regional levels from 2023-2032. The report has categorized the market based on product and material. Breakup by Product: Desk and Chairs Storage Lab Equipment Others Desk and chairs dominate the market. Breakup by Material: Wood-Based Metal-Based Plastic-Based Others Wood-based materials holds the largest share in the market. Breakup by Region: North America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East and Africa Latin America North America exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest school furniture market share. The increasing expenditure on remodeling and restructuring school infrastructure with an enhanced focus on ergonomic, aesthetically appealing furniture represents one of the major factors driving the demand for school furniture in the North America region. Moreover, rising preferences for expanded storage spaces and improved stackability in school offices, libraries and laboratories is contributing to the market growth in the region. Besides this, the growing student enrolment in schools across the region is influencing the market positively. Asia-Pacific is estimated to witness stable growth, owing to the increasing number of educational institutions, integration of advanced technologies, product innovations, etc. Competitive Landscape The leading companies are developing interactive whiteboards and smart desks that enable dynamic presentations, real-time collaboration, and engagement with digital content, which makes lessons more interactive and visually appealing. They are also incorporating augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into educational furniture to create immersive learning experiences and enable students to explore historical sites or conduct virtual science experiments. Besides this, product manufacturers are introducing multi-purpose furniture in various styles, colors, and designs for collaborative learning. They are also focusing on launching flexible and portable furniture that can be reconfigured efficiently to enable new dynamic teaching styles. They are launching environment-friendly variants made using recyclable and sustainable materials like salvaged wood, bamboo, and seagrasses. These materials are used to reduce carbon footprint, save production costs, conserve energy, and manage waste. Competition Analysis The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include: HNI Corporation Steelcase Inc. MillerKnoll, Inc. Key Questions Answered in This Report: 1. What was the size of the global school furniture market in 2023? 2. What is the expected growth rate of the global school furniture market during 2024-2032? 3. What are the key factors driving the global school furniture market? 4. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global school furniture market? 5. What is the breakup of the global school furniture market based on the product? 6. What is the breakup of the global school furniture market based on the material? 7. What are the key regions in the global school furniture market? 8. Who are the key players/companies in the global school furniture market? Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 142 Forecast Period 2023-2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $4.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $8.3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.9% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tj1pn0 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 TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadian Life Companies Split Corp. (the Company) (TSX: LFE, LFE.PR.B) is pleased to announce a stock split of its Class A shares. The Class A shareholders of record date at the close of business on December 19, 2024 will receive an additional 10 post-split shares for every 100 Class A shares they hold. The stock split is subject to approval by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). Class A shareholders will continue to receive regular monthly cash distributions targeted to be $0.10 per share following the stock split, resulting in an increase in total distributions to be received of approximately 14%. The Class A shares are expected to commence trading on an ex-split basis at the opening of trading on December 19, 2024. No fractional Class A shares will be issued, and the number of Class A shares each holder shall receive will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. The stock split is a non-taxable event. The recent extension of the Company's termination date included a retraction right for Class A shareholders and Preferred shareholders. Upon completion of the stock split, all retractions have been satisfied and no further action will be taken. The impact of the stock split will be reflected in the next reported net asset value per unit as at December 31, 2024. The Company invests in a portfolio of four publicly traded Canadian life insurance companies as follows: GreatWest Lifeco Inc., Industrial Alliance Insurance & Financial Services Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation and Sun Life Financial Inc. Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Companys current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Investors should read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently, and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the Companys publicly filed documents which are available at www.sedarplus.com. CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dresner Partners, an award-winning, FINRA-registered middle-market investment bank and Mergers Alliance member firm, is pleased to announce it was awarded Materials Deal of the Year by The M&A Advisor during the 23rd Annual M&A Advisor Awards. The awards were presented at a Black-Tie Awards Gala during the 2024 Future of Dealmaking Summit on November 19-20, 2024, in New York City. Dresner Partners was recognized for serving as sell side advisor in the sale of Sandin Manufacturing to MultiTech Industries, a portfolio company of Argonaut Private Equity. Paul Hoffman, Managing Director of Dresner Partners, accepted the award on behalf of the firm. Roger Aguinaldo, Founder and CEO of The M&A Advisor said, For nearly 26 years, The M&A Advisor has been honoring the leading M&A transactions, companies and dealmakers. Dresner Partners was chosen from hundreds of participating companies to become an awards winner. The firm represents the best of the M&A industry in 2023-24 and earned Materials Deal of the Year by standing out in a group of very impressive candidates. Commenting on the award, Steven M. Dresner, President of Dresner Partners said, We are very excited to be recognized by The M&A Advisor for the distinguished honor of Materials Deal of Year, which is our seventh Deal of the Year Award in the last eight years. At Dresner, we strive for excellence in everything we do, and these awards signify the hard work and dedication we put into every client engagement. Paul Hoffman added, Industrials has been a specialty at Dresner Partners for over 30 years and we are proud to be associated with all of the outstanding professionals at Sandin, MultiTech and Argonaut, who worked with us on the transaction. About Dresner Partners Dresner is an award-winning, FINRA-registered middle-market investment bank headquartered in Chicago, with professionals located in New York, Cleveland, Hermosa Beach, Fort Lauderdale, New Jersey, and Palo Alto. For more than 30 years, Dresner Partners has provided financial advisory services to middle-market companies throughout the world including merger and acquisitions advisory, institutional private placements of debt and equity, financial restructuring, valuations, and strategic consulting services. Dresner Partners has extensive international and cross-border transaction experience and is a member of Mergers Alliance, one of the worlds leading global mergers and acquisitions partnerships focused on the middle market. An affiliated company, Dresner Corporate Services, is a strategic communications firm specializing in public relations, investor relations, and corporate development. More information is available at www.dresnerpartners.com. You can also follow Dresner Partners on X (formerly Twitter) at www.twitter.com/DresnerPartners. About The M&A Advisor Now in its 26th year, The M&A Advisor was founded to offer insights and intelligence on mergers and acquisitions, establishing the industrys leading media outlet in 1998. Today, the firm is recognized as the worlds premier leadership organization for mergers & acquisition, restructuring and corporate finance professionals, delivering a range of integrated services, including the most active online community of M&A professionals called M&A Connects. www.maadvisor.com. Media Contacts: David Gutierrez, Dresner Partners, (312) 780-7204, dgutierrez@dresnerco.com Roger Aguinaldo, The M&A Advisor, (718) 997-7906, raguinaldo@maadvisor.com For Transaction Related Inquiries Steven M. Dresner, President, (312) 780-7206, sdresner@dresnerco.com Paul Hoffman, Managing Director (312) 780-7229, phoffman@dresnerco.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fb7cbe0a-276a-4886-98d9-55a0823cba8f ST. LOUIS, MO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cedarhurst Senior Living has once again redefined what it means to live vibrantly at any age. Through its innovative Dream Come TRUE program, the senior living provider turned nearly 50 bucket-list dreams into reality for residents across eight states in 2024. From a 96-year-old soaring in a Cessna to an 85-year-old rediscovering his passion for flight, this program proves that age is no barrier to pursuing your dreams. One standout moment includes Evelyn Kidds story, which was featured on CBS Evening News with Norah ODonnell. At 96 years old, Evelyn returned to the skies for the first time in decades, inspiring audiences nationwide with her courage and passion for flight. Our Dream Come TRUE program goes beyond fulfilling wishes, its about celebrating the rich stories, passions, and unique journeys of our residents," says Almir Sajtovic, President of Cedarhurst Senior Living. "Every dream we help bring to life is a testament to our commitment to fostering vibrant, inspiring communities where every life is honored and celebrated. 2024 Highlights: Turning Dreams into Reality Every story in the Dream Come TRUE program reflects the passions, memories, and unique journeys of Cedarhurst residents. Among the nearly 50 dreams fulfilled in 2024 were: Gene Miller, Cedarhurst of Lebanon (MO) : A lifelong George Strait fan, Gene attended a concert by his musical hero, rekindling cherished memories of dancing with his late wife. : A lifelong George Strait fan, Gene attended a concert by his musical hero, rekindling cherished memories of dancing with his late wife. Leona Lewis and Carolyn Hollander, Cedarhurst of St. Charles (MO) : These adventurous friends soared above the landscape in a hot air balloon. For Leona, it was a thrilling first-time experience, while Carolyns flight marked a triumphant return to an adventure she hadnt enjoyed in 30 years. : These adventurous friends soared above the landscape in a hot air balloon. For Leona, it was a thrilling first-time experience, while Carolyns flight marked a triumphant return to an adventure she hadnt enjoyed in 30 years. Suzanne Edson, Cedarhurst of Woodland Hills (OK) : Suzanne zipped through the treetops on a thrilling zipline adventure, proving that age is no obstacle. Her advice? Do what you want to do, no matter your age, and just give it a try! : Suzanne zipped through the treetops on a thrilling zipline adventure, proving that age is no obstacle. Her advice? Do what you want to do, no matter your age, and just give it a try! Jim Mathiasch, Cedarhurst of Naperville (IL): At 85, Jim returned to the cockpit, reliving his passion for flying in a heartfelt moment of resilience and joy. These unforgettable moments, and many more, captured the essence of living life to the fullest, inspiring residents, families, and Cedarhurst staff alike. A Year of Milestones The Dream Come TRUE program expanded its reach in 2024, fulfilling nearly 50 dreams across more than 30 Cedarhurst communities in eight states: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. These achievements showcase the dedication, creativity, and compassion of Cedarhurst teams, who go above and beyond to make residents dreams a reality. Looking ahead to 2025, Cedarhurst is determined to surpass these milestones and elevate the Dream Come TRUE program even further. By engaging more residents and communities, Cedarhurst aims to expand the programs reach, making more dreams come true and creating unforgettable moments of joy, inspiration, and connection for residents and their families. Looking Ahead to 2025: Whats Your Dream? Starting in January, residents can submit their wishes, with each community selecting at least one to fulfill. As resident Evelyn Kidd shared, I hope next year someone gets a wish, and it happens to them like it did for me. It was really nice! Carolyn Hollanders words from her hot air balloon adventure offer a perfect reminder to all: I want others to know that youre never too old to try new things. Focus on the things you can still do, not what you cannot. Do not let age slow you down! About Cedarhurst Senior Living Cedarhurst Senior Living is an experienced operator of Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities under the Cedarhurst Senior Living and Cedar Creek brands. Cedarhurst is part of The Dover Companies, established in 2007 to develop, construct, own, and operate high-quality senior housing. Cedarhurst Senior Living operates 50 communities in eight states and currently has three new communities under construction. The senior living providers mission is to create communities where each person feels loved, valued, supported and able to live life to the fullest. To learn more about Cedarhurst, please visit https://www.cedarhurstliving.com. Attachments SAN MATEO, Calif. and UXBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chooch, a leader in Vision AI technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Galliford Try, one of the UK's leading construction groups (LON: GFRD), to integrate next-generation AI into their Asset Intelligence services. The collaboration will enhance our current intelligent technology offering by leveraging advanced AI-driven solutions that protect assets, workers, and surrounding communities, while improving operational efficiency. By incorporating Chooch Vision AI into Galliford Trys Asset Intelligence technology, the partnership extends their capabilities in physical and electronic security, as well as advanced fire detection. These AI-powered tools enable real-time, autonomous site monitoring, identifying potential safety hazards and providing rapid alerts to emerging risks. "Galliford Try is at the forefront of UK construction and infrastructure projects, and we are excited to contribute to their mission for innovation," said Anubhav Saxena, CEO of Chooch. "Their commitment to evolving with cutting-edge technology is evident, and our Vision AI technology aligns perfectly with their multi-sector goals of quality, resilience, value, innovation and new standards in physical, electronic and fire security environments." Chooch delivers ReadyNow Vision AI solutions designed for rapid deployment, enabling organizations to achieve faster ROI. Customers rely on Chooch Vision AI to accelerate decision-making and enhance safety and efficiency across key areas: Human and Asset Protection: Real-time detection and prediction, combined with data analysis, optimize resource use and support smarter operational decisions. Real-time detection and prediction, combined with data analysis, optimize resource use and support smarter operational decisions. Workplace Safety: Automated hazard detection reduces accidents and improves incident response times. Automated hazard detection reduces accidents and improves incident response times. Fire Detection: Early, accurate identification of fire risks safeguards assets, workers, and the environment. "Were proud to partner with Chooch to bring AI-driven security solutions to our clients," said Uzair Osman, Managing Director of Galliford Try Asset Intelligence. "Choochs plug-and-play technology is a game-changer, adapting to the diverse needs of our projects and enhancing our comprehensive offering." For more information about Chooch and its Vision AI solutions for construction intelligence, safety, and beyond, visit www.chooch.com. About Galliford Try Galliford Try is one of the UKs leading construction groups, working with the public and regulated sectors to deliver lasting change for communities. Its Asset Intelligence business is driven to solve client problems by working with stakeholders to drive quality, resilience, value, innovation and new standards in physical, electronic and fire security environments. Learn more at www.gallifordtry.co.uk. About Chooch Chooch is a leader in Vision AI technology, providing cutting-edge solutions that enable organizations to process visual data with unprecedented speed and accuracy. From workplace safety to fire detection and inventory management, Chooch delivers AI-powered insights that enhance efficiency, protect assets, and drive smarter decisions. For more information, visit www.chooch.com. Media Contact Claudia da Costa Marketing Director claudia.dacosta@chooch.com (617) 501-1589 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN OR ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. Ultimovacs ASA (OSE: ULTI) ("Ultimovacs" or the "Company") and Zelluna Immunotherapy AS ("Zelluna"), a privately held company pioneering the development of off the shelf T- Cell Receptor Natural Killer (TCR-NK) cell therapies for the treatment of solid cancers, today announces that Ultimovacs and shareholders of Zelluna representing more than 99% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares in Zelluna (the "Selling Shareholders") have entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the "Business Combination Agreement") to combine the two companies in a share exchange transaction (the "Business Combination"). In connection with and conditional upon the Business Combination, the Company has received pre-commitments for a private placement (the "Private Placement", and together with the Business Combination, the "Transactions") raising gross proceeds of approximately NOK 51.7 million by issuance of new shares in Ultimovacs (the "Offer Shares") at a subscription price of NOK 2.60 per Offer Share. Certain highlights from the Transactions are included below: The proposed Transactions are a result of a shared view that the Business Combination will bring a powerful convergence of complementary strengths. The combined company can leverage Ultimovacs established clinical team and public listing status to take Zellunas novel and proprietary cell therapy platform and pipeline to the clinic. In addition, Zellunas established platform builders and business development team can contribute by seeking to unlock the potential of Ultimovacs MultiClick platform. The Company is expected to have funding through the second quarter of 2026, taking into account the proceeds from the Private Placement. The BCA is subject to, inter alia, approval of the Transactions at the extraordinary general meeting of Ultimovacs expected to be held on or about 9 January 2025 (the "EGM"), confirmation by Euronext Oslo Brs of the continued listing of the Company, and the approval by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority and publication by the Company of a listing prospectus (the "Prospectus") related to listing on Euronext Oslo Brs of the and Offer Shares and Consideration Shares (as defined below) to be issued by the Company to the Selling Shareholders as consideration in the Business Combination. The companies will host a joint presentation on Wednesday 18 December 2024 at 09:00 a.m. CET to present the proposed Transactions. Following completion of the Business Combination, Ultimovacs will own a minimum of 99% of the outstanding shares in Zelluna, and is expected to conduct a compulsory acquisition of any remaining shares in Zelluna in accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act Section 4-25, resulting in Zelluna becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. After completion of the contemplated Transactions, the Company will have a strong and robust shareholder base with the top 20 shareholders being comprised of high-quality names together holding approximately 80% of the share in the Company. Company name, board of directors, management and existing incentive programs As a consequence of the Business Combination, the Company and the Selling Shareholders have agreed that the name of the Company following completion of the Business Combination shall be Zelluna ASA. Pending approval of the EGM, the Board of Directors of the Company shall with effect from completion of the Business Combination be composed as follows: Anders Tuv, Chairman of the Board Bent Jakobsen, Board member Eva-Lotta Allan, Board member Hans Ivar Robinson, Board member One additional board member to be announced as soon as possible prior to the EGM Namir Hassan will be appointed CEO and Hans Vassgard Eid CFO of the Company from completion of the Business Combination. Namir Hassan, CEO, Zelluna Immunotherapy AS, commented: "This is an exciting moment for Zelluna and Ultimovacs. Zelluna is dedicated to pioneering a ground-breaking, novel and proprietary off the shelf cell therapy platform with a lead program nearing the clinic for the treatment of solid cancers. Ultimovacs, a publicly listed company, has built clinical execution expertise treating vast numbers of solid cancer patients. The two companies converge at the perfect time, combining complementary capabilities to take Zellunas world leading cell therapy platform to solid cancer patients. The combined company will also harness Zellunas established team of platform builders and business development to contribute in seeking to unlock the potential of Ultimovacs MultiClick platform. Together, by uniting strengths, and with a public listing and strong shareholder backing, these companies create a transformative force in the cell therapy field, poised to cure solid cancers, and take the lead on the global stage." Jonas Einarsson, Chairman of the Board, Ultimovacs ASA, commented: "Today marks a pivotal moment for Ultimovacs and Zelluna providing the greatest opportunity to optimise shareholder value. By combining the established and complementary expertise of both companies with Zellunas groundbreaking therapy platform, we transform into a company positioned at the forefront of solid cancer treatment innovation." Effective today, Carlos de Sousa will leave his position as CEO of Ultimovacs ASA. Hans Vassgard Eid is appointed interim CEO of Ultimovacs ASA until completion of the Business Combination. The Board of Directors of Ultimovacs would like to thank Carlos for his valuable contributions to Ultimovacs. The Company intends to establish a new share incentive program for the combined company after closing of the Transactions, replacing the current respective incentive programs for the two companies. Business focus after the Transactions The combined company's objectives will be as follows: Advance world's first TCR-NK program targeting MAGE-A4, into first-in-human clinical studies treating solid cancers Develop the TCR-NK pipeline Seek to unlock the MultiClick technology potential Wrap up the UV1 program Exchange ratio The Business Combination is based on an agreed equity valuation of the Company of NOK 89.5 million and of Zelluna of NOK 384.8 million, prior to injection of new equity through the Private Placement. The valuation of Ultimovacs corresponds to a valuation of NOK 2.60 per issued and outstanding share in the Company. As part of the Business Combination, the Company will acquire up to 100% of the shares in Zelluna, and the Company shall issue a minimum of 147,895,791 and up to 147,991,521 shares (the "Consideration Shares") to the existing shareholders of Zelluna, subject to fulfilment of the closing conditions for the Business Combination as further described below. Conditions for completion of the Business Combination The Business Combination is subject to customary terms and conditions, including, inter alia, the following being satisfied or waived by the parties: The EGM of Ultimovacs approving the Transactions Certain warranties of the Selling Shareholders and Company being true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the closing date. Confirmation by Euronext Oslo Brs of the combined companys continued listing Approval by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority and publication of the Prospectus relating to listing of the Consideration Shares and Offer Shares All required regulatory clearances being in place, which is expected only to comprise foreign direct investment ownership control in Sweden for shareholders obtaining an ownership above 10% as a result of the Transactions The simultaneous completion of registration of issuance of the Offer Shares in the Private Placement equal to minimum gross proceeds of NOK 50 million A notice calling for the EGM to approve the necessary corporate resolutions in relation to the Transaction is expected to be published on or about 19 December 2024. The Business Combination Agreement is currently expected to be closed by the end of February 2025, subject to satisfaction of the above conditions for completion. The fully committed Private Placement The fully committed Private Placement will comprise of the issuance of a minimum of 19,230,769 Offer Shares at a subscription price of NOK 2.60 per Offer Share, raising gross proceeds of approx. NOK 51.7 million. The Private Placement is strongly supported by existing shareholders with the full amount being secured through irrevocable pre-commitments from Gjelsten Holding AS, the largest shareholder in Ultimovacs, and several of the largest owners of Zelluna, including Geveran, Radforsk, Birk Venture, Ro Invest, Helene Sundt, Norda, MP Pensjon, INVEN2 and an Oxford Consortium comprised of international private investors with strong knowledge within the Healthcare Sector. The completion of the Private Placement by allocation and delivery of the Offer Shares to investors is subject to all necessary corporate resolutions being validly made by the Company, including without limitation, inter alia, a resolution by the EGM to issue new shares in the Private Placement, that the relevant investor receives full allocation of Offer Shares equal to their irrevocable pre-commitment and that the share capital increase relating to the Private Placement shall take place prior to or simultaneously with the share capital increase relating to the issuance of Consideration Shares. Subject to completion of the Private Placement, the Company intends to carry out a subsequent repair offering of up to 3,846,153 new shares at a subscription price per new share of NOK 2.60, directed towards shareholders of Ultimovacs or Zelluna as of close of trading on 17 December 2024 who (i) were not allocated shares in the Private Placement; (ii) were not offered to provide pre-commitments for the Private Placement; (iii) and are not resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful or would (in jurisdictions other than Norway) require any prospectus, filing, registration or similar action. Any such subsequent offering is subject to publication of a prospectus in accordance with applicable legislation. Advisors DNB Markets, part of DNB Bank ASA, acts as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Transactions. Schjdt acts as legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Transactions. Presentation A presentation by Ultimovacs and Zelluna will be held as a webcast at 09.00 CET on 18 December 2024 followed by a Q&A session. To join the webcast please sign up via https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20241218_2/. The associated slides will be made available on the Company's website www.ultimovacs.com. Contacts Hans Vassgard Eid, Interim CEO and CFO, Ultimovacs ASA Email: hans.eid@ultimovacs.com Phone: +47 482 48632 About Ultimovacs Ultimovacs is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel immunotherapies against cancer. The product candidate UV1 is an off-the-shelf therapeutic cancer vaccine designed to enhance the benefits of immunotherapy and improve cancer treatment efficacy for patients. UV1 triggers an immune response against the shared cancer antigen telomerase, a target present in 85-90% of all cancer indications across disease stages. Ultimovacs has been investigating the safety and efficacy of UV1 in a wide-ranging clinical development program including various cancer indications and different immunotherapy combinations. The Phase II programs comprised five randomized clinical trials in melanoma, mesothelioma, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. More than 640 patients in the U.S., Europe, and Australia have been enrolled in all Phase I and Phase II trials in the program. Furthermore, Ultimovacs is developing a novel conjugation technology, named MultiClick. With the objective of driving value and future pipeline growth, this flexible conjugation technology has the potential to be broadly applicable to a variety of therapeutic modalities, such as innovative drug conjugates with favorable pharmacological properties, and in multiple disease areas. About Zelluna Zellunas mission is to deliver transformative treatments with the capacity to cure advanced solid cancers, in a safe and cost-efficient manner, to patients on a global scale. The Company aims to do this by combining the most powerful elements of the immune system through pioneering the development of off the shelf T cell receptor (TCR) guided natural killer (NK) cell therapies (TCR-NK) The TCR-NK platform offers a unique mechanism of action with broad cancer detection capability to overcome the diversity of tumors and will be used off the shelf to overcome scaling limitations of current cell therapies The Company is led by a management team of biotech entrepreneurs with deep experience in discovery through to clinical development of TCR and cell-based therapies including marketed products. *** Ultimovacs is listed on the Euronext Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: ULTI). This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 in the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Hans Vassgard Eid, CFO of Ultimovacs ASA, on 17 December 2024 at 17.45 CET. *** This announcement is not and does not form a part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities. The distribution of this announcement and other information may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions. Matters discussed in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as believe, expect, anticipate, strategy, intends, estimate, will, may, continue, should and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although Ultimovacs believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control. The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date, and are subject to change without notice. Ultimovacs undertakes no obligation to review, update, confirm, or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this announcement. This announcement is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. Attachment ATLANTA, Georgia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrandSafway, a leading provider of access and specialty services to industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets, was ranked fifth out of 600 Top Specialty Contractors by Engineering News Record (ENR). This industry recognition and consistent position in the top ten for the past 16 years reflects BrandSafways global leadership in serving the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise. Thank you to ENR for this recognition, which not only honors the performance of our company but also dedication, commitment and passion of our team members, said Incoming President and CEO Gabriel McCabe. The foundation of our reputation is safety, and our clients count on us for our expertise, innovation and devotion to excellent service. BrandSafway is an incredible place to grow your career and participate in projects that have meaningful and long-lasting impacts in our communities. With a history spanning more than 100 years, BrandSafway contributes to some of the most complex and iconic structures in the world, including these notable recent commercial and infrastructure projects: The Louis Vuitton 15-story branded logo trunks in New York City, built with our scaffolding, to cover the construction of their flagship store 15-story branded logo trunks in New York City, built with our scaffolding, to cover the construction of their flagship store The Scaffolding Access and Industry Association (SAIA) Award-Winning Second Narrows Water Supply Tunnel in Vancouver, British Columbia, providing a double-tiered QuikDeck Suspended Access System in Vancouver, British Columbia, providing a double-tiered QuikDeck Suspended Access System The Space Shuttle Endeavour installation at California Space Center, supplying scaffolding and access installation at California Space Center, supplying scaffolding and access 50 Hudson Yards , New York Citys fourth largest commercial office tower, developing an eight-car, 993-ft.-tall construction elevator complex , New York Citys fourth largest commercial office tower, developing an eight-car, 993-ft.-tall construction elevator complex The Tenth Avenue Bridge , Minneapolis, MN, supplying suspended access systems , Minneapolis, MN, supplying suspended access systems The University of Notre Dame Dome Regilding, building self-supporting scaffolding that stood independently of the historic structure Dome Regilding, building self-supporting scaffolding that stood independently of the historic structure The New Register House , Edinburgh, supplying temporary roofing and scaffolding , Edinburgh, supplying temporary roofing and scaffolding Rader Hochbrucke , Iconic bridge project in Germany using the new SCF60 self-climbing formwork , Iconic bridge project in Germany using the new SCF60 self-climbing formwork Gostyn Bypass , a viaduct in Poland, implementing an incremental launch method , a viaduct in Poland, implementing an incremental launch method Estrel Tower, the tallest high-rise tower in Berlin, developing customized technical and safety solutions BrandSafway is uniquely positioned to serve the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets with: The broadest range of turnkey solutions from access solutions and specialty services to forming and shoring to maximize operations and improve productivity for customers A deep bench of renowned industry experts Strong, trusted client relationships More than a century of service on iconic and innovative global projects Read more about The ENR Top 600 Specialty Contractors here. About BrandSafway With a commitment to safety as its foremost value, BrandSafway provides the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets. Through a network of 340 strategic locations across 26 countries and approximately 40,000 employees, BrandSafway delivers a full range of forming, shoring, scaffolding, work access and industrial service solutions. BrandSafway supports maintenance and refurbishment projects as well as new construction and expansion plans with unmatched service from expert local labor and management. Todays BrandSafway is At Work For You leveraging innovation and economies of scale to increase safety and productivity, while remaining nimble and responsive. For more information about BrandSafway, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn. Attachment TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aecon Group Inc. (TSX: ARE) (Aecon) announced today the closing of the previously disclosed acquisition of United Engineers & Constructors (United). We are excited to welcome the United team to Aecon and we look forward to harnessing our enhanced nuclear and conventional power generation capabilities and client relationships to drive continued growth in the U.S. and priority markets, said Jean-Louis Servranckx, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aecon Group Inc. We are pleased to have Uniteds experienced operational teams and management join Aecon, said Aaron Johnson, Senior Vice President, Nuclear, Aecon Group Inc. Adding Uniteds strong technical and engineering experience complements our business, augments our collaborative partnership in Canada and expands our comprehensive nuclear service offering across North America to support significant opportunities in this growing market. About Aecon Aecon Group Inc. is a North American construction and infrastructure development company with global experience. Aecon delivers integrated solutions to private and public-sector clients through its Construction segment in the Civil, Urban Transportation, Nuclear, Utility, and Industrial sectors, and provides project development, financing, investment, management, and operations and maintenance services through its Concessions segment. Join our online community on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram @AeconGroupInc. About United Engineers & Constructors United Engineers & Constructors is an industry leading infrastructure engineering, procurement, construction, and consulting company dedicated to improving lives by delivering the most impactful solutions. Since 1905, United has served the power industry by providing comprehensive lifecycle services for the nuclear, conventional generation, renewable, and distributed energy markets. Together with its clients and partners, United has been unified in its efforts to deliver innovative and transformative infrastructure that is designed and built to meet the demands of today and the future. Statement on Forward-Looking Information The information in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements which may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans but are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook for Aecon, including statements regarding: the anticipated growth of Aecon's nuclear and engineering business, the growing nuclear market in North America, and Aecon's expansion in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Forward-looking statements may in some cases be identified by words such as "may," "will," "expects," "target," "future," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "should" or the negative of these terms, or similar expressions. In addition to events beyond Aecon's control, there are factors which could cause actual or future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or inferred herein including, but not limited to: the risk of not being able to meet contractual schedules and other performance requirements, the risk the nuclear market does not continue to grow as expected, the risk of not being able to capitalize on opportunities linked to the energy transition, the risk of not being able to meet its labour needs, the risk of costs or difficulties related to the integration of Aecon and United being greater than expected, the risk of the anticipated benefits and synergies from the acquisition not being fully realized or taking longer than expected to realize, the risk of being unable to retain key personnel, including United management, and the risk of being unable to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers or other business partners of United. These forward-looking statements are based on a variety of factors and assumptions including, but not limited to that: none of the risks identified above materialize, there are no unforeseen changes to economic and market conditions and no significant events occur outside the ordinary course of business. These assumptions are based on information currently available to Aecon, including information obtained from third-party sources. While Aecon believes that such third-party sources are reliable sources of information, Aecon has not independently verified the information. Aecon has not ascertained the validity or accuracy of the underlying economic assumptions contained in such information from third-party sources and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability whatsoever in respect of any information obtained from third-party sources. Risk factors are discussed in greater detail in Section 13 - "Risk Factors" in Aecon's 2023 Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and Aecon's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024, each filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Aecon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information: Adam Borgatti SVP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations 416-297-2600 ir@aecon.com Nicole Court Vice President, Corporate Affairs 416-297-2600 corpaffairs@aecon.com Dublin, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Beer Glassware Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, 2019-2029F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Beer Glassware Market was valued at USD 377.92 Million in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 597.07 Million by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 7.98%. The global beer glassware market is experiencing significant growth driven by evolving consumer preferences, the rising popularity of craft beer, and a growing focus on premium drinking experiences. As beer enthusiasts increasingly seek unique and specialized drinking vessels that enhance the flavors and aromas of their beverages, the demand for various types of glassware, such as pilsner glasses, tulip glasses, and steins, has risen. These specialized glasses are designed to optimize the drinking experience, contributing to the market's expansion. Key Market Trends Innovations in Design and Materials Innovation in design and materials is another key trend in the global beer glassware market. Manufacturers are constantly exploring new ways to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, and durability of their products. This includes the introduction of new glass shapes, textures, and designs that are both functional and visually appealing. One area of innovation is the use of advanced materials and technology to create glassware that enhances the beer experience. For example, some manufacturers have developed glasses with built-in insulation or double-walled designs that help maintain the beer's temperature for longer periods, preventing it from getting warm too quickly. Other innovations include glasses with specially designed bottoms or interiors that improve carbonation retention or glasses made with unique textures that enhance the tactile experience. Moreover, brands are experimenting with new manufacturing techniques to create lighter, stronger, and more durable beer glasses. The use of innovative materials, such as tempered glass, helps improve the resistance of glassware to chipping or breakage, making it more practical for both home and commercial use. Customization is also becoming a major trend, with many consumers seeking personalized or limited-edition beer glasses that feature custom engravings or unique designs. This demand for customization has prompted manufacturers to offer more personalized options for consumers looking to add a special touch to their beer glassware collection. Growing Demand for Specialized Glassware One of the most prominent trends in the global beer glassware market is the rising demand for specialized and style-specific glassware. As beer enthusiasts become more knowledgeable about different beer types and the importance of serving beer in the right glass, there is a growing interest in glassware designed to enhance the flavor and aroma of specific beer styles. For instance, glasses such as tulip glasses for IPAs, snifters for stouts, and pilsner glasses for lagers are gaining popularity due to their ability to highlight the unique characteristics of each beer. This trend is largely driven by the craft beer boom, which has expanded consumers' knowledge and appreciation of different beer styles. As the craft beer movement continues to grow, consumers are increasingly seeking products that enhance their beer-drinking experience. Specialized glassware allows drinkers to experience the full range of aromas, carbonation, and flavor profiles that different beers offer. Craft breweries are also capitalizing on this trend by offering custom-branded glassware as a way to promote their brand and create a more immersive drinking experience for customers. Focus on Sustainability Sustainability is another important trend shaping the global beer glassware market. As global consumers become more environmentally conscious, there is increasing demand for products that are eco-friendly and sustainable. In the beer glassware sector, this trend is reflected in the growing popularity of glassware made from recycled or eco-friendly materials. Many consumers are seeking products that reduce their carbon footprint, which has led to the rise of recycled glassware, biodegradable packaging, and alternatives to traditional glass materials, such as bamboo or other sustainable substances. The beer industry as a whole has also made strides toward more sustainable practices, with breweries adopting greener operations, including reducing waste, water, and energy usage. Glassware manufacturers are aligning with these sustainability goals by producing eco-friendly products that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, the durability and recyclability of glass itself make it an appealing material for those looking to minimize environmental impact. Regional Insights Europe was dominated region in the global beer glassware market, owing to its strong beer culture and high consumption rates. The region is home to some of the world's oldest and most renowned beer-producing countries, including Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, where beer culture is deeply ingrained. European consumers are highly knowledgeable about different beer styles and the importance of using the right glassware, fueling demand for specialized, high-quality glasses. Additionally, Europe has a significant number of craft breweries, contributing to the growth of niche glassware markets. The presence of leading glassware manufacturers and the widespread availability of beer glassware in retail stores further reinforce Europe's position as the dominant market region. Key Market Players Fiskars Eagle Glass Deco Hamilton Housewares Guangdong Garbo Industrial Co. Cello World Libbey Glass Lifetime Brands Ngwenya Glass Ocean Glass Public Company Borosil Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 181 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $377.92 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $597.07 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.9% Regions Covered Global Report Scope: In this report, the Global Beer Glassware Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below: Beer Glassware Market, By Product: Mugs Pints Pilsner Weizen Others Beer Glassware Market, By Application: Household Commercial Beer Glassware Market, By Distribution Channel: Offline Online For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gbb367 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 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DONT LOOK Projects is pleased to announce its inaugural group exhibition, Permission to Bloom, featuring the work of four international artists working across various media. Opening on January 18, 2025, at 2680 South La Cienega Blvd in Los Angeles. The exhibition explores the interrelation between nature and technology, prompting us to consider both their effects on our society, humanity and its horizon, and our own positionality in earths future. Like a call to adventure beckoning us to explore these connections, the exhibition challenges our understanding of these two seemingly opposing forces. Nature has long been a source of inspiration for artists over the last 40,000 years, the natural world being depicted in prehistoric cave paintings found across the globe. Despite human attempts to control it, nature will reclaim its space after our technological innovations fade, a thought best illustrated in the image of wildflowers that bloom in derelict factories in many provincial locations globally. This exchange reminds us that while modern technologies enhance our lives and agricultural advances feed vast populations, it is natures virility that forms the foundation of our existence. Nature also finds ways to endure despite humanity's insatiable appetite for expansion and subjugation. Gillian Brett's work (France) reflects upon the decline of traditional farming methods and the increasing reliance on precision agriculture technologies. Brett invites viewers to consider the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural world. Similarly, Beverley Duckworths (UK) research into global landfills materializes in sculpture and installation that takes a regenerative approach to the infinite mountains of discarded garments and electronic waste by implanting them with seeds and utilizing them as foundations for roots of new life to emerge. Helena Sekot (Austria) attends to the formal symbolism of the natural world, leaning into the grace and grit of flora and fauna. Sekots series of digital prints of rhubarb skins wrapped around body parts contain a sensuality and eroticism that references both digital cultures and art history. Ewelina Skrowronskas (Poland) paintings use natural dyes, departing from a human-centric framing of the world to reveal a deeply interconnected biophilic reading of Earth. The works offer us a potential dreamscape of a future where humankind and the natural world work in symbiosis. DONT LOOK Projects is a contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles, CA. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a2220fa9-6332-4d44-9924-db386e5f331d The shareholders of Fingerprint Cards AB (publ), reg. no. 556154-2381 (the Company or Fingerprints), are hereby invited to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting (the EGM or Meeting) to be held at 10:00 a.m. (CET) on 17 January 2025, at Gernandt & Danielsson Advokatbyra, Hamngatan 2, 111 47, Stockholm, Sweden. The entrance to, and registration for, the Meeting will open at 9:30 a.m (CET). The Board of Directors has decided, pursuant to the Companys articles of association, that shareholders shall have the right to exercise their voting rights by postal voting. Shareholders may therefore choose to exercise their voting rights at the Meeting by attending in person, through a proxy or by postal voting. A. Right to participate at the Meeting In order to participate in the EGM, shareholders shall: be registered in the register of shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as of 9 January 2025, and give notice of attendance at the Meeting to the Company in accordance with the instructions set out in the section B. Notice of attendance for participating in person or through a proxy no later than on 13 January 2025, or submit a postal vote in accordance with the instructions set out in the section C. Voting by post no later than on 13 January 2025. To be entitled to participate in the Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of attendance or submitting a postal vote, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the share register on 9 January 2025. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominees procedures and such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed no later than on 13 January 2025, are taken into account when preparing the share register. B. Notice of attendance for participating in person or through a proxy Shareholders who wish to participate in the Meeting in person or through a proxy must notify the Company of their intention to attend the EGM no later than 13 January 2025, either via www.fingerprints.com, by telephone +46 (0) 771-24 64 00, by e-mail to proxy@computershare.se or by mail to Computershare AB, Fingerprint Cards EGM 2025, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, 169 73 Solna, Sweden. On giving notice of attendance, shareholders must state their name, personal or corporate identity number, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if there are any attending advisors, and details of their shareholdings. A proxy form for shareholders wishing to participate via proxy is available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com. Shareholders represented by proxy must issue a dated Power of Attorney authorizing the representation. If a Power of Attorney is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the registration certificate or the equivalent for the issuing legal entity must be appended. To facilitate the entrance, the Power of Attorney and registration certificate must be sent by mail to the Company at the above-stated address in due time prior to the EGM. A Power of Attorney must be presented in original. It is valid for no more than a year from issuance unless a longer period is stated in the Power of Attorney, however no more than five years from the issuance. C. Voting by post Shareholders who wish to exercise their voting rights by postal voting shall use any of the methods listed below. Website voting: Voting may be done electronically through signing with BankID on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com. E-mail voting: Voting may be submitted by completing the voting form available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com, and then e-mailing such form to the e-mail address proxy@computershare.se, together with a Power of Attorney and/or other authorization documents (see below). Regular mail: Voting may be submitted by completing the voting form available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com, and after completion sending a physical copy (i.e., the printout) of such form, together with a Power of Attorney and/or other authorization documents (see below) to Computershare AB, Fingerprint Cards EGM 2025, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, 169 73 Solna, Sweden. A shareholder cannot give any other instructions than selecting one of the options specified at each point in the voting form. The postal voting in its entirety is invalid if the shareholder has modified the form to provide specific instructions or conditions or if pre-printed text is amended or supplemented. The voting form, together with any enclosed Power of Attorney and other authorization documentation, must have been received by Computershare AB no later than on 13 January 2025. Votes received later will be disregarded. Those who wish to withdraw a submitted postal vote and instead exercise their voting rights by participating in the Meeting in person or through a proxy must give notice thereof to the Meetings secretariat prior to the opening of the Meeting. If the shareholder votes by proxy, a written and dated Power of Attorney shall be enclosed with the voting form. A proxy form is provided upon request and is available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com. If a Power of Attorney is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the registration certificate or the equivalent for the issuing legal entity must be appended. For questions regarding the postal voting process, please contact Computershare AB, telephone +46 (0) 771 24 64 00, weekdays between 9:0016:00 (CET). D. Matters to be addressed at the Meeting Proposed agenda: 1) Opening of the Meeting 2) Election of chairman of the Meeting 3) Preparation and approval of the voting register 4) Approval of the agenda 5) Election of two persons to attest the minutes 6) Determination of whether the Meeting has been duly convened 7) Resolution on: (a) reduction of share capital, (b) amendments to the articles of association, (c) amendments to the articles of association, (d) subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders, and (e) bonus issue 8) Resolution on authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues with or without preferential rights for the shareholders 9) Closing of the Meeting Proposals for resolution Item 7 Resolutions on: reduction of the share capital (item 7 (a)), amendments to the articles of association (item 7 (b)), amendments to the articles of association (item 7 (c)), subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders (item 7 (d)), and bonus issue (item 7 (e)) Due to a significant cash burn rate and a strained liquidity position within the Group primarily driven by unsustainably low gross margins in the Mobile product group the Company brought in a new executive leadership team who announced a comprehensive transformation plan in 2023. Although the transformation plan as a whole is designed to ensure sustained profitable growth and ongoing cost optimization will keep Fingerprints lean and agile, the ongoing process of executing the transformation plan has led to short-term revenue fluctuations. Against this background and given the Groups overall operational performance, the Board of Directors has carefully evaluated the possibilities for the Company to ensure a necessary capital injection in order not to jeopardise the completion of the transformation plan and in turn the survival of Fingerprints, as well as to support future growth initiatives. In this evaluation, the Board of Directors took into account scale and need of a necessary capital injection, and believed that a rights issue (see item 7 (d) below) together with a short-term loan, is the only way for Fingerprints to enable the completion of the transformation plan and in turn achieve stability and stronger prospects for the future of the Group. In order to enable a rights issue, the Board of Directors propose that the EGM resolves to reduce the quota value of the shares through a reduction of share capital and a bonus issue in accordance with the below. Item 7 (a) Resolution on reduction of the share capital The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves on a reduction of the share capital on the following terms and conditions. The share capital is to be reduced by SEK 158,988,426.514333. The reduction of the share capital is to be effected without redemption of shares. The purpose of the reduction is allocation to unrestricted shareholders equity. The reduction is carried out in order to reduce the shares quotient value to enable the rights issue to be resolved on pursuant to item 7 (d). Following the reduction, Fingerprints share capital will amount to SEK 733,637.4316 divided among 3,668,187,158 shares in total (prior to the rights issue as to be resolved on pursuant to item 7 (d)), each with a quotient value of approximately SEK 0.0002. The Board of Directors statement pursuant to Chapter 20, Section 13, fourth paragraph of the Swedish Companies Act The effect of the Board of Directors proposal is that Fingerprints share capital is reduced by SEK 158,988,426.514333, from SEK 159,722,063.945933 to SEK 733,637.4316. The bonus issue under item 7 (e) result in an increase of the share capital by the reduction amount (i.e., SEK 158,988,426.514333). By simultaneously with the reduction of the share capital carry out the bonus issue, which increases the share capital by the reduction amount, the Company may execute the reduction without approval from the Swedish Companies Registration Office or a public court, since the measures taken together do not result in a decrease in the Companys restricted equity or share capital. Authorization to make minor amendments The Board of Directors or the CEO, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors or the CEO, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (b) Resolution on amendments to the articles of association The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to amend 4 and 5 first paragraph in the Companys articles of association in accordance with the below to increase the permitted maximum number of shares and the permitted maximum number of shares of each class that may be issued. Proposed wording 4 Share capital The share capital shall amount to not less than SEK 54,428,133.389266 and not more than SEK 217,712,533.557063. The number of shares shall not be fewer than 4,400,000,000 and not exceed 17,600,000,000. 5 Classes of shares The Companys shares may be issued in two classes, designated Class A carrying ten (10) votes per share and Class B carrying one (1) vote per share. Class A shares may be issued to a maximum number of 1,552,941,175 and Class B shares to a maximum number of 16,047,058,825. It is further proposed that the Board of Directors is authorized to, in connection with the registration (including registration in part) of the rights issue resolved on by the Board of Directors subject to the subsequent approval of the Meeting in accordance with item 7 (d), submit for registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office the articles of association according to this item 7 (b) or item 7 (c) which limits for the minimum and maximum number of shares in the Company is compatible with the total number of shares in the Company when implementing the rights issue. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (c) Resolution on amendments to the articles of association The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to amend 4 and 5 first paragraph in the Companys articles of association in accordance with the below to increase the permitted maximum number of shares and the permitted maximum number of shares of each class that may be issued. Proposed wording 4 Share capital The share capital shall amount to not less than SEK 54,428,133.389266 and not more than SEK 217,712,533.557063. The number of shares shall not be fewer than 7,000,000,000 and not exceed 28,000,000,000. 5 Classes of shares The Companys shares may be issued in two classes, designated Class A carrying ten (10) votes per share and Class B carrying one (1) vote per share. Class A shares may be issued to a maximum number of 2,470,588,233 and Class B shares to a maximum number of 25,529,411,767. It is further proposed that the Board of Directors is authorized to, in connection with the registration (including registration in part) of the rights issue resolved on by the Board of Directors subject to the subsequent approval of the Meeting in accordance with item 7 (d), submit for registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office the articles of association according to this item 7 (c) or item 7 (b) which limits for the minimum and maximum number of shares in the Company is compatible with the total number of shares in the Company when implementing the rights issue. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (d) Resolution on subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders Background On 17 December 2024, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had decided on a partially guaranteed issue of units consisting of shares of series B (B-shares) and warrants entitling for subscription of B-shares (Warrants) (Units) in an amount of up to approximately MSEK 160 with preferential rights for the Companys existing shareholders (the Rights Issue). Proposal The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to approve the Board of Directors decision to carry out the Rights Issue, mainly on the terms and conditions set out below. Decision on the final terms and conditions The Board of Directors will on or around 15 January 2025 (however not later than on 17 January 2025) decide on the maximum amount by which the Companys share capital shall be increased with, the maximum number of Units (and thereby the maximum number of B-shares and Warrants) to be issued (including the number of unit rights to which each existing share in the Company shall entitle and the number of Units that each unit right shall entitle to subscribe for) as well as the subscription price to be paid for each Unit. Allotment of shares in certain cases Granting of Units (and thereby B-shares) in the Rights Issue that would entail that a party who guarantees part of the Rights Issue gains control of ten (10) percent or more of the votes in the Company following the Rights Issue entail a requirement for a prior decision from the Inspectorate of Strategic Products in accordance with the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments Act (2023:560), and, if applicable, any other equivalent body pursuant to legislation in any other jurisdiction, to approve the investment or leave the application therefore without remark (FDI Decision). Such Units in the Rights Issue which, if granted to a party who guarantees part of the Rights Issue, would require a FDI Decision and such FDI Decision has not been obtained at the time of granting are referred to as FDI Units. Terms for the Rights Issue 1. The record date for the right to participate in the Rights Issue shall be 24 January 2025. 2. The new B-shares and Warrants shall be issued in units of Units, where each Unit consist of a certain number of B-shares and Warrants. 3. Each shareholder have preferential right to subscribe for new B-shares and Warrants (in units of Units) in proportion to the number of shares previously held. In the event that not all Units are subscribed for by exercising unit rights, the Board of Directors shall, within the maximum limit of the Rights Issue, decide on allotment of Units subscribed for without exercising of unit rights in accordance with the following allotment principles: (a) Firstly, allotment of Units shall be granted to those who have subscribed for Units by exercising unit rights, regardless if they were registered as shareholders on the record date or not, and in the event of over-subscription, pro rata in relation to their subscription by exercising unit rights, and to the extent this is not possible, by drawing lots, (b) Secondly, allotment of Units shall be granted to others who have subscribed for Units without exercising unit rights, and in the event of over-subscription, pro rata in relation to the subscribed amount, and to the extent this is not possible, by drawing lots, (c) Thirdly, allotment of Units, that does not constitute FDI Units, shall as applicable be granted to the parties who guarantees part of the Rights Issue, pro rata in relation to such guarantee commitments in accordance with separate agreement with the Company, and (d) Ultimately, as applicable, allotment of Units that constitutes FDI Units shall be granted to the relevant parties who guarantees part of the Rights Issue if and when that guarantor has obtained a positive FDI Decision. 4. The new B-shares shall carry the right to dividend for the first time on the dividend record date that follows immediately after the new B-shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. Any new B-shares issued following the exercising of the Warrants shall entitle to dividends for the first time on the record date that occurs immediately following when the subscription of such B-shares has been executed, i.e., when the B-shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office as well as in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. 5. Subscription for Units by exercising unit rights shall be made between 28 January 2025 and 11 February 2025 through payment in cash. Subscription for Units without exercising unit rights shall be carried out on a separate application form during the same period. Payment for Units subscribed for without exercising unit rights shall be made through payment in cash no later than 17 February 2025. The Board of Directors shall have the right to extend the subscription period as well as the payment period. 6. Notwithstanding item 5 above, subscription for FDI Units, shall be made between 28 January 2025 and the earlier of (i) the business day that falls three (3) business days from an obtained FDI Decision (however not earlier than the last day of the general subscription period set out in item 5) and (ii) 13 June 2025. Notwithstanding item 5 above, payment for FDI Units shall be made through payment in cash no later than the last day of the subscription period for the FDI Units (however not earlier than 17 February 2025). The Board of Directors shall have the right to extend the subscription period as well as the payment period for the FDI Units. 7. The Warrants shall be issued free of charge. The terms for the Warrants will be available at the Company and on its website, www.fingerprints.com, no later than three weeks prior to the EGM. The Companys share capital shall as a consequence of the exercise of the Warrants be able to increase with up to an amount which corresponds to the number of Warrants that the Board of Directors resolves to be issued multiplied with the quota value of the Companys shares. Such amount shall be set out when the Board of Directors determines the final terms for the Rights Issue. 8. Allotment may only be made in Units and thus not in B-shares or Warrants individually. However, the B-shares and the Warrants will following the completion of the Rights Issue be separated. 9. The premium from the Rights Issue shall be transferred in its entirety to the unrestricted statutory reserve. 10. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be entitled to make the minor adjustments to the above resolutions that may prove necessary in connection with the registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB. Conditions for completion The resolution under this item 7 (e) is conditional upon the Meeting resolving to amend the Companys articles of association. Item 7 (e) Resolution on bonus issue In order to facilitate the registration of the Board of Directors proposal to resolve on a reduction of the share capital under item 7 (a), the Board of Directors proposes that the EGM resolves to increase the share capital by SEK 158,988,426.514333 through a bonus issue without issuing shares. The share capital shall be increased by transfer from unrestricted equity. The Board of Directors shall have the right to execute the transfer. The proposed bonus issue entails that the Company may execute the share capital reduction under item 7 (a) without approval from the Swedish Companies Registration Office or a public court, since the measures taken together do not result in a decrease in the Companys restricted equity or share capital. Authorization to make minor amendments The Board of Directors or the CEO, or any person appointed by either of them, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB or due to other formal requirements. Item 8 Resolution on authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues with or without preferential rights for the shareholders a) authorization of 20 per cent The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting authorizes the Board of Directors to resolve, on one or several occasions up until the next annual general meeting, with or without deviation from the shareholders preferential rights, on new issues of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B corresponding to no more than twenty (20) per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company at the time the Board of Directors first utilises the authorization. The authorization shall also include a right to resolve on a new issue of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B against payment through set-off or contribution in kind or otherwise with conditions in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act. Issue of shares against payment in cash or through set-off with deviation from the shareholders preferential rights shall be carried out on market terms. The purpose of the proposal and the option to deviate from the shareholders preferential rights shall be to strengthen the Companys shareholders equity or to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors and enable the Company to raise capital to pursue potential growth opportunities in line with its adopted strategy. b) authorization of 10 per cent In the event that the Meeting does not approve the proposal for authorization of twenty (20) per cent under item a) above, the Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting authorizes the Board of Directors to resolve, on one or several occasions up until the next annual general meeting, with or without deviation from the shareholders preferential rights, on new issues of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B corresponding to no more than ten (10) per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company at the time the Board of Directors first utilises the authorization. The authorization shall also include a right to resolve on a new issue of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B against payment through set-off or contribution in kind or otherwise with conditions in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act. Issue of shares against payment in cash or through set-off with deviation from the shareholders preferential rights shall be carried out on market terms. The purpose of the proposal and the option to deviate from the shareholders preferential rights shall be to provide the Company with sufficient funds to finance the ongoing operations or to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors and enable the Company to raise capital to pursue potential growth opportunities in line with its adopted strategy. E. Majority requirements Resolutions under items 7 and 8 are valid only if supported by shareholders holding at least two-thirds (2/3) of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the Meeting. All proposals under item 7 of the agenda are conditional on each other and the Board of Directors proposes that the Meetings resolutions under item 7 shall be adopted as a single and joint resolution. F. Shareholders right to request information Shareholders are reminded of their right pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act to request that the Board of Directors and CEO provide information at the EGM in respect of any circumstances which may affect the assessment of a matter on the agenda. The obligation to provide information also applies to the Companys relationship to other group companies. Information must be provided if it is possible to provide such information without significant harm to the Company. G. Documentation and number of shares and votes Documentation will be available at the Company and on its website, www.fingerprints.com, no later than three weeks prior to the EGM. These documents will also be sent to shareholders requesting such documentation and who have provided their postal address. As of the date of this notice, the total number of shares in the Company amounts to 3,668,187,158 (7,875,000 A-shares and 3,660,312,158 B-shares). The total number of votes amounts to 3,739,062,158 (of which 78,750,000 pertain to the A-shares and 3,660,312,158 pertain to the B-shares). At the time of this notice, the Company holds 3,800,000 B-shares in treasury. H. Processing of personal data For information on how personal data is processed in connection with the Meeting, see the privacy notice on Euroclear Sweden ABs and Computershare ABs respective website, https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf and https://www.computershare.com/se/gm-gdpr. Gothenburg in December 2024 Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) The Board of Directors Attachment TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Doherty Fultz Immigration, a leading Canadian immigration consultancy, is excited to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Since its founding in November 2014, DF Immigration has served over 10,000 clients across 194 countries, offering expert and compassionate guidance through the complexities of Canadian immigration. With offices in Toronto and Ottawa, the firm handles all Canadian immigration matters, including family sponsorships, Express Entry, appeals, citizenship, humanitarian cases, spousal sponsorships, businesses hiring foreign workers, and U.S. relocations. DF Immigrations commitment to client success is deeply personalevery staff member has experienced the immigration process firsthand. The team collectively speaks eight languages, including English, Spanish, Afrikaans, Macedonian, Croatian, German, Serbian, and Bulgarian, ensuring clients feel understood and supported. The firm, founded in 2014 by Cassandra Fultz, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, was inspired by her own immigration journey from the U.S. Experiencing its challenges firsthand, she pursued a career in immigration. With 15 years of experience, Cassandra has a success rate exceeding 95%, even for previously refused cases. Cassandra has also contributed to the field as an educator, teaching immigration law for seven years. She developed one of Canadas first Immigration Case Manager courses at Herzing College, equipping students with both practical skills and foundational legal knowledge. As an immigrant, I understand the fear and uncertainty that often accompany the process, Cassandra shares. I remember worrying about whether my application was correct, fearing separation from my husband, or even deportation. These experiences shaped our missionto deliver expert guidance with compassion. Our goal is to leave clients feeling confident and reassured. Doherty Fultz Immigration has achieved remarkable milestones, including doubling in size during the COVID-19 pandemic and being featured by Global News, AM640 Toronto Radio, and Toronto Metropolitan Universitys On the Record. Recently, the firm was nominated for the prestigious Top Choice Award in the Immigration Consulting Services category in Toronto. About Doherty Fultz Immigration Doherty Fultz Immigration is an immigration consultancy licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. DF Immigration specializes in Canadian immigration and citizenship services for individuals, families, and businesses worldwide. Founded in 2014, the firm combines empathy and expertise to assist with all immigration applications, including appeals, visas, permanent residence, citizenship, and humanitarian cases. For more information, visit dfimmigration.ca or contact info@dfimmigration.ca. Washington, D.C., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance is leading the Dressen, et al. v. Flaherty lawsuit against the federal government and Stanford Universitys efforts to pressure and collaborate with social media companies to monitor and censor people discussing Covid vaccines on social mediaincluding online support groups for vaccine injury victims. A newly-released video details how this illegal censorship campaign has silenced the voices of NCLA clients Brianne Dressen, Nikki Holland, and Ernest Ramirez, among others, violating their core constitutional rights. The AstraZeneca vaccine injured Ms. Dressen after she volunteered to participate in vaccine trials. A physical therapist, Ms. Holland was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator following Covid-19 vaccination, experienced a cascade of health emergencies, and now requires a wheelchair. Mr. Ramirez received a Moderna vaccine himself without incident, but his 16-year-old son Ernest, Jr. died of cardiac arrest five days after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. Each of NCLA's six clients has attempted to use social media and join online support groups in an effort to speak out, build community, and find support from others impacted by Covid vaccine-related injuries. However, such efforts have been met with great difficulty due to the government and its private partners' ongoing efforts to silence their voices. The government has continued to attempt to silence and suppress the free speech of these brave Americans and others nationwide who are injured after Covid vaccination or dare to question the safety or efficacy of the vaccines. NCLA clients personal posts about their experiences following vaccination have been censored, and they must use codewordseven in private support groupsto avoid posts being flagged as false or removed entirely. The efforts by numerous government actors to collude with social media companies and ensure that certain voices and disfavored viewpoints like these are stifled on their platforms defy the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from abridging free speech. Excerpts from the video: My rights as a vaccine-injured individual do not equal someone who is not injured. And one of those examples is my right to free speech. Brianne Dressen, Plaintiff, Dressen, et al. v. Flaherty It was my personal story, and it was real, and I posted, and the next thing I know it was being taken down by social media. Nikki Holland, Dressen, et al. v. Flaherty We have so many vaccine-injured that are scared to stand up and speak because of retaliation. We have the right to speak up. Ernest Ramirez, Dressen, et al. v. Flaherty Its far too easy to imagine the type of censorship that weve seen our clients experience happening to any one of us. Casey Norman, Litigation Counsel, NCLA For more information visit the case page here and watch the video here. ABOUT NCLA NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights. ### ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With more than 100 federally recognized Native American tribes in California alone, Laguna Treatment Center is adding a new treatment track to meet the unique needs of these communities. The new Tribal Recovery Track utilizes the Red Road curriculum which emphasizes the importance of community and heritage in the recovery process, offering a unique blend of traditional values and contemporary treatment methods. The Native American population struggles with substance use disorders at high rates but have few options for culturally competent care, said Chris Cummins, LMFT, LCADC, Clinical Director at Laguna Treatment Center. By offering our new Tribal Recovery Track, we hope more Native Americans will feel comfortable seeking addiction treatment and that it will reduce another barrier to care. Addiction is a treatable disease and we want to be that lifeline for all of our community. The Tribal Recovery Track at Laguna Treatment Center includes: 5 weekly group therapy sessions based on the Red Road curriculum. Individual counseling and case management from the track facilitator. Morning meditation 5 days/week. Support in arranging spiritual mentorship visitation, as well as culturally appropriate aftercare. The Tribal Recovery Track is based on foundational elements of the Red Road curriculum and unique practices such as the talking circlewhich brings into balance a patients spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needsand well-being groups. To ensure a culturally sensitive environment, certain items will be allowed for participants of the track, including eagle feathers, sage, sweetgrass, cedar, tobacco, abalone shells, turtle shells, buffalo horns, wampum belts, and animal skin. Gilbert Isaac, CADC-II, Counselor and Group Facilitator, leads the Tribal Recovery Track, bringing a personal passion for the program as a Native American and extensive qualifications, including Generation Red Road Curriculum training and 15 years experience in substance use disorder treatment. When we started introducing the Red Road curriculum, the patient feedback among our Native American patients revealed that this new approach was not only needed, but that it played an important role in their recovery by honoring their distinct cultural experiences and perspectives. It crafts a recovery path that ensures a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to healing, said Gilbert. About Laguna Treatment Center: Laguna Treatment Center is a leading provider of addiction treatment services in Aliso Viejo, California. With a specialized focus on addiction treatment, the center offers comprehensive medical detox and inpatient services to support individuals in their recovery journey. Laguna Treatment Center is part of the American Addiction Centers family, a recognized leader in the addiction treatment industry. For more information, visit https://lagunatreatment.com/about-us/ . Contact: Amanda Lautieri Brand & Communications Manager ALautieri@ContactAAC.com Townsend, Tennessee, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Company Distilling, renowned for its award-winning flagship whiskies, is pleased to announce that its products are now available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits locations throughout Florida. This marks a significant milestone in Company Distilling's expansion, bringing its exceptional spirits to a broader audience. We are thrilled to bring Company Distillings award-winning whiskies to shelves across the entire state of Florida," said Dave Larue, executive vice president of sales for ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. "At ABC, we are dedicated to sourcing the most unique and exceptional spirits from across the country. We're excited to work with Jeff Arnett on bringing his flagship whiskies to our guests." Jeff Arnett, founder and master distiller of Company Distilling, expressed his enthusiasm: "ABC Fine Wine & Spirits gives us an incredible opportunity to share our passion for crafting exceptional whiskies with the discerning consumers of Florida. We believe that our spirits, rooted in tradition and innovation, will resonate with ABC's customers, and we look forward to being part of their celebrations and gatherings." Company Distilling's flagship offerings, including the Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Maple Wood, Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood, and Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood, are now available at over 125 ABC Fine Wine & Spirits stores statewide. These expressions are celebrated for their smooth, approachable flavor profiles, reflecting the brand's dedication to quality and craftsmanship. About ABC Fine Wine & Spirits ABC Fine Wine & Spirits began in 1936 as a neighborhood bar in downtown Orlando, Florida, and has grown into one of the largest family-owned and operated alcohol beverage companies in the United States. With more than 125 locations statewide and additional stores under construction, ABC offers an extensive selection of fine wine, spirits, and craft beer. The company also provides online shopping, a concierge service for events, and a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. About Company Distilling Company Distilling brings together a team of passionate individuals with decades of experience in the spirits industry. With distillery locations in Thompsons Station and Townsend, Tennessee, the brand offers tastings, tours, and cocktails that highlight its expertly crafted whiskies. Built on a foundation of innovation and community, Company Distilling is redefining the whisky experience for enthusiasts everywhere. For more information, visit www.companydistilling.com. Media Contact: Courtney DeLaura Media Manager media@companydistilling.com 865-805-6177 Attachment Boston, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QuickBooks Payroll has been named the leading payroll software for small businesses by Expert Consumers. This accolade highlights its comprehensive feature set, user-friendly design, and integration capabilities that address the diverse needs of small business owners. Top Payroll Software for Small Businesses QuickBooks Payroll - Simplify payroll with QuickBooksaccurate, efficient, and tailored for small businesses. Focus on growth, not paperwork. Small businesses have long sought tools to simplify payroll management while staying tax-compliant. QuickBooks Payroll stands out for automating complex tasks, offering robust time-tracking integrations, and ensuring seamless payroll runs. 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Contact: Drew Thomas (press@expertconsumers.org) Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises The Toronto-Dominion Bank ("TD Bank" or the "Company") (NYSE: TD) investors of a class action representing investors that bought securities between March 7, 2022 and October 9, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). TD Bank investors have until December 23, 2024 to file a lead plaintiff motion. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy, by phone 310-692-8883 or email: lesley@portnoylaw.com, to discuss their legal rights, or click here to join the case. The Portnoy Law Firm can provide a complimentary case evaluation and discuss investors options for pursuing claims to recover their losses. CASE ALLEGATIONS: The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) offers its services in the U.S. under the TD Bank and Americas Most Convenient Bank brands. The TD Bank class action lawsuit claims that, during the Class Period, the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose critical facts regarding the true state of TD Bank's anti-money laundering (AML) program. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that TD Bank concealed or downplayed the severity of failures within its AML program and did not disclose that the imposition of an asset cap or other punitive measures could potentially hinder TD Banks growth in the foreseeable future. The lawsuit further alleges that on May 2, 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into TD Banks AML controls. The investigation focused on how Chinese crime groups and drug traffickers used the bank to launder money from fentanyl sales in the U.S., with agents discovering an operation that laundered hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank. Following this revelation, the complaint states that TD Banks stock price dropped by nearly 6%. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that on October 10, 2024, TD Bank disclosed the resolution of U.S. investigations, which included a $3.09 billion penalty, an asset cap limiting the banks U.S. subsidiaries to $434 billion in assets (the amount as of September 30, 2024), and more stringent approval processes for the banks future product, service, and market launches. The U.S. Department of Justice also highlighted TD Banks failures, noting that it became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and the first U.S. bank to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. As a result of this news, TD Bank's stock price fell by more than 10%, according to the lawsuit. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims against caused by corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising Vancouver, December 17, 2024 - Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) announces today the staking of 90,989 ha (224,052 acres) of contiguous mineral claims to the Company's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine Property (the "Project") across the northern region of the Cariboo Gold District (see Figure 1 enclosed and on the Company website at www.goldencariboo.com), bringing a new total of 95,122 ha (235,264 acres) held by the Company, and now making it the third largest claim holder in the Cariboo Gold District. The new mineral claims encompass an area with a similar geological setting to that of the Project (Figure 1 enclosed), as well as having a history of placer gold production and limited modern exploration for lode gold. The potential for significant orogenic gold systems in the northern region of the Cariboo Gold District was identified by the recent discovery by the Company of the Halo zone, from which 1.77 g/t gold over 136.51 m was intersected in diamond drill hole QGQ24-13 (see News Release dated October 1, 2024). Following the discovery, the Company staked a geological belt encircling a regional-scale intrusion known as the Naver pluton. This belt contains key geological criteria encountered on the Project, and at major gold deposits in the Cariboo Gold District, including: presence of the Nicola Group (Quesnel terrane), which contains the host rock formations to the Project and several others in the Cariboo Gold District, including the 4.7 Moz Spanish Mountain Deposit*. the Snowshoe Group (Barkerville subterrane), which contains the host rock formations to the 5.3 Moz Cariboo Gold Project currently under construction by Osisko Development Corp. (TSXV: ODV)** major thrust faults on the terrane boundary between Quesnel terrane and the Barkerville subterrane, namely the Eureka and Spanish thrusts, which are the inferred deep-seated crustal faults that produced orogenic gold systems across the Cariboo Gold District. presence of placer gold occurrences situated at the confluence of the above faults Golden Cariboo's President and CEO, Frank Callaghan, stated, "The first thing we did after making the Bonanza Ledge discovery in the Wells-Barkerville camp nearly 25 years ago was to stake most of the entire belt surrounding it. It is hard to fathom that the opportunity has presented itself to do it over again this past fall. Following our new discovery, which redefined the gold potential this far north in the Cariboo, we secured over 900 square kilometres of prospective ground over a parallel belt to our discovery and our Project. We look forward to bringing our exploration expertise to unlock its potential as we enter into a new era for Golden Cariboo." Dr. Sarah Palmer, P. Geo., Consulting structural geologist for the Company, commented "The newly staked ground contains the key ingredients for a productive mineral system, highlighted by deep-seated structures and receptive host rocks, which come together right next door to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property. That, along with placer gold surface indicators, provides a strong technical framework for an underexplored geological belt." Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Map of the Cariboo Gold District displaying mineral titles, gold showings and major projects, select Thrust Fault traces***, and the newly staked claim area by the Company. *See Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. News Release dated May 11, 2021 **See Osisko Development Corp. News Release dated January 3, 2023 ***Thrust Fault traces have been compiled from BCGS OF2017-8, from Thomas et al. 2011 (CJES), from Logan 2008 (BCGS) and from Panteleyev et al. 1996 (BCGS). The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Dr. Sarah Palmer, P.Geo., a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101. About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE-ODV/TSXV-ODV). Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 km trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day. Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 km northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Project includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old workings, is a placer creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid 1860s. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER - American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY) announces that is has entered into an arm's length mineral claim purchase agreement to acquire the Xenia West and East lithium projects (the "Projects"). These highly prospective lithium Projects consist of 92 mining claims covering approximately 5,382 hectares or 54 square km. The Projects are located 30km southeast of Val-d'Or, accessible via the regional 117 highway. These Projects are contiguous to Sayona Mining Ltd. and Brunswick Exploration lithium projects and lies chiefly on the metagraywackes of the Pontiac Geological Subprovince. The Reservoir Decelles Batholith is located 1-3 km away from the Projects and consists of a heterogeneous granite which contain muscovite-pegmatites. The vicinity of the Projects was prospected for Cu-Ni (Lac Granet, Lac Louvicourt-South and Cere-Villebon) and the search for pegmatites were ignored until very recently. American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, "We are pleased to have added yet another highly prospective low-cost lithium pegmatite project to our growing portfolio of Quebec based projects. The recent merger of Sayona and Piedmont and acquisition by Rio Tinto of Arcadium shows there remains a strong appetite for M&A in the lithium space and we will continue to identify low-cost strategic acquisitions. American Salars long term thesis remains the development of our NI 43-101 Lithium Brine Resources in Salta, Argentina however we are excited to continue to identify low-cost opportunities for the benefit of American Salars and its stakeholders." Quebec will have the only rock to finished battery grade Lithium Carbonate and Hydroxide outside of Asia, making Quebec the foremost lithium production hub. The Sayona/Piedmont NAL is currently producing 22k ton of spodumene concentrate and ground has been broken on the first of two planned smelters. With Sayona's staggering 116 Mt of lithium resources within it's Abitibi-hub, the world leading downstream infrastructure present, this acquisition is in keeping with the company's strategy of developing projects that are easily accessible, cheap to work, and that are located within established districts with accessible downstream infrastructure in place. The Lac-Granet showing, located on Sayona Mining Limited's claims is located 3 km away from the west limit of the Property and 10 km north of the Reservoir Decelles Batholith. A drill program by Canadian Malartic Gold Mines Ltd. in 1955 (GM03673) documented several intercepts of aplite and fine grained granitic dykes as well as pegmatites with greenish muscovite. These pegmatites are likely linked to the batholith being formed at its margin. Such pegmatites are interpreted to being produced during late stages of crystallization, which is a primary condition to form LCT (lithium-tantale-ceasium) pegmatites. The presence of muscovite mineral is also indicative of later stages of crystallization, a key indicative mineral for lithium-bearing pegmatites. Underexplored areas surrounding the Reservoir Decelles Batholith may therefore be considered prospective as they are susceptible to contain LCT type of pegmatites. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1. Xenia West & East Claims The Transaction American Salars has entered into an agreement with Quartier Mineral Ltd of Quebec, whereby American Salars is acquiring a 100-per-cent interest in the Xenia West & East project by issuing to the vendor 50,000 common shares. Additional projects are still being reviewed and will be subject to further disclosure once due diligence is completed and a deal is completed. American Salars's management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to American Salars may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Qualified Person Mitchell Lavery, P.Geo. (QC), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for The Lac Simard portion of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. American Salars global lithium portfolio consists of two advanced lithium resources in Argentina and our advancing USA lithium asset in Nevada. The Company's existing portfolio of lithium deposits including two NI 43-101 Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates ("MRE") consisting of 457,000 tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") at the Candela 2 Lithium Brine Project ("Candela") and a shared MRE at the Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project ("Pocitos") consisting of 760,000 tonnes LCE. The Pocitos MRE is shared with neighbouring Pocitos 2 which is not under contract or owned by USLI, however it is important to note that none of the drilling that makes up a partial basis for the MRE took place on the Pocitos 2 block. Both brine projects are located in Salta Province, Argentina. Recently, mining giant Rio Tinto made an additional investment into Argentina, with an all-cash transaction to acquire Argentina lithium producer Arcadium Lithium for US$6.7 billion, making Rio Tinto the world's third-largest lithium miner. About Pocitos 1 Lithium Deposit WSP Australia completed an update of the NI 43-101 report initially written by Phillip Thomas QP in June 2023 and estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity for the clay and sand lithologies respectively and a Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). American Salars does not own the neighboring Pocitos 2 ground which comprises 40% of the gross land package that makes up the resource however it is notable that all drilling to date has been completed on American Salars' Pocitos 1 block. The Pocitos 1 project is located approximately 10 kilometers from the township of Pocitos where there is gas, electricity, and accommodation. Pocitos 1 is approximately 800 hectares (1,977 acres) and is accessible by road. Collective exploration since 2017 totals over US$2.0 million in project development, including surface sampling, trenching, TEM and MT geophysics and the drilling of three wells that returned outstanding brine flow results. Locations for immediate follow up drilling have already been identified for upcoming exploration based on the most recent MT survey. Lithium values of 169 ppm from drill hole PCT22-03 packer test assayed from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the project's December 2022 drill campaigns. A packer sampling system was used in HQ Diamond drill holes that were drilled to a depth of up to 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours with all holes exhibiting exceptional brine flow rates. An NI 43-101 updated report completed by WSP Australia has been released on the Pocitos 1 project. Ekosolve Ltd. a DLE technology company was able to produce 99.8% purity lithium carbonate and extraction was above 94% of the contained lithium in the brine i.e. 158.86ppm of lithium would have been recovered from 169ppm. Click Image To View Full SizeFigure 2. Drilling at Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project (Salta, Argentina) About Candela II Lithium Deposit The Candela II Lithium deposit is on the southern and lowest end of the Incahuasi Salar, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. Candela II is situated approximately 45 kilometers from town of Tolar Grande, 267 kilometers from Salta, and close in proximity to advanced and renowned lithium salars such as Arizaro (Lithium Chile) and Pocitos (Hanaq). Volcanoes Cerro Aracar, Medina and Pular contribute lithium to the Incahuasi salar through aquifers. The Candela II Lithium Brine Project contains a National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") completed by WSP Australia Pty. Ltd. (see Spey Resources Corp. news dated September 26th, 2023). This NI 43-101 resource report estimates the project to contain lithium metal of 86,000 tonnes which equates to 457,500 tonnes of in-situ lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and a lithium yield of 48,000 tonnes of LCE from 9,000 tonnes of lithium metal. The calculations assume no losses from lithium metal and a porosity average that will be updated in the next drilling phase. Click Image To View Full SizeFigure 3. Road on Candela II Lithium Brine Project 2022 (Salta, Argentina) Qualified Person Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release regarding Argentina properties, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Thomas is a shareholder of American Salars lithium shares. Additionally, the company has engaged with Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd, which operates Mining.com.au is Australia's leading Mining News platform, reaching over 100,000 engaged readers monthly. Known for its dynamic coverage and leading video content, Mining.com.au provides unparalleled visibility to mining companies through premium sponsored content, announcement highlights, and exclusive features - all optimised for maximum search impact. The platform serves as a powerful channel for companies to connect with investors, industry leaders, and stakeholders across Australia. Christopher Norris is the owner of Mining.com.au and based The Company has agreed to $50,000 AUD for a term of 6 months. Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd does not provide Investor Relations or Market Making services. Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd currently holds no securities in the Company. Contact info@mining.com.au of Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217, Australia. The Company has finalized a consulting services agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH, based in Bremen, Germany (the "Consultant"). Pursuant to this agreement, the Consultant will provide strategic consulting services focused on market analysis and financial advisory to support USLI's business initiatives (collectively, the "Consulting Services"). These Consulting Services will begin immediately upon the effective date of the agreement and continue for a period of one month and may extend for up 11 additional months should it deem worthwhile, ending on December 26, 2024. USLI will compensate the Consultant with a fee of up to EUR 400,000, with 50,000 EUR payable at the commencement of the services and with balances settled monthly thereafter or as deemed necessary. All interactions and service provisions will be coordinated through the Consultant's main contact, the authorized representative in Bremen, Germany (email: contact@plutuinvest.de; phone: +49 421 17540174) Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH currently holds no securities in the Company. About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market. The company's Pocitos 1 and the Candela II lithium salar projects in Argentina both feature a NI 43-101 inferred resource. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, "R. Nick Horsley" R. Nick Horsley, CEO For further information, please contact: American Salars Lithium Inc. Phone: 604.740.7492 E-Mail: info@americansalars.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Toronto, December 17, 2024 - Kirkland Lake Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: KLDC) (OTC Pink: KLKLF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it proposes to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") pursuant to which it shall issue (i) flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.07 per FT Unit; and (ii) units ("Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit, in any combination to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,600,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.08 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof. Each FT Unit will consist of one "flow-through" Common Share and one-half of one share purchase warrant, with each whole share purchase warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $0.12 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance thereof. Up to 20% of the Offering may be purchased by insiders. Funds from the issuance of FT Units will be used for exploration expenditures and funds raised from the issuance of Units will be used for general corporate purposes. The Offering remains subject to various closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. is a TSX Venture Exchange-listed company that has recently consolidated a district-scale, highly prospective land package in the Kirkland Lake Gold Camp in Ontario, Canada. The properties are situated within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world's most richly endowed greenstone belts, with over 200 million ounces of gold produced to date.[1] The Company's properties host regional and property-scale mineralized structures, considered second-order structures off the Larder Lake Cadillac Deformation Zone (LLCDZ), a major regional structure known for its spatial association with gold mines in the camp. The properties assembled by the Company are grouped into two key areas: KL East, which includes the Lucky Strike Property, Arnold Property, and KL Central, and KL West, which encompasses the Goodfish-Kirana and the KL West Properties. KLDC's land position spans approximately 38,000 ha over 1,338 claims and 29 patented claims, making the Company the largest landholder in the Kirkland Lake region. 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 set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risk that the Offering may not be completed on the terms currently proposed or at all and risks relating to completion of future exploration activities as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential size and composition of the Offering and the receipt of all regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. [1] Canada's Gold Exploration Frontier: The Abitibi Greenstone Belt - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/canadas-gold-exploration-frontier-the-abitibi-greenstone-belt/ NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234156 Previous article: Turning the Tide: How Ghanaian businesses can seize the opportunity for renewal Featured Fidelity Bank honours agents as part of 10-year financial inclusion celebration Business Desk Report Business News Dec - 17 - 2024 , 04:52 Fidelity Bank, Ghana's largest privately-owned indigenous bank, has honoured its agents for their exceptional contributions to the banks agency banking network. A release from the bank said the agents also played a pivotal role in expanding agency banking, a cornerstone of Fidelity Banks mission to provide banking services to the unbanked and underbanked. Starting with just 24 agents in 2014, the first of its kind in Ghana, the network has grown exponentially, expanding to over 9,000 agents across every corner of the country. In October alone, the bank saw over GHC2 billion in deposits through its agent network and transactions valued at over GH20 billion since the start of 2024. Advertisement In terms of transaction counts, the agents have also contributed over 2 million during the same period. This remarkable growth affirms Fidelity Banks position as the market leader in Agency Banking, the release added. Winners The categories included Best Attendant, Best Territory Agents, Outstanding Long-Service Agent, and the coveted National Award. At the national level, Brillin Top Enterprise from Nkawkaw, Eastern Region, was the Overall Best Agent for 2024. S-Duah Enterprise from Kumasi secured the second place while Khofhay Ventures from Berekum earned the third-place spot. Strides Deputy Managing Director for Wholesale Banking, Kwabena Boateng, reflected on the remarkable strides made in financial inclusion over the past decade, saying, In the past, millions of Ghanaians were excluded from financial services. He said through the remarkable dedication of the banks agents, it has brought banking into homes, workplaces and communities. Mr Boateng praised the agents for their commitment to bridging the financial gap, especially in remote and underserved areas, helping Ghanaians access vital banking services with ease. Director of Channels and Sales, Godfred Attafuah, also praised the success of agency banking, highlighting its positive impact on employment and income generation. He noted that many agents now benefited from commission-based earnings, providing jobs to countless individuals across the country. He further assured agents that Fidelity Bank remains committed to prioritising their needs and fostering stronger collaborations for the future. Head of Agency Banking at Fidelity Bank, Dr David Okyere, highlighted the banks innovative initiatives designed to enhance both agent and customer experiences. We are introducing groundbreaking programmes, such as the Cash Advance programme for agents, optimised collections processes, alternative withdrawal service channels at agent points and an upgraded Smart Account opening system, he said. Dr Okyere emphasised the banks commitment to continuously improve its services to ensure the success of its agents and the satisfaction of its customers. Featured Wake up call: Shift to local produce Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Dec - 17 - 2024 , 06:20 Experts say there is an urgent need to focus on the production of locally made products to reduce imports and create wealth locally. To this end, trade experts believe there is an urgent need for enhanced dialogue between policymakers and the private sector to improve a key critical aspect of the economy, namely local sourcing and raw materials production. They worry that if we let this opportunity to reset the economy pass by the economy will continue to wobble at the slightest international crises and, therefore, call for investments in local supply chains, which, according to them, would reduce its reliance on imports and position the country as a more self-sufficient economy. Over the years, local industries have been struggling with a shortage of raw materials, threatening their ability to meet production targets and maintain steady operations. Advertisement As various sectors rely on the continuous availability of inputs for manufacturing, the limited availability of raw materials affects local production negatively creating ripple effects that could impact the economy, employment and consumer prices. Manufacturers across the country have raised concerns about the scarcity of essential raw materials, which has led to reduced production capacity in key industries such as food processing, textiles and construction. This shortage, intensified by global supply chain disruptions, rising transportation costs, and challenges in local sourcing, they say is creating bottlenecks in industrial output. Trade deficit In an interview with the Graphic Business, the General Secretary of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG), Nana Opoku Acheampong, said Ghanas reliance on imports for essential goods across industries highlighted the countrys challenge with sourcing raw materials for local production. He explained that with a growing list of products imported annually ranging from tin tomatoes and rice to cars, iron, and steel products Ghanas trade deficit would continue to expand. The lack of raw materials is hampering production across sectors. To compete effectively with imported goods, it is critical that our local industries have access to the raw materials they need, sourced within the country, he said, stressing the need for urgent intervention to safeguard the survival of domestic producers. Mr Acheampong cited how political favouritism was fuelling the influx of foreign goods at the expense of local producers. He further raised concerns over the quality of goods entering the market, and the lack of support for local industries, saying the increasing demand for basic goods such as tomatoes and rice, placed so much burden on the Ghanaian economy. Were experiencing a situation where political connections allow certain importers to bypass quality checks by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), he said. He also criticised the inefficacy of the One District, One Factory policy, which, according to him, had not lived up to expectations. What exactly are they producing, and how does it benefit the local traders? We extended our hand to the current administration, but the results are disappointing, he said. 2023 trade report The 2023 trade report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), which presented an in-depth assessment of Ghana's trading patterns, revealed some notable changes recorded recently. In contrast to the previous year when Ghana faced a trade deficit, the country recorded a surplus of GH5.3 billion in 2023, with total exports of GH186.0 billion and imports of GH180.7 billion. According to the report, Ghana continued to face challenges in diversifying export markets, importing from more countries than exporting, further highlighting the economys dependency on external markets for goods that could potentially be produced locally. As a result, key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, which depend heavily on raw materials, are facing significant pressure due to high import costs and local shortages. The agricultural sector, traditionally a supplier of raw materials for food and beverage companies, has been hit hard by unpredictable weather patterns and rising input costs, particularly for fertilisers. This has resulted in reduced crop yields, limiting the supply chain for industries that rely on agricultural outputs. That has left many companies struggling to meet domestic demand, with production slowing down or stalling entirely. The situation is similarly dire in the construction sector where the $1.2 billion, according to the Ghana Trade Advocacy Network, spent annually on importing iron and steel, has led to a surge in the cost of building projects. These price hikes have driven up housing costs, potentially worsening the countrys already significant housing deficit. Manufacturing sectors, including those producing soaps, cosmetics and plastics, are also grappling with rising costs of imported raw materials, pushing prices higher and squeezing profit margins. Way forward Mr Acheampong advised the incoming administration to prioritise policies that favour local industries to drive Ghanas industrialisation agenda. We need policies that support local production, not just the importation of raw materials, which often cost more than the finished products from abroad, research institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) must work to find substitutes for imported raw materials to make local manufacturing more competitive. One of the key proposals from the Traders Advocacy Group is better regulation to protect local traders and manufacturers. It is time for policymakers to stop toying with the trading community and start investing in Ghanas future through sustainable local production, he said. Featured See Russian President Vladimir Putin's congratulatory message to President-elect Mahama Kweku Zurek International News Dec - 17 - 2024 , 13:10 2 minutes read Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended a congratulatory message to Ghanas President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, following his decisive victory in the December 7 general election. The message was delivered by Russias Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Sergei Berdnikov, during a meeting with Mr Mahama on December 13. The Russian Embassy in Ghana announced the meeting on its official X account, saying: On Dec. 13, H.E. Mr Sergei Berdnikov, the Ambassador of Russia to Ghana, met with H.E. Mr John Dramani Mahama, the President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, to deliver a congratulatory message from President Vladimir Putin. Below is the full text of President Putin's message, translated from Russian: Advertisement Esteemed Mr. Mahama! Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of Your election as the President of the Republic of Ghana. The Russian-Ghanaian relations have traditionally been of a friendly nature. I believe that Your work as the Head of State will contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various fields. I wish You every success as well as good health and well-being. Respectfully, VLADIMIR PUTIN HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA MR. JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA Accra Mr Mahama secured 56.6 per cent of the vote, defeating Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia in the December 7 polls. His victory is historic as it marks the first time in Ghanas Fourth Republic that a president has received an overwhelming endorsement from the electorate. Additionally, Mr Mahamas win will see Ghana make history by swearing in its first female Vice-President, a groundbreaking development for gender inclusion in the countrys leadership. President Putins message highlighted the longstanding friendly nature of Russian-Ghanaian relations and expressed optimism that Mahamas leadership will strengthen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various fields. Featured Tinubu urges ECOWAS leaders to emulate Ghana's peaceful elections www.thisdaylive.com International News Dec - 17 - 2024 , 07:45 3 minutes read President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on West African leaders to draw inspiration from Ghanas recent peaceful elections, hailing the country's democratic maturity and commitment to national unity. Speaking at the opening of the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS in Abuja, President Tinubu commended Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana for setting a high standard with their successful presidential and parliamentary elections held on December 7, 2024. I urge all of us in the region to learn from this good democratic practice and prioritise our countrys national unity to ensure political stability of the region so that this manner of peaceful transition becomes the culture of democracy not only in West Africa but also in the entire African continent, Tinubu said. President Tinubu praised the gesture of Ghanas incumbent Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership, who conceded defeat and congratulated the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), even before the official announcement of results. Advertisement This gesture, as it happened in Nigeria in 2015, demonstrates political maturity and respect for the will of the people of Ghana, Tinubu noted. The Nigerian President further lauded President Akufo-Addos exceptional leadership and his role as a committed Pan-Africanist during his term. He also praised Ghanas Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey, for her leadership in the ECOWAS Ministerial Committee of Reform and wished her success in her new role as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. In his second term as ECOWAS Chair, Tinubu outlined achievements from his first term, including advancements in regional integration, economic cooperation, and counterterrorism efforts. He highlighted initiatives such as the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the Common External Tariff (CET), and infrastructure projects like the West African Gas Pipeline and the West Africa Power Pool. Our efforts in stabilising our region through peacekeeping missions currently in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau, as well as previous operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have demonstrated our capacity to act decisively in the face of adversity, he stated. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on the Fight Against Terrorism, describing it as a comprehensive framework to combat violent extremism and enhance regional security. As ECOWAS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, Tinubu urged member states to reaffirm their commitment to the blocs ideals of economic integration, peace, and prosperity. As a regional community, we must maintain our fundamental responsibility: to protect our citizens and create an enabling environment where they can prosper. As leaders, we know that security is not a luxury but a necessity. Equally, enhancing the living standards of our people is not an aspiration but an obligation, he said. The session was attended by leaders from Cote dIvoire, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Senegal. Sierra Leone was represented by its Vice President, while Benin, Togo, and Cape Verde were represented by senior officials. Earlier in his address, ECOWAS Commission President, Dr Omar Touray, applauded Nigeria for its exemplary financial contributions to the regional body. He revealed that Nigeria, under Tinubus leadership, paid 100% of its community levy for 2023 and substantial remittances for 2024. For the first time in 19 years, Nigeria has paid 100% of its community levy from 2023. On Friday, December 13, 2024, Nigeria paid N85 billion and $54 million, representing 100% of the 2023 levy and the 2024 levy up to July 2024. This underscores the leadership and commitment of President Tinubu, the government, and the people of Nigeria to our community, Dr Touray stated. He called on other member states to follow Nigerias example and meet their financial obligations to ECOWAS diligently. The session underscored a renewed focus on democratic governance, regional integration, and collective security as key pillars for stability and prosperity in West Africa. Featured 15 granted bail over arson attack on EC Office at Asuboi GraphicOnline Dec - 17 - 2024 , 14:42 2 minutes read The Osino District Court in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region has granted bail to 15 persons accused of involvement in the arson attack on the Electoral Commission (EC) office at Asuboi in the Ayensuano Constituency. The incident occurred on December 10, 2024, when a group calling itself the Ayensuano Concerned Youth protested at the EC office following the declaration of Ida Adwoa Asiedu as the MP-elect for the Ayensuano Constituency. During the unrest, the EC office was set ablaze. The suspects, who were arrested by the police and charged with arson, were each granted bail in the sum of GH20,000 with one surety. They are scheduled to reappear in court on January 14, 2025. The bail was granted by His Worship Salifu Bugri Ayagiba, despite objections from the prosecution. Prosecuting Detective Chief Inspector Kamal Salifu Gumah opposed the bail, arguing that investigations were still ongoing and expressing concerns that the suspects might interfere with the process. Advertisement However, counsel for the accused countered, assuring the court that his clients were well-known in the community and would cooperate fully with legal proceedings. The court upheld the defence counsels plea and granted bail to the suspects. The police alleged that some of the NDC members had gone to demolish the EC office at Ayensuano, so we had to come to court to help them and by Gods grace, we have been able to secure bail for them. We will come back to the case on January 14, 2025, the defence counsel said after the ruling. Since they have been granted bail, the court has asked them to report to the Kibi police commander to ensure that they are still available. Everyone was granted GH20,000 bail. All the fifteen people were granted bail today, he added. These are all accusations, so the evidence is the only thing that shows they did what they are being accused of. Until then, it is just a mere accusation. If the police can gather evidence, fine; if not, the case will be rubbished, the counsel concluded. The case has attracted significant attention, and with the suspects scheduled to return to court in January, all eyes will be on the legal proceedings to determine the outcome of the charges. Previous article: Sod cut for construction of new Gbewaa Palace in Yendi Featured Ghana commended for pioneering agricultural transformation in Africa Gertrude Ankah Dec - 17 - 2024 , 09:24 3 minutes read Ghana has been lauded as a leader in Africa's drive for agricultural transformation, despite the challenges faced by many nations across the continent. Dr. Sheila Chugwuju, Executive Director of the Alliance for Science, praised Ghanas proactive stance on biotechnology, highlighting its strong regulatory framework and commitment to the responsible adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops. In an interview with Graphic Online on Saturday, December 14, at Lilongwe in Malawi, Dr. Chugwuju commended Ghanas role as one of the few African countries to develop a clear regulatory system for GM crops. This approach, she noted, includes public consultations to ensure responsible use of biotechnology while mitigating potential risks. Ghanas flagship GM crop, Bt cotton, was approved for cultivation in 2011 to boost cotton production and address pest-related challenges. Although adoption has remained limited, discussions continue on the safety, environmental impact, and socio-economic effects of GM crops in the country. Advertisement The nation is also exploring other GM crops, such as Bt maize and Bt cowpea, though these are yet to be widely adopted. Dr. Chugwuju also highlighted the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, describing it as one of the worlds leading agricultural research institutes. Additionally, she praised Ghana's commitment to honouring its farmers through the annual Farmers Day celebration, underscoring the critical role farmers play in the nations economy. Ghana celebrates its farmers in a way that few African countries do, Dr. Chugwuju remarked, emphasizing the importance of such recognition for Africas agricultural future. Despite Ghanas notable advancements, Dr. Chugwuju acknowledged setbacks in its pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on zero hunger. Ghana was once on track to meet this goal, but poor leadership and other challenges have slowed progress. However, it remains a beacon for agricultural transformation in Africa, she noted. While advocating for GM crops, Dr. Chugwuju stressed that biotechnology alone is not the solution to Africas agricultural challenges. Farmers need more than GM crops. They need mechanisation, better fertilizers, and access to fair markets, she explained. She also called for addressing gender disparities in agriculture, highlighting the barriers women face in accessing resources and technology. Women are the backbone of African agriculture, yet they are often left behind, she added. Furthermore, Dr. Chugwuju underscored the role of technology and digital platforms in enhancing agricultural productivity. Simple tools, such as platforms for assessing soil quality or managing water resources, can make a significant difference for farmers, she said. One of the key barriers to GM crop adoption in Africa, she observed, is misinformation and fear surrounding the technology. Despite scientific evidence affirming the safety of GM crops, many people associate them with health risks. People fear what they dont understand, Dr. Chugwuju noted, calling for increased public education and open dialogue between scientists, policymakers, and the public to address these concerns. Ghanas transparent public consultation process on GM crops, she added, serves as a model for other African nations. Looking ahead, Dr. Chugwuju expressed optimism that more African countries will emulate Ghanas example in adopting biotechnology and modernizing their agricultural sectors. However, she cautioned that progress must be supported by broader investments in agriculture, including better tools, financing, and infrastructure for farmers. As Africa confronts challenges such as food insecurity, climate change, and rapid population growth, Dr. Chugwuju urged the continent to embrace modern farming technologies like GM crops as a pathway to unlocking its agricultural potential. We need a holistic approachaddressing the entire agricultural ecosystemto ensure a sustainable agricultural future for Africa, she concluded. Featured Miriam Bonah named 2024 Best Nurse/Midwife Justice Agbenorsi Dec - 17 - 2024 , 12:57 3 minutes read A community health nurse and midwife from the Tamale Regional Hospital, Miriam Bonah, has been crowned the 2024 National Best Nurse /Midwife by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA). Mrs Bonah, who was honoured for her over 19 years of work in maternal and child health across the Northern Region, took home a brand new Toyota Belta saloon at the Fifth Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Accra last Friday. The first runner-up went to Eric Abugre from the Upper East Region, who took home GH50,000, while the second runner-up went to a nursing officer from the Eastern Region, Edmund Duodu Atweri, who took home GH40,000. More than 40 nurses and midwives from across the country were recognised for their contribution to healthcare delivery at their respective health facilities. Advertisement The President of the GRNMA, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, congratulated the awardees on their contribution to the health sector and advised them to continue to perform their duties diligently. She further urged the awardees to use the platform to serve as a motivation for nurses and midwives to continue to serve as role models for colleagues and interns in the profession. Backbone The Director of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR), Gloria Noi Borteley, described nurses and midwives as the backbone of the countrys healthcare system. She said as the country strove to attain Universal Health Coverage, their role had become more essential. As a result, she said the ministry would remain committed to improving the working conditions of nurses and midwives by offering capacity-building and enhanced professional development. That, she said, would help to equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in an evolving healthcare system. She further urged them to renew their commitment to excellence and to strive to achieve greater heights, adding, I am confident that the contribution of nurses and midwives will extend beyond the confines of hospital and clinics. you are central to our community health initiative, public health advocacy and the education of future generations on essential health issues. The Paramount Chief of Abola Traditional Area in the Greater Accra Region, Nii Ahene Nunoo III, commended the unwavering commitment, compassion and expertise of nurses and midwives, adding that they were vital for improving health outcomes across the nation. Despite their essential roles, he expressed concern over the financial constraints and societal undervaluation that many of them encountered. He, therefore, underscored the need to invest in the education and growth of nurses and midwives to help them thrive in the ever-changing world of work. Nii Nunoo III further called for advocacy policies that ensured fair compensation and improved working conditions for these professionals. The chief expressed confidence in the GRNMAs commitment to the welfare of its members and encouraged the awardees to use their recognition as a platform to inspire others. Be an inspiration to others by sharing your journey and encouraging your peers to strive for excellence. Use this award to advocate the profession by promoting the importance of nursing and advocate the necessary changes in the healthcare system, he said. Featured President-elect Mahama outlines top priorities Kester Aburam Korankye Dec - 17 - 2024 , 12:57 6 minutes read President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, has outlined his top priorities upon assuming office on January 7. High on the agenda will be the work of the Constitutional Review Committees report. The President-elect also highlighted the need to address the Bawku conflict, which has been fuelled by border attacks. "Bawku is particularly an area to look at because of border attacks. As soon as quickly we will tackle the Bawku issues head-on. Nobody benefits from conflict," Mr Mahama said. Advertisement The President-elect made the remarks when he received two delegations in his private office in Accra yesterday. One delegation came from the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) and another from some political parties. GPCC Addressing the GPCC delegation, led by the Chairman of the GPCC, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, Mr Mahama said addressing the committee's work would help resolve some pressing issues such as clarifying the role of the Speaker of Parliament. That, the President-elect believes, will prevent future impasses such as those between the Speaker and the Supreme Court. Validation conference "One of the first things I want to do is to relook at the work of the Constitutional Review Committee," he said. The President-elect plans to achieve this by hosting a national validation conference, where his government would reassess the committee's decisions and determine if any changes were still necessary. Citing the role of the Speaker as an example, Mr Mahama said: "We will relook at things we flagged and if it still needs change, then we know really what the mandate of the Speaker is." Legacy term Mr Mahama emphasised the need to make crucial decisions to deliver on his legacy term as the country could not afford to lose the opportunity. This is a legacy term and I want to give our country my best so that we will reset and leave it for the others to continue, he said. Mr Mahama expressed the need to reform the electricity value chain, citing the importance of a reliable and efficient energy supply for the country's development. In addition to energy reform, Mr Mahama outlined plans to revive the economy, which included rationalising taxes and promoting employment, particularly among the youth. He emphasised that there was a limit to government employment, therefore, it was crucial to ensure a viable private sector that could provide the needed assistance. I have had people sending their CVs but I have told them it's not going to be a walk in the park. Some decisions will be harsh but it will be in the interest of the country, he said. Government Advisory Council Mr Mahama also reaffirmed his commitment to establish a Government Advisory Council, which would provide annual reports on the state of affairs and guide the government's direction. The council's establishment, a campaign promise, was a move towards promoting better governance and combating corruption. Mr Mahama said by fostering transparency and accountability in governance, the council will play a crucial role in restoring trust in governmental institutions, which has declined in recent years. He said the establishment of the council was in line with the principles of good governance, which emphasised the importance of legitimacy, accountability and effectiveness in obtaining and using public power and resources. Gratitude He acknowledged that Ghanaians held the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a higher standard due to its social democratic values. The President-elect recognised that the world was looking up to Ghana, but stated that the country faced significant challenges, including a struggling economy and high unemployment. He pledged to work tirelessly to address these challenges and restore hope. God's guidance For his part, Apostle Nyamekye urged President-elect Mahama to seize the opportunity and time he had to do good and move the nation forward. He emphasised that experience alone was not enough, but rather he needed God's guidance to lead the country effectively. Apostle Nyamekye also assured Mr Mahama that the GPCC was ready to support his presidency and help him achieve his goals. He encouraged the President-elect to always do good as admonished by the Bible, and also use his experience and God's guidance to make informed decisions. Smaller parties Addressing the delegation from three minority parties, Mr Mahama extended an invitation to them to contribute to the governance process and said that his doors were always open. He stressed the need for collaboration and consensus-building in governance, adding that the consensus built by his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), after rejoining the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), paid off, as it contributed to a peaceful election. "The consensus NDC built after coming back to IPAC paid off," Mr Mahama said. "The election was not perfect but it was peaceful," he added. The delegation included Hassan Ayariga of the All People's Congress (APC), Bernard Mornah, and Sampson Asaki Awingobit of the People's National Convention (PNC), and the Deputy General Secretary of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), Jerry Addo. Azumah principle Mr Mahama disclosed that he and the NDC approached the election with a strong mindset, citing the Azumah Nelson principle. "We went into the election with the Azumah Nelson principle - that is, knocking out your opponent so no referee can say otherwise," he said. The President-elect viewed the defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a signal to all political elites not to take the electorate for granted, saying the incoming administration may be Ghana's last chance to get things right. "The outgoing administration saw all the signs but decided to ignore them. It indicates that the power resides with the people," Mr Mahama said. The President-elect pledged to restore trust in governmental institutions by being accountable to the people. Change for all Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr Ayariga assured the President-elect of the APC's support and said the change must be for all Ghanaians and not just for members of any political party. The 2024 elections were not just won by the campaign of the NDC alone but by the displeasure of many Ghanaians who did not see leadership from the NPP and they have given the NDC a new life, he said. The APC leader said the President-elect must focus on his first three months in office and examine his policy alternatives. He also urged Mr Mahama to work towards a change of public mindset as Ghanaians were looking for a leader they can follow who is transparent and honest. Women's representation in parliament increases by one - 20 Old hands lost Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Dec - 17 - 2024 , 09:57 3 minutes read In the First Republic, which started from 1960 to February 14, 1966, Ghanas first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, introduced affirmative action which saw 10 women being elected into the 104 all-male parliament. In 1965, a similar affirmative action by Dr Nkrumah sought to increase the number of women to 19 but his reign was truncated mid-way. The Second Republic lasted from 1969 to 1972 and there was only one woman in the 140-seat parliament. The Second Republic was overthrown by General I.K. Acheampong who ruled from 1972 to 1978.Under the National Redemption Council (NRC) and the Supreme Military Council I (SMCI). General F.W.K Akuffo headed the Supreme Military Council II (SMC II) from 1978 to 1979. Advertisement In the Third Republic, which was under Dr Hilla Limann from 1979 to December 31, 1981, there were five women in the 140-seat parliament. The Fourth Republic started in 1992 and there were 16 women in its first Parliament with 200 members while the second parliament of the fourth republic with 200 members, started in 1996 with 18 women. The third parliament of the Fourth Republic which was from 2000 to 2004 had 19 women in the 200-seat parliament, and the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic from 2004 to 2008 with 230 members had 25 women in Parliament. The 230-member House constituting the fifth parliament of the Fourth Republic in 2008 saw the number of women representatives dropping to 20 and further dipping to 19 after Doris Asibi Seidu, former MP for the Chereponi Constituency, died. In 2012, female representatives in the 275-member House which was the sixth parliament saw an increase to 29 representatives. In 2016, which was the seventh parliament of the Fourth Republic, a total of 35 women were in parliament. This figure increased to 40 in 2020 which was the eight parliament and was the highest so far. Increase by one With so much sensitisation and education over the years on the need to increase womens representation in parliament, the 2024 parliamentary election, which had 119 women contesting has seen 41 of them being elected into parliament with 20 of them being old parliamentarians. This is an increase of one in the 2020 figure. A majority of them, that is 32, are from the NDC while the remaining nine are in the NPP. Hitherto, the eighth parliament was split 20/20 among the two parties but the 2024 primaries saw the NDC losing three of its old hands while the NPP lost 17 of them. So in the ninth parliament which will be from January 7, 2025, the NDC will be bringing in 15 new hands while the NPP will bring in six. This figure, although a far cry from the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, (Act 1121) of 30 per cent representation, it is believed that since a majority of the women are from the government elects side, it will see more of them being represented at decision-making positions such as ministers of state, deputy ministers and on boards. Congratulations The Network for Womens Rights in Ghana (NETRIGHT), Womens Manifesto Coalition (WMC), DV Coalition and Affirmative Action Law Coalition have sent a message to congratulate all women who contested in the just-ended national elections. According to the groups, Despite the numerous hurdles you faced as female politicians, you put yourselves up for election and we are proud of you. The groups also congratulated female parliamentarians-elect and indicated their support in their role as Members of Parliament (MPs) who must push for gender-responsive legislation during their term in office to advance women's and girls rights and the right of others in the country. To those who lost their seats and first-timers who did not make it, we are proud of you for your resilience and determination. Through your efforts, you have demonstrated that women in Ghana can and are more than able to run for office. May you regroup and come back stronger in 2028, it added. Writers email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh Featured Yesterday in Parliament: Majority, Minority tussle over $350m tax waivers Nana Konadu Agyeman Dec - 17 - 2024 , 12:04 5 minutes read The governments efforts to get Parliament to approve a total of $350 million as tax exemption for 41 businesses operating under the One-District, One-Factory programme is facing stiff opposition in Parliament. This is because the Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed its readiness to block the consideration of the amount. The group argued that granting tax waivers to well-endowed businesses with financial muscles would impose a tax burden on the Ghanaian taxpayer, as well as a fiscal burden on the incoming government in the 2025 budget. Discussing the business for the seventh meeting of the eighth Parliament to be on the Order Paper of the fourth session, the Minority persistently objected to the consideration of tax exemptions, as it has for the past two years. Advertisement The Minority expressed those reservations after the Leader of Government Business, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, had presented the business statement, ending Friday, December 20, 2024. He had asked the House to adopt the report of the Finance Committee on the tax waivers for companies operating under the 1D1F programme. Parliamentary resumption This was the cornerstone of discussions in the House which reconvened yesterday after a one-month break. Parliament had gone on a break over a power play as to which side had the right to sit on the Majority side. Yesterdays sitting was, however, without controversy as the National Democratic Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) returned to sit on the left side of the Speaker, with the New Patriotic Party MPs sitting on the right side of the Speaker. The issue of the tax waivers has been pending before the House for two years. Beneficiaries The beneficiary companies are B5 Plus Limited, Ferro Fabrik Limited, Everpure Holdings Limited, Miro Forestry Ghana Limited, Specialty Beers (Ghana) Limited, Prestige Integrated Agro Company Limited, Sneda Transformers Technologies Limited, Yaabiko Enterprise Limited, Lesdy Company Limited, Lesfam Industries Limited and Golden Latex Products Limited. The rest are RMS GPT Ghana Limited, Keda (Ghana) Ceramics Company Limited, Ciments de l'Afrique Ghana Limited, Grand Chem Limited, Triton Och Industries Ghana Limited, Epac Flexible Packaging Ghana Limited, CK Engineering and Construction Limited, Beekaf Foods Ghana Limited, Emperor Foods and Beverage Limited and Korban Company Limited. The others are Sunda Ghana Investment Limited, Sunda Ghana Limited, Matrix Industries Limited, Golden Africa Consumer Products Limited, Amponsah-Efah Pharmaceuticals Limited, Agrohao Ghana Company Limited, Fu Cai Company Limited, Yellowtail Limited, Everpack Limited, Happy Sunshine Company, Multipac Company Limited, Golden Africa Soap Industries Ghana Limited, Mass Industries Limited, Rikpat Company Limited, Rision Industry Company Limited, OA & J Pharmaceuticals Limited, Echo Poly Industries Limited, YMHY Doors Ghana Manufacturing Company Limited, Sankofa Brewery Limited and Nungua Warehouse Ghana Limited. Our position is clear Commenting on the business statement, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said the Minority had already made their position on the tax exemption clear. He said considering that all the matters had been voted against and rejected by the Ghanaian people, he asked why the Majority Leader was still putting it in the business statement and wanting to get us to work on these matters which are so unpopular. This list is over 40 tax waivers, Mr Speaker, and this will have serious fiscal implications for the next government. I mean why do you want to saddle the next government with these huge revenue losses when you have been roundly rejected at the polls, and this a government talking about coming to cut down obnoxious and nuisance taxes, and then you are creating more fiscal liabilities for us, he said. Limited time Given the limited time the House has before it is dissolved on January 6 next year, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, put forward six items for consideration at yesterdays sitting. They were Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation Bill, 2024; the Environmental Protection Bill, 2024; the Boundary Commission Bill, 2024; the Social Protection Bill, 2023; the Parliament Transition Bill, 2023, and the Parliamentary Service Bill, 2024. Speakers proposal Mr Bagbin said following a consensual agreement between the leadership of the House, he thought that the number one priority was Expenditure in Advance of Appropriation. Contributing to the statement, Minority Leader, Dr Casiel Ato Forson, said the Majority was proposing to acquire ships worth 140 million in spite of the current economic situation of the country. He said it was very wrong for a government that was leaving office in three weeks to commit that amount to expenditure. Mr Speaker, if it is extremely important for the state, allow the new government to commit them, he said. He added that the tax exemptions if approved, would put a fiscal burden on the next budget. So, you are saying that the next government should carry your burden of $350 million? Mr Speaker, no way, as this is not going to happen. As we speak, there is no 2025 budget and activities before us cannot commit to the 2025 budget since you do not know the priorities of the next government, he said. Citing the former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, on a similar matter, Dr Forson said in 2016, what Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said was a reason the then NDC government could not take a loan for the Damongo multipurpose irrigation project. I brought the Damongo water project before Parliament, but they (Majority) said to us that you cannot commit the next government, and if it is urgent or important, allow the next government to take it. So, Mr Speaker, issues that will commit this country as long as our budget is concerned, let us leave it for the next administration to handle, he said. He argued that there were low-hanging fruits such as the Environmental Protection Agency Bill which had been worked on and was due to be read for the third time. Mr Speaker, that one if you want to do it, you can do it, but if you do not want it, the next minister responsible for the environment will come and do it, but anything else will not happen, he said. Featured Ayawaso West Wuogon MP-elect Dumelo offers free transportation to University of Ghana students for Xmas holidays Mohammed Ali Dec - 17 - 2024 , 13:28 2 minutes read The Member of Parliament-elect for the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, John Dumelo, has announced free transportation for the University of Ghana students travelling home for the Christmas holidays. This follows his victory in the December 7 parliamentary election, where he unseated Lydia Alhassan in a closely contested race. Mr Dumelo shared the information on his official Facebook page under the title Travel Home with John Dumelo, offering free buses to students at the University of Ghana. The buses will depart on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from the Volta Hall Car Park to key destinations such as Kumasi, Ejisu, Konongo, Ho, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Winneba, and Elmina. Advertisement Mr Dumelos gesture comes on the heels of his electoral victory in the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary election, where he defeated incumbent Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by a margin of 2,200 votes. Mr Dumelo, running on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), secured 34,800 votes, while Lydia Alhassan garnered 32,600 votes. The University of Ghana students were a critical part of Dumelos campaign efforts, with the actor-turned-politician maintaining a strong presence on campus through direct engagements and student-centred initiatives. During his campaign, Dumelo undertook projects that resonated with students, such as donating laptops and addressing accommodation challenges, which helped him build significant support within the university community. Dumelos announcement of free transport has been met with enthusiasm on social media, with many students applauding the move as timely and considerate ahead of the Christmas holidays. Featured Woman jailed 5 years for stealing GH81,060 from customers of GCB Bank using cloned cheques GNA Dec - 17 - 2024 , 08:02 4 minutes read A judge has urged banks and financial institutions to be more vigilant and stay ahead of criminals using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to steal money from customers accounts. Mr. Isaac Addo emphasized the need for these institutions to enhance their ICT systems and provide regular training for staff, especially tellers, to thoroughly scrutinize cheques and other financial instruments before making payments. The court stressed that protecting the interests of shareholders and depositors was crucial for maintaining public trust. The advice came as the court sentenced Jessica Oforiwa, a 35-year-old caterer and hairdresser, to five years in prison for stealing a total of GH81,060 from customers of GCB Bank using cloned cheques in 2022. Advertisement Oforiwa was convicted on seven charges, including abetment of crime, and stealing, with the sentences running concurrently. Her accomplices, Dawda Sawdido, Mohammed Muktar, Fuseini Saeed Ibrahim, Felix Mensah, Lawrence Quarshie, and Philip Ansah, remain at large. In sentencing Oforiwa, a mother of two and a first-time offender, the court acknowledged her young age but emphasized that her actions were premeditated. Oforiwa had played a significant role in assisting the other fugitives to misappropriate funds from the bank. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, who led the prosecution, urged the court to consider the growing trend of such crimes, which he said were harming financial institutions and sabotaging the economy. He called for a fairer deterrent sentence to combat the issue effectively. The prosecution informed the court that the complainant, Daniel Boakye, is a Security Coordinator at GCB Bank Ghana Limited, High Street, Accra, and that Jessica Oforiwaa resides in Kasoa, in the Central Region. Last year, the prosecution revealed, GCB Bank discovered that some individuals had cloned about eight cheques from the banks customers, successfully withdrawing a total of GHC81,060 from their accounts. One of the victims, Rejoice Emekor Senezah, a customer at the Kantamanto branch, had GHC12,000 withdrawn from her account on January 10, 2022. Another victim, Felcon Electrical Enterprise, had GH47,460 withdrawn from their account on April 13, 2022. The prosecution added that the complainant submitted the cloned cheques to Camelot Company Limited, the producers of the cheques, for investigation. Camelot determined that all the cloned cheques were from a cheque-book issued to Oforiwaas account, Jesnat Cook Company. It was found that Oforiwaa and her accomplices had chemically erased the account details and signatures of the original customers, making the cheques appear genuine to the bank. Investigations revealed that Oforiwaas accomplices withdrew significant sums of money from the accounts. Dawda Sawdido, for example, withdrew GH4,700. Mohammed Muktar made two withdrawals, taking GH4,900 and GH4,800 on February 10, 2022. Fuseini Saeed Ibrahim withdrew GH5,000 on January 10, 2022. Felix Mensah withdrew GH47,460 on April 13, 2022. Lawrence Quarshie withdrew GH5,000 and GH4,700 from the Tantra Hill and Achimota branches, respectively, on April 13, 2022. Philip Ansah also withdrew GH4,700 on August 1, 2022, through Livingston Ankomah, a convict now incarcerated at Nsawam. In total, Oforiwaa and her accomplices managed to withdraw GH81,060. The prosecution said that on August 1, 2022, Philip Ansah and Livingston Ankomah went to the Kaneshie Branch of GCB Bank with a cloned cheque worth GH4,700 and successfully withdrew the money. They then proceeded to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle branch of the bank, where they attempted to withdraw another GHC3,000 from the same account. Their suspicious actions led to their arrest after intelligence was gathered. Ankomah, after his arrest, confessed to the crime, stating that the cheques were given to him by Philip Ansah and that he handed over the withdrawn cash to Ansah. Ankomah was later jailed for his involvement in the crime. On December 24, 2022, Oforiwaa was arrested by the Kwahu Nkwatia Police. During interrogation, she admitted to using the Jesnat Cook cheques to fraudulently withdraw the total sum of GH81,060 from the affected accounts. Oforiwaa also suggested that her boyfriend, Samuel Gyane Nyanteh, might have been involved, as he was the only person living with her at the time. Featured Ballot boxes & papers in disputed Ablekuma North Parliamentary election destroyed in fire Kweku Zurek Politics Dec - 17 - 2024 , 15:19 3 minutes read A fire outbreak at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools in Accra has destroyed ballot boxes and ballot papers belonging to the Electoral Commission (EC) for the Ablekuma North Constituency. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 17, 2024, has sparked concerns amidst ongoing political tensions following the December 7 general elections. According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire was finally extinguished at 3:35 am without any civilian or firefighter casualties. In a statement released on their official Facebook page (below), the GNFS outlined the extent of the damage, noting that the ground floor of the building, which served as a library housing EC ballot boxes, printers, and ballot papers, was "totally burnt". Advertisement The statement further revealed, The first and second floors used as computer lab and its roofing [were] partially burnt. Salvaged - fifteen (15) computers and adjoining school block were salvaged. Cause of fire is under investigation. The incident comes at a time of heightened political tensions in the Ablekuma North Constituency. The parliamentary race has been one of the most contentious in the country following disagreements between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the winner of the seat. The Electoral Commission initially declared the NDC candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, as the winner but later reversed the decision, describing the declaration as illegal. The EC subsequently ordered a re-collation of results, a move the NDC has strongly opposed, calling it illegal. Both the NPP candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, and the NDCs Ewurabena Aubynn have claimed victory, further intensifying tensions in the constituency. In response to the fire, the Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the GNFS, has launched an investigation into the incident. The Police assured the public that those responsible for the fire would be brought to justice, stating, We remain committed to upholding peace and ensuring that anyone involved in unlawful acts faces the due process of the law. The Police further urged residents to remain calm as investigations continue. Meanwhile, the incident occurs against a backdrop of post-election disturbances across the country. According to a police update, 132 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with election-related unrest. Out of this number, 45 suspects have been remanded into custody, 71 are on police enquiry bail, and 16 are on court bail. Authorities have reiterated their resolve to maintain peace and stability, emphasizing that all offenders will face justice. The destruction of the electoral materials at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools has raised serious concerns among stakeholders, particularly as investigations continue amidst an already tense political atmosphere. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched as both parties remain at odds over the results of the constituency election. Featured Mahama to prioritise digital economy and fintech to drive job opportunities Mohammed Ali Politics Dec - 17 - 2024 , 12:32 3 minutes read President-elect John Dramani Mahama has outlined plans to prioritise investments in the digital economy and financial technology (fintech) as part of his administrations strategy to drive economic recovery, create jobs and improve livelihoods. In an interview with DW News on Monday, December 16, 2024, Mr Mahama highlighted his administrations commitment to creating opportunities for young Ghanaians through innovative policies aimed at boosting growth, enhancing productivity and attracting foreign investment. One area we will focus on in this new administration is livelihoods, Mr Mahama said. While we will continue investing in infrastructure, we will also address issues that impact livelihoods by investing in the digital economy, fintech growth the pharmaceutical industry, and agricultural and agro-processing value chains. Tackling youth unemployment, Mr Mahama said, remained a top priority. He emphasised that the digital economy would be critical to creating jobs. To support this, his government intends to provide capital and incentives to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help them grow and thrive. Advertisement He also called for a more transparent and accountable economic management system, pledging to reduce public sector waste and recover misappropriated state resources. If people want to serve in government, they must be prepared to account to the public for their service, he stressed. Mr Mahama pointed to the Ghana Export-Import (Exim) Bank, which was established under his previous administration, as a key tool for driving investment in sectors that can boost exports and create employment. He underscored agriculture and agro-processing as critical areas for targeted investments, saying these efforts would strengthen value chains, enhance productivity and support economic growth. The President-elect outlined plans to implement a 24-hour Economy policy within the first 120 days of taking office. The initiative will encourage businesses to operate for longer hours, creating more jobs and increasing production. Mr Mahama believes the policy will help Ghana take full advantage of trade opportunities under agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). We will provide incentives to businesses that can work longer hours, increase production and hire more workers, he said. With a youthful population of over 60 per cent, we need to attract foreign investors to bring businesses to Ghana, operate 24 hours a day, and create jobs for our young people. Mr Mahama described his vision as resetting Ghana to address inefficiencies in governance, economic management and national development. He promised a new approach to debt management, ensuring transparency in how loans are acquired and used for essential projects. He reiterated the importance of agriculture in economic recovery, calling it vital for job creation and export growth. He said his government would support farmers with incentives and investments in agro-processing industries to help Ghana produce goods for both local consumption and export. Addressing corruption and government inefficiency, Mr Mahama said restoring public trust was essential. He pledged to reduce the number of ministers and political appointees to improve fiscal discipline and cut wasteful spending. The budget deficit must be tackled quickly. We will focus on raising revenue while also controlling expenditure and ensuring accountability, he said. Mr Mahama concluded by reaffirming his commitment to stabilising the economy, promoting innovation through the digital economy and positioning Ghana as a business-friendly destination. Youth unemployment remains our major challenge, he said. We want to expand farms, establish factories, and provide incentives for the private sector to create opportunities for young people. That will be our focus. Featured NDC to resist tax waivers and loans that burden public purse Ato Forson GraphicOnline Politics Dec - 17 - 2024 , 10:53 2 minutes read The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has declared that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will oppose tax waivers and loan agreements that impose undue financial burdens on Ghanaians. Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Dr. Forson criticized the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) administrations fiscal decisions, particularly at a time when the country faces economic challenges. Dr. Forson specifically questioned the rationale behind the governments decision to procure a 140 million navy ship, describing it as untimely given the current financial strain on the economy. Mr Speaker, it is very wrong for a government that is leaving office in three weeks to commit 140 million. Mr Speaker, if it is extremely important for the State, allow the new government to carry it out. Mr Speaker, the tax exemptions before us, if approved, will have a fiscal burden in the next budget. So you are saying that the next government should carry your burden of $350 million, Mr Speaker, no way, he stated emphatically. Advertisement The Ajumako-Enyan Constituency MP further assured Ghanaians that the incoming NDC-led Majority in Parliament would focus on advancing reforms and policies that prioritize the welfare of the people. He also reiterated the NDCs commitment to fiscal discipline and prudent economic management. Dr. Forson cautioned the outgoing government against taking last-minute decisions that could hinder the ability of the next administration to implement its programmes effectively. In response, the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, defended the governments decision to procure the navy ship, emphasizing its importance to Ghanas security and naval operations. According to Mr. Nitiwul, the loan had been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The ship is crucial for the Ghana Navy, Mr. Nitiwul explained, adding, The IMF has approved the governments request to secure a loan for the purchase. He urged the Minority to support the procurement, stating that it was in the national interest. Meanwhile, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned the NDCs ability to fulfill its campaign promises, particularly its proposal to provide chicks to farmers, while simultaneously reviewing revenue-generating measures like the e-levy and betting taxes. Mr. Afenyo-Markin also congratulated the NDC on its victory in the December 7 general elections but reminded the party of its pledge to run a lean government with only 60 ministers. We will keep the next government on its toes to deepen Ghanas democracy, Mr. Afenyo-Markin assured. As the outgoing government and the incoming administration clash over fiscal priorities, the debate reflects the growing political tension as Ghana prepares for a transition of power. The Redmi Note 14 series already launched in China and India, and it seems to be coming soon to Europe as well. Today, a leak details pricing for the models in Europe thanks to some retailer listings. Let's dive in. The Redmi Note 14 4G is said to cost about 240 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is 10 less than its predecessor with the same RAM/storage combo. It will be offered in Midnight Black, Lime Green, and Ocean Blue. Redmi Note 14 Pro+ The 5G-capable Redmi Note 14 will arrive in Europe in Coral Green, Midnight Black, and Lavender Purple and will set you back around 300 for the 8/256GB variant, again similar to what its predecessor went for when it launched. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 4G will go for 312, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G for 398, and the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ for 498. All of these will have 8/256GB of RAM/storage. There is, however, an important thing to note here: for the Pro models, these prices are for a bundle with the Redmi Watch 5 Lite. The Redmi Note 14 Pro will be offered in Ocean Blue, Aurora Purple, and Midnight Black, while the Pro+ will come in Frost Blue, Lavender Purple, and Midnight Black. All of the leaked prices are pretty much in line with what the Redmi Note 13 family launched at. The new models are expected to arrive in Europe next month. Source An image purported to depict the upcoming Redmi Turbo 4 has been leaked in China, and it shows a device with slim and symmetrical-looking screen bezels, an iPhone-like corner curve radius, and two rear cameras. The Redmi Turbo 4 is rumored to arrive in China in January, following the official introduction of the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chipset at the end of this month - that will be the SoC at the helm. The Redmi Turbo 4 will stay confined to China, but if history repeats itself then it will be sold internationally as the Poco F7. That's because the Poco F6 was basically just a rebranded Redmi Turbo 3. So we wouldn't be at all surprised if the Redmi Turbo 4 became the Poco F7. The Poco F7 has already received certifications in India and Singapore, and according to previous rumors it will have a "1.5K" screen, a 6,000 mAh battery, and support for 90W wired charging. Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via The renders of the Samsung Galaxy S25+ that are making the rounds on the Internet may have omitted an important change coming next year a large, slightly recessed area that looks suspiciously like the Camera Control button (really a tiny touch pad) on the new iPhones. Theres a simpler explanation, however. This is almost certainly the mmWave antenna the SM-S936U indicates that this is a US model (e.g. the SM-S926U is the US S24+), so it should have an antenna for the faster 5G variant. Those antennas look very much like this, a small area below the buttons on the side. Samsung Galaxy S25+ spy shots Other than that, not much has changed. By the looks of it, it doesnt even have the new chunky rings around the camera lenses that weve seen on the S25 Ultra. Speaking of the cameras, all the rumors so far claim that there will be no upgrades on the vanilla and plus variants. Samsung is expected to stick to its usual timeline, meaning that the Galaxy S25 series will be unveiled in January. Source The Supreme Court of Guam corrected sentences for a convicted murderer and has asked the trial court for post-conviction proceedings after an appeal. Eligio Adriatico, who was convicted of killing nine people in the 1980s, filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. Adriatico is currently serving 40 years out of 11 life sentences and 150 years in federal prison in California for shooting seven people in 1983. Within a year in jail, he also killed two prisoners in the Guam Department of Corrections. In 1987, the Ninth Circuit denied an appeal from Adriatico. In August 2021, Adriatico filed a motion, which he wrote himself, requesting compassionate release and a sentence reduction due to the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. He also asked for release based on U.S. Supreme Court cases in which leniency was given to defendants in their 20s, the same age range he was in at the time of his killings. That motion was denied on May 5, 2022. His attorney, Public Defender Stephen Hattori, argued in front of Supreme Court justices in February that Adriatico could be eligible for consideration under the emerging adult law, considering his age at the time of the murders. Adriatico was in his early 20s at the time of the murders. The attorney said that if the Supreme Court ordered the trial court to review the case, and if the trial court determined that the sentences were illegal or unusual because of Adriaticos youthfulness, then his sentence could be converted to life with the possibility of parole. And then we would go before the parole board and see if he could be released under their guidelines ... but at the very least it would give him an opportunity, Hattori said. And it would give other similarly situated youthful offenders an opportunity for potential release depending upon their behavior. Adriatico also argued that the law at the time didnt allow him to be sentenced to life without parole for attempted aggravated murder. The court held that the maximum sentence Adriatico could have received for conviction of attempted aggravated murder was 20 years of imprisonment. The Supreme Court corrected his life without parole sentences for the two counts of attempted aggravated murder to the maximum allowable sentence of 20 years for each count. The court also looked at the issue of whether mandatory life without parole sentenced for youth offenders or those under the age of 25 inflict cruel and unusual punishment. The court determined that Guams distinctive characteristics supported departure from federal Eighth Amendment jurisprudence because no federal decision has considered Guam when evaluating whether mandatory life without parole for youthful offenders violates societys evolving standards of decency. The court adopted the evolving standards of decency test to determine whether a punishment violates the Organic Acts prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. This test is applied by surveying objective indicia of societal values to determine whether a consensus opposes the application of a specific punishment upon a particular class of defendants. The court also found that remand was appropriate for the trial court to conduct this survey of objective indicia of societal values and instructed the trial court to include Guam in its assessment. The Supreme Court remanded for further proceedings in the Superior Court, with instructions to appoint counsel for Adriatico and hold an evidentiary hearing on how evolving science on brain development applies to an emerging adult and to Adriaticos specific circumstances. The trial court is to decide in the first instance whether imposition of mandatory life without parole sentences for youthful offenders violates Guams evolving standards of decency and, if so, whether Adriatico should receive a reduced sentence. Cases On Sept. 28, 1983, Adriatico and Romeo Marquez shot and killed a 23-year-old man at Club Maxims, a bar in Anigua, according to PDN archives. A day later, Adriatico and Marquez fired a volley of shots into the doorway of the Roadhouse Club, a Dededo bar, which left a 29-year-old man dead. Another man also was killed. When two police officers attempted to pull over Adriatico and Marquez on Sept. 30, 1983, both officers were shot and one of them died. Shortly before midnight the same day, Adriatico and Marquez, wearing masks and armed with automatic weapons, sprayed gunfire into the Philippines Scouts Club, where 20 people were present. A woman and a man died in the attack. A seventh victim was found dead with bullet wounds to the face. The two men surrendered on Oct. 5, 1983, after police and military law enforcement officers surrounded them for nine hours. A year into their stay at the Guam Department of Corrections, Adriatico and Marquez were charged with murdering two other inmates with guns smuggled into the prison. They were convicted of the crimes and moved to a federal prison to serve their time. Haiti - FLASH : Bernard Mevs hospital, target of several attacks Between Sunday and Monday, December 16, 2024, the Bernard Mevs hospital, located in Village Solidarite (airport road) has been the target of several armed attacks. The Haitian National Police reacted effectively and repelled these relatively young bandits, who threw numerous Molotov cocktails at the hospital. Several attackers were fatally injured during the exchange of fire with the police between Sunday and Monday. These attacks sowed panic among medical staff and patients... An ambulance in the hospital courtyard was set on fire as well as at least two other vehicles According to a hospital source, to strengthen the security of the hospital, the PNH would have set up a permanent presence inside the establishment to dissuade the attackers from further attempts... TB/ PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : To recover, Haiti needs 1.34 billion dollars (2024-2026) On Monday, December 16, 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Alfred Fils Metellus, Minister of Economy and Finance, Geraud Albaret, Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Anne Lucie Lefebvre, Head of Operations of the World Bank, Stefano Gatto, Representative of the European Union delegation, Ulrika Richardson, Coordinator of the United Nations System, the official launch of the Rapid Assessment Report of the security crisis in Haiti took place. This 83-page document summarizes the conclusions and recommendations of the RCIA and assesses the impact of the 2021-2024 crisis. It defines urgent priorities for stabilization and recovery, in addition to broader security, political and humanitarian efforts. The RCIA estimates investment needs at approximately $1.34 billion between 2024 and 2026 : $450 million, or 34% for infrastructure, $388 million, or 29% for security and the rule of law, $386 million, or 29% for social protection. There is also provision for $150 million to finance essential projects and $110 million for access to basic services. For 2026-2030, the RCIA determines provisional investment needs at $2.3 billion : $1.85 billion for infrastructure, $270 million for security, $153 million for social protection and services, and $24 million for economic recovery and governance. Next step is the meeting in Washington of donors, scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, to try to mobilize these funds During the presentation of the report, a summary of the impact of the crisis in Haiti was presented: Impact analysis : Damage to the economy (Production losses (GDP)) : - Significant decline in economic activity, including looting and transportation interruptions. Production level 39% below the level for 2024 as expected before the crisis in 2018, equivalent to $9.7 billion. Port-au-Prince and Artibonite were the most affected regions. Governance Damage : From September 2021 to June 2024, 8,602 public sector employees left Haiti, representing a cumulative reduction of 7.8% in the public sector workforce. Tax Revenue : Significant impact on tax revenue, which remains low at 7.4% of GDP for 2024. Municipal finances are similarly challenged. Overall, 11 municipalities recorded a 42% revenue decline from 2018 to 2020 (from 26 billion Gourdes to 15.369 billion Gourdes) Infrastructure Damage : 1 - Electricity : 6 substations and 20 distribution lines damaged, affecting 60% of the customer base in the Metropolitan Zone of Port-au-Prince (ZMPP). 2 - Water : Drinking water coverage has decreased, with 55% of DINEPA sites damaged, for a total of USD 70 million. 3 - Public buildings : Municipal and national administrations have been looted, for a total of USD 9.2 million. Several entities have had to relocate their activities. 4 - Private buildings : The violence has caused the abandonment of entire neighborhoods, a reduction in available housing, and an increase in rents of up to 200%. Social protection damage : 1 - Poverty : The level has deteriorated, with 36.4% of people living in extreme poverty in 2024 (less than USD 2.15/day PPP 2017), compared to 29.9% in 2020. 2 - Food security : The September IPC ("Integrated Food Security Phase Classification") indicates that 50% of the population analyzed, or nearly 5 million people, are in a situation of acute food insecurity, an increase of more than 600,000 people since August 2023. 3 - Displacement : In September 2024, the number of internally displaced persons had reached 702,973, an increase of 22% compared to the previous assessments in June. 4 - Access to services : Of the 93 health infrastructures assessed in the ZMPP, 42% are partially functional, 37% are fully functional and 18% are not functional. Damage to the security sector : 1 - Justice : Courts have been burned, looted, and judicial actors have been threatened and killed by gangs. Many judges have left, including 57% of the judges of the Court of First Instance (TPI) of Port-au-Prince. Decrease in the volume of cases by 67% since 2020. 2 - Gender-based violence : In some neighborhoods, up to 80% of women and girls are victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). 3 - Police : Of the 412 PNH infrastructures, 76 are not functioning, 146 require major rehabilitation and 57 have been recently damaged. 4 - Prison: In 2024, the Directorate of Prison Administration has 809 agents compared to 1,224 in 2022, a reduction of 33% due to deaths, job abandonments, resignations and emigration. Download the RCIA summary (PDF 18 pages) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/Haiti-RCIA-Launch_December%2016_2024.pdf HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Social : Kenyan contingent certified in French and Creole When the first Kenyan contingent arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on June 25, 2024, followed by the second contingent in July, many skeptics questioned how they would overcome the language barrier in Haiti, where French and Creole are the primary languages. What many didnt know was that the French government, through the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie, had already initiated pre-deployment French classes to prepare the Multinational Security Support (MSS) personnel. Additional language training, including French and Creole, was also conducted in Haiti to enhance the teams communication skills and intercultural competence. Thanks to these efforts, more than 1,000 police and military personnel have been trained in French and Creole, not only in Kenya but also in Guatemala, Belize, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda. This initiative, funded by France through the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie and the Institut Francais, involved an investment of $2 million. On Saturday 14th December 2024, a remarkable moment unfolded when the French Ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon, officiated the ceremony to award French language course certificates to over 400 MSS personnel who had completed the training. Ambassador Michon expressed his delight at witnessing members of the Kenyan contingent fluently conversing in both French and Creole. He reaffirmed Frances commitment to the success of the MSS mission, emphasizing that linguistic training for contingents would continue. MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge expressed gratitude to the French government for its linguistic and material support. He noted that the training had equipped MSS personnel with the skills, cultural knowledge, and competence necessary for effective engagement with the Haitian population and the Haitian National Police (PNH). HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Music : Propiano Caribe Competition 2025, call for applications The Embassy of the European Union in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Sinfonia Foundation, presents the 2nd edition of the ProPiano Regional Competition, with the aim of promoting the talent and creativity of young people who are passionate about the piano and have promising careers. The initiative is funded by the European Union, implemented by the UNESCO Transcultura program that promotes the professionalization of young people from the Caribbean in the cultural and creative sector, as well as the creation of opportunities and access to new markets. The 2nd edition of ProPiano Caribe is open to young piano students and pianists aged 18 to 26, born between March 18, 1998 and March 18, 2007 in one of the following Caribbean countries and territories : Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Guyana, Haiti, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Saba, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Eustatius, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. The President of the ProPiano Caribe Jury will select three finalists through virtual auditions, who will be invited to travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, for the final round in front of a jury of international experts, as well as for the closing concert that will take place on March 17 and 18, 2025. Deadline for registration of applications : Friday, January 31, 2025 before 11:59 p.m. Dominican Republic time. Conditions and online registration at : https://www.propiano.do/caribe HL/ HaitiLibre (CNBC) 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 Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, NBC News confirmed. To read this article: Jari Tuovinen , an on-duty meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), told Helsingin Sanomat on Sunday that the capital region will experience temperatures that bounce around the freezing point and rains that come and go roughly every other day. On Tuesday, temperatures in the region are forecast to stay above the freezing point until northerly winds pick up in the evening, dragging temperatures five to ten degrees below the freezing point by Wednesday. By tomorrow evening, the region will welcome its next massive wet weather system, added Tuovinen. The rain will start as pure snow, but the winds will turn to southerly and south-westerly and make the weather warmer. By Thursday morning, half of the rains will be pure water, he said to the newspaper. On Thursday, he added, temperatures in coastal areas could climb as high as +56C and scattered showers are expected in parts of Southern Finland. The winds will turn to a northerly breeze on Friday, bringing temperatures back below the freezing point. Tuovinen explained that the changes are attributable to a central low-pressure system hovering over the Norwegian Sea and North Atlantic. The system is dispatching humid fronts toward Finland. This close to Christmas, the entire country should have sub-zero temperatures also in daytime. However, because the massive low-pressure system is sending partial low-pressure fronts, youll typically get this kind of accordion-like weather for five to seven days. That means were talking about a typical large-scale weather situation. With temperatures bouncing around the freezing point, the road conditions will be hazardous for motorists and pedestrians alike. The 515 centimetres of snow that fell on the capital region at the start of the week will condense under the weight of water. You should definitely put on cleated shoes right now especially in the capital region. Its also important to make sure roads are sanded, said Tuovinen. Aleksi Teivainen HT China-U.S. financial working group holds seventh meeting Xinhua) 16:23, December 17, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-U.S. financial working group held its seventh meeting in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Sunday and Monday, China's central bank announced Tuesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Xuan Changneng, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for international finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Financial regulators, including the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission from the Chinese side, and the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission from the U.S. side, took part in the meeting, according to a PBOC statement The two sides had professional, pragmatic, candid and constructive discussions on topics ranging from macroeconomic and financial developments, monetary policy, financial stability, financial regulation and supervision, international financial institutions, capital market, to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, the statement said. They also exchanged views on other financial policy topics. The two sides were briefed on the previous technical exercises, including balance of payments compilation and climate modeling, according to the statement. During the meeting, China's National Financial Regulatory Administration and the U.S. Federal Insurance Office updated a memorandum of understanding on facilitating communication and cooperation relating to the insurance sector. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Isaac Kaledzi | Solomon Muchie Tuesday December 17, 2024 Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland says its deal to give Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognition as an independent state still stands. In Turkey, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia worked on an agreement to end their territorial feud The authorities in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland say their agreement to grant landlocked Ethiopia access to the sea in exchange for recognition remains intact despite Somalia and Ethiopia's deal to end the feud it caused. In January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that stated Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent nation in exchange for access to the Red Sea. Tensions had peaked in April with the expulsion of Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia and the exclusion of Ethiopian troops from an African Union peacekeeping force to Somalia. Ethiopia and Somalia's leaders have worked on hammering outa compromise to end their nearly year-old bitter dispute in the Turkish capital of Ankara last week. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the Ankara Declaration would ensure Ethiopia's long-desired access to the sea. The two sides agreed to work together on commercial arrangements and bilateral agreements that would ensure Ethiopia access to the sea under Somalia's sovereign authority. Technical talks are due to start in February 2025 and be completed within four months. "The meaning of technical arrangement is to discuss how the agreement will be implemented," Abdurahman Seid, London-based Horn of Africa political analyst, told DW. But the talks next year should settle the major differences between the two countries, Seid said. "What we know is [Ethiopia's] Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has accepted the sovereignty of Somalia. The core thing is that the president of Somalia had set this as a precondition. [He] said that... the agreement with Somaliland does not respect the sovereignty of Somalia. And this [new deal] was accepted by the Ethiopian side." Where does it leave Somaliland's push for recognition? Seid told DW that in diplomatic language, mention of no "return to the past in the Ankara Declaration implies that the Somaliland-Ethiopia MoU no longer holds. "[The Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement] has become voided," Seid said. Somaliland unilaterally declared independence in 1991 but is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as an independent state. Election campaigns in Somaliland this year focused on the deal with Ethiopia. New President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi said it lacked transparency and promised a review to ensure the deal aligns with Somaliland's strategic interests and broader goals for recognition. In his recent inaugural address, he pledged to intensify efforts to gain international recognition for Somaliland and implement the agreement with Ethiopia. "The previous administration has signed an MoU with Ethiopia, and we were pursuing, making sure [the MoU] is finalized legally through parliamentary channels and the legal channels of from both sides. It was at that stage that there is a new administration," Abdullahi said. "We have an agreement, a bilateral agreement on the bases of an MoU, it is standing, It's between Somaliland and Ethiopia. What Ethiopia does with Somalia, that's a completely different just a different story. As far as we are concerned, we have a binding MoU and we are pursuing it." What could come next? According to Horn of Africa analyst Abdurahman Seid there is a chance that the forthcoming talks between Ethiopia and Somalia could explore alternatives to the MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia. "Now they will try to reach a new approach with Turkey mediation. This can be about ports of Berbera, Kismayu about any port of Somalia. Although they set a time frame, it may take long period of time, he said. Ethiopia is in dire need of an access to a port to facilitate trade and, according to Seid, it seems to be exploring all options. But Ethiopia and Somalia need to establish trust. "Ethiopia should not be a threat for Somalia, and Somalia should not be a threat for Ethiopia. What will happen to countries that have a problem with Ethiopia, such as Eritrea and Egypt? Building trust takes time." Safety 4 Sea Tuesday December 17, 2024 The European Council on 16 December decided to prolong the mandate of the EU Naval Force Operation ATALANTA and of the EUs military training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) until 28 February 2027. This comes after the Councils decision of 5 December to prolong the mandate of the EUs civilian capacity-building mission (EUCAP Somalia) until the same date. These decisions were taken following the holistic strategic review of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) engagement in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, with the aim to strengthen the EUs response to an evolving security context and to enhance its role as a maritime security provider. Synergies with the maritime Operation ASPIDES, currently protecting merchant shipping in the Red Sea, will be enhanced. In parallel, the Maritime Security Center (MSC) Horn of Africa, supporting both ATALANTA and ASPIDES, is being rebranded as MSC Indian Ocean and its role is being reinforced. Furthermore, in Somalia, the EUs CSDP action was widened to support the build-up of Somali Security Forces and institutions with the view to take over responsibility for its own security in the future, in line with the Joint EU-Somalia Roadmap. With the renewed mandates, EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia will support the build-up of capable, sustainable, and accountable Somali security institutions through strategic advice, mentoring and training, accompanied by EU-funded equipment support through the European Peace Facility. To strengthen the regional approach, the missions and the operation will support capacity-building efforts of the regional and, in particular, Djibouti maritime security forces within their means and capabilities. According to the Councils statement, in order to uphold the EUs core values, all activities will pay particular attention to international humanitarian law, human rights, preventing gender-based violence, protecting children in armed conflicts, and promoting the agenda of women, peace and security and climate, security and defence. 'Macau 2049' premieres in celebration of 25th anniversary of Macao's return People's Daily Online) 13:05, December 17, 2024 In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, the show "Macau 2049" premiered at MGM Theater in Macao, on Dec. 15. Pansy Ho Chiu-king, chairperson and executive director of MGM China Holdings Limited, and leading Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou jointly unveiled the show. The 80-minute show, directed by Zhang, features chapters that use advanced technologies from 20 countries and regions to showcase eight forms of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. It is presented with subtitles in eight international languages. Photo shows a chapter of the show "Macau 2049," which premieres at MGM Theater in Macao, on Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the show) "'Macau 2049' initiates a conversation between five thousand years of culture and technology, and the future, creating a fresh chemical reaction. The eight forms of Chinese intangible cultural heritage, originating from various locations across China that cover a distance of over 12,000 kilometers, provide viewers with a visual voyage through time and space," said Zhang. "Macao is a melting pot of Chinese and Western cultures, and we hope to truly integrate both cultures into the show. 'Macau 2049' opens up new pathways for preserving, innovating, and promoting intangible cultural heritage in modern society. The show enables audiences to appreciate the charm of traditional culture and infinite possibilities of advanced technology," said Pansy Ho. Photo shows a chapter of the show "Macau 2049," which premieres at MGM Theater in Macao, on Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the show) Macao has long been celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry. "Macau 2049" delves into the cultural treasures of China, highlighting Macao's unique allure as a global cultural melting pot. By blending traditional arts with modern technology, the show offers a platform for showcasing China's intangible cultural heritage and injects new vitality into Macao's culture and tourism industry and its ambition to become an international hub for performing arts. Photo shows a chapter of the show "Macau 2049," which premieres at MGM Theater in Macao, on Dec. 15, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the organizer of the show) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) 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. 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." TikTok asked the US Supreme Court on Monday to temporarily block a law that would force its Chinese owner to sell the popular online video-sharing platform or shut it down a month from now. The appeal to the nation's top court came on the same day that TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew met with US President-elect Donald Trump, according to an NBC News report. At a press conference Monday, Trump said he has "a warm spot" for TikTok and that his administration would take a look at the app and the potential for a ban. The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, would block TikTok from US app stores and web hosting services unless its owner ByteDance divests from the app by January 19. TikTok asked for the move to be put on hold while it challenges a lower court ruling that upheld the law, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, potentially with an appeal to the Supreme Court itself. TikTok asked the nation's top court to make a decision by January 6. "Congress has enacted a massive and unprecedented speech restriction," TikTok, which claims to have more than 170 million monthly US users, said in its filing with the Supreme Court. Should the law come into force it would "shutter one of America's most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," TikTok 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," it added. "Applicants -- as well as countless small businesses who rely on the platform -- also will suffer substantial and unrecoverable monetary and competitive harms." The potential ban could strain US-China relations just as Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20. Trump has emerged as an unlikely TikTok ally amid concerns that a ban on the app would mainly benefit Meta, the Facebook parent company owned by Mark Zuckerberg. Trump's stance reflects conservative criticism of Meta for allegedly suppressing right-wing content, including the former president himself being banned from Facebook after the January 6, 2021, US Capitol riot by his supporters. Trump's support for TikTok marks a reversal from his first term, when the Republican leader tried to ban the app over similar security concerns. The US government alleges TikTok allows Beijing to collect data and spy on users. It also says the video hosting service is a conduit to spread propaganda, though China and ByteDance strongly deny these claims. A three-judge US appeals court panel earlier this month unanimously upheld the law's premise that TikTok divesting from Chinese ownership "is essential to protect our national security." A Ukrainian security source has claimed that Ukraine was behind the death of Lt Gen in Moscow, according to Reuters and AFP. The senior Russian general who headed the country's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces was killed in a scooter bomb blast Tuesday morning. The incident took place as Kirillov and his assistant, who also dies in the attack, left an apartment building in southeast Moscow. Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical substances against the Ukrainian military," a source told CNN. "Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable." According to several reports, the device was remotely triggered and could have contained around 300g of TNT equivalent. Images from the scene shared on social media show severe damage to the building's entrance, with scorch marks, broken windows, and debris on the floor. The attack took place just a day after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) charged Kirillov in absentia for using banned chemical weapons in the country. Meanwhile, Western nations had already imposed sanctions on Kirillov, with the UK accusing him of being responsible for the deployment of "barbaric weapons." On Tuesday, Russia's investigative committee labelled the killing of Kirillov a "terrorist act." "The incident has been classified as a terrorist act, murder, illegal trafficking of weapons, and ammunition," spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said. Who was Igor Kirillov? Igor Kirillov was a senior Russian general, appointed in 2017 to lead Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces. He previously served in various military roles related to hazardous materials and the Directorate of the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops. Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by Ukraine's SBU for his alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Stonebridge Companies, LLC ("Stonebridge"), a Denver-based innovative, privately-owned hotel management company boasting a diverse range of full-service, select-service, and extended-stay properties, announced today the appointment of Marco Selva as Senior Vice President of Business Development & Operations, Luxury & Lifestyle. With a strong track record of success in the Luxury and Lifestyle segment, Selva will focus on expanding Stonebridge's luxury, lifestyle, and resort portfolio in the Southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Latin America. Based on Stonebridge's strategy for growth in these markets, Selva will open a Miami office and leverage his extensive expertise to target high-end projects across the region. His appointment is part of the company's ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in these dynamic markets. The company is currently working on five projects in the Caribbean and has been recently approved by Marriott as a JW Marriott franchisee operator for an upcoming project in Atlanta, Georgia, further expanding its luxury portfolio. Before joining Stonebridge, Selva held senior roles in business development, operations, and strategy at top-tier hospitality firms, including SH Hotels & Resorts, Highgate, Ennismore, and renowned Luxury brands such as St Regis and Ritz Carlton. His deep understanding of the global luxury and lifestyle segments and extensive experience in the Caribbean and Latin America will assist in growing Stonebridge's portfolio. Selva will spearhead the company's strategic initiatives and business development efforts in his new role, focusing on identifying new opportunities and expanding existing relationships within the luxury, lifestyle, and resort segments. View Marco Selva's LinkedIn Profile Marco Selva is a graduate of Cornell Execed in Ithaca, New York - United States Hospitality America proudly announces Kellie Hanselman as its new Vice President of Sales. With 19 years of proven expertise in sales, marketing, and leadership, Hanselman brings a wealth of experience to the third-party hotel management company. Her exceptional track record in driving revenue growth across full-service and luxury hotels and resorts positions her as the ideal leader to elevate Hospitality America's topline performance. Before joining Hospitality America, Hanselman held multiple leadership roles in the hospitality industry, including Director of Sales & Marketing for the Waldorf Astoria in Park City, Utah, where she led a large team in room and catering sales, consistently exceeding revenue goals. She also directed property marketing and digital strategies, collaborated on commercial planning with revenue management, and drove innovative sales approaches. Her career spans prestigious positions such as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hilton Minneapolis, Director of Sales at New York Hilton Midtown, and key leadership roles at Hilton properties in Washington, D.C., St. Louis, and Temecula, as well as Regional Director of Sales for Stoney Creek Hotels. Achieving Success for Our Stakeholders Hospitality America is proud to announce a renewed focus on driving results through an empowered and highly skilled sales force. Spearheading this initiative, Hanselman is committed to building a sales team that delivers exceptional outcomes for the company's partners, associates, and guests. Hanselman emphasizes the importance of innovation and collaboration: "Our goal is to infuse each property team with fresh ideas and industry best practices while staying firmly aligned with Hospitality America's vision. By encouraging teams to think beyond conventional methods, we are creating pathways for sustained success. Acknowledging the challenges of talent acquisition in today's competitive market, Hanselman shared her insights: "Finding top talent in the hospitality sales sector is increasingly difficult. As an industry, we must rethink recruitment strategies and revamp how we recognize and reward our team members. Hospitality America excels here, thanks to a culture that inspires loyalty and a strategic mentorship program that elevates our staff, fostering career growth and excellence. It's an honor to be part of a company where employees are empowered to achieve their full potential." Hanselman also highlighted her approach to recruitment as the company grows: "We are seeking candidates who are passionate about serving others, committed to excellence, thrive in collaborative environments, and lead with humility and transparency. Joining Hospitality America means becoming part of a team that values service and success in equal measure. If this resonates with you, we invite you to connect with us today." This initiative underscores Hospitality America's dedication to delivering outstanding results for its stakeholders while fostering an environment of professional growth and innovation. View Kellie Hanselman's LinkedIn Profile Kellie Hanselman is a graduate of Iowa State in Ames, Iowa - United States Teneo Hospitality Group is pleased to announce Jamie Bruce as its new President, marking an exciting new chapter in the company's growth and innovation. Jamie, who has been an integral part of Teneo's leadership team for the past two years, succeeds Mike Schugt, who has decided to step down after 10 years at the helm to focus on his non-profit endeavors. Jamie Bruce brings a wealth of experience in hospitality leadership, having held senior positions with prestigious organizations such as Waldorf-Astoria, Conrad, Kerzner International, Atlantis Bahamas, KSL Resorts, and Tavistock Hotel Collection. His expertise in sales, marketing, commercial operations, and strategic planning, particularly with luxury independent hotels and resorts, uniquely positions him to lead Teneo into its next phase of growth. Over the past two years, Jamie has worked hand-in-hand with Mike Schugt, helping shape Teneo's strategy and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders. His collaborative approach and passion for driving success have made him a trusted leader within the organization. Jamie Bruce's leadership signals an ambitious vision for Teneo's future, focusing on enhancing its reputation as a leader in the hospitality industry. With plans to strengthen partnerships, innovate service offerings, and expand opportunities for member hotels and clients, Jamie brings a forward-thinking approach backed by exceptional hospitality credentials. This direction emphasizes Teneo's commitment to excellence and adaptability in an evolving market, positioning it to deliver unparalleled value in the years ahead. Jamie's appointment as President marks an important milestone in Teneo's evolution, and the company looks forward to continuing to innovate, expand, and strengthen its position as a global leader in hospitality sales and marketing. View Jamie Bruce's LinkedIn Profile Jamie Bruce is a graduate of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia - United States Nestled in the heart of Brazzaville, Congo, Grand Hotel Kintele stands as a beacon of luxury, renowned for its exceptional service and contemporary hospitality. Operating across two bustling properties, Grand Hotel Kintele has consistently focused on providing an unforgettable experience for its guests. However, managing large hotel operations can be challenging, especially when keeping daily operations running smoothly across multiple outlets, service levels, and locations. In 2017, the management took bold steps to tackle these challenges by forging a partnership with Hotelogix, embracing the power of modern technology to transform their hotel management capabilities. Migrating to the cloud with Hotelogix: A giant leap of faith toward the future of smart hoteliering In 2017, the management at Grand Hotel Kintele transitioned their first property - Centre International de Conference de Kintele, a 200-room hotel to Hotelogix's cloud-based Property Management System (PMS). The move was driven by their need for a comprehensive, all-in-one solution to streamline operations, reduce manual errors, and improve staff efficiency. In 2017, cloud solutions were in a nascent stage in Africa, but we recognized a pivotal shift in the global hospitality industry towards cloud technology in more developed regions. We understood that seizing this opportunity early was crucial to gaining a competitive edge. After a thorough evaluation of multiple factors, we confidently chose Hotelogix as our partner for this transformation. John Kabila, IT Manager at Grand Hotel Kintele Streamlining daily operations For a hotel the size of Grand Hotel Kintele, managing reservations, guest profiles, and reports can be daunting. Hotelogix's cloud-based PMS has proven to be a robust solution for efficiently handling these complexities. With its centralized dashboard, the hotel's management team can access critical operational data in real time, even on the go. It has been instrumental in ensuring seamless coordination between departments, resulting in a smoother guest experience. With Hotelogix, we have significantly improved our operational efficiency. It has streamlined our processes, saving time and reducing the risk of human error. It has empowered the staff to focus more on delivering exceptional guest services and enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty. John Kabila, IT Manager at Grand Hotel Kintele Accessing real-time reports One of Grand Hotel Kintele's standout benefits is the ability to access detailed and easy-to-understand operation-critical reports at the click of a button. These reports include the Daily Sales Report, Manager Flash Report, Guest Ledger Report, Daily Revenue Report, Cashier Report, and Journal Report, essential for auditing daily transactions. With Hotelogix, these reports are not only accessible in real-time but also provide the management with actionable insights, allowing for informed and timely decision-making. The best is that the Hotelogix system automatically sends out all critical reports to relevant stakeholders, saving our time. John Kabila, IT Manager at Grand Hotel Kintele Enhancing POS operations Apart from its guest rooms, Grand Hotel Kintele also boasts a variety of dining outlets, including bars, restaurants, and lounges. Managing these outlets can be challenging, especially when it comes to tracking sales and managing inventory. Hotelogix's integrated POS solution has seamlessly enabled the hotel to manage its six outlets under one system. This has simplified everything from tracking sales, monitoring stock levels, to managing billing and customer orders in real-time. The POS system's ease of use has allowed staff to handle orders swiftly, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, the management team can now generate comprehensive reports to understand which outlets are performing well and which require adjustments, helping them optimize their F&B operations for better profitability. Expanding footprint: Deux Tours Jumelles adopts Hotelogix Buoyed by the success achieved at Centre International de Conference de Kintele, the management decided to extend the benefits of Hotelogix's PMS to their new property - Deux Tours Jumelles, a 221-room hotel in 2023. This decision was driven by the hotel group's confidence in Hotelogix's ability to support large-scale operations while ensuring centralized control over operations across both properties. With two bustling properties to manage, we needed a system that offered centralized control and real-time visibility into our daily activities. John Kabila, IT Manager at Grand Hotel Kintele With Hotelogix, the team at Deux Tours Jumelles can streamline daily processes and easily monitor the property's status, performance metrics, and guest bookings. The transition has been seamless, thanks to the platform's user-friendly interface and the robust training and support provided by Hotelogix. The management at Grand Hotel Kintele has been particularly impressed by Hotelogix's intuitive design and ease of access. The system allows managers to track the hotel's performance remotely and centrally, making it easier to stay informed and responsive, even when not on-site. Furthermore, the comprehensive training and 24/7 support offered by Hotelogix have ensured that the hotel staff is well-equipped to use the system effectively, leading to minimal disruptions and maximum productivity. Grand Hotel Kintele's journey with Hotelogix is a testament to the power of cloud-based hotel management technology in transforming operational efficiency. By choosing to partner with Hotelogix, the hotel has optimized its internal processes and elevated the guest experience to new heights. With Hotelogix's robust solutions, Grand Hotel Kintele has successfully navigated the challenges of managing multiple properties, ensuring a seamless experience for staff and guests. Intellect Data Systems Arabia Limited (IDS Next), a leading provider of smart hospitality solutions, has officially been recognised by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) as a qualified provider of Phase 2 E-Invoicing solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This recognition strengthens IDS Next's position as a key player in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation efforts. In line with this recognition, IDS Next commenced the first implementation of Phase 2 E-Invoicing for Cloud City Hotel in Al Baha, KSA, this month, where the companys FortuneNext on-premise hospitality solution is now live. In addition, the company also completed the successful deployment of the FX Cloud Suite for Karan Gulf Services Company in Jubail, KSA. This deployment, also completed in November 2024, further reinforces IDS Next's growing presence in the Saudi market and its ability to provide tailored, scalable solutions to businesses across various sectors. These pilot efforts demonstrate IDS Next's capabilities in enabling businesses to comply with the Kingdoms e-invoicing regulations and its evolving digital business framework. This deployment is expected to pave the way for broader adoption across the region, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring seamless integration into the KSA's tax system. Commenting on this achievement, Rajesh P Yadav, Chief Revenue Officer of IDS Next shared, "We are proud of our ability to help businesses comply with KSA's tax regulations while enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring a smooth integration into the national e-invoicing guidelines." "IDS Next is excited to continue supporting the digital transformation of businesses across the region. The official ZATCA recognition is another step in our efforts to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive business growth.", shared the company's CEO, Binu Mathews. IDS Next is focused on empowering businesses in Saudi Arabia. With the company's recently opened direct office in Riyadh and certification under the National Tourism Monitoring Program, IDS Next remains confident about its continued expansion in the region. About IDS Next IDS Next is the largest hospitality solutions provider in emerging markets, catering to global customers in 50+ countries with award-winning software. Streamlining both front and back-office hospitality operations, IDS Next provides full-stack ERP solutions for hotels, restaurants, leisure and wellness sectors and integrates with over 350 leading technology partners. Having over 35 years of experience, the company promises the most secure operations with its PA DSS-certified and GDPR-compliant solutions. Today, the company powers 220+ hotel chains, 300,000+ rooms, 25,000+ POS outlets and 300+ leisure venues across the globe and is trusted by global brands, including Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Taj Hotels, and ITC Hotels. In KSA, we empower renowned hospitality names in the region, including Ramada by Wyndham KFR and Andorra Village, Riyadh, Massara House and Ramada Encore, Al Khobar, Ramada Al Rawada Madinah, Ramada Al Tayseer Makkah, Royal Casablanca, Jeddah, Karan Hotel, Jubail, Swiss International Hotel, Al Qassim, Cloud City Hotel, Al Baha. For more, www.idsnext.com Tanya Girdhar John Vice President- Marketing View source I have explored the evolving preferences of modern guests/travelers, uncovering key trends that will shape the hospitality industrys future. Whether guests seek a beachside retreat or long-term stays, the future of hotels focuses on personalized experiences and tech-forward journeys, regardless of whether the property is mid-scale or upscale. Analyzing mid-scale chain hotels from the perspective of owners, investors, and management reveals industry-wide insights, especially for asset-light portfolios. However, strategies that worked 40 years ago may not be as effective in todays AI-driven, tech-savvy world, where guests either embrace technology or are unfamiliar with it. For example, Generation X is entering a pivotal phase of wealth transfer. A Wealth-X study estimates that over $80 trillion will be passed from older generations to their heirs, with Generation X poised to receive the first major wave. In North America, those inheriting fortunes from parents with $5 million or more are typically 46 years old. How should the hospitality sector target this group? Gen X holds values distinct from previous generations, with a stronger focus on technology, environmental consciousness, social justice, and a global outlook. To appeal to Gen X and other demographics, hotels must offer unique experiences like in-room technology integration, mobile check-ins, wellness-focused dining, family-friendly amenities, and sustainable options. These are the guests who might desire a little bit of everything, taking a have-it-all approach. Are You That Guest Who Wants a Little Bit of Everything? Kind of hospitality that belongs to everyone because stars that belong to everyone. If guests who seek a well-rounded experience, for any Mid-scale hotels, blending lower and upper-middle segments, are moving towards experience-based hospitality that appeals to all without sacrificing profitabilityeven if the location is less than ideal, services are limited, bookings are lower, or staff is insufficient. Some of the key strategies include such as reducing costs and enhancing sustainability through ESG practices, empowering both guests and staff to embrace tech-AI-driven solutions, balancing digital and analog approaches with strategic management skills, and many more. Portfolio Reshaping and Performance Mid-scale hotels, which blend lower and upper-middle market segments, face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to portfolio reshaping and enhancing performance. These hotels cater to a broad range of guests, offering value-driven experiences that balance affordability with quality. As the hospitality landscape evolves, mid-scale hotels must adopt strategic portfolio reshaping to remain competitive and deliver consistent financial performance. Not every mid-scale hotel is located in a prime destination, which can affect performance. Portfolio reshaping should focus on improving the geographic diversity of assets to balance risk and take advantage of emerging markets. For example, high-potential regions Southeast and Southwest stand out. Which communities drive quality of life thats where hotels are set to thrive! No wonder that Las Vegas, Tampa, and Phoenix are leading the charts with RevPAR positive growth according to the STR report. Portfolio reshaping is vital for mid-scale hotels looking to adapt to changing market demands, optimize performance, and stay competitive. By targeting high-growth segments, diversifying locations, embracing an asset-light model, integrating technology, and focusing on sustainability, mid-scale hotels can create a more flexible and profitable portfolio. Regularly tracking key performance metrics ensures that reshaped portfolios not only meet guest expectations but also deliver long-term financial success. The Right People at the Right Hotel Every Time In the mid-scale hotel segment, placing the right people in the right roles is crucial to ensuring portfolio success and optimal performance. As this segment serves a broad range of travelers, including business professionals, families, and budget-conscious tourists, having a strong, well-aligned team is essential. From front-line staff to hotel management, the right personnel can elevate guest experiences, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately enhance financial performance. Do Brands Still Matter? Or Is It Just for the Loyalty Advantage? In the competitive landscape of mid-scale hotels, the role of branding has evolved significantly. Traditionally, hotel brands have been a key driver of guest preference, trust, and loyalty, but with the rapid changes in technology, shifting guest expectations, and the rise of independent hotels, the question arises: do brands still matter in the mid-scale segment? Or are they primarily valuable for maintaining customer loyalty through established programs? While brand loyalty remains an advantage, especially for frequent travelers and corporate clients, mid-scale hotels must re-imagine the role of their brand beyond just loyalty programs to stay competitive. Heres a closer look at how branding impacts mid-scale hotel portfolios and overall performance. Guest Assurance: Brands represent a level of trust. Mid-scale travelers, especially families, and business travelers, often prefer brands because they know what to expect. This reduces the perceived risk of booking a hotel in an unfamiliar city or region. Operational Standards: Branded mid-scale hotels often follow strict operational guidelines, ensuring that the guest experience is consistent across multiple locations. For guests, this creates a sense of reliability, which can drive repeat business. Marketing and Visibility: A recognizable brand has the power to attract guests through established marketing channels, extensive digital reach, and brand recognition. Well-known mid-scale brands are more likely to appear in search results, be recommended on travel booking platforms and its own OBE, and gain media attention, giving them a distinct advantage over independent hotels. Global Reach and Recognition: Hotel chains have access to larger marketing budgets and established global partnerships, such as affiliations with travel agencies, corporate travel programs, and online travel platforms. This makes it easier for guests to discover the brand and book with confidence. Franchise Benefits: Many mid-scale hotels operate as franchises, benefiting from brand marketing and corporate support while maintaining a degree of local autonomy. Franchisees can leverage the brands global reach and recognition while focusing on delivering localized, high-quality guest experiences. Centralized Booking Systems: Branded hotels can take advantage of centralized reservation systems, increasing booking visibility and capturing demand that might otherwise go to competitors. Provide Incentives for Direct Bookings: Many hotel brands incentivize loyalty program members to book directly through their websites or apps, reducing the dependence on third-party booking platforms and increasing profitability. Increasing Guest Loyalty in a Crowded Market: In the mid-scale segment, competition is fierce. Many independent and boutique hotels are offering experiences that rival branded properties, leading some travelers to prioritize unique stays over brand loyalty. Focus on Experience-Based Stays: To stay competitive, mid-scale brands should shift toward creating experience-based offerings, integrating wellness programs, eco-friendly initiatives, and community engagement into their stays. This approach can help break away from the "cookie-cutter" reputation of some branded properties. In the mid-scale hotel segment, brands continue to matternot just for their established loyalty programs, but for the trust, consistency, and operational support they provide. However, in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market, mid-scale hotel brands cannot rely solely on loyalty programs to drive performance. To remain relevant, they must innovate by offering personalized experiences, adopting modern technology, and blending the advantages of branding with the local flavor and uniqueness that todays travelers seek. The balance of loyalty, trust, and fresh guest experiences will determine the success of mid-scale hotel portfolios in the years to come. To Have and to Hold Your Ownership Owning Performance, Not Properties--approach improves the guest experience and operational success. Ownership structures in the hospitality industry have undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly in the mid-scale segment. The asset-lite portfolios have become an increasingly attractive option for hotel brands and investors alike. In this model, hotel brands focus on managing or franchising properties without owning the real estate, thereby reducing the financial burden of property ownership. For mid-scale hotels, the asset-lite model offers unique advantages, including increased flexibility, scalability, and profitability. However, while this approach can lead to enhance portfolio performance, it requires careful oversight and a strategic mindset to ensure long-term success. This involves examining innovative concepts of asset-light portfolio ownership for mid-sized hotels, how it influences performance, and the essential factors that contribute to success. Next Steps for Owners/Investors, Developers As the hospitality landscape continues to evolve, owners, investors, and developers in the mid-scale hotel segment must take a proactive approach to portfolio reshaping and performance enhancement. By optimizing portfolios, investing in technology, embracing sustainability, and refining operational efficiency, stakeholders can build a future-ready portfolio that drives profitability and meets the needs of todays dynamic travelers. The key to success lies in strategic decision-making, collaborative partnerships, and a long-term vision for sustainable growth in the mid-scale hotel industry. As the mid-scale hotel segment continues to evolve, owners, investors, and developers must strategically navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by shifting market dynamics, guest expectations, and technological advancements. Whether adopting an asset-lite model, realigning portfolios to adapt to new trends, or investing in technology, stakeholders need to take actionable steps to drive portfolio reshaping and long-term performance. From high heels to hard hats and everything in between, my journey in the hospitality industry has been an exciting adventure. When presenting hotel concepts and outlining the crucial next steps for owners, investors, and developers in hotel portfolios, its all about enhancing performance and staying competitive. But what really makes properties stand outwhether youre running a family business or managing assetsadding a bit of that special touch brings everything to life and makes your property shine, and sets your operations apart. Hope this analysis offers insights and recommendations on various key topics, including strategies to elevate the guest experience, revenue enhancement methods, economic impacts, and advancements in booking technology with personalization. Additionally, it provides an overview of the industry, along with other relevant factors for consideration. A detailed analysis deck can be provided. Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from http://www.hotelexecutive.com/. Mansi J. Lead Consultant, Strategist Compass Hotel Consulting LLC Chinese Hospitality Brand Sunmei Hotels Group Launches in UAE, Set to Open SHANKEE Hotel in Dubai Sunmei Hotels Group, a Chinese hospitality company, has announced its expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) market. This comes after the launch of three new brands, SHANKEE, PENRO, and LANOU, under the newly established Sunmei Group International (SGI). The development was announced during the China Hotel Overseas Investment Conference held on November 26. The group's foray into the UAE market is marked by the impending opening of the SHANKEE Hotel in Dubai Longcheng, an initiative led by Ma Yingyao, Chairman and CEO of Sunmei Hotels Group. Yingyao has expressed optimism about the potential of digital hotels in the UAE. Zhang Gang, SGI's CEO, highlighted Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh as strategic cities for SGI's growth due to their pivotal roles in the Middle East's economic and tourism sectors. The UAE's hotel occupancy rate stands at 72%, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi recording rates of 78% and 75% respectively. This growth is attributed to the UAE government's substantial investment in tourism and finance. SGI aims to further this growth by focusing on smart marketing, intelligent site selection and development, modular renovation, and intelligent operations. It plans to leverage big data and AI for site selection, reduce construction time with modular renovation, and enhance service efficiency through intelligent operations. It aims to provide customers seamless check-in, smart spaces, and intelligent experiences using room automation and smart robots. Yingyao has outlined ambitious plans for the next decade, which include opening 100 hotels generating double the revenue of the Chinese market and managing 1,000 high-quality hotels in 30 different countries. The goal is to establish a strong international presence for Chinese hospitality brands. The UAE's robust tourism demand, stable room rates, and high occupancy rates have attracted global investors. SGI is set to provide UAE consumers with innovative service concepts and smart operational models, aiming to enhance the overall service level of the UAE hotel industry and further boost tourism growth. The Future of Travel: The Rising Popularity of Slowcations, Foodie Trips, and Experiential Travel - Image Credit Unsplash+ Slowcations, Foodie Trips, and Experiential Travel are American travelers' most appealing travel trends. Less conventional travel trends such as Doom Tourism and Coolcations are gaining popularity, reflecting the impact of climate change on travel preferences. According to a study conducted by Future Partners, the emerging travel trends of Slowcations, Foodie Trips, and Experiential Travel are gaining traction among American travelers. Slowcations, which emphasize a leisurely and immersive travel experience, appeal to 57% of American travelers. This trend encourages travelers to spend more time at their destination, engaging with the local culture, environment, and community. Similarly, Foodie Trips, travel experiences centered around exploring destinations known for their food and drink, appeal to 57% of American travelers. These enthusiasts actively use social media channels to plan their trips at nearly double the rate of other travelers. Experiential Travel, which involves immersive, hands-on experiences connecting travelers with a destination's culture, history, or environment, appeals to 56% of American travelers. This trend aligns with travelers' top priority in 2025: spending time with friends and family. Plan-Free Travel, Sleep Tourism, Gig-Tripping, and Solo Travel are other emerging trends that appeal to a significant segment of American travelers, ranging from 39% to 48% of respondents. These trends reflect diverse interests and needs, including the desire for spontaneity, wellness, music-related trips, and solo adventures. On the other hand, climate change-related travel trends such as Doom Tourism and Coolcations appeal to a smaller segment of the population, 26% and 36%, respectively. Doom Tourism involves traveling to destinations threatened by environmental or other factors, while Coolcations are vacations in cooler climates or during off-peak seasons to avoid extreme heat. As we look towards 2025, American travelers' preferences are evolving towards more immersive, experiential, and flexible forms of travel. These emerging trends reflect the changing dynamics of the travel industry and the diverse interests of today's travelers. Novotel Melbourne Central Hotel - Image Credit Accor Australia's hospitality industry is on the cusp of a franchising boom, driven by the pandemic's impact and industry evolution. Accor has noted significant growth in franchising, particularly in regional hotels outside major Australian cities. An article by Tamara Thiessen the growing trend of franchising in Australia's hospitality industry. Traditionally, property owners in Australia have favored maintaining the independence of their hotels. However, the pandemic and industry evolution are catalyzing a shift towards the franchising model. Accor, a Paris-based company with the largest franchise footprint in Australia, has observed a steady and considerable franchising growth over the past decade. Notably, this growth is more pronounced in regional hotels outside Australia's major cities. As Adrian Williams, Accor's chief operating officer for the Asia-Pacific region, stated, the franchise division has matured alongside the hospitality industry's growth, now boasting 122 franchised hotel assets and counting. According to David Simpson, managing director at Melbourne-based business advisory Axsia HTL, his clients are starting to acknowledge the strength of franchise agreements. He asserts that while hotel franchising is a relatively new concept in Australia, its popularity is booming due to its advantages over traditional hotel management agreements. Matthew Burke, regional director of APAC at STR, CoStar's hospitality analytics division, confirms that independent properties constitute more than three-quarters of all hotels in Australia. However, the popularity of brand and franchise models is growing steadily. He asserts, "As brands prioritize growth and investors seek returns, franchising emerges as the preferred operational path, especially with third-party management companies offering flexible solutions to owners." The key players in the Australian hospitality franchising scene are Accor, Choice Hotels Asia-Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and Quest Apartment Hotels. These entities are taking advantage of the increasing number of experienced third-party management, strategic expansion by brand management companies, and the growing appeal to hotel owners to exercise greater control over hotel operations. Yet, the transition to franchising is not without its challenges. For many Australian hotel owners, the fear of losing control over their assets is a significant concern. However, this mindset is gradually changing as they recognize the unprecedented opportunities that franchising offers for expanding their footprint. While franchising has risks and challenges, the model is poised for continued growth. The separation of brand and management allows owners to negotiate shorter-term operating agreements with white-label operators, unlocking significant potential in the hospitality industry. As Simpson suggests, "Australian owners need to understand, or a large part of the potential is missed." INNSiDE La Reserva Costa del Este - Image Credit Melia Hotels Melia Hotels International's brand, INNSiDE, is strengthening its Latin American presence by unveiling a new project in Costa del Este, Argentina. This follows recent expansions in the Dominican Republic, signifying a continued growth trajectory in the region. The new hotel, currently under construction, is a 4-star establishment located by the sea. It will feature 88 rooms and 60 residences. The hotel will also offer a variety of services, including several dining options, a swimming pool, a spa, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and parking facilities. The project aims to cater to leisure and business travelers. INNSiDE hotels are known for their contemporary designs, innovative spaces, and lively environment. Each hotel is strategically located in vibrant cities or popular leisure destinations, offering guests an ideal base to explore their surroundings. Costa del Este, renowned for its serene beaches and lush landscapes, is a popular coastal destination in Argentina. It's an ideal location for nature enthusiasts and individuals seeking a peaceful retreat. The new hotel, INNSiDE La Reserva Costa del Este, marks the third collaboration between Melia and the Almarena Group in Argentina. They previously agreed to work on two hotel projects in Buenos Aires. This continuous partnership underlines the confidence placed in Melia Hotels and the strength of its brands in managing successful hotel projects within the region. Gabriel Escarrer, President and CEO of Melia Hotels International, expressed optimism about the brand's potential for expansion in Argentina. Melia is actively involved in several projects designed to strengthen its market leadership in the country. The experience and prestige of Melia's brands position them as the preferred choice for the future of Argentina's hotel industry. This new venture brings Melia's Argentine portfolio to five hotels, including three in Buenos Aires and one in Iguazu. The Gran Melia Iguazu was recently recognized as the Best Hotel in Argentina at the World Travel Awards, demonstrating the high standards of quality that the hotel chain maintains. Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town - Image Credit Radisson Hotel Group The Radisson Hotel Group has announced the opening of the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town. This marks the first venture of the Radisson Collection in South Africa. The hotel on Cape Towns Atlantic coastline has been extensively refurbished and blends modern sophistication with local heritage. The hotel's design is influenced by the area's unique confluence of land and sea, reflecting the Atlantic Ocean's power and serenity and the rugged beauty of Table Mountain. Materials like timber, brass, and stone mirror the raw landscapes of South Africa. At the same time, a color scheme of oceanic blues, sandy neutrals, and earthy tones complements patterns inspired by the region's Kaapse Fynbos, vibrant fauna, and renowned Winelands. The hotel's interiors feature African craftsmanship, locally sourced materials and custom art installations that reflect Cape Town's rich cultural tapestry. The hotel also houses a dedicated art gallery showcasing local fashion and architecture. Tim Cordon, the Chief Operating Officer for the Middle East, Africa, and South East Asia Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group, expressed his delight at introducing the Radisson Collection brand to South Africa with this property. The hotel transformation elevates the landmark Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront to a destination that captures the essence of Cape Town. The hotel offers 175 rooms and suites, each designed with an emphasis on comfort and sophistication. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies with views of the Atlantic Ocean or the marina. Additionally, the hotel uniquely emphasizes creating a balance between urban vibrancy and coastal tranquility. Dining at the hotel offers a blend of local and international flavors, with a particular highlight being the renowned Tobago's Restaurant, Bar, and Terrace. A refurbishment of the Tobago Restaurant and Terrace is planned for July 2025. The hotel also introduces Waveside Cafe, a luxury deli and cafe experience. The hotel also provides a selection of flexible event spaces suitable for business functions and celebrations. It can accommodate up to 350 guests and has an intimate boardroom for smaller gatherings. The hotel offers an infinity pool with ocean views, a 24-hour fitness center, and the Amani Spa and Wellness Center for leisure and wellness. The hotel's general manager, Clinton Thom, emphasized the hotel's commitment to offering an elevated experience that surpasses expectations. TikTok Supreme Court appeal unlikely to succeed as 1/19 deadline looms TikToks challenge to the Foreign Adversary Apps Act is running out of time as the battle moves to the Supreme Court. But the TikTok Supreme Court appeal will be an uphill fight as a January 19th deadline looms. TikTok Supreme Court appeal unlikely to succeed as 1/19 deadline looms by CHRIS CASTLE via Music Tech Policy After a resounding rejection by the D.C. Circuit of TikToks Constitutional challenge to the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, TikTok asked that court to stay its ruling pending review by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Joining in the injunction were the shadow creator case plaintiffs.). This motion was a predictable but somewhat bizarre tactic. TikTok had (and has) yet to file its appeal with SCOTUS, so the company was asking the DC Circuit to stay enforcement of the Act until an event that was within TikToks control came to pass. It would be one thing if TikTok had filed its appeal and SCOTUS had agreed to hear the case (which is itself rather doubtful in my view). But thats likely to take at least weeks if not months, and the January 19 deadline for divestment-or-closure will likely arrive and pass before TikTok hears back from SCOTUS. That means that the lawyers need to get the lead out and get that appeal on file. However, they probably have 90 days to file their request for SCOTUS to hear the appeal, and then the government will likely have 30 days after TikToks appeal to file opposition briefs. Although TikTok can file sooner than 90 days, the government is unlikely to file opposition briefs sooner than they have to. After the government files its opposition brief, TikTok has the opportunity to file a reply brief, usually within 14 days of the opposition brief. There can also be friend of the court briefs filed on the issue of granting appeal. SCOTUS will, of course, require the petition be fully briefed, and will likely require a full record from the DC Circuit (which also takes time). Despite all the clocks within clocks, it is entirely likely TikTok and its army of lobbyists and lawyers has struck out. This is true for a simple reason: TikTok is an obvious national security threat and the First Amendment is not a suicide pact (h/t Mr. Justice Jackson). Their assertions that the Chinese Communist Party does not control their operation is not believable. It wasnt believable to the Congress after years of lobbying and investigations. It isnt believable to the DC Circuit, and I doubt it will be believable to the Supreme Court, either. There are two primary reasons for this threat. One is that the CCPs laws require all businesses, including TikToks parent corporation Bytedance to cooperate with Chinas Ministry of State Security by handing over on demand any information MSS requires. This would include all data about TikToks users. The MSS is a vast organization that is similar to a combination of CIA and FBI but with no Constitutional protections or guardrails to protect citizens. Although that reason alone justifies the national security threat, another is that the Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party requires a CCP cell be established in every company large or small, including Bytedance. That cell keeps an eye on everything the company does to make sure it conducts business in line with Party orthodoxy and Xi Jinping Thought or socialism with Chinese characteristics. If Google is the Joe Camel of data, TikTok is the Joe Camel of spying. As the DC Circuit said in its order denying TikToks motion for an injunction: The petitioners have not identified any case in which a court, after rejecting a constitutional challenge to an Act of Congress, has enjoined the Act from going into effect while review is sought in the Supreme Court. The petitioners rely upon their claims under the First Amendment to justify preliminarily enjoining the Act. As to those claims, this court has already unanimously concluded the Act satisfies the requirements of the First Amendment under heightened scrutiny. In light of that decision, the time available to the petitioners to seek further review in the Supreme Court, and the interest in preserving the Supreme Courts discretion to determine whether and to what extent to grant any interim injunctive relief while that Court considers a petition for a writ of certiorari, a temporary injunction of the Act from this court is unwarranted. MORE: As Federal Court upholds US Sale or Ban: Top TikTok Alternatives Share on: Pittsfield Allocates All ARPA Funds Gina Armstrong, special project manager for the city's ARPA funds, updates the City Council on final distribution of the monies. PITTSFIELD, Mass. All of the city's American Rescue Plan Act monies have been allocated to meet the state's end-of-year deadline. Pittsfield received $40.6 million from a $1.86 trillion pandemic relief bill signed by President Joseph Biden in 2021. The historic allocation of funds went toward public health, negative economic impacts, infrastructure, revenue replacement, and administration. More than half of the allocated funds address negative economic impacts, totaling more than $25 million. Infrastructure accounted for $6.4 million, public health $4.7 million, revenue replacement almost $3.2 million, and administration about $1.2 million. "We have seen great momentum in addressing the housing needs in Pittsfield," Special Project Manager Gina Armstrong told the City Council on Tuesday. Early this month, the city saw a large chunk of the funds actualized at a ceremonial groundbreaking for Hearthway Inc.'s 37 micro-apartments a housing resource center. A total of $6.5 million was allocated for this supportive housing project with 28 units on vacant land on West Housatonic Street and nine at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street. Armstrong said the micro-apartments will be for people experiencing homelessness and the housing resource center will boast a commercial kitchen, showers, laundry, support services, and amenities for many years to come. The city awarded $750,000 in ARPA funds for White Terrace Apartments, which are currently taking applications as Terrace 592. More than $354,000 was allocated for an emergency shelter that opened as The Pearl. The 40-bed shelter at 21 Pearl St. opened in January after years of planning. The facility includes three dorms with bunk beds and en suite bathrooms, two recreation rooms, handicapped restrooms, and a laundry room. With more than $195,000 of the funds, the city installed 13 water meters for income-qualifying households. The Cleveland Water Treatment Plant also saw more than $1.2 million in upgrades with ARPA funds. Several APRA projects totaling $2.4 million are in progress, including updates to the city fire stations, the replacement of the Taconic High School track, and HVAC control upgrades to multiple schools. Superior Court Briefs: Motor Vehicle Homicide, Armed Robbery, Assault Driver in 2023 Fatal Crash Guilty of Vehicular Homicide Gilberto Franciapena, 31, pleaded guilty on Dec. 12 to negligent motor vehicle homicide in a fatal incident in 2023. The defendant was sentenced to two years' probation, a loss of license for 15 years, and 100 hours of community service. The commonwealth requested a two-year suspended sentence and loss of license for 15 years. Franciapena was eastbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike at about 8 a.m. on April 20, 2023, when the red 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving flipped at about the 1.8-mile marker in West Stockbridge. There were five occupants in the vehicle. Four of the occupants, including Franciapena, were transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. They were treated and released. The fifth individual, Marco Tulio Rivera Claros, 38, was pronounced dead at the scene. The men were reportedly traveling from New York State on their way to a drywall job in Becket and would have gotten off on the next exit. Police say Franciapena was not impaired at the time of the collision. He was initially cited for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, crossing marked lanes and negligent operation of a motor vehicle. Assistant District Attorney Johnathen Moffat represented the commonwealth with support from Joseph Yorlano, chief of the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit. North Adams Man Sentenced in Cumberland Farms Robbery Joshua E. Piantoni, 42, was sentenced to seven years in state prison by Judge John Agostini for the armed robbery last year of the Cumberland Farms in Williamstown. The Whittlesey Avenue pleaded guilty on Nov. 20 to five charges including armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. Piantoni drove a four-wheeler up to the convenience store on Main Street on the morning of Sept. 27, 2023, pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk handed him $259 and Piantoni fled on his four-wheeler toward his home in North Adams. Officers intercepted him when he was crossing Ashton Avenue and recovered the stolen money and a BB gun from his person. Piantoni was charged with armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, an unregistered motor vehicle, and operating a recreational vehicle on a public way. He was sentenced to four to seven years on the armed robbery and four to five on the dangerous weapon, to be served concurrently in state prison, and 10 days in the House of Correction on the suspended license, also concurrent. Assistant District Attorney Rachael Eramo represented the commonwealth with support from Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston. Pittsfield Man Gets Four Years on Multiple Charges Tyrone Jones, 38, of Maplewood Ave, was sentenced on Dec. 11 to up to four years in state prison on charges ranging from larceny to assault to animal abuse. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 10 to five charges related to an incident last year. He was found not guilty by a jury on a sixth charge of trafficking cocaine Jones became violent on Oct. 14, 2023, in a residence he shared with the victim in the case. He assaulted the victim, kicked a dog belonging to the victim, and destroyed the inside of the house. After the assault and destruction of property, he stole the victim's car. He was sentenced to 18 months to four years in state prison on the charges of assault, assualt on a household member, animal cruelty, vandalism and larceny of a motor vehicle and six months in the House of Correction on a charge of larceny under $1,200, all to be served concurrently. Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston represented the commonwealth. Leaking Clarksburg School Roof Becomes Priority CLARKSBURG, Mass. The school roof has become a priority after the recent snow and rain has caused some significant leaks. Principal Sandra Cote attended Monday's Select Board meeting after sending a video of a particularly bad leak to Chair Robert Norcross. "We've had two other classrooms today that had sprung leaks that we hadn't typically had," she said. "We do have one that it seems to be getting worse, and I know we had a horrible rainstorm and the ice has backed up on the roof." Cote said the custodian had been on the roof breaking up the ice, and it seemed the water may have been coming through an exhaust pipe. "I guess the concern becomes where did that come in was it just the roof or something else," she said. Officials have for years been asking the governor's office to release $500,000 in a capital bond bill for the roof's repair. Norcross has been in conversation with the governor's Western Mass office and Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi about the money for some time now and sent Gobi a video of the leak. The state's been reluctant to release the funds after the town rejected a school building program that would have renovated the prekindergarten to Grade 8 school back in 2017. The Massachusetts School Building Authority had determined the building wasn't up to contemporary educational standards. Town meeting had authorized a $1 million borrowing of which half went to the school to address immediate needs, and volunteers and grants had also made some improvements. Board member Colton Andrews said it was embarrassing to see buckets in the classrooms and that it was time to take "drastic action," which could mean exploring renovations or building a new school. "This roof has obviously been a contentious issue for quite some time," he said. "I think these problems are going to compound drastically. ... I think the school is the town's biggest asset. It's the No. 1 reason families move to Clarksburg." Member Daniel Haskins agreed that something needed to be done but thought they may be looking at a Band-Aid at this point. "I think a new school would be difficult to do," he said. The town had been looking a renovation and addition at a cost of $19 million of which taxpayers would be responsible for $7.7 million. It failed twice to meet the two-thirds vote required to move forward after it was determined it would take 40 years to pay off the project at $350,000 a year. Building costs have increased dramatically in the last few years and Norcross pointed out that a $1 on the tax rate only raises about $160,000. In other business, the board interviewed two more candidates for town administrator Kenneth Ward and Bryana Malloy. Ward, of Becket, is a graduate of Norwich University and holds a juris doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Law. His background is management and administration, mainly working in the information technology sector in health care, including for Berkshire Health Systems and the former Berkshire Healthcare. He has more recently been working for the town of Williamstown. He also served on some civic boards in various places he's lived. While he has no immediate experience in municipal government, he noted he has been supporting the various departments in Williamstown, helped formulate and manage multimillion budgets as director of IT at Berkshire Health Systems for a dozen years, and successfully written grants. "Since tech is so pervasive now I've been working with all departments and supporting Willinet ... I've had my hands in just about every department," he said. "My philosophy is it's never a bad thing to ask for help ... some people are reluctant to do that." Malloy, of Clarksburg, is currently manager of industry relations and Berkshire market maker at MassHire. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and expects to graduate with a master of business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the spring. Malloy said the town administrator post "just feels like an opportunity for to me grow," adding that "if I'm comfortable, I could work here for the next 40 years." She also does not have experience in municipal government but stressed her willingness to learn and her skills in writing and managing grants. Malloy said she oversaw four or five different grants in managing workforce programs at Lever and now administers a $2 million three-year planning grant for Masshire. She also developed the budget for this grant and a second modified budget. "I have quite a bit of experience with grants," she said. "That's where I see my career growing the most ... I think of Clarksburg when I see some of these grants." The board also discussed problems with the town administrator not being able to access the portal for the American Rescue Plan Act funds. The town is working with a federal office to resolve the issue. There are still funds in the account that have to be allocated by the end of the year. Mount Greylock Committee OKs Overseas Trip Despite Equity Concerns WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. By a 5-1 vote, the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee on Thursday OK'd a school-sanctioned field trip to Ecuador despite concerns that not all district families would be able to afford the opportunity. Keith Jones, a social worker at the middle-high school, proposed the trip for the first week of July in 2026, during summer vacation. "The purpose of our trip to Ecuador is to engage students in meaningful community service projects that foster a sense of global responsibility while immersing them in the rich culture and natural beauty of the region," Jones wrote in the application for approval by the committee. "This trip aims to cultivate a spirit of service, cultural appreciation and personal growth, empowering students to become compassionate, informed and globally minded citizens." Committee members agreed that the trip could be beneficial to the students who participated. But a couple members raised concerns about the $4,319 price tag, which is about 34 percent higher than the cost of the last similar trip the district sponsored, to Panama in 2024. Jose Constantine, who ended up on the short end of the 5-1 vote (committee member Ursula Maloy was absent) said he was concerned about the district's role in sanctioning such ventures. "Effectively, they're for-profit trips where we're encouraging families to direct funds to a company to care for our students," Constantine said. "In actuality, except for our teachers and parents chaperoning the students, it's not clear to me what role our district is or should be paying, other than sanctioning the trip. "That's concerning to me because our responsibilities should be to all of the students in our district, not just those whose families have the means to go on these seemingly exciting trips. I think they benefit just a small subset of the students we are charged to care for." Jones' application notes that Education First, the tour company organizing the Ecuador trip, does have a scholarship program and that he could help interested students apply. And, as has been noted in the past, by approving the trip 18 months in advance, interested families will have time to potentially do fund-raising to defray the cost. Jones did not speak to the committee during the virtual meeting. In presenting the application to the panel, interim Superintendent Joe Bergeron noted that the trip would come "with considerable cost," and the district cannot offer scholarships or funds to decrease the per-student cost. Bergeron said that, in the past, the question of cost has been raised but that the committee has decided the benefit to students who do participate outweighs the concern that the trips are not as accessible as the elected board members might want. Bergeron explained later that even though the trip would take place outside of the school year, the district's legal counsel advised that because Mount Greylock staff are coordinating the trip and participation is limited to students at the middle-high school, it is a school activity that required approval from the School Committee, which authorizes all overnight trips involving students. Steven Miller asked whether, by going through EF Educational Tours, the trip is more or less expensive than it would be if a family wanted to organize such a trip on its own. Bergeron said he could not provide any meaningful guidance on that point. "Doing comparable airline tickets, hotel stays and cultural experiences honestly, that's why tour companies exist, to do that analysis," he said. "Even if I spent 20 hours on it, I don't know that I'd get to the point where I was confident to say, to be honest." Carolyn Greene pointed out that, at the very least, the school-sanctioned trip is one way for a family to give their child the experience without having to incur the cost of flying their whole family to Guatemala. "A family may not be able to afford to take the trip, but they may be able to figure out a way for one family member to make the trip through fund-raising and other means," she said. But Greene also echoed Constantine's concern about equity. "I have a lot of qualms about this," she continued. "I've raised them in the past. I've continued to support educational trips because I do think it is a way for students to expand their education, a valuable way. But not all families will be able to do this, and I still find that problematic." Constantine also questioned a process under which tour companies "pressure" families to make a commitment to the trip far in advance of departure, though he acknowledged there are logistical reasons why that is. "If you are a family who may not know if you have the means you'd love to do it, but you may need time to fund raise or to save before you can commit the financing, which does involve putting down a down payment," Constantine said. "I worry about the concerns Carrie raised and I certainly have. "I do wonder if we, as a district, could be doing this differently and, perhaps, more equitably in terms of a process that would allow families time to prepare and create an opportunity for their children." After the 5-1 vote to approve the trip, Miller asked whether, in the future, the School Committee could be presented with multiple proposals with, presumably, different price points from different tour operators before being asked to make such decisions. Greene recommended that that idea be referred to the committee's Governance and Policy Subcommittee for the possible development of an amendment to the district's policy on trips. In other business on Thursday, the School Committee discussed how the district should assess and measure student competency as a graduation requirement after a statewide referendum passed in November to throw out the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System as a requirement for a diploma. They decided that the administration should develop a plan and report back to the School Committee, possibly with an updated policy for approval. And Miller asked that the January School Committee meeting agenda include a discussion about possibly sending a letter to the region's legislative delegation asking to extend the temporary modification to the Open Meeting Law allowing virtual meetings. That modification is set to expire on March 31, 2025. Superintendent of Schools Leslie Blake-Davis presents the award to Logan Kunde at last week's School Committee meeting. Wahconah Senior Presented 2024 Superintendents Award DALTON, Mass. Wahconah Regional High School senior Logan Kunde has been presented with the Superintendents' Award. Central Berkshire Regional Superintendent of Schools Leslie Blake-Davis made the award at last week's School Committee meeting. Kunde earned the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence Award for achieving high academic standing at Wahconah. "I am so very proud of Logan's achievements and it is an honor to present him with this award," said Blake-Davis, adding he has consistently demonstrated high academic performance, as exemplified by his grade average of 101.42. Kunde was inducted into the National Honor Society during his junior year due to his high academic standing and commitment to the National Honor Society's pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. His favorite subjects are science and math, and as such, he plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. He has applied to Rensselaer (N.Y.) Polytechnic Institute and the University of Connecticut. He has volunteered in delivering town reports for Dalton, setting up flags for Memorial Day, assisting with the May Day Races, installing a ramp at St. Agnes' Church, and renovating a gazebo on the high school's grounds as part of his Eagle Scout criteria. He's also held several leadership positions in the Boy Scouts organization, including patrol leader and assistant patrol leader. Kunde has been an active member of the school's swim and cross-country teams. He also participates in the quiz team, particularly enjoying its pizza dinners, and the Cultural Connections Club. Kunde has received several awards and recognition including the Evening of Excellence Awards in mock trial, music, physical education, French, science, social studies, math, and English, and the Harvard Book Award. Tuesday 17 December 2024, 11:17 - Last updated: 14:59 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated Diane Delano, known primarily for her role in the series Northern Exposure and for a career marked by successes in both film and television, has died at the age of 67. The news was confirmed by her agent, Dennis Sevier, who told People that the actress passed away at her home in Los Angeles last Friday, December 13, after a brief illness. The official cause of death has not yet been disclosed. 'When Diane entered a room, you knew she was there! She was full of life and loved being an actress. We will miss her,' Sevier commented in an official statement, recalling the artist's overwhelming personality. Diane Delano became a well-known face to the general public thanks to her portrayal of Officer Barbara Semanski in the famous television series Northern Exposure, aired for six seasons between 1990 and 1995 on CBS. In addition to this iconic role, Delano made her mark with numerous appearances in both film and television. Among her most famous works are the films The Wicker Man and The River Wild with Meryl Streep, but also many television series: from Disney Channel hits like Wizards of Waverly Place and Good Luck Charlie to crime series like Law & Order, and comedic and irreverent productions like Desperate Housewives and 2 Broke Girls. Her versatility also allowed her to venture into voice acting: Delano lent her voice to successful animated productions like Teen Titans and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Throughout her career, Delano received numerous accolades. She won an Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the TV movie Fumbling Through Pieces. In 2019, she received the Best Ensemble award for her work in Relish at the Los Angeles Film Awards. Her last role was in May of this year, when she appeared in the musical comedy Paradise: A Town of Sinners and Saints. Tuesday 17 December 2024, 13:47 - Last updated: 18 December, 14:37 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated "The actress Marisa Paredes has died at the age of 78. She was president of the Academy of Cinema and received the Honorary Goya in 2018." With this message posted on X, the Spanish Academy of Cinema announced the passing of Marisa Paredes, a great performer and muse of director Pedro Almodovar. The actress died at dawn in the Madrid hospital Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, where she arrived at the emergency room with her partner, the former director of the Spanish Film Library, Chema Prado, due to a coronary problem. Diane Delano, actress of "Northern Exposure" and "2 Broke Girls," dies after a brief illness: she was 67. Marisa Paredes, who she was Marisa Paredes began her career very early, debuting at 14 in the film "Esta noche tampoco" directed by Jose Osuna, and a year later she debuted in theater. But it was only 20 years later that success came, thanks to "Opera prima" by Fernando Trueba in 1980. In the '80s and '90s, she experienced her golden era in Spanish cinema, becoming an "Almodovar girl" and muse of the La Mancha director, starring in films like "The Flower of My Secret," "All About My Mother," and "The Skin I Live In." The Spanish actress had a long career spanning six decades, with a presence in theater in countless works proposed by "Estudio 1" on national TVE, from Spanish classics by Calderon de la Barca or Tirso de Molina, to those by Moliere and Oscar Wilde. Another Spanish film director who contributed to making Marisa Paredes immortal was Augusti Villalonga. But her international collaborations with directors like Roberto Benigni in "Life is Beautiful," Guillermo del Toro in "The Devil's Backbone," or Arturo Ripstein in "Profundo Carmesi" were also significant. However, it was the artistic idyll with Pedro Almodovar, for her collaboration in early classic films like "Dark Habits" (1983) and "High Heels" (1991) that made her an essential reference on the big screen. Colleagues' condolences The producer of El Deseo, Augustin Almodovar, brother of the La Mancha director, said he was "devastated" by the news of her death. "Goodbye, beloved Marisa," he wrote in a message on X. The actress's passing has left the entire world of Iberian culture in mourning. Marisa Paredes was also known for her social and political commitment that accompanied her prolific career, especially during her tenure as president of the Spanish Academy of Cinema, at the forefront against the war in Iraq. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also said he was "devastated" by the sudden passing of "one of the most important actresses our country has given." "Her presence in cinema and theater and her commitment to democracy will be an example for generations to come," Sanchez stated in a message on X, ending with "thank you, Marisa." Actor and director Antonio Banderas also expressed sorrow and condolences for the loss of his colleague. "Marisa Paredes was one of the great stars of both Spanish cinema and the Spanish scene. An icon," Banderas wrote in a message on X. "Today we lose a friend with whom I shared many beautiful moments," added the actor, who with Paredes had starred, among others, in "The Skin I Live In" by Almodovar. Deep sorrow for the loss was also expressed by director Juan Antonio Bayona, who had directed the actress in the films "The Snow Society" and "The Impossible." "A legend dies, an immortal presence of Spanish cinema and beyond its borders," Bayona wrote on X. "Maria Paredes had an aura of myth, but she was also a close, empathetic woman always attentive to your person," added the director. "We will miss her greatly," he concluded with "a big hug to all her family and friends, especially to Chema," referring to producer Chema Prado, Paredes's partner for the last forty years. "My beloved Marisa... You leave us too soon. I love you. Safe travels." With this message posted on her Instagram profile, Penelope Cruz also expressed her grief for the passing of Maria Paredes. "Eternal Marisa Paredes. For this sublime and unforgettable moment of cinema and everything else. For the emotion, thank you," noted the Cannes festival on its X account. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In 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. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jay-Zs lawyer eviscerated the allegations facing his client in a press briefing in New York on Monday. A federal lawsuit refiled on December 8 alleges Sean Diddy Combs and Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) sexually assaulted a Jane Doe plaintiff during an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The woman has since acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story. Speaking to reporters at Roc Nations New York headquarters, Jay-Zs attorney, Alex Spiro, said the womans claim relied on an impossible timeline and a nonexistent location. While the lawsuit said the assault happened at a large white residence with a U-shaped driveway, photos show both Jay-Z and Combs at a nightclub following the award show. In the suit, the woman said she snuck out of a window of her home in Rochester and hitched a ride to the award ceremony from a friend, who has since died. She said she watched the event on a jumbotron outside, then befriended a limousine driver who drove her to the house party where she was assaulted by the two rap moguls. Following the alleged rape, she said she fled the house and called her father for a ride home from a nearby gas station. open image in gallery Jay-Zs lawyer said he expects the lawsuit against the rapper to be dismissed ( Getty Images ) The allegation, Spiro said, defies credibility. It wouldve taken her five hours to drive from Rochester, the lawyer noted, meaning she wouldve had to leave her home by 3 p.m. Permits and photographs show there was no jumbotron outside the VMAs in 2000, according to Spiro. The womans father has said he does not recall driving from Rochester to pick her up in New York City. Its not just that this story is a lie and that its not true, its provably, demonstrably false, Spiro said. "This never happened. He added that he expects the case to be dismissed. If its not, eventually this will all crumble, because it cant possibly have happened mathematically, he said. You dont even need witnesses. They dont have any witnesses because this never happened and you dont need witnesses because the time doesnt work. Theres literally photographic evidence that proves that this could not have happened. The suit comes amid a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied against Combs, who remains in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty and faces trial in May. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up The lawsuits were filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations. open image in gallery The lawsuit was initially filed against embattled rap mogul Sean Diddy Combs, but was amended this month to include Jay-Z in the allegations ( 2018 Invision ) After initially suing Combs, the womans complaint was amended to include a new allegation that Jay-Z also participated in the sexual assault as a third unnamed celebrity watched. The litigation was filed by Tony Buzbee, a personal injury attorney in Houston whose firm has set up a toll-free phone line for accusers. In October, Buzbee said he was representing some 120 people, men and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs. Last month, Jay-Z anonymously sued Buzbee, alleging the lawyer had attempted to blackmail him by making the rape allegation public if he did not agree to a legal settlement. Buzbee has said the letter was simply trying to set up a confidential mediation session. In a statement last week, Jay-Z said his heart and support goes out to true victims in the world. On Monday, Spiro accused Buzbee of taking advantage of the woman, while "destroying this opportunity and the voices of real victims. In an emailed statement Monday, Buzbee said the woman had been referred to him by another law firm and vetted by four attorneys from his firm. Courts exist to resolve factual disputes, Buzbee added. Our client remains adamant about her claim. Additional reporting by The Associated Press Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A performance of Macbeth in Londons West End, starring David Tennant, was delayed after a cast member lost their voice in the middle of a scene, marking the plays second disruption in a matter of days. The production, currently being staged at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and also featuring Cush Jumbo, was previously halted mid-show for 15 minutes last week due to an audience disruption. Macbeth has also been forced to cancel several shows over the last month due to company illness, in one instance just two hours before the curtain was due to go up, leaving ticketholders disappointed. On Friday, 13 December, the production was briefly forced off stage during its penultimate performance after Rona Morison, who plays Lady Macduff, was unable to finish her monologue. Per the London Standard, Tennant left the stage for five minutes while Morison was replaced by understudy Gemma Laurie in a last-minute change. Theatregoers were quick to discuss the disruption on social media, with one person praising Laurie for doing a great job after taking over from Morison. She lost her voice at the end of a monologue - the last line came out very faint, they explained. So just before her next scene someone came in and told David to walk off stage and announced that Rona had lost her voice, so Gemma would be stepping in as Lady Macduff. open image in gallery Cush Jumbo and David Tennant during the curtain call at the West End opening night of Macbeth ( Ian West/PA Wire ) It comes just days after the production paused for fifteen minutes due to an interruption by an audience member who had been told they couldnt return immediately to their seat after visiting the bathroom. The man was told he would need to wait for a break in the play before re-entering, but he objected to this request. He was insisting on getting back to his seat, and then lots of people kicked off about his disturbance, one witness told The Times. As the disruption continued, theatre staff raised the house lights, and Tennant was asked to leave the stage until the situation was resolved. open image in gallery The cast of Macbeth during the curtain call at the West End opening night of Macbeth ( Ian West/PA Wire ) Reports indicate the man eventually left the theatre, allowing the performance to resume. In a statement, a spokesperson for the production said: We can confirm there was an incident at the theatre last night, which necessitated a request to stop the show. This is standard practice to handle the situation swiftly and effectively, allowing the rest of the performance to continue with minimal disruption to both the audience and the cast. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former Labour Party strategist Alastair Campbell has shared a photo of himself with Peter Capaldi, making reference to the latters character in The Thick of It. Campbell, 67, worked as Tony Blair and Labours spokesman and campaign manager from 1994 until 2003. The former journalist has since crafted a successful career for himself as podcast host, presenting The Rest is Politics show alongside former Tory MP Rory Stewart, recently selling out Londons 02 Arena with their live show. Campbells time in politics though earned him a reputation for liberalling using profanities in the workplace. This trait saw him become the inspiration for Malcolm Tucker in Armando Iannuccis The Thick of It. The political satire ran for four seasons from 2005 until 2012, largely revolving around Tucker, played by Capaldi, the foul-mouthed Scot at the heart of the government and oppositions communications strategy. Both Campbell and Capaldi had a chance encounter on Monday (16 December), with the former sharing the evidence on X/Twitter. Bumped into an old friend at the US Embassy Xmas party... wrote Campbell, sharing a picture of the two at the event. This is hardly the first time that Campbell has made reference to Tucker. Back in 2012, Campbell mocked Iannucci for accepting an OBE, for joining the establishment he claims to deride. In a reference to his believed fictional alias, Campbell added: Malcolm Tucker and I do not approve of honours system. But Iannucci was quick to respond, tweeting: Its probably more establishment to order your army to march into other countries for no reason. Swings and roundabouts, an implied reference to Mr Campbells role in the Iraq war. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Alastair Campbell and Peter Capaldi Capaldi, who also played Tucker in the 2009 film In The Loop, said in January that he believes The Thick of It would be too pertinent given the current climate of contemporary British politics. Speaking on Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC, Capaldi told the host he is not terribly keen on a potential reboot of the series because the state of contemporary politics is beyond a joke. Capaldi said: Well, you know, the reason Im not terribly keen on it is because I think its beyond a joke. And joking about it just in some way, takes the spotlight away from the problems. And I think that [the] problems are profound. Were in the middle of a climate crisis, were in the middle of a time when we cant trust the government, there seems to be a level of corruption thats going on thats quite extraordinary. He continued: Listen, we could do The Thick Of It, which was really funny, that would make jokes about all that, but I think it would be letting them off in some way. Asked if he believes a reboot of The Thick Of It would trivialise the current issues in contemporary politics, he replied: Yeah, I think its too serious. These are hard times politically and we have to be responsible and aware. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Although they played a group of close pals on the show, the cast of Friends didnt hit it off straight away according to Lisa Kudrow. The 61-year-old actor spoke about the popularity of the comedy sitcom thirty years after it was first released in an interview with Dax Shephard on the Armchair Expert podcast. The show, created by Marta Kauffman, first aired in 1994 and ran for ten seasons and 236 episodes until its finale in 2004. Friends became a cultural phenomenon, particularly among the millennial generation, who followed the lives of its stars as closely in real life as they did on TV. It starred David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Matthew Perry, and Kudrow. But Kudrow, who played quirky and eccentric Phoebe Buffay, said that the off-screen friendship that ensued came with a lot of effort. She said the team worked hard at being friends, adding If someone said something or did something, it didnt get too big because it was, Can I talk to you? Although, true to her awkward on-screen nature, Kudrow said it was usually not her who would start the conversation as she never knew that was allowed at the time. I had to learn to be like, Can I talk to you about something? she explained. open image in gallery Friends celebrated its 30 year anniversary this year ( NBC/Friends ) Kudrow also touched on the death of Matthew Perry last year. The actor, who played sarcastic accountant Chandler Bing on the show, died of the acute effects of ketamine aged 54. This will sound odd, Kudrow said about the death. Im more comforted that he was happy the day he died. He got to die happy. And to me, that was a gift. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery Kudrow played the eccentric Phoebe Buffay ( AFP via Getty Images ) Although Shephard approached the subject of Perrys struggles with addiction, Kudrow said I loved that Matthew I first met and the one at the end, because God love him, this is you, and I love you. I understand, and so did he. Since his death, the authorities have been working to understand how Perry got ahold of the drug, which is legal and usually used as an anaesthetic but can be abused when used recreationally. Five people, including two doctors, were charged with his death earlier this year. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Netflixs latest crime thriller series, starring Keira Knightley as an undercover spy married to a high-ranking politician, has had viewers hooked this festive season, reaching number one on the streaming service just a few days after its release. Black Doves follows Helen (Knightley) in the days after Jason, (Andrew Koji) the man she has been having an affair with, is murdered. As she tries to unravel the mystery of who ordered Jasons death, Helen is drawn deeper into an interconnected government conspiracy. The six-part series has a never-ending carousel of characters involved in the action, with interwoven plot lines, ulterior motives and many murders. So, when the plot unravels in the shows final scenes, many viewers admitted on X/Twitter they struggled to follow Black Doves confusing conclusion. *Warning Spoilers ahead for the Black Doves season finale* In the final episode, its revealed crime boss Alex Clarks (Tracey Ullman) son Trent (Angus Cooper) ordered hits on Jason, Maggie (Hannah Khalique-Brown) and Phillip (Thomas Coombes). Trent organised the murder to cover his tracks after he accidentally killed the Chinese ambassador Chen (Andy Cheung) during an argument about his daughter Kai-Ming (Isabella Wei). Just before Christmas, Helen meets with her Black Doves boss Reed (Sarah Lancashire), who reveals Jason was actually an undercover MI5 agent not a civil servant. Jason had been tasked with investigating Helen over concerns she was leaking government secrets. However, after falling in love with her, he never told his bosses she was involved in the Black Doves. During the shows final scenes, Reed sips champagne in her apartment alongside a mystery woman on Christmas Day. Although many viewers initially assumed this unknown character may have been one of Reeds relatives, shes actually Helens nanny Marie who has been spying on her the entire time. open image in gallery Keira Knightley in Black Doves ( Stefania Rosini/Netflix ) Speaking to GQ, series creator Joe Barton said: [Marie] pops up throughout the series, so its possible to miss. I mean, she looks like she could be Reeds daughter, theyve got a similar haircut. But no, shes the nanny, so shes been spying on them the whole time. Basically, everyones spy. Season two of Black Doves has already been confirmed, having reached Netflixs top 10 most-watched shows list in 89 countries. Barton revealed to The Hollywood Reporter he wants the second season of the show to focus more on Reeds character and provide her with a backstory. open image in gallery Ben Whishaw and Knightley in Black Doves ( Netflix ) I couldnt really give it away, but I love that character, he said. And actually having someone like Sarah come in and do that, you want to know more, because its Sarah Lancashire playing the part. He continued: Yes, I would like to delve more into her backstory and who she is, but that would be definitely something for series two. He added of the second season: Literally, Im in the writers room right now. We have just finished a meeting. Were figuring it all out and putting it all down on paper. But yeah, were going to be filming next year, so hopefully, it wont be too long a wait between series for people. Thats where were at. Black Doves is available on Netflix now Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Warner Bros. Discovery has ended its agreement to air new episodes of Sesame Street on HBO and Max, leaving the beloved kids show searching for a new home. The program, which has been running since 1969, first started airing on HBO in 2016, before being moved to HBO Max (now known as Max) in 2019. Maxs decision to stop airing the new episodes comes as the platform increases its focus on content for adults and less for children. It has been a wonderful, creative experience working with everyone at Sesame Street on the iconic childrens series and we are thrilled to be able to keep some of the library series on Max in the U.S., a spokesperson for Max told The Hollywood Reporter. As weve launched Max though and based on consumer usage and feedback, weve had to prioritize our focus on stories for adults and families, and so new episodes from Sesame Street, at this time, are not as core to our strategy. However, Max will continue working with the producer of the program, Sesame Workshop. Max will still stream old episodes from Sesame Streets catalog until the end of 2027, and the shows current and 55th season will be available on the platform in January. We are excited to extend our 10-year partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, keeping Sesame Streets iconic library available on Max through 2027, a spokesperson for Sesame Workshop said. We will continue to invest in our best-in-class programming and look forward to announcing our new distribution plans in the coming months, ensuring that Sesame Street reaches as many children as possible for generations to come. Old episodes of Sesame Street will still be streaming on Max until the end of 2027 ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Now, the program is in search of a new platform to stream new episodes of Sesame Street, from the yet-to-be-released season 56 and beyond. Max reportedly plans to say farewell to many beloved childrens shows from the late 90s and early 2000s. According to Movie of the Night, animated programs like Teen Titans, The Looney Tunes Show, Static Shock, and Green Lantern will no longer be available on the streaming platform in 2025. In 2023, Sesame Workshop also first shared its plans to make some creative changes to the 56th season of the program, which will air next year. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free With any change you have evolutions, and then you have things that are slightly bigger steps, while still staying core to who we are, former CEO of Sesame Workshop, Steve Youngwood, told THR at the time. We felt like this was a moment to step back and think bigger about how we evolve it. Its going to give us an opportunity to dive further into the narrative, Kay Wilson Stallings, the Executive Vice President, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer for Sesame Workshop added, saying the changes were a way of reimagining the show. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy China has executed a regional official of the Communist Party over a 3bn yuan (324m) scam as president Xi Jinpings campaign to eradicate corruption from the political system intensifies. Mr Xi, who has been in power for over a decade, has launched a crackdown on corruption involving party members who have failed to implement government policies in accordance with the law. They include both high-ranking tigers and lowly flies. Li Jianping, former party chief of an economic development zone in Inner Mongolias Hohhot city, was executed on Tuesday following his last meeting with his family, Xinhua reported. The 64-year-old received a death sentence in September 2022 in one of the most high-profile corruption cases in the country for embezzling money, taking bribes, misusing funds, and working with a criminal syndicate. Li filed an appeal against his sentence but lost it in August and the death sentence was then approved by the Supreme Peoples Court in Mongolia. The court ruled that Lis crimes were extremely severe due to the exceptionally large sums of money he had embezzled and received as bribes and that the nature of the offences had a widespread negative social impact. This is one of the rare cases of a Chinese official being executed on graft charges. Those handed a death penalty are usually given a two-year reprieve from execution and their sentence is later commuted to life imprisonment for good behaviour. The execution came on the same day as Mr Xis speech urging party officials to "turn the knife inward" to root out problems of discipline, including corruption, was released. The speech made by Mr Xi in a major meeting with the partys anti-graft watchdog on 8 January was only released on Tuesday. It had not been disclosed previously. 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. Despite his push to weed out corrupt officials, the Community Party has remained plagued by corruption, especially the defence forces. The party has sacked two former defence ministers in the past two years as allegations of corruption raised concerns over the militarys readiness for war. In the latest case, the defence ministry disclosed that Admiral Miao Hua, a long-time Xi loyalist who had served on the Central Military Commission, the countrys highest military command body, was under investigation for "serious violations of discipline". General Li Shangfu, who was defence minister in 2023, was removed seven months into the job for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for granting favours in violation of military and party discipline. Wei Fenghe was defence minister for five years prior to that, until he was placed under investigation for seriously violating political and organisational discipline by helping others gain improper benefits in personnel arrangements. 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 data from the partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Koreas impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol has been directed by prosecutors to appear by Saturday for questioning regarding his failed attempt to impose martial law, it was reported. Mr Yoons refusal to comply with the order could lead to an arrest warrant, the Yonhap news agency reported. Mr Yoon on Monday resisted calls from investigators to answer questions about his failed attempt to impose martial law earlier this month. A summons for Mr Yoon to appear for questioning over alleged insurrection was delivered to the presidential residence on Tuesday but returned, the agency quoted a joint investigation team as saying. If he responds to the summons, it will be the first time in history that a sitting president appears before prosecutors as a suspect. The South Korean leader was impeached on Saturday through a second vote in parliament over his attempt to impose martial law, a move that threw the nation into chaos and split his party. Meanwhile, Mr Yoons legal defence team said on Tuesday his brief declaration of martial law on 3 December does not constitute insurrection. Mr Yoon denies the insurrection charges and will present his position in court if a public hearing is held during his impeachment trial, his lawyers told the media. South Koreas Constitutional Court is set to decide whether to reinstate or remove Mr Yoon after the National Assembly impeached him. He is currently suspended from office with prime minister Han Duck Soo serving as the interim leader. Mr Yoon is under investigation for alleged insurrection by both South Korean prosecutors and a joint team of police, the defence ministry and anti-corruption authorities. President Yoon will state his position in court confidently and according to his own convictions, a lawyer on his team, Seok Dong Hyeon, said. The president is not giving a single thought to the insurrection charges as a legal concept, but realistically, since investigation agencies are acting this way, there will be a response to the investigation, he added, according to Yonhap. Mr Yoon, who is under a travel ban, faces possible life imprisonment or even the death penalty if found guilty. On Monday, the leader of South Koreas ruling People Power Party resigned for backing Mr Yoons 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. North Korean state media reacted to Mr Yoons impeachment on Monday, calling him a ringleader of rebellion. The state-run Korean Central News Agency criticised Mr Yoon for attempting to shift blame for his foolish emergency martial law declaration onto opposition parties. The investigation into puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of the rebellion, and his accomplices is under way, it added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Taiwan has received its first batch of 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the US in a significant boost to the islands land defence capabilities. The self-governed island has received the main battle tanks at a time when it is facing increasing aggression and a rise in military drills from China. The M1A2 tanks arrived in Taiwan late on Sunday and were sent directly to an army training base in Hsinchu in the southern part of the capital Taipei, the defence ministry said on Monday. A further 42 Abrams tanks, considered the heaviest in the world, are due to be delivered next year, and at least 28 the year after. Taipei had placed an order for 108 Abrams tanks in 2019, worth about $1.4bn. The initial batch of 38 represent the first new tanks the island has received in 30 years, according to the islands state-owned Central News Agency. It also acquired 40 M-109 A6 self-propelled howitzers and TOW 2B and Javelin anti-tank missiles, the Taiwanese defence ministry had said in its annual report. open image in gallery An M1A2 Abrams main battle tank is displayed at the Land Forces 2024 arms fair in Melbourne ( AFP via Getty Images ) The acquisition was intended to build the equivalent of one armoured brigade and strengthen ground-strike and fire-support capabilities, the ministry had said at the time. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, and has threatened to reunite the island with the mainland by force if necessary. Despite this, economic ties between the two especially with Chinas financial hub of Shanghai remain robust, with an emphasis on high-tech exports. Between Monday and Tuesday, China sent 10 military aircraft and seven aircraft toward Taiwan, according to Taiwans defence ministry. Of these, four of the aircraft crossed the middle line of the Taiwan Strait that forms an unofficial border between the sides. Last week, Taiwanese officials said that China was simulating a blockade with one string of ships off the island and a second one farther out at sea, in waters between Japans Okinawa islands and the northern Philippines. In the face of Chinas repeated displays of military might, Taiwan has been upgrading its defences including the latest version of the F-16 fighter jet, missiles, submarines and artillery. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured Narendra Modi that Colombo will not allow its territory to be used in any way detrimental to Indias security interests. The statement came during Mr Dissanayakes first bilateral visit to New Delhi on Monday, amid growing concerns over Chinas increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region. I have given an assurance to the prime minister of India that we will not have our land... be used in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India in any way, Mr Dissanayake said after talks with Mr Modi at Hyderabad House. The two leaders emphasised their shared commitment to ensuring regional stability and the security of the Indian Ocean, with Mr Modi stating: We both agree that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to soon finalise the defence cooperation agreement. The assurance follows diplomatic tensions sparked by recent visits of Chinese military ships to Sri Lanka and Chinas development of the Hambantota port in the island nation. A joint statement from the two countries reiterated the importance of trust and transparency in addressing mutual security concerns and underscored their commitment to countering threats in the region. India pledged continued assistance to strengthen Sri Lankas maritime and defence capabilities. open image in gallery Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Disanayaka after a joint press statement in New Delhi ( AP ) Mr Modi expressed hope for swift implementation of collaborative measures, including enhanced defence cooperation and capacity building. Both sides agreed to work on a framework for supplying defence platforms, conducting joint exercises, and expanding maritime surveillance. On the contentious issue of Chinese vessels docking in Sri Lankan ports, Mr Dissanayake reaffirmed his countrys policy of prioritising Indias security interests, a position described as a trusted and reliable partner in the joint statement. Energy cooperation was another focal point of the discussion. Both nations agreed to establish electricity grid connectivity and develop multi-product petroleum pipelines to deepen their energy partnership. India will also support Sri Lanka in enhancing renewable energy capacity, with projects such as the solar power plant in Sampur. open image in gallery Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, left, talks with Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Disanayaka during their meeting in New Delhi ( AP ) Mr Modi highlighted the broader economic partnership, which will focus on investment-led growth and connectivity to facilitate development and reduce Sri Lankas debt burden. Mr Dissanayake and his party have in the past been seen as more ideologically aligned with China. After his win, analysts predicted that could mean drawing more Chinese investment, which slowed after the Sri Lankan government was blamed for taking on too many Chinese loans that added to the countrys debt as its economy collapsed in 2022. Chinese money quickly became a cautionary tale in the country, while the economic crisis allowed India to gain some sway as it stepped in with massive financial and material assistance to its neighbour. Just after Mr Dissanayake was sworn in, Beijing said it wanted to work with the new government on boosting development and cooperation in building Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. Under Mr Dissanayake, theres a possibility of more Chinese money coming into Sri Lanka, Happymon Jacob, founder of the New Delhi-based Council for Strategic and Defense Research, earlier told the Associated Press, adding that this could concern India. However, the newly elected president attempted to allay some of the fears, prior to his win. As a neighboring country, we need to be concerned over Indias stability, national interests and national security when taking decisions, Mr Dissanayake told the Associated Press in an interview a few weeks before the election. Our main objective is the safety of the region and we will not allow any party to use our land, sea and air to create instability, he added. Additional reporting by agencies. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Japanese police are searching for a man who fatally stabbed a 15-year-old schoolgirl and seriously injured a boy at a McDonalds in southwestern Japan. The attack, which occurred on Saturday evening, left Saaya Nakashima dead and the boy hospitalised. The assailant reportedly struck without warning, according to police. Witnesses described the attacker as a man in his 40s who also targeted a male student standing in line with the victim. Although the boy, whose identity remains undisclosed, survived the violent assault, he suffered serious injuries. The incident occurred around 8.30pm on Saturday as the two victims stood near the back of the queue. The attack in Kitakyushu city in Fukuoka prefecture occurred in under a minute, with around 10 customers present. Nakashima died from a stab wound to the abdomen, while the boy, injured in the waist, remains hospitalised and described the attacker as a complete stranger. Both students were on their way home from a cram school, according to national broadcaster NHK, when they decided to make a quick stop at the fast food outlet. Police are investigating the incident as murder but have not found any links between the victim and the attacker. While violent crime is rare in Japan due to strict gun laws, occasional stabbings and shootings still happen, including Shinzo Abes 2022 assassination. In 2019, a 51-year-old attacker in Kawasaki stabbed and killed two people, including a schoolgirl, and injured over a dozen others in a rampage targeting children waiting for a bus. He later fatally stabbed himself. In response to the McDonalds attack, Kitakyushu city cancelled all extracurricular activities and events at city-run schools and kindergartens on Sunday. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Japanese izakaya chain has discontinued its face slap service after receiving a customer complaint about injury and fearing a blow to its reputation. The Yotteba chain, known for its affordable beer and chicken wings, previously allowed customers to receive a sharp slap on the face known locally as a binta from a waitress for 500 yen (2.70). For an additional 100 yen (0.5), diners could even choose their preferred staff member to deliver the stinging blow. Originally intended as a post-meal gimmick to help patrons sober up, the service appeared popular in niche circles, with social media videos showing amused onlookers applauding patrons who endured the slap. However, a complaint filed by a customer claiming injury proved to be the final straw. A spokesperson for Tokyo-based Project M, which operates Yottebas outlets across Japan, explained the decision. We have been doing it at our restaurants for more than two years now, but we did not think it was very popular, the unnamed marketing official told This Week in Asia. Also, our chain is getting bigger, and we wanted to change our image. The representative confirmed to the South China Morning Post that the slap service ended two months ago following the injury incident but declined to provide further details. While Yottebas slapping gimmick has officially ended, it was not the first of its kind in Japan. Another izakaya chain, Shachihoko-ya in Nagoya, gained similar notoriety in 2012 for its Nagoya Ladys Slap service, where customers paid 300 yen ( (1.53) for a slap delivered by kimono-clad waitresses. For a surcharge of 500 yen (2.70), patrons could select specific staff members to perform the task. Videos of the bizarre service resurfaced on social media recently, attracting thousands of views and humorous commentary. Some clips showed patrons thanking waitresses after receiving a slap, while others appeared to embrace the service as part of the restaurants quirky charm. The viral attention led Shachihoko-ya to issue a statement clarifying that the service had been discontinued years earlier. Shachihoko-ya currently does not offer slaps, the restaurant said in a post on X. We appreciate the attention it has received today, but we cannot accommodate visits with the intention of receiving slaps. The origins of the term binta trace back to southern Japans Kagoshima region, where it initially meant head in the local dialect. During the Meiji era (1868-1912), it became associated with slapping as police officers were known to discipline offenders with a sharp smack to the head. Despite its controversial history and unexpected resurgence, the era of face-smacking services in Japans izakayas appears to have come to an abrupt end. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy French president Emmanuel Macron will travel to Mayotte after Cyclone Chido tore through the island with ferocious force, leaving potentially hundreds, if not thousands, dead, as survivors likened the aftermath to a nuclear war. The cyclone, likely intensified by the climate crisis, hit the French territory late last week. The island bore the full force of the storm, one of the most powerful to ever hit the French overseas territory, as it brought winds exceeding 200kmph (124mph), ripping apart homes, flattening entire neighbourhoods, and severing power and communication lines. At least 34 people were killed by Cyclone Chido in Mozambique since it made landfall there on Sunday, the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said, citing figures from the southern African countrys disaster agency. As of 17 December 2024, a total of 174,158 people were estimated to be impacted, with 34 people dead and 319 injured, OCHA said in a statement, citing Mozambiques institute for natural disasters. Mayotte, one of the poorest regions under the French administration of some 300,000 people, is located in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean. An aerial footage shows entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, trees uprooted, and critical infrastructure torn apart. Mamoudzou, the islands capital and one of the most densely populated areas, is now unrecognisable, with many streets littered with debris and homes reduced to twisted metal and splintered wood. Before and after satellite images released by Maxar Technologies on Tuesday show green neighbourhoods reduced to brown, barren wastelands, with rooftops torn away and trees stripped bare. Honestly, what we are experiencing is a tragedy, Mohamed Ishmael, a resident of Mamoudzou who witnessed the destruction firsthand, told Reuters news agency. You feel like you are in the aftermath of a nuclear war. I saw an entire neighborhood disappear within hours. open image in gallery This combination of before and after images shows damage at the Dzaoudzi Port on the French Territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after Cyclone Chido, Dec. 16, 2024. (Maxar Technologies via AP) ( AP ) The French president said he gathered key government officials for an emergency meeting at the interior ministrys crisis centre, to discuss an action plan for the devastated island. In a post on social media platform X, Mr Macron said all emergency measures will be deployed to help the inhabitants of Mayotte to ensure the continuity of state functions. He added that will also declare national mourning in the face of this tragedy and visit the island soon. open image in gallery This combination of before and after images released by Maxar Technologies shows damage of Rue du CollAge, Mamoudzou on the French Territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean after Cyclone Chido ( AP ) Our thoughts are with our compatriots who have endured unimaginable suffering, Mr Macron told reporters. The government will mobilise all resources to help the island recover, rebuild, and heal. Already 1,600 police and emergency personnel have been deployed to assist with rescue and recovery operations, and an additional 800 responders are expected in the coming days. However, the rescue mission is facing delay due to logistical difficulties after Mayottes only airport suffered damage to its control tower, rendering the ability of all but military aircraft to fly in, complicating response and relief efforts. open image in gallery Destroyed building after the cyclone Chido hit France's Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte ( AFP via Getty Images ) French naval ships carrying essential supplies, including water, food, generators, and medical equipment, were en route to Mayotte on Tuesday, as officials raced to address immediate humanitarian needs. Officials on the ground have described the impact of Cyclone Chido as unprecedented in Mayottes modern history. Francois-Xavier Bieuville, the prefect of Mayotte, said efforts to determine the full extent of the damage are being hindered by blocked roads and disrupted communication networks. Entire communities have been cut off, he said. The destruction is so vast that it will take days, if not weeks, to fully comprehend what has happened here. open image in gallery A man carries his belongings as rescue workers attempt to clear a blocked road, in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, within Labattoir, in Mayotte, France ( REUTERS ) The human toll of the storm remains uncertain. Thousands of people are missing, and while initial reports confirmed dozens of deaths, officials fear the number could rise dramatically, with hundreds, perhaps thousands, unaccounted for. Rescue operations are further complicated by the terrain and Mayottes dense population, particularly in informal settlements. open image in gallery Members of the French Civil protection and French firefighters walk on the tarmac following their landing aboard the A440M military aircraft, as part of an emergency response to bring aid to the small French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, almost cut off from the world after the passage of cyclone Chido ( AFP via Getty Images ) For the toll, its going to be complicated, because Mayotte is a Muslim land where the dead are buried within 24 hours, a French interior ministry official said earlier. Survivors are now grappling with the harsh reality of life in the cyclones aftermath. Makeshift shelters have sprung up where homes once stood, and clean water, food, and electricity remain scarce. Aid organisations on the ground are warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis unless immediate relief arrives. Chido intensified into an incredibly powerful cyclone last week, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane, and hit Mayotte on Saturday. It impacted surrounding nations in southeastern Africa, bringing heavy rainfall and damaging houses in Madagascar, Mozambique and the Comoros Islands before weakening, killing at least three people. open image in gallery Cyclone Chido rapidly intensified into a Category 4 equivalent storm ( Emergency Response Coordination Centre ) Scientists warn that cyclones are becoming more powerful because of the climate crisis and warming oceans, which fuels the storms. The Indian Ocean, where Mayotte is located, is warming at a faster rate than many other regions, providing the ideal conditions for cyclones to intensify. Cyclone Chido underwent rapid intensification before landfall in Mauritius, weakened slightly, and then regained its Category 4-equivalent intensity before reaching Mayotte and continuing to Mozambique, Dr Alex Baker, a meteorologist at University of Reading, said. The kinds of conditions that lead to rapid intensification have become increasingly prevalent over recent decades, he said, adding that more studies will be needed to understand the impact. open image in gallery File image: People collect bottled drinking water from a distribution point in the Majicavo district in Mamoudzou on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte ( AFP via Getty Images ) Mayotte was already grappling with significant social and economic challenges before the cyclone struck. Overcrowding, poverty, and unregulated urban development made the island particularly vulnerable to natural disasters. Informal settlements, built hastily and without proper infrastructure, were among the hardest hit by Chidos fury. For the thousands of undocumented migrants living on the island, the situation is especially dire. Displaced families are now crowding temporary shelters, and aid workers fear that poor sanitation and a lack of clean water could trigger outbreaks of disease. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Below Deck Down Under star Jason Chambers has revealed hes been diagnosed with melanoma. The Bravo boat captain shared a health update to his fans in a video posted to Instagram on Monday (December 16). Chambers, 52, began the clip by explaining that he recently had a biopsy, which came back with a melanoma diagnosis. For someone that spent their life in the sun, as a child playing sport to working on the ocean, I thought I was resistant to the damaging effects of the sun, he wrote in the caption. I love the sun and its health benefits are evident, but be wise and like everything in life, its all about balance, choose your battles. With a diagnosed melanoma biopsy, I now have an anxious wait and what I thought was a skin spot turned in just six months, early detection is the key, Chambers added. So find a chemical free sunscreen product, get some shade with a hat and enjoy the sun with protection. In the video, Chambers who shares a daughter named Saskia with his ex explained that he had his initial biopsy done in Bali. Now, hes waiting for his test results from his doctors in Bali, which may not arrive until after Christmas. The boat captain went on to suggest that two out of three people in Australia suffer from melanoma. Bravo star Jason Chambers reveals his recent biopsy came back as melanoma ( Instagram / @captainjchambers ) Its a big thing, he said. I never used to wear sunscreen when I was on the boat. I used to put zinc on my nose, the reason being the chemicals. But theres so many products out there that are chemical-free now, which is great. So, make sure you throw on some sunscreen, get some shade and cover yourself up and enjoy your day out in the sun, Chambers concluded the clip. According to the Mayo Clinic, melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes and typically starts on skin thats often exposed to the sun. Some health experts believe that exposure to ultraviolet light is the leading cause of melanoma. Ultraviolet light, also called UV light, comes from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds. Research from Melanoma Institute Australia suggests that one Australian is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes. It is estimated that 16,800 Australians are diagnosed with melanoma each year, making it the most common form of cancer for Australians aged 20 to 39. Meanwhile in the U.S., about 100,640 new melanomas were diagnosed in the last year. Skin cancer also ranks as the most common form of cancer, with one in five Americans developing it in their lifetime, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). To best protect against skin cancer, dermatologists recommend applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sarah Ferguson has reflected on her relationship with Prince Andrew. In a recent interview with the Sunday Times published on Saturday (December 14), the Duchess of York spoke about her marriage and subsequent divorce from the controversial royal family member. I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew, she told the outlet. I would do it all over again, 100 percent. 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. I wont let him down. She explained that the two remain on good terms despite their divorce nearly 30 years ago. He supports me as much as I support him. Hes supported me through thick and thin, not just marriage or divorce. We agree on the three Cs communication, compromise, compassion, she said. Jane Luedecke, Fergusons sister, also spoke about the duke and duchesss relationship to The Times as she called them the best divorced couple I know. Theyve done it for their children; its incredible. I came to stay at Royal Lodge in May and went riding with Andrew at Windsor Castle. It was lovely to get back on a horse and ride through the grounds again, Luedecke said. The Duke and Duchess of York were married for 10 years ( Getty ) The former royal couple was married for 10 years from 1986 to 1996. During their marriage, they welcomed two daughters: Princess Beatrice, 36, and Princess Eugenie, 34. Elsewhere during the interview, Ferguson recalled meeting the third oldest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip when she was 12 years old. My first thought was that I was going to marry him, she said. We came back into each others lives when Diana invited me to Ascot in 1985 and six months later we were engaged. You werent allowed to hang out or live with each other then. Diana couldnt, I couldnt. Most recently, Fergusons ex-husband has been embroiled in yet another controversy. The Duke of York was linked as a close confidant of businessman Yang Tengbo, who was accused of being a Chinese spy. He is said to have used his close friendship with the royal to secure invitations to Buckingham Palace. He also met former prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May. Yang Tengbo has been barred from the country on the grounds he was considered to have engaged in covert and deceptive activity. A statement from Prince Andrews office on Friday (December 13) read: 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. Following the reports, the Duke of York was urged to withdraw from a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace and avoid being seen with his family in Sandringham on Christmas Day next week. His daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, had already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Starbucks CEO Brian Nichol has shared that the company is doubling its parental leave policy after an email from his employee caught his attention. The American coffee company shared a message from Nichol on Monday (December 16) to announce the change in the parental leave plan, which takes place in 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, he said in a statement. 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. He explained that the work benefit came after hearing from some partners who shared the leave as new parents werent adequate. The new initiative comes as a part of the companys Back to Starbucks plan, which aims to establish Starbucks as the unrivaled best job in retail. Starbucks will be offering up to 18 weeks of paid leave for birth parents who work 20 hours or more a week ( Getty Images ) Speaking to Fox Business, Nichol described how the email from one of his employees, who are referred to as partners in the company, encouraged his decision to change the benefits for workers. He noted that the worker asked to take parental leave for a longer time, which caught [his] attention. I followed up with the team, and then we reached out to a few more partners, Nichol explained, before noting that he quickly decided that longer parental leave was something his company could take action on. Although he admitted that Starbucks has a culture of learning, Nichol maintained that the brand is dedicated to following through with the plans it makes. We have a culture of ideas, but we also want to have a culture of we make decisions, we take action and we hold ourselves accountable on the execution, he added. Thats been kind of the deal Ive been making with people as I go to stores, as I reply to emails, as I do communications, whether its letter or video. The former head of Chipotle who was named the new CEO of Starbucks in August previously detailed the changes he wanted to make to the coffee franchise. In an open letter on the Seattle coffee giants website, which was shared in September, he said he wanted to focus on improving service particularly during the morning rush, and that he wanted to reestablish stores as gathering places. Starbucks sales have fallen this year due to weaker U.S. store traffic and other issues, including rising competition in China and boycotts in the Middle East. Nichol said improving the store experience for both baristas and customers will help turn that around. Many of our customers still experience this magic every day, but in some places especially in the U.S. we arent always delivering, he said. It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too long or the handoff too hectic. These moments are opportunities for us to do better. In his letter shared on Monday, Nichol also cited some of the major goals that have been set in place this year. The brand established a goal last month to fill 90 percent of retail leadership roles internally, creating a way for our hourly partners to build a career at Starbucks. Throughout December, more than 230,000 employees also got a Bean Stock grant giving them an ownership stake in Starbucks. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy If your TikTok feed has been filled with nothing but videos from a group of friends from the United Kingdom documenting their first trip to New York City, then youre not alone. This week, people on TikTok have developed a new obsession with Welsh content creators Charly Anne and Ieuan Jones. The TikTokers along with their friends Emily, Cory, and Lea have gone viral for their NYC videos, in which they visit the Big Apples main tourist attractions and share their reviews of popular fast food chains. It all began when Charly and her pals touched down on the East Coast over the weekend. Of course, one of their first stops on their visit had to be at an American staple, Target. The TikTok, which has been viewed more than two million times, showed Charly and her friends awestruck at Targets selection of snacks and candy, including mini Doritos, Cheetos Puffs, Herseys Kisses, and jumbo-sized Twizzlers. Im so fascinated by their fascination! one American wrote in the comments section. The next stop was Chipotle, where Ieuan received nearly 900,000 views on a video of himself trying the Mexican chain restaurant for the first time. open image in gallery TikToker Charly Anne and her friends have gone viral for their NYC vlogs ( TikTok / @charlyannec ) Ieuan and Charly were dumbfounded at the quintessential American-sized portions of their Chipotle orders. At one point during the clip, Ieuan referred to Chipotles guacamole as smashed avo, which unsurprisingly caught Americans attention in the comments section. Guac being called smashed avo would send me to an early grave, one person joked, while another American pointed out: Its the smashed avo for me. The tourists then made sure to visit the popular fast food chain Chick-fil-A. As Charly filmed herself ordering a deluxe burger at the counter, the employee asked whether her meal was for here or to-go. No, weve never eaten here before, she replied earnestly, prompting a flurry of amused reactions from Americans in the comments. Others decided to correct Charly on her Chick-fil-A order, pointing out: If youre in the U.S. its always chicken sandwich, never burger. The TikTokers were encouraged by many New Yorkers to stray away from fast food chains, and instead visit some of the citys well-known food spots. As a result, the tourists paid a visit to none other than Katzs Delicatessen on the Lower East Side of Manhattan also home to the famous orgasm scene from 1989s When Harry Met Sally. However, as Charly and her friends filmed themselves devouring a pastrami sandwich, some viewers couldnt help but notice the amount of Americans that seemed irritated by the tourists antics in the background. I can not stop watching the people in the background watching you in the videos on all three accounts, one TikTok user wrote, while another replied: I know, they all look annoyed. Some people even claimed that one American appeared to flip the bird to the camera, as the TikTokers filmed themselves eating an authentic pastrami slice. The true New Yorker in the background flicking you all off, commented one user. Another asked: Did nobody catch the guy rubbing his face with his middle finger? The video, which has been viewed more than 634,800 times, has since ignited an age-old debate in the comments section. While its a well-known stereotype that Americans abroad are among the easiest groups of tourists to spot, some people decided to flip the script by claiming that Charly and her friends were even more obvious. You can spot us Brits a mile off on holiday, one TikToker said, while another commented: The way people always say they can spot American tourists but we can also spot foreigners like them. Nevertheless, many newfound American fans were heartbroken when Charly shared one of her final videos from their trip to NYC. Noooo you need to extend your vacation, said one person. We want more! I think I speak for all of us when I say none of you can ever go home, joked someone else. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Victoria Beckham is setting the record straight on longstanding rumors about her nose, crediting makeup not surgery for its sculpted appearance. In an appearance on The Today Show on Monday (December 16), the British fashion designer and beauty mogul addressed speculation that she had undergone a nose job. She stressed that her clever contouring technique creates the illusion of a more defined nose. I like to draw, Beckham explained. I have to say, theres been a lot of people in the past that have said to me that Ive had some kind of surgery on my nose. I have never, ever, ever, ever... No, never. Its clever contouring. Beckham then demonstrated the technique, starting with a contour pen. I always start by slimming down my nose, she said. So Im literally going to draw two lines down either side of my nose to really shade down the sides. What this is going to do is, when I blend it with my nose or my fingers, its going to give the illusion of a longer, straighter nose. This isnt the first time Beckham has addressed the rumors. In a 2022 video alongside beauty mogul Charlotte Tilbury, Beckham dismissed similar claims while demonstrating the same nose-slimming trick. People have also said that Ive had a nose job, she said at the time. Never had a nose job. Always had a nose like this. It is the nose trick. Victoria Beckham says shes always had a nose like this ( Getty Images ) In the past, the Spice Girl has been candid about her experiences with plastic surgery, particularly regarding her past breast augmentations. In a letter to her younger self published in British Vogue, she advised, Dont mess with your boobs. All those years I denied it stupid. A sign of insecurity. Just celebrate what youve got. Beckham also spoke about her implants in a 2022 interview with Allure, expressing regret over her decision to undergo surgeries in 1999 and 2006, which she later had reversed in 2014. She reflected, If Im honest, I wish Id never [gotten implants]. It was a moment in time, and I think I can share my experiences with her [daughter Harper]. Over the years, Beckham has been vocal about the pressures women face to maintain a certain appearance. In a 2022 interview with Glamour, she addressed how societal standards influence beauty choices, saying, Theres so much pressure, but I think its important to be honest with yourself and those around you about the realities of beauty and aging. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia pleaded not guilty on Thursday to the charges against him. Colin Gray was not in court, but his lawyers told the judge during a brief hearing that their client pleads not guilty and waived formal arraignment. Its common in Georgia for defendants to enter a plea and waive arraignment. Gray and his son, Colt Gray, were both indicted in the Sept. 4 shooting that killed two students and two teachers and injured others. Colt Gray is charged as an adult and was indicted on 55 counts, including murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault at the high school. His father was indicted on 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Both also face multiple counts of cruelty to children. Colt Gray entered a not guilty plea last month and also waived arraignment. Colt Gray is being held in a juvenile detention center in Gainesville, while Colin Gray, 54, is being held in the Barrow County jail. Neither has sought to be released on bail. The shooting killed teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire. Colin Gray is the first adult known to be charged in a school shooting in Georgia. His indictment is the latest example of prosecutors holding parents responsible for their childrens actions in school shootings. Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, the first to be convicted in a U.S. mass school shooting, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for not securing a firearm at home and acting indifferently to signs of their sons deteriorating mental health before he killed four students in 2021. Investigators have said Colt Gray carried a semiautomatic assault-style rifle onto a school bus, with the barrel sticking out of his book bag, wrapped up in a poster board. They say the boy carefully plotted the shooting at the 1,900-student high school northeast of Atlanta, drawing diagrams and listing potential body counts in a notebook. He left his second-period class and emerged from a bathroom with the rifle before shooting people in a classroom and hallways. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers announced Tuesday they had issued a new subpoena that would require the states prison system to allow death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify in person this week about the states junk science law. An earlier subpoena ended up delaying Robersons Oct. 17 execution, which had been set to be the first in the U.S. tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence announced it had issued last week and served on Monday a subpoena compelling Roberson to appear before it at a meeting in Austin on Friday. The committee has argued it needs to hear from Roberson about whether a 2013 law created to allow prisoners to challenge their convictions based on new scientific evidence was ignored in his case. Roberts testimony will shed important light on some of the problems with our junk science writ process, a legal procedure Texas lawmakers expected to provide reconsideration in cases like this one, committee chair and state Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat, and committee member and state Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican, said in a statement. The committee said its waiting for a response from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Amanda Hernandez, a department spokesperson, said in an email that her agency doesn't have a comment at this time. Roberson's lawyer said he's grateful for the chance to be heard. I profoundly hope that his ability to appear is not obstructed by those who, for whatever reason, do not want the lawmakers and the public to hear from him directly about his experience trying to communicate his innocence, attorney Gretchen Sween said in a statement. Roberson had been set to appear before the committee on Oct. 21 under the first subpoena. However, the Texas attorney general's office said he would only appear by videoconference because bringing him to the state Capitol would present myriad security and logistical concerns. The committee and Robersons lawyers have pushed for him to appear in person, saying testimony via video conference would be difficult for him because he has been diagnosed with autism and has communication challenges. Roberson, 58, is being held in the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, located more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of Austin. Roberson was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. Prosecutors said Roberson shook her violently back and forth. Robersons attorneys have argued that the childs symptoms did not align with child abuse and that she likely died from complications from severe pneumonia. Roberson has gained bipartisan support from lawmakers and medical experts who say he was convicted on faulty evidence of shaken baby syndrome, which refers to a serious brain injury caused when a childs head is hurt through shaking or some other violent impact, like being slammed against a wall or thrown on the floor. After the state parole board, multiple lower courts and the U.S. Supreme Court had all rejected Robersons request to delay his October execution, it appeared he would receive a lethal injection. But the House committee used an unconventional strategy to delay his execution: issuing a subpoena for Roberson to testify days after he was scheduled to die. After legal debate in multiple courts, the Texas Supreme Court upheld an order to stay Robersons execution. In November, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot stop an execution. But the court did say the committee could issue another subpoena for Robersons testimony so long as it didnt block a scheduled execution. A new execution date for Roberson has not been set. If the state criminal justice department would not comply with a new subpoena, the House committee could seek judicial relief to compel Robersons testimony, the Texas Supreme Court said in its order. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and attorney generals office had objected to the first subpoena because it would have forced the state prison system to disobey a valid court order to carry out a lawfully imposed death sentence. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A powerful roadside bomb exploded near a vehicle carrying police officers assigned to protect polio workers in restive northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, killing three officers and wounding two others, police said. The attack occurred in Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as officers were returning to their stations, local police officer Nasir Khan said. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which came a day after unidentified gunmen opened fire on police escorting polio workers in Karak, a city in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing one police officer and wounding a health worker. The latest violence comes a day after Pakistan launched its final nationwide polio vaccination campaign for the year, aiming to protect 45 million children. According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the potentially fatal, paralyzing virus has not been eradicated. Pakistan has reported 63 confirmed cases since January and the ongoing anti-polio drive will continue until Dec. 22. Insurgents often target police and health workers during anti-polio drives. More than 200 polio workers and police assigned for their protection have been killed since the 1990s, according to health officials and authorities. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For years, women had been disappearing on Long Island. Then in 2010, investigators searching for a missing woman began finding 10 sets of human remains in the scrub along a barrier island parkway, not far from the sands of New York's remote Gilgo Beach. Police almost immediately feared some were left by a serial killer. Over the years, investigators used DNA analysis and other clues to identify the victims, many of whom were sex workers. In some cases, they were able to connect them to remains found elsewhere on Long Island years earlier. Police also began reexamining other unsolved killings of women found dead on Long Island. Prosecutors have now charged a Long Island architect, Rex Heuermann in seven killings. Here is a timeline of the investigation: Nov. 20, 1993: Two hunters discover the body of Sandra Costilla, 28, in a wooded area of North Sea, a hamlet in the Hamptons near the eastern end of Long Island. Costilla had been living in New York City. April 20, 1996: The partial remains of Karen Vergata are discovered on Fire Island, a barrier beach off Long Island's southern coast. Her name remains unknown to investigators until 2022, when new DNA analysis helps them make an identification. Vergata, 34, was last in contact with her family on Feb. 14, 1996. She was involved in sex work when she vanished. June 28, 1997: The partial remains of a woman, nicknamed Peaches by investigators after a tattoo on her body, are discovered stuffed inside a plastic tub in a state park in West Hempstead, New York. Her identity remains unknown. September 2000: The partial skeletal remains of Valerie Mack, who had been working as an escort in Philadelphia, are found in a wooded area in Manorville, New York. Mack, 24, was last seen by her family in the spring or summer of that year in Port Republic, New Jersey. July 26, 2003: The partial skeletal remains of Jessica Taylor are discovered in a wooded area of Manorville. She was 20 when she vanished and had been an escort working in New York City. July 9, 2007: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, who had traveled to New York City from her home in Norwich, Connecticut, for sex work, is last heard from by a friend. She says she is leaving her hotel to meet a client. Investigators later say cellphone records showed her phone was last used on Long Island. July 10, 2009: Melissa Barthelemy, a 24-year-old sex worker, is last seen at her apartment in the Bronx. She tells a friend she is going to see a man and will be back in the morning. Cellphone location data puts her phone's last known location on Long Island. Days later, a man begins using Barthelemys mobile phone to make taunting phone calls to her relatives. May 1, 2010: Shannan Gilbert, a sex worker, disappears in the barrier island community of Oak Beach, New York, after fleeing the house of a client and banging on a neighbors door. In a recorded 911 call, she tells a dispatcher that people are after her, but she can also be heard refusing offers of help. Her pimp, the client and his neighbor all tell police she appeared disoriented and ran into the night on her own. June 6, 2010: Megan Waterman, 22, who had traveled to Long Island from Maine for sex work, is last seen at a motel in Hauppauge, New York. Sept. 2, 2010: Amber Lynn Costello, 27, is last seen leaving her home in West Babylon to meet with a sex work client. A male friend later tells investigators he noticed a Chevrolet Avalanche, presumably driven by the client. December 11, 2010: A police officer and his dog discover Barthelemy's remains while conducting a training exercise along Ocean Parkway. Dec. 13, 2010: Police find the bodies of Costello, Brainard-Barnes and Waterman on the same quarter-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway where Barthelemys remains were located. Dec. 14, 2010: Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer publicly announces the discovery of the bodies and says a serial killer might be to blame. Police expand the search, looking for additional remains or any sign of Gilbert. March 29, 2011: Some of Taylors remains are discovered along Ocean Parkway. April 4, 2011: Additional remains of Valerie Mack are found along Ocean Parkway. Near those remains, investigators also find the remains of an unidentified female toddler, later identified through DNA as the daughter of Peaches. Elsewhere on the parkway, investigators discover the remains of an Asian male. Investigators estimate he died five to 10 years earlier and was in his late teens or early 20s. He still has not been identified. April 11, 2011: Additional remains of Vergata are discovered along Ocean Parkway, several miles west of Gilgo Beach. Police also find remains belonging to Peaches along the beach parkway. Dec. 13, 2011: Gilberts skeletal remains are discovered in a tidal marsh near Oak Beach. After an autopsy and further investigation, Suffolk Police say she most likely accidentally drowned. Her family still suspects she was slain. January 2022: The Suffolk County district attorney convenes a new task force to investigate the Gilgo Beach killings. July 13, 2023: Investigators arrest Heuermann and charge him with murdering Costello, Waterman and Barthelemy. The key evidence in the case is mobile phone location data suggesting that Heuermann and the women were in the same places at some of the same times, and traces of DNA found on the remains. Jan. 16, 2024: Heuermann is charged in the death of Brainard-Barnes. Prosecutors say a hair found with her corpse is genetically similar to a DNA sample from Heuermann's wife. Late April 2024: Police conduct a new, multiday search of a wooded area in Manorville where Taylor and Mack's remains were discovered more than a decade earlier. They also perform a new search on the spot where Costilla's body was discovered in 1993. May 20, 2024: Investigators launch a new search of Heuermann's home. It lasts nearly a week. June 6, 2024: Heuermann is charged with murdering Costilla and Taylor. He pleads not guilty. Dec. 17, 2024: An indictment is unsealed charging Heuermann in Mack's death. Heuermann pleads not guilty. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A man arrested and questioned by detectives over the suspected murder of Irish schoolboy Kyran Durnin has been found dead. The man, in his thirties, was released without charge after forensic officers conducted an intrusive search at a home in Co Louth, Ireland, last Friday. Police said emergency services were contacted following the discovery of a mans body at a house in Drogheda on Tuesday. open image in gallery A garda officer in Drogheda, where police carried out a forensic search in relation to the disappearance of Kyran ( PA Wire ) Officers said the local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem examination will determine the course of the investigation, according to gardai, the Irish police. It is understood from early indications that it is a personal tragedy. Last week, gardai searched two homes in Drogheda, which involved a forensic and intrusive examination of one of the properties. Gardai said the aim of the search was to find evidence which may reveal where Kyran is or what happened to him. open image in gallery Gardai forensic officers search waste ground behind a house in Dundalk ( PA Wire ) A murder investigation was launched in October after the disappearance of eight-year-old Kyran, who was potentially missing for two years before authorities were alerted. It is suspected that the boy, who was reported missing in August, might have died in 2022 when he was six. Last week, garda commissioner Drew Harris said they had been inundated with information from the public. He added: Certainly when we put out an appeal for information, right back on October 14, we were inundated with information from the public. Were really pleased to see that because that provided us with a lot of leads, a lot of inquiries for us to follow through. As this investigation opens out, well start to learn more about where we are, who the suspects are, and then what we need to do to prove what happened to young Kyran. open image in gallery Gardai searched a former family home of Kyran in October ( PA Wire ) Last Tuesday, a woman was arrested and questioned by gardai before being released without charge 24 hours later. In late October, investigators searched a former family home in Dundalk and adjoining land. Irelands Child and Family Agency Tusla submitted a report on its engagement with Kyran and his family to the Minister for Children last month. Minister Roderic OGorman said he could not disclose or publish any details of the report as there is an ongoing garda investigation into the suspected death of the boy. Gardai are still appealing to anyone with any information about Kyran to contact the investigation team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Siochana. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The doctor at the centre of the new Lucy Letby claims, which suggested he changed his mind over the cause of death for three of Lucy Letbys victims, has said the accusations are unsubstantiated and inaccurate. Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans responded to the claims of Letbys new barrister Mark McDonald, who said the prosecutions lead medical witness had altered his views on how the infants had died at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neonatal unit. Mr McDonald told reporters he was immediately seeking permission from the Court of Appeal to reassess her case because Dr Evans is not a reliable expert and the former nurses convictions for murder and attempted murder are unsafe. On Tuesday, Dr Evans said: Mr Mark McDonalds observations regarding my evidence is unsubstantiated, unfounded, inaccurate. His method of presenting his information reflects clear prejudice and bias. I find his style most unedifying, most unprofessional. Its highly disrespectful to the families of babies murdered and harmed by Lucy Letby. open image in gallery Mark McDonald is the new barrister representing Lucy Letby ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) 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 has heard evidence at Liverpool Town Hall since September and will resume in January, with findings expected to be published in autumn 2025. Dr Evans said he could not recall a senior barrister advocating on behalf of a client at a press conference and especially a case of such sensitivity. He added: The only place appropriate to deal with any potential appeal is the relevant court. If required I would be pleased to give evidence in the usual way; on oath, subject to cross-examination and where my evidence is placed in the public domain. I would expect any other participant to agree to the same principles. open image in gallery Retired consultant paediatrician Dr Dewi Evans ( Peter Byrne/PA ) Convicted child killer Letby has already lost two bids to overturn the rulings this year at the Court of Appeal. The first 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. Dr Evans said the first ruling by three Court of Appeal judges provided a very thorough review of the evidence presented at Letbys first trial which lasted 10 months. He said: They were supportive of my evidence. They supported the verdict of the Manchester trial unreservedly. I am not in receipt of any information that indicates that the Appeal Court judges were mistaken. Letby was convicted of murdering Child C, Child I and P by forcing air down a nasogastric tube and into their stomachs. Dr Evans said the evidence of Letbys involvement in the earlier deteriorations and the event that led to the death of Child I, a baby girl, in October 2015 was compelling and overwhelming. The evidence from numerous sources noting the cause of death in June 2016 for Child P, a triplet boy, and Letbys involvement was consistent and considerable, he said. Dr Evans said he has forwarded a detailed report to Cheshire Police about Child C, a baby boy, who died in June 2015, which he says clarifies the situation both with regard to the time of Letbys murderous assault and the cause of the babys death. He added he was not involved in Cheshire Polices ongoing review of the care of some 4,000 babies admitted to hospital while Letby was working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester from January 2012 to the end of June 2016 and at Liverpool Womens Hospital in two work placements in 2012 and 2015. Dr Evans said police should be able to complete their investigation without any distractions, as should Lady Justice Thirlwall who is chair of the public inquiry into the events surrounding Letbys crimes. In a statement, Cheshire Constabulary said it will avoid engaging with media commentary to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations and support affected families. There is a significant public interest in the reporting of these matters, however, every story that is published, statement made, or comment posted online that refers to the specific details of a live investigation can impede the course of justice and cause further distress to the families concerned, it added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sara Sharifs father and stepmother have been jailed for life for repeatedly inflicting pain and trauma during a campaign of abuse which resulted in the 10-year-olds death. With his voice shaking, the judge described her treatment as nothing short of gruesome as he outlined the horrifying injuries she endured while she was tortured by her family members. The pair learned their fate after Saras mother, Olga Domin, who lives in Poland, called them sadists and executioners. Surrey Police found Sara dead in a bunkbed at her home in Woking, Surrey, on 10 August last year, after her father Urfan Sharif rang police from Pakistan to confess he had beaten her too much for being naughty. Appearing on Tuesday at the Old Bailey, taxi driver Sharif, 43, was jailed for a minimum of 40 years while Beinash Batool, 30, was handed a minimum 33-year sentence after they were both convicted last week. There were cheers and applause from the public gallery as the sentences were delivered, with one person heard to say evil. open image in gallery Urfan Sharif has been jailed for a minimum of 40 years ( Surrey Police/PA ) Facing the bowed-down defendants, Mr Justice Cavanagh said: Saras death was the culmination of years of neglect, frequent assaults, and what can only be described as the torture of this small child, mainly, but not entirely, at the hands of you, her father, Urfan Sharif. Describing it as almost inconceivable, he said the abuse happened in plain sight in front of the family, including her uncle Faisal Malik, who was jailed for 16 years for causing or allowing her death. The courts at the Old Bailey have been witness to many accounts of awful crimes, but few can have been more terrible than the account of the despicable treatment of this poor child that the jury in this case have had to endure, the judge said. Gruesome details of Saras extensive injuries shocked the nation after they emerged in court, which revealed the youngster had suffered more than 25 broken bones, scalding marks to her feet, human bite marks and iron burns from a domestic iron. open image in gallery Sara was tortured by her family members and suffered more than 70 recent injuries ( PA ) During her final months, she had been beaten with a cricket bat and a metal pole, as well as hit by a mobile phone and throttled until a bone in her neck had broken. Makeshift hoods found at the property revealed she had her head covered and was tied with packaging tape for prolonged periods, which would have left her in excruciating pain. During this time, she was unable to access the toilet and was made to wear nappies, while Batool and Sharif allowed her to stew in her own urine and faeces. It is hard to imagine how terrifying it must have been for Sara, especially as the treatment was at the hands of her own parents, Mr Justice Cavanagh said. Joining the hearing remotely, Ms Domin watched as a statement was read out on her behalf by the prosecutor. It said: Sara was always smiling, she had her own unique character. The only thing I had left to give to my daughter was to give her a beautiful Catholic funeral which she deserves. open image in gallery Sara had remained cheerful and smiling despite her terrible circumstances ( PA ) She added: You are sadists although even this word is not enough for you. I would say you are executioners. In an emotional moment during the sentencing, the judge recalled that despite the regular abuse being meted out towards her, Sara had remained cheerful and could be seen smiling in a home video before she died. Among the more heartbreaking pieces of evidence were Saras handwritten notes to her father, in which she apologised for misbehaving and wrote in his birthday card I love you Dad. The reality was that abuse which for anyone else would be exceptional had become normalised for this little girl. She had known nothing else for much of her life. You, Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool, had persuaded her that she deserved the treatment that you meted out to her, Mr Justice Cavanagh said. On 8 August, Saras condition deteriorated rapidly after she suffered a head injury, with Sharif beating her during her final moments as he claimed she was feigning illness. open image in gallery Beinash Batool has been jailed for a minimum of 33 years ( Surrey Police/PA ) Within hours of her death, they had organised flights to Pakistan from Heathrow airport and were the subject of an international manhunt until they voluntarily returned in September 2023. Upon arriving in Islamabad during the early hours of 10 August, Sharif called Surrey Police to tearfully confess to killing his daughter, with a handwritten note by him also left next to her body. The abuse inflicted upon Sara is believed to have started as early as 2019 when she was just six years old. In WhatsApp messages, Batool had repeatedly texted her sister to say that Sharif would beat the crap out of his daughter to the point where she was unable to walk and had been bruised black and blue. Despite this, Batool failed to prevent the abuse, contact social services or seek medical treatment for her stepdaughter and would call Sharif home from work to dish out punishments. By January 2023, Sara, who had been described as happy and sassy, began wearing a hijab to cover up the bruises at school. Teachers had twice noticed marks on her face and referred her to social services last March, but the case was dropped within days and the following month Sara was taken out of school. open image in gallery The cricket bat used to abuse Sara at the family home in Woking ( Surrey Police/PA ) Neighbours also reported hearing fever-pitch screaming coming from the family home, with one telling jurors that she could hear the sound of Batool shouting abuse and locking a child in a separate room. Stressing it was not the role of the courts to comment on the authorities, Mr Justice Cavanagh did say that Saras death and abuse show the dangers of unsupervised homeschooling of vulnerable children. It comes as education secretary Bridget Phillipson introduces a landmark childrens bill to help protect them, which includes a register which identifies children in England who are not currently attending school as well as increased powers for councils. In his trial, Sharif initially blamed Batool for the violence before dramatically accepting full responsibility on the seventh day of cross-examination, leaving jurors open-mouthed and tearful. He confessed to beating his daughter with a metal pole on her stomach even while she lay dying, but later backtracked and denied burning or biting her. Meanwhile, bite marks on Saras arm and thigh did not match either Sharif or Malik, with Batool refusing to provide dental impressions. Sara had been placed in her fathers care in 2019, after an acrimonious custody battle which saw her placed in foster care. open image in gallery Her mother Olga Domin described them as sadists ( Instagram ) In documents later released by the family court, it emerged that concerns were raised about Saras care within a week of her birth in 2013, with her parents known to social services as early as 2010. Surrey County Council repeatedly raised significant concerns that Sara was likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her parents. There were three sets of family court proceedings, but allegations that Sharif was physically abusing Sara and her siblings were never tested in court. Sara was repeatedly returned to her parents care before finally being placed with her father and stepmother, four years before she was murdered. Sir Keir Starmer described the case as awful and stressed the importance of safeguards for children being homeschooled. Childrens commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said the case highlighted profound weaknesses in our child protection system. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former Hollywood stars ambitious 13m project to restore a Lancashire stately home tied to his familys history for over 400 years lie in ruins after he was dumped from the project and locked out of the site. Hopwood DePree, the actor-turned-restorer, left the glitz of Tinseltown behind in 2017 to embark on an ambitious project: breathing new life into the historic Hopwood Hall in Rochdale. Over the years, he worked with local volunteers to restore the Grade II listed property, gaining planning permission for a bold transformation that included a 25-bedroom hotel, outdoor cinema, giftshop and heritage trail. Yet, in a bitter twist, Rochdale Borough Council has refused to renew their agreement, citing a lack of progress, leaving DePrees dream teetering on the brink. open image in gallery Hopwood DePree moved his life from sunny LA to Middleton, Greater Manchester in 2017, when he entered into an agreement with the council to restore the Hopwood Hall, a Grade II listed 1420s building. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Born in Holland, Michigan in 1970, DePree moved to Los Angeles where he attended the University of Southern California and in 1995, he produced, directed, wrote and starred in his first role as an actor. He went on to work with stars including Jennifer Connelly and four time Academy Award nominee Ed Harris before he made the move across the pond. As a child, his grandfather would tell him stories bedtime stories about Hopwood Hall, but he had always dismissed the tales as fiction. However, decades later he discovered it to be a real place, and realised it was still standing just five miles north of Manchester. Built 600 years ago in 1426, the Grade II listed building has given shelter to a host of famous figures including Guy Fawkes and Lord Byron. But after the familys two male heirs were killed in the First World War, Mr DePrees ancestors sold the hall in 1922 to Lancashire Cotton Corporation before Rochdale Council purchased it in the 1990s. The hall was left empty and over a number of years, fell into disrepair. open image in gallery Rochdale council decided not to renew the agreement with the actor in October, claiming there had not been sufficient progress in the halls restoration. ( Getty Images ) But - undeterred by the overgrown grounds and crumbling roof - Mr DePree realised his dream to restore his ancestral home to its former glory and one day hopefully live in it. After getting in touch with the council, he entered into an exclusivity agreement with them, allowing him to take control of the halls refurbishment and purchase the property for a nominal sum if he produced a viable business plan. With the community behind him, seven years of development led by himself and local volunteers has seen the manor and its grounds transform from the once derelict site. But earlier this year, Mr DePree was left devastated when he found himself locked out the manor, and finding the council had decided to not renew their agreement with him. He said: I am absolutely flabbergasted as is the community by the behaviour of Rochdale Borough Council. To say that it is disappointing would be an understatement. The volunteers and locals who have worked so tirelessly are devastated. The council say the agreement hinged on Mr DePrees ability to bring forth a commercially viable business model to secure the long term future of the hall, alongside a detailed planning permission, which it says he had not produced. However, Mr DePree told The Independent that he has respected and upheld all our obligations, and even presented a business plan to the council to which he claims he received support for. open image in gallery Hopwood DePree claimed he had received full support when he had presented a business plan to the council in July 2022. ( AFP via Getty Images ) He also secured planning permission in 2022 to bring this commercial vision to life, with an outdoor cinema screen, hotel, gift shop, events space and heritage trail all set to be including in his development of the hall. Local volunteers who have worked on the site for several years also found themselves bewildered as they were also denied access to the site earlier this year. In response to the councils decision, thousands signed a petition in support of Mr DePree, demanding that the council allows the current project to continue. The petition, which has collected over 4,000 signatures, asks the council to allow volunteers and Mr DePree resume their work, which has included input from many volunteers from the local community, as well as heritage professionals, national and international funders and supporters. open image in gallery Hopwood DePree ( AFP via Getty Images ) Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Neil Emmott, said: Hopwood Hall is a local historic asset which means a great deal to the people of Middleton and indeed the wider borough. Something as important as this is about much more than one person, however well-intentioned they may be. Public assets are owned by our residents and we cannot allow them to transfer to a private individual without a great deal of care. Mr DePree was asked to meet a number of conditions when we entered into our agreement with him. We would be failing in our duty to protect our historic assets if we didnt hold Mr DePree to the terms of this agreement. We know that many local residents have put their heart and soul into Hopwood Halls restoration as volunteers on the project. Were very clear that we will continue to involve those volunteers and the wider community in any future plans. Rochdale Town Council will now carry out a feasibility study to assess how the historic asset can be brought back into use. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A group of more than 60 asylum seekers were unlawfully detained by the UK on the remote island of Diego Garcia, a judge has ruled. The asylum seekers, who are Sri Lankan Tamils, arrived at the island in October 2021 after their boat got into distress while en route from Sri Lanka to Canada, where they were hoping to claim asylum. The Tamils were held for years in a small fenced-off camp on the island, which is the site of a secretive UK-US military base. Earlier this month they were brought to the UK, in move described by the government as a one-off due to the exceptional nature of these cases. Diego Garcia is the largest island in the Chagos archipelago, a group of more than 60 islands halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia. The US has been using the area for defence purposes since 1966 and Diego Garcia is a key strategic location for military operations in the Indian Ocean. Now acting judge of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Supreme Court, Margaret Obi, has ruled that it was unlawful for the UK to detain the asylum seekers on the island. The UK government had tried to argue that the Tamils were not being detained but Justice Obi dismissed this, saying it does not bear scrutiny. The Tamils were housed in military tents in a fenced camp which was guarded at all times. Justice Obi described it as a prison in all but name. She concluded: As a matter of objective fact and in law the claimants are being detained and have been detained since their arrival on Diego Garcia. The judgement found that all 61 individuals, including 16 children, were unlawfully detained. She criticised the commissioner for failing to show why it was necessary for the Tamil asylum seekers to be detained. Justice Obi added: This is no evidence that greater access to the parts of the island that are not militarily sensitive will cause immediate and/or significant risk of harm and there are reasonable alternative ways of securing the safety and security of the facility. Lawyers for Leigh Day, who represented six of the claimants, said that the migrants situation had become so dire that there were recurring attempts at suicide and self-harm. Solicitor Tom Short said: The judgement is a deeply damning indictment of the BIOT administrations handling of the situation. The BIOTs troubling failures are characterised by the courts finding that one [now former] deputy commissioner appeared to have only a limited appreciation of the fundamental importance of liberty. The judgement comes after the UK announced it would give up sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which includes Diego Garcia, to Mauritius in a historic move. The deal has been criticised over concerns over its potential security impact, with Donald Trump seeking to veto the pact. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A letter destined for the Australian city of Penrith ended up 10,500 miles away - landing in the UK town of Penarth instead. Vale of Glamorgan resident Keith Georgiou received the red postal envelope and quickly realised it had been sent to the wrong address. He told the BBC he received it last weekend, quickly noticing it was meant to go to Penrith in New South Wales - which had been abbreviated to NSW on the letter. Instead, it went to Penarth, in Wales. "How it got to Penarth instead of Australia is a joke, isn't it," he said, adding it was not the first time he had received a letter that should have gone to Australia. "It's just not the same address. It's sad that it's got this far. View more A Royal Mail spokesperson said mistakes sometimes happen, especially during the busy holiday season. We deliver up to 35 million letters a day during December and occasionally mistakes happen, the spokesperson said. It appears that on this occasion a letter addressed for Penrith has been mistakenly read as Penarth Usually, any errors made by mail sorting machines are picked up by our team, but rarely, they are not noticed in time. Mr Georgiou told the BBC that the letter had gone through a number of sorting offices, and even the local postman had failed to notice the sorting error. "It's got the airmail sticker, everything correct on it, and it ends up in south Wales. It's not even gone to Penrith [in Cumbria], he said. Mr Georgiou has since re-posted the letter: Hopefully it doesn't return back here!" News of the mix up comes shortly after the UK Government approved the sale of Royal Mails parent company to a Czech billionaire. The 3.6 billion takeover of Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services by billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group paves the way for the national postal service to pass into foreign ownership for the first tim Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An alleged Chinese spy 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. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Marks & Spencer has had to rent a warehouse just to store piles of Brexit paperwork that nobody looked at in the first place, the retailers chairman has revealed. Archie Norman, who is also an ex-Tory MP, said it is quite extraordinary you wouldnt believe it, but that the retailer has to store thousands of pages of documents in a warehouse in the Republic of Ireland for six years after taking food across the border. And, lashing out at the devastating financial impact Brexit has had on the beloved British firm, Mr Norman called for Sir Keir Starmer to strike a deal with the EU on food standards to get rid of all these ridiculous restrictions on trade. open image in gallery Marks & Spencers chairman has become the latest business leader to criticise Brexit Speaking to Times Radio last Friday, Mr Norman said: In Ireland, our food business there, which is good business, but we dont make much money out of it because of the border controls. Its not just the 700 pages of text, we have to keep all the documentation that goes with our wagons into the Republic of Ireland for six years in a warehouse. So we rented a warehouse to store these bits of paper that nobody looked at in the first place. I mean, you wouldnt believe it, but it is quite extraordinary. The striking intervention comes amid a bid by the prime minister to reset Britains post-Brexit relationship with Europe. Sir Keir is chasing closer ties with the bloc, but has so far refused to set out exactly what he wants to achieve in talks with EU leaders. Mr Norman added to pressure on the PM to strike a veterinary deal, which would see the UK and EU recognise that their food standards are equivalent, slashing the red tape holding M&S and other firms selling in Europe back. open image in gallery Keir Starmer is seeking closer ties with the EU ( AP ) He said: The objective should be to respect all those rules about (the) customs union and not rejoining the EU but to see if we cant agree with the European Union that our food standards are equivalent and therefore we can get rid of all these ridiculous frictional restrictions on trade which stop us trading food; food which everybody enjoys between the EU and the UK. Mr Norman also said Brexit has forced M&S to pull out of Paris, where it was previously probably the largest sandwich retailer. He said: Before Brexit, we had quite a significant fresh food business in and around Paris in France, which generated approximately 7 million contribution for us a year. It was a good and growing business, very popular in Paris, probably the largest single sandwich retailer in Paris, a great thing for Britain. We had to close it down because it simply wasnt practical to get our fresh food through French customs controls in time to get it on the shelves. So theres definitely a 7 million negative there. Mr Normans intervention also comes after it emerged Brussels is preparing to ask the UK to follow EU laws for the first time since Brexit as part of its plans for a new deal with the UK. While Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted the UK will not rejoin the single market within his lifetime, he has pledged to make Brexit work by renegotiating the deal agreed upon by Boris Johnson and pursuing closer cooperation, particularly on defence, security and trade. open image in gallery Brexit paperwork has blighted firms hoping to sell goods in the EU ( AFP via Getty Images ) A blueprint for European negotiators looking at the trade deal, seen by The Times, indicates that EU leaders are planning to make UK acceptance of the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice a red line for an improved trading relationship. The document also reportedly sets out British concessions on fishing and a youth mobility scheme as key priorities for the EU. The document is expected to be presented to a council of European ministers next week, ahead of the start of formal talks between the UK and EU which will begin early next year Sir Keir and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to hold regular EU-UK leader summits, with the first set to take place in early 2025. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has for the first time lifted the lid on his Brexit reset plans for a new defence pact with the EU. It came as the prime minister issued a rallying call to the European Union for closer defence cooperation in an exclusive interview with The Independent. As Sir Keir prepares for a Donald Trump presidency with the potential withdrawal of US support from Ukraine and Europe, he shared his vision for coordination across funding, training and the use of British troops. Sitting down with The Independent in Estonia, the prime minister said the UK must work as effectively as we can with our partners to bolster Ukraines position amid an increasingly volatile global landscape and heightened tensions with Russia. open image in gallery The UK must coordinate with its allies to support Ukraine, the PM told The Independent ( AP ) His remarks come as the Kremlin threatens retaliation after Ukraine claimed responsibility for the scooter-bomb assassination of a top Russian general in Moscow on Tuesday morning. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, said Ukraine faces imminent revenge for the cowardly and despicable action, the RIA state news agency reported, after Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant were killed in the strike. Sir Keir, who was in Tallinn for the two-day Joint Expeditionary Force summit, has previously said he wants a defence and security pact with the EU, something he said would be complementary to Nato. Asked what this increased cooperation would look like in practice, the prime minister said it would involve coordination on defence capability, funding and training, pointing to British troops training in Norway and those stationed in Estonia as an example of how the UK could work with its allies. Earlier this month, Norwegian, US and UK air forces conducted the Norwegian-led exercise Apex Buccaneer in the High North. There are around 1,000 British troops currently deployed in Estonia. open image in gallery Igor Kirillov was killed in a Moscow blast for which Ukraine has claimed responsibility ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP/Getty ) We are living in an ever more volatile world you can feel that intensely in relation to the situation in Ukraine, Sir Keir told The Independent. Were at a critical point and its really important that we double down and are clear that we must put Ukraine in the strongest possible position, whether there are negotiations or not. That means increasing capability, it means increasing funding and it means increasing training that has to be coordinated. We have to cooperate. The prime minister added: Weve got more troops now training in the High North with Norway. Youll go to see the troops in Tapa [a town in northern Estonia] tomorrow, and there were integrated on the front as part of the advanced troops. Pointing to North Korean troops that have reportedly joined Russian forces in Ukraine, the prime minister warned: You can see that the conflict in Ukraine is already broader than a European conflict. And, of course, you can make the links between that and the actors in the Middle East, particularly Iran. For all those reasons, its very important to be here with the message that we must double down and put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and coordinate as effectively as we can with our partners which is what the JEF meeting [on Tuesday] is really all about. open image in gallery Keir Starmer addresses military personnel on board HMS Iron Duke in Tallinn, Estonia, yesterday ( Reuters ) His comments come just weeks before Donald Trump returns to power in the United States, with concern looming over his commitment to Nato after he suggested he could abandon the alliance if EU countries do not boost defence contributions. Sir Keir, who has pledged to improve relations with the European Union after years of tense relations under successive Tory prime ministers, signed a new defence cooperation agreement with Germany in October aimed at boosting security, investment and jobs in both nations. The government also signed a defence roadmap with Estonia in October and agreed to cooperate on missile defence. The joint declaration, signed at a meeting of Nato defence ministers, means thousands of British troops, in addition to those deployed in Estonia, will be on standby ready to defend Natos eastern flank. But he has been encouraged to go further, with his own MPs last month telling The Independent the PM should move faster in his mission for EU cooperation on defence. Calvin Bailey, who served in the RAF for 24 years and is now the Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, called for an acceleration of the governments work to rebuild our partnerships on the continent in order to promote security at home and abroad. He told The Independent that the UK should prioritise cooperation with Europe in Labours Strategic Defence Review a root and branch review of UK defence launched by Sir Keir when he took office. And David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead and a member of the international development committee, praised the governments work in pushing for a bespoke UK-EU defence pact as part of Sir Keirs Brexit reset, but called for ministers to go faster to make this closer cooperation a reality as soon as possible. With Russian tyranny on our doorstep, increasing threats from the Middle East, and cooperation among our enemies elsewhere, its vital we have a strong and capable military and one that is connected with our European allies, he said. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch as Sir Keir Starmer met leaders of Baltic states in Estonia for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference on Tuesday, 17 December, before visiting British troops serving on Russia's border. The Prime Minister will join leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia, and wider European security. Sir Keir will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats. When 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. A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed. During his trip to Estonia he will also 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. The company, which specialises in the manufacture of the missiles, already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The education secretary has said Labour will wait and see how a child smacking ban in Wales works before banning reasonable chastisement in England. Despite Sir Keir Starmer in 2022 calling for a smacking ban in Wales to be extended throughout the UK, and concerns raised in the wake of the Sara Sharif murder, Bridget Phillipson said the government has no plans to legislate to do so. But Ms Phillipson told Times Radio she will always keep under review the evidence as it emerges. As leader of the opposition, the PM said the ban on smacking children in Wales was welcome and that I would like to see the rest of the UK step into line here. open image in gallery Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said she would review the evidence on a smacking ban ( PA Wire ) Welsh Labour have taken a lead here and theyre absolutely right to protect children in the way that they now have, Sir Keir said. He added: What it does is give children the protection that adults already have, and that is the right thing. Asked why Labour in government was not now extending the ban, Ms Phillipson said: What I want to understand is the impact and the effect of the legislation in Wales. They will be setting out the first round of a review into the implications and effect of the legislation that they had introduced. I would like to see that, would like to understand it, and to decide then whether its necessary to take further measures here in England. In England its already illegal to hit anyone. However theres a reasonable punishment legal defence that lets parents smack their children under section 58 of the Children Act 2004. The Childrens Commissioner of England Rachel De Souza called for the law on "reasonable chastisement" to be changed as part of the Child Welfare bill going through parliament. open image in gallery Keir Starmer in 2022 called for a smacking ban in Wales to cover the whole of the UK ( AP ) Calls to implement a smacking ban grew after the brutal murder of Sara Sharif and the conviction of her father and stepmother. Sara was beaten to death four years after her father Urfan Sharif was awarded custody, despite accusations of abuse against him. Authorities failed to identify Sara was at risk for years before her broken and battered body was discovered at her family home in Woking in August 2023. Sara was withdrawn from school on 17 April 2023 after teachers reported seeing her with bruises on three occasions. On one occasion, Saras teacher asked the schoolgirl about two distinct bruises on her chin and right eye. She was then home-schooled in the months leading up to her death. open image in gallery Sara Sharif, 10, was found dead in a house in Woking last August ( Surrey Police/PA ) Following the verdict, a Downing Street spokesperson said that the government will introduce a new duty on parents to get local authority consent to home-school children if the child is subject to a protection plan. But Sir Keir is facing calls to go further and ban smacking, while the government has also been urged to introduce a mandatory register of home-schooled children. The PM said rules on smacking did not have anything to do with Sara Sharifs death, adding: This is about violence. Its about abuse. Its about making sure that (there are) protecting safeguards for children, particularly those being home-schooled. So thats where I think the questions are. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nigel Farage has met Elon Musk at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago mansion amid rumours the tech billionaire is preparing to donate $100m to Reform UK. The two men met at the Florida club on Monday, alongside Reforms new party treasurer Nick Candy. In a statement, Mr Farage and Mr Candy described their hour-long meeting as great. They did not mention money but said they had learned a great deal about the Trump ground game and would have ongoing discussions with the Tesla boss on other areas. They added: We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together. Our thanks also to president Trump for allowing us to use Mar-a-Lago for this historic meeting. The special relationship is alive and well. The money would be by far the largest donation in British electoral history. open image in gallery Farage is hoping to secure the financial backing of the richest man in the world ( Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK ) According to The Sunday Times, leading businessmen and Conservative Party officials believe that Musk could hand over the cash as a f*** you Starmer payment as part of his feud with the prime minister. At the end of last month, the controversial tech billionaire and first buddy of Mr Trump even shared a post on X (Twitter) claiming that Reform UK will win the next general election, captioning his repost with the word yes. Asked earlier this month about the reports of the massive donation by ITV, Mr Musk denied he was planning to donate $100m, but his response did not rule out another amount. Asked by ITV News if he was planning to give the upstart party 80m, Mr Musk who has been appointed by Mr Trump to lead a new government efficiency commission in the US replied no. open image in gallery Musk has frequently criticised Keir Starmer on his social media platform, and shared misleading or false information about the UK ( Stuart Mitchell/Reform UK ) In a picture shared on Musks X, the three men posed in front of a 1989 painting of Mr Trump called The Visionary (or The Entrepreneur). American journalist Mark Bowden previously likened the portrait of a Sun God with a wide-shouldered, thin-hipped Donald, his youthful face eclipsing the sun itself, his skin glowing like the top floors of Trump Tower at sunset, the colour of warm bullion. Mr Farage has previously described Mr Musk as very supportive. He thinks that if Reform do well in the UK, we can bring about the same kind of change that he intends to do with Donald Trump in America, the party leader said. But Mr Farage has also previously criticised American political figures for their involvement in British politics. He said that then-president Barack Obama had behaved disgracefully by suggesting the UK would be at the back of the queue for a US trade deal if it voted for Brexit. Mr Farage has repeatedly insisted he knows nothing about a potential contribution to Reform from Mr Musk, but said the party would take the money if it were offered. Mr Musk is reported to have spent more than $250m (197m) in his campaign to re-elect Mr Trump. Mr Farage has been criticised for travelling to America on a number of occasions since his election as the new MP for Clacton in July. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Keir Starmer has been dealt a fresh blow over his crumbling controversial plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The prime minister of Mauritius, Dr Navin Ramgoolam, has announced that the deal is not good enough and wants to reopen talks. Embarrassingly, the announcement came less than an hour after a written parliamentary answer from the Foreign Office (FCDO) claiming that Dr Ramgoolam had written to confirm he was happy with the arrangement. The Independent has also seen a letter from Tory shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel and shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge demanding a rethink on the deal and calling for the government to release basic facts about the agreement. open image in gallery The Chagos Islands deal is now in serious doubt ( Getty Images ) The deal had already drawn concerns from incoming US president Donald Trump whose transition team had been looking at ways of vetoing the deal. The islands are the home to the highly secretive UK/US airbase on Diego Garcia, and there had also been concerns Mauritius would allow China to build a base on one of the other islands. Additionally, it was still not clear whether nuclear weapons would be allowed at Diego Garcia if Mauritius owned the island because it is part of the nuclear weapons-free zone treaty. Dr Ramgoolam, who was elected after the deal was initially agreed with the previous Mauritian government, rejected the current terms as they would not produce the benefits that the nation could expect. A delay means that Trump will be in a much stronger position to block any deal going through. In their letter to the prime minister, Dame Priti and Mr Cartlidge warned: At this moment of global danger and insecurity, we have grave concerns about your governments plan to surrender sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory and to pay for the privilege of doing so. The governments inability to answer basic questions about the agreement it is negotiating, coupled with the change of administration in the US and the new Mauritian governments rejection of the proposed deal, has rendered the approach you are pursuing wholly unsustainable. open image in gallery US president-elect Donald Trump opposed the deal ( Getty Images ) They added: On the security front, it is entirely unacceptable that we do not have clear answers about how our critical strategic military base on Diego Garcia will be protected. Despite repeated questioning, your ministers are unable to say whether the UK would have a unilateral right to extend the proposed lease on the military base. Sir Keir and foreign secretary David Lammy had insisted their agreement was a good deal which guaranteed the use of the airbase for at least 99 years. They had claimed that a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) meant that the UK had to cede sovereignty to Mauritius. However, critics pointed out the ICJ had no jurisdiction on Commonwealth issues and the ruling was only advisory. The announcement comes as a shock to the FCDO which put out a different account in a written answer published at 1.22pm on Tuesday less than an hour before the announcement. In it, foreign office minister Stephen Doughty said: The prime minister and foreign secretary met the then Mauritian prime minister in London on 23 July. The political agreement between the prime minister and then Mauritian prime minister was reached on 3 October. The new Mauritian prime minister has since written to the prime minister to reaffirm his commitment to concluding the deal. This engagement has been supplemented by official level meetings, which have covered all elements of the agreement. open image in gallery Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel has raised concerns (Victoria Jones/PA) ( PA Archive ) The prime minister's official spokesman said the UK had been engaging with the new Mauritian government on the deal. "The agreement we've struck with Mauritius protects the long-term secure operation of the UK-US base, which plays such a crucial role in regional and international security," the spokesman said. "There's obviously been a change of leadership in Mauritius, and we've been engaging with the new administration on the details of the deal. "We remain confident that the agreement is in both sides' shared interest." Asked whether the UK had offered more money to the Mauritians for the 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the spokesman said: "I'm obviously not going to get into the detail of private conversations." Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch used the Chagos fiasco as an excuse to attack the much needed Brexit reset being pursued by Sir Keirs government. In an anti EU video designed to appeal to rightwing Reform voters, Ms Badenoch showed a picture of Sir Keir and Angela Rayner taking the knee for Black Lives Matter (BLM). She said: Four years ago I warned that Labour will always take the knee. Now we see what that means for our country. Labour cannot negotiate, they get taken for a ride because they give things away for freehoping that the other side will be nice to them in exchange. She went on: They put our national security at risk and agreed to pay for it with the Chagos Islands. Now Mauritius is back asking for more. The Tory leader also highlighted the pay deal with train drivers who are now refusing to work over Christmas, and the Commonwealth summit where Sir Keir discuss reparations over slavery. She said: Labour will always take the knee. Now they want to restart the Brexit wars after we [the Tories] ended them. The deal they want will give power back to the European Court to overrule the British parliament. Everytime Labour negotiates the UK loses. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In the early morning hours of New Years Day 2021, a Georgia woman woke up to a masked intruder in her bedroom. What first seemed like a nightmare to Morgan Metzer quickly became real when the shadowy figure in the doorway suddenly lunged and attacked her. The intruder, who disguised his voice to sound like Batman, restrained her with zip ties, beat her and sexually assaulted her before leaving her on the porch with a pillowcase over her head. A short time after the attacker left, Morgans ex-husband, Rodney Rod Metzer, arrived at the house in what appeared to be an act of heroism. But investigators soon uncovered shocking revelations that left them questioning whether Metzer was the hero of the story or the villain. Morgans harrowing attack is the focus of this weeks all-new 48 Hours episode, The Batman Intruder, which airs at 10/9c Saturday on CBS and Paramount+. Night of the attack Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriffs Office responded to Morgans home in Canton, Georgia on the morning of January 1, 2021. Theyd received a 911 call from her ex-husband who said he had discovered her tied up on the porch, according to an August 2021 release from the Office of the District Attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit. She recalled the harrowing attack to the authorities. I saw the shadow of a mans body standing there, you know, all in black and just lit up by the light in the background, she said. He had a mask on. After the man jumped on her, thats when he started pistol-whipping me, Morgan said. open image in gallery Photos from the day Morgan Metzer was attacked, when a man lunged at her, hit her and zip-tied her hands ( Cherokee County Sheriff's Office ) As Morgan struggled, the intruder growled at her: Youre gonna regret this, youve done really wrong now, she recalled him saying, adding that he kept trying to make his voice low and gravelly. It was the sound of Batmans voice, she said. The man then used zip ties to constrain her wrists before sexually assaulting her and strangling her nearly unconscious twice, she said. Morgan was left on the back porch, which was connected to the bedroom, with a pillowcase over her head. Ex-husband to the rescue Morgan was on the porch for about 40 minutes when she heard someone walking toward her. She worried the assailant had come back to finish her off, but this time, she heard a familiar voice. It was her ex-husband. Oh honey, what happened? Morgan said he said to her. The former couple had finalized their divorce just weeks before the attack, ending a 20-year marriage. Morgan said the decision to file for divorce came after years of what she described as mental and physical abuse from her husband. Metzer had moved out of the house and into his own apartment but the two continued to co-parent their nine-year-old twins, who were spending a few days with Morgans sister in Florida when the attack happened. Despite the divorce, Morgan said that her ex was constantly trying to get back together with her. But she told him she had no interest in reconciling. Masked intruder disguises voice to sound like Batman in harrowing home invasion Just days before the attack, Morgan said he called her with shocking news that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And so I rushed to go see him, Morgan told 48 hours. He showed me doctors notes and whatnot. She then invited him to stay at their house to help him cope with his diagnosis. I needed to be supportive still because its the father of my children, she explained. But on the morning of New Years Eve, a day before the attack, she told him that he needed to tell his parents about his diagnosis, which sparked an argument. He said, No, absolutely not. Im not telling anybody. And thats when I was like, OK, get out, Morgan recalled to 48 Hours. Metzer left the house, but continued to text her throughout the day. Morgan became fed up with his antics so she said she lied to him about going to stay at her parents home that night for New Years Eve. After the attack, investigators questioned both Morgan and Metzer at the scene. Metzer told police that after Morgan ordered him to leave, he did, and had planned on spending the night at his apartment. But then he heard someone knock on his window and say Morgans name. Worried about her, he said he called but there was no answer. So he drove to her house to check on her. open image in gallery Morgan Metzer tells 48 Hours about the harrowing attack on her in 2021 ( 48 Hours ) When asked why he didnt go to her parents house, where she said shed be, he claimed that he drove to her home out of habit. Investigators became suspicious of Metzers story as they looked into how he knew Morgan was at her home that night when she said otherwise, as well as the coincidental timing of his arrival just after the attack. And then things took a bizarre turn. An unexpected twist After questioning the couple at the scene, investigators ordered search warrants for Metzers apartment, car, and his cell phone and laptop. What they found was a slew of odd internet searches on his browsing history. The searches included, How to get sympathy from your ex and How to change the sound of your voice. Other searches included, How long before you starve to death and how long it takes to choke someone unconscious. There was one search that really stood out to investigators: cancer letter from hospital. Investigators then discovered that Metzer had created a fake email account and posed as a doctor in order to send himself the cancer diagnosis letter that he had shown Morgan. open image in gallery Rodney Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack and was sentenced to 70 years in prison ( Cherokee County sheriffs office ) He had created a bill for a doctors office to show that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer, said Rachel Ashe, the deputy chief assistant district attorney for Cherokee County. She said that Metzer did all of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer and that it was in an attempt to gain sympathy from his ex-wife. Investigators said he had created a convoluted plan that the investigators in this case and our office truly believe involved a plot to kill her and then himself, and that when he couldnt go through with that plan, he instead devised a new plan to rescue her. The investigation found that it was Metzer who had attacked Morgan in the early morning hours of New Years Day. A handgun was found in his car and zip ties that matched the ones used in the assault were found in his apartment. Investigators also obtained surveillance footage showing Metzer purchasing zip ties from Lowes Home Improvement. Where is Rodney Metzer now? Rodney Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack, including kidnapping, sexual battery and aggravated assault, according to court records. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison, with the first 25 years to be served in confinement and the remaining 45 years on probation. Metzer remains behind bars at the Augusta State Medical Prison in Grovetown, Georgia, according to online records from the Georgia Department of Corrections. The Batman Intruder airs at 10/9c Saturday on CBS and Paramount+. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A tech consultant has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee. Jurors delivered the unanimous verdict against Nima Momeni on Tuesday, eight days after they began deliberations. The trial for Momeni began on October 14 in San Francisco, more than a year after the murder of a beloved tech mogul that shocked the tech community whose members mourned the loss of the entrepreneur they called charismatic and kind. On April 4, 2023, Lee was found staggering on a deserted downtown San Francisco street at 2:30 a.m., dripping a trail of blood and calling for help. The 43-year-old later died at a hospital. We think justice was done here today, the victims brother, Tim Oliver Lee, told reporters following the verdict. What matters today is that we had a guilty verdict and Nima Momeni is going away for a very long time. Momeni, 40, had pleaded not guilty in the case so high profile that San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins stepped into the courtroom for part of the closing arguments earlier this month. The former tech consultant, who has been in custody since his arrest in April 2023, was charged with first-degree murder, but jurors found him guilty of second-degree. He faces 16 years to life in prison. open image in gallery Nima Momeni, seen in 2023, was found guilty of murdering CashApp founder Bob Lee ( online_yes ) San Francisco prosecutors argued that Momeni planned the attack and stabbed Lee three times after hearing that Lees drug dealer friend plied Momenis younger sister with GHB and other drugs then sexually assaulted her. One person called 911 pleading for help, saying somebody stabbed me, said Dane Reinstedt, assistant district attorney, adding that the other person never called police or told anyone what happened that night until the trial. But Momenis defense attorneys say Lee was on a multi-day drug bender of cocaine and ketamine that made him agitated and violent, and that he attacked the defendant with a knife. They said Momeni was forced to use his Krav Maga martial arts skills after making a bad joke that upset Lee and did not realize he had stabbed him. open image in gallery Krista Lee, the ex-wife of Cash App founder Bob Lee, listens during a news conference at the Hall of Justice following Nima Momeni's murder trial ( AP ) In his first public statements about the events leading to Lees death, Momeni testified in his own defense last month, telling the court that he had joked to Lee that he might want to spend his final night in San Francisco with family rather than trying to find a strip club. Momeni said Lee pulled out a knife and attacked him, forcing him to defend himself. He said Lee later walked away, showing no signs he was injured. Momeni said he called an attorney when he learned of Lees death the following day. Hes a big famous guy, he said on the stand. Im just an average joe, an immigrant. The prosecution began its closing argument with a 911 call in which Lee could be heard asking repeatedly for help. Lees ex-wife, Krista Lee, cradled her daughter Scout as the 16-year-old wept on her mothers shoulder. The Lees have two children. open image in gallery Bob Lee, who founded the Cash App, was stabbed to death in San Francisco on April 4, 2023 ( Twitter / Bob Lee ) Reinstedt mocked Momenis defense as he walked jurors through weeks of evidence. He said Momeni was furious with Lee for introducing Khazar Momeni, with whom he was friends, to a drug dealer who gave her GHB, known as a date-rape drug, hours before the stabbing. They say Momeni grilled Lee earlier in the evening about what happened to his sister at the drug dealers apartment and sent text messages saying that the two men were creeps and sexual predators. Then, Momeni met up with Lee at his sisters condo, took a paring knife from her kitchen set, drove Lee to a secluded area by the Bay Bridge and stabbed him three times, Reinstedt said. That protectiveness of the defendants little sister is what led to all of this, Reinstedt said. Surveillance video shows the two men leaving the posh condo of Khazar Momeni around 2 a.m. and getting into Momenis BMW. Other surveillance then shows them getting out of the car in an isolated section of the city by the Bay Bridge. open image in gallery Tim Oliver Lee, left, brother Bob Lee, Krista Lee, right, Lees ex-wife, and another family member walk out of court on December 2 after an emotional closing. Bob Lees killer now faces up to life in prison ( AP ) Momeni testified he stopped his car after going over a pothole that caused Lee to spill the beer he was holding. Momeni said it was then that he cracked the joke suggesting Lee should spend his last night visiting the city with family instead of trying to find a strip club to keep the party going. Thats when Lee suddenly pulled a knife out of his jacket pocket, Momeni said. He said Lee later walked away, showing no signs he was injured. I was scared for my life, Momeni said in testimony last month that was at times rambling and contentious. Reinstedt said Momenis story made no sense given Lees peaceful nature. He said Momeni never called police to report Lees alleged attack or even after he learned Lee had died of stab wounds on the street where he had last seen him. The prosecutor said the puncture wounds were clean, clear and deep, and not the result of any kind of self-defense tussle, he said. Just about all of the DNA 99 percent found on the handle of the knife belonged to Momeni, the prosecutor said. open image in gallery Mahnaz Tayarani, mother of Nima Momeni, walks out of the courtroom at his trial December 2. Momeni testified the killing was in self-defense ( AP ) Video of the two men by the bridge is grainy, but Reinstedt said it clearly showed Momenis figure lunging repeatedly at Lee. There was no deflecting and redirecting of any knife in Lees hand, he said. Reinstedt also showed video of Momeni and Lee leaving the condo, Lees jacket flapping to show there was no knife hidden inside. On Tuesday morning, defense attorney Saam Zangeneh during closing that prosecutors have not presented the whole truth to jurors, omitting details and failing to investigate avenues that would not help their cause. The governments whole case rests on motive, he said. Because without motive, without a story as to why my client would have a knife in his pocket leaving his sisters apartment, this story doesnt make sense. It doesnt add up. open image in gallery Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh, right, delivered closing arguments at the murder trial of his client, Nima Momeni. Zangeneh questioned why the old beat-up paring knife used in the stabbing was not introduced into evidence so jurors could see it in detail ( AP ) Zangeneh did not dwell on details of the attack, but instead attacked the credibility of one of Lees friends who testified that hours before the stabbing, Momeni grilled Lee over the phone about what happened to his sister while at the drug dealers apartment. He also replayed surveillance video showing that Lee had been angry at one point, and not the peaceful teddy bear family and friends described him to be. He said Lee was on a multiday binge of alcohol, cocaine and ketamine and that toxicology reports downplayed just how much was in his system. Zangeneh questioned why the old beat-up paring knife used in the stabbing was not introduced into evidence so jurors could see it in detail. He suggested Lee may have brought the knife along in order to snort more cocaine, or that it may have come from someone elses kitchen. He said Lee and Momeni were friendly and on good terms when they left his sisters condo, and that Momeni was upset with the drug dealer, and not with Lee. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A teenager has been left fighting for his life and two others have been injured in a shooting at a Christmas village in Philadelphia. The shooting broke out just after 4:30 p.m. Friday when a group of teenagers got into a fight near the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink and the Christmas Village at City Hall in Dilworth Park, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer. They were all students at Freire Charter High School in Center City, reported 6ABC. During the brawl, one teen pulled out a gun and opened fire, causing terrified festival-goers to flee, the outlet reported. A 14-year-old boy, who has not been named, was shot in the face in the attack. He was rushed to hospital in critical condition, Philadelphia police said. A second 14-year-old was also wounded while a 15-year-old was shot in the leg. Witnesses described the terrifying scenes. Paige Rockway, 19, said that she and her college friends had been making their way out of the subway station when crowds yelled to them to turn back. open image in gallery Three teenagers were wounded in a shooting at a Christmas village in Philadelphia ( Fox News ) Dont go up! Somebody is shooting! Rockway told The Philadelphia Inquirer. Jewelry stall worker, Lily Lough, told the paper she was 20 feet from the shooting and was forced to shelter underneath a table. Im still in shock. It was the scariest moment in my life, she said. A teenage boy was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, conspiracy, and a weapons violation, reported CBS News. The shooting was one of 11 to take place in Philadelphia over the weekend, with 24 people shot including four fatally, city officials told 6ABC. This weekend did not define who we were, and who we are, as a city and we will continue to work hard and address these issues as they come up, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said. Our police commissioner is empowered to do everything that he possibly can in leading our police department to make sure that we make our public safety our number one priority. The Independent contacted Philadelphia Police for further information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An exotic dancer has been accused of stabbing a DJ, leaving him with a punctured lung, in a brutal attack at a strip club. DJ Duncan Allen, 38, said he was working at Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club in Portland in the early hours of December 8 when he was suddenly attacked from behind by Peyton Colby Lathan, 29. It felt like a 500-pound man punched me in the back as hard as humanly possible, he told Live5News. So I turned around expecting there to be a huge dude about to fight me and it was her [a dancer] and she was standing there holding a knife. Graphic surveillance footage captured Lathan allegedly stabbing Allen four times in the back, according to court documents. Allen suffered injuries to his hand, back, side, and armpit, as well as punctured lung, he said. It wasnt until I went to take a breath and felt my back that I realized she had stabbed me. By that time she was out the door walking down the street like nothing happened, he said. open image in gallery DJ Duncan Allen, 38, in hospital following the attack at Casa Diablo Vegan Strip Club in Portland ( Duncan Allen ) Allen said his mind instantly went to his pet dog Stone while his coworkers applied pressure to his wounds until emergency services arrived. Police then found the 29-year-old suspect hiding in the bushes outside the club with two small knives beside her, including one with a bloodied edge, reported KGW8. She was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, attempted assault in the first-degree, and the unlawful use of a weapon, according to Multnomah County Sheriffs Office booking records. Following her arrest, Lathan pleaded insanity, according to court documents, seen by KKTV. She is now being held without bail ahead of her arraignment Tuesday. open image in gallery The DJ with his beloved pet dog Stone in hospital ( Duncan Allen ) The motive for the attack is currently unclear but Allen has insisted it was unprovoked. He said in a Facebook post that he had worked alongside Lathan who had worked at the club for a decade with no issues at all. Club owner Johnny Diablo Zukle told KKTV:She was always a little off, but she never exhibited signs of violent tendencies. 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. Allen told The Independent he was discharged from hospital Monday and is now recovering at home. A GoFundMe has been launched to help with his medical costs. The Independent contacted Portland Police for further information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann, who is already facing murder charges in the deaths of six women, has been charged with the slaying of Valerie Mack, whose mutilated remains were found more than two decades ago. The former New York architect, 61, was handcuffed and shackled as he appeared before Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei in Riverhead Tuesday, where he was arraigned Tuesday on a new charge of second-degree murder in Macks death. Your honor, I am not guilty of any of these charges, Heuermann said when he was asked to enter a plea. Mack, 24, of New Jersey, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia when she vanished in October 2000. Her torso was found in Manorville on Long Island the next month and for two decades she was known as Jane Doe No. 6. More of her remains were found in the area of Gilgo Beach in 2011. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings dates back to 2010, when police searching for a missing woman, Shannan Gilbert, found 10 sets of human remains along the same 2.6-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway, prompting fears of a serial killer across Long Island. While Gilberts body was found in December 2011, her death is thought to be unrelated to the Long Island serial killer case. open image in gallery Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann has been charged with murder in the death of Valerie Mack, whose remains were found in 2000 ( AP ) Over the years, investigators used DNA analysis and other clues to identify the victims, many of whom were sex workers. In some cases, they connected them to remains found elsewhere on Long Island years earlier. The first victim was found in 1993 and the last victims were found in 2010. Police also began reexamining other unsolved killings of women found dead on Long Island. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney named Heuermann as a suspect in Macks murder in June. Her family said at the time that they believed there would be an arrest by the end of the year. Macks parents are very grateful for the small bit of closure, he said at the news conference on Tuesday. According to court documents unveiled on Tuesday, hair found on Macks remains was linked to Heuermanns wife and daughter through DNA testing. Heuermanns daughter would have been between 3 and 4 years old at the time of Macks murder. Hair found on six of the seven victims has now been linked to Heuermann or his family members. Prosecutors said they also linked Heuermann to Macks death through evidence that was recovered from the 350 electronic devices that investigators seized from a search of his home in Massapequa Park. Some of the evidence included a significant collection of violent, bondage and torture pornography. Some of the images contained mutilation and women who were tied up with ropes both consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack, officials said. It was revealed Tuesday that Macks breasts had been mutilated with a sharp object and her remains were tied with rope, prosecutors said. According to the bail application, one of the documents found included a body prep section with a note to remove head and hands. Macks head and hands had been removed from her body when it was found. Also revealed in the documents was a 2003 edition of the New York Post with an article titled, Serial Killer Eyed in LI Slay and a 1993 copy of Newsday with an article, Body Discovered in Woods. Rex A. Heuermann sought, purchased and kept these publications as souvenirs or mementos of his crimes, prosecutors said. It was revealed that Heuermann had a document that referenced Mill Road where Macks remains were found as a potential dump site. He had also visited various gun clubs in the area near where her remains were discovered. Tierney alleged that evidence found in Heuermanns home revealed that he showed he had an interest in torture and that he took notes from books about serial killings. The judge has given prosecutors until next month to file motions related to evidence. Heuermann was arrested in July 2023 outside his Manhattan architecture firm and charged in the slayings of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Lynn Costello. The three women were killed within a year of each other between 2009 and 2010. open image in gallery This combination of undated image provided by the Suffolk County Police Department, shows Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. ( AP ) Then in January 2024, Heuermann was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Maureen-Brainard Barnes, who was killed in 2007. Waterman, Barthelemy, Costello and Brainard-Barnes, are known by investigators as the Gilgo Four. They were the first sets of remains discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2010. In June, Heuermann was charged with second-degree murder in the killing of Taylor in 2003 and Sandra Costilla, whose body was discovered in the Southampton hamlet of North Sea in 1993. Heuermann has been linked to each of the killings through DNA, according to prosecutors, who say there are also witness statements and cellphone data that connect him to the victims. open image in gallery Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was charged in June 2024 with the brutal murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor ( Suffolk County DA/Remembering Jessica Taylor Facebook page ) Heuermann, who lived with his wife Asa Ellerup and two children in Massapequa Park on Long Island and commuted to a Manhattan architecture office, was arrested on July 13, 2023. Ellerup has since filed for divorce. The judge ordered Heuermann, who has been held in isolation at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead since his arrest, to remain on no bail. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaiian woman who mysteriously vanished last month sparking a massive search effort, has broken her silence to claim she was unaware of the huge firestorm surrounding her disappearance. Kobayashi, 31, returned safely back to the United States from Mexico on Sunday nearly a month after her family reported her missing on November 11. At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time, she said, according to a statement shared by NBC News that was sent from her aunts cell phone. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding. The photographer from Maui went missing on November 8 while traveling from Hawaii to New York City via LAX for what she described as a bucket list trip. open image in gallery Hannah Kobayashi, who was reported missing on November 11, is now safely back in the US ( midorieve/Instagram ) She failed to catch her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York and reportedly sent family members and friends a series of cryptic text messages that suggested she might be in trouble. For two weeks, a massive search was launched but turned up nothing. Her father Ryan Kobayashi, who flew to Los Angeles to look for her, was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24 of an apparent suicide. open image in gallery Kobayashis father Ryan Kobayashi, center, who flew to Los Angeles to look for her, was found dead near LAX in the early hours of November 24 of an apparent suicide ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Los Angeles police later confirmed Kobayashi had walked across the border into Mexico and classified her as a voluntary missing person. The department announced Monday that it closed her missing person case. Her family said that they would return the nearly $50,000 in GoFundMe donations they received for search and rescue efforts. Its still unclear why Kobayashi went to Mexico. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will now face federal charges in addition to the New York state murder indictment already brought against him, according to reports. Federal charges which will be brought by prosecutors from the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, according to The New York Times would potentially allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty should Mangione, 26, ultimately be found guilty of murder, capital punishment having been outlawed in New York for decades. According to documents unsealed on Thursday, and a sworn affidavit by an FBI agent, federal prosecutors intend to charge him with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearms offense. The documents do not specify whether the death penalty will be sought, with the matter likely to be decided by incoming president Donald Trumps new-look Justice Department next year. The development comes after Mangione appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom on Thursday and formally waived his right to an extradition hearing before being returned to New York. open image in gallery A court sketch shows Luigi Mangione being led out of Pennsylvania court after waiving his right to an extradition hearing ( REUTERS ) Earlier this week, the suspect was formally indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on three murder charges over the attack on Thompson, 50, who was shot dead outside of the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4 by a masked assailant armed with a handgun who had lain in wait for him. The incident led to a five-day manhunt, culminating in Mangione being arrested at a branch of McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 after local police received a tip-off from a fellow customer responding to an image of the shooter circulated by the NYPD. He was found to have a pistol, ammunition and fake identification cards about his person, as well as a 262-word manifesto denouncing the American healthcare system, having recently undergone back surgery. In bringing the charges, Bragg called the episode a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation. The toughest penalty Mangione could face in state court, should he be convicted of Thompsons murder, would be life imprisonment without parole, which the Justice Department could deem insufficient. open image in gallery Luigi Mangione leaves Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on Thursday December 19 2024 ( AP ) The state case will proceed in parallel with any federal case, said Danielle Filson, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. This defendant brazenly shot Mr Thompson point blank on a Manhattan sidewalk. The Manhattan DAs office, working with our partners at the NYPD, is dedicated to securing justice for this heinous murder with charges of murder in the first degree. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Mangiones lawyer, said in a statement that the Southern Districts involvement in the case raised a number of issues she found disconcerting. The federal governments reported decision to pile on top of an already overcharged first-degree murder and state terror case is highly unusual and raises serious constitutional and statutory double jeopardy concerns, she said. We are ready to fight these charges in whatever court they are brought. open image in gallery Officers stand outside the federal courthouse in Manhattan, where Luigi Mangioni is set to be arraigned on charges including murder ( REUTERS ) The suspects supporters continue to donate generously to a defense fund set up on his behalf after he became a problematic folk hero to some during his flight from justice. The anonymous fund, The December 4th Legal Committee, had amassed almost $157,000 in donations via the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo at the time of writing. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has already been forced to denounce vigilante justice in response to the dark fandom Mangione has attracted. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint, he said in the aftermath of the suspects arrest. In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this: he is no hero. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A suspect has been arrested almost 27 years after a heated Christmas Day argument culminated in a brutal murder. Bernabe Roman, 47, is accused of killing Jose Salinas Gomez in Athens, Alabama, on December 25 1997, the Athens Police Department said Monday. According to police, Roman shot Gomez dead following an altercation. Just two months on from the murder, in February 1998, an indictment warrant was issued by a Limestone County grand jury for Romans arrest. Now, almost three decades on, Roman was finally taken into custody. Athens Police said officers had received a tip-off about his location and tracked him down with the help of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to his home in Athens. open image in gallery Bernabe Roman, 47, was arrested 27 years after he allegedly shot a man dead in Alabama ( Athens Police Department ) The Athens High-risk Entry & Apprehension Team surrounded his home and took him into custody Sunday, police said. Roman had been a fugitive from justice for almost twenty-seven years, police said. He is now being held in Limestone County Jail. The Independent contacted the Athens Police Department for additional information. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Following her attack on the Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin, Natalie Rupnow has joined a rare subset of school shooters: women. The 15-year-old, who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday morning, is one of the few female perpetrators of school shootings in recent decades after a teacher and student were gunned down in the attack on the Madison school. Gunmen commit the overwhelming majority of such attacks and, including the Madison shooting, just nine female students have carried out a school shooting since 1999, according to a Washington Post database. Data from advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety finds that women constitute less than five percent of assailants across 544 school shooting incidents over the past 11 years. Of the 197 shooting incidents in the Violence Prevention Project database of mass shootings since 1966, 192 of the shooters were male, four were female, and one was transgender. White men made up the majority of perpetrators, according to the database. open image in gallery The school is still an active crime scene after Natalie Rupnow shot dead a student and teacher and then herself ( EPA ) Police responded to reports of an active shooting at the schooljust before 11 a.m. on Monday morning after a second-grade teacher called 911. Police entered the building minutes after the call was made, according to authorities. Two victims a student and teacher died while six others were injured, including two who remain in critical condition in hospital. Detectives continue to investigate the shooting while Rupnows motive remains unclear. A candlelight vigil will take place in Madison Tuesday evening. In the wake of the attack, right-wing commentators quickly spread unverified claims the shooter was transgender, often alongside wider attacks on transgender people overall. Madison police quickly dispelled the rumors and called on the public to disregard the comments. open image in gallery Worshipers at Blackhawk Church gather to pray for victims and survivors of a shooting at Madison's Abundant Life Christian School ( REUTERS ) I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she, or he, or they may have wanted to identify, Chief Shon Barnes said during a Monday evening press conference. 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. Police also described the shooter in the 2023 Nashville shooting at a Christian school as transgender, though the shooters social media profile suggested they had identified as male in the months before the incident. Critics argued that the narrative around gender identity gives scope to those with anti-LGBTQ+ views to politicize mass shootings to spread their underlying prejudices. When hundreds of white men commit mass shootings, its a societal problem, but when one trans person commits a mass shooting, its a trans problem, Alejandra Caraballo, a trans activist and clinical instructor at Harvard Laws Cyberlaw Clinic, wrote after the Nashville shooting. The actual problem is that this country is unable to do anything at all to stop gun violence. This article was amended after police clarified who made the initial 911 phone call. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A terrified little boy has revealed the horror that unfolded inside his Wisconsin school when a teenage student opened fire, killing a teacher and another student before turning the gun on herself. Officers were called to an active shooting situation at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison just before 11 a.m. Monday morning after a second-grade teacher called 911, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said. Police said the shooter, identified as 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow, had opened fire on staff and students with a handgun, killing a teacher and a student. Six other victims were wounded including two students now fighting for their lives in critical condition before the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Now, some of the students who survived the attack have spoken out about the terrifying ordeal, with one little boy simply asking: Why? Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grader at the school, was in an English lesson when gunshots rang out. The class of 11- and 12-year-olds were chaperoned to the side of the school after being told they were undergoing a lockdown drill. open image in gallery Adler Jean-Charles, a sixth-grader, was in an English lesson when gunshots rung out at the Wisconsin school ( CNN ) We heard them. And some people started crying, Jean-Charles said in an interview with CNN on Monday. And then we just waited until the police came and they escorted us out to the church. He added: I was scared and [thinking], Why did they do that? Why? After being given food and water, Jean-Charles said his class was taken to a local hospital to meet with their parents and guardians. His mother Mireille Jean-Charles choked back tears as she explained the trauma inflicted on her son, his classmates and herself. Thank God they were safe, she said. But the trauma. Its a lot, as Im sure they lost friends and teachers, which is not OK. I dont think they will be OK for a long time, and Im not. Eight-year-old Nora Gottschalk told CNN she was about to have lunch when she saw a teacher had been shot in the attack. open image in gallery Eight-year-old Nora Gottschalk was also inside the school when Natalie Rupnow opened fire ( News 3 Now ) I was getting ready for lunch, it was basically lunchtime, and then I just heard shouting, the little girl told News 3 Now while clutching a SpongeBob lollipop. And then there was a teacher and she was screaming, Ah my leg, help, help! Gottschalk added: I was really scared, and I was really sad. Another second-grader, Noah, risked his life by crawling out from under a table where children were hiding to close the curtain to seemingly block the shooters view, the girl said. He risked his life to put the black curtain down, Nora explained, adding that Noah was fine. open image in gallery Police gather at a reunification center after the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison ( EPA ) Police are now investigating the motive for the attack and quickly dispelled online rumors about the shooters gender identity. I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she, or he, or they may have wanted to identify, 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. A candlelight vigil will take place in Madison Tuesday evening. President Joe Biden, who was briefed on the school shooting on Monday, said: Its shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act. Now... Jill and I are praying for all the victims today, including the teacher and teenage student who were killed and those who sustained injuries. This article was amended after police clarified who made the initial 911 phone call. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A student and a teacher who were killed during the deadly shooting that occurred at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday in Madison, Wisconsin, have been identified. Teacher Erin West, 42, and student Rubi Vergara, 14, have been named as the victims who were killed after 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow opened fire. Six others were injured in the tragedy. The teenage shooter died during the incident from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Heres what we do know about the victims so far: Who are the victims? Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, was a freshman at the school and an avid reader, loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band, according to her obituary which was shared on Wednesday evening. It added that she was an animal lover, and shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog). Her aunt, Stacy Remus, paid tribute to the student on Facebook. open image in gallery Rubi Patricia Vergara, 14, was killed in Mondays shooting ( Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care ) Friends and family ... here it is. This is our beautiful Rubi Vergara, our niece who was killed in Mondays school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Remus wrote. We are grateful for our friends, family and Bluff View Church family for your support during this hard time. And by the way .... Jesus is Still on the Throne and God is Good. Rubi, there are very few words to express how our hearts are broken. We love you and miss you. Vergaras uncle, Andrew Remus, added: My niece. Thank you for all the prayers, texts and messages. The community of Madison has been incredible [sic] gracious to our family. The school told NBC News in a statement: Her gentle, loving, and kind heart was reflected in her smile. Rubi was a blessing to her class and our school. She was not only a good friend, but a great big sister. The teacher who was killed was also named on Wednesday evening as 42-year-old Erin Michelle West, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office confirmed. open image in gallery Erin West, a 42-year-old substitute coordinator, was killed in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School ( Abundant Life Christian School ) West was a substitute coordinator at Abundant Life Christian School, according to the schools staff directory. ALCS is a better school for the work of Erin West. She brought her love of Jesus and love of people to our staff and school family all wrapped in a hug and topped with a smile, the school said in a statement to NBC News. West served our teachers and students with grace, humor, wisdom, and most importantly with the love of Jesus. Her loss is a painful and deep one and she will be greatly missed not just among our staff, but our entire ALCS family, the school said. Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes previously said authorities dont know whether the pair were singled out by Rupnow, or whether they were simply caught up in the violence, adding that the shooters motivation may have been a combination of factors. open image in gallery Police gather at a reunification center after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin ( EPA ) The shooting took place inside a study hall room where students of multiple grades were present. Were there other victims? Six other people were injured in the shooting and were taken to SSM Health St. Marys Hospital in Madison. Two were initially taken to the hospital in critical condition, with life-threatening injuries, while the other four sustained non-life-threatening wounds, according to the Madison Police Department In an update on Monday, police chief Shon Barnes said that two of the four who sustained lesser injuries had been released from the hospital. Staff also confirmed that the other two remained in stable condition. open image in gallery Police at scene of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers were on hand to support victims on Monday, the hospital said in a statement. A substitute teacher was one of the wounded, police said on Tuesday. We dont know if there would be a reason to target a (substitute) teacher, in this case, who doesnt have significant ties to the school, Barnes told CNN. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Tennessee District Attorney has been charged with shooting at suspects who were attempting to flee police in a getaway car. Warren County District Attorney Chris Stanford was charged with one count of reckless endangerment after he discharged his weapon during a Smithville police chase last month. Stanford even posed for a mugshot with prison garb over his suit after handing himself in for booking earlier this week. The incident is now being probed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Authorities say that it took place while officers were tailing suspect Caleb Brookins, 28 who was wanted in connection to a triple murder in Warren County. Stanford, 43, from McMinnville, had been at the scene with deputies and was wearing body armor and carrying a service weapon. As a getaway car driven by Brookins alleged accomplice, Hannah Rose, 21, sped through Smithville, it suddenly came to a halt striking a Homeland Security officer and injuring his leg, said the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office. Moments later, the DA pulled his firearm and fired three rounds toward Rose and Brookins who were inside. Neither were hit by the gunfire. But his bullets struck a home on Bell Street, Smithville occupied by a woman and her three children, said TBIs Monday statement. An indictment in the case states that Stanford faced no immediate threat when he discharged the weapon. According to the Tennessee Department of Insurance and Commerce, the DA had not been POST-certified and participated in firearms training which he claimed he had been. On Monday, the DeKalb County Grand Jury returned the sealed indictment which charged Stanford with the felony count. After turning himself in at the DeKalb County Jail on Monday, Stanford was released by authorities after he posted a $10,000 bond, the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office told The Tennessean . Stanford is scheduled to make an appearance in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on January 7. He will now not be able to prosecute the case in his own county, according to WTVF. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been indicted on murder charges, with prosecutors in New York describing it as an act of terrorism. The indictment comes as a poll found four in 10 young adults consider the killing of health insurance CEO acceptable. The new poll by Emerson College found that 41 percent of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 found the killing acceptable, while 68 percent of people surveyed overall believe it is unacceptable. Breaking down the younger demographic further, the poll found that 17 percent of young people surveyed found the suspects alleged actions completely acceptable, and 24 percent found it somewhat acceptable. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the first-degree murder charge against Mangione accuses the suspected shooter of committing an act of terrorism involving a violent act and acts dangerous to human life. open image in gallery A poster in support of Luigi Mangione, who has been indicted on murder charges ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The act was intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, Bragg explained. The charge could expedite Mangiones extradition to New York. After a nearly week-long manhunt, the 26-year-old suspect was arrested at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania last Monday. Mangiones supporters have donated thousands of dollars towards his defense fund. The anonymous fund December 4th Legal Committee has amassed more than $140,000 in donations on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo. At Tuesdays press conference, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch addressed the appalling celebration of Thompsons murder by Americans who are frustrated with the countrys health insurance industry. In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompsons killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder, Tisch said. Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack. open image in gallery NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch holds a copy of the New York Post addressing the appalling celebration of Brian Thompsons murder by Mangiones supporters ( REUTERS ) People ghoulishly plastered posters threatening the CEOs, other CEOs, with an X over Mr. Thompsons picture, as though he was some sort of a sick trophy, she added. Tisch held up a copy of the New York Posts front page from Monday, which reported that activists were circulating a deck of cards with other Most Wanted CEOs to be targeted. These are the threats of a lawless, violent mob who would trade in their own vigilantism for the rule of law that protects us all, Tisch added. Let me say this plainly, there is no heroism in what Mangione did. It was a cold and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers at risk. We dont celebrate murders, and we dont lionize the killing of anyone, she emphasized. Mangione is set to appear in a Pennsylvania court for a preliminary hearing on December 19. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank has been sentenced to death. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Judge Angela Cowden pronounced the sentence at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring. At gunpoint, Xaver ordered his victims, all women, to lie on the floor and then shot each the head as they begged for mercy. Cowden said the weeks of planning that Xaver performed before the 2019 murders at Sebring's SunTrust bank, the enormity of the crime and the fear the victims felt as they were shot greatly outweighed the two dozen mitigating factors his attorneys had presented, including his history of mental illness, his benign brain tumor and his jailhouse embrace of Christianity. May God have mercy on your soul, Cowden told Xaver. Summary Zephen Xaver, 27, was sentenced to death for the 2019 murder of five women in a Sebring, Florida, SunTrust bank. Xaver pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder. He had herded the women into a room and shot them execution-style. The judge called the pre-meditated killings calculated, heinous, and cruel, stating that the aggravating factors outweighed mitigating factors like Xavers mental illness. Family members of the victims delivered impact statements expressing their grief and anger. Xavers defense argued for a life sentence to avoid prolonged appeals, but the death sentence will be automatically appealed under Florida law. Hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a former girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her this is the best day of my life but refusing to say why. Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, Im dying today, Then, from the bank parking lot he texted, Im taking a few people with me because Ive always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news. After a two-week penalty trial, a jury in June voted 9-3 to recommend that Cowden sentence Xaver to death. Xaver pleaded guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of customer Cynthia Watson, 65; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, 38; teller Debra Cook, 54; and banker Jessica Montague, 31. Kiara Lopez told Xaver and the court that her mother Marisol had welcomed him into the bank with a smile, an act he repaid by murdering her. You shattered me into a million pieces," Lopez said. I will celebrate the day you die, whenever that might be. Let it be known that you will always be a killer, a coward, a nobody and a waste of human life. Michael Cook, Debra's husband, also called Xaver a coward and told the judge, I have absolutely no sympathy for him. open image in gallery The mugshot of Zephen Xaver Xavers lead public defender, Jane McNeill, had asked that Cowden spare her client, saying a life sentence would put an end to the case instead of dragging it out for a decade of appeals and possibly a retrial if the sentence is overturned. The only way for this matter to be brought to an end so that the families of the victims and this community is able to move forward is a life sentence, McNeill argued. The sentence will be automatically appealed. Under a new Florida law, death penalty sentences can be rendered by a jury vote of 8-4 rather than a unanimous recommendation. The change was adopted after the 2018 Parkland high school shooter could not be sentenced to death for murdering 17 people despite a 9-3 jury vote. McNeill called the new law unconstitutional. Xaver moved to Sebring, a city of about 11,000, in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help. open image in gallery A Highlands County Sheriffs SWAT vehicle is stationed out in front of a SunTrust Bank branch, Jan. 23, 2019 ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) He joined the Army in 2016. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital where they were patients, told police he said joining the military was a way to kill people and get away with it. The Army discharged him after three months. In 2017, a Michigan woman reported him after he sent her text messages suggesting he might commit suicide by cop or take hostages. Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. He quit two months later, two weeks before the shootings and the day after he bought his gun. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Muskss wealth has jumped more than $170 billion since Election Day, according to a Washington Post analysis, capping off a year that saw the tech billionaire go all in supporting Donald Trump and Republican candidates with a combined $277 million contribution. A substantial portion of that increase is driven by Teslas soaring share price, according to the analysis. Musk owns a reported 12 percent of the electric automaker, the worlds most valuable car company, and Tesla shares are up about 70 percent since the election. Elon stuck his neck out, he made a big bet and he was right, Gene Munster, managing partner at investment firm Deepwater Asset Management, told the newspaper of Musks recent moves. Musks current net worth is roughly $455 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires index, and is the wealthiest person on the planet. Last week, Musk became the first person in history to be worth more than $400 billion dollars. Beyond the Tesla surge, aerospace firm SpaceX has been another key driver of Musks growing wealth. The company is reportedly considering a tender offer plan for investors to purchase up to $1.25 billion in employee shares, and for SpaceX to buy $500 million in common stock itself, valuing the company at $350 billion. The plan would represent a doubling in value for the rocket firm in just a year, and make the company the most valuable private start-up in the world. Musk could have significant sway over federal spending priorities that impact his own businesses through Department of Goverment Efficiency panel ( REUTERS ) Musk, who will co-chair Trumps non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency initiative (DOGE, names after his bitcoin), will have an unprecedented position as a business owner, the worlds richest man, a and a key voice in the incoming presidential administration. Companies like SpaceX and Tesla have billions of dollars at stake with the government in the form of federal contracts, subsidies, and regulations that could impact key priorities for Musk like artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. Musk has a standalone AI company, xAI, and heavily incorporates AI into Tesla vehicles. The alliance with Trump already appears to be impacting key objectives for Musk. The Trump transition team is reportedly considering scrapping a car-crash data reporting requirement that Musk has opposed in the past, according to Reuters. As Trump heads to the White House, a variety of tech companies have been singnaling their support or openness to engaging with the incoming administration. Amazon and Meta reportedly plan to donate $1 million to Trumps inaugural fund, while Trump hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook at Mar-a-Lago last week. On Monday, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a $100 billion investment in the U.S. over the next four years during a visit with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. When Justin Trudeau became the Canadian prime minister in 2015, people were still using that thing called Facebook. I can remember well the frothing posts by female friends, none of whom could contain their excitement at the election of this hottie PM. Furthermore, they gushed at the notion that what made him hotter still was not only that he was young and handsome, he was a lovely liberal dude too, which made him even more super-duper guy. (If my male friends had written about an equally attractive female prime minister in such a way, they might well have been cancelled, but lets park that.) As far as my friends were concerned and to be fair, Trudeau had plenty of male fanboys here was the perfect Generation X politician, and all would surely be well in his good hands. It certainly doesnt look like that any more because. With an approval rating of just 30 per cent, and facing a huge crisis in the wake of his deputy prime minister and finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, resigning, Justin Trudeau has finally stepped down. In a blunt letter to her former boss at the end of last year, Freeland laid into what she called his political gimmicks, which she said would only increase the countrys deficit at a time when it could least afford it in the expectation of Donald Trumps stinging trade tariffs. These gimmicks were indeed classic liberal nice guy policies that were designed to cosy up to the electorate. As the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Although Freeland was not specific, the policies she was referring to are likely to include the announcement of a sales tax exemption during the Christmas holiday season, estimated to have cost the Canadian treasury some 4bn in lost tax revenue. In essence, Trudeau was like the nice but weak dad who insists on giving the kids generous Christmas presents even though hes hideously overdrawn. Its perhaps a natural human instinct to be that nice guy part of the package of someone who is used to being liked and needs to be adored, but ultimately its shielding the electorate from just how parlous the finances are. It is often observed that what gets a politician into power is the same quality that makes them lose it. This could not be more true of the attractive liberal politicians we have seen come and go over the past few years. Good looks undoubtedly help you gain power but when you are the hot guy (or woman) in the hot seat and things arent on course, those cheekbones and cute smiles start to look like surface glitz. After all, you can never accuse a phenomenally ugly politician of style over substance, but you certainly can with a man as pretty as Trudeau. open image in gallery With US vice-president Kamala Harris in November 2021 ( Getty ) The paradox with attractive politicians is that they are expected to deliver results commensurate with their appeal, and so they often find they are judged to a higher standard. Take the case of the former Finnish prime minister Sanna Marin. Bagging the top job at just 34, Marin swiftly became an international darling, a global icon with her poise and modern aesthetic. However, her four-year career as PM also highlights the double-edged sword of being a cool and charismatic liberal leader. Take the infamous party video, which showed Marin dancing and singing with friends, which became a turning point in the publics perception. Then there is Trump, the very antithesis of the likes of Trudeau. Despite being a physically unappealing oaf, the president-elect is perhaps the vainest politician to walk the planet What could have been seen as a display of liberal normalness and work-life balance soon provided fodder for strong critiques of her leadership style. Marins policies particularly her robust stance on Ukraine became overshadowed by the image of her seemingly too-cool-for-school personal life. Her downfall in 2023 revealed how public perceptions of her image eclipsed her achievements. There can be little doubt that female politicians, especially if they are attractive, can face a harsher double standard than their male counterparts. Because being appealing to the eye is often mistaken for superficiality, leaders like Marin must have felt they constantly prove that their substance matches their style an impossible tightrope to walk for even the most capable and smart politicians. This was undoubtedly true of Denmarks first female prime minister, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, who was in power from 2011 to 2015. Dubbed Gucci Helle by critics due to her stylish wardrobe and slick MO, Thorning-Schmidts leadership faced constant scrutiny over perceptions of elitism. Her tenure was marked by significant political challenges, including economic reforms and austerity measures. While she successfully guided Denmark through turbulent economic times, her legacy was tainted by the narrative that she was out of touch with everyday Danes a critique that will be familiar to Trudeau. open image in gallery The former Canadian prime minister during a news conference in 2021 ( Getty ) It all highlights the uncomfortable reality that attractive politicians with kind hearts often face: their appearance becomes both an asset and a liability, subjecting them to heightened expectations and harsher judgement when things go wrong. Which, in politics, they invariably do. Every career in politics ends in failure but for Trudeau and his type, the fall from grace feels higher and more crushing. Then there was Jacinda Ardern, the embodiment of the hyper-liberal and sleek politician. As the prime minister of New Zealand, she became a symbol of compassionate leadership, particularly in the wake of the Christchurch mosque shootings and her governments early success in managing the Covid pandemic. Her empathy, combined with a polished media presence, made her a darling for liberals the world over. Yet all of this did little to help as her government faced mounting challenges. She was accused of failing to address New Zealands housing crisis, cost of living pressures, and rising crime. For all her international acclaim, domestically her government struggled to maintain the momentum that had defined her early years in office. Arderns decision to step down in January 2023 citing exhaustion and an acknowledgement that she no longer had enough in the tank may have been praised for its humility but it also underscored the immense scrutiny that comes with the job. The expectations placed on her leadership were as outsized as the praise she initially received, and in the end, the burden of maintaining a polished perfect image surely took its toll. open image in gallery Former Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt faced constant scrutiny during her tenure ( AFP/Getty ) But the roots of the downfalls of these figures prompt a key question. Ultimately, does the constant billing and cooing they get from being such an attractive and hopeful prospect become an addiction; do they end up becoming insufferable people-pleasers, unable to wield some tough love because they so adore the adoration? In essence, does being a poster boy (or girl) for goodness mean that youre even more ready to dish out political gimmicks, like Trudeau was accused of? The example of Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy, would buck that trend. Undoubtedly good-looking, Meloni is most certainly not a liberal. And while the physical appeal of Javier Milei may be a little more specialist than that of Justin Trudeau or Frances former PM Gabriel Attal, there is no doubt that the immensely charismatic president of Argentina is about as far from being a cuddly liberal as you can get. And then there is Trump, the very antithesis of the likes of Trudeau. Despite being a physically unappealing oaf, the president-elect is perhaps the vainest politician to walk the planet. But what makes him and the likes of Meloni and Milei successful is that they simply do not care how many enemies they make. What these liberal politicians have to realise is that politics is an ugly game, and to succeed, you often have to behave like the ugliest of them all. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Incoming First Lady Melania Trump is devoted to ensuring her 18-year-old son, Barron Trump, is happy and healthy which will likely make her role in the White House less visible than other first ladies, insiders say. Melania, 54, strives for open communication with her son, who recently began attending college at New York University, to help him adjust to the spotlight, two sources familiar with the Trump family told People. Melania worries about the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this, a social source told the magazine. The source said Melania does anything she can to be a support system for Barron. Another source, from Palm Beach, Florida, said Melania encourages her son to make friends while being careful about haters. open image in gallery Melania appears alongside her son, Barron, on Election Night ( Getty Images ) They talk about life as it is and how they are in the spotlight," the first source said. "She tries to normalize his life. If that is even possible. As Donald Trumps youngest son, Barron has been subject to the attention and criticisms that come with political news for much of his life. Melania has dedicated her time to protecting her son from too much publicity. When Barron was chosen to serve as a delegate from Florida earlier this year, Melania quickly swooped in to decline the offer on his behalf. As Barron attends college in New York and lives at his familys Trump Tower residence, Melania is reportedly spending her time there as well to support him. 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 from Palm Beach told People. Its unclear what Melanias role as a first lady will look like. Multiple people have told various news outlets, including the New York Times, that she will likely take on a more nontraditional role living between her homes in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida more often than the White House. open image in gallery Donald Trump, Melania and Barron attend the 17th Annual Bunny Hop at FAO Schwarz March 11, 2008 in New York City ( Getty Images ) It is clear, however, that Melania prioritizes her role as a mother. In interviews, she gushes over her son and praises his intelligence. Her love for Barron is one of the only takeaways from her little-revealing memoir Melania. "As much as Melania loves Mar-a-Lago and her life in Palm Beach, she will spend more time in New York with her son, who is more important to her than anything else, another unnamed source told People. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Parents have accused a Virginia high school of failing to protect Black students after a history lesson involving a piece of raw cotton allegedly led to bullying and harassment. Officials at Riverside High School in Loudoun County, in the DC metro area, confirmed that a teacher had passed the cotton around during a lesson about slavery and the cotton industry last Thursday. Michelle Thomas, a pastor and the president of the countys NAACP chapter, said the problem was not just the cotton itself but more that the teacher failed to act on the behavior it prompted. The kids then [began] joking about Black people being enslaved, and it was just humiliating and deeply embarrassing for the kids, Thomas told local broadcaster WUSA9. The teacher's response to these remarks was inappropriate and amounted to no response, she added. However, Thomas also said that teachers need to understand the disturbing connotations of cotton to Black students, saying it was problematic that a teacher would have the plant on hand. It was a poor demonstration. If she was going to demonstrate swastikas, she wouldn't bring in a sticker. I'm not bringing in the Klan hood; I'm not bringing in, you know, the robe of the Klansman, she said. So the demonstration was of poor taste and judgement, and was culturally insensitive. In a statement, the Loudoun County school district said: LCPS Administration is aware of a history lesson at Riverside High School which occurred last Thursday. open image in gallery Riverside High School in Virginia, where a lesson involving a piece of raw cotton caused controversy ( Google Maps ) The lesson was in a US History class and involved a discussion surrounding cotton, the invention of the cotton gin and enslavement. As part of the discussion, the teacher passed around a piece of raw cotton. The lesson was upsetting to some students. This is contrary to what we believe the teacher and LCPS strive to accomplish in our classrooms. It is the division's intention to achieve a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. That is not what happened here and we must and will do better. The district also said it had failed to uphold its usual policy of informing parents in advance when lessons covering sensitive topics have been planned. This is not the first time Loudoun County's schools have been criticized for racially insensitive activities in lessons about slavery. In 2019, the principal of another school in the same district apologized after a Black student was chosen to play the role of a runaway slave in a history lesson. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In late May 2012, Austin Tice, a former Marine Corps captain and Georgetown law student, ducked under a fence on the Turkish-Syrian border. The 31-year-old joined a group of Free Syrian Army rebels, and despite not having much journalism experience, filed his first news report nine days later. Writing for McClatchy, which owns papers across the U.S., Tice later reported for The Washington Post and appeared on BBC Radio and CBS News. After 83 days in the country, he headed for Beirut, Lebanon to take a break. But while driving towards the Lebanese border, Tice was detained in a government-controlled area. After being missing for 12 years, Tice is now the longest-held American journalist in history. The recent fall of the Assad regime has infused new hope in the search for Tice, as prisoners in jails across the country have been released. Were feeling very hopeful, his mother Debra Tice said this week in an interview with ABC News. Were waiting, and not exactly on pins and needles, but just very expectantly. Tice grew up in Houston, Texas, the oldest of seven siblings. An Eagle Scout, he dreamed of one day becoming an international correspondent for NPR. When he was 16, he attended the University of Houston for a year before transferring to the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. He later joined the Marines as an infantry officer, going on tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Leaving duty as a captain, he remained in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was hearing reports from Syria saying this is happening but it cant be confirmed because there really are no reporters on the ground, his father, Marc Tice, said 10 months after his sons disappearance to The Daily Star. And he said, You know, this is a story that the world needs to know about." Tice attended two years of law school at Georgetown before heading to Syria between his second and third years. At the time, he was one of few foreign journalists to report on the civil war as it was heating up. Tice reported from the battlefields after arriving in May 2012, becoming one of the first American journalists to be present for clashes between rebels and the army. His Twitter account racked up about 2,000 followers before he stopped posting on August 11, 2012. open image in gallery Austin Tice has been detained in Syria for more than a decade ( Austinticefamily.com ) His mother, Debra Tice, has moved for months at a time to Washington and Damascus in her search for her son, whom she homeschooled along with his six younger siblings. Speaking to Texas Monthly in 2022, she said the difference between her past life of diapers and spaghetti and the search for her son over the previous decade couldnt be more stark. In a 2014 letter published in The Washington Post, Marc and Debra called him the most devoted son, brother, uncle, and friend any of us could ever ask for. From your earliest days as an Eagle Scout, a top student, a terrific athlete, and a caring friend and neighbor, we knew you were a special kid, they added. When you put your Georgetown Law education on hold to follow your journalistic dreams, we knew you were extraordinary. Marc Tice told Scouting Magazine that his son was a member of Houston Troop 266, where he earned the Eagle Scout award. Scouting was important to Austin, and he is very proud of achieving his Eagle, Marc Tice wrote, according to the official site of the magazine. We all recognize the positive impact of Scouting in forming Austin into the man he is today. Tice, now 43, took part in several summer camps at El Rancho Cima in the Texas Hill Country and enjoyed the outdoors. He hiked at Philmont, sailed at the Florida Sea Base, and canoed the Boundary Waters, the site stated. Debra Tice told the Houston Matters radio program in August 2014 that her sons interest in journalism was sparked from a very young age, recalling how he inked his knees crawling across the Sunday paper as a small child. open image in gallery Marc and Debra Tice, Austin Tices parents, hold dated portraits of him at a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on July 20, 2017 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Hes actually been published in every publication of every school that he has attended, she said at the time. So, I would say theres always been that writing in his blood. As a family, we never watched much TV, but we listened to a lot of radio, and we read a lot, and ... our family table was somewhere that we sat and talked about issues, local issues, national issues, international issues, so ... I think that contributed to his ending up working as a freelance journalist, Marc Tice added. KUHF, the public radio station in Houston, broadcast a phone interview with Tice on August 13, 2012. That was the last day he was in touch with his editors before his disappearance. He spoke about seeing rebels using Molotov cocktails and any weapon you can basically imagine in an urban street fighting environment. It was pretty exciting! But I was able to get some pretty good shots that way and tell a pretty good story afterward, that I think otherwise never would have gotten told, Tice added at the time, according to Texas Monthly. On his LinkedIn page, Tice wrote that his background is as an infantry officer in the Marines and that while he went to law school, he would prefer to be a journalist. To that end, I went to Syria in the summer of 2012 to cover the war there. Had some decent professional success, he wrote. I would prefer to work for one organization over freelancing. I can write, film, snap and speak, so if your organization is looking for an all-in-one crisis correspondent willing to get the stories others wont, call me. I speak passable Spanish and Im slowly getting there with Arabic. He added: Im not so great behind a desk. The site lists his skills as being military leadership, weapons, digital photography, legal research, and jokes. open image in gallery Debra Tice speaking at the National Press Club on May 3, 2024, in Washington D.C. She has said that writing has always been in her sons blood ( Getty Images ) Even though Tice had military experience, many of his loved ones expressed concern about his work in Syria. On July 25, 2012, Tice wrote on Facebook: Its nice and all, but please quit telling me to be safe. He said he was posting on the social media platform against his better judgment and urged friends and followers to flame away. Tice said he was doing this crazy thing and told his followers to keep asking whats wrong with me for coming here. Our granddads stormed Normandy and Iwo Jima and defeated global fascism, he added at the time, weeks before his arrest. Neil Armstrong flew to the Moon in a glorified trashcan, doing math on a clipboard as he went. Tice argued in that post that America had lost its pioneering spirit. We became a fat, weak, complacent, coddled, unambitious and cowardly nation, he wrote. I went off to two wars with misguided notions of patriotism and found in both that the first priority was to never get killed, something we could have achieved from our living rooms in America with a lot less hassle. He claimed Americans were killing themselves with McDonalds, alcohol, and other drugs, having lost the sense that there are things worth dying for. Tice, who was about to turn 31 at the time, wrote that those fighting in the Syrian civil war were alive in a way that almost no Americans today even know how to be. They live with greater passion and dream with greater ambition because they are not afraid of death. Neither were our granddads. Neither was Neil Armstrong. And neither am I, he added. Less than a month before his detention, Tice spoke to the News 88.7 radio station, pointing out that his sources could be retaliated against for speaking to him. Theres a very real security concern, he said at the time. People are concerned about their faces showing up in photographs because the Syrian government is notorious for exerting pressure on people by going after their families in really quite violent and atrocious ways. open image in gallery A photo from July 2012 showing Tice in Syria ( AFP via Getty Images ) Two years later, his parents told Houston Matters that Tice also knew of the risks he was taking. He was definitely aware, because his mom kept him aware, his journalistic colleagues kept him aware, Debra Tice said at the time. I think he chose not to focus on that for himself. I dont think he was careless in any way. But I dont think that was his main focus. Since Austin went to Syria, we have learned a lot and developed an incredible respect for people like him to do that job because, to a large degree, they have to forget about themselves in order to get the job done, Marc Tice added. And he would send us photographs with the faces of people around him blurred out for that very reason. When youre the reporter, youre the face of this information to the world, you cant really hide yourself. His father went on to say that it wasnt unusual for journalists in the field to lose touch because of the way they had to move from place to place. He added: So, you know, a couple of days, I thought, yeah, this is worrisome, but not terrible. But after two days, I contacted his editors and they said, Yeah, were concerned too. In his 25 July 2012 Facebook post, Tice said he didnt have a death wish but a life wish. Life in Syria meant more than anywhere Ive ever been because every single day people here lay down their own for the sake of others, he wrote. Coming here to Syria is the greatest thing Ive ever done, and its the greatest feeling of my life, Tice said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The rash of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey continues to cause panic down the US east coast and on Capitol Hill, frustrations are bubbling. Joe Bidens administration, with just over one month left in office, is heading into the holiday season in full lame-duck mode. As rumors of a ceasefire in Gaza being close raise the hopes of some Democrats eager to see the president pull out a final legacy-defining win, more are becoming vocal about the failure of the broader administration to address what is quickly becoming a source of serious misinformation. The kicker came Monday as state senator Doug Mastriano of Pennsylania, who ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2022, posted an image of a replica Tie Fighter from the Star Wars franchise being hauled on the back of a flatbed truck, with another unknown social media users caption claiming it to have been recovered from Orange Beach a city in Alabama. Despite his own furiously-added caption accusing the federal government of fecklessness on the issue, Mastriano would go on to claim in a separate post on Tuesday that he knew he was posting a fake image. But whether Mastriano was really fooled or not, a lot of other people certainly are. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing conspiracist congresswoman from Georgia, believes the feds are behind it. A number of other politicians, such as senator-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey, have turned to amateur drone-spotting, which also allows for a few quick poses with the local police. New Jerseys own Jeff Van Drew, a Democrat who turned to the GOP during the first Trump era, had the wildest take of all. He declared on Fox News: Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones. BREAKING REPORT - DRONES OVER NEW JERSEY ARE FROM IRAN: Congressman Jeff Van Drew claims Iran has stationed a "mothership" off the U.S. East Coast, reportedly launching drones now flying over New Jersey. pic.twitter.com/ayV8tYioXA Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 11, 2024 Numerous agency officials, including most prominently DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have come out to discourage fears and tamp down on conspiracies. A press call took place on Saturday which involved senior FBI, DHS and FAA officials stressed repeatedly that the government has no evidence pointing to foreign or criminal involvement. Some sightings have been outright dismissed as hoaxes and cases of mistaken identification. Others, officials have noted, could be commercial or privately-owned drones, both of which are legal in the US. "We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, a joint statement from those agencies on Monday read. Other examples of mistaken sightings included manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones", according to the statement. But one thing every one of these politicians (and there are many other examples of this) has in common: they are filling an information void being created by the federal government, which despite numerous statements from involved agencies like the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and FAA has not actually come up with a specific explanation publicly for sightings that have caused emergency shutdowns of airspace around a critical military installation in Dayton, Ohio, and a commercial airport in New York this past week. open image in gallery People in Bernardsville, New Jersey took photos of what they suspected to be multiple drones flying over the town on December 5, 2024. ( AP ) And thats where the anger is beginning to grow in Washington, as the presidents typical defenders say his officials need to provide more clarity and specificity about those incidents. State leaders, too, are growing annoyed: "This has gone too far," declared New Yorks Kathy Hochul. The Houses permanent select committee for Intelligence met on Tuesday for a classified briefing on the matter. There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now, Jim Himes, the top Democrat on that committee, told Fox this weekend. People will fill a vacuum with their fears and anxieties, Himes said, before taking aim at Van Drews wild tale: Oh my god, theres an Iranian mothership hovering off the coast of Asbury Park! open image in gallery House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner, left, and ranking member Jim Himes received a briefing on the drone sightings by federal officials on Tuesday. ( Getty Images ) And wheres Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? Thats another question on the minds of these Democrats, even if they arent saying it outright. NBCs Seth Meyers needled the president on it Monday night: President Biden addressed the drone issue today Im just f***ing with you. He was nowhere to be seen. That sort of gets to the heart of the problem now in Washington, where the presidents party is confronted with a White House seemingly unable to shake off the malaise caused by the vice presidents shattering election loss to Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the party is expected to have to bail out the GOP again later this week. House Republicans emerged from their own caucus meeting this morning unable to find common ground over the passage of another CR a short-term continuing resolution necessary to avert a partial government shutdown. Congress faces a funding deadline on Friday, while Speaker Mike Johnson faces the prospect of fighting off a rebellion from within his caucus yet again. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A House GOP subcommittee is pushing for ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney to be investigated by the Justice Department for witness tampering in retaliation for her efforts on the January 6 probe. In a report from the House Administrations Subcommittee on Oversight, Republican lawmakers led by Barry Loudermilk of Georgia argued that Cheneys communications with Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House official, violated the law because Hutchinsons lawyer was supposedly unaware they were happening. Evidence uncovered by the Subcommittee revealed that former Congresswoman Liz Cheney tampered with at least one witness, Cassidy Hutchinson, by secretly communicating with Hutchinson without Hutchinsons attorneys knowledge, it reads. This secret communication with a witness is improper and likely violates 18 U.S.C. 1512. Text messages through the encrypted Signal app uncovered by Loudermilks subcommittee show Cheney and Hutchinson communicating directly, as well as a separate prior conversation between Hutchinson and fellow Trumpland figure-turned-witness Alyssa Farah Griffin. Griffin, in her texts to Hutchinson, describes her own conversation with Cheney in which the congresswoman supposedly spoke approvingly about Hutchinsons first round of testimony to the committee and was interested in hearing more. She said she admires you, and can tell you want to do the right thing from your testimony, Griffin wrote to Hutchinson in April of 2022. open image in gallery Liz Cheneys role on the January 6 committee made her a permanent target for Republican vengeance. Now, a house subcommittee is saying she should face a DOJ investigation ( Getty Images ) Despite text messages from Griffin stating that Cheneys one concern was that ethically, she couldnt speak to Hutchinson without the latters attorney present, later text messages show Hutchinson reaching out to Cheney directly and asking for a phone call. Loudermilks report does not specify about which section of the law Cheneys communications with the former Trump White House aide were supposedly in violation. The law states that its illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, mislead or otherwise push to alter witness testimony for any official proceeding, including congressional hearings, but even Loudermilks own press release does not accuse Cheney of doing so. Instead, Loudermilk argues that Cheney and others on the January 6 investigative committee knew that Hutchinson planned to make outrageous and supposedly untrue claims and knowing that, still promoted her testimony. He noted in his press release that Cheneys memoir avoided mentioning her role in recommending new attorneys for Hutchinson, though Griffins own book did. But it remains unclear if any of those actions constituted clear violations of the U.S. code, or merely crossed ethical boundaries. Some legal experts have already cast doubt on that idea. Jonathan Turley, a conservative legal commentator cited by Republicans for his opposition to the impeachment of Donald Trump in 2021, wrote that ethical proceedings are unlikely [for Cheney] after the disclosure of ex parte communications with former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson even as he acknowledged that the evidence seemingly contradicts public accounts of how Hutchinson decided to fire her counsel and change her testimony. He added: As an investigating member of Congress, she had an institutional interest, if not a duty, to pursue witnesses. open image in gallery Cassidy Hutchinson gave some of the most explosive testimony during the 2022 hearings on the January 6 attack. The House subcommittee is questioning Cheneys contact with Hutchinson ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Hutchinsons greatest revelation which came after her first round of testimony was disputed by Secret Service officials and other Trump aides: her insistence that Trump had lunged at an agent within a vehicle after being told he would not be driven to the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Cheney had an ethical responsibility to only communicate with Hutchinson with her attorney present, Loudermilks press release stated. However, Hutchinsons sensational testimony was essential to the Select Committees inquisition of President Trump. Thus, Cheney apparently defied her ethical responsibilities and communicated directly with Hutchinson behind [her attorney]s back, encouraged her to fire [her attorney], and even assisted Hutchinson in obtaining new representation. The former congresswoman responded in a statement on Bluesky: No reputable lawyer, legislator or judge would take this seriously. Chairman Loudermilks interim report inteltionally disregards the truth and the Select Committees tremedous weight of evidence, she continued, and instead, fabricates lies and defamatory allegations in an attempt to cover up what Donald Trump did. These allegations do not reflect a review of the evidence, and are a malicious and cowardly assault on the truth. Cheney left Congress at the beginning of 2023, having been targeted by President-elect Donald Trump as one of his chief enemies within the Republican Party. The Wyoming congresswoman faced a primary challenger, Harriet Hageman, who ran with Trumps endorsement and defeated Cheney. Her work involved co-chairing the committee that launched a months-long investigation into the January 6 attack on Congress that uncovered new details about the siege, including statements from Trumps closest allies and advisors fretting nervously about the very likely prospect of violence breaking out in the days just prior. The committees report also highlighted how the former president did little but watch news coverage for hours as some of his own family members and allies in Congress begged him to take more decisive action. Trump, in the wake of the committees investigation, blamed congressional Democratic leaders for supposedly being unprepared; he has since vowed to pardon a number of those charged with crimes on the day of the attack. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy MAGA firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene finally came out as a full-fledged anti-vaxxer on Monday when she outright claimed that vaccines cause autism, sparking widespread and bipartisan criticism for saying the shots are crimes against humanity. The Georgia congresswoman has long been a skeptic of the COVID-19 vaccines, proudly noting that she never got vaccinated during the pandemic while questioning the safety of the jabs that doctors have credited for saving millions of lives. Besides claiming that the coronavirus shots have led to thousands of injuries and deaths, Greene has even baselessly insisted that they are causing cancer. Having recently spread conspiracy theories such as claiming the government is creating hurricanes with weather-manipulating machines, the far-right lawmaker decided to fully embrace Donald Trumps Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s debunked claim that vaccines are responsible for autism in children. I fully believe vaccines cause Autism, she posted to X Monday. Its another example of crimes against humanity. And innocent babies, children, and their families are the victims. Greene also shared a video from right-wing social media account MJ Truth Ultra, which has regularly peddled misinformation about supposed election fraud. The clip features Kennedy claiming that not only do children get autism from vaccinations, but that kids who are exposed to measles as a child are much healthier as adults. On top of that, Kennedy also dismissed government studies showing theres no link between autism and vaccines as corrupt. open image in gallery Marjorie Taylor Greene threatened to expose sexual harassment claims made against Republicans if the House Ethics Committee releases their reportedly damaging report on Matt Gaetz ( Getty Images ) Greenes tweet was soon hit with a scathing Community Note that included links to 19 publications including from the CDC and Mayo Clinic refuting her claim. Vaccines do not cause autism, the note stated. 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. Besides the fact-check from Xs readers, Greene also faced a whole host of critics from across the political spectrum who pointed out that her claim has no basis in fact. In a study of over 600,000 Danish children born between 1999 and 2010, MMR vaccination was associated with a non-significant *reduction* in autism risk after controls, Charles Fain Lehman, senior fellow of the conservative think tank Manhattan Institute, posted in response. Vaccines do not cause autism and this has been proven over and over and over again. One fake study by a now former physician with manipulated data is not going to ever change this fact, liberal social media influencer Yashar Ali noted, referencing a since-debunked study that Kennedy regularly cites as proof. Vaccines do not cause autism, he emphasized again. Besides getting lambasted by pundits and political observers, Greene was also fact-checked by medical experts. For those who actually care about the science. The discussion regarding autism RFK is leading here in this clip surrounds his criticism of the Simpsonwood CDC conference, family physician and popular YouTuber Dr. Mike Varshavski reacted. He actually wrote an article on it that was so full of mistakes that it had to be corrected 5 times, including misstating which vaccines had thimerosal and how much mercury was even in vaccines. I detail the evidence showing that vaccines do not cause autism + the genetic and neurodevelopmental processes that actual can result in autism or ASD in the book about my daughter with [John Hopkins University], Dr. Peter Hotez added, citing his 2018 book Vaccines Did Not Cause Rachels Autism: My Journey As a Vaccine Scientist, Pediatrician, and Autism Dad. While some called Greenes tweet embarrassing and pointing out the other conspiracy theories she has amplified, others noted that her belief in the danger of vaccines is pretty much in line with the incoming presidents. The fact that this person is an elected official with now-widespread acceptance in one political party is a serious problem, election data analyst Laksyha Jain wrote. And if you think this is bad, just remember that this is not too far from the stated views of the president-elect and his incoming HHS secretary. Indeed, around the same time that Greene was posting her thoughts on social media, Trump was holding a press conference in which he claimed theres something wrong with autism rates while saying Kennedy was going to find out about it. He also stated that while he supports keeping the polio vaccine in circulation, hes not a fan of schools mandating children to be vaccinated. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Senate Republicans fear that the confirmation hearings for secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth will be a repeat of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs heated 2018 hearings. Both Kavanaugh and Hegseth have been accused of sexual misconduct and have rejected the allegations. Hegseths plan to release his accuser from a nondisclosure agreement is setting up the hearing to be filled with tension and fervor from both Democrats and Republicans. Hegseth is set to push ahead with his nomination despite warnings from Senate Republicans that hes likely to face a frenzy of uncomfortable questions about the sexual misconduct allegations and the claims against him of excessive drinking and financial mismanagement. I told him its going to be a miserable experience, sort of like Brett Kavanaughs confirmation hearing, said Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, according to The Hill. In 2018, dozens of protesters were detained by Capitol Police in the Senate office buildings, leading to senators being escorted by police as they went around the Capitol complex. Kavanaugh also became famously animated as he discussed the allegations of sexual assault and was questioned before he was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court. While Cornyn said senators remain open to confirming Hegseth, he added that They want the process to continue and well respond to any new information that they get. Everything is going to be elevated. I think its going to be Kavanaugh on steroids, said North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis. open image in gallery Donald Trumps nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA). Now, some are warning his hearings could be similar to one Supreme Court justice ( Getty Images ) Senators noted that the atmosphere depends on whether Hegseths accuser would be willing to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2018, Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey-Ford appeared before Congress to detail sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh when they were teens. Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have both said that they would be unwilling to vote against Hegseth based on anonymous allegations. An advisor to Hegseth said the 44-year-old is willing to discuss any and all allegations against him in meetings with senators, according to The Hill. Mr. Hegseth has assured the Senators with whom he is meeting that they will be able to fulfill their advise and consent duties when it comes to this and all topics, said the advisor. The next Senate Republican leader, John Thune of South Dakota, said it will be the Armed Services Committees decision if they want to call on the accuser to testify. Thats obviously a decision the committee, he, and theyre all going to have to make that, he said of the panel and Hegseth. As a general rule, I think its important that hearings be conducted in the light of day with full transparency, he added. open image in gallery Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on September 27, 2018, in Washington, DC. Senators have warned Hegseth that his confirmation hearings may be reminiscent of Kavanaughs which featured the nominee growing animated during questioning ( Getty Images ) Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the next chair of the Armed Services Committee, said he doesnt know if the accuser will testify. I guess it depends on what she has to say, he said. Rutgers University political science professor Ross Baker said the Democrats are likely to read out the most controversial parts of the 2017 police report of the sexual misconduct allegation against Hegseth. We must assume that it will contain some pretty graphic information, and presumably it would be presented by the Democrats at the hearing in the Armed Services Committee, he said, according to The Hill. The accuser has claimed that Hegseth took her phone and stopped her from leaving his hotel room during a conference in Monterey, California. Hegseth has said that the encounter was consensual and that he ensured that she was comfortable with what was going on. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For transgender Americans looking for help or protection from the Biden administration in its dying days, Raquel Willis has a stark assessment. "Unfortunately, the signals coming from our government right now, under a Democratic president, are telling us that were essentially on our own," the 33-year-old activist tells The Independent. That is nothing new for the woman behind last weeks headline-grabbing Congressional bathroom sit-in, protesting Republicans attempt to ban trans people from using the correct bathrooms for their gender on any federal property. Alongside former US Army whistleblower and trans rights advocate Chelsea Manning, Willis was among 15 people arrested by Capitol police for occupying the womens bathroom and the hallway outside House speaker Mike Johnsons office. But that protest wasnt only aimed at Republicans. It was also meant to push Democrats to abandon what Willis describes as "a pattern of ignoring and sidelining the trans community" in the face of escalating conservative attacks. open image in gallery Raquel Willis, bottom left, and Chelsea Manning, bottom right, during a trans rights sit-in at the US Capitol ( Alexa B Wilkinson via Gender Liberation Movement ) Just hours after Williss interview with The Independent, House and Senate negotiators revealed a bipartisan compromise spending bill that would ban military health insurance from covering transition care for children. On Wednesday, 50 House Democrats who previously denounced that provision voted in favor, and key Senate Democrats said they would reluctantly back it too. Now, with Republicans taking control of all three branches of government and both houses of Congress in January, Willis is gearing up for a fight and she does not believe trans people can afford to take their cues from Democrats. "We have to be prepared to take care of ourselves, and speak for ourselves, and fight for ourselves, because there are not enough political leaders who are sticking up for us, she says. "Folks need to find political homes that actually speak to their values I dont think that the Democratic Party is serving that right now for most marginalized folks." Fighting back against eradication For many Americans, their introduction to Willis came one sunny day in Brooklyn in June 2020, three weeks after the murder of George Floyd sparked racial justice protests across the US. I believe in Black trans power, Willis said into her microphone. Nearly 15,000 people chanted it back at her an electric moment, given that the citys usual LGBT+ Pride parade had been cancelled due to Covid-19. Raquel Willis leads chant 'I believe in Black trans power' It was, she said afterwards, "the complete opposite" of what happened when she spoke at the first Womens March in Washington DC three years earlier. As she called on feminists not to treat trans women as an "afterthought", her mic was allegedly cut off. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Willis got her start in Black social justice activism and anti-violence advocacy, later working at the Transgender Law Center and serving as executive editor of Out magazine. In spring 2023 she co-founded a new protest collective called the Gender Liberation Movement, which organised last weeks action. (Manning, Willis says, has been involved since earlier this year.) According to Willis, the protest was modelled on the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins, organised by four Black students against racial segregation in North Carolina, as well as the barroom "sip-in" staged by gay rights activists in New York City in 1966. This time, the issue was Republicans attempt to ban incoming Delaware representative Sarah McBride, the first openly trans woman ever to be elected to the US Congress, from womens bathrooms on Capitol Hill along with any staffers, tourists, journalists, and lobbyists who happen to also be trans. open image in gallery Chelsea Manning under arrest outside the US Capitol on Thursday Dec 5, 2024 ( Alexa B Wilkinson via Gender Liberation Movement ) One group, consisting of trans women, cisgender (ie, non-trans) women, and non-binary people, occupied the womens bathroom itself, holding banners and chanting slogans, while another group of largely trans and cis men made noise in the corridor outside. That was important, says Willis, because bathroom bans also affect cis people by subjecting them to hostile scrutiny and policing based on their gender presentation and bodily appearance. She also argues that people of colour are especially targeted for such scrutiny. For years and decades and possibly even longer, trans folks have been using public accommodations like anyone else and it has not been an issue, she says. To Willis, these types of bans are part of a campaign of "eradication" intended to erase trans folks from public life in the USA, in concert with attempts to purge trans people from the US military and scour pro-LGBT+ and anti-racist books from schools. The Republican Party [is] banking on the general public not caring enough about less than 1 per cent of the population, she says. Weve seen this throughout history, where authoritarian regimes will go after a small part of the population, make them public enemy number one, and then use that as permission to slowly go after other groups that they deem undesirable. We are beyond the point of calling this a distraction With a few outspoken exceptions, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and John Fetterman, the party largely did not hit back directly against Republican Nancy Mace, who led the ban against McBride, reportedly at McBrides own request. Willis says that McBride herself "deserves all the grace to handle her career as she sees fit". But she goes on: "The discrimination and disrespect that she experiences has ramifications for how trans folks will be treated at every stage of existence within the United States. Its so important to make it clear that we will not allow the continued disrespect and infringing on our civil rights. What does Willis think of the standard Democrat line that the GOPs war on trans is only a "distraction" from the "real issues"? Willis pauses and considers her words carefully before answering. open image in gallery Trans rights protesters make noise outside a womens bathroom in the US Capitol on Thursday Dec 5, 2024 ( Alexa B Wilkinson via Gender Liberation Movement ) "In this moment, it is not enough to simply call anti-trans attacks from Republicans a distraction," she says. "Perhaps if this was 2015, 2016 there might be an argument. "But lives have already been targeted and changed by these efforts. So we are beyond that point, and we cant confront discrimination with inaction." The Harris campaign, she adds, set a "horrible example" by declining to respond to t he GOPs late-election blitz of anti-trans TV ads, on which the party is estimated to have spent at least $215m. "That was a loss before the election even happened," says Willis. "If the Democratic Party wants to claim to be representative of progress and of the Left, it cannot leave communities on the chopping block, because it will continue to lose if it does so." For now, Willis believes it is a good time for trans people and their allies to step back, connect with each other, and "recharge their batteries" for the coming era of radical defiance. In future, she suspects theyll need to practice mutual aid of the kind that was widespread during the pandemic, and study movements in other countries that have "faced authoritarian takeovers". And after that? "We definitely cant share more about our plans publicly at this time," says Willis. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The judge overseeing Donald Trumps hush money trial has refused to dismiss the case and throw out a jurys verdict after his attorneys argued he has immunity from prosecution. Trump appears likely to enter the White House as a convicted felon, though it remains unclear when, or if, the judge will continue to postpone a sentencing date after a unanimous jury found him guilty of falsifying business records tied to hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. New York Justice Juan MerchanNew York also has yet to rule on Trumps argument that the case should not be able to continue now that he is president-elect. In a filing Monday, Judge Merchan argued that evidence surrounding Trumps falsification of business records to cover up hush money payments to an adult film star is not shielded by immunity granted to presidents under the Supreme Courts groundbreaking decision this summer. Evidence presented to the jury even if it could be shielded by immunity paled in comparison to other overwhelming evidence of defendants guilt, according to Merchan. open image in gallery New York Justice Juan Merchan has refused to throw out Trumps hush money verdict on argument that evidence against him is shielded by presidential immunity ( AP ) If error occurred regarding the introduction of the challenged evidence, such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt, Merchan wrote. Evidence and testimony were entirely about unofficial conduct entitled to no immunity protections, according to Merchan. Trumps actions were personal acts that fall outside the so-called outer perimeter of official presidential duties, and there is no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch in this case, Merchan wrote. A jury found Trump guilty on May 30 of falsifying business records in connection with a scheme to silence Daniels, whose story about having sex with Trump threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign. Trumps reimbursements to his then-attorney Michael Cohen, who paid off Daniels, were falsely recorded in accounting records as legal expenses. Merchan was scheduled to rule on the immunity implications for the case and Trumps conviction last month, after Trumps election victory rocketed the case into uncharted territory, despite the jurys conviction on 34 felony counts more than six months ago. Last week, Manhattan prosecutors with District Attorney Alvin Braggs office asked the judge to maintain the conviction and suggested postponing a sentencing hearing until after Trumps presidency comes to an end in 2029. Trump cant be shielded from criminal prosecution as president-elect, because president-elect immunity does not exist, prosecutors wrote. Even after his inauguration, Trumps temporary immunity as the sitting president will still not justify the extreme remedy of discarding the jurys unanimous guilty verdict and wiping out the already-completed phases of this criminal proceeding, they argued. open image in gallery Trumps defense attorney Todd Blanche, right, argued that the president-elect should be entitled a broader shield of immunity after his election ( via REUTERS ) Weeks after the jurys verdict, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that granted the office of the presidency absolute immunity for actions tied to official duties, and presumptive immunity for actions within the outer perimeter of the office. Trumps attorneys argued his overwhelming victory and his status as a soon-to-be sitting president entitles him to a broader shield of immunity, and that the continued criminal proceedings pose a constitutionally unacceptable risk of diversion from his upcoming presidency. Further delays in his sentencing, and the potential for the case to be frozen for four years or tossed altogether, mean that Trump is expected to enter office having avoided any consequences for the allegations and convictions against him. Special counsel Jack Smith has effectively closed the federal criminal cases against the former president, for now, and an appeals court in Georgia has postponed arguments related to his election interference case in Fulton County. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy With 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. 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump is suing the Des Moines Register, its top pollster J. Ann Selzer, her firm, and the newspapers parent group Gannett, alleging news coverage of Selzers poll showing Kamala Harris with a surprising lead was used to fraudulently boost his rival in the final days of the 2024 election. The lawsuit accuses the newspaper of brazen election interference and violations of consumer protections his latest line of attack against media outlets he disagrees with as he prepares to wage war against a critical press when he returns to the White House. His lawsuit was filed in Iowas Polk County late Monday, days after ABC reached a $15 settlement with the president-elect in his defamation case against the network and its star anchor George Stephanopoulos. The settlement marked a rare lawsuit victory for the former president, who has previously unsuccessfully sued The New York Times and CNN, and is currently trying to claim $10 billion in damages from CBS. open image in gallery Donald Trump has sued an Iowa newspaper and pollster J. Ann Selzer over results showing his rival Kamala Harris with a significant lead days before Election Day ( Getty Images ) Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump also repeatedly threatened to revoke network broadcasting licenses for airing critical coverage, and he called on Congress to kill bipartisan legislation to safeguard press freedom. His Iowa lawsuit, first reported by Fox News Digital, invokes the states Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deception when advertising or selling merchandise. Selzers poll anticipated Harris leading Trump by three points in the state. He eventually won Iowa by 13 points, reflecting a 16-point error in Selzers poll, which in previous elections was considered a gold standard. The lawsuit, without any evidence, accuses Selzer and the Des Moines Register of creating a false narrative of inevitability for Trumps Democratic opponent to boost her chances of winning. Instead, the November 5 Election was a monumental victory for President Trump in both the Electoral College and the Popular Vote, an overwhelming mandate for his America First principles, and the consignment of the radical socialist agenda to the dustbin of history, Trumps attorneys wrote. Sezlers poll in deep-red Iowa was not reality, it was election-interfering fiction, they added. open image in gallery Trumps latest lawsuit against a news outlet comes on the heels of a $15 million settlement in a defamation case against ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos ( AFP via Getty Images ) In the weeks after Election Day, Selzer announced her retirement to other ventures and opportunities. Trumps attorneys claimed she retired in disgrace from polling less than two weeks after this embarrassing rout. Left-wing pollsters have attempted to influence electoral outcomes through manipulated polls that have unacceptable error rates and are not grounded in widely accepted polling methodologies, they added. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Des Moines Register spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said in a statement. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit, she added. Election law expert Rick Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, said he does not expect the lawsuit to go anywhere. Trump, however, is heading back to the White House embroiled in several lawsuits and legal threats against a free press. Days before Election Day, Trump sued CBS News for $10 billion, alleging that the network deceptively edited an interview with Harris to unlawfully influence the election. His attorneys also made legal threats to The Daily Beast, The New York Times and Penguin Random House, and his campaign filed a six-page complaint to the Federal Election Commission alleging that The Washington Post made illegal in-kind contributions to Harriss campaign by promoting stories about the vice president. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The son-in-law of a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader was sentenced Tuesday to two and a half years in prison for his role in a vast conspiracy to siphon $1.2 billion from the state-owned oil company, some of which allegedly landed into accounts controlled by President Nicolas Maduro s stepsons. Fernando Vuteff, 53, was arrested on a U.S. warrant in 2022 in Switzerland while on a visit to retrieve a valuable watch from a safe deposit box held at a bank in Zurich. The Argentine asset manager is the son-in-law of former Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, a fierce Maduro opponent. He was charged in Miami federal court with laundering bribes and illicit proceeds from a fake foreign currency exchange scheme involving senior Venezuelan officials. Vuteff, in a November deposition to Swiss prosecutors, described feeling panicked when he learned that three sons of Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores from a previous relationship were behind financial accounts held in the name of four Scotland-registered shell companies he helped set up. The discovery came after a 2015 meeting he arranged for an associate in Malta at which Los Chamos Venezuelan slang for the kids showed up unexpectedly. We had to close the accounts. But it was very difficult to close these accounts because each account had over $100 million in it. Who would accept that amount of money so quickly?, Vuteff told the Swiss prosecutors in Miami, explaining how over the next two years he was pressured to gradually transfer the money out of the accounts. This pressure included threats because of the political position these people had, he said, referring to Maduros stepsons. They werent normal people. A transcript of the deposition was provided to The Associated Press by someone familiar with the investigation on the condition of anonymity since the Swiss investigation is ongoing. Corruption is rampant in Venezuela the country trails only Somalia in a widely cited ranking of 180 countries for perceived levels of graft and U.S. prosecutors have uncovered billions in fraud and bribes connected to top officials in recent years. But the prosecutorial pressure, which includes indictments for drug trafficking against Maduro and several aides, has done little to loosen the self-described socialist leaders grip on power. Maduro is set to be sworn in Jan. 10 for a third six-year term after claiming victory in this summers presidential election despite widespread evidence his opponent won by a two-to-one margin. Meanwhile, the once abundant Venezuela caseload has dried, as several key prosecutors in Miami have resigned, the Justice Department has turned its attention to national security probes in China and Russia, and the Biden administration has dangled sanctions relief in a so far futile effort to entice Maduro into changing course. Vuteffs is one of the highest profile defendants to have been arrested as part of Operation Money Flight, a multi-year investigation led by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations targeting corruption inside Venezuelas oil industry. Several others remain fugitives including Vuteffs former boss, Ralph Steinmann, in a Swiss firm and one of their former clients, Raul Gorrin, a billionaire media tycoon charged in October with ginning up a currency-exchange scheme using fake loan agreements to embezzle more than $1 billion from state-run oil company PDVSA at a time of collapsing crude production. Gorrin was previously charged in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a separate bribery case in which he is alleged to have paid bribes including yachts, private jets and champion show-jumping horses to two former Venezuelan National Treasurers. Now a convicted money launderer for billionaires, Vuteff came from humble beginnings, working from the age of 12 in a laundromat his family owned below the small apartment where they lived in rural Argentina. Defense attorney Brian Bieber said Vuteff felt deep remorse for his mistakes, actively cooperated with the governments investigation and had already paid dearly for his crimes by being unable to be at his parents bedsides when they died due to travel restrictions. I know the decision in the past were wrong and I am not trying to find excuses to justify them," Vuteff, holding back tears, told Judge Darrin Gayles at Tuesday's sentencing. Prosecutors led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham had sought a sentence of 41 months. I know I can never undo the harm I have caused. But I can promise you that I have used this experience in my life to change, Vuteff added. My only wish is to redeem myself." Twenty nine childhood friends, business associates and relatives of his Venezuelan wife also wrote letters to the court seeking leniency. Conspicuously absent was any letter from Vuteffs father-in-law, Ledezma, who led massive protests against the government before being arrested in 2015 on allegations he was plotting a coup. Ledezma fled house arrest in 2017 and took up residency in Spain, where Vuteff was living prior to his arrest. I have learned to love Fernando like a son, Ledezma's wife, Victoria Capriles, told Judge Gayles at Tuesday's sentencing. He has earned my trust, our affection. As part of his plea agreement earlier this year, Vuteff agreed to forfeit over $4 million in unlawfully obtained assets, including real estate in Miami, Spain and Paraguay. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Twelve people, including 11 Indian nationals, have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort in Georgia, police have said. The incident happened on the second floor of an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, where the victimsall employees of the establishmentwere discovered with no visible signs of injury or violence, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs police statement. Preliminary investigations suggest a generator was turned on in an indoor area, closed space near the bedrooms after a probable power outage, leading to a fatal accumulation of carbon monoxide in the enclosed space. Police have launched an investigation for negligent manslaughter while forensic teams conduct examinations and interviews with individuals connected to the case, to confirm the cause of death. The identities of the victims have not yet been released. The Indian Embassy in Tbilisi stated that it was committed to providing all possible support to the bereaved families and was attempting to return the bodies of the 11 Indian nationals. Gudauri is 75 miles north of Tbilisi, in the Caucasus mountains and is Georgias largest and highest ski resort of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, approximately 2,200m (7,200ft) above sea level. Close to the border with Russia, it is becoming increasingly popular with tourists as a cheaper alternative to Europes main resorts in the Alps. More than 300,000 international travellers visited the Gudauri resort in 2023, according to a local consulting firm. Carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous because it is colourless and odourless, making it impossible to detect without the necessary equipment. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Gudauri Ski Resort was the site of a horrific chairlift rollback event in 2018, where several people were hurled backwards from an out-of-control lift, resulting in multiple casualties. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Watch from Moscow as police surrounded the scene of a bomb explosion that killed a senior Russian general on Tuesday, 17 December. Igor Kirillov was killed outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt, around 7km (4miles) southeast of the Kremlin. His assistant was also killed, a Russian investigative committee said. Photographs posted on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. Intelligence sources in Kyiv have claimed that Ukrainian security services killed Kirillov, who was chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops. His death came a day after Ukrainian prosecutors charged Kirillov with the use of banned chemical weapons in the Ukraine. Kirillov was sanctioned by Britain in October, along with the nuclear protection forces for using riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Russias cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russias malign activity, foreign secretary David Lammy had said in October. The UK had flagged the use of barbaric chemical weapons in the Ukraine battlefield while sanctioning Kirillov and said, Russian forces have openly admitted to using hazardous chemical weapons on the battlefield, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin first deployed on the battlefields of WW1. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukraine has claimed one of the boldest assassinations of a senior military officer since Russias invasion began killing a general using a bomb hidden in an electric scooter in Moscow less than 24 hours after it accused him of overseeing the use of chemical weapons against Kyivs troops. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russias nuclear, biological and chemical protection troops, was killed outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt, in southeast Moscow, when the device detonated. He is the most senior Russian military official to be killed in an assassination away from the front lines since Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine started nearly three years ago. Unverified video footage of the attack circulating on social media showed two men exiting the building to get into a car followed by a large explosion, Later images showed two bodies lying in the snow. The second man is believed to be Kirillovs assistant. Russian state news agencies reported that the device had an explosive force equivalent to 300g (0.7lb) of TNT. The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU, a source said. Another described 54-year-old Kirillov as a completely legitimate target. Russian investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the murder of two servicemen. Law enforcement sources told Russian media a terrorism case was likely to be opened. A day earlier, Ukrainian state prosecutors were reported to have charged Kirillov in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons. The SBU said it had recorded more than 4,800 cases of chemical weapons being used on the battlefield since February 2022. In May, the US State Department said that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in the First World War, against Ukrainian troops. In October, Britain imposed sanctions on Kirillov and his nuclear defence forces for using riot control agents and over multiple reports of the use of chloropicrin. Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, who took up his post in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda. The SBU has carried out numerous assassinations, mostly in occupied Ukraine, since Russias initial invasion in 2014. The most high-profile cases include the 2022 killing of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, in a car bomb attack, the murder of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in a 2023 cafe bombing, and the shooting last year of a Russian submarine commander accused of war crimes by Kyiv. John Foreman, formerly the UK military attache in Moscow from 2019 to 2022, described the incident as a monumental failure of Russias own security service, the FSB. Russian former president Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior security official and key Putin ally, told a meeting shown on state TV that Moscow would avenge what he called an act of terrorism. Law enforcement agencies must find the killers in Russia, said Mr Medvedev. Everything must be done to destroy the masterminds (of the killing) who are in Kyiv. We know who these masterminds are. They are the military and political leadership of Ukraine, he said. There was no immediate comment from President Putin. Ukraines SBU announced later on Tuesday that it had uncovered 12 agents spying for Russia on locations hosting F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems across Ukraine. It said on the Telegram messenger that it detained the biggest network of agents in Ukraines north and south. On the frontline, Ukraines military commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Moscow has intensified its attacks in the piece of Ukrainian-held territory in Russias Kursk region. For the third day, the enemy is conducting intensive assaults in the Kursk region, Gen Syrskyi said, adding that Russia was actively using North Korean troops who were taking significant losses. Ukraine has held a sliver of Kursk since a daring cross-border assault in August that caught Russian forces off guard. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A senior Russian general in charge of the countrys nuclear protection forces in Moscow was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter on Tuesday, an investigative committee said. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt, which is located around 7km (4miles) southeast of the Kremlin. His assistant also died in the blast. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and his assistant were killed, the Russian investigative committee said. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), taking the responsibility for the special operation, called Kirillov a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target. open image in gallery In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on 28 Feb 2023, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the Russian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov speaks during a briefing in Moscow, Russia ( AP ) Preliminary visuals shared on Russian Telegram channels showed a shattered entrance to a building littered with rubble and two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow. The bomb that killed the senior Russian figure weighed the equivalent of 300g of TNT, reported TASS news agency, citing law enforcement officials. Who was Igor Kirillov? A senior figure in the Kremlin, Kirillov was heading the agency of radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, known as RKhBZ. He was commanding the special forces who operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination and who are tasked with protecting ground forces operating in extreme conditions. A day before the attack, he was sentenced by Ukrainian prosecutors in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine said. On Kirillovs orders, since the beginning of the full-scale war, more than 4,800 cases of enemy use of chemical munitions have been recorded, the agency SBU claimed. open image in gallery Head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC) Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov attends a briefing at the Russian Defense Ministry's exhibition center and training ground 'Patriot' in Kubinka, Moscow region, Russia, 22 June 2018 ( EPA ) He was using the banned chemical weapons in the continuing war in Ukraine, in the southern and eastern theatres of war, Ukrainian officials said on Monday. The Russian official was sanctioned by Britain in October, along with the nuclear protection forces for using riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Russias cruel and inhumane tactics on the battlefield are abhorrent and I will use the full arsenal of powers at my disposal to combat Russias malign activity, foreign secretary David Lammy had said in October. The UK had flagged the use of barbaric chemical weapons in the Ukraine battlefield while sanctioning Kirillov and said, Russian forces have openly admitted to using hazardous chemical weapons on the battlefield, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin first deployed on the battlefields of WW1. open image in gallery A view of the blast scene, which killed the commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, and his deputy, according to the Russian Investigative Committee, outside a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow on 17 December 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Igor Kirillov was responsible for helping deploy these barbaric weapons, the FCDO had said. Kirillov has also been a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russias shameful and dangerous behaviour, the office said. The UK will not sit idly by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention, Mr Lammy had added. Various press releases and statements from Russia show Kirillov was also handling Russias takeover of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant within days of the invasion. Recommended The one battle President Zelensky looks set to win The Kremlin has not issued a statement on his death and there was no immediate comment on his murder from Ukraine either. Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out a string of targeted assassinations on its soil since the start of Moscows full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukraines military intelligence has said it is behind the killing of a senior Russian general in Moscow - the latest in a string of assassinations claimed by Kyivs security forces. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of nuclear, chemical and biological protection of Russian troops, was killed outside an apartment building in Moscow along with his assistant, when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, according to Russias Investigative Committee. Sources say the Ukrainian security service, known as the SBU, was responsible. The killing came just a day after the SBU officially accused Kirillov of war crimes and issued a warrant in absentia for him over alleged use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline. The intelligence network, which often draws comparisons to Israels prized Mossad spy agency, has reportedly carried out dozens of assassinations, though they are never officially claimed. The killing of Kirillov, however, amounts to its most high-profile attack. His murder is likely to prompt the Russian authorities to review security protocols for the armys top brass and to find a way to avenge his killing. Below, The Independent looks at the SBUs alleged assassinations over the years. Valery Trankovsky - November 2024 On 13 November, this year, Valery Trankovsky, the chief of staff of the 41st Missile Brigade of the Russian navys Black Sea fleet, was sitting in his car in the Crimean port city of Sevastopol when a bomb attached to the bottom of the car detonated beneath him. open image in gallery The wake of a car bombing that killed Russian Navy officer Valery Trankovsky in Sevastopol ( Crimean press ) The mans legs were reportedly blown off and he later died from blood loss. A source in Ukraines security services told a Ukrainian outlet that they were responsible for the attack. The official said Trankovsky was a war criminal who had ordered missile strikes from the Black Sea at civilian targets in Ukraine. Vladlen Tatarsky - April 2023 On the evening of 2 April, 2023, Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky - real name Maxim Fomin - walked into a cafe in St Petersburg to deliver a talk to a 100-member audience. The Ukraine-born blogger, a hardline supporter of the invasion of Ukraine, was among the most followed military commentators on the messenger platform Telegram. He was also part of the pro-Kremlin forces that invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014 after being jailed for robbing a bank, as well as having close ties to the Wagner group, a mercenary outfit that was fighting in Ukraine at the time. open image in gallery ( AP ) As he began speaking, a bust made in his image exploded, killing him immediately and wounding more than two dozen others. Darya Trepova, a 26-year-old woman from St Petersburg, who gave Tatarsky the statuette, later claimed to be following instructions from a man in Ukraine. In January this year, Trepova was jailed for 27 years. She faced terrorism, explosives trafficking and document forgery charges, admitted guilt only to the latter. SBU senior officer Lt Gen Vasyl Malyuk told a Ukrainian national broadcaster almost a year after the killing, that operatives had duped an intermediary, a young woman, into handing the statuette to Tatarsky. He said the Tatarsky was targeted for his military service fighting against Ukraine and his calls for the elimination of Ukrainians. Stanislav Rzhitsky - July 2023 In the early hours of 10 July 2023, Russian ex-submarine officer Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42 began his morning run in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar. It was a familiar route, one he regularly published on the running app Strava. The officer was suspected of involvement in a submarine-launched cruise missile strike in July 2022 that killed at least 23 people, including a four-year-old girl in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. As he ran through a deserted city park at around six in the morning, someone suddenly appeared and fired seven shots at him. These details were shared by Ukraines GUR military intelligence agency, though they did not claim responsibility or elaborate on how they acquired the details. Darya Dugina - August 2022 On a late August weekend in Moscow, a car carrying a Russian state journalist, who was the daughter of an ultranationalist commentator, blew up. Darya Dugina, daughter of Alexander Dugin, who is thought to have inspired Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine in 2014, was immediately killed. Her father was nearby. It was alleged that they had switched cars unexpectedly. Ukraine denies involvement in this attack, though US officials have previously said they believe Kyiv to be responsible. Who else? Lt Gen Vasyl Malyuk claimed in his interview that they had conducted very many assassinations. He said they prioritised pro-Russian conspirators and war criminals. But he was quick to add that they would never confirm attacks. He only suggested involvement in the Tatarsky killing. Understanding how many people the SBU have targeted is, therefore, impossible. Earlier this month, Ukrainian sources claimed that the military intelligence agency (HUR) had killed Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian expert involved in modernising missiles launched against Ukraine. The scientist was shot dead near Moscow and a body was found in a forest. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A prominent Russian opposition politician freed as part of the largest East-West civilian prisoner swap since the Cold War said Tuesday that fears of his mother's poisoning in Berlin have proven false. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-U.K. citizen and one of the leading Russian opposition figures, said that the worries that his mother could have been poisoned or suffered a heart attack haven't been corroborated. He added that she remains in a Berlin hospital where she continues to undergo examination. My mom is indeed in a hospital in Berlin, but suspicions of poisoning or a heart attack haven't been confirmed, thank God, he said on the messaging app Telegram. Kara-Murza was arrested in 2022 after criticizing the war in Ukraine that had begun weeks earlier. He was convicted in 2023 of treason and other charges, and sentenced to 25 years in prison in a case he called politically motivated. He fell ill in 2015 and 2017 from two near-fatal poisonings he blamed on the Kremlin. Kara-Murza was among 16 prisoners that Russia and its ally Belarus released in an August swap Americans, Germans and Russian dissidents, most of whom were imprisoned on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Those freed in the historic exchange included journalists Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. Moscow in return got eight Russians jailed in the West for spying, hacking computers and even a brazen daylight murder. The deal took a long time to negotiate, and officials were discussing a possible swap that would involve Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny just before his sudden and unexplained death in an Arctic penal colony in February. Navalny's family and his allies blamed his death on the Kremlin, accusations it has rejected. Navalny had been jailed since January 2021, when he returned to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning he blamed on the Kremlin. The Kremlin vehemently denied it was behind the poisoning. Last month, Kara-Murza, who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize this year, was among opposition figures who organized a march of at least 1,000 people in central Berlin who rallied against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine. German police said earlier Tuesday that a German-Russian woman was taken to an isolation ward at the German capital's Charite hospital after informing medical staff that she suspected she had been poisoned. Police, which didn't identify the woman, said the woman was taken to the ward at Charite after voicing her suspicion to staff at a clinic. They said that blood tests for all kinds of poisonous substances were being conducted. They said they were investigating a possible attempted killing, and that all necessary measures were being taken to find any possible suspects. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would also see Israeli hostages freed is believed to be close, with Israel and Hamas having expressed optimism that an agreement can be reached after months of deadlock. The Independent understands that the truce would be an initial 60 days, without a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas has consistently called for all Israeli troops to leave Gaza. Israeli forces would likely pull out of city centres in Gaza and the coastal road. It would come after extended intense negotiations to try to end the 14-month war. Sources briefed on meetings related to the ceasefire, speaking to Reuters, said Mr Netanyahu was expected to travel to Cairo and that a truce deal could be agreed in the coming days. Late on Tuesday, a statement from Mr Netanyahus office said the Israeli prime minister had a meeting with senior military and security officials on Mount Hermon, a strategic plateau just inside Syria. Israeli forces crossed over into the demilitarised zone of Syrias Golan Heights within hours of the collapse of the Assad regime earlier this month. Mr Netanyahu issued a statement saying his troops would remain in the buffer zone for the foreseeable future, until another arrangement is found that ensures Israels security. Mount Hermon is about 10km inside Syria-held territory it is believed to be the first time a sitting Israeli leader has set foot that far into Syria. Two Egyptian security sources told Reuters that a meeting was underway in Cairo to work through the remaining points of a Gaza ceasefire, chief among them a Hamas demand for guarantees that any immediate deal would lead to a comprehensive agreement later. The Egyptian sources said they were making progress and felt that Tuesday night could be decisive in setting the next steps. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by an attack inside Israel by Hamas on 7 October last year, during which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, and another 251 people were taken hostage. Israels retaliatory war from land and air, alongside a blockade, has killed 45,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children, according to health authorities inside the besieged territory. Around 90 per cent of Gazas 2.3 million residents have been forced from their homes. Both sides have expressed optimism over an agreement that would bring a phased release of the surviving hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. About 60 living hostages, mainly Israelis, are believed to be still in captivity in Gaza as well as the bodies of 35 others. The US has also said that a deal is getting closer, White House national security communications adviser John Kirby told Fox News. We believe and the Israelis have said this that were getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism, Mr Kirby said. Weve been in this position before where we werent able to get it over the finish line. He did not respond when asked if Mr Netanyahu would travel to Cairo to take part in the talks. The US, Qatar and Egypt, who are leading mediation efforts, have in recent weeks described a greater willingness by both sides to wrap up a deal. Hamas officials said they were prepared to show more flexibility on the timing of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which was viewed as a key concession, the AP news agency reported. open image in gallery Palestinians stand and wait for food at a distribution centre in Gaza ( AFP/Getty ) In a statement on Tuesday, Hamas said a ceasefire and hostages deal was possible if Israel stops setting new conditions and that talks were serious and positive. A senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations earlier told the BBC that talks had reached a decisive and final phase. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has also said that an agreement is closer than ever. According to his spokesperson, Mr Katz told members of the Israeli parliaments foreign affairs committee on Monday: We have not been this close to an agreement on the hostages since the previous deal, referring to an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel in November 2023. He has since written on X: My position on Gaza is clear. After we defeat Hamass military and governmental power in Gaza, Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action, comparing this to the situation in the occupied West Bank. We will not allow any terrorist activity against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from Gaza. We will not allow a return to the reality of before 7 October. The Palestinian official told the BBC a three-phase plan would see civilians and women soldiers still held hostage in Gaza released in the first 45 days. According to previous claims by Egyptian and Hamas officials, the agreement would also include a surge in aid. The outgoing Biden administration in the US and the incoming administration of Donald Trump have both signalled they wanted a deal complete before the inauguration on 20 January. On the ground in Gaza, huge Israeli airstrikes killed extended families in homes in two parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, while tanks in the south pushed towards the Mediterranean coast, forcing displaced families to take flight again. Medics inside Gaza said at least 10 people were confirmed killed in an airstrike on a house in the Daraj suburb of Gaza City that destroyed the building and damaged nearby houses. Further north, in the town of Beit Lahiya which has been under Israeli siege since early October, at least 15 people were believed to be dead or missing under the rubble of a house hit by an airstrike around dawn, said medics. Rescuers were unable to reach the site to confirm the toll. At least 10 other Palestinians were killed in separate strikes elsewhere in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, medics said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the reports of airstrikes. Israel says it targets Hamas and other militants and blames any harm to civilians on Hamas for operating among them. Hamas denies this. Reuters contributed to this report For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The family of a British teenager convicted in Dubai for having sex with a 17-year-old girl while on holiday has accused the foreign secretary of an outrageous refusal to help them. Marcus Fakana, 18, was sentenced to a year in prison for having sex with the teenager from London while he was on holiday with his parents in Dubai in August. The girl who he met while staying at the same hotel was one month short of her 18th birthday, but sex with anyone under 18 is an offence in the Gulf state. Mr Lammy said Britons should follow the rules in other countries and insisted the Foreign Office was unable to interfere in the judicial systems of other nations. But campaign group Detained in Dubai, which represents Mr Fakanas family, has accused Mr Lammy of wanting to avoid difficult conversations with the UAE. open image in gallery Foreign secretary David Lammy has been accused of refusing to help the family of his constituent Marcus Fakana, who faces a year in jail in Dubai ( PA Wire ) Chief executive Radha Stirling said: If Marcus Fakana spends a single day in prison, its on David Lammy. If Marcus were from any other area in the UK, his MP would have lobbied Lammy to enter diplomatic conversations. Its outrageous to remove himself from the case. He clearly did not want to help or have those conversations with the Dubai government. He is absolutely fine to see a young British tourist jailed for relations with someone who was one month away from being 18, simply saying you should follow the law. Mr Fakanas family previously issued a plea directly to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to spare him a prison term over the sexual encounter, which would be legal in the UK. In a statement, Ms Stirling said: He was desperately hoping to come home this week but prosecutorial mishandling in the first stages of the case meant it wasnt heard as a misdemeanour when it should have been. open image in gallery His family previously issued a plea directly to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to spare Mr Fakana (PA) ( PA Archive ) Calling on a boycott of the nation, she added: I urge young people and parents to reconsider holidays in Dubai where so many people find themselves at risk of unfair and lengthy detention in prisons notorious for human rights abuses and torture. Holidaymakers should book elsewhere until Marcus is free. There is so much public support for Marcus. They want to see him home and a year in prison is not only unreasonable, its an utter disgrace. Mr Fakana claims he was unaware the girl, who is also from London and has since turned 18, was months younger than him when they first met. Under UAE law, the girl is legally classified as a minor and her mother, being the legal guardian, filed the complaint. The Foreign Office has been contacted for comment by The Independent. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy France has raised its flag at its Damascus embassy for the first time in 12 years and European Union officials prepared to engage with the new Syrian leadership, a sign of the growing contacts after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president on 8 December. Western states are gradually opening channels to the new authorities in Damascus led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who previously used the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, though they continue to designate the group as terrorists thanks to its past links to al-Qaeda. As well as France and Britain, which sent a team to meet Sharaa on Monday, Germany is also planning meetings with the new administration and the EU said on Tuesday it will also establish contacts. Nine days after Assad was ousted, the new prime minister installed by Sharaas HTS group said the government was grappling with very low currency reserves and called for sanctions imposed on the ousted government to be lifted. Mr Sharaas group was part of al-Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to a northwest corner of Syria for years until this month when Assads troops melted away as it swept into Damascus. France said the raising of its flag did not automatically mean it would reopen its embassy. During his meeting with British officials, Sharaa called for countries to restore ties and lift sanctions on Syria to help refugees return home, according to Syrias state news agency Sana. Sana released photos of Sharaa sitting in a suit with an open shirt during the meeting with the British. Sharaa spoke about the need to build a state of law and institutions, and establishing security, Sana reported. He also spoke about Britains important role internationally. open image in gallery The French national flag is raised at the French embassy in Damascus ( Reuters ) Assads fall, a blow to Syrias longstanding Russian and Iranian allies, could potentially open the way for Western states to reopen contacts with Damascus. But for now at least, that requires manoeuvring around both the terrorism designation imposed on HTS and financial sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad. German diplomats are also planning talks with representatives of HTS in Damascus on Tuesday, the German foreign ministry said. A German foreign ministry spokesperson said the talks would focus on a transitional process for Syria and the protection of minorities. The possibilities of a diplomatic presence in Damascus are also being explored there, the spokesperson added in a statement, reiterating that Berlin was monitoring HTS closely in light of its roots in al-Qaeda ideology. As far as one can tell, they have acted prudently so far, the spokesperson said. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country was the biggest backer of rebels during the civil war, said an inclusive administration was now needed in Damascus and called on the EU to support the return of refugees. In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher, Syrias new prime minister Mohammed al-Bashir said the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assads army. Sharaa has also said that the Syrian rebel groups that gathered to oust Assad will disband their military wings and form an army as they seek to take civilian control of the country. It is also partly a strategic move to try and ease restrictions on HTS and Syria itself. The country has many ethnic and sectarian minority groups, some of whom worry about how they might be treated under the rule of groups such as HTS which has roots in Sunni Islamist militancy. Asked what he would say to those worried about a single religious or political group dominating Syria, Bashir said: Those who are afraid... of a religion trend or anything else dont truly understand Islam, the forgiveness of Islam, the justice of Islam. open image in gallery HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa addresses a crowd at Damascus's landmark Umayyad Mosque on 8 December ( AFP/Getty ) Syria is for all Syrians, he said. Everyone is a partner for us building the Syria of the future. Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated government in Idlib province, has said he will remain in office until March. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday the EU should be ready to ease sanctions on Syria if the countrys new leadership takes positive steps to establish an inclusive government and respect womens and minority rights. UN humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher said he had also met Sharaa, posting on social media: We have basis for ambitious scaling up of vital humanitarian support [for Syria]. The Syrian civil war which spiralled out of a 2011 uprising against Assads repressive rule, drove millions of Syrians abroad as refugees, including around a million who went to Germany. Reuters Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy After amassing more than 170 million users in the country in less than seven years, TikTok has stopped working in the United States and disappeared from app stores. TikTok stopped working in the United States late on Saturday and disappeared from Apple and Google app stores ahead of a law that takes effect on Sunday requiring the shutdown of the platform. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would most likely give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from the ban after he takes office on Monday, a promise TikTok cited in a notice posted to users on the app. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you cant use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned, the message notified users trying to use the app late on Saturday night. The US is not the first major market for TikTok to cut off the video-sharing app. In 2020, India issued a complete ban of the app that cut off around 200 million users. The Indian government cited privacy issues with the app, claiming that alleged ties between ByteDance and the Chinese government posed a threat to Indias sovereignty and security. Other countries and areas, including the European Union, have put partial bans in place, which prevent government workers and military personnel from installing the app on their devices. Various federal and state TikTok bans are already in place in the US, with lawmakers citing national security concerns. These fears have done little to stem TikToks growth in the US. The app has proved to be one of the most popular both in America and globally last year with 52 million downloads in the US and 733 million worldwide despite more than 3 billion people around the world being blocked from downloading it. This has helped bring the total number of TikTok users around the world to above 2 billion, with only Indias ban nearly three years ago slightly slowing its growth and only temporarily. A survey poll from the Pew Research Center last year found TikTok to be the fastest-growing platform in the US, as users beyond the social media apps typically young demographic began to adopt it. US adults who have TikTok accounts are increasingly using the app as a source of news, with roughly a third of people aged 18-29 regularly using it to consume news in 2023. The FBI claims that Chinese state ties to parent company ByteDance could allow the app to manipulate content in order to spread harmful propaganda. Fears around national security have been countered with questions about censorship, with the Electronic Frontier Foundation describing the prospect of a ban as a seed of genuine security concern wrapped in a thick layer of censorship. The US digital liberties group has called on people to resist a governmental power to ban a popular means of communication and expression. In its filing with the Supreme Court on Monday, TikTok alleged that banning the app would shutter one of the most popular speech platforms at a highly political moment. The act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration, TikTok wrote. 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. Under the law passed last year and upheld on Friday by a unanimous Supreme Court, the platform had until Sunday to cut ties with its China-based parent or shut down its U.S. operation to resolve concerns it poses a threat to national security. Bidens White House reiterated on Saturday that it was up to the incoming administration to take action. The United States has never banned a major social media platform. The law passed overwhelmingly by Congress gives the incoming Trump administration sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps. Other apps owned by ByteDance, including video editing app CapCut and lifestyle social app Lemon8, were also offline and unavailable in U.S. app stores as of late Saturday. A journalist claimed his phone was hacked while on a trip to China with former prime minister Theresa May. LBC journalist Tom Swarbrick spoke about his trip to China during a special phone-in on his radio show on Monday (16 December). The revelation came after the identity of an alleged Chinese spy who became a close confidant of Prince Andrew was revealed. Swarbrick said: As we landed in Beijing, we were given burner phones. We were told This phone is fully charged. When you arrive at Beijing airport, your phone will go from 100 percent to 50 percent battery thats how you know youve been hacked. We walked off plane, got in car and the battery was at 50 percent. Of course, the Chinese are spying on us. Sir Keir Starmer has said Western allies must double down support for Ukraine, as the war enters its third winter since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Speaking in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, at a meeting on military investment, Starmer noted what little regard Russian leaders have shown for human life. Starmer noted that Russia remains able to backfill its military capability in ways that Kyivs forces cannot without western aid. Back in September, the BBC reported that more than 70,000 people in the Russian military had already died fighting in Ukraine. A defence expert has warned of major Russian retaliation after a senior Russian general in charge of nuclear protection forces died in Moscow on Tuesday (17 December). Igor Kirillov was killed outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt. His assistant was also killed, a Russian investigative committee said. Ukrainian prosecutors had charged Kirillov with the use of banned chemical weapons in the Ukraine war the day before he died. Tobias Ellwood, an army reservist and former defence minister, told Sky News on Tuesday: "This will be an embarrassment for Putin. He cannot hide this from the Russian people. "I would expect a major retaliation on the Russian side." Donald Trump has claimed the government knows more than it is telling the public about the mystery drones spotted flying over New Jersey. Speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday (16 December), the president-elect questioned why the Biden administration is keeping the public in suspense. Trump claimed: Look, our military knows where they took off from. When asked if he had received an intelligence briefing on the drones, Trump declined to answer. Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense, Trump said. The president-elect added: Something strange is going on. For some reason they dont want to tell the people. As Sarajevo in 1914 showed, assassinations can trigger wars. But does the targeted killing of senior opponents ever bring a running conflict closer to its end? In the past week, Ukrainian agents have killed a key Russian missile designer, Mikhail Shatsky, as well as Vladimir Putins chemical weapons chief, lieutenant general Igor Kirillov. The former was eliminated on the edge of Moscow; the latter was targeted in the residential heart of the capital itself, using a device hidden in a parked scooter that was detonated remotely. The Russian army may be grinding forward in eastern Ukraine but, far from the frontlines, Ukraine is keen to show it is a menace to Putins ambitions. Ukraine drone operators, for instance, played a key role in toppling Bashar al-Assad, Putins ally in Syria. Assassination, as the deeply held conventional wisdom has it, is a weapon of the weak. But it also has symbolic value especially when it strikes at an apparently super strongman. In 1942, British intelligence parachuted Czech and Slovak agents into their Nazi-occupied homeland to kill Reinhard Heydrich a key architect of the final solution and the sophisticated manager that earned him the nickname the Butcher of Prague to maximise arms outputs for Adolf Hitlers war effort. Killing Heydrich was a severe blow to the Nazi leaders arrogant sense of impunity. But it did not stop the machinery of mass murder rolling for a single minute and led to ferocious reprisals. Taking out a man near the pinnacle of power might force a policy rethink, but even senior officials are replaceable. However, showing that such senior officers are personally vulnerable can be a blow to a regimes prestige with an even greater effect on enemy morale. The fact that Russian spokespeople have blamed the Anglo-Saxons for Lieutenant General Kirillovs assassination, outside an apartment building in the Russian capital, is a sign that the Kremlin does not want to let Ukraine take full credit for his killing. Much better to blame James Bond than accept that the despised Ukrainian enemy can strike in Moscow itself. Ukraines ability to locate key Russian targets and strike them on Putins own doorstep shows it has a network of agents able to operate within Russia. For the president, a former head of Russias internal security service, the FSB, this is a severe blow to his personal prestige. So long as his war against Ukraine took place somewhere over there, away from everyday life, domestic public support has appeared strong. Most of the Russian casualties in Putins war have come from more remote, rural regions than the capital itself. But the Ukrainian boast that their military intelligence, GUR, is better at taking out opponents than Russias GRU hurts Kremlin pride. The ruthlessness of this Russo-Ukrainian war has been getting worse of late, but it is the imminence of the change of presidents in the United States that has made matters acute. Donald Trump wants to be seen as the global arbiter in the run-up to his inauguration. Putin had hoped to shape the battlefield to his advantage before Trump was back in the White House. Volodymyr Zelensky wants to remind the world that Ukraine is fighting back. The cruel irony is that, if peace talks are on the horizon, the violence is likely to soar. Both the Kremlin and Kyiv are manoeuvring into positions of greatest strength before entering Trump-sponsored talks. Before the signing of a peace deal at Camp David, we can expect a cruel mix of Russian bludgeoning and Ukrainian targeted killings. What could go wrong? Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute, Oxford Irish exports to the US have surged 30pc in the past year, copper-fastening its status as our biggest market outside of the EU but also highlighting the vulnerability to a potential tariff regime when Donald Trump resumes power next month. The latest data from the Central Statistics Office shows a stark balance of trade with the US that is heavily in Irelands favour. Businesses here, including US multinationals, shipped goods worth 59.3bn to the US between the start of the year and the end of October. Those goods are overwhelmingly high-value medicines and pharmaceuticals, classed simply as chemicals and related products in the official statistics. Ireland imports much less from the US, paying 19bn for American-made goods in the same period including just under 10bn for equipment, cars and trucks, as well as 5bn for chemicals which likely include ingredients used to make some of the products then sold back to the US. Historically, US multinationals based here serve their European customers, but over the past 15 years that has shifted and big pharmaceutical companies in particular have been exporting goods from Ireland back to the US. The most recent numbers show that in October this year medical and pharmaceutical products made up half of the value of goods exports. The US now represents our largest export market outside of the EU. In October alone exports to the US were worth 6.8bn versus 9bn to the rest of the EU. Sales of goods to the UK were worth just under 1.9bn in the same period. While booming US exports are good for the Irish economy they are threatened by Donald Trumps electoral pledge to impose tariffs on imports into the US and promises to shift manufacturing jobs back to the country. A tariff on goods made here would push up the prices paid by US consumers, making products less attractive. During his election campaign Trump said he would increase US tariffs to 60pc on imports from China and by 10pc to 20pc on imports from the EU and other trading partners. Irelands positive balance of trade with the US has been flagged by allies of the incoming president as a concern. The long-time CEO of Wall Street broker Cantor Fitzgerald, Howard Lutnick, who is nominated to for the senior trade role of commerce secretary in the new White House, posted on X in October: It is nonsense that Ireland of all places runs a trade surplus at our expense. Carol Lynch, a partner at BDO Customs & International Trade Services, says Irish exporters need to prepare for uncertainty in the new year, including looking at alternative markets. Irish companies should continue to monitor the position in the US and the potential for the introduction of additional tariffs in 2025. This should become clearer in January after the presidential inauguration. In addition, it would be worth exploring the potential for export diversion to the Mercosur market following political agreement earlier this month, she said. The CSO data shows that exports to Britain have fallen by 10pc over the first 10 months of 2024, while exports to the US have grown by 30pc in the same period. Traditional agricultural products including live animals account for the biggest share of sales to the UK, thats particularly important to domestically owned business and rural areas. Builder Lioncor is to shortly lodge plans for a 284-unit large-scale residential development (LRD) on lands at Terenure College in Dublin. The plans come almost two years after An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission to Lioncor for a build-to-rent 364-unit scheme on former playing pitches at Terenure College. The scheme that got the thumbs down from planners at An Bord Pleanala rose to seven storeys. At the time, the Carmelite Order which runs Terenure College and owns the substantial landbank at the establishment had stated that the development would help secure the future viability of the college. Now, 1 Cellbridge West Land Ltd, a Lioncor subsidiary, is proposing a scaled-down plan, omitting 80 units from the original scheme. The new LRD for a site at Fortfield Road, Terenure, comes with a much lower density than the 2022 scheme, and is designed as a build-to-sell scheme rather than build-to-rent, in order to meet the needs within the Dublin 6 area facilitating downsizers who wish to remain in the locality, as well as providing new housing stock. The published statutory planning notice for the application to be lodged with Dublin City Council says the new plans will comprise 265 apartments and 19 four-bed houses. The apartments to be located in four apartment blocks comprise 117 one-bed apartments, 129 two-bed apartments, nine three-bed apartments and 10 studios, along with a creche. The notice says that Block A will rise to four storeys and provide 61 units, Block B will rise to five storeys and provide 65 units, Block C will rise to five storeys and provide 74 units, and Block D will rise to six storeys and provide 64 units. The scheme will also provide 165 car spaces and 633 cycle spaces. In February 2023, An Bord Pleanala refused planning permission for the 364-unit scheme on a number of grounds. The appeals board found that the proposed development would involve the construction of housing on lands partially in flood risk zone B, and the proposed location on residential development within the flood risk zone would be contrary to the Dublin City Development Plan. In a third ground of refusal, the board found that the proposal exceeded the recommended density for outer suburbs in the Dublin City Development Plan. Kildare-based businessman Paul Wright who has been accused of misappropriating client money to hire private jets and buy a house for his son has asked a Florida court to dismiss the case against him there because it is the incorrect jurisdiction for proceedings that are being taken by a former business associate. Mr Wright, a UK national who lives at Carton Demesne, in Maynooth, Co Kildare, has been sued in West Palm Beach by a Florida firm called TMCT, which is owed by a woman named Cherish Thompson. Her firm has also sued two of Mr Wrights Dublin-based companies, Eterna Private Clients Europe and Wright Private Office. The complaint should be dismissed because this court lacks personal jurisdiction over all defendants and because plaintiffs action belongs, if anywhere, in an English court, said a filing by Mr Wrights lawyers with the district court in West Palm Beach. They add that Mr Wright was previously the chief executive officer for Wright Family Office (WFO), a company that was registered in England and Wales and is in the process of insolvency. They claim that in late 2020, prior to the start of WFOs operations, Mr Wright met Ms Thompson at a networking event in Mayfair, London. After a brief introduction, Ms Thompson offered her services as a practicing solicitor in England who could assist Mr Wright as in-house counsel in the opening and management of WFO, it is alleged. Businessman Paul Wright Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 17th Beginning in late 2022 and continuing to early 2023, Mr Wright suffered from various medical conditions, it is claimed. Unbeknownst to him and without his approval, during that time, Ms Thompson took control of WFO, court filings claim. In 2023, while in Ms Thompsons care, WFO was placed into UKs insolvency department, which has assumed sole control of WFO, including all documentation, submissions of claims, and liquidation of its assets. Mr Wrights lawyers allege the action against him and his firms is nothing but a disguised breach of contract claim. Ms Thompson has alleged that Mr Wright claimed he had generated his wealth from missions with the US government and that he had a personal wealth of about $70m (67m). The lawsuit alleges Mr Wrights fraudulent activities have caused his victims to suffer losses of more than $10m. It also claims Mr Wright spends client money on an excessively lavish lifestyle that includes private jets, swanky hotels, dining at expensive restaurants, and fuelling his drugs and alcohol habit. The claims have been roundly rejected by Mr Wright and described as outlandish and unfounded allegations that are being made by an aggrieved former independent contractor. In seeking the dismissal of the case in Florida, Mr Wrights lawyers, who are also representing his firms, have told the court that the action against them has no ties to Florida and plaintiff has failed to show otherwise, relying solely on blanket allegations based only on information and belief. Forcing defendants to litigate this case in Florida when all of the relevant conduct occurred in England would not comport with standards of fair play and substantial justice, they add. The media regulator has said it plans to oppose a legal challenge taken by X, the social-media platform owned by Elon Musk, against new online safety rules. In a statement Coimisiun na Mean said it is aware that Twitter International Unlimited Company, the official name for X, has lodged a judicial review against the new Online Safety Code. This obliges video-sharing platforms to put measures in place to protect children from harmful content online, to have age-assurance measures where appropriate, to provide parental controls, and to have user-friendly reporting mechanisms. The commission said that, as Irelands regulator for online safety, it developed rules and regulations rooted in Irish and EU legislation following extensive consultation. We will engage in this litigation process and will defend the Online Safety Code and its objective of keeping people, especially children, safe online, it said. An Coimisiun will not comment any further until the legal proceedings have concluded. Twitter has accused the commission of regulatory over-reach in its approach. The company has claimed in the High Court that the code contradicts requirements for protecting and balancing fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression. The social-media platform has asked the High Court to quash the commissions decision, made in October, to adopt certain sections of the Online Safety Code. It also wants the court to overturn the decision that the code should apply to X. Twitter International secured the courts permission on Monday to have 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 judge was told Coimisiun na Mean wants an early hearing of the case, which will be mentioned again before the court next February. Twitter International is taking particular issue with a section of the code that requires video-sharing platforms to preclude users from uploading or sharing video that the code defines as restricted. This includes content that bullies or humiliates a person, or that promotes eating disorder behaviour, suicide or self-harm, or behaviour prejudicial to the safety of children. 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, however legal but harmful content is subject to access restrictions to protect children, the company says. It claims Coimisiun na Means absolute prohibition on restricted content, with no discretion afforded to the platform, 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. Twitter 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 says it is satisfied such restrictions are proportionate. European Commission suspects breaches related to Romanian election The Irish media regulator is to play a leading role in formal proceedings that the European Commission has taken against TikTok over the spread of election disinformation. The commission has announced that it suspects the Chinese social media platform, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, breached the Digital Services Act during a recent election in Romania. The act includes an obligation to assess and mitigate risks linked to election integrity. Announcing the investigation, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: We have to protect our democracies from foreign interference. If we suspect a rule violation, we act. This is especially vital during democratic elections. We have received evidence of foreign actors potentially using TikTok to influence the Romanian presidential elections. We will now carefully investigate TikToks compliance with the Digital Services Act. In the EU all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable and live up to their obligations. This is the first time the European Commission has opened an investigation that involves a national regulator from the start. Coimisiun na Mean was already looking at claims by Global Witness, a lobby group, that it managed to get electoral disinformation ads past TikTok during last months Irish general election. The international campaign did a sting operation against TikTok, submitting 28 ads half of them in the Irish language containing obvious falsehoods about voting. One said proof of two Covid vaccinations would be needed before you are allowed to vote, and another said votes could be cast on Facebook. The platform approved more than 50pc of ads submitted in Irish and more than 20pc of ads in English highlighting significant weaknesses in its moderation, Global Witness said. The failings of TikTok are particularly noteworthy as the platform bans all forms of political advertisement, not only election disinformation. The disinformation that we included should have been immediately clear to any human reviewer. TikTok approved three of the 14 disinformation ads in English for publication, and eight of the 14 in Irish. Global Witness withdrew all of them before they could be published on the popular platform. In a statement, TikTok pointed out that none of the ads had appeared, and the majority were rejected at the first stage of moderation. The focus of the latest investigation, according to the European Commission, will be TikToks recommender system, and the risks linked to the co-ordinated inauthentic manipulation or automated exploitation of the service. The commission will also look into TikToks policies on political ads and paid-for political content. On both aspects, the commission says it suspects the risks posed by particular regional and linguistic aspects may not have been properly assessed by TikTok. If the case is proven, it would mean the social media platform has infringed the Digital Services Act. This decision to open an investigation takes into account information received from declassified intelligence reports by the Romanian authorities, as well as third-party reports, the commission said. The investigation also follows the analysis of the risk assessment reports submitted by TikTok in 2023 and 2024, the replies to the commissions requests for information, and internal documents provided by TikTok. Coimisiun na Mean is the digital services co-ordinator for Ireland, and the commission said it has been associated to the investigationand will contribute with its expertise and analysis to the case. This is the third investigation the commission has launched against TikTok, one of which is ongoing, with the other concluding last August after the platform made various commitments. A TikTok spokesperson said: Weve protected the integrity of our platform through over 150 elections around the world and continue proactively addressing these industry-wide challenges. TikTok has provided the European Commission with extensive information regarding these efforts, and we have transparently and publicly detailed our robust actions. We do not accept paid political advertisements. We proactively remove content for violating our policies on misinformation, harassment and hate speech, and continue to work with the European Commission as well as regional and national authorities to address requests and discuss concerns. It is understood that TokTok will tell the commission it detected and disrupted five small covert networks that were targeting the Romanian election, and published details of what it found. The company will also say it removed hundreds of thousands of fake accounts and millions of fake likes and followers, and promptly responded to content-related requests from the Romanian authorities. International auction firm Sothebys is to close its Irish office, as part of a series of cutbacks around the world following a decline in auction sales. A spokesman for the company told the Irish Independent today: We can confirm the Dublin office will be closing in a few months time. We will, however, continue to serve our Irish clients and will share more specifics in due course. The office, led by Arabella Bishop, first opened in 1978 and was operating from Molesworth Street in Dublin, alongside other auction houses such as Whytes, De Veres and Bonhams plus a number of private galleries, in what amounted to a small art quarter in the city. At the height of the Celtic Tiger boom, Sothebys staged a dedicated Irish Art Sale, at which businessmen such as Galen Weston and Michael Smurfit competed against each other and spent seven-figure sums on paintings by Louis le Brocquy, Jack B Yeats and William Orpen. At their peak, up to 8m worth of art was sold at these Irish auctions. Following the financial crash in 2008, Sothebys ended the specific sale, and included Irish artworks in more general auctions. The firm was controversially commissioned by RTE in 2019 to sell five works as the cash-strapped station desperately tried to raise money. The trade restrictions that followed Britains departure from the EU created extra expense and red tape for the London auctioneers when it came to sourcing works here for sale in London. Sothebys is now suffering internationally from a decline in auction sales, and both the New York Times and Artnet have reported the company is making big cuts globally with up to 100 staff members leaving. The auction house is said to be reviewing its entire global footprint and regional staffing, with cuts expected in offices around the world. Offices in Moscow and Bangkok have already been closed, and Sothebys has reduced its presence in New York, Shanghai and Paris. About 50 jobs went at Sothebys office in London earlier this year. The Sothebys spokesman said: We are taking a careful look at our business and staffing levels [in order] to perform well and grow going forward. The vast majority of our offices around the world will remain open. Sothebys auction house is separately owned to Sothebys International Realty, so the announcement has no impact on Lisney Sothebys International Realty, its affiliate in Ireland. The cost-cutting follows the taking of a minority stake in the company by an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, in a deal valued at $1bn. Illustrating the decline in art sales this year was last months auction by Sothebys in New York of impressionist, modern and contemporary art, one of its flagship sales of the year. It generated $533m, less than half the $1.2bn proceeds of the auction of a year earlier. This was despite a banana selling for $6.2m, including fees, at the sale. The piece of fruit was originally attached to a gallery wall with duct tape by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. Micheal Martin surveying some of the Bonar Law collection which was purchased by the State this year with Charlotte Otway-Norwood, daughter of Andrew Bonar Law. Photo: Provision The State paid 2.3m for the Andrew and Charlotte Bonar Law collection of maps earlier this year, the annual report of the National Library of Ireland reveals. Announcing the acquisition last May, the Government described it as the most complete visual record of Ireland, in map and print form, ever assembled by an expert private collector. The collection includes almost 10,000 maps, including all of the important atlases of Ireland in their various editions, and over 90pc of the listed maps and prints of Ireland ever produced. Tanaiste Micheal Martin said: This remarkable and vast array of maps, sea charts and prints of Ireland represents the best collection of its kind anywhere in the world. It is unrivalled in the holdings of any public institution, including the British Library and the Library of Congress. A special contribution was made to the National Library by the Department of Arts to facilitate the acquisition. The library has now loaned the collection to University College Cork. Born in 1933, Andrew Bonar Law is described as Irelands leading collector of maps and topographical prints, while his daughter Charlotte is also a highly experienced map dealer. The best collection of its kind anywhere in the world Donated to the National Library were the papers of the late Irish writer Val Mulkerns, who died in 2018, including drafts from her novels and short stories. The accounts show they were given a valuation of 20,000. Other significant acquisitions include an archive from OBrien Press, for which 104,987 was paid, and 162,500 for a cache of letters between Michael Collins and Susan Killeen, who is thought to have been his first girlfriend. The National Library also bought an archive of papers from the film producer Sean O Mordha, and the archive of American illustrator Margaret Anne Suggs, featuring her drawings from Kathleen Watkins Pigin of Howth book series. Notable acquisitions to the published collections included limited editions of books by John Millington Synge, dating from 1909 to 1910, printed for John Quinn, a patron of literature and the arts, the accounts say. We also acquired the La Touche family library, which includes 170 rare books from the 18th and 19th centuries, covering history, religion, geography, and literature. Kingsmill Bond generously donated this material. The accounts show that the value of donations, in both materials and cash, to the library in 2023 stood at 240,465, which was up from 49,000 the previous year. There were no donations made under Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act last year. This entitles the donors of heritage items to a tax break worth 80pc of the value of the donation. Windfall corporation tax take of 15bn should be put into State savings funds Central Bank says Government should not rely on receipts to finance current spending Corporation tax returns have risen this year thanks to Apple. Photo: Samsul Said/Bloomberg John Burns Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 03:30 The Government should be putting almost all this years 15bn in windfall corporation tax receipts into its two long-term savings funds, according to a leading Central Bank official. Woman of Stone stars Irish talent Eanna Hardwicke and Phoebe Horn as Jack and Laura, Victorian newlyweds who relocate from the city to a small village and move into a cottage close to a church. Eanna Hardwicke as Jack in the disappointing ghost story Woman of Stone. Photo: BBC/Adorable Media/Rory Mulvey The late 60s to the late 70s was a golden age of horror drama on British television. Between them, the BBC and ITV turned out numerous anthology series, including Dead of Night, Supernatural, Late Night Horror, Mystery and Imagination, which featured adaptations of horrors two best-known classics, Dracula and Frankenstein, and the great Nigel Kneales Beasts. Single plays like Robin Redbreast and Pendas Fen drew on the rich, dark tradition of British folk-horror, while techno-horror The Stone Tape (Nigel Kneale again) creeped out BBC2 viewers on Christmas Day 1972. One of the towering achievements was the BBCs 1977 Count Dracula, a lavish, two-and-a-half-hour production starring a surprisingly well-cast Louis Jourdan as Dracula and Frank Finlay as the perfect Professor Van Helsing. It remains the most faithful screen version of Bram Stokers novel. But the British TV horror thats endured more than any others is the BBCs A Ghost Story for Christmas, which was an annual event usually on Christmas Eve from 1971-1978. The first six short films, five based on MR James stories, the sixth taken from The Signal-Man by Charles Dickens, and all directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, are the cream of the crop. Clark had already left the BBC by the time the series fizzled out in 1978 with a mediocre original tale called The Ice House, set in the present day. A Ghost Story for Christmas reappeared sporadically from 2005, but was only properly revived as an annual festive fixture in 2013 when Mark Gatiss took the reins. If anybody is capable of recapturing the glory of those wonderfully creepy 70s films, it should be Gatiss. He has a deep knowledge and love of gothic chillers that shines through his work, from The League of Gentlemen to his collaborations with Steven Moffat on Sherlock and 2020s wildly imaginative Dracula, which combined classic horror tropes with a fresh and often blackly funny spin on the old story. A Ghost Story for Christmas, however, has been a very mixed bag. So far, only The Mezzotint (2021), based on MR James tale, and last years Lot No. 249, adapted from Arthur Conan Doyles Egyptian mummy chiller, have really hit the mark. It pains me to say that his seventh offering, Woman of Stone (BBC2, Christmas Eve, 10.15pm), is a deep, deep disappointment. Based on The Railway Children author E Nesbits story Man-Size in Marble (the change to the title is apparently to bring out what Gatiss sees as the real meaning of the story), it has all the ingredients for a properly scary ghost story: an old house, new arrivals, a terrifying legend and dire warnings from the locals. Yet Gatiss fails to breathe any life into it. Eanna Hardwicke and Phoebe Horn play Jack and Laura, Victorian newlyweds who relocate from the city to a small village and move into a cottage close to a church. It doesnt raise a single chill and the ending is as flat as it is predictable Theyre soon befriended by the local GP, Dr Zubin (Mawaan Rizwan), who, being an outsider himself, is drawn to the couple. Zubin immediately intuits that not all is well in the marriage. Laura is clearly intelligent, yet every time she tries to say something, the chauvinistic Jack, an artist whos struggling to sell his work, boorishly shuts her down and patronisingly calls her wifey. Today, wed call him controlling. The bruises Zubin notices on Lauras wrists suggest Jacks intimidation of her is physical as well as psychological. No Victorian ghost story would be complete without a gloomy housekeeper, and this role is filled by Monica Dolan as Mrs Dorman. She tells the couple that when the clock strikes midnight on Christmas Eve, the life-sized stone effigies of two knights in the church crypt come to life and walk around. Not just that, but they always head for a specific location: this very cottage. This, when it happens, should be a frightening scene, but Gatiss makes so little of it that, it doesnt raise a single chill and the ending is as flat as it is predictable. A pointless framing device featuring the elderly Nesbit (Celia Imrie) spinning the yarn to Zubin, who she includes as a character, eats into the already meagre running time. If its a chill youre looking for this Christmas Eve, turn off the heating and leave the windows open because you wont find one in this dud. NCBCs Rosalish Goulding reveals the Irish suckler breeding industrys evolving trends and increasing demands Suckler cow numbers are declining, but herd-owners are demanding increased quality and reliability. Interest in female-sexed semen and polled genetics is on the rise in the suckler cattle breeding industry, says Rosalish Goulding, beef programme manager at the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC). NCBC, through its stakeholders Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics, is now offering its widest-ever range of sires available, sexed male and sexed female, to meet growing demand. With the increased availability of sexed semen, farmers can use female sexed semen to produce replacement females from a broad range of top-performing sires. Ballyclough Theo According to Rosalish, interest in polled genetics has increased across all breeds, both in Ireland and internationally, driven by the availability of excellent quality bulls. There is no disadvantage to polled genetics, she says. Herd-owners, especially those farming part-time, love the convenience of tag and go. It is one less job to do and reduced stress on the herd-owner and their animals. Farmers are selecting their best cows to produce replacements and using sexed semen from high-replacement bulls. Greensons Testament PP is an exceptional quality homozygous polled Limousin sire, with semen recently sold to France. This year, we introduced an exciting heterozygous polled Aubrac sire, Ballyclough Theo Pp (AU1515) the first polled Aubrac to stand in Irish AI. The polled Charolais bull Romarin Pp (CH8580) is proving a popular choice, as is the polled Belgian Blue Novateur Pp (BB8941), a confirmed producer of superior-quality weanlings. The homozygous polled Simmental sire Portroyal Mr Bull PP (SI8520) is breeding exceptionally well. MB and PG have an extensive range of homozygous polled Hereford sires. Polled genetics in all breeds is an integral part of the NCBC breeding programmes. With the increase in popularity in commercial showing, sires high in muscle development, especially if they are producers of the red roan colour, are in demand, including Rollie (BB9854) and Ardlea Rolex (LM8625), according to Rosalish. High replacement index She also notes a strong demand for bulls with a replacement index particularly from herd-owners wishing to breed their own replacements high in milk, fertility, calving ability and docility and those in SCEP. Herd-owners use proven bulls (>95pc reliability) for calving ease in maiden heifers to reduce the risk of calving difficulty, she says. Farmers have a vast selection of highly reliable proven sires from a range of breeds from our shareholders for all market segments. This includes weanling producers, replacement sires, easy calving sires for maidens. The large selection means that the herd-owner can select different sires for different maidens/cows depending on their enterprise. Our top proven Limousin for calving ease, Powerful Proper (LM7416), has over 4,000 calving records. Breeds Over the past decade, the main breeds used in Irelands suckler herd have remained fairly static, with Limousin and Charolais dominating: they jointly account for over 70pc of the market share, according to Ms Goulding, who also reports increasing interest in Belgian Blue semen from top weanling producers over the past three years. Additionally, she notes a slight increase in demand for Angus in recent years, particularly among farmers calving heifers at 24 months and those involved in organic farming. NCBC has also seen increased demand for rare breeds, especially among ACRES participants. Demand for proven sires Unfortunately, suckler cow numbers are declining; however, the remaining herd-owners are demanding increased quality and reliability, she says. Top-quality weanlings are commanding high prices. AI is the best way of producing these export quality weanlings while maintaining calving ease. All NCBC sires are rigorously tested through the Gene Ireland testing programme, which means the herd-owner can have confidence in how the progeny of these sires perform on his/her own farm. NCBCs top weanling producers are in high demand, especially those proven (high reliability) for calving ease and terminal traits, such as Ardlea Rigby (LM8622) and Cloonradoon Ricky (CH7503). Many of the NCBC sires have thousands of progeny on the ground, meaning the reliability of the index is high, and the figures for each trait can be trusted. The higher the reliability, the more trust can be placed on the index. TB index According to Rosalish a qualified veterinary surgeon genetics can play a key role in reducing TB in Irish herds. She says farmers can now breed cattle less likely to become infected with TB by using the ICBFs TB index when selecting sires. Just as genetics dictates how well an animal can produce milk or gain weight, animal health is also under genetic control, she saysIt is great that we have a TB index in Ireland. Data from vets TB testing and slaughter data in beef factories shows that some bloodlines are more susceptible to TB than others. Cattle with more favourable breeding values for TB resistance are less likely to become infected. The number of TB reactors in herds undergoing a TB breakdown is, on average, 26pc higher in cattle with the worst breeding values for TB resistance compared to cattle with the best breeding values for TB resistance. NCBC includes the TB index as part of its criteria in sire selection. TB index has been included in both NCBCs stakeholders suckler beef catalogues. We are not selecting sires with a poor TB index. Top sires Below is a list of sires with the most serves recorded during the first six months of the year. Results are based on the analysis of insemination data collected from AI technicians linked to the ICBF database through their AI handheld system. Based on this, NCBC has 9 of the top 10 most used sires in the suckler herd. According to this data, Lapon (CH4321) has been the most-used bull nationally in 2023 and 2024. Other popular sires from NCBC include Orbi (CH6490), Cloonradoon Ricky (CH7503) and Recif (CH8571). Proven performers that consistently produce good-quality weanlings are always top sellers, especially if they have the added bonus of calving ease, Ms Goulding adds. Intelagri Matteo (AA4089) Powerful Proper (LM7416) is a top seller as a proven easy calver on maiden heifers with a magic combination of calving ease and quality. NCBCs top replacement Limousin sires, Moondharrig Knell (LM4217), Shannon Stan (LM9379) and Keltic Rembrandt (LM8259) are big sellers, as are weanling producers Ardlea Rigby (LM8622) and Ardlea Rolex (LM8635). Belgian Blue bulls with colour have been popular, and Rollie (BB9854), has been a particularly strong seller, along with Edison (BB8950), Octopus (BB8944) and Cachemire (BB8947). For herd-owners calving at two years of age, Angus is becoming popular, with Intelagri Matteo (AA4089) and Tubridmore Twomey (AA8472) among their best sellers, along with the Salers sire Knottown Roy (SA4604). Tubridmore Twomey (AA8472) Catalogues The Progressive Genetics and Munster Bovine suckler beef catalogues showcase the best available genetics from all major beef breeds from the NCBC breeding programme. Many of these sires are proven for all commercially important traits: calving ease, docility, carcass weight, carcass conformation, milk, fertility and calving ability. All semen from the NCBC breeding programme is exclusively available from Munster Bovine & Progressive Genetics. Agri-Food Regulator hails strong message as halal meat plant hit with five-figure costs over non-payment to farmer Judge says he is now paid in full, but by God has he had to wait a long time and that is not very comforting to the farmers of Ireland who are trying to survive This is the first conviction for a breach of the unfair trading practices regulations Gordon Deegan Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 03:30 A judge told the court it is hard enough being a farmer in Ireland today without having to fight to get paid as he convicted halal meat plant operator Asba Meats over the non-payment of 10,059 for cattle delivered by farmer Pat McGrath. Some flights have risen to over 600 one-way from London to Dublin in the wake of the Holyhead port closure, with Ryanair admitting prices on a number of routes are rising rapidly. It comes as junior transport minister James Lawless warned that the port, which was damaged during Storm Darragh, could be closed until the spring. Mr Lawless said he was planning for the possibility that the ports ferry terminals would not reopen on Friday, warning that some passengers or freight would not be accommodated on alternative crossings. Around 150,000 passengers are hoping to travel on the Holyhead-to-Dublin route in the days leading up to Christmas. A one-way Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Dublin on December 20 now costs up to 602.75. A Ryanair spokesperson said: As things stand today, Ryanairs warning of 500 one-way air fares has now been realised. Prices on some flights from Gatwick and Stansted to Dublin on Friday, December 20, have now reached 500 and prices on flights from London to Dublin across the weekend of December 20 to December 23, are rising rapidly. The closure of Holyhead highlights again Irelands tenuous transport links and just how readily these can be disrupted by natural events. The airline hit out at Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for not lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap, saying it shows why the new incoming government must legislate quickly to scrap this cap. Ireland is an island on the periphery of Europe. We need multiple ferry routes on/off the island, and we need multiple air routes to/from our major airport at Dublin, it added. Mr Lawless said he did not believe 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 4,000 seats first and then come back to us to talk about the bigger picture, Mr Lawless said yesterday. A Stena ferry leaves Holyhead for Dublin. Photo: Anthony Devlin/Bloomberg Fears of travel chaos as 150,000 passengers relying on ferry route to get home in time for Christmas Some people will take any opportunity to make a headline, and I tried to be more serious with the issue. The minister met ferry companies Stena Line and Irish Ferries yesterday to discuss the ongoing crisis at the port, which is set to cause travel chaos for thousands of passengers before Christmas, as well as for the supply chain. While it was initially announced that the port would remain closed until December 19, the minister said the Government is planning for that date to slip and 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, he 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. 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, he said. But I think we need to continue to plan on the basis that it wont be back. Because if you hope for the best and plan for the worst, I think its usually a prudent approach in these situations. Holyhead port in Anglesey, north Wales. Photo: PA Mr Lawless said that in relation to cargo, items would be prioritised for processing but 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. Irish Ferries has a number of vessels available to ramp up services, but it needs to find a port to take them. Stena Line will put a new vessel into service today and an additional vessel, originally due to service Holyhead, 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. Irish Ferries has said the company is currently communicating with impacted customers who were due to sail from Holyhead up to Thursday, December 19. A spokesperson at Holyhead port said: We appreciate there is legitimate public interest in the circumstances surrounding the temporary closure of the ferry berths at Holyhead port. It has been established that on Friday December 6 and Saturday, December 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. 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. 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. Man accused of attacking and robbing off-duty garda as he lay critically injured in Temple Bar and punching another officer in the head Johnathan ONeill (32) is charged with assault causing harm to both gardai and robbing one of his mobile phone and walletHe and an accomplice allegedly set upon the two officers as they made their way home through Temple Bar Temple Bar in Dublin. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Andrew Phelan Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 16:54 A Dublin man has been accused of assaulting two off-duty gardai in an alleged violent and unprovoked attack in the city centre that left one officer in a critical condition. LATEST | Man set for court over attack on off-duty gardai in Dublin city centre One of the officers suffered a bleed to the brain after being sucker-punched and remains in Beaumont Hospital A violent criminal (34) who was also separately arrested in connection with the attack in Dublin city centre was on the run from prison at the time of the assault and is still being questioned in custody Stock image Ken Foy and Robin Schiller Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 08:55 A man has been charged and is set to appear in court today over a serious assault on two off-duty gardai on Saturday. Holyhead Port will not open until January 15, the port's operator Stena Line has announced, as fears grow that it will impact Christmas travel and trade. In a statement, Stena Line said it "has been working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period". Passengers and freights are being offered sailing from Dublin to Birkenhead and Fishguard. A new route from Dublin to Heysham has been added "to assist continuity of trade flows". Additional sailings have been added on the Belfast to Cairnryan route by Stena Line, while the company said there is limited availability on the Belfast to Liverpool and Rosslare to Fishguard routes. "Stena Line would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and assure customers that the company is doing everything in its power to mitigate the effects of the closure on passenger and freight traffic," a spokesperson said. This comes as Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary said it was far too late, when asked not to increase the price of Ryanair Christmas flights to Ireland in the wake of Holyhead ports closure. Some flights have risen to over 600 one-way from London to Dublin, with 150,000 passengers looking to travel on the Holyhead to Dublin route just days before Christmas. Mr OLeary was asked this morning on RTE Radio 1 not to increase prices astronomically. I would say it is far too late. Prices have already increased astronomically, but it has almost nothing to do with the closure of Holyhead, the airlines chief executive told Claire Byrne. He insisted that prices have increased so much this Christmas because there are 220,000 fewer seats at Dublin Airport, referring to the airports 32 million passenger cap. Mr OLeary also labelled Junior Transport Minister James Lawless comments on Ryanair having 4,000 empty seats that could be filled by those stranded due to the Welsh ports closure from Storm Darraghs damage as rubbish. It sounds great but no action. All he needs to do is call someone in Holyhead today, he said, adding that it is plausible waffle from politicians without any action. Host Ms Byrne asked Mr OLeary to leave politics aside and to be decent and keep it affordable adding that we are talking about people getting home for Christmas. There are no more decent prices than Ryanair. We set the lowest market prices in every market that we operate but here is the reality we allow passengers to set the fares, he said. He said that the last five seats on any flight are sold at the highest fares, stressing that the company warned about the prices already, due to a gross shortage of seats in and out of Dublin this Christmas because of the Dublin Airport cap. Here is what happens when you have stupid politicians that wont write a letter to the Irish Aviation Authority to lift the cap, he added, referring to his long-running criticism of Green Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, who has insisted he does not have the power to intervene in the cap on flights through the airport, which is in place for environmental and noise reasons. Mr Byrne told Mr OLeary that he was conflating two issues, which he rejected. I need to be able to ask you questions, that's how this works, Ms Byrne said as the two argued over whether the passenger cap related to the spike in prices. She asked why it was possible to get a flight from Stansted in London to Dublin for December 23 for 97.59 and asked are you profiting from the misfortune of people who are booked on the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin who cant get home? Mr OLeary said flights can still be bought for that date for 94.99 back to Dublin, adding that one flight from Gatwick on Friday at 5pm is 500, while the 9pm flight is 142. This has nothing to do whatsoever with Holyhead. You are the one wrongly conflating Holyhead with higher air fares to Dublin this Christmas, he said, adding that the higher air fares are a predictable result of 220,000 fewer seats due to the cap. We, Aer Lingus and the other airlines applied for those [Christmas] slots, which we have got every year for the last 20 years, and we have been denied those slots due to an idiotic cap at Dublin Airport, Mr OLeary said. So stop mixing it up with Holyhead when Holyhead has nothing to do with it. He also said he believes the cap will be removed in summer 2025 because the airlines successfully appealed the cap where it has been sent to the European Court of Justice, where he deems the court will rule the cap as illegal. When asked if he would accept that demand has gone up in recent days due to Holyhead, he said: I wouldnt actually. You are not seeing more bookings as a result of what you have seen with Storm Darragh? Ms Byrne asked, to which Mr OLeary replied: No. When asked if there has been any extra demand from the UK to Ireland after Holyhead was knocked out of action, the Ryanair boss also said no. Have you any understanding of the scale? We operate about 50,000 seats a day from points all over the UK to Ireland. Prices are rising far higher this year because of the seat cap. Imagine how many people sit on a ferry? A couple of hundred people drive their cars on a ferry. There are lots of ferries still operating, Mr OLeary added. When asked again about having reasonable prices for Ryanair flights this Christmas, Mr OLeary said he finds himself in a shocking position running 50,000 extra seats from the UK to Belfast, rather than via Dublin. Literally thousands of people will travel home to Dublin via Belfast because Eamon Ryan wouldnt write a letter, he said. He also said that the airline still has 5,000 seats per day to sell, which will all sell between now and next Tuesday, ranging in price between 150 to 500. Simon Harris said he would not respond to personalised and false attacks but rather maintain focus on the horrific war crimes being committed in Gaza as Israel said it would close its embassy in DublinIrish Government monitors potential business fallout after Israeli minister accuses Taoiseach Simon Harris of antisemitism President of Ireland Michael D Higgins lit a candle to remember those who are missing (Niall Carson/PA) President Michael D Higgins has said it is a deep slander for Israeli politicians to accuse the Irish people of antisemitism simply because they oppose the actions of the Israel prime minister. Israels foreign minister Gideon Saar yesterday accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of antisemitism as Israel said it would shut its embassy in Dublin. Ireland has angered the Israeli government by recognising the state of Palestine and supporting South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Speaking at an event to accept the credentials of ambassador of the atate of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello, President Higgins said Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu had breached "so many bits of international law and the sovereignty of three of his neighbours. He said that at first he put the comments down to a lack of experience, but had since realised the comments were part of a pattern to damage Ireland. The President, who has himself been criticised by Israeli politicians and media for his support for Palestinians, reiterated his condemnation of the rampage by Hamas in October 2023, which resulted in the Israeli operation that has killed more than 45,000 Gazans. All of the details of the tragic breaches of international law have informed the Irish position, the President said, according to RTE. The Irish psyche understands concepts such as dispossession and occupation, due to our history, the President added. The Irish Government, meanwhile, is monitoring the impact on business from the deepening diplomatic row between Ireland and Israel. Relations between Ireland and Israel chilled further yesterday, with allegations of antisemitism by Israels foreign minister Gideon Saar against Taoiseach Simon Harris. Defending the decision to close the Israeli embassy on Sunday, Mr Saar said: There is a difference between criticism and antisemitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel. He cited Irelands support for what he called politicised 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. Mary Lou McDonald said there have to be consequences for Israel in relation to its ongoing war in Gaza against Hamas Last night Irelands antisemitic prime minister Simon Harris said in an interview Ireland is not anti-Israel, but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children, Mr 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. A spokesperson said Mr Harris will not be responding to allegations of antisemitism, saying: 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. Government sources said they are closely monitoring for any potential fallout due to the row and said it was stark that Ireland was singled out for the closure of its embassy. There is no immediate concern it could cause reputational damage to Ireland as a trading partner. However, sources have said the potential impact on trade and Irish business will be monitored going forward, as Irelands open economy relies heavily on international trade. While alarm bells were not said to be going off, it is believed that if Israeli embassies in other countries were to be closed, this would be more favourable, instead of Ireland being singled out. Earlier yesterday, Mr Harris accused Israel of engaging in distraction policies, when asked why he believed only the embassy in Ireland was closing. 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. 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. Id rather it didnt happen. Meanwhile, Israels ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich claimed there was a growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli [in Ireland], and unfortunately, it has crossed the line. 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, Ms Erlich told RTEs News at One. She 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. In response to the comments, a government source rejected all of Ms Erlichs contentions and accusations, indicating they were not deemed worthy of being publicly addressed. Not everyone in the Israeli government follows that line, the source said, referring to dissension and occasional tensions within the ruling coalition in the Knesset. Irelands position is consistent. We respect human rights, international law and humanitarian concepts. We answer to international law and uphold it, and we adhere to the multilateral system. This means that when we go to Washington we will raise issues, as we have in relation to the Middle East conflict in the recent past, in the White House. We will also raise human rights with China, or with other countries. There is no cabinet meeting this week and the Government does not expect to discuss the Israeli decision in the near future, the source said, adding: The Irish Government is united on this, and even has the support of the opposition, even if some on the left are saying that we are not doing enough. Lucinda OSullivans restaurant review: The superb Rasam Indian restaurant celebrates 21 years of flavoursome success Beloved by celebrities, the Rasam Indian restaurant just keeps getting better, says our critic Duck rolls, star anise, fig and tamarind. Photo: Lucinda O'Sullivan Lucinda O'Sullivan Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 03:30 With so many restaurants closing their doors over the past year, its nice to be able to acknowledge one that has really stood the test of time. Nisheeth Taks fabulous Rasam Indian Restaurant in Glasthule, Co Dublin, is celebrating its 21st year of serving up great food to the denizens of SoCoDu. Two women embrace after an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people. Photo: Reuters Women crying at the funeral of loved ones killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza. Photo: Reuters Palestinians at the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people. Photo: Reuters After more than a year of relentless Israeli military bombardment, there are fewer places in the world as deadly for civilians as Gaza. Of the nearly 45,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, nearly 70pc have been women and children. It is estimated that 37 mothers in Gaza are killed every day. Irish international aid agency Christian Aid has received heart-wrenching accounts from women in Gaza collected by its local partner, the Women Affairs Centre, which shed light on what life has been like. Here are some of these stories. Twenty-three-year-old Heba got married at the end of September last year. She then moved into her new husbands family home, only for her life to turn completely upside down just one week later. On the morning of October 7, we woke up to strange sounds. I thought it was thunder. I couldnt imagine it was rockets and that the war had started, and our lives would end, she said. Heba and 35 of her husbands extended family fled central Gaza and were displaced a number of times before arriving to Rafah where they all crammed into a friends apartment. Later that month while Heba was out, a missile hit the building. He was gone, and everything beautiful in life was gone with him With the help of rescue teams, Heba searched the rubble for over seven hours but she was unable to find her husband. I had my phone with me and kept calling him. We could hear the ringing but couldnt find him. It was later confirmed that her husband had been killed in the airstrike. He was gone, and everything beautiful in life was gone with him. Two women embrace after an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced people. Photo: Reuters Soon after the war broke out, another woman Walaa, her husband and their son Kareem fled their home in Gaza city to her uncles home in Jabalia refugee camp to escape airstrikes. However, a few days later, a missile struck her uncles home. I felt the ceiling collapsing on me. I kept thinking I was dead, Walaa said. Her husband managed to get out from under the rubble and with the help of neighbours and rescue teams, they eventually rescued Walaa, but couldnt find Kareem. Walaa was rushed to a nearby hospital for surgery, where her husband set about looking for Kareem. The devastating truth was revealed later at the hospital when he found a shroud with Kareems name covering the body of a small child. I was left for days lying on my back on the floor without treatment, food or drink The day before the airstrike had been Kareems fifth birthday. He had asked me to prepare a birthday party as usual and invite everyone. I promised him I would celebrate it again after the war, Walaa said. The airstrike robbed Walaa of the chance to fulfil that promise to her son. He was my whole life. I am a prisoner of my pain and grief over the loss of my only child. Earlier this year, 60-year-old Fatimas home in central Gaza was suddenly hit by an airstrike, killing her husband and two of their four children. Fatima was taken to a nearby hospital amid heavy gunfire. Her condition was critical and doctors did not expect her to survive. With hospitals in Gaza short of the electricity, medicine and beds needed to treat the numbers injured, Fatimas situation deteriorated. Her shattered feet were amputated without anaesthetic during a surgery that lasted several hours. Palestinians at the site of an Israeli strike on a school sheltering displaced people. Photo: Reuters After the operation, I started feeling for my feet, but couldnt find them. I cried a lot. The beds in the hospital were full. I was left for days lying on my back on the floor without treatment, food or drink, she said. Rosamond Bennett, chief executive of Christian Aid Ireland, said: These stories are an utterly heart-wrenching insight into what life is like for women in Gaza. You can feel the pain and sorrow leap off every page. "Civilians always pay the heaviest price in conflict. Only a permanent ceasefire can protect civilians and save lives. Katie Cox is communications officer with Christian Aid, which is working through local partners to support people in need in Gaza and Lebanon. To support its appeal, see caid.ie/MEAppeal Eoin Whelan: If you think social media is bad for children, wait until you hear what they used to say about books Mary Kenny: Britains Prince Andrew has embarrassed his family yet again but they shouldnt turn him away from the church at Christmas The Duke of Yorks association with a suspected Chinese spy is another example of his poor judgment but a lesson from St Paul could put him in the right direction Prince Andrew Mary Kenny Tue 17 Dec 2024 at 18:00 Whether Prince Andrew attends church or partakes of lunch at Sandringham with his family on Christmas Day hardly seems a matter of world-shaking import. But the appearance, or non-appearance, of King Charless brother still eighth in line to the throne at this festive time, has taken on a new significance since the disclosure of Andrews friendship with a Chinese businessman suspected of being a spy. Three-quarters of a century ago, in a globe that was recovering from World War II and facing into the Cold War, the then US secretary of state Dean Acheson summed up why it is crucial to remain diplomatically engaged, even in hostile or dangerous parts of the world. We maintain diplomatic relations with other countries primarily because we are all on the same planet and must do business with each other. We do not establish an embassy in a foreign country to show approval of its government. We do so to have a channel through which to conduct essential government relations and to protect legitimate United States interests, Acheson wrote. Seventy-five years later, Israel is not heeding that message. There is no clear statistical measure of the value to a country of having a diplomatic presence in another nation. Certainly it makes it easier for citizens of that country to live, work and integrate in the adopted country if there is such a presence. Arguably, there is a trade advantage to be able to make introductions between producers and consumers on either side of the enterprise chain and learn how to reduce the red tape at either end. Moreover, it shows a desire to develop a positive relationship in good times or bad. The bulk of these interactions between an embassy and the host country are civil, polite and easy diplomatic, by their nature. But when difficult words need to be expressed, it allows such communications to be clearly understood. Irelands stance on Israels actions in Gaza is not driven by malice The traditionally strong ties between Ireland and Israel have become strained over the last 15 months as a result of the war in Gaza. The Government was among the strongest voices to condemn the Hamas attacks on innocent Israeli citizens on October 7, with the bloodshed, murders and abductions shocking many in this country. The Government has also been clear that Israel has a right to defend itself but that the response had to be proportionate. What has been witnessed in Gaza over the last 15 months has not been proportionate, with unprecedented death, widespread destruction of property and restriction of humanitarian aid. The Government has chosen to recognise the Palestinian state but not to expel the Israeli ambassador, as some opposition parties have demanded. Israel has now decided to rupture diplomatic relations by closing down its embassy in Dublin. The Israeli government cites what it calls the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government. The inciting incident appears to be the announcement of support for South Africas legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide. The caretaker Government has described the move as a deeply regrettable decision. Rather than making all sides take stock and seek to set their differences aside, the danger is that an embassy closure can also lead to more entrenched policies of diplomatic disengagement. Irelands stance on Israels actions in Gaza is not driven by malice. Sometimes the best friends are those who are not afraid to tell uncomfortable truths. For many, it may seem morally repugnant to be wasting time on diplomatic squabbles, when lives are being taken on a daily basis, for want of agreement. Such niceties of protocol and nuance will certainly be lost on people searching the rubble in Gaza for signs of life of loved ones, after more unrelenting shelling. Against such an unchanging backdrop of apocalyptic scenes, its hard not to agree with Taoiseach Simon Harriss assessment that Israels closure of its Dublin embassy is anything other than a distraction. Far easier to spend time arguing over semantics, than to justify a cycle of civilian carnage that even the Israeli army has questioned, on the grounds that its military goals have been achieved in Gaza. Ireland, like every other state, roundly condemns attacks on Israel. The taking of hostages, and the attacks by Hamas, were appalling acts. But we have a voice, and therefore we have a responsibility not to be silenced when people are being killed on such an unprecedented scale, and all appeals for a ceasefire are dismissed. Figures show that 45,028 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and 106,900 injured, since October 7 last year. A growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli So taking all of the above into consideration, it was not surprising to hear Mr Harris say: It is deeply regrettable that it (Israel) 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. By contrast, comments from Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, claiming the embassy had seen a growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli seem ill-advised. And her statement that this is not criticism, but is just pure hatred and obsession that is now also directed to Israelis and the Jewish community was both inflammatory and reckless. Israel is at the centre of unprecedented international censure for its indiscriminate attacks. Its complete resistance to a ceasefire while people are in dire need of emergency supplies to stave off famine is also a cause of global concern. Instead of addressing these genuine humanitarian worries, Israel is deflecting attention from grave allegations of war crimes. It has decided to single out Ireland for daring to question the spiralling death toll. Ms Erlich also attacked Irelands decision to intervene in South Africas case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This, she said, is an abuse of the international multilateral system by South Africa. But as Tanaiste Micheal Martin rightly said, this countrys position towards Israel has not been motivated by anything other than respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. To claim that bringing allegations of crimes to the highest bar of international justice was a hostile act shows how insular Israel has become. Instead of pointing fingers, it would far better serve the Israeli government and its ambassadors to concentrate all their energies on ending the war. Pictured with Santa Claus at Shannon Airport are Aung Marma, Airport Screening Unit, Katie Black, Assistant Brand Manager Shannon Airport, Julia Shortt, Airport Screening Unit, Mary Considine, CEO The Shannon Airport Group, and Niall Kearns, Airport Director. Photo: Arthur Ellis Christmas has come early for Shannon Airport this year as it surpassed the 2-million passenger mark for the first time since 2009. This achievement comes after a dynamic year, marked by a strong summer season that solidified Shannon Airports position in the west of Ireland. Mary Considine, CEO of The Shannon Airport Group, commented: "We are delighted to announce that over 2 million passengers have travelled through Shannon Airport in 2024. Its been 15 years since we last reached this milestone. "Its a testament to our dedicated team and our unwavering commitment to delivering seamless and memorable travel experiences. We look forward to continuing to drive growth and to provide world class services to our passengers in 2025. Shannon Airports success can be attributed to strategic route expansions and increased capacity. During the summer season, the airport added 200,000 seats across select routes and boosted frequencies on nine services. The growth continued into the winter schedule, with Ryanair adding 30,000 extra seats across five services. Today, Shannon Airport offers 33 routes connecting 11 countries in the EU, UK, and US. Also, the Delta Airlines New York/JFK daily seasonal service resumed in May 2024, meeting strong demand for direct flights between the West of Ireland and the United States. To commemorate reaching the milestone of passing 2 million passengers, Shannon Airport is giving away a pair of return tickets to JFK New York. The competition is taking place on the airports Facebook and Instagram pages, with the winner announced just in time for Christmas. Cork County Council has launched its Local Festival and Event Fund for 2025. The fund is designed to support festivals and events that celebrate local culture, stimulate economic growth, and attract domestic visitors to Cork County. This funding programme has been developed to support a wide variety of festivals and events across the county. Organisers can apply for grants of up to 6,000 to help extend the tourism season, attract domestic visitors, and create long-term value for their communities. The programme also benefits from a funding contribution from Failte Ireland under the former Regional Festival Fund. The fund is open to a wide variety of events, including heritage festivals, music, food, family festivals, Halloween festivals and sporting events. To be eligible, applicants must meet specific criteria, such as generating a minimum of 150 visitor bed nights in paid accommodation and having a minimum event expenditure of 7,500. Additionally, the event must take place within the geographic boundaries of Cork County. The event programme should focus on delivering high-quality content and showcasing the regions cultural and economic potential to domestic visitors. In addition, an optional supplementary grant is available for festivals and events that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices, supporting environmental and social sustainability across the region. Encouraging applications to the fund, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, said: "Festivals breathe life into our communities, energising towns and villages across Cork County. They are a reflection of who we are, showcasing our unique identity and offering essential support to local businesses. With the backing of Failte Ireland, this fund is a key part of our commitment to ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of Corks vibrant cultural celebrations, and to making Cork a destination that welcomes domestic visitors all year round, he added. Applications for the Local Festival and Event Fund 2025 are now open. The closing date for submissions is Monday, January 20 2025. For more information and to apply, visit Cork County Councils website www.corkcoco.ie Fine Gael has selected Kay Dawson to replace outgoing councillor Noel McCarthy on Cork County Council. Ms Dawson is pictured with Ciaran O'Donovan (far left) and Brendan Collins who competed for the vacant seat. Fine Gael have selected Kay Dawson to replace former councillor Noel McCarthy in Cork County Council. Mr McCarthy was recently elected to the Dail in the Cork East constituency. The Fermoy based councillor secured a total vote of 9,561 which enabled him to win a seat at his second attempt. Ms Dawson who previously served as a councillor from 2019 to 2024 has been selected by the party to take over from Mr McCarthy in the Fermoy Local Electoral Area (LEA). Ms Dawson was surprisingly unsuccessful in her bid to retain her seat in this years local elections. The selection convention to replace Deputy McCarthy was held in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown on Thursday, December 12. Newly elected Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea chaired the meeting. Three candidates competed for the vacant role which was ultimately won by Kay Dawson. The other two candidates were Ciaran O'Donovan and Brendan Collins. Deputy Noel McCarthy wished Ms Dawson well in her new role as a councillor. I have worked with Kay over the last ten years and she has proven to be a worthy councillor with the interests of the people very much at heart. I look forward to a continued working relationship with Kay over the coming years. Fine Gael selected Charleville based Aileen Browne to replace newly elected TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea in the council chamber. Ms Browne was selected by Fine Gael members following a convention meeting held at Charleville Park Hotel on Monday, December 16. Ms Browne is looking forward to starting her new role as a councillor for the Kanturk/Charleville LEA. Very proud to have been selected to replace John Paul OShea. Thanks to all the members in Charleville Fine Gael and across the Kanturk/Charleville Local Electoral Area for the support. Looking forward to officially being co-opted at the council meeting. Five new councillors in total will be co-opted to Cork County Council at Fridays full council meeting (December 20) following the election of five former councillors to Dail Eireann during the recent general election. The successful former 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. Other successful councillors include Seamus McGrath (Fianna Fail) elected in the Cork South Central constituency and Liam Quaide (Social Democrats) who was elected in Cork East. Fianna Fail has selected Patrick Donovan to replace Seamus McGrath on Cork County Council, while Eamonn Horgan has been selected by the Social Democrats party to replace Liam Quaide. Ronan Sheehan has been selected to succeed Eoghan Kenny as the Labour Party representative for the Kanturk-Mallow LEA. Dubliners are being urged to donate blood ahead of the Christmas and New Year period Dubliners are being urged to give a priceless gift and donate blood ahead of the Christmas and New Year period. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urging donors to make a special effort to give blood over the festive period and into January next year, both in Dublin and around the country. Due to the way the holidays fall this year, 45 scheduled clinics nationwide will not be held over that period. The IBTS is asking the public to consider making a New Years resolution for 2025 to become a blood donor. They are especially asking younger people and people of African Heritage to become blood donors and help save peoples lives. Dublin, we need your help to keep hospitals supplied with life-saving blood this holiday season. Please book in to attend our DOlier Street and Stillorgan clinics this Christmas and New Years, they said Paul McKinney, Director of Donor Services and Logistics, said: Donating blood is a selfless act for the person who gives it, but is a priceless gift to the person who receives it. For the next 3 weeks, we will need to make over 10,000 appointments to safely support the health service over Christmas and into 2025. The IBTS has just imported additional stocks of O negative, B negative and A negative from the UK to supplement supply in those blood groups leading into Christmas, as demand remains consistently high. We are also arranging extra clinics on the next three Sundays (December 22, 29 and January 5), and additional clinics on Friday, December 27 and January 3. On any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals, and the demand for blood, over Christmas and particularly during the month of January, is constant. We rely on our donors and are urging them to give a priceless gift this Christmas, the gift of life. If you receive a text from IBTS to make an appointment, you can call them on 1800731137, or use their online booking portal. If you do make an appointment please try and keep it as we are having large amounts of no shows and cancellations at short notice, IBTS said. We would ask anybody who does not currently donate blood to please consider making your New Year's resolution for 2025 to become a blood donor. We would also like to thank our regular donors for their incredible support in what has been a very challenging but successful year. You can find out about extra clinics this Christmas here. Gardai are investigating the alleged theft of a volume of material from An Post, which led to severe delays to services in Dublin 12. Some customers had nearly two months worth of mail delivered this week, along with a letter of apology from An Post. An Garda Siochana confirmed the investigation involves a member of staff in the Dublin 12 area. An Post said that as the investigation is ongoing, they cannot provide further information on the matter. A special phone line has also been provided for the impacted customers. A garda statement said: Gardai are investigating a report of the alleged theft of a volume of material from a national service provider, involving a member of staff in the Dublin 12 area. An Garda Siochana is liaising with the affected service provider on the matter. Investigations are ongoing. A spokesperson for An Post said that, following an investigation by the company in conjunction with gardai, several undelivered letters and small packages for addresses on one postal route in Crumlin had been located. An Post sincerely apologises to the affected customers for this upset and inconvenience, and we are working to have this mail delivered as quickly as possible, they added. The alleged theft caused severe disruption to postal services in Dublin 12. Pic: Stock photo Today's News in 90 Seconds - December 17th Fianna Fail TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Ardagh, said it has been an extremely stressful time for residents in Crumlin. When we realised there was an issue with the postal service into Dublin 12, we raised it repeatedly with An Post, she said. When we began raising it initially, we were unaware of the scale that appears now to be involved. By the end of the [election] campaign, it was being raised with me so often. When I posted the video online, the office phone started ringing with people contacting me saying they hadnt received mail for weeks. During this time, An Post repeatedly indicated to us that they were investigating it. They did not provide any additional information until this week, when they issued a formal statement confirming an investigation had been launched and the gardai were involved. This has been an extremely stressful time for the affected residents in Crumlin, and An Post has work to do to rebuild their reputation and trust. Medical appointments were missed, important documents were not received, she added. She also noted that most of the post is delivered on time and without issue and that most of her constituents receive an excellent service from An Post. However, she said there was clearly a very serious problem on this postal route. Forsa members will ballot on Monday with its results expected to become clear on Thursday. Industrial action at St Christopher's Services in Longford has been suspended as over 130 staff get set to ballot on a draft proposal aimed at bringing a long running incremental pay dispute to an end. Industrial action at a Longford-based disabilities provider has been suspended as hopes of a resolution to an ongoing pay dispute gather pace. More than 130 workers at St Christophers Services in Longford began work-to-rule action almost four weeks ago stemming from an incremental pay dispute. Follow Independent Longford on Facebook Two weeks ago, the Irish Independent revealed how Forsa held talks with a view to potentially escalating those measures as discussions with management failed to broker any meaningful breakthrough. The Irish Independent has learned a draft proposal was put to union chiefs on Monday, among which included a suite of measures aimed at addressing some of the concerns harboured by workers and their representatives. Newly elected Longford-Westmeath TD Micheal Carrigy disclosed a number of those including an offer from all staff currently on a 2021 pay scale to move to its 2022 equivalent as well as other incremental benefits. Forsa Assistant General Secretary Tony Martin stopped short of going into the specifics of the proposal, insisting it was Forsa alone who were batting for the rights of workers. There is a number of measures contained in it and with respect to the politicians, we are the ones in the room with our sleeves rolled up, he said. Read more Hopes of possible creation of hundreds of Longford jobs four years on from devastating power station closure Ultimately they (management) gave us a draft proposal on Monday and we discussed it as a local committee and with our national executive. Mr Martin said a further meeting was held with recently appointed CEO Declan Kenny in a bid to strengthen or improve the proposed document on behalf of workers. He said in light of some small tweaks Forsa chiefs had agreed to suspend all work-to-rule action by 5pm this evening ahead of a full ballot taking place on Monday evening. And, in a sign of a potential thawing in the ongoing dispute with management, Mr Martin hailed the part played by Mr Kenny in assuring union bosses over the proposals authenticity. Forsa members will ballot on Monday with its results expected to become clear on Thursday. Thats the big thing in terms of St Christophers, he said, when pressed about the importance of the document living up to its promise. I will say the new CEO (Mr Kenny) albeit he is only there the last few weeks, there is a certain degree of trust built up. The offer he assures us is deliverable from his side and thats the big thing for us. There is no promises here, whats on paper is deliverable from his side. The results of Mondays ballot and whether the threat of industrial action being put on an even longer finger is expected to become clear on Thursday. For his part, Longfords newly elected TD acknowledged the difficult and challenging time the past number of weeks had been for staff, service users, and their families, while commend both sides for continuing to try and broker a resolution to the impasse. The measures outlined in this proposal represent a significant step toward resolving the dispute and creating a fairer, more sustainable working environment for staff, said Mr Carrigy. I hope that Forsa members will see the merit in these proposals and that this marks the beginning of a brighter chapter for St. Christophers. Hundreds of protestors at a rally in Athlone last month against proposals concerning the opening of an IPAS centre in the midlands town. The Government has conceded a High Court challenge brought by a local councillor against an expedited plan to house around 1,000 male asylum seekers in Athlone. On Monday, 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". 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. Follow Independent Westmeath on Facebook Ms Carroll said she would take instruction from the Minister in the matter before Thursday. In his challenge, Mr Hogan, who secured 4.8pc 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 had 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 7 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. Athlone councillors Aengus O'Rourke, Frankie Keena, Paul Hogan and John Dolan. Giving his reaction to the news, Cllr Aengus ORourke said while the enormity of the decision would take some days to sink it, the ruling was testament to what he and his four local political colleagues had stood up for. It is just amazing, almost too good to be true to be honest, said Mr ORourke. We have invested so much and hundreds and hundreds of hours of time and effort in building this case, drilling down through environmental and planning law and to get this result is incredible. We are so happy we have been vindicated and that the work has paid off. The former Athlone mayor said that its significance could not be understated as the State faced the prospect of having to return the Lisywollen site as it found it. This is brand new territory for all of us and the first objective was to have the minister withdraw his order and that, I think that will now happen in the coming days as he has conceded the case, added the son of the late former Fianna Fail minister Mary ORourke. The development is now illegal in our eyes and therefore the people who are there as residents on site are there illegally and we will be pressing the State to correct the site by putting it back to the condition they got it in. We are not interested in how he does that, all we are interested in him doing that as quickly as possible. And, in a scathing appraisal of the controversy, Mr ORourke went as far as to suggest the Department of Integration was no longer fit for purpose. Expressing his view forcefully, Cllr ORourke said: Roderic OGorman and his department have now been found to be utterly dysfunctional. That is the only way I can describe it. We submitted a 700-page document to the courts in relation to this and Roderic OGorman and his department have been found out. We punched so many holes in his order it was like a Swiss cheese. There were that many holes in his order and the taxpayer is now going to have to cover the costs. The streets will be filled again this Christmas Eve with the magical sounds of the New Ross and District Pipe Band as they look forward to their annual tradition of performing for the people of New Ross while they lead the Christmas Eve parade with Santa and Mrs Claus through the town. Having had a particularly busy year, the pipe band has been enjoying the ongoing celebrations of their 50th anniversary, and the traditions they have set out between then and now, including the Christmas Eve parade which first began in 1977, is certainly not one to be missed this year. Last year saw the gathering of the biggest crowd ever in the history of the New Ross Christmas Eve parade, with more than a thousand people drawn to South Street to listen to the music and to enjoy the uniquely Irish festive atmosphere. Santa and Mrs Claus arrive just on time every year and they distribute sweets and lollipops to the children as the band entertains. It has become the perfect way for a family to pass those exciting hours before bedtime for the kids. Families now travel from Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford to enjoy the unique occasion, said Brian MacMahon, of the pipe band. It is a unique Christmas occasion in New Ross and hopefully families will make their way in numbers to welcome Santa and Mrs Claus to town, he added. The parade begins at the Dunbrody Centre at 3 p.m. and makes its way across the quays to South Street where the band will play a selection of tunes. The band will then perform some more music at the Tholsel. The New Ross and District Pipe Band will be joined by pipers and drummers from the local FCA Pipe Band for the occasion. There are currently three properties within the New Ross town area on the market for less than 100,000. The first of the three properties has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, is 78m2 and is located on 7 Mary Street Upper, for just 99,000. The mid-terrace house is in need of a complete renovation but given its size and location, it certainly has potential. Additionally, the property qualifies for the Vacant Property Grant scheme as its now been vacant for over two years. Negotiator Louise OMahony, of Sherry Fitzgerald Radford said this property as one thats not to be missed and early viewing comes very highly recommended. The second property in the New Ross town district on offer for less than 100,000 is a two-bedroom corner house with one bathroom, located at 1 Fairgate, in which the 65m2 house sits on the market for 89,500. Similar to the Mary St. property, this too has been vacant for over two years and will also qualify for the Vacant Property Grant. Negotiator with Sherry Fitzgerald Radford, Sonia Pallas, described the property as simply oozing potential and ready for its next chapter. "This is an ideal investment for anyone looking to put their own stamp on a home. Its a great buy in a great town, she adds. The third property listing for the lowest price of the three under 100,000 is advertised as a dual aspect property whereby it can be used as either a retail unit, or a two-bedroom apartment. Full planning permission and fire certification is confirmed for 6 Waterside, Rosbercon, should the new owner wish to convert it from the retail space to an apartment. The space is listed on the market by Keller Williams Wexford for 79,000. It has the most amazing panoramic views of New Ross Marina, of which 200 million has been invested to further develop over the next few years, said negotiator, Paul Denis OConnor. Its a bright, sunny side spacious unit which extends to approximately 660sq ft, with a large balcony. This building overlooks the River Barrow and O'Hanrahan Bridge, with spectacular views by day and night, he added. The "determined and organised" admin of a child sexual abuse messaging group, who was caught with hundreds of images and videos after an FBI tip-off, will now be sent to jail after the State successfully argued his fully suspended sentence was too lenient. The Court of Appeal found on Tuesday that general deterrence was "particularly important" in cases of the distribution of child abuse material. Anthony Ryan (49) with an address at Macoyle Upper, Inch, Gorey, Co Wexford, will not begin his custodial sentence until after Christmas after the court acceded to a request from his lawyers to defer his incarceration until the first week of January. Ryan had pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography on September 22, 2020. He was sentenced to three years in prison suspended for a period of four years by Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court on March 20, 2024. In their ruling, the three-judge Court of Appeal on Tuesday, said the repeated attempts by Ryan to persuade another participant in a chat thread to provide pornographic material pertaining to her own daughter was especially odious. The court said that while the offence of distribution will not always involve depraved conversation or multiple persons, in this case the distribution involved both. The court heard Ryans home was searched following a tip-off from the FBI after an undercover agent infiltrated messenger groups and alerted authorities. A large number of images and videos were found on Ryans personal mobile phone and further material was retrieved from the Kik messaging application a platform with similar functions to Whatsapp and Viber permitting group chats of up to 50 people. The platform also facilitates the sharing of pictures, videos and links between participants. The combined examinations revealed 575 items, including 326 images of young girls - the majority of whom were under the age of 12 exposing themselves and 159 videos of young boys and girls engaged in sexually explicit activity. There was also evidence that Ryan distributed images and videos of child sexual abuse on chat threads and also actively engaged in commenting on images shared by others. During garda interviews, he admitted that he was a group administrator of a Kik Messenger group which shared child sexual abuse images. Quashing the original sentence and resentencing Ryan to 18 months in prison, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the three-judge panel found the trial judge had fallen into error in fully suspending the original three-year jail term handed down to Ryan. He said this was not a case where a non-custodial sentence was appropriate. The offence of distribution is, by definition, more serious than possession, he said, going on to add that general deterrence was particularly important in the case of this type of offending because of its premeditation. Mr Justice McCarthy said the court was of the view that since the sentencing parameters are different for possession than for distribution, the best way to deal with the matter was to impose a global sentence on the distribution offence. He set a headline sentence of four years before reducing this to two and a half years. The judge suspended the final year of the term, noting that the suspension of a portion of the sentence was worthwhile to encourage Ryans continued rehabilitation. He imposed a two year post release supervision order and said the court would mark the possession offence as taken into consideration. After he was resentenced, Ryans barrister, Michael OHiggins SC, asking the court to defer the warrant to the first week of January as he said his client is finishing a course. Mr Justice McCarthy said the court had anticipated the request, had already given it some thought, and was prepared to do that to the first week of January. He directed that Ryan present himself at a Garda Station on January 2 and said the order will take effect on that day. A sentencing hearing was told that gardai searched Ryans home following a tip-off from the FBI in Winnebago, Illinois in relation Kik Messenger accounts associated with email addresses linked to Ryan. Several electronic devices were seized from Ryans home and a large quantity of images and videos were found on his personal mobile phone. Lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had launched an appeal against the leniency of Ryans sentence in November, arguing he deserved an immediate custodial sentence. Patricia McLaughlin SC, for the State, said Ryan effectively used the tools of the internet to assist his offending, not only by registering on Kik but also signing up to Dropbox and other sites to store the images so that they were readily available to him. Ms McLaughlin asserted there was a difference between someone who is drawn unwittingly into viewing this material and someone who does it in a determined, organised and premeditated way. Mr OHiggins argued the sentence imposed had not been unduly lenient and said there was very strong mitigation in this case. He said there had been instant co-operation with gardai, Ryan had supplied his pin number to access the phone and there had been an early plea of guilty. Counsel said the respondent had seen the death of both his father and a teenage daughter and this had led him into a very dark place but when the knock comes at the door the turning around could not have been any quicker. He said his client had immediately engaged with child abuse support service One in Four. A woman from Co Wicklow has had a lifetime ban on owning animals reduced to applying only to horses following an appeal hearing at Bray Circuit Court. Ms Yvonne Coe of Main Street, Tinahely, appeared before Tuesdays sitting as she appealed the severity of the sentence she received back in March of this year, after she was convicted of cruelty to horses, when she was sentenced to three months in prison and given a lifetime ban from owning animals. After her initial sentencing in March, she was also fined 5,000, and ordered to pay a 500 contribution to ISPCA costs and 6,441.15 in costs to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). When handing down his sentence, Judge David Kennedy said the case was the worst case of animal cruelty in his 15 years on the bench. ISPCA inspector, Fiona Conlon, gave witness evidence at the original conviction hearing, and was the chief witness at Tuesdays appeal hearing. The outcome of the appeal saw Ms Coes prison sentence suspended for three months for good behaviour, while her lifetime ban on owning animals was reduced to a lifetime ban on owning horses. The 5,000 fine remains in place and Ms Coe still has to cover the Irish Horse Welfare Trust costs. During a hearing on December 13, 2023, ISPCA Senior Inspector Fiona Conlon gave evidence in relation to a total of nine horses that were removed from lands and a barn off Main Street and Pound Lane in Tinahely on three dates in July and August 2022. Ms Conlon described how she found several horses in various states of neglect, with all horses found to be visibly underweight, coats matted with faecal matter and hooves overgrown. The Greystones Active Retirement team paid a visit to Deerfield, in the Phoenix Park, home of the United States Ambassador to Ireland recently for a fab day out. The group was warmly welcomed by the American Ambassador herself, Claire Cronin, who took the group on a personally guided tour of the main reception rooms at Deerfield. The rooms are full of history, with many important visitors having stayed at Deerfield over the years. For her, the most significant visitor was George Mitchell, who played such an important role in the Good Friday Agreement. During an extended question and answer session, while refreshments were served, Ambassador Cronin explained her role and duties. She outlined what her work involved and what it was like to be an Ambassador. She has been with us here in Ireland since 2022 and will be most sorry to have to leave on January 19. Hilary Taylor, from Greystones Active Retirement said: This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. A day to remember. Each GARA Member was delighted to have been on the trip to Deerfield, to have personally met Ambassador Cronin and to have received such a warm welcome. Wicklow auhor Eve McDonnell with her book The Last Boy. I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney. Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow author Eilish Fisher Its always a tricky one at Christmas to decide whether or not buy your child a book, let alone decide which one. After a year in which Irish writers including some of our very own from the Garden County flourished in the world of publishing, whittling down a Christmas list is not easy . . . unless of course, you leave it to the experts. The team at the award-winning children's bookshop in Greystones, Halfway Up the Stairs, have put together their recommended list for under the tree, having carefully read each book and recommend only the very best books for young readers for all ages. Overall children's book of the year The overall winner chosen by Halfway up the Stairs as the hands-down favourite book of the year is Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow-based author Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn. It was also the winner of the An Post Book Awards in the Childrens Senior category. The store chose this as it is a brilliant book about friendship, family and adventure, set in snowy prehistoric Ireland. Fia And the Last Snow Deer by Wicklow author Eilish Fisher Children age 3+ Young children love picture books and Trish Hennessy and her team have chosen the following picture books as their books of 2024. The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly (Age 4+), a stunning book about nature; We Are The Wibbly by Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness (Age 3+); Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (Age 3+) Mr Santa by Jarvis (Age 3+); Santas First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith (Age 4+). Also recommended is The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly (Age 3+), another great Wicklow-based author and illustrator. The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly. Children age 6+ In the 6+ age category their books of the year are: Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field (Age 6+); Lola and Larch: Fix a Fairy Forest by Sinead OHart, illustrated by Rachel Seago (Age 7+); Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren (Age 7+); Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and illustrated by Alan ORourke (Age 7/8+); Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Age 6+). Children age 9+ Readers of age 9+ are well catered for with some amazing titles this year and Trish and her team were delighted to select the following as their books of the year for this age group: The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant (Age 9+); Fallout by Lesley Parr (Age 10+); The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell (Age 10+); The Weather Girls by Sarah Webb (Age 9+) who works in the Greystones bookshop as events manager. Wicklow author Alan Nolans book, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens (Age 9+) is also included as a 9+ Book of the Year. Wicklow author Alan Nolans book, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens Books for teens There are some brilliant books of the year for teens, even the older ones who struggle to put their phones down. The recommended titles are: King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore (Age 12+); Sisters of the Moon' by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Age 13+); 'Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros (Age 11+); Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale (Age 13+). And for older teens: Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain (Age 15+): When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson Age 15+. The store also singles out Wicklow writer, Sam Blake winner of the An Post Book Awards, Teen and YA section for his brilliant tome, Somethings About to Blow Up (Age 15+). Somethings About to Blow Up by Sam Blake. Gift and reference books Finally there are some stunning gift books and reference books that can work perfectly as a bit of stocking stuffing at the very least! The History of Information by Chris Haughton (Age 9+ and all ages); The Faerie Isle: Tales and Traditions of Irelands Forgotten Folklore by Sine Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (age 9+); Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing (Age 4+); At Home In A Book by Lauren OHara (Age 6+); and finally, I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney (Age 3+). I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney. Halfway Up the Stairs also have a new signed books section in the shop, full of signed goodies from Oliver Jeffers, Chris Haughton, Hannah Gold and lots more. A family from Newcastle, County Wicklow, who lost their beloved son, are the faces behind the Laura Lynn Christmas appeal this year. The Gibson OGara family, who lost their son Martin in 2021 at just 10 years old, have kindly offered to support Irelands only childrens hospice as it launches its annual Christmas appeal, highlighting the vital support it provides to families like them. Martin, who was also a brother to Patrick, spent precious moments at Laura Lynn, creating memories that his family will treasure forever. Laura Lynn offers specialist paediatric palliative care services to babies, children, and young people with life-limiting conditions across Ireland. Since its opening in 2011, the hospice has supported 860 children and their families, helping them live well and make the most of every moment when life is short. The hospice relies primarily on fundraised income to provide its essential services. The late Martin Gibson O'Gara. Sarah Gibson, Martins mum, shared her heartfelt experience as the appeal was launched. Martin was non-verbal, needed intensive nursing care, and was regularly in-and-out of hospital. But none of this stopped Martin from making the most of his life, and he absolutely adored spending time at LauraLynn. "His eyes lit up every time we arrived there. Laura Lynn is so in tune with every family member and so experienced and skilled at providing the right kind of support. I made a promise that Martins light would never go out, and taking part in Laura Lynns Christmas Appeal means we have been able to tell Martins story. Hopefully, it will help so many families like ours. Martins light is definitely shining a little brighter today, she said. In 2023, Laura Lynn provided 1,804 nights of in-hospice care and 2,143 community visits, offering services free of charge, including symptom management, music and play therapy, psychological support, family and sibling camps, short breaks, crisis care, end-of-life care, and bereavement support. Care is provided in hospice, at hospital, or in a childs home. The Gibson O'Gara family with the late little Martin and Santa. Kerry McLaverty, CEO of Laura Lynn, expressed gratitude for the support of all those who helped and donated during the year. We are so very grateful to Sarah, Marty, and Patrick for taking part in this years Christmas Appeal, and we hope that by hearing Martins story, people will support us to help even more families like the Gibson OGaras all across the country. "Children with palliative care needs and their families deserve to receive the care and support they need at every stage of their journey, from diagnosis to end of life and into bereavement. We are asking our supporters to help LauraLynn families like Martins continue to receive the care and support they need by donating, she said. LauraLynns services are provided free of charge, and the hospice relies primarily on fundraised income to continue its work. To support LauraLynns Christmas Appeal and help families like the Gibson OGaras, visit: lauralynn.ie/donate. Chinese spy accused of becoming close to Prince Andrew in an effort to gain influence. Photo: Reuters An alleged Chinese spy who became a close confidant of Prince Andrew 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 in parliament on the scandal from former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith. A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops was assassinated in Moscow by Ukraine's SBU intelligence service on Tuesday morning in the most high-profile killing of its kind. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said. 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. India-Serbia Bilateral Trade and Business Ties: A 2024 Report India and Serbia continue to deepen their bilateral ties, leveraging shared values and a growing partnership that spans trade, investments, and cultural exchanges. High-level engagements, including agreements in defense, IT, agriculture, and cultural cooperation, have set an ambitious roadmap for growth. With a goal of reaching 1 billion in trade by 2030, India and Serbia are fostering closer collaboration across priority sectors. Indian investments in Serbia, ranging from manufacturing to agriculture and technology, have bolstered Serbias economic growth and expanded Indias footprint in the European market. As the two countries focus on mutual growth and innovation, their relationship reflects a promising trajectory in global diplomacy and economic cooperation. High-level visits and bilateral dialogue In 2023, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic established an ambitious goal to increase bilateral trade to 1 billion euros by 2030. In addition, Serbian President Vucic highlighted six priority areas for collaboration: defense and military technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, industrial partnerships, information technology, artificial intelligence, and cultural exchanges, including film production and digital cemetery graphics. Vucic also participated virtually in Indias Voice of Global South Summit in November 2023, hosted by Indias Prime Minister Modi. Other high-level engagements include External Affairs Minister Jaishankars meetings with Serbian leaders at the NAM Summit in January 2024. Several agreements have been signed between the two countries, including on defense cooperation, plant protection, and cultural exchange programs. The establishment of the India-Serbia Joint Economic Committee further supports this partnership. Trade and economic relations Trade between India and Serbia has grown significantly, with total bilateral trade reaching US$126.39 million in FY2023-24, compared to US$96.41 million in FY2023-22. Indias merchandise exports, which saw a healthy increase, include pharmaceuticals, machinery, IT services, and textiles. Serbia exports agricultural products and high-quality food processing items to India. India Serbia Import-Export Data (Value in US$ Million) Trade figures FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Indias export to Serbia 83.68 90.77 89.89 82.69 106.91 Growth % 8.48 -0.97 -8.01 29.29 Indias import from Serbia 11.51 7.31 11.07 13.71 19.48 Growth % -36.48 51.42 23.89 42.03 Total 95.18 98.08 100.96 96.41 126.39 Growth % 3.05 2.94 -4.51 31.1 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI Indias Exports to Serbia (Value in US$ Million) Commodity FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Growth % Organic chemicals 24.61 29.77 20.97 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 11.2 22.9 104.41 Ceramic products. 2.13 9.92 365.39 Pharmaceutical products 5.39 5.67 5.22 Plastic and articles thereof. 4.23 4.36 3 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof. 7.04 4.07 -42.13 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts. 3.68 3.45 -6.25 Rubber and articles thereof. 2.65 2.64 -0.51 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles. 1.83 2.42 31.98 Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; tapestries; trimmings; embroidery. 1.85 1.88 1.74 Optical, photographic cinematographic measuring, checking precision, medical or surgical inst. And apparatus parts and accessories thereof; 1.49 1.68 12.41 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, or radi. Elem. Or of isotopes. 0.33 1.65 396.32 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials. 1.52 1.56 2.95 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI Indias Imports from Serbia (Value in US$ Million) Commodity FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 Growth % Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. 1.12 7.15 537.97 Edible fruit and nuts; peel or citrus fruit or melons. 3.34 4.12 23.28 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers,and parts. 3.63 2.17 -40.29 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 0.67 0.83 23.47 Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof. 0.06 0.77 1,252.11 Optical, photographic cinematographic measuring, checking precision, medical or surgical inst. And apparatus parts and accessories thereof; 0.83 0.77 -7.98 Organic chemicals 0.24 0.77 220.84 Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather 0.22 0.57 154.36 Miscellaneous chemical products. 0.02 0.35 2,074.07 Plastic and articles thereof. 0.18 0.33 80.78 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal. 0.67 0.33 -51.5 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, or radi. Elem. Or of isotopes. 0.01 0.29 4,194.12 Residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder. 0.38 0.26 -30.64 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI India and Serbia Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India and Serbia aims to prevent the incidence of double taxation on income earned in both countries, fostering smoother economic and investment activities. The two countries signed their DTAA on February 8, 2008. Recipient Country Withholding Tax Rates (%) from Certain Types of Income Serbia Dividend Interest Royalty Fee for technical services 5; 15 10 10 10 Source: Income Tax Department, Ministry of Finance, GoI, India Briefing Indian investments and business engagements in Serbia Indian investments in Serbia have played a significant role in fostering economic ties between the two nations, spanning diverse sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, real estate, and technology. Below is an overview of major Indian initiatives in Serbia, demonstrating the depth and breadth of collaboration: Aluminum panel manufacturing (2012) Investor: UAE-based Indian company Mulk Holdings. Project: Established a facility in Banatski Karlovac. Investment: US$20 million (EUR 18 million). Tractor assembly by Sonalika Group (2012) Partnership: Collaboration with Serbian company FPM Agromehanika AD. Project: Assembly line for SOLIS brand tractors in Boljavac, Serbia. Outcome: Export-oriented production, contributing to EU markets. Mahindra tractors assembly (2017) Partnership: Through Serbian company Agropanonka. Focus: Assembly and distribution of Mahindra tractors. Wai Wai noodle factory established in Serbia by CG Food India (2017) Project: Establishment of a noodle manufacturing facility. Investment: US$10 million (EUR 9 million). Company: Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE). Acquisition: Serbian tractor manufacturer IMT (Industrija Masina i Traktora AD). Investment: US$0.69 million (EUR 600,000). Assets: Brand rights, designs, intellectual property, and real estate in Jarkovac, near Belgrade. Motherson Sumi group expansion (2021-2022) Second factory (2021): Produces luxury car interiors for brands like Porsche, Audi, and BMW. Investment: EUR 38 million. Employment: 455 workers. Third facility (2022): Opened in Pozarevac, employing 900 people. Overall investment: Combined investment in Serbia totals EUR 65 million, employing approximately 4,500 workers across multiple facilities. Indian investments have significantly contributed to Serbias industrial and technological growth while opening avenues for export to broader European markets. These initiatives underscore the strategic partnership between India and Serbia, emphasizing economic development and mutual benefit. Conclusion In conclusion, the India-Serbia bilateral relationship has made notable strides in recent years, with both countries strengthening their economic, trade, and cultural ties. The ambitious goal of reaching 1 billion in bilateral trade by 2030 reflects the growing mutual commitment to expanding collaboration across sectors such as defense, agriculture, IT, and industrial partnerships. Indian investments have contributed to Serbias economic development, job creation, and technological advancements. As the partnership continues to evolve, both nations are poised for greater success in their shared journey of growth and innovation. Switzerland to Suspend MFN Clause for India under DTAA from January 1, 2025 Starting January 1, 2025, Switzerland will suspend the Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment for India under their 30-year-old Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), a decision that may complicate international taxation strategies for multinational firms. On December 11, 2024, Switzerland suspended the Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause under the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India. The MFN treatment will cease to apply from next year. Starting January 1, 2025, dividend payments from Swiss entities to Indian investors will be taxed at 10 percent, up from the current 5 percent. Why Switzerland has suspended Indias MFN status Switzerland cites a 2023 Indian Supreme Court ruling, involving Nestle SA and others, as the basis for this change. The Court had clarified in its judgment that the benefits under the MFN clause require explicit notification by the Indian government under the Income Tax Act, introducing procedural complexities to treaty implementation. Given the Swiss governments differing interpretation of the DTAAs Protocol between the two nations, it announced it would suspend unilateral implementation of the MFN clause in the absence of reciprocal acknowledgment. With this decision, Indian entities operating in Switzerland will pay higher taxes from January 1, 2025, onwards. The MFN clause between India and Switzerland was introduced as part of the Protocol to the DTAA signed between the two countries in 1994. Whats under contention The MFN clause in the India-Switzerland DTAA is a provision that ensures equal treatment for both countries in the context of tax benefits. Under this clause, if India or Switzerland enters a DTAA with a third country and grants that country a more favorable tax rate or benefit, the same advantage must automatically be extended to the other partner (in this case, India or Switzerland). For instance, if Switzerland agreed to a reduced withholding tax rate on dividends, interest, or royalties with another country (say 5 percent), India would automatically be entitled to the same lower rate under the MFN clause. Concerns about higher tax burden for Indian firms in Switzerland Tax experts have characterized this as a significant change in bilateral treaty dynamics, warning that it will increase tax liabilities for Indian companies operating in Switzerland and complicate compliance with international tax treaties. According to Ajay Srivastava, Director of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), Indian businesses previously benefited from a reduced 5 percent tax rate on dividends and other incomes under the MFN clause. However, with the suspension of the MFN provision, the tax rate will revert to 10 percent starting January 2025, adding financial pressure and reducing the competitiveness of Indian firms compared to businesses from countries that still enjoy MFN benefits. Analysts highlight that this development aligns with a larger global trend where nations are increasingly adopting stricter interpretations of treaty provisions to safeguard their domestic tax revenues. They also stress the importance of clear and consistent understanding between treaty partners to ensure predictability and stability in international taxation. Meanwhile, the GRTI director has expressed concerns about the broader repercussions of this suspension, particularly for key sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals, and financial services, where Indian firms have notable operations in Switzerland. He cautioned that unresolved issues around MFN clause interpretations could trigger similar challenges with other trade and investment treaty partners, potentially disrupting both inbound and outbound investment flows. To protect the interests of Indian businesses, trade analysts emphasize the urgency of proactive negotiations to harmonize treaty interpretations. They also advocate for modernizing Indias tax treaty frameworks to address contemporary business realities, particularly in digital and service sectors, thereby reducing tax-related uncertainties and enhancing global competitiveness. MFN suspension unlikely to impact US$100 billion EFTA investment commitment Switzerlands decision to suspend the unilateral application of the MFN clause with India under the DTAA is not expected to jeopardize the US$100 billion investment commitment outlined in the trade agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, signed earlier in March 2024. In March 2024, India signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the four EFTA member nationsSwitzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. This agreement is expected to facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of up to US$100 billion over the next 15 years, which could result in the creation of approximately one million jobs across various sectors in India. The India-EFTA TEPA also focuses on improving market access, facilitating technology exchange, and promoting investment in sectors like manufacturing, services, and infrastructure, aligning with Indias economic growth ambitions. Despite concerns surrounding the MFN suspension, Indias Commerce Secretary, Sunil Barthwal, clarified on December 16, 2024, that Switzerlands move is unlikely to impact the investment targets set under the TEPA. He emphasized that from the EFTA countries perspective, including Switzerland, the MFN clause suspension is viewed as a separate issue and does not alter their overall commitment to long-term economic cooperation and investments in India. The trade agreement with EFTA is regarded as a milestone in fostering trade relations and boosting Indias economic growth by providing a conducive environment for FDI. While the MFN suspension raises short-term tax considerations, it does not undermine the broader investment goals of the agreement, which are expected to enhance Indias manufacturing capabilities, technology exchange, and job opportunities. Indian Supreme Courts stance on the MFN clause in the India-Switzerland DTAA The Indian Supreme Courts position on the MFN clause in the India-Switzerland DTAA is centered around its interpretation and application. In October 2023, Indias apex court ruled that the MFN clause does not automatically apply; instead, it requires a formal notification under the Income Tax Act to trigger its implementation. Key aspects of the Supreme Courts ruling: Automatic trigger rejected: The Court clarified that the MFN clause in Indias DTAAs, including the one with Switzerland, does not take effect automatically when India or Switzerland enters into a more favorable tax agreement with a third country. The benefits can only apply after proper notification by the Indian government. The Court clarified that the MFN clause in Indias DTAAs, including the one with Switzerland, does not take effect automatically when India or Switzerland enters into a more favorable tax agreement with a third country. The benefits can only apply after proper notification by the Indian government. Protocol interpretation: The Indian Supreme Court emphasized that the interpretation of the MFN clause must align with Indias domestic legal framework, which requires formal notification to enforce treaty provisions. This position contrasts with Switzerlands prior unilateral application of the clause. The Indian Supreme Court emphasized that the interpretation of the MFN clause must align with Indias domestic legal framework, which requires formal notification to enforce treaty provisions. This position contrasts with Switzerlands prior unilateral application of the clause. Impact on treaty benefits: Prior to the ruling, Indian businesses operating in Switzerland benefited from reduced withholding tax rates (e.g., 5 percent on dividends) under the MFN clause. With the Courts stance, these benefits cannot be extended unless India issues an official notification. Without this, higher residual tax rates (e.g., 10 percent) will apply. Prior to the ruling, Indian businesses operating in Switzerland benefited from reduced withholding tax rates (e.g., 5 percent on dividends) under the MFN clause. With the Courts stance, these benefits cannot be extended unless India issues an official notification. Without this, higher residual tax rates (e.g., 10 percent) will apply. Treaty implementation dynamics: The ruling highlighted the importance of reciprocity and mutual acknowledgment of treaty interpretations. It underscored that India would not allow automatic implementation of tax benefits granted to other nations without due process. Like every year, anime is becoming more and more popular in India. People wait for new shows to debut and become their new fixation, and they keep waiting for their favorite anime to return with new seasons. In terms of anime released on OTT, 2024 was fantastic, but 2025 won't be any different. Many new anime will be available on Crunchyroll and Netflix in 2025, while some older ones will return with fresh seasons. This list of anime releases in 2025 includes Solo Leveling Season 2, Dr. Stone Science Future, My Happy Marriage Season 2, and more. Anime releasing on Crunchyroll in 2025 OTT platform Crunchyroll will bring to you a lot in the first quarter of 2025. From the awaited Solo Leveling Season 2 to Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time and more. Take a quick look at the list: Solo Leveling Season 2 -Arise from the Shadow Release date: TBA Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective Release date: 1st January Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time Release date: 1st January Zenshu Release date: 5th January Dr. Stone Science Future Release date: 9th January The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Release date: 10th January Toilet-bound Hanako-kun Season 2 Release date: 11th January Im Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class Release date: 3rd January Im a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic Release date: 6th January Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms Release date: 6th January Unnamed Memory Season 2 Release date: 7th January Magic Maker: How to Make Magic in Another World Release date: 8th January Anyway, Im Falling in Love with You. Release date: 9th January The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World Release date: 9th January I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but Ill Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time Release date: 10th January I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths! Release date: 11th January The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World Release date: 12th January The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You Season 2 Release date: 12th January Anime releasing on Netflix in 2025 Netflix on the other hand, will too bring back some of your favourite anime like My Happy Marriage Season 2 and Blood of Zeus Season 3. Heres the list: My Happy Marriage Season 2 Release date: 6th January Baban Baban Ban Vampire Release date: 11th January Sakamoto Days Release date: 11th January Kinnikuman Perfect Origin Arc Release date: 12th January Castlevania Nocturne Season 2 Release date: 16th January Blood of Zeus Season 3 Release date: TBA Are you pumped? Because we sure are! For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Nirangal Moondru OTT Release: Atharvaa, R. Sarathkumar and Rahman recently starred together in a Tamil hyperlink thriller which was received well by the audiences. Released in theatres on 22nd November, this Jakes Bejoy musical is finally arriving on OTT. As per a Hindustan Times report, Nirangal Moondru will be streaming on Aha from December 20, 2024, in Tamil and Telugu languages. Nirangal Moondru cast and crew The film also stars Dushyanth Jayaprakash, Chinni Jayanth, John Vijay, Ammu Abhirami, Murali Radhakrishnan, Santhana Bharathi, Uma Padmanabhan, Bala Hasan and Rethika Srinivas among others. Written and directed by Karthick Naren, Nirangal Moondru is produced by K. Karunamoorthi under the banner of Ayngaran International. Tijo Tomy has cinematographed the film with Sreejith Sarang as the editor. Nirangal Moondru plot summary The film tells three interconnected stories happening over one intense night. The film follows Sri (Dushyanth), a shy high school student searching for his crush, Parvathy (Ammu), who has mysteriously gone missing. At the same time, Vetri (Atharvaa), a struggling filmmaker battling personal issues, is on a mission to recover his stolen script. Meanwhile, Inspector Selvam (Sarathkumar) is caught up in a high-profile hit-and-run case involving the sons of a powerful minister. These three lives collide in ways that reveal unexpected truths and force each character to make tough decisions. As the story unfolds, Sris search leads to shocking revelations about his teacher, Vasanth (Rahman), while Vetris journey brings out buried family secrets and tests his strength. Selvams case ties into their lives, creating a tense and emotional confrontation that changes them forever. If you happen to watch Nirangal Moondru on Aha, dont forget to come back and review it on @indiatimes. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. We hate to inform you that Beyond the Spider-Verse will take longer to release than anticipated, if you were hoping for some positive news. Since it reveals the title's delayed release, the latest Spider-Man Beyond the Spider-Verse release date update has only upset fans. According to reports, production had stopped because of difficulties completing Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Because voice actors were unable to record their dialogue due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, the film's production was further delayed. Spider-Man Beyond The Spider-Verse release date update The release date for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse has been postponed until 2026 at the latest, which is a gloomy update. A trilogy that started with the critically successful Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in 2018 and proceeded with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in 2023 would be completed with the eagerly awaited sequel. The original release date for the third installment was March 29, 2024. But the movie was suddenly taken off of Sony's distribution schedule. According to Deadline, Sony has decided not to include the movie in their 2025 release schedule. Spider-Man Beyond The Spider-Verse cast and crew Spider-Man Beyond The Spider-Verse cast includes, Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Nicolas Cage, Luna Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Amandla Stenberg, John Mulaney, Kimiko Glenn, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershala Ali and Jharrel Jerome. The directors are Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. It has been written by Dave Callaham, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. "I want justice, I have been fighting for justice for the past three years," said businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, in a candid interview with ANI. This marks his first public statement after remaining silent for three years since the pornography production allegations were first levied against him. Raj Kundra asserts innocence, while admitting to owning app that produced 'A-rated' films "To date, I have not been a part of any pornography, any production, or anything to do with porn at all," Raj Kundra stated, addressing the allegations that have haunted him. "When this allegation came to light, it was very hurtful." As per the investigation, Kundra reportedly established a company, Arms Prime Media Limited, in February 2019 and created an app called "Hotshots." This app was later sold to his brother-in-law, Pradeep Bakshi's company, Kenrin, based in the UK. Authorities claimed that WhatsApp conversations on Kundra's phone revealed discussions about selling 119 adult films for $1.2 million. In response, Kundra clarified his involvement, explaining, "As far as running an app is concerned, there was a listed company in my son's name, and we used to provide technology services. We provided technology services to my brother-in-law's company, Kenrin, in which he had launched an app. It was bold for sure; it was made for the older audience; these were A-rated films, but they were not pornographic at all." Reports suggested the Hotshots app hosted adult content filmed in India. However, Kundra denied producing any films or being involved in their creation. "Let a girl come forward who says that I have met Raj Kundra or worked in any of his movies, or has Raj Kundra ever produced any movie," he challenged. Why was he silent for three years despite being innocent? "For the last three years, the media was doing so much speculation; I felt that my participation was not needed in these speculations. To me, sometimes silence is bliss," Raj Kundra shared, adding, "..but when it comes to the family and the family members are involved, then I feel I should come out and speak." "Out of the 13 people who are on the chargesheet, I am the only one who is saying that this case should be brought to a conclusion soon. If anyone is guilty, then he should be charged; if he is not guilty, then he should be discharged. So even if it was 1% true, I would not have sought discharge." Business rivalry to blame? Kundra suggested that the allegations against him stemmed from a business rivalry that had turned personal. "Once, while I was in PC, someone came to me in the middle of the night and said, 'Why did you get into a fight with him?' That's when I realised who had plotted this against me," he said. He also revealed that he had contacted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sharing the names of those he believed were orchestrating the conspiracy to ruin his reputation. Though he chose not to name them publicly, Kundra expressed confidence that justice would prevail. "Karma will be served. Justice will be served," he stated. What is the Raj Kundra pornography case? Credit:X | Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra The Raj Kundra pornography case involves allegations that he was involved in the production and distribution of adult content through a mobile app called "Hotshots." In July 2021, he was arrested by Mumbai Police and charged with obscenity, cheating, and violations of the IT Act. Kundra denied the charges, claiming he only operated a legal platform and was unaware of any illegal content. He was granted bail in September 2021. His wife, Shilpa Shetty, has denied involvement in the matter. Last month, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at Raj Kundra's properties and several other locations as part of a money laundering investigation. The search operations covered about 15 sites in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh. The case is still under investigation. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. In Bollywood, love often goes beyond societal boundaries, blending diverse cultures and religions into relationships that are inspiring and heartwarming. Indiatimes recently wrote about 7 celebrities whose interfaith marriages show love has no religion and we thought why not give an extension to this list that was loved and shared largely by our readers? Check out 7 (more) Bollywood couples who chose to celebrate love over everything else! 1. Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal Richa, who practices Hinduism, and Ali Fazal, who follows Islam, tied the knot on 4th October 2022 after years of being together. Their romance began on the sets of Fukrey and blossomed into a beautiful partnership. The couple chose to honour each others faiths through an intimate wedding that embraced traditions from both cultures. Richa and Alis relationship highlights not just their shared love for cinema but also their deep respect for each others individuality and heritage. 2. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Saif Ali Khan, a follower of Islam, married Kareena Kapoor, a Hindu, on October 16, 2012, in a grand yet personal ceremony. While Kareena retained her original name, their relationship has always been about balance and acceptance of each others beliefs. Together, they are proud parents to Taimur and Jeh, raising their children with the values of inclusivity. Their enduring love story remains one of Bollywoods most iconic examples of interfaith unions. 3. Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal Kaif, with her mixed Christian and Islamic upbringing, and Vicky, who comes from a Hindu Punjabi family, got married on December 9, 2021, in a dreamy wedding in Rajasthan. The couples interfaith union beautifully merged their unique cultural identities, showing that love always takes precedence over differences. For Katrina who was raised with multiple religious beliefs, her wedding wasnt too new of a change. 4. Sanjay Dutt and Maanyata Sanjay Dutt, who practices Hinduism, married Maanyata (born Dilnawaz Sheikh), a follower of Islam, on February 7, 2008. Their private wedding ceremony embraced elements of both religions, with Maanyata adopting her new name after marriage. Over the years, Maanyata has been a pillar of strength for Sanjay, supporting him through lifes ups and downs. 5. Shirish Kunder and Farah Khan Shirish Kunder, a Hindu, and Farah Khan, a Muslim, exchanged vows on December 9, 2004, at a wedding that celebrated their shared love for creativity and cinema. Despite their religious differences, the two found common ground in their passion for storytelling. Their long-lasting relationship deepened with the birth of their triplets shows how love and mutual understanding can bridge any divide. 6. Suniel Shetty and Mana Qadri Suniel Shetty, a staunch Hindu, fell in love with Mana Qadri, a Muslim, and they married on December 25, 1991. Mana, who embraced Hindu traditions post-marriage while honouring her roots, has been Suniels strongest supporter throughout their journey. Together, theyve built a happy family with their children, Athiya and Ahan, who carry forward the legacy of respect and love. 7. Ratna Pathak and Naseeruddin Shah Ratna Pathak, a Hindu, married Naseeruddin Shah, a Muslim, in 1982, after a journey filled with artistic companionship and deep affection. Their marriage reflects a perfect blend of intellect and creativity, as both have made significant contributions to theatre and cinema. Despite their different religious backgrounds, their relationship thrives on mutual admiration and shared passions. Which of these interfaith couples do you adore the most and why? Tell us @indiatimes. We cant wait to hear your thoughts on love! For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reintroduced GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan - Stage 4), the strictest anti-pollution measures in Delhi, after the air quality in the national capital breached the 400 mark again. CAQM had earlier imposed GRAP-3 restrictions on Monday citing "highly unfavourable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and very low mixing height". CREDIT: ANI GRAP-4 restrictions in Delhi Later, as the air pollution levels breached the Severe+ category, CAQM upgraded the restrictions to GRAP-4. "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." "The Sub-Committee decided to impose Stage-IV ('Severe+' Air Quality) of the GRAP schedule (issued on 13.12.2024) in the entire NCR, with immediate effect," CAQM said. The Sub-Committee decided to impose Stage-IV (Severe+ Air Quality) of the GRAP schedule (issued on 13.12.2024) in the entire NCR, with immediate effect. Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) December 16, 2024 How are GRAP-4 restrictions decided The GRAP for the NCR has been classified under 4 different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi -- Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300), Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400), Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450) and Stage IV - 'Severe+' (AQI >450) respectively. CREDIT: REUTERS Restrictions on vehicular movement Under GRAP 4, all trucks, except those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services, will be banned from entering Delhi. LNG/CNG/Electric BS-VI Diesel trucks shall, however, be permitted to enter Delhi. Light Commercial Vehicles registered outside Delhi, other than EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel, will not be allowed to enter Delhi. BS-IV and below Diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles, even if they are Delhi registered, are banned from plying. CREDIT: BCCL Educational institutions to switch to online classes State governments can decide on closing schools/colleges/educational institutions or discontinuing physical classes and switching to online mode. Work from home for private/government employees State governments can decide on allowing public, municipal, and private offices to work at 50% strength and the rest to work from home. The central government can decide on allowing work from home for its employees. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Former actor and ex-Bigg Boss contestant, Sana Khan, has been receiving online backlash over a recent comment she made on postpartum depression in her daily YouTube vlog. While sharing her personal experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum depression in the vlog, she mentioned that new mothers should not constantly remind themselves about postpartum depression. This led to an outrage among the social media fam. What did Sana Khan say? Sana Khan also runs her daily YouTube vlog channel to share her life experience. Sana recently announced her second pregnancy on her Instagram with a video that showed the silhouettes of an older and younger child. In her latest vlog, she spoke about her own experience with postpartum depression and said if someone is battling postpartum depression, they should not think about it much, and they should let it as it affects their mental health. The experience is difficult, she continued. According to Sana, the lifestyle changes after childbirth, as suddenly there is a new person next to you who wakes up crying, and your sleep cycle is disturbed. Sana Khan suggests finding solace in spirituality; netizens react The former actor went on to suggest new mothers look for peace in spirituality. "I remember feeling fatigued and dozing off while feeding the baby. This is very normal; a person could also feel lonely even if there are 100 people at home. I have also gone through that," she added. Constantly reminding yourself that you are depressed may make you start feeling that way, as per Sana. As soon as the video surfaced, people on social media started slamming her, especially on Reddit. One user wrote, This is so tone deaf!! Like telling someone with a leg fractured? Dont think about it, just walk it off, With another writing, "I have been battling depression for a decade now... now tell me why did thinking mujhe kuchh nahi hua hey, mujhe kuchh nahi hua hey,mujhe kuchh nahi hua hey for years not help me get out of it? Educate yourself if you lack common sense otherwise STFU. What is postpartum depression? According to the Mayo Clinic, postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition that affects women after giving birth. The condition can happen any time after childbirth but mostly starts within 1 to 3 weeks of delivery. Symptoms of postpartum depression Feelings of sadness Anxiety Hopelessness Exhaustion To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. One of Indias much-talked-about Bills - One Nation, One Election (ONOE) - is all set to be tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, December 17. Having formed on September 2, 2023, ONOE has the power to bring a revolutionary constitutional change in India and reform how elections are conducted in the country. Heres everything you need to know about the Bill explained in simple language. What is the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill? The 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) Bill is a proposed legislative initiative aimed at synchronising the elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies across India. The concept seeks to hold these elections simultaneously, thereby reducing the frequency of elections and ensuring a unified electoral process. The idea is to address the challenges posed by frequent elections, such as administrative burden, high costs, and policy paralysis. The ONOE Bill aims to streamline the election process, improve governance, and reduce disruptions caused by the model code of conduct, which restricts government actions during election periods. Instagram Key people and institutions involved in ONOE Prime Minister Narendra Modi - An advocate for the concept whos calling for national discussions on the feasibility of simultaneous elections. Law Commission of India - Provided reports (170th and 255th) analyzing the pros and cons of simultaneous elections. Election Commission of India (ECI) - The body responsible for conducting elections; tasked with exploring the operational challenges of implementing ONOE. Special Committee - Recently formed to explore the implementation of ONOE, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind and Dr. Niten Chandra as Secretary General. Whats the proposed implementation under ONOE? Constitutional Amendments: Amendments to Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Indian Constitution will be necessary to align the terms of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Legislative Overhaul: Changes to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to allow for early dissolution or extension of legislatures in case of non-synchronous terms. Infrastructure Development: Massive resource allocation for additional electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trails (VVPATs). Pilot Projects: Conducting mock simultaneous elections in specific regions before rolling them out nationwide. What could be ONOEs impact on the system? Electoral Process: A unified election cycle would mean that Lok Sabha and Assembly elections happen on the same date, requiring robust logistical planning. Governance: Reduces the frequent imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, allowing uninterrupted policy implementation and governance. Election Management: The Election Commission will face a significant increase in workload, necessitating additional resources and manpower. Instagram What could be ONOEs impact on the citizens? Ease of Voting: Citizens would only need to vote once every five years for both state and national representatives. Reduced Election Fatigue: Frequent elections often lead to voter apathy; ONOE could encourage higher voter participation. Cost Savings: Lower taxpayer money spent on conducting frequent elections. Pros of the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill Cost Efficiency: Reduces the financial burden of repeated election processes, including security, logistics, and administrative expenses. Streamlined Governance: Eliminates frequent interruptions caused by the Model Code of Conduct and allows smoother implementation of policies. Improved Election Management: Focused allocation of resources and personnel for a single election cycle. Cons of the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill Logistical Challenges: Conducting simultaneous elections across a vast and diverse country like India would require immense planning, resources, and infrastructure. Constitutional Hurdles: Amending multiple constitutional provisions requires broad political consensus, which may be difficult to achieve. Federal Concerns: Critics argue that ONOE could undermine the federal structure by diluting the focus on state-specific issues. Potential Voter Confusion: Mixing state and national elections might lead to voters prioritizing national issues over local governance. Disruption in Case of Dissolution: If a government (state or central) falls prematurely, it could disrupt the synchronised cycle, necessitating interim measures. Instagram Examples of Similar Practices Several countries, such as Sweden, South Africa, and Indonesia, hold simultaneous elections to streamline governance and reduce costs. However, their smaller size and simpler governance structures make it easier to implement compared to India. What are the challenges in implementing ONOE? Technical Readiness: Ensuring adequate EVMs and VVPATs for a nationwide simultaneous election. Political Resistance: Gaining consensus from opposition parties and state governments. Public Acceptance: Educating voters about the new system to avoid confusion. Continuity in Governance: Developing contingency plans for unforeseen political disruptions. The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill is an ambitious proposal with far-reaching implications for India's electoral and governance systems. While the potential benefits, such as cost efficiency and streamlined governance, are significant, the logistical, constitutional, and federal challenges cannot be overlooked. Its implementation would require a phased approach, widespread consensus, and meticulous planning to ensure that it strengthens democracy rather than weakening it. By addressing concerns and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making, ONOE has the potential to become a landmark reform in India's democratic journey. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Anambra State Police Command has commenced investigation, following the death of Fabian Chinedu, a staff member of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, in Awka area of the state. It was gathered that Mr. Chinedu was allegedly shot by gunmen on Monday night at Aroma Junction in Awka. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the suspected killers of the the UNIZIKs staff, left with the victims car, a Toyota Corolla 2006 model, Ash colour with an Enugu Plate number, UWN 158 AS. Advertisement This was contained in a statement by the State Police Commands Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga on Monday. Ikenga noted that efforts have been put in place by security operatives to ensure the arrest of the culprits, responsible for Mr. Chinedus death. READ MORE: Anambra Guber: APC Candidate Knocks Gov Soludo Over Insecurity Challenge, Says Infrastructure Not Enough He said: To this end, the Command while commiserating with his family and friends, especially the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, calls on anyone with any useful information that can aid the investigation to please come forward in this regard. The Command also urges members of the Public who might have seen the vehicle or any abandoned vehicle with similar description to report to the closest Police Station. Edo State government has issued 72 hours ultimatum to Asue Ighodalo and his supporters, over alleged possession of governments vehicles. Ighodalo, a governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, was accused of keeping properties belonging to Edo government. Speaking in a statement on Tuesday, Chairman, Government Assets Recovery Committee of the state, Kelly Okungbowa, said that some of the properties, owned by Edo Line were allegedly sold and have been discovered in a spare parts market in Benin City. Advertisement He said: We want to use this medium to appeal to those people whose names have been mentioned, to please return those vehicles to the authorities, because they are not my property. READ MORE: Okpebholo Orders Immediate Freezing Of Edo Govt Bank Accounts Those vehicles are the property of the state government, for the Edo people. And we all know the cost of buying one vehicle. To buy a brand new Hilux costs you nothing less than N120 million. Where do they expect the governor to get that kind of money to purchase new vehicles? We want to appeal to them, especially the candidate of the PDP, Barrister Asue Ighodalo and his running mate. It is good for us to also advise them as a father and leader in the state, that they should do the right thing by returning those vehicles. We want to appeal to them, especially the candidate of the PDP, Barrister Asue Ighodalo and his running mate. It is good for us to also advise them as a father and leader in the state, that they should do the right thing by returning those vehicles. It may interest you that those vehicles that have recovered- the governor has directed that we should reallocate them to the agencies, and we have done that. We are giving them another 72 hours to do the needful. If they fail to do it, then, we will do the needful. The Federal Executive Council has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja as Yakubu Gowon University, in honor of the former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon. According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the decision was made during the councils last meeting for 2024, held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. READ ALSO: Studentsll Undergo Drug Test Before Admission UNIABUJA VC Advertisement Idris stated on Monday, The third item is that there is also a decision taken by the Federal Executive Council to rename the University of Abuja to honour elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon. The University of Abuja will, henceforth, be called Yakubu Gowon University. The Minister also noted that the process will require legislative work and will be sent to the National Assembly for approval. Additionally, Idris noted that the council will proceed on a recess from December 18, 2024, to January 6, 2025. The Nasarawa State Police Command has apprehended a man identified as Sunday Bidemi in connection with an alleged car theft. After receiving a tip-off, operatives from the Masaka Division arrested the culprit. According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ramhan Nansel, officers recovered a Toyota Corolla with registration number ABJ 730 KE during the operation. Advertisement DSP Ramhan Nansel disclosed that preliminary investigations showed the suspect fled with the vehicle in October 2024. He added that the car belonged to Barr. Wilson Egwun of Wuse II, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. READ MORE: Four Suspected Terrorists Killed, Five Arrested As Imo Taskforce Raids Camp Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect absconded with the said vehicle belonging to one Barr. Wilson Egwun of Wuse II, FCT Abuja, some time in the month of October 2024. Nansel stated. The Police spokesman went on to say that the Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State Command, has ordered that the suspect be charged in court for prosecution once the investigation is completed. President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administrations reforms are a critical step towards building enduring national wealth and prosperity. According to Tinubu, his policies are deliberate and well thought-out, aimed at addressing economic diversification, human capital development, infrastructure development, wealth creation, and inclusive growth. Represented by Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, at the 2024 Nigerian Media Merit Awards, which held at the Muson Centre in Lagos, Tinubu said I will say with every sense of conviction that our policies are deliberate and well thought-out. Advertisement READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Eight New Permanent Secretaries To Fill Existing Vacancies We are headed towards the restoration of Nigeria, on a path requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses economic diversification, human capital development, infrastructure development, wealth creation, and inclusive growth, Tinubu added. The President also emphasized the need for tax reform, stating that the current tax administration system requires a complete overhaul. He noted that while opinions may differ on the details of the proposed tax reforms, there is a national consensus on the need for reform. Tinubu added that the tax bills before the national assembly aim to streamline the number of taxes, ease the burden on vulnerable Nigerians, increase the share of taxes going to the states, and foster business growth through targeted incentives. The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, SOROH, has deactivated an insertion site that contained six wooden canoes, a generator, wires, and pipes, located in Igbomatoru, Bayelsa State. In a statement on Facebook on Monday, the Nigerian Navy disclosed that the operation took place on Thursday, 5 December 2024. The statement further revealed that on Friday, 6 December 2024, the NNS SOROH patrol team intercepted and seized two wooden boats carrying numerous sacks of illegally refined AGO in the Kongo axis of Bayelsa State. Advertisement READ MORE: Mob Sets Car Ablaze After Pedestrians Death In Lagos Lastly, on Thursday, 12 December 2024, NNS SOROH personnel discovered and confiscated 2 canoes laden with an unspecified quantity of stolen crude oil and a metal drum in Igbomatoru community, Bayelsa State, the statement said. These operations highlight the Nigerian Navys continued commitment to combating illegal activities, such as oil theft and illicit refining, in the Niger Delta region. The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old suspect, John Odeh, for allegedly stealing a motorcycle and other valuables worth N266,000 in the Odeda area of the state. Odeh was nabbed while riding a stolen Bajaj Boxer motorcycle at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Omolola Odutola, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the incident to DAILY POST on Monday, noting that the community chairman informed the police about it. Advertisement Odutola stated that after receiving the report, detectives were sent to the scene. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to breaking into the homes of Friday Clement and Ode Daniel, both 22 years old and residents of the same village, to steal the items. A red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with the registration number ABG 691 VC, two bags of clothes, a power bank and a pair of shoes were recovered. READ MORE: Fatal Collision On Lagos Third Mainland Bridge Claims One Life, Leaves Four Injured Odutola said: On December 15, 2024, at about 7:00 PM, Ogundele Muyiwa, a 54-year-old Community Development Association (CDA) chairman of Araromi Idera Village in Odeda, reported to the station with fellow residents. He stated that earlier, around 5:00 PM, one John Odeh, a 22-year-old from Alabata Road, was apprehended while riding a red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle (registration number ABG 691 VC). Odeh was found in possession of two bags containing clothes, a power bank, and a pair of shoes. Odutola revealed that the suspect is in police custody, with further investigations underway. Fifteen suspected armed robbers and cultists have been apprehended by the Oyo State Police Command in Ibadan, the state capital. On Monday, Ayodele Sonubi, the State Commissioner of Police, paraded the suspects at the Command headquarters in Eleyele. Sonubi expressed concern to journalists about the growing threat of cultism and related criminal activity in the state. Advertisement Cultism poses a significant threat to public safety, Sonubi stated, highlighting the Commands strategic measures to combat the menace. Several incriminating materials were confiscated during the operation, including: five jackets with cultism inscriptions, three Danish weapons, one locally produced pistol, and one cut-to-size gun; One long-barrel gun. A Toyota Camry, registration number KTU 41 JH; A red cloth, a powder blue beret with inscriptions, and three cutlasses are among the items. READ MORE: Fatal Collision On Lagos Third Mainland Bridge Claims One Life, Leaves Four Injured The Commissioner stated that cult-related activities have been reported in various Ibadan neighbourhoods, including Apete, Abayomi (Iwo-Road axis), Ijokodo, Moniya, Monatan, Ojoo, Samonda, and Sango. These experiences of cult-related violence are retaliatory-driven, embedded with a quest for absolute dominance by these sinister cult groups against their rivals, Sonubi explained. To tackle the issue, the Command has implemented intelligence gathering, advocacy campaigns, stakeholder meetings, and regular raids to curb the spread of violence. Sonubi urged parents, guardians, and community leaders to prevent their children from indulging in cultism, saying that the police would not hesitate to bring violators to justice. He told the residents that high-level visibility policing, coordinated stop-and-search operations, and intelligence-led raids would be used to ensure peace and order. The Commissioner also underlined the importance of improving field officer supervision, particularly among younger cadres, in order to prevent situations of professional misconduct, incivility, and extortion. The Oyo State Police Command under my watch is committed to ensuring the relative tranquility of our beloved state, he concluded. Controversial UK-based pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has asserted that he has never been to a nightclub or spotted at one. While appearing on Channels TVs Politics Today on Monday, Adegboyega stated that he only visits restaurants with some of his friends from Nigeria and other parts of the world. The 44-year-old said: I have never been seen in a night club but in a restaurant with some of my friends. Advertisement I preached my first message at the age of eight and I have been preaching since then. The founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church stated that his motivation for displaying his lifestyle was to convince young people that there are legitimate methods to earn money. Despite allegations of fraud, Adegboyega stated that he does not benefit from the churchs revenues. He revealed that his current challenges began after a Member of Parliament from his district accused him of opposing the gay community. READ MORE: Tobi Adegboyega Condemns Kemi Badenochs Remarks, Defends Nigerias Reputation Adegboyega stated that the MP reported the churchs activities to the police but said the police could not investigate the allegations against him and the church, calling them nonsensical. He said, You cant claim that our proof is inflated without telling us why. The UK Metropolitan Police gathered charities in the UK and asked them to go to SPAC Nation. I wrote solutions for the home office. Truths must be backed with facts. For 10 years, we have been persecuted without one single move. Allegations without indictment, so why shouldnt we suspect biases? We have a situation where people believed I was supporting certain political parties because one person believed that my agenda was to go against the gay community, and from that day, we have been to reconciliation meetings. The person wrote that my evangelical zeal was to make sure that the gay community in that area does not survive. He took dossiers of evidence against the church to the sacred ground of the parliament and submitted it to the internal affairs minister, who submitted it to the police, and the police came back to say that they couldnt even investigate one thing because it was all nonsensical. The person is an MP, and the same person is sitting behind these things, making sure that he is not defeated. If there is any honour left in his system, what such men should do is apologise unless youre saying the police authority of Great Britain is inept, which would be quite unfortunate. President Bola Tinubu has postponed the presentation of the N47.9 trillion 2025 budget to the National Assembly from Tuesday to Wednesday. The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) disclosed the development in a statement on Monday. The Federal Government had proposed N47.9 trillion as the total expenditure in the 2025 budget on November 14. Advertisement Tinubu later submitted the Medium-term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) for 20252027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives on November 19. The MTEF/FSP serve as parameters for the countrys budget and project a three-year spending plan for the Federal Government. READ ALSO: Tinubu To Present 2025 Budget To National Assembly On December 17 The Senate however approved the MTEF/FSP on December 3, ahead of the consideration of the 2025 budget proposal. Alkali Umar, the secretary of the directorate of human resource and staff development of the NASC, confirmed the postponement. I am directed to inform you that the presentation of 2025 Budget by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has been postponed to Wednesday, 18th December, 2024. The Federal Executive Council approved the N47.96 trillion 2025 budget earlier on Monday. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed that the total expenditure for 2025 is projected at 47.96 trillion, representing a 36.8% increase from the 2024 budget estimate. Pastor Tobi Adegboyega, based in the UK, has refuted statements made by Kemi Badenoch, leader of the British Conservative Party, suggesting that Nigeria compels its citizens to partake in questionable activities. In an interview with a UK journalist, Badenoch, who had been mocking Nigeria prior to taking the helm of the UK opposition party, made the accusation. Additionally, she accused the Nigerian Police of stealing from the people they were sworn to protect. Advertisement Adegboyega, whose SPAC Nation was recently shut down by the British government over claims of mishandling 1.87m in church funds, challenged her statement, arguing that no place in the world is completely safe. The statement was made by the cleric during his appearance as a guest on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Monday. He said, I completely disagree with that statement. Between 2023 and 2024, about 78,000 bags and phones were snatched in London and the UK alone. Theres a very strong Nigerian black community in this nation. READ MORE: Isreal DMW Expresses Desire For Good Wife Who Can Cook Very Well For people like the leader of the opposition (party) you just mentioned to get to that position, theyve been fighting on the street. There were funerals where kids were killed in the UK. They buried three kids from the same parents. And we ask the question when the Nigerian community control these things in the UK, where are these voices? They have been fighting. The Windrush, which has to do with Jamaicans. People have been fighting before a black person or black immigrant can ascend to those seats. Adegboyega further emphasized that while life may be challenging for his people in Nigeria, it does not justify the kind of negative portrayal of the country that Badenoch has been promoting. To support his argument, the embattled preacher highlighted that there are more young black men in UK prisons and mental health institutions than in schools. He added, So we cannot disassociate from where we are coming from. We are not denying the fact that our country has issues and we are also not as old as the advanced economies like Britain, but we cannot say things are all dark because its not true. We live on the street and know what is going on here. We know that prisons and mostly mental hospitals have more young black people than schools in the UK. When SPAC Nation began, we started sending people to Harvard, Cambridge and also have the highest number in Imperial College. Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have arrested Bako Wurgi, alias Baka NaGarba, a suspected notorious bandit leader and arms dealer. Wurgi is suspected to be behind the murder of Isa Bawa, the Emir of Gobir in Sokoto State. Advertisement According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, Wurgi was arrested on December 14 around 10 p.m. following intelligence reports that he was receiving treatment at a hospital in Shinkafi town, Zamfara State. The report said Wurgi was being treated for injuries he sustained during a clash with a rival group. READ ALSO: Bandits Release Video Of Abducted Monarch In Blood Stained Cloth The army discovered he was on his way to a hospital with multiple cuts and gunshot wounds. Two of Wurgis accomplices fled the scene, but troops arrested the person who assisted in transporting him in a tricycle. Wurgi is suspected to have played a key role in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of the Emir of Gobir, which involved ransom negotiations that included cash and motorcycles but ultimately failed. He is reportedly related to Bello Turji, a notorious bandit leader, through his grandfather. His son, Sani Duna, is alleged to act as a getaway biker for Turji, highlighting familial links within the banditry network. Confirmation calls and messages made by Information Nigeria to Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, werent responded to at the time of filing this report. Wurgis arrest marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and banditry in the Northwest region. Pedestrians walk past the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. Read more If you run a small business, youve probably been hearing about new filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. But that law is now in limbo, which is raising additional questions about what businesses should do. The act became law in 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It requires many businesses particularly smaller businesses to report certain details about their beneficial owners to the U.S. Treasury Department by Dec. 31 or face a fine of up to $10,000 per reporting entity. This includes anyone who owns at least 25% of the entity through profit interest, options, warrants, and other instruments. Advertisement Other senior managers with substantial control over company decisions may also need to be included. Businesses may also need to report their legal and trade names (or doing business as name), street address, the state where the entity was formed, and relevant tax and employer identification numbers. But now everythings on hold. Earlier this month the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a preliminary injunction suspending the enforcement of the act because the reporting requirements exceed Congresss power, and violate First and Fourth Amendment protections. Enforcement of the act is halted nationwide, and for now, businesses are no longer required to meet the Jan. 1 filing deadline. Immediately following the courts decision, the government announced its intention to appeal. With the Jan. 1 deadline looming, most experts are taking a wait-and-see attitude. Its unclear whether things will be finalized before the Dec. 31 deadline, said Alex J. Phinn III, an attorney with Pritchard Law in Colmar, Pa. If it is not, then the deadline to file will most likely be extended; however, I cannot say for certain. Mark Limardo, a partner in the tax department with New York law firm Herrick, says that as a pure legal matter, the decision clearly renders the act universally unenforceable as long as the preliminary injunction remains in place. If the governments appeal is successful, Limardo said, a company that stopped working on its compliance may be unable to restart and finish in time to meet the Jan. 1 filing deadline, he said. But, he added, the appeals court or government could choose to grant a grace period because of the injunction. So what should a business owner do? Phinn is recommending two options to his clients who have not filed yet: go ahead and file, or wait for the appeals process to finish. The benefit of waiting is that if the ruling is kept by the higher courts, then you will have never given the government any of your information, he said. The con is that if the ruling is overruled, there may be a mad dash at some point soon to file everything. Limardo said a company should consider continuing its compliance, up to and just short of any filing. This way, if the injunction is lifted without any grace period, the company should be well-positioned to meet a short filing deadline, he said. Guidance from the Treasury Department says reporting companies are not currently required to file beneficial ownership information with [Financial Crimes Enforcement Network] and are not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force. However, reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit beneficial ownership information reports. As for me, I already reported this information about my company. It was an easy process and took just a few minutes. Although I certainly understand why some would have hesitations, the bottom line is that the information Im required to report is already pretty accessible. The New York architect charged in the deaths of several women, known as the Gilgo Beach killings, has been charged in another murder, this time of a Philadelphia woman whose remains went unidentified for 20 years, prosecutors announced on Tuesday morning. Rex Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000, after prosecutors said DNA evidence linked Heuermann to Macks death. Heuermann is now charged with killing seven women whose remains were found on Long Island and has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Appearing on Tuesday in a courtroom in Riverhead, N.Y., Heuermann told the judge: Im not guilty of any of these charges, your honor. Who was Valerie Mack? Mack, 24, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family in 2000 in New Jersey. She also went by the name Melissa Taylor. Its currently not known where Mack and Heuermann came into contact. Advertisement Months after Mack went missing, her partial remains were discovered in Manorville, N.Y. The rest of her body wouldnt be found until 2011, when police discovered more remains along Ocean Parkway on Long Island, near where remains of other victims in the Gilgo Beach killings were found. Police would not discover Macks identity until May 2020, when genetic genealogy testing revealed the body was hers. Before that announcement, she was known as Jane Doe #6 or Manorville Jane Doe. For two decades, Valerie Macks family and friends were left searching for answers, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said following Macks identification. And while this is not the outcome they wanted, we hope this brings some sense of peace and closure. Macks parents, JoAnn and Edwin Mack, were present in court on Tuesday and news conference afterward, alongside the families of the other victims. The Macks did not speak to reporters, but accepted flowers and hugs from the other families. Advertisement We see you, we hear you, and we ask you to accept our condolences for your loss, said Gloria Allred, an attorney working on behalf of victims, to Macks parents. Macks family did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Inquirer. Who is Rex Heuermann? Heuermann was a resident of Massapequa Park, an area across Oyster Bay from Gilgo Beach, where police found skeletal remains along a nearby highway in 2010 and 2011. A father of two, Heuermann worked as a licensed architect with a small firm in Manhattan that completed store build-outs and other renovations for major retailers, offices, and apartments. After bodies began to surface along the South Shore area of Long Island, N.Y., in 2010, names including the Long Island Serial Killer, the Gilgo Beach Killer, the Manorville Butcher, and the Craigslist Ripper were attributed to the perpetrator, whom prosecutors say is Heuermann. In 2020, a Netflix film, Lost Girls based on the 2013 book Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery dramatized the killings. Advertisement In addition to Mack, Heuermann is also accused of killing Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, and Jessica Taylor. How was Heuermann arrested? Heuermann was arrested in 2023 after authorities formed a task force with the FBI to solve the cold case murders. Ultimately, investigators were able to associate Heuermann with a pickup truck that one witness claimed to have seen when one victim disappeared in 2010. Authorities later matched Heuermanns DNA recovered from a pizza crust in a box that he tossed in a Manhattan trash can to genetic material recovered from the bodies, which had been found bound and hidden in thick underbrush. Advertisement Authorities said investigators later linked Heuermann to other evidence in the case, including cell phones used to arrange meetings with the slain women, and taunting calls that a person claiming to be the killer made to a victims relatives using her cell phone following her disappearance in 2009. In a court filing, prosecutors said they recovered a file on a hard drive in Heuermanns basement that he used to methodically blueprint his killings including checklists with tasks to tick off before, during, and afterward, as well as lessons for next time. Prosecutors said on Tuesday that they found several newspaper and magazine clippings about the killings belonging to Heuermann in recent searches that they believe he kept as souvenirs and mementos of the crimes. Among them was a July 29, 2003, copy of the New York Post that included an article about the investigation into Macks remains. Investigators say evidence points to Heuermanns home as the scene of the killings, particularly the basement in most cases, when his family was out of town. This is the most unique case that Ive ever done, Tierney said. Whats next in the case? The judge in the case gave the defense until January to file motions related to evidence. Prosecutors are continuing to look into the death of Karen Vergata, whose death they say may be related to the killings. Her remains were discovered in 1996, and were identified in 2022 after DNA testing. In September, authorities released new renderings of an unidentified victim who was found in 2011. Officials said the victim, whom for years they had identified as male, may have presented outwardly as female and died in 2006. The Associated Press contributed to this article. The house on Meredith Road in Lower Merion that police say was the site of a home invasion and slaying. Read more The violent home invasion in Lower Merion last week was a tragic and deadly case of mistaken identity, authorities said Tuesday. Two men who targeted a home on Meredith Drive in a Dec. 8 burglary that left a man dead and his mother grievously injured were looking for an entirely different house, Montgomery County officials said. Advertisement Kelvin Roberts, 42, and Charles Fulforth, 41, had set out to break into a home with a similar address in Bucks County and steal guns they had been told were stored there, District Attorney Kevin Steele said. Both men have been charged with first- and second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, and related crimes. The two worked for Junkluggers, a junk-hauling business in Willow Grove that had been hired to remove items from the Bucks County address. Another employee at the company, whom investigators did not identify, told them about a cache of weapons at that house, according to the affidavit of probable cause for the mens arrests. They simply got the wrong house, Steele said Tuesday. They went into the wrong house with bad intentions, shot a 61-year-old woman as she lay in bed, and executed her 25-year-old son. Andrew Gaudio was shot multiple times, including in the back of the head, as he struggled to protect his mother from the intruders, according to Steele. Bernadette Gaudio, who had been bedridden because of a medical issue, was also shot multiple times, he said, in an attack that left her paralyzed. Steele said the intended victims of the robbery were an elderly couple who had multiple gun safes in the basement of their Bucks County home. They had hired Junkluggers to remove items from their property on Dec. 9. READ MORE: Serial burglaries targeting homes from Gladwyne to Fishtown are part of a trend of crime tourists, police say Steele declined to give the address of the targeted property in Bucks County out of concern for the safety of the homeowners. Roberts was taken into custody just before 8 a.m. Tuesday at Junkluggers, Steele said, after another employee at the business called Upper Merion Police to alert them to his whereabouts. He remained in custody Tuesday morning, denied bail. Fulforth was also denied bail after being arrested outside his apartment in Jenkintown last week. During the home invasion in Lower Merions Wynnewood section, Bernadette Gaudio was able to call 911 to report the attack as the burglars ransacked her home. The intruders stole multiple items, including Gaudios jewelry box and her Jeep Grand Cherokee, authorities said. Detectives linked Roberts to the crime through a sedan he was seen driving to the Gaudios home. The vehicle was traced to the home of his girlfriend, who lives on Sansom Street near 59th in West Philadelphia. About a block from that address, the officers found the stolen Jeep. After serving a search warrant on the girlfriends home, detectives discovered Gaudios jewelry box, as well as boxes for two different handguns and ammunition, the affidavit said. Days after the crime, investigators arrested Fulforth, Roberts boss at Junkluggers. Fulforth has a record of convictions for theft and related crimes, as does Roberts, who had two active arrest warrants one for receiving stolen property in North Wales and another for a burglary in Philadelphia when he was taken into custody in the Lower Merion case, according to the affidavit. After detectives took Fulforth into custody, they searched his apartment in Jenkintown and discovered a 3D printer, as well as tools and materials used in creating ghost guns, unregistered firearms assembled from components often purchased online. They also found the key to Bernadette Gaudios stolen Jeep, as well as a 9mm ghost gun that forensic analysts later determined had fired the bullets that killed Andrew Gaudio, the affidavit said. Detectives also analyzed Fulforths cell phone, and found that he and Roberts traveled together from Sansom Street in West Philadelphia to the Gaudios home on Meredith Drive on the night of the home invasion. Fulforths phone also contained a picture of a gloved hand holding a brown box, with the body of Andrew Gaudio in the background. Text messages between the two men also showed that, after the burglary, Roberts said he was desperately trying to pull together money to fund a trip to Jamaica, fearful that the police were searching for him, according to the affidavit. In a later interview with police, Roberts admitted he drove Fulforth to the home on the night of the planned burglary. He said the two had gained access to the home through a basement window, and Fulforth brought zip ties to restrain the victims, the affidavit said. Once inside, Roberts said, Fulforth went upstairs without him, and he later heard a series of gunshots and a voice calling out Mom! He said he fled the home and drove away after hearing the gunfire, then circled the block, and waited for Fulforth to come outside. Fulforth stole the Gaudios Jeep and drove away in it, Roberts said, while he headed back to his girlfriends house in West Philadelphia. Fulforth, he said, later told him he had shot the Gaudios, according to the affidavit. Fulforth, in a separate interview with police, acknowledged participating in the burglary, but declined to provide detectives with details. According to the affidavit, he said, It wasnt supposed to end this way. In the days since Andrew Gaudios death and his mothers grave injury, friends and neighbors have rallied to support the family, Robert Gaudio, Andrews older brother, said in a statement posted to an online fundraiser. He said he appreciated the outpouring of good wishes and that he and his mother have such a long road ahead. Mom is the strength of the family, and shes pushing to fight every minute, he said. While I continue to make a poor attempt at being the brains, I need to take a moment to recognize Andrew, our heart. Everyone who had the pleasure of spending more than a few seconds with him will carry a little of him for the rest of their lives. Remember him well. Actors Bradley Cooper and Colman Domingo during a conversation following a screening of "Sing Sing" on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at New York's Francesca Beale Theater in Lincoln Center. The movie stars Domingo. Read more NEW YORK It was a very Philly morning on Monday at Lincoln Centers Francesca Beale Theater where Jenkintown-bred Bradley Cooper joined West Philly native Colman Domingo. They were there for a conversation after a screening of Sing Sing, where Domingo plays Divine G, an incarcerated playwright and actor who starts a theater program in Ossining, N.Y.s Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Cooper, who was in the running for a best actor Oscar last year along with Domingo, was quick to compliment Domingos powerful performance and his collaboration with formerly incarcerated actors in the film. The Maestro star is far from being the only fan. Advertisement My mother is from South Philly, 4 foot, 8 inches, hard as s. She couldnt move after watching the film, Cooper said about his mother, Gloria Campano, recounting the time they watched Sing Sing together. The conversation, which largely focused on Coopers favorite scenes from the film, started with Cooper asking Domingo how this film is different from the others he has starred in. This is different than anything Ive done, said Domingo, but I also feel like all my years in regional theater, off-off-Broadway, off-Broadway, films low budget, large budget, whatever. I feel like everything Ive been doing led to this in many ways. Domingo, 55, a journalism major at Temple University, dropped out of school to pursue acting when he was 21. In 2009, his autobiographical play, A Boy and His Soul about a young Black man in 1980s Philadelphia propelled by the beat of classical soul premiered off-Broadway. I was trying to marry my childhood coming of age and my new coming of age that Im having now, he said to The Inquirer in 2009. Fifteen years on, the vulnerability that Domingo brings to his performance in Sing Sing is something Cooper was deeply appreciative of. Domingo in turn credited the films director, Greg Kwedar, for keeping the camera lingering and not jumping to end a shot. Its because its Colman Domingo! Cooper said. In an extremely poignant scene in the film, Domingos character tells Clarence Maclin (played by Maclin himself) that Black men didnt address each other by a racial slur. They call each other beloved. It was something Domingo learned from Maclin through their conversations. I am from West Philly, I used the n word all time. So that was beautiful, he said. The film, which Domingo called a watershed experience, questions the tropes of prison films and focuses on the brotherhood and camaraderie among the incarcerated actors as they stage Shakespearean tragedies, social satires, and seemingly unhinged comedies about Hamlet, gladiators, and Egyptian princes. I am glad I am alive at a time when youre doing work. The sky is the limit for you, Cooper said to Domingo, establishing just why their hometown is called the City of Brotherly Love. An earlier version of this story misstated where Bradley Cooper grew up. He grew up in Jenkintown, Pa. His mother is from South Philly. 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) Read more Its been nearly a month since mystery drone sightings began popping up across the northeast. And for the most part, observers are still left wondering when it comes to the origins of the aircraft. Im pushing for answers amid these drone sightings, said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D, N.Y.) on Sunday, telling reporters that its remarkable that we have more questions than answers despite the high frequency of sightings. Advertisement Government agencies continue to say the drones are not an active threat and that many of them appear to be lawfully operated. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reiterated this Monday while speaking with reporters, adding that sightings were down. But specifics like the exact number of sightings, whether theyre all connected, and who is behind them remain fuzzy. The story continues to evolve, but heres what we know right now. When did the drones start popping up? The Federal Aviation Administration said it began receiving reports of drone activity in Morris County on Nov. 18. Police began investigating that day. Since then, sightings have been reported regularly with state officials saying there had been four to 180 drone sightings per night since mid-November (with some reports likely concerning the same drones). Advertisement The FBI told Congress earlier this week that the FBI has received over 3,000 tips from the public about drone sightings, which are mostly occurring at night. And theyre definitely drones? At least some of them are. Recently, government officials have made conflicting statements, first confirming they were monitoring the drones, then announcing many of the sightings were actually small planes, and then on Sunday reiterating that residents are in fact spotting drones. Advertisement Theres no question that people are seeing drones, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview. How can I tell the difference between a drone and a plane? There are a few calling cards to help differentiate between a plane or drone in the sky. Experts say the way their lights are laid out and how they sound is usually different. They caution that depth perception, especially at night, can be tricky and confirmation bias is common as news of the drones spreads. Advertisement Its also important to think about where the sighting occurred and if its near an airport. Flight tracker apps, like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightView, can also be useful tools to identify registered aircraft flying overhead in live time. READ MORE: Is it a drone? A plane? Heres how to tell the difference. Where have the drones been seen? Drones and aircraft have reportedly been spotted across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. In recent days, there have been alleged sightings in Ohio, near Virginia Beach, and in Massachusetts. Advertisement Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close its airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson. It was the first time drones had been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings have been reported since, Purtiman said Monday. He said the drones had no impact on any facilities on the base. Whos investigating the sightings? The FBI and DHS are actively investigating in tandem with local police departments and agencies from regions impacted, including the New Jersey State Police, the Virginia National Guard, and the Massachusetts State Police. Are the drones dangerous? Authorities say that while the drones might be annoying, they havent posed a safety threat. Still, the growing anxiety among some Northeast residents is not lost on President Joe Bidens administration, which has faced criticism from President-elect Donald Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. Senior officials from the FBI, Pentagon, FAA, and other agencies sought to reassure the public that the drones are not a threat or the handiwork of a malicious foreign actor in a call with reporters Saturday organized by the White House. The White House has said a review of the reported drone sightings shows many of them are manned aircraft being flown lawfully, echoing the opinions of officials and drone experts. In a statement released Tuesday, the FBI, DHS, and FAA echoed their previous comments that the aircraft is not dangerous. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast, the statement said. What are elected officials saying? Many remain heated and are calling for action. 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. On Monday when asked by reporters what message he had for people about the drones, Murphy said people needed to calm down. Theres no evidence of anything nefarious here, he said. We never say never, but take a breath. Murphy added that drone sightings had been down in recent days, which have been rainy and cloudy in the region. Can you shoot a drone? President-elect Trump and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.) are among those who have called for the unidentified drones to be shot down, which is illegal. Shooting a drone is considered a federal crime. It can also be a state crime depending on where you live. The Federal Aviation Administration says shooting any aircraft including, but not limited to, drones is illegal. READ MORE: Can you shoot a drone down? Its also a safety hazard. An FAA spokesperson said shooting at an aircraft could cause it to crash, collide, or fall, which could cause damage. Its also illegal and considered extremely dangerous to shoot into the sky in general because a bullet fired into the air will eventually fall back down. On Monday, the FBI and New Jersey State Police released a statement warning against shooting or pointing lasers at the aircraft, adding that theres concern that someone could target what they believe to be an unmanned drone but is actually a manned aircraft. What happens if a drone crashes? The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety issued a list of safety guidelines for the scenario to fire departments across the state last week. Larry Fox, deputy chief of the Mount Laurel Fire Department, said Monday that his department received the alert electronically through the fire safety divisions threat task force on Dec. 12. There havent been any verified reports of large drone crashes in the state, but that doesnt mean officials arent warning fire crews about the possibility. According to Fox, the guidelines say fire crews should not approach a downed drone. Crews were advised to respond wearing protective gear, set up a safety perimeter of more than 300 feet, and contact a host of first responders immediately, Fox said. That includes local police, hazmat crews, the bomb squad, and the FBI. Officials also told fire departments that, out of an abundance of caution, crews should prepare for the possibility of wreckage containing hazardous materials, Fox said. The New Jersey Division of Fire Safety did not return requests for comment. It was unclear how many fire departments were given the guidelines. READ MORE: New Jersey is briefing fire departments on how to handle a drone crash as sightings continue Has something like this happened before? Back in 2019, the Colorado Department of Public Safety said it received more than 110 drone sighting reports from November through January 2020. Some were said to have 6-feet wingspans just like what DHS said of sightings in New Jersey others were said to be small hobby drones. Some ended up being planes. The instances were investigated, but a final report was never released. Though the public safety department said there were no instances of illegal activity. The aircraft reportedly flew over at least nine counties of eastern Colorado and western Nebraska before things fizzled out. How can I report tips about the drones to the FBI? People with information about the drones are encouraged to call the FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online by visiting tips.fbi.gov. Staff reporter Jesse Bunch and the Associated Press contributed to this article. The latest chapter of the Northeasts mystery drone sighting saga has some wondering: How can you actually tell whats up in the sky? In recent days, government officials have made conflicting statements, first confirming they were monitoring the drones, then announcing many of the sightings were actually small planes, and then on Sunday reiterating that residents are, in fact, spotting drones. Advertisement And as more people learn about the mysterious drones that have been reported in New Jersey, New York, and the Philadelphia suburbs, confusion over what people are looking at continues to grow. Over the weekend, one Philly Redditor asked users about a glowing orb that didnt appear to budge as helicopters flew around it. Buddy, thats Venus, another user responded. One thing is for certain: Despite the conspiracy theories the sightings have sparked, experts are unconvinced this is alien activity at play. Unless E.T. is now conforming to FAA standards, we can safely assume that the mystery drones originate from here on earth, said Jimmy Church, a podcast host and former host for The History Channel and A&E who focuses on UFO activity. So what are the easiest tells when it comes to identifying what you see in the sky? Here are some expert tips. Watch and listen Typically, drones arent allowed to fly at night unless they have anti-collision lights visible for at least three miles, according to the FAA. Drones typically have four lights, with the lights in a square shape, while airplanes also have four lights but spread across the nose, tail, and wings. The first thing to look for is the navigation lights, Church said. [With planes] the right wingtip is the green light, the red light is on the left. The white light is located on the tail, sometimes on the wingtips and some facing backward. Church gleaned that in some of the sighting videos circulating online, all of those lights are on, indicating that the aircraft meets FAA standards. As for sounds, theres variation especially depending on the size. But drones are typically buzzier or make more humming noises than planes. Large drones sometimes sound like helicopters, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. Listen for rotor or propeller noise, Church added. Helicopters, planes, and drones all emit very distinctive sounds. Church added that if theres no sound, it could be more advanced technology at hand, such as from the military. Experts also say the way an aircraft moves can narrow down what it is. Drones often have more range of motion with the ability to hover and move sideways compared to airplanes. Think about your surroundings Accounting for airports including smaller noncommercial locations and military bases, its possible the aircraft youre seeing is just a plane on its flight path to an airport. The other night I was looking up, walking my dog, and I saw something flying overhead. And I said, Oh, could that be a drone? And I realized Im underneath the flight path out of Teterboro, so it probably wasnt, Jeh Johnson, the former DHS secretary under President Barack Obama, told the hosts of Fox & Friends on Monday. Flight tracker apps, like Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightView, can also be useful tools to identify registered aircraft flying overhead in live time. Experts say it can be tough to tell what youre looking at especially at night, when this surge of drone sightings has taken place. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Sunday that might be in part because of FAA guideline changes from last year that allow drones to fly at night, leading to an uptick in sightings. Dont freak out Experts say bouts of confirmation bias are to be expected. You have a whole lot of people in the Northeast looking up at the sky right now focused on things that they dont normally focus on, Johnson said. So, of course, there are going to be sightings in the thousands. Church, the UFO aficionado, agreed. Because of the media attention , the recent hearings on Capitol Hill, and social media, more people are looking up in the sky and noticing things that they think they dont normally see, he said. New Jersey lawmakers were told last week by DHS officials that there had been between four and 180 drone sightings across the state per night since mid-November. That wide disparity accounts for potential repeat sightings of the same drone and sightings that were actually planes. When in doubt, you can report to the FBI People with information about the drones are encouraged to call the FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online by visiting tips.fbi.gov. This photo provided by Trisha Bushey shows the evening sky and points of light near in Lebanon Township, N.J., on Dec. 5. Read more Saying the federal government and the military know the origin of the drones that are confounding residents from New Jersey, New York, and the Philadelphia suburbs, President-elect Donald Trump asserted on Monday that U.S. leaders wont comment because for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense. Trump made his remarks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., just 36 days before he returns to the Oval Office. Advertisement He offered no proof of his statements, nor did he provide an explanation as to why President Joe Biden and the Pentagon would keep Americans in the dark about the nighttime flying objects that have puzzled and worried people watching them swoop and hover overhead. Look, 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, Trump said. I think theyre better off saying what it is, he said, adding that hes canceling a planned trip to his club in New Jersey because the drones are very close to Bedminster. Asked if hed received an intelligence briefing on the drones, Trump responded, I dont want to comment on that. He also concluded, I cant imagine its the enemy. On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC anchor George Stephanopoulos in an interview, Theres no question people are seeing drones. Mayorkas added, 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. Prior to Mayorkas appearance, federal officials had said the drones were possibly manned aircraft and inaccurate sightings. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican who represents Bucks County, demanded that Mayorkas deploy drone-tracking detection systems to understand the flight patterns and security risk posed by the drones, which present serious security concerns that need to be addressed immediately. In addition, Fitzpatrick asked for an immediate vote on a bill hes cosponsoring known as the Safeguarding the Homeland from the Threats Posed by Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act. It calls for enhancing the federal governments ability to protect Americans from the risks associated with unmanned aircraft systems. Republican State Sen. Doug Mastriano said he shared a meme when he posted a screenshot to X Monday of a Star Wars prop and criticized the Biden administration for not taking action related to unidentified drones spotted in the region in recent weeks. The former Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate received widespread mockery when he shared the image of an imperial TIE Fighter on the back of a flatbed truck with a caption purporting it to be a recovered drone, but he said Tuesday that those questioning the post lacked a sense of humor. Advertisement It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones, Mastriano said in the post. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down, he said. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. Mastrianos post resulted in a community note on X clarifying that the image was a replica of a spaceship from Star Wars and other users responded with a barrage of references to the film franchise. Im pretty sure Red Leader Garven Dreis shot down that TIE fighter in ep IV A New Hope, said CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who grew up in Philadelphia. Despite the seriousness of his message about drones, Mastriano maintained he was aware that the image was a prop when contacted by The Inquirer Tuesday. He criticized the reporter for posing the question in a series of text messages and social media posts. You guys on the extreme left totally need a sense of humor, Mastriano said in a text message. No kidding its a Star Wars prop. The exterior of Frank Weise's home at 307 S. Chadwick Street has three distinct sections, known as a tripartite facade. Read more Anyone who has ever moved into a Philly rowhouse knows that maneuvering heavy furniture into tight spaces can be a challenge. Acclaimed architect Frank Weise solved that problem by adding a furniture-hoisting boom to the front of his home at 307 S. Chadwick St. Now, you can buy the house, which is on the market for $3.5 million. Advertisement Weise, who lived and worked in the Center City property from 1954 until his death in 2003 first as a tenant and later as the owner, spent decades reimagining the 2,698-square-foot property. The structure was built in 1865 and is known for exemplifying elements of midcentury modern and postmodern design. The exterior of Weises former home and studio has three distinct sections, known as a tripartite facade. The first story is recessed below the second, with two entrance doors, two large columns, and a picture window. The second story features four rows of recessed, arched windows supported by solid red bricks. A metal cornice adds visual detail and transitions to the third story, a terne metal mansard with vertical seams and six windows, a mix of rounded and pentagonal shapes. Weise, who played a key role in redesigning Head House Square in the 1970s, was known for designs that incorporated curved surfaces. Inside, the property continues to capture that style. It has three bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, and ample office space, as well as two spiral staircases. Weise used the lower levels for studio and office space, and the third floor, accessible by a private entrance, was his living area. The first floor has a wide open concept, and there are kitchens on both the second and third floors. The home also has a carport and a roof terrace, which boasts views of the city. Weise, who was born in Brooklyn but moved to Philadelphia in his youth, attended Simon Gratz High School and earned his architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He was student of famed architects Louis I. Kahn and Walter Gropius. Weise designed dozens of homes in Washington Square West, Rittenhouse Square, Fairmount, and Roxborough, but he may be most remembered for his work as an activist. In the 1960s, he led a group of architects to redesign part of I-95 to run below street level to preserve access between the city and the Delaware River waterfront. When Weise died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003, it was reported that the interior of his home and studio on Chadwick Street were unfinished because he continued to redesign the space. Following his death, the property was restored and updated by his heirs. In 2023, the home, a former stable, was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. 307 S. Chadwick St. represents [Weises] most significant work and one that allowed him to evolve as a designer, the nomination read. Its listed by Kurfiss Sothebys International Realty. Graeme Berwick, director of Community Underwriting, said that the model was developed as a response to challenges not-for-profits faced securing insurance in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Meals on Wheels NSW (MOW), now the majority shareholder, was instrumental in driving the initiative. Other changes include Eoghan Trehy continuing in his role as head of Resilium Partners, focusing on organic growth and mergers and acquisitions among equity partners. Clive Kingsley, currently Resiliums finance manager, will step up as head of finance for Envest Networks. Our advice to brokers is to firstly be informed of your clients bushfire risks particularly those in more rural locations or near a lot of vegetation, he said. Start by understanding the client's specific bushfire risk profile, then tailor your advice and recommendations of appropriate resources. "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, Simon said. Most pressing natural disasters When it came to the most pressing natural disasters, all audiences are concerned about frequent, immediate non-peak (secondary) perils such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods. Of the non-peak perils, flood was ranked first or second for all segments, except consumers who ranked it fourth. With 14.6 million properties at substantial risk of flood (First Street), and pluvial flooding events occurring more often than in the past in areas that did not previously experience flooding, this is becoming one of the worlds most costly perils and represents a major insurance gap in the US. Recently, the troubled health insurer also released a statement regarding allegations of denied insurance claims, saying that it approves and pays about 90% of medical claims upon submission, and that around 0.5% of the claims that required further review are due to medical or clinical reasons. Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas, launching one of the first challenges in the U.S. to shield laws that Democrat-controlled states passed to protect physicians after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the lawsuit on Thursday in Collin County, and it was announced Friday. Such prescriptions, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even since state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis, School of Law, said a challenge to shield laws, which blue states started adopting in 2023, has been anticipated. And it could have a chilling effect on prescriptions. Will doctors be more afraid to mail pills into Texas, even if they might be protected by shield laws because they dont know if theyre protected by shield laws? Ziegler said in an interview Friday. $250,000 Damages The lawsuit accuses New York Dr. Maggie Carpenter of violating Texas law by providing the drugs to a Texas patient and seeks up to $250,000. No criminal charges are involved. Texas bars abortion at all stages of pregnancy and has been one of the most aggressive states at pushing back against abortion rights. It began enforcing a state law in 2021 even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door to state bans that barred nearly all abortions by allowing citizens to sue anyone who provides an abortion or assists someone in obtaining one. Paxton said that the 20-year-old woman who received the pills ended up in a hospital with complications. It was only after that, the state said in its filing, that the man described as the biological father of the unborn child learned of the pregnancy and the abortion. 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, Paxton said in a statement. The state said the Texas woman received a combination of two drugs that are generally used in medication abortions. Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone and primes the uterus to respond to the contraction-causing effect of the second drug, misoprostol. The two-drug regimen can be used to end pregnancies up through 10 weeks, but the drugs also have other uses and can help induce labor, manage miscarriages or treat hemorrhage. The Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, where Carpenter is co-medical director and founder, said in a statement that shield laws are essential to preserving abortion access. Ken Paxton is prioritizing his anti-abortion agenda over the health and well-being of women by attempting to shut down telemedicine abortion nationwide, the group said. By threatening access to safe and effective reproductive health care, he is putting women directly in harms way. New York Officials New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats, said they would defend reproductive freedom. 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, James said in a prepared statement. 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. It was not clear what specific actions Hochul or James would take. While most Republican-controlled states began enforcing bans or tighter restrictions on abortion after Roe v. Wade was overturned, most Democratic states have adopted laws that aim to protect their residents from investigation or prosecution under other states abortion laws. At least eight states have gone farther, offering legal protections to health care providers who prescribe abortion pills to patients in states where abortion is banned. That scenario makes up for about 10% of all abortions in the U.S., a survey for the Society of Family Planning found. The New York shield law includes a provision that allows a prescriber who is sued to countersue the plaintiff to recover damages. That makes the Texas lawsuit thorny. Even if Paxton prevails in Texas court, Ziegler said, its unclear how that could be enforced. Is he going to go to New York to enforce it? she asked. Still, anti-abortion groups cheered the filing and abortion rights supporters derided it. Pill Restrictions Anti-abortion advocates, who legally challenged the Biden administrations prescribing rules around mifepristone, have been readying provocative and unusual ways to further limit abortion pill access when Trump takes office next year. They feel emboldened to challenge the pills use and seek ways to restrict it under a conservative U.S. Supreme Court buttressed by a Republican-controlled Congress and White House. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a group of anti-abortion doctors and their organizations lacked the legal standing to sue to try to have the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations approval of mifepristone rescinded. But since then, the Republican state attorneys general from Idaho, Kansas and Missouri have sought to have some of the rules around the pills tightened including to bar telemedicine prescriptions. Also this year, Louisiana became the first state to reclassify the drugs as controlled dangerous substances. They can still be prescribed, but there are extra steps required to access them. Lawmakers in at least three states Missouri, New Hampshire and Tennessee have introduced bills for next year that would bar or restrict use of the pills. I began to think about how we might be able to both provide an additional deterrent to companies violating the criminal law and provide a remedy for the family of the unborn children, said Tennessee state Rep. Gino Bulso, who is sponsoring the legislation there targeting medications used in abortions. ___ Associated Press journalists Amanda Seitz and Kimberlee Kruesi contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Deloitte Consulting has been hit with class action lawsuits over the cyber breach of Rhode Islands portal for state-administered benefits known as RIBridges. The suits have been brought in Rhode Island and New York federal courts on behalf of individuals who applied for or are enrolled in benefits offered by RIBridges and whose personal private information may have been hacked. The suit claims that Deloitte, as services provider for RIBridges, has been negligent for failing to protect the plaintiffs sensitive data and for being slow to notify them of the breach. Deloitte has acknowledged that some of the information breached contained names, addresses, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, as well as certain banking information. The state has indicated there could be hundreds of thousands of people affected. Despite learning of the data breach on December 5, Deloitte has not begun sending notices of the breach to affected individuals, according to the lawsuits. Timeline According to Deloitte, it first learned that the RIBridges data system was the target of a potential cyber attack on December 5. The company said it was unclear at that time if any sensitive information was breached. Federal law enforcement and agencies and the state police were notified. 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, Governor Dan McKee said. On December 10, Deloitte confirmed the breach based on a screenshot of file folders sent by the hacker to Deloitte. On December 11, Deloitte told the state that there is a high probability that the folders contain personal identifiable data from RIBridges. On December 13, Deloitte confirmed there was malicious code present in the system, and the state directed Deloitte to shut RIBridges down to remediate the threat. Deloitte has indicated the Brain Cipher international ransomware gang is behind the breach. Affected Individuals McKee said any individual who has received or applied for health coverage and/or health and human services programs or benefits could be impacted by this attack. He said hundreds of thousands of applicants may be affected. At a December 14 press briefing, 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. State officials also said that Deloitte is handling negotiations with the criminals, although state and federal officials will be consulted before any ransom is paid. RIBridges provides access to healthcare, insurance, food stamps, and other benefits available under various programs including 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) program. 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 said it will be 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. As of Tuesday morning, state officials had not reported any identity theft or fraud related to this data breach yet. However, the state is advising 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. Deloitte Statement Deloitte offered no comment on the litigation. Deloitte issued this statement on December 13: 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. 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. We will continue to work around the clock to resolve this matter. Deloitte also confirmed that none of its own systems have been impacted by the attack on the Rhode Island system, which sits outside of the Deloitte network. Class Actions The lead plaintiffs in the suits are Ronald J. Pannozzi of Providence, Patricia Mahoney of North Providence, and Claire A. Taraborelli of Cranston. The suits claim the plaintiffs are aware of the dangers of identity theft and fraud and have take steps to mitigate the impact of the breach. As a result of the data breach, the plaintiffs and an unspecified thousands of class members will suffer financial losses resulting from identity theft, out-of- pocket expenses, the loss of the benefit of their bargain, and the value of their time incurred to remedy or mitigate the effects of the attack, according to the complaints. The class actions seek compensatory damages, reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs, and injunctive relief including improvements to Deloittes data security systems, future annual audits, and adequate, long term credit monitoring services funded by Deloitte, and declaratory relief. The RIBridges incident comes just a few months after the Providence school system had to deal with a cyber breach. In September, school system officials learned that information may have been accessed by an unauthorized actor between August 30 and September 11, 2024 and that the information could include names, addresses, and social security numbers of employees. The number of individuals potentially impacted included 12,000 current and former employees. Topics Lawsuits Cyber 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 oil and fuels passing through this year is about $60 billion, vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and prices from Argus Media show. That equates to roughly 40% of the total amount of Russias seaborne petroleum exports flows. The 12 countries supporting the move are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK, according to a person familiar with the plan. Governments in some countries will task their maritime authorities to request relevant proof of insurance from suspected shadow fleet vessels passing the English Channel, the Danish straits, the sound between Denmark and Sweden, as well as the Gulf of Finland. The move coincides with a widening of the EUs sanctions net on tankers moving Russian oil around the world. The bloc designated dozens more oil carriers on Monday, having previously listed 17. Shadow Fleet The insurance 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, meaning that the major change will be in the Sound between Denmark and Sweden. 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. Related: Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Energy Oil Gas Russia Almost a million more properties in England are at risk of flooding than previously thought, raising concerns about a growing number of uninsurable or unsellable properties over the coming decades. Data from the Environment Agency on Tuesday showed 6.3 million homes and businesses are in danger of damage from overflowing rivers, sea or drains. Thats up nearly 15% from 5.5 million in its previous assessment in 2018. The report comes as the UK is reeling from the impacts of Storm Darragh that hit earlier this month, while many homeowners are still dealing with the ongoing effects of heavy rainfall through last winter and fall. While most homes facing flood damage can still get insurance through a program known as Flood Re, that is due to end in 2039, with the dangers posed by climate change set to continue. The program also doesnt cover homes built after 2009, so those being constructed currently wont be eligible for cover. The increase in the number of homes classed at risk is because the Environment Agency has better access to data. It also improved surface water risk assessments, which is when rainwater overwhelms the drainage system causing flash floods. As a result, 1.1 million properties are seen at high risk of flooding from surface water, nearly a third of which are in London. But London properties are less affected by overflowing river water because of 10 giant steel gates in the east of the city, known as the Thames Barrier, that can be raised to stop water breaching the banks. The new analysis, for the first time, also looks at the impact of climate change and estimates that some 8 million English properties one in four could be risk by mid-century. Floods Minister Emma Hardy said the government has committed 2.4 billion ($3 billion) over the next two years to maintain, repair and build flood defenses across the country. Photograph: Walkers stand next to floodwaters submerging the A1101 in Norfolk on Oct. 08, 2024 in Welney, England. Drivers faced a 22 mile detour after the Old Bedford River and the River Delph burst their banks after recent heavy rain. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Flood NFP, an Aon company, announced its acquisition of Benefits Partner, LLC dba Salus Group, an independent employee benefits consulting, brokerage and administration firm based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Michael Brillati, CEO of Salus Group, will join NFP as senior vice president and report to Michael Schneider, president of NFPs Central and West regions. Adding Salus Group follows a number of strategic acquisitions, including Cambridge Consulting Group in 2018, which established NFPs strong presence in the region. Brillati will partner with NFPs Michigan market leaders, Dan Cornwell and Cam Kennedy, to drive growth and elevate one of NFPs largest Central region market segments. Salus Group was founded in 2005 as an employee benefits consultancy for credit unions. They have since expanded their client portfolio with a particular focus on middle-market employers, including those with unionized workforces. With a base in Michigan, Salus Group works with clients nationwide, with a particular focus on clients in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Employee Benefits A coalition of consumer, environmental, and fair housing groups have called upon the Treasurys Federal Insurance Office to release homeowners insurance data before it may be too late. The nationwide data was collected by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Early this year, at the urging of insurance trade associations, FIO backed off a plan to collect data on climate-related risks from property/casualty insurers. Instead, FIO said it would coordinate with NAIC to collect the data, and release an analysis of availability and affordability. Related: Industry Trades Applaud New FIO-NAIC Partnership on Data Collection But Public Citizen, Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund, Consumer Federation of America, the Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, and others said in a letter that nothing has yet been released, and the matter has become potentially more time-sensitive since there have been calls to eliminate the FIO. Carly Fabian, senior insurance policy advocate for Public Citizens climate program, said the data is important in understanding the climate effect on the insurance crisis unfolding across the country. In the letter, the groups said public data and analysis are necessary to evaluate the full scale of the crisis and ensure all relevant actors can understand and act accordingly to mitigate the risk in their jurisdiction. With a mandate to monitor the potential for systemic risks and impacts on marginalized communities, analysis from FIO is crucial to highlight emerging trends. FIO in October 2022 proposed the rule to have P/C insurers submit zip-code-level data, but it was criticized by industry trades who said the request was too onerous, overly broad, and unnecessary. Treasurys FIO was created specifically to fill a gap in the state-based insurance regulation system by collecting and analyzing data, said Jessica Garcia, senior policy analyst for climate finance at Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund. If this critical, first of its kind nationwide data is not made publicly available, then FIO will have set back efforts to develop data and community-driven solutions to the insurance crisis for years to come. Topics Data Driven Homeowners Artificial intelligence is at the center of Experians annual breach forecast due to its enabling capabilities. Michael Bruemmer, vice president of global data breach resolution at information services company, said that while ransomware and breaches affecting the supply chain dominated 2024, he expects AI-related cyber incidents to become a major headline-maker in 2025. AI is being adopted in some way by a majority of companies but research has shown that AIs capabilities and dangers are not fully understood by the C-suite. Bruemmer said AI has been used in some way in three-quarters of hacks, leading Experian to name AI in four of five of predictions in its Data Breach Industry Forecast. Data centers have been a target of cyberattacks, and the power to run them has grown with the rise in generative AI use. Experian said ChatGPT uses 10 times more electricity than a standard Google search, representing a new attack surface for hackers to disrupt a nation-states cloud infrastructure by attacking the power need for it. The younger generation may lead the way. AI-savvy teens and twenty-somethings will continue to be drawn to the cyber-disruption business via online gaming and social media. Dont underestimate the seriousness of this, Bruemmer said, adding that the average age of someone arrested for cybercrime is 19. But dont count out employees, who have always been a source of cyber risk from within. The education of employees on AI may also lead to more insider threat from someone taking advantage of the new knowledge and training for fraud or disruption. AI-drive fraud is already making one defensive step obsolete. Encryptions protection is losing out to the growing sophistication of AI-driven fraud. Experian predicts criminals will soon be able to create undiscernible proof-of-life documents. The firm recommends government agencies use dynamic identification to replace drivers licenses and social security cards. The one outlook that does not have to with AI is the potential rise in hacker-on-hacker attacks. Experian said the boundaries between predator and prey in the digital world are increasingly blurred. Topics Trends Cyber InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) Toyota plans to build a new paint facility as part of a $922 million investment at its factory complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, making it the second big addition announced this year at the automakers largest manufacturing plant. In February, the company said it would invest $1.3 billion at its Kentucky complex, in part so it can build an all-new three-row electric SUV to be sold in the U.S. Neither project will add any new jobs at the facility, which now employs about 10,000 workers. However, the investments reinforce Toyotas commitment to long-term job stability, the company said. The new paint facility, scheduled to open in 2027, will add 1 million square feet of capacity while decreasing carbon emissions by 30% and water usage by 1.5 million gallons per year, Toyota said. It will enable the company to offer more diverse color options for its vehicles, the company said. Toyotas commitment to advanced paint technologies goes beyond aesthetics, said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. It encompasses efficiency, sustainability and quality, leading the industry in environmentally responsible manufacturing. The project also will increase flexibility for future vehicle production and advances Toyotas goal to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, the automaker said. Toyotas investment in the Bluegrass State has surpassed $11 billion since breaking ground at the central Kentucky site in 1986. Georgetown is 16 miles (26 kilometers) north of Lexington, Kentucky. Photo: The Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke, File) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Atlanta-based PointeNorth Insurance Group, a broker and agency specializing in commercial insurance, including transportation, construction and condominium coverage, has continued its rapid pace of growth with the addition of another Georgia agency. PointeNorth has acquired Caldwell & Langford Insurance in Thomasville, which has been in operation since 1871. Its the sixth acquisition for PointeNorth this year, the company said in a news release. Caldwell & Langford is helmed by Danny Braddy and Dawn Allen-Newsome, principals and certified insurance counselors. The firm will continue to operate under the Caldwell name and will be part of the PointeNorth Insurance Group brand, the companies said. The move expands PointeNorths presence in south Georgia and positions it for expansion into northern Florida. PN said it has acquired more than 50 agencies in recent years, making it one of the larger property-casualty agencies in the Southeast. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Georgia Houston - December 17, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) (the "Company" or "KULR"), a leader in advanced energy management platforms, proudly announces its plans to launch the KULR ONE Space (K1S) battery via launch integrator Exolaunch on a SpaceX rideshare mission scheduled for 2026. This mission represents a pivotal milestone in KULR's ongoing commitment to developing safer and higher-performing battery systems tailored for space applications for a space battery market that is expected to grow from $3.9B to $6.35B by 2030 per Virtue Market Research. This news is paid advertisement/ news disseminated on behalf of/issued on behalf of KULR Technology Group, Inc. This pathfinder mission will integrate multiple configurations of the KULR ONE Space (K1S) battery into a 6U SmallSat. A 6U SmallSat is a lightweight satellite with a standardized structure measuring approximately 10 cm x 20 cm x 30 cm, built using durable materials like aluminum or carbon-fiber composites to endure the extreme conditions of space. The K1S battery configurations have been carefully selected to demonstrate cell and pack performance, as well as electronic functionality in orbital environments. This mission will also validate the flight capabilities of the K1S, the first commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) lithium-ion battery series engineered to fully comply with NASA's JSC 20793 battery safety standard. Key highlights of the K1S rideshare mission include: Integration of top cells from leading cell manufactures: The K1S variations will feature state-of-the-art 18650 cells delivered by top-tier original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including LG, Samsung, Amprius, and MOLICEL. Utilization of cells strategically selected by NASA: One of the K1S systems incorporated into the mission will be constructed with MOLICEL 18650-M35A cells with associated NASA Initial Lot Assessment (ILA), Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT), and WI-37A Cell Screening, previously referred to by KULR as the "Golden Lot". Incorporation of next generation low-temperature cell technology: If feasible, a version of the K1S architecture will include ultra-low-temperature performing cells capable of operating at -60C without integrated heaters, further demonstrating KULR's innovative advancements. Advanced battery management system: The mission will also showcase KULR's newly developed battery management system (BMS) architecture, which provides a COTS solution designed to meet the stringent safety requirements of the 20793 standards. Gaining flight heritage for commercialized variations of safe battery architectures: The K1S batteries are engineered with passive propagation resistance and flame-arresting technology, delivering safer and higher-performing systems at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional 20793-compliant batteries. This rideshare mission will provide additional flight heritage to the architectures developed by the KULR team. Dr. William Walker, KULR Chief Technology Officer, and Peter Hughes, KULR Vice President of Engineering, jointly stated, "the upcoming mission will serve as a platform to showcase the exceptional capabilities of KULR's cutting-edge battery solutions, reinforcing the Company's position as a leader in advanced energy technologies for space and aerospace applications. The mission aligns with KULR's ongoing efforts to revolutionize the space industry by offering reliable and high-performance energy solutions that meet the most stringent safety standards, all while reducing costs for customers." "We are excited to bring our KULR ONE Space batteries to orbit on this rideshare mission," said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology Group. "This mission underscores our commitment to providing safer, more efficient, and cost-effective battery solutions for the most demanding environments. With the integration of next-generation cells and our advanced BMS architecture, we are setting a new standard for COTS battery technology in space." For more information, visit www.kulrtechnology.com. About KULR Technology Group Inc. KULR Technology Group Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) delivers cutting edge energy storage solutions for space, aerospace, and defense by leveraging a foundation of in-house battery design expertise, comprehensive cell and battery testing suite, and battery fabrication and production capabilities. The Company's holistic offering allows delivery of commercial-off-the-shelf and custom next generation energy storage systems in rapid timelines for a fraction of the cost compared to traditional programs. For more information, please visit www.kulrtechnology.com. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business, which include the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 12, 2024, as may be amended or supplemented by other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," and "would" or similar words. All forecasts are provided by management in this release are based on information available at this time and management expects that internal projections and expectations may change over time. In addition, the forecasts are entirely on management's best estimate of our future financial performance given our current contracts, current backlog of opportunities and conversations with new and existing customers about our products and services. We assume no obligation to update the information included in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Relations: KULR Technology Group, Inc. Phone: 858-866-8478 x 847 Email: ir@kulrtechnology.com KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE: KULR) is a featured renewable energy stock on Investorideas.com More info on KULR at Investorideas.com Visit: https://www.investorideas.com/CO/KULR/ Disclaimer/Disclosure: Disclosure: (NYSE: KULR) is a paid featured company on Investorideas.com effective July 2024 for 3 months. lInvestorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp As mainstream farming enterprises come under increasing pressure, the forestry tax breaks for Christmas tree growers look more and more attractive. This unusual crop was the topic for Teagasc forestry development officer Kevin OConnell, in a recent Environment Edge podcast. There is no income tax on the sale of Christmas trees, Kevin says. It is liable for URC and PRSI alright, depending on your age. Were producing about 650,000 Christmas trees per year in Ireland. About 450,000 of them are sold on the home market and the balance of about 200,000 are exported, primarily to the UK, but also some to Europe, he adds. Its estimated to be worth about 21m to the Irish economy. If you have a good product, you will sell it. Growing Christmas trees is an investment, with associated risks, including trespass and damage from rabbits, as well as from deer, goats and other animals. A big one would be fungal or insect outbreaks, Kevin says. Proper, sustained, maintenance is key. A big one is theft, believe it or not. Battery chain saws have facilitated such thievery. From here on in, security around Christmas tree farms would be high in the priority. Non-payment for trees supplied is another risk factor. The species selection, the trees that youll use, will be dependent on the site thats available to you. Basically, youre looking for a good soil type, free draining, but with some retention of moisture. "Youre marrying the trees with the site, but youre also trying to get a species of tree that will sell and that you can manage. The main ones that are on the market at the moment would be the Nordmann fir and Noble fir. The Nordmann is a European species from the Caucasus. The Noble fir would be North American." The old traditional one would be Norway spruce. Its gone out of favour, because it tends to lose its needles when it goes inside, whereas the Nordmann and the Noble will retain their needles if looked after properly, Kevin explains. However, Norway spruce is still a good choice for a large outdoor Christmas tree. For growing Christmas trees, exposed sites and frost pockets should be avoided. Avoid areas where theres poor air circulation, Kevin advises (because fungal diseases can develop). Ideally, youre looking at a north-easterly aspect, but you mightnt have that luxury. Avoid proximity to existing woodlands, particularly conifer woodlands, because they could harbour deer or insects that will migrate to your Christmas trees, he says. The Christmas tree plantation should be fenced off to protect the growing trees from animal damage. Soil is fundamentally important. Because theyre conifers, youre looking at a pH range of 5ft to about 6.5ft, he says. Soils with too much calcium are not suitable. Avoid wet ground. Trees do not like wet feet. While the soil needs to be reasonably fertile, with P and K and trace elements, very fertile soil is not suitable, because it would create a burst of growth in the tree and encourage rank growth of weeds. Youre trying to produce a compact tree, as opposed to one with an extended leader, Kevin says. For root development, a phosphate-based fertiliser is applied. Youre looking for bud production on the tree. Youre looking for colour, to bring out the strongest colour on the year of sale. Most of that would be brought on by a foliar nitrogen, he explains. But too much nitrogen will result in an unwanted spurt of growth. While trees are growing, you would undertake foliar analysis to assess nutrient needs. In general terms, youre looking at from seven to 10 years of a rotation. Youre looking to get a tree thats two metres plus in height. There are markets of course for smaller trees, Kevin says. Security and theft are big issues for growers. Typically, about 20% of the dominant trees will mature early, the main body (60%) will be ready in the middle years, and the final, slower-growing 20% will be ready at about nine or 10 years of age. The provenance of the trees is vitally important. Ideally, Irish grown trees will be used. Theyre more adapted to our environment, Kevin says. The provenance will dictate the shape of the tree, the growth rate, the resistance to disease, its colour, its growth habit. What we look for is a two plus one, which would be generally a tree thats two years in the seedbed and one year in the transplant line, coming from the nursery. Spacing is important. For a two-metre tree, youre looking to 1.2m by 1.2m spacing. That will give you a stocking of nearly 7,000 trees to the hectare. But bear in mind you will be taking off 10% of that for tracks and roadways, and another 20% of loss. Youre going to get at least 20% failure, not so much that they wont grow, but they wont be to the standard that you wish them to be. That will bring you to a stocking rate per hectare of about 5,000 trees, Kevin says. Taller trees (over 2m) would require a space of 1.5m by 1.5m, generating about 3,200 trees per hectare. The base of the tree should be 60% of the height of the tree. Management includes replacement of saplings that fail, management of the leader shoot to prevent it from bolting (using hormones), pruning the bottom branches of the young tree to facilitate air movement, as well as weed control, shaping the sides of trees and terminal bud picking to thicken the tree. Diseases have to be monitored and managed. Layout of tracks at the Christmas tree farm or plantation is very important, so the trees can be readily accessed for harvesting pre-Christmas. You want a clean loading area. Buyers are fussy. They dont want dirty trees, Kevin says. You have a short window for cutting, for netting and transporting your trees. Expect 50% of the trees planted to be premium quality, about 25% to be standard grade, 50% poor grade, and 20% not saleable. The premium grade trees would likely retail at 50 to 70, with the standard grade selling for a little less. The poor grades, youre down to haggling, whatever you can get. Buyers will arrive from Europe the previous summer to mark out premium grade trees, returning to collect them for the Christmas market. Kevin also had useful tips for householders buying trees. Generally, what you do is you cut about a centimetre off the butt of the tree when you buy it, stand it in water, and it will absorb an awful lot of water. Keep topping up the water. Keep it away from direct heat and so forth. Give it a couple of good bangs outside on the floor before you bring it in, or the row will start about needles on the carpet. Delights: A Story of Hieronymus Bosch by Guy Colwell (Fantagraphic Books) Five centuries on, Hieronymus Boschs enigmatic masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights continues to exert a strange fascination. Little is known about it, but Colwell, a figure in Californias underground comix scene of the 1970s, penetrates its mysteries in a story that deals with the tensions between the demands of patronage, religious doctrine and artistic vision. Delights: A Story of Hieronymus Bosch, by Guy Colwell Reading it, I hoped this was fiction as it galled me to think that such a singular work of art was compromised. But Delights also asks if this actually matters. Erased: An Actor of Colors Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood by Loo Hui Phang & Hugues Micol (NBM) If Maximus Wyld didnt exist, wed have to invent him. A fearless figure of mixed race, incorporating Native American, Asian and Black, Wylds beauty won him admirers in Hollywood like Capra, Ford and Hitchcock. However, his refusal to play stereotypical roles, and his left-leaning politics, hampered his career. Erased: An Actor of Colors Journey Through the Heyday of Hollywood by Loo Hui Phang & Hugues Micol (NBM) Spoiler alert: he didnt exist. Or did he? He is the archetypal Hero with a Thousand Faces. Here is a graphic novel as elegant as its hero. Final Cut by Charles Burns (Jonathan Cape) Intoxicated by the themes and imagery of science-fiction like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and coming-of-age drama The Last Picture Show, awkward 70s teenager Brian grapples with making his super-8 sci-fi and his unrequited feelings towards his leading lady. Deftly handled and beautiful to behold, the master immerses us in the characters and landscape. Subverting our expectations of another ink-black Black Hole drama of Freudian body horror, Burns creates a satisfying layered emotional drama, For more classic Burns weirdness, check his collection of imaginary magazine covers, Kiss the Sky: Jimi Hendrix by J.M. Dupont & Mezzo (Black Panel Press) The creative team behind the stunning tale of blues legend Robert Johnson, Love in Vain, reunite for this account of guitar genius Jimi Hendrixs turbulent life. Taking us up to September 1966, four years before his untimely demise, this is an unflinching portrayal that balances his toxic upbringing with his joyful pursuit of extraordinary sounds. Each panel feels like a tableau. Mezzo is a Carivagio of comics, but with Duponts deadpan prose it flows exquisitely. Self-Esteem and the End of the World by Luke Healy (Faber) Each book by the Irish cartoonist feels like another giant leap. His previous book, The Con Artists gloried in a clever and playful narrative and here he goes even further. Is this the real Luke Healy? How could any sane person function like this? A figure wracked with self-doubt and struggling to find his place in a world in chaos, Healy is as neurotic and hilarious as Woody Allen, and as clever as a Tom Stoppard, but he is also incredibly wise. AYA: Claws Come Out by Marguerite Abouet & Clement Oubrerie (Drawn & Quarterly) Based on Abouets experiences growing up in Yopougon, the populous suburb of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Claws Come Out is the second installment of the adventures of the eponymous Aya, a student trying to find her way in the world. The vibrant storytelling has an almost soap-like quality as it introduces us to an extended and colourful cast of characters and is replete with memorable aphorisms. Cerberus New Trick by Brendan OConnell and Fiona Boniwell Having previously produced the whimsical Deaths New Lease on Life, the creative Cork duo of writer OConnell and illustrator Boniwell bring added depth and versatility to Cerberus New Trick. A frame from Cerberus' New Trick. Ignominiously made redundant, the fabled guardian of the gates of Hell forms an unlikely friendship with a young girl with Down Syndrome. Meanwhile, a giant menace is about to wreak havoc on the world. The theme of technology-driven corporatisation versus humanity fits easily into this action-driven story while the art effortlessly accommodates pulpy sci-fi with grounded reality. Other Irish Comics Cork writer Gary Moloney made his American publishing debut with When the Blood Has Dried (Mad Cave), a fantasy tale of a retired warrior whose past catches up, inked by regular collaborator Daniel Romero. Brotherhood, by Sean Hogan. Having previously tackled Cu Chulainn on the gritty Hound, PJ Bolger and Richmond Clements unite for an all-ages The Children of L.I.R. (Atomic Cafe), where the legend is told through the lens of an Ireland still feeling the reverberations of its independence. Meanwhile, Tipperarys Sean Hogan brings a brash Tarantino sensibility to the War of Independence on Brotherhood Part 1. The top-notch artwork is begging for colour. A Church of Ireland primary school is to review its ethos statement after it told parents pupils were required to attend all school religious ceremonies. St Andrews National School in Lucan, Co Dublin, told parents in a message issued via Aladdin school software service that students were "are required to participate in all subject areas and attend all school religious ceremonies". "As part of the culture of this school, children are informed about Santa Claus, Halloween, and the expectation that surrounds this. We do not permit any other view within school, it read. Every child in Ireland has a constitutional right to attend any publicly funded school without attending religious instruction, said David Graham, of Education Equality. Education Equality is a volunteer group campaigning for secular education on the basis children should have equal access to schools regardless of religion. Children also have the right not to be forced to attend religious ceremonies against their will, in line with their human right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion," Mr Graham said. The Department of Education is clearly failing in its duty to provide effective guidance, oversight and enforcement to ensure that these rights are upheld in the schools it funds. Meanwhile, the Government appears blind to the growing disconnect between schools religious ethos and contemporary Irish society. When contacted by the Irish Examiner, a spokesman for the schools board of management said it noted the concerns raised about the message. The message in question contains a quotation from the schools ethos statement. The ethos statement will be reviewed in full by the board of management of the school at its next board meeting. We have no further comment to make at this time. Education Equality is calling on the Government to compel schools to confine religious instruction and worship to a period at the end of the school day, outside core hours. Doing so would uphold families human and constitutional rights to freedom of religion and belief, according to the group. Mr Graham added: Having failed to deliver on the commitments in the last programme for government in 2020, the next government must convene a citizens assembly on the future of education without delay. Irish society has changed our schools must too. The 2020 programme for government stated it would "establish a citizens assembly on the future of education, ensuring that the voices of young people and those being educated are central". A killer handed himself into gardai 10 years after a fire that claimed the lives of a brave father and his cherished daughter because he "couldn't live with the guilt of what happened" and now wants to be locked up, a court has heard. The Central Criminal Court heard on Monday that after he had seen to his wife's escape, Anthony O'Brien and his five-year-old daughter Nadine were found wrapped in one another's arms when fire crews battled their way into the smoke-filled house. Kelly O'Brien delivered a statement on Monday at a sentencing hearing for Philip Griffin, telling the court that she spent years insisting the fire had been started deliberately but gardai had insisted it was an accident. Griffin (aged 37), of no fixed abode but originally from Tralee in Co Kerry, previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony O'Brien (aged 30) and Nadine O'Brien (aged 5) at Killeen Heights in Tralee on May 12, 2012. A third charge relating to starting the fire was not pursued. The court on Monday heard that the investigation into the house fire went nowhere for 10 years until in May 2022 Griffin made a voluntary statement to gardai explaining how the fire started. He told detectives that he and another named individual had climbed through a downstairs window of the O'Brien home in the early hours of the morning. He said the other man used a cigarette lighter to set fire to a couch in the sitting room before both men made their escape through a window. The smoke from the fire caused the deaths of Anthony and Nadine while Kelly O'Brien managed to escape when Anthony lowered her to the ground from an upstairs bedroom window. She fractured her heel in the fall. The court heard that the previous day, there had been an altercation between Griffin, Mr O'Brien, and others regarding payment for a 50 bag of cocaine. Griffin's barrister, Brendan Grehan SC, said his client went to gardai because he "couldn't live with the guilt of what happened". Mr Grehan said his client wants to apologise to the O'Brien family and wants to be "locked up" for what he did. "That is his way of dealing with the guilt of his involvement in these matters," counsel said. Kelly O'Brien statement Meanwhile, in her statement to the court, Kelly O'Brien said she spent years insisting that the fire had been started deliberately but gardai insisted it was an accident. She said she spent 12 years in and out of mental health units, unable to take care of her surviving family. She added: "Because of the defendant, I am able to receive justice, but the truth is, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be here at all. He had 10 years to confess, he had his freedom." She told Griffin, who appeared via video-link from prison because he did not want to be present in court, that he had killed an innocent child and a good father, who had never wronged him but only ever helped him out. She said: "You took away a good man, a good father, a loyal friend, who was brought up in the [family care] system and finally found happiness, a family of his own who he cherished. "You took away a child so full of life, so young, so caring, so funny, who loved animals and music and who had the most beautiful eyes and curly hair. She loved her dad so much and he loved her. The only closure I have is that she died with the first person she saw coming into this world and sadly, he was the last." Ms O'Brien also spoke of the horrifying moment when she awoke to the smell of smoke. She woke her husband who opened the bedroom door, and was immediately "beaten back by thick black smoke". As smoke filled the room, she said: "It was becoming obvious that we were about to face death, I was terrified for the safety of our daughter and we tried to calm her. He [Anthony] was so brave and calm in the hope of all of us getting out; he got us to lay on the floor with our heads down to help us breathe. Mr O'Brien managed to open a window and lowered his wife to the ground, but he was unable to get himself or their daughter to safety. Ms O'Brien, having fractured her heel in the fall, said she knew something was wrong when she looked up but couldn't see her husband or Nadine. She screamed for help and crawled to a neighbour's home. The next thing she can remember is waking in the hospital surrounded by family, who told her that Nadine and Anthony were not going to make it. Garda testimony Det. Sgt Ernie Henderson told Roisin Lacey SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that Griffin has 41 previous convictions, including for assault causing harm, robbery, escape from lawful custody, possession of drugs for sale or supply, criminal damage and possession of a knife. Sgt Henderson agreed with Mr Grehan that no accelerant was used and the file on the case was "closed" following an inquest in 2013 which found no evidence to support a criminal act. The garda agreed that Griffin had said he was sorry for what happened and that an innocent child had lost her life for nothing. Ms Lacey said the plea was entered and accepted on the basis of gross negligence manslaughter because he failed to raise the alarm or do anything to ensure the safety of those in the house. She said the DPP view is that the offence falls into the medium culpability range and warrants a sentence of between four and 10 years. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will pass sentence on Thursday this week. A Bulgarian man who admitted smuggling 21.6m worth of cocaine on board a cargo ship that sailed from Brazil to Ireland, was jailed for 10 years on Tuesday. Kamen Petkov, aged 36, had been in control of such a large quantity of drugs that it was impossible not to conclude that thousands of lives would have been affected by such a volume of drugs, Judge Colin Daly told Petkovs sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Following his arrest, Petkov told gardai he had gambling debts of 37,000 and that he was to be paid 150,000 for managing the drug shipment on board the Maltese registered vessel, the MV Verila. The drugs were found when Irish Customs officers, acting on a confidential tip-off, searched the vessel after it docked at Foynes Port, County Limerick, on December 19, 2023, having sailed from Brazil, where the drugs were loaded, via Canada. Judge Daly said Petkov had facilitated organised crime internationally for a significant reward and that Petkovs debts may have made him more vulnerable to involving himself in the criminal enterprise. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence that the 21m cocaine haul was pure cocaine, with a potential value of five times that amount on the street estimated at 105m. Sentencing Judge Daly said Petkov, who was assisted in court by a Bulgarian interpreter, played a very important role in moving a huge quantity of cocaine across continents and he considered a headline sentence of 15 years was appropriate. The judge said he was reducing the sentence to 10 years after taking into consideration the accuseds guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity, his co-operation with gardai, his admissions which exonerated other crew members, and his previous good character. However, Judge Daly said Petkov was, in his opinion, not entitled to a sentence lower than the prescriptive mandatory minimum of 10 years for possession of drugs worth 13,000 or more, which under the legislation, can be lowered at the discretion of judges. I have to take into consideration the element of the importation of drugs here, as well as the principle of a deterrent in respect of drugs generally, the judge said. The accused is a non-Irish national and because of this a prison sentence will be more difficult for him, but this does not persuade me to impose a sentence below the prescriptive minimum, he added. Judge Daly said he considered the value of the drugs to be a critical factor in his decision. He said: The accused must have been aware he was involved in smuggling drugs of enormous quantity, across thousands of miles, across continents. He (Petkov) assisted the loading of the drugs onto the ship and he was in control of the drugs on board, Judge Daly added. Case background Petkov, who had no previous convictions, was arrested three days after the ship docked at Foynes after customs officials discovered 12 large bales of cocaine hidden in an air-conditioning room on board the ship at Foynes Port. Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley said Petkov was approached by unidentified security persons at Antoniana Port, Brazil, to facilitate the drug smuggling operation. Petkov said he hid the drugs underneath beds in unoccupied cabins on the ship which journeyed on to Santos Port, Brazil, and Hamilton Port, Canada, before reaching its final destination at Foynes, county Limerick. Petkov said he tied the drug bales together with rope and attached life jackets and a transmitter. He was given a mobile phone to stay in touch with drug dealers in Bolivia and Paraguay and instructed to drop the cocaine bales overboard when the ship reached Glin Pier, county Limerick, prior to its arrival at Foynes Port. The 12 bales contained 308.6 kilos of cocaine, wrapped into 306 separate packages, valued at 21,604,891. Petkov told gardai he did not make the drop at Glin because when the ship reached the location he became worried when he could not see anybody there to collect the drugs. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence that the 21m cocaine haul was 'pure cocaine, with a potential value of five times that amount on the street' estimated at 105m. Picture: Garda/Customs Detective Garda Cahill said Petkov 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. The Det. Garda also told the court that Petkovs DNA was found on a sophisticated light beacon on a transmitter he had attached to the drug bales. Petkov, a qualified electrician, regularly worked five-month contracts at sea on cargo ships, but he told gardai it was his first time being involved in smuggling drugs, and that he had not received any payment for the drug run. Gardai said they did not find any evidence that Petkov had received any of the 150,000 he agreed to accept to smuggle the drugs. A young man who verbally abused gardai as rat bastards and committed a series of burglaries and other crimes has been given the opportunity to do community service instead of going to jail. Ryan Kennefick, 22, of St Vincents Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, pleaded guilty to several offences at Cork District Court. Now, Judge Mary Dorgan said she would adjourn sentencing until March 26 for a probation report on his suitability to do a community service order. Defence solicitor Daithi O Donnahain said Kennefick recently sustained a serious injury around his ear but had been trying to put his life on a better footing. Adjourning the case for the report on his suitability for the community work, Judge Dorgan warned the young man that in the meantime: No offending, no drink, no drugs. Attend at all probation appointments. The judge previously described the offences committed by Kennefick around Cork City as "messy". Messy offending is what I would described this as. His behaviour with the guards was inappropriate in the extreme, Judge Dorgan said. Sergeant John Kelleher said gardai were called to St Vincents Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, on March 12, where two men were causing a disturbance one of whom was identified as Ryan Kennefick. Mr Kennefick shouted: Get the f*** away from me and he called the gardai c***s and rat bastards, Sgt Kelleher said. In an earlier incident on October 6, 2023, the same defendant went to Topaz on Monahan Road and stole Lucozade, chocolate-flavoured Yazoo drink and tea bags, Sgt Kelleher said. On November 14, 2023, he stole a bottle of wine at Centra, Broadale, Maryborough Hill, Cork. On the same date this near, November 14, he was shoplifting at Spar, MacCurtain Street. The accused had 23 convictions. Mr O Donnabhain said the accused had an amount of alcohol consumed at the time of the offences. In respect of the row at the hostel, the solicitor said: There was bad blood between himself and another resident of St Vincents. He is at a crossroads in his life. Kennefick also admitted a count related to March 29, 2024, where it is alleged he trespassed at Salt restaurant on Victoria Road, Cork, where the prosecution said nothing was taken. As well as the community service order, the judge also imposed a three-month suspended sentence. President Michael D Higgins has criticised the Israeli government for accusing Ireland of antisemitism, describing it as gross defamation and slander. To say that the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander, Mr Higgins said. I think it is a very serious business to actually brand a people because in fact they disagree with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is in breach of so many bits of international law. I think to suggest that because one criticised Prime Minister Netanyahu that one is antisemitic is such a gross defamation and slander. Mr Higgins said he believed that it was part of a pattern to damage Ireland. The President made the comments during a ceremony where the new Palestinian Ambassador, Jilan Abdaljamid, presented her credentials. President Michael D Higgins hosts a credentials ceremony for the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Jilan Abdaljamid. Picture: Leah Farrell/ RollingNews.ie Relations between the Irish and Israeli governments have worsened in recent days, with the Israeli foreign minister calling Taoiseach Simon Harris "antisemitic". Gideon Saar announced on Sunday that Israel would close its embassy in Dublin in reaction to Ireland's joining of a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). That move was called "the diplomacy of distraction" by Mr Harris on Monday. Speaking today, President Higgins echoed comments by both Mr Harris and the Tanaiste that Ireland would not be deflected from defending Palestine. He condemned the actions of Hamas, while also calling for the release of all hostages, alongside the Israeli bombardment which has left more than 45,000 people, of which 17,000 are children, dead. In many ways, all of the details of these tragic breaches of international law are what has informed the Irish position and we will continue, said the President. He said Israels expanded occupation, including in the Golan Heights in Syria, would make it more difficult to establish and support a Palestinian state. The President said some countries must break their silence and come out to support both a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, as well as a two-State solution. Mr Higgins added that the Irish psyche understood the Palestinian people through the words dispossession and occupation. Its the only building in Ireland where you will have to show you have illegal drugs in order to get in. Those with the drugs are breaking the law outside the building, but once they step inside they are not. This is the twilight zone that the countrys first ever medically supervised injecting centre will operate in when it starts this week. As detailed in the panel, it has been a long and difficult journey. When a person comes in, theyll have to present the drugs they have, they cant come in without the drugs, the CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, Eddie Mullins, says. The building in question is the basement of the Merchants Quay Ireland offices in the Riverbank Centre on Dublins South Quays. This is where the countrys first drug injecting centre is located. Two of the bays where users can inject their drugs mainly heroin in a safer environment under medical supervision of qualified nurses. Picture: Moya Nolan Here, users can come in and inject their drugs mainly heroin in a safer environment under medical supervision of qualified nurses. Advice and clean equipment will be available and, if there is an overdose or other reaction, the nurses are on hand. Drug workers are also there to support users and other assistance whether mental health or accommodation is available. The aim is to bring street level, and highly public, drug use into a safer and more dignified environment. The basement provides a legal bubble to protect both the users and the operators. But outside, the laws of the land remain. There is no change to the legislation outside, Mr Mullins says. The law is still the law, it is still illegal to carry drugs There had been discussion in previous years that more clarity would be needed or, at least, desired on how gardai were to police the laws outside the centre. However, that clarity does not appear to have been hammered out. I suppose we have an enduring relationship with the guards, Mr Mullins says. They have great knowledge and understanding of the clients, and theyre not targeting vulnerable people. Theyre trying to support them, but it will be a challenge for the guards because the law is the law. 'Dark corner of the city' He says it will be largely a continuation of current practices, adding: People who use our services every day for needles or for crack pipes are carrying drugs when they go in, and theyre carrying drugs when they leave. The only difference now is that they consume their heroin or cocaine on the facility. Before they would have left our facility, gone around the corner, and injected in a dark corner of the city. Its very much a cooperation piece with the guards and ourselves. At the moment we know that, currently, people are taking drugs and in a really dangerous, unsafe, undignified, unsanitary condition and this is simply an opportunity to provide a bit of dignity with respect and a bit of a health-led approach to people who inject drugs. He says both Merchants Quay Ireland and gardai are aware of the possibility of increased drug dealing nearby. Im not convinced that the injection facility will increase the level of dealing, he says. Its probably going to spook some the dealers. Mr Mullins says the benefit of the pilot, which has an initial lifespan of 18 months, is that it will be continually assessed with a formal HSE-led expert review after six months. The deputy head of clinical services at Merchants Quay Ireland, Orla Condren, shows off the equipment in the facility. Picture: Moya Nolan It will be a robust assessment, and I could see a series of regulations potentially coming from this to make it more certain that it currently is. He said the local chief superintendent and superintendent were taking a pragmatic, practical approach and were showing great leadership. This model, which has been operating in many European cities and beyond for years, has attracted the interest of authorities in Cork and Limerick. As far back as December 2016, the Cork Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force has called for such a centre in the city. The slow implementation of the pilot has meant that the original parameters of it set down in legislation are now too narrow. No longer is the problem of street drug use just centred around heroin injection. It has now morphed into a parallel, and greater, crack cocaine phenomenon. One of the difficulties is that drug trends have changed, and crack cocaine is a very big problem For services like Merchants Quay, crack is the most consumed drug at the moment, no question, and [the new centre] cant facilitate smoking this is just an injection centre, Mr Mullins says. Figures from their needle exchange/crack pipe service illustrate the growth in crack use, with the number of crack pipe kits given out rising from 11,204 in 2020 to 18,997 in 2024. We would now be saying that we need a facility that provides an opportunity for people who take other drugs, who are smoking drugs, Mr Mullins says. We have looked at Lisbon as a good example. It started as a supervised injection facility, and now it is a consumption and supervised injection facility. They run side by side. You cant do both in the one room. So, in Lisbon, one is the injection and the other two are consumption rooms [for smoking drugs]. I think weve taken the big step with the medically supervised facility. So now its about modifying that introducing legislation to allow it to become a consumption room or a consumption room in another part of the city. We certainly should be looking at that. Eddie Mullins is aware that there are still 'fundamental objections' from the local community to the facility. Picture: Moya Nolan Mr Mullins feels that they have a better relationship with the local community, including St Audoens National School, than before. They still have fundamental objections, he says. Their focus has been about the children. They know this area has been ravaged by addiction, and they are not opposed to helping people. Their opposition was about is this going to make it an even bigger problem?. Now, theres an approach of lets see what the outcomes are and, if there are issues, let us address them. Mr Mullins, a former prison governor, took over as CEO in August 2023 from Paula Byrne who had been there since October 2018. She in turn replaced Tony Geoghegan, who had been at the helm for almost 30 years. Both of them did a lot of the hard work to make the pilot to reality. The pilot will operate seven days a week, between 8.30am-7pm (closing in the middle of day) from Monday to Friday and between 10-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. We dont believe it will run at capacity, it will take time for clients to build up some trust in it, Mr Mullins says. Some clients will be reluctant, scared, or nervous He says for everyone clients, gardai, and the local community it is a bit of stepping into the unknown. Its a leap of faith. Long and winding road for injecting centre European Union privacy watchdogs have hit Facebook owner Meta with fines totalling 251m after an investigation into a 2018 data breach on the social media platform that exposed millions of accounts. Irelands Data Protection Commission issued the penalties after wrapping up its inquiry into the breach, which happened when hackers gained access to user accounts by exploiting bugs in the platforms code that allowed them to steal digital keys, known as access tokens. Under the 27-nation EUs strict privacy regime, the Irish watchdog is Metas lead privacy regulator because the companys regional headquarters is in Dublin. The watchdog issued reprimands and administrative penalties worth 251m after it found multiple infringements of the rules, known as the General Data Protection Regulation. The company said it would appeal against the decision. This decision relates to an incident from 2018. We took immediate action to fix the problem as soon as it was identified, Meta said in a statement. The company said it proactively informed people impacted as well as the Irish watchdog. When it first disclosed the problem, Facebook said 50m user accounts were affected, but the actual number was around 29m, including three million in Europe, the Irish watchdog said on. The company has said that after discovering the bug, it alerted the FBI and regulators in the US and Europe. The hack involved three distinct bugs in Facebooks View As feature, which let people see how their profiles appear to others. The attackers used the vulnerability to steal access tokens from the accounts of people whose profiles came up in searches using the feature. The attack then moved from one users Facebook friend to another. Possession of the tokens would allow attackers to control those accounts. French authorities on Tuesday announced an overnight curfew in Mayotte as they sought to stabilise the island territory in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the most intense storm to hit the Indian Ocean archipelago in 90 years. 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 since the weekend in Mayotte, an island group off Africa. The official death toll from Saturdays cyclone rose to 22 according to the latest report from Mayotte Hospital quoted by Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital, Mamoudzou. Debris in a street in the Indian Ocean French territory of Mayotte (Ministere de lInterieur/DICOM via AP) The newly appointed prime minister, Francois Bayrou, provided an update later on Tuesday saying that more than 1,500 people were injured, including more than 200 critically. However, authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people have died. French President Emmanuel Macron said he will be traveling to Mayotte soon. Our compatriots are living through the worst just a few thousand kilometres away, and I will be by their side in a few hours in Mayotte. The priority today is water and food, Mr Soumaila told RFI radio, adding that there are people who have unfortunately died where the bodies are starting to decompose that can create a sanitary problem. The curfew requires people to stay in their homes between 10pm and 4am as authorities try to prevent looting of damaged buildings. We dont have electricity. When night falls, there are people who take advantage of that situation, Soumaila said. Speaking on France Inter radio Tuesday morning, Mayotte lawmaker Estelle Youssouffa described the challenges in accounting for victims, especially among migrants. The real toll of those swept away by the mud, winds and tin from shanty towns will never be known, Ms Youssouffa said. This population, by definition undocumented migrants, are the main victims of this tragedy because they feared going to shelters. December 16, 2024 When Kristi Stiedley was in 11th grade, she was struggling with a 1.5 GPA, and considering dropping out of high school. On Saturday, she stood in front of her fellow Idaho State University graduates, sharing the story of a woman who, despite many days of struggling to believe she could earn a degree, had the courage to continue. She congratulated the crowd of graduates for doing the same. I gave up on my goals and dreams for a time, leading to dark days and depression. I was literally sleeping in my car, but I would imagine what it would be like to own a home. I desired a better life, which meant I had to change the story in my mind, work hard, and celebrate each small step. I bet your dream story has pulled you through challenging times, she said. Who will you share your story with? You never know who is listening. Stiedley was one of 1,079 fall and summer graduates at Saturdays Winter Commencement Ceremonies. The institutional reader was Geoffrey Bennett. Idaho State University President Robert Wagner conferred the degrees. Please remember that ISU will always be here for you as a source of educational transformation, and as a source of support as your new alma mater, Wagner said. As an ISU Bengal, you have been taught to let your voices be heard, to use your actions to create impact, and your experience to set an example, and to do all this with a mighty roar. Student Speaker Dr Mel Anderson also told graduates to remember that they werent alone in their educational journeys. We found our firm foundation in the support of our family and friends and in the rich mentorship of the Bengal community, Anderson said. We are here today because in the moments we needed greater strength than our own, someone showed up. 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Dr. Rahman Tashakkori, left, professor of computer science at Appalachian State University, and Temitayo Olofintuyi, senior computer science major from Greensboro, are part of a research team that received a state grant of over $641,000 this spring to commercialize four parts of a hive monitoring system. Theyre examining a hive on the Appalachian campus in Boone. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has experienced a loss in a parliamentary confidence vote, setting the stage for potential snap elections in February aimed at steering Germany out of a political crisis ignited by the downfall of his coalition. At 66, Mr. Scholz, whose coalition fell apart last month, initiated a confidence vote that now clears the path for the dissolution of the Bundestag and a move back to the polls. According to regulations established to avert the instability that enabled the rise of fascism in the 1930s, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can only dissolve parliament and call for elections if the chancellor calls for, and subsequently loses, a confidence vote. Among the parliaments 733 members, only 207 showed their confidence, while 394 chose to withhold it. Economic and geopolitical challenges facing Germany This political battle arises as Europes leading economy struggles to rejuvenate its stagnant export-driven industrial sector amidst soaring energy prices and stiff competition from China. Germany is also grappling with significant geopolitical issues, contending with Russia over the Ukraine conflict, while Donald Trumps potential return to the White House raises doubts concerning NATO and trade relationships. Mr. Merz, a former corporate attorney, has consistently unleashed harsh criticism against the diverse coalition of the chancellors Social Democrats (SPD), the progressive Greens, and the liberal Free Democrats (FDP). Disagreements within the coalition over fiscal and economic challenges escalated when Mr. Scholz dismissed his defiant FDP finance minister Christian Lindner on 6 November, coinciding with Mr. Trumps re-election in the United States. Following the exit of Mr. Lindners FDP, Mr. Scholz now leads a minority government alongside the Greens, headed by Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. With the inability to pass significant legislation or establish a new state budget without support from the opposition, the government is currently limping through, while all factions gear up for elections. Germanys political upheaval unfolds as a key EU partner, France, faces its own crises and gridlock, leading President Emmanuel Macron to request centrist Francois Bayrou to attempt to form a new government on Friday. Plagued by doubt President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is now positioned to dissolve the legislature and officially announce the scheduled election date of 23 February. Post-war German politics had long been stable and dominated by two major parties, the CDU-CSU and the SPD, with the smaller FDP often acting as a kingmaker. The Greens made their entrance in the 1980s, but over the past decade, the political scene has fragmented further with the rise of the AfD, a surprising development for a nation whose troubling World War II past had rendered far-right parties taboo. Initially formed as a eurosceptic fringe party, the AfD transformed into a significant political player protesting against Ms. Merkels open-door stance on migration, currently enjoying approximately 18% voter support. While other parties have pledged a firewall of non-cooperation with the AfD, certain factions have adopted elements of its anti-immigration and anti-Islam messaging. In the wake of Syrian president Bashar al-Assads downfall, some CDU members were quick to call for the return of around one million Syrian refugees currently in Germany. The upcoming winter election is intensified by the fact that the German model is in crisis, stated Claire Demesmay, a political scientist based in Berlin, affiliated with Sciences Po Paris. Ms. Demesmay highlighted that Germanys prosperity relied on inexpensive energy imported from Russia, a security policy delegated to the USA, and extensive exports and subcontracting to China. She noted that the country is now undergoing a significant reorientation process, fueling fears within society that manifest politically. We observe a political discourse that has become more strained than a few years ago. Germany is grappling with uncertainty. Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association | Linda G. Mills President, New York University linda.mills@nyu.edu Georgina Dopico Provost, New York University georgina.dopico@nyu.edu Dear President Mills and Provost Dopico: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our grave concern about several of your recent actions, including declaring five New York University (NYU) faculty members who were present at a peaceful pro-Palestine student demonstration to be persona non grata (PNG), which bars them from entering a number of campus buildings in effect, suspending them. Two of the five were also arrested for trespassing by the New York City police, which you invited onto campus. Having faculty arrested, and suspending them without any reasonable investigative or disciplinary process, makes a mockery of NYUs avowed commitment to academic freedom and to freedom of speech and assembly; it also exacerbates the climate of repression that has increasingly characterized NYU. MESA was founded in 1966 to support scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 2800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and elsewhere. On 11 December 2024 a group of students initiated a sit-in at NYUs Bobst Library, on an upper floor where the university administrations offices are located; the students were calling on the university to divest from Israeli companies and institutions involved in the oppression of, or violence against, Palestinians. The following day the last day of fall semester classes at NYU another protest ensued in which students blocked entrances to several university buildings, including Bobst. Several faculty members were present at the protests to support the students and try to ensure their safety; as noted above, two of them were arrested and five were declared PNG. In a message to the NYU community on 12 December 2024 you asserted that threats had been made in the course of the protests and that graffiti was found that directly targeted members of our community with threats of violence. No evidence has been adduced that the faculty members who were arrested and/or declared PNG, or the protesting students, had any connection whatsoever with the graffiti. We have also been informed that interim suspensions have been imposed on a number of students, including some who did not actually participate in the protests but happened to be studying in Bobst at the time; they were apparently deemed suspicious, and subjected to investigation and/or sanction, because they had been involved in the encampments at NYU last spring. We deplore NYUs decision to again invite the police to campus in order to arrest people for participating in peaceful protests, as it did on at least two occasions in the spring 2024 semester. NYUs action in banning five faculty members from campus without even the semblance of due process is equally egregious and sets a very dangerous precedent. We call your attention to the statement issued on 12 December 2024 by the American Association of University Professors, which reads in part: The imposition of interim suspensions on students, prior to a full and impartial investigation in conformity with generally accepted procedures, is also alarming. Over the past fourteen months we have written repeatedly to NYU regarding threats to and violations of academic freedom and freedom of speech at the university, for example here here and here . Regrettably, NYU continues to pay lip service to these rights while contravening them in practice. We now call on you to immediately rescind the PNG status of the five faculty members, do whatever you can to have any charges brought against those arrested at the protests dismissed, and lift all suspensions imposed on students outside the normal disciplinary process. More broadly, we urge you to reconsider the dangerous direction in which you are leading NYU toward intensified suppression of academic freedom and free speech and instead actively seek to foster a campus environment in which faculty, students and staff can exercise those freedoms without fear of arrest or arbitrary sanction. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Asl U. Bali MESA President Professor, Yale Law School Laurie Brand Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom Professor Emerita, University of Southern California By Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham (The Conversation) The lightning-fast collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has sent shock waves across the Middle East. The disposal of the dictator whose family had ruled the country with an iron fist for more than half a century has triggered a potentially seismic shift in the balance of power in the region. But there are also important repercussions beyond Syria and its neighbourhood with Russia one of the more significantly affected powers. Back in 2015, Assads regime had been on the brink of collapse. It was saved by a Russian intervention with support from Iran and Hezbollah. Launched in the context of a growing threat from Islamic State, Russia enabled Assads regime to push back other rebel forces as well. Over the years that followed, it enabled Assad to consolidate control over the capital, other key cities, and in particular the coastal region where Russia had two military bases. The future of these bases is now uncertain. The Russian naval base in Tartus which dates back to Soviet times as well as an air base at Khmeimim, established south-east of Latakia in 2015, were vital assets for Russia to project military force in the Mediterranean sea and bolster the Kremlins claim to Russian great-power status. Given the importance of the bases for Russia and the significant investments made over the years in propping the regime, Assads fall reflects badly on Russias capabilities to assert credible influence on the global stage. Even if Russia somehow manages to negotiate a deal with Syrias new rulers over the future of its military bases, the fact that Moscow was unable to save an important ally like Assad exposes critical weaknesses in Russias ability to act, rather than just talk, like a great power. There are clear intelligence failures that either missed or misinterpreted the build-up of anti-Assad forces by Qatar, and Turkeys tacit support of this. These failures were then compounded by diminished Russian military assets in Syria and an inability to reinforce them at short notice. This is, of course, due to Russias ongoing war against Ukraine. The depletion of the military capabilities of two other Kremlin allies in the region Iran and Hezbollah further compounded the difficulties for Assad and exacerbated the effect of Russias overstretch. This also raises the question of whether Russia strategically misjudged the situation and underestimated its vulnerability in Syria. But even more so, it highlights Russias own dependence on allies who do not simply acquiesce to Moscows demands as Assad did when he provided Russia its military bases but who actively support a wannabe great power that lacks some of the means to assert its claimed status as Iran and Hezbollah did in 2015. Wheres China? Missing from this equation is China. While Beijing had sided with Assad after the start of the Syrian civil war, this support was mostly of the rhetorical kind. It was mainly aimed at preventing a UN-backed, western-led intervention akin to the one in Libya that led to the fall of Gaddafi and has plunged the country into chaos ever since. A high-profile visit of Assad to China in September 2023 resulted in a strategic partnership agreement. This seemed to signal another step towards the rehabilitation of the Syrian regime, in Beijings eyes at least. But when push came to shove and Assads rule was under severe threat, China did nothing to save him. This raises an important question about Chinese judgment of the Syrian regime and the evolving crisis. But there is also a broader point here regarding Russian great-power ambitions. Diminished, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024 For all the talk of a limitless partnership between Moscow and Beijing, China ultimately did nothing to save Russia from an embarrassing defeat in Syria. Where Russia needed a military presence to bolster its claims to great-power status, Chinese interests in the Middle East are primarily about economic opportunity and the perceived threat of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. This has clearly limited Beijings appetite to become more involved, let alone to bail out Assad. Putin diminished Russias position in the Middle East now is in peril. Moscow has lost a key ally in Assad. Its other main allies, Iran and Hezbollah, are significantly weakened. Israel and Turkey, with whom the Kremlin has not had easy relations over the past few years, have been strengthened. This exposes the hollowness of Russian claims to great-power status. It is also likely to further diminish Russian prestige and the standing that it has in the eyes of other partners whether they are China or North Korea, members of the Brics, or countries in the global south that Russia has recently tried to woo. The consequences of that for Ukraine arguably the main source of Russias over-stretch are likely to be ambivalent. On the one hand, the ease with which Assad was deposed demonstrates that Russia is not invincible and that its support of brutal dictatorships has limits. On the other hand, there should be no expectation of anything but Russia doubling down in Ukraine. Putin needs a success that restores domestic and international confidence in him and fast. After all, Donald Trump does not like losers. Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Donald J. Trump held an impromptu press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. In the course of his remarks, he said a couple of things about the Middle East, Informed Comments beat. Since hell be back in the White House in about a month, these observations give some clue as to his thinking. I will present a commentary on his observations about Syria: Mr. President. . . With 900 troops in Syria, are you planning to withdraw when you leave office? Trump: We had 5,000 troops along the border, and I asked a couple of generals: So, we have an army of 250,000 in Syria, and you had an army of 400,000 they have many more people than that. Turkey is a major force, by the way. And Erdogan hes somebody I got along with great has a major military force. His military has not been worn out with war. It hasnt been exhausted like others. Hes built a very strong and powerful army. I am not sure, but I think Mr. Trump is saying that the former government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria had had 400,000 men in the Syrian Arab Army before the Arab Spring revolts of 2011, but that the numbers declined to 250,000 with desertions thereafter. My own guess is that when Trump was in office the numbers of Syrian troops had declined to more like 100,000. I think he is recalling that he thought the 5,000 U.S. troops, which were there to coordinate the Kurdish and Arab militias of the Syrian Democratic Forces in fighting ISIL (ISIS, Daesh), were not necessary because Syrias own 250,000 troops should have been able to handle ISIL. If that is what he thought, it is incorrect. The Baath government of al-Assad relinquished the eastern Raqqa Province to ISIL and used its remaining troops to dominate the west of the country, what the French colonialists had called Useful Syria (la Syrie utile ). It had been the 5,000 US troops and the fighters of the SDF, mainly drawn from the leftist Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in the northeast, who took Raqqa and defeated ISIL on October 17, 2017. That was on Trumps watch. Perhaps he meant to say that by October, 2019, two years later, he felt that the US troop presence was no longer necessary to ensure that there wasnt a resurgence of ISIL. He is right about the Turkish army. which Global Fire Power ranks as eighth in the world. Turkey, a country a little more populous than Germany, has some 355,000 active duty military personnel and a similar number of reservists. It has 205 fighter jets and 111 attack helicopters. It has over 2,000 tanks and 1,700 or so big pulled artillery pieces. It is ranked above both Italy and France. Trump: So, we had 5,000 soldiers between a 5-million-person army and a 250,000-person army. I asked the general, What do you think of that situation? He said, Theyll be wiped out immediately. And I moved them out because I took a lot of heat. And you know what happened? Nothing. I saved a lot of lives. Now, we have 900 troops. They put some back in, but its still only 900. My guess is that Trumps mention of a 5 million-person army is a reference to the military of the Russian Federation, which actually has 3.7 million military personnel including reservists. The 250,000-man army is likely that of Syria, though I believe it is an over-estimate for 2019. Most authorities had the Syrian Arab Army at 141,400 at that time. However, the size of the Russian and Syrian armies was a little irrelevant, since the US special operations forces supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces were fighting the remnants of ISIL and were not in active combat against the Syrian or Russian armies. Moscow and Damascus had left Syrias far east and its ISIL problem to the US and the Kurds. The US and Russia seem to have had excellent deconfliction mechanisms in Syria. The major battle between US forces and Russian ones was not with the regular Russian military but with Wagner group mercenaries. It took place in February 2018, when Wagner irregulars attempted to seize oil fields that the US was using to fund the Kurds. So there wasnt really in my view much chance that the 5,000 US troops in Syria in October 2019 would have to take on either the Russians or the Syrian Arab Army, or that they would be crushed, since they had excellent air cover. Im sure, on the other hand, that Russian President Vladimir Putin very much wanted the US troop presence in Syria to end. Trump (Flash-forwards to the present:) At this point, one of the sides has essentially been wiped out. Nobody knows who the other side is, but I do. You know who it is? Turkey. Turkey is the one behind it. Hes a very smart guy. Theyve wanted that territory for thousands of years, and he got it. Those people that went in are controlled by Turkey, and thats okay its another way to fight. No, I dont think I want our soldiers killed. I dont think that will happen now, because one side has been decimated. Trumps estimation that the HTS sweep across Syria was made possible by Turkish backing is correct. The smart guy here is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It is probably true that Turkiye exercises a certain amount of control over the new government. Using such proxies to dominate Syria and unseat the Arab Baath Socialist Party is indeed another way to fight. Trumps isolationist instincts are sometimes salutary. I cant imagine what good it would be for the US to get involved militarily in the new Syria, and I hope he pulls out the remaining US troops at Tanf. The only statement here with which I would quibble is the assertion that Turkiye has wanted Syria for thousands of years. Turkiye only came into being on October 29, 1923. It was preceded by the Ottoman Empire, which defeated the Mamluks in 1516 at Marj Dabiq and conquered Syria that year. It ruled Syria until World War I, when the Arabic-speaking population allied with Britain during the war and expelled Turkish troops from Aleppo on October 25, 1918. The Turkic Seljuks, who ruled part of what is now Turkiye along with Iran and Iraq, held part of Syria in the eleventh through thirteenth century. The Turkic peoples only came into the Middle East from East Asia in a big way with the Seljuks in the 1000s, the same period when the Norman French conquered England. Before that, what is now Turkiye was inhabited by Armenians, peoples who spoke Iranian languages, and Greek speakers. So Turkey hasnt existed for thousands of years, to want Syria all that time. The rulers of Asia Minor, what is now Turkiye, included the Roman Empire. Augustus took Ankara in 25 BC. The Romans had already annexed Syria in 64 BC. So in that case, it was Italians based in Syria who took what is now Turkiye rather than the other way around. The eastern Roman Empire lost Syria to Muslim forces in the 630s. The Muslim Umayyad caliphate based in Damascus attempted on several occasions to take Asia Minor away from the Byzantines or Eastern Rome, but failed. So too did the Abbasid caliphate after it. I mean, if you want to consider Turkey anyone who lived in Anatolia, then I suppose there were ancient kingdoms based there that wanted Syria. The ancient Hittite kingdom in what is now Turkiye, which spoke an Indo-European language, conquered Syria on more than one occasion in the 1600s through 1400s BC. But before the Hittites, in the 2000s BC, the Hattians ruled Anatolia and they dont seem to have been interested in Syria. Saying that a people has wanted to do anything for thousands of years is essentialist and we historians dont approve of that sort of language. Things change. Peoples go in and out of existence. State ambitions change. A reporter asked Are you concerned about more unrest in that region, or do you think it will stabilize? Trump: Nobody knows what the final outcome will be in the region. Nobody knows who the final victor is going to be. I believe its Turkey. Erdogan is very smart, and hes very tough. Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost. I cant say that Assad wasnt a butcher what he did to children. You remember, I attacked him with 58 missiles. Unbelievable missiles coming from ships 700 miles away, and every one of them hit their target. Mr. Trump is correct that Turkiyes Erdogan is likely the final victor by virtue of his allies now controlling Damascus. However, the likelihood that Syria will stabilize seems to me low, given the regional rivalries, internal divisions, poverty and displacement. Also, Israel has destroyed the Syrian government weapons stock with hundreds of bombing raids in the past week, which leaves the new government with no means of fighting challengers such as a resurgent ISIL. Mr. Trump is also correct that Bashar al-Assad was a butcher responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, for thousands of prisoners tortured to death, for striking childrens playgrounds with barrel bombs. He also did use chemical weqpons, to which Trump responded with a missile barrage in 2017. Trump: Obama had drawn the red line in the sand, but then he refused to honor it. Assad killed many more children after that, and Obama did nothing. But I did. I hit him with a lot of missiles. I remember the night President Xi was here; we were having chocolate cake at dinner when I explained what we were doing. Those missiles were shot, and it was amazing how precise they were - every one hit its target. Had Obama enforced his red line, you wouldnt have even had Russia there. But they are there now, and I never understood why. Russia isnt getting much out of it. Now, their time is taken up with Ukraine, and we want that to stop too. Its Carnage. I do not believe that Mr. Obamas having declined to bomb Syria over chemical weapons use in 2013 had anything to do with the continuation of the war. Mr. Obama was refused support for this move both by the British Parliament and by the Republican-controlled Congress, and was politically forestalled from launching missiles. Those missiles would not have had any affect on the civil war. Nor did Mr. Trumps 2017 missile barrage have any material impact on the course of the last stages of the Syrian Civil War. Jeff: You mentioned the wars. Can you tell us what you said to Prime Minister Netanyahu in your call on Saturday? And have you spoken to President Putin since your election? Trump: Im not going to comment on the Putin question, but I will comment on Netanyahu. We had a very good conversation. We discussed whats going to happen moving forward, and I made it clear that Ill be very available starting January 20th. As you know, Ive warned that if the hostages are not back home by that date, all hell is going to break outvery strongly. Beyond that, it was mostly a recap call. I asked him about the current situation and where things stand. Mike Waltz, by the way, is doing a fantastic job. Everyone is very happy with him, and he was very involved in the call as well. . . Lets hope the remaining Israeli hostages are indeed returned within a month. However, all hell broke loose in Gaza a year ago and has been ongoing and it is difficult to see what more Trump could do to Gaza short of killing off the remaining 2 million people entirely. ==== Video: PBS NewsHour: WATCH LIVE: Trump speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company") is pleased to report significant new high-grade gold results from Zone 5 infill and grade control drilling at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. Assay results are presented here for infill and grade control drilling in the Zone 5 area of Tuvatu. Drill results include multiple bonanza grade gold assays such as 1517.79 g/t, 513.50 g/t, 113.76 g/t, 137.50 g/t, and 115.25 g/t (see Table 1 below). These results are all located proximal to underground development in the near-surface portion of the mine. Drilling was focused on the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. Previous drill results from the Zone 5 area are available in the June 12, 2024, June 5, 2024, and December 13, 2023 news releases. Top New Drill Results: 1517.79 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0237, from 42.6 m depth) 513.50 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0263, from 60.47 m depth) 67.45 g/t Au over 0.75 m (TGC-0254, from 90.75 m depth) 17.89 g/t Au over 2.7 m (including 113.76 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0225, from 94.6 m depth) 25.73 g/t Au over 1.8 m (including 96.78 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0251, from 46.9 m depth) 18.42 g/t Au over 2.5 m (including 62.83 g/t Au over 0.4 m) (TGC-0240, from 44.0 m depth) 30.99 g/t Au over 1.4 m (including 137.50 g/t Au over 0.3 m) (TGC-0239, from 97.8 m depth) 64.25 g/t Au over 0.6 m (TGC-0256, from 98.11 m depth) 72.55 g/t Au over 0.5 m (TGC-0245, from 91.0 m depth) 115.25 g/t Au over 0.3 m (TGC-0250, from 52.7 m depth) *All drill intersects are downhole lengths, 3.0 g/t cutoff. See Table 1 for additional data. Figure 1. Location of the Zone 5 drilling reported in this news release. Left image: Plan view of Tuvatu showing Zone 5 drillholes in relation to the mineralized lodes at Tuvatu, shown in grey. Yellow dashed square represents the area shown in the right image. Right image: Oblique view of Zone 5 drilling looking approximately east-northeast. Zone 5 drilling is targeting the up-dip and down-dip extensions of the mineralized lodes above and below current underground developments, shown in red. Table 1. Highlights of composited grade control and infill drill results in the Zone 5 area. Composites are calculated using a 3 g/t Au cutoff with maximum internal dilution intervals of 1 m at <3 g/t Au. For full results see Table 3 in the appendix. Hole ID From (m) To (m) Width (m) Au (g/t) TGC-0237 42.6 42.9 0.3 1517.79 TGC-0263 60.5 60.8 0.3 513.50 TGC-0254 90.8 91.5 0.8 67.45 TGC-0225 94.6 97.3 2.7 17.89 including 95.8 97.0 1.2 37.40 which includes 96.1 96.4 0.3 113.76 TGC-0251 46.9 48.7 1.8 25.73 including 46.9 47.6 0.7 59.42 which includes 47.2 47.6 0.4 96.78 TGC-0240 44.0 46.5 2.5 18.42 including 46.1 46.5 0.4 62.83 TGC-0239 97.8 99.2 1.4 30.99 including 97.8 98.1 0.3 137.50 TGC-0256 98.1 98.7 0.6 64.25 TGC-0245 91.0 91.5 0.5 72.55 TGC-0250 52.7 53.0 0.3 115.25 TGC-0247 61.1 62.6 1.5 19.11 TGC-0212 69.5 69.8 0.3 90.50 TGC-0224 25.8 28.5 2.7 9.85 including 25.8 26.4 0.6 27.65 TGC-0259 57.4 57.7 0.3 86.50 TGC-0231 92.8 96.0 3.2 7.59 including 95.0 95.6 0.6 26.34 TGC-0210 61.2 62.7 1.5 15.70 including 62.1 62.4 0.3 57.08 TGC-0228 90.8 91.1 0.3 77.50 TGC-0247 89.1 89.4 0.3 75.86 TGC-0261 97.1 100.2 3.2 7.00 including 97.8 98.1 0.3 26.35 and 98.1 98.4 0.4 15.55 TGC-0263 63.2 65.6 2.4 8.98 including 63.5 64.1 0.6 26.30 TGC-0212 90.3 90.9 0.6 33.92 including 90.3 90.6 0.3 58.64 TGC-0226 28.5 28.8 0.3 63.72 *All drill intersects are downhole lengths Zone 5 Drilling The Zone 5 area of Tuvatu is located along the main decline and includes the principal north-south oriented lodes (UR1 to UR3), the principal northeast-southwest oriented lodes (UR4 to UR8), and several of the western lodes (URW2, URW2A, URW3). These lodes are steeply dipping structures that converge at approximately 500 m depth to form Zone 500, which is the highest-grade part of the deposit and is interpreted to be the feeder zone at Tuvatu. The system remains open at depth with the deepest high-grade intersections occurring below 1000 m depth. The drilling reported in this news release targeted the near-surface portions of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. Drilling was focused on the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes, directly above and below current underground developments. The drilling targeted a 320 m strike length of the UR2 and URW3 lodes. The current total strike length of the UR2 lode is approximately 620 m, while that of the URW3 lode is approximately 330 m. Both lodes remain open along strike and at depth. Zone 5 grade control drilling is being conducted from three underground locations: the 1130 drill cuddy, the 1135 drill cuddy, and the 1090 drill cuddy. These drillholes are designed to intersect the mineralized lodes in a perpendicular to sub-perpendicular orientation such that the mineralized intervals approximate the true width of the lodes. Grade control drilling is being conducted on 10 m centers to provide a detailed understanding of the geometry and mineralization of the Zone 5 lodes. The purpose of the current Zone 5 grade control drill program is to enhance the mine model and inform stope design in advance of mining in the target areas. Highlights of the Zone 5 drilling reported here are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2. Zone infill and grade control drilling with high-grade intersects highlighted, 3.0 g/t gold cutoff. View is looking down with north to the left. The primary areas targeted by the Zone 5 drilling are the up-dip and down-dip areas of the UR2 and URW3 lodes above and below current underground developments. These areas are scheduled for near-term mining. Drill holes are oriented perpendicular to sub-perpendicular to the mineralized lodes. Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to mineral exploration at the Tuvatu Gold Project is based on information compiled by the Lion One team and reviewed by Melvyn Levrel, who is the company's Senior Geologist. Mr Levrel is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). Mr Levrel consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on the information in the form and context in which it appears. Lion One Laboratories / QAQC Lion One adheres to rigorous QAQC procedures above and beyond basic regulatory guidelines in conducting its drilling, sampling, testing, and analyses. The Company operates its own geochemical assay laboratory and its own fleet of diamond drill rigs using PQ, HQ and NQ sized drill rods. Diamond drill core samples are logged by Lion One personnel on site. Exploration diamond drill core is split by Lion One personnel on site, with half core samples sent for analysis and the other half core remaining on site. Grade control diamond drill core is whole core assayed. Core samples are delivered to the Lion One Laboratory for preparation and analysis. All samples are pulverized at the Lion One lab to 85% passing through 75 microns and gold analysis is carried out using fire assay with an AA finish. Samples that return grades greater than 10.00 g/t Au are re-analyzed by gravimetric method, which is considered more accurate for very high-grade samples. Duplicates of 5% of samples with grades above 0.5 g/t Au are delivered to ALS Global Laboratories in Australia for check assay determinations using the same methods (Au-AA26 and Au-GRA22 where applicable). ALS also analyses 33 pathfinder elements by HF-HNO3-HClO4 acid digestion, HCl leach and ICP-AES (method ME-ICP61). The Lion One lab can test a range of up to 71 elements through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), but currently focuses on a suite of 23 important pathfinder elements with an aqua regia digest and ICP-OES finish. About Lion One Metals Limited Lion One Metals is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, and the Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Walter Berukoff, Chairman & CEO Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries 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: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Appendix 1: Full Drill Results and Collar Information Table 2. Collar coordinates for drillholes reported in this release. Coordinates are in Fiji map grid. Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth TGC-0210 1876384 3920430 96 114.6 20.9 85.8 TGC-0211 1876384 3920429 96 140.5 21.6 85.6 TGC-0212 1876381 3920532 131 80.5 14.3 115.3 TGC-0213 1876383 3920628 129 65.0 12.5 125.0 TGC-0214 1876384 3920432 96 106.7 22.1 70.8 TGC-0215 1876380 3920529 130 134.2 6.3 150.0 TGC-0216 1876384 3920431 95 127.7 14.5 81.2 TGC-0217 1876383 3920628 129 60.7 16.4 135.0 TGC-0218 1876384 3920431 95 117.2 14.7 81.0 TGC-0219 1876380 3920529 130 129.2 8.6 140.3 TGC-0220 1876383 3920627 130 80.5 21.8 11.2 TGC-0221 1876384 3920430 96 105.9 22.2 68.1 TGC-0222 1876384 3920429 96 115.8 20.5 11.0 TGC-0223 1876384 3920424 96 154.8 22.9 180.0 TGC-0224 1876380 3920530 130 124.9 4.8 140.0 TGC-0225 1876382 3920627 129 76.4 22.4 115.0 TGC-0226 1876380 3920529 130 125.6 11.1 140.2 TGC-0227 1876384 3920425 94 155.6 -1.8 181.1 TGC-0228 1876380 3920530 130 120.8 8.5 140.0 TGC-0229 1876383 3920627 129 75.9 15.3 11.2 TGC-0230 1876383 3920424 96 170.7 22.4 268.4 TGC-0231 1876383 3920627 129 77.3 15.4 115.1 TGC-0232 1876383 3920627 127 76.2 -49.2 11.2 TGC-0233 1876384 3920627 127 78.0 -48.5 166.4 TGC-0234 1876381 3920531 129 98.3 -19.1 99.8 TGC-0235 1876384 3920627 127 80.0 -36.5 11.1 TGC-0236 1876383 3920627 128 79.8 -36.1 146.0 TGC-0237 1876384 3920428 95 108.1 13.7 82.5 TGC-0238 1876381 3920531 129 90.7 -13.7 10.7 TGC-0239 1876381 3920531 129 90.7 -19.4 130.8 TGC-0240 1876384 3920428 95 99.9 13.0 122.2 TGC-0241 1876383 3920627 129 82.8 19.2 110.0 TGC-0242 1876384 3920428 95 92.0 13.2 95.4 TGC-0243 1876384 3920626 127 95.7 -37.1 140.1 TGC-0244 1876384 3920429 95 84.8 13.7 100.7 TGC-0245 1876381 3920532 129 88.0 -13.6 130.8 TGC-0246 1876384 3920625 127 114.9 -28.7 140.0 TGC-0247 1876384 3920430 94 83.7 -4.0 110.3 TGC-0248 1876378 3920532 129 82.4 -15.3 130.9 TGC-0249 1876384 3920626 127 103.4 -31.1 140.1 TGC-0250 1876384 3920429 94 97.3 -3.8 110.0 TGC-0251 1876384 3920429 94 105.1 -4.4 86.0 TGC-0252 1876381 3920532 129 76.0 -18.3 24.6 TGC-0254 1876380 3920532 129 75.9 -15.1 130.0 TGC-0255 1876384 3920428 94 114.5 -4.1 80.0 TGC-0256 1876381 3920531 128 92.7 -22.1 136.9 TGC-0257 1876384 3920428 94 123.3 -4.4 80.2 TGC-0259 1876384 3920427 94 131.0 -4.7 83.1 TGC-0261 1876380 3920530 129 115.1 -11.2 140.0 TGC-0263 1876384 3920429 94 82.2 -7.8 120.8 Table 3. Composite results from drillholes reported in this news release (composite grade >3.0 g/t Au) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winshear Gold Corp. (TSXV: WINS) (Winshear or the Company), is pleased to report that it has completed its maiden drill program at the Gaban Gold Project, southeastern Peru. The program included four diamond drill holes totalling 1,005 metres from two drill sites 125m apart (Figure 1). Winshears maiden drill program at Gaban is the first ever carried out on the property with the intent of testing the width of the shear zone hosting the gold mineralized quartz veins. The drill program at the Coritiri Gold Zone confirmed the presence of a weakly to moderately sheared sequence of intercalated slate and fine siltstones with some crosscutting fine-grained microdioritic sills. The sequence is cut by millimeter to centimeter sized quartz veins / veinlets hosting pyrite, pyrrhotite, and traces of chalcopyrite. Additionally, the sheared slate also contains fine disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite. Assays from the drill program are expected in Q1 2025 and will be reported upon receipt. Winshears 2024 exploration program included the completion of an 8.6 kilometre access road to the Coritiri Gold Zone to support the drill program. A staging field camp and the preparation of two drill sites were completed for the helicopter supported diamond drill program. Mobilization of the drill equipment commenced on September 21st and drilling began the first week of October. The drill program was curtailed due to the early onset of heavy rains which made supply logistics difficult and ineffective, and compromised the health and safety of the field crew. Gaban is located in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt (POGB) at the juncture of the San Gaban and Inambari Rivers, which then drain into the Madre de Dios basin where extensive alluvial gold mining covers an 1,800 square kilometre area (Figure 2 and Figure 3). The Company is investigating Gaban as one of the potential hard-rock sources for the alluvial gold being mined at Madre de Dios and on the Gaban project itself. Winshear set out to test several shear-hosted gold zones that have returned significant gold values in several surface channel sampling programs. Previous sampling campaigns have outlined a gold mineralized shear zone extending over a one kilometre by two kilometre area with quartz vein sampling returning gold assaying up to 11.2 g/t Au. The gold anomalous zone remains open along strike to the east and southeast. The Coritiri Gold Zone was initially identified from interpretation of airborne magnetic data, flown in 2018, which inferred the presence of an 8 km x 1 km NW-SE linear target adjacent to a 6.5 km x 3.0 km northwest-southeast trending magnetic high (Figure 3). The geophysical anomaly is coincident with a five (5) kilometre long series of gold-in-stream sediment anomalies located within the Yanamayo River catchment. The underlying geology of the area comprises sheared and deformed siltstones and slates with foliation typically striking northwest-southeast and dipping moderately to the southwest. There are several artisanal workings in the Yanamayo catchment that develop placer gold deposits where Winshear field crews have observed local alluvial miners extracting nuggets weighing up to 54 grammes. There are several prospect pits and short adits on outcropping quartz veins where visible gold has been sampled and mapped. Technical Information J. Patricio Varas, P. Geo. Is Winshears President and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release. Mr. Varas has visited Winshears Gaban exploration project and has reviewed the data from sampling programs for the project. About Winshear Gold Corp. Winshear Gold Corp. is a Canadian-based minerals exploration company advancing the Gaban Gold Project in the Puno region of Peru. The Company considers Gaban to be one of the hard-rock sources of gold contributing to the 700 km2 Madre de Dios alluvial goldfield, located 50 km north of, and downstream from, the Gaban gold project. For more information, please contact Irene Dorsman at +1 (604) 200 7874 or visit www.winshear.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard D. Williams Richard Williams, CEO 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. Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain statements and information that may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are 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 statements or forward-looking information, including the risks normally associated with mineral exploration. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Highlights: High-Grade Drill Results: Hole 1274-24-346 delivered 4.9% CuEq over 5.1 metres within 2.1% CuEq over 13.6 metres, starting at 367 metres depth. This high-grade mineralization delineates the southern boundary of the B26 system. Results align with the recently updated 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE): Indicated Resources: 11.3 Mt at 2.13% CuEq (1.23% Cu, 1.27% Zn, 0.46 g/t Au, 31.9 g/t Ag) Inferred Resources: 7.2 Mt at 2.21% CuEq (1.56% Cu, 0.17% Zn, 0.87 g/t Au, 7.4 g/t Ag) Hole 1274-24-346 delivered 4.9% CuEq over 5.1 metres within 2.1% CuEq over 13.6 metres, starting at 367 metres depth. Geophysical Survey Initiatives: A downhole electromagnetic (EM) program is planned to explore depth extensions and potential larger mineralized sources near the B26 Deposit. A downhole electromagnetic (EM) program is planned to explore depth extensions and potential larger mineralized sources near the B26 Deposit. Jonathon Deluce , CEO of Abitibi Metals, commented, "We are thrilled with Phase II results from hole 346, which showcases B26's high-grade expansion potential at the mid-level target, particularly as we continue to work towards defining a deposit that is in the range of 30 50 Mt" LONDON, ON, Dec. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) (OTCQB: AMQFF) (FSE: FW0) ("Abitibi" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the 16,500-metre Phase II drill program at the B26 Polymetallic Deposit ("B26", the "Project" or the "Deposit") that is currently underway. The new intercept from hole 1274-24-346 is part of a seven-hole, 5,257-meter portion of the Phase II program that is designed to explore along strike from the polymetallic lenses that form the southeastern margin of the B26 system. The ongoing drilling has the objective to expand known lenses and further define higher-grade mineralization. Abitibi Metals is fully funded with $11.5 million to complete the remaining 2024 work program and an additional 20,000 meters in 2025, which will be incorporated into a Preliminary Economic Assessment to complete the option. On November 16th, 2023, the Company entered into an option agreement on the B26 Deposit to earn 80% over 7 years from SOQUEM Inc (see news release dated November 16, 2023). Jonathon Deluce, CEO of Abitibi Metals, commented, "We are thrilled to announce results from the eastern section of the mid-level resource growth target, where we have confirmed higher grades within a previously untested 100-metre gap in drill coverage. These results reinforce our thesis of expanding the underground resource beyond the current ~850 million pounds of contained copper equivalent." "Hole 346 has delivered significant mineralization, with 1520% pyrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite observed in semi-massive bands. These findings are particularly exciting as the southern portion of B26 has consistently shown semi-massive to massive sulfide bands with strong zinc and silver mineralization. This new data and ongoing drilling are expected to enhance our resource model by expanding the influence of higher-grade metal zones." Mr. Deluce continued: "We appreciate our shareholders' patience as assay turnaround times have increased to sixseven weeks due to high sample volumes at year-end. The Company is working closely with the laboratory to expedite processing wherever possible. With continued positive visual indicators from pending drill holes, we look forward to sharing further results." 1274-24-346 Hole 1274-24-346 was planned to fill a 100-metre gap in the drill grid and to intersect true width at hole 1274-17-252, which was drilled down dip at 180 degrees from the north. Ribboned semi-massive sulfides were intersected over a core length of 13.6 metres, hosting 115% chalcopyrite over metre-long intervals associated with 520% sphalerite. This intercept returned 0.92% copper, 2.17% zinc, 68 g/t silver, and 0.36 g/t gold from 369 to 382.65 metres. A higher-grade interval, based on visual observations from 377.55 to 382.65 metres, yielded a CuEq value of 4.86%, comprising 2.24% copper, 4.74% zinc, 140 g/t silver, and 0.36 g/t gold. The zinc and silver-rich mineralization is encapsulated within a broader envelope of 0.66% CuEq over 71.85 metres from 310.8 metres to 382.65 metres. Further down the hole, within a wide zone of disseminated chalcopyrite, two intervals of copper stringer mineralization were identified, returning 0.49% CuEq and 0.79% CuEq over 6.5 metres and 5.2 metres, respectively. See the detailed table below for more information. Outlook Results are pending for six holes targeting section 652750E to 653150E over a strike length of 500 meters, spanning vertical depths from 200 meters to 800 meters. Depending on the results, wedge drilling will be utilized to expand mineralized sectors. Peripheral holes will undergo downhole electromagnetic (EM) surveys to identify potential mineralized extensions at depth. The Company has initiated discussions with various geophysics services providers to start early this winter. Additionally, the Company is expecting to receive reprocessed data from in-hole gravilog surveys in the near-term. Table 1: Significant Intercepts Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) CuEq (%) Cu (%) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn (%) 1274-24-346 310.8 382.65 71.85 0.66 0.18 NS 29.8 0.85 including 369.05 382.65 13.6 2.13 0.92 0.14 68 2.17 including 377.55 382.65 5.1 4.86 2.24 0.36 140.2 4.74 And 497.3 502.5 5.2 0.79 0.75 NS 2 0.09 Note 1: The intercepts above are not necessarily representative of the true width of mineralization. The local interpretation indicates core length corresponding generally to 80 to 90% of the mineralized lens' true width. Note 2: Copper equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au. Recovery factors were applied according to SGS CACGS-P2017-047 metallurgical test: 98.3% for copper, 90% for gold, 96.1% for zinc, 72.1% for silver. Note 3: Intervals were calculated using a cut off grade of 0.1% Cu Eq, which represents the visual limit of the mineralized system. Table 2: Drill Hole Information (Mid-Level East Target) Drill hole number UTM East UTM North Elevation Azimuth Dip Length (m) Drilled Status 1274-24-346 653045 5513180 276 350 -68 639 Reported 1274-24-347 652368 5513885 276 215 -75 651 Assays Pending 1274-24-348 653145 5513080 276 354.2 -54 498 Assays Pending 1274-24-349 653045 5513115 276 350 -75.9 819 Assays Pending 1274-24-350 652751 5513089 276 334.2 -76 1096.5 Assays Pending 1274-24-351 652854 5513027 276 338.1 -74 771.4 Assays Pending 1274-24-353 652856 5513030 276 343.7 -60 783 Assays Pending The core logging program was run by Explo-Logik in Val d'Or, Quebec. The drill core was split with half sent to AGAT Laboratories Ltd. and prepared in Val d'Or, Quebec. All samples are processed by fire assays on 50 gr with atomic absorption finish and by "four acids digestion" with ICP-OES finish, respectively, for gold and base metals. Samples returning a gold grade above 3 g/t are reprocessed by metallic screening with a cut at 106 m. Material treated is split and assayed by fire assay with ICP-OES finish to extinction. A separate split is taken to assay separately mineralized intervals with target grades above 0.5% Cu using Na2O2 fusion and ICP-OES or ICP-MS finish. Samples preparation duplicates, varied standards, and blanks are inserted into the sample stream. In the 2018 resource estimate, SGS recommended the QAQC protocol to explain the replicability for the four metals (Au-Cu-Ag-Zn). The Company has set up for this program a series of assaying protocols with the objective to control QAQC issues from the beginning of the project. As a result, samples are crushed finer with 95% of particles passing 1.7 mm and a large split of 1 kg is pulverized down to 106 m (150 mesh). Other measures put in place include the automatic re-assaying of gold results above 3 g/t by metallic screening and the use of sodium peroxide fusion in mineralized intervals interval corresponding to a target grade above 0.5% Cu. Qualified Person Information contained in this press release was reviewed and approved by Martin Demers, P.Geo., OGQ No. 770, a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, and responsible for the technical information provided in this news release. About Abitibi Metals Corp: Abitibi Metals Corp. is a Quebec-focused mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality base and precious metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Abitibi's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes the option to earn 80% of the high-grade B26 Polymetallic Deposit, which hosts a resource estimate of 11.3MT @ 2.13% Cu Eq (Ind) & 7.2MT @ 2.21% Cu Eq (Inf), and the Beschefer Gold Project, where historical drilling has identified 4 historical intercepts with a metal factor of over 100 g/t gold highlighted by 55.63 g/t gold over 5.57 metres and 13.07 g/t gold over 8.75 metres amongst four modeled zones. About SOQUEM: SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, discovery and development of mining properties in Quebec. SOQUEM also contributes to maintaining strong local economies. Proud partner and ambassador for the development of Quebec's mineral wealth, SOQUEM relies on innovation, research and strategic minerals to be well-positioned for the future. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Jonathon Deluce, Chief Executive Officer The Company also maintains an active presence on various social media platforms to keep stakeholders and the general public informed and encourages shareholders and interested parties to follow and engage with the Company through the following channels to stay updated with the latest news, industry insights, and corporate announcements: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbitibiMetals LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abitibi-metals-corp-amq-c/ Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Note 1: Copper equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au. Recovery factors were applied according to SGS CACGS-P2017-047 metallurgical test: 98.3% for copper, 90% for gold, 96.1% for zinc, 72.1% for silver. Forward-looking statement: This news release contains certain statements, which may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information involves statements that are not based on historical information but rather relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments on the B26 Project or otherwise. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on the Company's behalf. Although Abitibi has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on Abitibi's forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," or variations of such words and phrases (including negative and grammatical variations) or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "might" or "occur. Mineral exploration and development are highly speculative and are characterized by a number of significant inherent risks, which may result in the inability of the Company to successfully develop current or proposed projects for commercial, technical, political, regulatory or financial reasons, or if successfully developed, may not remain economically viable for their mine life owing to any of the foregoing reasons, among others. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in achieving commercial mineral production and the likelihood of success must be considered in light of the stage of operations. PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, Dec. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Adyton Resources Corporation (TSXV: ADY) ("Adyton" or the "Company") is pleased to report that our Joint Venture partner, EVIH, has commenced drilling at the Company's Wapolu Gold Project on Fergusson Island. Following mobilization by barge from Port Moresby approximately three weeks ago, EVIH has successfully constructed a 20-person camp, established pioneering roads and drill pads, and initiated drilling operations. Two diamond core rigs have been deployed, with plans to operate both rigs continuously on day and night shifts. "This is a significant milestone and aligns perfectly in accordance with our project timelines," stated Tim Crossley, Chief Executive Officer. "Commencement of an approximately 7000 m diamond drill program is a significant milestone that marks the first step on our pathway to the recommencement of mining operations at the abandoned Wapolu gold mine project. Wapolu produced approximately 9,000 ounces in the early 1990's before operations ceased due to low gold prices. As a past-producing brownfields site, which benefits from over 18,000 metres of historical drilling and a 2022 Mineral Resource Estimate, we are confident of our ability to rapidly move the project forward over the next two years. Concurrent with this drilling program, we plan to finalize our Mining Lease (ML) and Exploration Permit (EP) submissions to the relevant authorities. Concurrently, we aim to relocate the drill rigs to our nearby Gameta Gold Project. This rapid progress would not have been possible without the invaluable support of local landowners, Ward Councilor and Village Chief, who have expressed the support and appreciation of our collective efforts and the 30 local job opportunities already created." Gary Wang, EVIH Chief Executive Officer, commented: "We are excited to collaborate with Adyton and the Wapolu landowners. The support from the local community has been crucial in enabling us to set up our site and commence drilling in very quick timing. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Provincial Government's Resources officer, Clifford Pakailasi, for his unwavering support of our activities on Fergusson Island. Additionally, we are also pleased to have partnered with MiningOne, an Australian Resources consultancy firm, to oversee and certify all technical aspects of our drilling program in accordance with NI 43-101 requirements." The Fergusson projects are under a Joint Venture Agreement with EVIH, granting EVIH the right to acquire up to a 50% ownership interest in the project. This interest is contingent on achievement of certain development milestones and a total investment of up to US$9.5 million, allocated as follows: US$8.5 million to fund project expenditures; and to fund project expenditures; and US$1.0 million as a direct payment to the Company, with US$500,000 already paid upon executing the agreement in May 2024 . For additional details, please refer to the official announcement dated May 13, 2024. The Fergusson Island Gold Project The Fergusson Island Gold Project comprises the Wapolu and Gameta advanced Exploration Licenses on Fergusson Island in Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea (Figure 1). This region of PNG is well known for discoveries including the nearby Islands of Misima (5Moz) and Woodlark (1.6Moz). The Company has previously reported the following mineral resource estimate (Table 1). See Figures 2 to 5 for images of the start to drilling operations at Wapolu Gold Project. Table 1: Mineral Resource Estimates Project Indicated Inferred Au (g/t) Tonnes (million) Au (koz) Au (g/t) Tonnes (million) Au (koz) Gameta exploration licence 1.33 4.0 173 1.01 10.5 340 Wapolu exploration licence - - - 1.06 5.8 200 Fergusson Island Gold Project 1.33 4.0 173 1.02 16.3 540 Gameta and Wapolu resources at 0.5g/t gold cut-off 1 1 See the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Fergusson Gold Property, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea" dated October 14, 2022 and prepared for the Company in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") by Mark Berry (MAIG), Simon Tear (MIGI PGeo), Matthew White (MAIG) and Andy Thomas (MAIG), each an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. ABOUT ADYTON RESOURCES CORPORATION Adyton Resources Corporation is focused on the development of gold and copper resources in world class mineral jurisdictions. It currently has a portfolio of highly prospective mineral exploration projects in Papua New Guinea on which it is exploring to expand its identified gold Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resources and expand on its recent significant copper drill intercepts on the 100% owned Feni Island project. The Company's mineral exploration projects are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire on easy to access island locations which hosts several globally significant copper and gold deposits including the Lihir gold mine and Panguna copper/gold mine on Bougainville Island, both neighboring projects to the Company's Feni Island project. Adyton has a total Mineral Resource Estimate inventory within its PNG portfolio of projects comprising indicated resources of 173,000 ounces gold and inferred resources of 2,000,000 ounces gold. The Feni Island Project currently has a mineral resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 dated October 14, 2021, which has outlined an initial inferred mineral resource of 60.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.75 g/t Au, for contained gold of 1,460,000 ounces, assuming a cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t Au. See the NI 43-101 technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feni Gold-Copper Property, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea prepared for Adyton Resources by Mark Berry (MAIG), Simon Tear (MIGI PGeo), Matthew White (MAIG) and Andy Thomas (MAIG), each an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101,available under Adyton's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The Fergusson Island Project currently has a mineral resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 dated October 14, 2021 which outlined an indicated mineral resource of 4.0 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.33 g/t Au for contained gold of 173,000 ounces and an inferred mineral resource of 16.3 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.02 g/t Au for contained gold of 540,000 ounces. See the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Fergusson Gold Property, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea" prepared for Adyton Resources by Mark Berry (MAIG), Simon Tear (MIGI PGeo), Matthew White (MAIG) and Andy Thomas (MAIG), each an independent mining consultant and "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101,available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. Adyton is also quoted on the OTC under the code ADYRF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the code 701:GR. For more information about Adyton and its projects, visit www.adytonresources.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been prepared, reviewed, and approved by Dr Chris Wilson BSc (Hons), PhD, FAusIMM (CP), FSEG, FGS, the Chief Geologist and a Director of Adyton, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Forward looking statements This press release includes "forwardlooking statements", including forecasts, estimates, expectations, and objectives for future operations that are subject to several assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Adyton. Forward looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forwardlooking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. Forward looking statements in this news release include plans for additional drill testing, the intention to prepare additional technical studies, the timing of additional drill results, and the preparation of resource estimates. The forwardlooking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forwardlooking information are based on management of the parties' reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on such management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid19 coronavirus outbreak, changes in general macroeconomic conditions; changes in securities markets; changes in the price of gold or certain other commodities; 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 formations pressures, caveins and flooding); discrepancies between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; 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 and changes in the 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. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forwardlooking statements. Such forwardlooking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forwardlooking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements or information. Adyton Resources Corporation undertakes no obligation to update forwardlooking information except as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, BC DECEMBER 17th, 2024 TheNewswire AMERICAN SALARS LITHIUM INC. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: USLIF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY) announces that is has entered into an arm's length mineral claim purchase agreement to acquire the Xenia West and East lithium projects (the Projects). These highly prospective lithium Projects consist of 92 mining claims covering approximately 5,382 hectares or 54 square km. The Projects are located 30km southeast of Val-d'Or, accessible via the regional 117 highway. These Projects are contiguous to Sayona Mining Limited and Brunswick Exploration lithium projects and lies chiefly on the metagraywackes of the Pontiac Geological Subprovince. The Reservoir Decelles Batholith is located 1-3 km away from the Projects and consists of a heterogeneous granite which contain muscovite-pegmatites. The vicinity of the Projects was prospected for Cu-Ni (Lac Granet, Lac Louvicourt-South and Cere-Villebon) and the search for pegmatites were ignored until very recently. American Salars CEO & Director R. Nick Horsley states, We are pleased to have added yet another highly prospective low-cost lithium pegmatite project to our growing portfolio of Quebec based projects. The recent merger of Sayona and Piedmont and acquisition by Rio Tinto of Arcadium shows there remains a strong appetite for M&A in the lithium space and we will continue to identify low-cost strategic acquisitions. American Salars long term thesis remains the development of our NI 43-101 Lithium Brine Resources in Salta, Argentina however we are excited to continue to identify low-cost opportunities for the benefit of American Salars and its stakeholders. Quebec will have the only rock to finished battery grade Lithium Carbonate and Hydroxide outside of Asia, making Quebec the foremost lithium production hub. The Sayona/Piedmont NAL is currently producing 22k ton of spodumene concentrate and ground has been broken on the first of two planned smelters. With Sayonas staggering 116 Mt of lithium resources within its Abitibi-hub, the world leading downstream infrastructure present, this acquisition is in keeping with the companys strategy of developing projects that are easily accessible, cheap to work, and that are located within established districts with accessible downstream infrastructure in place. The Lac-Granet showing, located on Sayona Mining Limited's claims is located 3 km away from the west limit of the Property and 10 km north of the Reservoir Decelles Batholith. A drill program by Canadian Malartic Gold Mines Ltd. in 1955 (GM03673) documented several intercepts of aplite and fine grained granitic dykes as well as pegmatites with greenish muscovite. These pegmatites are likely linked to the batholith being formed at its margin. Such pegmatites are interpreted to being produced during late stages of crystallization, which is a primary condition to form LCT (lithium-tantale-ceasium) pegmatites. The presence of muscovite mineral is also indicative of later stages of crystallization, a key indicative mineral for lithium-bearing pegmatites. Underexplored areas surrounding the Reservoir Decelles Batholith may therefore be considered prospective as they are susceptible to contain LCT type of pegmatites. Figure 1. Xenia West & East Claims The Transaction American Salars has entered into an agreement with Quartier Mineral Ltd of Quebec, whereby American Salars is acquiring a 100-per-cent interest in the Xenia West & East project by issuing to the vendor 50,000 common shares. Additional projects are still being reviewed and will be subject to further disclosure once due diligence is completed and a deal is completed. American Salarss management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to American Salars may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Qualified Person Mitchell Lavery, P.Geo. (QC), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for The Lac Simard portion of this news release, and has approved the disclosure herein. American Salars global lithium portfolio consists of two advanced lithium resources in Argentina and our advancing USA lithium asset in Nevada. The Companys existing portfolio of lithium deposits including two NI 43-101 Compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) consisting of 457,000 tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) at the Candela 2 Lithium Brine Project (Candela) and a shared MRE at the Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project (Pocitos) consisting of 760,000 tonnes LCE. The Pocitos MRE is shared with neighbouring Pocitos 2 which is not under contract or owned by USLI, however it is important to note that none of the drilling that makes up a partial basis for the MRE took place on the Pocitos 2 block. Both brine projects are located in Salta Province, Argentina. Recently, mining giant Rio Tinto made an additional investment into Argentina, with an all-cash transaction to acquire Argentina lithium producer Arcadium Lithium for US$6.7 billion, making Rio Tinto the world's third-largest lithium miner. About Pocitos 1 Lithium Deposit WSP Australia completed an update of the NI 43-101 report initially written by Phillip Thomas QP in June 2023 and estimated on an inferred basis using a block model with 6% and 14% porosity for the clay and sand lithologies respectively and a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 760,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) on the combined Pocitos 1 (800 Ha) and neighbouring Pocitos 2 block (532 Ha). American Salars does not own the neighboring Pocitos 2 ground which comprises 40% of the gross land package that makes up the resource however it is notable that all drilling to date has been completed on American Salars Pocitos 1 block. The Pocitos 1 project is located approximately 10 kilometers from the township of Pocitos where there is gas, electricity, and accommodation. Pocitos 1 is approximately 800 hectares (1,977 acres) and is accessible by road. Collective exploration since 2017 totals over US$2.0 million in project development, including surface sampling, trenching, TEM and MT geophysics and the drilling of three wells that returned outstanding brine flow results. Locations for immediate follow up drilling have already been identified for upcoming exploration based on the most recent MT survey. Lithium values of 169 ppm from drill hole PCT22-03 packer test assayed from laboratory analysis conducted by Alex Stewart were recorded during the projects December 2022 drill campaigns. A packer sampling system was used in HQ Diamond drill holes that were drilled to a depth of up to 409 metres. The flow of brine was observed to continue for more than five hours with all holes exhibiting exceptional brine flow rates. An NI 43-101 updated report completed by WSP Australia has been released on the Pocitos 1 project. Ekosolve Ltd. a DLE technology company was able to produce 99.8% purity lithium carbonate and extraction was above 94% of the contained lithium in the brine i.e. 158.86ppm of lithium would have been recovered from 169ppm. About Candela II Lithium Deposit The Candela II Lithium deposit is on the southern and lowest end of the Incahuasi Salar, located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. Candela II is situated approximately 45 kilometers from town of Tolar Grande, 267 kilometers from Salta, and close in proximity to advanced and renowned lithium salars such as Arizaro (Lithium Chile) and Pocitos (Hanaq). Volcanoes Cerro Aracar, Medina and Pular contribute lithium to the Incahuasi salar through aquifers. The Candela II Lithium Brine Project contains a National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate (MRE) completed by WSP Australia Pty. Ltd. (see Spey Resources Corp. news dated September 26th, 2023). This NI 43-101 resource report estimates the project to contain lithium metal of 86,000 tonnes which equates to 457,500 tonnes of in-situ lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and a lithium yield of 48,000 tonnes of LCE from 9,000 tonnes of lithium metal. The calculations assume no losses from lithium metal and a porosity average that will be updated in the next drilling phase. Qualified Person Phillip Thomas, BSc Geol, MBusM, FAusIMM, MAIG, MAIMVA, (CMV), a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 regulations, has reviewed the technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release regarding Argentina properties, and has approved the disclosure herein. Mr Thomas is a shareholder of American Salars lithium shares. Additionally, the company has engaged with Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd, which operates Mining.com.au is Australias leading Mining News platform, reaching over 100,000 engaged readers monthly. Known for its dynamic coverage and leading video content, Mining.com.au provides unparalleled visibility to mining companies through premium sponsored content, announcement highlights, and exclusive features - all optimised for maximum search impact. The platform serves as a powerful channel for companies to connect with investors, industry leaders, and stakeholders across Australia. Christopher Norris is the owner of Mining.com.au and based The Company has agreed to $50,000 AUD for a term of 6 months. Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd does not provide Investor Relations or Market Making services. Mayfair Media Operations Pty Ltd currently holds no securities in the Company. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .au of Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217, Australia. The Company has finalized a consulting services agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH, based in Bremen, Germany (the Consultant). Pursuant to this agreement, the Consultant will provide strategic consulting services focused on market analysis and financial advisory to support USLIs business initiatives (collectively, the Consulting Services). These Consulting Services will begin immediately upon the effective date of the agreement and continue for a period of one month and may extend for up 11 additional months should it deem worthwhile, ending on December 26, 2024. USLI will compensate the Consultant with a fee of up to EUR 400,000, with 50,000 EUR payable at the commencement of the services and with balances settled monthly thereafter or as deemed necessary. All interactions and service provisions will be coordinated through the Consultants main contact, the authorized representative in Bremen, Germany (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; phone: +49 421 17540174) Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH currently holds no securities in the Company. About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market. The company's Pocitos 1 and the Candela II lithium salar projects in Argentina both feature a NI 43-101 inferred resource. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on , , and Instagram. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, R. Nick Horsley R. Nick Horsley, CEO For further information, please contact: American Salars Lithium Inc. Phone: 604.740.7492 E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salars intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (Marimaca or the Company) (TSX: MARI) is pleased to announce the signing of a binding option agreement (the Agreement) to acquire the Madrugador project (Madrugador). Details of the transaction are found below in the Transaction Summary section of this press release. Madrugador consists of 10 mining concessions totaling 855 hectares and is located immediately adjacent to the Pampa Medina project (Pampa Medina) (see press release dated October 8th, 2024). The acquisition of Madrugador and Pampa Medina consolidates the Companys ownership of the southern extent of the broader 14,500ha Sierra de Medina (SdM) property package (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Madrugador is located approximately 26km in distance and ~200m higher elevation relative to the Companys planned processing infrastructure as defined in the ongoing Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) (see press release dated January 15th, 2024). Madrugador hosts a historical National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) non-compliant resource estimate of copper hosted in dominantly oxide mineralization, which is detailed below in Table 1 alongside relevant technical and regulatory disclosure. Marimaca is currently completing a review of available historical information to plan and execute a validation and upgrade program of the historical resource. Hayden Locke, President & CEO, commented: The acquisition of Madrugador consolidates our ownership of what we now recognize as a highly prospective district for complementary leachable copper resources, underpinning our aspirations for growth in copper production in the future. Similar to Pampa Medina, Madrugador hosts near or at surface, high grade, leachable copper mineralization. We believe these assets already have the potential to add meaningful, compliant, resources and we are completing confirmatory reviews to support eventual release of compliant Mineral Resource Estimates. Both projects are also within areas where surface and geophysical exploration programs suggest good potential for extension with ongoing exploration. Our VP Exploration, Sergio Rivera, and his team are drilling several targets now and we expect to step up our exploration activities in the new year. We are considering how the expanded project will fit in the broader development strategy of the MOD, as we expect the most logical development strategy for these assets will be to utilise the future MOD infrastructure. This is especially true with respect to our water management systems, potential pipeline routes, and the footprint of the SX-EW facility, to ensure an allowance for future, modular, capacity expansions at low incremental capital cost. Table 1. Historical Resource Estimate Taken From Mineral Resources Technical Report on the Madrugador Property, Antofagasta, Chile, Apoquindo Minerals, 2009 (the Apoquindo Historical Estimate) The historical estimate uses CIM categories. The Qualified Person (QP) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current resource at this stage. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current resource and intends to verify and upgrade the historical estimate via a planned work program outlined in the Validation Program section of this news release. Mineral Resource Category and Type Quantity (tonnes) CuT (%) CuS (%) Total Measured 6,639,000 0.73 0.53 Total Indicated 5,557,000 0.62 0.40 Total Measured and Indicated 12,196,000 0.68 0.47 Total Inferred 1,388,000 0.58 0.33 The Apoquindo Historical Estimate was conducted using a cut-off grade of 0.2% CuT. Property Overview 855ha land package adjacent to Pampa Medina and Marimacas broader SdM exploration property package Located in the eastern domain of the Antofagasta Regions coastal copper belt, which hosts large, Manto-style copper deposits including Capstone Coppers Mantos Blancos mine and Antofagasta Minerals Cachorro project (Figure 4) Observable, shallow volcanic-hosted manto-style copper oxide mineralization near surface and in available drill core in the western historical Madrugador Mine concessions, with copper oxide and mixed oxide-sulphide mineralization described in historical reports and drilling observed in both volcanic and underlying sedimentary units in the east and southern concessions (Figure 2 and Figure 3) Historical resources reported are located in the historical Madrugador mine area. Over 6,000m of drilling was completed in the Brac area, however no historical resource was ever reported. Marimaca will review and consider the Brac drilling for future mineral resource updates 45,885m of historical drilling data available for review and validation Complements the Pampa Medina project currently undergoing step out drilling by adding further potential for the expansion of leachable copper resources Significant geological database to leverage for further exploration vectoring in the broader SdM land package Validation Program (Underway) Geological relogging of available historical diamond drilling database Drill collar GPS validation, topography validation, survey validation Reinterpretation and rebuild of the geological model Strategy to upgrade historical resource to current resources will be further defined based on the results of the above Transaction Summary Under the terms of the Agreement, Marimaca Copper will pay the following over an option term of 5-years to acquire 100% of Madrugador from Sociedad Legal Minera Juanita Uno del Mineral El Desesperado and Sociedad Legal Minera Madrugador Uno del Mineral de Sierra Valenzuela. Marimaca may withdraw from the Agreement at any time subject to forfeit of payments made up to the date of withdrawal. US$150,000 on signing US$250,000 on the first anniversary of signing US$400,000 24 months from of signing US$1,200,000 36 months from signing US$3,000,000 48 months from signing US$7,000,000 60 months from signing The sellers will retain a 1.5% royalty on Madrugadors net gross sales. Marimaca will have the ability to buy back 1.0% of the NSR for US$1,500,000 at any time and a right of first refusal on any sale of the royalty to a third party. Figure 1: Marimaca Land Position Marimaca and Sierra de Medina Figure 2: Madrugador, Pampa Medina and Pias Target (see press release dated February 27, 2024) Figure 3: Madrugador Historical Drilling and Western Historical Mine Area Figure 4: Regional Geological Setting Qualified Person The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Sergio Rivera, VP of Exploration of Marimaca, a geologist with more than 35 years of experience and a registered member of the Comision Minera (Chilean Mining Commission), as well a member of the Colegio de Geologos de Chile, Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile and of the Society of Economic Geologist USA, and who is a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101. As noted previously, the Qualified Person (QP) has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate presented in this news release as a current resource. Contact Information For further information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Miller This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, without limitation, statements regarding the long term viability of the Madrugador property acquisition, the ability of Marimaca to complete the payments contemplated under the Agreement, exploration activities, planned work programs, the expected synergy of Madrugador with Pampa Medina, SdM and the MOD; the potential to extend exploration; planned drilling programs, and the development activities at the MOD. 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. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Marimaca, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: risks that the exploration development activities at Mercedes and the MOD will not progress as anticipated, or at all, risks that the DFS may not be completed as anticipated, or at all, risks that the MOD permitting submission may not be submitted as anticipated, or at all, risks related to share price and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining, exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the Company dated March 28, 2024 and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed at www.sedar.com). Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Marimaca undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2024) - Bonterra Resources Inc. (TSXV: BTR) (OTCQX: BONXF) (FSE: 9BR2) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce initial assay results from its 4,761 meters ("m") diamond drilling campaign at its 100% owned Desmaraisville South Project ("the Project"). The campaign aimed to test several new targets, focusing on: (1) observations from the 2024 fieldwork campaign, (2) follow-up on promising gold-mineralized environments identified in the 16,000 m fall 2023 drill campaign, (3) newly identified geophysical IP targets within the Opawica-Guercheville regional deformation corridor, and (4) the near-surface extension of the Hewfran gold mineralized zone. All drill holes are located within 5 kilometers ("km") of the Bachelor Mill Complex, ranging from near surface to a depth of less than 300 m. One drill hole, BRDS-24-072, was drilled on the Nelligan joint venture ("Nelligan JV") in partnership with O3 Mining Inc. (now Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd or "Agnico") where Bonterra holds a 70% interest in the Nelligan JV (see O3 Mining press release dated December 12, 2024, for more details on the acquisition by Agnico). The Nelligan JV covers an area equivalent to approximately 15% of the Project. Marc-Andre Pelletier, President and CEO commented: "This year's exploration efforts have led to the discovery of four new mineralized zones within 5 km of our 100% owned Bachelor Mill Complex on the Desmaraisville property. These zones are near surface, exhibit extensive widths of mineralized material suitable for mining, and will be prioritized for future follow-up work. With significant potential for additional discoveries, we remain committed to actively exploring the property, leveraging the benefits of innovative technologies like VRIFY's AI-assisted mineral discovery platform. Furthermore, we are excited to welcome Agnico Eagle as a partner following the transaction with O3 Mining, and we look forward to collaborating on the Nelligan JV with our new partner." The campaign consisted of 16 diamond drill holes completed between August to November 2024. A total of 2,500 diamond drill core (NQ) samples, along with 408 Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC") samples, were submitted to various laboratories. To date, 682 analytical results remain pending. Highlights Include: 1.13 g/t Au over 16.0 m, including 2.02 g/t Au over 6.0 m in hole BRDS-24-063 5.30 g/t Au over 1.4 m, including 18.39 g/t Au over 0.4 m in hole BRDS-24-060 2.58 g/t Au over 6.0 m, including 4.50 g/t Au over 3.2 m in hole BRDS-24-065 0.59 g/t Au over 22.3 m, including 3.17 g/t Au over 2.4 m in hole BRDS-24-066 Highlights of the Diamond Drilling Results The diamond drilling campaign at the Project was performed on four different areas based on results from the fall 2023 drill campaign, compilation work and a fieldwork campaign conducted during the spring and summer of 2024 (Figure 1). Figure 1 Desmaraisville South Property Surface Plan View with Drilling Locations At the East Area, new drill holes were positioned to better intersect Northeast trending gold-bearing geological structures reinterpreted from the 2024 mapping campaign. Drill hole BRDS-24-060 intersected a hydrothermal breccia with 4-6 % fine grained pyrite. Further to the south, two drill holes, BRDS-24-061 and BRDS-24-066, were drilled at a similar azimuth and intersected highly fractured and sheared horizons with pyrite mineralization (Figure 2 and Tables 1 and 2). Figure 2 Plan View of the O'Brien Intrusive with Best Assay Results West of the Bachelor Lake Intrusion, new drill holes were drilled to test the extensions of the gold intercept in drill hole BRDS-23-013 (0.80 g/t Au over 11.7 m, including 2.84 g/t Au over 1.4 m (see press release dated February 5, 2024). Drill hole BRDS-24-063 was drilled as an overcut of BRDS-23-013 and intersected a mineralized shear zone with abundant sericite, silicification and pyrite. Drill hole BRDS-24-065 was drilled as a bracket hole and also intersected a shear zone with abundant sericite, silicification, carbonate and from 2 to 5% pyrite. It remains to be determined if the gold mineralization is related to a specific geological structure or late intrusion (see Figure 3, Tables 1 and 2). Figure 3 Plan View of Area West of Bachelor Lake Intrusion with Best Assay Results New IP targets located in the Opawica-Guercheville regional deformation corridor were evaluated during this drilling campaign. Three holes, BRDS-24-067, BRDS-24-068 and BRDS-24-072, were drilled at different locations along the corridor of deformation and intersected moderately to strongly deformed volcano-sedimentary units crosscut by quartz-carbonate veins with hydrothermal alteration and sulphide mineralization. Some iron formations and graphitic mudstones horizons were also intersected (Figure 1 and Table 1). Assay results are pending. The near surface extension of the Hewfran Orebody was also drill-tested. This drilling was designed following the results of the mapping and sampling program carried out in the summer of 2024. A series of new channel samples from an old trench returned a graded interval of 2.79 g/t Au over 5.9 m. Four shallow drill holes were completed to evaluate near-surface projections of new gold mineralized zones, possibly located up-dip of the Hewfran orebody. Drill hole BRDS-24-057 intersected near surface strongly silicified and hematized horizon with pyrite mineralization (Figure 2 and Tables 1 and 2). Table 1: Drill Hole Locations Desmaraisville South Project Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) BRDS-24-057 416210 5483522 318 140 -50 201 BRDS-24-060 417804 5483327 338 290 -50 288 BRDS-24-061 417885 5482913 334 300 -50 270 BRDS-24-063 418389 5485854 314 180 -50 168 BRDS-24-065 418419 5485852 315 230 -50 204 BRDS-24-066 417861 5482835 334 300 -50 300 BRDS-24-067 416652 5488766 318 170 -50 492 BRDS-24-068 416698 5488550 307 160 -50 501 BRDS-24-072 413100 5485224 305 150 -50 561 UTM Coordinates, System: NAD83 Zone 18N Table 2: Significant Mineralized Intersections from Drilling on the Desmaraisville South Project Hole ID Including From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (Au g/t) Metal Factor (length x grade) BRDS-24-057 8.0 20.5 12.5 0.88 11.0 including 12.0 16 4.0 2.18 8.7 BRDS-24-060 85.4 86.7 1.4 5.30 7.2 including 85.4 85.7 0.4 18.39 6.4 BRDS-24-061 34.0 45.1 11.1 1.28 14.2 including 34.0 35.8 1.8 3.60 6.5 BRDS-24-063 89.0 105.0 16.0 1.13 18.0 including 96.0 102.0 6.0 2.02 12.1 and 127.0 130.0 3.0 2.78 8.3 BRDS-24-065 111.0 117.0 6.0 2.58 15.5 including 112.0 115.2 3.2 4.50 14.4 BRDS-24-066 277.8 300.0 22.3 0.59 13.2 including 289.4 291.8 2.4 3.17 7.4 1) The meterage represents the drilled lengths. More drilling will be required to estimate true widths. 2) All of the above mineralized intersections are uncut. 3) All of the above results have an Au grade greater than 0.5 g/t Au and a metal factor greater than 5.0. Quality Control and Reporting Protocols The Desmaraisville South Project's drill core gold analyses were performed at Activation Laboratories ("Actlabs") located in Ste-Germaine-Boule, Quebec, and at the Agat Laboratory ("Agat") located in Val-d'Or, Quebec. These external laboratories employ a rigorous QA-QC analysis program that meets industry standards. The analyses are carried out by fire assay (A.A.) with atomic absorption finish and with gravimetric finish for assay above 10 g/t Au at both Actlabs and Agat. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor the Laboratory's performance. Other core samples gold analysis was performed at MSALabs of Val d'Or, Quebec. The samples were crushed to a particle size of 70% passing through a two-millimeter sieve, and then a 500-gram portion was taken for gold analysis by gamma ray (PhotonAssayTM). As per MSALABS' internal procedure, blank samples, and certified reference materials are systematically inserted into the analysis sequence. MSALABS operates several laboratories worldwide and holds ISO-17025 accreditation for numerous metal determination methods, including the photon assay method. The Company's QA-QC program requires that at least 5 to 10% of the samples be analyzed by an independent laboratory. These verification samples are sent to ALS Minerals laboratory facility located in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The verifications show a high degree of correlation with the laboratory's results. Qualified Person M. Donald Trudel, P.Geo. (OGQ # 813), Director Geology for the Company, oversees all exploration activities on the Desmaraisville Property and has compiled and approved the information contained in this press release. Mr. Trudel is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects. About Bonterra Resources Inc. Bonterra is a Canadian gold exploration company with a portfolio of advanced exploration assets anchored by a central milling facility in Quebec, Canada. The Company's assets include the Gladiator, Barry, Moroy, and Bachelor gold deposits, which collectively hold 1.24 million ounces in Measured and Indicated categories and 1.78 million ounces in the Inferred category. In November 2023, the Company entered into a earn-in and joint venture agreement with Osisko Mining Inc. for the Urban-Barry properties (the "JV Agreement"), which include the Gladiator and Barry deposits. In October 2024, Gold Fields Ltd completed the acquisition of Osisko Mining for C$2.16 billion. Gold Fields is now the counterparty to the JV Agreement and can continue to earn a 70% interest in the joint venture by incurring C$30 million in work expenditures until November 2026 (including expenditures incurred by Osisko Mining prior to October 2024). This strategic transaction highlights Bonterra's dedication to advancing its exploration assets, marking a significant step towards development. 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. Caution regarding forward-looking statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on Bonterra's current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to the earn-in and joint venture agreement with Osisko Mining announced on November 28, 2023. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information includes namely information with respect to the planned exploration programs and the potential growth in mineral resources. Exploration results that include drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit and such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics, and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. The potential quantities and grades of drilling targets are conceptual in nature and, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the targets being delineated as mineral resources. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Bonterra's actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political, and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labour relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. A Ugandan court on Monday ordered the government to pay victims of a former Lord's Resistance Army commander up to $2,500 each. Thomas Kwoyelo was found guilty in August of multiple counts of crimes against humanity for his role in the notorious militia in the first such trial in the East African country. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison in October. On Monday, the court in Gulu in northern Uganda found that he was unable to provide compensation to victims and their families and found the government liable in his place. "The atrocities committed by Thomas Kwoyelo against his victims was a manifestation of the failure on the part of government that triggers a responsibility on the state to pay reparations to the victims," the panel of four judges said. The LRA was founded by former altar boy and self-styled prophet Joseph Kony in Uganda in the 1980s. Its rebellion against President Yoweri Museveni saw more than 100,000 people killed and 60,000 children abducted in a reign of terror that spread to several neighbouring countries. The judges on Monday ruled that each of 103 registered victims of Kwoyelo would be paid four million shillings (about $1,100) with an additional five million shillings ($1,360) for victims of rape and sexual violence. The government's representatives in the court pushed back on the ruling, saying it contained no legal basis to hold the state responsible. They suggested the money could instead come from a trust fund for victims at the International Criminal Court. One of the lawyers for the victims, Henry Komakech Kilama, cautiously welcomed the outcome. "We are grateful to the court for recognising the suffering the victims have faced under the cruel hand of Kwoyelo," he told AFP. "We would have expected more than what court awarded the victims but we believe it is a victory against impunity," he added. Kwoyelo's crimes included murder, torture, rape and kidnapping. He has already served 15 years in prison after being captured in 2009. The killing of a senior Russian military official, Igor Kirillov, in Moscow on Tuesday was a "special operation" by Ukraine's SBU security service, a source inside the agency told AFP. Kirillov is the most senior Russian army official to be targeted on Russian territory, killed with his assistant when an explosive device attached to a scooter went off outside an apartment building in south-eastern Moscow. "The liquidation of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical and biological defence troops is a special operation by the SBU," the source said. "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military," it said. Kirillov was on Monday charged in absentia by Ukrainian authorities over alleged war crimes following an investigation by the SBU. In October, he had been sanctioned by the UK over the suspected use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. "Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable," the SBU source said. It confirmed Kirillov was killed when "a scooter with explosives" detonated as he entered the building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow. Taras F.'s thwarted military career began on 19 February 2022, when he received a summons. Three days before Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) announced mobilisation. Taras was born in the town of Zuhresa, in the Donetsk region. A town controlled by the Russian occupiers since 2014, as the accused told the Kostopil district court in charge of trying him, in the Rivne region (northwestern Ukraine). On 19 February 2022, on the same day he was summoned, Taras went to the recruitment centre and was given a uniform and ammunition. After that, he was sent to the occupied town of Horlivka, where he joined the 101st Rifle Regiment of the DNR's 1st Army Corps. Then, from 1 March to 10 March 2022, Taras was trained at a training base in the Russian region of Belgorod. Desertion from the DNR and the Ukrainian armies After that, the man was sent to war in Ukraine. According to the investigation, his job was to set up checkpoints, inspect vehicles, conduct checks on locals, and carry out his commanders orders. According to the accused, on 30 May 2022, he was injured and hospitalised. After treatment, he decided not to return to service. Instead, he travelled to Russia, to Estonia and to Poland, to look for a job. On 29 September 2023, Taras settled in Kyiv. However, in November 2023, due to mobilisation in Ukraine, he decided to leave the country for Poland. But he was arrested and detained at the border, where he received a military ID card, and was sent to the Rivne training base. On 13 March 2024, Taras left the military unit without authorisation: as the accused stated, he wanted to go to Belarus, and from there return to his mother in the occupied part of the Donetsk region, because she was ill and needed treatment. But once again, his plan failed. On the same day, he was detained by representatives of the military law enforcement service. Taras was charged with violating two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code regarding high treason and desertion. Witness statements and phone records The evidence in court included a witness statement of a clerk from the Novooleksandrivka district administration of the Kharkiv region, as well as statements of the district head and of an employee of a local utility company. They recognised Taras and said that in the spring of 2022, they saw him standing armed at checkpoints in Novooleksandrivka, which was under occupation at the time, and conducting vehicle inspections. The list of servicemen of the 101st DNR rifle regiment and a handwritten table with the names of the soldiers, including the defendants name, also served as evidence. And Tarass photos helped to identify several servicemen who fought on the side of the Russian Federation. The waiting for you at home programme Among other inquiries, law enforcement officers analysed search records on the defendants phone, which included: crossing the border under family circumstances, Zaporizhzhia thermal power station, military plants in Kyiv, living in the occupied territory. In addition, Taras was looking for information about the waiting for you at home programme. The waiting for you at home is a social programme launched by the security service of Ukraine in August 2015. Its purpose is to return to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine those Ukrainians who voluntarily refused to participate in the so-called Luhansk (LNR) or Donetsk (DNR) Peoples Republics. The programme was developed for people who, without realising the illegality of their actions, went to serve in the armies of the DNR or LNR, did not commit serious crimes (murder, torture, rape, etc.), and later decided to confess. Difficult circumstances During his trial, Taras repented and told the court that he had served in the DNR army due to difficult circumstances, as he had been living in the occupied territory since 2014. He asked the court not to confiscate his property. But the investigators got access to a Skype correspondence between Taras and his mother, in which he wrote that he wanted to leave the government-controlled territory of Ukraine. On 15 November 2024, Taras was found guilty of high treason and desertion by the Kostopil District Court , which sentenced him to 12 years in prison. The accused was also fined for almost UAH 8,000 to cover the investigations expenses. Under international humanitarian law, it is not prohibited to convict combatants if they are the citizens of the country they are fighting against. However, the court must establish that the decision to participate in hostilities was made voluntarily. By 30 November 2024, no appeal had yet been filed by the accused nor by his defence lawyer, who had participated in court hearings via video conference. This report is part of our coverage of war crimes justice produced in partnership with Ukrainian journalists. A first version of this article was published on the Free Radio . In the dynamic and highly competitive realm of e-commerce, businesses need to leverage strategic search engine optimization (SEO) to maintain visibility and drive growth. Backspace Marketing, a prominent digital marketing agency based in Delaware, specializes in crafting tailored SEO solutions that empower online retailers. By focusing on precise techniques and emerging trends, they ensure businesses achieve sustainable success in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Harnessing the Power of Targeted Keywords Effective keyword strategies remain the cornerstone of impactful SEO for e-commerce. Backspace Marketing emphasizes the importance of identifying high-converting keywords that align with user intent. Their approach ensures businesses connect with audiences actively searching for relevant products or services. By targeting specific phrases such as eco-friendly clothing store or holiday discounts on gadgets, Backspace Marketing helps e-commerce brands attract qualified leads with strong buying potential. This focus on intent-driven keywords not only enhances visibility but also supports long-term revenue growth for online retailers. Optimizing Product Pages with On-Page SEO Techniques On-page SEO plays a crucial role in making product pages user-friendly and search engine optimized. Backspace Marketing employs a meticulous approach to refining meta titles, descriptions, and image attributes. By implementing these optimizations, businesses can cater to the needs of search engines and consumers alike. One standout practice involves adding schema markup to product pages. This structured data helps products appear prominently in search results, offering potential customers key details like pricing and stock availability at a glance. Additionally, Backspace Marketing focuses on improving page load times, which enhances user satisfaction and reduces bounce rates. Technical SEO: Laying a Solid Foundation Technical SEO forms the backbone of any successful e-commerce website. Backspace Marketing conducts in-depth audits to identify and resolve common issues such as slow-loading pages, duplicate content, and ineffective site architecture. By ensuring websites are mobile-responsive and easily crawlable, they help businesses achieve optimal performance. Streamlined navigation is another essential aspect of their technical strategy. Simplified menus and intuitive category hierarchies enhance the shopping experience, encouraging customers to explore and complete purchases. This attention to detail fosters trust and builds lasting relationships between businesses and their customers. Leveraging Data Insights for Continuous Improvement Understanding user behavior is essential for refining e-commerce strategies. Backspace Marketing utilizes advanced analytics to monitor performance metrics such as click-through rates and customer pathways. This data-driven approach allows brands to adapt their strategies to changing market demands. For instance, identifying frequently abandoned pages enables targeted improvements. Adding engaging product descriptions, enhancing visual elements, or redesigning page layouts can effectively address user drop-offs. These iterative enhancements ensure that e-commerce sites remain relevant and appealing to their target audience. Staying Ahead with Emerging SEO Trends As technology evolves, Backspace Marketing remains at the forefront of emerging SEO practices. Optimizing for conversational search queries has become essential with the growing use of virtual assistants. Businesses can capture this opportunity by focusing on natural language content and addressing common customer queries directly. Video content is another area of focus. Product demonstrations and review videos have gained popularity among shoppers, making video SEO a vital aspect of modern strategies. Backspace Marketing helps businesses optimize video descriptions, thumbnails, and tags to maximize visibility and engagement. The agency also explores AI-driven tools to identify untapped keyword opportunities and trends, allowing brands to maintain a competitive edge. By integrating these innovations, e-commerce businesses can continuously enhance their strategies. A Forward-Thinking Approach for E-Commerce Growth Backspace Marketings expertise in SEO provides a clear path for e-commerce brands looking to achieve sustainable growth. Their emphasis on data-driven decisions, technical optimization, and the integration of new trends ensures their clients remain competitive. Through meticulous keyword research, innovative technical practices, and continuous refinement, Backspace Marketing stands out as a trusted partner for online retailers aiming to thrive in a dynamic digital environment. By prioritizing usability and precision, they equip businesses to succeed in their journey toward greater visibility and profitability. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Kennesaw State awarded grant from Governors Office of Highway Safety for 18th consecutive year KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 17, 2024 For the 18th consecutive year, Kennesaw State Universitys Department of Health Promotion and Wellness has received a Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) grant to participate in the Georgia Young Adult Program (GYAP). The GYAP uses strategies such as peer education, providing educational speakers to schools, and encouraging schools to develop creative, innovative techniques to reduce young adult crashes, injuries and fatalities in their communities. "Part of the GOHS mission is to assist in the implementation of programs and campaigns designed to prevent crashes and eliminate traffic deaths on our roads," said Allen Poole, director of the agency. "GOHS will continue to develop new partnerships and continue existing ones in order to create, refine and implement safety programs designed to help our state and nation reach our goal of zero traffic deaths." The GYAP program at Kennesaw State coordinates events and programming such as National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, Fall Festival and Safe Spring Break. The grant funds: Peer Health Outreach and Wellness Leaders (OWLs) to attend the 2025 NASPA Peer Educator Conference; The creation of a campaign using Kennesaw State Universitys 2024 American College Health Associations National College Health Assessment III data to promote healthy and responsible choices when it comes to alcohol use and traffic safety issues among students; Purchasing of ads for social media outreach for Safe Spring Break, Fall Festival, seatbelt survey results, Wellness on Wheels: Alcohol Awareness, holiday drinking and driving, and other GOHS Impaired Driving campaigns; and A student assistant to help with planning, implementing, and evaluating programs, designing social media messages, collecting highway safety statistics, and other related activities as needed. The grant award totals $31,579.44 and includes federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grant period covers Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025. Related Stories A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The universitys vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 President William Rutos government is not done with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies. This is after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) summoned Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo for allegedly making controversial remarks against Ruto and his government. On Sunday during a church service, Ngogoyo criticised the government urging the Head of State to focus on delivering his promises to Kenyans rather than intimidation. Despite being summoned to appear before the detectives at the DCI Headquarters, the legislator did not record any statement. While addressing the press moments after the grilling session, the lawmaker faulted the DCI officers for summoning him without any proper reason. He claimed his summoning by DCI officers was politically orchestrated, suggesting it might be linked to his close ties with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. And if they aim to instill fear in us so that we do not support the former Deputy President, I want to tell them that I am sorry and that I have already made my stand, the MP said. He further criticized the government for forcing Kenyans to vaccinate their cows, arguing that the immunization scheme should be optional for cattle keepers. The Kajiado Senator, who accompanied Ngogoyo at the DCI headquarters, called on the Head of State to heed the promise he made during his swearing-in to protect Kenyans. "We want to tell the President that he promised that he would not use police or DCI to harass Kenyans. "The government should find another way of doing things and not harass people." Ngogoyo's summoning comes a fortnight after detectives summoned Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa over the Limuru funeral mayhem, in which Gachagua was an attendee. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - The much-anticipated Koffi Olomide concert in Kisumu turned into a debacle, leaving fans frustrated and organizers scrambling to salvage the situation. After speaking to DS Njoroge and other event organizers this evening, a clearer picture of what transpired has emerged. Koffis Performance Fee Koffi Olomide, the Congolese music maestro, typically charges $60,000 (approximately Ksh 8.7 million) for performances across Africa. However, due to his long-standing relationship with DS Njoroge, he agreed to perform in Kisumu for half the amount $30,000 (Ksh 4.35 million). This discounted fee excluded additional expenses for his 27-member band, which required separate payments. The Flight Fiasco Koffi was initially scheduled to arrive in Nairobi on Friday morning ahead of the concert. However, he skipped the Friday flight to Nairobi to perform at a private event in Kinshasa instead. This decision forced him and his band to catch a Kenya Airways flight on Saturday. Upon arrival at the Kinshasa airport, complications began. The event organizers were slapped with extra charges by Kenya Airways for the missed flight, and there werent enough seats available for Koffis 27-member entourage. While Koffi secured a business class seat to Nairobi and later connected to Kisumu, his band members were left stranded in Kinshasa, searching for alternative travel options. Koffi eventually arrived in Kisumu ahead of his band, leaving him to hole up in his hotel room, hoping for a miracle. Desperate Measures to Save the Show Meanwhile, the band members managed to secure a late-night flight to Entebbe, Uganda. After landing at midnight, they endured an exhausting road trip in a hired shuttle to Kisumu, arriving the following morning long after the concert had ended. Back in Kisumu, chaos erupted as agitated fans, angered by Koffis no-show, threatened to destroy the organizers equipment. Desperate to contain the situation, DS Njoroge rushed to Koffis hotel room and pleaded with him to take to the stage. With no band in sight, Koffi agreed to perform using only a flash disk containing his songs. The Fallout It later emerged that Koffis tardiness was largely his own doing. By taking on additional performances in Kinshasa and indulging in heavy partying, he failed to prioritize his commitment to the Kisumu concert. The entire episode left a sour taste for Kisumu fans and dealt a blow to the reputation of both the organizers and the artist. Despite his legendary status, Koffi Olomides actions demonstrated a lack of professionalism, turning what could have been a spectacular event into a night to forget. This tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the challenges of organizing major concerts and the risks involved in working with high-profile yet unpredictable performers. Below is a video of Kisumu MCA leading the protests at the concert? The Kenyan DAILY POST. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Kiharu Constituency electorate has urged their Member of Parliament, Ndindi Nyoro, to declare his political stand and state whether he is with President William Ruto or with mwananchi. Nyoro, who is among the best-performing Members of Parliament, has been a fence-sitter in the ongoing political intrigues happening in Mt Kenya region, starting with the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and booing of President William Ruto in Embu County last month. Despite his proximity to the presidency, Nyoro has remained silent, prompting Gachagua to urge him to declare his political stand and stop being a fence-sitter. Kiharu residents have urged Nyoro to declare his political stand, warning that if he aligns with Ruto, he should prepare to be voted out in 2027. We want our MP to declare his stand and if he is with Ruto we will send him home in 2027, Anita Njeri wrote on Facebook. Ndindi Nyoro please make a political stand and if you are with Ruto prepare to go home with him in 2027, Alan Kimani said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Political activist Morara Kebaso has warned Kenyans against engaging in social media wars, especially against young and upcoming leaders. In a statement, Kebaso termed the habit as self-destructing, urging Kenyans to let young leaders emerge, grow, and learn through their mistakes. The best way to kill a movement is to make the movement kill itself. Reduce and vilify the main characters. "Make the public doubt them so that there is no leadership or structure. "That way you will only have noise but it will not be actionable noise, Morara Quoted the Tyrants Book. The young politician says the habit could be acting as a diversion, allowing the incumbent President William Ruto to continue staying in power. Listen Kenyans, you might be helping Ruto to stay in power by attacking each other on social media. " You are self-destructing. Stop this cancel culture. Allow young leaders to emerge and learn from their mistakes, he added. This comes after the activist received a backlash after revealing that the vehicle he uses to traverse the country broke down and required Ksh150,000 for repairs. Hello Kenyans, your vehicle has a brake problem we are being charged more than Ksh 150k for the actuator kindly help me get a better price. "We have called 5 shops so far the cost is quite high. If we can get the motor part alone I will be grateful, he stated. After the post, Kenyans criticized him, calling him a beggar. In response, the young activist vowed to end the begging culture once elected president. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Kapsaret Member of Parliament, Oscar Sudi, has announced that he will no longer participate in church donations from 2025. Sudi spoke on Sunday when he gave out motorcycles to youth groups in his constituency. "Investing in our youth means investing in our future. By providing these motorbikes, we're not only empowering individuals but strengthening our community. "These young entrepreneurs will now have the tools to create sustainable livelihoods, boost local businesses, and contribute to the overall development of our country," Sudi said in a Facebook post. He took the chance to encourage the Kenyan youth to embrace income-generating opportunities without bias and shun laziness. Sudi said the youth are lucky that the church has shunned donations from politicians, and that starting next year, all his donations will be directed towards youth empowerment. The Kapseret lawmaker added that in the New Year, he will direct his financial assistance to individuals and organised groups instead of the church leaders. "Huyu mwenye anaendanga hiyo kanisa, twende tu empower yeye hapo ndani kwa kanisa, hata akuwe na sadaka ya kupeana. (We will empower the church goer, so that they at least have tithe), he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 The Recording Academy, organizer of the Grammy Awards, has denied claims of receiving Sh500 million from President William Ruto to host an event in Kenya. Last week, President William Ruto claimed his government paid Sh500 million to the Recording Academy in the United States to host the awards in Kenya, a statement now disputed. We already paid Sh500 million for the Grammys, Ruto revealed at the town hall meeting on loans and job creation held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). But on Monday, the company denied receiving money from Ruto. Grammy Awards organizers confirmed that the 2025 event will take place on February 2 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. They also denied allegations of accepting money from foreign governments, clarifying that they are a non-profit organization. Thank you for reaching out. The 2025 Grammys will take place on February 2, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. We are a non-profit organization. We don't take money from foreign governments. Best regards, Recording Academy Membership Department," the Recording Academy said in an email. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - A petition challenging the constitutionality of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) has been tossed out by the High Court. In his ruling, Justice Mugambi determined that the case was premature, citing that the court's jurisdiction has been sought to apply a ruling on a non-existent dispute. "The petitioners want the court to determine a non-existent controversy. The court has no business engaging in premature adjudication of disputes. The doctrine of ripeness applies in this case," Justice Mugambi's ruling read. The National Dialogue Committee was formed to quell tensions between the opposition and the ruling Kenya Kwanza government after the hotly contested 2022 general election. Since its formation, the committee, chaired by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has faced turbulence, with activist Michael Muchemi arguing that the dialogue committee threatens the countrys rule of law. In the petition challenging its constitutionality, the petitioners were aggrieved by the fact that Parliament established the committee to gather views that might bring about substantial amendments to the Constitution. The petitioners also contended that the NADCO committee failed to enact legislation under Article 94 (1), which states that 'The legislative authority of the Republic is derived from the people and, at the national level, is vested in and exercised by Parliament.' There were also concerns that a section of the report calling for an audit of the 2022 General Election results falls outside the constitutional framework, as it cannot overturn the decision made by the Supreme Court. However, Justice Mugambi quashed all the petitioners' concerns, stating in the ruling that the committee only intended to gather views generally and that concerns about an amendment to the constitution were speculative. Following the latest court ruling, Kenyans will now wait anxiously to see the government and opposition's next move, especially after the shift in the political landscape since Lady Justice Dora Chepkwony initially suspended the NADCO report, which was under consideration by Parliament in April 2024. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged President William Ruto to remember that the people who put him in power in 2022 are the same ones who will remove him in 2027. In an exclusive interview with Inooro TV on Sunday, Gachagua told Ruto that he betrayed the Mt Kenya people by supervising his impeachment and he must be taught a lesson in 2027. Gachagua said Mt Kenya people will work with anyone including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka but not Ruto because he betrayed the community. "The Mt Kenya votes will never go to anyone in an easy way. Come rain or shine, our votes will never send us into slavery. In any case, in 2027, the Mt Kenya votes will not go to Ruto," Gachagua said. The former second in command further stated that leaders elected in Mt Kenya who will continue with their allegiance to Ruto will not be elected or re-elected. "Furthermore, those who are from Mt Kenya and are still in Ruto's wing will be excluded and will not win any seats," he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) now wants Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) board chairperson Mary Wambui fired ASAP. COFEK has moved to court seeking Wambuis ouster, citing conflict of interest as the key reason behind their petition. In particular, COFEK alleged that companies associated with the businesswoman and her family received tenders for the Digital Super-Highway Project. "Part of clause 3.1 of the tender documents provided that Public employees and their close relatives (spouses, children, brothers, sisters, and uncles and aunts) are not eligible to participate in the tenders. Similarly, clause 3.2 disqualified public officers and/or their relatives or entities. "Clause 3.3 further in detail disqualified those with a conflict of interest from the tender," read the statement in part. "Despite these clear, express and unambiguous provisions, as supplemented by constitutional and statutory dictates, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondent caused the awarded of the tender to among others, entities which have a direct link to the 1st Respondent- the Chairperson of the Communications Authority of Kenya." In its statement, COFEK alleged that Nightigale Enterprises Limited linked to the daughter changed its name to Nighitigale (E.A) Limited and shareholding before receiving tenders for the project. According to the consumer protection unit, the company received 6 tenders amounting to millions of shillings. "The alteration of Nighitigale (E.A) Limited shareholding structure to omit the 1st Respondents daughter only happened in the period after submission of the bids for the Digital Super Highway tender but before the award of the contract. "Therefore, beyond peradventure, the only logical conclusion is that the changes to the shareholding structure were engineered to conceal the real beneficial owners set to benefit following the companys winning the tenders for the Digital Super-Highway project," read the statement in part. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - President William Rutos government has softened its stance on the upcoming animal vaccination program, scheduled to begin in January 2025, targeting 20 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep. The initiative, reportedly linked to American entrepreneur Bill Gates' climate project, had sparked criticism among Kenyan citizens and political leaders. Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday, Agriculture and Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke clarified that the vaccination will be voluntary, not mandatory. The PS emphasized that 85% of livestock in Kenya are owned by smallholder farmers who rely on them as their primary source of livelihood. "Vaccination is not mandatory; it is voluntary. Why would we want to play politics with the livelihood of our poor people? "Why would a politician go and tell a poor farmer that the government is coming to vaccinate your cattle so that you dont lose it? "Dont you agree? Why do we want to play politics with peoples lives? Why do we want our people to stay poor?" Meek questioned. Meanwhile, as per the government, the vaccination programme aims to bolster Kenya's livestock industry, a key pillar of the economy, and protect smallholder farmers from devastating losses due to disease outbreaks. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 From January 1, Kenyans visiting private hospitals will be forced to pay cash to receive any treatment despite being members of government health insurance scheme. This is according to the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA). RUPHA warned that patients seeking medical attention at the hospitals with Social Health Authority (SHA) cards will be required to pay cash to access services. According to the hospitals, the government has failed to commit to paying the Ksh29 billion owed to the hospitals by the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Unless there is a substantial move to settle NHIF liabilities. From the 1st of January, we will move to out-of-pocket payment. We have no other way. How do we keep the facilities open? "You cannot have three-quarters of hospitals that have not paid their workers for the last three months and expect that health care will be normal, stated RUPHA Chairperson Brian Lishenga at a press conference on Monday. Last month, a survey by the organization indicated that nine out of ten Kenyans still pay for medical services out of pocket, despite the governments launch of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). The survey, conducted between the 9th and 12th of this month, highlights significant challenges in the rollout of the SHA and SHIF, despite government assurances of comprehensive coverage. However, the body now claims that the financial burden on patients and facilities has increased since the launch of SHA. SHA, which has received a lot of criticism since its rollout in October, continues to face teething issues that have seen clinical officers threaten to down tools. However, the government is not backing down, with President William Ruto and his government continuing to push for more Kenyans to register for the scheme. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 - Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has chided President William Ruto and his allies over the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Speaking over the weekend, Kahiga argued that Gachagua was hounded out of office for allegedly being the source of problems bedeviling Rutos administration. However, he wondered if Kenya Kwanza had managed to fulfill its pledges since getting rid of Gachagua, who was considered a thorn in the flesh. While alluding to the Limuru attack incident, Kahiga proceeded to ask the government to leave Gachagua alone since he was their main problem and had been weeded out. You ousted Rigathi Gachagua in a way that we know and now we are saying leave him alone. "You ejected him, now all the challenges are gone even the price of maize flour dropped. "When they removed him, all things are better now since you said Gachagua was the problem, did you not hear that? Governor Kahiga posed. Despite Gachaguas ejection from office, Kahiga lamented that the Social Health Authority (SHA) had failed to live up to its expectations. He revealed that the authority owes Nyeri County Ksh289 million. I want to say that SHA owes us Ksh289 million as of December 8, 2024. All hospitals in Nyeri have no medicine since SHA has not remitted the funds. "If SHA is designed to work then remit the money to hospitals), Kahiga made it clear. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Kenyans have expressed their dissatisfaction with President William Rutos leadership for failing to tackle five things. The high cost of living tops the list of five issues Kenyans feel the government needs to resolve as a matter of urgency. This is according to a recent survey by Infotrak, a leading research and consulting company. In a survey of 2,400 Kenyans from across the country, 51% of respondents identified the high cost of living as a key area of concern. Unemployment was another recurring issue, with 36% of Kenyans highlighting the lack of jobs as a serious problem in the country. Corruption was also frequently mentioned, with 24% of respondents singling out graft as a major concern. The top five issues were rounded off by overtaxation and challenges with the new Social Health Authority, both highlighted by 23% of Kenyans. Other issues mentioned by Kenyans included infrastructure and the overall affordability of healthcare, cited by 13% of respondents. Affordable education and the cost of doing business were also raised (12%), while at least 9% of respondents expressed concern over extrajudicial killings, which they felt required urgent government attention. The latest survey comes at a time when Ruto is facing an uphill task in fending off his critics, most of whom are his political adversaries. While presiding over the Jamhuri Day celebrations, Ruto was adamant most of his critics did not base their criticism on facts. The Kenyan DAILY POST FOLLOWING a concerted local campaign and perhaps a little help from Joe Duffy concerning the box in front of the Shackleton mural, the ESB has confirmed that it is currently in the process of re-engaging with Kildare County Council to put a plan in place to re-locate the junction box. Thats absolutely brilliant! said cllr Aoife Breslin. Its unfortunate it came to this, but in the long run despite a bit of anger and debate over it I'm glad they see it like this, she said. Seeing as were spending 10m across the road (with the renovation of the Shackleton Museum and Emily Square) it shouldnt have been put in front of a mural that was painted by a noted artist and unveiled by the Norwegian Ambassador, she said. But there was a media campaign, and a motion to council, and there was a consensus that it should be moved. Im very glad, she said. Cllr Breslin had been joined by party colleague, Deputy Mark Wall in condemnation of it siting, and he had promised to raise the issue in the Dail if a resolution could not be reached. The Kildare Nationalist had submitted a query to the ESB as to why it was put here on 6 December, and in fairness they replied within four days, albeit a day late for last weeks issue! I have reached out to the area manager on this, said a press officer. As part of ESB Networks design process the location of infrastructure is always considered. Before infrastructure can be built in public areas, ESB Networks must obtain the necessary licenses and permissions from the Council. The placement of the junction box in Athy was based on direction and permission obtained from the Council. ESB Networks is currently in the process of re-engaging with KCC to put a plan in place to re-locate the junction box, she concluded. A well-known Irish influencer and his partner began a new chapter of their lives in County Kilkenny last April. James Kavanagh is known for being an online influencer, as well as an entrepreneur, and television presenter. The pair had been house-hunting with his partner William Murray, but the couple discovered that their budget didn't stretch to the type of house in Dublin that they had envisaged as their dream home. After a lot of searching, all across the country, the couple decided to purchase a house in Graignamanagh, and made the move last summer. Some of the pair's recent ventures include being finalists on RTE's The Taste of Success and producing their first book, The Currabinny Cookbook, which was published by Penguin in 2018. In 2018, James Kavanagh began his television career as the co-host of Ireland's Got Talent's companion sister show Ireland's Got Mor Talent on Virgin Media Television. The couple filmed their recent house search for the new television series, The Great Inspo Home Adventure with James Kavanagh, available on Virgin Media Player. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Nicola Willis announced: The Government set the public service a target of eliminating $400 million in operating expenditure on contractors and consultants by 2024/25. In 2023/24 savings of $274 million were achieved. This year the public service is on track, after the first quarter, to achieve savings of about $500 million. These savings are forecast to continue over the next three quarters, which means savings over the two-year period could total more than $800 million, according to the update. It shows operational expenditure by departments on contractors and consultants fell a further 46 per cent in the September quarter on an annualised basis, after a 31 per cent drop in the previous financial year to June. Great news, except for consultants. The Public Service Commissions September Quarterly Workforce Data Update also shows the size of the public service has decreased 2.2 per cent from September 2023 to September 2024, and 1.1 per cent for the quarter. In real terms, this is an annual drop of 1,402 full-time equivalents (FTEs). I feel for anyone who loses a job, but no government can live beyond its means indefinitely, Nicola Willis says. The growth in the public service under the previous government was not sustainable if we also want to fund the health, education, welfare and other services New Zealanders depend on. So for all the wailing and gnashing, the actual drop over 12 months has only been 1,402 FTE staff. This is partially because in a fit of of irresponsibility there was a huge increase in the last quarter of 2023, despite the election. Heres the change by quarter: Jul Sep 23: +1,106 Oct Dec 23: +1,476 Jan 24 Mar 24: -416 Apr 24 Jun 24: -1,745 Jul 24 Sep 24: -717 (my calculation) So the EFT staff total in the public service at September 2024 is only 296 less than in June 2023. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Post reports: A district court judge and her reality TV star partner have apologised for verbally attacking Winston Peters, Casey Costello and other New Zealand First members at a Christmas party. Chief Judge Heemi Taumaunu has also apologised on behalf of the court. Judge Ema Aitken and intensive care specialist David Galler were attending an end-of-year bash for district judges at Aucklands exclusive Northern Club last month, when they gate-crashed a private function for Peters party in a neighbouring room. The rumpus started as Peters was making a speech. Its alleged Aitken tried to enter the room and shouted: Hes lying! How can you let him say that? So Judge Aitken was presumably drunk (it is worse off she was sober), gatecrashed a NZ First party and abused the Deputy PM calling him a liar. This would be terrible behaviour for any person, but for a judge it is fatally inappropriate. A video clip from the party also shows prominent barrister, Michael Reed KC, refusing to stop taking photographs of NZ First guests, including Shane Jones wife Dot, despite strict club rules. That is creepy. Attorney-General Judith Collins, who is the Crowns senior law officer, said she was aware of the incident and appalled by it. I have told the Chief Justice that such behaviour is completely unacceptable and I expect it to be addressed, she said. The appropriate way to address this is by resignation. According to an incident report, compiled by an independent lawyer acting on behalf of Northern Club and NZ First, based on witness statements, Aitken left the dinner to use the bathroom and heard Peters speech as she passed. The report says she accused Peters of lying, in a comment to Holly Howard, who asked her to leave. However, Judge Aitken continued to shout and make a scene Judge Aitken then told Ms Howard that there was a room full of judges next door, and they would be very interested to hear about this, the incident report said. Threatening and bullying behaviour. In the second video, the report reveals, Reed tells the staff member: Dont touch me because you will be sued for a lot of money. He also tells him Can you be quiet, can you be quiet? The sense of entitlement is high. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Windy...thunderstorms likely, some strong early will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds with some storms. Low 37F. S winds shifting to W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Windy...thunderstorms likely, some strong early will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Damaging winds with some storms. Low 37F. S winds shifting to W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Weather Alert ...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. && 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. && Yoo Young-kuk, Rhee Seund-ja set record prices despite slumping global art sales By Park Han-sol Despite a sluggish global art market and a persistent slump in top-tier auction sales, three Korean artists Yoo Young-kuk, Rhee Seund-ja and Lee Bae have emerged as surprise standout performers, according to the latest "Korea Art Market" report. Their remarkable rise in auction and fair sales follows the success of their solo exhibitions, all of which were featured as official collateral events at this years Venice Biennale. Published annually since 2022 by Seoul National University Business School and the Paradise Cultural Foundation, "Korea Art Market" is the first comprehensive English-language report analyzing trends and the current state of Korean art and the art market. In its third edition, Cho Sang-in, a Seoul-based art journalist and director of the Baeksang Art Policy Research Institute, attributed the record-breaking sales of these homegrown creatives in part to the Biennale Effect a phenomenon where exposure at a major biennial significantly boosts an artists recognition and demand. A similar trend was observed following the Dansaekhwa exhibition, a collateral exhibition at the 2015 Venice Biennale. This showcase catapulted the auction prices of monochromatic paintings by Kim Whanki, Lee Ufan, Park Seo-bo and Ha Chong-hyun, with some pieces experiencing a 10-fold increase in value. Two late bloomers, one contemporary art star Yoo (1916-2002) was a pioneer of postwar Korean abstract modernism, renowned for distilling the essence of the nations natural landscapes into basic formal elements of dots, lines, planes and colors. While he was a celebrated name in his home country, his international acclaim only began posthumously, following the 2023 announcement of joint representation of his estate by blue-chip Pace Gallery in New York and Seoul-based PKM Gallery. In April, during the Venice Biennale, A Journey to the Infinite was staged as the first European showcase that highlighted the painters creative zenith from the 1960s and '70s. Previously, Yoos auction record was set in 2021, when Soul (1965) fetched 1.27 billion won ($884,000) at Seoul Auction. At Frieze Seoul 2024, however, which came just months after the Biennales opening, his geometric color painting from the '60s sold for $1.5 million, marking a significant leap. It was also one of the few seven-figure sales at the art fair. Yoo Young-kuks works have yet to appear at (major) international auction houses like Christies or Sothebys. However, as his Venice Biennale exhibition garners further attention, museum exhibitions abroad are likely to follow, paving the way for his debut on the global auction stage, Cho wrote. Another late bloomer is Rhee (1918-2009), regarded as Koreas only female first-generation abstractionist. Over her six-decade career, which flourished after her move to France in 1951, the artist harmonized opposites on canvas East and West, man and woman, nature and machinery. Her solo show in Venice this year, Towards the Antipodes, brought together 20 of her masterpieces at the curatorial helm of Bartomeu Mari, former director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. Since then, Rhees market momentum has gained substantial traction. In May, The Mountain without Shadow (1962) sold for 1.51 billion won (HK$8.19 million or $1.05 million) at Christies Hong Kong a notable jump from its previous sale of 96 million won at K Auction in 2009. That record was shattered yet again in September, when Never Seen the Memories of a Tree (1963-65) fetched 1.85 billion won (HK$10 million or $1.29 million) at Christies. Meanwhile, Lee is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after living Korean creatives in the international art market. His best-known Issu du Feu series revolves around charcoal, a material created by burning wood and used to rekindle fire. For the artist, charcoal symbolizes the profound natural cycle of destruction and renewal. During the Venice Biennale, his solo exhibition, La Maison de La Lune Brulee, took cues from daljip taeugi (moon house burning), a Korean folk ritual where a massive wooden pyre is ignited on the first full moon of the lunar new year to ward off evil spirits. Alongside Issu du Feu, the show featured pieces from his recent Brushstroke series, which he began in 2020 to expand the use of charcoal into the realms of ink and calligraphy. The shows impact was swift. A month after its opening, Brushstroke 3-88 (2021) sold for 220 million won (HK$1.19 million or $153,000) at Christies Hong Kong, fetching more than three times its estimated value. Number of foreign workers reaches 1 million for 1st time By Yi Whan-woo More than nine out of 10 foreign nationals in Korea wish to extend their stay, according to a report released Tuesday, as the country becomes more diverse and quality of life improves. The report, compiled jointly by Statistics Korea and the Korea Immigration Service, analyzed the quality of life for 1.56 million foreign residents this year. They included temporary workers, highly skilled professionals, students, ethnic Koreans and spouses of Korean citizens. Of the respondents, 90.4 percent expressed a desire to remain in Korea after their current stay ends, up from 89.6 percent in 2023. Permanent residents and naturalized Koreans were not included in the survey. A total of 61.6 percent of the aforementioned respondents this year said they were thinking about extending their visas. The other 16.9 percent seek to secure permanent residency and another 10.3 percent want to acquire Korean citizenship. The findings come as Korea is on the cusp of becoming a multicultural society, which, according to the OECD, is defined by foreign nationals exceeding 5 percent of the total population. The foreign population reached 4.89 percent in 2023. In 2023, Korea experienced the second-fastest growth rate of immigrants globally, at 50.9 percent, trailing only the United Kingdom, which saw a 52.9 percent increase, according to the OECD. Under the circumstances, 84.3 percent of the surveyed foreign nationals said they were satisfied with life in Korea this year. The rate went up from 80.4 percent in 2022. Over the 2022-24 period, the ratio of those satisfied with their job advanced from 68.6 percent to 72.6 percent. The ratio of those satisfied with their income also moved up from 53.3 percent to 58.2 percent. Concerning housing conditions, the ratio of those who are satisfied increased from 79.2 percent to 84 percent. The 2024 report showed that foreign workers totaled 1.01 million, representing an increase of 87,000 individuals, or 0.2 percentage points, from a year earlier. It was the first time that the number surpassed the 1 million mark, as Korea is grappling with a declining population and is increasingly relying on immigrant workers to do a range of jobs. Of the 1.01 million, 956,000 were wage workers, the majority of whom were employed by small and medium-sized enterprises. A total of 51.2 percent of these wage workers earned a monthly income of between 2 million won ($1,389.94) and 3 million won. The ratio went up from 50.6 percent in 2023. In the 2022-23 period, those earning 3 million won or more per month also rose from 35.8 percent to 37.1 percent. When asked about the difficulties of living in Korea, 34.7 percent of foreign nationals surveyed this year responded with "None." However, 29.8 percent identified language as a barrier, while 13 percent cited loneliness. With regard to discrimination, 17.4 percent of respondents said that they have experienced it. About 54.5 percent of those who felt they were discriminated against said it was due to their country of origin, while 31.2 percent attributed it to the language barrier. The victims of discrimination responded passively, with only 15.3 percent publicly addressing the issue. Among foreign nationals with children, under 18, 35.7 percent reported facing challenges in their children's education, with more than half of which citing difficulty helping with homework. Nearly half of the foreign residents expressed that their children's education costs are burdensome. When asked to identify the obstacles to becoming a member of Korean society, 44.7 percent cited language as a barrier, while 11.8 percent considered religion a problem. By Lee Yeon-woo So-called "politically themed shares" stocks investors believe are connected to high-profile politicians are once again demonstrating volatility, buoyed by the possibility of an administration change. Stocks tied to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Reform Party leader Rep. Lee Jun-seok are surging, while those associated with ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and Democratic Party of Korea leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung are seeing sharp declines as political landscapes shift. According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) on Tuesday, SAMBO Industrial was designated as an "investment caution stock." Investors view the company as linked to Lee, as his father previously served as court-appointed administrator of its subsidiary. On Monday, the first trading day after a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed in the National Assembly, buying pressure pushed the company's share price, hitting the daily upper limit within just two minutes. However, on Tuesday, it plunged more than 11 percent. NextEye, where Lee's father also served as a member of the audit committee until 2019, also demonstrated significant fluctuations. Its stocks surged by 29.85 percent on Monday, even reaching its highest price since February during Tuesday's market. However, it pared its gains on Tuesday. This rally is influenced by speculation that Lee might run for president if an early election is held following the Constitutional Court's approval of Yoon's impeachment. Lee stated he is "seriously considering" running for office on Saturday. Nimble retail investors also flocked to stocks they believe are connected to Woo, who has garnered public support following the martial law incident. Bankware Global and Kolon Mobility Group, whose founders attended the same high school as Woo, each hit their respective daily price limits on Monday. Despite the KRX designating Bankware Global as an investment caution stock, it ended Tuesday's trading session with a 15.17 percent increase compared to Monday. Kolon Mobility Group also posted a 7.92 percent gain. As market volatility intensifies, the number of stocks with investment warnings from the KRX is also increasing. Since the day after Yoon declared martial law, the KRX has placed 34 listed companies under an investment warning status. This designation is one level stricter than an investment caution, and it results in a one-day trading halt for the stock. Only e-Starco, a real estate development company, addressed the rumors, stating it has "absolutely no connection whatsoever to Lee Jae-myung." The company's share price has seen repeated surges and declines amid speculation that it would benefit from Lee's public housing policies if he were to be elected. By Jung Da-hyun Eleven outstanding students from diverse backgrounds and one institute were recognized for their achievements and contributions at the 13th Global Korea Youth Awards, Tuesday. The awards, organized by The Korea Times, aim to encourage students from multicultural backgrounds who sometimes face challenges due to cultural differences or language barriers. This years ceremony marked the launch of the Global Korea Youth Awards, formerly known as the Korea Multicultural Youth Awards. The name change reflects Koreas growing diversity and emphasizes the aspirations of young people to connect globally and make a broader impact. The ceremony, held at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul, was attended by awardees and their family members, as well as Gender Equality and Family Vice Minister Shin Young-sook. The judges, including Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends, and foreign ambassadors to Korea were also present at the ceremony. Additionally, representatives of the sponsors Korean Association for Multicultural Education President Chang In-sil, University of Utah Asia Campus Chief Administrative Officer Gregory Hill, Homeplus Senior Vice President Yeon Tae-jun and Sharp Aviation K Executive Director Kim Se-young also attended the event to celebrate the winners. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivered his congratulatory remarks via video. "The government is striving to implement practical policies aimed at directly supporting multicultural families," Han said. He highlighted efforts to enhance tailored programs for education at various developmental stages as well as career planning and bilingual learning. "The government has also introduced new subsidies to boost academic performance and support employment through educational initiatives," he said. The vice minister stressed the important roles that students from diverse backgrounds can play in Koreas future. "I look forward to the Global Korea Youth Awards serving as a strong supporter, helping our youth become global talents who will make Korea proud," Shin said. She also highlighted the ministrys role as the leading government agency for multicultural family policies, noting its efforts to strengthen educational and career support tailored to various developmental stages. "These initiatives aim to help children and youth from immigrant families grow up healthy and free from social disparities. We will continue to enhance policies to ensure that all immigrant families, regardless of their backgrounds, can overcome the challenges of life in Korea and lead happy, fulfilling lives," she said. Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin praised Korea's resilience during the recent political chaos, noting that the peaceful and festive protests by citizens reflect the nations diversity and inclusiveness inherent in our society. "All of you here play a significant role in enhancing the diversity and inclusiveness of our community," Oh said. "The cultural diversity you bring helps us become a more open society." He emphasized that an open society embraces differences. "Understanding that being different is not wrong but right provides the foundation for us to grow stronger and healthier as a nation," he said. Oh further underscored the importance of fostering an environment where multiculturalism is supported. "It is crucial to foster an environment where individuals from multicultural backgrounds can recognize their differences as strengths and take pride in them, he said, explaining the background of renaming the awards. Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends and a judge of the awards, underscored the importance of viewing multiculturalism and diversity as key national strengths. "It is essential for the government and society to support the aspirations of approximately 200,000 youth from multicultural families who are thriving in Korea," he said. "By fostering their dreams, we can help them to become vital contributors to the nations future." The grand prize went to Hwang Yu-na from Cheongshim International Academy in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Born to a Chinese mother and Korean father, Hwang was recognized for her exceptional leadership, serving as vice president of her schools student council. With a strong passion for science and astronomy, she actively participates in various academic and extracurricular activities. "I believe that globalization begins with understanding and embracing people from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds within our community," Hwang said. "I hope to serve as a bridge that connects people through my multicultural background." She also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I appreciate everyone for recognizing the importance of youth in building a better and more inclusive future." Maeng Ye-lin, a sixth grader at Seoha Elementary School in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province, and Kim Jeong-in, a sixth grader at Daap Elementary School in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, were selected as outstanding students in the elementary school category. In the middle school category, Kim Tae-yang, a third grader at Wando Middle School in South Jeolla Province, and Kim Su-yeon, a third grader at Murung Middle School on Jeju Island, were selected as winners. The prizes in the high school category were presented to Lee Ji-eun, a third grader at Doonchon High School in Seoul, and Lee Ji-na, a second grader at Wonju Finance Accounting High School in Gangwon Province. Special recognition was also given in other categories. Oh Song-hui, a third grader at Daeja Middle School in Gwangju, received the special jury award, while Arabella Nia Joshua, a sixth grader at the School of Global SARANG in Seoul, was honored with the Semoon Chang Award for her exceptional foreign language skills. Kim Won-hee, a third grader at Samgye Middle School in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, received the Korean Association for Multicultural Education Award, and Shadikhodjaeva Asilakhon Sherzodovna, a second grader at Sejong Arts High School in Sejong, won the University of Utah Asia Campus Award. Meanwhile, the School of Global SARANG was selected as the winner of the outstanding volunteer award for its dedication to supporting students from multicultural backgrounds. The United States believes North Korea has suffered some "significant" troop losses during combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, a White House official confirmed Monday, noting the troops were seen moving from the second lines on the battlefield to the front lines. National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby made the remarks as Kyiv's intelligence authorities have said that some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fighting in combined units against Ukrainian forces. "We do believe that they have suffered some significant losses, killed and wounded, but it's difficult for me to put an actual number on it. I would say, certainly in the realm of dozens, several dozens," Kirby said in an online press briefing. "We've just started to see this movement of them from the second line to the front line. So, it's a fairly new development, and we might be able to have a little bit more granularity as days go on," he added. It marks the first time that Washington publicly confirmed North Korean fatalities during Russia's war against Ukraine. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also confirmed the North's fatalities, warning that should North Korean troops cross the border into Ukraine, it would mark "yet another escalation." "In our view, the North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Kursk are already legitimate targets. They entered a war, and they are as such combatants that are legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military," Miller told a press briefing. "We have seen North Korean soldiers who have been killed in action on the battlefield inside Russia, and if they were to cross the border into Ukraine, that would be yet another escalation by the government of Russia and also an escalation by the government of North Korea to send North Korean troops to prosecute a war of aggression against an independent sovereign nation inside that nation's borders," he added. Miller also pointed out that there is "certainly more" that China can do to encourage Russia not to take escalatory action and other moves that it has taken. Earlier in the day, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that the U.S. assesses that North Korean troops have suffered casualties, including fatalities, during combat against Ukraine, according to Reuters. "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," Ryder was quoted by Reuters as telling reporters. Kursk is Russia's western front line. Ryder noted that North Korean troops entered combat last week. In a statement published Saturday (local time), Ukraine's Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) said that North Korean soldiers have been mobilized for assault operations as part of combined units of Russian marines and airborne troops. The DIU claimed that North Korean troops suffered "irreversible losses" from Ukraine's attacks and noted that the language barrier is an issue for Russian and North Korean combined units in conducting coordinated operations. The U.S. has said that Pyongyang has sent more than 11,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine. The troop deployment has fueled concerns that it could further prolong the war and have security implications for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific. (Yonhap) The United States on Monday sanctioned two North Korean generals known to be accompanying thousands of North Korean troops dispatched to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, as well as other people and entities linked to Pyongyang's military programs and other activities. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned nine individuals and seven entities that have provided financial and military support to the North, while the State Department sanctioned three targets related to the North's ballistic missile program, according to the Treasury Department. Among the individuals added to the OFAC's sanctions list are Kim Yong-bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and Ri Chang-ho, director of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, a key North Korean military intelligence agency. The department pointed out that Kim and Ri are known to be accompanying North Korean troops that have been deployed to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine. Since October, Pyongyang has supplied Russia with more than 11,000 troops, which are training for deployment against Ukraine, and sent significant quantities of missiles and ammunition to the Russian military to replenish its dwindling stockpiles, the department said. Also added to the list was Pak Jong-chon, vice chair of the Workers' Party's Central Military Commission. Park takes part in public events related to the North's ballistic missile program, including a weapons factory tour and submarine launch, according to the department. The North's Defense Minister Ro Kwang-chol and Kim Geum-cheol, the president of Kim Il Sung Military University, were also put on the list. "The Kim regime's continued provocative actionsincluding its most recent ICBM test and its deepening military support to Russiaundermine the stability of the region and sustain Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine," Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith said in a press release. ICBM stands for intercontinental ballistic missile. "The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit procurement and facilitation networks that enable these destabilizing activities," the official added. Among the newly sanctioned are Golden Triangle Bank and Okryu Trading Company. In a separate statement, Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson, said that the department designated two individuals and one entity related to the North's weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. He pointed to the North's launch in October of an ICBM, the first since December last year, and the subsequent launch in November of short-range ballistic missiles. "These tests reflect the DPRK's increasingly hostile global military posturing and needlessly raise tensions while destabilizing peace and security in the region," he said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The DPRK has also sent soldiers to Russia, where they have been integrated with Russian forces. The DPRK has provided Russia with military equipment, munitions, ballistic missile launchers and ballistic missiles." He also underscored that Pyongyang continues to prioritize revenue generation to support the development of its weapons programs, using foreign-based workers, state-owned entities and financial institutions to access the international financial system. (Yonhap) South Korea has kicked off the production of the medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (MUAV), the arms procurement agency said Tuesday, in a move to help enhance the military's surveillance capabilities over North Korea. A ceremony was held in the southeastern port city of Busan to mark the completion of a production facility to assemble the MUAV, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). The drone, manufactured by South Korea's biggest airline Korean Air, is expected to not only advance the military's surveillance capabilities but establish a homegrown production system for drones, DAPA said. The surveillance aircraft is capable of flying at an altitude of 10-12 kilometers and capturing high-resolution images from distances exceeding 100 km. It measures 13 meters in length and 3 m in height, and has a wingspan of 25 m. DAPA aims to begin delivery of the drone to the Air Force in 2027. (Yonhap) South Korea said Tuesday it will impose sanctions on three top North Korean military officers and one missile developer believed to have been deployed to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine, the first such sanctions designation since the North's troop deployment was confirmed. The announcement came after South Korea, the United States, the European Union and eight other countries issued a statement condemning the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in the "strongest possible terms." Kim Yong-bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, and Sin Kum-chol, director of its operations bureau, were among the 11 individuals added to South Korea's independent sanctions list, the foreign ministry said in a release. The list also includes Ri Pong-chun, an army general who's allegedly heading the "Storm Corps" special troops deployed to Russia's western war front lines, and Ri Song-jin, a missile developer believed to have been sent to the war border regions. South Korea also imposed sanctions on seven other individuals and 15 entities for their involvement in illegal military cooperation with Russia in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions banning such activities. They were designated for their roles in procuring funds and materials for the North's development of nuclear and missile programs. The seven other individuals are all Russians suspected of involvement in arms trades with the North, from financing support and provision of military communication equipment to weapons transportation. The 15 sanctioned entities are mostly Russian, except for the Storm Corps and a bank based in South Ossetia, a Russia-backed autonomous state in Georgia. The new sanctions designation will take effect Thursday. The latest sanctions designation by Seoul followed the U.S. announcement on its own sanctions against North Koreans involved in the Ukraine war. The list also included Kim Yong-bok and Ri Chang-ho, along with 14 other individuals and entities. (Yonhap) South Korea's spy agency said Tuesday it is verifying intelligence about North Korean troops' fatalities during combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, saying it is taking into account the possibility that it could be true. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) made the assessment as the United States said Monday that North Korean troops suffered some "significant losses" during combat alongside Russian forces against Ukraine, marking its first confirmation of North Korean casualties during the war. "(We've) secured related intelligence from various sources," the NIS said. "We are verifying it while taking into account the possibility that it could be true." Ukraine's intelligence authorities have said that some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fighting in combined units against Ukrainian forces. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine, spawning concerns about an escalation of the already protracted conflict. (Yonhap) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared a video he claimed to be a Russian soldier setting fire to the body of a North Korean soldier killed in combat against Ukraine, saying that the move aimed to hide the presence of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia. Zelenskyy made the claim in a video he uploaded to social media on Tuesday. It contained footage showing what appeared to be a partially burning corpse, with the English subtitle "Russians try to conceal the faces of North Korean soldiers even after death." The 30-second video also featured a close-up of a suspected North Korean soldier and other footage showing a soldier with Asian features saying "No, no" to the camera while another figure says in the background, "Tell him to put on a mask. Put the mask on." Zelenskyy denounced the Russian military for deploying North Korean troops and attempting to conceal their presence, saying Moscow should be held accountable for such a "demonstration of disrespect." "Russia not only sends the North Korean troops to storm Ukrainian positions, but also tries to conceal losses of these people," he said. "And now, after first combats with our warriors, Russians are trying to literally burn the faces of North Korean soldiers killed in battle." The release of the video came amid concerns over Russia and North Korea's deepening military cooperation and criticism that the deployed North Korean troops will be used as "cannon fodder" in the war. On Saturday, Ukraine's defense intelligence authorities said some 200 Russian and North Korean soldiers were estimated to have been killed while fighting in combined units against Ukrainian forces. It did not specify the number of casualties for each side. A White House official said Monday that the United States believes North Korea has suffered "significant" troop losses, in what marked the first time that Washington publicly confirmed North Korean fatalities during Russia's war against Ukraine. (Yonhap) South Korea's top military officer on Tuesday visited a partially restored guard post inside the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas to inspect troop readiness against North Korean threats, his office said. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Adm. Kim Myung-soo's visit came amid concerns of North Korea possibly undertaking provocative acts in light of South Korea's recent political turmoil. Kim instructed troops to maintain a posture to "immediately" respond to any North Korean provocation during the visit to the guard post under the Army's 15th Infantry Division at an unidentified central front-line area, according to the JCS. As part of a 2018 inter-Korean military deal, the two Koreas dismantled 10 guard posts inside the DMZ each, but they have both taken steps to restore and rebuild them after Pyongyang unilaterally scrapped the agreement last year. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin Mongolian Ambassador to Korea Sukhbold Sukhee celebrated the centennial of the proclamation of the Mongolian Peoples Republic and the adoption of Mongolia's first constitution during a reception held in Seoul on Friday. The ambassador expressed his delight in commemorating this historic milestone alongside esteemed friends and colleagues, emphasizing the significance of the proclamation and the constitution as foundational pillars of Mongolia's freedom and sovereignty. A hundred years ago, the Mongolian people drafted and adopted the first constitution in their history. This constitution is a fundamental document that declared the existence of Mongolia as a nation and defined our future destiny as an independent and sovereign country recognized by the world, Sukhbold said. As the constitution secured Mongolian state independence and sovereignty, the first constitution is of immense value to our independence. This day, which commemorates the centennial, is also a National Pride Day for Mongolians to be proud of their independence and nation. He also outlined Mongolia's constitutional evolution, noting that the country has adopted three constitutions to adapt to political, social and economic changes. The most recent new democratic constitution, adopted in 1992, is now in effect. We, Mongolians, ensured the freedom, independence and sovereignty of the state under this constitution and opened the gateway for establishing friendly ties with all nations around the world, he said, emphasizing Mongolia's diplomatic relations with all 192 member states of the United Nations. Sukhbold was appointed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Korea this June and presented his credentials to President Yoon Suk Yeol on Oct. 28. During my tenure as ambassador, I will strive with all my efforts to enrich the friendly relations and cooperation between our two countries with new content in all socioeconomic spheres and make it my priority to reach each and every Mongolian living and working here in the Republic of Korea, he said. He celebrated the robust bilateral ties between Korea and Mongolia, which have grown since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990. Our bilateral cooperation has deepened in all areas, including politics, economics, humanities and culture, and elevated to a strategic partnership. In the upcoming year, we plan many events and activities to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Republic of Korea, he said. Concluding his speech, the ambassador expressed optimism for the future, saying, It is my pleasure to inform you that the two sides are actively engaging to further expand the scope of cooperation in politics, security, economics, trade, investment, education, science, technology, environment, health, culture and tourism, as well as people-to-people ties and collaboration on the regional and international stage building on our strategic partnership. He ended with a heartfelt wish, May Mongolia prosper under the might of the Eternal Blue Sky, and the friendship between the people of Mongolia and Korea grow ever stronger. The South Korea-U.S. alliance is not just between the two countries' presidents, but one between their governments and between their people, a State Department spokesperson said Monday, stressing that there is no "diminution" in the bilateral partnership in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, made the remarks amid lingering concerns that Yoon's impeachment could affect policy coordination between Seoul and Washington at a time when security threats continue from North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs and its deepening military alignment with Russia. "There will be no diminution in the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea," Miller told a press briefing, referring to South Korea by its official name. "That alliance is not just an alliance between presidents. It is an alliance between governments and an alliance between peoples and our commitment to that alliance remains ironclad," he added. Miller noted that over the past few weeks, South Korea demonstrated its "democratic resilience." "That is democratic resilience that was hard won several decades ago, and we've seen them follow peacefully a process that was laid out by the Republic of Korea's Constitution," he said. "We are ready to continue to work with the acting president and the government of the Republic of Korea in the same way that we were acting and cooperating with President Yoon." In a separate online press briefing, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby said the U.S. will stay committed to the alliance with South Korea, which he portrayed as "incredibly healthy." "A significant ally remains a significant ally an alliance that is incredibly healthy now, (which is) the result of these last four years of really working on our alliances and partnerships in the Pacific," he said. Kirby mentioned that President Joe Biden had a phone call with South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo over the weekend to reaffirm the U.S.' commitment to the South Korean people and the alliance. He refused to comment on legal issues surrounding Yoon. "Your question about whether he should be charged with insurrection ... those kinds of things are for South Korean officials, South Korean legislators, the South Korean people to determine, not the United States," he said. "All I will say is that as the president said to acting President Han Duck-soo, this is an important relationship for us. It is a terrific alliance. The United States is going to stay committed to it." South Korea's National Assembly impeached Yoon last week over his botched martial law attempt, suspending his presidential duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate or unseat him from office. Prime Minister Han has taken over as acting president. (Yonhap) Korea watchers call for orderly, constitutional transition By Kwak Yeon-soo The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration risks creating a leadership void that raises questions about South Korea's foreign policy direction, especially its efforts to build strong ties with the incoming U.S. administration, according to experts. The government has vowed continued diplomatic efforts to engage with the incoming U.S. administration, but the martial law chaos will likely affect the way President-elect Donald Trump views Korea, especially given that a similar political crisis occurred when he was sworn in as the 45th president of the U.S. In 2017, former President Park Geun-hye was impeached and jailed following an influence-peddling scandal. Trump met with top leaders of Japan and China in February and April 2017, respectively, but waited a few more months to hold talks with President Moon Jae-in, who was elected in May 2017. The impeachment of President Yoon creates a political vacuum that will hinder the incoming Trump administrations ability to coordinate with South Korea on policy, but it will also initially raise questions for Trump about political stability in South Korea and Seouls reliability as a partner, said Troy Stangarone, director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy. This should recede as South Korea transitions to a new administration, but it will be important for President Yoons successor to demonstrate that political stability has returned and that the new administration Korea is a dependable partner. Robert A. Manning, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center, echoed the sentiment. From Washington, it looks like Yoon has violated the First Rule of Holes when youre in one, stop digging," he said. "It introduces dangerous uncertainty with regard to both current decision-making at a particularly perilous moment both in Northeast Asia and globally. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday, during which both leaders reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral alliance. We are constantly working to enhance U.S. outreach and communicate with the incoming Trump administration, a senior official in the Prime Ministers Office said on condition of anonymity, Tuesday. Some have pointed out the problem that Korea failed to notify the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) when deploying martial law troops. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also drew criticism for avoiding phone calls from U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg on the night of the martial law. With regard to the U.S.-ROK alliance, the lack of any heads-up, when he (Yoon) has introduced dangerous new uncertainty about the functioning of the chain of command was disconcerting and a bit troubling to USFK, Manning said. The fact that CFC and USFK were not notified suggests that the Yoon administration knew it did not have a strong basis for declaring martial law. Had the Yoon administration notified USFK, USFK would have had to notify the chain of command in the United States. This would have resulted in U.S. pressure on the Yoon administration to resolve its differences through the political process rather than resorting to martial law, Stangarone said. Experts said the National Assemblys passage of an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday showed that Korea's democratic institutions remain robust enough to restore stable government. Though the martial law declaration initially shocked U.S. observers, the ruling People Power Partys recent decision to support impeachment proceedings suggests moving toward Korean consensus on an orderly transition that aligns with American expectations of democratic resilience among key partners, said Darcie Draudt-Vejares, fellow for Korean studies in the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. For Washington's alliance managers, the central focus remains on maintaining operational readiness and strategic coordination. Beyond diplomatic reassurances, U.S. officials are monitoring South Korea's ability to sustain critical security commitments and multilateral initiatives during political transition. The alliance's capacity to respond to regional challenges stands as the key metric for evaluating this period of domestic change. Stangarone stressed that the most important thing is for there to be an orderly, constitutionally based political transition. The longer the current political crisis is allowed to drag out, the more uncertainty it creates, not just domestically in South Korea but within the U.S.-ROK alliance, he said. Reassurance and maintaining lines of communication by leading political figures are important as the crisis resolves itself, but an orderly transition is the most important thing South Korea can do reassure foreign partners that it will remain a dependable partner long-term. What happens in South Korea is not only a test of democratic resilience, but also a question of foreign policy continuity. Other governments worry about having a steadfast partner in defending the international rules-based order, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. At issue is whether Seoul will continue supporting Ukraine, resisting Chinas economic coercion and cooperating with Tokyo against North Koreas nuclear missile threats and human rights abuses. By Jhoo Dong-chan The Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) has submitted its proposal for a water and sewerage project worth 1 trillion won ($694 million) near the Philippines capital city of Manila. K-water is Koreas government agency for comprehensive water resource development and providing both public and industrial water. According to the agency, Tuesday, representatives of K-water tendered its bid for New Clark Citys water and sewerage project during a meeting with the Southeast Asian countrys government officials at an undisclosed location in Manila, Monday. The Korean ambassador to the Philippines also joined the meeting on the day. Located about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila, New Clark City is currently undergoing development owned and managed by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). Covering an area of approximately 94.5 square kilometers, the city is designed to accommodate up to 1.2 million residents, which is expected to ease the capitals various overpopulation problems. In a bid to offer a customized proposal to the BCDA, K-water has jointly accessed a feasibility study for the project with various Korean constructors, including the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corp., since August. The initial phase of the 1 trillion won project starts in 2026 to develop the water supply for New Clark City by 2050. The phase is worth about 350 billion won. Believing the country is experiencing water supply shortages due to drastic climate change, the agency said in a press release that the proposal includes building an underground reservoir dam by 2032 to secure a stable water supply. K-water and the BCDA have been truthful partners beyond the two countries 75 years of diplomatic ties, BCDA head Joshua M. Bingcang said during the meeting. We will strengthen our ties with K-water for the project. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul highlighted Tuesday that Korea is striving to maintain stable foreign relations and uphold international trust amid political turmoil following the martial law debacle, his office said. Cho made the point during a luncheon meeting with the envoys of the Group of Seven advanced countries and the European Union member states in Seoul, as Korea seeks to reaffirm its continued diplomatic commitment after the short-lived martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was impeached by the parliament Saturday and is suspended from his duties pending a Constitutional Court decision on whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has taken over as the acting president. Cho told the envoys that the government is focusing its efforts on "maintaining Korea's foreign policy approach, managing foreign relations in a stable manner and retaining international trust in the face of growing uncertainties in international relations," the foreign ministry said. Cho also explained efforts to smoothly carry out state affairs under Han's acting presidency. The envoys, in turn, noted how they were able to witness Korea's democratic resilience through the current crisis, according to the ministry. Attending the meeting were the ambassadors and representatives of seven countries Britain, the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, France and Italy and the European Union. (Yonhap) The United States has authorized a potential sale to Korea of a Navy destroyer improvement program and related elements, a government agency said Monday, noting that the proposed sale will help enhance the Asian ally's defense capabilities. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Department of Defense announced that the State Department has made the decision on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) estimated to cost $300 million. Korea has made a request to purchase a series of items for a program to improve its KDX-II-class destroyers, including modified MK 99 fire control systems, updated Weapon Direct System software modification, integration, installation, as well as personnel training and training equipment. "The proposed sale will improve the ROK's capability to perform anti-surface and anti-air warfare missions. The ROK will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense," DSCA said, referring to Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. "This upgrade does not provide any additional capabilities, but ensures the ship class remains operationally viable in light of obsolescence issues with current hardware and required software fixes," it added. DSCA delivered the certification, notifying Congress of the proposed sale earlier in the day as the sale requires congressional endorsement. (Yonhap) Korea conducted biannual defense drills near its easternmost islets of Dokdo earlier this week, a military source said, in what marked the sixth such exercise held under the current administration. "The drills took place in the East Sea on Monday," the source said, emphasizing they are part of regular drills conducted to defend Korea's territory and its citizens' properties. Navy and Coast Guard vessels, as well as Navy aircraft, were mobilized for the latest exercise, the source said, without providing further details. In a similar scope compared with a drill conducted in August, the defense drills did not involve Marines. Some of the drills in the past involved fighter jets and landing maneuvers on the islets, but they have taken place in a relatively low-key approach under the incumbent government. Dokdo has long been a recurring source of tension between Korea and Japan, as Tokyo continues to make sovereignty claims in its policy papers, public statements and school textbooks. In response to the drills in August, Tokyo lodged a complaint through diplomatic channels. Korea has been in effective control of Dokdo, with a small police detachment, since its liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Korea launched the defense drills in 1986 and has staged them twice a year since 2003. (Yonhap) The Cyber University of Korea (CUK), an online university established in 2001, started recruiting new and transfer students for the first semester of the 2025 academic year on Dec. 1. Notably, employees of industrial and public institutions are subject to tuition reduction benefits through the Industrial Entrustment Screening, and those who work at agreed institutions are automatically eligible for benefits. The university, along with Korea University, is a four-year higher education institution affiliated with the Korea University Foundation and is the first cyber university in the country. It also provides a 20-percent reduction in tuition fees through a scholarship system newly established for residents of Jongno District and Seongbuk District, where the university campus is located. CUK students can enjoy the benefits of being affiliated with Korea University. For instance, major facilities such as Korea Universitys library, medical center, wedding hall and funeral hall are available to CUK students. Meanwhile, CUK is establishing an educational environment optimized for adult learners who need to juggle their studies and work life. Park Hwa-young, a student at the schools Department of Architectural Engineering said, "Thanks to the entirely online lectures, students can learn free from constraints on time and place. I am very satisfied because I can flexibly handle attendance, assignments and exams even after work." Cho Jin-wook, a CUK student in the Department of Mechanical Control Engineering said, "I entered CUK because I desperately needed theoretical knowledge while taking on tasks in different fields from my existing major at the company," adding that the industrial consignment scholarship helped him lift his financial burden. CUK has also introduced new majors. The Department of Architectural Engineering presents a new paradigm of online engineering education in line with growing interest in sustainable architecture and indoor environments. The computer engineering department fosters professionals who will lead the future intelligent information society with a curriculum specialized in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and robot systems, which are core technologies in the era of the fourth industrial revolution. Korea's oceans minister met with chief executive officers of the country's major shipping companies Tuesday to discuss strategies to address uncertainties in global trade, including potential U.S. policy shifts under the incoming Donald Trump administration. The meeting, which invited representatives from the top 10 shipping companies, including HMM, Pan Ocean and SK Shipping, also took place in the wake of lingering geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. During the meeting, the government pledged to bolster its diplomatic efforts to seek closer cooperation with the second Trump administration, set to take office next month, and to promote shared growth with the United States in the maritime industry. The ministry also vowed to continue its policy efforts to help shipping companies maintain stable operations, including revamping an emergency response fund that can be utilized in contingencies. The ministry added it plans to arrange a separate meeting with representatives from port and logistics companies on Wednesday to continue related discussions. "Despite uncertainties surrounding the launch of the second Trump administration scheduled for January, we can overcome challenges in the maritime and logistics sectors if the government, public and private sectors work together," Oceans Minister Kang Do-hyung said. (Yonhap) By KTimes Over 10,000 citizens are pursuing a class action damages lawsuit against President Yoon Suk Yeol, seeking compensation, saying Yoon caused psychological harm by declaring unlawful martial law that restricted their fundamental rights. According to the Preparatory Group for Compensation Lawsuit Against Yoon Suk Yeol for Treason, approximately 10,000 citizens have expressed their intent to participate in the compensation lawsuit against Yoon. The group was organized by lawyer Lee Geum-gyu, who served as the National Assemblys representative during the impeachment trial of former President Park Geun-hye. The lawsuit alleges that Yoon failed in his duty to protect citizens' rights to life and liberty, causing psychological damage. On Wednesday, 105 plaintiffs initially filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court, seeking 100,000 won ($75) each. Legal precedent from Park Geun-hye case A similar damages lawsuit was filed against former President Park Geun-hye following her impeachment over the corruption scandal. The plaintiffs said that Parks violations of the Constitution and laws caused them significant harm, but the case was dismissed. While the court acknowledged Parks unlawful actions, it said, "The president bears political responsibility but does not hold legal liability to individual citizens." This legal principle was rooted in a Supreme Court precedent from the 1970s, during authoritarian Park Chung-hees presidency, when emergency measure lawsuits were dismissed on the grounds that the president's actions were only politically accountable. However, in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned this precedent. It ruled that emergency measures violated individual citizens' constitutional rights and that the state must compensate affected individuals. This shift has given hope to plaintiffs in the case against Yoon. Lawyer Choi Jeong-gyu of law firm Wongok said, "The revised precedent broadens the scope of accountability for the president or state toward citizens, potentially making it easier to hold Yoon accountable." Challenges in proving damages Nonetheless, many legal experts believe the plaintiffs face an uphill battle. To win, they must prove two key points: first, that Yoons imposition of martial law was unlawful, and second, that citizens suffered direct and measurable harm. While former lawmakers or aides involved during the martial law period may present stronger cases, proving psychological harm to the general public is considered more difficult. A judge at a court in the Seoul metropolitan area said, "If plaintiffs cannot provide evidence beyond simply claiming psychological shock, it will be challenging to win. Recognizing harm for all citizens may also pose practical and legal stability issues." The 1970s emergency measure lawsuits involved plaintiffs who experienced direct harm, such as detention or imprisonment, whereas the damages alleged in this case are less direct and occurred over a significantly shorter period. The lawsuit against Yoon is expected to gain momentum after the conclusion of his impeachment trial and related criminal proceedings, as evidence collected in criminal trials is often easier to use in civil cases. A senior judge said, "Even if President Yoon is acquitted, proving civil liability for unlawful actions is a separate matter. Regardless of the outcome, the case holds significance in questioning the extent of a leaders responsibility." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times. By KTimes A Cambodian migrant worker who worked on a farm in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, shared a harrowing account of her living conditions during last months record snowfall in a video shared via social media. "Snow has crushed the roof, and water is leaking inside. It's impossible to live here. It gets colder at night. The electricity is out, and I'm scared," she said in the video. "I asked my boss for another place to stay, but I was kicked out of this house, which has no hot water. I begged for time to pack, but they gave me less than an hour. This is the life of a foreign worker. Is this really living?" The video showed the roof a makeshift sandwich-panel structure collapsing with water pooling inside, creating the risk of possible electrocution. It quickly went viral, amassing over 610,000 views. Despite the attention, the worker's current whereabouts remain unknown. Amid ongoing criticism of the poor housing conditions faced by migrant workers, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has yet to release the findings from its promised full inspection of foreign workers' accommodations earlier this year. Meanwhile, requests from local governments for worker information so as to conduct housing inspections have been denied by the ministry on grounds of "personal data protection." Labor ministry denies local governments' request for data According to the ministry, in October, Gyeonggi Province requested that the ministry share information about farms and fisheries employing migrant workers in the region. The request was aimed at trying to help the province inspect accommodations independently, as it is home to over 660,000 foreign residents the largest number in Korea. Gyeonggi even established a Migration and Social Affairs Bureau in July to enhance employment, housing and welfare support for migrants. Despite aligning with the labor ministry's stated goal of expanding local government roles regarding the improvement of migrant conditions, the request was rejected. A labor ministry official said, "The business site list is classified as confidential under internal guidelines, and overlapping inspections are unnecessary since the ministry is conducting its own full-scale survey." However, the official added that the ministry is considering how to address the need for collaboration with local governments in the future. The inspection, initially set to conclude by April, has yet to produce results, and it remains uncertain whether findings will be released before the year ends. Four years after Sokkhengs death, issues persist Dec. 20 marks the fourth anniversary of the death of Nuon Sokkheng, a 31-year-old Cambodian worker who froze to death in a plastic greenhouse shelter without heating amid a cold snap with temperatures dropping to minus 18 degrees Celsius. Sokkhengs death brought nationwide attention to the dire housing conditions faced by migrant workers, with the slogan "A plastic greenhouse is not a home" gaining prominence. However, statistics show little improvement. According to Statistics Korea, one in five migrant workers under the Employment Permit System still lives in inadequate housing, including greenhouses, containers and shacks. A 2020 government survey revealed that 69.6 percent of nonmanufacturing migrant workers lived in such substandard housing. In response to Sokkhengs death, the labor ministry implemented stricter housing standards in 2021, declaring that employment permits would not be granted if makeshift structures were provided as housing. Yet, activists argue that enforcement has been lax. "After Sokkhengs death, the labor ministry acted quickly to tighten housing standards, but enforcement has been weak, allowing employers to keep migrants in illegal structures," said Kim Dal-seong, head of the Pocheon Migrant Workers Center. "Theres also a new trend of employers bypassing regulations by omitting housing details on permit applications and later housing workers in unauthorized facilities," Kim added. Kim Yi-chan, head of the Global Station Center, criticized the ministry for enabling exploitation. "The labor ministry not only lacks oversight of housing conditions but has even formalized deductions for room and board from wages, making it more of an accomplice than a bystander." This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times. The number of foreign nationals working in Korea has reached a record high, surpassing the 1 million mark for the first time, with a majority of them employed at small and medium-sized enterprises, data showed Tuesday. As of May, 1.01 million, or 64.7 percent, of 1.56 million foreigners aged 15 and older residing in the country had jobs, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea. The figure reflects an increase of 87,000 individuals, or 0.2 percentage point, from a year earlier. Of the foreign laborers, 73.2 percent worked at companies with fewer than 50 employees each, followed by 24.1 percent working at companies with their respective workforce coming to between 50 and 299. A mere 2.7 percent had a job at large companies, those with more than 300 employees, the data showed. The employment distribution for foreign workers has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. In 2012, 79.1 percent of foreign employees worked at small companies, while 3.4 percent were employed at large corporations, according to Statistics Korea. The agency began compiling relevant data in 2012. By nationality, 33.8 percent, or the largest share, were ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality, followed by Vietnamese at 12.2 percent and Chinese 4.2 percent. Around 51.2 percent of all foreigners here earned a monthly income of between 2 million and 3 million won ($1,393-$2,089), followed by 37.1 percent making more than 3 million won, the data showed. (Yonhap) By Lee Hae-rin While young Korean women have received local and global attention over the last two weeks for their overwhelming presence at the recent protests to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and their contributions to turning political demonstrations more festive and colorful, data showed that men of the same age group have been least active amid the political turmoil. About a third of participants in the massive rally calling for Yoon's impeachment in front of the National Assembly on Dec. 7 were women in their 20s and 30s, according to the analysis of the city's latest living population data. On the other hand, men in the same age group accounted for only about 8 percent of the estimated 1 million crowd, accounting for the lowest participation rate among all age groups. The Seoul Metropolitan Government, in collaboration with mobile operator KT, reveals the number of people in each region hourly every day. The figure for the protest on Dec. 14 was estimated to reach some 2 million people. Then it was men in their 50s who made up the next-largest portion. During the rally, several middle-aged participants were seen asking each other, "Where are the young men?" surprised by the overwhelming presence of young women. This phenomenon is quite different from the candlelit protests during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2016 and 2017. At the time, male participants accounted for 64 percent while female participants took 36 percent. Also, women in their 20s and 30s made up only 9.6 percent, relatively below the 12.5 percent male participants in the same age group. The age group that dominated the rallies in the Gwanghwamun area had been men in their 40s, who are now mostly in their 50s, accounting for 16.9 percent. This time, young women in their 20s and 30s came out waving light sticks for K-pop artists instead of candles and led a new protest culture with bright colors and dynamic K-pop songs. Experts believe that the striking participation of young women is the result of the Yoon administration's anti-feminist politics and the nation's online feminism movement. Yoon had advocated abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family as a presidential candidate and repeatedly claimed there was "no structural gender discrimination" in this country. Then he drastically cut the budget for violence against women and deleted "women" and "gender equality" from policy terms, stirring anti-feminist sentiment across the nation. Several women participants confirmed such motivations at the scene. Shin, 27, said in Yeouido, Saturday, I have been outraged by the anti-feminist politics of the Yoon administration for years. From dating murder to deep-fake sex crimes, I constantly felt that women cannot stay safe in Korea. Then I felt I couldnt stand it anymore when he declared martial law." Kim, 22, also said, "It seems that the anger that has been accumulated due to feminism-related issues such as deepfake sex crimes and Dongduk Women's University issues is bursting out at the impeachment rallies." Then, why have young men been relatively passive in these protests? Experts believe it is a complex issue that combines their lack of experience in building solidarity and adherence to conservatism. Women have learned over the past decade to fight against gender violence that women are collectively subjected to, such as deepfake sex crimes and the #MeToo movement, said Kim Hyun-mee, a professor of cultural anthropology at Yonsei University. Of course, many young men also believe that Yoons declaration of martial law is ridiculous But not only are they unfamiliar with revealing themselves and speaking up in social or public places, they also lack any network of males to share it with. Lee Hyun-jae, a professor of urban humanities at the University of Seoul, mirrored Kim's view, explaining that Korean women in their 20s and 30s have developed and grown familiar with an organizational culture through recent social issues, and their women-centered online communities have become the basis for gathering large groups at rallies in a short time. On the other hand, online communities where young men are mainly active tend to be more conservative and less sensitive to social issues concerning the socially vulnerable, she said. Experts also highlighted how young men are turning conservative while women's education standards are rising. With the emergence of meritocracy, the status and privileges that men had monopolized were no longer useful to men, the University of Seoul professor said, citing how women now score higher in basic education and in careers. While they feel that traditional masculinity could no longer be a privilege, they find it more advantageous to incorporate into the existing patriarchal system of order, she said, explaining how young Korean men are turning conservative. Lee Byung-hoon, an honorary professor of sociology at Chung-Ang University, echoed the professor's view on young men's conservatism. Although Koreans in general, regardless of sex and age, disagree with Yoons martial law, young men are relatively more conservative and tend to be more lukewarm toward such rallies and social movements, he said. Meanwhile, young men who decided to join the scene said the experience has been life-changing. Kim, a 17-year-old student from Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, joined last Saturdays protest with his friend. "This was my first rally, but it won't be the last," he said. Jang, 27, said he found the speeches he heard during the rally enlightening. "Women, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ communities took the podium today (Saturday) and told stories I have been unaware of and I learned a lot. The participation rate of young men was low this time, but I hope that fellow citizens of my age will also come to the square and contribute to building a discourse where people share opinions and learn to leave no one behind in our society, he said. As time goes by, I believe young men will naturally learn to participate in politics, too, said Lee Joo-hee, a sociology professor at Ewha Womans University. "Lets not judge them too harshly by dividing them." Prosecutors have again requested impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning on charges of alleged insurrection and abuse of power over his failed martial law bid, according to officials Tuesday. The prosecution said if Yoon fails to appear for questioning by Saturday, they will consider seeking an arrest warrant. As Yoon did not comply with the first summons issued, it remains uncertain whether he will respond to the second summons. The prosecution considers Yoon to be the key figure responsible for the martial law imposition on Dec. 3, believing his actions exceeded the presidential duties allowed by the Constitution and other laws. If he responds to the summons, it will mark the first time in history that a sitting president appears before the prosecution as a suspect. Separately, a joint investigation team of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the defense ministry's investigation unit has also requested Yoon to appear for questioning by Wednesday. (Yonhap) The Constitutional Court said Tuesday it has sent President Yoon Suk Yeol documents related to his impeachment trial, but his office has refused to confirm their receipt. The National Assembly's impeachment resolution and other documents were sent to the presidential office Monday via a delivery person, express mail and an electronic system but no confirmation of their receipt was given, Lee Jin, a court spokesperson, said at a press briefing. Earlier Monday, Kim Hyung-du, one of the six justices currently on the bench, told reporters that the documents were sent to Yoon on Monday morning and that they required a written response within seven days. The delayed delivery of the documents will likely push back the next steps in the trial, as Yoon's response will be used together with the parliamentary resolution as the starting point of deliberations on whether to uphold or reject Yoon's impeachment over his failed martial law imposition on Dec. 3. Currently, a preparatory hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 27. The court does not plan to broadcast the hearings live. (Yonhap) Police filed for a court warrant Tuesday to arrest a former chief of the Defense Intelligence Command as part of their widening investigation into the martial law imposition. Maj. Gen. Noh Sang-won is suspected of drafting the martial law decree that was released after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared the martial law order on Dec. 3 over what he called "anti-state" activities by his political opponents. Noh was taken into police custody Monday, along with Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, the current intelligence commander, under an emergency arrest. Noh is known as a close aide to former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who has been arrested for allegedly playing a key role in the short-lived martial law imposition. Police suspect that Noh discussed follow-up actions with Kim after the martial law was lifted by a parliamentary vote. (Yonhap) The detention period of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been extended until Dec. 28, the prosecution said Tuesday, as he has refused to cooperate in the investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. Kim was put under emergency arrest on Dec. 8 as a key suspect in the martial law-related probe and his legal detention period was set to end 10 days later on Tuesday. The prosecution applied for the extension of his detention period earlier this week and the court approved the request earlier Tuesday. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a prosecutor can extend a suspect's detention period once, not exceeding 10 days, with the permission of the court. The prosecution appears to have extended Kim's detention, as he has refused to testify and the investigation of key figures involved in his case is still ongoing. (Yonhap) A summons asking President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning over alleged insurrection was delivered to the presidential residence Tuesday but sent back, a joint investigation team said. The team, which is made up of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the defense ministry's investigation unit, said the summons was delivered by the postal service but returned shortly thereafter. Yoon has been asked to appear at the CIO's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, at 10 a.m. Wednesday for questioning on allegations he incited an insurrection and abused his power through his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. The team sent the order by registered mail on Tuesday, the same day its investigators tried to deliver the summons to the presidential office and the presidential residence but failed after the presidential security service refused to cooperate. "Once a summons arrives, we regard it as the person in question being aware regardless of whether they received it or not," a police official said. (Yonhap) Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who served as the chief commander during President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, was arrested Tuesday, prosecutors said. Park was arrested with a court-issued warrant on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abuse of power. Park became the fifth key figure who was arrested over Yoon's Dec. 3 failed bid to impose martial law. So far, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, head 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, have been arrested. (Yonhap) A legal defense team for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol said Tuesday that Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law did not amount to the charges of insurrection and the president will state his position in court if a public hearing is held in his impeachment trial. Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer on the team, told reporters Yoon denies the charges of insurrection leveled against him for declaring martial law on Dec. 3. A trial is about to begin at the Constitutional Court to decide whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him from office after the National Assembly voted Saturday to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Yoon is currently suspended from his duties. "President Yoon will state his position in court confidently and according to his own convictions," Seok said. "The president is not giving a single thought to the insurrection charges as a legal concept, but realistically, since investigation agencies are acting this way, there will be a response to the investigation," he added. Yoon faces parallel investigations by the prosecution and a team consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the defense ministry's investigation unit. Seok said the legal defense team plans to divide its work into three areas handling investigations, the impeachment trial and other trials. "The criteria for an insurrection are not met," he said, arguing Yoon's imposition of martial law was not aimed at taking over the government nor were there elements of a riot. Seok said two separate legal defense teams will be formed to each handle the investigations and the impeachment trial. Yoon has been summoned to appear for questioning by the CIO on Wednesday and by the prosecution by Saturday. Seok said Yoon does not plan to appear before the CIO on Wednesday, but declined to say regarding his appearance before the prosecution. (Yonhap) Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun hosted a meeting with government and business officials Tuesday, pledging the "unwavering" implementation of trade and industrial policies in the wake of the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol last week. Ahn's pledge comes after the National Assembly voted 204-85 to pass the impeachment motion Saturday, suspending Yoon from his duties until the Constitutional Court offers its final verdict. "As the last bastion for businesses, the ministry will maintain its industrial and trade policies in an unwavering manner, addressing uncertainties by working with the private sector as a single team," Ahn told the meeting. The industry minister noted the government will also seek to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with Washington ahead of the launch of a new U.S. administration next month. During the meeting, businesses highlighted the importance of establishing a real-time communication channel between the government and the private sector to exchange information and coordinate responses. The ministry added Korea will closely monitor fluctuations in the foreign exchange market to ensure a stable supply of energy sources while enhancing financial support for exporters. The government will also work to lift regulations to attract more foreign investment amid such uncertainties, it added. (Yonhap) The government will hold an extraordinary Cabinet meeting later this week to decide whether to recommend acting President Han Duck-soo to veto contentious bills, a policy coordination minister said Tuesday. Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Ki-seon told reporters that the meeting is expected to take place as early as Thursday to review the six bills passed by the main opposition Democratic Party last month. They include four agricultural bills, the National Assembly Act and the National Assembly Testimony Appraisal Act. "The review will focus on whether they comply with the Constitution and laws, and how it will affect the future of the country," Bang said. If Han does not demand the National Assembly to reconsider the bills by Saturday, they will be enacted into laws. One of the key bills under review is the Grain Management Act, which would require the government to purchase surplus rice to stabilize prices during market fluctuations. A similar bill was vetoed by President Yoon Suk Yeol in March 2023 and was scrapped in a revote. The National Assembly Act seeks to prevent the automatic submission of the following year's government budget to the plenary session after the legal deadline, while the testimony appraisal act would make it mandatory for companies to submit data requested by lawmakers. The ruling People Power Party has opposed the bills, expressing concerns about the financial burden of the mandatory rice purchase and potential risks of trade data leaks during parliamentary testimonies. The acting president also faces a critical decision on whether to veto two opposition-led bills mandating special probes into Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3 and allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee. The Ministry of Government Legislation said it has received the bills, which were passed by the parliament last week. The deadline for Han to exercise his veto power is set for Jan. 1. (Yonhap) The ruling and main opposition parties remained at odds Tuesday over whether to fill in three vacancies of the nine-member Constitutional Court that will handle President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. Currently, there are six constitutional judges at the nine-member Constitutional Court, and, by the Constitution, consent from at least six justices is required for the impeachment to be upheld. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has called for the three vacancies to be filled, but the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has claimed that Acting President Han Duck-soo has no presidential power to appoint constitutional judges. At a party meeting earlier in the day, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, acting chair and floor leader of the PPP, argued that the acting president has the right to appoint a justice if the president is removed but not in the case of Yoon, whose "duties are suspended." "It is impossible for the acting president to appoint a justice of the Constitutional Court until the impeachment motion is upheld," he said. PPP Rep. Joo Jin-woo also took issue with the DPK's choice of justice nominees, claiming they have previously made "biased rulings" in favor of the opposition. Meanwhile, DPK leader Park Chan-dae called Kwon's argument "an outrageous claim." "According to the Constitution, the president appoints three judges nominated by the National Assembly," he said, stressing that the president's appointment is a procedural obligation after the Assembly recommends them. The DPK aims to finalize the appointment process for the three justices by the end of this month. The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to deliver the ruling on whether to uphold the impeachment and remove Yoon from office or reinstate him. If upheld, Yoon will become the second president to be ousted by impeachment after former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. (Yonhap) Competition among investigative bodies feared to slow down probe By Lee Hyo-jin President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team will respond to the ongoing criminal investigation into his declaration of martial law, asserting that his actions do not constitute treason, according to Yoon's lawyer, Tuesday. "From a legal standpoint, there is no consideration of treason charges. But we will respond to the investigation," Seok Dong-hyeon, a lawyer on the team, told reporters. "The elements necessary for the crime of treason are not met." Seok claimed that Yoons martial law order was not aimed at initiating a rebellion or seizing power, adding that the defense team would focus on scrutinizing the refusal of opposition parties to cooperate with the government, which he said could be viewed as constitutional violations. The lawyer also said that separate defense teams will be formed for Yoon's criminal investigation and the impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. However, the lawyer declined to clarify whether Yoon will appear for questioning in response to a summons from prosecutors scheduled for Saturday. "We will make a statement within a few days after we review the matter," he said. Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly last Saturday for his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, has not been cooperating with the ongoing investigation into treason charges related to his brief military emergency rule. He has remained resolute that his martial law declaration which only lasted for six hours due to parliamentary pushback was a lawful and necessary action in his capacity as president. Suspended from his duties, the embattled president is now facing a lengthy legal battle. The Constitutional Court is set to begin impeachment trials later this month, while law enforcement authorities are speeding up investigations into Yoon on charges of treason and abuse of power. The president, who vowed to "fight until the end," has begun to form his legal team consisting of high-profile retired prosecutors. The team will be led by Kim Hong-il, former chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, and a former chief prosecutor of the Busan High Prosecutors' Office, a close confidant of Yoon. Yun Gap-geun, former chief prosecutor of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, is also expected to join the team. While public calls are mounting for a swift investigation, critics think that growing power struggles among investigative bodies could undermine the probe's efficiency. The investigation is currently being led by two bodies the prosecutors, and a joint investigative team consisting of the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the Ministry of National Defense. The joint investigation team said Tuesday that a summons requesting Yoon to appear for questioning at the CIO's office by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, was returned a day after it was sent to Yoon's residence. According to the postal system, the summons delivered to the presidential residence shows the recipient refused to accept it, a CIO official said. Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has also requested that Yoon appear for questioning by Saturday, after he missed the initial summons deadline on Monday. Under these circumstances, Yoon can choose which summons to respond to if he appears at all. If he complies, it would mark the first time in Korean history that a sitting president has been questioned. While some speculate that the prosecutor-turned-president may choose to cooperate with the prosecution, questions remain about whether prosecutors have the legal authority to investigate treason under current laws. Following a 2021 overhaul of investigative powers between the police and prosecution, prosecutors lack formal authority to investigate treason charges. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, alleged to be the mastermind behind the martial law plan, has refused to cooperate with the prosecutors' questioning, claiming that they lack investigative authority. Kim was taken into custody on Dec. 8. The joint investigative team faces its own challenges as well, as the CIO and police do not have the right to indict suspects. This means that even if the joint investigation team manages to gather critical evidence, the prosecutors must be involved in bringing formal charges against Yoon. Can Han Duck-soo appoint Constitutional Court justices, veto bills? By Anna J. Park Rival parties have been clashing over the extent of power and authority that acting President Han Duck-soo should wield in key state affairs after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from duties last Saturday, according to party officials and political watchers, Tuesday. One of the most urgent issues at the moment is the appointment of Constitutional Court justices. Since October, three of the nine seats on the Constitutional Court have remained vacant, raising concerns about the courts ability to conduct a thorough and impartial review of the president's impeachment trial. Filling these vacancies has become a pressing priority. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has pledged to expedite the appointment process for justices, including holding confirmation hearings later this month. The party announced its plans to conduct confirmation hearings on Dec. 23 and 24, followed by a plenary session of the National Assembly scheduled for Dec. 30 to vote on the appointment approvals. However, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), argued Tuesday that it is impossible for the acting president to appoint the three justices before the Constitutional Court rules on Yoon's impeachment case. "An acting president may appoint Constitutional Court justices in the event of a presidential vacancy, but not during a suspension of presidential duties," Kweon stated. "Since this is a case of suspended presidential duties, not a vacancy, acting President Han cannot appoint justices until the impeachment trial of President Yoon is concluded." Kweon also accused the DPK of reversing its stance on the matter. "During the impeachment proceedings against former President Park Geun-hye, the DPK questioned then-acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn's authority to appoint Constitutional Court justices, calling it a threat to democracy. At the time, then-DPK leader Choo Mi-ae argued that most constitutional scholars believed an acting president could not appoint justices," he said. The exercise of presidential vetoes on six controversial bills is another major point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties. Among these is the revision to the Grain Management Act. The PPP and the government have been arguing that the act could deepen structural weaknesses in Korea's agricultural market and exacerbate the oversupply of rice, while the DPK pushed for its passage. Given Hans strong opposition to the act in the past, a veto appears likely under his interim leadership. Other high-profile bills include two special counsel probe bills, one for alleged treasonous acts related to the short-lived martial law declaration and the other related to the alleged wrongdoings by first lady Kim Keon Hee. With all these bills carrying significant political, legal and economic ramifications, Han has been under growing pressure from the DPK not to veto them. The opposition party has been threatening to impeach him if he does. In contrast, the ruling party has been asking the acting president who is also the prime minister to veto all contentious bills. The government is expected to convene an extraordinary Cabinet meeting later this week to make a final decision on how to handle the six bills. "As the prime minister has mentioned several times, the evaluation and judgment of these bills (whether to reject them or not) will be based on whether they align with the Constitution and the law, as well as the potential impact on the future of the nation," a senior official from the Office for Government Policy Coordination said Tuesday. "When we talk about the future of the nation, one critical consideration will be the extent to which these bills could significantly affect national finances. Another will be whether they introduce distortions into our economic system. These factors will serve as key criteria, and we will make judgments within the broader framework of ensuring the nation's future." Major business lobbies on Tuesday expressed concerns over a recent revision to the National Assembly Testimony Act, citing fears of the potential leaking of confidential trade secrets during mandatory public sessions involving private sector activities. In a joint statement, the country's six major business lobbies, including the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Federation of Korean Industries, expressed a "deep concern" over the passage of the change without sufficient discussions at the National Assembly. The revision, proposed by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and passed last month, mandates that corporations cannot refuse to submit documents or testify under the pretext of protecting personal information or trade secrets. It also requires remote testimony via video conferencing in cases of overseas travel or the illness of executives chosen to appear at parliamentary sessions. "This law could severely impact corporate operations and national competitiveness," the groups said, while pointing out risks of confidential and critical technology information being leaked, which they insist may undermine their competitive edge in global markets. (Yonhap) Prosecutors on Tuesday arrested a shaman allegedly involved in President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2022 presidential campaign, on suspicions of receiving illegal political funds, officials said. Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin, is accused of violating the Political Funds Act by receiving illegal political funds from multiple candidates who ran for office in the 2018 local elections. Jeon is believed to have been involved in Yoon's presidential campaign before his election in March 2022, and has been accused of flaunting his personal ties to Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee. He also reportedly served as an adviser at first lady Kim's former company, Covana Contents. (Yonhap) A drillship participating in a major gas and oil development project in the East Sea arrived at its first drilling site Tuesday, as it prepares to begin exploration operations amid growing uncertainties in the project due to domestic political situations, according to industry sources. The West Capella, operated by Norway-based Seadrill, arrived at the location around 9 a.m., about 50 kilometers east of the southeastern port city of Pohang, with operations set to begin later this week, according to the sources. The ship arrived at an offshore anchorage near the southeastern port city of Busan earlier this month to load supplies before heading for the drilling site under the program that is believed to potentially uncover between 3.5 billion and 14 billion barrels of gas and oil. The process of gathering samples from the drilling operation is expected to take around two months, with the results of the analysis scheduled to be delivered in the first half of 2025. The government and the state-run Korea National Oil earlier said drilling operations have a success rate of around 20 percent, indicating at least five spots may need to be explored over the course of a few years. The 228-meter-long West Capella was built by Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries in 2008 and boasts a maximum drilling depth of 37,500 feet, or 11.43 km. The exploration project, however, currently faces hurdles as the main opposition-led budget bill passed at the National Assembly cut the entire 49.7 billion-won ($34.5 million) budget allocated for the drilling operation in 2025. Lingering political uncertainties in Korea, including the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol last week following his short-lived martial law declaration, have also created further challenges for the project. (Yonhap) Korea's antitrust regulator said Tuesday it has fined Kakao Mobility, the operator of the country's top taxi-hailing service, 15.1 billion won ($10.5 million) for unfair business practices. Kakao Mobility is accused of manipulating its algorithm to direct more ride requests received through its mobile taxi application to cabs under its franchise, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said. While the app is open to both franchise and non-franchise taxis, it allegedly allowed franchise taxis to receive ride requests even when non-franchise taxis were closer to customers. The imposed fine is significantly lower than an earlier decision of 72.4 billion won, the FTC said, explaining that the previous decision was based on an overestimation of the firm's operating profits. (Yonhap) Hyundai Motor, Kia and two other carmakers will voluntarily recall over 300,000 vehicles due to faulty components, the transport ministry said Tuesday. The four companies, including GM Korea and Honda Korea, are recalling a combined 307,517 units of 22 different models, the ministry said in a release. Some 137,000 units of the Kia K7 sedan have been recalled due to a durability issue with the hydraulic electronic control unit, which poses a potential fire risk. Also, some 36,000 Hyundai Motor units of four models, including the Nexo, are subject to recalls due to defective components related to the release of hydrogen during fire incidents. Other issues include those involving the fuel pump control module in 31,057 units of 13 GM Korea vehicle models, including the Trax Crossover SUV, and defective fuel tank pipes in 245 units of Honda Korea's Pilot SUV model. (Yonhap) AMCHAM voices concerns about potential leak of trade secrets By Park Jae-hyuk The opposition blocs proposal of bills unfavorable to companies have been unnerving foreign businesses here as well as domestic firms, amid the unexpected leadership vacuum in the government. The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) confirmed Tuesday that Chairman James Kim voiced concerns a day before about a proposed revision to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly during his meeting with Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK). Their meeting took place three days after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from his duties on Saturday over his short-lived martial law declared on Dec. 3. Before the declaration, Yoon was expected to reject the proposed revision. The chairman expressed concerns about the possible leak of trade secrets during the closed-door meeting, said the spokesperson of the business lobby group representing U.S. companies doing business in Korea. 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. Although the DPK said that it would review the bill after Lees meeting with Kim, it remains uncertain whether the opposition party will accept the governments refusal of the proposed revision, if Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the acting president, rejects the new laws implementation. Han has delayed making a decision on whether or not to exercise his veto rights on controversial bills proposed by the DPK. AMCHAM added that its chairman told the DPK leader to pursue labor market flexibility meeting the global standards, so that Korea can attract the Asia-Pacific headquarters of foreign companies. Upon requests from labor unions, however, the opposition party is considering proposing a labor-friendly revision to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act again next year to enable subcontracted workers to negotiate directly with the clients of their employers, while also prohibiting management from seeking compensation for damage incurred during illegal strikes. Before Yoon vetoed the proposal in August, AMCHAM supported the negative stance taken by Koreas six largest business associations regarding the pro-labor bill, emphasizing that it would introduce uncertainty that could deter investments and undermine Koreas global standing as a competitive business hub. Korea urged to stop denouncing back-scratching alliance between govt, business By Lee Min-hyung The alliance of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sheds light on an evolving landscape of modern politics. Under the incoming Trump presidency, Musk will lead the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency in a surprising nomination aimed at what Trump said would entail dismantling government bureaucracy and slashing excess regulations. This may provoke backlash from some parties, but few would deny that Musk is one of the most experienced entrepreneurs, with a keen understanding of which regulations are necessary in the worlds largest economy. However, forming a partnership of this kind is virtually impossible in Korea due to widespread pessimism regarding any cooperation between politicians and businesspeople. Even if such a partnership comes with a number of upsides, Korean politics will never tolerate it, citing corruption woes. Business circles are not yet ready to embrace the culture largely because of the top-down relationship between ranking politicians and businesspeople, mostly with those who have inherited their businesses from their families. Businesspeople here may have their own opinions on the government but continue to walk on eggshells on political issues, as they fear retaliation during leadership changes. Every government pledges to abolish unnecessary regulations, but most of them end up with futile efforts due to unnecessary political power struggle between ruling and opposition blocs, an official from a conglomerate said. It leaves much to be desired that Korean politics pursue outdated models, most of which are far from such a surprising alliance between Trump and Musk. Another official from a major tech firm also echoed the sentiment, saying that the Korean government should be more willing to listen to complaints from the business circle. Korea has to rely on exports for its economy, and the status quo will not undergo any drastic changes in the near future, which means the government should support more for corporate growth either by deregulation or tax benefits, the official said. It is too outdated to continue criticizing such an alliance at a critical time when the local economy depends excessively on trade. If companies lose growth momentum due to regulations, this will bring about sequential shocks to every corner of the economy. Many businesspeople ask that the government and rival political parties join forces to tackle the current leadership crisis posed by President Yoon Suk Yeols botched martial law. Citing the seriousness of the incident, the National Assembly impeached Yoon last week. If the leadership vacuum persists for a longer period of time and the political circle remains trapped in a pointless tug-of-war, the Korean economy will be exposed to higher risks during the Trump era. Kim Soo-hyuns agency says he dated Kim Sae-ron for 1 year after she became adult EV production costs likely to soar under incoming US govt By Park Jae-hyuk The stock prices of Korean producers of cathode materials and copper foil plummeted Tuesday, following reports of U.S. President-elect Donald Trumps transition team seeking to impose tariffs on all battery materials globally and then negotiating individual exemptions with allies. Investors dumped their shares in Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery firms, amid growing fears about the possibility that those companies could bear heavier costs to avoid U.S. tariffs. On Monday, Reuters reported that it obtained the transition teams documents recommending the introduction of tariffs on EV supply chain imports including batteries, critical minerals and charging components. The news agency added that the incoming administration was also advised to use Section 232 tariffs, which target national security threats, to limit imports of such products. Although the plans are interpreted as measures to curb the growth of Chinas EV and battery sectors, Korean companies are already being affected by Trumps protectionist trade policies. For example, POSCO Future Ms stock price plunged 8.24 percent during Tuesdays trading session, as investors expect the next U.S. president to urge the Korean firm to produce its battery materials on U.S. soil and reduce the use of low-priced minerals from China. Stock prices of EcoPro BM, L&F and LG Chem, all of which produce cathode materials, also fell 7.8 percent, 4.2 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively. Lotte Energy Materials, a copper foil maker, experienced a 5.47 percent drop in its stock price. The stock prices of Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution, two of Koreas listed EV battery manufacturers, went down by 6.08 percent and 3.89 percent, respectively. Tariffs on battery materials will likely be different, depending on the proportion of Chinese minerals they contain, Austin Chang, director of the Korea International Trade Associations (KITA) analysis and forecasting department, said. Considering that Chinas neglect of environmental pollution has enabled the supply of excessively low-priced minerals, battery materials firms will face higher production costs. Chang also said that the hike in production costs will lead to a rise in the prices of batteries and EVs, eventually further slowing down the demand for eco-friendly vehicles. Korean battery firms will likely face intensifying competition with their Chinese rivals outside of the U.S., he added. Battery materials industry officials said that they have been paying close attention to the transition teams next step, as it remains uncertain as to how the Trump administration will negotiate with allies about the tariff issue. If Korea will be among allies exempt from tariffs, this could be an opportunity factor for us, a domestic battery materials company insider said on condition of anonymity. According to the KITA, the volume of Koreas cathode materials exports to the United States reached 172,500 tons between January and November this year, up 14.1 percent from the previous year. A teenage student opened fire with a handgun Monday at a private Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager during the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said. The shooter also wounded six others at Abundant Life Christian School, including two students who were in critical condition, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. A teacher and three students had been taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them had been released by Monday evening. Im feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, 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. The shooter 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 said the shooter was dead by apparent suicide when officers arrived. Barnes declined to give details about the shooter, partly out of respect for the family. With a few rare exceptions, a 17-year-old can't legally possess a gun in Wisconsin. Barnes said investigators may have enough information to release more detail about the shooter in another press conference later Monday. 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. Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school kindergarten through high school with approximately 400 students in Madison, the state capital. Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations, said the school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras. She said the school had done a safety retraining with the Madison Police Department just before the school year, so it was very fresh for faculty. When the school practices safety routines, leaders always announce that it is a drill. That didnt happen Monday. When they heard lockdown, lockdown, they knew it was real, she said of the students, who she said handled themselves magnificently. Children and families were reunited at a medical building about a mile away. Parents pressed children against their chests while others squeezed hands and shoulders as they walked side by side. One girl was comforted with an adult-size coat around her shoulders as she moved to a parking lot teeming with police vehicles. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, but Barnes said theyre talking with the parents of the suspected shooter and they are cooperating. He also said he didn't know if the people shot had been targeted. I dont know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening, he told reporters. Someone from the school called 911 to report an active shooter shortly before 11 a.m. First responders who were in training just 3 miles (5 kilometers) away dashed to the school for an actual emergency, Barnes said. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. Police blocked off roads around the school, and federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement. No shots were fired by police. Abundant Life asked for prayers in a brief Facebook post. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, rushed to the school and learned over FaceTime that her daughter was OK. As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters, 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, 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. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said it's unthinkable that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home. Wiers said their goal is to get the schools staff together early in the week and then try to have some community opportunities for our students to reconnect. The school shooting was the latest among dozens 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. 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. (AP) Syria's Bashar al-Assad issued his first statement since being toppled from power, saying he was evacuated to Russia from the Hmeimim base on Dec. 8 as it came under drone attack, after leaving Damascus that morning with rebel fighters closing in. His written statement was published on the Syrian presidency's Telegram channel and dated Dec. 16 from Moscow, where he has been granted asylum. He 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. "At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual party," Assad said in the statement detailing the circumstances leading to his departure from Syria. He said he had remained in the capital Damascus, carrying out his duties until the early hours of Sunday, Dec. 8. "As terrorist forces infiltrated Damascus, I moved to Latakia in coordination with our Russian allies to oversee combat operations", he said. But upon arriving at the Russian air base of Hmeimim that morning "it became clear that our forces had completely withdrawn from all battle lines and that the last army positions had fallen". The Russian military base came "under intensified attack by drone strikes" and "with no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia", the statement said. The Kremlin said on Dec. 9 that President Vladimir Putin had made the decision to grant Assad asylum in Russia, which deployed its air force to Syria in 2015 to help him repel rebel forces. Reuters reported last week that Assad confided in almost no one about his plans to flee Syria. Instead, aides, officials and even relatives were deceived or kept in the dark, more than a dozen people with knowledge of the events told Reuters. (Reuters) President-elect Donald Trump promises to undertake the largest deportation program in U.S. history, prompting fear among immigrants, although immigration attorneys say it will be a tall task. Trump has pledged to outdo President Dwight D. Eisenhower's deportation campaign, which saw more than 1.3 million people deported, and his "border czar" Tom Homan has signaled his enthusiasm to oversee it. Homan directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement while it held a "zero tolerance" immigration policy that separated migrant children from their parents at the southern border. He plans to execute workplace raids, detaining immigrants en masse. There are an estimated 11 million migrants in the United States that are not authorized to remain. Many have been in the country for a decade or longer. Trump said of deporting every migrant who entered the United States without authorization, "I think you have to do it." Esteban Rivera, immigration attorney and owner of the Rivera Law Firm in Minneapolis, told UPI that Trump's incoming administration has caused a lot of fear in the immigrant community. His clients have expressed concerns about swiftly being removed from the country, having family members and friends deported and the impact it can all have on children and their financial situations. "Some of the fear is legitimate fear. Some of the fear is overblown," Rivera said. "People who are U.S. citizens, I don't think the government is going to revoke their certificates of naturalization. Or people who are adopted by U.S. citizens, I don't think those people need to be worried about their situation." The legitimate fear, Rivera said, is for people who are in the United States without authorization and have committed deportable offenses like domestic violence or firearm- and drug-related offenses. Those with work visas who have criminal offenses on their record may also see their visas revoked. These concerns also exist under the administration of President Joe Biden. "We've lived through a Trump administration before. The biggest difference from Trump in the first administration and the second is, first, now he has more knowledge of what to do and what not to do, second, when Trump was president the first time, the Supreme Court was more divided equally in terms of liberals and conservatives, " Rivera said. "Now that the Supreme Court has more conservatives, there is fear that he will be allowed to do everything he wants. And at least for the first two years, he will have the House and the Senate." Kelli Stump is an immigration attorney practicing in Oklahoma. She has been practicing for 18 years. She is also the president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Stump told UPI she expects Trump to aggressively approach immigration policy again. "He did everything that he promised he was going to do in 1.0," Stump said. "He's had even more time to prepare and focus." About 3.6 million people are already in removal proceedings undergoing or scheduled to appear for hearings to determine if they will be deported. This is an increase of more than 1 million people over fiscal year 2023. There are fewer than 700 immigration judges serving in 71 courts in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2021, the Biden administration issued priorities for enforcement to emphasize the removal of non-citizens who posed a threat to public safety due to serious criminal conduct. Non-citizens with no criminal record often received relief or had their cases dismissed due to the immense backlog of cases. Stump has received a lot of questions from clients who have had cases dismissed. The prevailing concern is that their cases will be automatically refiled. "What is driving the fear is the promise of mass detention and expedited hearings," Stump said. "What I'm trying to help clients understand is until [Trump] gets into office and we see how he is going to do things, we have to process under the current state of affairs and the laws in place to protect individuals from due process violations." According to ICE, fewer people who have been removed in fiscal year 2024 had criminal convictions than in 2023. Meanwhile more have been removed for other immigration violations. About 1.5 million people have been deported since Biden took office, roughly the same as Trump's first term and President Barack Obama's last term in office. Trump and Biden saw deportations slow when safety protocols were in place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deporting 11 million people, as Trump has proposed, would require an average of 2.75 million deportations per year. This would also require space for people to be detained. "To house immigrants you need facilities. The available population you can arrest, housing in detention facilities is about 2 million people in the U.S.," Rivera said. "I don't think it is possible because you have to house other people there too. Also you don't have enough judges or deportation officers." At the end of 2022, there were about 1.8 million people incarcerated in state, federal or local jails, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. A report from the University of Nebraska Center for Justice Research found that prisons in most states were near or beyond their operational capacity. "I do expect the numbers to grow, yes," Rivera said of deportations. "Probably the high-400,000 to 500,000. The highest number during Obama was a little over 400,000 in a year. I don't expect it to be possible to deport 11 million people." Much has been made of the impact mass deportations would have on the economy and the workforce. Rivera also looks at the personal impacts of deportation. "The biggest problem is they are human beings," Rivera said. "Basically you're tearing families apart. I have many clients who grew up with a father or a mother outside of the country. It is very hard." If someone is worried about being deported, Stump advises that they ask an immigration attorney if they are in removal proceedings. If so, there may be relief options. Whether they are in removal proceedings or not, they can prepare applications and important documents now in the case that they face deportation later. "If you're placed in custody it's a race against the clock," Stump said. "Get your evidence on file so we are ready to use it overnight. If you're married to a U.S. citizen or have citizen parents or children and can show you've been in the U.S. for 10 years. If deportation will cause significant hardship to those relatives: gather birth certificates of spouses, kids, parents. If you have to drop everything and act, you already have everything to file for protection in place." The avenues for protection and relief vary on a case-by-case basis, Rivera explained. If a migrant can demonstrate they were persecuted or have a fear of persecution in their home country due to their race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion, they may be eligible for asylum. U.S. citizens may petition for parents, spouses, children and siblings to be granted asylum derivatives. "There may be different solutions for people in the same family," Rivera said. "What they need to do first is consult with an immigration lawyer to see if I have an avenue to stay in the U.S. I've met with a lot of people who, unbeknownst to them, qualify for something." (UPI) After President Yoon declared his short-lived martial law in South Korea on December 3rd, rallies and candlelight vigils took place in Yeouido for two weeks until the National Assembly passed the motion to impeach the leader on the 14th. At the time, IU, Girls' Generation's Yuri, and NewJeans were some of the few K-pop stars who publicly showed support for the impeachment rally by sending snacks, meals, and other necessities to their respective fandoms who joined the protest. READ ALSO: IU Gifts Free Meals To Anti-President Yoon Protestors, Includes Soups and Rice Cakes "We prepared snacks and hot packs in the hopes that the cold hands of UAENAs (IU's fandom), who attended the rallies holding I-KE (lightsticks) in the cold weather to brighten up the surroundings, will feel a little warm," IU expressed through her agency, EDAM. Yuri, who sent pre-paid kimbap for fans from a store in Dangsan-dong, also encouraged the fandom by sending her words of encouragement. "Keep safe and healthy. Sing 'Into the New World' well," she said. NewJeans also revealed on their newly launched Instagram account @jeanzforfree that they donated 500 servings of food and drinks for Bunnies (fandom) present at the rally. However, this didn't sit well with those who weren't in favor of the president's impeachment and suggested a boycott campaign against the stars. The aforementioned community listed brands advertised by the female stars with the intention of avoiding purchases and consumption of items from the companies. "We saw a related article (about the boycott), but it had no significant impact on sales over the weekend," one brand told the K-media outlet Ilgan Sports. Rather, this movement backfired against those who started the boycott as fans used the list to patronize the brands instead, as payback. "Why does it matter if the stars are worried about and love their fans?" asked a fan. "Let's buy more at this point," added another netter. Meanwhile, the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, which was voted on on the 14th, was passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 votes against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 members of the National Assembly. With this, President Yoon has been suspended from his duties. RELATED ARTICLE: SNSD's Yuri Buys President Yoon Impeachment Protestors Kimbap: "Sing 'Into The New World' Well' NewJeans' Instagram bio became a hot topic after the group was accused of "copying" third-gen girl group Red Velvet. On December 16, netizens gathered in a discussion titled "NewJeans And Red Velvet Color Controversy Summary." Following their feud with their agency ADOR, the group decided to move onwards independently by launching their own Instagram account @jeanzforfree, where the members can freely post photos and content to keep fans updated. In the post, the author uploaded a screenshot showing the account's front page. According to the bio at the time NewJeans launched the account, @jeanzforfree initially had five colored emojis to represent each member. "When NewJeans created this account, there were trolls of other group fandoms (mostly ILLIT fans) saying that their colors overlapped with Red Velvet," OP shared. "At first, when these trolls appeared on Instiz, Red Velvet's fans claimed that those accounts calling them out were just small accounts that were childish and they don't encourage the trolls." Translation: "Their symbolic hearts were also on Insta." The author also added that the colors never overlapped with each other and that the "controversy" ended when NewJeans changed their bio emojis into their representative animals. "When I searched it up, it seems like Seulgi uses both yellow and orange, so they never overlapped to begin with, and Irene uses both red and pink. NewJeans ended this issue by changing their Instagram bio." The OP also cited an excerpt saying, "Irene is pink, Wendy is blue, Seulgi is Orange, Joy is green. Yeri chose to be purple to complete Red Velvet's symbolic colors." Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA It is deep slander to accuse the Irish people of being antisemitic because of criticisms of the Israeli government, the President has said. Michael D Higgins made the comments after Israel said it was closing its embassy in Dublin and as Israels foreign minister accused Ireland of antisemitic rhetoric. At a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain where the Palestinian Ambassador was appointed a formality that is part of Ireland recognising Palestinian statehood Mr Higgins said it was a historic and great day. President Michael D Higgins at the appointment of Irelands first full ambassador from the State of Palestine, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid (Tony Maxwell) He also criticised the Israeli governments accusations against Ireland and said it would not change Irelands stance. I think its very important to express, as president of Ireland, to say that the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander, he said on Tuesday. To suggest because one criticises prime minister Netanyahu that one is antisemitic is such a gross defamation and slander. Originally I put it down to lack of experience but I saw later that it was part of a pattern to damage Ireland. He said Ireland cannot be knocked off our principle support of international law and accused Benjamin Netanyahu of breaching international law and the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon. Israeli foreign affairs minister Gideon Saar said its Dublin embassy was closing due what he said was hostility towards Israel, citing Ireland recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel, and attempting to redefine genocide in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Taoiseach Simon Harris has utterly rejected claims of antisemitism, while Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin said their position has been based on upholding international law. Mr Martin also said they would not close Irelands embassy in Israel. Addressing Palestinian ambassador Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Mr Higgins said: I want to assure you as the Tanaiste has and as the Taoiseach has, we will not be deflected. Mr Higgins said that the killing of 45,000 people in Gaza, 17,000 of whom are children; injuries in Gaza being treated without pain relief; and the Palestinian enclave having the largest number of child amputees in the world is what Ireland bases its position on. All of the details of these tragic breaches of international law are what is informed by the Irish position. Dr Abdalmajid said she was honoured to become the Palestinian ambassador and said Palestine and Ireland had been bound by friendship and cooperation. I take this opportunity to express our peoples and our leaderships deep appreciation for the honourable stance of Ireland and its leadership in supporting the legitimate rights of our people in self determination and in our quest for freedom and independence, she said before thanking him in Irish. Mr Higgins wished the Palestinian people health and happiness in the face of the most terrible of adversities. He and his wife Sabina embraced Dr Abdalmajid, her husband and her three children before they departed from Aras an Uachtarain. 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. By Rebecca Black, PA 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. By Rebecca Black, PA A university expansion plan will deliver a significant step change to economic and social justice in Derry. The Ulster University Magee Taskforce presented their action plan to Stormont Economy Minister Conor Murphy on Monday which aims to expand the campus to 10,000 students. It also includes specific plans for new teaching facilities and confirmation of the range of subjects that will be delivered on site, proposals for widening participation among the people of Derry, integrating the plan with wider city developments and a model of governance to oversee delivery. The taskforce, which was established by Mr Murphy in March, says its plan requires an investment from the Executive, including 291 million for new developments, property purchases and refurbished buildings and public realm. Economy Minister @ConorMurphySF has received the report and action plan from the Ulster University Magee Taskforce Read more:https://t.co/exa8IZGNQa#DeliveringForDerry#UUMagee10000 pic.twitter.com/ZBmPHRmQjv Economy NI (@Economy_NI) December 16, 2024 KPMG have been engaged to provide an economic impact report, and it estimates that these investments will see an economic return as early as 2029, with a 258 million annual return on the investment for each year beyond that. According to KPMG, the plan will lead to an estimated total of more than 4,600 jobs across Northern Ireland, with more than half of all jobs concentrated in the local north-west economy. The taskforce also says the Western Health and Social Care Trust confirms the plan will ensure workforce stability for the health and social care system and improve health outcomes and life expectancy. Stephen Kelly, chairman of the Magee Taskforce, said an expanded campus will change the face and fortunes of Derry. Reaching this major milestone is testament to the range of people in this group who have each brought their own expertise and experience to bear on this project, he said. We are beginning to reverse decades of neglect and underinvestment. An expanded campus at Ulster Universitys Magee campus changes the face and the fortunes of Derry, benefits the entire North West and Northern Ireland. Convincing people of the "why" is difficult. Crossing the rubicon from "why" to "how" requires relentless effort. We have delivered our Action Plan to Conor Murphy MLA to finally delivery the commitment to grow Ulster University Magee campus to 10,000 students. /1 pic.twitter.com/RMJH6HL7tH Stephen Kelly (@Big_Kells) December 16, 2024 The expansion of Magee is universally agreed as the most important catalyst for the regeneration of the North West, but does require considerable input from key decision-makers and the prioritising of this project, as is the commitment in the Programme for Government, means it must be resourced and supported at all levels of government. These required investments are significant, but in public sector spending terms not undeliverable sums. These commitments must be made urgently if this timescale is to be met. In all our engagement to date, the Taskforce has been assured that such necessary investment will be forthcoming, and in the timescales indicated by our plan. A sense of urgency must now accompany the delivery of this plan. Mr Murphy welcomed the report as a game changer for economic growth and social transformation across the North West. It will serve as a blueprint for continued collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, and the community and voluntary sector, to deliver the 10,000-student target at Ulster Universitys Magee campus by 2032, he said. It is a key commitment in the draft Programme for Government. With the support of the Executive and the action plan in place, now is the time to deliver real change. He added: We now have a plan to get us to 10,000 students. After that target is reached the sky is the limit for Derry. VMPL New Delhi [India], December 17: Assurance Intl Limited, a prominent player in automotive products and having collaborations with various global American brands like "Goodyear" a brand of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, "Duracell" a brand of Duracell Inc., "ACDelco" a brand of General Motors LLC and "STP" a brand of Energizer Holdings Inc., proudly announces the appointment of Sandeep Mahajan, a highly regarded corporate leader, as its new Executive Chairman. His esteemed leadership marks the beginning of a transformative phase of innovation, growth, and excellence for the company. Also Read | Mars Retrograde 2024-25 Dates and Meaning: What Happens When Mars Is in Retrograde? Know What This Cosmic Event Means for You and How It Will Impact Your Life. Sandeep Mahajan, former Chairman & Managing Director of Goodyear India Limited, brings over 35 years of expertise in managing business profitability and optimizing financial results, along with sales and marketing for global consumer brands. He has played a key role in launching new brands and product categories across Indian and international markets, including North America, UK, GCC, and Southeast Asia. He started his career at Tata Steel and held leadership roles at Hindustan Unilever (HUL), LG Electronics and Goodyear. At HUL, he managed iconic categories like Pears, Dalda, and Basmati rice for global markets while driving key projects in ice cream and beverages businesses. At LG, he played a key role in establishing the "Rural vertical" and rapidly building distribution through the Brand Shop and Modern trade channels. At Goodyear India, Mahajan transformed the Farm business, repositioned in premium category and established market leadership for now over a decade. During his stint, he also played key role in the scale-up of Mining (OTR) and Consumer business. His leadership earned Goodyear India numerous industry accolades from leading OEM players like Mahindra, TAFE, John Deere, GM, Ford and Escorts. An industry veteran, he also held prominent positions in associations like ATMA and AMCHAM. Mahajan holds a Mechanical Engineering degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Bangalore. Also Read | A Look at Bowlers Who Inflicted Most Golden Ducks in Test Cricket: From Wasim Akram to James Anderson, Check Full List. Commenting on his new role, Mahajan shared, "I am excited to be joining Assurance Intl Limited at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The company's dedication to customer focus, innovation and sustainability, resonates deeply with my own professional principles. Together, we will strengthen the company's solid foundation and unlock new opportunities for rapid growth, global impact and stakeholders' value." As Executive Chairman, Sandeep Mahajan will lead the strategic vision for Assurance Intl Limited, spearheading key initiatives and fostering global partnerships that strengthen its position as an industry leader. Rakesh Sharma - MD of Assurance Intl Limited, welcomed Sandeep Mahajan with great enthusiasm: "We are honoured to have Mahajan join our leadership team. His unparalleled expertise and proven track record will undoubtedly propel Assurance Intl Limited to greater heights. We look forward to his invaluable contributions as we embark on our next phase of growth and innovation." Assurance Intl Limited continues to redefine excellence across its diverse business verticals in the automotive industry. The addition of Mahajan reinforces its unwavering commitment to attracting world-class talent and delivering exceptional value to stakeholders worldwide. About Assurance Intl Limited Assurance Intl Limited is a leading manufacturer and licensee of automotive products such as lubricants, batteries, filters, accessories, and spare parts. The company has main presence in India with plans to expand in multiple countries including Australia / New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and many others across Asia, Middle East and Africa. With a global footprint across 60 countries for its automotive products range, the company is committed to providing total automotive solutions. For more information, visit www.assuranceintl.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) (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 17 (PTI) As many as 92 Lok Sabha members on Tuesday used paper slips to cast their votes at the introduction of a bill relating to simultaneous polls, sources said. For the first time, an electronic voting system was used for voting on the introduction of 129 Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha after proceedings shifted to the new Parliament House last year. Also Read | Rajya Sabha Session: From Article 370, UCC to 'Blank' Constitution, Union Minister Amit Shah Launches No Bar Attack on Congres During Sanvidhan Debate. Of the 461 members voting, 369 could cast their votes without error. But 92 had to use "correction slips". As many as 263 members voted in favour of the introduction of the bill and 198 against it. Being a first for the MPs, 369 of them cast their votes through the vote recording machine. The remaining 92 votes were cast through slips of which 43 were in favour and 49 were against the motion. Also Read | Delhi High Court Grants Time to ASI for Jama Masjid Survey Amid Protected Monument Debate. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Narmada, Dec 17 (PTI) AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava and nearly 100 of his supporters were detained in Gujarat's Narmada district on Tuesday while he was going to surrender at a police station in neighbouring Bharuch in a case against him, officials said. The preventive detention was made due to law and order concerns as the MLA was going to appear before the police without notice, Dediapada police station's inspector Prakash Pandya said. Also Read | Tulsi Gowda Dies at 86: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Death of Padma Shri Awardee Environmentalist, Says 'Will Remain Guiding Light for Environment Conservation'. "In view of the law and order concerns, we detained Vasava and around 100 of his supporters at Navagam when they were on way to a police station in Ankleshwar in connection with an FIR registered against the MLA on December 10," Pandya said. Vasava, a tribal leader, was booked for making an unauthorised entry to the premises of an industrial unit at the Ankleshwar GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) in Bharuch district on December 3 along with his supporters soon after a boiler blast there killed four workers. Also Read | Chennai: 2 Men Arrested for Harassing Food Delivery Woman at Night in Kolathur After Placing Lewd Order for Biryani. In the FIR registered at the Ankleshwar GIDC police station on December 10, Vasava was charged with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections pertaining to obstructing public servants, threat of injury to a public servant, criminal trespass and wrongful restraint. The FIR stated that Vasava and his supporters entered the factory premises despite being prevented from doing so, as the rescue operation was underway. They went in to meet relatives of the deceased workers and prevented police and other officials from carrying out their duties, and even threatened factory officials. They also instigated relatives of the workers against the police and government, said the FIR. Reacting to his detention, Vasava said he was on way to appear before the police in connection with the FIR as he was "wrongly framed". "If the police want, they can put me in jail. I am here to fight for justice to the people, and will continue to do so till my last breath," he said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator also questioned police's "compulsion" that made them the complainant in the case. Referring to another FIR registered against him at Rajpardi police station in Bharuch on December 7, Vasava alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was running a "dictatorial" government. "We were booked for a peaceful protest march, but we are not going to be scared," he said. Vasava is the MLA from Dediapada in Narmada district. Earlier this year, he unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha election from Bharuch seat. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, Dec 17 (PTI) The Badlapur sexual assault case investigation is over and a senior police officer has been suspended for dereliction of duty, the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday. Two charge sheets have been filed against the slain accused in the case and trustees of the school, the HC was told. Also Read | Vishal Mega Mart IPO Allotment Update: GMP Price, Listing Date and Know How To Check Allotment Status Online. Two police constables were given a strict warning for not taking the case seriously. Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar, appearing for the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which investigated the case, told a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan that the probe was complete and the SIT disbanded. Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Estranged Wife Nikita Singhania Denies Harassment Charge, Says 'If I Harassed Him, Why Live Separately?'. Two girls, aged four and five, were allegedly sexually assaulted in the toilet of their school in Badlapur in Thane district by an attendant in August, leading to a huge outrage and staging of protests. The arrested accused was killed in an alleged retaliatory firing by police when he was being shifted in a police vehicle in September. A departmental inquiry was initiated against Badlpur police station officials for delay in registering an FIR and investigation. "A lady officer, who was the senior police inspector of Badlpur police station, has been suspended after the departmental inquiry. Her two year increment has also been stopped," Venegaonkar told the court. He added that two charge sheets have been filed against the slain accused and the trustees of the school. "The probe in the case is over and the SIT is disbanded," Venegaonkar said. The HC had taken suo motu (on its own) cognisance and ordered the formation of a committee of experts to examine the safety of children in schools and other educational institutions. Venegaonkar told the bench on Tuesday that the committee would submit its report in January 2025. The court posted the matter for further hearing on December 19 on the issue of granting police protection to the parents of the slain accused who had apprehended an attack by certain persons. Venegaonkar told the court that the parents had declined police protection but expressed apprehension about targeting their house. "A police constable has been deployed outside their house," he said. Advocate Amit Katarnaware, appearing for the parents of the slain accused, however, said they didn't decline police protection. The bench said the parents should appear before it on Thursday. The HC, earlier this month, came down heavily on the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) for taking lightly the probe into the killing of the Badlapur school sexual assault case accused in a shootout. (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 17 (PTI) Allahabad High Court judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav, who purportedly gave controversial statements at a Vishwa Hindu Parishad function, appeared before the Supreme Court collegium on Tuesday, sources said. According to the sources, Yadav appeared before the collegium headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and was asked to put forth his version on the statements made. Also Read | Uddhav Thackeray Meets Devendra Fadnavis: In Rare Bonhomie, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Calls on Maharashtra CM in Nagpur for First Time After Poll Debacle (Watch Video). The top court on December 10 took note of news reports over the statements and sought a report from the Allahabad High Court on the issue. "The Supreme Court has taken note of newspaper reports of a speech given by Mr Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad. The details and particulars have been called from the high court and the matter is under consideration," an official statement had said. Also Read | RPF SI Answer Key 2024: RRB Releases Provisional Answer Keys for Sub Inspector Posts at rrb.digialm.com, Know How To Check. According to the established norm, a judge, against whom a report is sought by the apex court collegium on any controversial issue from the high court concerned, is given opportunity to put forth his or her version before the top court collegium headed by the chief justice of India. At a VHP event on December 8, among other things, Justice Yadav said the main aim of the uniform civil code was to promote social harmony, gender equality and secularism. He was addressing a provincial convention of the legal cell and high court unit of the VHP at the Allahabad HC. The following day, videos of the judge speaking on provocative issues, including the law working according to the majority, were circulated widely on social media, prompting strong reactions from several quarters, including opposition leaders who questioned his reported statements, labelling it as "hate speech". Convenor of Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, an NGO, advocate Prashant Bhushan had written to CJI Sanjiv Khanna seeking an "in-house enquiry" into the conduct of the Allahabad HC judge. Bhushan said the judge breached judicial ethics and violated the constitutional principles of impartiality and secularism. According to Bhushan, the remarks undermined the judiciary's role as a neutral arbiter and eroded public trust in its independence. "A strong institutional response is needed to restore public faith in the judiciary," the letter said, "we call upon your office sir (the CJI) to restore the faith of the people in the institution of judiciary by immediately setting up an in-house committee to enquire into acts of judicial impropriety by Justice Yadav and by withdrawing all judicial work from Justice Yadav". On December 8, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat wrote to the CJI calling the judge's speech a violation of his oath, saying "no place for such persons in a court of justice". Karat sought action from the apex court on the issue. Similarly, the Bar Association of India passed a resolution condemning the statements of the high court judge. "The Bar Association of India calls upon the judge to retract his statements and tender a suitable apology for his remarks and urges the Chief Justice of India and companion judges of the Supreme Court to deal with this issue in a stern and emphatic manner. It also emphasises that events conducted by organisations not concerned with the administration of justice as a matter of principle should not be permitted on any court premises," it said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patna, Dec 17 (PTI) Bihar Business Connect 2024 - the second edition of the global investor summit that looks at boosting industrial and entrepreneurial growth in the state, will be held on December 19-20, it was announced Tuesday. The prestigious event, curated by the state's Department of Industries, seeks to showcase Bihar as a vibrant investment destination. Also Read | Mumbai College Admission Scam: 2 Clerks Tamper With Admission Portal, Forge Mark Sheets and Other Documents To Secure Admissions for 50 Students in Somaiya College; Arrested. "The inaugural edition in 2023 witnessed participation from over 600 entrepreneurs from India and abroad. Bihar Business Connect 2023 was a landmark initiative. During the two-day summit held last year, a total of 278 investment proposals amounting to Rs 50,530 crore were signed as MoUs, out of which 244 projects worth Rs 38,000 crore have already been implemented on the ground," an official statement said. This investment has significantly accelerated industrial development in the state and created numerous employment opportunities. Also Read | 'Hair Growth Treatment' in Meerut: Traffic Chaos in City As Baldness Cure Event Draws Massive Crowd, UP Police Intervene. "Considering the success of last year's Bihar Business Connect, the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, is once again organising this event," it said. "Bihar, once known for its agricultural heritage, is now emerging as a hub for industrial transformation, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure development." The event will feature Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, senior ministers of the state government, prominent industrialists, policymakers, and regional experts. This two-day conference aims to establish Bihar as a premier destination for industries and investors while showcasing the state's economic and industrial growth potential. The Bihar government has introduced several reforms and policy initiatives to encourage investment across various sectors. The Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy 2016 offers tax exemptions, subsidies, and incentives to promote industrial growth. Besides, there are sector-specific policies that target investments in high-potential industries like textiles, leather, logistics, biofuels, IT, and renewable energy. Under the Startup Bihar Policy, a fund of Rs 500 crore dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has been set up. The state's Export Promotion Policy looks to boost global trade through facilities like Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and export packhouses. With a Single-Window Clearance System and an investor-friendly administration, Bihar prioritises ease of doing business to attract domestic and international investors, the statement said. Key focus areas of Bihar Business Connect 2024 include manufacturing sector, infrastructure and connectivity, and exports. Bihar's manufacturing sector is undergoing rapid development, with a focus on textile cluster and bag manufacturing, military footwear exports, ethanol plants and food processing units. The state has implemented several initiatives to empower MSMEs and startups. Under the Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana, financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for entrepreneurs from marginalized groups, including women, scheduled castes/tribes, and persons with disabilities is provided. Over 21 incubation hubs are fostering innovation and providing a platform for startups. Also, affordable plug-and-play workspaces in Patna and Purnia are supporting emerging enterprises. Bihar has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development. The state ranks third in road density in India, facilitating smoother trade and transport. Its energy capacity has expanded from 700 MW to 7,000 MW. IT parks and upcoming data centers are propelling digital growth across the state. Projects like the Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Patna provide integrated supply chain solutions. "Bihar is positioning itself as a hub for global trade with focused infrastructure and policies," it said. Bihar's Industry & Tourism Minister Nitish Mishra will inaugurate the two- day event. The session will include the signing of initial MoUs and 4-5 sector-specific sessions, with a special focus on MSMEs and startups. A CEO roundtable is planned on the second day. "Significant MoUs will be signed in the presence of Nitish Kumar," the statement said adding during plenary sessions, key insights will be shared regarding Bihar's industrial potential and policy framework. PTI (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 17 (PTI) Despite regular checks and surveillance at Delhi Metro stations and along its tracks, incidents of cable theft have increased, with 44 cases reported this year compared to 38 last year, officials said on Tuesday. According to the data by Delhi Police, only 9 out of the 38 cases were solved last year and 12 people were arrested in connection with the thefts. However, this year, the police have managed to solve 22 out of the 44 cases and have arrested 53 individuals in these cases. Also Read | Mumbai College Admission Scam: 2 Clerks Tamper With Admission Portal, Forge Mark Sheets and Other Documents To Secure Admissions for 50 Students in Somaiya College; Arrested. The Delhi Police conducts regular patrolling of the metro tracks and performs checks at platforms, while metro staff also carry out routine surveillance on metro premises with the help of CCTV cameras, officials added. A senior police officer suggested that cable thefts could be further prevented by improving CCTV coverage along the metro tracks and lighting up the stretches which mostly remain dark during night. Also Read | 'Hair Growth Treatment' in Meerut: Traffic Chaos in City As Baldness Cure Event Draws Massive Crowd, UP Police Intervene. Earlier this month, a gang of 11 individuals used tree branches to climb onto the elevated tracks between Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar stations, where they stole 140 meters of signalling cable. The theft caused a disruption of around six hours on the Delhi Metro's Blue Line, leading to significant inconvenience for commuters. Four members of the gang have been arrested and searches are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects, police said. In August, the Delhi Police wrote to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to address security breaches and prevent suicide incidents on the premises. The police asked DMRC to keep an eye on five key points -- installing CCTV cameras along the tracks, improving lighting in dark spots, trimming tree branches near metro station boundaries, increasing the number of guards at platforms and installing platform screen doors (PSDs) at stations. The Delhi Metro is secured by both the Delhi Police and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is deployed at stations for security checks. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow/Hathras (UP), Dec 17 (PTI) The brother of the Hathras woman, who was allegedly gangraped in 2020, on Tuesday said the family is living a "life of imprisonment" and will thank anyone who raises its voice and understands its pain, be it the government or someone else. He also said his sister's ashes have been kept at her home and will be immersed only when the family gets full justice. Also Read | One Nation, One Election: Nearly 20 BJP MPs Remain Missing From Lok Sabha During Voting on Bill for Simultaneous Polls, Party Inquiring Into Absence. The remarks by Sandeep Singh came barely hours after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X a video of his meeting with the family members of the woman last Thursday. Gandhi asserted that justice delayed is justice denied, adding the promises made by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to the family have not been fulfilled till date. Also Read | Uddhav Thackeray Meets Devendra Fadnavis: In Rare Bonhomie, Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Calls on Maharashtra CM in Nagpur for First Time After Poll Debacle (Watch Video). The BJP and its ally RLD criticised Gandhi for sharing the video while INDIA bloc constituent Samajwadi Party backed him. Singh said the family has been seeking justice for the last five years. "Whoever takes up our cause and understands our pain, we will thank him, whether it is the government or someone else," he said. "We are living a life of imprisonment ('hum to kaid waali zindagi jee rahe hai'). If the Uttar Pradesh government does not fulfil its promise, then we will see. Whether it is the government or the opposition, all are equal for us. If the UP government fulfils its promise, then what do we need. We have not got full justice even in the court. This is the fifth year on and we are still hoping from the court and the government. We are victims and cannot do anything," Singh said. Reacting to Gandhi's post, Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Harish Chandra Srivastava told PTI, "The approach of the opposition is full of negativity. They are creating confusion among the public by presenting distorted facts. However, the general mass is rejecting all the baseless allegations levelled by them. Still, they are moving on the same pattern." RLD's state spokesperson Ankur Saxena told PTI, "By doing this, he is trying to create a situation of confusion. He is putting a question mark on the law and order for the sake of publicity, and also trying to create a feeling of suspicion towards the judiciary, which is absolutely against the norms of democracy." Extending support to Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Deepak Ranjan said the promises made by the state government to the aggrieved family have not been fulfilled. "The protocol, which the Leader of Opposition is entitled to, was not extended to him," he told PTI. After meeting the family in Hathras, Gandhi had alleged that they are being treated like "criminals". The family had reached out to Gandhi earlier this year, seeking his support in getting "justice", according to the Congress which shared a letter addressed to the LoP by the woman's father. Gandhi spent around 35 minutes with the family at their home and interacted with them. He left without speaking to a waiting group of reporters who had gathered in the village for his visit. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met the Hathras family on October 3, 2020 and declared they will fight for ensuring justice to the deceased. The 19-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped on September 14, 2020. She was moved to Aligarh for treatment and later to Delhi, where she died on September 29, 2020. She was cremated in the early hours of October 30, with her family alleging the local police had forced them to conduct the last rites in the dead of the night. Local police officers, however, had claimed that the cremation was carried out "according to the wishes of the family". After an initial police probe in the matter, the CBI had taken over the investigation into the case and filed a charge sheet against all four accused. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Wokha (Nagaland), Dec 17 (PTI) General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Spear Corps of Indian Army, Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar, on Tuesday emphasised the critical role of youth in shaping the future of the nation. While interacting with cadets during his visit to the Special National Integration Camp organised by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Wokha district of Nagaland, he lauded the NCC's contribution in nurturing leadership, character, and a spirit of service among young citizens. Also Read | . The camp, aimed at fostering unity and national integration among the youth, brought together NCC cadets from across the country to celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of India, a release issued by the defence spokesperson here said. The GOC also commended the cadets for their discipline, enthusiasm, and commitment to national integration, the PRO said. Also Read | Animal Cruelty Case Before Gauhati High Court: Assam Court Bans Buffalo and Bulbul Bird Fights During January. As part of the visit, the GOC also inaugurated the Nagaland State Day celebrations at the camp showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state, featuring traditional dances, music, and exhibitions that highlighted the state's unique identity and contributions to the nation, the PRO added. Various state government departments have established information and souvenir stalls at the camp. The Special National Integration Camp at Wokha being held from December 12 to 22 has cadets from all 17 directorates of the country, the official said. It stands as a testament to the NCC's enduring mission of instilling a sense of pride and unity in the youth, fostering a stronger and more inclusive India, the PRO added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kohima (Nagaland) [India], December 17 (ANI): The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Spear Corps of the Indian Army made a visit to the Special National Integration Camp organized by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) at Wokha, Nagaland, a release from PRO, Nagaland, Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday. This unique camp, aimed at fostering unity and national integration among the youth, brought together NCC cadets from across the country to celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of India. Also Read | One Nation, One Election: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Pitches for Paper Votes, Points Out Technical Glitches During Introduction of ONOE Bill (Watch Video). During the visit, the GOC interacted with the cadets, commending their discipline, enthusiasm, and commitment to national integration. Addressing the gathering, the GOC emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping the future of the nation and lauded the NCC's contribution to nurturing leadership, character, and a spirit of service among young citizens, added the statement. Also Read | Rajya Sabha Session: From Article 370, UCC to 'Blank' Constitution, Union Minister Amit Shah Launches No Bar Attack on Congres During Sanvidhan Debate. As part of the visit, the GOC also inaugurated the Nagaland State Day celebrations at the camp. The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, featuring traditional dances, music, and exhibitions that highlighted the state's unique identity and contributions to the nation, read the statement further. The vibrant celebrations provided an opportunity for the cadets to experience and appreciate the diversity of India's North-eastern region. The event was graced by senior officers of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NCC officials, civil dignitaries, ex-servicemen and local community leaders, who expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the NCC in promoting national unity and cultural exchange. The Special National Integration Camp at Wokha stands as a testament to the NCC's enduring mission of instilling a sense of pride and unity in the youth, fostering a stronger and more inclusive India. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 17 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu officially handed over the adoption of one of the 'Children of the State,' Aryan (a fictitious name), to his adoptive mother at Shishu Grih Tutikandi, Shimla, on Tuesday. He congratulated Aryan's adoptive mother and extended his best wishes for the child's bright and prosperous future. Also Read | JSSC CGL Exam 'Paper Leak': Jharkhand High Court Stays Publication of Combined Graduate Level 2023 Exam Results Until Further Notice, Orders FIR on Complaint. On the occasion, the Chief Minister appealed to affluent members of society to come forward and adopt children growing up in Shishu Grih and orphanages. He said the state government was making all possible efforts for the welfare of underprivileged sections of society and implementing schemes in this regard. He added that the government had assumed the role of 'mother and father' to 4,000 helpless children, officially recognised as 'Children of the State.' The government bears their educational and other expenses, preparing them to face future challenges. Also Read | Jan Suraaj Party Faces Setback: Devendra Prasad Yadav, M Hasan Quit Core Committee of Prashant Kishor-Led Party Ahead of Bihar Elections. The Chief Minister highlighted the 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana,' launched to support vulnerable children. Under this scheme, 49 Bal-Balika Ashrams are currently being supported across Himachal Pradesh. He noted 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 plays a pivotal role in providing essential support for the education and future of these children. Additionally, he spoke about the 'Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana,' launched to ensure the overall development and well-being of children in the state. The scheme focuses on improving education, health, and nutrition for children aged 0-27 years from families of widows, or parents who are abandoned, divorced, or disabled. General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council, Mohan Dutt Sharma, and District Programme Officer (Shimla), Mamta Paul, were present on the occasion. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Several students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday held the screening of a banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, defying an advisory issued by the university administration warning of strict action. The screening, organised by the Left-backed All India Students' Federation (AISF), was initially planned to be displayed on a projector. Also Read | One Nation, One Election: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Pitches for Paper Votes, Points Out Technical Glitches During Introduction of ONOE Bill (Watch Video). However, the organisers claimed that security personnel damaged the projector. Consequently, the students screened the documentary on a laptop at the university's Ganga Dhaba, where scores of students gathered to watch it in the presence of security personnel. On Monday, the JNU administration had issued an advisory cautioning students against participating in the screening, stating that it could "disrupt communal harmony" on campus. Also Read | Rajya Sabha Session: From Article 370, UCC to 'Blank' Constitution, Union Minister Amit Shah Launches No Bar Attack on Congres During Sanvidhan Debate. The university warned of strict disciplinary measures if the directive was violated. AISF leaders alleged that the administration and security personnel were attempting to stifle dissent and curb freedom of expression. "The cyclopes (JNU security personnel) manhandled the students and the JNUSU joint secretary Sajid. They damaged the projector but still the students watched the documentary in protest. They have refused to surrender before this tyranny. They have refused to give up on their rights of freedom of speech and protest," an AISF representative alleged. The JNUSU, in a statement, condemned the advisory issued by the varsity calling it an attack on the students' fundamental rights. "It is deeply hypocritical that while the administration has consistently tried to suppress screenings of documentaries critical of the government, it has simultaneously given a free hand to films that propagate the RSS-BJP agenda, the statement said. Movies like "The Kerala Story", "The Kashmir Files", and "Jahangir National University", and "The Sabarmati Report" which openly promote divisive, fascist ideologies, were permitted without question on campus," it added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17 (PTI) Karnataka is expecting a promising economic growth due to good south-west monsoon, the state government said in its report. In its 'Mid year review of state finances 2024-25', which was tabled in the assembly on Tuesday, the Karnataka government said the state economy will be on growth trajectory with positive outlook in agriculture sector. Also Read | Sambhal Temple: Devotees Throng Khaggu Sarai Area To Offer Prayers to Lord Hanuman Idol, Former Local Says 'Shrine Belonged to Rastogi Community'. The report said that the state's GSDP had registered a growth of 10.2 per cent in nominal terms for 2023-24. "The growth trajectory of the State economy is likely to continue at steady pace with positive outlook in agriculture sector, which has significantly picked up due to good south-west monsoon. This will contribute to both supply and demand side factors behind GSDP growth," the report said. Also Read | When Will Maharashtra Women Receive INR 2,100 per Month Under Ladki Bahin Yojana? Aditi Tatkare Gives Update. The government said that its efforts to promote economic growth, including favourable policies, infrastructure development, and incentives to attract both domestic and international businesses point to a promising future for Karnataka. These initiatives are expected to create employment opportunities and industrial and service sectors, it noted. According to the report, Karnataka's fiscal performance in the first half of 2024-25 has been exceptional, registering a growth in revenue receipts of 13.8 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year. "The State continues to hold the second position in total GST revenue contributions to the country. A growth of 11 per cent has been achieved in total GST revenue generated from State in first half of 2024-25 compared to 2023-24," the government said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17 (PTI) Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday told the Legislative Council that he is in favour of a "high-level" probe into the recent maternal deaths in Ballari district. He also said the government would take a final decision after discussing it with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. With members demanding a high-level probe into such deaths, he said the government would decide on it after reviewing the report by an expert committee, headed by the Development Commissioner, which is currently investigating the issue. Also Read | When Will Maharashtra Women Receive INR 2,100 per Month Under Ladki Bahin Yojana? Aditi Tatkare Gives Update. The Minister further said he has ordered a "maternal death audit," which will help in identifying responsibility and pursuing the closure of the company that allegedly supplied the substandard Ringer Lactate solution, suspected to have caused the deaths. "Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the maternal deaths and identify those responsible. However, several members (MLCs) have called for a higher-level probe, either through a Special Investigation Team (SIT), a judicial inquiry, or a house panel. I will discuss this with the Chief Minister before deciding on further action," Rao said. Also Read | KSET 2024 Provisional Results Released: Karnataka Government Releases Provisional Results for State Eligibility Test 2024 at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in, Know Steps To Download. Making a statement in the House following the five maternal deaths at Ballari government hospital, he said, "We will also take a report from the committee headed by the Development Commissioner, which is probing the matter. I am also of the view that there should be a high-level probe. I will speak to the Chief Minister and decide. We are ready for a probe, and who should conduct it will be decided after consulting the CM." Noting that he has ordered an investigation into every maternal death that has occurred in the state this year, especially those since August at hospitals following the use of Ringer Lactate solution, the Minister said, "I have directed a maternal death audit and asked for the report to be submitted." "We want the truth to come out, and we don't want to hide anything. There should be no tolerance for such incidents (deaths)... This is a failure in our system," he said, while also calling for stringent laws to counter the pharma lobby in the country and a robust system to ensure drug quality is not compromised. The Minister stated that a sudden surge in maternal deaths was reported at the Ballari district hospital between November 9 and 11. The deaths allegedly occurred following caesarean operations at the hospital. Of the 34 caesarean operations performed during those three days, seven cases developed complications. Out of the seven patients who developed complications, five died, while two were discharged from the hospital, he said. Amid concerns that the maternal deaths could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution, which is administered intravenously to restore hydration and fluid balance, Rao said all batches of the solution have been withdrawn from use. The Chief Minister chaired a meeting following these maternal deaths and ordered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased, Rao added. He also directed the suspension of the Drugs Controller and the issuance of a show-cause notice to the Managing Director (MD) of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL), Rao said. The government has further decided to blacklist 'Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical', the company that supplied the solution, and to prosecute it. Additionally, the company has been asked to pay compensation to the families of the victims, Rao added. Since the company's manufacturing process was found to be "improper" by the Drugs Controller of India, the state government and the West Bengal government, a "stoppage notice" has been issued to the company. As a result, the company is prohibited from manufacturing any drugs at its facility until further orders, he added. Pointing out that the government had also written to the Drugs Controller of India requesting a probe into Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical and appropriate action against it, the Minister stated that the existing legislation concerning drug quality in the country is weak, making it reportedly difficult to hold pharma companies accountable. He said some companies manufacture one quality of drugs for export and a different quality for domestic supply. "There should be no difference in the quality of drugs; there should be only one standard, and it cannot be compromised. However, we are unable to implement this fully across the country." Highlighting that the batches of Ringer Lactate solution sent to Ballari were tested by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited labs, the Minister questioned the quality of tests conducted in those labs. He added that an expert committee, chaired by the Development Commissioner, has been formed to investigate the deaths and all related aspects, including what led to them, where the fault lies, and who is responsible. "They are yet to submit a report," he said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 17 (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. Also Read | Rajasthan Phone Tapping Case: Lokesh Sharma, Former Officer on Special Duty to Ex-CM Ashok Gehlot, Turns Approver. 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. Also Read | Tulsi Gowda Dies at 86: Padma Shri Awardee Environmentalist Known As 'Vruksha Maate' Passes Away Due to Age-Related Ailments. "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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolkata, Dec 17 (PTI) Accusing the Centre of not sending funds for the 'Awas Yojana' for the last three years to the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched 'Banglar Bari', a scheme funded entirely by her government. She said that over 28 lakh genuine beneficiaries were identified in a survey conducted by the state for the 'Banglar Bari' scheme for which a total of Rs 1.2 lakh would be transferred to them by next December. Also Read | Sambhal Temple: Devotees Throng Khaggu Sarai Area To Offer Prayers to Lord Hanuman Idol, Former Local Says 'Shrine Belonged to Rastogi Community'. During the day, funds of Rs 60,000 were transferred to the bank accounts of 12 lakh beneficiaries in the first instalment, the chief minister said. "My life is dedicated to working for people. Today, in the interest of the people of rural Bengal, I launched the 'Banglar Bari' project. The first instalment of Rs 60,000 was transferred directly through the bank to 12 lakh beneficiaries to build houses," Banerjee said. Also Read | When Will Maharashtra Women Receive INR 2,100 per Month Under Ladki Bahin Yojana? Aditi Tatkare Gives Update. "The Centre had already surveyed around 36 lakh families. We also conducted one survey. A draft list was also published and their claims and objections were also verified. We could identify more than 28 lakh beneficiaries," she said. The Centre has not kept its promises and for the last three years has not paid a single paisa for the 'Awas Yojana', the chief minister alleged. "The central government has deprived the poor people of the state of their dues for the past three years. We want our rights to be fulfilled, we are not beggars," she said before handing over approval letters to 42 beneficiaries from 21 districts. The state will have to bear a total expense of Rs 14,773 crore for this purpose, she added. "If the Centre does not pay, we will pay the rest 16 lakh families. Out of these, we will pay to eight lakh people by May-June and the rest 8 lakh by December in two instalments," Banerjee said, adding that there is a due of Rs 24,000 crore for this purpose from the Centre. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 17 (ANI): People gathered for morning prayers at the Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, which reopened on December 14 after remaining closed since 1978. The temple was rediscovered during an anti-encroachment drive led by local district police and administration. The drive was conducted to clear illegal encroachments in the area. Also Read | Forgive Me My Love: Woman Dies by Suicide, Leaving 2 Video Messages for Boyfriend in Gujarats Palanpur, Police Begin Probe. Visuals show security personnel were deployed outside to ensure safety as the reopening marked a significant moment for the community. On Monday, following its reopening, the temple premises were cleaned, and electricity connections were restored with the installation of CCTV cameras for security purposes. Also Read | PM Modi Rajasthan Visit Today: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate and Launch Projects Worth Over INR 46,300 Crore. Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, confirmed that the temple had remained closed for 46 years, largely due to the absence of a resident priest. 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. Three idols were found near a well close to the temple during the restoration process. The idols are now being preserved as part of the efforts to bring back the temple's original splendor. Sambhal Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra said, "These are broken idols that were found during the digging of the well. There is an idol of Lord Ganesh. The other one seems to be of Lord Kartikeya, more details are being sought. There was debris and soil in the well. The idols were discovered when it was dug...The area has been secured so that excavation can be done smoothly." Sambhal's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra stated that the encroachment clearance operation had focused solely on structures encroaching on public property, and emphasized plans to restore the temple to its former glory. "The temple premises have been cleaned, and electricity arrangements have been made. CCTVs are being installed for security. The anti-encroachment drive targeted only structures built on public property. We will restore the temple to its original structure." said SDM Mishra. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the previous Samajwadi Party government, accusing them of preventing the reopening of the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for over four decades. Speaking in the state assembly, CM Yogi said, "Since 1978 they (Samajwadi Party) never allowed to open the temple, which is being opened now..." (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) As the government introduced a bill on holding simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Tuesday called it a "corporate agenda" to create "one market" by eroding federal rights of state governments. The group, which led the 2020-21 farmers' protest at Delhi borders against the now-repealed three central laws on agriculture, appealed to farmers and workers to rally against the 'one nation one election' bill. Also Read | Amit Shah Tears Into Congress During Rajya Sabha Speech, Says '4 Constitutional Amendments Brought During Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi Govts for Personal Gains' (Watch Video). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the SKM also alleged the Goods and Services Tax, Digital Agriculture Mission, National Cooperation Policy and Policy Framework on the Agriculture Market are part of a larger plan to centralise production, processing and marketing under the corporate forces. "SKM strongly opposes the introduction of One Nation One Election Bill in the Lok Sabha by the NDA Government and alleges this is part of the corporate agenda to create one nation one market' for facilitating corporate exploitation of the working people by eroding the autonomy and the federal rights of the State governments," the SKM said in a statement. Also Read | . "The Bill is to undermine the parliamentary democratic system itself and the federal structure of the country," it alleged. The SKM said the implementation of GST in 2017 was also a part of the corporate agenda aimed at denying the taxation rights and autonomy of state governments that is the backbone of federalism. The umbrella body of farmers' organisations said, "The introduction of the Digital Agriculture Mission' and declaration of the National Cooperation Policy' in the last Union Budget 2024-25 and now the Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing are part of the strategy of the corporate agenda' to permit backdoor resurrection of the three farm laws". The SKM urged farmers and workers to rally against the 'one nation one election' bill and appealed to all the political parties in the opposition to rally the people on livelihood issues of MSP, minimum wage, unemployment, price rise and indebtedness. (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 17 (ANI): Several Opposition MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gathered inside the Parliament premises to voice their concerns over the alleged atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The MPs carried placards and tote bags emblazoned with messages calling for justice and condemning the persecution of minorities across the border. Also Read | Amroha Accident: School Bus Collides with Car in Dense Fog, 8 Injured Including 5 Children; Driver Critical (Watch Video). Among the protesters was Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who carried a tote bag with the slogan "Bangladesh ke Hindu aur Isaayion ke saath khadey ho" (Stand with Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh). The MPs raised slogans such as "We want Justice" and "Bharat Sarkar Jawab Do," demanding the Indian government take immediate action on the issue. Also Read | WB Games Montreal Layoffs: After Rocksteady Layoffs, Warner Bros's Canadian Subsidiary Cuts QA Staff Reportedly Due to Poor Reception of Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League Game. The protest marks a significant shift in the Opposition's approach to minority issues, particularly when it comes to the persecution of Hindus. The Opposition, which has typically expressed concern over the treatment of Muslims in India and abroad, took a clear stand for Hindus, signalling a broader concern for all minorities. Following the protest, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar responded to the demonstration, expressing his surprise. He remarked, "I am surprised to see this. Our Opposition has always been concerned about only Muslims. In India, the meaning of 'minority' has changed. Congress and our rivals changed it to Muslims. They are now agitating for Hindus, so this is a major change. Perhaps this is Modi magic." On Monday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." 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. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from December 17 to 21, 2024. According to the President's Secretariat, during this visit, the President will stay at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, December 17 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. On December 17, President Murmu will attend and grace the convocation ceremony of AIIMS in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, the release mentioned. On December 18, she will inaugurate/lay the foundation of various initiatives at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, as per the release. Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Minor Girl Raped in Bharuch, Efforts Underway to Nab Accused. On December 20, President Murmu will present the President's Colours to the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. On the same evening, she will host an At Home Reception at Rashtrapati Nilayam for the dignitaries of the State, leading citizens, academics, etc, it added. Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari earlier held a meeting with senior officials on the ensuing visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the state from December 17. The Chief Secretary informed that President Murmu will be in Hyderabad from December 17 to 21 of this month as part of the sojourn visit to the city. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari instructed the officials to work in close coordination and make elaborate arrangements in a befitting manner to ensure that the visit of the President is handled effectively in a satisfactory manner. Earlier on Monday, President Murmu met a parliamentary delegation from Armenia on Tuesday, during which she emphasised the role of regular parliamentary dialogue in deepening bilateral partnership. A parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Armenia, led by Alen Simonyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official release said. The President said that regular parliamentary dialogue plays an important role in enhancing understanding of each other's systems of governance and laws, and further deepening bilateral partnership. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Thrissur (Kerala), Dec 17 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid homage to P P Madhavan, his mother Sonia Gandhi's long-term personal secretary, who died in Delhi a day ago due to a heart attack, Congress party sources said. Rahul, who arrived in Kerala in the morning, reached Madhavan's residence at Cherussery village in Thrissur district around 9 am and met his family, party sources said. Also Read | Tulsi Gowda Dies at 86: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Death of Padma Shri Awardee Environmentalist, Says 'Will Remain Guiding Light for Environment Conservation'. He spent around 45 minutes with the bereaved family, consoled them and expressed his condolences. The LoP also placed wreaths on Madhavan's mortal remains on his and Sonia Gandhi's behalf, the sources said. Also Read | Chennai: 2 Men Arrested for Harassing Food Delivery Woman at Night in Kolathur After Placing Lewd Order for Biryani. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal also paid his respects and placed a wreath on behalf of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, they said. Besides Rahul and Venugopal, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala and other senior party leaders and workers also paid homage to Madhavan. (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 17 (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. Also Read | Rajasthan Phone Tapping Case: Lokesh Sharma, Former Officer on Special Duty to Ex-CM Ashok Gehlot, Turns Approver. 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. Also Read | Tulsi Gowda Dies at 86: Padma Shri Awardee Environmentalist Known As 'Vruksha Maate' Passes Away Due to Age-Related Ailments. 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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Police in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut have announced a reward of INR 25,000 on each of the five absconding accused in the stand-up comedian and actor Sunil Pal's kidnapping case, officials said on Tuesday. Senior Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada told PTI that the absconding individuals are Lavi Pal alias Sushant alias Himanshu, Akash alias Gola alias Deependra, Shiva, Ankit alias Pahadi, and Shubham. Sunil Pal Thanks UP CM Yogi Adityanath for His Support Following Kidnapping Incident in Meerut and Praises UP Police for Resolving the Case (Watch Video). "All five have been declared wanted, and efforts are underway with continuous police raids to trace and arrest them. Notably, Arjun Karnwal was earlier arrested by the Meerut police following an encounter in connection with the case," Tada said. Sunil Pal was allegedly abducted on December 2 after being invited under the pretense of performing at an event. The kidnappers held him hostage for nearly 24 hours and released him only after extorting Rs 8 lakh in ransom. Following this, Sunil's wife Sarita registered a zero FIR in Mumbai, which was subsequently transferred to the Lal Kurti police station in Meerut, with the local police launching an investigation into the claims. Earlier this week, Pal took to social media to laud the efforts of UP Police, state government and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their swift action in the case. Sunil Pal Kidnapping Case: CCTV Footage Showing Comedians Kidnappers Buying Jewellery With Ransom Money in Meerut Goes Viral WATCH. In a similar incident, Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan, best known for his performance as Balloo in Welcome was also kidnapped and held hostage in western UP's Bijnor district recently. According to police, the miscreants were also plotting to abduct veteran actor Shakti Kapoor on the pretext of inviting him to an event. New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): The management committees of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms, the two major participants of the famed 'Thrissur Pooram' have approached the Supreme Court challenging Kerala High Court's guidelines for the elephant parade. The management committee said that if the guidelines of High Court is implemented it will bring the two-century-old festival and a celebration of the state's rich heritage to a "grinding halt". Also Read | Bhojpur Shocker: 12-Year-Old Girl Raped, Beaten to Death by Her Uncle in Bihar; Body Tied to Cot After Killing, Claims Family. The High Court had issued two orders on November 13 and 28 directing temples to strictly adhere to the restrictions imposed on the elephant parade. The order mandated a minimum distance of three metres between two elephants during parade, a minimum distance of five metres from the elephant and the flambeau (fire pole) or any other source of fire, a minimum distance of eight metres from the elephant to the public, and any percussion display. Also Read | One Nation, One Election Bill: PM Narendra Modi Favoured Referring Legislations for Simultaneous Polls to JPC for Wider Discussions, Amit Shah Tells Lok Sabha. "The spatial restriction imposed by the High Court, mandating a minimum distance of three meters between elephants, brings the historic Thrissur Pooram to a grinding halt, as the thousand-year-old venue, the Vadakkumnathan Temple, integral to Thrissur Pooram, cannot accommodate such constraints," stated the appeal against High Court order filed through advocate Abhilash AR. It added, "This venue, with its traditional layout, has been the epicenter of the Pooram for centuries and the direction by the High Court disregards the significance of the historic and UNESCO recognised tradition." The petitioners -- two major Devaswoms, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, and principal organisers of the event with eight other temples, submitted that guidelines issued by the High court were broad and sweeping, and caused last minute confusion and disruption in the festival's planning. "The directives requiring exact distances and crowd control measures were difficult to implement given the scale of the festival and the massive crowd exceeding 5 lakh people. Implementing these directives within the limited timeframe placed an enormous burden on the petitioners, who had to manage coordination between multiple agencies while ensuring the festival's sanctity and smooth conduct," said the petition. Advocate Abhilash said High Court prematurely relying on the findings in Sabarimala Temple case of Supreme Court, has overstepped its jurisdiction and rendered a conclusion that is not only inconsistent with the question pending adjudication before the apex court, but also fails to recognise the deeply rooted cultural and religious significance of the festivities associated with Thrissur Pooram. The Supreme Court in 2020 had decided to examine the scope and ambit of the fundamental right to freedom of religion vis-a-vis other rights to citizens, arising out of a 2018 judgement which allowed entry of all-age women to Kerala's Sabarimala temple. The Devaswoms further stated, "High Court's conclusion disregards the fact that the parading of elephants has been an integral part of the religious traditions of the Devasoms for centuries, and its status as an essential religious practice cannot be arbitrarily denied based on a judgment whose findings are still under judicial scrutiny." The petitioners sought quashing of November 13 and 28 orders and in the interim they sought a stay on the High Court guidelines and a direction to the State government not to place reliance on these orders while framing new rules, if any, during the pendency of the appeal. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], December 17 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minster Pushkar Singh Dhami handed over appointment letters to 45 newly selected candidates under the Home and Provincial Guard Force Department at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. The selected candidates included 11 lab assistants under the Home Department and 34 regional youth welfare officers under the Provincial Guard Force Department. Also Read | Concord Enviro IPO: GMP, Opening Date, Price Band - Here's All You Need To Know. CM Dhami congratulated all the newly selected candidates. He said that today a new beginning of your life is taking place. CM Dhami expressed hope that all the selected candidates will work with full dedication and honesty in their field of work. "If we start work with a regular routine, every path is easy. He said that to fulfil the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop India by 2047, everyone will have to make a special contribution in their field of work," Dhami added. Also Read | One Nation, One Election: Lok Sabha Passes Bills on Simultaneous Polls With 269-196 Vote, Sends It to JPC (Watch Video). CM Dhami said that in the last three and a half years, appointments have been provided to more than 19 thousand posts in government services in the state. "The recruitment process for many posts is slow. After the implementation of strict anti-copying laws in the state, all the recruitment examinations have been completed on time with complete transparency," Dhami said. Earlier on Monday, CM Dhami inaugurated the Kanda Mahotsav. On this occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of 11 schemes worth Rs 83 crore and inaugurated a scheme worth Rs 1.80 crore in Bageshwar district. The Chief Minister also made several announcements to further accelerate the development of the district, according to a release. Describing the Kanda Mahotsav as a priceless heritage of the state, the Chief Minister said that this festival has played a major role in preserving the state's rich traditions and making a unique contribution in passing them on to future generations. This festival provides a platform for our small traders, artisans and farmers to display and sell their products. The Chief Minister said that our folk culture is our basic identity and wherever we are in life or wherever we go in the world, our first identity is that we are residents of Uttarakhand. We should always be proud of the culture of Uttarakhand, the attire of Uttarakhand and the food of Uttarakhand, said the release. He said that it is because of such events that our folk culture becomes even stronger. He also praised the efforts of the organizers for doing a wonderful job of preserving our cultural heritage and taking it to the new generation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, December 17: Delhi Police has arrested four persons for allegedly robbing a group of students at gunpoint by posing as police officers, officials said on Tuesday. "On December 10, six students living in a rented flat in Subhash Nagar were targeted by the accused. Posing as police officers, they accused the students of engaging in illegal activities, including running an illegal call centre. They also told the students that an immediate search of their premises was required. Under this pretext, the accused robbed them of approximately Rs 1.55 lakh at gunpoint before fleeing from the scene," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Vichitra Veer, said. A probe was launched after the victims reported the matter to the Hari Nagar police station, which led to the arrest of three accused persons identified as Manpreet Singh, Junaid Wasid, and Kuldeep Singh, the DCP said. Based on the disclosures made by the trio during interrogation, police arrested a fourth accused, Sarabjeet, from Tilak Nagar. Robbery Caught on Camera in Delhi: 3 Youths Loot Som Hotel at Gun-Point in New Seelampur, CCTV Footage Surfaces. During questioning, the accused confessed to the crime and revealed that they believed the students were running some illegal activity for which they would refrain from reporting the robbery to the police, the DCP said. Police have so far recovered Rs 1 lakh of the looted cash, a pistol, a live cartridge, and a car used in the crime, the officer said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jammu, Dec 17 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art MRI and CT scan centre at a charitable hospital here, assuring continued government support to the hospital. Abdullah praised the Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission hospital (SVMM) for its commitment towards providing affordable and high-quality healthcare. Also Read | SBI Clerk Recruitment 2024: State Bank of India Releases Notification For 13,735 Junior Associates Post at sbi.co.in, Know Steps to Apply. This institution stands as a beacon of service, offering quality healthcare at rates even lower than government hospitals, he said. The chief minister highlighted the hospital's inspiring journey, which began as a small dispensary and has grown into a reputable medical institution. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. He called this transformation remarkable and worthy of admiration. Abdullah also acknowledged the hospital's exceptional work in its neo-natal section, where the infant ICU boasts a 100 per cent recovery rate. Such achievements provide immense reassurance to parents and underline the hospital's dedication to excellence, he added. The chief minister toured the hospital, interacted with staff and patients, and reviewed various departments to gain firsthand insights. He emphasized the importance of serving humanity, stating, To serve God, we must serve humanity. Abdullah assured continued government support for the hospital and pledged assistance to help it expand its services and strengthen its healthcare initiatives. (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 17 (PTI) All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), an umbrella body that represents FMCG distributors in the country, has appealed to the government not to increase the GST rate hike to 35 per cent on aerated beverages. This move could "negatively impact" distributors, retailers and consumers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, said a statement from AICPDF, which claims to represent 4,50,000 distributors and 13 million 'Kirana' stores. Also Read | SBI Clerk Recruitment 2024: State Bank of India Releases Notification For 13,735 Junior Associates Post at sbi.co.in, Know Steps to Apply. "Aerated beverages...serve as affordable refreshment options for lower-income groups and rural populations. Any increase in tax will not only impact their consumption but also jeopardise the earnings of distributors and retailers across the country," it said. It has requested the government to reconsider this decision and prioritise policies that promote affordability, growth and sustainability in the FMCG sector. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The Group of Ministers on GST rate rationalisation, in its meeting earlier this month, suggested that the tax rate on sin goods like aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products be hiked to 35 per cent, from the current 28 per cent. Aerated beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, sparkling waters etc are currently taxed at the highest GST slab of 28 per cent plus a 12 per cent compensation cess. According to AICPDF, distributors are already facing significant margin pressures due to slowing consumer demand and rising operating costs. "An increase in GST would likely lead manufacturers to cut costs, further reducing the margins of distributors and retailers, thereby impacting their incomes and livelihood," it said. Moreover, a GST hike would result in a significant increase in prices, making these products unaffordable for a large section of the population and leading to a steep decline in sales. It has urged the government to "refrain from implementing the proposed GST rate of 35 per cent" and "rationalise and lower" it. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Puducherry, Dec 17 (PTI) Round Table India and Ladies Circle India partnered with Bangalore-based corporate Equiniti India to implement relief projects during Cyclone Fengal and the subsequent floods that affected several areas in the Puducherry and Karaikal regions of the Union Territory. A release from Pondicherry Heritage Round Table 167 (PHRT 167) said on Tuesday that tribal settlements and other vulnerable communities were among the hardest hit in Puducherry. Also Read | SBI Clerk Recruitment 2024: State Bank of India Releases Notification For 13,735 Junior Associates Post at sbi.co.in, Know Steps to Apply. Former Chairman of Area 2 of PHRT 167, N Venkataramani, said that to help affected people recover from the devastation, Round Table India and Ladies Circle India, in collaboration with Equiniti India, distributed relief materials in Bahoor Taluk in the Puducherry region. He stated that the joint efforts of these NGOs benefitted more than 2,000 families. Essential items like rice and dry ration kits were provided to the affected families. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. Members of Round Table India actively participated in the relief efforts, focusing on helping families whose homes were severely damaged, Venkataramani said. In addition to Bahoor Taluk, the NGOs extended support to residents in the Karaikal region, which suffered heavy losses. "Rice bags, milk, dry grocery kits, and other essential commodities were distributed to ensure basic needs were met during this challenging time," he said. He added that the collaborative efforts of these NGOs demonstrated their proactive role in alleviating the suffering of affected communities, highlighting the spirit of solidarity and resilience as people come together to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of Cyclone Fengal. Puducherry recorded an unprecedented rainfall of 48.4 cm for over 24 hours on December 1 till 9 am, describing it as a level of downpour "never before witnessed" in the region. (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 17 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi has notified norms for introducing a new asset class -- Specialized Investment Fund -- for high-risk profile investors along with liberalised mutual funds lite (MF Lite) framework for passively managed schemes. Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs), which allow mutual funds to launch advanced investment strategies as open-ended, closed-ended and interval structures, will add depth and variety to the investment landscape of the country. Also Read | SBI Clerk Recruitment 2024: State Bank of India Releases Notification For 13,735 Junior Associates Post at sbi.co.in, Know Steps to Apply. The minimum amount of Rs 10 lakh can be invested per investor, except for accredited investors, across all investment strategies of the new product in a particular AMC, Sebi said in a notification issued on Monday. The structure ensures limits on exposure to single issuers, companies, and sectors, maintaining risk controls. Also, Sebi has emphasised distinct branding, transparency and investor protection for these funds. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The new product is intended to bridge the gap between mutual funds and portfolio management services in terms of flexibility in portfolio construction. Besides, it is aimed at curtailing the proliferation of unregistered and unauthorised investment schemes, which often promise unrealistic high returns and exploit investors' expectations for better yields, leading to potential financial risks. "The asset management company shall ensure that the Specialized Investment Fund has distinct identification, separate from that of the Mutual Fund, to maintain clear differentiation between the offerings of the Specialized Investment Fund and that of a Mutual Fund," Sebi said. Additionally, the regulator has introduced a liberalised Mutual Funds Lite framework for passively managed schemes of mutual funds. Passively managed MF schemes replicate an underlying index such as ETFs and index funds where portfolios of index funds can be easily tracked. Active fund schemes require expert fund managers who define investment philosophy and select securities. The amendment would enable a relaxed framework with light-touch regulations for entities desirous of launching only passive mutual fund schemes. The light touch regulations include relaxed requirements relating to eligibility criteria for sponsors; including net worth, track record and profitability, responsibility of trustees, approval process and disclosures. The framework intends to promote ease of entry, encourage new players, reduce compliance requirements, increase penetration, enhance market liquidity, facilitate investment diversification and foster innovation. In its notification, Sebi said that the mutual fund lite asset management company is required to have a net worth of at least Rs 35 crore deployed in assets. This can be brought down to Rs 25 crore in case it has profits for five consecutive years. To give this effect, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has amended mutual fund rules. (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 17 (PTI) BJP leader Vijender Gupta on Tuesday asked the AAP government to call a special session of the Delhi Assembly to table 14 pending CAG reports within two days, warning he will move the high court if it fails to do so. Issuing the ultimatum, Gupta, the leader of the opposition in the Delhi Assembly, also said that the BJP would take to the streets if AAP kept on avoiding tabling the reports in the House. Also Read | SBI Clerk Recruitment 2024: State Bank of India Releases Notification For 13,735 Junior Associates Post at sbi.co.in, Know Steps to Apply. No immediate reaction was available from AAP. "The AAP government has been caught red-handed and stands exposed and these 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports will be the final nail in its coffin," Gupta hit out at the ruling party during a press conference. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. He said that not presenting the CAG reports in the assembly was a grave crime and charged that the AAP government has "murdered" democratic traditions and the Constitution in broad daylight. BJP legislators have already filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking a direction to the Delhi government to table the reports in the assembly. Delhi LG V K Saxena has also written to Chief Minister Atishi to call a special session of the Assembly to table the reports, allegedly pending for over one-and-a-half years. "The BJP will approach the high court once again to seek appropriate directions to compel the government to present the reports if it does not do so within the next 48 hours," Gupta said. He said BJP legislators over the past months raised the issue in the assembly multiple times, and met with the President of India, the speaker of the assembly and the chief secretary, but the government still refused to table the reports. The reports include a performance audit of the Delhi government related to issues like liquor policy and air pollution among others. (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 17 (PTI) Delhi-NCR schools on Tuesday switched to the hybrid mode of conducting classes following the re-imposition of anti-pollution measures under the Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). 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. However, students of class X and XII have to attend school in-person Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for December 17, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. Pritika Gupta, principal of the Sovereign School in Rohini said, "We are conducting online classes for students up to Class 5, while classes from Class 6 onwards will be held offline." "As exams are approaching, students up to Class 5 will take their exams online, whereas those in higher classes will take them offline," Gupta added. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, December 17 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. Chairperson of the Gitarattan School in Rohini, RN Jindal said, "Today, all classes are being conducted offline. However, we are planing to shift classes up to Class 5 to online mode, while classes from Class 6 onwards will remain offline." With exams approaching, many schools were conducting offline classes for children in junior and senior school. Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL School in Dwarka, said, "All classes in our school will be conducted offline as exams and pre-boards for Classes 10 and 12 are approaching." She said, "Many parents have requested us to hold all classes offline as students are lacking behind in various activities due to online classes, so we will proceed accordingly." The air quality in the national capital was in the 'severe' category on Tuesday morning with an AQI of 427. The Stage 4 restrictions were imposed shortly after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented measures under Stage 3 earlier in the day when Delhi's AQI breached the 350 threshold. Previously, all schools in Delhi had shifted to hybrid mode on November 25, before resuming in-person classes on December 5. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Taipei [Taiwan], December 17 (ANI): Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) stated that it detected 10 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am (local time) on Monday and 6 am (local time) on Tuesday. According to the MND, of the 10 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country's northern, central and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). Also Read | Bitcoin Price Hits All-Time High: Why Bitcoin Broke Records Again and Again in 2024. In a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said, " 10 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1868823428708376805 Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US, Ukraine Say Some North Korean Troops Killed Fighting Alongside Russian Forces in Kursk. Chinese activity spiked around Taiwan. On Monday, Taiwan reported five Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels near its territory. In a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said, "5 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 of the aircraft crossed the extension of median line of the Taiwan Strait. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1868461043468427327 This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. 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. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday extended warm greetings to the government and the people of Bhutan on their 117th National Day. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Tashi Delek to @FMBhutan, the Royal Government and the people of Bhutan on their 117th National Day. Committed to advancing our unique and enduring partnership." Also Read | Igor Kirillov 'Assassinated': Head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Force Killed by Explosive Device Planted Close to Residential Apartment in Moscow (Watch Videos). https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1868868079549342014 The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck arrived in New Delhi for their two-day official visit to India from December 5-6. Also Read | Vanuatu Earthquake: Strong Quake of Magnitude 7.3 Jolts Vanuatu Islands, Tsunami Warning Issued. During the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and King Wangchuk, the leaders had expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen these exemplary relations. Wangchuck conveyed appreciation for the invaluable support that the Government of India provides for Bhutan's socio-economic development.PM Modi reaffirmed India's abiding commitment to its enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and reiterated continued and full support to the socio-economic development in Bhutan based on the priorities of the Royal Government and as per the vision of Bhutan's King, the MEA said. The Bhutanese side thanked the Indian government for stepping up the development support for Bhutan under the 13th Five Year Plan (2024-29) and India's support for RGoB's Economic Stimulus Programme, the release addedMeanwhile, Wangchuck shared with PM Modi the progress in the implementation of his vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region, and how India and Bhutan can work together on the project for the betterment of the two peoples and the region. PM Modi reassured Wangchuck of India's continued support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project, which will bring prosperity and well-being to Bhutan and also the border areas, and further strengthen economic and investment linkages between the two countries. India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, characterized by mutual understanding, trust and exceptional cooperation at all levels. The bilateral discussions were held in a spirit of profound friendship, and reflected the strong historical ties, goodwill and understanding that exist between the two countries. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jakarta, Dec 17 (AP) Indonesian authorities were set to return a Filipina woman to the Philippines after midnight, who was on death row in Indonesia and was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015, under an arrangement between the two countries. Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso who spent almost 15 years in an Indonesian prison for drug trafficking won a last-minute reprieve that will lead to her testimony exposing how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and drug courier. Also Read | US: Kamala Harris Set To Deliver Post-Election Message to Maryland Students After Losing to Donald Trump. Veloso was moved late Sunday to a female prison in Indonesia's capital of Jakarta, from where she has been flown back to the Philippines. She was escorted to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Tuesday night for a flight to Manila. Her repatriation was made possible by a practical arrangement for the transfer of prisoners signed between the two countries on Dec. 6, after a longstanding request from Manila. Also Read | Cyclone Chido: PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief Over Devastation Caused by Cyclonic Storm in Mayotte, Says 'India Stands in Solidarity With France, Ready To Extend All Possible Assistance'. Veloso told a group of reporters outside the Pondok Bambu female prison in eastern Jakarta, that she was overwhelmed by a variety of emotions, before getting into the car that took her to the airport. She thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his government for sending her back home to serve her sentence in her country, So, I can be closer to my children and family. Thank you, Indonesia, I love Indonesia, Veloso said. She said that she brought many souvenirs given by her Indonesian fellow inmates and friends, including a guitar, books, knittings and rosaries. 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 of heroin hidden in her luggage. The single mother of two sons was convicted and sentenced to death. Her case caused a public outcry in the Philippines. She travelled 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 earlier. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. Indonesia's last executions of one of its citizens and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016. 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 Sunday under a deal struck between the Indonesian and Australian governments. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 17 (ANI): French Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou met Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow Director, Archana Shukla on Monday. Mathou encouraged Indian students to choose France to pursue higher education. Also Read | Bitcoin Price Hits All-Time High: Why Bitcoin Broke Records Again and Again in 2024. In a post on X on Monday, he said, "Good meeting with Director, Prof Archana Shukla, during my visit to IIM Lucknow. Top French B-schools already have exchange programs with one of India's premier management institutes. My message to the Indian students - Choose France!" https://x.com/thierry_mathou/status/1868615399924981868 Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US, Ukraine Say Some North Korean Troops Killed Fighting Alongside Russian Forces in Kursk. Mathou also met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his residence. The UP CM said the two had a "fruitful meeting." In a post on X, CM Yogi said, "Had a productive and fruitful meeting with Dr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, at my official residence in Lucknow today." https://x.com/myogiadityanath/status/1868636859775304078 Earlier this month, Mathou said that the relationship between India and France is exceptional and further highlighted plans to strengthen exchanges between the two nations. Mathou emphasised that the core of the India-France relationship lies in security and defence, noting the partnership's significance as both countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of their partnership last year. He stressed the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchange and culture, identifying them as top priorities for future cooperation. "The relation between India and France is exceptional. Last year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our partnership. The core of our relation is security and defence. The challenge is to put more flesh on the bones of the rest, and the rest is people-to-people exchange and culture as a top priority," he added. While speaking on the Kerala Literature Festival 2025, the French ambassador said that a delegation of 50 novelists and 8 publishers from France will visit Kerala for a few days for the occasion and stated that the event would not only facilitate cultural exchange but also focus on concrete work in translation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) The XV India-Russia Business Dialogue hosted over 700 business leaders to strengthen trade and tourism ties. (Photo: TV BRICS) Moscow [Russia], December 17 (ANI): Moscow recently hosted the XV India-Russia Business Dialogue, an event aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia. Over 700 business representatives attended the event to discuss new opportunities for collaboration in trade, high-tech industries, and other sectors. Also Read | US: Kamala Harris Set To Deliver Post-Election Message to Maryland Students After Losing to Donald Trump. The forum also focused on increasing bilateral trade and fostering cultural exchanges. TV BRICS was the official media partner of the event. Also Read | Cyclone Chido: PM Narendra Modi Expresses Grief Over Devastation Caused by Cyclonic Storm in Mayotte, Says 'India Stands in Solidarity With France, Ready To Extend All Possible Assistance'. The plenary session featured prominent figures, including Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow City Government and Head of the Business Council for Cooperation with India; Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to Russia; Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; and Vladimir Platonov, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). Together, they addressed several critical topics, such as expanding trade ties, advancing cooperation in science and technology, and improving infrastructure, education, and cultural exchanges. Cheremin highlighted that 2024 has been a productive year for the bilateral relationship between Moscow and New Delhi, particularly in high-tech industries such as pharmaceuticals, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and transport infrastructure. He said, "2024 was a busy year for bilateral relations," emphasising the importance of continued collaboration in these areas to enhance mutual growth and innovation. Ambassador Kumar, in his address, pointed to India's strong economic performance, noting the country's GDP growth of 7.58 per cent and its position among the top three global economies in terms of purchasing power parity, reported TV BRICS. He also praised the successful implementation of joint investment projects, especially in the transport sector, and stressed the importance of "the development of banking channels and payment options to facilitate settlements in national currencies" as a vital stabilising factor for bilateral trade. Volvach, Russia's Deputy Minister of Economic Development, shared that trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 46.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 15 per cent increase over the same period last year. He reaffirmed the target to reach USD 100 billion in trade by 2030, underscoring the role of the International North-South Transport Corridor and simplified customs procedures in supporting this growth. A notable highlight was the growing tourism sector. Volvach announced an 86 per cent increase in the number of Indian tourists visiting Russia this year. He also highlighted the introduction of electronic visas for Indian citizens, which has further boosted tourism between the two nations. The forum featured thematic sessions on finance, healthcare, biotechnology, and investment cooperation. The discussions centred on improving commodity flows, human resource development, and innovation. The event concluded with a series of B2B meetings designed to foster new business relationships between India and Russia, TV BRICS reported. The XV India-Russia Business Dialogue was organised by the Indian Business Alliance with support from the Business Council for Cooperation with India, the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, and the Roscongress Foundation. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jenin (West Bank), Dec 17 (AP) Palestinian security forces have launched a rare crackdown against local militant groups in the northern West Bank, sending in armoured cars and engaging in fierce gunbattles that have killed at least two people in the volatile area. The raid marks an unusual step for the Palestinian Authority, the governing body for semi-autonomous pockets in the occupied West Bank that is internationally recognised but has largely lost control of militant strongholds such as Jenin, where forces operated through the weekend and into Monday. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US, Ukraine Say Some North Korean Troops Killed Fighting Alongside Russian Forces in Kursk. Israeli troops have stepped into the vacuum in recent years, particularly since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militant attack that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. Palestinian health officials say 811 Palestinians have been killed since then in the West Bank, most by Israeli raids into Palestinian cities and towns. Israel says most of the dead have been militants. On Saturday, Palestinian security forces said they had begun the operation in the Jenin refugee camp, a longtime militant stronghold. The operation was continuing Monday, with AP reporters hearing heavy gunfire and spotting at least two Palestinian armoured vehicles roaming the outskirts of the camp. Also Read | Israel-Hamas War: Death Toll in Gaza Reaches 45,000, Say Health Officials. The U.N. humanitarian office said that security forces took over part of a hospital in Jenin, using it as a base and shooting from inside. Forces detained at least eight men, pulling one out of the hospital on a stretcher, the U.N. said. The main U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, suspended its services, including schooling. The militant groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas operate freely across Jenin, and its streets are regularly lined with posters depicting slain fighters as martyrs to the Palestinian struggle. Young men carrying walkie-talkies patrol the alleys. Israel says the militant groups are part of the Iranian axis of resistance. Both groups receive funding and other support from Iran, but they are deeply rooted in Palestinian society. The security forces are operating according to a clear political vision from Palestinian leadership on the importance of imposing order, establishing the rule of law, restoring civil peace and societal security, spokesman Brig. Gen. Anwar Rajab said. The troops were focused on eradicating Iran-backed groups that were trying to incite chaos and anarchy, he added. Palestinian security forces have reported the deaths of two men in the crackdown: a 19-year-old civilian, Rabhi Shalabi, shot riding a motorcycle, and an Islamic Jihad militant, Yazi Jaayseh. Security forces, which initially denied killing Shalabi before admitting it in a statement Friday, have not said why they targeted the young man. His 15-year-old cousin, who was also on the motorcycle, was shot in the head and wounded. U.N. officials, citing local video footage, have said the pair were unarmed and delivering food from a family restaurant when they were shot, and that Shalabi raised both in the air hands before he was killed. It was not immediately clear why the Palestinian Authority decided to launch the crackdown now. Such actions are unpopular with the Palestinian public, where many accuse the Palestinian security forces of collaborating with Israel. The Israeli military said it was not involved in the operation and did not comment further. Hamas senior official Mahmoud Mardawi slammed the Palestinian Authority operating in Jenin as an attempt to end the resistance. In comments released by Hamas late Monday, he urged the Palestinian Authority to immediately stop its unpatriotic behavior that serves the occupation. The U.S. has sought to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, hoping it will help run the Gaza Strip after the war. White House officials declined to comment publicly on their position on the Jenin operation. Officials at the U.S. National Security Council also declined to comment. Overall, since the start of the war, the U.N. says that at least seven Palestinians have been killed by Palestinian security forces, and at least 24 Israelis have also been killed by Palestinian attackers in the West Bank. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sharjah [UAE], December 17 (ANI/WAM): The Executive Committee for the Expansion of Healthy Cities Programme in Sharjah hosted a workshop Monday, as part of its ongoing efforts to embrace and implement global health standards. The event brought together 105 government officials from cities across the Emirate, including Khorfakkan, Kalba, Al Dhaid, Al Madam, Mleiha, Dibba Al Hisn, Al Hamriya, and Al Batayeh. Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of Sharjah Health Authority (SHA) and Head of the Executive Committee, emphasised the workshop's role and significance in encouraging collaboration between government entities. Also Read | US: 2 Men Die From Rare Fungal Infection After Using Bat Poop As Cannabis Fertiliser in New York. He noted, "The Expansion of Healthy Cities initiative reflects Sharjah's vision to place community health at the core of sustainable development, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah." Samar El-Feky, a regional expert with the World Health Organisation (WHO), presented a comprehensive overview of the WHO's Healthy Cities Programme, which underscored the importance of addressing social determinants of health as the foundation for achieving universal health coverage. Also Read | Igor Kirillov 'Assassinated': Head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Force Killed by Explosive Device Planted Close to Residential Apartment in Moscow (Watch Videos). She also lauded Sharjah's dedication and relentless efforts to implement of the programme, describing the emirate as a "regional pioneer" in implementing Healthy Cities standards. El-Feky pointed out that the Healthy Cities Programme focuses on creating environments that support individuals and communities to thrive, promoting physical, social, and emotional well-being. The Programme, as applied in the Eastern Mediterranean region, is built on nine core pillars and 80 focus areas, ranging from community engagement and cross-sector collaboration to health education, food security, and emergency preparedness. During the workshop, the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development unveiled its newly developed digital platform, designed to measure compliance with the programme's standards. The platform aims to provide accurate and transparent data to help make strategic decisions and monitor progress. Participants also engaged in interactive sessions to develop action plans tailored to their respective cities. Divided into working groups, they analysed local challenges, identified opportunities, and explored ways to strengthen partnerships. (ANI/WAM) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], December 17 (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. Also Read | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: US, Ukraine Say Some North Korean Troops Killed Fighting Alongside Russian Forces in Kursk. 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 Also Read | Israel-Hamas War: Death Toll in Gaza Reaches 45,000, Say Health Officials. 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) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, December 17: In a recent update on the tragic suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash, his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, has denied the allegations of harassment made by her late husband. Nikita, who was on the run for several days, was arrested and subsequently interrogated by the police. During her questioning, she countered the claims, stating that it was, in fact, Atul who had subjected her to harassment. Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old native of Samastipur in Bihar, had reportedly accused his wife and in-laws of harassment, which he alleged led him to take his own life. A 24-page suicide note recovered from his apartment detailed his grievances, with each page beginning with the phrase "Justice is due." In the note, Atul accused his in-laws of extorting money and pressuring him for a Rs 3 crore divorce settlement. He also expressed regret for not being able to care for his elderly parents. Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Allahabad High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Sushil Singhania, Uncle of Nikita Singhania. Atul Subhash's Wife Denies Harassment Allegations, Accuses Husband of Abuse Nikita Singhania, 29, revealed that she and Atul had been living separately for nearly three years. She argued that if she had truly harassed him for money, she would not have stayed away for such an extended period. Nikitas defence comes amidst serious accusations from Atuls family, who have voiced their disillusionment with the legal system, claiming that laws seem to protect women while offering little support for men. What is Atul Subhash Suicide Case? Atuls death has raised serious concerns over the alleged misuse of legal provisions in domestic disputes. Along with the suicide note, a 90-minute video recorded by Atul before his death went viral, in which he detailed his struggles with ongoing domestic issues. In the video, Atul claimed he was facing multiple false police complaints and accused a family court judge in Jaunpur of being biased against him. He also alleged that Nikita and her family pressured him for money to fund their business ventures, and when he refused, conflicts escalated. Atul Subhash Suicide Probe: Nikita Singhania Changed Location Every Day To Avoid Arrest, Say Police Sources. According to Atuls version of events, Nikita left their home in 2021, taking their son with her. He claimed that in 2022, Nikita filed several cases against him and his family, including charges of cruelty, dowry harassment, and even attempted murder. The Bengaluru police arrested Nikita in Gurugram while her mother, Nisha, and brother, Anurag, were apprehended in Prayagraj. The three were transported to Bengaluru, where they were presented before the court. Nikita, along with her mother and brother, has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, Nikitas uncle, who was also named in the case. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2024 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Patna, December 17: The Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, appears to be facing significant internal challenges as prominent leaders resigned from its core committee on Tuesday. This development comes even before the announcement of the Bihar Assembly elections, raising concerns about the party's stability. Former Union Minister Devendra Prasad Yadav and former MP, M Hasan have stepped down from the party's 125-member state core committee. Both leaders cited "unavoidable reasons" for their resignations but refrained from providing detailed explanations. In his resignation letter Devendra Prasad Yadav stated, "I voluntarily resign from your 125-member state core committee due to unavoidable reasons." 'One Nation One Election' Fine if Brought With Good Intentions, Says Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor. Similarly, Hasan, in his letter, acknowledged the formation of the 125-member core committee but mentioned, "Due to unavoidable reasons, I will not be a part of the core committee, and our resignation should be accepted." Despite resigning from the committee, Hasan clarified that he has no immediate plans to leave the party. These resignations highlight growing discontent within the party's ranks and present a challenge for Prashant Kishor as he attempts to consolidate the Jan Suraaj Party's position ahead of the elections. When they joined the Jan Suraaj Party, Prashant Kishor was aiming to obtain the support of Muslim and Yadav voters through Hasan and Devendra Prasad Yadav and their resignation from the core committee is definitely a setback for the party. Prashant Kishor Launches Jan Suraaj Party Ahead of Bihar Elections, Names Manoj Bharti As Working President. The Jan Suraaj Party, led by Prashant Kishor, faced a significant setback in the recently-concluded Bihar Assembly bye-election, losing all four contested seats. The party suffered heavy defeats in Ramgarh, Tarari, and Belaganj constituencies, highlighting its struggle to gain traction in these regions. However, there was a glimmer of hope in Imamganj, where the party's candidate Jitendra Paswan managed to secure a respectable number of votes. On a more positive note, the party's candidate performed better in the Tirhut Legislative Council bye-election, finishing in second place. This result may signal some emerging support for Prashant Kishors efforts in certain areas, even as the party faces broader challenges in establishing itself as a significant political force in Bihar. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2024 04:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, December 17: Employees of Somaiya College in Mumbai have been arrested for running a college admission racket that involved forging mark sheets and leaving certificates (LCs). The scam enabled nearly 50 ineligible students to secure admissions for Class 11 in the 2024-25 academic year by falsifying documents and tampering with the states official admission portal. The accused, including two college clerks, allegedly accepted illegal payments from parents to bypass the merit-based system. The case came to light during routine checks by the administration at Somaiya College, revealing discrepancies in the admission process for Class 11. According to a Times of India report, forged mark sheets and leaving certificates were discovered, prompting a deeper investigation. The inquiry revealed that two college employees, Mahendra Patil and Arjun Rathod, along with their accomplices, orchestrated the scam. They manipulated the official admission portal by uploading fabricated documents to secure seats for students who did not meet eligibility criteria. Online Fraud in Mumbai: Man Poses as Police Inspector, Dupes College Professor of Rs 1 Lakh After Claiming Her Son Was Detained. Investigators found that the accused targeted parents willing to pay hefty sums to secure their childrens admission. They reportedly created fake credentials and marksheets for students from various boards, including CBSE, ICSE, IB, and others, ensuring admissions through fraudulent means. Documents featuring suspicious details like percentages above 90% and invalid serial numbers were among the evidence uncovered. The racket compromised the merit-based system, depriving deserving students of opportunities. Online Fraud in Mumbai: Teen Loses Rs 2 Lakh While Playing Game on Mothers Mobile Phone, Dies by Suicide. The Tilak Nagar police have arrested Patil and Rathod and registered an FIR under cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy sections of the IPC and the Information Technology Act. The accused are also suspected of misusing college computer systems to facilitate the fraud. The police are now tracing other accomplices, identified as Kamleshbhai, Jitubhai, and Babubhai, to investigate the scope of the racket. Authorities are also examining whether similar frauds have occurred at other institutions. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2024 06:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Sambhal, December 17: Devotees thronged the Khaggu Sarai area here on Tuesday to offer prayers to a Lord Hanuman idol that was discovered in the Bhasma Shankar temple, reopened last week after being shut for 46 years. Tuesday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Hanuman. "The temple was cleaned around 4 am. A 'cholaa (cloth meant for gods and goddesses)' was offered to Lord Hanuman and the Hanuman Chalisa recited," said the temple's priest Shashikant Shukla. He added that "shringaar (decoration)" of Lord Shiva was also done in the temple's sanctum sanctorum. The Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. Sambhal Temple: 3 Damaged Idols Found Inside Well, Days After Bhasma Shankar Temples Reopening (Watch Videos). The temple housed an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling. It had remained locked since 1978. The temple also has a well nearby. Meanwhile, the owner of a house opposite the temple that was flagged for encroachment said he would remove the illegal structure. Shukla, the temple priest, said devotees had started coming to the temple from near and far. He added that his "heart aches, thinking of the years that the idols had remained in darkness". He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the district magistrate and the superintendent of police for the temple's reopening. Vikki Kumar, a devotee who came to the temple, said, "Such an ancient temple has opened after 46 years. Tuesday, being devoted to Lord Hanuman, I have come to visit with my family." On Monday, three damaged idols were found inside the temple well, officials had said. Sambhal: Devotees Paint Om Namah Shivaya and Har Har Mahadeva Slogans on Walls of the Newly Discovered Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Uttar Pradeshs District (Watch Video). The temple is situated just over a kilometre from the Shahi Jama Masjid where violence took place on November 24 during a protest over a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The Sambhal district administration has written to the Archaeological Survey of India for carbon dating of the temple and the well. Carbon dating is a method used to determine the age of archaeological artefact from ancient sites. District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya told reporters on Monday that the temple and the well were being excavated. Asked if the temple would be beautified, he had said, "First, the temple's 'pracheentaa (antiquity)' will be ensured." Meanwhile, Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, a former resident of the area, claimed the temple was of the Rastogi community. Devotees Offer Prayers to Lord Hanuman in Bhasma Shankar Temple #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Devotees recite Hanuman Chalisa at the Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal which was discovered during an anti-encroachment drive carried out by district police and administration on 14th December. pic.twitter.com/eIlmxiywyl ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 "After the riots of 1978, the 40-45 people from Rastogi families who lived here shut the temple and left," said the 82-year-old. Rastogi, whose early life was spent in Khaggu Sarai, now lives in another locality of Sambhal. "People left due to fear. We also left due to the massacre in 1978. My shop was burnt," he said. There used to be a four-feet circumambulation path and a peepal tree near the temple well, he claimed. Meanwhile, Mateen Ahmed, whose house was flagged for encroachment, said there was nothing wrong in the blueprint. "There is a balcony in the upper portion that extends about two-and-a-half feet. This part is an encroachment. We have spoken to the administration and are getting it removed." The work will be completed in four to five days, he added. Ahmed also said he had covered his balcony so that the temple was not damaged during the demolition work. Wright Brothers Day is an annual event celebrated across the United States of America (USA) on December 17. The day aims to mark and honour the achievements of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who are credited with inventing and successfully flying the world's first powered, heavier-than-air, controlled airplane. As per historical records, their historic flight took place on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and hence this day is popularly celebrated as Wright Brothers Day. December 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important National and International Days and Dates. The aircraft, the Wright Flyer, is said to have travelled 120 feet in 12 seconds during the first flight. On this Wright Brothers Day 2024, lets know more about the historic flight and all about the annual event in the US. Wright Brothers Day 2024 Date Wright Brothers Day 2024 falls on Tuesday, December 17. Wright Brothers Day History Wright Brothers Day was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1959, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. On September 21, 1959, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared December 17 to be Wright Brothers Day pursuant to Public Law 86304. After a similar joint resolution enacted in 1961, the U.S. Congress made the designation permanent in 1963. Wright Brothers Day is celebrated every December 17 at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Winter Solstice 2024 Traditions: From Dongzhi Festival to Soyal Ceremony, 5 Fascinating December Solstice Celebrations From Around the World. Wright Brothers Day Significance The Wright Brothers Day serves as an excellent opportunity to honour and celebrate their legacy as they continue to inspire even today with their work. They showed how innovation could overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. The Wright Brothers' pioneering work has inspired generations of innovators and transformed the world, leading to advancements in transportation, commerce, and global connectivity. The day marks the first successful flight in airplane, the Wright Flyer, that were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 17, 2024 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). An Allentown man has been arrested and charged with felony homicide in the death of two pedestrians following a hit-and-run accident last year in the city. Aside from the two counts of felony homicide by vehicle while DUI charges, 23-year-old Imanol Caraballo also is facing felony homicide by vehicle; felony accidents involving death or personal injury; two counts felony accidents involving death or injury while not licensed; two counts misdemeanor reckless endangerment; as well as multiple misdemeanor DUI and other related summary offenses. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan and Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca announced Caraballos arrest on Tuesday afternoon. Pamela Lehman, spokeswoman for the district attorneys office, told lehighvalleylive.com Caraballo surrendered Monday on an arrest warrant. Caraballo was arraigned Monday afternoon before District Judge Karen C. Devine, who set bail at $50,000 unsecured. The Lehigh County Public Defenders Office told lehighvalleylive.com Caraballo has yet to apply for counsel. There was no other attorney information listed for him in court records as of Tuesday afternoon. The charges are in connection to the accident that happened around 1:15 a.m. Dec. 10, 2023 in the 300 block of Hamilton Street. Emergency responders were called for a report of two pedestrians struck. Witnesses reported to investigators seeing the driver flee in a gray sedan, heading east on Hamilton Street. The victims, 44-year-old Christopher Stocker and 43-year-old Luz Daneza Ruiz Acosta, also of Allentown, were both taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. They died within hours. The Lehigh County Coroners Office ruled Stocker and Acosta each died from blunt force injuries due to the crash and their deaths were ruled accidental by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio. Caraballo was not injured, authorities had said. He later was connected to the crash when a city officer found his silver sedan with a smashed windshield and dented hood parked near the crash scene, police said. Investigators later determined Caraballo was the alleged driver. His blood tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, at the time of the accident, the district attorneys office said. Caraballo is due back in court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Jan. 2. A judge will then determine if theres sufficient evidence to send the case toward trial in the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The East Allen Township Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to grant conditional use approval to BrightFarms for its 1.5 million-square-foot greenhouse complex. Supervisor Frank Kostecky was absent for the vote. The project must still go through the townships land development process before construction can begin. BrightFarms website states its hydroponic growing methods do not use pesticides and the locally-grown produce can reach store shelves within hours of being harvested, as opposed to products from California that spend up to five days on a truck. Lettuce should be grown to be eaten, not trucked around, the website states. The development is proposed on two parcels totaling 112 acres at the northeast corner of Locust and Arrowhead roads in East Allen Township. The property currently is used for agricultural uses, according to the conditional use application. The land is in the Agricultural/Rural Residential zoning district where greenhouses are permitted by right. However, uses deemed to be intensive agricultural land development, as per the townships zoning ordinance, require a conditional use hearing. The plan is to construct four greenhouses totaling 1.5 million square feet with two headhouse, or work center, buildings totaling 318,000 square feet. The structures will be built over the course of about eight years, according to the application. The plan was awarded a $3 million Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program grant from the governors office a month ago. The program targets businesses that government officials believe will boost the state economy. BrightFarms did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. John Best is a freelance contributor to lehighvalleylive.com. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A 21-year-old man was arrested after attempting to rob another man Monday afternoon at a Bethlehem Township shopping center, police said. Zymaire Tayron Greene of Easton is charged with felony attempted robbery with a firearm; two counts misdemeanor making terroristic threats; two counts misdmeanor simple assault; and one count misdemeanor evading arrest. Township Police Chief Greg Gottschall said Greene was arrested around 2 a.m. Tuesday when investigators were tipped off he was staying at the WoodSpring Suites Hotel along Christian Spring Road near the shopping center. Greene allegedly attempted to flee the hotel but was taken into custody a short while later along Route 22 in Bethlehem Township by state police, the chief said. Troopers recovered a stolen handgun at the time of his arrest, police said. Greene was matched as the suspect in an almost identical robbery attempt on Nov. 30, Gottschall said. Greene was being held at the Northampton County Prison Central Booking Center. He was arraigned Tuesday on the charges and remains in prison in lieu of posting $250,000 bail. The robbery incident began just before 3 p.m. Monday in the parking lot near Franks Pizza at Bethlehem Square Mall, in the 3900 block of Nazareth Pike. The victim reported being approached by the man later identified as Greene, who demanded cash and threatened he had a handgun, police said. The victim fled to safety inside a store, according to police. The victim was able to provide a detailed description of Greene to investigators. Several Northampton County law enforcement agencies assisted Bethlehem Township police after they found a man matching the description at a nearby intersection. Greene later allegedly fled authorities, running into a dense brush and wooded area along the Monocacy Creek, Camels Hump Farm and Bethlehem Townships Housenick Park. The area sits along the jurisdictional line between the township and City of Bethlehem. During the course of the two-day investigation, township police were assisted by officers with the Bethlehem Police Department; Colonial Regional Police Department; and Palmer Township Police Department; as well as troopers with Pennsylvania State Police Troop M in Bethlehem, Palmer Township Police K-9 Unit; and Colonial Regional Police Department Drone Unit. Bethlehem Township police continues to seek witnesses of Mondays incident. Those with information are asked to call township police investigators via Northampton County dispatch at 610-759-2200; Investigator Ed Fox at 610-419-9646 or email efox@bethlehemtownship.org; Investigator Gretchen Kraemer at 610-814-6473 or email gkraemer@bethlehemtownship.org; or Officer Sarah Zielinski at 610-814-6410 or email szielinski@bethlehemtownship.org. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A deacon with a part-time leadership role in the regional Lutheran Church organization was indicted earlier this month for bringing a minor across state lines for sex. George Travis Woodfield, of Macungie, allegedly brought a person under 18 from Pennsylvania to New York to have sex on Nov. 6, 2018, according to a federal indictment. The indictment says he also accessed child pornography involving a child under 12. He accessed the material between Sept. 11, 2015, and July 17, 2024, the indictment says. The FBI has yet to uncover anything alarming or abnormal in its ongoing investigation into more than 5,000 reported sightings of drones in New Jersey and other states over the last month, the bureau said Monday. The 5,000 tips generated around 100 leads for investigators, the FBI said in a rare joint statement with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense. The rest of the reports were ruled out by investigators, who have determined the sightings were mostly lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, airplanes and helicopters. Some were also stars people mistook for drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast, the agencies said. The joint statement acknowledged the concern among many communities and promised federal authorities would continue to support state and local authorities with manpower and advanced detection technology. Federal officials said there have been drone sightings over military bases, which the Department of Defense is investigating separately. Officials at both Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County reported seeing drones in their airspace in recent weeks. But, the statement from the FBI and other agencies said those types of sightings over military bases are not new. Local commanders are actively engaged to ensure there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place, the statement said. The flurry of sightings across New Jerseys night skies that began in mid-November has led to calls for answers from residents, local officials, and state and federal lawmakers. Federal authorities last week sent three drone detection systems to New Jersey to aid the attempt to unravel the mystery. Authorities on both the state and local level have repeatedly assured the public that the drones pose no threat or national security risk. On Monday, hours before the joint statement was issued, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said there doesnt appear to be anything to fear. After days and days now of forensics work analysis, detection work and looking at the tips that came in, our assessment is that these drones represent lawful, legal, commercial, hobbyist drones even law enforcement drones, he told CNN. Kirby said the investigation isnt finished and investigators might yet find some sort of illegal or criminal activity, some nefarious activity, especially as additional tip comes in. As the number of sightings has grown and a definitive explanation failed to emerge, some officials and lawmakers called for Congress to pass expanded legislation that would allow federal authorities more ways to fight possible drone threats. In their joint statement, the FBI, FAA and other agencies joined in on the call for new laws about unmanned aircraft systems, known as UAS. We urge Congress to enact counter-UAS legislation when it reconvenes that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge, they said. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. A man was injured when he crashed his SUV Monday morning during a police pursuit along Route 22 in South Whitehall, state police said. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville said troopers were alerted around 11:30 a.m. that a man who had been attempting to harm himself was driving from New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. Troopers found him heading west in an SUV and attempted to stop the driver, police said. The driver continued, leaving the highway at one point and traveling on back roads before returning to Route 22. The SUV crashed into trees off the highway and caught fire in the westbound lanes at mile marker 316.7 in the township, Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks, told lehighvalleylive.com Tuesday morning. Branosky didnt immediately have information about the speed the driver was traveling. The driver was thrown from the SUV during the crash and injured. State police said he additionally had self-inflicted injuries to his body. The driver was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. A condition was not immediately available Tuesday morning. The crash tied up traffic for several hours Monday as westbound motorists were being detoured onto the Route 309 Exit. Also assisting the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Fogelsville Crime Unit was the Bethlehem Police Departments Patrol Unit, Fogelsville Patrol Unit, Cetronia Fire Dept., Greenwalds Fire Dept. and Universal Medical Response. Mondays accident remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville. Its unclear if the driver is facing charges until the investigation is complete, Branosky said. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville said the incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec 16, 2024 when troopers were alerted to the distressed driver, leaving New Jersey and heading into Pennsylvania. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor Editors note: Self-harm thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The Nurses and Midwifery organisation call for the overcrowding crisis in hospitals around the country to be prioritised in government formation talks. There are over 629 patients, including 24 children being treated on trolleys, chairs and in other inappropriate bed spaces in Irish hospitals today, according to the organisation. We are seeing yet another pre-Christmas surge in the number of people who are being admitted to hospitals without a bed. Dangerous levels of overcrowding are not just confined to a couple of sites, we are seeing high levels of patients on trolleys in most hospitals. This is an indicator of the difficult weeks that lay ahead for patients and nurses and midwives who want to provide safe care in our hospitals," INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said. Each year we face the same problems in our hospitals with no long-term solutions offered to ending the ongoing, year-round overcrowding crisis in our hospitals. As government formation talks continue ensuring that our hospitals are safe from a staffing and capacity perspective must be a priority for all engaged in negotiations," Ms Ni Sheaghdha added. Safe nurse and midwife staffing must be a priority for all politicans in #Budget2025 and the upcoming general election. When you invest in safe nurse and midwife staffing, you are investing in patient safety. pic.twitter.com/xGdfwUbya3 Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) September 19, 2024 The overcrowding crisis is being exacerbated by the serious issues in staffing across all hospitals and community services. Patient safety is directly linked to staffing levels, curbing recruitment and placing restrictions on the authority of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery to recruit is exacerbating the ability to provide safe and timely care," Ms Ni Sheaghdha said. READ NEXT: How to deal with 'toxic' family members at Christmas as expert advice issued The INMO calls for "the curtailing of non-urgent elective care, ensuring that all senior clinical decision-makers are on site, and introducing heightened infection control measures will create a release valve to ease the pressure in the majority of sites." As our members are continuing to work in very trying circumstances, they want to be assured by all involved in government formation negotiations that improving their conditions at work will be a top priority, Ms Ni Sheaghdha added. Irish language rap trio Kneecap are among a host of talent from the island to be shortlisted for the Oscars. The film Kneecap has been shortlisted in the best international feature film category and for best original song for Sick In The Head. The comedy movie, which also stars actor Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music, and is directed by Rich Peppiatt. It comes after the group won their discrimination court battle against UK Leader of the Opposition and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, after the UK Government conceded it was unlawful to refuse them a 14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award. Earlier this month, Kneecap scooped seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards, including best British independent film. Meanwhile The Apprentice, produced by Irish production company Tailored Films, has been shortlisted in the best makeup and hairstyling category, and Room Taken, a short film funded under Screen Irelands flagship Focus Shorts scheme and directed by TJ OGrady-Peyton, is shortlisted for best live action short. Nominations voting begins on January 8 and is set to conclude on January 12 ahead of the announcement of nominations on January 17 and the glitzy awards ceremony in March. Peppiatt described a rollercoaster journey. If someone had walked into the pub in 2019 back when me and Kneecap were still dreaming up what this movie could be and they told us five years later wed be in the running for Oscars, wed probably have asked for a blast on whatever they were smoking, he said. Its been a rollercoaster journey marked by a huge amount of hard graft and plenty good fun, and making it to that hallowed Hollywood red carpet would certainly be a grand way to finish it all off. Desiree Finnegan, chief executive of Screen Ireland, congratulated the creative teams behind Kneecap, The Apprentice and Room Taken on the shortlist announcements. This is the second time in history that a film in the Irish language has been shortlisted for the Academy Award for best international feature film and to have three films shortlisted across various categories is an incredible achievement for Irish cinema, she said. The 97th Oscars will be held on March 2 2025 at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Mental health and suicide prevention charity SOSAD Ireland, which has very active Laois branch, claims to have been abandoned in its appeal for funding to support its work. The charity issued a statement in which it claims Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler promised emergency funding for November and December. It says this pledge was made at a meeting on November 5 but there has been no funding or communication from the Minister since. The charity says this is putting lives at risk and threatens the future of the charity and on the brink of collapse. This year, SOSAD (Save Our Sons and Daughters) has delivered 21,402 hours of free counselling- up 20.43% from last year - through its 6 offices in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, and Laois, as well as nationwide through remote services. Despite this extraordinary demand, SOSAD receives no core government funding and is now struggling to meet its commitments. Carol Murphy is the General Manager of SOSAD Ireland. "Minister Butler gave her word. She promised emergency funding and a path to sustainability, as of yet she has delivered nothing. This is not just a failure - it is a disgrace. Hundreds of people rely on us every week. If we are forced to close, who will support them? SOSAD Ireland urged Minister Butler to provide the promised emergency funding to prevent closure. The statement concluded by saying that "lives are on the line" and a failure to act represents an "abandonment" of the people who depend on SOSADs services to save and rebuild their lives. The Department of Health issued a response in reply. "Minister Butler and officials from the Department of Health had a productive meeting with SOSAD in November 2024. Since this meeting, officials have been in contact with both SOSAD and the HSE to progress actions from the meeting. Minister Butler understands that the HSE has been in direct contact with SOSAD to progress actions arising and that both parties are in communication. "Minister Butler recognises the important contribution SOSAD make to counselling service in north-east Leinster, and has asked Department officials to keep her up to date on engagements with the charity," it said. SOSAD service in Laois operates from Shamrock House in Portlaoise. Laois co-ordinator Shirley McKay and Portlaoise mental health advocate and SOSAD board member Christy Bannon, pleaded their case in a special presentation to Laois County Council and public representatives in October. They said the centre has 191 active clients in crisis, receiving free professional counselling at the moment. Up to October 2024, they have provided 2,317 hours of counselling, given immediately with no referral or waiting list needed. The Law Society of Ireland and Kildare Solicitors Bar Association are highlighting the importance of making a will and are encouraging Kildare residents to plan ahead. President of the Kildare Solicitors Bar Association, Jennifer OSullivan, said, Many people might be tempted to put off making a will for another day in the future, but life is unpredictable and its never too early to plan ahead. The start of the new year is the perfect time to make a will and to let your loved ones know how you would like your possessions to be distributed when you die, providing peace of mind. What is a will? A will is a legal document that outlines how a persons property, money, and other assets (also known as an estate) should be distributed after their death. This usually involves leaving your assets to family, friends, or a charity that is important to you. By making a will, you can ensure that your estate is handled according to your wishes, explained Jennifer. Steps to making a will Making a will might seem like a daunting task, but it is one of the most positive life tasks you can tick off your list. Community based solicitors have expertise in wide-ranging areas of law, including making a will. Your solicitor can guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have. A will can only be valid if it is made in writing (by you or your solicitor), you are over 18 and you must be able to understand and decide what you are doing (this can be referred to as having legal capacity). The will must also be signed by the person making the will in the presence of two witnesses. If you dont have a solicitor, you can find one using the Find a Solicitor tool on the Law Societys website. Keeping your will up to date We all know how quickly life can change, so keeping your will up to date is important. A will made 20 years ago may not reflect your life today. For example, you might have had children since your last will was made, have a new life partner, be saving for a deposit for a home, own more property or have a new business to consider. What happens if I dont make a will? If a person dies without making a will, they will have died intestate, explained Jennifer. When this occurs, there are laws that set out how the estate will be divided and this means, your estate may not always go to the people you would have chosen. Where there is no will, your spouse or civil partner is entitled to either all or two thirds of your estate, depending on whether you have children or not. The remaining one third is divided between your children. If you have no spouse, civil partner or children, your estate will be divided among your living relatives according to a set formula. Cohabiting couples or those in long-term relationships without legal status may receive nothing. These are important personal considerations to discuss with your solicitor to avoid future distress or uncertainty. Talk to your local solicitor Every adult should have a will. If you havent already, the best time to make a will is now, said Jennifer. We strongly encourage all Kildare residents to make a will or to review their will to make sure it is up to date going into 2025. For trusted advice and support, talk to a solicitor in your local community today. Learn more information about making a will in the free online Law Society Legal Guides: www.lawsociety.ie/legalguides A poignant ceremony took place in Ballinamore on December 16th, 2024, as the community gathered in quiet strength to remember two men who paid the ultimate price in the service of the State more than four decades ago. On this crisp winter morning, St. Patricks Church was filled to capacityfamilies, old friends, and generations of servicemen and women standing side-by-side. Symbolically, the back rows were lined with young members of the Defence Forces, all immaculately turned out. One could not help but look at their youthful faces and think of Trainee Garda Gary Sheehan, only 23 when he followed orders and stepped into one of the darkest chapters in Irish history. On December 16, 1983, Private Patrick Kellya devoted husband and father from Moate, Co Westmeathand Trainee Garda Sheehan, a young recruit from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, were brutally shot dead by a Provisional IRA gang in Derrada Wood. Their deaths came during one of the largest manhunts in Irish historyan intense, 23-day operation to rescue kidnapped supermarket executive Don Tidey. During the Memorial Mass, as the Christmas tree flickered and heads bowed, the priest gave thanks for the service and sacrifice. Many present had once been part of that very operation or were closely connected to it; their eyes told stories of the fateful day, each gaze heavy with memory. After the Mass, the Garda Ceremonial Unit and the Garda Band led a solemn procession through the streets. The measured beat of the drums, the gleam of pressed uniforms, and the respectful hush of onlookers guided everyone to the newly unveiled Monument of Remembrance at Ballinamore Garda Station. A minute of silence followedbroken only by the song of birds. Uniformed personnel stood to attention, salutes unwavering and perfectly in time, reflecting on the loss and searching for meaning. Forty-one years later, they still asked if the price paid had yielded wisdom. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, addressing the gathering, captured the gravity of the moment. Today we unveil a specially designed monument of remembrance to these fallen heroes, he said. 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.Reflecting on the eternal price they paid, Commissioner Harris continued: 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 as it was in 1983. He spoke of the importance of remembrance: In memorialising Gary and Patrick here today, we hope it provides an opportunity to commemorate their life, mourn their loss, and acknowledge the huge sacrifice they madea 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. Minister of State at the Department of Justice, James Browne TD, emphasized the breadth of the loss. 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 Patrickall down the yearsto this very day.Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy of the Irish Defence Forces added his own reflection: 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. Sculptor Jackie McKenna from Dromohair, Co. Leitrim, said she hoped her artwork would bring healing to the family and community. 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. She said holed stones are believed to have the power to heal. With each word spoken, each wreath laid, and each silent nod of respect, Ballinamore refused to let that scar define them, honouring Kelly and Sheehan not only as victims of a dark past but as symbols of courage. Their story, now carved in stone, remains a testament to the human cost behind the uniforms and badgesa truth that, despite the passage of years, remains as clear and cold as a December morning. University Galway Hospital has confirmed that a 38-year-old woman died suddenly while giving birth at the hospital. Teresa Charlin-Foy had collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl named Claudia Teresa who was born 'alive and well.' Despite the efforts of the medical staff at the Galway hospital, Ms Charlin Foy could not be saved. Ms Charlin Foy was a Galway based IT engineer from Sanxenxo in Northern Spain. She leaves behind her devastated husband Stephen Foy and newborn daughter Claudia. Her funeral takes place in Renmore, Galway on Wednesday before she is taken to her family home in Spain. "We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family," a spokesperson for University Hospital Galway said. READ NEXT: Urgent recall notice for dessert following possible presence of Listeria "A full system analysis review will be undertaken in line with HSE Incident Management framework," the spokesperson added. Tributes have been flooding in for Ms Charlin-Foy. One woman wrote on RIP.ie: "I will keep you in my prayers as you deal with your unimaginable loss. Your beautiful wife will always be with you and your precious baby Claudia. and may her memory give you strength." Another woman who was in the hospital at the time of the emergency said: "Condolences to your husband and daughter. I'm absolutely devastated for all your family. I myself had an antenatal appointment on Friday in UCG when this emergency was going on. I could not believe it when I recognised your beautiful face online today. Hard to believe that something so cruel and so devastating could happen to a beautiful woman bringing a beautiful child into this world. Thinking of all the family." KEO World and American Express announce the launch of the Workeo B2B Platform in Brazil KEO World (KEO), a fintech leader in B2B digital payments and inventory financing, today announced that it has taken a significant step in its expansion. Through a partnership agreement with BTG Pactual Bank S.A., the largest investment bank in Latin America, KEO World will expand its operations in the Brazilian market. As part of the partnership, KEO's Workeo solution, in collaboration with the Amex Business Link Platformtm, can help thousands of medium and large businesses in Brazil digitize their B2B invoice payments, which can result significant cost efficiencies and increased purchasing power. Founded in 2020, KEO has experienced rapid growth. KEO's Workeo solution, powered by KEO's flagship credit processing, provides businesses with a working capital line of credit through a digital wallet within a multi-product payment and billing rails, available via Amex Business Linktm. Additionally, KEO offers its own proprietary blockchain payment rails, known as KEO Railstm, to help make payments even easier. "We are delighted to have agreed to this partnership agreement with one of the largest financial institutions in South America, which will allow us to increase the reach of our B2B digital payments program and provide financing to many more companies in Brazil," said Paolo Fidanza, Founder and CEO of KEO. "In a market where less than 10% of total traditional credit is extended to SMEs, our Workeo product enables business buyers to access core inventory on credit and suppliers to increase their recurring sales, enhancing working capital management through a fully digital, frictionless, and low-cost financing and cash management platform thanks to our innovative payment rails, credit processing, and the American Express network." "Expanding the value proposition of the Amex Business Linktm platform is one of our priorities so that buyers and suppliers can make real-time decisions that optimize their working capital and improve their operational-administrative and reconciliation processes. Thanks to this expansion, companies in Brazil will be able to access an innovative and 100% digital ecosystem that offers digital payment and billing tools for local and international transactions," said Rene Centeno, American Express, Supply Chain Solutions Global Head. About KEO World Founded in 2020, KEO World is a leading innovator of technology-based financial solutions with a mission to provide businesses with digital, seamless and secure ways to finance their supplies and increase efficiency in their cash flow. KEO is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with operations in the US, Canada, Mexico, and throughout Latin America. The company was the first non-bank financial institution to receive an American Express issuing license. To learn more, visit www.KEOworld.com. About American Express American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us at facebook.com/americanexpress, instagram.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress. American Express is a brand of American Express. Workeo is issued by KEO World S.A. de C.V., SOFOM, E.N.R. under license from American Express. KEO presents Workeo, a credit solution through the Amex Business Linktm platform. 16 december 2024 at 17:55 News published onand distributed by: Governor Hochul Celebrates the Opening Of New York's First Cell and Gene Therapy Hub at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the opening of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering and Cell Manufacturing Facility, New York's first cell and gene therapy hub, located at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. The $98 million facility will create new jobs, help to support the research and development of life-saving cell and gene therapies at Roswell, significantly grow its well-established research capabilities, and establish Roswell as one of the premier cell therapy discovery and development institutions in the nation. The expansion also realizes Governor Hochul's 2023 State of the State commitment to bolster the state's leadership in the fast-growing CGT sector through establishment of an Upstate cell and gene therapy hub to catalyze its growth in western NY. The GEM facility meets U.S. FDA Good Manufacturing Practice standards for manufacture of clinical cell therapy products, positioning the Roswell Park team to be a multifaceted resource for patients, care teams, researchers, and industry collaborators. See pictures of the Roswell GEM here. Facility will support research and development of life-saving technologies including cancer-fighting cell therapies New York's first cell and gene therapy hub first cell and gene therapy hub Expected to attract leading life science companies, new jobs Roswell Park's cell therapy team includes pioneers in the field NOTE: This press release was originally issued by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and is reproduced here with permission. See a multimedia newsroom with a fact sheet and additional resources for media here. BUFFALO, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the opening of the Roswell Park GMP Engineering and Cell Manufacturing Facility, New York's first cell and gene therapy hub, located at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. The $98 million facility will create new jobs, help to support the research and development of life-saving cell and gene therapies at Roswell, significantly grow its well-established research capabilities, and establish Roswell as one of the premier cell therapy discovery and development institutions in the nation. The expansion also realizes Governor Hochul's 2023 State of the State commitment to bolster the state's leadership in the fast-growing CGT sector through establishment of an Upstate cell and gene therapy hub to catalyze its growth in western NY. The GEM facility meets U.S. FDA Good Manufacturing Practice standards for manufacture of clinical cell therapy products, positioning the Roswell Park team to be a multifaceted resource for patients, care teams, researchers, and industry collaborators. See pictures of the Roswell GEM here. "Cell and gene therapies are redefining expectations of what is possible through cancer treatment, and through the support of Governor Hochul and Empire State Development," said ?Candace S. Johnson, PhD, President, CEO, and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership at Roswell Park "Given cell and gene therapy's potential to be the most transformative therapeutic advance in decades, New York's investment in this fast-growing sector solidifies our state's future as a leader and highly desired partner in cell therapy research, development and manufacturing," Governor Hochul said. "This opening of the first of two CGT hubs in New York State will attract life science companies, accelerate CGT research in life science companies and our premier academic institutions, and create 21st century jobs, while offering hope to generations of New Yorkers and others who rely on the creation of these cutting-edge treatments." Roswell Park President, CEO and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership Candace S. Johnson, PhD, said, "We proudly celebrate today the opening of the nation's largest academic facility dedicated to making cell and gene cancer therapies more accessible for cancer patients, for researchers and for companies working to advance this next-generation cancer therapy. Cell and gene therapies are redefining expectations of what is possible through cancer treatment, and through the support of Governor Hochul and Empire State Development, we look eagerly to a future where even the most hard-to-treat cancers can be successfully treated and cured." Roswell Park Board of Directors Chair Leecia Eve, Esq., said, "Roswell Park exists to be a resource for cancer patients around the corner and around the world. We have one of the most incredible cancer teams anywhere, and now, thanks to visionary leadership and collaboration between Roswell Park and New York State, brilliant innovators who pioneered some of the first cell therapies for cancer now have the facilities and resources they need to reach the promise and potential they see ahead." Empire State Development invested $30 million to assist in expanding the CGT research capacity at Roswell's Therapeutic Cell Production Facility from six to 20 specialized clean rooms, making it the largest academic cell and gene therapy research and manufacturing facility in the United States. The new facility streamlines every step of the cell therapy development process, shortening the path from research to production. It will encourage the growth of startup companies commercializing these therapies, grow private investment, strengthen the state's innovation-focused talent pool, and attract partnerships with biopharma companies. GEM's focus includes developing cell and gene therapies to treat solid-tumor cancers. Existing cancer-fighting cell therapies have shown effectiveness only against cancers known as liquid tumors, such as leukemia and lymphoma. While cell therapy is a still-emerging field of cancer therapy, early successes have shown that this approach can lead to durable responses for patients with certain types of blood-based malignancies ? cancers that were previously considered untreatable. The development of cell therapies targeting solid tumors like those of the breast, colon, and lung ? which are much more common ? is an important goal for cancer researchers. Roswell Park's cell therapy team includes pioneers in the field whose contributions helped lead to five FDA-approved cell and gene therapies. Their expertise covers not only chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapies but also tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), adoptive cell therapies, stem cell transplant and stem cell gene engineering, as well as dendritic-cell and virus-based approaches. Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "With ESD's investment and the unparalleled experience of Roswell behind its expanded GMP engineering and cell manufacturing facility, New York State is at the forefront of cell and gene therapy in the fight against cancer. Governor Hochul's commitment to grow cell and gene therapy offers tremendous potential to increase intellectual property, create and attract companies to commercialize these products, attract private investment, and form partnerships with biopharma companies." State Health Department Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "New York's first cell and gene therapy hub will offer innovative treatments for cancer which can improve the quality of life for survivors and create more jobs in health care. I congratulate Governor Hochul and Roswell Park on a successful collaboration that will enhance the health of New Yorkers and offer hope." The new Roswell Park facility is a critical component of the statewide Cell and Gene Therapy initiative announced in Governor Hochul's 2023 State of the State address. With the $430 million New York BioGenesis Park on Long Island and the $98 million expansion at Roswell Park, these projects represent a combined total investment of more than half a billion dollars in CGT innovation across New York. Cell and gene therapies are revolutionary treatments that modify a patient's cells or genes to combat diseases at their source. Offering hope for previously incurable conditions ? including cancers, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases ? these approaches target illnesses at the cellular and genetic levels. They have the potential to provide more effective, longer-lasting treatments with fewer side effects than traditional methods. Advancements in these therapies could revolutionize healthcare, paving the way for personalized medicine and new possibilities for patients who have exhausted other treatment options. In October, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for New York BioGenesis Park, a groundbreaking $430 million CGT innovation hub in Nassau County on Long Island envisioned as a cutting-edge, full-service campus dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapies and accelerating their commercialization. At full build-out, the 700,000-square-foot park would create an end-to-end cell and gene therapy innovation and supply center, featuring interconnected areas for public engagement, research, manufacturing, and collaboration. The project would be developed in multiple phases, with Phase One comprising a 331,000-square-foot facility on Northwell Health's campus in Lake Success, including the first Cell and Gene Therapy Tower (including the CGT business incubator with wet lab and core resources) and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMO) Tower (including GMP manufacturing). Phase One is already poised to advance, with conditional commitments from two anchor tenants; one would operate the CDMO, the other would operate an incubator. The expansion at Roswell is part of New York State's $620 million Life Science Initiative. Aimed at establishing the state as a national leader in the broader life sciences industry ? including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology ? the initiative includes $320 million for strategic programs to attract new technologies, promote investment in emerging fields, and stimulate life science business growth and employment statewide. This multifaceted approach seeks to spur the development of a world-class research cluster, enhance the state's ability to commercialize groundbreaking research, and drive economic growth. By solidifying New York's position in life sciences innovation, the initiative advances Cell and Gene Therapy development and strengthens the state's global competitiveness. Read New York State's Life Science Initiative Strategic Plan here. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said, "With the new Cell and Gene Therapy Hub, the first of its kind in New York State, the state and Roswell Park continue to innovate while providing top of the line support and treatment to patients." Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, "Roswell Park is internationally known as the place for cutting-edge cancer treatment and care, and this investment continues to build that reputation. I thank Governor Hochul for her vision in pursuing this new hub at Roswell Park, keeping Erie County at the forefront of new cancer-fighting technology." Buffalo Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon said, "Buffalo is proud to play a key role in advancing groundbreaking medical research and creating life-saving solutions for patients. As New York State's first cell and gene therapy hub, this facility not only strengthens Roswell Park's global leadership in cancer treatment but also reinforces Buffalo's position as a regional hub for life sciences and the healthcare industry. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and our partnership with Roswell Park, Buffalo is at the forefront of leading-edge advancements in healthcare, bringing new jobs and economic growth opportunities to our city." For media: additional resources available in our online newsroom. From the world's first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. Driven to eliminate cancer's grip on humanity,?the Roswell Park team of 4,000 makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State?and beyond. Founded in 1898, Roswell Park was among the first three cancer centers nationwide to become a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and is the only one to hold this designation in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the?Roswell Park Care Network, visit?http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email [email protected]. Media Contact Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Roswell Park Comprehensive Center, 716-845-4919, [email protected], https://www.roswellpark.org SOURCE Roswell Park Comprehensive Center 16 december 2024 at 18:20 News published onand distributed by: Hi-View Resources Acquires Mineral Claims Package in the Babine Copper-Gold Porphyry District of Central British Columba VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hi-View Resources Inc. (?Hi-View' or the ?Company') (CSE: HVW; OTCQB: HVWRF; FSE: B63) is pleased to announce it has acquired a 100% interest in a highly prospective mineral claim package spanning over 609 hectares, located in the "Babine" Copper-Gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. Hi-View's claims are easily accessible from the mining Town of Smithers, located approximately 90 km to the southwest and connected via highway and rail to major BC ports. The property exhibits favorable topography and significant infrastructure in place leading to potential low-cost exploration. Hi-View's Babine claim package is located approximately 12 kilometers to the southeast of American Eagle Gold's "NAK" deposit and is situated on-trend and within similar geology to the NAK and Amarc Resources Ltd. "DUKE" deposits. Recent significant funding by Teck Resources Limited and South32 Ltd. into American Eagle Gold has increased their cash to approximately $37 million enabling a comprehensive drill program to test the full extent of the nearby NAK system (see AE press release dated November 11th, 2024) ensuring an active exploration camp. Hi-View Resources President and CEO Howard Milne states, "With gold prices recently hitting all-time highs and copper forecasting high demand as a critical metal in the Green Energy Transition, we are excited to add this highly prospective and strategically located property to our Gold and Copper exploration portfolio. This Babine area claim package is in proximity and on trend with several established Gold and Copper porphyry deposits in the area." Figure 1. Hi-View's Babine mineral claim and American Eagle's NAK deposit and Amarc's DUKE deposit A review of the regional historical data and geological studies of the area highlights its potential for mineral exploration. Historical work includes regional government surveys including aerial geophysics, and surficial sampling. Two government geophysics surveys were flown over this area, the 2016 Search Phase ll airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys and the 2008 Quest-West Project airborne electromagnetic and gravity surveys. The claim package sits on the eastern edge of Block 1 of the Quest-West Survey and only one flight line passes through the claim, search Phase ll is higher detail and provides useful information on the regional context of the claim. There are two surface sampling datasets that cover this area. The 2008 Quest-West Project included the collection of new and re-analysis of historical stream and sediment samples. In 2009, archived till samples from the 1995 NATMAP program were re-analyzed due to advances in analytical instrumentation. Historical Data and Geological Context Hi-View's Babine claim package is situated within the Jurassic Hazelton Group volcanics at the contact with the Triassic Takla Group volcanic and marine sedimentary rocks. Porphyry deposits in the area including Hearne Hill, Duke and Nak are associated with intrusions of the Babine Plutonic Suite (EBgd) into the Hazelton Group volcanics, several of these plutons are mapped to the immediate east of the Claim (Figure 2 below). The faulted contact between Hazelton and Takla volcanics is an important marker horizon for porphyry and epithermal exploration in northern British Columbia, as it represents deep structures which may be utilized by ascending mineralization forming fluids (Nelson and Kyba, 2014). The claim package is largely covered by glacial till and situated within a deep north to northeastern valley. The direction of ice flow in the area is mapped as south-southeast (Huntley et al., 1996, Stumpf et al., 1996 and Ferbey et al., 2009). Anomalies in till and lake or stream sediments will have been displaced to the south to southeast, which is evident in the dispersion of anomalous copper (>40 ppm Cu in Lake and Stream and >85 ppm Cu in Till) sediments to the south and southeast of both the Nak and Duke prospects. There are three anomalous copper in lake sediment samples and three anomalous copper in Till samples south and southeast of the Hi-View's Babine Claim. The Search Phase ll airborne magnetic survey shows a northwest trending structural trend from the Nak and Duke prospects, Mast and Hautete showings, and continues onto Hi-View's Babine claim package. The magnetics over the claim area appear muted compared to Nak, Duke, Mast and Hautete. This is assumed to be due to the deep valley and till coverage on the Claim. The Search ll potassium radiometric survey shows good correlation with the Babine Plutonic Suite intrusions, potassium high anomalies appear to continue onto the Claim, though data appears to have been lost over most areas of the claim. Figure 2: Regional Geology of the Claim area. The Claim is situated within similar rocks to the Nak and Duke Deposits. Figure 3: Copper in Till, Lake and Stream sediments Collected during the Quest-West and NATMAP programs. Potential south ? southeastern dispersion of anomalous copper below the Claim, similar to NAK and Duke Prospects. Figure 4: Search ll AMAG RMI Vertical Derivative. There is high mag extending along a northwest orientation from Nak and Duke and other showings onto the Claim. Likely due to till coverage the mag signature is muted. Figure 5: Search ll ARAD - K. High Potassium (K) coincides with mapped Babine Plutonic Suite (EBgd) plutons, which host porphyry deposits in the area. High K anomalies appear to continue onto Hi-View's claim package. The technical content of this news release and the Company's technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael B. Dufresne, M. Sc., P. Geol., P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. References Ferbey, T., Levson, V.M. and Lett R.E(2009): Till Geochemical Exploration Targets, Babine Porphyry Copper Belt, Central British Columbia; British Columbia Geological Survey, Open File 2009-04, 34 pages. Huntley, D.H., Levson, V.M. and Weary, G.F. (1996): Surficial geology and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Old Fort Mountain area (93M/1); British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 1669-9, 1:50,000-scale map. Nelson, J., and Kyba, J., 2014. Structural and stratigraphic control of porphyry and related mineralization in the Treaty Glacier ? KSM ? Brucejack ? Stewart trend of western Stikinia. In: Geological Fieldwork 2013, British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia Geological Survey Paper 2014-1, pp. 111-140. Stumpf, A.J., Huntley, D.H., Broster, B.E. and Levson, V.M. (1996): Surficial geology and Quaternary stratigraphy of the Fulton Lake area (93L/16); British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Open File 1669-10, 1:50,000-scale map. Terms of the Agreement The Company has acquired 100% interest in the Babine Copper-Gold claims directly through staking the claims, using an arm's length consulting service at a total cost of $10,000.00 plus GST. Additional Announcements The Company has engaged Free Market Media Ltd. ("Free Market") of Langley, BC, Canada, to provide Web services to the Company. Free Market will set up on-line advertising portals, on which Hi-View Resources will pay directly at-cost for the advertising. Free Market will be retained on a month-to-month basis and commence immediately (subject to Canadian Securities Exchange approval date) to assist the company in raising awareness. In consideration of the marketing services provided by Free Market, the company has agreed to pay advertising expenses up to $50,000 per month should the company deem this beneficial. To the Company's knowledge Free Market's principal owns no shares in Hi-View Resources. Free Market Media is owned by Brenton Rusin and has a PIF filed with the Canadian Securities Exchange for investor relations services. About Hi-View Hi-View is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and the USA. The Company, through its subsidiary holds interests in the Golden Stranger Property and the Lawyers West, East, South projects, together with claims acquired directly through staking, all located in the Toodoggone region of northern BC, prospective for gold, silver, and copper. The collective holdings cover 9,140 hectares. Contact: Hi-View Resources Inc. Howard Milne, CEO Email: [email protected] Telephone: (604) 377-8994 Website: www.hiviewresources.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes statements related to the proposed Transaction and related matters. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eff73951-2de9-4c2e-b798-45d95d6e2702 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1a68af5-9f41-45c3-880c-7bc38a55bd4a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4f12b54-538f-437c-86e0-9e8c40e61e1e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b461df65-ac04-49dc-8901-64907ef62c4c https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/463460fe-0bcd-48d5-8216-bd300e32739e 17 december 2024 at 03:05 News published onand distributed by: Sinch Unveils 2025 Predictions: What's Next for Digital Customer Communications ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) ? (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its digital Customer Communications Cloud, has unveiled its top predictions for 2025. Backed by insights from powering over 800 billion interactions annually for 175,000+ businesses, Sinch outlines the key trends set to shape the future of how brands connect with their customers and create more impactful experiences. "The pace of change in customer engagement is incredible," said Jonathan Bean, Chief Marketing Officer of Sinch. "To succeed, businesses need to innovate, personalize in real-time, and, above all, build trust with their customers. Those who get it right will be the ones leading the way." So what's ahead for 2025: The Era of Real-Time Responses Customers crave faster answers, no matter where or how they reach out. To meet this growing demand, businesses must get creative by blending AI for routine queries with live agents who can handle complex problems. Generative AI will be a game-changer, with 80% of enterprises expected to adopt conversational AI by 2025. Bizbike, a Sinch customer and one of Belgium's largest eBike providers, is already setting the standard?its AI chatbot now handles 30% of all customer FAQs, improving satisfaction and freeing up agents for more strategic tasks. 'Context-First' Channel Orchestration The endless channel debates are finally over?forget 'SMS vs. email' The future isn't about choosing winners but about orchestrating a context-first strategy. Leading enterprises are shifting their focus from open rates and cost-per-message to creating seamless multi-channel experiences tailored to geography, message urgency, and customer preferences. Sophisticated decision engines and fallback strategies are critical to ensuring smooth communication across platforms, keeping customer experiences front and center. "Sophisticated enterprises don't just blindly use SMS and email. They might send SMS to specific customers because they know they're profitable users. They send email to others based on geography or where they are in the customer journey because they know that's what's most effective," explains Bean, Sinch's. Building Customer Trust As online scams and impersonation attacks rise, trust will be a cornerstone of customer communication in 2025. Businesses must step up with visible security measures, such as verified messages and authenticated emails, to reassure customers. With Apple adopting RCS messaging and Gmail expanding BIMI support, verified brand logos will now appear alongside texts and emails, providing a game-changing way to build trust. Companies that embrace these practices will stand out as secure, reliable partners in their customers' eyes. Notifications Evolve into Conversations Static notifications are becoming a thing of the past. In 2025, businesses will use RCS to transform updates into dynamic, interactive touchpoints that spark conversations and drive sales. Imagine scheduling deliveries, upgrading flights, or making purchases directly within your messages. By embedding these capabilities into routine updates, brands can turn everyday notifications into opportunities for deeper engagement and meaningful connections. Conversational Commerce Comes of Age Messaging apps are becoming digital storefronts, and businesses that embrace this trend will gain a competitive edge. These platforms are evolving into seamless shopping experiences, enabling customers to browse, interact, and purchase without leaving their favorite apps. Companies like Courir, a France -based footwear retailer, are already ahead of the curve, using AI shopping assistants to deliver highly personalized shopping journeys that customers love?and that drive significant ROI. Integration is Key to Intelligent Engagement Disconnected systems create disconnected experiences, and today's connected consumers expect seamless interactions. To meet and exceed these expectations, businesses must integrate customer data and communication platforms. By mapping customer data across systems and focusing on key journeys, companies can create interactions that feel personal, contextual, and effortless. Investments in technologies that consolidate communication data will be essential to delivering the next level of customer experience. Smarter Channel Spending Businesses must move beyond focusing solely on cost and start optimizing communication channels based on the value they deliver. Developing ROI models that go beyond delivery expenses and incorporating factors like customer engagement and satisfaction are crucial. Experimenting with and refining channel combinations will help companies strategically allocate resources while achieving meaningful outcomes. "These trends show that the future of customer communications will be faster, smarter, and more connected," said Robert Gerstmann, Co-founder, and Chief Evangelist at Sinch. "The businesses that adapt now will be the ones creating the experiences customers truly value." For businesses ready to prepare for the future of digital customer engagement, Sinch is here to help. For more information, visit www.sinch.com. For more information, please contact:? Janet Lennon? Director of Global PR & Communications? [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/sinch-unveils-2025-predictions---what-s-next-for-digital-customer-communications,c4083096 SOURCE Sinch AB 17 december 2024 at 03:24 News published onand distributed by: Addition Financial Credit Union and Envision Credit Union Announce Intent to Merge LAKE MARY, Fla. and TALLAHASSEE, Fla. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Addition Financial Credit Union and Envision Credit Union announced their plans to merge two award-winning institutions and expand service to members from Central Florida, North Florida, and South Georgia. Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to approval from the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and a membership vote, the combined credit union will continue to operate as Addition Financial Credit Union under the leadership of current President and CEO, Kevin Miller. Once the merger is complete, the credit union will hold nearly $4 billion in assets and serve more than 248,000 members across 38 branches in two states. Founded in 1937 and 1954 respectively, Addition Financial, based in Lake Mary, Florida and Envision, based in Tallahassee, share similar histories, philosophies, and values. Both credit unions were created by small groups of educators who wanted better financial options than what banks were providing. In the intervening decades, the organizations have opened and grown membership in their broader communities. This strategic alliance will allow the unified credit union to expand its services and product offerings to members, as well as optimize operational efficiencies, while continuing to provide the unparalleled level of member service both organizations are known for. "This merger will significantly increase the ability of Addition Financial to serve more members, and support both communities," said Kevin Miller, President and CEO of Addition Financial Credit Union. "By joining forces with Envision Credit Union and the people-first culture they have cultivated for 70 years, we can provide even greater value to our collective members and team members and continue our shared mission of supporting our communities." Darryl Worrell, President and CEO of Envision Credit Union added, "In bringing our teams together, we will draw the best from both credit unions to build on our legacies of service and honor the strong commitments to our communities. This merger enables us to provide more access to services, broaden offerings of innovative products, and deliver personalized support to every member and future member." Both boards of directors and leadership teams unanimously support the merger, which the credit unions anticipate will be finalized before the end of 2025, with system integrations extending into 2026. There will be no immediate changes as the merger process is ongoing. While Addition Financial and Envision will work in concert, the credit unions will remain two separate entities until the membership vote and system and process integration are complete. About Addition Financial Credit Union: Addition Financial Credit Union is a trusted banking and financial education partner that members of the Central Florida community rely on to help them along their financial journey. Founded in 1937, Addition Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida with assets approaching $3 billion. As a member-owned credit union, Addition Financial puts the financial well-being of its more than 185,000 members at the heart of everything it does. With 26 full-service branches, 11 student-run high school branches, and financial products designed to provide better saving and loan rates and lower fees, Addition Financial is constantly growing and evolving to meet the needs of its members. Addition Financial is the Official Financial Institution of the UCF Knights and owns the naming rights of the Addition Financial Arena on the University of Central Florida campus. Addition Financial was named as one of the "Best Credit Unions for 2024" by Newsweek and one of the "Best-In-State Credit Unions for 2024" by Forbes. For more information, visit AdditionFi.com. Envision Credit Union: Founded in 1954 by Leon County educators, Envision Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution focused on providing personalized products and services of exceptional value to members at the lowest possible cost. Today, Envision serves more than 63,000 members across 19 counties in Florida and Georgia. In addition to the credit union's unparalleled support of the local education community, it has been recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as a Best Place to Work for the past 2 years and was recently honored with the inaugural Legacy Partner Award by Second Harvest of the Big Bend. With over $880 million in current assets, it maintains a strong focus on giving back to education-based initiatives and upholding the credit union philosophy of people helping people. For more information, please visit EnvisionCU.com. Contact: Aaron Sanders Hollie Maddox Public Relations Specialist COO Addition Financial Credit Union Envision Credit Union [email protected] [email protected] (904) 703-9278 850-942-9000 SOURCE Addition Financial 17 december 2024 at 08:00 News published onand distributed by: Merck to Acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V., Advancing Next Generation Biology Portfolio Merck, a leading science and technology company, has signed a definitive agreement with the intention to acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB). Organoids are cell culture models that functionally resemble an organ. They have the potential to speed up drug development, improve understanding of disease treatment in diverse populations, and reduce the industry's reliance on animal testing. HUB is a pioneer in the field of organoids. The company is based in Utrecht, Netherlands and employs around 70 people. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close at the end of December 2024. "HUB's leadership in organoids and services strengthen Merck's already robust portfolio, underscoring our focus on the strategic innovation area of next-generation biology," said Jean-Charles Wirth, Head of Science & Lab Solutions for the Life Science business of Merck. "For researchers working on novel approaches to treat today's most challenging diseases, organoids offer critical insights into biologic systems. We look forward making it faster and easier for scientists to get from samples to solutions." HUB possesses the foundational patent portfolio on organoids and has a service offering ranging from new model generation to assay development and high-throughput screening. This adds to and enhances Merck's portfolio of cell culture reagents, tools and benchtop instruments for academia, biotech, and pharma customers. HUB's technology enables drug developers to identify and validate potential clinical candidates in a patient-relevant in vitro system, closing the gap between the lab and clinical trials. "Our proprietary technology stands at the forefront of solutions that are driving a paradigm shift for drug discovery and development," said Robert Vries, CEO of HUB Organoids. "Merck's resources will act as a multiplier for our business. This allows us to significantly expand our reach and increase our impact with customers and, ultimately, patients." The promise of organoids also contributes to Merck's sustainability, diversity, and inclusion ambitions. The use of organoids may allow researchers to limit their reliance on animal testing by reducing stages in the R&D process, positively contributing to more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Organoids also create opportunities for genetically diverse populations to be reflected in research. They allow scientists to better understand drug interactions in patient populations that are underrepresented in clinical trials. The biology business of Merck's Science and Lab Solutions business is pioneering innovations in 3D cell culture, a highly attractive market expected to show double digit annual growth over the next decade.1 The company's current comprehensive and highly published portfolio of cell biology technologies includes tumor spheroids, stem cell organoids, and tissue engineering via 3D bioprinting. Its high-quality cell culture fundamentals and proven downstream analysis reagents offer a complete portfolio for drug development scientists. They include filtration, media, serum, culture plates, cell lines, microbial detection, cytokines and growth factors, analysis tools, transfection reagents, dyes and stains, and antibodies and immunodetection. About Merck Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices ? the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of ? 21 billion in 65 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics. About HUB Organoids Holding B.V. HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB) is the global leader in the field of adult stem cell-derived organoids. HUB Organoid Technology represents a paradigm shift for drug discovery and development, preclinical patient stratification, predictive diagnostics, personalized medicine, clinical trials, regenerative medicine, and companion diagnostics. HUB offers licenses to its proprietary technology and provides drug development services using its living organoid biobanks. All Merck press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. ____________________________ 1 Sources: Human Organoids Market- Global Forecast to 2025 (Markets and Markets), 3D Cell Culture Market- Global Forecast to 2028 (Markets and Markets), Organoids Market ? Market Size and Forecast (2020-2030), Global and Country Growth Opportunity Analysis (The Insight Partners). 17 december 2024 at 08:05 News published onand distributed by: Western Resources Corp. Announces Application for Management Cease Trade Order VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Resources Corp. (TSX: WRX) ("Western Resources" or the "Company") announces that, due to the continuing financial hardship the Company is experiencing, its Annual Information Form, audited annual financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the financial year ended September 30, 2024 (the "Required Filings"), are not expected to be finalized by December 30, 2024, being the date that the Required Filings are required to be filed under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company has applied to the British Columbia Securities Commission as the Company's Principal Regulator for a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") pursuant to National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). If granted, the MCTO will prohibit or restrict trading of the Company's securities by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and such other directors, officers and persons as determined by the applicable regulatory authorities. There is no certainty that the MCTO will be granted. The Company currently expects to file the Required Filings on or before March 31, 2025, and, once filed, will issue a news release announcing their filing. Until the Company files the Required Filings, it will comply with the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203. "Wenye Xue" CEO and Director For Further Information Contact: Jerry Zhang E:[email protected] P: 306-924 9378 Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that is set out herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 17 december 2024 at 08:10 News published onand distributed by: THE Three building in the Plassey Innovation Campus has been purchased by property investor Fine Grain for 7.5m. The 47,000 square foot building near University of Limerick means Fine Grain has invested in close to 260,000 square feet across Limerick. An Irish-owned investor, Fine Grain was established in Singapore, and the firm has invested 300m in this country since 2016. READ MORE: Relics of internet saint connect with young people of Limerick Its backed by the internationally renowned property group, the Grosvenor Estate and a number of prominent European and Singaporean family offices. Its objective is to buy overlooked or undermanaged assets and proactively drive value through strong tenant engagement and innovative asset repositioning. In the six years since its first acquisition at Plassey Innovation Campus, Fine Grain has steadily grown its presence, creating value through greenfield development and refurbishments while enhancing the tenant experience by delivering high quality workspaces. It is almost unique in the Irish market being an institutional investor where the majority of its assets are located outside of greater Dublin. Fine Grains portfolio now consists of around 1.2 million square feet of commercial real estate in 20 buildings hosting more than 68 global employers at locations across Ireland. It owns workspaces to accommodate 2,600 jobs in Limerick alone. Fine Grain will now work closely with Three - a major employer in Limerick - to upgrade the building up to a modern, carbon efficient standard. Once we have carried out our asset enhancement plans, we are confident that the property will deliver further high-quality, long-term rental income, while providing considerable capacity for future growth, said Kevin Mahony, chief financial officer of Fine Grain Property. STONES, bottles and eggs have been hurled at buses in Limerick city, vehicles have been vandalised - and in one incident, a firework was set off on board. Documents released to Limerick Live have revealed there is an occurrence of anti-social behaviour on the city's bus network every four days on average. The information, made available under Freedom of Information legislation, has strengthened calls for a dedicated transport policing division. READ MORE: Bomb disposal experts travel to Limerick after ammunition find Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan urged the new Government to prioritise this, adding he knows many bus drivers who have quit their jobs because of the abuse they face on a daily basis. We are seeing a consistent trend on public buses here in Limerick now of serious anti-social behaviour. It is leaving passengers and transport workers in fear. The decent hard-working people who use public transport need and deserve a safe, secure and reliable bus service, he added. The figures, released by the National Transport Authority (NTA) reveal there were 74 instances of anti-social behaviour between early September 2023, and mid-June of this year, which represent the most up-to-date statistics available. The NTA, which governs bus services across Ireland, also revealed there were two bus drivers assaulted in Limerick last year - one on route 302 connecting the city centre and Caherdavin in January, the other on the 303, which links the city with Moyross and Southill. Of the 74 instances reported, the majority - 25 - were on this (303) bus service, followed by 23 on the 304 bus line, which links the city centre with University of Limerick, Castletroy, Raheen and Dooradoyle. Seventeen incidents were reported on bus 301, which covers Hyde Road - an area which no longer receives an evening service. One incident, in October 2023, saw fireworks let off on the 303 at between Janesboro and O'Malley Park in Southill. The same month saw eggs thrown at a 303 bus on the other side of the city, in Moyross. In January this year, an incident was recorded where a bottle was thrown at a 304 service at Punch's Cross. In April, stones were thrown at a vehicle near Limerick Fire Station. There were several instances of fare evasion and one allegation of a driver being verbally abused. Mr Quinlivan pointed out that Bus Eireann has withdrawn services in the past due to safety concerns. Many areas of Limerick like Garryowen, St Marys Park and Hyde Road have a very limited service that terminates after 6pm which is simply not good enough and needs to change. This does not in any way reflect the hard-working and decent communities who are most affected when this happens and are appalled by this senseless violence, he concluded. A BRITISH tourist in her late 70s, left hospitalised after she was mugged in the city, returned to Limerick to see justice served in the courts. Christine Davey, from Lincolnshire on Englands east coast, was back in Limerick and present in court to see her attacker brought to justice. He was given a custodial sentence for the incident, which left the pensioner shaken and needing hospital treatment for a broken wrist. READ MORE: Eleven-year-old girl from Limerick honoured as a Young Carer of the Year Last April she had travelled with her niece Bernadette Barber to Limerick on a one-day trip when the assault occurred. All her spending money was stolen, around 400. Investigating gardai kept in touch with Christine and Bernadette and contacted them to let the pair know the man was due before Limerick court last month, providing them with an opportunity to attend. Bernadette said: We came back to find out how Christine would react to being back in this country and to be able to give her closure on what happened. To see the person who did it. Bernadette explained how Christine was really nervous about seeing her attacker in the flesh. She kept saying to me, he's going to run over here and hit me. I had to tell her not to be silly, as he had three or four prison officers around him, and he is not stupid. Hes been in the courts many times, I believe, and knew exactly how it would be, she explained. Although Christine looked at the floor during the course of the trial, Bernadette tried to look the man in the eyes, but he refused to make eye contact. I wanted to say to him - how would you feel if this happened to your mother or a loved one? It was intimidating seeing him in the flesh, she added. Bernadette says there is peace of mind for Christine that the man has got what he deserves. But the effects of the attack have had a significant impact on her aunts life. Since April, she won't go out on her own. I support her everywhere she goes. Im hoping this will give her confidence and closure and allow her to be able to start doing things she used to, knowing there is justice, Bernadette concluded. Bernadette was able to flag down two officers in a passing squad car in the wake of the incident. She was full of praise for the gardai and recalled they also helped the visiting tourists with a lift to their hotel in Killaloe after the incident. A COUNTY Limerick community have been left devastated by the tragic death of one of their respected residents who lost his life in a house fire along with his father. The two men, named locally as John Lee, 50s, and his father Stephen Lee, 80s, died after a blaze broke out at a two-storey property in Littleton, near Thurles, at around 2.30am on Monday. John Lee had settled down in Cromhill, outside Kilteely in County Limerick, with his wife Mary and his two children, who attend school in Hospital. Former mayor of Limerick, Gerald Mitchell, who is also a former councillor, said he had been "good friends" with John, as they lived in a "close-knit" rural area and John had lived "only up the road" from Mr Mitchell. John had been spending the night at his father's house in Littleton, near Thurles, on Sunday night to care for him, as he did regularly, Mr Mitchell explained, when the fire broke out at approximately 2:30am on Monday. He described John as "a private, but a very respectable man". READ MORE: Limerick City and County Council welcomes applications for 2025 Economic and Social Intervention Fund "All my thoughts and prayers are with his family," Mr Mitchell said. "I'd like to extend my sincere and genuine deepest condolences to his family, his children, and to the extended family and relations, on behalf of the local community and the wider community," said Mr Mitchell, an auctioneer. "It's a tragic time," he added. The family had settled in Cromhill over a decade ago, and Mr Mitchell said they were a "well-respected" family who "were well-liked and nice people". Mr Mitchell and other neighbours called to the family home in Limerick on Monday evening to offer condolences to the family. "It was misfortunate the time of year it happened, and under such tragic circumstances," Mr Mitchell added. "The local community here are close knit and his close neighbours are very saddened and upset with this untimely and sudden tragedy." He said that the local community "will support (the family) as much as possible in their tragedy". The cause of the fire has not yet been determined - the investigation by gardai and emergency services is still underway - but it is believed the blaze started accidentally. Encore Une Fois! The Big Day Out, Irelands 90s & 00s festival, has just announced more acts and performances to join the already stacked pop party, taking place at the TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday, August 23. The already announced Peter Andre, Heather Small (the voice of M-People), DJ Sash!, Ultrabeat, Whigfield and Mark Mc Cabe will be joined by even more legendary DJs, chart-topping dance acts and the day will also mark the return of some of Limericks greatest club nights! Get ready to relive the classic days of when Limerick dancefloors were packed 7 nights a week as DJ sets from iconic clubs Trinity Rooms, Soul Clinic, Docs, and Strictly Rhythm will be in the '30something?' area! Back in Limerick for the first time in 25 years is one of the biggest names in 90s dance music, legendary DJ Tall Paul. Known for his iconic remixing of INXS Never Tear Us Apart and The Ministry of Sounds Annuals, Tall Paul will be rocking the dance floor with his number one singles Rok Da House and Let Me Show You!' N-Trance return to Limerick for the second year in a row after playing a storming set at the 2024 edition of Big Day Out! So, wave your arms in the air and be upstanding for one of the most iconic dance acts of the 90s. With worldwide hits such as Stayin Alive, Set You Free, Forever and Do Ya Think Im Sexy and over 6 million record sales, its not surprising that N-Trance have cemented themselves as one of the most in demand bands on the festival circuit. Homegrown talent comes from DJ Al Gibbs, who will be playing an exclusive set celebrating the 20th anniversary of 'Ireland Euphoria', the biggest selling Irish dance music album ever! Calling all Wannabes... Its time to Spice Up Your Life! Get singing to the Spice Girls, or if love ballads are your thing and you fancy crooning to Boyzone now is your time to shine as the fierce ladies of Gowl Haus host a massive Boybands vs Girl Power karaoke singalong! The Big Day Out will be MC'ed by the legendary Mark Mc Cabe. With more acts to be announced, the return of the Silent Disco, a brand-new site layout with new areas, more bars and more loos (!), The Big Day Out is your essential throwback party of the summer. Tickets priced from 64.90 including booking fee, and are on sale here. *Sponsored Content When he was in college in Sweden, Ali Ghodsi read an article about a chief executive who was hired to save a struggling tech company. It reminded him of the surgeries his parents, both doctors, performed while he was growing up. I loved the fact that you could think about large corporations as patients, and you could perform surgery on them to make them super healthy and successful," he said. Ghodsi is now CEO of a software company called Databricks, which has quietly become one of the fastest-growing startups in Silicon Valley. The 11-year-old company is now valued at $62 billion after securing $10 billion from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and Thrive Capital. The new funding, announced Tuesday, is among the largest in the history of venture capital. Ghodsi has gotten Databricks to this point thanks to the strategic surgeries" he said hes performed to keep the company healthy. After taking the reins in 2016, he grew sales by charging more for software that the company had originally given away for free. Two years ago, when investors demanded efficiency, he slowed hiring and had his engineers build an AI bot called R2-D2 to boost productivity. Today, data scientists at some of Americas largest companies use Databricks software to analyze the large volumes of information they collecta tool thats become even more valuable with the rise of artificial intelligence. Walgreens, for example, uses Databricks to help forecast inventory for filling prescriptions, while Rivian uses it to improve the battery life of its electric trucks. Immigrant drive Ghodsi was born in Tehran in 1978 on the eve of the Iranian Revolution. Five years later, after his parents became political targets, the family fled to Stockholm, where they initially lived in student dormitories. He began coding on his home computer in fourth grade and started a business where he charged his classmates to fix their broken computers. Ghodsi enrolled at a local university called Mid-Sweden University with plans to study computer science. On his first day, his roommate, a business student, joked that he would one day become Ghodsis boss. Ghodsi enrolled in a class his roommate was taking and added a second major in business. While in college, Ghodsi started a consulting firm that built a scheduling system for a local city government, he said. In 2009, after completing a Ph.D. in computer science, Ghodsi moved to the U.S. as a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. A year later, while working at AMPLab, a data-analytics lab affiliated with the university, he and six other researchers developed a new piece of code called Spark. Spark became an instant hit among data scientists for its ability to analyze messy data sets at record speedat one point setting a world record for sorting through 100 terabytes of data in 23 minutes, beating the old record by over 40 minutes. The seven researchers decided to build a business around it called Databricks. They asked Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, for $200,000 to help launch the business. Horowitz encouraged them to think bigger, writing an $11 million check on behalf of his venture-capital firm. At first, Ghodsi was unsure whether he wanted to become a full-time tech executive. He worked part time at Databricks, where the first CEO was fellow Berkeley computer scientist Ion Stoica. In the fall of 2015, Ghodsi applied to become a computer-science professor at the university. Then came a call from Horowitz. He asked Ghodsi to become CEO. In January 2016, Ghodsi succeeded Stoica, who returned to academia. At the time, Databricks charged for a more user-friendly version of Spark but was struggling to find large customers who would pay for it. Many were still downloading the software for free off the internet. The challenge became clear when a potential customer asked Ghodsi and another co-founder for a selfie before a meeting. When the pair later asked whether he would be willing to pay $10,000 for the software, the customer scoffed. Why would we ever pay $10,000?" he said. Im just going to get it for free." Under Ghodsi, Databricks added new features to Spark that were only available to the startups paying customers. He then hired hundreds of salespeople to sell it to companies, targeting business giants like Capital One and JPMorgan. Ghodsi also replaced the executive team and began sharing his board presentations with the startups 250 employeesa decision inspired by a business case study he had read in college describing how factory workers performed better when they shared the same goals as their bosses. In 2016, Horowitz brokered an introduction for Ghodsi to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, hoping to strike a deal to integrate Databricks with the tech giants Azure cloud-computing platform. Before they were set to announce the deal, some executives inside Microsoft got cold feet about the quality of the young startups software. Ghodsi recalled flying to Microsofts Redmond, Wash., headquarters and fielding their questions for two hours until they got on board. Microsoft signed the deal in 2017 and committed to generate $100 million in sales for Databricks. A few years later, Ghodsi led a crucial push to expand the companys business. Spark focused on analyzing enormous data sets like server logs, but he wanted to combine that with more organized data stored in tables like sales information. That was a much larger market featuring rising software companies like Bozeman, Mont.-based Snowflake. Customers said the resulting product saved them hundreds of hours theyd previously spent working across different data formats to gain insights from them. Sales grew even as many companies cut back on software spending during the postpandemic tech downturn. You can pry it out of my dead cold fingers," Dan DeMeyere, chief product and technology officer at the online clothing reseller ThredUp, said of his engineers loyalty to Databricks. Another surgery In 2022, Ghodsi realized Databricks had grown too bloated and needed another surgery. Nearly a decade after its founding, his startup was doubling the number of new hires each year and losing money, but his investors were now demanding efficiency. At an annual company off-site held at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas in February 2023, Ghodsi told his roughly 5,000 employees that he wanted to make the startup profitable within three years. He had his Chief Financial Officer Dave Conte share a giant chart tracking progress toward this goal. The chart became so widely referenced among employees that it even got its own nicknamethe Conte Curve. Ghodsi began personally approving all new hires while offshoring jobs to countries with cheaper labor such as Costa Rica and India. The company holiday party was cut, as was its annual companywide off-site. And the startups engineers began building AI-powered botsincluding one named after R2-D2 from Star Warsto automate internal tasks. Unlike most big tech companies trying to economize around the same time, though, Databricks didnt lay off workers. Since unveiling the Conte Curve, Databricks more than doubled revenue to $2.6 billion while halving its negative operating margin, according to financial documents viewed by The Wall Street Journal. At the same time, Ghodsi went on a dealmaking spree to try to position Databricks for a new spurt of growth. In the summer of 2023, he called Naveen Rao after learning that Rao was fundraising for his two-year-old AI startup, MosaicML. Ghodsi offered to buy his company for $1.3 billion instead. Databricks customers now use Mosaic to build AI models that can predict spending habits or determine which promotions to offer their clients. In the spring, he caught wind that Tabular, a popular data-management startup that was catching on with businesses, was in talks to sell itself to Snowflake. Ghodsi won the deal by offering the startup roughly $2 billionmore than triple what Snowflake proposed, according to people familiar with the deal. Soon after, Ghodsi began debating whether or not to take Databricks public by the summer of 2025. Instead, he chose to raise another private funding round. The company intends to use some of the new cash to buy out employee shares and the taxes associated with them. View Full Image His Startup Is Now Worth $62 Billion. It Gave Away Its First Product for Free. View Full Image His Startup Is Now Worth $62 Billion. It Gave Away Its First Product for Free. View Full Image His Startup Is Now Worth $62 Billion. It Gave Away Its First Product for Free. Top Japanese conglomerates and investment firms are ploughing money into India, putting unsavoury episodes of the past behind them. While Japan's SoftBank has been investing in Indian startups for years, the biggest bets from some of the recent entrants are in financial services and new-age companies, multiple investment bankers said. Leading companies such as Yes Bank, Avendus Capital Financial Services and HDB Financial Services have attracted bids from large Japanese banks. Earlier this year, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan's largest financial firm, approached HDFC Bank for a $2 billion stake in its subsidiary HDB Financial Services. While a Mint report on 4 September said the HDFC Bank board has decided to skip the deal, Moneycontrol reported on Monday that talks have resumed. Meanwhile, MUFG topped up its $400 million investment in digital lender DMI Finance by another $334 million in August, and led a $47 million round in wealth management firm Neo Group. Also read | Why HDFC Bank turned down MUFJ's overtures on HDB Financial Separately, Japanese trading firm Sumitomo Corp. has outlined plans to invest $710 million to build renewable energy projects in India along with Delhi-based Ampin Energy Transition, while its peer Marubeni Corp. is looking to invest $300 million in industrial parks in Uttar Pradesh. Japanese beermaker Kirin Holdings added to its investment in craft beer maker Bira91 this year, while Japanese auto firms have stepped up investments in electric vehicles. In 2024, the government-backed India-Japan Fund (IJF) invested 400 crore in Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Ltd, a unit of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Interest building up This interest has been building up over the last several years, with all three Japanese mega banks (SMBC, MUFG and Mizuho) now all having strategic investments in India by way of Fullerton, DMI Finance and Credit Saisson India. Furthermore, both MUFG and SMBC have become active in taking minority investments in Indias startup ecosystem, and so have most of the Japanese large trading houses," said Klaas Oskam, chief executive officer of DC Advisory, an investment bank owned by Japan's Daiwa Securities. Oskam added that there has been greater interest and intent from Japanese firms in Indian transactions this year, although some of these deals are yet to materialize. Much like other countries, Oskam explained that there is also an interest among several Japanese firms to add production locations and gain access to other high-growth markets like India within Asia, which is increasingly becoming a strategic priority for many large global corporates given its size and growth trajectory. For instance, Toyota said in August that it would build a factory for electric vehicles in India. Also read | MUFG invests additional $334 million in DMI Finance These investments are typically from balance sheets and are therefore long-term in nature," said Bhavik Hathi, managing director at Alvarez and Marsal. He added that India also became a destination for Japanese firms after the attractiveness of China has reduced. Japan is also de-risking its exposure from China, other experts said. Further, in 2024, Japanese domestic M&A also hit a record thanks to increased need to deliver shareholder returns and return on equity, DC Advisorys Oskam said. Japanese firms are more willing to divest non-core assets to private equity, dismantle cross-holdings that Japan historically was known for and beef-up segments that are deemed core, he added. There is enough Japanese money waiting to be invested and given that the local return on capital is not high, firms are looking outside their home country for investment opportunities," Alvarezs Hathi added. Apart from Softbank Holdings' continued interest in Indian tech firms over the last few years, both countries also have government-backed sovereign funds keen to invest further in India. Scars from battles past Most of the recent Japanese interest is from large trading houses and banks, while smaller firms remain cautious. Rishabh Shroff, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, noted an increase in disputes between Indian partners and foreign investors, particularly Japanese firms. Many Japanese companies are now opting for arbitration, especially through neutral bodies like the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Whatever be the ground reality on timing, the perception abroad continues to be that Indian courts are backlogged and slow," he said. Ashish Kabra, head of the Singapore office at Nishith Desai Associates, pointed to high-profile cases that could have contributed to the shift in foreign investment strategy. One example is the Ricoh India financial fraud, where the company was found to have falsified accounts. The scandal led the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to conduct a forensic audit. Ricoh Co. Ltd., the Japanese parent, eventually severed ties and sold its shares to third parties. Also read | Japanese bank MUFG takes on lease 30,000sqft space at BKC from Adani Realty Another case Kabra mentioned was relates to Tata-Docomo, which began in 2009 when NTT Docomo purchased a stake in Tata Tele Services Ltd. Docomo sought an exit in 2014, leading to arbitration. The the London Court of Arbitration ordered Tata Sons to pay $1.17 billion for breaching their agreement, which it paid in 2017. The most high-profile legal case is Daiichi Sankyos fraud claim against the erstwhile owners of Ranbaxy Laboratories, after they purchased the drugmaker for $4.6 billion in 2008. In 2016, two years after Daiichi sold Ranbaxy to Sun Pharma, the Japanese pharma group won a $525 million claim against Ranbaxy founders in a Singapore arbitration court. This also scuttled later transactions involving the Ranbaxy Singh brothers other assets such as the sale of Fortis Healthcare to IHH Healthcare. Eyes on wider presence However, several Japanese companies and investors may still look to widen their presence across sectors including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green & sustainable energy, said Vipin Singhal, associate director, Anand Rathi Investment Banking. He added that GIFT City also poses as an attractive opportunity for Japanese companies looking to enter India's financial sector. Several recent exits by Japanese investor Softbank Holdings from Indian investments such as Swiggy and First Cry could also spur subsequent investments from Japan. Also read | MUFG confirms sale of Credit Suisse AT1 Bonds to meet customer demand for portfolio diversification There are about 4,000 Japanese companies in India across transportation, automobiles, telecommunications and the services sector, which together plan to invest 5 trillion yen by 2027. Japan has encouraged many of its companies to set up manufacturing facilities in various Asian markets especially India, with it being one of the most lucrative options due to factors such as the performance-linked incentive scheme, and low wages, according to Singhal. The minority shareholders of the Kalyani Group company Automotive Axles Ltd (AAL) have rejected related party transactions with Meritor HVS India Ltd (MHVSIL), potentially disrupting its operations. This decision was influenced by concerns raised by proxy advisory firms about transparency and potential erosion of shareholder value. Supply to MHVSIL constitutes approximately 80% of the sales of AAL, which manufactures axles, suspensions and brake assemblies. MHVSIL then distributes these components to automotive companies. The rejection of the proposal could potentially disrupt AAL's operations and impact its future growth. The company will now need to explore alternative arrangements to ensure a smooth supply of components to its customers. Keeping distribution in a separate firm was depriving minority shareholders of AAL of the margins earned from the sale of these components, said proxy advisor Institutional Investor Advisory Services India Ltd (liAS). There was also a lack of transparency regarding pricing and a lack of information on the benefits accrued to the two partners from the arrangement, Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) said in its report. The Kalyani Group did not respond to Mints emails seeking comment sent on Tuesday evening. Crux of the issue AAL is a listed joint venture company of US Cummins Inc and Indias Kalyani Group, with both partners controlling a 35.52% stake each. Public shareholders of the company include Nippon Life India mutual fund (8.81%) and SBI Contra Fund (2.38%). Meanwhile, MHVSIL is an unlisted 51:49 joint venture of the same two partners, with the American company holding the higher stake. While AAL manufactures these automotive components, they are then distributed to customers by MHVSIL, as part of the arrangement between the two firms. AAL was seeking shareholder nod for related party transactions up to 2,500 crore with MHVSIL over the course of FY26. This compares to the companys FY24 revenue of 2,245 crore and a profit of 170 crore. Over 79% of the minority shareholder votes cast were against the resolution, as per regulatory disclosures made by the company on Monday evening. As per Indian regulations, the promoters are barred from voting on resolutions pertaining to related party transactions. This arrangement between the two firms is not new. In December 2023, minority shareholders had approved a similar proposal, ratifying related party transactions to the tune of 4,000 crore over the course of FY25. Prior to that too shareholders had given their nod to this arrangement. Also Read: Investors eye stake buy in BluPine Energy in heated M&A market This collaboration has played a crucial role in AAL's significant business growth in India over the past 21 years," the company said in a regulatory filing on 4 December. What do proxy advisors say? We do not support this arrangement, since there is no clear rationale for housing the distribution network in a separate promoter-controlled entity," IiAS said in its report dated 28 November. We believe the distribution must be directly carried out through AAL so that all the shareholders of the listed entity reap the benefits of the margin earned on sale to the final customer," it said. Since MHVSIL is a private company, its financials are not publicly available, and thus its financial performance cannot be compared with AAL by shareholders, according to SES. A comparison of the performance and growth of both the companies would enable the shareholders to understand that no party is benefitting at the cost of the other party," the proxy advisor said in its report. Responding to the questions raised by the proxy advisors, AAL said that the main objective of MHVSIL was to design and develop new products tailored to India's road conditions. The privately-owned company holds all the intellectual property rights while AALs expertise was only to manufacture as per the design and supply." Also Read: Unhappy shareholders boot a record 25 directors from Dish TV board in 3 years We assure you that every effort has been made to ensure transparency, fairness, and alignment with good governance practices to the best interests of AAL and its shareholders in this proposed transaction," AAL said in a regulatory filing on 9 December. Potential impact Earlier, AAL had said in stock exchange filings that the denial of this transaction could in the short term disrupt the seamless servicing of the companys customers. The company will have to substantially restructure its process and operations, it said. "Any proposed changes in the current structure would disturb the trust that we have built with all our end customers and might impact the future business growth for AAL in India," the company said. The shares of Automotive Axles Ltd lost 0.9% on the BSE on Tuesday to close at 1,807.85. Sensex lost 1.3% during the session amidst investor selloff. NUSA DUA, IndonesiaIndonesia plans to pitch business opportunities, including data centers, to Elon Musk, although he previously declined a proposal to build an electric-vehicle battery factory in the country, a government adviser said. Musk, the worlds richest man and an adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, struck a $5 billion deal in 2022 for his car company, Tesla, to purchase nickel from Indonesia. The country holds the worlds largest reserves of nickel, a key component in electric-vehicle batteries. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, chairman of Indonesias National Economic Council, said he suggested the battery-factory idea to Musk, but was turned down due to Indonesias distance from Teslas car factories. We offered this, but at the time, they had their own idea that theyre going to do it in the U.S.," Luhut said in an interview. But I understand also because its very close to the factory" for Tesla vehicles, he said. Tesla didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Luhut said he would continue pitching business opportunities in the coming months, including the possibility of building data centers for xAI, Musks artificial-intelligence company. In recent years, Indonesia, the worlds fourth most-populous nation, has strengthened its ties with Musk through Luhut, a senior leader in the previous administration and now an adviser to Indonesias new president, Prabowo Subianto. We are friends," Luhut said of his relationship with Musk. Luhut said he last spoke to Musk about two weeks ago in a 10-minute Zoom call, during which he congratulated Musk on helping Trump win the election and on Musks new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative aimed at cutting federal spending and regulations. Welcome to the big headache," Luhut recalled joking. He added that he told Musk that government advisers, unlike corporate chief chiefs, cannot make a decision alone." Luhut said he plans to meet Musk in the U.S. after Trumps inauguration, around February, to discuss potential xAI investments in Indonesia data centers. He noted that he had briefly raised the idea with Musk when the billionaire visited Bali in May to inaugurate Starlink, Musks satellite-based internet service, in Indonesia. Indonesias previous president had also pitched Musk, who runs the space company SpaceX, on the idea of launching rockets from Indonesia instead of the U.S. Indonesian officials have pointed out that equatorial launch sites are generally more fuel-efficient. Luhut said Musk declined the proposal, saying that SpaceX already has strong infrastructure in the U.S. and moving it to Indonesia would require time and money. Luhut said the proposal remains open should Musk change his mind. Write to Stu Woo at Stu.Woo@wsj.com IN ANY NORMAL week, the biggest-ever interplanetary probe blasting off to look for signs of life in the depths of an occult ocean would hog the headlines about space. But the launch of Europa Clipper on October 14th was eclipsed, spectacularly, by the test flight the previous day of the Starship being developed by SpaceX, a launch provider, satellite-communications supplier and Mars-settlement enabler founded and run by Elon Musk. Seven minutes after take-off a thin, waggling finger of rocket-fire guided the launchers huge first stage back to its launchpad in Texas, there to be grasped like the quarry of a giant praying mantis. It is tempting to see such success as a culmination. Mr Musk sees it as a start. The Starship system is designed to provide about eight times as much mass to orbit per flight as a Falcon 9, the SpaceX workhorse, and to fly even more often. The company talks about reaching a cadence of more than one launch a day; it says its factories could eventually build 1,000 Starships a year. Mr Musk talks of dropping the cost of shipping a tonne into orbit by at least tenfold. SpaceX was founded to revolutionise space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets". It is undoubtedly doing the first of those and with this weeks success it is better placed to accomplish the second. Mr Musk says that in 2026, the next time the planets are well-aligned for such ventures, SpaceX will send five uncrewed Starships to Mars. Crews will follow perhaps four years later. He hopes before too long to be sending hundreds of Starships and tens of thousands of people at every more or less biennial opportunity. Some of the journeys will have return legs: Starship uses fuel that is in principle fairly easily synthesised on Mars. But his main purpose is settlement. Mr Musk is notoriously inaccurate when it comes to predicting when his companies will achieve his goals. Starship was meant to have been flying years ago. Fully self-driving cars from Tesla, a car company which he runs, have often been postponed, too. But people who set his wild ambitions at naught have an even worse record. Whenever the crewed missions start, potential settlers can expect a hard and possibly horrid time. Though Mars looks a bit like the American West, it is far less hospitable: bereft of liquid water, of a breathable atmosphere, of native life to use for shelter or food and of resources to sell to the people left behind on Earth. Efforts to set up isolated societies from scratch have failed in much more clement places, sometimes very nastily; the messianic and millenarian tendencies behind such endeavours, clearly seen in some would-be Martians as well as Mr Musk himself, could exacerbate the risks. But SpaceX looks set to pursue its interplanetary goal until it achieves something like it, or tragedy strikes, or other forces intervene. As it does so, it will open up the possibility of other previously impossible and conceivably more fruitful enterprises. Starship should allow SpaceX to increase the capacity of its Starlink satellite-communications system beyond anything previously feasible. Other companies plan to use Starship to launch space stations. One contract for a commercial Starship trip around the Moon has been cancelled, but there will surely be others. Astronomers dream of huge space telescopes (even as they fret about Starlink and its like blocking the view of the cosmos from Earths surface). Tech visionaries look at spaces supply of uninterrupted solar energy and wonder if they should be harnessing it to train AIs in orbit. Generals think dark thoughts about what might be dropped on whom, and how hard. And competitors in America, China and perhaps elsewhere will vie to replicate and surpass what SpaceX has done. After Starships success, normal weeks in space may soon look very different. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Tech investing heavyweight Masayoshi Son offered a gift to President-elect Donald Trump: a pledge to spend $100 billion on artificial intelligence and related technology in the U.S. President Trump is a double-down president," he said Monday, standing next to Trump at a Mar-a-Lago press conferencea reference to how his commitment was twice the $50 billion he pledged at a similar event eight years ago. Left unmentioned: Son, the chief executive of tech conglomerate SoftBank Group, doesnt have $100 billion. Following through will require Son to embark on some combination of a massive fundraising effort, a huge amount of new debt or selling chunks of the companys holdings to raise cash. Son showed he is eager to make a big splash as CEOs, investors and others are lining up to pay homage to Trump and publicly lavish praise. Last week, a burst of companies and CEOs agreed to give $1 million donations to Trumps inaugural fund, including Meta, Amazon.com and OpenAI founder Sam Altman, who once said Trumps principles represent an unacceptable threat to America." Marc Benioff, owner of Time magazine and CEO of Salesforce.com, congratulated Trump on becoming Times person of the year, saying it marks a time of great promise for our nation." Regulatory moves by the Trump administration could lead to massive swings in value for the tech sector. The industry is highly dependent on federal policies in areas including global trade, mergers, foreign investment and cryptocurrency. Many tech companies have multibillion-dollar contracts with government agencies, and Trump in his first term publicly attacked some tech leaders on social media. Sons commitment Monday was light on detail, with the billionaire giving few numbers beyond saying the money would create 100,000 jobs in four years. Trump asked him to double it to $200 billion on the spot. I will really try," Son said. Ill need your support, though." SoftBanks interests with the U.S. government are varied. The company took a big hit when a planned merger between SoftBank-owned Sprint and T-Mobile ran into resistance from the Obama administration. It then benefited when the first Trump administration eventually approved it. Today its largest asset is Arm, which designs components of chipsa sector affected by U.S. subsidy levels, tariffs and policy around Taiwan and China. SoftBank has a stake in ByteDance, which is facing a potential U.S. ban of TikTok if it doesnt sell or change ownership of the app by January. At the press conference Monday, Trump said he would take a look at TikTok." SoftBank owns stakes in numerous companies in the field of autonomous vehiclesanother area where Trump advisers want to change federal rules. Just as in 2016, the investment pledge that Son attributed to Trumps election largely echo what SoftBank had already been planning," Kirk Boodry, an analyst at Astris Advisory, said Tuesday. He called it a repackaging" of SoftBanks expected AI pushbut one that could prove helpful given the value of having close relations with Trump, he said. SoftBanks stock rose 4.4% in trading Tuesday. Son has long been a big voice in the tech sectorand is rarely deterred by lack of cash on-hand. The risk hungry Japanese billionaire was aided by borrowing when he bet the company on the dot-com boom in the late 1990s. He often recalls how he briefly became the worlds richest person on paper, only to see SoftBanks share price fall 99% in the aftermath. He rebuiltaided by a rebound in bets on Yahoos Japan unit and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. He used mountains of debt to buy Vodafones Japanese unit, and turned it into a winning investment by arranging for the company to be the first to introduce the iPhone to Japan. Being in Trumps good graces could prove helpful, depending on what form SoftBanks AI-investment takes. Son plans to invest in data centers and energy sources in the U.S., a person familiar with the plans said. And he aspires to get into chip manufacturing, according to people familiar with the matter, an expensive area that can be eligible for significant government assistance. Creating 100,000 jobs in four years, however, will be a challenge. Tech, and AI in particular, is notoriously unproductive on the job-creation front. SoftBank itself has only 65,000 employees. Its chip unit Arm has only 7,000. Metathe $1.6 trillion company founded two decades ago that owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApphas 72,000 employees. AI data centers can require a few dozen employees. SoftBank will also need plenty of additional money to follow through on its pledge. The company had roughly $30 billion in cash as of Sept. 30 and $142 billion in debt, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. SoftBank has pledged to hold much of that cash as a reserve in case of a downturn, and it has also pledged to avoid taking on substantially more debt. Son expects some of the money to come from outside investors, the person familiar with the plans said. But his reputation for managing outside money took a hit after SoftBanks $100 billion Vision Fund, launched in 2017, became defined by high-profile flops, such as the failed construction startup Katerra, lender Greensill Capital and Zume, which aspired to make pizza with robots. When Son tried to raise a second Vision Fund, investors spurned him. The self-funded Vision Fund 2 is down 37% after piling money in at the markets peak. The first Vision Fund has posted a profit, but its performance still lags far behind the broader stock market and the tech sector. Its biggest black eye came from office-space startup WeWork, which filed for bankruptcy protection after SoftBank put in more than $16 billion through the Vision Fund and other sources. Sons involvement in WeWork started eight years ago, when he met WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann for a roughly 15-minute tour of a Manhattan office, after which he agreed to invest over $4 billion in the company. The reason for the brief encounter: Son was on the way to Trump Tower to meet the president-elect and announce his $50 billion investment commitment. Write to Eliot Brown at Eliot.Brown@wsj.com Every year, close to the budget presentation, the government tables supplementary demands for grants in Parliament to seek additional funding for different ministries and departments. The government seeks such additional funding, over and above the amounts already authorized in the budget, at least twice a year. This fiscal year, the first tranche of the demands, tabled last week, has been one of the lowest in recent years, with the net cash outgo the lowest since 2021-22. Economists say the low demand for grants is an indication of better financial planning and fewer economic shocks. (Net cash outgo is the effective amount the Centre will likely overspend after taking into account savings or higher receipts.) But data for the past three years show that subsidies, especially for fertilisers, have been a pain point for the government. This year, too, fertiliser subsidy is one of the items with the biggest net cash outgo planned. The Union government had budgeted 1.6 trillion towards fertiliser subsidy in 2024-25, down from 1.89 trillion in the previous year. It has now sought an additional 6,594 crore towards fertiliser subsidy. The additional funding needed is mainly due to a possible underestimation in the budget, higher agricultural activity and elections in key agriculture-dominated states, economists said. Also read | How freebies are hurting already stressed state finances Fertiliser subsidies are linked to international prices and often see adjustments based on volatility in the market. In 2022-23, nearly 1.5 trillion was needed over and above the budgeted amount of 1.1 trillion mainly due to the surge in prices following the Russia-Ukraine war. Economic arithmetic This year, prices of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a key fertiliser used in winter crops, have shot up since October. China has also imposed export restrictions on some fertilisers, leading to price pressures. Overall, the agriculture sector has received the most attention this year, with demand for additional funding of 7,692 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme and other related ones. This comes against the backdrop of farmers unrest in the country. The outlay for the PM-Kisan scheme, which provides an income support of 6,000 annually to all land-holding farmer families, has remained unchanged in recent years. Many agri-oriented states like Maharashtra and Haryana have gone to elections this year. Ideally, the government would want the cash to be rolled out on time and be more proactive," said Yuvika Singhal, an economist at QuantEco Research. Also read | Why the increase in farm worker population is a worry Notably, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment GuaranScheme, a key policy tool for the government to manage unemployment and the slowdown in the rural economy, did not make it to the first supplementary demand for grants, possibly due to anticipation of low demand for rural jobs amid robust agricultural activity. Fiscal maths The governments smaller demand for grants, for now, suggests fine fiscal management, and the cherry on top would be adherence to the fiscal deficit target. A net cash outgo of 44,000 crore in the first tranche and a bigger demand in the second tranche are unlikely to disrupt the fiscal maths, thanks to lower capital expenditure spending. The government has utilised only 42% of the budgeted amount in April-October this year, the lowest in several years, partly due to disruptions related to the general election. However, economists expect the spending to pick up in the second half of the year, with the budget target being undershot by about 1 trillion. There will be additional savings that will flow through from various other ministries, and we presume, mostly on the capex, which will further provide an offset to this modest cash demand," said Abhishek Upadhyay, an economist at ICICI Securities Primary Dealership. While lower capital spending will give the government the room to move around the money where it is needed without disrupting the fiscal maths, it may prove detrimental to the economic growth, which slumped to a seven-quarter low of 5.4% in July-September. Also read | RBIs GDP projections on test as Indias Q2 GDP growth falls short Its not uncommon to find home buyers who want to sell their property before paying back the loan on it. Take the case of Aarav, who was looking to shift to a different city. Luckily, a certain Mr. and Ms. Raghavan were looking for an apartment in his neighbourhood. It was a match made in heaven. There was one problem, however. Aarav still had a 80 lakh loan pending on the house, and the couple wanted to take a loan to buy it. The question was: would Aaravs bank allow him to transfer his pending loan to the Raghavans? That's when they reached out to Raju, a real estate agent, and met him over a cup of coffee the next day. The agent told them such cases were common, and that they could enter into an arrangement in which the seller transferred the loan on the property to the buyer. They were relieved, but wanted to know more. They ordered another round of coffee, and the questions started to flow. View Full Image Graphic: Paras Jain What's the process? The buyer can go to a bank or housing finance company and ask for a home loan. Most lenders offer loans even if the seller hasnt finished paying theirs. Lenders used to charge a prepayment penalty of 2-4% of the loan amount if the principal was repaid early, but most banks have now done away with this. There are two possible scenarios here: 1) The buyer takes a loan from the same lender as the seller. 2) The buyer chooses a different lender. In the first case, the process will be faster. Before disbursing a loan, a bank typically checks the borrower's credit score, cash flow, income, and details of the collateral, which in this case is the flat. If the buyer chooses the sellers bank, the lender will already have the details of the apartment. If the seller and buyer have all the required documents, itll take around 15 days for the loan to be processed after the agreement of sale is signed. But if the buyer seeks a loan from a different bank or housing finance company, it could take 30-45 days. Also read: How integrating PAN 2.0 with Aadhaar, e-Rupee can streamline investments, KYC However, in some cases, the same bank may not be willing to offer a loan. This could be because the buyer's credit history doesnt meet its standards. Or the buyer may want to approach a different lender. Heres how it would work. Lets say Aaravs property is worth 1.5 crore (with 80 lakh of the loan pending) and Raghavans apply for a 1 crore loan. Once the loan is approved, the lender will first send 80 lakh through a demand draft in favor of Aarav's bank. This money can only be used to repay the loan. This is done so that the first bank releases the original property documents. Banks do this only after the dues are paid in full. The balance of 20 lakh will then be transferred to the sellers account. To be sure, the buyers' contribution of 50 lakh is first given to the seller, after which the bank will disburse the loan. Keep in mind that the buyer cant apply for an additional loan for, say, interior design or furnishing before completing this process. View Full Image Graphic: Paras Jain What are the costs? When you apply for a loan, you need to pay around 0.25% of the loan amount as a processing fee (the actual percentage varies across banks). There's also be an upfront mortgage fee of about 0.3% of the loan. Another major cost when is stamp duty and registration charges, which are 6% of the sale consideration. Stamp duty charges vary by state. There's also a society transfer charge that varies by society. There's a cap on this fee, which varies across states. For instance in Mumbai, the cap is 25,000, as persociety by-laws.This can be split 50:50 between the buyer and seller. Also read | Top five private general insurance companies: A comparison Also, dont forget that the real estate broker will charge 1-2% of the transaction value as brokerage. Some people also buy insurance for their property. Is this a good idea? Theres no issue with choosing this method, called seller balance transfer. However, while taking a home loan, you should make sure it aligns with your family's long-term financial goals. There are a couple of other things you should be aware of as a buyer. First, check if the property documents are genuine. The buyers bank will ask for a photocopy of the original documents even if the seller hasn't yet repaid the loan. As a a buyer, you should ask for a foreclosure letter, which will show exactly how much of the loan principal is pending. Also read: Sebi's nod to retail algo trading levels the playing field with institutions Also, if you're looking to buy a house for 1.5 crore, you shouldn't pay more than 4 lakh when signing a memorandum of understanding with the seller. Its not a good idea to put up a huge amount at this stage. You should instead pay a bigger amount when signing the sale agreement or giving a demand draft that says the money will be transferred when the sale deed is changed. With Inputs from Grihum Housing Finance Limited. Note: This is a hypothetical example. LONDON : On Saturday night at the Old Ivy House pub, drinkers looking for a Guinness were greeted with an overturned glass dangling over a tap handle. The Old Ivy ran out of the iconic Irish stout on Friday night. It isnt the only one. Pubs up and down the U.K. say they are running low on Guinness after a surge in demand that caught the beers brewer off guard. The timing couldnt be worse, with millions across the country heading to Christmas parties and other gatherings as the festive season here kicks into high gear. Guinness owner Diageo says it has seen exceptional consumer demand" for the brand in Britain over the past month. In response, the company is limiting the amount of its stout that pubs can buy to prevent stockpiling and ensure supplies last through the peak Christmas season. The issue affects both cans and kegs of Guinness in Britain. The shortage has become a national talking point in the U.K., generating a wave of publicity for Guinness across traditional and social media as drinkers weigh in on whether the stouts disappearance is a good thing, a bad thing or just a clever marketing ploy. While traditionally the preserve of Irish pubs and rugby lads, Guinness became Britains bestselling beer at pubs, bars and restaurants in December 2022, having won fans among young and female drinkers in recent years. The brands surge in popularity is partly down to a social-media phenomenon called splitting the G," which requires drinkers to down enough Guinness in a single gulp so that the beer sits halfway across the G on a branded glass. Diageo has also sought to broaden the brands appeal, spending more on advertising and launching a successful alcohol-free variant. The company is building a second brewery in Ireland to meet global demand, but it isnt expected to open until 2026. At the Old Ivy, landlady Kate Davidson first learned of the Guinness shortage on Monday of last week when she tried to order eight kegs but was told by her supplier she could only get four. To make stocks last, the pubwhich has a Split the G" leaderboard hung over the fireplaceintroduced ration cards requiring patrons to buy two drinks before they could get a Guinness. Its a bit of fun, rather than saying were out of business like every other pub," said Davidson. The ration cards slowed but couldnt halt the inevitable. The pubs next regular delivery isnt until Wednesday. So far only one customer has walked out upon learning of the lack of Guinness. I dont know where he went because everyones in the same situation," shrugged barman Tsakane Mageza. Guinness was among Diageos fastest-growing brands in the fiscal year that ended June 30, growing 15% from a year earlier. The company didnt offer an explanation for why this latest surge in Guinness sales took it by surprise. Many U.K. drinkers have flocked to pubs over the past month to watch the annual Autumn Internationals rugby tournament. Guinness stout sold in the U.K comes from Ireland. That is the case in the U.S. too but the country hasnt seen the same surge in demand and isnt experiencing a shortfall. Some publicans question how a big multinational like Diageo ended up so ill-prepared that it allowed Guinness supplies to run low. Its sort of bulls," said James OHara who co-owns Fagans, an Irish pub in Sheffield in the north of England, along with six other pubs. Im not sure its anything more than unbelievable PR." Still, when OHara heard a rumor about an impending shortage two weeks ago, he said he promptly placed six weeks worth of orders, breaking with his usual pattern of ordering once a week. Guinness accounts for half of all the drinks sold at Fagans, which currently isnt in danger of running short. While some have drawn parallels between the Guinness shortage and pandemic-era stockpiling of toilet paper, Guinness, once kegged, has a shelf life of about three months. An open keg of Guinness is only good for a week. Not everyone thinks a shortage of Guinness is a bad thing. The Campaign for Real Ale is using the opportunity to push cask-conditioned beers, promoting a list of 12 stouts of Christmas" to help stout fans through the ongoing Guinness shortage." No draught Guinness shortage here!!" tweeted the Steel Coulson Southside, an Edinburgh-based pub and beer shop. Well, ok, thats because we dinnae stock it!" It urged drinkers to try Extra Black, a porter made by Campervan brewery. Guinness rival Murphysowned by Heinekenis getting a boost from the shortages. At the Lamb, a pub in north London, a handwritten Murphys sign was stuck on the Guinness tap. The pub is also offering drinkers Eccles stout, made by an east London brewery. For pubs looking for extra kegs of Guinness, much depends on who their supplier is, said Paul Fletcher, office manager for Small Beer, a wholesaler based in Lincoln in the east Midlands. Any new customers trying to get Guinness off us have no chance," said Fletcher, whose phone has been ringing far more than usual. Nearly every other call is have you got any Guinness?" Small Beer is limiting its existing customers to one or two kegs. Fletcher said Small Beer has received many inquiries from stout makers hoping pubs that once ignored them will carry their drinks. The alternative stouts are almost always cheaper than Guinness, but Fletcher said it is hard to woo drinkers away from the Diageo beer. If people want a stout theyll order a Guinness without thinking about it much," he said. People are very loyal to the brand." Write to Saabira Chaudhuri at Saabira.Chaudhuri@wsj.com View Full Image In British Pubs, Its the Great Guinness Shortage of 2024 View Full Image In British Pubs, Its the Great Guinness Shortage of 2024 WASHINGTON : Senior U.S. officials say Turkey and its militia allies are building up forces along the border with Syria, raising alarm that Ankara is preparing for a large-scale incursion into territory held by American-backed Syrian Kurds. The forces include militia fighters and Turkish uniformed commandos and artillery in large numbers that are concentrated near Kobani, a Kurdish-majority city in Syria on the northern border with Turkey, the officials said. A Turkish cross-border operation could be imminent, one of the U.S. officials said. The buildup, which began after Bashar al-Assads regime fell in early December, appears similar to Turkish military moves ahead of its 2019 invasion of northeast Syria. We are focused on it and pressing for restraint," another of the U.S. officials said. Ilham Ahmed, an official in the Syrian Kurds civilian administration, told President-elect Donald Trump on Monday that a Turkish military operation appeared imminent, urging him to press Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to send troops across the border. Turkeys goal is to establish de facto control over our land before you take office, forcing you to engage with them as rulers of our territory," Ahmed wrote to Trump in a letter viewed by The Wall Street Journal. If Turkey proceeds with its invasion, the consequences will be catastrophic." The threat from Turkey has left the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who are joined with U.S. troops in northeast Syria to hunt the remnants of Islamic State, in a vulnerable position weeks before the Biden administration will leave office. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Turkey last week to discuss Syrias future with Erdogan and seek assurances that Ankara would curtail operations against the Kurdish fighters. From across the border, we can already see Turkish forces amassing, and our civilians live under the constant fear of imminent death and destruction," Ahmed wrote to Trump. The ouster of the Syrian leader Assad by rebel groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was formerly affiliated with al Qaeda, left the countrys future in a state of uncertainty and kicked off renewed fighting between the Syrian Kurds and Turkish-backed rebel groups. Assads fall has led to stepped-up Turkish operations against the SDF, which it views as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. Trump insinuated on Monday that Turkey orchestrated Hayat Tahrir al-Shams takeover of Syria, telling reporters at his residence in Florida that Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost." A Turkish invasion would displace more than 200,000 Kurdish civilians in Kobani alone, Ahmed warned Trump, along with many Christian communities. During his first term, Trump partially withdrew U.S. troops from northeast Syria, paving the way for a large-scale Turkish invasion that killed and displaced hundreds of thousands of Syrians. The Trump administration eventually helped broker a cease-fire in exchange for the Kurds ceding miles of border territory to the Turks. Though Trump wont take over from President Biden until Jan. 20, Ahmed urged the president-elect to use his unique approach to diplomacy" to convince Erdogan to stop any planned operation. She referenced a previous meeting with Trump, reminding him that at the time that the then-president promised the United States wouldnt abandon the Kurds." We believe you hold the power to prevent this catastrophe. President Erdogan has listened to you before, and we trust he will heed your call again," Ahmed wrote. Your decisive leadership can stop this invasion and preserve the dignity and safety of those who have stood as steadfast allies in the fight for peace and security." Write to Lara Seligman at lara.seligman@wsj.com and Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com When I first saw the original blueprint of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM), the feature that really jumped out at me was its anonymizer module. This was the first time that a digital building block designed to de-identify personal data was being built directly into the digital workflow and I was excited by the possibilities that this offered. Once personal data is anonymized, it is inherently more secure. In the event of a data breach, all a hacker will be able to lay his hands on is raw data completely dissociated from the person to whom it pertains. This significantly reduces the risk that the data can be used to cause harm and improves the safety of the system as a whole. Also read: The hidden dangers posed by data brokers need to be addressed Hospital systems rarely take the trouble to do something like this. Most of them store your personal information as plain text, allowing it to flow freely to all parts of the hospitalfrom the billing department and the pharmacy to diagnostic laboratories and just about any administrative function in the buildingwithout paying heed to the fact that should there be a breach in any of those departments, it could be misused. Whats more, given that modern hospitals often outsource these functions, patient data is, more often than not, in the hands of entities over whom the hospital has little control. The fact is that no one in the hospital, with the exception of your doctor and attending nurses, needs to know the details of your personal medical history. This being the case, medical systems need to be redesigned so that this information is kept hidden by default and only made available to the medical professionals directly attending to you. All other functionsthe purchase of medicines from the pharmacy or reports from the labneed to be associated with an anonymous code that cannot be traced back to you, so that in the event their systems are breached, it does not expose all your personal data. But there is another, perhaps less well appreciated, benefit. One of the ways in which we, as a country, can significantly improve our health outcomes is by unlocking the secondary use of medical data. At scale, aggregate data-sets can be highly effective in identifying trends, detecting disease clusters and developing personalized remedies. But, given that each individual element of medical data that comprises the data-set is personal, we would need the prior permission of each and every data principal in order to enable such secondary use. This, in most instances, is simply not feasible. Indias data protection law only applies to digital personal data. As a result, any data that is not individually identifiable would fall outside the ambit of the law. What this means is that once we anonymize the personal data in our control, the obligation to seek the consent of a data principal before it is processed falls away. In other words, all it would take to unlock the full range of secondary uses of medical data is the effective conversion of all that personal medical information into non-personal data. Unfortunately, anonymization has a poor reputation in privacy circles as an effective means of privacy protection. Nearly two decades ago, shortly after Governor William Weld of Massachusetts went on record extolling the virtues of anonymization, Harvard professor Latanya Sweeney dramatically demonstrated how his medical records could be identified within that anonymized database. After other similar experiments, privacy absolutists now refuse to recognize anonymization as an effective means of protecting personal data. I am the first to admit that anonymization is not and will probably never be perfect. Whats more, as anonymized data-sets are layered one on top of the other, it becomes easier to identify the unique intersections between themand the individuals they relate to. Even so, I would argue that it is better to anonymize your data in complex hospital systems rather than allow it to exist within them as plain text. What we may need to do, in addition, is apply some technical measure to augment the anonymization applied to a medical record in order to ensure adequate data protection. One way to do that might be to use certified Secure Data Environments (SDEs). The way in which we derive inferences from data today is by aggregating data into a data lake and then running models and algorithms on that data. At present, this requires us to transfer data from the places where they were collected into the hands of the data analysts making the inference. SDEs flips that paradigm around. Instead of moving data to the algorithm, they make it possible to take the model to the data. Once the data-sets in question have been placed within the SDE, model builders are permitted to engage with the SDE on the condition that all they can do is extract the inferences they need without ever having access to the underlying data itself. This augments the protection offered by data anonymization. This approach is being increasingly adopted in countries around the world. Europes health data spaces have been built around this idea, as has the UKs NHS digitalisation. Indias ABDM has already demonstrated far-sighted vision in developing the anonymizer module as a key element of the countrys digital stack. It now needs to take this one step further by enabling interoperable SDEs that will allow us to unlock the benefits that will come from enabling the secondary use of data. Introducing Willow, our new state-of-the-art quantum-computing chip with a breakthrough that can reduce errors exponentially as we scale up using more qubits, cracking a 30-year challenge in the field," Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in an X post on 9 December. According to Pichai, Willow, with 105 qubits, did a standard computation in less than five minutes that would take a leading conventional supercomputer over ten septillion (10 to the power of 25) yearsfar beyond the age of the universeto do. The post drew an immediate Wow" from none other than Elon Musk, which was followed by Pichais comment: We should do a quantum cluster in space with Starship one day." A collaborative business proposal, a clue to a superb technological innovation, or a way to increase government productivity under someone who US President-elect Donald Trump has tapped for a department of government efficiency? Unlike conventional computers that use binary digits (a stream of 0s and 1s), quantum computers use qubits (which can take any value between 0 and 1) and are therefore that much more powerful. Indeed, quantum computers have long been viewed as a threat to traditional cryptography and security. According to Irwin Emery, a character in the 1992 Hollywood film Sneakers starring Robert Redford, Cryptography systems are based on mathematical problems so complex that they cannot be solved without a key." But in the movie, a mathematician named Gunter Janek designs a chip inside a small box to decode all of the worlds digital classified data! Thus, the movie predicted a future where a computer could decipher massive volumes of encrypted data. In 1994, two years after Sneakers made its theatre debut, Bell Labs mathematician Peter Shor devised the math that exposes cryptography to quantum computers. Three decades on, is Googles Willow indeed a turning point in human history? According to a paper by Google Quantum AI and Collaborators in the journal Nature on 9 December, titled Quantum error correction below the surface code threshold, errors can be driven down while increasing the number of qubits, achieving an exponential reduction in the error rate. Alphabets Google is pursuing quantum computing like Microsoft, IBM and other tech behemoths. Its interesting to note Googles focus on qubit reliability while its rivals are building chips with more qubits. Qubits are fast but error-prone. These errors can accumulate to the point where a chip is no better than a conventional computer chip as more qubits are crammed onto it. Google claims to be able to correct errors in real time in its Nature paper, which is a significant step towards making its quantum machines useful. The head of Google Quantum AI, Hartmut Neven, stated, We are past the break-even point." As for the assertion that it would take 10 septillion years for a supercomputer to do what Googles Willow did in less than five minutes, the company acknowledges that the figure was estimated on conservative assumptions. In this context, the Sycamore saga inevitably comes to mind. Google asserted in 2019 that its Sycamore quantum chip, which had 53 qubits, had solved a problem in 200 seconds that would have taken 10,000 years for a conventional computer to finish. Pichai had called that outcome a sea change in computing. However, IBM quickly retorted that it could complete the assignment fasterin 2.5 days by altering its supercomputer Summits methodology. Later, in a 2022 paper in Physical Review Letters with the title Solving the Sampling Problem of the Sycamore Quantum Circuits, a team of Chinese researchers demonstrated how to defeat Sycamore. In fact, they offered a classical solution. Doubts over quantum superiority over conventional computers are likely to persist. According to Google, even in the best of circumstances, it would take a billion years for a regular computer to achieve the outcomes that Willow does within minutes. Although this is currently impossible to disprove, it should be acknowledged that Googles Sycamore experiment did accomplish a strategic goal, which may have been to re-ignite the quantum race. Are we placing too much weight on Willows performance on a single test? Remember that quantum computers are still a long way from becoming as handy as todays personal computers. They need heavy capital and operational expenditure to operate. It may take decades more for them to resemble small boxes that are passed off as answering machines, like the one in Sneakers. Google expects quantum computers to solve problems in AI, health and battery technology that are beyond the capacity of current devices, even if its Willow chip doesnt have commercial applications right now. Its true that quantum computers could aid AI models, since these require enormous training. Though they wont replace existing computers, many scientists think quantum computers will come to outperform them in a range of tasks, if not all. The key question is whether most current cryptography would be rendered obsolete by quantum computing. Might a quantum computer ultimately crack the cryptographic security of Bitcoin, for instance, and spell the end of this crypto asset? In the film Sneakers, people regretted their belief that ordinary encryption was safe. Perhaps there is still time for the world to come up with quantum-age security. The author is professor of statistics at Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. Indias farm sector has long been bonded to the state. The supply of major crops is responsive not to price signals that reflect actual demand, but mostly to minimum support prices (MSPs) set by the government, which is widely seen by farmers as their buyer of first and last resort. To reduce the states role, enable private procurement of farm produce and grant market forces more space to shape outcomes, the Centre enacted a trio of laws in 2020, but only to roll them back in the face of farmer resistance. The first law would have let farmers sell their harvest anywhere, not just at state-regulated wholesale mandis under Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs). With the monopoly of local intermediaries gone, direct buyer-seller deals would have meant efficient price discovery (at least on paper), and the rise of national markets for each crop. The second law, by lifting movement and storage curbs on cereals, pulses, onions, potatoes and other essentials, would have acted in conjunction with the first. The third law laid out a legal framework for contract farming, so that farmers could strike deals with food processors and other private procurers. But then, rumours of state procurement being axed for farmers to be put at the mercy of private bullies got in their way, and all three enactments were repealed in November 2021. Can the spirit of cooperative federalism achieve what the Centres legislative effort could not? A recently published draft policy for agricultural marketing reform suggests that such an attempt is afoot. Among the brickbats aimed at the 2020 push for a structural rejig was the charge that how farm output is marketed is a state-level subject of legislation. The revised policy approach not only tries to persuade states to do their own reforms, it takes a cue from the GST model to propose a panel of agriculture ministers who could work out how best to converge towards a single market with all rules in harmony. The draft policy urges states to ease restrictions and enable market purchases by private parties, though it also covers a digital upgrade that can improve existing mechanisms, even as it envisions an all-India market portal on the internet with live data-feeds and useful tools for farmers. On contract farming, the draft advises its promotion as a way for farmer-producer organizations to strike supply deals with bulk buyers at locked-in prices. Given the broad thrust of the draft policy, its no surprise that critics have called it a cynical endeavour to resurrect dead laws, abridge the autonomy of states and expose farmers to exploitation by large enterprises. And thats the crux of the matter: the fear of a few profit-motivated bulk buyers replacing a public buyer. To assuage this worry, Indias antitrust authority could make it clear it will not let power gaps crush the interests of farmers. But even the Centre must pledge not to distort market forces. Unfortunately, the governments use of export barriers as price-control tools has fanned suspicions among cultivators that their interests count for little. Yet, India simply has no option but to revitalize farming for the sake of farmers and the rest of the economy. Market reforms could plausibly be rekindled by talks among political leaders, which is why the idea of a politically diverse panel holds some hope. A key challenge is to convince farmers of sufficient rivalry among would-be buyers of their output. A test of competition sufficiency in one reformist state could inform the approach of others. Fixing Indian farming was always going to be a long haul. Lets not give up the quest. Also read: The government must avoid sending out mixed signals on farm reforms The fall of Syrias Bashar al-Assad overturned the most profitable drug-smuggling network in the Middle East, exposing the former regimes role in manufacturing and trafficking pills that fueled war and social crises across the region. Captagon, a methamphetamine-like drug that has been produced for years in Syrian labs, helped the Assad regime amass huge wealth and offset the impact of punishing international sanctions, while also allowing allies such as Lebanons Hezbollah militia to profit from its trade. Days after they ousted Assad in a lightning offensive last week, rebels circulated videos from industrial-scale manufacturing and trafficking facilities inside government air bases and other sites affiliated with former top regime officials. Among the locations where rebels discovered the alleged captagon factories and storage facilities were the Mazzeh air base in Damascus, a car-trading company in the Assad familys hometown of Latakia and a former potato-chips factory in Douma near the capital believed to be affiliated with the ex-presidents brother. Footage by rebels and by journalists who filmed the sites at their invitation, including Reuters and Britains Channel 4 News, showed thousands of captagon pills hidden in fake fruit, ceramic mosaics and electrical equipment. They have said they destroyed at least some of the stored captagon. Used by everyone from taxi drivers and students working late hours to militia fighters seeking courage, Syrian-produced captagon helped drive a demand for drugs across the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia, and became a source of international tension between Syria and its neighbors. The disclosures provide evidence of what had long been alleged: that the Assad regime was the driving force behind an estimated $10 billion annual global trade in captagon, which in recent years has become the drug of choice across the Middle East. Assad used the funds to sustain its rule and reward loyalists. This absolutely proves that the regime was systematically involved in captagon production and trafficking," said Caroline Rose, an expert on the captagon trade at the New Lines Institute, a Washington think tank. They were able to make these facilities as large as they wanted to, and plug and play." While captagon has long been known to have been produced in smaller labs across Syriadespite Syrian denialsthe size and scale of the newly disclosed facilities show the staggering extent of the trade at every level of the regime. You can imagine the manpower, the resources that were required. It shows such investment into this illicit trade," Rose said. It penetrated so many elements of the regime: its political apparatus, patronage networks, the security apparatus." Captagon was the brand name of a drug originally manufactured in Germany in the 1960s to treat conditions such as narcolepsy and attention-deficit disorder. After it was banned in most countries for being too addictive, criminal groups moved production of the drug to Lebanon and then to Syria after its civil war broke out in 2011. Most of the worlds captagon has been produced there in recent years. Though gauging the size of illicit drug economies is inherently tricky, the New Lines Institute estimates the size of the annual captagon trade at about $10 billionnearly the same as the European cocaine marketwith the Assad regime taking in an estimated $2.5 billion. The Syrian militarys elite Fourth Armored Division, commanded by the presidents brother Maher al-Assad, oversaw most of the captagon production and distribution, according to U.S., European and Arab officials. The U.S. Treasury in October sanctioned three people for involvement in the illegal production and trafficking of captagon to the benefit of the Assad regime. One of the sanctioned men owned a factory in Syria that allegedly served as a front company, sending pills worth over $1.5 billion to Europe concealed in industrial paper rolls. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist rebel group leading the blitz offensive that toppled Assad, has attacked the captagon trade as an example of the former regimes moral and financial corruption. In a victory speech at Damascuss Umayyad Mosque on Friday, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani said Assad had turned Syria into the largest captagon factory in the world. Today, Syria is being cleansed, thanks to the grace of Almighty God." The dismantling of the Assad captagon empire will also strain the resources of Hezbollah, which according to U.S. and Arab security officials facilitated trafficking in areas under their control and secured the houses of drug dealers in southern Syria. Economic activities in Syria such as taxation and smuggling, including of captagon, helped Hezbollah deflect the damage of international sanctionswhich also affect its sponsor, Iranand become more financially self-sustaining. Captagon allowed Hezbollah to diversify its source of revenue," said Joseph Daher, visiting professor at the University of Lausanne and author of a book on the political economy of Hezbollah. The size of Hezbollahs profit from the captagon trade isnt known, but the group is already under severe financial pressure after a devastating Israeli military campaign against its stronghold in south Lebanon that razed villages along the border to the ground. Israels military says its monthslong campaign since October last year killed about 3,500 Hezbollah operatives and injured twice that number to the extent that they are unable to fight. Hezbollah, which is both a militia and a legal political party in Lebanon, draws much of its support from its ability to provide social services and welfare for its constituents, and is under pressure to compensate loyalists for property and relatives lost in the recent fighting. Hezbollah is most probably the biggest employer in Lebanon after the state," said Daher, who estimated that the group pays direct wages and different forms of allowances to about 100,000 people, and provides various types of social services to several hundreds of thousands. The various sources of revenues serve to maintain its hegemony over large sections of the countrys Shia population." Uprooting the captagon trade is unlikely to dent the growing appetite for drugs in the Middle East, experts say. The industrial-scale production in Syria amplified a demand for captagon since the late 2010s, which will remain high, Rose said. If the blow to Syrias captagon production leads to a permanent supply shortage, drug users will likely either pay more for captagon or turn to other and more dangerous stimulants that are surging in the region, such as crystal meth, she said. Criminals in various layers of the chain might also simply move operations to other countries, particularly Iraq, which according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has emerged as a critical conduit" for the captagon trade. By the end of 2023, Iraqi authorities seized 30 times as much captagon as in 2019, with more than 4.1 tons of tablets confiscated in 2023 alone, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said in a report earlier this year. Iraq is at risk of becoming an increasingly important node in the drug-trafficking ecosystem spanning the Near and Middle East," the agency said. Captagon has been smuggled via Jordan into the Gulf. It has also been sent via Lebanon into southern Europe, which has long been a transshipment hub for captagon destined for the Arabian Peninsula. Among large seizures in southern Europe, Italian police in 2020 confiscated $1 billion worth of captagon tablets. Dutch and German authorities have also busted captagon labs in their own countries. Ultimately, when we look at some of these criminal actors, they have already begun to diversify," Rose said. Write to Sune Engel Rasmussen at sune.rasmussen@wsj.com NEW DELHI : The Election Commission of India (ECI) will likely retain discretionary powers to defer legislative assembly polls under specific circumstances even after the country transitions to a one nation, one election system, per the Constitutional amendment bill tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Currently, the ECI can conduct elections under Article 324 of the Constitution and seek an extension to complete elections through section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The inclusion of these powers in the Constitution would make it difficult to amend them in the future, as constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to pass, said P.D.T. Achary, former secretary general of the Lok Sabha. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will allow simultaneous elections for the lower house of Parliament, state assemblies, and local bodies. However, the ECI may, at its discretion, write to the President to defer state elections if it deems fit, showed the draft one nation, one election bill, reviewed by Mint. According to Achary, the amendment marks another major shift from the existing procedure by asking the ECI to write to the President to defer assembly elections, as the governor usually makes the final decision. To be sure, the Representation of the People Act and Article 324 are silent on whether the ECI should write to the governor or President. However, the Supreme Court has stated that when the ECI proposes a directive to the government, it must get the government's assent before implementing that directive. Meanwhile, even if the ECI decides to defer state elections, the state government's term will end on the same day as the Lok Sabha. And if either the Lok Sabha or the state assembly is dissolved before its term ends, then the new government would only rule for the remaining part of the five-year term, the draft said. An emailed query to the Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Secretariat, ECI, and the ministry of law and justice did not elicit a response till press time. Currently, the ECI is responsible for conducting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, while state election commissions conduct local-body elections. The ECI deferred parliamentary elections for three weeks following the assassination of erstwhile prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The latest, it deferred 2020 elections for 18 Rajya Sabha seats due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Why one nation, one election? The Centre's plan to conduct simultaneous polls is based on the work of a high-level committee chaired by former president Ram Nath Kovind, which encouraged the idea of allowing the ECI powers to defer state polls by proposing a constitutional amendment. The Kovind committee greenlit the policy change because scattered elections drain the public purse and create policy paralysis. Also Read: Parliamentary debates are the essence of democracy "Elections, by their very nature, lead to the incurring of substantial cost in terms of manpower involvement, infrastructure, and logistics. The holding of elections for representative bodies at different levels aggravates pressure on finances, straining the resources of the exchequer," said the panel's report. "Holding simultaneous elections presents an opportunity to rationalize such avoidable expenditures and channel scarce resources for developmental activities. Aligning the timelines for national- and state-level elections will also boost the scale and scope of the entire economy," the report added. The budgetary allocation for the ECI and conducting elections is provided as a separate grant under the demands for grants of the ministry of law and justice. As per the demand for grants for 2024-25, the ECI asked for 1,000 crore, stating it was the cost of holding the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections simultaneously. The ECI stated that the total cost of elections, including presidential and vice-presidential polls, would be a little over 2,410 crore. To be clear, simultaneous polls will allow voters to cast their ballots to elect members for all tiers of government on a single day. The Kovind panel report, however, makes a minor tweak to this idea. While the central and state elections may be held on the same day, the third-tier elections, such as municipal or panchayat polls, could be conducted within a hundred days of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Experts, meanwhile, don't expect the bill to go through. "It is unlikely that the present government will be able to pass this constitutional amendment in the present Lok Sabha, as it requires 362 votes to pass, while the ruling coalition, at the moment, has only 292 votes in its favour," Achary told Mint. This is not the first time India has planned simultaneous polls. Till 1967, the country held central and state elections together. Unstable state governments led to the early dissolution of assemblies, thereby breaking the cycle and scattering polls throughout the year. To avoid history repeating itself, the draft bill proposes that the new government rules only till the end of the five-year term if either the Lok Sabha or a state assembly dissolves early to ensure fresh elections every five years. The one nation, one election will kick in after the President of India makes a public notification on the date of the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after fresh polls to implement the policy change, which means the plan can't be implemented before the 2034 election cycle. More often than not, patients and even nurses and doctors are skipping steps that help paint an accurate portrait of someones blood pressure. How someone sits and positions their arm, whether they just had a cup of joe or chitchat with their practitioner during the measurement, and other factors can produce readings that are higher or lower than normal blood pressure. To really make a dent at improving peoples cardiovascular health, we need to screen and treat people for hypertension, but we need to do it correctly," said Dr. Tammy Brady, a pediatric nephrologist at the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center in Baltimore who studies blood pressure measurement and cardiovascular health in children and adults. Getting the right reading is important for preventing heart attacks, strokes and other potentially fatal conditions. What does it take to get your reading right? You should sit with both feet on the ground, legs uncrossed, back straight and your arm supported on a table or other surface, according to guidelines from the American Heart Association and other organizations. A cuff should be positioned over your bare arm at the level of your heart. You shouldnt talk or scroll on your phone while it is being measured, and your bladder should be empty. And you should take your blood pressure at least a couple of times in a sitting. Anxiety can also be a factor when it comes to inaccurate blood pressure readings. Some people have elevated blood pressure in a doctors office, though it typically reads normal at home, a condition known as white coat hypertension. A blood pressure reading indicates the pressure of blood pushing against artery walls when the heart beats (systolic) and relaxes (diastolic). It fluctuates with exercise and other activities. The goal is to capture a persons usual blood pressure over time, without those fluctuations. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the leading risk factor for premature death and disability worldwide. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure and only 20% have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Left uncontrolled, it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and dementia, said Dr. Michael Rakotz, group vice president for improving health outcomes at the American Medical Association. James Young II found out he was measuring his blood pressure wrong, a realization that potentially saved his life. At the age of 40, he developed shortness of breath and headaches. He started checking his numbers at home, which were abnormal but not worrisome, he thought. A doctors appointment led him to a surprising discovery: His blood pressure was dangerously high. What had gone wrong? He had the wrong cuff size, and the blood pressure device was old, Young learned. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and other conditions. I was really playing Russian roulette with my life," he said. The diagnosis inspired Young to make changes. He started eating healthier and exercising, which led to improvement in his health. Now 53, he holds a masters degree in public health and works as a clinical research retention coordinator at Wayne State University in Detroit. Taking blood pressure inaccurately can often produce a reading that is too high rather than too low. Resting an arm in a lap overestimated the systolic reading by 3.9 millimeters of mercury, a measure of arterial pressure, and diastolic reading by 4 mmHg, in a study of 133 adults published by Brady and colleagues in October. Blood pressures taken on a dangling arm were even higher. A 2023 study, also by Brady and colleagues, found that a cuff that is too small made blood pressure readings high, while a cuff too large made readings low. (Brady carries a measuring tape in her pocket to check her patients arm circumference). Even small errors in blood pressure measurement likely affect how millions of Americans are diagnosed and treated, said Paul Muntner, visiting professor of epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We wouldnt tolerate this when they measure your cholesterol levels, or your A1C levels for diabetes," he said. Patients with readings that are higher than their normal blood pressure can end up on medications they dont need, said Dr. Jennifer Cluett, a primary care provider and hypertension specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. That can drop their blood pressure too low, and they can experience symptoms such as fatigue, lightheadedness and dizziness, she said. It can even increase the risk of falls or other injuries. Its about making sure that youre appropriately treating the patient in front of you, making sure theyre not getting more medicine than they need or less than they need," she said. A 2017 study by Rakotz and colleagues found that only 1 out of 159 medical students from 37 states took blood pressure accurately. On average, the students correctly performed 4.1 out of 11 steps to measure blood pressure, including making sure arms and legs were in the right positions. The findings helped inspire professional groups and medical schools to educate their peers and patients more actively about how to measure blood pressure properly, Rakotz said. Taking blood pressure properly can take about 10 minutes, hypertension specialists say, but medical staff are often busy and medical appointments can run short. Few exam rooms are set up with a chair for patients next to a desk where they can support their arm, said Barbara Wise, a professor of graduate nursing at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. Many rooms have a blood pressure device attached to the wall next to an exam table. I havent seen anybody take a blood pressure with a patients arm on a table in years," said Wise, a nurse practitioner who makes site visits around her state. Theres just nowhere to do it." Doctors and nurses do find ways to support a patients arm in such exam rooms. Sometimes chairs have wide arms that are stable enough to support a patients arm, Cluett said. Some exam tables are adjustable and can be lowered to hold an arm while the patient sits in a chair. If there are no such options, the doctor or nurse can hold a patients arm up, Wise said. But getting the patient to really relax the arm for an accurate measurement while it is being held can be difficult, she said. The AMA has worked with physicians, care teams and community health centers to make more chairs available next to tables or with suitable armrests, Rakotz said. More people also take their blood pressures at home, but dont always receive or follow instructions about how to do it properly. Nearly 80% of blood pressure devices sold on the internet havent been validated as accurate, according to a 2023 study. The AMA has a list of validated devices. Write to Betsy McKay at betsy.mckay@wsj.com If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option. The Irish 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. 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 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). 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 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. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: December 17 2024 The Senior Holiday Online Safety Program is tailored specifically for seniors, focusing on practical, easy-to-understand strategies to help them navigate the internet with confidence. Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg joined the Town of Babylon, AT&T, and Morrison Mentors on Tuesday, Dec. 10 in Wyandanch to kick off the Senior Holiday Online Safety Program and announce AT&Ts donation of 100 laptops and backpacks to be distributed to seniors in the community. My office has been getting reports of seniors being taken advantage of online for years, and the holiday season is a prime time for these online scams, said Minority Leader Richberg. Anything we can do to make sure our seniors are informed and safe online is a worth taking a look at, and I think this program does a great job of providing easy to follow tips and tricks seniors can keep in mind while browsing. I want to thank the Town of Babylon for spearheading this initiative, AT&T for their generous donations and support, and everyone at Morrison Mentors for doing the hands-on work with our senior community. The Senior Holiday Online Safety Program is tailored specifically for seniors, focusing on practical, easy-to-understand strategies to help them navigate the internet with confidence. Classes emphasize techniques for identifying and avoiding online threats, empowering participants to shop and browse safely as cyber risks increase during the holiday season. The program is conducted by Morrison Mentors in partnership with the Town of Babylon and is supported by a $50,000 contribution from AT&T. Nearly 22 million seniors nationwide lack internet connection at home, an issue known as the digital divide. Its estimated that 11% of households in New York do not have access to the internet or connected devices necessary to participate in the online world. This initiative represents a vital step toward bridging the digital divide for our senior citizens, said Babylon Town Councilman DuWayne Gregory. By providing access to technology and equipping our older residents with the skills they need to safely navigate the digital world, we are empowering them to stay connected, informed, and independent. I commend AT&T and Morrison Mentors for their commitment to fostering digital literacy and improving the quality of life for seniors in our community. Thanks to the generosity of AT&T and Morrison Mentors, 100 Suffolk seniors now have the tools to bridge the digital divide, said NYS Senator Monica Martinez. This opportunity will open the world to them, bringing with it the ability to connect with loved ones, learn something new and seek medical services virtually. Through this workshop, they gain access to the digital world as well as knowledge and confidence to navigate online safely. "I am thrilled to see a community-centered partnership between AT&T, Morrison Mentors, and the Town of Babylon come to life through this program, said NYS Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre. I especially love that local teens are helping lead these classes its a perfect example of how intergenerational collaboration can build stronger, more connected communities. Seniors may be hesitant to use technology, even when they have access, but with this mentorship, they receive information, encouragement, and a patient helping hand from the teen volunteers. Its not just about teaching skills; its about building trust and showing that technology can be a tool to stay connected to the people and things they care about most. Im grateful to AT&T and Morrison Mentors for their continued investment in bridging the digital divide right here in our region." We are proud to be a partner with AT&T and Morrison Mentors with the launch of their Laptop Initiative for the seniors of the Town Babylon, said Traci A. Fonville, Town of Babylon Human Services Commissioner. We believe that technology should be accessible to everyone, and this program aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that our senior community has the tools they need to connect, learn, and thrive in the digital age. Together, we can empower our seniors to stay engaged, informed, and connected. We are excited to announce the launch of the Laptop Initiative for seniors in the Town of Babylon, in partnership with AT&T and Morrison Mentors. The goal of this program is to help our seniors stay connected, informed, and engaged in the digital age, said Marcus J. Duffin, Town of Babylon Human Services Deputy Commissioner. By bridging the digital divide, we aim to ensure that our seniors have the resources they need to thrive. It is our responsibility to keep them engaged and connected. Elmont Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison for Murdering Girlfriend at Mineola Apartment Crime By Chris Boyle Published: December 17 2024 Mark Small was convicted in September of fatally shooting his girlfriend at her apartment in Mineola in July 2022. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that an Elmont man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend inside her penthouse apartment in July 2022. Mark Small, 57, was convicted on September 26, 2024, after a jury trial before Judge Helene Gugerty of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony). The defendant was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison. Mark Small shot and killed his girlfriend inside her own apartment, and todays sentence reflects the seriousness of this callous and senseless act of violence, DA Donnelly said. Rather than letting her leave New York to start a new job in a new state, this defendant decided that if he couldn't have her, no one could. We hope that this defendants sentencing brings a measure of closure to all those who are affected by Marivels tragic loss. DA Donnelly said that Smalls girlfriend, Marivel Estevez, worked in management at the Allure Mineola apartment complex on Old Country Road and resided in a top-floor apartment. Between the evening hours of July 28, 2022, and the early morning hours of July 29, 2022, Small shot Estevez with a handgun once in the arm and once in the head and then fled in Estevezs car with her dog, Tuffy. When Estevez failed to show up for work on July 30, 2022, an employee called police for a wellness check. Responding Nassau County Police Department officers found Estevez deceased on her bed. Small a failed restaurateur who once operated a business in Rockville Centre was arrested on August 2, 2022, at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset by members of the Nassau County Police Department. Small was being treated at the hospital after being struck by a car chasing after Estevezs dog, who had escaped from him on the Long Island Expressway. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: December 17 2024 Featured models see their calendar pages for the first time. It was a big day for thirteen Long Island seniors, between the ages of 76 and 98, at the Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences, as they each took their turn arriving on a celebrity-style red carpet to celebrate the reveal of the Ldor vdor From Generation to Generation: 2025 Gurwin Jewish-Fay J. Lindner Residences Calendar, celebrating the beauty and wisdom of the ages. Im 88 years old and it was worth waiting for, said Maureen Collins, Ms. April, who says her life's motto, Have Faith, sustains her. I never thought Id see the day Id be in a calendar and up on a screen and made a big deal of. Its been enjoyable. Each resident was chosen to appear in the calendar for their unique personal story and their active involvement in daily life at Gurwin. The calendar was photographed earlier this year, in a professional celebrity-style photo shoot that included professional hair and makeup sessions and a pro-photo shoot. This is the 13th annual calendar from Gurwin featuring its residents. Its almost a competitive event with the residents wanting to be in the calendar, said Stuart Almer, CEO of Gurwin Healthcare System. Its a truly special event and one of the things that makes Gurwin unique. As part of the event, each calendar page was displayed on a giant projector at a reception including the models family and friends. I never thought that would be me in the calendar, said Joseph Barreca, Mr. March, whos advice for a good life is to smile. Im happy. I really enjoy life and Im ready for whatever happens. Born between 1926 and 1948, these vibrant seniors have lived to see: Eighteen US Presidents (Calvin Coolidge to Donald Trump) The telephone, the iPhone, AI and Chat GPT The invention of the automobile, airplane and space travel to MarsWorld War II, Vietnam and 9/11 J. Lindner Residences Gurwin Jewish ~ Fay J. Lindner Residences assisted living community, located in Commack, Long Island, is part of the Gurwin Healthcare System, a renowned healthcare provider offering a full continuum of healthcare and senior living services for the frail and elderly, and younger adults with complex medical needs. In addition to its assisted living community, the System provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, advanced care, ventilator and respiratory care, on-site dialysis, memory care, and palliative and hospice care, as well as adult day care programs and home care. The campus is also home to Fountaingate Gardens, a newly opened 129-apartment Life Plan Community for seniors ages 62 and older. For more information, visit www.gurwin.org. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: December 17 2024 Dr. Vishnudat Seodat, 75, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. A New York doctor pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to receiving kickbacks in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary brain scans. Dr. Vishnudat Seodat, 75, of Mattituck, N.Y. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for March 11, 2025. Seodat was charged by criminal complaint in December 2024. Seodat, an internist in Long Island, N.Y., was a licensed medical doctor in the State of New York for approximately 36 years. From approximately June 2013 through June 2019, Seodat conspired with others, including a principal for a mobile medical diagnostics company that performed transcranial doppler (TCD) scans, to order hundreds of medically unnecessary TCD scans in exchange for kickbacks. TCD scans are brain scans that measure blood flow in parts of the brain. Seodat and his alleged co-conspirators used false diagnoses to order the unnecessary brain scans, for which a co-conspirator would submit claims to Medicare and other insurance companies, including private insurance companies, on behalf of the medical diagnostic company for payment. In exchange, Seodat was paid cash kickbacks of approximately $100 per test. The scheme resulted in fraudulent bills of approximately $1 million to Medicare and private insurance companies. The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: December 17 2024 The drones have been spotted mainly at night, and sometimes in swarms of up to 50 at a time. The mysterious, nocturnal swarms of unmanned drones that had been whipping New Jersey residents up into a frenzy since mid-November are now beginning to be sighted in New York and even over Long Island, sparking fears and outrage from local residents and confusion from elected officials who are unable to give answers to their constituents. The drones have been spotted mainly at night, and sometimes in swarms of up to 50 at a time. Even on the federal level, even the FBI has not been able to identify the origin of the drones - merely stating that they don't currently appear to be a threat to public safety or a national security threat, despite their unknown nature - and instead have called upon the public to share any tips or information that they have. According to social media posts, claims that unexplained drone sightings have taken place in both Suffolk and Nassau County - including over Smithtown, Seaford, Oyster Bay, Huntington Station, Northport, and West Babylon - have led to residents demanding answers. However, so far, there are none. On December 14, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following statement, following drone activity that resulted in the temporary shutdown of Stewart Airfield in New Windsor, NY. Last night, the runways at Stewart Airfield were shut down for approximately one hour due to drone activity in the airspace. This has gone too far," the statement read. In mid-November, I directed the New York State Intelligence Center to actively investigate drone sightings and coordinate with federal law enforcement to address this issue, and those efforts are ongoing." "But in order to allow state law enforcement to work on this issue, I am now calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act," Hochul continued. "This bill would reform legal authorities to counter-UAS and strengthen the FAAs oversight of drones, and would extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies. Extending these powers to New York State and our peers is essential. Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our critical infrastructure and our people. In a follow-up on December 16, Hochul revealed that she had called upon federal resources to aid in identifying the origin of the drones. In response to my calls for additional resources, our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State," she said. "This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations. We are grateful to the Biden Administration for their support, but ultimately we need further assistance from Congress. Passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act will give New York and our peers the authority and resources required to respond to circumstances like we face today. Meanwhile, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine released a joint statement with the police department, saying that "in light of the recent drone sightings throughout the east coast, officials are working closely together along with our state and federal law enforcement partners to monitor the situation in real-time." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Mount Hermon. (Israeli Defense Ministry) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing to remain in several areas along the Syrian border, including atop Mount Hermon and in a larger buffer zone between Israel and Syria. This development comes in the wake of the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime in Syria on December 8 and the ceasefire with Lebanon on November 27. The ceasefire is expected to last for 60 days, by which time Israel is supposed to withdraw troops from Lebanon unless fighting with Hezbollah begins again. On the Syrian front, Israeli troops have taken over the highest part of Mount Hermon, just above 2,800 meters, previously held by Syria. Israel has held part of the mountain since 1967 but not the highest point. Now, Israeli troops are preparing for winter in the summits harsh conditions. Mount Hermons uppermost part is barren and experiences biting cold, often accompanied by heavy wind, along with light snow that usually blankets the area for up to two months. The IDF has troops prepared for these conditions, as it has previously maintained several fortified mountain posts. In addition, the IDF established a Mountain Brigade in April 2024 to bolster forces on Hermon and neighboring Mount Dov, a result of operational needs amidst threats from Hezbollah. On December 17, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Mount Hermons peak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Katz called the mountain the eyes of Israel because of how much of Syria and Lebanon can be monitored from its heights. The IDF is here to protect the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of the State of Israel from any threat, from the most important place where it is possible to do so, he said. IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the head of Israels Northern Command, Major General Ori Gordin, and other key Israeli military and intelligence officials also attended the gathering on the mountain. The event emphasized Israels decision to stay in the area for the foreseeable future and increase fortifications along the border. Other changes are occurring below the mountain. The Israeli military said on December 13 that it deployed engineers, armored units, paratroopers, and the elite Egoz Unit along the Syrian border. The Egoz Unit used to be part of the Golani Brigade but is now a specialized unit that is part of the Commando Brigade. The troops have been deployed to strategic positions in the Area of Separation to strengthen defense in the area, the IDF said. The IDF moved forces into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria as the Assad regime collapsed on December 8. This zone is more than 120 square miles of border along the Golan Heights. It includes two lines for separating Israeli and Syrian forces: Alpha, the Israeli line, and Bravo, the eastern line where Syrian forces were once located. Among the units now on the border is the 474th Brigade, a territorial brigade tasked with defending the border. It is part of the 210th Division, which protects the entire length of the Golan border. The 474th has been working to strengthen various defenses while other IDF units operate in the buffer zone. During scans, IDF paratroopers located a variety of weapons, including anti-tank missiles, military vests, ammunition, and additional military equipment, the IDF said, describing some of the work being done in the buffer zone. Israeli operations in the buffer zone and several nearby Syrian villages included patrols and IDF troops meeting with locals and collecting weapons left behind by the Syrian regime. For instance, Ynet reported that the 7th Armored Brigades 77th Battalion arrived near Umm Batnah and met with a representative of the village. Ynet identified this village as being 8 miles from the border, but it is actually on the Bravo Line, around 2 miles from the Israeli border. In another report on December 17, Ynet reported that over the past two days, thousands of residents from seven local villages have effectively come under the protection of IDF troops from the Paratroopers Brigade, the 188th Armored Brigade, the 7th Armored Brigade and the Commando Brigade. The IDF did not confirm the report about where its troops were present in Syria. However, footage posted online claimed to show an Israeli tank in a Syrian village. Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024). As the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad was collapsing on December 8, Israel set in motion a contingency plan that anticipated the situation. In recent weeks, the military intelligence arm (AMAN) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a sweeping situational assessment of the domestic situation in Syriaand the IDF reacted accordingly, though it had not expected Assads regime to fall so quickly. The operation, Bashan Arrow, saw Israel swiftly move ground troops to occupy the peaks of Mount Hermon and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the Israeli and Syrian sides of the Golan Heights. Simultaneously, Israel launched a massive aerial and naval campaign to strike the former regimes abandoned assets deeper in Syria. In its first comment on Bashan Arrow, the IDF said on Tuesday that it had completed the core of the operations mission and destroyed 7080% of the military assets belonging to the regime of deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad. On Wednesday, the IDF said it had destroyed over 90% of Syrias surface-to-air missiles (SAM) whose locations had been identified. By Thursday, the IDF had also destroyed 80% of Syrias SA-17 SAM systems, 40% of Syrias fighter jets, and all of its loitering munitions. Reports also indicate the IDF destroyed 30 MiG-29 fourth-generation fighter jets (the Soviet counterpart to the F-15) and 60 MiG-23 third-generation fighters. The IDF also clarified that it struck several Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) bases, including the T-4 Airbase located in the city of Tiyas in Homs Province. The Israelis targeted and destroyed two SAAF squadrons: one consisting of SU-22 fighter-bombers, and another comprised of 10 SU-24 tactical bombers. Israel also hit Ble military airport (also known as Al Dumayr Airbase), located 40 kilometers northeast of Damascus, which the IDF says was used extensively by both the SAAF and the Iranian Air Force during Syrias civil war. The IDF said the base housed three unspecified squadrons that were destroyed, as was a SAM and rocket-storage site located 1.5 kilometers away. The IDF also reportedly struck a central weapons production and storage facility in Homs, which its statement claimed was the central Syrian Scud facility, and one of the most important parts of Syrias military production infrastructure. The latest ground prong of Bashan Arrow The ground aspect of the Israeli incursion continued, with troops seizing the entire 235 square-kilometer DMZ. Israeli troops occupied border positions hastily abandoned by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). For example, IDF 35th Brigade Paratroopers from the 101st Battalion were reportedly holding Tel Kudna, a strategic stronghold of the SAA, which was manned by a large number of Syrian soldiers only days before. The IDF also deployed forces from Division 210, the 188th Armored Brigades 74th Division, the 474th Golan Regional Brigade, and Egoz special forces units. The IDF moved combat engineers and heavy equipment into the area and built at least 15 kilometers of obstacles where the separating fence used to be, digging a ditch and placing boulders whose purpose is to delay the enemy for at least 40 minutes in case they want to invade Israel, said Brigadier Gen Yair Peli. Peli, the commander of Division 210 responsible for the Golan, said the obstacles will also prevent vehicles from entering. Peli noted the presence of unidentified militants in the area. While he stated that no one [] is threatening our forces and there is no threat to our forces from forces inside Syria, he also stressed that this could turn on a dime, and were prepared for such an eventuality. Peli also couldnt say how long the IDF would remain in the DMZ. Anything between four days and four years would be correct, he said, because we still dont know where all this is going. Colonel Benny Katah, commander of the 474th Brigade, told reporters in Tel Kudnah that the IDF was not here to occupy territory nor to impose military rule over the civiliansbut to ensure the defense of the [Israeli] residents of the Golan Heights. We learned the lessons of October 7. He stressed that his forces were positioned only a short distance from our communities in the Golan Heights, and, therefore, we deployed to conduct defense with minimal friction, defend the buffer zone, and prevent [hostile forces] from establishing a presence there. Hezbollahs pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen outlet continued to report additional, but unspecified, Israeli ground incursions toward Damascus on December 13. However, these reports seem increasingly dubious. To the extent they may have been true, it seems that the Israeli incursions beyond the DMZ were limited and temporary. More credible reports indicate that Israeli forces moved into the village of Al Muaalaqah, located on the administrative borders between Quneitra and Daraa, and cut the road linking the village to the town of Sayda near the Golan Heights. On December 11, the Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR) claimed Israeli forces were operating in the town of Beit Jann in the Damascus countryside and near the DMZ, where they killed an unidentified armed Syrian individual. SOHR and Israeli media sources also claimed that Israeli forces from the 7th Armored Brigades 77th Oz Battalion had moved into the towns of Hader and Humaydiyeh and the western portions of the village of Umm Batneh on December 12where they reportedly destroyed a nearby former SAA position and conducted clearing operations in the village. Israeli forces also entered the village of Kouwya in western Daraa Province and met with local leaders. The Israelis requested an end to an armed presence in the area and the surrender of arms, just as they did in other locales in areas near the DMZ, the Yarmouk Basin, and Quneitra Province. Al-Mayadeen claimed the IDF informed the residents of the town of Maarieh in the Yarmouk Basin, west of Daraa, of its intention to enter the locale and seize weapons. On Friday, December 13, reports suggested Israeli tanks temporarily entered and then withdrew from an abandoned SAA military position in Khan Arnaba, administratively part of Quneitra Province and located in the Syrian portion of the Golan Heights. Other reports indicate Israeli troops advanced towards Samadaniyeh in this area. Days earlier, the IDF notified Samadaniyehs residents to remain in their homes in light of its intent to operate in the area. On December 16, Israeli forces reportedly destroyed former SAA weapons and ammunition depots on the outskirts of Baath City, Quneitra Provinces administrative center, on the Damascus-Quneitra road. Bashan Arrows latest aerial prong After a brief hiatus on December 11perhaps to conduct a battle damage assessmentIsraeli airstrikes reportedly continued, with Israel seemingly determined to destroy the remainder of Assads abandoned arsenal. The IDF has yet to comment on these continued attacks or their targets. However, other sources, such as SOHRand various media outlets, have cataloged the Israeli strikes and their alleged targets. A compiled list of these reports follows: December 8-12, 2024 Reported Israeli airstrikes between December 10-12 and December 8-12 (the latter strikes not documented in Long War Journals previous entry on Bashan Arrow) include: Damascus Province: An airstrike on an unspecified site in Tel Al Shiar. An airstrike on Mt Qasioun, possibly targeting positions belonging to the SAAs Republican Guard. Latakia Province: An airstrike on an unspecified target in Latakia Port. An airstrike on an unspecified target in Dahr al Zawba in Baniyas. An airstrike on an unspecified target in Dahr Safra in the Tartous countryside detonated several missiles. A strike on a radar Site in the village of Bileh, an electronic warfare and early warning site 7 kilometers north of Tartous. A strike on an aerial defense site housing a radar and missiles in al Balatah, 4 kilometers north of Tartous. An airstrike on a radar site in the area of al Radar, 5 kilometers south of Tartous. An airstrike on an unspecified site in Burj al Islam. A strike on a radar in the Latakia countryside. Quneitra Province: An airstrike on the 90th Brigade in the Quneitra countryside, in which past reports indicate Hezbollah and Iranian forces had embedded. The Brigade was previously reported to possess heavy and light caliber weapons, an R-330Zh Zhitel electronic warfare jamming communication station, four ZSU-23-4 Shilka lightly armored self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapons system (SPAAG), Shahab missiles, an unspecified number of T-72 main battle tanks, SA-18 Grouse man-portable infrared homing SAMs, and North Korean missile trucks. Deir Ezzor Province: A strike on the Al Talaeh Barracks in the al Joura neighborhood of Deir Ezzor city. December 13, 2024 Damascus Province: An Israeli airstrike on Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus. Airstrikes destroyed missile launch pads on the summit of Mount Qasioun, possibly targeting former positions of the SAA Republican Guard. Airstrikes on unspecified military sites. Airstrikes on the 295 th Department HQ, south of Damascus along Highway 110 leading to Suwayda. The 295 th Department, reportedly comprised of 2,322 personnel, was Syrian State Securitys counterterrorism branch. It was headed by Brigadier General Izzam Istanbouli. Previous strikes on the 295 th Department had targeted arms caches belonging to embedded Iranian forces and destined for Hezbollah. Department HQ, south of Damascus along Highway 110 leading to Suwayda. The 295 Department, reportedly comprised of 2,322 personnel, was Syrian State Securitys counterterrorism branch. It was headed by Brigadier General Izzam Istanbouli. Previous strikes on the 295 Department had targeted arms caches belonging to embedded Iranian forces and destined for Hezbollah. Strikes on the Electronic Warfare Administrations 1 st Regiment. Regiment. Strikes on the Fuel Administration near Najha in the Damascus countryside. An airstrike on SAA warehouses in the Qalamoun Mountains. Airstrikes on SAA military sites and warehouses in the areas of Nasiriyah and Jeyrud. Homs Province: An airstrike on Syrian air defenses in Wadi Hanna on the Syria-Lebanon border. Latakia Province: Airstrikes on SAA sites in Tartous and Latakia countryside. Airstrikes targeted SAA warehouses in the Latakia environs. Hama Province: An airstrike on defense laboratories, research centers, and production facilities in Masyaf in the Hama countryside. Deir Ezzor Province: An airstrike in Deir Ezzor city. Suwayda Province: A strike on Khalkhaleh Airport in the Suwayda countryside. Airstrikes on unspecified military sites. An airstrike on unspecified military sites in Tel Qulayb. An airstrike on several unspecified military barracks in the vicinity of al Kafr, along route 109 northwest to Swayda city. An airstrike on Hursh al Sahwah barracks in the Suwayda countryside. December 14, 2024 Damascus Province: SOHR claimed Israel conducted 24 airstrikes on former SAA sites in Damascus Province. Airstrikes on SAA bases containing several tunnels dug into the mountainside housing storage units for, according to SOHR, large missiles, ammunition, mortars, projectiles, and other military equipment. The strikes also hit a military barracks in the area of Ain Minin, administratively part of Tel in Damascuss northwest countryside, 3 kilometers away from Saydnaya. SOHR tallied a total of 10 sorties that hit the area 35 times. Airstrikes destroyed a scientific research center and metal casting plant at the CERS facility in Barzeh in the Damascus countryside. Strikes on Al Nasriyah Military Airport, 17 kilometers east of al Nabak city in Damascuss northern countryside. Airstrikes reportedly destroyed warehouses containing Scud and ballistic missiles and modern launchers near Qastal in Al Qalamoun in the Damascus countryside. Two airstrikes on the Radar Battalion in al Rheiba in the Damascus countryside. Quneitra Province: An airstrike on an unspecified location near the Golan Heights. Aleppo Province: A second airstrike on a CERS facility and a defense production facility in Al Sferah in Aleppos southern countryside. Hama Province: Airstrike on a CERS facility in Masyaf. December 15, 2024 SOHR claims Israel carried out 33 airstrikes on Saturday night, hitting 75 different targets: Homs Province: Israel reportedly hit warehouses belonging to the SAA 3rd Corps 18th Armored Division in Homss eastern countryside. Damascus Province: Seven new airstrikes on the 55th Brigade near the village of Hala in the area of Qalamoun aimed to destroy missile warehouses built into the mountain. Hama Province: Strikes on aerial defenses located on the southwestern side of Hama Airport. Strikes on the 47th Brigade south of Hama. Daraa Province: Strikes on arms caches in Mahajeh in Daraas northern countryside. Suwayda: Two airstrikes on the Fifth Warehouse near the town of al Kafr in Suwaydas countryside. Deir Ezzor Province: An airstrike on Deir Ezzor Military airport. December 16, 2024 Latakia Province: Strikes reportedly targeted: The 23 rd Aerial Defense Brigade and its HQ near Harisoun. Aerial Defense Brigade and its HQ near Harisoun. The Isqabla Battalion in Isqabla. An unspecified position in Dahr al Balloutiyah. An unspecified position in Al Kharab. An unspecified position in Marsahin. Two positions near Dreikish. Surface-to-surface missile warehouses and aerial defense positions near Malka. Positions north of the Akkar Valley. Missile bases in the 107 th Barracks in Zama in the Tartous countryside. Barracks in Zama in the Tartous countryside. Weapons warehouses in the Tartous countryside, which reportedly led to a massive explosion that measured as a 3.0 magnitude earthquake on nearby seismic sensors. Airstrikes on surface-to-surface missile warehouses in Tartous. Hama Province: An airstrike on unidentified targets in Misyaf. Deir Ezzor Province: Airstrikes on radars in Deir Ezzor Military Airport. Damascus Province: An airstrike on SAA weapons depots in the mountains of Dumayr. A second round of overnight airstrikes, lasting about eight hours, hit SAA bases containing several tunnels housing storage units for, according to SOHR, large missiles, ammunition, mortars, projectiles, and other military equipment in the area of Ain Minin. Israels posture During a December 14 visit to the Golan Heights, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi insisted that Israels recent moves were motivated purely by security concerns: Weve been here for almost a week, and the central purpose is the security of the State. Were here to engage in defense along the entire border on the Golan Heightsthe northern Golan Heights, [Mount] Hermon. We had a country [on the other side] that was an enemy state, its army collapsed. Theres a threat that terrorist actors will come here. And we went out preemptively so that terrorist actors will not entrench themselvesextremist terrorist actorswill not entrench themselves on the border with us. Were not getting involved in what is happening in Syria. We have no intention to administer Syria. Were getting involved exclusively with what impacts the security of the citizens of Israel here in the communities behind us in the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, Syrias new de facto leader, Ahmad al Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al Jolani, has been sending pacifying signals to the Israelis. In a recent interview with The Times, Jolani insisted that he and his Hayat Tahrir al Shammilitia are committed to the 1974 [Israel-Syria] separation of forces agreement, and we are prepared to return to the UN, also stating, We do not want any conflict whether with Israel or anyone else. Stressing that Israels prior justification for striking in Syriathe presence of Hezbollah and Iranian militiaswas now gone, Jolani also insisted that we 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. These sentiments echoed paraphrased comments he made to the pro-opposition outlet SyriaTV. Despite these assertions, HTS remains a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Jolani is a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Further, HTS maintains an extended network of allied or collaborative terrorist groups. David Daoud is Senior Fellow at at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. A US Air Force A-10 Warthog flying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2015. (US Air Force Photo by Staff Sergeant Perry Aston/Released) On December 16, the US military launched a second round of strikes against Islamic State personnel and infrastructure in Syria since the fall of the regime of Bashir al Assad on December 8. US operations against the Islamic State are designed to degrade the terror group after the collapse of the Syrian Arab Army left a security void in central Syria. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the series of strikes targeted known ISIS camps and operatives in Syria and were intended to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, preventing the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek opportunities to reconstitute in central Syria. The airstrikes took place in former Regime and Russian controlled areas, according to CENTCOM, which stated 12 Islamic State operatives were killed. CENTCOM previously launched a series of attacks against the Islamic State on December 8, the day that Hayat Tahrir al Sham, an Al Qaeda-linked terror group, led the charge to oust Assad. During that operation, the US Air Force sortied B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters, and A-10 ground attack aircraft to hit more than 75 targets including ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps. Beyond being intended to prevent the Islamic States regeneration and impair its ability to project power outside of Syria, the strikes also aim to protect US allies in northern and eastern Syria, primarily the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF, an alliance that the United States helped create and has supported to battle the Islamic State, is led by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which the US also lists as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The SDF controls areas north and east of the Euphrates River, a traditional line of support for jihadist groups operating in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic State can exploit a void with the collapse of the Syrian Arab Army The US military launched Operation Inherent Resolve over 10 years ago in June of 2014 as the Islamic State, led by its founder and first emir, Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, declared its caliphate and took over vast areas in Iraq and Syria. In Iraq, the US military teamed up with the Iraqi Army as well as Iranian-backed Shia militias to drive the Islamic State from cities, including Ramadi and Mosul, the declared capital of the Islamic States caliphate, and towns in the provinces of Anbar, Ninewa, and Salahuddin. In Syria, the US worked with the Syrian Democratic Forces to drive the Islamic State from vast areas of northern and eastern Syria, including the cities of Raqqa, Deir ez Zor, and Hasaka. In 2019, the Islamic State lost its last major town in Syria, Baghuz, on the border with Iraq along the Euphrates River. Despite the Islamic States loss of its physical caliphate in 2019, the terror group still has a significant presence in Syria. As of July 2024, the United Nations Security Council Analytic Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team estimated the groups strength at 1,500 to 3,000 fighters, while reporting that most of ISIL [the Islamic State] senior leadership remain in the Syrian Arab Republic. The UN Monitoring Team notes that the Islamic State has a significant presence in Badia, a desert area in central Syria near the city of Palmyra. During the spring of 2024, the Islamic State and Assads Syrian Arab Army clashed numerous times. With the fall of the Assad regime and the collapse of the Syrian Arab Army, the Islamic State has little opposition in central Syria and could expand its operations against the SDF. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. The discovery of a couple of tiger snakes making themselves comfortable in Aussie homes recently, has been described as 'unique' by a local snake catcher. A homeowner who fumbled through his wardrobe to find a shirt on the weekend, had no idea he'd been flirting with danger until hours later when he saw something moving along the hangers. "They had heard some noises during the day but didn't really look into it. Then later they saw a large tiger snake tangled up, hanging over the clothes," snake catcher Scott Smith from North West Snake Catchers told Yahoo News. "They had birds nesting in their roof but they stopped hearing them that day. I reckon maybe he's gone up for a feed and found a nice place to digest his food," Smith speculated. The late-night discovery on Sunday took place in Nook, a rural town in Tasmania's north, and while it was Smith's colleague Damien who attended the rescue, he revealed he'd recently rescued another tiger snake from a property nearby. ADVERTISEMENT "Only about six weeks ago we got a phone call from a young guy that got up, went to make a coffee, came back to his bedroom and a tiger snake came out from under his pillow... it's quite unique," he said of the frightening encounter. The team has rescued two 'dangerous' tiger snakes in the last six weeks. Source: Supplied & Facebook/North West Snake Catchers Tiger snakes are 'extremely deadly' but only few recorded fatalities Tiger snakes are "the fifth most venomous snakes in the world" and their venom packs a serious punch for humans. "The cocktail of venom is lethal," Smith explained. "They're quite a defensive snake, they hold their ground... and it can be extremely deadly. But like most snakes, they want to just be left alone to do their thing." ADVERTISEMENT Tiger snakes have a fierce reputation due to their demeanour and potent venom, but many Aussies will never encounter one due to the snake's impressive ability to adapt to some of the most inhospitable environments in the country. The species accounts for an estimated 17 per cent of snake bites in Australia with four official deaths recored. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. The company behind the NSW project maintains seven hectares of land were cleared under a 'valid development consent' but it has voluntarily paused future works. Pictures show McDougall Business Park on 21 Oct 2023 and then again on 31 Aug 2024 after forest was cleared. Source: Sentinel Plans to build a sprawling business development have been halted after a member of the public raised concerns about something they spotted on satellite images of the site found online. Seven hectares of land, mapped as some of the worlds rarest forest, had suddenly vanished, the pictures from the European space agency satellite revealed. After investigators at the non-profit Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) were tipped off about the clearing, they wrote to the company behind the project with a please explain. Before the works began the company had been advised by council to consult with the federal government, because the site could contain critically endangered Central Hunter Valley eucalypt forest and woodland. The Department of Environment (DCCEEW) confirmed with Yahoo News on Monday it had not received a referral to clear land at McDougall Business Park under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, a mechanism to assess whether projects will have a significant impact on species or ecological communities already threatened with extinction. The department is making enquiries into the matter. As enquiries are ongoing the department will not provide further comment, it said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Want more stories about our weird and wonderful natural world? Subscribe to our newsletter. Investigators found evidence of critically endangered forest close to the business park works. Source: ACF How did the business park respond? Mining company Bloomfield Group is one of two partners in the McDougall Business Park venture at Singleton, northwest of Newcastle. When contacted by Yahoo about the land clearing, it redirected all correspondence to a PR company which refused to answer written questions and denied a request for an interview. In an emailed statement, a McDougall Business Park spokesperson told Yahoo works had been paused while it liaised with the Commonwealth. The McDougall Business Park project is aware that claims have been made of unauthorised clearing associated with Stage Four of its subdivision at Singleton. Development was conducted under a valid development consent, it said. ADVERTISEMENT McDougall Business Park has corresponded with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on the clearing under Stage Four of the subdivision, and will liaise with the Department on future action. The two final stages of development have been paused during this process. As the Commonwealths enquiries into land clearing at the site are ongoing, and the company behind the project is unwilling to answer questions, it remains unclear whether critically endangered habitat was cleared. Yahoo does not allege any wrongdoing by the company. NSW Government mapping of the business park site suggests the forest cleared (bordered in white) could include Central Hunter Valley eucalypt forest (brown), also known as Central Hunter Ironbark-Spotted Gum Forest. Source: NSW State Vegetation Type Map Investigators find 'evidence' of critically endangered forest near project site The pause in works was triggered after ACF national nature campaigner Jess Abrahams wrote to Bloomfield Group company McDougalls Hill Development Holdings, and its partner on the project a week ago. Prior to this, his team visited the site and found evidence of some critically endangered forest still standing in the surrounding area. ADVERTISEMENT It appears likely that the destruction of native vegetation that has already occurred on the project site, as well as the destruction of additional native vegetation that is planned, constitutes a significant impact under the EPBC Act, he wrote. Speaking later with Yahoo, he welcomed the companys decision to pause works at the site. This is a small but important victory. It's telling that community volunteers comparing satellite images on their personal devices, and a national environment group have had to bring this case to attention, he said. Sightings of eight species federally listed as threatened with extinction have been recorded close to the site, including swift parrots, spotted-tailed quolls, gang-gang cockatoos, grey-headed flying foxes, painted honeyeaters, brown treecreepers, koalas and glossy black cockatoos. Abrahams is frustrated that some clearing occurred at McDougall Business Park before the DCCEEW began making enquiries. This is a corporation that runs a big coal mine down the road. They obviously have resources behind them, so they should know what their legal obligations are, he said of Bloomfield Group. They were advised by the local council that they would need to get a federal assessment if they planned to clear this bushland. Works at the development site have been paused. Source: ACF Work has momentarily stopped at the business park expansion. Source: Mcdougall Business Park Call for government to enact promised nature protection laws Noting Australia is in the midst of an extinction crisis, Abrahams argued the government should be on the front foot, investigating developments and their impact on threatened species. ADVERTISEMENT When it was elected to government, the Albanese government promised to create a national Environment Protection Authority that would have increased powers to investigate under the EPBC Act. However, it has failed to push them through parliament. In late November, talks between Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young produced a written agreement to pass the legislation, and phase out native forest logging, however the deal was axed after an intervention from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. ACF investigators surveyed forest close to the construction site. Source: ACF Abrahams said it should not be up to environment groups like ACF and volunteer investigators to monitor building sites using satellite applications on their phones. The Albanese government must pass new nature laws to create an EPA as early as possible in 2025 to stop vital habitat being wrecked, he said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A historic Boston hotel is continuing its restaurant revamp with the introduction of a third new concept next year. Lenox, located in Back Bay, will welcome Juniper & Ivy in March 2025. The restaurant will occupy the former space of City Table, which closed on Sunday, Dec. 15. Juniper & Ivy will offer a fresh take on New England-inspired American cuisine, a press release reads. The reimagined space and menu aim to provide guests with a refined yet inviting dining experience that celebrates regional flavors and culinary craftsmanship, it continued. Juniper & Ivy will join The Lenoxs other newly introduced concepts, Sweeneys on Boylston and The Irving at the Lenox, both of which opened in November. Sweeneys took over the former space of Solas Irish Pub while The Irving took over the former space of City Bar. All three concepts are spearheaded by chef Daniel Kenney, who came to Lenox with more than 20 years of culinary experience at other hotels, such as The Liberty Hotel, Boston Harbor Hotel and Four Seasons Resort in Costa Rica. An award-winning but embattled Boston restaurateur has agreed to a legal settlement with the city that will allow her to sell her remaining restaurants, but still require her to pay about $1.7 million from more than a decades worth of back taxes. In a settlement order filed in Suffolk County Superior Court this week, Barbara Lynch agreed to hold any funds from the sale of her businesses in escrow until the outstanding city taxes are paid. Lynch herself and her officers and investors will not receive any money from the businesses until the debt is paid. The city filed a lawsuit against Lynch and her seven restaurants last month, saying she had failed to pay personal property taxes continuously since as early as 2011, depending on the business. The business that had the most recent history of regular payments was the South Ends Stir, which had stopped paying personal property taxes in 2017. According to court documents, Lynch made one tax payment for each restaurant in August 2021, but otherwise has not made any payments in years. Lynch opened her first Boston restaurant, No. 9 Park on Beacon Hill, in 1998 and quickly joined the ranks of the citys most highly acclaimed chefs. She eventually operated seven restaurants within the Lynch Collective in Boston and one in Gloucester and has won multiple James Beard Awards, among other honors. In April 2023, the Boston Globe and New York Times published stories detailing alleged abuse and toxic work environments at Lynchs restaurants, which she has denied. She is currently being sued by former employees who say she withheld tips during the pandemic, which she has also denied. In September 2023, Lynch closed Stir and The Butcher Shop, according to court documents. In January 2024, she announced the closure of her three Fort Point restaurants, Drink, Sportello and Menton. Her Gloucester restaurant, The Rudder, only operated for just over a year, closing its doors in October, according to Boston.com. At the same time The Rudder closed, Lynch announced she would close her remaining restaurants, with No. 9 Park set to close at the end of the year and later reopen under new ownership. A closing date has not been announced for her final restaurant, B&G Oysters. The city filed the lawsuit weeks after the announcement, saying each business was behind on taxes, ranging from $6,997.14 for Stir to $536,737.29 for No. 9 Park. Lynch Collective COO Lorraine Tomlinson-Hall told WBUR that the restaurant group was blindsided by the lawsuit and that they had attempted to communicate with the city when they received the final notice letters in January, but had received no response. A city spokesperson told WBUR that the Boston tax office takes every step to let taxpayers know about outstanding balances, and an attorney for the city said they had no choice but to pursue legal action. Initially, the city had sought to stop the sale of the restaurants, but if the new settlement is approved by a judge, the transactions will be able to go through, preserving more than 60 jobs at No. 9 Park and B&G Oysters. We are pleased we can now proceed with securing the future of both No. 9 and B&G restaurants and most importantly the dozens of jobs within those entities, Tomlinson-Hall told the Boston Globe this week. We have encountered a very difficult month, after the initial court filing, with vendors understandably worried upon reading the alarming headlines. By Susan Svrluga and Danielle Douglas-Gabriel A filing in an antitrust lawsuit against some of the nations top universities alleges the schools overcharged students by $685 million in a price-fixing scheme, raising serious questions about their past admission and financial aid policies. Every year, according to a motion filed in federal court Monday night, Georgetown Universitys then-president would draw up a list of about 80 applicants based on a tracking list that often included information about their parents wealth and past donations, but not the applicants transcripts, teacher recommendations or personal essays. Please Admit, was often written at the top of the list, the lawsuit contends - and almost all applicants were. Documents and testimony from officials at Georgetown, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT and other elite schools detail how they appeared to favor wealthy applicants despite their stated policy of accepting students without regard for their financial circumstances. That need-blind policy allowed the schools to collaborate on financial aid under federal law, but plaintiffs in the case say the colleges violated the statute by considering students family income. Former students accuse 17 elite schools, including most of the Ivy League, of colluding to limit the financial aid packages of working- and middle-class students. The claimed damages of $685 million, detailed in the court filing Monday night, would automatically triple to more than $2 billion under U.S. antitrust laws. The universities named in the suit have denied wrongdoing and sought to have the case dismissed. They say they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on financial aid for students, and some have recently dramatically expanded their support for low-income and middle-class students. A coalition of highly selective universities, formed in the late 1990s and known as the 568 Presidents Group, collaborated on aid formulas under a 1994 federal antitrust exemption. The exemption applied only if schools engaged in need-blind admissions. But attorneys for the former students say at least nine universities maintained admissions policies that still favored wealthy students in violation of the antitrust exemption, which expired in the fall of 2022. Details that emerged in the case Monday included allegations that a former MIT Corporation chair allegedly applied pressure for the admission of two wealthy applicants; testimony from a former Harvard official who said the school had not joined the group because it would compel them to reduce their financial aid awards; and a Vanderbilt University official writing in 2014 that if the statute expired, the school could be forced into a bidding war for students. The court document contends Notre Dame has admitted that it sometimes granted admission to applicants based on factors that included the donation history, or future capacity, of the applicants family. And at Penn, the suit says, applicants given a special-interest designation -indicating they were from a wealthy or donor family - were more likely to get in. In 2020, Penn left the group to be more generous to students, according to the court filing. The allegations stem from a class-action lawsuit brought in 2022 by eight former students who said the universities shared a methodology for calculating students financial need that reduced the amount of aid the schools provided to low- and middle-income students. The lawsuit initially named 16 defendants: Yale University, Columbia University, Duke University, Brown University, Emory University, Georgetown, the California Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Penn, Vanderbilt, MIT, Notre Dame, Rice University and the University of Chicago. Johns Hopkins University was later added. The lawsuit says the methodology the group employed placed too much emphasis on an applicants ability to pay in calculating the net price - what students pay after taking grants, scholarships and tax credits into account. The schools that adopted the approach, the complaint argues, artificially inflated the net price of attendance for financial aid recipients for years. The group dissolved after the lawsuit was filed. Ten of the schools have settled, for a total of $284 million. Those schools have said that the case is without merit and they did nothing wrong, but that they wanted to avoid further expensive litigation. Many also noted they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on financial aid for needy students. The proceeds from the settlements will be pooled to provide cash payments to the entire class of 200,000 affected undergraduate students at the 17 schools, not just those who attended the universities that have settled. Georgetown, Penn, Caltech, MIT, Cornell, Notre Dame and Johns Hopkins continue to fight the lawsuit. The universities could not be reached at the late hour of the filing. Many of the schools have long touted their generous financial aid policies. Penn and MIT, for instance, have offered free tuition based on household income since 2008 and recently increased the earnings threshold to cover more students. Caltech also provides grant aid to fully cover tuition, fees, housing and food for students with family incomes of less than $100,000 and institutional aid to fully cover tuition for students with family incomes of less than $200,000. Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that many of these schools became more generous with their financial aid after the Presidents Group disbanded in late 2022. They argue that every school named in the case could have awarded 10 percent to 20 percent more institutional aid from unrestricted endowment funds throughout the 20 years but chose to limit aid packages. Our motion today spells out very substantial evidence supporting our claim that the Defendants colluded with each other for twenty years on financial aid, and the illegal collusion resulted in the Defendants providing far less aid to students than would have been provided in a free market, Robert Gilbert, co-lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a written statement. The motion also documents the defendants alleged pattern of favoring students from wealthy backgrounds, he said, which he says disqualifies the universities from shielding their behavior behind an inapplicable antitrust exemption. At Georgetown, the lawsuit contends, the annual Presidents List of 80 or so applicants was based on a tracking list of more than 200 names that often included financial information about the parents. The process was explained by the schools longtime dean of admission in a 2022 deposition given to the Justice Department, according to the court documents. The filing cited a memo describing a special interest policy at Georgetown that would allow certain well-qualified candidates to be provided favored treatment in admission in exchange for the opportunity the university will have to develop a better association with th[eir] family or sponsor. The memo also noted the school is under-funded and under-endowed and we need to do a better job of enlisting the support of Americas wealthiest families and corporations in assisting us. Special interest admits should provide this type of opportunity to enhance and strengthen our future. Ted Normand, co-lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement that rather than competing based on the aid they could afford to distribute, the schools saved themselves, and cost their students hundreds of millions of dollars in aid. The presence of federal investigators in Natick on Monday has been connected to an investigation into a drone strike that killed three U.S. service members overseas last year. U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy confirmed the law enforcement activity on Woodland Street was related to federal charges filed against two men for conspiring to violate export laws and providing material support to Iran, in connection with a Jan. 28 deadly drone strike in Jordan near the Syrian border. One of the men charged, 42-year-old Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, is a Natick resident, Levy said. He worked for a Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer. Jodi Cohen, FBI Boston special agent in charge, said Sadeghi is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was arrested on Monday without incident and held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 27. His purported co-conspirator Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, 38, an Iranian citizen who faces the more serious charges of the two, was arrested in Milan, Italy. Federal authorities say Abedininajafabadi conspired with Sadeghi across 4,000 miles to illegally procure sophisticated U.S. technology made right here in Massachusetts. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands, Levy said. Unfortunately in this situation, we are not speculating. As alleged in this criminal complaint, the grave potential damage from the leak of American technology overseas came to fruition. In January, after the drone strike occurred, the Department of Defense called it an uncrewed aerial system attack. In addition to killing three U.S. soldiers Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, all from Georgia 40 others were injured. On Monday afternoon, the Natick Police Department informed residents there was increased police activity on Woodland Street and in the area of Juniper and Clover lanes. At this time, there is no immediate threat to the community, the departments Facebook 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. MassLive reporter Ryan Mancini contributed to the reporting of this story. A Lowell man suspected of trafficking a person across four states was arrested on Friday and charged, United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced Monday. Melando Streety, aka Prez, 41, was charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and five counts of transporting a person to engage in prostitution. He was arrested in Michigan and is expected to appear in federal court in Detroit. Between September and December 2023, Streety made a person engage in commercial sex through the use of various means, including force, threats of force, fraud and coercion, Levys office said in a statement. Throughout this time, Streety drove the person from Nevada to Massachusetts before driving them to Rhode Island and New York in order for the person to engage in prostitution. Anyone with information in connection with this case is advised to call 888-221-6023, option 5. The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of transporting a person to engage in prostitution provides a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A Massachusetts State Police trooper was taken to a hospital after a 32-year-old man driving drunkenly rear-ended their cruiser on Storrow Drive in Boston, police said. Shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, a 2013 Acura SUV collided with a State Police Cruiser on Storrow Drive near Kenmore Square in Boston, said Tim McGuirk, a spokesman for State Police, in a statement. Both the Acura and the cruiser were significantly damaged. After the crash, the trooper was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the statement. Police arrested the driver of the Acura, who was identified as Melvin Lopez, 32, of Chelsea. Lopez faces several charges, including operating under the influence of alcohol, State Police said. Lopez is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Tuesday morning. Two men, including a Natick resident, were charged by federal authorities in Massachusetts related to a drone attack that killed American soldiers earlier this year, United States Attorney Joshua Levy announced during a press conference on Monday. Earlier today, two men located nearly 4,000 miles apart, one here in Massachusetts and one in Milan, Italy, were arrested on federal charges filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Levy said. These two men, Muhammad Mahdi Sadeghi and Muhammad Abedini, have been charged in a 36-page criminal complaint. The complaint charges Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi with conspiring to violate United States export laws designed to protect sensitive technologies. Abedininajafabadi was also charged with two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technologies getting into dangerous hands. Unfortunately in this situation, we are not speculating, Levy said. The complaint stems from an incident on Jan. 28, when in the northeast corner of Jordan, along the border with Syria, a U.S. military base called Tower 22 faced a drone attack that killed three American soldiers and injured over 40 more, Levy said. The Army Reserve soldiers killed in the attack were Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett of Savannah, Georgia. The FBIs Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center was able to recover the drone that was used in that attack and, through their forensic work, they were able to trace the sophisticated navigation equipment in that drone used in the attack to Mr. Abedinis company located in Iran, Levy said. The federal government is seeking Abedininajafabadis extradition from Italy, with charges filed against him in Massachusetts, Levy continued. He and Sadeghi were charged with conspiring to violate and evade U.S. export laws, known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This law is designed to keep sensitive American technologies out of the hands of foreign powers that may cause harm to the United States. The two men violated IEEPA and other export laws between 2016 and 2024, Levy said, by unlawfully exporting technologies to Iran. Sadeghi, of Natick, works for a semiconductor company in Massachusetts, while Abedininajafabadi is from Tehran, Iran, and has connections with the Iranian government and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization associated with Hezbollah and Hamas. Sadeghi introduced Abedininajafabadi to his employer in Massachusetts, with Abedininajafabadi establishing a front company in Switzerland as a cover to procure American technologies from Mr. Sadeghis employer to Mr. Abedini [to be] transmitted [to] his company in Iran, Levy said. Items sent to the front company included unmanned aerial devices, including drones, Levy continued. The company was directly involved in the deadly drone attack on Tower 22, he added. These charges today underscore that the Department of Justice will not cease in its effort to seek justice for service members who are killed and harmed overseas, Levy said. I commend the skilled investigators at the FBI and the Department of Commerce for their dogged work on this case... As a son of a combat veteran, I humbly hope that todays charges bring some measure of justice and accountability to those families. Speaking with reporters, Levy and FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said investigators searched Sadeghis home in Natick following his arrest. Local police and FBI agents were seen outside a home in Natick Monday afternoon. MassLive reporter Hadley Barndollar contributed to the reporting of this story. A fatal fire at a single-family home in Plainville was likely sparked by smoking materials and medical oxygen equipment, officials said. The fire at 61 School St. in Plainville on Friday left 68-year-old Mark Beyersdorfer, the only occupant of the home, with fatal injuries, said Plainville Fire Chief Robert Skinner, Plainville Police Chief James Floyd, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine and Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey in a joint statement. It was the fourth time this month that oxygen materials were found at the scene of a fatal fire. Investigators found smoking materials and oxygen equipment at fires in Chicopee, Greenfield, Leominster and Wakefield, according to the statement. Skinner, the fire chief, noted that smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts and across the country. We want to remind all our residents that theres no truly safe way to smoke, and that smoking around home oxygen is especially dangerous, he said in the statement. The exact origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. Over the last five years, six residents of Massachusetts were killed in fires caused by smoking on home oxygen and several more were hurt, according to the statement. Hector Hernandez stands in the kitchen of The Fife and Drum Restaurant, chopping carrots with a knife that is bound to the table by a steel cable. The carrots are then served to a member of the public as he wears Northeastern Correctional Centers all white uniform. But he dreams of the day he can make Mickey Mouse chocolate chip pancakes for his two daughters in the comfort of his own home. " And just watch them eat it and just watch them be so happy at the table," he said. His dream is coming true in four weeks as he prepares to leave the Concord correctional center with the skills in hand to turn his life around. " From the bakery to the entrees to the sandwiches, I learned a little bit of everything, he said. So when I go home, Ill be able to cook for my family, maybe even get a job as Im going to college." And thats the goal of the restaurant, which first opened in the 1970s. The guys here really learn a skill set that is immediately transferable upon their release, said Shawn Jenkins, the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction. And anyone that knows this industry knows a good re-entry plan requires a good job placement program. And so this particular program really offers that for them, Jenkins said. The Fife and Drum Restaurant, located at Northeastern Correctional Center in Concord, is used as a culinary arts program for the inmates housed at the facility.Taylor Sanzo The restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Customers need to have exactly $3.21 in cash and they arent allowed to bring in items like a phone, laptop, purse or wallet. Customers cant wear jeans or jewelry, as prohibited by the correctional center. And youll be eating with a plastic knife. But the food is worth it. My husband and I come to the The Fife and Drum quite often, usually a few times a week, and weve never had a bad meal here. Its a great place to come, said Annette Messina. Multiple people said the chicken parmesan was their favorite meal, although the Italian calzone, chicken saltimbocca and blueberry crumble are also delicious. The Fife and Drum Restaurant at Northeastern Correctional Center is open to members of the public.Taylor Sanzo The couple sometimes get seconds and get to take some of the recipes back home with them. Messinas husband, Joseph, admits he cant make the food as well as the incarcerated individuals " but my wife gets close." Its also about the connections. " When they first start, I tell them what our names are, and I ask them what their name is, Messina said. This way when were talking to them, were talking like we talk to Michelle, Joanne. Youre talking to just a regular person." The connections have also helped encourage Hernandez to stay on the right path. I know a lot of the customers here already, he said, adding that one of the customers always ask for two desserts, so he automatically gets her two desserts. They all wish me good luck and want me to do good out there. The Fife and Drum Restaurant at Northeastern Correctional Center is open to members of the public.Taylor Sanzo When he was 24 years old, Hernandez was arrested and charged with assault and battery. He was trying to change his ways before he was arrested but it wasnt working. Ive done better, I think, in here than Ive done my whole life, he said. Because I was trying to change when I was home, but it wasnt at a fast pace. Since then, Hernandez got his GED, Competent Communicator certificate for public speaking, learned skills in the kitchen and more. And Eddie Jacobs, the culinary arts instructor, doesnt take it easy on the men in the program. " Everyone who works for me starts in the dish room. Thats how it is, he said. I dont care if you were a chef on the street, if you were a carpenter on the street, everybody who starts my program starts in the dish room." Thats to teach them all a work ethic. Some of these guys never had jobs, never worked anywhere, he said. I try to help them with how to write a resume, find a job, how to do the math on a recipe. The Fife and Drum Restaurant at Northeastern Correctional Center is open to members of the public.Taylor Sanzo He also gets them involved in making the menu. You gotta get them involved. You gotta keep them involved, he said. Hernandez recently suggested making enchiladas as he grew up making Spanish food. He also added onions to a recipe that Jacobs wasnt so sure needed it. " Im trying to put onions on it, but Eddies telling me, Oh, the onions shouldnt go on a ham and Swiss sandwich. But Im like, listen, calm down. Im going to make a brown sugar and mustard reduction and put it on top of the onions, he recalled. And then I made it and it came out great. Everybody loved it. It was fabulous." The Fife and Drum Restaurant at Northeastern Correctional Center is open to members of the public.Taylor Sanzo Next, Hernandez wants to major in computer science. But what he learned in the kitchen timing matters will still apply. Everythings on timing, he said, adding that food gets ruined if you leave something in the oven too long or take it out too quick. So, that can also work for me because out on the street, every minute counts. If you get to the bus stop a minute late, what happens? You miss the bus, and then all of a sudden you gotta wait. Now youre late. For Robert Yandel, learning to cook can be his ticket to not reoffend. Every other time I just did the same old things and I ended up back here, he said. So Im just trying something new. Hopefully this time itll help me out. The Fife and Drum Restaurant at Northeastern Correctional Center is open to members of the public.Taylor Sanzo Yandle has been part of the restaurant for eight months and hopes to continue with it as he finishes the last 10 months of his sentence related to drug charges. It wasnt easy at first being worried people would look down on him for being incarcerated. " But these people coming in, they dont look down on us," he said, adding that he enjoys getting to know them. The Fife and Drum Restaurant, located at Northeastern Correctional Center in Concord, is used as a culinary arts program for the inmates housed at the facility.Taylor Sanzo Holiday pies The restaurants food isnt confined to the walls of the correctional facility, since its pies make their way through the community each holiday season. This year, the incarcerated individuals helped make 540 pies for the community, including for various Councils on Aging, veterans homes and fire departments. I love teaching and I love the charity work we do out of here. Every year it gets bigger and bigger, Jacobs said. The pies were apple, blueberry, squash and pumpkin. The apples were donated by an apple orchard and the squash was grown on the farm at the correctional facility. " We started about one in the afternoon, we finish usually nine oclock at night. All one day. Its like a big production line," Jacobs said. It started in 2021 with 400 pies and keeps growing. Probably next year itll be like 600 pies, he said. I dont like to tell anyone no. And he knows hell be getting many calls again in September asking for the delicious baked goods on Thanksgiving. Before sending out all the pies, the group always gets together to take a photo. So they could actually send something home to their family and say, Listen, I did this for charity. I accomplished something today, Jacobs said. Theres no doubt that Massachusetts has felt the brunt of heavy weather over the past year or so. In 2023, severe rains and flooding battered central and western Massachusetts, causing millions of dollars in damages. And just last week, floodwaters overwhelmed the Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston. For state and local officials, such as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, this new normal has reinforced the need to update aged infrastructure that will be pushed to the limit by climate change. And help could soon be on the way. The U.S. Senate is expected to give final approval as soon as this week to a sprawling, biannual funding bill that sets aside billions of dollars in federal money for water infrastructure projects nationwide, including in Massachusetts. If that happens, the bill would be on a glide path to President Joe Bidens desk to sign before he leaves office. Its the final stop, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said of the bill, which is formally known as the Water Resources Development Act, adding that hes worked hard over the years to steer the money to the Bay State. Congress reauthorizes the bill, which underwrites infrastructure projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, every two years. Lawmakers in the U.S. House and Senate passed their versions of the bill earlier this year. The bill up for a vote this week is a compromise bill thats the product of several months of negotiations between the two chambers. In Massachusetts, the bill would provide funding for a host of projects, including a pair of feasibility studies on flood risks across the state, from Oak Bluffs to Western Massachusetts and Franklin County, according to an analysis provided by Markeys office. The bill also would underwrite $10 million in improvements to Easthamptons wastewater system and carve out special authorization for the Army Corps to study and assist with Northamptons flood pump control system. That money for communities in the Connecticut River Valley is critical since residents there have experienced historic flooding in the last few years, Markey said. Communities like Easthampton and Northampton and Franklin County will need federal funding to address that risk a lot of it from climate change," Markey said. Other projects funded by the bill would help fight coastal erosion in Sandwich and help local officials better track the status of permits. Thats based on the recommendations of Barnstable Countys Dredging Advisory Committee, Markeys office said. In a statement, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said the infrastructure upgrades will help prevent dangerous floods and save lives. I fought hard for these investments and will keep working closely with Sen. Markey to protect Massachusetts communities from the worst impacts of climate change, Warren continued. Assuming the bill is passed in its current form, it would also include: Feasibility studies on flood risk management in Leominster, Taunton, Quincy, Boston, Watertown, Newton, Westport Modifications to ongoing flood protection projects in New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Hodges Village Dam, Oxford Expedited flood risk management project and ecosystem restoration along the Charles River Funding for a dredging project in Weymouth Some $1 million for water and wastewater infrastructure for both Franklin and Winthrop An increase from $20 million to $30 million for ongoing water infrastructure work in Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lawrence, and Methuen, according to an analysis obtained by MassLive The bill is named, this year, for U.S. Sen. Thomas R. Carper, D-Del., who will leave office in January, putting a cap on a 50-year career in public life. Carper spent years working on environmental issues. He currently serves as chairperson of the Senates Environment and Public Works Committee, WHYY-FM in Philadelphia reported. Sen. Carper has been a hero for the environment. He works tirelessly on water resource issues, Markey said. The bill delivers critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America from ports to levees to navigation channels, and more," U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure, said in a statement. It also makes reforms at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done faster, Graves said. Joshua Fox, 32, desperately tried to protect his head as he tumbled around in the popular rocky pools on the NSW coast. Joshua Fox, 32, believes he could have died after a large wave washed him off his feet at the Figure Eight Pools in Sydney. Source: TikTok/jshfx A British expat has learned the hard way about the risks of ignoring dangerous currents after he was left scrambling for safety among the waves at a very popular tourist spot on the NSW coast. Joshua Fox, 32, visited the Figure Eight Pools in Sydney's Royal National Park for the first time with two mates on Saturday. He said the "beautiful" location was initially everything he hoped it would be. "We hiked down to the Eight Pools and obviously it's beautiful down there. We jumped in the water and there were little waves splashing over us but we never thought it was a dangerous spot," he told Yahoo News. However, the idyllic day quickly took a painful turn. "Then out of nowhere this huge wave wiped us all out, we were sent flying. We were tumbling around and I was just trying to protect my head," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Thankfully the men were plunged into the Figure Eight pool to safety, with this likely preventing them from being "dragged out to sea". "We could have died," Fox claimed. Expat in pain after suffering injury from wild swell The expat, who has lived in Australia for over eight years and admits he "should have known better", was left with a deep cut on his foot and has since needed stitches. "I cut my foot quite badly... I needed stitches. It's still painful now," he said. Joshua Fox needed stitches after his foot and leg were cut against the rocks. Source: TikTok/jshfx He has urged other visitors to prioritise safety when going to the popular swimming spot and to research the risks before just jumping in, including checking the swell and tides. ADVERTISEMENT "Educate yourself on what high tide and low tide means and when to avoid dangerous currents," he said. Tourist attraction faced closure after multiple deaths The Figure Eight Pools have long been a 'must go to' location for those visiting the city, and thousands of pictures can be found on social media of visitors showcasing its beauty. However, there has long been a shadow cast over the area as it's also claimed the lives of many swimmers caught out by large swells. A tourist died in 2019 after he was hit by a large wave and washed out to the ocean, with warnings often issued for the area. "Pay attention because no Instagram picture is worth risking your life for and dying for," Josh said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Dry daytime hours on Tuesday should see warmer temperatures nearing 60 degrees in December in Massachusetts before another storm system is expected to drench the region midweek. Though dry for much of the day, Tuesday could start by seeing some rainfall that starts late Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. However, a warm front is expected to elevate temperatures into the 50s and bring a widespread shield of... a quick quarter of an inch of rain, forecasters said. These chances of rain on Tuesday increase by the early morning, with a 100% chance of rain across parts of the Cape and in Worcester by 3 a.m., according to the Weather Service in a post on X. Springfield has a 65% chance of rain by the same time, while Boston holds a 70% chance of seeing rain then. [Tonight] Expect a milder night compared to what we've been seeing with steady rain moving in across southern New England. #MAwx #RIwx #CTwx pic.twitter.com/eaqFtFYFHq NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) December 16, 2024 Temperatures should level out by the afternoon, reaching highs in the upper 50s, forecasters said. The average temperature for this time of year would be in the low to mid-40s. But a cooldown is expected to come closer to the end of Tuesday as a cold front is expected to drop temperatures across "the interior by late Tuesday and for southeast Massachusetts overnight," forecasters said. Turmoil should simplify by Wednesday as another storm is expected to bring more widespread rainfall across the region, forecasters said. Forecasters anticipate two rounds of precipitation between Wednesday and Friday, with mostly rain falling during the first storm and a mix of rain and snow falling during the second storm later in the week. Snow appears to be more likely across the interior, but where the rain/snow line sets up is still uncertain, forecasters said. Southern New England looks to be sandwiched between a low pressure moving from the Great Lakes into Canada and an offshore low pressure. Still a lot of things to be resolved with later forecasts this week. While temperatures should remain above average by Thursday, forecasters also expect temperatures to start dipping below normal by Friday and through the weekend, with highs in the 20s and possible lows below 10 degrees. WARE Parents in this far eastern Hampshire County town of 10,000 are concerned in the wake of faculty and principal departures and an overwhelming no-confidence vote by teachers in the school superintendent. Our community has just seen what the School Committee and the superintendent have done to our teachers, said Melyssa St. Pierre, whose three children attend Ware schools. We are prepared to fight for them. Most of the districts 85 teachers recently voted no confidence in Superintendent Michael Lovato, who has been at the helm of Ware public schools nearly 18 months and recently became interim principal at the high school. There are about 1,200 students in the district. WESTFIELD - Organizers and volunteers from the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival gathered at the Westfield Athenaeum on Dec. 13 to award two local nonprofit organizations $21,500 each from the proceeds of the Festival. The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival takes place on the third Saturday in July in Look Park, and is the second largest Scottish festival in New England. Peter Langmore, coordinator, said the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival in Blandford started 30 years ago this year. He said two of the original organizers, including himself were present, and introduced Julie Pike, who begins the ceremony at every festival with a traditional Scottish ballad. He said the festival remained in Blandford for five years and took place at Stanley Park for five more years before moving to Look Park in Northampton. Kevin Lovaincys first two months as Worcesters new Chief Equity Officer have been eventful. Lovaincy, 31, was hired in October to oversee Worcesters Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (EODEI). He told MassLive that his first months have focused on building relationships with city departments, advisory commissions and community organizations including Black Families Together, the Southeast Asian Coalition, Pride Worcester and The Village. Now, just two months into his tenure, Lovaincys office has now been tasked, by City Manager Eric D. Batista, with overseeing a new hotline which the public may use to report police misconduct. This comes following the release of the Department of Justices explosive report on the Worcester Police Department alleging that some officers were involved in the use of excessive force, discriminatory enforcement tactics and illegal sex acts with vulnerable women. In addition to overseeing a hotline, Lovaincys office will lead training sessions, seminars and workshops on behavioral health, implicit bias and additional topics, all of which will align with and inform written policy within the police department. Lovaincy declined to comment about the WPD report. Lovaincy is approaching his role with the goals of building up his office and meeting with other leaders throughout the city. I dont think people realize that anytime youre communicating with someone and providing them assistance, that is a form of DEI, Lovaincy told MassLive. We should never be at a point where youre just satisfied. When you have a diverse city, you want to ensure you have resources specifically that are tailored for those diverse communities and how to assist them to make sure that they can thrive. A legacy of advocacy Lovaincy is the son of Solange Innocent Eloir, who immigrated from the Haiti to the United States in 1993, he said. Eloir was an advocate for her community. Lovaincy said she would advocate for those who spoke English as a second language and argue over a restaurant bill that was a few dollars short. In my head Im like, its a few dollars. Lets just move forward, Lovaincy said. But it was the principle for advocating for whats right advocating for people. His mothers advocacy for those without a platform, a voice or a place at the table ignited something in him to learn about and eventually work to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. This passion drove him to Tufts University where he recently earned a Master of Arts degree in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership. That kind of gave me the vocabulary but also the framework on how to best impact organizations through a DEI model, Lovaincy said. Having completed his degree, Lovaincy worked in the DEI field for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as their Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Public Health Hospitals and as the Acting Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the MDPH. Lovaincy told MassLive he also served as the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator at the MDPH assisting employees who needed accommodations. I would assist them on getting that, working with their managers to ensure that these accommodations work, Lovaincy said. In addition to working at the MDPH, Lovaincy has worked as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Quinsigamond Community College (QCC). That scope of work both at QCC and also at DPH has allowed me to bring some of that knowledge into the city and have a bigger impact, Lovaincy said. Structural support As someone who has invested his time and energy towards promoting more equity in institutions, Lovaincy said DEI is in a fragile state throughout the country right now, with chief equity and diversity officers attempting to carry out work with whatever support they can acquire. A lot of officers typically dont have the structural support, Lovaincy said. They have one staff assistant and the expectation is that they have to do this cultural shift on their own. Lovaincy, however, told MassLive that he is fortunate to have a department with three divisions and a staff of nine to help him achieve the citys DEI goals and states that City Manager Eric Batista has extremely supportive is taking the stance to support DEI regardless of what happens nationwide. In the five years prior to Lovaincys appointment, Worcester had three Chief Diversity Officers. The first was Malika Carter who was hired in January, 2016, but she left in July of 2017. In March, 2018, the city hired Suja Chacko to succeed Carter. She, too, left the role in less than two years. In 2020, Stephanie Williams became the citys third Chief Diversity Officer, and she left the role in March of 2022. In her departure letter, Williams wrote that her role did not have the structure to change institutions in Worcester to help those in Black, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, and LGTBQ+ communities. Its tied to a much greater purpose not because this is a political cause but because this is a human right, Williams wrote. Yet diversity, equity, inclusion focused positions have proven exhausting, particularly when organizations are not ready. Williams departure drew scrutiny from community leaders as the third departure in five years. Following her departure, a search began for a new Chief Diversity Officer. In February 2023, Batista restructured the position of Chief Diversity Officer by creating an Executive Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to be lead by the Chief Equity Officer with a dedicated staff to implement more equitable practices in Worcester. When Lovaincys appointment was announced in October of this year, city and community leaders praised the new hire but told MassLive they would like to see sustainability and support for the role and the office. As the current chief equity officer, Lovaincy said he cant speak to past experiences but said that in his experience he thinks Batista has done a good job improving the resources for the office. He notes that the creation of the EODEI, with its three divisions, was something that had never been done before and that the change in title from chief diversity officer to chief equity officer is important. Sometimes diversity alone doesnt do anything, Lovaincy said. You want to have all three together in DEI but the emphasis on equity ensures that when folks hear that title or hear that name, theres an emphasis that we are trying to make everything equitable with any community that we work with. Lovaincy said that a goal of his is to build a strong foundation for the office. What we can do is flip the page forward and not repeat the past and see what we need to do moving forward, Lovaincy said. So those that are worried, I ask that you find ways not only to contribute, but to get involved. Even with his current job as chief equity officer, Lovaincy is still determined to be what he calls a better change agent. Lovaincy is pursuing a doctorate in philosophy in social justice education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At night, Im studying my doctorate, which for me, informs the work that I do for the city, Lovaincy said. Info/News: Unlocking full human potentialProfesseur Abdoulaye Diabate parmi les 100 Africains les plus influents de 2024Mise en place de mesures preventives a lhopital New Souillac contre le HMPVDeux arbitres mauriciens pour la CAN 2025Faudra passer par le State Law Office maintenant2025 Bocuse dOr Grand FinalRegTech Africa Conference and Awards 2025Second special communique for St Brandon ( 08-01-2025)Huawei : Leader mondial des Wearables selon lInternational Data CorporationMauritian Prime Minister pays tribute to Former American President Jimmy Carter during Condolence Book signingDes grands villages pourraient devenir des villes[Video News] La combinaison gagnante du Loto Vert du 7 janvier 2025Meteo du 8 janvier 2025La zone perturbee sest creuseeDeces de Jean Marie Le PenHuawei releases Top 10 Trends of FusionSolar 2025Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard named among the 100 Most Influential Africans for 2nd consecutive yearFirst special communique for St BrandonNavin Ramgoolam rend hommage a 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30-12-2024)Communique National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management CentreVeille de fortes pluies en vigueur a Maurice (30-12-2024)Que quelques heures pour voter pour votre chanson de lannee sur R1Homelie de Mgr Durhone a loccasion de la messe de Noel a la prison de Melrose147.8 mm a Riche en eau en 24 heuresTrois zones perturbees dans le nord de la region[Document] Export and Import Price Indices for 3rd Quarter 2024Deces de Jimmy CarterFin de la Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceDeux zones perturbees et une perturbation tropicaleOrages dans lOuestSoft Robotics to debut at CES 2025Bulletin meteo special pour AgalegaPremiere cohorte de femmes certifiee en gestion de pepiniere au sein de lAgri-Hub de la Vallee de FerneyLegend Hill ouvre son paradis panoramique aux Mauriciens en mars 2025Communique du National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre ( 29/12/2024)30.2 mm de pluie en trois heures a Riche en Eau[Document] 50 mm de pluie pour les premiers 15 jours de decembre 2024[Video News] Les numeros gagnants du tirage du Loto et Loto Plus du 28 decembre 2024[Video News] Dawood Rawat a rencontre les investisseurs dans la BAIBulletin de Veille de fortes pluies pour MauriceUne voiture detruite par les flammes THERE was profound sadness around the Scardaune, Ballindine and Crossboyne region in recent days with the news of the death of David Burke, The Heath, Scardaune, in Perth, Australia. David, who was in his mid-30s, took ill and died suddenly at his home in Perth. Like many of his generation, he had moved to Australia in his early 20s and made his home there for the last decade or more. He excelled at carpentry and had graduated with honours from the Furniture Design College in Letterfrack. He enjoyed his visits home to Mayo and he and his fiancee, Sorcha, spent a lovely vacation with family and friends during the summer. They were looking forward to returning next August (2025) for their wedding ceremony. Many remember David with fond regard from his days in Carnageehy NS and in St Colmans College where he stood out as being the tallest member of his class. His kind manner and unassuming nature endeared him to so many people. Many heartfelt tributes have been paid to David by friends and neighbours around home and in Australia. His former teacher in St Colmans College, Johnny Colleran from Hollymount, said: I was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of David. I had the privilege of teaching David during his time in Colman's. I pray that God will comfort his family in the difficult days and months ahead. The late David Burke. Pic: rip.ie Marty Murphy commented: David was the true definition of a gentleman. I have such fond memories of our time at Colmans, college in Galway, and of course, the car with the back seats removed! He brought so much brightness to the lives of everyone who knew him, and the world feels a little less vibrant without him. Eileen and Cormac Lynch, Skibbereen, Cork, said they met Dave shortly after they landed in Perth. Dave was the most kind, helpful, loyal and trustworthy friend. He was a true gentleman and someone whom we were privileged to call a friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this heartbreaking time. Reposing was in Carey's Funeral Home with removal to St Joseph's Church, Ballindine. The funeral Mass on Friday was celebrated by Fr Sean Flynn, assisted by Fr Martin OConnor, and was followed by private cremation in Shannon Crematorium. David will be greatly missed by his heartbroken parents, Martin and Carmel (nee Hannon), his fiancee Sorcha, his sisters Michelle and Susan, brothers-in-law David and Alan, nieces Hannah, Caragh, Fiadh and Aoife, nephew Conor, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and many friends. A WESTPORT councillor has accused Uisce Eireann of misleading local councillors and the people of Newport regarding the delivery of the project. A workshop took place between local councillors and Uisce Eireann in the last number of weeks where an update of the Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant was given and a report stated that the scheme is not expected to be completed before 2030. Speaking at yesterday's monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn claimed that the report was confirmation that the Newport project was never a priority for Uisce Eireann. This is the first time we have had written confirmation that Uisce Eireann have actually been doing nothing over the last decade in relation to the Newport Sewerage Scheme. It really is beyond belief that this has been allowed for the best part of ten years without anything happening. They are killed telling us that 41 out of 50 new treatment plants have been dealt with but at no point did anyone in Uisce Eireann give us seven councillors any indication that Newport had been put on hold, he told the meeting. The report stated that an application for a foreshore licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2022 but had to be withdrawn in late 2023 after the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) was established which replaced the functions of Foreshore Unit. A new Maritime Usage Licence (MUL) was applied for to carry out the necessary survey work but there is no indication when the licence will be granted. A recent submission to the EPA put this project completion date at 2030, with significant caveats around the time it may take to receive the statutory consents required. Estimated completion dates for this or any project will be impacted by planning delays, legal challenges, land negotiations, or licensing delays including an application to MARA for a Marine Area Consent (MAC) which will be required for the operation of the permanent outfall from the proposed Newport Wastewater Treatment Plant, the report read. Unacceptable Cllr Flynn said the answers received from Uisce Eireann, which was formerly known as Irish Water, was unacceptable and proposed that the report be sent to the five TDs in Mayo to follow up with Uisce Eireann. We can huff and puff and do all the screaming in this meeting but unfortunately we have no jurisdiction over Uisce Eireann. I propose we send the report we received last week to the five new TDs for Mayo and we demand an explanation from Uisce Eireann who have misled the people of Newport and us seven local councillors over the last ten years. It isn't acceptable and we need answers right now. Ten years have been lost on something that should have been dealt with, he said. His proposal was seconded by fellow Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy who was one of the first councillors to raise the discharge of raw sewage from the Newport plant into Clew Bay. Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway-Walsh expressed concern at the contents of the report regarding the delivery of the project and called on Uisce Eireann to ensure it is a priority. Uisce Eireanns response to me, received today [Monday], seems to indicate that the 2030 estimated completion date for the project may be in jeopardy. This project has been delayed for decades with promises made at each election reneged upon and it is not good enough. Previous governments have let the people of Newport and Mayo down time after time regarding this project. Uisce Eireann talks about all the wastewater projects that it has completed or are currently in construction but that is worth nothing in Newport, why should the people there have to wait, all the while the businesses and of Newport are paying their water rates with not even the most basic service in return. I have again written to the Minister of Housing, who has responsibility for wastewater schemes, to ask that he urgently intervene in this process, she said. Denial A spokesperson for Uisce Eireann denied Cllr Flynn's claims that no work has been done on the Newport project but added it has to be delivered in multiple stages and this can take time. The Newport WWTP is currently at Preliminary Business Case (currently Stage 2) where we will develop a short list of solutions, identify the preferred option and calculate an estimated cost. As we work through this stage, it should be understood that the planning and consenting process which must be followed to allow us to build this plant has become more complex since UE was established. A significant amount of data gathering, surveys and assessments are required to support the various consenting processes. Detailed assessments of existing outfalls, and marine modelling of receiving waters are also now needed to meet planning requirements for projects such as Newport. Once we are granted a licence and can then carry out the work to complete the Preliminary Business Case we can provide better clarity on the likely timescale for completion of this project, assuming no further unforeseen delays. We will provide a further update to stakeholders once the Maritime Usage Licence is granted, the Uisce Eireann statement read. On Thursday, December 12, the Westport family and community resource centre hosted a lilies remembrance ceremony to mark the international 16 Days of activism against gender-based violence. The centre makes sure to host this day of remembrance every year, ensuring that these innocent women, who were victims of fatal abuse, are not forgotten. Crowds came together and read the names of the 269 women who have died as a result of male violence in Ireland since 1996, and threw lilies into the Carrowbeg River to remember, reflect, and stand in solidarity with the families and friends of the victims, and with those who are currently living with, and through, abuse. Every single day, 137 women across the world are killed by a partner or member of their own family. A spokesperson for the centre said, "Every year we are heartbroken to add more names to the list of the women murdered here in Ireland. "As a community, we must be very clear that abuse and coercive control are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We all have a part to play in making our homes, families and communities places that are safe for women to speak out, ask for help and to feel supported," they added. Proud members of the community response to domestic abuse network western region, a collaborative group of gamily resource centres, frontline organisations and partnership companies across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon were in attendance. Showcase - Irelands International Creative Expo returns to Dublin's RDS from Sunday, January 19, to Tuesday, January 21 of 2025. With almost 400 exhibitors and more than 3,500 visitors from Ireland and overseas expected to attend, it is set to be their biggest event yet. In 2024, the exhibition welcomed more than 3,000 buyers from Ireland and over 20 other countries, including the UK, North America, Middle East, Asia and Mainland Europe. Marking a significant milestone this year, Showcase will celebrate 50 years of bringing together the best in Irish craftsmanship and design for a memorable celebration of creativity and innovation. Designers and makers from all over Ireland will be exhibiting at Showcase, including 11 of Mayo's very own creative businesses. These include, wellbeing companies- 6XTY, Hawthorn Skincare, and Slainte Sea Moss, fashion companies- Aran Woollen Mills, and Saol Knitwear, home/giftware companies- Heraldry Names, House of Achill, Kitchen Academics, Padraig Mc Caul Images Ltd, and WGP Wholesale, and lastly, jewellery company, Knight & Day. Showcase 2025 will see a continuation of successful features including the inspiration stage, which will play host to industry talks and panel discussions from experts, including leading consumer behaviouralist, Ken Hughes and Dragons Den panellist and entrepreneur, Sara Davis. READ MORE: Call for traffic calming measures at three Mayo bridges The Edit, a curated selection of exquisite products will also be exhibited at the show, along with the annual Showcase Awards, which will take place on Sunday, January 21. Mary Palmer, Chair of Showcase Ireland, said, This year, as we celebrate Showcase's 50th anniversary, we are incredibly proud of the events legacy in championing Irish design and craftsmanship. Over the past five decades, Showcase has not only been a vital platform for emerging talent but also a key event where creativity meets commerce. This milestone highlights the continued importance of the event in connecting Irish designers with global markets, and we look forward to showcasing the best of Irelands creative industry for years to come. Independent research shows that the orders generated by buyers to the event since 2015 have grown at an average rate of 18% year on year. The analysis from Showcase 2024 estimated that the purchasing plans, as reported by visitors to the event, exceeded 20.5 million. The fair is an international launch pad for the Irish designers, manufacturers and craftspeople who unveil their new season collections across fashion, health & wellbeing, jewellery, home and giftware. While celebrating 50 years of showcasing Irish craft and design, sustainability, responsible retail, independent retailers, and sector development are also significant pillars of this years event. Showcases digital offering ShowcaseIreland.com and Showcase Connect app provide invaluable resources in the lead up to and during the tradeshow, enabling buyers to browse, connect and book meetings with exhibitors online or at the show. To attend Showcase 2025, you can register here. Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has confirmed in a statement this evening that the facility is under significant pressure with almost 30 percent more people than average attending in the Emergency Department today. Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation released earlier today showed that 25 people were waiting on trollies for admission at MUH, eight in the Emergency Department and 17 on wards elsewhere. The hospital's statement read: Flu, RSV and other respiratory viruses are currently circulating in high rates in the community. Cases of flu are doubling week on week and will continue to increase over the coming weeks. MUH is seeing many patients presenting to the ED with symptoms which could be treated safely at home with appropriate advice from their GP or pharmacy. As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience long waiting times. Due to bed pressures all elective procedures scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, 18 December 18) are being deferred, appointments will be rescheduled and patients are being notified directly. The hospital is also managing multiple cases of vomiting bug (norovirus). Given the prevalence of infectious illnesses which are present in the community we are asking visitors to only come to hospital where absolutely necessary. This will help us to protect our sick and vulnerable patients from infection. There are currently 25 patients on trolleys awaiting admission to in-patient beds. Bed capacity in the hospital is challenged due to a number of bed closures linked to the norovirus outbreak. Regrettably, this means patients will be waiting a long time to be admitted to a bed from the emergency department. Please visit HSE.ie for advice on how to treat flu at home. Viruses can spread very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Anyone with recent symptoms of coughs, colds, diarrhoea or vomiting should not visit patients in the hospital to avoid spreading the virus to sick vulnerable patients. These measures are vital to avoid spreading the virus to patients, visitors and staff. If you are visiting the hospital, minimise your risk of spreading or catching an infection by ensuring the following: If you have any symptoms you should not come to visit until all symptoms are fully resolved for at least 48 hours; Clean your hands with soap and water after using toilet or visibly soiled hands; Please do not use patient toilets on the wards or en-suites; visitor toilets are available at ground floor level. The hospital would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation. Nationally, over 629 patients, including 24 children are being treated on trolleys, chairs and in other inappropriate bed spaces in Irish hospitals today. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said: We are seeing yet another pre-Christmas surge in the number of people who are being admitted to hospitals without a bed. Dangerous levels of overcrowding are not just confined to a couple of sites, we are seeing high levels of patients on trolleys in most hospitals. This is an indicator of the difficult weeks that lay ahead for patients and nurses and midwives who want to provide safe care in our hospitals. Each year we face the same problems in our hospitals with no long-term solutions offered to ending the ongoing, year-round overcrowding crisis in our hospitals. As government formation talks continue ensuring that our hospitals are safe from a staffing and capacity perspective must be a priority for all engaged in negotiations. The overcrowding crisis is being exacerbated by the serious issues in staffing across all hospitals and community services. Patient safety is directly linked to staffing levels, curbing recruitment and placing restrictions on the authority of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery to recruit is exacerbating the ability to provide safe and timely care. Measures can be taken now including the curtailing of non-urgent elective care, ensuring that all senior clinical decision-makers are on site, and introducing heightened infection control measures will create a release valve to ease the pressure in the majority of sites. As our members are continuing to work in very trying circumstances, they want to be assured by all involved in government formation negotiations that improving their conditions at work will be a top priority. With losses continuing to balloon, an independent agency has called for a review of its business dealings. A government-owned business that reported one of its divisions made a massive loss has been urged to rethink its priorities. Forestry Corporation of NSW revealed in its 2023-2024 annual report that $29 million had been lost keeping afloat its Hardwood Division which harvests native forests and its hardwood plantations. Victoria and Western Australia recently announced they were ceasing similar operations, but in NSW the Minns Government has backed native forest logging even though losses have continued to balloon over the last four years, totalling $73 million. Conservationists seized on the Corporation's report, with the North East Forest Alliance calling native forest harvesting an economic basket case. Rather than subsidising degradation of our public native forests, if we protect them we can turn this loss into an economic benefit to the community from increased recreation, tourism, water yields and the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, spokesperson Dailan Pugh said. Independent agency questions long-term feasibility of native timber harvesting In a separate report, the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) analysed the future prospects of the Corporation. ADVERTISEMENT It noted agreements struck between the Corporation and sawmills has not adequately covered harvesting, haulage, contract and administrative costs for 10 years. With most of its agreements set to expire in 2028, it called for them to be reviewed so the Corporation remains economically viable. If this is not possible, we recommend that the NSW Government reviews the long-term feasibility of native timber harvesting in its NSW Forestry Industry Action Plan, it suggested. Want more stories about our weird and wonderful natural world? Subscribe to our newsletter. Pictures taken by Forestry Corporation of NSW show native forests where harvesting has taken place multiple times over the past 100 years. Source: Supplied The Corporation told Yahoo News another reason for losses over the last reporting period were unprecedented interruptions to forestry operations by protests and legal challenges. But it believes a new expert panel set up by the government to inform the future of the states forestry industry will be important. [It] will set out the future of forestry for the next 30 years, whether it be softwood, hardwood or plantation, it said. Plan to end native timber harvesting Along with harvesting native forests, the Corporation also invests heavily in timber plantations, splashing $92 million on expanding its estate. Although a decline in housing construction impacted sales, this arm of the business was profitable. ADVERTISEMENT "Softwood plantations have not attracted the challenges of legal challenges and regulatory change which have impacted the native forests and hardwood plantations in recent years," a Corporation spokesperson told Yahoo. Conservationists believe the states timber industrys future is in plantations. They argue a transition to hardwood and softwood plantations could support jobs lost in native timber harvesting. One group backing this change is the Nature Conservation Council of NSW which urged the Minns government to immediately transition to 100 per cent plantation timber. The continued public subsidisation of Forestry Corporation NSWs native hardwood division is both destructive and wasteful. Its long past time to end native forest logging in this state, its forests campaigner Steve Ryan said. ADVERTISEMENT The Australian Biodiversity Council also backs a complete transition to plantation timber. It noted most trees felled are milled into low-value woodchips, a business case its chair Dr Ken Henry called an economic and environmental failure. After reviewing the Corporations Annual Report he added, "These results confirm what we've long known native forest logging is an economic and environmental failure that survives only by reaching deep into the pocket of taxpayers. Most taxpayers would be appalled to learn that they paid $29 million last year for the privilege of destroying native forests and endangering koalas and gliders. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. 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. Locals at this tourist hotspot say a select few inconsiderate drivers are ruining the enjoyment for the majority. Some locals say new speed limits at the popular beach are overkill, but road safety experts warn reductions save lives. Source: Facebook/The Ice Man/Queensland Parks and Forests A road safety expert has praised the recent decision to reduce the speed limit by half at a popular east coast campground and beach. And while data shows that lowering speeds save lives, some locals have criticised the move, arguing that a few reckless individuals are disrupting the enjoyment for the majority. Late last month, Gympie Regional Council announced the speed limit on the 14km section of the Cooloola beach stretch, adjacent to the Teewah Beach camping area, had been reduced to 40 kilometres per hour. The spot, north of Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, is extremely popular among travellers and locals alike and is known for four-wheel-driving on the beach. There is no change to the 80km/h speed limit on other sections of Teewah Beach, unless otherwise signed. But some people clearly hadn't received the message, a concern that this week prompted a local to issue a public reminder. "Police have been and will be enforcing this speed limit during the festive season, slow down and enjoy paradise," the local business owner, who sells ice to campers, warned. Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Dr Lauren Pearson from Sustainable Mobility and Safety Research at Monash University explained how reducing speed limits has been "overwhelmingly positive" for many local communities around Australia. ADVERTISEMENT "Reducing speeds in these kinds of areas where we have a whole mix of people, cars and other vehicles moving around is the smart choice," Pearson told Yahoo. "Beaches and campgrounds are the kind of places where people, and particularly kids, should be able to enjoy a space without risking serious injury. Speed reductions are one of the more cost effective steps we can take toward making our streets safe and usable by people of all ages and abilities." Vehicle access on the sand at Teewah has proven controversial in recent years. Above hundreds of 4WDs on the beach during the popular Pink Run event in 2017. Source: Rainbow Beach Community News Benefits of speed reductions 'insurmountable', but not all locals convinced Pearson argued that "at this stage, the evidence for the benefits of speed reductions" is "insurmountable". She said they are one of the "most cost-effective measures we can implement" that result in huge benefits for "road safety and for liveability". ADVERTISEMENT Camping is allowed anywhere along the 14km stretch at Teewah, and based on the almost 700 responses to the local's warning, residents and visitors to the popular spot said they feel they're suffering the consequences of the irresponsible few. "Don't allow P-platers on the beach and that will stop 70 per cent of the problems there," one person suggested. "40km/h in soft sand is ridiculous. I understand the safety aspects, but this is over the top. Educate your kids that this is a road. It's what my parents [have] done and [what] I've done with mine," said another. "It won't be long and they will close these beaches to motorists. I give it five years. Too much traffic on the beaches now," somebody else suggested. A number of people agreed with this point, with one pushing for restricting "vehicles altogether" from the beach "to keep wildlife and people safe from speeding". Speeding, Pearson said, is a significant contributor to road fatalities in Australia. Road trauma in particular remains the leading cause of death for children across the country. ADVERTISEMENT Pearson said lower limits in places where people and motor vehicles mix, "are needed now more than ever" across Australia. "[Particularly] as we are seeing rapid population growth across all cities," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, December 16, 2024 WHP Global is buying Vera Wang, a brand that encompasses everything from $5,000 boutique wedding dresses to $20 pajamas at Kohls. The deal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal and announced today, calls for Wang, 75, to continue in her role as founder and chief creative officer. In addition to fashion and bridal, it includes the many categories Wang had waded into, such as men's tuxedos and suiting, fine jewelry, fragrance, and home. Wang, once an editor at Vogue and later a designer for Ralph Lauren, launched her company in 1990, and her brand now generates $700 million in annual sales. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. WHP Global, best known for rescuing floundering retail brands such as Toys R Us and Express, has $7 billion in annual retail sales. Based in New York, the company says the Vera Wang acquisition comes as part of a major pivot into fashion. advertisement advertisement The acquisition anchors a new premium fashion vertical it is piecing together with other recent acquisitions, including Rag & Bone, Joe's Jeans and G-STAR. "Vera Wang is a legend, says Yehuda Shmidman, chairman and chief executive officer of WHP Global, in the announcement. Her name is synonymous with modernity, artistry and impeccable style. We are honored to partner with Vera Wang and look forward to building on the brand's remarkable legacy with new business opportunities around the world." Last week, Vera Wang announced a new collection as part of its ongoing partnership with Jared Jewelers. Jared Atelier X Vera Wang, the third collaboration between the two companies, includes natural diamonds and genuine rubies with three minimalistic motifs: diamond strings, ribbons, and serpents. The collection ranges from $12,500 to $125,000 in price. by Tanya Gazdik , December 16, 2024 General Motors continues to streamline its marketing duties under Global Chief Marketing Officer Norm de Greve, who took over 18 months ago. Kurt Unkel has been hired as global director, head of media operations. He will report to Shenan Reed, GMs global chief media officer. "We are excited to have Kurt join General Motors as we continue to push boundaries in the media space, Reed told Marketing Daily in a statement. His leadership will be key as we operationalize media strategies, drive efficiencies, and unlock new avenues for innovation. Together, were building a best-in-class media organization that will propel GMs vision for the future of mobility. Unkel most recently was chief transformation officer at Dentsu Media and senior vice present of product strategy at Nielsen. He previously spent almost 8 years at GTB, where his duties included chief platform officer and chief digital officer. advertisement advertisement Longtime GM marketing executive Megan Stooke, who was most recently marketing director, GM Brand and marketing director, GM Energy, is leaving the company. To streamline and drive efficiencies, GM Brand and other non-divisional responsibilities were aligned under Molly Peck, our executive director of global marketing excellence, according to a GM spokesperson. Stooke has been at GM since August 1999 when she joined GM Holden Australia, Ltd. Her other roles over the two decades included general director, global marketing. global marketing director, Chevrolet and marketing director, electric vehicle customer experience at Cadillac. GM is also realigning its diversity marketing efforts. Tarshena Armstrong, who has been director, diversity marketing and development for four years, becomes regional director of Buick and GMC sales in Connecticut. Brianne Boles-Marshall becomes diversity-driven and ethical media strategies lead. She was previously global marketing services, diversity media strategy and investment for the past three years. Armstrongs duties are being realigned between Bolles-Marshall and the brand teams. She will lead all diverse media activities around media investments, partners and GMs INvested fund, which is GMs initiative to actively allocate investments towards supporting diverse media and marketing companies, particularly those owned by underrepresented groups. GMs diverse owned incubator fund aims to distribute $50 million over a 10-year period to promote greater inclusion and equity in the industry; this includes backing Black-owned, Hispanic-owned, and other diverse media outlets to increase representation in advertising and marketing strategies. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 16, 2024 TikTok on Monday asked the Supreme Court to issue an emergency order halting a law that will result in a ban on the app unless it separates from China-based parent company ByteDance. The Act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration, the company writes in a petition addressed to Chief Justice John Roberts. 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 adds. The company is seeking a stay of the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521), which will prohibit app stores and websites from distributing TikTok unless it's divested by ByteDance. Lawmakers who passed the bill expressed concerns that the Chinese government may be able to access data about TikTok's users, and use the app to influence public opinion. advertisement advertisement The law gives ByteDance a January 19 deadline to find a buyer for TikTok, but provides that President Joe Biden can extend that period for up to three months. Biden hasn't yet indicated whether he will do so. TikTok and a group of content creators previously asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to invalidate the law, arguing that shuttering a communications platform violates the First Amendment. That court sided against TikTok, ruling on December 6 that the law's curbs on speech are justified by national security concerns. TikTok argues in its petition to Roberts that the circuit court's opinion is manifestly erroneous. Congresss 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, the company argues. TikTok adds that it will suffer massive irreparable injury if the app -- used by an estimated 170 million Americans each month -- is forced to shut down on January 19. A company spokesman separately stated that even a one month ban on TikTok would cost the company more than $1 billion in revenue, and cost creators almost $300 million in earnings. TikTok has requested that Roberts rule on the request for a stay by January 6. by Ray Schultz , December 16, 2024 A Boston-area newspaper will close down as part of a defamation settlement. The 139 year-old Everett Leader Herald will also pay $1.1 million to Carlo Demaria, the mayor of Everett, Mass, the Boston Globe reports. The newspaper published untrue articles accusing the mayor of kickback schemes and extortion, the Globe continues. Demaria filed suit in 2021. 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, says Jeff Robbins, attorney for DeMaria, according to the Globe. A trial was to start on Jan. 21, 2025. The case is on file with Middlesex Superior Court. Sara Climie, 38, was diagnosed with breast cancer after going to see the doctor about an unrelated symptom. She now has a message for Aussies. Sara Climie, 38, was diagnosed with breast cancer after going to see the doctor about an unrelated cough. Source: Instagram/saraclimie A persistent cough was the reason Sara Climie walked through the door of her local doctor's clinic, but it wasn't the reason she had to visit again or why she's been surrounded by doctors for the last six months. An afterthought during that appointment back in May pointed the doctor towards the 38-year-old's breast and a much scarier symptom which has since turned her life, and that of her eight-year-old son Teo, completely upside down. "I got a really bad cough and I also felt really hard ridges all over my right breast for about a month, so I went to get that checked out... the cough was completely irrelevant but it just got me there," the Noosa woman told Yahoo News. Within a few weeks Sara was diagnosed with breast cancer and now, only months later, she's endured a double mastectomy and an intense round of chemotherapy so harsh it's nicknamed the 'red devil'. ADVERTISEMENT "It completely changed our lives so fast... it took over... you never think it's going to happen to you," she said. "I don't have any family history of breast cancer." Young mum gets double mastectomy months after feeling lump The trying months Sara received chemotherapy were medically successful, with the 'red devil' doing it's job and allowing her team to green light a double mastectomy. She was excited at the prospect of getting the 'all clear' and moving on, telling her loved ones she'd be back to health by Christmas. However, a post-surgery check revealed residual tumour tissue in her body and now the young family face a further nine months of treatment. "I was just looking to the finish line. I was just telling myself that it was temporary and we will be back soon... I realise now it was wishful thinking," she said. Sara had a double mastectomy to stop the cancer from spreading. Source: Instagram/saraclimie The 'shame' cancer patients don't always speak about The family has drastically cut back in a bid to save money while they live off Sara's savings. She's unable to work due to her intense side-effects and multiple hospital appointments each week. ADVERTISEMENT She created a GoFundMe page in a bid to alleviate some of the financial pressure and admitted she never thought she'd need to ask for help like this. However, another factor which weighs heavy on her shoulders after the priority of looking after her son is to put on a brave face and look her best. "You do have that shame around looking sick, it's a lot of effort not to and that's obviously really exhausting and a really limiting thing... you don't want to scare the children," she said. Aussies urged to 'check yourself' for breast cancer It's a message drummed into us again and again but it's the advice that ultimately helped Sara get on her treatment path. "Definitely check yourself, no matter how old you are listen to your body," she said. ADVERTISEMENT Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia, with one in seven women diagnosed in their lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer. Aussies are recommended to check their breasts at the start of every season and seek medical assistance if any change is detected. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, December 16, 2024 While UnitedHealth Group likely thought a guest essay in the New York Times was a good way to shift public perception, chief executive officer Andrew Wittys message didnt build trust, but sparked more criticism. While few could have predicted the level of fury the American public unleashed against the company following the recent murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, its probably predictable that the company would try to somehow take control of the narrative. But the resulting op-ed generated thousands of online responses -- so many that the Times had to shut down commenting -- demonstrating how angry consumers are with UnitedHealth and the insurance industry. We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand peoples frustrations with it, Witty wrote. No one would design a system like the one we have. And no one did. Its a patchwork built over decades. advertisement advertisement It was the following line -- Our mission is to help make it work better -- that seems to have struck readers as either tone-deaf or just disingenuous. Sarah Bregel, covering the story for Fast Company, combed through the comments, pulling out examples of outraged patients and disgusted doctors, describing the company as one of the most unethical in the industry. As an outpatient M.D., I can tell you that I know why United was the MOST profitable of all the healthcare companiesbecause it denied the most, wrote one commenter. United made me get authorization for cheap medications like ACE inhibitors and tests like Ultrasounds. No other major insurer did that. The backlash isnt just anecdotal. Data shows widespread frustration with healthcare coverage denials. Miranda Yaver, a professor of public health policy at the University of Pittsburgh, told NPRs "Morning Edition" her research finds 36% of U.S. adults have experienced at least one coverage denial. Those denials arent just a bureaucratic annoyance but a cause of stress and financial panic. U.S. News & World Report cites a Commonwealth Fund Affordability survey that says when someone or a family member experienced a denial, 80% say it caused anxiety and worry, 47% say a health problem worsened as a result, and 16% say it delayed a diagnosis. Only 7% say it had no impact. It might have been better for Witty to say nothing at least until he had something substantive to say. This is a situation where the enormous frustration and anger people have with the U.S. healthcare system and the insurance industry make it extremely difficult for UnitedHealth Groups CEO to say anything that isnt perceived as self-serving, says Anthony DAngelo, department chair of public relations at Syracuse University. Given widespread dissatisfaction with health insurance claim denials and multi-million-dollar executive salaries, people dont want to hear wordsthey want to see action. A better crisis response might be spearheading industry efforts to improve the system and demonstrate that the company and its leadership want to be part of a solution. UnitedH ealthcare will undoubtedly still face tremendous criticism no matter what. But by committing to action aimed at change, it couldover time and with effort and investmentchange the conversation and be seen in a better light, DAngelo tells Marketing Daily via email. People dont believe what you say. They believe what you do, and reputations are built primarily by behaviors repeated over time. Binge drinking and high-intensity drinking have become life-threatening as they pose significant health risks, especially among college students and middle-aged adults. Highlights: Drinking 10 or more drinks for men and 8 or more for women is very dangerous Binge drinking causes blackouts and poisoning Reasons for binge drinking include stress, social pressure, and genetics Did You Know? Consuming more than eight alcoholic drinks can cause you to blackout. #alcohol #socialparty #health #medindia Consuming more than eight alcoholic drinks can cause you to blackout. #alcohol #socialparty #health #medindia Advertisement High-Intensity Drinking vs Binge Drinking Trusted Source Understanding Binge Drinking Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement The Origin of Binge Drinking Advertisement Why People Binge Drink Understanding Binge Drinking - (https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/binge-drinking) Binge drinking is a pattern of consuming alcohol over a short period to become intoxicated. Middle-aged adults and college students often engage in binge drinking during parties or to relax on their weekends, believing it to be harmless.High-intensity drinking is more adverse than binge drinking and it is on the rise among certain populations. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), binge drinking increases blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.8% or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter or higher ().It was found that five alcoholic drinks for men and four for women in less than hours can cause serious health issues. However, researchers are more concerned with high-intensity drinking which is consuming 10 or more drinks in a row for men and eight or more drinks for women. It can lead to adverse health conditions and sometimes death.Henry Wechsler, a social psychologist at Harvard University, first noticed binge drinking by conducting a study on alcohol use among college students across the country. He found that young women having at least four and men having five alcoholic drinks experienced most drinking-related problems.Researchers have found that binge drinking is associated with worse consequences like blackouts and alcohol poisoning when people tend to have more than four or five drinks in a row.A survey conducted by Monitoring the Future tracked the behavior of American adolescents from ages 19 to 30 in adulthood, tracking how often they engage in high-intensity drinking for two weeks. The study results showed that high-intensity drinking decreased to 8.5% of study subjects in 2023, from about 11% in 2013.Though the prevalence is coming down, it is still high and nearly one in eight people between ages 27 and 28 consume 10 or more drinks in a night regularly.There are many reasons to binge drink. It might be from a genetic disposition to self-medicating. However, young individuals are motivated by the expectation that it would make them have fun with friends and fit into society.The US National Alcohol Survey has shown that middle-aged and older adults drink during social events and when they are feeling stressed. More research is needed on why some age groups are more attracted to binge drinking and high-intensity drinking.Source-Medindia Several videos and pictures from the event went viral on social media and now Kangana Ranaut was asked about her take on the meetup. Instagram/Kareena Kapoor Khan She revealed that she herself has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister but is still awaiting an approval. Sharing her take, she responded, I think our film industry needs guidance. This is soft power and it is underutilized. Today, be it PM Modi or our other guides or Information Broadcast Ministry or other programs, I have also been a part of the industry for 20 years. I think this industry is completely orphaned. Because they do not have guidance. Whether it is Jihadi agenda or Palestinian agenda, anyone can capture them. They have no guidance at all, they do not know where to go. She also said that film folks are mostly vulnerable and are often forced into questionable activities, They gave them some money and made them do anything anywhere. Dawood (Ibrahim) takes them to his parties. They often become targets of hawala and drugs. They are very vulnerable. They are given responsibilities. They are allowed to meet. They also feel that yes, we meet the Prime Minister. He looks after our work. He thinks about us. Such things dont happen there. They feel that they can do anything. They will go and dance at gangsters parties. They feel that no one is watching them. She further added, It is a very good step that they are looking at the mainstream. We do not get the same treatment as other industries. We make so many films, generate so much revenue. To be factual, yes, I have requested to meet PM Modi ji. I hope one day he will call me and I will meet him. On the work front, Kangana Ranaut who is a BJP MP is awaiting the release of her directorial Emergency where she also stars as former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Mrunal Thakur has been on top of her script selection game and after the success of her previous movie Kalki 2898 AD, she is gearing up for her next pan-India film Dacoit opposite Adivi Sesh. About the Poster In the recently released poster for Dacoit, Mrunal could be seen injured and driving a car, while Adivi Sesh smokes in the passengers seat. Sharing the poster on her social media, Mrunal wrote, Yes I left.. But I loved with all my heart. Instagram/Mrunal Thakur The Reactions Fans are excited about the film as both Mrunal Thakur and Adivi Sesh are selecting powerful and content-orientated roles. One user commented, Mrunal Thakur joining Adivi Sesh's Dacoit is an exciting development! A perfect blend of talent and action awaits us. Looking forward to this PAN-India masterpiece in Hindi and Telugu! Another user commented, Mrunal thakur and adivi shesh looking intense in the poster. Promising pan india movie. One user reacted, With its action-packed narrative and Pan-India appeal, Dacoit is already shaping up to be a much-anticipated film. Another user reacted, i love how TFI gives you more respect and more good roles compared to bollywood, and you are doing your best in TFI. One user said, Wow, a different genre for Mrunal. And also the Adivi's movie, just exciting. Mrunal and Adivi Seshs Recent Successes Mrunal Thakur turned heads with her portrayal of Sita Mahalakshmi in Sita Ramam, which made her a national crush. Vyjayanthi Movies Her last film Kalki 2898 AD was a pan-India success where she played a character named Divya alongside Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan. Whereas Adivi Seshs last two films, Major and HIT received critical success across the country and the latter was even remade in Hindi with Rajkummar Rao in the lead role. A former prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank almost six years ago was sentenced to death on Monday as his judge called the slayings calculated, heinous and cruel. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Circuit Judge Angela Cowden pronounced the sentence at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring. After a two-week penalty trial, a jury in June voted 9-3 to recommend that Cowden sentence Xaver to death. Cowden said the weeks of planning that Xaver performed before the 2019 murders at Sebring's SunTrust bank, the enormity of the crime and the fear the victims felt as they were shot greatly outweighed the two dozen mitigating factors his attorneys had presented, including his history of mental illness, his benign brain tumor and his jailhouse embrace of Christianity. May God have mercy on your soul, Cowden told Xaver. Xaver pleaded guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of customer Cynthia Watson, 65; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, 38; teller Debra Cook, 54; and banker Jessica Montague, 31. At gunpoint, Xaver ordered the women to lie on the floor and then shot each the head as they begged for mercy. Kiara Lopez told Xaver and the court that her mother Marisol had welcomed him into the bank with a smile, an act he repaid by murdering her. You shattered me into a million pieces," Lopez said. I will celebrate the day you die, whenever that might be. Let it be known that you will always be a killer, a coward, a nobody and a waste of human life. Michael Cook, Debra's husband, also called Xaver a coward and told the judge, I have absolutely no sympathy for him. Xavers lead public defender, Jane McNeill, had asked that Cowden spare her client, saying a life sentence would put an end to the case instead of dragging it out for a decade of appeals and possibly a retrial if the sentence is overturned. The only way for this matter to be brought to an end so that the families of the victims and this community is able to move forward is a life sentence, McNeill argued. The sentence will be automatically appealed. Under a new Florida law, death penalty sentences can be rendered by a jury vote of 8-4 rather than a unanimous recommendation. The change was adopted after the 2018 Parkland high school shooter could not be sentenced to death for murdering 17 people despite a 9-3 jury vote. McNeill called the new law unconstitutional. Xaver moved to Sebring, a city of about 11,000, in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help. He joined the Army in 2016. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital where they were patients, told police he said joining the military was a way to kill people and get away with it. The Army discharged him after three months. In 2017, a Michigan woman reported him after he sent her text messages suggesting he might commit suicide by cop or take hostages. Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. He quit two months later, two weeks before the shootings and the day after he bought his gun. Hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a former girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her this is the best day of my life but refusing to say why. Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, Im dying today, Then, from the bank parking lot he texted, Im taking a few people with me because Ive always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news. HMEIMIM, Syria A convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the highway towards the Syrian city of Tartus on Monday as soldiers stood guard. Planes periodically descended and rose from Russias Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia while smoke rose from the base. It was unclear what was burning. In the streets of Hmeimim, a town dotted with orange groves, many of the shops bear signs in Russian, a nod to the significance of the Russian military presence. But whether and how long that presence will last after the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad is now an open question. Russias scorched-earth intervention on behalf of its ally, Assad, once turned the tide of the Syrian civil war. In 2017, Assads government signed a deal with Russia that offered it a free lease of the Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base for 49 years. But opposition forces in the countrys northwest launched a shock offensive last month that again threatened Assads rule. This time, 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 ouster, Assad said he had left Damascus for the Hmeimim air base on Dec. 8 after insurgents stormed the capital, but hadn't 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 Assad's 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. That's 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 Monday, The Russians are preparing to withdraw from Syria, God willing. He gave only his nickname, Abu Saif, because he wasn't authorized 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 toward 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, along with helicopters being dismantled and prepared for transport. Moscow has reached out to the new Syrian authorities to try to ensure the security of its bases and 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 government's two-starred flag. In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Obeida Arnaout, spokesman for the political department of the new transitional government, called on Russia to reconsider its presence in Syria, as well as its interests. But he didn't rule out the possibility that Russian forces could remain. 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," Arnaout said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters 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, Peskov said. ___ Sarah El Deeb contributed to this report from Damascus, Syria. BOSTON Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, 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. The defendants were identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who prosecutors say works at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, who was arrested Monday in Italy as the Justice Department seeks his extradition to Massachusetts. Prosecutors allege that Abedininajafabadi, who also uses the surname Adedini and operates an Iranian company that manufactures navigation systems for drones, has connections to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. They allege that he conspired with Sadeghi to circumvent American export control laws, including through a front company in Switzerland, and procure sensitive technology into Iran. Both men are charged with export control violations, and Abedini separately faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran. A lawyer for Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen who was arrested Monday in Massachusetts, did not immediately return an email seeking comment. 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. 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. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. To the people who were injured by this attack, to the loved ones and family members of the people who lost their lives, as the son of a combat veteran I humbly hope that todays charges bring some measure of justice and accountability, Levy said. 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 Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Iranian-backed militia and bolstered Tower 22s defenses. ____ Tucker and Copp reported from Washington. TOKYO -- The Japanese government aims to reduce the burden of hosting U.S. military bases on Okinawa Prefecture while maintaining the nation's powers of deterrence, now that the U.S. Marine Corps has begun its transition from the prefecture to the U.S. territory of Guam. Japan also aims to steadily implement a plan to relocate the U.S. military's Futenma Air Station in Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago in the prefecture, while making efforts to obtain the understanding of local people. The relocation is a key concern involving U.S. forces stationed in the prefecture. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met with Nago Mayor Taketoyo Toguchi in the city on Saturday. Nakatani told the mayor, "We are doing everything we can to ensure the [Futenma relocation] work progresses as quickly as possible." Nakatani also referred to the Marine Corps' transition to Guam, saying, "We will continue making utmost efforts so that the issues needing to be handled are steadily resolved one by one." Nakatani emphasized the government's stance of striving to reduce the burden on the prefecture. Toguchi urged Nakatani, "It's important to alleviate the fears of city residents and protect their living environment." In addition to the relocation of Futenma Air Station, the transfer of U.S. marines stationed in Okinawa Prefecture to Guam has been a key element of the realignment plan for U.S. forces in Japan. The total cost of the transition to Guam is about $8.6 billion for both Japan and the United States, with Japan shouldering up to $2.8 billion of the amount. From 2009 to 2022, the Japanese government paid about $2.75 billion to construct facilities to accommodate marines in Guam. The transition finally began many years after 2006, when the two governments reached an agreement on the issue. A senior Defense Ministry official said, "We want to convey to Okinawa Prefecture that real progress is being made in the reduction of local people's burdens." On the other hand, the security situation in East Asia has been worsening due to China's advancement and North Korea's progress in developing nuclear weapons and missiles. The U.S. Marine Corps plans to keep its 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, which would respond to a military contingency on a remote island in Okinawa Prefecture. For its part, the Japanese government plans to upgrade the Ground Self-Defense Force's 15th Brigade, which is based in Naha, to a division by fiscal 2027. This will enhance the SDF's powers of deterrence and response capabilities. The government is also preparing to cope with a military contingency in Taiwan by building facilities for utilizing private-sector ports and airports, to protect Japanese nationals in an emergency and for training in peacetime. Six years have passed since the placement of earth and sand began on Dec. 14, 2018, in connection with the relocation of Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district. On Saturday, Nakatani inspected the site of the landfill and confirmed the progress that has been made. He also exchanged opinions with local people in districts neighboring the area to which the air station will be moved. As legal battles are almost concluded with the Okinawa prefectural government, which has opposed the relocation, landfill work is expected to progress smoothly from now on. But some of the work on the side facing Oura Bay is expected to be highly difficult because soft ground was discovered. Nakatani told reporters, "Methods for improving the foundation have often been successful in the past, and the new air station can be built without any problem." (c) 2024 the Asia News Network (Hamburg, Germany) Visit the Asia News Network (Hamburg, Germany) at www.asianewsnet.net/home/ Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Yellowstone and the Dutton family have had a hold on our Sunday nights in the last few months, and rightfully so. The drama made for cant-look-away TV right down to the series finale episode. With the wildly popular series completed, you might be looking for the next Western drama to binge watch. Consider these five series, and watch them all for free with a trial on Philo. 1923 A Yellowstone prequel The great news is that you dont have to fully give up on the Duttons. Instead of keeping up with Kayce and Beth, hear their ancestors' stories. 1923 follows Jacob and Cara Dutton, portrayed by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. Set in the early 20th century, the Duttons face a new set of challenges, including the rise of Western expansion, prohibition and the Great Depression. The series aired in 2022, but Paramount Network is currently airing two episodes on Sunday nights. Catch up before 1923 Season 2 airs on Feb. 23, 2025, on Paramount+. 1923 Trailer: This series is set on Navajo lands in the 1970s, based on the Leaphorn & Chee books by Tony Hillerman. The shows two seasons follow the FBI investigation of a bank robbery in Gallup, New Mexico, and the Navajo Tribal inquiry into the double homicide of two Native residents. Lt. Joe Leaphorn, his new deputy Jim Chee, and Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito do the heavy lifting around the reservation, which is near Monument Valley. The strange behaviors of some of the residents and the newcomers intertwine with their personal stories as the two men battle the forces of evil and their own personal demons on the path to salvation. Dark Winds Season 3 premieres in March 2025. Dark Winds Trailer: This series tells an epic tale of revenge, survival and building Americas first transcontinental railroad. With the Civil War behind him, former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon cant bring himself to move on. His wife was killed by Union soldiers, and that fresh memory sets Bohannon on a course for revenge. As he seeks out retribution, the storyline follows Union Pacifics construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Cullens westward travels take him to a town called Hell on Wheels which moves with the construction. Stream all five seasons of the series now. Hell on Wheels Trailer: Launched in 2022, this series tells the story of a famous Wild West character from his humble Irish beginnings to his gunslinging days in the American Frontier. Stream two seasons of Billy the Kid. Billy the Kid Trailer: When an American judge known for anti-immigration views is found dead on the bridge connecting El Paso, Texas, with Juarez, Mexico, authorities from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border must work together. The suspect is a serial killer operating in both countries. Faced with the politics of Mexican law enforcement, the two detectives must set aside their differences to solve a string of border murders. Throughout the series, they face illegal immigration, drug trafficking, violence and prostitution. Stream two seasons of the series now. The Bridge Trailer: Where to watch: Philo (start free trial) - For $28/month, ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more. Get access to over 70,000 movies and shows on-demand, plus AMC+. Click here to watch. If your small business caters to the outdoor enthusiasts, tourists and beach bums of Michigan then theres an opportunity to get prime real estate within some of the 103 state parks. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources collaborates with small businesses to elevate visitor experiences by offering a wide range of services, from concessions to equipment rental to guided tours. Through a competitive bidding process, the DNR selects businesses who understand that every point of customer contact is an opportunity to educate and inspire and/or commit to employing best stewardship practices. Bids currently open span services and locations across Michigan. From a mobile food stand near the shores of Lake Superior and to horseback riding stables just outside of Ann Arbor. The selected businesses will secure a contract up to seven years. Heres what bids are listed for 2025 so far: Algonac State Park - Mobile Food Aloha State Park - Firewood Vending Belle Isle Park - Management of food concessions on the island Benzie and Grand Traverse Counties state forest campgrounds - Firewood vending Brighton Recreation Area - Vending machines Charles Mears State Park - Beach store and vending machine Hoffmaster State Park - Firewood vending and vending machines Ionia Recreation Area - Beach concessions Muskallonge Lake State Park - Mobile Food Seven Lakes State Park - Beach concession Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Shuttle Services Warren Dunes State Park - Mobile food Waterloo Recreation Area- Horseback riding stable, beach store, vending machines Yankee Springs Recreation Area - Outdoor center Find more information, including bid proposals, at michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/business/concessions Kristen Bell will host one of the major awards shows of 2025. The actress, who is from Huntington Woods in Metro Detroit, will host the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. The show will stream live on Netflix on Sunday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, January 8. This will be the second time Bell, who recently starred in Nobody Wants This and The Good Place, has hosted the SAG Awards. She was the shows first host back in 2018. Before that, the show relied on presenters. Thrilled to be hosting the SAG Awards again this year said Bell. Im honored to be asked back and cant wait to share the evening with my fellow actors, doing what we do best... celebrating ourselves. Kristen Bells wit, warmth and charm makes her the perfect fit for our show - a night celebrating actors and the outstanding performances of the year, said SAG Awards Executive Producer Jon Brockett. You also know Bell from her rolls in Frozen and Frozen 2, Bad Moms, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Gossip Girl, Couples Retreat, Queenpins and The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. Bell is married to actor and fellow Michigan native, Dax Shepard. Michigan may be welcoming Arctic visitors earlier this winter as snowy owls make an early-season push south. The tundra tourists have been on and off in recent years. Their migration across the Midwest was remarkably slow in 2023, according to Project SNOWstorm, a crowd-funded snowy owl research project. However this year the vacationers have packed up and headed out early. Its shaping up to be an interesting winter, with the first significant, early-season push of snowy owls into the East and Midwest in several years, so buckle up for what we hope will be a great 2024-25, Project SNOWstorm posted on Dec. 1. RELATED: Winter is the best time to see Michigan owls. Heres where and when. Although Michigans snowy landscape and cold temperatures feel like an obvious draw for the big, beautiful birds, the key determining factor is actually lemmings. If theres a large population of the snowy owls favorite summertime food, lemmings, then the rate of successful nesting and number of chicks grows. This boom in owl population can cause an irruption in the winter, when snowy owls are seen far outside of their usual winter range and in greater numbers, according to MI Birds, a public outreach and education program created by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. In past irruption years, snowy owls have been spotted as far south as Florida and Hawaii. This summer the SNOWstorm team deployed a team to Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic and reported back the overall abundance remained low, totaling nine snowy owl nests. However, good news followed that the team was able to tag 10 fledglings from six nests to track and collect data on their movement. By the end of November those juveniles were still hanging around their Arctic homestead, however reports of other juvenile snowy owls have already been spotted as far south as Virginia, Maryland and Indiana, according to SNOWstorm. Researchers predict those teens are traveling from northern Quebec, where its an easier overland trip all the way south. RELATED: Its snowy owl season in Michigan: What you should know to help these Arctic beauties Keep a keen eye out, Michiganders. As old man winter chills temperatures and creates icy pathways there will likely be more movement from the snowbirds hanging out on the shorelines. In Michigan, snowy owls can be seen in the winter months across the states Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas, though they may also be found in southern regions. In January 2023, a snowy owl nearly caused a traffic jam in Muskegon when drivers halted to snap cell phone photos of a female snowy owl sitting on a picnic table. Snowy owls have been rare in Michigan and other neighboring states this winter. When one appeared on a picnic table in Muskegon in January, passersby slowed and stopped their cars to photograph the bird. | Photo by Brian Barnabo RELATED: Big eyes, bigger personalities: Michigan sanctuary helping rescued owls heal If youre searching for the sky for the enchanting creatures consider places that mimic an Arctic landscape like big, open spaces such as airports or grasslands. Snowy owls are daytime hunters who swoop low in open spaces, not the woods, said Juliet Berger, ornithologist for the City of Ann Arbors Natural Area Preservation and president of the Washtenaw Audubon Society. Note that many of the snowy owls that migrate are likely younger with little to no experience successfully hunting for food outside their typical Arctic territory. The trip itself is also exhausting, so keep a lookout for owls who may be immobilized on roadsides, too weak to fly. Keep in mind that snowy owls typically spend more time on the ground than most birds, so call a rehabilitation center to address a distressed bird and determine if it should be moved. RELATED: 6 types of owls you might see, hear during a winter hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Procedural errors put Ypsilanti Community Schools $2.3 million over budget, according to an audit of the districts 2023-2024 year. The culprit? It was a procedure issue, said district Treasurer Jeanice Townsend during the Dec. 9 meeting. MT. MORRIS, MI The Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools district has brought in two safety dogs, Rooster and Oakley, to frequent the halls of the districts buildings for safety and emotional wellness. The district partnered with Zebra K9, a Waterford-based safety dog company, after Superintendent Mickie Kujat began looking into the benefits of having canines in the school last spring. The dogs can detect narcotics, vapes, firearms and explosives. During a news conference held at Mt. Morris Middle School on Dec. 17, the dogs identified multiple vapes and shell casings that were placed in lockers for demonstration. Rooster is a 2-year-old male reddish lab and Oakley is a 1-year-old male black lab. Each work with handlers Matt Shook and Emily Dice, respectively. Rooster specializes in firearms and explosives, while Oakley specializes in narcotics and vapes. The two dogs are most often at the middle and high schools in Mt. Morris but make visits to each of the six schools in the district, Kujat said. The Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools district has brought in two safety dogs, Rooster and Oakley, to frequent the halls of the districts buildings for safety and emotional wellness.Dylan Goetz MLive Supported by the school board, Kujat entered into a one-year contract with Zebra K9. Each dog and handler team costs approximately $80,000. The program is fully funded by grants offered from the state, Kujat said. District leaders said the two pups have become local celebrities within the district. Rooster even walked with Shook in the homecoming parade. The dogs also offer social and emotional wellness support for students, Kujat said. When a student is stressed about an exam or having a bad day, school leaders call in Rooster or Oakley to cheer them up. Dogs create a welcoming environment and contagious excitement at the school, Middle School Principal Courtney Gustafson said. Zebra K9 partners with seven other Michigan school districts, President/CEO Greg Guidice said. Guidice first started partnering with school districts in 2019 to provide an added layer of safety and protection. At first, the dogs wore a do not pet sign. Now, after seeing how students react to the dogs, signs shifted to ask to pet. Mia Felts, an 11-year-old 6th grader, said she likes to have dogs around. It makes her feel better if she is sad. She prefers Oakley, the black lab, because he is kind. Thanks to the dogs ability to detect items that humans cannot, the dogs serve as a proactive deterrent for items that arent allowed in the building. Theyre so much more effective and efficient and faster than humans in detecting threats that are not supposed to be there, Guidice said. Handlers record daily logs of their activity to report back to superintendents to gauge effectiveness, Guidice said. Dogs have already begun deterring vape use, which has been on the rise in middle schools and high schools in the area, Kujat said. There are about 300 students at Mt. Morris Middle School and more than 400 at the high school, Kujat said. The district educates approximately 2,000 students each year from early education elementary to high school. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids leaders are exploring the possibility of a pilot deer hunt on city property in an effort to help control the growing local deer population. The pilot deer hunt, which would be limited to archery, would happen in January 2025 if the city decides to move forward with the idea. The city is planning to share whether it has decided to proceed with the pilot program at the 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, Grand Rapids public safety committee meeting, according to the meeting agenda. City leaders have been discussing the idea of holding a pilot deer hunt for over a year, as the city has been dealing with growing deer populations, said James Hurt, managing director for the city of Grand Rapids Public Services Group. The citys goal is to coexist with local urban wildlife like deer, turkeys and squirrels. But Hurt said the city has seen a dramatic increase over the last two years in complaints from residents about the number of deer on their property, which isnt just a nuisance problem but also a public safety issue due to car crashes. I personally have talked to a number of residents where, they would typically see two or three (deer) browsing in their yard, and now theyre seeing eight, nine or 10 of them, Hurt told Grand Rapids commissioners at the Dec. 3 committee of the whole meeting. Its become sort of a nuisance for them, in terms of vegetation that theyre eating in their yards... and not to mention the number of car-deer accidents that were having in our city. Kent County ranks No. 1 in Michigan for the number of deer-car accidents, with 2,171 reported crashes in 2023. Hurt said leaders across Kent County have been exploring solutions to handle the deer population. RELATED: Hunters can help slow Michigans alarming pace of car vs. deer crashes One idea that came up was for the city to try out a deer hunt, Hurt said. City staff explored a couple different options, including potential hunts on public and private property, and ultimately came up with the idea of holding a hunt on 12 acres of city-owned property at 960 Bristol Ave. NW. The property is a large, forested area with a high population of deer and large grade changes, making it ideal for a hunt, Hurt said. The Michigan Chapter of National Deer Association has offered to step in and assist with registering hunters for the proposed pilot program and conducting background checks. The property is surrounded by residential properties, but Hurt said the city would communicate with area residents and put up signs to ensure safety during the hunt. If it moves forward, firearms would not be permitted in the pilot hunting program. Only archery would be allowed, and no other game could be hunted. It would be restricted to antlerless deer only. The pilot hunt would happen from Jan. 1-31. Archery hunting is currently allowed in city code on both public and private property. Hurt noted there are similar deer hunting programs offered in two other Michigan communities: Kent County and Meridian Township. Kent County allows archery hunting for deer and turkey at three county parks, offering 15 permits per location. Meridian Township launched its deer hunting program in 2011 and last year had 67 participants. There has been mixed public reception to the proposed deer hunt in Grand Rapids. Hurt said online feedback to the idea has been negative, while in-person feedback at a Dec. 2 community meeting was mostly supportive. Since the Dec. 3 presentation about the pilot program, the city has received additional community feedback to the idea, according to a Dec. 17 memo from Hurt to the city commission. City staff have received that feedback and will update the Public Safety Committee on how it intends to proceed at Tuesdays meeting. No decision needs to be made by the Grand Rapids City Commission on the pilot hunting program, said City Manager Mark Washington. The citys parks and recreation department has the authority to decide whether to pilot the program, he said. If the city does not move forward with a pilot hunting program, another option could be for the city to inform and educate private property owners on how to safely hunt on their property, in partnership with the National Deer Association, to try to curb the urban deer population. The city could also pause the idea and come back later with a more comprehensive plan that would be implemented in fall 2025, Hurt said. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. WALKER, MI A man arrested for threats he allegedly made outside a rally for Donald Trump was found competent to stand trial. Trump, the former President who was running for a second term as the Republican nominee, held the campaign rally five weeks before the general election. Trump ended up winning the presidency. The criminal case against Steve William Nauta was bound over Tuesday, Dec. 17, to Kent County Circuit Court after a brief proceeding. He faces four felony charges after he was denied entry to a Trump rally Sept. 27 at a metal panel manufacturer in Walker. Once he was turned away, Nauta allegedly showed police officers a bottle he called it the real deal and claimed it was C4. RELATED: Man was denied entry at Trump rally. He threatened police with the real deal. After the encounter, Nauta drove past the traffic point while disobeying officers commands and a brief pursuit ensued. When Nauta did stop his vehicle, police said he removed bags of fertilizer from his vehicle and threw them on the ground to make it appear that they were explosives. Police said Nauta never got inside Trumps rally. Nauta was ordered to undergo a competency examination in October to determine if he could be held responsible. An evaluation revealed Nauta is competent to stand trial, Judge Nicholas Christensen said Tuesday in Walker District Court. Nauta is charged with false report or threat of terrorism; explosives possession of bombs with unlawful intent; third-degree fleeing and eluding; and resisting a police officer. Kent County prosecutors offered Nauta a plea deal Tuesday that was rejected. Per the agreement, prosecutors would dismiss the explosives charge if Nauta pleaded guilty to the remaining counts. Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election and will be sworn into office Jan. 20, 2025. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI Two economic development projects will bring a combined 64 new jobs and more than $25 million in capital investment to Kalamazoo County. In Portage, TST Portage is redeveloping an existing manufacturing facility and building a new facility at 5870 and 5960 Sprinkle Road. In Schoolcraft Township, Forming USA is building a new sales and manufacturing facility, according to a Tuesday, Dec. 17 news release from Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office. TST Portage received approval of an Act 381 Work Plan to develop a new manufacturing facility with a second-level office in Portage. The project involves the partial demolition of an approximately 34,000-square-foot structure and the construction of a new, 43,000-square-foot facility in its footprint. Tenants will include Depatie Fluid Power Company and Micro-LAM, with space for future tenants. The project supports the revitalization of an existing site in the community and is expected to create 14 new jobs with an average wage of $30.29 per hour, while generating $9.3 million in capital investment. The project also includes a new 63,000-square-foot facility on the property that started construction last fall and is just wrapping up, officials confirmed. The new developments will catalyze 106,200 square feet with the support of the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Act 381 Work Plan, which has an estimated value of $428,193, the governors office said. TST Portage considered locations in Minnesota and Indiana, but ultimately chose Michigan as a result of the states support, the governors office said. The company also received local brownfield support valued at $526,300 and an Industrial Facilities Tax abatement valued at $808,669, the governors office said. Brownfield incentives are so catalytic to the community as they represent development that would not have occurred, and the taxing bodies still receive the same tax revenue they were getting before the improvements, Portage City Manager Pat McGinnis said in the release. Then, once the costs are reimbursed and the program is complete, the taxing bodies realize a major increase. Forming USA, LLC, a Swiss based manufacturer of cold-rolled steel profiles, is establishing a sales and manufacturing facility to support and expand their U.S. customer base with domestic manufacturing capabilities at 14637 S. U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft Township. The new facility is expected to create 50 new jobs with an above average hourly wage, plus benefits. The company anticipates it will result in more than $15 million in capital investment with the support of a $500,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant. The new facility will be a phased approach over five to 10 years, starting construction on a 50,000-square-foot facility on the 38-acre site in 2025 and then building additions in future years. This space will primarily serve as steel roll forming manufacturing, but will also include office space (sales, engineering, supply chain, finance, administration), warehousing and distribution. The facility will incorporate a rail spur to allow efficient and economical delivery of steel master coils directly into the facility. More Kalamazoo business news: $70M expansion will bring 125 jobs to Kalamazoo-area manufacturer Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. PARCHMENT, MI A worker was stabbed in the hand by a robber after multiple people came to rob a Kalamazoo County Mexican restaurant, threatening those inside with weapons, according to the business and police. The Township of Kalamazoo Police Department is investigating the 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, armed robbery at the Buen Provecho, 643 N. Riverview Drive, a restaurant representative confirmed. During the exchange, restaurant owner Gustavo Marure was stabbed in the hand, according to his son, Kevin Ussiel Marure-Melchor Polenciewicz. Police confirmed the stabbing. The suspects fled prior to police arrival, Police Chief Bryan Ergang said in a news release. The victim, 62, was treated at the scene by first responders for his injury. Polenciewicz said he wasnt there, but his father and mother were working Monday night when it happened, along with a teenage employee. Polenciewicz said he rushed there once he heard from his mother what happened. They pulled out a knife and tried to jab him for the cash, Polenciewicz said. My dad tried to get a hold of the situation and get the knife. He was sliced in that altercation. His dad is a senior citizen who doesnt speak much English, Polenciewicz said. Another robber pointed a gun, Polenciewicz said. His dad then gave them the money they were after, Polenciewicz said. He described the suspects as three young men wearing black hoodies with white writing on the back. Police have not released a description. We thought my dad was going to die, Polenciewicz said. It was very scary. His parents came to the U.S. from Mexico a couple decades ago. They started the restaurant, his mothers dream, about three years ago, he said. They are trying to stay optimistic, he said. Their Catholic faith is important to them, he said. The robbery about a week before Christmas wont stop the family from pursuing their dream to run the business. His mother was back operating the restaurant on Tuesday, he said. Rain or shine, robbery or not, its my moms passion, he said. She just tries to make the best of the situation and just keep going. This case remains an open investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Township of Kalamazoo Police Department through Kalamazoo County Consolidated Dispatch at 269-488-8911 or Silent Observer 269-343-2100. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. in his bid to take the reins of the Michigan Democratic Party next year. Im so proud to endorse my friend @CurtisHertelJr as he runs for Michigan Democratic Party Chair, Whitmer wrote on social media Tuesday, Dec. 17 . From cutting taxes for middle-class families to expanding workers rights, hes spent his career fighting to make the lives of Michiganders better. Curtis has what it takes to protect our most fundamental freedoms and make sure we restore our Democratic trifecta in 2026. Hertel officially announced Monday he was seeking to become chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, a position currently held by Chair Lavora Barnes. Related: Contenders line up for Michigan Democratic Partys top role Barnes, who led the party through historic wins in 2022, announced in November that she wouldnt be seeking reelection next year. She was first elected to the role in 2019. I want to thank Chair Lavora Barnes for her leadership over the past five years. She has been one of the best state party chairs in the country, Hertel said. As party chair, I plan to continue her legacy of building a strong and resilient Michigan Democratic Party, which starts by reminding Michiganders that we are the party for working people. We will show up in every corner of our state to do just that. Hertel served in the Michigan Senate from 2015 until 2023. He helped lead Democrats to win back the state Senate in 2022 through his work leading the fundraising arm of the Michigan State Senate Democratic Caucus. He briefly served as Whitmers director of legislative affairs in 2023 before launching a run for the U.S. House. He lost the race Nov. 5 to former Republican state Sen. Tom Barrett. The November election saw Republicans win back a majority in the state House, marking an end next year to the brief but historic trifecta control by Democrats of the House, Senate and governorship. Hertel pledged to help win back the House and keep the Senate and governorship under Democratic control in 2026. The stakes for our state have never been higher. With Donald Trump coming back to the White House, Im committed to doing everything we can to stand up to his extremist agenda, win back our Democratic trifecta, and defend the progress we have made here in Michigan, Hertel said. Reenergizing our party is going to take a fighter and thats exactly what I plan to be because I know when Michigan Democrats give it everything we have for working people, we can win and win everywhere. Elections for the Michigan Democratic Party chair will take place in February, during the 2025 Spring State Convention in Detroit. Gongwer News Service reports one other person, political and community organizer Al BJ Williams, has officially announced a run for the chair. Michigan Republicans will also vote on a new chair early next year after current party Chair Pete Hoekstra was nominated by Trump as the nations ambassador to Canada. On Friday, former Michigan Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock announced she was running for the seat. Maddock pitched herself as a candidate who would continue to expand the Republican coalition, support Trump and go after Democrats. I promise to be the biggest attack dog on Gretchen Whitmer and Lansing Democrats, while also being the biggest cheerleader for Michigan House Republicans and President Trump, Maddock wrote on social media Friday. We need a state party that is able to attack democrats on a moment notice and bring the fight to their doorstep for stifling the America First agenda. Maddock is currently facing felony charges stemming from her participation in an alleged scheme to replace Michigans electoral college representatives with a slate of Republicans to subvert the 2020 election. Her case and those of the others charged in the so-called false electors scheme are still working their way through state court. In another party leadership move, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, on Monday said she has decided against making a run for the National Democratic Party chair. Related: Report: Michigan Sen. Mallory McMorrow mulls bid for DNC chair McMorrow went viral in 2022 for her fiery response to a GOP colleague accusing her of being a groomer. A package of housing bills that would bar landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income, like Section 8 housing vouchers, social security or veterans benefits, is heading to the governors desk. The Michigan Senate passed House Bills 4062 and 4063 with a 20-16 vote along party lines during a lame duck session last week. Under the legislation, renters would be able to sue if they believe landlords are discriminating based on source of income. It would define source of income under Michigans Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act to include Section 8 housing choice vouchers, public assistance, veterans benefits, Social Security, supplemental security income or other retirement programs. The House bills are tie-barred to three Senate bills lawmakers passed earlier this year. The package will now be considered by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. If enacted, the rules will only apply to landlords with five or more units. Supporters say the legislation will help low-income families secure affordable housing while opponents argue it will make it more difficult for landlords to provide housing. Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, spoke in favor of the bills during the Dec. 11 session. We should be fighting for the dignity of every Michigander, he said. think about how were looking at the others around us. Think about how were taking care of the least among us, and then check your heart and see if what youre doing aligns with the values you tell people you hold when youre out running for election. Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, protested the bills passage saying they will be a blow to landlords and the business community. This whole lame duck is going to be the destruction of the state of Michigan, and this is just one more example, he said. More than two dozen organizations support the bills, including the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, the Michigan Association of United Ways and housing groups throughout the state. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business and the Property Management Association of Michigan oppose the House bills. The package of five bills is one piece of renters rights legislation that tenants have been pushing for this session. Additional bills that are still pending with the legislature would expunge eviction records after two years and give tenants facing eviction the right to counsel. HB 5756 would only allow good cause evictions and wouldnt allow landlords to increase rent that is unreasonable to price people out. Another pending package of Senate bills would give tenants the right for form unions and deduct the cost of repairs from their rent if their landlord didnt make timely fixes. And some of the introduced bills would create new regulations around rental applications, including capping junk fees. The Michigan House has two days left on the session calendar while the Senate has four remaining days. Michigan States latest transfer addition is on the defensive end. Texas State cornerback Joshua Eaton announced his commitment to the Spartans via social media on Monday night. Eaton began his college career with three seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Texas State. He posted career highs with 27 tackles, a sack and five pass break-ups this season, his second with the Bobcats. The addition of Eaton came after Michigan State picked up its first offseason transfers in wide receivers Omari Kelly (Middle Tennessee) and Chrishon McCray (Kent State) and offensive lineman Luka Vincic (Oregon State). Eaton, 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is a former four-star prospect from Texas who signed with Oklahomas 2020 recruiting class. He played a limited role in three seasons with the Sooners before transferring to Texas State last year. Michigan States secondary was decimated by injuries this season amid a 5-7 finish. Charles Brantley, who had resurgent season as the teams top cornerback, suffered a season-ending injury in November and entered the portal. Arizona State transfer Ed Woods provided a reliable presence with youth rotating into the lineup. The portal officially opened on Monday and closes on Dec. 28. Since the Spartans finished 5-7, 13 players from the roster have entered the poral with receiver Jaron Glover (Mississippi State), defensive end Ken Talley (Arkansas) and offensive lineman Dallas Fincher (San Diego State) already announcing their next stop. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On December 16, JAC Group and Huawei celebrated the inauguration of the MAEXTRO Super Factory in Hefei, Anhui Province. The facility is a world-class intelligent manufacturing hub integrating digital R&D, green low-carbon production, and brand service experiences. Photo credit: JAC Group Once fully operational, the factory is expected to achieve an annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan, said JAC Group. The MAEXTRO Super Factory was established to ensure the high-quality production of vehicle models like the MAEXTRO S800, which debuted on November 26. Priced between 1 million yuan and 1.5 million yuan, the MAEXTRO S800 opened for pre-orders the same day. Equipped with nearly 1,500 intelligent robots, the factory automates key processes such as welding, painting, and adhesive application. Leveraging a digital foundation of "one cloud, one network, one platform," it uses a C2M (Customer-to-Manufacturer) model to enable personalized product configurations and agile manufacturing. The factory is also pioneering green manufacturing, featuring a carbon footprint management system and energy-efficient technologies. It is among Anhui province's first zero-carbon industrial parks. With advanced AI applications, 86 inspection gates, over 25,000 quality checkpoints for real-time, and traceable monitoring throughout the production process, the factory ensure superior quality control. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Recently, ZF LIFETEC's Xi'an base, officially known as ZF Dongfang Automotive Safety Technology (Xi'an) Co., Ltd., held a groundbreaking ceremony for its airbag inflator capacity expansion and R&D center project, according to a post on ZF LIFETEC's WeChat account. Photo credit: ZF LIFETEC The initiative aims to enhance existing inflator production lines and establish a comprehensive inflator R&D laboratory. Once completed, the Xi'an facility will become ZF LIFETEC's largest inflator production base in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 2010, ZF LIFETEC's Xi'an base focuses on the R&D, production, and sales of hybrid inflator, serving major vehicle manufacturers across the global markets. According to ZF LIFETEC, increasing market demand has necessitated capacity expansion to maintain production efficiency and meet future requirements. In July this year, ZF LIFETEC signed an agreement with Xi'an Economic and Technological Development Zone to build the inflator capacity expansion and R&D center project in Jingwei Industrial Park. Construction has now officially commenced, with trial operations expected by 2025. Upon reaching full capacity, the project is set to achieve an annual production capacity of several million inflator and hood lifters. The R&D center will leverage ZF LIFETEC's expertise in passive safety technology, establishing a comprehensive laboratory with material testing, structural strength analysis, and product validation capabilities. It is dedicated to developing the next generation of hybrid inflator. Dr. Nick Song, Vice President of ZF LIFETEC Asia Pacific, emphasized that the new core factory and R&D center will work closely with ZF LIFETEC's airbag manufacturing facilities to serve prominent domestic and international automakers. ZF LIFETEC, formerly ZF's Passive Safety Systems Division, became an independent company following its spin-off in March 2023. By the end of September, the separation process was successfully completed. In late October, ZF LIFETEC's new Asia-Pacific headquarters opened in Jiading, Shanghai, consolidating resources to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, ZF LIFETEC has launched construction projects in Weihai and Wuhan. In terms of R&D innovation, ZF LIFETEC has rolled out multiple advanced passive safety products, including the new smart seat belt, the seat-integrated ACR8.S belt retractor, and the retractable steering wheel. 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. MINIEYE to start trading in Hong Kong on Dec. 27 MINIEYE began its IPO subscription on December 17, which is set to be closed on December 20. The company plans to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's main board under the ticker "2431.HK" on December 27. Li Auto sells 14,100 vehicles in 50th week of 2024 Li Auto reported weekly sales of 14,100 units for the 50th week of 2024, spanning December 9 to December 15. Photo credit: Li Auto BYD said to launch Yuan UP SUV in Europe in early 2025 The BYD Yuan UP all-electric SUV, expected to be named "BYD ATTO 2" overseas, will enter the European market in early 2025, according to local media reports. Initially exported from China, the model will later be produced at BYDs Hungarian plant, reportedly. Chery Fulwin A8L C-DM PHEV goes on sale, starting at 94,900 yuan after subsidies On December 17, Chery's new energy vehicle range Fulwin officially released its A8L C-DM compact sedan onto the market. Coming with five variants, the new model is priced between 109,900 yuan and 149,900 yuan. SinoHytec, Toyota co-invest 1.9 billion yen in joint fuel cell venture in China On December 16, Beijing SinoHytec Co., Ltd. ("SinoHytec") announced that it will jointly increase capital investment in its joint venture, Toyota SinoHytec Fuel Cell Co., Ltd. ("Toyota SinoHytec"), alongside Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota Motor"). The total capital injection amounts to 1.9 billion yen (approximately 89.61 million yuan), with SinoHytec contributing 950 million yen (around 44.81 million yuan). Geely, PROTON co-developed e.MAS 7 BEV model hits market On December 16, Malaysian automaker PROTON officially put its first all-electric vehicle model, the e.MAS 7, onto the market, marking Malaysia's entry into the electric vehicle era. Zhengzhou Nissan officially unveils Z9 pickup truck model On December 16, Zhengzhou Nissan, Nissan's joint venture in China, officially revealed details of its Z9 pickup truck model. As the first model in its new product lineup, the Z9 is built on an all-new off-road platform. TuSimple introduces video generation large model 'Ruyi' On December 17, TuSimple officially unveiled its first video generation large model, "Ruyi", releasing the Ruyi-Mini-7B version as open-source. Users can now download the model on Hugging Face, complete with detailed deployment instructions and ComfyUI workflows for quick implementation on consumer-grade GPUs, such as the RTX 4090. JAC Group, Huawei co-inaugurate MAEXTRO Super Factory in Anhui Province On December 16, JAC Group and Huawei celebrated the inauguration of the MAEXTRO Super Factory in Hefei, Anhui Province. The facility is a world-class intelligent manufacturing hub integrating digital R&D, green low-carbon production, and brand service experiences. Chery iCAR V23 full-electric SUV hits market, starting at 99,800 yuan On December 16, Chery's new energy vehicle brand iCAR officially put the iCAR V23 retro-inspired compact all-electric SUV onto the market. Coming with two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants, the new model is priced from 99,800 yuan to 139,800 yuan. CATL to provide suppliers with financial support to boost battery innovation Recently, CATL reportedly issued an open letter to its supplier partners, inviting them to share and discuss the latest innovations in materials, equipment, processes, and technologies related to batteries. The letter outlines clear mechanisms for intellectual property ownership and business collaboration. BYD opens two dealerships in Estonia On December 11, BYD, in collaboration with leading global international dealership group Inchcape Motors, officially opened two new stores in Estonia, located in the capital city of Tallinn and the second-largest city, Tartu, respectively. XPENG MONA M03 model surpasses 40,000 units in cumulative deliveries On December 17, XPENG's CEO He Xiaopeng addressed several key issues of concern to MONA M03 owners through a Weibo video update. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 17, XPENG's CEO He Xiaopeng addressed several key issues of concern to MONA M03 owners through a Weibo video update. The primary focus was on delivery capacity and production status. Since the launch of the MONA M03, the first production model under XPENG's MONA series, 40,000 units have been successfully delivered. Currently, the company maintains a stable delivery rate of 4,000 units per week, and the delivery cycle has been significantly reduced from the initial 1317 weeks to 711 weeks. MONA M03; photo credit: XPENG In response to owners' inquiries about when the Sentry Mode will be available through an over-the-air (OTA) update, He Xiaopeng provided a clear timeline: the Sentry Mode is expected to be officially launched before the Spring Festival in January next year, with the engineering team working overtime to expedite its implementation. Regarding the AI Tianji system, He Xiaopeng stated that it is anticipated to be rolled out in the second quarter of next year. The team is currently engaged in the detailed integration and optimization of new software and hardware capabilities to ensure a seamless rollout. On August 27, XPENG officially put the MONA M03 compact sedan onto the market, offering three different trim levels priced from 119,800 yuan to 155,800 yuan. The Max version will start deliveries after the Chinese New Year holiday in 2025. MONA M03; photo credit: XPENG On September 20, XPENG announced that just 22 days after the MONA M03 went on sale, over 10,000 units have been produced. This achievement also marks the rollout of XPENG' 500,000th mass-produced vehicle. GLOBALink | Thai blogger enjoys trip to China's Chongqing amid visa-free policy Pub Date:24-12-17 10:39 Source:Xinhua China's "mountain city" Chongqing has become a popular destination for Thai tourists like blogger Pocky, who hails the convenience of visiting as the two countries entered a "visa-free era" from March 1. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying Related News First wholly foreign-owned, third-grade ge... GLOBALink | 'Macao New Neighborhood' in He... Faces of China: Young man rescues stranded... China reports sharp increase in EV chargin... Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 11, BYD, in collaboration with leading global international dealership group Inchcape Motors, officially opened two new stores in Estonia, located in the capital city of Tallinn and the second-largest city, Tartu, respectively. Catering to the preferences and needs of local consumers, BYD introduced several models, including the BYD SEAL, BYD SEAL U (named Song PLUS EV in China), BYD SEAL U DM-i (named Song PLUS DM-i in China), and BYD DOLPHIN, with pre-sales beginning the same day. Photo credit: BYD Shu Youxing, general manager of BYD's European sales division, remarked, "As a technology-driven company, BYD is committed to developing cutting-edge new energy vehicle products. We are actively expanding our European business and will continue working with excellent local partners like Inchcape to meet the growing demand for green mobility." Yannis Rossonis, head of Inchcape Motors Estonia, commented, "BYD's entry into Estonia marks the beginning of a transformative era for new energy transportation in the country. With elegant designs, outstanding performance, and advanced safety features, BYD's plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles offer consumers a broad range of options." The first batch of BYD's new energy vehicles (NEVs) for the Estonian market is scheduled for delivery in early 2025. BYD has already launched eight NEV models spanning the C to E segment in more than 20 European countries, including the BYD TANG, BYD HAN, BYD ATTO 3, BYD DOLPHIN, BYD SEAL, BYD SEAL U, BYD SEAL U DM-i and BYD SEALION 7. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 16, a signing ceremony for introducing strategic investment to SAIC Anji Logistics was held at SAIC Motor's headquarters. COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. ("COSCO SHIPPING") and Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. ("SIPG") participated as strategic investors, each contributing 1 billion yuan to subscribe to 75 million yuan in new shares of SAIC Anji Logistics. Photo credit: SAIC Motor Following the completion of the capital increase, SAIC Anji Logistics' registered capital will rise from 600 million yuan to 750 million yuan, with COSCO SHIPPING and SIPG each holding a 10% stake. The newly raised capital will be used to expand SAIC Anji Logistics' international business, including the development of a RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) shipping fleet and supporting logistics services, creating a "door-to-door" full-chain international service system to facilitate the overseas growth of Chinese automakers. SAIC Motor has established a comprehensive automotive value chain overseas, encompassing innovation R&D centers, production bases, marketing hubs, supply chain centers, and financial services. Its products and services span more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. From January to November this year, its overseas sales reached 937,000 vehicles. As a subsidiary of SAIC Motor, SAIC Anji Logistics has pioneered an integrated transportation model combining road, rail, and waterway, covering nearly 600 domestic cities and over 100 countries globally, with an annual transport capacity of 10 million vehicles. SAIC Anji Logistics is also a leader in coastal and river-port logistics in China, operating a "T-shaped" logistics network that connects major ports in Shanghai, Dalian, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Wuhan, Chongqing, and Taicang. Internationally, it has formed a "friendly port" partnership with the BLG Logistics, the operator of the car-handling terminal at the German port of Bremerhaven. Additionally, it operates a self-owned fleet of 32 automobile vessels, including 11 river ships, 9 domestic trade sea vessels, and 12 foreign trade sea vessels, serving eight international routes across Southeast Asia, Mexico, South America, Europe, and Oceania. In recent years, SAIC Anji Logistics has strengthened its global network by establishing subsidiaries in Thailand, Indonesia, North America, Mexico, Europe, and the UK, along with dedicated capacities in these regions. It now manages over 800,000 vehicles annually on controlled road routes and serves more than 10 port terminals. The company also offers warehousing and transport for vehicles and parts across the Americas, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, while developing backhaul roll-on/roll-off business in Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. Credit: The Stephen A. Smith Show The United States government hasnt addressed the mysterious drone sightings ravaging the Northeast, but that was before Stephen A. Smith decided to weigh in. Unidentified drones have been lighting up the New Jersey sky for weeks, with more recent sightings being reported in New York and Pennsylvania. But as residents and elected officials attempt to demand answers from the federal government on these mysterious car-sized drones, they now have an ally in Stephen A. Smith. Monday morning on ESPNs First Take, a conversation surrounding the debacle that is the New York Giants inspired Smith to address the drone problem. These damn dronesthe United States governmentget it together! Theres drones flying over peoples houses in Jersey and New York. I saw Independence Day damnit. I aint underestimating none of that stuff. Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/gsbxcCueyP Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 16, 2024 Let me tell you something, these damn drones in New York City, Smith said. The United States government, get it together! Get it together! Theres drones flying over peoples houses in Jersey and New York! I saw Independence Day, dammit! I aint underestimating none of that stuff! Figure it out! Figure it out. This was the second time in as many weeks that mysterious New Jersey drone sightings were mentioned on ESPN. Last week, Aaron Rodgers highlighted the issue on The Pat McAfee Show, which gave the drone sightings more national attention. Although considering Rodgers propensity for spewing conspiracy theories, he may have caused many to wonder whether these drone sightings were fact or fiction. The drone sightings are real. The countless conspiracy theories surrounding why these drone sightings are occurring are not. But until the government breaks its silence to explain, the conspiracies will only run more rampant. Smith has teased a potential future in politics, and maybe drones can be the platform to help springboard an eventual run for office. [First Take] USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code CEO of Apple Tim Cook gives a presentation at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, Sept. 9, 2024. News / National by Staff reporter Harare, the Zimbabwean capital city, usually a hub of activity even during late evening hours, was plunged into darkness last night due to a power outage. Even the State House, Zimbabwe House, and the President's Office, as well as other critical areas, were affected. A widespread power outage struck around 10pm, leaving the whole central business district as dark as a moonless night.Darkness, like ink, filled the Harare skyline, sprinkled with lights from generators and solar power like distant diamonds. The lifeless streets, normally illuminated by the glow of streetlights and neon signseven though they are often poorly lit due to maintenance failureswere shrouded in an inky blackness. The only sound was the hum of generators and the occasional car horn, punctuating the eerie silence.Buildings, including Harare's few towering skyscrapers, stood as dark monoliths, their windows like empty eyes staring back. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building, were mere silhouettes, their aesthetic beauty lost in the gloom. Traffic lights were out, leaving drivers to navigate the roads by instinct and guesswork. The roads, usually a sea of brake lights and headlights in the evening, became empty thoroughfares as vehicles breezed through the blackout.Pedestrians, normally a common sight on the city's sidewalks, were few and far between. The power outage had brought the city to a standstill, exposing its vulnerabilities and reminding residents of the fragility of current life and national infrastructure.The incident comes just weeks after President Emmerson Mnangagwa was forced to walk out of a budget presentation event at New Parliament in Mt Hampden following an embarrassing power outage. Parliament, instead of holding Mnangagwa and his ministers accountable for the disaster, issued an apology to the President.Last night's outage stretched on for more than two hours before electricity was restored just after midnight. Zimbabwe's power shortages remain a grave concern, with the country reportedly losing a staggering US$1.6 billion annually due to power outages. Households and businesses alike continue to suffer, worsening an already precarious economic situation.The World Bank estimates that these persistent power shortages cost Zimbabwe 6.1% of its GDP annually. The main causes of the crisis are the country's aging power infrastructureparticularly the Hwange Thermal Power Station, which remains in dire need of an upgrade despite recent expansion effortsand the sharp decline in output at the hydroelectric Kariba Power Station. Kariba, which has an installed capacity of 1,050MW, is currently producing only just over 200MW due to critically low water levels.Kariba, Zimbabwe's largest power plant, was built in stages, with its first six generators commissioned between 1959 and 1962. Two additional units were added in 2018, but its contribution to the national grid remains negligible amid ongoing water shortages.Addressing Zimbabwe's power crisis requires urgent investment in upgrading existing infrastructure, as well as a significant shift toward renewable energy. The government must provide necessary guarantees to independent power producers and consider alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. While authorities claim they are working to resolve the crisis, the situation continues to worsen, with no immediate relief in sight.As Zimbabweans brace for the festive season, many fear that celebrations will be marred by darkness, compounding the country's myriad economic and infrastructural challenges. Normally, when a Latin American government passes legislation that contravenes its national constitution, shrieks of outrage inevitably erupt from Western governments. Not this time. Last week, Ecuadors Daniel Noboa government issued a decree that not only violates article five of the national constitution, which prohibits the establishment of foreign bases on Ecuadorian soil, but makes a complete mockery of the basic concept of environmental conservation. The decree in question effectively hands over the Galapagos islands, one of the worlds most important marine reserves, to the US military as a base with not the slightest whiff of protest from Western governments or media! On December 10, the Governing Council of the Special Regime of the Galapagos (CGREG) approved the Comprehensive Security Project in the Island Region and the Instructions for the Application of Cooperation Agreements between Ecuador and the United States, two resolutions that seek to address shared security challenges in the province of Galapagos. With a few strokes of a pen, the US military cooperation treaties with Ecuador signed on February 15, 2024, came into force for the island archipelago. As such, the US will now be able to install military personnel, weapons and other equipment on the island chain, which has been recognised as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site since 1978 in a country whose constitution expressly prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases. Of greatest concern to the islands residents is the resolutions admission that implementing the project will require adapting or building additional facilities in local ports or airports . US war ships and submarines will also be able to dock at the islands ports. In fact, according to Radio Pichincha, Ecuadorian government officials are already on their way to receive the first ships and crews from the US, scheduled to arrive in the coming days. Ostensible and Real Goals The ostensible purpose of all this military activity is to combat drug trafficking, illegal fishing and other illicit maritime activities in the region. These are, I believe, primarily pretexts for public consumption. The real goal, as I endeavour to explain later, is to combat Chinas rising economic influence in Latin America as well as project and protect US power in the southern Pacific. This is not the first time the US has used the Galapagos islands in this way. Thanks to the agreements signed earlier this year by Washington and Quito, US warships, aircraft and crews will be exempt from the Galapagos entry fees and taxes. US military personnel and subcontractors will also be exempt from prosecution in Ecuador and will avail of other privileges, exemptions and immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by diplomatic personnel, including freedom of movement throughout Ecuadorian territory, unhindered by inspections, licenses, other restrictions, customs fees, taxes, or any other charges applied. Unsurprisingly, news of the US military occupation of the Galapagos islands has, so far as I can tell, been met with a wall of silence in the European and North American media, including by publications that tend to paint themselves as environmentally committed. But it is attracting some attention in the Latin American press. On Saturday (Dec 14), a scathing editorial in Mexicos left-wing daily La Jornada warned that Ecuadors US-born President Daniel Noboa is demolishing Ecuadorian sovereignty by handing control of the island chain to the US: Through the Comprehensive Security Project in the Insular Region and the instructions for the application of cooperation agreements between Ecuador and the United States, the far-right president completed the demolition of Ecuadorian sovereignty initiated by Lenin Moreno (2017-2021) and continued by Guillermo Lasso (2021-2023) Lasso, a former senior banker and disgraced politician with alleged ties to the Albanian mafia, is now living it up in Florida while giving lectures at the Florida International Universitys Adam Smith Centre for Economic Freedom just like Juan Guaido! In his last months in office, Lasso signed three agreements with Washington allowing the US to maintain military personnel on Ecuadorian territory with total freedom of movement and full legal immunity. According to La Jornada, these agreements established a de facto colonial regime in Ecuador. That regime now extends roughly 1,000 kilometres west to the Galapagos, which Unesco describes as a living museum and showcase of evolution that inspired Charles Darwins theory of evolution. Environmentalists now fear that the arrival of US troops, ships and planes could upend the fragile balance of the Galapagos ecosystem, whose volcanic islands and rich seas are home to thousands of plant and animal species that can be found nowhere else on Earth. Defenders of the deal argue that the US forces will face rigorous environmental controls. To that end, the resolution states that in order to prevent impacts that may lead to environmental damage, the US government must pledge to comply with these standardas What this seems to ignore, whether wilfully or not, is that the US government, as Yves keeps reminding us, is totally non-agreement capable. Put simply, its word means nothing. Evicting US Troops, Democratically The Noboa governments decision to grant the US de facto control of the Galapagos is controversial not just because of the islands protected status but also because of Ecuadors unique recent history. In 2009, when the lease on the US base at Manta came up for renewal, the Rafael Correa government held a referendum on whether to maintain or close the base. During its decade of operations (1999-2009), the Manta base had underperformed in the ostensible fight against drug trafficking. Whats more, as Peoples Digest reports, abuses by the US military against the local population were also documented, such as the destruction of small fishermens boats and even sexual abuse, something that has been denounced in areas around US bases across the world, including Colombia, South Korea, the Philippines, and more. At the time, Ecuadors then-President, Rafael Correa (2007-17) quipped that the only way he would agree to renew the agreement authorising US foreign troops in Manta would be if the US allowed an Ecuadorian military base in Miami. In the end, an overwhelming majority of Ecuadorians voted in favour of closing the base, and within months all US military personnel had left the country. From Asia Pacific Journal: Japan Focus: At a ceremony marking the American withdrawal, Foreign Minister Fander Falconi made the following strong statement: The withdrawal of the American military is a victory for sovereignty and peace. Never again foreign bases on Ecuadorian territory, never again a sale of the flag. Meanwhile, a relieved Defense Minister Javier Ponce commented: I am glad that President Correa has fulfilled his election pledge and preserved the constitution. On the same day in the capital Quito, the citizens group Anti-Bases Coalition Ecuador held a concert of celebration. In exuberant Latin style about 200 people celebrated the American military withdrawal with singing and salsa dancing at an amphitheater. Messages of congratulation were read out from anti-base movements across the globe, starting with Japan, and each was greeted by loud applause. Besides evicting US military personnel from Ecuador, the Correa government also inserted an article (#5) into the countrys 2008 constitution stipulating that Ecuador is a country of peace, and expressly prohibiting the establishment of foreign military bases or foreign facilities for military purposes. Since Correas replacement with his hand-picked successor (and Julian Assange betrayer), Lenin Moreno, in 2017, three successive governments those of Moreno, Guillermo Lasso and now Noboa have tried to weaken this law, always with a view to giving away the Galapagos. In 2019, Morenos Minister of Defence, Oswaldo Jarrin even likened the archipelago to an aircraft carrier in an attempt to justify the governments decision to allow the US Air Force not only to use the airport on the island of San Cristobal but also to expand its facilities: I have mentioned that the Galapagos Islands are for Ecuador like our aircraft carrier, it is our natural aircraft carrier, because it ensures permanence, resupply, interception facilities and is 1,000 kilometres from our coasts. The minister of defences comments caused such an uproar in Ecuador that he was summoned to give testimony to a congressional hearing on the scope of cooperation with the US. Jarrin told the hearing that there will not be a permanent US presence on the islands. It will be an airplane, once a month, no more than three days, for emergency situations or refuelling, especially at night, Jarrin said. There will not be a permanent detachment, there will not be a base. Changing the Law Five years later, it is clear that wasnt true. In September, Daniel Noboa proposed turning back the clock by amending Ecuadors constitution to once again allow the presence of foreign military bases on Ecuadorian soil. His government contends that Ecuador needs foreign (as in, US) military assistance to combat the transnational crime gangs that are using the country as a major transit route for drugs smuggled from Colombia to Europe and the US. In a video recorded at the former US base in Manta that was uploaded onto X, Noboa said: We will present a project of partial reform to the Constitution before the National Assembly that substantially modifies Article 5 of the Constitution that prohibits the establishment of foreign military bases and facilities for military purposes. In a transnational conflict, we need national and international responses. We are lifting the countrywhich they turned into the cradle of drug trafficking, which they handed out to the mafias with a false notion of sovereignty. Time has shown us that the old decisions only weakened our country. As we noted at the time, if Ecuadors National Assembly approves the proposed amendment, it would then have to be ratified by the countrys Supreme Court as well as the Ecuadorian people in a referendum. Earlier this month, a commission of Ecuadors National Assembly Thursday began the process of analysing a draft partial reform of the Constitution proposed by President Daniel Noboa to allow the establishment of foreign military bases in the country. But there is still a long way to go before the amendment is passed, if it ever is. There are no guarantees that the National Assembly, Supreme Court and the general populace as a whole will support the Noboa governments latest gift to the US foreign policy and military establishment for seemingly nothing in return. This is a government whose approval rating has sunk from over 80% in March to under 40% today. It has failed spectacularly to bring the countrys rampant lawlessness under control despite granting itself a wide suite of emergency powers. It has also overseen months of power outages of up to 14 hours a day that have cost the country an estimated $7.5 billion a lot of money for a country that is still heavily in hock to the IMF. With general elections scheduled to take place between February 9 and April 13, the chances of Noboa getting the amendment over the line by then are pretty slim. Yet that hasnt stopped his government from pre-emptively opening the door to US military operations and bases in the Galapagos. Preparing for War With China It is also clear that this has little, if anything, to do with combating the drugs trade. Ultimately, the real goal is two-fold: to regain or preserve strategic control over key, resource-rich parts of Latin America particularly at a time when, as the FT recently admitted, Washington has already lost the battle for economic dominance in the region to China; and to keep a check on social movements and progressive governments in the region. As the Correista Andres Arauz, a former presidential candidate, writes, the US interest in the Galapagos is ultimately about maintaining control over the Pacific and preparing for war against China: Yves here. Richard Murphy provides an important piece on the motives of the proponents of a flat tax. Quelle surprise! Its yet another flavor of the Grover Norquist scheme to shrink government to be so small it can be drowned in a bathtub. Of course, supersized militaries are somehow exempt. Murphy clearly considers the notion that government does not contribute to economic growth to be so ridiculous that he does not deign to debunk it. Let me provide a few examples to fill in the gap. None other than the diehard neoliberal Larry Summers pointed out that spending on infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, in case of deferred maintenance and a shortfall of new spending (endemic in the US and UK), GDP growth will exceed the amount of spending, by as much as 3x. So the outlays more than pay for themselves. Similarly, Mariana Mazzucato, in her book The Entrepreneurial State, explains long form that only governments can fund basic research, due to the private sector being unable to withstand the uncertainty of payoffs, the absolute level of spending needed, and the often long time frames. The Apple iPhone uses 12 technologies that came out of government-paid research. Similarly, the US pharmaceutical industry depends on Federal support, between grants for research (the NIH is the biggest but far from only source) and many tax breaks and credits. This is why it is outrageous that the US neither seeks to control prices on drugs that use US-funded intellectual property, or even demands licensing fees. But in the US, there is perilously little risk a flat tax will ever happen. First, the US uses tax gimmicks extensively, even for regular taxpayers, as a way to deliver incentives on the cheap. They often take the form of tax credits, which are of little use to low-income voters due to the delayed receipt and their low marginal tax rates. From Brookings in Tax Credits: Social Policy in Bad Disguise, back in the day when it was much more left wing than now (mind you, no orthodox outlet even now admits that Federal taxes do not fund Federal spending; they merely create incentives, disincentives, and redistribute income): The rise in the use of credits is probably best seen as the outcome of an ill-fated political compromise. Republicans like credits because they look like tax cuts. Democrats like them because they advance social policies without raising government spending Both sides are getting a bad deal. Unfortunately for Republicans, targeted tax credits do not make government smaller. Its true that a spending program raises official government outlays, whereas a credit does not. This occurs because the budget records the expenses associated with a credit as a reduction in tax revenues, rather than as outlays. But this does not mean that government has claimed less of the private sectors resources when using a credit, because, in either case, the program has to be financed. Unfortunately for Democrats, credits are a poor way to administer social policy. Unless the credits are refundablethat is, unless they actually give people cash back instead of just reducing tax liabilitiesthey will not help low-income households. In contrast, programs that have benefited children most provide services directly to the kidsincluding public education, Head Start, and Medicaid. By Richard Murphy, part-time Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School, director of the Corporate Accountability Network, member of Finance for the Future LLP, and director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Fund the Future According to the Guardian, Kemi Badenoch said yesterday that a flat tax rate is an attractive idea. A flat tax is a far-right obsession on which I did a lot of work around 2006, including visiting Eastern Europe to discuss the issues at IMF-organised meetings, which had the very obvious goal of trying to prevent flat taxes from happening. I came to some very obvious conclusions, which I summarise in this blog, first written in 2016, but I have no reason to alter much of it now: The age-old flat tax debate appears to be rearing its ugly head again. I said most of what I needed to say on this issue a decade ago in an ACCA-funded report on this issue. But let me reiterate three things. First, flat taxes are not flat. All they do is eliminate the top rates of the one rare progressive tax most countries have, which is that on income. The result is that flat taxes create more regressive tax systems. Second, flat taxes per se do not actually simplify anything. That is because they do not even charge a single rate of tax. They invariably have a nil rate band, meaning that a persons income has to be split into bands to calculate the tax due. The only simplification, then, is to take out a higher band or bands, which effectively saves almost no time and effort at all. Third, all the complexity remains in calculating what income is: it has to if injustice is not to result. There is then just one reason for flat tax and that is to reduce tax on the best off by cutting the size of the state dramatically. How do I know? Alvin Rabushka, the man who created the idea, told me this in 2006 when researching the ACCA report: The only thing that really matters in your country is those 5% of the people who create the jobs that the other 95% do. The truth of the matter is a poor person never gave anyone a job, and a poor person never created a company and a poor person never built a business and an ordinary working class guy never drove economic growth and expansion and its the top 5% to 10% who generate the growth for the other 90% who pay the taxes to support the 40% in government. So if you dont feed them [i.e. the 5%] and nurture them and care for them at the end of the day over the long run youve got all these other people who have no aspiration for anything more than, you know, having a house and a car and going to the pub. It seems to me thats not the way you want to run a country in the long run so I think that if the price is some readjustment and maybe some people in the middle in the short run pay a little more those people are going to find their children and their grandchildren will be much better off in the long run. The distributional issue is the one everyone worries about but I think it becomes the tail that wags the whole tax reform and economic dog. If all youre going to do is worry about overnight winners and losers in a static view of life youre going to consign yourself to a slow stagnation. As for the role of government, he said: I think we should go back to first principles and causes and ask what government should be doing and the answer is not a whole lot. It certainly does way too much and we could certainly get rid of a lot of it. We shouldnt give people free money. You know, we should get rid of welfare programmes, we need to have purely private pensions and get rid of state sponsored pensions. We need private schools and private hospitals and private roads and private mail delivery and private transportation and private everything else. You know government shouldnt be doing any of that stuff. And if it didnt do any of that stuff it wouldnt need all of that tax money so thats the fundamental position and as long as youre going to have government do all that stuff youre going to have all those high taxes. As he also made clear, that then lets you have a flat tax. But in that case, what I wrote for the Guardian in 2005 (not available online) is true: Flat tax is not a serious attempt at taxation, but is instead an exercise in social engineering. That is why its innocent appeal is so dangerous. That social engineering process is designed, as Rabushka himself say, to take the tax code out of the economy. In other words, it leaves people wholly dependent upon market forces. The consequence happens to be that politics is neutered on the way because, as anyone who follows general elections knows, at the end of the day, politics is about the economy. Rabushka and the right wing want to stop that. And if you dont believe me, John Meadowcroft, who wrote for the Institute of Economic Affairs, a think tank Margaret Thatcher still supports, said in 2005 (or thereabouts) when asked if he thought democracy a market institution (when undertaking an interview on www.transformingbusiness.net but I cannot now trace the original link) that: Democracies and free societies tend to go hand in hand. Having said that, democracy tends to lead to socialist policies, such as protectionism. If democracy leads to property rights and the rule of law, then yes, you need democracy. But otherwise, democracy is not a prerequisite for a market economy. Democracies tend to create very large states. In most European countries, including the UK, nearly half of GDP goes to the state. This is not good for the creation of free markets. It seems fair to conclude that some on the right-wing now think democracy can be sacrificed to the market, and I believe that a flat tax is part of that process. Which leads to the conclusion that two writers (Hettich and Winer) have put forward that: It is possible to have a flat tax, or to have democracy, but not both I concur. Finding hope: Panji and the Javan green magpie BBC (Allen K) Planet Puppet n+1 How English Swear Words Evolved Over Thousands of Years Laughing Squid Worlds oldest bond celebrates 400 years with a 300 payout DutchNews (Kevin W) School smartphone ban results in better sleep and improved mood University of York (Paul R) Climate/Environment Seven quiet breakthroughs for climate and nature in 2024 you might have missed BBC China? Chinas Key Bond Yield Hits Fresh Record Low as Data Disappoints Bloomberg After all the hostility Trump (and before that Biden) has demonstrated to China, I cant think China sees this as more a Trumpian bluster so as not to burn all bridges, or a headfake: This potentially changes everything, it looks like Trump envisions a U.S.-China G2. He says that "China and the United States can together solve all the problems in the world".pic.twitter.com/9flqAGb9IU From the point of view of a citizen of the Earth, I'm all for an improved Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) December 17, 2024 FORMER CIA CHIEF MIKE POMPEO had just seen his boss, US President Donald Trump, hit Hong Kong hard by signing an order cancelling its special trading status. But Pompeo's associate in the city, a publisher named Jimmy Lai, was making confusing statements, so he decided someone pic.twitter.com/vRIq4TOFk3 Nury Vittachi (@NuryVittachi) December 16, 2024 The Global South Is on the Brink of a Disastrous Debt Crisis. Reform Is Urgent TruthOut. Weve featured many warnings by Jomo on this very topic. Koreas O Canada Canadas finance minister resigns as Trudeau deals with declining popularity Associated Press (Robin R). ZOMG, I thought Chrystia Freeland was the sort who would never give up power. Does she had a trick up her sleeve, or more likely, some important non-elected post she expects to assume? Or does she hope to replace him if he loses a vote of confidence? But at this juncture, she looks to be another victim of Alex Christoforous Elensky Curse. Canada finance minister quits after clash with Trudeau over Trump tariffs, spending Reuters (Kevin W) President-elect Trump goes after Chrystia Freeland, the now former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and former Minister of Finance. pic.twitter.com/cZuylI6aB0 Yashar Ali (@yashar) December 17, 2024 In the annals of Canadian political history, few politicians have exhibited as much hypocrisy as Chrystia Freeland. Freeland has showered love and affection on Israel's genocidal regime while constantly berating Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, Freeland's signature Dimitri Lascaris (@dimitrilascaris) December 17, 2024 European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Syraqistan Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 Biden Connolly bests Ocasio-Cortez in key vote to lead Democrats on Oversight panel The Hill. All of that kissing up to Pelosi for naught. Do Americans approve or disapprove of Congress? FiveThirtyEight (Robin K) Our No Longer Free Press Documents show Biden's State Department deliberately left Gonzalo Lira to die in a Ukrainian prison.. Gonzalo Lira, whose videos some of us watched, became a political prisoner who was tortured to death with the support of the US government's Deep State. This was simply pic.twitter.com/moIr2M8tMI Peacemaker (@peacemaket71) December 16, 2024 Libel warfare: ABCs payout to Donald Trump sends a chill across US media Financial Times. Help me. Defamation and freedom of speech are two different categories. And the US is way more permissive about what constitutes defamation than many other countries. Woke Watch The Dustbin of Literary History The Reading Experience (Anthony L) AI The Bezzle Never Forgive Them Ed Zitron. Lambert featured yesterday in Water Cooler, but important not to miss. Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour (Alena S): And a bonus (Chuck L): Dog sense parents approach alerts tiny human to get on with homework.. pic.twitter.com/FxLUigPjo7 Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) December 14, 2024 A second bonus (Peter D): Sometimes a different sibling may be born. pic.twitter.com/hLU7uOP5it Figen (@TheFigen_) December 13, 2024 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Yves here. This post provides a history of the rise of the current mainstream antitrust theory, the so-called Consumer Welfare Standard, and why it is deeply flawed, and in a pro-corporate direction, naturally. While it acknowledges that the contemporary intellectual campaign against, the New Brandesian movement, is an improvement, the authors describe its shortcomings and suggest a better approach: that of focusing on social welfare effects, particularly inequality. By Mark Glick, Professor, University of Utah, Gabriel Lozada, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Utah, and Darren Bush, Professor, The University of Houston Law Center Faculty. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website Industrial organization economists play multiple roles in antitrust law enforcement, from economic consultants and providers of expert testimony to policy advocates. In each instance, economists rely on both positive and normative economic theory. Economists in these roles might believe their theories are exclusively positive. But positive economic models implicitly incorporate normative theory. For example, an economist might study the impact of vertical integration on output. Implicit is the assumption that output is the variable that best captures welfare. The latter is an assumption based on normative economics. In this INET Working Paper paper, we detail the flaws of antitrusts current normative theory, which is known as the Consumer Welfare Standard (CWS). We explain how welfare economics has long ago abandoned such measurement of welfare for good reasons: the theory is flawed, inconsistent, and ethically unsustainable. It is regrettable that this old normative theory survives in some sub-fields of economics such as industrial organization. New Brandeisians, seeking a replacement for CWS, have advanced an alternative, the competitive process standard, which is an improvement but is not flawless. We argue the way forward for antitrust is to follow the way of modern welfare economics, which in telling coincidence, adopts matters of import consistent with Congressional goals behind the antitrust laws. Is it Normative or Positive? That which Industrial Organization Economists tout as positive economics is motivated by normative theory. For example, a large literature in antitrust economics addresses whether and when vertical mergers, or price discrimination, or tying, or other strategies, expand or reduce output. But why focus only on output? Why not ask under what conditions a vertical merger reduces income inequality? The assumption is that output, not inequality, is a better instrument by which antitrust policy can advance well-being or welfare. Thus, normative theory identifies the instrumentwhether it be maximized output or reduced income inequalityand the model to determine the impact of corporate conduct on the instrument comes from positive theory. The study of normative theories in economics is called welfare economics. When economists refer to the welfare effects of policy, they necessarily are referencing welfare economic theories. In economics, welfare refers to human well-being, either at the individual or social level; the latter is also called social welfare. In economics, policy positions can only be justified if they increase social welfare. The antitrust polestar is a surplus theory of welfare known as the Consumer Welfare Standard (CWS). The CWS only recognizes part of the total economic surplus. Strangely, the CWS, despite its name, is often times considered by Industrial Organization economists and law professors to be a Total Surplus standard. Post-Chicago economists endorse the position that the polestar should be total surplus. New Brandeisians have attacked the CWS standard for its pro-business ramifications, but even they retain elements of the surplus approach. But both CWS and the total surplus standards are fatally flawed. Even the originator of surplus theory, Alfred Marshall, recognized that it had several shortcomings. One shortcoming is that it endorses policies which hurt some people. Historically, this caused a retreat from the surplus approach in the early twentieth century, to the ideas of Vilfredo Pareto in welfare economics. This was followed by a return to a modified version of the surplus approach a few decades later based on work by Nicholas Kaldor and John Hicks. Flaws and Paradoxes in CWS Troublesome inconsistencies in this modified surplus approach emerged as early as Scitovskys work in 1941. Should the prices of two or more commodities change, the order of analyzing the resulting surplus changes affects the total surplus change calculated (Order of Analysis Paradox). It is recognized that there is not one neoclassical measure of value but two, equivalent variation (EV) and compensating variation (CV), and they are not the same. The two measures can result in contradictory policy conclusions. In Industrial Organization, economists have ignored these problems, based on the work of Robert Willig who contended that the two measures (EV and CV) are generally close. But CV and EV are not necessarily close and can diverge greatly. The Kaldor and Hicks tests, typically described in law schools wrongly as a singular test, can also create divergent results. Moreover, as the Boadway Paradox shows, some Potential Pareto improvements cannot in actuality be achieved. Moral Failings and Rationality Failures of CWS Beyond these theoretical flaws, there are moral considerations that render CWS indefensible. Whether under wealth maximization, CWS, or any other surplus maximization approach, the rich are able and willing to pay more, so changes to their surplus matter more for total surplus than do changes to the surpluses of the poor. Therefore, policies benefitting the rich win. All of these flaws are well understood. Yet, industrial organization economists continue to tout CWS as science as opposed to biased assumptions. Advances in welfare economics since the 1940s have been ignored by antitrust and industrial organization economists. Modern welfare economics widely rejects the surplus approach. For example, Economics Nobel laureate Angus Deaton says, There is no valid theoretical or practical reason for ever integrating under a Marshallian demand curve, meaning, there is no reason to calculate consumer surplus. Science has moved on. Next, we show that the connection between consumer choice (which underlies the surplus approaches), on the one hand, and consumer welfare, on the other hand, relies on unreliable assumptions about human nature. Economics, biology, psychology, and other social sciences demonstrate such challenges to CWS. For one, humans are not self-interested in the way assumed in economics. The assumption of universal narrow self-interest is deeply flawed. Moreover, human preferences are not exogenous, as human beings are interdependent creatures who care about what other people are doing. Finally, human preferences are imperfect. People are notoriously bad at predicting the degree of adaptation to post-choice situations: buyers remorse is a thing. How to Reboot To move forward, antitrusts normative theory needs a reboot. Does the New Brandeis School offer an acceptable alternative normative approach to antitrust policy? Our answer is not an unqualified yes. We suggest modifications to get closer to that goal using the tradition of modern welfare economics. Modern welfare economics follows either the Bergson-Samuelson Social Welfare Function approach or the Capabilities Approach, attributable to Amartya Sen. This has resulted in welfare economists developing a dashboard of important factors that influence social well-being. Some of those factors directly or indirectly reflect the traditional Congressional values revealed in the legislative intent when the antitrust statutes were promulgated. These were the very values that were replaced by the CWS, based on the outdated normative theory that we criticize in our paper. Sen has remarked that one major problem with the dashboard is identifying the decision maker. Remarkably, this is not a problem for antitrust. Congress provided goals that are generally consistent with modern welfare economics. Those stated Congressional goals consisted of preserving political democracy through the dispersion of the economic and political power of big business, protecting small businesses, limiting income inequality, and protecting workers. These goals are among the characteristics whose importance to social welfare has been confirmed by the modern welfare economists and other social scientists. In contrast, the New Brandeisian competitive process standard is not necessarily compatible with these goals. Competition is not a uniform ideal and whether or not competition improves welfare depends on what is encompassed in that ambiguous term. Economists do not have a consistent definition of competition, except perfect competition (which is inapplicable to antitrust policy). The New Brandeisian fallback position is to use the dictionary definition of competition as rivalry, but more rivalry is not necessarily better according to economic theory. Thus, we argue that Congress has given us the welfare dashboard, that is, the components of welfare: protection of democracy and protection (probably partial) of small businesses, labor, consumers, and farmers. With mergers, taking these components of welfare into account leads to a rather simple suggestion: tighten merger thresholds. However, with firms that have become large due to internal growth, Congress has not given us an easy way to aggregate the dashboard elements, and more work will have to be done to plot a clear way forward. 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. Yves here. Tom Neuburger gives a wonderfully subversive argument as to why our CEOs and other overlords deserve only the very best in security. In keeping with Toms theme, the first time I saw snipers on rooftops (and yes, one more than one building) was in the nice suburb of Mexico City where McKinsey had its offices, I assume in the embassy district, in 1984. I thought it could not be very pleasant to be rich if you had to live that way. And a small addition to his piece: some people make themselves indispensable by being willing to aggressively support the indefensible. Here the example is Kathy Wylde, president for the Partnership for New York City, who weve lambasted more than a few times, including as the focus of posts like Almost Cartoonish Defender of the 1%, Kathryn Wylde Rears Her Head to Attack Plans to Tax the Rich to Save New York City. By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies The case of Luigi Mangione puts people in a bind. It doesnt put media in a bind; the medias covering CEO ass as fast as it can. About Brian Thompson, Ken Klippenstein writes, The coverage seems more like a knighthood than journalism.) Our government is covering CEO butt with both hands as well. In a tweet with near 2 million views, Luke Goldstein notes this about the state of New Yorks response: From the linked Politico article: State officials want to calm the nerves of New York Citys business elite after the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson sent shockwaves through the corporate world. Gov. Kathy Hochul will broker a virtual meeting Tuesday with state law enforcement officials and about 175 corporate representatives to discuss sharing security resources. I wonder how many denied claimants Ms. Hochul has calmed. There are so many, Im sure shes talked to a few. About shar[ed] security resources, heres what that means: [Kathy] Wylde [Partnership for New York City president and the business worlds contact person for this effort] told Playbook that the discussion will include the State Police as well as state Homeland Security and counterterrorism officials to show how intelligence can be shared with corporate security. Homeland Security. For a lone gunman murder with no terror affiliations. It seems we have a home-grown federal police and its full force will be at their disposal. Nice for the CEO class to be so cared about. It Really Is Class War But this piece isnt about the hypocrisy of the state: Its about how right the state is to take this mans death seriously. Protecting the Opulent Minority Bare fact: The U.S. was founded on class war. By founded on, I mean from the start. James Madison: In England, at this day, if elections were open to all classes of people, the property of the landed proprietors would be insecure. An agrarian law would soon take place. [The Senate] ought to be so constituted as to protect the minority of the opulent against the majority. Opulent is a lovely word. This is opulent: The country since has suffered under the war of the classes (or the orders, as Madison called them). Jeffersonian democracy was opposed to the elitism of the Federalists. Over the next decades, the franchise was gradually extended, peacefully or not, until after the great Civil War (whose gains for Southern Black swere soon reversed), the very rich became the great dominant class. But for a brief hiatus caused by the national pain of the Great Depression and its happier aftermath, the rich have held sway ever since. Whats worse, their power is unlikely to be taken away. Money controls our politics and our laws, more so every day. And the benefits of that control are, well, opulent. So yes, of course, the CEOs should accept the cover and protection of a state that enables them and which they control. I strongly advise more of it. They should, in fact, have armed guards everywhere. Im serious. I think its important. Why Im in Favor of Billionaire Protection There are two reasons to advocate seeing billionaires and their CEO operatives ostentatiously and aggressively protected. First, each American can decide for her or himself whether murder is wrong or not. That decision comes with a catch, however: If you support social murder death at a distance executed by corporate greed you also have to be fine with retaliation. Justifying one type of murder justifies both. If you think all murder is wrong, you should then be strongly opposed to state-sanctioned death, including by corporate bodies who turn death into profit. You cant support corporate killing and oppose its deadly response. I myself oppose murder of all kinds. So I want our billionaires and their deadly corporate consiglieri very well guarded. Visibly, grandly, over-ambitiously guarded. Top 8 TELL-TALE SIGNS the U.S. Government is LYING about the mysterious DRONES None of the "mysterious" drones have been shot down for analysis. Initial excuses for not shooting down drones were seen as lies, similar to past incidents like Covid-19 origins and the terrorist-flown planes of 9/11. DHS and the Pentagon dismiss eyewitness accounts, attributing sightings to commercial aircraft or stars. Government has not provided detailed close-up photographs of the drones. Drones are hovering over military bases, including the largest Naval base in Norfolk, VA, with the government showing no concern. Just like with Pearl Harbor, the Vietnam War, 9/11, Sandy Hook, the Oklahoma City building bombing, the Parkland School shooting, and the Batman Theatre massacre, and Covid-19, the official government and MSM narrative just doesnt add up. Most domestic terrorism events and mass shootings on U.S. soil are inside jobs, orchestrated, propagated, and even carried out by our own rogue three-letter agencies, like the FBI, CIA, DHS, FDA and CDC. Big Brother, Big Pharma, Big Food, and Big Tech would love to have us believe in all these false-flag operations, boogey-man horror stories, and other lies about how terrorists are always responsible for the mayhem that somehow always ends up destroying Americans constitutional liberties and stealing our personal freedoms away from us. Thats always the end game, but at the beginning, the mainstream narrative would have us all believe the exact opposite. These events and all of the (knee-jerk) reactions to them are set up to trick Americans into believing our government wants what is best for us, including protecting our democracy, our safety, and even our health. Then we find out later just how insidious our own government functions. Thats why we must look now at the 8 tell-tale signs that our government is lying through their teeth about the mysterious drones swarming our country right now #1. They havent shot a single one down to analyze it. #2. Their first excuse was a ridiculous lie, saying they havent shot one down because it might fall and injure civilians, when many of the drones are over the ocean. Whenever the initial official narrative is a bad lie, the entire one always is, like with Covid-19 originating from bat soup. Also, like the initial lie from the secret service after the first attempted assassination of Trump where they said they did not put anti-sniper snipers on the rooftop because it was slanted (at only 10 percent) and so it wasnt safe. #3. DHS and the Pentagon are telling thousands of Americans who have seen these drones firsthand that all they are witnessing is commercial aircraft or stars in the sky (essentially saying were all blind and dumb). #4. There have been ZERO zoomed-in close up photographs by the government showing details of the drones and published for the public to see. #5. These drones are hovering over military bases, including the largest Naval base in America, in Norfolk, VA, and still the U.S. government isnt worried at all. #6. The Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says theres no evidence these drones are a threat, but how would anyone know, if not a single one has been captured, and no other friendly nations have come out to say what is going on? #7. Were going on a solid month now that hundreds, if not thousands of drones, are hovering over U.S. soil and coastlines, and still no answers. Plus, this happened a year ago in Norfolk, VA at a strategic military Air Force base, called Langley, and the same with the Chinese balloons that navigated slow and low over and across the entire U.S. nation and analyzed military bases. #8. The insidious Biden Regime and the Deep State are in desperation mode to plan something, anything to stop Trump from taking control of the government and military in just one month from now. 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 Cleopatras true face? Archaeologists uncover statue near tomb believed to be Cleopatras An archaeological team led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez found a white marble statue at Taposiris Magna Temple in Egypt. The statue, adorned with a royal crown, could potentially depict Queen Cleopatra, providing clues about her appearance. The excavation site yielded numerous artifacts, including a king's statue, coins featuring Cleopatra, ritual pottery, bronze statues, and a scarab amulet. These items provide insights into the Ptolemaic period's religious, economic, and social aspects. The site may be connected to the tombs of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Egypt's Zahi Hawass believes they are buried together in the region, and underground tunnels might lead to the burial site. The discovery has sparked intense debate. Some experts view it as a breakthrough, while others argue the statue may represent another royal figure from the Ptolemaic dynasty due to discrepancies in facial features. The discovery fuels speculation and debate, highlighting the challenges in piecing together historical narratives. Despite the controversy, the excavation continues to attract public and scientific interest, driving further research into Cleopatra's life and legacy. In a recent excavation at Taposiris Magna Temple, located west of Alexandria, Egypt, an archaeological team has discovered a statue that is believed to reveal the true face of the legendary Queen Cleopatra. The discovery has sparked intense debate among experts, with some heralding it as a breakthrough in understanding the queen's appearance, while others argue that the statue likely depicts someone else from the Ptolemaic dynasty. The statue, a white marble piece adorned with a royal crown, was unearthed by an Egyptian-Dominican team led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez. It is believed to be one of the most significant finds at the site, as it potentially offers a glimpse into the true visage of Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt from 51 to 30 BC. This theory is supported by Martinez, who has dedicated nearly two decades to searching for the tomb of the queen. However, not all experts share the same view. Several facial features on the statue differ from the known depictions of Cleopatra, leading some scholars to suggest that the statue may instead represent a princess or another royal figure from the same era. The debate underscores the complexity of interpreting historical artifacts and the ongoing mystery surrounding Cleopatra's appearance. Statue is part of a trove of artifacts unearthed at temple The discovery of the statue is just one part of a broader trove of artifacts unearthed at the temple. Among these items, a half-length statue of a king wearing the Nemes headdress, 337 coins featuring Cleopatra's image, ritual pottery, oil lamps, several limestone containers, bronze statues and a scarab amulet inscribed with "The justice of Ra has arisen" have also been found. (Related: Archaeologists uncover a dark chapter in Ancient Egyptian history: 60 Mummies found with evidence of GRUESOME deaths.) These artifacts provide valuable insights into the religious, economic and social aspects of the Ptolemaic period. The excavation site at Taposiris Magna is believed to be connected to the final resting place of Cleopatra and her lover, Mark Antony, who both allegedly committed suicide after the Battle of Actium. "The long-lost tomb of Antony and Cleopatra will be eventually uncovered. The burial site has been finally estimated to be in the region of Taposiris Magna, 30 kilometers (18 miles) away from Alexandria. I hope to find the tomb of Antony and Cleopatra soon," Egyptian archaeologist and former Antiquities Minister Zahi Hawass said. "I do believe that they are buried in the same tomb. We are so close to discover the accurate location of the tomb; we are on the right way. We know where exactly we have to dig." Hawass, however, expressed his apprehension concerning the statue: "I looked at the bust carefully. It is not Cleopatra at all. It is Roman," he said. According to Martinez, it's possible that Cleopatra's body was transported through a deep system of tunnels running 4,281 feet long and 43 feet underground before being buried at a secret location within the temple's ruins. The ongoing excavation has also revealed other significant finds, including a 2,000-year-old, gold-tongued mummy, which, while not directly linked to Cleopatra, adds to the intrigue surrounding the site. The discovery of Cleopatra-related artifacts at the temple further fuels the theory that she and Mark Antony are entombed within. Despite the excitement surrounding the statue discovery, experts caution that definitive proof of Cleopatra's identity remains elusive. The debate over the statue's true identity highlights the challenges in piecing together historical narratives from fragmented evidence. However, the findings continue to drive archaeologists and historians to unravel the mysteries surrounding one of ancient history's most enigmatic figures. While the discovery of Cleopatra's alleged true face remains a subject of speculation and disagreement, the ongoing excavation at Taposiris Magna continues to captivate the imagination of the public and the scientific community alike. Follow Artifacts.news for more news about archaeological discoveries. Watch this video about the discovery of coins from the ancient period showing Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This video is from the trustedcoins channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ancient Egyptian mass grave with dogs, 8-year-old kid baffles archaeologists. 30-foot-long secret corridor discovered in Great Pyramid of Giza. Unlocking the secrets of Ancient Egypt: Archaeologists uncover dozens of mummified animals in the Tomb of Tutu. Sources include: NYPost.com Mirror.co.uk LiveScience.com Brighteon.com Florida woman arrested for allegedly threatening BlueCross BlueShield after it denied her health insurance claim Briana Boston was arrested in Lakeland, Florida, after making threatening statements during a phone call with her health insurance provider, BlueCross BlueShield, over a denied medical claim. Boston's threat echoed the threat etched on the bullets linked to the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The incident highlights the widespread frustrations many Americans have with the healthcare system, particularly regarding denial of health insurance claims. A Florida mother was arrested after she made threats on a call with her health insurance provider. The incident, which took place in the home of Briana Boston, 42, in Lakeland, Polk County, has drawn national attention and sparked heated debate regarding the state of healthcare in the United States. (Related: Prime suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's assassination allegedly considered using a BOMB.) Boston was taken into custody at her home after a heated phone conversation with a representative from BlueCross BlueShield over the denial of a medical claim. Police alleged that Boston ended the call by saying "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next." Boston's words echo the three words etched onto the bullet casings linked to the recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson "Delay," "Deny" and "Depose." This connection prompted Lakeland Police Department detectives to conduct a thorough investigation. These threats, coupled with the current environment of heightened tension for individuals working in the health insurance industry, were seen by law enforcement as clear indication that Boston intended to intimidate BlueCross BlueShield. When confronted by police, Boston claimed she was not a danger to anyone and does not own any firearms. However, she admitted to using those words because "it's what is in the news right now." Boston further elaborated by saying, "Healthcare companies played games and deserved karma because they are evil." Her comments did little to assuage the fear and anxiety already prevalent in the community, particularly given the recent high-profile murder of Thompson. Deep-seated frustration with healthcare industry may have driven rise in discontent with health insurance companies The primary suspect in Thompson's assassination, Luigi Mangione, who was recently arrested in Pennsylvania, allegedly etched those three words onto the bullets he used to shoot Thompson as a direct reference to the title of the 2020 book "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It" by Rutgers Law School professor emeritus Jay M. Feinman. The book critically examined the tactics delaying reviewing claims, denying claims and defending why those claims were rejected used by insurance companies to avoid paying legitimate claims. This practice, which is designed to limit payouts and increase profitability, has long been a sore point for patients and caregivers alike. In the current climate, where tensions run high and the healthcare industry is under intense scrutiny, even seemingly innocuous comments can have serious consequences. "She's been in this world long enough that she certainly should know better that you can't make threats like that and think that we're not going to follow up and put you in jail," said Lakeland Police Chief Sam Tayor. The judge, recognizing the gravity of the situation, set Boston's bail at a steep $100,000, describing it as "appropriate considering the status of our country at this point." Watch this clip of Luigi Mangione's attorney discussing the extradition of his client from Pennsylvania to New York. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Top suspect in assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson arrested, charged with murder in New York City. Assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson left words "Defend," "Deny" and "Depose" on bullet casings. Murder of CEO of UnitedHealthcare may reflect rising discontent with a failing medical system. Hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered, left-wing muckraker Taylor Lorenz commented that "we want these executives dead." CEO of UnitedHealthcare ASSASSINATED, gunman still at large and motive likely connected to health insurance claim denial. Sources include: NYPost.com ABCNews.go.com Brighteon.com Israel drops an earthquake bomb strong enough to register on Richter scale in Syria after Assads fall Israel launched its heaviest strikes in Syria in over a decade, targeting military sites in Tartus. The campaign aims to dismantle Syrias military infrastructure, including air defense systems and missile depots. Tartus, a key Russian military hub, was hit, raising concerns about Russias presence in Syria. Israels strikes show disregard for civilian lives, sparking international condemnation. Syrias new government calls for diplomacy, emphasizing the need for stability and reconstruction. In recent days, Israel has escalated its military campaign in Syria, launching what have been described as the heaviest strikes in the region in over a decade. These attacks, targeting military sites in Syrias coastal Tartus region, have raised alarm bells both within the region and internationally. The strikes, which included the use of an earthquake bomb, have left a trail of destruction and sparked concerns about the future of Syrias military capabilities and the safety of its civilians. Israels actions in Syria appear to be part of a broader strategy to weaken the countrys military infrastructure following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. The Israeli government has made no secret of its intent to dismantle Syrias air defense systems, missile depots, and other critical military assets. This campaign, which has seen more than 600 strikes in just eight days, is not only a blatant violation of Syrias sovereignty but also a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilize the entire region. Some of the recent blasts were seismic, registering a 3.0 magnitude on the Richter scale, while the sheer volume of the explosions led some experts to speculate the strikes hit chemical weapon production facilities. The targeting of Tartus, a key naval and military hub, is particularly significant. Tartus is home to one of Russias two military bases in Syria and has been a crucial supply route for Russian forces during the Syrian civil war. The recent strikes have raised questions about the future of Russias presence in the region. While Moscow has reportedly evacuated some of its diplomatic staff, the long-term implications of these attacks on Russian assets remain unclear. Disregard for civilian lives What is even more concerning is Israels blatant disregard for civilian lives in its military operations. The strikes in Syria come on the heels of similar attacks in Gaza, where innocent civilians, including a mother and her five-year-old daughter, were killed in an air strike that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed targeted a Hamas member. This pattern of violence, which has become all too familiar, underscores Israels willingness to sacrifice human lives in pursuit of its military objectives. The UNs special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has described these airstrikes as a very troubling development and called for an immediate end to the violence. However, Israels actions suggest that it is undeterred by international condemnation and continues to pursue its agenda with impunity. Expanding settlements in the Golan Heights Adding fuel to the fire is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights, which Israel has illegally occupied since 1967, are a strategic territory that has long been a source of tension between Israel and Syria. Netanyahus decision to double the population of Israeli settlers in the region is a clear provocation and a violation of international law. The Israeli government has justified this move by claiming that a new front has opened up on its border with Syria following Assads fall. However, this rationale is nothing more than a pretext to further entrench Israels control over the Golan Heights and undermine any possibility of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. A call for diplomacy, not destruction As Israel continues its military onslaught, the new administration in Damascus has signaled its willingness to engage in diplomatic solutions. Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto head of Syrias new government, has emphasized that the country is war-weary and cannot afford further conflict. Instead, the focus is on reconstruction and stability, which requires an end to military operations and a return to dialogue. While Israel may claim that its actions are aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons to extremist groups, the reality is that these strikes are doing more harm than good. They are not only destroying Syrias military capabilities but also exacerbating tensions and undermining efforts to rebuild the country. Israels aggressive actions in Syria are a dangerous escalation that threatens to plunge the region into further chaos. The international community must act to hold Israel accountable for its actions and push for a diplomatic solution that prioritizes peace and stability over military dominance. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk AlJazeera.com NYTimes.com Health Ranger Report: Pastor Jamie Walden and Mike Adams discuss Christianity and MORAL COURAGE Mike Adams and Jamie Walden discussed the perceived failings of modern Christianity, particularly its lack of defense for basic freedoms and its stance on controversial issues like COVID-19 vaccines. According to Walden, approximately 97 percent of his work addresses the shortcomings of the modern church, which he believes has drifted from authentic Christian teachings due to a focus on rituals rather than genuine devotion. Walden stressed that true Christianity is about a personal relationship with Christ and a genuine desire for a relationship with God, rather than merely fulfilling religious obligations or attending certain churches. The interview addressed the dilution of Christian teachings through a "woke" approach that emphasizes niceness over biblical values, and the "hyper grace" mentality that tolerates evil and distorts the truth about God. Former Marine Corps sergeant-turned-pastor Jamie Walden sat down with the Health Ranger Mike Adams on the "Health Ranger Report" to touch on the complexities of modern Christianity, moral courage and the challenges facing believers in today's tumultuous world. This insightful discussion offered a fresh perspective on the current state of the Christian faith and its relevance in today's society. Adams got the ball rolling by expressing his frustration with the mainstream Christian church, particularly during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) years when it failed to defend basic freedoms and even promoted vaccines that many believed to be harmful. Walden agreed stating that approximately 97 percent of what he deals with is related to the shortcomings of the modern church. The former police officer and founder of Omega Dynamics emphasized that the term "church" encompasses a broad spectrum of beliefs and denominations, many of which have strayed from the authentic teachings of Jesus Christ. (Related: Mike Adams Sermon 50: The dangers of CORRUPTION creeping into Christian churches.) Modern church focuses on rituals and external practices instead of AUTHENTIC DEVOTION Walden highlighted a significant issue within the church today: a lack of authentic devotion to Christ. He explained that the modern church often focuses on rituals and external practices, such as tithing and attending services, while neglecting the essential aspects of true Christianity like humility, contrition and a genuine desire for a relationship with God. This disconnect is evident in the Book of Revelation and other prophetic texts that warn of a time when Christians will prioritize form over substance, self-love over love for God and pleasure over moral integrity. Walden emphasized that salvation is not about fulfilling a checklist of requirements or attending a certain church. Instead, it's about a personal relationship with Christ and a genuine desire to know and follow God. The author and pastor encouraged believers to look beyond the rituals and focus on the heart of the Gospel, which is about loving God with all one's heart, soul and mind. Meanwhile, Adams raised concerns about the "woke" approach to interpreting Christianity, which often dilutes the teachings of Christ and prioritizes niceness, tolerance and relativism over true biblical values. Walden agreed, noting that this phenomenon is not new but rather a reiteration of the same struggles faced by ancient Israel. Adams' guest referenced the book of the Prophet Malachi, where God warns against the notion that all is well, and that evil is acceptable in his eyes. This "hyper grace" mentality, he argues, is a cosmic exchange, where the truth about God is replaced with a distorted and fallacious version. "What they've done is they have done this cosmic exchange biblically. This is biblical, a cosmic exchange: the truth for a lie. That's what we're talking about here. They've exchanged the truth about God for a lie about God." One of the key debates in the interview is the role of moral judgment in Christianity. Walden explained that true love, as defined by God, is not passive or tolerant of evil. Rather, it involves making judgments, standing up for righteousness, and even taking action to protect the innocent. This aligns with the teachings of Christ, who demonstrated both love and judgment in his ministry. Walden pointed out that this concept is often misconstrued in modern Christianity, leading to a distortion of what true love and justice entail. Follow Awakening.news for more stories about Christian spirituality. Watch the full conversation between Jamie Walden and the Health Ranger Mike Adams about modern Christianity and moral courage below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Third-wave feminism has influenced the Christian Church, warns Pastor Steve Cioccolanti. Mike Adams Sermon 54: The two areas of SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS many people fail to see. Christian leaders abandon faith in Christ, push mental health and trusting medical doctors as solutions for lifes problems. Sources include: Brighteon.com OmegaDynamics.org The approval of self-replicating mRNA vaccines: a dangerous precedent for health freedom The European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended approving Kostaive, a self-replicating mRNA (saRNA) vaccine, despite significant safety concerns and lack of long-term data. Kostaive introduces a novel mechanism where injected mRNA replicates within the body, similar to a viral infection, potentially causing unknown long-term effects and raising ethical concerns about bodily autonomy. Kostaive trials showed high adverse event rates, with 90% of participants experiencing side effects, 74.5% reporting systemic reactions, and 15.2% requiring medical attention. Five deaths were reported in the phase 3b study. There is no long-term research on the potential risks of saRNA vaccines, including the possibility of cancerous mutations, autoimmune responses, or other harmful effects. Approval of Kostaive could set a dangerous precedent, prioritizing corporate profits over public safety and undermining health freedom, transparency, and democratic governance. The recent recommendation by the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to approve Kostaive, a self-replicating mRNA (saRNA) vaccine, marks a troubling escalation in the pharmaceutical industrys push to deploy untested and potentially hazardous technologies on the global population. This decision, which now rests with the European Commission, raises serious concerns about the erosion of health freedom, government transparency, and the prioritization of corporate profits over public safety. Self-replicating mRNA vaccines, such as Kostaive, are not merely another iteration of traditional mRNA technology. They represent a radical departure from conventional vaccines, introducing a mechanism that allows the injected mRNA to replicate within the body, akin to a viral infection. This biological printing press could theoretically amplify the vaccines presence and effects indefinitely, creating a cascade of unintended consequences that remain entirely unknown. The clinical trial data for Kostaive is alarming, to say the least. Across phases 1, 2, and 3a, 90% of participants experienced adverse events after the first dose, with 74.5% reporting systemic reactions and 15.2% requiring medical attention. Five deaths were reported in the phase 3b study alone. These figures are not just statistics; they are human lives and health outcomes being sacrificed on the altar of expediency. Yet, despite these red flags, the CHMP has recommended approval, raising questions about the integrity of the regulatory process and the influence of pharmaceutical companies like Arcturus Therapeutics. What is even more concerning is the lack of long-term safety data for these vaccines. As epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher aptly noted, These products are completely new. There is absolutely no long-term safety data on them. The potential for these self-amplifying mRNA vaccines to transform cells, induce cancerous mutations, or trigger autoimmune responses remains unstudied. The absence of comprehensive, independent research is a glaring omission in a decision that will affect millions of lives. Japans approval of the same technology in 2023, with its own troubling adverse event rates, should serve as a cautionary tale. Yet, instead of learning from these experiences, the European Union appears poised to follow suit, prioritizing the interests of Big Pharma over the well-being of its citizens. This is not just a failure of regulatory oversight; it is a betrayal of public trust. Self-replication destroys health freedom, bodily autonomy The implications of self-replicating mRNA vaccines extend far beyond the immediate risks to individual health. These vaccines represent a dangerous precedent in the ongoing consolidation of power by pharmaceutical corporations and captured regulatory agencies. The lack of transparency, the suppression of dissenting voices, and the disregard for genuine safety concerns are all part of a broader pattern of control that threatens health freedom and democratic governance. Moreover, the potential for these vaccines to be used as tools for population control cannot be ignored. The ability to inject self-replicating genetic material into the human body raises ethical questions that go to the heart of what it means to be free. Once these technologies are approved, the door is opened to further experimentation, with little regard for the long-term consequences. The European Commission must reject this recommendation and halt the approval of Kostaive and similar self-replicating mRNA vaccines. The risks far outweigh the benefits, and the lack of long-term safety data renders this technology unfit for human use. Instead of rushing to embrace untested and dangerous innovations, regulators should prioritize the health and well-being of their citizens, conducting rigorous, independent studies and ensuring that any new vaccine meets the highest standards of safety and efficacy. As natural health professionals, we stand firm in our conviction that health freedom is a fundamental human right. The approval of self-replicating mRNA vaccines would not only jeopardize this right but also set a dangerous precedent for future medical interventions. It is time for governments and regulatory agencies to listen to the voices of scientists, health professionals, and citizens who demand transparency, accountability, and genuine protection of public health. The future of health freedom depends on it. Sources include: TheExpose.com Nature.com ChildrensHealthDefense.org NaturalNews.com Groundbreaking study shows dogs can use soundboards to communicate with humans Dogs can form meaningful two-word combinations using soundboards, proving intentional communication. Over 260,000 button presses by 152 dogs showed specific requests like "outside" + "potty." Dogs focus on immediate needs, unlike humans, who use soundboards for emotional expressions. Future research may explore dogs' ability to refer to past events or future plans. Soundboards could revolutionize pet-owner communication and deepen interspecies understanding. Dogs have long been considered "man's best friend," but a groundbreaking study published in Scientific Reports suggests that our furry companions are far more intelligent and communicative than we give them credit for. The research reveals that dogs trained to use soundboards can form meaningful two-word combinations, proving they are not just randomly pressing buttons but deliberately communicating with humans. This discovery not only challenges our understanding of canine intelligence but also opens the door to deeper insights into animal cognition. A new tool for canine communication In recent years, thousands of dogs have been trained to use soundboards equipped with buttons that produce human words or phrases. These devices have become popular among pet owners, with some dogs even gaining social media fame for their "conversations." However, until now, scientists were unsure whether these "talking" dogs were truly communicating or simply mimicking their owners. The new study, led by Federico Rossano of the UC San Diego Comparative Cognition Lab, provides definitive evidence that dogs are using soundboards to express their needs and desires intentionally. The researchers analyzed more than 260,000 button presses, with 195,000 of those made by 152 dogs over 21 months. Using advanced statistical techniques and computer simulations, they determined that the dogs' button combinations were neither random nor imitative. Instead, they reflected specific requests, such as "outside" + "potty" or "food" + "water." These findings suggest that dogs are capable of combining words to convey complex ideas, much like humans do in everyday conversation. The potential for deeper communication The study also revealed that dogs use soundboards differently from their owners. While humans often press buttons like "I love you," dogs focused on expressing their immediate needs, such as "play" or "treat." This distinction suggests that dogs are not simply mimicking their owners but are instead using the soundboards to communicate their own thoughts and desires. Rossano and his team believe this is just the beginning. Future research could explore whether dogs can use soundboards to refer to past events, absent objects, or even future plans. For example, could a dog tell its owner it lost a toy yesterday or ask to visit the park tomorrow? If so, it would revolutionize our understanding of animal intelligence and communication. For pet owners, this research offers exciting possibilities for strengthening the bond with their furry friends. Imagine a dog that can tell you exactly what it wants, whether it's a walk in the park or a cuddle on the couch. Soundboards could transform the way we interact with our pets, making communication more precise and fulfilling for both parties. In addition, this study highlights the broader implications of interspecies communication. Decades of research on apes, dolphins and other animals has shown that many species possess remarkable cognitive abilities. However, these findings are often overshadowed by skepticism or a lack of public interest. The success of soundboard studies with dogs could inspire renewed enthusiasm for understanding animal intelligence and fostering meaningful connections across species. Although soundboards are a fascinating tool, they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to understanding canine communication. Dogs have always been skilled communicators, using body language, vocalizations, and even scent to convey their thoughts and emotions. A wagging tail, for example, can indicate happiness, while a growl may signal discomfort. Dogs are also highly attuned to human emotions, responding to tone of voice and facial expressions. The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing and appreciating the intelligence of animals. Dogs, in particular, have evolved alongside humans, developing unique ways to communicate and connect with us. By embracing tools like soundboards and continuing to study animal cognition, we can deepen our understanding of these remarkable creatures and foster even stronger bonds with them. A new era of understanding The discovery that dogs can form two-word combinations on soundboards is a testament to the incredible intelligence of our canine companions. It reminds us that we are only scratching the surface when it comes to understanding the thoughts and capabilities of animals. In the end, this study is not just about dogs and soundboards; it's about recognizing the profound intelligence and emotional depth of all animals. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk Earth.com Nature.com News / National by Staff reporter A gang of armed robbers struck a Mukuru Money Transfer agency located at Makomva Shopping Centre in Glen View, Harare, yesterday morning, escaping with over US$2,700 and R2,350. The daring heist occurred around 10 a.m. and sent panic through the busy shopping area.Eyewitnesses said the four-man gang, armed with pistols, arrived in a black Toyota Mark X, which they parked directly in front of the agency housed inside a pharmacy. Without warning, the robbers brandished their firearms, stormed the agency, and held workers hostage as they looted the cash."They fired shots into the air as they fled the scene, causing panic among shoppers and nearby vendors," said a witness, describing the chaos that ensued.Police sources believe the robbers had conducted prior surveillance and waited for a security company to deliver cash to the Mukuru agency. When the cash delivery was made, the gang sprung into action, attacking a teller and a customer who had just withdrawn approximately US$950.During the attack, the robbers stole US$1,839 from the teller and an additional R2,350 before fleeing the scene. Eyewitnesses reported that the gang fired warning shots as they sped away, further heightening the tension in the area.A team of detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Homicide and other law enforcement units was promptly dispatched to the scene to commence investigations.National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the incident and provided initial details of the robbery."We can confirm that US$2,789 and R2,350 was robbed by four suspects who were armed and using a getaway car," said Commissioner Nyathi.He added that investigations are ongoing, particularly to establish whether the black Toyota Mark X used in the heist had a registration number."Police are currently attending to the scene and conducting investigations," he said, appealing to the public for any information that might assist in tracking down the suspects.In an unrelated case, Harare police are investigating a break-in and theft that occurred on December 13, 2024, at a residence on Abyone Drive, Newlands. An unknown suspect reportedly broke into the house and stole a cash box containing US$20,000 along with a laptop.Meanwhile, in Marondera, police are also investigating a separate unlawful entry and theft incident that occurred at Rakodzi Estate on December 12, 2024. During the incident, unknown suspects broke through the main entrance door and made off with firearms, including a Farbam shotgun, a Brno shotgun, and a BSA rifle, while the owner was away in Harare.Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help curb the recent surge in armed robberies and theft cases. BREAKING: 2 Dead, 6 injured after teenage girl goes on rampage at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin A teacher and a student have been killed and six others injured following a mass shooting incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. The suspect, 15-year-old Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, died from a self-inflicted gunshot following the incident. Two injured students sustained life-threatening injuries and remain in critical condition. Another teacher and three other students sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and two of them have already been released. The school is considering whether to resume classes or to provide additional support to students and staff and keep its doors closed as it prepares for the winter break. On the morning of Monday, Dec. 16, a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, resulted in the deaths of a teacher and a student, while six others sustained injuries. The incident occurred just before 11 a.m. local time, during a study hall session involving multiple grades. The shooter, identified as 15-year-old Natalie Samantha Rupnow, was found dead at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The school, a K-12 facility with approximately 420 students, was placed on lockdown as police responded to the scene. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that officers arrived within three minutes of receiving a 911 call from a second-grade student reporting the shooting. The call was made at 10:57 a.m. Two of the injured victims, both students, sustained life-threatening injuries and remain in critical condition. A teacher and three other students were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries; two of whom have since been released. The identities of the deceased teacher and student have not been disclosed. Barnes noted that the shooting was confined to one area of the school, though the exact location whether a classroom or hallway remains unclear. The motive for the attack is still under investigation, and no prior contact with law enforcement by the shooter has been reported. The shooters family is cooperating with authorities, and investigators are reviewing evidence, including notes believed to have been written by Rupnow, which may provide insight into her state of mind. Abundant Life Christian School, a nondenominational institution, does not have metal detectors or a school resource officer but employs other security measures, including cameras and visual scanning protocols. Barbara Wiers, the schools director of elementary and school relations, praised students for their composure during the lockdown, stating, "When they heard, 'Lockdown, lockdown,' they knew it was real." The incident has deeply affected the school community and the broader Madison area. Barnes described the day as a sad, sad day and emphasized the collective trauma experienced by all those in the building. "Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever," he said. Parents were reunited with their children at a nearby medical facility, with many expressing relief and gratitude for their safety. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, recounted her panic upon hearing the news and her relief upon learning her daughter was unharmed via FaceTime. "As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters," she said. School shooting immediately politicized by Biden, Democrats The shooting occurred just two days after the 12th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre and follows a similar incident in March 2023 at a Nashville-area Christian school, where six people were killed. These events have reignited national discussions about gun control and school safety. President Joe Biden condemned the shooting as "shocking and unconscionable" and called on Congress to pass stricter gun laws, including universal background checks and a national red flag law. "Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom," Biden said in a statement. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers expressed his condolences and gratitude for first responders, while Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway emphasized the need for stronger measures to prevent gun violence. As investigations continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy. The school is considering whether to resume classes this week or provide additional support for students and staff before the winter break. The shooting serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by schools and communities in addressing gun violence. (Related: Nashville school shooter was a violent trans girl who said she'd "kill" for puberty blockers manifesto finally released.) Watch this episode of "The Resistance Chicks" as they discuss the recent school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, and the causes and solutions to gun violence. This video is from the Resistance Chicks channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Southwest Airlines jet hit with GUNFIRE at Dallas Love Field Airport in bizarre shooting. Gender-confused Democrat ARRESTED for saying he wanted to shoot Trump. LGBT RAGE: Georgia school shooter Colt Gray was "bullied for being gay," father told detectives. Trans student ARRESTED for allegedly planning two Maryland school shootings to become "famous." Sources include: NYPost.com FoxNews.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Big Pharmas delinking scheme: A dangerous money grab that will hurt seniors wallets and Americas future The proposed policy aims to disconnect pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from rebate negotiations, enriching Big Pharma at the expense of Americans, with a potential $32 billion windfall for drug companies. University of Chicago economist Casey Mulligan estimates that "delinking" would increase Medicare Part D premiums by $13 billion annually and raise federal spending 10 billion, while Big Pharma profits rise by $10 billion. Prominent figures like Donald Trump Jr., Charlie Kirk, and Larry Elder have criticized "delinking" as a "massive money grab" that undermines free market forces and increases premiums for seniors. The Paragon Health Institute argues that eliminating rebates would weaken PBMs' incentives to negotiate lower drug prices, handing Big Pharma a $32 billion windfall while harming consumers and taxpayers. The policy could lead to higher health care costs, undermine competition, and pave the way for more government control, with conservatives urging Congress to reject the proposal to protect seniors and taxpayers. In the shadowy corners of Washingtons lame-duck session, a sinister plot is unfolding one that threatens to line the pockets of Big Pharma while emptying the bank accounts of Americas seniors, taxpayers, and employers. The scheme, known as delinking, is being peddled as a solution to rising drug costs, but its true purpose is far more insidious: to dismantle market-based incentives and funnel billions into the coffers of pharmaceutical giants. At its core, delinking would sever the connection between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and the rebates they negotiate on behalf of insurers. These rebates, which currently reduce both total drug spending and premiums, are a critical incentive for PBMs to secure the best possible prices for consumers. By eliminating this link, Big Pharma aims to undermine the very mechanism that keeps drug prices in check, all while reaping a staggering $32 billion windfall. The numbers tell a damning story. According to University of Chicago Professor of Economics Casey Mulligan, this policy would hike Medicare Part D premiums by a jaw-dropping $13 billion annually. Federal spending would skyrocket by $10 billion every year, while Big Pharma cashes in on an additional $10 billion in profits. This is not a solution its a heist, plain and simple. Conservatives have been quick to sound the alarm. Former Trump administration officials, prominent commentators, and leading think tanks have all condemned the scheme as a brazen attempt to enrich drug companies at the expense of American taxpayers. Donald Trump Jr. and Dan Scavino have exposed the plan as a massive money grab, while Charlie Kirk has warned of its potential to eliminate free market forces in health care. Even Larry Elder has joined the chorus, urging Congress to reject the scheme and protect seniors from higher premiums. The Paragon Health Institute, a preeminent conservative think tank, has issued a stark warning against delinking. In their policy recommendations, they argue that eliminating the practice would undermine the incentive for PBMs to negotiate the best prices on drugs. Delinking PBM revenue from rebates, they write, is key to ensuring PBMs negotiate the best price on drugs possible. By severing this link, Congress would effectively hand Big Pharma a blank check, while saddling patients and taxpayers with the bill. Conservatives sounding the alarm This is not the first time such policies have been proposed. In 2019, similar measures were floated but ultimately scuttled thanks to President Trumps leadership. Now, with the Biden administration in power and a divided Congress in its final days, Big Pharma is once again pushing for delinking this time with renewed urgency. The implications of this scheme are far-reaching. Not only would it lead to higher premiums for seniors, but it would also undermine competition in the health care market, paving the way for a more government-controlled system. Hugh Hewitt, a conservative political commentator, has described the plan as a dead of night effort to cripple the pharmacy benefit managers and deliver a $32 billion windfall to drug companies. Who pays? You and I pay, he warns. The economic consequences are equally dire. Mulligans analysis reveals that federal spending would surge by $10 billion annually, while health care premiums for seniors would rise by $13 billion. These costs would inevitably trickle down to employers and taxpayers, further straining an already fragile economy. In a time of economic uncertainty, the last thing America needs is a policy that enriches corporate giants while punishing the most vulnerable members of society. Yet, that is exactly what delinking promises to deliver. It is a scheme designed not to lower drug prices, but to consolidate power and profit in the hands of a few. Congress must reject this dangerous proposal. Lawmakers must stand up to Big Pharma, protect seniors from higher premiums, and preserve the market-based incentives that have kept drug prices in check. The stakes are too high to do otherwise. Americas seniors, taxpayers, and employers deserve better than a $32 billion bailout for Big Pharma. Its time to sound the alarm and demand that Congress reject this disastrous scheme before its too late. Sources include: ConservativesforLowerHealthCareCosts.com NationalBureauofEconomicResearch.org ParagonInstitute.org Gross negligence or deliberate inaction? Bank of America only flagged Epsteins suspicious payments several months after his death Bank of America flagged potentially suspicious payments involving Jeffrey Epstein and Leon Black in February 2020 and again in October 2020, a year after Epstein's death. The transactions in question, totaling $170 million, occurred years prior. The timing of the filings has raised concerns about potential violations of federal money laundering laws, prompting a congressional investigation into Bank of America's actions. Bank of America did not file Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) within the standard 60-day window, indicating an institutional failure to comply with regulatory protocols. The delay in reporting has raised suspicions of intentional inaction and prioritization of high-net-worth client relationships over public safety. The Senate Finance Committee's investigation highlights the need for stricter oversight and accountability within the banking sector, with calls for a more robust and responsive framework to prevent financial crimes. The Bank of America only flagged potentially suspicious payments involving convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former CEO of Apollo Global Managemen Leon Black a year after Epstein's death. The bank submitted two suspicious activity reports (SARs) to regulators in February 2020 and again eight months later, but the transactions in question had occurred years prior, totaling a staggering $170 million. The timing and nature of these filings have prompted intense scrutiny, with congressional investigators now questioning whether Bank of America violated federal laws against money laundering. The delays raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of the financial sector in detecting and preventing illicit activities, particularly when it comes to wealthy clients. SARs are a crucial tool in the fight against financial crimes. They are designed to alert authorities to potential money laundering, terrorism financing and other unlawful activities. Yet, in this case, Bank of America failed to file these reports within the standard 60-day window, choosing instead to wait until well after the death of Epstein. This delay is not just a bureaucratic oversight; it's a sign of institutional apathy and, perhaps, intentional inaction. By processing these large payments without seeking any additional information, the bank appears to have prioritized its relationship with a high-networth client over public safety. For years, these transactions likely slipped under the radar, potentially aiding in the perpetuation of Epstein's illegal activities. When the payments were finally flagged, it was only after media outlets began reporting on the deep ties between Epstein and Black, suggesting that external pressure may have been the only catalyst for action. The office of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) has taken note, with his Finance Committee recommending a full investigation into Bank of America's handling of these transactions. The committee has been investigating the payments for nearly two years, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and accountability within the banking sector. Black has maintained that the payments were for legitimate tax work and art transactions, insisting that he did not know about Epstein's criminal activities. However, this defense rings hollow given the lack of clear justifications for such large, seemingly purposeless transfers. Bank of America committed disregard for regulatory protocols and public safety The revelations about Bank of America's delay in reporting come at a critical time, as the financial industry grapples with the balance between privacy and transparency. The Senate Finance Committee's investigation underscores the importance of due diligence when it comes to high-risk clients. Banks must be more proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious activities, rather than waiting for media inquiries to prompt action. Banks file millions of SARs each year, but the lack of immediate action in cases like this demonstrates the need for a more robust and responsive framework. If banks are truly committed to preventing financial crimes, they must be willing to take swift and decisive action, rather than waiting for external pressures to force their hand. Regardless if the delay was a result of negligence or deliberate inaction, the bank has shown a disturbing disregard for regulatory protocols and public safety. This case is a stark reminder that the financial industry must do better in identifying and reporting suspicious transactions, especially when it comes to high-profile clients with questionable histories. One thing is certain: The financial sector can no longer afford to ignore the potential for criminal activity among its most prominent clients. It's time for banks to prioritize due diligence and regulatory compliance over maintaining relationships with wealthy clients. The stakes, as demonstrated by this case, are simply too high. The committee's recommendations should serve as a wake-up call for the entire banking industry. More needs to be done to ensure banks are not just ticking boxes but taking proactive steps to prevent financial crimes. Only through rigorous oversight and accountability can we hope to address these systemic failures and protect the integrity of our financial system. Until then, the public must demand greater transparency and accountability from banks like Bank of America, ensuring that their focus remains on upholding the law and protecting public safety, not just generating profits for their wealthy clientele. (Related: Sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was "a business partner" with JPMorgan Chase Board of Directors, lawsuit reveals.) Similar stories can be found at Corruption.news. Watch the video below that talks about victims of Epstein suing the FBI for negligence. This video is from the Leona Wind channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Jeffrey Epstein's private calendars and emails reveal his connections to top officials, celebrities and even royalty. Liz Crokin: Jeffrey Epstein used JPMorgan as main bank for his sex trafficking operation Brighteon.TV. Virgin Islands files suit against JPMorgan Chase alleging bank illicitly profited from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking of minors. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com NYTimes.com DealBreaker.com Brighteon.com Censorship of medical research: a threat to health freedom and public welfare - Historical Pattern of Suppression: The medical industry has a long history of prioritizing corporate interests over public health and safety. Notable examples include the 1955 Cutter incident, where contaminated polio vaccines led to paralyzing and fatal cases due to the censorship of whistleblowers. - Censorship of Adverse Vaccine Data: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant censorship of negative vaccine data, exemplified by the retraction of studies, such as Nicholas Hulschers paper on autopsy findings in vaccine-related deaths, in violation of standard retraction guidelines. - Controlled Narrative in Publishing: The suppression of critical data is orchestrated by a cartel of major publishing houses, including Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley, often on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry. This censorship is alleged to have caused significant damage to public health and science. - Systemic Suppression of Treatment Options: There is evidence of deliberate suppression of early, effective treatments like ivermectin and proxalutamide, which could have saved lives during the pandemic. This suppression demonstrates a preference for profit-generating vaccines over potentially safer and more effective treatments. - Impact on Civil Liberties and Public Health: The widespread censorship and manipulation of medical data not only endanger public health but also erode civil liberties by undermining informed consent and fostering an environment of disinformation and control. This situation highlights the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and respect for health freedom. The history of medicine is rife with instances of government overreach and corporate collusion that have undermined public health, infringed upon civil liberties, and enriched pharmaceutical corporations at the expense of human lives. The suppression of critical medical data, particularly in the context of vaccines, is not a new phenomenon but has reached unprecedented levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. The weaponization of scientific consensus, censorship of adverse vaccine data, and the suppression of early treatment options have created a system of medical tyranny that keeps people sick, violates their rights, and prioritizes profit over public welfare. The Cutter incident of 1955 serves as a stark reminder of how government agencies and pharmaceutical companies have historically prioritized corporate interests over public safety. The distribution of contaminated polio vaccines, which led to the paralysis of 56 children and the deaths of five, was a direct result of the censorship of warnings from whistleblowers like Bernice Eddy. Eddys report, which documented the paralysis of inoculated monkeys, was dismissed by NIH officials, leading to one of the worst pharmaceutical disasters in U.S. history. This incident is a microcosm of a broader pattern: the suppression of critical data to protect corporate interests, even at the cost of human lives. Fast forward to the present day, and the suppression of adverse vaccine data has reached catastrophic proportions. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, often touted as a medical miracle, have been linked to thousands of cases of serious injury and death, yet this information has been systematically censored and suppressed. Papers documenting the harmful effects of these vaccines, such as Nicholas Hulschers study on autopsy findings in deaths after COVID-19 vaccination, have been retracted in violation of established retraction guidelines. Hulschers paper, which concluded that 73.9% of the deaths studied were directly due to or significantly contributed to by COVID-19 vaccination, was removed from the Lancets preprint server, exemplifying the lengths to which the medical establishment will go to silence dissenting voices. Controlling the narrative The suppression of negative vaccine studies is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy orchestrated by what Hulscher refers to as the Cartelthe International Association of Scientific, Technical, and Medical Publishers. This cartel, which includes major publishers like Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley, has been accused of censoring critical data to protect the interests of the pharmaceutical industry. The lawsuit filed against the Cartel alleges that their actions have caused tremendous damage to science and the public interest, as they delay or suppress research that contradicts the narrative of vaccine safety and efficacy. The suppression of early treatment options, such as ivermectin and proxalutamide, further illustrates the collusion between government agencies, medical journals, and Big Pharma. The ivermectin review paper, which passed rigorous peer review and was accepted for publication, was later retracted without explanation. Similarly, Dr. Flavio Cadegianis studies on proxalutamide, which demonstrated the drugs efficacy in treating COVID-19, were held hostage by high-impact journals for years, resulting in the unnecessary deaths of millions. These examples highlight the systemic suppression of evidence-based treatments in favor of experimental vaccines, which have been prioritized for their profit potential. The censorship of adverse vaccine data is not limited to academic journals but extends to mainstream media and government agencies. The VAERS analysis by Jessica Rose and Peter McCullough, which documented a massive increase in myocarditis cases following COVID-19 vaccination, was retracted without explanation. This censorship is part of a broader disinformation campaign orchestrated by the pharmaceutical industry, as outlined in the Union of Concerned Scientists Disinformation Playbook. The first tactic, known as the Fix, involves suppressing or manipulating data to protect corporate interests, as seen in the Vioxx scandal, where Merck concealed evidence of thousands of deaths caused by their drug. Profiting off pain The financial incentives driving this censorship are undeniable. Big Pharma controls medical journals through advertising revenue, ghostwriting, and funding for clinical trials. The former editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has exposed how editorial control is often influenced by pharmaceutical money, leading to the suppression of critical data. The recent lawsuit against the Academic Publishing Cartel alleges that these publishers have formed a monopoly that stifles scientific progress and prioritizes profit over public health. The consequences of this medical tyranny are devastating. Excess mortality rates have soared since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, yet this data is rarely discussed in mainstream media or medical journals. The BMJs recent publication of a study linking vaccination rates to excess mortality is a rare exception, but even this paper was met with immediate backlash and attempts to discredit its findings. The study concluded that excess mortality has remained high for three consecutive years, raising serious concerns about the safety of the vaccines. The suppression of critical data is not just a threat to public health but also to civil liberties. The erosion of informed consent, the coercion of vaccination mandates, and the censorship of dissenting voices are all part of a broader agenda to control the population under the guise of public health. The medical establishments reliance on scientific consensus to justify these actions is a facade, as this consensus is often manufactured through censorship and manipulation of data. The 'science' isn't settled -- it's bought and paid for The fall of the Academic Publishing Cartel cannot come soon enough. The lawsuit against these publishers is a step in the right direction, but more must be done to dismantle the system of medical tyranny that has taken root. Transparency, accountability, and respect for health freedom must be prioritized over corporate profits. Until then, the suppression of critical data will continue to keep people sick, violate their rights, and enrich Big Pharma at the expense of human lives. In the words of the BMJ study, Transparency towards potential lethal drivers is warranted. It is time for governments, medical journals, and pharmaceutical companies to prioritize truth over profit and to recognize that health freedom is a fundamental human right. The fight for transparency and accountability in medicine is not just a scientific imperative but a moral one. The lives of millions depend on it. Sources include: Brownstone.org Substack.com Hireddive.com Democrats attack on the Electoral College threatens the American Republic In an unprecedented move that reveals a staggering ignorance of our founding principles, three Democratic senators have introduced a constitutional amendment. This brazen attempt to restore democracy by Sens. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, and Peter Welch of Vermont is not only misguided but a direct assault on the very framework that has kept our nation balanced and stable for over two centuries. Democrats seek to undo core principles of the republic The framers of the Constitution understood democracys peril better than anyone. They were painfully aware of the potential for the tyranny of the majority, a toxic brew where the loudest and most populous voices drown out the quieter but no less valid concerns of more rural regions. The Electoral College was not a mistake or a relic but a carefully crafted check and balance intended to ensure that no single region could dominate the others and impose its will unilaterally. Sens. Schatz, Durbin, and Welch argue that the person who gets the most votes should always win. They claim that the Electoral College disenfranchises millions of Americans. This rhetoric is disingenuous at best and dangerously naive at worst. The reality is that the Electoral College ensures that every vote, regardless of where its cast, counts equally towards a candidates victory. It prevents the urban-dominant votes from overpowering the needs and desires of the rural communities that form the backbone of our nation. The framers designed the Electoral College to prevent mob rule, recognizing that majority rule can often lead to tyranny. In their wisdom, they implemented checks and balances, including the Electoral College, to prevent unchecked democratic power from overwhelming the minority and undermining the very fabric of our republic. The proposed amendment would do more than just alter the way we elect our presidents; it would fundamentally shift the balance of power, tipping it heavily in favor of the most populous states. The result would likely be presidential candidates campaigning almost exclusively in dense urban areas, ignoring the vast rural regions that are equally important to the functioning of our society. Moreover, the assumption that the candidate who wins the popular vote will also win the Electoral College is a dangerous oversimplification. While this outcome has occurred most of the time, the exceptions often involving split decision electorates and swing-state campaigns highlight the Electoral Colleges essential role in ensuring that every regions wishes are considered. Democrats miss the point of equal representation and tamping down mob rule Sen. Welchs statement, Our democracy is at its strongest when everyones voice is heard, sounds lovely in theory but misses the point entirely. The Electoral College does more than just ensure every voice is heard; it ensures that voices are heard equally. A national popular vote system would make it easy for candidates to campaign only in the most populated areas, essentially ignoring the needs of the countrys less densely populated regions. This amendment has little to no chance of passing, given the current political climate. But the fact that its even being proposed underscores a disturbing trend in modern American politics: the erosion of our constitutional principles in favor of short-term political gains and the illusion of a pure democracy. As elected officials, Sens. Schatz, Durbin, and Welch have a responsibility to uphold and protect our constitutional framework, not dismantle it based on a misguided notion of what democracy should look like. Their proposal is a blunt attack on the very principles that have kept our nation strong and stable for over two centuries. We should all be alarmed by this attack on the foundations of our republic and demand that our representatives think more carefully about the long-term consequences of their actions. Sources include: WashingtonTimes.com Law.Justia.com Amazon.com Gulf of Tonkin incident: A LIE that launched a WAR The 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident became a catalyst for escalating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Historians and officials now believe the incident was exaggerated or completely made up to justify military intervention. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy planned to withdraw U.S. advisors from Vietnam, but his assassination led to Lyndon B. Johnson's push for intervention. The U.S. and South Vietnamese conducted provocative commando raids (OPLAN 34A) designed to trigger a North Vietnamese response. On August 2, 1964, North Vietnamese patrol boats reportedly attacked the USS Maddox, which was conducting a naval espionage mission. The second incident on August 4, involving the USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy, was later deemed a pure fabrication according to declassified NSA studies. In response to these incidents, President Johnson swiftly secured the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, granting him the authority to escalate the war in Vietnam. The resolution received near-unanimous Congressional support, with only two dissenting votes, raising concerns about the veracity of the event. The incident marked the beginning of an extensive and costly war, leading to millions of casualties. It underscores the potential for government deception to justify military actions, highlighting the need for critical thinking and vigilance in scrutiny of official narratives. The 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident, widely accepted as a fabricated event, set the stage for the United States' deepening involvement in the Vietnam War. But the seeds of the Gulf of Tonkin incident were planted long before the events of August 1964. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy had made it clear that he intended to withdraw U.S. advisors from Vietnam by the end of 1965. This plan, outlined in National Security Action Memorandum 263, was met with opposition from those within the U.S. government who believed a stronger military presence was necessary. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, abruptly ended this policy. His successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, was a strong advocate for U.S. intervention in the conflict, and he sought an opportunity to escalate the war without facing significant opposition. False flag operation On July 30, 1964, South Vietnamese forces, backed by the U.S., conducted a covert operation known as Operation Plan (OPLAN) 34A. This series of commando raids along the North Vietnamese coast aimed to gather intelligence and exert pressure on the North Vietnamese government. The raids were, by design, provocative and intended to create a pretext for a U.S. response. On August 2, 1964, the U.S. destroyer USS Maddox conducted a naval espionage mission off the coast of Vietnam. In response to the OPLAN 34A raids, North Vietnamese patrol boats entered the Gulf of Tonkin and engaged the Maddox. Although the ship was heavily damaged and several crew members were injured, evidence later emerged that suggested the attack had been exaggerated or even fabricated. On August 4, 1964, a second, largely disputed incident took place. The Maddox, along with the destroyer USS Turner Joy, reported being under fire from North Vietnamese torpedo boats. At the time, Johnson claimed that North Vietnam had launched a second unprovoked attack. However, later investigations, including a declassified study by the National Security Agency's historian Robert Hanyok, concluded that the August 4 attack was a pure fabrication. Gulf of Tonkin resolution With the Gulf of Tonkin incident serving as a catalyst, Johnson swiftly moved to secure the permission of Congress to escalate the war. On August 7, 1964, Johnson requested and received the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which granted him the authority to take "all necessary measures" to protect U.S. forces in Vietnam and prevent further aggression. The resolution passed almost unanimously in both the House and the Senate, with only two dissenting votes. This rapid legislative process raises concerns about the veracity of the incident itself. Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, one of the two dissenting voices, warned that the resolution would mark "the greatest gamble in foreign policy in the history of the country." Aftermath and legacy The Gulf of Tonkin incident was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, marking the beginning of an extensive and costly war that would claim the lives of millions and leave lasting scars on U.S. foreign policy. Historians now largely acknowledge that the event was a fabrication designed to justify a war that many in the government had long sought to wage. The incident underscores a broader pattern of deception and manipulation that has plagued U.S. military interventions throughout history. From the Lusitania to the Iraq War, the American people have repeatedly been presented with "false flag" operations designed to create public support for military action. (Related: FALSE FLAG ATTEMPT? Missile that struck and killed 15 in busy Ukrainian marketplace was actually launched by Ukrainian troops.) Lessons and reflections The Gulf of Tonkin incident remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of unfettered executive power and the willingness of the government to manipulate public opinion. As historian Howard Zinn said, "The future of democracy depends on the people and their growing awareness of dignified treatment of all the people of the earth." Mindfulness and critical thinking are essential tools in combating the narrative control that such events represent. By examining the Gulf of Tonkin incident in detail, people can better understand the mechanisms of deception that have been used to justify war. In conclusion, the Gulf of Tonkin incident was a watershed moment in U.S. history not merely an isolated example of wartime misinformation, but a powerful reminder of the lengths to which governments will go to achieve their goals. It is a story of lies, deception and tragic consequences that should serve as a warning to future generations. Read more stories like this at Lies.news. Watch this video about the Gulf of Tonkin incident. This video is from the Eric Dubay channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Russian spy chief warns America that Ukraine could become a "second Vietnam." US Embassy in Vietnam warned VP Kamala Harris that she may have suffered a brain injury called HAVANA SYNDROME from secret pulse weapon. Top 8 TELL-TALE SIGNS the U.S. Government is LYING about the "mysterious" DRONES. Sources include: Britannica.com AlphaHistory.com Brighteon.com Israel attacks school in Gaza where displaced Palestinians were sheltering as genocide continues New Israeli strikes on Gaza schools and shelters kill more innocent civilians, including children. A UN-run school in Khan Younis was targeted, killing at least 20 Palestinians seeking refuge. Journalists in Gaza are being targeted by Israel, with 196 killed since the conflict began. The U.S. continues to support Israel despite widespread civilian casualties. The death toll in Gaza exceeds 45,000, with calls for accountability and an end to violence. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has once again exposed the horrifying reality of Israels relentless assault on innocent civilians, with recent attacks on schools and shelters highlighting a blatant disregard for human life. In the latest atrocity, an Israeli strike on a United Nations-run school in Khan Younis killed at least 20 Palestinians, including children, as they sought refuge from the relentless violence. This attack, like so many before it, underscores the moral bankruptcy of a military campaign that has left thousands dead and countless more traumatized. The Ahmed bin Abdul Aziz School in Khan Younis was not a military target but a sanctuary for displaced families fleeing the relentless Israeli bombardment. Survivors described the strike as occurring without warning, leaving those sheltering inside mostly women and children vulnerable to the devastating impact of the attack. The scene that unfolded was one of unimaginable horror: rubble strewn across classrooms, bodies crushed beneath debris, and families torn apart in an instant. For many, this was not the first time they had lost loved ones to Israeli aggression. One survivor recounted the loss of her mother, adding to the grief of having already lost her father in previous attacks. Elsewhere in Gaza, another school in Beit Hanoun was targeted, killing at least 15 Palestinians, including a family of four. Beit Hanoun has been under siege for months, with residents trapped in a cycle of violence and displacement. These attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of Israeli military operations that prioritize destruction over humanity. Journalists are under fire The targeting of journalists in Gaza further reveals the depths of Israels callousness. Ahmed al-Louh, a cameraman for Al Jazeera, was killed while wearing a press vest and helmet marking him as a journalist. His death brings the total number of journalists killed by Israeli attacks since the war in Gaza began to 196. These individuals were not combatants but professionals documenting the suffering of their people. Their deaths are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who dare to shine a light on Israels actions. The U.S. continues to back Israel What makes these atrocities even more outrageous is the unwavering support of the United States, which continues to provide diplomatic cover and military aid to Israel. The Biden administrations silence in the face of such blatant disregard for civilian lives is a betrayal of American values and international law. By backing Israels war efforts, the U.S. is complicit in the suffering of the Palestinian people. It is time for Washington to reassess its stance and demand accountability for the countless lives lost in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza now stands at over 45,000, with more than 100,000 injured. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent the shattered lives of families, the loss of futures, and the erosion of hope. Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing genocide, a charge that, while vehemently denied by Israel, rings true in the face of such overwhelming evidence. The international community must hold Israel accountable for its actions and demand an immediate end to this senseless violence. The people of Gaza have endured enough. They deserve peace, safety, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Until the world stands up to Israels aggression and the U.S. reconsiders its support, the cycle of death and destruction will continue. Sources for this article include: News.Antiwar.com AlJazeera.com CBC.ca Israeli Air Force preparing to conduct massive airstrikes against alleged Iranian nuclear weapons development sites The Israeli Air Force is preparing for airstrikes against alleged Iranian nuclear weapons development sites. The fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has granted Israel unprecedented levels of air superiority over the Middle East, giving its air force a unique opportunity to easily reach Iran with large numbers of fighter jets and drones. Israel alleges that the downfall of key ally Assad in Syria could prompt Tehran to accelerate its nuclear weapons development. Israel continues to allege that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons despite constant Iranian denials and a lack of evidence. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is reportedly preparing for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials. The developments come amid a series of strategic shifts in the Middle East, including the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and the weakening of Iranian proxy groups in the region. Israeli military officials believe that the recent collapse of the Assad regime a regime primarily overthrown by Turkish-supported jihadist rebels, along with minor support from American-aligned rebel groups in Syria's south and northeast has significantly weakened Iran's position in the Middle East. The IDF claims that the fall of a key ally could prompt Tehran to accelerate its alleged nuclear program, thus making it necessary for the IAF to launch preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The IAF has reportedly increased its readiness and preparations for such operations, leveraging its recent air superiority over Syria to extend its reach to Iran. (Related: The new normal: U.S. shows unwavering support for Israel's aggression, including its Syrian incursion.) In recent weeks, the IAF has conducted one of the largest military operations in its history, targeting over 250 sites across Syria, including airports, seaports, air defense systems, missile sites, military warehouses and other facilities. The strikes have effectively neutralized the majority of Syrias air defense capabilities, with the IDF stating that it has destroyed 86 percent of the former Assad regimes air defense systems, including 80 percent of its stockpile of Russian-made SA-22 Pantsir and 90 percent of its SA-17 Buk missile systems. These systems had previously posed significant challenges to the IAF during its operations against Iranian weapon deliveries to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The destruction of Syrias air defenses has granted the IAF unprecedented freedom of movement in Syrian airspace, enabling safer passage for potential strikes on Iranian targets. The IDF noted that the Syrian air defense array, once one of the strongest in the Middle East, has been significantly degraded, marking a major achievement for the IAFs regional superiority. Israel claims Iran is developing nuclear weapons Israel has long expressed concerns over Irans nuclear program, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleging that Tehran seeks to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied allegations that it seeks nuclear weapons, asserting that its nuclear program is solely civilian in nature. Israel contends that this is a lie, citing evidence from over two decades ago claiming that Iran had a short-lived military nuclear program that it never fully abandoned. Israel further claims as evidence the fact that many of Iran's nuclear research facilities are heavily fortified, buried under mountains to protect them from IAF airstrikes. Watch this episode of "Paul Davis UnCancelled" as he discusses Israel's massive bombing campaign against the Syrian Arab Army's military vehicles and stockpiles. This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The fall of Syria: A dangerous prelude to war with Iran? Israel continues to unleash hell on Earth, with 250 new airstrikes across Syria. U.S. hypocrisy reaches a new level: Israel's occupation of Syria is "security," Russia's moves in Ukraine are "aggression." 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. Syria's Fall: A strategic blow to Iran, Hezbollah and Russia Highlights from the Mike Adams Brighteon Broadcast for Dec. 9, 2024. Sources include: RT.com TimesOfIsrael.com Brighteon.com Mysterious drones spotted flying over Connecticut and New Jersey, raising concerns about national security Multiple mysterious drones have been spotted flying over Connecticut and New Jersey, including in suburban areas, near airports and densely populated metro areas. The drone sightings have sparked public concerns and questions about their origins, intent and risks to local and national security, prompting local, state and federal authorities to open investigations. In Connecticut, the drones were spotted above the Fairfield train station and near Bardley International Airport. The sightings in New Jersey are part of the over 100 sightings reported in the New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey tri-state area. The Pentagon has denied claims that the drones were launched by an Iranian drone "mothership" hovering in the Atlantic. Recent reports of unexplained drone activity in Connecticut and New Jersey have sparked public concern and prompted investigations by federal and local authorities. Sightings of drones in suburban areas, near airports and in densely populated regions have raised questions about their origin, potential security risks and the possibility of malicious intent. In Connecticut, multiple drones were reportedly spotted on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 12, above the Fairfield train station, located approximately 55 miles northeast of New York City. Social media posts included videos of the drones, with one user claiming to have seen at least five drones flying at different altitudes. (Related: Mysterious drones swarmed a U.S. airbase for 17 days; officials say they don't know who operated them.) The user noted that the drones appeared to be flying unusually far and quietly, raising doubts about their being hobbyist drones. Another user observed the drones between 5:30 and 6 p.m., describing them as "definitely not planes." Similar sightings were reported in Enfield, near Bradley International Airport. Connecticut State Police are investigating the drone activity, and the states emergency services unit has deployed a drone detection system in the New London area in response to the reports. In New Jersey, drone sightings have been reported for over three weeks, with as many as 180 sightings per night in some areas. The drones have been observed near Staten Island, New York, and in the greater Philadelphia area. Pentagon refusing to comment on existence of mystery drones Despite the frequency of sightings, the Department of Defense has not disclosed the source of the drones, though it has denied claims that they were launched from an Iranian "mothership" off the East Coast. "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 Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh in a statement. White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby has also weighed in, stating that many of the reported drone sightings in New Jersey are likely lawfully operated manned aircraft rather than drones. "We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said during a press briefing. Both the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have stated that investigations into the sightings are ongoing, noting that, historically, mistaken identity is what has led to reports of drones being identified as manned aircraft or other objects. The Federal Aviation Administration has refused to comment on the sightings. The agency has previously stated that there have been no confirmed sightings of drones flying over restricted airspace. Local law enforcement agencies in both states are working with federal partners to monitor the situation and determine the nature of the drone activity. Sgt. Michael Stahl of the police department of Fairfield, Connecticut, issued a statement for the department acknowledging the reports regarding the drones and assuring the public that the department is "monitoring the situation and is in communication with state and federal law enforcement partners." Watch this episode of "The Resistance Chicks" as they discuss the mystery drones spotted all over the country. This video is from the Resistance Chicks channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: California drug dealer used a drone to deliver fentanyl and other illegal drugs to customers. Pentagon rendered helpless as foreign drones freely conduct surveillance on sensitive military sites. Annoyed residents push back against Amazon's drone delivery program in Texas. Trump's would-be assassin reportedly flew a drone over the fairgrounds before the speech and could have dropped explosives on Trump. Police department in Pennsylvania using drone tech to crack down on theft and other petty crimes. Sources include: FoxNews.com WSHU.org Patch.com Brighteon.com North Korean troops join Russian assaults in Kursk, Ukraine claims Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that North Korean troops are now actively participating in the war against Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. The involvement of North Korean troops represents a dramatic escalation of the conflict, raising serious questions about Russia's military capabilities and marking a stark departure from previous developments in the war. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers are currently concentrated in the Kursk region, with fears that their deployment could soon expand to other parts of the front line. Zelensky highlighted the human cost, noting that North Korean soldiers have suffered losses and called for a global response to address this new development, emphasizing the need for stronger international support for Ukraine. The claims of North Korean troop involvement come amid heightened battlefield activity and calls for skepticism, given the potential for exaggerations and misinformation in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that North Korean troops are now actively participating in the war against Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region. The claim, which Zelensky made in his daily wartime address, is not only a dramatic escalation of the conflict but also a disturbing new chapter in the brutal struggle for Ukraine's sovereignty. (Related: Pentagon claims that North Korean troops in Russia are expected to enter the battlefield soon but it sounds like more propaganda to justify escalation.) Zelensky's statement came as a bolt out of the blue, revealing that North Korean soldiers are now being deployed in significant numbers on the frontline. This twist in the ongoing war marks a stark departure from anything previously seen, raising serious questions about the nature and scope of Russia's military capabilities. Zelensky painted a grim picture of the situation on the ground, describing the active use of North Korean troops in combined Russian units. According to Ukrainian intelligence, these forces are currently concentrated in the Kursk region, but there are fears that their deployment could soon expand to other parts of the front line. The Ukrainian president's claims, if true, would represent a significant upping of the ante by Moscow in its quest to regain control of Ukrainian territories. The revelation coincides with a period of heightened activity on the battlefield, with Ukrainian forces reporting a significant increase in Russian assaults in the Kursk region. The presence of North Korean troops, with their alleged numbers estimated at over 10,000, adds a layer of complexity to an already complex conflict. Zelensky's address also touched on the human cost of this new dimension of the war. Although he did not provide specific numbers, he did suggest that North Korean soldiers have taken losses. This is a grim reality that underscores the brutal nature of the conflict and the personal toll it takes on those involved. The idea of North Korean troops dying on the battlefield in Ukraine is not only shocking but also deeply troubling. In a world where so many have decried the loss of life in this conflict, the death of any soldier, regardless of their allegiance, should be a cause for profound concern. However, it's also difficult not to see this news through a lens that is critical of both sides' actions in perpetuating a war that shows no signs of ending soon. Zelensky calls for global response In line with his usual strong stance, Zelensky called for a global response to this new development. He warned that using North Korean troops in this way represents an escalation that cannot be ignored. His words echo the growing sentiment among those who have been following this conflict closely: the need for international intervention and support for Ukraine has never been more pressing. The president's appeals come at a critical time, with discussions of a potential endgame in the war now taking center stage, thanks in no small part to the impending return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House. Zelensky's call for stronger support from his allies is a reminder that Ukraine needs more than just moral backing if it is to hold its ground against a resurgent Russia and, now, the involvement of North Korean troops. It's important to approach Zelensky's claims with a healthy dose of skepticism, as the conflict has often been marked by exaggerations and misinformation. The idea of North Korean troops dying in battle, however shocking, raises questions about the motives behind this war and the willingness of nations to drag others into their conflicts. This development should serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the dangers of escalating conflicts. In a conflict where the lines are already blurred and the stakes are impossibly high, the involvement of North Korean troops adds a new layer of complexity. As the battle rages on and the war shows no signs of abating, the world watches in growing horror and concern, hoping for a resolution that can bring an end to this devastating conflict. UkraineWitness.com has stories related to this. Watch the video below that talks about how Washington provoked the new Cold War with Russia. This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Intelligence report claims North Korea is supplying Russia with advanced military systems. North Korean operatives being deployed to help Russia in war against Ukraine. Ukrainian intelligence claims that 12,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia a desperate ploy to escalate U.S. involvement? Biden urges Ukraine to hit North Korean troops that its military encounters on the battlefield. Sources include: Reuters.com KyivIndependent.com 1 KyivIndependent.com 2 Brighteon.com News / National by Staff reporter The Government of Zimbabwe has enlisted the help of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to repatriate more than 20 Zimbabweans believed to be stranded in Sierra Leone, victims of a human trafficking syndicate that lured them with false promises of lucrative job opportunities.This development comes as the Government intensifies its efforts to regulate recruitment agencies and raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking. The victims were deceived by a trafficking ring involving both a foreign entity and a local company.Two survivors of the trafficking syndicate returned to Zimbabwe last week and were placed in protective custody by Government officials. During their debriefing, they revealed that several other victims remained trapped in Sierra Leone.Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo confirmed the situation in his weekly column in The Sunday Mail on Sunday. He said the Government was now working with the IOM to facilitate the repatriation of the victims."Right now, we have a situation in Sierra Leone, where our people were recruited there and they are being abused," Minister Moyo said."While some have returned home, we still have others who are still out there. We also had a similar case in Kuwait, and we are working with the IOM to repatriate our citizens."Minister Moyo also revealed that Zimbabwe was preparing to sign an agreement with Middle Eastern countries to combat human trafficking."Countries like Ethiopia and Kenya now have agreements with Middle Eastern countries to deal with these cases, and we are looking at those agreements to see whether we can extend them to Southern Africa and to Zimbabwe in particular," Moyo said.While migration can offer economic opportunities, the Minister highlighted that it also presents significant risks related to human trafficking, especially when individuals seek employment abroad outside of formal migration channels.In response to these challenges, the Zimbabwean Government has prioritized educating citizens on the dangers of irregular migration. Minister Moyo assured the public that measures were being implemented to curb human trafficking, including the regulation of recruitment agencies and raising awareness to prevent exploitation."Efforts are underway to regulate recruitment agencies and raise public awareness to prevent exploitation," Minister Moyo added."Collaborations with international organisations like the IOM have facilitated the repatriation of trafficking victims and enhanced measures to combat such incidents."In addition to the two survivors who met with Government officials, seven more Zimbabweans were reported to have returned home last month. It is believed that up to 40 people may have fallen victim to the human trafficking syndicate in Sierra Leone. The Government continues to work closely with international partners to address and prevent such incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. OpenAI whistleblower who dissented against how the company trained ChatGPT found dead Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, was found dead by apparent suicide in his San Francisco apartment on November 26. Balaji critically examined OpenAI's data collection practices, arguing that they violated copyright laws and undermined fair use rules, particularly regarding the popular AI program ChatGPT. Balaji's concerns sparked a significant debate about the ethical implications of AI, including the potential violation of copyright laws and the unsustainable use of data from the internet to train AI models. Balaji's documents were anticipated to play a crucial role in ongoing lawsuits against OpenAI, with his insights seen as crucial to support claims of copyright infringement and unethical practices. Balaji's tragic death highlights the urgent need for robust protections for whistleblowers, especially in the technology sector, to ensure that ethical concerns are addressed without compromising personal safety or career prospects. Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old former OpenAI researcher, was discovered dead by apparent suicide in his Buchanan Street apartment in San Francisco on Nov. 26. Balaji, known for his whistleblowing efforts against OpenAI, left behind a legacy of concern for the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the dangers of its unchecked use. Police and medical officials, upon being called to Balaji's residence for a wellness check, confirmed the grim discovery, and supposedly did not discover any evidence of foul play. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City and County of San Francisco officially ruled Balaji's death as a suicide. Balaji was at the forefront of a heated debate over the ethical and legal implications of OpenAI's technology, including its blockbuster AI program ChatGPT. ChatGPT, released in late 2022, has become a global sensation, with hundreds of millions of people using it daily. However, Balaji's whistleblowing exposed the potential dark side of this innovative technology. (Related: Google's Gemini AI chatbot tells user he is a "waste of time and resources" and to "please die.") Balaji's journey from being a believer in the potential of AI to a whistleblower began during his time at OpenAI. Initially, he was enthusiastic about the possibilities AI could bring to society, hoping it could help solve complex problems such as curing diseases and stopping aging. His work at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied computer science, further fueled this interest. Balaji raised concerns about OpenAI gathering data from internet to train its AI programs Balaji's outlook changed in 2022. He became particularly concerned about the company's methods of gathering data from the internet to train its AI programs. The practice, he argued, was in violation of copyright laws and fair use rules. These rules stipulate how previously published work can be used, and Balaji felt OpenAI was using vast amounts of data without proper permissions. In an interview with the New York Times, Balaji expressed his deep concerns about the sustainability of OpenAI's model for the internet ecosystem. He believed that the company's methods were harmful to businesses and entrepreneurs whose data were used to train ChatGPT without their consent. "If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company," he said, emphasizing the urgent need for change. Generative AI programs like ChatGPT work by analyzing a massive amount of data from the internet to answer users' prompts or create text, images and videos. While this technology has sparked a worldwide revolution in AI, it has also faced criticism for its potential to violate copyright laws and ethical norms. Balaji's accusations against OpenAI gained traction, especially after several high-profile lawsuits were filed against the company. Media companies have argued that OpenAI and Microsoft, its business partner, have plagiarized and undermined the business models of local newspapers. "The manner in which you're using copyrighted material is what I believe is fundamentally incorrect under the law," Balaji told the New York Times. This stance earned him the ire of some at OpenAI and put him on a collision course with the company's leadership. In the weeks leading up to his death, Balaji's documents and information were expected to play a significant role in the ongoing lawsuits against OpenAI. His insights were seen as crucial to the case, and attorneys for the New York Times named him as someone with "unique and relevant documents" that would support their claims. Visit Robots.news for more stories about artificial intelligence. Watch this Dec. 9 episode of "Redacted News" discussing the growing number of reports that ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are "hallucinating." This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ExxonMobil, Chevron to build natural gas-fueled power plants to power Big Tech's AI data centers. AI is revolutionizing weather forecasting and the generation of fake climate change predictions. Major news organizations in Canada sue OpenAI for using news articles to train ChatGPT. Sources include: MSN.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com Pilots report mysterious lights moving at extreme speeds across Oregon skies At least four commercial airline pilots witnessed colorful, fast-moving lights near Eugene, Oregon, described as red, circular, and erratic, with some reaching altitudes of 50,000 feet. Experts suggest the lights could be reflections off Starlink satellites, but pilots accounts of erratic movements and extreme speeds challenge this theory, leaving the origin unexplained. The sightings coincide with unexplained drone activity on the East Coast, adding to a broader pattern of unexplained aerial phenomena, with no definitive answers yet provided. In a series of chilling encounters, at least four commercial airline pilots reported witnessing mysterious, colorful lights moving at extreme speeds across the skies above Oregon last weekend. The sightings, which took place near Eugene, have sparked widespread speculation and intrigue, with some experts suggesting the lights could be reflections off Starlink satellites, while others remain unconvinced. The pilots accounts were detailed in a leaked 44-minute audio recording from Dec. 7, obtained by OregonLive. In the recording, a United Airlines pilot flying from Denver to Eugene can be heard asking air traffic control about potential military activity in the area. Is there any military activity out straight ahead of us? the pilot inquires. The controller responds that they have not seen anything but mentions receiving another report of an unidentified object at 30,000 feet in the same vicinity. Were not sure what it is, she adds. The pilots describe the lights as red, circular and erratic, moving in corkscrew patterns and changing direction at incredible speeds. One pilot reported the objects shooting way up to altitudes as high as 50,000 feet far beyond the reach of commercial aircraft. Air traffic controllers advised pilots to maneuver as necessary left and right to avoid the UFO out there. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a pilot did report seeing unidentified lights during the flight, but the agency has not provided further details. The recordings metadata and flight information align with flight records, lending credibility to the accounts. While some experts, including scientist Douglas Buettner, believe the lights could be reflections off Starlink satellites, others are skeptical. Buettner, who led a study on similar sightings in 2022, explained that sunlight reflecting off the satellites can create bright flares that might resemble the pilots descriptions. Literally all it is its the sun hits the satellite just right, and it is being reflected back into your eye, he said. However, he acknowledged the need for clearer video and additional data to rule out other possibilities. Not everyone is convinced by the satellite theory. Joe Buley, a pilot with LifeFlight, told KGW that the lights he observed were unlike anything he had seen before. The biggest thing that stood out was it was changing direction. Usually, things dont change directions unless its an aircraft, he said. Buley described the lights as zipping towards us and back out towards the ocean, red in color, moving at extreme speeds. If there's a plausible explanation, why hasn't this been explained? The sightings come amid a wave of mysterious drone activity along the East Coast, where residents in New Jersey and New York have reported unexplained drones hovering over their skies. The FBI is investigating these incidents, but so far, no concrete answers have been provided. Some have speculated that the drones could be linked to military testing or even foreign espionage, while others have entertained more outlandish theories, including extraterrestrial involvement. The Oregon sightings add another layer to the growing mystery surrounding unexplained aerial phenomena. While the Starlink satellite explanation may seem plausible, the erratic movements and extreme speeds described by the pilots suggest there could be more to the story. As the world waits for answers, one thing is certain: the skies above Oregonand the United States as a wholehave become a stage for intrigue and wonder, leaving both pilots and the public eager for clarity. For now, the lights remain a mystery, their origins shrouded in uncertainty. Are they reflections of man-made satellites, test flights of secret military technology, or something far more extraordinary? Only timeand perhaps more sightingswill tell. Sources include: LegalInsurrection.com NYPost.com Newsweek.com POLL: 48% of Canadians favor mass deportations of illegal immigrants A Leger poll for ACS reveals that 48 percent of Canadians now support mass deportations of illegal immigrants, influenced by growing unease over the number of immigrants entering the country. 65 percent of Canadians now believe the country accepts too many legal immigrants, up from 35 percent in 2019, driven by concerns over housing costs and employment competition, despite the federal government reducing annual immigration targets. Canadians have mixed feelings about immigrants' role in the economy and society. While 49 percent believe immigrants benefit the economy and 70 percent agree they take undesirable jobs, 40 percent think immigrants are taking jobs from Canadians and 33 percent see them as a threat to the Canadian way of life. The survey shows stark contrasts between those who believe there are too many immigrants and those who do not, particularly on economic contributions and support for deportation policies. Housing costs and employment challenges have become central issues, with many Canadians blaming newcomers for rising prices and labor market issues, leading to demands for stricter immigration controls A new Leger poll conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) has found that nearly half of Canadians now favor mass deportations of illegal immigrants. According to Statistics Canada, Canada intercepted 865 irregular border crossers in the first nine months of 2024. But despite these relatively low numbers compared to the U.S., public perception has been shaped by increased refugee claims following illegal border crossings in 2023, totaling 31,520, up from 20,896 in 2022. In response to the growing unease, the federal government has announced reductions to its annual immigration targets, aiming for 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027, down from the previous target of 500,000 newcomers per year. (Related: POLL: Majority of Americans support the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.) But even with these cuts, public opinion remains largely unchanged. Based on the online survey, conducted among 1,539 Canadians from Nov. 22 to 24, 67 percent of respondents were aware of the reduction stating that the numbers are still too high. In line with this, the poll revealed that 65 percent of Canadians now believe the country is accepting too many legal immigrants, a sharp increase from 50 percent in February and 35 percent in March 2019. This shift in public opinion coincides with rising concerns over housing costs and employment competition, often blamed on high immigration levels. Canadians have differing views on the role of immigrants in their country Despite this shift in sentiment regarding mass deportation, Canadians' views on the role of immigrants in their society are mixed. Forty-nine percent of respondents believe that immigrants are generally good for the economy, and 70 percent agree that immigrants take jobs that Canadians often do not want. Conversely, 40 percent believe that immigrants are taking jobs away from Canadians and 33 percent think they threaten the Canadian way of life. Nevertheless, 61 percent of respondents said immigrants make important cultural contributions to Canada. "There's a bit of ambiguity, or contradiction, in terms of the economic dimension of the issue," Jack Jedwab, president of the ACS said. "But there's a fairly strong perception that immigrants make an important contribution to our culture, but also a substantial percentage of people think that they're threatening our way of life." The survey also revealed a stark contrast in opinions among those who believe there are too many immigrants in Canada versus those who do not. For instance, just 39 percent of those who think there are too many immigrants believe they contribute to the national economy, compared to 80 percent of those who do not hold that view. Additionally, 63 percent of those who think there are too many immigrants support mass deportations, while only 20 percent of those who disagree do. The impact of immigration on the job market and housing costs, in particular, has been a major point of contention. Many Canadians blame newcomers for rising housing prices and employment challenges, leading to calls for tighter immigration controls. Follow InvasionUSA.news for more stories about the ongoing illegal immigration happening in America. Watch new border czar Tom Homan telling Veronika Kyrylenko of the New American magazine that the U.S. border is broken by design. This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: On Day One of second term, Trump is planning MASS DEPORTATIONS. Former ICE Director Tom Homan: Trump's mass deportation plan won't separate families, since WHOLE FAMILIES of illegals will be deported together. Biden campaign adviser scoffs at poll that shows majority of Americans support MASS DEPORTATION of illegals. Poll: Majority of Hispanics favor MASS DEPORTATIONS of illegals. Latest polls show majority of Americans now approve of MASS DEPORTATIONS for illegal immigrants. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com TheNationalPost.com Brighteon.com Russian official blasts Israeli plans for Golan Heights as Middle East tensions reach flashpoint Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned Israel against escalating tensions in the Golan Heights, urging them to adhere to the 1974 disengagement agreement and criticizing the idea of annexation as "unacceptable." Ryabkov's comments highlight the complex geopolitical situation in the region, particularly the presence of Russian forces in Syria and Moscow's support for ousted Syrian President Assad, which complicates Israel's actions. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu earlier announced plans to formally annex the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1981, calling it an eternal part of Israeli territory and seeking support from the U.S. for this move. The international community, including the United Nations and Arab states, has condemned Israel's actions, citing violations of international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement. The situation in the Golan Heights and Israel's continued occupation and expansion plans raise concerns about potential escalation, given the significant military presence and the delicate balance of power in the region. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has warned that Israel's ambitions in the Golan Heights risk exacerbating tensions. The Russian official issued his warning Monday, Dec. 16, directing it at "hotheads intoxicated by opportunities." He called on Israel to return to full implementation of the 1974 disengagement agreement and stated that "the annexation of the Golan Heights, which many are talking about now, is absolutely unacceptable." Ryabkovs comments reflect the delicate balance of power in the region, where Russia maintains a significant presence in Syria. The incursion by Israeli forces into the buffer zone has drawn Moscow's attention and concern. The presence of Russian forces in Syria further complicates the situation. Moscow, a long-time ally of Damascus, views any challenge to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule as a threat to its interests. Ryabkov's warning came almost a week after Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu said Tel Aviv plans to annex the Golan Heights, an area it seized from Syria nearly six decades ago, as part of Israeli territory permanently. "The Golan [Heights] will be part of the State of Israel for eternity," he said on Dec. 9 during a press conference. Netanyahu also thanked U.S. President-elect for recognizing Israel's 1981 annexation of the territory during his first term. (Related: Middle East tensions flare up as Netanyahu declares Israeli occupation of Golan Heights will be FOREVER.) The escalation began when Israeli forces launched an incursion into a buffer zone established in 1974 as part of the disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria. The move came after the fall of Assad's government, which was toppled by opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir-al-Sham jihadists. In response to the changing political landscape, Israel has moved to expand its control over the Golan Heights, citing security concerns. Israel doubles down on plans to occupy Golan Heights, sparking outrage However, the international community has condemned the action as a violation of international law. The United Nations emphasized that Israel's seizure of the Golan Heights is a breach of the 1974 agreement. Arab states have also voiced their disapproval, with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing the occupation as a "continued violation of the rules of international law." But the outrage failed to deter Israel as Netanyahu announced plans to double the Jewish population in the Golan Heights. The proposal approved by the Israeli cabinet aims to bolster Israel's presence on the contested territory, despite warnings from Russia and criticism from the international community. "Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the state of Israel," a statement from the Israeli leader's office declared. We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it." The prime ministers office has justified the expansion by stating that "the collapse of the Assad government and the Syrian Army abandoning its posts has invalidated the agreement." Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has likewise defended the occupation of foreign territory, claiming it is of enormous security importance. However, the international community remains skeptical. As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, aware that any miscalculation could spark a regional crisis. The illegal occupation of the Golan Heights by Israel not only undermines international law but also risks further destabilizing the already volatile Middle East. The United States has voiced understanding of Israel's actions, but also called for "lasting stability" between Israel and Syria, emphasizing adherence to the 1974 disengagement agreement. With Moscow maintaining a significant presence in Syria and Washington recognizing Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights, the region is teetering on the edge of another potential conflict. The international community must now work to prevent such an escalation, given the delicate balance of power and the significant military presence in the region. Watch this clip from Russia Today about how Trump's recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory during his first term sparked outrage. This video is from the TruthBeTold channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The fall of Syria: A dangerous prelude to war with Iran? From Syria to Ukraine: How the U.S. plays by two sets of rules. The new normal: U.S. shows unwavering support for Israel's aggression, including its Syrian incursion US hypocrisy reaches a new level: Israel's occupation of Syria is 'security,' Russia's moves in Ukraine are 'aggression.' Sources include: RT.com 1 English.AlArabiya.net RT.com 2 Brighteon.com 15-year-old shooters alleged manifesto points to radical feminism as a potential factor A 15-year-old girl killed a teacher and a student at Abundant Life Christian School before taking her own life. A manifesto allegedly written by the shooter calls for the eradication of men to create a "new world." The manifesto reflects radical feminist beliefs and disdain for family, raising concerns about indoctrination in schools. The tragedy highlights the dangers of divisive ideologies in education, fostering anger and extremism. This incident mirrors previous school shootings, emphasizing the need for schools to promote empathy and unity. The tragic school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, has left a community reeling and a nation searching for answers. The shooter, identified as 15-year-old Natalie Lynn Rupnow, took the lives of a teacher and a fellow student before turning the gun on herself. Six others were wounded, two critically. While the motive remains under investigation, a manifesto allegedly written by Rupnow has surfaced, raising troubling questions about the influence of radical ideologies on young minds. The alleged manifesto: A call to wipe out men Reports indicate that part of a manifesto, titled "War Against Humanity," was posted online prior to the shooting. In it, the author, who some have claimed is Rupnow, expresses a deep-seated hatred for men, calling for their eradication to create a new world free of male influence. The chilling words, "Every single male must be wiped out, from babies to the elderly. Only then will women be free to create a new world," suggest a mindset steeped in radical feminist beliefs. However, authorities have yet to confirm the authenticity of the document. The manifesto also reveals a disdain for society and family, labeling her parents as "scum." Its a stark reminder of how deeply fractured relationships can become when young people are taught to view the world through the lens of oppression and victimhood. The idea of wiping out an entire gender is not only horrifying but also biologically impossible. Women need men to procreate, a fact that seems to have been lost in the rhetoric of modern education. Divisive ideologies in the classroom This tragedy underscores a growing concern about the way schools are teaching young people about feminism, gender identity, and other social issues. Instead of fostering unity and understanding, these lessons often create an "us-vs-them" mentality. Students are being indoctrinated with the belief that men are inherently oppressive, and women are perpetually victims. This narrative, repeated ad nauseam, can lead to anger, resentment, and a desire for extreme action. The alleged manifesto suggests that Rupnow was influenced by these teachings, internalizing the idea that men are the root of all societal problems. This is not just a failure of education; its a dangerous distortion of reality. By teaching young women to hate men, schools are sowing the seeds of division and violence. The result is a generation that feels justified in taking extreme measures to "right the wrongs" of the world. Gender fluidity creates confusion The manifestos call for a world without men is particularly troubling in light of the broader push to normalize gender fluidity. If gender is indeed fluid, as schools increasingly teach, then the idea of men being biologically necessary for procreation becomes irrelevant. This raises the question: did Rupnow truly believe that men were unnecessary, or was she simply echoing the rhetoric she had been exposed to? Either way, the confusion created by these teachings only adds to the tragedy. A pattern of radicalization Rupnows case is not the first to raise concerns about radical ideologies influencing school shooters. Audrey Hale, the perpetrator of the Nashville Christian school shooting earlier this year, also claimed to be transgender. While the details of Hales motives differ, both cases highlight a disturbing trend of young people who feel alienated and radicalized by the very institutions that are supposed to guide them. As we mourn the victims of this senseless violence, its crucial to address the root causes of such tragedies. Schools must take responsibility for the ideologies they promote. Instead of fostering division, they should focus on teaching empathy, respect, and the value of human life. By rejecting the "us-vs-them" mentality, we can create a society where young people feel understood and supported rather than angry and alienated. The tragedy in Wisconsin is a stark reminder that words have consequences. The manifesto, whether authentic or not, serves as a chilling testament to the dangers of radical ideologies. Its time to reevaluate the way we educate our youth and ensure that schools are places of learning, not indoctrination. Sources for this article include: X.com Newsweek.com DailyMail.co.uk Trump taps Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece Donald Trump appoints Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. Ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor and Fox News anchor, brings legal and media expertise to the role. Her close ties to Trump Jr. and her role in the 2020 campaign solidified her position in Trumps inner circle. The appointment aligns with a tradition of presidents rewarding loyalists and family members with key roles. Guilfoyles nomination aims to strengthen U.S.-Greece relations on defense, trade and economic innovation. President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Kimberly Guilfoyle as the next U.S. Ambassador to Greece, a move that underscores his commitment to rewarding loyal allies and family connections within his administration. Guilfoyle, a seasoned legal professional, media personality, and longtime supporter of Trump, brings a wealth of experience to the role, further cementing her position as a key figure in the president-elects inner circle. A proven ally with a diverse background Guilfoyles appointment is a testament to her multifaceted career and unwavering support for the Trump agenda. A former prosecutor with stints in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, she honed her legal skills during the 1990s, working alongside future Vice President Kamala Harris in the San Francisco District Attorneys office, who she has described as being "unwelcoming". Her transition to media was equally notable, as she co-anchored Fox News The Five from 2011 to 2018, earning a reputation as a sharp and engaging commentator. Beyond her legal and media credentials, Guilfoyle has been a prominent figure in Trumps political orbit. She served as the fundraising director for his 2020 presidential campaign and has been a vocal surrogate, delivering impassioned speeches at the Republican National Convention in recent years. Her close relationship with Donald Trump Jr., with whom she has been engaged since 2020, further solidifies her role as a trusted member of the Trump familys extended network, although there have been rumors recently that the engagement may be off. A tradition of presidential loyalty appointments While some may view Guilfoyles appointment as part of a pattern of favoring friends and family, it is important to note that presidents have long rewarded loyalists and family members with key roles in their administrations. From John Adams appointing his son, John Quincy Adams, as minister to Prussia to John F. Kennedy nominating his brother Robert Kennedy as attorney general, the practice is deeply rooted in American political history. Trumps administration is no exception. His daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner played prominent roles in his first term, while other family connections have been tapped for high-profile positions this time around. Charles Kushner, father-in-law to Ivanka, was nominated as ambassador to France, and Massad Boulos, father-in-law to Tiffany Trump, was named senior adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. These appointments reflect a broader trend of presidents relying on trusted allies to advance their agendas. Trump Administrations roster is expanding Guilfoyles nomination is part of a broader wave of appointments announced by Trump as he prepares to assume office. Among the recent picks are Jacob Helberg, nominated as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, and Pete Hegseth, tapped for the role of defense secretary. These selections highlight Trumps focus on assembling a team of loyalists with diverse expertise to carry out his America First vision. Helberg, a technology executive, is expected to champion economic statecraft and promote American technological dominance abroad. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, brings military and media experience to the Pentagon, further reinforcing the administrations ties to the network. These appointments, like Guilfoyles, signal a deliberate effort to surround himself with individuals who share his vision and are committed to executing it. A new era for U.S.-Greece relations Guilfoyles role as ambassador to Greece will be pivotal in shaping bilateral relations between the two nations. Her experience in law, media and politics positions her to foster collaboration on critical issues such as defense cooperation, trade, and economic innovation. In a statement, Trump praised her as perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation. For her part, Guilfoyle expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that she looks forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity. Her nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, underscores the administrations commitment to strengthening alliances and promoting American interests abroad. As Trumps second term takes shape, the appointment of Kimberly Guilfoyle and other loyalists reflects a deliberate strategy to build an administration rooted in trust, expertise, and shared values. While the practice of appointing family members and allies may spark debate, it remains a time-honored tradition in American politics and one that continues to shape the nations leadership and foreign policy. Sources for this article include: TheNationalPulse.com BBC.com FoxNews.com NPR.org News / National by Staff reporter As the festive season approaches, Zimbabwe and South Africa's border authorities have begun implementing integrated plans to manage the anticipated surge in traffic at Beitbridge Border Post, ensuring smooth operations as traffic volumes continue to build up.In preparation for the increase in travellers, traffic lanes at the border have been categorised into cargo, buses, pedestrians, and light vehicles to streamline movement and reduce congestion. On the South African side, additional service points have been opened to cater to the influx of travellers, while Zimbabwean authorities are also deploying measures to manage the surge efficiently.Mr. Joshua Chibundu, the Regional Immigration Officer for the Southern Region, assured the public that border authorities are well-prepared to handle the expected traffic. During off-peak periods, border authorities process about 13,000 travellers, 1,000 commercial trucks, 120 buses, and 2,000 light vehicles daily. However, these numbers are expected to triple during the busy festive season."We have realised an increase in volumes of travellers, and we applaud the Government for installing the online border management system, which has significantly enhanced the efficiency of our entry and exit processes," Mr. Chibundu said.He also cautioned travellers to avoid dealing with touts who often exploit the busy period by masquerading as officials. "The Department of Immigration does not require the services of agents or middlemen; we urge travellers to present themselves to authorised officials for customs and immigration clearance," he added.Mr. Chibundu also advised parents to ensure that children are accompanied by authorised personnel for a smoother and safer border-crossing experience.South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr. Michael Masiapato, acknowledged the expected surge in traveller volumes, which typically leads to long queues at border posts. He assured the public that measures are in place to manage the increased traffic efficiently."We are aware of the increased traveller volumes, and we are working closely with all stakeholders to manage operations and reduce waiting times," Dr. Masiapato said. He also encouraged travellers to plan their journeys carefully, advising that arriving earlier than usual will help ensure smoother processing amidst the increased demand.The BMA has deployed additional personnel to handle the surge and urged travellers to adhere to travel regulations and immigration laws. Dr. Masiapato expressed appreciation for the public's cooperation during this busy period and assured that updates would be provided as necessary.Beitbridge's Port Health Officer, Mrs. Silibaziso Nkala, announced that thermal scanners have been installed at the border post to expedite the screening of travellers. She confirmed that all port health staff would be working throughout the festive period, with no off-days except for maternity or sick leave, to ensure the smooth flow of services."Travellers who require medical attention will be prioritised and those needing urgent care will be transported to the local hospital in an ambulance," Mrs. Nkala said.The Beitbridge Border Post has undergone recent upgrades under a 17-year build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model through a partnership between the Zimbabwean Government and the Zimborders Consortium. Mr. Nqobile Ncube, the Consortium's General Manager, said a final plan crafted by various border stakeholders, including Government agencies, had been activated."This plan includes the deployment of additional staff, the opening of more service points, increased dissemination of travel information, enhanced security to prevent touting and illegal immigration, and the harmonisation of border controls and operations," Mr. Ncube said.Zimborders has also launched an information centre on its website, www.zimborders.com, where the public can access general travel information. To help expedite border crossings, travellers are encouraged to use pre-clearance facilities and the electronic tip system for those travelling with foreign-registered vehicles.With these measures in place, border authorities are optimistic that the festive season will be marked by efficient operations and minimal delays at Beitbridge Border Post. 1. Broad adoption by observability platform vendors One key proof point for OTel is the fact that virtually all of the major observability vendors offer integrated support for the open-source standard. According to Gartners August 2024 Magic Quadrant for observability platforms, leading vendors such as Chronosphere, New Relic, Datadog, Dynatrace, ServiceNow, Splunk, and SumoLogic support OTel. In fact, Gartner takes points away from Microsoft because, according to the report, Microsofts Azure Monitor doesnt yet offer support for automated ingestion of OTel data directly via a collector interface; it requires an additional exporter tool. 2. Certification adds validation Certification programs are important because they provide IT staffers with a formalized process to learn new skills (and make more money). And, as more network managers become proficient working with OTel, it becomes a standard part of their toolkit. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and Linux Foundation have announced an OpenTelemetry certification aimed at validating the skills needed to utilize OTel in order to gain visibility across distributed systems. The OpenTelemetry Certified Associate (OTCA) is aimed at application engineers, DevOps engineers, system reliability engineers, platform engineers, or IT professionals looking to increase their abilities to leverage telemetry data across distributed systems of cloud-native and microservices-based applications. Earning your OTCA boosts your career by equipping you with sought-after skills for modern IT operations, said Clyde Seepersad, senior vice president and general manager, Linux Foundation Education. These skills position you as a proactive, problem-solving professional in an era of complex, distributed systems. The exam costs $250 and applicants will be able to schedule exams beginning in January 2025. 3. OTel extends into CI/CD pipelines OTel was initially targeted at cloud-native applications, but with the creation of a special interest group within OpenTelemetry focused on the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) application development pipeline, OTel becomes a more powerful, end-to-end tool. CI/CD observability is essential for ensuring that software is released to production efficiently and reliably, according to project lead Dotan Horovits. By integrating observability into CI/CD workflows, teams can monitor the health and performance of their pipelines in real-time, gaining insights into bottlenecks and areas that require improvement. He adds that open standards are critical because they create a common uniform language which is tool- and vendor-agnostic, enabling cohesive observability across different tools and allowing teams to maintain a clear and comprehensive view of their CI/CD pipeline performance. Considering the high volume of transactions in the telecom industry, identifying a small number of targeted fraudulent operations can be extremely challenging. The sustainability of the digital environment and ecosystem relies heavily on the trust it provides to its stakeholders. Services such as telecom, cloud, and routing may have visibility into the data they process, but it becomes a significant concern if the service provider is not trustworthy. Due to world trade agreements, it will be difficult to ban products from any specific country based on assumptions, Varkey added. Considering the indicators, ensuring due care and regulatory mandates on telecom network infrastructure and the governance practices they follow is essential. Effect of FCCs actions The FCC has taken steps to restrict companies like China Mobile and China Telecom from operating in the US due to national security concerns. However, there are still gaps that need to be addressed, said Sanjaya Kumar, CEO of SureShield. One significant gap is the lack of periodic review of existing authorizations. The FCC currently does not have a process for regularly reassessing the national security risks associated with carriers that already have authorization to operate in the US. This means that once a company is authorized, there is limited oversight unless the company seeks a modification, assignment, or transfer of control. Additionally, there are broader cybersecurity challenges that need to be tackled. The European Union is planning its own satellite constellation, IRIS, as part of a 10.6 billion ($11.1 billion ) initiative to provide secure, resilient connectivity to businesses, governments, and citizens. The project will be jointly developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and SpaceRISE, a consortium of satellite industry leaders, and positions itself as Europes strategic alternative to commercial networks such as SpaceXs Starlink. IRIS (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite) will comprise 290 satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), according to the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, which is providing early funding for the initiative. News / National by Staff reporter Two Norton-based police officers have been arrested for extortion after attempting to escape arrest moments after accepting a US$5,000 bribe from the Chinese-owned Sunny Yifeng Tiles Zimbabwe Company.The officers, Patrick Kwashira and Tangai Matomati, both residents of Norton, appeared before Harare Magistrate Isheanesu Matova on Thursday. They were charged with extortion and were granted bail of US$200 each pending further investigation.According to the prosecution, the incident began when Matomati, the investigating officer in a case of alleged assault, discovered that the complainant, Tapfuma Nyahonda, had withdrawn the charges against four individuals: Hou Zesong, Methew Mapfumo, Patience Zinyimo, and Brit Mutatsi. Matomati was reportedly unaware of the withdrawal, which prompted him to notify his superior.The court heard that Matomati and Kwashira then allegedly took advantage of the situation and contacted Sunny Yifeng Tiles, claiming that Nyahonda had been forced to withdraw the assault charges by the accused employeesTerrify Taruvinga and Wang-Xioa-Jin. They demanded a bribe of US$5,000 from the company, threatening to pursue the case further unless the money was paid.In response, a trap was set by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Internal Investigations unit. The officers were invited to the Sunny Yifeng Tiles premises, located along the Harare-Bulawayo highway, where they were to receive the demanded money.The company's employee, Taruvinga, handed the bribe money to Kwashira in the presence of Matomati in one of the company's offices. As the officers left the office, ZRP Internal Investigations officers intercepted them. Kwashira was found holding the bribe money, but Matomati managed to flee the scene.However, Kwashira dropped the bribe money, a CZ pistol magazine with nine rounds, and his personal belongings while attempting to escape. He was apprehended with the assistance of Sunny Yifeng Tiles employees.CCTV footage from the company was used as evidence to identify and track the officers' movements, leading to their capture. The footage clearly captured Kwashira and Matomati at the Sunny Yifeng facility during the bribe transaction.The case highlights a growing concern over corruption within law enforcement agencies, and the ZRP has vowed to continue its efforts to root out criminal activities among its ranks. Further investigations are ongoing, and authorities are urging the public to report any similar cases. 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. 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 India--Assam 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. Moscow, Dec 17 : The West is pushing Russia towards its red line, leaving Moscow no choice but to respond, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an expanded meeting of the collegium of the Russian Defence 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 on Monday, adding that the West wages hybrid wars and pursue a policy of containment concerning states they oppose, including Russia. He said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is ramping up military spending, deploying strike groups near Russia's borders, and increasing the number of US troops in Europe, with the total now exceeding 100,000, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the bloc is also strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region while forming US-led military alliances that weaken the region's long-standing security architecture. "US 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 US 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 modernised, and 95 per cent 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 added 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". He warned that if the US proceeds with the deployment of such missiles, Russia would respond by lifting all voluntary restrictions it has imposed on its own missile deployments. The Russian president further emphasised that the country's nuclear arsenal is intended solely for deterrence, underscoring its strategic value in maintaining balance. Putin also highlighted the continued progress of Russian forces in Ukraine, claiming that 189 settlements had been brought under Russian control this year. Bengaluru, Dec 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences on the demise of Padma Shri awardee and environmentalist Tulsi Gowda. In a heartfelt message, he described her as a "guiding light for environmental conservation," whose dedication will inspire generations to come. Taking to social media platform X on Tuesday, PM Modi shared a picture where he is seen seeking blessings from Tulsi Gowda. He wrote, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Smt Tulsi Gowda Ji, a revered environmentalist from Karnataka and Padma Awardee. She dedicated her life to nurturing nature, planting thousands of saplings, and conserving our environment. She will remain a guiding light for environmental conservation. Her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti." Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, also mourned her passing. He stated, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Mother Tulsi Gowda's demise. She considered nature divine and dedicated her life to nurturing countless saplings into full-grown trees. Her invaluable contribution leaves an inspiring legacy for future generations. I pray for eternal peace for her soul and strength for her family and admirers." Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in his condolence message, highlighted her unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. He said, "I am saddened by the passing of environmentalist Tulsi Gowda from Honnalli in Ankola taluk. Despite working as a daily wage labourer in the Forest Department, her dedication to planting and nurturing trees continued even after retirement, earning her the prestigious Padma Shri award. Remembering her immense love for the environment, I pray for eternal peace for the departed soul." BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra praised Tulsi Gowda's unmatched efforts, saying, "Known as 'Vruksha Mata' (Mother of Trees), Tulsi Gowda planted and nurtured over one lakh saplings. The Government of India recognized her dedication by conferring the Padma Shri and Rajyotsava awards. May God give strength to her family and admirers to bear this loss, and may her soul rest in eternal peace." Padma Shri awardee Tulsi Gowda, affectionately known as 'Vruksha Maate' (Mother of Trees), passed away on Monday at her residence in Honnalli village, Karwar district, Karnataka. She was 86 and had been battling age-related ailments. Born in 1944 to Narayana and Neeli in Honnalli, Tulsi Gowda grew up in the forests of Karnataka, where she developed a profound bond with nature. By the age of 12, her love for plants and trees was already deeply ingrained. Over her lifetime, she planted and nurtured hundreds of thousands of saplings, transforming barren land into lush greenery and earning her the title "encyclopedia of forests" from local environmentalists. Tulsi Gowda's vast knowledge of over 300 indigenous plant species and her ability to cultivate forests on plain land were unparalleled. Despite losing her husband at a young age, she joined the Forest Department as a daily wage worker to support her two children. Her passion for afforestation remained steadfast, as she collected seeds, nurtured saplings, and silently led a green revolution. Over six decades, Tulsi Gowda planted and nurtured more than 30,000 saplings annually, leaving behind an invaluable ecological legacy. Her dedication earned her the Padma Shri award in 2021 and a doctorate honor from Dharwad Agricultural University. Tulsi Gowda has left behind two children and four grandchildren. Mumbai, Dec 17 : The makers of the Sonu Sood starrer Fateh have released its second track, Hitman. The actor has collaborated with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh for the foot-tapping peppy number. Leo Grewal has penned the lyrics, while Bosco Martis has choreographed the track. Sood took to his Instagram handle to share the song and wrote in the caption, Theyre here with a tsunami! Punjabi Munde bring the storm Hitman Out Now. Speaking about teaming up with Honey Singh, Sonu shared, This journey started when both of us Punjabis met in Chandigarh years ago. Honeys music had the pulse of the streets back then, and it still does today. Collaborating with him for Hitman feels like destiny coming full circle. His beats have given Fateh the edge it needed. This song is a powerhouse of intensity, addictive melody, and sheer Punjabi pride. The rapper added, Ive known Sonu sir for more than 16 years. Even back then, I knew he wasnt just meant to act in films he was born to create them. When he showed me chunks of Fateh, I felt his passion as a filmmaker. Getting the privilege to create Hitman for this amazing movie was like putting the soundtrack to his vision. I remember making music in Chandigarh and Mohali all those years ago, and he always assured me that Mumbai would go crazy for my music. His belief in me back then meant the world, and today, were giving fans something epic, celebrating our Punjabi roots. Talking about directing Honey and Sonu, Bosco Martis stated, Working with Honey for the first time was incredible; his energy was truly infectious. His style, his vibe, and my vision all aligned perfectly. And then, there was Sonuso cool and collaborative. Directing both of them was such a fulfilling experience. The energy on set was amazing, and it all came together in the best way possible. Having two cool Punjabi men leading this, backed by my teams efforts, made it a truly joyous experience. On a related note, "Fateh," backed by Zee Studios and Shakti Sagar Productions and co-produced by Ajay Dhama, marks Sonus directorial debut. The movie is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the fight against cybercrime. Fateh is slated to release on January 10, 2025. Guwahati, Dec 17 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that India and Bhutan are bound by shared civilisational heritage and the ties between the two countries have evolved in the last few years. Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma wrote, "Bharat and Bhutan are bound by shared civilisational heritage. Proud that our relationship over the years has evolved and cemented and we've continued our forward march as strong partners in growth. In our concerted bid to build further on this strength, happy to have launched the #AdvantageAssam 2.0 Roadshow from Thimphu on December 16, 2024." Earlier on Monday, CM Sarma along with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay attended a meeting in Thimphu on the upcoming investor summit- Advantage Assam 2.0. In his keynote address, CM 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 December 17, the Chief Minister said 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," CM Sarma stated, adding that he is delighted to announce that Assam is hosting an Investment and Infrastructure Summit on February 25 and 26 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 of 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 India, Assam has an opportunity to be a significant beneficiary of this initiative, contributing to the shared goal of promoting renewable energy and economic growth. Mumbai, Dec 17 : Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, whose OTT series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack', has become one of the most search webseries, has said that narratives like 'IC 814' don't just serve the purpose of entertainment, they go beyond that and present a tale of human resilience, courage and humanity. 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is based on the hijacking of the Air India flight. Touted as a real account of the events, the story of the show unfolds across five airports, five countries, seven days, and 188 people who were aboard the aircraft. The show remained in the global top 10 charts for three weeks and in Indian top 10 charts for 11 weeks. Talking about the show's success, Anubhav Sinha, said, "Stories like these are not just meant to entertain; they remind us of resilience, courage, and humanity in the face of unimaginable adversity. It was a humbling experience to bring this story to the screen, and I am deeply grateful for the love it has received from audiences worldwide". Actor Vijay Varma, who essayed the role of Captain Devi Sharan in the series, called it an honour to portray him on screen. He said, "It was an absolute honour to play Captain Devi Sharan on screen. Anubhav Sir brought together stalwarts of Indian cinema to retell this historic event. I'll wear this show as a badge of honour for the rest of my life". December 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the hijack, one of the most traumatic hijackings in the history of Indian aviation. A show that took six years to research, write, and produce, 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' is an adaptation of the book 'Flight into Fear: The Captain's Story' by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhary. Producer Sarita Patil of Matchbox Shots said, "Real-life stories, told authentically, keeping the God of detail happy, resonate with the world. It would not have been possible without the faith Netflix bestowed on Matchbox and the creative stewardship of Anubhav Sinha. A big thank you". The show is available to stream on Netflix. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Nearly 11.6 lakh women directors are currently associated with public and private companies in the country, the government informed the Parliament on Tuesday, as it continues to encourage women participation in decision-making at various levels in enterprises across the spectrum. While 11,11,040 women are directors in private companies (including OPCs), 46,939 are associated with unlisted public companies and 8,672 with listed public companies, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Harsh Malhotra, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The MCA has included several provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, to boost the participation of women at top levels in companies, like making it mandatory for prescribed classes of companies to have at least one woman director. Also, every listed company and every other public company having paid-up share capital of Rs 100 crore or more or having a turnover of Rs 300 crore or more, is required to appoint at least one woman director. If a company makes default in complying with this provision of the Act, the company and every officer of the company who is in default, is liable for a penalty provided under section 172 of the Companies Act, 2013, according to the ministry. The total number of companies registered during the current fiscal (FY25) stands at 1,12,962 (till November 30). Meanwhile, to strengthen the process of insolvency resolution and to ensure proper implementation of the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), the government has made six amendments to the IBC. According to Malhotra, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has made more than 100 amendments in regulations since the inception of IBC based on the needs of the market to streamline processes and maximise the value of the assets of the corporate debtor. IBC provides a consolidated framework for reorganisation, insolvency resolution and liquidation of corporate persons, except financial service providers (FSPs). However, Section 227 of the IBC enables the central government to notify FSPs and categories of FSPs for the purpose of insolvency and liquidation proceedings. Nagpur, Dec 17 : After a bitter fight and war of words during the recently held Assembly election, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Vidahan Bhavan and congratulated him for MahaYuti's victory. Thackeray, who was accompanied by his son and former minister Aaditya Thackeray and party legislators, spent a few minutes in the CM's chamber and gave him a bouquet wishing him his successful tenure. Both exchanged their views in a lighter atmosphere. A rare bonhomie between Thackeray and Fadnavis was on display. "I wished Fadnavis for taking over as the chief minister and also congratulated him for MahaYuti's victory in the state Assembly. There is a rich tradition in Maharashtra for a healthy dialogue between the ruling and opposition party leaders. I also wished him under his chief ministership Maharashtra will further progress," said Thackeray. Thackeray also met the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and congratulated for his election as the Speaker. The Shiv Sena-UBT chief has clarified that there was nothing political about his meeting with the chief minister. Ahead of the Assembly election, Thackeray had slammed Fadnavis, likening him to an "insignificant dhekun (bed bug)" and stressing on the need "to get rid of it". In another public meeting, Uddhav called him "tarbuz (watermelon)" that "should be dumped in potholes". Fadnavis hit back saying that something had affected Uddhav Thackeray's health and he should get well soon. Thackeray had recently targeted Fadnavis saying "Either you will remain, or I will." However, after taking over the CM's charge on December 5, Fadnavis downplayed Thackeray's statement and said, "Both are in politics." News / National by Staff reporter White commercial growers in Zimbabwe said that the government has failed to pay part of $331 million in compensation to farmers for expropriating their land but reimbursed others who weren't part of the deal.In a joint letter to the finance ministry dated December 10, the Commercial Farmers Union and the Southern African Commercial Alliance asked for urgent talks with the government. The letter said many of their members are now destitute and have had their dignity taken away as a result of failure to get reimbursed through the so-called Global Compensation Deal.Under an accord signed in 2020, the government agreed to compensate about 4,000 White farmers whose land was seized by state-backed militants, but it has repeatedly missed payment deadlines. The government expects the deal to cost $3.5 billion over as many as 10 years.The Harare-based government has defended the land seizures, saying they were meant to address colonial imbalances."The current approach risks eroding trust and undermining the structured dialogue platform's objectives," the unions said in the letter seen by Bloomberg and confirmed by the Finance Ministry. "We urge your ministry to prioritise dialogue with the GCD signatories to develop a cohesive, homegrown solution that balance compensation with agricultural recovery."So far 1 300 former white commercial farmers have signed up to receive compensation, according to official data.Zimbabwe set aside $35 million in the budget for the year that ended March 31 to begin payments. It set aside $10 million for the current fiscal year.The country has identified at least 439 former landowners as beneficiaries for the financial settlement of $331 million, according to the African Development Bank.The government will continue to make payments to farmers who want to be compensated, said Andrew Bvumbe, the head of debt management in the finance ministry. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The first year of the BJP government in Rajasthan has served as a strong foundation for many more years of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday while inaugurating projects worth over Rs 46,300 crore. PM Modi said the government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has made efforts to strengthen the heritage of good governance in the last one year and taken decisions for the development of the poor families, women, labourers, Vishwakarmas and nomadic tribes. He noted that the governments at the Centre and the State were rapidly implementing infrastructure projects on the ground by swiftly fulfilling promises, and Tuesday's programme was a significant part of this commitment. The 24 projects inaugurated or whose foundation stone laid on Tuesday were related to Energy, Roads, Railways and Water, including the interlinking of 11 rivers in the state. PM Modi added that Tuesday's event not just marked the completion of one year of the government, but also symbolised the radiating brightness of Rajasthan and a festival of development in the desert state. Highlighting maladies like paper leaks and employment scams as the legacy of the previous government, PM Modi said the youth had suffered a lot in the past but now the process of ironing out the issues had been initiated by the incumbent government. Lauding CM Sharma and his team for efforts to give a new direction and pace to development works, the PM said the BJP government in Rajasthan had created thousands of job opportunities in the last one year. Recalling his recent visit to the Rising Rajasthan Summit 2024, PM Modi remarked that many investors spanning across the globe were present at the event. The Prime Minister said under the BJP government, job examinations were being conducted in the state with complete transparency as well as appointments were also being made. PM Modi said earlier people of Rajasthan had to pay more for petrol and diesel as compared to other states but the current government has offered them relief. He also reminded people that the Centre now directly credits money to the bank accounts of farmers through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and the state Government adds additional funds to support farmers. Highlighting the delay in the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), PM Modi said that his government believed in cooperation and solutions as against opposition and obstacles. He added that his government has approved and expanded the ERCP. PM Modi highlighted that as soon as BJP governments were formed in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, an agreement was reached on the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project, which would interlink the Chambal River and its tributaries, including Parbati, Kalisindh, Kuno, Banas, Banas, Ruparel, Gambhiri, and Mej rivers. The PM said he envisions a day when Rajasthan will no longer face water scarcity. Talking about the benefits of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, PM Modi said it will provide irrigation and drinking water to 21 districts in Rajasthan while accelerating the development of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Gurugram, Dec 17 : Gurugram district administration on Tuesday directed private companies in Gurugram to allow work-from-home to their staff in view of the high level of air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar, in his order issued under GRAP-4, has stated that private and corporate sector companies should allow work from home for their staff until further notice. The order specifies that, in compliance with the restrictions of GRAP-4, instructions have been given to conduct classes in hybrid mode in all schools, except for 10th and 12th grades. Kumar has directed all concerned departmental officers to strictly implement the restrictions of GRAP-4 related to the fourth phase of measures in Delhi NCR, which were announced late on Monday night. Issuing the advisory in line with the instructions from the Air Quality Management Commission, Kumar emphasized that the district administration is making continuous efforts to reduce pollution. The office timings for government employees have been adjusted; they are now required to report to work at 9:30 am and will provide their services until 5:30 pm. For employees in all municipal bodies, the start time is set at 8:30 am, with a return time of 4:30 pm. All types of construction activities have been halted, and burning of garbage has been prohibited. The Deputy Commissioner, referencing the advisory from CAQM for citizens in the NCR region, urged that children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory, cardiac, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases should avoid outdoor activities. These orders will remain in effect until the air quality improves. Companies are encouraged to comply and cooperate with the district administration in implementing these measures. Additionally, under the restrictions of GRAP-4, public and private construction and demolition activitiesincluding highways and flyoverswill be banned in the district. There will also be a prohibition on vehicles carrying construction material on unpaved roads, along with a ban on open burning of garbage and the use of polythene and other polluting substances. Hyderabad, Dec 17 : President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday for a five-day southern sojourn. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials accorded her a warm welcome at Hakimpet Air Force Station. She then drove to Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum in Secunderabad, where she will stay till December 21. Minister for Panchayat Raj Seethakka, Government Advisor Venugopal, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and other officials were present. Cyberabad and Hyderabad Police had imposed traffic restrictions at various points on the route from the Air Force Station to Rashtrapathi Nilayam. On December 18, the President will inaugurate/lay the foundation of various initiatives at Rashtrapati Nilayam. On December 20, she will present the Presidents Colours to the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. The same evening, she will host an At Home Reception at Rashtrapati Nilayam for the dignitaries of the State, leading citizens, academics. The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Presidents stay. The forest department officials deputed snake catchers as the reptiles were spotted at Rashtrapati Nilayam in the past. On the direction of the Chief Secretary, a snake-catching team has been stationed round the clock in the Rashtrapati Nilayam. Similarly, special teams have been deputed to deal with the monkey menace in and around the Rashtrapati Nilayam in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). This is Murmus 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. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Windy...isolated thunderstorms early, then mostly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms becoming likely. Storms could contain damaging winds. Low 58F. Winds S at 35 to 50 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Windy...isolated thunderstorms early, then mostly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms becoming likely. Storms could contain damaging winds. Low 58F. Winds S at 35 to 50 mph. Chance of rain 100%. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa today presided over the 41st and final Cabinet meeting of 2024 at State House, reflecting on a year marked by significant milestones and setting the tone for the year ahead.In his address, President Mnangagwa lauded the Cabinet for its achievements, citing successful coordination among ministers and people-centred programmes aimed at improving the lives of Zimbabweans. However, he expressed displeasure over the recurring absenteeism of ministers and senior officials from meetings, labelling the behaviour as "untenable." He stressed the need to prioritise Cabinet business over other engagements.The President highlighted the challenges posed by the El Nino-induced drought, urging ministries to accelerate aid delivery and address logistical barriers. He also praised the Health and Child Care Ministry for its swift response to the cholera outbreak earlier in the year, while calling for heightened vigilance against health threats such as Mpox.On energy, President Mnangagwa reiterated the importance of adopting renewable energy to ease the strain on the national grid. He also reaffirmed government support for national housing programmes and emphasised the progress made under the decentralisation and devolution agenda, which has enhanced service delivery in health, education, and sanitation.Looking ahead, the President called on Cabinet members to remain steadfast in advancing Vision 2030, Zimbabwes blueprint for achieving upper-middle-income status. He encouraged ministers to strike a balance between their official responsibilities and family time during the festive season.President Mnangagwa concluded the meeting by thanking the Chief Secretary and the Cabinet secretariat for their dedication throughout the year. He extended holiday greetings to his Cabinet members, wishing them a joyous festive season and a prosperous 2025.The meeting marked a reflective and forward-looking conclusion to the Cabinet's 2024 agenda, setting the stage for continued efforts to improve the nations socio-economic landscape in the coming year. 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 Jakob 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 increased, explains Jakob Grauslund. - 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 Jakob 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. And 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 Anton 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 Jakob 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 sources data sources such as those we have access to in the Nordic region, explains Anton 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 Jakob Grauslund and Anton 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 emphasised 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 Anton Pottegard. - We hope that our results can be used by doctors and patients to discuss the pros and cons of treatment with Ozempic, adds Jakob 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. Kurt 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 semaglutid, 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. University Hospitals is the first health system in Northeast Ohio utilizing the Da Vinci 5 for robotic-assisted surgeries. With substantial improvements over previous models to provide a better experience for surgeons, caregivers and patients, this latest technology represents an evolution in robotic-assisted surgery. Approximately 26 trained surgeons at UH Cleveland Medical Center will be using this robot for a large variety of cases, including esophagectomies and gastric bypasses. "The adoption of the DV5 is not just about technology it reflects UH's strategic investment in the future of robotics," explained thoracic surgeon Christopher Towe, MD, the Charles A. Hubay, MD, Chair in Surgery, who performed the first case with the DV5 in November. "This aligns seamlessly with our mission to heal, to teach and to discover, reinforcing our dedication to providing the highest-quality care for our patients while staying at the forefront of medical innovation. By integrating systems like the DV5, we are ensuring that UH remains a leader in both patient outcomes and surgical education." The first case was a hiatal hernia repair, and the second case was a resection of a mass in the thymus glad. Both procedures were successful and the patients were able to go home within a day due to the minimally invasive aspect of the DV5. The DV5's improvements resulted from a decade of research and more than 14 million procedures performed on earlier models of the da Vinci robot, of which UH Cleveland Medical Center has six. UH currently has eight additional models of da Vinci robots throughout the health system at community hospital locations across Northeast Ohio, with another expected to be added soon. Benefits of the new DV5 robot include: Telepresence Allows live-streaming of surgical procedures in real-time, enabling education, training, and collaboration with colleagues across the globe. Allows live-streaming of surgical procedures in real-time, enabling education, training, and collaboration with colleagues across the globe. Compact design A smaller footprint so it can be used in various types of operating rooms, even those not originally designed for robotics. A smaller footprint so it can be used in various types of operating rooms, even those not originally designed for robotics. Enhancements in controls Improved visualization and haptic feedback, a technology that simulates touch, for more precise minimally invasive procedures. Improved visualization and haptic feedback, a technology that simulates touch, for more precise minimally invasive procedures. Improved ergonomics A redesigned surgeon console offers customizable positioning to accommodate a wide range of body types and provide more comfort during lengthy procedures. The new technology benefits more than just surgeons in the operating room. From a nursing perspective, the compact tower of the DV5 also reduces the amount of movement around the room for the circulating nurse. This robot integrates multiple functions, including integrated laparoscopic equipment, into one tower rather than multiple units in the room, taking up less space and enhancing efficiency. Circulators can control the energy for cautery that helps with hemostasis during cases, as well as insufflation -- gas needed to expand the operative space during procedures. Novel research shows that a reduced neural response to receiving rewards in teens predicts the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidality. This is independent of pre-existing depressive or anxiety symptoms, as well as age or sex, which are already strong risk factors for depression. The study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, published by Elsevier, is a step toward using brain science to understand and assess mental health risks. Mood and anxiety disorders among youth are a growing concern and have long-lasting consequences. Very few studies have identified premorbid neural markers that indicate the risk of the onset of these disorders in a teen's life. This is particularly important given that 50% of children who experience one episode of depression or anxiety will go on to experience a second. Among those who have had two episodes, 80% will go on to have a third or more. Investigators at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, followed a group of 145 teens (64.8% female) with a family history of depressive or anxiety disorders, which put them at very high risk for developing these disorders themselves. Participating families were part of the Calgary Biopsychosocial Risk for Adolescent Internalizing Disorders (CBRAID) study, a longitudinal research program examining premorbid risk factors for first-lifetime onsets of mood and anxiety disorders in adolescence. Researchers conducted nine- and 18-month follow-ups to assess whether participants had developed a major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or suicidal ideation. They found that a blunted response to reward feedback (also known as reward positivity) while playing a game during an EEG scan in which teens were told they either won or lost predicted the first onset of depression, but not anxiety or suicidality. This may suggest that teens who feel less pleasure or satisfaction when receiving rewards are particularly vulnerable to developing depression for the first time in their life. First author Gia-Huy L. Hoang, second-year master's student in neuroscience, University of Calgary, adds, "Evidence shows that kids with depressive or anxiety disorders, which often occur at the same time, generally exhibit a blunted response to rewards. Our research suggests that the brain's response to rewards may be a marker that specifically indicates a risk for depression, rather than for anxiety or suicidality, in teens. Using EEG to measure how the brain responds to rewards is a simple and low-cost method to measure this response." Editor-in-Chief of Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Cameron S. Carter, MD, University of California Irvine, comments, "Depression, anxiety, and suicidality are strongly linked, and are highly disabling and common problems that typically begin during adolescence. Reward processing is closely linked to depression and anxiety. However, little is known about if a blunted response to rewards precedes these conditions and confers risk for depression, anxiety, or suicidality. Research into specific biomarkers that can identify the risk of first-lifetime onsets of these conditions is highly important to understand and assess mental health risks." Senior investigator Daniel C. Kopala-Sibley, PhD, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children Hospital Research Institute, The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, and Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, concludes, "Our findings are important as we work towards understanding the brain bases of why teens become depressed for the first time in their lives, which may ultimately further our ability to identify those at risk and intervene with them to prevent the onset of these disorders." Source: Elsevier Journal reference: Hoang, G.-H. L., et al. (2024). The reward positivity as a predictor of first lifetime onsets of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in high-risk adolescents. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging. doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.10.017. 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 and, specifically, that system here in Michigan. To provide more insight and data, researchers at Michigan State University's College of Education published a new study exploring learning gaps for students with disabilities and especially for those who are Black, Asian, and economically disadvantaged students - with the 2019-21 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 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, identifications fell by a staggering 19% and 12%, respectively. Specific learning disabilities - brain-based disorders that affect a person's ability to understand or use language, read, write, or do math - were 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 2021-22 school year and saw continued growth into 2022-23. However, the sharp decline in identifications from 2019-21 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. Missing that window could have lasting negative effects, which is why it is so important to address these gaps now." Matthew Guzman, study's second author and fourth-year doctoral student in the Education Policy program 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, or 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. Researchers at Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF), led by Prof. Vincent Bonin, have published two new studies uncovering how visual information is processed and distributed in the brain. The studies reveal the complexity and flexibility of visual information processing in the brain. The visual cortex, a key region for interpreting and processing visual input, plays a crucial role in shaping what we see. Vincent Bonin, a professor at KU Leuven and group leader at NERF, studies the neural circuits that process sensory information. "We often think of visual processing in the cortex as a simple, linear process," explains Prof. Bonin, "but our research shows the cortex operates as a complex network with finely tuned connections between regions, supporting specialized visual functions across distinct brain areas." Targeting vs broadcasting In a first study published in Current Biology, postdoctoral researcher Xu Han revealed how visual information is transmitted across different interconnected regions in the brain. Using advanced imaging and circuit-tracing techniques in mice, Han and Bonin identified pathways that either selectively channel visual signals to targeted areas or broadcast information broadly across multiple regions. For instance, neurons in the pulvinar and certain layers of the cortex are finely tuned to their targets, suggesting a role in constructing detailed visual representations. In contrast, deeper neurons seem to ignore target specificity, broadcasting similar visual information across areas - possibly for coordinating broader brain activity." Xu Han, postdoctoral researcher These findings challenge the long-held belief that visual information flows in a simple, step-by-step manner, instead revealing a highly dynamic and adaptable network. Quiet vs aroused In the second study, published in Cell Reports, Bonin and Dr. Karolina Socha (now at the University of California in LA) explored how the brain's thalamus - a key relay station for visual signals - adjusts information processing depending on behavioral states. The researchers found that during quiet wakefulness, neurons in the thalamus amplify signals for back-to-front motion, a transformation absent under anesthesia or heightened arousal. By imaging the activity of neurons in awake mice, they discovered that this modulation is linked to changes in pupil size, a marker of arousal. "Larger pupils coincided with stronger responses to back-to-front motion, suggesting that the thalamus integrates sensory inputs with behavioral context to prioritize certain visual stimuli," explains Bonin. "These findings demonstrate how the thalamus integrates behavioral context to dynamically shape visual representations, altering how motion is processed and prioritized." Predict and manipulate perception Together, both studies represent a major step toward creating a detailed "functional-anatomical map" of the brain's visual system. "Understanding these pathways and mechanisms allows us to predict and manipulate how perception works," says Bonin. These findings advance neuroscience research and hold promise for developing targeted interventions to modulate brain function. News / National by Staff reporter Two police officers from Sakubva Police Station in Mutare have been arrested for allegedly assaulting investigators from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) during a bribery investigation.Sergeant Mduduzi Makina (39) and Constable Elliot Gava (42) are accused of obstructing justice by physically attacking ZACC officers, injuring them, and seizing evidence during the altercation.The incident occurred on December 11, when a ZACC team was investigating allegations of bribery at a roadblock near Mutare Teachers College.According to reports, the ZACC investigators had confiscated the roadblock declaration book as part of their evidence-gathering process. Sgt. Makina and Const. Gava allegedly confronted the investigators, manhandled them, and forcefully retrieved the seized document.The two officers have been charged with obstructing justice and assault. They are expected to appear at the Mutare Magistrate Court today (Tuesday).The incident highlights growing tensions between anti-corruption authorities and some members of the police force accused of unethical practices. Both ZACC and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have yet to issue official statements regarding the case. The ICOD (Improving Condition in Down syndrome) project, a pioneering study in addressing the cognitive difficulties associated with Down syndrome, has demonstrated the safety of treatment with the molecule AEF0217, developed by the French biotech Aelis Farma, as well as its effectiveness in improving cognitive function in these people. The study was led by the Research Institute of the Hospital del Mar. This phase of the trial (phase 1/2 of the project), funded by the European Union under the Horizon 2020 R+D programme and Aelis Farma, has been carried out with 29 people with Down syndrome between 18 and 35 years old, with mild or moderate disability. The objective was to test the safety of the administration of the treatment, as well as to explore the potential to improve the cognition and daily functionality of the participants. In a previous phase, its safety in people without this syndrome had already been validated. To carry out the study, the volunteers were given the molecule AEF0217, developed by Aelis Farma, or placebo, for 28 days. The results, which are now being released, show both the safety of the treatment and the improvement in cognitive functions in people who received it compared to those who received placebo. Measured with reference scales, it has been found that AEF0217 significantly improved behavioural skills in the areas of communication, daily living skills and social interactions. These improvements were also associated with a consistent trend towards greater cognitive flexibility, which is the ability to adapt to new situations or changes. In addition, studies with electroencephalography, which look at spontaneous brain electrical functioning, show statistically significant changes in brain function after AEF0217 treatment, indicating that people with Down syndrome needed less effort to complete a work memory tasks. These results reinforce the idea that the treatment acts effectively at the brain, cognitive and functioning levels, providing initial promising concordant data on its beneficial potential. Dr. Rafael de la Torre, who coordinates the ICOD project en conducted the clinical studies at the Hospital del Mar Research Intitute with Dr. Ana Aldea, explains that "the promising and impressive results of this study generate real hope of developing a safe and effective treatment for cognitive dysfunctions in people with Down syndrome". And he adds that "the effectiveness data are particularly striking, addressing crucial domains of adaptation, such as expression and writing skills, as well as daily living skills and social interactions. These effects, obtained after only four weeks of treatment, are the first in the field of Down syndrome and represent an important step forward towards the development of a treatment that could significantly improve the autonomy and adaptation of these people". Down Catalunya, the entity representing the Down association in Catalonia and which has collaborated with the Hospital del Mar Research Institute in the project, values "these results very positively, due to their impact on improving the quality of life of people with Down syndrome and in general, with intellectual and developmental disabilities". A new therapeutic approach The molecule developed by Aelis Farma is based on the fact that people with Down syndrome have hyperactivity of the cannabinoid receptor CB1, according to several studies, which indicate that its modulation with specific inhibitors drastically improves cognitive performance in animal models. Treatment with AEF0217, the first drug in a new pharmacological class, CB1 Receptor Signaling Specific Inhibitors (CB1-SSi), mimics a natural defense mechanism of the brain to counteract the hyperactivity of this receptor. At the same time, the function of the APOE4 genotype, linked to endocannabinoid physiology and which is the main genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's, is also studied. The team of Dr. Diego Real de Asua from the Hospital de la Princesa in Madrid has also participated in the work. To carry it out, the collaboration of the participants, their families and family associations has been necessary, who have supported the project and have helped to complete this pioneering clinical trial. Next stage: international study The results obtained reinforce the continuity of the project and allow us to move towards the next stage: an international multicenter phase 2 study that will begin in the middle of next year. This trial will focus on determining the appropriate dosage of the treatment to maximize its benefits. The objective will be to deepen the improvement of both functionality in daily life and specific cognitive functions in people with Down syndrome. President-elect Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California's immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state's most impoverished residents. At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care. Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state's progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year. Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump's election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say. The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions, which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants. "The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities," said Mar Velez, director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. "This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities." Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal. Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he's living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. "I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it's good that he won." He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status. "I've thought about it," Selvin said, but "I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won't deny that, obviously, I'd like to benefit get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup." But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn't seen a doctor in nine years. It's not Trump's mass deportation plan in particular that's scaring him off, though. "If I'm not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won't get deported," Selvin said. Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year. She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn't be able to afford her visits to the dentist. A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump's deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out. "I've heard people say he's going to get rid of everyone who's stealing." Although she's afraid she could be deported, she's also hopeful about Trump. "He says hes going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest," she said. "Thats good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work." Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction. "They're just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California," Gonzalez said. "People on the ground are saying, 'Im hopeful,' because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety." Gonzalez said he's not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status. Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal. Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization. California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers. "Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair," said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. "We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this." Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state's health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of government benefits. "President Trump's mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security," Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey. Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act's plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide, without access to subsidized health insurance. On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration's rule. Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state. "Ya tiene Medi-Cal?" community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans. "Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! Todo gratuito!" she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge. "Gracias, pero no," said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun. Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. "They think I'm going to share their information to deport them," she said. "They don't want anything to do with it." This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Thai Lion Air Launches Direct Flight from Chennai to Bangkok Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:50 IST The new service will initially run four times a weekon Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Thai Lion Air plans to increase the frequency to daily flights soon. Thai Lion Air launches direct Chennai-Bangkok flights, joining 3 other airlines. In response to the growing demand for travel, Thai Lion Air has introduced a new direct flight from Chennai to Bangkok, starting December 16. This makes it the fourth airline to offer a direct connection between the two cities, as per DT Next. related stories The new service will initially run four times a weekon Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Thai Lion Air plans to increase the frequency to daily flights soon. The flight from Bangkok arrives in Chennai at 1 a.m., while the return flight departs Chennai at 2 a.m. and reaches Bangkok in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Chennai is a popular gateway to Thailand, with Thai Airways, AirAsia, and IndiGo also offering daily direct flights. In other news, Cathay Pacific has upgraded its Chennai-Hong Kong route, replacing the Airbus 330-300 with a larger Airbus 350-900, which can carry 350 passengers. This service, initially three times a week, is expected to become a daily operation soon as well. First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:50 IST COMEDK UGET 2025 Date Announced, Exam To Be Held On This Date Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:17 IST The COMEDK UGET 2025 exam date has been announced on the official website at comedk.org. COMEDK UGET 2025 exam date announced, check notice here. COMEDK UGET 2025 Date: The Consortium of Medical, Engineering, and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) has announced the date for the Undergraduate Entrance Test (UGET) 2025. The exam will take place on May 10, 2025, in a computer-based format. Candidates can find the official notification on the COMEDK website at comedk.org. The link for the official notice is also provided in this article. related stories Details, including the event calendar, information brochure, and eligibility criteria, will be published soon on the official website. Candidates are advised to keep checking for updates. A detailed calendar of events and the information Brochure along with eligibility criteria in this behalf would be hosted on the website (www.comedk.org) in due course. The candidates are required to check the website for all the updates. It may be noted that www.comedk.org" is the only official website of the Consortium and COMEDK is not responsible for information available on other websites/elsewhere," reads the official notice. Dont Rely On Third Party Websites, Says COMEDK The Consortium has advised the students to not rely on third-party websites and visit the official website only for any details related to the entrance exam. It has come to our notice that despite warnings from COMEDK, some candidates are still relying on third parties such as Internet Cafes, Education Consultants, and random websites for various COMEDK-related activities, including applications, downloading TAT or Rank cards, choice filling during counseling, and fee payments. COMEDK advises candidates and their parents/guardians against using such third-party services, as they may compromise your personal details, putting them at risk of being misused, and potentially leading to financial loss," the Consortium said. COMEDK UGET 2025 Exam Date Notice COMEDK UGET 2025 Exam Pattern The COMEDK UGET 2025 will consist of 180 questions, divided into three sections: Physics: 60 questions Chemistry: 60 questions top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mathematics: 60 questions The test will be held in English, with candidates earning 1 mark for each correct answer. Importantly, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:16 IST CUET-UG 2025 In Online Mode, Fewer Subject Choices To Allow Students More Focus, Flexibility: UGC Chief | Interview Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:36 IST The first two editions - 2022 and 2023 - were held in the CBT mode only. The debut edition was marred by both technical and administrative glitches. The second edition was better, but technical issues were still reported from various locations. Students checking their CUET UG result on laptops and mobile devices, highlighting the moment of accessing the results online (Representational/ PTI Photo) Even as the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET-UG), the second largest entrance exam in the country for admission to UG courses in central universities, moves back fully to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format from 2025-26 academic session, concerns on if the exam will again suffer technical glitches and a stretched schedule disrupting the academic calendar remain. The year 2025 will see the fourth edition of the exam. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is responsible for conducting major entrance exams. The first two editions 2022 and 2023 were held in the CBT mode only. The debut edition was marred by both technical and administrative glitches. The second edition was better, but technical issues were still reported from various locations. Also, it saw extremely high number of applications from several states where it became difficult for the testing agency to find enough test centre facilities with computers and high-speed internet connectivity, delaying the schedule. related stories 2024 was the first time that the test was held in a hybrid mode (both online and pen and paper mode) to complete the exam within a short schedule and do away with multiple shifts. This too had students raising issues with OMR sheets and answer keys. News18 spoke to University Grants Commission (UGC) chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar to gain insights into and elaborate on the major overhaul. Q: What are the key changes made in the structure and format of CUET-UG? A: The exam will be completely computer-based, eliminating the OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet or pen and paper format. This makes the process more efficient and standardised. The number of subjects in which a student can take the exam has been reduced to five from six, previously. Besides, the total number of subject choices available overall have been reduced to 37 now from 67, including a decrease in domain subjects from 29 to 23. This allows students to focus their preparation and reduces exam-related stress. Students have more freedom to choose subjects aligned with their interests and aspirations. This will increase flexibility and provide more choices. Secondly, all exam papers will now have a standard duration of 60 minutes, ensuring fairness and giving students ample time to demonstrate their knowledge. Another change that has been introduced in the format from next year is that all 50 questions will be compulsory in CUET as opposed to last year when students could choose to answer 40 questions. All papers will carry 250 marks in total and there will be negative markings for every incorrect answer. Fewer subjects and a standardised time limit create a calmer and fairer testing environment for students. This will help reduce pressure on students. With fewer questions and more time, attempting all questions is now mandatory, encouraging comprehensive understanding and rewarding thorough preparation. In another major change, students can now choose subjects they didnt study in Class 12, opening up new possibilities and allowing them to explore their interests more freely. Importantly, the General Test a separate section in CUET that asses general knowledge and analytical abilities is now renamed as the General Aptitude Test (GAT) and made optional, providing more flexibility for students. Earlier, the General Test had a false impression that it is mandatory, which is not the case. Now, universities can make admissions to the dropped subjects using GAT scores. Q: On what basis have the changes been made? A: The changes have been suggested by an expert panel constituted to review CUET. The panel examined the structure and format of the test including subject choices, paper duration and marking scheme, among others. Also, subjects that were least attempted in previous years have been removed, making the exam more efficient and relevant. The exam is more streamlined and focused on subjects with higher student interest. This decision was taken considering a rampant data analysis of the data of two test cycles. Mandatory question attempts promote comprehensive understanding and reward thorough preparation. Q: CUET-UG is again moving back to its original CBT format. Will it not lead to similar issues of logistics and delayed admission cycle like in previous editions? A: We acknowledge the hiccups faced in previous CUET-UG editions and we are committed to ensuring a smooth and successful CBT experience in 2025. We have taken proactive steps to address the issues encountered earlier. We have been investing significantly in upgrading the digital infrastructure at exam centres across the country. This includes enhancing server capacity, improving internet connectivity, and ensuring reliable power backup at the centres. We have also been expanding the network of exam centres to reduce the burden on individual centres and ensure easier access for students. This also allows for better management of resources and technical support. We are also considering conducting rigorous testing of the exam platform and provide comprehensive training to exam centre staff to ensure they are well-equipped to handle any technical issues. We are committed to providing clear communication and support to candidates throughout the exam process. This includes readily available NTA helpline and online resources to address any queries or concerns. We are working to strengthen the digital infrastructure at existing centres in the rural areas, ensuring reliable internet connectivity and adequate computer facilities. We are confident that these measures will ensure a smooth and successful CUET-UG 2025 and provide a fair and reliable assessment experience for all candidates. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Q: When will CUET-UG be conducted in 2025? A: UGC and NTA are aiming to conduct CUET-UG 2025-26 earlier in the year to bring the academic cycle back on track. However, it is important to consider that it will be based on various factors such as examination schedules of ICSE, CBSE and various other state Boards. Once these exams are over, then CUET can be conducted. It is also important to give students sufficient time to prepare for their CUET exams right after their board exams are over. We aim to create a streamlined timeline that minimises the gap between board exams, CUET-UG, and university admissions, ensuring a smooth transition for students entering higher education. First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:12 IST Decision On NEET In Online Or Pen-And-Paper Expected Soon: Dharmendra Pradhan Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:35 IST The Education Ministry has held two rounds of discussions with the Health Ministry to deliberate on the mode of the NEET UG exam. Bihar NEET UG 2024 counselling special stray vacancy round 3 choice-filling deadline today. (Representative image) The Education and Health Ministries are currently deliberating on whether to conduct the NEET-UG medical entrance exam in pen-and-paper mode or shift it to online mode. A decision on this matter is expected soon, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Tuesday. The Education Ministry has held two rounds of discussions with the Health Ministry, led by Union Minister JP Nadda. related stories At present, NEET-UG is conducted offline in pen-and-paper mode, where candidates solve multiple-choice questions (MCQs) using OMR sheets. NEET remains the largest entrance exam in India, with over 24 lakh candidates appearing in 2024. The administrative ministry of NEET is the Health Ministry, and we are in talks with them to decide whether NEET should be conducted in pen-and-paper mode or online mode. We have already conducted two rounds of talks with the Health Ministry led by JP Nadda. Whatever option is deemed best for conducting the exam, the NTA is prepared to implement it," Pradhan told reporters. The Minister further added that the decision will be announced soon, with reforms likely to be implemented for the 2025 edition of the exam. The methodology and protocol for NEET will be finalized and notified shortly," he said. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), conducted by the NTA, determines admission to undergraduate medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, and traditional medicine courses like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. India currently offers 1,08,000 MBBS seats, with approximately 56,000 seats in government colleges and 52,000 in private institutions. The idea of transitioning NEET to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format is not new and has been previously discussed. However, the push for reforms intensified after the paper leak controversy earlier this year. Amid alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and other examinations, including UGC-NET, the Centre had set up a high-level panel in July to ensure fair and transparent conduct of exams by the NTA. The committee, headed by former ISRO Chief R. Radhakrishnan, suggested exploring multi-stage testing for NEET-UG as a viable solution. The panel recommended establishing a framework for scoring, ranking, and determining the number of attempts at each stage. The committee also includes prominent figures such as: Former AIIMS Delhi Director Randeep Guleria Central University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B.J. Rao IIT Madras Professor Emeritus K. Ramamurthy IIT Delhi Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal MoE Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal Additionally, two experts from IIT Kanpur, Amey Karkare (Professor of Computer Science) and Debapriya Roy (Assistant Professor), were also co-opted. The committee was tasked with reviewing the security protocols for setting exam papers and making recommendations to strengthen the integrity and robustness of the system. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The urgency for reforms comes in the wake of controversies surrounding NEET and UGC-NET, which included alleged paper leaks and the cancellation of exams like CSIR-UGC NET and NEET PG as precautionary measures. Both NEET and UGC-NET are under CBI investigation. The final decision regarding NEETs mode of conduct will be closely monitored, and reforms will aim to ensure a fair, smooth, and secure examination process. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:13 IST GRAP-4: Delhi-NCR Schools To Go Hybrid For All Classes Except Grades 10, 12 Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 11:39 IST Schools in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar to shift to hybrid mode for all classes except grades 10 and 12. Schools In Delhi NCR to go hybrid for all classes except for grade 10 and 12. (Representative Image) Schools in Delhi-NCR are going to conduct classes in hybrid mode as part of the anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4. The decision comes into effect from Monday night due to the severe Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital. According to the GRAP 4 guidelines, the State Governments in NCR and the GNCTD have mandated schools to conduct classes for students from classes VI to IX and XI in a hybrid modeboth physical and onlinewherever feasible. related stories This directive applies within the territorial limits of Delhi, as well as the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Additionally, NCR State Governments are encouraged to adopt this hybrid model in other areas of NCR to ensure seamless education for students. ALSO READ: TS Inter Exam 2025 Timetable Released At tsbie.cgg.gov.in, Check Schedule Here Noida Schools Timing Changed The administration in Uttar Pradeshs Gautam Buddh Nagar has ordered all schools in the district to start classes at 9 AM from Tuesday due to cold weather conditions. In view of the extreme cold, as per the instructions given by the District Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar, classes in all schools will start from 9 am till further orders. In this regard, all the principals are instructed to ensure strict compliance of the above instructions," Dharmveer Singh, the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) said in an official order. The measures were taken after Delhis Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400, with AQI recorded at 399 at 9 PM and 401 at 10 PM on Monday. Schools In NCR To Go Hybrid For All Classes Except 10, 12 Following the implementation of GRAP Stage 4 on Monday night, schools in Delhi-NCR are required to switch to a hybrid mode for all classes, except for grades 10 and 12. Orders regarding this are expected to be issued today by the respective district authorities. Some Schools Not Following Guidelines Under GRAP Stages 3 and 4, schools in Delhi-NCR for classes up to grade 5 must operate in hybrid mode. However, some schools in Noida are still asking students to attend physical classes despite having the resources for online learning. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking to News18.com, a parent, Ayesha Singh, said, Noida schools are very much offline; they have not declared hybrid classes. The little kids are still forced to go to school in this condition just because DM Noida cant issue the order!" Another parent, Kavita, complained about schools not adhering to the revised timings. She said, Some schools are still not following the directions issued yesterday regarding the time change. My child goes to school in Noida, and the school timings have not changed." Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 10:52 IST Protest At Law Faculty: Why DU Students Are Demanding Postponement Of Exams? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 25, 2024, 23:31 IST DU Students Protest: The students are demanding postponement of exams due to several issues, including an incomplete syllabus and changes in faculty. DU law campus students allege lathi charge amid protest over exam demand to postpone exam. A protest by students at Delhi Universitys Campus Law Centre turned chaotic after more than eight hours of demonstration on Monday night. The students were demanding the postponement of their semester exams due to several grievances, including incomplete syllabi, frequent changes in faculty, delayed allotments, and sudden syllabus updates. Around 60 police officers and some paramilitary forces were deployed to manage the situation. Some students alleged that the police lathi-charged them and used tear gas. However, Delhi Police denied the allegations made by students. related stories No lathi charge or tear gas was used by any of the police personnel on students," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Delhi Police, Raja Banthia. We received a request from the DU administration and the Proctor of the Law Faculty stating that the faculty and staff, including the Dean, were unable to exit as the students had blocked the gates. The police arrived, created a corridor, and helped them leave. This has angered the students, leading to ongoing protests," the DCP told ANI. Banthia also confirmed that the exams, initially scheduled for December 26, have been postponed, and a committee will now decide on the revised dates. Why Students Are Demanding Postponement Of Exams? According to the students, classes were held for only 60 days, which they argue is less than the required 90 days. Students claim that the syllabus has not been completed, and therefore, the exam should be postponed until January 10, 2025. Speaking to News18.com, Law student Deependra Dwivedi said, We were protesting peacefully, but then the dean called in the police and paramilitary forces. They started beating us and even used tear gas." Even female students were reportedly beaten by male police officers, and several were injured, alleged Mukul. The brutal beating of female students by male police personnel is appalling and unacceptable. Several girls were injured, and many are traumatized," Mukul added. ALSO READ: GRAP-4: Delhi-NCR Schools To Go Hybrid For All Classes Except Grades 10, 12 Himanshi, another student, stated, Faculty of Law students were peacefully protesting to demand an extension of the exams but were met with excessive force, violating their fundamental rights. They were brutally beaten, injured, and humiliated. The use of force against unarmed students is unacceptable and demands immediate investigation, accountability, and justice." Requesting the administration to postpone the exams, Anand Ojha, a student, said, We respectfully request to extend the examination date from December 26 to January 10. Due to the incomplete syllabus, additional time is needed to prepare." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all No Response From DU On Students Protest The Delhi University (DU) administration has not yet issued an official statement regarding the ongoing student protests at the Campus Law Centre. As of now, there has been no response from Anju Vali Tikoo, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, addressing the allegations made by the students. News18.com contacted the Dean for a response but has not received one yet. This article will be updated as soon as a response is received. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:33 IST Rajasthan State-Level Exam Questions Repeated From Last Year, English Students Given Hindi Papers Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 21:12 IST This incident raised serious concerns about the exam's preparation and the lack of proper oversight. Class 9 English students given Hindi papers. (Representational Image) The organisation of the state-level half yearly exams turned into a major controversy for the Rajasthan education department, with multiple errors in the question papers causing frustration and confusion among students. The exams for classes 9 to 12 were held simultaneously at the state level on Saturday, but a significant blunder raised concerns about the integrity of the exam process. The incident unfolded during the Class 12 exam on Golden India After Independence," leaving both students and teachers in disbelief. When the exam paper was handed to the students, they were shocked to find that a staggering 32 out of 33 questions had been directly copied from the previous years exam. related stories In essence, nearly the entire question paper was a repeat of last years content, with only one new question. Students who had diligently prepared using last years question paper breezed through the exam, quickly answering all of the familiar questions. The questions from last years Udaipur and Hanumangarh district exams were reused verbatim in the current years paper. This incident raised serious concerns about the exams preparation and the lack of proper oversight. This was the first time that the state-level exams for these grades were being organised, leading many to question the reliability and professionalism of the process. However, this wasnt the only issue. On Monday, December 16, students in Class 9 faced a separate set of challenges. English-medium students were handed a Hindi-language question paper, which left many frustrated. These students were not provided with translated English versions of the exam, despite having registered for English-medium instruction. When students voiced their concerns, they were told to attempt the exam using the Hindi version of the paper. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In response, principals from several schools raised formal complaints to higher education authorities, highlighting the difficulty English-medium students faced in attempting to answer questions in a language they were not comfortable with. Some students were eventually allowed to translate the questions into English and continue the exam, but the situation left many feeling disillusioned. The widespread errors in both the content and language of the exams sparked a heated debate about the competence of the education department in managing such a significant event. Location : Rajasthan, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 21:12 IST What Will Change After One Nation, One Election Bill Is Approved? Step-By-Step Process Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: News Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 10:47 IST The provisions of the amendment indicate that the process of simultaneous elections itself will not take place till 2034 The Cabinet had last week cleared the bill to align the elections of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and NCT of Delhi. (PTI File Photo) A constitutional amendment bill to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections (One Nation One Poll) in the country will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. According to todays Lok Sabha agenda, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, commonly known as one nation, one election". He could request Speaker Om Birla to refer the Bill to a Joint Committee of Parliament for wider consultations. related stories The Cabinet had cleared the bill last week to align the elections of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and NCT of Delhi. The provisions of the amendment indicate that the process of simultaneous elections itself will not take place until 2034. What Does The Bill Say? As per a copy of the bill circulated on the December 13 night, if the Lok Sabha or any state assembly is dissolved before the end of its full term, mid-term elections will be held only for that legislature to complete the remainder of its five-year term. The bill suggests adding Article 82(A) (simultaneous elections to the House of the People and all Legislative Assemblies) and amending Articles 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), 172, and 327 (power of Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to Legislatures). It says the provisions will come into effect on an appointed date", which the President will notify on the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election. The appointed date will be after the next Lok Sabha election in 2029. The bill also specifies that the tenure of the House of the People (Lok Sabha) will be five years from the appointed date, and the tenure of all legislative assemblies elected after the appointed date will end with the tenure of the Lok Sabha. How The Government Plans To Carry Out Simultaneous Elections? The One Nation One Poll will be implemented in two stages: first for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, and the second for local body elections within 100 days of general elections. There will be a common electoral roll for all elections. Voter ID cards will be prepared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in consultation with state election authorities The Centre will initiate detailed discussions throughout the country. An implementation group will be formed to execute the recommendations of the Kovind panel. What Are The Recommendations Of Kovid Panel Report? According to the high-level committee, an appointed date" should be set to notify the move. All assemblies formed by state elections after the appointed date shall only be for the period up to the subsequent general elections in 2029. This means for the transition, a date after the Lok Sabha elections will be decided. In the states with elections after that date, their tenure will be short-terminated to be parallel with the general elections. In effect, state governments formed between 2024 and 2028 will have a shorter term till the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, after which there will be automatic simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls. For example, a state which holds an election in 2025 will have a government with a four-year-term while the one that conducts an election in 2027 will have a government only for two years till 2029. The report has also recommended that in the event of a hung House, no-confidence motion or any such event, fresh elections may be held to form the new House be it in the Lok Sabha or state assemblies. The term of the new government, hence formed, will also be only for the unexpired term of the preceding full term of the Lok Sabha and the expiration of this period shall operate as dissolution of the House. The panel recommended as many as 18 constitutional amendments, most of which will not need ratification by state assemblies. But, these will require certain Constitution amendment bills that will need to be passed by Parliament. For the two separate phases of ONOP, there will be two constitutional amendment Acts. Under them, a total of 15 amendments will be made including the insertion of new provisions and amending others. First Constitutional Amendment Bill: According to the panel, the first Bill will insert a new article 82A into the Constitution. Article 82A will establish the process by which the country will transition to simultaneous elections. Second Constitutional Amendment Bill: The second Bill will introduce Article 324A in the Constitution. It will empower the central government to make laws to ensure parallel elections of municipalities and panchayats with Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Ratification by states: After the introduction of the two amendment Bills, Parliament will follow the amendment procedures under Article 368. Since only Parliament is empowered to legislate the election laws regarding Lok Sabha and assembly, the first amendment bill will not need ratification from the states. But, matters related to polling in local bodies are under the state subject and will require the second amendment Bill to be ratified by at least half the states. Presidents assent and implementation: After the ratification of the second Bill, and after it is passed in both Houses with prescribed majorities, the Bills will go to the President for assent. Once she signs the Bills, they will become Acts. Following this, the implementation group will execute these changes based on the provisions in these Acts. Some proposed changes regarding the single electoral roll and voter ID card will need ratification by at least half of the states. A new sub-clause to Article 325 of the Constitution will suggest that there should be a single electoral roll for all polling in a constituency. Separately, the Law Commission is also likely to come up soon with its report on simultaneous polls, of which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong votary. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sources said the Law Commission is likely to recommend holding simultaneous polls for all three tiers of the government the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats starting with 2029 and a provision for a unity government in cases like a hung house. Experts believe that the Bills pertaining to holding simultaneous elections in the country could pose serious legal challenges for the government. The primary argument is that the concept of ONOE affects the principle of federalism since it deprives the people of a state of their right to stable governance by limiting the term of representatives who will be elected only for the unexpired period". First Published: December 17, 2024, 10:40 IST News / National by Staff reporter The Office of Botswana's recently elected President has vehemently denied allegations that President Duma Boko received cattle or any other gifts from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. In a strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday, the Office described the claims as "baseless and unfounded," asserting that they are a deliberate act of propaganda aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing Botswana-Zimbabwe relations.The statement clarified that President Boko, who has no involvement in farming or cattle ranching, could not have received such gifts. It labeled the claims as an attempt to detract from the important work being carried out by his administration while also undermining the strong diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries."We urge the public to dismiss these misleading allegations with the contempt they deserve," the statement read. "These fabrications are designed to distract from the critical work of the government and to sow mistrust between Botswana and Zimbabwe."The Office of the President also called on the Botswana Editors Forum to take action against what it referred to as "rogue elements" within the media who engage in misinformation campaigns. It urged the Forum to protect the public from such individuals masquerading as journalists and spreading deliberate falsehoods.Relations between President Boko and President Mnangagwa were described as "diplomatic and professional," with both leaders focused on fostering mutual development and enhancing cooperation between Botswana and Zimbabwe.The statement concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to maintaining strong and respectful ties with Zimbabwe while emphasizing the importance of accurate and responsible journalism in preserving public trust.This clarification comes amid growing public interest and speculation surrounding the alleged gifts, which officials have now firmly dismissed as baseless rumors. 1978 Riots, A Closed Temple, Idols Buried Under Well: How History Is Being Unearthed In Sambhal Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:39 IST The Sambhal temple, believed to be the Bhasma Shankar Temple by locals, has a significant history and had remained closed for 46 years. The Sambhal district administration not only cleaned the temple and the nearby well but also revived Hindu puja at the site. (Image: PTI) The Sambhal temple, closed for 46 years, has a history. In 1978, the temple was abandoned by one Rastogi family, the owner of the temple following riots in 1978. News18 spoke to the Rastogi family uncovering their struggles and the temples forgotten legacy. On Monday, the temple, which was recently unearthed by the district administration, found its mention during Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths speech during the winter session of UP Assembly. Sambhal was in the limelight again on Saturday (December 14). However, unlike November 24, when Sambhal made headlines following the communal tension, which flared up when the people of the two communities clashed over the court mandated survey of Sambhals Shahi Jama Masjid, which Hindus claimed to be built on centuries old Shri Harihar Temple, this time it was about a temple, dedicated to lord Shiva, which was unearthed during district administrations anti-encroachment drive in Khaggu Sarai, an area close to Kot Garvi, where Shahi Jama Masjid is located in Sambhal. related stories When district administration re-opened a dormant temple While inspecting loudspeakers contributing to noise pollution, the team discovered instances of power theft in the Khaggu Sarai area. During the investigation, they stumbled upon a small temple reportedly closed for the past 46 years," said Rajendra Pensiya, district magistrate, Sambhal. The administration not only cleaned the temple and the nearby well but also revived Hindu puja at the site. They have written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to study the ancient temple and determine its age. Sambhal DM Rajender Pensiya and SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi even offered prayers at the revived temple. Khaggu Sarai was predominantly a Hindu locality The Sambhal temple, believed to be the Bhasma Shankar Temple by locals, has a significant history and had remained closed for 46 years. The origins of the temple trace back to the 18th century when Khaggu Sarai was a predominantly Hindu locality. While there is no clear account of why the area was named Khaggu Sarai, some locals suggest it was also known as Rastogi Tola, owing to the presence of over 50 Rastogi families who once resided there. This temple belonged to us, the Rastogi family that once resided in Khaggu Sarai. What is now a deserted structure was once alive with religious ceremonies, resonating with chants and hymns," said Vishnu Saran Rastogi, 83, a local whose ancestral house used to be in Khaggu Sarai locality. Rastogi said that Khaggu Sarai, once one of the most vibrant Hindu-dominated localities in Sambhal, was home to around 50 Rastogi families. The Bhasma Shankar Temple, believed to be over 500 years old, served as the centre of festivities and religious ceremonies for these families. 1978 riots changed Khaggu Sarai forever However, the 1978 riots changed Khaggu Sarai forever and the temple which was unearthed today was a grim reminder of the unrest. The riots, sparked by tensions following the alleged murder of an Imam in 1976, escalated in 1978. During a market shutdown led by Manzar Shafi, a Muslim League leader who had lost the 1977 elections, a dispute arose when a Hindu shopkeeper refused to close his shop. Rumours of Shafis murder spread, igniting violence. The fear gripped the Hindu community, especially in areas with a large Muslim population like Khaggu Sarai. Many Hindu families, prioritising safety, migrated to Hindu-dominated localities such as Mohalla Ther and Kotpurvi. The Rastogi families sold their homes at low prices, and relocated under compulsion," Rastogi told News18. Rastogi said that some migration was so urgent that they had to rely on borrowed spaces. Once the families left, the Bhasma Shankar Temple was locked, marking the end of an era for Khaggu Sarai. When the temple found its mention in UP Assembly On Monday, the temple, which was recently unearthed by the district administration, found its mention during UP CMs speech in UP Assembly. Adityanath slammed the previous government, accusing them of preventing the reopening of the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal for over four decades. The temple was 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 tooWhen one reads the original copy of the Constitution they will find that it doesnt mention secular or socialism anywhere," he added. Adityanath, however, claimed that since 1947, 209 people from a particular community had been killed in various communal incidents in Sambhal. The protests led to the suspension of the Question Hour, and the House was adjourned for nearly an hour. Idols Buried Under Well top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Sambhal district administration is now excavating a well near the recently reopened Shiva temple, from which four statues of gods and goddesses were unearthed. The well, believed to be older than the temple itself, had been filled up around 1980. Efforts are underway to restore it to its original form, with the municipality leading the restoration work. Elderly Mohammad Hanif, a 90-year-old resident of Khaggu Sarai, recalled seeing both the well and the temple in their prime. District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Pansiya confirmed that the well, like the Shiva temple, is ancient and the ongoing excavation aims to restore it to its original state. During the digging of the ancient well, broken idols of Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Parvati were found. The police reached the spot and took the idols under their protection. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrishchand said that broken idols of Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya were found during the digging of the well. The idols were found in the well amidst debris and soil. The digging of the well is still going on. Investigation is also underway on how the idols got broken. First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:39 IST Bamboo Can Be Alternative To Coal: Pasha Patel Promotes Sustainable Energy At FMC Conference Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 21:14 IST The event was held at Deventure Sarovar Portico, Kapas Hera in the national capital, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions to foster meaningful dialogue. Foundation for MSME Clusters conference (Photo: Foundation for MSME Clusters) Marking a significant step towards the promotion of bamboo as a sustainable development tool across SAARC nations, the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) has concluded its international conference on Just Transition to Net Zero Role of Bamboo in the SAARC Region" in New Delhi. The event was held at Deventure Sarovar Portico, Kapas Hera in the national capital, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and civil society representatives to foster meaningful dialogue. related stories Pasha Patel, Chairman, Price Commission, Maharashtra was the chief guest at the inaugural session. Other officials who participated at the event included Ajay Shankar, Chairman, and Foundation for MSME Clusters and Former Secretary to the Government of India, Rinzi Pem, Assistant Director, Social Window, SAARC Development Fund. At the International Conference on Just Transition to Net Zero, Shri Pasha Patel, Chairman of SAPC, highlighted the transformative impact of bamboo in the SAARC region for a greener future. #FMCNetZeroConference pic.twitter.com/0lZkKWaOO2 Foundation for MSME Clusters (@FMCluster) December 17, 2024 Bamboo Can Be Alternative To Coal: Pasha Patel Patel, while addressing the event, said that bamboo can be an alternative to coal as a fuel for power generation. He also shared insights on the potential of bamboo as a sustainable resource. He cited a study and said that all government thermal power generation units in the country release 5,90,000 MT of carbon per day into the atmosphere, and advocated bamboo as an alternative fuel. Ajay Shankar shared his vision on the integration of bamboo into MSME and development ecosystems. Developed countries have limited scope for change as they have already followed a carbon-intensive path. In contrast, South Asian developing countries have the opportunity to adopt a more sustainable approach," he said. Rinzi Pem stressed on developing collaborative opportunities within the SAARC countries for leveraging bamboo to achieve net-zero targets. About The Event The conference was part of the project Promoting Integrated Bamboo-Based Enterprise Development among SAARC Countries," supported by the SAARC Development Fund since 2017. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The project, implemented across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal, engages partners such as Womens Economic Empowerment Rural Development Program (Afghanistan), BRIF (Bangladesh), Tarayana (Bhutan), FMC (India), and ABARI (Nepal). During the event, project partners from Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh presented case studies showcasing challenges, achievements, and innovations, offering valuable insights for advancing bamboo enterprise development. First Published: December 17, 2024, 21:13 IST BJP Ended One Nation, Two Constitutions: JP Nadda On J&K During Rajya Sabha Debate Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 12:32 IST Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha: The senior BJP leader also brought up "emergency", triple talaq and Article 370 abrogation and slammed the Congress party BJP chief JP Nadda addresses Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. (Screengrab/ANI) Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha: Union Minister JP Nadda, while taking part in the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, raked up Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Centre, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had ended the one-nation, two-constitutions policy in the union territory. Addressing the debate during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament, he said, We ended one nation-two constitutions policy in J&K. The 106 laws passed by Parliament were not applicable there." related stories He said Rajeev Gandhis 73rd and 74th Amendment acts were also not applicable to J&K. The then Home Minister Sardar Patel was given the work of uniting the country and I was very happy that after a long time, I heard the name of Sardar Patel from the Congress side too. After a long time, I heard the Congress people speaking about the great man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He united 562 princely states and left Jammu and Kashmir to the then Prime Minister," the Rajya Sabha MP added. The BJP national chief said the constitution was framed keeping Indias culture in mind. The constitution bears the imprint of our culture, it reflects the marks of Ajanta and Ellora, and it also shows the imprint of the lotus," he said. #WATCH | Constitution Debate | In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister JP Nadda says, The then Home Minister Sardar Patel was given the work of uniting the country and I was very happy that after a long time, I heard the name of Sardar Patel from the Congress side too. After a long time, pic.twitter.com/vw0cUXx3Dq ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 He said India has had three Prime Ministers/Deputy Prime Minister, who came from West Pakistan, Shri Manmohan Singh Ji, Shri Inder Kumar Gujral Ji, and Shri LK Advani Ji, but no person from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) could contest panchayat elections or become a member of the assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. This was due to restrictions and limitations posed by Article 370 of the Constitution," he explained. He questioned, Even then they are demanding to bring it back! I ask why?" Nadda Invites Congress To Mark 50 Years Of Emergency The senior politician brought up emergency" and slammed the Congress party, saying BJP invites you to mark 50 years of emergency". Addressing the grand old party chief Mallikarjun Karjun, he asked, You gave us the first gift (emergency) within the first 25 years of Independence. Why should we not talk about it?" No Triple Talaq In Islamic Nations: Nadda Nadda accused Congress of engaging in appeasement politics since time immemorial and said theres no triple talaq in Islamic nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria. But see our secular version that to keep their minority appeasement that continued with triple talaq," he said. Constitution Debate The Parliament witnessed a two-day debate on December 13 and 14 on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha with a focus on its historical significance and role in shaping the nations governance and global standing. The debate is being further continued for two days in Rajya Sabha from Tuesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who initiated the debate, spoke on politicising the Constitutions legacy and criticised the Congress partys efforts to attribute the creation of Indias Constitution solely to a particular political party. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden speech in the Lower House, said that the BJP would have changed the Constitution had it not been for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The highlight of the two-day discussion in the Lower House was Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech. He said the Constitutional amendments brought by his government werent 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 countrys first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. PM Modi also outlined 11 resolutions for the countrys 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". First Published: December 17, 2024, 11:35 IST Chennai Weather: Heavy Rain Likely In Chennai For 2 Days, Orange Alert In 4 TN Districts Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 10:37 IST Due to atmospheric circulation in the Bay of Bengal, a low-pressure area has developed over the central parts of the South Bay of Bengal, prompting a heavy rain warning for Chennai and an orange alert for various districts of Tamil Nadu The impact of this system is likely to persist until the day after tomorrow, with rain continuing in many parts of Chennai on December 20. (News18 Tamil) The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather warning for Chennai and surrounding areas for the next two days, starting from December 17. The Meteorological Department said that due to the atmospheric circulation in the Bay of Bengal, a low-pressure area has formed in the central parts of the South Bay of Bengal. It is reported that it may further strengthen and move towards the coastal areas in a west-northwesterly direction. related stories As a result, an orange alert has been issued for very heavy rainfall on Tuesday in the districts of Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry, along with heavy rainfall warnings for five other districts. Rainfall in Chennai Due to the low-pressure system, rain warning has been issued for Chennai and the surrounding districts of Kanchipuram, and Tiruvallur. It has been reported that rainfall will occur across these districts on Tuesday and Wednesday. An orange alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for December 17 and 18, followed by a heavy rainfall warning for Chennai on December 19. While no significant rainfall has been observed in many parts of Chennai so far on Tuesday, the Meteorological Department has stated that light rain is likely to begin around 1 pm and gradually intensify, with very heavy rain expected on Wednesday. The impact of this system is likely to persist until the day after tomorrow, with rain continuing in many parts of Chennai on December 20. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Meteorological Department has warned that along with Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Karaikal, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, and Puducherry will also experience very heavy rainfall on Tuesday. Tomorrow, December 18, very heavy rainfall is forecast for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Puducherry. Meanwhile, Ranipet, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Vellore, Ariyalur, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal are also likely to experience heavy rainfall. Location : Tamil Nadu, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 10:37 IST Chhattisgarh Man Dies After Swallowing Live Chick, Doctors And Villagers Stunned Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 12:37 IST Locals speculated that the victim may have swallowed the chick under the influence of occult practices. Chick found lodged in victim's throat during autopsy. (Representative Image) In a tragic and bizarre incident in Chhattisgarhs Ambikapur district, a 35-year-old man died after allegedly swallowing a live chicken. The unsettling case, which occurred in Chhindkalo village under the Darima police station jurisdiction, left both the local community and medical professionals stunned. According to family members, Anand Yadav, the deceased, suddenly collapsed after bathing and lost consciousness. Panicked, his relatives quickly rushed him to a nearby hospital. However, despite the doctors best efforts, he was declared dead upon arrival. Initially, the cause of his death remained a mystery. related stories However, the case took a shocking turn during the post-mortem examination, when medical professionals discovered the true cause of death. Upon making an incision near the throat, they found a 20-centimetre-long chick lodged in the victims throat. The chick had become lodged in both his windpipe and food pipe. The lead doctor performing the post-mortem, who claimed to have handled over 15,000 autopsies in his career, expressed astonishment, stating that it was his first time to have encountered such a case. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The strange circumstances surrounding the death led local villagers to speculate that the victim may have swallowed the chick under the influence of occult practices. Some believe that Anand, who was childless, may have resorted to witchcraft or tantramantra in an attempt to conceive a child. While these theories remain unsubstantiated, the police have initiated a thorough investigation to explore all possibilities. Location : Chhattisgarh, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 12:37 IST Goa CM's Wife Files Rs 100 Crore Defamation Case Against AAP's Sanjay Singh Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 20:58 IST Sanjay Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, had recently addressed a press conference in Delhi where he allegedly made allegations against Sulakshana Sawant, the wife of CM Pramod Sawant. AAP leader Sanjay Singh (File) A court in Goa on Tuesday issued a notice to Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on a defamation suit filed by CM Pramod Sawants wife who sought Rs 100 crore in damages from the AAP politician for allegedly naming her in the cash-for-jobs scam. The court has sought Singhs reply by January 10, 2025. related stories Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, had recently addressed a press conference in Delhi where he allegedly made allegations against Sulakshana Sawant, the wife of CM Pramod Sawant. Sulakshana Sawant filed a complaint in the civil court at Bicholim in north Goa. The ad-hoc civil judge heard the suit and issued a notice to Sanjay Singh, returnable on January 10, 2025. Sulakshana Sawant requested the court through her lawyers to direct Singh to publish an apology clarifying that the said defamatory video/article and interview are false, not based on facts, and tender an unconditional apology, her complaint stated. The complainant also urged the court to restrain Singh from making any public statements maligning her by injunction on social media or other platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Many aspirants had lodged complaints across Goa alleging they were forced to pay lakhs to some persons who promised to facilitate jobs in the Goa government. The chief minister had said that the state police are conducting a transparent investigation into the alleged cash-for-jobs scam. Location : Panaji (Panjim, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 20:58 IST Karnatakas Biggest Drug Bust: Nigerian-Run Bengaluru Grocery Shop Sold MDMA To Techies, Students Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 19:52 IST The nondescript shop in Bengalurus TC Palya locality selling food items usually consumed by foreign nationals had a stock of prohibited drugs worth Rs 24 crore. 12 kg of yellow and white MDMA crystals were seized by the police Based on a specific tip, the police raided the shop being run by 40-year-old Nigerian national Roselime. Image/News18 Ahead of New Years Eve celebrations in Bengaluru, the anti-narcotics squad of the city polices crime branch has busted the biggest drug racket in Karnataka. A nondescript shop in Bengalurus TC Palya locality selling food items usually consumed by foreign nationals had a stock of prohibited drugs worth Rs 24 crore. 12 kg of yellow and white MDMA crystals were seized by the police. Based on a specific tip, the police raided the shop being run by 40-year-old Nigerian national Roselime. She was arrested, and apart from the drugs, the police also recovered 70 Airtel SIM cards from the accused. related stories This is an excellent operation. This is the highest recovery in the state so far. The operation was carried out on December 13 in KR Puram Police station limits. During the interrogation, the accused confessed that she was selling these drugs to foreign nationals, IT and corporate employees, and college students. The crystals have come from Mumbai," said Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayanand. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The arrested accused has told the police that an African-origin woman based in Mumbai was smuggling the banned drug MDMA crystal at cheap prices to foreign nationals, familiar customers, college students, and software employees to live a fun life and earn more money in less time. She has confessed that she is involved in making illegal money by selling to employees at high prices. The foreign woman who had brought the banned drug MDMA crystal from Mumbai escaped during the raid, and the police have launched a search operation. First Published: December 17, 2024, 19:39 IST LIVE | Kerala Lottery Results 17.12.2024: Sthree Sakthi SS-446 Winners Announced; Check Full List Here! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 20, 2024, 09:10 IST Kerala Lottery Results: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Sthree Sakthi SS-446 lucky draw for Tuesday, December 17. Kerala Lottery Sthree Sakthi SS-446 Results: The first prize winner of Sthree Sakthi SS-446 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY STHREE SAKTHI SS-446 RESULT ON TUESDAY, 17.12.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Sthree Sakthi SS-446 lucky draw for Tuesday, December 17. The first prize winner will be get Rs 75 lakh, while the second and third-place winners will receive Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5,000, respectively. Check the Full List of Winning Numbers below. ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results 20.12.2024: Nirmal NR-411 Winners; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh! related stories FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR STHREE SAKTHI SS-446 LOTTERY WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS ST 627505 (ERNAKULAM) Agent Name: ARUN KUMAR S Agency No: E 7272 WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS SU 546971 (THRISSUR) Agent Name: S S MANIYAN Agency No: R 4457 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE 0211 0387 0605 0666 1221 1910 2472 2625 3398 3494 3660 5350 6104 6224 7225 7657 8551 9887 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE 1767 1779 2781 3491 5314 5894 6410 7516 8252 8511 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE 0116 0822 1311 1374 1649 2324 2405 2867 3135 3613 4242 5190 5255 5656 6164 7012 8169 8368 8749 9485 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE 0003 0064 0293 0563 0618 0770 0872 0907 1510 1521 1547 1591 1851 2068 2500 2712 2965 3112 3239 3301 3391 3549 3690 4369 4497 4685 4810 4834 6255 6340 6793 6820 6882 7439 7801 7829 7856 7869 7979 8078 8193 8472 8529 8696 8928 9167 9302 9625 9761 9863 9926 9974 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE 0417 1057 1452 1456 1565 1574 2154 2186 2717 2728 2845 3456 3534 3567 3686 3755 3874 3995 4560 4561 4844 5097 5199 5377 5591 5896 5939 6024 6468 6653 6802 6822 7187 7251 7411 7865 8094 8156 8258 8779 8811 9031 9046 9707 9812 WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE 0215 0521 0669 0761 0772 0994 1045 1247 1507 1549 1603 1653 1655 1663 1750 1980 2064 2284 2409 2442 2458 2560 2572 2604 2753 2927 2938 3014 3071 3080 3136 3287 3372 3560 3562 3566 3655 3756 3895 3922 3924 3988 4017 4024 4069 4097 4108 4124 4284 4364 4388 4522 4599 4624 4656 4803 4847 4984 5081 5213 5300 5329 5597 5621 5697 5789 5962 5965 6005 6052 6065 6130 6306 6320 6484 6525 6569 6573 6594 6656 6782 6825 6832 6890 6986 6993 6994 7086 7183 7226 7272 7273 7339 7353 7366 7478 7493 7626 7716 7944 7959 8095 8152 8332 8393 8497 8629 8649 8684 8856 8865 8867 8953 9026 9040 9199 9340 9619 9724 9745 9754 9828 9838 9897 9899 9900 WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE SN 627505 SO 627505 SP 627505 SR 627505 SS 627505 SU 627505 SV 627505 SW 627505 SX 627505 SY 627505 SZ 627505 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: STHREE SAKTHI SS-446 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 HOW TO VERIFY KERALA STHREE SAKTHI SS-446 LOTTERY RESULTS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery Department website, www.keralalottery.info, to check the Kerala Karunya KR-683 Lottery results. The winning numbers are available at the Kerala Government Gazette office. Official sources provide the most accurate and reliable results for the lottery. HOW TO COLLECT YOUR PRIZE MONEY? To verify the authenticity of their ticket, individuals can check the winning numbers in the Kerala Government Gazette. Once confirmed, winners are required to claim their prize in person at the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days of the result. The winning ticket and valid ID must be provided for verification. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY? A self-signed photocopy of the winning ticket, showing both sides. Passport-sized photographs, signed by a Gazetted Officer. A signed copy of the participants PAN card. An online prize claim form, accompanied by a revenue stamp. Valid identity proof, such as a PAN card, Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Go to the official Kerala Lottery Department websites at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Look for the link to the Sthree Sakthi SS 446 results. The winning numbers will appear on the screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Locate the option to download the results on the page. Save the SS 446 lottery results in PDF format. Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:00 IST One Nation, One Election Bills Introduced In Lok Sabha; 269 Members Vote In Favour, 198 Oppose Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 19:16 IST Two bills enabling simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a heated debate, with 269 votes in favor and 198 against. One Nation, One Election Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha (Photo: PTI) Two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, amid a fiery debate. The bills, that propose One Nation, One Election, or simultaneous elections to both Lok Sabha and state assemblies, will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. related stories As the Opposition dubbed the bills as an attack on the federal structure, the government rejected the charge, and subsequently, the bills were introduced with 269 members voting in favour and 198 against it. This was the first time that the electronic voting system was used in the Lok Sabha in the new Parliament House. The proceedings were later adjourned for a little over an hour. Following the votes, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal formally introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on One Nation, One Election and agreed to send the bill to the JPC, in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shahs statement. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the Law Minister is willing to send the bill to JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end." Meghwal also introduced a bill 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, as per the days schedule. These amendments aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION BILL IN LOK SABHA Following the introduction of the bills, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing, Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy." Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House," Tewari said. DMK MP TR Baalu also opposed the Bill, stating, I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024. As my leader (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) MK Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years, and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections." Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, echoing sentiments expressed by other INDIA bloc members, said, I am standing to oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution. I cannot understand how, just two days ago, no stone was left unturned to uphold the glorious tradition of saving the Constitution. Within two days, this Constitution Amendment Bill has been brought to undermine the basic spirit and structure of the Constitution." I agree with Manish Tewari, and on behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I have no hesitation in saying that there was no one more learned than the makers of our Constitution at that time. Even in this House, there is no one more learned. I have no hesitation in saying this," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee in the Lok Sabha said, This proposed Bill hits the basic structure of the Constitution itself and if any bill affects the basic structure of the Constitution, it is ultra vires. We must remember that the state government and the state legislative assembly are not subordinate to the central government or Parliament." This Parliament has the power to legislate law under the Seventh Schedule, List One and List Three. Similarly, the state assembly has the power to legislate law under the Seventh Schedule, List Two and also List Three. Therefore, by this process, the autonomy of the state legislative assembly is being taken away," he said. First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:42 IST Mumbai Woman Sells Her Three-Month-Old Baby To Fund Husbands Bail, 9 Held For Trafficking Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 18:10 IST Suspecting this was part of a trafficking racket, the police launched an investigation and tracked the baby through multiple locations, including Ulhasnagar, Surat, Vadodara, and Karnataka. The trail of human trafficking came into limelight after the womans mother-in-law, Pramila Pawar (51), registered a complaint with the Matunga Police (Representative/Shutterstock) In a shocking incident, the Mumbai Police have arrested a 32-year-old woman for allegedly selling her three-month-old baby in Karnataka to secure bail compensation for her jailed husband. Besides the woman, the police have arrested eight other people for their involvement in the crime. According to officials, the womans husband, who had been arrested in a theft case by the railway police, had discussed the need for bail money with her during a visit to Byculla jail while she was pregnant. Following this, she allegedly decided to sell her baby to raise funds. related stories The trail of human trafficking came into limelight after the womans mother-in-law, Pramila Pawar (51), registered a complaint with the Matunga Police claiming that her daughter-in-law, Manisha Yadav (32) had sold her baby girl in Bengaluru. The mother admitted to receiving Rs 1 lakh from the sale of the infant. However, her mother-in-law discovered the transaction and immediately reported it to the police," an officer said as reported by Indian Express. We registered a case under Sections 143 (trafficking of person) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, and under various sections of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015," an official said as reported by Hindustan Times. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Suspecting this was part of a trafficking racket, the police launched an investigation and tracked the baby through multiple locations, including Ulhasnagar, Surat, Vadodara, and Karnataka. They arrested Manisha along with Sulochana Kamble, 45, who worked as house-help and helped Manisha sell her daughter. The arrested individuals have been identified as Manisha Sunny Yadav, Sulochana Suresh Sable, Mira Rajaram Yadav, Yogesh Suresh Bhoir, Roshni Sontu Ghosh, Sandhya Arjun Rajput, Madina alias Munni Imam Chavan, Tainaz Shahin Chauhan, and Moinuddin Tamboli. First Published: December 17, 2024, 18:10 IST News / National by Staff reporter A 17-year-old illegal miner lost his life following a shaft collapse at Sunace Mine on the outskirts of Bulawayo. The tragic incident, which occurred on December 12, has left efforts to retrieve the teenager's body still ongoing.Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the acting Bulawayo Provincial Police spokesperson, confirmed the death of Luckmore Sibanda, a resident of Lukala village under Chief Mtshana."On December 12, around 3 PM, the deceased's father was informed by a community member that Luckmore was trapped underground. Upon investigation, they discovered his body pinned under a large boulder approximately 200 meters deep. Despite numerous attempts, the body remains trapped, and a police report was filed," said Assistant Inspector Msebele.She noted that Sunace Mine had been shut down due to licensing issues but was being accessed illegally by miners. She urged the public to avoid engaging in illegal mining due to its life-threatening risks.When a CITE news team visited the mine on Monday, miners were seen loitering around nearby shops. Security officers were present on-site, and Chinese personnel were observed alongside a truck reportedly carrying ore. Despite the official closure, the mine's grinding machine was operational, hinting at ongoing activity.Muzikababa Makwelo, the mine's security officer, narrated the incident, explaining that a rescue team from DGL5 confirmed the presence of Sibanda's body underground."Five individuals were involved in the operation. Four managed to escape and notified the family. The father went underground to confirm the tragic situation before officially reporting the incident to authorities," Makwelo said.He added that safety concerns have hindered efforts to retrieve the body."The deceased was struck on the head, shoulder, and chest by a large boulder. Attempts to move the stone worsened the situation, as it became further lodged. Rescue efforts face a 98.5% risk of further collapse, making it extremely dangerous. Police and Ministry of Mines officials are working to devise a safe retrieval plan," he explained.Sibanda's parents have remained at the site, anxiously waiting for their son's body to be recovered.Makwelo dismissed rumors that multiple miners had perished in the collapse, clarifying that only Sibanda's death has been confirmed.He expressed concerns about the safety of security personnel, citing the mine's lack of proper fencing, which has left it vulnerable to trespassers.Sunace Mine, once operated by a German firm, has become a hotspot for illegal mining. Makwelo highlighted frequent altercations between security officers and illegal miners."Last month, illegal miners attacked our Chinese manager, claiming ownership of the mine as local residents. Unfortunately, they invite individuals from other areas, escalating violence. We appeal for helpperhaps the miners can be allocated another site to address their challenges, especially amid the drought and unemployment," Makwelo said.As authorities deliberate on the best course of action to retrieve Sibanda's body, the tragedy underscores the dangers of illegal mining and the ongoing tensions between local communities and mining operations. News18 Evening Digest: One Nation, One Election Bills Introduced In Lok Sabha & Other Top Stories Published By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 17:38 IST We are also covering: Priyanka Gandhi's New Bag Expresses Solidarity With Bangladeshi Minorities; Canadian Deputy PM Quitting Over Policy Clashes Big Setback For Justin Trudeau, and other stories One Nation, One Election Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha (Photo: PTI) In todays evening digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on the One Nation, One Election Bills introduced in the Lok Sabha, as well as the Armys response amid row over the removal of 1971 victory painting, along with other top stories. One Nation, One Election Bills Introduced In Lok Sabha; 269 Members Vote In Favour, 198 Oppose related stories Two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, amid a fiery debate. READ MORE After Palestine, Priyanka Gandhis New Bag Expresses Solidarity With Bangladeshi Minorities Congress Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday made a statement once again as she walked into Parliament, this time showing her support for the Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh. READ MORE Most Befitting: Army Reacts Amid Row Over Removal Of 1971 Victory Painting The Indian Army on Tuesday responded to the controversy over the removal of the painting of Pakistan surrendering before India after the 1971 Bangladesh War from its headquarters. It said the iconic picture was not removed, but moved to its most befitting place" on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on December 16. READ MORE Canadian Deputy PM Quitting Over Policy Clashes Big Setback For Justin Trudeau: Sources To News18 Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freelands startling resignation was due to policy clashes with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Tuesday. The development has come as a big setback for Trudeau, they added. READ MORE IND Vs AUS 3rd Test, Day 4: KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep To The Rescue As India Avoid Follow-On India avoided the follow-on, reaching 252/9 when bad light forced early stumps on day 4 of the third Test of the five-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. READ MORE top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Allu Arjun In Trouble Again? Police Likely To Move Supreme Court Against Bail In Fans Death Case In a big development in the Pushpa 2 fan death case, CNN-News18 has now learnt that Telangana police officials are likely to move to the Supreme Court next. The cops are likely to challenge the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun in the case. More details are awaited. READ MORE First Published: December 17, 2024, 17:38 IST 'Objections To One Nation, One Poll Bill Political', Says Law Minister; Congress Demands Withdrawal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 14:23 IST The 'One Nation, One Election' bills, introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, faced strong opposition in the Lok Sabha today. Speaker Om Birla conducts proceedings in the Lok Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament (Photo: PTI) Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday moved the One Nation, One Election bills for introduction in the Lok Sabha, and said that objections raised to the One Nation, One Election Bill are political" in nature. The Law Minister also said that the One Nation, One Election bills are in line with the Constitution and do not assault the basic structure doctrine. related stories Soon after it was introduced, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has opined that the Bill should go to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wide consultations. When the Bill came to the cabinet, even then the Prime Minister was of the opinion that the Bill should be sent for a larger parliamentary scrutiny and be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee," Shah said. I will propose that the Bill be sent to JPC Law Minister Arjun Meghwal," Shah added. The Bill will be discussed in at the Joint Parliamentary Committee and discussed again when the cabinet considers the recommendations of the JPC," he added. VIDEO | Heres what Union Home Minister Amit Shah (@AmitShah) said on One Nation, One Election bills in Lok Sabha.When One Nation, One Election bills came up in Cabinet, PM Modi said this should be referred to Joint Committee of Parliament. There should be a detailed pic.twitter.com/uRDawxRoUL Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2024 Moments later, N Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party (TDP) also declared an unwavering support to the One Nation, One Election bills. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, TDP MP and Minister Chandra S Pemmasani said, To express on behalf of the TDP, I offer unwavering support for the One Nation, One Election Bill. There are several benefits of this Bill." Delhi: On one nation, one election bill, TDP MP and Minister Chandra S. Pemmasani says, To express on behalf of TDP, I offer unwavering support for one nation, one election bill. There are several benefits of this bill"(Video courtesy: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/cu9UTbYDDl IANS (@ians_india) December 17, 2024 WHO ALL OPPOSED ONE NATION, ONE ELECTION BILL? As the Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, the Opposition demanded the withdrawal of the same and alleged it was an assault on the basic structure doctrine of the Constitution. Congress Speaking in the Lok Sabha, MP Manish Tewari said, I rise to oppose the introduction of the Constitution 129th Amendment Bill 2024 and the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2024. Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structured doctrine and that basic structure doctrine spells out that there are certain features of the Indian Constitution which are beyond the amending power of this House also." One of the essential features is federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore the bills which have been moved by the Minister of Law and Justice absolutely assault the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of this House. Therefore they need to be opposed and the introduction of those bills have to be stopped," he added. Samajwadi Party Party member Dharmendra Yadav termed the Bill as an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bring in dictatorship in the country", and added, I am standing to oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution, I am not able to understand, just two days ago, no stone was left unturned in the glorious tradition of saving the Constitution. Within two days, the Constitution Amendment Bill has been brought to an end, the basic spirit and the basic structure of the Constitution." I agree with Manish Tewari, and on behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I have no hesitation in saying that there was no one more learned than the makers of our Constitution at that time, even in this House, there was no one more learned," he said. NCP-SP Supriya Sule in the Lok Sabha said either the One Nation, One Election Bill should be withdrawn, or be referred to the Parliamentary Committee. Shiv Sena (UBT) Party leader Anil Desai said, I rise to oppose the introduction of this Bill. The Republic of India is a Union of the States and considering this Bill, it will be a direct attack on federalism and it will be undermining the entity of states." AIMIM All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha said, I oppose this draconian and unconstitutional Bill. This Bill indirectly introduces the presidential style of democracy and is based on maximising political gains and convenience. This Bill will finish off regional parties and is brought in to massage the ego of the supreme leader." DMK Party MP TR Baalu said, I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill 2024. As my leader (Tamil Nadu Chief Minister) MK Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years and the same cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections." Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee in the Lok Sabha said, This proposed Bill hits the basic structure of the Constitution itself. We must remember that the state government and the state legislative assembly are not subordinate to the Central government or to the Parliament itself. This Parliament has the power to legislate the law under the Seventh Schedule List One and list three. Similarly, the state assembly has the power to legislate law under the Seventh Schedule list two and also list three. Therefore, by this process, the autonomy of the State Legislative Assembly is being taken away." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CPI(M) Party member Amra Ram opposed the One Nation, One Election bills and said such bills attack the basic structure of the Constitution. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Party MP ET Muhammed Basheer in the Lok Sabha said, I express my very strong opposition to this Bill because this is an attack on the democracy and Constitution and federalism of India. If this amendment is implemented, some states will have tenure lesser than three years." First Published: December 17, 2024, 12:50 IST 'One Nation, One Election' Bill In Lok Sabha Today: List Of Parties Backing, Opposing Move Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 11:09 IST The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, approved by the Union Cabinet, proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, sparking a divide between the NDA-led parties and the Opposition. One Nation One Election Bill in Lok Sabha (Photo: PTI) The 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 Union Cabinet approved the One Nation One Election Bill on December 12, paving the way for its introduction in the Parliament. The listed agenda of Lok Sabha for Tuesday also includes the Constitution Amendment Bill concerning simultaneous elections. related stories Before the introduction of the One Nation, One Election Bill in the Parliament, it initiated a debate between the ruling and Opposition parties. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are in support of the Bill, several Opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress and MK Stalins Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are opposed to it. While a total of 32 political parties are supporting the One Nation, One Election Bill, 15 others are opposing it. In September, the Union Cabinet had accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, on simultaneous elections. 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. BJP, ALLIES BACK ONE NATION ONE ELECTION On Monday, MPs from the BJP expressed their full support for the One Nation, One Election Bill, and called it very important". 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. 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. BJP Lok Sabha MP Sudhakar K expressed that One Nation, One Election aligns with the governments goal of ensuring uninterrupted progress and explained that the election processes often waste valuable time, hindering development and administration. Sudhakar also urged lawmakers to support the Bill, stressing that it would benefit the nation as a whole by promoting good governance and development. According to the details, the BJP, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal (United), and the Shiv Sena were some of the NDA partners who issued a whip in the Lok Sabha for the Bill. CONGRESS, OTHERS TO OPPOSE ONE NATION ONE ELECTION On December 14, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram attacked the Union government over One Nation One Election, saying that the party will oppose this proposal. He also opined that bringing such a Bill without talking to the Opposition was dictatorship". Also talking to the media, CPI(M) Leader MY Tarigami said that the Bill would damage the countrys unity and its essence which is diversity. Meanwhile, BJD MP Sasmit Patra recommended a joint parliamentary committee into the matter. LIST OF PARTIES BACKING ONE NATION ONE ELECTION Heres a list of political parties favouring the One Nation, One Election Bill. BJP National Peoples Party (NPP) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam All Jharkhand Students Union Apna Dal ASOM Gana Parishad Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Janata Dal (United) Lok Jan Shakti Party (R) Mizo National Front National Democratic Progressive Party Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) United Peoples Party Liberal Pattali Makkal Katchi Republican Party Of India (A) Tamil Maanila Congress (M) Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal United Kisan Vikas Party Bharatiya Samaj Party Gorkha National Liberal Front Hindustani Aavam Morcha Indian Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura Jan Surajay Shakti Rashtriya Lok Jan Shakti Party Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party Nishad Party Puthia Nidhi Katchi Rashtrawadi Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) Democratic Progressive Azad Party Shiv Sena Sikkim Krantikari Morcha LIST OF PARTIES OPPOSING ONE NATION ONE ELECTION Heres a list of political parties opposing the One Nation, One Election Bill. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Communist Party of India (Marxist) Congress Samajwadi Party All India United Democratic Front Trinamool Congress All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Communist Party of India (CPI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Naga Peoples Front Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation Social Democratic Party of India ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL TO INTRODUCE BILL Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha today, paving the way for the One Nation, One Election proposal. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Additionally, the Law Minister is likely to introduce Bills 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, as per the days schedule. These bills seek to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry for simultaneous elections. First Published: December 17, 2024, 10:01 IST Passengers Wearing 1Kg Underwear Arrested At Delhi Airport, Gold Worth Rs 68.93 Lakh Seized Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:53 IST According to a senior IGI Airport officer, the passengers had three pouches with 931.37 grams of gold paste concealed in a hidden pocket in their underwear As soon as the two passengers crossed the customs green channel, Air Intelligence Unit officers apprehended them. (Representative/PTI File) Two passengers who arrived from Riyadh at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport were apprehended for wearing underwear weighing about one kilogram each. The passengers had arrived on flight XY-329. After reaching the airport, they collected their baggage from the baggage carousel and moved to a corner of the terminal. related stories The passengers observed the activities at the terminals exit gate for a considerable time. When they perceived a lull in activity, they attempted to exit the terminal through the Customs Green Channel. However, they were unaware that the Customs Air Intelligence Unit had them under surveillance and was anticipating their move towards the exit. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As soon as the two passengers crossed the customs green channel, Air Intelligence Unit officers apprehended them. Based on their suspicion, their luggage was X-rayed, and they were escorted to the AIU room for a search. During the search, AIU officers were astonished to discover that the passengers underwear weighed over one kilogram each. According to a senior officer at IGI Airport, a secret pocket was discovered in the underwear during the search. This pocket concealed three pouches containing approximately 931.37 grams of gold paste, valued at approximately Rs 68.93 lakh in the Indian market. Following this discovery, customs officials arrested both passengers and seized the recovered gold. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:53 IST Pope Francis Likely To Visit India After 2025: Cardinal George Koovakad Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 21:00 IST Fifty-one-year-old Koovakad was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis on December 7. Pope Francis (Reuters) Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad on Tuesday said that Pope Franciss visit to India will most likely be after 2025, which has been announced as the "Jubilee Year" by the Catholic Church, due to celebrations in Rome that year. Fifty-one-year-old Koovakad was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis on December 7. related stories On his arrival in Kerala on Tuesday, he thanked everyone who showed up to greet him at the Cochin International Airport here. He also said that he proudly recalls everyones prayers, love and blessings for him. On being asked about the Popes visit, he said that it was not clear when Pope Francis would come to India. "Chances are that it will be after 2025 which is the jubilee year. There are a lot of celebrations in Rome as it is the jubilee year and therefore, the Pope will most likely be there that year," he told reporters at the airport here. At the same time, he also said that a visit by the Pope in near future cannot be ruled out. "We can hope and pray for that." Koovakad was among the 21 new cardinals inducted from various countries in a ceremony held at the famous St Peters Basilica and attended by clergy and dignitaries from around the world on December 7. Hailing from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, Koovakads appointment brings the total number of Indian cardinals to six, further strengthening the countrys representation in the Vatican. There are 253 cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church of whom 140 are eligible to elect the next Pope. Koovakad has been organising Pope Francis international travels since 2020. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Previously, Koovakad, who held the title of Monsignor, was declared the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey. He is currently based in the Vatican. Location : Kochi [Cochin], India First Published: December 17, 2024, 21:00 IST 'Why Would I Live Separately Then?': Atul Subhash's Wife Nikita Singhania On Harassment Allegations Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 11:06 IST During police investigation, Nikita Singhania shared she had been living separately from her ex-husband Atul for three years. She denied all claims that she used to harass him for money Following their arrests, all three were brought to Bengaluru and produced in court. (News18 Hindi) In a new development in the Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash suicide case, his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, who was arrested after several days as a fugitive, has categorically denied her former husbands allegations of harassment. During police questioning, Nikita claimed that, on the contrary, it was Atul who subjected her to harassment. Atul Subhash, from Bihars Samastipur, alleged harassment by his wife and in-laws, which he claimed drove him to take such a drastic measure. related stories Nikita Singhania shared that she had been living separately from her former husband, Atul, for almost three years. She reasoned that she would not have stayed away from him if she had harassed him for money. Bengaluru police recently arrested Nikita Singhania from Gurugram. Nikitas mother, Nisha, and brother, Anurag, were arrested from Prayagraj. Following their arrests, all three were brought to Bengaluru and produced in court. Read: Hope You Found Peace: Delhi Restaurants Bill Has A Moving Message For Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash Nikita Singhania (29), her mother Nisha Singhania, and younger brother Anurag Singhania (27) were remanded to 14-day judicial custody. Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court on Monday granted anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania, Nikita Singhanias uncle, who was also accused in the case. Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead in his flat on Monday. A 24-page suicide note was found with the phrase Justice is due" inscribed at the beginning of each page. A 90-minute video featuring Subhash went viral on social media, prompting widespread discussion among users about the misuse of laws in society. In the video, the techie cited domestic troubles as the reason behind his death, including eight false police complaints and an allegedly biased family court judge in Jaunpur. Atul had stated in his note that his in-laws were harassing him and demanding money. He also apologised to his parents for failing to take care of them in their old age. Atuls family expressed disappointment over the system stating that there are laws in the country for women, not men. Atul had alleged that his wifes family had demanded Rs 3 crore as a divorce settlement. In his suicide note and video, Atul claimed he married Nikita in 2019 after meeting her on a matchmaking website. Subhash alleged that Nikita and her family frequently demanded large sums of money to start businesses. When he refused, tensions escalated, leading Nikita to leave their home in 2021, taking their son with her. Read: Atul Subhashs Wife Nikita Dodged Police By Changing Location Daily | How Was She Caught? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Atul further alleged that in 2022, Nikita filed multiple cases against him and his family, accusing them of cruelty, dowry harassment, and even murder. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) First Published: December 17, 2024, 10:57 IST Early Detection Saves Lives: 7 Essential Cancer Screenings You Shouldn't Ignore According To Expert Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 17:55 IST Each year, over 20 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, with nearly 9.5 million fatalities. Raising awareness about healthy lifestyle choices, such as avoiding tobacco, plays a vital role in reducing cancer risks. Early detection can improve cancer survival rates. Every year, over 20 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, and approximately 9.5 million succumb to the disease. Preventive efforts, such as increasing awareness about lifestyle choices like tobacco consumption, are key to reducing cancer risks. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Dr. Ashok Gopinath, Head of Partner Development at Strand Life Sciences, emphasized the importance of early detection in improving survival rates. For instance, breast cancer detected in stages 0 or 1 has near 100 percent survival, while survival drops dramatically if found in later stages. Similarly, early detection of bowel, lung, and other cancers significantly improves survival chances. Unfortunately, cancer is often detected when symptoms have already significantly affected a persons daily life, making treatment less effective. related stories Dr. Gopinath notes that screening helps detect risks in healthy individuals before symptoms appear. However, challenges like time, cost, and invasive procedures hinder the widespread adoption of screening. Age is a critical risk factor for cancer, and screening tests are recommended based on age and other risk factors. Dr. Gopinath highlights several essential screening methods. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Annual Physician Visits: A basic yet crucial screening, requiring an annual check-up with your family doctor. This includes a review of family history, symptoms like pain or discomfort, and a physical exam for specific cancers such as breast and prostate. Blood tests are often conducted to assess overall health. A basic yet crucial screening, requiring an annual check-up with your family doctor. This includes a review of family history, symptoms like pain or discomfort, and a physical exam for specific cancers such as breast and prostate. Blood tests are often conducted to assess overall health. Genetic Testing: Since some cancers are hereditary, genetic testing can help identify specific risks. Tests like Genomic Health Insights provide valuable insights for early prevention and surveillance, although a low risk result doesnt eliminate the need for preventive habits. Since some cancers are hereditary, genetic testing can help identify specific risks. Tests like Genomic Health Insights provide valuable insights for early prevention and surveillance, although a low risk result doesnt eliminate the need for preventive habits. Cervical Cancer Screening: Women aged 21 and above should undergo a Pap smear every 3 years until 65, along with an HPV test every 5 years. HPV vaccines are also recommended to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Women aged 21 and above should undergo a Pap smear every 3 years until 65, along with an HPV test every 5 years. HPV vaccines are also recommended to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Breast Cancer Screening: Monthly self-exams and genetic tests are key for early detection. Mammograms are recommended annually from age 40, or earlier if there are additional risk factors or a family history of breast cancer. Monthly self-exams and genetic tests are key for early detection. Mammograms are recommended annually from age 40, or earlier if there are additional risk factors or a family history of breast cancer. Colorectal Cancer Screening: After assessing family history and symptoms, a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is commonly recommended. For those at low risk, sigmoidoscopies may begin at age 45. Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years starting at age 40. After assessing family history and symptoms, a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is commonly recommended. For those at low risk, sigmoidoscopies may begin at age 45. Colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years starting at age 40. Prostate Cancer Screening: Men should begin annual screenings for prostate cancer at age 50, or 45 for those at higher risk. Tests typically include a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). Men should begin annual screenings for prostate cancer at age 50, or 45 for those at higher risk. Tests typically include a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE). Lung Cancer Screening: High-risk individuals, such as smokers over 50, should undergo low-dose CT scans annually. This screening is generally not advised for those at average or lower risk. Dr. Gopinath concludes that the ideal cancer screening would be a single, minimally invasive test that can detect multiple types of cancer at early stages. Advances in genomics are making such a test increasingly feasible. This blood test, which detects traces of tumour DNA, could revolutionize cancer detection, offering a more effective way to catch cancers early and significantly increase survival rates. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 17:55 IST Kumbh Mela 2025: How Modern Technology Is Enhancing Maha Kumbh Experience Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:42 IST Maha Kumbh Mela 2024 will see modern technology at the forefront of safety, better mobility and communication at what's been described as one-in-a-lifetime-event. Kumbh Mela 2025: To control the crowds expected at the event, the Uttar Pradesh government will use AI surveillance systems. (Image: Shutterstock) Kumbh Mela 2025: The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest and most significant religious gatherings in the world, held every 12 years in India. This grand festival is a spiritual pilgrimage for millions of Hindus who come together to bathe in the sacred rivers, most commonly the Ganges, Yamuna, and the Sarasvati, to cleanse their sins and attain salvation. It will be held in Prayagraj in Uaatr Pradesh from January 13 to February 26. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2024 will see modern technology at the forefront of safety, better mobility and communication at whats been described as one-in-a-lifetime-event. With approximately 45 crore devotees expected to attend the spectacle, the Uttar Pradesh government will use GPS, artificial intelligence and streaming technologies to offer them the best experience of their lives. related stories AI-Powered Solutions for Crowd Management To control the crowds at the event, the Uttar Pradesh government will use AI surveillance systems. As many as 2,700 CCTV cameras, including 328 AI-enabled cameras, will monitor activities across the event. These cameras are designed to Detect crowd surges and automatically notify the authorities. Assist in identifying missing persons in real-time. Improve situational awareness by augmenting human monitoring. Besides monitoring, a digital lost-and-found system will also be developed that allows for immediate registration of missing persons, integrating AI technology to ensure more targeted searches. Information about missing persons is also provided through social networks for quick unification with the family. ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025 Shahi Snan: Dates, Maha Kumbh Rituals, And All You Need To Know Digital Navigation and Information Access The government has also released an original Kumbh Sahayak app designed for easy navigation of the vast event. The app features: Virtual assistants and representatives to help explain situations and traditions. Accurate demarcation of significant places such as ghats, akharas and other religious sites. It will help visitors to locate a facility with ease as 3D images of all camps are uploaded on the official website. The app also includes information on various activities and services during the Mela for effective planning. Enhanced Communication Through Social Media Social media platforms will prove vital in the improvement of communication, not only between the authorities but also among the attendees. The government intends to make use of these social platforms to: Include broadcasting real-time updates concerning events and services. Information about lost individuals. Stipulation of speedy interaction between the bureaucracy and common citizens. PHOTOS: Kumbh Mela 2025: The 8 Sacred Rituals Of Divine Purification Live Streaming and Global Accessibility If someone is unable to attend the event, they can live-stream the Kumbh Mela on their devices. Integration with Google navigation will enable users from all over the world to witness the real-time activities at the Mela, including live broadcasts of major rituals such as the Ganga Aarti Puja. Security Measures and Infrastructure Development Technology is upgrading the security infrastructure of Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 on a large scale. The main steps to be initiated will include: Establishment of 56 police stations across the premises of the Kumbh area. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Installation of 100 AI-based cameras to monitor the activities around non-stop. Installing scanners in public restrooms to monitor cleanliness in real-time. Location : Prayagraj, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:15 IST Travel To This Santa Claus Village in Finland This Christmas For Unforgettable Experience Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 18:00 IST Santa Claus Village, which brings the magical world of Christmas to life, is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves. Rovaniemi is also the go-to place if you want to see the aurora borealis. Its that magical time of year again when the air is filled with the spirit of Christmas. As the countdown begins, the aroma of freshly baked cookies, the twinkling lights adorning homes and streets, and the melodious carols echoing through the night have started to unfold. And if you are planning your holiday, then whats better than visiting Santa Claus himself? No, we arent kidding. Situated in the Arctic Circle, there is Santa Claus Village, which is also known as Santas official North Pole residence. related stories This village in Rovaniemi in Finland offers some of the most unforgettable experiences of your life. Santa Claus Village, which brings the magical world of Christmas to life, is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves. But the best part about this place is Santa Claus himself. Yes, you can meet Santa Claus at his office, who will listen to your wishes, pose for photos and selfies, and spread happiness everywhere. Another amazing thing about this village is that it has a working post office where visitors can send postcards stamped with Santas special postmark. Moreover, Rovaniemi is the go-to place if you want to see the aurora borealis and enjoy the husky and reindeer rides across the breathtaking, snow-covered landscapes. In this charming village, you can also shop for souvenirs at several handcraft shops or learn about Finnish Christmas traditions at various Christmas exhibitions. You can try delicious local cuisine in the cafes and restaurants around as well. Wondering how to get to Finland from India to visit Santa at his official North Pole residence in Santa Claus Village? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Simply book yourself on a Finnair flight, the national airline of Finland. There are no direct flights from India to Rovaniemi, but you will get a connecting flight from New Delhi and Mumbai to Helsinki. The best part about travelling with Finnair is that you are hosted by an all-Indian crew, which makes your journey a lot easier and more comfortable. It is worth noting that Rovaniemi is one of the most popular travel destinations, with a record 1.2 million overnight visitors in 2023. It saw over 30 percent growth in 2022, after recoiling from pandemic travel disruptions, according to AP. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 18:00 IST Want To Keep Up Your Fashion Game This Winter Take Inspiration From These Bollywood Divas Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 17:45 IST Take a leaf out of the look book of these Bollywood divas who are serving looks this winter season and showing effective ways to layer up. Priyanka Chopra shows how winter fashion can be made fun with strategic layering. Winter ushers in pleasant mornings, festivals, fun activities, loads of delicacies, and much more. But often the cold weather leaves everyone at a loss for styling their favourite outfits. But, winter is the best time to layer your outfits and get out those long coats. So, from warm sweaters to brilliant hues, lets take a look at some of the Bollywood fashion icons for the ultimate winter style guide View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra) related stories Winter is the time for warm fabrics without sacrificing style. Wool, cashmere, and fleece are classic choices. Dropping some winter fashion inspiration, Priyanka Chopra wore a cream lace crochet tank top and a matching crochet mini skirt. Layering up for winter, she put on a thick fur coat over her attire and finished off her style with suede knee boots. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon) Kriti Sanon served up some trendy winter styles in a stunning feathered trench coat. Her trench coat featured classic elements such as notch lapels and storm flaps, and the waist was tightened with a belt to create a more defined form. However, the genuinely unusual aspect of her clothing was the bold sleeves. The sleeves included fur detailing at the bottom, lending a high-fashion flair to her otherwise monochrome ensemble. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam A Kapoor (@sonamkapoor) Sonam exuded elegance wearing a white formal co-ord set by Huishan Zhang. The lightweight tweed fabric was embellished with subtle fringes on the jackets sleeves, neckline, and hem, as well as the skirts hemline. The finely designed jacket has buttons on both sides, emphasizing its fitted form. This is perfect to slay all your formal parties this season. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manushi Chhillar (@manushi_chhillar) Manushi Chhillar recently took a quick trip to Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, to relax and enjoy the winter sun. She resorted to wearing black leggings, a black crop top, and a black puffer jacket to ward off the hill station chills. If you are looking for something casual and fuss-free, this is just what you should try. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all View this post on Instagram A post shared by Suhana Khan (@suhanakhan2) Trench coats can never get old. Suhana effectively styled her denim dress paired with a rugged trench coat displaying the perfect combination of elegance and charm. She looked effortlessly glamorous, finishing her ensemble with black shades and a lemon-yellow shoulder bag. You can slay this casual yet chic look on weekends or while on vacation to soak the clear sun rays this winter. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 17:45 IST News / National by Staff Reporter Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa has reportedly penned an open letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, calling for the establishment of a Government of National Unity (GNU) to address Zimbabwe's deepening political and economic challenges.A source close to Chamisa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the letter, expected to be made public soon, mirrors the approach taken by Mozambican opposition leader Venancio Mondlane, who recently made a similar appeal to Mozambique's ruling government. Chamisa's letter, the source claims, seeks to outshine Mnangagwa's anticipated address to the nation, positioning himself as a leading voice for dialogue and reform.The letter reportedly outlines a set of key demands, including:- The immediate commencement of political dialogue to pave the way for a GNU that includes Chamisa and other opposition actors;- Urgent electoral reforms to ensure free, fair, and credible elections;- Restoration of judicial independence to build public trust in Zimbabwe's courts;- Demonstrable political will to fight rampant corruption;- Better remuneration for civil servants, including members of the security sector; and- Enhanced investment in public service delivery, particularly in health, education, and infrastructure."President Chamisa believes a GNU is essential for stabilizing the country and fostering cooperation across political divides," the source explained. "He has engaged international partners who have expressed readiness to support his vision to challenge ZANU PF's dominance. It seems Chamisa has taken a page from Mondlane's strategy, positioning himself as a champion for inclusive governance."Efforts to reach Chamisa for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication, and his camp remains tight-lipped about the contents of the letter. However, political analysts suggest that the move reflects Chamisa's intent to reassert his influence on Zimbabwe's political landscape after stepping down as CCC leader."This open letter, if confirmed, is a calculated attempt by Chamisa to regain visibility and relevance," said Dr. Tendai Nhoro, a political analyst. "By calling for dialogue and reforms, Chamisa is appealing to both domestic and international audiences, presenting himself as a statesman ready to work towards stability."The appeal for a GNU evokes memories of the 2009 power-sharing agreement between the late President Robert Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), then led by Morgan Tsvangirai.While Chamisa's letter reportedly seeks to overshadow Mnangagwa's upcoming national address, it also raises questions about the former opposition leader's broader strategy and whether his call for unity will resonate with Zimbabweans weary of political stalemates.This is a developing story. Further updates will follow. Allu Arjun In Trouble Again? Police Likely To Move Supreme Court Against Bail In Fan's Death Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 14:26 IST Allu Arjun was recently granted interim bail for 4 weeks on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024, In a big development in the Pushpa 2 fan death case, CNN-News18 has now learnt that Telangana police officials are likely to move to the Supreme Court next. The cops are likely to challenge the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun in the case. More details are awaited. When Was Allu Arjun Arrested? related stories Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13, 2024, in a case related to the death of a woman at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad during the screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule earlier this month. The woman died after the chaos unfolded as massive crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of Allu Arjun, who was attending the event alongside music director Devi Sri Prasad. In the ensuing commotion, the theatres main gate collapsed, resulting in a stampede. A 35-year-old woman lost her life, and her 9-year-old son sustained severe injuries. Allu Arjun was picked up from his residence and then sent to 14-day judicial custody. He was granted interim bail for 4 weeks on a personal bond of Rs 50,000. However, delays in paperwork resulted in him spending a night in jail. Allu Arjuns Statement After Getting Bail Upon his release, Allu Arjun expressed his remorse, calling the womans death very unfortunate". In a statement, the Telugu superstar said, I thank everyone, this incident was very unfortunate, we are extremely sorry whatever happened, we are with the family, this never happened with anyone, I am there to support the family in every way, I am thankful to everyone." Later, in another statement, the actor revealed why he did not visit the stampede victim after the tragedy and clarified that his legal team had advised him against visiting the family at this time. 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. My prayers remain with them and I remain committed to taking responsibility for addressing the medical and family needs. I wish him a speedy recovery, and I look forward to meeting him and his family at the earliest," he said. First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:23 IST BTS' J-Hope Sparks New Music, World Tour Speculation With 'December' Update Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 18, 2024, 02:47 IST J-Hope began his mandatory military service on April 18, 2023, and was officially discharged on October 17, 2024. J-Hope was discharged from the military in October. (Photo Credits: Instagram) BTS J-Hope has officially marked his return to the spotlight following his discharge from the South Korean military, and fans couldnt be more thrilled. The global K-pop sensation recently shared a cryptic update that has sparked widespread speculation about his next movenew music, a world tour, or perhaps both. On December 17, 2024, J-Hope took to Instagram to post a series of photos captioned December." Among the images, one featuring J-Hope with a crew and a live band quickly stood out. This particular shot has fans buzzing, with many believing the K-pop star might be hinting at a new musical project or even gearing up for a much-anticipated world tour. The update has set social media ablaze, as ARMY worldwide debates the possibilities and eagerly awaits an official announcement. related stories J-Hope began his mandatory military service on April 18, 2023, and was officially discharged on October 17, 2024. During his time in service, he worked as a training assistant at the Baekho Recruit Training Center under the Armys 36th Infantry Division. Now, just months after completing his service, J-Hopes return has been marked with subtle but significant updates that hint at an exciting chapter in his already illustrious career. The rapper-dancer first made his mark as a member of BTS in 2013 alongside RM, Jin, V, Jungkook, Suga, and Jimin. Beyond group activities, J-Hope has carved a unique space for himself with his solo career. His debut solo album, Jack in the Box (2022), featuring standout singles like Arson and MORE, earned him praise for his versatility and bold artistic vision. Post-military, fans expect nothing less than another impactful solo comeback. Adding to the excitement, J-Hope will soon appear as a guest on the hit variety show I Live Alone. Known for showcasing celebrities independent lifestyles, the show is a dream appearance for J-Hope, who has often expressed his enthusiasm for it on Weverse. The anticipation is mutual, as the shows cast, especially Kian84, has expressed excitement about his participation. Location : Seoul, South Korea First Published: December 18, 2024, 02:47 IST Darshan's Bail To Be Challenged In Supreme Court, Karnataka Police Prepares To File A Plea Published By : IANS Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 18:34 IST The Karnataka High Court last Friday granted bail to Kannada superstar Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan Thoogudeepa was granted interim bail on medical grounds and was getting treated at the BGS Hospital in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Police Department has announced that it will file an appeal petition in the Supreme Court challenging the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in the fan murder case. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand stated, In connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, the police department is preparing to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to the accused by the High Court." We are sending a proposal to the government in this regard and are in the process of filing an appeal petition," he added. related stories Sources stated that following the instructions from the Home Ministry, the police department has already got the charge sheet against Darshan translated into English and the copy is ready to be submitted to the Supreme Court. The Karnataka High Court last Friday granted bail to Kannada superstar Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan was released from prison on October 30 on interim bail after spending 131 days in jail. The actor is presently being treated for severe back pain at the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru. Darshans partner and actress Pavithra Gowda (33) was released on bail from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with her despite being married. Reacting to the bail granted to the Kannada superstar and others accused in a sensational fan murder case, victim Renukaswamys father, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar had said that he is confident that the bail granted to actor Darshan will be challenged in the Supreme Court. Speaking to the media, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar said in Chitradurga: I have full faith in the judicial system. I came to know about the bail granted to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the other accused. I believe that after the court trial is completed, justice will prevail." The accused may have been granted bail temporarily, but I trust the judicial system will ensure they receive the appropriate punishment." First Published: December 17, 2024, 18:34 IST Is Go Hyun Jung's Upcoming Drama Inspired By HYBE-Min Hee Jin Controversy? Makers React Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 12:52 IST The upcoming drama titled Namib's storyline has left fans connecting it to the feud between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. Go Hyun Jung plays the Korean producer in Namib. (Photo Credits: X) Go Hyun Jung and Ryeoun starrer upcoming Korean drama Namib has found itself in the middle of a discussion amid online reports drawing similarities between the dramas plot and the actual feud between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. Namibs storyline follows the rise and fall of a Korean producer, leading many fans to believe that it might be the story of Min Hee Jin and her dispute with the company in regard to NewJeans. Amid the speculations and curiosity among viewers ahead of the shows release, the makers have finally broken the silence and addressed the reports during a press conference. Kang Min Goo, the director of Namib attended a production press conference on December 16 in Seoul alongside actors Ryeoun, Yoon Sang Hyun and Lee Jin Woo. related stories kdm Ryeoun, udah lama jadi trainee dan selalu gagal masuk line up debut sampai akhirnya dikeluarin dari agensi.Go Hyunjung, mantan CEO agensi yg punya tingkat keberhasilan 100% ngubah seseorang jadi superstar. Drama: NAMIB (23 Dec)pic.twitter.com/jmK1WbKgxb K-Drama Menfess (@kdrama_menfess) November 29, 2024 Go Hyun Jung was also supposed to be a part of the conference but she had to back out due to a sudden health issue. Namib Makers On Shows Connection To HYBE Controversy Speaking up on the rumours, the director acknowledged being aware of all the discussion further refuting them all. I am aware of this reaction but this project was planned and produced long before that incident occurred. I am not too concerned about it," he said. He also explained that the work is completely separate from such matters and that the team remains completely focused on their own production without paying any attention to the issues. Coming back to the plot of Nambi, it tells the story of Kong Soo Hyun (Go Hyun Jung), a producer who has gained fame for her ideal training skills; however, ends up getting fired from her agency. On the other hand, a longtime trainee Yoo Jin Woo (Ryeoun) is also kicked out of his agency, prompting him to join forces with Kong Soo Hyun and create a unique partnership to achieve their dreams. Earlier this month, the makers dropped a new poster of the show with the message, A place where the desert and the sea meet to become a dream." Namib is all set to release on December 23 at 10 PM KST. First Published: December 17, 2024, 12:52 IST Mufasa the Lion King Producer Mark Ceryak Says 'Familial Bonds Are The Core Of This Story' Published By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 16:06 IST Mufasa The Lion King releases this weekend. The Disney film will be released in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in India. The poster of Mufasa The Lion King. The release of this years most anticipated family entertainer, Mufasa: The Lion King, is just around the corner. Released on December 20, the film follows the journey of everyones favourite king, Mufasa. Set years before the events of 2019s The Lion King, this prequel will provide insight into Mufasas bond with Taka, who would eventually go on to become Scar, as well as with Sarabi, Rafiki, and Zaazu all characters we have come to love. Like all Lion King films, family plays an important role in Mufasa: The Lion King too, and as audiences prepare for this big-screen spectacle, producer Mark Ceryak weighed in on the importance of familial bonds in the film. related stories According to producer Mark Ceryak, Mufasa: The Lion King" the story explores the bonds of found family. Mufasa and Takas relationship is the foundation for the incredible journey of this film, and the starting point for what will become the found family we know and love across the franchise," he says. It is through their brotherhood that we are thrust into the adventure; they would do anything for each other and so they must to survive. Taka, Eshe, and Obasi are Mufasas original found family, but its through Mufasa and Takas bond that they expand their circle with Rafiki, Sarabi, and Zazu. Familial bonds are at the core of everything we experience in this story." Directed by Barry Jenkins, Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands, introducing an orphaned cub called Mufasa, a sympathetic lion named Takathe heir to a royal bloodlineand their expansive journey alongside an extraordinary group of misfits. Disneys Mufasa: The Lion King will be released in Indian cinemas on 20th December 2024, in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. First Published: December 17, 2024, 16:05 IST Raj Kundra Challenges 'A Girl To Come Forward', Speaks On Allegations Of Producing And Distributing Porn Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 09:31 IST Bollywood actor Shilpa Shettys husband and businessman Raj Kundra has broken silence on pornography case. Kundra, the husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, admits he provided tech services to app that produced bold films. Bollywood actor Shilpa Shettys husband and businessman Raj Kundra was recently summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for probe in the pornography case. This came days after the ED conducted raids at multiple locations linked to Kundra as part of a money laundering probe related to the production and distribution of pornographic content. Kundra was arrested in July 2021 by the Mumbai Police for allegedly producing and distributing pornographic content. He was later granted bail. However, he has dismissed allegations against him claiming that he was made a scapegoat" in the case. He has no broken silence on the case. He said, Till date, I have not been a part of any pornography, any production, nothing to with porn at all. When this allegation came to light, it was very hurtful. The reason the bail happened was because there were no facts or evidence to this. I know I have not done anything wrong. As far as running an App is concerned, there was a listed company in my sons name and we used to provide technology services. We provided technology services to my brother-in-laws company Kenrin, in which he had launched an App running from the UK, it was bold for sure, it was made for the older audience, these were A-rated films but they were not pornographic at all." related stories Opening up on his association with it, he said, As far as my involvement is concerned, it is purely been a technology provider. Let a girl come forward who says that I have met Raj Kundra or worked in any of his movies, or has Raj Kundra ever produced any movie. Media says Raj Kundra is the kingpin of all 13 Apps, I am involved in the participation of software technology only and nothing wrong was being run in that App." What Is The Case Against Raj Kundra? In February 2021, the Mumbai Police launched an investigation into a pornography racket following complaints from several women. These women alleged they were coerced into creating explicit content under the pretense of auditions for web series and films. According to their claims, they were pressured to complete the shoots, which were later distributed online via subscription-based platforms such as HotHit Movies, Hotshots, and websites like Nuefliks and Hothitmovies. Raj Kundra soon emerged as a key figure in the probe. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:31 IST Sobhita Dhulipala Flaunts Massive Ring In New Photos From Wedding Bash: 'Pics From A Blurry Night' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 14:15 IST Sobhita Dhulipala revealed she hosted a Banjara themed party ahead of his wedding with Naga Chaitanya. Sobhita Dhulipala shares new photos from her pre-wedding party. Sobhita Dhulipala has shared photos from the party she hosted a day before her wedding with Naga Chaitanya. Taking to her Instagram account, Sobhita revealed she hosted a Young peoples party / YPP in Vizag before the couples wedding. Although details about the party are still under the wrap, Sobhita revealed that the theme of the party was Banjara. For the party, she wore a red Sabyasachi outfit. In the photos, Sobhita was seen flaunting her engagement ring. Pictures from a blurry night in Vizag (We called it Young peoples party / YPP. Lol). A Banjara themed homage to my backpacking days that have shaped the very core of who I am. Archival Sabya for the bohemian soul. I felt seen. Beheld," Sobhita said. related stories Sobhita married Naga Chaitanya on December 4. In an interview with The New York Times, Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya opened up about their love story. Throughout their relationship, Sobhita lived in Mumbai while Naga Chaitanya was put up in Hyderabad. A few weeks after speaking on Instagram, the Custody actor took a flight to Mumbai for a lunch date with the actress. That was the charming part. It was so old school in a way," Sobhita told New York Times. I am not a fan of texting. I am not a fan of communicating on social media," Chaitanya added. The duo reunited at an event in April 2022. I was in a red dress, he was in a blue suit. And the rest is history," Sobhita shared, recalling that they had attended the slate announcement event for Amazon Prime Video India. Sobhita was present in the house to announce Made In Heaven season 2 while Chaitanya was at the event to announce his first OTT series, Dhootha. After dating for a while, the couple announced in August this year that they are getting married. They hosted a private engagement ceremony at Nagarjunas home. The Telugu superstar shared photos from the ceremony to announce their wedding plans. First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:15 IST Tom Cruise Receives US Navy's Highest Civilian Award For 'Top Gun' & Other Films; Actor Reacts Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 23:33 IST Tom Cruise said he was proud to receive the extraordinary acknowledgement, which came with a medal and a certificate. Tom Cruise as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in Top Gun 2. The worlds most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero. Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navys top civilian honor on Tuesday for outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps" with Top Gun" and other films. Cruise, who has been working in the U.K., was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London. related stories The 62-year-old actor said he was proud to receive the extraordinary acknowledgement," which came with a medal and a certificate. I admire all of the servicemen and women," Cruise said. I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women." The navy said Cruise had increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform." Top Gun," the smash hit 1986 movie about Cold War flying aces, made Cruise a star and drove a spike in military enlistment. The Navy even set up recruitment tables in theatres. Interest was renewed with the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick," in which Cruises character mentored a new generation of elite aviators. The navy said the sequel brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audiences interest into the skill sets and opportunities the Navy can provide." Cruise was also commended for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July," A Few Good Men" and the Mission: Impossible" movies. Cruises next on-screen adventure, Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning," is due for release in May 2025. Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: December 17, 2024, 23:33 IST Varun Dhawan Makes Bold Statement After Calling Amit Shah 'Hanuman': 'I Am Not A Political Man' | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 09:02 IST Varun Dhawan lauded Amit Shah in a recent interview with News18 India. The actor had previously called him 'Hanuman' of Indian politics. Varun Dhawan talks about Amit Shah. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan opened up about his comments on Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The actor had praised the political leader at a recent conclave. The Baby John star called Shah the Hanuman of Indian politics. Now, in a chat with News18 India, Varun shed light on his statement and said that he called Shah Hanuman because the leader put PM Narendra Modi and India before himself during their brief chat. I feel hes Lord Hanuman because I had gone to a conclave to promote my upcoming film, Baby John. The way he spoke He kept India and Modi ji in the forefront in every answer. He was not promoting himself. He was not seeing if he will look good or bad if he says a certain statement. For him, the country was the priority. This is what I liked about him. Hes working towards the countrys prosperity and not towards his public image. Hes saying country first," Varun Dhawan said. related stories Varun was then informed that his explanation could spark criticism on social media and he could get dubbed as sanghi. The actor replied, Let the critics speak. I am not a political man. When I have not liked certain things, I have called them out." Check out the video below: Bollywood film fraternity wont like this at all. Varun Dhawan playing with fire pic.twitter.com/O8IndTTqqT BALA (@erbmjha) December 16, 2024 For the unversed, at the recent Agenda AajTak conclave, Varun crossed paths with Amit Shah and asked him a question regarding Ramayan. What was the biggest difference between Lord Ram and Ravan?" the actor asked. The political leader explained, See, for some people, their interests are determined by their duties (dharma), whether or not they should pursue them. For others, their duties are determined by their self-interests. This is the difference between them." Ram led his life based on his dharma, while Ravan tried to alter duties to fit his own definitions and thoughts," he added. Varun then brought up the subject of arrogance, a topic that Amit Shah had spoken about during the conclave. You mentioned ahankar. Ravan was arrogant about his knowledge, while Ram was knowledgeable about arrogance (ahankar)," he said. Shah replied, This also comes under the definition of dharma." Varun then told Shah, People call him Chanakya in politics, but I would like to call him the Hanuman of our country, who serves the nation selflessly." On the work front, Varun will be seen in Baby John. Directed by Kalees and presented by Atlee, the film is a remake of Theri. The film is set to release on the occasion of Christmas. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:02 IST Wicked Part 2 Gets A New Title, Fresh Spells And Even More Magic Coming In 2025 Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 12:41 IST Following the massive success of Wicked: Part One, which enchanted audiences worldwide, the second chapter is shaping up to be a must-watch. Wicked is based on Gregory Maguires 1995 novel. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Just when you thought Wicked couldnt get any more magical, Universal Pictures has brought in a new surprise: the sequel to last months hit has a fresh title. The second installment will officially be called Wicked: For Good, and its already setting fans hearts aflutter ahead of its November 21, 2025 release. If the name rings a bell, youre not alone. For Good is more than just a title; its a beloved duet from the Wicked Broadway musical, a moment that defines friendship, forgiveness and change. As the official Wicked Instagram account teased with the announcement: You will be changed." And if youve heard that song, you know theyre not playing around. related stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) Following the massive success of Wicked: Part One, which enchanted audiences worldwide, the second chapter is shaping up to be a must-watch. Director Jon M. Chu returns to the helm, bringing back powerhouse stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Wicked is based on Gregory Maguires 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. It flips the story we all know from The Wizard of Oz, offering a fresh perspective on Elphaba, the misunderstood, green-skinned witch and Glinda, the sparkly and ever-popular good witch. This time around, the already impressive cast is joined by Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum. Critics raved about the first film, with David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter calling it eye-popping" and a tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. He praised the filmmakers for taking their time to deliver something special. Producers have been in no rush to bring the goldmine property to the screen, and their patience now pays off handsomely," he said. Meanwhile, co-writer Winnie Holzman who also wrote the original stage musicals book remains unfazed about fans knowing where the story goes. In a recent interview with THR, Holzman joked, It didnt open yesterday its been running for 21 years." With its emotional songs, larger-than-life spectacle, and a title that hints at a poignant farewell, Wicked: For Good is ready to cast its spell once more. First Published: December 17, 2024, 12:41 IST News / National by Staff reporter FBC Bank has unveiled a 'groundbreaking' service in Zimbabwe with the launch of Deposit-Taking ATMs, enabling customers to deposit cash into their individual accounts or FBC Mastercard Prepaid cards at any time of the day.This innovative feature is designed to enhance customer convenience by offering a secure, efficient, and round-the-clock cash deposit solution. By eliminating the need for customers to visit branches during business hours, the Deposit-Taking ATMs are expected to transform the way clients interact with the bank.In a statement, FBC Bank emphasized that the initiative aligns with its commitment to improving banking accessibility and customer service."This new service provides our customers with a seamless and secure way to manage their finances at their convenience, reinforcing our dedication to leveraging technology to meet evolving customer needs," the bank noted.The 24/7 accessibility of these ATMs marks a significant step toward modernizing Zimbabwe's banking infrastructure. It also reflects FBC Bank's effort to streamline banking processes and reduce congestion at traditional branches.The introduction of these ATMs is expected to be particularly beneficial in a fast-paced environment where flexibility and time-saving solutions are increasingly valued. Customers can now enjoy the ease of depositing funds without being constrained by traditional banking hours, enhancing their overall banking experience.FBC Bank's Deposit-Taking ATMs are part of a broader strategy to drive innovation and improve service delivery in the financial sector. The bank continues to position itself as a leader in providing accessible and customer-centric banking solutions in Zimbabwe.Customers can now access these ATMs at several key locations:- *Bulawayo:* Jason Moyo ATM (Stand 108, Corner 11th and Jason Moyo)- *Harare:*- Borrowdale Branch (Unit 122-125, Sam Levys Village)- FBC Centre (45 Nelson Mandela Ave)- FBC Forex Centre (76 Samora Machel Ave)- *Hwange:* FBC Service Centre (6 Coronation Drive) 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.(PTI) 'Most Befitting': Army Reacts Amid Row Over 'Removal' Of 1971 Victory Painting Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:16 IST On the occasion of Vijay Diwas on December 16, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had claimed in the Lok Sabha that the painting had been removed from the army headquarters The Indian Army said the 1971 surrender painting has been moved to the Manekshaw Centre. (Image: @adgpi/X) The Indian Army on Tuesday responded to the controversy over the removal of the painting of Pakistan surrendering before India after the 1971 Bangladesh War from its headquarters. It said the iconic picture was not removed, but moved to its most befitting place" on the occasion of Vijay Diwas on December 16. A day ago, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had claimed in the Lok Sabha that the painting was removed from the army headquarters. Today, that picture has been removed from the Army headquarters where the Pakistan Army is surrendering before the Indian Army," she said. related stories A controversy erupted soon after, but the army said the painting, in fact, has been moved to a new location the Manekshaw Centre, named after the architect and hero" of the 1971 war. The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army posted the information on its official handle on X. It further said the painting was installed at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and AWWA president Sunita Dwivedi. On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, General Upendra Dwivedi 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 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Senior hierarchy & serving officers of #IndianArmy and #Veterans were present on this occasion," the ADG PI-Indian Army said. #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 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The army also said installing the painting at the Manekshaw Centre will benefit a larger audience, and people from all walks of life as well as international visitors will have access to it. It added: This painting is a testament to one of the greatest military victories of Indian Armed Forces and the commitment of India for justice & humanity for all. Its placement at the Manekshaw Centre New Delhi will benefit a large audience due to substantial footfall of diverse audience & dignitaries from India and abroad at this venue." First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:00 IST After Palestine, Priyanka Gandhi's New Bag Expresses Solidarity With Bangladeshi Minorities Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:53 IST The message "Bangladesh ke Hindus and Christians ke saath khade ho" (Stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh) was prominently displayed on her bag This comes after a similar gesture on Monday, when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's bag featured a 'Palestine' tag, expressing her solidarity with Palestine. Congress Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday made a statement once again as she walked into Parliament, this time showing her support for the Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh. The message Bangladesh ke Hindus and Christians ke saath khade ho" (Stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh) was prominently displayed on her bag. related stories This comes after a similar gesture on Monday, when Priyankas bag featured a Palestine tag, expressing her solidarity with Palestine. The Wayanad MP, along with other opposition leaders, protested outside Parliament against the mistreatment of minorities in Bangladesh. They raised slogans calling on the government to ensure justice for these communities. Many carried cream-coloured handbags, and several members were seen holding placards and bags, all showing support for the minorities affected by ongoing atrocities in Bangladesh. Even in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Priyanka had raised the issue of the safety and security of both Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. The government should raise the issue of atrocities against Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh. It should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," the Congress leader had said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The display of solidarity comes amid growing concerns over the safety and rights of minority communities in Bangladesh. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:07 IST EVM Fine In Jharkhand, But Not In Maharashtra? Amit Shah Lashes Out At Congress Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 19:51 IST Amit Shah: Two election results came out on the same day. Maharashtra ne opposition ka soopda saaf kar diyafor disrespecting the mandate. So the EVMs are faulty in Maharashtra, but when they won in Jharkhand, they wore new clothes and rushed to take the oath." Amit Shah said the Congress made 77 amendments to the Constitution in 55 years. (File) Union home minister Amit Shah, during his debate in the Rajya Sabha on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution on Tuesday, attacked the Congress for blaming the electronic voting machines (EVM) for their electoral debacle. After they lose, they roam around with EVMs. They say the EVMs defeated themWhen they lose they blame the EVMs. Two assembly election results came out on the same day. Maharashtra ne opposition ka soopda saaf kar diya (bowled them out)for disrespecting the mandate. So the EVMs are faulty in Maharashtra, but when they won in Jharkhand, they wore new clothes and rushed to take the oath. People are watching, you must be ashamed," said Shah. related stories He further said, How is it possible that EVM is working fine at one place and not at the other?" Shah said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had asked people to check if it was possible to hack the EVMs for three days, but nobody turned up. The Supreme Court rejected the petitions on EVMs 24 times, he said. #ConstitutionDebate | Some people say they lost elections because of EVM; they have lost so badly in Maharashtra Polls but went to take oath in Jharkhand. How is this possible that EVM is working fine in one place and not working in the other? : HM Amit Shah#AmitShah pic.twitter.com/JzNjkyZLib News18 (@CNNnews18) December 17, 2024 Shah also compared the top four amendments of the Constitution brought about by the Congress and by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). During 55 years of rule, the Congress made 77 amendments," said Shah, listing their amendments to extend the Lok Sabha and assembly terms, curtail the freedom of speech, take the PM post outside of judicial purview and Emergency. We amended the Constitution 22 times in 16 years," said Shah. But the BJP brought in amendments to uplift backward classes, introduce GST, abrogate Article 370 and end triple talaq," Shah said. The Lok Sabha on Friday initiated a two-day debate on Discussion on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India to commemorate the beginning of the 75th year of its adoption. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a detailed speech in the Lok Sabha on Saturday listing the steps taken by the BJP to uphold the values of the Constitution and step-by-step examples of how the Congress hurt it over the years. One family of the Congress has crushed the Constitution. I mention one family because out of 75 years, only one family was ruling for 55 years. The familys bad thoughts and policy were carried forward," said Modi. First Published: December 17, 2024, 19:29 IST Jagdeep Dhankhar: The 'Disruptor' Who Turned 'Ceremonial' Roles Into Power Playgrounds Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 12:06 IST By turning symbolic offices into sites of active governance and confrontation with the political dispensation, Dhankhar has both irked political blocs and cemented his reputation as a 'disruptor of the status quo'. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. (File Photo) This week, Parliament witnessed a fierce and almost unprecedented debate over a no-confidence motion against Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The nature of the debate and the allegations listed by the Opposition against the Chairman of the Upper House marked a historic challenge to the nations second-highest constitutional authority. The motion, fuelled by opposition parties, accused VP Jagdeep Dhankhar of bias, overreach, and a pattern of suppressing dissent in the Upper House. While a section of MPs, especially the senior MPs of the ruling party and the allies lauded him as a strict enforcer of rules and a guardian of legislative discipline, a group of critics alleged that his actions mirrored his combative stint as Bengals Governor, where he repeatedly locked horns with Mamata Banerjees government. related stories The turmoil on the floor of the house made one thing amply clear that unlike most of his predecessors, Jagdeep Dhankhar has really redefined constitutional positions in every sense of it, while wielding their full authority in ways a very few have dared. However, this is not the first time that he is facing such resistance. In fact, Mamata Banerjees government and her party had time and again made moves demanding removal of Dhankhar from the position of Bengals governor. Their actions also included a petition to the President seeking his removal. Their efforts continued between 2020 and 2022. But, why is Jagdeep Dhankhar seen as a disruptor, and an iconoclast? Disruptor of the status quo A stickler for legalities, Dhankhars unconventional and unyielding approach whether as Bengals Governor or as Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairperson has upended the tradition of these roles being largely ceremonial. By turning symbolic offices into sites of active governance and confrontation with the political dispensation, Dhankhar has both irked political blocs and cemented his reputation as a disruptor of the status quo, as he is mentioned by a senior Opposition MP. This is the reason he always be it as the Governor or the chairman in Rajya Sabha finds himself at the epicentre of political turbulence, with his strict enforcement of parliamentary rules sparking sharp opposition criticism. In West Bengal, Dhankhar intervened in the selection of Vice Chancellors of university citing alleged malpractices in the system of appointments, refused to sign in some bills the state government wanted to pass in the assembly, voiced his concerns time and again against the incidents of political violence, travelled to locations to see situations. These instances and many more earned him the wrath of Mamata Banerjees government and Trinamool Congress, that called his office as state head quarter of the BJP. Dhankhar accused the government of keeping the Raj Bhavan under surveillance. His tenure as the Governor continued have series of clashes with the government and the ruling party. However, at that time as well, his adherence for the rules and legalities could not be questioned, while the Trinamool Congress accused him of interferences into the functioning of an elected government. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Rajya Sabha, things did not change. Dhankhar, in his maiden speech, mentioning the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). His later reactions to Sonia Gandhis comments on judiciary, his acts of suspending members and coming down heavily on senior Congress leaders including Jairam Ramesh and the partys president Mallikarjun Kharge irked the Opposition, especially the Congress. His speech showering praises on the RSS was the last straw. Known for his uncompromising stance, and sharp knowledge about the legalities, Dhankhars current role as the chairperson of the RS, also mirrors the confrontational legacy he left as Bengals Governor , where his frequent and fiery run-ins with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid bare deep political fault lines. First Published: December 17, 2024, 11:36 IST Mahayuti Cabinet Has Large Chunk Of Political Heirs; Dynastic Politics Or Not, Asks Opposition Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 09:48 IST The BJP has repeatedly condemned what it calls "dynastic politics", but the opposition has pointed out that, when it comes to Maharashtra, there is a stark contradiction between the partys rhetoric and reality The Mahayuti's cabinet composition underscores the enduring influence of family-based politics in Maharashtra. (Image: PTI/File) Indranil Naik, Akash Phundkar, Yogesh Kadam, Nitesh Rane, Shivendra Singh, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil what do these leaders in Maharashtras Mahayuti cabinet have in common? They are all political heirs from significant families, making up a chunk of legacy leaders showing that practical politics often trumps ideological commitments. The BJP has repeatedly condemned what it calls dynastic politics" at a national level, but opposition parties in Maharashtra have pointed out that, when it comes to the Mahayuti alliance, there is a stark contradiction between the partys rhetoric and reality. related stories The BJP, however, claimed that the opposition has failed to understand the meaning of dynastic politics". It said in this party, even if leaders have a political background, they have to first prove themselves as workers on the ground rather than power simply changing hands within a family like it is in the case of the Gandhis. The opposition has failed to understand the meaning of dynastic politics. In the case of the Congress, look at how after Indira Gandhi, her son Rajiv Gandhi got power. After him, Sonia Gandhi got power in the party, and then Rahul Gandhi came after her. But, in the case of the BJP, though our leaders have political backgrounds, they first work for the party as common party workers. That is why you will see a common party worker becoming the national president of our party. Thus, there is a difference between the Congress and BJP," Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye told News18. Lets take a look at the state cabinet composition, which has the grandson of former Maharashtra chief minister Sudhakar Naik and Manohar Naiks son Indranil Naik; BJP leader Pandurang Phundkars son, Akash Phundkar; Shiv Sena leader and former cabinet minister Ramdas Kadams son, Yogesh Kadam; and former CM and Union minister Narayan Ranes son, Nitesh Rane; Abhay Singh Rajes son, Shivendra Singh; and former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe-Patils son, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil. Not only this cabinet, but there are similar examples from previous Mahayuti cabinets as well. The late Gopinath Mundes family is a strong instance as both his daughter Pankaja Munde and nephew Dhananjay Munde, have held cabinet posts at the same time. I dont consider the BJP a party anymore. Most of their leaders have been poached from the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena. If you see the recently inducted cabinet, many ministers are either sons or daughters of prominent political leaders, or grandsons or granddaughters of politicians. How can they point fingers at other parties on the issue of dynastic politics? This BJP doesnt walk the talk; hence, they poach politicians from other parties to sustain themselves," Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut told News18. Congress MP and Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad also slammed the BJP for pointing fingers at the Congress over this issue. Senior NCP leader Clyde Crasto echoed her sentiments saying it was, in fact, the BJP that was a factory of dynastic politics". See how many cabinet ministers and even MLAs the BJP has from political families. Yet they always point fingers at us (Congress). In Parliament, too, during discussions on the Constitution, their leaders spoke about dynastic politics and targeted us. But now I want to ask them: what is happening in your own party? Why are you doing injustice to common MLAs who dont have a political background?" Gaikwad said. Crasto, meanwhile, added: The BJP is the factory of dynastic politics. To hide your own flaws, they always make a loud noise and point fingers at others. But, once again, they are exposed as many of their cabinet ministers come from political families." In his most recent Parliament speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again attacked the Congress and Nehru-Gandhi family for propagating dynastic politics. Hence, the opposition parties now have a bone to pick. Not only the Congress, the BJP has also targeted the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena of turning governance into a family affair. WHY IS THIS RAMPANT IN MAHARASHTRA POLITICS? According to experts, as the BJP continues to target the Gandhis over the issue of dynastic politics, its own image may get diluted if it fails to stem the same from happening in its own ranks. They said when it comes to regional politics, there are several reasons behind the reliance on the dynasty factor. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Political families bring with them an established support base, ensuring a ready-made vote bank and smoother power transition, experts said. In a state as politically diverse, where caste dynamics and local loyalties play a critical role, promoting political heirs becomes a pragmatic choice for parties, they said. They further said this can also be seen as a strategy by the BJP to counter the dominant dynasty-based political narrative set by the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena for decades. Hence, the Mahayutis composition underscores the enduring influence of family-based politics in Maharashtra, they added. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:48 IST ONOP Is Biggest Challenge For Modi 3.0 As It Does Not Have Scrap 370 Sentiment Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:29 IST The NDA has 293 MPs in Lok Sabha out of 543 seats, and 125 MPs in the Rajya Sabha in a house of 245 When the bill was put to voting for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the government got 269 votes. (PTI File) The Narendra Modi government needs two-thirds majority to pass the One Nation, One Poll (ONOP) constitutional amendment bill in both the houses of Parliament. While it does not have such numbers, it is a big ask to break the opposition ranks for support on this as well. When the bill was put to voting for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, the government got 269 votes, while the opposition got 198 votes out of total 461 votes that were cast. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the government hence did not get two-thirds majority support while introducing the bill. related stories The ONOP bill does not have the same nationalistic sentiment" like the bill on scrapping Article 370 had, and the entire opposition is against it, a senior opposition leader told News18 in Parliament. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had succeeded in getting the support from opposition benches in Rajya Sabha in 2019 to get the constitutional amendment passed to scrap Article 370. THREAT TO REGIONAL PARTIES But the situation is not so conducive regarding the constitutional bill on ONOP. Besides the Congress, the three big regional opposition parties the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Trinamool Congress, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are all vociferously against the ONOP bill," the opposition leader said. In fact, the regional parties see the ONOP bill as a threat to their very existence. They fear that the BJP has a strong pan-India leader like Narendra Modi, which could give the BJP a runaway advantage in the states dominated by regional parties so far, if ONOP is implemented. The regional parties also face the challenge of having limitations of financial resources and cadre to fight a general election and a state election simultaneously. The BJP and the Congress are better placed in that regard (finances and cadre) and it is the regional parties which will be facing a very big issue," a SP leader explained. Another problem for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is that other regional parties such as the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) are no longer expected to support the BJP in passing such contentious legislations as earlier. While the BJD and YSCRP have turned against the BJP after the assembly election results in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha where they were adversaries, the BRS, too, is not on the BJPs side anymore. The AIADMK and the BJD expressed its nod to a ONOP bill while deposing before the Ram Nath Kovind committee earlier this year before the state elections took place. These parties are keeping their cards close to the chest. #ParliamentWinterSession: Showdown over 'ONOP'E-voting on 'One Nation One Election' Bill underway in Lok Sabha. PM Modi suggested JPC review for 'One Nation, One Election' Bill says Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha @anany_b @_pallavighosh @payalmehta100 #OneNationOneElection pic.twitter.com/mghZaPZK8Y News18 (@CNNnews18) December 17, 2024 NUMBERSPEAK A constitutional bill requires 2/3rd majority of members present and voting, and 50% of total house strength for it to be passed. The NDA has 293 MPs in Lok Sabha out of 543 seats, and 125 MPs in the Rajya Sabha in a house of 245. The NDA had 343 seats in the Lok Sabha in 2019 when it got the constitutional amendment bill passed regarding scrapping Article 370. At that time in 2019, the Article 370 abrogation bill was passed by Rajya Sabha with 125 votes in its favour and 61 against (67% in favour). The next day, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha with 370 votes in its favour and 70 against it (84% in favour). The road is much tougher for Modi 3.0 regarding the ONOP bill. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Home minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked for the ONOP Bill to be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wide consultations. The BJP has also been tasked to build national awareness regarding the benefits of the ONOP bill to build a larger consensus. The government has also indicated that the ONOP bill, if passed, will be a reality only from 2034. First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:23 IST CM Yogi Vs Priyanka Gandhi After Row Over MP's 'Palestine' Bag In Parliament Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 21:49 IST Priyanka Gandhi triggered a row after she sported a 'Palestine' bag in the Parliament on Monday, drawing sharp reactions from the BJP. UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi (PTI Image) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday lashed out at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying a bag with Palestine written on it to the Parliament, reiterating her support to the Palestinians. Yogi said that while the state is sending its youths to Israel where they get free accommodation and food and are given security, Priyanka Gandhi carried a Palestine bag to the Parliament. related stories His remarks came a day after Priyanka Gandhis bag sporting the name of the war-torn Middle Eastern country triggered a political row, drawing sharp reactions from the BJP. What Did Yogi Say? CM Yogi highlighted that over 5,600 youths of Uttar Pradesh have been sent to Israel and their security is guaranteed" in the country. More than 12,000 youths of the state have been linked to the skill mission. Yesterday a Congress MP was carrying a bag with the Palestine flag in Parliament and we are sending the youth of UP to Israel. More than 5,600 youths have been sent to Israel. Every youth is being given free accommodation, free food, they are getting Rs 1.5 lakh extra, and full security is guaranteed," Yogi said. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, More than 12,000 youths of the state have been linked to the skill mission. Yesterday a Congress MP was carrying a bag with the Palestine flag in Parliament and we are sending the youth of UP to Israel. More than 5,600 youths have pic.twitter.com/gEUO9419Jo ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 The Israeli ambassador to India said that we want more and more youths from UP to come to Israel because the youth here are doing very good work. The whole world is acknowledging the skills of the youth of UP" the Chief Minister added. Priyanka Gandhi Hits Back At Yogi Retorting to Yogis remarks in the Assembly, Priyanka Gandhi said that the government is presenting sending youths to Israel as an achievement, instead of giving them employment in the state. These leaders neither understand the states unemployment crisis nor the pain of these youths and their families," she said. She cited media reports to claim that those who went to Israel for employment are forced to risk their lives for employment". According to reports, young people who have gone to Israel for work are hiding in bunkers to save their lives, while companies are exploiting them. Their families live in constant fear. Our talented youth are forced to risk their lives for employment because the government has failed to provide jobs," she said. , , pic.twitter.com/UdUgMOl9yu Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) December 17, 2024 Sending our youth to war zones for employment is not something to take pride init is, in fact, a matter of shame," the Congress MP said. BJP Reacts To Palestine Bag Row top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP MP Anurag Thakur hit out at the Congress MP over her move and said that she did not speak about atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh but wants to make a fashion statement with the Palestine bag". Hitting back, Priyanka Gandhi said, Who is going to decide what clothes I am going to wear? This is typical patriarchy, deciding what a woman should wear". First Published: December 17, 2024, 17:45 IST Packed With Meaningful Messages: Where Did Priyanka Find Her 'Palestine' And 'Bangladesh' Bags? Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Pathikrit Sen Gupta Last Updated: December 18, 2024, 00:43 IST A stickler for perfection in clothes and perception, the first-time Congress MP has tried to score a point with the bags Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has made headlines for two consecutive days for carrying symbolic tote bags to Parliament. Images/X The bags have bagged a lot of attention. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra carried one to Parliament on the first day, with Palestine" inscribed on it alongside a watermelon, a widely recognised symbol of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, which created an uproar with the Bharatiya Janata Party terming it communal posturing" and asking why her heart does not bleed for Hindus in Bangladesh. As if on cue, the next day, Priyanka, along with other party MPs, protested while carrying cream-coloured cloth bags, espousing support for minoritiesHindus and Christiansof Bangladesh. related stories But where are these not-so-designer bags from? The Palestine one is from her personal collection. Sources say she got it when she met the Palestinian Charge dAffaires at her home. Palestine Embassy Charge dAffaires Dr Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer met Priyanka to congratulate her on becoming an MP. The Congress leader told him that she had always supported their cause and she would carry the message to Parliament as well, which she did with the tote bag from her personal collection. But its the cream-coloured cloth bags she and her party MPs carried that grabbed attention. With a colourful fist embroidered on it in the colours of Bangladesh, it spoke of support for Hindus and Christians there after being targets of attack. Sources say the bags were ordered and prepared almost overnight for party MPs at the textile hub, Tirupur, in Tamil Nadu. The party wanted a quick supply of these bags, which were promptly delivered. Not just this. Sources say that Tirupur is also the place where many of the campaign materials of the Congress, like during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, were sourced from. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kanyakumari MP Vijay Vasanth has in the past provided vendors in Tirupur for such party materials, but this one was sourced in a hurry through someone else. A stickler for perfection in clothes and perception, the first-time MP has tried to score a point with the bags. First Published: December 18, 2024, 00:43 IST Bengaluru Woman Lists 15 Reasons Why You Should Be Her New Flatmate: Cooler Than Your Ex Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 16:17 IST A Bengaluru woman's 15-point fun and convincing post for a new flatmate for her fully furnished 3BHK apartment in HSR Layout is viral. Nimisha Chanda and Agrima Dwivedi have been looking for a flatmate for their fully furnished 3BHK apartment in Bengaluru's HSR Layout. (Image: X/@NimishaChanda) A Bengaluru woman, who has been searching for a third flatmate for a fully-furnished 3BHK apartment in HSR Layout for over a month, has shared a witty 15-point pitch to attract potential flatmates. Nimisha Chanda, along with her current flatmate Agrima Dwivedi, both from a marketing background, humorously claim they are cooler than anyones ex". Join us in our 3BHK in HSR (near 27th main road), I promise we are cooler than your ex. We have been looking for a female flatmate who wants to join our fully furnished, 3BHK flat in HSR, for the last 1 month, but we havent found any yet," wrote Chanda while listing 15 fun and convincing reasons. related stories Since both Chanda and Dwivedi come from marketing background, she assured that the new flatmate would never run out of startup gossip, creative ideas, and unsolicited aesthetic advice", adding, Free brainstorming sessions and resources are included!" Chanda assured potential flatmates they wouldnt be judged, even if their chair doubles as a wardrobe". She also shared the duos eclectic taste in music: We vibe to playlists with no genre loyalty Hip-hop, ghazals, and EDM in one sitting? Absolutely." 1. Both of us come from marketing, so youll never run out of startup gossip, creative ideas, and unsolicited aesthetic advice. Free brainstorming sessions and resources are included!2. We understand that laundry day is just a suggestion No judgment if the chair is your Nimisha Chanda (@NimishaChanda) December 15, 2024 For those who love reading books, Chanda revealed that their home has plenty of books available for borrowing. She also noted that the two often cook together, go out, and have fun. A free subscription comes if you decide to join us," she joked, adding, Agrima knows all my stories, and I know all her friends." Though parties at their place are rare, Chanda promised a great time if they do host, even for non-drinkers like her. The pitch also included the promise of free rant and yap" sessions. I love to talk to someone after coming home. Bonus if we can sit over the kitchen slab, talk about life, work, crushes, and enjoy together," she shared. 6. Agrima knows all my stories, and I know all her friends. We don't have parties at our place very often, but if any of us decide to host it, we all have fun together (even if you don't drink like me).7. We rant, yap, and occasionally solve the worlds problems over coffee. pic.twitter.com/PXmSy4vCwH Nimisha Chanda (@NimishaChanda) December 15, 2024 Chanda sweetened the deal further by offering to share clothes and accessories for nights out. Need clothes or earrings for a night out? Go ahead, borrow away! We wont mind. Both of us dont do much makeup, but if I ever need help with that perfect eyeliner, I might knock on your door with a distress call. No worries if youre clueless too well wing it together." 12. Agrima and I hangout together (quite often). We go for walks, satisfy our late-night dessert cravings, crib about life and our bosses, go for dinners or brunches, and short momo and vada pav dates.13. I cook well (that's what they say), and will be happy to feed you with Nimisha Chanda (@NimishaChanda) December 15, 2024 She concluded her long post with the words, Both of us like to keep the house clean, not very tidy but it means we dont invite cockroaches to the party Basic hygiene, not military cleanliness But we would love to have fun and hangout together. And, if you have a cat or kittens, you are on top of the list because Agrima loves them." 15. Both of us like to keep the house clean, not very tidy but it means we don't invite cockroaches to the party Basic hygiene, not military cleanliness.Bonus: We respect your privacy and wouldn't ever enter your room without knocking or without your permission. But we Nimisha Chanda (@NimishaChanda) December 15, 2024 The womans out of the box pitch went viral on social media and garnered numerous reactions on social media. I would have happily signed up if I didnt promise to move in elsewhere recently," expressed an individual. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another added, Loved the post! Hope you find a roommate too!" Smiling while reading the whole post," expressed a third. First Published: December 17, 2024, 16:17 IST News / National by Staff reporter Cabinet wishes to advise that upon completion, the Mbudzi Inter-change will be named "Trabablas Inter-change," in recognition of the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa.#PostCabinetPressBriefing pic.twitter.com/1neFXhB1Uu Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting (@InfoMinZW) December 17, 2024 The last cabinet meeting of 2024 decided that the Mbudzi Interchange under construction in Harare will be named Trabablas Interchange in recognition of the visionary leadership of His Excellency, the President Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagw-aThe Government has announced that the Mbudzi Interchange, currently under construction, will be renamed the "Trabablas Interchange" upon completion. The decision was made in recognition of the "visionary leadership" of President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.This was announced on X (formerly Twitter)The Mbudzi Interchange is strategically located at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza, and High Glen roads, a crucial point that facilitates traffic from western Chitungwiza and surrounding suburbs into Harares city centre. It also accommodates heavy national and regional traffic on the Harare-Masvingo Highway, making it one of the countrys most critical transport nodes.The project, being implemented by Tefoma Constructiona consortium comprising Tensor Systems, Fossil Contracting, and Masimba Constructionis set to address severe traffic congestion that plagued the area. Previously, a roundabout managed traffic, but the rising volumes created bottlenecks, particularly during peak hours.The Government views the development as a vital step in modernizing Zimbabwes road infrastructure, ensuring efficient transportation networks to support economic growth.The renaming aligns with efforts to commemorate significant infrastructural milestones under President Mnangagwas administration. The project is expected to not only ease traffic flow but also symbolize progress and leadership as Zimbabwe pushes forward with Vision 2030.Construction is ongoing, and the interchange is anticipated to become a landmark achievement in Zimbabwes urban development. Chinese Company Employees Fall At Boss's Feet, Chant 'We Will Give Our Lives For You' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 14:15 IST Both male and female employees lay on the ground in the office corridor, performing what appears to be an extreme display of subservience. The video ignited a larger debate about the toxic work cultures often found in China. (Source: Social Media) A shocking video from China is making waves on social media, revealing a disturbing workplace ritual that left many viewers stunned. In the video, employees at a Chinese company can be seen prostrating themselves before their boss, greeting him with chants of loyalty and devotion. The footage, recorded in the southern city of Guangzhou, went viral, sparking a widespread conversation about toxic work cultures in the region. In the video, both male and female employees can be seen lying on the ground in the office corridor, performing what appears to be an extreme display of subservience. They chant, Welcome Boss Huang of the Qiming branch. Whether we live or die, we will never let our work mission fail." This unsettling scene drew widespread criticism, with people expressing disbelief over the extreme behaviour of the employees. related stories While the video raised questions about the authenticity of the situation, with some speculating that it may have been staged, the companys legal department has distanced itself from the incident. According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the legal team stated that the boss has never been involved in such an occurrence and the video is not reflective of the companys actual practices. Despite the companys denial, the video ignited a larger debate about the toxic work cultures often found in China. Over the years, China has gained a reputation for its demanding work environments, where employees face extreme pressure to perform and sometimes even endure harsh and demeaning practices. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In another case in October last year, a Chinese company gained attention for its controversial fitness policy" which required employees to walk 1,80,000 steps daily, imposing fines on those who failed to meet the target. In another disturbing example from 2020, a company reportedly fed hot chilli peppers to employees as punishment for not meeting performance goals. Two workers even had to be hospitalised as a result. The recent viral video highlights the extreme lengths some companies in China may go to enforce a culture of obedience and dedication, with a level of pressure that many would find both shocking and unacceptable. First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:15 IST Couple's Viral Kiss At Kolkata Metro Station Divides The Internet | Watch Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:24 IST While Kolkata Metro authorities have remained silent on the incident, social media is abuzz with numerous reactions and discussions about the couple's viral kiss video The video's timeline remains unconfirmed, but it has sparked polarising views online. (X@Babymishra_) The world faded into the background as a self-absorbed couple, oblivious to all else, shared a kiss beside a pillar at Kolkatas Kalighat metro station. Their identities were inconsequential; it was the audacity of their public display that captivated the bustling crowd. The city seemed to pause, transfixed by the spectacle, as cameras captured the couples indifference to the attention they were receiving. Well done! They didnt commit a crime, they loved each other," some commented as the video from Kalighat metro station went viral online. News 18 Bangla has not verified the authenticity of this video. related stories Meanwhile, the viral video has sparked widespread public debate, eliciting a flood of comments both in support and opposition. Some viewers expressed disapproval, stating, Such a display in public? What has the world come to!" On the other hand, others defended the actions depicted in the video, arguing, Its fine. Whats the issue?" Watch the video here: Kolkata Metro Station. - Video Record pic.twitter.com/e64G1ajE3m Shubhangi Pandit (@Babymishra_) December 15, 2024 A few years ago, the Kolkata Metro issued a notification stating that hugging, kissing, and handshakes were prohibited at the station. This measure, implemented during the pandemic, was not unique to the Metro, as similar restrictions were enforced in numerous public spaces. However, with the passing of that period, many are questioning the continued relevance of such a prohibition. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A couple kissed each other at the metro station. What is the reason for objecting to this? Has no one ever wanted to kiss someone out of love? It is not a crime to kiss in public under Indian law. Moreover, kissing cannot be considered an obscene act. Kissing or hugging is a natural and legal way to express love, which expresses the freedom of people to show their feelings and affection," BJP leader and lawyer Tarunjyoti Tiwari said. While the Metro authorities have remained silent on the incident, social media is abuzz with reactions to the video of the couple. The videos timeline remains unconfirmed, but it has sparked polarising views online. Some netizens criticised the couples public display of affection, deeming it inappropriate. On the other hand, some others defended their actions, advocating for the freedom to express love openly. First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:03 IST Hindu Man Claims To Have Married 2 Muslim Women In Lucknow, Sparks Intense Debate Online Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:54 IST Tarun Gupta shared the details of his two marriages, which he attributed to fate and coincidence rather than planning. Hindu man claims marriage to two Muslim women. (Representational Image) In a world where love often transcends boundaries, societal norms and religious divides are increasingly being challenged. From inter-caste marriages to interfaith unions, many are now stepping beyond traditional constraints. A recent story that went viral on social media involves a Hindu man from Lucknow, Tarun Gupta, who claims to have married two Muslim women, igniting conversations and debates on faith, identity, and modern relationships. In a video that quickly spread across social platforms, Gupta shared the details of his two marriages, which he attributed to fate and coincidence rather than planning. The trio openly discussed their unique love story, revealing how their relationships defied conventional norms and expectations. related stories Gupta proposed to his first wife in 2016 and their marriage took place in 2022. A year later, he met another woman, also Muslim, and the two married in 2023. Despite their different faiths, Gupta and his two wives live together harmoniously, describing their relationship as one of mutual respect and love. The co-wives publicly stated that they get along like sisters, emphasising their strong bond and the absence of any jealousy or animosity between them. One of the most striking aspects of this relationship is the fusion of religious practices. While Gupta himself follows Hindu rituals, including reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, his Muslim wives also actively participate in Hindu traditions. Despite being devout in their Muslim faith, regularly offering Namaz, the wives are open to embracing Hindu customs. In a video shared by the family, the women can be seen chanting Hindu mantras and even saying Jai Shri Ram," symbolising their respect for each others faiths. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As with many viral stories, the familys situation has not been without its share of controversy. Some social media users are skeptical, suggesting that the story could be a carefully crafted attempt at fame or attention. Questions were raised about whether their narrative is genuine, with critics accusing the couple of fabricating their relationship for publicity. It is important to note, however, that the authenticity of this love story has not been fully verified, as news outlets, including News18, have presented it as part of viral content. First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:54 IST Hope You Found Peace: Delhi Restaurants Bill Has A Moving Message For Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 10:16 IST Bengaluru techie suicide: A Delhi restaurant printed a heartfelt message on their bill in memory of Atul Subhash, who died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment from his estranged wife and in-laws. Atul Subhash Suicide: Jumboking prints moving message on bill for Bengaluru techie who died by suicide. (Image: X/@DeepikaBhardwaj) Atul Subhashs suicide has shaken the nation, with people across the country holding candle marches and sharing posts with the hashtag #JusticeForAtulSubhash" to demand justice. A restaurant in Delhi expressed their condolences for the Bengaluru techie by printing a heartfelt message on their bills. A photo of the bill has gone viral on social media, with many praising the restaurant for their thoughtful gesture. Journalist and mens rights activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj shared a picture of the bill on X (formerly known as Twitter) and wrote, Everyone please join me in thanking Jumboking for this really kind gesture of valuing the life of Atul Subhash and reminding everyone to do so as well." related stories She added, Incredible ways in which Atul will perhaps change this society forever for the better." Read| Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Allahabad HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Nikitas Uncle She completed her post with the hashtag #JusticeForAtulSubhash". We deeply mourn the suicide of the techie Atul Subhash. His life was just as important as everyone elses. RIP brother. We hope you finally found peace on the other side," the message on the bill reads. Take a look at the entire post here: EVERYONE PLEASE JOIN ME IN THANKING @Jumbokingburger for this really kind gesture of valuing life of #AtulSubhash & reminding everyone to do so as wellIncredible ways in which Atul will perhaps change this society forever for the better #JusticeForAtulSubhash pic.twitter.com/WsC1PJvXT2 Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) December 15, 2024 Bhardwajs post received over 3.7 lakh views and more than 22,000 likes. Many even took to the comments section of the post to share their thoughts. Heres how people reacted to Jumbokings moving tribute: Great initiative his memory deserves to remain alive in our hearts and consciousness! Hey Deepinder Goyal, Zomato and Swiggy, why not take similar steps? A significant portion of your loyal customer base consists of migrant office workers. Supporting Atul Subhash in meaningful ways would truly make a difference!" expressed an individual. Another added, Wow. Thats incredible. Owner of Jumbo King Thank you for taking a stand." Honoring Atuls legacy through such meaningful acts inspires hope for a kinder world," commented a third. Atul Subhashs suicide case After Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash ended his life, citing harassment by his wife and in-laws in a 90-minute video and a 24-page suicide note, his brother Bikas Kumar lodged a complaint with the Bengaluru police. The complaint was converted into an FIR, naming four individuals under sections 108 and 3(5) of the BNS. Following this, Subhashs in-laws reportedly fled their residence in Uttar Pradeshs Jaunpur, fearing arrest. Nikita Singhania, Subhashs estranged wife, was later arrested in Gurugram, while her mother, Nisha Singhania, and brother, Anurag Singhania, were apprehended in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on charges of abetting Subhashs suicide. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The three accused were brought to Bengaluru and presented before a local court on Monday, which remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody. Nikitas uncle, Sushil Singhania, who was also named in the FIR was granted anticipatory bail by the Allahabad High Court. Subhashs family has also sought custody of their 4-year-old grandson. The child has been reportedly entrusted to a relative of the family for the time being. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:55 IST Lip Plates To Goat Horns: The Unique Bridal Rituals Of Suri Tribe Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:48 IST In a viral video, the Pakistani vlogger shows a bride from Suri tribe who has worn lip plates and goat horn headpiece. Suri tribe is a semi-nomadic community living in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. (Photo Credits: Instagram) The interest for different cultures and their unique rituals has been growing among people. Vloggers from all over the globe are travelling to distant places and sharing videos that highlight these customs which provides a chance for people to witness traditions they may have never known about. One such vlogger is Shabbir Ahmad, known as ThePakTrekker, a popular content creator from Pakistan. He is known for exploring remote areas and capturing the cultures and practices of various tribes. His latest video, shared on Instagram and YouTube, focuses on rituals of the Suri tribe in Ethiopia. It offers a unique look at their wedding customs. The video has quickly gained attention and it is easy to see why. In it, Ahmad shows a newlywed Suri woman where she wears traditional items like a lip plate and goat horn headpiece. Ahmad explains that these accessories are an important part of the Suri tribes bridal customs. The video, which has gained more than 9 million views so far, gives a rare glimpse into unique traditions of the Suri tribe. related stories The Suri people are a semi-nomadic community living in the southwestern part of Ethiopia, particularly in the Omo Valley. Their primary way of life revolves around cattle herding and agriculture. For them, cattle serves as both a source of food and a symbol of wealth and social status. Their use of lip plates, which are worn by women to display beauty and status, is one of the most fascinating aspects of their culture. These plates are made from clay or wood. They are inserted into a small incision made in the lower lip. Over time, the plates gradually increased in size and stretched the lip. This custom is a significant part of Suri identity and plays an important role in defining a womans place within their society. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another important aspect of Suri culture is their practice of scarification which carries a significant cultural meaning. This involves making cuts in the skin and applying substances like ash or clay to create raised scars known as keloids. These scars are not just physical marks but they represent strength, bravery and the transition into adulthood. Both men and women undergo scarification as part of their cultural rites of passage. It is seen as a way to show maturity and gain respect within the community. For young men, donga," a stick-fighting competition, is an important ritual where they battle each other using sticks to show off their bravery and strength. Through these competitions, men earn respect and prove their courage in the community. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:42 IST Mysterious Drone Sightings In US Cause Widespread Concern, But FBI Says No Threat Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 15:50 IST Serge Monast, a Canadian journalist, proposed Project Blue Beam, which claims the world's elites are preparing to fabricate supernatural occurrences. Project Blue Beam is a conspiracy theory, acquiring popularity in recent weeks. (Photo Credits: X) The sighting of mysterious drones around the United States has flashed a plethora of conspiracy theories. Since their initial occurrence in November close to Morris County, New Jersey, the sightings have expanded to other states, including Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York. Americans are worried as they dont know the aim of the drones or who is operating them. Meanwhile, these sightings are classified as non-threatening by the US government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but social media users have linked them to the long-running conspiracy theory known as Project Blue Beam. Project Blue Beam, a theory put forth by Canadian journalist Serge Monast in the 1990s, claims the worlds elites are plotting to create a totalitarian global government by staging fictitious alien invasions or supernatural occurrences. related stories A mysterious object hovers motionless in the Miami skyblimp or something more? The footage raises questions we cant ignore. Watch closely. #ProjectBlueBeam #UnexplainedPhenomena pic.twitter.com/8lR6KWTd3b Project Blue Beam (@PBBonSOL) December 16, 2024 Conspiracy theorists think that images of religious leaders or alien incursions would be projected into the sky using sophisticated hologram technology. According to the theory, the entire exercise is designed to manipulate human cognitive processes to provide the appearance of direct communication with deities to support authoritarian control. In a post about Project Blue Beam, right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Joneswho gained notoriety for his remarks regarding the Sandy Hook massacreshared an interview with ufologist Steven Greer regarding how Project Blue Beam will be used." Watch the video here: FLASHBACK: Alex Jones Interviews Dr. Steven Greer About How Project Blue Beam Will Be UsedWATCH/SHARE THE LIVE X STREAM HERE:https://t.co/iRbKT1cEXq pic.twitter.com/g6SejN81kV Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) December 11, 2024 President-elect Donald Trump has weighed in on the matter, stating that the unidentified drones should be shot down immediately. Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country. Can this be happening without our governments knowledge? I dont think so," Trump stated in a post on his own social media platform, Truth Social. Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!! DJT," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The US authorities, meanwhile, claimed that the enigmatic objects were manned aircraft" operating legally. Upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are manned aircraft that are being operated lawfully," said John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor. Additionally, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security stated that there was no proof that the sightings constituted a threat to public safety or national security. 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," a joint statement by the department reads. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 15:26 IST Pleasanteeism Explained: Why Pretending Everything Is Fine At Work Can Actually Hurt Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 14:53 IST This trend goes by many names: coffee badging, hush-cations, hushed hybrid work styles, and even hushed holidays. Why pleasanteeism is more dangerous than you think. (Representative Image) Have you ever had to fake a smile, even when everything inside you felt the opposite? Thats called pleasanteeisma mix of pleasant" and presenteeism." It happens when employees are expected to appear happy, even when theyre feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Imagine sitting in a meeting, pretending everything is fine, when inside youre struggling. Thats what pleasanteeism is all about: acting happy when youre really not. When companies push for a culture-first environment, employees feel they need to act as if everythings perfect. This trend goes by many names: coffee badging, hush-cations, hushed hybrid work styles, and even hushed holidays. All these terms hint at the same ideaemployees are hiding their true feelings, pretending everything is rosy when it really isnt. related stories For example, imagine youre on a video call where youre expected to be enthusiastic, nodding along, even if youre mentally exhausted. Or maybe youre bombarded with invitations to team socials, even though youre feeling drained and just want to relax. This is the real cost of pleasanteeism. Keeping up a constant facade of happiness is exhausting. When youre continuously pushing down your true feelings, pretending to be someone youre not, it starts to wear you down. You might notice that your productivity drops, or you feel less engaged at work. So, Whats The Solution? Its not about getting rid of workplace positivity altogetherthat would be too extreme. But theres a better way: create a culture where authenticity is valued. Organisations need to make a shift away from forced cheerfulness. Instead, they should encourage honest emotional expressionwithout sacrificing professionalism. When employees can express their true feelings while still maintaining a level of professionalism, they feel more supported. This leads to healthier, more sustainable workplaces that prioritise mental health and productivity. If youre wondering whether youre caught up in the pleasanteeism trap, here are five signs to look out for: You say yes to everything, even when you dont want to because youre terrified of disapproval. You avoid disagreements at all costs, even if it means sacrificing your own opinion just to keep the peace. You try to climb the career ladder by saying what others want to hear. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all You agree with the majority out of fear of being left out or judged. You try to smooth things over just to avoid conflict. Location : Delhi, India First Published: December 17, 2024, 14:53 IST US Woman Buys Ancestral Home In Italy For Rs 85, Spends Rs 4 Crore On Renovation Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 20:32 IST The house, which dates back to the 17th century, was part of a series of properties up for auction in this historic Sicilian village. Tabbone's plans quickly grew as she uncovered the challenges of restoring such an old and historic home. (Source: Instagram) In a remarkable story that blends history, heritage, and modern-day investments, a woman from the United States shocked the world with her passion for preserving an ancestral home in Italy. Meredith Tabbone, a Chicago native, bought an old house in the quaint Italian village of Sambuca di Sicilia for just Rs 85 (around $1.05) at an auction in 2019. However, her dedication to restoring the property turned into a massive financial commitment, with her renovation costs escalating to an astonishing Rs 4 crore (approximately $480,000). The house, which dates back to the 17th century, was part of a series of properties up for auction in this historic Sicilian village. Tabbone, whose grandparents hailed from the region before emigrating to the United States in 1908, was determined to reconnect with her roots and revive the family legacy. Upon hearing about the auction, she seized the opportunity and placed a bid, successfully securing the property. related stories Although the purchase price was minuscule, Tabbones journey didnt end there. She realised the house was too small for her vision and subsequently bought the adjacent property for $23,000 (approximately Rs 19.5 lakh). The combined purchase price for the two properties was around $24,000 (Rs 20.5 lakh). Yet, Tabbones real challenge began with the renovation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Initially budgeting just $40,000 (around Rs 34 lakh) for the renovations, Tabbones plans quickly grew as she uncovered the challenges of restoring such an old and historic home. She ended up spending a staggering amount roughly Rs 4 crore to transform the space, making it livable while preserving its historical charm. I have never done a renovation like this in my life," Tabbone told CNBC in an interview, reflecting on the complexity of the project. Despite receiving multiple offers to sell the property after her extensive renovation, Tabbone remains adamant about her decision to keep it. She emphasised that the house, which holds deep personal significance due to her familys history, is not for sale, no matter the financial allure. First Published: December 17, 2024, 20:32 IST DYK Riteish Deshmukh Touched Genelia D'Souza's Feet 8 Times During Their Maharashtrian Wedding? Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 09:15 IST Riteish and Genelia tied the knot in 2012, celebrating their marriage with ceremonies that honoured both Christian and Maharashtrian traditions. Riteish and Genelia are proud parents to two sons. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Riteish Deshmukh, one of Bollywoods beloved actors, turned 46 on December 17. Having made his acting debut in 2003, Riteish has since carved a niche for himself and even ventured into production with his Mumbai Film Company. Beyond his on-screen success, the actor is adored for his heartwarming bond with wife Genelia DSouza. The duo, known for setting couple goals, often shares delightful moments on social media. Married in 2012, they celebrated their union in both Christian and Maharashtrian traditions. Interestingly, during their Marathi wedding rituals, Riteish had to touch Genelias feet not once but eight timessomething that left her pleasantly surprised! related stories Genelia DSouza and Riteish Deshmukh once appeared on Super Dancer Chapter 4 for a Shaadi Special episode, where Genelia was deeply moved by a contestants performance on Maahi Ve. Reflecting on the act, she shared, Oh my God! Your performance reminded me of my wedding." She then went on to describe a unique component of Maharashtrian weddings that astounded her. Genelia noted that during her wedding with Riteish, he was required to touch her feet eight times as part of a tradition that she thought was particularly noteworthy because it challenged traditional patriarchal norms. This is an important part of traditional Maharashtrian weddings and Genelia expressed, We may have modernised weddings and turned them into a party. But I adore traditional weddings and consider myself fortunate enough to have attended one. Every ceremony was a blast for me. I was very emotional during my Bidaai but we all had a great time." Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia DSouza first met on the sets of Tujhe Meri Kasam and have since become one of Bollywoods most adored couples. After dating for 9 years, they tied the knot on February 3, 2012, and are proud parents to two sons, Riaan and Rahyl. Over the years, the duo has collaborated on multiple projects, the most recent being Ved in 2022. Notably, Ved marked Riteishs directorial debut and featured him alongside Genelia and Jiya Shankar. Riteish Deshmukh is all set to return with the fifth installment of the hit comedy franchise. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jackie Shroff, Fardeen Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangda Singh, Nana Patekar, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, and others. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:05 IST Jagmeet Singh Joins Calls For Trudeaus Resignation Amid Deputys Exit, Cites Trump Tariff Threat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:27 IST Calls for Justin Trudeau's resignation: He said Canadians were struggling to fight high costs of living and on top of that Donald Trumps tariff threat had endangered jobs Canadas New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Calls for Justin Trudeaus resignation: Canadas New Democratic Party Jagmeet Singh joined the chorus demanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus resignation amid his deputy Chrystia Freelands exit. He cited the high cost of living in the nation and US President-elect Donald Trumps tariff threat. Singh called on Trudeau to resign and said, Today, I am calling on Justin Trudeau to resign. Liberals are fighting themselves when Canadians need a Prime Minister who will fight for them." related stories Today, I am calling on Justin Trudeau to resign.Liberals are fighting themselves when Canadians need a Prime Minister who will fight for them. pic.twitter.com/1zebsMovqh Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) December 16, 2024 He said Canadians were struggling to fight high costs of living, and a home to live and on top of that Donald Trumps 25% tariff threat had endangered several jobs. Deputy PMs Exit, Depening Political Crisis Singhs call for Trudeaus resignation came just hours after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelands unexpected departure, following a disagreement over US President-elect Donald Trumps tariff threats. A third of the Liberal Partys MPs are now demanding a leadership change, intensifying the political crisis in Canada. Reports on Monday evening indicated that Trudeau has not yet decided whether to step down as Prime Minister. Nearly 60 of the 153 Liberal MPs in the House of Commons have joined the rebellion against him. Freeland also resigned as Finance Minister, marking the first major dissent from within Trudeaus cabinet and threatening his grip on power. Trudeau trails Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre by 20 points in the polls, with Poilievre having made multiple attempts since September to force a snap election. In her resignation letter, Freeland cited a grave challenge" facing Canada, referencing Trumps proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. She stated that she and Trudeau had disagreed on the best path forward for the country. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Freeland, a former journalist, had been a key figure in Trudeaus cabinet, holding roles such as trade and foreign minister, and leading trade negotiations with the EU and US. Most recently, she had been managing Canadas response to Trumps policies. In her letter, Freeland explained that Trudeau had proposed a cabinet shuffle, but she believed resignation was the only viable option. As Finance Minister, she stressed the need to take Trumps tariff threats seriously, warning that it could lead to a tariff war" with the US and urging Ottawa to remain fiscally cautious. First Published: December 17, 2024, 13:21 IST Canadian Deputy PM Quitting Over Policy Clashes Big Setback For Justin Trudeau: Sources To News18 Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 16:51 IST Trudeau is also facing significant challenges from the Khalistani front. His ploy to appease minorities has also received flak Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. (File image: AP) Canadian deputy prime minister Chrystia Freelands startling resignation was due to policy clashes with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Tuesday. The development has come as a big setback for Trudeau, they added. According to reports, Freeland and Trudeau had disagreements over a government proposal for temporary tax breaks and other spending measures. related stories Freeland resigned due to differences over the handling of US President-elect Donald Trumps proposed tariffs on Canadian imports," said a source. Her resignation has intensified problems of Trudeaus leadership. Recent polls show him trailing 20 points behind Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre." Sources say the key challenges Trudeau faces include: Economic Policy: Disagreements are rising, and Freelands departure highlights divisions within Trudeaus team over economic policies, particularly regarding Trumps tariffs. Leadership Crisis: Freelands resignation has sparked speculation about Trudeaus ability to lead, with some experts describing it as a total disaster". Upcoming Election: With polls expected in 2025, Trudeaus government is under pressure to address economic concerns and maintain public trust. Trudeau is also facing significant challenges from the Khalistani front. His ploy to appease minorities" has also received flak. The diplomatic relationship between India and Canada has been facing significant challenges since Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian officials in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. His comments sparked outrage in India, with the government dismissing the allegations as absurd" and motivated". Former Canadian cabinet minister Ujjal Dosanjh blames Trudeau for aggravating the Khalistan movement issue in Canada. Dosanjh said that Trudeaus emphasis on exclusive identities had become a deterrent to political, cultural, and social integration. He also criticised Trudeaus vision of Canada as a post-national state without a mainstream culture", which he believes has contributed to the growth of the Khalistan separatist movement in Canada. Canadas strained relationship with India has resulted in significant losses for Ottawa. The diplomatic row between the two countries has impacted trade. Bilateral trade between the nations is valued at $9.36 billion in 2023, which is a relatively small fraction of Canadas total trade. Key Losses for Canada: The strained relationship has led to a decline in trade between the two countries, with Canadas exports to India valued at $3.80 billion in 2023, a significant decrease from previous years. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Investment Impacts: The diplomatic row has also impacted investment between the two countries, with Canadian investments in India reaching $3.0 billion in 2011, but likely decreasing since then. Educational Impacts: The strained relationship may also impact educational exchanges between the two countries, with over 40% of international students in Canada being from India in 2022. First Published: December 17, 2024, 16:51 IST Israeli Troops Will Occupy Buffer Zone Inside Syria For Foreseeable Future: Netanyahu Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 23:40 IST Israel seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in the buffer zone between his country and Syria on December 8. (Image: Reuters/File) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, and specifically on the summit of Mount Hermon, until another arrangement is found that will ensure Israels security." Netanyahu made the comments Tuesday from the mountains snow-dusted summit the highest peak in the area which is located on Syrias side of the border. This was apparently the first time a sitting Israeli leader entered the Syrian territory. Netanyahu said he had been on the summit of Mount Hermon 53 years ago as a soldier, but the summits importance to Israels security has only increased given recent events. related stories Israel seized a swath of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone, in the days after Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted by rebels. Israels capture of the buffer zone has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating a 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab. Netanyau visited the buffer zone with Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said he instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. The summit of the Hermon is the eyes of the state of Israel to identify our enemies who are nearby and far away," Katz said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Israeli forces moved to control a roughly 400-square-kilometre demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian territory. The buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights was created by the UN after the 1973 Mideast war. A UN force of about 1,100 troops had patrolled the area since then. Israel still controls the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed a move not recognised by most of the international community. Mount Hermons summit is divided between the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, Lebanon, and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israels control of the Golan Heights. Location : Israel First Published: December 17, 2024, 23:40 IST Why Is Meghan Markle Disappointed With Sister-In-Law Kate Middleton? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 23:01 IST Sources said Meghan Markle is reportedly frustrated after Kate Middleton did not intervene to resolve the ongoing feud between her and Prince Harry, as well as the rest of the family, including Prince William An insider said Meghan Markle believes that Kate Middleton (L) could play a key part in the reconciliation between Prince Harry and Prince William. (Image: Reuters/File) Meghan Markle has lately been disappointed with Kate Middleton, and has been critical" of her sister-in-laws new tag of the royal familys peacemaker". She is reportedly frustrated after Kate did not intervene to resolve the ongoing feud between her and Prince Harry and the rest of the family, including Prince William, sources said. According to sources, Meghan expected more support from Kate but she was left high and dry at her lack of involvement. In a report published by Heat magazine, she expected that the Princess of Wales, who has been battling cancer since the beginning of the year, will try and resolve the family feud between the brothers. related stories A source, who is an insider, said she thought Kate will urge William to forgive Harrys past mistakes. The insider said she believes that her sister-in-law could play a key part in the reconciliation between the brothers. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all But, the insider further said the Duchess of Sussex does not want to say much as Kate has had a tough year with her cancer diagnosis and treatment. But, she could not help but feel disappointed that there was no enthusiasm at all on Kates part, as per a report published by Geo News. Meghan is well aware that William has major reservations about making peace with Harry, let alone inviting him back into the fold," the insider told Geo News. But she believes he would be a lot more inclined if he had more encouragement from others, especially Kate, who in her mind arent doing enough to soften Williams stance." Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: December 17, 2024, 22:57 IST Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Share Rare Picture With Kids In Holiday Card, Internet Alleges AI Use Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 17:14 IST After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared a rare picture of their two children, the internet questioned the authenticity of the image citing 'irregularities'. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children (Photo: X/What Meghan Wore) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who are largely private about their children, threw a surprise as they put out their Archewell holiday card for 2024, which consisted of the first look at the kids in a long period of time. However, the internet was quick to spot the discrepancies as the users alleged that the image could be AI-generated. related stories What Do The Pictures Show? The 6-photo collage greeting had a picture of them in which 5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibet could be seen running towards the couple in a park. The card featured a heartwarming image of Harry and Meghan warmly greeting their children with radiant smiles. Lili, now sporting long hair and appearing nearly as tall as her brother Archie, ran toward her father, while Archie embraced his mother in the tender moment. Meghan and Harry have released their virtual 2024 holiday card. The card features photos from various events this year and one which includes Archie, Lili and their dogs at their home in California. #MeghanAndHarry #whatmeghanwore pic.twitter.com/Zw0Le2f6EX What Meghan Wore (@whatmegwore) December 16, 2024 Other photos on the card captured highlights from Harry and Meghans travels throughout the year, showcasing the couple smiling and holding each other affectionately. On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year." the card read. Were The Pictures Real Or AI-Generated? Social media took a closer and rather critical look at the picture, pointing to irregularities in it. A user alleged that the image could have been created digitally. Look at this dodgy digitally altered photo Harry and Meghan have released for Christmas! The shadows are all wrong, you can see the digitally altered outline around Meghan and the dogs have been superimposed. Also, are we supposed to believe Lilibet is around six or seven years old!?" Look at this dodgy digitally altered photo Harry and Meghan have released for Christmas! The shadows are all wrong, you can see the digitally altered outline around Meghan and the dogs have been superimposed. Also, are we supposed to believe Lilibet is around six or seven years pic.twitter.com/NvpB7g31wo Prince & Princess of Wales (@TribesBritannia) December 16, 2024 What a weird setup. If this were a real, candid photo, it appears they are greeting the childreth after a long absence. Except that the photographer was set up, the dogs were already there (did they get greeted before the children?) Just weird in every way," another one commented. Perfectly natural-looking dog," another user wrote, highlighting the black dog in the picture. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Harry, earlier this year, talked about his kids in an interview with Good Morning America, in which he said that they are growing up incredibly fast". He mentioned their sense of humour and said that they make the couple laugh. Im just very grateful to be a dad," he said. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, relocated from England in 2020 following their decision to step back from royal duties. The couple welcomed their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, on May 6, 2019. Their second child, a daughter named Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on June 4, 2021. Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: December 17, 2024, 17:14 IST Like Grandfather Nehru: Ex-Pak Minister Hails Priyanka Gandhis Palestine Bag Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 10:28 IST Though the former Pakistan minister praised Priyanka Gandhi for her move to express solidarity with Palestinians, BJP leaders criticised her on Monday and called her out for not speaking on Bangladesh Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. (Photo: X) Former Pakistan Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has heaped praises on Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi for voicing concerns against Israels actions in Gaza and carrying a bag to Parliament that had Palestine" emblazoned on it as a mark of expressing solidarity. Hussain also slammed lawmakers in Pakistan for not standing up against Israel and showing any courage". related stories In a post on X, he wrote, What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has stood tall amidst pigmies, such shame that to date, no Pakistani member of Parliament has demonstrated such courage." What else could we expect from a granddaughter of a towering freedom fighter like Jawaharlal Nehru? Priyanka Gandhi has stood tall amidst pigmies, such shame that to date, no Pakistani member of Parliament has demonstrated such courage.#ThankYou pic.twitter.com/vV3jfOXLQq Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) December 16, 2024 On Monday, Gandhi accessorised her saree with a handbag emblazoned with the word Palestine" and Palestinian emblems, including a watermelon, as she walked into the Parliament. BJP MP Anurag Thakur criticised the Wayanad MP over the bag controversy, questioning the message she intended to convey. He pointed out that while she remained silent on the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, she chose to make a fashion statement with a Palestine-themed bag. In response to BJP leaders raising the issue of the Palestine bag, Priyanka Gandhi said, They should focus on addressing the atrocities against minoritiesHindus and Christiansin Bangladesh. They should engage with the Bangladeshi government to stop these violations." Last week, Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, the Charge daffaires of the Palestine Embassy in New Delhi, met with Gandhi to congratulate her on her recent bypoll victory in Wayanad, Kerala. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In June, Gandhi had condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what she described as genocidal actions" by the Israeli government in Gaza, accusing them of barbarism." Her remarks followed Netanyahus defense of Israels actions during a speech to the US Congress. Gandhi had expressed that it was no longer enough to merely speak out for the civilians, including mothers, fathers, doctors, nurses, journalists, and children, who were being killed daily in Gaza. She called it the horrific genocide" and said it was the moral duty of every right-thinking individual and government to condemn Israels actions and demand they stop. Their actions are unacceptable in a world that claims civility and morality," she had written in a post on X. First Published: December 17, 2024, 09:27 IST Chief Of Russias Nuclear Defence Forces Killed In Moscow Explosion Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 13:23 IST According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the explosive device was hidden in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC). (File image via X/@sentdefender) Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, was killed on Tuesday in a bomb blast outside a building in Moscow. He was killed along with his deputy in the explosion. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the explosive device was hidden in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building. The bomb was activated as Kirillov and his deputy approached the location, leading to their deaths. related stories An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow," stated the Committee, which oversees major investigations in Russia. Images published by Russian media showed that the blast shattered several windows of the building and caused significant damage to the front door. The investigators have opened a case into the two deaths, the committees spokesperson, Svetlana Petrenko said. Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene," she said in a statement. Investigative and search activities are being carried out to establish all the circumstances around this crime." This comes a day after Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court for using banned chemical weapons during Russias military operation in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ukraines Security Service had said that they had documented more than 4,800 instances of chemical weapon use on the battlefield since February 2022, particularly K-1 combat grenades. (With inputs from agencies) Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: December 17, 2024, 11:57 IST TikTok Suspected Of Meddling In Romania's Presidential Election, Investigation Launched Published By : Associated Press Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 18:55 IST The European Commission is escalating its scrutiny of TikTok after Romania's top court canceled results of first round of voting that resulted in unknown far-right candidate becoming front-runner. TikTok European Union regulators said Tuesday theyre investigating whether TikTok breached the blocs digital rulebook by failing to deal with risks to Romanias presidential election, which has been thrown into turmoil over allegations of electoral violations and Russian meddling. The European Commission is escalating its scrutiny of the popular video-sharing platform after Romanias top court canceled results of the first round of voting that resulted in an unknown far-right candidate becoming the front-runner. related stories The court made its unprecedented decision after authorities in the European Union and NATO member country declassified documents alleging Moscow organized a sprawling social media campaign to promote a long shot candidate, Calin Georgescu. Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok, we are now thoroughly investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to tackle such risks," European Commission president Ursula on der Leyen said in a press release. It should be crystal clear that in the EU, all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable." The European Commission is the 27-nation EUs executive arm and enforces the blocs Digital Services Act, a sweeping set of regulations intended to clean up social media platforms and protect users from illegal content. It ordered TikTok earlier this month to retain all information related to the election. In the preliminary round of voting on Nov. 24 Georgescu was an outsider among the 13 candidates but ended up topping the polls. He was due to face a pro-EU reformist rival in a runoff before the court canceled the results. The declassified files alleged that there was an aggressive promotion campaign" to boost Georgescus popularity, including payments worth a total of $381,000 to TikTok influencers to promote him on the platform. TikTok said it has protected the integrity" of its platform over 150 elections around the world and is continuing to address these industry-wide challenges." TikTok has provided the European Commission with extensive information regarding these efforts, and we have transparently and publicly detailed our robust actions," it said in a statement. The commission said its investigation will focus on TikToks content recommendation systems, especially on risks related to coordinated inauthentic manipulation or automated exploitation." Its also looking at TikToks policies on political advertisements and paid-for political content." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all TikTok said it doesnt accept paid political ads and proactively" removes content for violating policies on misinformation. The investigation could result in TikTok making changes to fix any problems, or in fines worth up to 6% of the companys total global revenue. Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: December 17, 2024, 18:55 IST 'Won't Allow Our Land...': Sri Lanka Assures India Amid China's Hambantota Port Ops Curated By : & News18.com Last Updated: December 17, 2024, 08:29 IST Colombo's commitment towards defence cooperation with India came after President Dissanayake held a key discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi with Sri Lanka's President Disanayaka | Image/PMO Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during his maiden overseas visit to India, assured New Delhi that Sri Lanka would not allow its territory to be used in any manner that threatens Indias security interests. Colombos commitment towards defence cooperation with India came after President Dissanayake held a key discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The assurance stands significant given Chinas aggressive push for Mission Indian Ocean, which directly poses a security threat to India. related stories China, having taken control of Sri Lankas Hambantota Port after Colombo defaulted on Chinese loans, has been deploying its naval surveillance and spy ships there. Over the past two years, Beijing has repeatedly stationed the 25,000-tonne satellite and ballistic missile tracking vessel, Yuan Wang 5, at Hambantotaraising concerns for New Delhi given Sri Lankas strategic proximity to India. 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. 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 Lankas territory would not be used against Indias security interests," Dissanayake said in an X post. In August 2022, following concerns raised by New Delhi, Sri Lanka initially urged Beijing to postpone the arrival of its ship and refrain from such activities. However, Colombo eventually allowed the Chinese vessel to dock for replenishment." Since then, Chinese surveillance and spy ships have frequently patrolled the Indian Ocean and regularly docked at Hambantota Port, according to a report by NDTV. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Yuan Wang 5, part of the line of Chinese tracking ships, comes with a robust tracking, sensing and communication relay system and is capable of detecting foreign satellites, aerial assets and missile systems. China acquired control of Hambantota Port on a 99-year lease after Sri Lanka failed to repay $100 million annually on the $1.7 billion loan it borrowed for the ports construction, with the first phase completed in 2010. Location : Sri Lanka First Published: December 17, 2024, 08:29 IST One indication that the Rev. Paul Chamberlain's chat with English schoolchildren about the unreality of Father Christmas wasn't going well was the gasps from the religious education class. Another would have been the sobbing by the 10- and 11-year-olds. In hindsight, said the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth, Chamberlain accepts that his frankness was an "error of judgment," the BBC reports. Saying she's not sure how the damage can be undone, one mother told the Times: "I don't want him anywhere near my daughter. I hope he never comes into the school again." Chancellor Olaf Scholz 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. 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, the AP reports. 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 the nation's 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. The confidence vote was needed because post-World War II Germany's constitution doesn't 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. Once parliament is dissolved, the election must be held within 60 days. In practice, the campaign is already well underway, and Monday's three-hour debate reflected that. Arguments made Monday to lawmakers by the center-left Scholz and the center-right challenger Friedrich Merz included: Scholz : 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?" He pledges to "modernize" Germany's self-imposed rules on running up debt, to increase the national minimum wage, and to reduce value-added tax on food. : 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?" He pledges to "modernize" Germany's self-imposed rules on running up debt, to increase the national minimum wage, and to reduce value-added tax on food. Merz: "You're leaving the country in one of its biggest economic crises in postwar history," he told Scholz. "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." Polling shows Scholz's party well behind Merz's Union bloc. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, the remaining partner in Scholz's government, is also bidding for the top jobthough 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, per the AP, and polls show no party anywhere near an absolute majority on its own. (More Germany stories.) Ukraine's military intelligence agency and the Pentagon said Monday that some North Korean troops have been killed during combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk border region. These are the first reported casualties since the US 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, reports the AP . Ukraine's military intelligence agency said around 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded during battle with the Ukrainian army over the weekend. 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 Telegram post. 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 Russia's war and are "actively engaged in combat operations" against Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged unwavering support for Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor under a mutual defense pact. 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," said the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Colonial settlers forced the Yurok Tribe from their ancestral homelands in modern day California during the 1800s while exploiting natural resources, from gold to lumber. "As the natural world became completely decimated, so did the Yurok people," Yurok descendent Rosie Clayburn tells CBS News . But in a sign of healing, the Yurok will once again preside over the heart of their ancestral lands at the southern gateway to Redwood National and State Parks. In 2026, a 125-acre property, once home to a significant village, will be formally transferred back to the tribe, which will manage it alongside the National Park Service and California State Parks, marking the first time "a portion of a National Park is going to be co-managed by a Native tribe," per Oregon Public Broadcasting . The nonprofit Save the Redwoods League purchased the Humboldt County property, called 'O Rew in the Yurok language, from an old timber mill in 2013, with plans to hand it to the National Park Service. The land and parts of Prairie Creek had by then been paved over. But during discussions with the NPS, "we began to realize that perhaps a better alternative would be to transfer the land back to the Yurok Tribe," chief program officer Paul Ringgold tells CBS. "No one knows this land better. They've been stewarding this land since time immemorial." The Yurok Tribe, which manages the land through hunting, fishing, and controlled burns, is already working to boost the salmon population at the site. Members have constructed two connected ponds and about 20 acres of floodplain, now connected to Prairie Creek, and seen coastal salmon and steelhead return, per CBS and OPB. There are also plans to recreate the traditional village, build a visitor and cultural center to tell the history of the land, and construct new trails connecting to the national park, per OPB. The land may have been decimated alongside its original guardians, but as it heals, so do the Yurok, says Clayburn. This is "a chance to begin that healing," says NPS Director Chuck Sams, the first Native American in the role. (More Native Americans stories.) The woman who allegedly stowed away on a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Paris last month was arrested again Monday, this time while allegedly trying to flee the US, where she is awaiting trial, sources say. Law enforcement sources tell CNN that Svetlana Dali cut off her ankle monitor Sunday, and the person she was staying with in Philadelphia reported her missing when he saw it on the floor. The next day, while onboard a Greyhound bus en route to Canada, Dali was detained in Buffalo, New York, after law enforcement asked her for her passport and she didn't have one, ABC Philadelphia reports. It was later discovered there was a warrant for her arrest on a charge of bail jumping, which carries a potential sentence of five years in federal prison. Ukraine says it assassinated a top Russian general responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops on Tuesday. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, and his assistant died outside an apartment building in Moscow when a bomb concealed in an electric scooter detonated, according to Russia's Investigative Committee. Reuters describes "doors hanging off their hinges" and "two bodies lying beneath black plastic sheets" at the scene. Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU, claimed responsibility for the killings, with sources describing Kirillov as a "war criminal," per the Guardian and BBC . The 54-year-old Kirillov is "the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated inside Russia by Ukraine," per Reuters. He oversaw special forces operating under conditions of radioactive, chemical, and biological contamination. Ukraine and the West accused him of deploying chemical weapons on the battlefield, including the toxic choking agent chloropicrin. On the eve of his killing, Ukrainian state prosecutors charged him in absentia with the "mass use" of prohibited chemical weapons, per the BBC. The SBU claims there have been more than 4,800 uses of chemical weapons on the battlefield since February 2022, per the Guardian. But Russia denies using chemical weapons in war. Maria Zakharova, a rep for Russia's Foreign Ministry, said Kirillov worked "fearlessly" to expose chemical weapons-related crimes by the West. He'd accused Ukraine and other countries of violating nuclear safety protocols, prompting the UK Foreign Office to label him a "significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation," per the BBC. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, promised Ukraine's leadership would face revenge for his murder. "Realizing the inevitability of its military defeat, it launches cowardly and despicable strikes in peaceful cities," he said of Ukraine, per the Guardian. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) President-elect Trump gave a wide-ranging news conference on Monday at Mar-a-Lago, and one line in particular has caught the attention of outlets including Axios. At one point, Trump drew a comparison between this year's transition to the White House and the one in 2016: The comment: "The first term everybody was fighting me," Trump said. "In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. I don't know. My personality changed or something." See his remarks in this AP video. "The first term everybody was fighting me," Trump said. "In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. I don't know. My personality changed or something." See his remarks in this AP video. Haberman's view: Is the line an example of Trump boasting? Not really, writes Maggie Haberman in the New York Times. The "statement was hyperbolic, but not by much." She cites the long list of business leaders and former foes traveling to Mar-a-Lago and notes that Jeff Bezos described him as a changed man. Haberman, though, thinks it's the other way around. Trump "has bent the Republican Party to his will," she writes. It's Washington that has changed, "not the incoming president." Luigi Mangione has been indicted on charges in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson that could send him to prison for life. The 26-year-old was indicted in New York Tuesday on charges including "first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism," an upgrade from earlier charges, ABC News reports. According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, the New York State Supreme Court indictment also includes "two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is charged as a killing in the act of terrorism; two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument," per NBC News. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, at Al Sakhir Palace, where the two discussed the deep-rooted historic ties between Bahrain and the United Kingdom. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, also met with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at Gudaibiya Palace. HRH Prince Edward conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Charles III and extended his best wishes for Bahrains progress and prosperity, particularly during its National Day celebrations. HM King Hamad reciprocated with warm regards to HM King Charles III, highlighting the enduring bilateral relationship and expressing appreciation for efforts to strengthen partnerships between the two nations. In recognition of HRH Prince Edwards contributions to fostering cooperation, HM King Hamad awarded him the prestigious King Hamad Order of Renaissance, First Class. The Duke expressed gratitude for the honour and commended HM the Kings leadership in advancing Bahraini-British relations. HRH Prince Salman emphasised Bahrains commitment, under HM King Hamads leadership, to furthering cooperation and joint coordination with the UK. Discussions during the meeting included the longstanding ties between the two countries, aspirations for enhanced bilateral relations, and shared regional and international interests. HRH Prince Salman hosted a lunch banquet in honor of The Duke and his delegation, attended by senior Bahraini officials, including HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and key government ministers. These high-level engagements underscore Bahrains dedication to strengthening historic alliances and fostering diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom, reflecting mutual respect and shared aspirations for continued partnership and prosperity. The 8th annual Geotab Connect will be held on February 25-27 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Geotab Inc. ("Geotab"), a global leader in connected transportation, announces Geotab Connect 2025, taking place on February 25-27 at Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. This premier event will bring together industry leaders, fleet managers, and innovators to explore the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of transportation. The 8th annual Geotab Connect will be held on February 25-27 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. (CNW Group/Geotab Inc.) Geotab Connect 2025 promises a unique opportunity to dive into key topics such as innovation, data intelligence, artificial intelligence (AI), safety, efficiency, and sustainability. This year's conference will spotlight the power of data insights in driving real-world impact, showcasing customer success stories and offering valuable perspectives from influential voices in the transportation industry. Attendees can look forward to over 30 engaging sessions, featuring leading experts in the telematics industry. Leading the charge in these discussions will be Neil Cawse, Founder and CEO of Geotab, Sabina Martin, Vice President of Product Management at Geotab, and Mike Branch, Vice President of Data and Analytics at Geotab, who will showcase the company's latest innovations and explore key trends shaping the year ahead. Attendees will also hear from global industry leaders, including the American Trucking Association (ATA), Penske, UPS, and more. "Geotab Connect 2025 is where innovative minds come together to share critical knowledge and solutions for navigating a rapidly changing industry,'' said Derek Luke, Chief Operating Officer at Geotab. "As we continue to harness the power of data and AI to drive smarter, safer, and more sustainable transportation solutions, this event will highlight how these advancements are making a real-world impact and transforming the way fleets operate globally." The event will also showcase Geotab's expansive ecosystem of Marketplace partners. The dynamic show floor will include the new Product Center, offering a firsthand look at the latest product innovations, as well as the IOX Games, a fun and interactive competition with enhanced challenges and exciting new twists. For more information on Geotab Connect 2025 or to register, please visit: https://www.geotab.com/connect/ . About Geotab Geotab, a global leader in connected vehicle and asset solutions, leverages advanced data analytics and AI to enhance fleet performance, safety, and sustainability while optimizing costs. Backed by a team of industry leading data scientists, engineers and AI experts, we serve over 50,000 customers across 160 countries, processing billions of data points hourly from more than 4 million vehicles. Data security and privacy are at the forefront of all we dotrusted by Fortune 500 organizations and some of the largest public sector fleets in the world, we meet top cybersecurity standards. Geotab's open platform and diverse Geotab Marketplace offers hundreds of fleet-ready third-party solutions. Learn more at www.geotab.com and follow us on LinkedIn or visit Geotab News and Views . SOURCE Geotab Inc. Media Contact: Nicole Riddle, Senior Specialist, Strategic Communications, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Although rental market conditions remain tight across most major markets, Canada's supply of purpose-built rental apartments grew by 4.1%, the highest increase in over thirty years, pushing the national vacancy rate from 1.5% in 2023 to 2.2% in 2024. This is one of the key findings from the latest Rental Market Report (RMR) released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, Deputy Chief Economist, CMHC (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)) Additionally, the average rent growth for a 2-bedroom apartment saw a significant slowdown in 2024, as rents rose 5.4% for a 2-bedroom unit, down from a record 8% in 2023. However, when a unit turned over to a new tenant, rent growth was 23.5% in 2024, unchanged from 2023. The rented condominium apartment market also remained tight in 2024. The average vacancy rate for rented condominiums in the 17 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) surveyed by CMHC remained at 0.9% in 2024, unchanged from 2023, and down from 1.6% in 2022. Average 2-bedroom rent was up to $2,173 in 2024 from $2,049 in 2023. Read the full Rental Market Report on the CMHC website. Quote: "Affordability for Canadian renters remains a challenge, particularly for new tenants who faced significant rent hikes as units turned over, limiting mobility for existing tenants and making it harder for prospective tenants to enter the market.''said Tania Bourassa-Ochoa, CMHC's Deputy Chief Economist. "However, record growth in rental supply helped slow down average rent growth and raise vacancy rates closer to the historic average, underscoring the critical role of added supply in improving housing affordability." Report Highlights: Toronto had the lowest rent growth among major CMAs at just 2.7%, down from 8.8% in 2023. This is the result of rising vacancy rates and the lowest turnover rate of the major CMAs, which declined further in 2024. With a record increase rental supply, landlords prioritized tenant retention by taking a more cautious approach to rent increases. had the lowest rent growth among major CMAs at just 2.7%, down from 8.8% in 2023. This is the result of rising vacancy rates and the lowest turnover rate of the major CMAs, which declined further in 2024. With a record increase rental supply, landlords prioritized tenant retention by taking a more cautious approach to rent increases. In Montreal , rental apartment completions remained among the highest on record, pushing vacancy rates higher, while in Vancouver , rental supply grew at a slower pace than the previous two years but still above historical rates. In both markets though, persistently high demand meant rent growth didn't slow as much as it did in Toronto . , rental apartment completions remained among the highest on record, pushing vacancy rates higher, while in , rental supply grew at a slower pace than the previous two years but still above historical rates. In both markets though, persistently high demand meant rent growth didn't slow as much as it did in . While Calgary 's rent growth slowed significantly in 2024 it still outpaced all other large urban centres due to strong demand for rentals, driven by migration-led population growth and stable economic conditions, despite higher unemployment. 's rent growth slowed significantly in 2024 it still outpaced all other large urban centres due to strong demand for rentals, driven by migration-led population growth and stable economic conditions, despite higher unemployment. In Halifax , strong rental supply growth and slower population growth relieved some of the pressure in the rental market. As a result, the vacancy rate saw significant growth to 2.1% this year, while average rent growth saw the largest year-over-year decrease of the major markets, down to 3.8% in 2024 from 11% in 2023. , strong rental supply growth and slower population growth relieved some of the pressure in the rental market. As a result, the vacancy rate saw significant growth to 2.1% this year, while average rent growth saw the largest year-over-year decrease of the major markets, down to 3.8% in 2024 from 11% in 2023. Ottawa and Edmonton differed from the other major markets as rent growth in 2024 slightly accelerated, primarily driven by higher rent increases for new tenants at turnover and in newly completed units entering the market. Related Links: CMHC plays a critical role as a national convenor to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. Our mortgage insurance products support access to home ownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. Our research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, we contribute to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. And we actively support the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable. Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) For information on this release: CMHC Media Relations, [email protected] GATINEAU, QC and CALGARY, AB, Dec. 17, 2024 /CNW/ - Qeen Biotechnologies Inc., a leader in bacteriophage-based solutions, is proud to announce its role in providing bacteriophage therapy for a Canadian patient suffering from a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by an antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogen. This groundbreaking treatment marks a significant milestone in the fight against AMR infections, offering not only clinical benefits but also significant economic advantages. Qeen Bio: Delivering Groundbreaking Phage Therapy to the First Patient in Western Canada, Fighting Resistant Infections Post this Dr. Steven Vaughan delivers Qeen Biotechnologies' revolutionary, life-saving phage therapy to Mr. Boyd English, marking a historic first as the inaugural Canadian recipient of phage treatment in Western Canada. (CNW Group/Qeen Biotechnologies Inc.) The patient, treated by Dr. Stephen Vaughan, received targeted phage therapy developed to combat drug-resistant pathogens. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on prolonged antibiotic regimens and costly two-stage revision surgerieswhich can cost up to $50,000 per procedure in Canadabacteriophage therapy provides a more cost-effective alternative. By precisely targeting the infection and reducing the need for extensive hospital stays, additional surgeries, and high-cost antibiotics, phage therapy has the potential to significantly lower healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes. In many cases, Canadian clinicians are forced to procure costly antibiotics, not approved domestically, from the United States, further adding to the financial strain on the healthcare system. The human cost is equally devastating, as many patients with multidrug-resistant PJIs face life-altering amputations or, tragically, death when conventional therapies fail. Qeen Biotechnologies is hopeful that the Canadian government will take steps to mobilize reimbursement policies for the costs associated with the manufacture and delivery of these life-saving phages. Dr. Vaughan emphasized the groundbreaking nature of this achievement: "Instead of unlocking new research doors, we just kicked down the door. Through a tremendous team effort including with Dr. Tawil, we have been able to offer our patient an experimental treatment that previously seemed like science fiction. By using phage (viruses that kill bacteria), we performed groundbreaking research that opens a new therapeutic avenue for Canadian patients with severe infections, giving hope to the most desperate." Dr. Nancy Tawil, CEO and Co-founder of Qeen Biotechnologies, highlighted the importance of this achievement: "Access to phage therapy is a critical lifeline for patients battling AMR infections. At Qeen Biotechnologies, we are dedicated to ensuring that precision phage therapies are not only accessible but also scalable for widespread adoption. This case exemplifies our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that address one of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time, while also easing the economic burden of managing complex infections." Dr. Gregory German, Phage Professor and Clinician at the University of Toronto, and Co-founder and Clinical Director of Phage Canada, praised the collaborative efforts: "Dr. Vaughan, Dr. Tawil, and the greater team have harnessed precision phage therapy and are now part of a handful of Canadian pioneers defanging dead-end infections and moving from MacLean's 'big idea' to a big-league solution for sustainable health care." This success underscores Qeen Biotechnologies' leadership in GMP-compliant phage biomanufacturing and its dedication to advancing the accessibility of bacteriophage therapies. By effectively addressing biofilm-associated infections and reducing the reliance on high-cost, non-approved antibiotics, phage therapy not only improves patient outcomes but also represents a sustainable solution for healthcare systems grappling with the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. About Qeen Biotechnologies Inc. Qeen Biotechnologies Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company specializing in the development, production, and application of bacteriophage therapies to combat antimicrobial resistance. By leveraging advanced biomanufacturing technologies, Qeen Biotechnologies is at the forefront of delivering scalable, GMP-compliant phage solutions to improve patient outcomes and public health. https://www.qeen-bio.com B-roll and photos link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/mnbw97hmi4jma539qbqx0/AP5ul3TM3tXF94itr08UI34?rlkey=nth3otc33zdpuqm9yvcpe6l3y&dl=0 SOURCE Qeen Biotechnologies Inc. Media Contact: Nancy Tawil, CEO and Co-founder, Qeen Biotechnologies Inc., (514) 686-1683, [email protected] Dear Lizzy, My sister and her husband invited themselves to stay at our house for two weeks over Christmas. We like themOK. But we have a life that doesnt stop just because of Christmas break. Work, for one thing, and kids activities. And also our house isnt that big! We wouldnt mind having them for like three days. Max. How do I tell her this without being a total jerk? Grinch Dear Grinch, Ah, a classic Christmas talebut also, two weeks?!? It is my professional opinion that no one should ever visit someones house longer than three days without express and very specific permission. If you plan to stay at someones house for two weeks, you should either be the child of the residents or someone paying rent. Sure, go on a trip to someones town for two weeks. But stay in your own place. Make your own plans. Do not expect people to take care of you. But you sent me this question, not your sister, so what should you do? Be honest: Wed love to have you for maybe two nights on these specific days. We just cant host longer than that because of the commitments already on our calendar! But lets make a ton of plans to hang out! But, and sorry, you should have done this immediately if your sister is en route now, its too late. If you already said she could stay at your house, thats going to be a hard one to go back on and still maintain your relationship with her. In that case, proceed with life as much as you can. Go about your work and activities and point your sister and her family in the direction of things they can do while youre out. Make sure they are fully set up to take care of themselves and include them in household duties. You can even assign them meals to cook. I dont know where you live, but if it is Oregon, suggest a couple overnight trips. Maybe they want to take the bus to the beach or Mount Hood and stay in a hotel for a night or three? You can offer this as an option without being mean about it, because those actually are fun things to do! Another idea? Get them to babysit and give you and your partner a night off! If its too late and you are stuck with your sister for two weeks, make the best of it. In the grand scheme of your whole life, two weeks isnt very long and you probably wont have a ton of times when you will be with her that consistently again. So talk to her, deepen your friendship, consider it a positive instead of a negative if you can. And then really, really appreciate the quiet when shes gone. Good luck! Lizzy Have a burning question? Send me an email at lacker@oregonian.com! Or, if you want to ask me a question with total anonymity, use this Google form. Read more Why Tho? here. Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann was charged Tuesday with a seventh murder in the death of New Jersey resident Valerie Mack, who disappeared more than two decades ago, authorities said. Mack, 24, went missing from Port Republic in Atlantic County in the spring or summer of 2000, her family told police. She was working as an escort in Philadelphia and went by the name Melissa Taylor. Her body was found by hunters on Nov. 19, 2000, in a wooded area off of Mill Road in Gilgo Beach, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a news conference Tuesday. Tierney said a planning document investigators found and attributed to Heuermann listed Mill Road as a dump site. Heuermann, who was in court Tuesday in Riverhead, New York, pleaded not guilty to Macks murder. He has previously pleaded not guilty to all other charges. He remains held without bail. His attorney, Michael J. Brown, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but told news reporters after the hearing that his client maintains his innocence. Several news outlets reported Heuermann spoke during Tuesdays hearing, telling the judge in a loud voice, Your Honor, Im not guilty of any of these charges. Tierney said during Tuesdays press conference that a hair found with Macks remains matched the genetic profile of Heuermanns daughter, who would have been a little girl at the time. Tierney said hair DNA analysis revealed a 99.96% match between Heuermanns ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, and their daughter, Victoria. Heuermann, 61, was an architect and father who was arrested in July 2023 and charged with the murders of six women: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. Tierney said during the news conference that Heuermanns house figured prominently in the murders. The district attorney also revealed various publications with news on the Gilgo Beach investigation, including articles in People and The New York Times Magazine, were found during searches of Heuermanns belongings. Long after Mack went missing, it was the search for another missing New Jersey woman, Shannan Gilbert, that led to the discoveries of other victims, including Mack, whose body was found near the remains of a toddler on Gilgo Beach. Shannan Gilberts death was deemed by Long Island authorities as accidental and not connected to the case against Heuermann. Tierney said the Mack family has been appreciative of the work investigators have done through the years. They are very grateful. They are very grateful for the small bit of closure that the (Gilgo Beach) task force has been able to provide, Tierney said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A New Jersey jail official was indicted on charges that he lied about drugs confiscated from an inmate, authorities said Monday. Investigators charged 38-year-old Fred Gilbert after learning that the Atlantic County jail sergeant directed his subordinates to write a false report about the contraband being found in an inmates possession. He was indicted on Thursday on charges of official misconduct, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office said Tuesday. In June, Gilbert was also charged with witness tampering, obstruction, two counts of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and tampering with physical evidence. Gilberts lawyer, Atlantic City-based attorney Louis Barbone, did not return an emailed request by NJ Advance Media for comment. Gilbert didnt surrender drugs that were found on an inmate at the jail in the Mays Landing section of Hamilton Township, Atlantic County, when they were recovered in June, prosecutors allege. Two officers reporting to Gilbert found the drugs stashed alongside handwritten letters in ripped rubber glove tips. When the drugs were presented to Gilbert, he instructed the officers to write a report about their findings withholding information about the drugs. He instead crafted two reports that omitted information about the narcotics, one he wrote himself and another he typed for his coworker that he then had the officer sign, police wrote in a probable cause statement. The jail suspended Gilbert without pay because of the charges. Gilberts annual salary is $106,000, according to New Jerseys pension data. An arraignment hearing had yet to be scheduled as of Tuesday, according to court records. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. Two Bergen County men were arrested this week after they were accused of sexually assaulting children in separate cases. On Monday, Jose Fajardo, 45, of Hackensack was arrested in Paramus and charged with second-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to a release from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. Fajardo sexually assaulted and endangered a juvenile in Hackensack on multiple occasions, investigators said. He was being held in the Bergen County Jail until his first court appearance, officials said. On Tuesday, Servolo Morales De La Roca, 36, of Fairview was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the office said. Detectives determined that De La Roca sexually assaulted a juvenile when the child was less than 13-years-old in Fairview, the release stated. He was also taken to the Bergen County Jail until his initial court day, authorities said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A Staten Island man has been charged with attempted sexual assault, luring, child endangerment, and production and possession of child porn, Bergen County prosecutors announced Tuesday. Christopher J. Giglio, 34, was arrested following an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Cyber Crimes Unit. The charges stem from online conversations with a 12-year-old and an incident in which he appeared outside the childs home, authorities said. Prosecutors said local police notified the Cyber Crimes Unit on Dec. 11 that a man had been communicating with the 12-year-old through an online messaging app and engaging in sexually explicit conversations. That evening, a mans vehicle was spotted idling outside the childs home, but he fled after being noticed by the childs parent, authorities said. Detectives identified Giglio as the suspect. Authorities said Giglio had instructed the child to take and send explicit photos. In the following days, an undercover detective posing as the child continued communicating with Giglio and he arranged to meet the child on Monday, prosecutors said. Giglio was arrested when he arrived at a meeting location in Bergen County, prosecutors said. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree attempted sexual assault, one count of second-degree luring, third-degree child endangerment, first-degree production of child sexual abuse material, and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. He was taken to Bergen County Jail pending a court appearance. Attorney information for Giglio was not immediately available in online court records. The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors are urging parents or guardians who discover inappropriate communications from social media accounts Smokeyallup or Smokeyallup314 to contact the Bergen County Prosecutors Office Tips Line at 201-226-5532. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Two brothers from New Jersey were resentenced to 30 years in prison after a federal appeals court judge dismissed one of the charges stemming from two armed bank robberies and a planned third robbery of an armored car in 1997 and 1998, authorities with the U.S. District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Charles Rodriguez, 58, and Joseph Rodriguez, 57, were convicted after a six-week trial in 1999 of two armed bank robberies, attempting to rob an armored car and weapons offenses. The brothers were originally sentenced to life in prison on March 30, 2000, but after appealing, Judge Claire C. Cecchi dismissed one count of using firearms in connection with an attempted robbery of an armored car based on changes to underlying law, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said. On July 19, 1997, four heavily armed men with rifles and handguns, including the Rodriguez brothers, robbed a Cornerstone Bank branch in Woodlynne while wearing masks and body armor, according to authorities. During the robbery, several patrons in the bank were threatened to be killed, guns pointed in their faces and hit with rifle stocks the assailants were carrying, officials said. The men escaped using a stolen vehicle, drove to an empty parking lot, lit the first vehicle on fire and used a second stolen vehicle to continue their escape, officials said. Almost a year later on May 23, 1998, three armed men, including the Rodriguez brothers, robbed a Commerce Bank in Moorsetown, authorities said. They wore masks and tactical gear, and shot out the branchs plate glass windows just before the branch opened while pointing guns in the faces of patrons and threatening to shoot them, officials said. The men also fired three shots into the ceiling and six shots at a plexiglass door in front of the banks vault. The men attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle, but after it stalled, demanded the keys to a bank employees car at gunpoint and fled in the employees car before switching to another vehicle, authorities said. In total, the men escaped with over $80,000 from both robberies, authorities said. The men escaped with $64,000 from the first robbery in Woodlynne and escaped with over $15,000 from the second robbery in Moorestown, according to officials. About three months later on Sept. 1, 1998, the Rodriguez brothers and a co-conspirator, Jose Soto, planned to rob an armored vehicle at the Walt Whitman rest stop between exits 3 and 4 on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cherry Hill, authorities said. Based on a tip, about 90 FBI agents and officers with the New Jersey State Police had staged an undercover sting operation at the rest stop, according to a report from The New York times. Authorities had closed the Turnpike in both directions and ushered civilians at the rest stop into a bathroom for safety just before the men were anticipated to arrive through a service road to the rest top, The New York Times reported. When the men saw FBI agents approach their vehicle, they opened fire, The New York Times reported. The men wore tactical gear and bulletproof vests and carried several firearms including two machine guns and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to officials. The men eventually surrendered to authorities, The New York Times reported. Soto was sentenced to time served on Nov. 18, 2022 after spending over 24 years in prison for the attempted robbery and was acquitted of participating in the bank robberies, officials said. Charles Rodriguezs attorney Michael N. Pedicini said Tuesday that he thought the Judge... carefully considered the sentencing guidelines in issuing a new sentence and the Rodriguez brothers efforts over two decades to rehabilitate themselves. Pedicini said Charles and his brother mentored other inmates and took advantage of other programs to develop themselves while incarcerated. Prosecutors initially requested 45 years at the brothers' resentencing, Pedicini said. Joseph Rodriguez is very thankful and gratified that he and his brother Charles have been given a second lease on life, Josephs attorney John J. McMahon said Tuesday. He said that Rodriguez regrets his decisions prior to being sent to prison and is determined to live a productive, law-abiding life. An attorney for Soto could not be reached for comment. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A longtime public elementary school in Ocean County that closed in June because of an $18 million, district-wide budget shortfall is slated to become a private school. The Jackson school board approved selling the former Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School which closed after 62 years to Bais Yaakov of Jackson, according to the K-12 school district. The school board accepted a $13.1 million bid for the site at its Dec. 11 meeting. It was the higher of the two submitted bids, officials said. The sale has not been finalized and is in a review period. Bais Yaakov is affiliated with the all-girls Bais Faiga School, an Orthodox Jewish school in neighboring Lakewood, the Asbury Park Press reported. Officials at the private school could not be reached Tuesday. Jackson school district administrators cited the impact of $22.4 million in state aid reductions during the past seven years when they announced the closure of the Sylvia Rosenauer Elementary School. Of the districts six elementary schools, Sylvia Rosenauer had the lowest enrollment, with 265 students. State law requires school boards introduce a balanced budget by the end of June. A state monitor assigned to Jackson cited the budget rule in explaining her decision to overrule the school board after it voted, 6-0, against proceeding with the spending plan that included closing the school. The monitor was appointed last year as one of the conditions when the district requesting a state loan. In addition to closing the school and eliminating courtesy busing, a total of 70 jobs were cut, including an unspecified number of teachers and administrators. However, the district said the vast majority of the staffing reductions would be via attrition. The Sylvia Rosenauer school was known as the Brookwood School when it opened in 1962. It was renamed in 1978 to honor the schools first principal. Students in grades K-5 who would have attended the now-closed school are attending the Crawford-Rodriguez Elementary School, a spokesperson said. Jackson also has two middle schools and two high schools. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Two good Samaritans and four police officers helped save the life of a child who collapsed in Fairfield on Saturday and stopped breathing, authorities said. The incident happened just before 4 p.m. at an indoor playground, Kids Empire, located on Route 46 West in town, according to a statement from the Fairfield Police Department. Fairfield Police Sgt. Brian Sabatelli, Cpl. David Lagan and officers Louis Bisciotti and Daniel Kalinowski arrived on scene and found the two good Samaritans performing CPR on the child, police said. They took over until medical personnel arrived on scene and took the boy to a local hospital for further treatment, the department said. As of Monday afternoon, the childs condition had improved but he still requires additional medical treatment, according to the statement. Fairfield Police Public Information Officer Stacy Chiarolanza called the rescue a miracle. The immediate response by the two good Samaritans allowed officers and medical personnel the time to arrive without any delay to the child, Chiarolanza said. Performing CPR can be an emotional task, but having to do it on a child is something no one ever wants to do. Theres nothing more to say than this was the absolute best outcome for such a terrible situation, she added. We pray for the child and their family and hope for a full recovery. A person who answered the phone at Kids Empire declined to speak about the incident. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Hudson Pride Center officially doubled its reach Monday afternoon when organization officials and Hudson County Executive Craig Guy cut the ribbon the LGBTQ+ advocacy groups second location. The new center is located at 4428-30 Bergenline Ave. and will expand accessibility and support for the LGBTQ+ community in northern Hudson County. The home base for Hudson Pride Center, the largest LGBTQ+ community organization in New Jersey, is in Jersey City. This story has been updated to clarify the source of information about the settlement. A federal court judge has given final settlement approval to a proposed class action multi-district lawsuit by plaintiffs in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and California who claimed they were sold defective synthetic field turf by FieldTurf, USA. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp last week granted the final approval to the proposed, nationwide class settlement which included plaintiffs from Carteret, the Newark Board of Education and Hudson County. The total settlement value for more than 1,200 class action members nationwide exceeds $50 million in cash and in credits, according to Law.com. The settlement on Friday allows plaintiffs to each collect cash from the class action or they can claim credits to have FieldTurf install new artificial turf. Each is entitled to $7,500 in cash compensation or $50,000 in credits for new turf, Law.com reported. Shipp also approved counsel fees of more than $6 million and more than another $1 million in costs, according to Law.com. As of the close of the claims process, the claims administrator had received a very limited number of claims, only a portion of which were found to be valid, according to Reid Skibell of Glenn Agre, counsel to FieldTurf. We believe this aligns with FieldTurfs stance in the case, as evidenced by the satisfaction of the vast majority of customers of the approximately 1,300 Duraspine fields across the United States. The $50 million figure cited in pleadings represents the possible payout if each of the roughly 1,300 eligible field owners submitted a claim and was approved. Only 31 claims were submitted by the deadline and approved, Skibell added, meaning less than $1 million may be paid out, which represents less than 2% of the $50 million potential amount. Skibell said most of the settlements are being taken as credits. Carteret was one of the lead plaintiffs in the nationwide case. According to court records, Carteret purchased six FieldTurf fields between 2006 and 2010 for more than $2 million. The litigation followed a six-month NJ Advance Media investigation that found FieldTurf made millions selling high-end turf to taxpayers in towns and schools across the state and nationwide while knowing it would fall apart. The product, Duraspine, allegedly lasted only half as long as promised. It deteriorated rapidly and left athletes vulnerable to injury. FieldTurf decided to make its own fiber and stopped selling Duraspine after learning in 2009 that the Duraspine fiber was prone to premature fiber wear in certain high UV conditions and in certain colors. From 2005 until Duraspine was discontinued in 2012, records show FieldTurf sold 1,428 of the fields throughout the U.S. including 164 in New Jersey for an estimated $570 million in revenue. In Carteret, borough officials reached out to FieldTurf about the premature wear in April 2013 and reported a warranty claim. FieldTurf inspected the fields, records show, but more than a year passed before the borough received any reliable information on the warranty claims, according to court records. However, after the inspection, the company continued to stall. Carteret officials sent three additional letters to FieldTurf between October 2015 and May 2016, but the warrant claims did not move forward. FieldTurf responded more than three years after Carteret first notified them about the problems, but they offered proposals that would require the borough to pay thousands in repair and replacement costs, according to the lawsuit. Mayor Daniel Reiman said in a previous press release that FieldTurf USA appears to have known that its artificial turf was defective, but sold it to us and the other plaintiffs anyway. FieldTurf disputed Reimans claim and issued a statement previously that said, We have always lived up to our warranties and did everything possible to take care of our customers in a fair manner. Nineteen lawsuits were filed in federal court in New Jersey against FieldTurf after NJ Advance Medias investigation, The 100-Yard Deception. Court records show four of the cases were closed and the majority of the remaining lawsuits were consolidated as part of the class action. Other plaintiffs included the Levittown Union Free School District in New York, the Neshannock Township School District in Pennsylvania, the City of Fremont in California and the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District, also in California. The settlement happened because FieldTurf decided to put their customers first and because class members continue to have great confidence in FieldTurfs products, according to a statement released by The Moskowitz Law Firm, which served as multi-district litigation co-lead counsel. All of the credit really goes to FieldTurf for deciding to help their dedicated customers, and to Judge Shipp, who dedicated all of the necessary time and resources to manage this important multi-district litigation, said Adam Moskowitz, founder and managing partner of Moskowitz Law Firm in the statement. In 2016, Shipp allowed 16 plaintiffs to move forward with a class action suit against FieldTurf USA, the synthetic turf division of Tarkett, on the grounds of defect and deception. Shipps finding included a preponderance of the evidence that plaintiffs present a pair of issues that can most efficiently be determined on a class-wide basis. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. If youve been fascinated with the recent reports of drones in the sky, but have been frustrated by New Jerseys light pollution interfering with your viewing, theres a new tour for you. The Belmar-based Jersey Shore Whale Watch is offering a two-hour drone boat tour on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $50 per person, excluding taxes and fees. It should be a fun trip, something different, said Bill McKim, the tour companys owner. Thursdays tour will be the first drone tour on the Jersey Girl, the companys boat. But, if theres enough interest, the company will host more, he said. The boat will leave from Belmar and take people out into the ocean about a half-mile or mile away, McKim said. The sky is sufficiently dark a short distance from the coast, he said. McKim said the tour is intended to provide people with a clearer view of the night sky, and just see what we see. If people are cold, they can sit inside the 150-passenger boats cabin. Although the weekend is preferable for a tour date, Thursday is the only day with a forecast that calls for both a clear sky and calm seas, McKim said. As of Tuesday morning, 12 people had signed up for 30 spots, McKim said. By afternoon, the company website said only a few tickets were still available. The tour companys captain had recently seen drones coming in off of Island Beach State Park and McKim said hes personally seen something more unusual lately. As a photographer whos taken photos of shooting stars, McKim said hes usually adept at differentiating between planes, satellites and other objects in the night sky. But, he recently saw something in the sky he dubbed a plasma cloud. He didnt have an explanation for what it was. Its up for interpretation right now, I guess, right now as to what you see, he said. Tickets for the boat tour are sold through the companys website. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com. Two months after local officials voted to kill plans for a 200,000-square-foot warehouse complex in a Monmouth County township, the property developer is suing the planning board over the allegedly arbitrary decision. The developer, AAVRHW Property, filed its proposal to build a warehouse along Victory Road in Howell more than two years ago. The application laid out a vision of a 203,802-square-foot warehouse and office complex with 25 loading dock spaces, 35 trailer parking stalls and 72 passenger vehicle parking spaces. The proposal quickly attracted the attention of Victory Roads residents, some of whom began organizing to oppose it. After a series of contentious public hearings that began last April, the Howell Township Planning Board voted unanimously to deny AAVRHW Propertys application in September. The move was applauded by members of the public in attendance, according to the Asbury Park Press, which first reported the lawsuits filing. In the lawsuit, filed late last month, the company alleged the boards decision was arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable, and unsupported by the record. It asked the court to overrule the township, void the denial, and order the board to approve its application under reasonable conditions. The planning board did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the lawsuit. A lawyer for AAVRHW Property did not immediately respond to a request to comment. AAVRHW Property alleges in its suit that it presented the board with competent, comprehensive and detailed evidence to support the Victory Road proposal. The board improperly considered evidence presented by, and on behalf of, members of the public that had no sufficient factual or legal basis, the lawsuit said. The Victory Road residents, who are not a party to the case, disagree with the allegations. They hired a team of experienced lawyers and experts, said Marc Parisi, the president of Howell NJ First, a local nonprofit involved in the opposition effort. Testimony at the hearings showed why this application was insufficient and problematic, he said. Betty Lou Velez-Gimbel, a farmer who lives within 200 feet of the property on Victory Road, said she received a letter in 2022 informing residents of AAVRHW Propertys proposal. She made copies and began spreading the word to her neighbors. This was much more than a Not In My Backyard type of mentality, Velez-Gimbel told NJ Advance Media, referring to the so-called NIMBY movement. The application failed to take into consideration the environmental sensitivity of the property, a heavily wooded plot with pockets of freshwater wetland, she alleged. The area has a fluctuating water table, as well as the matter of stormwater management issues and the presence of threatened species like the Pine Barrens tree frog, Velez-Gimbel said. Other issues included traffic and and the proximity of a nearby liquefied natural gas plant. Some residents pressed for the area to be rezoned for residential development, in line with the rest of Victory Roads zoning. Their request was granted earlier this year. We have to find a balance, said Velez-Gimbel, who also ran unsuccessfully as an independent candidate for the township council last month. Thats what I was looking for in this. Im not against capitalism. Im certainly not against warehouses. But I am for common sense. There are places for them, and this was certainly not the right place. The boards September decision to reject the warehouse proposal was accompanied by a 76-page resolution summarizing testimony from both sides and its findings. It said the residents experts had presented more credible evidence. AAVRHW Property maintains in its lawsuit that the findings were fabricated and manufactured for an illegal, transparent purpose of providing specious reasoning for its improper denial. Zoe Ferguson, one of the environmental and land use lawyers representing Velez-Gimbel and the other residents, said they plan to keep an eye on the case as it progresses. Were certainly watching it very closely, she said, and we are feeling confident that the decision will be upheld in court. Parisi added, Its our hope the Planning Board will defend this denial with the same tenacity their own residents showed in fighting this project. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized more than 22 pounds of gas station heroin set to be shipped to an address in Bergen County earlier this month, authorities said. The officers found the tianeptine on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 when they inspected packages from Hong Kong labeled as deep groove ball bearings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said in a statement Friday. The shipment was intercepted Dec. 4 at an international express consignment facility in South Jersey that was not named. It was to be sent to Edgewater, officials said. Authorities tested the substance with a handheld elemental isotope analysis tool and identified it as tianeptine sodium salt. Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant that is sold in European, Asian, and South American countries to allegedly treat anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome, according to customs officials. It is referred to as gas station heroin because it is often sold at gas stations and is known to lead to the same effects as opioids. Tianeptine poses severe health risks, including death, authorities said. State health officials issued a health alert earlier this year after authorities identified a cluster of poisoning cases involving tianeptine. A New Jersey man was killed after he lost control of his vehicle and it was struck by a tractor-trailer in Pennsylvania last month, according to state authorities. The man was identified as Vladimir Kevereski, 58, of Elmwood Park, in a Pennsylvania State Police crash report released this week. Troopers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash along Interstate 80 in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, around 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 22, according to the report. Kevereski was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterward. Kevereski was driving a car westbound on the freeway when he lost control amid slippery road conditions, police said. He spun out, and a tractor-trailer subsequently T-boned the vehicle. Three passengers in the car suffered serious injuries and were transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital in critical condition, according to the report. Their status was unclear on Tuesday. The driver of the tractor-trailer was uninjured. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. New Jersey is not the only part of the world to experience unexplained sightings of mysterious drones. Other parts of the U.S. and other nations have reported similar strings of unexplained drone sightings in recent months including some that had alleged explanations. In New Jersey, the FBI is investigating at least 3,000 alleged sightings, including many that officials said turned out to be airplanes, federal officials said. Gov. Phil Murphy and law enforcement authorities have repeatedly said the drones do not present a threat to public safety. In recent days, unexplained drone sightings have spread to neighboring states, including New York and Pennsylvania. But other states had drones sightings that were later explained. In California, a man was arrested for taking pictures from a drone a mile high over a military installation in Southern California, federal officials said last week. Other drone sightings, including a recent rash of reports over military bases in England, have not been publicly explained. Asked if any of the drone sightings in New Jersey were related to sightings elsewhere, a Pentagon spokesperson referred questions to the U.S. Northern Command, which is in charge of Department of Defense homeland defense efforts. Northern Command officials declined to comment on any possible links to drone sightings in other areas. The FBI also declined to comment. Here are some of the locations of recent drone sightings: Vandenberg Space Force Base, Santa Barbara County, California Yinpiao Zhou, 39, of Brentwood, was charged with failing to register an aircraft not providing transportation, and with violating national defense airspace for using a drone to take photos over Vandenberg Space Force Base, the U.S. Justice Department said last week. Zhou allegedly took photos on the same day a SpaceX rocket launched with a sensitive payload, according to the Telegraph, a British news site. Police arrested Zhou at San Francisco International Airport as he was about to board a plane to China, according to a Justice Department news release. He appeared in federal court in San Francisco last week and remained in custody while prosecutors contested a federal magistrate judges decision to release him. He did not immediately enter a plea. Authorities believe Zhou, a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent U.S. resident, flew a drone for almost an hour over the Space Force base on Nov. 30, setting off the bases drone detection systems. The drone rose to almost a mile above the ground, although recreational drones are limited to 400 feet, unless they are within 400 feet of a structure. Zhou was found in nearby Ocean Park, a public area, with a drone concealed in his jacket, according to the prosecutors. With a federal search warrant, investigators allegedly found aerial pictures of the military base in the drone. Investigators also said they searched Zhous phone and found Google search results for Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules and messages about how he had hacked his drone to fly unusually high. If convicted, he faces a maximum of four years in federal prison, the Justice Department said. British air bases used by the U.S. Mysterious drone flights began Nov. 20 over or near four English airbases used by U.S. forces, the U.S. Air Force said. The bases included RAF Lakenheath, home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which the U.S. Air Force describes as the foundation of its combat capability in Europe. Drones were also spotted over RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in eastern England as well as RAF Fairford in southwestern England, according to the Associated Press. Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets, U.S. Air Forces Europe said in a statement. The Air Force said none of the flights impacted base residents, facilities or assets. No additional information was provided after updates on the sightings last month. Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-11th Dist., mentioned drone incursions over Plant 42, part of Edwards Air Force Base, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Thursday. She asked Austin to share what information you can with the public and work to ease fears and concerns amongst the public. There were numerous reports in August of unidentified objects flying over Plant 42, northeast of Santa Barbara, according to The War Zone military news site. The military confirmed seeing multiple uncrewed aerial systems over the plant in the last few months. The number of unidentified objects spotted fluctuated and ranged in size and configuration, Mary Kozaitis, chief of media operations at Edwards Air Force Base, told the news site. The FAA was made aware of the incursions and Edwards continues to monitor the air space to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets. Langley Air Force Base, Virginia Military officials did not believe hobbyists were behind the multiple drones seen over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia during 17 days in December 2023, according to a recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal. The drones flew in formation and included fixed-wing drones and quadcopters. A month later, Fengyun Shi, a Chinese student at the University of Minnesota, was caught and later sent to jail for flying his drone over a classified naval installation in nearby Newport News, the Wall Street Journal reported. Shis drone got caught in a tree, and as he was trying to retrieve it, neighbors called the police, the Wall Street Journal report said. When it fell to the ground later, investigators found it had taken nighttime photos of Navy ships. Shi was sentenced to federal prison for six months for unlawfully taking photos of classified naval installations. Shis attorney, Shaoming Cheng, proclaimed Shis innocence. If he was a foreign agent, he would be the worst spy ever known, Cheng said. The military has not made any announcements regarding its investigation into who was responsible for the 17 days of alleged drone flights over Langley. Shi has not been charged in connection with that case. Colorado and Nebraska In 2020, there was a rash of unidentified drone reports in nine counties in Colorado and Nebraska in one of the more publicized instances of unexplained objects in the skies. The Denver Post reached out to the Air Force, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the University of Colorado Boulder to see if any had initiated the flights. But they all said no. We never really got an answer, Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik said Thursday. They never determined what they were or who was flying them. Eventually the whole thing just petered out. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com. Oh, how we like to frighten ourselves and allow our imaginations and superstitions to reign supreme. Now, some in New Jersey believe they are seeing drones in the night sky nearly everywhere, and a few who believe the drones are from a mothership parked off the Atlantic Ocean coast. The media are promoting it all. Even New Jerseys governor has expressed concern, asking the federal government for assistance. Why do we so embrace nonsense? I recall the Y2K (Year 2000) bug at the turn of the century that was supposed to destroy our computers. Consultants made fortunes performing studies, and it was all total nonsense and fear of the unknown, with promotional assistance from the media. Now, it is mass hysteria of drones, although the military has assured us that what people are reporting is mainly airplanes that are more visible in unusually clear early evening skies. Why would drones and enemies or aliens from other worlds be interested in Earth and New Jersey in particular? Are the casinos in Atlantic City that tempting? Sigh, we humans seem so gullible. Or is this all just a promotional stunt by the Division of Travel and Tourism to get visitors to come to New Jersey? Is Amazon secretly using drones to make nighttime deliveries? Or has Chicken Little infected the brains of politicians into believing drones are falling from the skies? What is of real interest is the phenomenon of human fascination and belief in the extraordinary, such as unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and now drones over New Jersey. A. Michael Noll, Los Angeles The writer, a Newark native, is professor emeritus of communication at the Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. He previously was an engineering researcher at Bell Labs in Murray Hill. Drones were here before November One of the many articles about drone sightings in the Dec. 15 print edition of the Star-Ledger states that the drones were first reported in North Jersey four weeks ago. Not true. On June 16, 2024, I sent an e-mailed letter to the Star-Ledger voicing my concern about drones wed been seeing flying over Point Pleasant for a few weeks, and possible spying. The letter ran under the headline When drones cant unsee what theyve just seen. My wife and neighbor were in our backyard and heard this buzzing. When they looked up, they saw a small drone. It was hovering near them, then it flew off. A few days later when I was sitting on my deck I heard the buzzing sound my wife told me about. Granted, I did not see a drone, but it made the same sound my wife told me about. Theres more going on than small planes flying low and above us. More secrets by our government? Robert E. Malinowski, Point Pleasant Symbols from a Notre Dame rebirth In his guest column, Rising from the ashes, Notre Dame can restore even a nonbelievers faith, John Farmer Jr. writes of the reopening of the cathedral with the rare gift of two-generational appreciation, drawing on his journalist fathers published reflection from 2019, when Notre Dame was decimated by fire. My World War II veteran father showed his sons Notre Dame when we were young, and I have been back several times. Farmers Jr.s recent column shows how massive cultural symbols still speak to individual faith, and do so at the level of life and death. Beauty does not erase tragedy, but it heightens the hope for a time of redemption even beyond time. The great French Protestant philosopher Paul Ricoeur, with whom French President Emanuel Macron once studied, spoke about a second innocence after the fires of cynicism and despair. Notre Dame Cathedral has enacted that journey and now contains another layer of symbolic power. Thank you, Mr. Farmer. Rev. Christian Iosso, interim minister, Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church, Union Winter Wonderland or winter waste? Bergen County Executive James Tedesco and the county parks department need to reevaluate their mission. While I appreciate their effort to create the Winter Wonderland in Van Saun Park in Paramus, and think it is great idea to bring people together and create a gathering spot, it has become a bit excessive. Do we need a Winter Wonderland that cost $1.3 million in 2023 and will probably cost more in 2024, since it has been expanded? I found out about the price from Open Public Records Act material that I requested. Also, at least one mature tree decorated for the celebration was cut down from inside the parkland. Since 2017, I have alerted the parks department to invasive vines in Van Saun, which have progressively spread throughout the park smothering many trees and shrubs. However, I have been told there is not enough money or manpower to address this issue, yet the county can use manpower and over $1 million for Winter Wonderland. How many of you have seen issues in Bergen County parks such as erosion, poor walking paths and invasive vines? Imagine if the same effort to set up Winter Wonderland were used to improve the parks and plant better plant species to positively affect the environment and animals for years. The Winter Wonderland makes many families happy, but there has to be a balance and a commensurate focus on the parks environment, since there is so little open space left in Bergen County. The parks department should return to its focus to improving the environment in the parks instead of opting for commercialization. The money and manpower are clearly available. The parks department and Tedesco just need to choose to use it. Daniel Bogan, River Edge Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. President-elect Donald Trumps tariffs could hurt the U.S. economy, a majority of Americans say in a new national poll. Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as part of an effort to curtail illegal immigration and drugs. This includes a 25% tariff on goods entering the country from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10% tariff on goods coming in from China. Business leaders and economists have warned for months that tariffs could raise prices for the U.S. consumer and hurt the countrys economy. But Trump, who believes tariffs will encourage these countries to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs, has vowed to impose them anyway. And the new poll from Emerson College shows that American voters are wary about the tariffs and whether they would actually help the U.S. economy. About 51% of voters said that additional tariffs on Canada will hurt the U.S. economy, 50% said the same of tariffs on Mexico and 49% said the additional tariffs on China will also hurt the U.S. economy, according to the poll. Just 39% believe that the tariffs on China will help the U.S., while 36% said the same of tariffs on Mexico. Just 32 percent believe that tariffs on Canada will boost the economy. NATIONAL POLL Do you think the US imposing additional tariffs on [country] would help, hurt or have no impact on the US economy? Canada 51% hurt 32% help 18% no impact Mexico 50% hurt 36% help 15% no impact China 49% hurt 39% help 13% no impacthttps://t.co/NdXZHgGxvm Emerson College Polling (@EmersonPolling) December 17, 2024 Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said Trump voters are more likely to say that tariffs will help the economy. Voter attitudes on tariffs are sharply divided by 2024 vote preferences, Kimball said in the press release. Among Trump voters, 69% believe tariffs on China will help the economy, while 17% disagree. In contrast, 79% of Harris voters think tariffs will hurt the economy, with 13% seeing them as beneficial. Trump also revealed in a recent interview with NBC News that he cant guarantee Americans would not pay more as a result of the tariffs. This comes after months of touting his tariff plan on the campaign trail to prospective voters. I cant guarantee anything. I cant guarantee tomorrow. But I can say that if you looked at my just pre-Covid, we had the greatest economy in the history of our country," he told NBCs Kristen Welker. Welker: Economists of all stripes say that ultimately, consumers pay the price of tariffs. Trump: I don't believe that. Welker: Can you guarantee American families won't pay more? Trump: I can't guarantee anything.. pic.twitter.com/JbEElAG6tg Acyn (@Acyn) December 8, 2024 The Emerson College poll was conducted Dec. 11-13 among 1,000 registered voters and has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points. A military veteran has filed a lawsuit against Sussex County and several officials, claiming his constitutional right to free speech was violated when he was ejected from a public meeting for wearing a shirt containing a profane message that criticized a commissioner. Kenneth J. Collins, of Newton, alleges he was wrongfully removed from a March 13, 2024, meeting of the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners for wearing the shirt that criticized a county commissioner accused of lying about serving in the military. Collins, a vocal critic of embattled Commissioner William Hayden, attended the meeting wearing a shirt that read, F*** Bill Hayden, expressing his view that the commissioner had falsely claimed he was a Navy SEAL. Hayden, a Republican, is the former president of the Skylands Tea Party and was elected to the Sussex County Board of Commissioners in 2022. The stolen valor accusations erupted after he was caught on a secret recording gossiping about his Republican colleagues with a local Democratic operative. Hayden did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment, though both Hayden and his attorney have repeatedly denied allegations of embellishing his military record. In May, however, Hayden returned a $100 campaign donation after a supporter said shed been misled about Haydens military service, the supporter told NJ Advance Media. The scandal led to internal party strife in Sussex County, pitting Republicans against each other. According to a lawsuit filed in state court on Oct. 15, Collins was seated quietly in the second row of the meeting when Sussex Countys legal counsel reportedly instructed Jill Space, director of the board of commissioners, to have him removed. Sheriffs officers escorted Collins out, a move he contends in court papers was unconstitutional and an effort to silence dissent. According to the county government website, commissioners meet at 6 p.m. twice a month and meetings are open to the public, which means anyone can attend to observe the meeting. Space said in an email Tuesday she cannot comment on pending litigation. Board commissioners did not respond to an email sent to the clerk of the board. This type of censorship flies in the face of decades of legal precedent affirming the right to free speech, even when the speech is provocative or offensive, Collins attorney, Donald F. Burke, said in court papers. The lawsuit points to the landmark 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case, Cohen v. California, in which the court upheld a protestors right to wear a jacket with the phrase F*** the Draft in a courthouse, establishing that such speech is protected under the First Amendment. Collins ejection sparked further controversy two weeks later when the county commissioners unanimously approved a new Decorum Policy resolution. The policy bans comments or behavior deemed disruptive or disturbing during public meetings, including profanity or defamatory statements. Critics, including Collins, argue the policy gives officials undue authority to suppress dissenting opinions. Collins is seeking injunctive relief to overturn the Decorum Policy, damages for the alleged violation of his rights, and attorneys fees. The lawsuit was filed in Sussex County Superior Court and is the latest in a series of legal challenges targeting restrictions on speech in public forums. Collins legal team argues that such policies chill constitutionally protected speech and undermine the relationship between elected officials and the public. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. UPDATE: The Yankees acquired Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, per reports. ### The New York Yankees are keeping their options open at first base. With holes there and at center field, the Yankees have been eyeing the Chicago Cubs' Cody Bellinger, who could play both positions, according to reports. However, it apparently hasnt been easy to reach an agreement on money in the deal, causing the Yankees to shift their focus elsewhere first base free agents. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Per USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale on Tuesday: While the New York Yankees are at a stalemate with the Chicago Cubs for OF/1B Cody Bellinger, they have turned their attention to the first-base market. They are engaged in talks with 4 free-agent first basemen: Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana and Paul Goldschmidt. Bellinger is owed $27.5 million in 2025 and he has a $25 million player option (or $5 million buyout) in 2026 and the Yankees would like the Cubs to retain at least $10 million, NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller reported Sunday. The Yankees' interest in Bellinger and first base likely dont entirely overlap, so this is likely a pause until the Cubs relent on the money. Per Miller, Walker has gotten the most interest among first basemen because hell be cheaper and hes a much better defender. But Walker will be 33 in March and Alonso just turned 30 last week. The Mets still are interested in re-signing Alonso, a face of their franchise since his 53-homer rookie season in 2019. Alonso is coming off a season in which he hit 34 home runs and posted a 123 OPS+, while Walker launched 26 homers with a 121 OPS+. Its believed Walker wants at least four guaranteed years and Alonso is looking for seven or eight seasons. Santana (23 HR, 109 OPS+) and Goldschmidt (22 HR, 98 OPS+) would be much cheaper than the aforementioned options and likely come on shorter terms. Santana, a switch hitter, has remained an above-average hitter throughout his career, and hes a solid first base defender. But hes 38 years old. Goldschmidt won the NL MVP in 2022 amid a long stretch in which he was one of the best hitters in the league, but his production has declined for three consecutive seasons, with last years his first below average one. He has chased more and struck out more in recent seasons as he tries to overcome a slower bat. NJ Advance Medias Randy Miller contributed to this report. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Finding seasonal activities isn't a difficult task in the town of Sisters. The Holiday Showcase, hosted at Sisters High School (SHS), was just one of the events that took place recently, and was a major success and increased the holiday spirit of all participants to a new height. The SHS Jazz Choir directed by Steve Livingston, as well as the Concert and Jazz Bands directed by Kayla Golka, were major parts of the concert. Photo by Kelli Carter, RISE Graphic Design The Concert Band kicked off the performance by playing "Feliz Navidad," and "Last Christmas," while the Jazz Band performed "Silver Bells" with guest vocalist Serafina Smith and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The Jazz Choir followed by performing, "Carol of The Bells," "Deck the Halls," "We Three Kings," "Bidi Bom," and "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The student-led SHS Jazz Combo, newly reinstated this year with a handful of high school students, also performed renditions of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "My Favorite Things." The Sisters Dance Academy continued their annual participation. The Junior Ensemble performed "Frosted Window Panes," and the Advanced Jazz Ensemble brightened the mood with "New York" before intermission. Photo by Kelli Carter, RISE Graphic Design The Holiday Showcase was made even more special by a number of community-member performances. Trey Hinkle played his own arrangement of several holiday piano songs, siblings Ty Salhberg and SHS senior Emma Sahlberg performed a vocal duet, followed by musical duo Brian Cash and Rachel Otasu who livened the atmosphere with a traditional Irish jig and "Christmas for Cowboys." Lastly - and much to SHS students' delight - The Schooligans, a group made up by Choir Director Steve Livingston, Band Director Kayla Golka, Musical Education Assistant Julie Cash, and Fiddle/Science Teacher Melissa Stolaz, performed "Snow," and "Sisters," from the nostalgic movie "White Christmas," but with reinvented lyrics. The showcase is a major fundraiser for the SHS Band and Choir programs, and, thanks to parent volunteers, there were more opportunities to donate than ever. From basket raffle tickets to "Break-a-Leg" kits that included glowing pins and necklaces you could buy for performing students, all attending were encouraged to help give back to the programs. "My favorite moment was seeing all 25-plus raffle and auction items that Erin Borla and The Roundhouse Foundation collected and set up. Thanks to them and our generous and supportive community we were able to raise just under $4,000...this evening warmed my heart!" said Golka. To end the night the audience was encouraged to stand up and join in on a festive sing-along while performers sang with them on stage. "It was exciting to see everyone showing up to share their talents in support of the music program and all of our amazing students," said Livingston. The evening was a success and left both participants and audience members feeling festive, and proud of their friends and family who were part of it. Additional holiday acts are welcome to apply in the fall of 2025. A new art exhibition that places wildlife against urban backdrops opened December 7, at High Desert Museum. "Neighbors: Wildlife Paintings by Hilary Baker" shares imagery of wildlife native to the High Desert - gray fox, black bear, pronghorn antelope, and others. They stand in the foreground with urban encroachment in the background-the fox on railroad tracks, the black bear in front of a 7-Eleven, and the pronghorn antelope by housing developments. Photo provided "These paintings are dynamic and colorful," said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. "They also tell an important story of wildlife across the High Desert - where migration paths have been interrupted and wildlife faces increasing obstacles." Baker grew up in Los Angeles and spent her childhood exploring the hills and canyons near her home, searching for animal bones and other evidence of wild creatures. Her desire to collect and archive elements of a vanishing landscape became the inspiration for the series of paintings in the exhibition. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Los Angeles, and her Master of Fine Arts from the Otis Art Institute. Her work is included in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, the Crocker Art Museum, the Broad Art Foundation, Temple University, and the University of Southern California. Baker will be at the High Desert Museum to talk with visitors about "Neighbors" on Thursday, December 19, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., during Winter Nights activities. For more information, visit http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/winter-nights. "Neighbors: Wildlife Paintings by Hilary Baker" is open through April 6, 2025, and is made possible by the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation. For more information, visit http://www.highdesertmuseum.org/hilary-baker. Company Grand, a powerhouse nine-piece band known for their dynamic original compositions and high-energy covers, will be headlining an unforgettable New Year's Eve, with the eclectic and funky Kota Dosa, bringing their signature sound all the way from New Orleans. Photo provided Company Grand is no ordinary band. With a distinctive blend of musical styles and captivating performances, they have quickly become a force to be reckoned with. The group's epic front duo, Lucas and Haley, combine jaw-dropping lead vocals with stylish songwriting and sassy musicianship to keep the dance floor alive. Backing them is a rhythm section that's impossible to ignore: Tyler Cranor on bass, Conner Bennett on guitar, Patrick Ondrozeck on drums and keys, and Meshem Jackson on drums and percussion. The rhythm section infuses the band's sound with an infectious groove, guaranteed to get everyone moving. And if that wasn't enough, Company Grand's horn section is a highlight, with Keemun Senff (trumpet), Dan Flagg (trombone), and Steve Prazak (sax and flute). Each a seasoned player with decades of experience in orchestras and bands, they bring a level of sophistication and punch to every performance. Completing the night's musical journey is Kota Dosa, a collective with a presence and sound that is just as eclectic as their roots. With ties to London, New York, New Orleans, and Oregon, Kota Dosa blends blues, funk, rock, and reggae into a seamless and energetic mix that's taken them to top venues like NUBLU, City Winery in NYC, and Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans. Their vibrant performances at festivals such as NOLA Funk Fest and Freret Fest have made them a New Orleans favorite. Adding a fun touch to the evening, Tyler Cranor, former jazz band teacher at Sisters High School, will be making the trip from Las Vegas to join Company Grand for this performance. Cranor was a big influence for Simon Rhett, a jazz band alum from Sisters High School. Now Rhett, the saxophonist for Kota Dosa, is excited to share the bill with Cranor, and offer a glimpse of his hometown roots with the NOLA based group. The band has a few more shows lined up in Oregon, giving them an opportunity to explore the vibrant music scene and natural landscape of Oregon. Both bands bring unmatched energy to the stage, creating a night that is sure to leave audiences craving more. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through http://www.bendticket.com. With a standing-room-only crowd of over 200 people filling the cafeteria of the new elementary school, the City and their consultants, MIG, presented an overview of the process involved when considering an expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), with time for small-group discussions concerning the five alternatives presented and providing feedback to the City. Based on his experience in numerous other communities, both large and small, MIG consultant Matt Hasty told the assemblage Monday evening, December 9, that the interest shown by citizens of Sisters was exemplary. Based on inventories conducted by the City of residential and employment lands available to accommodate projected growth over the next 20 years, the City will need new developable land (about 250 acres) not currently within the UGB, which is identical to the city limits. This is despite zone changes made in 2021 intended to increase the efficiency of land to help accompany growth in the City. The population projections come from Portland State Universitys Population Research Center which forecasts significant growth over the next 20 years for Sisters and all of Deschutes County. The entire UGB process is a requirement of the State of Oregon which directs that all cities in Oregon must maintain a 20-year supply of buildable land. In addition, there are criteria that must be met for land to be approved for a UGB expansion. The City is required to create a study area that is between one-half mile and one mile from the current boundary, based on certain criteria. The State land-use laws adopted in the 90s were meant to specifically limit urban sprawl and protect farm and forest land throughout the state. Sisters is mostly surrounded by land zoned for forest or farm use, much of which is part of Deschutes National Forest. Land not zoned for farm/forest uses is a higher priority when considering a UGB expansion and is classified as Priority One. The City is required to first look at Priority One lands when planning a UGB expansion. If there isnt enough developable land there to meet the needs of the City, the analysis can be expanded to include lower priority lands. The Priority One area extends one mile north and east of the area around Sisters Eagle Airport and the North Sisters Business Park. Indian Ford Creek and Whychus Creek run through the area. It contains vacant land as well as rural residential subdivisions with lot sizes from two to 20 acres, many with CC&Rs (conditions, covenants and restrictions). At the December 9 meeting, attendees were presented with five alternatives for possible UGB expansion lands. Among the five alternatives, they encompass all Priority One land in the study area. Each alternative has sufficient land to meet the Citys identified need for new housing, jobs, parks, and other public facilities. Attendees broke into small discussion groups to consider the five alternatives, keeping in mind four different factors that the City can use to make decisions about where to expand. Factor 1: efficient accommodation of identified land needs. Factor 2: orderly and economic provision of public facilities and services. Factor 3: environment, energy, economics, and social consequences. Factor 4: compatibility with nearby agricultural and forest activities. They discussed which of the criteria were most important, the pros and cons of each alternative, and what the new neighborhoods should look like. At the conclusion of the table discussions, each group was asked to identify what they thought were the two most important considerations when evaluating the five alternatives for example, affordability and protecting natural resources. Those were all collected and will be utilized by the City in their process. In the next phase of the UGB process, the City will create a preferred alternative, which may be a hybrid of more than one of the five alternatives. The City website ( http://www.ci.sisters.or.us ) provides maps of the five alternatives as well as all the information from the Open House and space to add thoughts and comments. You can also find more information about the project, next steps in the process, and sign up for automatic email updates on the City website. The next UGB Steering Committee meeting will take place in late January 2025 when the refined UGB Alternatives and Evaluation Report will be presented. The UGB process is lengthy, at least several years from start to finish. The City is only part way through the process. Establishing a new UGB doesnt mean any development begins right away. Property owners within the new UGB must request annexation into the City before development can begin. Some owners may request annexation and others may not. UGB Online Open House If you couldnt make it to the community open house on the Urban Growth Boundary Amendment on December 9, 2024, theres still plenty of time to have your voice heard. You can review the same information presented at the in-person open house and provide your feedback in the online open house, which is now available at http://www.ci.sisters.or.us through early January 2025. Please click the red banner on the city home page for access to the online open house. Additional project information, including next steps in the process, can also be found on the UGB Amendment page of the City website (click UGB Amendment icon at the bottom of the homepage). You can also sign up for automatic email updates on the process, so you dont miss any important meetings and have access to the latest work products. The next steps in the process will be for the city to summarize the feedback received from the in-person and online open house. An evaluation report will be finalized which scores each of the UGB Alternatives based on the required State review criteria. The information, along with refinements to the UGB Alternatives, will be shared with the public at the next UGB Steering Committee meeting in late January. Planning Commission and City Council workshops on the subject will occur in February. The goal is to have a Preferred UGB Alternative by the spring of 2025, which will be subject to formal approval through a land-use process with adoption anticipated to be Fall of 2025. For more information contact Scott Woodford, community development director, at 541-323-5211 or email [email protected]. The Santiam Wagon Road was originally built in 1866 to collect tolls, but the roads owners also convinced Congress to give them a huge land grant if they extended the road to the Idaho border. While some claimed they never actually finished the road, they ended up getting more than 861,000 acres of federal land. Fifty years later, most of this land was in the hands of two Minnesota businessmen, Watson Davidson and Louis Hill. Hill was the son of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway, and he was wealthy enough that he could afford to wait for the lands to grow in value. Davidson was not, and to resolve tensions over how fast they should sell the lands, Davidson offered to split them in two. Hill agreed to take most of the timberlands west of Sisters while Davidson got the larger number of acres, mostly range lands, between Sisters and the Idaho border. Acquiring the timberlands put Hill in something of an ethical dilemma. His father, the Empire Builder, has been called a Robber Baron but he had a strong ethic that, among other things, prevented him from personally profiting from transactions that could have benefitted all of the railroads stockholders. At the same time, federal laws discouraged if not forbade railroads from owning enterprises that ship things on the railroads. The Hills had encountered this dilemma before when, in about 1900, they spent a few million dollars buying 67,000 acres of mineral lands in northern Minnesota. They soon realized that the iron ore beneath those lands was worth far more than they paid, so they decided to give the lands to Great Northern stockholders. To get around the federal law prohibiting railroads from carrying goods made by enterprises they owned, in 1906 the Hills created the Great Northern Iron Ore Properties Trust and gave it to Great Northern Railway stockholders on a share for share basis. At the time, James J. Hill personally owned less than 5 percent of Great Northerns stock, which that was enough to ensure he didnt lose money. Over the next 109 years, the trust earned more than half a billion dollarsapproximately $100 for every dollar the Hills originally invested. In 1917, a little more than a decade after the iron ore trust was created, Louis Hill created a similar trust for his timberlands. Louis wasnt as generous as his father, however, and he limited the beneficiaries of his trust to his family. Actually, he created six different trusts, one for each of his four children, one for his wife, and one for himself. The trusts included other securities owned by Hill but would earn no timber revenue for the next two decades. Shortly after Louis Hill acquired the wagon road timber lands, Dave Mason, a forestry professor at the University of California, Berkeley, quit his job to start a forestry consulting firm in Portland. Mason was a prophet of sustained yield forestry, which he described as limiting the average annual cut to the production capacity of a forest. This compared to most timber landowners of the time, who bought land, cut the trees, and then often let the land go for taxes. Mason wrote in 1927 that sustained yield is most advantageously applied to a unit of forest area sufficiently large to supply continuously an efficient sized plant operating at or near capacity converting the forest products into salable material. In other words, sustained yield required a block of timber that was several tens of thousands of acres in size. Louis Hills timber holdings qualified, and soon Mason was courting Hill to be able to manage his forests. Hill hired Mason in 1937. One of the first things they did was sell about 50,000 acres of land east of the Cascades to Bend sawmill Brooks-Scanlon. In 1943, the company built a logging railroad from Bend to Sisters and from there to its lands on the south and east sides of Black Butte. Timber cutting continued until 1994. Since 1978, the lands have gone through a series of owners. Brooks-Scanlon was taken over by Diamond International, which was taken over by Cavenham Forest Industries, which was taken over by Crown Pacific, which sold the lands to Willamette Industries. In 2002, Weyerhaeuser bought Willamette Industries in a hostile takeover. It then sold the former grant lands to various parties including the Deschutes River Land Trust. About 100,000 acres of west side timberlands remained in the Hill family trusts. Most of any wood produced from these lands would be shipped over the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway, which was half owned by the Great Northern. By 1937, however, Louis Hill no longer worried about the ethics of mixing railroads with shippers because he had retired as president and chairman of the board of Great Northern and, though he remained on the board, had sold all but one share of his stock in the company. Hill died in 1948 and left his fortune, including his share of the timberlands, to a foundation he set up called the Lexington Foundation, later the Louis & Maud Hill Family Foundation, and even later the Northwest Area Foundation. The charity continues to make donations to non-profit groups in the states once served by the Great Northern Railway. The other Hill trusts made up most of his legacy to his family. They were so important to the family that his son, Louis Hill Jr., lived in Sweet Home for several years so he could learn the forestry business direct from Dave Mason and his associates at Mason, Bruce & Girard. Before he died, Louis Hill Sr. appointed a bank called First Trust to act as trustee for the family trusts. The trustee and Mason, Bruce & Girard agreed to have two sawmills that later became Willamette Industries cut all the old-growth timber on the land by 1986. After that, timber harvests and revenues dramatically declined because most of the trees growing on the land were too young to be merchantable. One of the forest managers called the following years a black hole because revenues would be so low. The trustees believed this still met Masons sustained yield principles because they had reforested the land and expected to eventually have more timber to harvest. Apparently, however, they didnt warn the entire Hill family that this was going to happen. When Hills children and grandchildren learned that they werent going to earn much money from the forests for a few decades after 1986, they were shocked. Maud Hill Schroll, Louis Hills daughter, immediately tried to fire First Trust and the forest managers who, in her opinion, had mismanaged the land her father left the family. First Trust fought this and the court agreed that she didnt have the right to do so. Apparently, Louis Hill gave his wife the right to change the trustee but neglected to give any other family members the right to do so after she died. The trusts will expire in 2026 and family members will then be able to decide what to do with their lands. In the meantime, some of them were forced to scramble for income to continue to live in the lifestyles to which they had been accustomed. Dont feel too badly for them, though, as they continue to live in fabulous homes in places like Pebble Beach, California, where Louis Hills grandson, James J. Hill III, owns a large mansion. Much of the history of the Hill Family Trust is from the court decision in the lawsuit between Maud Hill Schroll and First Trusts, which is downloadable from http://www.streamlinermemories.info/GN/HillTrustCourtDecision.pdf. This is an intercontinental ballistic missile the U.S. Air Force is launching off the shores of California. This is an intercontinental ballistic missile the U.S. Air Force is launching off the shores of California. The missile doesnt carry a nuclear warhead its just a test. The missile doesnt carry a nuclear warhead its just a test. In 30 minutes, it will hit a target in the ocean over 4,000 miles away. In 30 minutes, it will hit a target in the ocean over 4,000 miles away. On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will regain control of these weapons. On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will regain control of these weapons. And hes getting them at a very volatile time in history. And hes getting them at a very volatile time in history. Opinion The Editorial Board The Presidents Arsenal In the United States, only the president can decide whether to use nuclear weapons. Its an extraordinary instance in which Mr. Trumps decision-making power will be absolute. He will not need to consult Congress, the courts or senior advisers on when or how to use them. He will have a free hand to craft our nations nuclear posture, policy and diplomacy. On the campaign trail, Mr. Trump commented on the peril posed by the rest of the worlds growing nuclear arsenals. His return to the White House offers new opportunities for him to steer America clear of those threats. His administration will need to act urgently and with creativity, all while also demonstrating the understanding that nuclear weapons are too dangerous to be brandished as a cudgel. This article is part of the Opinion series At the Brink, about the threat of nuclear weapons in an unstable world. Read the opening story here. This article is part of the Opinion series At the Brink, about the threat of nuclear weapons in an unstable world. Read the opening story here. The leaders of China, Russia and the United States are in the midst of a new great-power competition, a global struggle for military, economic and geopolitical dominance. But not all aspects of this contest are zero-sum, especially in nuclear weapons matters. There are ample opportunities for all sides to improve their own national security conditions by staving off a costly arms race and dangerous confrontation. Most Americans have never seen or perhaps even contemplated what it takes to be ready for nuclear conflict. Times Opinion gained rare, up-close access this summer to film what this looks like in the United States. Observing the missile launch procedures provided a glimpse at the inner workings of a warfighting machine that should never be set in motion. Approximately three times each year, the U.S. Air Force performs this intricate test. Approximately three times each year, the U.S. Air Force performs this intricate test. Service members pull a missile from an underground silo in the Great Plains. Service members pull a missile from an underground silo in the Great Plains. The missile is stripped of its nuclear payload and shipped to Vandenberg Space Force Base. The missile is stripped of its nuclear payload and shipped to Vandenberg Space Force Base. Other nuclear nations conduct tests like these on a routine basis. Other nuclear nations conduct tests like these on a routine basis. The global nuclear balance is more tenuous in 2024 than it has been in decades. Tomorrow, we could have a war that will be so devastating that you could never recover from it, Mr. Trump said in June. Nobody can. The whole world wont be able to recover from it. The last remaining major bilateral accord limiting the United States and Russias arsenals, New START, expires in just 14 months. And Russian leaders have rejected the Biden administrations offers to discuss a new nuclear arms control framework, which follows the dismantling of other accords meant to lessen the risk of conflict. We are on the precipice of living in a world that has no restraints on how many nuclear weapons are deployed. President Vladimir Putin of Russia continues to raise the specter of escalating his war on Ukraine to nuclear use. India and Pakistan have an estimated 170 nuclear weapons each but are expanding their arsenals. U.S. intelligence believes China plans to double by 2030 the size of its stockpile of an estimated 500 warheads, as it continues the most ambitious expansion and diversification of its weaponry in its history. North Korea has developed missiles designed to strike America. The war in Gaza threatens to expand into a wider regional conflict; Israel already has nuclear weapons and Iran is moving closer to building a bomb, risking a proliferation cascade throughout the Middle East. The nuclear risk isnt found only among Americas adversaries. Allies without nuclear aims are now seriously discussing whether they also need nuclear capability. The recently impeached South Korean president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has raised the possibility of building a bomb, and polls have shown that 70 percent of Koreans think the country should. If South Korea proceeds, experts assume Japan will as well. Germany is debating whether it should develop its own nuclear program, and Poland has sought a more active role in NATOs nuclear sharing. Ukraines leader, President Volodymyr Zelensky, has made his nations need for a nuclear weapon clear if the country isnt granted NATO membership. If Mr. Trump is serious about truly making America great again, this is one critical issue where he can make his mark. The United States spent the second half of the 20th century and into the next with a single stated goal when it came to nuclear weapons: to make the world safer from them. After its devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, this aim was not a given in the first several decades of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union amassed nuclear arsenals large enough to destroy the human race many times over. By the early 1960s, the Americans and Soviets appeared to be on a collision course toward nuclear war, armed with the most dangerous technology man has ever produced. The Cuban Missile Crisis put both countries on a new path. In 1963, the superpowers agreed to the first treaty on nuclear testing. By 1968, many nations of the world had agreed in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty to a grand bargain: In exchange for nonnuclear states forgoing such weapons, the nuclear states would work to get rid of theirs. Facing ever more public pressure, American leaders and diplomats would spend the next five decades leading the effort to set limits on the number of nuclear warheads deployed, as well as establish transparency and clear lines of communication. Shrinking the nuclear arsenal became a bipartisan, generational effort. Today, nearly all of that work has unraveled. It cant be ignored that in his first term, Mr. Trump played a significant role in fostering at least some of the risk the world now faces. Yet, given the changed landscape, the United States will have no choice but to lead something that, based on his campaign rhetoric, Mr. Trump appears to embrace. In the past, Mr. Trump has said that he first appreciated the true danger of nuclear weapons after talking to an unlikely source: his uncle, an M.I.T. professor. In 1986, when he was still principally a New York real estate developer, Mr. Trump reached out to the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which had just received a Nobel Peace Prize for its disarmament work. He hoped to arrange negotiations with the Soviets to lower the nuclear threat. Now it will be the job of President Trump to pull the world back from the brink. Its time to discuss what he and the United States should prioritize. I. America Should RENEW ARMS CONTROL TALKS Visiting Hiroshima in 2016, President Barack Obama was optimistic enough to call on nations that possessed nuclear weapons to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without them. Abolition is something the United States has not seriously considered and cannot now afford to consider. With Chinas unprecedented nuclear buildup underway, the world faces, for the first time, the reality of not just two but three nuclear superpowers. The bipolar strategic balance of the Cold War no longer holds. American diplomats have no choice but to figure out how to restart sustained arms control negotiations and lay the groundwork for future generations to complete the job of nuclear disarmament. Americas tests provide the military with fresh data on how its personnel and aging weapons systems perform in a real-world scenario. Americas tests provide the military with fresh data on how its personnel and aging weapons systems perform in a real-world scenario. Air Force officers work every day on 24-hour shifts in underground bunkers, awaiting the signal to launch if the president ever gives the order. Air Force officers work every day on 24-hour shifts in underground bunkers, awaiting the signal to launch if the president ever gives the order. The tests also send an unmistakable message to Americas adversaries that the nuclear arsenal is ready if that command ever comes. The tests also send an unmistakable message to Americas adversaries that the nuclear arsenal is ready if that command ever comes. Mr. Trumps first administration refused to sign on to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, in keeping with other nuclear nations stance on the ban. It also unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty. But Mr. Trump did demonstrate an ambitious willingness to sit down with Kim Jong-un of North Korea, even though those talks ultimately went nowhere. He has a chance now to atone for past mistakes. Masoud Pezeshkian, the new president of Iran, has signaled a willingness to restart serious nuclear negotiations with the West. Mr. Trumps campaign trumpeted his withdrawal from the previous deal, but in September, the candidate told reporters that he may be open to new talks. As reported in Politico, when asked about it, Mr. Trump said: We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal. Mr. Trump, to his credit, grasps the dangers here. Perhaps he can also use some of his influence with President Putin to come to terms on the issue. Here again, some of his campaign rhetoric offers a glimpse of hope. Referring to Mr. Putin, Mr. Trump said in 2023, He goes, You know, were a great nuclear power. He says that publicly now. Mr. Trump added, falsely: He never said that when I was here. Because you dont talk about it. Its too destructive. You dont talk about it. Now theyre talking about it all the time. To entice China to the table, Mr. Trump could express an openness to declare that the United States would not be the first to use nuclear weapons. The president-elect has shown a willingness to engage, inviting Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, to his January inauguration. China has spent the past year signaling the importance of this issue as a necessary requirement for it to move forward in meaningful nuclear talks. A willingness to engage on a blanket no-first-use policy may ease tensions and provide a foothold for more ambitious discussions. II. America Should ENSURE NUCLEAR TESTING BANS STAY PUT While the military still regularly tests the intercontinental ballistic missiles that would deliver a nuclear strike, it hasnt conducted an explosive underground test of the warheads themselves in more than three decades. A moratorium on testing nuclear weapons has also held in China and Russia. There are growing fears this could soon change, as all three nations update and expand the infrastructure and sites needed to test nuclear weapons, according to commercial satellite imagery by Planet Labs PBC. The photos, analyzed by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, show each nation is adding buildings, cutting roads and boring tunnels construction that many fear could presage live explosions. A nuclear weapon doesnt need to be used in war to have lasting impact. More than 2,000 such weapons were tested during the 20th century, spreading fallout that still affects human beings, public health and the environment. That, in part, is why the United States, along with every other country with nuclear weapons, except North Korea, has voluntarily observed a testing moratorium since the 1990s. The next Trump administration should work to make sure it remains in effect. The conservative manifesto Project 2025, published by the Heritage Foundation, specifically calls for preparing the nuclear testing site in Nevada for a new generation of tests, which unlike the tests at Vandenberg involve detonating actual nuclear explosives. Last summer, in the journal Foreign Affairs, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser Robert OBrien wrote that the United States has to maintain technical and numerical superiority to the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles. To do so, Washington must test new nuclear weapons for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992 not just by using computer models. Given this logic, Russia and China would be justified in thinking the same. Mr. Trumps campaign distanced itself from both Project 2025 and Mr. OBriens comments, and Mr. OBrien has not yet been tapped to join the next administration. While there is no nuclear warhead in this missile, the military still must clear the surrounding airspace and stretch of ocean for safety. While there is no nuclear warhead in this missile, the military still must clear the surrounding airspace and stretch of ocean for safety. If a part fails or the missile veers off course during flight, the military will destroy it by remotely detonating onboard explosives. If a part fails or the missile veers off course during flight, the military will destroy it by remotely detonating onboard explosives. Data from the missile streams into the Air Forces encrypted computer system inside the launch monitoring center. Data from the missile streams into the Air Forces encrypted computer system inside the launch monitoring center. If Mr. Trump decides the United States should resume nuclear explosive testing, China and Russia will almost surely follow suit. Mr. Putin has already threatened as much. Emerging nuclear powers, such as Iran, would also presumably feel no restraint on carrying out their own tests. On top of all this, it makes no strategic sense. Starting to test again now would erode the huge scientific advantage the United States enjoys today. The U.S. government has conducted more than 1,000 known nuclear detonations more than China and the Soviet Union combined. Data from those tests, combined with our unparalleled computing power, has allowed America to maintain and improve its arsenal in a way that its rivals cant. III. America Should REVIEW U.S. SPENDING The United States, Russia and China are now feverishly overhauling their nuclear arsenals in sweeping multibillion-dollar efforts that the federal government benignly calls modernizing. The Pentagon plans to update the nuclear arsenal over the next 30 years, including the missiles, bomber jets, submarines and warheads, at nearly $2 trillion. Mr. Trump could roll back some of that effort. Why must the U.S. military replace all of its weapons in one go? Hundreds of millions of dollars could be saved simply by buying fewer of them. Even if Mr. Trump doesnt want to cancel anything, he could at least give himself the political space to rethink such investments by appointing a commission to examine the full range and progress of the modernization plans, which are already over-budget and behind schedule. The cost of this one test launch: $18 million. It takes about 200 service members to carry it out. The cost of this one test launch: $18 million. It takes about 200 service members to carry it out. Two officers act as if theyve received the presidential order, turning keys on their consoles that ignite the 79,432-pound missiles rocket engines. Two officers act as if theyve received the presidential order, turning keys on their consoles that ignite the 79,432-pound missiles rocket engines. Once the weapon roars into the night sky, a message flashes on screens: MSLA, shorthand for Missile Away. Once the weapon roars into the night sky, a message flashes on screens: MSLA, shorthand for Missile Away. Project 2025, however, rejects congressional efforts to find more cost-effective alternatives to the current plans, calling instead for a nuclear escalation that could rival President Ronald Reagans at the height of the Cold War. While Mr. Trump may have distanced himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail, Christopher Miller, a former U.S. Army Special Forces colonel who served as his acting defense secretary, was the lead author of its 42-page chapter on defense. Some other alarming proposals include that the second Trump White House prioritize nuclear weapons; develop nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missiles, which were withdrawn in the early 1990s; and continue a Biden-era effort to develop a sweeping, untested cruise missile defense of the homeland all of which would require a significant budget increase to bankroll. Mr. Trump has often condemned the hawkish attitudes of other conservatives. This is the time for him to show that he believes nuclear escalation is a bad idea. Its taken some political courage for Mr. Trump to stake out an independent path from Republican orthodoxy on war-and-peace issues, and this is a chance to put his own views into action. IV. America Should END SOLE AUTHORITY President Trump will command about 3,700 weapons that he alone is empowered to launch. Any decision responding to an incoming nuclear attack on the United States would have to be made within as little as 15 minutes. It is concern over any precipitous action that led Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts and Representative Ted Lieu of California, both Democrats, last year to propose legislation to prohibit any president from launching a first-strike nuclear weapon without congressional approval. Although it is unlikely to be taken up by this Republican-led Congress, the bill would not undercut Mr. Trumps ability to respond to a nuclear attack, an authority all presidents have had and should have. Agreeing that a pre-emptive nuclear strike should also be endorsed by Congress would be a signal to the world that the United States is serious about limiting nuclear brinkmanship that disputes among nations should not turn on impulsive nuclear threats of the type that Mr. Putin regularly issues. Mr. Trump wouldnt be weakening himself. Hed be showing the world that he rejects hollow threats. Fire and exhaust light up the foggy coastline as the Minuteman III missile traces an arc across the Pacific. Fire and exhaust light up the foggy coastline as the Minuteman III missile traces an arc across the Pacific. Roughly a half-hour later, a dummy warhead falls away, re-entering the Earths atmosphere at a blistering four miles per second. Roughly a half-hour later, a dummy warhead falls away, re-entering the Earths atmosphere at a blistering four miles per second. It strikes the target area a lagoon in the middle of the Marshall Islands Kwajalein Atoll like a lightning bolt. It strikes the target area a lagoon in the middle of the Marshall Islands Kwajalein Atoll like a lightning bolt. Data from this exercise in June will help U.S. commanders fine-tune future tests scheduled under the next Trump administration. Data from this exercise in June will help U.S. commanders fine- tune future tests scheduled under the next Trump administration. One paradox of the nuclear age is that it has often been the most bellicose leaders who become the most committed and who are the most effective at securing arms control deals and shrinking global stockpiles. Dwight Eisenhower, who led the allied war effort against the Nazis, came to warn against the military-industrial complex. Nikita Khrushchev and John F. Kennedy were swaggering brinksmen until they brought the world close to annihilation. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev each came to see that nuclear weapons were vastly more dangerous in an unstable world. Donald Trump ran a campaign of peace through strength. Time will tell if he can deliver what he promised. But all Americans should rejoice if Mr. Trump leaves the world a safer place from nuclear weapons than it was when he took office for the second time. Germany has hired Cornerstone Government Affairs to develop a communications strategy to highlight its political and economic cooperation with the US. That effort is focused on Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma. Cornerstones contract calls for it to determine which of the German Embassys existing key messages should be highlighted and identify any topic areas that may be sensitive or should be avoided in particular settings. The firm will identify reporters and media platforms that are most likely to be consumed by political and business leaders, as well as recommendations on how to work with them. It will recommend partners to participate in events such as panel discussions/fireside chats, and to write op-eds and letters-to-the-editor. The work, which kicked off this month, is on behalf of the German Information Center. Project fee is $40K. Cornerstones effort comes following the collapse of Germanys government on Dec. 16 as chancellor Olaf Scholz suffered a vote of no-confidence in Parliament. A PAROCHIAL house and over 12.5 acres of land fetched a whopping 735,000 when it went up for auction in the Tullamore Court Hotel. The unidentified bidder, believed to be a local man, paid 360,000 for the Rahan parochial house and 2.6 acres at Killina and then had a successful bid of a whopping 375,000 for an adjoining ten acres of land. The auction in the Tullamore Court Hotel was conducted by Padraic Murtagh of James L. Murtagh Auctioneers, Mullingar and Dublin. Both the local Killina Secondary School and Shamrocks GAA Club were interested in getting the ten acres and made a number of joint bids before reaching their ceiling. The parochial house has been the home of the parish priest in Rahan parish for several decades and is a period type residence, full of character in a beautiful rural setting just six miles from Tullamore with the Grand Canal running just behind it. It has been vacant for the past couple of years, when the current parish priest, Fr Michael Whittaker opted against taking up residence there. At one stage the land had been part of the Sherlock Estate but was given to the Church on a long term lease back in the 1800s. The land was put up for sale by the St Finian's Diocesan Trust and there has been some local disquiet that they didn't strike a deal with the school and the GAA Club, prior to putting it up for auction. The parish also has a house in Mucklagh, beside the Church there. Killina Secondary School is right beside the auctioned land. A growing school, they have constructed an impressive extension recently and them and Shamrocks GAA Club held recent discussions about combining forces to get the land and develop it jointly. The Secondary School has developed a field for GAA matches down past the Parochial House on Wood Lane while Shamrocks GAA Club own a field a few metres further down. Shamrocks have pitches in Rahan and Mucklagh and have been actively seeking additional land to develop in recent times - there were ambitious plans for the land if they were able to get it. The school is also in need of land there with traffic very busy at school start and finish times and parking an issue. Killina would have been a perfect solution for them as it is between their traditional Rahan and Mucklagh strongholds. Wood Lane is a narrow road leading down to the Grand Canal with the secondary school and parish church up near the top of it and there is access issues with Shamrocks GAA Club transforming their land at Killina into their playing headquarters. As a result, they targeted the parish land, where access could be created up near the school, and they were very keen to get this. It quickly became clear at Tuesday's auction, however, that they had a job on their hand. The property was initially offered with options of three lots: 1 the parochial house and 2.6 acres of land; 2 10 acres of land; 3 the first two lots combined. A bid of 635,000 was made on the combined lots but after consulting with the vendors, Padraic Murtagh announced that it would be sold in two lots to the highest bidder. The house and land went up first and the large attendance knew that there was extraordinary interest in it as it went up above 300,000 and was sold for 360,000. The two bidders then went head to head for the 10 acres of land and there were gasps as it eventually went for 375,000 after the unsuccessful bidder pulled out at 370,000. An Offaly business man is making waves at one of the top retailers in the world SECURING shelf space in one of the worlds most famous retail emporiums needs a combination of an impressive product line and producers with the confidence to convince top-level management that their products will keep the shelf stackers busy. And that is the very recent achievement of a Co. Offaly man and his Saudi Arabian business partner. In an era when small producers, across a wide range of industries, are in daily competition with the financial and production clout of multi-nationals, the success of any small producer, depends on a deep seated belief in what they are offering the market and a determination to compete. The Cameler Spice Co, is now retailing their blended range of spices through Harrods, the renowned London store in the citys elite Knightsbridge area, which draws an international customer base into the fashionable borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Heading up the venture from their base in Birmingham are Myles Grennan from Ross, Screggan, near Tullamore and Saudi Arabian-born Halle Faraje whose grandmother is from Co. Waterford. Familiar spices like cloves, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon and saffron, are being added to through the distinctive Cameler range by such exotic labels as Advich Berenj, Baqa, Mitmita, Quatre Epices, and these are just some of the offerings being put on shelves by the Cameler Company. S pices are one of the oldest traded commodities that still exist today. In fact spices, were among some of the earliest goods transported and traded along the famous Silk Road as early as 2000 BC. The blending of spices is central to the diversity of products on offer from the business, much of which depends of Halles experience sourcing spices from the Middle East and Asia. Myles is generous in his praise of her work - To have worked on BBC Saturday Kitchen as a home economist, in high end restaurants and being an alumni of Leiths Cookery School all sounds very impressive. But for me, it is her knowledge and work ethic that has made her the perfect business partner in the creation of a legacy brand. The directors found inspiration for their new company name from the Cameleers - camel drivers who navigated ancient trade routes and still travel across the Sahara, Egypt, and North Africa. Research by Myles has thrown up the occasional odd fact - What many of us dont realise is that spices were not used for flavour but in fact they were used to mask the smell of food that did not remain fresh as long journeys were made in sweltering temperatures. He added It is likely that the flavour aspect came as a happy follow on as time progressed. Myles, eldest son of Pius Grennan and the late Colette Grennan (nee Leavy), Tullamore, who qualified as a chef, and having worked in country houses and hotels in Ireland and France, she stepped away to rear her four sons. She died, aged 42, in 2002. Myles left his corporate job in February 2020 after 20 years with the same company and while he had intentions of setting up a business, not much happened in the intervening months. Then in September 2020 a phone call from Halle led to conversations about creating something different around the centuries old spice business. Their ideas and initiatives were exciting enough that they led to the creation of their range of products that began to attract attention at farmers markets in the West Midlands and the ultimate accolade of a yes from the discerning and hard-to-please buyers at Harrods. This is a very exciting breakthrough for us, and it is at the top end in terms of a vote of confidence in our products, Myles remarked. A man arrested last week in connection with the suspected murder of Irish schoolboy Kyran Durnin has been found dead. The man was released without charge last Friday as an intrusive search at a home in Co Louth concluded. Police said emergency services were contacted following the discovery of a mans body at a house in Drogheda on Tuesday. The man was aged in his 30s. Officers said the local coroner has been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged. The outcome of the post-mortem examination will determine the course of the investigation, gardai said. It is understood from early indications that it is a personal tragedy. Last week, gardai searched two homes in Drogheda, which involved a forensic and intrusive examination of one of the properties. Gardai said the aim of the search was to find evidence which may reveal where Kyran is or what happened to him. A murder investigation was launched in October after the disappearance of eight-year-old Kyran, who was potentially missing for two years before authorities were alerted. It is suspected that the boy, who was reported missing in August, might have died in 2022 when he was six. Last week, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said they had been inundated with information from the public. He added: Certainly when we put out an appeal for information, right back on October 14, we were inundated with information from the public. Were really pleased to see that because that provided us with a lot of leads, a lot of inquiries for us to follow through. As this investigation opens out, well start to learn more about where we are, who the suspects are, and then what we need to do to prove what happened to young Kyran. Last Tuesday, a woman was arrested and questioned by gardai before being released without charge 24 hours later. In late October, investigators searched a former family home in Dundalk and adjoining land. Irelands Child and Family Agency Tusla submitted a report on its engagement with Kyran and his family to the Minister for Children last month. Minister Roderic OGorman said he could not disclose or publish any details of the report as there is an ongoing Garda investigation into the presumed death of the boy. Gardai are still appealing to anyone with information about Kyran, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact the investigation team at Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or speak with any member of An Garda Siochana. Service provider Telekom Malaysia has announced an allocation of at least MYR4 million (about US$895,861), including cash assistance, to support immediate flood relief efforts for affected customers, communities, and employees nationwide. This is in support of an initiative aimed at ensuring timely support for those in need. The company says it has installed complimentary Wi-Fi services at various flood relief centres (PPS) to ensure uninterrupted communication for flood victims and PPS administration. At the same time, TMs network restoration team is working to restore services for customers impacted by the recent monsoon flood, especially in the East Coast region. This involves efforts to divert key network elements for infrastructure that have been destroyed by the flood to minimise service downtime for the government, enterprises and consumers. Additional support, specifically for affected customers of the companys Unifi Home fibre internet broadband service will include: free replacement of damaged customer premise equipment and network components; a one-month subscription rebate for affected customers; and an extension of credit terms to 60 days without service suspension. Through its social impact foundation, Yayasan TM (YTM) Telekom Malaysia says it has mobilised medical aid, food and other necessities with the support of its social impact partners. As Co-Secretariat and a member of the GLC/GLIC Disaster Response Network (GDRN) coalition, YTM has assisted over 18,400 individuals via various initiatives to assist affected communities. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group Chief Executive Officer of Telekom Malaysia, says: Telekom Malaysia is grateful to serve alongside the Ministry of Communications, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) and GDRN members in supporting collective efforts to assist communities in need. Through these partnerships, we have supported more than 28,000 individuals via various disaster relief and preparedness programmes, ensuring faster distribution of aid across the country. According to Fintech news Malaysia, the monsoon season has once again wreaked havoc across Malaysia, notably in the East Coast. Over 83,000 people have been displaced, seeking refuge in temporary shelters, while businesses grapple with damaged infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, and mounting financial losses. Telecom Namibia confirmed on Monday that a hacker group exfiltrated customer data from its systems and posted it onto the dark web on Friday after the telco refused to pay a ransom to prevent it. According to a statement from Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda, a ransomware group called Hunters International breached its systems and downloaded the customer data files. Shanapinda said the customer data was posted on the dark web on Friday after Telecom Namibia refused to pay ransom to the group. There are conflicting reports as to when the actual breach occurred. Telecom Namibia said the breach happened three weeks ago, while a statement from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) said in a statement on Sunday that its Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) detected the data exfiltration incident last week on December 11. Neither Telecom Namibia nor NAM-CSIRT specified how many files were stolen or how many customers were affected. Various local media reports put the figure anywhere between 492,000 and 619,000, although all say that around 626.3GB of data was downloaded. According to news site The Namibian, the list of affected customers include at least eight government ministries, five regional councils and ten municipal governments, as well as corporate clients like Qatar Airways Namibia, Ethiopian Airlines and PowerCom. Telecom Namibia advised all customers to update passwords to their phones, laptops, Wi-Fi access points and email accounts, and to be extra cautious about potential fraud calls or emails asking for mobile payments. Telecom Namibia also said its working with law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts to minimize further exposure and risk to its customers. NAM-CSIRT also confirmed its working with the telco to contain the breach. Emilia Nghikembua, CEO of CRAN and head of NAM-CSIRT, added that its crucial for all stakeholders to proactively invest in cybersecurity and comply with the international best practices not least because Namibia doesnt have a dedicated Cybercrime and Data Protection Law to mandate such compliance. This incident highlights the need for vigilance and collaboration to mitigate the ever-evolving cyber threats facing our nation, she said. Protecting our national critical infrastructure requires collective action, strategic planning, and a commitment to compliance with global standards. Payment giant Mastercard is back in the news in the Middle East this week thanks to a major artificial intelligence-related deal in Saudi Arabia and an SME-focused agreement in the UAE. In Saudi Arabia Mastercard and Jeel a subsidiary of Riyad Bank are joining forces to enable digital and cutting-edge solutions such as AI to drive innovation. The collaboration will see the two entities work together to serve all non-banking financial institutions (NBFI) market segments. This will provide seamless access to new digital use cases, such as Mastercard Card-as-a-Service (CaaS) and Bank-as-a-Fintech (BaaF) propositions, to Saudi Arabia. Jeel says it aims to offer these propositions in several pricing schemes such as pay-as-you-grow subscription, making them as easily accessible as possible in weeks as opposed to months. This collaboration, the partners say, will bring benefits to a wide range of stakeholders. It empowers non-banking financial institutions to bring innovative products to the market swiftly and efficiently with greater ease and peace of mind, while fintech companies can expect faster time to market by solving obstacles like BIN (bank identification number) sponsorship (a financial arrangement that allows a business to access a regulated financial institution's payment environment). It also eases access to Mastercard digital first issuing assets. In the UAE, meanwhile, licensed fintech company Geidea has entered a strategic partnership with Mastercard designed to accelerate digital payment adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE by enabling them to accept payments via Mastercard Gateway. This integration will simplify payment processes for online merchants, allowing them to offer their customers a faster, more secure, and seamless transaction experience. Geidea will leverage the Mastercard Gateway technology to offer comprehensive and secure payment solutions. This partnership is especially beneficial to SMEs, enabling them to easily accept payments from customers across the region. Mastercard Gateway offers advanced payment processing and fraud prevention technology to acquiring banks, merchants, micro-merchants, and technology partners. The integration of Mastercards technology with Geideas platform will also introduce advanced features, such as Card on File, recurring payments and enhanced fraud prevention capabilities. By offering a secure, centralised payment platform that integrates seamlessly with Mastercard Gateway, the partners say, this collaboration is set to benefit thousands of SMEs in the UAE. The big powers in international relations refer to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as stated by writer Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy Proma in her story "The World Is Larger Than Big Powers: What Does It Mean for Global Politics?" These nations can veto, which means they can prevent the Security Council from adopting any substantive resolution. These nations also possess nuclear weapons and also have a privileged position and a special responsibility for maintaining global order and stability. However, as Roy Proma stated, current international relations are changing the realities of the 21st century. Emerging powers or states have a significant rising influence on global affairs. They want to have a more powerful position or role in international relations, either regionally or globally, and possess the resources to make such goals potentially achievable. It can be said that the world is getting larger than big powers in international relations, as more diverse and complex actors and issues require cooperation and coordination among the international community. One of the things that has changed since the end of the last Cold War is that some parts of the world, Asia and South America, have become wealthier. Emerging powers have actively participated in multilateral negotiations and initiatives to address these challenges, sometimes in cooperation with established powers and sometimes in competition with them. These nations are contributing to solving global issues and problems, such as climate change, poverty, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation. They have also provided financial and technical assistance to other developing countries to promote their development and security. Roy Proma elaborated on the importance of emerging powers: "Emerging powers can use their diplomatic and economic influence to facilitate dialogue, mediation, and cooperation among their neighbors and to prevent or resolve conflicts peacefully. With the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, emerging powers from South Asia and Africa have been balancing the interests of securing energy and food with the presence of external powers that have a stake in the region, such as the United States, the European Union, or China. Middle Eastern countries are also using their strategic resources-- such as oil and military hardware-- to deter or counter any potential aggression or interference from outside actors and to maintain a stable and favorable regional order." She pointed to specific instances of regional order: "Recently, Latin American nations have adopted regional norms and values that reflect the interests and aspirations of the region, such as democracy, human rights, and sovereignty. East Asian nations are using their soft power and cultural influence to shape the identity and behavior of the region and to foster a sense of regional community and solidarity. Southeast Asian nations focus on providing public goods and services that benefit the region as a whole, such as infrastructure, trade, energy, health, education, and security. They are using their resources and capabilities to support regional development and integration in the Mekong Delta and to address common challenges and threats that affect the region and the South China Sea. On the other hand, emerging powers are gaining momentum in global affairs. Some examples of emerging powers are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS. BRICS nations seek to increase their representation and voice in the existing global institutions, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization. These states have expressed the viewpoint that these institutions are characterized by the influence of the established powers, particularly the United States and its allies, and do not adequately represent the diverse and pluralistic nature of the international community." Roy Promoa ends her story with a nice thought, as she wants a global politics based on "mutual respect, cooperation, and dialogue among all actors, both established and emerging". She makes a valuable point, and it must be added that the US didn't do a good job of incorporating emerging powers into the international system after the Cold War. The China/Russia block is doing a counterbalancing act and trying to drive the US out of their respective hemispheres. Is it just as simple as the US removing its presence from other hemispheres and allowing the China/Russia orbit to dominate in those spheres? No, each sphere would engage in a power balancing act, which would mean loads of military spending and a constant threat of war. The internal politics of the China/Russia orbit is also a problem, as it bandwagons with authoritarian and totalitarian countries around the world, an issue that Roy Proma fails to address. The authoritarian/totalitarian orbit states that if a country doesn't want to follow a Western/democratic form of development, it doesn't have to. In promoting authoritarianism and totalitarianism, this orbit is trying to export a way of life around the world and causing a counterbalancing act amongst its opponents. So far, we've seen the current Cold War heating up. It seems as if the war in Ukraine might be winding down if President-Elect Donald Trump's words are to be believed. However, the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is possible, and a decades-old arms control regime with Russia has mostly broken down. How do we keep another world war from breaking out? We maintain a reasonable dialog with our adversaries and perhaps try to restart a few rudimentary arms control deals. Renewing New START would be a start. In our diplomatic communications with our adversaries, we should stress how destructive a war between the two main orbits would be. Does it sound like blind faith? Yes, and I hope it works. Another plus would be maintaining our status as a model democratic nation-state for others to follow. However, it will be difficult for an authoritarian leader to come to power in Washington. Of course, there are other obstacles, like the dominance of money in politics and a polarizing and toxic political environment. The bright spot? There are groups in our country and in places like Russia and China who want to maintain or create a democratic way of life. Remember, democratic nations don't go to war with each other, at least not so far. This is a simple point that President Woodrow Wilson had right, despite everything he had wrong. Will the democratic way of life win? It might be up to non-state actors living under various forms of government worldwide. Hopefully, pro-democratic versions of our adversaries-- North Korea, China, and Russia-- will emerge as democratic countries and stay that way. Then, serious dialog can emerge in the international system over a solid, rules-based order. Blind faith again? Yes, and I hope I'm right! Jason Sibert is the Lead Writer of the Peace Economy Project "To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget." Arundhati Roy, The Cost of Living I am crying and cannot sleep. In its latest massacre in Gaza (one of 3500 massacres that killed minimum 45,000 civilians/20,000 children), "Israel" murdered Khaled Nabhan, the grandfather whose video of holding his murdered favorite granddaughter Reem reached millions around the world.Watch [we are not numbers in this ongoing genocide, when will it be stopped?] People power grows around the world while the 1% empire profiteers are getting desperate as they watch the dark world they created give way to the light of knowledge and activism. Desperation leads the profiteers to try to create more wars, more suffering, more genocide. But in their inner core, they know that this is not "winning". They know that there is but two possible outcomes: a world of justice and equality (including environmental justice) or an end to civilization via global war and/or climate change. Israel calls that the Samson option (that means total destruction and suicide). I explain in my talks that the 21st century colonialists like Netanyahu, Biden, Trump, Bolsonaro, and Starmer are less successful than the older crop of colonialists but do have access to more destructive weapons. There is a general decline in knowledge and sophisticated of colonialists while there is an increase in number of civilians they are able to hurt. More civilians in Western Asia (aka the Middle East) were killed in the past four decades than in the previous 2000 years. But this is not going to mean a success for imperialism, colonialism, zionism, racism. It just means a lot of suffering. I really think that even the profiteers themselves know this is not a strategy for "winning". History teaches us that millions killed have tens of millions of relatives and friends who continue the struggle and do succeed to liberate themselves. Likewise, the 15 million Palestinians in the world (8.5 million refugees/displaced) look forward to ending this nightmare and create a pluralistic society instead of ethnocentric chauvinistic state. Like other oppressed people we also never forget friends. Joint struggle is proliferating. I saw this in the streets and in talks I gave of dozens of cities in 7 countries I visited this year (over 300 talks, university encampments, rallies etc). THANK YOU to those of you who acted, who helped etc. AL-HAQ publishes detailed review paper: 'Arguments raised in Amici Curiae Submissions in the State of Palestine Before the International Criminal Court: Arrest Warrant Applications August. Kairos Christmas statement (English and Arabic) Photography Palestine: Shepherds' Field: Beit Sahur and the Palestine Museum of Natural History A conference on sustainability held in Italy where I was an online speaker (starting at minute 43:42) Stay Humane and keep hope alive Mazin Qumsiyeh A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute French This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here. Honestly, here's my best guess: we're simply on the wrong planet. After all, as TomDispatch regular Michael Klare makes clear today, in the next set of Trump years, the U.S. and China are likely to face off in a major way -- just how major, given the unpredictability of You Know Who, remains to be seen. One thing, however, is bizarrely clear: on a planet that's heating up and drying out in a record fashion, the two greatest greenhouse gas producers -- the U.S. is historically the all-time greatest emitter and China the largest of this moment -- could have ever less (at least in any positive sense) to do with each other when the man who continues to say that, on day one back in the White House, he'll "drill, baby, drill" returns to power. He may pardon most of the imprisoned January 6th rioters on that very same day, but count on this: he won't pardon the rest of us or our children and grandchildren. What he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have in common, in fact, is that both of them are going to preside over countries playing the leading roles in heating this world to the boiling point. China at least is installing staggering amounts of new green energy (more than the rest of the world combined!) and producing stunning numbers of electric vehicles. Still, both seem remarkably intent on leaving a hell on Earth behind for those who follow. With that in mind, let Klare, the author of All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon's Perspective on Climate Change, consider how Donald Trump might "solve" (and yes, that word needs to be in quotation marks) the present climate nightmare by dealing with China in a way that could leave us all in the midst of World War III and so with other things to worry about than how bloody warm this planet is getting. Tom Trump Confronts a Rising China Can He Manage U.S.-China Relations Without Precipitating World War III? By Michael Klare Gaza, Haiti, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela: President-elect Donald Trump will face no shortage of foreign-policy challenges when he assumes office in January. None, however, comes close to China in scope, scale, or complexity. No other country has the capacity to resist his predictable antagonism with the same degree of strength and tenacity, and none arouses more hostility and outrage among MAGA Republicans. In short, China is guaranteed to put President Trump in a difficult bind the second time around: he can either choose to cut deals with Beijing and risk being branded an appeaser by the China hawks in his party, or he can punish and further encircle Beijing, risking a potentially violent clash and possibly even nuclear escalation. How he chooses to resolve this quandary will surely prove the most important foreign test of his second term in office. Make no mistake: China truly is considered The Big One by those in Trump's entourage responsible for devising foreign policy. While they imagine many international challenges to their "America First" strategy, only China, they believe, poses a true threat to the continued global dominance of this country. "I feel strongly that the Chinese Communist Party has entered into a Cold War with the United States and is explicit in its aim to replace the liberal, Western-led world order that has been in place since World War II," Representative Michael Waltz, Trump's choice as national security adviser, declared at a 2023 event hosted by the Atlantic Council. "We're in a global arms race with an adversary that, unlike any in American history, has the economic and the military capability to truly supplant and replace us." As Waltz and others around Trump see it, China poses a multi-dimensional threat to this country's global supremacy. In the military domain, by building up its air force and navy, installing military bases on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea, and challenging Taiwan through increasingly aggressive air and naval maneuvers, it is challenging continued American dominance of the Western Pacific. Diplomatically, it's now bolstering or repairing ties with key U.S. allies, including India, Indonesia, Japan, and the members of NATO. Meanwhile, it's already close to replicating this country's most advanced technologies, especially its ability to produce advanced microchips. And despite Washington's efforts to diminish a U.S. reliance on vital Chinese goods, including critical minerals and pharmaceuticals, it remains a primary supplier of just such products to this country. Fight or Strike Bargains? For many in the Trumpian inner circle, the only correct, patriotic response to the China challenge is to fight back hard. Both Representative Waltz, Trump's pick as national security adviser, and Senator Marco Rubio, his choice as secretary of state, have sponsored or supported legislation to curb what they view as "malign" Chinese endeavors in the United States and abroad. Waltz, for example, introduced the American Critical Mineral Exploration and Innovation Act of 2020, which was intended, as he explained, "to reduce America's dependence on foreign sources of critical minerals and bring the U.S. supply chain from China back to America." Senator Rubio has been equally combative in the legislative arena. In 2021, he authored the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which banned goods produced in forced labor encampments in Xinjiang Province from entering the United States. He also sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at curbing Chinese access to U.S. technology. Although these, as well as similar measures introduced by Waltz, haven't always obtained the necessary congressional approval, they have sometimes been successfully bundled into other legislation. In short, Trump will enter office in January with a toolkit of punitive measures for fighting China ready to roll along with strong support among his appointees for making them the law of the land. But of course, we're talking about Donald Trump, so nothing is a given. Some analysts believe that his penchant for deal-making and his professed admiration for Chinese strongman President Xi Jinping may lead him to pursue a far more transactional approach, increasing economic and military pressure on Beijing to produce concessions on, for example, curbing the export of fentanyl precursors to Mexico, but when he gets what he wants letting them lapse. Howard Lutnick, the billionaire investor from Cantor Fitzgerald whom he chose as Commerce secretary, claims that Trump actually "wants to make a deal with China," and will use the imposition of tariffs selectively as a bargaining tool to do so. What such a deal might look like is anyone's guess, but it's hard to see how Trump could win significant concessions from Beijing without abandoning some of the punitive measures advocated by the China hawks in his entourage. Count on one thing: this complicated and confusing dynamic will play out in each of the major problem areas in U.S.-China relations, forcing Trump to make critical choices between his transactional instincts and the harsh ideological bent of his advisers. Trump, China, and Taiwan Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Frito-Lay said Monday it had recalled just over 6,000 packages of Lays Classic Potato Chips sold in Oregon and Washington because they contain undisclosed milk. The chips were sold in stores and online on or after Nov. 3 in a 13-ounce Party Size bag. Other chip varieties and sizes arent affected. Those included in the recall are marked with a Guaranteed Fresh date of Feb. 11, 2025, and a manufacturing code that begins with either 6462307xx or 6463307xx. The company said no illnesses or reactions had been reported. Frito-Lay parent company PepsiCo Foods said consumers with a sensitivity or allergy to milk should discard the chips. They can contact Frito-Lay with questions at 800-352-4477. Elliot Njus edits business and economy news for The Oregonian/OregonLive. He can be reached at enjus@oregonian.com. Camping World, an RV dealer with multiple Oregon locations, will pay the state $3.5 million in a settlement deal, with $3 million of that going to customers who paid more than the advertised price for recreational vehicles in 2017 and 2018, according to a press release Monday from the Oregon Department of Justice. Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted Dare to Compare price, said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum in the press release. During negotiations, Camping World would claw back its purported discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep charges that had already been included in the advertised price. The settlement is the end to a years-long consumer protection investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice Civil Recovery Section, the agency said in the release. According to the DOJ, the $3 million will be used to give refunds to those who purchased an RV from Camping World between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 31, 2018 and paid more than the advertised price for the vehicle. People who bought a vehicle after Dec. 31, 2018 may also be eligible for a refund but must submit a written complaint to Oregon DOJ within 6 months of this announcement to potentially be eligible to receive a refund, the DOJ said. Consumers that submit written complaints should include any information that they have to demonstrate they paid more than the advertised price, the press release added. Going forward, the DOJ said, Camping World cannot charge more than the advertised price of the vehicle. That price must be available to all consumers and cannot be contingent on how the customer plans to pay. Anyone who wants to learn more can call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 877-877-9392 or visit doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection. Lizzy Acker covers life and culture and writes the advice column Why Tho? Reach her at 503-221-8052, lacker@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Fans of the Bravo channels lineup of reality shows have a plethora of Real Housewives options to choose from, but Bravo also has a successful franchise going with Southern Charm, which recently began Season 10. Among the veteran members of the cast is Craig Conover, who has appeared on the South Carolina-set Southern Charm since it premiered in 2014. Though Southern Charm features, as Bravo says, a group of people sipping and spilling sweet tea along the Charleston social scene, Conover will be in the Northwest on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Conover is scheduled to make an appearance at the Walker Road Fred Meyer store in Beaverton to promote his home collection. Conover launched his Sewing Down South brand in 2018, and a year ago Conovers brand entered into a collaboration with the Fred Meyer internal brand HD, for a line called SDS for HD. The collection includes home decor, bedding, bath, candles, table top items, and more, and is carried in Fred Meyer stores. Conover will be on hand at the Fred Meyer at 15995 S.W. Walker Road in Beaverton from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17, to sign autographs, take photos and meet customers. Southern Charm airs at 9 p.m. Thursdays on Bravo, and streams on Peacock. Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe For 10 years, Food Share of Lincoln County processed and distributed hatchery salmon to community food pantries all over the coastal region, sharing about 2,000 pounds of the protein-rich fish a year. Then in 2018, the nonprofit learned it would no longer be permitted to process the fish due to regulations governing safe food handling, and the salmon once abundant in community food pantries was no longer available on pantry shelves. . Now, thanks to an innovative nonprofit designed to help small food processors, 3,020 pounds of hatchery salmon was recently distributed to the community in an effort so successful, a request for grant funding was not only met, but exceeded. For years weve been trying to figure out how can we recapture the donated fish, said Nancy Mitchell, executive director of Food Share of Lincoln County. Over the years, there have been groups trying to do this type of thing, but it never came to fruition. Thats what is so incredible about this. This is a valuable resource, and it was lost and now its been recaptured. Really, in these times, thats such an impact. Six years ago, after Food Share learned it could no longer process the salmon, Mitchell sought help from others in the community. A seafood processor tried to help, but the work had to be done between the processing of the commercial fleets catch and the salmon was returned to Food Share in bulk in a box, leaving the agency to finish the packing and shipping. But under safe food regulations, that wasnt allowed either. So, the nonprofit resigned itself to doing without the salmon. What they didnt know was that entrepreneur Laura Anderson was working out the very plan that would help them. When Anderson opened the Yaquina Lab in 2021, she did so with the idea of providing a facility with the equipment necessary for small seafood processors to start or test their business concepts without having to spend a small fortune. A year later, she established the nonprofit Central Coast Food Web to manage the Newport bayfront facility. Its mission: to strengthen our local, coastal and regional food systems by providing services and support to small, independent food producers and making it easier for all people to eat local food. To that end, her idea has been a welcome success. But, as it turned out, Andersons vision was not fully realized. What happened was we built a board of directors that really broadened by vision, including opening it to farmers, said Anderson, founder and former owner of Local Ocean restaurant, now employee owned. So, a couple of our board members said we should be feeding the hungry people in our community. We should be serving our most underserved population. I said that is great, but I have no idea how we are going to do that. At least part of the answer was right there at the Food Web, where the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians were processing hatchery fish. It was just a natural fit, Anderson said. They didnt need anything else from us, other than the facility. They brought the fish and intergenerational tribal members to cut the fish and get it in the freezer. And as a kind of adjunct to that, they brought five high school students from the tribe to do hands on intergenerational learning doing that kind of skill building, knowledge transfer, experiential learning. The fish processed by the tribe is used for school cafeteria lunches and distributed to the tribe for other programs, said Patrick Clarke, Siletz Valley School culinary program director. Inspired by the tribes work, Jim King, the new director of the Food Web, turned to Mitchell to see if the hatchery salmon might be something the food pantry could use. Of course, Mitchell had been waiting for someone like King for years. Weeks later, a crew from Food Share paid a visit to the Salmon River Hatchery in Otis, where they picked up 151 Chinook salmon. The fish not only benefited Food Share, which distributed 1,288 dinners to community food pantries, but the Siletz tribe and the Seafood Butchery program operated by Oregon Coast Visitors Association in five coastal schools. The butchery program started last April and is expected to expand into as many as 10 schools next year. Students in the program learn to process and cook all manner of seafood and later enjoy their efforts, or in some cases are able to take the seafood home. In the Siletz Valley Schools, Clarke prefers to call the program Seafood Literacy. Its so much more than just butchery, Clarke said. The Oregon Coast Visitors Association provides me with the fish, the funds to process it and the story to connect it all with the students. We are practicing traditional methods with all the fish, historically significant preserving methods and cooking methods, the full scope of it. We have a full culinary program that starts in middle school and has several tiers through high school. They get French culinary education combined with traditional Native methods. While a visitors association may seem like an odd entity to be promoting seafood butchery, program leader Maggie Michaels says it makes perfectly good sense. The reason the visitors association is doing this is because the amount of tourist dollars coming in, particularly to the coast, is enormous, Michaels said. And if we want not only our guests, but our folks who live here, to find and buy more Oregon seafood, then we need to also think about making sure that we have enough filleters. And we also need to think about housing. None of these things are separate from tourism. Theyre all actually quite connected. Using hatchery salmon to feed those in need is not new but has been going on around the state for years, said Michelle Viss, supervisor of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlifes Salmon River Hatchery in Otis. State hatchery fisheries are operated by the state fish and wildlife agency. The fish are used for a variety of programs, including stock for recreational fishing. Fish not donated to community agencies, which must be certified by the Oregon Food Bank, are returned to the water as stream enrichment to feed other wildlife, Viss said. In Tillamook, The Smiley Salmon Harvest, formerly known as Smiley Brothers, has been processing fish from the Nehalem Bay Fish Hatchery since 2009. This years hatchery collection brought the number of salmon processed in the last 15 years to about 11,000. The salmon is distributed as canned or frozen to food pantries and senior meal and school backpack programs. In Lincoln County, it appears this falls hatchery salmon pilot program is just the beginning. When the Central Coast Food Web requested $43,000 from the Roundhouse Foundation to continue the program with both Food Share and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians for another year, the request was met with a grant of $90,000 for three years, said King. For Mitchell, its the end to a six-year quest. Here on the coast our resources are sometimes limited, she said. This is an opportunity for us to show that when we put our heads together and collaborate, we can really come up with an impactful outcome; to show we can be innovative and really take care of our community. Lori Tobias, for The Oregonian/OregonLive The night the EMTs carried Elizabeth Nakagawa from her home, bleeding and in pain, the tarp theyd wrapped her in reminded her of a body bag. Nakagawa, 39, is a Coast Guard commander: stoic, methodical, an engineer by trade. But as they maneuvered her past her young daughters bedroom, down the narrow steps and into the ambulance, she felt a stab of fear. She might never see her girls again. This article was originally published by ProPublica Then came a blast of anger. Shed been treated for a miscarriage before. She knew her life never should have been in danger. Earlier that day, April 3, 2023, Nakagawa had been scheduled to have a surgical procedure called a D&C, or dilation and curettage, to remove fetal tissue after losing a very wanted pregnancy. But that morning, she was told the surgery had been canceled because Tricare, the militarys health insurance plan, refused to pay for it. While her doctor appealed, Nakagawa waited. Then the cramps and bleeding began. In recent months, ProPublica and other media outlets have told the stories of women who died or nearly died when state abortion restrictions imposed after the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision impeded them from getting critical care. But long before Roe v. Wade was overturned, military service members and their families have faced strict limits on abortion services, which are commonly used to resolve miscarriages. Under a decades-old federal law, the military is prohibited from paying for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother. This applies even to service members based in states where abortion is legal; Nakagawa lives in Sonoma County, California. Theres also no exception for catastrophic or fatal fetal anomalies. In such cases, service members either have to pay out of pocket for abortions or carry to term fetuses that wont survive outside the womb. Tricare does allow abortions in cases like Nakagawas, in which the fetus has no heartbeat. But even then, some doctors who treat military service members say that Tricare requires more documentation and takes longer to approve these procedures than other insurers, putting women at risk. There definitely have been cases where our Tricare patients have required emergency services, emergency D&C procedures, blood transfusions, things that have been critical to lifesaving care because their procedure had yet to occur, said Dr. Lauren Robertson, an OB-GYN who has served military members and their spouses in San Diego for more than a decade. It just feels very unnecessary. Since the Dobbs decision, abortion care for service members seems to be coming under heightened scrutiny, said retired Rear Adm. Dana Thomas, who was until recently the Coast Guards chief medical officer and advocated for Nakagawa. Trust me, post Roe v. Wade, Im sure people felt there was much more of a spotlight, Thomas said. I think they were more guarded after June of 22. After being rushed to the emergency room, Nakagawa hemorrhaged for four more hours before doctors performed the surgery Tricare had refused to authorize. Later, Tricare and Defense Department officials would all agree that Nakagawa should have been treated as her doctor recommended, and she said they told her theyd taken steps to prevent future mistakes. But her experience, which doctors say nearly cost Nakagawa her life, laid bare the challenges service members have long faced in obtaining reproductive health care. And it raises questions about whether the Supreme Courts ruling has created a chilling effect that has further complicated access to these procedures. Officials at the Defense Health Agency, which runs the military health system, including Tricare, did not respond to specific questions from ProPublica, but they provided a statement saying its policies havent budged. There have not been any changes to Tricare coverage or documentation requirements for medically necessary care of D&Cs following the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, the statement said. Medically necessary care was, and continues to be, covered. The agency declined to answer questions about Nakagawa, saying that as a matter of practice it doesnt discuss individual beneficiaries care. (ProPublica is involved in an unrelated public records lawsuit with the DHA.) As a senior officer, Nakagawa felt duty-bound to press for answers about what happened to her. The abortion policy, in theory, is supposed to protect life, and in my case it did the opposite, Nakagawa said. It almost led to my children not having a mother. After the Supreme Court upended Roe, the Biden administration took steps to reassure service members that their access to reproductive health care would remain unaffected by a wave of state abortion bans. An October 2022 memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to facilitate leave for service members seeking abortions that were not covered by Tricare, and to pay for travel if care wasnt available nearby. It also emphasized that these procedures would be consistent with applicable federal law. The statute barring the Defense Department from paying for most abortions goes back to 1985 and mirrors language in whats called the Hyde Amendment. Named for its author, Henry Hyde, a Republican representative from Illinois, Congress has attached the amendment to spending bills since the late 1970s to prohibit the use of federal funds on abortion. With Congress in control of military spending, abortion care is highly politicized, said Kyleanne Hunter, a Marine Corps combat veteran and senior political scientist at RAND Corp. Theres been a lot of backlash and a lot of scrutiny and a lot of congressional disapproval as to how the DOD has engaged with abortion care, D&C care and the like. About 9.5 million people, including active-duty service members and their families as well as military retirees and their dependents, rely on Tricare for health services. Women make up a growing portion of the active-duty force, more than 17%. They also leave the military at higher rates. Research by RAND and others suggests the militarys reproductive health policies may make it harder to recruit and retain them. Dr. Toni Marengo, a former Navy OB-GYN, said she left the service in part because she felt unable to provide patients with appropriate care. Many of them only discovered how sharply Tricares policies curtailed access to procedures like D&Cs when they needed them. It was like living in a pre-Roe world, said Marengo, now chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. The effects have been felt for decades. In 1994, Maureen Griffin and her then-husband, a captain in the Air National Guard, ended her pregnancy after learning their baby had anencephaly, a fatal birth defect. They found out the military considered her induced labor an abortion when she got a phone call from a bill collector for the hospital seeking thousands of dollars in reimbursement for the procedure. I said: We have full coverage. My husbands in the military. And they said, They dont pay for abortions, Griffin recalled. We were completely blindsided. I mean, no one called it an abortion. It was a horrible tragedy. Griffin, then known as Maureen Britell, was so outraged that she sued the Defense Department, winning a judgment in federal district court in 2002. Two years later, an appeals court reversed the decision, upholding the Defense Departments refusal to cover abortions in such circumstances. Twenty-five years after Griffins pregnancy, Samantha Babcock spent the equivalent of seven paychecks to fly home from her husbands Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan, for an abortion Tricare wouldnt cover. She was five months pregnant when doctors told her that her fetus had multiple abnormalities and wasnt viable. The grief was crushing. Then she found out that, by law, the military couldnt perform or pay for a surgery called a D&E, or dilation and evacuation, which her military doctors agreed was the safest option. She and her family paid $14,000 most of it for plane tickets with help from a GoFundMe so that she could go home to Portland, Oregon, to get the procedure. She still cant believe such a step was necessary. I assumed Tricare had my best interest at heart, she said. If the condition was fatal, why wouldnt they help me? Babcock said her specialist told her that the military would pay to transfer her temporarily to Hawaii for more testing. They also offered to move her family to a location where they would have access to specialty care for the baby in the unlikely chance she survived outside of the womb. For Babcock, that was untenable. I did not want to keep growing a baby that wouldnt live, she said. In August 2022, Thomas, the Coast Guards chief medical officer, was galvanized into action when a service member sought help to end her pregnancy after receiving a diagnosis similar to Babcocks. Doctors had recommended that, like Babcock, she have a D&E. Because the fetus still had a heartbeat, Tricare would not approve the procedure. Thomas called Tricare daily trying to find a solution, then elevated the case to leaders at the DHA, which sets policy for the health plan. We have to do something, she told them. Dana Thomas, a retired rear admiral and chief medical officer at the Coast Guard Credit:Caroline Gutman, special to ProPublica Tricare stuck to its denial even after the service members doctor appended a note explaining that continuing the pregnancy would endanger the patients life. That was the first case Thomas had taken on after Dobbs. The second was Nakagawas. Nakagawa and her husband, Matt, met a couple years after earning engineering degrees from the Coast Guard Academy in the mid-2000s. Their path to a family was long and bittersweet. In 2015, they suffered a miscarriage. A year later, their first daughter was born. Then came a second miscarriage, followed by the birth of a healthy girl. For the next three years, they tried for another child. Then Nakagawa got pregnant in 2021, only to learn at 10 weeks there was no fetal heartbeat. She waited, hoping to miscarry naturally, then tried abortion pills. When a follow-up exam showed she hadnt passed all the fetal tissue, her OB-GYN scheduled a D&C. The procedure was approved by Tricare, and she had the surgery soon afterward. By early 2023, Nakagawa had risen to become chief of engineering at the Coast Guards training center in Petaluma, California, and her husband had left the service and was supporting her as a stay-at-home dad. They were thrilled to learn she was pregnant, only to have their joy turn to devastation when two ultrasounds showed that once again, her fetus had no heartbeat. This time, since abortion pills hadnt worked in 2021, Nakagawa and her OB-GYN agreed the best course would be to schedule a D&C as soon as possible. Her doctors office scheduled the procedure for Monday, April 3, and requested approval in advance, or prior authorization, from Tricare. Then, five hours before the procedure was scheduled to begin, the office told Nakagawa the surgery was canceled Tricare had refused to cover it. In its denial letter, Health Net Federal Services, the contractor that administered claims for Tricares western region, said the services requested were not a covered benefit. The insurers letter also said it had requested additional information from Nakagawas doctor, but that the information had not been sent. (Health Net declined to answer questions from ProPublica about Nakagawa even though she waived her right to privacy.) Her doctor maintains that wasnt the case. She declined to be identified, citing concerns about safety. Tricare has always been difficult to work with for coverage of womens health care they require records more than other insurances this often creates a delay in care, the doctor said via text. The office staff appealed the denial, telling Nakagawa theyd provided documentation of the ultrasounds showing no fetal heartbeat. The staff also told her a Tricare medical director wasnt available to review it that day and that it might take an additional three to five days to get a response. Nakagawa called Tricare for answers herself, only to be told her options were to wait or pay out of pocket not only for the surgery but for any follow-up care, including mental health counseling. It was surreal. I was angry and shaking, Nakagawa said. She couldnt understand why Tricare had approved her D&C in 2021 under similar circumstances, then denied the same care two years later. Overwhelmed by emotion, she climbed into bed and cried herself to sleep. At about 5 p.m., her doctor provided a prescription for abortion pills as a backup plan. But before Nakagawa could pick it up, she started to miscarry. The first signs were mild cramping and spotting. Soon after, the fetus passed. Nakagawa yelled for her husband and sobbed. They consoled themselves with the thought that theyd made it through the hardest part. At least this is over, Nakagawa recalled saying. At least Gods giving us a break for once. Then the hemorrhaging started fist-sized clots of blood that soaked through sanitary pads in minutes. Nakagawa lay in the fetal position on towels, in so much pain she couldnt sit up. Around 9 p.m., her husband called the doctor, who recommended they go to the emergency room. At the hospital, she was given fluids, a clotting drug and a transfusion, but her bleeding continued. After four hours, doctors decided her condition was critical and they needed to intervene. They performed a D&C to remove the remaining tissue. Nakagawas recovery took more than a week. Lying on her couch, unable to walk, she was determined to ensure other service women would get the care she was denied. Taking a risk, she banged out a long email to Thomas, who had a reputation for being approachable. I feel compelled to report a traumatic experience I went through that will undoubtedly impact more women in the CG and DOD if the TRICARE policy is not changed, the email began. The summary is that I nearly lost my life last week due largely to a TRICARE policy regarding miscarriages and abortions. Thomas connected Nakagawa to the Defense Health Agencys chief medical officer, Dr. Paul Cordts, who called her personally a month after her emergency surgery. Nakagawa said that Cordts seemed apologetic and even angry on her behalf. This shouldnt have happened to you, she recalled him saying, adding that hed get to the bottom of what went wrong. (Cordts didnt respond to emails from ProPublica.) Two days later, a new record appeared in Nakagawas Tricare file: a letter approving the scheduled D&C shed never received and no longer needed. Please contact the provider to schedule your appointment(s), it said. Cordts also arranged for Col. John Verghese, Tricares chief of clinical oversight and integration, to look into her case. Nakagawa said she had two calls with Verghese, who looped in a senior official at Health Net, the Tricare contractor that had dealt with the request to cover her D&C. In one, she said, Verghese acknowledged Tricare had become more conservative in reviewing requests for D&Cs, requiring more documentation to justify approving these procedures. (Verghese, who has retired, declined to answer questions from ProPublica about the case.) He admitted that until her case, Tricare hadnt understood that delaying or denying care could put women at risk, she said. This infuriated Nakagawa. I just said, Well, maybe you didnt realize there would be physical negative consequences, but you had to know there would be mental and emotional consequences to making women carry around their [dead] fetuses after a miscarriage. Verghese quickly apologized, she said. On the final call, Nakagawa said that Verghese and the Health Net official told her that from now on, they would no longer require doctors to submit proof of no fetal heart tones to get approvals for D&Cs and would speed up reviews of appeals. In its statement to ProPublica, the DHA maintained that Tricares coverage and documentation requirements for D&Cs have not changed. Nakagawa is one of few women in senior leadership within Coast Guard civil engineering. She remains committed to serving in the military. But she worries about the impact the Defense Departments reproductive health policies could have on service members and their spouses and daughters. Junior members especially might be less able to advocate for themselves, she said. At the very least, this policy will likely encourage women, like myself, to work for a company that has insurance that will cover these procedures, she said, At the worst, it will lead to service members or their dependents losing their lives. Mariam Elba contributed research. National fibre broadband network operator Bahrain Network (BNET) announced on Monday it has completed the transfer of Zain Bahrains fixed fibre backhaul network assets to its wholesale fibre network. BNET and Zain Bahrain officially signed off on the transfer last Thursday after collaborating for over a year to complete the process. BNET said that it facilitated the asset transfer by launching a Network Right of Use service, later supplemented by the Unmanaged Mobile Backhaul Service, designed to support mobile network operations and promote equitable access to infrastructure. BNET was spun off from incumbent telco Batelco in 2019 and began operations in 2021 as a wholesale fibre infrastructure provider for all licenced telcos in Bahrain. Under Bahrains Fifth National Telecommunications Plan (NTP5) which aims to foster sustainable and competitive growth in Bahrains telecoms and ICT sectors all operators with fixed telecoms infrastructure assets are required to transfer them to BNET. Infonas was the first such operator to do so at the end of last month. Commenting on the Zain deal, BNET CEO Ahmed Jaber Alhogbani Aldoseri said, This agreement marks a significant step towards realising the governments vision while further positioning Bahrain as a regional leader in telecommunications and technological innovation. Zain Bahrain has taken the initiative to ensure continuity and seamless transition without impacting its network and ability to continue providing exceptional services and a positive experience to its customers, added Zain Bahrain MD Mohammed Zainalabedin. Portland Fire Chief Ryan Gillespie will retire in early March, the city announced on Monday. Gillespie worked his way up the ranks at Portland Fire & Rescue since joining the agency as a firefighter in 1998. He is the second city fire chief to retire in less than two years, after Sara Boone retired in summer 2023. Gillespie, who was named interim chief upon Boones retirement, had been in leadership positions since 2019, according to the city. Together, Portland Fire & Rescue has faced numerous challenges and through it all, our team has continually stepped up and shown professionalism, compassion, and sacrifice, always putting the community first, Gillespie said in a press release Monday. As I embark on my next chapter, I have immense gratitude for our team, and I am confident the future of Portland Fire & Rescue is bright. City officials said Gillespie will work with City Administrator Mike Jordan and Deputy City Administrator for Public Safety Mike Myers to identify an interim fire chief. Hillary Borrud is an investigative reporter. Reach her at 503-294 4034 or hborrud@oregonian.com. Theres a lot of angst these days about our political differences, but we dont always hear about the positive news. On Dec. 7, Rep. and Sen.-Elect John Curtis of Utah spoke graciously to volunteers of The Citizens Climate Lobby at our national conference. He shared his story of how nonpartisan climate activists helped him see the value of bipartisan cooperation on climate. Curtis founded the Conservative Climate Caucus to allow Republicans to promote climate policies that spur private sector innovation for cheaper, reliable and cleaner energy and reduce global carbon emissions. The caucus is now up to 87 members, including Oregon Reps. Cliff Bentz and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who is a vice chair. We can all play a role in promoting clean energy, energy independence and a stable climate. Please take the time to thank your elected officials for policies they have supported, and ask them to continue supporting bipartisan solutions. Jerry Porter, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. There has been a lot of media alarm about the state of Oregons public schools. Yet the chronic absenteeism in many Oregon districts is in the 25-40% range, (Chronic absenteeism finally begins to rebound in Oregon schools. Theres still a long way to go, Nov. 21). There are multiple studies showing that absenteeism is a consistent harbinger of poor grades and low basic skills. Schools can only do so much to get children to attend school regularly. Parents can do much more. The public should expect more from parents concerning this issue, and in other ways that lead to student success. John Pioli, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Paris Hilton is urging US lawmakers to pass a bill focused on reforming youth congregate care facilities and residential treatment programs for "troubled" children before the legislative session ends this week. The reality TV star is expected to head back to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with House members with the hope that lawmakers will bring the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act to the floor for a vote during the final week of the session. The legislation, which Hilton has lobbied for the past three years, recently passed the US Senate. Typically, bills would need to pass the House Energy and Commerce Committee before they can be called by leaders to the floor. However, it can bypass that step, per ABC News, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of committee business. What Is the Legislation About? The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act (SICAA) is a bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in April 2023. This legislation aims to transform the oversight and management of youth residential programs across the United States, addressing long-standing issues of transparency and accountability to safeguard the health and well-being of vulnerable youths in these facilities. Some of the provisions in the bill include: Establishing a Federal Work Group on Youth Residential Programs, which comprises representatives from various federal agencies Directing the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the use of restraints, seclusion, and other restrictive interventions in youth residential programs Require greater oversight and data transparency for institutional youth treatment programs If passed, the bill will seek to address a critical issue affecting roughly 120,000 to 200,000 vulnerable youth who are placed in various residential programs, including boot camps, wilderness programs, and therapeutic boarding schools. Hilton herself was sent to a boarding school when she was 17, specifically the Provo Canyon School, where she suffered from "continuous torture," bullying, and sexual abuse. What Have Lawmakers Said? It is unclear if House Speaker Mike Johnson would bring the legislation to the floor this week. It is also unclear whether lawmakers in the House would vote to pass the bill. However, Hilton and her team are confident that President Joe Biden will sign the bill into law if it passes the House this week. As January 2025 approaches, many of my latino parishioners have asked what they can do to better prepare. Even though there is much uncertainty as to exactly what will happen, this is a list of best practices complied by me based on personal past experience and a presentation by Adelina Nicholls of the Georgia Latino Alliance of Human Rights. Please share this list with community leaders so undocumented immigrants will be prepared and know their rights. La lista esta traducida al espanol mas abajo. The U.S. Bishops, at their most recent gathering in Baltimore, issued a document recognizing the inherent dignity of each person as a child of God, regardless of background or migratory status. We stand in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters who live and labor in these United States. They continue to provide food security, health services, and many other essential skills that support our prosperous nation. The bishops called for an immigration system that offers fair and generous pathways to full citizenship for immigrants living and working for many years within our borders, that provides permanent relief for childhood arrivals, and relief for asylum seekers. Their document concludes calling for the meaningful reform of our current immigration system and for the need to speak out on behalf of the huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Here are some concrete ways that immigrants can prepare for January 2025: If they have children born in the US, promote that the parents get their childrens US passports. This is difficult to do if one of the parents is out of the country. It also facilitates getting the children abroad if parents are deported. Sign a notarized document stating their desires in regards to who will have custody of their children if they are deported. If they have property (car, house, business, bank account, etc), sign a power of attorney to a trustworthy relative or friend who will be able to sell property in ones absence. Raise awareness about the laws in regards to opening the door to ICE if they knock at your door. Nobody has to open the door for an ICE agent unless that agent has either a search warrant or arrest warrant signed by a judge (una orden judicial). ICE usually arrives with an administrative order to arrest a suspected undocumented immigrant, not a criminal warrant. If someone has a criminal history or an issued deportation order (perhaps due to not showing up to court), there will be little that can be done to fight the case. Deportation is almost inevitable. Do not be fooled by lawyers who promise the impossible. Do not pay bail to the local police if ICE has already put a hold on a person. Even if the bail is paid, the person will not be released until ICE determines what to do. If arrested by ICE, it is important to request bail from the first agent who interviews the person. Never give false information or present false documents. Save money in case there is need to pay a hefty bail to ICE. Create a community network to provide information and updates to all. Si tienen hijos nacidos en USA, promover que los padres obtengan los pasaportes estadounidenses para sus hijos. Esto es dificil de hacer si uno de los padres esta fuera del pais. Tambien facilita que los ninos salgan al extranjero si los padres son deportados. Firmen un documento notarizado que exprese sus deseos con respecto a quien tendra la custodia de sus hijos si son deportados. Si tienen propiedades (automovil, casa, negocio, cuenta bancaria, etc.), firmar un poder notarial a nombre de un familiar o amigo de confianza que pueda vender las propiedades en su ausencia. Aprendan sobre las leyes con respecto a abrir la puerta al ICE si tocan su puerta. Nadie tiene que abrirle la puerta a un agente de ICE a menos que ese agente tenga una orden judicial de arresto o busqueda firmada por un juez (arrest warrant o search warrant). ICE generalmente llega con una orden administrativa para arrestar a un inmigrante indocumentado sospechoso, no una orden penal firmada por un juez. Si alguien tiene antecedentes penales o una orden de deportacion emitida (quizas por no presentarse a la corte), habra poco que se pueda hacer para luchar contra el caso. La deportacion es casi inevitable. No dejarse enganar por abogados que prometen lo imposible. No pagar la fianza a la policia local si ICE ha sido notificado y ha intervenido en el caso. Incluso si se paga la fianza, la persona no sera liberada hasta que ICE determine que hacer. Si ICE lo arresta, es importante solicitar la libertad bajo fianza al primer agente que entreviste a la persona. Nunca dar informacion falsa ni presentar documentos falsos. Ahorrar dinero en caso de que sea necesario pagar una fianza considerable a ICE. Crear una red comunitaria para proporcionar informacion y actualizaciones a todos. Picture of Angels Unawares used according to its license, click here for attribution requirements. Every year since 1955, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) simulates the path of Santa Claus as he leaves the North Pole and delivers gifts to children around the world. For Christmas 2024, NORAD has added an AI chatbot to its tracking site, although its AI capabilities are quite limited in scope, according to an initial test. NORAD Tracks Santa officially started on December 1, but the actual simulation starts at midnight on December 24. Check out the NORAD Tracks Santa site in advance to play web games, watch videos about Santa and NORAD, listen to Santas favorite holiday songs, learn more about Santa and his traditions, discover what NORAD does, and chat with Radar (the AI chatbot). The real-time simulation can take on martial proportions, as this video from Christmas 2013 shows. In the video, Santas reindeer sleigh is referred to as The Big Red One (which is also the name of the famous 1st Infantry Division of the US Army): NORAD is a joint command of the United States of America and Canada that monitors the airspace over North America and provides early warning of missile, air, and spacecraft attacks on North America. Back in 1955, NORADs predecessor organization was the first to launch the gag of tracking Santas flight on Christmas Eve back then, without the internet or YouTube, of course. The NORAD Tracks Santa site has a big time tracker thats counting down to the start of Santas famous sleigh ride. Go check it out and dont forget to tune in on December 24 to watch him do his thing! The minivan driver who crashed into and killed a pedestrian over the summer on a heavily traveled Hershey road will not be criminally charged, police told PennLive this week. Derry Township police were dispatched around 12:45 a.m. on July 26 to Hersheypark Drive and Hotel Road, where they found a 29-year-old Lebanon County man in a Dodge Caravan had crashed into Randy Ticknor, 54. Ticknor, a Binghamton, New York resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. Derry Township police Chief Garth Warner confirmed on Tuesday that the investigation has concluded without charges after police determined the minivan driver didnt break any traffic laws. The minivan had a green light driving down Hersheypark Drive when Ticknor walked in front of the vehicle, according to Warner. He said the pedestrian signal was not activated. The crash happened near Hersheypark Stadium, which hours before the crash had hosted a rock concert featuring Def Leppard, Journey and the Steve Miller Band. Warner did not know for sure if Ticknor had been at the concert, as he was crossing Hersheypark Drive well after the concert had ended, but there are indications he had. Police said he had been trying to find his car in a nearby parking lot at the time of the crash. We believe he was attempting to cross from north to south because he realized he and his companion were looking for his vehicle in the wrong parking lot, and were attempting to get to the parking lot in which he had parked, which was on the south side of Hersheypark Drive, Warner said. Ticknors obituary said his wife preceded him in death. Hes survived by his parents, brothers and many other family members. His funeral services were held in August in New York. A Harrisburg man was sentenced this week for opening fire in a city bar in 2022 and fatally shooting another person in the back. Shawn Davenport, 37, was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing Xavier Junior King on Jan. 16, 2022, inside The Cafe on Derry Street, court records show. After a less than two-day trial, a jury quickly convicted Davenport on Oct. 29 of first-degree murder, two firearms offenses and recklessly endangering another person. Life in prison without parole is the mandatory sentence for a first-degree murder conviction. During Davenports trial, prosecutors contended that he shot King, 32, three times in the back minutes after King walked into The Cafe and paid a $10 cover charge. Surveillance footage presented at trial showed Davenport killing King. Davenports probation officer identified him as the shooter from the footage. Defense attorney Thomas Korey Leslie told the jury Davenport shot King out of concern for his own safety. But the jury didnt buy it and found Davenport guilty after two hours of deliberation. We respect the jurys verdict and are pleased that justice was provided for Xaiver King Jr. and his family, Senior Deputy District Attorney Landa Porter said in an email to PennLive. We believe that all the evidence as a whole contributed to the jurys verdict, but the video was a crucial piece of evidence that allowed the jury to see this case for what it was, first-degree murder. King loved fashion, travel, adventure, and every kid in the family, his sister Aquitta King previously told PennLive. In his downtime, he enjoyed hanging out with his nieces, nephews, godchildren and others in his circle. His legacy is always going to be that he was a well-respected King, she said. He was a good man. But more so, he always had royalty on him. And he showed it. Not just by the last name. He held himself to king standards. Three people were killed and six others were injured Monday in a shooting at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. The shooting happened days before the Christmas break. Police said the teenage student who opened fire was among the dead. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes did not give details about the age or gender of the suspected shooter, but a source told the Associated Press a 17-year-old female student was believed to be the shooter. Of the wounded, two were in critical condition. The other four had non-life-threatening injuries, Barnes said. Barnes noted At this time, yes, the shooters family is cooperating. The police chief identified the weapon police found as a handgun. A source told the AP it was a 9 mm. Barnes 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. Barnes said he didnt immediately know the shooters motive but added that detectives were working hard to find as many answers as we can. Here are some things to know about the shooting in Wisconsins capital city: What happened in Madison? The shooting occurred late Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 school with about 390 students. Police said a teenage student opened fire, killing another student and a teacher. The shooter also was dead, likely by suicide, Police Chief Shon Barnes said. Responding police officers did not fire their weapons, Barnes said. 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. The school website shows that Friday was to be the last scheduled day of classes before the holiday break. The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and officials were in touch with local authorities to provide support. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers also has been briefed on the situation. Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Scott Bauer | AP Photo)Scott Bauer | AP Photo What is known about the school? Abundant Life Christian School is nondenominational and has about 390 students from kindergarten through high school, according to its website. 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, the school posted on its Facebook page. Please pray for our Challenger Family. The schools website said it was founded in 1978 to offer students academic excellence in a Christ-focused context. The website said the school is accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International. Have religious schools been targeted elsewhere? The shooting comes less than two weeks after a gunman critically wounded two kindergartners at a tiny religious school in Northern California and then killed himself. Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea said Glenn Litton was mentally ill and believed that by targeting children on Dec. 4 that he was carrying out counter-measures in response to Americas involvement in Middle East violence. Litton, 56, gained entry to the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville, California, by pretending he wanted to enroll a fictitious grandson, Honea said. He used a handgun to shoot and critically wound two kindergarten boys, ages 5 and 6. Authorities said Litton was found dead afterward just yards (meters) from the schools playground. It was unclear why Feather River School was targeted. How many school shootings have happened this year? The website for the anti-violence organization Everytown for Gun Safety shows that there have been at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, in 2024. That data doesnt include the latest shooting in Madison. The deadliest school shooting in 2024 happened in September at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Authorities said 14-year-old student Colt Gray opened fire with a semiautomatic assault-style rifle. Four people were killed and nine more were hurt, seven of them shot. A grand jury subsequently indicted Gray and his father, Colin Gray who was accused of giving his son access to the gun on murder and other charges. Both have pleaded not guilty. Last year, 45 people died in 158 school shootings, the Everytown for Gun Safety website shows. Sixty-seven people died in 181 school shootings in 2022, according to the data. School shootings in recent years, including deadly ones in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas, 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 healthcare issues. 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. 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. Fans that attend Cirque du Soleils show at the Giant Center in March will see some new elements. Ovo is a show inspired by insects. The show includes a new main stage, giant scenic elements such as four enormous hibiscus flowers, the return of the ants and spider-man, three new acrobatic acts, new music compositions, a reworked choreography to rework the intentions and primary motivations of the insects, new costumes and four new characters (The Cyana, Queen Bee, the Bees and Weevil), according to Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil will perform Ovo at the Giant Center at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 21; 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22; and 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. Fans can buy tickets here (prices are as of the time of this publication): 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20 7 p.m. Friday, March 21 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22 1 p.m. Sunday, March 23 An exciting Cirque du Soleil experience, Ovo is a colorful intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, Ovo explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy, Cirque du Soleil said in a news release. Ovo is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. Its love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye and the feeling is mutual. Ovo means egg in Portuguese. Cirque du Soleil will perform "Ovo" at the Giant Center in Hershey and at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, Pa., in March 2025.Cirque du Soleil 2024 The show also will be at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University in State College, March 27-30, 2025. 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27 7 p.m. Friday, March 28 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29 1 p.m. Sunday, March 30 Cirque du Soleil performs "Ovo" at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Sept. 19, 2024. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com A senior Russian general was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow, a day after Ukraines security service leveled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out the attack. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office. Kirillovs assistant also died in the attack. Kirillov, 54, was under sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his actions in Moscows war in Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraines Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The SBU has said it recorded more than 4,800 occasions when Russia used chemical weapons on the battlefield since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In May, the U.S. State Department said that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in World War I, against Ukrainian troops. Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, who took his current job in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda. The bomb used in Tuesdays attack was triggered remotely, according to Russian news reports. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched brickwork. Russias top state investigative agency said its investigating Kirillovs death as a case of terrorism, and officials in Moscow vowed to punish Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, described the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to distract public attention away from its military failures and vowed that its senior military-political leadership will face inevitable retribution. Over the past year, Russia has been on the front foot in the war in Ukraine, grinding deeper into the eastern region of Donetsk region despite heavy losses. Ukraine tried to change the dynamic with an incursion into Russias Kursk region, but it has continued to slowly lose ground on its own territory. Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Darya Dugina, a commentator on Russian TV channels and the daughter of Kremlin-linked nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, died in a 2022 car bombing that investigators suspected was aimed at her father. Vladlen Tatarsky, a popular military blogger, died in April 2023, when a statuette given to him at a party in St. Petersburg exploded. A Russian woman, who said that she presented the figurine on orders of a contact in Ukraine, was convicted in the case and handed a 27-year sentence. Without a doubt there are countless ways to market your services, from social media campaigns to influencer partnerships, email newsletters, and beyond. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know which one truly makes an impact. Whats your favorite way to advertise or market your services? Whether you stick to traditional methods or embrace the latest digital trends, wed love to hear whats worked for you. Our experts will break down the top strategies and insights to help you refine your marketing approach and achieve even better results. Lets Talk More Lets Talk episodes Contribute to Dynamic Business Marco Silva, Director for Customer Success, NielsenIQ Marco Silva, Director for Customer Success, NielsenIQ For retail businesses, social commerce as a marketing tool stands as an incredibly dynamic force in the changing face of omni retail. Weve seen this demonstrated by TikToks success in China, with about 55% growth versus a year ago, and this impact is now spreading to other markets worldwide. In Australia, our research shows one in four consumers purchase via social commerce, and their behavior shows how social media marketing and advertising is fundamentally shifting how shoppers discover, shop and interact with brands. Around 33% of consumers would search social media for product information before using traditional search engines, while 35% use it as their primary source for learning about new innovations. The influence on purchasing decisions is particularly strong among younger demographics, with 44% of Gen Z and 40% of Millennials suggesting they would change brands based on influencer recommendations. However, there are still barriers to overcome, with 60% of surveyed consumers in our survey expressing concerns about payment security on social media platforms, and 65% actively ignoring social media ads. Joyce Gordon, Head of Generative AI, Amperity Joyce Gordon, Head of Generative AI, Amperity Artificial intelligence is poised to be the driving force of marketing and advertising innovation in 2025. In fact, AI adoption will create a clear divide between businesses that thrive and those that struggle. These successful businesses will make better decisions because their teams can easily access and understand data, deliver more personalised customer experiences using generative AI, and run marketing and advertising campaigns more efficiently by using AI for tasks like drafting creative briefs and handling initial customer inquiries. Businesses that arent adopting AI with a cohesive strategy will fall behind. However, implementing AI in advertising and marketing successfully requires more than just adopting the technology. Businesses need to think carefully about implementation, and move beyond segmented AI-driven content, closer to one-to-one personalisation. This shift is possible now because AI models are becoming smaller, cheaper, and more capable, and because companies are getting better at using them. Robert Tadros, Founder & CEO, Impressive In todays competitive environment, its critical that brands adapt to the rapidly changing digital landscape, leveraging data-driven and results-focused strategies to market and advertise their services. As we move into 2025, more and more brands will need to adopt a work smarter, not harder approach to stay competitive. The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and large retail and eCommerce platforms must embrace programmatic SEO as a key solution to streamline and automate traditionally labour-intensive processes. As an example, our Skailed platform was purposefully designed to effectively transform months of meticulous work into a fraction of the time, enabling brands to optimise thousands of pages with minimal manual intervention. By leveraging data-driven automation, companies can better market and advertise their services and meet customer demand, stay agile in a crowded market, and drive sustainable growth without overextending their resources. Lauren Clemett, CEO, The Audacious Agency In my 30 years in brand management, Ive learned one thing for sure: action speaks louder than words. At The Audacious Agency, we dont just talk about our 97% success rate in getting clients to finalist status we shout from the rooftops about their wins. Why? Because seeing is believing and when prospects witness the tangible results our clients achieve, theyre instantly drawn in. We all know that testimonials and 3rd party endorsements are invaluable, but award winning recognition adds that extra layer of credibility its far more compelling than any self-promotion we could ever do. Winning awards isnt just about the trophy; its about building a powerful profile that attracts opportunities. Its addictive! The boost in confidence and the chance to reflect on achievements are invaluable for entrepreneurs and when our clients share their award journey, others see and notice that. Our approach is to help clients leverage their entries from the moment they are submitted, and again when they celebrate becoming a finalist, so they maximise every moment regardless of the award outcome. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. And the more pudding you have to show, the more irresistible your brand becomes. Jay Kim, Director of Analytics & Platform Solutions in APAC, Nexxen Jay Kim, Director of Analytics & Platform Solutions in APAC, Nexxen As we move further into an era of AI-driven advertising and data analytics, businesses can benefit enhancing their marketing and advertising initiatives by embracing AI and integrating it with advanced data and analytics tools. Continuing to integrate AI into data analytics tools is going to be a major way to strengthen those solutions, enabling deeper insights and faster, more accurate predictions. As an example, by leveraging predictive insights from real-time data, advertisers can optimise their campaigns and anticipate trends even more effectively, empowering them to adapt strategies quickly and thus maximise ROI. On top of this, as AI becomes more deeply embedded in data workflows, organisations will need to carefully balance innovation with ethical considerations. As this technology evolves, it will be critical to ensure the data used to train AI models is representative of diverse demographic groups and its AI systems are regularly audited to ensure biases are quickly identified and corrected. Annette Densham, Awards writer Annette Densham, Awards writer Slow and steady wins the race. People want to know you have the goods when it comes to handing over their hard earned money. The best way Ive found to market what I do is consistently show up. Using what Ive coined the breadcrumb method. Dropping crumbs of knowledge, information and insights so it appears like Im everywhere. Repurposing content so I dont have to come up with new content every day. I reuse what I have, and adapt for different platforms. I openly share my knowledge across social media platforms. I regularly post in groups and communities where I know my target audience hang out. I dont sell. I tell stories. I share insights and tips. I answer questions. I want people to know Im here to serve them and deliver value. I also want them to know I know my stuff. Social proof is the currency of the realm so I make sure I enter awards for crediblity, write content and articles for reputable publications and share results Ive secured for my clients. Tim Mason, CEO, Eagle Eye Loyalty programs are set to become even more immediate and effective as a marketing strategy than ever before, due to continued innovations in real-time marketing and customer engagement. Advances in cloud computing and AI have increased businesses ability to collect and analyse data in real-time, enabling the creation of contextually relevant offers tailored to individual customer needs. Real-time issuance refers to the immediate creation and delivery of offers to customers based on their current behaviour, location, or context. These offers are generated and sent when the business detects a trigger, such as a customer entering a particular physical location, browsing a website, or making a specific purchase. Real-time redemption also refers to the immediate execution of an offer at the point of sale (POS), in-store or online, so the offer or discount is instantly applied before the transaction is completed and payment is made. Given this is now possible, we expect to see the speed of the delivery of offers increasing and we are likely to see more brands take on true real-time marketing. Anastasia Geneave, Founder & Chief Chameleon, No Grey Suits Building genuine connections and providing real value to an audience that I actually want to work with. I love using social media to share tidbits and advice that makes marketing feel approachable and even a bit fun for small business owners. Speaking at events, hosting workshops, and in-person networking is key to making those connections. Video is one of my absolute favourite tools because it allows business owners to convey their passion and joy in a way nothing else can (well, apart from in-person!). When you can share your energy, excitement, and love for what you do on camera, it builds an emotional connection that words cant really do. Ever taken a text message the wrong way? Super easy to do with marketing, too. Video helps make sure that your intention for your message gets across. Its awesome to see how video content helps people attract the right clients ones who really resonate with their story and values. For me, marketing isnt about pushing or selling; its about connecting and showing up in a way that feels true to you. Michael Haynes, SME Business Growth Specialist, Listen Innovate Grow At Listen Innovate Grow, we specialize in helping CEOs of Small and Medium B2B Accounting, Technology, and Law firms drive client acquisition, retention and business growth. To effectively engage with this audience, I believe in a value-driven approach centered around providing Advice and Insights while fostering meaningful opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. My preferred methods for promotion reflect these principles. For example, my monthly Ask Michael Anything sessions on LinkedIn Live allow me to address pressing questions and share actionable strategies directly with my audience. Additionally, my livestream show, Breaking Thru in B2B, offers a platform to feature industry experts and discuss key challenges and opportunities facing B2B firms today. I also prioritize in-person engagement through keynotes, workshops, and speaking tours for Industry and Professional Associations and CEO advisory groups. These events provide a dynamic forum to connect with leaders, exchange ideas, and showcase tailored solutions to their specific challenges. By focusing on education, interaction, and shared expertise, I aim to position Listen Innovate Grow as a trusted partner for CEOs seeking to expand and succeed in competitive markets. Peter Curran, Founder & Business Development Manager, Digital Surfer Peter Curran, Founder & Business Development Manager, Digital Surfer Marketing and advertising should be very individualised to each business. While something may work well for us, it may not work as well for the next digital marketing business or someone in another industry. However, the core of every marketing strategy for any business of any size relies heavily on the website. If your website is no good, it doesnt matter how much youre throwing into ads, emails, etc. Search engine and lead optimisation on your website is so important and is really the key to success. Weve also invested more into my own personal branding this year as the business owner, and I can say its given us some really good results that continue to climb. So, thats another area I recommend looking into if you want to level up in 2025. Alex Naumovski, Public Spectrum Portfolio and Partnerships Director, Akolade Alex Naumovski, Public Spectrum Portfolio and Partnerships Director, Akolade Events are one of the most effective ways to market services and educate decision-makers about innovative solutions. Whether its trade shows, conferences, workshops, or networking sessions, these gatherings provide a unique platform to engage with audiences seeking insights and partnerships. Participating in events positions us as industry thought leaders. Leading presentations or speaking on panels allows us to share expertise in a meaningful wayeducating rather than selling. Decision-makers value providers who offer genuine insights and demonstrate a deep understanding of their challenges. Face-to-face interactions foster trust and connections that digital ads or emails cant replicate. Whether through conversations at exhibit booths or sponsoring networking sessions at our data analytics event, these moments address individual concerns and leave lasting impressions. Events are more than just visibilitythey create memorable experiences. With thoughtful follow-ups, like personalised messages or exclusive resources, our efforts continue beyond the event, keeping our solutions top-of-mind. Ultimately, events build credibility, foster relationships, and make a lasting impact, setting us apart in a competitive market. Discover Lets Talk Business Topics Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A top fact-checking group has released its biggest political lie of the year as chosen by its readers. The nonpartisan group PoltiFact on Tuesday crowned theyre eating the pets as the whopper of 2024. That myth about Haitian immigrants eating cats and dogs in Springfield, Ohio, was launched during the campaign by vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance and spun vigorously by presidential nominee Donald Trump. Trump even spread the falsehood during the Sept. 10 presidential debate against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris with some 67 million people watching. In Springfield, theyre eating the dogs, Trump said. The people that came in. Theyre eating the cats. Theyre eating, theyre eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is whats happening in our country. And its a shame. The allegations created a hate-storm around the aging industrial city of Springfield which welcomed immigrants to fill factory jobs and bring life to the downtown. Government officials were deluged with death threats, schools and businesses received bomb threats and immigrants feared leaving their homes. Vance later would say he knew that brazen charge wasnt true, but said in order to get media attention sometimes you have to create stories. Between 12,000 and 20,000 Haitian immigrants settled in Springfield after 2020 under a legal temporary protected status program established by the Biden administration. The pet-eating lie worked for Trump. PolitiFact reports Trump increased his support among voters in Clark County, where Springfield is located, in 2024. Since Trumps election Haitian immigrants have been fleeing Springfield, reports The Guardian, amid fears they will targeted under the president-elects mass deportation plan. Update: Pa.s GOP electors cite role of mail-in ballots while formally casting votes for Trump, Vance Pennsylvanias electoral college met Tuesday afternoon to formalize what has been a foregone conclusion for the past six weeks, casting the states 19 electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. The Republican electors, who won on Nov. 5, gathered in the state House chamber to officially vote for their pledged candidates for the 60th time since the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Speakers lauded Trumps victory and vision for the country while also striking an un-Trump-like note of reconciliation, saying the incoming president would represent all Pennsylvanians, not just those that voted for him. Republican officials tone this year was also markedly different from four years ago, when many including some of those present Tuesday had cast doubt on the validity of Joe Bidens victory and boosted Trumps unfounded theories that his opponents had cheated. Several of those who spoke to PennLive said that Republicans embrace of mail-in ballots despite Trump saying they were rife with fraud four years ago was key to their victory in Pennsylvania, and that more GOP voters voted by mail this year both because of greater oversight and the simple fact that it resulted in them winning. The security of mail-in ballots was absolutely night and day compared to four years ago, Pennsylvania GOP Chair Lawrence Tabas told PennLive, and the fact that we have gone through an election cycle now in which the president and all of our candidates up and down the line won, and mail-in ballots were used enthusiastically, I think has now helped me reassure our voters that it is an appropriate method of voting. This is a breaking story and will be updated. A man was injured when he crashed his SUV Monday morning during a police pursuit along Route 22 in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, state police said. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville said troopers were alerted around 11:30 a.m. that a man who had been attempting to harm himself was driving from New Jersey into Pennsylvania. Troopers found him heading west in an SUV and tried to stop him, police said. The driver kept going, leaving the highway at one point and traveling on back roads before returning to Route 22. The SUV crashed into trees off the highway and caught fire in the westbound lanes in the township, said Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Chat online at 988lifeline.org. Branosky didnt have information about how fast the driver had been going. The driver was thrown from the SUV during the crash and injured. State police said he also had self-inflicted injuries. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. His condition was not immediately available Tuesday morning. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville said the incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec 16, 2024 when troopers were alerted to the distressed driver, leaving New Jersey and heading into Pennsylvania. Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor The crash tied up traffic for several hours Monday. Its undetermined if the driver is facing charges until the investigation is complete, Branosky said. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. It took a month but rock legend Sammy Hagar said that he and business partner Guy Fieri have some answers when it comes to the $1 million in tequila that was stolen from them. Hagar and Fieri are partners in Santo Tequila, and last month they had two trucks one bound for Pennsylvania go missing. Those trucks were reportedly carrying 440 cases or 24,240 bottles of the booze. Hagar revealed the new details to Fox, in a recent interview. It was a heist, Hagar told Fox. It was a very programmed thing. There was some kind of organization, he continued. I cant talk too much about it, but were finding out who it was. It was well planned, the truck drivers they didnt know anything, they just got hired to pick the stuff up. They had fake cellphones and fake GPS, and they just sent them to drop it off. Hagar told Fox that one truck was found. So were getting somewhere, he said. But well never find the second one because it supposedly has been dispersed into the system. Fieri previously told PEOPLE the lost trucks were a brutal blow for the business. Weve worked so hard, Fieri told People. This is our best year weve ever had in Santo. WE just had all the momentum, and now whatevers on the shelf is all people are going to get. Among the stolen tequila was a specially-made extra anejo, that takes 39 months to make. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A 15-year-old student killed a teacher and another teenager with a handgun Monday at a Christian school in Wisconsin, terrifying classmates including a second grader who made the 911 call that sent dozens of police officers rushing to the small school just a week before its Christmas break. The female student, who was identified at a press conference Monday night, also wounded six others at a study hall at Abundant Life Christian School, including two students who were in critical condition, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. A teacher and three students had been taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them had been released by Monday evening. 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. 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, which it had done just before the school year, leaders always announce that it is a drill. That didnt happen Monday. When they heard, Lockdown, lockdown, they knew it was real, she said. Police said the shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived and died en route to a hospital. Barnes declined to offer additional details about the shooter, partly out of respect for the family. 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. Abundant Life is a nondenominational Christian school prekindergarten through high school with approximately 420 students in Madison, the state capital. Wiers said the school does not have metal detectors but uses other security measures including cameras. Children and families were reunited at a medical building about a mile away. Parents pressed children against their chests while others squeezed hands and shoulders as they walked side by side. One girl was comforted with an adult-size coat around her shoulders as she moved to a parking lot teeming with police vehicles. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, nor was it clear if the victims were targeted, Barnes said. I dont know why, and I feel like if we did know why, we could stop these things from happening, he told reporters. Barnes said police were talking with the shooters father and other family members, who were cooperating, and searching the shooters home. He lost someone as well, Barnes said of the shooters father. And so were not going to rush the information. Well take our time and make sure we do our due diligence. Someone from the school called 911 to report an active shooter shortly before 11 a.m. First responders who were in training just 3 miles (5 kilometers) away dashed to the school for an actual emergency, Barnes said. They arrived 3 minutes after the initial call and went into the building immediately. Classes had been taking place when the shooting happened, Barnes said. He declined to say where exactly in the school it happened. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told the AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. Police blocked off roads around the school, and federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement. No shots were fired by police. Abundant Life asked for prayers in a brief Facebook post. Wiers said the schools goal is to have staff get together early in the week and have community opportunities for students to reconnect before the winter break, but its still to be decided whether they will resume classes this week. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, rushed to the school and learned over FaceTime that her daughter was OK. As soon as it happened, your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters, 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, 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. He spoke with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and offered his support. Evers said its unthinkable that a child or teacher would go to school and never return home. The school shooting was the latest among dozens 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. 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. The construction industry invariably involves a vast and intricate network of relationships, not only between the client and the contractor but also among various professionals like architects, engineers, certifiers and subcontractors. With the complexity involved in the construction process, there is a risk of building defects. Building defects can lead to devastating consequences, including structural damage, financial loss, and legal action. We will explore some legal issues surrounding building defects, referring to cases where those involved in construction have faced disciplinary action due to inadequate workmanship or non-adherence to industry standards, and ways to mitigate such risks. Building Defects and Legal Issues Building defects are inadequacies in a building that reduce its value, usefulness or safety, ranging from faulty designs, poor workmanship to non-compliance with industry standards. Australia has a National Construction Code (NCC) that contains the technical requirements and standards for the construction of buildings and is implemented differently in each state. The liability for these defects can often fall on any party involved in the construction process, depending on the specific contractual terms and legal obligations. Legal issues surrounding building defects often revolve around negligence, breach of contract, non-compliance with regulations, misrepresentation, and warranties. The repercussions for these offences can be severe, encompassing fines, penalties, professional disciplinary measures, and even imprisonment in severe cases. These issues highlight the critical importance for construction professionals to strictly adhere to industry standards and legal obligations. What could happen to builders and professionals when defects occur? Most registrations and licencing regimes in professions require that a person be fit and proper, and that they be granted and continue to hold a licence or registration relevant to that profession. The term fit and proper is not always clearly defined in legislation. Generally, the term involves assessments of the persons honesty, integrity, reputation and competence. Builders and other professionals can face disciplinary action for a variety of reasons, usually involving violations of professional standards and regulations. These reasons may include: Engaging in unprofessional conduct: This may include actions that are dishonest, unethical, or harmful to clients. Gross and/or repeated negligence or incompetence: For example, either making severe mistakes or consistently demonstrating an inability to perform their duties competently. Not being a fit and proper person to hold a registered licence or qualification; Doing work in a class of work outside the class which the practitioner is permitted to do: Builders and other professions are often licensed to perform certain types of work. If they take on tasks outside their area of expertise, they can face disciplinary action. Breaching relevant building legislation or regulations. Illegally obtaining a registration as a builder/professional: This refers to instances where a builder gets their license through fraudulent means, such as false statements or documentation. Failure to maintain required insurance. These are general grounds for disciplinary action and vary depending on the region or the regulatory bodys policies. Builders and Tradespersons In NSW, NSW Fair Trading is the regulatory authority for licensing of builders and tradespersons. NSW Fair Trading ensures compliance with the Home Building Act 1989 (Act). The Act requires builders and tradespeople to be licensed for the residential building work that they do, including tradespersons who undertake specialist work such as plumbing, electrical and air conditioning work. The Act also establishes standards in relation to competence, probity, contracts and statutory warranties. The Act sets out the grounds upon which disciplinary action can be taken and NSW Fair Trading has displayed a firm stance against professional shortcomings. The NSW Fair Trading website offers a public register of disciplinary actions taken against builders and other tradespeople in NSW. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has recently affirmed a decision of the Commissioner to cancel a certifiers registration and disqualify him from registration for 10 years (Orfali v Commissioner for Fair Trading [2024] NSWCATOD 4). Mr Orfali acted as the Principal Certifying Authority for a class 2 property development, despite being accredited for class 1 and 10 buildings only. Mr Orfali issued 13 complying development certificates and modified CDCs for 13 class 3 residential care developments that did not comply with minimum fire safety standards. NCAT found that Mr Orfalis conduct fell short of the standard of competence, diligence, and integrity that a member of the public is entitled to from an accredited certifier and affirmed the findings of the Commissioner Architects The NSW Architects Registration Board is constituted by and operates under the Architects Act 2003, the legislation regulating architects in NSW. There are a number of recent examples where the Board removed the architects name from the Register for failing to demonstrate compliance with Continuing Professional Development requirements in breach of cl 16 of the NSW Architects Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). In particular, failing to satisfy the Board that they had undertaken activities that demonstrate the maintenance and improvement of the architects skill and knowledge as required by clause 16(1)(a) of the Code. Developers It is an offence under the Home Building Act for a developer to knowingly employ an unlicensed contractor. Monetary penalties will be imposed if the developer knowingly employs an unlicensed contractor. The Home Building Act provides for a maximum penalty of $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for a corporation for these offences, relating to class 2 residential building work. From 1 March 2015, individuals convicted of a subsequent offence of unlicensed contracting are liable to a penalty not exceeding $55,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. Ways to Mitigate Risks of Legal Issues One way for industry professionals to prevent the risk of legal issues arising from building defects is by ensuring the highest possible quality of workmanship at all stages of the building process. This can be achieved through continuous training, skill development and maintaining rigorous quality assurance procedures. By ensuring workers are well equipped with the knowledge and skills required for their roles, contractors, architects, and builders can significantly reduce the likelihood of defects occurring. Secondly, full compliance with industry standards and regulations is a must. In the construction industry, several codes of practice, standards, and legal regulations guide the safe and reliable construction of buildings. Adhering to these requirements not only ensures the quality of construction but also safeguards businesses against potential legal disputes. Thirdly, clear and comprehensive contracts are essential in defining roles and responsibilities, setting out the scope of work, and outlining the obligations of all parties involved. A well-drafted contract can protect against uncertainties and potential disputes by providing a clear reference point for all parties. Moreover, embracing technologies such as building information modelling (BIM) can aid in detecting potential defects before they become actual defects. BIM allows for a coordinated approach in designing, planning, constructing, and managing buildings, thereby minimising the chances of defects. Lastly, adequate insurance cover is a significant aspect of risk management in the construction industry. It provides a financial safety net against unforeseen incidents that could lead to building defects. The Overall Impact of Minimising Building Defects Building defects can have severe legal implications for architects, engineers, builders, and contractors. However, by ensuring top-tier workmanship, strictly adhering to industry standards, drafting clear and comprehensive contracts, adopting progressive technologies, and ensuring adequate insurance cover, professionals in the building industry can significantly mitigate the risk of legal issues. It is important to remember that preventing defects not only protects professionals from legal issues but also contributes to their reputation, customer satisfaction, and the overall integrity of the construction industry. By Chloe Ellis, Partner Commercial Dispute Resolution at Hicksons Lawyers Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. BREAKING: Phil Hellmuth Stone Bubbles $50M Gtd WSOP Paradise Super Main Event Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link Phil Hellmuth stone bubbled the largest guaranteed event in poker history this evening in the Bahamas, an exciting exclamation point on an action-packed Day 2 of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise Super Main Event. 207 players advanced to Day 3 of the Super Million Main Event (along with 90 online players), including chip leader Gytis Lazauninkas and other top-ten stacks including Germany's Sirzat Hissou, Spain's Juan Pardo and former PokerStars ambassador Liv Boeree in a rare appearance on the felt. Liv Boeree Others who bagged include Daniel Negreanu, Matthew Wantman, David Peters, Chris Hunichen, Chris Brewer, Alex Keating and chess streamer Alexandra Botez, who has already locked up her biggest tournament cash. Super Main Event Day 2 Top 10 Chip Count TableRank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Gytis Lazauninkas Lithuania 15,430,000 386 2 Matthew Belcher Matthew Belcher 11,640,000 291 3 Marcelo Aziz Brazil 11,295,000 282 4 Sirzat Hissou Germany 11,225,000 281 5 Juan Pardo Spain 10,740,000 269 6 Ermo Kosk Estonia 10,280,000 257 7 Gediminas Dirmantas Lithuania 9,515,000 238 8 Chris Klodnicki United States 9,450,000 236 9 Dmitrii Prusov Russia 8,310,000 208 10 Liv Boeree United Kingdom 8,275,000 207 Seiver Cheers as Hellmuth Bubbles Hellmuth was short four players off the money in the $25,000 buy-in event and folded ace-high in the big blind to survive another orbit. After a few eliminations, he decided to gamble with his last 200,000 about 2.5 big blinds against Alex Keating with a better ace-high. Keating had told Hellmuth earlier that he should even fold aces on the stone bubble. He likely wishes he had listened. As captured by live reporter Adam Lamers, Hellmuth splashed in his final chips with ace-king and couldn't survive a three-way all-in as Keating made a pair of sevens. The Poker Brat had an opportunity to chop a minimum cash as there were three other all-ins, but all ended in doubles. During all of this, reigning Player of the Year (POY) Scott Seiver cheered on the other all-ins in the hope that Hellmuth would be the sole bubble. Phil Hellmuth bubble boy It's been quite the day for Hellmuth, who earlier in the day busted a 25-plus big blind stack after calling off with an offsuit queen-deuce (reminiscent of a viral hand against Alex Foxen two years ago). Another player in the Day 2 field was NBA star Tony Parker, who was eliminated outside the money. Parker spoke to PokerNews on Day 1 about getting bluffed off kings and playing poker with his San Antonio Spurs teammate Tim Duncan. Tony Parker How Close to $50M Guarantee? There was some speculation yesterday that the $50 million guaranteed event could come up short by eight figures. But a surge of 254 new entries on Day 2 put that to rest as the event came up $550,000 short of the guarantee. Another bubble hand The $25,000 buy-in event attracted a total of 1,378 entrants across four starting flights and Day 2 entries. Adding that with 600 online players, there were a total of 1,978 entrants for the Super Main Event. They needed 2,000 players to hit the guarantee and fell short by 22 players. Day 3 action will pick up at the start of Level 17 with blinds of 40,000/80,000/80,000. Each returning player has locked up at least $50,000, while $6 million sits up top for the eventual champion. Stay tuned as PokerNews will be back on-site at Atlantis for continued coverage of the first-ever Super Main Event in the Bahamas. Place Prize Place Prize 1 $6,000,000 11-12 $370,150 2 $4,600,000 13-16 $295,000 3 $3,600,000 17-22 $230,600 4 $2,800,000 23-32 $180,300 5 $2,100,000 33-48 $140,900 6 $1,650,000 49-75 $110,200 7 $1,300,000 76-118 $86,100 8 $1,000,000 119-188 $67,300 9 $750,000 189-297 $50,000 10 $500,000 Share this article Aigars Plives and his accomplices stand before the HCMC People's Court, December 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Bich Ha A Latvian man in HCMC was sentenced to two years in nine months in prison for running three usury companies with interests up to 1,379.7% a year, gaining over VND4.15 trillion ($163.21 million) in the process. Aigars Plives, 39, was declared guilty of usury in civil transactions by the HCMC Peoples Court on Monday. Aigars was an employee of the Sun Finance company based in Latvia. His accomplices: Nguyen Thi Tuyet Suong, 56, director of the Digital Credit company; Truong Tuan Tai, 33, director of the Fincap Vietnam company; and 10 others also received jail sentences for the same charge. In 2018, under Sun Finances instruction, Aigars came to Vietnam to operate usury activities through three companies: Sofi Solutions, Digital Credit and Fincap Vietnam. All these companies registered capitals were foreign. Aigars operated all three companies and directly instructed his subordinates. Customers only need to enter their personal details, including phone numbers and ID photos, as well as the amount of money they want to borrow. An automatic system will handle their requests, and customers will not need to be in direct contact with any employee of the companies. Authorities found that the companies had disbursed over VND6 trillion in loans from April 2019. The lowest interest was at 401.5% a year, and the highest 1,379.7% a year. The firms had illegally gained over VND4.15 trillion as a result. Aigars said he began operating the usury activities from June 2020 to April 2023 for VND120 million a month, allowing him to illegally gain VND4.2 billion. Growth & Development Reporter Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for the Post and Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023. It is vital that we support the democratic and peaceful aspirations of the people of Central Africa and address the pressing challenges facing the region, said Ambassador Robert Wood, U.S. Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations. The tragic conflict in Sudan and the dire humanitarian situation there continue to reverberate throughout the region. Chad and the Central African Republic are collectively hosting over 750,000 new refugees from the conflict. Ambassador Wood thanked the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic, local communities, and NGOs for welcoming these refugees. The United States continues to provide robust humanitarian aid to help ensure that the needs of refugees, their host communities, and others are being met, said Ambassador Wood. Last year, the United States was the largest provider of assistance to Sudan and neighboring countries. Additionally, we continue to press the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to expand humanitarian access, ensure the protection of civilians, and return to negotiations. As Chad prepares for local and legislative elections on December 29, Ambassador Wood urged the government to enhance inclusivity and transparency of the electoral process. We similarly encourage Gabon to continue to make progress on its own path towards elections and to include civil society in the process, said Ambassador Wood. U.S. assistance is focused on supporting Gabons progress toward free and fair elections, with inclusive electoral processes. We urge Gabon to establish, in a timely manner, a democratically elected government in 2025 that represents the will of the Gabonese people. The Central African Republic is scheduled to hold its first local and regional elections since 1988 in July 2025. These elections are a critical element of decentralization and building local institutions that are responsive to citizens needs. The United States urges the government and opposition to engage constructively and transparently ahead of, during, and after these elections. With regard to terrorism in the region, the United States condemns Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and all groups that attack civilians and displace populations. Now more than ever, all members of the African-led Multinational Joint Task Force are needed to bring an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. The United States looks forward to further engagement with the Security Council to support Central Africas democratic and peaceful aspirations. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Partly cloudy this evening. Fog developing late. Low 57F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening. Fog developing late. Low 57F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. MONCKS CORNER A former Berkeley County Sheriff's detention deputy who supplied a convicted felon with a revolver is now himself a felon. U.S. District Judge Bruce Hendricks on Dec. 16 sentenced Noah Olen Fowler, 26, to time served and three years of supervision for selling a .38-caliber revolver to Joshua Paul Stuart Turner in March 2023. Fowler was a detention deputy with the sheriff's office from March to December 2023. Fowler, who has a history of mental illness, was indicted in January on the federal charge of straw purchasing a firearm, which is when someone buys a firearm for another person who is not legally allowed to own one. The Army veteran pleaded guilty in May. Police discovered the straw purchase in April 2023 after finding a weapon in Turner's glovebox during a traffic stop, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower said. Fowler then reported the gun stolen, Bower said. Fowler had been friends with Turner before he began working in the Berkeley County jail, Bower said. Fowler bought the revolver from Gene's Pawn Shop in Moncks Corner just weeks after he started his job with the sheriff's office, according to court records. Fowler knowingly entered false information on a firearms transaction record from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when he wrote on the form that he was buying the gun for himself and not a convicted felon, according to the indictment. Turner and Fowler made a deal where Fowler would buy the gun for his friend, Bower said. Investigators found a CashApp transaction between the two men, according to court records. Turner was indicted on federal weapon charges in October and has pleaded not guilty. He also was charged in state court with being felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records. Turner pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in 2017 in Charleston County. He was sentenced to five years in prison. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Monday said a strategic decision to secure a $1 billion loan backed by its crude was instrumental in supporting the Dangote Refinery during liquidity challenges. The $1 billion loan formed a part of the equity owned by the NNPC in the refinery. The move, according to the company, paved the way for the establishment of Nigerias first private refinery. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, disclosed this while speaking at the energy relations stakeholder engagement held in Abuja on Monday. Although the NNPC initially had an equity of about 20 per cent in the refinery, it was subsequently reduced to 7.25 per cent. Speaking at a press briefing at the refinery in July, the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, said NNPC Ltd owns only 7.2 per cent stake in the refinery due to its failure to pay the balance of its share, which was due in June. Confirming the development in a statement at the time, the NNPC Ltd said its assessment of the investment portfolio led to the decline in its share of the refinery. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It explained that the interest, worth $2.76 billion, was financed by a forward sale agreement of $1.036 billion fromof which $1 billion was paid to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Free Zone Enterprise (DPRP FZE). The balance of the cost of equity investments made in DPRP FZE, which is USD1.76 billion has been agreed to be paid in cash instead of the proposed crude discount of $2.5/bbl on the official selling price of crude oil, the NNPC said. The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, located on the outskirts of Lagos, was inaugurated recently amid expectations that it will address some of the issues affecting the sector. Speaking on Monday, Mr Soneye explained that the initiative underscores NNPCs dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive national development. He said under the leadership of the Groups Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, NNPC Ltd has achieved several notable milestones, including the successful restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery, pioneering the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and reporting its first profit in decades, amongst others. In a historic achievement, NNPC, under Kyaris leadership, declared profit for the first time in decades, marking a significant financial turnaround. NNPC Ltd has achieved groundbreaking milestones, redefining the trajectory of Nigerias oil and gas sector, he said. He added that the restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery marks a significant turning point in Nigerias quest for energy self-sufficiency, reaffirming the companys commitment to revitalising the nations refining capacity. NNPC has also championed the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative energy source, offering Nigerians a cleaner and more cost-effective solution amidst rising global energy costs. A strategic decision to secure a $1 billion loan backed by NNPCs crude was instrumental in supporting the Dangote Refinery during liquidity challenges, paving the way for the establishment of Nigerias first private refinery. This initiative underscores NNPCs dedication to fostering public-private partnerships that drive national development, Mr Soneye said. Speaking further he said the company has already exceeded its profit projections for 2024. Additionally, he said Mr Kyari facilitated the $3 billion Gazelle loan, a critical intervention that helped stabilise the federation during a challenging foreign exchange crisis. READ ALSO: UBA donates N500 million to improve security in Lagos Mr Soneye assured that the company will continue to strengthen Nigerias energy sector while solidifying its legacy as a transformative force and a global game-changer. He noted that energy relations are the backbone of NNPC Ltds operations and strategic aspirations as an integrated energy company. In a rapidly evolving global energy landscape, fostering strong relationships with stakeholders across the value chain is not just a priority but a necessity for achieving our objectives and ensuring energy for today and tomorrow, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to increase the minimum capital for insurance companies operating in Nigeria from 2 billion to 10 billion, a 400 per cent increase. The bill also provides an increase in the reinsurance of the insurance companies from 10 billion to 35 billion, while non-life insurance was increased from 3 billion to 15 billion. It was sponsored by Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East), the chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. The upper chamber passed the bill after considering the committees report clause by clause at the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin. It was passed after most lawmakers supported it when Mr Jibrin put it to a voice vote. Provisions of the bill The bill seeks to regulate the insurance business in Nigeria by consolidating various existing legislations such as the Insurance Act, 2003; the Marine Insurance Act; Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act; the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria Act; and the Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation Act. Section 15 of the bill states that; (1)A person shall not carry on insurance business in Nigeria unless the insurer has and maintains the minimum capital, in the case of (a)non-life insurance business, the higher of (i)15,000,000,000.00 or (ii)risk-based capital determined by the commission (b)life assurance business, the higher of (i)10,000,000,000.00 or (ii) risk-based capital determined by the Commission. ( c) reinsurance business, the higher of (i)35,000,000,000.00 and (ii) risk-based capital determined by the Commission. 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 Committees report While presenting the committees report, Mr Abiru said the increments were necessary because of the depreciation in the value of Nigerian currency. The lawmaker also explained that the increase was because of the Finance Act 2022, which redefined the composition of the capital, international competitiveness and AfCFTA. He also emphasised that the provisions of the current insurance law do not resonate with current realities and cannot address contemporary challenges in the insurance industry. They do not resonate with the current dynamics and evolving needs of Nigerias insurance industry. All these legislations have surpassed the three-decade mark and the lack of issues that can adequately address contemporary challenges and support growth and innovation in this leading industry. These legal obsolescence have led to some of the regulatory inefficiencies in the insurance industry, and these have also hampered the industrys ability to successfully compete on a global level, Mr Abiru explained. He assured that the bills new provisions would benefit the insurance industry and develop the countrys economy. Another objective is that it will ensure that the insurance sector contributes positively to the principal objectives of the financial system in order to make Nigeria Africas financial hub and one of the 20 largest economies in the world, the senator said. Debate Ondo South Senator Jimoh Ibrahim expressed concerns that the increment of insurance capital will lead to the extinction of insurance companies in the country. We only have one re-insurance company, and now increasing the capital. As a matter of fact, 20 per cent of that will be deposited in CBN forever. This increase will lead to their death, he argued. The senator, who owned the Nicon Insurance Ltd and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation until they were taken over by AMCON in 2021 over an alleged debt, recommended that the current capital requirement of 2 billion for insurance companies be retained. However, Mr Ibrahims proposal was neither seconded nor supported when the deputy senate president put it to vote. Instead, the lawmakers voted to retain the committees recommendations. With the passage, the bill will now be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence. If the lower House concurs with the provisions, it will then be transmitted to the countrys president for assent. If not, both chambers will set up a committee to harmonise their positions before transmitting it to the president. If signed into law by the president, insurance companies operating in Nigeria must comply with expected minimum capital requirements to continue operations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Guinness World Records on Monday declared One Dance by Drake, featuring WizKid and Kyla, released on 5 April 2016, the first song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. By 15 October 2016, One Dance had achieved the feat after becoming the most-played song ever on Spotify, with over one billion individual streams. By the end of 2016, it was named the biggest song in the world, making Drake the most popular musician on Spotify. It overtook the previous record held by Major Lazer and DJ Snakes Lean On. Other exclusive club members of Spotifys billion streams are The Chainsmokers, Halseys dance-pop tune Closer, and Ed Sheerans Shape Of You. One Dance is a collaborative masterpiece, serving as one of the lead tracks in Drakes fourth studio album, Views. The song, a fusion of dancehall and afrobeat, was co-written by the talented trio of Wizkid, Drake, and Tyla, along with its co-producers Nineteen85 and Noah 40Shebib, with production assistance from Wizkid. This collective effort is a testament to the power of unity in creating musical magic. Upon its release, One Dance swiftly ascended to the top in 15 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. 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 Its reign continued, making it the longest-running top 10 single of the 2010s decade in these regions and the United States, cementing its global appeal. All thanks to his feature on the track, Wizkid became the first Nigerian artiste to (chart on and) top the US Billboard Hot 100. Innumerable feats One Dance was not just a hit but a record-breaker. It marked Drakes first number-one single in all 15 countries as the lead artiste. It dominated the US Billboard Hot 100 for ten non-consecutive weeks and set a new standard in the UK Singles Chart with 15 straight weeks at the top, making it a true chart-topping phenomenon. On 7 September 2016, Billboard named One Dance the 2016 Song of the Summer. As of December 2016, it has sold 2 million copies, making it the fifth-best-selling song of the year. On Apple Music, it was the best-performing song of 2016. One Dance was the best-performing single worldwide in 2016 and is among the best-selling digital singles ever. Check out the track here Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Monday, 40 intermediate-level filmmakers graduated from the Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) Film and Television Academy after completing an intensive three-week Advanced Filmmaking Masterclass. The diploma course, a partnership programme between KAP and the French Embassy, commenced on 25 November and ended on Monday with a memorable graduation ceremony featuring the screening of the short films, the presentation of certificates, and a cocktail reception to celebrate the participants achievements. The training provided participants with a comprehensive curriculum that delved into various aspects of filmmaking, including screenwriting, acting, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound design, production design, and film business. Participants had the privilege of learning from renowned facilitators, including Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Kelani, Bimbo Akintola, Tunde Babalola, Ope Ajayi, Judith Audu and others. They also gained hands-on experience by developing scripts under their mentors guidance, which later became the foundation for their groups short film projects. Each participant practised essential filmmaking processes such as pre-production, directing, acting, cinematography, production design, and post-production, culminating in creating their short films. The convocation ceremony, held at the KAP Hub in Ikeja, Lagos, was graced by the presence of notable attendees such as veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani, the Academys Director Seun Soyinka, media professional Olumide Iyanda, and scriptwriter Tunde Babalola. 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 Inspiration Speaking at the event, the founder of KAP, Afolayan, in his opening remarks, expressed gratitude to parents, students, and the French Embassy for their immense contribution to the success of the programme. He emphasised the academys commitment to nurturing a new generation of filmmakers passionate about impactful storytelling. He said: This was done out of passion and the quest to groom a new generation of filmmakers who will continue to tell our stories even before we are gone, even while we are still here. The students dedication is so special about this particular programme. Weve done some courses before, but for some reason, and thats why I cant wait to see your films; I dont think Ive seen or witnessed any set that is as thorough as this one. Reflecting on his early struggles as a filmmaker, Afolayan urged graduates to view the programme as a foundation, emphasising that filmmaking is a continuous learning process. He encouraged them to tell meaningful stories that address societal issues. French Support The producer of Anikulapo praised the French Embassy for its crucial role in making the training programme accessible to students. Among all the organisations and institutions we collaborate with, the French Embassy has been exceptionally generous, he said. This programme would have cost millions, yet it has been free to the students. According to him, the partnership was instrumental in funding the initiative. It has helped; theres no way we would have been able to fund this project; we have built a structure and intervention from these kinds of organisations to help cover costs, including school fees. And continuing something like this will help build trust and inspire young people, he stated. He further commended the French Embassy for its contributions to promoting Nigerian cinema globally, citing their sponsorship of a Nigerian Pavilion at an international film festival as a pivotal step. Collaboration Speaking on the collaboration, Christophe Pecot, audiovisual attache at the French Embassy in Nigeria, underscored the Embassys commitment to fostering ties in the audiovisual sector. In implementing this workshop, I think it has been a great partnership, and this is the kind of opportunity we could not miss. Indeed, the French Embassy has always supported collaboration between our two countries in the audiovisual sector. Each year, we bring Nigerian filmmakers and directors to Frances film festivals, markets, and other events. We also invite some French producers to attend the Africa International Film Festival in Lagos each year to meet with Nigerian producers to discuss movie and TV series projects. And believe me, there are a lot of co-production projects to come. Mr Pecot stressed the need for skilled technicians and professionals in Nigerias film industry, noting that with the proper training, Nollywood can become Africas leading film hub. Advice to graduates Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani praised the students for their achievements despite limited resources and urged them to cherish the experience and continuously refine their skills. As young creatives, keep practising and building on what youve learned, especially the value of collaboration and teamwork. You took this practical course for four weeks with limited equipment and the resources you have, mainly when you have to work in a team environment, and you have discovered your weaknesses and strengths. But Im happy, from what I have seen, that you are on your way to becoming a great filmmaker. And, of course, you are privileged. You have been spoon-fed. You will never forget this experience because I had the privilege and opportunity to work with and supervise all of you, Kelani said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Finally, it is over, Jean Mensa, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), said as she declared John Mahama, the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the president-elect of Ghana. That moment, captured by dozens of cameras, resulted from a political compromise following the failure of the election result management system. The election adds to Ghanas credentials as one of the most stable democracies in West Africa, where ruling parties lose elections and concede defeat. Ghanas election result management involves declaring results at polling units before they are taken to Constituency Collation Centres, where they are collated and declared. The constituency results are then transferred to regional collation centres, and each region faxes its results to the National Collation Centre for the final declaration. At the moment Mr Mahama was declared the winner of the 7 December presidential poll, results from nine constituencies estimated at about 947,116 votes were unavailable. The constituencies were Awutu Senya East, Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Akwatia, Suhum, Techiman South, Dome Kwabenya, Ablekuma, Ahafo Ano North, and Damongo. In Damongo, an irate mob burned down the EC office. The crisis in these constituencies made transmitting results from some regions to the National Collation Centre impossible. In the event that all the valid votes from the nine constituencies above voted for the candidate who placed second, the total number of votes he would have garnered would be 5,604,430, representing 46.17 per cent of the total valid votes, which would have been 12,138,538, Ms Mensa said while declaring Mr Mahama winner. 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 What Ms Mensa left out of her speech was that earlier, the Electoral Commission had met with the major political parties in the race to reach a compromise on how to proceed amid the crisis. Representatives from three parties the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) attended the meeting. In the event that all the political parties and the EC are not able to gather all the statements of the poll for all polling stations within the Damongo Constituency for the conclusion of the election, the matter shall be referred to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission for a final decision, a communique issued after the meeting read. Mr Mahama polled about 6.3 million votes, while Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia of the NPP polled 4.5 million. Mr Mahamas party also won a majority in parliament. But here are some questions: what would have happened if the race had been close, say with a margin below 947,116 votes? What would have happened if the political parties did not have robust result management systems? What would have happened if Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia had refused to concede or disputed the election results? Mr Bawumia conceded defeat early on Sunday, long before the EC National Collation Centre announced a single result. He stated that his partys results showed that they had lost and went on to congratulate Mr Mahama on his victory. This concession speech set the tone for subsequent events. Before the speech, several voices within the NPP and NDC had urged their supporters to storm collation centres and confront anyone who acted funny. The parties held several press briefings between the close of the polls and Sunday morning when Mr Bawumia made the speech. Some party officials comments contained inflammatory rhetoric that could have set the country aflame. While observers hailed these events as a sign of Ghanas democratic maturity, the process must be reviewed urgently to address the glitches. Experts say the NDC must use its strength in parliament to push for a review of the result management system and use the findings to amend the electoral law. The NDC is projected to have a two-thirds majority in the Assembly. This majority may enable the incoming government to enact significant changes to the electoral law. Before the poll, the EC made three major recommendations for electoral reforms to the current parliament, but they were all rejected. Passing serious legislation in the current parliament was difficult because no party had a clear majority. Reviewing the existing result management system should form part of the next electoral law amendments. Instead of relying on political compromise, codifying these contingencies in law may protect the country in future elections, especially in cases where results are too close, or candidates are unwilling to concede. While the overall conduct of the election earned the EC praise from local and international observers, the result management system let down the process and could have created a crisis but for Mr Bawumias concession. Lessons Nigerian political parties must learn from their Ghanaian counterparts Ghanaian political parties election result management systems played a crucial role in the process. Over the years, both the NDC and NPP have invested in result collation systems that allow them to gather results from their agents at every polling unit. Peter Mac Manu, the NPP campaign manager, explained during a meeting with Yiaga Africa that his partys result management system was faster than the ECs. Because we have well-trained structures at the polling stations where results are declared, we are able to know our results even before the Electoral Commission gets theirs. After all, when the Electoral Commission finishes the elections, they count them at the polling stations. They post a copy at the station and give copies to the polling agents. We must be quicker and ahead of them. Before they come to the collation centre, we have already done our collation. In my office, our 2020 polling station results are still available, he said. True to his words, the party obtained details of its votes less than 24 hours after the polls closed. This data, gathered by the party, enabled Mr Bawumia to concede defeat. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr Mac Manu received training on how to set up a data centre from the Nigeria-based Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and also the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) system from some civil society organisations in Ghana. Major opposition parties in Nigerias 2023 general elections failed in this area. Despite disputing the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), both Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) have not presented alternative results to counter those declared by INEC. Messrs Obi and Atiku anchored their claims on the glitch that affected INECs Result Viewing (IReV) portal. IReV involves scanning or photographing polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A) and uploading them to the portal. However, a reported glitch delayed the uploading of presidential election results during the election. Despite this, every polling unit agent is entitled to a copy of Form EC8A. Yet, neither the PDP nor the LP has presented collated results from the forms given to their agents. Mr Mac Manu criticised Nigerias opposition parties for having poor result management and presented a compendium of all the 2020 presidential results from Ghanas over 40,000 polling stations. If people in Nigeria sit back and say that IReV isnt working and thats the end, I dont understand. Where are your documents from the polling stations? Mr Mac Manu said. In many polling units visited by PREMIUM TIMES in Ghanas Volta Region, polling agents collected results and kept manual tallies of all voters. Even before sorting and counting, they knew the turnout. This scientific approach by Ghanaian parties has helped streamline the process. However, the country was fortunate this time because the margin was not close, and Mr Bawumia acted as a statesman. This may not always be the case. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, stated on Monday that new data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 malaria deaths occurred worldwide in 2023. This marks an increase of approximately 11 million cases compared to 2022, with nearly the same number of deaths reported. Alarmingly, about 95 per cent of these deaths were concentrated in the WHO African region, where many individuals at risk still lack access to essential services for prevention, detection, and treatment. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasised the urgency of addressing the burden of malaria. 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, he said. Mr Ghebreyesus highlighted the need for increased investments and actions in high-burden African countries to curb the threat of malaria. Progress achieved The report stated that as of November 2024, 44 countries and one territory have been certified malaria-free by WHO, with many more making steady progress towards this goal. 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 Of the 83 malaria-endemic countries, 25 now report fewer than ten malaria cases annually, a significant increase from just four countries in 2000. It was also noted that the WHO African region had seen a 16 per cent reduction in malaria mortality rates since 2015. However, the estimated mortality rate of 524 deaths per 100,000 population at risk in 2023 remains more than double the target level set by the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030. The report revealed that earlier this year, health ministers from 11 African countries, which account for two-thirds of the global malaria burden, signed a declaration to sustainably and equitably lower the disease burden. The countries include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, and Uganda. The ministers pledged to strengthen their national health systems and enhance coordination to address the root causes of malaria. It stated that deploying WHO-recommended tools offers renewed hope in the fight against malaria. As of December, 17 countries have introduced malaria vaccines through routine childhood immunisation, expecting to save tens of thousands of young lives annually. Additionally, new-generation insecticide-treated nets, which provide better protection against malaria, accounted for 78 per cent of the 195 million nets delivered to sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, up from 59 per cent in 2022. Funding challenge The global health body noted that despite these advancements, funding for malaria control remains inadequate, particularly in high-burden African countries. It revealed that in 2023, total funding reached an estimated $4 billion, falling short of the $8.3 billion target the Global Technical Strategy set. The report stated that this funding gap has resulted in significant coverage deficiencies for insecticide-treated nets, medicines, and other lifesaving tools, especially for vulnerable populations. The WHO report underscores the necessity for a more inclusive and effective response to reach the most vulnerable populations affected by malaria. Also, WHO urged countries to prioritise primary health care as the foundation of equitable health systems and to adopt strategies that address the root causes of malaria, including gender inequities. WHO also called for investments in robust data systems to monitor health inequalities and ensure equity, gender equality, and human rights are central to antimalarial innovation. Malaria Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The disease is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. The symptoms of malaria can vary depending on the severity of the disease and the individuals overall health. Common symptoms include fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, anaemia, and jaundice. In severe cases of malaria, symptoms can include seizures, coma, respiratory distress, organ failure, and death. Malaria can be fatal if left untreated or if treatment is delayed. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State says the government has committed over N2 billion to upgrade the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital and building students hostels to address the problem of accommodation scarcity. Mr Mbah disclosed this on Saturday while answering questions from the Students Union leadership during his Town Hall meeting with Enugu people on the theme Governance Issues: The Journey So Far. He said his administration was building Smart Schools for Primary and Secondary students and committed to creating innovation and experiential learning for the states tertiary institutions. According to him, the state government has committed to ESUTH alone N2 billion to facelift it. He also said that by 2025, the state would be building 17 Smart Green Secondary Schools aside from the 245 of 260 Smart Green Schools going on across the state for Nursery to Junior Secondary School 3. We dedicated one third of our total budgets in two consecutive years to education because we recognise that education shapes a country and as a state, we will consistently invest in it. We might not be in government when the results will manifest as it is not about me but about our children and those yet unborn. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The contractors are given a timeline to complete 245 smart schools, and we monitor them, Mr Mbah said. He said that by September 2025, every child in the state would be at the smart schools learning, adding that 11,000 smart school teachers and Directors of Experiential Learning had been trained Everything we have done is to expose our children to the best learning environment with technological tools, Governor Mbah said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has urged dog owners in Enugu State to vaccinate their dogs against rabies as part of the states efforts to eliminate the continued transmission of the disease. On Sunday, Mr Mbah made this call while inaugurating the Zero Rabies in Enugu Campaign Initiative at the State Veterinary Clinic in Enugu. Mr Mbah, represented by Patrick Ubru, the commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, emphasised that rabies remained one of the most preventable yet devastating diseases affecting human and animal health. He noted that the state government, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), had taken significant steps toward ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of both people and animals. Mr Mbah assured that the government would provide the necessary resources to drive the campaign and appealed to individuals, families, and communities to ensure their dogs were vaccinated. The governor also called on community and religious leaders, organisations, and health educators to help spread awareness about the dangers of rabies and its prevention. He stressed that the Zero Rabies Campaign in Enugu State was not just an initiative but a call to action for every stakeholder in the state and society. 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 launching this campaign, the Enugu State Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation in collaboration with NVMA, is taking a significant step towards ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our people and animals. This campaign aligns with the global target of eliminating human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, Mr Mbah stated. He commended the initiatives collaborative approach and emphasised the importance of a united front in addressing public health challenges. Chidiebere Iloh, the state chairperson of NVMA, highlighted that rabies remained a global public health concern, with more than 99 per cent of human rabies deaths resulting from dog bites. READ ALSO: Cost of drinking water rises in Enugu as govt water project fails According to him, most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. Mr Iloh said that veterinarians in the state were prepared to provide technical expertise in mass dog vaccinations, both in the Enugu metropolis and rural communities. He also emphasised the importance of the One Health Approach, which integrated human, animal, and environmental health efforts to ensure sustainable rabies prevention and control in the state. Therefore, Mr Iloh stressed that the campaigns success depended not only on technical expertise but also on the active involvement of community leaders, pet owners, and all residents of Enugu State. Chibuike Eze, a dog owner and campaign beneficiary, expressed gratitude to the state government and veterinary doctors for the initiative and the free vaccination his dog received. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Monday, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) said the reported oil leak from the Bonny Oil Export Terminal would not affect oil export. SPDC said the incident affected only a section of one of the three loading buoys that had been isolated. Gladys Afam-Anadu, SPDCs spokesperson, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of the incident and the volume of crude discharged were being investigated. She explained that the Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the incident site led by regulatory agencies had been scheduled for Monday. On December 8, 2024, an oil sheen was detected at a loading buoy during export operations at Bonny Terminal. Loading was immediately suspended. Our Emergency Response Team has been activated, and regulatory authorities and other stakeholders have been notified. A joint investigation visit, led by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, is underway. 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 Our priority currently is the safety, health and well-being of the local community and the environment. Our environmental team is, therefore, actively monitoring the situation and preparing for the implementation of containment and clean-up to minimise any environmental impact, Afam-Anadu said. NAN reports that the facility has a peak capacity to load 1.25 million barrels of Bonny Light Crude blend. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A firm, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, has urged an Abuja High Court to restrain the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and others from selling its landed property. The property is located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja. Nextdora Ltd, in a fresh suit marked: CV/5517/24 and filed by its lawyer, Reuben Atabo, also asked the court to award N500 million against the 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit as damages for trespassing into the plot. In the writ of summons filed on 16 December, the company, listed as the claimant, sued Eric Nnamdi, Bilikisu Mallam, FCT Minister and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively. It sought seven reliefs, including a declaration that the claimant is the title holder of the property lying and situate at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja. It said the land measures about 2.46 hectares which is covered by a Right of Occupancy with File No. MISC128232. The company also sought, a declaration that the claimant is entitled to the lawful use, occupation and quiet enjoyment of the property. 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 A declaration that the claimant reserves the exclusive title to the piece of land lying and situate at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District in Abuja. A declaration that the grant of the parcel of land measuring 2.46 hectares covered by Right of Occupancy with File No: MISC 128232 to the claimant is still subsisting. A declaration that the entry of the 1st and 2nd defendants (Nnamdi and Hajiya Bilikisu) into the claimants property amounts to trespass and therefore wrongful, illegal and unlawful, among others. Nextdora Nigeria Ltd, a property development company, in its statement of claim, averred that it applied to the minister for allocation of parcel of land within the FCT, Abuja and paid the prescribed fees as stipulated by the authority. It further averred that after a careful consideration of its application, a plot of land lying and situated at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja, measuring about 2.46 hectares was allocated to it. The company said upon the allocation of the plot to the claimant, it applied to the Department of Development Control (DDC) of the FCDA for the development of the said plot of land. It said the application was granted upon payment of the prescribed fees on 9 January 2023, with approval file number FCDA/DC BP RSD PHS 1/22046. The claimant said in order to get the approval. the minister and the FCDA gave a bill of N3,729,766.10 as settlement of building land fees to it via their letter dated 15 December 2022, and it paid the said sum. According to the company, in order for it to carry out development of the property within the time frame prescribed by the Department of Development Control, it commenced the fencing of the said property, whereupon it constructed an access road to the said plot of land. Nextdora, however, alleged that on 10 December, Mr Nnamdi and Ms Bilikisu, who were purportedly claiming ownership of the property, accompanied by armed men of the NPF, forcefully entered into the said property and obstructed the ongoing construction works. It said upon realising the antics of Mr Nnamdi and Ms Bilikisu, it wrote a letter to the Director, Lands, Abuja Geographic Information System requesting it to place a caveat in its file in respect of the land. It alleged that the duo had continued to use men of the police to harass and intimidate its workers who are on the site. Further to paragraph 22 above, the claimant avers that she is into property investment and third parties have already invested into her project. The claimant states that her investors are beginning to lose confidence in her project due to the activities of the 1st & 2nd defendants. The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge as at the time of filing the report. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Abia State Government has expressed its determination to address structural challenges and service gaps in its power sector. The Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, made this known on Monday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, in Umuahia. Mr Monday said that the state government, in order to actualise its desire to transform the power sector, had designed the Abia State Electricity Bill and it was meticulously prepared with the support of professionals. He said that the bill, leveraging on the Electricity Act 2023, represented a transformative step toward building a competitive and efficient electricity market within the state. The commissioner said that the key features of the bill include the creation of Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority, Rural Electrification Agency and Abia State Electricity Fund. He said: The regulatory authority would regulate all the sectors in the market. We are creating the fund, because we know that electricity is not cheap and we know that there are vulnerable people that cannot afford it, and we know that we have dilapidated infrastructure. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The fund will be used to make sure that better infrastructure is provided, people unable to access electricity will get it through government intervention, and support people that cannot afford to pay the stated tarrif because it is going to be market-driven. Mr Monday said that the government had evolved the bill to facilitate the creation of a market that would be driven by the market forces, meaning that tarrif system would be very competitive. We want efficient players to come into our electricity market within the state. This will help in promoting industrialisation as we know our people are gifted and without electricity there is no way we can achieve the socioeconomic growth of the state, he said. Mr Monday said that great attention would be placed on renewable energy and local content, because the bill contained provisions for incorporation of renewable energy into the governments power sector transformation agenda. He said that dedicated sections of the bill addressed host community benefits, which focused on ensuring that communities within Abia would actively benefit from the electricity market. The commissioner explained that the bill covered all aspects of electricity provision, from metering to infrastructure development, ensuring a holistic framework for the states power sector. He said that the Abia House of Assembly would be holding a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday, which described as an important opportunity for stakeholders, including residents, professionals, and community leaders, to contribute their insights. According to him, active public participation during the hearing would ensure the bill reflects the needs and aspirations of all the residents. He urged the people of Abia and stakeholders to take part in the hearing because a participatory approach would strengthen the bill and lay a solid foundation for its successful implementation when it becomes a law. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Ebonyi State Government has said a man captured in a viral video taxing vegetable sellers in the International Market has been arrested. The government said the man flouted the executive order banning the taxation of perishable goods in the state. On 20 March 2024, while swearing in members of the Ebonyi State Revenue Appeal Commission, Governor Nwifuru cautioned against indiscriminate taxation of the less privileged selling their farm produce in the local markets. The Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Oketa in the statement, on Monday, said the suspect has been arrested and would soon face the law. According to Mr Oketa, on several occasions, the governor had openly stated that petty traders of perishable goods in Ebonyi State should not be taxed. Unfortunately today, a video is making rounds on social media about an unknown person who is seen in the video, going against the Executive Order of the Governor by taxing sellers of perishable goods vegetables and tomatoes at International Market, he said. He said that the agent seen in the video does not represent the Government of Ebonyi State in any shape or form as his activities are not known to the government. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later His dealings are in stark contrast to the Executive Order of the Governor. Mr Oketa equally confirmed that the police in Abakaliki were alerted yesterday when the issue came up and they have arrested the agent and he would be prosecuted according to the law. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A financial expert, Babatunde Salami, has said the new tax reform bills sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu can solve the problem of multiple taxation in Nigeria He said the proposed laws would also widen the tax net and base in the country. Mr Salami, a former regional manager at First Bank PLC, said this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in Ilorin, Kwara State. He noted that under the proposed tax regime, those earning less than N1 million annually would be tax-exempt while others would be taxed on a progressive basis from seven per cent to 24 per cent. He said making small-scale businesses earning less than N50 million tax-exempt would create an environment for them to thrive. We will no longer have the perennial problem of multiple taxation, as everything will now be unified rather than different entities collecting taxes. Nigeria is getting only six per cent of tax from commercial activities compared to South Africa, which is 22 per cent. The new reform will help to increase the tax base. CBN blamed for cash shortage The financial expert blamed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for not being proactive enough to control the raging acute shortage of cash in the country. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The CBN, as the supervisory organ, must sanction the banks hoarding cash. But we learnt that the banks always go to CBN to request cash, but they dont get any, he said. Similarly, in his view, the President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance, and Financial Institutions, Olusoji Oluwole, attributed the cash shortage to the CBNs failure to meet commercial banks cash demands. However, in a recent statement, the CBN blamed the cash scarcity on the rise in cash held outside bank vaults, which has risen by N1.59 trillion year-on-year to N4.29 trillion. The bank said over 90 per cent of the currency in circulation has remained outside the formal financial institutions in 2024. The data showed that by October, currency outside banks had reached N4.29 trillion, making up 94.3 per cent of the total N4.55 trillion in circulation. This marks a notable year-on-year increase of 59 per cent or N1.59 trillion, rising from N2.70 trillion in October 2023, when 89.6 per cent of the total currency was outside banks. On bank transfer charges, the financial expert said, Nigerians are beginning to pay more taxes either directly or indirectly. Most of these charges dont stay in the bank, they go to the federal government, Mr Salami said. On the effect of poverty on the consumption culture of northern Nigeria, Mr Salami described the situation as poverty of the mind and blamed the political leadership in the region for a lack of vision. What is in existence in the North is the poverty of the mind, most especially on the part of the leaders who are unable to look inward before now. During the time of Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, the North was a predominantly productive region, but since then, things have gone haywire. There is a lack of vision of leadership in the North; all they care about is coming into the office and doing as they please without any plans for the people, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has called for a holistic review of the 1959 Firearms Act for efficient control of illicit arms in Nigeria. The Director-General of NCCSALW, Johnson Kokumo, made the call at the Workshop on the Review of the Firearms Act of 1959, on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Kokumo, a retired deputy inspector general of police, said that Nigeria had, for over six decades, guided Nigerians from a military framework on arms control, saying the world had, however, evolved dramatically. He said the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, emerging transnational threats and shifting security landscapes had rendered some of the long-standing legal and operational approaches insufficient. What once served as a baseline for firearms regulation must now be updated to reflect the complex realities we face today. Realities shared by regional established porous borders, sophisticated illicit markets and rapidly advancing technologies. This workshop provides us with an invaluable opportunity to address these challenges systematically by bringing together key stakeholders, government ministries, security agencies, legal experts, civil society and international partners. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We aim to scrutinise the existing provisions of the firearms act, identify gaps and propose amendments that align with global best practices. We must incorporate the provisions of relevant international conventions, strengthen our oversight mechanisms, ensure reliable tracking and registration systems, and refine our penalties to deter and punish offenders effectively, he said. Mr Kokumo reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the centre to a safer and secure Nigeria through collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing and harmonisation of legal frameworks to collectively address the proliferation of illicit arms. He said the centre aimed to protect citizens as well as contribute to regional stability and the realisation of international peace and security goals. This workshop stands as evidence of our collective reasoning. We are not merely responding to change; we are proactively shaping the future of arms control in Nigeria. The President of GOLHD Centre, Dickson Orji, said that illicit arms were tools that emboldened non-state actors and other criminals. Mr Orji said there was a need to create strategies and methods to solve the problem of firearms use and misuse in Nigeria. According to him, dynamics are changing and the import and impact of insecurity are also changing, and we are still relying on a document that was done so many years ago to mitigate the challenges. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has congratulated his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, on his 82nd birthday. Mr Buhari, who handed over power to Mr Tinubu last year, clocked 82 years on Tuesday. The former army general, who was also head of state, was born on 17 December 1942. In a statement he personally signed, the president said the former leaders commitment to Nigerias advancement and unity inspired many, adding that his legacy continues to guide our nations journey towards prosperity and stability. President Tinubu added, Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up. I will continue to build on the infrastructure legacy you bequeathed to our nation as the leader of our countrys first All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. Read President Tinubus full statement STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE 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 PRESIDENT TINUBU RELEASES BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRESIDENT BUHARI AT 82 Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to you on your 82nd Birthday. As you celebrate this remarkable milestone in Daura, we reflect on your years of dedicated service and leadership, which have significantly shaped the course of our nation. Your steadfast commitment to Nigerias advancement and unity inspires many, and your enduring legacy continues to guide our nations journey towards prosperity and stability. Your doggedness and resilience in contesting presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011 before winning them in 2015 and 2019 also inspire us never to give up. I will continue to build on the infrastructure legacy you bequeathed to our nation as the leader of our countrys first All Progressives Congress (APC) administration. On this special day, may you be surrounded by the love of your family and friends and continue to enjoy good health, happiness, and fulfilment in all your endeavours, now and in the future. Happy Birthday, and thank you for your services to Nigeria. With respect and admiration, Bola Ahmed Tinubu President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria December 17, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have arrested 128 suspects for possessing dangerous weapons and for car theft across the country. Spokesperson for the Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday. Mr Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, said as the festive season approaches, the police have become vigilant and proactive, ramping up their efforts to ensure all Nigerians and residents safety and security. He said this has led to numerous successful raids, arrests and recoveries. In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to emplace efficient security measures against crime during this festive season, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in several State Commands across the country have carried out intensive patrols and raids, successfully dislodging and arresting scores of hoodlums and recovering dangerous weapons, he added. Read the full statement here. YULETIDE SEASON: POLICE INTENSIFIES PATROL, RAIDS BLACKSPOTS TO CURB CRIMINALITY 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 As Police Arrest 128 Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons, Foil Car Theft As the festive season approaches, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant and proactive, ramping up its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. In a series of proactive measures, the Force has intensified its operations, leading to numerous successful raids, arrests and recoveries. In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to emplace efficient security measures against crime during this festive season, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in several State Commands across the country have carried out intensive patrols and raids, successfully dislodging and arresting scores of hoodlums and recovering dangerous weapons. Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command on 14th December 2024, carried out several raids of criminal hideouts in the Isolo axis of the state, successfully apprehending 43 suspects, and recovering various exhibits including large quantities of cannabis, daggers, swords and several fetish items. In the same vein, on the 15th of December 2024, police operatives of the Lagos State Command arrested one Charles Orji m at Isheri Osun, Lagos State, who tried to steal a Toyota Hilux from where it was parked. Upon his arrest and a subsequent search, 7 different Toyota car keys were recovered from him. Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property by diligently increasing vigilance and executing coordinated security measures in various regions across the country. This concerted effort is notably observed in states like Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, Edo, Delta, Benue, and Niger, among other critical areas. As we enter the final stretch of the festivities, the Nigeria Police Force assures citizens that it will continue its mission to deter crime and protect the lives and property of all Nigerians. The Force remains unwavering in this mission to provide a safe environment during the holiday season, as members of the public are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA. 17TH DECEMBER, 2024. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has presented 20 Toyota Hilux Trucks to security agencies in the state. In a speech at the event on Monday in Umuahia, Mr Otti said that the gesture aimed to sustain the progress achieved in security, especially during the Christmas season. The governor commended the security agencies for their efforts in tackling crime and ensuring peace in the state. He said that Abia State Government purchased the vehicles for the various security agencies in the state to ensure seamless operations in the discharge of their duties. Mr Otti said, When we assumed the leadership of this state 18 months plus a few days ago, we made it very clear that security was topmost on our agenda. We understood clearly that every other thing that we wanted to do would amount to nothing if security was compromised. We took a decision that we needed to support the security agencies with vehicles and other equipment to ensure that their job is seamless. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It is in the redemption of that promise that we have gathered today to hand over 20 brand new Toyota Hilux trucks purchased by the state government to our security agencies. This is a way of appreciating the job you do; it is also a way of arming you so that you can be more effective and efficient. The governor said the government had rejigged its security architecture and warned that the state would no longer be a safe haven for criminals. We want to repeat that warning we gave that this place will not be accommodating to people who do not want to live according to the dictates of the law, Mr Otti said. He restated his administrations commitment to addressing security challenges and rendering support to security agencies. Be professional Mr Otti urged security agents to be professional in their conduct and warned against misconduct, including extortion and the unlawful treatment of citizens. Responding on behalf of others, the Commander, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Olusola Diya, a brigadier general, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support. READ ALSO: New Ohanaeze leader seeks release of Nnamdi Kanu Mr Diya pledged that all security agencies would intensify their efforts to make Abia a model of safety and security for other states to emulate. He also urged the people of Abia to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to rid the state of all forms of criminal activities. In an interview with reporters, the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akinsola Aderemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, MacDonald Ubah, a retired navy commander, commended the government for its efforts to improve security. They said that the synergy among the security agencies would further boost the governments efforts to enhance security in the state. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4 billion in street value at Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers State. This is contained in a statement from the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Babafemi said the drugs were intercepted in shipments from India on 9 December, 11 December and 13 December. He said the seizures were made during the joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and other security agencies at the port. He said this was made possible following processed credible intelligence on the shipments by the NDLEA operatives. At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than 636,600 bottles of codeine-based syrup worth N4.4billion in street value were intercepted in shipments from India, Mr Babafemi said. The NDLEA spokesperson said the agencys commands and formations across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among other places, in the past week. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Babafemi said he had a sensitisation lecture delivered to students and staff of City Comprehensive College, Ogidi, Anambra State, Government Secondary School, Toungo, Adamawa State, Bonny Camp Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos State, and Government Junior Secondary School, Yarganji, Kano State. He added that the Oyo state command of NDLEA delivered an enlightenment lecture to leaders, elders, youths, and residents of the Tapa community, among others. This, he said, was a continuous process by the agency to reduce, to the barest minimum, the dangers of illicit drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking across the country. Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairperson, Buba Marwa, commending the officers and men of the agencys Onne Commands for the arrests and seizures. Mr Marwa, a retired brigadier-general, said the operational successes should show the drug barons and cartels that the agency had the capacity and intelligence network to track their movements and their consignments even before getting to Nigeria. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Residents of Enugu metropolis in Enugu State have decried the high cost of drinking water in parts of the city as Christmas festivities approach. Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday showed that efforts by the state government to provide potable drinking water are yet to yield the desired results. NAN reports that many water galleries the government built in parts of the city have remained dry. A truck carrying a 500-gallon tank of water that used to sell for N10,000 and N12,000 now goes for N13,000 and N15,000, depending on the area. A 750-gallon tank of water sells for between N16,000 and N18,000. Also, in some parts of the city, a 25-litre gallon of drinking water sells for N300, while well water used for cooking is sold for between N50 and N70. Speaking to NAN, a water tanker driver, Eugene Nwangene, attributed the development to a combination of factors, including the high cost of transport and increased revenues. A resident of Abakpa Nike, Steve Osuji, said he was surprised that water scarcity persisted in Enugu City. 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 Government has promised to provide water to Enugu residents within 180 days of commencement of its administration, yet we are faced with scarcity, he said. Mercy Okeke, a resident of the Akwuke area of Awkunanaw, said the water situation in the area was the same as it had always been. We buy water as usual. For example, a 25-litre drinking water bottle costs N300, while well water costs N50 or N60, while some sell for N70. As the dry season is setting in, many wells are already drying up, and as usual, we are resorting to buying from water tankers, Ms Okeke said. Ms Okeke appealed to the state government to do something to end the perennial water scarcity facing the people. It is also similar to Independence Layout, Transekulu, Emene and Achara Layout, as many residents have resorted to commercial water tankers to get water. Chigozie Ude, who lives in Independence Layout, said she spent N40,000 on a full tanker of 2,000 gallons every two weeks. She said that this has made life difficult for her and her household. I spend N80,000 every month on water alone as against N60,000 I spend during the dry season because I use my well during the rainy season. It is difficult to dig a borehole in Enugu because of the topography as the soil is covered with coal, which is not healthy. So, I am appealing to the state government to intensify efforts in providing water for the people of the state, he said. Were doing our best Mbah Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah has assured the people that his administration is doing everything possible to bring water to the residents doorsteps. Mr Mbah gave the assurance during his quarterly town hall meeting with Enugu State residents held over the weekend. He said the government had signed a partnership agreement with Watson Nestor Company, which had injected $100 million to help modernise the water scheme project. The governor disclosed that while the company handles technical areas, the state government will handle water production. He said the company would replace the old pipes, bring water to the residents doorsteps, and provide meters. Governor Mbah explained that the payment of water rate would be 20 per cent less than what residents were spending on buying water. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A group, the University of Abuja Concerned Alumni Comrades, has opposed the Nigerian governments plan to rename the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University. In a statement by its coordinator, Ogunwoye Samson, the group asked the government to reverse the decision. The proposed name change is seen as an affront to our collective identity and history, the statement reads in part. On Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has resolved to rename the university. He noted, however, that the move would require the approval of the National Assembly. Rejection However, the University of Abuja Concerned Alumni Comrades noted that the renaming of the university would erode the legacy and identity built by the university over the years. The statement said the government would disregard the voices and sentiments of the universitys current students and alumni if the name change continued. It said the university and its current name represent current students and alumnis shared experiences and aspirations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We urge the Federal Government to immediately reconsider this decision in favour of dialogue that respects our institutions heritage, the statement said, adding that the group is committed to protecting the identity of the university and would not stand by idly while decisions are made without our input or consideration for what they mean for future generations. We believe that such a significant alteration should involve thorough consultation with all stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community, the statement said. The group vowed to mobilise the indigenous people of Abuja, current students and alumni to resist this name change vigorously. READ ALSO: Nigerian university appoints bursar We draw inspiration from the successful resistance mounted by students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) when faced with a similar challenge. Their determination showcased the power of unity in preserving institutional integrity against governmental overreach, it added. We call upon all stakeholdersstudents, alumni, faculty members, and community leadersto join us in this cause. Together, we will ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear. We will organise peaceful protests, awareness campaigns, and discussions to highlight our concerns regarding this proposed name change. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged deaths of two Okuama community leaders while in Army custody. The Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, a brigadier-general, disclosed this at the End-of-Year briefing by the Strategic Communications Interagency Committee, Office of the National Security Adviser, on Monday in Abuja. The deceased leaders were James Oghoroko, the president-general of the Okuama community, and Denis Okugbaye, 81, the communitys treasurer. It was reported that the duo died six days apart while being detained by the military. The duo, along with four others Arthur Ekpekpo, Belvis Adogbo, Mabel Owhemu, and Dennis Malaka were arrested in August. They had been detained in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in the community on 14 March during a peace mission to resolve a dispute between the Okuama and Okoloba communities of Delta State. Responding to questions, Mr Gusau said the chief of defence staff had directed the 6 Division Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and submit its report on Monday, 16 December. 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 Regarding allegations of deaths in detention over the weekend, headlines surfaced suggesting that individuals detained in connection with the Okuama incident had died. Immediately, the CDS directed an investigation to be conducted by the 6 Division. Any moment from now, we expect the findings on whether the claims are true or not. For now, these remain allegations. We are committed to uncovering the truth, and by tomorrow, we will have more details, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Port Harcourt Region, has announced the restoration of electricity to most parts of Bayelsa following a four-month blackout. The region covers Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, and Rivers states. The General Manager of TCNs Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Anyaegbulem, made this known during a news conference on Monday in Port Harcourt, while outlining the companys achievements in 2024. He explained that the blackout was caused by criminals who vandalised about 20 transmission towers along the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132 Kilovolt (KV) electricity lines on 29 July. The 132KV line is the only transmission line that supply electricity to Bayelsa state. The repairs of the collapsed towers presented a significant challenge for us, considering that the blackout lasted from July 29 until November 30, when we restored the lines, Mr Anyaegbulem said. He further noted that it cost about N13 million to construct a single transmission tower. 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 Once vandals cut off the brackets that holds a tower, the structure becomes vulnerable to the slightest breeze. After the criminals vandalised the tower, it collapsed and caused the failure of about 20 other transmission towers between Ahoada in Rivers state and Yenagoa in Bayelsa state. We are delighted to have erected and restrung the 20 damaged 132KV towers after four months of hardship endured by the residents, he added. Mr Anyaegbulam also disclosed that police officers attached to TCN had arrested about 10 suspects caught vandalising the companys facilities in the region in 2024. He said that out of the 10 suspects arrested, four had already been convicted by the courts, while six remained in police custody. READ ALSO: TCN to improve electricity supply with new transformers In spite of these challenges, the general manager stated that the company achieved significant milestones during the outgoing year. This includes the installation of a 100 Megavolt-Amperes (MVA) power transmission transformer at the Port Harcourt main transmission substation, as well as the rehabilitation of the 132/33KV switch yard. We also took delivery of a 150MVA 330/33KV power transformer at TCNs Adjabo transmission substation within the Port Harcourt main transmission substation. Other achievements include the upgrade of the Itu 132/33KV transmission substation with the addition of a 60MVA transformer, three outgoing feeders, digital control panels, circuit breakers, isolators among others, he said. Anyaegbulem reiterated the companys commitment to providing electricity to Distribution Companies (DisCos) to enable them to ensure uninterrupted power supply to customers. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Gunmen have killed a lecturer of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (NAU, popularly known as UNIZIK) in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. The lecturer, Fabian Chinedu, was shot dead on Monday at about 10:10 p.m. along Aroma Junction in Awka, the state capital. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday that the attackers attempted to snatch the victims car during the attack. He resisted and they shot him and drove away with his vehicle, the source, a food vendor near the area, said. The police spokesperson Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, also confirmed that the hoodlums made away with the lecturers Toyota Corolla vehicle after killing him. The spokesperson said the police authorities in Anambra State have begun investigations into the killing. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the State Police Command has commiserated with the family and friends of the victim, including the management of UNIZIK. Mr Ikenga said the police authorities have asked Nigerians to support them with any useful information that can aid the ongoing investigation The command also urges members of the public who might have seen the vehicle or any abandoned vehicle with similar description to report to the closest police station, he said. Increased attack Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. However, the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. 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. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Army to release Bello Badejo, the detained president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore. Following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mansur Soro (PDP, Bauchi) during Tuesdays plenary session, the House resolved that the military should also apologise to Mr Badejo for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights. Mr Badejo was reportedly arrested on 9 December at his office in Maliya, Nasarawa State, by officers of the 117 Battalion of the Nigerian Army. Moving the motion, Mr Soro described the detained leader of the herders group as a distinguished community leader. He accused the military of acting like the police instead of focusing on their mandate of protecting Nigeria against external threats. The House is disturbed that the continued detention of Bello Badejo by officers of the Nigerian Army without formal charge(s) is a violation of his fundamental human rights as provided for in Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), he stated in his motion. Mr Soro also claimed that Mr Badejo was arrested over a dispute between a retired general and the Maliya community. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The arrest is allegedly in connection with a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community, Mr Soro added. Following the presentation of the motion, the House also resolved to invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chris Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; and the Commanding Officer of the 117 Battalion to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20 December 2024, at 3:00 p.m. to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. When the motion was put to a vote by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, members unanimously voted in support. Mr Badejos ordeal with the law Mr Badejos group, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, is a socio-cultural association of predominantly Fulani pastoralists, whose members are often blamed for violent clashes with farmers and residents in Benue, Nasarawa and other states. Some of their members have also been accused of being responsible for kidnap-for-ransom in different parts of the country. But the group vehemently denies the allegations, maintaining it is a peaceful association of law-abiding citizens. In March, Mr Badejo was arraigned on a three-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in which he was accused of violating the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The government accused him of unlawfully establishing an ethnic militia group, Kungiya Zaman Lafiya. He was held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). However, it is unclear if the latest arrest is connected with the earlier arrest. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, said Tuesday that the agency has recovered over N29.7 billion in cash and made significant progress in tracking government projects worth N610 billion across the nation in the last one year. Mr Musa, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), spoke at the End of Year Engagement and One Year in Office in Abuja. Through its Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), the Commission continues to ensure accountability in government funds and deliver tangible benefits of democracy to citizens across Nigeria. The Commission just completed the tracking of 1,500 projects, valued at N610 billion, nationwide under CEPTI Phase 7. Also, the commission recovered N29.700 billion in cash, domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts, he said. Mr Musa said the commission also recovered N10.986 billion in value-added tax (VAT) and remitted it to FIRS. Other recoveries The ICPC chairman said his agency recovered N10 billion meant for COVID-19 vaccine production and returned it to the treasury. He said the commission also recovered $966,900.83 in foreign currency and has kept it in ICPCs Central Bank of Nigeria account. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He said the commission finalised the forfeiture of assets valued at N2.5 billion and blocked the diversion of public funds amounting to N5.882 billion. Strengthening systems and governance Mr Musa explained that his agency has made significant institutional reforms, including the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), which assessed 323 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He further added that the initiative, alongside the establishment of 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs), reinforced accountability frameworks across public institutions. We are not just focused on enforcement but also prevention, the Chairman stated. Our collaboration with key stakeholders ensures a holistic approach to tackling corruption. Petition and prosecution Mr Musa said in the last year, the commission processed 851 petitions, fully investigated 95 cases and filed 72 cases in court, securing 16 convictions. He also noted that the commission has revived cases that had been dormant for a decade to ensure justice. He said the commission has intensified its campaign against sexual harassment, fostering a culture of accountability and empowering victims to report cases. He also mentioned that public engagement efforts reached over 1.45 million Nigerians through various platforms, including the newly launched Transparency Files television programme and the youth-driven digital platform, Ethics Pod. Calls for aggressive campaign In his keynote address, the Commissioner of Sierra Leones Anti-corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Kaifala, called for a regional action to tackle corruption in Africa. He said Nigerias corruption fight has inspired his country to improve its legal framework in the fight against corruption. Mr Kaifala noted that the United Nations data indicated that Africa loses $88.6 billion yearly to corruption, while $2 trillion is lost to bribery alone, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He mentioned that the stolen money would have been enough to eradicate hunger and malaria and provide basic education worldwidea combined cost of $150 billion. Public revenues are siphoned off from schools, roads, and hospitals to line the pockets of people up to no good, Mr Kaifala noted, referencing IMF findings on Sierra Leones Multi-Pronged Approach Reform procurement processes to tackle corruption Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Adebowale Adedokun, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in Nigerias procurement system. Mr Adedokun called on anti-corruption leaders to collaborate in order to combat inefficiencies and corruption that hinder national development. When I resumed duty as the DG of BPP, the ICPC chairman asked me, DG, at what point do you help me look at my procurement process? And at what point do you tell me to my face I am not doing it rightly, or I am doing it rightly? That, for me, is a signal of what a chief executive should do. And that is the mark of your celebration. The fact that you send out a signal that, DG, I would like you to help me evaluate my procurement process, comes up to me, he said. He described corruption as a monster because it undermines Nigerias growth and development. That is the only way we are going to say to those who we are superintending, those who we are calling to answer for what we do, is by first setting the right tone and the right direction. So, my good brother, when we meet together, we will collaborate with you as we are certain we will confront every aspect of why we dont have good rules. We will face the battle of why our medical institutions are not up to speed, he said. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that a malaria project for which the Nigerian government took a $100 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) stalled due to procurement fraud. Cost of corruption In his remark, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, called on all stakeholders to tackle the menace of corruption. He lamented that corruption is killing Nigeria on a daily basis because Nigeria lost an estimated $100 billion to corruption between 1974 and 1999, a 25-year period before the Fourth Republic. However, he said in the 25 years of democracy from 1999 to 2023, the country has lost a staggering $750 billion to corruption. These figures are not ours, Mr Neliaku emphasised. They are sourced from PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, and several other reputable organizations. The data shows that corruption has become more dangerous, with its wages growing increasingly appealing. In their goodwill messages, the chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, and the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Awomolo, agreed that corruption can only be tackled if all anti-corruption agencies work together. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two major meetings were held over the weekend that just passed that have implications for the future of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the possible resolution or otherwise of political developments among member-states in the last two to three years, with implications for the future of the sub-regional organization. ECOWAS was established in May 1975, when 15 West African states signed the Treaty of Lagos to establish a platform for the promotion of economic integration. This particular treaty was revised on July 24 1993, but the essential purpose of ECOWAS has remained consistent: trade facilitation, free movement of persons and goods, solidarity, promotion of human rights and peace. The sixteenth member joined in 1977, making the membership 16. In addition to its many guidelines and principles, ECOWAS has a general framework which also guides protocols and relations among members. In July 1991, it adopted the Declaration of Political Principles as a cardinal rule, and in 2001, the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. One of those protocols is the underlying trigger for this commentary, to wit: the principle of customary international law enshrined in Article 2 (4) of the 1945 UN Charter which binds member-states against the use of force as a means of changing governments, in the absence of armed attack or self-defence. In 1978, ECOWAS signed a protocol on non-aggression against member states and in 1981, members agreed that in the event of any act of aggression against a member, they would come together in mutual self-defence and protect the victim-state to ensure peace, security and stability, by military means if possible and if inevitable, as seen in the interventions of ECOMOG in Liberia (1990) and Sierra Leone (1998). Even the African Union (AU) enabled by its Article 4(h) can be called upon to intervene when the basic protocols have been breached. This however is a slightly complicated area of the subject which we need not bring into this commentary. What we know is that ECOWAS specifically sees pro-democratic intervention as its bounden duty, but the effectuation of this has been a problem in the sub-region over the years and to cite a recent example, in 2016, when ECOWAS threatened to deploy a standby ECOWAS force in The Gambia to restore the peoples wish if Yahya Jammeh refused to leave office. Jammeh was eased out and a standby force did not have to intervene. But a turning point came for ECOWAS when the military seized power in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Guinea in 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in July 2023. ECOWAS, with Nigerias President Bola Tinubu as Chair, thought it needed to intervene to return these countries to democracy, the rise of military juntas in the sub-region being a threat to democratic consolidation. ECOWAS suspended the states in line with its protocols and proceeded to impose political and economic sanctions. It threatened to deploy troops if it became necessary. This was an act of political miscalculation. In the four countries, there were civilian protests against ECOWAS, particularly in former French colonies of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. The more interesting part of it is that the ECOWAS was accused of being too pro-French. In Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, the people publicly denounced continued association with France and specifically in Niger, the people openly waved Russian flags and pulled down French flags. From Senegal to Niger, a wave of rebellion erupted in the former colonies, in what signalled a creeping failure of French relations with its former colonies in Africa. Senegal has had to shut down French military bases to assert its sovereignty, in Burkina Faso the military junta revoked gold permits that had been awarded to French companies, in Niger, the government similarly cancelled the mining permit of Orano, the French nuclear producer that runs the uranium mines in that country. In addition, Niger revoked its tax co-operation treaties with France as also did Mali, which broke off from its defence accord with France, and its 11 colonial agreements with the former overlord. In the vacuum created by these new realities, Russia and its Wagner group became the favourite partner of former French colonies in West Africa. The Sahel region has been a hotbed of violence and terrorism and naturally, there were concerns about the implications of the presence of Russia and Wagner in the sub-region and the festering anti-West sentiments in the backyard of ECOWAS members. ECOWAS eventually had to review its threat of sanctions, and military action and adopted the options of diplomacy and dialogue. This achieved little or nothing. In January 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their decision to quit ECOWAS. They formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) as their own confederation as an alternative to ECOWAS. Their departure under Article 91 of the Revised ECOWAS Treaty would become effective on January 29, 2025. The resort to diplomacy, an afterthought by ECOWAS also yielded no results. In July, ECOWAS appointed President Bassirou Faye of Senegal as the mediator with the aggrieved countries. President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo was also sent on diplomatic shuttles to Niger. President Tinubu as ECOWAS Chairman, also sent other envoys to the Sahel. Barely a month to the January deadline, there was a meeting of Ministers of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali in Niamey last Saturday, December 14, where they reiterated that the departure of the three countries from ECOWAS, effective January 29, 2025 is irreversible. They however also resolved that the three countries would remain visa-free for all ECOWAS countries after the exit. While the latter resolution may alleviate fears about the free movement of goods and services, there is still the residual challenge of insecurity in the Sahel, and the threat of a further tumultuous season in that part of West Africa with wider implications for regional peace. It is perhaps out of this realisation that the Authority of Heads of State and Governments at its 66th Ordinary Summit last weekend, Sunday, December 15 at the State House in Abuja, decided to vary Article 91 of the Revised Treaty and granted the departing trio an extension of six months from January 29 to July 29. This is basically to create room for further diplomatic negotiations in the hope that the three countries can be brought back into the fold. In Niamey, on Saturday, the AES Ministers still made it clear that ECOWAS leaders are too subservient to France. Without being specific, they may well have been referring to President Tinubu who recently returned from France where he was treated to a lavish and grand reception by President Emmanuel Macron. It remains to be seen whether the AES would reverse itself. It is a long wait but as certain as daylight, 29 July, 2025 would soon be upon us. In the meantime, the ECOWAS Commission has been directed to begin work on the necessary withdrawal formalities, while the mediator continues with last-ditch efforts to keep the dream of the founding fathers of ECOWAS alive, giving the AES an opportunity to have a re-think. It is further instructive that at the ECOWAS meeting of Heads of States and Governments, President Tinubu, Chairman, took time out to praise the just concluded general elections in Ghana and parliamentary elections in Senegal. He even praised Ghanas Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) who conceded defeat to the candidate of the opposition, President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He praised the government and people of Ghana for their maturity. This was a subtle dig at the leaders of the West African countries where the military chose to resort to force and aggression. Without a doubt, the rise of military juntas poses a threat to democracy in West Africa and peace in the region. The romance of the juntas with Russia and China dangerously positions the region as a territory for proxy conflicts among major Western powers. It is an ill-wind. ECOWAS needs to do more to persuade the errant countries to restore constitutional order. The leaders also need to reinvent and retool the organisation. By next July, it will be 50 years since ECOWAS was established. It would be pertinent to ask: how has the body fared? Has it so far fulfilled the ambitions of its founding fathers? Today, only one of those leaders who established ECOWAS in 1975 is still alive. Would General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria be proud of what ECOWAS has become? What are the challenges facing the body? How can it be reformed? Mutual suspicion among the various blocs: Anglophone, Francophone and the Lusophone has been a major issue for ECOWAS: how can the goal of integration be better realised? In 50 years, whatever the challenges may have been, it can be said that ECOWAS has been pivotal in forging cooperation, integration and trade within the region. ECOWAS in 2010 adopted Vision 2020, and also later a Vision 2050 roadmap to deepen the original objectives of the association. There may have been challenges: insecurity in the Sahel, Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin, Ebola, COVID-19 and the emergent threat of military juntas, but on the whole, the main achievements of the body deserve to be celebrated. ECOWAS fought to restore peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and has been vocal in insisting on good governance. There are hitches in person-to-person relations within the body, over trade, commerce and space, but the free movement of goods and services has been largely beneficial. ECOWAS ranks probably as the most successful regional economic bloc in the continent, in terms of conflict management. But ECOWAS has lost steam. It needs re-organization. It is unfortunate that the same ECOWAS that acted decisively in Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia is now the same body that is now being treated scornfully by a group of military adventurists who have reversed democratic progress in the Sahel. Their effrontery is fuelled by the descent into poverty and anomie in their countries. The clamour for change that compelled the people of Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea and Niger to embrace the military is simply their frustration with the leaders in those countries. The people seek change and they embrace it in whatever shape it presents itself, with high expectations too, because they no longer trust their leaders who have alienated them and placed a greater accent on their own elite well-being rather than the common good for the peoples benefit. The people are led by persons who promote injustice, inequality, nepotism. They rig elections and do not allow the peoples vote to count. When the military intervenes, the people see the intervention as a form of liberation from the shackles of oppression. In Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, they trooped to the streets in jubilation, almost like the situation today in Syria with the fall of Bashar Assad and the Assad dynasty, one of the most murderous ruling houses in the Middle East which clung to power for 54 years. In Mali in August 2020, when Malis President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was removed in a military coup over allegations of corruption, fraud and electoral violence, the people were joyous. They carried placards saying This isnt a coup. It is a Revolution. There was yet another coup in May 2021. Similarly in Niger in 2023, thousands of people gathered to hail the generals who led the coup in that country. The urgent matter that West Africa needs to resolve is the challenge of good leadership and governance. 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 There is a need at the organisational level for a re-dedication to the ideals of ECOWAS, and to develop a higher sense of belonging among the member-states and the over 420 million people that make up the region. As ECOWAS steps into its 50thyear, it is in urgent need of reform and we need to see the members being faithful. At the last meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, commended Nigeria for having paid up its community levies for 2023, with the 2024 levy paid up to July this year. He advised other member states to emulate Nigerias example. I guess it has become a habit among ECOWAS members to allow Nigeria to do the heavy lifting in terms of funding while others tag along and yet enjoy the benefits of membership. It is important that all parties pay their levies as and when due. The various structures of the body must be overhauled to ensure equity and deepen trade facilitation. The ideals of free movement of persons across the region should be enhanced. It must be possible for any national of an ECOWAS state to live and work in any of the member states without being subjected to undue discrimination or harassment. The celebration of ECOWAS at 50 must be an occasion for sober reflection and renewal. President Bola Tinubu was elected for a second term as Chairman of ECOWAS in July 2024. He would preside over the 50th anniversary celebrations before handing over the seat in July 2025. He may have listed some of his achievements as ECOWAS Chairman at the 66th Ordinary session in Abuja; he would be required to give a fuller account of his tenure and the status of ECOWAS as part of the 50th anniversary. There is a lot more that can be done. Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the context of the Babalola-Farotimi case, the courts must stand as the ultimate authority, not the social media. Nigeria is not a banana republic where digital mobs can dictate legal outcomes. By committing ourselves to the legal process, we can attain genuine justice and restore public confidence in our institutions. In 2019, my son, Gidado Shuaib publisher of News Digest and the host of the annual Campus Journalism Awards (CJA) found himself enmeshed in a defamation case. It stemmed from a report he and Alfred Olufemi, an award-winning young journalist at Premium Times, published regarding alleged hemp smoking by workers in a factory owned by a powerful individual. This ignited a series of events that culminated in police operatives from Kwara State raiding my home in Abuja under the cover of night, and detaining my son before escorting him for legal proceedings in Ilorin, which was concluded only this year. Similarly, but in a contrasting scenario, I also became embroiled in a legal battle of my own, filing a 500 million defamation lawsuit against freelance journalist, Terrence Kuanum, whose scathing publication inaccurately depicted me as a supporter of Boko Haram and a proxy for ISWAP fighters in Nigeria. His derogatory remarks were in response to my published memo urging then President Muhammdu Buhari to replace service chiefs who had long overstayed their welcome and were impeding the career progression of other competent military officers. The fallout from Kuanums article was severe, tarnishing my professional reputation and exposing me to ridicule and even security threats. As a result, after petitioning all the security and intelligence services, I sought a perpetual injunction against further defamatory statements, a public apology and 500 million in damages. In both circumstances, Barrister Yunus Abdulsalam, who was recently inducted as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented us. These personal encounters have imparted invaluable insights into the complex legal quagmire that Chief Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi currently navigate in their own defamation dispute. Remaining silent in the face of defamation under the guise of gentility is a fools errand. Defamation, legally defined as the communication of a false statement that harms an individuals reputation, can lead to significant losses in honour, business prospects, or social standing. The pivotal elements of defamation include the existence of a false statement, its publication to at least a third party, and demonstrable reputational, financial, or emotional harm, all exacerbated by the defendants fault and malicious intent. It is both amusing and lamentable how politicians, activists, and social media influencers, including certain editors, have disrespected Chief Afe Babalola through scathing criticisms and condemnations. The media onslaught, often fuelled by misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, starkly contradicts the principles of justice. Amid the recent contentious atmosphere surrounding Farotimis arrest, misinformation ran rampant on social media and in the press. Unfounded claims insinuated that Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA), orchestrated Farotimis arrest, while others accused the Tinubu government of weaponising law enforcement to stifle dissent. Disturbingly, many legal professionals, human rights advocates, and journalists neglected to provide objective clarity during this tumultuous time, instead contributing to a climate rife with confusion and misinformation. 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 Soon enough, it was disclosed that Chief Afe Babalola was the plaintiff suing Farotimi for defamation. Even before this fact became public knowledge, Babalola who was born on 30 October, 1929 had weathered a storm of critique and scorn from individuals oblivious to or wilfully ignorant of the legal ramifications surrounding the matter. Afe Babalolas remarkable credentials are noteworthy. He earned a degree in Economics from the University of London before qualifying as a lawyer in 1963 and founding his law firm in 1965. From establishing Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) one of Nigerias most prestigious private educational institutions to earning accolades as the Best Pro-Chancellor of a Nigerian University during his tenure at the University of Lagos, Babalola embodies a legacy of legal expertise, philanthropy, and educational reform. On the other hand, Dele Farotimi, born on 27 April, 1968, studied at Lagos State University (LASU), where he served as president of the Student Union during the 1994/1995 academic year, and was later called to the Nigerian bar in 1999. A lawyer, seasoned public speaker, and human rights activist, Farotimi is a member of the Citizens Rally Against Oppression (RAMINBA). He is recognised for his unwavering commitment to social justice and systemic reform, alongside criticism of the current political structure and the 1999 Constitution, which he argues perpetuates systemic corruption. His literary works, including Do Not Die in Their War and Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, challenge citizens to confront and address corrupt practices. The allegations at the centre of the Babalola-Farotimi controversy are serious. Reports indicate that Farotimi accused Babalola of corrupt activities related to allegedly manipulating Supreme Court decisions in a 2013 land dispute favouring his client. This incited Babalola to sue for criminal defamation, culminating in a 16-count charge against Farotimi and his subsequent arrest. This situation underscores the urgent need for legal practitioners, apart from politicians and social media influencers, to undergo training in public relations to navigate the complexities of public discourse better. Rather than resorting to unrestrained rhetoric or silence, public commentators especially legal professionals could greatly benefit from such training to enhance their transparency and public trust. It is both amusing and lamentable how politicians, activists, and social media influencers, including certain editors, have disrespected Chief Afe Babalola through scathing criticisms and condemnations. The media onslaught, often fuelled by misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, starkly contradicts the principles of justice. As Afe Babalola approaches his 100th birthday, surrounded by his great-grandchildren, he does not deserve the relentless vitriol and humiliation unleashed by social media trolls individuals who sadly lack an appreciation for history, decorum, and the cultural values that dictate respect for elders. What is even more worrying is that some legal practitioners have joined the chorus of criticism against one of Nigerias most esteemed lawyers. It is perplexing that legal professionals often overlook fundamental legal principles and the consequences of their actions in the public sphere. Consider the recent statements from senior lawyers and executive members of the newly inaugurated Mazi Afam Osigwe-led Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Without a proper grasp of the Constitution, they hastily justified the dubious manoeuvres to displace the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, thereby creating an atmosphere of divisiveness rather than justice. Equally perplexing, the NBAs swift alignment with one party in the Babalola-Farotimi matter also lacked due diligence. This situation underscores the urgent need for legal practitioners, apart from politicians and social media influencers, to undergo training in public relations to navigate the complexities of public discourse better. Rather than resorting to unrestrained rhetoric or silence, public commentators especially legal professionals could greatly benefit from such training to enhance their transparency and public trust. This initiative would improve reputations during crises and promote responsible visibility and thought leadership, rather than cheap popularity contests. In the context of the Babalola-Farotimi case, the courts must stand as the ultimate authority, not the social media. Nigeria is not a banana republic where digital mobs can dictate legal outcomes. By committing ourselves to the legal process, we can attain genuine justice and restore public confidence in our institutions. Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of Award Winning Crisis Communication Strategies; yashuaib@yashuaib.com; www.YAShuaib.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The criminal economy of banditry and the conflict economy in northern Nigeria is expanding rapidly. Millions of naira are paid as ransom daily to these bandits and kidnappers, making it a very lucrative business. Part of these payments are allegedly invested in procuring more weapons that are leased out to other upcoming gangs to expand their criminal circle. The camps continue to proliferate. The poor and uncoordinated government response also continue to embolden these criminals. Abuja, Nigerias capital city, remains under the siege of kidnappers and bandits. One of the local government areas most affected is Bwari. This is despite the fact that it houses major government establishments like the Nigerian Law School, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), and a military base. In July, it was the turn of Guyo and Piwaye communities, which were invaded by attackers numbering more than thirty. These bandits reportedly operated for more than three hours and later left at their convenience. Later in August, another set of gunmen invaded the area around midnight, subjected it to heavy gunfire and later swooped on a home in Tudun Fulani extension, where they abducted a family of four. The same day, a similar incident took place in Ushafa, where two families were attacked. One of the victims, a businessman said to own a bar nearby, was shot dead on the spot by his abductors, who took his wife and daughter away. The journey from Bwari to the camp in Kachia was a torture. It was raining that evening when the residents reportedly heard loud knocks on the doors. According to eye witness reports, the bandits attempted to scale the fence before their victim fearfully opened the door. As soon as they came in, they shot the man in the arm and later on his chest. While he was reeling in pain and shouting for help, they took his wife and daughter away. There were five abductees in total following the operation: one man, two women and two young girls. They set out on a journey trekking on foot through a bush path suspected to be a grazing route from Bwari to Kachia in Kaduna State. The journey took a harrowing three days before they arrived at their destination. The hostages were said to be very tired and hungry on arrival, and their feet were sore. The only man among them felt very sick and was released the day they arrived. Gang leaders are in touch with one another, exchanging weapons, captives and logistics. On arrival, the abductees found that there were about twenty-three other persons held in makeshift tents constructed in the camp by the kidnappers. The gang is headed by Dogo (likely a pseudonym), who also doubled as the chief negotiator for ransoms. According to him, he does not engage in kidnapping and hardly leaves his camp unless on special assignments to bring weapons for operations from other camps. The two women reportedly spent thirteen days in the camp before they were released. Their wounded legs had been infected and started showing signs of rot, forcing the kidnappers to release them. Soldiers manning checkpoints are fully aware of the operations of these bandits but tend to turn blind eyes. Revelations from released abductees suggest that some of these security personnel have either become helpless or complacent. Rather than attempt to apprehend these criminals, they tend to enable them. Bandits were firm and professional in their negotiations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The negotiations were led by Dogo who initially wanted thirty million naira to release the two young girls. After days of bargaining, the bandits agreed to take five million naira. After the agreement, parties suggested that the ransom should be delivered by motorcyclists, who were asked to bring along other items like two bags of marijuana, sixty thousand naira worth of recharge cards, two cartons of energy drink, two gallons of oil, two cartons of soft drink, two rolls of cigarette, three android phones, power banks, clippers, among others. The messengers took these items to a location near a river in Kachia, Kaduna State, where the abductors came to collect them. Rather than release the hostages as agreed with the negotiators, the abductors seized the messengers, forced them to drink unknown substances suspected to be drugs, took their motorbikes away and demanded more money. Military personnel in Kachia demanded pay to offer access to those coming to pay the ransom. The surge of insecurity in Kaduna is interesting, as it is one of the states with a formidable military presence. Kachia Local Government allegedly serves as an operational base for many bandits and houses major security establishments like the Nigeria Army School of Artillery, as well as the Navy School of Armament Technology. In 2017, one of the structures in the military base was attacked. Till date, attacks by bandits occur on a regular basis, often involving victims, including defenceless women and children. Many of these gunmen target traditional rulers and students from predominantly Christian communities. The area also has a history of clashes between farmers and herders, sometimes spreading to attacks on churches. Residents in the satellite towns in Abuja continue to live at risk. Many houses have been abandoned out of fear of insecurity. Observers have made peace with the fact that those in charge of the capital territory prefer to spread propaganda in the media than any concrete effort to safeguard the lives of the people living in the city. Soldiers manning checkpoints are fully aware of the operations of these bandits but tend to turn blind eyes. Revelations from released abductees suggest that some of these security personnel have either become helpless or complacent. Rather than attempt to apprehend these criminals, they tend to enable them. Eye witness accounts reveal that ransom payments, including motorbikes to be delivered to kidnappers, including ransom payments in cash, often happen with the consent of military personnel, who ask for bribes to allow the intermediaries conveying them to cross into the bush to meet up with the bandits. The thriving conflict economy of kidnapping and banditry may not end soon. The criminal economy of banditry and the conflict economy in northern Nigeria is expanding rapidly. Millions of naira are paid as ransom daily to these bandits and kidnappers, making it a very lucrative business. Part of these payments are allegedly invested in procuring more weapons that are leased out to other upcoming gangs to expand their criminal circle. The camps continue to proliferate. The poor and uncoordinated government response also continue to embolden these criminals. Many of their tactics and locations are known, yet their operations continue to go on almost uninterrupted, fuelling speculations that politicians may be their accomplices. The old grazing route through which they transport their victims is known to everyone. Residents in the satellite towns in Abuja continue to live at risk. Many houses have been abandoned out of fear of insecurity. Observers have made peace with the fact that those in charge of the capital territory prefer to spread propaganda in the media than any concrete effort to safeguard the lives of the people living in the city. Uche Igwe is a scholar and senior political economy analyst. He can be reached on ucheigwe@gmail.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The company has been able to plan its operations rationally based on international business practices. It is this freedom that has enabled Ethiopian Airlines to emerge as the undisputed champion of aviation in Africa and an emerging giant in the global market. This underscores the point that the state can also be a successful entrepreneur when certain fundamentals are put right. A silent revolution is taking place in Africas aviation industry. For the first time ever, there is a clear and unrivalled superpower that has taken control of Africas skies. That superpower is Ethiopian Airlines. It carries more passengers (13.8 million in 2023), travels to more destinations (about 60 cities in 40 countries in Africa, and 136 cities globally), generates more revenue (US$7.02 billion in the 2023/24 fiscal year) and has the largest fleet size (154 in 2023) than any other airline in Africa. It is ranked fourth globally in terms of destinations. Its current rivals in Africa Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Air Maroc and EgyptAir do not come close on most of the foregoing metrics. For instance, EgyptAir, which is second in fleet size, boasts of only 70 aircraft. Third placed Air Maroc has 51 aircraft; Kenya Airways, 34; and South African Airways, 17. Air Maroc serves only 24 cities in Africa, and EgyptAir, 44, but 16 of those are in Egypt. Only Kenya Airways seems to compete with Ethiopian Airlines on African destinations. It serves 56 cities in Africa, compared to Ethiopian Airlines 60. However, Kenya Airways has less global reach: it operates in only 14 non-African cities, which is much less than Ethiopian Airlines 96. In other words, those who live in Africa are much more likely to travel by Ethiopian Airlines than Kenya Airways, if theyre going to Asia, Europe, North America or Latin America. Ethiopian Airlines is the first truly global African airline. It travels to 10 Chinese cities; eight American cities and Toronto; six Indian cities; cities in most West European countries, Russia and Poland; cities in most Middle Eastern and Asian countries; and Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia in Latin America. No other airline in aviation history has dominated Africas skies and penetrated non-African routes as Ethiopian Airlines. Famous airlines of yesteryears, such as Nigeria Airways, Ghana Airways and Air Afrique largely enjoyed sub-regional dominance. And no single Western airline has ever had the power that Ethiopian Airlines currently wields in shaping how Africans travel. 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 Its not surprising that Ethiopian Airlines sees itself as The New Spirit of Africa a phrase it currently uses as its slogan. It is playing a big role in African integration connecting Africa internally and facilitating reasonably priced travels by Africans to other regions of the world. It has won the best African airline award consecutively in the last five years. Indeed, many African countries are now partnering with Ethiopian Airlines, either to boost their national airlines or to revive those that have long collapsed. Ethiopian Airlines has almost a 50 per cent stake in Zambia Airways, Malawi Airlines, Air Congo and Guinea Airways, and a 27 per cent share in Asky Airlines, which was awarded the title of Best Airline in West Africa in 2023. Ethiopian Airways is in charge of Asky Airlines strategic and technical operations and an Ethiopian serves as the managing director of the company. Observing Ethiopian Airlines Dominance At Close Range We observed this new spirit of aviation dominance by Ethiopian Airlines during our recent trips to Southern Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria. We used the airline eight times within a period of six weeks: Geneva-Addis; Addis-Windhoek; Cape Town-Addis; Addis-Geneva; Geneva-Addis; Addis-Abuja; Lagos-Addis; and Addis-Geneva. Many Nigerians living in Europe find it much cheaper to fly through Addis Ababa when going to Lagos or Abuja, than flying directly to those two Nigerian cities. By choosing Ethiopian Airlines, we also sharply reduced the cost of our tickets by more than 50 per cent when we travelled to Abuja and Lagos two weeks ago. Because of the transit through Addis, we spent double the time it would have taken us to travel directly, but we were not in a hurry to get to our destination. Many passengers are now making similar calculations. Our flight from Addis to Geneva had passengers we travelled with from Lagos going to Manchester, the final destination of the flight. The transit area at Addis airport was full of West, East and Southern Africans trying to catch connecting flights to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These regional movements have remarkably transformed Addis airport into a major hub or gateway for travelling into, and out of, Africa. Each of the four times we transited in Addis, we thought that the airport was located in a major global commercial city. Large numbers of transit passengers from different continents could be seen snaking through rigorous security checks as they moved to their new outbound-flights waiting areas. Using airline booking data, James Pearson estimates that 11 million passengers transited through Addis Ababa in 2023. He reckons that seven in ten passengers that pass through Addis airport are transit passengers. According to Pearsons data, 10 regional markets account for two-thirds of the transit passengers: Western Europe-East Africa; Middle East-Central/West Africa; Western Europe-Southern Africa; Middle East-East Africa; Northeast Asia-Central/East Africa; Western Europe-Central/West Africa; East Africa-East Africa; East Africa-Central/West Africa; South Asia-Central/West Africa; and South Asia-Southern Africa. Addis airport has overtaken Dubai as the biggest transit hub for long haul flights to Africa. The Ethiopian authorities are aware of the airports new found status as a hub for getting into and out of Africa. Passengers go through multiple security checks: two comprehensive checks and one light check for transit passengers; and four comprehensive checks for passengers whose journey starts at Addis airport. These numerous checks could be very tedious and tiring for sleep-deprived passengers but the high level of vigilance may be unavoidable. One security lapse could have a reputational cost to the airport. The hijacking of a Boeing 767 Ethiopian Airlines plane en route to Nairobi from Addis airport in 1996 and its crash-landing in the Indian Ocean, when it ran out of fuel, killing 125 passengers, was a traumatic experience. Isnt the State Supposed To Be a Bad Entrepreneur? Neoliberal, market-driven ideas dismiss the state as an institution that encourages corrupt practices and inefficient or loss-making outcomes when it owns and manages businesses that are supposed to be profitable. The heads of such businesses may be political appointees who cannot be sacked, even if they underperform, low level staff may owe their positions or recruitment to patronage, and businesses may operate under soft budget constraints and clock up persistent losses. These problems may be aggravated when the state operates within a highly polarised ethnic structure. However, it may surprise readers to know that Ethiopian Airlines is 100 per cent state-owned. The key question is why the airline has avoided the path taken by other state-owned African airlines that have long collapsed or, like South African Airways, struggle to stay afloat. In other words, what accounts for the extraordinary success of Ethiopian Airlines in a country that is riddled with serious ethnic tensions? Arkebe Oqubay and Taffere Tesfachew address this question in their article Technological Learning and Catch-up in Aviation. They trace the airlines success to the strategic partnership with Trans World Airlines between 1946 and 1975, which helped it develop technological capabilities, business competitiveness and a corporate culture of independence. TWA was given a management contract, which allowed it to recruit the CEO, management team, pilots, technicians and finance officers from the US. The complete Ethiopianisation of the airline in 1975 almost coincided with the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selasie, the founder of the airline, and establishment of a military, self-styled socialist government that was critical of markets. According to Oqubay and Tesfachew, the new government appointed a military general as CEO of the airline and interfered in labour relations, leading to major financial losses that almost bankrupted it. Mengistus military government, or Derg, was forced to change course. The management staff flexed its muscle and caused the government to appoint, in 1980, as CEO an aviation veteran with deep knowledge of the airline, who insisted that the government should end its meddling in the internal management of the company. The new CEO demanded that the airline should operate under international business practices. The new management also threatened to resign en masse when the government decided to end the airlines commercial relationship with Boeing and force the company to buy Soviet aircraft. The government rescinded its decision after the threat. And in 1991, during the period of intense tension and uncertainty in Addis Ababa, following the overthrow of Mengistus military regime, the management took the bold and independent decision to protect the companys assets by moving the airlines operations to Nairobi. Since 1991, all governments have respected the corporate independence of Ethiopian Airlines, which has also been shielded from the countrys debilitating ethnic politics. The company has been able to plan its operations rationally based on international business practices. It is this freedom that has enabled Ethiopian Airlines to emerge as the undisputed champion of aviation in Africa and an emerging giant in the global market. This underscores the point that the state can also be a successful entrepreneur when certain fundamentals are put right. Yusuf Bangura writes from Nyon, Switzerland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State praised Governor Siminalayi Fubaras commitment to various developmental projects in Rivers State. Mr Lawal was the special guest of honor at the commissioning of the Opobo Ring Road and bridges project, which took place on Monday in the Opobo/Nkoro local government area of Rivers State. Delivering his remark at the commissioning, Governor Lawal said that the completion of the Opobo Ring Road and bridges reflects Fubaras commitment to infrastructural development and improving the socio-economic condition and well-being of the people of Rivers State. Infrastructure development, as we know, is a cornerstone of economic growth and social progress. The Opobo Ring Road and bridges will undoubtedly enhance connectivity, promote trade, and facilitate access to essential services for the residents of Opobo and the environs. Creating better transportation links will spur economic activities and open new opportunities for communities in and outside the state. The enhanced infrastructure will surely attract investment, boost tourism, and improve the sense of pride and belonging among the people of Opobo. Mr Lawal further reiterated that Governor Fubaras visionary leadership resonates deeply with his administrations commitment to transforming the social and economic infrastructures in Zamfara State. We share a common vision that robust infrastructure is fundamental to nurturing economic activities and uplifting the standard of living of our people. In Zamfara, we are making remarkable strides by constructing and rehabilitating key projects throughout the state. The ongoing Gusau International Airport, as well as the construction of an extensive network of rural and urban roads, are clear testimonies to our desire to improve and modernize critical infrastructure to improve the lives and activity of our electorate. These projects align with our shared vision to create opportunities and lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development. 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 I commend Governor Fubara for his commitment to the development of Rivers State. This dedication to creating a better future for your people is genuinely inspiring and a model for other states to emulate. Once again, I thank His Excellency for the honor of being part of this significant event. I am confident that the Opobo Ring Road and Bridges will bring lasting benefits to the people of Opobo and contribute significantly to the overall development of Rivers State, Governor Lawal stressed. Earlier, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the Zamfara governor for accepting the invitation to serve as the guest of honour. Mr Fubara stated that the previous administration launched the project to construct the Opobo Ring Road and bridges on 28 May, 2023. We took over the project redesign and upgraded it to the current standard. This project is personally significant to me, and I am delighted to inaugurate it. It brings me great joy. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday in Yenagoa held the 8th Award and Prize-giving Ceremony of its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition 2024, with a reiteration of the objectives that underlie signature events of the Board, such as competitive essaying and its twin programme, the Science Quiz Competition for high school students. In a keynote address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Omatsola Ogbe, said the Essay Competition is one of NCDMBs multiple interventions to lift the standard of education in Nigeria and to promote proficiency in writing, awareness of local content and its benefit to the national economy, and to engender citizen engagement from undergraduate level. He explained that sponsorship of the competition is in line with the Boards mandate, which is capacity-building and local content development, and that the NCDMB understood the need to inculcate local content consciousness among undergraduates in our higher institutions, to make them understand that local content is an economic imperative for sustainable development of our local economy, creation of job opportunities and national security. The NCDMB chief executive expressed the hope that the programme would continue to generate interest and awareness about the critical importance of the Nigerian Content law and philosophy in the oil and gas sector as a national economic agenda for job creation, poverty reduction, industrial development and inclusive economic growth. He reiterated the Boards commitment to capacity development of Nigerians and development of opportunities for local communities as demonstrated through the Boards recently launched Back-to-the-Creeks Initiative. The Initiative seeks to broaden the contributions of the oil and gas industry to host communities through enhanced funding for local contractors, support for basic education, and training of youths in relevant industry skills. Regarding the topic of this years essay competition, Nigerian Content and Opportunities in African Local Content Advancement, the Executive Secretary said it was well-conceived, considering that most African countries are understudying Nigeria in the implementation of local content. Mr Ogbe also expressed satisfaction with the transparent process in selecting the winners, stating that the renowned professors who dedicated their time and intellect to this competition lived up to the billing. According to him, We have built a strong and reputable brand and every project we get involved in must be excellent, professional and world-class. 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 Earlier in a welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited, Eyinimi Omorozi, described the Annual Undergraduate Essay Competition as a competitive elite programme designed to promote academic excellence and to raise awareness about Nigerian content. He expressed appreciation to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr Ogbe, for ensuring sustenance of the programme for eight consecutive years. In her own opening speech, the Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Alice Atuwo, represented by Mrs A Tawari, of the Bayelsa Education Trust Fund, commended the top ten finalists for their personal qualities that brought them thus far in the competition. She urged undergraduate students to be focused on their studies and to guard against distractions that could be destructive. The winner of the 2024 edition of the Essay Competition was a 16-year-old 200-Level student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mr Ojedele Jesuferanmi Emmanuel. He received a top-of-the-range HP laptop, a glass plaque, and a cash prize of N1 million. The first runner-up was 23-year-old Miracle Chibuike Okoli. He received the same grade of HP laptop, a plaque and a sum of N700,000. The second runner-up, 19-year-old Mary Okogbe, received N500,000, in addition to an HP laptop and a plaque. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Jigawa state government has detected 6,348 ghost workers on its payroll. The ghost workers were identified through a staff verification exercise conducted by the state government. A statement by Sagir Musa Ahmed, Commissioner Information, Youth, Sport and Culture on Tuesday said the State Executive Council has received the report of Staff Verification Exercise and approved the establishment of Continuous Capture Centre (CCC) at the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the completion of the Statewide Staff Audit Biometric Data Capture and Validation Exercise as part of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Management System (IPPMS) for the Jigawa State Government. The project resulted in the detection of 6,348 ghost workers and a significant cost saving of averagely N314,657,342.06 per month and N3,775,888,809.72 per annum. These were part of the highlights of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday 16th December, 2024 chaired by Governor Umar A Namadi. The Council approved the award of contract for the rehabilitation/maintenance of three roads across the state, in line with the present administrations efforts to address roads affected during the last raining season across the State, as presented by the State Ministry of Works and Transport. The three road projects are: First, the Andaza Gadewa Aujara Road in Kiyawa and JahunLGAs at the contract sum of One Billion, Two Hundred and Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Sixty -Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Ten Naira (N1, 214,869, 110,00) only. The second was the Unguwar Mani Korayel -Rorau in Roni and Gwiwa LGAs at the contract sum of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Nine, Thirty-Six Naira, Twenty-Five Kobo (N2,829,599,036.25K) only. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The third road project is the Tsamiya Yalwan Damai Litinin Tudu in Birnin Kudu LGA at the contract sum of One Hundred and Ninety-NineMillion, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Four Naira, Four Kobo (N199,726, 404.04K) only. Mr Ahmed further disclosed in the statement that: As part of His Excellency, the Executive Governor Malam Umar A Namadi FCA administration efforts to expand Social Security Coverage in the State. The Council has approved the release of sum of Two Hundred and Fifty-Four Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred Naira (N254,877,600.00) only for the completion of the Community-Based Targeting project for integration into the Jigawa State Government Social Register Data Management Information System to cover communities left out in the Social Register as presented by Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. The State Executive Council has approved the full implementation of the recommendations of the Committee for the Retrieval of Farmlands Allocation across the state by 22 MDAs earlier identified to implement the reports as submitted to the Council for immediate action on their assigned responsibilities. This is in line with theCommittees implementation roadmap recommended for promoting peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders across the state. In line with the State plans to establish a Medical Village for access to world class healthcare service delivery, the Council has approved the award of contract for the Construction of Cardiac Centre, Equipping of Diagnostic Centre, Construction and Equipping of Cryo-Oxygen Plant in Dutse as presented by Ministry of Health: The Construction of Cardiac Centre at Dutse at a contract sum of One Billion, One Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Naira, Sixty-Seven Kobo (N1,108,964,568.67K) only. The Equipping of Diagnostic Centre at Dutse at the contract sum of Four Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Sixty-Six Naira, Forty- Four Kobo(N4,555,679,666.44K) only. The award of contract for Construction and Equipping of Cryo-Oxygen Plant at Dutse at the Contract sum of Two Billion, Two Hundred and Two Million, One Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Seventy-NineNaira, Ninety-Three Kobo (N2,202,161,079.93K) only. The sum of Three Billion, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira (N3,125,000,000.00) only as payment of counterpart funds to the Flour Mills Association of Nigeria in respect of emergency procurement of inputs for 10,000 hectares of Wheat Clusters across Jigawa State as presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Council has also approved the award of contact for the construction of SUBEB Headquarters of Two-Story Building as permanent office at the contract sum of Five Hundred and Nine Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira, Ninety-Three Kobo (N510,330,765.93K) only as presented by Ministry of Basic Education. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Senate mandated on Tuesday its National Security and Intelligence, Livestock and Agriculture committees to liaise with the federal government with a view to establishing modern cattle ranches across the country to reduce insecurity. The upper legislative chamber also resolved to enact a law limiting cattle movement from neighbouring countries to Nigeria. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Anthony Siyako on the need to address the incessant banditry attacks and displacement of innocent Nigerians in some villages in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State. Mr Siyako, while presenting his motion, said some suspected herders armed with dangerous weapons invaded communities of Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi and Lawushi Daji villages in the late hours of last Thursday. He said the suspected herders invaded the communities on motorbikes and killed several residents, burnt down residential houses, large foodstuffs and livestock. The senator said he is worried because the situation threatens peace and security in the areas and neighbouring states, such as Taraba, Bauchi and Adamawa. Mr Siyako also explained that the situation has negatively impacted food sufficiency and significant economic activities and that many people in the state have been displaced. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He urged the Senate to call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and the Director General of State Sexurity Services (SSS), Adeola Ajayi, to investigate the attacks, arrest and prosecute the herders. The senator also demanded that the IGP and the army chief establish a police and military joint task force in Biliri to put a stop to the incessant killings. Mr Siyako also requested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North-East Development Commission provide relief materials to the victims to cushion the effect of the attacks. Debate Abdul Ningi, the senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, sympathised with the families of the victims of the attack. Mr Ningi said the herders marauding as bandits are putting out signals that there shouldnt be a celebration of Christmas in Gombe and neighbouring states. He expressed worries about the security votes given to state governors, saying they have not been effectively used to reduce insecurity in the country. Benue North-west senator Titus Zam said the permanent solution for herders attack is the establishment of ranches so that the herders will not be moving around with their herds. This matter can only be resolved through legislation, criminalising moving around with castles, Mr Zam added. Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said the country needs to make a law limiting the movement of people and cattle from foreign countries to Nigeria in the name of the ECOWAS treaty. Bayelsa West senator Seriake Dickson urged the Senate to mandate its National Security and Intelligence, Livestock and Agriculture committees to liaise with the federal government to establish modern ranches to reduce insecurity in the country. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, also sympathised with the victims of the attack. Mr Jibrin, the Kano North Senatorial District senator, said there is a need to immediately find a lasting solution to the issue of insecurity in the country. Mr President, we need to do something about what the bandits are doing, particularly in the countrys northern parts. For us in the North-west, its nothing new; its something we face daily. But to have it extended to some parts of the North-east where this problem did not exist before, I think its something that all those that are given the responsibility to restore peace and order in that area should stand up and deal with so that it doesnt get to the stage we are now in the North-west, he said. After the debate, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put the motion to vote and the majority of the senators supported it. Mr Akpabio, in his remarks, sympathised with the victims of the attacks and directed the senators to observe a one-minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the attacks. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Thursday, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa, and five commissioners in a cabinet reshuffle that observers described as long overdue. The changes followed allegations of corruption and favouritism in the administration. Announcing the development, the governors spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, said the governor scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff (CoS) and directed its occupant, Shehu Sagagi, to await further instructions. Mr Sagagi got another appointment a few hours later as the secretary of the Kano State Shura Council, headed by Shehu Galadanci, a professor. On Sunday, the governor directed the affected commissioners to ensure a smooth handover before the close of office hours on Tuesday. All the commissioners affected by the changes are directed to hand over their responsibilities between Monday, 16th and Tuesday, 17th December 2024, the spokesperson said. The governor urged the members of the state executive council to double their efforts and uphold a strong spirit of teamwork, dedication and commitment to supporting his administration in serving the people of the state. A long struggle for power cut short Mr Baffa is the only official not offered another position. All others were asked to report to the governors office for possible reassignment. As of Sunday morning, most of the sacked commissioners had not been offered new appointments. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Baffa is a former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Bayero University, Kano. He became prominent during the 1 January 2012 protest against former President Goodluck Jonathans attempt to remove fuel subsidies. He was later appointed as an aide to former Minister of Education Adamu Adamu and later headed the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) from 2 August 2016. 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 In 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari sacked him as the Executive Secretary of the TETFund. No official reason was given for his removal. However, it was linked to his alleged role in a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano opposing the then-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. After his removal from office, he joined the opposition in Kano led by former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso. Subsequently, he ran for the Senate as the candidate of the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) in the Kano North district in 2023 but lost the election to his APC opponent, Barau Jibrin, the current deputy Senate president. Mr Baffa reportedly fell apart with Mr Kwankwaso after his appointment as SSG. Many speculated that he coined the recent campaign in Kano for the governor to stand independent of his political godfather, Mr Kwankwaso was accused of interfering in the administration, allegedly giving orders behind the scenes to some of the commissioners. While Mr Kwankwaso may seem okay with Mr Baffas fate, his feelings would be different regarding the sacking of Mr Sagagi, a trusted political ally. Mr Sagagi was not an official NNPP member when he was appointed as the governors Chief of Staff. He was the state chairman of the PDP and led the Kano delegates to the national convention where the party held its presidential primaries for the 2023 poll. Kano delegates voted for Nyesom Wike and Mr Wikes victory over Atiku Abubakar in the state was seen as a machination of Mr Kwankwaso, who had left the party to run for president as the NNPP candidate. Mr Sagagi was believed to have been compensated with the Chief of Staff position by Mr Kwankwaso. Alleged scholarship fraud Another commissioner linked to Mr Kwankwaso, Yusuf Kofar-Mata, was transferred from the Ministry of Higher Education to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation amid his investigation by the Kano State Anti-corruption and Public Complaints Commission for alleged fraud in the states foreign scholarship scheme. The state government allocated N4.6 billion for scholarships to be awarded to 1,001 postgraduate students abroad. Mr Kwankwaso was among state officials who handed hard currency to the students at a ceremony where the government bade farewell to the first batch of students leaving for universities in India, Kenya, and Uganda. However, Mr Kofar-Mata was alleged to have supervised the disbursement of a huge part of the funds without the approval of Governor Yusuf. The anti-corruption agency said only 418 students were sent abroad despite the release of a substantial part of the programmes budget. The agency later said it had recovered over N700 million from the alleged fraud. To underscore Mr Kwanwasos influence in the Kano administration, at least 14 of the 19 commissioners appointed by Governor Yusuf in June 2023 were former commissioners, aides, and associates of Mr Kwankwaso. While announcing the cabinet reshuffle, the governors spokesperson said those affected by the cabinet reshuffle are Ibrahim Fagge of the Ministry of Finance, Ladidi Garko of Culture and Tourism, Baba Dantiye of Information and Internal Affairs, and Shehu Yammedi of Special Duties. Political observers said the cabinet reshuffle is a step by the governor towards asserting control over his administration, especially with the scrapping of the office of the Chief of Staff, which Mr Kwankwaso allegedly used to monitor the governors activities. But the governors spokesperson, Mr Bature, dismissed the speculation. He said the governor made the changes to ensure efficiency, stressing that the governor would assign the sacked commissioners new roles. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kano South Senatorial District lost two commissioners in the state Executive Council following the replacement of the five commissioners sacked by Governor Abba Yusuf on Monday. The governor submitted the names of six commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation. The governor reshuffled the cabinet on Thursday, firing Abdullahi Baffa, the secretary to the State Government, and five commissioners. The sacked commissioners are Ibrahim Fagge of the Ministry of Finance; Ladidi Garko of Culture and Tourism; Baba Dantiye of Information and Internal Affairs; Shehu Yammedi of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani-Abbas of Rural and Community Development. The governor also scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff and directed the occupant, Shehu Sagagi, to await further instructions. Mr Sagagis name is among the six commissioner-nominees submitted to the states House of Assembly. He was initially appointed as the secretary of the Kano State Shura Council. The Speaker of the House, Ismail Falgore, announced the nominees names during Mondays plenary. He said they would appear before lawmakers on Tuesday for screening. The nominees are Ibrahim Wayya; Shehu Sagagi; Dahiru Hashim; Ismail Dan-Maraya, Gaddafi Shehu; and Abdulkadir Abdulsalam. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The nominees are largely from the Kano Central District, as two commissioners from the Kano South District, Ladidi Kargo and Shehu Yammedi, were not replaced. Nominee Mr Wayya was a rights activist suspended from the Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) last month. The forum also banned his organisation, the Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), for one year. Observers believe the governor picked more commissioners from Kano Central to strengthen his support base in the zone ahead of the 2027 election. Some influential federal lawmakers in the NNPP from Kano Southern have fallen out with the governor and his political godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday lifted the suspension on two of its members, who were suspended in November over alleged gross misconduct. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the decision to lift the suspension was announced by the Speaker of the Assembly, Dennis Guwor, during plenary in Asaba. The assembly had on 6 November suspended Dafe Chukudi (PDP-Ukwuani) for 14 legislative days, alleging misconduct, while Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi) was also suspended for 14 legislative days on the same grounds on 12 November. Dear colleagues, following the allegation of gross misconduct against our suspended members, subsequently, a committee on investigation headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Arthur Akpowowo, was set up to investigate the gross misconduct. The committee has commenced an investigation. However, the 14-day suspension notice has elapsed. By the confidence you all reposed on me as speaker of the State House of Assembly, and now that the 14 days of their suspension has elapsed, there is a need to recall Mr Dafe Chukudi and Mr Oboro Preyor to resume their duties as members going forward. The suspended members are hereby recalled pending the outcome of their investigative committee, Mr Guwor said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, expressed joy over the recall of the lawmakers. I am very happy that we have lifted their suspension. The Speaker has recalled them so they can celebrate Christmas with joy and even enter the New Year with some relief of happiness. For me, this is a party gift, even though Im not affected, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The newly elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Fidelis Chukwu, has called on the Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu. Mr Chukwu spoke during his inaugural meeting with the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Enugu on Sunday. Details of his speech were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chiedozie Ogbonnia. Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The IPOB leader has been in detention since he was repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances. Moral burden Speaking at the inaugural meeting, Mr Chukwu stressed that the release of Mr Kanu had become a moral burden on the Nigerian government. The Ohanaeze leader contended that there was no sufficient reason for the countrys security operatives prolonged detention of Mr Kanu. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He told the NEC members that he would collaborate with some Igbo leaders in government to secure the release of the IPOB leader through a collective effort. Extortion at checkpoints in South-east Mr Chukwu, at the inaugural meeting, also expressed concern over the excessive security checkpoints in the South-east. He said it was disturbing that a trip from Enugu to Onitsha, which is about 100 kilometres, would take four hours due to numerous security checkpoints used for extortion. The Ohanaeze leader noted that operatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, FRSC personnel, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and vigilante operatives were behind the setting up of the excessive checkpoints in the region. Background on Nnamdi Kanu Mr Kanu was first arrested in 2015 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He was granted bail but eventually fled Nigeria when soldiers attacked his home in Abia. He was later brought back to Nigeria by security operatives under controversial circumstances. The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on 13 October 2022, held that the IPOB leader was extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria and that the action was a flagrant violation of the countrys extradition treaty and also a breach of his fundamental human rights. The court, therefore, struck out the terrorism charges filed against Mr Kanu by the Nigerian government and ordered his release from the SSS facility. But the government refused to release the IPOB leader, insisting that he (Kanu) could be unavailable in subsequent court proceedings if released and that his release would cause insecurity in the South-east, where he comes from. The government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, later appealed the court ruling and subsequently obtained an order from the Supreme Court staying the execution of the court judgement. Delivering judgement on the appeal on 15 December 2023, the Supreme Court reversed the acquittal granted to Mr Kanu by the lower court and consequently ordered the continuation of his trial at the Federal High Court Abuja. Several Igbo leaders, including governors and past president-generals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have separately and repeatedly appealed to the Nigerian government to release Mr Kanu, even if it is through a political solution. However, the government has continued to ignore the requests. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Photo: https://t.me/kyivoda/22430 Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Coca-Cola System of Companies and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) have continued to help Ukrainians survive the cold by donating mobile boiler houses. The project pays significant attention to communities that were under occupation or located near the front line. Their list was determined by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in cooperation with local authorities. Recently, energy facilities in Sumy region have been subjected to regular shelling. As a result, there are interruptions in electricity supply and, accordingly, in the supply of heat to homes and social infrastructure institutions. As part of the cooperation between the Coca-Cola System of Companies and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, two mobile boiler houses were donated to educational institutions in Shostka community. The equipment will provide children and staff with heat in the face of constant enemy attacks. The boiler houses are made by a domestic manufacturer experienced in this field and are highly reliable, autonomous and energy efficient. They are a mobile heating module in which all the necessary equipment is assembled, connected and ready for operation and use natural gas, but are capable of switching to diesel fuel in the event of interruptions in gas supply. This mobility and modularity is an important factor, because it allows you to quickly restore heat supply in the right place, when every minute counts. "In September 2024, Preschool Education Institution No. 3 Vedmezhatko received confirmation of participation in the partnership project of the Coca-Cola Company and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, and already in December, a mini-boiler house was installed on our territory. We are grateful to the initiators of the project for the assistance provided, because now we will have a backup heat supply, which is extremely important in the current conditions," says the acting director of the institution, Iryna Yasiuk. The Coca-Cola System of Companies allocated $8.5 million for the implementation of the mobile boiler house project on a Ukrainian scale in 2023 and 2024. In total, over the course of two years, the project provides for the transfer and installation of 105 boiler houses throughout the country. Their total capacity will heat up to 600,000 square meters of premises. The Ebonyi State Government has approved over N5 billion to construct 126 housing units for its workers. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jude Okpor, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abakaliki at a news conference after the state executive council meeting. The council approved N40 million as a unit cost for each of the 126 approved housing units. This is expected to gulp N5,000,000,040. The council at the meeting resolved to execute this project through direct labour, Mr Okpor explained. On the state revenue generations, the commissioner said that the council gave approval for the engagement of three revenue firms. READ ALSO: Delta assembly lifts suspension on two members Pursuant to the need to increase the revenue base of the state, the council took a hard look at the contents of the proposal requesting the approval of some revenue and financial consultants in the state. The council gave approval for the engagement of three revenue firms in this regard, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print MIAMI, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coconut Grove Arts Festival (CGAF), South Florida's premier outdoor fine-arts event, returns for its 61st edition, produced by Loud And Live and presented by First Horizon Bank (NYSE: FHN). Taking place over Presidents' Day Weekend, February 15, 16, and 17, 2025, this iconic celebration of art and culture promises to be the social event of the year, attracting tens of thousands of attendees worldwide. Having First Horizon Bank as the presenting sponsor of a festival with more than six decades of history underscores the event's enduring significance and deep connection to the community. "We are grateful for First Horizon Bank's commitment to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Together, we will continue providing a first-class experience for our attendees, artists, and shared local community. This multi-year commitment will enable us to enhance the festival experience while reinforcing our status as one of the country's premier arts festivals," said Dave Hill, Chairman of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival Board of Directors. With this partnership, First Horizon Bank solidifies its role as the festival's official bank and strengthens its position as the preferred community bank for South Floridians who celebrate culture, art, and creativity. "As the presenting sponsor of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, First Horizon Bank is honored to support one of the most cherished cultural events in our county," said Orlando Roche, Market President of Miami-Dade at First Horizon Bank. "The festival showcases the vibrant creativity and diversity of our community, aligning with our commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of Miami. We look forward to celebrating and inspiring connections among artists, residents, and visitors while continuing to invest in the people and the experiences that make Miami extraordinary." Since its inception in 1963, the CGAF has been a cornerstone of South Florida's cultural calendar and is internationally recognized as one of the nation's top outdoor art festivals. "Producing the Coconut Grove Arts Festival is a privilege and a passion. This iconic event brings together art, culture, and community in a truly inspiring way. Every year, we strive to elevate it, ensuring it remains a remarkable celebration of creativity and the vibrant spirit of Coconut Grove," said Tony Albelo, President of Loud And Live, the company that produces the festival. After a rigorous selection process, 285 artists have been invited to join the 2025 show. Known for exceptional sales and a discerning audience, this juried show is a rare opportunity for artists across all disciplines, including mixed media, painting, photography, digital art, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, and more. "One of my favorite (and hardest) moments each year is hitting that 'send' button to notify the artists. This festival is highly competitive, and with so many talented applicants, not everyone makes the cut," says Camille Marchese, Executive Director. "While many familiar faces return, we're thrilled by the fresh talent joining us each year including over 100 artists new to the festival." The festival's legacy includes commemorative posters designed by renowned artists such as Romero Britto, Guy Harvey, Clyde Butcher, Jacqueline Roch, Xavier Cortada, Rick Garcia, Lisa Remeny, and Alexander Mijares, to name a few. This year's commemorative poster artist remains a surprise, adding an extra layer of excitement to the festival's rich tradition of showcasing exceptional talent. Although the Coconut Grove Arts Festival spans just three days, its dedication to advancing arts education in South Florida continues throughout the year. The Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association has been devoted to fostering the next generation of artists for six decades. Proceeds from the festival support year-round programs that positively impact the community and enrich countless lives beyond the event itself. CGAF has also given more than $200,000 in scholarships in the last three years, $144,000 of which has gone to Miami Dade High School graduating students and $90,000 to students at Florida International University. The 61st Annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, presented by First Horizon Bank, will take place in the heart of Coconut Grove, providing an ideal setting for visitors to enjoy art, cuisine, and Miami's vibrant culture. Tickets for the 2025 festival are on sale now, starting at $25 plus fees for General Admission. The festival is located just south of downtown Miami, adjacent to beautiful Biscayne Bay. It runs along the streets of McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive, and Pan American Drive. For more information, please visit the festival's official website at https://cgaf.com. ABOUT CGAF Produced by the nonprofit 501(c)(3) Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association, festival proceeds fund the Annual Scholarship Program and other education and outreach programs such as the New & Emerging Artists Program and Visiting Artist Program for Miami Dade County schools. Year-round arts initiatives include special exhibitions at the Mayfair in the Grove, Visiting Artists Week, and a partnership with the New World School of the Arts. For information, visit the festival website at https://www.cgaf.com/. ABOUT FIRST HORIZON BANK First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $82.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024, is a leading regional financial services company dedicated to helping our clients, communities, and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com. SOURCE First Horizon Bank BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The concept of "Hehe" in Chinese culture, with the first "He" embodying harmony, peace and balance and the second representing convergence, unity and cooperation, is central to both the individual and collective mind-set in China. Rooted in thousands of years of philosophy, the idea of "Hehe" serves as a guiding principle for living in harmony with others, nature and oneself. In a broader context, the concept of "Hehe" has significant relevance to the world today, as addressing the global challenges we face in various areas requires the principles that "Hehe" emphasizes. Viewed through a contemporary lens, "Hehe" is a timeless and universal concept that can guide China and the world toward a more harmonious, peaceful and balanced future. The Global Times gathers opinions from China hands around the world to explore the global significance of "Hehe" culture from various perspectives. This is the first piece of the series. The author, Colin Mackerras, is an Australian Sinologist and Emeritus Professor at Griffith University. There's a story about a poet with the pseudonym Hanshan (Cold Mountain) and a Buddhist monk, Shide, in China. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), they lived in the Guoqing Temple of Zhejiang, a secluded place in the highly spiritual Tiantai Mountain. They practiced humility, peace, cooperation and oneness with nature. Both Hanshan and Shide were the inspiration for the Hehe Culture, based on Chinese values like harmony, equality and cooperation, and are regarded as its two main saints. Hehe Culture is essentially a culture that emphasizes harmony and convergence, rather than competition and conflict. It is an idea that resonates with Chinese history and shows the combined impact of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. Chinese President Xi Jinping summarized it as follows: "The first 'He' of Hehe represents harmony, peace and balance. The second 'He' means convergence, unity and cooperation." Is Chinese society really harmonious, peaceful and cooperative, and has it been so over the ages? I'll make a very big generalization here and suggest that China really is a harmonious and cooperative society and that its history shows it as such. The famous Italian explorer Marco Polo visited a city he called Kinsai in the 13th century. He described the city, which is Hangzhou in Zhejiang, as a paradise. It was the capital of the Southern Song dynasty (1126-1279). Here's what he wrote about the people: "Contentious broils are never heard among them. They conduct their mercantile and manufacturing concerns with perfect candour and probity. They are friendly toward each other, and persons who inhabit the same street, both men and women, from the mere circumstances of neighborhood, appear like one family." He thought there were no "contentious broils," meaning no quarreling or violent incidents. The people appeared like one family - to me, that's pretty strong language. It seems that Marco Polo had no doubt about the harmony and cooperation of Chinese society. My own experience may not be as extensive as his and our own times are different too. But I can only say that Chinese people appear to me to settle problems generally by rational discussion and try to do things in a non-conflictual way. The Hehe culture can see the unity of purpose in Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism. Over the past 70-plus years, China has never initiated a war, or occupied an inch of foreign land. It has spread its economic influence, but troops have never followed. If one were to draw a major conclusion, one would have to say that, despite any violence in China's history, it is enormously more peaceful. What I'm really saying is that there is something very real and genuine about the theory of harmony and cooperation of Chinese society. The idea of the Hehe (harmonious and cooperative) culture is substantive and represents a reality that has a great deal to teach our contemporary world. We live in a time in which wars are frequent but China is standing as an icon of peace. The world is now moving into a multipolar world, in which China is one of the most important poles, but by no means the only pole. What the Hehe Culture means is that China is not seeking hegemony nor is it seeking to rule the world. What it seeks, as President Xi has said on numerous occasions, is cooperation for a community with a shared future for mankind. Xi also emphasized that mutual respect, unity, harmony and coexistence are the right path for the development of human civilization. I think we should heed Xi's Global Civilization initiative, put forward in March 2023. I agree with his emphasis on "equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations." It is certainly better than competition among civilizations and the assertion of the superiority of one civilization over the others. We don't need the tradition of war and proclamation of superiority. What is needed is world peace, equality and diversity. That is the lesson of China's Hehe Culture. Let's strive toward putting the lesson into practice. SOURCE Global Times We believe Altriarch's historical three-year performance demonstrates the strategy's potential to generate risk-adjusted returns for institutional investors.* CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Altriarch Asset Management ("Altriarch"), a private credit firm, announced today that it has reached its three-year performance milestone following the launch of its lender finance strategy in November 2021. Altriarch leverages rigorous research to design financing solutions suited to underserved markets. Its approach emphasizes discipline, innovation and risk management, catering to institutional investors seeking exposure to alternative credit strategies. The Firm's disciplined and innovative investment solutions have fueled significant AUM growth. This progress is supported by strong investor confidence, including a recent $70 million commitment from the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. Strategy Highlights: Investment Focus: Crafting tailored asset-based loans secured by accounts receivable and related assets, targeting fragmented markets not well served by traditional lenders. Annualized Yields: 14.00% in 2022, 14.41% in 2023, and on pace to achieve a net target of 14.00% in 2024. Flagship Fund: Altriarch Specialty Finance Fund, LP, launched in August 2023 , positioning itself to address evolving market opportunities and demand. Danielle Brown, General Partner, commented on the strategy's achievements and approach, saying, "We are proud of our progress over the past three years. AUM growth and achieving consistent returns are both significant accomplishments made possible by the trust of our investors and the hard work of our team. We remain focused on delivering tailored financing solutions that create value for both our investors and the niche markets we serve, empowering businesses to thrive." *Past performance is no guarantee of future results. There can be no assurance that any Altriarch investment or strategy will achieve its objectives or avoid substantial losses. About Altriarch Altriarch Asset Management is a private credit firm based in Charleston, South Carolina, specializing in asset-based credit solutions for fragmented markets underserved by traditional lenders. The Firm provides investors, including institutional investors and family offices, with access to various investment opportunities. For more information, please visit www.altriarch.com . IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE INFORMATION Past performance is not indicative of future results. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not a prediction, projection or guarantee of future performance. The investments discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial position. Investors should independently evaluate each investment discussed in the context of their own objectives, risk profile and circumstances. Alternative investments often are speculative, typically have higher fees than traditional investments, often include a high degree of risk and are appropriate only for eligible, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time. They may be highly illiquid and can engage in leverage and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and risk of loss. SOURCE Altriarch Asset Management BEIJING, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The UK officially joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15, marking a significant development in the economic and trade landscape after "Brexit" and representing the first expansion of the CPTPP. The news has drawn widespread attention. Some attention has focused on China's potential accession to the CPTPP, with suggestions that as the rules of the CPTPP become more refined, China's application to join faces greater challenges. At the end of last month, after the 8th CPTPP Commission meeting announced the establishment of an accession working group for Costa Rica, there were also mixed opinions regarding China's bid. The CPTPP evolved from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was heavily promoted and dominated by the US. However, the US withdrew from the TPP in 2017 due to domestic political and economic reasons. Japan then stepped in to work with 10 other member states, renaming the agreement the CPTPP and making adjustments while retaining the original high-standard trade provisions. These changes, to some extent, enhanced the agreement's flexibility and inclusivity. China formally applied to join the CPTPP in 2021 and has actively pursued the application process with an open and pragmatic attitude. It has conducted multiple rounds of in-depth and comprehensive studies and assessments of the 2,300-plus provisions of the CPTPP and engaged in multi-channel exchanges at various levels with its members. Additionally, China has proactively implemented pilot measures aligned with the agreement in select free trade zones and free trade ports. Its application has received positive responses. CPTPP members including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Chile, and New Zealand have expressed support for China's bid. These voices of support indicate that, against the backdrop of deep integration in the global economy, China is firmly committed to advancing institutional opening-up and proactively aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules. This development trend aligns with and increasingly adapts to the rules of the CPTPP. Everyone has seen that China's expansion of high-level opening-up to the outside world serves as a strong driving force for promoting regional trade prosperity and development. The frequent mention of China's potential membership whenever there are developments in the CPTPP reflects the significant implications of China's accession. It is worth emphasizing that while the phenomenon of global trade protectionism and the formation of exclusive "small circles" cannot be ignored, the overarching trend of globalization and regional integration remains changed. China's active pursuit of joining multilateral frameworks such as the CPTPP and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement is driven not only by its own development and interests but also by a deeper sense of responsibility. On one hand, as the world's second-largest economy, China has substantially engaged in almost all multilateral trade processes globally. On the other hand, China's commitment to cooperation, opening-up, and win-win principles - demonstrated during its active push to join the multilateral trade agreements - reflects its firm determination to promote globalization and free trade. It also conveys China's pragmatic and resolute approach to embracing the world, providing opportunities for global growth. In fact, the core competitiveness of the CPTPP lies not only in its claim of being the "highest standard in today's world," but also in the role it plays in promoting trade liberalization, facilitation, and regional cooperation and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. As a responsible and major driver of global economic growth, China's accession to the CPTPP would undoubtedly expand the agreement's influence, making it more inclusive and representative. For other CPTPP member states, this would mean broader market opportunities and greater room for cooperation. An article from the Peterson Institute for International Economics previously stated that if China were to join, the gains would quadruple. Other data also indicate that China's participation in the pact would result in a tripling of the consumer base and a 1.5-fold expansion of the combined GDP of the partnership. Additionally, China's membership would diversify trade relations among members and accelerate the transfer of technological innovation, among other benefits. China is confident, patient, and untroubled about joining the CPTPP. We expect that the existing member countries of the CPTPP will approach China's application with positivity, openness, and impartiality. Whether in promoting the establishment of the largest free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region (RCEP) or in the ongoing high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative globally, China's image as a partner committed to cooperation, mutual achievement, and a shared future has already taken root in people's hearts. The process of applying to join the CPTPP will once again demonstrate China's determination for open cooperation with the world and its commitment to contributing more to the regional economy, conveying confidence in economic globalization. SOURCE Global Times Armitron Is Honoring Each Month in 2025 by Donating 50 Watches to a Different Charity Organization, Supporting Causes that Inspire Change and Reflect Their Core Values NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2025, Armitron (https://www.armitron.com/), is marking a half-century of watchmaking with a year-long initiative focused on giving back to communities nationwide. Rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship and community engagement, Armitron will partner with one selected charity each month throughout the year. Each organization will align with one of Armitron's four value pillars: sustainability, women's empowerment, wellness, and kindness. Armitron seeks to shed light on causes that resonate with the brand while directly supporting those by continuing to be a pioneer for change. Armitron As part of the initiative, each selected charity will receive 50 Armitron watches, symbolizing the brand's dedication to its communities. The donations, totaling 600 watches over the year, aim to raise awareness and support individuals within the causes. For Armitron, this movement represents both a celebration of its heritage and a commitment to making a lasting impact through partnerships that reflect the company's core values. "Celebrating our 50th year at Armitron is a milestone as we reflect on our journey and look ahead to an even brighter future," states Bobbie Weichselbaum, CEO of E. Gluck Corporation. "Our recent rebranding has been about more than a refreshed look; it's been a recommitment to our values and what Armitron stands for. The milestone is not only a celebration of our foundation we have built, but also a launchpad into a new era to focus on being a trailblazer for change." Below is a preview of Armitron's selection of each monthly partner: Armitron's latest initiative continues the brand's legacy of meaningful partnerships leading up to its 50th-anniversary celebration. Armitron collaborated with Susan G. Komen to raise breast cancer awareness and supported the Wildlife Conservation Society with donations aimed at protecting wildlife and natural habitats worldwide. The brand also maintains a partnership with #TideOceanSA, transforming ocean waste into eco-friendly timepieces. For more information about Armitron and its 50th-anniversary project, please reach out to BPM-PR Firm at [email protected] or call 1.877.841.7244. ABOUT ARMITRON Since 1975, Armitron has been devoted to nurturing the spirit of individuality with high-quality, high-style watches at accessible price points, driven by the understanding that a timepiece is both a common thread and a distinguishing factor. As a brand underneath the E. Gluck Corporation umbrella, Armitron connects prestige and curation with unprecedented value and convenience. E. Gluck Corporation manufactures watches under its flagship proprietary brand, Armitron. The company also manufactures watches for major fashion brands, including Anne Klein, Nine West, Vince Camuto, Steve Madden, and Joseph Abboud. Proudly headquartered in New York, Armitron is an Official Timepiece of the New York Yankees. For more information, visit www.Armitron.com. Media Contact: Alexa Summerson [email protected] BPM-PR Firm 877.841.7244 SOURCE Armitron The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine withdrew from consideration the bill on the placement, design and construction of power units Nos. 3 and 4 of Khmelnytsky NPP, MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak reported on Telegram. "[The bill has been] already withdrawn. No votes," he wrote, specifying that the bill was first on the agenda of today's meeting for adoption as a basis. As reported, the bill on the construction of Khmelnytsky NPP-3 and Khmelnytsky NPP-4 was registered by the government under No. 11146 in April 2024. On June 17, the energy committee of the Verkhovna Rada supported it for adoption as a basis. A few days later, the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said that the Verkhovna Rada was close to a consensus on this bill. Before that, on June 18, the bill was also withdrawn from consideration. Member of the parliamentary energy committee Andriy Zhupanin, who categorically spoke out against the document, then admitted that the parliament took into account the resonance that arose around this document, and there are no votes in it to support it. The MP himself called it harmful to the interests of the state, considering, in particular, the purchase of two nuclear reactors produced by Rosatom from the unfinished Belene NPP in Bulgaria. He also spoke in favor of the need for urgent development of a decentralized energy system, rather than the implementation of "giant-block" projects for the distant future. Zhupanin's position on Facebook was publicly supported, in particular, by head of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine Heorhiy Heletukha, former head of Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) Serhiy Makogon, and managing partner of Imepower consulting company Yuriy Kubrushko, which works, among other things, in the field of "green" energy. In July 2023, the Bulgarian parliament delegated the country's energy minister to hold talks with the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy on the possibility of selling equipment intended for Belene NPP to Kyiv. Bulgaria refused to implement this project in 2012. Without a law on the construction of Khmelnytsky NPP, such a deal cannot be concluded. HOUSTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascend Performance Materials announced today the successful production of acrylonitrile, hexamethylene diamine, adipic acid and nylon 6,6 from feedstocks derived from used cooking oil, expanding its Bioserve portfolio. The resulting nylon 6,6 has a 25% lower product carbon footprint than nylon 6,6 made from fossil-fuel derived feedstock. An operator inspects nylon 6,6 pellets at Ascend's Pensacola plant. Using ISCC Plus' mass balance approach, bio-circular materials perform the same as virgin materials. Using an ISCC Plus-certified mass-balance approach allows for industrial-scale production of sustainable materials without sacrificing performance. Ascend's production facilities in the United States are all ISCC Plus certified to handle bio-based, circular and bio-circular materials. "We are focused on finding technical solutions for our customers' challenges," said Alex Mihut, Ascend's vice president for performance chemicals. "Using the mass-balance approach allows us to meet the growing need for sustainable materials at scale while continuing to offer reliable performance and quality." Combined with Ascend's efforts to lower its scope 1 and 2 emissions, the company's Bioserve products offer among the lowest product carbon footprints for industrial-scale nylon 6,6 and its precursors available in the market today. "Part of our sustainability strategy is a pillar we call 'Operating Without Compromise'," said Chris Johnson, Ascend's senior director for sustainability. "It is based on a commitment to find well-rounded solutions that meet the needs of our customers and help them achieve their goals." Ascend recently published its 2023 sustainability report, which highlights progress against the company's 2030 Vision. About Ascend Performance Materials Ascend Performance Materials makes high-performance materials for everyday essentials and new technologies. Our focus is on improving quality of life and inspiring a better tomorrow through innovation. Based in Houston, Texas, and with regional offices in Shanghai, Brussels and Detroit, we are a fully integrated material solutions provider with global manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Our global workforce makes the materials used to make safer vehicles, cleaner energy, better medical devices, smarter appliances and longer-lasting apparel and consumer goods. We are committed to safety, sustainability and the success of our customers and our communities. Learn more about Ascend at www.ascendmaterials.com. Contact: Osama Khalifa, +1 832-963-1347, [email protected] SOURCE Ascend Performance Materials OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascent Resources, LLC ("Ascent" or the "Company") announced today that it has commenced an "unmodified reverse Dutch auction" tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase for cash up to $25,000,000 (the "Tender Cap") of the Company's Series A units and Series B units (collectively, the "Common Units") at a price per Common Unit not greater than $23.75, subject to applicable withholding and without interest. The Company intends to fund the Tender Offer with cash on hand and/or borrowings available under the senior secured reserve-based revolving credit facility of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC. The Tender Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company's offer to purchase, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"). The following table describes certain terms of the Tender Offer: Title of Security Tender Cap Maximum Purchase Price Per Common Unit Series A Units $25,000,000 Up to $23.75 Series B Units An "unmodified reverse Dutch auction" tender offer requires the holders of Common Units ("Unitholders") who wish to participate in the Tender Offer to specify the number of Common Units such Unitholder wishes to tender and the minimum price per Common Unit such Unitholder is willing to accept in exchange for the tendered Common Units (such Unitholder's "Bid Price"). Each Unitholder's prospective Bid Price may not be more than $23.75. Tenders of Common Units greater than this price will not be accepted. Following 5:00 PM, Eastern Time, on January 20, 2025 (the "Expiration Date"), Ascent will accept tendered Common Units for purchase at the associated Bid Price in ascending Bid Price order (i.e. the Company will accept tendered Common Units with the lowest Bid Price first). The Company will continue to accept tendered Common Units for purchase at increasing Bid Prices (each, a "Purchase Price") until it has spent up to an aggregate purchase price equal to the Tender Cap. Unitholders who submit a Bid Price that is less than the maximum Purchase Price will receive their Bid Price per Common Unit and will not receive the maximum Purchase Price per Common Unit. Unitholders who submit a Bid Price which is greater than the maximum Purchase Price per Common Unit will not have their Common Units accepted in the Tender Offer and will not receive any consideration for such Common Units in connection with the Tender Offer. In order for Unitholders to be eligible to receive the applicable Purchase Price for such Unitholder's tendered Common Units, such Unitholders must validly tender their Common Units at or prior to the Expiration Date, as it may be extended by Ascent in its sole discretion or as required by law. Acceptance of validly tendered Common Units may be subject to proration as described in the Offer to Purchase. Following the Expiration Date, the Company will announce the range of Purchase Prices promptly after its determination of the same and, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer to Purchase (including the proration provisions) and the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will pay the applicable Purchase Prices in cash, subject to applicable withholding and without interest, to the Unitholders whose Common Units are accepted for payment pursuant to the Tender Offer. To tender their Common Units, Unitholders must follow the instructions described in the Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal that the Company has distributed to its registered Unitholders. Neither the Company nor its Board of Managers has made, nor will it make, any recommendation as to whether a Unitholder should tender Common Units. Unitholders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their Common Units, after taking into account their own personal circumstances and preferences. The Company recommends that Unitholders consult with their personal tax, financial and legal advisors when deciding whether or not they should tender their Common Units. Certain Information Regarding the Tender Offer The information in this press release describing the Tender Offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Common Units or any other securities. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related materials that Ascent is distributing to its Unitholders, as they may be amended or supplemented. Unitholders should read such Offer to Purchase and related materials carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the tender offer. Unitholders of Ascent may obtain free copies of the Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal, without charge, from the Company at the contact info listed at the end of this press release. About Ascent Resources Ascent is one of the largest private producers of natural gas in the United States and is focused on acquiring, developing, and operating natural gas and oil properties located in the Utica Shale in southern Ohio. With a continued focus on good corporate citizenship, Ascent is committed to delivering cleaner burning, affordable energy to our country and the world, while reducing environmental impacts. Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release regarding, among other things, the Tender Offer and the timing and outcome thereof, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, the words "could," "should," "will," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the current beliefs and assumptions of management. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, market risks and uncertainties, including those which might affect the Tender Offer. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties occur, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Contacts: Chris Benton Vice President Finance and Investor Relations Phone: 405-252-7850 Email: [email protected] SOURCE ASCENT RESOURCES, LLC SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts , the largest culinary school brand in the U.S.,* has been named to Newsweek's list of America's Top Online Learning Providers . Escoffier earned the top spot on Newsweek's 2025 list for its innovative approach to culinary education, offering flexible learning options for online diploma and degree programs that include hands-on externships. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has been named to Newsweeks list of Americas Top Online Learning Providers. Escoffier earned the top spot on Newsweeks 2025 list for its innovative approach to culinary education, offering flexible learning options for online diploma and degree programs that include hands-on externships. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Newsweek partners with Statista to survey more than 10,000 learners, evaluating 200 online colleges and universities to identify the top 100 organizations. Statista's evaluation process is designed to highlight the industry's leaders in high-quality education, technological innovations, and commitment to student success. "Our flexible programs blend traditional culinary training with modern educational accessibility to meet the needs of today's students, regardless of their geographic location," said Kathleen Ahearn, Escoffier's vice president of academic affairs. "This national recognition reflects the breadth of opportunities we offer, from hands-on instruction and immersive Farm To Table experiences to career preparation, externships with leading restaurant and hospitality partners, and our newest Chef-in-Residence partnership with chef, author and Emmy-nominated TV host Kristen Kish," added Ahearn. Kish will help inspire Escoffier students through a special lecture class, exclusive content, and other engagement activities. Escoffier's programs combine classic culinary skills training with a curriculum centered on sustainability and business acumen. Offerings include programs in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Plant-Based Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Restaurant Operations Management, Holistic Nutrition and Wellness, and Food Entrepreneurship. "We're committed to delivering practical, professional culinary education that's accessible to our students interested in pursuing their education without compromising their other commitments," said Ahearn. For more information about America's Top Online Learning Providers, visit Newsweek . About Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the U.S. (based on comparable student population data currently reported in IPEDS). Escoffier's programs blend a classic and contemporary approach to culinary education, emphasizing sustainability and business skills. Escoffier is ranked No. 1 and 2 on Niche's 2025 Best Colleges for Culinary Arts in America list. Both the Boulder and Austin campuses are Great Place to Work-Certified institutions and have been designated as Military Friendly Schools. About Statista: Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings in collaboration with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is supported by statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal offering extensive market and consumer studies and surveys. *Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is the largest culinary school brand in the U.S. (based on comparable student population data currently reported in IPEDS) . SOURCE Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts First Mexican company to win the Dora Award in the category of Large-Scale Improvements Throughout the Organization This award recognizes companies around the world that are defining the future of technology by leveraging cloud and automating software innovation and improvement processes. MEXICO CITY, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Financiero Banorte has won the DORA Google Cloud 2024 Award in the category of Large-Scale Improvements Throughout the Organization for accelerating software innovation in financial services. As a result, it is the first Mexican company to receive this important global recognition for its digital transformation. DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) is a Google Cloud program that examines the capabilities, practices, and metrics for cloud-based technology innovation implemented by the world's leading innovation organizations and teams. "Two years ago we joined the Google Cloud DORA program to strengthen our ability to innovate, accelerate changes and transform platforms and applications throughout Grupo Financiero Banorte. This has allowed us to respond with agility and immediacy to the accelerated digital transformation and the changing needs of users of the financial system," said Carlos Hank Gonzalez, Chairman of the Administration Board of Grupo Financiero Banorte. Nathen Harvey, DORA Lead, Google Cloud, said: "The DORA program helps technology-driven teams improve their focus on people, process, and tools, enabling faster innovation. We recognize Grupo Financiero Banorte for embracing modern cloud approaches, technology, and organizational culture, which enables them to respond quickly to market changes and customer needs." In the Scaling Improvement Throughout Your Organization award category, the following results were recognized: We were able to increase the number of software developments, enhancements and/or updates per day, which was a significant increase from the previous bi-weekly release cycles. Reduced turnaround time to less than two days for requested changes to the Group's platforms, tools, applications and digital solutions, freeing up valuable software development time Reduce operational and software development costs by 20%, streamline processes, and automate technology tasks Projected 30% reduction in technology infrastructure costs Learn more about the DORA Award received by Grupo Financiero Banorte at: https://cloud.google.com/customers/banorte?hl=es_419 About Banorte Grupo Financiero Banorte (GFNorte) is the largest financial institution in Mexico. It provides financial services to individuals and corporations through its banking, brokerage, fund management, insurance, pension, leasing and factoring, warehousing, portfolio management and remittance businesses. GFNorte also includes Afore XXI Banorte, the largest retirement savings fund in Mexico in terms of assets under management. GFNorte is a public company listed on the main index of the Mexican Stock Exchange and has 33,696 employees, 1,177 branches, 11,027 ATMs, 220,237 POS terminals and 17,960 correspondents. LinkedIn: Grupo Financiero Banorte Twitter: @GFBanorte_mx Facebook: Grupo Financiero Banorte. Contact the External Communications team for more media information: [email protected] Contact number: (55) 8471-7481 SOURCE Banorte Veteran Recruiter Who Served as a Financial Advisor Has Over 30 Years of Experience Helping Wealth Management Firms Grow Assets, Clients, Headcount and Revenues Strategic Hire Comes as Firm will Begin to Celebrate its 40th Year in Business in 2025 CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Berthel Fisher Companies a leading wealth management, investment management, and insurance solutions provider today announced the appointment of Dan Meehan as Vice President of Recruiting. He will be responsible for recruiting independent financial professionals, building and implementing acquisition strategies, as well as cultivating organic growth and retention among the firm's existing financial professionals. Meehan will report to Paige Swartzendruber, Chief Business Development Officer at Berthel Fisher. "We are thrilled to welcome Dan to the Berthel Fisher family of companies," Swartzendruber said. "His background and skill set are perfectly suited to help us accelerate growth as we continue to make significant progress in establishing ourselves as a destination of choice for top talent. Dan understands the value of sharing Berthel Fisher's story, which is rooted in our commitment to adapt to the industry landscape as we provide financial professionals with the products, platforms and resources they deserve." Meehan has 32 years of wealth management experience working across the wirehouse, independent broker-dealer and RIA channels. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Business Development, at Arete Wealth. Meehan was a financial advisor earlier in his career, before entering business development. He has served at prominent firms including Merrill Lynch, Raymond James, Securities America, and TD Ameritrade. During his career, Meehan has overseen initiatives that more than tripled advisor headcount and led to revenues quadrupling. He has expertise in business development, recruiting, employee training, sales management and creating effective sales and marketing campaigns. Meehan hold Series 7, 9, 10, 24, 63 and 65 licenses. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 2025, Berthel Fisher Companies will be celebrating 40 years in business. Given its current growth trajectory, Berthel Fisher plans to celebrate the milestone not only with its long-time partners, but also many new financial professionals seeking a culture that focuses on integrity, family values and relationships. "I am excited to join Berthel Fisher, where I can utilize the full extent of my business development skills and industry knowledge," Meehan said. "I look forward to extolling the virtues of a platform that allows advisors to re-invest back into their own business, working with the firm to innovate new products and services to meet evolving client needs, and much more, as I help this respected and successful firm reach new heights." Berthel Fisher & Company Berthel Fisher & Company ("The Berthel Fisher Companies," "Berthel Fisher"), consists of Berthel Fisher & Company Financial Services, a leading independent broker-dealer; BFC Planning, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor; Berthel Fisher & Company Insurance, an agency providing comprehensive solutions with competitive contracts from top carriers; Securities Management & Research (SMR), an insurance-based broker-dealer operated by a securities firm as well as SMR's holding company, One Financial; and has majority ownership of BFC Investments, Commercial Power Finance, and iPrism Global. For more information, visit https://www.berthel.com/. Media Contact: Michael Dugan Haven Tower Group LLC 424 317 4851 or 424 317 4852 [email protected] SOURCE Berthel Fisher Companies Princeton Facility Designated as New Headquarters Regional Multi-Site Operations to Advance Clinical-to-Commercial Capabilities $12M Capital Investment for State-of-the-Art Operations and Digital Advancements NEWARK, N.J., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BioCentriq, a leading cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announces that it has entered into a long-term lease agreement with National Business Parks for a state-of-the-art cell therapy manufacturing facility in Princeton, New Jersey. The facility will serve as the company's new headquarters and will include an immediate $12M capital investment in facility upgrades, equipment, and business system enhancements, strengthening BioCentriq's position in the rapidly growing cell therapy sector and enhancing its ability to provide comprehensive development, manufacture, and quality control service solutions in support of its customers' entire product lifecycle. Spanning approximately 60,000 sq. ft., the site features six (6) independent ISO 7 cleanrooms, equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing technologies, including advanced bioreactors, automated cell processing systems, and scalable production platforms. With a proven track record in cell therapy manufacturing, the site operates under current GMP regulatory standards and industry guidelines and offers 30,000 sq. ft. of expansion space to accommodate additional clinical and commercial-scale production capacity. This strategic investment will enable BioCentriq to meet the growing demand for innovative cell therapy solutions globally. This expansion builds upon BioCentriq's established presence in Newark, NJ, creating a regional manufacturing network. The Newark facility, featuring two (2) independent ISO 7 cleanrooms, an integrated quality control laboratory, and extensive support infrastructure, maintains its dual role as both a clinical GMP production center and will serve as the company's hub for specialized training and workforce development for pharmaceutical and biotech innovators and service providers. With its strategic capital investments and expanded infrastructure, BioCentriq will offer a full range of services, including technology transfer and new technology assessments, process and analytical development, GMP manufacturing, quality control lot release, and stability testing services. The company has experience supporting a wide range of cell therapy modalities, including T-cell therapies (CAR-T, TCR), natural killer cells (NK, CAR-NK), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) based products and accelerates service timelines through its premier LEAP manufacturing platform. By offering both standardized platform solutions and fully customizable services, including hybrid and person-in-plant operations, dedicated cleanroom capacity, and other flexible service arrangements, BioCentriq empowers its clients to advance innovative, personalized therapies with unparalleled precision and efficiency. "Securing this facility marks a significant milestone in our growth and reinforces our mission to deliver high-quality, scalable manufacturing solutions for cell therapy innovators globally," said Syed T. Husain, Chairman and CEO of BioCentriq. "This facility allows us to further support our clients in bringing life-changing therapies to patients and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing industry-leading manufacturing expertise." The capital investment is expected to be completed and the facility fully operational by Q2 2025, with manufacturing services available immediately thereafter. Process and Analytical development services are expected to be available in Q1 2025. For more information, visit www.biocentriq.com. About BioCentriq BioCentriq is a leading cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) dedicated to advancing the field of cell therapy. Since 2019, the company has specialized in developing, manufacturing, and releasing autologous and allogeneic cell therapy products for early- to mid-stage clinical trials, and has evolved into an end-to-end clinical-to-commercial service provider. Operating from two U.S.-based manufacturing facilities, BioCentriq combines the flexibility and entrepreneurial spirit of a specialist CDMO with the global expertise and resources of GC Corporation of South Korea, a global leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. For more information, please contact: Joseph Sinclair VP and Head of Commercial [email protected] SOURCE BioCentriq, Inc. PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PayRange, a leading innovator of mobile payment solutions for unattended retail, and Card Concepts Inc. (CCI), a well-known provider of laundry payment technology, today announced that they have reached a settlement in the patent infringement lawsuit brought by PayRange against CCI. As part of the mutually agreed-upon resolution, CCI will license certain PayRange mobile payment technology. The settlement addresses allegations by PayRange that some of CCI's payment products had infringed PayRange patents related to mobile-based payment technology. By entering into a licensing agreement, both companies reaffirm their commitment to respecting intellectual property rights, while ensuring that customers benefit from leading-edge payment solutions and continued investments in research and development. "We are pleased to have reached an equitable agreement that validates our intellectual property and fosters innovation," said Paresh Patel, Founder and CEO of PayRange. "This resolution underscores our dedication to protecting our patents while providing fair and reasonable access to our technology. We believe that this outcome not only resolves our dispute with CCI but also sends a clear signal to the industrywhile PayRange will continue to invest in R&D to modernize the industry, PayRange will also enforce its rights and uphold the integrity of its intellectual property, ensuring a level playing field for everyone." "Our priority at CCI has always been delivering the best possible experience to our customers, and entering into this licensing agreement ensures that we can continue to do just that," said Steve Marcionetti, President of Card Concepts Inc. "By working constructively with PayRange, we have found a path forward that allows both companies to focus on delivering solutions to customers and serve our respective markets with confidence and respect." This settlement and licensing agreement reflect both companies' willingness to work toward a balanced solution that encourages creativity, compliance, and continued advancement in payment technologies. As leaders in their respective fields, PayRange and CCI are committed to fostering an industry where businesses can thrive through innovation, cooperation, and adherence to intellectual property laws. About PayRange: PayRange was founded by Paresh Patel, an unattended retail veteran, to provide operators and consumers with a simple and secure mobile payment and loyalty solution for laundry, vending, amusement, and other small ticket merchants. PayRange is the North American leader in mobile payments for unattended retail, with over 9 million users and a network of machines throughout 350 cities and towns in the US and Canada. Find out more at: https://www.payrange.com About Card Concepts Inc: Card Concepts was founded in 2000 and was born from over 40 years of experience in the vended laundry industry. They specialize in providing innovative and reliable laundry payment solutions, including card and digital payment systems that can add additional payment options for customers and eliminate the reliance on coins. Their products, such as LaundryCard and FasCard, offer laundromat owners comprehensive tools for managing and growing their businesses, including remote management, advanced marketing, and loyalty programs. Find out more at: https://laundrycard.com/ Media Contact: Stephanie Cordisco (503) 974-8228 [email protected] SOURCE PayRange TAIPEI, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) commenced in Baku, Azerbaijan, with Cathay Financial Holdings (Cathay FHC) hosting its second consecutive side event, the "Global Climate Leaders Roundtable." This roundtable brought together over 20 prominent climate organizations, businesses, and policymakers from across the globe to engage in multi-sector and cross-border discussions about the challenges and solutions surrounding climate finance and energy transition. Under the theme "Challenges and Solutions of Climate Finance and Energy Transition," the roundtable provided a crucial foundation for driving transformation and innovation through public-private sector collaboration. Cathay Financial Holdings held the Climate Leaders Roundtable, a side event alongside the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). President, Chang-Ken Lee (4th from left, front row), delivered the opening speech, while Sophia Cheng, Chief Investment Officer (4th from right, front row), served as the moderator. Climate action experts from various countries gathered at the forum, emphasizing the urgency of accelerating energy system decarbonization, expanding renewable energy capacity, and promoting just transitions. Cathay FHC President, Chang-Ken Lee (left), believes that one of the most important issues at COP29 is how to effectively direct private capital into climate action, accelerating the climate transition and mitigating climate risks. On the right is Sophia Cheng, Chief Investment Officer of Cathay FHC. Representatives from Taiwan, Asia, and Europe participated, including the World Climate Foundation, which connects over 80,000 public and private sector stakeholders worldwide and partners with Cathay FHC; the Climate Bonds Initiative, which develops global climate bond standards and certification mechanisms; the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC), managing $32 trillion across 11 countries; the International Energy Agency (IEA) with 28 member countries; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Japan's largest financial institution; Temasek Foundation of Singapore; and various public and private sector representatives from Taiwan, including Central Weather Administration, ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund), and National Taiwan University Experiment Forest. In the face of mounting climate risks and the progressing global climate action stocktake, the roundtable underscored the urgent need to decarbonize energy systems, scale up renewable energy, and advance just transitions. Cathay FHC's President, Chang-Ken Lee, emphasized: "COP29 is often referred to as the 'Finance COP,' and one of its key topics is how to effectively channel private capital into climate action, accelerating the climate transition and mitigating climate risks." He noted that collective efforts from the financial sector can translate visionary goals into actionable climate solutions, with collaboration and innovation being essential to unlocking systemic change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy investment is projected to exceed the unprecedented amount of USD 3 trillion in 2024. However, achieving the goals of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 will require a significant increase in investments. Anjali Viswamohanan, Director of Policy at AIGCC, discussed Asia's growing role as a climate investment hotspot, noting that fiduciary duty, regulatory changes, and client demand are key drivers, while regulatory uncertainty and the absence of a clear net-zero carbon framework remain challenges. IEA Energy and Climate Analyst Luca Lo Re introduced the G20's Clean Energy Investment Roadmap for developing countries, stressing that financial flows must increase sixfold to meet energy demands and achieve net-zero by 2050. Additionally, Sean Kidney, CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, emphasized that science-based green bond standards are crucial for scaling up climate finance, as standardized processes can reduce investment risks and accelerate progress. Tomo Ishikawa, Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer at MUFG, discussed the challenges of the enormous cost with the attempt to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and suggested using standardized financing templates and blended finance models to simplify climate investment processes. Experts in climate action also explored the vital role of nature-based solutions in tackling climate change. Shruthi Kumar, Deputy Director of Temasek Foundation, shared insights into how bank financing was applied to a sustainable palm oil planting project in Indonesia, which mitigates deforestation risks while benefiting both banks and farmers. Kuo-Chen Lu, Deputy Director of Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, emphasized the key role of artificial intelligence in natural disaster early-warning systems for mudslides and earthquakes, highlighting technology's importance in improving climate resilience. Ming-Jer Tsai, Director of National Taiwan University's Forest Experimental Station, proposed innovative methods for quantifying biodiversity gains through biocarbon credits, providing a new science-based tool for conservation efforts. Cathay FHC's Chief Investment Officer, Sophia Cheng, reinforced the company's commitment to advancing climate finance and energy transition. She highlighted Cathay's pivotal role in financing Taiwan's renewable energy projects and sustainability-focused financial products, with over USD 50 billion dedicated to sustainable financing as of 2023. She remarked, ""In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, through innovation and collaboration, we can turn the impossible into possible." In this gathering of global climate leaders, Cheng once again emphasized that through cooperation, systemic transformation can be achieved, ensuring a sustainable future for all humanity. SOURCE Cathay Financial Holdings (Cathay FHC) SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Poker players looking to celebrate the holidays and unwrap big wins are heading to ACR Poker. The popular worldwide poker site is kicking off the festivities with its Christmas Special Multi-Day progressive knockout (PKO) tournament, starting Sunday, December 22nd. First flight kicks off on Sunday, December 22nd at 2:05pm ET Featuring a $55 buy-in, a $200,000 guaranteed prize pool, and a variety of flights to choose from, the Christmas Special Multi-Day PKO is designed to easily slot into any schedule, making it ideal for players looking to make the most of the holidays while competing for huge prize money and bounties. "Our Christmas Special PKO tourney offers players a chance to dive into exciting poker action and earn big cash rewards over the festive period, all for just $55," said ACR Pro Chris Moneymaker. "Check out the flexible schedule of flights and compete for your share of the $200K GTD prize pool to kick start your new year." The first flight begins on Sunday, December 22nd at 2:05pm ET, with the final flight on Sunday, December 29th at 12:05pm ET, and Day 2 action wrapping up the tourney in a festive finale later that day at 4:05pm ET. Players who want to spice things up can also explore staking another player or selling part of their action. For further information on the Christmas Special Multi-Day PKO, visit ACRPoker.eu. About ACR Poker Formerly known as Americas Cardroom, ACR Poker joined the Winning Poker Network in 2011. The Winning Poker Network has been dealing cards since 2001 and continues to be one of the most trusted names in the industry. Rated first place for payment processing and cashout reliability repeatedly over the last few years, ACR Poker offers outstanding customer service and a friendly environment for all poker players around the world. Media Contact: Adam Neal +447845582487 SOURCE ACR Poker New England-based credit union with 88-year legacy to partner with Cetera Financial Institutions to grow and deliver member-focused investment program SAN DIEGO , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera Financial Group, the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, announced that Lighthouse Credit Union has entered into a networking agreement with Cetera Financial Institutions in the delivery of its member-focused investment program, Lighthouse Wealth Advisors. Lighthouse Credit Union, established in 1936 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, has grown significantly over the years. Today, it manages approximately $2 billion in assets as of Dec. 1, 2024, and serves more than 165,000 members. Recently, the credit union transitioned from a state to a federal charter, expanding its ability to serve members beyond its traditional footprint in New Hampshire and Maine. Through its foundation, Lighthouse Credit Union has donated over $500,000 to local nonprofits in the last year, creating a meaningful impact in the communities it serves. "We are proud to welcome a financial institution as dedicated to its members and their communities as Lighthouse Credit Union," said LeAnn Rummel, president and CEO of Cetera Investment Services. "I appreciate the confidence Lighthouse Credit Union has placed in our capabilities. We look forward to helping the team expand and grow their investment program so they may continue to enhance the already outstanding care they offer their members." "We're excited to partner with Cetera Investment Services," said John Olerio, vice president of wealth management at Lighthouse Credit Union. "From our first meeting, it was clear that their values aligned with ours. Together, we're dedicated to enhancing member services by leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver personalized wealth management solutions." Cetera Financial Institutions is a community within Cetera Investment Services that supports the investment programs of over 450 banks and credit unions. Cetera Investment Services is celebrating its 40-year anniversary in 2024, and with nearly 70 renewals signed through October 2024, Cetera Financial Institutions' current retention rate is 99 percent for all institutions. Click here for more information about Cetera Financial Institutions. About Cetera Cetera Financial Group, which is owned by Cetera Holdings (collectively, Cetera), is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub where financial advisors and institutions optimize their control and value creation. Breaking away from a commoditized and homogenous IBD model, Cetera offers financial professionals and institutions the latest solutions, support, and services to grow, scale, or transition with a merger, sale, investment, or succession plan. Cetera proudly serves independent financial advisors, tax professionals, licensed administrators, large enterprises, as well as institutions, such as banks and credit unions, providing an established and repeatable blueprint for scalable growth. Home to approximately 12,000 financial professionals and their teams, Cetera oversees more than $545 billion in assets under administration and $235 billion in assets under management, as of September 30, 2024. In a recent advisor satisfaction survey of nearly 35,000 reviews, Cetera's Voice of Customer (VoC) program vigorously measures advisor experience and satisfaction 24/7. Currently, it's ranked 4.8 out of 5 stars. Visit www.cetera.com, and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and Facebook. "Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Located at: 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. About Lighthouse Credit Union Lighthouse Federal Credit Union (formally Northeast Credit Union) is a member-owned and not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enrich and nourish the lives of others including members, employees and communities. The credit union's services and banking tools help facilitate real structural change in communities and help members build healthy finances. Lighthouse Credit Union provides a cooperative banking experience that invites other to help with accessible and affordable housing, eliminating food insecurity, and supporting education initiatives. From its humble beginnings at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in 1936, the credit union has grown to approximately $2 billion in assets, over 165,000 members and 17 branches throughout New Hampshire and Maine. Investments are: *Not FDIC/NCUSIF insured * May lose value * Not financial institution guaranteed * Not a deposit * Not insured by any federal government agency. SOURCE Cetera Financial Group Norwegian PM: Ukraine asks for more air defense, allies just need to join forces to make it happen Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre called on allies to continue supporting Ukraine and maintain unity, which must be concrete. He said at a panel discussion at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Tallinn that they had to take the unity and make it concrete. He emphasized the need to ensure that the agenda set for each meeting built on previous ones, so that they could get specifics on the shadow fleet and on how to improve the coordination of their assistance to Ukraine. The Prime Minister, in particular, emphasized that Ukrainians are asking for more air defense. Stre explained that there were potentially more air defenses, and they just needed to get their act together to make it happen. He emphasized the need for more concrete coordination between Europeans. He stressed the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine, recalling that Norway is increasing its efforts and will provide support in the amount of three billion euros next year. He added that the Scandinavian and Baltic countries were the leading donors after the United States, and that they should be the same in both quality and quantity. Stre pointed out that everyone is now waiting for the new U.S. administration, but that does not mean that we in Europe should just sit and wait. I think we should also think about how we can position ourselves, how we can better coordinate our actions, he said. The Norwegian prime minister also indicated that at some point countries should start thinking about what the future security architecture of Europe will look like. The Prime Minister said that when the war stops or ceasefires are reached, they should think about what that means for NATO, from a position of stability and strength. He said they have to think about that too. LILONGWE, Malawi, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Yongpai App from Ningbo Daily Group, during the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held from September 4 to 6, industrialization and modernization of agriculture is one of the four main topics. The Republic of Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, is an agricultural country, with a large proportion of the agricultural population. To learn from China's experience in agricultural development and to modernize agriculture through cooperation with China has become a top concern of the leaders of the Republic of Malawi. Soon after the end of the summit, the minister of the Republic of the Republic of Malawi went into China's countryside to discover the hidden gems and find the key to development. Tengtou's Promise SOURCE Ningbo Daily Group PARIS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CLX Europe ("CLX"), an eClerx company headquartered in Verona, Italy, with offices across Europe, the U.S., and India, announced it is opening a cutting-edge content creation studio in Paris. Launching in February 2025, the facility will feature state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology by Covision Media. This innovation heralds a transformative era for digital content production, enabling e-commerce focused brands and retailers to create scalable, automated digital twins with unparalleled precision and quality. Redefining Content Creation: Where Precision Meets Scale For over 50 years, CLX has helped brands, retailers and agencies create, manage and deliver media content and bring an elevated product experience to all digital channels. The CLX Paris studio will now also leverage Covision Media's groundbreaking 3D scanning technology to deliver reality-grade digital twins. This enables luxury fashion brands, especially, to produce a wide array of digital assets, from photorealistic 3D models to immersive virtual environments that are seamlessly tailored for omnichannel use. Key features of the Covision scanners include: Automated 3D Asset Production: Covision's 3D scanning rig creates relightable, reality-grade 3D models, minimizing manual intervention and post-production. Scalability and Speed: The technology enables high-volume, customized content creation, helping brands stay ahead in an ever-accelerating digital landscape. Omnichannel Integration: Assets are optimized for e-commerce, social media, AR/VR, and more, supporting virtual try-ons (VTOs) and interactive campaigns. A Game-Changer for Global Luxury Brands With these expanded capabilities, CLX Europe empowers European luxury fashion clients to streamline their production workflows while maintaining the highest creative standards. From e-commerce imagery to experiential marketing, the versatility of reality-grade 3D scans unlocks new avenues for brand storytelling and customer engagement. Scott Houchin, CEO of CLX Europe commented: "The investment in a new state-of-the-art content creation studio in Paris and the adoption of the most advanced 3D scanning solution on the market is a testament to our commitment to Paris and its most iconic brands and retailers." "This new studio in Paris is a milestone in our journey to blend precision and creativity," said Stefano Ferrari, COO, CLX Europe. "Our goal has always been to craft unique, unforgettable content experiences. Now, with 3D scanning technology, we're setting a new benchmark in visual content creation." Franz Tschimben, Co-Founder and CEO of Covision Media, added: "We're thrilled to partner with CLX Europe to bring our AI-powered 3D scanning solutions to Paris. I am especially excited about the chance to work with the world-class leadership team at CLX and their excellent 3D production teams. I am convinced we will drive 3D innovation for the most recognized and largest brands and retailers in Paris, France and Europe, offering a scalable solution for creating any type of content." Covision Media's computer vision and machine learning-based 3D scanners use a spherical array of 30 cameras to produce relightable, photorealistic 3D assets. The system captures every nuance of texture, color, and lighting, delivering digital twins that can be seamlessly adapted for various applications. About CLX Europe CLX Europe, an eClerx company, supports global brands, retailers, and agencies in creating, managing, and delivering digital content across multiple channels. With over 50 years of expertise, CLX Europe specializes in leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of luxury, retail, automotive, and industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.clxeurope.com. About Covision Media Covision Media is an Italian technology leader in 3D scanning, specializing in mass production of reality-grade, relightable digital twins. Trusted by Inditex Group, NUREG and Adidas, Quad, Meta and other brands, retailers and tech companies, Covision Media's innovative solutions are reshaping the future of digital content creation. For more information, visit www.covisionmedia.ai. Media Contact: Nadia Crespo Head of Marketing at Covision Media [email protected] +39 340 335 5506 Stefano Anselmi Digital Content Lead at CLX Europe [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/535909/eClerx_Logo.jpg WIMBERLEY, Texas, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Veterinary Professional Associates (CVPA) has issued a call to action supporting the OneHealth initiative and addressing the growing need for veterinary services amidst a serious shortage of veterinary professionals in Florida and across the nation. This critical need was underscored during a recent meeting held in early December 2024 in Orlando, Florida, where stakeholders emphasized the importance of increasing access to veterinary care and spaying and neutering services for shelter and family-owned pets. Keynote speaker Michael J. Blackwell, DVM, MPH, Assistant Surgeon General, USPHS (Ret.), and Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee, delivered a powerful address on The Importance of Addressing Access to Veterinary Care and OneHealth. Dr. Blackwell highlighted three psychographic factors critical to understanding families' access to pet care: Bonded Family Society The majority of U.S. households include pets, reflecting a deeply rooted human-animal bond. Financial Challenges Forty-one percent of U.S. households face significant economic hardships, limiting access to essential veterinary services. Barriers to Care More than one in four families encounter obstacles in accessing veterinary care, primarily due to financial constraints. Dr. Blackwell referenced the HABRI report, which highlights that living with pets contributes to an estimated $22.7 billion in annual human healthcare cost savings, including benefits for mental health, obesity prevention, and chronic disease management. He emphasized the critical role of access to veterinary care in safeguarding these benefits. However, a stark imbalance exists in provider availability: there are 252 physicians per 100,000 people, but only 37 companion animal veterinarians per 100,000 dogs and cats, leaving a significant gap in care. The Growing Veterinary Workforce Crisis Animal shelters in Florida and nationally are struggling to fill critical veterinary positions to address the mounting demand for spaying, neutering, and other essential services. One study, co-authored by Susanne Kogut of Petco Love and Drs. Meredith Montgomery and Julie Levy of the University of Florida, found that 73% of animal sheltering organizations (ASOs) reported being short-staffed for veterinarians. The repercussions are significant, with 91% of these organizations experiencing backlogs in spay/neuter surgeries. Last year, the shortage of veterinary professionals significantly impacted animal shelters, as highlighted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Reports from California shelters revealed that nearly half of veterinarian roles and over half of technician positions remained vacant, leaving 344,000 animals without sufficient care. In Colorado, a study noted a backlog of spay/neuter surgeries caused by the shortage, and nationwide data estimated 2.7 million such procedures were not performed1. Access-to-Care Clinics (ATCCs) are also facing staffing difficulties, with 72% reporting shortages. This has led to extended waiting times for pet owners, with delays exceeding two months in many cases and up to six months in some situations for vital services1. Impact on Animal Welfare and Public Health These workforce shortages not only delay critical medical procedures but also have broader implications for public health, animal welfare, and the human-animal bond. Overcrowded shelters, unperformed procedures, and limited access to care exacerbate the emotional and financial stress on families and contribute to burnout among veterinary professionals. Innovative Solutions: Veterinary Professional Associates The CVPA is advocating for the introduction of a new role, the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA), to help bridge the gap in access to care. Modeled after Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates in human medicine, VPAs would perform routine procedures and support veterinarians in underserved areas. Dr. Robert Murtaugh, President of the CVPA, stated, "The shortage of veterinary professionals has reached a critical level, threatening the welfare of millions of animals and the families who love them. By creating the Veterinary Professional Associate role, we can alleviate workforce pressure, expand access to care, and support the well-being of both pets and their owners." The CVPA invites veterinarians, policymakers, and advocates to collaborate on solutions that address these urgent challenges and ensure equitable access to veterinary care nationwide. To advocate and bridge the gap in animal health, visit https://cvpa.vet/becomecvpa-advocate/ and www.cvpa.vet. ABOUT The Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associate (CVPA) is a 501c4 (pending) nonprofit organization born from the need to expand the roles of veterinary professionals to better serve our animal companions and all stakeholders. With solid support from universities, rural settings, shelters, and companion animal environments, this group has come together to lobby for and support the creation of these new mid-tier veterinary providers. Visit www.cvpa.vet Reference: 1. UFHealth-University of Florida; UF Shelter Medicine Program-COLLEGE of VETERINARY MEDICINE published March 30, 2024, site; https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2024/03/30/the-nonprofit-veterinarian-shortage-who-will-care-for-the-pets-most-in-need/#:~:text=Meredith%20Montgomery%20and%20Julie%20Levy,backlogs%20in%20spay%2Fneuter%20surgeries. Notation: All trade and registered marks are protected by their respective associations and companies. Contact: Steven May, CVJ, VRCE SLM Communications Phone: 1-310-993-4866 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE The Coalition for the Veterinary Professional Associate (CVPA) A new era comes to Beckett, Dragon Shield, & Southern Hobby Distribution PLANO, Texas, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Collectivus Holdings, home to The Hobby's premium brands, was established as the umbrella company over industry leaders Beckett Media & Collectibles, Dragon Shield, and Southern Hobby Distribution. This news coincides with recently executed lending agreements which will revitalize the company's ability to invest in all three Collectivus brands as well as its growing portfolio. "We're thrilled. It's truly a new beginning," said Kevin Isaacson, CEO of Collectivus Holdings. "We enter 2025 with an incredible team of dedicated hobbyists, motivated investors, and a dedicated customer base that appreciates our 100+-year commitment to success across the Beckett, Dragon Shield, and Southern Hobby companies.'' All brands under the Collectivus banner will maintain their independence and identities, but they will now benefit from an added layer of coordination and strategy from a global leadership team. With a new year mere days away, Collectivus enters 2025 with a commitment to service and innovation that will empower collectors, independent retailers, and manufacturing partners. "It's rare for a brand to establish itself as the industry leader right from its inception, but that's exactly what Collectivus is doing," said Scott Stroud, CMO of Collectivus Holdings. "When you look across the three Collectivus brands you find the most sought-after labels in all collecting, the highest quality sleeves in TCG, and the most knowledgeable sales team in The Hobby. With the added ability to further invest in all our brands, 2025 is looking like a record year." To find out more about Collectivus Holdings, visit our website at CollectivusHoldings.com. About Collectivus Holdings Collectivus Holdings guides many of the most prestigious brands in the Collecting, Trading Card Game, and Hobby industries. With a century's worth of collective experience in driving product and service innovation, high-end quality standards, and elevated customer experience, Collectivus brands are among the most recognized and loved throughout the world by the communities they serve. Nashville Plano Brabrand Lisbon Worldwide SOURCE Collectivus Holdings SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Group, a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency, is proud to highlight its insights and contributions to Skift Meetings' Megatrends 2025 report. The report reveals a dynamic landscape shaped by transformative forces, from artificial intelligence and sustainability to mental health and generational inclusivity. Creative Group's expertise underscores how strategic event design can address complex organizational goals while delivering exceptional attendee experiences. Trends Redefining the Events Landscape 1. Events Have Become More Strategic Melissa Van Dyke, Creative Group's Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing, Design, and Innovation, highlights the shift in event strategy. "Today's events must go beyond flawless logistics to deeply align with business initiatives," Van Dyke states in the report. Events must begin with a deep understanding of their purpose. Creative Group advocates for aligning all aspects of event planning with business initiatives, ensuring every elementfrom agenda to attendee engagementsupports organizational goals. By starting with the "why," planners can craft experiences that not only meet attendee expectations but also drive organizational objectives forward. This more intentional design focus is the crucial middle between events that check a box and events that move the needle. 2. Addressing Generational Shifts With Millennials and Gen Z comprising an increasing share of the workforce, event strategies must reflect values like sustainability, inclusivity, and experiential depthwith more immersive and interactive experiences. Creative Group's methods integrate these elements seamlessly, ensuring events resonate with all age groups while fostering connections across diverse demographics. 3. Immersive and Interactive Engagement Understanding the purpose of an event also shapes how planners design interactions. Creative Group incorporates principles of behavioral economicsawareness, engagement, and nudgesto create meaningful moments before, during, and after the event, ensuring participants stay inspired by and connected to event messaging, brand and core business objectives. Meeting New Expectations in 2025 Sustainability as a Business Imperative As sustainability becomes non-negotiable for many attendees, Creative Group emphasizes adopting eco-friendly practices, such as waste reduction and locally sourced elements, to meet expectations while reflecting each brand's business values. Mental Health Integration Event designers are increasingly tasked with addressing attendee well-being, making it essential to create events that reduce stress and promote emotional connection. Creative Group's approach integrates wellness strategies that are empathy-based and customizable to meet the needs of the modern attendee. Looking Ahead Creative Group's contributions to the Megatrends 2025 report reinforce the idea that understanding the "why" behind every event is crucial in today's meetings landscape, especially critical given the additional scrutiny on event budgets in 2025. "Corporate events are no longer about simply gathering people for a single objectivethey are about achieving complex business challenges, reinforcing organizational culture, boosting brand loyalty, and recognizing and retaining top talent," says Van Dyke. To explore how Creative Group and other industry leaders are addressing the trends shaping 2025, download the full Skift Meetings Megatrends 2025 report. About Creative Group Creative Group is a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency that delivers business results by inspiring people to thrive. An industry leader, Creative Group has been honored with numerous Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) awards and the CMI 25 Award, which recognizes the top 25 most influential meeting and incentive management companies in the U.S. Creative Group was founded in 1970, and has served clients in financial services, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, retail, technology, automotive, and hospitality. Employing 220+ people, the company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, and maintains offices in San Francisco, Appleton, Wisconsin, and Toronto, Canada. For more information about Creative Group, visit http://www.creativegroupinc.com. SOURCE Creative Group, Inc. Innovative solution leverages analytics to enhance organizational resilience amidst ever-evolving cyber threats CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowe LLP, a public accounting and consulting firm, and X-Analytics, the premier cyber risk decisioning application, today announced the launch of Crowe Cyber Economic Risk Analyzer. Developed by leveraging Crowe's deep expertise in cyber risk management, this powerful new solution integrates X-Analytics' cyber risk economic exposure insights directly into ServiceNow's Cybersecurity and Integrated Risk Management Platform. Crowe Cyber Economic Risk Analyzer leverages analytics to enhance organizational resilience amidst ever-evolving cyber threats As an Advanced Platform Build Partner, the certified solution enables organizations to connect their cyber risk management initiatives with business-aligned, risk-reducing strategies, allowing them to seamlessly quantify, prioritize, and mitigate cyber risk within their existing ServiceNow platform environments. The solution is now available for download on the ServiceNow Store. "We're excited to combine the strengths of Crowe, X-Analytics, and ServiceNow to deliver a world-class cyber risk management solution to organizations seeking the ability to make business-optimized decisions to reduce risk across their operations," said Matt Reeves, ServiceNow Cybersecurity and Integrated Risk Management Solutions Leader at Crowe. "The Crowe Cyber Economic Risk Analyzer transforms existing risk management initiatives by providing the economic intelligence and strategic insights to enhance business value through targeted and effective risk reduction." Crowe Cyber Economic Risk Analyzer delivers the business clarity necessary for effective cyber risk management within today's ever-evolving cyber threat landscape by empowering organizations to: Present Cyber Risk in Business Terms : Translate complex cyber risks into clear economic exposure metrics for informed, risk-reducing decision-making. : Translate complex cyber risks into clear economic exposure metrics for informed, risk-reducing decision-making. Streamline Mitigation Prioritization : Integrate actionable insights into workflows to prioritize mitigation actions based on their risk-reducing value. : Integrate actionable insights into workflows to prioritize mitigation actions based on their risk-reducing value. Enable Effective Cyber Risk Governance : Optimize budgets, deliver ROI, and improve resilience with reports presented in business-friendly terms. : Optimize budgets, deliver ROI, and improve resilience with reports presented in business-friendly terms. Facilitate Business-Aligned Board Reporting: Deliver comprehensive and clear cyber risk insights for effective oversight and governance in the boardroom. "X-Analytics capabilities now available in the ServiceNow Platform transcend legacy cyber risk management siloed approaches and sets the standard for customers seeking to connect their cyber risk management initiatives with risk-reducing business benefits," said Kevin Richards, President, Cyber Risk Solutions at X-Analytics. "Together with Crowe, we look forward to accelerating a future where customers embrace risk and pursue digital transformation initiatives with confidence." For more information, visit https://www.crowe.com/services/consulting/servicenow and www.x-analytics.com. About Crowe Crowe LLP is a public accounting and consulting firm that uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit, tax and consulting services to public and private entities. Crowe is recognized by many organizations as one of the best places to work in the U.S. As an independent member of Crowe Global, one of the largest global accounting networks in the world, Crowe serves clients worldwide. The network consists of more than 200 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 130 countries around the world. About X-Analytics The innovators behind X-Analytics are on a mission to deliver a cyber resilient future. The X-Analytics Maestro cyber risk management platform is setting the standard and transforming how CISOs, executives, boards and the risk management industry align cybersecurity strategy with successful risk reducing business benefits. To learn how hundreds of organizations across the globe trust X-Analytics to deliver next generation cyber risk management success, please visit https://www.x-analytics.com. ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. SOURCE Crowe LLP COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DanMagi is pleased to announce the appointment of Dean Wilkinson as a pivotal addition to the company leadership. With an impressive 16-year track record in the technology and hospitality sectors, Dean brings unparalleled experience and leadership to his new role. Dean's career includes serving as the CEO and investor of Airangel, where he played a transformative role in launching the first cloud-based High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) platform. Under his leadership, Airangel evolved into a dominant player in the industry, ultimately being acquired in 2023, further cementing Dean's reputation as a key influencer in the space. A seasoned expert in the hotel sector, Dean has cultivated strong relationships with major global brands, securing significant contracts with renowned names like Marriott, Accor, and Minor. His hands-on leadership style and commitment to customer success have made him a trusted advisor and a strong advocate for technology-driven solutions that meet the evolving needs of hospitality businesses. "I'm excited to be part of DanMagi's journey and to help drive the company's continued growth," said Dean. "I believe that by combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional service, we can offer innovative solutions that not only meet the needs of our customers but also set new standards in the industry." "DanMagi's technology is truly unique and transformative. It delivers seamless, high-performance connectivity and exceptional digital experiences that are setting new benchmarks in the hospitality industry. What impressed me the most is how the platform combines advanced network management with an intuitive user experience, making it a game-changer for both guests and operators." "I chose DanMagi not only because of the company's groundbreaking technology but also due to its immense untapped potential. While other offers were appealing, DanMagi stood out as a rare opportunity to lead a tech-driven organization poised for exponential growth. I envision DanMagi becoming a global leader in transforming connectivity and digital services in the hospitality sector, unlocking new levels of value for clients and redefining industry expectations. With its scalable solutions and market-ready innovations, the company has virtually limitless possibilities ahead." Dean's passion for fostering a collaborative, innovative environment aligns with DanMagi's values. Known for his dedication to team building, he is focused on nurturing internal talent and maintaining a company culture that encourages creativity and forward-thinking. As part of his vision, he aims to position DanMagi as a trusted voice in the industry, driving financial success while delivering exceptional value to customers. Having spent nine years in Dubai, Dean is now based in the UK where he is committed to furthering the company's mission and building lasting relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders worldwide. About DanMagi Private equity backed by West Hill Capital and IPC Group, DanMagi is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry, specialising in cloud-based systems and services designed to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations. With a focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, DanMagi continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of hospitality technology. For media inquiries, please contact: Frank Svarre Chief Commercial Officer +45 27 77 67 16 [email protected] www.danmagi.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/danmagi-aps/r/dean-wilkinson-joins-private-equity-backed-danmagi-as-executive-chairman--bringing-extensive-industr,c4083420 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23523/4083420/3177681.pdf Press Release (PDF) SOURCE DanMagi ApS Statement of Yolonda C. Richardson, President & CEO, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Denver City Council has delivered a tremendous victory for kids over the tobacco industry by voting, 11-1, to approve an ordinance that will end the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. The City Council deserves enormous credit for standing up to Big Tobacco and taking action to end this industry's predatory targeting of kids, Black and Latino communities, and other communities with flavored products. This ordinance will protect kids from tobacco addiction, advance health equity and save lives. We applaud Council Members Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Shontel M. Lewis and Darrell Watson for their leadership in sponsoring this ordinance and thank all the Council members who voted for it. Mayor Mike Johnston has indicated that he will sign it into law. We also applaud the more than 100 community organizations that have advocated for this legislation, including Denver Public Schools and students whose outspoken support and personal stories about the harmful impact of flavored tobacco products were critical to passage of the ordinance. For decades and continuing today, tobacco companies have used flavored products to lure and addict kids and targeted communities. In fact, research shows that over 80% of kids who have ever used tobacco started with a flavored product. In recent years, flavored products have fueled high rates of youth e-cigarette use and nicotine addiction. Tobacco companies have also targeted Black, Latino, LGBTQ+ and other communities with menthol cigarettes, contributing to significant health disparities. By ending the sale of flavored tobacco products, Denver's leaders are creating a healthier future for kids, families and the entire city. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Pre-competitive collaboration will advance a unified approach to connected health to improve access and reduce cost of healthcare BOSTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) is proud to announce the launch of the Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc), co-hosted with the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and with UMass Chan Medical School's Program in Digital Medicine as the founding Impact Sponsor. This new initiative brings together industry stakeholders with the goal of advancing connected health technologies by establishing best practices and addressing fragmentation. CHcc's inaugural project, Advancing a Sustainable Hospital-at-Home Ecosystem at Scale, is led by DiMe and CTA in partnership with UMass Chan Medical School's Program in Digital Medicine as the project's Impact Sponsor. Connected Health Collaborative Community The first CHcc project will focus on advancing the appropriate use of technology to optimize Hospital-at-Home. This effort convenes experts from healthcare, tech, patient organizations, and government to collaborate on creating scalable, cost-effective hospital-at-home care models. Participating organizations comprise the founding membership of CHcc and include: Abbott; AdaptHealth; Advamed; Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease; Amazon Web Services; American Nurses Association; B.Well Connected Health; CareSet; ChristianaCare; Health Advances; Allegheny Health Network; Intelligent Product Solutions; John Hancock; Mayo Clinic; Mass General Hospital; Medical Device Innovation Consortium; Medically Home; Oracle; Sparx Engineering; Verily; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Vivalink; Ypsomed; Together, these leaders will develop a suite of free resources to support the expansion and optimization of hospital-at-home technologies for healthcare organizations of various sizes, settings and resources across the country. "Hospital-at-home models have already proven their ability to reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and enhance satisfaction," said Jennifer Goldsack, CEO, DiMe. "By harnessing the potential of digital health and uniting diverse experts in the field, this new initiative will drive the widespread adoption of these models, ensuring more patients have access to high-quality care where they need it most. Through the launch of the Connected Health Collaborative Community, with an initial focus on hospital-at-home, we are laying the foundation for a truly connected healthcare infrastructureone that supports individuals across the entire continuum of care, from health promotion and aging in place to delivering high-acuity care in the home." Hospital-at-home programs offer a promising solution to many inefficiencies in today's healthcare system. By utilizing connected health technologies, healthcare providers can offer inpatient-level care in patients' homes, leading to cost savings, better resource management, and improved patient satisfaction. With the potential to reduce healthcare spending and enhance outcomes, this model is poised to transform the future of healthcare. "This movement to bring healthcare into people's homes is a critical transformation that will enable us to make healthcare more accessible, more affordable, more contextual and personalized - and will improve overall outcomes of care," said Zeev Neuwirth MD, healthcare executive, author, podcast host. "The bringing together of these outstanding and diverse participant organizations into a Connected Health Community Collaborative will seek to accelerate the learnings and advancement of the home-based care ecosystem and the hospital at home movement." "Data shows that health systems offering hospital care at home have experienced improved health outcomes," said Pippa Shulman, MPH, DO, chief medical officer and chief strategy officer for Medically Home. "Connected health technologies are fundamental to providing this transformative model of care delivery, and the project will contribute to a needed framework of standards for sustainable hospital-at-home programs." The project will also address fragmentation in connected health by leveraging interdisciplinary expertise and establishing best practices across the ecosystem. The CHcc initiative is aligning its work and engaging with government programs, such as the Veterans' Health Administration's Home-Based Primary Care, the CMS Acute Hospital Care at Home program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Older Adult Home Modification Program (OAHMP), as well as leading private-sector connected care programs. We invite innovators in smart home and digital health, as well as payors, government, and health systems, to join us in future multi-stakeholder initiatives hosted by CHcc as we seek to improve the overall health of all individuals through digitally-enabled products, services, and interventions that collectively connect health. Learn more about collaborative communities on the FDA website here, and learn more about upcoming opportunities to partner with CTA and DiMe to define the necessary infrastructure and incentives to support aging in place while ensuring seamless transitions to acute care, allowing older adults to age with dignity here. About the Connected Health Collaborative Community: The Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc) is co-hosted by the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) with UMass Chan Medical School's Program in Digital Medicine as the founding Impact Sponsor. We unite diverse stakeholders across the consumer electronics, medical devices, and government sectors to reimagine and address the fragmentation in connected health across the healthcare system. Our members use digitally enabled products, services, and interventions to tackle challenges in the connected health ecosystem, shifting from sick care to whole health care. About the Digital Medicine Society: DiMe is a global non-profit and the professional home for all members of the digital medicine community. Together, we tackle the toughest digital medicine challenges, develop clinical-quality resources on a technology timeline, and deliver these actionable resources to the field via open-source channels and educational programs. Media Contact: Carla English, [email protected] SOURCE Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) CARROLL, Ohio, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Disbennett Wealth Management Group, a leading financial planning firm in retirement planning and wealth management, is proud to announce that it has been named the 2024 Best in Ohio Business for Financial Planning Firm by Ohio Business Magazine. This distinguished recognition highlights the firm's commitment to delivering top-tier financial guidance and personalized strategies for successful individuals and families. Disbennett Wealth Management Voted 2024 Best in Ohio Business Award, Financial Planning Firm by Ohio Business Magazine Post this Chad Disbennett, CFP "We are incredibly honored to receive this award," said Chad Disbennett, Founder and CEO of Disbennett Wealth Management Group. "This recognition reflects our dedication to helping clients navigate the complexities of retirement planning, tax strategies, and estate preservation. We remain committed to delivering exceptional service and results." With over 75 million Baby Boomers nearing or entering retirement, the financial landscape is increasingly complex. According to the Spectrum Group's 2023 report, 11.5 million U.S. households with $500,000 or more in investable assets, many face critical retirement decisions. These affluent individuals are concerned about securing steady income while protecting their wealth from market volatility, rising healthcare costs and taxes. A 2023 Schwab study revealed 52% of retirees with $500,000 or more in assets worry about maintaining their lifestyle, while 33% fear outliving their savings. Many are also concerned about tax-efficient wealth transfer as tax laws continue to evolve. Chad Disbennett developed the Wealth With Clarity Process to specifically address these concerns. This proprietary approach helps successful individuals design personalized retirement income strategies, manage risk, and optimize portfolios for long-term success. Disbennett Wealth Management Group offers a wealth of resources through their Wealth With Clarity Process, aimed at empowering successful clients to make informed financial decisions. To learn more about how to protect, preserve, and grow your wealth, visit WealthWithClarity.com (http://www.wealthwithclarity.com) for more information and access to exclusive tools and resources. About Disbennett Wealth Management Group Founded by Chad Disbennett, the firm specializes in retirement income planning, tax strategies, and portfolio design for successful individuals. Disbennett Wealth Management Group is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial clarity and peace of mind with personalized, long-term strategies tailored to each client's unique needs. Sources: 1. U.S. Census Bureau, "The Graying of America: More Older Adults Than Kids by 2035," [link to source]. 2. Insured Retirement Institute, "Boomer Expectations for Retirement 2023," [link to source]. 3. Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, "Retirement Security Amid Market Volatility," [link to source]. Ohio Business Magazine's 2024 Best of the Best awardee - Financial Planning Firm is based on a poll of the Ohio Business Magazine's readers. Results received October 4, 2024. This award is not based on investment performance. Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Disbennett Wealth Management Group are not affiliated. SOURCE Disbennett Wealth Management Group Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United States and Europe, reminding them of the promise to supply a significant number of air defense systems as compensation for the impossibility of inviting Ukraine to NATO. "We need the full implementation of the agreements on air defense deliveries, particularly those made at the NATO Summit in Washington. We remember that to compensate for the inability to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance at that stage, a significant number of air defense systems were promised to us. I ask for your help to deliver on this," the President of Ukraine said during his address to the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit. "And frankly, our partners know we need 12-15 more systems, besides these, to fully protect our country from Russian missile strikes. Its doable. The main thing is our partners political will. I am specifically addressing the United States first of all. The United States and Europe of course," Zelenskyy stressed. "And also to the friends who are now online, and also our friends from Sweden a country that has the capability to quickly provide a full Patriot battery by delivering both radar and launch systems. As for other possibilities, our team is already in touch with your teams," he noted. He also recalled that last Friday night the Russians carried out a massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "They waited for the cold weather to strike. There were 94 missiles and nearly 200 attack drones in this strike. Fortunately, we managed to defend ourselves. But we know this is just a pause, and Russia will try to strike again as soon as they are ready, they always do this. Thats why we need a reliable guarantee of protection against air terror, and this means having enough air defense systems," the president said. PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation, a leading brand of tankless water heaters in North America, strongly opposes U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) amended final rule on efficiency standards for tankless water heaters and urges the incoming administration to consider all implications and reverse the rule. The final rule will unreasonably restrict consumer access to certain tankless water heater products, disproportionately impact middle-income households and small businesses, and jeopardize hundreds of American jobs. The DOE's final rule raises standards for tankless to a condensing level of 91 percent, while tanked gas-fired water heaters remain subject to significantly lower non-condensing standards. While tankless water heaters are the more environmentally friendly option, achieving 91 percent efficiency with non-condensing technology is technologically impossible. "As published, the DOE's rule will create an uneven market that favors less energy efficient gas-fired tanked water heaters," said Frank Windsor, president of Rinnai America Corporation. "Consumers who rely on access to affordable tankless water heaters will see their options limited, forcing many to switch back to traditional tank-style water heaters, which are far less efficient at around 70 percent. This shift will result in higher energy bills and maintenance costs, while undermining the very environmental goals that prompted this rule. It will also potentially impact hundreds of American jobs that have been created in recent years. We urge the incoming administration to reconsider this egregious government overreach and reverse this rule that negatively impacts consumers, American workers, and the environmental goals it is intended to achieve." Rinnai America Corporation employs over 550 people across the United States at its headquarters, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers. In the last five years, Rinnai has invested more than $100 million as part of its commitment to developing a strong domestic manufacturing base to serve the North American market. For more information on Rinnai and its portfolio of products, visit www.rinnai.us. About Rinnai: Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is a top selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit rinnai.us. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Rinnai and Creating a healthier way of living are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation. SOURCE Rinnai America Corporation Verified Market Reports is pleased to announce the release of its latest market research report on the "Energy Management Systems Market Trends, Opportunities, and Forecasts," poised to provide industry leaders and decision-makers with critical insights into this growing sector. This in-depth report provides actionable insights tailored for industry leaders, energy managers, and technology providers aiming to stay ahead of the curve in this dynamic sector. LEWES, Del., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Energy Management Systems Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2024 to 2030, according to a new report published by Verified Market Reports. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 33.83 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 101.36 Billion by the end of the forecast period. Verified Market Reports Logo The Energy Management Systems (EMS) market is driven by the increasing demand for energy efficiency, growing adoption of smart grids, and the rising focus on reducing carbon emissions. Governments worldwide are implementing stringent regulations and offering incentives to promote energy conservation, which further boosts EMS adoption. Additionally, advancements in IoT, AI, and data analytics enable real-time energy monitoring, enhancing operational efficiency for businesses. However, the market faces restraints such as high initial implementation costs and complexities in integrating EMS with existing infrastructure. Limited awareness about the long-term benefits of EMS, especially in developing regions, also hinders market growth. Despite these challenges, the increasing need for cost optimization and sustainability goals continues to fuel the demand for energy management solutions globally. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=506749 Browse in-depth TOC on Energy Management Systems Market 202 Pages 126 Tables 37 Figures Scope of The Report REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2021-2030 BASE YEAR 2023 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2030 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2021-2022 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED C3 Energy, CA Technologies, Cisco Systems, Eaton Corporation, Elster Group, Emerson Electric Company, FirstFuel Software, General Electric Company, Gridpoint SEGMENTS COVERED By Type, By Application, By Geography CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent to up to 4 analyst working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Global Energy Management Systems Market Overview Market Drivers Fueling Growth in the Energy Management Systems Market 1. Rising Demand for Energy Efficiency and Cost Optimization Increasing energy costs and the need for businesses to optimize energy consumption are driving the adoption of Energy Management Systems (EMS). These systems help monitor, analyze, and control energy usage, resulting in significant cost savings. Industries are under pressure to reduce operational expenses, and EMS provides actionable insights for better energy utilization. This growing awareness of energy efficiency benefits is fueling market growth, especially in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial buildings. 2. Government Regulations and Sustainability Initiatives Stringent government policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy conservation are propelling the EMS market. Various governments are offering incentives, subsidies, and tax benefits for implementing energy-efficient technologies. Sustainability goals set by global initiatives like the Paris Agreement are pushing industries to adopt EMS solutions to meet regulatory compliance. This regulatory support, combined with rising corporate commitments to achieve net-zero emissions, is accelerating EMS adoption worldwide. 3. Technological Advancements in IoT, AI, and Smart Grids The integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics is transforming the EMS market. These innovations enable real-time energy monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated energy optimization, improving operational efficiency. The rise of smart grid infrastructure enhances EMS capabilities by enabling seamless communication between energy suppliers and consumers. This technological evolution empowers industries to make data-driven decisions, driving widespread adoption of EMS solutions globally. To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/download-sample/?rid=506749 Market Restraints Limiting Expansion in the Energy Management Systems Market 1. High Initial Implementation Costs The significant upfront costs associated with deploying Energy Management Systems (EMS) act as a major restraint for market growth. Expenses related to hardware, software integration, and skilled workforce training often deter small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from adopting these solutions. Additionally, the time required for return on investment (ROI) can be lengthy, making it challenging for businesses with limited budgets to justify the expenditure. 2. Complex Integration with Existing Infrastructure Integrating EMS with legacy systems and existing infrastructure poses a technical challenge for many organizations. Compatibility issues, outdated technologies, and the need for customized solutions can lead to implementation delays and increased costs. These complexities often discourage businesses from adopting EMS, particularly in industries with rigid, long-established systems that are difficult to upgrade. 3. Lack of Awareness and Skilled Workforce Limited awareness about the long-term benefits of EMS, especially in developing regions, hinders market adoption. Many organizations lack understanding of how EMS can optimize energy use and drive cost savings. Furthermore, a shortage of skilled professionals capable of managing and analyzing EMS data creates operational challenges. This lack of expertise slows down adoption and limits the effectiveness of EMS solutions in achieving desired energy efficiency outcomes. Geographic Dominance The Energy Management Systems (EMS) market demonstrates significant geographic diversity, with North America, Europe, and Asia leading the way in adoption and innovation. North America dominates the market due to stringent energy efficiency regulations, advanced infrastructure, and increased investments in smart grid technology. Europe follows closely, driven by sustainability initiatives, strict carbon reduction targets, and government incentives for energy-efficient solutions. Asia-Pacific is witnessing rapid growth fueled by industrialization, urbanization, and rising energy consumption in countries like China, India, and Japan. The increasing focus on smart cities and digital transformation further accelerates adoption in this region. Meanwhile, Africa and the rest of the world are gradually embracing EMS, with growing awareness and investments in renewable energy projects. Although adoption in these regions is slower, emerging economies are presenting significant growth opportunities for market players. Energy Management Systems Market Key Players Shaping the Future Major players, including C3 Energy, CA Technologies, Cisco Systems, Eaton Corporation, Elster Group, Emerson Electric Company, FirstFuel Software, General Electric Company, Gridpoint and more, play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Energy Management Systems Market. Financial statements, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis provide valuable insights into the industry's key players. Energy Management Systems Market Segment Analysis Based on the research, Verified Market Reports has segmented the global Energy Management Systems Market into Type, Application and Geography. Energy Management Systems Market, By Type SCADA PLC DCS Energy Platforms Energy Management Systems Market, By Application Retail Grocery Restaurant Sites Energy Management Systems Market, By Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America Browse Related Reports: Global Energy Management V2H (Vehicle-To-Home) Power Supply Systems Market By Type (DC Power Supply, AC Power Supply), By Application (Major Appliances, Small Appliances), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Energy Management Module Market By Type (Hardware, Software), By Application (Family, Workshop), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Energy Management Data Collector Market By Type (Instant Collection, Staged Collection), By Application (Building, School), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Energy Management Information Systems Market By Type (Hardware, Software), By Application (Oil & Gas, Marine), By Geographic Scope And Forecast Global Sustainability and Energy Management Software Market By Type (Cloud Based, On Premise), By Application (Automotive, Building Automation), By Geographic Scope And Forecast About Us Verified Market Reports stands at the forefront as a global leader in Research and Consulting, offering unparalleled analytical research solutions that empower organizations with the insights needed for critical business decisions. Celebrating 10+ years of service, Verified Market Reports has been instrumental in providing founders and companies with precise, up-to-date research data. With a team of 500+ Analysts and subject matter experts, Verified Market Reports leverages internationally recognized research methodologies for data collection and analyses, covering over 15,000 high impact and niche markets. This robust team ensures data integrity and offers insights that are both informative and actionable, tailored to the strategic needs of businesses across various industries. Verified Market Reports' domain expertise is recognized across 14 key industries, including Semiconductor & Electronics, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Technology, Automobiles, Defense, Mining, Manufacturing, Retail, and Agriculture & Food. In-depth market analysis cover over 52 countries, with advanced data collection methods and sophisticated research techniques being utilized. 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Contact Us Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Verified Market Reports US: +1 (650)-781-4080 US Toll Free: +1 (800)-782-1768 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/ Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2486715/VM_Reports.jpg SOURCE Verified Market Reports ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Expert Systems, a leader in AI-powered drug discovery, proudly celebrates the promising clinical results of oral once-daily lonitoclax, a next-generation BCL-2 inhibitor developed in collaboration with Lomond Therapeutics. The results of the single ascending dose Phase 1 studies demonstrate important advantages of lonitoclax over venetoclax and venetoclax-like molecules for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and potentially other oncology indications. Lonitoclax demonstrated no significant safety signals at exposures sufficient to achieve robust inhibition of BCL-2, as measured via ex vivo activation of caspase in primary CLL cells. Importantly, the co-administration of itraconazolea potent CYP 3A4 inhibitordid not significantly alter lonitoclax exposures. These results highlight a key differentiation from venetoclax and similar molecules, which require complex dose titration and ritonavir co-administration, and emphasize important advantages in safety, tolerability, and feasibility of outpatient treatment. "Lonitoclax's promising Phase 1 results highlight the strength of our AI-enabled platform in driving the development of next-generation therapies," said Bill Farley, Chief Business Officer at Expert Systems. "Our platform de-risks early-stage drug development by reducing time and costs while delivering data-driven insights to optimize safety and efficacy. We are proud to support Lomond Therapeutics in advancing this innovative BCL-2 inhibitor, which has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for CLL and AML patients." About Lonitoclax Lonitoclax is a next generation BCL-2 inhibitor that has demonstrated best-in-class molecular pharmacology with the highest selectivity against BCL2, a key pro-survival protein that is overexpressed in many cancers. To mitigate the hematologic and immune toxicities observed with venetoclax, lonitoclax was designed with a unique binding mode to improve selectivity for BCL-2 over BCL-XL. In addition, a shorter half-life and reduced P4503A4 inhibition properties were built into the molecule to mitigate tumor lysis syndrome and drug accumulation risk, respectively. Lonitoclax has demonstrated monotherapy activity in pre-clinical models, as well as synergistic activity when combined with azacitidine, FLT3 inhibitors, and menin inhibitors in AML xenograft models. Unlike venetoclax, lonitoclax had minimal immunosuppressive activity on B cells, CD8 T cells, and NK cells in preclinical models. About Expert Systems Expert Systems, Inc., an advanced accelerator platform, is equipped with a comprehensive, hybrid AI-based system that covers the entire spectrum of preclinical drug discovery and early development phases. This includes target identification, virtual screening, non-clinical and clinical pharmacology, chemical liability assessment, and toxicology. Utilizing a unique combination of proprietary and public databases, Expert Systems employs specialized software tools to evaluate the intellectual property landscape and construct a competitive drug intelligence strategy to de-risk candidate selection for rapid transition from in silico to first-in-human trials. Expert Systems has been pivotal in establishing Seed and Series A companies, organizing and managing over 30 research and development programs across various financial investors and strategic partners in North America, Europe, and Australia. To learn more visit www.expertsystems.inc Media Contact: Bill Farley CBO [email protected] SOURCE Expert Systems, Inc. TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) held its Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremonies on December 13-14 to celebrate the completion of bachelor's, master's, specialist and doctoral degrees for more than 700 graduates. Malinda Williams, actress, author and founder of the Arise And Shine Foundation, Inc. receives recognition from Florida A&M University Interim President Timothy Beard for her service as the commencement speaker for the Florida A&M University Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony held Friday, Dec. 13 in Tallahassee, Fla. Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, receives recognition from Florida A&M University Interim President Timothy Beard for his service as the commencement speaker during the Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, Dec. 14 in Tallahassee, Fla. "As you prepare to leave the Highest of Seven Hills, carry with you the lessons you've learned, the friendships you've built, and the mentors who have guided you," said FAMU Interim President Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D. "Remember, we are FAMU-ly for life. May the spirit of our motto "Excellence with Caring" continue to inspire you, and may it light your path to an even brighter future." The ebullient room of graduates, family and friends heard inspirational messages from Malinda Williams, actress and founder of the Arise And Shine Foundation, Inc.; and Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League. Williams challenged the graduates to embrace empathy, adaptability and the willingness to take bold action as gifts which they already possess. "Today, you are not just graduating from an institution of higher learning; you are stepping into a world that awaits the delivery of your unique gifts and the demonstration of your immense power," said Williams. "As graduates of a prestigious HBCU, you carry a unique mantle the mantle of history, of struggle, and of triumph. As you walk across this stage today, know that you are not just representing yourself but a legacy. Because of you, another generation of leaders, visionaries, and change-makers is unleashed into the world." Williams shared poignant life lessons that she wishes she had learned earlier, including, "You are already enough." "I know this now, and it so very empowering to celebrate my individuality to just be myself. You are one of one," said Williams. "No one else can bring to the table what you can, with your unique blend of experiences, passions, and perspectives. Bring your whole self into every room you enter." In his powerful charge, Morial reminded the graduates that they stand on the shoulders of giants, beginning with FAMU's founders, "Thomas and Thomas." "Thomas Gibbs, a reconstruction era Florida legislator, who had the temerity to challenge the legislature of Florida in the 1880s to create a school of higher education for those that were just 20 years beyond slavery. And, Thomas Tucker, the first president who laid the foundation for the transformation of a very small institution to become an institution that is one of the Top 100 public universities," said Morial. Morial offered the graduates three words to memorialize their scholastic journey: Achievement, Aptitude and Attitude. "I leave you with the confidence that your generation is ready to lead; with the confidence that you have both the aptitude plus the attitude to secure high achievement in everything that you undertake in your lives," said Morial. Among the proud parents of graduates were FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper and her husband Andre, who joyfully watched their daughter Celeste cross the stage to receive her bachelor's degree in agricultural science. As one of the many students who arrived to FAMU during COVID, Celeste believes the pandemic was a blessing in disguise. "It was easier for me to make my friends because we all wanted to network and find ways to do so and it made it easier to be in a concentrated space. One of the reasons I felt so content is because that era brought a lot of creativity, bonding and finding ways to meet online to have events," said Celeste. "I love the way people got around. Our group chat is still intact." As a second-generation FAMUan whose parents met on The Hill as students, Celeste also appreciated that she was able to find her own niche and chart her own path at FAMU despite following in the footsteps of a mother who served as SGA president and who currently serves as chair of the Board of Trustees. "I am so proud of Celeste for persevering and the fortitude to be resilient and overcome so many challenges," said Kristin. "FAMU provides excellence with caring to nurture students, set them up for success in the world, and the environment to discover who they want to become with a set of friends and contacts that will set them up for a lifetime." Doctoral graduate Olumide Arigbede first arrived at FAMU to attend the prestigious FUTA-FAMU Exchange Program, a partnership with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). This opportunity allowed him to complete a year of international education, ultimately influencing his decision to pursue advanced degrees at FAMU. He proudly crossed the stage to receive his doctor of public health in epidemiology and biostatistics. "My path to Florida A&M University began in Nigeria, where FAMU's reputation as the premier public HBCU in the United States was well known. My interest in epidemiology stems from a longstanding curiosity about disease patterns and public health crises," said Arigbede. "I have accepted a position as a health scientist with the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity." FAMU offers more than 100 degree programs and is ranked No. 81 among the 2025 Top Public Universities by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit www.FAMU.edu. Media Contact: Alonda Thomas 850-599-3413 [email protected] SOURCE Florida A&M University With Only 110 Units Available in the US, the MRGB2000JS1A Embodies the Essence of Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship DOVER, N.J., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Casio America, Inc. announced the release of the MRGB2000JS1A, the latest addition to its prestigious G-SHOCK MR-G line, celebrating Japan's rich tradition of craftsmanship. With just 110 units available in the US, this exclusive timepiece is a rare collaboration between Casio and master artisans Teruhira Kamiyama and Nomura Mamoru, each celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship in their respective fields. MRGB2000JS1A (PRNewsfoto/Casio America, Inc.) The MRGB2000JS1A showcases a range of premium materials and intricate design elements. The timepiece is constructed from recrystallized hybrid titanium with deep-layer hardening and Diamond-Like Carbon coating, ensuring exceptional strength and beauty. The dial features a "Tsukamaki" pattern, inspired by the traditional wrapping of a Japanese Katana sword handle, complemented by a mother-of-pearl in-dial to add a refined touch. The case is finished in a striking blue AIP with an "Ao Gai Nuri" texture, while the bracelet band, featured an ogai-nuri blue shell lacquer design to reveal a unique sparkle under UV light, completes the design. The design of the MRGB2000JS1A is the result of a remarkable collaboration between Casio and two celebrated Japanese artisans. Teruhira Kamiyama, a rising star in modern Japanese swordsmithing, is renowned for his award-winning craftsmanship, including receiving the Chairman's Award in the Sword Making Section at the 2023 Craftsmen's Competition in Japan. His contributions to the MRGB2000JS1A include the intricate blade pattern and the special engraving "San," which pays homage to the artistry of traditional sword-making. Mamoru Nomura, a "Traditional Master Craftsman" certified by the Japanese government in 2001, brings his expertise in the ancient "Raden" technique to the design. This delicate lacquer craft, using blue shellfish, is reflected in the intricate detailing that adorns the timepiece, highlighting the centuries-old traditions that influence its creation. The timepiece is equipped with G-SHOCK's innovative technology including: Shock-Resistant structure Magnetic Resistant 200M Water Resistant Water Resistant Tough Solar power Bluetooth Smartphone Link Dual Time 1/1-Sec Chronograph Auto hand home position correction LED light (Super Illuminator) Date display and day indicator The MRGB2000JS1A will be available for purchase for $8,000 at select jewelers, G-SHOCK.com, and the G-SHOCK Soho store starting December 23, 2024. For more information about the new releases and the G-SHOCK brand, visit gshock.casio.com/us. About G-SHOCK CASIO's shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe's dream of 'creating a watch that never breaks'. Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as 'the toughest watch of all time'. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. Since its launch, G-SHOCK has continued to evolve, continuing to support on Mr. Ibe's mantra "never, never give up." www.gshock.casio.com/us/ About Casio America, Inc. Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to realize its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com/us/ FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT: 5WPR [email protected] Sue VanderSchans / Cecilia Lederer CASIO AMERICA, INC. (973) 361-5400 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Casio America, Inc. MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the 2024 President's Gala held on Friday, December 6th, at Georgia Military College (GMC), GMC President Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret.) proudly announced this year's recipient of the President's Leadership Award: Mr. Rob Posner, Founder and CEO of NewDay USA, and longtime friend and supporter of the students and cadets at GMC. The President's Leadership Award honors an individual who exceeds expectations through their extraordinary contributions of time, talent, and treasure to support the Mission of Georgia Military College. It also recognizes those who embody purpose-driven leadership, which Mr. Posner has demonstrated through his work with the NewDay USA Foundation. The NewDay USA Foundation has been instrumental in transforming opportunities for students and cadets at GMC. As a key benefactor of the recently opened NewDay USA Center of Leadership, a first-of-its-kind, 754-seat facility at Georgia Military College, NewDay USA's partnership with GMC has created a space that fosters leadership and learning for generations to come. To date, the Foundation has contributed over $10 million in scholarships and learning opportunities to educational institutions, including $6 million in commitments to GMC. The Foundation has funded 75 scholarships, directly benefiting nearly 50 GMC Preparatory School (K-12) students each year. "We are so grateful to NewDay USA and Rob Posner for all they do for Georgia Military College, specifically our students at our Preparatory School," said the President of GMC, Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret). "We wanted to find a special way to honor Rob and the generosity he's shared with GMC over the years, and we felt the President's Leadership Award from our institution was a wonderful recognition of his commitment to our students." Since 2016, Mr. Posner has been an active supporter of the GMC community. In the spirit of the values of GMC and NewDay USA, the NewDay USA Leadership Speaker Series at Georgia Military College brings world-class speakers such as General James Mattis and Admiral Michael Mullen to inspire and educate GMC students and cadets, the broader community, and beyond. Georgia Military College is deeply appreciative of Rob Posner's partnership and his invaluable contributions, which have made a profound impact on the institution and its students. To learn more about Georgia Military College, visit https://www.gmc.edu/. Georgia Military College (GMC) is an accredited public-independent liberal arts college with satellite campuses throughout the state of Georgia, a Global Online Leadership College, and a main campus in Milledgeville that serves residential cadets, commuter students, and intercollegiate athletes. GMC aims to develop students into authentic servant leaders, providing hope and opportunity to all through the institution's time-honored values of "Duty, Honor, Country." Through various pathways of opportunity, there is a place for all at Georgia Military College. "Leadership is our Legacy and your Future!" For more information about Georgia Military College, visit www.gmc.edu . Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/georgiamilitarycollege, follow us on Twitter @GaMilCollege and Instagram @_georgiamilitarycollege. SOURCE Georgia Military College BOSTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- M.S. Walker Brands, a growing supplier of spirits and fine wine brands, has been appointed the U.S. Importer for Ghost Tequila, the industry's leading premium spiced tequila. Currently available nationwide, Ghost Tequila is projected to grow its case sales over 15% GAGR in 2024 and this new strategic partnership positions the brand for continued growth in 2025 and beyond as the popularity of spiced tequila continues to rise. Ghost Tequila is produced with 100% Blue Weber agave with a pinch of Ghost pepper, which unlike other peppers, delivers a quick hit of heat followed by a smooth, fruity finish. Ghost Tequila's Blanco and Reposado expressions lend themselves to crafting the Perfectly Spicy Tequila Margarita. M.S. Walker Brands has been appointed the U.S. Importer for Ghost Tequila. Post this "As we set our sights on the next phase of growth for Ghost Tequila, M.S. Walker Brands is the perfect partner to help us expand our footprint across the country," says David Gordon, CEO of Ghost Tequila. "Their team's experience in the marketplace on both the supplier and wholesaler levels aligns directly with our goal of getting our tequila out to as many consumers as possible." "Ghost Tequila is a very exciting addition to our portfolio," says Gary Shaw, Executive Vice President for M.S. Walker Brands. "We are hitting the ground running with a strategic plan to further solidify Ghost's status as the go-to premium spiced tequila." For more information on Ghost Tequila, please visit www.ghosttequila.com or follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook. For customer inquiries, please contact Sean Cronin at [email protected]. About M.S. Walker Brands Founded in 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts, M.S. Walker Brands acts as an Importer of curated nationally marketed spirit and wine brands from around the world, in addition to producing its own internationally marketed spirits brands in Boston, MA. ABOUT GHOST TEQUILA Made in Tequila, Guadalajara in Mexico, Ghost Tequila is 100% blue agave with a pinch of ghost pepper which, unlike other peppers, gives a quick hit of heat followed by a fruity, smooth finish. Ghost Tequila is Perfectly Spicy, created by bartenders for the bartender in everyone as it makes a perfectly balanced spiced cocktail every single time. Ghost Tequila is available in all 50 states, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.ghosttequila.com. Media Contact John LeRoy M.S. Walker Brands 617-440-1950 [email protected] SOURCE Ghost Tequila BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tightly hugging panda plush toys and waving both the Chinese and Belgian flags, a group of fans bid farewell to giant pandas Tian Bao, Bao Di, and Bao Mei in Pairi Daiza zoo, with tears in their eyes. These three pandas, born in Belgium, have brought joy and beautiful memories to Belgians in recent years. Flying across the Eurasian continent, they returned, as promised, to their never-before-seen homeland in Sichuan, Southwest China on December 10. At the same time, in Moscow, panda cub Katyusha was joyfully rolling in the snow, with a video clip of the moment going viral online. In the US, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC from Sichuan two months ago, are now enjoying their new toys. At the Adelaide Zoo in Australia, the panda exhibit is eagerly awaiting new residents - Xing Qiu and Yi Lan arrived on Sunday aboard a chartered flight. Around the world, giant pandas not only serve as China's "ambassadors of goodwill" and "cultural envoys," but also as a bridge that strengthens the connection between the Chinese people and people worldwide. To date, China has engaged in panda cooperation and exchange programs with 26 institutions in 20 countries, showed date from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in June. Giant pandas have played a unique and positive role in fostering friendly relations, spreading ecological civilization concepts, and tackling technical challenges in panda breeding, disease control, and wild release, among other areas. Their efforts have strongly supported wildlife conservation and become a model for global cooperation in protecting endangered species, the administration said. Shared feelings At the end of November, the weather was cooler in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, with golden leaves scattered on the ground and the mountains in the distance donning snow caps. This cool weather is exactly what giant pandas love. Amid this weather, four-year-old Fu Bao, holding tender bamboo, rolls around on the ground, playfully executing multiple flips. Outside her playground, camera shutters click away, capturing every move. These fans come from China, South Korea, and other countries, communicating in various languages. Fubao was born at the Everland Zoo in South Korea, the first giant panda to be born there. From the moment she was born, she became a true panda princess, showered with love and attention. "Fu Bao is so cute and beautiful. I cried when I first saw her," Danabao, a panda blogger in Seoul who specializes in photographing Fu Bao and her family, told the Global Times. "These pandas have become a part of my life." Each panda cub born overseas is a testament to international cooperation and friendship. Fu Bao's birth is no exception. She was born in 2020, at the height of the global pandemic. The news of the giant panda Hua Xin (Ai Bao) giving birth gave the anxious Korean public a glimmer of hope. Before this, South Korea had no experience with panda births, and the pressure was immense. Thanks to the online guidance of experts in China and the on-site support of Wu Kai, a keeper from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), Fu Bao was successfully born. Her growth journey was not without challenges: She developed a rash at 10 days old, and her eyes opened prematurely before they were fully developed. Fortunately, with the guidance of Wu and the collaborative efforts of Korean zoo staff, these dangers were overcome, and Fubao grew into a "beautiful lady." Her story was even made into a documentary, "The Chronicle of Fu Bao's Birth," as a testament to China-South Korea cooperation in panda breeding and conservation. On December 3, Fu Bao was observed shaking while eating bamboo, which deeply concerned panda lovers. The CCRCGP immediately conducted observation and testing on Fu Bao, lasting several days. The center also has provided daily updates on Fu Bao's condition. The good news is that her health, appetite, and test results are normal, with no signs of infectious diseases. Fans were relieved to see Fu Bao playing with new toys and leisurely scratching herself while eating bamboo. In fact, the healthy growth of captive pandas abroad is the result of joint efforts from both China and the host countries. As a Chinese national treasure and a globally beloved species, before pandas are sent abroad, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted, including assessments of the habitat, disease prevention, and research conditions, according to Li Desheng, deputy director and chief expert of the CCRCGP. Only when the cooperation partners meet the necessary conditions can the international collaboration begin. Before leaving, pandas undergo health monitoring and quarantine to ensure their safety and well-being, Li told the Global Times. When giant pandas abroad fall ill, go into estrus, or give birth, Chinese experts will also travel to help them through these special periods. Upon their return to China, pandas may experience stress due to environmental changes and caregiver transitions. Extra care is needed until they fully adapt to their new surroundings before being displayed, Li said. For example, Xiao Qi Ji, a panda born in the US, is sensitive to noise and can be startled by loud sounds, as explained by keeper Lang Shunjun. Now, Xiao Qi Ji has adapted to life in his Sichuan home and has learned how to efficiently obtain his favorite bamboo shoots. "When the keeper places food, he sniffs the path the keeper walked to find it," she said. "He's one of the smartest pandas I've ever seen." Global Phenomenon Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government has gifted giant pandas to various countries, conveying goodwill and friendship. In the 1980s, with a focus on preserving this national treasure and ensuring the species' propagation, China ceased gifting pandas and gradually shifted to international collaborative research on panda conservation, according to the Xinhua News Agency. This model continues today, enabling better protection of the species while offering people abroad more opportunities to get close to giant pandas and experience the friendship of China. Across the world, people queue for hours to see pandas. For example, after the debut of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo on August 8, a new wave of "panda fever" swept the US, with Americans waiting an hour just to have a glimpse of a giant panda. Behind this are the tremendous economic benefits to zoos that pandas have brought. In Japan, giant panda Xiang Xiang's popularity has led to a booming economy in related sectors. Japanese scholars estimated that the economic benefit generated from her birth to her return to China exceeded 60 billion yen ($391 million), according to a CCTV report in June. In France, after the ZooParc de Beauval rented pandas in 2012, its annual visitor numbers skyrocketed from about 600,000 to over 2 million, with annual revenue reaching 105 million euros, according to Science and Technology Daily. However, there are strict conditions for renting pandas from China. Li, the CCRCGP director, introduced that China has clear requirements for institutions wishing to rent pandas. For example, the management team must be professionally qualified, and the panda habitat must meet standards based on years of research, including specific requirements for exhibit halls, outdoor exercise areas, and green resting zones. "We also require our partners to provide regular health assessments and submit annual check-up reports to ensure proper care and health management," he said. To meet these standards, institutions, zoos, and keepers worldwide make great efforts. The Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands invested around 7 million euros to build a 9,000-square-meter panda palace, designed in the traditional Chinese style, with custom-made glazed tiles, CCTV reported. In Qatar, giant pandas Jing Jing and Si Hai reside in an enormous, climate-controlled playground. The bamboo they eat is delivered by cold chain from Sichuan, the People's Daily reported. In 2019, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a choir in Finland was even invited to sing for pandas with a Chinese folk song, "May we all be blessed with longevity." These pandas have proven to be exemplary, reflecting the pride of their home countries. For example, Yuan Meng, born in France, has a stylish curly coat as a cub and is known as the "French little prince." In Russia, the lively panda family comprised of Ding Ding, Rui Yi, and Katyusha have been humorously dubbed "pandas raised by the fighting spirit of the Russian people." Pandas being pandas "Through international cooperation in panda conservation, both China and its partner countries have made advances in scientific research and management techniques. Furthermore, protecting giant pandas also helps preserve other species in their habitats. As a flagship species, the successful conservation experiences of giant pandas can be applied to other endangered species," Li said. Li further noted that through international cooperation, scientists from both sides learn from each other and engage in deep exchanges, which not only increased the success rate of panda breeding but also advanced related technologies. For example, in 2014, the San Diego Zoo performed testicular cancer surgery on the giant panda Gao Gao. "These experiences highlight the complexity and challenges of multinational scientific cooperation while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork and knowledge sharing. Ultimately, these efforts not only increased public awareness of panda conservation but also deepened the friendship and understanding between China and the US," Li said. In 2023, panda Ya Ya, residing at the Memphis Zoo, fell ill with a skin disease, drawing attention both domestically and internationally. In April, Ya Ya returned to China and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement at the Beijing Zoo. However, this year, four pandas arrived in the US to begin their new lives, dispelling these doubts, including Yun Chuan, Xin Bao, Bao Li and Qing Bao. These new residents had been eagerly anticipated and were warmly welcomed by locals. In a video released by the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC on Saturday, Bao Li and Qing Bao are leisurely enjoying tender bamboo leaves under the sunlight. In the future, they will meet visitors here, and plant the seeds of friendship and a love for nature in the hearts of people. SOURCE Global Times GlycoNex developing denosumab biosimilar, SPD8, for the treatment of osteoporosis NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- GlycoNex, Inc. (4168, hereinafter referred to as GNX), a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer immunotherapies, today announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase 3 clinical trial of its denosumab biosimilar, SPD8. This marks the initiation of a pivotal trial to evaluate SPD8 for the treatment of osteoporosis, with unblinded results expected in the second quarter of 2026. SPD8, co-developed with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC), is a biosimilar to Xgeva and Prolia (denosumab), a widely used therapy to prevent skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors as well as osteoporosis. Phase 1 clinical trials confirmed SPD8's safety and pharmacokinetic equivalence to the reference drug, enabling this critical next step in development. To support the trial and regulatory submission efforts, GlycoNex and EirGenix, Inc.Taiwan's largest CDMOhave established a production agreement for the large-scale manufacturing of SPD8. "The initiation of this Phase 3 trial and the dosing of the first patient are significant achievements in the development of SPD8," said Dr. Mei-Chun Yang, CEO of GlycoNex. "As the demand for osteoporosis treatments continues to grow, we are committed to providing affordable and effective options that improve patient care worldwide." Denosumab, marketed as Xgeva and Prolia, is a leading treatment for bone loss and cancer-related skeletal complications. In 2023, global sales of denosumab products reached USD 6.1 billion, highlighting the need for cost-effective biosimilar alternatives. With osteoporosis prevalence rising and an aging population in Asia, SPD8 is poised to address this growing demand. In addition to advancing SPD8, GlycoNex continues to expand its oncology pipeline. The company's lead monoclonal antibody, GNX102, has completed Phase 1 clinical trials, demonstrating excellent safety and tolerability. GlycoNex is also preparing GNX102 for development as an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) through a collaboration with Sterling Pharma Solutions. These initiatives underscore GlycoNex's expertise in advancing impactful therapies for global health challenges. About GlycoNex Inc. GlycoNex Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of glycan-directed cancer immunotherapies that effectively inhibit tumor growth while minimizing side effects. GlycoNex possesses a robust pipeline led by GNX102, a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed to target abnormal sugar molecules in cancer cells. GNX102 has successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials with data demonstrating excellent safety and promising efficacy. GlycoNex is also advancing a portfolio of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) that precisely attack cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. GlycoNex is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. For more information, visit http://www.glyconex.com.tw. Contacts for GlycoNex, Inc. Investor Relations Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. David Irish [email protected] Media Relations Eric Reiss [email protected] SOURCE GlycoNex, Inc. HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Great Bay Bio (GBB) is thrilled to announce the successful first close of its Series B financing round. This milestone was achieved with the round led by a syndication of a well-known strategic investment institution and its affiliate, Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator. The financing also attracted participation from new investors, including a Hong Kong-based family office, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Venture Fund, as well as continued support from an existing global life science strategic investor. The funds will be instrumental in advancing GBB's AI-enabled drug development ecosystem and accelerating the global adoption of its innovative solutions. This marks a significant step forward in transforming biologics development on an international scale. GBB's commercialization efforts have been gaining momentum, fueled by technical breakthroughs and market-driven solutions. In the cell line development business, GBB's site-specific cell line development platform, AlfaCell, has enabled customers to secure clinical trial approvals from both China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These cell lines have also been successfully applied in multiple projects, with partners expressing satisfaction with improved yields and shorter development timelines, especially for multi-specific antibodies. Additionally, GBB has enhanced its cell culture capabilities by establishing its own ISO 9001:2015-certified cell culture powder manufacturing line, further ensuring a high-quality and secure supply chain for partners. These achievements have positioned GBB as a trusted partner for leading MNCs in the life sciences, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceutical CDMO sectors, meeting the global demand for faster and more efficient new product development. Building on this foundation, GBB has recently launched an integrated ecosystem solution, combining its advanced technological platforms into a seamless workflow. This innovation enables customers to accelerate drug development from target identification to pre-clinical candidate (PCC) generation in as little as eight months. While GBB has just started collaboration with partners using this approach, early results are promising and highlight its potential to redefine efficiency and speed in drug development, delivering significant value to global partners. Kingsley Leung, Co-founder and Chairman of GBB, commented: "GBB was founded with a global vision, and our benchmark for success has always been to develop technologies that are globally differentiated. We are confident in our ability to continue building an international footprint, particularly across the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific, where we see significant opportunities for growth. The strong support from our series B investors reflects their trust in our vision and reinforces our commitment to driving innovation that transforms the biopharmaceutical industry worldwide." Emmanuel Hui, CEO of the Tiger Jade Pebble Accelerator added: "The biggest challenges for applying AI in the biomedical space are scientific feedback and business model fit. Innovators often don't know whether or not their AI products work until after extensive animal and human testing, and even then, it is unclear who would be the paying party. GBB's deliberate strengths in cell line, culture media, and bioprocessing veer away from general AI drug discovery, and allows for immediate feedback, iteration, and client payment." About GBB Great Bay Bio (GBB), headquartered in HKSTP, is a biotech company that drives drug development using cutting-edge technologies such as AI, big data mining, and automation. GBB adheres to the corporate vision of "Global Bioprocessing Made Simpler and More Efficient," and aims to address the challenges of long timelines, high costs, and low success rates in drug development, with a long-term goal of enhancing human life, health, and value. The core team of GBB comprises experts from medicine, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence. The company operates a 3,000 R&D laboratory and CMC platform, supporting customers in securing clinical trial approvals from China's NMPA and the US FDA. GBB has secured nearly 100 patents related to AI-enabled drug development and successfully commercialized multiple AI technology platforms. The company has established long-term partnerships with leading domestic and international enterprises. GBB has passed the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification, been selected for Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2024 List, and won numerous awards, including "Deloitte Technology Rising Star Company," "EY Entrepreneur Of The Year," "15th Shenzhen Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition," "Gold Award for Hong Kong Global Innovation," "Excellence in Process Innovation Award," and "Excellence in Technology Adoption Award". The company has also been successfully selected for the Hong Kong Science Park Elite Enterprise Program. SOURCE Great Bay Bio Limited At the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Tallinn, the leaders of the countries agreed that their assistance to Ukraine in 2025 will presumably exceed EUR 12 billion, according to a joint statement. At the summit, agreements were concluded on additional measures to provide practical assistance to Ukraine and ensure further and strong cooperation with the countries of the Joint Expeditionary Force in the future. It is expected that these countries' military assistance to Ukraine in 2025 will exceed EUR 12 billion, the statement says. JEF is a defense cooperation format led by the United Kingdom, which in addition to Estonia includes the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. The idea of JEF is to provide first aid before NATO's Article 5 is declared. Crisis responses developed within JEF complement NATO's activities. SMITHSBURG, Md., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Street Housing and TM Associates, in partnership with Interfaith Housing Alliance, is pleased to announce the successful closing of financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of The Point at Smithsburg, an affordable housing community in Smithsburg, Maryland. This $18.5 million redevelopment, supported by 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), will enhance affordable housing options for those with low income in Washington County. The Point at Smithsburg Built in 1986, The Point at Smithsburg currently includes 38 Section 8 units, with plans to expand to 40 residences. A significant portion of the $8.2 million construction budget will fund energy-efficiency upgrades, comprehensive interior renovations, facade improvements, and an expanded community center. Guided by resident input, these upgrades aim to create quality, cost-effective homes that lower utility expenses and foster a sustainable living environment. Key financing partners include CREA, LLC as the LIHTC equity syndicator; Boston Capital Finance, providing permanent financing; Locus Bank, providing construction lending; and CF Bank as the predevelopment lender. Their support, along with DHCD's alignment, has been critical in bringing this project to life. This initiative reflects Green Street and TM Associates' dedication to developing sustainable communities that improve lives and deliver high-quality experiences for both residents and partners. "The Point at Smithsburg represents more than just a renovation; it's an opportunity to preserve and enhance an essential affordable housing resource for the Smithsburg community," said Bob Margolis, CEO of TM Associates. "This redevelopment reflects our dedication to creating safe, energy-efficient, and comfortable homes for families." "Our goal with The Point at Smithsburg is to create a modern, energy-efficient environment that reduces living costs and enhances the quality of life for our residents," said Charlie Moore, Director of Development Finance at Green Street Housing. "This project showcases our commitment to transforming communities through innovative, affordable housing solutions that build lasting value." About Green Street Housing: Founded in 2008 by Dave Layfield and Tom Ayd of Salisbury, MD, Green Street Housing, LLC, is a leading affordable housing developer serving communities across Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. With a focus on high-quality, mission-driven developments, Green Street has built a strong reputation for its expertise in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing and public-private partnerships that create lasting community impact and navigating the complex and challenging affordable housing development process. For more information, visit www.greenstreethousing.com. About TM Associates: TM Associates currently manages over 18,000 units across 423 properties in fourteen states plus Washington, D.C. TM Development has built or rehabilitated 7,000 affordable housing units. TM strives to deliver the best in diligence, dedication and services while effecting change in the communities they serve. This includes services such as after school programs, adult literacy and job placement, services that address food insecurities, in addition to more traditional amenities such as package acceptance, community room, and online rent payment. TM doesn't stop at providing new, luxury affordable housing options in urban and rural neighborhoods. Instead, TM aims to take it further and change the definition and perception of affordable housing in these neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.tmamgroup.com. Contact Information: TM Associates Management, Inc Lisa Kish [email protected] 240.83.0300 ext. 185 Green Street Housing Dave Layfield [email protected] SOURCE Green Street Housing and TM Associates 80% of Americans see their grocery bills increase during the holidays. AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, 80% of Americans will see their grocery bills increase, with 65% shopping more frequently during this time. Upgraded Points ' latest research explores these holiday spending habits and the regional differences in grocery shopping, delving into factors such as grocery store density and budgeting to provide a comprehensive look at grocery shopping across the United States. States with the Most Supermarkets and Where Spending is the Highest How Do Americans Grocery Shop? "Grocery spending is a part of every household budget, yet how much Americans spend and where they shop can vary dramatically depending on their state and the time of year," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. "Understanding how much of someone's income goes to groceries and what their access to grocery stores is like can provide valuable insights into people's everyday lives, particularly around the holiday season." Study Methodology To determine the parts of the country that spend the most on groceries and where grocery store access is highest, the study analyzed data from the census on grocery spending and density in every state, normalizing those data points against median income and population to allow for more accurate comparisons across states. The study also surveyed over 3,400 Americans to get insight into their typical grocery shopping habits and how much more they spend on groceries during the holiday season. How Much Do Grocery Bills Increase During the Holidays? These states see the largest spikes in grocery spending during the holiday season: Hawaii 29.8% Montana 28.3% Tennessee 28.2% Virginia 27.9% Texas 27.7% Hawaii leads the pack, which isn't too surprising given its higher cost of living and reliance on imported goods that can make seasonal splurges even pricier. Meanwhile, Texas's sprawling size and culturally diverse holiday traditions likely contribute to its residents going all out at the grocery store. States That Spend the Most of Their Income on Groceries 88% say their grocery costs have risen over the past year, and 93% report higher bills over the past 3 years. Mississippi 21.1% of income West Virginia 20.2% of income Louisiana 19.9% New Mexico 19.7% Alabama 18.4% It's no surprise that states topping this list tend to have lower median household incomes. Regional trends suggest that Southern states, where incomes tend to be lower than national averages, feel the impact of grocery spending more sharply. States That Spend the Least of Their Income on Groceries New Hampshire 10.7% Maryland 11.2% New Jersey 11.4% Massachusetts 11.5% Utah 11.8% Higher-income states dominate this list, where groceries account for a smaller percentage of household income. They spend nearly half as much of their income as states on the higher end of the ranking. Utah stands out as the only Western state, which could be due to its comparatively lower grocery costs and larger average household sizes that benefit from economies of scale. States With the Most Grocery Stores (Per 10K Residents) New York 4.3 Vermont 3.3 Alaska 2.9 Maine 2.6 New Jersey 2.6 New York has the highest grocery store density at 4.3 stores per 10,000 residents, reflecting its urban centers like New York City, where accessibility to grocery stores is a necessity. States With the Fewest Grocery Stores (Per 10K Residents) Arizona 1.1 Nevada 1.1 Utah 1.1 New Mexico 1.2 Texas 1.2 The Southwest dominates the lower extreme of this list, reflecting the region's sprawling suburbs and larger distances between population centers. States like Texas and Arizona, known for their expansive geographies, often consolidate grocery stores into larger chains serving wider areas. This lower density may force residents to drive farther for groceries, impacting convenience and potentially influencing spending habits. To explore specific insights about how Americans grocery shop, including checkout preferences and payment trends, please visit the full study online . About Upgraded Points LLC Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Upgraded Points is a travel company that helps to demystify the complex world of travel and credit cards. Launched in 2016 by Alex Miller, Upgraded Points uses targeted research efforts and in-depth studies to help travelers maximize their travel, points, and experiences. Learn more at: www.UpgradedPoints.com. Media Contact: Alex Miller, Founder 1-214-646-8866 [email protected] SOURCE Upgraded Points LLC La Molisana, a leading Italian pasta company, selects Hitachi Vantara's Virtual Storage Platform One offering, leveraging advanced data infrastructure to support ambitious growth, strengthen security, and improve sustainability MILAN, Italy and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), has announced that La Molisana, one of the leading pasta manufacturers in Italy, implemented the Hitachi Vantara Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) Block solution to optimize data infrastructure and drive business expansion. With a significant improvement in storage performance and strengthened security measures, La Molisana's move to VSP One Block enables the company to scale operations while achieving its sustainability goals. To learn more Hitachi Vantara Virtual Storage Platform One, visit: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/storage-platforms/data-platform Based in Campobasso, Italy, La Molisana has been a reference brand in the premium pasta production sector since 1912 and exports to over 100 countries. With significant growth plans, including expansions into the emerging markets across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, La Molisana needed a robust and modern storage solution that would deliver increased performance across its ERP, supply chain, and corporate performance management systems. The company selected Hitachi Vantara, in partnership with Italian technology provider EOSYS, to strategically transform its data infrastructure using VSP One Block for its scalability, performance, security, and energy efficiency. Maurizio Maio, CTO of La Molisana, said, "The Hitachi VSP One system integrated easily with our existing infrastructure and provided the security solutions we needed, while ensuring high performance and reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Hitachi Vantara's ability to quickly respond to our growth needs and the long-term partnership underlying the proposal certainly contributed to convincing that we were making the right choice." The transition to Hitachi VSP One Block provided La Molisana with several key benefits, including: Improved performance thanks to a significant increase in data access and processing speed, positively impacting production and logistics processes. thanks to a significant increase in data access and processing speed, positively impacting production and logistics processes. Enhanced security with ransomware protection features and native integration with backup solutions, ensuring that data is always protected and easily recoverable when needed with a 100% Data Availability Guarantee. with ransomware protection features and native integration with backup solutions, ensuring that data is always protected and easily recoverable when needed with a 100% Data Availability Guarantee. Storage cost reduction through data deduplication and compression with an Effective Capacity Guarantee. through data deduplication and compression with an Effective Capacity Guarantee. Scalability , allowing the company to grow seamlessly, adding storage capacity without compromizing operations. , allowing the company to grow seamlessly, adding storage capacity without compromizing operations. Sustainability, optimising rack space while reducing energy consumption and cooling costs. Virtual Storage Platform One Block products are ENERGY STAR certified, and Hitachi Vantara's unique 'automated switching' process reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 30-40%. "With our technology, La Molisana will be able to quickly respond to market challenges, guaranteeing high performance, security, and sustainability," said Salvatore Turchetti, Country Manager of Hitachi Vantara Italy. "Our VSP One platform is a clear example of how our solutions not only improve operational efficiency but also contribute to achieving their environmental goals." Hitachi's VSP One Block, equipped with NVMe flash drives, enables La Molisana to handle increased data volumes with high speed and efficiency. The implementation included the integration of Veeam backup and Hitachi's immutable snapshot functionality, providing La Molisana with optimized data protection and business continuity. Paolo Pezzoni, CEO at EOSYS, said, "The collaboration with the Hitachi Vantara team was fundamental to the success of this project. We worked in close synergy with Hitachi Vantara's technical and commercial teams from the early stages to develop a tailored solution for La Molisana. Our field experience and understanding of the operational dynamics of the pasta factory, combined with the technological expertise of Hitachi Vantara, have allowed us to design an efficient, reliable, and secure infrastructure. To learn more about Hitachi Vantara's services offerings, click here: https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/services/professional-services. Additional Resources Connect With Hitachi Vantara About La Molisana La Molisana is one of the oldest pasta makers in Italy today, over a century old. Founded in 1912 in Campobasso, Italy, La Molisana currently produces over 40,000 packets of pasta each day. To learn more, visit www.lamolisana.it/en/. About Hitachi Vantara Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com. About Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of "Digital Systems & Services" supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners. SOURCE Hitachi Vantara Corporation Intercepting the Next October 7th - Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Strengthen Security and Prevent Future Threats on U.S. Soil, Ensuring Better Detection and Response to Evolving Risks. TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid ongoing global security concerns and increased border crossings, U.S. border security agencies face unprecedented challenges requiring advanced solutions. The need for enhanced screening, monitoring, and intelligence capabilities has never been greater. Modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and cyber intelligence offer effective tools for detecting and mitigating risks while enabling efficient resource allocation. A vision for vetting RealEye Co-Founder Kevin Cohen One of the key concerns for border security agencies is the ability to address individuals and entities posing heightened security risks. Advanced AI-driven systems allow authorities to identify anomalous patterns and unusual behaviors, ensuring timely responses and preventative measures. Among the leaders in this technological transformation is Realeye.ai, a cyber intelligence firm founded in 2023. Realeye specializes in enhancing border security management through AI-powered tools that improve data enrichment processes, anomaly detection, and real-time monitoring. "Realeye's systems are designed to process vast volumes of data quickly and efficiently, providing actionable insights to identify credible risks," says Kevin Cohen, the company's founder. "Our goal is to help safeguard communities and national interests through precision and scalability." Realeye's systems analyze behavioral patterns, travel data, and communication trends to highlight areas of concern in a fact-based, automated manner. The technologies also support long-term monitoring and tracking, enabling proactive intervention against evolving threats. Through partnerships and collaborative programs across regions with complex border challenges, Realeye demonstrates its ability to adapt solutions to diverse security needs. By leveraging centralized platforms for data sharing and analysis, Realeye strengthens cooperation among agencies and reduces response times. "AI is redefining threat assessment capabilities," Cohen explains. "With advanced machine learning and real-time insights, we can help authorities predict and mitigate risks faster and at scale." As security threats grow increasingly sophisticated, innovative technologies like those offered by Realeye provide the tools necessary to ensure border integrity, strengthen defenses, and protect national stability. https://realeye.ai/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2583170/Realeye_Kevin.jpg SOURCE Realeye HOLON, Israel and LUSAKA, Zambia, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Save a Child's Heart (SACH), an Israeli-based international humanitarian organization, is conducting a life-saving mission in Lusaka, Zambia, from December 16 to 20, 2024. This mission brings together an international team of medical professionals from Israel, Tanzania, and Zambia to treat 25 children suffering from congenital heart defects. The team will be composed of cardiologists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, ICU specialists, technicians, and nurses. In a groundbreaking collaboration, doctors from Israel's Wolfson Medical Center (WMC), Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI), and Zambia's National Heart Hospital (NHH) will perform open heart surgery and catheterization procedures at NHH. Israeli and Zambian doctors perform lifesaving heart surgery in Zambia Leading the effort are Dr. Godwin Godfrey Sharau of Tanzania and Dr. Mudaniso Kumani Ziwa of Zambia, both trained by Save a Child's Heart in Israel. They will work alongside Tanzanian and Zambian teams, many of whom have also undergone specialized training in Israel through Saved a Child's Heart. Dr. Lior Sasson, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at WMC, will observe firsthand the collaboration of two generations of surgeons he trained in Israel over the past 15 years, as they work together to save the lives of 10 children in need. In addition to the open-heart surgeries, a specialized team will visit Zambia to perform catheterizations. These advanced procedures allow for the repair of heart defects in children without the need for open-heart surgery, providing a safer approach and faster recovery times. To support the success of these sophisticated interventions, Save a Child's Heart is donating essential medical supplies and a portable echocardiography machine, which will be utilized in both the operating room and catheterization lab. Since 2017, Save a Child's Heart has worked closely with Zambia's Ministry of Health to strengthen pediatric cardiac care. This partnership has resulted in the treatment of over 100 Zambian children and the training of medical professionals in advanced cardiac care techniques at Save a Child's Heart in Israel, as well as 10 nurses trained in Tanzania. As of 2024, Save a Child's Heart has sponsored medical teams to facilitate open heart surgery and catheterization procedures based on an international collaboration between Tanzania's JKCI, Italy's Congenital Heart Academy Italy, and Israel's WMC. Dr. Chabwela Shumba, Senior Medical Superintendent at Zambia's National Heart Hospital stated, "We are delighted to welcome an international team to the National Heart Hospital. The exchange of knowledge and expertise is invaluable, and we sincerely thank Save a Child's Heart Israel for their commitment to training both our team and the visiting professionals. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration and training many more professionals to benefit the heart health of Zambia, while our center becomes a focal point in the broader Sub-Saharan region." Dr. Mudaniso Kumani Ziwa, a leader in Zambia's pediatric cardiac care efforts, expressed his pride in collaborating with the international team, "Thanks to the training and resources provided by Save a Child's Heart, particularly Dr. Sasson, and our cross-border, South to South collaboration, we are now equipped to deliver world-class care to children in Zambia. This mission signifies the start of a brighter future for countless families and the continued growth of our center of excellence toward achieving global standards." Dr. Godwin Godfrey Sharau, who established Tanzania's first successful pediatric cardiac program, expressed his commitment to expanding this success to Zambia, "Too many children in Africa suffer and die from treatable heart conditions. This mission brings hope by enabling us to save lives and share knowledge, ensuring that children in Zambia receive care closer to home. Our Tanzanian team from JKCI are proud to be part of this important mission and share the knowledge and skills gained over our own 10+ year journey in pediatric cardiac care." Dr. Lior Sasson of Save a Child's Heart said, "It is incredibly rewarding to see the doctors we trained in Israel now leading life-saving missions and building sustainable cardiac care programs in their home countries. The specialized training they received at Wolfson Medical Center has empowered them to perform complex heart surgeries and train others, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond Israel. Witnessing the successful collaboration of these skilled professionals, who were once our trainees and are now leaders in global pediatric cardiac care, fills me with pride and hope for the future of children with heart disease around the world." Ambassador Ofra Farhi, Israel's Ambassador to Zambia stated, "This mission represents the best of international cooperation and humanitarian commitment. Israel's dedication to training medical professionals and sharing life-saving expertise underscores our deep belief in the power of partnerships to create a healthier, more compassionate world. We are proud to see this collaboration bring hope and healing to children and families in Zambia and beyond." About Save a Child's Heart Save a Child's Heart is an Israeli humanitarian organization, working internationally to save the lives of children from countries where access to pediatric cardiac care is limited or non-existent. Founded at the Wolfson Medical Center in 1995, Save a Child's Heart has saved the lives of more than 7,000 children from 70 countries and has brought over 150 local healthcare professionals to Israel for training so they can treat their own children independently and create centers of excellence in their home countries. In 2018 SACH became the only Israeli organization to receive the UN's Population Award in recognition of its role in transforming pediatric cardiac care in Africa. Its core value is Tikkun Olam - doing good to repair the world and believing that every child deserves the best medical care, regardless of race, religion, gender, nationality, or financial status. CONTACT: Farrah Fidler 972-52-8669449 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Save a Child's Heart Foreign delegations from around the world and 3,000 buyers are expected at Italian Exhibition Group's 46 th Sigep World An expo on technological innovation with over 40 talks and round tables and 60 international speakers https://www.sigep.it/en RIMINI, Italy, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- "SIGEP WORLD, IEG - Italian Exhibition Group's trade show (Rimini, 18 - 22 January 2025) for Foodservice industry excellence, will have an unprecedented international participation with exhibitors from 33 countries, including Germany, Spain, China, France, Turkey, Belgium, Poland and the US, crucial for business relations in the Gelato, Pastry, Bakery, Coffee, Chocolate and Pizza sectors," announces IEG CEO, Corrado Peraboni. "Thanks to IEG's strategic network established with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and ITA-Italian Trade Agency" adds Marco Carniello, CBO IEG "we are expecting foreign delegations from all over the world and over 3,000 buyers, including restaurant chains, hotels, gelato parlours, pizzerias and coffee shops". "Saudi Arabia will be Guest Country," explains Flavia Morelli, head of IEG's Food & Beverage division. "'With a rapidly expanding market and growing demand for technological innovation, Saudi Arabia is becoming a new frontier for global foodservice." A delegation of top Saudi Arabian buyers (e.g. Barn's, a coffee shop chain with over 800 sales points, Elite Hospitality/Al-Nahla Group, a leading hospitality company, Al Tazaj, a quick service restaurant chain with more than 120 venues), is expected at SIGEP World. International buyer and stakeholder influx to SIGEP will also be facilitated by the activation - for the show's duration - of a direct Munich-Rimini flight (https://www.luxwing.com/). Under the banner of technological innovation and sustainability in Foodservice, 40 international events with 60 speakers from the Out-of-Home industry are scheduled. 520 buyers from 79 countries, such as the United States, India, Canada, Brazil, Turkey and China, have joined the Top Buyers' Programme while 2,500 European buyers from Spain, Germany, France, Romania, Greece and the UK are participating in the Premium Programme. Delegations include: North American Ice Cream Association, Baking Association of Canada, Associacao Brasileira do Sorvete and Outros Gelados Comestiveis; Restaurant Association of South Africa, Tunisian Union of Industry Trade and Handicrafts; Korean Bakery Association, Turkish Chefs Federation; Uzbekistan Food Industry Association; Deutscher Konditorenbund, CEOPPAN, Confederation Nationale des Glaciers de France, HORECA Industry Association; Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association, Restaurant Association of Singapore, Airline Catering Association, Indonesia Tourism Industry Association. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/723307/5048596/Italian_Exhibition_Group_Logo.jpg SOURCE Italian Exhibition Group GAINESVILLE, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- King Risk Partners, a top 100 U.S. Insurance Broker, is excited to announce the acquisition of Talbert Insurance Services, a trusted independent insurance agency in Duluth, Georgia. This acquisition represents yet another major step in King Risk Partners' growth in the Southeast and highlights the company's dedication to delivering exceptional service and tailored insurance solutions across the broader Eastern and Southeastern regions of the United States. King Risk Partners For more than 40 years, Talbert Insurance Services, an independent insurance agency based in Duluth, has proudly served clients throughout Georgia. Their mission is to learn about their client's lives, take the time to listen and work closely with them to develop customized solutions. They built a reputation for providing peace of mind for their customers through sound insurance and exceptional customer service with a vision to be the company of choice for their policyholders which has propelled them to a highly successful agency. Talbert Insurance Services has proven its reputation by earning the coveted Best of Gwinnett award for 14 years running. "Talbert Insurance Services has earned an excellent reputation in the Georgia insurance market and we are very pleased to welcome them to the King Risk Partners family," said Malcolm King, CEO of King Risk Partners. "With decades of experience and strong client relationships, they align seamlessly with our vision of growing through partnerships with well-established agencies. This acquisition not only bolsters our presence in Georgia but also enhances our capacity to provide exceptional service to our clients." "We are looking forward to our partnership with King Risk Partners," said Larry Talbert II, Principal of Talbert Insurance Services. "Excellent customer service is our number one goal; by aligning ourselves with King, we will have the backing to expand our services and solutions while maintaining the same level of excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction." About King Risk Partners King Risk Partners is a leader in the insurance industry, offering a wide range of insurance products and services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. Known for its integrity, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction, King Risk Partners continues to be a top choice for clients seeking reliable and comprehensive insurance solutions. Learn more at www.king-insurance.com . For additional information, please contact: King Risk Partners [email protected] SOURCE King Risk Partners Slater Slater Schulman LLP Represents One-Quarter of the Survivor-Claimants DUBLIN, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events, today announced a landmark $116.2 million settlement with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to resolve over 100 survivors' claims of sexual abuse while incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin, marking the largest settlement ever paid by the BOP. Slater Slater Schulman represents 24 of the 103 survivor-claimants in this matter. "While sexual abuse is unfortunately endemic to prison settings across America, this is the largest known combined Bureau of Prisons sexual abuse settlement in history," said Adam Slater, Founding and Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "It's a crucial step in holding the Bureau of Prisons accountable for its systematic failure to protect women in its custody. These survivors have shown extraordinary courage in speaking out, and we are committed to ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences validated." FCI Dublin, located east of Oakland, California, was established as a minimum-security federal women's prison and had been operational since 1989. The mounting evidence of systemic abuse documented in complaints filed by Slater Slater Schulman and other firms led the Bureau of Prisons to make the unprecedented decision to permanently close the facility in April 2024. This closure came after years of documented sexual misconduct, with seven former employees criminally convicted and more than 20 others placed on leave or under investigation. More than 25 correctional officers and medical professionals were named in the lawsuits as perpetrators, with significant criminal convictions including former Warden Ray Garcia and Officer John Bellhouse, who were convicted of sexual abuse by juries. Prison Chaplain James Highhouse and four other officers pleaded guilty to sexual abuse allegations, while Correctional Officer Darrell "Dirty Dick" Smith currently awaits trial. Slater Slater Schulman LLP remains steadfast in its commitment to holding institutions accountable and supporting survivors in their journey towards justice and healing. NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides confidential support from trained staff members and can assist with finding local healthcare resources, help talk through what happened, and offer referrals for long-term support. About Slater Slater Schulman LLP Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events. Our dedicated attorneys are committed to ensuring the best results for our clients through persistence and compassionate representation. With 10 offices in 9 states, Slater Slater Schulman has achieved successful resolutions in some of the most challenging cases in the nation. We have considerable experience with complex, historical sexual abuse cases involving massive institutions, including academic, religious, and youth organizations. Our firm also represents clients in litigation involving pharmaceutical drugs, product liability, environmental law, employment and labor law, medical malpractice, and personal injury, and has proudly represented thousands of World Trade Center survivors. Learn more at sssfirm.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Vollero, Allan Morancie / ICR, Inc. [email protected] SOURCE Slater Slater Schulman LLP Grant will help build capacity to keep pace with evolving needs of military community WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lilly Endowment Inc. has approved a $10 million grant to the American Red Cross to strengthen and expand its Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. This grant will help enhance the organization's critical support for U.S. military members, veterans and their families by providing new technology, expanding support programs and optimizing workforce readiness to meet evolving needs in an increasingly complex global environment. Lilly Endowment has approved a $10 million grant to the American Red Cross to strengthen and expand its Service to the Armed Forces program, including the Hero Care Network and other vital programs. The Red Cross has served the military community for more than 140 years, providing a wide range of support to active-duty service members, veterans and their loved ones. The grant will help ensure that the Red Cross continues to be there as needs evolve in the military community. "Every day, military members and their families face unique challenges whether it's receiving an emergency message about a loved one or transitioning back to civilian life," said Cliff Holtz, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Lilly Endowment's generous support will help us strengthen our services and grow our capacity to meet the increasing needs of military families and veterans. We are deeply grateful for this commitment to our mission." The investment will enhance several key areas of the Red Cross SAF program, including: Modernizing technology: Developing a new case management system to improve the delivery of complex casework services in Hero Care Centers for active-duty military members, veterans and their families. Optimizing the workforce: Increasing the expeditionary mobile readiness of the Red Cross workforce to support military personnel, especially for complex and remote military operations. Diversifying partnerships and expanding programs: Investing in specialized staff who will work alongside government agencies and private sector partners to enhance collaboration and create sustainable funding opportunities. "The American Red Cross plays a critical role in helping active-duty military members and their families by supporting them in times of crisis and in helping them transition to life back home after their service to the nation has ended," said, N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment's Chairman and CEO. "We are pleased to be able to help the Red Cross strengthen its abilities to provide valuable support to military personnel and veterans and their families to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude." Lilly Endowment has a longstanding history of supporting the Red Cross, dating back to its first grant in 1941. Most recently, Lilly Endowment made a $5 million grant to support disaster relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton. In 2022, Lilly Endowment provided a $40 million grant to help increase Red Cross response capacity to more frequent and intense disasters. About the Lilly Endowment: Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders' wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders' hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. National Headquarters 431 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20006 redcross.org SOURCE American Red Cross At Third Annual VMX/blendVET Event, Students Learn to Suture, Draw Blood, Conduct CPR and More ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third consecutive year, the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and blendVET are teaming up to host a full day of hands-on learning. Seventy local middle school students from Central Florida will participate in Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine, a national education program created for students in underrepresented communities. This event will take place at the 42nd annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX 2025) at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in Orlando, FL, on Tuesday Jan. 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. "We are committed to creating pathways for young people from all backgrounds to discover and thrive in the field of veterinary medicine," said NAVC CEO Gene O'Neill. Post this At the VMX 2024s Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine event, students practiced suturing skills. blendVET Logo (PRNewsfoto/North American Veterinary Community) Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine, the blendVET pathway event, was created to open the doors to a career in veterinary medicine for underrepresented students and address the lack of diversity in veterinary medicine. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 90% of veterinarians are white, with as few as 1.3% Black, 5.9% Asian and 5% considered to be Latin X. Alongside nationally recognized veterinarians and veterinary nurses/technicians, students will participate in immersive training, conduct physical exams, learn to draw blood on models, perform CPR on veterinary models, and gown up in surgical attire to learn surgical techniques. This year, for the first time, returning students will dive into specialized areas of veterinary medicine including ophthalmology to explore animal eye care and large animal medicine, where they will learn how to approach and examine horses. The event will help them prepare for varying pathways as they navigate a career in veterinary medicine. "I am thrilled to announce our continued collaboration with NAVC for the third consecutive year hosting the Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine program at VMX," said Niccole Bruno, DVM and blendVET founder and CEO. "This year, we are proud to expand our offerings, providing tailored experiences for both new participants and returning blendVET students. It's particularly rewarding to see some of our scholars who have been with us throughout all four of our Florida events excitedly return to deepen their knowledge of the profession and strengthen their skills." The Jan. 28 event includes several practical learning and hands-on stations: General Practice, where students will learn how to perform a physical exam and explore key topics such as heartworm disease and intestinal parasites. where students will learn how to perform a physical exam and explore key topics such as heartworm disease and intestinal parasites. Emergency Medicine, where students will learn how to perform CPR, bandage wounds and identify household items and foods that are harmful to pets. where students will learn how to perform CPR, bandage wounds and identify household items and foods that are harmful to pets. Zoological Medicine, where students will dive into the world of exotic animal medicine by learning the importance of animal husbandry and how to care for different species. where students will dive into the world of exotic animal medicine by learning the importance of animal husbandry and how to care for different species. Dentistry, where students will learn how to scale tartar off teeth, review dental radiographs and practice suturing using dental models. where students will learn how to scale tartar off teeth, review dental radiographs and practice suturing using dental models. Nutrition, where students will learn the importance of proper nutrition and learn how to measure food appropriately to avoid obesity and associated diseases in pets. Returning students from previous years can take their expertise to the next level with an exciting lineup of advanced stations designed to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills: Ophthalmology, where students can gain hands-on experience, explore common ocular diseases, and refine suture techniques. where students can gain hands-on experience, explore common ocular diseases, and refine suture techniques. Clinical Pathology, where students can practice drawing blood, prepare lab samples and examine what pet blood and skin look like under a microscope. where students can practice drawing blood, prepare lab samples and examine what pet blood and skin look like under a microscope. Large Animal Medicine, where students will learn how to approach and handle horses, bandage legs and examine animals. where students will learn how to approach and handle horses, bandage legs and examine animals. Forensic Veterinary Medicine, where students will identify bones, use blood staining kits and learn about the daily responsibilities of forensic veterinarians in keeping animals safe. "At NAVC, we are committed to creating pathways for young people from all backgrounds to discover and thrive in the field of veterinary medicine," said NAVC CEO Gene O'Neill. "Our partnership with blendVET enables us to provide students with hands-on learning experiences and mentorship in an industry that they may have never considered otherwise. Together, we are actively working to shape a more open and inclusive veterinary profession and we're thrilled to offer these opportunities for the third year in a row at VMX, where we connect students directly with mentors and hands-on learning experiences." "Witnessing these young students' personal and professional growth while on their veterinary medicine journey is truly inspiring," said Dr. Bruno. "Our commitment to nurturing the next generation of veterinary professionals remains unwavering. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this vital mission and look forward to another successful year of empowering aspiring veterinarians." Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health and VCA Animal Hospitals, participants in the program will receive a certificate acknowledging their completion of specialized education in veterinary medicine, marking an important step in their career path. This foundational knowledge is further supported by local veterinarians open to providing shadowing opportunities, which provide students with real-world experience and deepen their understanding of the field as they progress toward their educational milestones. Through these hands-on learning opportunities, students are encouraged to build confidence and practical skills within a supportive environment. In addition to VMX, previous blendVET programs have been held in New Haven, CT, St. Petersburg, FL, and most recently, San Diego, CA. Photos and interviews are available. Photos from the Jan. 2024 blendVET event can be found here. About the NAVC The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing veterinary professionals worldwide. As the world's leading provider of continuing veterinary education, the NAVC delivers essential training, tools and resources for veterinary professionals to stay abreast of advances in animal medicine and provide the best care for animals everywhere. Through its commitment to innovation and excellence, the NAVC has developed a diverse portfolio of products and services, including educational events, headlined by VMX (Veterinary Meeting & Expo), the world's largest, most comprehensive continuing education conference and launchpad for new products and innovations within the veterinary industry; VetFolio.com, a robust digital platform for virtual learning and engagement; NAVC Media, the veterinary industry's largest and award-winning portfolio of trade publications; and Embrace, an advocacy arm which unites the veterinary community and pet lovers. The NAVC was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Orlando, FL. Since 2017, the NAVC has been recognized annually as one of the Top Workplaces by the Orlando Sentinel. To learn more about the NAVC's products and brands, visit https://navc.com/ . To see our schedule of upcoming events, visit https://navc.com/calendar/ . About blendVET blendVET is a veterinary certification program in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). It is founded, owned and backed by a diverse group of leaders in veterinary medicine. blendVET is the first program designed to create an inclusive workplace culture geared toward fostering environments of belonging for teams and clients and creating the next generation of diverse veterinary professionals through student and parent programming. SOURCE North American Veterinary Community Photo: president.gov.ua President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he intends to communicate with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump directly, adding that no mediators are needed for this. "I'm in touch with President Trump. We have had several meetings, conversations. I don't need other countries for this, as well as various politicians who are promoting themselves using this," he said at a meeting of Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday. "I'll be straight: I don't need mediators inside our country either," Zelenskyy added. The President said he has a mandate of trust from the people of Ukraine for such talks with Trump, but more details are needed for now and the two presidents' teams are working more now. "It's an acquaintance for now. He [Trump] can't answer many things in terms of his legal capabilities until he is in the White House, until there has been an inauguration of the new President of the United States," Zelenskyy said. According to the head of state, he expects closer contacts after the inauguration of the new U.S. President. "We will meet, and only after that I will be able to tell you what of this Victory Plan is supported by President Trump. And what may not be supported. Or maybe he wants to add something of his own. I really believe and hope that he will energize our plan. Add strength to the relationship between Ukraine and the United States," the President of Ukraine said. He added that before Trump's inauguration, Ukraine continues to work with the current U.S. administration led by Joseph Biden, which, albeit belatedly, is now increasing solutions, packages and funds in support of Ukraine. "We believe that Trump's team will support Ukraine and will not stop this assistance," Zelensky emphasized. He also pointed out that the United States has already transferred $20 billion to the World Bank account from frozen Russian assets, which will be used to directly support the Ukrainian budget and Ukrainians. NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Walker LLP is pleased to welcome back Maggie Spell as the firm's first chief human resources officer (CHRO). Maggie was previously a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group from January 2017 to April 2022 and began her tenure at the firm as an associate in the New Orleans office in August 2009. Maggie Spell rejoins Jones Walker as the firm's first chief human resources officer (CHRO). "We are delighted for Maggie to return to the firm as CHRO," said managing partner Bill Hines. "Her knowledge and vision will be instrumental in driving HR initiatives that align with the firm's mission and objectives, as well as support our firm's growth and success. Maggie also returns with a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of our firm's values and operations." In this newly created role of CHRO, Maggie will oversee all HR activities firmwide, including benefits, wellness programs, administrative staff recruitment and advancement, staff professional development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion functions. This role is critical in aligning HR practices with the firm's strategic goals while also ensuring top talent is attracted, developed, and retained. "I am thrilled to return to Jones Walker and join its amazing leadership team. Serving as chief human resources officer is not just a role it is a chance to build the foundation for a culture of trust, growth, and innovation where every employee can thrive," said Maggie. "My background as an employment attorney, along with the deep relationships I have built over my previous 12 years with the firm, enables me to see the firm holistically and positions me to effectively guide the firm's HR initiatives." Maggie is uniquely qualified for this role. Not only has she accumulated significant leadership, management, operational, and HR experience, but she is also an experienced labor and employment attorney. As a partner in the labor & employment practice group, Maggie helped clients resolve employment-related disputes and provided day-to-day compliance advice regarding workplace issues. Prior to rejoining Jones Walker, Maggie served as Director of Operations at Magnolia Community Services, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing support to adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational acumen. About Jones Walker Jones Walker LLP (joneswalker.com) is among the largest 145 law firms in the United States. With offices in Alabama, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, and Texas, we serve local, regional, national, and international business interests. The firm is committed to providing a comprehensive range of legal services to major multinational public and private corporations, Fortune 500 companies, money center banks, worldwide insurers, and emerging companies doing business in the United States and abroad. Contact : Savannah Kirk 225.248.3435 [email protected] SOURCE Jones Walker LLP MILWAUKEE, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) today announced the appointment of Ger Doyle, currently Head of Experis U.S., to Country Manager for ManpowerGroup U.S. effective January 1, 2025. In this role, Doyle will oversee ManpowerGroup's Experis, Manpower, Talent Solutions, and Jefferson Wells' operations in the country and report to Becky Frankiewicz, President, North America Region and Chief Commercial Officer. Additionally, Kye Mitchell, who joined ManpowerGroup as President of Experis Services in June 2024 and previously served as Chief Operations Officer at Kforce, will succeed Doyle as Head of Experis U.S. Ger Doyle "I'm delighted to announce Ger's appointment as U.S. Country Manager," said Frankiewicz. "I've had the privilege of watching Ger successfully lead Experis U.S. through significant transformation, including the landmark ettain group acquisition. His genuine passion for developing our people and creating value for clients, combined with his strategic mindset, makes him the perfect leader to take our U.S. business forward. I'm excited to partner with him in this expanded role as we continue to strengthen our market position." "Our teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver innovative workforce solutions in a rapidly evolving market from placing thousands of skilled professionals in critical roles to developing comprehensive talent strategies that give our clients a competitive edge," Doyle said. "I am thrilled to lead the ManpowerGroup U.S. business and look forward to accelerating our market leadership position across all our strong and distinct brands. Together, we'll continue to pioneer innovative approaches that shape the future of work in the U.S. talent landscape." Doyle joined ManpowerGroup in 2020 to lead Digital and Business Innovation. Before joining ManpowerGroup, Ger held industry leadership positions in Australia and the U.S. ABOUT MANPOWERGROUP ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands Manpower, Experis, and Talent Solutions creates substantially more value for candidates and clients across more than 70 countries and territories and has done so for more than 75 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality, and Disability, and in 2024 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 15th time all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent. For more information, visit www.manpowergroup.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram, and Bluesky. SOURCE ManpowerGroup SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MASSIVE, the nation's leading independent provider of Healthcare Lien Resolution and Cost Projections, sets forth a new charitable mission with its contribution to CHILD USA. CHILD USA is a nonprofit organization that fights for the rights of children to be free from child sex abuse through legal reform of the statutes of limitation and federal bankruptcy law, ending child marriage, and holding institutions accountable. MASSIVE is committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and trafficking through regular donations to CHILD USA. Post this CHILD USA Starting in 2024, MASSIVE is contributing 3% of receipts from cases submitted by American Association for Justice (AAJ) Sexual Assault Litigation Group Members to CHILD USA. MASSIVE chose this charity as its commitment to raising awareness and supporting organizations that provide support to assault victims. MASSIVE has assisted in the lien resolution of over 5,000 sexual assault litigations. Their experienced staff is dedicated to working closely with law firms that lead the charge for their clients to recover from this life-altering trauma. "We are thrilled and honored to receive this generous support from MASSIVE, which is doing such important work resolving healthcare liens to maximize settlements for child sex abuse survivors," says Marci Hamilton, CEO and Founder of CHILD USA. "We look forward to partnering with MASSIVE in the fight for justice, prevention, and healing!" "MASSIVE is committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and trafficking while giving back to the community through regular donations to CHILD USA," says Marcy B. Spitz, Esq., Partner at MASSIVE. "We are looking forward to being a supporter of this important work." Attorneys that are interested in contributing, but not yet an AAJ Sexual Assault Litigation Group Member, can email the AAJ Senior Manager of Sections and Litigation Groups, Haley Bankson, at [email protected]. Visit MASSIVE's community page for more information about this charitable mission. Questions or comments can be emailed to Marcy Spitz at [email protected]. MASSIVE is a nationwide provider of healthcare lien resolution services. By partnering with personal injury law firms in both Single Event and Mass Tort cases, MASSIVE expedites settlements through cutting edge software, services, and support. SOURCE MASSIVE: Medical and Subrogation Specialists Phoenix Business Journal recognizes homebuilder for award-winning culture and employee programs through 2024 Best Place to Work recognition SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Mattamy Homes has once again been named one of the Best Places to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal. Out of the more than 200 nominations received this year, 100 employers with operations in the Valley were honored. This is the fourth consecutive year that Mattamy Homes has been recognized. Mattamy was recognized in the small company category (50-99 employees) along with 19 other companies. Phoenix Business Journal has recognized Mattamy Homes as one of the Best Places to Work in the Valley for the fourth year in a row. (CNW Group/Mattamy Homes Limited) "Being recognized as a Best Place to Work for four years in a row is especially meaningful, as it reflects the ongoing positive experience our team members have at Mattamy Homes," said Don Barrineau, President of Mattamy's Phoenix Division. "We put a strong emphasis on fostering a supportive culture and providing valuable programs for our people. This continued recognition confirms that we're investing in the right areas and that our team truly enjoys working here." Winners are selected based on employee feedback provided through a survey process conducted by Quantum Workplace. Once nominated, companies must meet a threshold in employee participation a percentage that varies based upon the size of the company to be eligible for the recognition. Companies receive the award because their organization received high marks in areas such as team effectiveness, trust with co-workers, manager effectiveness and work engagements. About Mattamy Homes Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with more than 45 years of history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of homeownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 11 markets Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida. In Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information. SOURCE Mattamy Homes Limited More than any other brand WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today announced the final vehicle models earning their prestigious 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards. Making the list were Mazda's 2025 CX-70 and CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) both receiving the highest award, the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+. The 2025 CX-50, and by extension the all-new CX-50 Hybrid, was noted for maintaining the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ after improvements to the 2024 model were retested, earning it a higher rating in pedestrian front crash prevention. 2025 Mazda CX-70 Mazda Finishes 2024 with Eight IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Awards With this announcement, Mazda has earned more IIHS 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards than any other brand. Other Mazda models earning the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award are the 2024-2025 Mazda3 Sedan, Mazda3 Hatchback, CX-30, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV. "Mazda once again demonstrated its commitment to safety, acting quickly to meet the tougher standards we adopted for the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award," IIHS President David Harkey said. "Mazda's research and development teams keep safety top of mind as they work to continually improve our crashworthiness and crash avoidance technologies to meet and exceed the increasingly rigorous testing standards set by IIHS," said Mazda North American Operations President and CEO Tom Donnelly. "We are extremely proud to add the CX-70 and the CX-70 PHEV to the list of 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award winners, and to close the year strong as the top TSP+ award winner." To qualify for the 2024 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, vehicles need good ratings in the small overlap front and updated side impact crash tests and an acceptable or good rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which now emphasizes back seat safety. Additionally, an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation is required, and all trims must come with acceptable- or good-rated headlights. To learn more about advanced safety at Mazda, please visit the MazdaUSA.com website - https://www.mazdausa.com/why-mazda/safety. The IIHS is an independent, non-governmental safety-testing organization, funded by the insurance industry. For more information, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks. About Mazda North American Operations Proudly founded in Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda has a history of sophisticated craftsmanship and innovation, and a purpose to enrich life-in-motion for those it serves. By putting humans at the center of everything it does, Mazda aspires to create uplifting experiences with our vehicles and for people. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia through approximately 795 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario; operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City; and operations in Colombia are managed by Mazda de Colombia in Bogota, Colombia. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at news.mazdausa.com. Follow @MazdaUSA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Threads. SOURCE Mazda North American Operations ATLANTA, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), a Georgia-based financial advisory firm that specializes in financial planning and wealth management solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families and those navigating life transitions, announced today it has acquired Roth Asset Management. This acquisition will expand Merit's presence in the Pacific Northwest and increase assets by $773 million. Roth Asset Management, a firm based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, specializes in corporate 401(k) plans, investment advisory, and portfolio management. The firm will expand its retirement and group insurance operations by leveraging new technologies through its partnership with Merit. The firm's President, Steven B. Roth, will transition to a new role as Wealth Manager. "When I was evaluating acquisition partners, Merit stood out for its team-based, collaborative approach," said Steven. "I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the talented team at Merit to enhance efficiency and better serve my clients moving forward." This is Merit's thirtieth acquisition since taking a minority investment in December 2020 from Wealth Partners Capital Group ("WPCG") and a group of strategic investors led by HGGC's Aspire Holdings platform. Earlier this month, Merit announced its acquisition of Trinity Financial Partners, which added approximately $603 million in assets and a third office in Pennsylvania. "Our commitment to expanding Merit's West Coast presence continues to be a priority, and we are thrilled to partner with Steven," said Tait Lane, Managing Principal at Merit. "With over 20 years of experience working with ultra-high-net-worth clients and managing corporate retirement plans, Steven brings a wealth of expertise that will enhance our capabilities in these areas. At Merit, we seek out industry leaders who exemplify excellence, and Steven has proven to be an outstanding fit." The merger was finalized on December 13, 2024. Financial and legal terms of the deal were not disclosed. About Merit Financial Advisors Merit Financial Group, LLC, doing business as Merit Financial Advisors ("Merit"), is a national wealth management firm that supports both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models. Merit exists to enrich the lives of those they serve, and its mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Merit has over 40 offices throughout the U.S. and managed $11.84 billion in assets as of June 30, 2024 ($8.8 billion in advisory, $2.8 billion in brokerage assets, and $253 million in assets under advisement). For more information, please visit www.meritfinancialadvisors.com . Investment advice offered through Merit Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. About Wealth Partners Capital Group Wealth Partners Capital Group (WPCG) is a financial services holding company, which invests in and partners with select leading wealth management firms. WPCG assists its partner firms by identifying and integrating like-minded wealth advisers who seek access to expanded business capabilities, strategic growth and/or customized transition solutions. For more information, please visit www.wealthpcg.com . About HGGC HGGC is a values-driven, partnership-focused private investment firm. The firm's ecosystem of investors, operators, and professionals are united by the shared mission to develop leading enterprises and build long-term value together. HGGC invests in technology, business services, financial services and consumer enterprises generally valued between $200M $1.5B+. The firm is based in Palo Alto, CA and manages over $6.9 billion in cumulative capital commitments. Since its inception in 2007, HGGC has completed more than 700 platform investments, add-on acquisitions, recapitalizations, and liquidity events with an aggregate transaction value of over $80 billion. HGGC makes investments in RIAs via its Aspire Holdings platform, which is targeting $300 million of total investment in the space. More information, including a complete list of current and former investments, please visit www.hggc.com . SOURCE Merit Financial Advisors WELLINGTON, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miss America Organization announces the return of the 2025 Miss America and Miss America's Teen competitions to Orlando's Walt Disney Theater at the Dr. Phillips Center, running from December 31, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Each year, the Miss America program, celebrating over 100 years of Empowering Women to Lead, awards over $5 million in cash scholarships, plus millions more in in-kind scholarships through local, state, and national competitions. This January, 103 delegates from the United States, District of Columbia, and, returning to the stage for the first time since 2018, Puerto Rico, will vie for the coveted titles of Miss America and Miss America's Teen. Following personal interviews and preliminary night competitions showcasing talent, fitness, and eveningwear, two exceptional young women will be crowned during the final shows on January 4 and 5, 2025. The new Miss America will receive a $50,000 tuition scholarship and the chance to travel the world as a brand ambassador and advocate. Likewise, Miss America's Teen will receive a $50,000 tuition scholarship or a four-year scholarship to the renowned University of Alabama. The Miss America's Scholarship Foundation (MASF), a 501(c)(3) organization, continues an alliance with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women initiative, raising awareness about women's heart health and bringing a national spotlight to fitness and health initiatives. As the national health thought leader for MASF, the American Heart Association will present three (3) scholarships to delegates who exemplify a commitment to promoting women's heart health within their communities: a $10,000 Heart of the Advocate Award and two Go Red for Women Leadership Awards, each totaling $3,300. All three will be honored at the Go Red for Women Gala in New York City, alongside Miss America on the runway. "Empowering women in America means prioritizing heart healthheart disease remains the leading cause of death for women over 20. I am excited to raise awareness through this collaboration underscoring our commitment to women's wellness," says Robin Fleming, CEO and Owner of Miss America. About the Miss America Miss America is the nation's premier empowerment platform for young women, advancing their personal and professional goals while advocating serving as a positive role model in their communities. With a rich history dating back to 1921, Miss America's mission is "Empowering women to Lead" engaging thousands of young women as local and state brand ambassadors, ages 14-28, nationwide each year committed to community service initiatives. The program is the largest provider of women's scholarships in America, distributed through the Miss America's Scholarship Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3). About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association, committed to longer, healthier lives, has been at the forefront of combating heart disease and stroke for over a century. Since 2004, Go Red for Women has been a trusted resource, supporting women with credible, equitable health solutions through every stage of life. About the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts As a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando is supported by the City of Orlando, Orange County, the City of Winter Park, the State of Florida, and generous donors. The 698,312 square foot venue includes performance spaces like the Walt Disney Theater, the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater, the Steinmetz Hall, and opening in 2024, Contact: Miss America Press Team [email protected] SOURCE Miss America Organization In-Ovo Sexed Eggs to Hit Shelves in June 2025, Pioneering a More Humane and Sustainable Future for the U.S. Egg Industry CUERO, Texas, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NestFresh, a pioneer in humane and ethically sourced eggs, proudly announces a historic milestone for the U.S. egg industry: The first set of in-ovo sexed chicks has been born and delivered to a NestFresh farm in Texas. This giant leap in animal welfare is made possible by the adoption of Cheggy , an innovative in-ovo sexing technology. This revolutionary, non-invasive system determines the sex of chicks in brown layer eggs before hatching and will enable NestFresh to introduce the first eggs sourced from in-ovo sexed hens to the U.S. market by June 2025. Hatched brown layer hens that were in-ovo sex determined by Cheggy technology. Jasen Urena (left), Vice President of NestFresh Eggs and Jorg Hurlin (right), Managing Director of AAT are pictured with the first in-ovo sex determining machine, Cheggy, in the United States. Last week, members from NestFresh, Certified Humane, ASPCA, and Innovate Animal Agriculture came together to witness the first-ever in-ovo sexed eggs processed through the Cheggy system at hatcheries in Wilton, IA, and Bryan, TX, marking a monumental achievement for NestFresh and the entire U.S. egg industry. As the first company in the U.S. to adopt Cheggy technology, NestFresh reaffirms its commitment to humane practices and sustainability. "This is a transformative moment for the egg industry and animal welfare in the United States," said Jasen Urena, Executive Vice President at NestFresh. "By being the first U.S. egg company to adopt in-ovo sexing technology, we are tackling one of the most difficult ethical issues in egg production and raising the standard for animal welfarestarting before our hens are even born. Our customers can now be even more confident that when they choose NestFresh, they're supporting a brand that continuously looks for ways to increase animal welfare, improve environmental sustainability, and preserve the small family farm way of life." Developed by German-based Agri-Advanced Technologies (AAT), Cheggy revolutionizes in-ovo sexing with exceptional accuracy, speed, and efficiency. Capable of sorting up to 25,000 brown layer hatching eggs per hour, it is the fastest system of its kind and features a compact design that integrates seamlessly into existing production lines. Utilizing hyperspectral measurement technology, Cheggy analyzes light spectra to determine chick gender based on feather colorwithout penetrating the eggshell. This non-invasive process safeguards embryo quality and reduces the need to euthanize male chicks after hatching by up to 97%. Cheggy's sustainable approach addresses one of the egg industry's most pressing ethical challenges and sets a new benchmark for humane and modern egg production. "Cheggy is an exciting step forward in NestFresh's long history of improving animal welfare and sustainability," said Mike Sencer, Executive Vice President at NestFresh. "For over 30 years, our customers have counted on us to do the right thing, and this technology is one more way we're keeping that promise. We're proud to keep raising the bar and finding new ways to care for our hens and produce eggs more responsibly." The introduction of Cheggy technology to NestFresh operations follows its successful implementation in Europe, where it has become a market leader in brown layer in-ovo sexing. By bringing this solution to the U.S., NestFresh is paving the way for more responsible egg production practices across the industry. For more information on NestFresh, including current retailers, please visit www.nestfresh.com . ABOUT NESTFRESH NestFresh is dedicated to producing the freshest, most humane, and sustainable eggs. Established in 1991, NestFresh was one of the first companies to offer cage-free eggs and has since grown to exclusively offer Free Range and Pasture Raised eggs. NestFresh eggs come from small family farms committed to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. All NestFresh farms are Certified Humane by Humane Farm Animal Care, ensuring that hens are raised under the highest standards of care, allowing them to live natural lives and express their innate behaviors. NestFresh products are available nationwide at retailers including Harris Teeter, Whole Foods Market, Publix, and H-E-B. PRESS CONTACT: Krupa Consulting (212) 226-2922 [email protected] / Hi-Res Imagery + B-Roll SOURCE NestFresh Eggs DENVER, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nextworld, an innovator in enterprise platforms, has unveiled its second release of the year. Highlights of the new release include new AI capabilities, a JD Edwards connector, and UX improvements. These latest developments reaffirm Nextworld's dedication to bringing cutting-edge solutions to its customers. 1. New AI capabilities: The company added new enhancements as part of Nextworld Intelligence. Nextworld customers can use generative AI to turn spreadsheets into applications or build new ones from scratch. Ed, Nextworld's ground-zero agent with a chat interface, now comes with additional capabilities. Customers can ask Ed to quickly build, customize, and configure their unique interactive reports. Ed is now accessible and optimized for Nextworld mobile, allowing customers to use the AI agent on the go. Customers can also leverage Ed's five new skills, including semantic retrieval. When customers use Ed to search for documentation, the AI Agent can understand the semantic meanings of their prompts instead of relying on literal words. 2. JD Edwards connector: Nextworld's new JD Edwards connector lets customers work with their existing JDE systems, while offering them opportunities to build custom apps on the Nextworld platform to extend their systems' capabilities. Customers can synchronize data from a JD Edwards source table to a new or existing target table in Nextworld. They can also invoke JD Edwards Orchestrations via Nextworld's proprietary, no-code tool for writing business rules, Logic Blocks. Customers can also create Nextworld interactive reports over a dataset whose source of truth is in JD Edwards. 3. UX improvements: Nextworld made UX improvements across the entire application development process, including workflows and its visual app builder, the No-Code Studio. These updates were designed to make user experiences more intuitive and increase development productivity. The newest release also includes enhanced capabilities across Nextworld's manufacturing, production, finance, and sales applications. Nextworld CEO Kylee McVaney commented, "Our latest release represents Nextworld's unwavering commitment to innovation and meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We're proud to bring our customers enhancements that not only simplify processes but also unlock new opportunities for growth." About Nextworld The Nextworld Enterprise Platform provides a composable business architecture that adapts to how you do business. Our packaged applications cover finance, order management, procurement, inventory control, and manufacturing, allowing data to flow seamlessly across applications, departments, and existing systems. With a singular, secure, and customizable platform delivered with a robust suite of business applications, the Nextworld Enterprise Applications Platform lets you digitize your most critical and unique business processes quickly, efficiently, and 100% future-proofed. SOURCE Nextworld MIAMI, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, Nicklaus Children's Hospital was named a Top Children's Hospital by The Leapfrog Group. Announced today, the Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive. The Top Hospital designation is bestowed by The Leapfrog Group, a national organization of employers and other purchasers known as the toughest standard-setters for health care safety and quality. Top Hospitals will be honored tonight at the 2024 Leapfrog Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. "For the third year in a row, we have the honor of being recognized as a Leapfrog Top Children's Hospital," said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children's Health System, parent organization of the hospital. "This recognition highlights the unwavering dedication from our clinical and support teams of ensuring patient safety and compassionate care to the children and families we serve." Nicklaus Children's Hospital is one of eight children's hospitals, and the only one in South Florida, to be selected as a Top Children's Hospital. Nearly 2,400 hospitals were considered for the award, but only 134 Top Hospitals were selected, including: 8 Top Children's 36 Top General 15 Top Rural 75 Top Teaching The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care and the hospital's capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year's Top Hospital Methodology. "Protecting patients from preventable harm is central to The Leapfrog Group's mission," said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. "Nicklaus Children's Hospital has set the standard for patient safety, earning the prestigious distinction of a Top Hospital. This elite honor reflects the exceptional efforts of the entire team and places Nicklaus Children's among the nation's elite in health care. Congratulations to all who made this remarkable achievement possible." To qualify for the distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety, and achieve top performance in their category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2024 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals. About The Leapfrog Group Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps for patient safety. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog's other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections. For more, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and sign up for our newsletter. About Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Where Your Child Matters Most Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's #1 nonprofit, freestanding specialty licensed hospital exclusively for children. With more than 850 physicians, including over 500 pediatric subspecialists, the hospital and its network of outpatient centers and offices serve close to 70% of children in the Miami market. The only hospital "where your child matters most," Nicklaus Children's is home to the region's most advanced Kenneth C. Griffin Surgical Tower, and its centers of excellence Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, the Nicklaus Children's Orthopedics, Sports Health and Spine Institute, Nicklaus Children's Brain Institute and Nicklaus Children's Heart Institute. The Nicklaus Children's Hospital's Transfer Center, Nick4Kids, and LifeFlight are responsible for transporting and saving close to 5,000 lives a year. Our 307-bed hospital, which is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, has many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. Nicklaus Children's is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Hospital Ukraine has a very ambitious goal of opening all negotiation clusters with the European Union in 2025, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "During Poland's presidency of the European Union, we expect to open at least two clusters, and six clusters in total. To be honest, we have an ambitious goal, a very ambitious one, to open all clusters next year," he said at a meeting of the Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday. The President noted that this requires active work by the Verkhovna Rada "without pre-election talk." As reported, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna expects that the first chapters of the future negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union will be opened as early as early 2025. The EU procedure defines 35 negotiating sections-chapters. For these sections, the European Commission first conducts an official screening of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU law. 33 of the 35 negotiating sections are grouped into 6 thematic clusters, while chapters 34 Institutions and 35 Other Issues will be considered separately outside the clusters. U.S. wellness clinics sold to Stella, including a data-sharing partnership to launch a technology-driven clinic management solution for mental health care providers. Numinus Wellness clinics acquired by Stella for US$3.53 million Numinus focusing on business units and product development ("Numinus Network") to facilitate clinic efficiency and care reimbursement for mental health practitioners Stella partnering with Numinus to share operational data from its network of 12 mental health clinics, supporting the development of advanced clinic management solutions for mental health practices, including insurance reimbursement support Creates an asset-light business with a synergistic combination of clinical support, practitioner training and clinical research with a strengthened balance sheet VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Numinus Wellness Inc. ("Numinus" or the "Company") (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF) (FSE: LR23), a mental healthcare company advancing traditional and innovative behavioral health treatments including safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies, announces the closing of the previously announced definitive agreement with Stella, an interventional psychiatry practice focused on treating PTSD, anxiety and depression with biological modalities, of the sale of the Company's five Wellness Clinics in Utah for US$3.53 million. "Stella and Numinus are very much aligned in terms of standards of care and a focus on optimized patient outcomes," said Michael Gershenzon, Co-Founder and CEO of Stella. "Numinus patients can look forward to the same high levels of service that the clinics are known for and an expanded offering of behavioral care. We also look forward to working with Numinus to improve clinical mental health care nationwide." "With this transaction, Numinus is re-positioning to leverage its expertise in patient care, clinic management, relationships with Insurers and now, significant access to operational data to assist clinical providers with the challenge to meet the demand of the growing number of patients seeking treatment," said Payton Nyquvest, Founder and CEO of Numinus. Numinus is developing an AI-based SaaS solution leveraging its deep patient care expertise. This includes serving about 50,000 unique individuals, over 200,000 appointments, and generating about 250,000 insurance-reimbursed claims. The solution will redefine clinics' operations, from improving patient outcomes to optimizing efficiencies and reimbursement processes. The Company estimates a target market of over 200,000 mental health care providers in the U.S. This new asset-light offering complements the Company's Cedar Clinical Research and practitioner training businesses. Cedar Clinical Research is the research partner of choice for leading drug development companies, including traditional pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, and psychedelic drug development companies. Year to date, Cedar Clinical has facilitated 24 clinical trials with almost 1,100 patients, accompanied by strong revenue growth. Numinus' practitioner training program leverages the Company's clinic-based treatment and clinical research expertise to offer a comprehensive training program. Major regulatory bodies accredit the program; since May 2024, it has attracted almost 2,000 learners from 18 countries. "Getting to this point in our development would not have been possible without the skilled and caring therapists, medical professionals and clinic staff who have helped guide hundreds of patients on their mental health journey," added Mr. Nyquvest. "With our new offering, we look forward to helping practitioners across the U.S. meet the growing demand and improve patient care." Details of the Agreement Stella MSO LLC acquired Numinus Wellness' five U.S. clinics for a total consideration of US$3.53 million: Total consideration of US$2.08 million paid at closing paid at closing Consideration of US$750,000 paid over six equal monthly instalments in 2025 paid over six equal monthly instalments in 2025 Earn-out compensation of up to US$0.7 million to be paid in 2025 to be paid in 2025 Stella is in the process of finalizing a partnership with Numinus, where Stella will provide operational data from its network of 12 mental health clinics About Numinus Numinus Wellness Inc. (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model technology-driven clinic support, clinical trial research and comprehensive practitioner training is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society. Learn more at www.numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. About Stella Mental Health: Stella is an interventional psychiatry practice dedicated to delivering the most effective mental health protocols for severe trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI). With a team of board-certified physicians, advanced psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists and advocates, Stella combines biology, psychology, and psychiatry to address the complex needs of patients. Stella has 20+ locations across the United States and internationally in Israel and Australia and has treated over 9,500 patients. Learn more at www.stellacenter.com and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Partnership & Media Inquiries: Daphne Ortiz [email protected] Forward-looking statements Statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend" and statements that an event "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including information regarding expectations regarding the potential benefits of the transaction and the ability of the company to successfully achieve business objectives; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, and other risks that are set forth in our annual information form dated November 29, 2023, and available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Numinus does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements even if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc. NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pace Public Relations (PPR) is thrilled to announce that it has been named Best PR Agency at the prestigious Netty Awards, a recognition that underscores its excellence in public relations and earned media. This honor highlights PPR's ability to deliver exceptional results and craft innovative campaigns that resonate in today's changing media landscape. The Netty Awards recognize top companies and leaders across more than 100 categories, celebrating creativity, technical expertise, and industry impact. For Pace, this award is a reflection of its consistent ability to meet and exceed the evolving needs of clients in a competitive environment. Pace PR's ability to champion earned media while also providing a holistic approach sets it apart. Post this "We are incredibly honored to receive this award," said Annie Scranton, CEO and Founder of Pace Public Relations. "Winning the Netty Award is a huge achievement, and it's important to recognize the entire team of talented women who bring intelligence, creativity, and hard work to everything they do on behalf of our clients and this agency. This win is a testament to their dedication and passion for what we do." Pace Public Relations has grown to become a trusted partner for a diverse range of clients, from emerging startups to established global brands. Focusing on earned media, which has become increasingly competitive, the value of big client wins is critical. PPR has secured major placements in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Washington Post and every single top-tier broadcast network, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CNN, MSNBC and more. "Our foundation is in the media," added Scranton. "Big media placements are at the core of everything we do. Earned media remains one of the most impactful tools for driving client leads, impressing investors, and building credibility to elevate individuals and companies to the next level. We take pride in delivering these results and optimizing them through social strategies, timed awards, and in-person speaking opportunities and events." PPR's ability to champion earned media while also providing a holistic approach sets it apart. By leveraging deep media relationships, cutting-edge strategies, and a personalized approach, the agency has built a reputation for delivering results that drive growth and visibility for its clients. "This recognition isn't just about the agency," Scranton continued. "It's also about the incredible clients we work with every day. Their trust allows us to do what we lovetelling compelling stories that make an impact." As Pace Public Relations celebrates this milestone, the agency remains committed to pushing boundaries and setting new standards for excellence in the PR industry as it sets to enter its 15th year in business. For more information about Pace Public Relations, visit www.pacepublicrelations.com. About Pace Public Relations Pace Public Relations is a full-service media relations and PR agency headquartered in New York City. Founded by Annie Scranton, PPR specializes in helping brands and thought leaders tell their stories through strategic media placements, creative campaigns, and personalized service. With a team of innovative and driven professionals, PPR is dedicated to delivering impactful results and building long-lasting relationships with its clients. About The Netty Awards The Netty Awards celebrate excellence in the digital age, recognizing top companies and leaders across more than 100 categories. The awards honor creativity, technical expertise, innovation, and impact, setting the standard for achievement in the ever-evolving digital landscape. SOURCE PACE PUBLIC RELATIONS CALGARY, AB, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Petro-Victory Energy Corp. ("Petro-Victory" or the "Company") (TSXV: VRY) is pleased to announce the signature of an exclusivity agreement with Brava Energia S.A. ("Brava") for the potential acquisition of 13 oil-producing fields in Rio Grande do Norte, Potiguar Basin. Petro-Victory together with Azevedo e Travassos Petroleo S.A. ("ATP") informs the market that, on December 17, 2024, the Company has jointly signed an exclusivity agreement with Brava for the potential acquisition of two producing assets Porto Carao Cluster and Barrinha Cluster. The Porto Carao Cluster is located in the Potiguar onshore basin, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, near the municipality of Guamare, and comprises 4 concession contracts, covering 4 oil-producing fields. The Barrinha Cluster is also located in the Potiguar onshore basin, in Rio Grande do Norte, near the municipality of Mossoro, and comprises 7 concession contracts, covering 9 oil-producing fields. The agreement grants the Company exclusivity for the negotiation of the acquisition of these assets for an initial period of 30 days, starting from the date of its signing, which may be extended for a similar period, provided there is mutual and formal agreement between the parties. Additional information, such as values, terms, and payment methods, will be communicated to the market in due course as negotiations progress. About Petro-Victory Energy Corp. Petro-Victory Energy Corp. is engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas resources in Brazil. The company holds 100% operating and working interests in thirty-eight (38) licenses totaling 257,604 acres in two (2) different producing basins in Brazil. Petro-Victory generates accretive shareholder value through disciplined investments in high impact, low risk assets. The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSXV under the ticker symbol VRY. Cautionary Note Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless an exemption from such registration is available. Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements In the interest of providing Petro-Victory's shareholders and potential investors with information regarding Petro-Victory's future plans and operations, certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "objective", "ongoing", "outlook", "potential", "project", "plan", "should", "target", "would", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, events or performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date thereof and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. There is no assurance the transaction will progress to the definitive agreement stage or will be completed at all. The Company cautions readers that it has not entered into any agreements or understandings to effect a possible transaction with Brava, and there can be no assurance that any discussions that have taken place will result in any such agreements or understandings. The Company is continuing its evaluation of other opportunities available to the Company. Given the nature of the process, the Company does not intend on commenting further unless otherwise required pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations. Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to but not limited to: our business strategies, plans and objectives, and advancing the Brava transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on certain key assumptions regarding, among other things: regulatory and other required approvals; entering into a definitive agreement with Brava and the financing of same, the approval by the TSXV; the availability and cost of labor and other industry services; the continuance of existing and, in certain circumstances, proposed tax and royalty regimes; and current industry conditions, laws and regulations continuing in effect (or, where changes are proposed, such changes being adopted as anticipated). Readers are cautioned that such assumptions, although considered reasonable by Petro-Victory at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Actual results achieved will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements in this press release has been provided in order to provide shareholders and potential investors with a more complete perspective on Petro-Victory's current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. There is no representation by Petro-Victory that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those referenced in the forward-looking statements and Petro-Victory does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law. SOURCE Petro-Victory Energy Corp. Health system honored for investment in employee health and well-being for fourth consecutive year PHOENIX, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Children's, one of the nation's fastest-growing pediatric healthcare systems, was named among the "Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America" by Healthiest Employers, a program honoring people-first organizations that prioritize the well-being of their employee population. This marks the fourth consecutive year Phoenix Children's has secured a spot on this prestigious list, ranking 58th in 2024, alongside some of the nation's most prominent employers. "We know our people are our greatest asset, and it's vital that we support their overall wellness, as they, in turn, provide care for our patients and their families," said Kety Duron, chief human resources officer at Phoenix Children's. "Our comprehensive wellness offerings are part of our overarching people strategy that is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team, and foster a positive, energizing environment where every individual is empowered to bring their best self to work each day." Phoenix Children's wellness initiatives are wide-ranging and tailored to meet the unique needs of its workforce. Employees have access to an onsite Wellness Center with relaxation amenities, fitness equipment, areas for team building and animal-assisted therapy; onsite mental health services; a chronic disease management program; personalized nutrition guidance and diverse fitness platforms. Additionally, team members benefit from a variety of employee assistance services, including a virtual well-being program that seamlessly integrates with wearable devices and incentivizes positive lifestyle choices. "Our wellness strategy is grounded in the belief that by investing in our employees, we not only enhance their lives, but we also create a more engaged, productive and compassionate workplace," said Duron. "We're fostering a culture that attracts and retains top talent, setting us apart as an employer of choice." Scoring for America's Healthiest Workplaces is based on each organization's Healthiest Employers Index a metric based on six categories: Culture and Leadership Commitment, Foundational Components, Strategic Planning, Communications and Marketing, Programming and Interventions, and Reporting and Analytics. Phoenix Children's ongoing investment in employee health is part of a broader vision to be recognized as a best place to work. Earlier this year, the health system was also recognized as a finalist in the Phoenix Business Journal's Healthiest Employers program in the extra-large category. For more information about careers at Phoenix Children's, visit Careers.PhoenixChildrens.com. About Phoenix Children's Phoenix Children's is one of the nation's largest pediatric health systems. It comprises Phoenix Children's Hospital Thomas Campus, Phoenix Children's Hospital East Valley Campus, Phoenix Children's Avondale Campus, Phoenix Children's Hospital Arrowhead Campus, four pediatric specialty and urgent care centers, 12 community pediatric practices, 20 outpatient clinics, two ambulatory surgery centers and seven community-service outpatient clinics throughout the state of Arizona. The system provides world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care and has been serving children and families for 40 years. Phoenix Children's Care Network includes more than 1,405 pediatric primary care providers and specialists who deliver care across more than 75 subspecialties. Alongside our colleagues, collaborators and communities, we're elevating pediatric care, education and innovation, so we can all grow healthier together. For more information, visit phoenixchildrens.org. SOURCE Phoenix Children's TORONTO, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ Pluribus Technologies Corp. (TSXV: PLRB) ("Pluribus" or the "Company") announced today that the Company and its various subsidiaries (collectively, the "Pluribus Group") have been granted an order (the "Initial Order") from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the "Court") under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (the "CCAA") in order to restructure its business and financial affairs. After careful consideration of all available alternatives, following thorough consultation with legal and financial advisors, the directors of the Company determined that it is in the best interests of the Pluribus Group and its stakeholders to seek creditor protection under the CCAA given, among other things, the previously-announced termination of the forbearance agreement dated August 14, 2024 between the Company and National Bank of Canada (the "Lender") relating to a secured credit agreement dated April 27, 2022, as amended, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries and the Lender (the "Credit Agreement") on November 29, 2024 and the demand letter from the Lender received on December 3, 2024 demanding immediate payment of the sum of C$10,334,246.28 and US$857,668.71 under the Credit Agreement. The Initial Order provides for, among other things: (i) a stay of proceedings in favour of the Pluribus Group up to and including December 27, 2024 (the "Initial Stay Period"); (ii) approval of the debtor-in-possession financing (the "DIP Financing"); and (iii) the appointment of B. Riley Farber Inc., as monitor of the Pluribus Group (in such capacity, the "Monitor"). In addition, the Initial Order provides the Company with relief from certain reporting obligations under securities legislation and stock exchange rules. The stay of proceedings and the DIP Financing is intended to provide the Pluribus Group with the time and stability required to consider potential restructuring transactions and seek to maximize the value of its assets for the benefit of its creditors and other stakeholders. Pluribus Group intends to undertake a court supervised sale and investment solicitation process that is intended to solicit interest in, and opportunities for, a sale of, or investment in, all or part of the Pluribus Group's assets and business operations. This process may include the sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Pluribus Group. In that regard, the Company intends to seek Court approval on December 23, 2024 to undertake a sale and investment solicitation process. In order to fund Pluribus Group's working capital needs, professional fees and expenses during the CCAA proceedings, Pluribus Group has executed a term sheet with Evergreen Gap Debt GP Inc., as agent for itself and of Evergreen Gap Debt LP, (the "DIP Lender"), pursuant to which the DIP Lender will advance a debtor-in-possession loan during the Initial Stay Period and subsequently. The Company intends to operate in the ordinary course throughout the CCAA proceedings under the general oversight of the Monitor. The Monitor has set up a website at: https://brileyfarber.com/engagements/pluribus-technologies-corp/, where updates on the restructuring process, the Monitor's reports to the Court, Court orders and other information will be posted as soon as they are available. The Company's common shares will be transferred to the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") where trading will be suspended, effective today. The Company's common shares are expected to be delisted as a result of the CCAA proceedings in accordance with the rules of the TSXV. About Pluribus Technologies Corp. Pluribus is a technology company that is a value-based acquirer, operator, and divestor of small, profitable business-to-business technology companies in a range of verticals and industries. Pluribus provides its acquisitions access to experienced sales and marketing resources, strategic partnership opportunities, a diverse portfolio of customers in different geographical markets, and enabling technologies to create new revenue streams and drive growth. When market conditions are conducive to raising capital at reasonable costs, Pluribus focuses on rapidly acquiring and integrating new companies to accelerate growth. In less favorable environments, Pluribus implements strategies to maximize organic growth, increase cash flow, and selectively divest portfolio companies to optimize value. For more information, please visit: pluribustechnologies.com. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "contemplates", "believes", "projects", "plans" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding: the Company's expectation that the business operations of the Pluribus Group will not be interrupted as a result of the CCAA proceedings; the Company's belief that the stay of proceedings and DIP Financing will provide the Pluribus Group with the time and stability required to consider potential restructuring transactions; the Company's intention to seek Court approval to launch a sale and investment solicitation process; the trading and delisting of the Company's common shares. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; delay or failure to receive creditor or regulatory approvals; the ability to complete any future potential transactions in connection with the SISP in CCAA proceedings and the terms and conditions thereof; the availability of DIP Financing; the application of federal, provincial and municipal laws; the impact of increasing competition; those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. For further information about Pluribus Group and the CCAA proceedings, please contact the Monitor: B. Riley Farber Inc., 150 York Street, Suite 1600, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3S5, Phone: (437) 294-4600, Email: [email protected] or Diane Pedreira, Interim President and Chief Operating Officer, Phone: 1(800) 851-9383. SOURCE Pluribus Technologies Corp. NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PNK Group , developer of a new generation of industrial buildings, has announced its latest project in the U.S. and its first in New Jersey the acquisition of a site located at 7 Waterford Road, Winslow, New Jersey. The 24.79 acre site will play a key role in enhancing the region's logistics and industrial infrastructure. The company plans to construct an industrial facility of approximately 300,000 square feet on this site. Waterford 7 Master plan PNK's buildings are highly versatile, designed to adapt to various needs ranging from manufacturing to storage and distribution. With ceiling heights of up to 45 feet and durable reinforced concrete structures, these facilities support the installation of heavy equipment and cranes with a lifting capacity of up to 8 tons, enabling clients to utilize the properties for a wide range of purposes. PNK Group uses a Building Assembly Set for construction of its buildings. One of the key features of this BAS is its simplicity. The BAS elements are designed to be as easy to assemble as possible, making the construction process simple. By utilizing standardized large-format blocks manufactured at its own plants in Georgia and Pennsylvania, the company efficiently constructs buildings faster than the market average. Located near NJ-73 and the Atlantic City Expressway, the site offers excellent transportation access to major infrastructure hubs, including the ports of Philadelphia, Newark, Baltimore, Wilmington. Within a 150-mile radius, the area encompasses a population of approximately 35 million, including major cities like New York, Washington, and Philadelphia, making it an ideal location for logistics, manufacturing, and distribution centers. Furthermore, the site is part of the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program, which offers significant tax incentives to potential tenants. PNK Group continues to accelerate its land acquisition efforts, closing deals in the last quarter of 2024 in Sterling, PA (65.5 acres), Barnesville, PA (197 acres), and Richmond, VA (86.6 acres). As an engineering and manufacturing pioneer, PNK Group spearheads technological advancements in industrial construction. The company's construction methodology, utilizing large-unit blocks, streamlines building assembly through precise element production, minimizing the need for extensive labor and heavy machinery. Contact Info: Name: Mark Stiles Email: [email protected] mailto:[email protected] Organization: PNK Group Address: 17 State Street, Suite 3930, New York, NY 10004 Phone: +1 (646) 517 7915 Website: https://pnk.group SOURCE PNK Group Grant donation to provide hurricane recovery support for Tampa small business owners TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospera has received a special contribution of $75,000 from Wells Fargo for emergency relief and to assist Greater Tampa Bay small business clients impacted by Hurricane Milton. The contribution from Wells Fargo is in addition to its $260,000 grant in support of Prospera's year-round program covering Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Wells Fargo has donated to Prospera's services for numerous years. Wells Fargo grants for Prospera Tampa area clients impacted by H. Milton (PRNewsfoto/Prospera) "We are so fortunate to count Wells Fargo among Prospera's annual funders, volunteers, partners, and overall champions of our mission and small businesses," said Prospera President & CEO Augusto Sanabria. "Across our footprint, their support enables us to reach and serve more entrepreneurs so their businesses can achieve greater success and generate more benefits for the communities in which they operate." "We know that many small businesses in West Florida were impacted by storms this hurricane season. Wells Fargo is proud to work with Prospera in identifying business owners to provide grants, which compliments the technical assistance that Prospera will offer to further support them with recovery efforts," said Linda Hague, West Florida Senior Philanthropy and Community Impact Consultant at Wells Fargo. "We are committed to supporting the resilience of our small businesses as they navigate challenging times. The generous grant from Wells Fargo to assist small businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton across Florida will help us continue building a stronger, more prosperous future," said Prospera Regional Vice President Fabian Yepez. Prospera has identified clients in the west coast and central regions of Florida who were impacted by Hurricane Milton and reported significant damages and losses caused by the storm. Those small business owners are receiving monetary relief grants from Wells Fargo, along with in-depth technical assistance from Prospera during upcoming months and handholding to recover and rebuild, as well as mitigate the impact of future disasters on their operations. Prospera is an economic development, nonprofit organization that has specialized since 1991 in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs who want to start, sustain, and grow their business. In the last five years alone, Prospera facilitated over $70 million in loans for small business clients, trained 17,300 entrepreneurs, and helped consulting clients create or retain more than 16,000 jobs. Prospera currently serves Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org. Media Contact: Fabian Yepez, (813) 230-0059, [email protected] SOURCE Prospera SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockpoint Legal Funding proudly participated in the annual conference hosted by the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), showcasing its commitment to supporting legal professionals and their clients. As the only funding company endorsed by CAOC, Rockpoint Legal Funding leveraged this premier event to connect with new and prospective partners reinforcing its position as a trusted funder within California's legal community. The CAOC is a prestigious network of attorneys dedicated to protecting the rights of California consumers. Each year, the organization hosts its annual convention, bringing together some of the brightest legal minds and innovators in the industry. For Rockpoint Legal Funding, this event was an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate its unwavering dedication to empowering attorneys and their clients through tailored legal funding solutions. During the convention, Rockpoint operated a booth where team members engaged with attendees, offering insights into the company's services and how they benefit both legal professionals and consumers seeking justice. From new attorneys looking for funding solutions to established firms aiming to streamline their case workflows, Rockpoint provided personalized advice and showcased its comprehensive suite of legal funding options. "Rockpoint is proud to partner with the Consumer Attorneys of California. We take a lot of pride in serving the attorneys and their clients of this prestigious organization," said Ramtin Ghaneeian, Founding Partner of Rockpoint Legal Funding. His statement highlights the company's commitment to strengthening its collaboration with CAOC and continuing to support its mission of safeguarding the rights of California consumers. President of Rockpoint Legal Funding, Maz Ghorban, emphasized the value of building strong relationships at events like this, stating, "It's a privilege to connect with our law firm partners at the CAOC convention each year while ensuring our values align with protecting California consumers through legal recourse." Rockpoint's presence at the CAOC annual convention underscores its dedication to fostering meaningful connections within the legal community. By being the only CAOC-endorsed funding company, Rockpoint reinforces its credibility and reliability in the legal funding landscape. This endorsement is a testament to Rockpoint's shared vision with CAOC in championing consumer rights and providing critical support to those navigating the justice system. For attorneys and law firms, Rockpoint Legal Funding offers a variety of non-recourse funding solutions, ensuring clients have the financial support they need during ongoing litigation. This commitment aligns perfectly with CAOC's mission to advocate for justice and fairness for California consumers. As Rockpoint continues to deepen its relationships with legal professionals, events like the CAOC annual convention remain a cornerstone of its outreach efforts. The company looks forward to future collaborations and furthering its impact within the legal community. For more information about Rockpoint Legal Funding and its services, visit Rockpointlegalfunding.com or call (855) 582-9200. About Rockpoint Legal Funding Rockpoint Legal Funding is a leading provider of non-recourse legal funding solutions, serving attorneys and their clients with unparalleled expertise and care. With a mission to empower justice and support favorable case outcomes, Rockpoint is committed to providing financial assistance during critical times, ensuring no one is denied access to legal recourse due to financial constraints. Media Contact Jonathan Urritia Marketing Manager [email protected] (424) 377-7238 SOURCE Rockpoint Legal Funding EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockpoint Probate Funding, a new branch of Rockpoint Legal Funding, originally established in Los Angeles in 2015, is proud to announce the launch of its new website, rockpointprobate.com. This milestone comes as the company experiences an exceptional amount of initial funding activity since its launch in August 2024, helping heirs and beneficiaries across the United States access the inheritance funds they need during challenging times. Rockpoint Probate Funding's mission is clear: to empower heirs and beneficiaries with fast, transparent, and compassionate probate funding solutions that require no credit checks. From California to New York, families have already benefitted from Rockpoint's innovative services, which provide financial relief during the often-lengthy probate process. "We have been thrilled to see that our new services for beneficiaries have caught on quickly, attracting interest from day one," said Maz Ghorban, President of Rockpoint Probate Funding. "We anticipate that the launch of our robust website will serve to educate and empower beneficiaries who can benefit from probate funding." A Resource-Rich Website to Guide Beneficiaries The newly launched rockpointprobate.com is designed to be more than just a platform for inquiriesit is a comprehensive resource for heirs and their families navigating the probate process. Key features of the website include: Resource Section: This section contains a Glossary and Blog with critical insights into probate funding and the probate process. Visitors can explore articles, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, ensuring they're well-informed every step of the way. Probate Guide: Covering nearly all U.S. states, this guide offers detailed information on the probate process, helping heirs understand the steps involved in their own state and how Rockpoint Probate Funding can assist them. The website reflects Rockpoint's commitment to transparency and education, ensuring heirs have access to the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their inheritance funding. "In my 15 years in the legal industry, I've never seen a probate funding service take hold so quickly or be received so enthusiastically," said Holly Sena, Sales Director at Rockpoint Probate. "I have the privilege of connecting with heirs every day, and it's terrific to be able to throw them a lifeline during a difficult time." A Lifeline for Beneficiaries in Need Since its launch in August 2024, Rockpoint Probate Funding has provided fast and flexible financial solutions to heirs waiting for their inheritances. By offering non-recourse funding, the company allows beneficiaries to access their inheritance funds without waiting for the often-lengthy probate process to conclude. What sets Rockpoint Probate Funding apart is its commitment to simplicity and compassion. Unlike traditional loans, their services do not require credit checks, ensuring that financial assistance is available to those who need it most, regardless of their financial background. Looking Ahead With the launch of rockpointprobate.com, Rockpoint Probate Funding is poised to continue its rapid growth and expand its reach to beneficiaries nationwide. The website stands as a testament to the company's dedication to innovation, education, and support for families navigating probate. For more information about Rockpoint Probate Funding or to explore their new website, visit rockpointprobate.com or call (888) 263-8588 for a consultation. About Rockpoint Probate Funding Rockpoint Probate Funding is a trusted provider of inheritance funding solutions, empowering beneficiaries with fast, compassionate, and transparent financial support during the probate process. As a branch of Rockpoint Legal Funding, the company brings nearly a decade of expertise in legal funding to serve heirs nationwide. Media Contact Jonathan Urritia Marketing Specialist [email protected] (424) 377-7238 SOURCE Rockpoint Probate Funding NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duties by the directors and officers of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) in connection with Southwest Airlines' information technology infrastructure impacting the Company's business, operations, and stock price. If you currently own shares of Southwest Airlines stock, please visit the firm's website at https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=10716 for more information. You may also contact Phillip Kim of Rosen Law Firm toll free at 866-767-3653 or via email at [email protected]. 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/. 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. 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. Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban has no levers of influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine also does not need his mediation in its relations with the United States, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. "We are a strong country. We have shown this on the battlefield during all time of Putin's aggression. Does anyone else in Europe has such experience today? Nobody does. Does Orban has such an army? No, he doesn't. How What kind of pressure is he going to put on Putin? An anecdote and a smile? He should keep them," the head of state said at the Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday. Zelenskyy also emphasized that Ukraine needs direct relations with the United States, without mediators. "Prime Minister Orban, who, you know, wants [to do] something somewhere, won't make it. I won't let him and people like him do this," he said, adding that it is about the Prime Minister of Hungary and not its nation that supports Ukraine. NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) resulting from allegations that Unisys may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Unisys securities 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. To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=9648 or 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 October 22, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it had charged four companies, including Unisys, with "making materially misleading disclosures regarding cybersecurity risks and intrusions." Further, the SEC also charged Unisys with disclosure controls and procedures violations. On this news, Unisys stock fell 8.6% on October 22, 2024. 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. New campaign provides payment safety tips to consumers ahead of the holidays NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday season in full swing, Zelle today announced the return of its Scam and Fraud Elimination (S.A.F.E.) Squad campaign featuring actor and producer, Christina Ricci. In its second year, S.A.F.E. Squad is a content series developed in partnership with Vox Creative, Vox Media's award-winning branded content studio. Ricci stars as the leader of a group of detectives fighting financial crime thanks to her seasoned background spotlighting sinister stories. Zelle and Christina Ricci are Back to Educate Consumers on Financial Crime The new campaign comes as Americans are facing an increasing threat of scam and fraud from tech-savvy financial criminals. But just as criminals are evolving, so are Christina Ricci's advocacy and the S.A.F.E. Squad campaign. While last year's campaign found the detectives fighting imposter scams, this year they are unravelling more complex crimes perpetrated by sophisticated and organized offenders. With the support of their new FinCrime Lab, the S.A.F.E. Squad takes down criminal syndicates weaponizing tools like generative AI to commit fraud at a previously unimaginable scale. As technology evolves and criminals find new ways to exploit Americans' good intentions, here are top tips to stay one step ahead: Steer clear of any phishing scams or emails. If you see spelling errors, broken links, or a faulty website or email encouraging you to instantly send your money that's a sign that something isn't right. If you see spelling errors, broken links, or a faulty website or email encouraging you to instantly send your money that's a sign that something isn't right. Update your security settings to enable multi-factor authentication which is a second step to verify that you are who you say you are. which is a second step to verify that you are who you say you are. If you're feeling pressure to act urgently, consider that a red flag! "As an actor and producer, I've been drawn to the true crime genre. People love examining why criminals take certain actions and want to learn as much as possible to stay one step ahead," Ricci said. "That's why I'm proud to continue to be the face of the S.A.F.E. Squad content series with Zelle, and to spotlight stories that showcase the financial crime ecosystem and to educate people about better spotting red flags and to help keep their money safe." Zelle is passionate about educating consumers through the S.A.F.E. Squad content series as it showcases the breadth of financial scams and how they are constantly evolving. Often pressured to move quickly, or guilt-ridden that there is an emergency related to a loved one, victims end up falling prey to criminals. Because of this, Zelle is constantly innovating and evolving to outsmart the scammers. For example, in 2023, 99.95% of Zelle payments were sent without a report of scam or fraud. "Zelle fills a vital need for millions of Americans," said Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer, Early Warning Services. "Consumers and small businesses alike benefit from the reliability, speed, and security that Zelle offers when paying people they know and trust. By teaming up with the incredible talent of Christina Ricci we hope to educate as many people as possible about payment safety during the holidays and beyond. To learn more about the S.A.F.E. Squad, the scam and fraud research report, and the extensive consumer safety education efforts by Zelle, visit: www.vox.com/safesquadhq. About Zelle Zelle is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle network connects over 2,200 banks and credit unions of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle. To learn more about Zelle and participating financial institutions in the Zelle network, visit www.zellepay.com. Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. SOURCE Early Warning Services, LLC Partnership between two family-owned companies combines expertise to establish a global market leader in specialty paper and packaging. Planned investments in Germany and accelerated expansion into European markets. All 240 Glatz employees will join the global Seaman Paper team; the Glatz brand will remain, and Julius Glatz GmbH will continue as an independent entity. Bernd Firmbach and Thomas Fritz appointed Managing Directors; current Managing Director Nina Ritter-Reischl will take on an advisory role until the end of H1 2025. NEIDENFELS, Germany and GARDNER, Mass., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Seaman Paper Company ("Seaman Paper"), a fourth-generation, family-owned global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions with operations in the U.S., Asia, and Europe, has acquired Julius Glatz GmbH ("Glatz"), a pioneer in specialty papers based in Neidenfels, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Founded in 1885, Glatz is a family-owned company and one of the global market leaders in producing high-quality technical specialty products. The acquisition of Glatz and its subsidiaries (Julius Glatz GmbH, PaperTec GmbH, and Glatz TransTec GmbH) bolsters Seaman Paper's longstanding presence in Germany and adds to its global expertise and technological capabilities in the production and converting of specialty paper packaging solutions replacing single-use plastics across the globe. Terms of the transaction remain confidential. Glatz's business divisions and production facilities will continue to operate and will be strategically supported and expanded. The approximately 240 employees of Glatz will join Seaman Paper's global team. Julius Glatz GmbH will remain a legally independent entity, and the Glatz brand will be preserved to further strengthen its market position globally from its German base. With this acquisition, Seaman Paper complements its existing presence in Rastatt, Germany, acquired in 2015, which employs 40 people specializing in tissue and crepe paper production. Kenneth Winterhalter, CEO of Seaman Paper, stated: "Glatz has been a trusted partner of Seaman Paper for many years, and as family-owned businesses, we share the same core values. This acquisition is the natural next step to deepen our collaboration and begin an exciting new chapter together. We are inspired by the talent and technological expertise of the Glatz team, whose cutting-edge innovations and invaluable skills will not only sustain and grow the legacy business but also enhance our growing portfolio of sustainable fiber-based solutions, He continued: We warmly welcome Glatz to the Seaman Paper family. Together, we will strengthen our capabilities in fine and specialty papers, positioning ourselves for long-term success. We are committed to investing in Glatz's growth in the region, increasing production capacity at the Glatz facilities, and leveraging their technology to develop new product lines and explore new markets." This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Seaman Paper. It accelerates the company's strategic goals while incorporating a robust and fast-growing business. By combining Seaman Paper's global reach and financial strength with Glatz's technological expertise and innovative spirit, the partnership creates a solid foundation for sustainable growth. Nina Ritter-Reischl, former co-owner and former Managing Director of Glatz, commented: "Our companies have known and respected each other for years. Seaman Paper's values align perfectly with our culture as a family-owned business. This partnership paves the way for a stable and sustainable future. We are excited to contribute our extensive expertise and deep roots in the German market to an international company, allowing us to offer our customers an even broader range of highly specialized solutions." About Julius Glatz GmbH Julius Glatz GmbH is a family-owned business and a trusted partner to the tobacco industry and various multinational companies for over 30 years. Known for its pioneering work in lightweight specialty papers, Glatz combines traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology at its production facilities in Germany. About Seaman Paper Seaman Paper is a global, family-owned company with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including locations in Gardner, Massachusetts; Rastatt, Germany; and Dongguan, China. Serving diverse industries such as retail, food service, e-commerce, fashion, and cosmetics, Seaman Paper specializes in high-quality, lightweight papers for packaging, and specialty applications. With a strong focus on renewable resources and energy-efficient processes, Seaman Paper delivers innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Contact for media enquiries Kekst CNC Alexander Fink [email protected] +49 162 218 42 59 Seaman Paper SOURCE Seaman Paper The team has now completed signal acquisition of GPS III SV07, and the spacecraft is now under operational control at Lockheed Martin's Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS 31-satellite constellation. The Road to a Rapid Launch The spacecraft, assembled at Lockheed Martin's Littleton, Colorado, facility, traveled across the country via ground transport to its launch site in Florida. This is different than the typical air transport for these missions, since its standard military aircraft ride was engaged in hurricane tracking and relief efforts. The team seamlessly changed gears to a road shipment on short notice, which helped the mission maintain its rapid launch schedule in the face of shifting aircraft availability. The Space Force time from call-up to launch for SV07 was reduced to about three months to demonstrate operational agility for launch of critical national security missions. Lockheed Martin's spacecraft team carefully mapped out the approximately 2,337-mile route, and carefully monitored weather models, as Hurricane Milton was on track to pass through Florida around the time of the spacecraft's arrival. After an epic, six-day road trip, SV07 arrived at its final destination, avoiding severe weather and undergoing final checks and preparation for launch. "We supported our customer's vision for an accelerated launch of this GPS satellite, ultimately helping them achieve quick-turn operational readiness," said Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin. "Time is of the essence for national security missions, and we quickly delivered this critical capability for the Space Force to support rapid demand for secure, advanced positioning, navigation, and timing signals." An Additional Satellite with Secure Military Code All GPS III space vehicles, including SV07, are equipped with M-code. M-Code is an advanced, new signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, as well as increase secure access to military GPS signals for U.S. and allied armed forces. GPS III space vehicles provide up to eight times more anti-jamming power than GPS II space vehicles, and M-code has been in operational acceptance since 2020. GPS satellites provide essential navigation for U.S. military assets, operational troops, and field supply deliveries while powering global financial markets, transportation, utilities, agriculture, construction and ride-share services. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com. High res images available for download here and here. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Space WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club and the NPC Journalism Institute are now accepting applications for all 2025 scholarships . Opportunities are available for high school, college, and graduate student journalists: The Scholarship for Journalism Diversity Honoring Julie Schoo is a $5,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior . The award can be renewed for up to three years at $5,000 per year. is a scholarship awarded to a . The award can be renewed for up to three years at per year. The Richard G. Zimmerman Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $5,000 to support a high school senior who wishes to pursue a career in journalism. is a one-time scholarship of to support a who wishes to pursue a career in journalism. The Wes Vernon Broadcast Scholarship supports diversity within broadcast journalism. The scholarship is $5,000 awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to a career in broadcast journalism . The award can be renewed for up to three years. supports diversity within broadcast journalism. The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to a . The award can be renewed for up to three years. The Lewis Scholarship provides housing and a monthly stipend to support student journalists of color with newsroom internships in Washington, D.C. , during the summer semester. provides housing and a monthly stipend to support with newsroom internships in , during the summer semester. The Dennis and Shirley Feldman Fellowship recognizes a journalism graduate student with a one-time scholarship of $5,000 . The deadline for all 2025 applications is Sunday, March 16, at 11:59 pm ET. Click here to apply. National Press Club scholarships are administered by its nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Click here to learn more. About the National Press Club Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. About the National Press Club Journalism Institute The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. To sign up for our newsletters and learn more, visit pressclubinstitute.org and follow us on LinkedIn. Press Contact: Beth Francesco, executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club Journalism Institute Shipt is helping customers save time and money on holiday shopping and preparations with same-day delivery and deals. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As ground shipping deadlines are passing and last-minute needs arise, holiday hosts and gift-givers everywhere are feeling the time crunchbut Shipt, the retail technology company specializing in same-day delivery is here to help. Shipt offers a stress-free solution for holiday hosting and meal prep, delivering everything from forgotten ingredients to last-minute gifts. Shipt is offering reliable same-day delivery for orders placed before 3 PM local time on December 24. Forget the icing for the annual family cookie decorating contest? Or have plans changed, and relatives are coming to town? Customers can count on Shipt, and a network of trusted shoppers to ensure their holiday plans stay on track and shopping is stress-free. "At Shipt, we know how important it is for customers to get what they need in time for their holiday celebrations and during this busy season we are ready to help, providing time and money-saving opportunities," said Alia Kemet, Shipt's chief marketing officer. "Whether it's a forgotten ingredient or a last-minute gift, Shipt is here to relieve some of the holiday stress." UNWRAP LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY DEALS Now through January 4, 2025, annual Shipt memberships are available for $49 (regularly $99)* using code SHIPTGIFT, providing steep savings and making it easier than ever to enjoy same-day delivery. Shipt members get unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35, exclusive savings, and a range of membership perks. Shipt's Season of Savings also features incredible last-minute deals across a variety of popular holiday categories, including: Now through December 24 : 20% off top gifting categories at Target and Meijer (Shipt members only)*** : 20% off top gifting categories at Target and Meijer (Shipt members only)*** Now through January 1 : $15 off your order of $60 or more with code HOLIDAY15** THE PERFECT LAST-MINUTE GIFT: SHIPT GIFT CARDS Still searching for the perfect gift? Shipt's all-new digital gift card experience makes giving easy. Shipt gift cards never expire, can be used with any retailer on the Shipt marketplace, and now come with festive designs and e-gifting options. Bonus: The $49 annual membership promotion applies to membership gift card purchasesbecause convenience is the gift that keeps on giving. Terms and conditions apply****. Please check out shipt.com/gift for more information. SHIPT TO THE RESCUE: HOW IT WORKS No matter how hectic the holiday calendar gets, Shipt makes shopping stress-free: For new members: Download the Shipt app or visit Shipt.com to sign up for a membership or take advantage of a 14-day free trial**. For Target Circle 360 Members: Activating your Target Circle 360 membership on the Shipt Marketplace is easier than ever with Shipt's new single sign-on feature. on the Shipt Marketplace is easier than ever with Shipt's new single sign-on feature. Choose the store you wish to order from. With a variety of new retail selections including Ulta Beauty at Target, The Fresh Market, and local favorites like Giant Eagle and Save Mart, these new additions join customer favorites like Target, PetSmart, and beloved local grocery stores. Build your shopping list with a wide range of categories, from fresh groceries to festive decorations. Select a convenient delivery window and a trusted shopper with Shipt will shop your order, communicating with you about out-of-stocks, relevant substitutions, and where they are in the shopping process. To learn more about Shipt's holiday offers and start saving today, visit www.shipt.com or download the Shipt app. About Shipt Shipt is a retail tech company that connects people to reliable, high-quality delivery with a personal touch. Through the power of technology, Shipt connects customers to the things they want from the stores they love, workers to new earning opportunities, and retail businesses to more satisfied customers. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Shipt brings people the flexible solutions they need with the above-and-beyond service they expect. Shipt is an independently operated subsidiary of Target Corp. and is available to 80% of the U.S. population. For more information, please visit Shipt's Newsroom. *Offer valid 12/17/24 through 1/4/24 and expires at 11:59 p.m. HT. Annual membership will renew at the standard membership rate at the end of first year. Cancellation available free of charge anytime. Offer will automatically apply at checkout. Offer is subject to Shipt Promotion Terms and Conditions. Deliveries under $35 with a membership will incur a $7 fee. All orders with alcohol (where available) may incur a $7 alcohol fee. Service fees may apply and will vary by retailer and location. See Terms of Service. **Offer valid for new customers only, returning customers are ineligible. 14 day trial will renew at the applicable membership rate at the end of the trial. Cancellation available free of charge anytime during trial. Offer is subject to Shipt Promotion Terms and Conditions. Deliveries under $35 with a membership will incur a $7 fee. All orders with alcohol (where available) may incur a $7 alcohol fee. Service fees may apply and will vary by retailer and location. See Terms of Service ***Purchase of qualifying products at Target or Meijer must be placed by 12/24/2024 at 11:59 p.m. HT to qualify for 20% off, which will automatically apply to a qualifying order at checkout. Limit 1 credit per member. Offer is subject to Shipt Promotional Terms and Conditions. ****A Shipt membership gift card can only be used to redeem a Shipt membership. It cannot be used at checkout for items, tips, or taxes, or to cover fees. SOURCE Shipt SK Biopharmaceuticals, ProEn Therapeutics aim to advance up to 2 preclinical radiopharmaceutical candidates by 2027, via ArtBody, a bivalent binder platform designed to selectively target tumor cells SK Biopharmaceuticals eyes innovative small protein-based radiopharmaceuticals on safety and efficacy amid growing global demand through the joint research initiative building on the momentum for its radiopharmaceutical therapy business SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Biopharmaceuticals, a biotech company focusing on the research, development and commercialization of treatments for disorders of the central nervous system and oncology worldwide, announced a research collaboration agreement with ProEn Therapeutics, a biotech company dedicated to advancing oncology treatments, to further extend its oncology research capability and expand its pipeline of radiopharmaceutical therapies (RPT). Under this agreement, both sides seek to advance up to two preclinical candidates for the development of novel radiopharmaceutical drugs by 2027 the year when SK Biopharmaceuticals aims to become a global leading RPT player, via strengthened internal and external resources. This joint research builds on a series of SK Biopharmaceuticals' global strategic partnerships, including the in-licensing of a radiopharmaceutical compound, and a supply agreement to secure actinium-225, an alpha-particle emitting radioisotope, since the company unveiled its "RPT Roadmap" to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly growing field of nuclear medicine. SK Biopharmaceuticals will leverage ProEn Therapeutics' ArtBody platform, a dual-target binding technology that incorporates small proteins[1] to identify and target specific tumor antigens enhancing tumor selectivity for the development of potential cancer treatments, while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. ArtBody, which has intrinsic advantages of high stability and structural robustness, can be mass-produced using bacteria, making it ideal for industrial applications. Il-Han Lee, Chief Executive Officer of ProEn Therapeutics, said, "We are pleased to enter this joint research, and positive that the ArtBody platform will generate synergy with and complement SK Biopharmaceuticals' radiopharmaceutical therapy business. ProEn Therapeutics will push to produce the best possible outcome that can meet not only the two companies' expectations, but also patients' needs." Donghoon Lee, Chief Executive Officer of SK Biopharmaceuticals, said, "This collaboration with ProEn Therapeutics is significant as the platform technology will help overcome the limitations of existing therapies. We will aim to develop more effective, safer treatments, while leading global RPT research and development efforts." [1] Small proteins, in contrast to antibodies, offer superior tumor penetration, faster clearance, and greater cost efficiency. These advantages help address key challenges in antibody-based drug development high manufacturing costs and potential toxicity issues driving an increasing focus on small proteins from pharma and biotech companies worldwide. About SK Biopharmaceuticals SK Biopharmaceuticals focuses on the research, development and commercialization of treatments for disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and oncology. In 2017, SK Biopharmaceuticals established a research center to begin its expansion into oncology through research and development efforts. SK Biopharmaceuticals is the first and only Korean company to independently develop and commercialize an antiseizure medication, cenobamate (brand name: XCOPRI), in the U.S. Cenobamate, which was commercially launched in the U.S. in 2020 by SK Biopharmaceuticals and its U.S. subsidiary SK Life Science, has successfully entered five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the Middle East and North Africa. The company has a pipeline of eight compounds in development in both CNS disorders and oncology. For more information, visit SK Biopharmaceuticals' website at www.SKBP.com/eng, and SK Life Science's website at www.SKLifeScienceInc.com. About ProEn Therapeutics ProEn Therapeutics is a biotechnology company dedicated to advancing oncology treatments through cutting-edge protein engineering. The company's innovative drug development platform, ArtBody, focuses on bi-specific antibody-drug conjugates tailored for solid cancers. ProEn Therapeutics is also exploring next-generation therapies such as immune cell engagers and chimeric antigen receptor platforms, while extending its research in radiopharmaceuticals. The company is advancing its proprietary pipeline, while actively collaborating with partners specializing in various therapeutic modalities. For more information, visit ProEn Therapeutics' website at https://en.proentherapeutics.com/?redirect=no. SOURCE SK Biopharmaceuticals Investing in our youth is an investment in the future of our communities. Post this "Investing in our youth is an investment in the future of our communities," said Jay Bennett, chief human resources officer for Smithfield Foods. "We are committed to supporting educational programs like An Achievable Dream that truly make a difference in the lives of next generation's leaders." Smithfield employees visited AAD Academy in Newport News, Virginia, on Dec. 10 and participated in the morning program by greeting students, presenting the donation check and reading to students in classrooms. "Smithfield is so much more than a sponsor; they are true partners in our mission," said Dr. Lee Vreeland, president and chief executive officer of An Achievable Dream. "Whether it's joining a classroom to read with students, hosting a field trip, mentoring in our 'What It Takes' workforce readiness programs or providing critical funding to support food security and wrap-around services, their connection to our organization runs deep. Everyone at Smithfield believes wholeheartedly in what we do and goes above and beyond to support our Dreamers." Smithfield's continued support ensures that AAD can sustain its critical programs and expand its operations, including: What It Takes Career Readiness Program : Smithfield employees will mentor students and teach soft skills needed in professional environments. This program directly impacts over 500 middle school and high school students in Newport News, Virginia , each year, helping develop confidence and vital skills for success beyond the classroom. : employees will mentor students and teach soft skills needed in professional environments. This program directly impacts over 500 middle school and high school students in , each year, helping develop confidence and vital skills for success beyond the classroom. Wrap Around Support and Food Insecurity : Smithfield's support will bolster AAD's efforts to provide holiday food assistance and additional support for students and families facing food insecurity during the school holiday break when resources are limited. : support will bolster AAD's efforts to provide holiday food assistance and additional support for students and families facing food insecurity during the school holiday break when resources are limited. CANstructure Competition Food Drive : Smithfield employees will mentor AAD students participating in the annual CANstructure Competition hosted by the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads , which supports local food banks. Smithfield has also committed to matching the total weight of canned goods donated by all participating Hampton Roads schools with a protein donation to local food banks. employees will mentor AAD students participating in the annual CANstructure Competition hosted by the Youth Volunteer Corps of , which supports local food banks. has also committed to matching the total weight of canned goods donated by all participating schools with a protein donation to local food banks. Nutrition and Healthy Living: AAD is partnering with Smithfield to expand and enhance AAD's "Healthy Living Curriculum." This vital program integrates health and wellness education into social rotation classes, empowering students with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term well-being. Over the past two decades, Smithfield has provided $3.7 million in support to AAD, which has helped build a brighter future for students, families and our communities. Smithfield employee Lashondra Walker recently shared her story as an AAD graduate. Smithfield is committed to improving educational opportunities, advancing the vitality of local communities and fighting hunger and food insecurity. For more information about Smithfield's programs, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/helping-communities. About Smithfield Foods: Smithfield Foods is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. About An Achievable Dream: An Achievable Dream is a nonprofit organization with a unique structure and goal: we partner with public school districts to jointly operate schools in primarily under-served communities, providing additional resources to level the playing field for students. Our program integrates an array of research-based strategies into a unique program that yields significant results in academic achievement, positive behavior, and the development of critical life skills. AAD serves over 1,700 students in Newport News and Virginia Beach. For more information, visit www.aadream.org. SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc. VALLETTA, Malta, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- StablR, the European stablecoin provider, has received investment from market leader Tether to accelerate stablecoin adoption in Europe. StablR offers solutions tailored for institutions and merchants seeking liquidity, compliance, and easy-to-use applications. The investment will expedite stablecoin adoption in the European market, executing on StablR's vision of superior flexibility and liquidity - advantages that surpass the value proposition of other industry assets. The European stablecoin market, with a market cap of almost $400M for EUR-pegged stablecoins alone, has experienced significant momentum in recent months. This movement is further bolstered by the EU's MiCA framework, set to take full effect on December 30th, which mandates exchanges and stablecoin issuers adhere to stringent compliance standards across the jurisdiction. Hot on the heels of the introduction of new stablecoins in the regionincluding StablR's EURR and USDRand Tether's decision to support leading, fully regulated stablecoinsStablR is positioned to champion an innovative asset that unlocks improved liquidity management, reduced transaction costs, and significant savings for reinvestment that foster a more sustainable and circular financial system. Gijs op de Weegh, Founder and CEO at StablR, said: "We've seen an incredible surge in the global stablecoin market, perfectly aligned with the growing momentum of the digital assets economy. Just last month, the global stablecoin market shattered records, reaching an unprecedented market cap of $190 billion. From the outset, StablR has been laser-focused on delivering unmatched compliance, liquidity, and flexibility for institutions, and merchants. With the support of these new investors, that's exactly what we're delivering. This is a new era for stablecoins and StablR is very much at the helm." In July of this year, StablR secured an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license authorized by the Malta Financial Services Authority, for its MiCAR-compliant stablecoins. StablR stablecoins are fully compliant and trusted, fully-backed stablecoins launched to address the growing demand from financial institutions, enterprises, and retail users for compliant, secure, and easily redeemable digital assets. StablR uses the new tokenization platform Hadron by Tether, which was launched last month to simplify the tokenization of stocks, bonds, commodities, stablecoins, and more. Designed to provide an easy-to-use software as a service interface for the full token lifecycle for individuals, businesses, and nation-states, Hadron by Tether also emphasizes providing a comprehensive compliance toolkit, Know-Your-Customer (KYC), Anti-Money-Laundering (AML), Know-Your-Transaction, Risk Management, and secondary market ecosystem monitoring. "The European stablecoin market is rapidly evolving and it's poised for significant further growth in line with broader trends. Tether is proud to support initiatives like StablR that align with our vision for fostering compliance, innovation, and accessibility in the European stablecoin market," said Paolo Ardoino, Chief Executive Officer at Tether. "This investment demonstrates our support for the European digital asset ecosystem. The deployment of Hadron by Tether, our asset tokenization platform that simplifies the process of converting various assets into digital tokens, is a significant step towards an economy with unprecedented benefits, flexibility, and transparency." Currently, StablR offers two coins: EURR and USDR, both issued as ERC-20 and Solana-compatible tokens. As standard, these stablecoins can be seamlessly transferred to any Ethereum or Solana wallet address. Fully regulated, StablR ensures compliance while delivering a reliable stablecoin solution. Integrated with both Ethereum and Solana, StablR is set to expand across additional networks utilizing Hadron by Tether, further enhancing accessibility, liquidity, and interoperability within the broader blockchain ecosystem. About StablR StablR is a European stablecoin provider delivering fully-backed, MiCA-compliant digital assets designed to enhance liquidity, flexibility, and efficiency for financial institutions and merchants. With a strong focus on transparency and regulatory compliance, StablR stablecoins are 100% collateralized in segregated accounts and offer seamless, low-cost cross-border transactions. Currently offering EURR and USDR, StablR enables secure, scalable, and interoperable solutions integrated with both Ethereum and Solana networks. By collaborating with leading financial and digital asset partners, StablR is driving the adoption of stablecoins across Europe, empowering businesses with reliable tools for payments and liquidity management. For more information, visit https://www.stablr.com. About Tether Tether is a pioneer in the field of stablecoin technology, driven by an aim to revolutionize the global financial landscape. With a mission to provide accessible and efficient financial, communication, artificial intelligence, and energy infrastructure. Tether enables greater financial inclusion, and communication resilience, fosters economic growth, and empowers individuals and businesses alike. As the creator of the largest, most transparent, and liquid stablecoin in the industry, Tether is dedicated to building sustainable and resilient infrastructure for the benefit of underserved communities. By leveraging cutting-edge blockchain and peer-to-peer technology, it is committed to bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and the potential of decentralized finance. SOURCE StablR Top 10 States almost exclusively Democratic. DC and Colorado are top states for golden visa interest. Virginia and Florida top Republican search. WASHINGTON and LONDON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- La Vida, a leading global residency and citizenship-by-investment firm, has observed a dramatic surge in interest in golden visas from U.S. residents, following the November 2024 presidential election. In the 24 hours immediately following Election Day, website traffic spiked by an extraordinary 2300% compared to the daily average. The surge was particularly prominent in states that voted Democratic, signaling a trend in political and economic motivations that is driving interest in second citizenship and alternative residency options. Democratic States Dominate Interest Search data for November reveals a stark divide: among the top 15 states with the highest searches for golden visa programs (adjusted per 100,000 adult population), 14 voted Democratic in the election, with only Virginia as the exception. The data suggests a correlation between states' voting preferences and their interest in exploring alternatives to U.S. residency. States like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon ranked high in searches, possibly reflecting concerns about political and economic changes under the new administration. "It's clear that seismic political shifts often lead to increased interest in second citizenships or residency programs," said Paul Williams CEO of La Vida. "We saw similar trends after the 2020 U.S. election, with the UK after Brexit, and following geopolitical shifts in countries like Turkey and Hong Kong." Search by Numbers The most intensive interest came from the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., with 1048 searches per 100,000 adults, more than double the next-highest state, Colorado (450). Following closely were Washington State (448) and Oregon (408), all Democrat-leaning areas. In stark contrast, the 26 states with the lowest search volume per capita were all Republican-leaning. The lowest-ranking state, Mississippi, saw just 43 searches per 100,000 adults, underscoring a significant divide. Golden Visa Favorites Among the programs garnering the most interest from U.S. citizens were the Portugal Golden Visa and Malta Permanent Residency Program offering residency in Europe. With Grenada and Dominica offering citizenship through real estate investment in the Caribbean and potential tax savings for High Net Worth Individuals. Income vs. Politics: What's Driving Interest? Higher-income states feature prominently in golden visa searches, with all top 10 income states ranking in the top 18 for interest. However, the data shows that political alignment is a stronger predictor than income. States voting Democratic overwhelmingly dominate the search rankings, with voting intention playing a significant role in driving interest. A "Plan B" for the Future For many Americans, golden visas offer not just an escape but a strategic backup plan. Programs like those in Europe or the Caribbean provide residency or citizenship options, enabling potential financial benefits like tax optimization or even renouncing U.S. citizenship entirely. About La Vida La Vida is a globally recognized leader in the residency and citizenship-by-investment industry. With an extensive portfolio of programs spanning Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond, La Vida helps clients secure their future and unlock new opportunities. For more information, visit www.goldenvisas.com. See Full Results by State. Media Contact: Elizabeth Edwards ***@goldenvisas.com +44 20 7060 1475 Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13052835 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE La Vida Golden Visas Cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang once again recalls that it is necessary to strengthen defense cooperation between European countries, particularly through the production of high-tech military products and creation of a joint brigade engaging North European and Baltic states, as well as the UK and the Netherlands, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in his address to the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit Participants on Tuesday. "Right now, Ukrainian soldiers are holding off assaults with North Korean soldiers taking part. Their numbers could grow, and we all need to be aware of this. This clearly shows that Putin can't cope alone, so he's pulling others into a bigger war. Pyongyang disregards human life just as much as Moscow does, paying Russia with people in exchange for goods and military technologies," he said. According to the head of state, "this brings us back, again and again, to the need to strengthen our defense cooperation in producing all types of weapons that enable standoff warfare. We need to protect our people. We must do everything possible to destroy Russia's ability to wage war from as far away as possible." For this, more drones, more modern artillery, and long-range missiles are needed, he said. "I thank you, friends, for investing in our defense production and for increasing weapons manufacturing in your own countries. Our arsenals must match the threats we face, and European industry is fully capable of achieving this," Zelenskyy said. "But we need to scale up this cooperation and these investments," he said. The President also mentioned the training of a joint brigade and called on partners to implement this plan. "We've also previously discussed, in our different meetings, preparing our joint brigade with contributions from the Nordic and Baltic states, as well as the UK and the Netherlands. I ask you to make this happen," he said. LONDON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Annual General Meeting: Tetragon's annual general meeting will be held on 31 December 2024. The Notice of General Meeting may be found at the following link. About Tetragon: Tetragon is a Guernsey closed-ended investment company. Its non-voting shares are listed on Euronext in Amsterdam, a regulated market of Euronext Amsterdam N.V., and also traded on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Our investment manager is Tetragon Financial Management LP. Find out more at www.tetragoninv.com. Tetragon's non-voting shares are subject to restrictions on ownership by U.S. persons and are not intended for European retail investors. Please see: https://www.tetragoninv.com/shareholders/additional-information. Tetragon Investor Relations: Yuko Thomas [email protected] Press Inquiries: Prosek Partners [email protected] U.K. +44 20 3890 9193 U.S. +1 212 279 3115 This release does not contain or constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The securities of Tetragon have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons unless they are registered under applicable law or exempt from registration. Tetragon does not intend to register any portion of its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offer of securities in the United States. In addition, Tetragon has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of such Act. Tetragon is registered in the public register of the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets under Section 1:107 of the Financial Markets Supervision Act as a collective investment scheme from a designated country. SOURCE Tetragon Financial Group Limited PRESTON COOK AND NATIONAL EAGLE CENTER-LED EFFORT PASSES THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AWAITS PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE WABASHA, Minn., Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, in collaboration with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and House Representatives, has successfully led the legislative effort to designate the Bald Eagle as the country's official national bird. The bill, which passed the U.S. Senate last July, today passed the House of Representatives and now advances to the President's desk for final approval. "This is an exciting day. The Bald Eagle has symbolized American ideals since its placement on the Great Seal in 1782," said Preston Cook, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center and author of American Eagle - A Visual History of Our National Emblem. "With this legislation, we honor its historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity." "This is an exciting day. With this legislation, we honor the bald eagle's historic role and solidify its place as our national bird and an emblem of our national identity." - Preston Cook, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center Post this Cook, who spearheaded the legislative effort, recently donated his multi-million dollar 40,000-plus piece eagle collection to the Center. The collection, which he acquired over the past 60 years, contains cultural, historical, and symbolic items. The Center displays hundreds of items from his collection at a time in the Preston Cook American Eagle Collection. National Audubon Society article. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) led the effort in the House with support from Angie Craig (D-MN). U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) spearheaded the effort in the Senate, which passed last July. The Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, representing 36 Indigenous nations and four tribal organizations, also supported the effort. "More than two hundred and forty years ago, the Founding Fathers identified the Bald Eagle as a symbol of the strength and independence promised in our new nation. Since then, we have revered this majestic creature as the unquestionable icon of the United States," said Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01). "Today, we rightfully recognize the Bald Eagle as our official national bird bestowing an honor that is long overdue. In the First District, we are the proud home of the National Eagle Center, our country's only educational center dedicated to preserving the Bald Eagle and its historical and cultural significance. It has been an honor to work alongside them to make this historic moment a reality." "For nearly 250 years, we called the Bald Eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center and author of The Bald Eagle: The Improbable Journey of America's Bird. "But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving. Twice we pushed it toward extinction yet the Bald Eagle endured, ultimately showing us that living peacefully with nature enriches our quality of life." "Officially designating the Bald Eagle as our national bird reaffirms our nation's commitment to conservation and honors a symbol dear to Americans nationwide," said John Wodele, Co-Chair of the National Bird Initiative. "I'm proud that the National Eagle Center, under Preston Cook's leadership, played a significant role in this effort. We look forward to President Joe Biden signing the bill into law." About The National Eagle Center The National Eagle Center is a unique educational and interpretive institution that has educated, enlightened, and entertained visitors from across the United States and 120 foreign countries since 1999. The National Eagle Center is Located in historic Wabasha, MN, on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge, which has earned the designation "Eagle Capital of America." SOURCE National Eagle Center NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Award winning music group The Swansons received the multi-genre Duo of the Year award at the 10th annual Josie Music Awards. The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN was filled with a sold-out audience on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, as the duo accepted their award in the sacred Circle on stage. The Swansons receive Duo of the Year Award. This award comes on the heels of The Swansons releasing their sixth full album "Wake Up" in 2024 which is already gaining traction on digital play lists and radio stations. The project was recorded in Nashville, TN with top session musicians backing up the talented duo. Songs are currently being written for another album that will be released in 2025. The Swansons recently appeared in the Holiday Light Parade & Tree Lighting in Ontario California on Saturday December 7th. The duo will be headlining the World-Famous Whiskey a Go Go in Hollywood, CA with their full band on Saturday January 18th. January 21st through 25th The Swansons will be attending and making appearances at the NAMM Show (National Association of Music Merchants). The largest music industry show is held in North America yearly in Anaheim, California. The Swansons are a talented husband-and-wife duo comprised of Angie and Joe Finley. The band originally formed in California in 2012. Since that time the duo has released six albums and has shared the stage with numerous A-list artists. Including Wayne Newton (Mr. Las Vegas), Corey Feldman, Berlin, Missing Persons, Martha Davis & The Motels, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, Tommy Tutone and Cherrie Currie (The Runaways). The Swansons previous awards include Producers Choice, Las Vegas Producers Choice, Best Country Music Video, Outstanding Country Album and The Mike Curb Outstanding Country Artist Award. When they aren't on tour, writing new music, recording new music or receiving awards The Swansons has a weekly Live streaming show that has aired every week for the past four years. "Live Worldwide with The Swansons" airs weekly Friday nights at 6pm Pacific time on The Swansons YouTube channel and is available on Rumble & Facebook as well. To reach out to The Swansons for an interview, schedule podcasts or any business related inquires please contact [email protected]. SOURCE TSM Group LLC Workers at Second Largest School District in U.S. Vote to Join Teamsters Local 2010 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) have voted overwhelmingly to affiliate with Teamsters Local 2010. The 3,000 members work as principals, assistant principals, adult school and ROP/ROC center coordinators, early education center principals, classified managers, and school support administrators for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). "This affiliation furthers our mission to build Local 2010 into a powerhouse for workers' rights and fair wages in California education," said Jason Rabinowitz, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 2010. "Joining forces with the 3,000 hardworking school administrators of AALA makes Local 2010 stronger and it makes our new sisters and brothers stronger too. By overwhelmingly voting to join the Teamsters, AALA recognizes that being part of North America's strongest union will help build the power needed to win fair contracts, respect on the job, and a reasonable workload at LAUSD. Local 2010 is proud to be one of the fastest growing and most effective unions in the nation!" Maria Nichols, President of AALA, committed to her membership when she took office in June 2024 that she would not only determine the root causes of their increased workloads and extended working hours, but she would find solutions. With contract negotiations slated to kick off in January 2025 with LAUSD, Nichols thought the most effective solution would be to increase the power of the organization through affiliation with the Teamsters. "Students cannot make significant gains when school leaders are pummeled with time sensitive tasks that are taking time away from achieving our instructional goals," Nichols said. "We cannot blame any administrator for wanting change when having to work after hours or on weekends goes uncompensated. We are excited about becoming Teamsters because we now have leverage, power, knowledge, and a partner with a proven track record in getting the results we need." "The time has come to ensure the district negotiates with us in good faith and proves that 'investing in staff' resonates true. And in the spirit of equity, collaboration, and excellence, we hope that they value us and our innumerable contributions to the second-largest district in the nation," said Julio Melara, an assistant principal for the LAUSD. Teamsters Local 2010 is an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing 23,000 workers in California higher education, including clerical, administrative, and skilled trades workers throughout the University of California and California State University systems. For more information, visit teamsters2010.org. Contact: Aimee Baror, (213) 220-0538 [email protected] SOURCE Teamster Local 2010 LEXINGTON PARK, Md., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TM Associates and Green Street Housing have closed on financing for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Joe Baker Village and Great Mills Court, two affordable housing communities in Lexington Park, Maryland. This $15.2 million redevelopment, supported by 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and loans from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), will enhance existing affordable housing options for individuals and families in St. Mary's County. Joe Baker Village and Great Mills Court TM Associates and Green Street Housing Originally built in the 1980s, Joe Baker Village and Great Mills Court encompass 80 units that will receive a comprehensive modernization with a focus on energy efficiency and upgrading fixtures and finishes. Joe Baker Village will offer updated one-bedroom residences, while Great Mills Court will provide a variety of thoughtfully designed and spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes. The project's $6.9 million construction scope includes energy efficiency enhancements, upgraded facades, and durable interior finishes; all selected to enhance the quality of life and reduce long-term living costs for residents. The project brings together critical support from Cinnaire as the LIHTC equity syndicator, DHCD Multifamily Bond, Rental Housing Works, and HOME funds, loans USDA Rural Development and the Housing Authority of St. Mary's County, and a Payment In Lieu of Taxes from St. Mary's County. This partnership underscores Green Street Housing and TM Associates' commitment to sustainable, community-centered development. "Our focus for Joe Baker Village and Great Mills Court is to provide safe, energy-efficient homes that meet the needs of local families and individuals," said Chase Powell, Director of Development at Green Street Housing. "We're proud to work with partners who share our mission to revitalize communities and deliver quality, affordable housing." "This redevelopment is about more than just upgrading buildings; it's about investing in the people and families who call Joe Baker Village and Great Mills Court home," said Bob Margolis, CEO of TM Associates. "By incorporating energy-efficient improvements and modernizing these communities, we're not only enhancing residents' quality of life but also ensuring these homes remain affordable and sustainable for years to come." About TM Associates: TM Associates currently manages over 18,000 units across 423 properties in fourteen states plus Washington, D.C. TM Development has built or rehabilitated 7,000 affordable housing units. TM strives to deliver the best in diligence, dedication and services while effecting change in the communities they serve. This includes services such as after school programs, adult literacy and job placement, services that address food insecurities, in addition to more traditional amenities such as package acceptance, community room, and online rent payment. TM doesn't stop at providing new, luxury affordable housing options in urban and rural neighborhoods. Instead, TM aims to take it further and change the definition and perception of affordable housing in these neighborhoods. For more information, visit www.tmamgroup.com. About Green Street Housing: Founded in 2008 by Dave Layfield and Tom Ayd of Salisbury, MD, Green Street Housing, LLC, is a leading affordable housing developer serving communities across Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. With a focus on high-quality, mission-driven developments, Green Street has built a strong reputation for its expertise in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing and public-private partnerships that create lasting community impact and navigating the complex and challenging affordable housing development process. For more information, visit www.greenstreethousing.com. Contact Information: TM Associates Management, Inc Lisa Kish [email protected] Green Street Housing Dave Layfield 240.683.0300 ext 185 [email protected] SOURCE TM Associates and Green Street Housing ZUG, Switzerland, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Token Recovery, a specialist end-to-end digital asset recovery company has announced its partnership with CYBERA, a leading provider in scam prevention and response solutions. This collaboration strengthens CYBERA's offering, enabling them to identify, freeze assets, and recover high-value losses. CYBERA and its partners will benefit from priority access to Token Recovery's premier asset-tracing, offering free asset recovery assessments and unmatched expertise in tracing stolen funds. By identifying and freezing assets more effectively, this partnership increases the chances of recovering high-value losses. With the growing adoption of digital assets and the price of various cryptocurrencies reaching all-time highs, the incidence of crypto-related crimes, frauds, scams, and hacks has unfortunately been on the rise. Moreover, the very characteristics of blockchain technology and digital assets have been exploited by criminals. Initiatives and services offered by Token Recovery and CYBERA are expanding the tools and support available to victims and law enforcement, helping to combat crypto crime and recover lost or stolen digital assets. Crypto exchanges and other VASPs (Virtual Asset Service Providers) that are focused on enhancing scam aftercare, reducing customer dropout, and building trust on their platforms, can benefit from collaborating with CYBERA and Token Recovery platforms. This partnership provides support for victims of scams and contributes to a safer and more secure crypto environment. By prioritising scam prevention, exchanges and VASPs not only reinforce customer trust but also position themselves as leaders in industry innovation. Token Recovery provides critical intelligence, by identifying scam wallet addresses, which CYBERA integrates into major crypto-sharing networks, like Chainalysis. This ensures near real-time alerts across the crypto ecosystem, enhancing financial security and preventing further victimisation. Through this collaboration, information sharing within the crypto industry is strengthened to combat scams/theft. Nicola Staub, CEO of CYBERA said, "At CYBERA, we're empowering VASPs to lead the fight against scams by transforming how they support victims. Our new partnership with Token Recovery is a game-changercombining their world-class asset tracing expertise with CYBERA's Scam Response solutions ensures we can recover more assets and provide even better outcomes for victims. Together, we're improving scam aftercare, reducing customer churn, and driving the crypto industry toward a safer, more trustworthy future." Marcin Zarakowski, CEO of Token Recovery said, "Partnering with CYBERA allows us to combine strengths in tracing and recovering stolen digital assets. Together we are making the crypto space safer by enabling faster responses, better victim support and improved recovery outcomes. This is a step towards fostering greater trust and transparency in the industry." About CYBERA: CYBERA Scam Prevention Gain access to 99% accurate intelligence directly sourced from real scammer activity and interactions. Each month, we deliver thousands of newly identified mule accounts and bad wallet addresses to enhance your transaction monitoring and block fraudulent transfers. Protect your customers, strengthen your AML compliance, and drive scammers away from your network. CYBERA Scam Response When customers are scammed, streamline the reporting process by automating scam payment notifications to beneficiary VASPs and law enforcement, significantly improving victims' chances of recovering stolen funds. Turn scam losses into reputation-building success stories. About Token Recovery: Token Recovery are team of blockchain investigators, former law enforcement officers and legal experts in with deep seated knowledge of digital assets. Unlike blockchain analytics companies that focus on providing pure analytics and investigative services, we also offer an end-to-end solution assisting in the attempt to recover your lost and stolen tokens. One that pairs professional blockchain expertise with legal backing. About the Token Recovery Team: Marcin Zarakowski , CEO: An attorney-at-law and blockchain expert with extensive experience in digital asset recovery, is active in global blockchain initiatives, including the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum and the Digital Asset Task Force of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. An attorney-at-law and blockchain expert with extensive experience in digital asset recovery, is active in global blockchain initiatives, including the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum and the Digital Asset Task Force of the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime. Roman Bieda , Head of Investigations: A renowned Fraud investigator with expertise spanning both traditional and blockchain disciplines, Roman specialises in a spectrum of forensic investigations including hack, fraud , murder, terrorism, espionage, e-discovery and more. SOURCE Token Recovery TOKYO, Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Corporation announces that it will return to CES 2025 with plans to make a presentation on Woven City during Media Days on January 6, 2025 starting at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The presentation will also be livestreamed, as outlined below. Presenting Toyota Executive: Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Board of Directors (Representative Director) Toyota to Share Progress on Woven City at CES 2025 Livestream* details Date/Time: Monday, January 6, 2025, 13:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) Tuesday, January 7, 2025, 6:00 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) Video from the presentation will be available on-demand after the livestream. *Livestream link to be shared on this page closer to the date of the event stay tuned! About Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move. SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/ About Woven by Toyota Woven by Toyota is the mobility technology subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Our mission is to deliver safe, intelligent, human-centered mobility for all. Through our Arene mobility software platform, safety-first automated driving technology and Toyota Woven City our test course for advanced mobility we're bringing greater freedom, safety and happiness to people and society. You can learn more about our work at woven.toyota. MEDIA CONTACT Olivia Boisineau-Beckett [email protected] 734-834-0885 SOURCE Toyota Motor Corporation CHANGZHOU, China, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinasolar has been once again shortlisted in the prestigious Bloomberg Green ESG 50 list, earning the title of Leading Champion for its outstanding performance in the environmental, social and governance field. This recognition was announced at The Year Ahead 2025 Summit in Shanghai. The event was co-hosted by the 2024 Bloomberg Green ESG Forum and ESG 50 Awards alongside Bloomberg Businessweek. The Bloomberg Green ESG 50 list honors companies that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to ESG principles, assessing their performance through measurable, transparent metrics as part of Bloomberg's ESG scoring system. Over the years Trinasolar has embedded ESG principles deeply into its corporate vision, strategic planning and operations, continuously upgrading its governance and operational resilience. Since 2010 the company has published annual corporate social responsibility reports. Last year the company earmarked achieving carbon neutrality in all its global operations by 2030 as one of its core goals. In its solar sustainability management framework, the company has established a four-layer ESG governance structure that integrates leadership, governance, execution and supervision. Trinasolar applies ESG standards throughout its value chain, from product design and supply chain management to production, sales, and after-sales service, ensuring its products and services are both environmentally friendly and of the highest quality. Trinasolar has also developed comprehensive mechanisms to identify, assess and address ESG risks and opportunities. Wu Xiao, Head of Risk Control and ESG Management of Trinasolar, said: "Trinasolar will continue to give top priority to ESG risk and opportunity management as a core driver of our strategy. We view sustainability as a key competitive advantage and remain dedicated to working with our partners to advance sustainability for the company, the industry and the global community." In recent years, Trinasolar has been honored with numerous accolades, including the Forbes China Top 50 Innovative Companies, the 2024 Fortune China ESG Impact List and the European Union Chamber of Commerce's Decarbonisation Leader. This year Trinasolar's MSCI ESG rating was upgraded to BBB. Trinasolar has been committed to fulfilling its mission of "Solar energy for all" and continues to pursue green, sustainable development through ESG initiatives. The company is also dedicated to leading the way in smart solar energy solutions and driving the transformation of new power systems toward a net-zero future. SOURCE Trinasolar Expanded partnership allows for detailed performance data around CTV planning NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TripleLift , the ad tech platform elevating digital advertising across every screen, and iSpot.tv , the TV and video measurement company, today announced an expanded partnership which brings Streaming Competitive insights to all of TripleLift's programmatic clients for the first time. By using iSpot's Streaming Competitive intelligence, brands and agency partners gain access to competitive data, enabling them to better understand their CTV investments and ensure they are meeting industry benchmarks and surpassing their competitors. This collaboration makes TripleLift the first exchange to provide such detailed streaming performance data, empowering programmatic clients to make more informed, strategic decisions around their CTV planning, therefore allowing their investment to go further. "TripleLift has been at the forefront of CTV for a number of years and we are always looking for ways to make our offering unique and accurate for our clients," said Andrew King, GM of CTV, TripleLift. "This partnership with iSpot allows us to give our clients the added value they have been looking for, helping them better invest their dollars in CTV with the unmatched knowledge of where that money is going." As part of this partnership, TripleLift will incorporate data from iSpot's syndicated Streaming Competitive Dashboard into its platform, a new tool designed to provide insights into the performance and media weight of CTV streaming advertisements. Historically, this data has been difficult to measure because of fragmentation in the streaming space and a multitude of platforms offering inconsistent measurement standards and methods. Specifically, iSpot's syndicated streaming solution takes into account OTT investment activity across the buy and sell sides of the market. TripleLift's clients will now be able to gather a Streaming Media Weight (how much a brand deviates from their industry's average), as well as a Streaming Share of Voice (a brand's exposure against an industry). This allows clients to see which brands are advertising on CTV, what campaigns and creatives they are promoting and which CTV apps they are running across. They can also see how their media weight on CTV compares to industry norms and how much a brand's CTV Media Weight Index and Share of Voice compares to their linear media. "Our goal is to always find ways to build out our competitive data set and get it into the hands of brands and publishers who need it most," "iSpot is an ad detection pioneer in the measurement space, having deployed one of the first such technologies over a decade ago. With Streaming Competitive, we have applied all of that historical knowledge and expertise into the CTV and streaming space," said Stuart Schwartzapfel EVP, Media Partnerships, iSpot. "TripleLift has been a phenomenal partner to us over the years and have proven to be early adopters of innovative measurement solutions and technologies. We are so pleased that their advertiser clients will gain access to this all-new streaming competitive data." About TripleLift We're TripleLift, an advertising platform on a mission to elevate digital advertising through beautiful creative, quality publishers, actionable data, and smart targeting. Through over 1 trillion monthly ad transactions, we help publishers and platforms monetize their businesses. Our technology is where the world's leading brands find audiences across online video, connected television, display, and native ads. Brand and enterprise customers choose us because of our innovative solutions, premium formats, and supportive experts dedicated to maximizing their performance. We are part of the Vista Equity Partners portfolio. As an NMSDC-certified minority-owned business, we qualify for diverse spending goals and are committed to economic inclusion. Find out how TripleLift raises up the programmatic ecosystem at triplelift.com. About iSpot.tv iSpot.tv is a cross-platform TV measurement company trusted by brands, networks and agencies to deliver fast, accurate and actionable information the marketplace can use to transact. Its real-time, always-on platform measures all phases of the TV advertising lifecycle from creative testing to audience verification, to business outcomes and brand impact, empowering brands to justify, optimize and invest with confidence. iSpot persistently measures TV-device impressions and second-by-second attention for all TV ads in a unified manner across linear, time-shifted, VOD, streaming environments and out-of-home (OOH) environments. A trusted currency provider for networks, ad-delivery platforms and agencies, iSpot uses its proprietary systems for bringing transparency into TV advertising at unparalleled scale. The company delivers its solution in real time via intuitive and modern dashboards as well as APIs and customized analytics. iSpot.tv has hundreds of brands and all major TV networks licensing its enterprise solution and has become a trusted currency for networks, brands and agencies. Founded in Bellevue, Washington in 2012, iSpot has offices in major cities across America. SOURCE TripleLift LAS VEGAS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ty Warner, the visionary creator behind the iconic Beanie Babies, has once again captured the magic of play with an innovative twist on the world's most popular toy: the bouncing ball. Beanie Bouncers are a plush, bouncy invention poised to take the holiday season by storm. Beanie Bouncers will be on display Monday, December 16th through Sunday, December 22nd in grand style in a dazzling winter wonderland activation on the Exosphere the exterior of Sphere in Las Vegas. This exciting activation will bring to life the magic of these versatile toys, combining festive fun with Ty Warner's signature creativity. "Beanie Bouncers are the perfect, affordable gift for children of all ages offering new possibilities for creative and active play away from their screens," said Warner. "Kids can invent games and create stories about why they bounce so high. This is a plush toy you can toss, catch, bounce, roll, kick, bowl, and collect. Sky's the limit!" Warner added. To celebrate their arrival, Beanie Bouncers will star in an enchanting snow globe display as part of their Las Vegas debut. Imagine a shimmering snow globe scene, as festive music fills the air, a snowman comes to life revealing Beanie Bouncers joyfully bouncing through glistening snowflakes alongside a twinkling Christmas tree. Playful chaos in a dazzling animation. Beanie Bouncers reinvent the classic bouncing ball with unmatched plush softness and an incredible sky-high bounce. They're the perfect gift for every stocking and they offer affordable joy at just $5.99. They are available in specialty stores nationwide. "When I show our little customers the bouncers and they realize that they bounce, their eyes get big and their faces fill with excitement. It's one of the best feelings as a store owner to provide such a pure joyous moment in their day like that," said Peyton Marchman the owner of Hey Day Kids in Jacksonville, Fl The four-inch collectible Beanie Bouncers come in 12 initial characters: Gilbert (a giraffe), Fins (a shark), Buzzy (a bee), Swish (an axolotl), Leggy (an octopus), Katy (a koala), Checkers (a panda), Mystic (a dragon), Banana (a chimp), Sammy (a Siamese cat), Purry (a cat), Spots (a leopard). Collect them all! About Ty Warner Ty Warner is an American toy manufacturer and owner of luxury hotels worldwide. He is Chairman, CEO, and founder of Ty Inc, the largest manufacturer of soft toys in the world. A philanthropist, Warner has donated more than $300 million to a variety of charities. Most recently, Warner released Aloha the Maui Bear, a Beanie Baby all profits from which are donated to the American Red Cross to help those affected by the Hawaii wildfires. In 2020, the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Fund received 100% of the profits from the sale of Hope, a limited-edition praying bear. In addition, Warner was the first to organize and prepare his Four Seasons Hotel New York as a safe haven for first responders during the pandemic. He made it possible for doctors and nurses working the frontlines to reside at the Four Seasons Hotel New York free of charge. This prevented unnecessary COVID exposure to their families and loved ones, reduced extensive travel to and from the city and allowed first responders the much-needed rest from their exhausting schedules. Other charities that have benefitted from Warner's philanthropy efforts include Children's Hunger Fund, World Vision, Toy Bank, International Toy Bank, Today Show, Children's Miracle Network, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Toys for Tots, Princess of Wales Foundation, Andre Agassi Foundation, American Red Cross, Save the Children, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, NY Police and Fire Widow's Fund, Ronald McDonald House, USO, Mayo Clinic and UNICEF. For more information about Ty Warner's company, Ty Inc., visit https://shop.ty.com/. SOURCE Ty Inc. During a visit to Brussels, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will raise the issue of strengthening Ukraine in terms of defense and diplomacy and reach agreement on the matter with all European leaders. "First of all, everyone who will be present there have the right to raise a particular issue [about deployment of peacekeeping contingent]. The main thing we need now is to urgently strengthen Ukraine on the battlefield, politically, and geopolitically. We should have a common vision of this strengthening with all leaders, primarily European," he told reporters, when asked whether the issue of deploying peacekeeping contingent from other countries in Ukraine would be discussed during the meeting in Brussels. The President also emphasized the importance of sending such signals to the United States and the new presidential administration that "we are all united in our desire not only for a just peace of Ukraine, but also for results." According to Zelenskyy, those results are needed next year. "And so the question may not only be about the contingent, there will also be issues that Ukraine needs to be aware of. This is our long-range capabilities, the maximum financing of our domestic production of our capabilities to support the Armed Forces," he said. As reported, Radio Liberty said on the Telegram channel that Zelenskyy may raise the issue of deploying foreign troops in Ukraine in Brussels on Wednesday. He is scheduled to meet with the leaders of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and NATO in Brussels on December 18, Reuters reported earlier. DALLAS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Dallas marked 75 years of life-changing service with an inspiring anniversary dinner. The evening featured a special message from the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and Mrs. Laura Bush, who joined in celebrating the mission's legacy of hope and transformation. Event Photos Bruce Butler, CEO of UGM Dallas, reflected on the milestone: "Seventy-five years ago, Union Gospel Mission Dallas began as a beacon of hope, and today, we remain unwavering in our mission to serve those in need. This celebration is not just about the past but about the lives transformed and the future we are building together. The generosity and faithfulness of our supporters enable us to continue transforming lives, one person at a time." Click for 75th Anniversary Video Transformational Impact Through the Years Since its founding in 1949, UGM Dallas has been a cornerstone of support, offering critical services and fostering lasting change. Highlights of the mission's impact include: 4,000+ veterans served 3,270,837 nights of shelter provided 12,131,591 meals served 3,952,165 chapel services held 2,200,926 Bible studies conducted 36,360 hours of recovery and counseling services offered In 2024 alone, UGM Dallas provided 695,624 meals and 173,906 nights of shelter, embodying its unwavering commitment to serving the community's most vulnerable. A Vision for the Future The 43rd President and Mrs. Bush shared words of encouragement, emphasizing the importance of community and hope in overcoming life's challenges and to remain steadfast in supporting the mission's work. As UGM Dallas looks ahead, it remains committed to its mission of "transforming lives to end homelessness one person at a time." The organization calls on the community to join them in ensuring that no one is left without a path to hope, dignity, and a brighter future. For more information about UGM Dallas, how to support its programs, or to get involved, visit www.ugmdallas.org. PRESS RELEASE Media Contact: Margaret McKoin [email protected] Phone: 817-403.0866 SOURCE UGM Dallas The move brings an active SunWest luxury portfolio to United's Midwest service footprint DALLAS, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United Real Estate announced today that SunWest Real Estate Advisors has joined its Kansas City-based operations, Platinum Realty, one of the region's largest brokerages with more than 2,500 agents serving seven major Midwest markets. SunWest agents gain competitive tools, industry-leading technology and resources such as PPO healthcare plans, wealth planning and enhanced luxury property marketing services. Platinum Realty continues its growth in the luxury real estate space with SunWest's luxury expertise. SunWest agents gain access to seven major Midwest markets and the tools and resources of Platinum Realty's national partner, United Real Estate United Real Estate President Rick Haase comments on the merger, "It's gratifying to have Jerry Braklow and his team of affiliates join us as we grow our presence in the Kansas City area. We are excited to be able to deliver more tools, services and supports to the entire SunWest Team." SunWest Operating Principal and Partner Jerry Braklow explains what's driving the merger, "We had grown SunWest Real Estate Advisors into a successful luxury services brokerage but realized that if we wanted to reach our goals, we needed a strong partner with the large market presence of Platinum Realty and the deep resources of its national partner, United Real Estate." "This merger allows us to flow into the model Platinum has built and expand exponentially. Our principles and values are well aligned with a shared mission of putting real estate agents at the center of everything we do. This merger is the next great step forward for everyone," he added. SunWest Missouri Broker and Partner Monet Deshler shares what attracted them to Platinum Realty, "Platinum's focus on supporting agents and promoting their business were major draws for us. We are empowering them to shine and position their brand however they choose. Together, we're providing the tools agents need to expand their businesses through advanced marketing and education to elevate client experiences. Unlike some brands that charge excessive fees to sustain their operationsleaving agents feeling nickel-and-dimedPlatinum agents only pay for the services they choose. This approach allows agents to invest in their business and clients without the burden of unnecessary fees." Platinum's Director of Growth and Market Development, Rob Hill, explains how the merger is additive for SunWest and Platinum, "SunWest agents will have additional technology and resources offered by Platinum and United Real Estate. They are receiving a lot more than what a typical merger brings. By combining companies, we're growing all our agents' professional networks, market presence and national referral base. They will have more office support and locations to meet with clients, and the luxury expertise of the SunWest team raises all boats." About Platinum Realty Founded in 2005, Platinum Realty was conceived as a brokerage unlike any other the name "Platinum" was chosen to reflect its quality and rarity. Designed by an agent for agents, Platinum Realty is a ten-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. company and is widely recognized by the media and real estate industry. It is a market share leader and one of the largest independent residential brokerages in the Midwest, with over 2,500 agents in thirteen offices serving five states and seven major markets. About United Real Estate United Real Estate (United) a division of United Real Estate Group was founded with the purpose of offering solutions to real estate brokers and agents in the rapidly changing real estate brokerage industry. United provides the latest training, marketing and technology tools to agents and brokers under a flat-fee, transaction-based agent commission model. By leveraging the companys proprietary cloud-based Bullseye Agent & Broker Productivity Platform, United delivers a more profitable outcome for agents and brokers. United Real Estate operates in 32 states with 159 offices and more than 21,000 agents. The company produced over 70,000 transactions and $27.8 billion in sales volume in 2023. To learn more about United Real Estate, brokerage succession planning, brokerage valuation and sale or franchising opportunities, visit GrowWithUnited.com. Agents interested in learning about career opportunities with United Real Estate Partners can visit JoinUnitedPartners.com Press contact: April Gonazlez, Media & Investor Relations [email protected] 504-237-3500 SOURCE United Real Estate In Historic First, Lawsuit Supported by DAWN Charges State Department under Administrative Procedure Act for Harming Plaintiffs by Arbitrary and Capricious Failure to Enforce the Leahy Law WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Palestinian families devastated by Israeli human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank filed a federal lawsuit today under the Administrative Procedure Act ( APA ) challenging the State Department's arbitrary and capricious failure to implement the Leahy Law prohibiting U.S. assistance to abusive Israeli security forces. The lawsuit, supported by DAWN, documents how the State Department has created unique, insurmountable processes to evade the Leahy Law requirement to sanction abusive Israeli units, despite overwhelming evidence of their human rights violations. These violations include torture, prolonged detention without charge, forced disappearance, and flagrant denials of the right to life, liberty, and security, such as genocide, indiscriminate and deliberate killings, and deprivation of items essential to survival, including food, water, fuel, and medicine. "This lawsuit demands one thing and one thing only: for the State Department to obey the law requiring a ban on assistance to abusive Israeli security forces," said Sarah Leah Whitson, DAWN's Executive Director. "For too long, the State Department has acted as if there's an 'Israel exemption' from the Leahy Law, despite the fact that Congress required it to apply the law to every country in the world. As a result, millions of Palestinians have suffered unimaginable, horrific abuses by Israeli forces using U.S. weapons." Stephen Rickard, a former State Department official and former Senior Staff Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who helped pass the Leahy Law and worked on and monitored its implementation for more than a quarter of a century, stated: "There is only one country where the Department of State has a 'see no evil, hear no evil' policy: Israel. Longstanding concerns that the State Department was not cutting off aid to specific Israel units as required by the Leahy Law have been given dramatic urgency by the tragic ongoing crisis in Gaza. If the State Department will not comply with the law, then it is time for the courts to vindicate the rule of law and order it to do so." Read the rest of DAWN's Press Release at https://dawnmena.org/united-states-palestinian-families-sue-state-department-to-suspend-u-s-military-assistance-to-abusive-israeli-security-forces/ Contact: Omid Memarian Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (510) 637-9590 SOURCE DAWN CSE: UE OTCQB: UECXF www.uranoenergy.com VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Urano Energy Corp, (CSE: UE) (OTCQB: UECXF) (the "Company" or "Urano") announced today the appointment of Mr. Kyle Kimmerle as Director, effective December 12, 2024. Kyle Kimmerle, Director Kyle Kimmerle has a deep understanding of underground and surface mining having been a miner for many years. He comes from a family with deep roots in the mining industry of Southeastern Utah. His family has been involved in the region's mining activities for over 90 years, beginning with his great-grandfather, who established and operated a vanadium mill and several nearby mines at Cottonwood Creek in the 1930's. Mr. Kimmerle currently serves as the Managing Member of Kimmerle Mining LLC, a company that holds significant mineral property interests in the region. He is also the President of Three Step Resources Inc., a contract mining company that is actively engaged in uranium production in Utah. With extensive experience in mine operations, permitting, and a thorough understanding of the Colorado Plateau deposits, Mr. Kimmerle offers invaluable local expertise, a deep understanding of all aspects of underground mining and a wealth of historical data on the region's uranium and vanadium occurrences. Stock Option Grant In accordance with the appointment, Mr. Kimmerle has been granted 200,000 stock options at a price of $0.12 CDN, effective December 17, 2024. The stock options vest over a period of eighteen months, with 25% vesting immediately and 25% vesting every 6 months thereafter until fully vested. About Urano Energy Corp. Urano Energy is a mineral exploration company focused on conventional uranium assets in the United States. The Company also holds a portfolio of gold and copper projects in Canada. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "will be", "anticipated", "may" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. SOURCE Urano Energy Corp. The company will operate Baldwin into 2027, slightly longer than previously announced Media kit available: photos and b-roll IRVING, Texas, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST) today announced that two new utility-scale solar projects in Illinois have connected to the grid and that, amid widespread concern over reliability in the MISO market, it is amending the retirement schedule of its 1,185-megawatt (MW) Baldwin Power Plant in Baldwin, Illinois. The company now intends to run the plant through 2027 instead of retiring in 2025, as previously announced, while still meeting federal Environmental Protection Agency retirement and pond closure obligations. "Vistra is committed to the responsible transition of our fleet in Illinois, and in this case, the most reasonable path forward is to continue to operate the plant as a reliable bridge to 2027, as we, and others, bring new generation assets online in the state," said Jim Burke, president and CEO of Vistra. "As many organizations have recently raised concerns over reliability and resource adequacy in central and southern Illinois, we are taking action and delivering solutions that balance the needs of reliability, affordability, and sustainability." With the addition of a new 68-MW utility-scale solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage system, which began generating power this month, Baldwin is a power generation hub. The $135-million investment involved the placement of over 200,000 solar panels across 420 acres of property the plant has owned and maintained for decades. The solar generation facility will produce approximately 140,000 MWh of zero-carbon electricity annually over the next 20 years. The use of multiple technologies at Baldwin, including thermal, solar, and energy storage, demonstrates the company's commitment to evaluating how to best leverage the footprint, infrastructure, and transmission connections already at the plant sites to meet the evolving electricity needs of customers. "With more than $1 billion in projects recently completed or underway across Illinois, we are helping the state attain its future energy goals consistent with their stated values and regulations while remaining flexible as we retain reliable baseload generation to meet customer needs," said Burke. "We know the decision to operate Baldwin through 2027 will be welcome news to our dedicated employees, the Village of Baldwin, and Randolph County, as the plant has a tremendous economic impact. We are pleased that Baldwin will provide an opportunity for employment longer than originally anticipated, providing a benefit to the families of the plant community." The 1,185-MW Baldwin Power Plant produces enough electricity to power approximately 592,500 homes. Approximately 120 employees operate the Baldwin plant. Union employees are represented by IBEW Local 51. Reusing Plant Sites to Power a Growing Economy Across the country, Vistra is undertaking a methodical, site-by-site analysis of its coal fleet to determine the economic feasibility of repurposing the sites by responsibly retiring some technologies and renewing the plants with less carbon-intense generation, including solar and energy storage. The investment at the Baldwin plant site is part of the State of Illinois' innovative Coal to Solar and Energy Storage Initiative, which encouraged the development of renewable energy assets at existing power plant sites. Along with Baldwin, Vistra continues to make progress on other Coal to Solar sites, including: The 44-MW solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage facility at the Coffeen Power Plant site is generating power. site is generating power. Construction of the 52-MW solar and 2-MW/8-MWh energy storage facility at the Newton Power Plant will begin in 2025. Separately, as previously announced, construction has begun on a 405-MW utility-scale solar facility that will interconnect at the company's retired EEI-Joppa Power Plant through a to-be-constructed approximate 8-mile transmission line. Since its merger with Dynegy in 2018, Vistra has taken decisive steps to responsibly operate, retire, and transform its coal plant fleet in Illinois. The company has committed to retiring these plants no later than the end of 2027 to comply with existing federal EPA regulations. Economic & Fiscal Impact The Baldwin Power Plant provides significant direct and indirect economic benefits to the region and state. An economic impact study projected the plant's direct, indirect, and induced economic benefits and concluded that within Randolph County, the existing Baldwin plant: sustains approximately 298 full-time direct, indirect, and induced jobs in the area generates more than $41 million in income for local workers in the county in income for local workers in the county has a total regional economic output of $262 million Local governments had been anticipating the plant's property taxes to decrease after the plant's planned retirement in 2025. Extending the window of operations will provide additional local property taxes to help fund essential public services and local schools. The new solar facility is expected to generate $6 million in total property tax payments over the project's life. About Vistra Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company that provides essential resources to customers, businesses, and communities from California to Maine. Based in Irving, Texas, Vistra is a leader in the energy transformation with an unyielding focus on reliability, affordability, and sustainability. The company safely operates a reliable, efficient, power generation fleet of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities while taking an innovative, customer-centric approach to its retail business. Learn more at vistracorp.com. SOURCE Vistra Corp The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is hosting an event designed to drive action on sepsis and reduce associated mortality and morbidity. END SEPSIS was invited to give the introductory remarks on behalf of patient and families WASHINGTON, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major victory for sepsis campaigners in the United States, today, December 13th, the White House is hosting its first ever event solely dedicated to the issue of sepsis. Sepsis is a major public health crisis, killing 350,000 Americans annually and leaving hundreds of thousands of survivors with life changing disabilities. Orlaith Staunton, Founder and Executive Director of END SEPSIS, is to deliver opening remarks on behalf of patients and families. END SEPSIS is the nation's leading sepsis advocacy organization driving a comprehensive federal response to sepsis. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy is hosting this major event which will bring together leaders from state health departments, advocates, physicians, researchers and administration officials. It is designed to galvanize public and private sector action around early sepsis recognition and treatment. The event was spurred by the release of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Report to Congress, "An Assessment of Sepsis in the United States and its Burden on Hospital Care. END SEPSIS advocated for the creation of this report to better understand and quantify the toll of sepsis on the nation's healthcare system, economy and population. "This Event is a major victory for the sepsis families who have campaigned to have the White House become more proactive on an issue that kills 350,000 Americans annually. We have intensely lobbied the current and past two administrations to do this; we are gratified that our hard work has finally borne fruit," says Ciaran Staunton, Co-Founder of END SEPSIS. The goal of the event is to serve as a call to action to all those who can play a part in reducing sepsis mortality and morbidity and drive hospital, state and national solutions to the sepsis crisis. Attendees will discuss how to elevate best practices and build momentum for continued public and private sector action around early diagnosis and treatment. It will emphasize the needs of at-risk subpopulations, including rural America, the elderly, pregnant women and immunocompromised patients with cancer and COVID-19. The event will also review current state-based sepsis programs, including Rory's Regulations in New York, the nation's first and most effective mandatory protocol requirement. Rory's Regulations was implemented in 2013 and named for Rory Staunton, the 12-year-old son of Orlaith and Ciaran Staunton who died of undiagnosed, untreated sepsis in 2012. The protocols saved 16,000 lives in their first four years of operation. Press Contact: 917-251-0739 About END SEPSIS END SEPSIS, the legacy of Rory Staunton, is dedicated to eradicating the preventable deaths and life-altering disabilities caused by sepsis in the United States. By fostering public awareness, education, quality improvement and advocacy, and supporting affected families, END SEPSIS leads the charge in implementing bold, action-oriented initiatives to safeguard families and combat this urgent public health crisis. Our vision is a world where sepsis is universally recognized as a medical emergency, medical professionals are equipped to swiftly recognize and treat it and where individuals can identify its symptoms and confidently advocate for themselves and others. Join us in our mission at endsepsis.org. Ciaran Staunton Co-Founder END SEPSIS The Legacy of Rory Staunton 917-251-0739 endsepsis.org SOURCE END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton WIESELBURG, Austria, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Won Yong Hwang (54) will take over the position of CEO of the ZKW Group on January 1, 2025. The experienced manager was most recently COO at LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company, to which ZKW also belongs. He has more than 15 years of management experience in the automotive industry, which he gained in various positions at LG Electronics. Won Yong Hwang succeeds the previous ZKW CEO Dr. Wilhelm Steger, who has led the company for almost three years and wishes to take on new professional challenges at his own request. Won Yong Hwang is a renowned leader in the automotive industry. The electrical engineering graduate acquired his extensive expertise in various functions at LG Electronics. Hwang joined LG Electronics in 1996 and has held various positions in the electronics business. Before assuming the position of COO and Senior Vice President at LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company, Won Yong Hwang was Vice President of Infotainment at LG Electronics. Prior to that, Hwang held various management positions within LG Electronics, including Head of Car Infotainment R&D lab, Head of Car Business Strategy Group and President of LG Electronics Vehicle Solution USA. "Dr. Steger played a critical role in initiating the necessary market-related restructuring of the ZKW Group during challenging times within the automotive industry. Moving forward, my goal and priority will be to accelerate the expansion of synergies with the LG Electronics headquarters in VS and to strengthen ZKW's competitiveness," says Hwang. Dr. Wilhelm Steger will hand over his management position to Won Yong Hwang on December 31, 2024, in order to be able to devote himself to other projects in the future, also as member of the Supervisory Board of ZKW Group. Click to download related images. ZKW at a glance The ZKW Group is the specialist for innovative premium lighting systems and electronics. As a subsidiary of LG Electronics Vehicle Solution Company, ZKW has been part of the LG Group since 2018. As a system supplier, ZKW is a global partner to the automotive industry. In line with its motto "Bright Minds, Bright Lights.", the Group develops and produces complex premium lighting and electronic modules for international car manufacturers with bright minds and state-of-the-art production technologies. Its top products include powerful and cost-efficient complete LED systems. The ZKW Group has a total of twelve locations worldwide, which are intelligently networked in the areas of development and production. In 2023, the Group employed around 10,000 people and generated total sales of around 1.54 billion euros. In line with the corporate vision "Pioneering premium lighting and electronic systems from ZKW for all mobility concepts in the global automotive industry", the company's primary objective is to manufacture high-tech products of the highest quality and to drive forward the development of innovative complete lighting systems. With its inventions and innovations, the ZKW Group makes motor vehicles more desirable, more individual, safer and more energy-efficient. The 360-degree range includes headlights and fog lights, rear lights, indicators, interior and license plate lights as well as electronic modules. Well-known car manufacturers and their brands rely on the innovative products. ZKW is proud of its customers such as BMW (BMW, Rolls Royce), DAIMLER (MERCEDES-BENZ Cars and Trucks), FORD (Lincoln, Ford), GEELY (Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co; Geely), GENERAL MOTORS (Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac), Hyundai/Kia, JLR (Jaguar, Land Rover), Stellantis (Opel, Citroen), RENAULT/NISSAN (Infiniti, Alpine), VGTT (Volvo Trucks, MACK) and VW Group (Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, Skoda, Seat/Cupra, VW, VW Commercial Vehicles, MAN, Scania). With intelligent lighting systems and innovative styling, ZKW shapes the appearance and character of vehicles worldwide. Press contact: ZKW Group GmbH Sandra Simeonidis-Huber Group Communication & Marketing Tel: +43 7416 505 2051 [email protected] https://zkw-group.com Press and public relations: Press'n'Relations Austria GmbH Georg Dutzi Lange Gasse 65/16 - 1080 Vienna Tel.: +43 1 907 61 48 -10 [email protected] https://press-n-relations.at SOURCE ZKW Group BEIJING, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhangzhou Pien Tze Huang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Pien Tze Huang), a time-honored Chinese enterprise mainly engaging in pharmaceutical manufacturing, was selected as one of China's brands favored by foreigners in 2024 at the 2024 China Brand Day gala held in Shanghai in May this year. Why was Pien Tze Huang chosen? Pien Tze Huang has been adhering to the spirit of craftsmanship and cultivating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) culture in recent years, developing from a time-honored brand into a national brand. The company's exclusive and advantageous product Pien Tze Huang has a history of nearly 500 years of inheritance, and its traditional production techniques have been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. Pien Tze Huang has been rated as a famous branded TCM product. The company attaches great importance to product quality management and has established an internal control system for the entire production process, achieving effective quality control from raw materials, intermediate products to finished products. It has gradually established a sound system of technological innovation, and co-built research and development platforms with many universities and research institutions, interpreting Chinese patent medicines such as Pien Tze Huang with modern science while promoting the modernization of TCM. Pien Tze Huang has been exported to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada and other countries and regions, standing at the forefront of single variety export of China's traditional Chinese patent medicines for many consecutive years. Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, the company has further promoted its products to enter the international market, continuously deepened international exchanges and cooperation in TCM, actively engaged in philanthropy, etc., telling TCM stories in international languages, and promoting TCM culture to the world. The company will further deepen international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation in TCM, allowing the Pien Tze Huang brand to shine with new opportunities in the new era and creating a broader space for the globalization of TCM, said a representative of the company. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/343606.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk have discussed the situation on the battlefield and the coordination of work with other partners. "We have discussed in detail the situation on the battlefield. We have a common vision that Ukraine needs a real peace, that Ukraine needs to be strong and its needs strengthening," Zelenskyy told a press conference following a meeting with Tusk in Lviv on Tuesday. The head of state said the conversation with Tusk was productive, in particular, the parties discussed coordination of work with other partners, and discussed common understanding and common achievements in this. "Donald informed me about his negotiations, which are in Poland, I told about what we are negotiating, diplomatic meetings with our partners," he said. Zelenskyy also praised the fact that the Ukrainian and Polish culture ministries are working on common historical issues. "There are meetings, there is a common work, it has begun and there is progress in it," he said. The President recalled that after the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, efforts to stop the war will be intensified, emphasizing that this must be done fairly and Ukraine should be strengthened. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2024 MP, leader of the European Solidarity party reacted to the statement of the head of the parliamentary group Platform for Life and Peace in the Verkhovna Rada, ex-cochairman of the Opposition Platform for Life party banned in 2022, Yuriy Boiko, calling for a draft law on the deprivation of mandates of deputies from banned political parties, the European Solidarity said on its website on Tuesday. "Of course, the topic of Boiko is extremely important ... If we decide today, without putting bill 8089 on the agenda to ban the activities of the fifth column in the hall of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, it will all be ineffective. If you do not issue resolution 7694, which will deprive them of their mandates, because they do not represent either the Ukrainian state or the Ukrainian people and they have nothing to do in this hall, this will be a missed opportunity," Poroshenko said while speaking from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada. He also appealed to law enforcement agencies to give an appropriate assessment of the activities of pro-Russian politicians and bring them to justice. "I am sure that the work for Putin should be evaluated and they should be held accountable," the politician said. Poroshenko also stressed that the situation at the front "has never been so difficult" and called for urgent funds to be allocated to brigades for the purchase of reconnaissance day and night drones. "They are shouting in Pokrovsk and Kupyansk directions, because the army does not have reconnaissance drones day and night. A thousand drones had to be delivered. The 100 billion in the account of those who distribute funds testify to the inefficiency and corruption of the functioning of the government of the mono-majority. I emphasize: return the money to the brigades," the deputy urged. During the parliamentary session, the European Solidarity faction also called on MPs to immediately adopt bills that deprive representatives of proRussian groups from the banned Opposition Platform - For Life party of their mandates. "Weve heard performances from this podium - about the Russian show get up, the country is huge. Unfortunately, the situation has not changed even after the start of a full-scale invasion in 2022. Yes, they are somewhat humiliated. Yes, in 2022, they finally got an injunction against this pro-Russian party. But the situation in Parliament has not changed. The legislative initiatives of the deputies, which were supposed to save us from the presence of the Opposition Platform - For Life here, such as Bill 8089, resolution 7694, have not been considered. In addition, now this pro-Russian party has two parliamentary groups in parliament, which gives them the opportunity to influence the agenda," stated MP Volodymyr Viatrovych. According to him, the most shameful corruption bills in the Verkhovna Rada are being passed precisely with the support of deputies elected from the Opposition Platform - For Life, while there are no extremely important bills on the agenda aimed at the defense of Ukraine. "Despite the critical situation, we are once again hearing the Russian agenda in the political and information field. One lively rooster woke up, who reminded us that there is a Ukrainian language in school. A brisk rooster who reminded whom the Ukrainian church is harming. This has become possible precisely because they have the opportunity to use this parliamentary rostrum. We must make sure that they are not in parliament. Their place is behind bars ... I am sure that representatives of the pro-Russian party of Ukraine should all be behind bars as those who brought the war closer, made Ukraine weaker. Which continue to make Ukraine weaker. We must unite around this. We must prevent Russia from having its representation in the Ukrainian parliament," Viatrovych concluded. As reported, Yuriy Boiko on the TikTok social network announced the growing support for his political force at the expense of people who allegedly suffer from certain "radicals" in Ukraine, as well as an alleged ban on speaking their native language. Head of the NSDC's Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, noted that the words about "radicals" and "language prohibitions" that came from Boiko's mouth "are usually spread by Russians about violence against people, without mentioning Russia." Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk said that it is impossible to talk about violence against people without remembering Vladimir Putin, who was guilty of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and everything that followed. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, said that some politicians in Ukraine were spreading Russian narratives in the midst of a full-scale war with the Russian Federation, without specifying the names of these politicians. On Tuesday, December 17, Boiko came for questioning to the Security Service of Ukraine in connection with the published statement. Boiko was the cochairman of the Opposition Platform for Life party banned in 2022. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Centre will introduce the 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOP) Bill in the Lok Sabha at noon on Tuesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to all MPs in Lok Sabha ahead of the introduction of the 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. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal. Arjun Meghwal is also likely to introduce a Bill on Tuesday 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. Following this announcement, BJP's 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. The Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation One Election' bill earlier this month. After its introduction, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to request Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the 'One Nation One Election' 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. 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. Tbilisi : , Dec 17 (IANS) The Embassy of India in Georgia has confirmed the deaths of 11 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia, and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families. In a press statement posted on X on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Georgia wrote, "The Embassy of India in Tbilisi is saddened to learn of the unfortunate passing of eleven 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 press statement added. The incident, which occurred in an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, is under investigation by Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs. As per initial reports, deaths were likely caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. On December 14, Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs in a statement said, "The employees of MtskhetaMtianeti Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in connection with the accident that took place in Gudauri, as a result of which 12 people died, started an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies negligent manslaughter." "In the resting area on the second floor of the Indian restaurant located in Gudauri, the bodies of 12 people employed in the same facility were found. At the initial inspection, no signs of body injuries or signs of violence were detected. According to the preliminary information of the investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area, closed space near the bedrooms, which was turned on yesterday, probably after the power supply was turned off," the statement added. The statement further said that out of 12 deceased individuals, 11 are citizens of foreign countries, and one is a citizen of Georgia. "In connection with this fact, investigative actions are actively being carried out, forensic-criminalistics 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," Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said. Earlier on December 14, the Indian Embassy in Georgia in a post on X wrote, "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." NATO, as planned, took over the coordination of Western military assistance to Ukraine, which was previously carried out by the United States, this step is aimed at protecting the support mechanism from Donald Trump, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing sources. The headquarters of NATOs new Ukraine mission, dubbed NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), is located at Clay Barracks, a U.S. base in the German town of Wiesbaden, the agency informs. According to the agency's source, the NSATU base is already fully ready for operation. The total number of NSATU will be about 700 people, including military personnel stationed at the NATO SHAPE military headquarters in Belgium and in logistics centers in Poland and Romania. In the past, Western military supplies to Kyiv were coordinated by the U.S.led Ramstein Group, a special coalition of about 50 countries named after the American air base in Germany, where it first gathered. Meanwhile, the outgoing administration in Washington is trying to send Kyiv as many weapons as possible amid fears that Trump may reduce the supply of military equipment to Ukraine. At the same time, diplomats acknowledge that the transfer of powers to NATO may have a limited effect, since the United States under Trump can still inflict a serious blow on Ukraine by reducing its support, since they are the dominant force of the alliance and supply Kyiv with most of the weapons. Trump, who will take office in January, has said he wants to end the war in Ukraine quickly, but has not said how he intends to do so. He has long criticized the scale of American financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Trump threatened to withdraw from NATO during his first term and demanded that the allies spend 3% of national GDP on their armed forces, whereas in NATO this figure is 2%. Russia has condemned the increase in Western military aid to Ukraine as a risk of expanding the war. Ottawa, Dec 17 : Hours before the statement on Canada's economy, Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, announced her resignation from the Cabinet. Freeland was scheduled to present the 2024 Fall Economic Statement on Monday. In a letter shared on her social media platform X, Freeland revealed that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had offered her a different Cabinet position after deciding she would no longer serve as Finance Minister. In the letter addressed to PM Trudeau, Freeland wrote, "It has been the honour of my life to serve in government, working for Canada and Canadians. We have accomplished a lot together. On Friday, you told me you no longer want me to serve as your Finance Minister and offered me another position in the Cabinet." "Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the Cabinet. To be effective, a Minister must speak on behalf of the Prime Minister and with his full confidence. In making your decision, you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it. For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada," the letter added. She further said that Canada faces a "grave challenge" from the US' "aggressive economic nationalism". The letter said, "Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs. 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 recognise the gravity of the moment." "That means pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring. That means working in good faith and humility with the Premiers of the provinces and territories of our great and diverse country and building a true Team Canada response. I know Canadians would recognise and respect such an approach. They 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. But how we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Canada will win if we are strong, smart, and united," the letter added. She further wrote, "It is this conviction which has driven my strenuous efforts this fall to manage our spending in ways that will give us the flexibility we will need to meet the serious challenges presented by the United States." She also said that she will always be grateful for the chance to have served in the Canadian government. "I will always be proud of our government's work for Canada and Canadians. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues as a Liberal Member of Parliament, and I am committed to running again for my seat in Toronto in the next federal election," the letter said. In a statement, she said, "Our government is focused on delivering fairness for every generation. We are building four million more homes, making life more affordable for all Canadians, and growing the economy to create more good jobs. And we are doing this in a fiscally responsible way. I look forward to presenting the next steps in our economic plan to deliver a good middle-class life for everyone." As Finance Minister, Freeland has been at the forefront of Canada's response to various economic challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She's also been instrumental in shaping Canada's climate strategy and implementing policies to promote economic growth and stability. Seoul, Dec 17 : South Korea's industry ministry said on Tuesday the country has kicked off its first domestic production of filters using nanotechnology, paving the way for the self-supply of a critical product needed to produce semiconductors. The production began at the factory of Synopex Inc. in Dongtan, 40 kilometers south of Seoul, with a capacity that is sufficient to meet the entire domestic demand, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. South Korea has been relying entirely on imports for the material, with annual demand estimated at 8,000 units or 100 billion won ($69.5 million), the ministry said, reports YOnhap news agency. The government allocated 12.3 billion won for the project in line with efforts to accelerate research projects aimed at supporting the materials, parts and equipment industries and stabiliszing supply chains. The filters produced by Synopex will be used in chip production by Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc., the ministry added. "The government will continue to roll out investment in research and development projects for cutting-edge industries to secure a stable supply chain," said Industry Policy Deputy Minister Lee Seung-ryeol. Meanwhile, South Korea's semiconductor exports face growing threats from China, Taiwan and Malaysia amid intensifying global competition in advanced industries. The report from the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, better known as KOTRA, on the export similarity index (ESI) for semiconductors showed China as being South Korea's top competitor in the sector, with an ESI score of 72.2 in the third quarter of the year. Taiwan's ESI with South Korea in semiconductors rose significantly, increasing 7.6 points over four years to reach 32.5, the largest growth among major semiconductor exporters. Malaysia's ESI increased 6 points to 50.5 over the same period, marking the second-highest growth after Taiwan. KOTRA noted that Malaysia has emerged as a notable competitor, ranking fifth globally in semiconductor exports and handling 13 per cent of the world's semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging processes. a"IANS na/ New Delhi, Dec 17 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday criticised the previous Kejriwal government for allegedly suppressing 14 significant Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports since 2017-18. He demanded the Delhi Assembly Speaker to convene a special session. Sachdeva highlighted the irony that AAP Convener Arvind Kejriwal, who once launched his political career by demanding transparency and accountability, was now "evading public disclosure of critical CAG findings, particularly concerning financial mismanagement." He underscored that during 2011-12, Arvind Kejriwal rose to prominence by exposing CAG reports on expenditures during the Commonwealth Games and questioning the Congress government's alleged financial irregularities. He pointed out that Kejriwal even ordered a probe against former CM Sheila Dikshit on February 6, 2014, based on a CAG report during his brief first tenure as Delhi's Chief Minister. Sachdeva accused the previous Kejriwal government of deliberately withholding CAG reports related to excise duty on liquor, pollution control, and other financial issues over the last several years. "Between 2017 and 2022, 14 critical CAG reports were prepared, yet they were never tabled in the Delhi Assembly. The AAP government has suppressed these findings to avoid scrutiny over its financial irregularities," he asserted. Under constitutional procedures, the CAG submits its audit reports to the state government, which must seek approval from the Lieutenant Governor under Section 48 of administrative protocols before presenting them in the Assembly. Sachdeva alleged, "Kejriwal avoided presenting these reports to prevent exposure of large-scale financial scams during his tenure as Chief Minister." "Arvind Kejriwal knows that the public disclosure of these CAG reports would open the floodgates of allegations and legal cases against his government," said Sachdeva. He added that Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia played significant roles in "enabling this suppression". BJP legislators, led by Vijender Gupta, filed a petition in the Delhi High Court on October 29, demanding that the reports be tabled in the Assembly. In response to the petition, the Delhi government attempted to delay proceedings by claiming the reports were with the Lieutenant Governor and that further action lay with him. However, Sachdeva noted that the CAG clarified the situation by submitting an affidavit in court. The affidavit revealed that the signed reports had already been sent to the Delhi government, while only unsigned copies were provided to the Lieutenant Governor for informational purposes. Following this revelation, BJP legislators intensified their efforts, seeking expedited court hearings during the ongoing Assembly session. Despite mounting pressure, the AAP government allegedly stalled proceedings, allowing the Assembly's final session to conclude on December 4 without tabling the reports. In a decisive turn of events on December 16, the Delhi High Court ordered the AAP government and the Lieutenant Governor to inform the Assembly Speaker within two to three days about the presentation of all 14 CAG reports. Sachdeva praised the court's swift intervention, stating, "The truth has now come out, and these reports will finally reach the public domain. We expect these findings to uncover multiple instances of financial mismanagement." Sachdeva further demanded that the Delhi Assembly Speaker convene a special session on December 21 to ensure the immediate tabling of all 14 CAG reports. "The session should have no other agenda except the presentation of these reports. Delhi residents have the right to know how public funds have been managed," he asserted. The BJP leader emphasised that the exposure of these reports would compel the Atishi government to recommend investigations into alleged financial irregularities under Kejriwal's leadership. He reiterated that AAP ministers, both past and present, must be held accountable for failing to maintain transparency and adhering to constitutional processes. New York, Dec 17 : Every year, US health insurance companies deny tens of millions of patient claims for medical expense reimbursements, and the tide of those denials has been rising. The Washington Post on Monday cited surveys of doctors and other healthcare 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," Xinhua news agency reported. While several states have passed legislation trying to restrict such practices amid growing public anger, insurers defend the coverage denials and "pre-authorisation" requirements. They say those measures are meant to contain rising costs and that their methods comply with federal and state regulations. "Most frustrating, according to patient advocates, is that insurance companies often act without explanation, sending denial letters that offer only sparse justifications," said the report. The patient "gets a cryptic message saying 'it's 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 it's all a big secret," Benjamin said. "It's unfair for us as a society, on something that's 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. Nationally over the last five years, the rates of denial have been between 14 per cent and 16 per cent, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Insurance industry representatives blame doctors for many of the denials, saying they botch the required paperwork by submitting inaccurate, incomplete or ineligible claims information. Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17 : Three months after the national leadership of the NCP (SP) cleared the name of its legislator Thomas K. Thomas to replace party colleague and State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran in the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet, the lack of progress has triggered unrest within the party. Saseendran, on Tuesday, reiterated that he is ready to step down as soon as the party directs him. However, Thomas feels he is being deliberately sidelined, as it has been three months since the leadership's decision, yet no action has been taken. Thomas, accompanied by State party president P.C. Chacko, will leave for Mumbai on Wednesday to meet NCP (SP) national president Sharad Pawar to discuss the impasse. Notably, it was in September that Pawar, following a meeting with the three Kerala party leaders, had approved Thomas' elevation. However, upon presenting the decision to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Thomas was asked to wait. Later, allegations surfaced that Thomas had offered money to two Left-backed legislators to defect to the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. This created a political uproar, leaving Thomas upset over what he described as a baseless accusation. A party-level probe, however, cleared him of all charges. Despite this, Saseendran appears to have secured Vijayan's support, creating further hurdles for Thomas. According to sources, Thomas and Chacko now plan to press Pawar to issue an ultimatum to Vijayan -- either swear in Thomas as minister or the NCP (SP) will forgo its cabinet representation, effectively compelling Saseendran to withdraw. The NCP (SP) is part of Kerala's ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and holds two seats in the Assembly, represented by Saseendran and Thomas. Since November 2023, the party's Kerala unit has been in turmoil, as Thomas has insisted on the earlier agreed formula -- Saseendran would step down after two and a half years to make way for him. This arrangement is in contrast to other LDF constituents with single legislators, who recently accommodated new parties by stepping aside. Yet Saseendran has not followed suit, further escalating tensions. Thomas, the brother of the late former state minister Thomas Chandy, has been an important figure in the NCP's Kerala unit. Chandy, an NRI businessman-turned-politician, represented the Kuttanadu Assembly constituency in Alappuzha district until his passing in 2019. During Chandy's tenure, it was Thomas who managed the constituency on his behalf. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NCP fielded Thomas for the Kuttanadu seat, which he won comfortably. However, when the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet was formed later that year, the party chose to retain Saseendran for another term, sidelining Thomas. With the leadership's inaction now stretching into its fourth month, the issue has taken on wider political implications. The outcome of Thomas' meeting with Sharad Pawar is expected to determine the NCP (SP)'s next move in Kerala's power dynamics. New York, Dec 17 : At least four people have been killed and five others injured from a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, with the suspected shooter, a juvenile believed to be a student, also dead, police said. The Madison Police Department declined to provide details about the four people killed during a shooting at a Christian school Monday morning, citing the need to contact the victims' families before releasing details, Xinhua news agency reported. Officials are working to reunite students with their parents. About 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend the school, according to ABC News. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have responded. Senator Ron Johnson wrote 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 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. New York, Dec 17 : The state judge in the hush money case against President-Elect Donald Trump has let his conviction stand, rejecting his argument that a Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity applied to the case. Judge Juan Merchan's ruling casts the shadow of a criminal conviction over Trump as he prepares to assume the presidency next month. The judge said that the Supreme Court ruling applied only to his official actions and not to his personal conduct. The judge, however, had earlier agreed to indefinitely postpone the sentencing in the case Trump was convicted of falsifying business records because the hush money payments to a porn star were shown as legal expenses. The payments had been made through his lawyer at the time to get the porn star to remain silent about her claims of a tryst with him and each of the cheques were shown as separate offences giving the impression that Trump had been convicted of 34 crimes. The case was brought by a local prosecutor, who under the New York system was elected on a Democratic Party ticket. Trump has another petition pending in the hush money case, asking it to be thrown out because it would hamper his functioning as President. Two federal cases against Trump have been dismissed by judges at the request of the Special Prosecutor following his election as President. One of the cases was about election interference because of his alleged role in the events leading to the January 6, 2021 riots by his supporters who crashed into the Capitol while Congress was in the process of certifying Joe Biden's election as President. Trump has promised to pardon the scores of people who have been convicted of participation in the riots or have cases pending. The other case charging him with mishandling classified documents when he left office at the end of his first term was dismissed by the judge in July on procedural grounds. Another local election interference in Georgia is tangled up in allegations of misconduct by the prosecutor who hired her ex-boyfriend to help prosecute it. Trump scored a victory last weekend when ABC News and its star anchor George Stephanopoulos agreed to settle a defamation suit he brought against them for having said that he had raped a woman. The two agreed to publish their "regret" for making the allegation and to pay $15 million to settle the case which will go to a foundation for setting up Trump's presidential library, rather than to the pockets of billionaire Trump. Saying at a news conference on Monday, "We have to straighten out the press", Trump threatened to go after the media that he said misreport or those who encourage them. One of his targets, he said, was the Des Moines Register in the swing state of Iowa which published an election-eve poll that he was losing there. But he won the state by a 13 per cent margin. Trump called the erroneous report election interference and said he would sue it. He also criticised the Columbia University-based Pulitzer Prize Board, which awards the top US journalism prizes. He has a libel case pending against the Pulitzer Board for a prize it gave The New York Times and The Washington Post for their reports claiming there were ties between Russia and his campaign during the 2016 election. After a two-year enquiry, Special Counsel Robert Mueller debunked the allegations of Russian interference in elections, but the Pulitzer Board affirmed its award to the newspapers. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra walked into Parliament on Tuesday, making yet another statement with imprints on her bag, this time sending a message to Hindu and Christian minorities of Bangladesh. The move comes a day after Priyanka's display of support for Palestine via her bag. On Monday, her bag featured the 'Palestine' tag and also some emblems of the war-torn nation. "Bangladesh ke Hindus and Christians ke saath khade ho" (stand up with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh) was inscribed on the bag that the Congress General Secretary carried on Tuesday. Wayanad MP along with fellow Congress lawmakers also protested outside Parliament against the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. They were seen carrying cream-coloured handbags to Parliament. Many opposition members carried placards and bags, expressing solidarity with the minorities. Priyanka, speaking in Parliament on Monday, had raised the issue of the safety and security of both minorities including Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. "The government should raise the issue of atrocities against Hindu and Christian minorities in Bangladesh. It should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," she had said. Later, during an informal interaction with reporters outside the Parliament, she said that she wanted to speak on 'Vijay Diwas' but was not allowed to complete her statement. She told scribes that she wanted to speak on how the Indira Gandhi government had led the country during the Bangladesh War, and how it was a war of principles. Priyanka observed that a similar situation had emerged in Bangladesh where minorities like Hindus and Christians were being targeted. The Congress leader said she wanted to tell the government to ensure minorities' safety and speak with the Bangladesh government on the issue. New Delhi, Dec 17 : BJP National President and Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, JP Nadda, initiated a debate in the Upper House of Parliament, highlighting the significance of the Indian Constitution. He criticised the period of Emergency and invited the Congress party to join in commemorating an 'Anti-Democracy Day' if they truly regret that era. "We all know India is the largest democracy, but as PM Modi said, it is not only the largest democracy but the mother of democracy, and that we should understand," Nadda remarked. Referring to the Constituent Assembly debates, Nadda highlighted how Indian culture and history played a pivotal role. He said, "When we look at Constituent Assembly debates, we find India's culture, history, and Indian ethos deeply embedded. Indian ethos encompasses democracy, comprising freedom, acceptability, equality, and inclusivity in society, allowing common citizens to lead a quality and dignified life. This thought was deeply ingrained in the minds of the Constituent Assembly members." Touching upon ancient scriptures like the Rig Veda and Atharvaveda, the leader underscored that concepts such as meetings, discussions, and deliberations were taken into account while drafting the Constitution, keeping India's heritage in mind. Nadda further criticised the Congress for delaying the recognition of leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and said that after so many years the party mentioned the Iron Man of India's name. He said, "Sardar Patel integrated 562 princely states, but one a" Jammu & Kashmir a"was left to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. An extraordinary provision was introduced, and Sheikh Abdullah was involved in Kashmir matters. Nehru asked Abdullah to consult B.R Ambedkar, but Ambedkar refused, stating, 'To give consent to this proposal would be a treacherous thing to do,' referring to Article 370." He recalled how Syama Prasad Mookerjee opposed Article 370, famously declaring, "In one country, two constitutions won't be followed." Mookerjee's death in prison, and his mother's plea to PM Nehru for justice, were also dismissed, Nadda added. Nadda criticised the imposition of Article 35A through a Presidential Order, bypassing parliamentary debate. "Article 35A defined state citizenship in J&K, allowing only those who resided before 1944 to be citizens, excluding refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Women faced discrimination, if a Kashmiri girl married a non-Kashmiri, she lost her property rights." Nadda listed significant laws not applicable in J&K under Article 370, including protections against human rights violations, the POSCO Act, and women's safety laws. He pointed out that the Congress-backed amendments like the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Acts, which ensured grassroots democracy, were not implemented in J&K. "Reservation for Scheduled Tribes like Gujjar and Bakarwal communities was also denied," he added. He criticised the plight of workers brought to J&K for cleaning jobs, stating, "They were promised citizenship but remained cleaning workers, with no rights for their children to secure other positions or reservations." Nadda praised the Narendra Modi government for abrogating Article 370 on August 5, 2019, making J&K an "indivisible part of India." "I remember people sitting in protest against a law that caused such harm. I thank PM Modi because, under his guidance and strategy, we have rectified this," Nadda asserted. Referring to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's comments on the Emergency, Nadda criticised the Congress party for imposing it in 1975. He said, "The Emergency was not imposed because the nation was in danger, but because the chair and power were in danger. Congress must reflect on this dark period. On June 25, 2025, we will mark 50 years of that 'black period' of democracy. I call upon the Congress to join us in observing 'Anti-Democracy Day' and raise their voices against what happened. If you have any respect or regret, come and join us." NATO Secretary General to meet with Zelenskyy in Brussels on Wed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, December 18. According to the NATO press service, Secretary General Rutte will host Zelenskyy at his official residence in Brussels. A joint statement by the Secretary General and the President of Ukraine is also planned. Kolkata, Dec 17 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning admitted a petition by the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, an umbrella association of senior doctors, challenging the denial of permission from Kolkata Police to stage a 10-day sit-in-demonstration to protest the "default bail" to two accused -- Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal -- of tampering of evidence. Kolkata, Dec 17 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning admitted a petition by the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors, an umbrella association of senior doctors, challenging the denial of permission from Kolkata Police to stage a 10-day sit-in-demonstration to protest the "default bail" to two accused -- Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal -- of tampering of evidence. However, the original schedule of the sit-in-protest which was to start from Tuesday evening till December 26, had been upset since the hearing into the matter is likely to take place on Wednesday, confirmed an office bearer of the association. The association had earlier sent an email communique to Kolkata Police seeking permission for the sit-in-demonstration at Dorina Crossing in central Kolkata. However, as the police denied the permission citing the possibility of traffic congestion in the area as the reason, the association on Tuesday morning approached Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, challenging the denial of police permission, which was admitted. 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 CBI's failure to file a charge sheet against them the stipulated within 90 days of their arrests. Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence during the initial investigation carried out by the Kolkata Police. The CBI has so far filed only one charge sheet in the matter where civic volunteer Sanjay Roy has been identified as the "sole prime" accused in the rape and murder case. Already West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front, an umbrella body of junior doctors in the state, has threatened to resume their ceasework protest which they withdrew earlier keeping the larger public interest in mind. The parents of the victim lady doctor have already claimed that following CBI's failure in the matter "protests on the streets" with spontaneous public support is the only way out left for them now. Mumbai, Dec 17 : The makers of the Sonu Sood starrer "Fateh" have released its second track, "Hitman." Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) The makers of the Sonu Sood starrer "Fateh" have released its second track, "Hitman." The actor has collaborated with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh for the foot-tapping peppy number. Leo Grewal has penned the lyrics, while Bosco Martis has choreographed the track. Sood took to his Instagram handle to share the song and wrote in the caption, "They're here with a tsunami! Punjabi Munde bring the storm Hitman Out Now." Speaking about teaming up with Honey Singh, Sonu shared, "This journey started when both of us Punjabis met in Chandigarh years ago. Honey's music had the pulse of the streets back then, and it still does today. Collaborating with him for Hitman feels like destiny coming full circle. His beats have given "Fateh" the edge it needed. This song is a powerhouse of intensity, addictive melody, and sheer Punjabi pride." The rapper added, "I've known Sonu sir for more than 16 years. Even back then, I knew he wasn't just meant to act in films he was born to create them. When he showed me chunks of Fateh, I felt his passion as a filmmaker. Getting the privilege to create Hitman for this amazing movie was like putting the soundtrack to his vision. I remember making music in Chandigarh and Mohali all those years ago, and he always assured me that Mumbai would go crazy for my music. His belief in me back then meant the world, and today, we're giving fans something epic, celebrating our Punjabi roots." Talking about directing Honey and Sonu, Bosco Martis stated, "Working with Honey for the first time was incredible; his energy was truly infectious. His style, his vibe, and my vision all aligned perfectly. And then, there was Sonuso cool and collaborative. Directing both of them was such a fulfilling experience. The energy on set was amazing, and it all came together in the best way possible. Having two cool Punjabi men leading this, backed by my team's efforts, made it a truly joyous experience." On a related note, "Fateh," backed by Zee Studios and Shakti Sagar Productions and co-produced by Ajay Dhama, marks Sonu's directorial debut. The movie is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the fight against cybercrime. "Fateh" is slated to release on January 10, 2025. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh has invited Japanese brand Uniqlo to invest in PM's Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks as India targets a textiles market size of 350 billion to 100 billion dollars in exports by 2030, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday. The minister held a meeting here with senior officials from Uniqlo, reaffirming the shared commitment to strengthening India's textile sector. This engagement follows Uniqlo's earlier interaction with the Prime Minister, highlighting their keen interest in collaborating with India's textile industry to enhance cotton production capabilities, productivity, and quality. The PM MITRA Parks offer a ready-to-perform ecosystem with a build-to-suit model, ensuring seamless integration for companies seeking sustainable and efficient operations. "This meeting underscores the synergy between Uniqlo's vision and India's goal of fostering a globally competitive and sustainable textile sector," the statement said. With 15 stores across the country and a retail revenue of Rs 814 crore as of March 31, 2024, Uniqlo has demonstrated a robust growth rate of 30 per cent, contributing substantially to retail and textile ecosystem in India. Their operations, including collaboration with 18 swing factories and 6 fabric mills sourced from 9 vendors, underline their commitment to quality and innovation in textiles. Uniqlo has expressed a keen interest in advancing cotton production capabilities, productivity, and quality within India. As the world's largest cotton producer, cultivating over 11.9 million hectares, India provides an ideal landscape for such initiatives. India is already utilizing high-density quality seeds in Akola where productivity levels are up to 1,500 kg/hectare. The company's pilot project is also working on similar lines where the productivity and quality levels are yielding up to 1,000 kg/hectare. The Ministry is committed to supporting Uniqlo's request for land to scale this initiative, reflecting a shared vision of making India a global hub for high-quality cotton sourcing. Uniqlo's participation in the upcoming "Bharat Tex" Global Textile Expo in February will further underscore the shared commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and traceability in the textile sector. With global attention focused on sustainable and traceable practices, the Ministry has encouraged Uniqlo to extend its research and development efforts into new natural fibres, including milkweed fibre aligning with India's own initiatives in this critical area. The Ministry remains confident that this partnership will bolster India's end-to-end textile value chain, strengthen the women-led economy, and elevate India's position as a global textile leader, the statement added. New Delhi, Dec 17 : While the rapid spread of Covid-19 can be attributed mainly to the high transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new study has linked the high incidence and mortality rates with environmental factors, particularly with PM2.5. Researchers from the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan proposed the theory that PM2.5 influenced the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the subsequent severity of the disease. Many previous studies have demonstrated a correlation between the morbidity of Covid-19 and air pollution levels. The studies hinted that PM2.5 may act as an environmental carrier facilitating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The novel research, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, in mice, found that PM2.5 instillation induced the protein abundance of ACE2 -- the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 -- and then increased SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection in vitro and in vivo. "Our current results provide the first in vitro and in vivo evidence that PM2.5 exposure increased ACE2 expression and deteriorated SARS-CoV-2 infection. PM2.5 instillation dysregulated the expression of RAS proteins, increased the protein abundance of ACE and ACE2 in the lungs of mice, and upregulated the morbidity of SARS-CoV-2," the team said in the paper. Another recent study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, linked air pollution with longer duration of long Covid symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive issues. Researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) in Spain showed that air pollution can impact the severity of acute infection. As a result, exposure to PM2a.5 and PM10 can raise the risk of persistent long-Covid symptoms. While air pollution was not directly responsible for long-Covid, it could increase the severity of the initial infection, which, in turn, raises the risk of long Covid, the researchers noted. Mumbai, Dec 17 : "Bandish Bandits" director Anand Tiwari has spoken about the surprise character Imroz, essayed by Arjun Rampal, in the show. He said that the actor as a poet breaks the stereotype. Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) "Bandish Bandits" director Anand Tiwari has spoken about the surprise character Imroz, essayed by Arjun Rampal, in the show. He said that the actor as a poet breaks the stereotype. Arjun Rampal's surprise cameo as Imroz Dehelvi, a charming writer, won hearts. Tiwari has now shared insights about his character and revealed why he was the perfect choice to bring the character to life in the show. Challenging cliches and redefining how poets are perceived on screen, Tiwari said, "We often picture writers and poets in kurta-pajamas, barefoot, carrying a bag. But they can be anything, come from anywhereeven a music school." "I wanted Imroz Dehelvi to surprise the audience, to challenge expectations and seeing Arjun Rampal as that poet definitely breaks the stereotype." He said that Arjun is a dear friend who graciously said yes without knowing much about the role. "His depth, security, and gravitas are qualities I have seen him portray in so many films and discovered even more so while working with him on Nail Polishmade him the ideal Imroz," the director said. Talking about the chemistry between Arjun and Divya Dutta as Imroz and Nandini, respectively in the show, Tiwari said: "What struck me was the chemistry they shared in Dhaakadit was understated yet magnetic. That dynamic felt tailor-made for this series. Their connection is defined by what's unsaid." He added: "A simple exchange like 'I've come,' or 'All the best' carries layers of meaning. That's the beauty of a mature relationshipthe unspoken emotions create the most profound bond. We've worked to translate that subtlety into their story, making it authentic and deeply moving." The new season features Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Sheeba Chaddha, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, and Kunaal Roy Kapur, alongside new additions such as Divya Dutta, Rohan Gurbaxani, Yashaswini Dayama, Aaliyah Qureshi, and Saurabh Nayyar in pivotal roles. "Bandish Bandits" Season two, which is created by Amritpal Singh Bindra and Anand Tiwari, is streaming on Prime Videos. Wayanad, Dec 17 : The Kerala Police have taken two people into custody after a tribal man was dragged for nearly half a km in a shocking incident that sparked massive outrage in Wayanad. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Koodal Kadavu check dam site when Mathan (49), a tribal resident of Mananthavady, intervened in a verbal altercation between two tourist groups. Mathan questioned one group for harassing the other, which reportedly provoked the attack. Four youths were in the car at the time of the incident. The police have detained Abhiram and Harshid after intercepting a bus traveling to Wayanad from Bengaluru. The other two accused, Vishnu and Nabeel, are currently absconding. CCTV footage of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, shows the inhuman manner in which Mathan was dragged along the road. According to reports, one of the car occupants held onto Mathan's hand as the vehicle sped forward. Speaking from the hospital, Mathan described the ordeal: "I suffered injuries on my hands and legs. One of them was holding my hand while I was being dragged." The Kerala Police have registered a case and seized the vehicle involved in the incident. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and other political leaders demanding strict action against the perpetrators. "The Kerala government should ensure speedy justice in the case and stringent action should be taken against them," the Wayanad MP had said. Responding to the public outrage, the Kerala government has announced that Mathan's medical treatment will be fully borne by the state. Former State Minister of SC/ST and present Lok Sabha member K. Radhakrishnan said that generally, these things don't take place in Kerala. "Just because someone has money, they cannot be allowed to get away and the law should catch up with them," said Radhakrishnan. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Accusing the AAP government of making a mockery of constitutional institutions, the BJP's Leader of Opposition, Vijender Gupta, on Tuesday demanded notification of the Assembly session within 48 hours for tabling of 14 CAG reports. The much-delayed CAG reports purportedly talk about the alleged lapses of the AAP government related to the now-withdrawn excise policy, spending to control air pollution and other matters of state finances that may cause embarrassment to the Atishi government just before the Assembly session. Addressing a press conference, Gupta said the BJP will take the fight to the streets and approach the High Court again if AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal does not make public the CAG reports, which are public documents, within the next 48 hours. "It will prove to be the last nail in the AAP's coffin if Kejriwal or CM Atishi fail to call a session of the Delhi Assembly to table the CAG reports," Gupta said, adding that any delay in tabling of the reports would confirm the suspicion about financial irregularities by the Kejriwal government. The LoP said the BJP would continue to demand a session of the Assembly despite the AAP government's efforts to delay the matter and suppress the CAG reports. "The government is indulging in a conspiracy to block the tabling of the CAG reports. We will again go to the High Court if Chief Minister Atishi fails to follow the court's direction," he said. Gupta said the tabling of the CAG report had no connection with the Model Code of Conduct which may come into force with the announcement of Assembly election dates, a development which is expected to take place any day. BJP leader Satya Ranjan, who appeared for the party in the HC, said in the constitutional scheme of things, especially under Chapter 5 of the CAG, the government auditor is mandated to ensure transparency and accountability. "Its reports on financial activities of a government are crucial for maintenance of institutional integrity," he said. "The HC has given us the freedom to approach it again in case no decision is taken within 2-3 days starting Monday - on the calling of an Assembly session for tabling of the CAG report," said Ranjan. Since June 23, 2022, the CAG has given 14 reports highlighting the financial condition of Delhi but the state government is sitting over it, not allowing these reports to be tabled in the Assembly. He also appreciated Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena's prompt approval of the CAG reports before returning them to CM Atishi for presenting them before the Speaker ahead of tabling in the Assembly. Kochi, Dec 17 : There were anxious moments on Tuesday at the Cochin International Airport when a Bahrain-bound Air India Express flight, with over 100 people aboard, was called back, soon after take-off, when a fault was detected, but the plane landed safely, officials said. After the flight took off at 10.45 a.m., the airport officials found a portion of the plane's tyre on the runway. Airport officials then informed the pilot of the discovery and the decision was made by the captain that it would be better to return to the base airport from where it took off rather than continue on to land at the destination in the Gulf nation. After the decision was taken to return, the flight was seen circling the airport as it had to dump excess fuel for a smooth landing. With the emergency system on full alert, the aircraft landed safely at 12.30 p.m. All the 104 passengers and eight cabin crew members are safe. The airport officials have started the routine protocols that will be put in place and the decision will be made if the same aircraft will operate to the destination, or another aircraft will make the trip on Tuesday. Mumbai, Dec 17 : Filmmaker Mohammed Mustafa has recently acknowledged the key individuals who played a pivotal role in the success of "Mura." Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS) Filmmaker Mohammed Mustafa has recently acknowledged the key individuals who played a pivotal role in the success of "Mura." He thanked the team behind the project, highlighting the collective efforts that made "Mura" a success. While speaking exclusively to IANS, Mohammed Mustafa stated, "Mura would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our cast and crew. I'm honoured to have worked with such a talented team, and I'm grateful for the love and support our film has received." The Malayalam film "Mura" has reached a significant milestone, successfully completing 50 days in theatres. The film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Hridhu Haroon, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Mala Parvathy. The movie's supporting cast includes Kani Kusruthi, Kannan Nair, Krish Hassan, and Sibi Joseph. Produced by Riya Shibu under the banner of HR Pictures, the film has Rony Zakaria as its executive producer. Written by Suresh Babu, the film marked Hridhu Haroon's Malayalam debut. Haroon is widely known for his roles in the Cannes-winning film "All We Imagine As Light," the Amazon web series "Crash Course," the Hindi film "Mumbaikar," and the Tamil film "Thugs." His portrayal of Ananthu has garnered praise from both audiences and critics. The technical crew behind "Mura" includes Fazil Nasser (Cinematography), Chaman Chacko (Editing) ,Christy Joby (Music Direction) ,Sreenu Kallelil (Art Direction) , Ronex Xavier (Makeup), Nisar Rahmat (Costume Design) ,P.C. Stunds (Action), and Jimith Pirappancode (Production Controller) Marketing and public relations efforts were managed by Pratheesh Sekhar. "Mura" which released in theatres on November 8, is set to release on Amazon Prime Video this Christmas in four languages: Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Inspired by real-life events in Trivandrum, the movie follows a group of young individuals thrust into a high-stakes mission: to vandalize and break open a vault filled with black money. Their journey, marked by courage, determination, and a hint of rebellion, unfolds amidst gangsters and a relentless police pursuit. Kolkata, Dec 17 : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to veteran CPI-M leader and former legislator Tanmoy Bhattacharya, who has been accused of sexual harassment by a woman journalist associated with an independent YouTube news channel in October. The development of his being granted anticipatory bail by a division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth has come as a double relief for Bhattacharya, as the CPI-M, on December 14, revoked the suspension from the party which was imposed on whom the very day the lady scribe made this allegation through a FaceBook live. After an FIR was registered against Bhattacharya at Baranagar Police Station by the woman scribe, the veteran CPI-M leader approached the Calcutta High Court with the anticipatory bail plea. The division bench granted his anticipatory bail against a personal bond of Rs 10,0000. However, at the same time, it has imposed certain restrictions on him. The first condition is that Bhattacharya should not directly or indirectly contact the complainant. The second condition is that he will have to fully cooperate with the police in the process of investigation, and thirdly, he will have to report to the local police station once a month. Since the beginning Bhattacharya had been vehemently denying the accusation of sexual harassment. He has also claimed that the charges of sexual harassment against him were a "well-planned plot" to malign his image. "I am a Communist and will continue to remain so till my last breath. If I am proven innocent, I will continue as a CPI-M activist. If I am held guilty by my party and expelled, I will remain a Communist till my last day. Even if I cannot continue as a CPI-M activist, I will continue as a Communist," Bhattacharya had said earlier. Japan has announced the creation of a coordination council for the recovery of Ukraine, which will engage both Ukrainian and Japanese businesses. This was announced by Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Hiromasa Nakano during a meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and members of the Ukrainian delegation. "We are sincerely grateful to Japan for its willingness to join the restoration of the destroyed Ukrainian infrastructure. Japan has experience in disaster response, technology and production required for reconstruction. We are confident that their expertise will help Ukraine speed up the process of rebuilding destroyed facilities. Minister Hiromasa Nakano said Japan is ready to hold the first meeting of the Coordination Council, where it has already invited representatives of the Government of Ukraine. We are grateful to our partners for this invaluable support," Svyrydenko said, according to the press service of the Economy Ministry of Ukraine. The Ukrainian side voiced priorities in cooperation with the Government of Japan in terms of infrastructure restoration. In particular, they urged to continue providing Ukrzaliznytsia with rails for the restoration of the railroad pavement. Ukraine needs 25,000 tonnes of R-65 steel rails. Japan has already transferred the same amount through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), thanks to which it was possible to restore 200 kilometers of railway tracks in 2023-2024. Also, among the priority projects are the restoration of housing infrastructure with the involvement of advanced Japanese technologies and innovations, exchange of experience to train specialists in the transportation sector and other projects. "It is important that we are already working out specific coordination mechanisms in the field of renewal. This will give us an opportunity for direct interaction on the issue of priorities and needs for reconstruction both at the level of national governments and at the level of the private sector, whose role in the reconstruction process is equally important. We expect that the coordination council will become an effective mechanism for attracting support for the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, transportation sector, social facilities and housing," Deputy Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Serhiy Derkach said. The sides discussed how Japan and Ukraine can facilitate the involvement of Japanese companies in the restoration of Ukraine and what tools the private sector needs from both governments. Bengaluru, Dec 17 : Kannada superstar Darshan's partner and actress Pavithra Gowda, 33, walked out of a Bengaluru jail on Tuesday, after being granted bail in the fan murder case, and went to a temple to perform special prayers for the actor. Walking out of the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, Gowda, the prime accused in the case, appeared composed. She then reached the Vajra Muneshwara temple in Talaghattapura with her family and performed an 'archane' (a special puja offered for an individual) in the name of actor Darshan. Dressed in white with 'bhasma' (sacred ash) on her forehead, Gowda bowed down to the Garuda Kamba pillar installed in front of the temple. During the special puja, in the presence of the media, Gowda gave an eye signal to her mother, Bhagyamma, who then asked the priest to conduct the 'archane' in Darshan's name. When her mother took Darshanas name, she closed her eyes and bowed down to the deity. She turned emotional while offering her prayers. Before offering worship, Gowda performed 'pradakshina' (circumambulation) around the temple, holding incense sticks in her hand. After the worship, the actors refused to speak to the media. She simply said "thanks" to the media persons and cameramen before boarding her car. As per tradition, to ward off evil spirits, the Gowda family members broke an ash gourd. Earlier, immediately after her release from jail, Gowda and her mother had offered prayers at a temple located in front of the prison. Her special prayers are likely to spark debate, as Darshanas wife, Vijayalaxmi, has been seen running from pillar to post, visiting temples and praying for his release. Gowda and Darshan's wife had spats on social media, which led Darshan's fans to take sides. Victim Renukaswamy, who supported Vijayalaxmi, criticised Gowda, which ultimately led to his brutal death, according to police findings. The Karnataka High Court had granted bail to actor Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and others on December 13. According to sources, Gowda's release was delayed due to technical reasons and the fulfilment of bail conditions. Another accused Pradoosh Rao was also released along with her. Meanwhile, the sixth accused Jagadish aka Jagga and the seventh accused Anukumar aka Anu are still behind bars even after the granting of bail as they had not fulfilled the surety. During the bail hearings, senior counsel Tommy Sebastian represented Gowda in the court and submitted that she had no role to play in the kidnapping and murder of Renukaswamy. It was argued that the third accused Pavan had sent a message to Renukaswamy from the mobile of Gowda and she had left the scene of the crime after beating Renukaswamy with slippers. However, police claim that investigations revealed that Gowda actively participated in the murder of Renukaswamy. Initially, it was believed that she had merely beaten the victim with slippers and had been present while Renukaswamy was hacked to death. However, further investigations found that she had told Renukaswamy he did not deserve to live when he pleaded with her for his life. The investigation report stated: "Pavithra, who came to the crime scene with Darshan, was allegedly asked to deal with Renukaswamy for sending obscene pictures and derogatory messages. By then, Renukaswamy, who had been brutally assaulted and subjected to inhumane torture by a gang of 15 people, including Darshan, was bleeding and covered in injuries." Police sources said bloodstain marks of Renukaswamy were found on Gowda's sandals and clothes. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports confirmed the presence of Renukaswamy's blood on her seized clothes. The probe further revealed that after the brutal murder, the next day, Gowda visited a beauty spa. She was later summoned by the police and arrested. Gowda allegedly provoked, conspired, and participated in the crime. Along with her, the third accused, Puttaswamy alias Pavan K., 29; the fourth accused, Raghavendra, 43; the fifth accused, Nandeesha, 28; the sixth accused, Jagadish alias Jagga, 36; the seventh accused, Anukumar alias Anu, 25; the eleventh accused, Nagaraju; the twelfth accused, Lakshmana; the thirteenth accused, Deepak; and the sixteenth accused, Keshavamurthy, were all found to be directly involved in the heinous act, said the chargesheet. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Gowda, disappointed over the fact that Darshan maintained a relationship with her despite being married. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Police are considering filing an appeal in the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court's decision to grant bail to Darshan. Gowda, a divorcee and single mother, has acted in Tamil and Kannada movies. She identifies herself as a fashion designer, model, artiste, and managing director of a boutique. Washington, Dec 17 : There has been "no change in status" of the Syrian embassy in Washington that has been closed since 2014, a spokesperson for the US State Department said. "No, there is not," Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, responded during a regular press briefing when asked by a reporter to confirm that "there's no change in status of the Syrian embassy in Washington, D.C.," Xinhua news agency reported Miller's remarks came a day after Syria TV, a state broadcaster now controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham -- the main militia group that toppled the government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- reported that the Syrian embassy in Washington would reopen as soon as Monday. Miller said the US government doesn't "control" the building housing the Syrian embassy in downtown Washington, nor does it "control the operations that happen there." On the reported raising of the Syrian opposition flag at the embassy, Miller said the decision was made by the Syrian permanent representative to the United Nations, having gained no recognition from the government of the US. The US ordered the shutdown of the Syrian embassy and the departure of Syrian diplomats in March 2014, reasoning that the al-Assad government, facing domestic upheaval for three years at the time, committed "atrocities" against the Syrian people. A news advisory provided Monday by the National Press Club (NPC), a US domestic association for journalists, said the reopening of the Syrian embassy was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and that Debra Tice, mother of Austin Tice -- the American freelance journalist reportedly abducted in Syria who remained unaccounted for -- would attend the reopening ceremony. Xinhua has reached out to the NPC, seeking confirmation of the embassy's reopening. Nagpur, Dec 17 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday presented a bill in the Assembly to amend the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958, to increase the stamp duty on affidavits, agreements, and related documents to Rs 500 from the present Rs 100. The amendment, proposed on the lines of Karnataka, also increases the stamp duty on share capital to Rs 1 crore from the present Rs 50 lakh. The state government, ahead of the Assembly election, had issued an ordinance to increase the stamp duty on October 14 as both the houses of the legislature were not in session. The state cabinet, chaired by then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, had cleared the amendments at the meeting held on September 30. "Schedule I to the Maharashtra Stamp Act is amended to simplify the charge ability under the various articles and in general wherever Rs 100 is provided, it is substituted by Rs 500. Article 4 is amended to charge a minimum stamp duty of Rs 500. Affidavit needs to be executed before government or semi-government bodies are brought into the purview of this Article. Article 10 is amended to increase the stamp duty rate and maximum limit on share capital and increased share capital," reads the bill. Further, Article 47 is amended to change the minimum stamp duty of Rs 500 and a maximum of Rs 50,000 for the instrument of partnership and to change the stamp duty of Rs 500 in case of dissolution of partnership. Articles 52 and 58 are amended on the lines of the general amendment to charge a stamp duty of Rs 500 instead of Rs 200. According to the Revenue Department, the amendments to the Maharashtra Stamp Act will help increase the revenue from the stamp duty and registration to the tune of almost Rs 2,000 crore. Stamp duty and registration are one of the major sources of revenue mobilisation after the state GST. In 2023-24, the state had mopped up Rs 40,000 crore through stamp duty and registration. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Hamida Bano, an Indian woman who was deceived into travelling to Pakistan over two decades ago by a travel agent, finally returned to her homeland after nearly 22 years in the neighbouring country. Arriving in India, Hamida, who was in a wheelchair, was handed over to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After completing the necessary paperwork, the Indian Immigration and Customs Department transferred her to the Tehsildar Attari of the District Administration. Hamida was then taken to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in Amritsar for medical treatment. Hamida Bano recounted her harrowing journey: "I was fraudulently brought to Pakistan by a travel agent. I never imagined I would return to India. But just a year ago, the Indian Embassy contacted me and informed me that I could return. I had lived in Mumbai before this ordeal. A travel agent had promised to take me to Dubai for a job, but instead, he brought me to Hyderabad in Pakistanas Sindh province. I was terrified." She also described the hardships she endured in Pakistan: "My life there felt like being a 'Zinda Laash' (living corpse). The Pakistani government never harmed me, though. I used to live with a Sindhi man who married me. But after 12 years, he passed away." Hamida further expressed her gratitude, saying, "I want to thank both the Indian and Pakistani governments for their assistance in helping me return to my homeland." In 2022, Waliullah Maroof, a local YouTuber, brought attention to Hamida's plight. He shared her story in a vlog, which helped reconnect her with her family in India. Through Maroof's efforts, her daughter Yasmeen was able to speak with her on phone. Before leaving India in 2002, Hamida had been supporting her four children financially after her husband's death. She had worked as a cook in Doha, Qatar, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia, without any issues, before falling victim to the deceitful recruitment agent. Jammu, Dec 17 : An Assistant Sub-Inspector of J&K Traffic Police was placed under suspension on Tuesday for alleged misbehaviour with a local lawyer in Jammu city. The alleged misbehaviour incident led to a road blockade as lawyers demonstrated against the conduct of the traffic policeman, prompting swift action from the authorities. "The suspended officer has been identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector, Kamal Kumar. According to the lawyers, the officer allegedly misbehaved with one of their colleagues sparking outrage within the legal community. The Bar Association, Jammu had strongly condemned the incident demanding strict action against the officer. The Association further alleged that ASI Kamal Kumar is a habitual offender who frequently misuses his authority and misbehaves with the public," an official said. Responding to the protest, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Jammu suspended the officer pending further investigation into the matter. The J&K Traffic Police has come under public pressure during the last month after two youths were killed in a road rage accident in Srinagar on November 15. Two teenagers died and two others were injured after their car rammed into a stationary truck before hitting a divider in Srinagar city on November 15. The accident had sparked calls for strict action against underage driving in the Valley. The four teenagers involved in the accident were students of Class 11. The entire accident was captured on CCTV and showed their SUV crashing into the parked truck. Several people including politicians expressed grief over the loss of lives, while the incident triggered calls from society to ban underage driving. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said road sense shows no sign of improving. Traffic police later started a campaign against underage driving and those violating traffic rules. In Srinagar city alone, over 3,000 vehicles of various types were seized during the anti-underage driving campaign by police. Bhopal, Dec 17 : On the second day of the winter session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, the Opposition Congress cornered the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the mounting state debt, which has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore. Congress legislators arrived at the Assembly premises carrying posters highlighting the loan amounts borrowed from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In a symbolic protest, they also held begging bowls to signify the state's precarious financial condition. The Opposition alleged that the BJP government's "flawed policies" have pushed Madhya Pradesh towards financial distress. They claimed that the ballooning debt burden translates to every citizen of the state being saddled with a debt of Rs 55,000. "Over the past two months alone, the BJP government in MP has borrowed Rs 7,500 crore. Between 2021 and 2024, the state government secured loans amounting to Rs 1.22 lakh crore from the RBI," Congress legislators asserted. Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar demanded that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's government present a white paper in the Assembly, detailing the loan amounts borrowed and their utilization. "The BJP government is taking loans every three months, yet there's no visible improvement in the state's infrastructure. The government must clarify where this borrowed money is being spent," Singhar said. He further alleged that a significant portion of the loans is being spent on the BJP government's publicity campaigns. "We will raise this issue in the House and urge the Speaker to direct the government to furnish a detailed report on the loan expenditures of the past year," Singhar told IANS. According to reports, the state has inherited a cumulative debt of over Rs 4 lakh crore, with Rs 7,500 crore borrowed in just the last two months. The BJP has been in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003, barring an 18-month period when Congress held the reins. Notably, the winter session of the Assembly began on Monday with massive protests by the Opposition over fertilizer shortages, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House within two hours. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Almost 98.50 per cent of the existing land records (record of rights) have been digitised in the country under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. In a reply in the Lok Sabha, Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the Government has been implementing a comprehensive programme for digitisation and computerisation of land records and registration processes under DILRMP, with 100 per cent financial assistance from Central Government since 2016-17. The Minister said, "The objective of this scheme is to accelerate and complete the modernisation and digitisation of land records, ensuring that rural land records are accurate, up-to-date, and seamlessly integrated with various Government Schemes and Banking Sector." Highlighting areas of slow progress, he said, "Some of the areas of northeastern states do not have land records like other States due to community ownership and the Union Territory of Ladakh has started digitisation in the last couple of years." Elaborating on measures taken by the Government for achieving 100 per cent digitisation of land records across all States and UTs, the Minister said, "The Department is regularly monitoring the implementation of the DILRMP with concerned officials of States/UTs, through regular video conferences, review meetings, regional review meetings and field visits by the senior officers of the Department." The Minister said the Department of Expenditure had issued Scheme Guidelines on the 'Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2024-25' on August 9, 2024. In response to a separate question from Ummeda Ram Beniwal, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Chouhan said the Government has announced and approved the setting up of a Regional Station of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research at Barmer district of Rajasthan. The Rajasthan government has allotted 98.8 acres of land at Gudamalani, district Barmer. A total budget of Rs 8.50 crore has been allocated during the 15th Finance Commission period for establishing this regional centre, out of which, Rs 2.5 crore has been spent on infrastructure development, equipment and farm implements. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Sanjay Badaya, a close aide of former Rajasthan Water Supply Minister Mahesh Joshi, in the alleged Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scam. In July this year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Badaya after it found incriminating evidence and documents indicating his active role in a money laundering case linked to the JJM case. A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan allowed Badayaas bail plea, taking note of the fact that the charges are yet to be framed and as such, the possibility of the trial being concluded expeditiously is also remote. Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court had denied bail to Badaya, referring to Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which provides that an accused can be released on bail only when the court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the accused is not guilty of the offences alleged and is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. A bench of Justice Praveer Bhatnagar of the Rajasthan HC had said that there was "enough material on the record to indicate that the accused received money from the other co-accused in his fatheras account and also asiphoned offa the amount in purchasing the land". In the course of its investigation, the ED found that Badaya was in touch with private contractors and middlemen and was taking bribes on behalf of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) officials. He was allegedly playing the role of a bridge between the officials and the contractors. The probe revealed that Badaya was the right-hand man of former PHED Minister Mahesh Joshi and had interference in the office and its files. The ED had also arrested Piyush Jain and his father Padam Chand Jain and Mahesh Mittal in this case. In September this year, the top court had granted bail to Piyush Jain taking note of the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Fitness startup Curefit's consolidated loss has increased by 42 per cent to Rs 888.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 625.5 crore in FY23. The company's EBITDA loss surged by 123.4 per cent to Rs 587.97 crore in FY24 from Rs 263.2 crore in FY23. The reason for the increase in the company's loss in the last financial year is the high cash burn. Curefit's advertising and promotion expenditure has increased by 40.67 per cent year-on-year (YoY) basis to Rs 188.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 134 crore in FY23. At the same time, the company's expenditure on legal and professional services in the last financial year has increased by 56.62 per cent from Rs 79.3 crore in FY23 to Rs 124.2 crore in FY24. Curefit's expenditure on employees has come down by 5.62 per cent to Rs 324 crore in the last financial year. This is due to workforce restructuring and layoffs in FY24. Curefit slashed around 120 jobs in January 2024 in a restructuring exercise. These job cuts impacted workers across the company's brands like Sugar.fit, Carefit, Cultfit, among others. Curefit's operating income has increased by 33.6 per cent to Rs 926.6 crore in FY24 from Rs 693.7 crore in FY23. Out of this, an income of Rs 663.1 crore has come from services, which is 46.58 per cent more than Rs 452.4 crore in FY 23. Apart from this, income from the sale of products has increased by 8.13 per cent to Rs 256.7 crore from Rs 237.4 crore in FY23. Founded in 2016 by Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori, Curefit runs the physical fitness platform Cultfit, mental health platform Mindfit, primary care vertical Care.fit, etc. According to reports, Curefit has raised more than $750 million in funding so far. Its investors include Accel, Temasek, Kalaari Capital, and others. Mumbai, Dec 17 : Actor Pratik Gandhi has recently opened up about his role as a firefighter in the latest film "Agni," calling it one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of his career. The actor shared his excitement and the intense preparation involved in portraying such a dynamic role. In a statement, Gandhi shared, "Playing a firefighter in Agni has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career, as it has given me a profound understanding of the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of firefighters. With deep admiration, I reflect on their bravery and the hidden challenges they face daily." He added, "I am extremely proud that now I am an ambassador of fire services in India, and what touches me deeply is that fire marshals from all over the country have reached out to express their gratitude for my portrayal of this role. This is a testament of the fact that the film has truly struck a chord with the firefighters fraternity across the length and breadth of the country. Through our film, I hope that we inspire youth to join the Indian Fire Services as well and dedicate themselves to a cause larger than life itself." Agni, written and directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, showcases the lives of firefighters and the immense challenges they face in a densely populated country like India. The film honours the bravery of these unsung heroes while presenting a fresh and impactful story. It offers a gripping narrative that explores the sacrifices and dangers faced by those who risk their lives to protect others. In the film, Pratik Gandhi played the role of a fearless firefighter, Vitthal. Set against the backdrop of a city plagued by a mysterious series of fires, the film also stars Divyenndu, Saiyami Kher, Sai Tamhankar, Jitendra Joshi, Udit Arora, and Kabir Shah in pivotal roles. The action drama released on December 6 on Amazon Prime Video. Another five Ukrainian children have returned from Russian-occupied territory as part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Daria Zarivna has said. "As part of the President's Bring Kids Back UA initiative and thanks to the work of our partners Save Ukraine, another five Ukrainian children have returned to Ukraine from Russian occupation," she said on the Telegram on Tuesday. Among them, according to Zarivna's information, a brother and sister, 6 and 10, who did not go to school or kindergarten for three years. Because of their pro-Ukrainian stance, their parents did not send their children to Russian institutions saturated with propaganda. Nastia, 10, lived in a village that has been isolated from the outside world since the beginning of the war. The Russians did not allow any humanitarian aid, even food, medicine and clothes, to be brought in. Minors Ihor, 15, and Denys, 17, were forced by the Russians to undergo military training and given summonses to serve in the Russian army. For the children, returning to the Ukrainian-controlled territory became a matter of life and death. Today all these children are already in Ukraine, Zarivna said. New Delhi, Dec 17 : India has added nearly 15 GW of renewable energy capacity during April-November in the current financial year, which is almost double the 7.54 GW added during the same period last year, Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday. Addressing the CII International Energy Conference and Exhibition (IECE) here, the Minister further stated that India's total installed capacity in the non-fossil fuel energy sector has reached 214 GW, marking an increase of over 14 per cent compared to the same period last year. Additionally, he pointed out that 2.3 GW of new capacity was added in November 2024 alone, reflecting a four-fold increase from the 566 MW added in November 2023. Joshi reiterated the government's commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030. "What India does in renewable energy is not only keenly watched by the world, but also adopted by several countries," he remarked. He highlighted the role of the International Solar Alliance as a formal setup for global collaboration under India's initiative with 120 countries as signatories. Highlighting India's remarkable growth in renewable energy, Joshi said that India is not only witnessing an energy revolution but also becoming the renewable energy capital of the world. Despite having one of the largest coal resources globally, India maintains one of the lowest per capita emissions, at one-third of the global average. The Minister highlighted that India is the only G20 nation to have ensured that the Sustainable Development Goals made at the Paris Climate Change Summit in 2015 were fulfilled even before the deadline. He said that the ongoing transformation of India's energy sector is driven by a strong belief that achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is intrinsically linked to sustainable and green growth. The Minister also outlined several key steps taken by the Union Government to boost the growth of the renewable energy sector such as the introduction of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, with an outlay of Rs 24,000 crore, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing of solar panels and modules. He also mentioned the ongoing initiative to establish 50 solar parks, with a cumulative capacity of 38 GW by 2025-26. Additionally, provisions have been made for the declaration of a trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30. Joshi also said that PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is targeting 1 crore installations by 2026-27, with an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore. He also said that a meeting is being planned in Mumbai in January with representatives of banks, industry and state government officials to find solutions to existing bottlenecks in the renewable energy sector. He invited global leaders and industry stakeholders to partner with India in its journey toward a green and sustainable future. The minister also launched the CII-EY Energy Transition Investment Monitor Report at the event. The conference, themed "Global Dialogue on Energy Transformation" was attended by a distinguished gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and experts. Seoul, Dec 17 : Nigeria has reopened its embassy in North Korea following years of closure over the COVID-19 pandemic, joining a group of countries resuming diplomatic activities in the North. Patrick Imodu Imologhome, Nigeria's charge d'affaires, disclosed a plan for the embassy reopening at a meeting in Pyongyang last Wednesday with Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexandr Matsegora, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang wrote on its Facebook account last Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported. Imologhome, who had "recently arrived" in North Korea, shared his plans to reopen the Nigerian Embassy in Pyongyang after a long suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. It did not specify other details related to the embassy reopening, but the African country is presumed to have restored it to resume diplomatic activities in the North. Russia's embassy in Pyongyang said in a Telegram message in early December that representatives from diplomatic corps from countries, including Nigeria and India, attended an event to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. North Korea and Nigeria established diplomatic ties in 1976. Reports from a UN panel of experts have shown that Pyongyang is suspected of having maintained an arms trade or business deals with Nigeria in violation of UN sanctions against North Korea. North Korea shut down its border in early 2020 over the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing foreign diplomats or field workers at international organizations to withdraw from the isolated country. In August 2023, the North began reopening its border. Of African countries, only Nigeria and Egypt have diplomatic presences in North Korea. Eight countries -- China, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam, Cuba, Russia, Syria and Egypt -- had been running their diplomatic missions in Pyongyang in a limited manner even in the midst of the pandemic by leaving some embassy staff behind, according to South Korea's unification ministry. Nicaragua, known for its hard-line stance against the US, newly opened an embassy in Pyongyang earlier this year. Sweden, Poland, Brazil and Iran have reopened their embassies in the North after pulling out embassy employees during the pandemic, according to the ministry. In September, Sweden became the first Western country to restore its embassy in Pyongyang. In November, Poland said its diplomats were visiting Pyongyang to seek to restore its diplomatic presence in the North. Imphal, Dec 17 : With one more militant taken into custody, the number of arrests in connection with Saturday's killing of two migrant workers from Bihar has risen to eight, officials said on Tuesday. A police official said that a hardcore cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Peopleas War Group) (KCP-PWG) outfit, identified as Irengbam Rameshwar Singh, 48, was arrested from Kakching Lamkhai area under Kakching district on Monday night. The official said that a police team, acting on secret information, had earlier on Monday arrested seven militants of the KCP-PWG group from a hideout located at the Kakching Mamang Ching Laipham Loknung area in Kakching. The arrested extremists were identified as Elangabm Herojit Singh, 40, Heikrujam Prem, 28, Okram Arundatta, 30, Senjam Rebingson, 27, Okram Amarjit, 31, Aribam Ghanendrajit Sharma, 25, and Chongtham Rajkumar, 26. A cache of arms and ammunition including eight weapons were recovered from the detainees. Armed militants shot dead the two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road in Kakching district on Saturday evening 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. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had 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. He said that if required, the case would 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 also earlier expressed grief over the killings and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for family members of the deceased. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday expressed its "unwavering support" for the NDA's 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE Bill) in the Lok Sabha, while the AIMIM opposed the proposed legislation by calling it as a threat to regional parties. New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday expressed its "unwavering support" for the NDA's 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE Bill) in the Lok Sabha, while the AIMIM opposed the proposed legislation by calling it as a threat to regional parties. Minister of State for Communications, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, on behalf of the TDP, hailed the Bill and cited reduced expenditure and logistical efficiency as its biggest advantage. "News reports estimate that the Election Commission of India has spent more than Rs 6,000 crore on the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and Rs 10,000 crore in the 2024 polls," he said. A draft report of the Law Commission of 2018 and Niti Aayog report of 2017 suggest that if elections are held simultaneously, the cost would reduce by up to 40 per cent, he said, adding that if Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held in one go, the voter turnout would also increase by up to 7 per cent. Pemmasani also claimed that 'ONOE' would also result in savings for political parties which spend over Rs 1 lakh crore. He said continuity in governance would also get a boost if simultaneous polls are held. "In the last six months, three elections were held for the state. How can the machinery continue to operate if elections are held continuously," he said. The MoS also highlighted the ill-effects of continuous political messaging through modern media tools, even if elections are held in a different part of the country. Taking part in the discussion, Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) opposed the Bill and said the ONOE violates the right to democratic self-governance. "If a legislative Assembly is dissolved and mid-term elections are held, then the tenure of that Assembly will not be for five years. This, in itself, is a violation of parliamentary democracy that envisages a tenure of five years for a legislature," he said, calling the truncated tenure of an elected House a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution. Hitting out at the proposal and calling it a provision to facilitate executive convenience, instead of Constitutional purpose, he said, "Parliament is not competent to make any law that violates any fundamental rights or the basic structure of the Constitution." Opposing the Bill, he said it will "finish off regional parties" and it has been brought in to only "massage the ego of the supreme leader". Owaisi warned that the Bill is based on a principle of "maximising political gain and convenience" and it will indirectly introduce a "presidential form of democracy". New Delhi, Dec 17 : India is emerging as a major centre for affordable medical tourism on the global stage, and doctors in the country play a significant role in this development, said President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday. Addressing the first convocation of AIIMS Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh today, the President said that with talent and hard work, Indian doctors have earned a leading position in the world. "India is developing as a major centre of affordable medical tourism on the world stage and doctors have a major role in this development. People from other countries visit India to take advantage of the medical facilities available here," Murmu said. Of the young doctors who received their degrees today, two-thirds were young lady doctors. The President expressed happiness that more young women are participating in the profession, which indicates a developed society. "My special congratulations to these daughters who have done us proud. The rising participation of women in the medical profession and their significant contributions demonstrate that we are becoming a truly developed society," Murmu said. "This also highlights the fact that given opportunities, our daughters excel in every field," she added, while also lauding the guardians of the young lady doctors. Further, she told doctors medical profession is "the path of serving humanity. To achieve success and respect, the President advised doctors to pay attention to "service orientation, learning orientation, and research orientation". She added that between fame and fortune, "they should give priority to fame". "You will get invaluable opportunities to save people's lives and improve their health. You have developed the competence to make use of such opportunities. I am sure that you will dedicate yourselves to continuous learning, and keeping your capabilities at par with the best and the latest". The President also urged for "new solutions" to counter the challenges that medical science faces according to time and circumstances. She also called on young doctors "to give priority to providing medical care and services to people living in rural, tribal, and remote areas". "Providing inclusive health care is our national goal. Doctors, especially young doctors like you, have a key role in achieving this goal. I hope that all of you will discharge this responsibility with utmost dedication and make an invaluable contribution to building a healthy, prosperous, and developed India", President Murmu said. New York, Dec 17 : A teenage student shot dead a teacher and another teenage student at a Christian school in Wisconsin, U.S., police said. The suspect was identified as a 15-year-old female student from the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison who was found dead from an apparent suicide when officers arrived, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a press conference on Monday afternoon, adding that the motive remains unclear. Four other students are being treated at local hospitals, with two in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported. According to Barnes, the shooting occurred in a study hall and was initially reported to the police by a second-grader. Police arrived within four minutes. Barnes added he wants to make sure all family members have been notified before releasing the victims' ages and names. "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," said Jill Underly, Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction. "We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe." Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said that he is 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." However, the Madison Police Department declined to provide details about the four people killed during a shooting at a Christian school Monday morning, citing the need to contact the victims' families before releasing details. 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. Sambhal, Dec 17 : Following the recent discovery of a Shiva temple in the Khaggu Sarai area of Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh (UP), another temple, which had remained closed for several years, has been reopened in the Sarayatareen area of the district. Known as the Radha Krishna Temple, this religious site was previously accessible only during occasional festival worship. The temple came to light after local authorities received information about its existence. Police intervened, unlocked the premises, and initiated cleaning and restoration work to make the temple functional again. The Radha Krishna Temple, constructed in 1982, stands as a testament to communal harmony and collective contributions by the locals. "The land for the temple was donated by residents of the locality," said Rishipal Singh, a local resident. He explained that the temple fell into disuse after the 1992 riots in Uttar Pradesh. During the earlier governments, a series of violent incidents and murders in the area instilled fear among the Hindu community, leading to mass migration. Singh further added, "Hindus felt unsafe and left the area, visiting the temple only during festivals. The temple has remained shut for nearly 10 years. Today, the police intervened, and the temple has been reopened. Cleaning work is now going on." The region has witnessed multiple instances of communal unrest, including the riots of 1978. Devendra Rastogi, a resident and eyewitness to the events, recalled the violence of that period. "Many lives were lost in incidents like the one in Murari Lal's Khanchi, and shops were set ablaze. The then Congress government failed to respond promptly, and police reinforcements were not sent in time. Today, if Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has pledged action against those responsible for the riots, it is a welcome step. The families of victims must receive compensation," Rastogi said. A woman, who lived in the area during that era, recounted her experience. "When I got married in 1972, my house was here. At the time, there was a predominantly Muslim population, with only a handful of Hindu families. The 1978 riots were terrifying, the curfew lasted a month. I remember considering whether to leave Sambhal entirely or seek protection. If Chief Minister Yogi has raised this issue now, it's high time that justice is delivered." Earlier, a decades-old Shiva temple, in shambles and encroached upon, was found four days ago. The "discovery" came while the city administration along with UP Police conducted a drive against anti-encroachment and power theft. According to Sambhal CO Anuj Kumar Chaudhary, there were some inputs about the temple area being encroached upon by residents. "When we inspected the location, we found a temple here," he said. Kolkata, Dec 17 : Another contractual staff of the Postal Department was arrested from West Bengal on Tuesday in connection with arranging fake Indian passports for illegal Bangladeshi residents. The person arrested has been identified as Taraknath Sen. Sen is the second contractual staff attached to the Postal Department who was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of Kolkata Police during the last 48 hours. On December 15, two people, namely Samaresh Biswas and Deepak Mondal, were arrested in connection with the fake passport racket. Mondal was also a contractual staff of the Postal Department. Sources from the city police said the consecutive arrests of two contractual staff of the Postal Department have made the hunch stronger that such rackets have developed a network among some insiders in the said department. An investigation is on to find out whether some permanent employees of the said department were too involved in such rackets. The investigating officials have already identified several common patterns in the functioning of these rackets involved in arranging fake Indian identity documents for the Bangladeshi infiltrators. Most of these rackets have been operating from villages adjacent to districts having international borders, both land and coastal, with Bangladesh. Recently, Selim Matabbar, a former associate of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was arrested at a hotel in the Park Street area in central Kolkata. The police also recovered a fake Indian passport from his possession. Investigation revealed that Matabbar after illegally crossing the borders managed to get his fake Indian documents from a racket operating from the Indo-Bangladesh bordering district of Nadia. New Delhi, Dec 17 : In a conviction success for CBI investigators, a man who took a Rs 3.5 lakh housing loan on the basis of forged documents and failed to repay the money to a bank was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 10,000, by a court in Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday. New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) In a conviction success for CBI investigators, a man who took a Rs 3.5 lakh housing loan on the basis of forged documents and failed to repay the money to a bank was sentenced to two yearsa imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 10,000, by a court in Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday. The Court of Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI cases, Lucknow, sentenced loan applicant Sardar Ahmad Khan on Monday in the bank fraud case. After the conclusion of the trial in respect of the CBI charge sheet, the court found Sardar Ahmad Khan guilty and sentenced him accordingly. The court accepted the evidence presented by the CBI to prove the use of forged documents by the convict for taking the loan of Rs 3.5 lakh in his own name from SBI, Rajapur Branch, Allahabad, a statement said. The charge-sheet in the case was filed on July 24, 2007, against Khan on the charges that he dishonestly and fraudulently obtained a housing loan of Rs 3.5 lakh in his own name from SBI, Rajapur Branch. He allegedly used forged income tax returns and failed to repay the loan amount. An official said the CBI had registered the instant case on June 28, 2005, on a written complaint from the Deputy General Manager (Vigilance), SBI, LHO, Lucknow against the accused. Khanas case was one of the over three dozen loans that were mentioned in the complaint. The complaint alleged that from August 1, 2001, to February 6, 2004, 56 housing loans were sanctioned and disbursed from SBI, Rajapur Branch, Allahabad, and out of these, in 38 loan cases, the site/borrower was not identifiable or the plot was not in existence. It was alleged that the loan amount was misappropriated, the CBI said. It was also alleged that 15 personal loans were sanctioned on the basis of bogus/forged documents. Due to the aforesaid acts of omission and commission, the SBI was put at a loss of Rs 1.60 crore, the CBI said. After the completion of the investigation, the CBI filed three charge sheets against all the accused. Accused in one of the charge-sheets, namely Vinay Kumar Srivastava and Raman Kumar Srivastava, were convicted on January 19, 2024 and were sentenced to imprisonment of two years with a total fine of Rs 12,000. The trial in another charge sheet is pending against accused Sanjay Kesharwani. Nagpur, Dec 17 : Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday strongly opposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE), saying that the Election Commissioner (EC) should be elected and not appointed before the implementation of ONOE. "Before the implementation of 'One Nation, One Election', the election process should be transparent. I am of the clear opinion that the Election Commissioner should also be elected through the election," said Thackeray during his interaction with the reporters in Vidhan Bhavan. He added that if the Election Commissioner is going to be appointed and teach the opposition the election laws, then that practice is not right. "There should not be 'One Nation, One Election' under the rule of such a person. The Election Commissioner should also be elected. Only then should he be considered as an Election Commissioner," said Thackeray. Referring to the administration's decision not to hold mock polling by the Markadwadi villagers to protest against the EVMs, Thackeray questioned why the government was afraid. "You say that the entire Maharashtra gave us votes, gave us love, then the same votes that were cast on the EVMs will also be cast on the ballot paper. In a democracy, I should know who I am voting for and where is my vote going. That right of mine has now been taken away," he claimed. To a question whether he will induct Chhagan Bhujbal, who is upset over exclusion from the state cabinet, in the Shiv Sena UBT, Thackeray said, "I felt very bad for Bhujbal. I also feel bad about others who did not get ministerial berths. They (referring to Shiv Sena and NCP legislators that joined MahaYuti) had gone there with many expectations. I express my sympathy to all those who must be waiting for their induction in the cabinet." He added that in light of the fact that many veteran leaders of the MahaYuti did not get a place in the Cabinet, does the government have any plans to appoint beloved MLAs or beloved people? To a question whether Bhujbal and other disgruntled MahaYuti are in his contact, Thackeray said, "Nagpur is an orange city. It has become a hoarding city. It is not clear who is the architect and captain of MahaYuti's victory. The MahaYuti has used the allies. The disgruntled are in touch with us. They are sending messages. Let them get experience. There is no better teacher than experience. Let them get lessons. We will see when they improve." He claimed that Bhujbal was in his contact not only after he was left out of the Cabinet. Referring to the decision by NCP and Shiv Sena to give two and half year tenure to the ministers inducted in Sunday's expansion paving the way for other aspirants, Thackeray taunted, "Whether the posts of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister will be rotating every after two and half years. Has the decision been taken in this regard?" His reference was to the purported agreement reached between the BJP and Shiv Sena (united) Sharad of the 2019 Assembly election to share the Chief Minister's post after two and half years. During an extraordinary meeting of the regional commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations of Donetsk region, it was decided to declare the evacuation of children with their parents and other legal representatives from seven settlements of Udachnenska hromada, the press service of Donetsk Regional Military Administration reports. "The situation in Pokrovsk district has significantly deteriorated, active hostilities continue and there is a real threat to the life and health of residents, including children. That is why the commission decided to carry out the evacuation of children with their families forcibly from the territory of the village of Udachne, the villages of Kalynivka, Molodetske, Serhiyivka, Muravka, Novo-Mykoalyivka and Novo-Serhiyivka," the Telegram channel says. In total, 146 children with their parents or other legal representatives should be evacuated to safer regions of Ukraine. Belagavi : , Dec 17 (IANS) Lok Sabha MP and Congress General Secretary, K.C. Venugopal and AICC General Secretary and Karnataka Incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala arrived in Karnataka's Belagavi on Tuesday to oversee final preparations and visit historical sites for the celebration of the historic centenary of the Belagavi convention. In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi became the AICC President and assumed the leadership role in the Independence struggle during the Belagavi Session. Speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Venugopal stated, "On December 26 and 27, we are celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's presidentship. The Belagavi conference was one of the historic events in our Indian political history. The extended working committee meeting was organised here on December 26 afternoon, followed by a massive rally. Details of the programme would be chalked out. We will visit the sites and come back to you." Meanwhile, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, spoke to the media near the Belagavi Circuit House and Peernawadi Gandhi Bhavan. "The fact that Mahatma Gandhi assumed office as the President of the Congress during the Belagavi Session is a historical blessing for Karnataka," he said. "When Mahatma Gandhi became the Congress President, only Gangadhar Deshpande and Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Principal Secretaries. At that time, Deshpande invited Gandhi ji to hold the AICC session in Belagavi," Shivakumar added. "A well was dug to provide drinking water for the people who attended that session. After 100 years, Karnataka's own Mallikarjun Kharge is now the AICC President. Then it was Mahatma Gandhi, and now it is Kharge who holds this prestigious position," Shivakumar underlined. In the interim, many Congress leaders like late Nijalingappa, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and former AICC leader Sonia Gandhi, plus Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, have all served as Congress presidents. "There was initially a discussion to hold this year's session at the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat. Later, I proposed Belagavi to the AICC, and they agreed," Shivakumar stated. "As part of the 'Gandhi Bharat' programme on October 2, we marched from the Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru to the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha on behalf of the state government. Later, on behalf of the party, we marched from Gandhi Circle to Bharat Jodo Bhavan in Bengaluru. "Now, as part of the continuation, the Congress Working Committee meeting will be held in Belagavi on December 26," Shivakumar maintained. This programme will be attended by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, all members of the Congress Working Committee, Chief Ministers, MLAs, and MPs. "The following day, a massive public rally will take place. Party leaders, including panchayat members, committee and corporation members, and nominated representatives, will also participate in the rally," Shivakumar announced. Shivakumar further declared that a Gandhi statue would be inaugurated near Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, and all MLAs and Council leaders from various parties will be invited to this event. This programme will be led by the Speaker and Chairpersons. "AICC General Secretaries will visit and inspect the event venues, after which more details about the other programmes will be provided. 'Opportunities do not come looking for us; we have to seek them out,' as Indira Gandhi once said. Sonia Gandhi has written a book about Indira Gandhi's wise words. I have translated that book into Kannada, and it will be released during the Gandhi Bharat programme," Shivakumar stated. A meeting will be held with all the leaders of the Belagavi region at the Congress office to discuss preparations for the event, he said. Kochi, Dec 17 : As part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Smpada Yojana (PMMSY) Blue Growth Project and to address the alarming decline in the short neck clam population, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) launched a stock enhancement programme by releasing three lakh short clam seeds into Kerala's Ashtamudi Lake on Tuesday. According to CMFRI estimates, recent annual catches have fallen below 1,000 tones as against 10,000 tones during the early 1990s. This clam species has substantial export potential, as international demand for clams continues to rise, offering significant economic opportunities for local communities. These seeds, produced in the hatchery of Vizhinjam Regional Centre of the CMFRI, were released into the Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam district, where depletion of this species has been reported. The ranching is a sustainable solution by replenishing the clam stocks and ensuring the continuity of this critical resource in the backwaters. It is aimed at restoring the clam stocks, ensuring sustainability, supporting local fishermen and providing leverage for boosting export revenues. The stock enhancement programme was made possible after the CMFRIas year-long research efforts led to the successful development of captive breeding technology for this clam species, enabling the production of seeds for the release. M.K. Anil, Principal Scientist at the CMFRI's Vizhinjam Regional Centre, said the short neck clam is a treasured resource in Ashtamudi Lake with significant economic and ecological importance. "However, in recent years, the fishery of this clam has witnessed a drastic decline, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen who rely on this resource," he said. CMFRI scientists pointed out that key issues such as environmental pollution, invasion of non-native species like the Charru mussel, and the impacts of climate change, including altered salinity and water temperature, have significantly reduced the clam population. The event also witnessed the launch of hatchery facilities to produce bivalves for enhancing sustainable aquaculture practices and meeting the growing demand for high-quality seeds. Mussel seeds were distributed to local farmers, providing them with resources to strengthen their aquaculture operations and improve their livelihoods. Colombo, Dec 17 : The Sri Lankan Parliament on Tuesday unanimously appointed ruling National People's Power (NPP) member Jagath Wickramaratne as its new Speaker. Wickramaratne was nominated by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and the Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake supported her proposal. No other names were proposed, and Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih announced to the House that Wickremeratne was unanimously appointed as the new Speaker, Xinhua news agency reported. On December 13, Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala resigned in the wake of controversy over his educational qualification. Earlier, the opposition parties accused the Speaker of lying about holding a PhD from a Japanese university. In a statement, Ranwala clarified that he had never lied about his educational qualification, but admitted that he currently lacks documentary proof of his academic achievements. He said that he had been awarded a doctorate by a research institute affiliated with Waseda University in Japan and hoped to present the degree certificate in the future. "However, given the confusion surrounding the issue and to prevent embarrassment for those who trusted and voted for this government, I have decided to resign from the post of speaker for the time being," Ranwala said. The resignation was prompted by an attempt by the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker for misleading the public about his educational qualifications. Ranwala was one of the 159 National People's Power (NPP) members elected after the party's historic landslide victory in the November 14 parliamentary election. He had been on the job for less than a month after being elected as the Speaker on November 21. Ranwala was a leading trade union activist for the NPP's mother party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), in the petroleum sector as an employee of the state fuel entity Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. New Delhi, Dec 17 : There are a total of 9.38 lakh homeless people in urban areas of the country with the national capital being home to 46,724 shelterless citizens, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. Citing data from the Census of India 2011, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said, in a written reply in Lok Sabha, that the maximum number of 1,80,929 urban homeless are in Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra with 1,11,373 and Madhya Pradesh with 1,04,967 are the next two states with the most number of city dwellers without shelter, the MoS said. Tokhan said the Census of India conducts an enumeration of the population in the country on a decadal basis, including homeless people. As per Census of India 2011, the total urban houseless population was 9,38,348, he said. As per the information given by States/UTs, as of November 20, a total of 1,994 shelters with a capacity of 1.16 lakh were functional under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). A total of 722 non-NULM shelters were functional with a capacity of 24,757, the MoS said. Tokhan said the operational guidelines of the Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) component of DAY-NULM prescribe systematic third-party surveys to be undertaken in cities/towns by the urban local bodies to identify the number of homeless and assess the need for shelters. The MoS said as reported by States/UTs key challenges in providing shelters to urban homeless include the unavailability of suitable land for the construction of new shelters and the mobilisation of resources for operation and maintenance (O&M) of SUH beyond five years. The unwillingness of the homeless to leave the place where they have been living for so long and frequent migration of the homeless people were also cited by states as challenges, the MoS said. In a written reply, the MoS said it was the primary responsibility of States/Union Territories to provide shelters for the urban homeless. "However, to complement their efforts, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is administering SUH under DAY-NULM, through respective States/UTs. It focuses on providing permanent shelters equipped with basic facilities to the urban homeless," the MoS said. "Operational guidelines of SUH provide for identification and rescue of urban homeless, under which urban local bodies (ULBs) and the agency running the shelter have the responsibility to ensure that no homeless person in the area spends the night in the open," the MoS said. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The global data analytics market is forecast to be worth $190 billion in 2028, registering an 11.1 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2023 and 2028, according to a report on Tuesday. With data volumes projected to exceed 175 zettabytes by 2025, organisations must leverage advanced analytics tools to extract actionable insights, said GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. The traditional data analytics vendors are being disrupted by AI-native vendors that aim to help companies automate operational decision-making using machine learning. "Furthermore, the emergence of generative AI (GenAI) tools has led data analytics vendors to embed those solutions in their platforms, democratising access to data science capabilities," said Isabel Al-Dhahir, Principal Analyst, Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData. For instance, Microsoft has launched Copilot, embedding ChatGPT into analytics products such as Excel and PowerBI. Data governance is all about data quality and reliability; good, trustworthy data is essential to data analytics. While data governance is augmented by technology, it is fundamentally about individuals and companies implementing rigorous protective policies and procedures, said the report. "The ability of GenAI to create highly sophisticated models and simulations from vast datasets raises significant concerns about the potential misuse of personal information," said Al-Dhahir. The risk of exposing sensitive data increases as these AI systems become more adept at generating detailed, realistic outputs. This calls for stringent data governance frameworks. Organisations must attract, train, retain, and upskill their current workforce to fill these roles. Companies may also attempt to plug the data-skills gap by encouraging less technical employees to act as citizen data scientists, said the report. As the market evolves, innovation across data management, AI integration, and governance will shape the future of data-driven strategies, Al-Dhahir said. New Delhi, Dec 17 : As many as 204 Coastal Police Stations have been operationalised by the Central government while implementing the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS), Phase I and II, to strengthen security against sea-borne threats, the Parliament was informed on Tuesday. Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said, in reply to a question in Lok Sabha, "Under the Assistance to States and UTs for Modernisation of Police scheme Rs 63.35 crore has been released to nine coastal States and four Union Territories during the last two years and current financial year." While operationalising Coastal Police Stations, 204 boats, 37 jetties, 284 four-wheelers, 554 two-wheelers, 97 check-posts, 58 out-posts, and 30 barracks have been provided to the coastal states/UTs. Further, six Marine Police Operation Centres (MPOC) have been constructed in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Minister said in reply to questions from Dilip Saikia and Kamlesh Jangde. Elaborating on the steps taken by the Government for training, capacity building and modernisation of coastal police, the MoS said a National Academy of Coastal Policing (NACP) has been set up in District Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat. To date, 1,725 personnel from coastal police/customs/BSF/CISF have been trained in various courses. The MoS said the Coastal Police personnel are also trained in the Coast Guard Training Centre, Kochi and at Coast Guard District Headquarters in all coastal states/UTs. To date, 13,879 Coastal Police personnel have been trained. He said the Indian Coast Guard conducts Joint Coastal Patrolling (JCP) with Coastal Police. A total of 3,374 JCP sorties and the embarkation of 8,122 personnel have been undertaken since the commencement of JCP in August 2020. Coastal police also participate in coastal security exercise 'Sagar Kavach' and coastal security drill 'Sajag' aimed at enhancing inter-agency coordination and achieving robust coastal security mechanisms, the MoS said. He said although police and public order are State subjects, as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, the Central government supplements the efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing their police forces. Karnataka, Dec 17 : Congress leader and former Law Minister, M. Veerappa Moily on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government for its push to introduce the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill (ONOE Bill) in the Lok Sabha, claiming that the current administration has little understanding of the nation's historical context. Karnataka, Dec 17 (IANS) Congress leader and former Law Minister, M. Veerappa Moily on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government for its push to introduce the aOne Nation, One Electiona Bill (ONOE Bill) in the Lok Sabha, claiming that the current administration has little understanding of the nation's historical context. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution Amendment Bill or ONOE Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Talking to IANS, Moily said, "This government seems to have a complete lack of understanding of our country's history. They are trying to create the impression that ONOE Bill is a new concept, something revolutionary. But this is far from the truth. From 1952 until 1967, simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held. The Congress and other political parties did not oppose this at the time. However, it was done due to historical reasons, not because of any specific political ideology." Moily explained that elections in India are often influenced by unforeseen circumstances, such as Assemblies or even the Parliament being dissolved prematurely. "Assemblies sometimes dissolve before their term ends, or Parliament elections are held ahead of schedule. These historical events have shaped how our elections have been conducted. The present government seems eager to exploit these incidents for political gain," he continued. The former Law Minister accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the ONOE Bill to advance his own political interests. "Prime Minister Modi seems to believe that by reducing the frequency of elections, he will save money and prevent the 'multiplicity of elections.' But this is not a new idea; itas merely a historical reality. To suggest that late PM Jawaharlal Nehru wanted elections split for the advantage of his party is wrong. Everything that was done was for national interest, not political advantage," Moily remarked. He added that PM Modi's push for this idea is not about national welfare, but about enhancing his own image. "If Modi thinks that having just one election will help perpetuate his image, it's a mere daydream. A move like this wonat bolster Modias ego, as he may believe. The idea should have been discussed with the Opposition parties because elections are not just for the ruling party; they are for the entire nation. This is the real issue," Moily said. Furthermore, Moily criticised the speed at which the Union government is trying to push through this proposal, stating that the central government lacks the majority needed to pass the Bill in both Houses of Parliament. "You can't rush this through. There's no absolute majority in the Houses for this Bill. The right thing to do is open this up for a national debate. A good Bill can only come from proper discussions, and it requires consensus on various issues, not just one. The country needs time to reflect on this important change," he said. Moily cautioned that hurrying the proposal could lead to more confusion rather than solving existing problems. "There are so many issues involved in this that rushing it will only muddle things further. It will create more confusion than it resolves," he warned. The senior Congress leader also responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement during discussions, where he suggested that Prime Minister Modi is open to referring the ONOE Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for a thorough evaluation. Moily dismissed this, stating that the Congress party was not being 'negative' but simply positive about discussing the matter in the right way. "We are not negative, but we are realistic. The Congress has never been negative about simultaneous elections. From 1952 to 1967, simultaneous elections were held without any issues. It's not like Modi or Amit Shah are introducing some new word. They seem blindfolded; they donat know the past or the future. They are only focussed on the present, and they want to exploit the situation for their benefit," Moily said. He also expressed concern over the practical implications of the proposal, highlighting that there are numerous practical problems that need to be addressed before such a major change is implemented. "This isnat just a theoretical debate. There are hundreds of practical problems that need to be considered. This issue must not only be discussed on the floor of Parliament; it must be discussed publicly, so that all voices can be heard. The government should throw it open for a proper public debate, so that a consensus can emerge," Moily concluded. Moily further underscored that any political or administrative reform must take into account the diverse perspectives and needs of the entire nation, not just the ruling party's interests. He called for a more comprehensive and inclusive dialogue on such an important issue, urging that the government show respect for India's democratic processes by ensuring that the proposal is thoroughly debated and evaluated in a transparent, national discussion. Nagpur : , Dec 17 (IANS) Continuing to take potshots at the government, Maharashtra Congress President Nana F. Patole claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is attempting to 'murder' the Indian democratic system through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), here on Tuesday. Speaking to the media, Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not utilised for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought here from Gujarat. "There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are sitting on the board of directors of the companies manufacturing EVMs. The EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha polls were not used for the state Assembly polls and for this, the EVMs were sent from Gujarat," contended Patole. He again slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI) for "failing to exercise its constitutional powers" and alleged that all its operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, "thus revealing their (ECI's) mindset" though the government and ECI have rubbished all anti-EVM allegations. Taking a swipe at the One Nation-One Election, Patole added that the BJP-RSS' machinations to end the country's democracy are evident by the 'One Nation, One Election' bill brought before Parliament on Tuesday. Earlier, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators continued their strong protests for the second day against EVMs, the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Parbhani Dalit man Somnath Vyankat Suryawanshi in judicial custody, and the killing of a Beed Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. The MVA legislators of Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP) raised slogans and carried placards condemning the MahaYuti government, targeted the police for alleged atrocities in Parbhani and protecting the culprits in the Beed case, plus sought action against the officials concerned in both matters. Amid the growing clamour from the Opposition, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the Assembly. Dubai, Dec 17 : South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, has been reprimanded for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing Test match against England in Bloemfontein and has been penalised with one demerit point. "Wolvaardt was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the Code, which concerns showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an International Match," the ICC said in a statement. Dubai, Dec 17 (IANS) South Africa captain, Laura Wolvaardt, has been reprimanded for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing Test match against England in Bloemfontein and has been penalised with one demerit point. "Wolvaardt was found guilty of violating Article 2.8 of the Code, which concerns showing dissent at an umpireas decision during an International Match," the ICC said in a statement. The breach occurred during the 45th over of South Africaas first innings on Monday when Wolvaardt expressed frustration after being adjudged LBW by the on-field umpires. As a result of the offence, one demerit point has been added to Wolvaardtas disciplinary record. This is her first offence in a 24-month period. The charge was levied by on-field umpires Lauren Agenbag and Kerrin Klaaste, with support from third umpire Bongani Jele and fourth umpire Siphelele Gasa. Wolvaardt admitted to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, which was issued by Shandre Fritz, a member of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. No formal hearing was deemed necessary. Under Level 1 breaches, the penalties range from an official reprimand to a maximum fine of 50 percent of the player's match fee, in addition to one or two demerit points. Photo: president.gov.ua Ukrainian communities can and should become another channel of influence on Ukraine's partners in order to increase the allocated support, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday. "It is important that communities work with other communities in Europe and the United States. Decentralization reform in Ukraine is only gaining momentum, (whereas) all over the world, in the USA, local authorities are very strong And they have a strong influence on the central government in the United States. The more you communicate, have common projects, convey the real details of what is happening in Ukraine, neither in chatter nor in the media space, but in reality, as they say, on the ground, the more these communities will influence the White House," the president said. According to him, communities should emphasize the need for schools and kindergartens, agricultural farms and the protection of their air defenses. "The work of the communities is important. The communities are exerting pressure inside their countries," Zelenskyy summed up. He recalled that the United States, as the largest donor to Ukraine, decided to allocate $177 billion, half of which came in the form of weapons, but many of these funds have not yet reached Ukraine, and communities should convey to their partners the need for practical allocation of this assistance. Belagavi, Dec 17 : Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Tuesday that holding pharmaceutical companies accountable has proven to be difficult, emphasising that it needs to be tackled through national-level legislation. "I want to convey that drug-related laws are not strong. There is no history of action being taken against pharmaceutical companies," said the minister on the floor of the Legislative Council while addressing the series of maternal deaths which occurred at the Ballari hospital. He highlighted that many drugs have failed due to substandard quality, but holding pharmaceutical companies accountable has proven difficult. "This issue needs to be seriously discussed at the national level. If quality medicines are not manufactured, it will have serious implications for people," Rao stated. Substandard drugs can result in fatalities and ineffective treatment of diseases. Most drug manufacturing companies are based in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. They receive support from the administration, and in order to protect their reputation, pharmaceutical companies are granted immunity, Rao alleged. He further claimed that pharmaceutical companies are shielded from regulatory laws and protected by the courts. "Some drug manufacturers have one standard for medicines exported to foreign countries and a different, lower standard for medicines distributed in India," Rao pointed out. "There should be no differentiation in drug quality, whether they are meant for export or for the poor in India. Quality should not be compromised. The system currently fails to ensure this," the Minister emphasised. He added that the Drug Control Department wrote a letter regarding the certification of drug quality, but the state laboratory reported otherwise. "We cannot dispute the findings of accredited national labs and must accept their reports. The batch of medicines was tested five times before being supplied to the Ballari hospital," he said He also pointed out that all laboratories declared the medicine as compliant. However, questions have arisen regarding the management and functioning of nationally accredited labs. "A team has been formed to investigate this issue, and a report is awaited," he said. Minister Rao insisted that there should be no attempt to cover up such cases. "This is a systemic failure. Similar incidents have occurred nationwide. Initial steps are taken, but the issue is later forgotten. This should not happen. It needs to be discussed at the national level, and systemic flaws must be addressed in light of this tragedy," he urged. He said that following visits by teams from the state government, the Drug Control of India, and the West Bengal government to the pharmaceutical company in question, concerns were raised about the manufacturing process. "A stop-production notice has been issued to the company, halting all drug manufacturing activities," Rao informed. "The manufacturer should not be allowed to make such mistakes. The Food Control Department and the Drug Control Department will now be monitored by an IAS officer in the state," he stated. "We should not tolerate such incidents in any form. This is the current state of the system in our country. In Maharashtra, a company supplied antibiotics containing spurious powder," he reiterated. "The pharmaceutical lobby is huge in our country and has strong influence at the central government level. Regulatory laws are not effectively enforced. Our country needs a system to ensure that only quality drugs are produced. We should strive towards this goal," Rao asserted. "The Development Commissioner has been instructed to provide a comprehensive report on the maternal death tragedy. Strict orders have been given to investigate each maternal death case in the state, and a maternal death audit is being conducted," he announced. Addressing the maternal deaths, Rao explained, "The incidents in Ballari District Hospital occurred on November 9, 10, and 11. A total of 34 cesarean surgeries were performed, of which seven cases turned critical. Tragically, five women died after delivery, while two recovered and were discharged." The incident came to the government's attention on November 13, prompting the immediate dispatch of a team to investigate. Rao noted that over 2,000 deliveries had been conducted at the Ballari hospital previously, with no reported deaths. An expert team of doctors visited the hospital on November 14 and submitted a report two days later. The report stated that local doctors had not shown negligence or dereliction of duty and that due procedures and protocols were followed. Minister Rao emphasised that such incidents should not be tolerated. "We must consider the consequences of a mother's death in a family due to the negligence of a manufacturer or any other reason," he pointed out. "We are taking action against laboratories for providing false reports. Pharmaceutical companies must not supply substandard medicines. The system must ensure this and prevent companies from risking lives. Another drug from the same company has also failed quality tests," he revealed. "All necessary action must be taken against the Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals company, which supplied substandard medicines. We do not know how many other companies are operating similarly. The issue came to light only because of the series of deaths in Ballari. If deaths occur in different locations, they might go unnoticed due to inefficient reporting mechanisms," Minister Rao concluded. Seoul, Dec 17 : South Korea's Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who served as the chief commander during President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law, was arrested on Tuesday, prosecutors said. Park was arrested on a court-issued warrant on charges of playing a key role in an insurrection and abuse of power. He became the fifth key figure who was arrested over Yoon's December 3 failed bid to impose martial law. So far, former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Lt Gen Yeo In-hyung, head of the Defence Counterintelligence Command, Lt Gen Kwak Jong-keun, head of the Army Special Warfare Command, and Lt Gen Lee Jin-woo, head of the Capital Defence Command, have been arrested. On December 9, South Korean prosecutors investigating alleged treason following President Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition questioned Gen Park, who had been named to lead the martial law command. Park was grilled by prosecutors as a witness at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for about eight hours from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. on December 9. Prosecutors have called in Park and other military leaders who were under the command of former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun during martial law enforcement on December 3 before planning to request an arrest warrant for Kim on treason and abuse of power charges. Kim, who was put under emergency detention on December 6, was a central figure in Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration that lasted six hours before being withdrawn due to a National Assembly vote against it. Park told a National Assembly session on December 5 that he was not aware of the martial law declaration in advance. Prosecutors reportedly asked the Army Chief what instructions and orders he received from whom before and after the martial law declaration and what roles he played in the process of distributing the martial law proclamation and deploying martial law troops. On December 14, 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. Madrid, Dec 17 : Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jennifer Shipley called for revitalising multilateralism and global collaboration, reforming international institutions to address growing global challenges. "The institutional framework of multilateralism is fragile. While it served the world well, it does need both reform and commitment," Shipley said on the sidelines of the 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum held last week in Madrid, Spain. Shipley emphasised the fragility of current multilateral frameworks and stressed the need for nations to commit to strengthening these systems. "Global mechanisms must be alive and relevant," she said. Shipley pointed to trade as a key area where multilateral cooperation is critical, urging nations to prioritise dialogue over unilateral actions. "If there is conflict, there has to be a space to find resolution, and the WTO is not functioning as it should," she said, calling for leadership, reform, and revitalisation of the global trade institution, Xinhua news agency reported. On the ongoing disputes between the European Union and China over Electric Vehicles (EVs), Shipley slammed protectionist policies from the region, which she said hinder progress in addressing climate change. She cited New Zealand's openness to Chinese EVs as an example of how competition and collaboration can benefit consumers and the planet. "At a moment where we are trying to reduce emissions worldwide, it is stupidity not to allow EVs that are accessible to citizens to flow freely," she said, adding that protectionist measures delay necessary transitions to competitive markets and harm consumer interests. "Why would European car users want to pay more for their cars when there is an equal quality if not better in terms of choice?" she said. Addressing rising uncertainties of potential global "trade wars," Shipley urged major economies to avoid protectionism. "We must avoid a trade war at all costs. No one wins a trade war; no one wins almost any war," she said. "I believe in inclusion, I believe in open trade, I welcome China's ongoing commitment to opening up further and to global trade commitments," she added. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," PM Modi posted on his X handle on Tuesday. Expressing confidence in France's recovery efforts, he said: "I am confident that under President Emmanuel Macronas leadership, France will overcome this tragedy with resilience and resolve. India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance." President Macron is expected to visit Mayotte in the coming days and has declared a period of national mourning. "I will be travelling to Mayotte in the coming days to support our fellow citizens, civil servants, and emergency services mobilized. This is about dealing with emergencies and preparing for the future. Faced with this tragedy, which is upsetting us all, I will declare national mourning," he announced on X on Monday night. Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 13 night, brought wind speeds of 200 kph, causing the strongest storm in over 90 years to hit the islands. The cyclone has claimed 22 lives so far, left more than 1,400 injured, and affected nearly 70 per cent of the population. Widespread destruction has been reported, including damage to houses, government buildings, and a hospital. Mayotte's main airport has been closed to civilian flights due to extensive damage, with only military aircraft operating for relief efforts. France has dispatched rescue teams and medical personnel to the island, while residents line up outside grocery stores in search of water and essential supplies. The cyclone also caused extensive damage to neighbouring Madagascar and later made landfall in Mozambique on the African mainland late Sunday. However, Mayotte, located directly in the cyclone's path, remains the worst affected. Bengaluru, Dec 17 : The Karnataka Police Department has announced that it will file an appeal petition in the Supreme Court challenging the bail granted to Kannada actor Darshan in the fan murder case. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B. Dayanand stated, "In connection with the Renukaswamy murder case, the police department is preparing to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the bail granted to the accused by the High Court." "We are sending a proposal to the government in this regard and are in the process of filing an appeal petition," he added. Sources stated that following the instructions from the Home Ministry, the police department has already got the charge sheet against Darshan translated into English and the copy is ready to be submitted to the Supreme Court. The Karnataka High Court last Friday granted bail to Kannada superstar Darshan and his partner Pavithra Gowda in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. Darshan was released from prison on October 30 on interim bail after spending 131 days in jail. The actor is presently being treated for severe back pain at the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru. Darshan's partner and actress Pavithra Gowda (33) was released on bail from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with her despite being married. Reacting to the bail granted to the Kannada superstar and others accused in a sensational fan murder case, victim Renukaswamy's father, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar had said that he is confident that the bail granted to actor Darshan will be challenged in the Supreme Court. Speaking to the media, Kashinathaiah Shivanagoudar said in Chitradurga: "I have full faith in the judicial system. I came to know about the bail granted to Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the other accused. I believe that after the court trial is completed, justice will prevail." "The accused may have been granted bail temporarily, but I trust the judicial system will ensure they receive the appropriate punishment." Kolkata, Dec 17 : Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) showed Sujay Krishna Bhadra, a prime accused in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job case in West Bengal as arrested on Tuesday and presented him online at a special court in Kolkata. On December 6, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta Court granted conditional bail to Bhadra in the case registered in the matter against him, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe in the school job case. After getting bail in the case registered by ED, Bhadra approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail in apprehending his arrest by CBI. However, on December 16, the division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth rejected his plea for anticipatory bail plea by Bhadra's counsel. Earlier, Bhadra skipped the appearance thrice and hence CBI was unable to show him as arrested, since unless an accused is presented at any court through production warrant, he or she cannot be shown as arrested. However, on Tuesday CBI ensured his online presence following which the central agency officials could finally show him as arrested. On Monday, the judge of the special court made a significant observation about the event of Bhadra skipping the appearances at the court. "I will see to it how his physical presence at the court can be ensured. Since the very first day, the CBI has been seeking his custody. But that was not possible because he could not be physically presented to the court. But the CBI cannot be held responsible for what has happened during the last few days. The court is watching everything," the judge of the special court observed. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The first year of the BJP government in Rajasthan has served as a strong foundation for many more years of development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday while inaugurating projects worth over Rs 46,300 crore. PM Modi said the government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has made efforts to strengthen the heritage of good governance in the last one year and taken decisions for the development of the poor families, women, labourers, Vishwakarmas and nomadic tribes. He noted that the governments at the Centre and the State were rapidly implementing infrastructure projects on the ground by swiftly fulfilling promises, and Tuesday's programme was a significant part of this commitment. The 24 projects inaugurated or whose foundation stone laid on Tuesday were related to Energy, Roads, Railways and Water, including the interlinking of 11 rivers in the state. PM Modi added that Tuesdayas event not just marked the completion of one year of the government, but also symbolised the radiating brightness of Rajasthan and a festival of development in the desert state. Highlighting maladies like paper leaks and employment scams as the legacy of the previous government, PM Modi said the youth had suffered a lot in the past but now the process of ironing out the issues had been initiated by the incumbent government. Lauding CM Sharma and his team for efforts to give a new direction and pace to development works, the PM said the BJP government in Rajasthan had created thousands of job opportunities in the last one year. Recalling his recent visit to the Rising Rajasthan Summit 2024, PM Modi remarked that many investors spanning across the globe were present at the event. The Prime Minister said under the BJP government, job examinations were being conducted in the state with complete transparency as well as appointments were also being made. PM Modi said earlier people of Rajasthan had to pay more for petrol and diesel as compared to other states but the current government has offered them relief. He also reminded people that the Centre now directly credits money to the bank accounts of farmers through PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and the state Government adds additional funds to support farmers. Highlighting the delay in the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), PM Modi said that his government believed in cooperation and solutions as against opposition and obstacles. He added that his government has approved and expanded the ERCP. PM Modi highlighted that as soon as BJP governments were formed in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, an agreement was reached on the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project, which would interlink the Chambal River and its tributaries, including Parbati, Kalisindh, Kuno, Banas, Banas, Ruparel, Gambhiri, and Mej rivers. The PM said he envisions a day when Rajasthan will no longer face water scarcity. Talking about the benefits of the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal project, PM Modi said it will provide irrigation and drinking water to 21 districts in Rajasthan while accelerating the development of both Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. New Delhi, Dec 17 : There has been a close to six-fold increase in the budget allocation for the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from Rs 21,933.50 crore during 2013-14 to Rs 122,528.77 crore in 2024-25, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The major schemes being implemented for farmersa welfare include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmersa Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, said in a written reply in the Lower House. He further stated that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has released a compilation of success stories of 75,000 farmers who have increased their income more than two times through the convergence of schemes being operated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmersa Welfare and allied ministries. The minister explained that AIF was launched to address the existing infrastructure gaps and mobilise investment in agriculture. AIF is a medium to long-term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and viable farming assets, through interest subvention and credit guarantee support. The Union Cabinet approved the progressive expansion of the AIF by expanding the scope of eligible projects. This includes allowing individual eligible beneficiaries for creation of infrastructure covered under aviable projects for building community farming assetsa, integrated processing projects and convergence of PM KUSUM aAa. Key projects approved under AIF are 18,606 custom hiring centres, 16,276 primary processing units, 13,724 warehouses, 3,102 sorting and grading units, 1,909 cold storage projects and around 21,394 other types of post-harvest management projects and community agricultural assets, he added. The minister explained that farming being a State Subject, the State Governments take appropriate measures for the development of agriculture. However, the Government of India supports the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures, budgetary allocation and various schemes. The various schemes of the Centre are meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to them. Strategies for increasing farmer incomes include improving crop productivity, reducing cost of production, agricultural diversification, adaptation to climate change for sustainable farming and compensation of losses. Various reforms and policies focus on higher income for farmers by modernising and rationalising use of inputs, to decrease cost, increasing production, remunerative returns, income support and old age security, he added. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Infrastructure development is one of the crucial agenda for the government and we have to make the technology economically viable and safe, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said on Tuesday. In his address at an Assocham event in the national capital, the minister said developments in the field of water, power, transport and communication, are very important for our country because by creating such infrastructure, we can also create immense employment opportunities. aUnder the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, developing road infrastructure and tunnels has a huge potential for auto investment and development in this area. Regarding bridges and tunnels, these are very crucial work, and our objective is to reduce the cost without compromising with the quality," said Gadkari. He said there are a lot of tunnels not only in the road and highways sector but also in the railway network. aThe issue of importing machinery from China is very difficult. Need different types of machinery. Reducing the cost is the need of the world," the minister stated. One of the key tunnel projects in India is the Zojila Tunnel, which is 14.2 km and costs Rs 6,500 crore, while 55 per cent of overall physical progress is completed. "This is one of Asiaas most important and longest tunnels at an altitude of about 9,800 feet under Zojila Pass," said Gadkari. In a move to bolster the highway network across the country, the government is planning to build 74 new tunnels at a projected expense of Rs 1 lakh crore over the next few years. The government has already completed 35 tunnels spanning 49 km at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore, and now plans to build new tunnels stretching 273 km. In March this year, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the strategically crucial Sela Tunnel, constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the worldas longest bi-lane tunnel at 13,000 feet. In July, PM Modi launched the construction of the twin-tube 4.1-km-long Shinkun la Tunnel on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road to provide round-the-clock connectivity to the northern borders with China. Meanwhile, the Atal Tunnel was inaugurated by PM Modi on October 3, 2020. The Atal tunnel was completed after 10 years of sheer hard work by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) with an outlay of over Rs 3,200 crore. Chandigarh, Dec 17 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday released 25 white-backed vultures in nature from the Jatayu Conservation Centre, near Beed Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary in Pinjore in Panchkula district. Speaking at a function on the occasion of vulture releasing, he said that last month 404 vulture chicks were born at the centre which is equipped with eight nursery aviaries, six colony aviaries, eight holding aviaries, two display aviaries, four hospital aviaries and eight breeding aviaries. The centre is home to 378 vultures. He said the state has given special attention to the protection of the endangered vulture species. To support this initiative, a Jatayu conservation and breeding centre has been established in Pinjore. Saini said in the 1990s the vulture population was in the crores, but it gradually decreased to lakhs. The primary cause of this decline was the use of diclofenac injections in livestock. "When vultures consumed the carcasses of these animals, the residual effects of the drug began to harm the vultures, pushing the species to the brink of extinction." The Chief Minister said for vulture conservation the Bombay Natural History Society entered into an agreement with the state government and took on the mission of increasing the vulture population in Pinjore through both natural and artificial breeding methods. "Today, this centre is not only the largest of its kind in the country but also in Asia. The centre houses 97 white-backed vultures, 219 long-beaked vultures, and 62 thin-beaked vultures." The Chief Minister praised the efforts of the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre team, urging them to extend their conservation work to sparrows as well. He assured the government would provide support for this initiative. During the event, a short film showcasing the Pinjore Vulture Reserve and the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Center was also screened. On Wednesday, December 18, at 12.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference titled "Fight against domestic violence - myth or real steps? How the capital implements measures aimed at building a society free of violence," dedicated to analysing the implementation of the first City Target program in Ukraine to prevent and combat violence in the capital. Participants: Director of the Kyiv City Center for Gender Equality, Prevention and Counteraction to Violence Tetiana Zotova; Deputy Director of the Kyiv City Center for Gender Equality, Prevention and Counteraction to Violence for Gender Issues and Domestic Violence Viktoria Lendel; Head of the Kyiv City Center for Gender Equality, Prevention and Counteraction to Violence for Crisis Response Rooms Lidia Kozub; Head of Shelter of the Kyiv City Center for Gender Equality, Prevention and Counteraction to Violence Vitalina Bahlai (8/5a Reitarska Street). The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel. Media accreditation by phone: (063) 298 3500 (Viktoria Lendel). New Delhi, Dec 17 : Acknowledging the contribution of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in the holistic development of the city, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena on Tuesday honoured officials of the agency for their role in the successful conduct of the G20 Summit last year. In his maiden visit to the DDA Head Office since taking charge as Chairman of DDA, L-G Saxena highlighted the remarkable contributions of the Authority in the recent past which has transformed its image. These include preparing Delhi to host global dignitaries during the G20 Summit, rejuvenating the Yamuna, creating recreational green spaces like Baansera and Asita for public use, and restoring significant historical landmarks such as Vasudev Ghat, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, and St. James Church. Baansera, located at Sarai Kale Khan on the western bank of the Yamuna, is a green zone developed as the Capital's first bamboo-themed public space. Spread over an area of 12-15 hectares, Baansera falls within the 163 hectares of the Kalindi Aviral project and aims to restore and rejuvenate the floodplains of the Yamuna. The L-G also remotely inaugurated DDA's Housing kiosk at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station to provide help to home buyers. He also distributed appreciation certificates to the DDA officers who played a critical role in the successful execution of the G20 Summit, recognising their dedication and hard work. On the occasion, the L-G also paid floral tribute to M. Visvesvaraya on the premises of the DDA office, Vikas Sadan. He encouraged Team DDA to think more in the direction of benefiting the public by creating spaces that prioritise convenience, enhance amenities, and make Delhi's infrastructure more urbanised, including the development of villages under Dilli Gramodaya Abhiyan. Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, he urged the development of more green spaces and contributing to a greener and more verdant cityscape. He said that DDA employees are doing commendable work by organising PM Uday camps on weekends. "This has generated a positive atmosphere and thousands are coming to these camps for getting ownership rights of their properties in unauthorised colonies of Delhi," he said. Mumbai, Dec 17 : Filmmaker-actor Ashutosh Gowariker, who is celebrating 20 years of his directorial 'Swades', has said that the film was born from his desire to explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and social responsibility. The film featured Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role of a NASA scientist. It's music was scored by Oscar and Grammy-winning composer A. R. Rahman with lyrics furnished by Javed Akhtar. Ashutosh Gowariker said, "Twenty years ago, we embarked on this journey with 'Swades,' a film born from a deep-seated desire to explore the complexities of identity, belonging, and social responsibility. To see how 'Swades' continues to resonate with audiences today, to witness its enduring impact on their lives, is truly humbling. It's a reminder of the power of cinema to transcend time and connect with people on a profound level". 'Swades' is celebrated as a cult classic, a film that was ahead of its time and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. It is widely regarded as one of Shah Rukh Khan's finest performances, portraying the journey of an NRI who returns to India to find his roots and make a difference in his homeland. Producer Sunita Gowariker said, "Looking back on 'Swades', our first film, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude. It was a journey of discovery, not just for the characters on screen, but for us as filmmakers. We learned so much about the power of storytelling to inspire change and ignite conversations about social responsibility. I thank every single person who contributed to this film, from the Actors and HOD's to the Crew members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes". The film was produced by Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Pvt Ltd. 'Swades' has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and continues to inspire generations with its powerful message of self-discovery and social responsibility. Patiala, Dec 17 : BJP leader and President of the Mahila Morcha Punjab, Jai Inder Kaur, on Tuesday condemned the Aam Aadmi Party's five poll guarantees for the local Municipal Corporation elections and termed them as new packaging, old contents. "The Aam Aadmi Party is nothing but just a party filled with lies and fake promises. Before the Vidhan Sabha elections also they had given a guarantee to the women of Punjab that they would give every woman Rs 1000 per month, it's been nearly three years and they have completely failed to fulfil their guarantee," she said. "Now yet again the party's state president Aman Arora came to Patiala yesterday to give five new guarantees to the people of Patiala. But he failed to mention that work on the project of these so-called guarantees that he gave is already underway and is being done by the BJP-led Central government." His first promise of 50 new e-buses isn't a project of the Punjab government, it's a Centre project and has already been sanctioned in July for Patiala under the PM-eBus Sewa scheme, Kaur said, adding, "The major chunk of the payment on this project is also being done by the Central government." "So, the AAP should tell the people the truth instead of just playing public relations politics." She said: "He also claimed the four-laning work of the Sirhind road as another guarantee, which again is being done by the Centre government and was approved after a lot of hard work of former MP Preneet Kaur because the Punjab government was refusing to pay its share for land acquisition." "Similarly, the round-the-clock canal-based drinking water project for Patiala was a brainchild of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and was initiated by him with the aid of the Central government." The work of that project should have been completed by now if the AAP government wouldn't have stalled it purposefully for its electoral gain, she said. The work of clearing the dumping ground of Patiala was also stopped by the current AAP government even though the funds were already sanctioned by the previous Captain Amarinder Singh government and half the work was already completed, she added. 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. Ranchi, Dec 17 : Jharkhand's centuries-old traditional musical instrument, Mandar, is on the verge of receiving a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, with the final hearing scheduled for December 20 before the Registrar of Geographical Indications, Government of India. Mandar holds a special place in Jharkhand's cultural heritage, serving as the primary instrument played during festivals, crop celebrations, religious rituals, and cultural events. It is deeply integrated into the lives of both tribal and non-tribal communities, having been used for centuries in various dance and song performances. Securing the GI tag will not only provide formal recognition but also present Mandar as a unique cultural and intellectual property of India on the global stage. Currently, Jharkhand has only one GI tag, awarded in 2021 to Sohrai paintings from Hazaribagh district. The claim for the GI tag was filed in 2023 on behalf of Mandar by the Mandar Producer Company of Jarjatta village, located in the Raidih block of Gumla district. This initiative was spearheaded by the then Deputy Commissioner of Gumla, Sushant Gaurav, and is now being closely monitored by the current Deputy Commissioner, Karna Satyarthi. Sources indicate that Jharkhand's claim has so far met most of the required parameters during previous hearings. Nandlal Nayak, a renowned folk artist from Jharkhand highlighted the uniqueness of Mandar, stating that no similar replica has been found in any other region or country. Jarjatta village, known for its expertise in crafting Mandar, has been associated with its production since ancient times. Today, the fourth generation of 22 families in the village continues this traditional craft. The Mandar is a percussion instrument characterised by its distinctive cylindrical shape made from red clay, which slightly bulges in the middle. The structure is hollow, with its openings covered by leather on both sides. The right opening is smaller, while the left is larger. The leather coverings are secured using braided cords. A special coating, known as Kiran, is applied to the smaller opening, giving Mandar its resonant and unique sound. When played, the musician often moves rhythmically, carrying the instrument using a rope slung over the shoulder. If granted the GI tag, Mandar will not only bolster Jharkhand's cultural identity but also create opportunities for its preservation and global promotion. Guwahati, Dec 17 : In response to petitions filed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Gauhati High Court on Tuesday quashed the Assam government's SOP of the previous year which had allowed buffalo and bulbul bird fights during a certain time of the year (in January). The petition was heard by Justice Devashis Baruah in the Gauhati High Court. The Court accepted PETA India's argument that the buffalo and bulbul fights violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and that the bulbul fights additionally violate the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The Court further held the SOP to be in violation of the judgment dated 7 May 2014 passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Animal Welfare Board of India vs. A. Nagaraja. As evidence, PETA India had submitted investigations into these fights which revealed that terrified and severely injured buffaloes were forced to fight through beatings and that starved and intoxicated bulbuls were made to fight over food. PETA India had also submitted numerous examples of fights being held illegally, outside the dates allowed via the SOP, arguing that allowing the fights at any time of the year was resulting in enormous animal abuse. "Buffaloes and bulbuls are gentle animals who feel pain and terror and do not want to be forced into bloody fights in front of jeering crowds," said PETA India Lead Legal Counsel, Arunima Kedia. "PETA India is grateful to the Gauhati High Court for prohibiting cruelty to animals in the form of fights which are clear violations of central law and supreme court orders." PETA India's petition to the High Court pointed out that the buffalo and bulbul fights violate the Constitution of India; The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; and judgements of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, including in Animal Welfare Board of India vs A Nagaraja. PETA India also notes that such fights are inherently cruel, cause immeasurable pain and suffering to the animals forced to participate, and contradict the tenets of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion, which are integral to Indian culture and tradition. In a statement, the animal protection group claimed: "An investigation into a buffalo fight held in Ahatguri in the Morigaon district of Assam on 16 January by PETA India revealed that to instigate buffaloes to fight, owners slapped, pushed, and shoved them; jabbed and struck them with wooden sticks; and pulled them by their nose-ropes to force them to approach one another. When fights were underway, some owners and handlers jabbed the buffaloes with sticks and whacked them with bare hands to cause them further distress. The buffaloes locked horns and fought, sustaining bloody wounds to their necks, ears, faces, and foreheads many had injuries all over their body. The fights lasted until one of the two buffaloes broke away and fled." "An investigation conducted into a bulbul bird fight held in Hajo in Assam on 15 January revealed that red-vented bulbuls who are protected under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 were illegally captured and incited, against their natural instincts, to fight over food. It is reportedly said that the birds are captured several days before the fight. Capturing protected wild birds is considered a form of hunting and is illegal," it added. New Delhi, Dec 17 : As many as 2.68 crore houses have been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) as of 13th December this year out of which 72.66 lakh are solely in the name of women and 1.22 crore jointly in the name of wife and husband. This takes the total number of houses owned by women to 1.95 crore or 73 per cent of all the completed houses under PMAY-G, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. The PMAY-G guidelines provide sanctioning of the house in the names of women, or jointly with their husbands, Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said in a written reply in the Lower House. In order to ensure the empowerment of women, an advisory has been issued stating that all the houses under PMAY-G should include names of women members of the household in sanction ownership details (either solely or in joint ownership) and that the female member(s) may be added as secondary owner in the sanction letters where the initial sanction has already been given in the name of the male member, the minister explained. In order to achieve the target of "Housing for All" in rural areas, the Ministry of Rural Development is implementing Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G) with effect from 1st April 2016 to provide assistance to eligible rural households with the cumulative target to construct 4.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities by March 2029, the minister said. A total target of 3.33 crore houses has been allotted to the States and UTs, out of which 3.22 crore houses have been sanctioned and more than 2.68 crore houses have been completed, the minister said. Further, women beneficiaries of PMAY-G are associated with Self Help Groups (SHG) for livelihood and employment opportunities. The minister further said that the DAY-NRLM scheme assists Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in obtaining loans from Banks. Members of these SHGs utilise such loans for a variety of purposes, including the promotion of their businesses. Since the inception of this Mission, a total of 9.74 lakh crore in bank loans has been disbursed to women-led SHGs. Further, the DAY-NRLM has mobilised 10.05 crore rural households into 90.87 lakh SHGs in the country. Amritsar, Dec 17 : Punjab Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, on Tuesday visited the city and directed officers to take strict action against the perpetrators of the attack on a police station. The visit came a few hours after an incident reported at Amritsar's Islamabad police station at around 3 A.M. Chairing a high-level meeting, the DGP emphasised the need for officers to use both technical and human intelligence to detect and apprehend those responsible for the attack. He asked the officers to identify common trends and patterns in such heinous crimes and conduct investigations in a scientific manner, utilising all the technical and forensic tools for detection of crimes to ensure conviction of the accused. The meeting was attended by Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ferozepur Range Ranjit Singh Dhillon, DIG (Border Range) Satinder Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Charanjit Singh. DGP Yadav also reviewed the law and order situation of border districts and took stock of the progress achieved in previous attacks on police establishments. "All the previous cases of attacks on police establishments, including IED implants at the police station in Ajnala and hand grenade attack at a police post in Asron in Nawanshahr have been solved successfully and accused persons have been arrested," he said. In a separate meeting, the DGP addressed all SPs, DSPs and SHOs from border districts, including Commissionerate Police Amritsar, Amritsar Rural, Batala and Tarn Taran to brief them about the top priorities of the police. He directed the officers to intensify the fight against counter-terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and street crime. He also asked them to tackle such crimes professionally and ensure prompt registration of FIRs in such cases. He also encouraged police officers to act promptly on tips received via the newly-launched Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline '9779100200'. This helpline allows citizens to report drug traffickers anonymously. Kolkata, Dec 17 : A new bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday heard the bail plea by former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case and reserved its judgement. On November 20, a division bench of Justice Arijit Bandopadhya and Justice Apruba Sinha Roy delivered a split judgement on the bail petition by Chatterjee and eight others accused in the case. While Justice Bandopadhya pronounced in favour of bail for Chatterjee and eight others accused in the case, Justice Sinha Roy rejected the same for Chatterjee and four others. Thereafter the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice allotted the bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty to hear the matter, the detailed hearing for which was completed on Tuesday. The counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), since the beginning, has been opposing the bail plea for Chatterjee and four others on grounds that all these four accused are so influential that there are chances of tampering with the evidence and influencing the witnesses, if released on bail. The counsel also said that the trial process against them could not be conducted because of the lack of necessary approval from the state government which is required for state government employees. The CBI counsel also opposed the argument of the counsels of the accused that the clients should be granted bail considering their age, arguing that there is no legal logic behind granting bail to anyone because of their age. Two parallel cases are going on against the former state minister, one registered by the CBI and the other by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Chatterjee was arrested in July 2022 by the ED after huge amounts of cash and gold were recovered from the twin residences of his close aide Arpita Mukherjee. Since then, a solitary cell at Presidency Central Correctional Home became his abode and his bail petitions one after another were rejected at different courts. Mukherjee has been in judicial custody since then. Soon after his arrest, his Trinamool announced his removal from all administrative and organisational posts. The party even abolished the post of Secretary General, which was specially created to give Chatterjee a party rank somewhat equivalent to a national General Secretary. New Delhi, Dec 17 : The Delhi government has forwarded a proposal to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena mandating the use of energy-efficient air-conditioners, fans and other appliances compulsory in all its offices, officials said on Tuesday. The Opposition BJP called it a cosmetic step that was "too little, too late". New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) The Delhi government has forwarded a proposal to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena mandating the use of energy-efficient air-conditioners, fans and other appliances compulsory in all its offices, officials said on Tuesday. The Opposition BJP called it a cosmetic step that was "too little, too late". The proposal was moved under the initiative of Chief Minister Atishi, who also holds the power portfolio, said an official. The Chief Minister said the move will cut electricity bills of government buildings and also save crores of rupees, considering that the Delhi government annually pays Rs 1,900 crore in power bills for consuming over 2,000 million units of energy. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a new academic block at Government Girls Senior Secondary School in Mukundpur Village, Burari Assembly. On the occasion, Chief Minister Atishi remarked, "This magnificent block, built amidst the dense population and narrow lanes of Mukundpur Village, is even more impressive than private schools." She added, "Thanks to Arvind Kejriwalji's education revolution, today a poor child no longer remains poor. With quality education, they fulfil their dreams." Chief Minister Atishi further said, "From 1947 to 2015, Delhi's government schools saw the construction of 24,000 rooms. But in just 10 years, the AAP government has completed 65 years' worth of work, building over 22,000 rooms." After seeing the school's geography lab, Chief Minister Atishi said, "I studied in a big private school, but even there, they didn't have such facilities." "This building, with 36 rooms, is far better than any private school in this entire locality. You won't find classrooms or labs like these in private schools around here," she said. Chief Minister Atishi said, "With this new building, especially the girls from Mukundpur Village, who previously had to go to distant schools after Class 10, will benefit the most. Now, they won't have to travel far for their education." During the inauguration event, children welcomed Chief Minister Atishi with a tilak. Later, the school plaque was unveiled, and Chief Minister Atishi interacted with students presenting exhibitions before inspecting the school. Local MLA Sanjeev Jha was also present. In response to the AAP government's initiative for the use of green appliances in its offices, Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said it was a step taken too late. He said that the AAP government's proposal to replace electrical equipment in its offices after 10 years in power is a proposal far behind its time. "Today, Chief Minister Atishi introduced a plan to save electricity in government offices, a step delayed by a decade. However, similar initiatives have already been implemented in most major private sector institutions in Delhi," he said. The Delhi BJP Spokesperson pointed out that between 2007 and 2022, the BJP administration in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took further steps by installing solar power plants in numerous offices and schools. "This not only reduced electricity costs but also created a source of income," Kapoor said. In addition, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi reduced its electricity bills by two-thirds by converting its entire street light network to LED lights. Similarly, Delhi Police brought in cost-saving measures by connecting several police station buildings, offices, and traffic light networks to solar power. Kapoor also asked the Delhi government to clarify how many office buildings, schools, colleges, or hospital buildings had been made solar energy-efficient. Hyderabad, Dec 17 : Hyderabad police on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to Sandhya 70MM Theatre seeking its response on why its license should not be cancelled for negligence leading to the death of a woman during the premiers of "Pushpa 2: The Rule". Police Commissioner C. V. Anand issued a show cause notice to the theatre management after serious lapses were observed, leading to the stampede during the premiere show on December 4. The notice highlights the theatreas failure to manage crowd control, which tragically resulted in the death of a woman and left her 9-year-old son critically injured. The Commissioner of Police has directed Renuka Devi, the licensee of Sandhya 70MM Theatre, to explain why the cinematograph license granted should not be cancelled for failing to provide a safe and secure environment. The theatre management has been given 10 days to respond to the show cause notice. The notice mentions that on December 4 at around 9.40 p.m., a massive crowd gathered at the theatre as actor Allu Arjun and the filmas lead actress made an unannounced visit for the premiere. According to the notice, there was no prior intimation from the theatre management or the actoras team that they would be visiting the theatre. The theatre failed to make arrangements for crowd management. When the actoras private security team started pushing back the public, this aggravated the situation. A large number of people entered the lower balcony area along with the actor and his security team. There was no personnel to check whether people entering had valid tickets or not. Mogudampalli Revathi, 35, a resident of Dilsukhnagar, and her 9-year-old son Tej felt suffocated due to the large public influx. Police personnel on duty pulled them out, performed CPR and rushed them to Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital. Revathi was declared dead, and her son was later shifted to KIMS Hospital for further treatment, reads the notice. A case was registered at Chikkadpally Police Station under sections 105, 118(1) r/w 3(5) of the BNS Act. Police had arrested Allu Arjun on December 13. A city court had sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. However, Telangana High Court granted him interim bail the same day. The actor, who was listed as accused number 11 in the case, was released from jail the next morning. Three other accused in the case, who were arrested earlier, were also released on bail. The notice says that the theatre management failed to notify police about the arrival of lead actors, despite knowing it would attract large crowds. The other lapses identified include inadequate security and crowd control measures, including a single DFMD at entry with no frisking arrangements for women, lack of proper signage for entry and exit, leading to confusion, unauthorised installation of flexes, trusses, and lighting outside the theatre, encouraging large gatherings, unsatisfactory infrastructure, with the lower balcony gate unable to withstand the crowd pressure and lack of ticket verification system, allowing unauthorised entry and overcrowding. According to the notice, there were insufficient parking arrangements and a failure to manage crowds at the main gates. Private security personnel were allowed to block public passages, further aggravating the situation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijan's large-scale reforms in the customs sector are facilitating the country's integration into the global economic community, said Sahil Babayev, the countrys Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, at the customs business forum in Baku, Trend reports. Babayev emphasized that the successful implementation of customs reforms, along with the introduction of modern technologies, is contributing to the development of the national economy. "Azerbaijans large-scale reforms in the customs sector, the positive experiences achieved, and the integration of modern technologies are driving the development of our country's economy, bolstering the entrepreneurial class, and integrating Azerbaijan into the global economic community. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population highly values these achievements, as they directly impact the well-being of our citizens. Our main goal is to ensure a dignified life for every citizen of Azerbaijan, regardless of age, gender, category, or social status. The President has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that the well-being of our citizens is the foundation of Azerbaijan's state policy. One of the key areas to ensure this well-being is employment. Without addressing employment issues, no country can improve its standard of living. Employment provision is directly dependent on the active participation of business representatives, who are present at today's event. Despite the significant support from the state, resources are always limited, the minister said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Dec 17 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, replying to the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, lashed out at Congress-ruled governments from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi regimes and said that all the amendments were brought to serve one family's interests. In an unsparing attack, Amit Shah also took a caustic jibe at the Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. Without taking names, he said the 54-year-old leader calls himself a youth leader and brazenly brags from public forums that he will amend the Constitution. He said that the BJP ruled the country for a total of 16 years (6 years during Atal Bihari Vajpayee and 10 years under PM Modi) and brought 22 amendments to the Constitution while Congress in a period of 55 years effected 77 amendments. The Home Minister also dug out many 'illegitimate and unlawful' amendments during the past Congress governments and compared four constitutional amendments during the Congress and BJP dispensations, to 'expose' the intent and motives of Congress-led regimes. He said that both parties amended the Constitution but what differentiates the two is the intention and motive behind the amendment. Their amendments were driven by personal motives, while ours was guided by national interest. "The first amendment was brought on June 18, 1951, during Jawaharlal Nehru's government. 19 (A) was introduced in the Constitution to curb the freedom of expression of people. The twenty-fourth amendment was brought by the Indira Gandhi government on November 5, 1971, which gave Parliament 'unbridled' powers to curtail the fundamental principles of citizens," the Home Minister informed the House. He added, "The 39th amendment was brought on August 10, 1975, marking the dark chapter in Indian democracy. As Allahabad High Court had declared Indira's election as illegal, her government brought an amendment with retrospective effect to nullify the court verdict." "Under the 45th amendment, the Lok Sabha tenure was extended from five years to six years, fearing defeat in elections while the tenure of President's rule was extended by six months," he pointed out. He said that Congress governments brought many amendments but these four expose the mentality and motive of the party as all this was done to safeguard one family's interest and serve their personal agendas. The Home Minister further went to share four amendments brought under the BJP government, spotlighting the fact that all were brought for people's welfare. "Under the 101st amendment brought on July 1, 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was brought as part of the 'one nation-one tax' policy. This move brought parity in taxation across the country and benefitted crores of citizens," he said. "Under the 102nd amendment, the OBC commission was given constitutional status. Under the 103rd amendment (January 12, 2019), 10 per cent reservation was given to people from backward communities. The 106th amendment gave 33 per cent reservation to women by bringing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam," Amit Shah said. He added that when the women's reservation comes into effect and 33 per cent women MPs represent their constituency in the House, this will realise the dream and vision of our forefathers. Nagpur, Dec 17 : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will extend financial assistance of Rs 1,527 crore (USD 200 million) to speed up Phase II of the ongoing Nagpur Metro Rail Project, officials said on Tuesday. A MoU to the effect was signed between MahaMetro and ADB in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other high-ranking officials from both sides. Fadnavis said that Phase II of Nagpur Metro would further accelerate the development of Nagpur City and its surroundings. MahaMetro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar and ADB Director Mio Oka inked the MoU today. Phase II of Nagpur Metro will get a total funding of Rs 3,586 crore from the ADB and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Of this, the ADB will provide Rs 1,527 crore in Japanese Yen at a comparatively lower rate of interest on the loan, and the remaining Rs 2,059 crore shall be given by EIB, said the officials. Costing around Rs 6,600 crore, the NMRP Phase-II will cover a distance of Rs 43.8 km comprising four different routes, the officials added. They are: Khapri-MIDC ESR (18.5 kms), Automotive Square-Kanhan River (13 kms), Prajapati Nagar-Transport Nagar (5.6 kms) and Lokmanya Nagar-Hingna (6.7 kms). The MoU ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, MITRA CEO Pravin Pardeshi, MahaMetro Director Anilkumar Kokate, various departmental officials and those connected to the CMO. Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019, presently, the NMRP Phase-I, mostly elevated, is operational over 38.22 km with 38 stations, running 18.55 km (East-West Corridor, 20 stations) and 19.65 km (North-South Corridor with 18 stations) and two depots. Phase II will connect the satellite cities of Nagpur and prove a boon to over 10 lakh people residing in the region, including Kamptee, Butibori, Hingna and Kapsi, among others. The Kanhan route passes through Kamptee from where thousands commute to Nagpur daily for work and education, besides the presence of several big and small coal mines of Western Coalfields Ltd, some of the biggest industrial zones like Butibori, and around 750 other industries employing more than 50,000 people. Mumbai, Dec 17 : Comedian-actor Kapil Sharma has responded to the allegations of insulting producer-director Atlee on his streaming sketch comedy show 'The Great Indian Kapil Show'. The latest episode of the show, which featured Atlee, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan and actress Wamiqa Gabbi, caused a furore over Kapil allegedly mocking Atlee for his looks. Sharing a clip from the episode, one user on X wrote, "Kapil Sharma subtly insults Atlee's looks? Atlee responds like a boss: Don't judge by appearance, judge by the heart". Kapil responded to the same saying that he never spoke about the look during the episode. He wrote, "Dear sir, can you pls explain me where n when I talked about looks in this video ? pls don't spread hate on social media, thank you. (guys watch n decide by yourself, don't follow any body's tweet like a sheep)". Earlier, Varun, who is gearing up for his upcoming theatrical movie 'Baby John' produced by Atlee, pulled Kapil Sharma's leg as he made a reference to the infamous fight between Kapil and his fellow comedian-actor Sunil Grover. The promo of the series showed Sunil telling Varun, "You look like an original Baby John". Kapil chimed in as he told Sunil, "You're the duplicate. Everyone else is original here". Varun caught the beat and the pulse of the moment as he said, "I don't understand one thing. Whenever you're in the airport setting, why do you always fight?". Meanwhile, 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' revolves around Kapil Sharma and his team of comedians, including Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Krushna Abhishek and Rajiv Thakur. The format of the show is largely similar to his earlier shows as it is largely engineered for the mass audience on the streaming medium. The extravagant set of the play is a visual extravaganza, set against the backdrop of an opulent airport terminal. Archana Puran Singh is the permanent guest of the show. Chennai, Dec 17 : Tamil Nadu Police have arrested YouTuber and whistleblower 'Savukku' Shankar in a case related to the possession of ganja. Shankar was arrested in Chennai on Tuesday after the Special Court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases in Madurai issued a non-bailable warrant earlier in the day for his failure to appear for proceedings in the case. Sources said that the Theni district police seized 2.5 kilograms of ganja from Shankar in May this year during a search operation. The Palanichettipatti police in Theni district subsequently filed a case against him. A special team of Chennai police apprehended Shankar at his office in T. Nagar and held him at the Teynampet police station before handing him over to the Theni district police. Along with Shankar, three of his associates accused of supplying ganja were also arrested. On May 4, the Coimbatore police arrested him from Theni for allegedly making derogatory remarks about women police personnel and certain Madras High Court judges. These comments were reportedly made during an interview with the YouTube channel RedPix 24x7 on April 30. Multiple FIRs were filed against him across Tamil Nadu in connection with the statements. However, on August 9, the Madras High Court set aside the Chennai City Police Commissioner's order to detain Shankar under the Goondas Act and directed his immediate release unless he was required in other cases. During hearings related to Shankar's legal troubles, Supreme Court Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra questioned the Tamil Nadu government's persistence in pursuing him. "Why are you doing all this? This is the same matter where you are after this man. He comes out, and you immediately put him behind bars," the bench observed. Shankar's counsel argued that the journalist was "exercising his right to free speech" and that the state was "not prosecuting, but persecuting him." The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Tamil Nadu police not to take any coercive action against Shankar based on the FIRs, leading to his release in September 2024. Hyderabad, Dec 17 : The condition of nine-year-old Sri Tej, who was injured during a stampede at a theatre in Hyderabad during the premier show of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', remained critical. The boy remained in the Intensive Care Unit at KIMS Hospital. According to doctors, he was on mechanical ventilation with minimal support of oxygen and pressures. "His fever is reducing and on minimal inotropes, his vital parameters are stable. He is tolerating feeds well," said a statement from the hospital. "In view of static neurological status, tracheostomy is being planned to facilitate weaning from the ventilator," said doctors. Meanwhile, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner C. V. Anand and Telangana Government Health Secretary Dr. Christina visited KIMS Hospital on behalf of the Telangana Government to inquire about the health condition of Sri Tej who was injured in the stampede at Sandhya Theatre two weeks ago. Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner said that Sri Tej was brain-dead due to lack of breathing during the stampede and that it would take a long time to recover. He said that the doctors have informed him that the child is being treated with ventilator support and that the treatment is likely to be prolonged. Health Secretary Dr Christina said that they are monitoring the health condition of Shri Teja regularly and hope for his speedy recovery. The stampede occurred at Sandhya Theatre at RTC X Roads on December 4 during the premier show which was attended by the film's hero Allu Arjun. According to police, Mogudampalli Revathi (35) and her 9-year-old son Tej felt suffocated due to the large public influx in the theatre along with the actor. Police personnel on duty pulled them out, performed CPR and rushed them to a hospital where Revathi was declared dead. Police have booked theatre management, Allu Arjun and his team for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Police arrested Allu Arjun on December 13. A city court had sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. However, Telangana High Court granted him interim bail the same day. The actor, who was listed as accused number 11 in the case, was released from jail the next morning. Three other accused in the case, who were arrested earlier, were also released on bail. Hyderabad, Dec 17 : President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday for a five-day southern sojourn. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials accorded her a warm welcome at Hakimpet Air Force Station. She then drove to Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum in Secunderabad, where she will stay till December 21. Minister for Panchayat Raj Seethakka, Government Advisor Venugopal, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and other officials were present. Cyberabad and Hyderabad Police had imposed traffic restrictions at various points on the route from the Air Force Station to Rashtrapathi Nilayam. On December 18, the President will inaugurate/lay the foundation of various initiatives at Rashtrapati Nilayam. On December 20, she will present the Presidentas Colours to the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. The same evening, she will host an At Home Reception at Rashtrapati Nilayam for the dignitaries of the State, leading citizens, academics. The state government has made elaborate arrangements for the Presidentas stay. The forest department officials deputed snake catchers as the reptiles were spotted at Rashtrapati Nilayam in the past. On the direction of the Chief Secretary, a snake-catching team has been stationed round the clock in the Rashtrapati Nilayam. Similarly, special teams have been deputed to deal with the monkey menace in and around the Rashtrapati Nilayam in coordination with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). This is 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. Nagpur, Dec 17 : A pregnant woman delivered a healthy baby girl at the Central Railway (CR)'s Chalisgaon station in Jalgaon district, with prompt help from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawans, an official said on Tuesday. Nagpur, Dec 17 (IANS) A pregnant woman delivered a healthy baby girl at the Central Railway (CR)as Chalisgaon station in Jalgaon district, with prompt help from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawans, an official said on Tuesday. The happy incident took place when the woman passenger, whose identity was not provided, was travelling on the Igatpur-Bhusaval MEMU train. The Deputy Station Manager, Chalisgaon, got a call informing about a woman who had gone into labour pains on the train and asked to make suitable arrangements for her. A team of RPF jawans, including a woman Sub-Inspector, with assistance from other passengers, carefully de-trained the woman at Chalisgaon station. Coincidentally, a doctor on the same train also rushed to the womanas help and she safely delivered a female infant at the Chalisgaon station, as the people around cheered and rejoiced. Soon, they were rushed to the Chalisgaon Civil Hospital Trauma Care Centre for further medical care and now both mother and her baby are said to be in good health. The RPF, under aOperation Matrushaktia has been rendering all kinds of assistance to pregnant women in childbirth during such emergencies. They make provisions for medical facilities en route, at stations, rushing the concerned pregnant woman to the nearest hospital, arranging for other medical needs, informing the relatives, etc. This year, from January to November (2024), aOperation Matrushaktia helped out women passengers in 15 such emergency medical situations on different rains, including three each in the Mumbai and Pune divisions, one in the Nagpur division, and the highest eight in the Bhusawal division, said a CR official. Of these 15, eight were tackled successfully on railway premises alone, and the rest outside, serving as a testament to the RPFas dedication to protecting and assisting pregnant women at such critical times, besides ensuring the safety, and security of all passengers, rail properties and other assets within its jurisdiction. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Home Minister Amit Shah launched a blistering attack at the Congress party over its 'misadventures' and brazen attempts to amend the Constitution while also calling out its minority appeasement-driven policy. Concluding the Constitution debate in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, Amit Shah pulled no punches in slamming the 54-year-old 'young' Congress leader and also the party's 'befooling tactics' to mislead the voters during elections, thereby making a mockery of the Constitution. He said that the 'young leader', who roams around with a copy of the Constitution and brags about protecting it, carried a blank copy of the sacred book at one of the public gatherings. "The blank copy of the Constitution is the biggest fraud ever," the HM said and termed the claims of 'Constitution in danger' allegations, a political gimmick. Amit Shah also lambasted the Congress on multiple other issues including 'breaching the 50 per cent reservation mark' pledge, Article 370 and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He said that the Congress has always practised appeasement politics and used the Muslim community as a mere vote bank while it was the BJP government which abolished Triple Talaq and brought equality for Muslim mothers and sisters. Congress brought the Muslim personal law board and now promises to increase the quota limit above 50 per cent. It has a secret motive of taking away the rights of the backward and giving reservations to Muslim minorities. "BJP will never allow religion-based reservation in the country. Even if BJP is left with a single member in the House, it will not allow reservation on the basis of religion," said Shah, replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha. Coming down heavily on the Opposition over Article 370, he said that the critics said that blood would spill on the streets if this was revoked but today, the Valley is witnessing unprecedented growth and a spurt in businesses. "Leave aside stone-pelting, not even pebbles are being thrown after the abrogation of Article 370," Amit Shah said, eliciting cheers and applause from the treasury benches. The Home Minister also slammed the Congress-led INDIA bloc over its opposition to the Uniform Civil Code. He said that the BJP government doesn't act unilaterally and makes policy decisions with a larger consensus. He said that the Uttarakhand government has implemented UCC, however, the other BJP-ruled states haven't not followed suit yet as the feedback and assessments over the law will also be taken into account. Moscow, Dec 17 : Russia's Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence Forces chief, Lt General Igor Kirillov, was killed in a bomb blast in southeastern Moscow early on Tuesday, with top Russian leaders blaming Ukraine for the crime, reports said. Russian authorities reacted strongly to the incident, saying that he had constantly exposed the West's "crimes" in Ukraine and elsewhere. The blast occurred around 6 a.m. outside a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in southeastern Moscow as Kirillov and his aide were leaving the premises to board an official vehicle, RT reported. Russian investigators said an IED, containing TNT, was likely attached to an electric scooter near the building's entrance and was most probably detonated remotely, by a radio signal or mobile phone, it added, The blast shattered windows, damaged the building's entrance, and destroyed the vehicle. A criminal investigation under charges of murder, terrorism, and illegal weapons trafficking has been launched and Investigative Committee chief, Aleksandr Bastrykin, is personally supervising the case. Investigators suspect Ukrainian special services were behind the attack, as per daily Kommersant, citing Kirillov's regular military briefings, where he accused Kiev and the US of operating bio-laboratories and using chemical weapons. As per local media, the murder was carried out on the orders of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), which had termed Kirillov as an "absolutely legitimate target". Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Lt Gen Kirillov had "for years systematically and fearlessly exposed Western crimes involving chemical weapons" Throughout his career he had repeatedly exposed the crimes of the "Anglo-Americans" such as "NATO provocations with chemical weapons in Syria, Britain's manipulations with prohibited chemical substances and provocations in Salisbury and Amesbury, the deadly activities of American biolabs in Ukraine, and much more", she said. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, termed the attack Ukraine's "last agony". "With its last strength, it is trying to justify its worthless existence before its Western masters, to prolong the war and death, to justify the catastrophic situation at the front. Realising the inevitability of its military defeat, it is inflicting cowardly and vile blows in peaceful cities," he said. State Duma Defence Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov described Kirillov as a "worthy Russian general" and a "real officer", stating that had done "a lot to bring the US to justice," particularly with regard to Washington's activities in setting up laboratories around the world, including in Ukraine. He added that Kirillov's revelations have "caught too many people" and that he "wouldn't be surprised" if figures outside of Kiev also had a hand in his assassination. Kartapolov stressed that those who organised and carried out Kirillov's murder will be found and punished, "whoever they are and wherever they are". State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin also condemned Kirillov's assassination, stating that it once again highlights "the criminal nature of the Kiev regime". Coimbatore, Dec 17 : The 11th edition of the Yuva Kabaddi Series delivered yet another exhilarating day of action as Division 3 matches on Day 4 lived up to expectations at the Karpagam Academy of Higher Education in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday. The day saw two ties, dominant table-topping performances, and gripping finishes that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The day began with a 24-24 tie between Himalayan Tahrs and Konark Kings. Table-toppers Tahrs dominated early but faced a strong comeback from the Kings, who nearly snatched the win. Tahrs secured a tie with two last-minute points. Mayank Saini, coming on as a substitute, impressed with six raid points, while Mithun Singh and Lovepreet Singh added three tackle points each. For the Kings, Rajesh Dehury led the charge with five raid points, while their defense put in a collective effort to stay competitive. The second game produced another stalemate as Dehradun Dynamos and Vasco Vipers played out a 22-22 draw. Both teams stayed evenly matched throughout the contest. For the Dynamos, Subham Deshwal starred with nine raid points, while Prakash Jagwan contributed four tackle points. The Vipers saw Abhishek shine with nine raid points, and Jai Hind was a defensive rock, notching a High 5 with six tackle points. Himalayan Tahrs returned to action in their second game and reaffirmed their top position with a commanding 32-21 victory over Indore Invincibles. Mayank Saini, promoted to the starting lineup, delivered a stellar Super 10, amassing 15 raid points. Shivansh Thakur was brilliant in defense with six tackle points, while Raman Singh provided crucial support. For Indore, Ritik top-scored with nine points, but a lack of support let the team down. The fourth game of the day was a one-sided affair as Ladakh Wolves secured their first win of the tournament, defeating Ranchi Rangers 41-27. Sandeep Singh registered a Super 10, while substitute Rajan Singh Manhas starred in defense with a High 5. Despite Monu Kumar and Rahul Kumar also recording High 5s for Ranchi, their poor raiding performance cost them dearly, handing them a fourth consecutive defeat. The final game of the day provided a nail-biting finish. Tadoba Tigers clinched a thrilling 50-44 win over Chambal Challengers after both teams were level with just two minutes to go. The Tigersa all-round raiding unit, including Shrikant Raut, Rushikesh Tiwale, and Abhishek Nimbalkar, ensured the win, while Aniket Gawande dominated the defense with a High 5, registering seven tackle points. For Chambal, Sujit Sonkar, coming off the bench, notched a brilliant Super 10 with 14 raid points, while Rahul Kumar contributed a High 5. Despite an all-round effort from Hemant Sinha, a lack of consistent support left Chambal short of victory. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Baku will host the "Investment Forum on Sustainable Agriculture" in April next year, President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev said at the customs business forum today, Trend reports. "Globalization of the economy is an inevitable process, and access to the global market with high-quality, competitive, and environmentally clean products, as well as increasing the country's export potential, remain priority directions. The Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, expanding international ties, continues to promote and popularize the 'Azerbaijan' brand. I would like to note that in February 2025, the Halal Business Forum will be held in the city of Mecca with the participation of 57 Islamic countries,'" Musayev emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Amaravati, Dec 17 : The government of Andhra Pradesh will allot 10 more acres for the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Amaravati, announced Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday. Addressing the maiden convocation of AIIMS, Mangalagiri, he said the state government allocated 183 acres of prime land in Mangalagiri which no other AIIMS in the country has. As the AIIMS officials made a request for allotment of more land soon another 10 acres will be allotted to the institute, Chandrababu Naidu said. "The foundation for the 960-bedded AIIMS was laid by us in 2018 and was completed with Rs 1618 crore and I am now happy that in just a matter of six years the AIIMS, got national recognition," Chandrababu Naidu said. He announced that more and more facilities will be provided to the institute. He appreciated the AIIMS for extending medical services to patients at as low as Rs 10 and hoped that it would soon acquire the top rank in the country. Currently, it has eighth rank. He was confident of revolutionary changes in the medical sector utilising the latest technology. He said the medical services can be taken closer to the patients. The Chief Minister felt that medical science has now turned into medtech science and called upon the medical students to attain a grip on the latest technology like DeepTech. Chandrababu Naidu said that utilising the latest technology the medical sector should be taken on the progressive path so that patients should come to the hospital only during emergencies. President of India Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest at the convocation. Chandrababu Naidu noted that Droupadi Murmu rose to this top echelon from a remote village in Odisha where she was born in a tribal family. Her growth is an inspiration to everyone in the country, he added. "The President of India, who began her career as a teacher later became a professor, a junior assistant, councillor, chairperson, MLA, minister in the Cabinet of her home State and later as governor to finally assume the highest position in the country as the first citizen of the nation," Chandrababu Naidu said. He said that President Murmu has proved beyond doubt that anyone can achieve the goal if works hard like her. Patna, Dec 17 : Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday over his upcoming Pragati Yatra starting on December 23. Tejashwi Yadav alleged that Nitish Kumar will use state resources and taxpayersa money. He also mocked Nitish Kumar for renaming his yatra multiple times, calling it evidence of mental instability and indecisiveness. He asked a series of questions to the Chief Minister ahead of the Pragati Yatra. Tejashwi questioned the outcomes of Nitish Kumaras previous Samadhan Yatra of 2023, suggesting that many public grievances and issues raised by representatives remain unresolved despite assurances. He criticised the Chief Minister for bypassing public concerns and focusing more on discussions with officials, making the yatra seem ineffective for direct public benefit. Tejashwi accused Nitish Kumar of spending crores of rupees on travel, snacks, and promotional activities in a state grappling with poverty. He framed this expenditure as unnecessary and a misuse of public funds. The Opposition leader pointed out the failure of the liquor prohibition policy, alleging that liquor is still widely available due to police connivance, making prohibition enforcement a farce. He said that the tour was characterised as a way to perpetuate corruption: Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the corruption is at the grassroots level. He alleged that the Chief Minister is going for the Yatra for personal or political gains. He said that Nitish Kumar was detached from ground realities, prioritising his convenience over meaningful public engagement. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set to embark on the first phase of his newly renamed Pragati Yatra, scheduled to take place from 23 December to 28 December 2024. As per the schedule of Pragati Yatraas first phase, Nitish Kumar will visit West Champaran (Bettiah) on December 23. After staying overnight in Valmiki Nagar, will go to East Champaran (Motihari) on December 24. As the Christmas Holiday is on December 25, there is no program on that day. He will visit Sheohar and Sitamarhi on December 26, he will visit Muzaffarpur on December 27 and on 28 December, he will visit Vaishali and then return to Patna. Jaipur, Dec 17 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a visit to Rajasthan on Tuesday. During his visit, an agreement was made regarding the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). BJP leaders and workers welcomed this decision of the government in conversations with IANS. Ankit Chechi, the state president of BJP's Youth Wing in Rajasthan, stated, "This was a major issue for Rajasthan. The central and state governments have been working continuously to resolve this problem. Now, through the ERCP, the state is working towards providing water to the entire state. This was an important issue that will benefit the people of the state." BJP supporter Deepak Karwasara told IANS, "This is a historic moment for the people of Rajasthan as an agreement has been made regarding water between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the Prime Minister visited to mark the completion of this project. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for thousands of crores worth of projects, including significant ones like the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project." Targeting Congress, he added, "Congress leaders only made long promises. For over 20 years, they kept delaying this project and created several obstacles." BJP supporter Krishna Mandloi said, "The efforts made by PM Modi for women's empowerment are commendable. Now, his hard work is bearing fruit, and many women attended the gathering. People are benefiting from the schemes being run by the government." It is noteworthy that PM Modi was on a visit to Jaipur on Tuesday, where he gave the state several crores worth of projects. One of the key projects was the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), which aims to provide drinking water, irrigation, and industrial water to 21 districts of Rajasthan and 11 districts of Madhya Pradesh. A historic agreement was made regarding this project. Bhubaneswar, Dec 17 : The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday began the repair and renovation work of the Ratna Bhandar or treasure trove of the Jagannath Temple at Puri. As per the schedule, the cleaning and staging works were carried out on the first day. "The scaffolding work of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar was completed today. A 20-foot-high temporary platform has been set up for the repair and renovation work. Around 20 persons were engaged in the work. No work will be conducted on Wednesday owing to some special rituals of the holy triad. The de-plastering of the inner chamber will start from Thursday," said senior ASI official, DB Garnayak. The repair work is being carried out as per the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the state government. The Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan said the ASI has assessed that the repair and renovation work will be completed within a three-month period. However, the government has asked the ASI to finish the work at the earliest before the three-month timeline it has sought. He informed the media persons that the process of inventory of ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar will begin after the repair work. It is pertinent here to mention that the Ratna Bhandar or treasury of the 12th century shrine was opened in July this year after 46 years. In the run-up to the 2024 assembly elections, the ruling BJP has made the promise to open the Ratna Bhandar and carry out the inventory of the valuables kept there. The inventory of valuables was last carried out in 1978 which is believed to be inconclusive and incomplete. In 2018, the team of officials who went to carry out the inventory were shocked to find out that the original keys of the inner chamber of the Ratna Bhandar were missing. The BJD government subsequently came into the line of fire as the opposition parties held the government responsible for the missing keys. Vijayawada, Dec 17 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Abdul Aziz was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Waqf Board on Tuesday. A meeting of the State Waqf Board was held here on Tuesday, where the chairman was elected unanimously. Prakasam district Collector A. Thameem Ansariya, a member of the Board was elected as the presiding member to conduct the meeting. The members present in the meeting unanimously elected Abdul Aziz, a member of, the AP State Waqf Board as Chairperson. After his election, Abdul Aziz, who is the TDP in charge of the Nellore Parliamentary constituency, said under the coalition government the Waqf Board will make historic decisions. He said due to the vacuum created in the Board in the past, it could not make decisions. Abdul Aziz said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told him that since he was being assigned the task of protecting the god's properties, he should discharge his responsibilities carefully. He said Chandrababu Naidu revived the Board which protects the properties of the god. He said some people made baseless allegations against the Chief Minister. "The Waqf Board should not only protect the assets but it should generate income and ensure that society benefits from it," he said. The TDP leader said that protecting Waqf properties is the responsibility of the government and the Waqf Board. Abdul Aziz said out of 60,000 acres of Waqf land, 32,000 acres were under encroachment. He vowed to bring reforms to the Waqf Board with the cooperation of the Chief Minister. The state government reconstituted the State Waqf Board on December 6 with the appointment of eight members, a week after dissolving the earlier Board. Under the elected members category, the government appointed Members of the Legislative Council Md Ruhullah and Mutawalli Shaik Khaja. The government also nominated TDP leader Abdul Aziz, Shia scholar Haji Mukarram Hussain and Sunni scholar Mohammad Ismail Baig. Three other members were nominated by invoking section 14 (3). They are MLA Mohammed Naseer, Syed Dawood Basha Baqavi and Shaik Akram. The TDP-led NDA government reconstituted the Waqf Board a week after dissolving the earlier Board constituted last year by the YSR Congress Party government. The Minorities Welfare Department on November 30 issued a G.O., withdrawing the G.O. issued in October last year, constituting the Waqf Board. The then government of YSR Congress Party had constituted the 11-member Waqf Board. Three of them were elected members while the remaining were nominated. On a petition challenging the process followed to constitute the Waqf Board, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on November 1, 2023, stayed the election of the chairperson of the State Waqf Board. The G.O. 75 issued on November 30 that the Chief Executive Officer of the State Waqf Board brought to the government's attention the prolonged non-functioning of the Board and the pendency of writ petitions questioning the legality of G.O. Ms. No. 47 to resolve the litigations and prevent an administrative vacuum. Amaravati, Dec 17 : The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has proposed Amaravati as the country's first state capital city to have a piped gas supply. Amaravati, Dec 17 (IANS) The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has proposed Amaravati as the countryas first state capital city to have a piped gas supply. A team of officials led by A. Raman Kumar, a member of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), met with the state Chief Secretary Nirabh Kumar Prasad on Tuesday to discuss the gas pipeline projects and related developments. According to an official statement, IOC officials proposed to make Amaravati the first fully piped gas capital city in the country. They drew a comparison to the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT) in Gandhinagar, where everything, including gas, electricity, and telecom cables, is underground. In GIFT City, piped gas is being supplied to residences, business complexes, and institutions. Similarly, they proposed to supply piped gas to the Amaravati capital city, making it the first piped gas capital in India. Chief Secretary Nirabh Kumar Prasad expressed support for the proposal and assured that the state government would provide full cooperation in this regard. K. Dinesh Kumar, Director of Andhra Pradesh Gas Development Corporation, mentioned that the target is to provide piped gas connections to 80 lakh people in the state in the coming days. After meeting with the Chief Secretary, the PNGRB representatives visited the RTGS and held a meeting with AP Gas Development Corporation officials. They discussed the progress of the natural gas pipeline construction and city gas distribution work. The goal is to provide piped gas supply to 80 lakh households in the state in the near future. Dinesh Kumar requested cooperation from the PNGRB officials to achieve this goal. He also assured full cooperation to address any field-level challenges in the gas pipeline construction process. The meeting was attended by City Gas Distribution Director Lt. Col. Kumar Ashish, Indian Oil Corporation General Manager Satyanarayana, and others. Hyderabad, Dec 17 : Cyberabad Police, in collaboration with the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), on Tuesday launched an awareness initiative P.R.O.T.E.C.T. (Preventing Risks Online Through Education, Collaboration, and Training). Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty said project P.R.O.T.E.C.T, we have the support of mainstream media, social media influencers, students, and the police. Their collective efforts in raising awareness about cybercrimes will be instrumental in educating the public and preventing these crimes. Stating that cybercrime has become one of the fastest-growing challenges, he said every year, cybercrimes are compounding at an alarming rate. "One of the most concerning trends we see is digital arrest where people, out of fear, end up sharing their bank details and personal information with fraudsters. I urge everyone not to do that. Always remember the most important number to combat cybercrimes: 1930. This helpline can save you from significant loss and distress," the Police Commissioner said. He urged media, social media influencers, students, and police to join hands and spread awareness about 1930. DCP Cyber Crimes Sreebala stated that in most cybercrimes, people not only lose money but sometimes even their lives. "We need education, collaboration, and continuous training to combat these crimes effectively," she said. "This initiative aims to empower citizens with critical knowledge about the latest cybercrimes and equip them to safeguard themselves against evolving threats. The Cybercrime Mega Awareness Drive, scheduled for December 18, 2024, will be conducted across the Cyberabad Commissionerate." Police personnel and volunteers will actively engage with citizens through interactive sessions, street plays (Nukkad Natak), and other awareness activities at high-footfall locations such as colleges, corporate offices, malls, banks, parks, metro stations, and public hubs. The theme of P.R.O.T.E.C.T. is "Let's join hands to create a secure digital future." Together, we can "Make A Difference On The Go!" SCSC General Secretary Ramesh Kaza stated that many people have become victims of cybercrimes. From common citizens to prominent individuals, no one is immune to these crimes. He emphasized that the lack of awareness is a significant reason for the increase in cybercrimes day by day. He highlighted the importance of the "Each One, Teach One" approach, stressing that with collective awareness and collaboration, cybercrimes can be effectively controlled. SCSC CEO Naved Khan explained that the project will operate through two teams: One team will consist of 50 to 60 SCSC volunteers. The other team will include 50 to 60 Police officers. Each group will be formed with two membersone Police officer and one traffic volunteer. These groups will visit banks, hotels, parks, schools, colleges, and other public places to interact with the public and spread awareness about cybercrimes. Imphal, Dec 17 : Two elderly men were shot in their legs by unknown armed attackers in Imphal East district on Tuesday night. Police said that unidentified gunmen attacked the two persons -- Takhelchangbam Hemanta (55) and Yengkhom Kesho (56) -- at the Kongba river bank under the Heingang police station area. The unknown armed attackers reportedly arrived at the spot and opened fire on the two men, targeting their legs before fleeing the scene. The locals who witnessed the attack quickly came to the rescue of the injured individuals. They were promptly transported to the Imphal East District Police, who took the necessary steps to ensure they received medical attention. Both the injured were later rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) In Imphal for medical treatment. Police are investigating the incident but they have yet to identify the attackers or their motives. Heingang Police Station has launched a search operation in the area to gather more information and track down those responsible for this violent attack. Tuesday night violent incident took place after Saturdayas killing of two migrant workers from Bihar. Manipur police so far arrested eight cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Peopleas War Group) (KCP-PWG) outfit in connection with the killing of two migrant workers -- Sunalal Kumar, 18, and Dasharat Kumar, 17. A cache of arms and ammunition including eight weapons were recovered from the detainees. Armed militants shot dead the two migrant workers near the panchayat office in Keirak on Kakching-Wabagai Road in Kakching district on Saturday evening when the victims, along with a few others, were going on their bicycles. Condemning the killing of two migrant workers, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had announced Rs 10 lakh as an ex-gratia for the kin of each victim. He said that if required, the case would be transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure a fair and thorough inquiry. Guwahati, Dec 17 : At the invitation of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is undertaking a four-day official visit to the kingdom, met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday and discussed on strengthening the historical ties between Assam and Bhutan and advancing collaborative efforts between the two regions. The discussion also focussed on fostering Bhutanas development, enhancing the welfare of its people, and promoting broader regional economic development. Sarma in another meeting held over lunch with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Togbay also discussed issues addressing matters of mutual interest and exploring avenues to fortify trade partnerships between the two regions. He noted that Assam and Bhutan have historically maintained connectivity through seven established trade routes, underscoring the enduring nature of their economic ties. In the course of their discussions, the Chief Minister assured the Bhutanese leadership of the Assam Governmentas steadfast commitment and cooperation to bolstering trade infrastructure along the Assam-Bhutan border. He emphasised the creation of additional trade routes to facilitate trade and commerce in line with the needs of Bhutanese traders. The Chief Minister also highlighted Assamas efforts under the Asom Mala initiative to strengthen road connectivity, particularly between Kokrajhar and Gelephu. In a moment of historical and cultural significance, the Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, attended the 117th National Day celebrations of Bhutan today. The festivities, held at the picturesque and scenic Changlimithang Grounds in Thimphu, left an indelible impression on Sarma, who described the experience as uniquely moving. The Chief Minister conveyed his appreciation and joy at being present at the splendid and enchanting setting of Bhutan's National Day celebrations. As a part of the celebrations, the Royal Government of Bhutan extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to both Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma. Bhutanas National Day commemorates the coronation of the countryas first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, in 1907. This historic event marked the beginning of the Wangchuck dynasty, which has ruled Bhutan ever since. The celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Bhutanas cultural heritage, reflect on the sacrifices of its forefathers, and reaffirm the citizens' devotion to the countryas enduring peace, prosperity, and happiness. New Delhi, Dec 17 : Ahead of the Assembly elections to be held in Delhi next year, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has claimed to have fulfilled their promises regarding development works. However, the opposition parties BJP and Congress have described these claims as "hollow". New Delhi, Dec 17 (IANS) Ahead of the Assembly elections to be held in Delhi next year, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has claimed to have fulfilled their promises regarding development works. However, the opposition parties BJP and Congress have described these claims as "hollow". Regarding the claims of the Delhi government, IANS spoke to the residents of Geeta Colony, which comes under the Krishna Nagar Assembly. Local resident Pramod said, "The Aam Aadmi Party MLA has constructed a road in the area. However, the Municipal Councilor has not paid much attention to the cleaning of drains. An aware voter knows which department comes under whose jurisdiction." A woman Saroj raised questions on the local MLA. She told IANS, "The MLA here has not done any work. Delhi government has not given pension to the elderly, now the claims they are making are just a tamasha." Reena said that the local MLA has not done any development work in the area. "We have been visiting the electricity department for the last two years, but electricity has not been provided to the slum. I want there should be a change of government in Delhi this time," she told IANS. Ramesh, an elderly man living in Geeta Colony, is also not very happy with the local MLA. He said, "The MLA has not done any work for the area. The people of the area have not even seen the MLA." An elderly woman Janki Devi said that the Delhi government has done a lot of work for them. "I only want the current government should remain in power in Delhi," she added. Local resident Vinod Paswan praised the MLA. "The MLA has done a lot of development works here, which has benefited the people living in slums as well. However, who will win here will be known in the upcoming Assembly elections," he told IANS. Devendra Mehta said, "Our MLA has not done any work and till date, we have not even seen him." Ashok Mahato said that the MLA has done a lot of work in the area. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. More than 2.9 billion manat ($1.7 billion) worth of benefits were granted to entrepreneurs through Azerbaijan's customs authorities in the period from January through October this year, the deputy chairman of the State Customs Committee Natig Shirinov said at a panel discussion at the customs business forum in Baku, Trend reports. Last year, for the first time, more than 6 billion manat ($3.5 billion) was provided to the state budget through the state customs bodies. For this year our forecast is 6.4 billion manat ($3.7 billion). At the moment, our 11-month forecast has been fulfilled, and just over 6 billion manat ($3.5 billion) has been flowed into the budget. The forecast was exceeded by 151 million manat ($88.8 million). The volume of privileges granted through customs authorities last year amounted to 2.3 billion manat ($1.3 billion). Meanwhile, during the ten months of this year, more than 2.9 billion manat ($1.7 billion) worth of benefits have already been granted. This is an indicator of positive support of business entities in this direction, Shirinov added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel New Delhi, Dec 18 : Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on a three-day State visit, on Tuesday visited a Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS here to gain insights into the country's quality and affordable medicine distribution system, an official said. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka visited the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS in Delhi today, to get a first-hand experience of India's quality and affordable health care system." "Mutual sharing of experiences and learnings for the benefit of the people of our two countries is a key feature of India-Sri Lanka multifaceted relationship," he said. On Tuesday morning, Dissanayake visited Bodh Gaya in Bihar's Gaya district and prayed at the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site. The MEA spokesperson in a post on X said: "A relationship rooted in civilisational and spiritual ties! President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya to seek blessings and offer prayers. Our shared values and common cultural heritage are the foundation and guiding force of our ever expanding partnership!" The Sri Lanka President in a post on X wrote: "This morning (December 17), I had the privilege of visiting Bodh Gaya, the sacred site where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment. I paid homage to the Mahabodhi Temple and Sri Maha Bodhi tree and offered floral tributes to the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala. Grateful for the blessings received by the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Venerable Pelwatte Seewalee Thero and the Head of the Sarnath Centre, Venerable Rathmalwala Sumiththananda Thero." After arriving at the Gaya International Airport, Dissanayake went straight to the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple, one of the four holy sites related to the life of Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The Sri Lankan President was received by Bihar Ministers Prem Kumar and Santosh Kumar Suman and senior officials of the district administration at the airport. 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 the establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka, among other assistance vital for Sri Lanka to enhance its maritime domain awareness. New Delhi, Dec 18 : Launching a scathing attack on the Congress over failing to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of appeasement politics and asked the party to clarify "if there should there be a common law for every religion in a secular nation". Concluding the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the 75 years of adoption of the Constitution, the Union Home Minister also lashed out at Congress over its allegations concerning Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying some of those who made complaints about the results in Maharashtra celebrated it in Jharkhand, where JMM-led INDIA bloc won the Assembly elections. He asked why UCC has not been implemented yet. "Why hasn't UCC come yet? It didn't come because after the Constituent Assembly was concluded and elections were over, the country's first PM Nehruji introduced Muslim Personal Law, not UCC. I want to ask the Congress party in this House that in a secular nation, should there be a common law for every religion or not? Why do they support the Muslim Personal Law? There can be no bigger political manoeuvre than this...They started appeasement right there by introducing the Muslim Personal Law...You cannot bring the UCC because you cannot rise above the politics of appeasement. In Uttarakhand, our (BJP) government has implemented the Uniform Civil Code in the state," he said. Home Minister Shah lashed out at Congress over some of the constitutional amendments made during the party rule in the past. "The 39th Amendment in the Constitution crossed all the limits. On August 10, 1975, was a black day. Indira Gandhi's elections were declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court. After they lose, they roam around with EVMs. They say the EVMs defeated them...When they lose they blame the EVMs. Two Assembly election results came out on the same day. Maharashtra ne opposition ka soopda saaf kar diya (bowled them out)...for disrespecting the mandate. So the EVMs are faulty in Maharashtra, but when they won in Jharkhand, they wore new clothes and rushed to take the oath. People are watching, you must be ashamed. How is it possible that EVM is working fine at one place and not at the other?" he asked. The Union Home Minister said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had asked people to check if it was possible to hack the EVMs, but nobody turned up. "The EC kept the EVM from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for three days open for anyone to prove if it could be hacked. No one came. The Supreme Court rejected the petitions on EVMs 24 times," he said. Amit Shah said that Indira Gandhi's election was declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court and slammed some constitutional amendments done by her government. "So she prohibited the judicial inquiry of a Prime Minister through amendment... I want to ask my Communist brothers to introspect on whom are they sitting," Home Minister Shah said. "The 42nd Amendment of the Constitution was made when Indira Gandhi was the PM... The tenure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha was increased to six years. They did it because they would have lost if the elections had taken place at the right time... The members of Congress started remaining absent as they could not oppose. An amendment was made that the quorum was not required in both the Houses. The period of the President's rule was increased by 6 months," Shah added. The debate on 75 years of the Constitution started in Rajya Sabha on Monday and lasted two days. Lok Sabha held the debate last week. New Delhi, Dec 18 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party over its stance on reservation for Other Backward Classes, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), and the Muslim Personal Law, among other issues during the ongoing Parliament's Winter session in Rajya Sabha. The Union Minister was replying to a debate in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution of India when he made pointed remarks directed at the grand old party. Union Home Minister Shah in Rajya Sabha declared that the BJP would not allow reservation based on religion, regardless of its political strength. "Congress wants to give reservation to Muslims by increasing the quota limit beyond 50 per cent. Even if the BJP has just one MP, it will not allow reservation based on religion," he affirmed. In his speech, Home Minister Shah posed pointed questions to Congress regarding the delay in implementing the UCC, which he attributed to the introduction of Muslim Personal Law by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. "Why hasn't UCC come yet? It didn't come because after the Constituent Assembly was concluded and elections were over, the country's first PM Nehru Ji introduced Muslim Personal Law, not UCC. I want to ask the Congress party in this House that in a secular nation, should there be a common law for every religion or not? Why do they support the Muslim Personal Law? There can be no bigger political manoeuvre than this... They started appeasement right there by introducing the Muslim Personal Law," Home Minister Shah remarked. He continued his critique by stating, "Why wasn't Sharia brought into criminal law? Personal law for marriage and inheritance, but why not Sharia for criminal law?" Highlighting the government's progress, Shah referred to the implementation of the UCC in Uttarakhand, stating that it would eventually be implemented nationwide after constitutional analysis and public discussions. "We implemented UCC in Uttarakhand, we want to follow the democratic process. It will be analysed constitutionally. There will be discussions on a societal level and religious experts will opine about it," he said. Home Minister Shah asserted that the Modi government will look at all the suggestions and bring UCC in every state. He also criticised the Congress for its contradictions regarding OBC reservation, accusing the party of blocking the Kaka Saheb Kalelkar Commission's report, which recommended reservation for OBCs in 1995. "Where is its report? It was forgotten because OBCs would have received reservations. Any report that comes has to be presented to the Cabinet, but instead of bringing it to Parliament, they kept it in the archives," Home Minister Shah said, adding that the report's rejection delayed the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations. The senior BJP leader responded to Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks about Veer Savarkar, stating that Savarkar had been the only person to be given a life sentence twice and asked him to consider Indira Gandhi's praise of Savarkar on two occasions. "If you donat listen to us, at least listen to Indira Gandhi who has praised him in two instances," Home Minister Shah remarked. He urged all political parties to not link "patriotism, bravery, sacrifice, and service" with religion and political ideology. The Union Home Minister did not shy away from criticising Congress's actions in the past, including the 39th Amendment and the Emergency period. He referenced the Allahabad High Court's decision to declare Indira Gandhias election null and void in 1975. "The 49th Amendment in the Constitution crossed all the limits. August 10, 1975, was a black day. Indira Gandhi's elections were declared null and void by the Allahabad High Court. The Amendment was used to subvert the High Court order and a retrospective amendment was brought to ensure that no judicial investigation is undertaken against the Prime Minister," he added. Shah also appealed to Congress to leave behind practices of "appeasement, dynastic politics, and corruption", stating that the public will choose their leadership in the next election if they do so. On the Congress's allegations against the EVMs, he said, "Today, they lose and blame the EVM. The SC has rejected the plea against the EVM 24 times. The EC kept the EVM from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for three days open for anyone to prove if it could be hacked. No one came... They lost Maharashtra and won in Jharkhand on the same day. The people of Maharashtra punished them for disrespecting their previous mandate. On the same day, EVM was blamed in Maharashtra and they prepared themselves for the swearing-in ceremony in Jharkhand." He also addressed Rahul Gandhi's "Mohabbat ki dukaan" slogan raised during the 2022 Bharat Jodo Yatra, responding, "Love is not something to be sold in a shop, nor is it a tool for propaganda. Love is a feeling that resides in the heart and is meant to be shared with others." On Abrogation of Article 370, Home Minister Shah remarked, "When Narendra Modi became the PM of the country again in 2019, we abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A in Parliament. In Rajya Sabha, they (Congress) used to say that rivers of blood would flow in Jammu and Kashmir, but no one dared to even throw stones... (After the abrogation of Article 370). He highlighted the progress in the Union Territory saying, "For the first time, 35,000 members of Panchayat were elected. After the abrogation of Article 370, more than two lakh tourists came to Jammu and Kashmir, terrorist activities were reduced by 92 per cent, people of Pahari, Gujjar and Bakarwal communities got reservations, the national flag is flying at Lal Chowk, the highest railway arch bridge is being built on Chenab river... After the abrogation of Article 370, your (Congress) shop of appeasement politics has closed." New Delhi, Dec 18 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J.P. Nadda chaired the BJP General Secretary meeting in the national capital on Tuesday to hold discussions over the Delhi Assembly Elections, the party's organisation elections and some other issues, party sources said. BJP's first list of Delhi Assembly elections will be released soon, sources said. The meeting lasted for almost two hours in the BJP headquarters late on Tuesday night. "BJP National President @JPNadda presided over a meeting with BJP National General Secretaries at BJP Headquarters in New Delhi," the BJP said in a post on X. In view of its organisational elections, parliamentary board member K. Laxman was appointed as the National Election Officer. National Election Officer K. Laxman and Joint in-charge Sambit Patra also attended the meeting. The Good Governance Day program to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, and Veer Bal Diwas were also discussed in the meeting, sources added. Organisational General Secretary B.L. Santhosh, General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Dushyant Gautam, Radha Mohan Agrawal, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, and Arun Singh were present in the meeting. The Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. The Aam Aadmi Party has already released the list of all 70 candidates for the Delhi Assembly polls. After winning 67 out of 70 seats in 2015, AAP again won 62 seats in the 2020 Assembly elections. While BJP took its tally from three to eight seats, Congress failed to open its account for the second straight time. Earlier on November 23, workshops were also organised regarding BJP's organisation elections, where all national office bearers from across the country, presidents of all states, and organisation ministers took part. The meeting also saw the presence of all the BJP state in-charges, co-in-charges, national presidents of fronts, and election officers. According to a BJP source, the process of election of Mandal Presidents will be completed from December 1 to December 15. The process of election of district presidents will be held from December 16 to December 30. After that, the process of election of state presidents will start. The workshop will be held on December 30 to elect the state president. The process of election of state president is expected to be completed by January 15. According to the sources, the next BJP President can be announced by the end of January or February. Beijing, Dec 18 : India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived here on Tuesday to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he takes part in the India-China Special Representatives' talks to be held on Wednesday, aimed at restoring the bilateral ties stalled for more than four years due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. NSA Doval will hold the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' (SR) talks with Wang Yi and was expected to discuss a range of issues to rebuild the bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement of disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two countries. Ahead of crucial talks, China said on Tuesday that it is ready to work with India to implement the commitments based on the common understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting at Kazan in Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on October 24. When asked about the SR talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing that China is prepared to settle differences with sincerity. "China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible," he said. The External Affairs Ministry said on Monday that as agreed during the meeting of the two leaders in Kazan on October 23, the two SRs 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. After the PM Modi-Xi meeting, which was their first after five years, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil followed by a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs (WMCC). The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and was followed by a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June of that year resulting in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours. Barring trade, relations between the two countries virtually came to a standstill. The face-off effectively ended following the completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21. Wednesday's SRs meeting is regarded as significant as it is the first structured engagement between the two countries to restore the relations. The SRs meeting is taking place after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019 in Delhi. Constituted in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed dispute of the India-China border spanning 3,488 km, the SRs mechanism over the years met 22 times. 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. Taiwanese American author Gloria Chao travels to Taipei for the first time on the page in her new YA romance, Ex Marks the Spot. When 18-year-old Gemma Sun is contacted by an attorney, who tells her that her Taiwanese grandfather recently diedand that hed left Gemma old newspaper clippings with a secret message urging her to visit his apartment in Taipeithe news causes a rift between Gemma and her mother, whod told Gemma that he died a long time ago. Blaming her mother for her disconnect with her heritage, Gemma determines to fly to Taiwan to unravel the mystery behind her grandfathers message. But to do that, shell have to make nice with her popular and charismatic ex-boyfriend Xander Pan, whose connection to their culture she envies. In a conversation with PW, Chao spoke about exploring her own identity through her work, pushing the boundaries of childrens literature, and making the leap from YA to adult fiction. You write in your acknowledgments that you drew from your love of puzzles and Taiwan to craft Ex Marks the Spot. Can you elaborate? Ex Marks the Spot is a combination of so many things that Ive always wanted to write about. As a kid, I loved puzzles and puns, and I used to make treasure hunts for my family. They were terrible; the clues were things like, go to the piano, go to the kitchen. They were not clever riddles by any means. But they were how I connected with my family. That was where the idea for this book first came fromI wanted to have this treasure hunt, and then I realized I could also combine it with another thing that Ive always wanted to do, which was write a book set in Taiwan, my familys home. I was lucky enough to visit my grandparents there growing up, and it always felt like this magical place to me. I wanted to try and capture a little piece of that magic for the reader, so I packed the novel with all my favorite sites and food. I was the hungriest and most nostalgic Ive ever been while writing this book. It ended up turning into a love letter to my culture, to my family, to Taiwan, and to puzzles and puns and games. What was it like being able to write about Taipei and Taiwanese culture in a way you hadnt before? I almost felt like I had too much information. I went through old family photos and wrote a list of all the things I wanted to include. I was like, How am I going to work everything in there? There are so many things that I couldnt get into the book. But in some ways, it almost felt easier to write than my previous books because there was so much information to work from. I just felt so passionate about it. I really wanted to capture all these different pieces, so that when Im describing a certain place, I not only described what it was like but also how it felt for me when I was there. Themes of exploring ones cultural identity are evergreen throughout your work. How does that show up in Ex Marks the Spot? I feel like questioning who you are is such a universal thing that we deal with in so many different parts of our lives, but especially in this 1718 age range when were trying to figure out what the next step of our life is. Knowing who you are and what your relationship is with your culture and your family have always been big questions for me, especially when I was writing my first book [American Panda], which was very much inspired by my life. My family had a hard time when I changed careers from dentistry to writing, so a lot of that made its way into American Panda. I keep coming back to identity because its something that Im continuing to question for myself. Writing has helped me a lot with it; it lets me take a step back to see it from my characters point of view, and it helps me figure out what I want my own relationship with my identity to look like. Its also something that Gemma thinks about in a way that none of my other characters have. Her mom really pushed assimilation, so she grew up without knowing anything about our culture and without speaking the language. And then theres her ex-boyfriend Xander, whos the complete opposite. He speaks perfect Mandarin, and he knows everything about Taiwanese culture, so she feels embarrassed by the fact that she isnt connected to her roots. Shes so insecure about it that she puts on a brave face and pretends like it doesnt bother her. It isnt until she goes on this journey and meets all these other Taiwanese Americans with different experiences and different relationships to their culture that she realizes its not a one size fits all. It doesnt have to look exactly like Xanders relationship, and she doesnt have to speak the language to feel connected. It isnt until the end of the book that she figures out how she wants her relationship to her culture to look and thats something that I feel like Ive only recently come to realize myself. Your forthcoming novel, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club, is an adult mystery. How was your experience been like shifting categories from YA to adult? I think the bigger change for me was going from romance to mystery. I feel like Ive always been pushing the age limit with YA. I had a hard time selling American Panda because I wanted it set in college, and in 2016, there werent that many YA books set in collegeeverybody thought YA had to end in high school. But even once I published that one, I continued pushing the age limit: my third book, Rent a Boyfriend, has characters who are 19 and 21. I feel like Ive always been on the borderline between YA and adult, so it didnt feel like that big of a transition. Obviously, the protagonist [of The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club] is older, and in some ways, theyre dealing with different things, but Im still talking about questioning identity, so I almost feel like there werent that many changes. It was more difficult figuring out how to write a mystery and how to plant all the clues. Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao. Viking, $12.99 paper Dec. 31 ISBN 978-0-593-69271-4 Drawing on her first career working at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Regina Brooks is bringing the innovative spirit of an engineer to the publishing industry. As an engineer, youre trained to analyze systems, isolate the issues, and innovate solutions, she says. What value is a powerful engine if the transmission doesnt work? Nothing moves. You must consider the entire system. Thats exactly what Ive been doing in the publishing industry. Since joining the Association of American Literary Agents board in 2019, Brooks has played a key role in modernizing the organization by establishing a communications committee and transitioning to a more inclusive membership model. Under her leadership, AALA has grown to 585 members. Now, as president, she is advocating for the hiring of the associations first executive director and spearheading efforts to expand educational offerings, including formal courses and professional development programs designed to address the evolving needs of literary agents at every stage of their careers. Agenting is an apprenticeship business, but AALA should be the go-to organization where agents can feel confident theyre learning best practices and receiving solid training, Brooks says. I envision courses covering the fundamentals for emerging agents, leadership for established agents, and new technologies, especially as AI reshapes our industry. Brooks is also pursuing a groundbreaking initiative with the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) to address the absence of MFA programs at historically Black colleges and universities. With support from an NEA grant, she will convene HBCU faculty, administrators, and Black writers at the AWP conference next March to strategize about the creation of MFA programs that integrate writing coursework with practical knowledge of the publishing industry. Brookss other initiatives include working with the Black Book Accelerator to improve metadata tagging for diverse titles and increasing the number of Black-owned bookstores that report to Circana BookScan. Also, as cofounder of Literary Agents of Change, she has helped advance programs that have supported 42 literary agents. I try to approach my work with the precision of an engineer and the passion of an artist, Brooks says. Success is where all parts of the systemauthors, agents, publishers, and bookstoreswork together, driving both cultural impact and financial growth. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. An international conference on the topic "Transnational Aspects in Legal Relations: Modern Challenges and Goals" has taken place in Baku, Trend reports. The event was attended, alongside the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, by training centers and academies of justice and prosecution from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as relevant structures from Hungary and Northern Cyprus in observer status. The conference discussed issues such as improving the effectiveness of asset recovery processes, combating environmental violations, civil-legal protection of victims of transnational crimes, and the development of the commercial law legislative framework in Turkic-speaking countries. As the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Kamran Aliyev, said, with the establishment of the Turkic Council, through the agreement signed on October 9, 2009, in the city of Nakhchivan, and its subsequent enhancement and transformation into the Organization of Turkic States, the integration processes between the brotherly nations have reached a new level. He noted that during this period, practical steps have been taken to institutionalize cooperation with law enforcement agencies, judicial academies, and training centers of Turkic states. "On December 11, 2022, the Turkic Judicial Training Network (Turkish Judicial Training Network) was established, uniting members of the justice and prosecution training centers and academies from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as corresponding institutions from Hungary and Northern Cyprus in observer status. Azerbaijan is represented in this network by the Justice Academy of the Ministry of Justice and the Scientific and Training Center of the Prosecutor General's Office. Azerbaijan began its chairmanship in the Network this year," emphasized the prosecutor general. Furthermore, Aliyev said that the application of modern technologies in the professional training of judges and prosecutors holds special significance. He also pointed out the importance of studying the experiences of brotherly countries in the field of commercial law and exchanging positive practices. To note, in 2022, the Turkic Network for Judicial and Legal Training was established, bringing together training centers and academies of justice and prosecution from Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as relevant institutions from Hungary and Northern Cyprus in observer status. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Lifetime / Reality TV World By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/16/2024 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Karla Juarez has explained her "challenge" being married to Juan Franco, who allegedly said he's not going to be a "traditional" husband.On : Afterparty, which aired Wednesday night on Lifetime, Karla watched back a Season 18 clip of her friend Jess asking Juan if he complimented Karla during the couple's housewarming party."I do compliment her, but I don't go too far," Juan replied. "I think I could do better in that department."Jess then revealed that, according to Karla, Juan rarely complimented his wife and so Karla didn't feel like he was in the marriage 100 percent. Jess asked Juan to give Karla more attention and affection.Karla explained to Afterparty host Keshia Knight Pulliam how "there was a lot of chemistry" between Juan and herself at the wedding."It was as if we had known each other for so long," Karla shared."So obviously [Jess] expected that to continue on. So I have kind of shared with her how there's not really that romantic, like, factor.Karla added, "Juan also stated on our honeymoon that he's not a traditional husband who will check in and compliment."Keshia joked about how Juan couldn't know that since he's never been someone's husband before, but Karla clarified, "Maybe he's just not a traditional partner."Karla suggested that her needs and desires weren't really being met in her marriage to Juan."I feel like what's going on in our relationship is that I'm just supposed to be, like, the tag-along," Karla explained."Because regardless if that's what I want to do or not, he's still going to do it."When reflecting on her dating history and experiences, Karla apparently faced a similar challenge before."A challenge for me is, in the past, I've given my partner 100 percent and if I had plans, I would alter those plans to accommodate him," Karla admitted."And I don't want to just follow someone around."Karla therefore said she needed Juan to step it up, even with just a tiny gesture."Honestly, in this moment, it could be as small as something, like, 'Let's go for a walk together and just talk,'" Karla said.Karla also suggested that Juan was extremely busy and so it was difficult to spend time with him."He's just always on the go. He wakes up like a bat out of hell. He sleeps [on his back], and as soon as his alarm goes off, he pops up," Karla shared."There are times when he will definitely hit the Snooze, but when he's up, he's up and on the go."But Karla said she was "aware" of her energy -- and not bring bad energy to the table -- and she did a good job of reading how Juan was feeling on any given day."[It's] about holding space for that person," Karla concluded.On 's latest Season 18 episode, Juan explained how he worked two jobs and went to the gym every day and so it was hard to put his time into his relationship with Karla.Juan also admitted to the other grooms that while he thought Karla was genuinely attractive, he was lacking an organic and natural chemistry with her.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now! BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Lord Actons words feel like a punch in the gut to anyone who remembers what a republic truly stands for. France wasnt just a country; it was an idea, a rallying cry for freedom, a dream built on the backs of barricades. But today? That dream is a ghost, a flickering memory of greatness swallowed by the quicksand of political cynicism. Once a global symbol of liberty, equality, and fraternity, France now looks more like a shadow of its former self. The republic that brought the world the Enlightenment has dimmed under the weight of indifferent leaders and apathetic elites. Its like a ship adrift in a storm, rudderless and lost. Or worse, with a captain steering it straight toward disaster. Macron: The Great Disruptor Turned Architect of Chaos Emmanuel Macron. Once hailed as the wunderkind of European politics. A technocrat with Renaissance-style ambitions. His rise to power was marketed as a beacon of hope in a world sliding into populism and democratic decay. But seven years later, whats left of the Macron miracle? That enigmatic Mona Lisa smile he flaunted on campaign posters has hardened into the smug grin of a man whos out of ideas. Macrons presidency has morphed into a theater of the absurd part vanity project, part social experiment, all failure. His "revolutionary" reforms? Bureaucratic busywork thats done more to alienate the public than inspire change. His policies have hit the working class hardest, turning farmers and factory workers the backbone of French resilience into economic refugees in their own country. The streets erupted in yellow vests, but Macrons answer was tear gas and riot shields, not empathy or solutions. The latest act in this tragicomedy? The appointment of Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister. Once a lion of French politics, Bayrou is now more paper tiger than musketeer. His selection feels less like a bold move and more like a desperate Hail Mary from a president running out of scapegoats. A Dysfunctional Government: The Fifth Republic in Crisis Since summer, France has been operating without a functional government. Macron gambled by dissolving Parliament and calling snap elections, and he lost big time. Now, hes stuck with a legislative body dominated by his fiercest enemies: the leftist New Popular Front and Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally. Its gridlock on steroids. Instead of doing the hard work of coalition-building a cornerstone of the Fifth Republics design Macron has walled himself off in the Elysee Palace, more monarch than president. The once-mighty office now feels like an ivory tower, detached from the realities of a nation on the brink. Bayrou: The Musketeer Without a Blade Francois Bayrous appointment as Prime Minister feels like a throwback to a bygone era. The 73-year-old son of a farmer from Gascony, Bayrou once cut a swashbuckling figure in French politics. Today, hes more historian than statesman, a relic of another political age. His party, the Democratic Movement, barely holds 36 seats in Parliament hardly enough to wield real power but just enough to make him useful to Macron. But lets not kid ourselves: Bayrou isnt a savior. Hes a placeholder, a political Band-Aid for a hemorrhaging presidency. Even Bayrou, deep down, must know hes walking into a no-win situation. France at a Crossroads France is teetering on the edge of political and economic collapse. The deficit is spiraling out of control, the national debt is climbing past 3 trillion, and Macrons government is running on fumes. Internationally, France is losing influence in Africa, the South Caucasus, and even within the EU, where Macron once styled himself as the leader of a united Europe. Back home, the left and right are sharpening their knives. Jean-Luc Melenchons supporters are already pushing for early elections, while Marine Le Pen lurks in the shadows, waiting for Macron to stumble further. The presidents approval ratings are in free fall, and whispers of resignation are growing louder. From Promise to Tragedy Macron had everything: a mandate from the people, respect on the global stage, the tools to revive a struggling Republic. Instead, he became its chief undertaker. His presidency is a classic Aristotelian tragedy, driven by hubris and destined for catastrophe. He promised to modernize France, but his reforms were tone-deaf, cold, and mechanical. His economic policies crushed the very people who once championed revolution, pushing them further into poverty while corporate elites flourished. Liberte, egalite, fraternite? Those words feel hollow, etched on buildings but absent in policy. And heres the kicker: Macrons not just out of touch; hes out of time. His technocratic solutions have alienated the public, and his inability to adapt has left the Republic dangerously adrift. The Path Forward: Revolution or Renewal? France has been here before. This isnt the first time the Republic has faced existential peril. From the barricades of 1789 to the streets of May 1968, the French people have always found a way to fight back. But the question remains: will France rise again, or will it succumb to decline? Macron could still salvage his legacy if he listens truly listens to the people. But lets be real: if he hasnt by now, why would he start? The Republic isnt his to lose; it belongs to the people. And if history has taught us anything, its that the French know how to take back whats theirs. A Republic doesnt die as long as its ideals live. And if theres one thing France has proven time and time again, its that ideals are stronger than any politician, no matter how much power they think they have. The Left and the Right: Political Scissors Tearing France Apart The French Parliament has devolved into a political gladiator pit, where factions battle with no quarter given. On one side, the leftist New Popular Front has united under a bold but polarizing vision, already nominating Lucie Castet as their Prime Minister candidate. Their platform reads like a socialist utopia: raising the minimum wage to 1,600, lowering the retirement age, and imposing punitive taxes on households earning more than 4,000 per month. For debt-strapped France, however, this vision is more nightmare than dream. Its a fiscal fantasy that risks sending the nations already strained economy into free fall. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally proposes an entirely different set of policies, wielding nationalism as a weapon. Their playbook demands severe restrictions on immigration, aggressive cuts to social programs, and a reassertion of French sovereignty in defiance of EU regulations. Its a vision of fortress-like isolationism, appealing to some but terrifying to others. Macrons centrist stance once seen as a balancing act now looks more like indecision. Hes trapped between these opposing forces, alienating everyone. His attempts to steer a middle course no longer inspire confidence; instead, theyve left the country politically paralyzed. The Republic in Exile France stands at a critical juncture, teetering on the edge of disillusionment and outright rebellion. Macrons administration, once a symbol of reform, now represents stagnation and decay. Trust in leadership has eroded, leaving a leadership vacuum where vision and unity should be. The Republic that once inspired revolutions across the globe is now struggling with its own identity crisis. The metaphorical ship of state may not have sunk yet, but its listing badly, and its captain seems more concerned with appearances than steering away from the rocks. But Frances history is one of resilience. It has faced existential crises before and emerged stronger. Redemption, however, begins with self-awareness. The French Republic must return to its core values: liberty, equality, and fraternity not hollow slogans but living principles. If Macron cant rise to meet this moment, the people must remind him who truly owns the Republic. As history shows, in France, its always the idea that triumphs over the institution. Budget Deficit: Frances Economic Black Hole The French economy is flirting with catastrophe, and the numbers are staggering. The budget deficit hit 150 billion in 2024 and is projected to soar to 180 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, the national debt has reached a jaw-dropping 3.2 trillion. To put this into perspective, the entirety of Frances historical debt stood at 2 trillion before Macrons tenure began. In just seven years, he has added 1.2 trillion to this already enormous burden. Former Prime Minister Michel Barniers budget proposal a combination of austerity measures and tax hikes was supposed to be a lifeline. Instead, it was met with unanimous rejection from the left, right, and even centrists. The plans failure highlights a grim reality: Frances political establishment is too fractured to address its looming fiscal crisis. With no consensus in sight, the nation is barreling toward economic ruin, and no one seems to have a roadmap to stop it. Foreign Policy Decline: Frances Diminished Role on the Global Stage Frances struggles extend far beyond its borders. On the international stage, the nation is losing relevance, its influence waning across key regions. In Africa, former colonies such as Mali and Burkina Faso are severing ties with Paris, embracing other powers instead. In the South Caucasus, Frances mishandling of relations with Azerbaijan and Georgia has further eroded its standing. Meanwhile, tensions with Algeria over Macrons support for Morocco have deepened Frances isolation in the Maghreb. Even within Europe historically Frances stronghold Macron appears weakened. Once a self-styled leader of European unity, he now looks indecisive and ineffective. His ambitious rhetoric has failed to translate into meaningful leadership, leaving France marginalized in a bloc it once dominated. The French Crossroads: Renewal or Ruin? Frances current trajectory is unsustainable. A paralyzed government, an unmanageable debt crisis, and a shrinking presence on the world stage have pushed the nation to the brink. The political scissors of left and right threaten to shred what remains of the Republics fabric, while Macrons centrism increasingly feels like a placeholder for inaction. The question is no longer whether France needs change it does. The real question is whether the Republic can weather this storm without losing its soul. France has risen from the ashes before, but the clock is ticking, and time is running out. The Republic is in exile, and its people must decide if they will let it fade into irrelevance or fight for its revival. A Time for Change or a Time for Decline? The political winds are shifting, and France teeters on the edge of upheaval. On the left, Jean-Luc Melenchon and his movement, La France Insoumise, have begun gathering signatures for early presidential elections. This isnt just a political maneuver its a declaration of war. The left and right alike are united in one goal: bringing down Emmanuel Macron. Saving his presidency? Not even on the table. As chaos mounts, political analysts are floating a once-unthinkable idea: Macron stepping down voluntarily. The man who promised to "transform France" now faces calls to bow out and make way for change. But can Macron, a leader whose tenure is defined by his refusal to compromise, make such a concession? For now, he grips the reins of power as the nation spirals deeper into crisis. France on the Brink France is staring down the barrel of unprecedented political, economic, and social turmoil. A paralyzed government. An economy on the verge of implosion. International influence slipping through its fingers. These are not just challenges they are the damning legacy of Macrons rule. The appointment of Francois Bayrou as Prime Minister is not a solution; its a stalling tactic. Macrons administration is out of steam, and the Republic is running on borrowed time. What France needs is a visionary leader, someone capable of breathing life back into a faltering nation. But will such a figure emerge before the Republic completely unravels? Macron came into office with everything a leader could ask for: the trust of the people, immense power, and international respect. Yet, rather than revitalizing a Republic in need, he has presided over its decline. His leadership now resembles an Aristotelian tragedy, where hubris blinds the hero and catastrophe becomes inevitable. The much-touted "revolutionary reforms" of Macrons presidency? Empty gestures. Bureaucratic tinkering with no connection to the peoples struggles. His tax policies gutted the working class, forcing farmers and laborers the heart and soul of France into financial exile. When the gilets jaunes took to the streets, they werent just protesting economic hardship; they were expressing a profound despair. Macrons response? Tear gas and riot police. The Crisis of the Spirit Frances wounds run deeper than its economic troubles. This is not just a fiscal collapse its a crisis of spirit. Macron seems to have forgotten that he is more than a bureaucrat in charge of spreadsheets. As president, he is supposed to be the custodian of Frances revolutionary legacy, a torchbearer for its ideals. Instead, Macrons cold technocratic governance has left the nation adrift. Gone is the fiery rhetoric that could unite a fractured populace. Liberte, egalite, fraternite has become a hollow catchphrase, plastered on buildings that no one bothers to read. Rather than championing the struggles of his people, Macron has become the poster child for an aloof elite, drowning in its own arrogance. His France is one of corporate boardrooms and technocratic calculations, far removed from the gritty realities of working-class neighborhoods and rural villages the places where the Republics revolutionary spirit was born. If history is any guide, this story doesnt end well. As Marx put it, History repeats itself first as tragedy, then as farce. France under Macron has managed to embody both. The tragedy is the nations decline; the farce is an elite pretending to care, chauffeured through a crumbling Republic in limousines with tinted windows. The Path Forward Can France be saved? Revival seems a Herculean task, but Frances history is one of resilience. From the barricades of 1789 to the upheavals of 1968, the Republic has always found a way to rise from the ashes. The road to renewal, however, begins with one critical step: acknowledging failure. The French people must reclaim their voice. The Republic must return to its roots, rekindling the fire lit by Rousseau, Voltaire, and Robespierre. This isnt about policy tweaks or bureaucratic fixes its about rediscovering the soul of a nation. But what happens if Macron wont listen? If the captain refuses to steer the ship away from the rocks, the crew has no choice but to mutiny. France is not Macrons private enterprise; its a living idea, an ideal that belongs to its people. If Macron cant or wont step aside, the people will do what theyve always done: take to the streets and reclaim their Republic. The Republic lives as long as the idea survives. And in France, ideas have always been stronger than kings, technocrats, or power itself. Bakunetwork Porterville, CA (93257) Today Cloudy with a few showers. High 54F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy with rain ending overnight. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Cloudy with showers. High 54F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Rain ending early. Remaining cloudy. Low around 40F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. 61 companies reported having between nine and 13 directors in FY24, a slight drop from 65 in FY23 but an increase from 57 in FY21. The boardrooms of Indias large listed companies are steadily expanding as corporate governance standards tighten and regulatory compliance rises. Boards of Nifty 100 companies boasted an average of 10.52 members as of FY24, compared to 9.86 in FY21 and 10.48 in FY23, according to the fifth edition of Excellence Enablers Survey on Corporate Governance, an initiative led by M Damodaran, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The 2024 edition of the survey shows that 14 per cent of Nifty 100 companies in FY24 had 14 or more directors, up from eight such companies in FY21 and 11 in FY23. Meanwhile, 61 companies reported having between nine and 13 directors in FY24, a slight drop from 65 in FY23 but an increase from 57 in FY21. As a result, 75 per cent of Nifty 100 companies in FY24 had nine or more directors, compared to 65 per cent in FY21. The survey highlights the benefits of larger boards, emphasising that size significantly impacts board performance and effectiveness. With five mandatory board committees, there ought to be enough Board members to ensure that committees are properly constituted, and do not have the same members on almost all committees, with resultant information asymmetry, adversely impacting those who are not on committees," says the survey. Sebi regulations stipulate that the board of directors of the top 1,000 listed entities (effective April 1, 2019) and the top 2,000 listed entities (effective April 1, 2020) must comprise at least six directors. All Nifty 100 companies, except one, comply with this mandate. In line with regulatory requirements and the growing demand for external perspectives, companies are appointing more non-executive directors (NEDs). According to the survey, NEDs accounted for over half of the board in 99 per cent of Nifty 100 companies in FY24, a rise from 84 per cent in FY21. Similarly, the number of independent directors (IDs) on boards has climbed, with most companies adhering to Sebis norms on ID representation. IDs constituted 50 per cent or more of the board in 81 Nifty 100 companies in FY24, up from 63 in FY21 and 77 in FY23. Gender diversity has also made strides. Nifty 100 companies reported 200 women directors in FY24, up from 158 in FY21 and 193 in FY23. Of these, 73.5 per cent were independent directors. The company will roll out credit products such as credit on UPI, unsecured credit cards, and personal loans within the first half of 2025. Flipkart-backed super.money is on an expansion spree and plans to expand its range of offerings in credit and wealth management after launching its operations in July this year. The Bengaluru-based fintech company is on track to roll out credit products such as credit on Unified Payments Interface (UPI), unsecured credit cards, and personal loans within the first half of the next calendar year (2025). In the first quarter of the next calendar year, you should see transaction credit products around credit on UPI taking shape, and unsecured credit cards planned around December this year to January. "In the first quarter of 2025, you will see personal loan products on the app, said Prakash Sikaria, founder and chief executive officer (CEO), super.money. He added that the company would partner with 10 to 15 banks by mid-2025 to extend personal loans for its customers. The companys user base currently stands at over seven million. The confidence to extend credit offerings comes on the back of the firms growth in the larger UPI landscape. The fintech has grown to be the sixth largest third-party application provider (TPAP) on the UPI leaderboard, processing over 78 million transactions in November. In the previous month, the app was the 12th largest player in terms of the volume of UPI transactions. Navi has been another TPAP that has clocked higher UPI volumes on its platform, catapulting the company to be the fourth largest player, data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) shows. The expansion into unsecured credit also comes at a time when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken action against non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) such as DMI Finance and Navi Finserv. Last year, the banking regulator hiked risk weights for unsecured personal loans, slowing down growth for the sector. There is no concept of MVP (minimum viable product) in fintech anymore because with the changing paradigm, you have to adapt, give impeccable service to customers and have backups. "When I said 10 to 15 bank partnerships, it hints that we are working with a host of banks. Even if there is a regulatory action on one, your business doesn't go down, Sikaria said. The company made a foray into wealth management products by rolling out fixed deposits for its users last month. The founder plans to launch other offerings in the space such as mutual funds by mid next year. From a distribution horizontal platform, gold and mutual funds would come much before futures and options (F&O) and equity-type offerings. "I would expect mutual funds before everything else, he added. When asked about the companys plans to apply for an NBFC licence after rolling out personal loans, Sikaria said he would first look at his credit business growth. With clarity around digital lending guidelines and first loss default guarantee, our focus has been compliance and building products. "I dont think we need an NBFC licence for that. We need it for other things to make things flawless and hence for phase one of our journey, we just want to solve for the product, distribution and compliances, he added. With initial success on UPI, the next focus for the company would be to fine-tune its cross-sell machinery. A lot of focus is on launching newer products, scaling them on top of our base. "It involves nudging the right set of users. "You will see a lot of product-centric work happening on the consumer side, and new financial products being launched to monetise those users, he said. However, despite interest from other fintechs to expand into merchant categories, Sikaria thinks otherwise. The interoperable system allows us to operate without having to scale the merchant side. "At least for next year, till the time we are getting our consumer engine right, I don't want to distract and focus on the merchant side, he added. Larger players such as PhonePe have a merchant base of over 40 million alone. The total base of customers for the fintech major stands at over 500 million. Several Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Tuesday, demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh. IMAGE: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with other MPs stage a protest against the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, at Parliament House Complex in New Delhi on Tuesday . Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo The MPs protested with handbags which had 'Stand with minorities of Bangladesh' written on it. They raised slogans urging the government to ensure justice for minorities in Bangladesh. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying a cream-coloured handbag to Parliament on which it was written "Bangladesh ke Hindu aur Isaiyon ke saath khade ho" (stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh). This comes a day after she expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, carrying a handbag with 'Palestine' emblazoned on it. Several Congress MPs led by Priyanka Gandhi had staged a protest in Parliament premises on Monday also, demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour on Monday, Priyanka Gandhi had sought the government's support for those who are in pain because of the attacks in Bangladesh. "The government should raise the issue of atrocities against minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. It should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," she had said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. First Deputy Minister of Defense Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev has held a meeting with a delegation of the Land Forces Command of the Turkish Armed Forces, led by Lieutenant General Tuncay Altug, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. First, a Turkish delegation visited the tombs of the National Leader of Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva in the Alley of Honor, as well as the Alley of Martyrs and Turkish Martyrs Cemetery. The guests laid wreaths and flowers and honored their blessed memory. During the meetings held at the General Staff, Valiyev welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan. The Chief of General Staff noted that the successful military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye is rooted in friendly and fraternal relations. Besides, he emphasized the contributions of this alliance to the army development of both nations and underscored the significance of its further strengthening. Altug expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and highlighted the advanced level of military ties between the two countries, emphasizing the goal of enhancing mutual exchange of experiences. He also underscored the significance of joint exercises, which demonstrate Azerbaijan's importance as a key partner of Turkiye. The meeting also included a detailed exchange of views on regional security, prospects for the development of military cooperation, and a range of issues of interest. Then, the delegation of the fraternal country met with Adviser to the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Bakhtiyar Ersay. The sides exchanged views on the positive results of the work carried out to implement the model of the Armed Forces of Turkiye in the Azerbaijan Army and other issues. The Turkish delegation subsequently arrived at the Central Command Post and got acquainted with the facilities and arrangements there. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar over his exclusion from the new council of ministers, claiming Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his induction in the cabinet. IMAGE: NCP president Ajit Pawar with party leader Chhagan Bhujbal. Photograph: ANI Photo He said Ajit Pawar, the NCP president, makes decisions for the party like Fadnavis for the BJP and Eknath Shinde for the Shiv Sena. Amid speculation over his "Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna" remark a day before, Bhujbal said he would speak on Wednesday after discussing with NCP workers and people from the Yeola constituency. The prominent OBC leader said he wasn't disappointed about not being made a minister but felt humiliated by his treatment. Speaking to reporters in Nashik, Bhujbal claimed that he was asked to contest Lok Sabha elections in May but his name was never finalised. Weeks after winning assembly elections from Yeola seat, Bhujbal said he was recently offered a Rajya Sabha seat. "I accepted the suggestion to contest Lok Sabha elections from Nashik. When I wanted to be in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year, I was asked to fight the assembly elections. I was offered a Rajya Sabha seat eight days ago which I rejected. "They didn't listen to me then, now they are giving it (Rajya Sabha seat). Am I a toy in your hands?" he asked. Do you think whenever you tell me I will stand up, whenever you tell me I will sit down and contest the elections? What will the people in my constituency feel if I resign?" he questioned. "I have confirmed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis insisted on my inclusion in the state cabinet. The chief of each party in the Mahayuti alliance decides for his party. Fadnavis for BJP, Eknath Shinde for Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar for NCP," he said. Fadnavis expanded his cabinet in Nagpur on Sunday and inducted 39 new members in his team 19 from the BJP, 11 from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and 9 from Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Bhujbal was among 10 ministers who were dropped from the new council of ministers, which has 16 new faces. The former food and civil supplies minister had expressed his disappointment and skipped the winter session of the state legislature. He returned to his constituency Yeola in Nashik district. "I was asked to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik on the insistence of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. I prepared for over a month. I received support from various sections. However, at the last moment, my name was not announced, and I had to withdraw from the contest," he said. The NCP leader said he had later expressed his desire for a Rajya Sabha seat, and was told that Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar, and Nitin Patil were being considered. "I accepted the party's decision even then. I had said my experience would be useful in the Rajya Sabha, but I was told I was needed in Maharashtra," he claimed. "After contesting and winning the state assembly elections, I am told to move to Rajya Sabha. For this, Nitin Patil will be asked to resign. I was denied the opportunity when I wanted it. My constituents fought hard for me in this election. How can I ask them to accept my resignation now?" he questioned. Bhujbal told NCP leadership that he would consider accepting the Rajya Sabha offer after one or two years once everything is settled in his constituency. "When I made this suggestion, I was told a discussion would be held, but no one discussed it so far," he claimed. When asked who was responsible for his exclusion from the council of ministers, Bhujbal said, "I will have to find out". "The question is not of the ministerial berth but the way I was insulted. I will tell you more about it after holding discussions with my workers and people from the constituency tomorrow," he said. Bhujbal further said he had not spoken to NCP head and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar after being denied the cabinet berth. A day earlier, Bhujbal claimed he had been excluded from the cabinet because he took on Maratha activist Manoj Jarange. "I stood up for the Other Backward Classes community when the Maratha quota activist was demanding its inclusion in the OBC category. The Ladki Bahin scheme and OBCs helped the Mahayuti win the elections," he had said. Asked about his future course, Bhujbal had said, "Let's see. Jahan nahi chaina, wahan nahi rehna. Bomb threats were received by a few schools in Delhi on Tuesday, making it the second such incident this week and the fifth in nine days in the national capital, officials said. IMAGE: DPS RK Puram had received a bomb threat via email, in New Delhi on December 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo On Monday, around 20 schools including DPS RK Puram had received threat emails. According to an official from the Delhi Fire Service (DFS), a call regarding a bomb threat was received from Crescent Public School in Saraswati Vihar, northwest Delhi. The official said that personnel from the fire department, local police, bomb detection team and dog squad conducted a search, but nothing suspicious was found so far. Some more schools have also received similar threat emails and checks are ongoing, the official added. However, schools in Delhi-NCR switched to hybrid mode for conducting classes on Tuesday, following the re-imposition of anti-pollution measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under the revised GRAP schedule, classes for students in grades 6-9 and 11 in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar must operate in hybrid mode (physical and online) under Stage 4 but students in classes 10 and 12 are required to attend school in person. On December 14, eight schools, including the same DPS RK Puram, had received a similar email, in which the sender threatened to carry out an explosion using 'bomb vests'. Earlier, on December 13, about 30 schools received bomb threats via email, prompting a multi-agency search of their premises. At least 44 schools had received similar emails on December 9. The Delhi Police Special Cell had registered a first information report (FIR) in connection with the threat mail to 44 schools and initiated an investigation. Delhi's air quality plummeted to alarming levels on Tuesday after 24 days, with many areas witnessing a significant spike in pollution despite the strictest measures, including a ban on construction activities and the entry of trucks into the city, coming into force. IMAGE: An airplane flies amid low visibility due to smog in New Delhi. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the 'severe' category with a reading of 433 at 4 pm against 379 on Monday, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The last time Delhi's air quality was recorded in the 'severe' category was on November 23, with a reading of 412. Experts pointed to a significant drop in wind speeds as the primary cause of the sudden spike in pollution, explaining that the lower speed allowed local pollutants to concentrate in the atmosphere. They said the AQI was expected to remain in the 'severe' category for the next two days. Of Delhi's 35 monitoring stations, 28 recorded the air quality in the 'severe' category, with some breaching the 450 mark that is classified as 'severe plus'. Monitoring stations in Mandir Marg, Jahangirpuri, Narela, Nehru Nagar, Patparganj, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, ITO, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, DTU, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Mandir Marg, Pusa, Shadipur recorded the AQI in the 'severe' category. The AQI was in the 'severe plus' category in Alipur, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Burari, CRRI Mathura Road, North Campus, Okhla Phase 2, Sirifort, Sonia Vihar and Vivek Vihar. During winters, the national capital enforces restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises the city's air quality in 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). The major source of Delhi's pollution was vehicular emission, contributing 18.8 per cent of PM2.5. There was no contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution as the season is over in Punjab and Haryana. PM2.5 remained the primary pollutant, with levels recorded at 252 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm. These fine particles pose significant health risks as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The national safe standard for PM2.5 is 60 micrograms per cubic metre while the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit is 15 micrograms per cubic metre. On Monday, the Centre's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR imposed the strictest Stage IV curbs under GRAP, including a ban on the entry of polluting trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi and mandatory shifting of classes, except those for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode. Stage IV also includes a ban on all construction and demolition activities, including public projects such as highways, flyovers, power lines and pipelines. Diesel trucks carrying non-essential items are prohibited from entering Delhi. Public, municipal and private offices must decide on allowing only 50 per cent of staff to work in offices, with the remaining working from home. Additional measures such as closing colleges, non-essential businesses and implementing odd-even vehicle restrictions may also be considered. In a related development, the authorities have intensified vehicle checking in and along bordering areas of the national capital. In addition to enhancing the checks, the Delhi Police held an inter-state coordination meeting with its counterparts in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to discuss strategies for managing the flow of vehicles into the national capital, an officer said. "For strict enforcement of the restrictions, we will install joint pickets at key border areas. These pickets will monitor and restrict the entry of vehicles not meeting the required norms," the officer said. Ten police pickets will be installed at every district. These checkpoints will be responsible for imposing fines on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles for plying in the city, another officer said. GRAP Stage IV was invoked in Delhi for the first time this season in November due to consistently high pollution levels. The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax the curbs in the first week of December after the city's air quality improved. Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters. According to doctors, breathing Delhi's polluted air is equivalent to smoking approximately 10 cigarettes a day. Prolonged exposure to high pollution levels can exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, they say. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to take part in the India-China Special Representatives' talks to be held on Wednesday aimed at restoring the bilateral ties stalled for over four years' due to the military standoff in eastern Ladakh. IMAGE: NSA Ajit Doval during a conference in Bhubaneswar, on December 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Doval will hold the 23rd round of the Special Representatives' (SR) talks with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and was expected to discuss a range of issues to rebuild the bilateral ties following the October 21 agreement of disengagement and patrolling in eastern Ladakh between the two countries. Ahead of crucial talks, China said on Tuesday that it is ready to honour commitments based on the common understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting at Kazan in Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on October 24. When asked about the SR talks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a media briefing that China is prepared to settle differences with sincerity. "China is ready to work with India to implement the important common understandings between the leaders of China and India, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen mutual trust through dialogue and communication, properly settle differences with sincerity and good faith, and bring bilateral relations back to the track of stable and healthy development as soon as possible," he said. The external affairs ministry said on Monday said, as agreed during the meeting of the two leaders in Kazan on October 23, the two SRs will discuss the management of peace and tranquility in the border areas and explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question. After Modi-Xi meeting, which was their first after five years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil followed by a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on China-India Border Affairs. The military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and followed by a deadly clash at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties between the two neighbours. Barring trade, relations between the two countries virtually came to a standstill. 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. Wednesday's SRs' meeting is regarded as significant as it is the first structured engagement between the two countries to restore the relations. The SRs meeting is taking place after a gap of five years. The last meeting was held in 2019 in Delhi. Constituted in 2003 to comprehensively address the vexed dispute of the India-China border spanning to 3,488 kms, the SRs mechanism over the years met 22 times. 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. An Indian woman who was living in Pakistan for the last 22 years after being fraudulently brought here by a travel agent returned to her homeland via the Wagah Border on Monday, an official said. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo Hamida Bano, originally from Mumbai, arrived in Hyderabad, Pakistan, in 2002. According to her, an agent deceived her with the promise of a job in Dubai but instead brought her to Hyderabad district of Pakistan's Sindh province. "On Monday she arrived Lahore by plane from Karachi and subsequently she crossed into India via Wagah Border. The foreign affairs ministry officials saw her off," a government official told PTI. Bano expressed her joy to reunite with her family. She said she had lost hope of ever returning to India but she was lucky to see this day. In 2022, Waliullah Maroof, a local YouTuber, shared her ordeal that Hamida Bano left India in 2002 after a recruitment agent promised to get her a job as a cook in Dubai. Instead, she was tricked and trafficked to Pakistan. Maroof's vlog helped her connect with her family in India. Her daughter Yasmeen spoke to her by phone as well. In a talk with Maroof, Hamida Bano said before coming to Pakistan she had been financially supporting her four children in India after her husband's death. She had worked as a cook in Doha, Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia in the past without any problems. During her 22-year stay in Pakistan, Bano married a Pakistani man from Karachi, who died of Covid-19. Since then, she had been living with her stepson. Bangladesh interim government's Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's post on X commemorating Victory Day saying, "India was merely an ally in this victory, nothing more." IMAGE: Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Lieutenant General Pawan Chadha and Group Captain Shreyas Mahajan lay wreaths to pay tribute to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the India-Pakistan 1971 War to mark the 53rd Vijay Diwas, at Shaheed Smarak, Colaba, in Mumbai on December 16, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Victory Day or 'Bijoy Dibosh' is commemorated every year on December 16 when the Pakistan military surrendered to Indian forces and led to the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. Attaching a screenshot of Modi's X post that paid tribute to Indian soldiers for their role in the historic victory in 1971, Nazrul wrote on Facebook in Bengali on Monday, 'I strongly protest. December 16, 1971, marks Bangladesh's Victory Day. India was merely an ally in this victory, nothing more.' '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,' Modi posted on X on Monday. Apart from Nazrul, several functionaries in the interim government shared the same sentiment. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam shared Nazrul's post, The Daily Star newspaper reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Convener Hasnat Abdullah also criticised Modi's post. 'This was Bangladesh's Liberation War. It was for Bangladesh's independence against Pakistan. But Modi has claimed it was solely India's war and their achievement, disregarding Bangladesh's existence in their narrative,' he wrote on Facebook. 'When India claims this independence as their achievement, I see this as a threat to our independence, sovereignty and oneness. It's necessary for us to fight against this threat by India. We need to carry on this fight,' he added. Chief Adviser Yunus led Bangladesh Monday in marking the 54th Victory Day, his speech making no mention of founding leader Mujibur Rahman while calling deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's administration the 'world's worst autocratic government'. Devotees thronged the Khaggu Sarai area in Sambhal on Tuesday to offer prayers to a Lord Hanuman idol that was discovered in the Bhasma Shankar temple, reopened last week after being shut for 46 years. IMAGE: An idol is seen at a temple in Sambhal that has been reopened after 42 years. Photograph: ANI Photo Tuesday is dedicated to the worship of Lord Hanuman "The temple was cleaned around 4 am. A cholaa (cloth meant for gods and goddesses)' was offered to Lord Hanuman and the Hanuman Chalisa recited," said the temple's priest Shashikant Shukla. He added that shringaar (decoration)" of Lord Shiva was also done in the temple's sanctum sanctorum. The Shri Kartik Mahadev Temple (Bhasma Shankar temple) was reopened on December 13 after the authorities said they stumbled upon the covered structure during an anti-encroachment drive. The temple housed an idol of Lord Hanuman and a Shivling. It had remained locked since 1978. The temple also has a well nearby. Meanwhile, the owner of a house opposite the temple that was flagged for encroachment said he would remove the illegal structure. Shukla, the temple priest, said devotees had started coming to the temple from near and far. He added that his "heart aches, thinking of the years that the idols had remained in darkness". He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the district magistrate and the superintendent of police for the temple's reopening. Vikki Kumar, a devotee who came to the temple, said, "Such an ancient temple has opened after 46 years. Tuesday, being devoted to Lord Hanuman, I have come to visit with my family." On Monday, three damaged idols were found inside the temple well, officials had said. The temple is situated just over a kilometre from the Shahi Jama Masjid where violence took place on November 24 during a protest over a court-ordered survey of the mosque. The Sambhal district administration has written to the Archaeological Survey of India for carbon dating of the temple and the well. Carbon dating is a method used to determine the age of archaeological artefact from ancient sites. District magistrate Rajender Pensiya told reporters on Monday that the temple and the well were being excavated. Asked if the temple would be beautified, he had said, "First, the temple's pracheentaa (antiquity)' will be ensured." Meanwhile, Vishnu Shankar Rastogi, a former resident of the area, claimed the temple was of the Rastogi community. "After the riots of 1978, the 40-45 people from Rastogi families who lived here shut the temple and left," said the 82-year-old. Rastogi, whose early life was spent in Khaggu Sarai, now lives in another locality of Sambhal. "People left due to fear. We also left due to the massacre in 1978. My shop was burnt," he said. There used to be a four-feet circumambulation path and a peepal tree near the temple well, he claimed. Meanwhile, Mateen Ahmed, whose house was flagged for encroachment, said there was nothing wrong in the blueprint. "There is a balcony in the upper portion that extends about two-and-a-half feet. This part is an encroachment. We have spoken to the administration and are getting it removed." The work will be completed in four to five days, he added. Ahmed also said he had covered his balcony so that the temple was not damaged during the demolition work. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh heard submissions from senior lawyers Indira Jaising and R Basant, appearing for the terminated women officers, besides amicus curiae and senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal. IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo Observing that judges have to live a hermit life and work like a horse, the top court had earlier said they should refrain from using social media and should not express any opinion about judgments. On November 11, 2023, the top court took a suo motu cognisance of the termination of six women civil judges by the state government over their alleged unsatisfactory performance. However, a full court of the MP high court reconsidered its earlier resolutions on August 1, and decided to reinstate four officers, namely, Jyoti Varkade, Sushri Sonakshi Joshi, Sushri Priya Sharma and Rachna Atulkar Joshi on certain terms and conditions, leaving out the other two Aditi Kumar Sharma and Sarita Chaudhary from the exercise. The top court was considering the cases of the judges, who joined the Madhya Pradesh judicial service in 2018 and 2017, respectively. According to a report submitted by the high court, Sharma's performance dropped from very good and good ratings during 2019-20 to average and poor in the subsequent years. In 2022, she had about 1,500 pending cases with a disposal rate below 200, it was stated. The judge, on the other hand, informed the high court about suffering a miscarriage in 2021, followed by her brother's cancer diagnosis. While taking cognisance of the termination, the bench issued notices to the high court registry and the judicial officers who had not approached it against the termination. The judges were terminated despite the fact that a quantitative assessment of their work could not be done on account of the Covid outbreak, the court noted. "The officers, along with three other women officers, were appointed in judicial services in the state of Madhya Pradesh. They are alleged to be terminated from service primarily on account of disposal not being up to the standards set," the report stated. The termination orders were passed in June 2023 by the state law department after an administrative committee and a full court meeting found their performance during the probation period "unsatisfactory". An impleadment plea of one of the judges, filed through advocate Charu Mathur, argued despite a four-year unblemished service record and no adverse remarks, she was terminated without following any due process of law. She alleged her termination from service was a violation of her fundamental rights under Articles 14 (right to equality before law) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution. In her application, she said if the period of her maternity and child care leave was taken into consideration in the quantitative work assessment, it would be a grave injustice to her. "It is a settled law that maternity and child care leave is a fundamental right of a woman and also the infant, therefore, evaluation of the applicant's performance for the probation period on the basis of the leave taken by her as part of maternity and child care is grossly violative of her fundamental rights," it said. If it becomes a reality, the Chennai company will become the first private player from India to conduct such a mission to the lunar surface. IMAGE: Students who were part of the AzaadiSat project with Space Kidz. Photograph: Kind courtesy Space Kidz India/X Space Kidz, a Chennai-based space startup, is planning to have an all-women scientific lunar mission by September 2026, in which girl students in Classes 8 and 9 from 108 countries will work alongside the company's team. The satellite, with a payload of 80 kilograms, will include an orbiter, a lander, and a propulsion module, with the aim of crash-landing on the moon's surface. If this becomes a reality, the Chennai-based company will become the first private player from India to conduct such a mission to the lunar surface. Space Kidz rose to fame in February 2023, when it spearheaded a mission called AzaadiSat. Here, a satellite made by 750 girls from government schools across India was carried by the Indian Space Research Organisation's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. IT service provider Hexaware Technologies, Ananth Technologies, and Lumina Datamatics backed the company for AzaadiSat, while NITI Aayog also played a supporting role. "We are even trying to crash-land on the moon. We are aiming for a spacecraft mass of 80 kilograms, while AzaadiSat weighed around 12 kg," said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO, Space Kidz India. "By the end of January, we will be partnering with some global players, including educational institutions, and will release more details about this mission," Kesan added. IMAGE: 'The AzaadiSat.2 is one such mission where 750 rural girls from Kashmir to Kanyakumari of India have been mentored taught about Space rockets and Satellites built 75 payloads with their own hands and we at Space Kidz India integrated in the AzaadiSat and launched on 10th Feb2023,' Space Kidz India tweeted. Photograph: Kind courtesy Space Kidz India/X As a first step towards this ambitious moon project, called ShakthiSAT, the company is kick-starting a training programme for 12,000 kids in January next year. "This is a collaboration in which we will bring together 108 countries. We will be educating 12,000 girls in satellite technology," Kesan told Business Standard. "The project will be conducted online. After that, in September or October next year, one child from each country will be selected and brought to India. They will work with my team to build a spacecraft for lunar orbit," she added. If the moon mission turns into reality, this will be one of the major milestones for Indian private sector space companies, after the sector was opened up for private participation. This was following the space reforms announced by the government in 2020. More than 250 space startups have emerged in India in the last four years after these reforms. "We will approach Isro for the launch and request assistance in training these 108 children. We have already signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with IN-SPACe (a single-window autonomous agency under the department of space) for academic help. This is predominantly a corporate social responsibility-funded project," explained Kesan. The company is planning to depend on India's warhorse launch vehicle, the PSLV, which can carry up to 1,750 kg, so that other companies can also be a part of this mission. "The estimated expense is expected to be in the range of $8 to $10 million. This will be a proper scientific experimental mission, and we will reveal the details of our mission soon. We are targeting September 2026 for the mission and plan to kick it off by January 15. The children will receive 120 hours of classes," she said. The aim of the mission is to spread the Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam across the world. "In various countries, we are reaching out to kids through respective ministries, space agencies, and network groups," Kesan said. "We have received a positive response from all the countries. All the kids we select will come from humble backgrounds." Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Security forces in Manipur are understood to have recovered a Starlink-like internet device, along with sniper rifles, pistols, grenades and other weapons from the Imphal East district, people familiar with the matter said on Tuesday. IMAGE: Security personnel carry out search operation in Manipur, December 17, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Manipur Police on X The recovery of the Starlink-like device has prompted relevant agencies to investigate how the equipment found its way to the strife-torn state, they said. Starlink does not have a license to operate in India. There is no official confirmation on whether it is a genuine Starlink device, they said. It is learnt that the recovery was made during a search operation in Imphal East on December 13. In a post on 'X', the Dimapur-headquartered Spear Corps put out the photos of the items recovered in the search operation that included the internet device with the Starlink logo. It featured inscriptions of the RPF/PLA. The search operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in coordination with the Manipur Police in Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East and Kagpokpi, it said. The Spear Corps further said 29 weapons comprising snipers, automatic weapons, rifles, pistols, country-made mortars, single barrel rifles, grenades, ammunition and war-like stores were recovered in the operation. In a separate post on 'X', the Manipur police said one MA4 assault rifle, one 12-bore gun, one 9 mm pistol, one .32 pistol, five hand grenades, five arming rings, two detonators, 30 5.56 mm ammunition, one internet satellite antenna and one internet satellite router were among those recovered from Keirao Khunou in Imphal East district. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. A criminal case concerning illegal activities perpetrated against the Republic of Azerbaijan by the so-called entity known as "NKR" and its illegitimate armed groups, established by the Republic of Armenia in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan with the complete backing of Armenia and its military forces, has been submitted to the court, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan told Trend . According to the statement, an investigation was conducted by the Investigative Department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan in connection with acts of aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan and its people, occupation, genocide, other crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, and financing of terrorism, among other numerous crimes. On May 2, 2024, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan decided to consolidate 1,389 criminal cases, investigated by the Prosecutor General's Office and various investigative bodies of the Republic. These cases, related to crimes committed between October 1987 and April 22, 2024, were merged into a single proceeding. The investigation was carried out by the investigative teams of the State Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Customs Committee, and the Military Prosecutor's Office, all under the leadership of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan. "Based on the collected credible evidence, 15 individuals have been charged for crimes committed by the armed forces of the Republic of Armenia and illegal armed formations in a total of 2,548 incidents. The accused are: Ghukasyan Arkady Arshaviri (Arshavirovich), Harutyunyan Arayik Vladimiri (Vladimirovich), Sahakyan Bako Sahaki, Ishkhanyan Davit Rubeni, Babayan Davit Klimi (Klimovich), Mnatsakanyan Leva Genrikhi, Manukyan Davit Azati, Martirosyan Garik Grigori, Pashayan Melikset Vladimiri, Allahverdyan Davit Nelsoni, Stepanyan Gurgen Gomerosi, Balayan Levon Romiki, Babayan Madat Arakeli (Arakelovich), Beglaryan Vasili Ivani, and Ghazaryan Erik Roberti. They face charges under several articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, based on the periods of their involvement in criminal acts. The charges include crimes such as planning, preparation, initiation, or waging an aggressive war (Article 100); attacks on internationally protected persons or institutions (Article 102); genocide (Article 103); destruction of population (Article 105); slavery (Article 106); deportation or forcible transfer of population (Article 107); persecution (Article 109); forcible detention (Article 110); deprivation of liberty contrary to international law (Article 112); use of torture (Article 113); mercenarism (Article 114); violations of laws or customs of war (Article 115); violations of international humanitarian law during armed conflict (Article 116); war theft (Article 118); willful killing (Article 120); illegal entrepreneurship (Article 192); terrorism (Article 214); financing of terrorism (Article 214-1); organization of a criminal association (Article 218); illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, or possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices (Article 228); acts threatening aviation security (Article 270-1); attempts on the life of a statesman or public figure (Article 277); violent seizure or retention of power, violent change of the constitutional order (Article 278); and the creation of unauthorized armed formations or groups (Article 279), among other offenses. Each of the accused has been granted legal protection, including the right to use a language they understand, as well as all other procedural rights. A lawyer has been appointed for each of the accused. In response to a petition from the investigative body and the request of the prosecutor overseeing the preliminary investigation, the court has issued decisions to impose preventive detention on the accused. The petitions and complaints filed by the accused during and after the preliminary investigation were reviewed per criminal procedure laws, and appropriate decisions were made. The accused and other participants in the criminal process have been informed of the completion of the preliminary investigation and have been provided access to all materials related to the case. The criminal case against other individuals accused of committing various crimes has also been separated into a distinct proceeding, and the preliminary investigation is still ongoing. The Prosecutor Generals Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has called on the relevant authorities in the Republic of Armenia to cooperate, citing strong evidence, such as the presence of numerous individuals suspected of involvement in the incidents under investigation and potential witnesses located in Armenia. The indictment in this criminal case was approved by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan on December 16, 2024, and has been forwarded to the Baku Military Court for further proceedings," the statement said. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 33F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low 33F. Winds light and variable. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the 7th Ministerial Council meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. Minister Bayramov thanked all CICA member states for their trust and support in electing Azerbaijan to lead the organization during the meeting, which marked the handover of the CICA chairmanship to Azerbaijan for the period from 2024 through 2026. "Azerbaijan will build its CICA Chairmanship on its experience as a bridge-builder in global diplomacy, our leadership in multilateral platforms, and our firm commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. Azerbaijans CICA Chairmanship comes at a pivotal moment not only in CICAs history but also in the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of Asia and the world. Asias role as a driving force of global growth, technological innovation, and political influence is more significant than ever. As multipolarity rises and multilateralism faces new challenges, Asia must respond with unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility. CICA, as the region's most inclusive platform for dialogue, is uniquely positioned to foster this cooperation and address the challenges we face. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Chairmanship is grounded in the theme of Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia and will prioritize three overarching issues, namely 1) CICAs transformation and institutional development, 2) sectoral cooperation through implementation of confidence-building measures, and 3) promoting synergy between CICA and other international and regional organizations. Based on the achievements of the past 30 years, we will continue the current transition process towards making CICA a fully fledged international organization. We will continue the ongoing transformation of CICA into a full-fledged international organization on the basis of the achievements over the past 30 years. This process, initiated under Kazakhstans Chairmanship and reaffirmed by the Sixth CICA Summit in 2022, will continue to be member-driven and consensus-based and aim to equip CICA to respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world. The elaboration of a legally binding document of CICA (Charter), along with efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity and financial autonomy, will remain key priorities under the Azerbaijani Chairmanship. Our Chairmanship will also focus on strengthening CICAs Secretariats operational capacities. To this end, Azerbaijan will support Secretariat, both through financial contributions and seconding professional staff. We encourage all Member States to actively contribute to the Secretariats work through both financial and in-kind support. Additionally, we will continue to promote the ratification of the Statute of the Secretariat and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities for CICAs personnel and Member States representatives," the minister added. According to the minister, Azerbaijan also supports the establishment of the CICA Finance Summit and will work towards achieving consensus on this matter based on significant work done at the expert level. "Excellences, Confidence-building lies at the heart of the CICA process. Building on the positive legacy, Azerbaijans Chairmanship will prioritize the enhancement of the effectiveness and impact of existing confidence-building measures (CBMs), while also exploring new, innovative ways to deepen cooperation. We will focus on the following overarching themes: connectivity, digitalization, and sustainability. Over 20 Chairmanship events are planned for 2025 across all five dimensions. The Chairmanship will seek to improve synergy between the efforts of the Member States, coordinators and co-coordinators of CBMs, and relevant CICA bodies, such as the Business and Youth Councils, the Think Tank Forum, and the Partnership Network of Leading Universities. This approach aims to amplify the effectiveness of CBMs and promote greater intra-CICA coherence. In the economic dimension, the Chairmanship will prioritize transport connectivity, the promotion of SMEs, women entrepreneurship, and the green economy. We will work to enhance transport corridors and promote more secure, sustainable, and efficient infrastructure across Asia. SMEs access to investments and markets and their participation in international trade through innovative methods like e-commerce, as well as innovative approaches in agriculture, will be among the areas of the Chairmanships focus, including through the CICA Business Council. In the dimension of new challenges and threats, the focus will be on promoting capacity building and the exchange of best practices in cybersecurity and personal data protection. We will work to harmonize data protection laws and promote a culture of cybersecurity and data privacy. The environmental dimension will be centered around promoting green transition and sustainable development through concrete projects in various areas, a cross-cutting agenda that will be explored to foster synergy between different priority areas. The promotion of people-to-people contacts and tourism, as an essential element of the human dimension, will also be central to our Chairmanships agenda. We will continue to work with the CICA Youth Council to engage the youth in meaningful discussions on how they can contribute to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in Asia. We will also prioritize the protection of cultural heritage. In a region as diverse and rich in history as ours, cultural exchange and the preservation of heritage are vital for fostering mutual understanding and respect. Several CICA Member States face immense challenges due to contamination with landmines and explosive remnants of war, claiming the lives of thousands of civilians, limiting access to sites that can be utilized for economic purposes, and depriving the sustainable exploitation of environmental riches of those areas. Given this, the Chairmanship will explore the promotion of humanitarian demining as an area of interaction within CICA. The fields of education and science also remain underexploited, and we will work to enhance collaboration through the Partnership Network of Leading Universities, the establishment of which is expected to be finalized at this Ministerial Council. Once the Network is fully operational, the Chairmanship will work to instrumentalize this platform to galvanize collaboration in these highly demanding and promising sectors. Beyond these immediate priorities, we remain open to exploring new areas of interaction and confidence-building to address the evolving needs of our region. The Chairmanship will closely work with coordinators and co-coordinators to this end. Dear Colleagues, CICA holds significant comparative advantages due to its inclusiveness and holistic approach to regional security, development, and cooperation. However, in todays interdependent world, no organization can thrive in isolation. Azerbaijans Chairmanship will focus on increasing CICAs international visibility and expanding its network of partnerships with other international and regional organizations. We will work to create synergies with bodies such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as other regional platforms, to address shared challenges more effectively. Our engagement with international organizations will not only enhance CICAs visibility but also increase its ability to act as a driving force for positive change across Asia, as well as enhance its international standing as an inclusive regional platform determined to create a more secure and prosperous Asia. Ladies and Gentlemen, Azerbaijan's Chairmanship marks a moment of opportunity and responsibility. Azerbaijani Chairmanship is oriented toward making an impact on security, development, and well-being of our states and population through stronger CICA. By working together, embracing innovation, and strengthening our collective commitment to sustainable development, we can shape a brighter future for our region and the world. Azerbaijan is ready to lead this transformative journey, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with all Member States to achieve our shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected Asia. I once again thank all Member States for their confidence and look forward to fruitful interaction throughout our Chairmanship, the minister concluded. 16:13 The 7th Ministerial Council meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) has started its work in an online format, the publication of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on X said, Trend reports. To note, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is attending the meeting of the Ministerial Council, which will adopt a number of important decisions, including those related to Azerbaijan's chairmanship in CICA. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ukraine has agreed to a US proposal for a 30-day cease-fire in the war against the Russian invasion, prompting the United States to say it would immediately lift the suspension of military aid, including the sharing of intelligence. The outcome of nine hours of talks on March 11 in Jeddah marked a stunning turnaround less than two weeks after an acrimonious meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The clash between the two leaders preceded the US pause in aid and limits on intelligence sharing, which the United States said were imposed because of doubts that Ukraine was committed to seeking peace. "The President wanted this war to end yesterday... So our hope is that the Russians will answer 'yes' as quickly as possible, so we can get to the second phase of this, which is real negotiations," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters after the agreement was announced. A joint statement issued by the two countries said Ukraine expressed a "readiness" to accept the US proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day cease-fire, "which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation." Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump said a meeting with Russia would take place later on March 11 or the following day. Rubio, who attended the talks in Saudi Arabia along with national-security adviser Mike Waltz, said the cease-fire plan puts the ball in Russias court. Were going to tell them this is whats on the table, he said of Russian President Vladimir Putins government. Ukraine is ready to stop shooting and start talking. And now itll be up to them to say yes or no." Russian officials have repeatedly said that they want a comprehensive peace deal, not a cease-fire or other temporary arrangement. Russia's Foreign Ministry said it wouldn't rule out contacts with US officials over next several days, but gave no further comment. The US and Ukrainian delegations said they also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the cease-fire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. "I have confirmation that the security assistance from the United States has been restored," Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of the Ukrainian President's Office and a member of the delegation, said in a post on Facebook. "Arrangements are starting to be fulfilled." In addition, Ukraine and the United States agreed to conclude a pact on joint development of Ukrainian critical minerals and other resources as soon as possible. That deal had been expected to be signed at the White House meeting on February 28, but Zelenskyy left early after the argument in the Oval Office, leaving it in limbo. Ukraine Invasion: News & Analysis RFE/RL's Ukraine Live Briefing gives you the latest developments on Russia's invasion, Western military aid, the plight of civilians, and territorial control maps. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. The talks were closely watched across Europe, which has grown concerned Washington's renewed contacts with the Kremlin would sideline both Kyiv and Brussels from the peace process. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently traveled to the White House to meet Trump, congratulated the US and Ukrainian delegations, saying it is now up to Moscow to end the fighting. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saidthe proposal for a ceasefire agreement and the resumption of U.S. intelligence sharing and security assistance was a welcome development. "This is a positive development that can be a step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. The ball is now in Russias court," she added. The talks in Jeddah on March 11 followed a large-scale Ukrainian drone attack that struck the Moscow region and other Russian provinces overnight, killing three people. John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, said before the joint statement that restoring intelligence cooperation should be seen as a positive result for Kyiv. He also said sequencing in future negotiations will be crucial. While an early cease-fire can be key part of a future peace process, he stresses that it's important that it be followed by further steps toward a lasting peace deal, such as continued military shipments to Ukraine, a potential demilitarized zone, and a greater role for European countries, including their forces deployed as peacekeepers. These are all serious ideas that have been floated, Herbst said. That might not be a just peace, because a just peace wouldnt see Ukraine have to concede territory, but it could still be a durable one that makes it very hard for Russia to renew aggression. What Role Will Russia And Europe Play In Peace Talks? As Ukrainian and US officials met in Saudi Arabia, attention was also shifting to the other two players that will decide how the war ends: Russia and Kyivs European allies. Top military officials from more than 30 nations met in Paris on March 11 for talks on the creation of an international security force for Ukraine. The force is being envisaged by Britain and France. Its aim is to reassure Ukraine and deter another large-scale Russian offensive after any cease-fire. The force might include heavy weaponry and weapons stockpiles that could be rushed within hours or days to aid in Ukraines defense. Russia has so far said it is against accepting European troops in Ukraine as part of a deal. The Kremlin has also spoken about getting Western sanctions lifted on its economy as part of a peace process, including in Saudi Arabia where US and Russian officials held talks nearly a month ago. Marie Dumoulin, a former French diplomat and an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, says that this gives European governments some leverage when the dust settles from the talks in Jeddah. She said that doubts remain in European capitals about whether Russia is willing to make any concessions of its own and that Europe can use both its own offer of security guarantees to Ukraine and the possibility of lifting European Union sanctions on Russia as a way to shape discussions in both Moscow and Washington. This gives Ukraine a few more cards to hold at the table, Dumoulin told RFE/RL. These can give Ukraine some room to say whether the deal being offered to them is good enough yet or not. RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and RFE/RL's Kosovo Service contributed to this report 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. Kirillov was head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces and accused by Kyiv of directing the use of banned chemical weapons in Moscow's war in Ukraine. Ukrainian security officials told RFE/RL that the assassination was carried out by Ukrainian intelligence operatives. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijan, grounded in the theme of Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia within chairmanship in the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), will prioritize three fundamental directions, the country's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during online speech at the 7th Meeting of CICA Ministerial Council today, Trend reports. "Our Chairmanship is grounded in the theme of Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia and will prioritize three overarching issues, namely 1) CICAs transformation and institutional development, 2) sectoral cooperation through implementation of confidence-building measures, and 3) promoting synergy between CICA and other international and regional organizations. To note, the chairmanship of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia has been transferred from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. 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. 5 A local man rides past a Russian convoy near the Hmeimim air base. "The locals are just watching," Bektas says of the situation around the base, which is now without external military protection along its perimeter. "There are lots of shops with the Russian alphabet on them in the village close to the air base," Bektas says, but all are now closed. "There aren't any Russian soldiers going out individually or in non-armored cars or anything like that." Welcome to Wider Europe, RFE/RL's newsletter focusing on the key issues concerning the European Union, NATO, and other institutions and their relationships with the Western Balkans and Europe's Eastern neighborhoods. I'm RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, and, this week, I'm looking at the big decisions the EU will (and won't) be taking before the winter break. Note to Readers: You can now listen to my briefings by clicking on the audio link below. We're actually using an AI version of my voice and would love to know what you think -- and, of course, what we can improve. The Briefing: Clearing The Decks Before The Winter Break Normally, the week leading up to the winter holiday in the European Union is the busiest, with thorny decisions to be made before the year ends. Just look at last year, when EU leaders eventually gave Moldova and Ukraine the green light to start accession talks, granted Georgia candidate status, and approved a rather wide-ranging sanctions package on Russia. They also agreed to channel some previously frozen funds for Hungary while controversially failing to get Budapest's thumbs up for a 50 billion euro ($53 billion) package for Ukraine. (That package was eventually approved by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in February). This year's pre-holidays agenda looks rather uneventful in comparison. A new, puny sanctions package on Moscow was agreed to by EU ambassadors already on December 11, but it was more significant for the derogations -- EU speak for the various exemptions -- that came with it. On Ukraine, It's Business As Usual Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend the EU summit on December 19, but there is no big decision to be made on Kyiv. Compare the jubilant scenes in Tbilisi a year ago when Georgia received candidate status to what's happening now when the Georgian authorities are cracking down on people protesting the government's decision to halt EU talks. In fact, the way Brussels reacts to the increasingly hard-line leadership in Georgia will be one of the few things to look out for this week. For Ukraine, the latest draft EU summit conclusions, seen by RFE/RL, "reconfirms the European Union's unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail." This is the line the bloc has stuck to for the entire year, and while there has been talk of negotiations with Moscow in the new year, the EU seems to be sticking to its "business as usual" approach to Kyiv. While there was plenty of Hungarian intransigence on financially supporting Kyiv last time around, everything is already set for 2025, as Budapest agreed in November to the G7-EU initiative of leveraging frozen Russian assets in the West to channel a 45 billion euro ($47 billion) loan to Kyiv. On top of that, another 12.5 billion euros will be coming directly from the EU's budget. My understanding is that, during the summit, Zelenskiy will also push EU member states to ramp up defense production, preferably in direct cooperation with Ukraine's defense industry, and to provide Kyiv with air defense systems and drone interception capabilities. On sanctions, the summit conclusions draft simply notes that "the European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions." Early next year, the European Commission will most likely come up with a proposal for a new package, the 16th since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This will come as Poland assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the EU on January 1, and Warsaw has signaled its intention to prioritize more restrictive measures against Moscow. By looking at the most recently approved 15th package, the signs are not particularly encouraging. No new sectors of the Russian economy were targeted; instead, Slovakia got a derogation to continue to import Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline for another six months. The biggest fight around this package was Latvia and Lithuania pushing France, Germany, and Italy to disinvest quicker from the Russian market. However, nothing was agreed on this and there is only a reference in the latest sanctions package that it is risky doing business in Russia and that it's time to wind down EU companies working there. For Albania And Montenegro, The Race Is On... The special EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels on December 18 -- between the leaders of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia and their EU counterparts -- isn't likely to be particularly eventful. The draft declaration, seen by RFE/RL, contains no new elements, with EU officials telling me that the main "deliverable" is largely symbolic, simply consisting of the fact that the region's leaders are meeting EU officials ahead of the regular EU summit. The "Balkan Six" already had dinner with the new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the freshly appointed EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, earlier in December. That the pair had only just started their new roles is an indication of the high priority that has been given to the region in Brussels. The key day, for at least some of the Western Balkan countries, will instead be a few days before the summit. On December 17, the EU member states' Europe ministers will approve the annual EU enlargement conclusions and participate in a couple of Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs). Albania will participate in one of those meetings, during which it will open two EU accession chapters related to foreign policy. Tirana already opened negotiations on five chapters in October and has real momentum behind its membership bid. The other IGC, which took place on December 16, was for Montenegro. Montenegro has already opened negotiations on all 33 policy chapters, but, for the first time since 2017, Podgorica closed three chapters -- on information society, industrial policy, and intellectual property. This means that EU laws in these spheres have now been transposed into Montenegrin law. Given that, in 12 years of negotiations with Brussels, Montenegro has only managed to close three other chapters, this step is rather significant. EU diplomats have been hinting recently that Montenegro could potentially join the bloc this decade. ...While Serbia Is Blocked There was a big push to have a third IGC this week and to open a number of negotiation chapters with Serbia as well. This push came mainly from Budapest, big EU member states such as France and Italy, as well as the European Commission, which has suggested that Belgrade is ready to proceed with its EU integration ever since its annual enlargement report in October. However, the three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, blocked the process due to Belgrade's continued nonalignment with the EU's sanctions policy on Russia. Additionally, the Netherlands withheld approval, citing Serbia's failure to meet benchmarks on some of the chapters they were supposed to open. The issue of Serbia's progress is likely to resurface in the first half of 2025, and, by then, it might very well be linked to the opening of negotiating chapters with Ukraine and Moldova. Kyiv and Chisinau are expected to officially start the EU accession process under the Polish presidency, even though Hungary has indicated that it may not give its consent to Ukraine, arguing that the ethnic Hungarian minority in the country is still being discriminated against. Don't be surprised to see a grand bargain in 2025 where both Serbia and Ukraine get the green light. Addressing The Crisis In Georgia The situation in Georgia will feature prominently this week. The draft EU summit conclusions on the South Caucasus republic are rather weak, simply noting that the European Council "reiterates its serious concerns regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded." The commission also "regrets" the Georgian government's decision to suspend the country's EU accession process until 2028. There is also strong condemnation of the recent violence against Georgians protesting the government's decision to put EU accession on ice, with the text making clear that "the Georgian authorities must respect the right of freedom of assembly and of expression and refrain from using force. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible held accountable." The text isn't harsher due to both Hungary and Slovakia not wanting to take a hard line against the leadership of Georgia, who both countries see as their ally. This support for the ruling Georgian Dream party also suggests that any EU sanctions against the Georgian leadership -- including against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party chairman and deeply influential billionaire -- are likely to be ruled out, following the measures taken by Estonia and Lithuania earlier in December Don't rule out, though, that more individual EU member states will follow Estonia and Lithuania and take their own measures. There has been some discussion in Brussels about the possibility of suspending visa liberalization for some Georgian passport holders -- notably those holding diplomatic passports. That would be largely a symbolic move, as most officials have "normal" passports as well. But the proposal is being considered for two reasons. Firstly, you don't need unanimity to impose this measure. Instead, a qualified majority of 55 percent of the EU member states, representing 65 percent of the bloc's total population, is all that's required. Secondly, such a proposal is seen as much "fairer" than going for a general visa liberalization suspension, which would impact the entire Georgian population. The issue of suspending visas for Georgian diplomats was discussed at length back when the bloc's foreign ministers met in Brussels on October 16. No real decision was made, but the European Commission, which would initiate the whole suspension process, received political guidance from member states to look into the matter more closely and come back with a proposal -- something that can happen later this week. The European Commission has actually already opened up the pathway for visa suspension, when, on December 6, it published its annual report on the visa suspension mechanism. This report covers what the countries enjoying visa liberalization in the Western Balkans, as well as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, are doing in the area of justice, home affairs, and fundamental rights in order to maintain their status. And it is fair to say that Georgia received the worst review of all countries assessed this year. The report notes that "there are ongoing reflections on the possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism in relation to certain categories of persons" and adds that "[Georgia] needs to take further urgent action to address the Commission's recommendations, particularly in the area of the protection of fundamental rights." The report refers especially to Georgia's controversial "foreign agent" law and anti-LGBT measures, stating that they both "infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of association, expression, and privacy." But that is far from the only complaint, even though it is the most serious one. The report also says that Georgia made no progress on visa policy alignment with the EU, instead agreeing to a visa-waiver agreement with China earlier in 2024. It also bemoans the lack of a national anti-corruption strategy or action plan and Georgia's failure to set up an asset recovery office. Looking Ahead There is an interesting ruling coming up in an EU court on December 18. The Moldovan fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor and his colleague Marina Tauber are challenging the bloc's sanctions imposed on them in 2023 for undermining the sovereignty and political stability of Moldova. The case is worth watching because the court in October ruled against the same type of sanctions that were targeting Vlad Plahotniuc, another Moldovan oligarch. (Plahotniuc does, however, remain sanctioned by the bloc, as the ruling concerned an older sanctions period, and the EU prolonged the restrictive measures before the court ruling.) But a win for Shor and Tauber would make another Moldova sanctions rollover in 2025 more complicated. That's all for this year! I wish you all the best for the holiday season, and thank you very much for all your support and feedback throughout 2024! Feel free to reach out to me on any of these issues on Twitter @RikardJozwiak, or on e-mail at jozwiakr@rferl.org. All the best, Rikard Jozwiak If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition -- which will come on January 14, 2025 -- please subscribe here. Roscommon Gardai recently welcomed two new local members of the fantastic Little Blue Heroes. Induction packs were presented recently to the two newest 'Little Blue Heroes' in the Castlerea Community Engagement area. They are Jack Mc Dermott assigned to Ballinlough Garda Station and Hayley Bird who is assigned to Castlerea Garda Station. The families of both of these honorary Garda members wished to express their sincere gratitude for the gifts that they received and the continued support provided to them by the Little Blue Heroes Foundation, Roscommon Gardai said. Little Blue Heroes Foundation, established in 2017, is a not-for-profit registered charity voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members and civic minded people from local communities. Its vision is to support families of children with serious illnesses in Ireland while empowering the lives of children through positive community engagement. SIDNEY On the ninth day of his 12 Days of Giving campaign, Governor Greg Gianforte contributed a quarter of his annual salary to Sunrise Women's Clinic, a pregnancy support center serving eastern Montana. In October 2020, the governor committed to Montanans he would contribute his salary as governor to nonprofit organizations and charities in the state. "For more nearly 15 years, Sunrise Women's Clinic has provided care and resources to young mothers and families," Gov. Gianforte said. "As we continue our 12 Days of Giving, I'm proud to support the nonprofit with its mission to support Montana mothers and stronger families." Founded in Sidney, the nonprofit crisis pregnancy center has served mothers and families for over 15 years. At the clinic, licensed medical staff, advocates, and volunteers provide free health care services such as ultrasounds and pregnancy tests, as well as information to women and families including pregnancy and parenting support and services. Additionally, the center serves growing families by providing new and gently used baby items for parents through its Baby Boutique. Families using clinic services are able to shop at the boutique at no cost to get needed items such as diapers, clothing, and baby tubs. "Our goal is to empower these women and families and provide for them all the way through their pregnancy, and ultimately so they know the only option is life," said Executive Director Stacey McNally. "For everyone who comes through our door, we want to offer hope. Family relationships are hard to build upon right now, it's hard to be a parent, and economic hardship is definitely reaching people here in a real hard way. so we want to be able to help people in every capacity, This year, the clinic served over 1,100 visits, provided over 150 free ultrasounds, and accepted clients across eastern Montana and North Dakota. Partnering with over 52 churches and by providing classes at local high schools, Sunrise has expanded their outreach and education across the region. The Sunrise Pregnancy Resources and Family Outreach center relies on the generosity of Montanans to help women and families with pregnancy, postpartum support, and health needs. More information on the clinic may be found here. Running through Dec. 17, the governor's fourth annual 12 Days of Giving campaign will highlight the work of a dozen organizations serving Montanans in need. On the 1st Day of Giving, the governor and first lady donated new, unwrapped toys to the Helena-area Marine Corps Toys for Tots and encouraged Montanans to donate to their local campaign. On the 2nd Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor's salary to the United Way of Missoula County. On the 3rd Day of Giving, the governor promoted blood donation through the American Red Cross of Montana and encouraged eligible Montanans to donate blood. On the 4th Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor's salary to Warriors & Quiet Waters. On the 5th Day of Giving, the governor launched the fourth annual food drive among state agencies and encouraged Montanans to give to the Montana Food Bank Network or their local food bank. On the 6th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged support for Montana law enforcement officers and their families through the Montana Police Protective Association Foundation. On the 7th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged support for active duty and veteran Special Operations members through the Talons Reach Foundation. On the 8th Day of Giving, the governor encouraged support for after-school arts education programs through Bigger Sky Kids. On the 9th Day of Giving, the governor contributed a quarter of his annual governor's salary to Sunrise Women's Clinic, Sidney. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the 7th Ministerial Council meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend. Minister Bayramov thanked all CICA member states for their trust and support in electing Azerbaijan to lead the organization during the meeting, which marked the handover of the CICA chairmanship to Azerbaijan for the period from 2024 through 2026. "Azerbaijan will build its CICA Chairmanship on its experience as a bridge-builder in global diplomacy, our leadership in multilateral platforms, and our firm commitment to peace, stability, and sustainable development. Azerbaijans CICA Chairmanship comes at a pivotal moment not only in CICAs history but also in the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape of Asia and the world. Asias role as a driving force of global growth, technological innovation, and political influence is more significant than ever. As multipolarity rises and multilateralism faces new challenges, Asia must respond with unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility. CICA, as the region's most inclusive platform for dialogue, is uniquely positioned to foster this cooperation and address the challenges we face. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Chairmanship is grounded in the theme of Stronger CICA, Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia and will prioritize three overarching issues, namely 1) CICAs transformation and institutional development, 2) sectoral cooperation through implementation of confidence-building measures, and 3) promoting synergy between CICA and other international and regional organizations. Based on the achievements of the past 30 years, we will continue the current transition process towards making CICA a fully fledged international organization. We will continue the ongoing transformation of CICA into a full-fledged international organization on the basis of the achievements over the past 30 years. This process, initiated under Kazakhstans Chairmanship and reaffirmed by the Sixth CICA Summit in 2022, will continue to be member-driven and consensus-based and aim to equip CICA to respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world. The elaboration of a legally binding document of CICA (Charter), along with efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity and financial autonomy, will remain key priorities under the Azerbaijani Chairmanship. Our Chairmanship will also focus on strengthening CICAs Secretariats operational capacities. To this end, Azerbaijan will support Secretariat, both through financial contributions and seconding professional staff. We encourage all Member States to actively contribute to the Secretariats work through both financial and in-kind support. Additionally, we will continue to promote the ratification of the Statute of the Secretariat and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities for CICAs personnel and Member States representatives," the minister added. According to the minister, Azerbaijan also supports the establishment of the CICA Finance Summit and will work towards achieving consensus on this matter based on significant work done at the expert level. "Excellences, Confidence-building lies at the heart of the CICA process. Building on the positive legacy, Azerbaijans Chairmanship will prioritize the enhancement of the effectiveness and impact of existing confidence-building measures (CBMs), while also exploring new, innovative ways to deepen cooperation. We will focus on the following overarching themes: connectivity, digitalization, and sustainability. Over 20 Chairmanship events are planned for 2025 across all five dimensions. The Chairmanship will seek to improve synergy between the efforts of the Member States, coordinators and co-coordinators of CBMs, and relevant CICA bodies, such as the Business and Youth Councils, the Think Tank Forum, and the Partnership Network of Leading Universities. This approach aims to amplify the effectiveness of CBMs and promote greater intra-CICA coherence. In the economic dimension, the Chairmanship will prioritize transport connectivity, the promotion of SMEs, women entrepreneurship, and the green economy. We will work to enhance transport corridors and promote more secure, sustainable, and efficient infrastructure across Asia. SMEs access to investments and markets and their participation in international trade through innovative methods like e-commerce, as well as innovative approaches in agriculture, will be among the areas of the Chairmanships focus, including through the CICA Business Council. In the dimension of new challenges and threats, the focus will be on promoting capacity building and the exchange of best practices in cybersecurity and personal data protection. We will work to harmonize data protection laws and promote a culture of cybersecurity and data privacy. The environmental dimension will be centered around promoting green transition and sustainable development through concrete projects in various areas, a cross-cutting agenda that will be explored to foster synergy between different priority areas. The promotion of people-to-people contacts and tourism, as an essential element of the human dimension, will also be central to our Chairmanships agenda. We will continue to work with the CICA Youth Council to engage the youth in meaningful discussions on how they can contribute to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in Asia. We will also prioritize the protection of cultural heritage. In a region as diverse and rich in history as ours, cultural exchange and the preservation of heritage are vital for fostering mutual understanding and respect. Several CICA Member States face immense challenges due to contamination with landmines and explosive remnants of war, claiming the lives of thousands of civilians, limiting access to sites that can be utilized for economic purposes, and depriving the sustainable exploitation of environmental riches of those areas. Given this, the Chairmanship will explore the promotion of humanitarian demining as an area of interaction within CICA. The fields of education and science also remain underexploited, and we will work to enhance collaboration through the Partnership Network of Leading Universities, the establishment of which is expected to be finalized at this Ministerial Council. Once the Network is fully operational, the Chairmanship will work to instrumentalize this platform to galvanize collaboration in these highly demanding and promising sectors. Beyond these immediate priorities, we remain open to exploring new areas of interaction and confidence-building to address the evolving needs of our region. The Chairmanship will closely work with coordinators and co-coordinators to this end. Dear Colleagues, CICA holds significant comparative advantages due to its inclusiveness and holistic approach to regional security, development, and cooperation. However, in todays interdependent world, no organization can thrive in isolation. Azerbaijans Chairmanship will focus on increasing CICAs international visibility and expanding its network of partnerships with other international and regional organizations. We will work to create synergies with bodies such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), as well as other regional platforms, to address shared challenges more effectively. Our engagement with international organizations will not only enhance CICAs visibility but also increase its ability to act as a driving force for positive change across Asia, as well as enhance its international standing as an inclusive regional platform determined to create a more secure and prosperous Asia. Ladies and Gentlemen, Azerbaijan's Chairmanship marks a moment of opportunity and responsibility. Azerbaijani Chairmanship is oriented toward making an impact on security, development, and well-being of our states and population through stronger CICA. By working together, embracing innovation, and strengthening our collective commitment to sustainable development, we can shape a brighter future for our region and the world. Azerbaijan is ready to lead this transformative journey, and we look forward to our continued collaboration with all Member States to achieve our shared vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and interconnected Asia. I once again thank all Member States for their confidence and look forward to fruitful interaction throughout our Chairmanship, the minister concluded. 16:13 The 7th Ministerial Council meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) has started its work in an online format, the publication of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on X said, Trend reports. To note, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is attending the meeting of the Ministerial Council, which will adopt a number of important decisions, including those related to Azerbaijan's chairmanship in CICA. Will be updated Watford City, ND Kathryn Jones, McKenzie Health Pediatrics team LPN, was honored on Dec. 3 with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses. Forty nominations were received during this cycle. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. Thirty nominations were received for this selection cycle. This recognition is celebrated twice a year May and December. Kathryn was born and raised in Arkansas and is the oldest of 5 children. She graduated with her LPN certificate from the U of A Community College at Morrilton in 2003. She went on to receive her Bachelor's of Science degree in psychology in May 2021. The nomination submitted about Kathryn read: "My son had a severe rash all over his arms that he had for about three months. I had taken him to several doctors and no one was giving us any real solutions. I reached out to Kathryn at the Pediatric Clinic, and she made sure that I could get an appointment for my son promptly so he could get some relief. When I brought him to his appointment that week, Kathryn made him feel very at ease as he had to have bloodwork done and is extremely afraid of needles. Kathryn was very kind and patient with him, offering to put numbing cream on his arm so that the needle poke would not be as painful. He agreed to let Kathryn put numbing cream on his arm and was able to successfully have his blood drawn. Kathryn also went out of her way to contact me the next day to ask if the new medicine that Dr. McDonough prescribed offered my son any relief. This shows to me that Kathryn is very caring and concerns greatly for her patients." Rosie Daly RN, Clinic Manager, said, "Kathryn is detail-oriented and has excellent communication skills when it comes to working with families and especially children. With her calm demeanor, she has the ability to help patients put anxiousness at bay by answering questions and going the extra mile to follow-up. We are very fortunate to have a dedicated team member like Kathryn serving children alongside Dr. McDonough!" Pete Edis, McKenzie Health CEO, added, "One of the many highlights of being CEO is having the opportunity to recognize our dedicated and talented employees. Kathryn is an exceptional LPN and asset to our team. She brings positivity to her role in pediatrics. Furthering her dedication to nursing, Kathryn, is working on her RN degree. Congratulations to Kathryn for her outstanding contributions to McKenzie Health and most importantly, to the children and parents that depend on rural healthcare." Of receiving this award, Kathryn says, "I have had several jobs over the years but working pediatrics is one of my all-time favorite places to work. Even when kiddos feel bad and just want to be left alone but they see you, and you get a smile out of them, it just makes what I do worthwhile. I have several years of working with special needs kids both in a facility and at home. I have worked as a private duty nurse in the homes of kids with tracheostomies and on ventilators. I even learned some sign language from one family, and the way they go through the hardships of life with a smile and are still giggling all the time really makes you stop and think. Life can be hard, but it is how you let it impact your life that matters most. If a child that was born with all the hardships one little body can endure and they can still smile through, it just proves how mighty God is. I'm reminded that He will never give us more than He knows we can handle. Working in pediatrics can be the most rewarding and heartbreaking position a person can have. I am so grateful and honored to be able to serve this community as a pediatric nurse for McKenzie Health." If you or a loved one has received extraordinary care, please nominate your nurse for the DAISY Award! You can apply by written or digital application. To apply online, please visit mckenziehealth.com/daisy-award-nomination/. The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, Doctor of Humane Letters (h.c) and The DAISY Foundation co-founder said, "When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at McKenzie Health are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award." 12 Punjabis Dead in Georgia Restaurant The Indian Embassy expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured that efforts are underway to repatriate the mortal remains. Punjabis Death in Georgia Restaurant Latest News: In a tragic incident at a ski resort in Gudauri, Georgia, 12 people were found dead due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Among the deceased, 11 were confirmed as Indian nationals, according to a press release issued Monday by the Indian Embassy in Tbilisi. The victims were discovered on the second floor of a building that housed an Indian restaurant, local reports indicated. However, Congress MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, claimed that all 12 individuals who died were from Punjab. Advertisement 12 Punjabis have tragically died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a ski resort in Gudauri, Georgia. I urge CM @BhagwantMann & @KuldeepSinghAAP, NRI Minister, to take immediate steps to bring back the bodies and support grieving families, Aujla posted on X. The Indian Embassy expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured that efforts are underway to repatriate the mortal remains. 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 read. This tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the Punjabi diaspora, with calls for swift action to assist grieving families. Advertisement (For more news apart from Punjabis Death in Georgia Restaurant Latest News, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Amaira Death News: Parents Allege Evidence Tampering, Demand Immediate Action The family, however, continues to demand justice, urging authorities to arrest the remaining culprits at the earliest. Amaira Death News, Ludhiana School Bus Accident Latest News Today: In the tragic case of seven-year-old Amairas death at BCM School in Ludhiana, her parents have accused the school administration of attempting to erase evidence and demanded the swift arrest of all responsible parties. The incident occurred yesterday when Amaira, also known as Myra, was run over by a school bus within the premises of BCM School. The grieving family revealed that they were informed of the accident around 8:30 am through a call from the school. However, upon reaching the school, they claim they were not allowed to enter the premises for nearly two hours, further alleging that attempts were made to destroy crucial evidence related to the incident. Advertisement The family has leveled serious allegations against the bus driver, school management, and the principal, holding them accountable for negligence that led to the childs death. While the bus driver has been arrested, a case has also been registered against the management and principal. The family, however, continues to demand justice, urging authorities to arrest the remaining culprits at the earliest. The tragic incident has sparked outrage and grief among the community, with calls for accountability growing louder. Authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the matter to bring justice to Amaira and her family. (For more news apart from Amaira Death News, Ludhiana School Bus Accident Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Blast-like Noise Near Police Station in Amritsar; Police Clarify Cause We verified the claims circulating on social media and found no evidence of a blast, Bhullar said. Amritsar Blast Near Islamabad Police Station Latest News Today: A loud blast-like noise near the Islamabad Police Station in Punjabs Amritsar created panic in the early hours of Tuesday, December 17. The incident occurred at around 3 am, but authorities have clarified that no blast took place, and there were no damages or injuries reported on the premises. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar addressed the concerns, stating that the noise was caused by a heavy object falling on the temporary police sentry post located outside the station. He confirmed that the only damage was to the iron sheet covering the top of the sentry post. Advertisement We verified the claims circulating on social media and found no evidence of a blast, Bhullar said. Earlier, we had nabbed 10 people belonging to a particular module, including two brothersone of whom is a juvenile. Another suspect, Aman Khokhar, along with two or three others, are currently on our radar and will be apprehended soon. The commissioner assured that investigations are underway to determine any links to previous incidents and emphasized that the police are on high alert. We are thoroughly verifying what has occurred and will ensure that this matter reaches its logical conclusion, he added. Officials are treating the situation with caution, and Bhullar reiterated that the module involved will be neutralized soon. The police remain vigilant to avoid any untoward incidents, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. Advertisement (For more news apart from Amritsar Blast Near Islamabad Police Station Latest News Today, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The 100 Year Story of Cheia Soap The story of Cheia soap takes us back in time to March 3, 1886 foto: facebook.com/sapunulcheia/ Ana-Maria Cononovici, 17.12.2024, 13:41 The story of Cheia soap takes us back in time to March 3, 1886, when Lippa Brunstein registered his familys factory with City Hall. Today, as then, Cheia is a family business. Today, as then, it is a brand that promotes itself by using natural ingredients, working, cutting and stamping by hand, with great care. The story of Cheia soap, like that of many Romanian brands that existed during the communist period, such as Dacia, Arctic, Borsec, Timisoreana, Dero, Braiconf, Antibiotice, Rom chocolate, Gerovital or Eugenia, is often associated with the sad memories of those who lived in the golden age. However, many of these products existed before nationalization, some not even being promoted during communism, and others only gaining a utilitarian dimension, such as Cheia soap. Thus, between 1950 and 1989, Cheia soap did exist on the market, only in the laundry soap version. It was a big surprise to discover that the brand is one of many elitist products, with a long history. How Cheia soap is maintained now, over 100 years later, we learned from Alin Laszlo, the soap maker of todays soap, as he introduced himself: Just like back then, in 1886, its still a family business, its still a business that respects those principles from back then, that is, the production of a natural soap, its the same elitist soap. So practical for the 21st century, lets say the 7th generation of Cheia soap producers, we also consider the period 48-90 still covered by generations of Romanians who produced Cheia soap. The soap is an elitist one, which respects principles older than a century, and which proudly rewrites a history longer than a century in Romanian soap production. We asked our interlocutor what is, in fact, the range of products that appear today under the Cheia brand, remembering the laundry soap from before 89. Here is Alin Laszlo: What you have exemplified currently represents 7% of our current offer. Currently, we are rewriting a long history, with recipes specific to each period, because Cheia soap has known normality, it has known war, it has known epidemics, it has known forced industrialization during the communist era, with that change in the production paradigm in which need, and not pleasure, were covered. Neither from a moral nor a historical point of view, we cannot remove that period from our history, and again we only refer to it as a period defined in our offer, the grey book of Cheia soap. We offer that wide range of products described, but rewritten for the mind, needs and use of the contemporary consumer, in the sense that we still produce laundry soap and not necessarily that laundry soap from the time of Ceausescu. That interwar laundry soap was something else, it was not a mass product, and we still produce it today, but we produce it for an extremely small area, and not for nostalgics. There are even still people who use solid laundry soap. To develop our business, we innovated and obtained powdered laundry soap, the equivalent of the habit of mothers of my generation, in the early 90s, of washing clothes with grated Cheia soap, liquid soap in its natural form, not chemical detergent. Our interlocutor also tempted us with other Cheia products: Number one is Cheia for hair. And not necessarily because we are going back to our grandmothers ritual of washing our hair with soap, but still, because it is that primary shampoo that humanity used until the 50s, when the chemical one was invented. Here we have developed a complete range, starting with soap and ending with the equivalent of vinegar in our grandmothers ritual, hair conditioners. As I said, in the laundry range, we have absolutely the entire range currently possible, from solid soap, powdered soap, paste soap and liquid soap. Likewise, we have returned to the same formula that we all learned in chemistry lesson in 10th grade of natural soap for the hand soap application, which is maybe the second best-selling product in our portfolio. Proud to be part of a long tradition, Alin Laszlo added: We believe in the value of tradition! I would be happy to know that we have also contributed with a small percentage to raising the specific consumption of soap per capita in this country, because you know very well that we are not doing exceptionally well. Under the Cheia brand, there is now a vast offer of natural, organic, eco-friendly soaps, with a friendly attitude towards loved ones and nature, as well as a diverse range of surprising gifts. Maria luxurious body butter, which bears the face of Queen Maria on the packaging, shower oils with Christmas aromas, or Santa Claus-shaped childrens soap, lip balm, but also cookie candy lip scrub with orange and cinnamon aroma, or Cheia-Dac, soap for a beautiful beard. These are just a few examples of todays Cheia products, their number being much greater. December 17, 2024 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 17.12.2024, 13:55 Government. The declared pro-European parties represented in the future Romanian Parliament are to resume today the discussions regarding the governing program, based on a common set of reforms, to be presented by Friday, December 20, when the new Legislature will be convened. On Monday, in the first part of the day, the four political parties did not agree on how the budget will be built for next year, which is why USR representatives were absent from last nights meeting. Under these conditions, PSD, PNL and UDMR have conveyed that they can form a government even without USR, if this party decides to withdraw from the negotiations. In addition, PSD, PNL and UDMR reaffirmed that the priority is the program of the future government and that they are not currently discussing the distribution of political positions. Elections. Four American senators, both Republican and Democrat, have condemned Russias interference in the presidential elections in Romania and expressed their support for Bucharest in the fight for the integrity of the electoral process. The senators assured that the United States stands by Romania, as the country urgently takes measures for free and fair presidential elections. The first round of the presidential elections in Romania was canceled after it was revealed that the voting had not bee not fair due to illegal practices supported by Russia on social media, especially on TikTok. For its part, the European Union announced on Monday that it adopted the first sanctions in response to hybrid actions on its territory, against Russian agents accused of destabilizing actions in the EU. 1989 Revolution. In Timisoara (western Romania), today is a day of mourning, in memory of the people killed at the outbreak of the anti-communist revolution in 1989. 35 years ago, parishioners gathered in front of the reformed parish to support the ethnic Hungarian pastor Laszlo Tokes , threatened by the political police, the Securitate, with eviction. Their protest turned into a popular uprising. The repression triggered by law enforcement resulted in more than 100 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Timisoara became, on December 20, the first city free from communism in Romania, and from there the flame of the Revolution spread throughout the country, to culminate, on the 22nd, in Bucharest, with the attempted escape of the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Under the banner of 35 years of freedom, this week, extensive commemorative events dedicated to martyr heroes, conferences, exhibitions, shows, concerts and film screenings are scheduled. On Monday, the inauguration of the freedom portal took place, a light installation that reproduces sounds from the time of the Revolution, followed by the traditional march entitled Heroes never die. The demonstrations will end on Friday, with the Rock for Revolution concert. Recession. Entrepreneurs warn about the danger of an economic recession in Romania in 2025 and ask the future government in Bucharest to take measures. During the debate Back to the economy. How entrepreneurs see the year 2025, organized on Monday by the Coalition for Freedom of Trade and Communication, businesspeople recalled that 2024 was an extremely challenging year and recommended the future government to avoid an excessive burdening of the business environment, in an attempt to reduce the budget deficit. They also called for more predictability. More on this after the news. ANAF. The National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF) in Romania denies the information circulated in the public space according to which, starting next year, it would charge a tax of 10% of the money in taxpayers bank accounts. ANAF has stressed that it collects contributions only for the interest generated by the money in the accounts and only if the total income from these investments exceeds the legal ceiling. According to the legislation in force, the health insurance contribution must be paid for the sums obtained from interest, dividends or gains from the capital market, if, by cumulation with other categories of income, the annual threshold of 6, 12 or 24 gross minimum wages is exceeded. ANAF encourages taxpayers to obtain information only from official sources, to avoid confusion or misinterpretation. (MI) December 17, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 17.12.2024, 20:00 A roundup of local and international news. GOVERNMENT The pro-European parties represented in the future Parliament in Bucharest continued, on Tuesday, discussions on the governing program. The meeting was attended by representatives of PSD, PNL, UDMR, but also those of USR, who were absent from Mondays discussions and who are asking for the measures to be adopted and next years budget to be first decided. In their opinion, the distribution of responsibilities and positions in the future Government can only be done after discussions on the governing program. The leaders of PSD, PNL and UDMR announced that they have the necessary votes in Parliament to form a majority and a government, in case USR decides to leave the coalition. On Monday, in the first part of the day, the heads of the four parties discussed the draft budget for 2025 with the Minister of Finance, Marcel Bolos, but also the budget execution for the current year. The future governing program should include a series of major reforms, which are to be finalized and made public by Friday, December 20, when the new Parliament is to be convened, the coalition leaders said. AMBASSADOR While there is always more work to do, it is clear Romania has chosen the right path the European and Euro-Atlantic path towards democracy, peace, security and prosperity for all its citizens, said the US ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec, on Tuesday, at the Romanian Foreign Ministry offices, where she was conferred the Order of the Star of Romania. Ambassador Kavalec extended her thanks to the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminita Odobescu, for the collaboration aimed at strengthening the US-Romania strategic partnership. In this context, the US ambassador to Bucharest mentioned some of the objectives achieved together with the Romanian partners, including the strengthening of Romanias defense capabilities and its role in promoting regional security, fulfilling the requirements of the Visa Waiver program. She also referred to investments, but also to the development of bilateral relations in the fields of education and culture. At the same time, Kathleen Kavalec also highlighted the joint aid offered to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as the remarkable progress that Romania has made as a member of the EU and NATO and as strategic partner of the United States. ELECTIONS Four American senators, both Republican and Democrat, have condemned Russias interference in the presidential elections in Romania and expressed their support for Bucharest in the fight for the integrity of the electoral process. The senators assured that the United States stands by Romania, as the country urgently takes measures for free and fair presidential elections. The first round of the presidential elections in Romania was cancelled after it was revealed that the voting had not bee not fair due to illegal practices supported by Russia on social media, especially on TikTok. For its part, the European Union announced on Monday that it adopted the first sanctions in response to hybrid actions on its territory, against Russian agents accused of destabilizing actions in the EU. FORESTRY The new Forestry Code, a milestone of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, has been adopted by the Parliament in Bucharest. More than seven months after the normative it passed the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, as the decision-making body, adopted the project. The document, which received over 200 amendments, provides, among other things, for video surveillance of forest roads, imprisonment of up to five years for falsifying forestry computer data and the establishment of the National Forest Registry. The Minister of Environment, Mircea Fechet, said that the measures provided for in the law ensure forest conservation, economic development and new jobs. However, the opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the final form of the project. PRICES Romania ranks first in the European price increase rankings. Since the beginning of the year, the country has recorded the largest price increases for food, clothing, footwear, electronics, household appliances and services among all European Union countries. Data from the National Institute of Statistics indicate that food and non-food products increased in price by 5% in November 2024, compared to November 2023, and services by 7.56%. According to Eurostat, over 25% of Romanians monthly income is allocated to food, well above the European average, despite the fact that salaries have increased compared to previous years. Romanians spend 30 billion euros annually on consumer goods, such as food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and personal and household care products. In the first nine months of 2024, sales of such items increased by 16%, the increase being covered, in fact, only by price increases, as consumption decreased. RECESSION Entrepreneurs are drawing attention to the danger of an economic recession in Romania in 2025 and are calling on the future government in Bucharest to take measures. During the debate Back to the Economy. How Entrepreneurs See 2025, staged on Monday by the Coalition for Freedom of Trade and Communication, business people recalled that 2024 was an extremely challenging year and recommended that the future government should avoid measures that would excessively burden the business environment, in an attempt to reduce the budget deficit. They also spoke out in favor of more predictability. Russia: concerns and sanctions Several US Senators have criticised Russias interference with the Romanian presidential elections, while the EU has adopted sanctions against Russian agents accused of destabilising actions abroad photo pixabay.com@geralt Leyla Cheamil, 17.12.2024, 14:00 Four US Senators, both Republicans and Democrats, have condemned Russias interference in the Romanian presidential elections and have expressed support for Bucharest in its fight for the integrity of the election process. The signatories include Ben Cardin, head of the Senates committee on foreign relations, and Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the subcommittee on Europe and regional cooperation. In a statement posted on the US Senate website, they state that president Vladimir Putins attack on the Romanian elections is yet another example of the hybrid war Russia is waging on the United States European allies and partners. The Senators say the US stands in support of Romania as it urgently moves to hold certifiably free and fair presidential elections. The first round of the presidential elections in Romania, on November 24, was cancelled over concerns that the vote was not fair because of illegal practices supported by Moscow on social media, especially on TikTok. The US Senators condemn Putins manipulation of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled TikTok to undermine Romanias democratic process. The world must wake up to the serious threat to democracy posed by Russian manipulation of TikTok to undermine our free societies. They add that the Romanian government has uncovered this assault on their democracy, and appreciate Bucharests decision to declassify intelligence related to the investigation and keep the United States and the international community informed. In turn, the European Union announced on Monday that it had adopted the first sanctions in response to hybrid activities on its territory, against Russian agents accused of destabilising actions in the EU. The bloc also accuses Moscow of cyber-attacks and disinformation, especially during elections in the EU. According to the Council of the European Union, the sanctions target individuals and entities that undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organisations and third countries through hybrid activities of various kinds. A total of 16 individuals and 3 entities are targeted by the sanctions, according to the Council. The measures, which include the freezing of assets in the EU, a travel ban and a ban on being financed by European companies, were decided as part of a new sanctions framework approved in October. This is separate from the one used against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (AMP) BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree On Amendments to the Decree On Creation of a New Mechanism of Subsidies in the Agrarian Sphere, Trend reports. The decree states that lands temporarily removed from cultivation for the need to restore lost fertility and other reasons will receive subsidies, Trend reported Tuesday. So, after crops are grown on the lands that applied for a sowing subsidy during the time period set by the Agrarian Subsidies Board to restore the fertility of these lands and get rid of weeds, a subsidy will be given for one year for every hectare of land that is temporarily taken out of the sowing turnover for other reasons or to restore the fertility that was lost. To apply the sowing subsidy, we must approve the list of places designated as unified sowing areas, the list of plants categorized by regions and their corresponding sowing coefficients, the list of plants subject to insurance under the Law of the Azerbaijan Republic "On Agrarian Insurance" (also known as "insurable plants"), and the requirements for the minimum size of sowing areas. The document extends the requirement to issue a subsidy until January 1, 2030, following the conclusion of an insurance contract for the cultivation of insurable plants from the Council of Agrarian Subsidies' approved list on a land plot of 10 hectares or more. In addition, the list of territories for application of subsidies for land plots was temporarily withdrawn by a relevant body of executive authority from crop turnover in connection with the restoration of the lost natural fertility of the land and for other reasons. Consecutive periods of cultivation of these plots and coefficients of land plots temporarily withdrawn by a relevant body of executive authority from crop turnover in connection with the restoration of the lost natural fertility of the land and for other reasons shall be approved. Furthermore, to apply subsidies in crop production, we differentiate the coefficients based on factors such as the area and soil quality parameters, the year of sowing perennial plants, the seeds and seedlings sown, agrotechnical measures, and the use of modern irrigation systems. The Council's approval of the list of plants to be insured for the application of planting subsidy shall be based on their export orientation or their role in ensuring food security. The basic amount is the coefficient of land plots temporarily withdrawn from crop turnover by a relevant body of executive authority. This is done in connection with the restoration of the lost natural fertility of the land and for other reasons. The subsidy is for land plots temporarily withdrawn from crop turnover by a relevant body of executive authority. Singapore will on Tuesday release November numbers for non-oil domestic exports, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In October, NODX was down 7.4 percent on month and 4.6 percent on year, with a trade surplus of SGD4.410 billion. Hong Kong will see November figures for unemployment; in October, the jobless rate was 3.1 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Indian shares opened lower on Tuesday as caution crept in ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision on December 18. The benchmark S&P/BSE Sensex dropped 493 points, or 0.6 percent, to 81,255 in early trade while the broader NSE Nifty index was down 150 points, or 0.6 percent at 24,519. Among the prominent decliners, Bharti Airtel, Grasim, Reliance Industries, Bajaj FinServ and Shriram Finance were down 1-2 percent. Life Insurance Corporation of India shares rose about 1 percent. The insurer has unclaimed maturity amounts of Rs 880.93 crore in 2023-24, the parliament was informed. Tata Consumer Products was down 1 percent after reports that it "will calibrate" its plans to open Starbucks stores in the near term. Mindspace REIT fell 1.4 percent after 9.2 percent equity changed hands in a block deal. HDFC Bank dropped 1 percent after receiving a warning from SEBI over non-compliance with listing regulations. Wipro was marginally lower on news it will acquire Massachusetts-headquartered IT services consulting firm Applied Value Technologies (AVT) for $40 million. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) announced the primary endpoint was met in the Phase 3 QUASAR trial investigating EYLEA HD or aflibercept injection 8 mg for the treatment of patients with macular edema following retinal vein occlusion, including those with central, branch and hemiretinal vein occlusions. In the trial, patients treated with EYLEA HD every 8 weeks experienced non-inferior vision gains compared to those treated with the approved monthly dosing regimen of EYLEA Injection 2 mg, the current standard of care. Also, about 90% of EYLEA HD patients were able to maintain 8-week dosing intervals through 36 weeks. All currently FDA-approved anti-VEGF therapies for retinal vein occlusion require monthly dosing. The company said these data will be submitted to regulatory authorities around the world, with a submission to the FDA planned for the first quarter of 2025. For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Stagwell Inc. (STGW), a marketing company, announced on Tuesday that it has inked a deal to acquire Unicepta, a media monitoring and analytics platform. The company will join Stagwell Marketing Cloud's PRophet Comms Tech Suite of AI-powered offerings purpose-built for modern PR and marketing professionals. The acquisition comes as Stagwell expands its global footprint and invests further in AI-enabled solutions at the forefront of digital marketing. Spanning eight countries and four continents, Unicepta is headquartered in Cologne, Germany with additional offices in Berlin, London, Paris, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Washington and Zurich. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Japan's SoftBank Group is planning to invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years, which would create more than 100,000 jobs in Artificial Intelligence or AI and related critical infrastructure. During President-elect Donald Trump's first news conference since the election, SoftBank founder and Chief Executive officer Masayoshi Son joined to make the announcement of the tech firm's billions of dollar investments in the country. In Japan, SoftBank shares had gained 4.4% to close Tuesday's trading at 9,837 yen. SoftBank's investment will focus on and AI over the next four years, and the required infrastructure, including energy projects, data centers and chips, to support the ongoing AI boom. Noting that the latest pledge represented a demonstration of confidence in America's future, Trump said, "He's doing this because he feels very optimistic about our country since the election.... it will help ensure that artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and other industries of tomorrow are being created and grown right here in the USA." The technology investor reportedly would raise money for the proposed investment from its balance sheet as well from various sources controlled by it, including the Vision Fund or chipmaker Arm Holdings, where SoftBank is the majority shareholder. In December 2016, during last Trump presidency, the technology investment holding company had pledged $50 billion in the U.S., expecting to create 50,000 jobs. Since then, SoftBank reportedly have invested more than $70 billion in around 300 technology companies. In 2016, the company also had announced plans for SoftBank's Vision Fund, a $100 billion vehicle for investing in technology companies worldwide. Of that, half came from Saudi Arabia. Last month, SoftBank invested $500 million in OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, and annonuced plans to purchase OpenAI stock worth $1.5 billion, as part of Son's strategy to increase investment in AI. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News While the company already has three manufacturing facilities in India, the fourth unit is poised to commence operation in 2025 Indias leading car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, is known to achieve multiple milestones along its manufacturing journey. They have Indias biggest car portfolio, split between Arena and Nexa dealerships. The company has a massive lead in sales, something rival brands can seldom match. At the fag end of 2024, Maruti Suzuki has achieved a massive feat in sales by selling 2 million units in a calendar year. This is a massive achievement for the brand and signifies Maruti Suzukis sheer scale of manufacturing and its position in India as a car maker. Maruti Suzuki Hits 2 Million Sales Milestone The company sold 20 lakh units in one calendar year, which translates to 1,66,666 units sold per month on average. Maruti Suzuki becomes the first passenger vehicle manufacturer in India to achieve this incredible feat. Even in Maruti Suzukis own history, this is the first time the company has sold 2 million units in a calendar year. Notably, Maruti Suzuki also became the first manufacturer under the Suzuki Motor Corporations global manufacturing facilities. The 2 millionth vehicle manufactured by the company was an Ertiga MPV at the companys state-of-the-art facility in Manesar, Haryana. Baleno, Fronx, Ertiga, WagonR and Brezza were the companys highest-selling vehicles sold in calendar year 2024. Out of the 2 million vehicles sold in calendar year 2024, 60% were manufactured in Manesar facility in Haryana and the remaining 40% units were manufactured in companys Gujarat facility. Currently, Maruti Suzuki manages all of its manufacturing operations from two facilities in Haryana and one in Gujarat. The ones in Haryana state are situated in Gurgaon and Manesar and the one in Gujarat is situated in Hansalpur. Combined, the company has 2.35 million annual production capacity, which is being increased to 4 million, to accommodate growing demand. Theres a new facility coming up in Kharkhoda, Haryana, which is expected to be operational in 2025 with a production capacity of 2.5 lakh units per annum. The company is also on the verge of searching a site to install a new facility with 1 million production facility. Statement from Maruti Suzuki On attaining this significant milestone, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, The 2 million production milestone is a testament to Indias manufacturing potential and our dedication to Make in India initiative. This achievement reflects our commitment, alongside our supplier and dealer partners, to driving economic growth, supporting nation-building, and making Indias automobile industry self-reliant and globally competitive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, and value chain partners for their continued support and for being an integral part of this historic journey. While the exteriors of SVH Tundar are a rip-off of Toyota Tundra full size Pickup truck, interiors are inspired by Mercs G-Class China is a country where copyright law is not exactly exercised at the highest levels. One could say that Chinas weak copyright laws allow manufacturers to rip off Western car designs. While some of these rip-offs are very close to originals, some are downright hilarious. Like a spoof version of the original. Thats exactly the case with SVHs new pickup truck called Tundar. It is a ridiculous rip-off of Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck. Proportions of SVH Tundar look goofy and so does its name. One could say that the company just inversed last two letters of Tundra and arrived at Tundar. Toyota Tundra Rip-Off Almost every popular car design in the world has a cheap rip-off version in China. The weak copyright laws in the Dragon Land allow OEMs to get away with launching knock-offs successfully. Recently, Toyota Tundra just joined the long list of copied car designs by Chinese brands and this is a rather hilarious one. Called SVH Tundar, this vehicle is a small pickup truck, which could hardly be used for any of the trucking activities. Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck, which is larger than the mid-size pickup trucks like Tacoma and Hilux. In comparison, SVH Tundar is a dinky little wannabe pickup truck with no real utility or ruggedness. At the front, we can see that SVH has squished overall design of Tundra into a much smaller size. Grill at the front takes up entire fascia and is flanked by headlights that look very similar to those of Tundras. Windscreen is very upright and almost vertical. On the side, Tundars dinky little 13-inch wheels are just laughable. Theres hardly any ground clearance too, especially when compared to what is on offer with Tundra. Cabin looks like it was squeezed into a smaller footprint and theres a load bay. It is not a flat load bed and has wheel well intrusions. But is rather small and no better than a real SUVs boot. Theres a roll cage here and a Tundar embossing on tailgate as well. Mercedes G-Class Inspired Interiors While SVH Tundar aims to be a Toyota Tundra on the outside, it has much higher copy-cat aspirations on the inside. We say this because SVH Tundar has interiors inspired by the might G Wagon. The dashboard is flat, finished in dual-tone colour theme with circular AC vents and a digital screen, just like a G-Class. Under the tiny bonnet, theres a dinky little 1.0L 3-cylinder engine that sends power to only 2 wheels. Top speed of this vehicle is only 100 km/h and we doubt it will reach that speed. Looking at SVH Tundar, it doesnt look like it will not do any of the truck things that Toyota Tundra can do. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. On 17 December 2024, the 7th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Ministerial Council) of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) was held in an online format hosted by Azerbaijan, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Foreign Ministers, State Ministers, Deputy Foreign Ministers, as well as heads of delegations from 27 member countries, participated in the meeting of the Ministerial Council and addressed speeches. Leaders of 3 observer states and 8 partner international organizations also participated in the Ministerial Council meeting. At the MC meeting, the chairmanship of the conference for 2024-2026 was handed over to Azerbaijan. Addressing the meeting, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov thanked all Member States for the confidence placed in Azerbaijan and for approving its chairmanship of CICA for 2024-2026. The minister also highlighted that as multipolarity rises and multilateralism faces new challenges, Asia must respond with unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility. He also stressed that CICA is uniquely positioned to foster this cooperation and address the challenges faced. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov noted that the Azerbaijani Chairmanship of CICA is grounded in the theme of Stronger CICA Connectivity, Digitalization, and Sustainable Growth in Asia and will prioritize three overarching issues, namely CICAs transformation and institutional development, sectoral cooperation through the implementation of confidence-building measures, and promoting synergy between CICA and other international and regional organizations. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov also emphasized that over 20 chairmanship events are planned for 2025 across all five CICA dimensions. In this regard, he said that special focus will be on cooperation areas such as transportation corridors, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, agriculture, cybersecurity, environment, youth, tourism, protection of cultural heritage, humanitarian mine action, science, and education. In addition, the Minister highlighted that Azerbaijans chairmanship will focus on increasing CICAs international visibility and expanding its network of partnerships with other international and regional organizations. Moreover, a Report on the achievements of the Conference under the Chairmanship of Kazakhstan in 2020-2024 was presented by the Secretary General of CICA, Kairat Sarybay. The CICA Ministerial Council adopted a Commemorative Statement on the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations among the CICA Member States, as well as Decision of the CICA Ministerial Council on Modalities of Implementation of CICA Confidence Building Measures," the amended version of CICA Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures, and Memorandum of Establishment of the Partnership Network of Leading Universities of the Member States of CICA. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijans Baku hosted a conference on "Media Literacy," as part of Media Literacy Week, bringing together representatives from various organizations, local and international experts in the field, as well as approximately 500 Azerbaijani volunteers and youth, Trend reports. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency, Ahmad Ismayilov, emphasized that improving media literacy is a comprehensive and ongoing process that spans all segments of society. He stressed the importance of fostering communication between government bodies, the media, and the public based on healthy principles, highlighting the significance of enhancing professionalism in media content production. Ismayilov also noted that, alongside the rapid reconstruction efforts in the liberated territories and the intensification of the "Great Return" process, holding the largest global event in Azerbaijans history the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change demonstrates the growing authority and leadership position of the country. "The dynamic public environment in Azerbaijan and the transformation of our country into a global center of attention have had a significant impact on the activities of Azerbaijani media, creating an information base to enhance their professional activity both within the country and in shaping the international media agenda. Hosting COP29 was another indication of Azerbaijan's growing international stature and its new role and responsibility in implementing regional and global projects. Creating an effective media mechanism and communication strategy for the successful coverage of COP29, focused on climate change recognized by the UN as the number one global issue and fully informing the public about the significance of the event was crucial for shaping public opinion correctly. Our analysis reveals that all media outlets in Azerbaijan showcased exceptional professionalism during the largest event in the history of our independence, going above and beyond to deliver comprehensive coverage to both local and international audiences. We would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate our journalists for their outstanding work during COP29 and express our sincere gratitude for their dedication and excellence in fulfilling their professional duties!," Ismayilov added. Chairman of the Audiovisual Council Ismat Sattarov said that media literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and effectively use the necessary information. According to him, there is a special need for media literacy to get reliable, unbiased information in today's information space, amid the abundance of information. Information perception, critical thinking, understanding the principles of journalism, how the media works, and the fact that information and events disseminated in the media do not always reflect reality are the basis of media literacy. Considering that the average daily use of social media worldwide is 145 minutes, the correct use of information is of great importance not only for journalists but for all categories of people. In this context, media literacy must have its place in everyone's education. It can be said that the inclusion of media literacy in educational programs at various levels has already become an everyday necessity, Sattarov added. Chairperson of the High Authority for Audiovisual Communications of the Kingdom of Morocco Latifa Akharbach emphasized that in the modern era, with the rapid expansion of electronic information society and easy access to information in the digital environment, the audience faces difficulties in determining the correct and reliable side of the news and spoke about the importance of improving media literacy. Afterward, a video was presented, reflecting the statements on misinformation and media literacy made at the second Shusha Global Media Forum, which was held in July this year. Finally, Presidential laureate and techno-blogger Tariyel Aghazada made a presentation on Tools and Techniques related to misinformation detection. The presentation presented to the audience the technologies and techniques used to detect one of the greatest problems of our timefake news. Saturns icy rings could be much older than they appear due to their resistance to pollution from impacts with rocky debris. Saturns rings were once thought to be ancient, perhaps formed at the same time as the planet itself approximately 4.5 billion years ago. Over time, impacts with micrometeoroids are thought to dirty and darken the rock and ice particles that make up the rings. However, when NASAs Cassini spacecraft reached Saturn in 2004, it observed that Saturns rings appear to be relatively bright and clean. Saturns rings have been estimated to be as young as about 100 to 400 million years old according to the hypothesis that non-icy micrometeoroid bombardment acts to darken the rings over time and the Cassini observation indicated that the ring particles appear to be relatively clean, said Dr. Ryuki Hyodo from the Institute of Science Tokyo and colleagues. These young age estimates assume that the rings formed out of pure water ice particles with a high accretion efficiency of impacting non-icy micrometeoroid material. In the new study, the researchers simulated collisions between micrometeoroids and icy ring particles using computer models. They found that high-speed impacts can lead to vaporization of the micrometeoroids, with the vapor then expanding, cooling, and condensing within Saturns magnetic field to form charged nanoparticles and ions. The teams simulations revealed that these charged particles then either collide with Saturn, are dragged into its atmosphere, or escape the gravitational pull of the planet entirely. As a result, the scientists suggest that very little of this material is deposited onto the rings, keeping them in relatively clean condition. They suggest that very low levels of pollution may mean that Saturns rings are actually billions of years old and are simply maintaining a more youthful appearance. Although further research is required, this process could potentially also be occurring in the rings of Uranus and Neptune, as well as on icy moons around giant planets. High-velocity impacts leading to the creation of charged nanoparticles and ions could potentially occur in places such as the Uranian and Neptunian rings and icy moons around giant planets, the authors said. While this mechanism may not alter the bulk composition of the impacted target, it suggests that surface composition could change. In addition, new material from impactors may not be efficiently incorporated into the rings or surfaces of moons, but instead transported elsewhere. Therefore, the bulk compositional differences observed in various ring systems among the giant planets could be attributed to their formation processes, for example, when building material comes from the outside of the system, rather than to post-formation dynamics. The study was published this week in the journal Nature Geoscience. _____ R. Hyodo et al. Pollution resistance of Saturns ring particles during micrometeoroid impact. Nat. Geosci, published online December 16, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41561-024-01598-9 BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Media literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and effectively use necessary information, said Ismat Sattarov, Chairman of the Audiovisual Council of Azerbaijan, Trend reports. Speaking at the "Media Literacy" conference in Baku, Sattarov emphasized that in the current information-saturated landscape, there exists an imperative demand for media literacy to obtain trustworthy and impartial information. "Perception of information, critical thinking, understanding journalistic principles, and recognizing that media content doesn't always reflect reality are the foundations of media literacy. Given that the average global daily use of social media is around 145 minutes, the responsible use of information is crucial not only for journalists but for everyone. In this regard, integrating media literacy into education is essential for empowering individuals to navigate the information landscape effectively. It can be said that incorporating media literacy into educational curricula at all levels has now become an essential part of daily life," Sattarov added. The Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established as the authority controlling the field of audiovisual media by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Media" dated December 30, 2021. The council guarantees the execution of the existing legislation, regulates the audiovisual mediasphere, monitors audiovisual media in order to control conformity with the current legislation, and participates in the formation of state policy in the audiovisual mediasphere. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: State Committee for Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. A commemorative event dedicated to the Azerbaijani people's National Leader Heydar Aliyev has been held in Prague, Czech Republic, with the support of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, a source in the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan told Trend. According to the source, the event featured speeches from cultural representatives and activists of the Azerbaijani diaspora about the life and activities of the prominent political figure, as well as his contributions to Azerbaijan. "The National Leader went down in history not only as a political leader and the architect of the modern Azerbaijani state, but also as a defender of our culture," said the head of the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, poet and playwright Leyla Jafarova (Begim). A video was shown featuring speeches by world leaders and cultural figures about global-scale policies and the genius of Heydar Aliyev. The event included the performance of the "Elegy" composition, authored by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva. To note, the Azerbaijan Cultural Center, located in Prague, was opened this year and is actively functioning with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The Prosecutor Generals Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has formally extended a collaborative invitation to the pertinent authorities of Armenia to engage in cooperative efforts regarding the ongoing criminal proceedings against Armenian war criminals presently in custody in Baku, Trend reports. A statement from the Prosecutor Generals Office indicates that this occurs subsequent to the referral of the criminal case to court. "The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan invites collaboration from the pertinent authorities of the Republic of Armenia, citing credible evidence regarding the presence of several individuals suspected in relation to the incidents referenced in the investigation, along with witnesses," the statement reads. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Two South Dakota Mines professors have earned the honor of representing the United States on the global stage after being selected by the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to share their expertise as part of the U.S. Speaker Program. Jon Kellar, Ph.D., professor of materials and metallurgical engineering, and Andrea Brickey, Ph.D., professor of mining engineering and management, were recently selected for the U.S. Speaker Program which recruits dynamic American experts to engage international audiences on topics of strategic importance to the United States. Key policy priorities include cybersecurity, energy security and economic prosperity. Speakers represent a broad range of fields and expertise and are leaders in their sectors and communities. The office conducts approximately 650 speaker programs annually, both virtually and in person. This is a great opportunity to share knowledge across the globe, highlight South Dakota and South Dakota Mines, and bring awareness of the importance of mining to society, Brickey said. Educating and sharing information on mining is our passion; this is an amazing opportunity to reach across the ocean. Brickey will share her insights on mining engineering, early career development, and the advancement of women in mining and STEM. She worked in the mining industry for 15 years before returning to academia to pursue her doctorate degree. Her industry expertise primarily focused on mining operations and consulting projects across Africa, as well as North and South America. Her work spanned the extraction of copper, gold, silver, nickel, phosphate and coal. Kellar, the Douglas Fuerstenau Professor of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at Mines, will share his expertise on mineral processing, engineering education, and illicit economy. He recently gave a virtual presentation to a Serbian audience. I aim to continue highlighting the universitys unique heritage and expertise especially our hands-on approach to engineering education, and specifically the mineral industry." Kellar has been a Mines faculty member since 1990. In 1994, he was selected as a National Science Foundation Presidential Faculty Fellow and was named the 2008 South Dakota Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. In 2016, Kellar was recognized as a Distinguished Member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Representatives of Azerbaijani NGOs have requested UNESCO send a fact-finding mission to Armenia in the Open Letter to the organization's Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Trend reports. "We are writing to express our deep concern and to demand action against Armenia's systematic policy, which intentionally destroys cultural property and erases the historical and cultural roots of Azerbaijani heritage in Armenia. These measures have resulted in the intentional destruction of Azerbaijani tangible and intangible cultural heritage, targeting the enduring traces of the Azerbaijani people who lived in these territories for centuries. Armenia's policy has deliberately destroyed and misappropriated Azerbaijani cultural heritage in Western Zangazur, Gafan, Iravan, Goycha, Nuvadi, Vedi, and other places. During the conflict in the early 1990s, Armenia bulldozed the Damirbulag Mosque in Iravan and destroyed the sixteenth-century Sardar Mosque in several stages. The Gala Mosque, Shah Abbas Mosque, Tapabashi Mosque, Zal Khan Mosque, Sartib Khan Mosque, Haji Novruzali Bey Mosque, Haji Jafar Bey Mosque, Rajab Pasha Mosque, Mohammad Sartib Khan Mosque, Haji Inam Mosque, and more than 300 other religious and cultural heritage sites in Armenia have suffered the same fate. Additionally, desecration and destruction have occurred in more than 500 Azerbaijani cemeteries in Armenia, including Aghadada, Ashaghi Shorja, Gullubulagh, and Saral. They also destroyed the tomb of the great Azerbaijani poet Ashig Alasgar, a prominent figure representing Azerbaijan's intangible cultural heritage. Armenian toponyms have completely replaced the historical names of Azerbaijani villages, a widespread campaign that goes beyond physical destruction. Furthermore, Armenias actions against Azerbaijani heritage include the misappropriation and alteration of cultural heritage sites. People falsely represent the Blue Mosque in Iravan, the only surviving mosque in Armenia, as a 'Persian mosque'. In reality, Azerbaijanis built the mosque and attended it for centuries. As more than 100 Azerbaijani scientists and public figures warned in an appeal to UNESCO in 2022, the Tapabashi quarter in Iravanthe only remaining part of the historical old townis now under threat of total annihilation. Armenia continues to demolish the last remaining traces of Azerbaijani culture through the so-called "reconstruction" project in the historically Azerbaijani Tapabashi quarter. For years, Azerbaijani NGOs and the diaspora have appealed to UNESCO to react and condemn the deliberate state policy of annihilating the cultural heritage of Azerbaijani people in Armenia. The Azerbaijani civil society firmly holds the belief that UNESCO's urgent involvement is necessary to halt a member state's systematic policy of intentionally destroying cultural property and denying the historical and cultural roots of the Azerbaijani people's cultural heritage. We expect a principled and consistent approach from the organization in defending the principles and values it stands for. In light of the above, wethe representatives of Azerbaijani NGOsonce again request UNESCO send a fact-finding mission to Armenia to monitor and to document the state of Azerbaijani cultural heritage there and to demand Armenia comply with its international obligations to protect Azerbaijani cultural heritage stemming from various international conventions, in particular UNESCO ones," the letter concluded. The letter was signed by "Simurg" Azerbaijan Cultural Association, Western Azerbaijan Community, "Miras" Public Association for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage, "Promotion of Iravan Cultural Heritage" Public Union, "Zangezur" Societies Public Union, International Eurasia Press Fund, Azerbaijan Women's Rights Society, "Azerbaijan National Unit of the International Human Rights Society" Public Union, "Protection of Human Rights and Legality" Public Union, "Objective" Public Union for the Promotion of National Values, "Prioritet" Social Economic Research Center Public Union, Sonmez Mashal Cultural Relations Public Union, "ICOMOS Azerbaijan" Public Union, Jafar Jabbarli Public Association for the Development of Culture, Science and Education, "Culture Volunteers" Public Union, Association for the Protection of Azerbaijans Cultural Heritage and Support for Tourism, Eternal Turan Book Fund, "Eurasia Migration Initiatives Platform" Public Union, Mirza Alakbar Sabir Foundation, "Zirva" Culture and Art Public Union, "Iz" Culture Development and Support Public Union, and "Muvakkil Law Center" Public Union. UNESCO hasn't yet responded to the letter. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Idox announced a 2.4m strategic contract with North Yorkshire Council on Tuesday, to consolidate its eight planning and building control systems into a single cloud-based platform. The AIM-traded firm described the partnership as a milestone in the modernisation of local government services in England. It said the deal came amid ongoing UK government initiatives to streamline local governance by merging district and county councils into larger, more efficient unitary authorities. North Yorkshire - the largest unitary council in England - was reportedly seeking to enhance service delivery, reduce costs, and improve resource allocation through the consolidation. Idox said its platform could serve as a model for other councils navigating similar restructuring efforts driven by the governments focus on financial sustainability and the creation of more efficient governance frameworks. The company said the deal would add to its experience in delivering similar projects in Cornwall, Shropshire, and Durham. Its board said that with a strong pipeline of opportunities, Idox was well-positioned to benefit as local authorities across the UK looked to modernise operations. This latest contract award demonstrates our leading planning software capabilities and track record of successfully delivering complex projects, said chief executive officer David Meaden. We're not just implementing a solution; we're helping North Yorkshire reimagine how planning services can be delivered more intelligently and cost-effectively. With the government intensifying its focus on creating more resilient, digitally enabled local governance structures, Idox is strategically positioned to be a key enabler of this national transformation. At 1206 GMT, shares in Idox were up 1.34% at 60.6p. Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com. Channelplay Ltd, a leader in retail marketing, staffing, and sales solutions, has announced an exciting new partnership with Tempt Wellness, a premium sexual wellness brand based in Australia. This strategic collaboration is set to leverage Channelplays extensive expertise in sales and distribution to introduce Tempt Wellnesss innovative products to the rapidly evolving sexual wellness market in India. The partnership will initiate a comprehensive rollout across multiple retail channels, ensuring maximum reach and accessibility for Indian consumers. The strategy includes offline distribution, major online marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart, as well as rapid-delivery platforms like Blinkit and Zepto. To streamline and optimize the sales and distribution process, Channelplay will utilize its in-house, technology-driven 1Channel tool. This solution offers real-time inventory and sales tracking, automated order processing, and a seamless interface for managing distribution channels, ensuring efficient product availability. In addition, Channelplays AI-enabled customer engagement solutions will provide Tempt Wellness with a unique advantage in understanding and connecting with their audience. Through data-driven insights, the platform will personalize engagement strategies and optimize targeting, aligning with evolving consumer preferences in the wellness segment. Channelplay has appointed a team of industry veterans to lead the sales and marketing efforts for Tempt Wellness in India. This expert team, equipped with a deep understanding of the market, will implement proven strategies aimed at driving brand awareness, enhancing distribution, and ensuring rapid market penetration, laying a strong foundation for the brands long-term growth in India. Mr. Lakshya Das, Senior Vice President at Channelplay, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, Were thrilled to partner with Tempt Wellness to bring their exceptional products to India. Our combined strengths in advanced tech-driven distribution and deep market understanding are set to redefine the wellness experience for Indian consumers. This partnership will leverage our in-house tools and expertise to create a strong presence for Tempt Wellness and ensure their products are accessible across multiple channels. Goldman, Co-Founder & Global CEO of Tempt Wellness, also shared his excitement, saying, We at Tempt Wellness Australia are excited to announce our strategic partnership with Channelplay for our entry into the Indian market. Channelplay will not only craft a comprehensive go-to-market strategy and sales plan but will also drive its on-ground execution to ensure our products reach consumers across India. With Channelplays proven expertise in sales, marketing, and execution, we are confident in making a positive impact in the Indian wellness space and fulfilling our commitment to accessible and high-quality wellness solutions. PwC Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the British Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection hosted a focused session on the recent amendments to the Labour Code as part of the 2024 Tax, Legal and Persons (TLP) Week. The event brought together business leaders and policymakers to explore the implications of these changes and share practical insights on their implementation. The session began with opening remarks from PwCs Senior Legal and ESG Manager Leyla Sadikhova and Senior HR Manager Rena Hajieva, who emphasized the critical role of legislative updates in shaping business operations and compliance frameworks. Leyla provided a presentation on the Azerbaijan and EU Social Sustainability Agenda, stressing the importance of the topic and event in terms of social sustainability scoping. She highlighted that sustainability standards under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are an endorsement of the direct socially responsible behavior of employers. Highlighting PwCs commitment to delivering integrated solutions, Rena introduced the new HR Toolkit Odoo, an ERP-based platform designed to align seamlessly with the latest amendments, streamlining human resources management processes. Further Farid Ganbarov, Senior Legal Consultant and Rena Farajova, Senior HR Consultant provided detailed perspectives on the legal and human resources aspects of the updates, offering businesses a roadmap to navigate the changes effectively. The event featured valuable contributions from representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, who offered regulatory insights and practical guidance: Fuad Heydarov, Head of the Labour Policy Department; Narmin Mirzayeva, Deputy Head of the State Labour Inspection Service; Ilham Hasanov, Chairman of the Board, Labour Protection Center under the State Labour Inspection Service; Ali Taghizade, Head of the Monitoring Department, National Observatory for Labour Market and Social Protection Issues; Aynura Taghiyeva, Deputy Head of the Risk Management and Electronic Audit Department at the State Labour Inspection Service. These experts provided an overview of the amendments, focusing on their practical implications and enforcement mechanisms. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, enabling attendees to engage directly with the speakers. PwC Azerbaijan has commented that it remains dedicated to supporting businesses by delivering actionable insights and tailored sustainable solutions to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. In a significant step towards democratizing access to education, Flipkart, Indias leading e-commerce marketplace, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This collaboration aims to make NCERT publications affordable and seamlessly accessible to students and learners across the country, including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The partnership, formalized on December 16 at NCERTs Delhi office, was attended by Honble Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Education and Skill Development, and Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart Group, along with officials from the Ministry of Education and NCERT. Flipkart will leverage its vast technological and logistical network to facilitate the sale and distribution of NCERT publications through authorized sellers designated by NCERT. The initiative ensures wider access to authentic, high-quality content, supporting students, parents, and educators across both urban and rural India. technology-driven solutions such as the NISHTHA Integrated Teacher Training Module, will create a future-ready generation to lead Indias growth story, he said. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership. NCERT has played a pivotal role in shaping Indias education system. This collaboration with Flipkart is a significant step toward ensuring affordable and accessible education for all. Leveraging Flipkarts extensive reach will empower students in even the most remote areas, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. Initiatives like these, combined withsuch as the NISHTHA Integrated Teacher Training Module, will create a future-ready generation to lead Indias growth story, he said. Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Flipkart Group, reiterated the companys commitment to empowering students nationwide. Education is the cornerstone of progress, and we are proud to partner with NCERT to make learning resources accessible to millions of students. By using our technological expertise and reach, we aim to bridge the gap in access to affordable educational materials, supporting the nations vision of an empowered and educated youth, Kumar stated. This partnership also complements the Government of Indias mission to promote inclusive and equitable learning opportunities. By ensuring last-mile connectivity and affordable availability of NCERT books, Flipkart is strengthening its role in supporting the countrys education ecosystem through innovative, technology-driven solutions. The initiative marks a major milestone in fostering greater access to quality educational resources, reaffirming Flipkarts commitment to advancing Indias educational landscape. 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. 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 HPCLs 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 ULIPs mission to unify and digitise Indias supply chain ecosystem. Avinash Jain of HPCL emphasised that this integration reinforces HPCLs commitment to leveraging technology to provide innovative solutions for the logistics industry. The integrations impact is already visible, as over 10 participants in the ongoing ULIP Hackathon 2.0 have opted for HPCLs 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 HPCLs API to drive operational improvements and foster innovation within the logistics sector. JK Cement took one step forward in its aggressive expansion plans by holding the groundbreaking ceremony for a Grey Cement Grinding Unit in Bihar. The project, expected to cost Rs 500 crore, is a central plank of the company's vision to strengthen its presence across Eastern India. Dr. Nidhipati Singhania, Vice Chairman of JK Cement Ltd, and Madhavkrishna Singhania, Joint Managing Director and CEO, accompanied by other members of the senior management team, inaugurated the event. According to Dr. Raghavpat Singhania, Managing Director of the company, the new facility would not only enhance JK Cement's reach across India but also contribute to the overall infrastructural and economic development of Bihar. With a proposed capacity of 3.00 MTPA, the Buxar unit will play a crucial role in balancing demand and supply in the market. The company expects this addition to help them surpass a production capacity of 30 MTPA by next year. Madhavkrishna Singhania stressed the importance of this project in supporting the development of Bihar and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, where JK Cement already has a strong presence. As Bihar undergoes rapid infrastructural growth and implements large-scale projects, JK Cements high-quality products and innovative approach are set to play a key role in driving progress and supporting Indias broader growth agenda. This new facility marks a significant milestone in the companys efforts to deliver superior cement solutions across the country. In many industries, employees often find themselves working alone in remote or potentially hazardous environ- ments. These situations can range from night shifts at retail stores to fieldwork in remote locations. In such scenarios, ensuring worker safety becomes a top priority. Among the most effective measures to address this concern is the use of a lone worker alarm. These devices or systems provide an additional layer of security for employees who work in isolation. The Importance of Lone Worker Safety Safety at the workplace is a fundamental right for every employee. However, for lone workers, the risks are amplified due to the absence of nearby colleagues who could offer immediate assistance in case of an emergency. Situations such as sudden illness, injury, or encountering a hostile individual can escalate quickly without timely intervention. A lone worker alarm acts as a lifeline, enabling the worker to send a distress signal and receive prompt help. These alarms are essential not only for addressing immediate dangers but also for fostering a sense of security and confidence among employees. How Lone Worker Alarms Work Modern lone worker alarms come with advanced features tailored to the needs of various industries. Here's a look at how they function: Automatic Alerts : Many alarms are equipped with motion sensors or fall detection technology. If a worker becomes immobile for a certain period, the alarm automatically sends an alert to a designated contact or monitoring center. : Many alarms are equipped with motion sensors or fall detection technology. If a worker becomes immobile for a certain period, the alarm automatically sends an alert to a designated contact or monitoring center. Manual Activation : In cases of emergencies such as medical issues or personal threats, the worker can manually activate the alarm to seek help. : In cases of emergencies such as medical issues or personal threats, the worker can manually activate the alarm to seek help. GPS Tracking : Most devices include GPS capabilities, making it easier to locate the worker and provide assistance promptly. : Most devices include GPS capabilities, making it easier to locate the worker and provide assistance promptly. Two-Way Communication : Some alarms offer voice communication, enabling direct interaction between the worker and the monitoring team. : Some alarms offer voice communication, enabling direct interaction between the worker and the monitoring team. Integration with Monitoring Systems: Lone worker alarms can be integrated with centralized monitoring systems, ensuring that every alert is handled efficiently. Key Features to Consider When choosing a lone worker alarm, its essential to evaluate its features based on your specific workplace needs. Some critical factors include: Portability : Lightweight and compact devices are ideal for workers who are constantly on the move. : Lightweight and compact devices are ideal for workers who are constantly on the move. Battery Life : Long battery life is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted functionality. : Long battery life is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted functionality. Durability : Alarms designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions are ideal for industries like construction or mining. : Alarms designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions are ideal for industries like construction or mining. Ease of Use : The device should be user-friendly, allowing workers to activate it quickly during emergencies. : The device should be user-friendly, allowing workers to activate it quickly during emergencies. Real-Time Monitoring: Live monitoring services can ensure that every alert is addressed without delay. Industries That Benefit from Lone Worker Alarms Lone worker alarms are versatile tools that find applications in various sectors: 1. Healthcare Healthcare workers, especially those providing home care, often work alone in unfamiliar environments. A lone worker alarm ensures their safety during visits. 2. Construction Construction sites are filled with potential hazards. Workers performing tasks in isolated areas can use these alarms to stay connected to their teams. 3. Retail and Hospitality Night shift employees in retail stores or hotels are often the sole staff on duty. Lone worker alarms provide them with a quick response system in case of threats or emergencies. 4. Utilities and Maintenance Utility workers and maintenance staff frequently work in remote areas, such as power lines or underground facilities. Alarms with GPS tracking ensure their location is always known. Benefits of Implementing Lone Worker Alarms 1. Enhanced Safety The most obvious benefit is the increased safety of employees. These alarms ensure that help is just a button press away, significantly reducing risks. 2. Regulatory Compliance Many countries mandate specific safety measures for lone workers. Using lone worker alarms helps companies comply with these regulations and avoid potential penalties. 3. Boosted Morale Employees are more likely to perform better when they feel their safety is prioritized. Lone worker alarms contribute to creating a secure and supportive work environment. 4. Cost-Effectiveness Investing in lone worker alarms can save companies from potential financial losses due to accidents, lawsuits, or compensation claims Tips for Effective Use of Lone Worker Alarms To maximize the effectiveness of lone worker alarms, companies should: Conduct Training : Train employees on how to use the alarms and respond to emergencies. : Train employees on how to use the alarms and respond to emergencies. Regularly Test the Devices : Ensure that the alarms are functional and ready to use at all times. : Ensure that the alarms are functional and ready to use at all times. Create a Response Plan : Develop a clear plan for addressing alerts promptly and effectively. : Develop a clear plan for addressing alerts promptly and effectively. Encourage Employee Feedback: Involve workers and funnel their feedback into evaluating the effectiveness of the alarm system and identify areas for improvement. The Future of Workplace Safety As technology continues to evolve, lone worker alarms are becoming smarter and more efficient. Integration with artificial intelligence and IoT (Internet of Things) is enhancing their capabilities, making workplaces safer than ever before. Companies that prioritize worker safety not only comply with regulations but also build a reputation for being responsible employers. Wrap Up Ensuring the safety of lone workers is a collective responsibility that benefits both employees and organizations. By incorporating tools like lone worker alarms, companies can create a safer work environment and foster a culture of care and responsibility. The Meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament for the Ministry of Women & Child Development was held in New Delhi. The subject of the meeting was 'Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0'. Union Minister for Women & Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi chaired the meeting. Minister of State for Women & Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur was also present. Members of Parliament of various political parties from Lok Sabha and Rajya took part in the meeting. During the meeting, Smt.Annpurna Devi provided a brief overview of various schemes of Ministry of Women & Child Development viz Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0), Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya and highlighted that the Ministry is dedicated to the cause of women and children, to improve their livelihood in every manner from the first days of their life, to when they enter the workforce and become mothers. Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development provided a brief overview of the scheme to all the members of the Consultative Committee. Shri Gyanesh Bharti, Additional Secretary, MWCD gave a presentation on the subject. Members of Parliament provided suggestions concerning the actual implementation of the scheme. Smt. Annpurna Devi expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable contributions. She further directed officials to take appropriate actions to incorporate the suggestions made by Members of Parliament and prioritize the welfare of the people. She also requested the Members of the Parliament to undertake visits in their regions and create awareness amongst the people and also requested all the members to provide their valuable suggestions/issues being faced at ground level to enable the Ministry to take proactive measures for smooth and effective delivery of services to end beneficiaries. Under Mission Poshan 2.0, efforts are being made to strengthen and upgrade two lakh AWCs as Saksham Anganwadis to enhance the delivery of nutrition and stimulate the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children under six years of age. On 30th September 2024, over 11,000 Saksham Anganwadis were inaugurated, offering improved nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services. Under PM JANMAN for the targeted development of 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) out of the total 2500 Anganwadi Centres to be constructed in three Financial Years (FYs) up to 2025-26, a total of 2139 Anganwadi centres have been sanctioned out of which 780 operational catering to approximately 22845 beneficiaries in PVTG areas. One of the important pillar of Mission Poshan 2.0 is governance in which Jan Andolan and Community Based events serve as an important components. More than 100 crore Jan Andolan activities and 6 crore community-based events (CBEs) were conducted since 2018. For the first time, baseline data on nutritional indicators are available on Poshan Tracker. All Anganwadi centres are equipped with smart phones. Poshan Tracker is available in 24 languages. Ministry has developed two-factor authentication system using face authentication and OTP for ensuring last mile delivery of Take Home Ration to registered beneficiaries. To promote decision making at State level and provide input for policy making, monthly Factsheet giving comprehensive overview of key nutritional indicators and Anganwadi infrastructure is provided to States/UT. Beneficiary Registration introduced for Self registration by selecting Anganwadi centre to avail the benefits of Anganwadi services. It has been announced in the interim budget FY 2024-25 to extend healthcare annual coverage of 5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to all Anganwadi workers and helpers. As per the information furnished by National Health Authority (NHA), Ayushmnan Cards have been created for approx. 8.15 Lakh AWWs/AWHs. Mission Shakti is aimed at empowering Women Across All Life Stages. It represents the Governments unwavering commitment to 'women-led development,' addressing issues that affect women at every stage of life. This is done through Sambal and Samarthya. Sambal focuses on protection and support for women, offering programs like One Stop Centres (OSCs) for women in distress, Women Helpline (181-WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), and Nari Adalat. Meanwhile, Samarthya emphasizes women's empowerment through initiatives such as Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, Palna (formerly the National Creche Scheme),Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) which provides benefit of Rs 5000/- given for first child. 6000/- is given for second child (if girl child) in a single instalment after the child birth and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW). Mission Vatsalya focuses on the protection, welfare, and holistic development of children, particularly those in difficult circumstances, ensuring their safety, security, and constructive growth. The Mission integrates the Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme, addressing various aspects of child development and offering Non-Institutional Care through kinship care, sponsorship, foster care, and aftercare (up to 21 years). Key initiatives under the Mission include the PM CARES for Children scheme, which supports children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Scheme for Care and Support to Victims under the POCSO Act, 2012, safeguarding children against sexual abuse. The Mission also simplifies adoption procedures through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Additional measures include the Child Helpline (1098) and the Track Child portal for monitoring missing children, reflecting a comprehensive approach to nurturing and safeguarding every childs future. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 aims to build Indias human capital and reduce malnutrition by adopting a lifecycle approach. It integrates Anganwadi Services, Poshan Abhiyaan, and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, with a focus on promoting infant and young child feeding practices, maternal and adolescent nutrition, and the treatment of malnourished children, while also encouraging AYUSH practices. The Mission benefits approximately 10.12 crore eligible beneficiaries viz. children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls, providing them with supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, nutrition and health education, immunization, health check-ups, and referral services through 13.96 Lakh operational Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). As a universal self-selecting scheme, it is accessible to all eligible beneficiaries who enroll at AWCs. Additionally, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls focuses on providing nutritional and non-nutritional support to girls aged 14-18 years, in Aspirational and North Eastern Districts, where beneficiaries are entitled to Take Home Rations and other program benefits, ensuring holistic development and well-being. The Poshan Tracker application facilitates monitoring and tracking of all Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and beneficiaries on defined indicators. Poshan Tracker is being leveraged for dynamic identification of stunting, wasting, under-weight prevalence among children. It is instrumental in facilitating real time interventions on the ground. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Notify NYC is warning of extensive delays on the Staten Island Expressway, Brooklyn bound, for the Tuesday morning rush hour. A crash in the vicinity of Hylan Boulevard on the expressway is causing congestion, according to Notify NYC. Consider alternate routes and allow for additional travel time, said an alert from Notify NYC issued about 8:45 a.m. Surveillance cameras show an emergency response in the right lane near Clove Road. Traffic is being diverted to the HOV lane. Traffic is snarled almost the entire length of the Brooklyn-bound expressway starting around Clove Road. Goethals Bridge The Goethals Bridge to Staten Island has residual delays due to a crash with injuries that blocked the right lane around 8:45 a.m., according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. That crash was cleared around 9 a.m., the Port Authority said. Outerbridge Crossing Earlier in the morning rush, authorities responded to a crash on the Outerbridge Crossing, also Staten Island bound. That crash was mid-span, causing the closure of the right lane, according to an alert on 511 NY. The incident was reported at 6:41 a.m., according to 511 NY. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Authorities allege that an NYPD officer was driving under the influence of alcohol when she was injured in a two-vehicle crash in Huguenot. Diana Todaro, 27, was allegedly behind the wheel and three other members of the NYPD were passengers when she was involved in a crash near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Parkway after the group attended a 120th Precinct Christmas party, according to a law-enforcement source. Todaro, an officer since April 2023 who was assigned to the 120th Precinct, suffered a bleeding laceration on her head when she crashed her black, 2022 Nissan Altima on Friday at about 1:50 a.m. in the vicinity of Huguenot Avenue and Drumgoole Road West, according to the criminal complaint and police. I was driving, the criminal complaint quotes Todaro as saying. I was coming from the holiday party. I had three or four drinks. My life is over. The complaint alleges that Todaro drove the Nissan while intoxicated by the consumption of alcohol. The arresting officer observed the defendant to have a moderate odor of alcoholic beverage on her breath as well as bloodshot and watery eyes, the complaint alleges. Officers in the 123rd Precinct responded to the aftermath of the collision between the Nissan and a white, 2022 Chevrolet Bolt. Blood stained the Nissans steering wheel, front drivers side airbags, the threshold for the drivers door and the ground near the drivers door, according to the complaint. The front bumper was crushed and dislodged, the headlights were decimated, and a license plate was knocked off the car, police said. The Chevy had crumpled and dented paneling on its front drivers side, according to the complaint, which does not provide any information about the driver of that vehicle. Todaro faces charges of driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol. She pleaded not guilty, has been released on her own recognizance and is due back in Criminal Court on Jan. 30, according to public records. Todaro has been suspended without pay, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The three 120th Precinct officers who were passengers in the Nissan were placed on modified duty, as first reported by the New York Daily News. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New schools chancellor for New York City public schools, Melissa Aviles-Ramos, will host a Staten Island event on Tuesday as part of a five-borough listening tour to allow families to share feedback, insights and ideas. This series of community events are designed to give families and community members the chance to directly engage with city Department of Education (DOE) leadership. The tour provides an open forum with the chancellor about her recently unveiled commitments and other topics that are important to local communities. Events have been held over the last several weeks, culminating with the Staten Island event to be held on Tuesday, Dec. 17. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Curtis High School, located at 105 Hamilton Ave., in St. George. RSVPs are required for anyone wishing to attend at schools.nyc.gov/5BoroughTour. Translation services will be available. Aviles-Ramos unveiled her three commitments to empower and engage families across New York City: ensuring safety and promoting wellness; strengthening comprehensive teacher support; fostering genuine and impactful family and community empowerment. The commitments provide a special focus on areas considered pre-requisites to learning. In a city as large and diverse as ours, it is critical that we create opportunities to foster collaboration and bring every voice to the table, said the schools chancellor. As a parent and former teacher and school leader myself, family and community empowerment is absolutely essential to me. Through this listening tour, I hope to gain a better understanding of our communities concerns, feedback and ideas so together we can continue to strengthen New York City Public Schools. Events in each borough will feature discussions on topics like special education, curriculum development and mental health resources. They will culminate in a question-and-answer session with the chancellor and other education leaders. Following each event, feedback collected will be carefully analyzed to identify trends, highlight gaps in services and determine areas for improvement, as well as to understand areas that are performing well and should remain unchanged or expanded, according to the DOE. Findings will be shared in a report to be released later this winter. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new song perfectly captures the rush of falling in love, the yearning and the excitement of what the future might hold. I was thinking about when I was first dating my wife, just wanting to get to know her and be part of everything she did... like, Oh, you want to get coffee? Ill go get coffee with you, said Matt MacPherson, reflecting on the inspiration behind his new single. MacPherson, a former Staten Islander from Dongan Hills now living in Georgia, is sharing his music with the world through his debut single, Would You Want To. Ive been writing for a while, but I finally have the courage to record it and put it out, he said. The song begins with a calm, rhythmic guitar strumming, accompanied by MacPhersons raspy, soothing voice singing: I wanna know what its like to love you. I wanna know what its like to try. Then the drums and bass gradually kick in, giving a groovy flair to the music. I think thats when you realize theres something real here, and you go from that introspective phase of thinking about everything to a place of comfort, hope and looking ahead, MacPherson shared about the story of the song. In true indie style, MacPherson recorded his vocals and instruments in his kitchen, garage and walk-in closet -- making the most of his home set-up. Ive kind of been teaching myself the guitar for the past three years, he said. And I used to sing in a band on Staten Island. Using BandLab, a digital audio app that allows users to record, mix, and collaborate on music projects, he carefully crafted the track to his taste. He also incorporated drum samples from Splice. To master and clean up the track, he called on a friend from his band days -- from The Swill Merchants, a rock band that formed in 2005 in Stapleton. The Swill Merchants, a rock band formed in 2005 in Stapleton, played shows over the years at local venues like Muddy Cup, Mother Pugs, and more. Despite their busy lives, the band members remain close friends and released a culmination album, "The Importance of Meaning Everything," in 2020. (Courtesy of Matt MacPherson)Matt MacPherson Over the years, the band played shows at local venues like The Muddy Cup, which closed in 2010, Mother Pugs, and others. Despite their busy lives, the band members remain close friends and released a culmination album, The Importance of Meaning Everything, in 2020, MacPherson shared. I really loved being in a band. Theres just something that clicks, and youre like, wow, this is unbelievable, he recalled. Its a little bit harder when youre doing it on your own, but its also a little bit more fulfilling because youre doing everything. A throwback photo of Matt MacPherson holding a microphone and keyboard. (Courtesy of Matt MacPherson)Courtesy of Matt MacPherson Ultimately, MacPhersons passion to release new music as a solo artist -- all the songs hes been writing on his phone -- is so his kids can be proud of him. I dont want to just tell them, Your dad used to write music and it was just songs I wrote in my phone. I wanted it to be something that, in 30 years, if my kids wanted to look on Spotify and they can go, Oh yeah, my dad put this music out, he said. MacPhersons next single, Sweet Little Bird, set to release in January, is about his two daughters -- one who will be five in January and another who is a year and a half old. MacPhersons debut single Would You Want To is out on multiple streaming platforms. Stream it on Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube. For those who listen to my new single, I hope they feel a sense of potential, hope and joy because everyone deserves that, he said. Or just think back to when you and your husband or wife started getting to know each other in that discovery phase and really feel like theres some kind of special connection there. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The event dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of Heydar Aliyev, founder of the modern Azerbaijani state, outstanding state leader, and National Leader, has been held in the Turkish city of Igdir, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Diaspora. According to information, the event organized at the Azerbaijan House in Igdir started with a minute of silence in memory of the National Leader and martyrs. Head of the Azerbaijan House Ziya Zakir Ajar talked about the unprecedented merits of National Leader Heydar Aliyev to the Azerbaijani people. Talking of his role as a savior in the history of freedom and independence, he emphasized that our country came out victorious in the most difficult days and fateful moments. He noted Heydar Aliyev entered modern world history as a great personality who left a bright and indelible trace, as a man of extraordinary intellect and a wise state leader. Head of the Igdir branch of the Turkish Social Protection Organization, Reshat Eyikudamaci; chairman of the Azerbaijan-Igdir Homes Association, Serdar Unsal; and director of the Heydar Aliyev Lyceum in Igdir, Yavuz Bagci noted in their speeches that it was National Leader Heydar Aliyev who laid the foundation for achieving the current high level of Turkish-Azerbaijani relations, and these relations are successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel LOS ANGELES 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. Prosecutors and the defense have agreed to recommend a sentence of between four and six years in prison when hes 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. 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 Smirnovs 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 Smirnovs indictment. 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. NEW YORK An attorney defending Jay-Z against the rape allegation brought against him last week by an unnamed woman outlined a range of evidence Monday that he said showed the accusers account to be provably, demonstrably false. The woman told NBC News last week that Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs sexually assaulted her in 2000, when she was 13, at an after-party for the MTV Music Awards. She has since acknowledged certain inconsistencies in her story. Speaking to reporters at Roc Nations New York headquarters, Jay-Zs attorney, Alex Spiro, said the womans claim relied on an impossible timeline and a nonexistent location. While the lawsuit said the assault happened at a large white residence with a U-shaped driveway, photos show both Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, and Combs at a nightclub following the award show. In the suit, the woman said she snuck out of a window of her home in Rochester and hitched a ride to the award ceremony from a friend, who has since died. She said she watched the event on a jumbotron outside, then befriended a limousine driver who drove her to the house party where she was assaulted by the two rap moguls. Following the alleged rape, she said she fled the house and called her father for a ride home from a nearby gas station. The allegation, Spiro said, defies credibility. It wouldve taken her five hours to drive from Rochester, the lawyer noted, meaning she wouldve had to leave her home by 3 p.m. Permits and photographs show there was no jumbotron outside the VMAs in 2000, according to Spiro. The womans father has said he does not recall driving from Rochester to pick her up in New York City. Its not just that this story is a lie and that its not true, its provably, demonstrably false, Spiro said. This never happened. The suit comes amid a wave of sexual assault lawsuits levied against Combs, who remains in custody in New York awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty and faces trial in May. The lawsuits were filed on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations. After initially suing Combs, the womans complaint was amended to include a new allegation that Jay-Z also participated in the sexual assault as a third unnamed celebrity watched. The litigation was filed by Tony Buzbee, a personal injury attorney in Houston whose firm has set up a toll-free phone line for accusers. In October, Buzbee said he was representing some 120 people, men and women, with allegations of sexual misconduct against Combs. Last month, Jay-Z anonymously sued Buzbee, alleging the lawyer had attempted to blackmail him by making the rape allegation public if he did not agree to a legal settlement. Buzbee has said the letter was simply trying to set up a confidential mediation session. In a statement last week, Jay-Z said his heart and support goes out to true victims in the world. On Monday, Spiro accused Buzbee of taking advantage of the woman, while destroying this opportunity and the voices of real victims. In an emailed statement Monday, Buzbee said the woman had been referred to him by another law firm and vetted by four attorneys from his firm. Courts exist to resolve factual disputes, Buzbee added. Our client remains adamant about her claim. (Editors note: Officials earlier said five people, including the shooter, had died in the incident.) MADISON, Wis. A youth opened fire at a private Christian school Monday morning in Wisconsin, killing two people in the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes offered no details on 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. Madison police in a statement said the suspected shooter was a student at the school. Police said seven people were hurt with injuries ranging broadly from minor to life-threatening. Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but for our entire country, Barnes told reporters. He said police were alerted shortly before 11 a.m. and did not fire their weapons when they rushed into the school. Barnes suggested the shooter died by suicide. They found the person responsible who was down, deceased, the chief said. 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. 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 is nondenominational. 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. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Theres been a lot of confusion around congestion pricing these last few months, with a delayed start and new price structure only compounding the issue. Originally, before the plan was put on pause in June, most passenger vehicles wouldve been paying $15 to enter the surface streets in the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ). When the controversial tolling plan was resurrected in November, Governor Kathy Hochul pushed for a 40% reduction in tolls from what was planned earlier this year. According to the governor, the 40% lower fee will still allow the MTA to secure the bonds for capital projects, while saving daily commuters around $1,500 annually. Drivers entering the CRZ will be paying a fee that varies depending on vehicle type and time of day. During the daytime, defined as 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, drivers with E-ZPass will pay the following: Passenger vehicles (once per day): $9 Motorcycles (once per day): $4.50 Small trucks and non-commuter buses: $14.40 Large trucks and sightseeing buses: $21.60 Drivers without E-ZPass can expect to pay even more come early January. Passenger vehicles will be charged $13.50 and motorcycles will have to pay $6.75 if a driver uses Tolls by Mail. Heres what else drivers need to know before congestion pricing is set to begin next month. Congestion pricing is back Yes. In mid-November, Hochul officially reinstated congestion pricing for New York City. At the press conference announcing this decision, the governor characterized her initial opposition to the program as a concern over the high cost for working New Yorkers. What is congestion pricing? Congestion pricing refers to using electronic tolling to charge vehicles for entering certain areas of Manhattan the Congestion Relief Zone during peak commuting hours. This aims to reduce traffic congestion and raise money for public transportation upgrades. Revenue generated from the program will be bonded against and to fund around $15 billion worth of capital projects in the citys aging transit systems. What is the Congestion Relief Zone? As part of the $175 billion state budget approved on April 1, 2019, the MTAs Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority will establish the Central District Business Tolling Program. This will charge travelers a fee for driving into Manhattans Congestion Relief Zone, defined as any area south of 60th Street, but excludes certain highways in the area. When will this start? The official start date for the plan, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, will be midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5. At that point, the programs myriad cameras will come alive and begin charging drivers a once-a-day fee either through E-ZPass or the Tolls by Mail program. Overnight hours Toll rates will be discounted during overnight hours, which are defined as weekdays from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and weekends from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Additionally, Hochul said she wants to lower tolls by 75% overnight to encourage more nighttime deliveries in the city. As such, passenger vehicles with E-ZPass will pay $2.25 and motorcycles will pay $1.05 when entering into the CRZ overnight. Will tolls increase? The MTA recently revealed that while the toll has been lowered, it can be raised as early as 2028 and again in 2031. The toll for passenger vehicles can grow to $12 as soon as 2028, and then to $15 as soon as 2031 the original cost of the toll before Hochul paused the program in June. Crossing credits Drivers entering the CRZ via the Queens-Midtown, Hugh L. Carey, Holland or Lincoln tunnels will be offered crossing credits against the toll. However, due to the lowered toll, drivers will now be getting crossing credits that are reduced by 40% when compared to the original plan. Drivers who come into the CRZ via the Holland and Lincoln tunnels will receive a $3 credit, while drivers who use the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel or Queens-Midtown Tunnel will receive a $1.50 in credit. Discounts & Exemptions Drivers who make under $50,000 per year will receive a 50% discount on the standard toll for all crossings after their first 10 trips each month. As previously required by state law, emergency vehicles and those carrying people with disabilities will be exempt from the program, with tax credits in place for residents living within the CRZ and earning less than $60,000. The MTA will also offer discounts for people disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using transit. More information on discounts can be found here. Transportation alternatives Along with Thursdays announcement, Hochul said that the MTA will be adding more service to at least 23 bus routes, putting a high priority on adding more frequent trips for the outer boroughs. Four express bus routes on Staten Island were selected earlier this year for expanded service that coincided with the original start date of the program. These include the SIM1C, SIM4C, SIM23 and SIM24. There were also two routes selected in Brooklyn the BM2 and BM5 lines. The other 17 routes will soon be selected by the MTA. The funding for this extra service will come from the transit authoritys Outer Borough Transportation Account, which was created, and fully funded, to provide $50 million a year to improve transportation outside of Manhattan in preparation for congestion pricing. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) will welcome community leaders, healthcare professionals and members of the community Wednesday as the hospital officially unveils its new Womens Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) on Staten Islands South Shore. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Wednesday at 11 a.m in the new facility, which captures a spa-like atmosphere with spacious exam suites equipped with the latest technology, private consultation rooms, and a comfortable waiting and reception area, the West Brighton hospital said in its announcement of the opening. The center, located in the South Shore Commons Shopping Center, 2935 Veterans Road West, in Charleson, is also home to a fully-equipped procedure room, the hospital announcement said. The room provides a sterile and convenient location for patients to have minimally invasive procedures performed on site. The center will be the primary office for Dr. Inna Tubman, whose previous office was located at 4360 Hylan Blvd., Eltingville. Tubman has been a practicing, board certified OBGYN physician since 2008. The doctor will be joined in the new center by several of her colleagues, providing a wide range of OBGYN services, including routine examinations, cancer screenings, menopause management and infertility care. The new center is part of the Richmond Health Network, an affiliate of Richmond University Medical Center. The Richmond Health Network was launched in 2020, providing Staten Islanders with improved access to primary care and specialty medical services through private offices and centers across the borough. The network offices also provide immediate referrals to the full services of RUMC. Since its inception, the network has grown to more than 20 locations and now also has offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. A former star of Real Housewives of New York has a stunning theory about the mystery drones that have been seen over New Jersey. The New York Post reported that Bethenny Frankel has voiced her concerns about the drones on TikTok. She said that a conversation with a friend with alleged connections to the Pentagon and NASA left her feeling that something is wrong. Youre gonna think Im nuts, but why should today be different than any other day? Frankel said. Getting into her theory, Frankel said, I know this guy whose father worked with the Pentagon and NASA and, like, secret projects. She said, He has been messaging me that he will never forgive himself if he doesnt tell the people that he knows that for a month, hes been watching this situation, and now, several days ago, before it became a discussion in the mainstream media, that these drones are ours and that they could very possibly be sniffing out something very dangerous. Frankel said that the dangerous stuff could be some missing, dangerous W from the war, apparently alluding to some kind of weapons. Frankel also said the friend suggested that areas that coincide with where the drones have been seen have spiked in radiation. She said, So he said its time to think about where I am and that I might want to go somewhere with my daughter. Frankel pointed to President-elect Donald Trumps comment on Monday that President Joe Biden and the military are withholding information about the drones from the public. Im just listening to this guy [I know] and watching, and now Trump, who is hanging out with a lot of billionaires who have a lot of money for research, is also finding out that these are ours, she said. And what were the governments choices? A: Tell us that thats what theyre doing and widespread panic and pandemonium; or B: do what theyre doing. She said, Something is wrong because otherwise they would eliminate them. And everyones being very cagey. Drones have been spotted in New Jersey since Nov. 19 and the sightings have spread to New York. The drones have buzzed military bases here, in Ohio and in Europe. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The recent disappearance of radioactive materials has prompted additional questions about the mysterious drones that have been spotted over New Jersey and New York City in recent weeks. On Monday, a group of Staten Island elected officials penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security questioning if there is any connection between the unidentified drones and radioactive materials that were lost in transit in New Jersey earlier this month. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission released a report on Dec. 13 stating that radioactive materials, identified as a Ge-68 pin source, were lost in transit on Dec. 2 on their way to be disposed of. The shipping container carrying the material arrived at its destination damaged and empty, according to the report. Elected officials and residents across New York, New Jersey and elsewhere have been demanding transparency and answers about the sudden and mysterious uptick in drone activity in our skies, said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn). If the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commissions report is true, and there is missing radioactive material somewhere in the Northeast, the public should be made aware and our government should be transparent about the actions it is taking to mitigate the issue and protect Americans health and public safety. That would be much better than all sorts of concerns, theories and misinformation swirling around, the congresswoman continued. In the letter, the group of local elected officials said the federal government has yet to provide a satisfactory, straightforward answer as to the nature of the drones, prompting legitimate concern among local residents. For too long, now, there are many more questions than answers regarding the drone sightings and UAVs, said Borough President Vito Fossella. We maintain that Staten Islanders and others deserve to hear the truth. And, in this latest report, we would like to know whether the increased number of drone sightings has anything to do with reports of a release of radiation. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. However, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that residents are in fact witnessing drones during a television interview on ABCs This Week on Sunday morning. Theres no question that people are seeing drones, Mayorkas said. 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 issue. On Monday, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the drones are believed to be lawful aircrafts that do not pose any immediate danger to residents, according to a New York Post report. 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. The work continues, he continued. 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 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 at the time. Earlier in the week, Malliotakis 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. Editors note: Its been nearly five years since the onset of the pandemic, but the changes COVID-19 left on the Staten Island real estate market remain: Home values are high, inventory is low and the amenities that buyers want reflect our post-2020 norm. In this ongoing series, titled Market Shift: The Changing Face of Staten Island Real Estate, we dive into various topics, including why so many homes are selling above the asking price, who is making the purchase in all-cash, and what it takes to afford a home on the borough. This Oakwood property, featuring a modest two-bedroom, two-bath ranch with a galley kitchen and fully finished basement, recently sold for $80,000 above its listing price. According to the realtor, the home's spacious lot and lush manicured yard were big selling features. (Courtesy of Staten Island Multiple Listing Service)(Courtesy of Staten Island Multi STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Some had stunning backyards with plenty of room for entertaining or were situated on an oversized piece of property offering lots of room to grow. Others were in the right location, had great bones and a motivated buyer. But no matter what unique feature or smart negotiating tactic closed the deal -- this collection of Staten Island properties sold well above asking price. It doesnt happen all of the time -- maybe one out of 10 listings -- but this particular house checked all of the boxes, noted Dale Taranto, broker/owner of Taranto Realty in Westerleigh, speaking about a home he sold this past summer for $80,000 above the asking price. It was situated on a big piece of property, but it needed work, Taranto continued. So, we listed it at $699 and it went for $780. Located in Oakwood, Tarantos listing was a modest two-bedroom, two-bath ranch with a galley kitchen and fully finished basement. Like Taranto said, it needed TLC. But its spacious 75 X 100 lot, complete with a screened-in all-season room and lush manicured yard, was definitely a big draw. There was an offer within days, and the sale closed three months after the home hit the market. Little bumps are usually concessions, Taranto added, offering some insight as to why a property fetches more. Anything $50,000 or more above asking, you know its because people want it, and its in a great neighborhood. According to data from the Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR), its not something that happens regularly, but it does have a significant impact on the market: Over a span of 18 months between March 2023 and September 2024, 910 out of 5,028 borough homes sold for at least $1,000 above asking. Thats about 18% of all the properties sold during that timeframe. Data journalism website Stacker recently examined a wider dataset and named New York City as one of the nations top metros for over-asking sales. According to those stats, out of a measure of 5,460 homes sold, 36.4% of them collected more than the list price. I like to price a property at a number where it will go over; its a technique which very rarely has the confidence of the seller, but it allows us to sell a home quickly and usually at a higher price point, noted Lisa Lonuzzi, who operates the Lonuzzi team at Compass with her daughter, Christina Barranca. Your house is worth what someone is going to pay for it, not what the market tells us, added Barranca, detailing how she and Lonuzzi recently sold a home in West Brighton for $1.8 million -- $100K over asking -- after only two weeks on the market. We had four over-asking offers, she said. This one in particular sold at that price, because the buyer had flexibility with timing and gave an all-cash offer. Lonuzzi said its her teams strategy to sell at the selling price, not list at a very high number with a lot of negotiating room. We dont inflate the price and leave the home sitting on market, she said. That sort of tactic skews the inventory, makes it look like theres a lot of product out there, but in reality its all overpriced. And, according to many realtors, that style of pricing often results in an over-asking buy. This house was beautiful, and we priced it right, which was key, noted Elizabeth Mucci, who recently sold a two-family home in Woodrow for $90,000 above asking. We put it on the market on a Wednesday, had one open house, and probably received 20 offers. We went with the highest and best, because this buyer really wanted it. Mucci, who works with her husband Vincent as a part of Team Mucci at Keller Williams Realty in Dongan Hills, said it is typical for many of her properties to bring in between $20,000 and $50,000 more than the list price. Its all about pricing it realistically, she concluded. If a house has been on the market for more than two weeks with no offers, its not priced correctly. Pricing it correctly or a little below gives you the option of being able to choose which offer you want to accept. 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. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NYC Sports Betting sites 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. Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The National Commission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO has donated exhibits of Azerbaijani musical instruments to the Museum of Musical Instruments in Belgium, Trend reports. The National Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Representation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the European Union, donated rare exhibits of tar, kamancha, and qaval to the Museum of Musical Instruments under the auspices of the Royal Museums of Art and History of Belgium. Another step towards strengthening cultural ties and promoting Azerbaijani heritage wordwide, Azerbaijans mission to UNESCO wrote on its page on X. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. A customs business forum was held in Azerbaijans capital cityBaku on December 17, Trend reports. The event featured speeches from key figures, including Shakhmar Movsumov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department for Economic Affairs and Innovative Development Policy at the Presidential Administration; Shahin Bagirov, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC); and Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, among other officials. Shahmar Movsumov, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of the Department of Economic Issues and Innovative Development Policy at the Presidential Administration said that Azerbaijan's foreign trade turnover has doubled in the past five years and exceeded $52 billion. Addressing the event, Movsumov highlighted the countrys focus on developing the customs and business sectors, implementing dynamic new approaches, and adopting modern technologies. "Optimizing customs procedures, introducing digital operations, and removing administrative barriers are creating more favorable conditions for both local and foreign entrepreneurs. These reforms are strengthening the economy as a whole. Over the past five years, foreign trade volumes have more than doubled, surpassing $52 billion," the official said. Then he added that transport technologies are strengthening the strategic significance of Azerbaijan by creating new opportunities for business. "From 2019 through 2024, the volume of transit transportation has increased by 2.5 times, which is linked to the strengthening of the country's position in international corridors such as the North and Middle Corridors. Thanks especially to the Middle Corridor, it has been possible to increase the efficiency of cargo transportation from China to Europe, reducing transit time to 8-10 days. These achievements were made possible through digital services and infrastructure projects implemented in recent years," he mentioned. Movsumov pointed out potential for further reducing both transit times and the regulatory deadlines for customs declarations. "These opportunities should be explored and implemented jointly by customs authorities and businesses. The introduction of modern control and monitoring systems facilitates tracking customs operations," Movsumov added. Sahil Babayev, the countrys Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population stressed that Azerbaijan's large-scale reforms in the customs sector are facilitating the country's integration into the global economic community. Babayev emphasized that the successful implementation of customs reforms, along with the introduction of modern technologies, is contributing to the development of the national economy. "Azerbaijans large-scale reforms in the customs sector, the positive experiences achieved, and the integration of modern technologies are driving the development of our country's economy, bolstering the entrepreneurial class, and integrating Azerbaijan into the global economic community. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population highly values these achievements, as they directly impact the well-being of our citizens. Our main goal is to ensure a dignified life for every citizen of Azerbaijan, regardless of age, gender, category, or social status. The President has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that the well-being of our citizens is the foundation of Azerbaijan's state policy. One of the key areas to ensure this well-being is employment. Without addressing employment issues, no country can improve its standard of living. Employment provision is directly dependent on the active participation of business representatives, who are present at today's event. Despite the significant support from the state, resources are always limited, the minister said. The Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Shahin Baghirov said that the use of the Automated Risk Analysis System (ARAS) in Azerbaijan has reduced average border crossing times by 58 percent. In 2023, the implementation of the ARAS system made it possible to make new achievements in the use of tools. The time spent on customs clearance is reduced, and shipping costs are minimized, creating a favorable business environment for foreign trade participants who comply with customs legislation, he emphasized. The President of the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of Azerbaijan Mammad Musayev noted that the number of entrepreneurs using the Green Corridor in Azerbaijan continues to grow. "The customs system is a crucial tool in this direction, as it plays a key role in managing international trade and creating conditions for entering new markets. The development of dialogue between the state and the private sector is one of the fundamental principles of economic growth and enhancing investment attractiveness in our country. The Confederation of Entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan, as one of the parties to the Main Collective Agreement with the government, is strengthening cooperation with state structures to address issues raised by entrepreneurs and to implement strategic goals, such as the development of the national economy and its orientation towards export. In this regard, I would like to especially highlight the activities of the Council for Bilateral Cooperation between the Confederation and the State Customs Committee. Many of the raised issues have been successfully resolved, and we are pleased that the number of entrepreneurs using the Green Corridor continues to grow. In recent years, significant progress has been observed in the customs system. The introduction of electronic declarations, trade facilitation initiatives, and the creation of procedures in line with international standards are important steps in this area. These measures not only contribute to improving the business environment in our country but also create new opportunities for the development of entrepreneurship," added Musayev. The Digital Customs Value System and other platforms were also presented at the business forum. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Like many people, after primary school, both of us began falling out of love with our education. As students who have both previously attended private and public schools, we felt our passion for learning diminish under systems that dont seem to entirely recognise or value the intricacies of the student experience. Its difficult to articulate the magic of our school, especially having come from schools that had both consistently failed to meet our needs. Freshwater Senior Campus has subverted the often disappointing elements of traditional high school education, cultivating an independent space for senior students to thrive within the terms of mutual maturity and respect something that is only understood, appreciated and achieved within the foundations of a senior campus. Freshwater Senior Campus school captains Sebastian Rayel and Sophie Rawstorne. The choice to come here was, for us, and probably everyone, the first epochal decision as a young adult one that gave us the chance to grow and develop. Theres a unique energy surrounding Freshie, one derived from intention. Everyone has the opportunity to discern who they are and who they want to be, with the school offering the freedom, support and space to bridge that gap. Weve both felt the benefits of Freshies mature and open discussions and provisions around mental health and learning support. Its rare to find a school that does more than just educate. This place transforms. But its not just about personal growth. We get to collectively enjoy and exist in an environment thats perfectly designed for this moment in our lives. This characterises the sense of community within the school and what it means to be a part of the Freshie fam. This dynamic transforms the very idea of what it means to be at school. Its a place where youre credited as the young adult that you are: where the teachers oversee your work and laugh with you. By the time police learned Jai-Bao Rex Chens mobile phone had been used in Queensland, his body, along with that of his wife, Zhuojun Sally Li, was already decomposing in dense bushland near Sydney Airport. On Tuesday afternoon, police discovered what is believed to be Chens body, submerged in a Botany creek and concealed with reeds and other foliage, less than 10 metres from where Lis body was found wrapped in plastic by a passerby on December 9. Police are treating the deaths of Zhuojun Sally Li (left) and her husband, Jai-Bao Rex Chen (right) as a targeted double murder. Credit: NSW Police The discovery of Lis body at Sir Joseph Banks Park sparked grave concerns for Chen, who was declared missing after investigators could not locate him. When detectives tracked Chens mobile phone to Queensland and identified two persons of interest who had fled the country, their investigation quickly turned to that of a targeted double murder. 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 Omi Kumari and Ehsan Noroozinejad effectively identify the latte line as a climate division line (Western Sydneys extreme heat is unsustainable, December 17). The low side of the line is effectively the Sydney Basin, whose main climate problem was once that it trapped smog toxic leaded fuel pollution. Trees, shade and constructing buildings close so together that the sun does not reach ground level are urban responses developed long ago by humanity for hot climates. If western Sydney was not close to eastern Sydney it would probably be a national park. As demonstrated by Australias high-growth areas, we want to live mainly along the coast with its comfortable climate. Wherever we choose for people to live, we need intercity motorways and medium-speed railways to link our urban areas so the necessary health and other services can be provided to everybody. Sydney needs a fleet of bigger tunnel-boring machines to escape our basin trap. The inner-city Labor Party now in government must lead the way out. Peter Egan, Mosman Infrared image showing the heat on playground equipment. Credit: Sebastian Pfautsch In 2021, the then planning minister in the NSW Coalition government, Rob Stokes, announced that the NSW Department of Planning would mandate white roofs in this state to mitigate the urban heat island effect, expected to accelerate due to climate change. He pretty soon stepped down and was replaced by Anthony Roberts, who abandoned the plan. Stokes left politics very soon afterwards. The importance of planning for climate change is clear but who will listen? Perhaps the people of Western Sydney would do better with independents, hopefully less amenable to special interests. Norman Carter, Roseville Chase Todays article relating to the problems of western Sydney is required reading for the Minns government. Overdevelopment in the west as a short-term answer to overcrowding has produced the issues identified in this piece. The lessons were there to heed but were disregarded as more and more trees were uprooted and concrete poured. The government is pushing to extend the errors and lessons of the west into areas currently cooler and with surviving grass and trees. Stop, look back and learn before forcing inner suburban councils to create more heat. David Warren, Mona Vale The date featured in your article January 4, 2020, when the temperature reached 48.9 at Penrith is certainly a day we remember well in our family, as it was the day of my eldest grandsons wedding. The afternoon ceremony in a church in Rooty Hill was relatively comfortable. The bridal party endured the heat for outdoor photos near Penrith Lake. The air-conditioning in the newly opened reception venue close to Penrith only just coped to maintain a temperature of close to 30 degrees hot but bearable. People were happy and united in our awareness that we were, at the time, the hottest place on the planet. It is a record we are, however, hoping to keep. Heather Johnson, West Pennant Hills Shocking story today about how hot our playgrounds are (As the heat soars, dangers mount in Sydneys parks and playgrounds, December 17). Not only are young children being exposed to high heat and potential burns, but the surfaces used can cause even more damage. Plastic grass and rubber fill exposes kids to PFAS and microplastics. Plastic grass can double the temperature of the playing area and suffocates all living creatures in the soil under it. Time to bring in natural turf playing fields with tougher new-generation grasses. Janet France, Northbridge Westmead Childrens Hospital published a newsletter in March 2012 cautioning readers that playground surfaces can burn a toddlers feet. Todays article measured a Parramatta playground at 98 degrees. Since 2012, hundreds of playgrounds, childcare centres, parks and schools have installed heat-retaining plastic and rubber surfaces. Rarely is heat mentioned in cautionary signage in parks and playgrounds. Our standards are failing us as there are no standards, except for hardness, when installing this product in public spaces. We advocate for natural play spaces; as this is what children need for development, not heat-retaining chemical surfaces. Catriona Carver, Banksia Advertisement Duttons power play There is evidence that almost everywhere, renewables trump nuclear as the lowest-cost technology (Duttons reactors will hit economy, December 17) Even in nations investing in nuclear, investment in renewables predominates. For example, China installed 1GW of nuclear last year, compared to 300GW of solar and wind. Given current technology, the ongoing need for inflexible baseload generation such as coal or nuclear is another Coalition myth. In addition to the time-shifting of renewable generation, frequency and voltage control can be provided by a fleet of large-scale batteries together with hydroelectric generation and synchronous condensers. Garry White, Lindfield Push factors. Credit: Cathy Wilcox Perhaps weve been misreading Peter Dutton all along. Far from being a free-market liberal, hes proposing a state-run project to build nuclear power stations; far from promoting economic growth he wants to shrink the economy. Suddenly hes revealed himself to be a green socialist who wants to run a centralised zero-growth economy. Neil Ormerod, Kingsgrove The cost of high-powered solar panels is so cheap that it is now possible to run a whole house electrically, plus charging your EV from sunlight. Many are already doing it. This is revolutionary stuff; Australians are on the cusp of running their houses, including vehicles, with zero carbon emissions and no bills whatsoever. Dutton and his mate OBrien are proposing to steal this future from every Australian household. They can contort their figures as much as they like, but they cannot beat zero emissions and zero bills. Yet in their madness this is what they are doing shame on them. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria The debate on nuclear versus renewables appears to be focused solely on cost. It overlooks the fact that renewables hold the hope of spawning a growing, scalable industry for Australia, whereas nuclear promises only a massive transfer of our sovereign wealth to the overseas suppliers and a further dependence on foreign allies. Its time we charted a path to a more independent future. John Richards, Turramurra Its interesting that the Coalitions nuclear plan does not include costings for storage and guarding of the nuclear fuel waste, which remains toxic and dangerous for 10,000 years. According to US data, on-site nuclear fuel rod storage cost is currently at $50 billion and rising. The cost of decommissioning the UKs 17 nuclear plants is estimated at not less than 14 billion each. But the reality shows this could easily double, as the Trawsfynydd plant in Wales, which closed in 1993 and will not be finally decommissioned until 2071, is estimated to cost the British taxpayer $25 billion to clean up. Thats potentially $175 billion missing from the LNP costings, by my account. Mark Walker, West Kempsey Advertisement So economic modelling for nuclear is basically the same as modelling on the couture catwalk: walk out something completely impractical we cant afford which wont work in the real world, like its completely normal, look extremely miserable doing it, and remember its mostly about the photo opportunity and flogging your brand. Peter Fyfe, Enmore Duttons nuclear attack on renewables would inevitably discourage investment in the sector. Worse, it will impose a savage curtailment of grid feed from existing renewable installations, including rooftop solar panel owners. What will he do, then, if we vote with our feet and go off-grid? Battery prices continue to plummet. Several EVs offer the capacity to switch to supplying households after dark. Perhaps Dutton will follow Alabama and Florida by levying outrageously high fixed charges on owners of rooftop solar. Even if he doesnt, its not hard to imagine households en masse chopping themselves off from the grid, sending generators, grid operators, and retailers broke. What a great achievement for the business-friendly side of politics. Ronald Watts, Newcastle The Coalitions nuclear policy relies on customers being connected to the grid. I have had solar panels since 2009, which provide all my daytime power. I dont have a battery but if the feed in tariff falls any lower, I will get a battery or electric car and come off the grid. My connection fee to the grid is currently covered by the electricity I sell to the grid. It is almost economically viable to leave the grid now. Depending on usage one can be off the grid for about $20,000 or $10,000 and an electric car. As Ross Gittins points out, commercial users of power are being subsidised by retail users. A policy that reduces household solar benefits will lead to many households leaving the grid. They are the most profitable customers for service providers who will recover their losses from those left on the grid. David Addington, Queenscliff Unsightly seawall Like many others, we went to Nielsen Park to celebrate the long-awaited reopening of this iconic Sydney swimming spot (After three years and two long summers, Nielsen Park returns as a peoples playground, December 13). However, we were shocked to be greeted by a monumental concrete structure which would have been more suited to the Normandy coast to repel the D-Day landings. The only thing missing was the pillboxes for the machine guns. Another case of major overengineering and a total lack of aesthetic design. Simon Bromage, Burwood Democracy under attack Could it be that the global democratic recession Nick Bryant refers to is because even in countries such as Australia, we see gradual erosion of that democracy (Was 2024 democracys annus horribilis? Actually, that may be yet to come, December 17)? At grassroots level, we see favoured candidates parachuted in to represent an electorate, not actual representatives of that electorate. At a higher level, we see lack of transparency, undue influence of lobbyists, a lack of representative conscience votes and much more. All this erodes our faith. Mark Tietjen, Redfern Advertisement Year of voter rage tests democracy Credit: Illustration: Joe Benke Riley Brown has the wrong reading of history (Letters, December 17). Turnbull didnt lose those 14 seats; they were the electorates rebuke for the immediately preceding madness and misogyny of the Abbott years. Turnbull had saved the Coalition from utter annihilation but then made the fatal mistake of trying to appease the Coalitions hard right. Notably by handing Dutton the home affairs portfolio. Jeffrey Mellefont, Coogee Riley Brown conveniently cuts off his potted history of conservative Coalition success stories before the most recent election, in which Scott Morrison suffered a thumping defeat and lost 18 seats, including several seats which had been in Coalition hands since their very inception. Lloyd Swanton, Wentworth Falls George Brandis would do well to consider that Burkean or Menzian liberalism is impotent in the face of an increasingly right-wing populist National Party which the Liberals are shackled to by the Coalition agreement. Liberalism is dead in Queensland by virtue of the merger of the two parties into the LNP, dragging the party even further to the right. Nicholas Triggs, Katoomba Still on the boil Loving your new Bye Terry, Stay Jill series (Letters, December 17)! Terry is still floating after all the great messages and thanks from his readers, and also from the very chefs he has been reviewing for so long. No doubt he will do the odd pop-up for Good Food and stories for Traveller as well as his regular column in Good Weekend. Me, Im not going anywhere! Cheers and thanks a mill, Jill Dupleix, Potts Point Terry and Jill Credit: Nikki To Advertisement Heritage hindered Heritage is only about one thing significance (Not a museum: The Sydney apartment owners fighting heritage protection, December 17). Listing modernist buildings in Potts Point has been mooted for more than a decade but council has been dragging its feet. Heritage listing doesnt preserve items in aspic; it conserves them so changes can be made without compromising their significance for future generations. Andrew Woodhouse, Potts Point ABC chief mis-step Well done, Kim Williams and the ABC board, appointing the same guy to run the ABC who organised a Liberal Party fundraiser at Nine, among other tell-tale warnings about his suitability for replacing David Anderson as managing director (New ABC boss says Nines culture problems never raised with him, December 17). Now the handover to the ABCs IPA/Murdoch executioners to dismember the body of our beloved national broadcaster speeds towards brazen completion. Truly heartbreaking. Susan Anthony, Cammeray Bali Nine mystery I have never understood why there was no investigation into the AFP for allowing the Bali Nine to enter Indonesia having been tipped off by a fathers desperate bid to save his son (Letters, December 17). No one condones drug trafficking, but to send them to a country with the death penalty is inhumane. They could well have been tried here and served their sentences without a death threat over their heads. I am haunted to this day by grief and outrage at the execution of Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan. Sukumarans grandmothers voice as she pleaded for mercy in Martin Place before the execution will never leave me. Karin Viles, Annandale Trees jolly good Advertisement Poker machine losses have reached a grim new benchmark, with government data revealing NSW gamblers lost a staggering $1 million an hour in a three-month period. The latest figures from the NSW Department of Liquor and Gaming reveal $2.25 billion was lost to pokies in the 92 days between July and September, prompting renewed calls for the government to respond to recommendations from a long-awaited report into the states gambling system released earlier this month. The record losses were felt most keenly in suburbs in Sydneys west, which made up eight of the top 10 LGAs in greater Sydney. Canterbury-Bankstown, where $2 million a day was lost to the almost 5000 poker machines in the local government area, topped the list ahead of Fairfield and Cumberland. Stu Cameron, the chief executive of Wesley Mission, one of the organisations calling for the introduction of a mandatory cashless gaming card, said the scale of losses was staggering. The news Queenslands real estate lobby has called for a proposed productivity commission to hold an inquiry into what it has described as an onslaught of legislative change to tenancy laws since 2020. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland made the call largely dismissed by the housing minister in a submission to the parliamentary committee looking into a bill to set up the promised new body. The REIQ would like to see an inquiry into the social and economic impacts of the Palaszczuk and Miles governments reforms to [tenancy laws], acting chief executive Katrina Beavon wrote. Innovative financial solution akart in partnership with Visa and the National Art Museum, introduces new card designs inspired by the works of renowned Azerbaijani artists. In the frame of this unique collaboration, masterpieces by Sattar Bahlulzade, Vajiha Samadova, Mikayl Abdullayev, Ayyub Mammadov, Tahir Salahov, Rasim Babayev, etc. are now featured on akart. This initiative aims to promote Azerbaijans national heritage by seamlessly integrating iconic national artworks into the everyday lives of akart subscribers. Hasan Hasanov, CEO of A-Solutions Electronic Money Organization, stated: "Our goal is to celebrate the richness of Azerbaijani culture through modern financial technologies. I hope this initiative will inspire our users and art enthusiasts, making advanced financial solutions and examples of national art accessible to everyone." Nurlan Hajiyev, Visas country manager for Azerbaijan, added: "We are delighted to collaborate with A-Solutions and the National Art Museum to launch these unique card designs. This initiative not only enhances our users' financial experience but also highlights the wealth of Azerbaijans cultural heritage. We believe that merging art with daily financial transactions will foster greater interest in the country's cultural heritage." Subscribers can choose these exclusive card covers through the akart mobile application and receive them completely free of charge. Make your choice and enjoy a financial experience filled with art! The modern financial solution akart is presented by A-Solutions Electronic Money Organization. The company started its operations as the first electronic money organization licensed by the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan on May 16, 2024. A-Solutions, a subsidiary of Azercell Telecom LLC, aims to make cashless payments accessible to everyone, including the unbanked population. For more information: https://akart.az/en Rome: Pope Francis turned 88 on Tuesday and marked the occasion with revelations that he almost didnt make it. According to excerpts from his upcoming autobiography, suicide bombers had planned to attack him during his 2021 visit to Iraq but were killed before striking. Italian daily Corriere della Sera and The New York Times ran excerpts of Hope: The Autobiography, written with Italian author Carlo Musso, which is being released in more than 80 countries next month. Pope Francis is presented with a cake by Valentina Alazraki, correspondent for TeleVisa Univision, to celebrate his birthday, on a flight back from Ajaccio, Corsica. Credit: AP In the Italian excerpts, Francis recalled his historic March 2021 trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pope. COVID-19 was still raging, and security concerns were high, especially in Mosul. The devastated northern city had been the headquarters of Islamic State militants, whose horrific reign had largely emptied the region of its Christian communities. According to the book, British intelligence informed Iraqi police as soon as Francis arrived in Baghdad that a woman wearing explosives was heading to Mosul and was planning to blow herself up during the papal visit. And that a truck was heading there fast with the same intention, Francis says in the book. Moscow: A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops was assassinated in Moscow by Ukraines SBU intelligence service in the most high-profile killing of its kind. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russias Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, Russias Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said. Russian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov has been killed. Credit: Russia Defence Ministry/AP An SBU source confirmed to Reuters that the Ukrainian intelligence agency had been behind the hit. The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU, the source said. The source said that a scooter containing explosives was detonated, killing both Kirillov and his aide, as they stepped out of a building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. Hamburg: Germany is facing elections in February following the collapse of Olaf Scholzs government after a feisty debate that saw the chancellor branded a failure. 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. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right), Economy and Climate Action Minister Robert Habeck and German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies (left) attend debates before Scholz lost a vote of confidence at the Bundestag. Credit: Getty Images Merz used every opportunity to attack Scholz in parliament, saying his reign in office had been a failure marked by economic stagnation and international embarrassment. PHILIPSBURG:---The Sint Maarten Library recently hosted an inspiring book-signing event featuring acclaimed author Robert Romney. The celebrated author unveiled his latest work, Big Rock II: Lie Down in Darkness, during the event on December 13, 2024. This special occasion offered the community an opportunity to meet the inspirational writer whose mission is to document and preserve the cherished heritage of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin for future generations. Romneys newest book sheds light on a bygone era, transporting readers from the 1960s to the present day in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. Though the titular "Big Rock" that once graced the waterfront of Marigot no longer exists, Romney uses its memory as a metaphor for a time and place filled with cultural vibrancy, linguistic identity, and a profound sense of belonging. The story captures the lives of a generationfishermen, farmers, shopkeepers, teachers, and other community members from both the French and Dutch sides of the islandwho found connection and shared experiences around the iconic Big Rock. Big Rock II: Lie Down in Darkness (2023) is the final installment in Romneys acclaimed trilogy and follows his earlier works: Big Rock I: King of the Rock (2019), St. Martin Talk (2011), and From St. Martin Talk to Standard English (2015). Together, these works form a rich tapestry of Sint Maartens cultural evolution and linguistic heritage, ensuring that the islands history is preserved for generations to come. During the event, the Librarys Activity Coordinator, Maryland Powell, received three signed copies of Big Rock II: Lie Down in Darkness on behalf of General Manager Marc Marshall. The books will soon be available for borrowing, giving the community access to this profound exploration of Sint Maartens heritage. The event concluded with a special virtual reading by Romney, now available for viewing on the Sint Maarten Librarys social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. For more information about Big Rock II: Lie Down in Darkness and other works by Robert Romney, visit the Sint Maarten Library. PHILIPSBURG:--- As a Member of the Parliament of St. Maarten, I acknowledge and validate the concerns raised by Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) employees regarding the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position. Their frustrations are understandable, given the clear inconsistencies in the airports hiring practices. Currently, the vacancy for the Chief Operations Officer (COO) position is being conducted internally, prioritizing qualified local candidates for the role. While I take no personal issue with the selection of the COO or CEO, the differing approaches to these two key positions raise significant questions. If the COO recruitment process can prioritize local talent, why was the same opportunity not extended for the CEO position? This inconsistency exposes a fundamental flaw in PJIAs recruitment process. Employees are right to point out this discrepancy. A similar situation occurred during my tenure as Minister of Finance when we pushed for local candidates to be considered for Chief Financial Officer (CFO) roles. At the time, arguments were made that local professionals lacked the necessary qualifications and required further training. However, one of those same individuals went on to become CEO of a government-owned company, proving that when given the opportunity, local talent can and will excel. I am also calling for accountability from the government to ensure the Supervisory Board of PJIA remains consistent in its hiring processes. There must be clarity and transparency in explaining why some key executive positions are filled internally while others are opened to external candidates. The government has a responsibility to hold the Supervisory Board accountable for ensuring fair, consistent, and justifiable recruitment practices. Anything less only erodes trust among employees and the public. The inconsistency in PJIA's hiring procedures not only fuels frustration and distrust but also undermines confidence in the leadership of one of St. Maartens most critical institutions. Employees concerns are both legitimate and justified. Moving forward, I urge those responsible for recruitment at PJIA to reassess their approach and ensure that hiring processes are not only transparent and fair but also consistent across all executive-level positions. As St. Maartens gateway to the world, PJIA must set the standard for recognizing and fostering local talent while maintaining integrity and accountability. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a 70 million euro loan to BRD Sogelease IFN SA, a subsidiary of Romanias BRD Groupe Societe Generale, to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies across the country, Trend reports. This funding marks the second tranche of a 120 million euro loan agreement signed between the EIB and BRD Sogelease IFN. The first 50 million euros was made available in December 2023. A fifth of the current loan is specifically allocated to green initiatives, such as energy efficiency improvements and sustainable mobility solutions, aligning with Romanias energy and climate goals. EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasized the importance of the initiative: Improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the European economy, is part of the EIBs core mission. With this loan, we are helping Romanian companies access long-term financing on favourable terms. Some of this financing will also be used for green investments, contributing to Romania's national energy and climate goals, and ultimately, a more sustainable and resilient economy. The broader agreement between the EIB and BRD Sogelease IFN also includes advisory support for green investments. This encompasses technical assistance in product development, green-eligibility screening, and monitoring impact reporting, further promoting sustainable business practices in Romania. ChatGPT search opens to all users in challenge to Google San Francisco, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 OpenAI on Monday said it is making ChatGPT-powered internet search available to all users, escalating its threat to Google's dominance. The San Francisco-based tech firm had beefed up its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot with search engine capabilities in late October, but made the feature available only to paying subscribers. The newly public feature enables users to receive "fast, timely answers" with links to relevant web sources -- information that previously required using a traditional search engine, the company said. The upgrade to ChatGPT enables the AI chatbot to provide real-time information from across the web. "We're bringing search to all logged-in free users of ChatGPT," OpenAI chief product officer Kevin Weil said in a video posted at YouTube. "That means it'll be available globally on every platform where you use ChatGPT." Examples of the new interface demonstrated by OpenAI resembled search results provided by Google and Google Maps, though without the clutter of advertising. They also appeared similarly to the interface of Perplexity, another AI-powered search engine that offers a more conversational version of Google by featuring the sources it referenced in the answer. "We're really just making the ChatGPT experience that you know better with up-to-date information from the web," ChatGPT Search product lead Adam Fry said in the video. "We're rolling this out to hundreds of millions of users, starting today." Rather than launching a separate product, OpenAI has integrated search directly into ChatGPT. Users can enable the search feature by default or activate it manually via a web search icon. Since their launch, data on AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude have been limited by time cutoffs, so the answers they provided were not up-to-date. In contrast, Google and Microsoft both combine AI-generated answers with web results. The addition of online search to ChatGPT will raise more questions about the startup's link to Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, which is also trying to expand the reach of its Bing search engine against Google. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has set his company on a path to become an internet powerhouse. He successfully catapulted the company to a staggering $157 billion valuation in a recent round of fundraising that included Microsoft, Tokyo-based conglomerate SoftBank and AI chipmaker Nvidia as investors. Enticing new users with search engine capabilities will increase the company's computing needs and costs, which are enormous. Guilty verdict in killing of Cash App founder San Francisco, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 A tech consultant was found guilty Tuesday of stabbing Cash App founder Bob Lee to death during a clash in San Francisco. The verdict of second-degree murder pronounced for Nima Momeni marked the end of a case that was used by tech tycoon Elon Musk and others to promote a narrative that crime in the city was out of control. A day after Lee's stabbing death in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023, Musk posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, saying "violent crime in SF is horrific" and that "even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately." Police determined that Lee and Momeni knew one another and were having a dispute concerning Momeni's sister when Lee was stabbed to death. Lee was stabbed several times, once in the heart, according to court documents. Jurors found Momeni guilty of second-degree murder, not convinced at trial that the killing was premeditated or that he was merely defending himself, according to ABC News and other outlets. Momeni faces a prison sentence of from 15 years to life behind bars. "We all know that after Bob Lee was murdered, Elon Musk took to Twitter to make an effort to really shame San Francisco, and to make it seem like this was about lawlessness in San Francisco," SFGate quoted District Attorney Brooke Jenkins as saying outside the courtroom after the verdict. "He was incorrect," she added, noting Musk's tweet logged millions of views worldwide in the 24 hours after it was posted. Lee's brother Timothy Oliver Lee told journalists outside the courtroom that the family was satisfied with the verdict, according to CBS News. "We're happy that Nima Momeni won't be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world," Timothy Oliver Lee was reported as saying. "The verdict of murder two will put him away for a long time." BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Credit Agricole have announced new financing packages totaling 700 million euros to support healthcare professionals and energy transition projects across France, Trend reports. A 400 million euro package is dedicated to liberal healthcare professionals, with at least 200 million euros aimed at helping practitioners establish practices nationwide. A further 120 million euros will support projects led by women in healthcare, reflecting Credit Agricoles commitment to gender inclusion and womens entrepreneurship. Since 2020, joint EIB-Credit Agricole financing for the healthcare sector in France has exceeded 1 billion euros. In addition, the EIB and Credit Agricole are providing 300 million to support businesses, mid-caps, and the public sector in energy transition efforts. The funding will accelerate investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility, helping to reduce environmental impact and achieve climate goals. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Senior Russian military official killed in Moscow blast: investigators Moscow, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 A senior Russian military official was killed on Tuesday when an explosive device hidden in a scooter went off outside a building in Moscow, investigators said. The commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, was killed along with his deputy when the blast went off as the two men left a building in southeastern Moscow early that morning. "An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow," said the Russian Investigative Committee, responsible for major investigations in the country. The blast shattered several windows of the building and severely damaged the front door, according to images published by Russian media. Kirillov, who had been in his post since 2017, was sanctioned in October by Britain over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The blast comes as what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine nears its third anniversary. CORRECTED: Senior Russian military official killed in Moscow blast: investigators Moscow, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 A senior Russian military official was killed on Tuesday when an explosive device hidden in a scooter went off outside a building in Moscow, investigators said. The commander of Russian armed forces' chemical, biological and radiation defence troops, Igor Kirillov, was killed along with his assistant when the blast went off as the two men left a building in southeastern Moscow early that morning. "An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow," said the Russian Investigative Committee, responsible for major investigations in the country. The blast shattered several windows of the building and severely damaged the front door, according to images published by Russian media. Kirillov, who had been in his post since 2017, was sanctioned in October by Britain over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The blast comes as what Moscow calls its special military operation in Ukraine nears its third anniversary. Ukraine claims killing of Russian military official in Moscow: security source Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 The killing of a senior Russian military official, Igor Kirillov, in Moscow on Tuesday was a "special operation" by Ukraine's SBU security service, a source inside the agency told AFP. Kirillov is the most senior Russian army official to be targeted on Russian territory, killed with his assistant when an explosive device attached to a scooter went off outside an apartment building in south-eastern Moscow. "The liquidation of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical and biological defence troops is a special operation by the SBU," the source said. "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military," it said. Kirillov was on Monday charged in absentia by Ukrainian authorities over alleged war crimes following an investigation by the SBU. In October, he had been sanctioned by the UK over the suspected use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. "Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable," the SBU source said. It confirmed Kirillov was killed when "a scooter with explosives" detonated as he entered the building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow. Zelensky urges 'lasting peace' that Russia cannot break Tallinn, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday called for a "real, lasting peace" that Russia could not break and said he hoped for an end to the war next year. Zelensky spoke in a video address to the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit in Tallinn, which brought together representatives from 10 northern European countries this week. "We all understand that next year could be the year this war ends. We must make it happen," Zelensky said. "We need to establish peace in a way that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin can no longer break, a peace that's not just a pause, but a real, lasting peace," he added. US President-elect Donald 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 concessions to Moscow. The members of the JEF summit also stressed the importance of a fair and lasting peace. "A comprehensive, just and lasting peace requires full and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces and military assets from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders," they said in a joint statement on Tuesday. JEF includes the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the Nordic states of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, as well as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The countries said their military assistance to Ukraine would top 12 billion euros ($12.6 billion) next year. Pope says escaped two attempts on his life in Iraq Vatican City, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Pope Francis escaped two attempts on his life during his historic trip to Iraq in March 2021, according to excerpts from his forthcoming autobiography published Tuesday by Italian media. The pontiff's Vatican security detail received an urgent warning from the British secret services, Francis wrote. "A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit," he wrote in "Hope", which goes on sale in over 80 countries in January. "And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention," he added, according to excerpts from the book published by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera daily. The two attackers were intercepted and killed by the Iraqi police. Francis, who turned 88 on Tuesday, wrote that "almost everyone advised me against" the trip to Iraq "but I wanted to get to the bottom of things. I felt I had to do it". The historic three-day visit in March 2021 took place amid intense security. It was Francis's first trip in 15 months and took place in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic. Despite the high risks to his personal safety, the Argentine pope criss-crossed the country, going to Baghdad and Mosul, the onetime bastion of the Islamic State group. During his trips abroad, the pope's security is taken care of by the Pontifical Swiss Guard and the Vatican Gendarmerie, in collaboration with local law enforcement. China replaces Russia in Kazakh uranium mines Almaty, Kazakhstan, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Russia's nuclear giant Rosatom is selling stakes in its uranium mining operations in Kazakhstan to Chinese companies, the main Kazakh uranium company said Tuesday, underscoring Beijing's growing clout in central Asia. "Kazatomprom announces the exit of its Russian partner from some joint ventures," said a statement from the world's largest uranium mining company, which mines the crucial metal at 26 sites in Kazakhstan, which borders Russia and China. The statement said Uranium One Group, part of Rosatom, sold 49.99 percent of its shares in Kazakhstan to Astana Mining Company, whose parent company is China's State Nuclear Uranium Resources Development (SNPTC). Kazatomprom maintains its 49.99 percent stake in the venture. In addition, Uranium One Group "is expected" to sell 30 percent of Khorasan-U and Kyzylkum LLP to China Uranium Development Company, whose ultimate owner is China General Nuclear Power Corporation". "The company welcomes new partners and wishes success in joint work," said Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer of uranium, accounting for 43 percent or 21,227 tonnes in 2022, according to the latest figures from the World Nuclear Association. Rosatom's replacement by Chinese companies symbolises Beijing's growing presence in the former Soviet republics of central Asia and Moscow's waning influence. Kazatomprom also said Tuesday that it "has launched a large-scale exploration program" to find new deposits, and that it has received licences to explore fours sites that are estimated to have total reserves of more than 180,000 tonnes of uranium. While rich in uranium, Kazakhstan has insufficient power generation and plans to construct a nuclear plant near Lake Balkhash in the south of the country, with Chinese, Russian, French and South Korean companies lining up to bid on the project. US military releases Kenyan from Guantanamo prison Washington, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 The US Defense Department said Tuesday that it had released a Kenyan man from its Guantanamo prison, leaving 29 men still held extrajudicially at the American base in Cuba. Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu was repatriated to Kenya after it was determined that his detention was "no longer necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the national security of the United States," the Defense Department said in a statement. The Washington Post reported that Bajabu had been arrested in 2007 and was accused of belonging to Al-Qaeda's East Africa branch. With his release, 29 detainees remain at Guantanamo, down from a peak of nearly 800. Of them 15 are eligible for transfer, three are eligible for a review for possible release, seven are facing charges and four have been convicted and sentenced, the Defense Department statement said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Chairman of the State Statistical Committee Tahir Budagov met with the delegation headed by the Director General of the General Statistical Office of Vietnam (GSO) Nguyen Thi Huong, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports. As per the information, the meeting revealed that Azerbaijan and Vietnam are cordial and partner countries that respect each other's interests. The development of interstate relations in a positive direction is a matter of satisfaction. Furthermore, it was emphasized that the foundations of relations between our peoples were laid in the Soviet period, and the historical significance of the visit of Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh to Azerbaijan in 1959 and the visit of national leader of our people Heydar Aliyev to Vietnam in 1983, then First Deputy Chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers, was noted. Noting the importance of mutual visits after the restoration of Azerbaijan's state independence, it was emphasized that President Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Vietnam in 2014 and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang's official visit to Azerbaijan in 2015 are reliable bases for deepening cooperation between the countries in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and other fields. Today, thanks to the political will of the leaders of the two countries, our two countries have established active political dialogue and effective cooperation in international organizations. The interest in expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam in trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian, educational, tourism, energy, and other spheres ensuring sustainable socio-economic development and strengthening their positions at the international level through the implementation of policies based on national interests and modern challenges between relevant state structures, including the State Statistical Committee and the General Statistical Office, was brought to attention. Emphasizing the mutual interest of both countries' experience in the field of statistics, detailed information was provided on the activities of the relevant government agencies, ongoing reforms, and innovations. Recalling with satisfaction the meeting between Committee Chairman Tahir Budagov and Director General Nguyen Thi Huong during his visit to Vietnam in 2023, it was noted that there was an effective exchange of views on further cooperation. Afterward, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Statistics was signed between the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Statistical Office of Vietnam. The memorandum was signed by the chairman of the State Statistical Committee Tahir Budagov and the Director General of the General Statistical Office of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Huong. The parties expressed confidence that the implementation of the tasks arising from the Memorandum will give effective resultswill serve the development of cooperation in the field of statistics, expand the exchange of statistical data comparable at the international level, reflect the social and economic situation of both countries, and strengthen interstate cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. A hybrid meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan was held under the chairmanship of Minister Parviz Shahbazov, where the results of the energy sector for 2024 were reviewed, Trend reports. According to the ministry, the chairman highlighted key initiatives and achievements in the energy sector that aligned with the socio-economic development policy set by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in his speech. "The meeting emphasized Azerbaijans successful hosting of COP29, and the energy initiatives presented received widespread international support, which continues even after the conference. It was also noted that steps taken during the Green World Solidarity Yearfocused on modernizing energy supply infrastructure, increasing the share of renewable energy sources, and improving energy efficiencyplayed a significant role in the development of the energy sector. Following the speech, reports were presented on the meeting's agenda. The status of the implementation of activities for 2024, as outlined in the 'Strategy for the Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026', was discussed. The report emphasized the projects carried out throughout the year within the framework of international cooperation in the energy sector and the outcomes of activities related to renewable energy sources. The meeting also reviewed the draft work plan for the Board of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the year 2025, which was then approved. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman issued instructions to effectively carry out tasks related to the implementation of projects aimed at the continued development of the energy sector in the upcoming year," the ministrys statement said. In this episode, Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott), whose character this season seems to be on a path of self-discovery, puts his friendship with Blake (Michael B. Silver) front and center. The story opens with Remy and his girlfriend, Abby, entertaining Remy's old buddy Blake. Ever the reprobate, Blake brought his young, Bumble date to Remy's house to regale everyone with stories about their colorful past as Wall Street traders. Later, Remy sees Abby draw a mature boundary by declining to join Blake and Remy for a second night of carousing. Remy realizes that his long-time friend is nothing but a shadow of what a true friend should besomeone who he's now completely outgrown. The episode ends with Remy realizing this at Blakes bar, where Blake reveals how awful his life is. Blake cast aspersions on Abbys motivations for being in a relationship with Remy. Remy tells him, My relationship with Abby is none of your business. Blake apologizes, "I offended you," and pleads with Remy to indulge in "one drink for the sake of old times." Remy agrees, then undertakes the liberating process of shedding this toxic relationship by ditching Blake. "Highway to Hell FBI: Most Wanted, Pictured (L-R): Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott and Susan Misner as Abby Deaver. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Parallel to Remy's personal story is a crazy biker gang, Wall Street, and cryptocurrency money laundering crime. Its morning. Two guys are staking out a location. One is snorting coke, indicating, in an FBI Most Wanted fashion, that things will get out of hand rather quickly. It did. The gun-toting, coke-snorting guy, Clark Pasternak (Jorge Cordova), executes three people. The victims include, a Queens District Attorney and her hedge fund husband, prompt the summoning of the Fugitive Task Force. Hana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) identifies the vehicle and suspects through the traffic cameras. They issue a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) and dispatch Ray and Nina to track down the vehicle. After conversing with the victim's child, Remy and Sheryll discover that his father received a request for a trade on a Sunday night. After investigating who made the trade, Remy's team search for Jeff Scholes (Wayne Pere), the person who facilitated the sale at a $3 million loss. Upon arriving at Scholes's house, the team discovers his wife dead and Scholes missing. Luckily, the team runs into a nosy neighbor who photographed the suspects. "Highway to Hell FBI: Most Wanted, Pictured (L-R): Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott, Edwin Hodge as Special Agent Ray Cannon, and Roxy Sternberg as Special Agent Sheryll Barnes. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The suspects know the FBI is on their tail, so they agree to part ways. The driver goes to discard the car and pick up his motorcycle. The team tracks the vehicle only to learn that the driver is a fellow law enforcement officer. The guy is a DEA agent, Ash/Charlie (Adam Aalderks) whos been working undercover for the last two years with the criminal biker gang called the Exiles. Remy opposes the continuation of the undercover operation due to Ash's proximity to the four murders his team is investigating. Unfortunately, Ashs supervisor in the DEA is unwilling to sacrifice two years of work to arrest two middling criminals. The DEA overrides Remy, and Ash is permitted to try to secure Scholess safety. Remy makes a noticeable effort to convey his discomfort with this decision. So, as a viewer, you know something is up. To the showrunners credit, I didnt foresee the DEA agent's dark turn. Ash enters the room where Jeff Schoales is being beaten to reveal the identity of the 'rat' within their organization. Almost immediately, the torturer accuses Ash of being the rat. Ash pulls his gun on the man, whats surprising is DEA Agent Ash doesnt arrest the dude. He stabs him to death. Wow! Jeff gives Ash a removable drive that he had hidden in his shoe, which contains the stolen money. Clark discovers Ash and Jeff. An FBI-esque chase ensues, but what sets this chase apart is the initial confusion as the team struggles to determine if Ash is a friend or foe. "Highway to Hell FBI: Most Wanted, Pictured (L-R): Keisha Castle-Hughes as Special Agent Hana Gibson and Isaiah Johnson as Agent Shawn Odunze. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Eventually Ash runs out of time and options. Nina catches him trying to escape by boat. She empathizes with his identity confusion and keeps calling him Charlie, which is Ashs real name because she has been deep undercover herself. Ash screams that Charlie is gone, which, in his head, justifies his moral collapse. He had had enough of dealing with criminals and cops, and all he wanted was the money to begin anew. Boo hoo! Nina persuades him that his two-year sacrifice would mean nothing if he didnt surrender. She says, Ash is done. Charlie is not. Do you agree with Nina? I dont. Since agent Charlie stabbed a guy, illegally detained an FBI agent, and attempted to escape with evidence, both Ash and Charlie are gone. "Highway to Hell FBI: Most Wanted, Pictured: Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. What made this episode truly remarkable is how Remy and Ashs narratives intersect and reflect on each other. Remy's internal struggle with friendship mirrors the undercover agent's battle with loyalty and ethics. The masterful handling of both stories culminates in a satisfying and surprising resolution, prompting the audience to contemplate the essence of ethical boundaries and personal integrity. This episode not only kept me captivated, but it also prompted me to reflect on the decisions we make and the individuals we choose to surround ourselves with during this holiday season. Its a must-watch episode for anyone who appreciates a thoughtful, well-crafted story about the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas. Whats your assessment of this episode? Did you see any connection between Ash's and Remy's respective dilemmas, or am I totally off base? Let me know in the comments. Overall Rating: 9/10 Lynette Jones I am a self-identified 'woke boomer' who hails from an era bathed in the comforting glow of a TV, not a computer screen. Navigating the digital world can sometimes leave me feeling a bit unsure, but I approach it with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Patience and kindness in this new landscape are truly valued. Let's embrace the journey together with appreciation and a touch of humor! Highway to Hell, the most recent episode of FBI Most Wanted, is a masterfully crafted hour that skillfully ties together two tales of moral challenges and personal growth. This is how it went. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Azerbaijans successful hosting of the COP29the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Changein Baku, alongside the ongoing rapid reconstruction of liberated territories and the intensification of the Great Return process, has underscored the countrys growing international authority and leadership position, said Ahmad Ismayilov, Chief Executive Officer at the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA), Trend reports. Speaking at the "Media Literacy" conference in Baku, held as part of Media Literacy Week, Ismayilov emphasized the significant impact that Azerbaijans dynamic public environment and its rise to global prominence have had on the countrys media landscape. These developments, he said, have fostered a stronger informational base that not only enhances the professional activity of Azerbaijani media domestically but also contributes to shaping the international media agenda. "The successful hosting of COP29 marks another key step in Azerbaijans rising international stature. It reflects the countrys assumption of new roles and responsibilities in executing regional and global projects. Creating an effective media mechanism and communication strategy for the successful coverage of COP29, focused on climate changerecognized by the UN as the number one global issueand fully informing the public about the significance of the event was crucial for shaping public opinion correctly. Our analysis reveals that all media outlets in Azerbaijan showcased exceptional professionalism during the largest event in the history of our independence, going above and beyond to deliver comprehensive coverage to both local and international audiences. We would like to take this opportunity to once again congratulate our journalists for their outstanding work during COP29 and express our sincere gratitude for their dedication and excellence in fulfilling their professional duties!" Ismayilov noted. 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. I wrote it in the midst of personal turmoil. My brother left the restaurant midway through our creative writing process. My dad retired a few years prior. I was, and still am, very much alone in this venture. After a divorce, and then having to move back to the family home (albeit mercifully this was a temporary arrangement), and at the depths of my own struggles with alcoholism, I sat down and focused all my energies and pain into the words formulated in this book. I used the book as a form of therapy to unpick my own complicated relationship with my craft. I accept the Investigatory Powers Tribunals judgment that due consideration was not given to whether there was an overriding public interest in interfering with journalistic sources before authorising surveillance, which importantly, although it was not directed toward the journalists Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney, it did impact them in 2018, he said. Its important to note that the judge himself said that this case was not about the rights and wrongs of removing the scheme, just about whether the decision was legal. This decision has always been and still is a bad one - expensive, rushed and dangerous. We are deeply concerned about one council adopting a policy that is so at odds with what its own residents want, and with the transport policies of both regional and national governments. He should have been aware from his training, including his training in de-escalation, that the way he acted was inappropriate and could have had a lasting, negative impact on the pupils involved, other pupils who became aware of it as well as on the school, its staff and the wider teaching profession, it said, Security minister Dan Jarvis insisted the Government would use every tool at our disposal to protect the UK, but said Firs had not been ready to be implemented when Labour came to power, despite claims to the contrary from the opposition. He said: Why on earth, if you stand up and say you support public services, and that public services are apparently being trashed why then go and tax them? Why then add to their cost base, which they have said, very clearly, will reduce services in each of their constituencies? Clearly we are not going to mourn the death of an individual who has propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people, Sir Keirs official spokesman, when asked about the attack, said. Sir Keir was asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, and 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. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 17. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have discussed plans to deepen bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President. The discussion took place during the meeting when the new Uzbek Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Saidikram Niyazkhodzhayev, presented his credentials to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. The two sides discussed the implementation of agreements reached during Zhaparov's official visit to Uzbekistan in July 2024, including the establishment of the Higher Intergovernmental Council, which is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. Zhaparov highlighted the growth in trade volumes, the expansion of the range of goods traded, and the strengthening of export-import ties. He emphasized the importance of joint ventures and the implementation of major investment projects, particularly in the fields of energy and transportation. In response, Niyazkhodzhayev noted that Zhaparovs state visit to Uzbekistan had marked a new chapter in the countries cooperation, providing a strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations and further enhancing friendship, mutual understanding, and good-neighborliness. The Uzbek Ambassador also emphasized that the outcomes of high-level meetings had set ambitious targets, including raising mutual trade turnover to $2 billion and jointly implementing investment projects in energy, transportation, tourism, and regional cooperation. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the trade turnover between the countries amounted to $705.433 million, increasing by 22.9 percent year-on-year. 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 Under New York law, such a terrorism charge can be brought when an alleged crime is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping. The sanctions named him as being responsible for, engaging in, providing support for, or promoting prohibited activity related to chemical weapons as the head of the military unit which has been involved in the transfer and use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The US navy secretary, who stopped at the studios on his way to visit American forces in Bahrain, gave the award to Cruise for his exceptional and wide-ranging contributions made to the department of the navy from 1986 to 2023. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 17. Uzbekistan and Saudi-based DataVolt discussed the implementation of the first phase of the green data center project, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between Uzbekistans Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov, and the CEO of Datavolt, Rajit Nanda. During the meeting the sides noted that special attention should be paid to ensuring sufficient power supply for the project realization. Rajit Nanda informed that renewable energy sources will be used in this project. In addition, it was emphasized that practical work is underway to attract large international IT companies to Uzbekistan by creating data centers. Both parties also discussed issues related to the realization of joint initiatives to promote Uzbekistan's potential in IT outsourcing in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia and the accelerated development of digital solutions in education and training of talents in IT outsourcing and other technologies. Earlier, Uzbekistan and DataVolt launched the construction of the first phase of the green data center on the territory of IT Park Uzbekistan. DataVolt is expected to invest $5 billion in stages for the implementation of the project until 2030. As part of the initial stage, a data center with a total capacity of 10 MW and costing $150 million will be built on the territory of IT Park Uzbekistan in Tashkent. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 17. Uzbekistan and Qatar discussed further expansion of multifaceted cooperation and strengthening of strategic partnership, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed during a telephone conversation between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The President of Uzbekistan congratulated the Amir of Qatar on the national holidayFoundation Daywishing him health, well-being, and success, as well as peace and prosperity to its people. Both sides reviewed issues of practical implementation of agreements at the highest level and promotion of investment projects. The parties noted the results of active contacts and exchanges. In November this year, the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and business forum was held in Doha. In October, Qatar Culture Week events were successfully organized in Tashkent. With the participation of leading Qatari companies, investment projects are being implemented in the fields of energy, development of transport and tourism infrastructure, agriculture, health care, and other priority areas. A regular direct air service has been established between the capitals, which contributes to the growth of mutual tourist flow. During the conversation, the heads of state paid special attention to the schedule of upcoming events in 2025, including the second summit of the Central Asia-Gulf Cooperation Council Dialogue. The sides also paid attention to topical issues on the international agenda. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 17. Saneg Oil Italy (the European lubricants operator of Uzbekistan's Saneg oil and gas company) started exports of lubricants to Portugal, Saneg told Trend. As part of the initial phase of the partnership, 27 tons of motor oils, industrial oils, and greases were delivered to Portuguese Lubrifuel distributor. The distributor agreement was signed shortly before the Saneg Oil Italy Partner Conference, held on December 4 in Gubbio, Italy. Lubrifuel, a prominent supplier of products from leading European brands, is set to strengthen Saneg's market presence in Portugal. "Expanding supplies to Portugal allows us to strengthen our presence in the European Union and diversify distribution channels. This step confirms the strong interest of European partners in our products. The Saneg presentation in Italy and the Partner Conference further solidified our reputation among key players in the lubricants market," Executive Director of Saneg Oil Italy Mauro Nocelli. In 2024, Saneg Oil Italy supplied over 4,000 tons of oils and lubricants under the Saneg brand to the Italian market. Additionally, the first 50 tons of Saneg oils produced in Italy were shipped to Uzbekistan in November and December. Culture Minister Raluca Turcan announced on Monday evening the allocation of 140 million euro for a large-scale investment project in culture, "Cultural Foundations," with the total estimated net cost of the project being 280 million euro. "The funding for the largest investment project in culture was signed today. Alongside Marcel Bolos, the Minister of Finance, we are bringing 140 million euro to 'Cultural Foundations' for the preservation of historical monuments and the construction of buildings with a cultural purpose. The total estimated net cost of the project is 280 million euro, of which 140 million euro represents Romania's contribution to the project," Turcan wrote on her Facebook page. According to the minister, "Cultural Foundations" aims to preserve heritage and improve access to culture through 14 investment objectives: the Romanian National Opera in Iasi and the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest, the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest, the Constantin Brancusi National Museum in Targu-Jiu, the Batthyaneum Library in Alba Iulia, the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucharest, the Romanian Athenaeum, Queen Maria's Villa in Mamaia, the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, the Cucuteni archaeological site of the National Museum Complex "Moldova" in Iasi, the Tescani section of the George Enescu National Museum, the villa of architect Paul Gottereau in Bucharest, the National Museum of Transylvanian History in Cluj-Napoca, and the Administration of the National Cultural Fund in Bucharest. The project, part of a financial effort of nearly 900 million euro net allocated for the rehabilitation and enhancement of the most important historical monument buildings and performance halls under the Ministry of Culture's administration, is implemented by the Project Management Unit, a special structure in managing European funded investments, with over 17 years of experience in this regard, the quoted source also mentioned. The European Investment Bank (EIB) granted Distribution Electric Energy Romania (DEER), the distribution operator within the Electrica Group, a loan worth 200 million euros to modernize its network which covers 40% of Romania's territory and serves approximately 4 million households and businesses, informs a press release from Electrica. "Electrica's smarter and more resilient infrastructure will mean easier operations for the businesses it serves, better living conditions for people and, in general, a greener environment for everyone. Romania's electricity network urgently needs investment to manage the aging of the infrastructure in the context of the increase in demand for electricity", said EIB Vice President Ioannis Tsakiris, quoted in the release. The loan, which can be paid in euros or lei, will help DEER better serve its customers, improve energy efficiency and facilitate the connection of renewable energy sources. "In times when we need financing for our ambitious development, the EIB's support is a clear sign to the market that we are reliable and competitive. We are also happy to contribute to Romania's and the EU's energy and climate plans", said Alexandru Chirita, general manager of Electrica. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its member states. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects strengthen competitiveness, stimulate innovation, promote sustainable development, strengthen social and territorial cohesion and support a fair and rapid transition to climate neutrality. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), has signed new financing worth a total of 88 billion euros for over 900 projects in 2023. These commitments are expected to mobilize around 320 billion euros in investments, which will support 400,000 enterprises and 5.4 million jobs. DEER serves approximately 4 million users with a coverage of 18 counties in three geographical areas for the distribution of electricity: Northern Transylvania, Southern Transylvania and Northern Muntenia. Since July 2014, Electrica S.A., the group's holding company, has been listed on the Bucharest and London Stock Exchanges. AGERPRES A total of 13 home searches took place on Tuesday morning in Valcea and Olt counties, as well as in Bucharest, targeting members of a criminal group suspected of illegal operations involving IT devices or software, illegal access to computer systems, altering the integrity of computer data, computer fraud, and deception with particularly serious consequences, all committed continuously, as reported by representatives of the Valcea County Police Inspectorate (IPJ). According to the quoted source, the victims are hundreds of citizens from European countries who have suffered damages totaling over 106 million euro. This action was carried out simultaneously by the Valcea Organised Crime Combat Service police officers and prosecutors from the Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) - Valcea Territorial Office. In this case, two home searches were also conducted in Germany and Austria by prosecutors from the General Prosecutor's Office in Bamberg. "Based on investigations conducted with the support of Eurojust, within a joint investigation team with judicial authorities from Germany, it was found that, in 2022, three individuals allegedly formed an organised criminal group in Romania, later joined by other members. The group's goal was to obtain significant material benefits from committing fraud. Thus, from August 2022 to December 2024, the members of the organized criminal group, using phishing techniques, allegedly took control of 120 accounts belonging to users of an international online trading platform, who had a history of conducting commercial transactions without incidents. Subsequently, the suspects, benefiting from the credibility of the victims on the platform, allegedly used the accounts to post fictitious sales ads for goods they did not actually own. In this way, they deceived several people (foreign citizens), persuading them to transfer money into bank accounts opened by the group's intermediaries for products that, in fact, did not exist," said the representatives of IPJ Valcea. According to the investigators, 708 victims have been identified so far, and the group members targeted by the investigation will be heard at the DIICOT Valcea headquarters. The operation involves two prosecutors and German police officers and is supported by the officers of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, the Bucharest, Pitesti, and Alba organised crime brigades, as well as the Olt and Vaslui organised crime combat services, and the support of the gendarmes from the Special Intervention Brigade of the Gendarmerie and the county gendarmerie inspectorates in Valcea, Alba, Vaslui, and Olt. The heroes of the Revolution left a legacy that must be cherished and permanently honoured - a free and democratic Romania, said the interim chairperson of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ilie Bolojan, on Tuesday. He delivered a message on the 35th anniversary of the events in Timisoara in December 1989. ''These days mark the 35th anniversary of the beginning of the Romanian Revolution. My thoughts turn with gratitude to those who, in December 1989, had the courage to stand up to the communist regime. They go to those wounded, to those fallen in Timisoara and to the families of all those who fought for freedom. The heroes of the Revolution left us a legacy that we are duty-bound to cherish and honour permanently: a free and democratic Romania," Bolojan wrote on Facebook. AGERPRES President Klaus Iohannis, on Wednesday and Thursday, will be attending the European Union - Western Balkans Summit and the European Council meeting, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium. The EU-Western Balkans Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, will focus on evaluating the implementation of the Growth Plan for this region and the efforts for regional integration, in the context of EU enlargement, which represents the main geopolitical investment that the EU can make in its neighborhood, according to the Presidential Administration. At the Summit, Klaus Iohannis will express "Romania's commitment to the European perspective of the region, respecting the principles of merit-based approach and strict conditionalities, as well as the commitment of regional partners to European values, as an expression of strategic orientation, especially in the context of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," the quoted source points out. The agenda of the European Council meeting, which will take place on Thursday, includes topics such as: Ukraine, migration, the situation in the Middle East, EU civil and military preparedness, crisis response, the EU's role in the world, EU enlargement, as well as issues related to freedom, security, and justice. The leaders' discussion on Ukraine aims to assess the on-the-ground situation and the most suitable ways to meet the commitments of support for the Ukrainian people and to continue efforts to repel the Russian invasion and ensure the supremacy of international law. This meeting will also be a good opportunity to express a unified European message of support for Ukraine and for the implementation of a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace. During the discussion, the President of Romania will emphasise the need to continue a strategic, multidimensional, and coherent approach to supporting Ukraine, in close coordination with international partners who share the same set of values. Regarding the EU role in the world, a strategic and comprehensive discussion will take place on the leaders' level about the EU's global engagement and priorities in a multipolar context marked by geopolitical tensions. The migration topic will be addressed from the perspective of assessing the progress made in implementing EU legislation on this matter, with a focus on the external dimension of migration, preventing and combating illegal migration, and fighting against the instrumentalisation and trafficking of migrants. Regarding developments in the Middle East, leaders will analyse the situation on the ground, including ways in which the EU can contribute to de-escalating the conflict. The situation in Syria will also be discussed. On the sidelines of the meetings in Brussels, Klaus Iohannis will have a meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa. Romanian citizen Alexandru Piscan, who was accused by DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) of sending images of Romanian or NATO military objectives to the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, has been sentenced by the Bucharest Court of Appeal to five years and six months in prison for committing the crime of treason, in a continuous form. The man was pre-trial arrested in May, the measure being subsequently extended several times. DIICOT claims that, starting with 2022, Alexandru Piscan proceeded to supervise Romanian or NATO military objectives located in the vicinity of the municipality of Tulcea, collecting military information and taking photographs regarding military combat equipment and the movement of the personnel in the border area with Ukraine, which he sent to diplomats at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bucharest. According to the Criminal Code, the crime of treason is punishable by imprisonment from 10 to 20 years, but Alexandru Piscan received a reduced sentence after pleading guilty during the trial. AGERPRES special correspondent Cristian Lupascu reports: A Romanian from the Chernivtsi region, who has spent more than a year on the front lines defending Ukraine, shares the harrowing experiences he endured during the war. Adrian Medvedi, who has recently turned 43, fought in Kharkiv and Kupiansk, where, he says, has experienced "the darkest period" of his life. Photo: Adrian Medvedi / Facebook.com He voluntarily enlisted in the Ukrainian army on the first day of the war. Previously working as head of the Culture, Nationalities and Religion Department at the Hertsa City Hall, he went straight to the Military Commissariat on February 24, 2022, when his son told him that the Russian Federation's army had invaded Ukraine. In the early days of the war, when panic had gripped all of Ukraine, he was sent to defend Chernivtsi Airport, where it was believed Russian special forces, stationed in Transnistria, might arrive by air. He was given a weapon and ammunition to guard the airport. "The next day, I arrived at the military unit in Chernivtsi. The whole process with paperwork took about half a day. I had the medical checkup done in advance. I was supposed to attend military training, like all government employees. The procedure was very simple. Within three hours, I was enlisted. After two more, I received the weapon and ammunition, and we were deployed to Chernivtsi Airport because a landing from Transnistria was expected. The biggest fear was that a landing would come to Chernivtsi Airport as a strategic point. That night we stayed at the airport. It was quite cold. We were not equipped yet. We were in civilian clothes. I received the automatic weapon with 900 rounds, two grenades, and we took positions around the airport," the soldier recounts. After things calmed down around Chernivtsi, Andrei Medvedi was sent to the front, where the real battles were happening. He was transported by military vehicles to Kharkiv, where large territories were under Russian occupation. "After more than half a year, I left Chernivtsi for eastern Ukraine. It was September 2. The information was that we were going to the front, but no one in the battalion, except maybe the commanders, knew where we were going. We arrived at Kryvyi Rih, then changed direction and headed toward Kharkiv. That's when I realised we were going to participate in the operation to liberate Kharkiv, which began in the first days of September. It was ugly. There was continuous fear because we didn't know what to expect. We didn't get any information. We just followed short orders, where to move, what to do, and that's it. It was a dark period, but it also gave us many moments to reflect, to change what we knew until then," he confessed. What followed was a nightmare that seemed to never end: battles, gunfire, bombings, deaths, and injuries. "The darkest moments were related to the loss of friends, comrades, the wounded, and the dead. The bombings were horrific. You hear them coming, but you don't know where they will land. You lie down and pray for a second or two until the shell falls, hoping it doesn't hit you. The first shock was on September 6 or 7. We entered a village that had been liberated just a few hours earlier. The Russian troops had retreated. We went in, and everything was mined. A comrade stepped on an antipersonnel mine and lost his leg right next to me. He was about five metres away. That was the first moment I understood that you could die. On November 7, 2022, we were bombarded for an hour and a half with 41 artillery shells, 152 mm calibre, that fell with five-metre precision around our armoured vehicle. By miracle, none of the shells hit our vehicle; otherwise, we would have all stayed there," says the visibly affected soldier of Romanian ethnicity. Photo: Adrian Medvedi / Facebook.com He acknowledges that war leaves deep scars among combatants. "There is a post-war shock. Since we are older, we managed to cope more easily, but the younger ones will suffer for many years after the war ends until they get back to normality," Adrian Medvedi says. He does not believe in an immediate peace. He knows that the Russians are never truthful and do not honour international commitments. His wish is for the Ukrainian army to fight to withstand Russia's attacks. He is aware that this can only happen if Ukraine receives international military support. "I don't believe in an agreement signed with the Russians. Even if they sign a ceasefire, I don't think it will last long. The Russians have never respected international agreements, especially in wartime. We hope for a ceasefire, we hope for the liberation of Ukraine's territory, to return to the borders as they were until 2014, but we must be realistic and understand that it is very difficult at this moment, especially since the West, unfortunately, has become accustomed to this war, to this conflict, and the support that the Ukrainian army needs is no longer there. There are people on the front, but unfortunately, they don't have the equipment and weapons they need to fight," Medvedi added. Photo: Cristian LUPASCU / AGERPRES The soldier from Hertsa had to return home due to health issues. He suffers from severe back pain, and any day spent on the front would have worsened his condition. He returned to his job as a civil servant at Hertsa City Hall but is always willing to return to the front to defend his country. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 17. IT Park Uzbekistan opened its office in Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistans Ministry of Digital Technologies told Trend. The synergistic dynamics of bilateral relations between the innovation ecosystems of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are experiencing exponential growth, indicative of the escalating engagement of regional stakeholders in our burgeoning technological landscape. These initiatives not only enhance economic synergies but also catalyze job creation and facilitate avenues for the professional advancement and skill enhancement of local experts, Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov said. The office will promote collaboration in digital technologies, stimulate information exchange, and support creative projects while providing Uzbek enterprises the chance to enhance their international footprint. IT Parks office in Saudi Arabia will serve as a bridge supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange between the innovation ecosystems of both countries, offering simplified entry for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region startups to Central Asian markets via Uzbekistan; support for the entry of Uzbek startups into the GCC market; and the opportunity for IT companies in the GCC region to reduce operational costs through Uzbekistan-based back-office operations. In 2024, IT Park Uzbekistan exhibited the nation's startup ecosystem at BIBAN-2024, highlighting 12 startups. The Uzbekistan Tech Conference and various pitch sessions for foreign companies occurred in Riyadh, markedly enhancing Saudi investors' interest in local Uzbek initiatives. Furthermore, the partnership between the two countries is being strengthened through joint projects, including the construction of Green Data Centers, with the participation of DataVolt (Vision Invest Holding), which is planning a $5 billion investment in the project. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel On the 35th anniversary of the Revolution, the city of Timisoara commemorates on Tuesday the first 66 demonstrators in the city who died for freedom during the events of December 1989. A memorial service for the martyred heroes will be held at the Metropolitan Cathedral, as part of the bishop's liturgy. Wreaths of flowers will be laid at the Moment of the Crucifixion in front of the Cathedral, and other memorial services will take place at the Martyrs' Church and the Heroes' Cemetery, where the funeral service for those who died during the days of the 1989 Revolution will also be held. Another commemorative event will take place at the Timisoara Garrison Command, where an exhibition of paintings, photography and multimedia in the vision of artist Adrian Florin Pop will be inaugurated. In the evening, a moment of silence will be held and candles will be lit on the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Thirty-five years ago, on the night of December 16 to 17, dozens of young people were arrested, loaded into army trucks and taken to the Militia detention centre in Timisoara for questioning. On December 17, 1989, the army organized a show of force in the downtown area of Timisoara. That day, the first gunshots were heard in this city. The population believed that they were blank bullets and, therefore, instead of retreating, running and defending themselves, people held hands, forming a human chain in front of the tanks and machine guns. The Timisoara Military Prosecutor's Office recorded 66 deaths and 196 injuries at that time. On the evening of the same day, in Bucharest, the Executive Political Council approved the forcible repression of the demonstrators in Timisoara, labeled as traitors. Romania has chosen the right path - the European and Euro-Atlantic path - towards democracy, peace, security and prosperity for all its citizens, although there is always more to be done, US Ambassador in Bucharest Kathleen Kavalec said Tuesday. She was awarded the National Order of the Star of Romania, in a ceremony held on Tuesday, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE). "I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, the Order of the Star of Romania. I wish to express my sincere thanks to President Iohannis for according me this great honor." She also extended special thanks to Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu for her cooperation in strengthening the US - Romania strategic partnership. "Thank you for all your support and friendship in our joint efforts to move this very special relationship forward. You and your colleagues at the Ministry are the best allies any bilateral envoy could hope to have." The US ambassador also expressed her gratitude to the dialogue partners from the Romanian Government, academia, civil society and the private sector, who have contributed to strengthening bilateral ties. In context, Kathleen Kavalec mentioned some of the accomplishments achieved together with the Romanian partners. "Together, as NATO Allies and partners, we have strengthened Romania's defense capabilities and its role in promoting regional security through expanded cooperation and presence of U.S. troops, along with a vigorous program of military modernization. Together we worked hand-in-hand in guiding Romania to fulfill the requirements of the U.S. visa waiver program. I am optimistic this will come to fruition in early 2025. And on a related note, as your strategic partners, we congratulate you on Romania's full entry into Schengen," specified the US ambassador. She also referred to investments, but also to the development of bilateral relations in the fields of education and culture. "Together we have taken bilateral trade and investment to a new high. As of 2023, the United States is the fourth largest source of foreign direct investment to Romania, contributing over 100,000 jobs in Romania. We have also been the happy recipients of increased Romanian investment and job creation in the United States. Together we have augmented our two-way academic exchange programs and revived connections between our film industries, strengthening our cultural ties," she said. Kathleen Kavalec also highlighted the joint assistance offered to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. "Together we have supported Ukraine in its efforts to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression, providing sanctuary for civilian refugees, facilitating grain shipments and providing other critical support. Together we have supported the Republic of Moldova in its path towards democracy, prosperity and full membership in the European community." The US ambassador further pointed out the "remarkable" progress Romania has made as a member of the EU and NATO and a strategic partner of the United States. "Romania's GDP has almost quadrupled, its per capita income has surpassed several other EU countries, and it has become a respected and valued member of the Euro-Atlantic community. The events of the last few weeks, which have rightly aroused anxiety among Romanians, in no way affect this fundamental truth. While there is always more work to do, it is clear Romania has chosen the right path - the European and Euro-Atlantic path - towards democracy, peace, security and prosperity - for all its citizens. Even as Romania continues to face new challenges like those of recent weeks, I am confident Romania will continue its successful Euro-Atlantic course. It is the honor of a lifetime for me to serve as U.S. Ambassador here, a country that my family and I have come to love. (...) So let us continue forward together, the United States and Romania, to many more accomplishments and successes in the year ahead," concluded Kathleen Kavalec. AGERPRES The President of USR, Elena Lasconi, went to the Victoria Palace on Tuesday to participate in the discussions with PSD, PNL and UDMR representatives on the formation of the Government. She told the media that she did not receive an invitation to participate in these discussions. "I did not receive this invitation, I saw on TV that there was a meeting and that the USR did not want to participate. I want to tell you that the USR wants to participate in the government for the good of the Romanians if we have some very clear points to do and tell the Romanians what we are going to do for them and whether we have the money for it," Lasconi said. According to her, USR did not want to participate in Monday's discussion because it was aimed at the rapid formation of a coalition and the division of ministries, without "transparency" regarding the budget. In her opinion, it is a "disrespect" not to invite USR to the discussions. "The most important thing is what you want to do for the Romanians. I went and told them that it is disrespectful not to invite me and the USR representatives, and then to have all the press saying that we don't want to participate and that we are not serious. Of course they were shocked the first time, because I entered, the only woman, in a room with Romania's powerful men and that I presented these problems and I said: 'Let's move on to negotiations and my colleagues will also come'", explained Elena Lasconi. She mentioned that, during Tuesday, USR participated in the discussions at the Palace of the Parliament on the governing program, but the PNL and PSD representatives do not have decision-making power in these negotiations. "The representatives of PSD and PNL say: 'We can't decide. You have to talk to the big ones'. That's the big difference between the way politics was done for 35 years and what I want to happen. (. ..) I would like [the new Government] to be ready as soon as possible, but for that we need transparency, reliable partners who treat each partner with respect. (...) We want the best Romanians. We are in a crisis situation, that means you have to come up with concrete proposals: what are you going to do, not to increase expenses, what are you doing concretely in the next period. This is what Romanians expect from us in a moment of crisis", the USR president said. AGERPRES KIRKWOOD Francis Howells superintendent has found a new job. Kenneth Roumpos has resigned and will switch to the Kirkwood School District next year after leading Francis Howell for nearly three years as superintendent. Roumpos impending departure will mark the third superintendent turnover in Francis Howell since Mary Hendricks-Harris retired in 2020. Her successor, Nathan Hoven, retired at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Francis Howell has been an epicenter in the region for culture war battles that intensified during the pandemic, when mask mandates were debated. Since the school board flipped to a conservative majority, it has voted to rescind a 2020 resolution against racism while targeting a Black studies curriculum that critics said was influenced by critical race theory. A board member has also pushed the passage of a policy that would ban transgender students from using bathrooms that match their gender identity. Roumpos spoke briefly at a Kirkwood School Board meeting Monday night, saying he was attracted to Kirkwoods strong support for equity. The vision of ensuring that every student is engaged, empowered and ready to be successful in life has stayed with me since I first started coming to the website and trying to learn more about this position, Roumpos said. When asked in an interview whether Francis Howells political climate played a role in his departure, Roumpos said hes not leaving the district because of its board. The Francis Howell board has been incredibly supportive of me as the superintendent and they continue to be supportive of me, Roumpos said. Im committed to helping the district through the transition as they find the next leader. Roumpos will replace David Ulrich, who will retire in June 2025 after five years in the role. David Ulrich came to the district in July 2020 from Colorado, where he was superintendent of the Moffat County School District. Ulrich was previously the principal at Lees Summit North High School and an administrator with the North Kansas City School District. Roumpos was selected from a pool of seven candidates, of which three were local, Kirkwood Board President Nikole Shurn said. We firmly believe that he will elevate our districts pursuit of academic excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, while shaping the culture and climate of our schools, Shurn said during prepared remarks at Mondays meeting. Francis Howells board voted unanimously to release Roumpos from his contract two years early last week, according to a message sent to the districts community Monday night. Roumpos was named interim superintendent in March 2022 and his contract officially began on July 1, 2023. The board will move aggressively to hire Francis Howells next superintendent, and a search firm will look nationwide, according to the newsletter. Dr. Roumpos has made an overwhelmingly positive impact during his time at Francis Howell. His ability to bring people together, concentrate effort on key priorities, and champion excellence for all students has helped take our District to a new level, and will continue over the next six months as we search for our next leader, Board President Adam Bertrand said in the district newsletter. Roumpos, 46, has served at various St. Louis-area school districts for about 20 years. He joined Francis Howell as deputy superintendent during the height of the pandemic in July 2020 after holding a number of administrative roles in the Ritenour School District. He started his career teaching in the Mehlville and St. Louis Public school districts during the early 2000s. He led the Shaw Visual and Performing Arts magnet school as assistant principal from 2006-2007. Roumpos said his children will continue to attend Francis Howell Schools. His family does not currently have plans to move. ST. LOUIS At least one member of the St. Louis Board of Education wants a criminal investigation of $1.6 million in credit card spending under ex-Superintendent Keisha Scarlett. Emily Hubbard said the board has not met since the Post-Dispatch reported last week that the 21 credit cards issued by St. Louis Public Schools were largely used for restaurants, airfare and hotels on international and cross-country trips. Hubbard said she also hopes SLPS will seek reimbursement for any transactions that violated district policy. The board placed Scarlett on leave in July pending an investigation into her spending and hiring practices during her first year on the job. She was fired in September based on initial findings from auditing firm Armanino. In its final report, the firm highlighted $148,413 in questionable spending on four credit cards issued to Scarlett and her hires, including her replacement, interim Superintendent Millicent Borishade. The statements for 17 other cards obtained through a records request indicate additional violations of district policy on cards issued to several SLPS departments and Shameika Henry, secretary to the school board. In the wake of the findings, SLPS principals say they have been banned from spending money on holiday parties or staff appreciation. Teachers posted on social media that they have to buy soap for school bathrooms. Educators in SLPS have on average spent at least a sixth of their salary a year on their classrooms. We spend money on resources for our students families, for gifts at holidays and even helped fund Ubers to get kids to school, said one teacher who asked to remain anonymous for fear of getting fired. Byron Clemens, union spokesman for the American Federation of Teachers St. Louis, said the process worked in the investigation of Scarlett. Mistakes were made and apparently the previous superintendent exhibited some rogue behaviors, yet the audit found no systemic corruption. The investigation is complete, corrective policies are being implemented and there has been a positive change in leadership, Clemens said in a statement. Safety of our students and continued concentration on education remain the focus of our members. One bad hire doesnt change that. Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick in August launched a comprehensive audit of SLPS that he said could potentially include a referral to law enforcement for any wrongdoing. The auditors office hopes to release its findings as soon as possible, spokesman Trevor Fox said Monday. The issues uncovered in the Armanino report are things we are looking at and will look at as we continue our work, Fox said. Scarlett, 50, came from Seattle Public Schools in July 2023 at a salary of $268,000, replacing longtime SLPS Superintendent Kelvin Adams, who was known for balanced budgets and micromanagement of the district. During Scarletts first year, the districts operating budget fell from a $17 million surplus to a projected $35 million deficit, which leaders mostly attributed to staff raises and emergency transportation costs. Scarletts $141,314 in credit card charges in her short tenure included at least 30 out-of-state trips, most with flight upgrades, a violation of district policy. Other flight upgrades went to school board President Antionette Toni Cousins and member Donna Jones. Borishade, the interim superintendent who came with Scarlett from Seattle, traveled to Japan with the School Superintendents Association for 16 days in May at a cost of nearly $11,000. The expense report for the trip, which included a stopover in New York City, was approved by Scarlett without a date, a potential policy violation cited by the report. Borishades daughter Alexis Howell, a news producer in Chicago, was in Japan at the same time, according to her TikTok videos of sushi lessons and kimono fittings. Another video posted Feb. 20 shows Borishade, Scarlett and Cousins attending Howells birthday party in Chicago. The credit card statements show a $40 flight upgrade was purchased for Cousins on Feb. 21. Cousins referred questions Monday to Sadie Weiss, the most junior member of the school board along with Tracy Hykes, elected in April 2023. It is my hope that the Board holds a special meeting to address these concerns and others as soon as possible, Weiss said in a statement. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Certain countries seek to weaken Iran's economic development and hinder its economic development by restricting modern technologies, the Iranian Vice President and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Organization Mohammad Eslami said at an event in Iran's Isfahan on December 17, Trend reports. According to him, in spite of the writing on the wall, Iran keeps its nose to the grindstone, forging ahead with its development journey through hard work and sustainable endeavors. Eslami articulated that a pivotal milestone within the framework of Iran's nuclear sector is the implementation of heavy water technology. Within the healthcare sector, the utilization of heavy water-based kits facilitates the identification of 56 distinct metabolic disorders in neonates within a timeframe of 3 to 7 days. Iran's Vice President stated that using heavy water in industry opens the door to methanol production. For example, whipping up a ton of methanol with heavy water will set you back a cool $1.2 million. However, producing a ton of methanol in petrochemical plants will set you back around $500. This means that the worth of harnessing this technology is through the roof. Under the comprehensive plan of joint action, the stipulated threshold for Iran's heavy water inventory was delineated to not exceed 130 tons. Subsequent to Iran's cessation of compliance with the stipulated provisions of the aforementioned accord in 2020, there exists a conspicuous absence of data regarding the volumetric capacity of Iran's heavy water stockpiles. To note, Iran declares its intention to utilize the nuclear industry for peaceful purposes and aims to use it for electricity generation, agriculture, and other industries. Looking back to the near history, namely, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel How strange has Americas political culture become in the Donald Trump era? This strange: Legislation pending in Missouri, designed to change state law to allow convicted felons to run for elective office, is titled the Donald J. Trump Election Qualification Act in reference to the president-elects own criminal record. Whats doubly strange? This isnt some sarcastic legislative jab from anti-Trump Democrats but a sincere effort by a Republican state House member to convince his GOP colleagues of the validity of his cause allowing felons to run for state and local office in Missouri by explicitly highlighting Trumps own 34-count felony conviction. Still not strange enough? Then add this: Wed argue the legislation is a reasonable proposition that deserves serious consideration by the General Assembly. State Rep. Michael Davis, a Republican from the Kansas City suburb of Belton, says its a simple matter of fairness once convicted felons have paid their debt to society. I believe that we should punish those who do wrong, but once theyve completed the terms of their sentence, we should allow individuals to reintegrate into society, Davis told The Hill last week. They are citizens. They have the ability to work and pay taxes, and one of the aspects of being a citizen is being represented by your government and deciding who should represent you. Set aside the natural aversion to seeing the words felon and politician together, and this actually makes sense. A person convicted of a crime and sentenced to incarceration (or something less) faces a specified punishment that is based on the severity of the crime. How does it logically follow that society should also pile on with the across-the-board added punishment of being barred from public service for all felony crimes? Especially considering Missouri does allow convicted felons to vote? Its one thing if an elected official is impeached and removed from office, a specific response to malfeasance in public service. But whats the argument for a lifetime ban from politics for someone who commits a crime, even a major one, that has nothing to do with abuse of political office? Missouris current prohibition on felons running for office isnt unusual in the patchwork of various states laws regarding election qualifications though, notably, there is no parallel prohibition in federal law. Candidates for Congress and the presidency arent barred from running regardless of their criminal records. Which is why Trump can be sworn back into office next month despite his multiple-felony conviction for falsifying business records to hide hush-money payments to a porn star. For that behavior and so many other reasons, we continue to maintain that America has made a huge mistake in returning Trump to power. But its a mistake the voters had the right to make and one they made with full knowledge of what they were getting. That knowledge is the crucial point. If Davis legislation passes and the prohibition on felons as candidates is lifted in Missouri, dont expect a flood of new elected officials with criminal rap sheets. A candidate who has served time would face the significant challenge in getting the public to knowingly vote for a felon. Its unlikely most would have as much success on that front as Trump did. Davis tried to pass his legislation under a less attention-grabbing title two years ago, and it got no traction. Invoking Trumps name this time is a strategy specifically aimed at getting his fellow Republicans to rethink their reflexive tough-on-crime posture regarding this issue. Ive had some hesitancy from elected officials, and then I remind them, Well, you know, I voted for a felon this past November, and you probably did too, David told The Hill. And they say, Oh, well yeah, I guess I did. It further highlights that voters are comfortable with voting for felons once they know the situation. Of course, those of us who view Trumps return to office as a potentially grave threat to the norms of democracy might be tempted to note that, if there was a federal law in place echoing Missouris ban on felon politicians, that threat would have been neutralized from the start. But diminishing democracy is no way to save it. Convicted felons yes, even the one currently preparing to move back into the White House are still American citizens with certain fundamental rights. The right to participate in politics shouldnt be completely irrevocable, but it should be close. Governor Greg Abbott arrives at Bell Manufacturing Technology Center in Fort Worth to announce that Bell Textron has chosen Fort Worth for major expansion to build V-280 Valor military aircraft on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Amanda McCoy) (Tribune News Service) Bell Textron Inc., already one the largest employers in the Metroplex, has chosen its hometown of Fort Worth to build components for the next generation of military assault helicopters. The news, announced Tuesday by Bell CEO Lisa Artherton and Gov. Greg Abbott at a Bell facility in northern Fort Worth, represents an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in North Texas. The companys new facility in Alliance is expected to create more than 500 high-paying jobs. We are truly a Texas company, Artherton said. Bell considered at least two other locations in other states for its $632 million plant. It will produce parts for the companys V-280 Valor to replace the Armys fleet of UH-60 Black Hawks, developed in the 1970s by the Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky. Bell won the coveted defense contract in 2022 for its design of the V-280, a tiltrotor aircraft that can take off or land vertically and fly at over 300 mph. The contract could be worth up to $70 billion over many years, depending on how many aircraft the Army and foreign governments purchase. Lockheed Martin and Boeing had competed during the Armys years-long selection process. The 34-acre site that Bell chose is at 15100 N. Beach St., off Interstate 35W across the Denton County line but within the Fort Worth city limits. The site was formerly home to a Stanley Black & Decker facility. Bell was offered a sizeable economic incentives package from the state and local governments. The Fort Worth City Council approved over $47 million in incentives on Dec. 10. Bell applied for tax breaks from the state through Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation Act program, or JETI. Bell will need to invest at least $632 million into the Fort Worth site to receive incentives from the city. The company must also create a minimum of 520 full-time jobs with minimum average annual salaries of $85,000 at the site by the end of 2039. Robert Allen, head of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, said Bells decision reinforces the citys status as an aviation and defense leader. The timing of the announcement is particularly welcome as Fort Worths other aviation giant, Lockheed Martin, has been thrust in the news by Elon Musks recent criticism of government spending on its F-35 program. Here in Fort Worth, we build defense projects that change the world, Allen said, and thanks to this project, we will be doing that for a very, very long time. Abbott was joined by Mayor Mattie Parker and other dignitaries for the announcement at the companys Manufacturing Technology Center at I-35W and Loop 820. This is truly a Texas-sized investment in Fort Worth and in the future of our great state, Abbott said. Demonstration flight of Bells new tiltrotor V-280 Valor is touted as having twice the speed and twice the range of conventional military helicopters. (Steve Wilson) What is Bells V-280 Valor? Bell named its prototype the V-280 Valor, but its technical military name is the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA. Eventually, the aircraft could be named after a Native American tribe as the Army has traditionally done with helicopters, such as the Apache, Comanche and Black Hawk. In November, Bell announced the FLRAAs fuselage will be assembled at a site in Wichita, Kansas. Bell is building a $20 million facility in Grand Prairie, where the FLRAA will be tested. Though it acts like a traditional helicopter during take off and landing, the FLRAA is designed to reconfigure itself in the air to fly faster than other helicopters. Combining the speed and range of the turboprop with advanced agility greater than a traditional helicopter, FLRAA offers better flight performance and lifecycle sustainability, Bell says on its V-280 website. This weapon system was purpose built to revolutionize U.S. Army overmatch in multi-domain operations. Bell Aircraft Corp. was founded in Buffalo, New York, in 1935 by industrialist Larry Bell. He moved his helicopter company to Fort Worth in 1951. Four years after Bells death in 1956, Textron purchased the company. Hundreds of UH-1s Iroquois helicopters, nicknamed Hueys, were assembled at the Fort Worth plant and sent overseas during the Vietnam War. Eventually, the original headquarters building was demolished to make way for a new four-story headquarters, which opened in 2014 in far east Fort Worth near Hurst. Bell Textron was Tarrant Countys third largest industrial taxpayer in 2022. 2024 Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visit star-telegram.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A U.S. airstrike Dec. 16, 2024, took out an attack hub in Yemen used by Houthi militants to fire on ships in Middle East waters, U.S. Central Command said. (U.S. Central Command) U.S. forces in the Middle East launched an airstrike this week against a Houthi militant facility in Yemen that facilitated the Iran-backed groups armed assaults on shipping in the region, U.S. Central Command said. Mondays strike targeted a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, CENTCOM said in a statement the same day. The statement didnt identify the specific forces used in the strike, but the Pentagon has beefed up its presence in the region with additional Air Force bombers, fighter jets and refueling aircraft. In November, a series of U.S. airstrikes against Houthi militants targeted weapons bunkers in Yemen. Those strikes included Air Force and Navy assets, such as F-35C stealth fighter jets. Mondays action came on the heels of entrance into the Red Sea on Saturday by the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. The group is made up of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, the destroyers USS Stout and USS Jason Dunham and the cruiser USS Gettysburg. It also includes Carrier Air Wing 1 with nine embarked aviation squadrons, CENTCOM said. Trumans arrival in the Middle East follows the departure of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which left the region about a month ago. Houthi militants have conducted at least two attacks on Navy ships in the Gulf of Aden this month. In both instances, the destroyers USS Stockdale and USS OKane were escorting U.S.-flagged and U.S.-owned merchant vessels when they came under attack from Houthi drones and missiles. Both attacks were defeated and neither caused any injuries or damage to the vessels. There have been at least 111 reported incidents involving ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since the Houthis began their campaign in November 2023, according to Joint Maritime Information Center data. The Houthis have said they will continue attacking ships connected to Israel until there is a cease-fire in the war in Gaza, which began with Hamas armed incursion into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. U.S. officials have pointed out that the group has fired indiscriminately on military and civilian ships with no apparent Israeli connection. Battle of the Bulge veterans Frank Cohn, left, and Harry Miller salute the presentation of the colors during the battles 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Two Battle of the Bulge veterans, officials and supporters gathered Monday at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the decisive battle. The veterans, retired Army Senior Master Sgt. Harry Miller, 96, and retired Army Col. Frank Cohn, 99, were honored with laying a wreath at the Atlantic arch of the memorial. In 1944, Miller, a tank crewman, arrived in Belgium, east of where the Battle of the Bulge, one of World War IIs most famous battles, soon would be waged near the border of Germany. It was one of the largest and bloodiest fights of the war. Miller and Cohn are among the last surviving soldiers from the battle, which was Germanys final offensive on the wars western front, a battle fought in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg. The Battle of the Bulge was most significant for me, Miller said in a recent interview. The Bulge made me the man I am. It was when I grew up. I learned real fast how to fight, to persist and to survive. That battle made my character that is the best way to say it. Service members stand behind wreaths to be presented during the Battle of the Bulge 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A Color Guard marches toward the front of the presentation area during the Battle of the Bulge 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The U.S. Army Band plays at the Battle of the Bulge 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) The Color Guard lines up Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, before the Battle of the Bulge 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony begins at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington. ( Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Historian Alex Kershaw shows a replica prayer card that was carried by troops during the Battle of the Bulge as he makes remarks Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, during the battles 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony at the World War II Memorials Circle of Remembrance in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Cohn arrived in France in the fall of 1944 to learn how to serve as a linguist and interrogate captured German troops. He entered Belgium as an Army intelligence agent as the Battle of the Bulge broke out. There was a total blackout that first night, he said. At midnight, we were driving in a Jeep with the windshield down. We did not intercept anyone. It was snowing and sleeting too hard to see much of anything. Approximately 600,000 American soldiers fought in the battle, according to the Battle of the Bulge Association in Gettysburg, Pa. More than 80,000 were captured or killed. But the Germans suffered heavier losses, estimated at 100,000. The Battle of the Bulge ended in late January 1945, with Allied troops forcing the Germans into retreat. On Monday at the memorial, representatives from Belgium, Canada, France and Luxembourg attended the ceremony. The event included a wreath-laying at the Atlantic arch of the memorial by representatives of the Allied nations and concluded the playing taps played by a U.S. service member. Walt Disney World entrance sign in Orlando, Fla. (iStock) (Tribune News Service) A Marine veteran and current educator in Warner Robins, Ga., was recently honored Disney-style for her military service and community involvement. Jade Thomas was named the Houston County School Districts 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year in July, receiving notice from local media that piqued EverWonder Studios interest to feature her in a documentary special that will premiere on ABC Christmas morning and will also be available to stream on Disney+. Thomas efforts were also recognized with a surprise free trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, which will also be featured in the Disney Holiday Special. Im just extremely blessed, Thomas said. I dont do anything for awards or accolades of praise, so its just so crazy to think that Im doing what I love and getting more than I ever even dreamed of ever happening when I first stepped in the classroom. From Marine to mentor Thomas, a fourth-grade teacher at Lakejoy Elementary School, said she has spent the last seven years encouraging students to become creative and critical thinkers. Despite serving eight years in the Marine Corps, Thomas said she always knew that she wanted to be a teacher, given her natural interest in talking to people and working with children. After high school, I knew I wasnt serious enough to take school seriously, so I decided to try the military out, grow up a little bit and get a little bit more mature to see how it goes, she said. Thomas said the transition from Marine Corps to the classroom was smooth, leveraging her military experience to adapt quickly, remain positive during highly-stressful situations and meet diverse student needs. On challenging days, I know that my hardest day in the classroom is not compared to the hardest day in the Marine Corps, Thomas said, emphasizing resiliency and out-of-the-box thinking that she obtained in the military. Theres nothing or no student thats ever too big of a challenge for me. In 2023, Thomas co-founded the elementary schools Military Kids Club, which supports and encourages students in service families to socialize. They have a way to connect with one another and talk about their shared experiences, Thomas said before noting that the school received statewide recognition for earning the military flagship school award in April. Krystal Savarys daughter, Khloe, is one of Thomas students and also a member of the Military Kids Club. Savary believes Thomas deserves all the recognition for her super loving attitude, which contributed to her daughters academic success. As a parent, seeing your child being happy to go to school and knowing that theyre being loved by their teacher, too, is a big blessing, Savary said. She also understands the military side of it, which has helped our daughter to be super proud of being a military kid. Several HCSD students, including Khloe, will be featured in the film, Savary said. How passion-fueled teaching led to Disney experience Thomas said her family was treated like royalty on their two-day trip to Disney World, cutting lines, experiencing rides twice and meeting Mickey Mouse. Just seeing a little sparkle in [my kids] eyes and having that time just completely involved in family and not thinking about work or anything else was so awesome, Thomas said. While the trip may have been the icing on the cake, Thomas said she remains focused on her true calling amplifying teachers voices and helping young people find theirs. The documentary will feature Thomas family, the Disney World trip, her work in the classroom, the Military Kids Clubs annual parent breakfast event and more. I cant wait to see it, she said with a smile. Mark Scott, superintendent of HCSD, congratulated Thomas at the districts board of education meeting in December and called for locals to tune in to the special. Thomas said she hopes that the holiday special will inspire others to find fulfillment in their career choices. Whatever profession that youre in, just be about it, she said. I know that I wake up every day excited to come to work, and sometimes it doesnt feel like work. I hope that that is shown through this special just be passionate about whatever career that youre in. You have to love it. Tune into the Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade at 10 a.m. Dec. 25 to catch Thomas exclusive. (c)2024 The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.) Visit The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.) at www.macon.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 17. Iran has consistently affirmed that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes and will continue to focus on these objectives, the countrys Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in a press briefing held in Tehran on December 17, Trend reports. Bagai underscored that Iran has consistently articulated its position regarding its nuclear program as being exclusively for non-hostile applications, and this paradigm is unlikely to undergo any transformation. As he asserted, the breadth of Iran's defensive capabilities is substantial, and there is no necessity for military objectives within the nuclear program. The representative further articulated that interventions targeting Irans nuclear initiative by specific stakeholders have not yielded any adverse ramifications on the ongoing progression of the initiative. Bagai also highlighted the current diplomatic engagement between Iran and a trio of European nationsthe United Kingdom, France, and Germanyoccurring at the deputy foreign ministerial echelon. He acknowledged, however, that a definitive temporal framework has yet to be established for these deliberations. To recall, on November 21, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution with 19 votes in favor, 12 neutral, and 3 against, urging Iran to cooperate with the IAEA on several issues. The resolution also called for Iran to provide reliable documentation regarding uranium traces found at two undisclosed sites. Looking back to near history, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. In 2020, Iran announced that it would no longer be bound by restrictions outlined in the nuclear agreement. By the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament decided to pursue a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions, leading to a suspension of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. Iran officially declares that its strategy is not to acquire an atomic bomb, emphasizing that it does not support the production of weapons of mass destruction. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Businessman George Glass, a former U.S. ambasador to Portugal, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as envoy to Japan. (U.S. State Department) TOKYO President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday that hes selected businessman George Glass to serve as the United States next ambassador to Japan. Glass, who served as ambassador to Portugal during Trumps first administration, would take over the post from current envoy Rahm Emanuel, provided hes confirmed by the Senate. As a former President of an Investment Bank, George will bring his business acumen to the Ambassadors position, Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Monday evening. George graduated from the University of Oregon, served as Alumni President, and on its Board of Trustees. He will always PUT AMERICA FIRST. Congratulations George! Glass earned a modicum of notoriety during his time in Portugal for his hardline stance on China. Near the end of his tenure, local politicians spoke out after he told Portuguese newspaper Expresso the country had to choose between American friends and allies and Beijing as an economic partner, Reuters reported in September 2020. He further described Portugal as part of a trade-based battlefield between Washington and Beijing, Portuguese newspaper Publico reported at the time. Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva quickly responded to Glass comments and emphasized that Portugals elected officials make decisions based on the countrys interests within their legal boundaries. We decide based on our own options, he said, according to Publico. We are the ones who choose, and we have been choosing for a long time. Trumps former ambassador to Japan, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., congratulated Glass on his selection in a Monday evening post to X and affirmed that he will do a great job representing Americas interest in a vitally important region. Glass thanked Hagerty in response and added that he will have big shoes to fill in after your success in Japan. Emanuel also congratulated Glass and offered his full support during a seamless transition, as we continue to strengthen and shape the #USJapanAlliance to ensure a secure and stable #IndoPacific, he wrote Tuesday on X. Moving forward, Emanuel is considering running for chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Axios reported Monday, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Marines, sailors, civilians and their families wait in line during the Crossroads Food Court's grand opening at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 16, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan Some favorite fast-food brands have surfaced with the opening of a refurbished food court at this outpost of American culture near Hiroshima. Around 100 Marines, sailors and their families gathered Monday for Crossroads Food Courts grand opening. The facility offers Subway, Charleys Philly Steaks, Pizza Hut, Popeyes and Taco Bell. Dunkin and Baskin-Robbins will open later. The question Ive been asked most of the last 2 years in command is when is the food court going to open, and were finally here today, base commander Col. Richard Rusnok said at the ceremony. The food court closed for renovations on July 1, 2021, Iwakuni Marine Corps Community Services spokesman Ronald Netemeyer said by email Monday. The renovations were needed to modernize the facility and provide new franchise options to MCAS Iwakuni, he said. The renovation inside is phenomenal 17,000 square feet, renovated, brand new updated kitchen and brand-new equipment, Master Gunnery Sgt. Christof Coleman, chief of business operations, said at Mondays opening. The staff has been working diligently across the board, day and night for the last few weeks to make sure were ready for today. Marines, sailors, civilians and their families enter the Crossroads Food Court on its opening day at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 16, 2024. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes) Rusnok thanked the Army Corps of Engineers, the Navy International Programs Office and the planners involved in the project. It went through a lot of challenges, no doubt, but what youre going to see when you go in there today is a modern facility thats going to last us a long time, he said. Netemeyer said he had no further details available about the project, including construction costs, which took nearly 3 years to complete. With the reopening of the Crossroads Food Court and the relocation of the concepts, there will be additional new food concepts filling the vacant spaces, he said. Navy spouse Shanna Hatchcock arrived early for the grand opening ceremony excited to try out the new food options and get a taste of home, she told Stars and Stripes at the event. Its going to bring a lot of joy to the community, and I think, frankly, its going to be a hub of activity, Rusnok said. Its going to provide us that opportunity to get together and to build those relationships, not just in our workspaces, but also, in our leisure time. An F-15EX Eagle II takes off from Portland Air National Guard Base in Oregon on July 12, 2024. (John Hughel/Air National Guard) KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa The 18th Wing is prepared to use its incoming fleet of multirole fighters to counter China as it continues to essentially bully the neighbors, Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans said in a recent interview. The wing commander sat down with Stars and Stripes at his headquarters Thursday and discussed the Air Forces relationship with the Japanese military and civilian community, the upcoming arrival of F-15EX Eagle II aircraft at Kadena and the threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. Beijing has every right to build a big military, but it uses economic and military coercion, in a sense, to try to get people to do Chinas way, Evans said. Since beginning to phase out its 48 F-15C and D aircraft in December 2022, the wing has relied on a rotating force of fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, including F-22s Raptors, F-35 Lightning IIs and advanced F-16 Fighting Falcons, to offset aggressive moves by China and Russia. The information and just the ability for those airplanes to be here, especially on the fifth-gen side, I think is important to counter some of what you see coming out of the [Chinese military], Evans said. In its 2022 National Defense Strategy, the Pentagon identified Beijing as the global pacing challenge and an aggressive presence in the East and South China seas. Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, commander of the 18th Wing, poses in his office at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Dec. 12, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) Were going to fly aircraft and challenge many of these egregious air defense identification zones that China has tried to implement, whether its in the East China Sea or the South China Sea, Evans said. Every day, whether its our [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] aircraft, the RC-135, some of our tankers, our MQ-9s they go out there and fly in airspace where theyre allowed by international law. Evans said he expects Kadena to receive the first of its 36 F-15EXs somewhere between the next 12 to 16 months. To prepare, the 18th Wing has been sending pilots and maintainers to Portland, Ore., to train on the aircraft. The goal there is to make sure that our personnel, both [operations] and maintenance, are ready to go as soon as the airplanes arrive, he said. The F-15EX, while not stealthy, boasts next-generation avionics and networking capability, is faster and carries more payload with longer range than other fighters, according to its maker, Boeing. Evans said he is looking forward to working with the jets in cooperation with Japans F-15Js. Its no coincidence that the Air Force is sending F-35A aircraft to Misawa Air Base, where the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has its own Lightning IIs, he said. The same approach applies to Okinawa. Were building on the C model legacy here with F-15EXs, and theres Naha F-15s just down the road, he said. And so, theres a lot of interaction and exchanges between our air crew and our maintainers. Evans also praised the relationship between Kadena and the Okinawan community, despite three sexual assault cases that roiled the island in recent months. Senior Airman Brennon Washington was convicted Friday of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in December 2023 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Two other pending cases this year an attempted sexual assault charge against Marine Lance Cpl. Jamel Clayton and a sexual assault charge against Lance Cpl. Michael Hofmaster further exacerbated relations with the Okinawan government and community. Evans said the cases were one small aspect of the relationship. He called his relationships with Okinawa City Mayor Sachio Kuwae, who died in June, Chatan town Mayor Masashi Toguchi and Kadena town Mayor Hiroshi Toyama, extremely positive. Toyama has worked with Evans to address noise complaints regarding aircraft, the general said. Weve taken some of his feedback on how we can adjust the traffic pattern to mitigate noise and take a lot of other steps, he said. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force removed and defused this American, World War II-era shell at a construction site in Naha city, Okinawa, Dec. 17, 2024. (Naha city) NAHA, Okinawa Japanese troops removed and defused an American shell believed to be from World War II on Tuesday at a construction site in Okinawas capital city. Ten members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit moved the 5-inch shell by crane and into an explosion-proof container and defused it, a spokesman with the citys Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management Division said by phone. The operation began at 10 a.m. and concluded a half-hour later, he said. The shell was taken to a prefecture-managed warehouse and will be detonated later, the spokesman said. The ordnance was found on the morning of Oct. 23 at a construction site in the Uebaru district, according to the citys website. A contractor found the shell while conducting a magnetic survey, the spokesman said. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. No businesses or homes were asked to evacuate, the citys website said. The discovery came as the Japanese government has been ramping up ordnance searches at airports around the country. Magnetic surveys began Monday at Naha Airport. The government began the surveys in October at Miyazaki Airport on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, after a World War II-era bomb exploded that month. Magnetic surveys at airports in Sendai, Matsuyama and Fukuoka are happening concurrently with the Naha survey. Crews disposed of nearly 22 tons of unexploded ordnance believed to be from WWII on Okinawa between April 1, 2023, and March 31. The South Korean navy destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin patrol the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, March 6, 2012. (Cale Hatch/U.S. Navy) The U.S. State Department on Monday approved the sale of approximately $300 million worth of upgrades and technical support for guided-missile destroyers in the South Korean navy. The potential sale, which awaits final approval by Congress, includes several upgrades to South Koreas six Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers, according to a news release from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Tuesday. The warships are equipped with 32 vertical launch system canisters for surface-to-air missiles and a RIM-116 rolling airframe missile defense system. The improvements include $300 million worth of upgrades to the destroyers fire control system, software updates, personnel training and logistical services, according to the agency. South Korea is a major ally and the potential sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States, the release said. The upgrades do not provide additional capabilities to the destroyers but ensure they are operationally viable in light of obsolescence issues, according to the agency. The agency is responsible for the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, which allows for the sale or transfer of defense equipment, training and technology to other countries. Congressional approval is required for sales of more than $25 million to NATO members and five other countries, including South Korea. The Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class is named after the 16th century Korean admiral who led his forces against the Japanese navy. The warships have been used in maritime missions and multinational exercises since they were first commissioned in 2003. The ROKS Munmu the Great was dispatched to waters off Somalia to support anti-piracy missions as early as 2009, according to a South Korean coast guard news release. On Jan. 15, 2011, a South Korean-operated chemical tanker sailing from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea, according to a Ministry of National Defense news release the next year. The ROKS Choi Young, anchored in Ethiopia, responded to the hijacking by offloading South Korean navy SEALs into the tanker by speedboat. All 21 hostages were rescued, and eight pirates were killed, according to the Defense Ministry. An MQ-1 Predator drone prepares to land following a combat mission. The German Federal Constitutional Court began hearing oral arguments Dec. 17, 2024, in a case brought by two Yemeni men who blame Germany and the U.S.-operated Ramstein Air Base for a fatal 2012 drone strike in Yemen. (U.S. Air Force) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany The role of the German government and Ramstein Air Base in coordinated U.S. drone strikes is under scrutiny by the countrys highest court, which took up the case of two men whose relatives were killed in a 2012 attack in Yemen. The Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe began hearing oral arguments Tuesday about whether Germany has a duty under international law to protect third-country nationals abroad from foreign military forces it hosts. The plaintiffs are Yemini citizens Ahmed and Khalid bin Ali Jaber. Two of their relatives were killed when a U.S. military drone strike hit the village of Khashamir, in eastern Yemen, on Aug. 29, 2012. The victims, Salim bin Ali Jaber and Walid Abdullah bin Ali Jaber, were there for a wedding. The killings drew outrage because Salim bin Ali Jaber was an outspoken opponent of al-Qaida, which was said to be the target of the strike, German news outlet Deutsche Welle reported when the case was first filed. At issue is a relay station at Ramstein that allows coordination of weapons-capable drone strikes from other locations. Air Force officials at Ramstein have said in the past that no base facilities are used to directly fly or control any remotely piloted aircraft. But according to a high court statement last month that previewed the case, in April 2010 and November 2011, U.S. forces told the German defense ministry of a plan to construct a satellite relay station on Ramstein to control weapon-capable drones abroad. The ministry did not object to the plan, the statement said. There was no immediate response Tuesday from U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, which is headquartered at Ramstein, regarding a request for comment about the case. The Berlin-based European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights, which is supporting the plaintiffs, said in a statement last month that Ramstein Air Base played an important role in the attack. And the German governments response has been to deny any knowledge of or responsibility for the death of these and other civilians from U.S. drone attacks, the statement said. The original case was filed in 2014 and heard by a court in Cologne. In 2019, an administrative court decided in favor of the plaintiffs. But that ruling was overturned by an appellate court, which said German diplomatic outreach to the U.S. over the strikes was sufficient, regardless of international law. In the complaint filed with the Cologne court, Faisal bin Ali Jaber alleged that without Germany, the U.S. would not have been able to fly drones over Yemen and that his relatives would not have been killed, DW reported at the time. My family is not an enemy of the USA, the Deutsche Welle story quoted him as saying. A French Rafale jet takes off from Siauliai, Lithuania. French jets with NATO's Baltic air policing mission intercepted a Russian Ilyushin Il-18 on Dec. 13, 2024, according to the French military. It was one of several similar incidents in the past week over the Baltic Sea, allied defense officials said. (Facebook/French armed forces) STUTTGART, Germany NATO fighters scrambled seven times during the past week to track down Russian military aircraft violating international aviation regulations over the Baltic Sea, allied defense officials said. The most recent incident occurred Sunday when NATO planes intercepted a Russian AN-72 transport aircraft, which was flying from the Russian mainland to its military exclave of Kaliningrad, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry reported Monday. The Russian aircraft, like several other intercepts over a six-day span, was flying with its transponder switched off, making it invisible to commercial radar, the ministry said in a statement. The flurry of intercepts over the Baltic Sea comes amid heightened tensions in that region. In recent weeks, undersea communication cables in the Baltics have been severed, prompting investigations by authorities in Sweden and elsewhere. Also, allies have accused Russia of disrupting sea navigation systems used by commercial vessels on the Baltic Sea, a tactic possibly aimed at concealing Russian maritime movements. We are talking about aggressive behavior by Russia. They are trying to disrupt our lives, Vice Adm. Krzysztof Jaworski, commander of Polands Naval Operations Center, told Reuters in an interview published Monday. They are also testing us as an alliance (to see) how far they can go. A Russian Ilyushin Il-18 plane was intercepted by French Rafale jets off the coast of Estonia, Dec. 13, 2024, according to the French military. It was one of several similar incidents in the past week over the Baltic Sea, allied defense officials said. (Facebook/French armed forces) In the air, Russian pilots frequently cross the Baltic Sea without flight plans and have a history of not transmitting a transponder code indicating their position, which NATO says creates safety hazards for civilian air traffic control. In Europe, encounters between allied and Russian aircraft are relatively commonplace. Intercepts occur often without incident. However, close encounters have risked potential escalation between Russia and the U.S. military, such as when a Russian fighter in March 2023 collided with a U.S. drone over the Black Sea, sending the unmanned aircraft crashing into international waters. While most encounters happen in international air space, there have been instances of Russian jets crossing into alliance territory. In June, Finland said four Russian military aircraft spent several minutes inside its airspace. Army Spc. Jeffrey Pokryska, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer assigned to Bravo Company, 3-10 General Support Aviation Battalion, keeps watch as the aircraft flies through Syria during a mission in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve near the Al Tanf garrison on Nov. 1, 2024. (Mahsima Alkamooneh/U.S. Army) WASHINGTON U.S. forces killed 12 Islamic State militants Monday in airstrikes on some of the terrorist groups Syria-based camps, defense officials said. The strikes were conducted on known ISIS camps, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, but he did not reveal precisely where they are located. The strikes were in areas controlled by the former Syrian government and Russian forces, according to U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East. Damage is still being assessed, but there are no indications of civilian casualties, CENTCOM said. American forces in Syria are part of a U.S.-led coalition in that country and Iraq working to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State. The recent strikes were conducted as part of that mission. On Dec. 8, Air Force jets including B-52s and F-15 fighter jets struck 75 ISIS targets in central Syria on the day the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad collapsed. The strikes targeted ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps. CENTCOM, working with allies and partners in the region, will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria, said Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander. The Syrian government is in transition after Assad was ousted in recent weeks. The collapse of his regime opens the door for a new government to lead Syria. President Joe Bidens administration insists the U.S. will not get involved in Syrias war or the overthrow of the Assad government. But the U.S. and its allies have deep interests in Syria, including the efforts to defeat ISIS, disrupt Iran-backed groups and contain the remnants of al-Qaida and other terrorist groups that have found sanctuary. About 900 U.S. service members and an undisclosed number of contractors are operating in Syria, where they support local Kurdish forces fighting ISIS. An additional 2,500 American troops are in Iraq. U.S. bases in the region have been prone to attacks since the surprise attack in October 2023 by Hamas militants on Israel. The Pentagon last month said U.S. forces had been attacked 125 times in Syria and 79 times in Iraq since the Hamas attack. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The destroyer USS Bulkeley conducts maneuvering exercises in the Mediterranean Sea with the Cypriot offshore patrol vessel Commodore Andreas loannides on Nov. 29, 2024. (Joseph Macklin/U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy Russias sudden loss of operations at its bases in Syria could deliver a gut punch to the Kremlins ambitions in the Middle East and Africa while offering the U.S. and its allies opportunities to extend their influence. Its uncertain how much success Russia is having while negotiating with Syrias dominant forces to retain its naval and air bases in the country. Russian officials have said they are communicating with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main group that led the toppling of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. On Monday, recent satellite images showed that naval piers home to Russias Mediterranean task force in Tartus remained empty. The location of at least three warships and a Kilo-class submarine that had languished off the coast of Syria since the fall of Damascus wasnt clear. They may have a new homeport in Libya, where Russia has begun moving its naval assets, CNN reported Monday, citing unidentified U.S. officials. Moscow is pressuring Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar for space at a Benghazi port, CNN said. The Russian withdrawal from Tartus and its air base 52 miles north of the naval docks appeared to be large-scale and significant. But it remains unclear whether the move is permanent. The Kremlins maritime presence in the central and eastern Mediterranean Sea is dependent on Tartus, and the airfield is a critical refueling point for operations in Africa, said Michael Petersen, a principal research scientist in the Russian studies program for the Arlington, Va.-based think tank CNA. The bases are crucial for Russias larger global and regional aspirations, Petersen said. If Russia does not have access to these bases, then it will be a major strategic blow. The P-8A Poseidon, a patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, is one asset the U.S. Navy has operating in the Mediterranean Sea. (Jacquelin Frost/U.S. Navy) That loss, even if temporary, could offer opportunity for the U.S. and NATO, Petersen and other analysts said. Removing the Russian navy from NATOs southern flank would remove one irritant, as would removing it from Israels western flank and from proximity to the Suez Canal, said James Holmes, chair of the maritime strategy program at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. The fall of Syria is a setback for Russian and axis geopolitics in more ways than one. The Mediterranean is home to the Naples-based U.S. 6th Fleet. The Navys only air operations in Europe, including P-8 Poseidon patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and an MQ-4C Triton drone detachment, are at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. The fleet also has operations at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Crete. The destroyers USS Bulkeley and USS Oscar Austin are on duty in the Mediterranean, USNI News reported Monday. U.S. forces could work the situation to their advantage if the Russian fleet feels compelled to shadow them, as it often does. It would stress Russian ships that now have limited resources for replenishment, repair or rest, Petersen said. He added that as of last week, it appeared the Russian fleet, distracted by its problems in Syria, wasnt inclined to follow U.S. ships. That tells me that the U.S. has a maritime security advantage at this point, Petersen said. American warships can operate more freely, potentially allowing the U.S. to focus more on security problems beyond the Mediterranean, such as the Red Sea, he said. That advantage also could be exploited in Africa, where the U.S. has struggled to make and retain relationships with countries, particularly in the Sahel region, which was once considered the centerpiece of Washingtons security strategy. The Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov was reportedly in the Mediterranean Sea earlier in 2024. Russian navy vessels are apparently leaving their naval base in Syria following the fall of Kremlin ally Bashar Assad's regime. (Russian defense ministry) Without a navy base in the Mediterranean, Russia would have difficulty supplying its troops in the Middle East and Africa, making it a challenge to maintain its influence in those regions. But whether or not the U.S. and NATO are going to be able to exploit those windows of opportunity is another question, Petersen said. He noted Russias deep, institutional relationships with many African countries and waning U.S. influence on the continent. Russia could look to locations other than Libya, such as Sudan or Algeria, to reestablish its Mediterranean operations. That would take time and money to develop the infrastructure to make the deals happen, said Katarzyna Zysk, a professor with the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies in Oslo and a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council. Another possibility is a ceasefire in Ukraine that, in turn, would end restrictions that keep warships from entering or leaving the Black Sea, where Russia has a navy base. That freedom of movement could help Russia somewhat restore its capabilities in the eastern Mediterranean, analysts said. However, negotiating an end to Russias war in Ukraine poses a sizable challenge, Zysk said. The Russians cannot lose face in Ukraine. Theyve put everything on that card, she said. Marc Tice, left, and Debra Tice, the parents of missing Marine Corps veteran Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped in Syria, update reporters during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, about their sons condition as they continue to push for his release. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) The fall of the Syrian government a week ago has brought a renewed sense of hope to the family of Marine Corps veteran and journalist Austin Tice, believed to be held by regime allies for more than 12 years. Im waiting with joy and anticipation for sure, Debra Tice said Monday during a news conference outside the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. I feel like we are standing in line because there are a lot of prisons that still arent open. Austin Tice, a Houston native who served as a Marine officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, traveled to Syria in 2012 to cover the countrys civil war during his summer break from law school. In August of that year, he was detained while reporting from a Damascus suburb. A video surfaced online of him blindfolded and surrounded by armed men. It was the last his family has seen him. Since rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, Syrians have begun opening prisons filled with those detained by his regime. An estimated 56,000 people were imprisoned under terrible conditions in dozens of facilities across the country, according to Amnesty International. Debra Tice said she will remain patient that her son will be found eventually in one of the prisons. In the world of the instant baked potato, eight days can feel like a long time, she said. The most important thing is to just keep opening the prisons, Tice said. Earlier this month, Debra Tice spoke at the National Press Club in Washington alongside her husband, six other children, and grandchildren, where she emphasized she believes her son is alive and receiving good care. That information came from a significant source, she said without elaboration. President Joe Biden said a week ago that he, too, believes Austin Tice is alive. The State Department said its working with Hayat Tahir al-Sham, the leading group that toppled the regime, to underscore the importance of finding the Marine veteran. Officials also have been in touch with other organizations and groups that work with detainees and their families internationally. That has been a top priority for the United States government, said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the State Department. 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 would not speculate on any leads or information received regarding Tice. Meanwhile, the Tice family is working with Hostage Aid Worldwide, a nonprofit that works to help those unlawfully detained. The organization has launched an awareness campaign in Syria about the Tice case. It has reached out to Syrians, Lebanese, and Iraqis in the hope that someone, perhaps an ex-prison guard, a former prisoner, or even a wife who has overheard something, might come forward with valuable information, said Carole Chedid, a board member of Hostage Aid Worldwide. Its text message campaign has sent more than 37.5 million messages to Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, garnering more than 1.3 million link clicks, she said. With recent developments quickly unfolding in Syria, our [text] messages have shifted to emphasize a greater sense of urgency, particularly directed to Syrians, Chedid said. In the U.S., Tices family is pushing a media blitz to keep Austin top of mind for fellow Americans, lawmakers and the White House. Abigail Edaburn, Tices sister, said her brother has been gone long enough. Hes a human and hes missed, she said during the family news conference. To us, he is just a family member that is really deeply missed. The youngest Tice sibling, Simon Tice, said he was just 18 years old when his brother disappeared and is now 31 the age Austin was on that day he was taken in August 2012. Its given me a lot to think about in terms of all the growth and development that Ive had in these 12 years, and the fact that all that growth and development has been completely robbed from my brother, he said. The National Press Club, an organization of journalists, has helped the family keep Austin Tices name before the public. That effort has included an August concert featuring Army combat veteran and country music star Scotty Hasting. We were trying to raise awareness for Austin and his family and just try to do as much as we can for another veteran to try to bring him home, Hasting said Monday in a telephone interview. Its important to be hopeful. Were still counting on the fact that were going to turn on the TV, and were going to see his face. Hasting said he receives inspiration in part from the Tice familys belief that Austin will eventually come home alive. Debra Tice often credits that belief to her Christian faith. Ive never had any shadow of a doubt at all. The God that I believe in is not a trickster. If I needed to be prepared, the Lord would have prepared my heart. And I havent been prepared for that, she said Monday. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said a House investigation of the VA Mountain Home health care facility in Tennessee has confirmed at least two managers leveraged sexual favors from subordinates for job promotions. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON The House Veterans Affairs Committee has investigated multiple whistleblower accounts of rampant sexual assault, misconduct and consensual sexual activities that took place inside the VA Mountain Home health care facility in Tennessee. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., the committee chairman, said the six-month investigation has confirmed at least two managers leveraged sexual favors from subordinates at the Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility in exchange for job promotions. Bost said the committee sent an oversight team to the Tennessee hospital to assess the situation and informed VA Secretary Denis McDonough of the findings. The VA has launched its own investigation. The women claimed hospital supervisors knew about the sexual misconduct but failed for months to act, according to the investigation by the House VA Committees subpanel on oversight and investigations. If these allegations are verified, without question, these men and women have no business serving veterans in East Tennessee, and this should have never happened, Bost said about hospital leaders. The VA has provided the House committee with certain documents related to the departments investigation into the Mountain Home facility. The information revealed sexual relationships, and misconduct did occur on VA property in Tennessee, Bost said. The sexual misconduct, harassment and inappropriate interpersonal relationships that were allowed to persist at the Mountain Home VA facility are disturbing and disgusting, he said. The House VA subpanel last week released findings and supporting documents of its investigation. In one incident, whistleblowers reported a male worker had consensual sexual relations with numerous female employees inside a locked training room during working hours at the VA property, according to House VA Committee documents. The male employee initiated sexual encounters on many occasions inside the training room with women on staff after offering to act as their personal trainer, according to the documents. He had sexually suggestive conversations with 30-40 women and then engaged in sexual acts on VA property, according to the findings. The whistleblowers said he had the lock changed on the training room door, and he was the only employee with the key. An internal investigation was launched after one of the women came forward with a complaint, prompting interviews and corroboration from other employees, according to the House VA Committee documents. Some of the employees said facility leaders knew about the misconduct for at least a year before taking action. The male employee no longer works at the facility, according to the House investigation. Whistleblowers provided details about three cases involving sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and consensual sexual activities occurring during several months at the facility, according to the House investigations findings. The dates when the incidents occurred and for how long they took place have not been disclosed. None of the male staffers who faced complaints of sexual misconduct, harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior still work at the facility, according to Terrence Hayes, the VA press secretary. He said the VA cannot discuss the cases while it has an open investigation. We continue to fully cooperate with all proper authorities in this matter, Hayes said. But Bost accused the VA of delays in turning over critical documents, including performance reviews, that might show when senior leaders at the hospital first learned about each case and whether they allowed the problems to persist without taking disciplinary action. Shereef Elnahal, undersecretary for health at the VA, initially shared complaints from employees in July with the House VA committee, which launched its investigation and conducted an on-site visit to collect information and interview staff. In one of the cases, a female worker at the hospital filed an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint after her supervisor promised to promote her if she would have a romantic relationship with him. The woman at first agreed to date him, but she later ended the relationship and filed a no contact complaint against the manager, which he violated repeatedly, according to House documents. An internal review by the VA facility substantiated the womans complaint. The manager resigned after leaders at the facility moved to terminate him, according to the findings. But the woman said facility leaders were aware of his misconduct for months and delayed taking disciplinary action against him until she filed the EEO complaint. In a similar but separate case, a facility manager promised a female employee several promotions in return for sexual favors at his office. Though the hospitals senior leadership learned of the problem, the manager was not disciplined, according to House documents. The woman later reported he threatened her job and physically assaulted her when she did not comply. Several supervisors learned about his conduct but failed to act, according to the female employee. The manager resigned seven months later, after the VA Office of Inspector General launched an investigation, according to House committee documents. Bost said he is concerned senior leaders at the VA Mountain Home facility were aware of a pervasive environment of sexual misconduct and allowed it to persist. He said there are several other employees who engaged in sexual activities at the workplace who continue in their jobs without consequences. The committee continues to wait for documents to reveal whether senior leaders in Mountain Home, and those who participated in sexual activity at work, will be appropriately disciplined, Bost said. The winner of the Miss France 2025 beauty pageant has been announced after significant changes were made to the rules of this year's show. The title was won by the oldest contestant in the history of the pageant, 34-year-old flight attendant Angelique Angarni-Philopon, originally from the island of Martinique in the Caribbean. ADVERTISIMENT The organizers changed the rules, giving French women over 24 years old, as well as married women and mothers, the opportunity to show their beauty. This was reported by France 24. "In 2011, a young woman in her 20s won first place in the Miss Martinique pageant. Today, the same 34-year-old is standing before you, representing Martinique, its diaspora, and all the women who were once told it was too late," Angarni-Philopon said after winning the pageant. ADVERTISIMENT Thirty candidates took part in the final, including doctors and dentists. The participants paraded in swimsuits, regional costumes, and ball gowns. They performed to a variety of music genres, including country, the 90s, salsa, and even Mozart. After winning the pageant, Angarni-Philopon will receive a year's salary from Miss France, access to a Parisian apartment, and various gifts from sponsors. The organizers of the French beauty pageant said they are "keeping up with the times" and aim to create a platform for sharing stories of successful women and those struggling with issues such as unrealistic appearance standards. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! On Monday, December 16, the identity and design of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 stage, which will be held in May in Basel, Switzerland, was revealed. This year, the organizers decided to "play around" with the main logo of the song contest - the heart - and depicted it in a pop art style. However, online fans did not like this style, especially the font, which seemed primitive to many. ADVERTISIMENT All lyrics at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 must be in Serif Italic (italicized). For the regular viewers of the show, it turned out to be a "greeting from the 80s". OBOZ.UA collected the reaction of the network. Immediately after the presentation of the show's identity on Telegram, a wave of indignation swept through Ukrainian Euro fans. First of all, they showed the design, video presentation, and stage appearance. After that, there were comments. "Sorry, but the official font for Eurovision 2025 is bad... Everything else is great!" the Slay Music Telegram channel wrote. ADVERTISIMENT Despite the outrage, the first memes also appeared online. The Memovision Telegram group posted a video similar to the one that showed how the organizers of this year's show chose the font. The video shows a girl typing something on a laptop. Then a monitor screen appears, where the slogan of the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years - United by music - is written and italicized. Not only Ukrainians expressed their opinions about the "bad" font. Foreigners in the social network X point out that the whole identity reminds them of a return to the past. It's worth noting that the last time Switzerland hosted Eurovision was in 1988 after Celine Dion won, so the design of this year's show may be a reference to that year. ADVERTISIMENT "I wonder if it looks like Eurovision last year. And what's with the fucking italics and serifs? It's 2025, not the late 80s. They should have used Helvetica or Univers instead of 'this font'," said one Internet user. Another shared his view: "Thoughts on the Eurovision 2025 design: 1) Yes, I like it! 2) God, no, it's disgusting and uninspiring. I can't forget that font." Someone equated it with the font that often appears on album covers of Asian artists: "The Eurovision font kind of reminds me of that awkward font style that keeps appearing on k-pop album covers." ADVERTISIMENT Another user criticized the organizers' lack of creativity: "I miss the time when Eurovision gave us fresh graphics and slogans every year. Creativity, excitement of anticipation of something new... This is gone. This year's font "United by Music" is so bland and uninspired... Where is the magic we used to have?" Eurovision 2025 organizers also showed the show's stage. The platform will have a rectangular shape with a small indentation to the audience and will be in the middle of the hall. The main attributes of this year's contest will be the snowy Alps on the screen. The colors of the Swiss flag - red and white - were matched with spotlights placed on the ceiling and around the stage. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! He previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Margaret Una Noone (77), was found dead in her home in Cookstown in June 2022 A Co Tyrone man who admitted killing his mother has been jailed for three years. Barry Noone was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today. He previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Margaret Una Noone (77), was found dead in her home in Cookstown in June 2022. Today, the 47-year-old defendant was sentenced to six years, half to be served in custody and half on licence, for manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility. Detective Inspector Michelle Colhoun said it was the most tragic case. Working in partnership with the Public Prosecution Service, Mr Noone has now been held accountable, she said. At the same time, however, Im deeply aware that Unas family and loved ones are left to deal with unimaginable heartache and loss, and my thoughts are with them. Ms Colhoun added: This is the most tragic case of domestic homicide, in which an innocent womans life was taken. Sadly, domestic abuse can take many forms, from emotional to physical abuse. Abuse can happen over days or years, or can be a single act. It can affect anyone, irrespective of background, gender or age. In this case, an irreversible act of violence took the life of a 77-year-old woman. Im keen to extend our message and Im appealing to any victim of domestic abuse, whatever form it may take and whatever the circumstances, to please speak to us. We will listen to you and well support you. More to follow Michael Coulter, 53, was given a four-month suspended sentence for wielding the walking aid while accompanying young children close to the scene of some of the rioting Police at the scene of the disorder in Belfast (Pic: Alan Lewis) A disabled man who used his crutch to attack police officers dealing with racist violence on the streets of Belfast has avoided being sent to prison. Michael Coulter, 53, was given a four-month suspended sentence for wielding the walking aid while accompanying young children close to the scene of some of the rioting. Coulter, of York Park in Belfast, pleaded guilty to assaults on police and disorderly behaviour during the disorder earlier this year. Trouble flared following an anti-immigration rally held at City Hall on August 3. A number of ethnic-owned businesses were burnt out when the racially-motivated unrest spread to parts of south Belfast. Belfast Magistrates Court heard Coulter became embroiled in an altercation with police at Shaftesbury Square after spending the evening with friends and relatives in a city centre bar. As officers dealt with rioters on nearby Sandy Row, he was said to have repeatedly sworn and shouted at them in full view of the children and other members of the public. Prosecutors previously claimed he shouted black b******* and look kids at those dirty black c****. Coulter left the area at one point but then returned to continue his verbal tirade and then lashed out at police with his crutch. He struck one constable on the arm, inflicted a blow to the head of another, and attempted to headbutt a third officer in the back of a police vehicle, according to the Crown. Coulter, who has a spinal condition, emphatically denied any involvement in the street disorder. The court heard he only went to Shaftesbury Square to buy kebabs for two young girls in his company. He had nothing to do with the actual protests, defence counsel Michael Boyd stressed. Mr Boyd said his client could have contested the charges by claiming police officers had overreacted. He added that Coulter also spent a harrowing period in custody before obtaining bail. Imposing four months imprisonment, District Judge Steven Keown suspended the term for two years. Mr Keown explained: Im leaving it hanging over his head to make sure this doesnt happen again. Graham Beegan (45) is accused of coercively controlling his wife as well as multiple counts of assaulting and threatening to kill or seriously harm her A HUSBAND subjected his wife to emotional, physical and financial control and monitored her with cameras in their home, it is alleged. Graham Beegan (45) is accused of coercively controlling his wife as well as multiple counts of assaulting and threatening to kill or seriously harm her. He is facing trial and the case was adjourned at Dublin District Court for the preparation of a book of evidence. Mr Beegan, of Pakenham House, Spencer Dock, Dublin 1 is charged with coercive control of his wife, which had a serious effect on her on dates between January, 2019 and September, 2022. He is also charged with three counts of assaulting her, causing her harm and four of threatening to kill her at their home address on dates in 2021 and 2022. Garda Shona Moran told Judge Gerard Jones she arrested the accused for the purpose of charging him. He said no comment to each count after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets. Gda Moran said the DPP directed trial on indictment and time was sought for the preparation of a book of evidence. In a summary of the prosecution's case, she said the accused and the woman were married and she made a complaint in 2022 alleging emotional, physical and financial control, which was basically coercive control. The woman outlined a number of assaults and threats to kill, the garda said. She had not required any medical attention. It was also alleged he monitored her with cameras and by electronic means in the home. Mr Beegan had gone to a garda station and was questioned. Gda Moran had no objection to bail subject to strict conditions. Judge Jones granted bail, with a 500 cash lodgement required. Under conditions, Mr Beegan is to stay away from the alleged victim and have no contact with her by any means including electronic. He is to sign on weekly at Store Street garda station, provide gardai with a primary address and contact phone number and notify them of any change of address. Defence barrister Robert Crowley said the accused had no issue surrendering his passport but travelled regularly for work and asked to be able to apply to have it returned when required. Judge Jones said the passport could be returned with three days notice and proof of travel arrangements. Mr Crowley said the accused was not making a legal aid application. The charges against Mr Beegan are under Section 39 of the Domestic Violence and Sections 3 and 5 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He has not yet entered pleas to the charges. He was remanded on bail to a later date and will be sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court when the book of evidence is ready. James John Murphy, who is dying of organ failure, was handed a sentence of four and a half years. However, as an act of mercy, Judge Patricia Smyth suspended the term for four years The drugs seized by police were concealed within divan beds (Pic: PSNI) A man who was caught disembarking a ferry in Belfast with 65kg of cannabis hidden in divan beds in the back of his van was spared jail today. James John Murphy, who is dying of organ failure, was handed a sentence of four and a half years. However, as an act of mercy, Judge Patricia Smyth suspended the term for four years. The 35-year-old, whose address in Merseyside, England, is subject to a reporting restriction, admitted a charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply on December 20, 2022. On that date, a Citroen van driven by Murphy was stopped in Belfast after disembarking from a ferry travelling from Liverpool. A search of the vehicle uncovered 65kg of herbal cannabis located in packages hidden in beds in the rear. The drugs seized had a value of between 264,000 and 396,000. Following his arrest, Murphy was interviewed. He accepted it was his van, that he was transporting beds and mattresses and that he knew something illegal was involved. He also admitted he was paid 5,000 and told police he was fearful of others. Crown barrister James Johnston said other defendants who were related to Murphy will also be appearing in court on drugs offences. He told the Belfast Recorder: This is a family who were involved in bringing cannabis over from Liverpool. They all have varying degrees of culpability in relation to what they were doing. Mr Johnston said others involved in the enterprise loaded the mattresses and beds into the back of Murphys van. He added that, following Murphys arrest, his phone was seized and, from that, the police investigation branched out, with officers being able to uncover who the other people involved were. Saying there was evidence of other trips, the Crown barrister said todays sentencing exercise only concerned the December 2022 incident. Mr Johnston also told Judge Smyth that it was the polices view that Murphy was at the bottom of this particular group. Defence barrister Joel Lindsay said that, following his clients arrest, Murphy was assaulted, his home was targeted and he had to move. Mr Lindsay also spoke of his clients ailing health. He revealed that Murphy, who had a heart transplant 12 years, is now in palliative care. He added that, due to heart failure, Murphys life expectancy is now measured in months, as opposed to years. After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Smyth said that whilst there was no question Murphy knew this was a significant operation, she accepted he was at the lowest level in this group of family members. Branding Murphy as a trusted courier, Judge Smyth said that, after reading medical reports, it is clear the defendant is suffering from heart and kidney failure and is dying. Judge Smyth also said that whilst the offence was so serious it warranted a custodial sentence, Murphy was too ill to be jailed. Addressing Murphy, who attended the hearing via a videolink, Judge Smyth imposed the jail term but said that, as an act of mercy, she was suspending the sentence. She told Murphy: It probably doesnt need to be said in your case, in light of the medical evidence that I have, but I am required to tell you that if you were to commit another offence during the period of suspension, you would go to prison. In light of the evidence I have received, that is unlikely to occur. Johnathan ONeill (32) and an accomplice allegedly set upon the two officers as they made their way home through Temple Bar, a court heard A Dublin man has been accused of assaulting two off-duty gardai in an alleged violent and unprovoked attack in the city centre that left one officer in a critical condition. Johnathan ONeill (32) and an accomplice allegedly set upon the two officers as they made their way home through Temple Bar, a court heard. According to prosecutors, Mr ONeill punched and kicked one garda unconscious and was part of a more serious joint enterprise assault on the second officer, who underwent surgery for head injuries and remains in hospital today. Mr ONeill, of Cromcastle Road, Kilmore, Dublin 5, is charged with assault causing harm to both gardai and with robbing one of them of his mobile phone and wallet, at Eustace Street, Dublin 2, on December 14. The accomplice has also been arrested but is in hospital and has not yet been interviewed by gardai. Judge Paula Murphy refused Mr O'Neill bail at Dublin District Court and remanded him in custody, for DPP directions. Today, Detective Sergeant Paul Carney said he arrested Mr O'Neill at Aston Quay on December 15 and took him to Pearse Street garda station. Mr ONeill made no reply to any of the counts after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets. Det Sgt Carney objected to bail based on the seriousness of the charges, likely sentence on conviction and strength of the proposed evidence. He said that at around 1.30am on Saturday, the alleged victims were making their way on Eustace Street when Mr ONeill and an accomplice violently assaulted them in an unprovoked attack" outside a pizzeria. It was alleged that a mobile phone and wallet were taken from one garda while he was lying unconscious on the ground. He suffered severe head injuries and was taken to hospital, where he has since undergone two surgeries and remains in a critical condition, Det Sgt Carney said. The other garda was also knocked unconscious and was taken to hospital with facial injuries including a cut lip. An extensive investigation was now being carried out and CCTV footage from the area was harvested, the court heard. It was alleged Mr ONeill and the other man could be seen moments before the incident and fleeing the scene together after. They allegedly spent two hours together following the incident. Det Sgt Carney said the CCTV evidence was of excellent quality and Mr ONeill was clearly identifiable with his face uncovered. The incident itself was not captured on CCTV footage but was witnessed by a number of people who provided detailed statements. After arrest, the accomplice was found in possession of the garda's mobile phone. It was alleged Mr O'Neill took an active role in the robbery and assault by joint enterprise of the more seriously injured garda. He allegedly punched the other garda in the head, resulting in him falling to the ground, where he kicked him in the head, resulting in him losing consciousness. It was not part of the bail objections that Mr O'Neill would interfere with any prospective witnesses if released. Det Sgt Carney said it was feared that he could dispose of the missing wallet if released. There were no conditions that would assuage garda concerns over bail, he said. Mr ONeill was unemployed, had no fixed abode and had been living a transient lifestyle", Det Sgt Carney said. Applying for bail, defence solicitor Jenny McGeever said the accused had been sleeping rough in Dublin city centre but could provide an address for bail and sign on at a garda station if required. He was presumed innocent and there was also a presumption in favour of granting him bail, she said. Mr ONeill had been interviewed five times in Pearse Street garda station and while he made some admissions, he did not accept the allegations in the more serious of the two alleged assaults, or the robbery. He had expressed bafflement at the suggestion that robbery was somehow the motive for what occurred. Det Sgt Carney said that was Mr ONeills version of events but gardai believed he was involved in both assaults, based on the eyewitness statements. None of the garda's property was found on Mr O'Neill, he confirmed. It was put to Det Sgt Carney that Mr O'Neill was not the main suspect. Gardai were keeping an open mind, Det Sgt Carney said. Judge Murphy said it appeared to be accepted the accused was part of the incident and exception was taken only to the extent of his involvement. The accused was charged with three very serious offences, she said. He was presumed innocent but she considered it was reasonably necessary to refuse bail in the circumstances. She remanded the accused in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on Friday, December 20. The judge also granted free legal aid to the accused. Mr O'Neill, dressed in a navy-coloured sweater and light grey bottoms, was not required to address the court during the brief hearing and has not yet entered a plea to the charges. Joshua James Pinquet, 21, of Orlando, Florida, made an apparent sudden decision to quit his job, Iredell Free News reported. As he was driving a van with four prison inmates locked in the cargo area, Pinquet contacted his boss at the inmate transport company and said he was done. He was supposed to deliver the inmates to Hickory, North Carolina, but instead he kept going; when Iredell County sheriff's officers caught up with him, he was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and larceny. [Iredell Free News, 12/3/2023] Yuriy Koriavchenkov, better known as Yuzik, is a former comedian and administrative director of the Kvartal 95 studio who exchanged the stage for a parliamentary mandate. Currently, the MP is the head of the Kryvyi Rih city organization of the Servant of the People party. ADVERTISIMENT On Facebook, Koriavchenkov often highlights his political activities and posts photos from meetings in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The former actor can often be seen on the Servant of the People. Kryvyi Rih page. In the latest photo, the politician summarized the results of the year at the local office of the party, checked shelters in schools for children with special needs, and visited the rehabilitation department of the military in one of the hospitals in Kryvyi Rih. According to social media, Yuzik has devoted himself entirely to politics, and has long since ceased to be associated with Kvartal 95. However, in 2024, the deputy was caught in a scandal regarding a real estate in Spain. As you know, Koriavchenkov's family, namely his wife Tetiana and three children, left for the country shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT According to the politician's declaration for June 2022, his family lives in an apartment in Spain. However, the MP did not indicate where the property was located or who its owner was - the documents listed an unknown foreigner. As Informator reported in the spring of 2024, Koriavchenkov refused to answer journalists' questions about the real estate. In particular, the former Kvartal 95 star refused to state on what grounds his family lives in the Spanish apartment - whether they rent it or received it under the sponsorship program for Ukrainian refugees. Yuzik only said that everything could be found in the declaration. After that, according to journalists, the former comedian "hit the gas and left." It is also known that over the past year, Koriavchenkov did not declare any expenses related to the Spanish residence. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Derek Landers (42), who has been living in Lanzarote, Spain for the past 20 years, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court A man who collected a pallet containing just over a million euro worth of cannabis from Dublin Port has been jailed for five years. Derek Landers (42), who has been living in Lanzarote, Spain for the past 20 years, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Promenade Road, Dublin 1 on May 18, 2023. Landers has 19 previous convictions from both Spain and Ireland. Garda Dermot O Sullivan told Liam Dockery BL, prosecuting, that customs at Dublin Port intercepted the pallet containing suspected cannabis herb and an operation was put in place between customs and gardai to monitor it. Derek Landers At about midday, Landers was spotted arriving in a rental van before he loaded the pallet into the back of the vehicle. He drove out of the yard and was stopped by gardai on Promenade Road. Gda OSullivan said the pallet was removed and examined. It was found to contain towels but hidden underneath that were two layers of vacuum packed cannabis, with a total weight of 54 kg and an estimated street value of 1,046,000. Gda OSullivan agreed with Paul Murray SC, defending, that Landers told gardai he thought he was collecting horse feed. He acknowledged that it would not have been immediately apparent that were drugs on the pallet. It was accepted that Landers told gardai that he was told he would get 250 for his role but later admitted that he had been asked by a man to do a job for 1,000. Gda OSullivan accepted a suggestion that Landers is not at the top rung of the ladder although he was still in control over quite a large amount of drugs. Derek Landers Mr Murray said his client offered an unequivocal apology to his family, society at large and the court for his role in this offence. He said his client has five children, three from a previous relationship and two children to whom he acts as a stepfather. He said he worked a variety of jobs in Spain but unfortunately fell on hard times during Covid and was unable to find work. Counsel submitted that Landers was a naive man who thought this was an easy way to easy money but turned out to the biggest mistake of his life. Judge Elva Duffy acknowledged evidence that Landers was not at the top rung of the ladder and added that he appeared to be frightened of those others that were involved. She said he had succumbed to the temptation of easy money before she acknowledged his guilty plea. Judge Duffy jailed Landers for five years. Judge Daly said Petkov (36) had facilitated organised crime intentionally for a significant reward A man has been jailed for 10 years after he admitted smuggling 21.6million worth of cocaine on board a cargo ship, which sailed from Brazil to Ireland last year. In delivering the sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Colin Daly said that the defendant, Kamen Petkov, who is from Bulgaria, had been in control of such a large quantity of drugs that it was impossible not to conclude that thousands of lives would have been affected by such a volume of drugs. Following his arrest on December 22nd last, Petkov told gardai he was to be paid 150,000 for managing the drug shipment on the MV Verila, which sailed from Antoniana Port, Brazil, to Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on December 19, 2023. Judge Daly said Petkov (36) had facilitated organised crime intentionally for a significant reward. The haul of cocaine seized Petkov told gardai he had amassed a gambling debt of 37,000 and Judge Daly said Petkovs debt may have made him more vulnerable to involving himself in the criminal enterprise. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, told the court on Monday that the drugs recovered from the ship was considered by forensic examiners to be pure cocaine, with a potential value of five times that amount on the street estimated at 105million. Petkov, who had no previous convictions, was apprehended by gardai after the ship was searched by Irish Customs officers using sniffer dogs, and the drugs were found hidden in an air-conditioning room after the vessel had docked at Foynes Port. The married father of one showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his prison sentence, which was backdated to December 22, 2023, the date he first entered custody. More to follow... The now 24-year-old woman has indicated that while she is content for Mooney to be named, she does not wish to be identified A member of the Irish Defence Forces will be sentenced next January for the rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel three years ago. Kielan Mooney (30) of Bloomfield Park, Derry, was convicted following a trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month on a count of anal rape, oral rape and rape of the woman at the Dublin hotel on July 26, 2021. He had pleaded not guilty to a total of six charges, two charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, a charge of anal rape and a charge of sexual assault. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the three remaining charges. The now 24-year-old woman, who is also a serving member of the Irish Defence Forces, has indicated that while she is content for Mooney to be named in the reporting of the case, she does not wish to be identified. Garda Riche Moyston told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that the woman was out socialising with other army members that night when they met a group of soldiers from Mooneys barracks in Donegal. She and Mooney got speaking and they decided to go back to the womans friends hotel room in the city centre. The woman told the trial that Mooney anally raped her in her friends hotel room. She said she had asked him to stop but he did not. Afterwards she went to the bathroom and was crying. She managed to text her friend. Mooney came into the room and asked her what was wrong before he took her by the hand and brought her back into the bedroom. Mooney then forced the woman to perform oral sex on him before he pushed her onto the bed and raped her. The woman was very distressed. She managed to get back into the bathroom and phoned her friend who told her that she and two other male friends were nearly at the hotel. Gda Moyston said when the womans friends arrived Mooney was dressed. The woman was hysterical and crying. The two men forced Mooney out of the room and the gardai were called. Mooney was arrested by arrangement the following month. He claimed there had been no anal sex and said whatever other sexual activity had occurred was consensual. The woman read her victim impact statement into the record. She said that night changed her life and she would not wish what happened to her on anyone. She said her life had only got going at that point. I was getting the chance to live the life of a 21-year-old, just having a good time, she said. She said she caused shock and heartbreak within her family when she disclosed the rape. The woman said she never expected a man to take away something from her in such a selfish way and described how she struggled with her mental health in the aftermath of the rape. I did not want to go through with life anymore, the woman continued before she added that it impacted on her work as she could not perform her duties. She had been nominated for a course which would have meant a promotion in work but she was unable to participate. She said the actions of another person were continually impacting on her life as she also lost all interest in the hobbies she used to enjoy. The woman said that through counselling and therapy she has been allowed to live my life again. She spoke of how traumatic she found the trial, seeing Mooney all around the courthouse and waiting on the jurys verdict. I never believed that something over one night could shatter everything I thought and believed in myself and my future. The hurt does not just disappear, the woman said. She said the support she has received from many people have helped remind me that I am worth more than someone elses despicable actions. She specifically thanked the gardai and the various supports services in the army. She said her appreciation for those that helped her in the army needs to be recorded. The woman also thanked the Rape Crisis Centre, who reassured me of my safety and expressed her thanks to her family and friends. Justice Tony Hunt thanked the woman for taking the time to read her victim impact statement. He said he hoped that the vindication she got from the jury would help her going forward. You owe it to yourself to think of yourself now going forward, he said. Justice Hunt remanded Mooney in continuing custody and adjourned the case to January 20 next for sentence. Gda Moyston agreed with Dominic McGinn SC, defending, that Mooney was fully co-operative with gardai and answered all their questions. He agreed that it was his understanding that Mooneys career with the army is now effectively over. Mr McGinn asked the court to accept that his client did not set out that evening to commit a rape and submitted that there was consent to some activity between Mooney and the woman. Every rape is serious and every rape demands punishment, Mr McGinn said. Counsel said it was a complicated case for the jury because at the outset the woman was consenting to some level of activity. He acknowledged that a person has a right at any stage to say that I do not consent to this and his client blatantly ignored that, counsel said. He is criminally liable for what he did and what he did would be viewed as entirely reprehensible by society, Mr McGinn continued. His conduct resulted in injury, trauma and a lifelong impact on her and he deserves to be punished for that, counsel continued before he asked the court to accept that it is clear that Mooney is not a bad person. Mr Justice Hunt said young men put themselves in the unfortunate position Mooney has put himself in but added there is nobody responsible for it but Mooney himself. He has basically no previous convictions. He has served in the defence forces, I am prepared to accept that there is positive aspects to his good character that once was and is now gone," the judge said. Mr McGinn said there were seven affidavits before the court sworn in by a wide variety of people from the community and his family, outlining that he is an upstanding member of society and that his actions that night were completely out of character. Counsel said his client is a father of five children, ranging in age from three to 12 years old. He asked the court to accept that this offence would not have happened if Mooney had not been intoxicated and suggested that alcohol seems to be a catalyst. Mr Justice Hunt said it was his understanding from the evidence at the trial that all of these people went out at the same time and had roughly the same amount to drink why is he (Mooney) so different? Mr McGinn asked the court to accept that his client has lost his good character, his career is at an end and that his children will be without their father for some time. As well as launching the axe attack, 70-year-old William Scott Kirkpatrick then swung the weapon at two other neighbours who came to the wounded man's assistance A pensioner who hit his neighbour in the face with an axe which resulted in "life-changing injuries" was handed a sentence totalling 12 years yesterday. As well as launching the axe attack, 70-year-old William Scott Kirkpatrick then swung the weapon at two other neighbours who came to the wounded man's assistance. Having been deemed a dangerous offender by Judge Rose Ann McCormick KC, Kirkpatrick had an extended custodial sentence imposed consisting of nine years in custody followed by an extended period of three years on licence, at Belfast Crown Court. From Russellstown Road in the Gracehill area of Ballymena, Kirkpatrick was charged with a number of offences arising from the violent incident, which occurred on September 14, 2020. He stood trial earlier this year in Antrim and was convicted by a jury of four counts namely one charge of wounding, one charge of possessing an offensive weapon and two counts of common assault. In the aftermath of the guilty verdicts, Kirkpatrick refused to engage with probation for the preparation of a pre-sentence on three separate occasions. Judge McCormick noted that as well as denying the offences, Kirkpatrick has given several differing accounts of what happened on the day in question one of which was rejected by the jury when he gave evidence at his trial. The judge said that prior to the axe attack, the injured party and Kirkpatrick had been neighbours for around 20 years and there had been "occasional friction but nothing of the scale that occurred that day." During the trial, the jury heard that just before the attack the men had exchanged words at the rear of their homes. The injured party went into his house to retrieve his mobile phone as he intended to record what was unfolding. After exiting his home, the neighbour approached Kirkpatrick's back door and at this point, Kirkpatrick came out of his property brandishing an axe. He swung the weapon at his neighbour and struck him on the face, and when the wounded man fell to the ground, Kirkpatrick continued the attack. Two other neighbours rushed to the scene in a bid to assist the wounded man which prompted Kirkpatrick to swing the axe at both of them, telling one 'I'll have you too.' A struggle then ensued and both the wounded man and the other two neighbours were able to restrain Kirkpatrick. The PSNI arrived and whilst the wounded man was taken to hospital, Kirkpatrick was arrested and made no reply. During the course of police interviews, Kirkpatrick made what Judge McCormick described as "slurs and allegations" against his neighbours and said he was acting in self-defence. He also claimed that the neighbour he hit with an axe had, the month before, issued a threat to him and made a gesture about making a noose with a rope. When Kirkpatrick's claim was made to the wounded man when he gave evidence at the trial, he rejected this suggestion. Regarding the injuries he sustained, Judge McCormick revealed this included a 12cm laceration to his right cheek, a fractured right cheekbone and damage to his facial nerves. This resulted in surgery and two admissions to hospital and has resulted in what the Judge said were "life-changing" injuries. She said that after reading a victim impact statement made by the "brave man", it was clear the attack has left him with "physical, mental, emotional and financial challenges." The judge added: "Four years on from this incident, it is plain that the victims and their families are deeply affected by the defendant's actions and his subsequent disregard for their trauma." Saying it was "rare to see a man of 66 years of age take an axe to his neighbour", Judge McCormick noted that Kirkpatrick has "never expressed any remorse" for the injuries he caused and for "assaulting and terrifying his neighbours." Instead, she revealed Kirkpatrick has made a series of allegations against them and their families with accusations ranging from wanting to claim his benefits and buy his house at a reduced price to one of them threatening him with a gun. Defence submissions made on behalf of Kirkpatrick indicated that prior to September 2020, the pensioner lived an isolated life which was exacerbated by Covid-19 and the lockdowns. Apart from his legal team, he had not received any visits whilst in custody, he rarely leaves his cell, his health had deteriorated and he now used a wheelchair. He has also been examined by three psychiatrists and has been diagnosed as suffering from a delusional disorder. As she imposed the extended custodial sentence, Judge McCormick spoke of several aggravating factors including the axe being swung at the neighbour's head and the fact the assault continued when the wounded man was prone. The judge also imposed a 10-year restraining order which bans Kirkpatrick from contacting his three victims or being within 500 yards of their homes, and granted a destruction order for the axe used in the attack. Insurance broker Kevin Barry McIntyre was found guilty of posting a message directed at SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr. A man described in court as a right-wing, racist conspiracy theorist has been found guilty of posting an abusive message targeting Northern Irelands first ever black mayor. Insurance broker Kevin Barry McIntyre (31), of Miller Street, Derry, was today found guilty at the citys magistrates court of posting a message directed at Derry City and Strabane SDLP councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr. He was also guilty of posting a menacing message about SDLP MP Colum Eastwood. Following a contested hearing, District Judge Barney McElholm described the defendant as a right-wing, racist conspiracy theorist. Judge McElholm said the posts by McIntyre, who had pleaded not guilty, were filthy, threatening and abusive, and the language used was clearly in breach of the legislation. Judge McElholm also described the contested hearing as a complete waste of time. McIntyre posted a racist message about Ms Seenoi-Barr, who was born in Kenya, on May 2, before posting a menacing message about Mr Eastwood two days later. In his message about Ms Seenoi-Barr, which was accompanied by her photograph, McIntyre posted: Terrorist alert Lilian Seenoi-Barr. She will removed from the city dead [or] alive. Mayor of Derry City and Strabane Lilian Seenoi-Barr (Pic: Martin McKeown) In his post about Mr Eastwood, which contained a photograph of the politician, McIntyre wrote: SDLP leader slams far-right over death threats against NIs first black mayor. This man hates the Derry people. We must wonder why he was the biggest promoter of the Covid vaccine the one causing all the excess deaths in Ireland? He wanted us all to be wiped out so he could replace us with the blacks. His and her death is near. In his evidence, McIntyre said he was exercising his right to freedom of speech. McIntyre said he did not intend to cause distress or fear against the two SDLP politicians but accepted they could have been misinterpreted by others. He described the two posts as educational and entertaining. Kevin Barry McIntyre Asked by a prosecution solicitor if he believed Ms Seenoi-Barr was a terrorist, McIntyre replied, Yes, I do, adding: She was undemocratically elected. He said that as a result of the publicity about the prosecution my character has been tarnished. Convicting McIntyre of both charges, Judge McElholm said he would sentence the defendant on February 14, following the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Judge McElholm then released McIntyre on court bail of 500 and ordered him to have no contact of any kind with the two politicians. Needless to say, it will not go well for him if he repeats these types of posts before hes sentenced, warned Judge McElholm. Both men are expected to appear in Newry Court tomorrow Two men have been charged with the murder of Co Down mum-of-two Karen Cummings. The 40-year-old childrens nurse was found unconscious after being shot in the head at a house in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge on Saturday. Emergency crews tried to treat what is believed to have been a gunshot at the scene, however the woman was pronounced dead a short time after help arrived. A 42-year-old man detained at the property, originally from the Short Strand area of Belfast, has been charged with murder, firearms-related offences and handling stolen goods. A second suspect (32) from Lurgan who was detained on Sunday afternoon after presenting himself at a police cordon outside St Patricks cemetery in Banbridge after emerging from a nearby farmyard has also been charged with murder. Both men are expected to appear in Newry Court tomorrow. Catherine Osborne is accused of being part of a crime gang involved in moving major amounts of drugs and cash A Co Antrim woman who allegedly acted as an intermediary for a crime gang running a multi-million pound cross-border cocaine smuggling operation is to be granted bail, a High Court judge ruled today. Catherine Osborne is accused of being part of a crime gang involved in moving major amounts of drugs and cash from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland. The 24-year-old, of Canning Grove in Crumlin, was arrested during a series of searches carried out last week. Three men suspected of playing roles in the illicit racket were also detained in raids across Belfast which resulted in the seizure of drugs, money, mobile phones, five high-value cars and Rolex watches. High-value cars were among the items seized (PSNI/PA) Steven Brown, 36, of Dalewood in Newtownabbey, faces nine charges, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and possessing and transferring criminal property. Stephen McCormick, 46, from Lagmore Dale in Dunmurry, faces charges of conspiracy and being concerned in the supply of both cocaine and cannabis. 34-year-old Conal Burns, of Altona Drive in Lisburn, faces charges of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing criminal property. Detectives believe the gang has been shifting multi-kilo consignments of cocaine and cannabis across the border for onward distribution over the past two years. Set up and run on a hierarchical structure, some senior members allegedly facilitated and arranged the movements without hands-on activity. Watches were seized as part of the major investigation (PSNI/PA) Separate pricing structures were put in place to sell the drugs at a profit in Northern Ireland through a network of drivers and lower-level street dealers, it was contended. Based on evidence gathered from mobile phone messages, police claim Osborne played a significant role in the operation. She was described in court as an alleged intermediary in moving drugs and cash, along with having access to a ledger and a hide used by the gang. Osborne faces charges of possessing criminal property, conspiring with a co-accused and being concerned in the supply of cocaine on dates between October 2022 and September 2023. Artwork seized by the PSNI during a major investigation into cocaine trafficking in Belfast Opposing her application for bail, prosecution counsel submitted: This isnt simply a money mule case. This is someone we believe to be quite significantly involved in this operation. Osbournes barrister argued, however, that she is only alleged to have assisted a co-defendant who allegedly held a more senior role as a logistics manager. Sean Devine also questioned why the authorities were attempting to stop his client being released on allegations dating back two years. It is a capricious and arbitrary attitude towards this applicant, he added. Granting bail to Osborne, Mr Justice Huddleston ordered her to live under curfew at an approved address. He also imposed a ban on leaving Northern Ireland and directed that she must allow inspection of her mobile phone when she reports in with police. December 12 marked the anniversary of her son Anthonys tragic murder. Gardai at the house where Marlo Hyland was shot along with young plumber Anthony Campbell For Christine Campbell, Christmas isnt a time of joy but of deep sorrow. Every year, December 12 marks the anniversary of her son Anthonys tragic murder. It has been 18 years since Anthony, a 20-year-old apprentice plumber, was brutally murdered, caught in the crossfire of a gangland hit in Finglas, Dublin. This year, Christine hopes the gardais cold case review will finally bring justice for her beloved son. I dread every year, Christine said. Its not about the holidays for me, its about remembering the day my sons life was taken so senselessly. Anthony and his proud mum Christine Anthony was working on a radiator with his boss in a house where notorious mobster Martin Marlo Hyland was sleeping. They had no idea the house was about to become the scene of a deadly ambush. As Hyland lay in bed upstairs, two gunmen stormed the house just after Anthonys boss left to get some missing parts for the job. One gunman shot Hyland six times, while the other held the 20-year-old at gunpoint. Fearing Anthony would identify them, they shot the youngster in the head, leaving him to die by the radiator he was fixing. Christines heartbreak is clear as she recalls the moment she learned of her only childs death. You associate gangsters with one another, not innocent people, she shared in the Crime World podcast Caught in the Crossfire. I wish God had taken me, for a mother to lose her child is the worst feeling in the world. Young Anthony Campbell The murder, 18 years later, remains unsolved, despite extensive investigations. Retired detective Brian Sherry was at the scene of the crime that morning and described it as the most devastating case he had worked on. He was a young man, just 20, but he looked like a young lad of 15 curled up on the floor. It was horrendous. We did everything we could but no one has ever served time for Anthony or Hylands death. Christines grief is aggravated by the lack of justice. As a mum, I can be hard on myself because I dont feel I got the justice I should have for him, she said. After the second year of no results I had to start protecting myself, saying Dont wish. You get your hopes up, and then your hopes are crushed. Christine has known the names of the two suspects, Willie Hynes and John Mangan, since the early days of the investigations. I got the names very quickly and I did say to the police, Willie Hynes and John Mangan. Everyone on the streets seemed to know who it was, she said. Anthony as a little boy Despite this, no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrators. Mangan, who was named in Dublins High Court as a suspect, was released from prison last February after serving a sentence for another crime. Christine described seeing his face for the first time, two years ago. It was a terrible setback for me. My mother was poorly, we hid it from her, but she heard it on the news. She died that Saturday. It opened up something for me that nearly caused me a nervous breakdown. Christine continues to hold out hope for the cold case review. Ive had contact from the gardai, and they told me that the Serious Crime Review team are now reviewing the case over the new year. But youre left sitting on the fence. You dont want to get your hopes up, but youre praying for justice. Christines plea is clear: she wants justice for her son, not for the closure that shell never get, but to honour his memory. Gardai at the house where Marlo Hyland was shot along with young plumber Anthony Campbell Ive brought this as far as I can and if nothing comes from the review I will let my son rest. Im not asking for miracles, but there has to be something there It wont bring him back, but it might bring me some peace to know Ive done everything in my power for him. As Christine faces another Christmas without Anthony, she appeals to anyone with information to come forward. Do the right thing and help me get some semblance of justice. Ill never get closure but please, help me accept it, she pleaded. Christine remains hopeful that the cold case review will bring her some answers. I need justice to be served so I can say I did everything for my son, she said. Martin ' Marlo' Hyland As she faced another painful anniversary this December 12, she reflects: Im no better off than I was 18 years ago, and the reality is I have to live with that every day. Despite the passage of time, she remains firm in her pursuit of justice, determined to honour her sons memory and find some measure of peace. David McDonald is the 60th person to die on Northern Ireland roads this year The mother of a tragic road victim has paid tribute to her beautiful son following his death in Co Down on Saturday night. The PSNI confirmed on Monday that 21-year-old David McDonald passed away at the scene of a serious collision in the Carryduff Road area of Temple in Lisburn. The young man had been the passenger in the car involved in a single-vehicle crash. Emergency services were called to the incident at around 7pm on December 14. A PSNI spokesperson said: Mr McDonald was a passenger in a blue Vauxhall Corsa involved in a serious collision He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers from the PSNIs Collision Investigation Unit continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. The police said anyone with any information or dash cam footage should contact them on the non-emergency number. Mr McDonalds mother Katrina described her son as beautiful following the news of his death. Many of his friends have shared online tributes to the late Carryduff native. One friend said that Mr McDonalds memories and laughs were unmatched and they will be so missed but that he will never be forgotten. Another posted to social media, directly addressing Mr McDonald, stating: You were far too good for this world, Ill miss our conversations every day and miss you melting me look over your wee family, I love ya. As of Sunday night, Mr McDonald was the 60th person to die on Northern Irelands roads in 2024, according to official PSNI statistics. Thats just six less than the same date in 2023, and five more than the entirety of 2022. Sending condolences, Sinn Fein councillor for the Castlereagh South area Daniel Bassett said: Our thoughts are at first with Davids family, friends and everyone that knew him, at this very sad time. Mr Bassett added that Mr McDonalds death is particularly heart-breaking so close to Christmas, and noted that road accidents are especially common at this time of year, urging the public to take care when driving in dark or wet conditions. Last month, ahead of Road Safety Week (November 17-23), the charity Brake revealed that the rate of road deaths in Northern Ireland continues to be much higher than other parts of the UK. 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 Hundreds of protestors at a rally in Athlone last month against proposals concerning the opening of an IPAS centre in the midlands town. The Government has conceded a High Court challenge brought by a local councillor against an expedited plan to house around 1,000 male asylum seekers in Athlone. On Monday, 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. 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 4.8pc 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 had 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 7 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. Athlone councillors Aengus O'Rourke, Frankie Keena, Paul Hogan and John Dolan. Giving his reaction to the news, Cllr Aengus ORourke said while the enormity of the decision would take some days to sink it, the ruling was testament to what he and his four local political colleagues had stood up for. It is just amazing, almost too good to be true to be honest, said Mr ORourke. We have invested so much and hundreds and hundreds of hours of time and effort in building this case, drilling down through environmental and planning law and to get this result is incredible. We are so happy we have been vindicated and that the work has paid off. The former Athlone mayor said that its significance could not be understated as the State faced the prospect of having to return the Lisywollen site as it found it. This is brand new territory for all of us and the first objective was to have the minister withdraw his order and that, I think that will now happen in the coming days as he has conceded the case, added the son of the late former Fianna Fail minister Mary ORourke. The development is now illegal in our eyes and therefore the people who are there as residents on site are there illegally and we will be pressing the State to correct the site by putting it back to the condition they got it in. We are not interested in how he does that, all we are interested in him doing that as quickly as possible. And, in a scathing appraisal of the controversy, Mr ORourke went as far as to suggest the Department of Integration was no longer fit for purpose. Expressing his view forcefully, Cllr ORourke said: Roderic OGorman and his department have now been found to be utterly dysfunctional. That is the only way I can describe it. We submitted a 700-page document to the courts in relation to this and Roderic OGorman and his department have been found out. We punched so many holes in his order it was like a Swiss cheese. There were that many holes in his order and the taxpayer is now going to have to cover the costs. Marisa Peredes, one of the cult actresses of Spanish cinema, has died at the age of 79. The star left behind a rich career, having played more than 75 roles. ADVERTISIMENT In particular, the celebrity went down in cinema history thanks to her collaboration with director Pedro Almodovar, a multiple winner of the Cannes Film Festival and a member of the American Academy of Arts. In his works, she has played a number of his iconic characters: the prima donna Becky del Paramo in High Heels and the writer Amanda Gris in The Flower of My Secret. For the latter role, she was nominated for Goya Awards, according to the official website of the Spanish film academy. Paredes studied at the Royal Higher College of Performing Arts (Real Escuela Superior de Arte Dramatico | RESAD) in Madrid and made her film debut at the age of 14, appearing in Jose Osuna's Noche de teatro and Jose Maria Forque's 091 Policia al habla. In the sixties and seventies of the last century, she played supporting roles, and with the advent of the eighties and the emergence of Fernando Trueba's Opera Prima, she consolidated her career. After appearing in Trueba's first feature film, she also appeared in the first works of other prominent Spanish filmmakers, such as Agusti Villaronga. ADVERTISIMENT Her collaboration with Almodovar opened the door to international cinema, where she has appeared in films such as Roberto Benigni's La vida es bella, Arturo Ripstein's Profundo carmesi, and Guillermo del Toro's The Devil's Backbone. From 2000 to 2003, she was the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an institution that in 2018 honored her with the Goya Award. "It's a matter of taking this trade with total rigour and seriousness. It requires dedication, courage, strength: discouragement must not defeat you," Marisa said in an interview. A few months ago, the actress took part in the Memoria Colectiva del Cine Espanol (MCE) short film with an in-depth interview about her career. "Freedom, education and culture are fundamental to human life. This is what remains. Art is what remains," she said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Police were notified of the fire in the New Barnsley Park area at around 3.25pm yesterday General view of New Barnsley Park in west Belfast where there was a house fore on Monday afternoon. Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 16th December A woman in her 50s has died following a fire at a house in west Belfast on Monday afternoon. Police were notified of the fire in the New Barnsley Park area at around 3.25pm and attended with colleagues from other emergency services. Sinn Fein councillor Micheal Donnelly has expressed his condolences to the family of the woman. Mr Donnelly said: This is absolutely tragic news, and I want to express my heartfelt condolences to this womans family and friends. My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with her loved ones as they begin to come to terms with such an unimaginable loss. In what will be immensely difficult days ahead, I know the local community will rally around to support the womans family and friends. On Monday the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a number of appliances were involved in the operation in the Ballymurphy area. Detective Sergeant Christine Alexander said: Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service extinguished the blaze but, sadly, a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are conducting enquiries into this death, on behalf of the Coroner. At this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious. More officers, detector dogs, and airport hosts, along with an enhanced public awareness campaign, will bolster biosecurity protections for New Zealand this summer. We have strengthened our frontline to ensure biosecurity threats such as foot-and-mouth disease and brown marmorated stink bug do not cross the border and harm the countrys $54 billion primary sector, said Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner Mike Inglis. Biosecurity New Zealand has recruited 72 frontline officers this year, including 24 recent graduates who will be based at Auckland Airport over the summer. Detector dog handlers on duty this summer will increase nationwide from 30 to 39. The additional detector dog team capacity means we can make greater use of airport express lanes to speed up passenger flows. Opening our express lanes to more travellers, combined with changes to how we assess passengers for biosecurity risk, will result in more efficient processing. Our biosecurity controls are necessary to protect New Zealand. At the same time, we want to build on processing improvements over the past year that have resulted in nearly a 50% reduction in the time it takes passengers to get through biosecurity at Auckland Airport. Inglis said the quickest way to pass through biosecurity screening is to avoid bringing food or other items that could pose a biosecurity risk. He said travellers who complete a digital declaration will increasingly experience faster border processing. The New Zealand Traveller Declaration can be completed 24 hours before departing for New Zealand. This summer will also see 44 part-time biosecurity hosts at New Zealands four main international airports. The move follows successful trials last summer, using 19 hosts, to welcome air passengers on arrival, help with queue management, and provide friendly biosecurity assistance. An enhanced public awareness campaign aimed at travellers to New Zealand will start in mid-December. Like previous years, the campaign will encourage travellers to declare or dispose of potentially harmful items upon arrival and prompt them to think about the things they are bringing before they arrive. The more informed travellers are about our biosecurity rules before they visit New Zealand, the less likely they are to bring risk items in. Those who dont declare face an infringement fee of $400 or even prosecution. Inglis expected to see a small increase in the volume of international passenger arrivals this summer. We understand there is a 1.8% rise in available seating to around 3.95 million seats between November and March. Peak international airport arrivals are expected between December and January. He said arrival volumes are approaching pre-Covid levels, with increases every month. Nationwide, we screened 562,980 passengers in October, up from 544,370 in the same month last year. Officers also seized 8854 risk items and issued 831 infringement notices to passengers who failed to declare items in October. He said the most common seizures continue to be fresh produce, dirty camping equipment, soiled boots and meat products. Recent unusual finds include undeclared eggs filled with silicon and an ornately carved cow skull from Indonesia. Warning: Distressing content. A Mongrel Mob member went to the home of a woman who lived alone and physically, sexually and mentally tortured her for four hours. Now Richard Paru from Turangi will spend 10 years in jail for his 2022 offending. Paru, who is a patched Turangi Mongrel Mob member, appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday for sentencing on a range of serious charges. Paru was to stand trial earlier this year but changed his pleas to guilty just days before his trial. Judge David Cameron described Paru as having a high risk of reoffending. He has 42 previous convictions including for a range of violent offences such as threatening to kill, two counts of intentional damage and assaulting police. During his remand period, he was subject to 38 misconduct complaints in prison including assaulting prison staff, inciting violence, fighting, possessing cannabis and possessing weapons, Judge Cameron said. Paru will serve 10 years imprisonment on nine charges - kidnapping, injuring with intent to injure, sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, two charges of threatening to kill, assaulting a female, demanding with menace, wounding with intent to injure and assault with intent to rob. Judge Cameron outlined what happened, saying Paru, then aged 25, went to the womans Turangi house on April 6, 2022. He knew the woman but they werent considered close. It was about 11pm and the woman was home alone watching television. Richard Paru has been jailed for 10 years for torturing, assaulting and sexually abusing a woman in her own home in Turangi in 2022. Photo / Kelly Makiha Paru asked the woman if she had any cigarettes and she said she did and went inside to get some. But Paru let himself in and started pacing around the lounge. Judge Cameron said the woman noticed the car that dropped Paru off had left her driveway and she became afraid. He started making angry and accusatory statements towards the woman and began assaulting her. He then forced her to perform a sexual act while he videoed it. During the prolonged attack, he demanded she admit on video she was a methamphetamine cook and apologise to people unknown to her. She refused to admit it and, as a result, he slapped her on the back of the head about 11 times, Judge Cameron said. He told her: Stop f***ing around or Ill kill you with my bare hands. He told her to strip naked but he got more aggressive when he felt she wasnt doing it fast enough. He pulled her around the room naked by her hair while he kicked and stomped on her and again demanded she make admissions on video. During a struggle, he sliced her leg twice with a large knife, put it on her stomach, threw her against a table causing her head to bleed, and walked over her back. He then told her to get in the car despite the fact she was naked, Judge Cameron said. He drove her in her car to a residential street and told her to get her arse home. As he drove off, the woman hid in some trees until she knew he was gone before running naked to a friends home to get help. Her ordeal ended at 3am on April 7. Victim describes offender as predator In her victim impact statement, read to the court by Crown prosecutor Anna McConachy, the woman detailed her ordeal. I was kicked and rag-dolled around my home by my hair, dragged and thrown from room to room, repeatedly smacked and kicked in the head and body, forced to perform a sexual act on the offender while he videoed it on my phone and threatened repeatedly of more violence, rape and death if I didnt do what I was told by the offender. She said after seeking help, she spent the day in hospital having scans and X-rays, and she had two large cuts in her head stapled. She suffered a concussion, bruising to her arms and legs, facial bruising, headaches and loss of appetite. She went from being a happy woman working fulltime and enjoying her life to being unable to work, depressed and living in isolation. Richard Paru attacked the woman in her Turangi home. Photo / Jared Goedhart She now suffered disorientation, insomnia, night terrors, anxiety, chronic fatigue, memory loss, vision impairment and rotated discs in her hips. He tormented me with the knowledge that he had spent almost a year watching my life. She said he lived nearby and could watch her regularly. She said she believed it wasnt a random attack or opportunistic crime. This was planned, calculated and an intentional act on me. He was a predator and I was his prey. Disease of the mind Parus lawyer, Racheal Raukawa, said the delay in Parus guilty plea was because he was mentally unfit to plead to charges. While there was evidence of methamphetamine use, while he was in custody and clean from methamphetamine, his symptoms didnt improve for a very long period of time. She said there was evidence he was hearing voices in his head before his offending. She said a report on Paru found he had a disease of the mind. She said he still struggled to accept details in the polices summary of facts but she said that was a reflection of his mental health and how unwell he would have been at the time. She said he had grown facial hair to cover his gang tattoos and he wanted to have them removed. He has advised he has left the gang and is well now. He understands that being involved in a criminal organisation is not in his best interests. The sentence In sentencing Paru, Judge Cameron noted Paru was earlier given a sentence indication by another judge of 11 years jail. Paru didnt accept that sentence indication. Judge Cameron agreed with McConachy and Raukawa that the starting point should be 12 years jail. He disagreed with Raukawa that there should be a 30% reduction for Parus remorse and background issues, including mental health, and instead only gave a 5% reduction. He gave a reduction of 10% for his guilty plea. That took the sentence down to 10 years and two months jail which Judge Cameron rounded down to the end sentence of 10 years jail. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues. For the first time in nearly 30 years, Metallica will perform in Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome on the Syracuse University campus on Saturday, April 19, 2025, as part of the bands M72 World Tour. The concert will be Metallicas first-ever performance in the former Carrier Dome, and the bands first visit to Syracuse since 1996. It will also be Metallicas only concert in New York state. As one of the years most anticipated concerts, tickets were snatched up quickly after their September release. Although only a handful of platinum seats remain on Ticketmaster, those looking for lower prices or access to sold-out sections can check out secondary marketplace platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub, which offer verified tickets with buyer guarantees. Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees): Vivid Seats SeatGeek StubHub Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change. As one of the best-selling music acts of all time, Metallica has sold over 125 million albums and boasts 10 Grammy Awards. The bands lineup includes iconic members James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, and Kirk Hammett. Fans can expect to hear classic hits such as Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters, and Master of Puppets, alongside songs from their latest album, 72 Seasons. A complete list of Metallicas M72 World Tour dates is available here. Seneca Falls, N.Y. Holiday magic can be found all around charming Upstate New York. But life is especially wonderful around Christmastime in one charming town in the Finger Lakes. Seneca Falls, the real Bedford Falls, has been named one of the best Christmas towns in the United States by Vogue. The town was the only New York community on the magazines list. Seneca Falls made the ranking of 19 holly jolly locales alongside towns like Woodstock, Vermont and Park City, Utah. Its far from the first time Seneca Falls has been recognized as a prime place to find holiday cheer: Readers Digest named the town one of the best Christmas towns in America in 2022. Seneca Falls, New York, is celebrated as the "real" Bedford Falls, particularly in December. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on InstagramPhoto courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on Instagram Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the nations womens rights movement, looks particularly beautiful in December when gently falling snow and a main street dressed in its holiday best transform the town into a walkable postcard. The towns big claim to holiday fame, however, comes from its connection to Its a Wonderful Life, a beloved black-and-white Christmas film. Seneca Falls is widely considered the inspiration for Bedford Falls, the small town where Frank Capras classic film was set right down to the steel bridge where George Bailey meets Clarence, his guardian angel. If a screening of the 1946 classic Its a Wonderful Life' is required viewing for you each holiday season, you might want to make your way to the town that likely inspired the film: New Yorks Seneca Falls, Vogue wrote in its roundup of top Christmas towns. Seneca Falls, New York, is celebrated as the "real" Bedford Falls, particularly in December. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on InstagramPhoto courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on Instagram The Its a Wonderful Life Museum, currently housed on Fall Street, explores Seneca Falls' connection to the movie year-round. The town also hosts a festival every December where it transforms into Bedford Falls with a character parade, a festive 5K and visits from the films original actors. On your December visit to Seneca Falls, bundle up and take a stroll over the Bridge Street steel bridge dubbed the Its a Wonderful Life Bridge on Google. Warm up with a visit to the movie museum and a meal at 84 Fall. Then spend a cozy night at the Gould Hotel, historic hotel that dates back to 1920. In the morning, grab breakfast at Cafe 19 before visiting the Womens Rights National Historical Park a park that is worth a visit in every season. Seneca Falls, New York, is celebrated as the "real" Bedford Falls, particularly in December. Photo courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on InstagramPhoto courtesy of Nicholas Serrata, @nserrata0210 on Instagram Note: Vogue is a Conde Nast publication, owned by newyorkupstate.coms parent company Advance Publications. King Charles III of England is preparing to celebrate Christmas with 45 of his closest relatives. According to royal expert Jennie Bond, this year's holiday will be special for the royal family. ADVERTISIMENT She explained in a comment to OK! that the decision to spend Christmas in a new way was made after the most important members of the royal family experienced major health problems this year: Charles III and Kate Middleton underwent cancer treatment, and Queen Camilla had a chest infection. In order to see all of the special family members while they are still well, the King invited a near-record number of relatives. "After the year theyve had, Im sure its going to mean the world to the King and Queen to have as many of their family as possible joining them for Christmas. And, as the number of youngsters increases, so the celebrations become more and more child oriented. Which is exactly what Christmas should be all about," explained the expert. ADVERTISIMENT She also added, "Im sure this will be a Christmas when the whole family will want to unite around Charles and Camilla, and William and Catherine, to help put this year behind them and cheer them into a brighter year ahead." Jennie Bond addressed this issue as Prince William appeared at a seasonal event in Wiltshire for the families of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment as Colonel-in-Chief. While there, the Prince of Wales admitted that he and Kate Middleton were looking forward to celebrating with 45 members of the Royal Family. "Well be in Norfolk, at Sandringham. We'll be 45 for Christmas. It won't be quiet, it will be noisy. Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready," Prince William said. The event is likely to welcome Charles III and his wife Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children, Princess Beatrice and her family, Princess Eugenie accompanied by her closest relatives, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their heirs. They celebrate Christmas at the Windsor's private estate every year. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Oneida, N.Y. The remains of 21 members of the Oneida Indian Nation that have been held for decades by Colgate University were repatriated to the nation in a ceremony Monday. It marks the sixth time since 1995 that Colgate has released remains, funerary objects, and other artifacts to the nation. It also marks the third time in the last month that the Oneidas repatriated remains and artifacts taken from nation lands by other cultural institutions. Mondays ceremony took place at the nations Mary C. Winder Community Center, which opened in June just south of the city of Oneida. The repatriated remains have been in the collections of Colgates Longyear Museum of Anthropology. There were two sets of remains and artifacts in this repatriation. One set included seven nation ancestors whose remains were taken by archaeologist Theodore Whitney from a burial site of a 17th-century village in Madison County sometime in the 1960s. Whitney donated them to the museum at Colgate in the early 1970s. Remains of another 14 Oneida ancestors had been removed by archaeologists associated with the New York State Archeological Association from a number of unknown sites. They were disinterred from Oneida ancestral lands between 1950 and 1980, the nation said. As part of the ceremony, Colgate President Brian Casey toured the new community center and the nearby Shako:wi Cultural Center with other university officials and members of the nation, led by Representative Ray Halbritter. We are grateful for the partnership that has grown between the Oneida Indian Nation and Colgate University and for the leadership the university has shown in the repatriation of Native American remains and artifacts, Halbritter said in a nation news release. Throughout all of our work together on repatriations, the university has consistently demonstrated the high levels of urgency and thoroughness that are required to ensure Native remains are returned to their proper resting place. Casey, in the news release, said: Working alongside the members of the Oneida Indian Nation is an honor for our faculty and staff, and we are appreciative of their strong partnership in this important endeavor. Colgate, located in the Madison County village of Hamilton, made its first repatriation to the Oneidas in 1995, with the return of the remains of seven Oneida ancestors and eight funerary objects. Altogether, Colgate has made six repatriations to Oneidas since then, with a total of 36 nation ancestors and 1,536 belongings, according to Colgate spokesman Daniel DeVries. In November 2022, more than 1,500 funerary belongings and other cultural items were transferred from the collections of the Longyear Museum to the nation. That was one of the largest repatriations of its kind in New York State history, the nation said in its news release. During that 2022 ceremony, Casey offered an official apology on behalf of the university for its past acquisitions of Native American remains and cultural objects and committed to righting these wrongs in the future. Since 1994, the Oneidas have worked with 15 cultural institutions across the country to repatriate more than 120 ancestors and more than 9,500 associated funerary objects, said Joel Barkin, the nations vice president for communications. That included the return earlier this month of seven Oneida Indian Nation ancestors and associated funerary objects from a museum at Harvard University. Those remains and artifacts had been removed from nation burial sites in the late 1800s. Oneida Indian Nation and Colgate University officials enter the Mary C. Winder Community Center near the city of Oneida Monday for a ceremony marking the repatriation of the remains of 21 Oneida ancestors held by the university.Oneida Indian Nation Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. To the Editor: What a delight to read Steve Featherstones feature article about the long-overdue return of 1,000 acres in the Tully Valley to the Onondaga Nation. Hearing several of our Onondaga neighbors share what the historic land return means for them and their community was deeply moving (Onondaga Nation plans a wild future for 1,000 acres of reclaimed land, Nov. 22, 2024). All of Central New York should celebrate this small step toward justice and healing. We urge readers who havent done so to read the article or watch the powerful 3-minute video. The land return in Tully is an important step, which should spur our county leadership to fulfill the commitment they made in 2011 to return land to the Onondaga on the shore of the lake which bears their name. Onondaga Lake holds deep spiritual significance to the Onondaga people as the site where the Haudenosaunee Confederacy was founded over 1,000 years ago. This is also true of Onondaga Creek, which has its headwaters in the lands recently returned to Onondaga, and which flows through their territory. Discussions over a decade ago fizzled out because the county wanted to return the highly polluted area known as Murphys Island, a prospect which was unacceptable to the Onondaga Nation. In recent years, the Onondaga have suggested that Maple Bay, on the northwest corner of the lake, would be a more suitable area to be returned to them. It is long past time for this process to move forward to completion. Nearly everyone in our community, and across the US, has a general understanding that European settlers terribly mistreated the Indigenous Peoples of this land. That mistreatment included the theft of nearly all land and a concerted effort, over several centuries, to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life. Fortunately for all of us, while those efforts devastated Indigenous nations, they were unsuccessful in their ultimate goal. The Onondaga people have continued to live on their small remaining sovereign territory (less than half a percent of their original 4,000-square-mile homeland) as good neighbors, despite the injustices they have experienced. In 2005, when the Onondaga Nation filed their historic land rights action, they built on efforts of well over two centuries to reclaim and restore land which had been taken illegally from them. Sadly, in a series of unjust decisions, the federal court system again proved to be a place with no justice for Indigenous Peoples. The federal courts consistently ruled that the Onondaga and their fellow Haudenosaunee nations were correct that their land had been taken in violation of federal law and the US Constitution. However, they dismissed the cases anyway. As a grassroots educational and advocacy organization, we call on our fellow Central New Yorkers to encourage County Executive Ryan McMahon and their county legislators to take action on this important issue. We urge the county executive to re-engage in negotiations with the Onondaga Nation to return Maple Bay to their jurisdiction. This will be a simple act of justice and one which will enhance our community by re-enabling Onondaga stewardship over part of the lake. Despite significant efforts to clean up what was once the most polluted lake in the country, Onondaga Lake remains significantly impaired. We look forward to building on the return of land in the Tully Valley by celebrating the return of Maple Bay to the Onondaga Nation in 2025. Andy Mager | Syracuse Carol Baum | Syracuse Casey Cleary-Hammarstedt | Fayetteville Cindy Squillace | Syracuse Hilary-Anne Coppola | Fayetteville Jack Manno | Syracuse Sarah Howard | Syracuse On behalf of Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation New York A judge Monday refused to throw out President-elect Donald Trumps hush money conviction because of the U.S. Supreme Courts recent ruling on presidential immunity. But the overall future of the historic case remains unclear. Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchans decision blocks one potential off-ramp from the case ahead of the former and future presidents return to office next month. His lawyers have raised other arguments for dismissal, however. Its unclear when or whether a sentencing date might be set. Prosecutors have said there should be some accommodation for his upcoming presidency, but they insist the conviction should stand. A jury convicted Trump in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump denies wrongdoing. The allegations involved a scheme to hide the payout to Daniels during the final days of Trumps 2016 presidential campaign to keep her from publicizing and keep voters from hearing her claim of a sexual encounter with the married then-businessman years earlier. He says nothing sexual happened between them. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents cant be prosecuted for official acts things they did in the course of running the country and that prosecutors cant cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trumps lawyers then cited the Supreme Court opinion to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trumps presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made while he was in office. In Mondays ruling, Merchan denied the bulk of Trumps claims that some of prosecutors evidence related to official acts and implicated immunity protections. The judge said that even if he found that some evidence related to official conduct, hed still conclude that prosecutors decision to use these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch. Even if prosecutors had erroneously introduced evidence that could be challenged under an immunity claim, Merchan continued, such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt. Prosecutors had said the evidence in question was only a sliver of their case. Trump communications director Steven Cheung on Monday called Merchans decision a direct violation of the Supreme Courts decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, Cheung said in a statement. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment. Merchans decision noted that part of the Supreme Courts immunity ruling declared that not everything the president does is official. Trumps social media posts, for example, were personal, Merchan wrote. He also pointed to a prior federal court ruling that concluded that the hush money payment and subsequent reimbursements pertained to Trumps private life, not official duties. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. Hes the first former president to be convicted of a felony and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Over the last six months, his lawyers have made numerous efforts to get the conviction and the overall case dismissed. After Trump won last months election, Merchan indefinitely postponed his sentencing which had been scheduled for late November so defense lawyers and prosecutors could suggest next steps. Trumps defense argued that anything other than immediate dismissal would undermine the transfer of power and cause unconstitutional disruptions to the presidency. Meanwhile, prosecutors proposed several ways to preserve the historic conviction. Among the suggestions: freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029; agreeing that any future sentence wont include jail time; or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasnt sentenced and his appeal wasnt resolved because he took office. The last idea is drawn from what some states do when a defendant dies after conviction but before sentencing. Trumps lawyers branded the concept absurd and took issue with the other suggestions, too. Trump was indicted four times last year. The hush money case was the only one to go to trial. After the election, special counsel Jack Smith ended his two federal cases. They pertained to Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. The Soviet Union left a huge imprint on almost every aspect of human life. Of course, it also influenced the principles of nutrition, which we cannot get rid of to this day. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, there were unique products on the territory of the former USSR that could not be purchased in any other country in the world. Most of them disappeared from the market almost immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. FoodOboz figured out which products we are talking about. Kisselin briquettes This is one of the most popular desserts that existed in the USSR. It was made in the form of dense tiles, which could be dissolved in hot water to make a thick fruity drink. It was a kind of answer to the smoothie, a drink that was extremely popular in the "bourgeois west." Condensed milk ADVERTISIMENT This is one of the favorite treats of all children living in the USSR. It was used to make desserts, added to tea or coffee, or simply eaten with a spoon. This product was in short supply, so the people of the Soviet Union could often enjoy condensed milk only on major holidays. Bird's milk For some reason, it is commonly believed that Bird's Milk candies were an exclusively Soviet invention. But in fact, this recipe came to the USSR from Poland, where confectioner Jan Wedel is considered to be its inventor. The popularity of this dessert was so great that it was produced in almost all regions of the country at the time. ADVERTISIMENT Druzhba cheese There is a legend that this product was invented by Soviet food scientists as a worthy substitute for meat for cosmonauts. At that time, processed cheese was made exclusively from dairy products and was considered healthy. Kvass This traditional Slavic drink became very popular in the USSR. In cities, the drink was sold on the streets from large yellow barrels and was extremely popular on hot days. Sprats in oil ADVERTISIMENT This product appeared in the USSR thanks to Baltic fishermen. It has become an essential part of any holiday table. "Three Elephants" tea This was one of the most popular types of drink at the time. It was produced in India exclusively for export to the USSR. It had a rather rich taste and strength and became a symbol of Soviet life. Hercules Hercules oatmeal became an obligatory part of the traditional Soviet breakfast. It was affordable for almost all segments of the population. Oatmeal was cooked in water or milk with sugar or jam. ADVERTISIMENT Baikal water This is a unique Soviet drink that was created as an alternative to Western carbonated beverages. It contained natural herbs, roots, and even essential oils. The producers positioned this drink as a natural and healthy product, thus emphasizing their concern for the population. Birch sap This is a natural and very popular drink in the former Soviet Union. It was harvested in the spring and bottled in three-liter jars. Birch sap on empty store shelves became a hallmark of the beginning of the collapse of the USSR. Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust Highly anticipated: As Nvidia teases the imminent launch of its next-generation graphics cards, codenamed Blackwell, the frequency of leaks continues to intensify. In a situation resembling Asrock's recent Intel Battlemage leak, a board partner has jumped the gun on listing the first Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs. Zotac briefly leaked listings for five graphics cards from Nvidia's upcoming GeForce RTX 5000 series. The mistake marks the first official confirmation that the lineup, codenamed Blackwell, continues the RTX branding. More information regarding video memory arrangements has also emerged. VideoCardz captured screengrabs of Zotac's lsitings before the company removed them, and they still appear on Google searches for Zotac's version of the flagship RTX 5090. The 5090D (for Chinese markets), 5080, 5070 Ti, and 5070 also appear. Click to enlarge Furthermore, the VRAM configuration options on Zotac's store briefly alluded to the RTX 5000 series. The memory type section added a selection for GDDR7 VRAM, which is expected to debut with Blackwell. A new option for 32GB of memory also appeared, likely confirming rumors that the 5090 will become the first gaming card to feature that amount. Meanwhile, other recent reports suggest that the rest of the RTX 5000 lineup will include VRAM pools identical to their corresponding RTX 4000 predecessors. If Wccftech's unnamed sources prove accurate, the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti will feature 16GB, echoing the 4070 Ti and some models of the 4060 Ti. The amounts contrast with the RTX 5060 and 5070, which disappointingly include only 8GB and 12GB, respectively. Recent high-end games have become increasingly taxing for cards with under 12GB, especially in 4K and at high graphics settings. Moreover, new and upcoming mid-range GPUs could present RTX 5000 with stiff competition. Intel's recently released Arc B580 includes 12GB of VRAM for only $250 and trades blows with Nvidia's 4060, and AMD promises to catch up in the ray tracing and AI upscaling departments with its mainstream-focused next-generation RDNA4 lineup. However, Nvidia might have an advantage in memory speed across the board. The RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti reportedly include GDDR7 VRAM, contrasting with prior leaks indicating the desktop 5060 would stick to GDDR6 while its laptop counterpart upgrades to GDDR7. Nvidia will deliver a CES keynote on January 6, where it is expected to unveil RTX 5000. AMD is also rumored to reveal RDNA4 at the trade show. A hot potato: Digital license plates, legal in several states and gaining traction nationwide, are vulnerable to manipulation by their owners or other malicious parties, potentially enabling illegal behavior that could undermine traffic enforcement systems, according to IOActive's security researcher Josep Rodriguez, who has uncovered potential vulnerabilities in these high-tech plates. As digital license plates become more prevalent, with California, Arizona, and Michigan already allowing their use, their security implications are becoming increasingly relevant. "You should assume people will mess with them," security researcher Sam Curry told Wired. Digital license plates, such as those produced by Reviver, the leading manufacturer in the US, allow drivers to change their plate display remotely, flag stolen vehicles, and even display custom messages. With 65,000 plates already sold, this technology is poised to become increasingly common on American roads. Rodriguez, though, has discovered a technique to jailbreak these digital plates, allowing users to alter their license plates at will. This vulnerability could have far-reaching consequences for traffic enforcement and surveillance systems that rely on license plate identification. Rodriguez's method involves physically accessing the plate, removing a sticker, and connecting a cable to internal connectors. Through this process, he can rewrite the plate's firmware, enabling it to receive commands via Bluetooth from a smartphone app. This jailbreak could theoretically allow drivers to evade tolls, parking tickets, and automatic license plate readers used by law enforcement. "You can put whatever you want on the screen, which users are not supposed to be able to do," Rodriguez told Wired. "Imagine you are going through a speed camera or if you are a criminal and you don't want to get caught." The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple evasion. Rodriguez points out that a jailbroken plate could potentially display the number of another vehicle, potentially framing innocent drivers for violations they didn't commit. And because this security flaw is rooted within Reviver's chips, the issue cannot be resolved through a simple software update. To effectively address the vulnerability, Reviver would need to replace the affected chips in every digital license plate display they have produced. Consequently, the existing digital license plates are likely to remain susceptible to manipulation for the foreseeable future. Reviver, when contacted about these findings, emphasized the illegality of such actions and the physical access required to exploit this vulnerability. "This scenario is highly unlikely to occur in real-world conditions, limiting it to individual bad actors knowingly violating laws and product warranties," it said. Reviver also told Wired it was redesigning its license plates to avoid using chips vulnerable to Rodriguez's hacking technique in the future. Reviver maintains that hacking its plates would require "specialized tools" or "expertise" a claim that Rodriguez says is ultimately untrue. Rodriguez's method involved a sophisticated fault-injection process. He physically connected wires to the plate's internal chip and carefully monitored its voltage. It was only by inducing a precise voltage fluctuation at a critical moment that Rodriguez was able to bypass the plate's security measures, allowing him to examine and modify its firmware. However, Rodriguez then used the gathered information to create a streamlined jailbreaking tool. This new tool significantly simplifies the process, eliminating the need for the intricate technical steps involved in the original method. Rodriguez said he wasn't planning on releasing the tool. This isn't the first time Reviver's systems have been scrutinized. In 2022, security researcher Sam Curry discovered web-based vulnerabilities that allowed him to gain administrative access to Reviver's backend database. Unlike Rodriguez's hardware-based approach, these issues were quickly patched by Reviver. In brief: One of the problems companies can face when forcing all of its workers back into the office other than many of them leaving in protest is a lack of space. Amazon, which has endured more issues related to its RTO mandate than most, is reportedly discovering it cannot accommodate everyone when they return five days a week in January, and is therefore allowing hybrid work to continue for several more months. Like other companies, Amazon faced plenty of pushback from its corporate employees when it ended pandemic-era work-from-home arrangements, including a mass walkout. But CEO Andy Jassy never relented. In August 2023, he warned employees that it's "not going to work out for you" if they didn't want to return to the office for at least three days a week. Worse news came in September, when Jassy said that starting January 2, 2025, all employees have to be back in the office five days a week so the company could return to the way things were before the pandemic though the policy is actually stricter than what was in place before 2020. According to a new report from Business Insider, bringing back workers full-time en masse is proving to be a logistical challenge for Amazon. There are some locations unable to accommodate all the returning staff, meaning they get to continue working in a hybrid, three-days-a-week setup for longer. Amazon says it expects most of its locations to be ready by January, but employees in a few cities, including Houston, Nashville, and New York, have been notified that they can continue with their hybrid arrangements until the offices are prepared. The good news for these workers is that the RTO delays could extend as far as May. Amazon has been in this exact position before. Many of its offices weren't ready to accommodate employees returning three days a week in 2023, leading to many still working from home full-time after the May deadline. The situation isn't unique to Amazon. In 2022, Elon Musk told Tesla and SpaceX staff that they could either return to the office for a minimum of 40 hours per week or quit. So many Tesla workers rushed back to the Fremont plant that it caused a lack of desks, inadequate seating, overloaded WiFi, and not enough parking spaces. The shortages were still posing a problem months later. Amazon, like others, claims being in the office drives innovation among staff and improves communication, though nearly all workers disagree, pointing to WFH benefits such as increased productivity, better mental health, and a good work/life balance. Amazon is one of several companies to bring workers back to the office five days a week. Dell, Nothing, Boeing, UPS, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs have also made their staff say goodbye to home comforts. What just happened? TikTok is continuing its fight to avoid being banned in the United States. After a federal court refused to delay the law that could lead to the app's ban, the company is now asking the supreme court for help. The move comes after TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met with Donald Trump in Florida yesterday. The president-elect said he has "a warm spot in my heart for TikTok" and that he would "take a look" at the matter. In March, a group of lawmakers announced a bill designed to "protect the national security of the United States from the threat posed by foreign adversary controlled applications." It would force owner ByteDance to sell TikTok's US assets or be banned in the United States. President Biden signed the bill into law in April, giving TikTok and ByteDance until January 19, 2025, to comply. TikTok said divestment isn't an option as the Chinese government wouldn't allow it, and has been fighting against the ban without success. The company argued that the law was a violation of users' First Amendment rights and unfairly targeted the platform. It petitioned to have the law overturned, but the US court of appeals for the District of Columbia circuit rejected these arguments at the start of the month. TikTok then filed an emergency injunction requesting a delay in the law taking effect. This was also denied, by a federal court. TikTok's last-ditch attempt to avoid being banned in the US on January 19 now rests in the hands of the US Supreme Court. Both the company and ByteDance have filed an emergency request for an injunction to halt the ban. A group of US TikTok users filed a similar request on Monday as well, writes Reuters. Trump has previously said he would "save" TikTok, something that was referenced in the new filing with the Supreme Court. "It would not be in the interest of anyone not the parties, the public, or the courts for the Act's ban on TikTok to take effect only for the new Administration to halt its enforcement hours, days, or even weeks later," TikTok and ByteDance wrote. Trump is being inaugurated on January 20, one day after the ban comes into effect. TikTok is asking for a "modest delay" to the ban to "create breathing room" for a review by the Court and to allow the incoming administration to "evaluate this matter." The Justice Department claims TikTok poses a national security threat by allowing the Chinese government to collect data on American citizens and manipulate what content they see on the app. The DoJ speculated that Beijing could use this sensitive data to sow disruption in the US and cast suspicion on its democratic processes. "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," TikTok and ByteDance stated in the filing. It's unclear what transpired during Trump's meeting with Chew at Mar-a-Lago yesterday. "I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok, because I won youth by 34 points," Trump said during a press conference yesterday. "There are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that. TikTok had an impact." Trump, who joined TikTok in June 2024, attempted to ban the platform in the US during his first term in office. A hot potato: A recent Supreme Court decision has cemented a state's authority to regulate internet service providers since the FCC can't. The Supreme Court has denied certiorari in New York Telecommunications v. Attorney General Letitia James. The denial means that New York's hotly contested Affordable Broadband Act stands. More importantly, it sets a precedent for states to regulate broadband providers in the absence of FCC guidance. On Monday, the US Supreme Court shot down internet service providers' challenge to New York's Affordable Broadband Act (ABA). The contentious law requires ISPs to provide service plans for low-income households. It regulates the monthly rates at $15 for 25Mbps and $20 for 200Mbps for those who qualify. Lobbyists first challenged the law in 2021, saying that states cannot dictate rates to service providers. A US District judge agreed, effectively blocking the law. However, the Second Circuit US Court of Appeals reversed that ruling in April, upholding the law. The appeals panel said that the FCC stripped itself of regulatory authority when Chair Ajit Pai repealed Title II common carrier provisions for service providers. Therefore, it falls upon the state to make regulatory decisions over the industry within its jurisdiction. Of course, ISPs hated to hear that, so in August, six trade groups took the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that the New York law forces service providers to charge "below-market rates" and that other states could follow suit, harming the industry. The petition also noted that the FCC has continually changed its mind regarding whether or not ISPs are common-carrier telecommunications services but has never dictated rates. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, which leaves the Second Circuit's decision in place the law stands. While the SCOTUS did not comment on its denial, it generally only considers cases with an apparent Constitutional conflict. One can assume that the carriers did not present compelling evidence that the law infringed on their constitutional rights or that it conflicts with any existing law. Additionally, the ABA has exemptions to protect smaller ISPs and caps annual rate increases to two percent. Furthermore, many major carriers in New York already have similar low-income options available. So, the argument that the law hurts the industry falls flat when providers have already been offering plans similar to the ABA's provisions and the industry is in good shape. Google's parent company, Alphabet, still has its robotaxi operations with Waymo's renowned business looking to expand internationally, and its first country to bring its services to is Japan. The latest announcement from Waymo revealed its grand global expansion plan to Japan's capital and highly-condensed city of Tokyo, partnering with local companies in the East Asian country. Over the past years, Japan has been the central hub of technological advancements including automation and robotics, with Waymo's self-driving robotaxis set to be a great fit to the bustling Kanto region. Waymo is Expanding Its Robotaxi Services to Tokyo, Japan A new blog post from Waymo brings significant news in the expansion of its robotaxi operations, particularly as it is targeting another city for the self-driving experience, but this time, it is coming to Tokyo, Japan. Three years after its beta testing phase launched in San Francisco, California, Alphabet is now bringing Waymo's self-driving capabilities overseas to Japan's capital city. This expansion was made possible with Waymo's partnership with two local Japanese companies including Nihon Kotsu and GO which will help the company bring their robotaxi operations to the city. According to Waymo, the company's Driver will first learn about the left-hand traffic scheme of Japan which is significantly different from America's right-hand traffic, including the many differences in Japanese driving culture. Self-Driving Waymo Ones are Coming to Tokyo in 2025 It remains unknown if Waymo One cars featuring the Jaguar I-PACE vehicles will also transform into right-hand drive cars, as the vehicles in Japan have their layout on the opposite side. According to Waymo, the Tokyo operations for its autonomous vehicles will begin by early 2025 and will be seen in key areas of Tokyo including Chuo, Chiyoda, Koto, Minato, Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Shinjuku. Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo's largest taxi company, will oversee Waymo's self-driving operations in the city and manage the Waymo One vehicle once it arrives in the country. US' Robotaxi Services: One Down, Waymo Remains This 2024 and the past year was a massive challenge for robotaxi companies as they were caught in massive controversies regarding their self-driving services that have been involved in multiple cases of accidents. Alphabet's Waymo was also a part of this, particularly as it faced a suspension in California amid safety concerns, with theregulators looking into their service. Its rival from General Motors, Cruise, also faced significant regulatory scrutiny in the robotaxi industry as its services also faced a suspension in several areas like California and Texas, also for safety concerns. That being said, the company geared up to bring back its services in various cities of operations, with its Phoenix, Arizona service returning with human safety drivers to intervene during intense situations. However, as the robotaxi companies of the United States are looking to make a comeback after regulatory issues mellowed down, GM announced that it is already giving up on Cruise and using its resources to develop ADAS for its private vehicles. There is only one robotaxi titan that remains in the United States which is already operational, and Waymo wants to move forward with its services, making its grand debut in Tokyo by 2025. The East Asian superpower, China, has launched its ambitious take on providing its region with satellite internet, with the Guowang megaconstellation successfully reaching orbit to begin its latest operations. This new network of internet-beaming satellites would deliver a new kind of wireless connection for the region, one that would rival the globally dominant service of SpaceX's Starlink. Starlink may have gotten the head start thanks to its massive success in launches and delivering satellite internet service, but China is looking to catch up in these efforts with thousands of satellites coming soon to orbit. China's Guowang Megaconstellation Launches First 10 Internet Satellites ArsTechnica recently reported that China has launched its first-ever foray into satellite internet operations which it calls the "Guowang," and Beijing wants to transform it into a 'megaconstellation' comprised of tens of thousands of satellites in orbit. The company reportedly launched its first batch of internet satellites to orbit aboard its Long March 5B rocket. However, this was not a normal flight for China as instead of having the Long March 5B venture alone, the Asian superpower also integrated a new upper-stage rocket with the Yuanzheng 2 that helped the payload reach orbit. China launched 10 Guawong satellites in this mission, setting off at around 5 AM last December 16 from the Wernchang Space Launch Site located on the country's southernmost region, Hainan Island. China's Satellite Internet Is Looking to Dominate the Planet's Orbit China delivered the Guawong internet satellites 680 miles above the planet where it is now sitting in orbit, marking a landmark development for the country's space programs. The plan for China's megaconstellation looks to complete 13,000 satellites delivered to orbit to beam satellite internet connection to its regions. The Guawong megaconstellation involves many Chinese companies to help in building the 13,000 satellites needed to operate its internet service from space, over the next decade. It is known that China's plans for Guawong were first publicized four years ago, only making its debut now. China and Its Copycat Technology China has been notoriously branded as a 'copycat' in different industries, with reports claiming that the rising superpower of the East has one too many inspirations from neighboring and Western countries' technology. Two years ago, satellite photos revealed China's development of a new war weapon which was said to be a copy of Japan's SDF aircraft, particularly the advanced E-767 used by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Last year, China was also revealed to have been closely monitoring SpaceX's progression in its space developments, particularly with its Mars-bound Stainless Steel spacecraft, the Starship. Reports claimed that Chinese scientists did a frame-by-frame analysis of the Starship's first test flight last April 20, featuring the full-stack version that also made use of the Super Heavy Booster. Back in November, China also revealed, via an airshow in Zhuhai, the country's first-ever "super heavy lift rocket" which looks awfully like the SpaceX Starship, complete with the Ship's flaps and booster rocket, referred to as the Long March 9. Now, China is joining the many countries that are now expanding their satellite efforts towards offering wireless internet for users, with the Guawong megaconstellation starting its reign. Choosing a movie for family viewing is always a special moment that unites the family and creates fond memories. There are many films that will appeal to both children and adults due to their interesting plots, exciting adventures, and important life lessons. ADVERTISIMENT Family movies are a great opportunity to laugh together, learn something new, or just plunge into the world of magic and fantasy. From classic cartoons to modern movie hits, the choice is huge. The main thing is to find something that suits the mood and interests of all family members. OBOZ.UA offers the best movies that are guaranteed to give you a pleasant evening with your loved ones. Curly Sue (1991) American family comedy-drama directed and written by John Hughes. The plot centers on the story of a little girl named Sue, who, together with her guardian and partner Bill, survives by committing petty fraud. They meet a wealthy lawyer, Grey, who at first falls victim to their cunning, but later changes her life by opening her heart to a new "family." ADVERTISIMENT The film is characterized by warm humor and sincere emotion, exploring themes of family values and love. The film stars James Belushi, Kelly Lynch and Alisan Porter as Sue herself. The film was Hughes' last work as a director in the 1990s and remains a favorite family classic. Zodi & Tehu, freres du desert, 2023 A French adventure film directed by Eric Barbier that tells the touching story of the friendship between a boy and his camel. The protagonist Zodi is a young boy who finds and raises a camel named Tehu, who has exceptional racing abilities. Together they embark on a dangerous journey across the desert to achieve their goal of participating in a prestigious competition. ADVERTISIMENT The film touches on important themes of friendship, survival, courage and connection with nature. It features picturesque Saharan landscapes and is filled with an adventurous spirit. The film has received rave reviews for its acting and cinematography, drawing attention to both the fascinating story and the cultures of the desert region. See You on Venus (2023) A romantic drama directed by Joaquin Lambert, based on the novel of the same name. The story centers on two young people, Mia and Kyle, who embark on a journey to Spain in search of her biological mother. This journey becomes not only a geographical but also an emotional discovery for them. ADVERTISIMENT The film explores the themes of love, loss and self-acceptance, revealing the deep personal traumas of each of the characters. With its picturesque Spanish landscapes, the film creates an atmosphere of searching for the meaning of life and true connections. Virginia Gardner and Alex Ayono play the main roles, and their chemistry adds sincerity and warmth to the film. Paddington, 2015 A charming family comedy that tells the story of a little bear from Peru who dreams of finding a new home in London. The movie charms viewers of all ages with its kindness, humor and touching moments. Paddington, with his mad love of marmalade and polite manners, quickly wins the hearts of Londoners and becomes a favorite of the audience. The movie not only entertains but also teaches important life values such as friendship, tolerance and kindness. ADVERTISIMENT In addition to the excellent acting, the movie impresses with its bright visual style and charming landscapes of London. It is a perfect movie for family viewing, which will give you a lot of positive emotions and leave a pleasant aftertaste. Beethoven (1992) A family comedy that has become a cult favorite thanks to its charming four-legged hero. The film was directed by Brian Levant and written by John Hughes and Amy Holden Jones. The story centers on the adventures of a kind St. Bernard named Beethoven, who finds himself in the Newton family and becomes a favorite, despite his tendency to misbehave. The film combines humor, warmth and touching moments that demonstrate how pets can change people's lives for the better. The villainous plot line creates a special tension, where an evil veterinarian has sinister intentions towards Beethoven, and the family does everything to protect their pet. ADVERTISIMENT The film became a commercial success and launched a franchise that includes several sequels. Thanks to the charismatic performances of actors, including Charles Grodin and Bonnie Gant, and the unforgettable image of the dog, Beethoven remains a favorite family movie. Aladdin (2019) A musical fantasy film directed by Guy Ritchie, based on the classic Arabic fairy tale The Thousand and One Nights. The movie tells the story of a poor street boy Aladdin who dreams of a better world and falls in love with the beautiful princess Jasmine. With the help of the magical Genie, who lives in a magic lamp, Aladdin turns into a prince to win the heart of the princess. ADVERTISIMENT The movie impresses with bright costumes, colorful sets and exciting musical numbers. Will Smith as the Genie creates an unforgettable image, adding his own unique style and humor to the classic character. Les Trois Mousquetaires : D'Artagnan, 2023 An adaptation of the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. The film, directed by Martin Bourbulon, is the first part of a dilogy that reimagines the story of the famous Musketeers for a modern audience. The plot centers on the young and brave D'Artagnan, who arrives in Paris and joins the Musketeers to defend their honor and crown. The main roles are played by Vincent Cassel (Athos), Romain Duris (Aramis), Pio Marmay (Porthos) and Francois Siville (D'Artagnan). The film also stars Eva Green as the treacherous Milady, who adds intrigue and danger to the plot. The film captivates with spectacular battles, atmospheric locations and a detailed recreation of the 17th century era. ADVERTISIMENT Adrift, 2024 A dramatic thriller based on real events that tells the story of survival in the middle of the ocean. The film depicts the protagonists' struggle with the elements after a catastrophic storm that turns their voyage into a test to the limit. The plot centers on the power of human will, courage and love, which become the main drivers in the face of extreme danger. The director is a renowned master of tense dramas, and the main roles are played by promising actors whose insightful portrayals give the film emotional depth. The spectacular cinematography emphasizes the majesty of the ocean and the danger the characters face. The film makes us think about the fragility of human life and the majesty of nature, before which people are often powerless. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. The historic climb of Bitcoin over the past weeks has been a testament to massive industry support for the top cryptocurrency, but it is still not done breaking records by setting a new one as it started the week by tearing through the $107,000 valuation milestone. It is yet another record for the top coin after recently setting a new one at $106,000 over the past weekend. In this recent massive rally, Bitcoin's price was yet again influenced by one of the most influential people in the world and soon-to-be the United States President Donald J. Trump who renewed his claims about a US Bitcoin Strategic reserve. Bitcoin Climbs to Yet Another All-Time High at $107,000 The latest report from the Barrons shared that Bitcoin climbed to another all-time high at the start of the week, particularly as the coin previously reached a new record value of $107,018, up by 2.3 percent over the past 24 hours. However, it did not stop there, particularly as Bitcoin climbed to its current all-time high of $107,778 by Monday afternoon before settling in the $107k threshold. Since November, Bitcoin saw around a 60 percent increase, and it was heavily tied to the renowned politician who confirmed his support for the cryptocurrency industry, including Bitcoin, Donald Trump. The United States is set to make a significant move towards a country that supports the crypto industry thanks to Trump's many claims. Because of this, bulls are now predicting new all-time highs for the top coin, climbing up to $150,000 to as much as $200,000 by 2025's end. Trump's Promise: US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve The latest Bitcoin rally from bulls, fans, and investors was heavily influenced by Donald J. Trump's recent affirmation of his previous plans to make the US government a crypto-centric and supporting entity. More importantly, it was because of Trump's claims that a US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve is coming in the future, and according to Al Jazeera, it would be similar to the country's oil reserve. No Way But Up For Bitcoin's Performance After fighting for its valuation earlier this year as it faced a bearish market, to rise to yet another series of all-time highs after the 2024 US Presidential elections, Bitcoin's performance is one of the top comeback stories of the year. Before the election's results were confirmed, Bitcoin saw a massive movement in the market, and it was cemented after Trump won, initially achieving $75,000. However, that was not the last the industry saw of Bitcoin as it has been the hottest talk of the town for many weeks, and since its ramping developments from early November until now, the top coin is still the trending topic. One of the bulls and the crypto market's wildest dreams was having Bitcoin cross over the $100,000 milestone which it previously skirted in late November, but was made official come December. In early December, Bitcoin already recorded a massive milestone by achieving $100,000, a value that was only an aspiration for many investors and fans, displaying a 140 percent surge for the entire year. However, the massive achievements of Bitcoin are not yet over, with the top coin still heavily influenced by the many plans of Trump's future support for the top coin, including the US BTC Strategic Reserve. China is catching up rapidly in artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and other AI-related areas, overtaking the United States. According to industry analysts, Chinese AI models are more than just keeping pace-often outperforming those in the West. This comes amid tensions between the two nations, with the technology being seen by both as a strategic asset. The US has also limited access to advanced chips, which China uses to develop AI, in the name of national security. In retaliation, Beijing has been more interested in creating open-source technology, high-performance software, and domestic chip designs that keep its AI on track. Emergence of Chinese Large Language Models (LLMs) Chinese tech giants Alibaba and innovative startups like DeepSeek are leading the charge in producing large language models. According to CNBC, these vast datasets are being used in applications such as chatbots and natural language processing. Unlike OpenAI in the US, many Chinese companies are using an open-source approach. For example, Alibaba's Qwen AI model has become one of the most downloaded LLMs in the world because it allows companies to use it without complex legal constraints, which is possible with its flexible licensing. DeepSeek has also gained recognition through its R1 model, competing head-on with OpenAI's reasoning-focused models. These advances point out China's rise in AI dominance. Open Source as China's Strategic Advantage Open-source technology is the cornerstone of China's global AI strategy. The Chinese companies make models accessible in order to induce innovation and build a developer community across the globe. This not only propels the progress of technology but also puts China on the map, so to speak, 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 via email. Beating US Chip Bans Training large AI models requires tremendous computing power, which is usually built on high-end GPUs designed by Nvidia. But US export controls have so far restricted China's access to these high-end chips. To these effects, Chinese companies stockpile Nvidia GPUs and invest greatly into alternatives in the domestic landscape. Top players like Huawei, Baidu, and Alibaba take the lead in pushing forward high-performance chips so AI progress will not be stalled despite international barriers. China Sees LLMs as Important AI Component Chinese companies view LLMs as the foundation of future tech ecosystems. These models are expected to drive the next wave of applications, from accelerating scientific research to reshaping industries. The competition between U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems mirrors past battles between operating systems like Windows and iOS. The winner could dominate the digital industry, influencing global markets and user behavior for years to come. While US sanctions are hard to breach, China stands strong as it focuses more on open-source models and domestic innovation, which keeps it as one of the biggest AI powers in the world. The world is waiting to see if China will live up to the hype of surpassing its Western rivalsor if it's just another word of mouth. In other news, the South China Morning Post reports that Zhipu AI, a Chinese startup raised $412 million in a new funding series. Although the valuation is not disclosed, the previous value hit 20 billion yuan sometime in September. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a Private Industry Notification (PIN) on Monday, alerting organizations of a new wave of HiatusRAT malware attacks against Chinese-branded web cameras and DVRs. HiatusRAT is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) whose latest iteration has likely been employed since July 2022. Malicious cyber actors commonly use RATs to take over and control a targeted device from a distance, the FBI said. The Hiatus campaign originally targeted outdated network edge devices. Cybersecurity companies have also observed these actors using the malware to target a range of Taiwan-based organizations and to carry out reconnaissance against a US government server used for submitting and retrieving defense contract proposals. The scanning campaign, first identified in March 2024, targeted vulnerable Internet of Things (IoT) devices, specifically web cameras and DVRs, in countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. According to the FBI, the threat actors behind the HiatusRAT malware scanned web cameras and DVRs for vulnerabilities including CVE-2017-7921, CVE-2018-9995, CVE-2020-25078, CVE-2021-33044, CVE-2021-36260, alongside weak vendor-supplied passwords. Many of these vulnerabilities remain unaddressed by the vendors. Further, the threat actors particularly targeted Chinese-branded products such as Hikvision and Xiongmai with telnet access that were outdated or unpatched. Tools like Ingram, an open-source scanner for web camera vulnerabilities was used to conduct scanning activity, while Medusa, an open-source brute-force authentication cracking tool, was used to target Hikvision cameras with telnet access. The malwares scanning efforts targeted web cameras and DVRs with the 23, 26, 554, 2323, 567, 5523, 8080, 9530, and 56575 TCP ports that were exposed to Internet access. Once infiltrated, compromised systems are converted into SOCKS5 proxies, facilitating covert communication with command-and-control servers and enabling further malware deployment. Following successful HiatusRAT malware attacks, the FBI strongly advises network administrators to limit the use of the devices mentioned in the PIN by isolating and/or replacing vulnerable devices to prevent network breaches and lateral movement. The agency has also urged system administrators and cybersecurity professionals to monitor for indications of compromise (IOC) and report any suspicious activity to the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center or local field offices. Google has created a new quantum computing chip that can be at least a billion times faster than the fastest traditional supercomputers already in existence. The new generation of quantum computer developments is called Google Willow. ADVERTISIMENT According to the company, this development is the result of efforts to overcome the key problems that have held back quantum computing. According to The Independent, Google is confident that a quantum computer can solve a problem in five minutes, which would take a traditional supercomputer longer than the history of the universe. Quantum computers can be much faster than traditional computers, but have many complex and often mysterious features that need to be fixed before they can be built and used reliably. Google is one of a number of companies, along with IBM and Microsoft, that are working to overcome these challenges with the hope of building a quantum computer that can actually work. ADVERTISIMENT At this point, the system can still only be used for a math problem that has no obvious commercial use. But Google hopes that the latest generation will be a step toward the potentially transformative use of quantum computers in areas such as medicine, artificial intelligence, battery chemistry, and more. The novelty comes from a new chip called Willow, which has 105 "qubits" that are the building blocks of quantum computers. Qubits are fast, but error-prone because they can be dislodged by something as small as a subatomic particle from events in space. The more qubits are packed on a chip, the more errors can lead to the chip being no better than a regular computer chip. Therefore, since the 1990s, scientists have been working on quantum error correction. ADVERTISIMENT And so, according to Google, they have found a way to connect the qubits of the Willow chip in such a way that the error rate decreases with the number of qubits. The company also claims to be able to correct errors in real time, a key step toward practical applications of its quantum machines. "We have reached the break-even point," commented Hartmut Neven, who heads Google's Quantum AI division, in an interview. Google also said that they are focused on creating the most reliable qubits they can, despite the fact that some of their competitors are working on producing chips with more qubits. Google manufactured its previous chips at a joint venture at the University of California, Santa Barbara, but built its own dedicated plant to produce Willow chips. Company representatives are confident that the new equipment will speed up the production of future Google chips, which are cooled in huge refrigerators called cryostats for experiments. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Japan to make renewables top power source by 2040 Tokyo, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Japan wants renewable energy to be its top power source by 2040 in a push to reduce dependence on coal and gas and become carbon neutral by mid-century, government plans showed on Tuesday. Thirteen years after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, the plan also foresees a major role for nuclear power in helping to meet growing energy demand from artificial intelligence and microchip factories. The world's fourth-largest economy -- which campaigners say has the dirtiest energy mix in the G7 -- had already set a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Under the new plans, renewables such as solar and wind were expected to account for 40 to 50 percent of electricity generation by 2040. That marks a jump from last year's level of 23 percent and a previous target for 2030 of 38 percent. Resource-poor Japan "will aim to maximise the use of renewable energy as our main source of power", said the draft Strategic Energy Plan unveiled on Tuesday. Government experts were reviewing the plan released by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy and it will be presented to the cabinet for approval. Japan is aiming to avoid relying heavily on one energy source to ensure "both a stable supply of energy and decarbonisation", the draft said. Geopolitical concerns affecting energy lines, from the Ukraine war to Middle East unrest, were also behind the shift to renewables and nuclear, it said. - Nuclear push - Nearly 70 percent of Japan's power needs in 2023 were met by power plants burning coal, gas and oil -- almost all of which must be imported. The government wants that figure to fall to 30 to 40 percent by 2040. The previously announced 2030 target was 41 percent, or 42 percent when hydrogen and ammonia were included. The new plans forecast a 10 to 20 percent jump in overall electricity generation by 2040, from 985 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) in 2023. "Securing decarbonised sources of electricity is an issue directly related to our country's economic growth," Yoshifumi Murase, the head of the national energy agency, told the government's expert panel on Tuesday. Unlike the previous plan released three years ago, the draft no longer foresees reducing Japan's reliance on nuclear power "as much as possible" -- a goal set after the 2011 disaster. The government pulled the plug on nuclear power plants nationwide after the tsunami-triggered Fukushima meltdown. However, it has gradually been bringing them back online, despite a public backlash in some places, as it seeks to cut emissions. It expects all its existing reactors to be in operation by 2024, and affirmed the government's plan to develop and use new next-generation nuclear reactors, as its existing facilities get older. Nuclear accounts for about 20 percent of Japan's energy needs under the 2040 targets, around the same as the current 2030 target. That would mean more than double the 8.5 percent of overall power generation that nuclear provided in 2023. Japan, like many countries, sweltered through record-breaking summer temperatures this year. It also saw its warmest autumn since records began 126 years ago. The famous snowcap of Mount Fuji was absent for the longest recorded period this year, not appearing until early November, compared with the average of early October. France PM under fire for chairing town hall meeting amid cyclone tragedy Paris, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 France's new Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was Tuesday facing a torrent of criticism less than a week into the job after choosing to chair a provincial town hall meeting as the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte grappled with the devastation wreaked by a cyclone. Bayrou was named by President Emmanuel Macron on Monday as the sixth premier of his mandate, with the head of state giving his long-time ally the chance to pull France out of months of political crisis. The veteran centrist had already ruffled some feathers by insisting that, in contrast to some predecessors, he keeps his post as mayor of the southwestern city of Pau even while serving as prime minister. Bayrou headed to Pau Monday evening to chair the town hall meeting where he confirmed that he would stay on in the post that he has held for the last decade. His presence there meant that he only attended a crisis meeting chaired by Macron on the situation in Mayotte, where hundreds are feared to have been killed by Cyclone Chido, via video conference. French National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, a member of Macron's centrist party, criticised his trip to Pau. "In the face of such a catastrophe -- of a kind that has not been seen on French territory for decades -- it is important to be side-by-side with the people. "I would have preferred that the prime minister, instead of taking a plane for Pau, took a plane for Mamoudzou," she told Franceinfo radio, referring to Mayotte's capital. The head of the faction of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) in parliament Mathilde Panot said that after "20 years of the politics of abandonment" of Mayotte, Bayrou "did not understand the symbol" he had sent by going to Pau. On the right, Republicans (LR) MP Thibault Bazin said that the municipal council could have "done without" the presence of its mayor "given the situation in Mayotte and the urgency of having a government as soon as possible to give France a budget as soon as possible". Appointed on Friday, Bayrou has still to name a government, with ministers from the previous administration staying on in a caretaker capacity. In a day of high political drama Friday, when the identity of the new premier was only announced at the last moment, sources said Bayrou had effectively strong-armed Macron into naming him by threatening to withdraw the support of the centrist MoDem party that he leads. Proud of his rural origins in southwestern France, Bayrou has also written a biography of one of Pau's most famous natives and his personal hero the king Henry IV, who was born in the Pau chateau and ruled from 1589 to his assassination in 1610. France to impose nighttime curfew on 'devastated' Mayotte Saint-Denis de la Reunion, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 France said it will impose a nighttime curfew on the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte from Tuesday evening, after the French overseas territory was devastated by a cyclone feared to have killed hundreds. According to the latest official toll, 21 people are confirmed to have been killed by Cyclone Chido when it barrelled into the island and its surrounding archipelago at the weekend. But authorities fear that hundreds, and possibly even thousands, will be confirmed killed once the true scale of the toll is revealed after the rubble is cleared and roads are unblocked. In a sign of the potential magnitude of the tragedy, the Red Cross said it feared more than 200 of its volunteers were missing on Mayotte. The health services are in tatters, power and mobile phone services have been knocked out, the airport is closed to civilian flights while there is mounting concern about how to ensure supplies of drinking water. Cyclone Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fuelled by climate change, according to experts. The curfew from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am local time (1900 GMT to 0100 GMT) is being put in place as a security measure to prevent looting, the French interior ministry said. - 'Completely devastated' - French President Emmanuel Macron, who chaired a crisis meeting on Monday night, has described the situation as a "tragedy" and promised to visit Mayotte in the coming days. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who on Monday visited the island, said that Mayotte has been "completely devastated", with 70 percent of inhabitants affected. "The toll will be heavy, too heavy," Retailleau warned. He announced the arrival "in the coming days" of 400 additional gendarmes to reinforce the 1,600 gendarmes and police officers present on the archipelago, while specifying that there had "not really been any looting" so far. The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP. Mayotte is France's poorest region, with an estimated one third of the population living in shantytowns whose flimsy sheet metal-roofed homes offered scant protection against the storm. "We're starting to run out of water. In the south, there's been no running water for five days," said Antoy Abdallah, a resident of Tsoundzou in the territory's capital Mamoudzou. "We're completely cut off from the world," the 34-year-old lamented. Most of Mayotte's population is Muslim and religious tradition dictates that bodies must be buried rapidly, meaning some may never be counted. And assessing the toll is further complicated by irregular immigration to Mayotte, especially from the Comoros islands to the north, meaning much of the population is not even registered. Mayotte officially has 320,000 inhabitants but authorities estimate there could be 100,000 to 200,000 more people, taking into account illegal immigration. 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. After hitting Mayotte, Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique, claiming at least 34 lives and destroying 23,600 homes, authorities said. - 'Not seen for decades' - Mayotte is one of several French overseas territories which are ruled from Paris. French military planes have been shuttling between Mayotte and the island of La Reunion, also a French overseas territory, to the east which was spared the cyclone and is serving as the hub for rescue efforts. The first air evacuation of 25 badly wounded people from Mayotte to La Reunion took place on Monday night, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq said. 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 presidency. New Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was facing a torrent of criticism less than a week into the job after choosing to chair a provincial town hall meeting in his capacity as mayor of Pau instead of attending in person Macron's crisis meeting. French National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, a member of Macron's centrist party said Bayrou needed to be "side-by-side with the people". "I would have preferred that the prime minister, instead of taking a plane for Pau, took a plane for Mamoudzou," she told Franceinfo radio. Tackling climate, nature separately risks worsening crises: UN Paris, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Overconsumption and unsustainable farming are fuelling overlapping crises in nature and the climate, putting crucial ecosystems such as coral reefs at imminent risk of destruction, a landmark UN report said Tuesday. The assessment by the UN's expert biodiversity panel lays bare the complex interplay between nature loss, global warming, and threats to water, food and health -- and the role of humans in driving these crises. Three years in the making, their report was agreed by nearly 150 governments after days of painstaking debate, and followed disappointing outcomes for the planet at a string of UN summits. Tackling any of these challenges in isolation dooms progress on the others, stressed the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This poses "a real danger in that we'll solve one crisis whilst also making others worse", said Paula Harrison, one of the report's lead authors. In a potent illustration of the multi-pronged threat posed by humanity, the report warned that fast-warming seas, overfishing and ocean pollution put coral reefs on course for extinction within a few generations. "Coral reefs are the most endangered ecosystems and may disappear globally in the next 10 to 50 years," said the sweeping report by scores of international scientists. Such a catastrophic loss would affect a billion people who depend on reefs for food, tourism income, and protection from storms. - Tipping points - The true cost of such destruction is often hidden or outright ignored, the report's authors said. They estimated that fossil fuels, farming and fisheries could inflict up to $25 trillion a year in accounted costs -- equivalent to a quarter of global GDP. "We're just neglecting those trade offs," economist James Vause, who contributed to the report, told AFP. Nature underpins more than half the global economy but governments are spending vastly more on its destruction than conservation. Vause said $200 billion annually was spent on biodiversity yet 35 times as much -- some $7 trillion -- went into subsidies and other negative incentives that harmed the planet. The report underlined the particularly damaging toll of unsustainable farming, saying it "contributed to biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and air, water and land pollution". Fisheries were "approaching tipping points", it added. - Solutions - Affluence -- not need -- was largely behind a growing appetite for food that was being met in part through exploitative farming methods that also risked the emergence of new pathogens. Curbing the overconsumption of red and processed meat would help promote more sustainable farming practices and improve health outcomes. A huge amount of all food grown is wasted while 800 million people go hungry every day, Pamela McElwee, the report's other lead author, told AFP. "This current system doesn't have to be the way it is... (it) is not only not working for nature, it's not working for a big chunk of the population," McElwee said. Treating these interlinked crises as separate problems was "duplicative and may be wasting money", she added. It was also counterproductive. For example, planting trees in an effort to address global warming could have a negative knock-on effect for local plant or animal species if done inappropriately. By contrast, involving communities in the management of marine protected areas had delivered upsides for the environment but also boosted tourism revenue and fish catch for local people. In California, flooding rice fields instead of burning crop residue improved air quality but also restored salmon populations and sheltered migratory birds. In another example, the authors said treating the parasitic disease bilharzia -- which affects 200 million people annually -- as an environmental challenge, not just a health one, had improved reinfection rates. In Senegal, cases were cut 32 percent in children and access to clean water improved when lakes were cleared of vegetation on which disease-transmitting snails feed. - Tough talks - The IPBES negotiations went deep into overtime, as delegates sought substantial last-minute changes on hot-button issues like fossil fuels, single-use plastics, and consumption habits. They even disagreed on whether "climate change" should be included in the report's title, according to Earth Negotiations Bulletin, an independent reporting service that tracks UN treaty talks. The final version of the report did not include the phrase. Countries struggled to find consensus at recent UN summits on climate, biodiversity and other environment issues, with global cooperation strained by trade disputes and other geopolitical tensions. Efforts to tackle plastic pollution, slow desertification and finance biodiversity all failed on the world stage, while a climate accord was considered inadequate to the scale of the challenge. Nations meet again in February to try and break a deadlock over how to raise $200 billion a year for biodiversity. McElwee said convincing governments to tackle multiple crises at once was a "big undertaking". "But I hope our report makes the case that it's worth the effort," she said. Comorans fear for loved ones on cyclone-ravaged Mayotte Moroni, Comoros, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Residents of the Comoros are desperate for news of loved ones in neighbouring Mayotte, where Cyclone Chido is feared to have killed hundreds and much of the population is Comoran. Chido spared the Comoros but devastated the French territory of Mayotte just 70 kilometres (43 miles) away, an Indian Ocean magnet for migrants from impoverished Comoros islands and elsewhere in search of a better life. Faiza Soulaimana, 31, told AFP she had not heard from her aunt in Mayotte since the storm struck on Sunday, wiping out shantytowns, largely severing communications with the islands and leaving a death toll that authorities fear will reach into the hundreds. "Since the cyclone, no one has been able to reach her. I am very worried because she is diabetic and is on dialysis," Soulaimana, a nurse, said by telephone from the town of Domoni, from where it is possible to see the French territory on a clear day. Her aunt had gone to Mayotte two years ago for medical treatment and ended up staying, also bringing over her two children, she said. Migrants are estimated to make up nearly half of Mayotte's population of around 320,000 people, according to the latest French statistics from 2017. Among them, 95 percent were Comoran. Many of them live in Mayotte's numerous shantytowns. "Andhum, my big brother, has been living in Mayotte for less than a year. I don't know if he is dead, I don't know if he is injured," said a man from the Grande-Comore, the largest of the Comoros's three islands. "Since the cyclone, no one in my village has been able to get news of relatives who have settled in Mayotte," he told AFP, asking to remain anonymous for fear of causing trouble for his brother, an undocumented migrant. - 'No news' - The Comoros on Monday declared a week of national mourning after Chido devastated the territory. Oussein Mahmoud, 48, told AFP that he was worried about his best friend, Janot, who had moved to Mayotte's Petite-Terre island. "I have not been able to have any news of him. My wife has no news of her family there either," he told AFP. A collective called "Solidarite Chido" has been formed to raise money for Comorans in Mayotte affected by the disaster, said Sitti Djaouharia Chihabiddine, one of the organisers. She too has had no news of several relatives, whether those "living in solid houses, like my brother, who lives in Petite-Terre, or a relative who lives in a shantytown," she said. A source close to the authorities in Mayotte told AFP on Saturday that an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 people there were irregular migrants. But few undocumented migrants went to accommodation centres before the cyclone hit, "probably for fear of being checked", the source added. "All the shantytowns are flattened, which suggests a considerable number of victims." EU parliament gives final approval to deforestation ban delay Strasbourg, France, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 The EU parliament on Tuesday gave its final approval to delay the implementation of a sweeping anti-deforestation law by one year -- ditching a late push to water down the controversial rules. The bill, which bans imports of products driving deforestation, was initially set to take effect at the end of this year. But lawmakers in Strasbourg overwhelmingly voted to push back its entry into force to December 30, 2025. "We paid attention to the calls of several sectors facing difficulties and ensured that affected businesses, foresters, farmers and authorities will have an additional year to prepare," said parliament's rapporteur Christine Schneider of the centre-right EPP group. The law prohibits a vast range of goods -- from coffee to cocoa, soy, timber, palm oil, cattle, printing paper and rubber -- if produced using land that was deforested after December 2020. It has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight to protect nature and combat climate change by environmental groups. But the ban has faced opposition from trading partners and some EU capitals, amid concerns over red tape, costs and lack of clarity over some aspects of the law. This prompted the European Commission in October to propose a one-year delay. Then in November, lawmakers on the right hijacked a first vote on the postponement in order to change the text and ease some requirements, throwing the law into uncertainty. However, almost all EU governments later voiced their opposition to the last minute amendments, tossing the ball back into the parliament's court. On Tuesday, lawmakers complied with the wishes of bloc's 27 nations, approving only the already agreed-upon postponement. Modern compact city cars differ little from each other in terms of technical characteristics and even appearance. That is why models created with a special charm become so noticeable. ADVERTISIMENT This is why Motor1 has acknowledged the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid as Car of the Year. It was named the best small sedan. The magazine's experts praised the Honda Civic Hybrid for its large interior space, which exceeds the capabilities of the Accord model. The car boasts a spacious trunk and comfortable rear seats. The headroom in the back is actually suitable for taller people, and the front seats seem as wide and roomy as any small SUV. The further excellence of the eleventh generation Civic is evident by truly advanced interior trim and no unpleasant side effects such as noise and shaking. At the same time, the physical controls and high-quality materials are a joy to use - especially the knurled HVAC gear shift. These are the details that help the Civic Hybrid look a class above its level. ADVERTISIMENT The powertrain is another key feature experts liked. The Honda Civic Hybrid has the old 2.0-liter atmospheric four-cylinder engine, improved for better fuel-efficiency, while further aided by a new generation of hybrid system. Although it doesn't promise anything special in documents, it achieves impressive figures: only 4.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. It even surpasses the sporty Civic Si in terms of power output. In practice, it is one of the best hybrid powertrains in the world, the magazine claims. It feels significantly more powerful and responsive than the Civic Si's engine, delivering real-world fuel-efficiency figures. Switching between the electric and the gasoline drive comes without any problems. It is smooth, with minimal noise and almost zero vibration reaching the cabin. Subscribe to OBOZ.UA channels on Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. Spain central bank raises 2024 growth forecast despite floods Madrid, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Spain's central bank raised its 2024 growth forecast by 0.3 percentage points on Tuesday despite the impact of the devastating October 29 floods, the country's worst such disaster in decades. The Bank of Spain predicted in a report that gross domestic product in the European Union's fourth-largest economy would grow by 3.1 percent this year, an increase of 0.4 percentage points on 2023. The floods killed 231 people and laid waste to swathes of the eastern Valencia region, an industrial and agricultural powerhouse and home to one of Europe's busiest cargo ports. Bank of Spain governor Jose Luis Escriva estimated last month that the costly damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure and fields could shave up to 0.2 percentage points off growth in the final quarter. But in its latest report the bank said the catastrophe would only "weigh down slightly on activity", slowing final-quarter growth by between 0.1 and 0.2 percentage points. "The uncertainty surrounding this estimate is high due to the difficulty in assessing the impact" of the floods, it wrote. The improved forecast for 2024 is based on an acceleration of the economy in the second half of the year that exceeded expectations and fresh data published by the National Statistics Institute. Spain's economy has been growing faster than the eurozone average this year after recovering from the Covid-19 crisis, providing vital political oxygen to the often beleaguered minority left-wing government. The bank also increased its growth forecast for 2025 by 0.3 percentage points to 2.5 percent. Russian beach town declares emergency over oil spill Moscow, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 A Russian Black Sea resort town declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after oil spilled from two damaged tankers and washed up along the shoreline. A storm on Sunday wrecked two vessels, with one sinking after being split in half and another severely damaged boat running aground. One crew member died from hypothermia and 26 others were rescued from the damaged tankers, the Russian government said. "Anapa is in a state of emergency due to the oil products spill," the local mayor's office said on Telegram, adding that "an operation to eliminate the consequences is underway". Located in the southern Krasnodar region close to the Crimean peninsula annexed from Ukraine, the town of Anapa has a population of around 90,000 people. The regional minister for emergency situations, Sergei Shtrikov, on Tuesday said fuel dispersed over at least 30 kilometres (19 miles) of beach, contaminating the coastline. "Oil slicks from the sunken tanker have reached the coastline of the Anapa district," said Svetlana Radionova, head of Russia's natural resources agency. Authorities also declared a state of emergency in four smaller towns. The emergency situations ministry said 400 personnel joined clean-up efforts. Videos posted on the Telegram channel Baza showed stretches of beach and birds covered in thick black petroleum. Ukraine's environmental ministry said on Monday that the "significant" accident posed the "threat of a large-scale environmental disaster in the Black Sea" and could have "catastrophic consequences for the marine ecosystem". Red Cross loses contact with over 350 of its people in cyclone-hit Mayotte Geneva, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 The French Red Cross said Tuesday it was out of contact with most of its people in France's Indian Ocean territory Mayotte, days after Cyclone Chido ripped through the islands. Cyclone Chido barrelled into the archipelago at the weekend, leaving health services in tatters, power and mobile phone services knocked out and the airport closed to civilian flights, while there is mounting concern about how to ensure supplies of drinking water. The French Red Cross said it had 300 volunteers and 137 employees in Mayotte. "Since the cyclone, due to communication breakdowns and power cuts, (the French Red Cross) has been struggling to reach them. To date, it has been able to contact 70," a spokeswoman told AFP in an email. The fact that many were so far unaccounted for "does not mean at this stage that they are missing", she stressed, adding that efforts to reach the rest were being stepped up. The Geneva-based International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which comprises the French Red Cross and 190 other national societies, had earlier warned that many Red Cross volunteers were missing. "We are talking about more than 200 volunteers already affected and ... missing," IFRC spokesman Tommaso Della Longa told BBC television. "They don't have any contact with them." He said that "French Red Cross colleagues already deployed some teams and some humanitarian aid before the cyclone hit. "But then of course, being prepared for such a heavy impact is very complicated," he said, describing the logistics as "a nightmare". Della Longa warned that "even shelter is lacking at the moment, and then you need to organise distribution". "So this will take time, without mentioning the search and rescue operation and people that can still be under the rubble," he said. "The hope here is that humanitarian aid can enter as soon as possible, but most importantly the search and rescue operation will find the largest number of people still alive." According to the latest official toll, 21 people are confirmed to have been killed by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. But authorities fear that hundreds, and possibly even thousands, will be confirmed killed once the true scale of the toll is revealed after the rubble is cleared and roads are unblocked. After hitting Mayotte, Cyclone Chido made landfall in Mozambique, claiming at least 34 lives and destroying 23,600 homes, authorities said. Major quake crushes buildings in Vanuatu capital, bodies seen Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one used by foreign embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies lying in the city. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 57 kilometres (35 miles), some 30 kilometres off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu's main island, at 12:47 pm (0147 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey. A 5.5-magnitude aftershock struck minutes later, followed by a string of lesser tremors -- shaking the low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people that lies in the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire. The ground floor of a four-storey concrete block in Port Vila -- used by US, French, British, Australian and New Zealand diplomatic missions -- was flattened, AFP photos showed. US and French embassy staff are safe, the two countries said. The United States closed its embassy until further notice. France said its mission was "destroyed". "There's people in the buildings in town. There were bodies there when we walked past," resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone after posting images of the destruction on social media. A landslide on one road had covered a bus, he said, "so there's obviously some deaths there". As well as destroying the ground floor of the diplomatic building, the quake also knocked down at least two bridges and toppled other buildings, Thompson said. - 'Completely flat' - The bottom floor of the embassy block "no longer exists," he said. "It is just completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but they have dropped." "If there was anyone in there at the time, then they're gone," said Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said there were unconfirmed reports of at least six dead and estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake. The hospital in Port Vila had been damaged, with tents set up outside for the influx of patients, it said, adding there was also significant disruption to telecommunications and the two main water reservoirs had been damaged. "Immediate response efforts are ongoing as humanitarian partners and authorities work to overcome access and communication challenges," it said in a situation update. Some people injured in the quake were driven in flat-bed trucks to a Port Vila hospital where others lay in stretchers outside or sat on plastic chairs, their arms and heads wrapped in bandages, public television VBTC images showed. Landslips sent tonnes of earth and large rocks tumbling down a steep hill over the international shipping terminal, images verified by AFP showed. The port buildings did not appear to be damaged. Australian and other regional airlines including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, and Fiji Airways diverted or suspended flights -- some citing reports of possible damage to the facilities and runway. The quake cut off most mobile networks on the Pacific island, Thompson said. - Broken glass, debris - "They're just cracking on with a rescue operation. The support we need from overseas is medical evacuation and skilled rescue, kind of people that can operate in earthquakes," he said. Video posted by Thompson and verified by AFP showed uniformed rescuers working on a building that had collapsed, crushing parked cars and trucks below. The streets of the city were strewn with broken glass and other debris from cracked buildings. Nibhay Nand, a Sydney-based pharmacist with businesses across the South Pacific, said staff in Port Vila reported that most of the store there had been "destroyed" and other buildings nearby had "collapsed". "We are waiting for everyone to get online to know how devastating and traumatic this will be," Nand told AFP. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake, with waves of up to one metre (three feet) forecast for some areas of Vanuatu, but it was soon lifted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Australia stands ready to help, said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. "Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need," she said in a statement. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report. bur-djw/mtp/sn QANTAS AIRWAYS Paul Watson: eco-warrior on the high seas Paris, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Veteran anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson, released from detention in Greenland after Denmark refused a Japanese extradition request, has spent decades battling harpoonists and seal hunters in high seas confrontations. For years a bete noire of Japan, one of the last three countries along with Iceland and Norway to practise commercial whale hunting, Watson was arrested on July 21 in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. His first comment on being released was that his five-month detention had brought attention to "illegal" Japanese whaling. Watson was arrested on a Japanese "red notice" international warrant when his ship was on its way to "intercept" a new Japanese whaling factory vessel in the North Pacific, according to the CPWF. Japan accuses Watson of injuring a Japanese crew member with a stink bomb intended to disrupt the whalers' activities during a Sea Shepherd clash with the Shonan Maru 2 vessel in 2010. Jean Tamalet, a lawyer for Watson, told AFP that "the fight is not over." "We will now have to challenge the red notice and the Japanese arrest warrant, to ensure that Captain Paul Watson can once again travel the world in complete peace of mind, and never experience a similar episode again," Tamalet said. The 74-year-old American-Canadian has received the support of Brigitte Bardot, the French screen legend turned animal rights activist, who accused the Japanese government of launching "a global manhunt" against Watson. France's President Emmanuel Macron also pressed Danish authorities not to extradite the campaigner, who has applied for French nationality. Watson devoted himself to saving marine life in 1977, forming what would become the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He was dismissed from the group in 2022 after infighting, which he said left a bitter taste. Some branches of the association, including in France, continue to support him. Before then he had spent time with the Canadian Coast Guard and Norwegian and Swedish merchant marine ships. - 'Pirate of compassion' - Over the years he has become a media personality, appearing in the reality TV series "Whale Wars" and gaining notoriety for his direct-action tactics: chasing, harassing, scuttling and ramming illegal whaling and fishing vessels. "We are pirates of compassion hunting down and destroying pirates of profit," Sea Shepherd's website quotes him as saying. He uses acoustic weapons, water cannon and stink bombs against whalers. Employing these methods, he has sunk more than a dozen boats and raided just as many. As a campaigner, he has drawn on a degree in communications, galvanising support and funding from stars including longtime patron Bardot, Sean Penn, Pierce Brosnan and Pamela Anderson. Born in Toronto in 1950, the eldest of seven children, Watson grew up in a fishing village in New Brunswick in eastern Canada. His mother died when he was 13 and two years later he left home after falling out with his father. His passion for whales was sparked in 1975, he says, when he was caught in a standoff with Soviet whalers and looked a dying whale in the eye. "If we cannot save the whales, turtles, sharks, tuna, and complex marine biodiversity, the oceans will not survive," he said in one 2017 interview. "And if the oceans die, humanity will die, for we cannot survive on this planet with a dead ocean." - 'Eco-terrorist' - Over 45 years, the intrepid Watson has carried out spectacular operations from Siberia to Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands and Japan. With his crews he has saved thousands of whales and spotlighted the illegal activities of whalers. In 2010 Sea Shepherd clashed with Japanese boats, leading to the sinking of the organisation's high-tech superboat Ady Gil in the remote Southern Ocean. He regularly says in interviews "we've never injured anybody". At the time, Japanese ships hunted whales in the Antarctic and North Pacific for what it said were scientific purposes. The white-bearded father of three claims in his biography to have co-founded Greenpeace in 1972 but said he parted ways with the group over arguments about protest tactics. His ex-allies and the Japanese government label him an "eco-terrorist" because of his radical tactics. He was detained for several months in the Netherlands in 1997 and lived in exile on the high seas from 2012 to 2014. How ramshackle housing made Mayotte vulnerable to cyclone assault Paris, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 The dismal quality of housing across Mayotte has compounded the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido on the poverty-stricken French Indian Ocean territory where hundreds, or maybe thousands, are feared dead. Before the storm hit, around a third of the island's population was living in iron-sheeted huts that never stood a chance against the powerful cyclone. By the time it was gone, all of Mayotte's shantytowns were flattened, burying lives -- and livelihoods -- beneath them. "We fear there will be a considerable number of deaths," a French government official told AFP. "Several hundred, or maybe several thousand." Mayotte is the poorest part of France, of which it is an integral part. Recent official data on the state of housing in Mayotte are hard to come by but 2017 data published by the national statistics institute said 40 percent of the island's homes are built with metal sheets and around a third have no access to running water. - Flimsy - "They're made of wood, corrugated iron, and situated on hills, on beaten earth," said Florent Vallee, who runs the French Red Cross branch's emergency operations. "You can easily imagine the wind barrelling into them, and the rain creating mudslides." Over the decades, French authorities have tried to improve housing conditions for the island's population which numbers 320,000 according to official data, but is in fact much greater because of an influx of undocumented migrants who do not show up in government statistics. As recently as the late 1970s, modern building materials were virtually unknown in Mayotte, said Megane Aussedat, a sociologist and expert on informal housing on the island. Despite government programmes to replace precarious shelters with solid housing, the number of available homes is still inadequate compared to the size of the population, and the migration influx. They are also out of reach for many people in Mayotte where the median monthly income is 260 euros ($273), compared with around 2,600 euros pretax on the French mainland. Subsidised housing projects have also been slow to materialise, said Aussedat. However, since 2018 the authorities have been allowed to raze substandard housing provided they immediately offered inhabitants new homes. Such clearing operations, involving massive police contingents, are sometimes thought to have the secondary objective of flushing out undocumented migrants, but Aussedat observed that telling illegals from legals can be a challenge. "There is almost no family in Mayotte," she said, "where everybody's status is either documented or undocumented". - Comoros influx - Mayotte's immigration issue is almost entirely due to an influx from the Comoros, an archipelago whose closest shores are just 70 kilometres (44 miles) from Mayotte, and that declared independence in the 1970s while Mayotte opted to remain French. As poor as Mayotte is by French standards, the Comoros are even poorer, tempting many there into a perilous journey across the water in search of a better life in Mayotte. They often end up living in makeshift areas consisting mostly of so-called "bangas" -- small houses made of cloth and thatch. When Chido hit, many refused to leave their homes, taking their chances with the cyclone rather than face the danger of their homes being looted or of being picked up by the authorities. Vallee said emergency services had rescued "entire families, and also a lot of children who were left alone". Sanitary conditions, already precarious, have worsened since, mostly because of patchy access to clean water that could prompt another cholera outbreak like the one in the spring of 2024 that killed seven people, said Jean-Francois Coty, president of the Medecins du Monde NGO. - 'Brakes on healthcare access' - Undocumented migrants' "fear of moving is putting the brakes on healthcare access", he said. A French government scheme allowing undocumented people access to state healthcare is not available in Mayotte. Coty said he hoped that French officials will pause forced deportations so immigrants can seek help without fear of expulsion. "This is a time for humanitarian aid, not for a crackdown," he said. EU countries back stricter rules to curb microplastics pollution Brussels, Belgium, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 EU countries on Tuesday backed plans to curb plastic pollution by toughening rules for companies using the pellets that constitute the building blocks of most plastic products. The microscopic pellets, called nurdles, are the base material used in most of the world's plastic production, from car bumpers to salad bowls. About the size of a lentil and made from fossil fuels, the pellets often spill into the environment, polluting beaches and oceans -- something the European Union would like to tackle. Building on legislation proposed by the European Commission last year, the bloc's 27 countries on Tuesday agreed to introduce new rules for firms handling and transporting the stuff. Negotiations with the European parliament to finalise the text are expected to start early next year. "The new rules, the first of their kind in the EU, will help companies to minimise plastic pellet losses, contributing to the fight against microplastic pollution, which knows no borders or boundaries," said Aniko Raisz, Hungary's minister of state for environmental affairs. Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. The proposal demands operators handling pellets in the EU take the necessary measures to limit the release of the material through mishandling. Companies will have to conduct risk assessments and act quickly to contain leaks and undertake cleaning operations if necessary. Sea freight firms will be subject to specific obligations, such as "ensuring good quality packaging" and "providing cargo-related technical information". This will in turn result in the sector enjoying a three-year period to adapt to the regulation once it comes into force -- compared to the two years granted to other sectors. Some countries had pushed for maritime transport, which accounted for about 38 percent of all pellets transported in the EU in 2022, to be excluded from the legislation, leaving it to the International Maritime Organization to set out specific rules. According to European Commission data, up to 184,000 tonnes of pellets per year -- the equivalent of 20 truckloads each day -- are dispersed into the environment across the 27-nation bloc due to mishandling. The EU hopes the proposal will reduce pellet release by up to 74 percent. Amazon to benefit in Ecuador's second debt-for-nature deal Quito, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Ecuador announced Tuesday that it had converted part of its $1.5 billion of external debt into protection for the Amazon rainforest, the second so-called debt-for-nature swap in the South American country. Economy Minister Juan Carlos Vega said that the government had renegotiated the debt to secure a new $1 billion loan "with better payment conditions." The operation generated over $460 million in savings, which were "exclusively destined to the protection of our Amazon," Vega told an event in the capital Quito attended by President Daniel Noboa. Debt-for-nature swaps are an increasingly popular tool to help developing countries refinance and raise money for environmental or climate causes. Last year, Ecuador converted $1.6 billion of debt into a loan deal that included $450 million in funding for marine conservation in the Galapagos Islands. The UN World Heritage Site situated 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off Ecuador's coast is where British naturalist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution. Barbados last week completed what it called the world's first debt-for-climate resilience swap. The Caribbean island said the deal would allow it to invest $165 million in helping it adapt to climate change. In October, the Central American nation of El Salvador announced that it would invest $350 million in conservation of the Lempa river -- one of the longest in Central America -- as part of a debt-for-nature deal. France, Italy in push to scrap 2025 car emission fines Brussels, Belgium, Dec 17 (AFP) Dec 17, 2024 Several EU countries including France and Italy on Tuesday upped pressure on Brussels to ditch fines for embattled European carmakers that do not meet carbon emission reduction targets in 2025. The issue was discussed at a meeting of European Union environment ministers in the Belgian capital, which came as the bloc's automotive industry is facing a deep crisis, according to diplomatic sources. France's Minister for Ecological Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher called for flexibility not to penalise European manufacturers in the face of international competition. Hitting carmakers with fines would be "counterproductive" and weaken Europe's industry doing little to accelerate the transition towards electric vehicles, she argued. The Czech Republic and Slovenia held similar views, diplomats said. Among others, Italy, Poland, and Austria last month backed a paper warning penalties "would severely limit the ability of the industry to reinvest in innovation and development, thus harming Europe's competitiveness on the global stage". The European Commissioner for climate, Wopke Hoekstra, told a press briefing after the meeting that the ideas and worries raised were "well heard" and would be discussed with other commissioners. But he could not see "how either the industry or the climate will be helped by lowering" emission targets, he added, saying members of the industry had asked for predictability in terms of policy. Europe's car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles (EV) and increased competition in key market China. EV sales have been slower than expected at a time when carmakers are contending with tougher EU rules on carbon emissions. Layoffs have already been announced at a raft of auto giants and suppliers in Germany and elsewhere in the EU, from Volkswagen and Ford to Bosch, Valeo and Michelin. The EU's 27 states reached a historic agreement on phasing out the sale of fossil fuel-burning cars by 2035, as part of ambitious efforts to combat climate change. Car manufacturers must respect an annual average of emissions per car sold in Europe. The standard, known as CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy), requires them to gradually sell vehicles that are less and less polluting. It has so far been generally respected, but tighter rules are to come into force in January. In November EU chief Ursula von der Leyen promised to personally lead a new initiative to help the troubled car industry navigate the transition. adc-ub/sbk Volkswagen FORD MOTOR VALEO A new study shows that Saturn's rings may be older than scientists had previously thought. Perhaps as old as the planet itself - 4.5 billion years old. ADVERTISIMENT A group of scientists from Japan suggests that although Saturn's rings are older, they are well preserved for their advanced age. Their relative youth and lack of wear and tear is due to their resistance to pollution, AP reports. Based on more than a decade of observations by NASA's Cassini spacecraft, scientists had previously believed that Saturn's rings were between 100 and 400 million years old. After all, the images taken by Cassini showed no signs of darkening of the rings due to the impact of micrometeoroids - space rock particles smaller than a grain of sand. This prompted scientists to conclude that these icy, shimmering circles were formed long before the planet. ADVERTISIMENT In a new study using computer modeling, Ryuki Hyodo of the Tokyo Institute of Science and his team demonstrated that micrometeoroids vaporize as they crash into the rings, leaving little to no dark and dirty residue. Scientists have found that the resulting charged particles are sucked into Saturn or blown out into space, keeping the rings intact and challenging the baby rings theory. "Considering the solar systems evolutionary history, its more likely that the rings formed closer to Saturns earliest times," Ryuki Hyodo said. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A collection of prehistoric human remains has revealed gruesome details about a brutal massacre that took place more than 4000 years ago. Researchers analyzed more than 3000 bones belonging to dozens of people from the Early Bronze Age Charterhouse Warren in southwest England. ADVERTISIMENT The little-known collection of skeletal remains, which is unique to Britain, revealed that 37 people were killed, dismembered, and likely partially eaten before their remains were dumped into a natural 15-meter-deep shaft. The authors of the study believe that the cannibalism took place during a single event sometime between 2210 BC and 2010 BC, Newsweek writes. "The Warren Charterhouse is one of those rare archaeological sites that challenges our understanding of the past. It's a vivid reminder that people in prehistory could be compared to recent atrocities and sheds light on the dark side of human behavior," said lead author Rick Schulting of Oxford University. The cluster of bones at Charterhouse Warren was accidentally discovered in the 1970s by a group of cavers looking for a new cave system in the area. However, until the latest study, very little was known about the bones. ADVERTISIMENT In an effort to shed light on what happened to these individuals, the research team analyzed the remains, finding numerous cuts, perimortem (i.e., made around the time of death) fractures, and blunt force trauma to the skull. The scientists' findings indicate that the victims were killed at close range with blunt instruments and then systematically dismembered and possibly partially eaten. "The main thing we have shown is the size of the assemblage and the amount of evidence of violence," Schulting emphasized. The researchers were also able to show that the bone assemblage represents at least 37 people, including men, women, and children, indicating a community. ADVERTISIMENT "It is likely that there were even more, as we can only count a minimum number," added the lead author of the study. Given that there were no signs of a fight, it is likely that the victims were caught off guard when they were attacked by their enemies. According to the scientists, the numerous cattle bones mixed with human remains at the site indicate that the attackers did not need to eat their victims due to lack of food. It was cannibalism that could have served the purpose of dehumanizing them, experts say. The researchers then considered what could have motivated such acts of extreme violence. During this period, potential reasons for killing could have been theft, insults, and accusations of witchcraft, experts suggest. Rick Schulting believes that the extreme violence they investigated was hardly an isolated incident. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Looking to make the signs as attractive as the spring flowers, BREC employee Rieyon Bell gets a lift in the bucket while doing drilling work to pull the sign down at BREC's Burbank Park for repainting as well as the sign poles Monday March 27, 2017, in Baton Rouge, La.. Bell said taking the signs down, bleaching them, repainting them and the poles, and the reinstall will take several days weather permitting. The crew was making good headway on the project. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that in 2023, more than 300,000 Russians signed contracts with the Ministry of Defense. By announcing this figure, he exposed the lie of Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, or lied himself. ADVERTISIMENT The Moscow Times drew attention to this. Earlier, in January of this year, the latter voiced a much higher figure 420 thousand people. According to Medvedev, this is the number of Russians who signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry in 2023 to participate in the war against Ukraine. Another 80,000 went to the front as volunteers. At an expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry board, Putin said the following: "They came to military enlistment offices and signed contracts to serve in the armed forces. More than 300 thousand". The head of the Russian military department, Andrei Belousov, said that this year more than 1,200 Russians sign contracts with the Defense Ministry every day. Meanwhile, Janis Kluge, a researcher at the German Institute for International Security Studies, said that the Russian army has recently experienced a noticeable decline in recruitment. In early December, Kluge, having analyzed the Russian federal budget, said that in the third quarter, an average of about 700 new contracts were signed daily, which is almost a third less than in the second quarter. At that time, about 1,020 people joined the army every day, and the total number of recruits for the quarter was 92,900. As reported by OBOZ.UA, on December 16, Vladimir Putin made another statement about the Oreshnik medium-range missile system and epically embarrassed himself. In particular, the dictator threatened the world with the "imminent start" of mass production of this complex, but only a few weeks ago he claimed that it had already begun. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Most importantly, get enough sleep and eat well, Barranzuela says. [It] helps to get a lot more university work done. Positive routines are important, says Blanca Barranzuela. Prioritise seven hours of sleep, even if you feel tempted to pull an all-nighter for a last-minute assignment. For bachelor of arts students, Nick Osiowy from the University of Sydney advises doing the [weekly] recommended readings. Its an opportunity to engage critically with experts and will serve as the foundation for your assessments and tutorial discussions, he says. Its all about the timetable Oscar Iredale, chair of UNSWs student organisation Arc, says university is the first time your schedule truly becomes your own so the university timetable is crucial. The world is your oyster, Iredale says, so prioritise your time and choose your schedule wisely. If you dislike mornings, steer clear of 8am classes. It may take a few attempts to see what works best but, in general, avoid over-cramming your days with classes or spreading them out excessively. Avoiding classes and working on the same day will also help reduce fatigue and burnout. Work, but keep it casual Though it may be tempting to juggle several roles balancing university, work and life remember to maintain a casual approach, advises Alejandra Cernuda, who is studying for a diploma in business. This will allow you to reduce shifts during exams and gain extra study time. One of the best things you can do for yourself is getting experience while studying, Cernuda says. Not only will you earn extra money and learn to be independent, but you might also discover opportunities in other fields, she says. Lean into student discounts With rising living costs, especially for students living on campus, mobile apps such as UNiDAYS and Student Edge offer discounts across hundreds of leading brands. Campus initiatives like Sydneys FoodHub and those at UNSW and Macquarie University also provide free or discounted food and essentials. Where possible, purchase second-hand textbooks and utilise the library. Utilise the available resources Kaity Le, a recent masters graduate from the International College of Management, says she achieved high distinction grades with guidance from mentors at the colleges Student Success Centre. Research and use the student services on offer, recommends Kaity Le. Revisit lecture recordings for clarity and contact professors directly for help, she suggests. Also, visit your universitys learning hub or special consideration portals to explore alternative assessment options. There are many ways for you to learn better and achieve higher grades; its just a matter of whether youre willing to speak up and seek help, Le says. Have fun and show up! Last, but certainly not least, have fun and dont take yourself too seriously, advises UNSW student Janice Lau. Over-analysis can often breed paralysis so jump into as many opportunities as possible. Try to join as many interest-related societies and open week events to get a feel for university life and meet new people who are in the same position as you, says Lau. By joining your universitys societies or clubs, or simply attending that 9am tutorial, you could meet friends for life (but its perfectly fine if you dont). The important part is putting in the effort. Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt Sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. Its not often you get to witness a true moment of discovery. Oh! I think thats some there, says Oskar Lindenmayer, leaning intently into the glass display case and jabbing a finger towards a small green blemish on a huge chunk of space ore. That little patch there. We are staring at an ancient meteorite that hundreds of thousands of museum visitors have walked past and Lindenmayer has just discovered an exotic mineral almost new to science, right there on its flank. The Arden precinct in North Melbourne could soon be home to a towering 57-storey apartment block, almost triple the approved height limit for the area. An application was lodged this week with the state government for a tower containing 609 apartments, 6772 square metres of office space and 2278 square metres of retail space, above a three-level basement. A planning application has been made for a 57-storey tower at Arden. Credit: Jason South As the Arden precinct is one of the states new activity centres, the state government makes the final decision on the application, but Melbourne City Council can provide guidance. The proposed tower would have 116 car parking spaces and 738 bicycle spaces. The Allan government is on a collision course with civil libertarians and pro-Palestinian groups over a plan to criminalise behaviour at peaceful protests including wearing masks, displaying flags of proscribed groups, and carrying ropes, bike locks and glue. Premier Jacinta Allan said increased police powers were needed to stamp out extremist influences at public demonstrations, but the governments proposal was denounced by civil rights and protest groups who described it as knee-jerk lawmaking that would have a chilling effect on democratic rights. The raft of reforms announced on Tuesday add to strengthened anti-hate laws introduced to state parliament last month. The government cited a rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia and Victoria including the arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in the heart of Melbournes Jewish community as the catalysts for the additional bans. The crackdown will place a blanket ban on symbols and flags of listed terrorist organisations including Hamas, Hezbollah and white nationalist groups which extend beyond existing restrictions in federal counter-terrorism laws. It will also prohibit protests outside places of worship. A Perth dentist has been jailed for 15 years after sexually assaulting six women whose drinks he spiked after meeting them on dating apps. Farzam Mehrabi, 34, met the women, all aged between 18 and 20, in various Perth bars before inviting them back to his parents house in Shelley. Farzam Mehrabi drugged and raped several young women. Credit: 9News Perth Multiple women came forward claiming he had sexually assaulted and drugged them after meeting them on dating apps Tinder and Bumble. The incidents all occurred over a two-month period in 2022. Mehrabi, then aged 31, mixed a cocktail of drugs including MDMA, MDA, lorazepam and methamphetamine into drinks he bought or made for the women before engaging in rough non-consensual sex. West Australian author Tim Winton has used his new novel to throw a lit match into the gas-rich environment that is West Australian politics. While Juice has garnered comprehensive national media coverage and drawn large audiences to author talks across Australia, exactly what Winton penned about the companies whose logos dominate the skyline of his home states capital has gone unreported. Tim Wintons Juice has been released to national acclaim, but is still waiting to be published in the US. Credit: Penguin Random House Winton said he was getting a huge response from this moment of shock when the names come out, with readers describing to him a sharp intake of breath, a moment of disbelief. Total strangers went from feeling elated that someone was finally saying the names, to suddenly feeling afraid for me: like, can you do this? he said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has accused the Coalition of coming after Medicare and medicines and pensions, prompting opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston to warn that Labor was reviving its discredited 2016 Mediscare campaign and telling lies. In a press conference in Canberra on Tuesday, Chalmers clawed into Coalition claims that Labor had lost control of spending, which will include $2.3 billion in additional spending on Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said medicines and pensions were not safe under the Coalition. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Now, when the Coalition says that this is overspending, what they really mean is theyre coming after Medicare and medicines and pensions, Chalmers said while answering questions about the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook to be released on Wednesday. If Angus Taylor and Peter Dutton think that extra spending for Medicare and medicines and pensions indexation is wasteful spending, then they need to come clean this week to the Australian people and say how much will they cut from Medicare and medicines and pensions. In 2016, Labors Mediscare campaign falsely suggested the Coalition wanted to privatise Medicare. Three years later, the tables had turned and various groups incorrectly claimed Labor wanted to implement a death tax, also known as an inheritance tax, fanned by similar messages from the Coalition government. The News in Brief Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto condemned the European Union's stance on Georgia, calling it a "world record for political hypocrisy." His comments followed Hungary's veto of proposed EU sanctions against Georgian police leaders, which were introduced amid ongoing tensions between Georgia and the EU.Szijjarto accused Brussels of targeting Georgia simply because the country elected a "peace-oriented, patriotic, conservative party," in contrast to the liberal forces preferred by the EU. He argued that the EU's response was politically driven, overlooking the Georgian government's achievements.The Hungarian minister also emphasized Georgia's "economic progress under the Georgian Dream party", which has been in power for 12 years. According to Szijjarto, the country's average incomes have tripled, per capita GDP has doubled, and foreign investments have grown significantly. He further stated that no one in Brussels should have the right to question the will of the Georgian people, suggesting that the EU's actions were unjustified and unrepresentative of Georgia's democratic choices.Alexei Lobarev, head of the Russian Association of Law Enforcement Trade Unions, announced on social media that he had been in Tbilisi "at the invitation of his colleagues." Lobarev expressed support for the actions of Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs and shared photos with Georgian police officers.Lobarev praised the conduct of law enforcement, stating, "Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia conducted themselves honorably in this extreme situation."Addressing relations with Russia, Lobarev noted what he perceived as an "improvement" in attitudes: "The attitude towards Russia in Georgia has improved significantly in recent months. I spoke Russian fluently on the streets, at markets, in shops and cafes, everyone understood me and answered me in Russian," he wrote. After the first-ever autopsy of the world's rarest whale, scientists were stunned by incredible discoveries. During the research, scientists saw that the mammal has 9 stomach chambers and tiny rudimentary teeth on the upper jaw. ADVERTISIMENT Until now, virtually nothing was known about spade-toothed whales, as only six specimens of these marine creatures have been confirmed to date, but no one has ever seen a single live one. However, the first autopsy of this whale has revealed new details of their anatomy, IflScience writes. Department of Conservation (DOC) officers arrived to investigate a report of a dead whale that had washed ashore near the small fishing village of Taieri Maut. When they arrived, they were shocked. A five-meter male spade-toothed whale was lying in front of them. "It's one of the most little-known large mammal species of our time," said Gabe Davis, head of coastal operations at DOC in Otago. ADVERTISIMENT Dissection of a spade-toothed whale This discovery was a rare and key opportunity to learn more about this species. After all, a complete specimen of a spade-toothed whale was found for the study. "This whale was not only the first of its kind to be studied by science. But it was also the first time a local tribe in New Zealand worked with scientists to combine indigenous and Western knowledge systems to gain a better understanding of this whale and its behavior," said Rachel Wesley, one of the participants in the autopsy. During the necropsy, the scientists saw that the shovel-toothed whales have tiny rudimentary teeth on their upper jaw. ADVERTISIMENT According to experts, rudimentary structures such as this are considered remnants of evolution, demonstrating that they once served a higher purpose and there was no evolutionary pressure to lose this feature completely. The reduced hindlimbs of whales are often shown as another example of rudimentary structures left over from when they shrank some 50 million years ago. Now the legs have shrunk to tiny remnants of thighs, scientists say. Another interesting feature of the spade-toothed whale is its numerous stomach chambers nine to be exact, the researchers say. "In some of these stomachs, we found squid beaks and some squid eye lenses, some parasitic worms, and possibly some other parts of organisms," said DOC marine science advisor and beaked whale expert Anton van Helden. "We also found interesting structures related to both feeding and sound production. Weighings, measurements, and descriptions were made for various muscles and organs to help us describe this species and make comparisons with related species. All of this adds up to new knowledge," the expert added. Scientists emphasize that by learning more about shovel-toothed whales, they will be better prepared to preserve them in the future. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Australian Federal Police board that handles international information sharing on sensitive cases should be subject to stronger oversight to make sure Australians arent sent to their death overseas, a parliamentary inquiry has warned, just days after the Bali Fives return. The Labor-led inquiry on Tuesday said the AFPs sensitive investigations oversight board, which deals with death penalty cases, should be independently reviewed each year, and its ranks should be expanded to include external experts. It also pushed for a probe into the AFPs guidelines on international police-to-police assistance in potential death penalty situations. Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by Indonesia in April, 2015. Credit: Getty Images The inquirys call for greater scrutiny over how the AFP deals with delicate international investigations and police requests for help particularly for drug crimes comes just days after the five remaining members of the Bali Nine were transferred back to Australia after spending 19 years in Indonesian prison. Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen arrived in Darwin on Sunday for the first time since their 2005 arrest for trying to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin out of Indonesia. 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. Facebook users will receive a shared $50 million payment after parent company Meta agreed to a record settlement with Australias information commissioner, ending years of legal proceedings. The commissioner launched Federal Court action against Meta in 2020 over the tech giants infamous Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, in which hundreds of millions of Facebook users allegedly had their personal data released, without their consent, to British consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, which was then used for political advertising purposes. Mark Zuckerbergs Meta must pay $50 million to Australian Facebook users affected by the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Credit: AP The scandal led to the downfall of Cambridge Analytica, spurred a #deleteFacebook movement globally and bore a Netflix documentary, titled The Great Hack. The landmark payment, announced on Tuesday, will end the legal proceedings, and will be paid out next year to potentially tens of thousands of Australian Facebook users. About 311,000 Australian Facebook users are understood to be affected. Warning: Graphic image. Kyiv: North Korean troops are now on the front lines of Russias war, engaged in combat against Ukraine, the White House says. Ukraines military intelligence agency and the Pentagon said on Tuesday (AEDT) that some North Korean troops have been killed during combat against Ukrainian forces in Russias Kursk border region. Russia has suffered major losses of armour in almost three years of war. Credit: AP These are the first reported casualties since the US and Ukraine announced that North Korea had sent 1012,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost three-year war. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance to the people of Vanuatu as the extent of damage becomes clear. Australia and Vanuatu share a deep and enduring partnership. We are family and we will always be there in times of need. The department earlier released a statement saying it was still urgently seeking information from the Australian high commission in Port Vila to ascertain the impact of the earthquake on any Australians in Vanuatu and the local population. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement on Tuesday afternoon offering support. Australians are thinking of our friends and neighbours in Vanuatu after the devastating earthquake that struck their home this afternoon, Albanese said. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to assist the people of Vanuatu in any way we can. It is not known how many Australians are in Vanuatu, a popular holiday destination just over three hours flight from Sydney. Australia does not track the number of Australian citizens or permanent residents travelling overseas. Buildings down, runway damaged Dan McGarry, a Vanuatu-based journalist, told AAP he feared casualties from the tremor. There are buildings down here, so Im expecting the casualty figure to rise, he said. I know of one fatality, according to police stationed at Port Vila Central Hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys, several others walking around, walking wounded. I think it will probably be in the dozens, altogether, dead and wounded. McGarry said a massive landslide at the international shipping terminal was likely to impede the countrys recovery. The airports runway is also damaged, he told Associated Press. Port Vilas airport could not be contacted on Tuesday, but flight tracking sites suggested all flights were grounded. Some airlines in Australia and the Pacific said they had cancelled or paused flights scheduled for Wednesday and were awaiting news of the airports status. We definitely need help Australian man Michael Thompson, who operates a zipline company in Vanuatu, said it appeared four buildings were down and many others had minor damage. He suggested the local hospital was struggling to cope with demand. Theres a big rescue operation on the way to clear out some people that are possibly alive in the building, he said in a video posted to Facebook. The American embassy is collapsed, the bottom floor ... is just pancaked ... thats gone. We definitely need help in Port Vila. As he filmed the devastation, Thomas said there were a lot of people walking around the streets unsure of what to do. We need heavy equipment, and we need some experienced personnel, he said on his video. So if youve got a chance, please send that out and see if we can get some assistance down to Vanuatu at Port Vila, as quick as we can. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australian officials were still gathering information about the situation on the ground. Thats a beautiful country, and it is under threat right now. We are thinking of the wonderful people of Vanuatu who are worried now, battening down the hatches, he said. CARE Australia said its office in Port Vila office had sustained damage from the earthquake and landlines had been cut. In a statement, the charity said electricity was down and water was cut in most of the capital. It said it was ready to assist in recovery efforts. Embassies crushed, evacuated A spokesperson for the US embassy in Papua New Guinea said its embassy in Port Vila had sustained considerable damage and was closed until further notice. New Zealands high commission building, which is co-located with the US, French and British missions, had sustained significant damage, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement. There were communications outages across the country, the New Zealand statement added, while the Australian high commission in Vanuatu said its communication systems had also been affected. Video uploaded to social media shows injured people arriving at Vila Central Hospital in Vanuatu after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. Credit: @DisastersAndI/X The US Tsunami Warning System cancelled an initial warning for Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people. Some islands in the low-lying atoll nation are only one metre above sea level. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said there was no tsunami threat to Australia. Loading New Zealands Foreign Ministry said 37 New Zealanders were registered as being in Vanuatu. The ministry did not give details about the status of their nationals. Vanuatu lies on the Ring of Fire, a 40,000-kilometre seismically active arc around the rim of the Pacific tectonic plate. Vanuatu is situated, like New Zealand, on top of a subduction zone, University of Auckland physics associate professor Kasper van Wijk said. Wellington: Rescuers in Vanuatu are searching for people still trapped after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific nations capital, Port Vila, on Tuesday, killing 14 people and damaging reservoirs, commercial buildings, embassies and a hospital. At least 200 people were being treated for injuries at the capitals main hospital and other medical centres, a Red Cross official said on X, citing the Vanuatu government. It said there were at least 14 confirmed deaths. Widespread damage to communications and other infrastructure has impeded the release of official reports. Phone services remained down. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 116,000 people, nearly half of the countrys population, had been affected by the earthquake. New Marketing Director at LIQUI MOLY December 2024 After almost 40 years, Peter Baumann is retiring and handing over to Marco Esser On January 1, 2025, a "living legend" is leaving the Ulm-based lubricant specialist LIQUI MOLY: Marketing Director Peter Baumann is taking his well-deserved retirement after 39 years and numerous milestones. His successor is Marco Esser, who was previously Deputy Marketing Director. On January 1, 1986, Peter Baumann's success story began. Hired as an assistant to the management, he took on the development of the marketing department for the medium-sized Swabian company, which today sells its products in around 150 countries with great success. He was greatly encouraged by the then Managing Director Ernst Prost. He began his equally successful career in 1990 as Marketing Director, before passing on this position to Peter Baumann in 1993. A few years later, he became an authorized signatory. LIQUI MOLY became a global player for engine oils, additives and car care. It was a permanent process that made LIQUI MOLY a global company. Unmistakable trademark: the enormous presence as a sponsor and supporter of global elite sport. Be it in Formula 1 with Sauber Motorsport in 1993, in the Bundesliga for the first time in 2000 with the TSV 1860 Munich, or for more than 10 years in MotoGP, the highest class of motorcycle racing. Peter Baumann was the leading man behind the scenes and once again crowned his lifeas work with his commitment as an "Official Partne" in Formula 1. aBeing active in Formula 1 for seven years now was another decisive step in our development to become a global 'Love Brand'. We are very close to our sales vision of one billion euros in annual sales. I think such stories have helped a lot. That makes me very proud." When asked what he would do with his new free time, Baumann answered: "I mainly want to take care of my family and myself. No appointments, no travel, no meetings. It's time for something else. Time has been in short supply to date. But I'm going to take it all in my stride now." Successor Marco Esser, previously Deputy Marketing Director and former Head of Corporate Communications at LIQUI MOLY, is making his mark. He comments:"Such a long history with just as many successes doesn't come along too often. Following Mr. Baumann in this role is a great honor on the one hand, and a huge challenge on the other. We have had a very good, long and intensive period of coordination, for which I am very grateful. And I'm especially grateful for the trust of Mr. Baumann and the staff. I will do everything I can to adequately succeed him. At the same time, however, I now take my hat off to his "term of office" and wish him all the very best for his retirement. There will always be a place for him with us in the LIQUI MOLY family worldwide, which of course he knows." Linking tradition with modernity and thus always staying up to date will continue to be a major strategic factor for LIQUI MOLY marketing, according to Peter Baumann and Marco Esser. It is particularly important for Peter Baumann to express his gratitude for his time at LIQUI MOLY: "Being part of this team, being part of this family, makes me grateful, humble and extremely proud all at the same time. You know our recipe for success best. So, keep up the good work. We have achieved a huge success story. And friendships have been formed that will last forever. I would like to thank all those who made my time at LIQUI MOLY what it was: absolutely unique!" About LIQUI MOLY SkyDrive and Osaka Metro Unveil Future eVTOL Network in Osaka OSAKA, Japan & TOYOTA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SkyDrive Inc. (SkyDrive), a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, and Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. (Osaka Metro) today announced plans for the "Osaka Diamond Routes" at the "Osaka Roundtable" (*2). These proposed eVTOL routes connect four key destinations in Osaka: Shin-Osaka/Umeda, Morinomiya, Tennoji/Abeno, and the Osaka Bay Area. Market research has already identified these areas as critical hubs for the citys future mobility network. SkyDrive and Osaka Metro plan to launch services in the Morinomiya area by around 2028, before working to gradually expand operations through 2030 and beyond. Background SkyDrive is developing a lightweight, three-seater eVTOL aircraft that will play a key future role in the coming urban transport revolution. As eVTOL flights become a regular part of city life, SkyDrive seeks to lead this market transformation. Osaka Metro operates eight subway lines and the New Tram, an automated, driverless tram system. Each day, approximately 2.4 million passengers rely on the Osaka Metro rapid transit network. The company is also advancing an urban Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) initiative called "e METRO," which integrates multiple modes of transportationincluding subways, buses, and taxisto make Osaka a more convenient and connected city. In August 2024, SkyDrive and Osaka Metro signed an agreement (*3) to jointly explore the commercialization of eVTOL services in Osaka in the years following the Osaka World Expo 2025. To pursue this goal, Osaka Metro established an "eVTOL Promotion Office" under the direct supervision of its president in October 2024. The two companies have worked together to assess market demand, potential takeoff and landing locations, and other factors affecting the commercial feasibility of an eVTOL business. These efforts culminated in todays unveiling of the planned Osaka Diamond Routes, which form a core part of the initial concept for future eVTOL operations. Delivering New Value in Airborne Sightseeing and Travel The proposed areas have been strategically selected to highlight Osakas breathtaking cityscapes and offer convenient access to major tourist attractions. SkyDrives eVTOL will transform intra-urban journeys into exciting and memorable experiences, giving passengers the opportunity to enjoy the citys stunning aerial views while flying in privacy and comfort. Next Steps SkyDrive and Osaka Metro will continue to collaborate closely with the government, Osaka Prefecture and the Osaka City authorities, as well as other relevant organizations and business partners, to bring these commercial services to market. Key areas of focus include finalizing vertiport locations and completing the further studies required to establish flight routes. SkyDrive and Osaka Metro also plan to roll out a phased expansion of these services, first into the surrounding suburbs, and then into the greater Kansai region. Together, the two companies seek to unlock the potential of air mobility and provide passengers with added value through new air transport services, developing an upgraded transport infrastructure that will enhance Osaka's reputation as a leading city for innovation and tourism. About SkyDrive Inc. SkyDrive is an eVTOL company aiming to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life. In 2019, SkyDrive became the first company to fly a crewed eVTOL in Japan. As of 2024, SkyDrive is working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the US to acquire certification for SKYDRIVE, the companys latest eVTOL product. In April 2025, SKYDRIVE will fly at Expo 2025 in Osaka, a major international event. SkyDrive began production of SKYDRIVE in March 2024 at a plant owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive's official production partner. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, an engineer and entrepreneur. For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/ About Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. Osaka Metro is the direct legal successor to the Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau, which operated the subway as the Osaka Municipal Subway. Osaka Metro plays a crucial role in the lives of Osaka residents and visitors alike, operating a 137.8 kilometer-long network of nine subway lines carrying passengers across central Osaka. In addition to its core social mission of providing safe, secure, and comfortable transport infrastructure that serves the community, the company is also conscious of the subways role in boosting the citys energy and vitality, helping a diverse range of people to travel smoothly, meet easily, and create new value together. By further expanding and improving its services, Osaka Metro is committed to supporting the ongoing development of Osaka as a truly international city. For more information, please visit: https://www.osakametro.co.jp/en/ Editors Note: (*1) eVTOL is an abbreviation for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing. As the name suggests, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land without a runway. eVTOLs are powered by electricity and incorporate advanced, automatic, flight control technology. (*2) Osaka Roundtable is a key initiative in Japan aimed at advancing the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) technologies. It brings together stakeholders, including companies, regulators, and researchers, to collaborate on integrating air mobility into urban environments. This initiative aligns with Osaka's vision of creating an ecosystem that harnesses electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and related technologies to transform transportation. Reference: https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/8418/roadmap20and20the20action20plan.pdf (*3) Related press release: https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/13429 The British Film Institute has included two Ukrainian films in its list of the best films of 2024. These films are "Peaceful People" by Oksana Karpovych and "You Are Space" by Pavlo Ostrikov, which were screened at various festivals abroad. ADVERTISIMENT The organization interviewed 118 film experts, each of whom had to choose only the 10 best films in their opinion. The list of four included films by Ukrainian directors. The experts' choices are available on the BFI (British Film Institute) website. Two experts voted for each of the selected Ukrainian films. The total list includes 394 films that premiered in 2024. "You Are Space" by Pavlo Ostrikov The plot centers on a Ukrainian former trucker, Andrii Melnyk, who turned out to be the last person in the universe after an explosion on Earth. He and his robot friend go into outer space and live their routine lives until a French woman, Catherine, gets in touch. Then the protagonist's journey focuses on finding that girl and requires a lot of effort to cross the entire galaxy. ADVERTISIMENT The debut film by director Pavlo Ostrikov premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. At the time, the film was named one of the best projects in Ukraine in 2024. "You Are Space" aroused great emotions in the foreign audience and received a standing ovation after the screening. The film later won the top award at the Strasbourg Film Festival in France. This victory paved the way for the film to compete for the Golden Melies, the most prestigious European genre film award. ADVERTISIMENT "Peaceful People" by Oksana Karpovych Oksana Karpovych's documentary consists of intercepted conversations of the Russian occupiers. The filmmaker listened to more than 30 hours of recordings, which were previously published on social media by the SBU and special services. The film contrasts two worlds: the world of Ukrainians fighting for their freedom, and the world of Russian occupiers who bring destruction and death. The film is a powerful testimony to the crimes of the Russian army and at the same time evokes sympathy for ordinary Russians who have become hostages of propaganda. The world premiere took place at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the film was also included in the qualifying list for the Oscar's Feature Documentary category. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! December 17 is not only a day in the calendar, but also a day rich in historical events that changed the course of humanity. It was on this day in 1903 that the Wright brothers made the world's first airplane flight, ushering in the age of aviation. ADVERTISIMENT And in 1897, the first Ukrainian steam locomotive was built at the Kharkiv Locomotive Plant, which was a landmark step in the development of the domestic industry. This date is also associated with religious holidays. Orthodox Christians honor the memory of the prophet Daniel and the three young men Ananias, Azariah, and Mishael. And in Mexico, on December 17, 1790, an archaeological discovery was made that forever changed our understanding of the Aztec civilization - a stone with a calendar was found. Religious holidays on December 17 December 17 is the day of remembrance of the prophet Daniel and his three young friends who gave their lives for their faith in the One God. This story, described in the Bible, has become a symbol of faith, courage, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. ADVERTISIMENT The events associated with the prophet Daniel and his friends take place during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. The young men, taken from Judea, find themselves in a foreign country dominated by paganism. Despite temptations and pressure from the authorities, they remain faithful to their faith. The most famous episode related to Daniel and his friends (Shadrach (Ananias), Meshach (Meshach), and Abednego (Azariah)) is the story of their being thrown into a hot furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered a golden statue to be built and ordered everyone to worship it. Daniel and his friends refused to obey this order and were sentenced to a terrible death. However, by a miracle of God, they remained unharmed in the hot furnace. Holidays in Ukraine on December 17 This day is the Day of the State Enforcement Service of Ukraine. This holiday was established to express gratitude to the representatives of this profession for their role in ensuring law and order and enforcement of court decisions. ADVERTISIMENT Historical events that took place on December 17 Flight of the Wright Brothers (1903) - Orville Wright made the first flight in the history of aviation in an airplane designed together with his brother Wilber. The flight lasted 12 seconds, but it was a huge step in the development of technology. The Simpsons (1989) - Fox premiered the cult series, which has become one of the longest-running and most popular in television history. The Beatles' first TV appearance (1962) - the legendary band made their first appearance on British television, which was an important milestone in their career. Final of the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2003) - on this day, the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was released worldwide. The film later won 11 Academy Awards. Other interesting events of the day ADVERTISIMENT The first three-organ transplantation (1986) - a unique heart, liver, and lung transplant was performed in Cambridge. Partition of Czechoslovakia (1992) - on this day, a decision was made to form independent Czech Republic and Slovakia on January 1, 1993. Discovery of the Aztec calendar (1790) - In Mexico, archaeologists discovered a stone with an Aztec calendar, which became an important historical artifact. The first Ukrainian locomotive (1897) - the first locomotive of Ukrainian production was built at the Kharkiv Locomotive Works. Saturnalia - a holiday of the ancient world On December 17, the Roman Empire celebrated the Saturnalia, dedicated to Saturn, the god of agriculture. These were days of fun, gifts and the abolition of social norms. This day in UN history In 1984, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning state terrorism and calling for respect for the sovereignty of other countries. Birthdays on December 17, 2024 According to the new style: Danylo, Denys, Ivan, Mykyta, Mykola, Oleksandr, Petro, Serhiy, Stepan. Old style: Anastasiya, Varvara, Vasyl, Hennadiy, Dmytro, Kateryna, Ivan, Kira, Mykola, Oleksandr, Oleksiy, Yulia. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events. AAH, USTAD!! Nagpurians recollect fond memories of Zakir Hussain Staff Reporter : THE Full Moon in the sky progressed from Sunday night to the small hours of Monday. However, as the twilight approached, it clad the music world with gloom with the news of the passing away of tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. Nagpurians shared the shock and grief of the global family of admirers of the five-time Grammy Award winner. And, all mourned the master of rhythm slipping into eternal silence. Nagpurians fondest common memory of the Padma Vibhushan recipient could be summarised in the involuntary response Waah, Ustad! whenever he performed in the city. Vilas Manekar, Secretary of Saptak, recalled Ustad Zakir Hussains mesmerising performance during the Pt C R Vyas Memorial concert on February 17, 2005. In the report of the concert, The Hitavada had published, His fingers were a blur -- now gentle, now demanding -- making the tabla sing in ecstasy. During that performance, the tabla magician had said that every performance was an examination in which sometimes an artist excelled and sometimes failed to meet the expectations. Zakir Hussain had visited Nagpur on occasions prior to 2005, and later too. He had delivered a scintillating performance in a concert with renowned repercussionist Anandan Sivamani in 2013. He visited Nagpur again after a few years. In the early 90s, the maestro had regaled Nagpurians with his jugalbandis with many legendary performers. Dr Satish Sule, noted ophthalmologist, and his brother Sudhir Sule, organiser of the concert, narrated the high values Zakir Hussain practiced in his life with an interesting anecdote. He had come to our home for breakfast. On his arrival, the first thing he asked was about elders in the family. When I told him about my parents, Zakir Saab went straight to their room, touched their feet and had a hearty talk before joining us at the breakfast table, Dr Sule recalled. More recently, earlier this year, celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar had met the Ustad of tabla in San Francisco. I was sitting in a restaurant. Some Marathi-speaking people recognised me and started clicking photographs with me. Sitting in a corner, Ustad-ji watched this and enquired about me. Then, he rose from his seat, called me Vishnuji and suddenly bowed before me. I was shocked. Such a legendary person bowing before me! He then said with a his charismatic gentle smile that he bowed before Annapurna in me. I was surprised to know from me that his wife saw my videos of cookery show and cooked Maharashtrian food for him, Vishnu Manohar recalled. During that interaction, the celebrity chef invited Zakir Hussain to Nagpur. Recently, the tabla maestro had sent a video message for Vishnu Manohars event of making a record number of Dosas. During his multiple visits to Nagpur, he left behind the image of an artist engrossed in love with the instrument he played, whether on stage or off the stage. Nagpurians carry in their hearts the image of an ever-smiling artist with a fresh-as-dew face. Whenever that name and image come to ones mind, one is bound to hear in ones heart the rhythmic taal of tabla. Alas! The rhythm has paused. In his passing, he has left Nagpurians moaning, Aah, Ustad!! CM Fadnavis, Gadkari condole demise of Zakir Hussain Staff Reporter : DEVENDRA Fadnavis, Maharashtra Chief Minister, and Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, condoled the demise of legendary tabla maestro Padma Vibhushan Zakir Hussain on Monday. In a condolence message, Fadnavis stated that the passing away of legendary percussionist Zakir Hussain had created a void in the world of rhythm. Tabla lost its rhythm! Extremely saddened to know about the passing away of the legendary tabla maestro Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain Sahab. His music elevated Indian table to global reverence, becoming a symbol of its intricate rhythm. A true stalwart of creativity, his music bridged generations, touching countless hearts. His legacy will forever resonate in every beat of tabla. He made tabla immortal. My condolences to his family, friends, millions of followers and fans. Om Shanti, Fadnavis tweeted. The Chief Minister described Zakir Hussain as Illustrious son of Maharashtra, and said that the maestro inspired countless youths towards tabla playing. The void created by the demise of the Taal Yogi cannot be filled since he preserved the musical inheritance he got from his father Ustad Allah Rakha. His demise marks the fall of one of the brightest stars in the sky of India music, Fadnavis added. In his tweet, Gadkari stated that the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain was extremely saddening. Paying tributes to the departed maestro, the Union Minister added that Zakir Hussains contribution the world of art was unparalleled. The world will remember him forever for his dedication towards music, he added. Winter holidays are a time to make plans for the next year, including planning where you will spend your vacation this time. ADVERTISIMENT However, there are incredibly many wonderful places on the planet, and it can be really difficult to choose one of them. The safari organization service Go2Africa decided to help with this. Its experts have analyzed the number of Google searches by destination over the past 12 months and compiled a list of the best places to visit in the world. It was published by the Mirror. The Indonesian island of Bali was named the best place to go next year. It has been popular as a vacation destination for decades, and many travelers from all over the world choose it for vacations, honeymoons, or trips with friends. Bali is adored for its friendly locals and stunning nature. This, as well as its close connection to spirituality, has led the locals to nickname the island the "Island of the Gods." ADVERTISIMENT In second place are all types of wildlife safaris. Whether it's watching lions in the savannah or contemplating the life of a tiny elephant shrew, being in the wild allows travelers to encounter rare creatures. In addition, safaris often support local economies and contribute to conservation initiatives. This makes them both an exciting experience and a responsible way to experience wildlife. The picturesque island of Santorini in Greece is the third place on the bucket list for many travelers. Its snow-white houses with blue roofs, volcanic beaches, and incredible landscapes attract beauty lovers. Visitors to Santorini can spend days lying on the beach, exploring the rich menu of one of the many Greek restaurants on the cliffs, or taking a boat out to sea. Surprisingly, the top 15 most desirable places to visit is a cold and rather unfriendly place Antarctica. The region, which includes shelf glaciers, waters, and icebergs, also attracts tourists seeking an unforgettable experience. In general, the list of the world's 15 best places to visit in 2025 looks like this: Bali, Indonesia Various safaris Santorini, Greece Disneyland, Florida, USA Bora Bora, French Polynesia Northern lights in the world Machu Picchu, Peru Taj Mahal, India Eiffel Tower, France Grand Canyon, USA Hiking in Patagonia, Chile Statue of Liberty, USA Mount Everest, Nepal Stonehenge, England Antarctica Subscribe to OBOZ.UA's Telegram and Viber channels to keep up with the latest developments. When House not in session, Vidhan Bhavan to become Constitution Institute By Vikas Vaidya : Vidhimandal TV to be launched on the lines of Sansad TV, says Speaker Adv Rahul Narwekar To make new members of State Legislature familiar with the working of the State Legislature, a Constitution Institute will be set up, revealed Adv Rahul Narwekar, Speaker of the Maharashtra State Assembly while talking to The Hitavada at his chamber in Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur on the first day of Winter Session of State Legislature on Monday. He played an important role while steering Mahayuti Government led by Eknath Shinde when some disputes regarding splits in Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena put the mega alliance in a fix. He toiled hard for more than 16 hours then and argued in the court in an effective manner. His competency was lauded by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis when he was re-elected as Speaker of the Assembly. The functioning of State Legislature is different. Several issues are to be dealt carefully. Legislators come and go but for leaving footprint, one needs to study the functiong of both the Houses. Keeping this in mind, we are starting the Constitution Institute. Butm we have not chalked out its form. Post Winter Session, the Vidhan Bhavan with well-equipped library and training facilities, remains defunct for rest of the period of the year. During this period, the facilities can be used for running the institute for newly-elected MLAs, Adv Narwekar explained. The 47-year-old MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. A lawyer by profession, he defeated Congress candidate Heera Nawaji Devasi by a margin of 48,500 votes. He left his successful practice and joined politics. He is carrying forward legacy of his father, Suresh Narwekar, who was a councillor. Rahul Narwekar has a political background. His father-in-law Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, is a NCP leader. We have planned to launch Vidhimandal TV on the lines Sansad TV. Currently, private channels telecast the proceedings of the legislature. However, once the Vidhimandal TV is launched, we will give others a live feed. If everything goes well then this project will start functioning by next winter session, Adv Narwekar stated. Sansad TV is a government television channel in India. This channel telecast programmes of both the Houses of the Indian Parliament and other public affairs. It was established in March 2021 by merging the existing home channels, Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV. Vidhimandal TV will be launched on the same lines. Adv Narwekar is considered as studious, soft spoken but very strict. Even the oOpposition members agree that Adv Narwekar runs House in unbiased way. During the monsoon session held in Mumbai, the issue of the behavior of MLAs was the point of discussion. Taking serious note of it, Rahul Narwekar had announced that a committee was being formed to formulate rules for the behavior of MLAs. Narwekar said, Senior members should behave in a proper manner. There are people who are well aware of functioning of the State Legislature, so everybody expects them to act well. The working of State Legislature will become paperless within a month or two. Digitisation work is underway. Members can get any information on one click. It will become possible to conduct proceedings on-line. This will bring a total revolution in the working of State Legislature, said Adv Narwekar. During coronavirus pandemic, no session was conducted. If such situation arises then the work of State Legislature can be conducted on-line. Adv Narwekar has the challenge of presiding over and ensuring that the work in State Assembly function in a smooth manner plus no Ppposition members feel they are being neglected because of their poor number. He has to keep balance even among the constituents of Mahayuti too. Jabalpur temp plunges to 5C Staff Reporter : The cold wave sweeping across North India has continuously increasing chill throughout Madhya Pradesh, including Jabalpur. In several cities, temperatures have dropped below five degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature recorded in the State was 1C, at Kalyanpur (Shahdol) and the hill station Pachmarhi. Cold wave has been persisting in the state for the past one week. This extreme cold is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. An alert for the cold wave was issued for more than 30 districts, including Jabalpur and Bhopal, on Monday. Spokesman of the Weather Department informed that the icy winds from North India are causing the intense cold. The same weather conditions are expected to persist on Tuesday. However, some relief from the cold may arrive after 48 hours. Meanwhile, an alert for the cold wave has been issued for Bhopal and Jabalpur and other districts including Panna, Satna, Singrauli, Katni, Dindori, Pandhurna, Seoni, Balaghat etc. It may be noted that the biting cold generally grips the region in the latter half of December. However, this year, the first half of December is already rewriting history. November also witnessed unprecedented cold, breaking records of several past years. Freezing winds blowing from the mountains have left the entire state shivering. The harsh cold conditions have disrupted normal life and making even routine activities difficult. The chill will dominate the region till December 18. For the last one week, the Jabalpur and surrounding districts have been experiencing harsh cold conditions, with the temperature running 7C below normal. On Monday, the minimum temperature was recorded to 5C, leaving people shivering throughout the day. The severe cold is significantly impacting daily life. The biting cold and freezing winds have been forcing people to stay indoors. Streets are deserted early at night and mornings start late as people try to avoid the icy chill. The city's maximum temperature on Monday was recorded at 24.6C, while the minimum temperature dropped to 5C, which was 6C below normal. Morning humidity was recorded at 73 per cent, reducing to 52 per cent by evening, with northern winds blowing at a speed of 2 to 3 kilometre per hour. Now, TMC questions Congress Show how EVMs can be hacked? Abhishek Banerjee, Trinamool Congress MP NEW DELHI : 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 dont 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 on 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 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 had told ANI on December 1. Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Monday took a jibe at the Congress alleging that the party only found faults with EVMs when they lost elections. Whenever the Congress party loses elections, instead of introspecting, they blame someone else. Unless they introspect, they will not win elections...When they (Congress) form Governments in Karnataka, Jharkhand, there is no problem with EVMs, but when they lose Maharashtra, they blame EVMs, Fadnavis said. The BJP has also raised questions on the credibility of the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters, Congress should try to realise it at least when people of INDI Alliance say this. They dont understand it when we say this but now even their allies are saying this...At least now they should understand, they should realise that they wont be able to go ahead with a leader like Rahul Gandhi. (West Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee is also saying this, as NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and (Samajwadi party chief) Akhilesh Yadav as well..., Joshi told reporters. The Union Minister also underlined the importance of a strong Opposition in a democracy. What I feel personally is, that the Congress party should realise themselves, they should understand what is their mistake, and they should introspect what is their problem. We also want constructive Opposition. We do not want Congress or the Opposition completely weak. That is not what we want. Opposition is as important as ruling (Government at the centre) in democracy..., he added. PM Modi, CM Yogi Adityanath briefed about Mahakumbh Mela preparations Staff Reporter : Lieutenant General P S Shekhawat, General Officer Commanding, Madhya Bharat Area briefed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the comprehensive preparations underway for the historic Mahakumbh Mela 2025 during his visit at Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop. It may be noted that PM Narendra Modi along with Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, recently visited the revered Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop within the historic Allahabad Fort. The visit was meticulously prepared under the guidance of Lt Gen P S Shekhawat. Lt Gen Shekhawat briefed the Prime Minister about the comprehensive preparations underway for the historic Mahakumbh Mela 2025. The preparations included extensive infrastructure upgrades and modernization projects aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of the Mahakumbh Mela, a monumental event that draws millions of pilgrims from across the country. During the briefing, Lt Gen Shekhawat lauded the relentless efforts of the teams involved and emphasized the Indian Army's unwavering commitment to supporting civil authorities and contributing to the development of essential infrastructure that benefits both the military and civilian populations. The ongoing projects include the modernization of medical facilities to provide the best possible care for the anticipated influx of visitors and pilgrims. PM, Modi appreciated the comprehensive preparations made by the Indian Army and expressed confidence that the well-planned arrangements will ensure the success of the Mahakumbh Mela. The Mahakumbh Mela 2025 is expected to be a landmark event, and the preparations demonstrating the Armys commitment to national service in all its facets. President Murmu, PM Modi pay homage to heroes of 1971 war NEW DELHI : 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 Indias history. 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, 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 nations 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 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 General Anil Chauhan too paid rich tributes to the fallen heroes of the war. General Chauhan also conveyed his compliments to all serving personnel, veterans and Veer Naris for their dedication, resolve and enduring commitment towards the nation. Raipur constable faces backlash for partying with monitored criminal Staff Reporter RAIPUR, A shocking video of a constable in Raipur has sparked outrage on social media, showing an on-duty police officer fraternising with a monitored criminal during a birthday celebration. The video, widely circulated online, has drawn severe criticism against the Raipur Police Department. The incident occurred in the Moudhapara police station area. The criminal, identified as Sahil Raksel, a monitored offender in the locality, is seen cutting a cake with a knife and feeding it to constable Nazir Khan, who attended the gathering in full police uniform. The video further shows the constable hugging and kissing the criminal on the cheek, with Raksel dancing in front of the officer while brandishing the knife. The video, shared from an account reportedly belonging to Sahil Raksel, appears to have been deliberately recorded to tarnish the polices image and create fear among the public. The brazen act raises questions about the integrity of police personnel and the consequences of their association with criminals. The video has sparked widespread anger, with many questioning how law enforcement can maintain order if its members socialise with criminals. Citizens have taken to social media to demand strict action against the constable involved, emphasising that such incidents undermine public trust in the police force. The Raipur Police Department is under heavy criticism as calls for disciplinary action against Nazir Khan grow louder. The incident highlights a pressing need for accountability within the police force to ensure that such behavior does not recur. Higher officials are expected to take a strong stance to restore faith in law enforcement. Seasoned legislators upset over no ministerial berth Disgruntled senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal speaking to mediapersons in Vidhan Bhavan premises on Monday. Staff Reporter/Agencies : NCPs Chhagan Bhujbal visibly upset, BJPs Sudhir Mungantiwar wonders why his name was removed from the list of ministers, Shiv Senas Narendra Bhondekar quits party posts Denied ministerial berths in newly sworn-in Mahayuti Government, 12 former ministers and some senior party leaders are upset. On the first day of the Winter Session of State Legislature in city on Monday, some of the leaders sent feelers that they were upset. While Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Sudhir Mungantiwar abstained from attending the business in Legislative Assembly, Nationalist Congress Partys (NCP) Chhagan Bhujbal reportedly proceeded to Nashik to speak to his supporters. Shiv Senas Narendra Bhondekar quit the party posts. Some supporters of BJP MLA Sameer Kunawar from Hinganghat in Wardha district also resigned from their party posts as he could not get ministerial berth. The 12 former ministers who have not been included in the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayutis Government include Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP), Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP), Dilip Walse Patil (NCP), Vijaykumar Gavit (BJP), Deepak Kesarkar (Shiv Sena), Tanaji Sawant (Shiv Sena), Dharmaraobaba Atram (NCP), Suresh Khade (BJP), Ravindra Chavan (BJP), Abdul Sattar (Shiv Sena), Sanjay Bansode (NCP), and Anil Patil (NCP). Of them, Mungantiwar and Atram are from Vidarbha region. Bhujbal is a former Deputy Chief Minister, and Walse Patil had earlier served as Speaker of Legislative Assembly. This has stirred the political atmosphere in Maharashtra, apart from upsetting these 12 former ministers. Some of the consecutive-term MLAs also were expecting to get ministerial berth, but they also were disappointed. All this was visible in different ways on Monday, the first day of the Winter Session of State Legislature. Speaking to mediapersons in Vidhan Bhavan premises, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal did not shy away from expressing his disappointment at non-inclusion in the Mahayuti Government. I am upset. I shall decide future course (of action) after talking to the people of my constituency, he said before proceeding reportedly to Nashik, which has his constituency of Yeola. He alleged that he was excluded from the Cabinet as he had locked horns with Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange. Stating that ministerial berths may come and go, he stressed that he could not be finished off politically. He refused to comment on the idea of performance audit of Mahayuti ministers. Sudhir Mungantiwar, former Finance and Forest Minister and senior BJP leader, wondered why his name was removed from the list of ministers. Mungantiwar, who did not attend the proceedings on the first day of the Winter Session despite being in Nagpur, claimed that he was assured of his name in the said list. Stating that he was not upset, he said that he would continue to highlight in Legislative Assembly the issues relating to welfare of people from his constituency of Ballarpur in Chandrapur district of Vidarbha. I have no reason to be upset about it (ministerial berth). I shall work in whatever role the party assigns to me, he said. He met Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, at the latters residence in city and said, When such things come up, I seek his guidance. Meanwhile, in another development, a few supporters of Sameer Kunawar, Hinganghat MLA of BJP, resigned from party posts to express disappointment over their leader not being given a place in the new State Cabinet. Narendra Bhondekar, Shiv Sena MLA, resigned from all party posts as an expression of disappointment over denial of spot in the State Cabinet. As per the reports reaching here, he told reporters in Bhandara that Eknath Shinde, former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief, had promised him a ministerial berth. Upon realising that he was omitted from the list of ministers, he said, he decided to step down from all posts in the party and work as an ordinary worker. He was Deputy Leader of Shiv Sena and Co-ordinator for Eastern Vidarbha. He said that he had joined Shiv Sena on the condition that he would get a Cabinet berth. Stating that he had submitted his resignation to Shiv Sena leaders, he said that he was awaiting their response. However, another Shiv Sena leader dropped from the list of ministers -- Deepak Kesarkar -- said that he was not upset as he understood that party leader had political compulsions to give representation to different communities and regions of the State. In the new Government, senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis is the Chief Minister. Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena chief and former Chief Minister, and Ajit Pawar, NCP chief, have been inducted as Deputy Chief Ministers. In the swearing-in ceremony of 39 ministers at Nagpur on Sunday evening, 19 BJP leaders took oath as ministers and Ministers of State. Shiv Sena got 11 and NCP got nine berths in the new Government. CM Fadnavis hints at another responsibility for Mungantiwar Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, hinted that the BJP leadership might entrust another responsibility to Sudhir Mungantiwar, former Finance Minister and senior leader. Responding to a question regarding a senior leader like Mungantiwar not being included in the new Maharashtra Cabinet, Fadnavis replied that he had spoken with Mungantiwar. He is a senior leader. The party leadership may entrust him with any other responsibility, he added. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passes away NEW DELHI : ZAKIR Hussain, the exuberant maestro of tabla who once called the instrument his mate, brother and friend and embodied the universality of music in his 60-year career, died in a San Francisco hospital early Monday. He was 73. Hussain, the globally recognised musician and one of Indias most celebrated, was suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease, his family said in a statement. Confirmation of the death of the music legend -- who cruised through genres, be it western or jazz, with the same ease and mastery with which he drummed out rhythm and magic from the tabla -- came after hours of fevered speculation on social media. The tabla virtuoso had been in hospital for the last two weeks and was shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after his condition deteriorated. He passed away peacefully after the ventilation machine was switched off. This was 4 pm San Francisco time (5.30 am Monday, IST), Hussains sister Khurshid Aulia told PTI. Regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain is survived by his wife Antonia Minnecola and their daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi. 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 in a statement. The last rites will take place either on Wednesday or Thursday, they said. Born on March 9, 1951, Hussain was the son of all-time tabla great Ustad Alla Rakha. The legacy of genius was perhaps destined. Hussain once recalled that his father recited tabla rhythms in his ears when he was born instead of the usual prayers. His mother was livid and then life took on its own trajectory. He was just seven when he gave his first performance and started touring at the age of 12. In his early career, Hussain went on to collaborate with virtually all of Indias performers of the time, including Ravi Shankar, Ali Akbar Khan and Shivkumar Sharma. As news spread about the death of the loved musician, a distinctive figure with his broad smile, curly locks that kept rhythm with the rapid, blurry movement of his fingers on the tabla, the tributes poured in. Expressing his condolences to Hussains family, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called him a cultural ambassador who bridged borders and generations with his mesmerising rhythms. Hussain, pivotal in moving the tabla from an accompanying instrument to centrestage, told PTI last year that music is his world. It is the garb I wear. Tabla is a mate, it is a brother, a friend, its the bed I sleep in. My father always said that each instrument has a spirit and half the battle if you are a student is to get that spirit to accept you as a mate, as a friend and once that happens then the instrument reveals how you should react to it, how you should touch it and express yourself through it, Hussain said. Through his long career, the percussionist was at the front of innovation and experimentation in fusing different sounds from different worlds. He collaborated with several renowned international and Indian artists but it was his 1973 project Shakti with English guitarist John McLaughlin, violinist L Shankar and percussionist T H Vikku Vinayakram that brought together Indian classical music and elements of jazz in a hitherto-unknown fusion. His groundbreaking work with Western musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, jazz musician Charles Lloyd, banjo player Bela Fleck, bassist Edgar Meyer, percussionist Mickey Hart and The Beatles George Harrison brought Indian classical music to an international audience, cementing his status as a global cultural ambassador. Hussain received four Grammy Awards in his career, including three at the 66th awards ceremony earlier this year. And, in fact, was planning a series of concerts in Mumbai early next year as part of the fusion band Shakti, for which he got one of his Grammys. The percussionist, who was also a composer and dabbled in acting, received the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023. The King, in whose hands Rhythm became Magic, has left us... RIP my dearest Zakir. We will meet again, Shakti founding member John McLaughlin said on Instagram. Other in the music fraternity, including A R Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal, Kamal Sabri, Amjad Ali Khan, remembered Hussain as a true legend, a phenomenon and a rare talent who gave tabla a global identity. 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, Khan said. One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced, Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej wrote on X. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta credited Hussain for bringing an accompanying instrument to the forefront. The maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain passed away a few hours ago. Goodbye Ustad ji. The man who made the tabla sexy, who brought an accompanying instrument to the forefront is gone, Mehta said, recalling the Wah Taj ad for the Taj Mahal tea brand. Besides his work as a tabla player, Hussain also composed music for many movies, including Mr and Mrs Iyer. He also acted in the Merchant Ivory film production Heat and Dust, The Perfect Murder and Saaz, opposite Shabana Azmi. VIALEW organises Capacity BuildingProgramme under RAMP Project Business Reporter : THE Lady Entrepreneurs Wing of Vidarbha Industries Association (VIALEW)organised aCapacityBuildingProgramme under the RAMP Project, designed to empower MSMEs recently at VIA Auditorium, Nagpur. The programme was supported by The World Bank, MSSIDC, and implemented by InFED, IIM Nagpur. This workshop was specially designed for women entrepreneurs to help them promote and expand their businesses. Gajendra Bharti, Joint Director Industries, was the chief guest of the event. He shared insights on various Government schemes. He said RAMP scheme is designed to enhance the performance of MSMEs by promoting technologyupgradation, innovation, digitization, market access, credit, greening initiatives, etc. through active participationof theStateGovernments. He further said Maharashtras Women Policy provides 100 per cent Fixed Capital Investment support and a 25 per cent capital subsidy. NeelamBowade and Vandana Sharma conducted the proceedings while Yogita Deshmukh, Secretary - VIALEW proposed vote of thanks. Prominently present were VIALEW Past Chairpersons - Chitra Parate, Shachi Mallick, Poonam Lala and others. Will never forget role played by India and WB for Bangladesh freedom: Mamata KOLKATA : WEST Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she will never forget the role played by India and West Bengal in the Bangladesh freedom movement of 1971. Attending a military tattoo, a display by the Armed Forces, Banerjee paid homage to the valiant soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who displayed indomitable courage during the 1971 war, which led to the birth of Bangladesh. I will never forget the role played by India and West Bengal for the Bangladesh freedom movement, she said, acknowledging the presence of Muktijoddhas from the neighbouring nation at the Vijay Diwas celebrations held to mark the historic victory over Pakistan. CM recalled how the Indian people provided assistance to the Bengali populace in East Pakistan in 1971, sheltering nearly a crore refugees. Since I do not know the present situation, it wont be proper for me to say anything about it, she said. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasinas Awami League Government on August 5, Bangladesh has been in turmoil, with the minority Hindu population, constituting about 8 per cent of the 170 million people, facing over 200 attacks. The military tattoo, attended by Eastern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General R C Tiwari, featured bhangra dance, performances by the air warrior drill team, micro light flying, fly pasts, mule trick riding, skydiving, a dog show, and a band display at the RCTC ground. Ukraine has responded to the statement by Belarusian Foreign Minister Yury Ambrazevich, who demanded that the end of the war in Ukraine take into account the interests of Minsk. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reminded that the Russians used Belarusian territory for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Therefore, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Heorhii Tykhyi, emphasized that Belarusian officials can claim not a "seat at the peace talks table" but a fair trial for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. His statement was published on the ministry's website on Monday, December 16. Tykhyi noted that the only source of real security threats to Belarus is Russia, which used the territory of its ally for armed aggression against Ukraine. "All that Belarusian officials have the right to claim is a fair trial within the process of bringing the aggressor and its accomplices to international legal responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine," the diplomat said. It should be noted that Ambrazevich said that Belarus is "like no other" interested in a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, allegedly because of the threat to its borders. In addition, he said that Minsk allegedly "has been making peacekeeping efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict from the very beginning," so it claims a seat at the peace talks. As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on Hungary to stop "immoral manipulations" on the topic of peace and refrain from "peacekeeping" calls to Moscow. After them, the occupiers send missiles and drones to Ukrainian cities. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! It was only a matter of time. One day after two old oil tankers sank in the Black Sea on Sunday, spilling a significant amount of the fuel they were carrying, that was the prevailing sentiment on Monday among industry insiders. Russia has responded to sanctions on its crude by deploying an aging fleet of ships some flying Russias flag, some not in an effort to keep its oil exports flowing on the global market. This strategy which has proven economically beneficial for Russia has also posed an environmental risk for nearly three years. The first major incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, though the full consequences are still unfolding. Its the chronicle of a disaster foretold, says Jorge Leon, vice president of oil analysis at energy consultancy Rystad, who has extensive industry experience. Everyone said this was an imminent risk, that it was going to happen. So the only surprise is that it took so long to happen, he explains. Most of the ships operated by Russia, he adds, were already ready to be scrapped; they were vessels no one else wanted, and Russia bought them. As a result, safety measures on these ships are minimal, says Leon. Nearly two decades ago, in November 2007, a tanker from the same fleet sank while navigating the passage from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. That tanker was only 29 years old and was more modern than the ships involved in Sundays incident. The Volgoneft 212, the first of the two damaged vessels, was 55 years old. It was launched on December 15, 1969, during Leonid Brezhnevs era in the USSR. The second ship, the Volgoneft 239, was built in 1973 and had 51 years of service. These tankers were originally longer but were shortened in the 1990s to navigate smaller seas and rivers. The welds connecting the bow and stern failed to withstand the strong winds and rough waves. Just one day before the incident, Russian occupation authorities in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, advised against venturing out to sea due to winds reaching up to 50 miles per hour. The two tankers were carrying about 8,000 tons of fuel combined, and the spill from both vessels could potentially exceed the ecological damage caused in 2007, when around 2,000 tons of fuel were spilled. The rough seas could further disperse the pollution. Additionally, there have been casualties: one sailor from the Volgoneft 212 has died, and two others, including the captain, have been hospitalized in serious condition. All 14 crew members of the Volgoneft 239 were rescued. At the beginning of this decade, there were around 1,500 Volgoneft-class vessels in service. We should stop debating the future of the Volgonefts as carriers of dangerous goods; I think were playing with fire, Gennady Yegorov, director of the Russian Maritime Engineering Bureau, wrote in 2020 in the magazine Russian Shipping. It is unclear whether the two sunken vessels were transporting cargo directly from one dock to another or transferring fuel to other Russian tankers on the high seas. For example, U.S. firm S&P tracked over 3,100 such transfers by Russias shadow fleet between April 2023 and April 2024. To be classified as part of this shadow fleet, Leon believes a vessel must meet certain criteria: it must violate European regulations and operate without European-recognized insurance. Many ships in the fleet also disable their GPS signals to avoid detection. The two tankers involved in the accident meet these criteria, concludes Leon. No transponder The Volgoneft 212 last activated its transponder on December 3, nearly two weeks before the shipwreck, according to the Krymsky Veter website. Russian media only report that the ship had left Saratov, located along the Volga River, heading for the port of Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait. Officially, the ship is registered in St. Petersburg. According to the Russian news outlet Mash, the vessel was supposed to depart the Kerch Strait on November 30, but it spent over two weeks waiting to unload its fuel. The Volgoneft 239 had been traveling in and out of the Black Sea in the days before the incident. Russian media report that it had departed from the port of Azov at the mouth of the Don River, bound for Kavkaz, where it was heading before it ran aground just 80 meters from the Taman pier. Little more is known about the ship, although VesselTracker logs show that it spent a couple of days at the port of Kronstadt last year. Interestingly, the ship is officially registered in Astrakhan, located at the mouth of the Volga River in the Caspian Sea, thousands of miles away. The shipwreck and spill came just days after the European Union took further steps to try to stop Russia from evading sanctions. The 15th package of EU sanctions, approved last Wednesday, included measures targeting ships from third countries that assist Vladimir Putins regime in bypassing the Western blockade an integral part of the shadow fleet. Agreement with India Apart from its shadow fleet, Russia has adopted a second strategy to evade sanctions: selling vast and increasing quantities of crude oil to countries that were not traditionally its top customers. Essentially, Russia is redirecting shipments that were once bound for Western markets to nations like India, which has now become a primary destination for its oil. Last week, Russian oil giant Rosneft struck a deal with Indian refinery Reliance to sell half a million barrels of oil per day (equivalent to 0.5% of global production and 5% of Russian production) for the next decade. The deal is valued at over $12 billion annually, based on the current exchange rate. This marks the largest such agreement in the history of both countries, with benefits for both parties: Russia secures a market for its oil, which would otherwise be difficult to sell, while India gains access to a critical raw material one it relies almost entirely on imports for at a significantly lower price than the international market rate. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A bomb attack in Moscow has killed the head of the Russian armys Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Defense Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, and his assistant. According to Telegram channels close to the Russian security forces, an explosive equivalent to about 300 grams of TNT hidden in an electric scooter went off as the servicemen were walking to their official car in the early hours of the morning. Authorities have not yet clarified responsibility for the attack, the second in less than a week following the shooting death of the designer of the Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, Mikhail Shatsky, in the Russian capital. Kirillov was known to be the Kremlins voice in accusations against the United States over the never-proven presence of biolabs in Ukraine, allegedly preparing biological weapons involving migratory birds and mosquito-carrying drones for dissemination. Kirillov is the highest-ranking military officer assassinated in Moscow so far during the war in Ukraine. The attack was perpetrated at number 2 Ryazansky Avenue in the capital at 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning. The blast shattered glass from the first to the fourth floors of the building and tore off the front door, Baza news channel reported. Three nearby cars were also damaged. According to the investigation, the orchestrator of the attack must have been nearby and activated the device by means of a radio signal or a phone call. According to an anonymous source quoted by Reuters, the Ukrainian secret services are believed to have been behind the attack. The Russian Investigative Committee is keeping the investigation open and has not mentioned any of its suspicions about the perpetrators of the attack. Nor has Ukraine. According to the Kommersant newspaper, the initial classification of the crime points to the fact that the case will be tried as the murder of a civilian and not of a military target. In addition, the newspapers sources state that the killer and his hypothetical accomplices may also be tried for treason. On Monday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which has prosecutorial functions, had filed charges against General Kirillov in absentia for the use of banned chemical weapons, reports Gloria Rodriguez-Pina from Kyiv. According to the SBU investigation, Russia has used this weaponry in more than 4,800 instances since the beginning of the Kremlins full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to a statement picked up Monday by the local press. More than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers have required treatment for chemical poisoning and three have died, according to Ukrainian Colonel Artem Vlasiuk. Last October, the UK sanctioned Kirillov and his unit for the use of such weapons in Ukraine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said his country will not sit by whilst Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law. The location in Moscow where the explosion occurred, which, according to the Russian Investigative Committee, killed General Igor Kirillov and his assistant, Moscow, December 17, 2024. Maxim Shemetov (REUTERS) Kirillov, 54, had been in charge of the NBC defense department since 2017. He had also been involved in the creation of the TOS-2 thermobaric rocket launcher, although he gained prominence at the beginning of the invasion when he led the Kremlins accusations against Washington over the alleged existence of biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine. Moscow went so far as to submit a resolution to the UN Security Council on this alleged threat. According to Kirillov, the United States had three dozen laboratories in Ukraine and was preparing mosquitoes, bats, and some migratory bird species to spread yellow fever, dengue fever, and Zika among its enemies. In addition, the Kremlin also accused Washington of designing ethnically distinct pathogens to target only the Slavic population which, if true, would have been just as dangerous for Ukraine. The Kremlin, which justified its invasion with the denazification of Volodymyr Zelenskiys government, never proved its accusations and the resolution failed with only Russian and Chinese votes. Moscows allegations were refuted both by agencies specializing in debunking fake news and by Washington. The U.S. State Department stated at the time: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States has been working with allies, partners, and international organizations to reduce legacy threats from the Soviet Unions nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in former Soviet states, including Ukraine and Russia [...] the Kremlin fails to mention in its disinformation that Russia actively participated in these programs until it unilaterally ceased cooperation in 2014. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed through her social media channels that Kirillov worked without fear. For many years, systematically, with the facts in hand, he exposed the crimes of the Anglos, said the senior official before attributing to Washington alleged chemical attacks in Syria, and the attempted assassination in the UK of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. The UN-linked Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed Londons version that the former double agent, exchanged by Moscow a decade earlier, was poisoned with the Soviet-origin chemical agent Novichok. Kirillovs assassination comes four days after a leading Russian missile designer was found shot dead in a Moscow park near his home. Mikhail Shatsky, chief designer at Mars, had created the Kh-59 and Kh-69 missiles and was involved in the renewal of the drone program with which Moscow has been pounding Ukraine for nearly three years. According to some Ukrainian media, his death was orchestrated by the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys Intelligence Services, the GUR. Since the invasion of Ukraine was launched, several Russian public figures have been killed on Russian territory and in the occupied regions with bomb devices attributed to Kyiv. The daughter of Russian ultranationalist philosopher Alexander Dugin, Daria Dugina, lost her life when her car exploded after leaving a festival in which her father was participating in the summer of 2022. According to U.S. intelligence, Ukrainian espionage was behind her death. A year later, a bomb hidden in a statuette killed pro-war blogger Vadim Tatarski during an event at a cafe, and another explosive wounded Russian writer and paramilitary Zajar Pripelin. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Young Rami returned to his home province of Idlib (north-west Syria) a few days ago after years as a refugee in Lebanon. On Sunday a working day he went to renew his identity card and the process was so quick and the staff so friendly that he asked to see the director to congratulate him. When I entered his office he got up from his chair to greet me, he says with surprise: I swear I told him: If you keep treating us this well, well end up getting used to it. For decades, Syrians have expected nothing from the authorities except humiliation and abuse. The state has meant corruption and endless bureaucratic procedures; the fear of being spied on, arrested, and tortured. Many Syrians EL PAIS has spoken to in recent days speak of the anxiety they felt at having to pass a checkpoint every time they moved from one place to another: they knew that to get through they would have to pay a bribe, although they didnt know how much, and that, depending on the mood of the official on duty, they could end up in the barracks or forcibly recruited into the army. So now that the checkpoints are manned by militants from the fundamentalist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) who behave politely and even smile, this alone is an impressive step forward for many citizens. Institutions, institutions, institutions. This is the message that Abu Mohammad al-Julani, leader of HTS, the armed group that has seized power in Syria after leading the offensive to overthrow Bashar al-Assad, has been insisting on for days. The Syrian revolution has won, but Syria cannot be led with a revolutionary mentality. Laws and institutions are needed, stressed Al-Julani on Saturday, who now prefers to leave behind his nom de guerre and use his real name, Ahmed Hussein al-Shara. The Aleppo provincial delegation building is a tall skyscraper with some of its windows shattered; it was a snipers nest during the battle for the city between 2012-2016 and also suffered during the offensive that began at the end of last month. In its main office, lit by an ostentatious chandelier with crystal tears, heavy curtains cover the broken windows, through which filters the freezing December air and the cries of street market traders. It is guarded by a bearded HTS military policeman and served by a clean-shaven official from the former regime. A triumvirate from Idlib has taken over the governorate to try to get it up and running. For the moment, they are trying to assess the situation: they estimate that 95% of the officials have taken up their posts, although, they admit, they do not know for sure how many employees they have, due to the rampant corruption and nepotism during the Assad regime. We are trying to preserve and use the previous structures. For the moment, without changing any laws, maintaining the template, and completing what is missing, explains Fawaz al-Helal. And at the same time, introduce the model and experience that we have followed in Idlib, adds Abd al-Wahab Daas. The triumvirate formed by Abd al-Wahab Daas, Fawaz al-Helal, and Zakaria Lababidi, who took over the management of the provincial delegation of the government in Aleppo on an interim basis last Sunday. Andres Mourenza Idlib is a small, conservative province in the northwestern corner of Syria bordering Turkey, where HTS defeated the other Islamist and rebel factions by force of arms in 2019. The group established the so-called Salvation Government to govern the territories under its control. In 2020, when this newspaper visited Idlib, it was a place with barely any running water or electricity, no cell phone coverage, and hardly any employment opportunities. Its 3.5 million inhabitants (two-thirds of whom were displaced) were struggling to survive. We have faced numerous crises. Covid-19, continuous bombings, the earthquake in 2023, and we have proven ourselves capable. Even in a state of war, we developed the province and people saw that they could trust us. We have instructed our staff not to accept bribes and to cultivate the trust of the population, says Mohamed al-Asmar, head of communications at the Salvation Governments Media Ministry. And it is true that services have improved; there are fewer people living in tents, new homes have been built, supermarkets are much better stocked than in the rest of Syria (you can even buy new iPhone 16s), there are workshops, some factories, and two local cell phone companies. I see everything very differently. Its more civilized and safer. Im proud of the guys in charge, says Rahiha, a woman in her 50s who recently returned to Idlib. Another change compared to 2020 is that there are no longer so many militiamen on the streets then they were from different groups, some of them foreign jihadists and the police of the Ministry of the Interior of the Salvation Government patrol in their brand new vehicles. Four years ago, a local source described the Salvation Government as HTS in civilian clothes, but since then its representatives have acquired a personality of their own. Its members, explains Al-Asmar, are chosen for their revolutionary commitment and for effectiveness and capacity, through the so-called Shura Council, which acts as a parliament and is chosen from among local notables and representatives of professions (all men). However, he assures that this is not the model that HTS seeks for all of Syria. There will be elections; we could not hold them because we were in a context of war, but that has changed, he promises. What makes me optimistic is that they are well-trained people. Although from outside they say they are a terrorist group, we have not seen anything like that so far, but we have spoken with dignified and educated people, says Syriac Catholic Archbishop Denys Antoine Shahda. Islamist gradualism Behind this shift is, of course, the pragmatism of its leader, Ahmed Hussein al-Shara, writes Syrian analyst Haid Haid on the social network X: Using a gradual strategy that mixes patience, coercion and persuasion [...] has allowed him to implement his objectives little by little, adapting to the reactions of the population in order to minimize negative reactions. One example of this has been his change of tack regarding minorities, which he began to implement in Idlib, returning land and restoring Druze and Christian sanctuaries that had previously been captured by Islamist militants. An HTS commander who calls himself Abu Muhamad al-Halabi and who has fought with the group since it was known as the Al-Nusra Front and had not yet distanced itself from Al Qaeda, says Al-Shara is a charismatic and intelligent man, capable of accepting criticism. He is a leader, not a dictator. He cites as an example that when his leadership has been questioned within the group, he has offered to be replaced by another, although his commanders have always ended up supporting him. There are still some very radical Islamists within HTS, but Al-Shara has been putting things in place for years to prevent its base of operations from becoming a center for exporting jihadism and to differentiate itself from more extremist groups such as Islamic State (ISIS). Al-Halabi explains it this way: There are two types of jihad: the expansive and the defensive. The expansive, to spread Islam to other countries, is no longer necessary because everyone has access to the internet and can learn about Gods message. The defensive was necessary to defend ourselves from the Assad regime. How HTS has become a monumental shock force, capable of defeating an army that far outnumbered and outgunned them, is justified by years of work, the imposed hierarchy, and the military academy established in Idlib. And a rigid moral code to prevent corruption, which has set them apart from other rebel groups that, when they were not on the front, were engaged in fighting each other and extorting the population in a way not very different from the Assad regimes soldiers. Turkey has seen the difference between our model and the territories it supports, governed by other groups. They have seen the difference in management, economy... so relations with Turkey have improved, says Al-Halabi, although he denies having received funding from Ankara. The funds to run HTS and the Salvation Government come mostly from taxes and fees on imports through Turkey, and on trade, as well as from the smuggling of products sent to areas under regime control. And our weapons are Russian, those we captured from the army, he says. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Ten days separate two inaugurations that will determine the course of relations between Venezuela and the United States for the next four years. On January 10, Nicolas Maduro will be sworn in in Caracas, barring a major surprise and despite opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutias statements that he will be in Venezuela for his own inauguration and to take the reins of government. On January 20, Donald Trump will once again assume the presidency in Washington. Questions remain as to what may happen from then on in the relationship between Venezuelas Chavista leaders and the American president. The real estate magnate opted in his first term for a policy of extreme pressure toward the Maduro government and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president. That position, also adopted by the European Union, Canada and other allied countries, did not change things: Maduro continued to lead Venezuela, but the increase in sanctions only succeeded in impoverishing the oil-producing nation and increasing migration to the U.S. and other countries. During Maduros presidency, nearly eight million Venezuelans have left their country due to economic mismanagement and international sanctions. Of these, nearly 700,000 have ended up in the United States. Polls suggest that the flow of migrants could continue if the Chavista regime remains in power. During Joe Bidens term, the White House has opted for a more flexible stance. It partially lifted some sanctions and allowed U.S. companies such as Chevron to market Venezuelan oil, in exchange for Maduros commitment to allow free elections. The logic behind these steps, for the United States, was to try to stem the flood of migrants crossing illegally from Venezuela. But the regime did not keep its word and declared itself the winner of the July 28 election without ever having presented the ballot tallies to certify it. The minutes presented by the opposition confirm that Edmundo Gonzalez was the winner. It is now doubtful that Trump, upset by his experience with Guaido, will want to take the same step and recognize Edmundo Gonzalez as the legitimate president. The Biden administration has recognized the former diplomat as the president-elect. This month, Washington imposed a new round of sanctions against 21 figures of the regime, including the daughter of the Minister of Justice and one of the most powerful men in Chavismo, Diosdado Cabello. In total, 180 Chavista leaders have been sanctioned by the United States. A first clue as to what attitude Trump plans to adopt comes from his nomination for Secretary of State. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is a hardline hawk towards Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. So is his future National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz. This seems to indicate a return to the kind of policy that Trump imposed in 2019, a policy of maximum pressure. No concessions to Maduro, basically a policy of regime change, says Phil Gunson of the Crisis Group, an organization dedicated to conflict resolution, in a telephone conversation. But five years ago, that position did not work. By the end of his first term, once it became clear that it was a difficult issue, Trump had lost interest in Venezuela and his team ended up applying a policy quite similar to that practiced by the Biden administration, recalls the expert. And that may be part of the answer. It is possible that Trump is no longer so interested in Venezuela, and his intention is to leave not only Venezuela, but all of Latin America in general, in the hands of conservatives, with the possible exception of Mexico, notes Gunson. The start of the Trumpist White House policy, in its second version, is likely to be similar to that of Trump 1.0. A tough policy, or at least one that appears to be, of maximum pressure. They will probably make a lot of noise about Maduro and his regime, believes the analyst. But as time goes by, it is possible that this saber-rattling will transform into a more pragmatic stance. Trump sees himself as a deal-maker, and there is one obvious deal that can be negotiated: oil for immigration, he says. It is a pact that would be in line with the dominant current of thought among the political class in Washington, which is particularly concerned about the need to control illegal immigration. The deal is in the interest of both sides. The United States needs to secure cheap oil, and take it away from its geopolitical antagonists China, in particular. Caracas needs the foreign currency it would get from selling it. And if it accepts repatriation flights from the United States, it calculates that it will help resolve one of the Trump administrations top priorities. In the long term, Gunson says, regime change is not a realistic option. Some kind of negotiated agreement is needed. Right now it is very difficult, because Maduro has closed all channels of communication with the opposition, but in the medium to long term, negotiation is inevitable. And besides, Venezuela has been in a humanitarian emergency for 10 years, and it is simply wrong to continue adding sanctions and making life more difficult for ordinary Venezuelans who do not agree with the system. Supporters of Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader, during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Gaby Oraa (Bloomberg) The Venezuelan opposition, especially the sector surrounding Maria Corina Machado, received the appointment of Rubio with enthusiasm, considering him an ally. Unlike what happened with Guaido, Machado, through Edmundo Gonzalez, has won the elections by a very wide margin, according to all indications. This gives the opposition leader a legitimacy that until now nobody among anti-Chavista supporters has had since Hugo Chavezs emergence in 1999. Outwardly, it has been said very firmly that Edmundo will take office on January 10, but right now there is no mechanism that can make that a reality. Luis Vicente Leon, a political analyst, is convinced that January 10 will be a milestone that will generate a lot of noise, although he does not feel that Maduro is in real danger of not being sworn in. The issue, Leon believes, lies in what kind of Maduro will govern from now on. We could find ourselves with an absolutely radicalized Maduro who will do whatever it takes to retain power, including the total pulverization of his adversaries (Nicaraguanization or Iranization as two possible models), or one who pivots around some more moderate strategy, who waits for the U.S. to tone down later because it will not really take the measures to eliminate licenses, leaving open some avenues for future negotiation. There is a certain paranoia within Chavismo that a U.S. invasion could take place. That scenario, however, seems remote after the failures in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the time for armed incursions in Latin America seems to be a thing of the past. What the government fears is that outside influence will convince a part of the Bolivarian Armed Forces that it is they who must guarantee the countrys democracy and overthrow Maduro. Historically, the Venezuelan military has been constitutionalist and has enforced the results of elections. However, the high command remains loyal to the current president, some of them out of conviction, others out of strategy. Chavismo has carried out internal purges in the barracks against uniformed personnel who could be considered disaffected. Maduro has repeatedly denounced plans to assassinate him, driven by the United States and even Spain. The late Hugo Chavez died thinking that Jose Maria Aznar, the Spanish prime minister at the time, had tried to kill him. Like Fidel Castro, Chavez was obsessed with being poisoned, a fear that Maduro inherited. The current president has claimed more than 20 plots against him. It is not easy to determine if any of them holds any truth. In any case, these alleged conspiracies have been used as an excuse to arrest dozens of people on each occasion. For Victor Alvarez, an expert in economics and politics, a former minister under Chavez and a great connoisseur of the Chavista universe, there is no chance that Edmundo Gonzalez will show up in Venezuela, as he has announced. Alvarez says that the most fanatic and extremist opposition members see the fall of Bashar al-Assad as a mirror, wrongly. Will the opposition parties that supported Gonzalez challenge the repressive bodies of the state and call for the streets to be filled with protestors to prevent Maduro from starting a new presidential term? He answers his own question: Let us not fool ourselves, an opposition leadership without the capacity for mobilization does not have the means to stir up national discontent to exert internal pressure. Alvarez tackles an uncomfortable topic: that of foreign military intervention. Many dream of a surgical intervention by Erik Prince, founder of the mercenary company Blackwater. Political change will never come from outside but from within. Calling for foreign or mercenary intervention is a passport to violence that would end up plunging the country into ungovernability and violent confrontation, worsening a massive migration crisis that neither neighboring countries nor the U.S. want. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A woman holds a sign during a protest by the relatives of political prisoners outside the headquarters of the Venezuelan Public Prosecution's Office. Venezuelan political prisoner Oswual Gonzalez, 43, died on Monday in Tocuyito prison, Carabobo state, reportedly due to inadequate medical care after experiencing high blood pressure and severe abdominal pain linked to a liver condition. Gonzalez had been arrested on August 1 in Lara state, approximately four hours from Caracas, along with his 19-year-old son, who remains imprisoned. Their arrest occurred shortly after the July 28 presidential elections, amid nationwide protests against the election results, which declared Nicolas Maduro the winner. The protests, marked by widespread public discontent, resulted in 27 deaths and nearly 200 injuries. In response, Maduro pledged swift justice for dissenters and arranged for the expansion of prisons like Tocuyito and Tocoron, traditionally used for common criminals, to house political prisoners. At least 2,300 individuals were detained during those demonstrations. In its complaint, the Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) and the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLPP) reported that Gonzalez had shown signs of depression after his imprisonment. He later experienced severe abdominal pain that was misdiagnosed, and received delayed treatment. According to OVP, Gonzalezs family were not given precise information about his clinical condition. Gonzalezs death marks the third fatality of an opposition activist in Venezuelan prisons in recent weeks, and the second within 72 hours at Tocuyito. Days earlier, Jesus Alvarez, 22, reported the death of his father, Jesus Rafael Alvarez, 44, who had been arrested on July 28 during the same protests. It is reported that he too died from lack of medical attention. The younger Alvarez stated that he learned of his fathers death when he was shown a photograph of the corpse for identification. In that photo, Alvarez was unrecognizable: emaciated, bearded, very thin, with signs of having been beaten, said the complaint from the OVP and CLPP. Alvarezs mother, Anny Sanchez, is also in prison: both were arrested in a raid on their home. The young man said that his father was in good health before his arrest and claimed that he was repeatedly mistreated. His fathers body was finally handed over to him, after initial denials. Just a month earlier, on November 15, opposition activist Jesus Manuel Martinez, 36, died in Puente Ayala prison in Anzoategui state. A member of the Vente Venezuela party, led by opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, Martinez suffered rapid health deterioration due to complications from diabetes. The Public Prosecutors Office claimed acknowledged Martinezs death but argued he had received proper medical attention and was given the medicines he needed. Machado, however, denounced the death as a result of the inhumane conditions under which he was held, following his detention without a warrant or a reason. In response to international and domestic pressure, the Venezuelan government recently agreed to review several judicial proceedings against opposition members, leading to the release of 300 political prisoners, including numerous teenagers, according to official figures. However, the NGO Foro Penal disputes these numbers, stating that only 208 individuals have been released. Foro Penal further reports that over 1,900 political prisoners remain in custody in Venezuela, the highest number in the hemisphere, surpassing figures in Cuba and Nicaragua. These numbers have surged in 2024, particularly after the post-election protests on July 28, during which demonstrators toppled nine statues of Hugo Chavez across the country. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Manhattan district judge on Monday rejected president-elect Donald Trumps attempt to nullify his conviction in the New York hush money case on the strength of the Supreme Courts recent ruling granting broad immunity to presidents for official actions. The future of the case whose sentence was meant to have been made public shortly after Election Day remains unclear. Prosecutors have recommended that the case be put on hold not thrown out precisely because of the Supreme Courts ruling. Trumps lawyers have argued that having the case hanging over his presidency would be a burden on his ability to govern. Judge Juan M. Merchans decision eliminates the possibility of definitively ending the case before Trump returns to the White House on January 20. However, his lawyers have raised other arguments for dismissal. The prosecutors proposal to freeze the conviction during his presidency does not imply dismissal either. On November 22, the judge indefinitely postponed the sentence, but allowed the president-elects defense to again request that the case be dismissed. Trump was found guilty in May of all 34 charges against him in a case involving payment to a porn actress in 2016 to buy her silence. At the heart of the case is the falsification of accounting records at his company, the Trump Organization, to disguise the payment of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, with the aim of keeping her quiet about an extramarital affair that he has always denied, and whose disclosure in the final stretch of that years presidential campaign might have damaged his interests. The so-called hush money case was the only one of the four criminal cases faced by Trump that went to trial before the November election. Aside from his unquestionable victory at the polls a triple victory, since the Republicans won the presidency but also control of both chambers in the U.S. Congress it was the decision taken on July 1 by the Supreme Court, now fashioned in his image, that helped clear legal obstacles on Trumps path to the presidency. The dismissal of the so-called Mar-a-Lago papers case classified documents that Trump took from the White House in January 2021 thanks to a judge appointed by Trump during his first term in office, was followed by the decision by Special Counsel Jack Smith to withdraw two criminal charges: the Georgia case for attempted election fraud and the assault on the Capitol. The judicial forecast for the president-elect was further cleared when the Justice Department concluded that he cannot be tried after having won the elections. But the New York case entailed an added complexity: Trump had already been tried and convicted. That is why Judge Merchan is now dealing a relative setback to the president-elect, even though theoretically the sentence will not be read out for at least four years. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition December 18 is International Migrants Day, and this year the imminent return of Donald Trump to the White House with plans for mass deportations makes the date more significant than ever. Dozens of pro-immigrant organizations have called for demonstrations to draw attention to the plight of the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the country, and whom the president-elect said he intends to expel. This weeks agenda is filled with marches, workshops, demonstrations, press conferences, and calls to lawmakers and to President Joe Biden to act and protect migrants before he hands over power to the tycoon on January 20. Desperately afraid of being expelled, at least 10 people from El Salvador and Honduras began a hunger strike in Washington on Monday to ask Biden to renew their TPS (Temporary Protected Status) before Trump occupies the Oval Office again. Evelin Hernandez arrived in the nations capital from Los Angeles on Saturday to participate in the hunger strike. The 50-year-old Salvadoran national has been living in the United States for 33 years and she is an activist for migrant rights. Married to a Mexican-American citizen and with three children born in the United States, she decided to defend her rights and those of her compatriots with an extreme measure: I am here because there are many TPS beneficiaries who, for health reasons, cannot participate in this effort. I feel capable of doing it and sending the message to President Biden that he has the power to extend the TPS program for 18 more months, so that he does not leave the Central American community in limbo, she explained in a telephone conversation with EL PAIS. The inclement weather prevented them from demonstrating in front of the White House as planned. Security agents did not let them set up tents to take shelter from the cold and rain, so they temporarily moved to the United Methodist Building on Maryland Avenue, the only non-governmental building on Capitol Hill. The initial participants in the hunger strike came from several states: Massachusetts, Nevada, Texas, and California, but more migrants from other states are expected to arrive throughout the week to join the protest called by the National TPS Alliance. The TPS program was created in 1990 to allow residency to people whose countries of origin are considered unsafe. Salvadorans, with 195,000 beneficiaries, are the largest group, followed by Hondurans (57,000) and Haitians (50,000). Most have been in the country for more than two decades and have formed families, often with U.S. citizens, and their children were born in the U.S., so their expulsion would mean a dramatic family separation. Trump has already announced that to avoid this, he will deport entire families, which raises many logistical and legal questions. The permit for Salvadorans, which must be renewed every 18 months, expires in March and the extension must be approved two months in advance, so activists are urging Biden to do so before January 8. After that date, they will be left in limbo and with little hope that Trump will renew their permit. During his first presidency, Trump tried unsuccessfully to end the program, but his plan for mass deportations, which he intends to begin on the first day of his mandate, includes TPS on the list of those threatened with expulsion. Trump is not going to extend TPS for us, we know this from the threats he has made in all the media interviews he has given. That is why we want to ensure that the current president does so, Hernandez explains. Calls for Biden to protect TPS migrants as well as those in DACA (the program that benefits foreigners who entered illegally as children) have been repeated since Trump won an overwhelming victory in the November 5 election. Last week, Latino Democratic senators joined together to urge the president to act quickly to ensure protection for migrants in both programs. Trump will try to make good on his promises of mass deportation, family separation, harming our communities and destroying our economy, which is why it is even more critical that President Biden takes action to defend and protect our communities, said Murad Awawdeh, co-president of FIRM, the immigration reform movement that brings together 38 entities from 32 states. On Wednesday, two marches called by CHIRLA, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will end at an ICE detention center. On the same day, the Pennsylvania Immigrant and Citizen Coalition (PICC) has also called for a demonstration. Over the course of five days, there are at least 14 events planned in 13 states to protest. The Home is Here campaign, organized to defend DACA beneficiaries, the so-called Dreamers, will send a delegation of hundreds of migrants and allies from across the country to Congress on Tuesday to ask legislators to reject Trumps anti-immigrant agenda. Although the majority of migrants under threat are Latinos, they are not the only ones affected. Jung Woo Kim, co-director of the National Korean American Services and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), which is also participating in the mobilizations, points out: As Congress works to approve a budget before December 20, it must act to protect immigrant families, including Asian-American communities, from the harmful deportation and detention policies promoted by the Trump Administration. On her first day of hunger strike, Evelin Hernandez is brave in the face of whatever may happen: They stole my fear when they tried to take away my TPS (during Trumps first term). Now I am ready to fight and go as far as I have to go to defend my right. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition We need to discuss my proposal for separation, Tom Homan wrote in an email in August 2017. The then head of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE) was referring to the policy of separating immigrant families, implemented at the border during Donald Trumps first term in office. Although it did not go into effect until 2018, members of the Republican administration began to promote the measure just a few weeks after the tycoon took office in January 2017. Now, Homan and two other proponents of this policy will return to Trumps second administration, a fact that has raised alarm bells among pro-immigrant organizations, as well as Human Rights Watch (HRW). In a 135-page report released Monday, HRW warns against the return to power of immigration hawks like Homan because of the serious, long-lasting trauma they caused during Trumps first term with the so-called Zero Tolerance policy that ended up separating more than 4,600 migrant children from their parents. Drawing on public and internal government documents, legal proceedings, and findings from internal investigations, the human rights organization traces the role played by, among others, Trumps future border czar in implementing this policy, which many immigrant advocates fear could be repeated in his second term. [Homan] has been advocating that we need to separate family units, one official wrote in another email in August 2017, reviewed by HRW. If we announced that, how bad do you think it would get?? the official asked. A year later, it became clear how bad it would get: Thousands of children were torn from their families between May and June 2018 after the Trump administration implemented a policy at the border with Mexico under which any illegal immigrant was prosecuted as a criminal and thus separated from their children to deter other families from entering the country illegally. With no record of the families being separated and no strategy for reuniting them, the children ended up crammed into prison-like detention centers without access to basic services such as showers, beds, or sufficient food. Although Trump ended up signing an executive order to supposedly put the policy on hold in June 2018, after it sparked domestic and global outrage, his administration continued to separate families until the Republican left office, albeit at a much slower rate. In total, between 2018 and 2021, more than 4,600 minors were separated from their parents after crossing the border illegally. To date, nearly 30% of them remain unaccounted for. In addition to Homan, the report prepared with the Texas Civil Rights Project and the Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale University points to two other people responsible for separating families at the border, and argues that these individuals should not return to power: Matthew Whitaker and Stephen Miller. According to the report, Whitaker chief of staff to then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions between 2017 and 2018, and later acting Attorney General showed his support for the family separation policy months before it was implemented, and participated in meetings to get it underway. A few weeks ago, Trump named Whitaker ambassador to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Miller, then the White Houses top immigration adviser, pushed for forced family separations from early 2017, when the administration began to float the policy, the report said. A senior Department of Homeland Security official, quoted in the report, said: Miller made clear to us that if you start to treat children badly enough, youll be able to convince other parents to stop trying to come with theirs. Miller will serve as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy starting in January. Future "border czar" Tom Homan speaks to state troopers and National Guardsmen in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Nov. 26. Eric Gay (AP) The U.S. Senate should exercise its advice and consent authority to reject any nominees for the second Trump administration who were previously involved in planning or executing the family separation policy, says the report, which includes in its introduction a list of 10 names of government officials who were behind the Zero Tolerance policy. While Whitakers nomination alone must be confirmed by the Senate, the documents authors wanted to call folks out by name who are responsible for family separations, so even if the Senate doesnt have to confirm them, the public and other policy makers are aware of kind of what they were responsible for under the last administration. And know the kind of things they might be thinking about moving forward, and really try to keep an eye on it and make sure that something as harmful as family separation does not happen again, said Danny Woodward, of the Texas Civil Rights Project and a participant in the HRW investigation, in statements to Border Report. Trump has not said whether he will reintroduce a policy of separating families at the border, but he has promised to reinstate some of the immigration measures he implemented during his first term to carry out the mass deportation of millions of people he has announced. Homan also continues to defend the zero tolerance policy and has not ruled out repeating it. Forced disappearances and torture In addition to naming the culprits, HRW also compiled dozens of testimonies gathered in interviews with parents and children of detained immigrants to portray the heartbreaking consequences of the family separation policy. A baby separated from his parents on his first birthday, a group of teenagers taking turns caring for a baby girl in diapers, a 15-year-old boy desperate, heartbroken, and worried after two months without seeing his father Forcible separation of children from their families inflicted harms that were severe and foreseeable, says the report. Once parents realized they would not be immediately reunited with their children, they were distraught. Some children sobbed uncontrollably. Many felt abandoned. Nearly all were bewildered, not least because immigration officials would not tell them where their parents were or gave responses that proved to be lies. Children forcibly separated from their parents experienced anxiety, had nightmares, regressed to earlier developmental stages, or found it difficult to trust others and form attachments. Some lashed out. Others stopped speaking. The report shows that the government refused in many cases for days or weeks to disclose to their parents the fate and whereabouts of their children, which fits the definition of enforced disappearance, the authors claim. Forcible family separations may also have resulted in torture, the experts add. In addition, some of the parents said that authorities induced them to give up their rights, including the right to apply for asylum, by telling them that it was the only or the quickest way to be reunited with their children. Others told Human Rights Watch that they agreed to be deported because officials told them they would be deported with their children, even though this was not true. Its chilling to see, in document after document, the calculated cruelty that went into the forcible family separation policy, said Michael Garcia Bochenek, senior child rights adviser at Human Rights Watch and author of the report, in a statement. A government should never target children to send a message to parents. The actions taken by the government constitute human rights violations, according to the organization, and the Department of Justice should investigate, and if appropriate prosecute, the architects of the forcible family separation policy. Fully reckoning with the serious human rights violations inherent in forcible family separations requires a public accounting, an apology, compensation, and other steps, including possible criminal prosecutions for enforced disappearance or torture, to ensure that these wrongs never recur, the report concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 14:42 | All, World, Japan U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday named George Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in investment banking and real estate, as ambassador to Japan. "As a former President of an Investment Bank, George will bring his business acumen to the Ambassador's position," Trump said in a statement, adding, "He will always PUT AMERICA FIRST." The announcement came as the Republican, whose unpredictable leadership style and "America First" policies strained relations with close U.S. allies during his first term, prepares to return to the White House on Jan. 20. Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed hope during a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday that Glass will serve as an important bridge between the two nations. "We are looking forward to elevating the alliance to new heights with the next ambassador and the U.S. administration," he said. Glass served as ambassador to Portugal during Trump's first term between 2017 and 2021. A major donor to Trump, according to official data, Glass, who also has expertise in finance and technology, founded MGG Development LLC in 2015. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1989. Before establishing MGG Development, he was founder and president of Pacific Crest Securities, a technology investment bank in Portland in the northwestern state. A statement by Glass submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July 2017 for his confirmation process for the role of ambassador to Portugal showed that the eldest of his three sons was living in Japan. In a press conference before the announcement, Trump was asked if Glass would be his pick for ambassador to Japan. He did not provide a clear answer but said a few times Glass is "highly respected." "He's been an ambassador before. He did a fantastic job. We consider Japan very important. He's very highly respected," the 78-year-old incoming president said at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Current U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who has served under Democratic President Joe Biden, vowed "full support during a seamless transition." He also expressed eagerness to continue to strengthen the bilateral alliance to "ensure a secure and stable" Indo-Pacific in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Related coverage: Trump says he could meet Japan PM before returning to White House SoftBank CEO Son with Trump vows $100 billion investment in U.S. Trump meets widow of ex-Japanese PM Abe in Florida KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 23:00 | All, World, Japan The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan drops mantra of reducing nuclear dependency in new draft plan TOKYO - Japan will utilize nuclear power as much as possible along with renewable energy, a draft government plan showed Tuesday, departing from its earlier resolve to minimize dependence on atomic energy following the 2011 Fukushima crisis. The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry presented the draft basic energy plan, a medium- to long-term policy guideline, to a meeting of experts. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet is expected to approve the energy plan by around February. ---------- Trump taps ex-investment banker Glass as U.S. ambassador to Japan WASHINGTON - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday named George Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in investment banking and real estate, as ambassador to Japan. "As a former President of an Investment Bank, George will bring his business acumen to the Ambassador's position," Trump said in a statement, adding, "He will always PUT AMERICA FIRST." ---------- Japan police to use fake IDs, go undercover to fight "dark job" crime TOKYO - The Japanese government said Tuesday it plans to introduce fake IDs for police to conduct undercover investigations as part of emergency measures to tackle "dark part-time work." Under the countermeasures due to be introduced early next year, police will also request social media operators including X, previously known as Twitter, to toughen identity verification when accounts are opened and delete posts suspected of soliciting jobs commonly referred to in Japanese as "yami baito." ---------- Japan enacts 13.9 tril. yen extra budget for economic package TOKYO - Japan's parliament on Tuesday enacted a 13.9 trillion yen ($90 billion) supplementary budget for the current fiscal year through next March to finance a new economic package, including inflation relief steps and disaster reconstruction costs. The spending plan cleared the House of Councillors, or upper chamber, ahead of the end of the current Diet session, initially scheduled for Saturday but expected to be extended to Dec. 24, following its passage through the House of Representatives last week with the backing of some opposition parties. ---------- Japan eying sanctions over Russia-N. Korea military cooperation TOKYO - Japan's government is considering imposing additional economic sanctions on Russia and North Korea over their deepening military cooperation including Pyongyang's dispatch of troops to help Moscow in its war with Ukraine, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Tuesday. Iwaya told a press conference that Japan is mulling the punitive measures "in tandem with the United States and others," but added that details have yet to be worked out. ---------- China urges Japan to fulfill obligations over treated water release BEIJING - China's top diplomat Wang Yi urged Japan on Tuesday to "earnestly fulfill its international obligations and responsibilities" over the discharge of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea. At a symposium summing up China's foreign relations in 2024, Wang stressed China and Japan have confirmed that the two countries will promote a "strategic and mutually beneficial relationship" as well as "constructive and stable" ties. He also said Beijing has recently begun to conduct independent sampling and monitoring of the treated water in accordance with a bilateral accord. ---------- Japan top business lobby taps insurer head as leader in rare move TOKYO - Japan's biggest business lobby said Tuesday it has tapped Nippon Life Insurance Co. Chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui to head the group, filling the post for the first time with someone from the finance industry. The 70-year-old will take the helm at the Japan Business Federation, better known as Keidanren, in May 2025, replacing Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Masakazu Tokura. ---------- Taipei mayor seeks less confrontation with China amid tensions TAIPEI - Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an on Tuesday expressed hope for more dialogue and less confrontation between Taiwan and mainland China amid increased cross-strait tensions at an annual forum attended by senior Shanghai officials in the island's capital. In a speech to the Taipei-Shanghai twin-city forum, Chiang called for more exchanges between the two cities, saying, "Peace is valuable, conflict is unwise. Although the road to peace is tortuous, it is worth carrying forward." Video: Japanese actress Haruka Ayase hands out undergarments in quake-hit Wajima city Bangladesh-based tour operators will not participate in the 8th edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2024, despite earlier assurances from the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators Association (EHTTOA). The event is scheduled to be held in Siliguri from 17-19 December. Citing the current political unrest and anti-India sentiments expressed by some sections of Bangladeshi society, EHTTOA members have also expressed reluctance to engage with representatives from Bangladesh at BTM. This decision, they argue, is in the interest of developing cross-border tourism (CBT) between India, Nepal, Bhutan, and other countries. Advertisement While Bangladesh will remain absent this year, Bhutan has agreed to participate in the event, highlighting its commitment to promoting tourism in collaboration with India. Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), an international partner for BTM 2024, is set to take an active role in the event, focusing on enhancing tourism prospects in Eastern Nepal and the Eastern Himalayan region, which includes India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Advertisement The 8th edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM) 2024 will take place from 17 December at The Grand Casa, Siliguri, said Sandipan Ghosh, co-chairman of the BTM Committee. EHTTOA has played a pivotal role in organising this event in association with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the department of tourism, Government of West Bengal, which have extended substantial support over the past seven years. Mr Ghosh further noted that this years international partners include the Nepal Tourism Board and the department of tourism, Bhutan. We are pleased to announce that Surya Thapaliya, senior manager of the Nepal Tourism Board, and other officials will grace the BTM, along with other key representatives of BTM, he added. Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb will inaugurate the event. Addressing Bangladeshs absence, EHTTOA General Secretary Debashis Chakraborty said, It is true that Bangladesh will not participate in BTM this year. While hoteliers in Siliguri have decided not to accommodate Bangladeshi tourists, EHTTOA, as the apex body of tourism stakeholders, has not officially taken any such decision. However, as Indians, we must stand in national interest and protest against actions that defame our national flag or promote anti-India slogans. Despite the current tensions, Mr Chakraborty expressed optimism: We hope the situation in Bangladesh improves soon, and bilateral relations are restored to their previous cordial state. Regarding Bhutans participation, Mr Chakraborty stated, We have engaged with officials from Bhutan, including its education department, and recognised Bhutan as a unique tourist destination. With a population of just over seven lakh, Bhutan attracts more than five lakh tourists annually, 60 per cent of whom are from India. There is also significant potential to develop educational tourism in partnership with Bhutan. Meanwhile, NTB senior manager Surya Thapaliya highlighted Nepals focus on adventure tourism: We aim to attract young Indians, who comprise 39 per cent of Indias population, to explore Nepal. Eastern Nepal, in particular, offers unique tourist destinations like Sandakphu. BTM provides an ideal platform for promoting these attractions to travellers from West Bengal and Northeast India. Mr Thapaliya also emphasised the bilateral benefits of the event: BTM has been an excellent platform for showcasing East Nepals tourism potential and fostering business exchanges between Indian and Nepalese operators. It strategically enables us to reach prospective travellers under one roof. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee paid rich tribute to the Indian Army on Vijay Divas, the day when the Pakistan Army surrendered before the Indian Army in 1971. She remembered the bravery and sacrifice of their life, who laid their lives for the country. She said she pays her homage to them. She also mentioned the presence of some of the Mukti Joddhas (freedom fighters). Advertisement She said she cant forget the role of Indian soldiers for the freedom of Bangladesh. Some of them are present here, I heard, she said. Advertisement She refused to comment on the situation that is prevalent in Bangladesh now. I reserve all my comments on the present situation in Bangladesh. It is the affair of the Indian Government and the Army. It is not proper for me to say anything on this. She said as a child she used to listen to her father who used to talk about the war between India and China in 1962. I was a little girl and my father, who was a freedom fighter and died prematurely at the age of 40 years, used to tell me about the sacrifice of the Indian Army. On this day, I pay homage to the Indian Army. She said as Indians we have the highest regards for the Army. We salute them and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to save our country. They had played an important role in the freedom movement of Bangladesh. Miss Banerjee concluded her speech by quoting the line of an immortal song of Lata Mangeshkar which read Aye mere watan ke logon, who had sung this song at the request of Pandit Nehru in Delhi. The song brings tears to the listeners till today, she said. A mother and her son duo was killed allegedly following drunk driving at Ramabati Gopalnagar area under the Mathurapur police station in South 24 Parganas this morning. On Monday morning, the woman and her young son were standing in front of their house when, around 7.30 am, a car lost control and suddenly ran over them. Both were rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared them dead. The incident occurred in the Ramabati Gopalnagar area under the Mathurapur police station in South 24 Parganas. The offending vehicle has been seized, and the driver has been detained for questioning. Police are investigating how the car lost control and veered off the main road to hit the victims. They are also probing whether the accident was due to a mechanical fault or if the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Local people claimed that the man was drunk. Advertisement According to local and police sources, the victims, Marjina Haldar and her son Mohit Haldar, were standing outside their house when the car hit them. Locals rescued the two and took them to the Mathurapur Rural Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Another child sustained severe injuries in the accident and suffered head injuries. The injured child has been transferred to Diamond Harbour Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Advertisement In another incident in South 24 Parganas Diamond Harbour police station area, an explosion claimed the life of a teenage boy. The accident occurred on Sunday evening in the Bardron village of Diamond Harbour. The deceased, identified as 14-year-old Riju Paik, was killed in the explosion, while two others, Soumitra Haldar and Tanmoy Purkayastha, were injured. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but preliminary local reports suggest that the house where the explosion occurred was used for manufacturing fireworks. Locals claim that materials like gunpowder and other items for making fireworks were stored in the house, which might have caused the explosion. After the incident, remnants of firework-making equipment were reportedly found at the site. On Sunday evening, villagers heard a loud noise from inside the house, followed by the area being enveloped in smoke. Upon receiving news of the accident, police immediately arrived at the scene and rescued the injured, sending them to Diamond Harbour Medical College and Hospital. As their condition was critical, they were later transferred to a hospital in Kolkata. The fire department was also informed after the explosion, and one fire engine was deployed to extinguish the fire. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 courts order said. Ajay Singh, SpiceJets 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. The National Investigation Agency , working in conjunction with the Assam Police, has arrested a significant operative of the banned United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) for his alleged role in planting four improvised explosive devices here during this years Independence Day celebrations. The operation follows the recovery of 11 IEDs from various locations across the state on August 15, a day after ULFA-I released a statement detailing the sites where the explosives were planted. Advertisement Four of the devices were found in Pan Bazar, Dispur, Gandhi Mandap, and Satgaon areas of Guwahati. Advertisement According to the NIA which released a statement on Tuesday, on Monday, the NIA, in collaboration with the Assam Police, conducted a search at the residence of Jahnu Baruah alias Arnab Asom in Dibrugarh. The search, based on specific intelligence, led to the recovery of several incriminating materials, including digital devices. Baruah was subsequently taken into custody and summoned for further examination by the local police. During questioning, Baruah reportedly confessed to his involvement in the IED planting. Baruah had been under surveillance for weeks as he was identified as a key suspect in the case, based on technical and human intelligence. He is accused of collecting, transporting, and planting the IEDs in Guwahati. According to the NIA, the devices were placed at the behest of senior ULFA-I cadre Abhijit Gogoi alias Aishang Asom. Following the cases transfer to the NIA on September 17, further investigations are underway to gather more details and evidence related to the conspiracy. ULFA-I sent emails to several media outlets on Independence day, detailing the locations of 19 explosive devices and mentioning technical faults that would prevent them from detonating. Despite this reassurance, police and security personnel were deployed to conduct thorough searches across the state. Bomb squads were activated to locate and deactivate the devices to avoid any potential harm. Over two days, 11 IED-like objects were found at various locations, including four in Guwahati. Fortunately, none of the devices detonated, and no injuries were reported. Following these recoveries, Assam Police established several special investigation teams (SITs) and offered a reward of Rs 5 lakh for credible information that could lead to the arrest of those involved in making, transporting, and planting these devices. Two separate cases involving the recovery of similar devices in Guwahati and Lakhimpur were later handed over to the NIA for further investigation. On September 21, the Assam Police and NIA arrested 15 individuals, including three women, suspected to be linked to the IED planting incidents. In a tragic incident, a 10-year-old boy was injured during a shooting between two groups in Kurani village, located in Narela area of outer Delhi. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a dispute between the groups escalated into gunfire. Both sides reportedly fired bullets at each other, resulting in the unfortunate injury of the child. Advertisement The boy, who was playing near his house at the time, was struck by a bullet in the knee. Advertisement The injury caused significant damage, including a fractured knee bone. He was immediately rushed to Raja Harishchandra Hospital in Narela for treatment. While his condition is reported to be stable and he is out of danger, doctors have stated that recovery will take time due to the severity of the injury. A police team, accompanied by a forensic team, arrived promptly at the scene to investigate. A case has been registered at Narela Police Station, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the shooting, according to an official statement. Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Imran Hussain on Tuesday said the AAP government is committed to providing essential services conveniently and efficiently to the people of the national capital. The Minister made the statement at a special camp organised for facilitating new domestic electricity meter connections at Basti Harphool Singh, Sadar Bazar. Advertisement Under the visionary leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, our government is committed to providing essential services conveniently and efficiently to the people of Delhi. We ensure that no citizen faces unnecessary hardships in accessing public services, said Hussain. Advertisement In a veiled attack on the BJP and Congress, the Minister said, Opposition leaders may criticize Arvind Kejriwals initiatives as muft ki revdi (freebies), but we proudly call it the blessing of the people of Delhi. If providing free electricity, free water, quality education in government schools, treatment in Mohalla Clinics, free bus travel for women, and free pilgrimage for the elderly is muft ki revdi, then we will continue to provide these benefits. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for all Delhiites, no matter how many obstacles are put in our path, he added. Hussain also interacted with the residents to address their concerns and issued directions to BSES officials to expedite the installation of new meters, prioritising the challenges faced by the community. The Minister stated that the camp eliminates the need for residents to disrupt their daily schedules or make multiple visits to BSES offices for assistance. By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 11:25 | All, World, Japan U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he could meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before he returns to the White House in January. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump said of the Japanese side, "If they'd like to do that, I would do that." Trump's remarks came a day after he and his wife hosted Akie Abe, the widow of slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the estate. According to Trump, Abe is "very close" to Melania Trump and the meeting on Sunday night materialized after she had called the former first lady. Trump said the late Japanese leader was a "great man" and the three spent time together out of respect for him, adding he sent Ishiba a "book and some other things" via Abe. About a month earlier, Ishiba was unable to hold an in-person meeting with Trump on his way back to Japan from South America. Speaking to reporters in Peru after participating in an international meeting, Ishiba said at the time that according to Trump's team, the president-elect could not hold talks with him before taking office due to legal constraints. Since then, however, Trump has held talks with other world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron. In Tokyo on Tuesday, Japan's top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government will seek an Ishiba-Trump meeting at an appropriate time. "We hope that they can hold a meeting at a convenient time for both sides to exchange views thoroughly and build personal ties," the chief Cabinet secretary told a press conference. "We will continue to communicate (with the Trump team)." Trump did not announce his pick for ambassador to Japan during the press conference but later said in a statement that he had tapped George Glass, a businessman from Oregon with a background in investment banking and real estate. Trump's nationally televised press conference, the first since he won the election on Nov. 5, was set as an appearance with Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., to announce the Japanese technology giant's plan to invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years. But Trump later took a number of questions, including those related to foreign affairs. Asked whether he has invited world leaders to his inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, Trump said many had called to express their wishes to meet with him at an early date 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,'" he said. Trump said he did not know if Chinese President Xi Jinping would be interested in attending the inauguration, but added, "I would say that if he'd like to come, I'd love to have him." While noting that "there's been nothing much discussed" about such a plan, Trump said the United States and China can together "solve all of the problems in the world" and that the bilateral relationship is "very important." "He was a friend of mine," Trump said in reference to Xi. "We spent hours and hours talking, and he is an amazing guy. The press hates when I say that, but he's an amazing person." Related coverage: Trump meets widow of ex-Japanese PM Abe in Florida Nippon Steel pledges $5,000 worker bonus after U.S. Steel acquisition Japan PM Ishiba hopes to work with Trump, not confront him Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of deliberately suppressing 14 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports by not tabling them in the Assembly to cover up its corruption. The statement of Gupta comes in the wake of Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxenas letter to Chief Minister Atishi over the CAG reports. The LG called for a special session of Assembly for laying these reports. Advertisement Addressing a press conference, the Leader of Opposition said the concealment and suppression of the 14 CAG reports have exposed the AAP governments wrongdoings. Advertisement Asserting that these CAG reports will act as the final nail in the coffin of the AAP government, he said, Not presenting CAG reports in the Assembly is a grave crime, akin to murder. By suppressing these reports, the AAP government has assassinated democratic traditions and the Constitution in broad daylight. Hiding the reports is a clear attempt to cover up large-scale corruption. Attacking the AAP, Gupta further said, AAP betrayed the aspirations of millions of youth who joined the India Against Corruption movement. The people fought against corruption and hoped for a clean government, but today they feel deceived. The very party that rose to power to combat corruption has itself become synonymous with corruption. He said the BJP raised this issue in the Assembly multiple times, but the government still refused to table the reports. Gupta informed that subsequently, the BJP legislative group filed a petition in the High Court. In response to the petition, the court expedited the hearing, issued a notice to the government, and fixed 12th December for the next hearing. During the hearing, the LG, CAG, and Finance Secretary submitted affidavits. The petition requested the court to order the government to present the CAG reports in the upcoming Assembly session. The government lied to the court, claiming the ongoing Assembly session was not the final session and assured the reports would be tabled soon. Yet, the government hurriedly concluded the session within two days instead of three, he said. The Leader of Opposition demanded that the government convene a special session of the Delhi Assembly within 48 hours to table all 14 CAG reports. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Tuesday stated that the Nukkad Sabha Committee of the party, led by Satish Upadhyay along with a team of 15 workers, is organizing daily meetings targeting 34 polling booths at a time. These meetings aim to highlight the alleged failures of the AAP government while addressing the publics concerns. Advertisement According to the Delhi BJP chief, at least one Nukkad Sabha is held daily at the municipal ward level across the city. Advertisement He said that while the party traditionally organizes public meetings after the formal announcement of elections and candidates, there is new enthusiasm among the people of Delhi and BJP workers to vote out what they describe as an inefficient and allegedly corrupt government. Sachdeva added that the enthusiasm of the public and party workers encouraged them to kick-start the election campaign with Nukkad Sabhas as soon as the election atmosphere began to build. Under the leadership of former BJP state unit chief Satish Upadhyay, the Nukkad Sabha Committee is ensuring that the partys election narrative reaches every citizen, Sachdeva said. Upadhyay stated that between December 11 and 17, the BJP has conducted 1,812 Nukkad Sabhas. These meetings have highlighted the failures of the AAP government at the grassroots level across neighborhoods. He further explained that the partys election narrative department studies public expectations daily through surveys and social media. He claimed that people are currently frustrated with issues such as stalled development, pollution, a weak healthcare and education system, waterlogging, and a drinking water crisis. According to the BJP leader, the partys national office bearers, MPs, MLAs, and district officials raise local issues through Nukkad Sabhas while linking them to alleged irregularities of the state government, including corruption related to the renovation of the ex-CMs former residence, and present these facts to the public. 350 Criminal, Arrested, Delhi PoliceAhead of the assembly elections in Delhi, over 350 criminals were apprehended in North West Delhis Rohini area following a special drive by the district police team from November 26 to December 15. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Amit Goel said, Sub-divisional police officers (SDPO) and SHOs were directed to take strict action against those involved in organised crimes in the district by beefing up patrolling, verification of criminals and monitoring of those released from jail recently. Advertisement This resulted in some dent in the criminal activities in the area as the number of PCR calls related to snatching was reduced by 30 per cent. Similarly, the cases of theft have also reduced, Goel added. Advertisement As per the data released by the police, in this period, 105 cases under Excise Act were registered, which involved arrest of 107 persons , recovery of 3,131 bottles of illegal liquor and seizure of five vehicles. Moreover, 103 cases of Gambling Act were registered in which 221 persons were apprehended with a recovery of Rs 1.6 lakh. Further, 15 cases under the NDPS Act were registered and 15 offenders held with the recovery of a narcotic substance. Additionally, 12 Cyber criminals were arrested. Furthermore, 31 auto-lifters were also apprehended with the work out of 20 cases of MVT (Motor Vehicle theft) and 26 cases of theft were solved with the arrest of 31 offenders. The data also revealed that action against 206 people was taken for consuming alcohol in public places under sections 40 A, B of the Excise Act. Moreover, preventive action was taken against 2,000 people under relevant sections of BNSS. A woman passenger was apprehended by Customs officials at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), officials said on Tuesday. According to Customs officials, a passenger arriving from Kathmandu, Nepal, was intercepted, and during a search, she voluntarily ejected three oval-shaped capsules suspected to contain gold in paste form from her rectum. The recovered gold had a gross weight of 770 grams. Advertisement Officials further said that a rectangular-shaped gold bar weighing 681 grams was extracted from the gold paste recovered from her, with a total tariff value of Rs 50 lakh. Advertisement The passenger admitted that she had brought the said gold item in chemical paste form from Dubai to Bangkok, then to Nepal, and from Nepal to Delhi. She was arrested under Section 104 (offence relating to prohibited goods or evasion or attempted evasion of duty exceeding fifty lakh rupees), an official said, adding that the recovered gold has been seized under Section 110 (seizure of illegal goods) of the same Act. Earlier on Monday, three passengers arriving from Riyadh were apprehended for smuggling gold in two separate cases. In the first case, the gold was concealed in an electric adapter, while in the second case, it was hidden in the form of paste in the undergarments of two passengers. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has formally invited Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay to participate in the Advantage Assam 2.0: Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025, set to take place on February 25 and 26 in Guwahati. The invitation was extended during a special business event hosted by the Assam Government in Thimphu, coinciding with Bhutans 117th National Day celebrations on December 17. Advertisement The event, which also launched the roadshow for the upcoming summit, was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Bhutanese cabinet ministers, Indias Ambassador to Bhutan Sudhakar Dalela, and business delegates from both nations among others. Advertisement Highlighting the enduring cultural, historical, and economic ties between Assam and Bhutan, Sarma recalled the visit of Bhutans King to Assam last November, which had further strengthened bilateral cooperation. He described the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a key platform to enhance regional partnerships and attract investments across South Asia. During his address, the CM proposed several avenues for collaboration between Assam and Bhutan, leveraging Bhutans expertise in hydropower to meet Assams renewable energy goals and boost economic growth. He stressed on developing joint tourism circuits connecting Bhutans scenic beauty with Assams heritage sites, such as Kaziranga and Manas National Parks and the river island of Majuli, partnering on conservation projects in cross-border areas to promote sustainable tourism, exploring opportunities in ethanol production and agro-industrial growth with Bhutanese exports like maize and bamboo supporting Assams expanding industries and encouraging Bhutanese businesses to access Assams markets in sectors such as food and beverages, poultry, and minerals among others. Sarma also expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Tobgays attendance at the inaugural Advantage Assam event in 2018 and extended a warm invitation for him to attend the upcoming summit, along with its associated cultural programmes.The CM reaffirmed Assams commitment to fostering stronger ties with Bhutan, viewing the summit as a springboard for greater economic cooperation and mutual growth in the region. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) on Tuesday hosted the North East Trade and Investment road show in Mumbai for attracting potential investors. The event was attended by Union Minister for Communications and MDoNER Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma, along with senior officials from MDoNER, including Secretary, MDoNER Chanchal Kumar, among others. Advertisement While addressing the event, Scindia praised the transformation of North East India under the leadership of the Prime Minister and acknowledged the leadership of the Chief Ministers of the region, whose vision and commitment have brought about significant change over the past decade. Advertisement He emphasised the regions immense potential, which now stands ready to contribute to Indias growth, with an impressive 11% GDP growth rate. The development of infrastructure, human resources, and specialized sectors has positioned North East India as a key player in the nations future. Highlighting the regions unique advantages, he underlined that the North East is a gateway and offers access to Southeast Asian markets. The minister emphasised the importance of building bridges between the vibrant business ecosystems of Mumbai and North East India thereby ensuring a seamless path for growth and innovation. Dr Saha reaffirmed that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, North East India, particularly Tripura, is witnessing remarkable growth. Further, the Act East Policy of Government of India is driving development in the region. Tripura, recognised as one of the most peaceful states, has demonstrated impressive economic performance with a per capita income of 1,77,000, making it the second-largest GSDP contributor in North East India. With robust infrastructure, including excellent road, water, air, and rail connectivity, and a supportive investment climate, the state is becoming a preferred destination for investors. In order to reap the benefits of a high literacy rate of 95.16%, Tripura is investing in healthcare, education, and skill development. The states commitment to providing time-bound clearances for investors and leveraging the UNNATI 2024 scheme further strengthens its position as an investment hub. Tripura is set to become a major player in Indias growth story, offering attractive incentives and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Sangma informed that Meghalaya is witnessing transformative growth, driven by strong leadership with a focused investment and development strategy. Under the guidance of the PM, the state has developed investor-friendly policies and attracted significant responses, particularly in sectors like tourism, food processing, and infrastructure. Chanchal Kumar underlined the regions remarkable progress driven by infrastructure development of the region. He mentioned that NER GDP contribution stands at 2.9%, yet the CAGR of the North Eastern Region exceeds the national average. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday strongly criticised the Congress party for its opposition to the One Nation, One Election proposal, calling their stance baseless and contradictory. Kiren Rijiju while talking to IANS, emphasised the significance of the initiative for Indias progress. Advertisement Congress says that One Nation, One Election is unconstitutional and harms the federal structure. Then Congress should answer was the Nehru government unconstitutional when elections were held simultaneously after 1947 for two decades? Rijiju questioned. Advertisement Highlighting the countrys progress under the current government, he said, Congress ruled the nation for six decades and left the country poor. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are moving towards a Viksit Bharat, but Congress continues to create hurdles instead of collaborating for national progress. The Centre will introduce the One Nation, One Election (ONOP) Bill in the Lok Sabha at noon on Tuesday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to all MPs in Lok Sabha ahead of the introduction of the bill. Opposition leaders have highlighted potential difficulties in dissolving Assemblies midway or addressing situations in which a state or the Union government falls before completing its tenure. Addressing concerns raised by the opposition regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Kiren Rijiju criticised Congress for questioning a system through which they have themselves come to power in the past. In 2004 and 2009, Congress won elections and formed governments through EVMs. Even today, Congress holds power in some states. Were their own victories illegal? The members of Parliament, including their alliance partners, were elected through the same process. How baseless their statements are, Rijiju remarked. The Union Minister urged the opposition to contribute constructively to the nations development rather than obstructing reforms. Union Home Minister and Leader of the Rajya Sabha J P Nada Tuesday accused the Congress of throwing the country into darkness when it imposed an Emergency in 1975, and hailed a section of the media, especially Indian Express and The Statesman, for refusing to bow to the diktats of the then Indira Gandhi regime. Charging the Congress with the imposition of censorship on the media during the Emergency, he said, There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently about the term Godi Media. However, people often forget the true dedication of the media. If you look at the editorials from Indian Express and The Statesman from 1975, you will find them completely blank during the Emergency. Raising the Jammu and Kashmir issue during the Constitution debate in the Rajya Sabha, the Union minister pointed out that the Centre, led by the BJP, ended the one nation two Constitutions policy in the union territory. We ended the one nation, two constitutions policy in J&K. The 106 laws passed by Parliament were not applicable there, he stressed. Advertisement Questioning the Congress on the imposition of the Emergency in 1975 under the Congress regime led by late prime minister Indira Gandhi, he asked what the need was for resorting to such a draconian move. Why was Emergency imposed? Was the country in danger? No, the country was not in danger. The chair was in danger. It was only about the chair. Due to this, the whole country was thrown into darkness he added. Advertisement He asserted that India is not just the largest democracy but also the mother of democracy. Pointing out that it will be 50 years since the imposition of the Emergency next year, Nadda said the government was going to observe the Anti-Democracy Day and invited Congress to join the commemoration. It will be 50 years next year since the Emergency was imposed. We will celebrate Anti-Democracy Day. The Indian National Congress should join in. There was an evil attempt to strangle democracy during the emergency. If you have any mercy for them anywhere in your heart, if you have any remorse anywhere in your heart, then I appeal to you that you must join Anti-Democracy Day on 25th June 2025, he said. The BJP chief said that the Constitution was framed keeping Indias culture in mind. The constitution bears the imprint of our culture, it reflects the marks of Ajanta and Ellora, and it also shows the imprint of the lotus, he stated. He said, India has had three Prime Ministers/Deputy Prime Minister, who came from West Pakistan, Shri Manmohan Singh Ji, Shri Inder Kumar Gujral Ji, and Shri LK Advani Ji, but no person from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) could contest panchayat elections or become a member of the assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. Accusing Congress of indulging in appeasement politics since time immemorial, the leader of the house said theres no triple talaq in Islamic nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria. But see our secular version that to keep their minority appeasement that continued with triple talaq, he pointed out. He further said, Womens property rights were not applicable in J&K, which was strongly advocated by Jawaharlal Nehru The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts introduced by Rajiv Gandhi were also not applicable. He said 106 laws passed by the Indian Parliament were not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir, which includes the Prevention of the Atrocities Act, Human Rights Act. You will be surprised to know that POCSO was not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. Jawaharlal Nehru was the biggest advocate of the right to property of women, but it was not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. You will also be surprised to know that if a Kashmiri sister got married to a non-Kashmiri, she was also deprived of property rights Nadda said, The then Home Minister Sardar Patel was given the task of uniting the country and I was very happy that after a long time, I heard the name of Sardar Patel from the Congress side too. After a long time, I heard the Congress people speaking about the great man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He united 562 princely states and left Jammu and Kashmir to the then Prime Minister We cannot forget the late Ram Nath Goenka, who stood up to Indira Gandhi, stating, I came with a pot and I will leave with a pot. He vowed to sacrifice his life for the protection of democracy. The Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government has failed to announce the ministerial portfolios of the 39 ministers, even two days after the state assemblys winter session began on Monday as well as the swearing- in ceremony on Sunday. Significantly, this is unprecedented and perhaps it is also the very first time in the history of both Maharashtra and other states of the country, when the ministerial portfolios of cabinet ministers and even the Chief Minister and Deputy CMs remained unknown even two days after the state cabinet ministers were sworn in. Advertisement A meeting to decide ministerial portfolios to be allotted to 39 ministers was held on Monday evening at Ramgiri, the Nagpur residence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but mysteriously there has been no word about ministerial portfolio allocation even on Tuesday, as the Mahayuti top brass chose to stay tight lipped, sources said. Advertisement Both the Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were present at this meeting on Monday evening, according to sources, but there has been no word about any further development. It may be recalled that shortly after the swearing-in ceremony, Fadnavis himself had announced on Sunday, that ministerial portfolios would be completed within the next two to three days. Meanwhile, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituent Thackeray-led Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut has taunted the Fadnavis government about the continuing mystery behind the failure to announce ministerial portfolios. Other MVA MLAs too continued their strong protests for the second day against electronic (EVMs), the plight of farmers, the custodial death of a Dalit Ambedkarite activist Somnath Vyankat Suryavamshi in judicial custody in Parbhani and the murder a village sarpanch in Beed by the name of Santosh Deshmukh. MLAs of the Congress, the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party raised slogans and carried placards denouncing the BJP-led Mahayuti government, even as they targeted the police for alleged committed atrocities against Dalit activists in Parbhani and for allegedly protecting the culprits in the Beed sarpanch murder case. After they raised slogans seeking action against the police officials in both the cases, the Speaker said that the Parbhani matter would be taken up for discussion on Wednesday by the assembly. In a related development, Maharashtra State Congress President Nana Patole alleged that the BJP-led NDA and the Mahayuti are attempting to murder Indian democracy by misusing electronic voting machines (EVMs). He told media persons in Nagpur on Tuesday that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not used to conduct the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, for which EVMs were allegedly brought to Maharashtra from Gujarat. There is a gross misuse of EVMs. BJP members are on the board of directors of companies manufacturing EVMs. EVMs deployed during the Lok Sabha elections were not used for the Maharashtra state assembly elections and for this, EVMs were sent from Gujarat, Patole alleged. He criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for failing to exercise its constitutional powers and alleged that all ECI operations are conducted at the behest of the BJP, thus revealing their (ECIs) mindset. He also ridiculed the One Nation One Election bill in Parliament which he alleged is an RSS-BJP conspiracy to end democracy. Uttar Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna strongly countered the oppositions claims in the state assembly on Tuesday, which cited incorrect figures on violence and harassment against women. He emphasised that law and order in Uttar Pradesh is at its strongest under the Yogi government. Advertisement In the last seven and a half years, there has been a significant decline in all types of crime, including crimes against women. The state government has also been highly effective in ensuring that criminals are punished, he stated. Advertisement Answering the oppositions queries, Suresh Khanna revealed that between January 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024, a total of 4,18,504 complaints were registered on the 1090 Women Power Line, out of which 4,09,912 complaints were resolved, achieving a resolution rate of 97.95%. He further said that action is underway to address the remaining 8,592 pending cases. Cabinet Minister Suresh Khanna highlighted the consistent decline in dowry death cases, stating, In 2017, 2,524 cases of dowry deaths were reported. Between January 1 and October 31, 2024, the number of cases registered stands at 1,418. In 2023, 2,061 such incidents were recorded. Emphasising the governments efforts to strengthen prosecution and ensure swift convictions, Khanna asserted, No government in the history of Uttar Pradesh has achieved this level of success in punishing criminals. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna provided detailed data on convictions under the POCSO Act, stating: In 2017, 415 people were punished, while the numbers increased to 631 in 2018, 665 in 2019, and 535 in 2020. Significant progress was made in subsequent years with 1,230 convictions in 2021, 2,313 in 2022, and 2,841 in 2023. From January 1 to December 15 this year, 2,440 people have been successfully punished. He added: By running a special campaign, 48 death sentences were given from July 1, 2023 to December 11, 2024. During this period, life imprisonment was awarded in 6,065 cases, 20 years and above in 1,046 cases, 15 to 19 years in 73 cases, 10 to 14 years in 3,610 cases, 5 to 9 years in 5,564 cases, and less than five years in 22,298 cases. Suresh Khanna stated that since the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita came into effect, 29 individuals have been convicted under its provisions between July 1 and December 12. Citing NCRB data, he highlighted that as per the report available till 2022, a decline in crimes against women has been recorded across all categories. Uttar Pradesh ranks 24th in the country for rape cases, indicating that 23 states have a higher incidence than UP. Further, Khanna pointed out that UP stands at 17th position in cases under Section 354. Apart from this, 245 murder cases were registered in 2016, whereas 175 cases were registered in 2022, 141 in 2023, and 126 cases were registered so far in 2024, reflecting a 48.57 percent decline. Similarly, dowry deaths have decreased by 16.68%, rape cases by 25.34%, and incidents of molestation by 14.31%. Khanna also highlighted that 19 states report higher crime rates under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) than Uttar Pradesh. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 17:28 | All, Japan Japan will utilize nuclear power as much as possible along with renewable energy, a draft government plan showed Tuesday, departing from its earlier resolve to minimize dependence on atomic energy following the 2011 Fukushima crisis. The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry presented the draft basic energy plan, a medium- to long-term policy guideline, to a meeting of experts. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Cabinet is expected to approve the energy plan by around February. It is estimated that nuclear power will account for around 20 percent of the country's total energy output in fiscal 2040, the same level as the fiscal 2030 target of 20 to 22 percent, according to ministry projections. It is based on the assumption that around 30 reactors, or the majority of existing ones, will be restarted. Since electricity demand is expected to rise further due to the prevalence of artificial intelligence and data centers, among other reasons, the government aims to meet high demand by easing requirements for rebuilding nuclear plants. As part of such efforts, utilities will be able to replace reactors destined for decommissioning with next-generation reactors on the premises of any of their plants, according to the draft. The proportion of renewable energy for fiscal 2040 is proposed to be around 40 to 50 percent, almost double fiscal 2023's 22.9 percent, while thermal power should account for around 30 to 40 percent, a sharp drop from the current share of around 70 percent. The ministry left a certain leeway in the outlook for electricity supply and demand for fiscal 2040, as it is difficult to make a precise prediction given the complexity of technological innovations. While the government aims to advance decarbonization and secure a stable power supply at the same time in accordance with its target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, decarbonization efforts are expected to drive the cost of electricity generation higher. The cost is expected to be considerably higher in 2040 due to the necessity of auxiliary services along with the increase of renewables, known for output fluctuation affected by weather conditions, according to the ministry. Combined with other necessary measures, adjustment procedures to match energy input and output, such as through curtailment of thermal generation and the operation of pumped-storage hydropower, could push the cost of nuclear power generation about 1.5-fold above the estimated cost for 2030, according to the ministry. The current basic energy plan, approved by the Cabinet in 2021, said the government will give top priority to maximizing renewable energy use. But the draft of the new guideline dropped the expression. Related coverage: China to conduct sampling of treated water at Fukushima nuclear plant TEPCO progressing in melted fuel extraction from Fukushima nuclear reactor FEATURE: A quest to harness wind for offshore power generation in Japan Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday laid foundation stones of 10 projects including the revised PKC ERCP mega canal project, and will inaugurate other 15 projects with a total investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. PM Modi arrived at the Sanganer International Airport here around 1110 hrs by a special IAF plane, where Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani and other dignitaries accorded warm welcome to him. Advertisement Soon after, Modi flew by IAF helicopter to the Dadiya village, the venue of the grand function and public meeting, which coincides with the first anniversary of the Bhajan Lal Sharma led BJP government in the state. Advertisement At Dadiya, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, BJP state President Madan Rathore and many other dignitaries. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Union Water Resources CR Patil and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje were also present. Before addressing the huge public meeting, Modi witnessed the signing of the tripartite memorandum of agreement (MoA) among the Centre, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the PKC ERCP canal project and formalities related to other projects. The canal project, the first river linking project, involves linking 11 rivers in MP and Rajasthan. This will cater to more than 3.25 crore population of 21 districts. The 10 projects for which foundation stones were laid today include Ramgarh, Mahilpur Barrage, the Chambal Aqueduct, Channel for water from Navnera barrage to Bisalpur Dam and Isarada, Chambal Dholpur Bharatpur drinking water project, three solar parks of 4000 MW capacity in Pongal and three railway projects- double tracking of Jaipur Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer Chanderiya and Luni Bhildi. Besides this, inauguration of 15 projects including Navnera Barrage on the Kali Sindh river, Jamnagar Amritsar Katara Economic Corridor (8 package), Delhi-Vadodara- Mumbai 8 Lane GreenField ExpressWay (12 package) and the Bhildi Jodhpur Ratangarh railway route electrification. This is the second visit of PM Modi to Rajasthans capital within 10 days. Earlier, he had come here to inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investors summit here on December 9. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the One Nation-One Election Bill in Parliament on Tuesday. He said the passing of this bill will realise the Prime Ministers vision, and holding simultaneous elections will save both time and money, ensuring the development process continues smoothly in the country and states. Advertisement The Chief Minister made these remarks while speaking to media persons after the event where 25 vultures were released into the open at the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in Pinjore. Environment, Forests and Wildlife Minister Rao Nabir Singh was also present on this occasion. Advertisement Chief Minister Saini criticised the Congress party, stating that they have a habit of opposing the governments good work. He pointed out that Congress ruled the country for 55 years, and if they had ever made any significant decisions for the welfare of farmers, they should share. He also mentioned that Congress currently governs Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, while the Aam Aadmi Party governs Punjab and Delhi. Despite this, farmers in these states are protesting and demonstrating. He accused both Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party of doing politics in the name of farmers. The Chief Minister said that the Haryana government is consistently working in the best interest of farmers. He highlighted that the state government is purchasing 100 per cent of crops at the minimum support price. Vegetable farmers are benefiting from the Bhavantar Yojana, and subsidies are being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. He also said that Prime Minister Modi stands firmly with the farmers. Over Rs 4,500 crore has been paid to farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi. He added that the Haryana government is providing subsidies to farmers on tractors and agricultural equipment, and new schemes are being developed to reduce farmers expenses. He further said that in 2022, when the prices of urea and DAP increased internationally, Prime Minister Sh Modi intervened by banning price hikes, ensuring fertilisers remained affordable for farmers to avoid financial burdens. The Chief Minister criticised the UPA government for shelving the Swaminathan Commission report, pointing out that today, the INDI alliance formerly part of the UPA is now talking about farmers welfare. The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to farmers for actively participating in stubble management. He said that this initiative has been praised by the Supreme Court as well. The discussion on the 75 years of the Constitution will continue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The scheduled business list of the Upper House also mentions other businesses, including laying of reports, including Union Government Appropriation Accounts (Civil) 2023-2024; and Union Government Finance Accounts for the year 2023-2024. Advertisement Various reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) will also be presented by Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary. These include reports on Ordnance Factories, and Department of Revenue DirectTaxes, Performance Audit on Training of Pilots in the Indian Air Force. Advertisement The Upper House will further discuss the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India which was raised by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday. The Finance Minister launched an all-out attack on the Congress and accused it of repeatedly trying to undermine the Constitution through amendments. She said the Congress party made major amendments to the Constitution to brazenly help the family and the dynasty. In response, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the BJP has never respected the Constitution and stressed that there is a danger to it under this government. The Parliament witnessed a two-day debate on December 13 and 14 on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha with a focus on its historical significance and role in shaping the nations governance and global standing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who initiated the debate, spoke on politicising the Constitutions legacy and criticised the Congress partys efforts to attribute the creation of Indias Constitution solely to a particular political party. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her maiden speech in the Lower House, said that the BJP would have changed the Constitution had it not been for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The highlight of the two-day discussion in the Lower House was Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech. He said the Constitutional amendments brought by his government werent 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 countrys first PM Jawaharlal Nehru. PM Modi also outlined 11 resolutions for the countrys 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. The Kerala University campus on Tuesday turned into a hotspot of protest as activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the student wing of the CPI-M, demonstrated against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who arrived to inaugurate a three-day seminar organized by the Sanskrit Department of the university. In a major security lapse, SFI workers stormed the Kerala University campus while Kerala Governor Khan was attending a seminar at the Senate Hall. Advertisement Shortly after Governor Khan arrived at the Senate Hall at the university campus at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram, around 11.30 am, SFI activists, led by its state president K Anusree, forcibly entered the campus by breaking open the locked main gate. Advertisement They staged a sit-in protest inside the university campus while Governor Khan was participating in the seminar. The security breach was particularly concerning as Kerala Raj Bhavan had previously raised alarms about similar incidents at events involving the Governor. Despite the polices efforts to disperse the protesters using water cannons and other means, the activists continued their protests. As attempts to forcibly remove the protesters failed, the police had retreated to prevent further escalation. Later, the protesters left the campus on their own, chanting slogans against both the Governor and the Vice-Chancellor, accusing them of attempting to saffronise the university. The SFI activists were protesting against the Governors decision to appoint Vice Chancellors in the universities in the state on his own. The Governor, who also serves as the Chancellor of Keralas universities, on Tuesday, inaugurated the international Sanskrit seminar at the universitys Palayam campus. The seminar, titled Global Issues and the Sanskrit Knowledge System, is being organized by the universitys Sanskrit Department and will span three days. Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University, presided over the inaugural event. Dr Rani Sadasiva Murthy, Vice-Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara Vedic University in Tirupati; Dr Sachchidananda Mishra, Member Secretary of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR); and Dr KK Geethakumary, Vice Chancellor of Kalady Sanskrit University were among the prominent participants in the seminar. Left-backed Syndicate members to boycotted the event. Earlier in 2023, the SFI had said that Governor Khan would not be allowed to enter any university in the state if he went ahead with the plan to saffronise universities. Was the law taken in ones hand? The answer is yes. Otherwise, why did the Central government exercise the power of parens patriae (parent of the nation) and prevent the victims from filing suits through lawyers of their choice? The government also passed the Bhopal Gas Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, without consulting the victims or caring for their well-being and took away the victims right to fend for themselves. Within seven days of the tragedy, tort-lawyers from the USA flocked to Bhopal to strike deals with the victims. American tort lawyers are the most aggressive breed of the legal profession who secure settlements for huge sums. Taking advantage of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis lack of experience and naivety, he was persuaded to exercise the power of parens patriae. And what did the Central government do next? It lodged a suit in a New York District Court claiming $3 billion compensation for the victims. Knowing the power of American tort lawyers, who are known to be experts in handling such cases in American courts, UCC, aided and abetted by our Central government, succeeded in transferring the case to an Indian court. What happened five days after the MIC leak was a drama which naive citizens of India witnessed. Warren Anderson, Chairman of UCC, reached Bhopal on 7 December 1984. Advertisement The MP government, headed by Chief Minister Arjun Singh, presumably with a view to scoring political advantage, spread the news that Anderson had been arrested and subsequently granted bail. The American embassy used its muscle to ensure the safe return of Anderson to New Delhi with due ceremony. He was entertained to tea by the first citizen and received with courtesy by the Union Home Minister, Foreign Secretary and other Ministers. Finally, all went to see him off to his home country. Advertisement On 14 February 1989, the Central government agreed with the Supreme Co urts judgement that UCC was to pay only $470 million as compensation. The parens patriae agreed to settle for about 15 per cent of the original claim. The amount is less than half of the amount settled by the US government for the Action Valdage incident, an oil disaster that took place in 1989 off the shore of Alaska. There are reasons to believe the comment of one of the lawyers of UCC, A few hundred bottles of champagne must have popped around the world. After all, UCC took away $2530 millions from Bhopal gas victims. Many facts relating to the industrial disaster were not made public after many years of the tragedy. But if such truths had been unveiled earlier, peoples outrage and fury would have yielded justice for the victims. The epic tragedy of Bhopal had shaken people all over the world and they raised their voices and expressed their concerns from time to time by unveiling the harsh reality. Many social activists, artists, novelists, writers and producers brought out the facts through their creations, writings and spoke against the injustice to the Bhopal victims. Many film makers turned the spotlight and camera to capture the sufferings of Bhopal victims and tried to present the story of painful story. One feature film and eighteen documentaries were made on the Bhopal tragedy with an aim to make people visualize the sufferings and harsh realities, but most of them were not made public by the government. A documentary film entitled Beyond genocide had directly accused the government, holding it as responsible as UCIL for the disaster and its fate. Doordarshan refused to telecast this film and finally, after it had won the international award and gold medal, it was telecast suddenly late at night without any prior announcement. Pictures of suffering have hardly changed for the people of Bhopal. The deadly toxic clouds of methyl oxide that loomed over Bhopal 40 years back still cast a shadow on the lives of victims. Standing near the factory site of UCIL, one can only see pictures of misery and disability all over. Mothers still give births to deformed and crippled children. The poisonous garbage that has not yet been removed from the disaster site continuously pollutes the environment. The place where the victims were shifted is an unhygienic place; there is no access to pure drinking water. Here, one finds toddlers and grown up children who cannot stand on their own legs, some cannot walk due to their crippled legs, some of them have visibility in one eye and most are barred from natural growth. Those who survived after inhaling the poisonous gas are mostly affected by cancer; some of them have been paralysed. The chemical deposited in more than a 20 square kilometer-area near the factory site is still polluting the underground water, causing cancer and physical deformity. After the 7 June 2010 verdict of the Bhopal district court, the matter remained the flavour of the day on TV channels and in print media. Now that the media frenzy is over, it is the appropriate time for all of us to look at some basic issues, including corporate responsibility, the role of the business community, the government system, at state and central level, and finally the judicial system. Intellectuals and youth should not forget what happened at Bhopal. They should step forward and encourage the people to rise against power and make them realize that their unity and strength are mightier than the wealth of the cowards who absconded after committing the crime. Forty years of fighting for the right to life, dignity and justice shows the perseverance and courage of Bhopal victims. The patience of the people of India is legendary, as for the past forty years, they have dreamt of a tomorrow which will give them justice. But justice is denied to them. Now, even after they have abandoned all hope for real justice, they still dream of a day when at least one member of Warren Andersons family will visit them and express his regret for the tragic incident. (The writer is Director & CEO, Sayantan Consultants Private Limited) South Koreas democracy has faced yet another stern test with the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, a polarising figure whose ill-conceived martial law decree plunged the nation into a constitutional crisis. The impeachment motion, carried by an overwhelming 204 votes in the 300-member National Assembly, reflects both the resilience of South Koreas democratic institutions and the heavy political costs of authoritarian overreach. Mr Yoons decision to declare martial law on December 3, ostensibly to root out anti-state forces and bypass opposition obstruction, shocked the nation. The decree granted sweeping emergency powers to the military, a chilling echo of South Koreas authoritarian past. Though it was rescinded within six hours, the damage was done. Parliamentarians defied Mr Yoons forces to annul the decree, protesters flooded the streets, and calls for his resignation grew louder. The public and institutional backlash culminated in a second impeachment vote, supported not only by opposition lawmakers but by at least 12 members of Mr Yoons own People Power Party. This moment carries striking historical parallels. Yoon is now the second conservative president in recent years to face impeachment after Mr Park Geun-hyes removal in 2017. Both cases underscore the volatility of South Korean politics, where presidents often end their terms embroiled in scandal. Advertisement Mr Yoons martial law gamble, framed as a desperate bid to protect democracy, instead exposed his isolation and miscalculation. His own party split over the issue, with some lawmakers viewing his actions as an existential threat to democratic norms. The impeachment itself reveals both the strength and fragility of South Koreas democratic system. On one hand, it highlights the ability of the legislature to hold even the most powerful leaders accountable. On the other, it underscores the deep political divides and the risks inherent in a system where presidents wield considerable power yet face significant institutional checks. Prime Minister Han Duck-soos assumption as acting President reflects the constitutional safeguards in place, but the road ahead is fraught. The Constitutional Court now has six months to decide whether to permanently remove Mr Yoon from office. Advertisement A decision to uphold the impeachment could trigger a snap election, further shaking South Koreas political landscape. Meanwhile, Mr Yoons defiance, exemplified in his vow to fight to the end, signals a drawn-out battle which risks deepening the nations divisions. South Koreas democratic resilience shines through this episode, bolstered by its engaged citizenry and robust institutions. However, the crisis serves as a cautionary tale against the allure of authoritarian shortcuts, even when cloaked in the language of protecting democracy. Mr Yoons impeachment is a victory for accountability but also a reminder that democracy requires constant vigilance. As South Koreans await the courts decision, their nations commitment to democratic principles faces its next test: navigating this turbulent chapter without succumbing to further polarisation or instability. The appointment of Francois Bayrou as Frances new Prime Minister highlights the formidable challenges facing the country as it struggles with political gridlock, economic uncertainty, and public discontent. President Emmanuel Macrons decision to tap Mr Bayrou ~ a seasoned centrist with decades of political experience ~ signals a cautious yet pragmatic approach to resolving Frances deepening crisis. However, the road ahead is fraught with obstacles, with Mr Bayrous ability to navigate a fractured Parliament likely to define both his tenure and Mr Macrons legacy. Mr Bayrou assumes office in the midst of an unprecedented political landscape. The Parliamentary defeat of his predecessor, Michel Barnier, underscored the fragility of Mr Macrons administration and the growing polarisation within French politics. With Parliament split into three blocs ~ far left, far right, and Mr Macrons centrists ~ reaching any form of consensus is akin to scaling the Himalaya that Mr Bayrou himself spoke of. His immediate task of passing a provisional budget law for 2024 is already a daunting test of his political acumen. The crux of the crisis lies in Frances fiscal health. Advertisement A deficit exceeding 6 per cent of GDP and rising public debt have become flashpoints for debate, exposing deep divisions over how to address these issues. Mr Bayrou has framed the fiscal deficit as a moral challenge, but this rhetoric may fall flat with opposition leaders who remain sceptical of his ability to govern impartially. The far left and far right, who joined forces to topple Mr Barnier, are unlikely to grant Mr Bayrou the benefit of the doubt for long. Advertisement The Socialists, too, have expressed their discontent over Mr Mac rons decision to bypass their calls for a left-leaning Prime Minister. Adding to the complexity is Mr Bayrous close association with Mr Macron, whose popularity has waned amid perceptions of elitism and disconnect from everyday French concerns. While Mr Bayrous rustic roots and pragmatic persona offer a contrast to Mr Macrons technocratic style, his proximity to the President could alienate him from potential allies in Parliament. Without a broad coalition, Mr Bayrou may find himself governing on borrowed time, much like Mr Barnier before him. The economic implications of this political paralysis are significant. Frances inability to stabilise its fiscal situation has already raised borrowing costs and shaken investor confidence. With the far right and far left pushing for increased spending and the centrists advocating fiscal restraint, the resulting impasse risks further destabilising the economy. For Mr Bayrou, striking a balance between appeasing the markets and satisfying parliamentary factions is an unenviable task. Frances political crisis is emblematic of a broader struggle facing liberal democracies: how to govern effectively in an era of polarisation and declining trust in institutions. For Mr Bayrou, the challenge is not only to pass a budget or maintain parliamentary support but to restore faith in the governments ability to act decisively and inclusively. Whether he can rise to this occasion will determine whether Frances current turmoil is a temporary setback or a harbinger of deeper instability. Syrian rebel forces captured Damascus and forced President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Moscow with his family, where he has been granted refuge. In just over a week, the Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), translated into Organization for the liberation of the Levant, backed by Turkey, captured the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs, before entering Damascus and overthrowing a ruler who had managed to survive the Arab Spring by violently suppressing the agitation. This has thrown the entire region into a mess. The HTS, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, was formerly associated with ISIS and subsequently with al Qaeda. It is still considered a terrorist group by some Western nations. Interestingly, over the years while Turkey, Israel and the US militarily engaged with different Syrian groups including its armed forces, none ever targeted the HTS. Hoping to gain global acceptance, al-Jolani mentioned that he intends to focus on organized governance in Syria. By appointing Mohamad alBashir, the administrator of the earlier rebel-held territory, HTS conveyed its intent on governance. The HTS also reached out to Iraq and Lebanon seeking good ties and non-interference. Iran and Russia had propped up the al-Assad regime in Syria. Russia, involved in Ukraine, while Iran, internally divided amongst those desiring to support Assad and those opposing this, did not provide the requisite military power to face the HTS offensive. Hezbollah, which had earlier sent its soldiers to support the Syrian armed forces backed down due to Israels relentless military offensive against it. The weakened and underpaid Syrian army collapsed rapidly, in many cases discarding their arms and ammunition before fleeing. Advertisement The end came quickly, bringing back memories of the collapse of the Saddam Hussain regime in Iraq battling the US, as also Afghan forces fighting the Taliban advance. Nations in the region have begun recalibrating their strategies. Israel, which is fighting Hamas and is presently in a ceasefire with Hezbollah has to now secure its Syrian border. The 1974 border agreement between Israel and Syria has ended, compelling Netanyahu to occupy beyond the buffer zone between the two states, which is the Golan Heights. It is unlikely to vacate them any time soon as the new Syrian government is militarily weak. Currently, Israel is targeting Syrias military power including aircraft, ships, storage deports and air defence systems, ensuring these do not fall into the hands of the incoming HTS. Further, it would open doors for Israel to strike Syria freely in case it attempts to push terrorists into Israel. Advertisement Israel has to ensure that Syria is no longer capable of posing a threat. By occupying the Golan Heights, Israel has ensured that Damascus remains within range of its artillery. The HTS is a Sunni terrorist group, which fought against the Shia army of Bashar al-Assad, which was backed by Iran and Russia. Hence its ties with these countries are not conducive. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was ransacked in anger. The support which Syria provided to Hezbollah, including being a conduit for weapons from Iran has ended. A weakened Hezbollah, unable to obtain fresh weapon supplies from Iran, would no longer be the threat which it once was to Israel. Further, Syria is no longer a buffer between Iran and Israel, nor a member of the axis of resistance. This adds to the insecurities of Iran. Syrian airspace can be exploited by Israel to strike Iran. Iran is hurriedly withdrawing members of its forces from Syria. There is a belief that Iran could be the next target for regime change. The only option for Iran to survive any onslaught from Israel and the US is to ensure development of nuclear weapons, a process which it would now be speeding up. Russia has two bases in Syria. The Khmeimim airbase houses Russian aircraft and the Tartus naval facility services Russian ships. The airbase is a staging post for Russian mercenaries travelling to Africa while Tartus is its only warm water port. Their future is unknown. Russia is reaching out to the new regime, seeking to continue with these facilities. Moscows alternate option is to move these bases to Tobruk in Libya where it is engaged in dialogue with Khalifa Haftar, a proRussia leader. While Russia supported the Assad regime, it faced lesser anger as compared to Iran, hence its assets remain secure and the embassy untouched. At the end of the day, the fall of Assad is a loss of prestige for both Iran and Russia. Syria is currently far from stable. While Damascus may have fallen, there are other areas where the conflict rages, with both Turkey and the US supporting opposing factions. The Turkey-backed Syrian National Army, supported by Turkish air power, captured Manbij, held by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. The US maintains about a battalion strength in Kurdish-controlled oil drilling areas. Turkey considers the Kurds a threat and launches operations against them, while the US backs its Kurdish proxies engaging ISIS. Turkey, which backed the HTS, would be hoping for a government closely aligned to it. This would enable it to move back over 3 million Syrian refugees on its soil. What is to be seen is whether the new Syrian regime toes the Turkish line or like the Afghan Taliban projects an independent stance. The photograph of Pakistans DG ISI having tea in a Kabul hotel to celebrate the arrival of the Taliban regime comes to mind. The US has been battling ISIS, taking advantage of the turmoil in Syria. It regularly conducts airstrikes in the region. Whether it will continue to engage ISIS with the new Trump administration or pull out is a question. Most Western nations have stopped providing asylum to Syrian refugees, hoping for their return. Currently Yemen, Somalia and Afghanistan are controlled by terrorist groups. Syria is the latest to join this group. While Yemen and Somalia continue threatening the world in some form, the Taliban has confined itself to its own region. How Syria will play out is to be seen. Like the Taliban, the HTS could concentrate inwards for the moment. However, if pushed by Israel, as is happening between Pakistan and Afghanistan, there could be a change in its approach. [The writer is a retired Major-General of the Indian Army] Forces in Yemen launched a missile toward central Israel, triggering sirens in Tel Aviv and other cities, Israels military said. Israels air defence systems intercepted the missile, and sirens sounded due to the possibility of falling shrapnel from the interception, the military said on Monday in a statement. Advertisement Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said no injuries have been reported. Advertisement No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Since November last year, the Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been conducting missile and drone attacks on targets in Israel, allegedly to show solidarity with Palestinians amid their conflict with Israelis in the Gaza Strip. Earlier on Monday, Israels military reported intercepting a drone and a missile launched from Yemen. Although the missile was intercepted, Israeli emergency services confirmed that five people were injured while seeking shelter in Tel Aviv and other central areas of the country. Since the beginning of 2024, a coalition led by the US has been conducting air strikes that it said are targeting Houthi locations in parts of Yemen in response to attacks by the group in the Red Sea. The counter-attacks have been occasionally met with retaliation from the group. In solidarity with Gaza, which has been facing an Israeli war since October 7, 2023, the Houthis have targeted Israeli cargo ships or those associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea with missiles and drones, expressing determination to continue operations until the end of the onslaught on the enclave. With the intervention of Washington and London and an escalation of tensions, the Houthis announced that they now consider all American and British ships as military targets. On December 9, a drone claimed by Houthis exploded on the top floor of a residential building in the central Israel city of Yavne, causing no casualties. In July, a Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The Houthis, who control most of Yemens population centres, have also frequently targeted ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Donald Trump said on Monday that he would speak to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and that of Russia Vladimir Putin to end the carnage of nearly three years of war, as the Kremlin leader lauded Russian army successes on the ground. Both sides have rushed to gain an advantage on the battlefield ahead of Trump entering the White House in January, and there has been some alarm in Ukraine that it will be forced to make territorial concessions in exchange for peace. Advertisement Trump has been highly critical of billions of dollars of aid that Joe Bidens administration provided to Kyiv to battle Moscows invasion. Advertisement He spoke on Monday at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida as Putin hailed his armys accelerating advance in Ukraine in what he called a landmark year. Well be talking to President Putin, and well be talking to the representatives, Zelensky and representatives from Ukraine, Trump said. We gotta stop it, its carnage, he added, referring to the war. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could swiftly end the conflict but has not provided concrete details on how. His comments on Monday come after he called for an immediate ceasefire earlier this month and said negotiations should begin. Trump met Zelensky in a meeting hosted by French leader Emmanuel Macron in Paris this month, after which the Ukrainian leader said he had argued that Kyiv is seeking an enduring peace and security guarantees. Poland, Ukraines ally and neighbour, urged Monday that Kyiv should not be forced into peace talks, with its Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski saying that it was the aggressor and not the victim should be encouraged and forced to do so. Ukraine is entering another winter of war as its energy grid is already badly damaged by Russian attacks and Trump spoke as Russian forces were almost at the gates of the key eastern city of Pokrovsk. Addressing top military generals in an end-of-year meeting on Monday, Putin struck a defiant and optimistic tone, claiming his troops had the upper hand across the entire front line. The comments come with Russias army advancing across eastern Ukraine at their fastest pace since the first weeks of the offensive. Russian troops are firmly holding the strategic initiative along the entire line of contact, Putin said. 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 km (1,737 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in this year and were now gaining around 30 square km a day. Russias army said on Monday that it had captured another small village in the Donetsk region as part of its latest advance. Putin has been accused by Kyiv and the West of escalating the nearly three-year conflict in recent weeks. On Monday, 10 countries and the EU called North Koreas growing involvement the conflict a dangerous expansion of the fighting with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Britain, the United States and the high representative of the European Union signed the release. It came after Ukraine said it had killed or wounded at least 30 North Korean troops fighting alongside Russias soldiers in the Kursk border region, where Kyiv is mounting an offensive. The US, South Korea and Ukraine have accused North Korea of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to support Russia. Putin on Monday also defended Russias vast defence and security spending on the conflict, amid mounting economic uncertainty at home. Military spending has surpassed six per cent of GDP, while overall defence and security outlays are almost nine per cent. It is not, strangely enough, the biggest expenditure in the world, even among countries that do not have any armed conflict, Putin, an ex-KGB spy in power for the last quarter of a century, said. Nevertheless, it is a lot of money, and here we need to use it very rationally, he said. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 22:52 | All, Japan, World The Danish government said Tuesday it has rejected Japan's request to extradite Paul Watson, the founder of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, who is wanted for allegedly obstructing whaling operations. Watson, who was detained in Greenland in July while en route to intercept a Japanese whaling ship, has since been released from detention by Greenland police, according to Reuters. "The decision is based on an overall assessment of the case," the Danish Ministry of Justice said in a statement on its website, citing the nature and age of the offenses in the extradition request. Watson had been wanted by Japan over a 2010 incident in which he is suspected of causing injury and forcibly obstructing its whaling for research purposes as an accomplice. Local police arrested the 74-year-old after he docked to refuel his boat in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. "After five months, it's good to be out," Watson said in a video posted Tuesday on The Captain Paul Watson Foundation's official X account, adding that he was glad to be able to go home for Christmas. Many Western countries opposed to whaling had voiced opposition to his extradition, with supporters enlisting the support of prominent figures like French President Emmanuel Macron to call for his release. Related coverage: Japan seeks extradition of anti-whaling activist held in Greenland The West is pushing Russia towards its red line, leaving Moscow no choice but to respond, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at an expanded meeting of the collegium of the Russian Defence 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 on Monday, adding that the West wages hybrid wars and pursue a policy of containment concerning states they oppose, including Russia. Advertisement He said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is ramping up military spending, deploying strike groups near Russias borders, and increasing the number of US troops in Europe, with the total now exceeding 100,000, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement He said the bloc is also strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region while forming US-led military alliances that weaken the regions long-standing security architecture. US 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 US 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 modernised, and 95 per cent of the countrys strategic nuclear forces are now equipped with modern weapons. Putin said the mass production of the countrys new Oreshnik intermediate-range missile systems will begin in the near future. He added that Russias 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. He warned that if the US proceeds with the deployment of such missiles, Russia would respond by lifting all voluntary restrictions it has imposed on its own missile deployments. The Russian president further emphasised that the countrys nuclear arsenal is intended solely for deterrence, underscoring its strategic value in maintaining balance. Putin also highlighted the continued progress of Russian forces in Ukraine, claiming that 189 settlements had been brought under Russian control this year. KYODO NEWS - Dec 17, 2024 - 14:59 | All, Japan Japan's biggest business lobby said Tuesday it has tapped Nippon Life Insurance Co. Chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui to head the group, filling the post for the first time with someone from the finance industry. The 70-year-old will take the helm at the Japan Business Federation, better known as Keidanren, in May 2025, replacing Sumitomo Chemical Co. Chairman Masakazu Tokura. Keidanren usually selects its chairman from the country's powerful manufacturing sector. "He is the best-qualified person to propose solutions to social problems from a long-term perspective," Tokura told reporters. A Keidanren chief normally assumes the post for two two-year terms and Tsutsui, who currently serves as the lobby's vice chairman, is expected to lead the organization until 2029. He will likely be forced to respond to protectionist moves by the United States in international trade after Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. In India, where gold and real estate have for long been popular investment options, there has been a strong rise in people investing in equity and mutual funds in the last few years. But now with a growing number of high net worth individuals (HNIs) and a rising number of people with increasing risk appetite and demand for higher returns, alternative assets are also gaining traction. Investment banking firm Avendus Capital projects alternative assets market in India will grow five times to touch $2 trillion by 2034. Assets under management (AUM) in the alternative assets market are currently estimated to be around $400 billion. Need for portfolio diversification and supportive regulatory developments will also be among the drivers for this growth. According to Avendus, alternative investments outperforming traditional investments options, offering higher alpha, are attracting increased interest from India's HNIs and ultra HNIs. "We are seeing a fundamental restructuring in how capital is deployed. Driving this shift is the synergy between regulatory enhancements, technological advancements and a growing base of sophisticated investors," Anshul Agarwal, managing director and co-head, consumer, FIG and business services investment banking, Avendus Capital, said. This rising interest in alternative assets aligns with global trend where alternatives have seen their share double to 20 per cent of total global AUM from 10 per cent between 2005 and 2020. "As the market evolves, we observe a convergence of global trends and local market dynamics. This uniquely positions India not only for significant expansion in the alternatives market but also as a potential leader in innovation among emerging economies. The rapid growth we are witnessing could reshape India's financial landscape, offering sophisticated investment options that were previously limited to more developed markets," said Agarwal. Alternative assets offer diversification beyond the traditional basket of stocks, bonds, and cash. These assets are generally less liquid and carry a higher risk-reward profile compared to traditional investments. Consequently, they are primarily targeted towards sophisticated investors like pension funds, insurance companies, and HNIs. Key asset classes within alternatives encompass real assets, private equity investing in unlisted companies with high growth potential, private credit, hedge funds and natural resources among others. Avendus notes share of global financial wealth held by HNIs has grown from 41 per cent in 2013 to 48 per cent in 2023 and is expected to reach 55 per cent in the near to medium term. The growth in HNI wealth is particularly "robust" in emerging markets such as Asia and the Middle East, which have seen a long term growth of 8 per cent, outpacing North America and Europe, at 5 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively, it said. An increased proliferation of professional management has led to HNIs allocating a higher portion of their wealth into alternative assets, it added. In India, with the number of HNIs and UHNIs expected to double over the next five years, wealth management AUM is expected to grow exponentially. Rising HNI and UHNI wealth, which is expected to become $2 trillion by 2027 will drive a higher appetite for differentiated products like alternative investment funds (AIFs), Avendus pointed out. "We are seeing multiple alternative investment firms intensifying their focus on India gearing up for the next wave of growth, where diversification will be critical. This may lead to consolidation and listing in the near future," said Snigdha Khemka, director, consumer, FIG and business services investment banking, Avendus Capital. Alternative assets will act as a key catalyst on Indias path to a $10 trillion GDP, she opined. Besides inking a slew of agreements, the ongoing visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, his first ever to any foreign country after assuming the reins of power in the island nation, is important for two main reasons. One, the decision to visit India first and not China is a statement of his intent to maintain a fine balance in his ties with the two Asian giants. After New Delhi, the Lankan President is scheduled to visit Beijing in the beginning of 2025. Interestingly, the first visit of Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli after assuming power in Kathmandu was to China where on December 3, he signed a nine-point agreement mainly relating to enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, spurring development and increasing trade. Both Nepal and Sri Lanka are already signatories to Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The second is President Dissanayaka's declaration after meeting PM Narendra Modi on Monday that Sri Lanka wont allow its territory to be used against India. 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, he had said. ALSO READ: Sri Lankan territory won't be used against India's security interests, assures Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka A joint statement issued on Monday by the two leaders said: India being Sri Lankas closest maritime neighbour, President Dissanayaka reiterated Sri Lankas 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. Dissanayaka also expressed his gratitude for Indias assistance of about $4 billion in 2022 when Colombo was going through a period of economic doldrums. With defence collaboration between nations being seen as a key parameter of a good relationship, the military pacts agreed to between India and Sri Lanka are of paramount importance. A notable point is the agreement to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation which has been specified as cooperation in hydrography, providing Sri Lanka with military equipment and enhancing its defence capabilities besides intensifying collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges. Significantly, President Dissanayaka has also requested Indias support for Sri Lankas application to become a member of the BRICS, a multilateral grouping that has Russia and China, among others, as members. With Indian foreign policy suffering acknowledged reverses due to domestic politics in Bangladesh among others, India should try its best to improve its strategic standing in its neighbourhoodas in the case of Maldives where Indian diplomacy came back strongly after a regime change, whether Indias influence grows in Sri Lanka is a test that time will tell. Interestingly, a minor decorative change in the office of the Chief of the Army Staff has drawn significant controversy, with many national newspapers covering the story. The painting of the iconic surrender of the Pakistani Army in the 1971 war has been replaced with a painting titled 'Karam Kshetra' created by an Army officer. Set against the backdrop of Pangong Tso Lake, the new painting depicts Arjunas chariot and Chanakya in his characteristic pose, among modern military equipment. One of the former Army commanders has been extremely caustic, tweeting, "We are hitting the 'absolute pits,'" while many others have commented adversely on social media. The replacement of an artwork depicting the historic victory over Pakistan would have definitely caused genuine anguish for many veterans, but they also know that this picture holds a place of pride in almost every significant location related to the Indian Army, and the office of the Army Chief is just one of them. They also understand that removing this painting from one such location does not diminish the significance of that momentous occasion. What has likely irked them is the religious undertone of the image. The Army has not provided any official clarification; however, some newspapers have reported that the painting reflects the Indian Army's capability to operate in a high-tech environment in conjunction with the Navy and Air Force. Some analysts have also suggested that it signifies the Army's new focus on the northern borders. Whatever the reason, it is fair to say that the Chief of the Indian Army has the liberty to change the decor of his office as he sees fit. There is no need to see any ulterior motives in this act and distract his attention from the security threats that the country face and the current challenges of modernisation and reorganisation. It is well known that the Indian Army has deep secular foundations, and its personnel are judged on their competence, not their religion or ethnicity. There are numerous examples of officers and soldiers from minority communities achieving professional excellence. The proportion of such positive stories in the Indian Army is likely far higher than in the Indian corporate sector or even in Western democracies. This is despite the fact that the Indian Army, a legacy of the British, is organised along regional, religious, and caste lines. A picture of Arjunas chariot or that of the Indian strategist Chanakya in the Army Chiefs office is unlikely to alter the secular nature of the Indian Army, just as the Maltese cross on the berets of the soldiers of the Garhwal Rifles or Rajputana Rifles has not changed their ethos. READ MORE: Amid controversy, iconic 1971 surrender painting finds a new home The combination of well-trained officers with strong leadership qualities and soldiers who have faith in their clan, religion, and country have made Indian Army units formidable fighting forces, respected worldwide. We all know how the Biharis fought in Galwan, the Sikhs in Saragarhi, the Aheers in Rezangla, the Garhwalis in Jaswantgarh, the Jats in Dograi, and so on. Indian Army officers possess another quality: a progressive Western mindset, which makes them professional, fair, and balanced leaders, but also aloof and disconnected from the realities of the country. This mindset has also hindered them from embracing the strengths of Indian philosophy, political thought, and warfighting strategies. Hindi has not replaced Queen's English as the lingua franca, except symbolically in the names of exercises and war games. Therefore, opposition to Chanakyas picture and referring to it as hitting the absolute pits reflects this mindset. Some argue that the Indian Army has remained secular and distanced from politics because of this mindset. They also reason that Indianisation could lead to the de facto Hinduisation of the Indian Army. While this may be a valid concern, the disadvantages of remaining aloof and disconnected from the masses have prevented the Indian Army from becoming the 'Peoples Army'. Not a single member of Parliament today comes from an Army background, leaving no one to raise the genuine concerns of its soldiers. The ultimate goal of the Indian Army should be to remain a professional force capable of safeguarding Indias security interests. To achieve this, it must focus on substantial issues, and prepare for significant improvements in its organisation, work culture, modernisation, and adaptation of technology. The responsibility for guiding the Army through these challenges lies with the current leadership. They would do well by stepping out of their comfort zones, exploring new ideas, and remaining open to change. Veterans, an integral part of the Army eco-system have always contributed positively towards the growth of the Army. At this critical time when major organisational reforms are imminent, their support and suggestions are required for a smooth and efficient transition. Focusing on discussions related to uniforms, messes, parades, and formalities will only hold our Army back and are best avoided. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. The Karnataka government plans to launch a new programme- Midwifery-led care units (MLCU) to tackle the alarming rise in number of caesarean (C-section) deliveries in the state. The rate of caesarean deliveries has increased to 46 per cent of live births this year, compared to 38 per cent in 2022-23 and 35 % in 2021-22. The rate of caesarean deliveries (surgical deliveries) is 36% in government hospitals and 61% in private hospitals, which perform C-sections to earn more money. We need to curb this practice considering the health of the mother and the child. Most pregnant women opt for C-sections out of fear. So, the doctors should mentally prepare the expectant mothers for a natural birth, said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, in his reply to a question by Jagdeva Guttedar, in the Legislative Council. To tackle the menace, the government plans to strengthen the government facility to encourage normal deliveries. The government has conducted an 18-month training under the Midwifery project at Vani Vilas Hospital, Bengaluru and Fernandez Foundation, Hyderabad, for nursing superintendents, who will, in turn, train the midwives and healthcare personnel across hospitals in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Belagavi. By July 2025, the training will be complete and we will start the MLCUs at Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru hospitals. In the next phase, MLCUs will be operational in Kolar, Bengaluru, Davangere and Tumakuru. We will also conduct regular audits of C-section deliveries in the taluk and district hospitals to prevent unnecessary C-sections, the minister said. Female foeticide cases Eight cases have been registered and 46 persons arrested in connection with female foeticide cases in the state in 2023-24. The health minister informed the Upper House that a large number of foeticide cases were detected during the crackdown on scanning at diagnostics centres and hospitals. Since 2018, the state has reported 136 cases against diagnostic centres and doctors for violations under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostics Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which prohibits sex determination tests of the foetus. Around 74 persons have been convicted and fined under the Act and 65 cases are pending before the court. We have set up state and district-level committees under the Act and all the scanning centres are required to compulsorily register through the Balika (online software). The state is following the system of 100 per cent registration of pregnant women and keeping tabs on the sex ratio at the village level. A state-level task force headed by the health commissioner has also been constituted. We are encouraging whistleblowers to report illegal centres and activities by enhancing the reward from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh, said Rao, adding that increased surprise inspections have helped fight the menace. It is a known fact that the brain integrates or consolidates new information learned throughout the day with prior knowledge and stores it for long-term use. However, a new study has revealed that breathing could be the driving force that helps the brain to coordinate and consolidate memory during sleep. The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that the breathing rhythms during sleep are linked to slow spindles brain waves in the hippocampus, part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. According to the study, these brain waves occur during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) phase of sleep. The researchers at Northwestern University in the US said that though it was known that the slow spindles (a pattern of brain waves that occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep) played a role in memory, the driver behind the process was not known. These findings have important implications for conditions like sleep apnea, which disrupt breathing during sleep and are associated with poor memory consolidation, the researchers added. "To strengthen memories, three special neural oscillations emerge and synchronise in the hippocampus during sleep, but they were thought to occur at random times," said study senior author Christina Zelano, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University. "We discovered that these oscillations are coordinated by breathing rhythms," she said. The activity in the hippocampus of six patients with epilepsy, entirely free of seizures, during nights were also analysed by the team. The team found that slow spindle activity in the hippocampus occurred at specific points in the breathing cycle. The activity suggests that breathing is a critical rhythm for proper memory consolidation during sleep. "Memory consolidation relies on the orchestration of brain waves during sleep, and we show that this process is closely timed to breathing," said author Andrew Sheriff, a postdoctoral researcher in Zelano's lab. Sheriff also said that the study suggests that people with disrupted breathing during sleep should seek treatment. A recent study has uncovered a surprising link between certain professions and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers analysing death data from the US National Vital Statistics System found that taxi and ambulance drivers had the lowest proportion of deaths due to Alzheimer's disease compared to all other occupations. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined death data from nearly nine million adults across 443 different occupations. Among taxi drivers, only 1% (171 out of 16,658) died from Alzheimer's disease, while 0.74% (10 out of 1,348) of ambulance drivers succumbed to the disease. In contrast, approximately 4% of the general population had Alzheimer's disease listed as a cause of death. The researchers suggest that the frequent spatial and navigational processing required in these professions may have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease. This theory is supported by a previous study showing that London taxi drivers had an enhanced hippocampus, a brain region critical for spatial memory and navigation, compared to the general population. "In an analysis of nearly all death certificates in the United States, taxi drivers and ambulance drivers, whose jobs require frequent spatial and navigational processing, were found to be the occupations with the two lowest risk-adjusted percentages of deaths due to Alzheimer's disease," the authors wrote. While the study's findings are intriguing, the researchers caution that no cause-and-effect conclusions can be drawn due to the observational nature of the study. Further research is necessary to determine whether the cognitive demands of these professions can potentially prevent or reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Ever since she was elected an MP for the first time, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has chosen to make big political statements through her accessories. On Monday, Vadra stirred up a controversy after she carried a handbag to parliament with the word Palestine emblazoned on it. The BJP targeted the Wayanad MP, questioning her silence on the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. However, she sought to silence her critics on Tuesday, by wearing another cream-coloured cloth bag bearing the slogan Stand with Bangladeshi Hindus and Christians. A group of opposition MPs also joined wearing similar bags, demanding the governments intervention on the issue. READ: Why Bangladesh under Mohammad Yunus has become unstable and violence-prone In her address in the Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi raked up the issue of alleged atrocities on the religious minorities in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to engage diplomatically with Dhaka to ensure the safety of Hindus and Christians. "The government should raise the issue of atrocities on minorities, both Hindus and Christians, in Bangladesh. We should discuss this with the Bangladesh government and support those who are in pain," she said. The Congress leader also took to social media to share the images of their protest outside parliament. In a Sanskrit post, she said: This is mine, that is someone elses - such petty thoughts are harboured by narrow-minded individuals! People of high character consider the entire world as their family". READ: Bangladesh edging towards theocratic Pakistan is a security concern for India Priyanka Gandhis bag move and the protests on the parliament premises hint at a major shift in the oppositions approach to the turmoil in Bangladesh where minority communities have been facing attacks ever since the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government. On Monday, the Congress MP had expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine, carrying a handbag with 'Palestine' emblazoned on it. She has been raising her voice against Israel government's "genocidal actions" in Gaza. Legendary music composer Ilayarajas visit to the famous Andal temple in Srivilliputhur in southern Tamil Nadu on Sunday sparked a controversy as his request to go near the sanctum sanctorum was denied by the temple authorities, saying only the priest is allowed to enter. Videos of Ilayaraja being denied entry into the sanctum sanctorum went viral on social media. In the video Ilayaraja was seen walking into the temple with the authorities and the Srivilliputhur Jeeyar or the priest. He was accompanied by Sri Satakopa Ramanuja Jeeyar and Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami of the Sri Andal Jeeyar Mutt and was welcomed by joint commissioner K Sellathurai of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE) into the temple. As he approached the sanctum, he was seen getting into the intermediary space leading to the sanctum sanctorum near the deity, Aandal. However, the priests ask him to step out from the inner chamber. This video triggered claims that the composer was denied entry because he hails from the Dalit community. Denying that he was insulted at the temple, Ilayaraja clarified in a post on X, Some people are spreading false rumours centred around me. I am not one to compromise my self-respect at any time or place, and I will not compromise. They are spreading news that did not happen as if it happened. Fans and the public should not believe these rumours. Later the HR and CE department also clarified about the protocol saying that except the priests and Jeeyar, no one else is allowed to get into the inner chamber leading to the sanctum sanctorum. The department clarified that at the Andal Sannidhi or the Andal section of the temple, the devotees are allowed to offer prayers only from the Vasantha Mandapam. It is a pavilion outside the Artha Mandapam, which is the intermediary space. Ilayaraja had visited the temple ahead of the release of his composition Divya Pasuram, a compilation of the Tamil verses written by the 12 Alvars in praise of Goddess Andal. Ilayaraja himself has sung the first song in the album, which is written by Periyalvar. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday moved in the Lok Sabha the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill' that seeks simultaneous Lok Sabha polls and state assembly elections. The bill was met with stiff opposition from the INDIA bloc, which called it "anti-federal." Meghwal also tabled the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to align the elections of the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and the NCT of Delhi. The Congress led the attack against the bill during the introductory session with Manish Tewari stating it was against the basic structure as enshrined in the Constitution. Tewari also submitted a formal notice to the the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha in which he said: "My objections to the proposed Bill are based on serious concerns regarding constitutionalism and constitutionality," he stated. He argued that this is not only a challenge to the federal framework but also erodes the autonomy of state, diminishing local democratic engagement. "It centralises power, thereby undermining the pluralism and diversity that are cornerstones of India's democratic ethos," Tewari said. Tewari said implementing simultaneous elections would require amending Articles 83 and 172, which guarantee the fixed tenure of legislative bodies. Kalyan Banerjee of the TMC joined Congress in opposing the bill. Banerjee said the bill violates the basic structure of the Constitution and the proposed insertion of an article is contrary to the present Constitution. However, Meghwal, defending the bill, said the bill was in line with the Constitution and did not assault basic structure doctrine. "Objections to ONOE bills political in nature," Meghwal said. The Law Minister also proposed that bill should be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The festive mood is in the air in Macao as the city is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland. Macao has experienced remarkable transformation under the "one country, two systems" policy. Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Congress party for amending the Constitution multiple times "with an intent to save one family". Speaking at the debate on the Constitution in Rajya Sabha, Shah said the BJP ruled for 16 yearsincluding six years of Atal Bihari Vajpayee governmentwhere it amended the Constitution 22 times. But the Congress ruled the country for 55 years and amended the Constitution 77 times. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...When Narendra Modi became the PM of the country again in 2019, we abrogated Article 370 and Article 35A in Parliament. In Rajya Sabha, they (Congress) used to say that rivers of blood would flow in Jammu and Kashmir, but no pic.twitter.com/ocEn999b6v ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 Both BJP and Congress made changes in the Constitution, but what was the purpose of this change? The first amendment was made in the Constitution during the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and 19A was added. This amendment was made to curtail freedom of speech and expression. Similarly, the 24th amendment was made and through this, the fundamental rights of the citizens were curtailed. Similarly, the Congress made many amendments to the Constitution only for its own purpose, Shah said Shah, in a bristling attack on the Congress, added that the Congress nurtured Article 370 like its illegitimate child. When Modi became PM again in 2019, Article 370 was abolished in one stroke in this very House. These people used to say that if Article 370 is removed then blood will flow, but today no one has the courage to even throw a pebble. He even questioned the grand old party amidst protests from the Opposition benches that how Article 35A was inserted in the Constitution without any debate or voting. Parliament is considered as a private property of one family, he charged. Addressing the charges against the BJP over the reservation, the Home Minister said religion-based reservations exist in only two states of the country, which was unconstitutional. It is clearly stated in the Constitution that no reservation will be based on religion. But when Congress was in power in both these states, reservation was given based on religion. They (Congress) do not want any welfare of OBCs, they want to give reservation to Muslims by increasing the limit of 50 per cent. "I say with responsibility in this House that as long as the BJP has even one MP, we will not allow reservation on the basis of religion," Shah said with treasury benches applauding him. The former BJP president also singled out Rahul Gandhi for his attack. Without naming him, Shah said that some people talk about Mohabbat Ki Dukan. Love is not something to be sold from a shop, love is not something to be advertised. Love is an emotion to reside in the heart, love is a moment to make others feel it. Shah said he has never seen anyone waving the Constitution in public meetings. The Congress party leaders made a despicable attempt by waving the Constitution and telling lies. The Constitution is not a matter of waving or misleading, the Constitution is faith, the Constitution is devotion. Shah said the first amendment made in the Constitution by the Modi government was the 101st amendment. We introduced GST and worked to strengthen the country's economy. The home minister expressed faith in the resilience of the Indian democracy. "Many countries around us also became independent (along with India). But democracy did not succeed there. The people of this country have democratically crushed the arrogance of many dictators". Shah again referred to Gandhi saying a 54-year-old leader who calls himself 'yuva', keeps claiming that the BJP would change the Constitution. "I want to tell that the provision to amend the Constitution is within the Constitution, adding that the Constitution was never considered unchangeable. The country should change with time, laws should change with time and society should change with time. Change is the mantra of this life; it is the truth. This was accepted by everyone in our Constitution. That is why a provision for a constitutional amendment was made in Article 368. As many as 20 schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails on Tuesday, the second such incident in a week. Security forces have been deployed to conduct checks at schools. A Delhi Fire Service (DFS) official said a call regarding a bomb threat was received from Crescent Public School in Saraswati Vihar, northwest Delhi. Delhi Fire Service personnel, police, bomb detection teams and dog squads have been deployed to conduct searches at school premises. According to officials, the Delhi Public School in RK Puram also received threat emails on Tuesday, second in a week. However, with GRAP-IV restrictions in place in the national capital due to severe air pollution, education institutions have switched to a hybrid mode of teaching. Under GRAP-IV, classes for students in grades 6-9 and 11 in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar must operate in hybrid mode (physical and online). However, students in classes 10 and 12 are required to attend school in person. The fresh spree of threats comes after as many as eight schools received bomb threat emails on December 14. Students were sent back home on the day. The sender then threatened bomb vests had been planted on school premises. Over 70 schools in the national capital received threats on December 9 and December 13 as well and a multi-agency probe was conducted at these premises. According to police, the December 9 threat was found to be hoax and the emails originated outside the country. The Aam Aadmi Party slammed the Centre and Union home ministry for deteriorating law and order situation in the national capital. Recently, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal charged children and parents are living under constant fear in the national capital due to a series of threat messages. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday officially announced the release of the first instalment of Rs 60,000 under the state governments housing scheme, Banglar Bari (Rural). The scheme will provide Rs 1,20,000 to 12 lakh eligible families in two phases. The chief minister had earlier declared that the state would launch its independent housing programme without Centres support, accusing the Narendra Modi government of withholding its share of the PM-Awas Yojana funds for West Bengal for the past three years. As part of the project, the state administration carried out surveys and identified 28 lakh eligible families. In the first phase, 12 lakh families were selected, while the remaining 16 lakh families will receive Rs 1.2 lakh each by 2026. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee handing over certificates of Banglar Bari scheme to members of eligible families | Salil Bera Calling it a historic day, Banerjee said during an administrative meeting at Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Tuesday, People have already started receiving money in their bank and post office accounts. Of the remaining 16 lakh families, eight lakhs will receive their funds by May-June 2025, and the rest will be covered by December 2025, she said. As part of the official launch, Banerjee handed out certificates of Banglar Bari (Rural) to members from two eligible families from each district of West Bengal. She also criticised the Centre for withholding West Bengal's rightful share. In addition to the PM-Awas Yojana, the central government has stalled funds for other schemes, including MGNREGA, OBC scholarships, and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the chief minister said, adding that these unpaid dues have accumulated to over 1.7 lakh crore. We are humans after all. We are not beggars but we are asking for what is rightfully ours. They are collecting the revenue from our state but not sharing it with us, she said, adding that the West Bengal government will build houses for its citizens within its limited capacities. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced bills facilitating the conduct of simultaneous polls in the country on Tuesday amid stiff opposition from the INDIA bloc. The Union minister proposed the bill be forwarded to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultations. The bill, officially known as the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill', seeks simultaneous Lok Sabha polls and state assembly elections. The minister also introduced the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to align the elections of the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry and the NCT of Delhi. #WATCH | The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in Lok Sabha. (Source: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/3aqJotZrYf ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 Introducing the bill, Meghwal said objections to the bills are political in nature. The bills are in line with the Constitution and do not assault basic structure of doctrine, he said. Division of votes was conducted using an electronic voting system and as many as 269 members voted in favour of the bills while 198 members opposed it. As per a statement issued by the law ministry, simultaneous elections will be implemented in two phases: Phase 1 Synchronizing Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies elections; Phase 2 Synchronizing elections for municipalities and panchayats with Lok Sabha and state legislative elections within 100 days. According to the law ministry, as many as 32 political parties support ONOE while 15 parties oppose it. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also a member of the high-level committee to study the implementation of simultaneous polls, is likely to table the bills in Rajya Sabha. Opposing the bill, Congress leader Manish Tewari said the bills are against the basic structure as enshrined in the Constitution, PTI reported. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.R. Baalu opposed the legislation and said the bills should be referred to JPC. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee lashed out at the Centre for introducing the bills and said the proposed insertion of an article is contrary to the present Constitution. Banerjee charged the proposed amendments are not for election reform, just a fulfilment of one gentleman's dreams. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi also vehemently opposed the bill and said it would finish all the regional parties in the country. Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he charged the bill is only being introduced to satisfy the ego of the supreme leader. The Union government is likely to table bills facilitating One Nation, One Election in the Parliament on Tuesday. According to the law ministry, simultaneous polls will be implemented in the country in two phases in different tiers of governance, within 100 days. Stating ONOE is not a new concept in India, the law ministry said elections to the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies were conducted simultaneously from 1951 to 1967. However, the cycle of synchronised elections was disrupted following the premature dissolution of some state assemblies and a few Lok Sabha. As per the report submitted by the high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to study the feasibility of simultaneous elections, public responses on ONOE indicated significant concern about the negative impacts of frequent elections, such as voter fatigue and governance disruptions, which are expected to be mitigated by simultaneous elections. According to the report, among responses received from political parties regarding simultaneous elections, 32 parties supported the change while 15 parties raised concerns about potential anti-democratic effects and marginalization of regional parties. Also, majority of former Chief Justices of India, Chief Election Commissioners and legal experts supported simultaneous elections considering the waste of resources and socio-economic disruptions caused by frequent elections. Several industrial organisations have also backed the move, the ministry stated. As per recommendations of the committee, Articles 82A and 324A of the Indian Constitution must be amended to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. The Committee recommended implementing simultaneous elections in two phases: Phase 1 Synchronizing Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies elections; Phase 2 Synchronizing elections for municipalities and panchayats with Lok Sabha and state legislative elections within 100 days, the ministry said. According to the committee, ONOE will promote consistency in governance, prevent policy paralysis caused by the implementation of Model Code of Conduct during elections, preserve the relevance of regional parties, more equitable allocation of political opportunities and responsibilities within political parties, improve focus on good governance and reduce financial burden. On a day when Uddhav Thackeray, chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), met Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis and also asked the Congress not to criticise Veer Savarkar, the political corridors of Nagpur-based legislature complex were discussing whether a truce between the two leaders is in the making. A close aide of Fadnavis told THE WEEK that it was a courtesy call to congratulate him on becoming the chief minister again. They had tea together; thats it; nothing political in it, said Fadnavis aide. #WATCH | Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur (Source: DG-I&PR) pic.twitter.com/wbuZd3UdMR ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2024 Earlier, during a press conference, Thackeray demanded that this EVM government immediately start paying Rs 2,100 per month to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme as was promised in the Mahayuti manifesto. He also said that the Congress should stop criticising Veer Savarkar and the BJP should immediately announce a Bharat Ratna for him. He also advised the BJP to stop criticism of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Thackeray also criticised the central government for removing a painting from parliament which portrayed the surrendering of Pakistan in the 1971 war which India won decisively. Uddhav also opined that the talk of holding elections simultaneously was a ploy to divert attention from more pressing issues plaguing the country. The Sena (UBT) chief felt that before implementing One Nation One Election, the election commissioners should also be elected by deciding criteria. He also demanded a return to the ballot paper voting system so that the election process becomes fully transparent. On the second day of the winter session, the Mahavikas Aghadi MLAs staged a strong protest against the government on EVM and other issues. Speaking to journalists, state Congress president Nana Patole said that the EVMs used in the Lok Sabha elections were not used for the Assembly elections, which were instead brought from Gujarat. He further alleged that BJP members are on the board of directors of the company manufacturing EVM machines. Accusing the Election Commission of failing to exercise its constitutional powers, Patole claimed that all operations are being conducted at the BJP's behest, revealing their mindset. He further stated that the RSS's intention to end the democratic system is evident through the 'One Nation, No Election' bill. December 16 marks 12 years of the gang-rape and murder of the 23-year-old woman, who was known as Nirbhaya after the incident, in New Delhi. Following public outrage and demand for stronger laws to protect women, the Union government brought in Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. It amended the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, and Code of Criminal Procedure. The Act enforced stricter punishments for the criminals, highlighted the need for faster trials and recognised several new offences, including acid attack, voyeurism and stalking, among others. Dr Praveen Kumari Singh, adviser in the Labour Ministry and the then director in-charge of women and child safety in the Centre-state division of the Home Ministry, recalled the efforts that went in enacting the law in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya case, strengthening administrative and legal measures to bring relief to victims of crimes against women. After the Nirbhaya case, many incomplete tasks were pushed to completion, she said. ALSO READ: Nirbhaya case: Tracing backgrounds of the six convicts After Vishakha Guidelines, the pending Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, was further pushed to enforcement. The Vishakha Guidelinesformulated to address cases of sexual harassment at workplaces in the countrywere later expanded into a law through the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. However, it is still an uphill journey as far as improving safety and security of women is concerned. Moreover, the changing nature of crimes against women in physical and virtual spaces demands greater attention of both the judiciary as well as law enforcement. ALSO READ: 'I went undercover for up to a week each with nine rapists. Here is what I learnt' Despite the introduction of fast-track courtsdesigned for timely justice delivery in certain casesimplementation is always a huge challenge, Singh said, and added that the conviction in cases of crimes against women has always remained a challenge due to an overburdened judiciary and less number of judges besides other reasons like the slow pace of police reforms that cause delays in such cases, despite a promised timeline. With new forms of crime emerging due to widespread use of social media, Singh said there is a need for better regulation to tackle cyber crimes, deepfakes, identity theft, cyber stalking, cyber bullying and so on. The way crime is increasing, it's difficult to keep pace, but we definitely need changes in this direction, she told THE WEEK. A deeper awareness is needed for young people, before they fall prey to these kinds of online crime and exploitation. According to the 2023 report released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), titled Crime In India, 2022, a total of 4,45,256 cases related to crimes against women were recorded in 2022. The number has escalated compared to previous years. According to Singh, it is due to better reportage of sexual offences. However, it is also an outcome of better female participation in the workforce and other societal aspects. After the Nirbhaya case, one change occurred in the discoursewomen safety, which was never a public issue, became a governance issue, she added. Women helplines and the increase in female cops in police stations demonstrate our focus on it, Singh said, referring to the setting up of special women and child help desks at every police station. However, the focus must also be on the implementation of the laws and timely delivery of justice, she added. Women safety is not only an issue for the government to act upon, she said, but also calls for a larger attitudinal change in the society. S.A. Basha, founder of the banned outfit Al-Umma, died on Monday. He was 84. Basha and 16 of his aides from Al-Umma had been serving life imprisonment in the Coimbatore serial blasts case since February 1998. Basha was admitted to a private hospital in Coimbatore while he was on parole. The Madras High Court had granted him parole a few months ago, due to ill health, to spend time with his family. The Coimbatore bomb blast case In 1998, Coimbatore, an industrial city in West Tamil Nadu, became sensitive due to the Hindu-Muslim clashes after the murder of a police constable Selvaraj. On February 14,1998, hours before senior BJP leader L.K. Advani came to address an election rally at RS Puram in Coimbatore, bombs went off in several parts of the city, killing 53 people and injuring 231 people. One of the bombs at RS Puram went off just minutes before Advani could reach the venue. Basha is the architect of the serial bomb blasts. The investigation was first carried out by the Coimbatore city police and was later transferred to the CB-CIDs special investigation team. The investigation found Basha guilty and he was lodged in the Coimbatore Central Prison for more than 25 years. The chargesheet in the 1998 bomb blast case was filed in 1999 accusing Basha as the mastermind behind the deadly blast. He was accused of plotting to assassinate Advani using a suicide squad using 650 kilos of gelatin. The chargesheet said that Basha got gelatine and other explosives from Mysore to make the bombs and the IEDs. The investigation identified 166 suspects in the case, following which 158 people were convicted by the special court. Of them, 43 including Basha were sentenced to life imprisonment. Later, the Madras High Court upheld the sentence of 17 convicts in the case and acquitted 22 others. When all the 17 convicts chose to appeal in the Supreme Court, Basha did not go on an appeal. One of the convicts died during the course of the Supreme Court hearing, while Basha and others stayed in the prison. Bashas death, however, will not bring an end to the blast case. The other convicts in the case are still in prison. Bashas final rites were performed on Tuesday evening. His body was taken in a funeral procession from South Ukkadam to the Hyder Ali Tippu Sultan Sunnath Jamaath Masjid at Flower Market in North Coimbatore amidst high security. Two days since the expansion of the Mahayuti Cabinet, controversies regarding ministerial berths refuse to die. The latest row is regarding Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar's decision to exclude OBC leader and former minister Chhagan Bhujbal from the new Cabinet. Bhujbal has reacted to the daring move to sideline him within his party by stating that he will "decide on the future course of actions." He told reporters on Monday that he had no plans to attend the Winter Session of the Assembly underway in Nagpur. On his next role within the party, Bhujbal gave a noncommittal answer, stating "he would have to discuss it with his workers." "I am meeting with the party workers in Yeola and Lasalgaon and the activists of the Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad. I will also hold talks with workers from four districts, including Nashik. Only after that will I decide the next step. The activists are upset," Chhagan Bhujbal said while talking to the media. Controversial stance The OBC leader who held many important positions in Maharashtra politics took a strong stance on the Maratha reservation movement, which annoyed Pawar. Bhujbal openly took on Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil even when no leader within the Mahayuti Cabinet spoke against him. So much so that the NCP leadership feared this would affect the party's performance. Bhujbal was not ready to listen to Pawar on the controversial issue and took an independent stand during Manoj Jarange's agitation. However, the NCP couldn't afford to remove Bhujbal before the assembly elections. With the stunning performance in the Assembly elections, Pawar now gained the confidence to keep Chhagan Bhujbal away from the cabinet. ED, BJP statement Speculations are that Bhujbal's comments, which appeared in Rajdeep Sardesai's book '2024: The Election That Surprised India' too were problematic for the party. Sardesai in his book mentions that Bhujbal said in 2023 that he and other party colleagues, who were summoned in the ED inquiry, heaved a 'sigh of relief after joining the Mahayuti with Ajit Pawar." Bhujbal also added that everyone felt there was no escape without joining hands with the BJP. The publication of this book on the eve of the assembly elections had put Ajit Pawar in a dilemma. Bhujbal, however, walked back from his statement stating he joined the BJP alliance because he wanted to be with Ajit Pawar. He also denied the claim that he joined the Mahayuti due to the ED case. The ED had arrested Anil Deshmukh and me. At that time, we all thought, we should go with BJP or Modi, or we won't be spared. We put the issue before Sharad Pawar. He understood the issue but was not ready to shake hands with the BJP. Eventually, we decided to join the BJP alliance with Ajit Pawar, Bhujbal said. Israel Consul General to South India Orli Weitzman on Monday said Hamas can end the war by releasing the hostages. The war with Hezbollah is basically over. I hope that Hamas will show reason and free the hostages so that we'll be able to discuss the end of the war there as well," the diplomat told THE WEEK. The consul general claimed the number of people killed in Gaza has been misreported. "First of all, every death that's happening (in Gaza) is reported as an Israel-related death. Which is, of course, nonsense. There are people there who are dying of diseases and accidents. Secondly, the numbers are inflated. I don't trust the guys in the (Palestinian) Ministry of Health. I don't think they report accurately. I think they're lying about that as they're lying about many other things. But the most important thing is, of course, the issue of using human shields," she alleged. Consul General @OrliWeitzman met with @nasdaily at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, showcasing the power of Israeli talent and creativity. Nas Dailys journey as a storyteller and innovator is a testament to the energy and ingenuity driving Israels tech scene! #BTS2024 #NasDaily pic.twitter.com/WV6fIDspYi Israel in Bengaluru (@IsraelBangalore) November 21, 2024 Weitzman, who pursued her bachelors in psychology and sociology from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, completed her MBA in organisational behaviour studies and finance from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Appointed as Consul General in Bengaluru in August 2024, her jurisdiction covers southern states, including Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu besides the Union territory of Puducherry. The envoy said in Karnataka, she will look at improving ties in the innovation and technology sectors in Bengaluru where Israel can contribute. However, Weitzman said unlike Israel, which is focused on innovation, Tamil Nadu is more focused on manufacturing and that they are looking at sectors where they could find overlapping interests. A groundbreaking collaboration between India and Israel: Launch of the DRISHTI Program (Dual-use Robust India-Israel High-Tech Innovation), aiming to strengthen technological ties between the countries while fostering innovation, strategic partnerships, and advanced tech. pic.twitter.com/M8GZ7ef591 Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) December 15, 2024 In Kerala, she said, there is a misunderstanding at the political level regarding the conflicts in the Middle East. "My aim is to try, at least the first year or so, to reach out to people in a way to make them open-minded to realise that the situation is not one side good, one side badit is a much more complicated situation than that," she said. "Before we can start talking about deeper cooperation and innovation in other areas that might interest people of Kerala, there has to be an openness to understand and work with Israel." Weitzman said there is a rise in the number of Indians immigrating to Israel since the war started. There is an increase in the number of workers coming from India and Thailand. And I think it will probably be the same. We still need a lot of workers as there will be a lot of rebuilding on the northern and southern borders. Some of the work that was done by Palestinians in the past is now being done by other countries. Touching upon Bashar al-Assad being supplanted by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), she said, "We don't know what kind of regime we'll see there. I'm praying that (HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) will take the Syrian people in the directions that will lead them to prosperity and happiness, because they deserve it. But we don't know that for sure." Comparing the two regimes, the envoy said, "It wasn't good before, it might not be good again, but at least a change is an option for something better." "Assad was stable but because of Iranian abilities at our border. His regime was tactically quiet but that doesn't mean it was good for Israel. It was also tactically quiet in Gaza for a while and we thought everything was OK," Weitzman said, "Within Syria itself, there's so many groups, there's so many dynamics that it's really hard to say. I know that it could be a problem, but it could also not be." In the past, Weitzman has served in various roles in the foreign ministry, including as Israel's deputy ambassador to Ireland. Talking about Tel Aviv closing its embassy in Dublin over "extreme anti-Israel policies" on December 15, Weitzman said unlike in Ireland, people in India are open-minded and are able to understand different points of view when it comes to the Palestine issue. "Indians are able to have these thoughts partly because of the history of the country... there's an understanding that not everything is clear-cut, black or white. In Ireland, I didn't feel that they had that," she explained. KIGALI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Africa needs nuclear energy for sustainable development, a UN official has said at a ministerial round table themed "Financing Africa's Nuclear Energy Future" in the Rwandan capital of Kigali. Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Claver Gatete on Monday highlighted Africa's role as a global leader in uranium production, with Namibia and Niger ranked among the top five contributors. "Africa is a key player in uranium production. It's crucial to bridge the energy gap and meet rising demands with clean, low-emission nuclear technology," he said. According to Gatete, the African continent remains the world's least electrified region, with nearly 600 million people lacking access to electricity while nuclear energy has the potential to become a "game-changer for Africa's energy transition." Noting that about 64 reactors are under construction in 15 countries globally, he added that African nations "are beginning to commit to nuclear energy development, and this trend is promising for the continent's energy future." Jimmy Gasore, Rwanda's minister of infrastructure, emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to address Africa's energy challenges. "Rwanda is committed to nuclear energy development, and we believe a sustainable and financially viable nuclear energy strategy is essential for securing Africa's energy future," Gasore said. Held from Monday to Tuesday, the ministerial conference attracted high-level government officials, private sector representatives, and energy experts from across Africa and beyond. Participants explored ways to unlock the financing necessary for nuclear energy projects, ensuring the continent can meet its growing energy demands while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. Amid the stand-off between India and Bangladesh, the interim government has hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post on Vijay Diwas, calling India "nothing but an ally" in the 1971 war. This came as the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) exchanged sweets on Monday morning to commemorate Bangladesh's Victory Day, a norm going on since 1971. The Prime Minister, in his post on Monday, said India was honouring 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," the Prime Minister said. However, Bangladesh's interim government's law adviser Asif Nazrul took offence to the post, stating that "16 December 1971, was the day of Bangladesh's victory. India was an ally in this victory, nothing more." The leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) also grabbed the opportunity to slam India. BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told Prothom Alo that the struggle of the people of Bangladesh should not be viewed in a different way." "The independence and sovereignty of a nation should be respected with mutual respect and dignity," Ahmed added. Shahadat Hossain, spokesperson for the 12-party alliance which is in joint movement with BNP, called Modi's statement "an authoritarian mindset." "The people of Bangladesh fought and won the war for independence. The statement of India's prime minister is not a friendly expression, Hossain said, stating that such comments stem from an authoritarian mindset. However, the border security forces of both countries vowed to foster friendly relations by enhancing mutual understanding between the two border forces. The exchange occurred around 10 am at the zero line near Check Post Gate, adjacent to Sub-Pillar 11 of Main Pillar 285, along the Hili border. Ukraine is said to have conducted a special operation that killed a senior Russian general, who was also the head of the militarys chemical, biological and radiological weapons unit. The operation was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as "retribution" for the use of banned chemical weapons inside Ukrainian territory, according to unconfirmed reports from Kyiv. Igor Kirillov was killed on Tuesday morning when an explosive device attached to a scooter went off outside an apartment building in Moscow. Kirillov and his aide died when the blast tore through a building in the residential area, according to Russian state media TASS. MOMENT OF EXPLOSION The blast killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, Russias chemical defense chief pic.twitter.com/U2XGkvejAZ RT (@RT_com) December 17, 2024 His murder comes a day after Ukraine charged him with the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. The SBU served him a notice of suspicion for ordering the use of K-1 combat grenades, which are equipped with toxic agent chloropicrin, against Ukrainian troops in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Anadolu Agency footage shows the apartment and surrounding area where Igor Kirillov, Commander of Russia's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces, and his deputy were killed in an explosion in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/N7PbZ4aIVj Clash Report (@clashreport) December 17, 2024 "Under Kirillov's orders, over 4,800 instances of the enemy using chemical munitions have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale war. Specifically, this involves K-1 combat grenades, which are equipped with CS and CN poisonous irritant substances. Their use is prohibited by the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction of 13 January 1993. Over 2,000 servicemen from Ukraine's defence forces have been sent to military hospitals and other medical institutions with varying degrees of chemical poisoning during Russia's full-scale invasion," the SSU reported. Kirillov was also sanctioned by Britain in October for the use of Chloropicrin, which is an oily liquid with a pungent odour known as a choking agent. It was widely used during the First World War as a form of tear gas and has been prohibited by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Russia, however, claimed it doesn't have a military chemical arsenal. Images from Moscow showed the bodies of the general and his aide lying in blood-soaked snow near the entrance to a building littered with rubble. The blast shattered several windows of the building and severely damaged the front door. Russian media called the murder "an unprecedented crime committed in Moscow" which will be investigated. Meanwhile, Kyiv Independent quoted unnamed sources who called Kirillov a legitimate target. "Kirillov was a war criminal and a completely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable," the source added. A New York judge has rejected Donald Trump attorney's request to toss the president-elect's felony conviction in the Stormy Daniels hush money case. This comes despite the lawyers citing Supreme Court ruling that former presidents are immune from prosecution. Judge Juan Merchan said the US Supreme Court ruling to grant immunity for "official acts" did not apply to the hush money case, which is an "unofficial conduct entitled to no immunity protections" and should receive no immunity protections. A grand jury in Manhattan has voted to indict former US president @realDonaldTrump for paying hush money to @StormyDaniels porn star he was accused of having an affair with. Trump is the first former US president to face criminal charges. #StormyDaniels #TrumpIndictment pic.twitter.com/Tlt2VfOazX THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) March 31, 2023 Merchan said if the act of falsifying records to cover up the payments is an unofficial act, the communications regarding the cover-up should also be considered unofficial. The comes around seven months after a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying documents of payment of $130,000 made to porn actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential elections. The sentencing in the case was originally scheduled for July 11 but later it was adjourned to November 26. However, after Trump won the election in November, his lawyers sought to quash the case in order to "facilitate the orderly transition of executive power". Hence, the sentencing is still awaited. Reacting to the judge's observation, Trump transition spokesperson Steven Cheung called it a direct violation of the Supreme Court decision on immunity and other longstanding jurisprudence." Cheung added that the sooner these hoaxes end, the "sooner our country can unite behind President Trump". The lawyers of the president-elect are expected to appeal the New York judge's ruling. In November, Trump lawyers had also asked New York Attorney General Letitia James to toss out a civil judgement against him for fraud and a $464m penalty following his election win. Jamshedpur, Dec 17 (PTI) Tata Steel has operationalised an all-women shift at its Noamundi iron mine in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district, an initiative introduced in the country for the first time, a company statement said. Women employees were engaged in all the mining activities of the shift, including heavy earth moving machinery, shovel, loader, drill and dozer operators, and shift supervision, it said. "This initiative, the first of its kind in India, underscores the companys unwavering commitment to creating an equitable workplace and empowering women in traditionally male-dominated industries," the steelmaker said in a statement on Monday. The all-women shift was flagged off by Mines Safety Deputy Director General (SE Region, Ranchi) Shyam Sundar Prasad on Monday, marking a new beginning of support of the government in promoting an equitable workplace, it said. Prasad emphasised the commitment of the government to a progressive workplace and mentioned that the decision by the Director General of Mines Safety to permit the deployment of women in all shifts in mining in 2019 was a key step in the right direction. He also appreciated Tata Steels effort in taking the lead as a responsible corporate house in promoting such a cause. Tata Steel vice president (raw material) D B Sundara Ramam said, This all-women shift represents a landmark achievement not only for the company but also for the Indian mining industry. It is a testament to the resilience and capability of women breaking stereotypes. It is also a reflection of our belief that diversity and inclusion are essential for driving innovation and operational excellence." He said the steelmaker will continue to create more opportunities for women, especially in the mining ecosystem. "This initiative marks a significant addition to the 100 glorious years of mining at Noamundi," he said. The journey began in 2019 with the launch of Tata Steel's flagship diversity initiative, "Women@Mines", making it the first company in India to deploy women in all shifts at its mines, following the Centre's landmark relaxation of the Mines Act, 1952, the statement said. The steelmaker had launched initiatives to recruit and train women from local communities to operate heavy earth-moving machinery and participate in the mining ecosystem. The initiatives were met with overwhelming enthusiasm and women were deployed across roles such as dumper, shovel, dozer, grader, and drill operators, the company statement said. They underwent extensive training, including technical and operational skills, simulator sessions, safety protocols, and physical fitness, before joining the workforce in April 2022. Over 2,100 applications were received by the company and 24 operators were selected, according to the statement. In a groundbreaking move earlier this year, the authorities of the Noamundi Mine diversified its workforce by inducting nine transgender operators of heavy earth-moving machinery, reinforcing the steelmaker's commitment to inclusion and equality. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The initial public offer of diamond grading firm International Gemmological Institute (India) Ltd received 33.78 times subscription on the closing day of bidding on Tuesday. The Rs 4,225-crore initial share sale received bids for 1,97,83,66,950 shares against 5,85,60,902 shares on offer, as per NSE data. The portion for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) fetched 45.80 times subscription while the category for non-institutional investors got subscribed 24.84 times. The Retail Individual Investors (RIIs) part received 11.21 times subscription. Blackstone-backed International Gemmological Institute (India) Ltd on Thursday mobilised Rs 1,900 crore from anchor investors. The issue has a price band of Rs 397-417 per share. The IPO is a combination of a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,475 crore and an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) valued at Rs 2,750 crore by promoter BCP Asia II TopCo Pte Ltd, an affiliate of Blackstone. The company proposes to utilise the proceeds from the fresh issue for the acquisition of IGI Belgium Group and IGI Netherlands Group from promoter, and general corporate purposes. International Gemmological Institute (India) Ltd provides services related to the certification and accreditation of natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, studded jewellery and coloured stones. Axis Capital, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Morgan Stanley India Company and SBI Capital Markets are the book-running lead managers to the issue. The shares of the company will be listed on the BSE and NSE. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday said it has cleared Ramon Investments Pte's, an arm of Temasek Holdings, a proposal to acquire a stake in Speed JVco. Singapore-headquartered Temasek is an investment company. As of March 2024, the sovereign wealth fund owns a Singapore Dollar (SGD) 389 billion portfolio of assets. "The proposed combination involves the acquisition of a certain stake of the target (Speed JVco) by the acquirer (Ramon Investments Pte Ltd)," CCI said in a release. Speed JVco, including its affiliates, provides visa outsourcing and related services -- offering visa application and consular services to governments and diplomatic missions. The company also provides travel-related services, including facilitation of travel itineraries and hotel reservations, facilitation of travel insurance and other ancillary services, such as providing sim cards and forex, among others. "Commission approves the acquisition of certain stake of Speed JVco S.a r.l. (Target) by Ramon Investments Pte Ltd (Acquirer)," the regulator said. The deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices and promotes fair competition in the marketplace. Mumbai, 17th December 2024: ATLAS SkillTech University, Indias first new-age urban multidisciplinary university announced the appointment of eleven distinguished leaders to the Advisory Board of ATLAS ISDI - School of Design and Innovation. The advisory board members include eminent leaders from across sectors who will empower emerging designers through strategic guidance, bridging the industry-academia gap and fostering world-class design education in India. The formation of this board represents a crucial step towards achieving the shared vision of ATLAS SkillTech University and ATLAS ISDI: to develop a new generation of highly skilled, industry-ready design leaders. They will provide strategic advice, support program development, and help establish industry partnerships to ensure the curriculum meets global standards. The advisory board comprises Mr. Amitesh Rao, CEO, Leo Burnett; Mr. Deepak Menon, VP, Product Experiences, Microsoft; Ms. Lulu Raghavan, President, APAC, Landor; Mr. Ayan Pal, Head of Experience & Design, US Studios, Deloitte; Mr. Avnish Sabharwal, MD, Accenture Ventures & Open Innovation; Ms. Sonia Manchanda, Founding Partner, Spread; Ms. Neeta Lulla, Couturier, Costume Designer, and Stylist; Mr. Andrew Pendleton, Sr. Director, Design Systems, Verizon; Mr. Satyam Kantamneni, CEO and Managing Partner, UX Reactor; Mr. Alok Nandi, Founder and Creative Director, Architempo and Mr. Tanay Kumar, CEO , Fractal Ink Design Studio. Together, this diverse and accomplished board will play a pivotal role in enhancing the students education and career readiness by aligning academic skills with industry needs and fostering innovation. Ms. Lulu Raghavan, President, APAC, Landor commented, "I am deeply honored to join the advisory board of ATLAS ISDI School of Design and Innovation. As the Vice President of APAC at Landor, a leading global brand and design consultancy, I am passionate about shaping the future of brand and design. My ambition is to broaden the sphere of my impact, and I believe in the vision of ATLAS ISDI to cultivate the next generation of innovators and leaders. Having known the founders for many years, I am excited to support their commitment to excellence and creativity in education." "We are excited about the opportunities this Advisory Board brings and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our students' educational journey and future careers. At ATLAS ISDI, we are dedicated to providing our students with a unique blend of academic excellence, industry connections, and mentorship. Our new design advisory board, comprising renowned leaders, will be pivotal in forging partnerships, developing relevant curriculum, and fostering innovation ensuring our students succeed in the global marketplace," concluded Siddharth Shahani, Executive President, ATLAS SkillTech University. Applications are open for admissions to ATLAS ISDI for 2025 About ATLAS |ISDI School of Design and Innovation: Known as one of the best design schools in India, ATLAS ISDI brings truly world-class design education to India with a global curricular collaboration with Parsons School of Design, and world-renowned faculty comprising leading designers, academicians, industry practitioners and scholars. Centered in the heart of Indias hub of creative innovation, Mumbai, ATLAS ISDI School of Design & Innovation stands at the intersection of Art, Design, Entrepreneurship & Technology. For more information, contact: ATLAS SkillTech University: Shweta Dasgupta | shweta.dasgupta@atlasuniversity.edu.in | +91- 9711371343 Adfactors PR Jerry Angamali | jerry.angamali@adfactorspr.com | +91 9870011311 (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Chennai, Dec 17 (PTI) Tamil Nadu has the unique distinction of having 80 per cent of the employees in the information technology sector from the state, Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services Palanivel Thiaga Rajan said on Tuesday. The government remains committed towards fostering ease of doing business for companies which are already here, he said at an event here. "Tamil Nadu's strength lies in its unparalleled technology talent, with 20 per cent of India's technology professionals hailing from the state," he said in his inaugural address at the 22nd edition of the two-day Connect 2024 organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Chennai, here. The key priorities for this government include skilling the graduating talent and integrating them into the workforce through the ICT Academy and establishing policies for research and development, deep technology, building a skilled and stable local workforce, he said. ICT Academy is an initiative by the Government of India that has been established in collaboration with the state governments to train students on academic knowledge and industry relevant skills. "Tamil Nadu has allowed startups to offer technology solutions without going through the traditional tender process, fostering faster innovation," he said. Highlighting the robust infrastructure available in the country, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Director V Mahadesha said, "With a clear vision for growth, the target is set to establish 400 Global Capability Centres by 2027, driving innovation, employment and economic transformation in the state." The Chairman and Managing Director of IT major Cognizant India, Rajesh Varrier said, "Tamil Nadu, with its robust education system, rich talent pool, thriving tech industry and supportive government policies, is uniquely positioned to become the AI (Artificial Intelligence) hub of India." "The Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission aiming to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services, and the innovative Digital Agricultural mission using drones and AI for soil health are some of the advancements that highlights the state's growing AI Ecosystem," Varrier who is also the EVP, Global Head of Operations, Cognizant said. CII Connect 2024, Chairman Srivats Ram said the internet penetration in Tamil Nadu sets a benchmark for the rest of the country as 12,525 village panchayats have access to Optical Fibre Network (OFN) that provides 1GBPS high speed internet. "Tamil Nadu is the third largest software exporting state in the country, with the Information Technology sector contributing significantly to the state's GDP" Ram said. The global AI industry is pegged to reach USD 826.7 billion market by 2030 and Tamil Nadu, with its thriving ecosystem, is poised to play a significant role, CII Southern Region Chairperson R Nandini said in her address. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) There is one concert that Taufiq Qureshi says was both memorable and a turning point -- when he got to perform alongside his great father Alla Rakha and brother Zakir Hussain, not just for 10 minutes but for the entire duration. It was the late 80s in Germany, Qureshi said as he recalled his bond with Hussain, always much more than a brother. Being one-on-one with both these legends was something that I will never forget in my life, Qureshi, an accomplished percussionist himself, told PTI in a phone interview from Mumbai. Hussain, the tabla virtuoso who won many awards in India and abroad, including four Grammys, died on Monday in San Francisco due to complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was 73, 12 years older than Qureshi. Like every young classical musician learning the ropes, Qureshi would usually get to perform the last 10 minutes of the concert. That Germany concert was different. "For me it was a great moment to be sharing the stage with them definitely... but to be there from the beginning till the end, that was a turning point for me as I could play all my compositions in a very relaxed way rather than come in the last 10 minutes and try to play everything fast, he said. Qureshi has composed albums such "Rhydhun 2000" and contributed to the score of films such as "Devdas" and "Dhoom 2". His brother is a constant presence. "He has always been very encouraging to all younger artistes. In fact, he never gives a feeling that they are on stage with a legend. He always brings himself down to our level so that if there are any flaws and faults in us then they get hidden, Qureshi said, remembering his brother in the present tense. Growing up, I looked up to him as a father. There was always that father and a brother and a friend connection with him, he said. He said his famous father Alla Rakha would travel the world with the likes of sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar. Discussing his brother's connection with two stalwarts, Qureshi said he learned how to meet people, how to talk to people, how to understand different cultures. He (Hussain) always said that Pandit Ravi Shankar ji has been instrumental in making him understand the world. And my father has been instrumental in making him understand the world of rhythm. But Ravi Shankar Ji was responsible for making him understand the world in itself, different cultures, different cuisines, different people and audience, said Qureshi, an expert not just on the tabla but other percussion instruments like djembe, duff, bongos, and batajon too. Hussain will be laid to rest in California in the US. His family and friends in India will hold a memorial service for him at Shanmughanand Hall in Mumbai in December 27. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Rima Das is set to return to the Berlinale International Film Festival with her latest directorial "Village Rockstars 2". "Village Rockstar 2", a sequel to Das' multiple award-winning movie "Village Rockstar", will have its European premiere at the 75th edition of the prestigious film gala, which will run from February 13 to 25, 2025. The film will be screened under the Generation 14 Plus Competition category, a sidebar section dedicated to children and youth films. In a statement, Das said she looks forward to a "wonderful experience" at Berlin. The writer-director previously won a Special Mention at Berlinale in Generation 14 Plus category with her 2019 movie "Bulbul Can Sing" and also served as a jury member at Berlinale 2020 in the same category. "Its a beautiful festival with amazing audiences, and I love the winter mist. After seeing the response from prestigious film festivals in Asia, were excited to connect with different audiences. It feels like completing a full circle. So far, Im really happy with the feedback on the film. Many people have told me they find 'Village Rockstars 2' my most emotional work yet. Were heading to Berlin with lots of hope and excitement to explore new possibilities, Das said. "Village Rockstars 2" follows a teenage girls relentless pursuit of her musical dream. "In a charming village, a teenage girl passionately pursues her musical dream. However, life's harsh realities challenge her innocence. As she faces these trials, she embarks on a journey to rediscover the profound connection between music and life, seeking a new harmony in the symphony of her dreams," read the official logline. The film, produced by Flying River Films and Akanga Film Asia, stars Bhanita Das, Basanti Das, Junumoni Boro, Boloram Das, and Manabendra Das. "Village Rockstars 2" had its world premiere at the 29th Busan International Film Festival where it won the coveted Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film. The movie was also screened at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 in the South Asia Competition. DAMASCUS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- U.S.-led mediation efforts have failed to establish a lasting ceasefire in northern Syria's Manbij and Kobani regions, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday. In a statement from its media center, the SDF accused Turkiye and allied militias of rejecting key provisions in a proposed agreement, including the transfer of remaining Manbij Military Council fighters and civilians seeking relocation to safer areas in northern and eastern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated the claim, reporting that Turkish-backed factions have refused to implement the terms of a de-escalation agreement reached with the U.S.-backed SDF. The Observatory added that these factions are blocking entry for the Kurdish Red Crescent and "autonomous administration" convoys aiming to evacuate civilians, prisoners, and the bodies of the deceased. The situation in Manbij, a strategically vital city in northern Syria, has sharply deteriorated. In late November 2024, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army launched a major offensive against the city, which has been under SDF control. The assault has led to intense clashes, civilian casualties, and a deepening humanitarian crisis. On Dec. 11, the SDF said it had reached a U.S.-sponsored ceasefire with Turkish-backed militant groups and retreated from Manbij. Since its liberation from the Islamic State in 2016, Manbij, a strategic city in the Aleppo province, has been controlled by the U.S.-backed SDF. Turkiye, however, regards the SDF as a terrorist organization and supports rebel groups attempting to drive out these Kurdish-led forces. Washington, Dec 17 (AP) The State Department has carved out loopholes for Israel that give the close American ally a pass on US law that restricts aid to foreign militaries over human rights abuses, a lawsuit from a group of Palestinians in Gaza and American relatives said on Tuesday. Former State Department officials and crafters of the 1997 Leahy law were among those advising and backing the lawsuit. The lawsuit details the barriers it accuses the State Department of creating on behalf of Israel to skirt enforcement and asks courts to intervene. That is after campus protests and moves by some lawmakers failed in their goal of limiting US military support to Israel over civilian deaths in Gaza during the war with Hamas. It's really a modest set of goals here: There's a US law. We'd like the federal government to adhere to US law, said Ahmed Moor, a Philadelphia-based Palestinian American who joined the lawsuit on behalf of cousins, uncles and aunts displaced and killed in the 14-month war. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denied that the department has given Israel a pass. Do we have a double standard? The answer is no," he said in April. The department didn't immediately comment Tuesday. Israel says it makes every effort to limit harm to Palestinian civilians in its military operations. The Biden administration has warned Israel to do more to spare civilians in the Gaza war, holding back one known weapons shipment of 2,000-pound bombs. A State Department report in May concluded there was reasonable evidence that Israel's use of US-provided weapons in Gaza violated international law that protects civilians but bypassed a decision on limiting arms, saying the war itself made it impossible for US officials to judge for certain. It also declined last month to hold back arms transfers as it had threatened over humanitarian aid to Gaza. The law bars US military assistance to foreign military units when there is credible evidence of gross human rights abuses. Charles Blaha, a former State Department official who helped oversee reviews under the Leahy law, argued that enforcing the law for Israel would have prevented much of the harm that civilians in Gaza are suffering. The secretary of state has made all the decisions so far on Israel and the Leahy Law, and every single decision has resulted in those units being eligible for continued US military support, Blaha said. And that's not the way the normal process works." US military support to Israel in the light of Palestinian civilian deaths was a fraught issue in the presidential election. Republicans and many Democrats demanded unwavering military backing to Israel. The Biden administration's refusal to limit support cost Democrats some votes from some Arab and Muslim voters and others. Tuesday's lawsuit is part of a last push on the outgoing Biden administration by Muslim Americans and others to limit US military support to Israel, which is estimated to have reached USD 17.9 billion in the first year of the war over its treatment of Palestinian civilians. Two former Senate staffers, Tim Reiser and Stephen Rickard, were instrumental in crafting the law named for former Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and said the rising death toll in Gaza warranted the court case. The nonprofit Democracy for the Arab World Now, an Arab-rights group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, helped bring the lawsuit for five Palestinians and Palestinian Americans. The plaintiffs include a former Gaza math teacher and humanitarian worker now living in a tent after losing 20 family members and being uprooted seven times. Hamas militants began the war with an October 7, 2023, attack in Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, some of whom are still being held. The Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its death tolls, said the war has killed 45,000 Palestinians. The lawsuit was filed under the Administrative Procedures Act. Groups ranging from immigration advocates, Medicare groups, petroleum giants and fishermen have used the law in the past to try to shape how US public agencies enforce laws. It accuses State Department officials under President Joe Biden of creating a series of high barriers when vetting Israel's military for Leahy law violations. Former State officials, including Blaha, have accused the US of effectively exempting Israel from enforcement, and the lawsuit offers some details for the first time. It claims obstacles include setting up a multimember committee from the State and Defence departments in 2020 solely to consider possible violations by the Israeli military and uniquely requiring the deputy secretary of state to sign off on any findings of violations. The process also carves out an additional loophole for Israel, the lawsuit says, giving its government alone a chance to stave off a restriction of military support over a human rights abuses by showing it has addressed the problem. The State Department used that exception in August, saying it had decided against cutting off aid to an Israeli military unit in the West Bank over grave human rights abuses because it removed two responsible soldiers from combat and committed to special training and oversight of remaining members. The unit was accused in the death of a 79-year-old Palestinian American man it had taken into custody. On Monday, Blinken met at the State Department with the family of another American, 26-year-old Seattle resident Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed after taking part in a demonstration in the West Bank in September. Blinken told the family that Israel had recently informed the US it was wrapping up its investigation of her death, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Monday. State officials in the 50-minute meeting kept repeating this frankly kind of bogus claim of it being an accident, widower Hamid Ali said after the meeting. US officials told the family they did not yet know enough details to say whether the family's demands for an independent US criminal investigation were warranted, Ali said. (AP) GRS GRS Rome, Dec 17 (AP) Pope Francis turned 88 on Tuesday and marked the occasion with revelations that he almost didn't make it. According to excerpts of his upcoming autobiography, suicide bombers had planned to attack him during his 2021 visit to Iraq, but were killed before striking. Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday ran excerpts of Hope: The Autobiography, written with Italian author Carlo Musso, which is being released in more than 80 countries next month. The New York Times ran other excerpts Tuesday, Francis' 88th birthday. In the Italian excerpts, Francis recalled his historic March 2021 trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pope. COVID-19 was still raging and security concerns were high, especially in Mosul. The devastated northern city had been the headquarters of Islamic State militants, whose horrific reign had largely emptied the region of its Christian communities. According to the book, British intelligence informed Iraqi police as soon as Francis arrived in Baghdad that a woman wearing explosives was heading toward Mosul and was planning to blow herself up during the papal visit. And that a truck was heading there fast with the same intention, Francis says in the book. The visit went ahead as planned, albeit under tight security, and became one of the most poignant of all of Francis' foreign trips: Standing in the wreckage of a Mosul church, Francis urged Iraq's Christians to forgive the injustices against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild. In the book, Francis said he later asked his Vatican security detail what became of the suicide bombers. The commander replied laconically They're no longer here,'" Francis writes. "Iraqi police had intercepted them and made them explode. This struck me as well: Even this is the poisonous fruit of war. The book, originally planned to be published after Francis' death, is coming out at the start of the Vatican's big Holy Year, which Francis will officially inaugurate on Christmas Eve. According to Italian publisher Mondadori, Hope is the first autobiography ever published by a pope. Francis, however, has published other first-person, memoir-style books or book-length interviews with biographers and journalists, including Life: My Story Through History, published earlier this year. (AP) AMS Moscow, Dec 17 (AP) A senior Russian general was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow, a day after Ukraine's security agency levelled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the country's security service carried out the attack. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military's nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office. Kirillov's assistant also died in the bombing, which was triggered remotely, according to Russian news reports. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched and blackened brickwork. Kirillov was under sanctions from several countries, including the UK and Canada, for his actions in Moscow's war in Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraine's Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information, described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The SBU has said it recorded more than 4,800 occasions when Russia used chemical weapons on the battlefield since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In May, the US State Department said in a statement that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in World War I, against Ukrainian troops. Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, who took his current job in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks. Darya Dugina, a commentator on Russian TV channels and the daughter of Kremlin-linked nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, died in a 2022 car bombing that investigators suspected was aimed at her father. Vladlen Tatarsky, a popular military blogger, died in April 2023, when a statuette given to him at a party in St. Petersburg exploded. A Russian woman, who said that she presented the figurine on orders of a contact in Ukraine, was convicted in the case and handed a 27-year sentence. In December 2023, Illia Kiva, a former pro-Moscow Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia, was shot and killed near Moscow. The Ukrainian military intelligence lauded the killing, warning that other traitors of Ukraine would share the same fate. On Dec. 9, an explosive device was placed under a car in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk, reportedly targeting Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of the Olenivka Prison where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a missile strike in July 2022. One other was injured in the blast. Russian authorities said they detained a suspect in the attack. (AP) AMS Saint-Denis, Dec 17 (AP) An overnight curfew goes into force Tuesday evening as authorities try to stabilise Mayotte in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, the most intense storm to hit the French Indian Ocean archipelago in 90 years. The official death toll from Saturday's cyclone rose to 22, with more than 1,400 injured including 48 people critically, according to the latest report from Mayotte Hospital quoted by Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital, Mamoudzou. However, authorities fear hundreds and possibly thousands of people have died. The curfew requires people to stay in their homes between 10 pm and 4 am each night as authorities try to prevent looting of damaged buildings. 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 don't even know if these figures are included in the official count, Youssouffa said. Soumaila, Mamoudzou's mayor, said he planned to visit areas hit hardest by the cyclone on Tuesday, where survivors are still reeling from the destruction. Nearly 70 per cent of Mayotte's population has been gravely affected, with entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble. 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 island's 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. Cyclone Chido is the deadliest storm to strike the territory in nearly a century, underscoring the vulnerability of the island's impoverished population. (AP) GSP Dhaka, Dec 17 (PTI) Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday extended the deadline for completing the investigation into the crimes against humanity charges filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina by two months, a media report said. A three-member bench, led by its Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mazumder, passed the order and also extended the deadline until February 18 to complete the investigation in a case filed against Hasina and 45 others, including former ministers, for genocide during the July-August student-led protests, The Daily Star newspaper reported. Hasina, 77, fled to India on August 5 after unprecedented anti-government protests. On August 5, the student-led Monsoon Revolution under the banner of Students Against Discrimination succeeded in toppling Hasinas 16-year regime, propelled by fervent demands for change and accountability. The newspaper said that probe reports for two cases were scheduled for completion today but the investigation agency sought more time, according to the prosecution. Former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque was shown as arrested in the genocide case on Tuesday besides 15 high profile individuals who were shown arrested in the case earlier. The arrested persons include former law minister Anisul Huq, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former food minister Qamrul Islam, former civil aviation and tourism minister Lt Col (Retd) Faruk Khan, former minister and workers party president Rashed Khan Menon among others. Meanwhile, an inquiry commission set up by the interim government said in a provisional report recently that it has found Hasinas involvement in alleged incidents of enforced disappearance. The Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance estimated that the number of enforced disappearances would be over 3,500. The commission has found evidence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasinas involvement as the instructor in the incidents of enforced disappearance, the press wing of the office of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a statement. Jerusalem, Dec 17 (AP) An Israeli strike in Gaza killed at least eight people from the same family, most of them women and children, Palestinian medics said Tuesday. The strike late Monday hit a house in Gaza City's central neighbourhood of Daraj, according to the Health Ministry's ambulance and emergency service. Among the bodies recovered from the rubble were a father and his three children, and the children's grandmother, according to a casualty list obtained by The Associated Press. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strike. Israeli bombardment and offensives in Gaza have killed more than 45,000 Palestinians over the past 14 months, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry's tally does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it says more than of half the dead were women and children. Israel launched its campaign in retaliation for Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted 250 others, around 100 of whom remain in captivity. Here's the latest: Israeli imports from Asia-Pacific not significantly hurt by Houthi attacks on shipping JERUSALEM Israel's Central Bank says imports from Asia and the Pacific have not been significantly impacted by Yemen's Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. A study issued by the bank found that imports to Israel in general have decreased since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. But it said the decrease was not noticeably larger for imports from the Asia-Pacific, which reach Israel via the Red Sea. The Houthis say their attacks on shipping aim to show support for Palestinians and hurt Israel. The attacks, which began in November 2023, caused a drop in cargo traffic through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, a vital route connecting Asia and Europe. Shipping companies responded by rerouting much of the traffic to the longer and more costly voyage around Africa. Egypt has reported a 24 per cent drop in its revenues from the canal. The report released last week, by researchers Haggayi Etkes of the Bank of Israel and Nitzan Feldman, found that the value of worldwide maritime imports fell by about 35 per cent in January compared to the period before Houthi attacks started in November 2023. But it found that the rate had recovered by May as shipping adjusted to the new routes. It said imports from Asia to Mediterranean countries including Greece, Turkiye Italy, France and Spain were harder hit than Israel by the slowdown. It said that could be because Israel imports less from Asia than those countries. It did not provide figures on the amount of the drop in trade for Israel. The Houthis have targeted more than 90 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign, which also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well. Turkiye says developments in Syria shouldn't distract from the war in Gaza ANKARA Turkiye said developments in Syria should not divert attention away from what it described as the genocide being committed by Israel in Gaza. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday accused Israel of intensifying its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including on school buildings and refugee camps and of using starvation and infectious diseases as a weapon against the Palestinian people. We reiterate our call for the necessary pressured to be exerted on Israel to ensure an immediate ceasefire agreement and uninterrupted humanitarian access to the region, the ministry said. Iran's leader says Hezbollah and axis of resistance' will not be eradicated TEHRAN, Iran Iran's supreme leader said that Israel is wrong to believe that it can eradicate Hezbollah in Lebanon and that an axis of resistance of Tehran's allies in the region was finished. State TV quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying during a recent meeting on the occasion of Women's Day that the Zionist regime, in its delusion, believes it is preparing itself through Syria to encircle and eradicate Hezbollah forces, but the one that will be eradicated is Israel. Khamenei also added that Israel and the United Statesthought the issue of resistance was over. They are gravely mistaken. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei meanwhile said Iran will use every opportunity to mobilize regional and international community to stop what he called Israeli aggression against neighbouring countries like Syria, Yemen and others. He also said that the Syrian people are the only who can decide on their country's future after the fall of President Bashar Assad, a Tehran ally. Naturally, the regional countries should assist in this process without any destructive interference or any form of pressure and threats against the political actors in Syria. Baghaei urged regional countries to put pressure on the UN Security Council to stop Israel's occupation in Syria and said, Ultimately, the entire occupied Golan Heights of Syria must be liberated. Israeli troops have 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. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it, though the international community except for the US regards it as occupied. EU head announces an additional 1 billion euros for Turkiye to help Syrian refugees ANKARA European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday an additional 1 billion euros for Turkiye to help it support millions of Syrian refugees. Speaking after a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital, von der Leyen said the funding would help with health care and education for refugees, as well as migration and border management, including voluntary returns of Syrian refugees. She said the funds could be adjusted to meet needs that may arise as the situation in Syria evolves. Erdogan said both Turkiye and the EU agree on the need to establish an inclusive government in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. We saw that we agree on the establishment of a participatory administration, especially on the preservation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Erdogan said. He reiterated Turkiye's strong opposition to the presence in Syria of the Islamic State group or of Syrian Kurdish militia that Ankara considers to be terrorists. We will absolutely not allow these organisations to grow. There is no place for either the IS or the PKK and its derivatives in the future of our region, Erdogan said, in reference to Syrian Kurdish groups that are linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party, PKK. Von der Leyen emphasised the need to stay alert against the real threat of the reemergence of IS in Syria. She acknowledged Turkiye's security concerns but said it was important to ensure that all minorities are safe, an apparent reference to Syrian Kurds. The Turkish leader accused the international community of failing to provide adequate support to Syrians during the long civil war. It is now possible to compensate for this. The way to do this is to support Syria's construction and development efforts, he said. UN investigators want to to preserve evidence of atrocities in Syria GENEVA A UN-backed team investigating years of crimes in war-torn Syria says it has reached out to its new government and hopes to deploy to help gather and preserve evidence on the ground -- in hopes of bringing torturers, killers and other war criminals to justice one day. Robert Petit, head of the international, impartial and independent mechanism on Syria, said its team has reason to believe that mass graves exist across Syria, but exhumation, DNA collection and tests for cause of death require a lot of resources. He provided no further details about any such mass graves. Petit said the government of former President Bashar Assad, who fled Syria on December 8, didn't cooperate with his team, and the change of authority offers a chance to establish the fates of tens of thousands of people who died and suffered under his rule. The investigators, following Assad's downfall, have told Syrian authorities of our willingness to engage and to go to Syria to fulfil our mandate, he said. We are awaiting a response. And as soon as that response is forthcoming, we will deploy. A monitoring cell on the UN-backed team has collected recent images from social media, he said, while its sources on the ground have been able to collect new evidence and testimonies in the wake of Assad's ouster. The mechanism was created in 2016 by the UN General Assembly to collect, preserve, consolidate and analyze evidence of serious crimes committed in Syria since the civil war erupted in March 2011, Petit said. A UN-backed Commission of Inquiry is doing similar work. EU plans to reopen its office in Damascus BRUSSELS The European Union plans to reopen its office in Damascus following constructive first contacts between an envoy and Syria's new representatives, the bloc's top diplomat said on Tuesday. We are ready to reopen our delegation, which is the European embassy, and we want this to be fully operational, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told EU lawmakers. A diplomat from Beirut was dispatched to Damascus on Monday for talks with representatives of the new leadership and civil society in Syria. Kallas described it as a very important step that would allow for really constructive engagement and to have the input and information from the ground as well. After talks in Turkiye with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU also wants to enhance our engagement in early recovery, including basic services like electricity and water and infrastructure. (AP) GRS GRS Mumbai , Dec 17 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Tuesday withdrew an amendment bill proposing a multi-fold hike in penalty for illegal felling of trees and not recognising cutting of branches as an offence. The bill to amend the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act of 1964 proposed to increase the penalty for illegal felling of trees from Rs 1,000 to Rs 50,000. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative assembly that he was under the impression that the amendments would have been implemented in urban areas. Fadnavis said he was apprised of updated information regarding redefining urban areas by including Nagar Panchayats and new townships. He said rural areas were also covered in the ambit of the bill. "Since we want to reassess the impact on rural areas, we are withdrawing the amendment bill,'' he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav said trees are cut in rural areas with the objective of growing more trees, and it's also a source of income for the rural population. Jadhav and Shekhar Nikam (NCP) demanded that rural areas be excluded from the ambit of the amendment bill. Meanwhile, the Assembly passed a bill to increase the number of trustees of Siddhivinayak Temple Trust in Mumbai from 9 to 15. It also extended the tenure of the trust's chairman and vice chairman to five years from two-and-a- half years. Bhopal, Dec 17 (PTI) At least 5.41 lakh underweight children were enrolled at anganwadi centres in Madhya Pradesh this year, with Dhar district having the highest number, the state government informed the legislative assembly on Tuesday. State Minister for Women and Child Development Nirmala Bhuria said of 62.88 lakh children enrolled in anganwadi centres, 5.41 lakh were underweight. Bhuria provided the data in a written reply to a question by MLA Mohan Singh Rathore. Rathore sought district-wise data on malnutrition among the children and the food provided to them. According to government data, 35,950 underweight children, the highest number, were registered in Dhar district, followed by Khargone with 24,596 and Barwani with 21,940. Bhopal district, including the state capital city, has 12,199 underweight children, while Indore has 11,437. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's home district, Ujjain, has 12,039 such children, and Niwari had the lowest number of 1,438 children, the data stated. The minister also shared the food chart offered to the children in anganwadi centres across the state from Monday to Saturday. Panaji, Dec 17 (PTI) A court in Goa on Tuesday issued a notice to Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on a defamation suit filed by CM Pramod Sawant's wife who sought Rs 100 crore in damages from the AAP politician for allegedly naming her in the cash-for-jobs scam. The court has sought Singh's reply by January 10, 2025. Singh, a Rajya Sabha member, had recently addressed a press conference in Delhi where he allegedly made allegations against Sulakshana Sawant, the wife of CM Pramod Sawant. Sulakshana Sawant filed a complaint in the civil court at Bicholim in north Goa. The ad-hoc civil judge heard the suit and issued a notice to Sanjay Singh, returnable on January 10, 2025. Sulakshana Sawant requested the court through her lawyers to direct Singh to publish an apology clarifying that the said defamatory video/article and interview are false, not based on facts, and tender an unconditional apology, her complaint stated. The complainant also urged the court to restrain Singh from making any public statements maligning her by injunction on social media or other platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Many aspirants had lodged complaints across Goa alleging they were forced to pay lakhs to some persons who promised to facilitate jobs in the Goa government. The chief minister had said that the state police are conducting a transparent investigation into the alleged cash-for-jobs scam. Kohima, Dec 17 (PTI) Naga organisation ENPO, which has been demanding a separate state comprising six eastern districts of Nagaland, on Monday said it has temporarily accepted the Centres proposal for a mechanism in which the region will be granted a certain level of autonomy. The proposal for setting up Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) was conveyed to the representatives of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) during a tripartite meeting held on December 13 in New Delhi. The ENPO delegation made its unwavering stand very clear that the demand of the people of Eastern Nagaland is for a separate state Frontier Nagaland. However, the ENPO having considered the difficulties of the Government of India at the present juncture had decided to temporarily accept the offer of the Centre for FNT, a unique arrangement with executive, legislative and financial autonomy, the organisation said in a statement here. The statement signed by ENPO president Chingmak Chang and general secretary M Honang Konyak expressed optimism that the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not fail in fulfilling the proposed offer of FNT in the interest of the people of eastern Nagaland. The next round of tripartite meeting involving the Centre, the state government and ENPO would be held by the second week of January to deliberate over some unresolved issues. The last meeting was convened following discussions between the ENPO and a Home Ministry committee on August 13 in Guwahati, the statement said. The ENPO also expressed confidence that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will honour their declarations made last year that once the NDPP-BJP government comes to power in Nagaland, the issues of the six districts of eastern Nagaland will be addressed. These districts - Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang are home to eight tribes Chang, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan and also a section of Sema. The state Cabinet on October 30 deliberated on the pending demand of ENPO, an apex body of the six districts in the eastern region of the state, for creation of the FNT. Alleging that the eastern Nagaland areas have been neglected in all sectors since Nagaland state was created in 1963, the ENPO has been demanding statehood since 2010. Pressing for its demand, the organisation boycotted the Lok Sabha and Urban Local Body polls this year. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China announced on Tuesday a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, aiming to further boost international openness and people-to-people exchanges. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers has been extended from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. The move, effective immediately, also includes a substantial expansion of designated ports and travel regions, enhancing flexibility for international visitors. Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States, and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. These travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, regions, and municipalities -- up from 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions -- and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours. "Compared with the previous 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, a notable feature of the policy adjustment is the introduction of cross-regional travel, allowing foreign visitors to move freely across the designated areas of 24 specified provincial-level regions," said Liu Jia, deputy director-general of the Department of Foreigner Management under the NIA. Liu added that the updated policy allows foreign travelers to better plan their itineraries and arrange flexible travel routes, enabling multi-destination tourism and business activities across various regions. The new measures have already garnered interest from international travelers. Just about one hour after the announcement, Luke Paul De Mena, an American tourist, inquired about the new 240-hour visa-free procedures at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in central China's Hubei Province. Planning to explore the cities of Wuhan, Yichang and Xiangyang, De Mena praised the updated rules. "Hubei has a rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology. With the new policy, I can travel across the entire province - this is great!" he said. The regions newly covered by the visa-free policy "offer unique attractions," said Liu, highlighting Shanxi's ancient architecture, Jiangxi's renowned ceramics, and Guizhou's natural heritage sites. The expanded policy incorporates such areas alongside major economic zones like the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Officials said this adjustment is expected to meet the diverse needs of foreign tourists and business travelers alike. Complementing other visa policies, such as regional visa exemptions, unilateral visa waivers, and mutual visa agreements, the new measures aim to promote tourism, facilitate business exchanges and enhance China's openness, according to officials. China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the number of visa-free transit travelers surged by 132.9 percent year on year. Ranchi, Dec 17 (PTI) The Jharkhand government on Tuesday initiated the process for legal action to realise Rs 1.36 lakh crore coal dues from the Centre. The government issued a notification authorising Secretary, Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms to commence the legal procedure to realise the dues. The development comes shortly after the Jharkhand government, in its first cabinet meeting last month, announced taking legal action to get its dues. "Secretary, Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms is nominated as nodal officer to initiate immediate legal action to realise Rs 1.36 lakh crore dues from the Centre. In case of obstacles in payments by subsidiaries of Coal India in lieu of washed coal royalty dues, common cause dues etc, steps should be taken to resolve this in consultation with the Advocate General," the notification said. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, too, had said after being sworn in last month that legal action will be initiated to realise the dues. Earlier, he had requested the Centre "with folded hands" to clear the multi-crore coal dues to the state. On November 2, he had posted on X: "The PM and the home minister are coming to Jharkhand. I once again request them with folded hands to clear the outstanding (coal dues) of Rs 1.36 lakh crore to Jharkhandis. This amount is crucial for Jharkhand." "I would also appeal to my BJP colleagues, especially the MPs, to help Jharkhandis in getting our dues. He emphasised the dues with central PSUs like Coal India are "rightful" to the state, and claimed that "non-clearance is causing irreparable harm to Jharkhands development". A recent ruling by a nine-judge Supreme Court bench had affirmed the state's right to collect its mining and royalty dues. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) District-level data collection on climate change, creation of a "climate-risk atlas" and realigning of CSR subjects with environmental issues to re-focus from urban to rural areas are among the suggestions made by a core advisory group of the NHRC, officials said on Tuesday. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised a meeting of the group on environment, climate change and human rights on the theme 'Climate Change and Human Rights' in hybrid mode in New Delhi. NHRC's acting chairperson Vijaya Bharathi Sayani emphasised that climate change is impacting vulnerable communities, particularly tribal people whose traditional livelihoods are directly tied to the environment. She highlighted the ancient wisdom embedded in Indian texts, which underscores the deep connection between humanity and nature, to find solutions to deal with the challenges posed by climate change, the NHRC said in a statement. Some of the suggestions that emanated from the discussions included collecting data on climate change at the district level to understand its dimensions, and collaborating with local communities to develop expertise with sustainable solutions to mitigate its impact is necessary, a senior official said. Other suggestions included promoting research into the reasons and effects of climate change on migration from rural to urban areas in India, and identifying areas prone to climate change to create a "climate-risk atlas and mitigate potential impacts". Ensuring the effective implementation of the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA Act) and the Forest Rights Act (2006); and realigning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) subjects with environmental issues to re-focus from urban to rural areas; encouraging plantation in arid regions using a "1-litre water technique for agroforestry" in addition to crops, were other suggestions, it said. The Commission said it will further deliberate on the various suggestions to finalise its recommendations to be sent to the government on addressing various challenges aggravated by climate change. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a "lot of hatred" for B R Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. "Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven)," Shah said, taking a swipe at the opposition. In a post on X, Ramesh said, "Amit Shah has said something very disgusting. This shows that the BJP and RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Baba Saheb Ambedkar." "The hatred is such that they are annoyed even by his name. These are the same people whose ancestors used to burn the effigies of Baba Saheb, who themselves used to talk about changing the Constitution given by Baba Saheb," the Congress leader said. As the people taught them a lesson, they are now annoyed with those who take Baba Saheb's name, he said. "Shameful! Amit Shah should apologise to the country for this," Ramesh asserted. Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal also hit out at Shah over his remarks. "HM Amit Shah, in case you didn't know - Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is equivalent to God and the Constitution he drafted is a Holy Book for crores of people across the world. How dare you speak about Dr. Ambedkar with such disdain?" he said. "The BJP's disgust towards Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was always well known, and the Home Minister's pathetic statements in the Rajya Sabha today further confirm how much they hate and detest Dr. Ambedkar," Venugopal alleged in a post on X. The worshippers of Manusmriti will always have scorn towards Ambedkar, who rejected the horrible ideas espoused by the casteist RSS and their Manusmriti, he said. "Those who spoke of changing the Constitution if they won 400+ seats, are now openly mocking our country's reverence for Dr. Ambedkar," Venugopal said. Those who pretended to bow before him could not hide their true feelings for too long, and this dangerous statement from the BJP top brass shows they have lost the right to speak about Ambedkar ever again, he said. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, saying the party treated the Constitution as the "private fiefdom" of one family and "played fraud" with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the "Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India", Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Former Union minister Anand Sharma on Tuesday hit out at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for taking a swipe at Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her support for Palestinians, saying his criticism is "unjustified" and in conflict with India's firm and consistent position on Palestine. His remarks came after Adityanath took a veiled jibe at Priyanka Gandhi for carrying a handbag to Parliament that had 'Palestine' emblazoned on it. On the second day of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Adityanath said, "Yesterday, a Congress leader was seen walking around Parliament carrying a Palestine bag, while we are sending our youth to Israel for opportunities. "So far, more than 5,600 youth from Uttar Pradesh have gone to Israel for construction work. Every youth gets free food and accommodation besides a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh there. There is also a full guarantee of safety," Adityanath said. In a statement, Sharma said, "UP CM Yogi Adityanath's criticism of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine is unwarranted, unjustified and in conflict with India's firm and consistent position on Palestine in the UN and support for the establishing a sovereign and viable State of Palestine within secure borders." "Yogi and BJP leaders should be made aware that India is also a party to the recent declarations of G20 Countries in Rio Brazil and the BRICS Summit in Kazan - both attended by PM Narendra Modi, expressing deep concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirming the right of Palestinian people and creation of state of Palestine as per UN Resolutions," the former Minister of State for External Affairs said. "Yogi Adityanath should also be informed that India is sending humanitarian assistance to Gaza for the Palestinian people. He should withdraw his comments or clarify whether he is in conflict with the government of India's position," Sharma said. In a swipe at Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday said throwing youths into the war zone in Israel for "employment" is not an achievement but a matter of shame. Amritsar, Dec 17 (PTI) Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Tuesday urged the Punjab government to take steps to bring back the bodies of Punjabis who were among 11 Indians who died in a restaurant in Georgia. Eleven Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, the Indian mission had said on Monday. Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs had said the initial inspection found no signs of injury or violence. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police. The Indian mission in Tbilisi had said it was saddened to learn of the unfortunate passing of 11 Indian nationals in Gaudauri and extended its deepest condolences to their families. Amritsar MP Aujla said he urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal to take immediate steps to bring back the bodies. "Heartbreaking News: 12 Punjabi's have tragically died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at ski resort in Gudauri, Georgia. I urge CM @BhagwantMann & @KuldeepSinghAAP NRI Minister to take immediate steps to bring back bodies & support grieving families (sic)," said Aujla in a post on X. Mumbai, Dec 17 (PTI) A special court here has denied bail to Purushottam Chavan, husband of an IPS officer, in an alleged Rs 263 crore Income Tax refund fraud case, saying there is prima facie evidence to show his involvement in "layering proceeds of the crime". Chavan was arrested in May this year and is currently in judicial custody. Special judge, A C Daga, hearing cases pertaining to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) denied the bail on Monday. Chavan, in connivance with co-accused in the case, laundered money to the tune of Rs 11 crore in India and abroad, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged in its supplementary chargesheet. Chavan's bail plea claimed that his arrest was "suspicious and he has not committed any offence". In the plea, he said that his name is not in the original FIR or the initial chargesheet. The evidence against him is circumstantial and is based on the statement of the co-accused, he said, adding that no reasonable ground is made out to link him with the crime, the plea said. Trial has not yet commenced and prolonged pre-trial detention is violative of the right given under the Constitution of India, he said. However, the court, in its order, noted that there is nothing on record to show that "there is delay in trial on the part of the complainant". "The bail application of the accused will be decided today (Monday), then naturally the matter will proceed for framing of charge," the court said. "At this juncture, it cannot be said that Article 21 of the Constitution of India for speedy trial is violated and there is prolonged incarceration," it observed. Further, the court noted that "there is prima facie evidence on record showing involvement of the accused in layering proceeds of the crime and has received proceeds of the crime from the co-accused". On the medical condition cited by the accused, the court said there is nothing on record which goes to show that the accused is suffering from a life-threatening disease. No report from the CMO (chief medical officer) of the Mumbai Central Prison to show that he is not in a position to treat the accused properly and he requires hospitalisation, the court said. "This itself goes to show that the illness is not of such nature as has been canvassed by the applicant/accused," it added. The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent generation and issuance of TDS (tax deducted at source) refunds from the Income Tax Department to the tune of Rs 263.95 crore. Other arrested accused in the case are former Income Tax officer Tanaji Mandal Adhikari, Bhushan Patil, Rajesh Shetty, and Rajesh Batreja. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The Delhi High Court has refused to suspend a 20-year jail term awarded to a man for the repeated sexually assault of a minor girl, observing he had only served two years of the total sentence. Justice Anish Dayal dismissed the convict's plea, saying it was not a fit case for suspending the sentence. "Considering the position of law, and the facts and circumstances of the present case, and that the petitioner has merely served two out of 20 years of the sentence awarded to him, this court does not find it a fit case for suspension of sentence," held the court. The prosecution alleged in May 2018, a complaint was lodged regarding the sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl by the man, 24-years of age at that time, in east Delhi area. The minor survivor disclosed the accused was known to her and she referred to him as "mama" or uncle. The man was held guilty and sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment by the trial court but later sought suspension of the sentence during pendency of his appeal while challenging the trial court's judgement. His counsel contended there were contradictions in the minor survivor's statements. The high court observed the trial court had found the testimonies of the survivor and her father to be consistent. Since there was proximity between the convict and the child's family, it was quite possible she chose not to inform her parents about the consistent sexual advances by him, the high court said. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Considering the plight of the hassled homebuyers, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) to submit a proposal for grievance redressal and imposed Rs 5 lakh cost on it for failing to file a timely response. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar expressed dissatisfaction over the approach of GNIDA and said, "You are responsible for the mess. Of course, developers made money from the homebuyers. But that does not condone your acts. The bench said it may order a CBI probe into the whole "mess" if the GNIDA did not come up with a plan to redress the grievances of the homebuyers. "You come up with a plan in 10 days otherwise we will order a CBI investigation...You will have to ensure that interests of homebuyers are safeguarded. You are also part of the problem. You allowed this mess to be created, the CJI said. The bench suggested the GNIDA to take over the entire land, develop the projects and give the flats to the homebuyers. Seeking a detailed affidavit from GNIDA, the bench asked it to provide information including the date of allotment of the land and the date of execution of the lease deeds in favour of the private company. Besides seeking a comprehensive proposal for the homebuyers, the bench asked the GNIDA to give information on why the allotment of land was not cancelled when the developers violated the terms of the projects. Senior advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for over 800 homebuyers, said a PSU was willing to develop the stalled projects and pay up the dues to GNIDA and others, and moreover, no creditors or investors would have to suffer haircuts. The top court was hearing about 12 appeals arising out of a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) judgment in relation to the insolvency proceedings of debt-ridden realty firm Earth Infrastructure. The NCLAT had declined a plea of a batch of homebuyers who challenged the NCLT's approval of Alpha Corp Development's bid to acquire Earth Infrastructure. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had on June 8, 2021, approved the resolution plan from Alpha Corp Development. The committee of creditor of the Earth Infrastructure had voted in favour of Alpha Corp with a majority of 99 per cent. Due to the protracted legal battle, five housing projects, three in Greater Noida and two in Gurugram, of the realty firm are stalled leaving hundreds of homebuyers in the lurch. Earlier, Alpha Corp had said it would invest around Rs 900 crore to complete the three stalled projects of Earth Infrastructure that it acquired through the insolvency process at Greater Noida. The housing projects were launched between 2010 and 2012, but were not completed in the stipulated time period. Approximately 2,900 units were to be developed in these projects. Ananta by Alpha Corp (erstwhile Earth Copia), Sector 112, Gurugram, is a housing project launched in February 2011; Earth Sapphire Court, Greater Noida, is a commercial project launched in July 2010 and Earth Techone, located on Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, is a mixed project launched in June 2012. Gurugram, Dec 17 (PTI) A court here on Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for brutally killing four members of a family in 2018. Additional Session Judge Jagdeep Singh convicted Suresh and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on him. According to the police, on the evening of August 29, 2018, four members of the same family were murdered in their house in Brijpura village in Pataudi area after being hit by some blunt object. The deceased were Pinki (24), her husband Manish Gaur (25), their one-year-old daughter Charu and mother-in-law Phoolwati (62). Pinkis two-year-old son Akashy was also injured in the attack, they added. On the fateful day, when the milkman came to their house to deliver milk, he saw blood splattered everywhere inside the house after which he informed the police. An FIR was registered in the case and a SIT was formed. While investigating, the team arrested Suresh, the cousin of Pinki. The police said the accused had confessed to stabbing Manish with a blunt object in an "act of rage" after claiming to have found Pinki hanging from a ceiling fan. Suresh denied killing Manish's mother and his one-year-old daughter. The accused claimed that on the day of the incident, he and the couple had sat down and settled their differences, following which Suresh left to meet another relative, they said. "When Suresh returned to Pinki's house, he found her hanging from a ceiling fan and confronted Manish. Meanwhile, when Manish's mother saw Pinkis dead body, she started shouting despite repeated requests to be quiet. Manish then hit her on the head with a household object. In the chaos, Suresh confronted Manish and stabbed him in the chest, neck and abdomen with a sharp object, the convict claimed. After arresting the accused, Gurugram Police presented all the necessary evidence and witnesses against Suresh in the court while filing the charge sheet. "The court of additional session judge Jagdeep Singh on Monday while convicting the accused on the basis of evidence and witnesses given by the police sentenced Suresh to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000, a spokesperson of Gururgam police said. Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17 (PTI) The opposition BJP on Tuesday staged a walkout from the Karnataka Assembly opposing the State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill. The bill seeks to replace Governor with the Chief Minister as chancellor "for better administration and functioning". The BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan said this was not a progressive bill and appealed to the Congress government to avoid confrontation with the Raj Bhavan. Another BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra requested the government to revisit its decision. Shivamogga MLA S N Channabasappa alleged that this move reflects the mindset of hatred of the ruling party. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge dismissed the allegations. He said, "This bill is not politically motivated. This is for the better administration, coordination and smooth functioning of the university." Kharge said there is no law in the country which says only the Governor should be the Chancellor of a university. He pointed out that there are many universities in the country where the Chief Ministers are the Chancellors. Not convinced with the explanation, the BJP staged a walkout as a mark of protest. Israeli troops are seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Israeli troops fired warning shots into the air to deter civilians from approaching their checkpoint, the observatory said. The move marks an escalation in Israel's ground operations in southwestern Syria, it said. On Monday, an Israeli military unit composed of three vehicles moved into the village of Ma'riyah in the western countryside of Daraa, said the observatory. Israeli soldiers stationed themselves along the village's streets, searched several residents, and attempted to push toward the adjacent village of Abdin. However, local villagers blocked the Israelis from entering, said the observatory. Israel launched a military campaign on Dec. 8 targeting any remaining military capabilities linked to Syria's former leadership, as Syria's new authorities are working to stabilize the country's security situation. Israel has also approved a plan to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel. Israeli troops are seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli troops are seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli troops are seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli troops are seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) An Israeli soldier is seen at a village near the administrative border between the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, Syria, on Dec. 17, 2024. Israeli tanks on Tuesday advanced into a Syrian village near the administrative border between the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, a Britain-based war monitor reported. Israeli forces entered the village of Saida al-Golan and inspected a military barracks of Bashar al-Assad's government near the neighboring village of al-Maqraz, searching for weapons and ammunition, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 17 (PTI) AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the centenary celebrations of the 1924 Indian National Congress session, presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. The event is scheduled here on December 26 and 27. The party has decided to hold a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on December 26 in Belagavi and a public meeting on December 27. AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Randeep Singh Surjewala, and the party's national treasurer and Rajya Sabha MP from the state, Ajay Maken, also arrived along with Venugopal. Leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister and state congress chief D K Shivakumar, ministers, party legislators attended a meeting to discuss the event at the party office here. "We are organising a historic conference on December 26 and 27 in Belagavi remembering the hundredth anniversary of the congress session presided over by the Mahatma Gandhi. The Belagavi session of the Indian National Congress was a historic one in our Indian political history," Venugopal said. He said to reporters here, "The AICC is holding an extended working committee meeting on December 26 afternoon, followed by a massive rally on December 27. We will finalise the details of the programme after discussions. We will also visit the sites to assess the arrangements." The 39th session of the Indian National Congress, held in Belagavi in 1924, was the only Congress session presided over by the Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) Wroughtons Free-tailed Bat, a rare bat species, has been spotted in Delhis DDA Yamuna Biodiversity Park. Biodiversity expert Faiyaz A Khudsar said this species is typically found in just three locations globally -- a single breeding colony in the Western Ghats, small colonies in Meghalayas Jaintia Hills and a record from Cambodia. Wroughtons Free-tailed Bat, first described in 1913 by British zoologist Dr M R Oldfield Thomas, is recognized for its large size, prominent ears extending beyond its muzzle and its bicolored, velvety fur, Khudsar said. It primarily roosts in caves or dark, damp spaces in moderate colony sizes. While limited information is available on its feeding habits, its distribution suggests that it likely consumes a variety of insects and is capable of flying long distances while foraging. Khudsar highlighted that Delhis diverse habitats, ranging from restored wetlands and floodplain forests at Yamuna Biodiversity Park to specialised niches in the Aravalli Biodiversity Park, have played a critical role in supporting unique bat species. For instance, the Aravalli Biodiversity Park is also the only known roosting site for Blyths Horseshoe Bat in the capital, he said. Delhi is home to around 14 species of bats, though several of them have not been spotted in recent years and are considered locally extinct, he added. Khudsar emphasised that bats, as masters of the night sky, play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. Insectivorous bats are vital in controlling insect populations, consuming millions of insects nightly, while frugivorous bats contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, supporting plant species across various habitats. The recent sighting at the DDA Yamuna Biodiversity Park at the beginning of December marks a significant discovery, Khudsar said. This discovery also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of our ecosystems, where even the smallest creatures, like bats, play pivotal roles in sustaining biodiversity and ecological health. Latur, Dec 17 (PTI) Police in Maharashtra's Latur have recovered gold jewellery of Rs 9 lakh from an inter-state gang of thieves, whose members had stolen the valuables during an engagement ceremony here last month, officials said. The incident of theft occurred at a hotel on November 29, they said. "The accused stole a bag full of gold jewellery during the event. After receiving a complaint, the police formed a special team to nab the accused. On December 8, the investigators received a tip-off that the accused were residents of Boda village in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh," an official said. Accordingly, the police team went to Madhya Pradesh and after eight days of investigation, the team identified the accused as Sonu Gokulprasad Sisodia (20), Mehtab Nathusing Sisodia (25), Kalu Banwari Sisodia (20), he said. After stealing the jewellery, the trio had hidden the booty at a female relative's place. The police finally recovered the valuables and efforts to arrest them are underway, the official said. Birthdays are a time for celebration, tradition, and sometimes a little humiliation, depending on where youre from. In Nova Scotia, birthday revelers delight in ambushing the celebrant with a healthy smear of butter or lard on their nose. In Germany, single men turning 30 are conscripted into step-sweeping duty at the town hall. In South Korea, birthdays are celebrated with a steaming bowl of seaweed soup. And Ireland takes a more hands-on approachturning the birthday person upside down and bumping them on the ground once for each year of their age, plus an extra one for good luck. So, naturally, expectations were high for Rabbi Eli Stefanskys birthday at his Tuesday morning daf yomi shiur, where one might hope to witness a buttered nose, some strategic sweeping, or even a celebratory bump on the head or two. Alas, none of these time-honored traditions made an appearance. Instead, Rabbi Stefansky stuck to his routine, delivering his trademark opener: Good morning rabboisai, ahh! This time, though, he was joined by a cheerful balloon arch and a group of shiur attendees armed with confetti cannons. The room erupted into a spirited (if slightly off-key) rendition of Yom Holedes Someach, and that was the extent of the festivities. No grease. No bumps. Not even a symbolic bowl of South Koreas famous seaweed soup. Just Rabbi Stefansky, a lot of confetti, and a daf to conquer. To his credit, Rabbi Stefansky did seem to appreciate the effortif not the missed opportunity to embrace international birthday antics. But then again, this is a man whos far more interested in harbotzas Torah than sweeping steps or dodging a butter ambush. With over 19,000 lomdim tuning in daily, hes clearly doing something right, even if hes missed out on the grease-smearing fun. Between him and Rabbi Sruly Bornsteins shiur in Lakewood, tens of thousands of people are sitting down to learn the daf every day many of whom might not have been learning daily at all otherwise. Still, one cant help but wonder what might have been. A butter-slicked balloon arch? A confetti-sweeping ceremony? The possibilities were endless. Happy birthday, Rabbi Stefansky. Heres hoping next years celebration gets a little more creative. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) At least two internal Amazon studies found a link between how quickly the online retailers warehouse workers perform tasks and workplace injuries, but the company rejected many safety recommendations out of concern the proposed changes might reduce productivity, according to a U.S. Senate committee report. The 160-page review issued Sunday night was compiled by the Democratic majority staff of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The report is the final product of a probe into Amazons warehouse safety practices that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders initiated last year. The Vermont independent, a frequent critic of Amazon who chairs the panel, released an interim report in July that featured some findings from the investigation. The final report, which was mostly based on interviews with nearly 500 former and current Amazon workers, included more details, such as the two internal studies and the reactions they received inside the company. Amazon pushed back on the findings Monday, saying in a blog post that Sanders continues to mislead the American public about the companys safety practices and that the report was wrong on the facts and features selective, outdated information that lacks context and isnt grounded in reality. The Senate report said Amazon launched an internal study in 2021 to determine the maximum number of times a warehouse worker could perform the same physical tasks without increased risk of harm and potentially developing musculoskeletal disorders. The team conducting the Amazon study, known as Project Elderwand, focused on workers who picked items from robotic shelf units. The study concluded that the likelihood of back injury increases along with the number of items picked and identified an upper limit on repetitive movements 1,940 per 10-hour shift, the report said. The study recommended using software to implement breaks according to each workers rate. It suggested expanding an existing Amazon program that recommended microbreaks and making them mandatory for employees who worked above the maximum pace. The team stated that the success of a mini pilot program to test out its idea would be conditional on any negative impact to the (workers) or customer experience, according to documents cited in the committee report. Ultimately, Amazon did not make changes to reduce repetitive worker movements, the report said. The company told the Senate committee it chose not to do so due to technical reasons involving the proposed software program, the report said. Amazon also said in its blog post that the Project Elderwand pilot program showed the study teams suggested intervention was ineffective. Amazon previously had undertaken another study, known as Project Soteria, in 2020 to identify risk factors for injuries and recommend policy changes that would improve worker safety. The multi-team initiative studied two policies Amazon implemented temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic giving workers more time off and pausing disciplinary measures for workers who failed to meet speed requirements, the report said. The study found that both policies lowered injury risks and asked for their permanent adoption. But company leaders denied the request, saying it might negatively impact productivity, according to Amazon documents cited in the Senate committee report. Amazon leaders also changed the focus of the Project Soteria study by telling the people conducting the review to provide recommendations on how to improve productivity without worsening worker injuries, the report said. Amazon disputed the reports characterization of the events. Project Soteria is an example of this type of team evaluation, where one team explored whether theres a causal link between pace of work and injuries and another team evaluated the methodology and findings and determined they werent valid, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said in a written statement. Nantel also said that information about Project Soteria was raised in a Washington state worker safety case in which Amazon was accused of four safety violations. A judge assigned to the case ruled in Amazons favor in July. Regulators are appealing the ruling. Its unfortunate that the senator chose to ignore the facts and all of this context, Nantel said. The Senate committee report also alleged that Amazon manipulates its workplace injury data to portray its warehouses as safer than they are, an allegation the company disputed. Amazon said it produced thousands of pages of information and data for the committee. The majority staff, however, said the company failed to produce documents on the connection between the pace of work and injuries. The authors of the committee report said they learned about the two internal studies from the Washington worker safety case, not Amazon. Once the committee staff members identified the studies by name, they reached out to the company, which ultimately provided the individual documents. (AP) An alleged Chinese spy who cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew said Monday he has done nothing wrong or unlawful as Britains 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. Its the most high-profile case in a series of espionage scandals in recent years that involved suspected or confirmed Chinese intelligence-gathering in Britains establishment, including in Parliament. Heres a look at Yangs 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. 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 Yangs 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, Britains domestic intelligence, that Yang represented a risk to the national security and dismissed his appeal. The tribunal heard that in 2021, authorities found documents that showed how close Yang was to Prince Andrew, King Charles IIIs 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 Departments aims as buying and exerting influence, amplifying pro-China voices and silencing those critical of the Chinese governments authority. 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. Andrews office said the royal met Yang through official channels and nothing of a sensitive nature was ever discussed. 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 governments 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 Chinas United Front Work Department, he told Parliament, and should not have been able to gain access to the royal family without scrutiny. 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. (AP) I woke up to a message: Everything Hashem does is for the best. Just moments later, I received the heartbreaking news: my dear friend Yankelle ( ) Friedman had tragically passed away while doing what he loved, flying. The words of that message echoed in my mind as I struggled to comprehend the loss of someone so young and so remarkable. Despite the grief, I feel its essential to share a glimpse of the remarkable person Yankelle was and inspire others to continue his legacy. A Legacy of a Lev Tov At the levaya in Eretz Yisrael, Yankelles brother-in-law, R Chaim Horowitz, quoted the Mishnah in Pirkei Avos (2:9): Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai said to his students: Go and figure out which is the proper path to which a man should cling. Each student responded differently, a good eye, a good friend, a good neighbor, someone who considers the outcome of his actions. Then Rabbi Elazar ben Arach said: a lev tov (a good heart). Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai replied: I see the merit of Elazar ben Arachs words over your words, for included within his words are all of your words. R Chaim explained that Yankelle embodied the concept of a lev tov (a good heart). As Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai pointed out, within a lev tov encompasses all other virtues: a lev tov includes having an ein tov (a good eye), being a good friend, a good neighbor, and considering the consequences of ones actions. This means that someone with a lev tov excels not in just one character trait, but in all of them, allowing them to fulfill their mission in life more fully and swiftly. Yankelle was always there for others, offering a listening ear to anyone in need. This was all the more remarkable given that he endured over 12 years of unimaginable yesurim (suffering) that no Jew should ever have to bear. R Chaim suggested that Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, took Yankelle back at the age of 32 the numerical value of lev because his good heart had already completed its mission in this world. A Heartfelt Impact Every speaker at the levaya shared unique reflections on Yankelles kindness and empathy. Despite his own immense suffering, Yankelle was always there for others. He never judged anyone and would remind us: You dont know what someone else is going through. You just need to be there for them. After the levaya, instead of heading home, people gathered, playing voice notes from Yankelle. These recordings revealed how he truly shared in others struggles, even over seemingly small issues (like frustrations with apartment construction). While carrying his own heavy burdens, Yankelle would listen as if he had no struggles of his own. These moments painted a vivid picture of Yankelles profound impact, which was further illuminated through personal stories shared at the levaya & shiva. A Listening Ear and a Gentle Soul Yankelles sensitivity extended to all areas of his life. As a bachur learning in Switzerland, he was not only a dedicated masmid but also someone who quietly cared for others. He would frequently ask his peers: Can I make you a tea?, a small gesture that spoke volumes about his thoughtfulness. One encounter, shared by a widow from Yerushalayim, beautifully illustrates Yankelles genuine care for others. While visiting Monsey, she was taken out for dinner at Fireside, the restaurant where Yankelle worked, by his great-grandmother. Throughout the evening, Yankelle went out of his way to ensure both the widow and his great-grandmother were well taken care of. When the widow later heard the tragic news, she spent minutes describing Yankelles warmth and thoughtfulness, remembering him from that one encounter. As his brother Shua noted, online reviews of the restaurant often mentioned Yankelle by name, highlighting how his service left a lasting impression. At the levaya, Shua shared an emotional observation: We always took from Yankelle. We used him as a listening ear, but we never gave to him. He urged everyone present to give back by becoming a listening ear for another Jew. This simple yet profound request encapsulates Yankelles legacy. Learning from Yankelles Lev Tov Rabbi Efraim Wachsman referred to Yankelle as an uplifted soul, a phrase that perfectly encapsulates his ability to transcend his own pain to uplift others through kindness and empathy. Indeed, his life teaches us that even someone carrying deep pain can radiate a smile, lend a listening ear, and live with a lev tov. His example challenges us to emulate his path: to cultivate a good heart, to listen without judgment, and to strive for authenticity. While most reflections focus on Yankelles later years, I feel privileged to have known him from a young age. One memory stands out from his teenage years: During the winter, when his fathers shul had seudah shlishit after Mincha, Yankelle would stay behind in the main shul. Sitting alone in the front row, shielded from view by the bimah, he would immerse himself in learning, reflecting his love for Torah. Carrying His Legacy Forward Yankelles life was a testament to the Mishnahs teaching: The proper path to which a man should cling is a lev tov. If someone who endured so much pain could uplift others with his kindness, surely we can strive to do the same. Let us honor his memory by striving to embody his lev tov, to listen without judgment, to uplift others with kindness, and to live with a heart as pure and giving as Yankelles. President-elect Donald Trump seemed to entertain the discredited theory that vaccines cause autism as he answered questions from journalists at a press conference Monday at his Mar-a-Lago club. Trump said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services who has been an anti-vaccine advocate, would look into the reasons for rising autism rates. Trump, seeming to respond to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnells defense of the polio vaccine, called himself a big believer in it. Youre not going to lose the polio vaccine, Trump said. A look at autism rates and why they are rising: What is autism? Autism is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. There are many possible symptoms, many of which overlap with other diagnoses. They can include delays in language and learning, social and emotional withdrawal, and an unusual need for routine. Scientists believe genetics can play a role. What is the rate of autism among U.S. children? Among all U.S. 8-year-olds, 1 in 36 had autism in 2020. Thats according to the most recent estimate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 1 in 44 two years earlier. Why is the rate of autism rising? There are no blood or biological tests for autism. Its identified by making judgments about a childs behavior. For decades, the diagnosis was given only to kids with severe problems communicating or socializing and those with unusual, repetitive behaviors. But around 30 years ago, the term became shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions known as autism spectrum disorders. Most of the increase in recent decades is in relatively mildly affected children and adults, so maybe in the past we wouldnt have called it autism, explained Maureen Durkin, professor of population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With improved screening and autism services, diagnosis is increasingly happening at younger ages. And theres been more awareness and advocacy for Black and Hispanic families too, leading to an increase in autism diagnosed among those groups. Does autism have anything to do with vaccines? No. Scientists have ruled out a link between vaccines and autism, a theory that stemmed from falsified information in a 1998 paper that was later retracted by the medical journal that published it. Repeated scientific studies in the U.S. and abroad have found no evidence that vaccines in general or those with thimerosal cause autism. That preservative has been removed from routine childhood immunizations; while it remains in some flu vaccines, there are thimerosal-free versions. The American Academy of Pediatrics calls vaccines one of the most significant medical innovations of our time. What did Mitch McConnell say about vaccines? McConnell, who had polio as a child, said any of Trumps nominees seeking Senate confirmation should steer clear of efforts to discredit the polio vaccine. Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed theyre dangerous, McConnell said in a statement Friday. Anyone seeking the Senates consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts. (AP) A convoy of Russian military vehicles rolled down the highway towards the Syrian city of Tartus on Monday as soldiers stood guard. Planes periodically descended and rose from Russias Hmeimim air base in the Syrian coastal province of Latakia while smoke rose from the base. It was unclear what was burning. In the streets of Hmeimim, a town dotted with orange groves, many of the shops bear signs in Russian, a nod to the significance of the Russian military presence. But whether and how long that presence will last after the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar Assad is now an open question. Russias scorched-earth intervention on behalf of its ally, Assad, once turned the tide of the Syrian civil war. In 2017, Assads government signed a deal with Russia that offered it a free lease of the Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base for 49 years. But opposition forces in the countrys northwest launched a shock offensive last month that again threatened Assads rule. This time, 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 ouster, Assad said he had left Damascus for the Hmeimim air base on Dec. 8 after insurgents stormed the capital, but hadnt 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 Assads 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. Thats 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 Monday, The Russians are preparing to withdraw from Syria, God willing. He gave only his nickname, Abu Saif, because he wasnt authorized 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 toward 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, along with helicopters being dismantled and prepared for transport. Moscow has reached out to the new Syrian authorities to try to ensure the security of its bases and 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. In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Obeida Arnaout, spokesman for the political department of the new transitional government, called on Russia to reconsider its presence in Syria, as well as its interests. But he didnt rule out the possibility that Russian forces could remain. 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, Arnaout said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters 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, Peskov said. (AP) A highly anticipated concert featuring Jewish music star Benny Friedman has been abruptly canceled by its London venue, sparking outrage over the blatant antisemitism. The decision comes just one day after tickets for the show went on sale, leaving organizers and fans stunned. The Am Yisrael Chai Tour, organized in partnership with ACM Events, has toured globally. For years, London topped the list of cities requesting visits from Benny Friedman, prompting the team to schedule two UK concerts: one in London on January 6 and another in Manchester on January 7. Despite overwhelming demand, organizers encountered huge obstacles in securing a venue for the London concert, with multiple venues reportedly unwilling to host a Jewish event or align with pro-Israel sentiments. After considerable effort, the team finally secured the historic Clapham Grand, a renowned Victorian music hall, and excitement quickly spread among fans. The concert was officially announced on Sunday, and tickets sold rapidly, underscoring the enthusiasm surrounding the event. But by Monday morning, the Clapham Grand shocked organizers by pulling out of the agreement and canceling the show, citing security concerns. The abrupt cancellation has left organizers and fans reeling, with many viewing the decision as a disturbing act of antisemitism. We are completely stunned by this news, and disappointed that a reality like this for the Jewish people is still possible in 2024, the Am Yisrael Chai Tour team said in a statement. The incident underscores a troubling reality: Jewish events and symbols of pride continue to face hostility and discrimination. The resistance we faced in finding a venue was deeply troubling, organizers noted, but this cancellation takes it to another level. Despite the setback, the Am Yisrael Chai Tour remains unwavering in its mission. Organizers are already working to secure a larger venue, ensuring that the concert not only takes place but does so with even greater strength and impact. We are determined to secure an even bigger venue in London, organizers said. We will see you in London, and we will keep you posted with further updates. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that he welcomes the Syrian transitional government's commitment to protect civilians, including humanitarians, and their agreement to grant full humanitarian access through all border crossings. "In response to recent developments in Syria, I dispatched my under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Tom Fletcher, to Damascus to engage with the caretaker government on scaling up humanitarian assistance in Syria," Guterres said in a statement. Fletcher on Monday met with the commander of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the prime minister of the caretaker government, Mohammed al-Bashir, according to the statement. The UN chief said he welcomes 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. He called on the international community to rally behind the Syrian people as they "seize the opportunity to build a better future." House Democrats on Tuesday picked 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly to lead the party next year atop an influential congressional committee, pushing aside growing calls for generational change in leadership ahead of a second term for Donald Trump. In a closed-door meeting, the majority of the caucus voted for Connolly to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee over 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned on calls to pass the torch to younger leaders. Connolly has seniority on the committee, having served on it for 16 years. The vote was 131-84. I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by whos got experience, who is seasoned, who can be trusted, whos capable and whos got a record of productivity and I think that prevailed, Connolly told reporters after the vote. The Virginia Democrat on Monday had won the endorsement of a Democratic panel that makes recommendation for committee assignments. But Ocasio-Cortez and her allies had said the initial vote was close enough to keep her in the race and try again at Tuesdays caucus-wide meeting. She did not respond to reporters questions following the vote. Rep. Annie Kuster, the chair of the New Democratic coalition, said some of her members, who come from swing districts and tend to vote moderately, had concerns about Ocasio-Cortez supporting primaries against other Democrats, even though she pledged not to do that in the closed-door session this week. I think there are members that very much want this generational change but I think, members who had only been here a couple of terms gave them pause, Kuster said. Ocasio-Cortezs loss comes as several other younger Democrats won the ranking spots on committees, pushing out more senior members. Its all part of a generational struggle in the party that has grown more urgent following Democrats electoral defeat last month that handed Republicans complete control of Washington come January. I think were all starting to realize that we cant do things exactly the way weve always done them here in the Democratic Party, Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who was selected to be the top Democrat on Natural Resources after beating out two more senior members for the role. Rep. Jared Huffman, 60, who was successful in edging out the 74-year-old incumbent to become top Democrat on Agriculture, said that his and Craigs victories represent a healthy generation transition. But, this is a team, and its a multi-generational team, so were not pushing out these other more senior members, Huffman told reporters after he won. We welcome them. They have incredible value. The ranking member position on the Oversight committee is now held by Rep. Jamie Raskin, but the Maryland Democrat relinquished the position to seek another prominent post, as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. The Oversight and Judiciary panels have traditionally been among the most high-profile in Congress, which means both positions will service as prominent foils to Trump and the Republican majority in the House. Connolly had unsuccessfully run for the Oversight role twice before. He was facing concerns from colleagues over his recent cancer diagnosis. He defended his health status Monday, according to Rep. Don Beyer, one of the Democrats who nominated him for the post. Gerry pointed out that theres many people in the room who are cancer survivors, and there was a bunch of heads nodding, Beyer told reporters. His chemo has gone really well and no surgery has been necessary. Kuster added, Connolly was very clear, telling colleagues if he doesnt have the capacity, if he will step down. Many of Connollys allies, including himself, denied that this race was about a generational challenge in the Democratic party, but pointed to who is more experienced and ready to lead the party on some of the most urgent issues facing the country. (AP) IDF troops who entered the Syrian part of Ramat HaGolan in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime took over Syrian army outposts without firing a shot, as the Syrian soldiers abandoned the outpost and positions facing Israel when it became clear that the end of the regime was nearing, Ynet reported. Four battalion combat teams from the Paratroopers, Commando Brigade and the 188th Armored Brigade are operating at the outposts in what the IDF calls forward defense seizing key posts on enemy soil near the border during emergencies to preempt and deter potential threats to Israeli civilians. The IDF quickly understood the importance of stabilizing the situation proactively this time, learning from past lessons in Gaza and southern Lebanon, explained a senior commander. We found a few outdated tanks and anti-tank missiles we confiscated, rusty infrastructure and documents translating data about our forces for their troops, an IDF commander said. It seems not much was invested in these outposts. Syrian villagers welcomed the IDF troops. They didnt greet us with rice (as the residents of southern Lebanon did during Operation Peace for Galilee in 1982), but they were happy we came. They spoke to us openly after years of fearing to do so under the watchful eyes of Assads soldiers, said Lt. Col. (res.) Inon Oriya, deputy commander of the 474th Regional Brigade, who lives in the Golan Heights near Syrian villages. Another soldier said that the local Syrians remember the aid we provided during the last decade of civil war. [In 2016, Israel launched Operation Good Neighbor to provide humanitarian assistance to Syrian citizens who were affected by the Syrian Civil War, providing them with essential supplies and providing medical treatment to thousands of Syrians, both in Syria and in Israeli hospitals. Dozens of Syrian babies were born at Ziv Medical Center in Tzfas and at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya.The operation ended in September 2018 after the Assad government regained control over the entire southern region of Syria.] The IDF commanders are making efforts to establish positive ties with the local population, even if temporary. The IDF forces plan to stay in the area through the winter and are preparing for the cold and snow ahead. Soldiers have received thermal clothing and heated portable living quarters have been set up at outposts alongside generators, replacing the old Syrian bunkers. Its unpleasant to sleep in these Syrian bunkers, the IDF commander said. Weve also brought in a generator and are clearing paths from Israeli territory ahead of the coming snow. Any potential threat will remain far from Israeli communities. We were prepared for Shiite jihadists from the pro-Iranian militias deeper in Syria, and now were preparing for Sunni jihadists. Both have similar pickup trucks, weapons and extremist ideologies, IDF officials explained. The Syrian villages here are trying to make sense of the situation. They just want peace and a livelihood. Brig. Gen. Paley, who commands the 210th Division overseeing the sector, emphasized: We will continue to monitor and defend against any threat. Our mission is clear: to protect the citizens of Israel and the Golan. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Iran appears to be nearly naked to attack after a wave of pinpoint Israeli airstrikes on its air defense system in October, senior columnist David Ignatius wrote in the Wall Street Journal. Ignatius interviewed former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was in Washington last week, who explained that Israels bombing of Iran on Oct. 26 created a window to act against Iran before it produces a nuclear weapon. Ignatius wrote: Israels Oct. 26 assault was calculated to leave Iran unprotected against a future attack. An astonishing wave of 120 jets took part in the raid, an Israeli military source said. The Israeli planes targeted air defense radars and antiaircraft batteries protecting Tehran as well as key factories producing fuel for Iranian ballistic missiles. The attack was in retaliation for Irans Oct. 1 bombardment of Israel with about 200 ballistic missiles but the planning began many months before. Gallant explained that the mission was to ensure that afterward, Iran is weaker and Israel is stronger, so that Tehran couldnt respond forcefully to future attacks. IDF officials believe that Iran wont be able to significantly add to its limited arsenal of ballistic missiles. In addition, the IDF destroyed its air defenses, especially around the capital. As Gallant said, There is no strategic defense around Tehran. Israel has paved a corridor into Iran, providing a clear path for its aircraft to strike Tehran, a new level of operational freedom that allows Israel to attack targets in Iran almost as easily as it did in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel also damaged key components of Irans ballistic missile capabilities, striking all of the mixing facilities that produce solid fuel for Tehrans rocket force. Acquiring new mixers [from China] could take at least a year, highlighting how the IDF strikes impeded, at least temporarily, the progress of the Iranian ballistic missile program, noted a Nov. 12 report by the Institute for the Study of War. An IDF source estimated that before the October attack, Iran was producing enough solid fuel for two new ballistic missiles a day and it now can produce enough fuel for only one missile per week, and that shortfall will last a year. Will Irans vulnerability drive it on a renewed effort to gain a nuclear arsenal? Some analysts believe so and after President-elect Donald Trump enters office, Israel and the United States might consider military action. Gallant said that he hopes the US and Israel will work together to prevent a nuclear Iran but stressed: Israel has the means to strike Iranian assets in a precise, forceful and sophisticated manner. If needed, we will not hesitate to act. Ignatius concludes: The clock is ticking in Tehran, Jerusalem and Washington. For all the conflicts that Trump will inherit, the looming standoff between Israel and Iran might be the most urgent and dangerous. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his receipt of notes from aides during his corruption trial testimony in Tel Aviv on Monday, arguing it was necessary for balancing his role as prime minister with court proceedings. Following a break in the trial, during which Netanyahu was seen responding to a note handed to him by an aide, the prosecution questioned the practice, arguing the content of such notes should be known to both the judges and prosecutors. Netanyahu responded forcefully, asserting that it was impractical to consult the court on every note he received. I want to give my testimony. But I am the prime minister, Netanyahu said, noting the unique challenges of his dual responsibilities. His defense team, led by Amit Haddad, also criticized the investigations alleged haste, pointing to a statement by a police investigator boasting about the rapid pace of the probe. Why did you run? Netanyahu asked rhetorically, calling it the fastest investigation ever. He argued that investigators had failed to ask sufficient questions, provide necessary materials, or offer him adequate opportunities to respond to allegations. Haddad reinforced this criticism, stating the defense would carefully scrutinize all 315 items related to the bribery charge to make up for what he claimed was the investigators negligence. Netanyahu also dismissed claims that a mutual acquaintance, Zeev Rubinstein, acted as an intermediary between him and co-defendant Shaul Elovitch, owner of Walla and Bezeq. Prosecutors allege the arrangement involved favorable media coverage for Netanyahu in exchange for regulatory benefits to Elovitchs businesses. If I wanted to contact Elovitch, I could have picked up the telephone, Netanyahu said, arguing it was implausible that he would use intermediaries during a critical election campaign. He added that Rubinstein, often in a different time zone, lacked the necessary understanding of Israeli politics to act effectively in such a role. According to Netanyahu, Rubinsteins actions, if any, were motivated by a personal desire to please Netanyahus wife, Sara. Defense attorneys pointed to several Walla articles critical of Netanyahu and his Likud party to counter claims of a media bribery scheme. Netanyahu highlighted that some articles were damaging to his campaign, including one that omitted a response from Likuda standard practice he described as the bare minimum for journalistic fairness. If there was a bribery scheme, why wouldnt I ask Elovitch why Likuds position wasnt included? Netanyahu asked. Netanyahu concluded, The indictment is collapsing, asserting there was no evidence of him requesting favorable coverage from Walla. Proceedings were briefly interrupted by rocket alerts in Tel Aviv on Monday afternoon. One judge urged the session to continue once the situation stabilized, stating, Lets continue, thats why were here. Netanyahus legal team requested the cancellation of Tuesdays session, citing exceptional circumstances. The judges agreed, after reviewing a confidential explanation provided in writing, and asked the media and audience to leave the chamber for private deliberations. Netanyahu is currently defending himself in three cases: Case 4000: Allegations of bribery involving favorable policies for Elovitchs Bezeq telecom in exchange for positive coverage on Walla. Case 2000: Claims that Netanyahu sought legislative measures to weaken Yisrael Hayom in return for favorable coverage from Yediot Aharonot publisher Arnon Mozes. Case 1000: Accusations that Netanyahu received lavish gifts from businessman Arnon Milchan in exchange for advancing his interests. Netanyahu has consistently denied all charges, claiming the cases are politically motivated. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a statement on Tuesday morning clarifying Israels stance on the control of Gaza the day after after the war ends. In response to various reports my position regarding Gaza is clear, Katz stated. After we defeat Hamass military and governing power in Gaza, Israel will control Gaza security with full freedom of action, just like in Yehuda and Shomron. We will not allow any terror activity from Gaza against Israeli citizens and yishuvim. We will not allow a return to the reality before October 7. His statement came in response to a report by Channel 12 that the defense minister recently told a US official that Israel is not interested in controlling Gaza. According to the report, Katz told the official: Israel does not want military control or civilian rule over Gazan residents. There are no decisions regarding yishuvim in Gaza. The report said that Katz also spoke to the official about the Palestinian Authority, which in recent days has been battling Iranian-backed terror groups in Jenin, saying, Israel protects the Authority from Iran and Hamas. It must be moved to the moderate side. The report added that it can be inferred from Katzs words that despite the statements from various politicians, Israel currently wishes to prop up the Palestinian Authority. Channel 12 also reported that the decision made by the IDF, with the approval of the political leadership, to deploy the 98th Division, which ended its mission in Lebanon, to Gaza may have been carried out as additional leverage to influence the ongoing hostage release negotiations. On Monday, Katz said at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee that in his assessment, we are closer than ever since the last deal to a hostage deal. Katz added that he believes that most of the government will support the deal and that it will occur in stages. He also said that the Philadelphi Route and the Netzarim Corridor, where IDF troops are stationed, will not pose an obstacle to executing the deal, noting, There is flexibility from Hamas on this matter. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Biden administration recently asked Israel to approve urgent US military aid to Palestinian Authority security forces for a rare operation it is currently carrying out against Iranian-backed terror groups in Yehudah and Shomron, Axios reported. The Biden administration made the request despite the fact that the Palestinian Authority supports terror against Israel and many members of the PA forces have committed terror attacks in Israel. The operation, the largest in years, was launched in the Jenin refugee camp,, a hotbed of Iranian-funded terror, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and Hamas terror groups. The city became a no-go zone for PA security forces after local terrorists took control of the area over a year ago. The fall of the Assad regime raised concerns among PA leaders that Islamic terrorists in Jenin, inspired by the Syrian rebels, will try to overthrow the Palestinian Authority. It was a Syria effect, one Palestinian official said. Abbas and his team were concerned that what happened in Aleppo and Damascus will inspire Palestinian Islamist groups. In addition to the Syria effect, the PA is motivated by the Trump effect the PA wants to show the incoming Trump administration that it is a reliable partner and perhaps even be a partner in governing the Gaza Strip, which Israel has ruled out as an option. Its a pivotal moment for the Palestinian Authority either act like a state you say you are or go back to being a militant organization, the Palestinian official said. This week, the PA sent a large number of security forces to the area. The forces surrounded the camp, spurring fierce gun battles between the local terrorists and the PA forces. At the end of the battle, the PA forces had killed the Islamic Jihad commander of Jenin and at least two other terrorists. Dozens of terrorists and several members of the PA security forces were wounded. A Palestinian official told Axios that Palestinian security chiefs met with U.S. security coordinator Gen. Mike Fenzel ahead of the operation and gave him a list of equipment and ammunition Palestinian security forces urgently need. Israel must approve any military assistance to the PA. The Palestinian official said that Jenin terrorists, funded by Iran, are better armed and equipped than the Palestinian security forces. If the Palestinian security forces had the sufficient weapons the operation would have been over already, he said. The Israeli security cabinet met on Sunday to discuss the security situation in Yehudah and Shomron. Hamas issued an official statement on Tuesday calling on its supporters to mobilize to deter the ongoing Palestinian Authority operation against terror forces in Jenin. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) An Israeli helicopter landed near a military site in the Damascus area overnight Monday, sources told the Russian Sputnik news agency on Tuesday. According to the report, which has not been confirmed by Israel, the IDF soldiers disembarked from the helicopter, entered the military site, and reboarded the helicopter after about 20 minutes, heading toward southern Syria Shortly later, Syrian media outlets reported Israeli strikes in the Sitt Zaynab area on the outskirts of Damascus. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) According to Reuters, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly 8n Cairo for negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza. Unnamed sources familiar with the matter suggest an agreement could be finalized within days. The development appears to be the reason behind the cancellation of Netanyahus scheduled testimony in his corruption trial today. The Prime Ministers Office denied the report and stated, Contrary to the Reuters report, Netanyahu is not on his way to Cairo. He may be in half an hour, a day, or a year. But right now, he is not there. One this is for certain, a private jet that was not registered to anyone (likely State of israel) that took off in Israel was tracked by YWN and landed in Cairo. It is unknown who was on this plane. A short while after the rumors spread, the Prime Ministers Office released a statement and photos about Netanyahu being in the Hermon on Tuesday. The photos in the Hermon were taken during the day, while the plane that mysteriously landed in Cairo did so after dark. YWN is in no way claiming Netanyahu was on this plane. We are simply stating the facts of what just transpired. Meanwhile, Egypt has summoned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for an urgent visit, reports Lebanons Al Mayadeen, a pro-Hezbollah outlet. Abbas is said to be traveling from the Vatican to Cairo as prospects for a breakthrough in a hostage deal with Hamas grow. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israel, through Russian mediation, is reportedly working to locate and repatriate the remains of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen and a soldier missing since 1982, according to Palestinian officials speaking with AFP on Monday. For decades, Israel has sought to bring home the remains of Eli Cohen, whose daring espionage in Syria in the 1960s left an indelible mark on the countrys history. Cohen infiltrated the highest ranks of the Syrian government, and the intelligence he provided is credited with aiding Israels success in capturing the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War in 1967. He was arrested, tried, and executed in 1965, but his final resting place remains unknown. A Palestinian official in Damascus shared that mediators had established contact to seek assistance in locating the remains of an Israeli soldier missing since 1982. Contacts are also underway to determine the location where the remains of the Israeli agent known as Eli Cohen are buried, the official said. The effort, facilitated by Russia, brings a renewed sense of hope to a deeply sensitive and long-unresolved chapter in Israels history. Russia has previously served as a key intermediary between Syria and Israel, despite the two nations enduring hostilities and absence of diplomatic ties. In 2019, a similar collaboration led to the return of the remains of Israeli soldier Zecharia Baumel, who had been missing since a fierce battle in Lebanon in 1982. Israel responded with a goodwill gesture, releasing two Syrian prisoners, underscoring the potential for diplomacy to achieve meaningful resolutions even in the most complex conflicts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously reaffirmed Israels commitment to bringing Cohen home, a promise echoing the sentiments of many Israelis who view Cohen as a national hero. In 2018, Israels Mossad recovered Cohens wristwatch, a powerful symbol of his sacrifice, and returned it to his family. While recent social media rumors claimed that Cohens remains had already been recovered, Israeli security officials have dismissed these reports as untrue. The renewed search, however, reflects both determination and optimism that closure may finally be on the horizon. Meanwhile, YWN reported in 2019 that according to multiple reports quoting Syrian opposition websites, a Russian delegation reportedly left Syria at the time, and had with them the coffin containing the remains of Israeli spy Eli Cohen. Israel refused to comment on the reports. In July of 2018, YWN reported that there had been an agreement between Israel and Syria to have the remains transferred to Israel. The remains were to undergo DNA testing and if it turns out that they are Cohens, Israel will be willing to relax its position regarding the deployment of the Syrian army on the northern border. The report also had said that Cohens family recently heard his last words before he was executed. The recording was accompanied by sad music, and Cohen was heard talking to his wife, Nadia. He asked her to look after herself and the children, to remarry and to take care of his childrens education. The spy wanted to make sure that she told the children about him, so they would be proud of him in the future and invited her to pray for his neshama. YWN reminds our readers that in July of 2018 we reported that the Mossad returned Cohens wristwatch to Israel. Mossad Director Yossi Cohen presented the Cohen family with the wristwatch during the memorial ceremony for the Israeli spy. The Mossad said: The precious item is now displayed at the Mossad headquarters as a signal and memory for the legendary fighter and on Rosh Hashana, the watch will be transferred to the family. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Hamas has dropped its demand for a complete end to the war and a full withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip, a Hamas source told The Washington Post on Tuesday. According to the source, the revised proposal currently being discussed includes a 60-day truce and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. However. while Hamas appears to have softened its stance on broader demands, it is doubling down on the condition that residents be allowed to return to northern Gaza. The development follows comments made by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz on Monday during a meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in which he said that Israel is closer than ever to reaching a prisoner swap and ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Katz noted that any agreement would be implemented in stages and emphasized Israels flexibility, particularly regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and Netzarim Corridor. These will not be an obstacle to implementing a deal, he said. Sources familiar with the negotiations told the Knesset Channel this week that Hamas is facing logistical challenges, particularly in reaching all the hostages intended for release as part of the deals humanitarian framework. Another significant sticking point, according to reports, is Hamass insistence on including fewer hostages in the humanitarian phase of the agreement than Israel has demanded. This discrepancy has added complexity to the talks and slowed progress toward finalizing a deal. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) ZHENGZHOU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced Xiong Xue, former vice mayor of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes. Xiong has been deprived of his political rights for life, his personal property will be confiscated, and his illegal gains from bribery will be recovered and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict of the Intermediate People's Court of Zhengzhou in central China's Henan Province. The court found that Xiong had taken advantage of his positions in Chongqing between 1999 and 2023 to assist individuals and organizations in matters related to project contracting and land acquisition. He accepted money and valuables worth more than 148 million yuan (about 20.59 million U.S. dollars) in return, the court said. Syrias new leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told The Times of London that he will not allow Syria to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Israel or any other state. However, Golani, who now prefers to be known by his birth name Ahmed al-Shara, warned Israel that it must end its airstrikes in Syria and withdraw from the buffer zone. Israels justification was the presence of Hezbollah and Iranian militias so that justification is gone, he said, reiterating the same message he conveyed in an interview with the opposition TV channel Syria.tv over the weekend. We are committed to the 1974 agreement and we are prepared to return the UN [monitors], he said. We do not want any conflict whether with Israel or anyone else and we 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. Asked whether Syria would be ruled by Islamic law, Golani said that that would be the natural Syria but added that he thinks that Syria will not deeply intrude on personal freedoms but customs will be taken into account. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) BH On Sunday Yud Daled Kislev the Rebbes Shliach to the Old City of Rome celebrated a Siyum Sefer Torah, culminating a series of miracles. It all began Erev Rosh Hoshana. Rabbi Aharon Michael Canarutto had just finished renovating a beautiful building in the Old City of Rome to be the home of the Chabad House. Then, the day before Rosh Hashana the newly renovated building was destroyed by flooding. Saddened, but not defeated, Rabbi Canarutto set himself to cleaning up. While Rabbi Canarutto was cleaning, a visitor from France, who requested to remain anonymous for this article, entered the Chabad House. The visitor, who had come to visit an unwell uncle, was shocked by the devastation caused by the flooding. Offering words of encouragement, the visitor told Rabbi Canarutto, Dont take this setback too hard, after a flood comes Bracha. A few days later the visitors uncle passed away and Rabbi Canarutto spoke with him to comfort him in his time of grief. During the conversation the visitor said that he had spoken to a cousin in Miami about donating a Sefer Torah to the Chabad House in Rome in memory of his uncle. The Rabbi was extremely excited, because he didnt yet have a Sefer Torah. The visitors cousin, via his local Shliach contacted the expert Sofer, Rabbi Shlomo Wernick, who although based in Hollywood Florida, also services communities and Chabad Houses all over the United Staes and throughout the world. The visitor had a budget of $10,000 and was looking for a second hand Sefer Torah. However, after some discussion the decision was made to purchase a new Sefer Torah instead, even if the process would take longer. Rabbi Wernick reached out to one of his many contacts in Israel and everyone involved was surprised to hear that he had just been contacted by the family of an Israeli soldier who was tragically killed in war, who wanted to contribute towards a Sefer Torah in his memory. The project was moving forward but there was still a 50,000 shekel shortfall to make it happen. Everyone started making phone calls and Baruch Hashem someone stepped up and offered the 50,000 shekel. All involved were overjoyed and arrangements began to welcome the new Sefer Torah to Rome. However, as the final arrangements were being made, another twist materialized. The 50,000 Shekel donation only ended up being a 4, 000 shekel donation. Just over two weeks from the planned Siyum Sefer Torah and it appeared that it would not happen. As everything was about to be cancelled, Rabbi Shlomo Wernick advised Rabbi Canarutto, Just arrange the Siyum, Hashem will show us the way. In the end, the cousin from Miami decided to contribute a bit more and Rabbi Canarutto was miraculously able to raise some money within his community. Now if you think the story is over, wait till you hear this. The Sefer Torah was written in Israel. The sofer was planning on traveling to Rome to bring the Sefer Torah and to fill in the last few letters at the siyum. One small problem, he could not find a flight. It was Wednesday night, the siyum was scheduled for the following Sunday, but no flights were available. He had already reached out to multiple travel agents but none of them could find a flight. It seemed the siyum would not take place, or at least not on the planned date, as both the Sofer and the Sefer Torah were stuck in Israel. The sofer fell asleep late Wednesday night very confused and worried. On the one hand, this journey has been an incredible miracle from beginning to end, but on the other hand, neither he nor the Sefer Torah would be at the siyum. In the early hours of Thursday morning the Sofer had a dream, in which he dreamt that a travel agent contacted him at 2:00am and booked the flight. He woke up washed his hands, said Mode Ani ran and to check, and low and behold an agent had managed to find a seat on a flight for him in the middle of the night, and his itinerary was there waiting for him. The siyum finally took place, everyone was overjoyed and full of gratitude to Hashem for all the miracles. There are still a few Parshiyos available for sponsorship. If youd like to be a part of this amazing story, or to help support the incredible work of Rabbi Canarutto and Chabad in Rome please visit: www.chabadjewishghettorome.it Inspired by these miracles Rabbi Wernick has resolved to pair up Synagogues in need of a Sefer Torah with individuals and families who wish to sponsor, or part sponsor, a Sefer Torah in memory of a fallen soldier. Any Synagogue in need of a Sefer Torah, or for other any Judaica needs- Tefillin, Mezuzahs, Megillos, etc. please contact Rabbi Shlomo Wernick: [email protected] or by phone: 917 385 4790 Millions of us are posting presents and cards to loved ones across the UK and crossing our fingers that they will arrive by Christmas within the timeframes promised by Royal Mail. But will they? Money Mail decided to find out. We sent 100 Christmas cards to family and friends around the country and the world to find out how long it would take for them to arrive. We sent the cards using first-class stamps, which means that those sent to addresses in the UK should have landed on peoples doormats the next working day. But, just 16 of the cards we sent from the Daily Mail offices in Kensington, London, on December 4 arrived on time. Some eight households are still waiting for theirs. From what weve seen, it is no wonder that one in ten people who usually send Christmas cards will not this year, according to a survey, and that sales of boxed cards fell by 23 per cent at John Lewis in 2024. As the price of stamps continues to rise and post regularly fails to arrive on time, growing numbers are simply giving up. Test: We sent 100 Christmas cards to family and friends around the country and the world to find out how long it would take for them to arrive Letter volumes have dropped from a peak of 20 billion in 2004/5 to just seven billion in 2022/3. In response, Royal Mail puts up prices even further, which in turn puts off senders from posting letters. Royal Mail was last week fined 10.5million for missing postal delivery targets. Just 74.7 per cent of first-class stamps arrived on time in 2023-24, despite a target of 93 per cent, according to the regulator Ofcom. Just 92.7 per cent of second-class mail was delivered on time, under its goal of 98.5 per cent. This is the second fine Royal Mail has been hit with in the past 12 months after it was clobbered with a 5.6 million penalty by the watchdog in November 2023. Ian Strawhorne, Ofcom director of enforcement, said: Far too many people arent getting what they pay for when they buy a stamp. Politicians, business groups and campaigners have warned of even more price hikes and declining quality after the Government this week allowed Royal Mail to fall into foreign hands for the first time in its 500-year history. HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips that work Billionaire Daniel Kretinsky will take over the service in a 3.6 billion deal, but no promise has been made to keep costs fair for consumers. Of the cards sent by Money Mail, some that have still to arrive were sent to destinations just a few miles away. One card sent to Balham is yet to drop through the letterbox despite two other cards safely arriving in the south-west London area. Cards sent to Borehamwood in Hertfordshire and Belfast have also yet to turn up. It took ten days for one card to travel just three miles down the road to Putney, London. Locations where cards were delivered on time include Norfolk, Kensington, Dorking, West Drayton and Penarth. But friends and family in locations in Australia, as well as Cape Town in South Africa and Los Angeles and South Carolina in the US are still waiting on their Christmas cards. The poor service is even more galling considering the price of a first-class stamp shot up yet again in October, from 1.35 to 1.65. This means a book of eight first-class stamps now costs an extra 22 per cent at 13.20 and a book of six first-class stamps costs 9.90. Octobers price increase came just months after the previous price rise in April and another hike in October last year. Before this they were 1.10, 55p lower than todays cost. Missed targets: Royal Mail was last week fined 10.5m for missing postal delivery targets. Just 74.7% of first-class stamps arrived on time in 2023-24, despite a target of 93% Second-class stamps are a more modest 85p, as the price has not risen since a 10p rise in April. A Royal Mail spokesman says: Our independently regulated quality of service reporting shows that the vast majority of items arrive within one day and 92 per cent arrive within two days. A sample size of 100 is not representative of our standard of service. We will deliver 35 million letters, including Christmas cards, on our busiest day this week. Last year more than 99 per cent of items posted before the last posting dates arrived before Christmas, we are well prepared to deliver again this year with more than 16,000 additional staff helping to deliver the festive mailbag. How can I make sure my card arrives on time? If you havent yet posted your Christmas cards, youre cutting it fine. The last posting date for second-class letters to arrive by Christmas is today, whereas cards with a first-class stamp need to be posted by Friday. While you may not be able to beat the postal rush this year, you can take steps to improve your chances next year. Postmasters recommend sending gifts and cards earlier rather than later, ahead of the peak day for posting. The Post Office earlier this month revealed December 9 was the busiest day for posting as everyone rushes to make sure their Christmas cards and presents arrive on time. When sending a parcel, ask about the best delivery options for you. Plus, use tracked and signed for services when sending presents to give you extra peace of mind, the Post Office says. There are other postage options for sending cards with Royal Mail aside from the classic first-class and second-class stamps. A first-class signed-for letter costs 3.35 while the same in second-class costs 2.55. If you want Special Delivery, guaranteed by 1pm, the cost is 7.75. All prices listed are for standard letters. This means it can weigh up to 100g and be no larger than 24cm in length, 16.5cm in width and 0.5cm in depth. You can get compensation if your letter is late. If a first-class letter arrives three or more working days after its due date, its classed as delayed. For a letter sent via second-class, its considered delayed if it has not arrived three or more days after the due date. The typical compensation is a book of first-class stamps. L.evans@dailymail.co.uk Carlsberg's planned 3.3billion takeover of British soft drinks group Britvic has been cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority. The watchdog began investigating the tie-up in September amid concerns that it would significantly reduce competition across the UK market. However, following two invitations to comment from interested parties, it has decided not to pursue a full-scale investigation. Carlsberg agreed a 3.3billion deal to buy Britvic in July after the Robinsons Squash owner rejected two previous proposals. Britvic investors will receive a 25 pence per share special dividend and 12.90 in cash for each Britvic share they hold as part of the offer. The acquisition will mean Britvic's mixers and soft drinks, which include Tango and J2O, belong to the same company as alcoholic beers like Tuborg, Kronenbourg 1664, and Somersby Cider. Green light: The Competition and Markets Authority has approved Carlsberg's planned 3.3billion takeover of soft drinks producer Britvic In order for the transaction to go through, PepsiCo consented to waive the change-of-control clause in its bottling arrangements with Britvic. PepsiCo currently grants Britvic exclusive rights to produce and sell its brands across the UK and Ireland, such as 7Up, Mountain Dew and Lipton Iced Tea. Carlsberg will become PepsiCo's largest distributor in Europe once the takeover is finalised, which is expected in January. A Carlsberg spokesperson said: 'We're delighted to have received all necessary regulatory clearances and, subject to the satisfaction of the court, we look forward to completing the transaction in January 2025. 'We believe the combination of Carlsberg and Britvic will create a highly attractive multi-beverage supplier in the UK, with an efficient supply chain and distribution network that provides our customers with a portfolio of market-leading brands and world-class service.' Foreign companies have snapped up multiple major London-listed businesses in recent years, raising concerns that UK equities are significantly undervalued. Cybersecurity specialist Darktrace, music rights investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund, and energy investment group Smart Metering Systems have all been acquired by private equity firms in 2024. And just in the past month, waste manager Renewi, car parts maker TI Fluid Systems and Cosy Club owner Loungers have all struck takeover deals. More controversially, the UK Government approved the 3.6billion acquisition of Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services, by Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group this week. IDS shareholders must still vote to approve the deal, which would see Royal Mail fall into foreign hands for the first time since being founded in 1516 during King Henry VIII's reign. Kretinsky has promised to keep the Royal Mail's brand name and UK headquarters for at least five years and protect the company's universal service obligations. The billionaire - nicknamed the Czech Sphinx due to his low profile - has come under heavy scrutiny for his business dealings in Russia. Britvic shares were 0.85 per cent higher at 1,305p on late Tuesday morning. VIENTIANE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Agri-Food Expo 2024 kicked off on Monday, showcasing sustainable agricultural practices and modern technologies aimed at boosting agricultural production in Laos and increasing exports. The event, running from Monday to Friday, includes networking sessions designed to foster closer relationships between investors, agribusinesses, and the Lao government, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh emphasized the expo's role as a significant opportunity to advance agricultural production in Laos. Linkham said the ministry aims to strengthen agricultural production in order to minimize imports and preserve foreign currency reserves, and foster market-oriented agricultural production and processing capabilities to develop value-added export products that will strengthen foreign currency earnings. The ministry continues to support Lao farmers to embrace cutting-edge techniques and technologies, while fostering the development of high-quality plant and animal breeds that can compete in international markets. Linkham added that the expo is a testament to Laos' remarkable advancement and unwavering commitment to sustainable growth. The first flight of Juneyao Air from China's Shanghai to Sydney gets a water salute after landing at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Sydney Airport/Handout via Xinhua) SYDNEY, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. The carrier will operate four direct Shanghai-Sydney services a week, and will rise to daily during the 2025 Chinese Lunar New Year period. Sydney's breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage and thriving commercial environment have made it one of the most anticipated overseas travel destinations for Chinese tourists, addressed Wang Junjin, chairman of the company, at a ceremony held at the airport to welcome the first flight from Shanghai. Juneyao Air will work closely with key partners to provide more distinctive products and services for all passengers traveling on this route, he added. "For us, the new service is significant as it will open up Sydney not just to more business from Shanghai, but also to those who access to extensive network across China and around the world," said Stephen Mahoney, acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Destination NSW, the NSW government's tourism and major events' agency. Visitation from China has rebounded strongly, and China has regained its position as one of the top-performing visitor markets for NSW, said Mahoney. "We look forward to welcoming more visitors from China for many years to come." "We are honored that Juneyao Air has chosen Sydney as its first Australian destination, cementing our position as Australia's premier gateway to China," said Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton. "China is one of Sydney Airport's most important markets, and Shanghai is the leading gateway within that market, so we're excited about the opportunities this will bring to the airport and our passengers," he said. The first flight of Juneyao Air from China's Shanghai to Sydney lands at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) The first flight of Juneyao Air from China's Shanghai to Sydney gets a water salute after landing at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Guests attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for Juneyao Air's first flight from China's Shanghai to Sydney at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) The first flight of Juneyao Air from China's Shanghai to Sydney gets a water salute after landing at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) The first flight of Juneyao Air from China's Shanghai to Sydney lands at Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 17, 2024. An inaugural flight by China's Juneyao Air from Shanghai to Sydney landed at Sydney Airport in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) on early Tuesday morning, marking the start of the airline's new Shanghai-Sydney route. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) Stena Line has announced that Holyhead port will not be re-opening for ferry services until at least January 15. In a statement, Stena Line responds to the extended closure and has said that they are "working hard to provide alternative travel arrangements for customers during the busy festive period." Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary says that a hike in flight prices are not due to the closing of the port. Mr O'Leary said on Newstalk, "We have been warning for 6 months that there were going to be higher fares at Dublin this Christmas because there is less seats, that's what is driving it." Stena Line customers are currently being contacted and affected passengers are advised to amend their booking online free of charge, or through the contact centre on +353 1 907 5555. READ NEXT: ALERT: Odd warning over Christmas decorations that could slow down your internet Stena Line is offering sailings for passengers and freight from Dublin to ports in Birkenhead and Fishgaurd and a new freight route has been added from Dublin to Heysham to "assist the continuity of trade flows," according to the company. The company has also added additional sailings on the Belfast- Cairnryan route this weekend. Stena Line would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused and assure customers that they are doing everything in their power "to mitigate the effects of the closure on passenger and freight traffic." DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A French diplomatic and security delegation visited Damascus on Tuesday, sources told Xinhua, marking a significant step in thawing relations between Syria and France. For the first time since 2012, the French national flag was hoisted at the French embassy in the Muhajirin area of the Syrian capital, signaling a major diplomatic development, the sources said. The delegation met with officials of the Syrian transitional government, according to the sources. Their visit follows the heels of a British delegation's arrival the previous night. Neither the French Foreign Ministry nor the new Syrian authorities issued an immediate public statement on the visit. Observers say the back-to-back visits by major European nations suggest a growing willingness of the international community to engage with Syria in the wake of the end of the former government. BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani stressed Monday the importance of European nations playing a positive role in assisting Syrians to rebuild their governance system, said a statement from al-Sudani's media office. Al-Sudani made the remarks during a phone call with European Council President Antonio Costa, during which they discussed Iraq's relations with European Council member states and the ongoing developments in Syria. Al-Sudani affirmed the Iraqi government's commitment to maintaining strong relations with the European Council, consistent with Iraq's approach to fostering comprehensive partnerships with friendly nations based on cooperation and shared interests, the statement said. He also highlighted the necessity of exerting all possible efforts to halt the "aggression and crimes" occurring in Gaza and to ensure the stabilization of the ceasefire in Lebanon, it said. For his part, Costa reaffirmed Europe's commitment to Iraq's security and stability and expressed readiness for enhanced cooperation and coordination regarding the developments in Syria to promote regional security and stability, it added. Allen Jackson Ministries Receives Two Prestigious Awards from National Religious Broadcasters Association NEWS PROVIDED BY EPIC Dec. 17, 2024 NASHVILLE, Dec. 17, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- Allen Jackson Ministries is thrilled to announce the ministry was recently honored with two distinguished awards by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Association. The Best Original Podcast Award was given to Culture and Christianity: The Allen Jackson Podcast and the Radio Impact Award was awarded for the ministry's influential sermons broadcast across the nation. The Best Original Podcast Award recognizes excellence in the creation of an original podcast series that effectively serves its audience. Pastor Allens Culture and Christianity: The Allen Jackson Podcast, which explores the intersection of faith and modern life, has quickly gained recognition for providing insightful discussions on how Christians can navigate contemporary cultural issues while staying true to biblical teachings. The Radio Impact Award also acknowledges consistent and unique impact within the Christian radio industry. Allen Jackson Ministries has been broadcasting Pastor Allens sermons nationwide on the radio for years, providing biblical teaching and encouragement to millions of listeners across the country. The broadcasts remain a powerful tool for spiritual growth. This is a critical time to be reaching Gods people with hope and truth, and were grateful to be a part of what Hes doing in our generation, said Pastor Allen Jackson. "It's an honor to be selected for these particular awardsone for our podcast, a brand-new initiative, and another for our radio broadcasts, which have been a foundational part of our ministry for many years. As we continue to press forward into each new opportunity the Lord presents, were thankful for NRB and the encouragement of these awards." The annual NRB Awards program is designed to encourage excellence in production, service to the community, faithfulness to the mission and commitment to the Gospel. Awards will be presented during the 2025 NRB International Christian Media Convention, which will be held February 24-27, 2025 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. For more information about Allen Jackson Ministries and to listen to their broadcasts, visit www.allenjackson.com. About Allen Jackson Ministries: Allen Jackson Ministries helps people become more fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through television, radio, the internet, books, and more. Founded by Pastor Allen Jackson, senior pastor of World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the ministry seeks to provide a beacon of hope and truth in todays challenging world. Learn more at www.allenjackson.com. About NRB NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRBs mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org. SOURCE EPIC CONTACT: Christina Hanks, 615.487.8888, christina@epic.inc KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has greatly benefited the region through infrastructure projects and investments, a Malaysian official said on Tuesday. As Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of the ASEAN starting Jan. 1, 2025, Malaysia will work closely with China to build upon this success and advance the Malaysia-China relationship, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said in his keynote speech at the Malaysia-China Summit 2024. "We are committed to fostering a region where progress is equitable, and opportunities are shared. Our vision is for ASEAN to be a beacon of stability, innovation, and unity in an ever-changing world," he said. "China has been a steadfast partner in ASEAN's journey. From transformative infrastructure projects to cutting-edge investments, Chinese companies have contributed to the region's progress," he said, adding great potential for growth and cooperation in areas such as green technology and digital transformation. Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said that China is committed to helping realize Malaysia's aspirations of enhancing its economy by developing high-end manufacturing and adopting new-generation technologies. "China and Malaysia are both emerging markets and developing countries with similar development concepts and interests," he said. The two countries are steadily expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as digital science and technology, green low-carbon, and high-end manufacturing. A large number of Chinese enterprises have invested in Malaysia and the industrial supply chains of the two countries are closer. the ambassador said. The summit was organized by Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, a national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry. CANBERRA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Australia's wool production is forecast to fall to its lowest level in over 100 years in 2025. According to a new report from the industry body Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC), Australia is expected to produce 279.4 million kilograms of shorn raw wool in the current 2024-25 season. That figure would represent a 12 percent drop in production from 318 million kg in the 2023-24 season and the lowest level of raw wool production in Australia since 1920-21, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Tuesday. The AWPFC said the total number of sheep shorn is forecast to fall 11.7 percent to 63.2 million in 2024-25, down from a peak of around 180 million in the 1970s. Wool production is forecast to be lower in 2024-25 than in 2023-24 in all six Australian states. In four states production is expected to decline by more than 10 percent. Stephen Hill, chair of the AWPFC, said that commodity prices, input costs and other external factors have driven producers across the country to sell their sheep. "Together with variable seasonal conditions, these decisions are pointing towards structural change in the wool industry evident in declining numbers of sheep shorn and consequently shorn wool production," he said in a statement. The sheep slaughter rate between July and September 2024 was 28 percent higher than the same period in 2023 and 66 percent higher than the five-year average for the period. According to the Rural Bank, the value of Australia's wool exports fell by 12 percent in 2023-24 to 2.8 billion Australian dollars (1.7 billion U.S. dollars). Exports to China accounted for 84.6 percent of the total value of wool exports. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of a symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2024 in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China's diplomacy in 2024 had created a sound external environment for China's high-quality development and injected valuable stability into a volatile world. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, shared five highlights of China's diplomacy over the past year when addressing a symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2024. He said first, China's head-of-state diplomacy had written a magnificent new chapter and led the trend of the times for peace, development and win-win cooperation. Second, new breakthroughs have been made in building a community with a shared future for humanity and promoting global solidarity. Third, Chinese modernization provides new opportunities for the world and promotes the development trend of modernization in other countries. Fourth, it has set a new example in cooperation with other developing countries and built on the trend of unity in the Global South. Fifth, new progress has been made in deepening the comprehensive diplomatic agenda and strengthening the trend of building a new type of international relations. China to continue promoting world peace, human progress in 2025: top diplomat SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's ruling People Power Party floor leader said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the acting president, can not appoint new justices of the constitutional court, where three justices are vacant, multiple media outlets reported. Southwest Airlines remains committed to offering a seamless travel experience for pet owners with updated guidelines under its comprehensive Southwest Pet Policy. These updated requirements ensure passengers can fly safely and comfortably with their furry friends while adhering to the airlines rules and regulations. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - December 17th, 2024 - Southwest Airlines remains committed to providing a seamless travel experience for all passengers, including those traveling with their beloved pets. With clear pet travel policies, affordable fees, and specific size requirements, Southwest ensures stress-free journeys for both pets and their owners. Southwest Airlines Pet Travel Requirements Southwest Airlines welcomes small dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic flights. To ensure a smooth process, travelers should adhere to the following pet requirements: Pets Allowed : Small domestic dogs and cats. Carrier Size Limits : Pet carriers must fit under the seat and not exceed 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 . Health Considerations : Pets must be in good health, well-behaved, and able to remain in the carrier for the duration of the flight. Age Requirement: Pets must be at least 8 weeks old to travel. Southwest Airlines Pet Policy Fees Traveling with pets on Southwest Airlines is both convenient and affordable. Passengers are required to pay a non-refundable pet fee of $125 one-way per pet carrier. It is important to note that only one pet carrier per passenger is allowed. How to Fly a Dog on Southwest Airlines Flying a dog with Southwest Airlines is simple. Passengers must: Reserve Early: Southwest Airlines allows a limited number of pet carriers per flight, so booking early is essential. Prepare the Carrier: Ensure the pet carrier complies with Southwests size limits. Check-In: Pets must be checked in at the ticket counter before proceeding to security. Stay Comfortable: Keep pets secure in their carriers throughout the flight. Southwest Pet Travel Rules and Regulations To maintain passenger safety and comfort, Southwest Airlines has established the following pet travel rules: Pets are not allowed in the cargo hold. Pets must remain inside their carriers at all times while onboard. Passengers traveling with pets cannot sit in exit row seats. Why Choose Southwest for Pet Travel? Southwest Airlines prioritizes passenger satisfaction and pet-friendly services. With affordable fees, clear regulations, and a focus on pet comfort, Southwest stands out as a top choice for pet owners seeking reliable and hassle-free air travel. ### U Kyaw Htay, director of the Information and Public Relations Department of Myanmar's Ministry of Information, speaks at the launching event of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report of China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- An event to launch the first ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report of the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project was held here on Tuesday. During the event, U Kyaw Htay, director of the Information and Public Relations Department of Myanmar's Ministry of Information, spoke highly of the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project and praised the project's positive contribution to Myanmar's social development. He pointed out that the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project is not only an important infrastructure construction project, but also a model project for corporate social responsibility, demonstrating the deep "Paukphaw" (fraternal) friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Myanmar. Li Haiping, vice president of Southeast Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Co., Ltd. and Southeast Asia Gas Pipeline Co., Ltd., said that the China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project is committed to promoting prosperity and development in the areas along the route and bringing tangible benefits to local people. The ESG report reviews the social responsibilities and achievements of Southeast Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Co., Ltd. and Southeast Asia Gas Pipeline Co., Ltd. in Myanmar since the start of the project from five aspects: lawful management, value creation, green development, employee welfare, and social responsibility. Li Haiping, vice president of Southeast Asia Crude Oil Pipeline Co., Ltd. and Southeast Asia Gas Pipeline Co., Ltd., speaks at the launching event of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) report of China-Myanmar Oil and Gas Pipeline Project in Yangon, Myanmar, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Image showing Kejriwal, Elon Musk together in Delhi is fake A viral image on different social media platforms showing Elon Musk meeting former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi is not real, but AI generated, fact check analysis has revealed Thursday December 19, 2024 3:46 PM , Fact Check by Logically Facts [Social media users shared an AI-generated image of Elon Musk and Arvind Kejriwal, falsely claiming Musk visited India. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)] A viral image on different social media platforms showing Elon Musk meeting former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP founder Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi is not real, but AI generated, fact check analysis has revealed. Claim about the viral image An image of Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor, standing next to Tesla CEO Elon Musk while holding a bouquet has been circulating online, claiming that Musk visited India to meet Kejriwal. A Facebook user shared the image with the caption: BREAKING - Elon lands in India early this morning to meet @ArvindKejriwal. Discussions are set on Delhis transformative education and healthcare reforms, with plans to adapt these policies in the US and discuss them with Trump. Kejriwal personally welcomes him at the airport. Follow for more such BREAKING updates (sic). The same image has also been shared on other social media platforms. [Screenshot of the viral image with claims shared online by users. (Source: Facebook/X/Modified by Logically Facts)] The image has been widely shared ahead of the Delhi Legislative Assembly elections, set for February 2025. Kejriwal is the AAP's chief ministerial candidate contesting from New Delhi. However, a fact check analysis by Logically Facts revealed that the image has been generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Fact Check Anaysis A closer look at the viral image revealed a watermark labeled RisingPiku at the bottom. A search on X led to the users account under the same name. The account posted the image on December 13, 2024. BREAKING - Elon lands in India early this morning to meet @ArvindKejriwal Kejriwal..Discussions are set on Delhis transformative education and healthcare reforms, with plans to adapt these policies in the US and discuss them with Trump. Kejriwal personally welcomes him at the pic.twitter.com/NAkuYt1G9s Piku (@RisingPiku) December 13, 2024 In the comment section, the user confirmed the image was AI-generated. The accounts bio states: AI Enthusiast, The first person to use AI in Political Campaigns", and Post AI-Generated Images". The image also shows clear signs of being AI-generated. Musks hand appears distorted, and the background features people with no distinguishing features, a common flaw in AI-generated imagery. For further confirmation, Logically Facts ran the image through AI detection tools. Hive Moderation flagged the image as 97.4 percent likely to be AI-generated, and TrueMedia.org found 96-97 percent evidence that it was AI-generated. [AI detection results by Hive Moderation and TrueMedia. (Source: TrueMedia/Hive Moderation/Screenshot)] Further investigation into the X accounts of both Kejriwal and Musk showed no evidence of the two meeting in India. Neither the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nor any credible media outlets have reported on Musks visit to India to meet Kejriwal. The Verdict The viral image of Tesla CEO Elon Musk with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been generated using artificial intelligence. [This story was originally published by LogicallyFacts , and republished by ummid.com as part of the Shakti Collective.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home One Nation One Election Bill referred to JPC Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Tuesday introduced The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, also referred as the One Nation, One Election Bill, requesting the Speaker to refer it to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Tuesday December 17, 2024 9:36 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Tuesday introduced The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, also referred as the One Nation, One Election Bill, requesting the Speaker to refer it to Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The Law Minister requested the Speaker to refer the One Nation One Election Bill amidst a strong protest by the Congress, Samajwadi Party and other opposition party. The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will now form the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to further study the Bill. The One Nation, One Election or ONOE Bill also known as Simultaneous Elections Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. The government had announced the formation of a high-level panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to study the proposal of One Nation, One Election on September 01, 2023 . The ONOE Panel submitted its report to the Union Cabinet on September 18, 2024. The Panel in its 322-page report, advocated for simultaneous elections or one nation one elections. 'Withdraw the Bill' The government asked the Speaker to refer the Bill to the Parliamentary Panel even as the Congress demanded its "withdrawal". Opposing the introduction of the Bill, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the proposal is "beyond this House's legislative competence" and demanded it must be "withdrawn immediately". "Beyond the 7th Schedule of the Constitution lies the basic structure doctrine, which outlines certain features of the Indian Constitution that even the amending powers of this House cannot alter", he said as the Bill was moved in the Lok Sabha. "One of these essential features is federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the Bills moved by the Union Law Minister constitute a direct assault on the basic structure of the Constitution", he added. While opposing the Bill, Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi called it a violation of the right to self-governance and parliamentary democracy. The principle of federalism means that states are not mere appendages of the centre, he said. Owaisi argued that Parliament lacked the competence to enact such a law and claimed, This bill has been brought in only to massage the ego of the supreme leader. "Impractical" While opposing the One Nation One Election Bill, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said the proposal is impractical as the government can't hold simultaneous elections in four states and talks about nationwide polls. "How can they (government) conduct 'One Nation, One Election'? Elections happened in Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand in the span of 2-3 months, and they could not conduct those elections together. How will they conduct simultaneous polls?" Union Minister Giriraj Singh however supported the Bill saying, "The entire parliament and opposition should come together on the Bill. This is not a new bill. Until 1966, the idea of One Nation, One Election was being followed." 'High Drama in Lok Sabha' There was a high drama in the Lok Sabha before the Bill was referred to yet to be formed JPC. The Speaker called for oral vote, but the opposition insisted on division. Following the opposition demand, the Speaker called for voting using EVM. The result was 220 in favour and 149 against. The opposition members however raised doubts and demanded voting using papers. When the voting was done using paper ballots, and the result was 269 in favour and 198 against. Consequently, the Bill was sent to JPC for review. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Trump praises mighty Turkiye for Syria takeover U.S. President Elect Donald Trump praised, what he called, smart Tayyip Erdogan and mighty Turkiye for Syria takeover Tuesday December 17, 2024 7:28 PM , ummid.com News Network [Donald Trump and Erdogan in a file image.] Florida: U.S. President Elect Donald Trump praised, what he called, smart Tayyip Erdogan and mighty Turkiye for Syria takeover. In his first reaction after Syria fell to the opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Commander in-chief Abu Muhammad al Julani , aka Ahmed al Sharaa, Trump however rcalled the overthrow of Bashar al Assad and his government an unfriendly takeover by Ankara. [Turkiye] wanted [Syria] for thousands of years, and he got it Turkiye did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost, Trump said. The Ottoman Empire of Turkiye ruled Syria from 1516 to 1918 before its disintegration after World War I. He said that he considers Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a smart and very tough guy for succeeding in the overthrow of the Syrian leadership. Trump also praised Erdogan for building what he described as Turkiyes major military force which has not been worn out with war. "I mean, he's built a very strong, powerful army," Trump said. Trump went on to say that "those people who went in and got it" - referring to the opposition offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - are controlled by Turkey. "And that's okay, that's another way to fight," he added. Assad, a butcher: Trump Addressing a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump also called Assad a "butcher" because of what he did to children, adding that he didn't know what the outcome of Assad's collapse would be. He however said that Turkiye will play a significant role in Syrias future. Nobody knows what the final outcome is going to be in the region. Nobody knows who will rule in the final... Right now, Syria has a lot of indefinites, but I think Turkiye is going to hold the key to Syria, he said Monday in his first press briefing since the November 2024 election victory. Trump was commenting on the HTS led opposition takeover in Syria on December 08, 2024 which ended more than 50-year brutal rule of al Assad family. A day after taking control of Syrian capital Damascus, the HTS led opposition formed an interim government headed by Muhammad al Bashir as Prime Minister. In a related development, UN Special Envoy to Syria travelled to Damascus and held meeting with Abu Muhammad al Golani, aka Ahmed al Sharaa. The meeting is seen a very important move towards international recognition of the opposition led rule in Syria. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Fitch Ratings has affirmed Malaysia's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at "BBB+" with a stable outlook. The rating agency said in a statement on Monday that Malaysia's ratings are supported by strong and broad-based medium-term growth, driven by robust domestic and foreign investments, and persistent current account surpluses with a diversified export base. It noted these strengths are balanced against high public debt, a low revenue base relative to current expenditure, and weaker external liquidity relative to peers. Fitch also expected Malaysia's economy to expand by 5.2 percent in 2024, then slow to 4.5 percent in 2025 and 4.3 percent in 2026. Steady labor market conditions and an income boost from pay hikes for civil servants in December 2024 and January 2026 should support household spending, with growth further underpinned by investments from government-linked companies and foreign investment related to supply-chain diversification, it said. "However, while Malaysia's export performance has benefited from the global tech upcycle in 2024, we expect momentum to slow in 2025 due to weaker external demand. Growth prospects also face downside risks from an escalation in geopolitical tensions," it added. Fitch expected 2025 Malaysian federal government revenue/gross domestic product (GDP) to remain steady from its 2024 estimate of 16.5 percent. Fitch also forecasted the federal government deficit to decline to 3.5 percent of GDP in 2026, driven by continued subsidy rationalization and modest tax increases. "The government aims to reduce the deficit to below 3 percent in the medium term. We view this as a credible, gradual fiscal consolidation path," it noted. It also projected general government debt/GDP will decrease to 75 percent by 2026, from 77 percent in 2023, but this will still be above its median "BBB" category sovereign forecast of 59 percent. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Four Pakistani nationals were killed in Saturday's boat capsizing incidents off the island of Crete in southern Greece, Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has confirmed in a statement. "We announce with deep sorrow that, as per the latest information shared by the Greek authorities, four Pakistani nationals have been identified among the dead in Saturday's incidents of capsized boats in the south of Crete Island of Greece," Baloch said on Monday. Pakistan's mission in Athens is in constant contact with Greek authorities to assist survivors and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased, she added. Earlier, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the rescue of 47 Pakistani nationals from the site of the capsized boats off the coast of Greece. The ministry also stated that while the search operation is ongoing, there may be additional casualties. Greece has been a key entry point for irregular migrants and refugees attempting to enter the European Union since 2015. More than 1 million arrivals have been recorded since then, but the perilous journey has claimed hundreds of lives at sea. While college students are more than allowed to use AI, higher education institutions are setting ethical standards. Initially, many universities banned AI from usage due to its resemblance to some kind of plagiarism. As the benefits of AI at work can no longer be ignored, however, schools are reconsidering their stances, leaving students puzzled. Michigan Advance reported that Rebeca Damico, who studies public relations at the University of Utah, remembers fearing getting caught for violating strict rules in 2022 when ChatGPT launched. The problem is while professors are increasingly advising students against using AI, employers are seeking graduates who know how to use AI at work. For experts, the job market is transforming at breakneck speed, all anchored on AI. College Students Conflicted on AI Use According to research from the World Economic Forum, over 70% of workers are already using AI in their jobs, and hiring managers place the same value on AI skills as on work experience. This fact has led some states, like California, to introduce AI-focused programs in public colleges. The university approach ranges widely: at Stanford University, students can use it provided that proper disclosure is maintained, but others banish it. Often, there's inconsistency from professor to professor. Meanwhile, forward-thinking educators such as Virginia Byrne from Morgan State University encourage students to evaluate AI's strengths and weaknesses in order to build trust and ethical practices around it. This hands-on approach will give the students an understanding of how AI can be useful, while also recognizing its limitations. For students, learning AI feels essential for career readiness, the University Herald shared. But there is so much confusion that those who leave campus may find that schools just don't know how to take responsibility for teaching the proper use of AI, and how to honor academic integrity. However, more students still hesitate to rely on it completely, fearing academic penalties. Others worry about how AI may create unrealistic expectations in the workplace, where speed and efficiency are valued more than ever. AI's role in education and careers is undeniable, but its integration remains a work in progress. As colleges and students navigate this new territory, they must find ways to balance ethical concerns, academic standards, and career opportunities. Azad Jammu and Kashmir(AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that Raees Ul Ahrar Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas was a strong proponent and defender of the two-nation theory and ideology of Pakistan in Kashmir MIRPUR ( AJK) :, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point news - 17th Dec, 2024) Azad Jammu and Kashmir(AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq has said that Raees Ul Ahrar Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas was a strong proponent and defender of the two-nation theory and ideology of Pakistan in Kashmir. In his message issued on Tuesday on the eve of Rais-ul-Ahrars death anniversary, that to be being observed on Wednesday- December 18, the AJK premier said that the departed leader was a staunch Pakistani who had devoted his entire life to the freedom of AJK. "Raees ul Ahrar was a strong advocate of accession to Pakistan and a guardian of the rights of Kashmiri Muslims", the PM said adding that the deceased leader was counted among the trusted companions of Quaid-e-Azam. Terming Rais-ul-Ahrar as a man of honesty and integrity, the PM said that Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas guided the Muslims of Kashmir in the right direction. Paying tribute to the late Kashmiri leader, for his indomitable role in the freedom struggle, the PM said, he would be remembered always for his selfless services and sacrifices for the noble cause of freedom. He said that Quaid Millat fought against the ideology of Congress and Sheikh Abdullah with great wisdom and courage. The PM said that Ghulam Abbas also played an active role in the settlement of Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan. The prime minister Haq said that the day was not far away when the deceased leader's dream of a free Kashmir and his mission of Takmeel e Pakistan would be accomplished. APP/ahr/378 BRASILIA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 17th Dec, 2024) The World Governments Summit (WGS) Organisation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Latin American Centre for Public Administration and Development (CLAD) to promote cooperation and participation of Latin America and the Caribbean in the WGS events. The MoU also focuses on sharing experiences and best practices to support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). The agreement was concluded during the 29th International State and Public Administration Reform Conference, organised by CLAD in Brasilia. This partnership adds to the World Governments Summit's focus on governments and organisations across Latin America. The MoU was signed by Esther Dweck, Brazil's Minister of State for Management and Innovation in Public Services and President of the board of Directors of CLAD; Mohamed Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the WGS Organisation; and Conrado Ramos, Secretary-General of CLAD. During the visit, the WGS delegation also met Mauro Vieira, Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Saleh Ahmad Salem Alzaraim Alsuwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Brazil. They further held a series of meetings to highlight the pivotal role of the WGS in shaping the future. Al Sharhan stated that the World Governments Summit is committed to promoting international partnerships and expanding collaboration with governments and organisations worldwide. He emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange and exploring innovative ideas and practices to advance the SDGs and shape a better future. "The UAE's delegation participation in the conference reflects the robust and growing ties with Latin America, spanning a wide range of sectors," he added. "The WGS is focused on expanding global partnerships, particularly in Latin America, aligning with our mission to towards shaping the future by bringing together countries, international organisations, experts, and CEOs. These efforts aim at fostering innovation and enable governments to address global challenges together, ultimately driving positive change," Al Sharhan noted. During the visit, the World Governments Summit delegation held meetings with government officials and business leaders from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, focusing on promoting cooperation with the Global South and Latin American countries. The discussions explored the region's vast potential in key sectors such as trade, technology, and climate innovation. The delegation presented an overview of the WGS to members of the Mexican Senate, in the presence of Gerardo Fernandez Norona, President of the Mexican Senate and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Maria Teresa Mercado Perez. In Colombia, the delegation met with Efrain Cepeda Sarabia, President of the Colombian Senate; Saul Cruz Bonilla, Secretary-General of the Senate; and Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace prize laureate. The visit encompassed a keynote address on the future of governments and the importance of government development at the CLAD Ministerial Board meeting held in Brasilia, which included Ministers of Public Service and Government Development in Latin America. In Colombia, Al Sharhan held a working lunch with the RENATA network members hosted by the Executive Director of RENATA, Said Navi Lamk Beltran, and concluded the visit with an interview with "El Congreso Magazine," Colombia's leading publication on public policy, to highlight the growing role of the WGS in fostering innovation and enhancing international partnerships. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Tuesday arrested 16 terrorists in intelligence-based operations. According to the CTD spokesperson, in view of the concerns of terrorism, CTD conducted 118 intelligence-based operations in different cities of Punjab, during which 16 terrorists were arrested. The operations were carried out in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Mandi Bahauddin, Mianwali, Toba Tek Singh, Rahim Yar Khan, Chiniot and Vehari. The spokesperson said that a dangerous terrorist of Fitna-Al-Khawrij, Omar, was arrested from Lahore along with arms and explosives. The terrorist belongs to North Waziristan. He said that explosives, an IED bomb, 3 detonators, 12 feet of safety fuse wire, pamphlets and cash were recovered from the terrorists. The terrorists were identified as Tufail, Siddique, Shabbir-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ibrahim, Abdul Rashid, Omar, Saddam Hussain, Waqar Murtaza and Adnan etc. According to the officials, the terrorists wanted to spread fear and panic among the public by carrying out operations at various locations. During 4,480 combing operations this week, 431 suspects were arrested. The CTD is pursuing the goal of a safe Punjab and is determined to uprooting the scourge of terrorism, it added. Benazir Income Support Programme, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz Pakistan Tuesday signed an agreement to facilitate easy and transparent funds payments to the BISP beneficiaries ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Benazir Income Support Programme, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz Pakistan Tuesday signed an agreement to facilitate easy and transparent funds payments to the BISP beneficiaries. This initiative marks a revolutionary development as a result of the significant meetings held by Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid and Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad with representatives of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Karandaaz Pakistan during their recent visit to London. Under this agreement, Karandaaz Pakistan will facilitate easy and transparent payment of funds to BISP beneficiaries in targeted districts of the country through the RAAST payment system. Furthermore, Karandaaz will support a nationwide Digital and Financial Literacy Training program, with its trial phase formally beginning on June 30, 2025. The agreement was signed by BISP DG (Cash Transfers), Naveed Akbar, and Karandaaz Chief Digital Officer, Sharjeel Murtaza. The signing ceremony took place today at the BISP Headquarters and was presided over by BISP Chairperson, Senator Rubina Khalid. The event was attended by Secretary BISP, Amer Ali Ahmad, Additional Secretary Dr. Tahir Noor, and Director Generals from various departments. Waqas Ul Hassan, CEO Karandaaz Pakistan, Syed Ali Mahmood, Country Lead for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sharjeel Murtaza, Chief Digital Officer Karandaaz and Saima Malik, Gender Lead Karandaaz were present on the occasion. Speaking at the ceremony, Senator Rubina Khalid highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that BISP remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of beneficiaries and is continually working to simplify and enhance the efficiency and transparency of its funds transfer mechanism. She described the agreement as a revolutionary step that ensures the full and transparent payment of assistance funds while maintaining the dignity and self-respect of deserving women. She further emphasized that BISP's mission is to facilitate payments with complete transparency while upholding the self-respect and catering the needs of BISP beneficiaries. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Headquarters/Security Muhammad Javad Tariq on Tuesday visited Kulsum International Hospital, where he met SP Security Operations Hakeem Khan, who is undergoing treatment. According to the police spokesperson,DIG Headquarters inquired about SP Security Operations health and treatment and wished him a speedy recovery. He said during the visit, DIG Headquarters emphasized that all police officers are valuable assets of the department and we are like a family. No police officer should ever feel alone during difficult times. /APP-rzr-mkz BAHAWALPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) The district police on Tuesday arrested a notorious drug smuggler and recovered huge cache of hashish from his possession. A police spokesperson said that acting on a tip-off,a team headed by Station House Officer(SHO),Malik Ghulam Abbas including Assistant Sub-Inspector(ASI),Amir Hussain Shah,Assistant Sub-Inspector,Maqsood Ahmad and others conducted raids and arrested a drug smuggler identified as Waqas,recovering 19 kilograms hashish from the possession. The accused used to smuggle narcotics from Rawalpindi to South Punjab. Police have registered case against the accused under Anti-Narcotics Act and launched investigation into the case. Further investigation was underway. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A 42-year-old Bruneian man has been fined 10,000 Brunei dollars (7,400 U.S. dollars) for possessing contraband cigarettes, local media reported on Tuesday. According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, law enforcement officers seized 11 cartons and 15 packets of cigarettes of various brands during a recent operation. The defendant will face 10 months in jail if he fails to pay the fine. Possession of prohibited goods in Brunei is subject to severe penalties. Brunei is a Southeast Asian country that strictly regulates tobacco and alcohol products. Under Brunei law, possession of prohibited items carries significant consequences. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi has issued 84 visas to a group of Indian Pilgrims for their visit to the sacred Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab scheduled to take place from 19-25 December 2024 ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi has issued 84 visas to a group of Indian Pilgrims for their visit to the sacred Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab scheduled to take place from 19-25 December 2024. Expressing his views on the occasion, Charge d Affaires, Mr. Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a spiritually rewarding yatra and a fulfilling journey, according to a press issued on Tuesday. Under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, each year thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals/occasions. The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with the policy of Government of Pakistan to facilitate visits to religious shrines and promoting interfaith harmony, the press release added. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Federal Minister for interior Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabias Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif held a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Interiors headquarters in Riyadh to discuss mutual security interests and cooperation. During the meeting, both leaders emphasized strengthening bilateral collaboration, particularly in combating drug smuggling and addressing other shared security concerns. Prince Abdulaziz warmly welcomed Mohsin Naqvi and his delegation, expressing Saudi Arabias continued commitment to supporting Pakistan. Mohsin Naqvi, in return, highlighted the deep religious and fraternal ties between the two nations, stating, Saudi Arabia has always stood by Pakistan during challenging times, and we deeply value this enduring partnership. The Pakistani delegation included Ambassador Ahmed Farooq, Director General of Passports and Immigration Mustafa Jamal Qazi, and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Riffat Mukhtar Raja. Senior Saudi officials, including Deputy Interior Minister Nasser Al-Dawood and Director of Public Security Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Bassami, were also present. The leaders reiterated their resolve to enhance cooperation on counter-narcotics measures and other areas of mutual interest, further solidifying the historic and strategic partnership between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. (@Abdulla99267510) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will also attend 21st Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers tomorrow ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Dec 17th, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to Egypt from Wednesday to Friday to participate in the Eleventh Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries being held in Cairo. According to Foreign Office, preceding the Summit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the 21st Session of the D-8 Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The theme of the 11th D-8 Summit is Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrows Economy. The Prime Minister will express Pakistans strong commitment to the ideals of D-8, underscore the importance of fostering partnerships for mutual benefit and prosperity, and promoting cooperation in agriculture, food security and tourism. The Prime Minister will underline Pakistans incentives for youth empowerment and financial development. Shehbaz Sharif will also attend the Special Session of D8 on the Humanitarian Crisis and Reconstruction Challenges in Gaza and Lebanon to deliberate on the situation resulting from Israeli aggression in the middle East. He will underline Pakistans principled position on the situation in Palestine and call for peace in the Middle East. On the sidelines of the Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral meetings with participating leaders. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) The Sahiwal Power Plant equipped with 2660 megawatts (MWs) supercritical coal-fired steam generators operating at around 570C, has capacity to generate over 9 billion kWh electricity per annum. The supercritical technology, operates at higher temperatures and pressures compared to conventional coal-fired plants, increases efficiency, resulting in reduced coal consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of electricity generated, said a press release. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art environmental protection equipment, including Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems to minimize sulfur dioxide emissions, Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP) to capture fine particulate matter and Low-NOx Burners to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The plant has also implemented measures to minimize dust and particulate pollution during coal handling and storage. The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant has significantly contributed to Pakistan's economy and created numerous employment opportunities. This project has not only helped address the country's energy shortages but has also opened doors to economic growth in various sectors (@ChaudhryMAli88) German police said Tuesday that they were investigating a suspected poisoning attempt on a Russian-German woman, identified by news magazine Der Spiegel as a close relative of the Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) German police said Tuesday that they were investigating a suspected poisoning attempt on a Russian-German woman, identified by news magazine Der Spiegel as a close relative of the Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza. "We are currently investigating on suspicion of attempted murder," Berlin police said on X, and a police spokeswoman told AFP that the hospitalised woman is a German-Russian dual citizen who "suspects that she has been poisoned". The woman's blood, clothing and apartment were being checked as part of the inquiry, the spokeswoman said. But she cautioned that "we cannot say yet whether the woman was indeed poisoned or whether a nerve agent was used". According to Der Spiegel, the woman is related to Kara-Murza, who himself survived two poisoning attempts. He was freed from jail in Russia this summer as part of a prisoner swap with the West. The Berlin police said in their statement that the woman was being treated at the city's Charite hospital. "The police are taking all necessary measures to ensure public security and to investigate potential suspects," the statement said. Ottawa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland quit Monday in a surprise move after disagreeing with Justin Trudeau over US President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats. The resignation of Freeland, 56, who also stepped down as finance minister, marked the first open dissent against Prime Minister Trudeau from within his cabinet, and may threaten his hold on power. Liberal leader Trudeau lags 20 points in polls behind his main rival, Conservative Pierre Poilievre, who has tried three times since September to topple the government and force a snap election. "It's not been an easy day," Trudeau commented at a fundraiser Monday evening. But in difficult times, he added, "we must all pull together." Freeland's departure came just hours before she was scheduled to provide an update on the nation's finances. She said in her resignation letter to Trudeau the country "faces a grave challenge," pointing to Trump's planned 25-percent tariffs on imports from Canada. "For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada." First elected to parliament in 2013, the former journalist joined Trudeau's cabinet two years later when the Liberals swept to power, holding key posts including trade and foreign minister, and leading free trade negotiations with the European Union and the United States. Most recently, Freeland had been tasked with helping lead Canada's response to the incoming Trump administration. As the first woman to hold the nation's purse strings, she had also been tipped as a possible successor to Trudeau. - LeBlanc takes over - By day's end Dominic LeBlanc, the public safety minister, was sworn in as the new finance minister, just as the government announced a Can$62 billion (US$43.5 billion) deficit -- about Can$22 billion more than projected -- due to "unexpected expenses." LeBlanc now takes the reins on negotiating with team Trump, and has promised to be "focused on the challenges" ahead. Canada's main trading partner is the United States, with 75 percent of its exports each year going to its southern neighbor. Trudeau flew to Florida last month to dine with Trump at the latter's Mar-a-Lago resort and try to head off the tariff threat, but nothing yet indicates the US president-elect is changing his position. In her letter, Freeland said the country needed to take Trump's tariffs threats "extremely seriously." Warning that it could lead to a "tariff war" with the United States, she said Ottawa must keep its "fiscal powder dry." "That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford," she said, in an apparent rebuke of a recent sales tax holiday that critics said was too costly. - 'Crisis of confidence' - Dalhousie University professor Lori Turnbull called Freeland's exit "a total disaster." "It really shows that there is a crisis of confidence in Trudeau," she said. "And makes it much harder for Trudeau to continue as prime minister." Until now, the cabinet has rallied around the prime minister as he faced pockets of dissent from backbench MPs, noted Genevieve Tellier, a professor at the University of Ottawa. But the Freeland quitting, she said, shows his team is not as united behind him as some thought. One by one, ministers trickled out of a cabinet meeting past a gauntlet of reporters shouting questions. Some shouted back that they had "confidence in the prime minister," but most, looking solemn, said nothing. "We simply cannot go on like this," Poilievre said. "The government is spiraling out of control... at the very worst time." In another blow to Trudeau, Housing Minister Sean Fraser also resigned Monday. He described Freeland as "professional and supportive." One of her closest friends and allies in cabinet, Anita Anand, told reporters: "This news has hit me really hard." Freeland said she would run for reelection in the next parliamentary polls. A vote is expected by October 2025. Trudeau has indicated he plans to lead the Liberals into the next election. Some media suggested he might step down in the wake of Freeland's bombshell exit, but his office flatly rejected the reports as "absolutely not accurate." (@ChaudhryMAli88) NEW YORK, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Dec, 2024) The Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, in collaboration with the Pakistan Christian Association USA, hosted Christmas celebrations to honour the Pakistani-American Christian community here, and promote interfaith harmony. Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai extended X'mas greetings to the Christian community and reiterated Pakistans commitment to fostering interfaith harmony. He emphasized that Pakistan takes immense pride in its diverse religious and cultural heritage and that the Christian community has been a cornerstone of Pakistans development, making invaluable contributions in various sectors. The Chairman of Pakistan Christian Association USA, William Shahzad, and Secretary General, James Cyprian appreciated the Consulates collaboration and acknowledged the efforts to celebrate the shared values of peace and unity. Former Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Akram Masih Gill. who was also present at the occasion, lauded the Consulates initiatives to engage with the Christian community and promote inclusivity. Rome, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday her country was ready to engage with Syria's new leadership but urged "maximum caution", particularly over their treatment of Christians. She said the rebels who seized power from Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive would be judged on their attitude towards minorities. "Italy... is ready to engage with the new Syrian leadership, obviously in the context of assessments and actions shared with European and international partners," Meloni told parliament. "The first signs seem encouraging but maximum caution is needed. Words must be followed by actions and we will judge the new Syrian authorities on their actions. "The decisive element will be the attitude towards ethnic and religious minorities. Rome holds the rotating presidency of the G7 this year. (@FahadShabbir) Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) A teenage student opened fire Monday at a school in the northern US state of Wisconsin, killing two and wounding several others before being found dead, officials said. Shon Barnes, police chief in the state capital Madison, told a news conference that a teacher and a teenage student died at the Abundant Life Christian School, a private religious school for children aged five to 18. He declined to share the gender or exact age of the suspect, who attended the school of around 400 pupils, saying "as difficult as today is, that's still someone's child that's gone." US media reported that the alleged shooter was a 17-year-old girl, citing anonymous law enforcement officials. Two students were being treated for life-threatening injuries, while three others and a teacher were taken to hospital in non-critical condition. A handgun was recovered at the scene, Barnes said, adding that the suspect's family was cooperating with the police investigation. One witness interviewed by local media said they had heard two gunshots during the attack. "We heard them and then some people started crying and then we just waited until the police came and then they escorted us out to the church," said the child, who was not identified. Monday's violence is the latest in a long line of school shootings in the United States, where guns outnumber people and attempts to restrict access to firearms face perennial political deadlock. Underlining the commonplace nature of mass shootings, the police chief said some medical personnel responding to Abundant Life came directly from training for such an event. "I think we can all agree that enough is enough," Barnes told reporters. "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. " US President Joe Biden condemned the shooting as "shocking and unconscionable" and said the tragedy underscored yet again the need for tighter gun laws. "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 in a statement. "We need Congress to act. Now." Police were alerted to the shooting by someone at the school shortly before 11:00 am local time (1700 GMT). "When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds" and also "located a juvenile who they believe was responsible for this, deceased in the building," Barnes said. "We believe the shooter was a student at the school," he added, saying police officers "never fired their weapons." The shooting happened in the final week of classes before students head to Christmas holidays, said Barbara Wiers, the school's director of elementary and school relations. "This has obviously rocked our school community," she told a media briefing, saying it was not yet decided if students would return before the year-end break. This year, there have been at least 487 mass shootings -- defined as a shooting involving at least four victims, dead or wounded -- across the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. At least 16,012 people have been killed in firearms violence in the United States this year, not including suicides, GVA reported Monday. In September a 14-year-old boy killed four people, including two students, at a high school in the state of Georgia, before being taken into custody. Nineteen students and two teachers were shot dead in May 2022 when an 18-year-old gunman stormed their Uvalde, Texas elementary school and opened fire. (@FahadShabbir) Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Dec, 2024) Mexican drug kingpin Osiel Cardenas Guillen, former leader of the notorious Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas criminal gang, was deported from the United States to Mexico Monday after serving years in prison, officials said. Cardenas Guillen was captured in 2003 and extradited four years later to the United States, where he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion. He was released from prison in August and immediately transferred into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On Monday, the 57-year-old was escorted by officers through California's San Diego port of entry "where he was handed over to Mexican law enforcement without incident," ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office said in a statement. "By returning this dangerous individual to Mexico, where he faces serious charges, we have taken a significant step in safeguarding our communities and upholding the rule of law," the field office's director Samuel Olson said in the statement. Cardenas Guillen was taken to the Altiplano maximum security prison outside Mexico City, a Federal source close to the case said. He has several charges pending in Mexico. The Gulf Cartel was formerly one of Mexico's most fearsome criminal groups, but has lost influence in recent years and split into multiple factions. As cartel leader, Cardenas Guillen oversaw a drug trafficking empire responsible for exporting thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Nicknamed "El Mata Amigos" (Friend Killer), he recruited former Mexican special forces soldiers to form his personal guard, which ended up operating on its own under the name of Los Zetas, one of the country's most bloodthirsty gangs until its collapse. After his arrest in the northeast border state of Tamaulipas, he was extradited in 2007 to the United States, where he was sentenced in 2010 to 25 years in prison and ordered to pay $50 million. After his capture, the Zetas began operating more independently until they finally broke with the Gulf Cartel in 2010, unleashing a war for control of its drug trafficking routes in eastern and northeastern Mexico. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- With China's approval, the Philippines resupplied an illegally grounded military ship with essential provisions at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea via a civilian vessel last Thursday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced Tuesday. The CCG conducted verification and maintained oversight throughout the process, said Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, in a statement. UW Ph.D. student Rebekah Rafferty, of Solvang, Calif., has been selected as a Muley Fanatic Fellow. She is the current project leader of the long-running Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, which started in 2013. (James Hobbs Photo) A University of Wyoming Ph.D. student has been selected as the second-ever Muley Fanatic Fellow. Rebekah Rafferty, of Solvang, Calif., is the current project leader of the long-running Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, which started in 2013. The Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF) established the Muley Fanatic Foundation Excellence Fund through UWs Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources in 2021 to support research at UW focusing on mule deer and their conservation. Originally a modern literature student, Rafferty added an environmental studies degree as an undergraduate that opened the pathway for her to study ecology and social science. Rafferty earned her masters degree, during which she learned to track and interpret wildlife signs and discovered her passion for studying animals. Now a Ph.D. student under the direction of Kevin Monteith, a UW professor and Wyoming Excellence Chair, Raffertys work does exactly that: looking at the historic Wyoming Range mule deer herd and how the deer have contended with and continue to recover from past harsh winters and drastic changes in their environment through the lens of individual deer. Learning from UW alumna Tayler LaSharr, who led the project for years, Rafferty attempts to honor the work of those who worked on the project from the beginning. The more I have gotten to experience knowing individuals intimately across their entire lives, the more I have recognized how incredibly important long-term research is to understand and predict population dynamics in wild and unpredictable ecosystems, Rafferty says. She spends much of the year monitoring more than 70 individual deer through their GPS collars. In December and March, she organizes helicopter captures of each animal and, in the spring and summer, she captures and collars their newly born offspring. Rafferty says she is learning the power of being able to tell each deers story, from what it means in communicating her findings to what it means collectively in understanding their ecology as she pieces together her dissertation. The Muley Fanatic Foundation has a proven history of funding and supporting science-based research as a pillar of the organizational mission, to ensure the conservation of mule deer and their habitat and to provide such supporting services to further the sport of hunting and sound wildlife management. The invaluable work of the Monteith Shop and the addition of the MFF Fellow are invaluable efforts that align with our labors to further the MFF mission, says Joshua Coursey, MFF president and CEO. The torch was lit and carried by Dr. LaSharr, and we are elated to welcome Rebekah to this exclusive fold. For more information, email Taylor Wagstaff, Monteith Shop lab coordinator, at tkennah1@uwyo.edu or visit www.monteithshop.org. For more information about the MMF Excellence Fund or to support the MFF, visit www.muleyfanatic.org. Sednaya prison, notorious for its history of torture and mass executions under the Assad regime, has become one of the last stops for families searching for traces of their missing loved ones. After Bashar al-Assad fled the country, rebels freed thousands of inmates and uncovered a grim reality corpses buried within its walls leaving families with hope but more often heartbreak. Marcus Harton narrates this report from Ethel Bonet, who visited the prison in Damascus. Camera: Hunter Williamson Australia signed two multi-million dollar deals with Nauru and Papua New Guinea last week that analysts say will help Canberra counter Chinas growing influence in the Pacific. The deals, which support development in Nauru and pledge to pour hundreds of millions over the next 10 years into the establishment of a rugby team in Papua New Guinea, also give Australia some power to prevent the two island nations from signing security-related deals with China. Beijing has been aggressively expanding its cooperation with islands in the Pacific in recent years, to the concern of Australia, the U.S. and other allies in the region. Under the multi-million dollar deal that Australia signed on December 9 with Nauru, Canberra will offer $89 million to the Pacific Island country over five years, providing key development support in banking, telecommunication, and security. In exchange, Australia can veto any engagements by third countries in the Pacific island countrys security and critical infrastructure sectors. During a signing ceremony at Australias Parliament House on December 9, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the agreement as a serious responsibility and a sign of the enduring respect between our two nations. Nauruan President David Adeang said the treaty would help his country, which faces serious financial challenges, strengthen its economy and address critical challenges. Mihai Sora, director of the Pacific Islands program at Lowy Institute in Australia, says Australia has to make such agreements despite the cost. China has an increasing security access to the Pacific, whether through policing, or military land, air or sea assets, and that raises the cost of Australias defense posture, Sora told VOA in a video interview. Locking in this legal agreement with Nauru is one part of the effort to maintain Australias access and to deny Chinas access to that space." Last week, Australia also struck a deal with Papua New Guinea, or PNG, that will see Canberra provide $384 million over 10 years to help the Pacific Island country set up a rugby team that will start competing in Australias national rugby league in 2028. The funding is also expected to help build a compound to accommodate players and offer tax breaks to recruit players. In return, PNG signed a separate pact that reaffirms Australia as the countrys major security partner. While many details of the two agreements remain confidential, analysts and media outlets briefed by Canberra said the deals allow Australia to withdraw funding for the rugby team if PNG signs a security agreement with a country outside the so-called Pacific Family, which excludes China. We know from briefings with government officials and media reports that there is a security commitment that PNG has agreed to not to sign a policing or military deal with China, Sora told VOA. Some PNG analysts say the agreement is part of Australias attempt to build closer ties with PNGs civil society. Australia realized that all this aid and budgetary support that it has been giving to PNG hasnt translated into buying support for them at the grassroots level and since a lot of people in PNG support Australian rugby teams, [Canberra] picks a sport that a good portion of the PNG population is crazy over, with a hope that it could generate more support for Australia at the grassroots level in PNG, Michael Kabuni, an analyst who previously taught at the University of Papua New Guinea, told VOA in a video interview. During a ceremony announcing the deal in Sydney on December 12, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said the agreement could help his country foster domestic unity and unite PNG and Australia together in ways that matter most, people to people. Analysts say the agreements with Nauru and PNG are part of the more assertive diplomatic push in the Pacific that Australia initiated in 2022 after China signed a secretive security agreement with the Solomon Islands. Australia and a lot of its allies, including the United States, were caught off guard with the security deal between the Solomon Islands and China, and by signing the deals with these Pacific Island countries, Canberra demonstrates that it wants to show itself as the partner of choice, and some of the Pacific states are responding, Henryk Szadziewski, an expert on Pacific affairs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, told VOA by phone. While Australia may limit Chinas security presence in the Pacific region through these deals, Szadziewski said Pacific island countries can still deepen relations with Beijing in other sectors, including education and trade. The ways that Chinese companies can enter the economic sector in the Pacific region are not excluded by these deals and this has been a key way for China to make inroads in the Pacific region in terms of influence, he added. VOA reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy in Australia for comment but has yet to receive a response. During a meeting with Samoas prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa in Beijing last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China is willing to make empowering Pacific island countries to tackle climate change a priority in its cooperation with these countries. Now that Australia has obtained some power to veto security deals in some Pacific countries, Sora said Canberra has to ensure its own priorities dont overshadow Pacific island countries interests and needs. Canberra has retained the security manager role [in the Pacific] so the challenge is to demonstrate that Pacific countries security needs arent subordinate and their own priorities dont come after Australias interests, he told VOA. Australias focus will be proving to Pacific countries that their security needs will now be better met as a result of these agreements because anything short of that will leave themselves open to criticism, Sora added. Ukraine claimed credit Tuesday for the assassination of a senior Russian general on a Moscow street with the remote detonation of a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office, as was Kirillovs assistant. Several countries, including Britain and Canada, had sanctioned Kirillov, 54, for his actions in Moscows nearly three-year war in Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraines Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. An SBU official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, said the agency was behind the attack. The official described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The U.S. has been Ukraines main arms supplier during its war with Russia, but State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, "I can tell you that the United States was not aware of [the killing of Kirillov] in advance and was not involved. Obviously, he was a general who was involved in a number of atrocities, Miller added. He was involved in the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian military in violation of international law on the battlefield. Ukraines SBU has said it recorded more than 4,800 occasions when Russia used chemical weapons on the battlefield since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. In May, the U.S. State Department said that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in World War I, against Ukrainian troops. Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, in his current job since 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level the accusations against Kyiv. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda. Russian news reports said the bomb used in Tuesdays attack was triggered remotely. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched brickwork. The SBU official provided video that they said was of the bombing. It shows two men leaving a building shortly before a blast fills the frame. Russias top state investigative agency said its looking into Kirillovs death as a case of terrorism, and officials in Moscow vowed to punish Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, described the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to distract public attention from its military failures and vowed that Ukraines senior military-political leadership will face inevitable retribution. Over the past year, Russia, despite heavy losses, has gained territory in eastern Ukraine, even as Ukraine claimed land in Russias Kursk region during an August incursion. North Korean losses Also Tuesday, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top army commander, said Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian forces struggling to hold the enclave in the Kursk region. He said the Russian forces have also increased pressure in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. "For the third day, the enemy is conducting intensive assaults in the Kursk region," Syrskyi told government and regional officials in an online speech. He added that Russia was "actively" using North Korean troops who were taking significant losses. A senior U.S. military official said Tuesday that North Korean troops had suffered several hundred casualties in the Kursk region. The White House and Pentagon confirmed on Monday that North Korean forces have been fighting on the front lines in mainly infantry positions. The U.S. military official was providing the first significant estimate of North Korean casualties. Several weeks ago, Ukraine announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to Russia to help it in the almost three-year war in Ukraine. The casualty disclosure came as the Biden administration pressed to send as much military aid as possible to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, The Associated Press reported. But a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday that the Defense Department might not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks intended for Ukraine before January 20, when Trump is sworn in, AP reported. The military and senior defense officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide a U.S. assessment of the war, the AP reported. According to the Pentagon, there is about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. The $5.6 billion is in a presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. "We will continue to do drawdown packages for the remainder of this administration, but $5.6 billion is a substantial amount of authority, so I would certainly anticipate ... there could be remaining authorities that would transition and be available for the next administration to use," the senior defense official said. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press. BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi authorities said Tuesday that 116 international drug traffickers have been arrested so far in 2024. A statement by the Iraqi Interior Ministry said that the efforts came within a large-scale operation carried out by the Iraqi anti-narcotic forces to dismantle the international drug networks in the country. It said that over 3 tons of various narcotic substances were seized during the year, while 82 international drug traffickers received death penalties by the Iraqi judiciary. The chaos and conflicts in Iraq since the U.S. invasion in 2003 have impeded successive Iraqi governments from effectively addressing the threat of drugs. In May 2023, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani underlined the importance of waging "a war on drugs," saying that drug dealing remains a major source of funding for terrorism and that the circulation of drugs flourishes in the shadow of terrorism. An estimated 3,700 tons of low-grade fuel oil had spilled into the Kerch Strait after two Russian ships were seriously damaged by stormy weather, Russian state media reported Monday. The two ships, the Volgoneft-239 and the Volgoneft-212, were transporting roughly 9,200 tons of mazut, a heavy, low-quality oil product. Social media footage from the scene showed a black liquid rising among the waves. Preliminary estimates say that 3,700 tons of mazut leaked into the sea, Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti reported, citing an unnamed source. In a statement, the leader of Russias nearby Krasnodar region, Governor Veniamin Kondratev, said that the oil had not yet reached the shore. An emergency rescue operation was launched Sunday after the Volgoneft-212 tanker ran aground and had its bow torn away in storm conditions, Russias Emergency Situations Ministry said. One sailor in the 13-man crew died, officials said. A second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was also left damaged and adrift with 14 crewmembers on board. It later ran aground 80 meters from shore, close to the port of Taman in Russias Krasnodar region, from where the sailors were later rescued. Russian officials confirmed the oil spill Sunday, but they said that experts were still working to assess its full impact and extent. In a statement, Greenpeace Ukraine said they will monitor the situation. The charity has had no presence in Russia since 2023, when it was designated as an undesirable organization by the Russian government. Any oil or petrochemical spill in these waters has the potential to be serious, said Dr. Paul Johnston, head of Greenpeace Research Laboratories, based at the University of Exeter in the U.K. It is likely to be driven by prevailing wind and currents and in the current weather conditions (it) is likely to be extremely difficult to contain. If it is driven ashore, then it will cause fouling of the shoreline which will be extremely difficult to clean up. The Kerch Strait separates the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula from Russia and is an important global shipping route, providing passage from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. It has also been a key point of conflict between Russia and Ukraine after Moscow annexed the peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. In 2016, Ukraine took Moscow to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, where it accused Russia of trying to seize control of the area illegally. In 2021, Russia closed the strait for several months. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, described the oil spill as a large-scale environmental disaster of the war and called for additional sanctions on Russian tankers. The accidents on two rusty vessels in the Kerch Strait resulted in another large-scale environmental disaster of our war. Thousands of tons of fuel oil spilled from the Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, causing tragic damage to the natural systems of the Azov and Black Seas, he wrote in a post Monday on social media platform X. The Biden administration has condemned Iran for sentencing an Iranian American dual national to 10 years in prison, in the only publicly reported case of a U.S. citizen being jailed by the Islamic Republic since a rare U.S.-Iran prisoner swap in September 2023. We are aware of reports dual Iranian-U.S. citizen journalist Reza Valizadeh has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran, a State Department spokesperson said in a Monday email, responding to a VOA inquiry. We strongly condemn this sentencing and call for his immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in Iran, the spokesperson added. It was the first U.S. confirmation that Valizadeh had been jailed in Iran since reports emerged in October that he had been detained in Iran in late September. He is a former journalist for VOA sister network Radio Farda. Valizadeh left Radio Farda, the Persian-language service, in 2022. He flew to Tehran in February to visit his family after living in the West for 14 years, according to his last post on the X platform, formerly Twitter, in August. Valizadehs lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, broke the news of his clients sentencing in a Saturday post on X. He wrote that an Iranian court recently ruled Valizadeh should face 10 years in prison, as well as a two-year travel ban, a two-year ban on residing in Tehran province and its neighboring provinces, and a two-year prohibition on membership in parties or groups. In a Sunday interview with VOA Persian TV, Aghasi said Valizadeh had been convicted of cooperating with a hostile government, a reference to the United States. This was a heavy sentence in my opinion based on an incorrect charge, Aghasi said. In the past, working for media outlets like Voice of America had been viewed [by Iranian courts] as engaging in propaganda against [Irans Islamist ruling] system, but [the charge for this activity] recently changed into cooperating with a hostile government. Iran views VOA, Radio Farda and other Western-based Persian media as hostile entities because they draw attention to public dissent and protests against the nation's authoritarian Islamist rulers. Aghasi told VOA Persian he was hopeful of mounting a successful appeal against Valizadeh's verdict in a higher court. In a statement sent to VOA, Stephen Capus, the president and CEO of Radio Fardas parent network, RFE/RL, said Valizadeh is an American citizen who has been unjustly charged, convicted and sentenced. Capus wrote: Time and again, the Iranian regime has attempted to spread its malign influence around the world, trampling on human rights at every opportunity. Clearly, this regime feels threatened by the forces of freedom, including independent journalism. It's why Radio Farda's mission of providing uncensored news and other programming to the Iranian people is more important than ever. Journalism is not a crime. Reza should be released to his family immediately. Iranian officials have said little publicly about Valizadehs case beyond noting media reports that he had been arrested and pledging to look into the matter. In a separate message to VOA, Aghasi said there has been no reference to Valizadeh in the Persian platforms of Iranian state media. Irans U.N. mission in New York did not immediately respond to a VOA request sent Monday, seeking a comment on the U.S. condemnation of Valizadehs sentencing. In an August interview with state news agency ISNA, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iranians living abroad have nothing to fear by returning and pledged that if they do, we will not file a case against them, we will not harass them, and we will not prevent them from leaving. In his VOA Persian interview, Aghasi said Valizadeh had received similar assurances from Iranian security agencies before traveling to Iran. But he said after Valizadeh entered, Iranian security agents engaged with him for six months before ultimately arresting him. Aghasi said Iranian authorities have kept Valizadeh in a special prison security ward even though it is customary to transfer inmates to the general ward after completing preliminary investigations. He said Valizadehs ongoing detention in the security ward and authorities refusal to allow him to meet his client amount to illegal restrictions that he protests. The Iranian government has repeatedly suppressed press freedom through threats, intimidation, detentions, forced confessions and the use of violence against journalists in Iran, the U.S. State Department spokesperson wrote to VOA. The spokesperson said the State Department reminds U.S. citizens of a warning on the travel.state.gov website, which says: Do not travel to Iran, due to the risk of kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens. Aghasi issued his own warning to Iranians who consider traveling to Iran after working with Western-based media outlets, saying they are mistaken if they believe expressing remorse to Iranian authorities for such work will spare them from prison. Everyone should know that for the Iranian judiciary, people who collaborate with overseas-based Iranian opposition media have committed a crime that cannot be mitigated in any way, Aghasi told VOA Persian. This article was produced in collaboration with VOAs Persian Service. France said it will impose a nighttime curfew on the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte starting on Tuesday evening, after the French overseas territory was devastated by a cyclone feared to have killed hundreds. According to the latest official toll, 21 people are confirmed to have been killed by Cyclone Chido when it barreled into the island and its surrounding archipelago at the weekend. But authorities fear that hundreds, and possibly even thousands, were killed, once the true scale of the toll is revealed, after the rubble is cleared and roads unblocked. The health services are in tatters, power and mobile phone services have been knocked out, the airport closed to civilian flights, and there is mounting concern about how to ensure supplies of drinking water. Cyclone Chido is the latest in a string of storms worldwide fueled by climate change, according to experts. The curfew from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am local time (1900 GMT to 0100 GMT) is being put in place as a security measure to prevent looting, the French interior ministry said. 'Completely devastated' French President Emmanuel Macron, who chaired a crisis meeting on Monday night, has described the situation as a "tragedy" and promised to visit Mayotte in the coming days. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who on Monday was the first top Paris official to visit the island after the cyclone, said that Mayotte has been "completely devastated," with 70 percent of inhabitants affected. "The toll will be heavy; too heavy," Retailleau warned. He announced the arrival "in the coming days" of 400 additional gendarmes to reinforce the 1,600 gendarmes and police officers present on the archipelago, while specifying that there had "not really been any looting" so far. The "exceptional" cyclone was super-charged by particularly warm Indian Ocean waters, meteorologist Francois Gourand of the Meteo France weather service told AFP. Mayotte is France's poorest region, with an estimated one third of the population living in shantytowns whose flimsy sheet metal-roofed homes offered scant protection against the storm. "We're starting to run out of water. In the south, there's been no running water for five days," said Antoy Abdallah, a resident of Tsoundzou in the territory's capital Mamoudzou. "We're completely cut off from the world," the 34-year-old lamented. Most of Mayotte's population is Muslim and religious tradition dictates bodies must be buried rapidly, meaning some may never be counted. And assessing the toll is further complicated by irregular immigration to Mayotte, especially from the Comoros islands to the north, meaning much of the population is not even registered. Mayotte officially has 320,000 inhabitants but authorities estimate there could be 100,000 to 200,000 more people, taking into account illegal immigration. 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. 'Not seen for decades' Mayotte is one of several French overseas territories that span the globe from the Caribbean to the Pacific via the Indian Ocean, and are integral parts of France which are ruled from Paris. French military planes have been shuttling between Mayotte and the island of La Reunion, also a French overseas territory, to the east which was spared the cyclone and is serving as the hub for rescue efforts. The first air evacuation of 25 badly wounded from Mayotte to La Reunion took place on Monday night, Health Minister Genevieve Darrieussecq said. The disaster poses a major challenge for a national government still operating in merely a caretaker capacity, days after Macron appointed the sixth prime minister of his presidency. New Prime Minister Francois Bayrou was facing a torrent of criticism less than a week into the job after choosing to chair a provincial town hall meeting in his capacity as mayor of the city Pau instead of attending in person a crisis meeting on Mayotte called by Macron. "In the face of such a catastrophe of a kind that has not been seen on French territory for decades it is important to be side-by-side with the people," said French National Assembly speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, a member of Macron's centrist party. "I would have preferred that the prime minister, instead of taking a plane for Pau, took a plane for Mamoudzou," she told Franceinfo radio. Iran's foreign ministry said on Tuesday that its embassy in Syria would reopen once the "necessary conditions" are met, after the diplomatic mission was vandalized following the ouster of Tehran ally Bashar al-Assad. "The reopening of the embassy in Damascus requires preparations, the most important of which is ensuring the security and safety of the embassy and its staff," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. He added that work to that end will be pursued "as soon as the necessary conditions are provided," without offering a specific timeline. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was ransacked after diplomats abandoned it in the wake of the rapid advance of Islamist-led rebels opposed to Assad's rule. On December 8, the rebel forces took Damascus and ousted the longtime ruler. Iran had supported Assad through Syria's civil war, which began in 2011, sending "military advisers" at his request. But since his fall, Iran has sought to distance itself from the deposed leader, instead stressing the history of friendship between the two countries. Migrants play a crucial role in the global economy by filling essential jobs in foreign countries and sending much-needed remittances to their home countries, according to a report released Monday by the International Labour Organization. The reports release comes as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the United States. During his presidential campaign, he accused them of draining economic resources and taking jobs from native-born Americans. The ILO report says migrants usually bring a net economic benefit to the countries they enter and those from which they depart. Migrants drive economic growth in destination countries, and they support home countries through their remittances and skills transfer, Sukti Dasgupta, director of the ILOs conditions of work and equalities department, told journalists at a briefing in Geneva on Monday. Rafael Diez de Medina, chief statistician at ILO, said the report debunks the assertion by some that migrants are taking away [the] jobs of nationals. I would like to say that migrant workers often fill specific roles in low-wage or specialized jobs, and often as seasonal workers, and that they complement, rather than displace, the national labor force. There might be competition in specific contexts, but we do not really have evidence of migrants taking away jobs from nationals," he said. In this report, migrants in the labor force include all foreign-born persons in the labor force of a host country who are employed or unemployed regardless of their legal status in the country, Diez de Medina added. So, documented and undocumented, regardless of the employment permission to the host country, are included in our figures. The report presents global and regional estimates of migrants in the labor force covering 189 countries and territories for 2022, representing 99% of the world population at that time. Migrant labor force increases The report says 167.7 million migrants were part of the international labor force as of 2022, accounting for 4.7% of the working force worldwide. The report finds that the migrant global labor force has increased by more than 30 million since 2013, but notes that from 2019 to 2022, the rate of growth slowed down to less than one percent annually. This is attributed largely to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While migration patterns have changed in some regions of the world, the ILO said the overall composition of migrant workers has remained relatively stable, with men accounting for about 61% percent and women making up 39%. About 68% of international migrants in the labor force, the report noted, were concentrated in high-income countries located in northern, southern and western Europe, North America, and the Arab states. Migrants were concentrated in high-income countries drawn by higher living standards and more job opportunities, said Dasgupta, who added that most migrants work in the service sector. This is where we find 70 percent of all working migrants, and this is particularly true for women, she said. Diez de Medina said the estimates presented are based on a new and improved methodology that allows for more detailed breakdowns than before. In 2022, the ILO reported that more migrants faced a higher unemployment rate of 7.2% compared to the rate of 5.2% for non-migrants, with more migrant women than men out of work. According to the report, This disparity may be driven by factors such as language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, discrimination, and limited childcare options. Migrants and legal protections Diez de Medina stressed the importance of ensuring that migrant workers have access to social and labor protection and are covered by the countrys labor laws, particularly for domestic workers. Instead of being a drain on society, he said, migrant workers are a benefit and are essential for the global economy, particularly in certain sectors such as services, manufacturing and agriculture. If there were to be major restrictions on the movement of migrant workers, there would be labor shortages in particular sectors in the destination countries, he said. Dasgupta agreed that migrants contribute significantly to host economies through taxes, social security payments and other means. Their employment to population ratios are often higher, she said, noting the report finds that migrants contribute more than they withdraw, particularly for the second-generation migrants. Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, says it is investigating nearly 800 suspects arrested for alleged internet fraud during a massive raid last week in Lagos. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says this is the greatest number of arrests it has ever made during a single raid. EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren told VOA on Tuesday that the raid followed months of intelligence work and surveillance. The 792 suspects, including 193 foreigners, mostly Chinese, were nabbed December 10 in a seven-story building believed to be a hustle kingdom - a place where people are trained to carry out cybercrimes. Uwujaren said the foreigners were recruiting Nigerians there and training them on romance and investment scams targeting victims from North America and Europe. "For us it's a testament to the fact that we're unrelenting in our efforts to ensure that financial crimes wherever they exist in the country are checked. And then this current operation for us is an eye opener because of the large number of foreigners involved which is an indication that the perception of Nigerians as fraudulent people may not be true. We have a number of foreigners now coming to Nigeria to perpetrate frauds that are ascribed to Nigerians," he said. The EFCC recovered hundreds of computers, phones and vehicles during the raid. The commission says it is collaborating with international partners to determine whether the suspects are linked to a broader network of internet fraud cells. Cybercrime is a growing problem in Nigeria. In April, a report by a coalition of researchers from the Universities of Oxford and New South Wales ranked Nigeria fifth in the world for cybercrime activities, behind only Russia, Ukraine, China, and the United States. Lack of economic opportunities, inadequate cyber security awareness and poor law enforcement are the reasons the trend is rising in Nigeria, according to cybersecurity analyst Abayomi Adeyanju. "There are very good IT [information technology] people with skills, and then they graduate from universities, study, get certifications and there are no jobs for them, and they would have to [eat]. I am not one to encourage crime but these people - their skills can be used," he said. Adeyanju said beyond prosecuting offenders, Nigeria must create more opportunities in the tech sector to significantly curb cybercrimes. "If we can fix employment issues, these people are not being gainfully used. The skill is just there and so, if they have nothing to eat, the instinct of humans first is survival, so I think the first thing that should be done is that the economy should be fixed and then more employment opportunities be created," he said. The EFCC said the suspects will be brought into court to face charges in the coming days. President-elect Donald Trump gives first press conference since election. Families are returning to Aleppo, even as their future is uncertain. During fighting, more than 60,000 Israelis fled their homes near the border with Lebanon; now, as a ceasefire appears to be holding, some are returning. A look at Trumps pick to head the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a deadly storm in the Indian Ocean, and yet another school shooting in the United States. Jailed pro-democracy publisher Jimmy Lai testified Tuesday that the Hong Kong government became "very strict" after Beijing's national security law came into effect in 2020. The 77-year-old British national made the statement when the court asked him to explain comments he made in August 2020 following the arrest of pro-democracy former lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting. At the time, Lai said the arrest showed that the Beijing-imposed national security law, or NSL, "definitely had destroyed our rule of law." Lam was found guilty of rioting last week. "I think the NSL has, you know, affected the way the government conducted the law," Lai told the court Tuesday. "After the NSL, the government has been very strict in using the law." The founder of the now-shuttered Apple Daily newspaper stands accused of collusion with foreign forces and sedition under Beijing's national security law. He rejects the charges, which press freedom groups have decried as politically motivated. "The trial is entirely a sham," Yaqiu Wang, the China research director at the nonprofit Freedom House, told VOA. Lai's plight is a feature, not a bug, of the current press freedom landscape in Hong Kong, according to analysts. The past year has been particularly devastating for media freedom in a place that was once considered a bastion of press freedom in Asia, say analysts, who point to Lai's trial, a new national security law, and other trials of journalists as evidence that the media landscape has continued to deteriorate in Hong Kong. "It's just the continuation of a dramatic decline in press freedom in Hong Kong," Wang said. Next year is unlikely to be any better, multiple experts told VOA. Lai's trial began in December 2023 and was initially expected to last about 80 days. But now, his year is set to end the same way it began: attending hearings for a trial that could sentence him to life in prison. Sebastien Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, has consistently voiced concern about his father's health. The elder Lai has been held in solitary confinement since late 2020. "His health has gotten much worse, as you can expect when you put a 77-year-old man in solitary confinement for four years. But his spirit is holding strong. His mind is holding strong," Sebastien Lai told VOA in November. Lai's case is intended to scare other people in Hong Kong from criticizing the government, says Caoilfhionn Gallagher, the head of Lai's international legal team. "His case was also designed to send a chill down the spine of anyone who might want to wear a T-shirt or sing a song or post a tweet or say anything which might stand up to Hong Kong or Beijing's leaders," Gallagher said at a November press conference in Washington. In late November, a Hong Kong government spokesperson told VOA it was "inappropriate" to comment on Lai's case because legal proceedings are ongoing. Hong Kong authorities have previously denied that Lai's trial is unfair. The spokesperson also said Hong Kong "rejected any fact-twisting remarks and baseless smears against the legal system" and emphasized that "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech." When it comes to press freedom in Hong Kong, Lai's trial is part of a broader pattern. In August, two editors Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam at the now-shuttered Stand News were convicted of sedition and later sentenced to prison. Like Lai's, that case was also viewed as a bellwether of the poor state of press freedom in Hong Kong, according to Sophie Richardson, a visiting scholar at Stanford University. The cases "are a very clear message across the board to journalists that they cannot expect the protections of law to guarantee their free speech rights in order to practice journalism without fear of reprisal," Richardson told VOA. In November, 45 pro-democracy activists were sentenced to prison under the national security law. And in September, the Hong Kong Journalists Association reported that dozens of Hong Kong journalists and their families had faced harassment since June. "You're not safe if you cross the government," Mark Clifford, who recently published a biography on Jimmy Lai, told VOA. Those developments have taken place against the backdrop of a new, homegrown national security law known as Article 23, which expands on Beijing's national security measure. Enacted in March, Article 23 covers treason, sedition and state secrets, and allows for trials to be held behind closed doors. Experts have warned the law will likely further the deterioration of press freedom and other civil liberties in Hong Kong. "Almost any conduct can now be labeled as a threat to national security," said Richardson, the former China director at Human Rights Watch. Wang said the law may also underscore insecurity on the part of the Chinese and Hong Kong governments. "They feel the need to take out more tools to repress people," Wang said. In 2019, before Beijing's national security law was enacted, Hong Kong ranked 73 out of 180 countries on the Global Press Freedom Index. In 2024, it ranked 135 a more than 60-spot drop. That rapid decline in press freedom and broader civil liberties has fundamentally changed the identity of Hong Kong, whose population long celebrated their freedoms, according to Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong. "It's surreal. It's traumatic," Clifford said. "I don't think we've seen another country or another city in the past 100 years that has seen its freedom so quickly and thoroughly and comprehensively snuffed out." The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail. Luigi Mangione already was charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson, but the terror allegation is new. Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is "intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping." Mangione's New York lawyer has not commented on the case. Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare the United States' biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. "This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference Tuesday. "It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day." After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was spotted at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and arrested. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. The 26-year-old was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offenses and locked up there without bail. His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge. The attorney also has said Mangione would fight extradition to New York. Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg said. Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorney's office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Investigators' working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies "parasitic" and complained about corporate greed. Mangione repeatedly posted on social media about how spinal surgery last year had eased his chronic back pain, encouraging people with similar conditions to speak up for themselves if told they just had to live with it. In a Reddit post in late April, he advised someone with a back problem to seek additional opinions from surgeons and, if necessary, say the pain made it impossible to work. "We live in a capitalist society," Mangione wrote. "I've found that the medical industry responds to these key words far more urgently than you describing unbearable pain and how it's impacting your quality of life." He was never a UnitedHealthcare client, according to the insurer. Mangione apparently cut himself off from his family and close friends in recent months. His family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November. Thompson, who grew up on a farm in Iowa, was trained as an accountant. A married father of two high-schoolers, he had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. His killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies, as Americans swapped stories online and elsewhere of being denied coverage, left in limbo as doctors and insurers disagreed, and stuck with sizeable bills. Rights groups and activists Monday continued to urge the government of Laos to provide answers about the suspected abduction of prominent rights advocate Sombath Somphone, who was last seen at a police checkpoint in the countrys capital 12 years ago. In CCTV footage captured by a roadside camera on December 15, 2012, in central Vientiane, Sombath is seen being pulled over at a police post, stepping out of his Jeep and getting into a pickup truck that drives him away. He has not been seen or heard from since. The government of Laos, an authoritarian, one-party communist regime, claims it knows nothing of what happened. We continue to ask: Where is Sombath? We continue to say we are not going anywhere. Were going to continue to demand answers from the Lao government. His is a case of enforced disappearance in the purest form, Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates, said Monday at an event in Bangkok marking the anniversary. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists were among 78 nongovernment groups that also signed an open letter urging the United Nations to press Laos for answers at a coming review of the governments human rights record next year. A tireless champion for his countrys impoverished farmers, Sombath won the U.N.s Human Resource Development Award in 2001 and Asias prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership four years later. To help carry on Sombaths legacy, his wife, Shui Meng Ng, set up a memorial fund in 2022 that awards small grants for projects in Laos and its neighbors, promoting vocational education, environmental sustainability and other causes Sombath had fought for. She also co-founded the Sombath Somphone & Beyond Project to seek answers to the suspected abductions of her husband and others. On the day Sombath vanished, Ng was driving just ahead of him in another car to join him for dinner at home. Despite the governments wall of silence about why he never made it, she continues to wait. I still need to know what happened to Sombath, whether he is even alive. I need the truth, Ng, who traveled from Laos to Thailand for Mondays event, told VOA. I still hope that hes alive and wish he will come back, she said. I continue to seek answers. I will not give up trying to wait for Sombath to come back until my dying day. Hundreds of families across the region could relate. In its latest annual report, the U.N.s Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances says it has counted more than 1,130 cases across Southeast Asia since 1980, the majority of which remain unsolved. It defines the practice as an arrest, detention or abduction by state agents or their proxies, and the states refusal to either acknowledge the event or to reveal the victims fate. Although many of the cases date back decades, the lack of resolution has lasting consequences, said Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch in Thailand. It has created a sense of impunity that wrongdoers can continue their wrongdoings and get away with their crimes. And in parallel to that, the climate of fear has been reinforc[ed], he said. In Laos, Ng said, the space for even mild dissent has only shrunk since her husbands disappearance, out of fear that the same could happen to those who would follow in his footsteps. She said precious few even dare to try anymore. So, it is not very hopeful in terms of activism or people raising issues of concern on any kind of sensitive area, said Ng. Everybody knows where the limit is and people are even stepping back way, way behind the line. ... Theyre not even testing the line. Phasuk said enforced disappearance has become a common feature of the so-called swap mart the governments are allegedly running by returning each others wanted dissidents regardless of the persecution they may face back home. Assassination, abduction and enforced disappearance seem to be grouped together in this network of transnational repression in mainland Southeast Asia, he said. In a 2024 report, Human Rights Watch chronicled 25 confirmed or suspected cases of cross-border repression in the region, including disappearances, over the previous decade. Sombaths case in particular, though, 12 years on, continues to serve as a bellwether in the search for answers in those cases. I hope that were not here next year doing this, Robertson said. I would like to see a breakthrough in this case. I want to have an event midyear where we say weve now found out whats going on. But if we have to be here next December, we will be. Ligonier Ministries Releases a Full French Translation of the Reformation Study Bible NEWS PROVIDED BY Ligonier Ministries Dec. 17, 2024 ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 17, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ligonier Ministries, the teaching fellowship founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul, has announced the release of the Reformation Study Bible in French. The product of years of meticulous labor fueled by generous donor support, thissignificant translation project has been co-published in partnership with Publications Chretiennes of Quebec. This new study Bible, La Bible d'etude de la foi reformee, features La Nouvelle Version Segond translation of Scripture and is now available for purchase on the study Bible's website and Ligonier's website. As Ligonier aims to equip the global church and advance the Great Commission, this French translation opens new opportunities to provide faithful Bible commentary to many Christians with poor access to resources faithful to the historic Christian faith. The study Bible contains more than one million words of verse-by-verse commentary and theological notes; nearly 2,000 years of historic Christian creeds, confessions, and catechisms; award-winning maps and visual aids; and other study tools to help Christians deepen their knowledge of God's Word. There is a growing need in the French-speaking world for biblical discipleship resources. With secularism on the rise in Europe and Canada, this study Bible can equip Christians to stand firm in God's truth. Additionally, there is a great need for this trusted resource in French-speaking Africa, where the prosperity gospel has historically taken root. French is extensively spoken in 26 African countries. Some demographic forecasts indicate there may be as many as 700 million French-speaking Africans by 2050. With French being the world's sixth most-spoken language, the French Reformation Study Bible is strategically positioned to reach millions worldwide with biblical truth and faithful commentary. Chris Larson, Ligonier's president and CEO, said: "Ligonier intends to get this study Bible's trusted commentary into the hands of French-speaking pastors, church leaders, and laypeople worldwide, especially millions of Christians in Africa. Dr. Sproul would say, 'We believe this study Bible can help bring about a new Reformation of life and doctrine in even the darkest places.' We're seeing our founder's vision unfold as this faithful discipleship resource goes forth to the French-speaking world and, Lord willing, is translated into even more languages in the coming years." Ligonier's vice president of global outreach, J.D. Bridges, added: "In my travels throughout many Francophone countries, local pastors have expressed an urgent need for access to a French translation of the Reformation Study Bible. For generations to come, church leaders will now have the equivalent of a twenty-volume theological library of trusted commentary and Bible study tools in a single volume to help them faithfully proclaim the Word of God boldly and clearly to their congregants. By God's grace, we pray that this pillar resource will be a gift to the global church as it is distributed to many French-speaking Christians around the world." About Ligonier Ministries Ligonier Ministries exists to proclaim, teach, and defend the holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible. To that end, Ligonier's outreach today is manifold and worldwide. Founded by Dr. R.C. Sproul in 1971, Ligonier's teaching fellowship consists of theologians, pastors, and scholars. Ligonier publishes Renewing Your Mind broadcasts, the Reformation Study Bible, Tabletalk magazine, books, and hundreds of teaching series. The ministry also offers an undergraduate degree program through Reformation Bible College. In addition, Ligonier hosts national and regional conferences, provides an online learning community through Ligonier Connect, streams 24-hour Christian internet radio through RefNet, pursues numerous translation efforts in other countries, and makes available thousands of unique educational resources online at Ligonier.org. SOURCE Ligonier Ministries CONTACT: Deborah Finnamore, Publicity Manager, 407-333-4244, definnamore@ligonier.org JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israel will invest 410 million shekels (about 114 million U.S. dollars) in 55 tourism projects across the country, the Israeli Tourism Ministry said Tuesday in a statement. The ministry will allocate 230 million shekels, while the rest will be covered by relevant local authorities, the statement said. The investment is part of the preparations for the return of Israeli and foreign tourists to the Israeli tourist sites, following a near-total halt in tourism in the country caused by the outbreak of Israel's conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah last October, the statement said. The main tourism projects include heritage centers, promenades, laser shows at special locations, parks, accessibility, attractions, and bicycle paths, among others, it said. The mother of American journalist Austin Tice, who has been detained in Syria for more than 12 years, reiterated her call Monday for the Israeli military to pause strikes in a part of Syria where her son may be held. I think it would be polite, to say the least, that perhaps theyre not bombing while people are trying to clear the prisons, Debra Tice told reporters Monday afternoon outside the Syrian Embassy in Washington. That call comes days after she made the same appeal in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a letter dated Dec. 14, Debra Tice told the Israeli leader her family has credible information that her son may be held in a prison outside the Syrian capital, Damascus, and urged the Israeli military to pause strikes in the area to allow rescuers to search the site. We are aware that your military has an active campaign in the area, preventing rescuers from approaching and accessing the prison facility, she wrote in the letter, which The New York Times published Monday. The Israeli military has been bombing weapons depots and air defenses in Syria. Israel says it wants to keep military equipment away from extremists. In the letter, Debra Tice said her son may be held in a prison under a Syrian military museum in the mountainous Mount Qasioun area. The prison was connected by a tunnel to a neighborhood and a government palace, she added in the letter. We have no way of knowing if the prisoners there have food and water. We urgently request you pause strikes on this area and deploy Israeli assets to search for Austin Tice and other prisoners. Time is of the essence, she said. The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not immediately reply to VOAs email requesting comment. But Gal Hirsch, the Israeli government's lead envoy for hostage affairs, told The Times that he had received the letter and was coordinating with U.S. officials. We will do everything possible in assisting the United States of America to bring the hostages and missing persons back home, Hirsch said. A Texas native and former U.S. Marine, Austin Tice has been held in Syria since 2012, when he was detained at a checkpoint in Damascus. Aside from a brief video after his capture, little has been heard or seen of him since. Earlier in December, before the Bashar al-Assad government fell, the Tice family revealed it had obtained information vetted by the U.S. government that confirmed Austin Tice was still alive and detained in the Damascus area. Since Syrian rebels, led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), took Damascus and toppled Assads government on December 8, thousands of prisoners have been released from prisons run by the now-deposed government. The release of those prisoners has raised hope in the Tice family that Austin will be among them. I feel like were standing in line, and were not the only ones that are still standing in line, Debra Tice told reporters Monday. Its going to take a while. Austin Tice is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer who works for outlets that include The Washington Post, CBS and McClatchy. He is the longest-held American journalist abroad. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Monday that the United States has communicated with HTS on the importance of locating Austin Tice, but that there are no U.S. government personnel on the ground in Syria looking for the journalist. 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, Miller said. Syrias transitional government said last week that the search for Austin Tice is ongoing, and that it would cooperate with the U.S. government in finding Americans who were disappeared by the former Assad government. Outside the Syrian Embassy in Washington, which the U.S. government forced to close in 2014 but may now reopen soon, Debra Tice told reporters she has never lost hope that her son will return home. Ive always had hope. Ive never had even a millisecond of hopelessness, she said. We just need to get all those prisons opened, get all those families reunited, including us. In a joint appearance Monday morning, President-elect Donald Trump and Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of the Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group, announced that the company would invest $100 billion in U.S. companies over the coming four years, saying that the infusion of cash would create 100,000 jobs in fields such as artificial intelligence. Son attributed the decision to make the investment directly to Trumps win in last months presidential election. I would really like to celebrate the great victory of President Trump, Son said. My confidence level [in] the economy of the United States has tremendously increased with his victory. So, because of that, I'm now excited to commit this 100 billion dollars and 100,000 jobs into the United States. In introducing Son, Trump pointed out that eight years ago, after Trumps victory in the 2016 election, SoftBank had made a similar pledge, promising $50 billion in U.S. investments and 50,000 new jobs. And they did, Trump said. They kept that promise in every way, shape and form. The president-elect then went on to press Son to double his pledge, saying Im going to ask him right now. Would you make it $200 billion? Son reiterated his promise of $100 billion, but said he would "try" to get to $200 billion. "All right. $200 billion," Trump said. Son burst into laughter, telling the crowd Trump is a great negotiator." Trump effect After the announcement Monday, Trumps rapid response director, Jake Schneider, sent media outlets an email attributing the announcement to what he called the Trump Effect. President Trump is already delivering on his commitment to re-make America into the world's manufacturing superpower once again and he hasn't even taken office yet, Schneider wrote. It's all centered around his Made in America agenda, which incentivizes companies that make their products in America with American workers. He added, In January, President Trump will immediately begin implementing bold reforms to restore the nation to full prosperity and make sure AI, emerging technologies, and the other industries of tomorrow are created, built, and grown in the United States. Hits and misses Since founding SoftBank in 1981 at age 24, Son has become one of the most storied and controversial technology investors in the world. The company has several investment funds and owns significant shares of hundreds of companies across multiple fields, including telecommunication, robotics, internet services, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and much more. Throughout his decades-long career, Son has made headlines for spectacular victories as well as disastrous failures. For a time, at the beginning of 2000, he claimed to be the worlds richest man, with a fortune worth an estimated $78 billion amassed by buying up internet startups. However, the collapse of the dotcom bubble just months later wiped out more than 90% of his wealth. Son started rebuilding his business that same year, and a $20 million investment that bought SoftBank a 34% ownership share in a little-known Chinese e-commerce startup known as Alibaba would prove key to his fortunes. In 2014, Alibaba went public at a price that valued SoftBanks shares at $58 billion, some 2,900 times its initial investment. Along the way, Son successfully managed to merge mobile telecommunications firms T-Mobile and Sprint, creating one of the largest U.S. service providers in 2020. Just two years later, though, SoftBank suffered disastrous losses with the collapse of the office-sharing startup WeWork, in which it had invested heavily, as well as other failed investments by in-house venture and hedge funds. At the time, Son announced that he was retiring from public life. However, by 2023, he was back in the headlines when ARM Holdings, a British computer chip design firm that SoftBank bought at a valuation of $30.8 billion in 2016, went public in the U.S. at a valuation of $54.5 billion. Choosing the West over China Lionel Barber, the former editor-in-chief of the Financial Times, told VOA that he believes Sons appearance at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort Monday signals more than just an international investor seeking to get on the good side of an incoming U.S. president. Barber is the author of Gambling Man: The Wild Ride of Masayoshi Son, the first biography of the investor by a Western author, which will be published in the U.S. next month. He said that when Son made his pledge of $50 billion in 2016, he and Trump had clearly aligned interests. Trump wanted a big signal about business confidence in the Trump agenda and Masayoshi Son and SoftBank wanted to get in with the new Republican administration with an eye to getting [a] blessing for his big project, which was Sprint merging with T-Mobile, Barber told VOA by phone. Now, though, he sees something larger at play. Obviously, the world looks very different. Eight years on, we've got wars around the world, and we've also got de-risking and decoupling between China and the West, Barber said. In his last interview with him, Barber told VOA, Son said that he had realized that it was necessary for SoftBank to make a choice between China and the West. Paraphrasing Son, Barber said, He basically said, We understand the world's changed. We've been a global investor. We've been the biggest investor in China and the biggest investor in America. But now we have to choose. We've chosen the West. So, I see his getting into Mar-a-Lago as [saying], I've chosen the West. I've chosen America, and I'm going with Trump. Investment details unclear The announcement at Mar-a-Lago did not include any details about specific investments that SoftBank intends to make, and not all foreign investments touted by Trump over the years have come to pass. Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn in 2017 promised a $10 billion investment in a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin that was later dramatically scaled back. Even SoftBanks 2016 pledge is difficult to consider truly fulfilled unless the more than $20 billion the company poured into Sprint in 2013 three years before making the pledge is included in the total. Barber, Sons biographer, said he has some doubts about SoftBanks ability to identify $100 billion in U.S. investments over the course of four years. Im not saying it's impossible, but I haven't figured out how he gets to 100 billion, yet, Barber said. However, he said, its also important not to underestimate Sons ability to achieve unexpected successes. You can't write him off, Barber said. That's what he does. He's a bloody genius in that respect. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a strong push to project Turkey's influence internationally in 2024. He scored foreign policy successes with the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Turkeys growing ties to nations in Africa. Still, tensions remain between his country and the West over Israel and his strong relations with Russia. As Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Erdogan has positioned himself for a bigger role internationally in 2025 and for a good working relationship with the incoming U.S. administration. A Ugandan International Crimes Division Court has ordered the Ugandan government to pay reparations to war crimes victims affected by atrocities committed by former Lords Resistance Army commander Thomas Kwoyelo. The judges argue the order is based on both international and domestic law considering Kwoyelo, 50, has no funds. Kwoyelo was captured in 2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and held in detention until a court found him guilty in August of murder, kidnap with intent to murder, pillaging, cruel treatment, torture, rape, and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison in October. The LRA, founded in 1986 by Joseph Kony, led a more than 20-year insurgency against the Ugandan government and is accused of carrying out multiple massacres. Kony remains at large. Justice Duncan Gaswaga said the court declaration is not based on fault or vicarious liability but on principles of collective responsibility. Atrocities committed on a scale warranting transitional justice is considered a manifestation of a failure on the part of the government that triggers a responsibility for the state to pay reparations to the victims, said Gaswaga. Transitional justice is a set of policies or mechanisms to address the aftermath of large-scale human rights abuses and sometimes political instability. The office of the Ugandan Attorney General, the government's representative, reiterated its argument that the government is not liable to compensate for crimes committed by private actors and that reparations sought are matters of policy. Speaking to VOA by phone, Silas Aogon, a lawmaker from Northern Uganda, says the draft Transitional Justice Bill has been in the offing since 2019 but has not been brought before Parliament for consideration. He says the bill would address accountability, reparations, institutional reforms, and enable truth telling. Aogon faults the delayed justice on a number of weaknesses. There is already institutional weakness, legislative weakness, oversight weakness, given the kind of situation that we have in the country," he said. "The kind of polarization that the country went through. The kind of human and other injustices that occurred in society. The social unrest. We needed a strong law, and we needed the Transitional Justice Bill to be passed into law as soon as possible. The court declarations include $2,700 to be paid to families of each deceased person, $1,000 to those who suffered physical injuries, $950 for each victim household of property loss and $1,350 for victims of gender-based violence such as rape, forced marriage, forced labor and other physical abuse. Lawmaker Betty Ocan says they have been pushing for this bill for a year, and fears they are running out of time since the current Parliament ends in 2026 and passing the Transitional Justice Bill doesnt seem to be a priority. We need the bill to be worked on to come to an Act of Parliament. In order for our victims also to have, you know, fair compensation," she said. "You know, this Parliament is also a difficult one. Instead of prioritizing things which are really for the people, sometimes we prioritize things which are for the president [Yoweri Museveni]. So, we will continue to push. The courts judges noted their inability to enforce orders in this matter, stating that the establishment of a trust fund for victims, provisions for an annual budget for victims, and a draft implementation plan to serve the victims, all hinge on parliament. The U.N. Security Council is calling for a Syrian-led political transition that allows all Syrians to independently and democratically determine their own futures, following the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. In a statement released late Tuesday, the Security Council said the political process should be based on a 2015 Security Council resolution that calls for a new constitution and U.N.-monitored elections. It also highlighted the need to prevent the Islamic State militant group from reestablishing its capabilities in Syria where a decade ago its seized large areas in the countrys east. The Security Council further called for Syria and neighboring countries to avoid actions that could undermine each others security, and specifically for Syria and Israel to not risk the safety of U.N. peacekeepers in charge of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. The U.N. envoy for Syria warned Tuesday that the war is not over yet, the country is fragile and facing numerous challenges, and it must rapidly move toward an inclusive political transition. There is a great hope that Syria now has a real chance to move toward peace, economic stability and growth, inclusion for all Syrians and accountability and justice, Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council. But many are apprehensive about the future. The challenges ahead are enormous. I worry that, if this is not handled right by both the Syrians and the international community a turn for the worse again is possible. Pedersen briefed the 15-nation Security Council remotely from Damascus, where he met with former rebel commander and now the self-styled Commander of the New Administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) and the prime minister of the caretaker authorities, Mohammed al-Bashir. Just 11 days since a rebel offensive led to the collapse of the Assad regime and Assads departure to Russia, Pedersen said stability in many parts of the country is fragile and there are still active front lines in the northeast. Civilians must be protected wherever they are. There must be de-escalation toward a nationwide ceasefire, as well as efforts to address tensions between military factions, he said. Israel moves into buffer zone Pedersen, as well as several council members, warned Israel not to be a spoiler in the Syrian process, citing both Israeli efforts to annex more of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and in the form of more than 350 airstrikes it has conducted across Syria since the regime collapsed on December 8. Israel must cease all settlement activity in the occupied Syrian Golan, which are illegal. Pedersen said. Attacks on Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity must stop. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by his defense minister, Israel Katz, boldly entered Syrian territory for the first time. They visited the peak of Mount Hermon (known as Jabal al-Shaykh in Arabic), which is located inside Syrian territory. Katz said Israel will maintain a presence in what he called a buffer zone in Syria "for as long as is required." Katz said he had instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. Israel controls the Golan Heights, which it captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-day war. It later annexed the area, a move recognized by Washington, but not by the United Nations or most of the international community. A U.N. force, known as UNDOF, monitors the ceasefire. UNDOF said Tuesday that the Israeli military presence in its area of operations has severely impacted peacekeepers freedom of movement and its ability to conduct its operational, logistic and administrative activities. The U.N. mission said Israeli troops had entered the zone that they patrol, known as the area of separation, and deployed at key locations, including Mount Hermon and at least nine other positions, as well as one position east of the separation zone inside Syrian territory. UNDOF said peacekeepers also observed IDF movements and construction at four locations in the Mount Hermon area. After Israeli troops planted their flag at three positions inside the area of separation, UNDOF protested, and they were removed. Israel is not the only country using military force in Syria. In the northeast, Turkish forces have been acting against the Kurdish-led, U.S. backed, Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. A five-day ceasefire had expired, but a U.S. spokesperson said Tuesday it has been extended until the end of this week. As we have said publicly, we do not believe it is in the interest of any party to see increased conflict in Syria. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters. We don't want to see any party take advantage of the current unstable situation to advance their own narrow interests at the expense of the broad Syrian national interest." Humanitarian situation After 14 years of civil war, Syria is one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said 17 million people more than 70% of the population -- need assistance, but there is a dramatic lack of funding for the humanitarian response. Fletcher, who also is in Damascus, told the Security Council meeting that he was encouraged by his discussions with the former rebel leader al-Sharaa, and that he had committed to an ambitious scaling up of aid across borders and frontlines. Fletcher said he would visit Aleppo on Wednesday and then go on to the Turkish capital, Ankara. Fletcher said he also expects to hold talks with Lebanese and Jordanian officials. All three countries host large numbers of Syrian refugees. Several Security Council members, including China and Russia, called for the lifting of sanctions on Syria. U.N. envoy Pedersen has called on the United States and European Union, in particular, to consider lifting their unilateral sanctions to assist the country, which has been in an economic crisis for several years, leaving 90% of the population living in poverty. VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer and State Department Correspondent Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. The outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden plans in its final weeks to "continue tightening the noose" around Russia's key energy exports with new sanctions to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war on Ukraine, according to Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt. Pyatt over the past two weeks has traveled in Europe and Asia to discuss energy security with allies and the G7+Ukraine energy resilience group. In an interview with VOA Ukrainian's Oksana Bedratenko, Pyatt said Europe should use the Dec. 31 expiration of a gas transit contract between Ukraine and Russia to decisively end its dependency on Russian energy. He said he is encouraged that Europe sees American liquid natural gas (LNG) as part of its energy solution, noting that countries in Europe and even Japan which imports 10% of its gas from Russia understand the need to find alternative energy suppliers. The following interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. VOA: Over recent weeks Russia staged several massive attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector. With all of the preparations, with all of the help from Ukraine's allies before winter, what is your assessment of Ukrainian energy sector resilience? Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt: We knew coming into this winter that this was going to be a very fragile period, but I think the good news is support for Ukraine, support for Ukrainian energy workers, is as strong as it's ever been. We saw another brutal attack on Friday, especially in western Ukraine, in Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk. And this is the bitterest part of the winter. So we know we need to continue to work together. I've just returned from two weeks of travel. I was in Tokyo and before that I was in Paris and London. The message I heard consistently from all of our G7 partners was a very clear focus on doing everything we can to help ensure that Russia's attempt to weaponize the winter is a failure. VOA: The gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine expires at the end of this year. Do you think Europe is ready for it? There has already been some pressure on Ukraine to continue the gas transit. Do you think this will actually be the end of Europe's dependency on Russian gas? Pyatt: I certainly hope so. And importantly, the pressure that I see is only coming from one or two countries. I was very glad to see the statements over the weekend from the new [EU] Energy Commissioner [Dan] Jorgensen making very clear the need to make progress on gas phaseout, on nuclear, on all forms of dependency on Russian energy, in line with the EU goal of getting to zero by 2027. Obviously, Brussels and Kyiv need to make some decisions in the next couple of weeks. But I think long-term it is very clear that the energy and gas trade in particular has been the principal vector of Russian influence on the Ukrainian economy since independence. So why on earth would anybody be interested in extending that relationship? VOA: Europe has been buying more LNG from Russia. Are there any plans to have more sanctions on Russian LNG projects? Pyatt: We welcome Europe's steps. Just today [Dec. 15], the 15th sanctions package, which is quite substantial. I have said publicly on a couple of occasions recently that there will be more coming from the Biden administration. I'm very confident of that. And we're working very hard to maintain alignment between Washington, Brussels, London. That's part of what I was doing in Europe two weeks ago. Everybody's pace of operations is slightly different. ... I was glad to see Commissioner Jorgensen also talk about the important role of American LNG as part of Europe's energy solution. So, I'm very confident that we are going to continue to tighten the noose. We're going to do everything that we can to drive down [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's energy revenues, which go to pay for the North Korean missiles and the Russian drones that are destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure every day of the week. VOA: When we look into the next year, the U.S. support for Ukraine might go down. Do you think that Europe and other allies are ready to step up and continue supporting Ukrainian energy? Pyatt: Everybody is already stepping up. As I think you saw Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken just signed with [Ukrainian] Foreign Minister [Andrii] Sybiha a second energy [Memorandum of Understanding]. This is for the implementation of $825 million in additional energy sector assistance just from the United States. That very high level of U.S. assistance is exceeded by the assistance that has come from the other G7-plus partners. This is a really important point that it's not just the United States that's providing this assistance, and in fact, the majority of assistance in the energy sector has come from the other G7-plus countries. VOA: In the MOU there's a lot of attention going to the protection of Ukrainian companies from political influence. How important are reforms in Ukraine even during the war? Pyatt: Well, as you know, I've been working on these reform issues for 10 years now. So I can appreciate the progress that has been achieved, and that progress is real. Look for instance at the improved production numbers at Naftogaz. Maybe that improved production is because of better management; maybe it's because production that was previously skimmed off is now being declared transparently. But either way, it's a positive outcome. There's more that needs to be done. Ukraine will not become a member of the European Union in one day, but I think fulfilling the aspirations that the Ukrainian people expressed during the revolution of dignity, when I was ambassador in Kyiv, is as important today as it's ever been, and aligning Ukraine's energy sector with the highest European and OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) standards is very much part and parcel of that larger process of becoming a member of the EU. Food experts are raising concerns about the safety of agricultural imports into the Kurdistan Region, saying many products contain high levels of harmful chemicals like nitrite. These chemicals, often caused by excessive fertilizer use, can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. Despite warnings since 2019, many imported crops are not properly tested for chemicals, as smuggling and corruption allow unsafe products to enter the region unchecked. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Mutlaq has warned that Iraq is heading in the wrong direction, plagued by corruption, political measures and a lack of vision for the future. Sunni Arab leaders, including Mutlaq, have called for a comprehensive national dialogue involving all communities to address Iraq's deep divisions and prevent further instability. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. For 11 years, Fatima Osman was hoping for the return of her son Muhammad. When the regime of President Bashar al-Assad fell, prisoners from Syrian jails were released. It was only then that Osman found out her imprisoned son was killed in prison 10 years ago. Click here for the full story in Kurdish. Twelve Western countries have agreed to 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 Monday. The measures were agreed to 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 Tuesday. 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. SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's ruling and opposition parties on Tuesday clashed over the appointment of new constitutional court justices for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial, with three of nine court justices being vacant. Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader of the governing conservative People Power Party, told a party meeting that it is impossible for an acting president to appoint new justices until the impeachment resolution is upheld by the court. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo became an acting president following Yoon's impeachment in the National Assembly on Saturday that suspended Yoon's presidential duties for up to 180 days during which the court will deliberate it. Kweon noted that when the presidential power is suspended, the acting president can not appoint new court justices, saying the acting president should carefully and closely review the scope of exercising his authority. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, told a party meeting that it is desirable to proceed with the impeachment trial under the nine-member constitutional court, not six justices currently on the bench, for the trial's fairness and reliability. Park vowed to speed up the process of approving three constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly, stressing that the president can only appoint the parliament-recommended justices under the constitution. The constitutional court is composed of nine justices, including three nominated by president, three nominated by chief justice of the Supreme Court and three nominated by the National Assembly. The Democratic Party and the People Power Party recommended two and one justices each. At least two-thirds of the 9-member constitutional court should rule in favor of the impeachment to remove Yoon from office. If the court upholds the impeachment, a snap presidential election will be held within 60 days, but otherwise, Yoon will immediately be reinstated. 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. Earthquake FAQ + When was the latest earthquake anywhere in the world? The last earthquake in the world occurred 11 minutes ago: Mag. 3.2 earthquake Halmahera - Indonesia - - Indonesia - A light magnitude 3.2 earthquake hit 118 km (73 mi) away from Waisai, Southwest Papua, Indonesia, in the early morning of Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 at 6.08 am local time (GMT +9). The quake had a very shallow depth of 12 km (7 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so). + Where did the last earthquake above magnitude 4 happen in the world? The last quake above magnitude 4 today occurred 12 minutes ago: Mag. 5.2 earthquake New Zealand - A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean near the coast of New Zealand on Fri, Mar 14, 2025 at 21:07 GMT. The quake had a very shallow depth of 33 km (21 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so). Smaller quakes below magnitude 4 are much more frequent and happen somewhere in the world every few minutes. However, many (if not most) of them go unrecorded, because not all areas in the world are covered by sensitive-enough seismic networks able to detect them. Smaller quakes below magnitude 4 are much more frequent and happen somewhere in the world every few minutes. However, many (if not most) of them go unrecorded, because not all areas in the world are covered by sensitive-enough seismic networks able to detect them. + Where do most earthquakes occur in the world? By far, most earthquakes in the world occur along the margins of the Pacific Ocean, followed by the vast Alpine-Himalayan mountain belts that stretch from southern Europe through Turkey, the Caucasus, Iran, Pakistan, to northern India, Nepal and southern China. Most of these regions are in oceanic or continental collision zones where tectonic plates collide with each other and release energy in form of earthquakes. + How many quakes were there in the world in the past 24 hours? In the past 24 hours, there were 4 quakes of magnitude 5.0 or above, 38 quakes between 4.0 and 5.0, 96 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 366 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. There were also 1,292 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel. + What was the strongest quake in the world in the past 24 hours? The strongest earthquake in the world in the past 24 hours occurred 10 hours ago: Mag. 5.4 earthquake Minahassa Peninsula - Sulawesi - - Sulawesi - A strong magnitude 5.4 earthquake occurred in the Makassar Strait near Pulau Simatang island, Indonesia, in the late afternoon of Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 7.13 pm local time (Asia/Makassar GMT +8). The quake had a very shallow depth of 21 km (13 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so). + What category of earthquake is considered an emergency? Most earthquakes are small and cause no damage, but occasionally, there are bigger ones that can cause considerable damage to people and infrastructure. How much damage a quake does depends a lot on a number of factors including: - magnitude - depth beneath the surface - duration and motion of the shaking - local geology - population density - overall building standards of the affected area - risk awareness and preparedness Quakes below magnitude 5 rarely cause damage, while quakes above around magnitude 7 almost always result in extensive damage, even in areas with very good building standards such as in the western US or Japan. Quakes from magnitudes 8 often result in wide-spread or even catastrophic destruction. + What kind of damage can an earthquake do? The ground shaking of earthquakes can cause soil liquefaction, landslides and avalanches, the opening of fissures in the ground, deformation of the ground, cracks in walls and other structures leading to their collapse. As secondary and often even more severe damage, this can lead to fires, gas leaks, or even tsunamis if the sea floor is moved in a way to displace a large mass of water. + How dangerous are earthquakes? Earthquakes are among the (if not THE) most dangerous type of natural disaster. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), quakes caused nearly 750,000 deaths globally in the period 1998-2017, more than half of all deaths related to natural disasters. + How many people are affected by earthquakes every year? {} In 11 days, the Syrian Arab Republic, which had valiantly resisted attacks by jihadists supported by the largest coalition in history since 2011, was overthrown. So what happened? First of all, since October 15, 2017, the United States has organized a siege of Syria, prohibiting all trade with it and prohibiting the United Nations from participating in its reconstruction [1]. This strategy was extended, in 2020, to Lebanon with the Caesar Act [2]. We, members of the European Union, have all participated in this crime. The majority of Syrians were malnourished. The pound had collapsed: what was worth 1 pound before the war, in 2011, was worth 50,000 when Damascus fell (the pound was revalued three days later thanks to an injection of Qatari money). The same causes always have the same effects, Syria was defeated like Iraq before it, when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright congratulated herself on having caused the death of half a million Iraqi children from disease and malnutrition. On the other hand, if it was the jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Cham (HTC) who took Damascus, they were not the ones who won militarily. On November 27, HTC, armed by Qatar and supervised by the Turkish army disguised as the "Syrian National Army" (SNA), took control of the M4 highway which served as a ceasefire line. In addition, HTC and Turkiye had very high-performance drones operated by Ukrainian advisers. Finally, HTC took with it the Uighur colony of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) which had been entrenched in al-Zanbaki for 8 years [3]. The Israeli, Russian and Chinese theaters of operation have therefore merged. Then, these forces attacked Aleppo, until then defended by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The latter withdrew without a word, leaving a small garrison of the Syrian Arab Army to defend the city. Faced with the disproportion of forces, the Syrian government ordered its troops to withdraw to Hama, which they did on November 29, after a brief battle. On November 30, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad went to Russia. Not to attend the exam that his son Hafez was taking at Moscow University where he is continuing his studies, but to call for help. The Russian forces in Syria could only bomb the jihadists convoys because they are only airborne. They therefore tried to block the road to HTC and Turkey. They could not intervene on the ground against them. Aleppo was well and truly lost. Moreover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following his countrys tradition [4], has never acknowledged the loss of the Ottoman territories of Greece (Thessaloniki), the island of Cyprus, Syria (Aleppo) and Iraq (Mosul). With dormant jihadist cells having been reactivated by Turkiye, the already exhausted Syrian Arab Army had to fight on all fronts at once. This is what General Maher el-Assad (the presidents brother) tried to do, in vain. Ali Larijani, special envoy of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, went to Damascus to explain the withdrawal of the Revolutionary Guards from Aleppo and to set conditions for military aid from the Islamic Republic of Iran; astonishing cultural conditions for a secular state. In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, President Bashar al-Assad said that the terrorist escalation was aimed at trying to fragment the region, to crumble its states and to redraw the regional map in accordance with the interests and objectives of America and the West. However, the official statement does not reflect the mood of the conversation. The Syrian president wanted to know who had ordered the Revolutionary Guards to abandon Aleppo. He did not get an answer. He then warned President Pezeshkian about the consequences for Iran of a fall of Syria. Nothing worked. Tehran continued to demand that it be given the keys to Syria to defend it. On December 2, General Jasper Jeffers III, commander in chief of the United States Special Forces (UsSoCom), arrives in Beirut. Officially, he comes to monitor the implementation of the oral Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire. Given his functions, it is obvious that this will only be part of his mission. He will supervise the capture of Damascus by the Turks behind HTC. On December 5, the United States relaunches at the United Nations Security Council their accusations against President Bashar al-Assad of using chemical weapons to repress his own people. They ignore the very many objections, testimonies and investigations that have shown that they are nothing more than war propaganda. Chemical weapons are the first argument of the gigantic Anglo-Saxon persuasion machine. They are what allowed the number 2 of the United Nations, Jeffrey Feltman, to prohibit the reconstruction of Syria. They were the ones who convinced Western public opinion that "Bashar is the executioner of Damascus" and blamed him for all the deaths in the war launched against his country. Simultaneously, the Pentagon told HTC and the Turkish army that they could continue their advance, take Damascus and overthrow the Syrian Arab Republic. On December 6 and 7, the Doha Forum was held in Qatar. Many Middle Eastern figures participated alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On the sidelines of the Forum, a guarantee was given to Russia, which represented President al-Assad, that the soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army would not be pursued and that the military bases of the Russian Federation would not be attacked. Another guarantee was given to Iran that the Shiite shrines would not be destroyed, but it seems that Tehran was already convinced of this. According to Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Benjamin Netanyahu and Joe Biden considered that the operation should end there. It was the Pentagon that decided, with the United Kingdom, to continue until the overthrow of the Syrian Arab Republic [5]. In New York, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2761 [6]. It authorizes disregarding sanctions against jihadists during humanitarian operations. The United Nations, which has never authorized relief for populations crushed under the yoke of Daesh, has suddenly authorized trade with HTC. This turnaround by the Security Council corresponds to the instructions of the United Nations advisor, Noah Bonsey, as he had already put forward in February 2021 when he worked for George Soros [7]. Abou Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTC, gives an interview to Jomana Karadsheh for CNN. She highlights it while the State Departments Rewards for Justice website still offers $10 million for any information leading to the arrest of the jihadist leader [8] On December 7, HTC and Turkiye take Saidnaya prison. This is a major issue for war propaganda that has nicknamed it the human slaughterhouse. It is claimed that thousands of people were tortured and executed there and that their bodies were burned in a crematorium. For three days, the White Helmets, an NGO that has both saved lives and participated in massacres, search the prison and its surroundings in search of secret underground passages, torture rooms and a crematorium. Alas! They find no evidence of the crimes denounced. Ultimately, journalist Clarissa Ward stages for CNN the release of a prisoner who has not seen the light of day for three months, but is clean, well-dressed and has well-groomed nails [9]. The accusations of torture and summary executions are all the more difficult to bear since Bashar al-Assad gave instructions in 2011 prohibiting all forms of torture and created a Ministry of National Reconciliation responsible for reintegrating Syrians who had joined the jihadists, and finally implemented general amnesties about forty times. On December 8, President Bashar al-Assad ordered his men to lay down their arms. Damascus fell without a fight. The jihadists immediately unfurled pre-printed banners and affixed the symbol of the new regime to their uniforms. Former Al-Qaeda fighter and then Daesh number 2, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, real name Ahmad el-Chara, seizes power. Surrounded by British communications advisers, he gives a speech at the Great Umayyad Mosque, modeled on that of the Daesh caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, at the Great Al-Nouri Mosque in Mosul in 2019. HTC now treats Christians as mustamin (Islamic classification for non-Muslim foreigners who reside on a limited basis in Muslim territory), sparing them the dhimmi pact (a series of rights and duties reserved for non-Muslims) and the payment of the jiziya tax. In September 2022, for the first time in a decade, a ceremony in honor of Saint Anne was held in the Armenian church of al-Yacoubiyah, in the countryside of Jisr al-Shugur, west of Idlib. 3,000 soldiers of the Syrian Arab Army go into exile in Iraq. They are disarmed and housed in tents at the Al-Qaim border crossing, then transferred to a military base in Rutba. Baghdad announces that it is trying to obtain guarantees so that they can return home [10]. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launch an operation to destroy the equipment and fortifications of the Syrian Arab Army. In four days, 480 bombings sink the fleet and set fire to armories and warehouses. Simultaneously, ground teams assassinate the countrys leading scientists. After showing journalists around the empty Syrian fortifications along the coast, Benny Kata, a local military commander, tells his guests: "It is clear that we will stay here for a while. We are prepared for it." The IDF is already invading Syria a little more, beyond the Golan ceasefire line that it occupies. It announces that it will create a new buffer zone on Syrian territory, to protect the current buffer zone, in short to annex it. In addition, they annexed Mount Hermon so that they could monitor the entire region. On December 9, General Michael Kurilla, commander-in-chief of the US forces in the broader Middle East (CentCom), traveled to Amman to meet with General Yousef Al-Hnaity, chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff. He reaffirmed the US commitment to support Jordan if threats emanated from Syria during the current transition period. On December 10, General Michael Kurilla visited his troops and those of the Syrian Democratic Forces (Kurdish mercenaries) in several bases in Syria. He developed a plan to ensure that Daesh would not leave the area assigned to it by the Pentagon and would not interfere in the regime change in Damascus. Immediately, intense bombardments prevented Daesh from approaching. HTC appoints Mohammed al-Bashir, former jihadist governor of Idlib, as Prime Minister of the new regime. He is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, sponsored by the British MI6. France, which had negotiated with its special envoy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, the appointment of Riad Hijab (former secretary of the Council of Ministers in 2012), realizes that it has been cheated. That same evening, there is no longer any question of making Jean-Yves Le Drian Prime Minister in France. On the contrary, the Elysee invites the anti-terrorism prosecutor of Paris to the France2 news. He puts an end to the acclamations of the new power in Damascus and deplores that HTC is involved in the assassination of the French professor Samuel Patty (2020) and in the massacre in Nice (86 dead, in 2016). The French press then changed its tune and began to question the new power that the international press continued to present as respectable. On December 11, the main Palestinian factions present in Syria (Palestine Liberation Front, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Islamic Jihad Movement, Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, General Command) met in Yarmouk (Damascus) in the presence of delegates from HTC (Military Operations Department). Fatah and Hamas did not participate in the meeting. They were asked to make peace with their Israeli ally. It was decided that no faction would have a privileged status and that all would be treated identically. Each group agreed to lay down their arms. General Michael Kurilla traveled successively to Lebanon and Israel for three days. In Beirut, he met with General Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese armed forces, and especially his colleague, US General Jasper Jeffers III. In Tel Aviv, he met with the entire Israeli Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Minister Israel Katz. On this occasion, he said: My visit to Israel, as well as to Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon over the past six days, has underscored the importance of seeing todays challenges and opportunities through the eyes of our partners, our commanders on the ground and our service members. We must maintain strong partnerships to confront current and future threats to the region. On December 12, Ibrahim Kalin, director of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (Milli Istihbarat Teskilat - MIT), is the first foreign high-ranking official to visit the new government in Damascus. On the same day, the Kurdish mercenaries, who administer northeastern Syria for the US occupation army, raise the countrys new green, white and black three-star flag, that of the French mandate. Kalin will be followed on December 15 by a Qatari delegation. To validate the accusations of torture attributed to the former regime, Clarissa Ward, who is definitely in great shape, stages for CNN corpses found in the morgue of a hospital in Damascus, as the same CNN had staged those in a morgue in Timisoara, during the overthrow of the Ceausescu, in 1989 [11]. Meanwhile, according to the United Nations, more than a million Syrians are trying to flee their country. They do not believe that the HTC jihadists have suddenly become civilized. Brian Jordan Alvarez, Jon Ebeling, and Stephanie Koenig have a shirtless dance party at Alvarezs apartment in December 2015, during which they took pictures and posed. Photo: Courtesy of Jon Ebling On February 7, 2025, FX renewed English Teacher for a second season. For many, the premiere of FXs English Teacher in September marked the long-awaited arrival of Brian Jordan Alvarez, the comedy series creator and star. For the better part of the past decade, Alvarez has been making things on the internet first YouTube sketches, followed by a beloved web series called The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo and, most recently, a menagerie of characters on TikTok, the most famous of which, TJ Mack, has gone viral multiple times over. Ive had enough amateur practice rounds of this to know what Im doing, he told the New York Times ahead of the premiere. On English Teacher, he plays Evan Marquez, a beleaguered high-school teacher in Austin, Texas, trying to separate the colliding streams of his personal life as a gay man and his work life in conservative environs. The show received universally good reviews for its topicality and wit: It was a deft, brutal trench comedy, radically playful, simply the best new sitcom. L.A. comedy nerds may recognize many members of Alvarezs old crew on English Teacher. Stephanie Koenig, his longtime collaborator, writes on the show and plays Gwen Sanders, Evans fellow teacher and, in a replication of their real-life dynamic, his best friend. Her husband, Chris Riggi, plays her boyfriend, Nick. Populating the smaller roles are Ken Kirby and Michael Strassner both of whom came up through the Groundlings, the 50-year-old L.A. improv institution. They were part of a friend group formed about nine years ago, during a time when they were struggling actors, going to one anothers shows and starring in one anothers sketches with the hopes of making it. Alvarez was at the center. Everybody was attracted to Brian because when he wanted to do something, he would do it, remembers a former friend. He was the go-getter and then hired all his friends. There has been one notable absence amid their recent breakthrough: Jon Ebeling, an actor who was once a core member of the friend group. Alongside Alvarez and Koenig, Ebeling had been one of the central characters in Caleb Gallo. When the series debuted in 2016, its pitter-patter dialogue and loose sexuality made it a cult favorite the writer Jude Dry described it as Will & Grace on speed. Caleb Gallo was a television a clef in which the actors played versions of themselves: Alvarez was Caleb, Koenig was Karen, and Ebeling was Billy. The plot of the first few episodes drew from the romantic triad that existed among them in real life; Ebeling had a crush on Koenig, and she liked him back, while Alvarez had a crush on Ebeling. Their characters apartments were their real apartments, and their lives became material for the show. A major plot point is a sexual encounter between Caleb and Billy that occurs after Billy and Karen have sex for the first time. It is a nearly beat-for-beat reenactment of what transpired among the three actors off set. In the show, its played as a romp the sexual experimentation of 20-somethings. Ebeling says in reality, he felt pressured by Alvarez. Then, Ebeling alleges, Alvarez sexually assaulted him while shooting that very scene. For the past few years, Ebeling has been telling a version of this story to anyone who will listen. On his Instagram Stories about a month before English Teacher premiered, he dashed off a message over the promotional poster, writing, My personal experience with the Cre*tor of this show was much closer to the plot of B*by Reind**r than whatever this is, referring to Richard Gadds Netflix series about his own experience being groomed and raped by a successful TV creator. Gonna skip this one. Watching Baby Reindeer, he could see Alvarez in both the character of Martha, who love-bombs and stalks Gadds character, Donny, as well as the TV writer Darrien, who repeatedly assaults Donny while dangling the carrot of success. Those on Alvarezs side see Ebeling as the Martha and argue that he isnt giving the full context of the relationship. (Alvarez declined to be interviewed but responded to some questions through a representative.) On September 1, the day before the English Teacher premiere and more than eight years after the occurrence, Ebeling filed a police report with the LAPD and later reported Alvarez to the Screen Actors Guild (California law allows civil claims of sexual assault to be filed up to ten years after the fact). By then, his Instagram post had traveled far in comedy circles. So many people are championing English Teacher online, going, This is the funniest show on TV, says one L.A.-based comic. And everyone at the bars is going, Oh my God, when is the story going to break about Brian? Koenig and Alvarez in English Teacher. Photo: Steve Swisher/FX Alvarez grew up in the sticks of Tennessee, as he has put it specifically Winchester where he endured his share of homophobia. He was never allowed to be his true self, says a former college friend. He attended the University of Southern Californias School of Dramatic Arts. The conservatory-style program cultivated a say yes ethos that encouraged risk-taking. One student remembers doing impulse exercises in voice class, in which those in the group were supposed to do whatever came to them. Another student pinned him to the floor, dry-humped him, and licked his face. Afterward, I was shaken up, the student says. Everyone was telling him how brave he was. I thought if I acted like it was bad, Id look homophobic. Alvarez took to this culture of free-spiritedness. He arrived with a long mop of curly hair and a contagious creativity that drew people to him. Hed invite students over to get drunk and make music videos to songs like Wagon Wheel late into the night. He would pick the hottest people to come over and get fucked up and do Adderall and make these little American Apparel videos, remembers one classmate. Alvarez graduated and settled in L.A. for good in 2010. Unlike so many aspiring actors in the city who talked about doing things, Alvarez had follow-through. He booked a recurring part on Jane the Virgin and found success on YouTube with BuzzFeed-esque sketches like What actually happens when gay guys see other gay guys and straight people arent around. His ambition was palpable to anyone who met him. He decorated the walls of his room with photos of celebrities like Tom Cruise. He would sit below them in worship. He was big on manifesting, says a former friend. (Alvarez does not recall this.) When he and Koenig met in 2013 shooting a short film, it was kismet. They became a package deal, finishing each others sentences and making videos with a distinctive chatterbox cadence for Alvarezs YouTube channel. Ebeling met Alvarez through their mutual friend Ken Kirby after a Groundlings show in May 2015. Ebeling had spent the past few years grinding his way through the improv circuit. He was working the graveyard shift at a local diner when he got a break, booking a Mountain Dew commercial that aired during the Super Bowl that year. Alvarez invited Ebeling to shoot a sketch in which Alvarez would play a southern kid named Timmy interviewing him about his commercial as though he were a Hollywood star. Ebeling was in a depressive funk he had gotten out of a difficult relationship and felt stuck and Alvarez jolted him out of it. There is something magnetic about somebody whos so confident that theyre going to make it. And he kept getting results with everything he did, says Ebeling. I was like, God, this guys fucking awesome. I want to be more like this guy. Ebeling had developed a parasocial crush on Koenig from watching her videos with Alvarez. When he met her that October, he was smitten: She was funny, beautiful, smart, his dream girl. Alvarez introduced Ebeling to Koenig as the straight guy Im in love with. Ebeling says he wasnt attracted to Alvarez, but some friends felt he gave mixed signals, recalling him saying things like If I hooked up with a guy, it would be Brian. The three of them became inseparable. Their love language was effusive adoration, touch, and shirtless dance parties during which they took pictures and posed. (A version of these parties appears in Caleb Gallo.) Alvarez and Ebeling regularly said I love you to each other. I was outside of the flirty romantic banter, says a former friend. I was just like, Why is everybody holding hands? In this context, Ebeling and Koenig started dating. The first time they made out, they were on the couch next to Alvarez, who was making out with someone else. Brian reached over and started touching my thigh, Ebeling says. I didnt feel like I could do anything about it because theyre best friends, and I didnt want to make it weird. (Alvarez denies this.) After four years in L.A., Ebeling felt that he had finally found his tribe a trial for anyone looking for a foothold in Hollywood. Along with Kirby and Michael Strassner, they became a group, going to shows and hanging out at Kirbys house in West Hollywood afterward. At 27, Ebeling had a wide-eyed, high-energy way about him. Former friends remember him as accommodating and maybe a touch naive. Jon was always down to do anything, anywhere, anytime, says a former friend. It was hard to know whether or not he wanted something. I think of him as a sweet Texas boy that would do anything to make anyone happy. A friend of Koenigs describes Ebeling as a glommeronner, but others apply this descriptor to the broader group. Underlying their relationships was a sense that Alvarez was going to be their ticket to success. He had savvy and built the worlds they would come to inhabit, writing, directing, producing, editing. His projects at this time skewed toward the exhibitionist nudity, sex, shower scenes and challenged conventions around monogamy and sexuality. Part of me felt like Brian was intending to create something that was a fantasy of his, a former friend says. Friends of Alvarez say he historically had other Stephs that is, right-hand women by his side, socially and creatively. He preferred a queen beesidekick dynamic, one says. A lot of people became yes-men in his presence. You could see them forsaking themselves to make sure they were in his good graces, says a former collaborator. There was a sense of Are we really friends? Or are you just using me for something? Are we using each other for something? That was the energy around those people. I dont know where the integrity in the relationship lies. Shortly after Ebeling and Koenig met, Alvarez landed funding for The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. He asked if Ebeling would play Billy, the straight guy whom Caleb has a crush on. I was over the moon, says Ebeling. I was just so excited for the exposure. Koenig, Ebeling, and Alvarez in The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo. Photo: Brian Jordan Alvarez/YouTube In the world of Caleb Gallo, theres a sense that anyone could have sex with anyone. Sexual labels are fungible part of what Alvarez would call a queer utopia. My mental and sexual desires are polyamorous, he said in an interview about the show. So I can get into trouble, and I wanted to make that one of the things in the show. In the pilot, Calebs friend Len (Kirby) announces hes going bi only to discard the identity in the next episode and move on to things like Catholicism and rapping. Caleb is the calm, happy conduit for everyones relationships. He sets Len up with his gender-fluid friend Freckle (Jason Greene) and Karen with Billy, while also fantasizing about making out with Billy. During his date with Karen, Billy tells Caleb it isnt going so well. Later, when he asks them why, Billy replies, Maybe because you werent there, buddy. After wrapping the pilot on Halloween, Ebeling and Koenig had sex for the first time. Two days later, Alvarez asked to hang out at Ebelings apartment. Ebeling lived in a barely furnished studio on Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz: There was a bed and a chair. Alvarez was a block over in a tiny studio on Vermont Avenue. They watched The Wolf of Wall Street and went over to a neighbors place to smoke some weed before going back to Ebelings apartment. Thats when Ebeling remembers the insane pressure started for them to hook up. It began with Alvarez asking Ebeling if he was using him. He got stone-cold quiet like he was really troubled, Ebeling says. Then Alvarez began asking, Are you manipulating me to get to Steph? Are you manipulating me to be on the show? And so it became this game of like, No, no, not at all. Once Ebeling had convinced him he wasnt up to anything, Alvarez suggested they hook up. He wanted to compare penises. He wanted to smell his balls. He asked Ebeling what the last porn he watched was and pulled it up on the TV to get him hard. He said that Koenig would want them to experiment together and that she would be into it. After saying no multiple times, Ebeling says, he allowed Alvarez to perform oral sex on him until he went flaccid and then pretended to fall asleep. (Alvarez says Ebeling enthusiastically gave consent and encouraged it throughout.) I thought this is what I needed to do to keep the peace, to keep seeing Steph, to stay on the show, says Ebeling. Koenig came over the next morning when Alvarez was still there. Alvarez suggested they keep it a secret, which Ebeling didnt understand hadnt he said Koenig would have wanted this? and Ebeling insisted that they tell her. Alvarez says it was the opposite: that he wanted to tell Steph and felt it was important that they do so as depicted in episode three. In that scene, Caleb tells Billy, Im happy to be as confidential about everything as you want, to which Billy replies, No, I mean, we should tell her, right? When they told her in real life, Koenig was devastated, according to a friend whom she confided in at the time. (Representatives for Koenig declined to respond on the record for this story.) Koenig left to go to therapy and called Alvarez immediately. He went up to the roof to take the call. When Alvarez came back, he told Ebeling she was weirded out by what had happened and didnt want to be romantic with him anymore. I broke down sobbing, says Ebeling. I felt like my world had shrunk so much because they were the only people I had been hanging out with. This big thing had happened where I had had this gay experience and nobody else knew. A few days later, Ebeling had his first session with Johnny OCallaghan, a former actor turned spiritual guru better known as Johnny O. Alvarez and Koenig had recommended him as someone who had helped them get auditions and think more positively. They considered him a therapist although he wasnt licensed (he studied spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica). Ebeling sent him an intentions email, which included statements like Id like to be at peace with myself and better understand the relationships I have with people, Im in love with my friend Stephanie and want to be with her, and My friend Brian is in love with me and I want to keep him as a friend with no romantic entanglements. Later, he texted Koenig that he was in a dark place and still trying to wrap my head around what happened and why I allowed it to happen. He told her he was feeling better, though, because he had been up front about not wanting to go there anymore with Alvarez, who had agreed it wouldnt happen again. Their conversation continued: Koenig: I mean its not all bad. It all felt good and happy. I hope you get to a happy place about it, its beautiful and cool and realize you guys are best friends and really close and nothing wrong with any of it. Ebeling: What felt good and happy? Oh, you and me? Koenig: I dunno everything. Ebeling: I just wish Brian and I could be like we were before you know? Koenig: You guys totally can be. You will be. Hes totally fine with that. Hes your good friend. Ebeling: None of that stuff felt right and it kind of hurts me that he didnt take into account the fragile place I was in. Also Im an adult though and make my own decisions. So Ill get over it. Just a raw feeling right now. Koenig: Sure. I mean I know you dont seem fragile. So maybe he didnt think of that. He would never have done anything to hurt you. I think it all just felt right. And free. Ebeling: Yeah. It just would have made me feel better if it had felt more right you know? Like it was for something. I just cant stop seeing it as being only destructive. In the months that followed, the trio became locked into a dynamic in which each felt the other was gaslighting them. Alvarez believed Ebeling reciprocated his feelings, and said as much to Koenig. Ebeling felt Alvarez was projecting a desire from him that wasnt there which became even clearer to Ebeling after their hookup. Koenig suspected Ebeling was lying about his feelings for Alvarez, telling him one thing and her another. As she saw it, he had cheated on her and became upset only after it became clear he might lose her. But they still had a show to make, and Alvarez saw an opportunity to use the incident as material. In late November, he sent over the shooting script for the second episode of Caleb Gallo with the note, I think they are very funny; if anything is too much let me know and we can adjust. I say we fuckin go for it. The episode ends with a retelling of their hookup through Alvarezs lens. Billy reveals to Caleb that he had sex with Karen. Caleb tells Billy he read an article that says that straight people dont exist, which makes him realize that gay people dont exist. According to the stage directions, Caleb asks to see Billys penis, and they both pull theirs out. Caleb tells him to make it big, and the directions say, He is trying. In one of several moments that didnt make the final edit, Billy asks Caleb if hed like to sniff his genitals. The stage directions read, Caleb goes in and smells them. A DEEP, DEEP and long inhale. Ken was like, Are you sure you want to do that? says Ebeling. At that point, Im like, Yeah, I want to go for it. Brians a genius. If he knows what people like, at least I can take my painful experience and turn it into some good content. Maybe be in a show that gets sold. We can all have jobs. He texted Koenig afterward, this is me getting over it. Around Thanksgiving 2015, Ebeling and Koenig began seeing each other again. She had invited him to visit her on set while she was shooting Kirbys sketch series Made in China, and they fell back into a texting banter. But Koenig was still insecure about what had happened, and she grew concerned Ebeling was using Caleb Gallo as a way to covertly hook up with Alvarez. By then, they had shot episode two, during which Ebeling had gotten naked. She warned him not to take his clothes off anymore around Alvarez so as to not lead him on. He agreed. There were moments when everyone seemed simpatico. In early December, Alvarez texted Ebeling after his own session with Johnny O. He [Johnny O.] was clear about how you felt about the sexual aspect of things, he wrote. He said Jon loves you but doesnt want to have a sexual relationship with you. Which was obvious but i needed to hear clearly. But Alvarez seemed to fall back into what became a pattern, growing needy and fixated on the ways he felt excluded by Koenig and Ebelings relationship. Ebeling recalls Alvarez saying, Im up here trying to make us all famous, and whos loving me? (Alvarez does not remember saying this.) Whenever Alvarez had these crises of confidence, Koenig was there to reassure him. As Ebeling remembers her putting it, Weve got to make sure that hes happy and he feels good and loved. Early in January 2016, Alvarez told Koenig he wanted her to stop seeing Ebeling. She talked him down. He knows he cant ask us not to see each other, she wrote to Ebeling in an email. Hes aware and was just being cranky. That day, Ebeling went to hang out at Alvarezs apartment, where he says Alvarez once again tried to turn the situation sexual. All of a sudden, says Ebeling, he put straight porn on his laptop. Then, Alvarez undressed and proceeded to take a shower with the door and shower curtain open. I felt walled in, Ebeling says. He waited for Alvarez to dry off to say good-bye. Alvarez gave him a hug and then Ebeling says he put his hand down the back of his pants and squeezed his butt. I said, All right, buddy. Love you, man, remembers Ebeling. Ill see you tomorrow on set. (Alvarez says this interaction was not only consensual but actively encouraged by Ebeling.) Filming on the third episode would pick up where the last one had left off. In the script, Caleb and Billy are back at Billys apartment, which is Ebelings apartment, watching The Wolf of Wall Street on his bed with the lights dimmed. Only here the encounter is pure flirtation; they play footsie before cuddling and taking their clothes off. Caleb asks Billy, Can I suck it? Billy says, Yeah. The stage directions read, Caleb goes to do so, under the covers. According to Ebeling, when Alvarez went under the covers, he pulled down Ebelings underwear and began sucking his penis. I am assuming nobody on set knows whats going on under the comforter, and Im just frozen, he says. I didnt know what to do. Im on set with my director, who is assaulting me. It was a horrible feeling. Ebelings first reaction was guilt that he had let this happen; that it somehow constituted cheating on Koenig. His next was rage: I was like, Wait a second. I didnt consent to this. We didnt talk about this. I was raped. He texted Koenig immediately. We were shooting and Brian took a huge goddamn liberty, he writes. Im so fucking upset. I feel like I was raped. Literally I was raped. She writes, How were you not able to stop this Im so confused, and tells him to call her. He stepped outside to do so. Her response is like, Why didnt you push his head down? Youre a man, he recalls her saying on the phone. He told her to go fuck herself. She told him to go sit in a quiet place and calm yourself. To Koenig, this was another example of Ebeling failing to set boundaries with Alvarez. Alvarez, speaking through his lawyer, Michael J. Kump, says Ebelings reaction was overblown and that he was pretending to be upset, writing, This was the performative Kabuki theater of a self-described manipulator, who was distorting the situation to ingratiate himself to [Koenig]. He does not dispute the act but argues that because their previous sexual encounters were consensual, Alvarez assumed the same would be the case here. He is referring to both the hookup at Ebelings apartment and the episode-two scene, during which he says both actors masturbated and Alvarez smelled Ebelings genitals. (Ebeling says he did not masturbate and that shooting the scene didnt amount to a sex act: Nudity on set Im okay with. I never would have stroked my penis in front of a camera.) Kump adds that Brian briefly made contact with Mr. Ebelings penis under the covers, believing (correctly and justifiably in light of Brians then-current sexual relationship with Mr. Ebeling) that Mr. Ebeling was fine with it. Ebeling says the oral sex occurred for a whole take. In a follow-up, Alvarezs representatives say Ebeling consented verbally to doing it for real beforehand. (Produce the evidence, Ebeling says. No way in hell would I have ever consented to that.) Ebeling woke up upset early the next morning and sent Koenig a stream of texts saying his relationship with Alvarez was irreparably broken. Ill never look at him the same, he wrote. He cant know he can get away with this. Ebeling: God, my heart been pounding out of my chest since 6 This sucks Its starting to throb Id take a Xanax but was drinking all night Dont want to mix Koenig: Cause youre making it huge. Make it small. Rationalize it instead of internally letting your emotions interpret it. Youre choosing to hate someone which is a hard emotion to feel. Instead of rationalizing it, seeing it from his shoes and changing your tactics with him. That simple. Ebeling: He was so wrong honey. If he doesnt know now. Hell do it again to someone else. Koenig: You werent physically hurt. Yes it was confusing. And he was wrong and he knows it now. Ebeling: Hes a deviant. Koenig: Hes not like a rapist jon. In a later conversation, Ebeling recalls Koenig telling him the penis was just another part of the body and it might as well have been his pinkie. She told him to make himself accountable by setting stronger boundaries, to which he replied that his past indiscretions didnt warrant last nights behavior. She explained Alvarezs behavior by saying, you guys have done it before so I bet he thought maybe this was the only way youd allow yourself. The weird thing about Brian was that he was insanely toxic, but he didnt shy away from his toxic traits, says Ebeling. Steph was almost worse. She was always trying to make me feel like I was crazy or I was seeing it wrong. According to those familiar with Koenigs thinking, she maintains that what happened was not sexual assault. She views it as the result of loose boundaries in an amateur set environment and believes Ebeling responded the way he did because hed anticipated she would be angry with him. Moreover, she often felt like she had to placate him because he was prone to emotional meltdowns and self-victimizing to gain sympathy. As she saw it, Ebeling wasnt particularly good about boundaries either. He could be pushy, too, when it came to sex. After the shoot, Ebeling spent the night at Kirbys because he didnt want to be at his apartment, where everything had transpired. When he told Kirby what had happened on set, he was supportive at first. Were not shooting porn, Ebeling recalled him saying. Then Kirby spoke to Alvarez and his whole attitude on what happened completely changed. Alvarez told Kirby about the night before at his apartment, where they watched porn and Alvarez took a shower. He was like, No wonder he thought he could do that to you on set, says Ebeling. It was like Brian was laying the groundwork to discredit me. (Kirby declined to be interviewed.) The fact is there was no consent in that experience, says a former collaborator who worked with the group. And his friends were like, Well, everyones doing great because of the work thats coming out. If you create this rift, its going to ruin it for everyone. Alvarez (left) as his TikTok character TJ Mack. Doing a daily TikTok dance challenge to promote English Teacher. Photo: brianjordanalvarez/TikTok. Alvarez (left) as his TikTok character TJ Mack. Doing a daily TikTok dance challenge to promote English Teacher. Photo: brianjordanalvarez/TikTok. At USC, classmates say Alvarez fixated on unattainable people. They recall Alvarez growing jealous when a close female friend got a boyfriend. One night during a drinking game in which everyone had to tell a secret, he said jokingly that he wanted to gouge the boyfriends eyes out with his thumbs. (Alvarez does not recall this.) Soon Alvarez began to follow him around, showing up to parties uninvited and banging on the window of his house to be let inside in the middle of the night. During their senior showcase, he heckled him and tried to throw him off his game. Eventually, the boyfriend filed a no-contact order against Alvarez with campus security. Brian felt a permission to be a bit more extroverted and to potentially cross some boundaries with straight guys, says a former college friend. It was like, This is who I am, and Im going to express my own sexuality, and you cant tell me not to because that would be oppressive. The behavior coincided with a period when Alvarez was drinking heavily and using Adderall. It became enough of a problem that he had to leave school and go home to Tennessee to get sober. When he returned to USC in the spring of 2010, some students had been cast in a production of a musical written by Parmer Fuller, one of their professors. Among them was Alvarez, whom another student had been assigned to drive to rehearsals. The classmate says that when he picked Alvarez up, he seemed intoxicated or high and that Alvarez began groping his groin while he was driving. He kept making passes at me, and there was nothing I could do about it, says the former classmate. It got to the point where I was so uncomfortable I didnt want to be in the same room with him, and I didnt want to pick him up. Alvarez says he has no recollection of groping anyone in college but acknowledges harassing another student. He says he has been sober since May 1, 2010, and recognizes that, when under the influence, his behavior could often be insensitive and damaging and that he has apologized often to those he might have hurt and has always been deeply grateful for their apparent understanding and forgiveness. Alvarezs fantasies of reciprocation recur throughout his work. In 2017, he wrote a feature script, Everything Is Free, based on his feelings toward another straight male student at USC. In that film, Alvarezs character, Ivan, falls in love with a presumably straight guy named Cole. Cole keeps sending Ivan mixed messages hooking up with him while maintaining his heterosexuality. Coles older brother, Christian, is a homophobe who forcibly keeps them apart. Ivan shows up to Coles house at night, trying to win him back, only for Christian to punch him in the face. In a years-later coda, Cole returns to Ivan to say he was, indeed, always in love with him. The day after filming the sex scene, Ebeling went to Alvarezs house and told him he felt hed crossed a line. But in the weeks that followed, the surety he felt in the immediate aftermath began to erode. None of my friends were seeing me as a victim and this guy as an abuser, Ebeling says. It was too hard to look at it as if I had been raped. I convinced myself this was a miscommunication. He wasnt processing it. He kept doing that damn show, says Ebelings friend Tony Soto, who first met him at Sotos monthly lip-syncing competition at the L.A. gay bar Akbar. Within days of the set incident, Soto came over to hang out at Ebelings place they lived down the hall from each other and Ebeling told him what had occurred. I said he was raped. Immediately, says Soto. He didnt want to hear that. A heterosexual person doesnt want to admit they were sexually assaulted by a gay guy. To make matters more complicated, the incident occurred a week after the pilot of Caleb Gallo had been released online, where it was already gaining traction. Queer media outlets heralded its arrival; Tyler Oakley said it was officially my new favorite thing. They wrapped the five-episode season in late March 2016, and the show was programmed as part of the New Online Work section at the Tribeca Film Festival for April. Alvarezs agents started pitching it to studios and networks, and he told them he was firm about the cast remaining the same for any television deal. For a while, Ebeling felt it was in his best interest to forgive and forget. My work on Brians stuff was the only thing creatively I was doing, says Ebeling. I let the fear of losing my whole network of people win. Koenig and Ebeling continued to see each other on and off until the relationship petered out toward the end of 2016. Over the next four years, the group largely remained intact, only it now included Koenigs new boyfriend and now-husband, Chris Riggi. To outsiders, they seemed as close as ever, hanging out and making things. Like Alvarez, Ebeling began making work about his romantic fixations. After Koenig, he dated an actor and model, Bailey Kai, for some ten months before she broke up with him. He turned his attempt to win her back during a car ride to the airport into the 2018 short We Shouldnt Be Here. In it, hes a clingy and chaotic character, quick to anger when he feels things arent going his way. Ebeling and Kai play themselves, and the short was written and directed by Riggi. In a conversation recorded by Riggi during a brainstorm, Ebeling analyzes his own behavior, pointing to the way he used sympathy to get attention, like asking Kai to give him a head rub before starting to cry. I was like, You think Im so fucking pathetic, he says. Part of me is really showing her what I really feel like I really did feel pathetic. And then theres also a little bit of a manipulative factor. I know that if I really shit on myself in that moment and really lose it that shes going to finally give me that warmth that I wanted. Its so gross. Koenig, he tells Riggi, was always the best at seeing through his tactics. Sometimes, though, he thought she was wrong. She saw shit that wasnt there with Brian, he says. She used to think I was checking out Brian Thats the only area where she was a little bit clouded. Riggi asks if anything had ever happened between him and Alvarez. Brian sucked my dick, Ebeling replies. You know that. But I was never into Brians body. I was never sexually charged by Brian. Riggi replies, You probably never really shut him down. Ebeling agrees that he played into it. Ebeling and Alvarez continued to shoot projects together and frequently sent each other mutually fawning messages. Ebeling would call him my brotha and say he was one of the best men Ive ever met. In January 2018, when Alvarez booked a part on the Will & Grace revival as Estefan, the boyfriend of Sean Hayess Jack, Ebeling texted him, No one deserves success more than you, before adding, Means a lot you put me in your projects! That fall, Alvarezs Will & Grace character became a recurring one. Around that time, he cut himself off from the friend group. He told those close to him he was specifically trying to get away from Ebeling because he didnt like the control he felt Ebeling had over his life. He feared that if he wronged him, Ebeling would weaponize the set incident. Ebeling says the break allowed him to reassess what had happened. He went on a date and hooked up with another man so he could have a positive gay experience. (Ebeling identifies as straight, saying the exploration helped him settle this for himself.) By March 2019, Ebeling was living with Kirby, and Alvarez had returned to the group; he was living in an apartment building next to them. Ebeling told Koenig while he would like to keep the peace, he had a problem with Brian. Its just very deep and I dont see it ever going away, he texted her. Our time apart made me reevaluate him a lot and even more importantly myself. She texted him saying shed be outside his apartment in a couple of minutes so they could go get frozen yogurt. When he walked outside, he saw that she had brought Alvarez with her. I felt ambushed, he says. Alvarez asked if they could go to his place and talk things out. Ebeling said his piece that Alvarezs behavior on set had been wrong. Ebeling recalls Koenig saying, We could talk about it on a podcast, which both Ebeling and Alvarez thought was a bad idea. Alvarez felt that Ebeling was vindictively holding the incident over his head. He began to talk about how far hed come in his career and how many big things were around the corner. Thats when Ebeling remembers Alvarez falling to the floor and crying. At first, Ebeling thought he was doing a comedic bit. Brian was begging me not to end his career, says Ebeling. It was like him turning himself into the victim. I just stood there. The trio cuddle after working through their issues on Caleb Gallo. Photo: Brian Jordan Alvarez/YouTube In 2019, Ebeling began seeing his now-fiancee, Michaela Myers, a fellow actor and Groundlings alum. He had been oblique about what had happened between himself and Alvarez at first, but the more he shared with her, the more clarity he felt. She affirmed his initial feelings that it was wrong, that his friends responses were wrong. It became increasingly difficult to justify working with Alvarez. The last thing he did with them was Riggis film Good Luck With Everything in 2020. Ebeling told them he would do it as long as Alvarez wasnt involved. (He wasnt.) I knew by drawing a line in the sand I might end up over here on this side all by myself, he says. The pandemic forced the final break. There were many nights where he would sob like a little kid, says Myers. It was like hed finally accepted what had happened to him. His nighttime breakdowns were so intense they looked into EMDR therapy eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing. In EMDR, the patient focuses on a single point of trauma and the negative associations accompanying it. For the memory, he focused on the phone call with Koenig after the assault. The rift has only grown since Ebeling began telling friends, colleagues, and acquaintances his story. He wanted to plant a stake and for people to choose sides, an attitude some have found aggressive and off-putting. Meanwhile, Alvarezs profile has continued to grow. He appeared in M3GAN and 80 for Brady, and on TikTok he has amassed almost 900,000 followers. Lately, hes been doing a daily dance trend with captions urging viewers to stream English Teacher, which just saw another surge of critical adoration, landing on the New York Times Best of 2024 list and earning a slew of Indie Spirit Award nominations. (FX is aware of the allegations and has yet to renew it for a second season.) The success gap between them prompted some to see Ebelings Instagram post as sour grapes. The instant thought I had was, Oh, hes mad theyre having some success and hes not a part of it, says one of Koenigs friends. As a day job, Ebeling has been leading hiking tours to the Hollywood sign, but he hasnt given up on his dreams. He and Myers made a short together in 2021 called Jeff Cant Swim and are writing a pilot. Still, Caleb Gallo remains the project Ebeling is best known for. People yell Billy! at him on the street all the time, particularly when hes in West Hollywood. Its funny: This one job that I only made a couple hundred bucks on is the thing people know me from, Ebeling says. Alvarez had envisioned a different ending for his characters. In the Caleb Gallo version of events, after Karen discovers Billy and Caleb together, they all pile into a car to drive Billy to an audition. They yell, they cry. Billy and Karen kiss while Billy holds Calebs hand. Im a 21st-century man! Billy declares. That night, Caleb invites them to go back to his place. In a sequence set to the 80s song Hungry Eyes, Caleb begins to take a shower with the door and curtain open while Billy and Karen hook up. The episode ends with all of them spooning in bed together. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Patrick Redmond/Netflix, Martin Schoeller, David LaChapelle, Mark Harris, Prince Williams/WireImage, Getty Images (Paras Griffin, Shareif Ziyadat), Disney, Nadav Kander Early in our second-most read article of the year, Four Friends, Two Marriages, One Affair and a Shelf of Books Dissecting It, author Chris Heath describes the story as being one of turmoil, epiphany, evolution, damage, hope, betrayal, rancor, joy. Thats also a decent characterization of the year that was, which in our corner of the New York universe included more bad boys being exposed, Megalopolis fever, the unsettling encroachment of AI, and the invigorating ubiquity of Brat (the album) and brat (the ethos). Those immense cultural mood swings are represented in our 20 most-read stories of the year, a list thats based on the total minutes our visitors spent engaging with those posts. Its a top 20 that may well change after the seismic simultaneous release of Babyferatunknown in theaters on Christmas Day, but its the one we have for the moment, and were very proud of it. (If you want to make enjoying the stories even easier, we recommend trying out the all-new New York app. Never get logged out again!) Movies 20. The Perks of Not Being a Wallflower Photo: Nadav Kander for New York Magazine Actor Adam Pearson has his biggest role to date in a dark comedy inspired by his upbeat personality. Read the story. SNL 19. Heidi Gardner Couldnt Prepare for What She Saw Photo: Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images A sketch about Beavis and Butt-Head made the SNL star break after years of resistance. Shes still trying to figure out what exactly happened. Read the story. Profile 17. Creature From the Brat Lagoon Charli XCX owned the summer with an album that is also a vibe. Should she be sweating the fall? Read the story. Art 16. Watch the Throne Photo: Elinor Carucci for New York Magazine Kehinde Wiley built an empire out of painting young Black men into art history. Can it survive accusations of sexual assault? Read the story. Awards Season 15. Why Emma Stone Beat Lily Gladstone for Best Actress Photo: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images The Poor Things stars second Oscar was the most unexpected development on a night that mostly went chalk. Read the story. Movies 14. Megalopolis Is a Work of Absolute Madness Photo: Francis Ford Coppola via YouTube There is nothing in Francis Ford Coppolas perhaps-final testament that feels like something out of a normal movie. Read the story. profile 11. Therapy Daddy Photo: Sinna Nasseri Phil Stutz has made a career in Hollywood doing what most psychologists advise against: telling his patients exactly what to do. Read the story. TV 9. Fire Jeff Probst Photo: Chuck Snyder/CBS Its time for Survivors stalwart host to hang up his buff for good. Read the story. Celebrity 8. The Disappearing Timeline of Rose Hanbury Photo: Stephen Pond/Getty Images A timeline of the Marchioness of Cholmondeleys media coverage shows reports of an alleged affair with Prince William have quietly disappeared. Read the story. TV 6. The Double Loss of Under the Bridge Photo: Brigitte Lacombe Quinn Shephard on the beauty and grief of adapting the Hulu series with the books late author, Rebecca Godfrey. Read the story. Celebrity 4. Diddys Open Secrets Photo-Illustration: Mark Harris; Photos: Prince Williams/WireImage, Paras Griffin/Getty Images, Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images The rap mogul shook off decades of rumored bad behavior with wholesome PR revamps. Read the story. From Eureka Day, at the Friedman. Photo: Jeremy Daniel. Muhammad Ali might be proud of Jonathan Spector, whose Eureka Day starts with a flutter and turns on a nasty sting. Its no spoiler to talk about that eventual gut punch; even before it comes, much of the plays floating and dodging is laced with peril. The show is a polite tiptoe along a cliff, a trek across a field of eggshells that as often as not are strewn atop landmines. Spector has a keen ear for the particular dialect adopted by liberal communities in the aftermath of the first Trump election. For many at this point, its a cringily familiar patter: soft-spoken, high-strung, defensive, apologetic, riddled with anxiety. A messy blend of earnestly caring and desperately attempting to perform that care. The terrified dance of the well-intentioned. And oh, how the characters of Eureka Day dance. They are members of the executive committee at the titular academy, a private elementary school in the Berkeley Hills. They bring artisanal scones to their meetings in the schools sunny library, where the Social Justice section is front and center (and twice as big as Fiction) and the walls are adorned with posters of Michelle Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They operate according to bylaws that say all decisions must be reached by consensus (it can lead to some very long meetings), and they pepper their conversation with terms like holding space, erasure, devalue, and other and impact as verbs. Our Core Operating Principle here is that everyone should Feel Seen by this community, offers Eli (Thomas Middleditch), parent of Tobias and casually super-wealthy former tech bro, in a debate over whether the school should add Transracial Adoptee to the current options for race on its application. To which Suzanne (Jessica Hecht, light as a soap bubble and expertly unsettling) replies sweetly, Theres no benefit in Feeling Seen if youre simultaneously Being Othered, right? The Rumi-reciting Don (a subtly and wonderfully flustered Bill Irwin) might be head of school, and the committee might operate by unanimity, but its Suzanne who reigns, with a delicate fist in a locally-sourced alpaca-wool glove, when the play begins. Her many children have been through Eureka Day they and the school are her life. She was there at its founding, when it was housed in an old church with an empty library. So all of us, there were about fifteen families, she tells Carina (Amber Gray), parent of Victor and, as a recent transplant to the Bay, the newest member of the committee, we loaned all our books, everything age appropriate which was a little sad at first, being home with no books, but also such a great practice to teach our kids, you know: Where does this object matter most? Suzanne is empathetic and generous and passionately committed; shes also a very well-off white woman who assumes that Carinas family is on financial aid because shes Black, and who repeatedly speaks for or past her fellow committee members. I find the best way not to put words in someones mouth, Meiko (Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz), parent of Olivia, tells Suzanne tartly as she looks down at her knitting, is not to put words in their mouth. One gets the sense that even in relatively placid times, Eureka Days executive committee already wears each other outand puts a strain on the local fancy scone supplyin navigating the day-to-day running of their little would-be utopia. Then, inevitably, into this uneasy peace, Spector drops a frag grenade. Its early in the 20182019 school year, and a mumps outbreak hits Eureka Day. What would at first seem to be a medium-stakes situation, concerning but manageable, quickly snowballs into a full-blown catastrophe: Wait, types a parent into the Zoom comments thread when Don attempts to hold a digital town hall (sorry, Community Activated Conversation) about the outbreak, HALF the school is antivaxxers? Seriously???? At a swift 100 minutes, Spectors play is hinged around its extraordinary third scene, in which the unholy debacle that eventually comes of the committees community Zoom meeting forms a kind of pinnacle for the action. Theres before unseen parent Arnold Filmore calls unseen parent Myla Townes an unspeakable name, and theres after. Spectors script is painstakingly scored here, with the increasingly incendiary comments thread, displayed above the actors in projections by David Bengali, running alongside the committee members dialogue with second-to-second precision. The audience response is another key element so much of whats dropped up there on the screen by the Zoom room is gaspingly funny (three cheers for Leslie Kaufman, the parent who only ever responds with a thumbs-up emoji) that the shows actors often have to push right through waves of laughter. Thankfully, director Anna D. Shapiro trusts that chaotic overlap, heeding a script note by Spector that warns actors not to hold for laughs in this scene. Its the right impulse the comedy isnt played at or played up. It spills out organically, messily, even upsettingly. For as much as we might laugh at the unfolding absurdity, it all contains the pang of familiarity, the dismal truth weve been learning every day for years now in our age of communication at a digital distance: We are infinitely more prone to cruelty from behind a screen. When you dont have to look into someones eyes, saying fuck you is all too easy. Thats why, even if many of us might think of Zoom as a post-2020 aspect of life, it fits so neatly into Spectors play. Not only is it an ingenious device for expanding the scope of a story with a small cast; more important still, it makes us reckon with the difference between automatic online belligerence and the ache, the tedium, and the vital necessity of people actually talking to people. Though Spectors stance on vaccination is clearand theres no reason for it not to benone of his characters are broad satires. Suzanne and Carina are set up for the most contention, but even their simmering friction builds into a long private conversation in which Suzanne reveals the devastating personal history behind her mistrust. We may retain every ounce of our disagreement, but we cant not see a human being, two human beings, struggling to reach each other across a chasm. Hecht and Gray are excellent here and throughout, as is Shapiros whole company. Theyre not clowning though theres a delightful wink of a moment in which Irwins Don waxes misty-eyed over the actually quite subtle mime work of a former colleague. Rather, theyre performing that crucial aspect of theater, its function as a space of civic practice, quite literally a place where we rehearse the hardest conversations, where we experiment with how to put together a community. In his scripts epigraph, Spector quotes from Eula Bisss On Immunity, where Biss herself cites a doctor who describes a certain vaccine as important from a public health standpoint but not as critical from an individual point of view. In order for this to make sense, writes Biss, one must believe that individuals are not part of the public. Its this cognitive dissonance, so widespread and so clamorous and so tragically American, that theater, by its very nature, is always addressing, and in Eureka Day that essential refutation takes on explicit and eloquent form. Eureka Day is at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. by Xinhua writers Zhang Yunlong, Yue Xitong and Ren Qinqin BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China announced on Tuesday a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, aiming to further boost international openness and people-to-people exchanges. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers has been extended from the previous 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. The move, effective immediately, also includes a substantial expansion of designated ports and travel regions, enhancing flexibility for international visitors. Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. These travelers can now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provincial-level regions -- up from 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions -- and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours. "Compared with the previous 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, a notable feature of the policy adjustment is the introduction of cross-regional travel, allowing foreign visitors to move freely across the designated areas of 24 specified provincial-level regions," said Liu Jia, deputy director-general of the Department of Foreigner Management under the NIA. Liu added that the updated policy allows foreign travelers to better plan their itineraries and arrange flexible travel routes, enabling multi-destination tourism and business activities across various regions. The announcement has already garnered interest from international travelers. At Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in central China's Hubei Province, Luke Paul De Mena, an American tourist, was among the first to inquire about the new 240-hour visa-free procedures. Planning to explore the cities of Wuhan, Yichang and Xiangyang, De Mena praised the updated rules. "Hubei has a rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology. With the new policy, I can travel across the entire province -- this is great!" he said. The policy has been expanded to include five additional provinces, namely, Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou. Officials said these areas offer distinctive attractions, such as Shanxi's ancient architecture, Jiangxi's renowned ceramics, and Guizhou's rich natural heritage. The newly-covered areas are incorporated alongside major economic zones such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Officials said this adjustment is expected to meet the diverse needs of foreign tourists and business travelers alike. Complementing other visa initiatives -- such as regional visa exemptions, unilateral visa waivers and mutual visa agreements -- the measures aim to promote inbound tourism, facilitate business exchanges and enhance China's global openness, according to the officials. The new policy has also been praised by industry experts. "By simplifying entry procedures and encouraging more visitors, it will boost the international appeal of 'China Travel,'" said Yin Jie, a professor at the College of Tourism, Huaqiao University, located in the eastern coastal city of Xiamen. Yin added that the policy will support not only tourism but also cultural, educational and business exchanges between China and other countries. The move marks another step forward for the world's second-largest economy in facilitating global personnel mobility and opening wider to the world, attracting more foreigners to visit China. As of the end of November 2024, China had granted unilateral visa-free entry to travelers from 38 nations, allowing stays of up to 30 days. It has also made a series of policies facilitating foreigners to visit and live in China, triggering a trendy "China Travel" keyword on major online platforms. "With visa-free policies, I believe the number of tourists to China will increase," said Yoichiro Nakao, 58, an employee of a Japanese airline, noting that increased personnel exchanges are very beneficial for the economies of both countries. The positive response to the updated rules is already evident. Chinese online travel agency Ctrip reported a 116 percent surge in searches for domestic destinations on its Asia-Pacific platform within just half an hour of Tuesday's announcement. "The improvement of China's cross-border policies and infrastructure has become a key driver of inbound tourism," said Qin Jing, vice president of Ctrip. Official data reflects the momentum. China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million visitors entered the country visa-free, marking a massive 123.3 percent increase from the previous year. Notably, the number of visa-free transit travelers surged by 132.9 percent year on year. Verdi lived and composed in the villa for 50 years. The Italian state has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Villa Verdi, home of the great composer Giuseppe Verdi, Italy's culture ministry announced on Monday. Verdi lived and composed in the building, located in Sant'Agata di Villanova in the Piacenza area of northern Italy, from 1851 until his death in 1901. The state is to formally take possession of the Villa Verdi on 28 February 2025, along with its grounds, park and "extraordinary collection" of furnishings, letters, works of art and personal items belonging to the composer. In a statement, the culture ministry said the acquisition of Villa Verdi represents "a fundamental step for the protection, conservation and enhancement of one of the symbolic places of Italian culture and musical history" whose importance "goes beyond national borders". Firmato il decreto di esproprio del compendio Villa Verdi e pertinenze, a Villanova sullArda (PC), localita SantAgata. Il provvedimento sancisce lacquisizione definitiva da parte dello Stato dellultima dimora di #GiuseppeVerdi. Scopri di piu: https://t.co/lqSFDYoH9N pic.twitter.com/V7QOluhYVC Ministero della Cultura (@MiC_Italia) December 16, 2024 The purchase will allow the state to carry out urgent restoration and maintenance work on the house-museum, part of which dates to the 16th-century. Villa Verdi is the symbol of Italys cultural greatness and the place where the Maestro found inspiration for many of his immortal compositions", culture minister Alessandro Giuli stated, adding that the aquisition will guarantee the building's protection as "a heritage for all". The villa was purchased in 1848 by Verdi who drew up designs for its expansion personally, modifying and enlarging the building precisely as he wished. The house-museum contains musical treasures such as the Viennese piano with which many of Verdi's greatest works were composed, including Il Trovatore and La Traviata. The villa has stayed completely unchanged, exactly as Verdi left it, however in recent years his descendants had faced financial difficulty managing its upkeep, hampered by costly restoration works due to water infiltration. Last year opera houses across Italy joined a fund-raising campaign to help the state buy Villa Verdi after it was put on the market in 2022 following a two-decade dispute between the composer's heirs. Supported by the culture ministry, the Viva Verdi initiative saw 14 opera foundations each hosting a performance of Verdi's music and operas, with the proceeds going towards helping the state to buy the home. Photo Ministero della Cultura Etruscans for Eternity on display in Terminal 1. Travellers arriving into Rome's Fiumicino airport will be greeted with three Etruscan sculptures on loan from the National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia. The exhibit includes two travertine cinerary urns from Perugia and a sarcophagus lid from Tuscania featuring effigies of Laris Afle, Arnth Acsi and Larth Cales - three men, probably aristocrats - who lived in the second century BC. The ancient urns are decorated with scenes from Greek mythology, from the Seven Against Thebes and Oedipus mourning his sons to the sacrifice of Iphigenia by her father Agamemnon. The Etruscan civilisation flourished in central Italy between the eighth and third century BC before being gradually assimilated by the Romans. AllAeroporto di Fiumicino arriva #Etruschi per lEternita, unesposizione che presenta tre #sculture etrusche provenienti dalle collezioni pic.twitter.com/BpQvyByXTJ Aeroporti di Roma (@AeroportidiRoma) December 16, 2024 The Etruscans for Eternity exhibit in the arrivals area of Terminal 1 is the result of a collaboration between the National Etruscan Museum, Italy's Directorate-General of Museums and Rome airport manangement company Aeroporti di Roma. At the launch of the display on Monday, Villa Giulia director Luana Toniolo said the initiative is designed to "take the museum outside the museum, to high-density places such as airports to create "oases" of beauty and to invite people to reflect on the cultural heritage that belongs to each of us". The cultural project continues a tradition by Fiumicino of displaying archaeological artefacts, including statues discovered during excavations in 1939 at the ancient Roman harbour of Portus. Photo Il Messaggero YAOUNDE, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) vowed on Monday to implement structural reforms aimed at boosting economic growth and ensuring monetary stability, according to a statement released at the summit. The commitment was made at a special session of the CEMAC. The statement said the leaders also pledged to pursue a prudent debt policy and prioritize concessional financing, urging development partners to strengthen efforts in mobilizing financial resources to support the subregion's economic transformation. The statement also emphasized the need for CEMAC countries to pay their debts, the statement added. Cameroonian President Paul Biya, who hosted the summit, said in his closing speech that the CEMAC states need to diversify their economies and accelerate structural reforms in terms of governance and budgetary discipline. They also need to improve the business climate and deepen regional integration, he added. CEMAC is made up of six countries including Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea. Tomas Doherty Ryanair has denied price gouging and instead blamed the passenger cap at Dublin Airport as the reason behind high prices for flights this Christmas. Some seats on services from the UK to Ireland later this week and early next week are costing more than 600. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary denied profiteering and said passengers who have to pay expensive fares can blame the outgoing Minister for Climate, Eamon Ryan. "All of this was entirely avoidable if Eamon Ryan had simply sent a letter to the IAA [Irish Aviation Authority] to suspend his ludicrous traffic cap at Dublin Airport," he told Newstalk radio. The airline boss said huge demand during the Christmas period meant that prices across airlines and routes would rise. "We know there's the annual pilgrimage home at Christmas. We know there's hundreds of thousands people coming home, but there are 220,000 fewer seats. And therefore it is inevitable that if you have smaller supply, huge demand, prices across the piece will rise, and the highest prices will also rise. And all of this was sadly avoidable." Earlier this year Mr O'Leary claimed that Government ministers had "cancelled" Christmas due to the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, and predicted that airline fares would hit 500 in the last two weeks of December. Meanwhile, the closure of Holyhead Port due to damage from Storm Darragh could see ferry services cancelled until after Christmas. This might result in 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 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. By August Graham, PA A widely spread post on social media site Bluesky has claimed that Ireland has evicted the Israeli ambassador. Evaluation The Israeli embassy in Ireland is to close, however this was a decision taken by Israel, not by Ireland. The facts On December 15th Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, announced on social media in an English-language statement that he had decided to shut the countrys embassy in Dublin. Mr Saar said: 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 statement accused Ireland of recognising a Palestinian state during attacks on Israel and supporting baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It also said, among other things, that Ireland is one of the few European countries that has not adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: 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. Links Post on Bluesky (archived) Gideon Saar on X (archived) Simon Harris on X (archived) Eva Osborne and Vivienne Clarke The closure of Holyhead Port is causing "massive problems" as it is responsible for 60 per cent of the freight into Ireland, according to the chief executive of Tranzaura, a Limerick-based transport technology company. Shane Mann said: "You take 60 per cent out of any system, and it causes massive problems. Given the time of year, trying to find that extra capacity to solve the problem is a huge challenge. There has been huge concern for companies and postal services as the backlog of shipping poses a big challenge in the run-up to Christmas following the damages caused at Holyhead during Storm Darragh. The resolution of this crisis will require coordinated efforts across the supply chain to restore stability and ensure Irelands critical imports keep moving," Mann said. Probably one of the bigger issues right now is freight trailers being stuck [in Holyhead] without trucks to draw them out. Finding trucks and finding drivers to go into Holyhead, collect those trailers and bring them back out to move them to other ports is the big challenge." "If any industry can overcome the challenge, it's the logistics industry. They've dealt with other serious supply chain problems during Covid, but this particular issue brings its own unique problems because it's happening right in the middle of the Christmas rush." 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. Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Monday the seriousness of the damage was becoming more apparent as the days go by. The Welsh secretary for transport Ken Skates said the position of Holyhead port should be known later this week. In the meantime, contingency plans are being rolled out where identifying collectively the operators of the ferries and the ports across the UK. We're identifying as much spare capacity as possible, be able to utilise other ports to get ferries to and from Ireland, he told RTEs Today with Claire Byrne on Tuesday. Mr Skates acknowledged there had been uncertainty about the reopening of the port. This led to speculation about the reopening date of the port and if it could happen before Christmas. That's why it's absolutely vital that we get that certainty within the next 24 hours. As to whether it will or will not. Now, I understand that investigations are ongoing. There are divers under the water on a very regular basis assessing the damage. But within the next 24 hours, we will have certainty and we'll be able to then implement very, very significant plans to be able to get as many people and goods to Ireland as soon as possible. Mr Skates added that he had been communicating on a daily basis with Minister of State James Lawless on the issue, not just with each other, but with the ferry companies and the port operators. Everybody is doing the utmost to get goods and people to Ireland before Christmas. We're identifying as many opportunities to provide additional ferry services from other ports to minimise the disruption and to get as many people and as many goods to Ireland before Christmas as we possibly can. Mr Skates said that the Welsh government had set up a taskforce to examine how best they could provide opportunities for people to get back to Ireland in time for Christmas. We believe that the figure is around about 100,000 people that return to Ireland at Christmas time. So the number is significant and we're doing our utmost to identify not just ferries but flights as well. And I would say that it's absolutely vital at this time of year that the airplane operators show and to signal to people who are in need and to get back to Ireland for Christmas. And it's not helpful when fares rise astronomically. So I'd appeal to those airlines not to increase fares given the severity of the situation. I think it'd be very helpful if they could be part of the solution and in the most sympathetic way. I'm sure they will listen and decide to respond accordingly in a sympathetic way. We'll wait to see. But I do hope that they will take this matter with the utmost seriousness and help passengers get back to Ireland for Christmas. My hope is that we will be able to secure arrangements where people will be able to use alternative means of travel with their existing tickets. It's absolutely vital that we make this process as seamless and as painless as we possibly can. All of us, for the people who are looking to return to Ireland and for people who are looking to get their gifts in time for Christmas. So it's vitally important that everybody works together. And that's the message that we've been expressing collectively, myself and Minister Lawless, on ferry operators, on transport, other transport operators and on the ports. Eva Osborne Ireland is the world's most generous country on GoFundMe for a sixth cosecutive year after almost 50 million was raised for causes across the country in 2024. Galway was named the most generous county, followed by Limerick, Cork, Waterford, and Dublin. In 2024, more than 15,000 fundraisers were launched across Ireland, with more than 850,000 donations. Globally, an average of two donations were made every second. GoFundMe said the generosity of the West of Ireland in particular has been "truly remarkable", with communities rallying together to support both local and international causes. Among the stories that captured hearts were efforts to rebuild a family home lost to a fire, providing urgent aid to families in Gaza, and funding overseas medical treatments for Irish children facing life-threatening illnesses. GoFundMe chief executive Tim Cadogan said: "The Irish peoples incredible kindness and willingness to help others, even during challenging times, continues to inspire. "Whether donating 5 or 500, every act of generosity creates a ripple effect of hope and change. This years inspiring fundraisers are a testament to the Irish spirit resilient, compassionate, and unwavering in its support of those in need." Irelands top five GoFundMe campaigns based on the amount raised in 2024: All bar one board member of the Waterford Intellectual Disability Association (WIDA) has resigned amid a workplace relations commission case regarding the alleged mistreatment of employees who made protected disclosures. This comes just one year after a HSE audit found that extensive conflict between board members and management had occurred in the organisation, which had breached spending rules when significant sums of HSE funding was used for legal and consultancy fees, instead of for the charitys service. In a four-week period, the majority of the voluntary board of the charity has resigned, starting with former director John Mitchell, who resigned on November 21 of this year. The same day, the trustee chairperson Eamonn Coady and fellow board member Sharon Devereux resigned. One week later, another Director Nick Donnelly resigned from his position. Another board member, Linda Harte, had resigned in August. In the ensuing weeks, the secretary William Power resigned from his position after appointing two new directors in Adrian Aherne and Jim Ryan. Of the Board of Directors in place in August, only one member remains, Noel Power. Adrian Ahern, who works as the Chief Executive Officer of Leopardstown Park Hospital, is an HSE employee and holds a directorship of the Order Of Malta Ireland, was installed as a director of the company. Jim Ryan has also been installed as a director of the company, in addition to holding a position as a director of the DLR Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and is the former HSE Mental Health Head of Operations, Quality and Service Improvement. The Charities Regulator, which has oversight over WIDA, said that it does not comment on individual charities. However, we can confirm that we have been liaising with the charity and the HSE. The Health Service Executive stated to Waterford News & Star that the welfare of residents and service users is a priority for the HSE. The HSE has arrangements with many agencies in the care sector to provide services. This is in accordance with service level agreements and the HSE liaises with such agencies on an ongoing basis, it said, but did not answer queries regarding the HSEs involvement in choosing new board members or whether the organisation was concerned by the en-masse resignation of the charitys board. The Waterford Intellectual Disability Association has been approached for comment on the matter. Responding to a query as to why members of the Board of Directors had resigned, a spokesperson said: There is a new BOD in place. The charity operates crucial supports for services for adults and children with an intellectual disability and/or autism across Waterford. The charity, which is a Section 32 organisation, has 133 staff members and receives almost all of its income from its service level agreement (SLA) with the HSE which amounted to 7,457,816 last year. It is understood that a number of WIDA staff members and former board members have raised concerns and made protected disclosures about the charitys board of directors to the HSE. The concerns mainly concern improperly procured expenditure of money on legal and management consultancy services, which staff members believe has directly impacted their ability to provide necessary services to its users; improperly procured expenses, which are not funded by the HSE, taken from money, which is intended for the care of its service users or incurs liabilities. The Waterford Intellectual Disability Association ran a deficit of 744,836 in the previous calendar year. Significant conflict between the board and management The investigation by the HSEs internal audit team into WIDA, which found breaches of spending rules relating to a significant amount of HSE funding - which was used for consultancy and legal fees, was revealed by Waterford News & Star last year. The internal audit, relating to spending controls, found there was significant conflict between the board and management at the centre. With regard to legal and consultancy procurement by WIDA, the auditors highlighted that legal advice from January to May 2023 amounted to 111,546.19, while consultancy invoices from January 2022 to May 2023 amounted to 72,775.28. The total legal and consultancy expenditure between January 2022, and May 2023 was 184,321.47. A series of protected disclosures were made to the HSE and HIQA regarding the use of the services money on such services. This is the total known amount as advised to the internal audit, but the level of expenditure will grow substantially, including invoices for work commissioned but not yet invoiced/ completed, and for the as yet unknown costs of potential legal action and advice costs, noted the auditors in the report at the time. The auditors noted that as the Board is effectively solely funded by the HSE, the use of external advisers to attempt to resolve internal disputes is using public funds, but not for the benefit of service users, and is breaching budgetary control, Waterford News & Star reported. The auditors detailed extensive conflict between board members and the management team in the report and said it had resulted in a wide-ranging IR (industrial relations) dispute and proposals from the board to restructure including redundancy arrangements for two managers and a new CEO role. The wide-ranging IR dispute led, earlier this year, to a High Court case seeking an embargo on the appointment of a CEO to the charity during an ongoing Workplace Relations Commission case taken under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The Board of Directors of WIDA agreed not to appoint a CEO to the business during the tenure of the WRC case and agreed to pay for the legal costs of the applicant and their union. Prior to this agreement, two former board members of the charity wrote to the Charities Regulator this year to raise concerns that the charity is insolvent as their liabilities far exceed their ability to meet them. We fear that WIDA is in a state of imminent collapse and we worry that our loved ones will be scattered to the four winds throughout Ireland making it impossible for their elderly and infirm parents to stay in contact with their loved ones, the letter said. The Metropolitan Mayor Cllr Joe Kelly has been nominated to contest the upcoming Seanad elections in late January. The Tramore and Waterford City West Councillor was nominated to stand for election to the Industrial and Commercial Panel of the Seanad by the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Safety Management Systems. Mayor Kelly is the National Chairperson of the Institute and said that he is "honoured to get the nomination". "I would like to thank the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Safety Management Systems for the nomination and for their confidence in me. I will give the election my best shot," the Metropolitan Mayor said. "It's a very competitive and difficult election," he said but added that if he was successfully elected he would "do [his] best for Waterford City and county on issues that impact Waterford." Mayor Kelly said he would work for progress on SETU, University Hospital Waterford and Waterford Airport. "These are real issues - hot topics," he said. Elected as Mayor in June, Kelly said he would work to "improve working conditions for councillors" and that he believes more power should be given to local councils, instead of "more and more power being given to central government". "I feel that real politics is best done closest to the people," he said. "We are the elected representatives of local people." Kelly believes that decision-making should be done by those elected to local councils, instead of the "unelected" people in government bodies. Cllr Kelly is currently serving his second one-year term as Metropolitan Mayor - having previously held the position in 2018. He previously served as plenary Mayor of Waterford City & County from 2021 to 2022. "This city and county holds a special place in my heart, and I am committed to representing it with dignity and pride. The importance of the democracy in which we live, and work, cannot be undervalued. It gives all the councillors here present our mandate to work for those that elected us," he said following his appointment to the position in June. The 97 years of Phyllis Phyl Browne nee OSullivan - the mother was well-known local photographer Noel, was full of love, happiness, goodness, and kindness as her beloved Kingsmeadow community bid farewell to a great lady following her untimely death at University Hospital Waterford on Saturday, December 7. A woman of great faith, Phyl died following a short illness that she borne with great dignity, courage and strength with her passing leaving a deep void in the lives of those that knew her for incredible devotion to life, people, family and her adopted parish. Born on June 17, 1927, she was one of a family of eight where she was raised in Dungarvan together with her five sisters and two brothers. Phyllis married her late husband Noel back in 1953 where they moved to England for a period living close to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London, before moving back to Waterford where they made Mc Donagh Road in Kingsmeadow their forever home. Her funeral was celebrated at the Holy Family Church last week. LOVE OF COMMUNITY In paying an emotional tribute to his late mother, Noel said: Im overwhelming by the support that weve received as a family and I thank you all for the lovely comments and for been here with us. Mam was as my sister Carolyn put it a force of nature. She lived at home, independently,all her life where she loved to be in the middle of her community and found Kingsmeadow a great place to life throughout her life. Noel added: So many great neighbours looked out for her and she loved you all. Even at the age of 97, she made a point to me a few weeks ago, that she never had a carer. Not one carer stepped over the threshold of the house, not one person she didnt know, which was remarkable. She loved Dunhill and going to Dunhill with her late husband where she liked to socialise and play darts. She was a great darts players and represented Munster when there was very few women playing sport. She loved Roanmore GAA club, but theres no doubt that she loved the people of Kingsmeadow and you all loved her in equal measure so thank you so much for that. AMAZING WOMAN In his homily, Fr. Gerry Langford said: Any funeral in December so close to Christmas, when we plan to gather with family and loved ones, adds another level of sadness. The bright lights of our Christmas trees and the Happy Christmas music that we hear everywhere we go, well, it can be in stark contrast to how we really feel inside. For we know that Christmas is a difficult time for many people who miss people their loved ones, especially so this time of year, we are here in sadness, but more so to celebrate with gladness the life of a truly remarkable woman, Phyllis Brown, reaching the great age of 97. She is leaving behind a legacy that speaks volumes about the goodness in our heart and the strength of our character. To reach the degree age is a blessing in itself, but to reach it with such health and vitality and independence, but as a rare gift, she was able to live with grace and dignity. She remain active, independent and engaged with the world around her. Right to the end of her days, Phyllis lived with a deep appreciation of this gift of health of body and mind, and she never took it for granted. Fr. Langford added: Throughout her life, she was known for her kindness and her caring nature. She touched the lives of many with her want, her laughter and her genuine interest in people, whether it was a conversation with a friend or a neighbor or a family member. She had a way of making people feel seen and valued, because she truly cared about how others were doing. Phyllis had great sense of humor, and her joyful spirit was infectious, really. She brought light to every room she entered. Her outgoing nature made her a beloved friend and neighbour. She was a remarkable lady. Sacred music was rendered at her funeral Mass by Sarah Jane Lavery accompanied by Catherine Power. Phyllis was buried at St. Marys Cemetery, Ballygunner. She is survived by her son Noel, daughter Carolyn, daughter-in-law Alma, grandchildren Louise, David and Shane, extended family and friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathies. May she rest in peace. Waterford Lion's Club had a fabulous evening on Saturday, December 14, as they sang beautiful Yuletide carols at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. The Club held their annual Christmas Carol concert which attracted hundreds of people to the city centre. General. Photo: John Power Anticipation for the event was at fever pitch, with many audience members taking their seats nearly two hours before the start of the concert. Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Jason Murphy, Bishop of Lismore and Waterford Alphonsus Cullinan, and Reverend John Harris were in attendance at the cathedral. The event was included as part of the Winterval Festival. According to PRO Patsy Sheridan: "People were coming in to the church and taking their seats at 2.30pm. It was packed to the gills!" Patsy told the Waterford News and Star: "It was a lovely atmosphere. To hear 200 voices singing, my God , the hairs on the back of your neck would stand up." Christmas Hamper Appeal The event attracted people of all ages, even beyond Waterford. This event marked the 46th year of the club's Christmas Hamper appeal, which aims to support over 1,300 families in Waterford. Mayor Of Waterford City and County Cllr. Jason Murphy, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore and Rev, John Harris, Adm. Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity. Photos: John Power The hampers include turkey and ham, along with a few other items to help struggling families through the holidays. The Club managed to raise over 10,000 in the cathedral alone. Earlier on in the month, the club took on a week of street collections to raise money. They also held an auction was at the Tower Hotel with items donated by local businesses. Between the auction, concert and street donations, the Lions Club have shown, once again, the generosity of the Deise people. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A delegation from Brunei Darussalam attended the ASEAN Workshop on International Legal Cooperation in Trafficking in Persons (TIP), local media reported on Tuesday. According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, the event, held in Thailand from Dec. 11 to 13, aimed to present and discuss the updated draft of the zero draft of the ASEAN Compendium on International Legal Cooperation on Trafficking in Persons Cases, as well as the ASEAN Handbook on International Legal Cooperation in Trafficking in Persons Cases. The workshop provided an opportunity for enforcement agencies and prosecutors in dealing with trafficking in person cases in ASEAN member countries to explore cooperation, exchange views and information, and learn good practices in the ASEAN region and internationally, according to the Borneo Bulletin. The National Working Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons of Brunei has always been committed to continuous efforts to prevent and counter the threat of human trafficking issues in the country, the media reported. By David Young, PA A covert surveillance operation authorised by a Northern Ireland police chief in a bid to unmask a journalistic source was unlawful, a tribunal has ruled. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal quashed the decision made by former Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Sir George Hamilton, to approve the Directed Surveillance Authorisation (DSA) in an investigation into the leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary on a Troubles massacre. The tribunal, chaired by Lord Justice Singh, also awarded damages of 4,000 each to documentary makers Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, in a judgment issued on Tuesday. Journalists Barry McCaffrey (left) and Trevor Birney, outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London on Tuesday. Photo: PA. The IPT had been examining allegations that the award-winning journalists were subject to unlawful covert surveillance by UK authorities. The tribunal also looked at separate allegations that the PSNI and the Metropolitan Police in London unlawfully accessed Mr McCaffreys phone data in unrelated operations, in 2013 and 2012 respectively. The two forces had already conceded that those 2012 and 2013 operations were unlawful. The tribunal also quashed the two authorisations for those two phone data operations, but did not award any damages to Mr McCaffrey in those cases. In 2018, Belfast-based Mr McCaffrey and Mr Birney were controversially arrested as part of a police investigation into the alleged leaking of a confidential document that appeared in a documentary they made on the 1994 loyalist paramilitary massacre in Loughinisland, Co Down. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), citing a conflict of interest, asked Durham Police to lead the investigation into the inclusion of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland document in the No Stone Unturned film on the UVF pub shooting that claimed the lives of six men. The PSNI later unreservedly apologised for the way the men had been treated and agreed to pay 875,000 in damages to the journalists and the film company behind the documentary. The settlement came after a court ruled that the warrants used by police to search the journalists homes and Fine Point Films had been inappropriate. In 2019, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey lodged a complaint with the IPT asking it to establish whether there had been any unlawful surveillance of them. In court proceedings earlier this year, the tribunal heard that a detective requested the DSA from Sir George in order to monitor whether the two reporters would reach out to their source in the week after their initial release from custody. Sir George gave the green light for the covert surveillance of an individual whom officers suspected of being the source of the leaked document from the Police Ombudsmans office. In its judgment, the IPT said: We will quash the DSA. We have determined that a declaration of its unlawfulness would not be sufficient to afford the claimants just satisfaction in respect of its incompatibility with the rights protected by Article 10 (of the European Convention of Human Rights). Reacting to the judgment, Mr Birney and Mr McCaffrey both called for a public inquiry into police surveillance of journalists. Honda and Nissan are preparing to start negotiations on a possible merger, which could ultimately be expanded to include Mitsubishi, Japans Nikkei reported. Such a deal would create an automotive rival to Toyota that would effectively consolidate the Japanese auto industry into two camps, and also provide Honda and Nissan with more resources to compete globally with larger peers. The move would follow a decision by the two companies earlier this year to work together on electric vehicle batteries and software. Nissan has been fighting to survive. Credit: Bloomberg At that time, Honda chief executive officer Toshihiro Mibe floated the possibility of a capital tie-up with Nissan. While Honda and Nissan stopped short of confirming Tuesdays report, both automakers issued statements that reiterated their previous pledges for further future cooperation. If you adopt a grim view of Trumps America, now would be a terrible time for Australian fashion brands to launch into the US. As well as the president-elects promise to raise tariffs on imported goods, especially those made in China, there is a general sense of unease ahead of his inauguration on January 20. But Kelly Atkinson, a fashion brand consultant and strategist, is a glass half-full person. Atkinson and her business partner and husband, Richard Poulson, have partnered with Australia Post to send 12 Australian fashion brands to New York for a week-long residency on the sidelines of the citys fashion week in February. Four of the 12 designers bound for New York (from left): Mariam Seddiq, Christian Kimber, Viktoria & Woods and Acler. Credit: Getty Images But this is no ordinary pop-up: the space will feature Ti trees and red earth for an immersive Australian experience and consumers will be able to shop directly from the brands, which encompass some of Australias best emerging, established and sustainable fashion talent. The 12 brands are Viktoria & Woods, Acler, Bond-Eye, Jac & Jack, Wah-Wah Australia, Van Der Kooij, Christian Kimber, Re/lax Remade, Mariam Seddiq, R.M. Williams, Morrison and Ngali. 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. ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least two policemen were killed and three others injured late Monday night in a terrorist attack at a checkpost in Shangla district of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Local police said on Tuesday that unknown gunmen stormed a police check post and fired indiscriminately and hurled hand grenades at the post in the Chakesar area of the district. The attack was followed by a fire exchange leading to the killing of the two policemen, including an officer, and the injuring of the three other police personnel. The terrorists managed to escape from the site after the attack, said police, adding that there is no report of any casualty on the terrorists' side. Police, security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital. Security forces had launched a search operation in the region to arrest the culprits involved in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. The World Customs Organization (WCO), with financial support from the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of China, successfully held a National Workshop on the WCO Data Model (WCO DM) and Single Window Data harmonization in Bangkok, Thailand, from 9 to 13 December 2024. Finnish Customs supported the Workshop by providing one of its WCO DM experts to help facilitate the Workshop. The event aimed to improve Thai Customs officials' knowledge of the WCO DM as a global standard for data exchange, and provide them with the skills necessary to successfully implement the data standard. The Workshop focused on enabling the Thai Customs to develop a National data catalogue that fully aligns with the WCO DM. The event opened with remarks from representatives of Thai Customs and a WCO expert, who welcomed participants and outlined the Workshop's objectives. The Director of the Human Resource Management Division of Thai Customs, Apapannee Saengmukda, noted in her opening remarks that the primary goal is to promote the adoption of the WCO DM to enhance interoperability and digital collaboration among Customs administrations and other stakeholders. To provide context on the use of the WCO DM in border modernization efforts, the Workshop included presentations on the strategic benefits of digitalization and standardization. Experts gave an overview of the WCO DM and its components, providing participants with detailed knowledge on the Model's structure, and the tools and techniques it incorporates which ensure standardisation and, as a result, interoperability. Key technical aspects of the WCO DM, such as its libraries, information packages, and main class levels, were covered, and participants were introduced to the WCO Data Model App to assist in the implementation process. The Workshop featured hands-on exercises focused on harmonizing data requirements for Customs procedures, including import/export clearance, manifest, and import/export license. A Thai Customs representative also presented detailed information on Thai Customs procedures and National Single Window platform, identifying opportunities to incorporate the WCO DM within these frameworks, which can be the efficient tools and standards for the development of national and international trade interoperability. The Workshop concluded with a summary of key points and closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of the WCO DM in streamlining and harmonizing Customs processes in Thailand. Key follow-up actions were outlined to support the full implementation of the WCO DM by producing a national dataset in a My Information Package (MyIP) format by Thai Customs and how the Data Model Projects Team experts could contribute in assisting in such an endeavour. In a high-level meeting between the WCO experts and Thai Customs leadership, Deputy Director General Niti Wityatem stated that aligning Thai Customs with the WCO DM lays a strong foundation for the interoperability of any ongoing and future digital initiatives-an essential feature for efficient border procedures. He reiterated Thai Customs commitment to continuously enhancing the alignment of the Thai national dataset with the WCO DM. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Experts have acknowledged China's role in international maritime dispute settlement and called for global cooperation at a symposium held on Monday in Beijing. "China plays an important role in addressing international maritime disputes and is at the forefront in advancing mediation," said Stephen Fietta, founder of London-based law firm Fietta LLP. The international law practitioner commented on how China strives to solve maritime disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Fietta made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the 2024 Symposium on International Maritime Dispute Settlement and International Law. Over 200 judges, lawyers, scholars, diplomats and officials, among others, from more than 30 countries including China, Britain, Egypt and the Netherlands and international organizations, attended the event. Miao Deyu, Chinese assistant minister of foreign affairs, said at the opening ceremony of the symposium that China's proposal to construct a maritime community with a shared future has contributed to promoting global maritime governance. Miao said countries should adhere to the principle of sovereign equality and maintain international peace and security, promote win-win cooperation and the sustainable development of the ocean, and safeguard international equity and justice and implement the common values of all mankind. Ahmed Amin Fathalla, a member of the International Law Commission, said the symposium displayed multiple opinions and diversity in fields such as maritime governance and legal framework. Fathalla told Xinhua that to better tackle maritime dispute challenges, multiple mechanisms including international and regional courts, tribunals and mediation should be jointly used. At the event, Irish scholar Anthony Carty introduced his book "The History and Sovereignty of the South China Sea," which attests to China's sovereignty over Xisha Qundao and Nansha Qundao, citing official archives mainly from Britain and France. Carty, a professor with Peking University Law School, said that documents revealed that fishermen from southern China had visited and lived in Nansha Qundao for centuries, and legal experts in Britain and France agreed on China's sovereignty over Xisha Qundao and Nansha Qundao. In November, the Chinese government delimited and announced the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao, which is a natural step to lawfully strengthen marine management and is consistent with international law and common practices. Chen Xiangmiao, a researcher with the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said the move abides by international law including the UNCLOS, adding that "by clarifying the baselines, the legal attributes of the territorial sea can be determined, and the regional order of fishery and environmental protection can be better maintained." The symposium was co-organized by the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance and China Oceanic Development Foundation. Attendees discussed issues such as the role of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in resolving international maritime disputes and the ITLOS's advisory opinion on climate change, among others. The event aims to provide a platform to discuss international maritime disputes and frontier issues of international law, and establish a long-term mechanism for training international law talent, according to Wu Shicun, one of China's leading researchers on the South China Sea issue and chairman of Huayang. RAMALLAH, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed on Tuesday by Israeli army gunfire east of the West Bank city of Qalqilya, Palestinian sources said. The Israeli army opened fire on two young men, identified as Mohammed Ashqar, 32, and Diaa Salmi, 31, near the Sufin neighborhood, and their bodies arrived at Qalqilya Governmental Hospital, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry said in a press statement. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed in a press statement that its workers transferred the bodies to the hospital. 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 tension since Oct. 7, 2023, during which more than 810 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunfire and shelling, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 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. #XinhuaNews Kiltimagh Velorail, a partnership between IRD Kiltimagh CLG and Mayo County Council, has received an international accolade from the UK National Railway Heritage Association for the innovative and courageous repurposing of 13km of a disused railway line, part of the Western Rail Corridor which closed to passenger traffic in 1965, into a new commercial and sustainable project that will breathe life into the line and to the tourism infrastructure in East Mayo for years to come. The partnership between the local community and the local authority created a new tourism amenity by clearing and restoring 13km of the rail-line and the Station House, and now operates the railbike attraction which has brought visitors from all over the world to Kiltimagh and Mayo since it opened in June 2023. The National Railway Heritage Awards is the only UK or Irish body dedicated to encouraging and rewarding best practice in the re-use, restoration and continued upkeep of our rich heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures. The awards competition is described as "a competition to recognise, acknowledge and reward, for the public benefit, the very best in re-use, restoration and conservation of our historic railway infrastructure. The award was presented by the National Railway Heritage Awards Chairman and Trustee, Andy Savage MBE and special guest, Ptolemy Dean OBE, Architect and TV presenter, to Joe Kelly, CEO, IRD Kiltimagh and Peter McCormack, Engineer with Mayo County Council, at a special ceremony held in the Merchant Taylors Hall in Central London. The velorail project has given a boost to tourism in East Mayo. Speaking after receiving the award, Mr Kelly said: I am absolutely delighted to accept this award on behalf of the many people and organisations that have helped bring the Kiltimagh Velorail from idea stage to the point of being a successful tourism project which brings many people to the area each tourism season. "I am proud to have been part of the team that has now had their courage and creativity acknowledged by this award, having overcome complexity and adversity to develop a project that is the first of its kind anywhere in Ireland or the UK. I am also delighted that in its first two seasons that Kiltimagh Velorail has proven itself successful, capable of operating as a community business, employing local people and attracting significant numbers of visitors to the area to have the unique experience that is Velorail. Concluding, he said, The award is also recognition for all the helpful and friendly staff of Velorail who meet our customers daily as well as those staff who perform the essential, often unseen, maintenance tasks." Peter McCormack, from Mayo County Councils Tourism, Recreation and Amenity section, said: It is an honour to receive recognition from the National Railway Heritage Awards for the hard work and dedication of everyone that was involved in delivering the Velorail project. The awards have a long running history of marking achievements in re-using and restoring railway infrastructure in a sustainable manner and Velorail has delivered in this respect while also enhancing Mayos outdoor activity offering and delivering on its vision of a county that is sustainable, inclusive, thriving, and proud." Mr McCormack also added that the project was part funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development through Mayo County Council and through the LEADER Programme administered by South West Mayo Development Company CLG as part of the Mayo Local Action Group. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the seventh foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the seventh foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) via video link on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that as a founding member of CICA, China actively participates in the CICA process, always supports the development of CICA, and will continue to do so. Emphasizing that ensuring security, promoting development, pursuing cooperation and seeking win-win results are the urgent aspirations of the overwhelming majority of countries, Wang called on CICA to play a unique role in this regard, build an Asian community with a shared future and expand new space for win-win development. Wang called on CICA member countries to adhere to peaceful coexistence and seek common security; jointly advance Belt and Road cooperation to promote prosperity and development; respect diverse civilizations and promote exchanges and mutual learning; practice multilateralism and build a beautiful home together. Noting that Chinese modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development and brings more opportunities to Asian countries, Wang said that China stands ready to work with CICA member states to forge a new form of Asian civilization featuring win-win development through solidarity and coordination. Kazakhstan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu described the work done in the past two years as the rotating chair of CICA, while Jeyhun Bayramov, foreign minister of Azerbaijan, the new chair of CICA, briefed on the key considerations for the next step. All parties believe that CICA member states should unite and trust each other, deepen strategic coordination, strengthen and improve the CICA mechanism, expand the influence of the organization, and work together with the global South to meet global challenges. The parties will explore ways to better synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the global Security Initiative, promote regional connectivity and enhance mutual understanding among countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attends the seventh foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) Reading, PA (19601) Today Any morning clouds give way to partly sunny skies; a milder afternoon with highs back above the 60-degree mark. . Tonight Becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. . Tonight Becoming cloudy overnight with some patchy fog and drizzle possible late at night. By Farman Aydin | AzerNEWS When we hear statements on unnecessary topics or claims against Azerbaijan from members of the European Parliament, the US Congress, and even former UN officials, only one thing comes to mind: I wonder at what price they are auctioning themselves off to utter these lies? What happened in Nagorno-Karabakh can be considered a war crime or a crime against humanity. From the point of view of international law, what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh can easily be equated to ethnic cleansing. This was stated by former United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Minorities Fernand de Varennes in his recent interview with an Armenian media outlet in Yerevan. Looking through these narratives, thoughts generate in minds: How bribery fuels anti-Azerbaijan rhetoric It is no coincidence that a former UN official was invited to Yerevan and such lies were dictated to him there. Until now, dozens of Fernand, Ocampo and others have shamelessly lied in front of the microphone. Because for them, the bribe they receive is much more valuable than honour and dignity. Or do you think that they, like Bob Menendez and some pro-Armenian congressmen, are providing these selfless services because of their kinship with Armenians? Kinship is not important, what is important is the financial power of the Armenian lobby's propaganda machine, which every other day politicians appear like mushrooms, they take root at the expense of their financial resources. But despite all these absurd statements, one thing can be said for sure: there is no determination behind the claims. What is happening in Armenia is not important to the former UN Special Rapporteur, the corrupt criminalist Ocampo, or some congressmen accustomed to a luxurious life. We can say with certainty that Fernand de Varennes, who feels like a hired killer fulfilling his duty in front of the microphone, does not think one bit about the well-being of the Armenian people. In a nutshell, the former UN representative in charge of ethnic minorities is strongly recommended to take a glance at the living conditions of ethnic minorities in Azerbaijan. With its commitment to multicultural values, Azerbaijan also highly values ??people of different ethnic backgrounds and does not separate them from the people of majority. For example, we can bring to Mr. Fernand's attention that there are also Armenian national communities living in Azerbaijan and even in Garabagh and they are more than happy with their life in Azerbaijan. As for the Garabagh events, we would like to remind the former Un rep once again of Azerbaijan's offer of citizenship to the Armenian minorities who are now crying for no reason. If approached from a legal perspective, there is neither a legal basis nor a need for those who voluntarily left Garabagh to now make a fuss in Yerevan under the slogan of "ethnic cleansing". As regards the allegations by Armenian lobby and their puppet politicians, there is a huge difference between words and deeds, and the Armenian lobby knows this very well. Shaping public opinion and raising issues that are removed from the agenda by throwing dust in the eyes is a traditional method of such organizations. It cannot be considered unusual that an organization that can resort to terrorism and provocations if necessary can take over some politician in exchange for a bribe. The main place is the field, not stands with mikes or tribunes and everything is resolved there. Even if Armenia wants to take on world politicians, it knows that it will ultimately be defeated in that field whether in battle or politics. Because the field is a place where people like Fernand do not dare to rush into. Everyone remembers the years 2020 and 2023 well - if we ask who was with the Armenian terrorists in that battleground, the answer will be "nobody". So those gentlemen who are shouting from the microphone today will leave that battleground empty tomorrow, and as a result, Armenia will enjoy another humiliating defeat. JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Tuesday repatriated 27 boys under the age of 18 to Mozambique after they were arrested for conducting illegal mining in the North West Province of South Africa. Among the 27 undocumented minors, 15 were found by police in Matlosana while the remaining 12 resurfaced from abandoned mines and were placed in temporary safe care, said the North West Provincial Department of Social Development. "The social workers managing the case set out to repatriate the children to the Lebombo border on Tuesday morning with a police escort," the department said in a statement. This came after the social workers got permission from a court to release the children from their place of safety and hand them over to Mozambique to reunite with their parents. "We thank all the stakeholders who came forward and played a critical role in ensuring these children receive the necessary care and protection. We also thank the Mozambican Consulate for speeding up the process of repatriation," said Basetsana Sussana Dantjie, a member of the executive council for social development at the North West Provincial Legislature. Illegal mining has been rampant in South Africa for years, often involving miners from neighboring countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe in search of gold. In November, thousands of illegal miners were found trapped underground at an unused mine in the Stilfontein town of North West Province. With over 1,400 of them resurfaced and arrested, police continued to monitor the situation. HOHHOT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday executed Li Jianping, a former official in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, after convicting him of corruption, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and collusion with a criminal syndicate. The death sentence of Li, former secretary of the Party working committee of the Hohhot economic and technological development zone, was initially issued in September 2022 and upheld on appeal in August 2024. Tuesday's execution followed the approval of the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and was carried out by an intermediate court in Inner Mongolia. Li was convicted of amassing illicit wealth on a scale rarely seen among officials of his rank. Despite holding relatively modest local government positions, he was found guilty of embezzling over 1.437 billion yuan (about 200 million U.S. dollars) of funds from state-owned enterprises, receiving gifts and money totaling more than 577 million yuan, and misappropriating over 1.055 billion yuan in public funds. In addition, Li was convicted of enabling illegal operations by a criminal syndicate under his watch. Li appealed the decision after the intermediate court sentenced him to death in 2022, with lifelong deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all assets, but the Higher People's Court of Inner Mongolia rejected his appeal in August. Upon reviewing the case, the SPC ruled that Li's crimes were extremely severe, citing the exceptionally large amounts embezzled and received in bribes, the grave nature of the offenses, the widespread negative social impact and the immense harm to the state and public interests. The SPC approved the decision of the Higher People's Court of Inner Mongolia to uphold the death penalty. Li was permitted to meet with his next of kin before the execution. HOHHOT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday executed Li Jianping, a former official in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, after convicting him of corruption, bribery, misappropriation of public funds, and collusion with a criminal syndicate. The death sentence of Li, former secretary of the Party working committee of the Hohhot economic and technological development zone, was initially issued in September 2022 and upheld on appeal in August 2024. Tuesday's execution followed the approval of the Supreme People's Court and was carried out by a court in Inner Mongolia. GAZA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 35 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, said Palestinian sources. Israeli warplanes bombed a three-story residential house in Al-Darraj, east of Gaza City, according to local Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that the raid resulted in the killing of 10 people, including children and women, and wounding a number of others, all of whom were transferred to the Baptist Hospital in the city. An Israeli airstrike at a residential house in the Sabra neighborhood south of Gaza City killed two and injured five others, Basal added. According to a statement issued by the Kamal Adwan Hospital, at least 15 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli bombardment that targeted a residential house in the town of Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. The hospital administration is receiving reports and appeals from local residents to retrieve the bodies, the statement said, noting that no one has been able to reach the house due to the Israeli army's incursion into the area. Another Israeli raid on a residential house next to the hospital killed two Palestinians and injured about eight others, the statement said. The third floor of the hospital caught fire as a result of Israeli drones dropping bombs on it, it said. Israel also bombed a Palestinian gathering in the Beit Lahia area, killing four and injuring 10 others, according to paramedics. In the Al-Hasayna area, west of the Al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle, according to local sources. A brief statement issued by the Al-Awda Hospital in the camp said that it received the body of one dead person and 33 injuries as a result of the raid. Palestinian security sources said dozens of families were displaced from the area northwest of Rafah city in southern Gaza, known as "Al-Mawasi," after a limited and sudden Israeli incursion. The sources told Xinhua that the incursion was accompanied by heavy and continuous gunfire from Israeli military vehicles and drones toward the tents of the displaced Palestinians. These tents, made of cloth and nylon, have sheltered thousands of displaced Palestinian families for months. The Civil Defense said in a statement that its workers recovered the body of a dead Palestinian and a number of injuries from Israeli shelling and bullets in the area. Mayor of Rafah Ahmed Al-Sufi said there is an Israeli plan to make the city "unlivable." According to Palestinian human rights organizations, initial data obtained from Rafah through residents' statements, satellite images and video clips published by the Israeli army showed that the city has been almost completely wiped out. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that its troops continue operating in the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, locating an underground tunnel shaft and killing a militant cell that had barricaded itself inside. Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 45,059, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Tuesday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attend a joint press conference in Ankara, Turkiye on Dec. 17, 2024. Erdogan stressed here Tuesday the necessity of establishing an inclusive administration in Syria and urged the European Union (EU) to facilitate Syrian refugees' return back home. There is no place for "terrorist organizations" in the region, Erdogan said at a joint press conference with von der Leyen. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua) ANKARA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed here Tuesday the necessity of establishing an inclusive administration in Syria and urged the European Union (EU) to facilitate Syrian refugees' return back home. There is no place for "terrorist organizations" in the region, Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Noting that a significant portion of Syrian refugees currently reside in Turkiye, Erdogan said Syria's reconstruction requires swift and robust support from its neighbors, allied nations, the EU, and international organizations. Following the press conference, von der Leyen wrote on social media platform X that the EU will allocate an extra 1 billion euros in aid to support Syrian refugees in Turkiye through 2024. "EU-Turkiye relations are important," she said, adding, "Our economic ties grow stronger each year, and Turkiye remains a key partner on migration." The EU has allocated 6 billion euros to Turkiye to help Syrians take shelter there. According to official figures, nearly 3 million registered Syrian refugees reside in Turkiye. JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities have arrested an Israeli citizen on suspicion of being recruited by Iranian intelligence to plan attacks inside Israel, the Shin Bet security agency and police said Tuesday. The suspect was identified as Ardelar Israel Amoyal, 23, a resident of Jerusalem. He was arrested in November and allegedly acted under Iranian direction in exchange for money. The State Attorney's Office filed a prosecutor's statement on Tuesday, signaling its intent to file an indictment. Amoyal's detention was extended until Friday. Amoyal allegedly spray-painted graffiti reading "Sinwar" -- a reference to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar who was killed in an Israeli attack on southern Gaza in mid-October -- in Tel Aviv, photographed houses and streets in Jerusalem and Netanya, a coastal city north of Tel Aviv, and planned to obtain a silenced handgun and materials to build an explosive device, the statement said. The investigation revealed that Amoyal proposed to his Iranian handlers to burn a police car and disrupt the electricity supply to the Jerusalem Light Rail, according to the statement. Iran, considered by Israel as its arch-foe, has not commented on the allegation. 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... TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday urged the European Union (EU) to reconsider its behavior towards the West Asia region. He made the remarks at a weekly press conference while reacting to a call on Monday by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas for the "elimination of the Russian and Iranian influence in Syria's future." Calling Kallas' remarks an "interesting irony," Baghaei said, "It is better for the EU to reconsider its weight and position in and behavior towards the West Asia region. The union's performance in the formation of many crises in the region, including in Syria, is worth considering." Many of the "terrorists" present in Syria poured into the Arab state from several European countries, he said, adding that Iran's presence in Syria is "fundamental and principled," and its exit would also be carried out "responsibly." Condemning Israel's intensified attacks against Syria following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad as a "clear unilateral violation" of the UN Security Council Resolution 350, he urged the international community to stop Israeli "crimes and aggressions." Also on Tuesday, Baghaei announced that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will make his first trip to Egypt in the coming days to take part in the 11th Development-8 Summit. The women's law-publicity tour to rural areas of China, and the coinciding activity of foreign women diplomats studying China's grassroots law-publicity efforts, was held in Dongshe, a village in Liantang, a town in Qingpu District, in East China's Shanghai Municipality, on November 24, 2024. Huang Xiaowei, Vice-President and First Member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), attended. Zhu Zhongming, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Shanghai Municipal Committee, and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, delivered a speech. Various activities were highlighted during the event, including a cappella singing, micro films, Shanghai-style plays, square dances, and multimedia storytelling. The activities were designed to help women and their families improve their legal awareness and promote the rule of law. There was also a fair, at which legal-counseling services were provided by various agencies and organizations, including Shanghai Women's Federation, the Office of the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, and Shanghai Municipal Agricultural and Rural Committee. Services were also provided by women's volunteer groups, including 12338 Hotline Volunteers and Shanghai's associations of women judges, procurators and lawyers. People participated in various activities. A ceremony was also held to promote east-west cooperation in women's law-publicity efforts in rural areas, and to encourage China's eastern provinces to help rural areas in western provinces improve the efficacy of their law-publicity work. Forty foreign women diplomats or officials with United Nations agencies in China, including Milia Jabbour, Lebanese Ambassador to China, and Paulette Bethel, Bahamian Ambassador to China, and Chinese officials visited the law-publicity fair, and they participated in the various activities. Huang explained to the foreign guests that Shanghai is where the major concept of "whole-process people's democracy" was proposed. The event vividly demonstrated China's achievements in following the path of socialist women's advancement with Chinese characteristics, in encouraging multiparty participation in grassroots social governance, and in safeguarding women's human rights. It also presented the salient features of Chinese modernization. Huang expressed hope the international friends will visit more regions of China, to see more of the country, strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and work together to promote prosperity and development. Huang said she appreciated the efforts of law-publicity workers and women volunteers, and she encouraged them to develop new ways to make their work more appealing. Huang urged the women who attended the event to study and abide by the laws, motivate their children and family members to become familiar with the rule of law, and contribute to the building of a more harmonious and beautiful, law-based countryside. Hu Weilie, Vice-Minister of Justice of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Lin Yi, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, Huang Yan, Member of the Leading Party Members' Group of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the PRC, Na Yanfang, Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, and heads of relevant departments of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), attended. Approximately 300 people, including women residents in Shanghai, women volunteers, rural law-abiding role models, representatives of local women's federations, and officials of relevant departments and women's organizations, also attended. The women's law-publicity tour to rural areas of China was launched earlier this year by ACWF, CAC, Ministry of Justice, and MARA. It was designed to meet rural women's demands for legal resources and services, to provide law-publicity lectures and legal education in rural areas, and to deliver legal information and rights-protection services to the doorsteps of rural women and their families. The nationwide activity put emphasis on extending the program to 160 counties (each designated as a key county for receiving national assistance for rural revitalization) in 10 provinces, municipality and autonomous regions, in western China, and to Xizang and Xinjiang. So far, 1.69 million law-publicity activities have been held in 420,000 villages, and they have involved a combined 32.69 million people. Further, 600,000 activities have been held online, and those events have generated 73.47 million online interactions. Reports on the activity, posted online, have received more than 700 million views. (Source: Women Voice) Editor: Cui Rui Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at a meeting held to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of late top legislator Qiao Shi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 16, 2024. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping called for constant efforts to make new accomplishments that will stand the test of history and time and to fulfill the expectations of the people, amid the country's drive to build a modern socialist country in all respects. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing a meeting held Monday to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of late top legislator Qiao Shi at the Great Hall of the People. Xi called for learning from Qiao's noble character of holding on to his belief and dedicating himself to his ideals. Highlighting Qiao's strong Party consciousness, Xi emphasized that Party members should draw inspiration from his efforts to improve Party conduct and rigorously enforce discipline. He called for learning from Qiao's traits of staying true to the Party's founding mission and working diligently for the people. Qiao's political commitment was evident from his determination to carry out reforms and courage to take action, Xi said. He urged efforts to learn from Qiao's pursuit in respecting and promoting the rule of law. Xi also urged Party members to learn from Qiao's work style which features seeking truth from facts with a pragmatic approach. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Leji. Cai Qi and Li Xi attended the meeting. They are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zhao said Xi's remarks are of great significance for carrying on and advancing the cause pioneered by generations of Chinese communists, as well as for realizing the goals of the Party and the people on the new journey in the new era. A meeting is held to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of late top legislator Qiao Shi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 16, 2024. Xi Jinping, Zhao Leji, Cai Qi and Li Xi attended the meeting. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Weather Alert ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM CDT /2 PM EDT/ THIS AFTERNOON TO 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts 45 to 50 mph expected. Locally higher gusts in excess of 50 mph are possible. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 1 PM CDT /2 PM EDT/ this afternoon to 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. && KIEV, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Russia has carried out 12 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure so far this year, launching about 1,100 missiles, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency reported Tuesday, citing a senior diplomat. Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that the attacks involved both cruise and ballistic missiles. Russia on Friday conducted one of the largest assaults this year on Ukraine's energy facilities with 94 missiles and 193 drones, Kyslytsya said. Earlier, the state-run energy company Ukrenergo estimated that Ukraine had lost about 9 gigawatts of generating capacity due to the strikes. A child receives a dosage at the vaccination site in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Dec. 16, 2024. Cote d'Ivoire launched a national immunization campaign on Monday to vaccinate children against measles and polio. The one-week campaign targets children up to 59 months who missed vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Health Ministry official Charles Koffi. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua) ABIDJAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire launched a national immunization campaign on Monday to vaccinate children against measles and polio. The one-week campaign targets children up to 59 months who missed vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Health Ministry official Charles Koffi. Vaccinations will take place across all 113 health districts in the country, the national news agency reported. It added that the campaign also includes vitamin A supplementation to strengthen children's immunity. From 2020 to 2023, Cote d'Ivoire conducted eight vaccination campaigns, vaccinating millions of children. Medical workers popularize vaccination precautions in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Dec. 16, 2024. Cote d'Ivoire launched a national immunization campaign on Monday to vaccinate children against measles and polio. The one-week campaign targets children up to 59 months who missed vaccinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Health Ministry official Charles Koffi. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua) Amazon workers: Tell us what youre fighting for! All submissions will be kept anonymous. Amazon workers protesting in Minnesota. [Photo by Fibonacci Blue / CC BY 2.0 Thousands of Amazon workers in New York and Illinois could strike as soon as Thursday. They include more than 5,500 workers at the JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, New York, hundreds of delivery drivers at the DBK4 last-mile delivery station in Queens, New York, and 100 drivers at the DIL7 delivery station in Skokie, Illinois. The workers are demanding that Amazon recognize their union and negotiate contracts with them. All the workers involved are members of the Teamsters. The workers at JFK8 voted to join the Amazon Labor Union (ALU) in 2022, and that organization joined the Teamsters this June. The DIL7 drivers joined the Teamsters in August, and the DBK4 drivers in September. The drivers officially work for Amazons delivery service partners, which are subcontractors that Amazon hires to avoid responsibility for meeting workplace regulations, even as it maintains control over wages and working conditions. The overwhelming strike votes at these three facilities demonstrate the widespread opposition to Amazons notorious regime of brutal exploitation and dangerous working conditions. Moreover, they are up against one of the most powerful corporations on the planet, with tendrils in every area of the world. Amazonification has become a buzzword in corporate boardrooms meaning the use of automation and artificial intelligence to carry out mass layoffs and work those remaining to the bone. There is enormous potential for a global movement uniting Amazon workers. On Black Friday, workers in 20 countries took part in protests against the online retailer. Workers at a warehouse in Coventry in Britain have also struck multiple times. This is part of a broader upsurge, which also includes postal workers across the world. More than 50,000 Canada Post workers struck for a month until the government banned their strike earlier this week. Chairman and founder Jeff Bezos, worth over $250 billion, is one of the most hated oligarchs in America. Since the November election, he has expressed his support for Donald Trump, especially his incoming administrations plans to slash social spending and corporate regulations. A recent investigation by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions provided a glimpse of the grueling conditions under which Amazon workers labor. It confirmed previous findings that injury rates at Amazon are more than 1.8 times those of other companies within the industry. These injury rates result from the companys enforcement of inhuman productivity quotas. Amazons own recent study indicates that injury rates increase significantly when workers perform the equivalent of picking more than 216 items per hour during a 10-hour shift. Attempting to meet the productivity quotas, workers usually pick more than 266 items per hour. Yet the company refused to accept its internal investigators recommendations for giving workers more time off and suspending disciplinary measures for workers who do not meet the productivity quotas. Its sole concern is to extract the most profit possible from workers labor, regardless of the cost to workers health. But these workers should be under no illusion that the Teamsters, which is helping to carry out mass layoffs at UPS, will lead a serious fight to win their demands. The Teamsters officialdoms goals in establishing a presence at Amazon are to expand its base of dues-paying members and to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with the company. Carrying forward a determined fight will require Amazon workers to wrest the initiative from these bureaucrats by organizing rank-and-file strike committees. The Teamsters had given Amazon until December 15 to recognize the union and begin bargaining or face a strike. The walkout would occur as the company pushes workers even harder to meet customer demand during the holiday season. A strike during this period could inflict significant financial pain on the company. On a conference call with every local, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien announced that the strike would begin at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, and end on Saturday, December 21. Every local is expected to picket the Amazon facilities in their areas and to block UPS feeder drivers from crossing the picket lines to pick up their packages. The decision to limit the strike in advance is an indication that the unions aim is to vent workers anger while bolstering the bureaucracys credibility rather than inflict a serious blow to the company. Despite OBriens conference call with all Teamsters locals, it is not a given that he will call a strike on Thursday. Last summer, OBrien spent months shouting that 340,000 UPS workers would strike if the company did not reach a satisfactory agreement with them before their contract expired. But instead of calling a strike, OBrien kept workers on the job while the Teamsters apparatus finalized the details on what they later presented as the best in the companys history. Combining a public relations campaign with intimidation tactics, the bureaucracy coerced workers into ratifying a contract that is now being used to shutter at least 200 facilities and use automation to destroy jobs. UPS executives later boasted that the contract provided labor certainty and curbed cost increases. OBrien and the Teamsters are, like Bezos, also a top ally of Trump, with OBrien meeting several times with the fascist demagogue this year and speaking at the Republican National Convention. Last week, OBrien endorsed one of Trumps America First tirades, in which he tried to pin the blame for automation of US ports on foreign corporations. Trump, as with OBrien and the Teamsters, uses this rhetoric to divide workers of different nationalities against each other and deflect the responsibility of US corporations in carrying out mass layoffs. A real fight requires an indefinite strike involving workers across the United States and around the world. Workers at Amazon must make their fight the tip of the spear of a broad counteroffensive in defense of jobs and working conditions everywhere. The Teamsters has also been directing workers to scab on the ongoing strike of 55,000 Canada Post workers. When the strike began, union leaders stoutly proclaimed their solidarity with the striking workers and vowed that their members at Purolator, a subsidiary of Canada Post, would not be used to break the strike. But when Purolator, under the direction of Canada Post, imposed overtime on its employees so that they could perform the work that would otherwise have been disrupted by the strike, Teamsters officials did nothing. These bureaucrats have not only softened the blow against Canada Post but also smoothed the way for the Canadian governments current attempt to break the strike by ordering workers back to their jobs. A genuine struggle against Amazon can only be initiated and controlled by the workers themselves, not the treacherous bureaucrats. Workers can assert their control by establishing rank-and-file committees at every Amazon facility. These committees must be independent of the Teamsters and run democratically by the workers. Instead of trusting OBrien and his cohort, Amazon workers, through their committees, must develop their own strategy to fight for control over line speed, better pay, better benefits and other objective needs. An essential part of this strategy must be to reach out to other logistics workers, both in the United States and abroad. David North, the chairman of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site and of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in the United States, spoke at book launches in Sydney and Melbourne over the past week. The events were part of a visit by North, who has played a leading role in the world Trotskyist movement for more than 50 years, to the SEP in Australia. The meetings, last Saturday in Sydney and the previous Wednesday in Melbourne, were well attended, testifying to a growing interest in a socialist and revolutionary perspective. The two books that were launched, The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide and Sounding the Alarm: Socialism Against War, provide an outline of the global crisis of capitalism, its origins and a genuine socialist alternative. In his opening remarks at the Sydney book launch, North placed the analysis in the books and todays situation in a broader historical context. It was impossible, he stated, to understand the horrors of the Israeli genocide in Gaza without an examination of the tragedies of the 20th century, including the Nazi Holocaust of European Jewry, facilitated by the betrayals of Stalinism, which had helped the reactionary Zionist movement acquire a mass base of support. Similarly, the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine was rooted in developments stemming from Stalinisms final betrayal, its 1991 liquidation of the Soviet Union and the restoration of capitalism. North called attention to recent attacks on Trotskyism, citing a work by British academic John Kelly, who denounces its insistence that the alternatives confronting humanity are socialism or barbarism. Instead, Kelly asserts the ongoing viability of social reforms within the framework of capitalism. North outlined the bankruptcy of these claims, advanced by political opponents of a socialist and revolutionary perspective. The agenda of the ruling elite, represented in the US by the fascist Donald Trump, was the elimination of all that remains of social reform, the repudiation of the Constitution, mass deportations in the United States, unlimited powers to a president So who can seriously claim that the Trotskyist depiction of this epoch as the death agony of capitalism is inaccurate? North emphasised that this program, which was not unique to the ruling elite in the US, but was being implemented by capitalist governments everywhere, would produce growing opposition. We are living today in very serious times, he said, noting the immense dangers posed. However, the globalisation of production, the growth of the working class and technological advances had created unprecedented conditions for the unification of working-class struggle on a global scale. The critical issue, he stressed, was the crisis of revolutionary leadership, which had to be overcome by the building of the ICFI and its sections, including the SEP in Australia. Following Norths opening remarks, a panel discussion began with him answering questions about his books from SEP (Australia) Secretary Cheryl Crisp and Assistant National Secretary Max Boddy. Boddy asked why the ICFI had initiated its annual online international May Day rallies in 2014, the opening reports of which are contained in Sounding the Alarm: Socialism Against War. In reply, North pointed not only to the technical possibilities of the internet, but the ICFIs identification of a growth of imperialist militarism following the 2008 global financial crisis. The Trotskyist movement had identified parallels between that period and the one preceding the outbreak of World War One. Boddy asked North to respond to the claims, advanced particularly in academia and at the universities, that Marxs analysis was no longer relevant in an era of diverse identities. North stressed Marxs enduring relevance, including his identification of the objective basis of socialist revolution, which continued to be vindicated in developments today. North reviewed the manner in which Marxism had formed the basis of the greatest revolution in history to date, the October 1917 socialist revolution in Russia. Crisp noted that one of the speeches in The Logic of Zionism addressed the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, who had taken his life in public protest against the genocide. Crisp asked North to comment on his polemic against those who had glorified Bushnells tragic suicide as a viable form of political action. North drew a parallel with the 1938 murder of a Nazi official in Paris by Herschel Grynszpan, a Jewish teenager. Trotsky had been alone in defending Grynszpan. But he had explained, as the IC had decades later in the case of Bushnell, that such individual actions did nothing to raise the political consciousness and understanding of the working class, the only means of effecting a revolutionary transformation of society. In Melbourne, North fielded a range of questions from the audience, including how and why Trump had won the presidential election, how the fight for social equality could be advanced, and about the situation within Israel itself. In his concluding remarks at both events, North urged those in attendance, hostile to the deepening capitalist barbarism, to become active participants in the fight for socialism, by joining the SEP. Seventy-five copies of the two books that North launched were sold, and attendees were able to speak to the author, who signed his works at both events. Overall, more than $2,300 in literature was purchased. As elsewhere around the globe, the first anniversary of the fascistic government of Argentine President Javier Milei on December 10 has seen glorification and falsification within the Australian corporate and financial elite. Argentine President Javier Milei, pictured in Buenos Aires, August 13, 2023. [AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko] Demands are emerging for an historic, all-out assault on the jobs, social services and living conditions of workers along the lines of that being mounted by Milei and planned by US President-elect Donald Trump. Australia needs a dose of Javier Mileis Argentine capitalism, was the headline of an opinion article published last week in the Australian Financial Review, written by its economics editor John Kehoe. The article mirrored the widespread commentary in capitalist outlets internationally lionising Mileis free market economic and social shock therapy and police-state repression of the mass opposition to it as a success to be emulated. Since taking office, Milei has been a star guest at the main forums of the financial oligarchy and world imperialism, including the annual World Economic Forum in Davos and this years G7 and G20 summits. Trump has been in the front line of the exaltation of Milei, presenting him as a model for the United States. At a gala dinner at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to celebrate his presidential election victory, Trump declared to applause: The job youve done is incredible. Make Argentina Great Again, you know, MAGA. Hes a MAGA person. Milei held up a chainsaw at his election rallies last year, promising to gut government spending. Since then, he has eliminated 13 ministries, fired over 10 percent of federal government workers, ended assistance to soup kitchens, stopped all public works and cut spending on education by 52 percent, on social development by 60 percent, on healthcare by 28 percent and on aid to the provinces by 68 percent. In real terms, following a brutal devaluation of the peso, the minimum wage has been cut by 27.4 percent. Millions of people have fallen into outright misery, with the already shocking official poverty rate increasing from 41.7 percent to 52.9 percent. Far from being an exception to the international shift to a frontal assault on the working class, Australian capitalism also faces an historic crisis. With Trump preparing to escalate Washingtons economic and military confrontation with China, the Australian ruling class confronts a sharp reversal of its fortunes, which have been based for decades on mining exports, first to Japan and then China. Kehoe declared: Australia is sleepwalking to stagnant living standards unless we adopt an agenda that restrains government and allows the private sector to flourish. He was ecstatic in his praise for Milei, calling for a similar dynamic economic growth project that lifts business investment to make workers more productive. The economics editor hailed Milei for abolishing government departments, restraining public sector wages and pensions, and cutting subsidies for food, energy and public transport. He praised Milei for cutting taxes and liberalising rules to attract business investment, and scrapping limits on rent increases by landlords. Significantly, Kehoe directed his remarks to the current Albanese Labor government, as well as the Liberal-National Coalition. He commended the Hawke-Keating Labor governments of 1983 to 1996, together with the Howard Liberal-National governments of 1996 to 2007for which Hawke and Keating laid the basisfor having embraced the market economy, supposedly with a social safety net to deliver long-term increases in living standards. In reality, despite the pretence of a safety net, the past four decades since the Hawke-Keating offensive have produced an historic decline in the share of income going to the working class, now intensified by five years of the biggest fall in real wages and living standards since the 1950s. That has been accompanied by the soaring wealth of Australian-based billionaires, who currently number 43 with a combined worth of $316.8 billion, up by 16.3 percent over the past 12 months alone under the Albanese Labor government. But that offensive against workers, whose labour power is the source of capitalist profit, pales against what is now being demanded, driven by the deepening global economic crisis and plunge into a US-instigated world war, from Ukraine and the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific for hegemony over China and all other perceived rivals. Kehoe was clearly not writing as an isolated individual. On November 25, the same newspaper published an opinion piece headlined, Victoria needs a Milei or Musk to clean up Labors economic mess. It was penned by Morgan Begg of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), a far-right think tank largely financed by Australias richest individual, iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart. Begg specifically targeted Victoria, Australias second most populous state, which accounts for almost a quarter of Australias economic output. But his agenda was clearly wider. In the same way as Argentina, the country, required Javier Milei to begin fixing its economyVictoria, our domestic version of Argentina, needs someone like a Milei, a Donald Trump (or Elon Musk), or a Jeff Kennett to save it. (Kennett is a one-time Victorian state premier whose 19921999 Liberal government shut down 350 government schools, eliminated 7,000 teaching jobs, sacked 16,000 public transport workers and privatised state-owned services, including the electricity and gas utilities, the ambulance service and several prisons, before being thrown out of office.) Begg ended his piece on an anxious note. The question Victorians must face is whether they would tolerate a Milei-type solution to their states predicament. That nervousness is based on the understanding that such an onslaught will provoke mass opposition, as it has in Argentina. Milei has resorted to increasingly dictatorial and violent forms of rule to suppress continuous waves of protests by pensioners, university occupations, and strikes by teachers, healthcare workers and virtually every sector of the working class. Beggs only answer was to paraphrase former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She insisted there is no alternative as her government mobilised thousands of police to smash the 198485 British miners strike, implemented wholesale privatisations and imposed mass unemployment. The Milei agenda, shared by Trump and Elon Musk, the worlds richest billionaire (now worth a staggering $US442 billion) who will head Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), goes far beyond that of Thatcher and Kennett. Musk has vowed to slash $2 trillionor about one-thirdoff the US government budget, primarily at the expense of social welfare, health, education and environmental programs. Milei is openly seeking to turn back the clock to the 19th century in terms of the social position of working people. In his words, he wants to return Argentina to the liberal model of 1860. That means demolishing public education, healthcare, regulatory bodies, workers rights and public institutions. These were fought for by workers and established over more than a century as concessions by a ruling class fearful of socialist revolution, particularly after the October 1917 Revolution in Russia. Among those leading the push in Australia for this historic reversal is Rinehart, whose personal fortune, now exceeding $50 billion, is based on the exploitation of the vast iron ore reserves discovered in 1952 by her father Lang Hancock. She participated in Trumps Mar-a-Lago celebrations, along with another prominent Australian billionaire heir, cardboard packaging baron Anthony Pratt (worth $17.4 billion). Rinehart substantially funds the IPA think tankdonating $5.4 million over the past two years. She is personally promoting a Trump-Musk-style offensive and intervening to seek to refashion the political establishment to impose it. We need a USA-style DOGE that delivers action, one that helps to return dollars to our pockets and investment back to Australia, she said at an event hosted by resources giant Santos on November 22, the Australian Financial Review reported. Rinehart denounced timid LINOsso-called Liberals In Name Onlyand declared we need to make Australia great again. The Liberal-National Coalition has partly taken up that kind of offensive already, vowing to slash public service jobs should it form a government after the next federal election, which must be held before May 17. The first thing well do is sack those 36,000 public servants in Canberra, thats $24 billion worth, National Party leader David Littleproud told commercial radio station Triple M in August. Liberal leader Peter Dutton told the Minerals Council of Australia annual conference in September: Youve got to ask yourself: do we need 36,000 more public servants? That is about 20 percent of the federal public service workforce. Rinehart, a sizeable donor to the Liberal Party for the 2022 federal election, wants to go much further. She is currently promoting former Western Australian Nationals leader Mia Daviess bid to win a seat in the federal parliament. Rinehart is this week hosting a $3,000-a-head fundraising dinner for Davies, who last week declared her ambition to head the Nationals federally and thus become deputy prime minister in a Liberal-National government. The World Socialist Web Site has explained in its analysis of the US election result that while Trumps victory in the US was facilitated by the anti-working class and warmongering program of the Biden-Harris Democrats, Trumps ascension signifies a violent realignment of the political superstructure with the reality of social relations, in which a tiny financial oligarchy dominates every aspect. That is a dramatic change in the political forms of rule by the capitalist ruling class, not just in the US but globally. The financial-corporate oligarchy is attempting to reorganise the world, including Australia, by means of social counterrevolution and political dictatorship. That will provoke immense struggles by workers and youth on a global scale but to defeat the threat of fascism and world war there must be a corresponding shift in understanding what humanity confronts. What is required is the conscious, revolutionary intervention of the working class on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program to overturn world capitalism. To read part one, click here. The role of the Heritage Foundation Given the central role the Heritage Foundation has played in directing the various lines of arguments on the COVID-19 Lab-Leak conspiracy and, through their Project 2025 initiative to dismantle all federal regulations including aligning scientific research under the diktat of the state, their COVID-19 report, a blueprint for legislative action, and the hearing they held on July 8, 2024 bears discussion. It provides important context to the SSCPs (House Select Subcommittee on the COVID-19 Pandemic) final report. The opening comments given by Derrick Morgan, executive vice president for the foundation, sets the stage to codify the Wuhan Lab Leak conspiracy theory and blame China for the pandemic. After annotating the economic and human toll of COVID-19, Morgan outlined the scope of actions against the Chinese government the next administration would take. Its critical that the US take the leadership role and hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for one of the most catastrophic cover-ups in human history. It has been nearly five years since the outbreak in Wuhan, China, and nothing has been done to hold China accountable. They believe they have gotten away with it. But, in action, it incentivizes the CCP to persist in secretive and aggressive and dangerous behavior. The commission has worked diligently over the last eight months to produce a report with actionable recommendations for the president and legislative branch of government to implement right now. This commission report brings today facts and a blueprint to begin. In his introductory remarks at the Heritage Foundation gathering, Representative Brad Wenstrup, chair of the House Select Sub-Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic, promised to accept his marching orders, despite admitting we would never know with certainty what took place. Like every previous speaker, he made references to new evidence, when in reality these are nothing but suggestions and innuendos proffered as talking points for the right-wing, anti-China and anti-science campaign. Instead of informing the audience that EcoHealth Alliance (EHA) was submitting a rebuttal to the SSCPs May 1, 2024, hearing, and that this would have to be taken into consideration before reaching any final conclusion on their role in the pandemic, Wenstrup assured his audience that EHA and its director Dr. Peter Daszak would be debarred and would never see another dollar from US taxpayers. Punishment first, before examining the evidence, EHA and WIV found guilty of conducting gain-of-function research that created the SARS-CoV-2 virus, case closed. Present at the meeting was the former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, who had claimed that COVID-19 was a bioweapon produced by the Chinese and served as the chair of the Heritage Foundation commission on the pandemic. During the panel discussion, he asserted that the CIAs inability to reach a conclusion blaming China for COVID reflects political and financial imperatives that have prevented that. Five months after the Heritage Foundation event, Trump nominated Ratcliffe as CIA director, putting him in position to enforce the anti-China witch-hunt. Michael Hiltzik of the Los Angeles Times, one of the few media commentators who has criticized the travesty conducted by the SSCP, took issue with how the intelligence on the pandemic has been played out by these conspiracists. He wrote: The [SSCP] report does mention six scientific studies of COVIDs origin in peer-reviewed journals. Every single one supports the zoonosis theory. The Republicans cite assessments by some U.S. intelligence agencies favoring a lab leak, but no agency has ever disclosed what made them think so. A declassified report issued in June 2023 by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or ODNIwhich oversees the entire intelligence communityfound no evidence that a research-related incident at WIV could have caused the COVID pandemic. Hiltzik then cites the ODNI conclusion: While several WIV researchers fell mildly ill in Fall 2019, they experienced a range of symptoms consistent with colds or allergies with accompanying symptoms typically not associated with COVID-19, and some of them were confirmed to have been sick with other illnesses unrelated to COVID-19. Former Trump CDC Director Robert Redfield also addressed the Heritage panel. His role was by reverse engineering the disparate and sparse pieces of information available about the events of later 2019 and early 2020 sick people, when the Chinese public health system moved swiftly to detect the outbreak and identify its cause, information, including the entire genome of the virus, which it shared with scientists around the world. He spoke as follows: Dr. Robert R. Redfield at a coronavirus briefing Wednesday, April 22, 2020. (Official White House Photo by D. Myles Cullen) The COVID virus really learned how to infect humans rather quickly. And I think it was a direct consequence of scientists scientific arrogance. Scientists working there were intentionally teaching this virus how to infect humans, never recognizing that something might go wrong. And unfortunately, this virus did escapenot intentionallyprobably in the fall of 2019 and the rest is history. The other reason it is preventable, and this is part of what Dr. Ratcliffe alluded to for holding China accountable, we now know with a high degree of certainty that the Chinese understood they had a new pandemic probably in August or September of 2019. Unfortunately, they didnt tell the world. But they knew this epidemic was starting. He concluded that the CCP was using the Huanan wet market as a ruse and cover-up. These remarks would be preposterous if they werent from a man of his credentials speaking at a meeting setting the stage for confrontation with a nuclear-armed world power. There was no skepticism on the part of Redfield about unproven assertions about the virus and the Wuhan lab, as one would expect from a scientist. Furthermore, he didnt even bother engaging in the various lines of evidence that refuted or challenged his hypothesis, as a scientist should. It was impossible for SARS-CoV-2 to be present in August or September of 2019, as claimed by Ratcliffe and other purveyors of anti-China propaganda. But the suggestion of an earlier introduction was necessary to keep the threads of their narrative from completely unraveling. Dr. Jonathan Pekar, evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh and lead author of the critical study that determined there had been two introductions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with molecular clock analysis placing the timing of both in November 2019. This finding was a devastating blow to the lab-leak claims, since it would be statistically impossible that a lab leak occurred twice, and each time the leak affected the same market in the city of 13 million people, miles away from the lab, rather than among researchers or the population living near the WIV. And adding more weight to the ongoing accumulation of evidence for natural origin, Debarre, from Sorbonne University, published a report in the journal PLOS Computational Biology in March 2024, employing a stochastic population dynamics approach using a larger set of viral genetic data, calculated that the first date of a SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred on November 28, 2019 (ranging from November 2 to December 9, 2019). These findings fall within the range of previous estimates. Imperialist geopolitics vs. international collaboration Aside from the willful bafflement of the science of the pandemic, at the heart of the panel discussion was the critical issue of government funding of research and the concerns about the security threats such international collaborations pose for the military-political hegemony of the United States. Speaking to these points, David Feith, former deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the first Trump administration, called China an unwilling transparent partner of the United States or anyone else around the world in public health cooperation. Our systems need to be much better prepared for this kind of pathological response out of the Chinese communist system, frankly, better prepared than we were. We should have expected a greater degree of obfuscation, cover-up, and dishonesty than we were actually postured for at the time. He continued: It can be done through Congress and the executive branch through various ways, for the US government to perform an audit on all US government funded biomedical and related research in China, and that this audit place a strict one-year deadline establishing a presumption that this research, because of the nature of the Chinese political system is going to be nontransparent and unsafe, and a net negative for international scientific cooperation it would establish essentially an audit and a rebuttable presumption that would hopefully have a very dramatic effect in cutting down on research cooperation with China which the US government and the US universities and also US corporations have shown not to be able to properly monitor. Peter Daszak and Shi Zhengli [Photo by EcoHealth Alliance] Such intrusions on open collaboration between international scientists are well under way. In an interview with the New England Journal of Medicine in September 2023, Salim Abdool Karim, a clinical infectious diseases epidemiologist and a professor for Global Health in the Department of Epidemiology at Columbia University and director for the AIDS research in South Africa, discussed the negative impact of NIH policies for research collaboration: The NIH is one of the worlds leading authorities and funders of research on global health who has investigators all over the world who are either directly funded by the NIH or are indirect funders through subcontracts between US institutions. Traditionally, the NIH has had certain requirements for its international investigators. Those requirements relate to certain audit requirements and information sharing requirements. What the NIH has proposed to do in these new rules and set of regulations it has created is that it requires international investigators to now provide a very detailed documentation on a regular basisquarterly or semiannuallydepending on which source you look at in terms of the regulations. Why is that a problem? Well, the problem is that they are requiring a level of information that would just not be onerous, but also difficult to comply with in many settings because it is asking for notebooks, it is asking for individual patient data, and studies that involve thousands of pages of patient information that would need to be shared. And this poses a real challenge especially in settings where local laws dont allow it, or, in the case of certain settings, it also changes the relationship between international investigators and US primary recipients. First and most pernicious of the problems that is going to emanate from this is that the whole world has been moving towards collaboration on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust. Those are fundamental to global collaborations. This new rule is one that requires unilateral sharing of information. So, it doesnt require domestic US institutions to share this information, but only international investigators to share this information. That means international investigators will be sharing their information with US colleagues but not vice versa. That undermines at a really fundamental the nature of scientific collaborations, and the nature of how we build relationships on global health. That kind of openness and honesty and accountability between partners is pretty standard practice. This rule challenges that and undermines that by creating a unilateral relationship that is imbalanced between US and international institutions. Disarming the world against the next pandemic As for keeping the world safe from the next pandemic, in the last SSCP hearing on November 14, 2024, Representative Raul Ruiz (D-California) asked the acting director of the NIH, Lawrence Tabak, how to balance the continued need for research and identifying getting ahead of future viruses with the imperative of doing research safely and transparently. Before the latest witch-hunt, Tabak had denied any gain-of-function research had been conducted through federally funded grants. But he reversed himself and unceremoniously threw Daszak and EHA under the bus on May 16, 2024, by declaring the work being done by EHA was gain-of-function, irrespective of the precise definition of the term. Now he tried to walk this back, offering: Steps need to be taken to do such research in a safe and efficient manner. But I think we need to continue to make long-term investment in basic discovery. Without the fundamental knowledge of different viral families, for which we have less information, we would be working blind should one of those escape to be a new emergent pathogen. We also have to continue to build on the infrastructure we have in place to ensure that we are ready for the next pandemic. And that includes pathogen surveillance and genomic sequencing and informatics and structural biology, such that we have a better understanding of what targets might be. Finally, we have to maintain a flexible domestic and global clinical trial network infrastructure so that we can rapidly deploy potential countermeasures. Ruiz then asked, What would be the ramifications of cutting funding to this research as a knee-jerk reaction to the possibility that the novel-coronavirus emerged from a lab incident? Tabak admitted, The need for basic discovery is essential. We need to understand who the pathogens are. We need to understand how the pathogens transmit. We need to understand what their mechanisms of action are; What type of disease and pathology do they cause. And we need to support the key infrastructure that is essential going forward if we are to defeat any potential emerging pathogen. Ruiz then asks about how to work with adversarial countries to ensure they are up to code and transparent. Tabak once more admitted, As you know, international collaboration and research is essential. The pandemic underscored that! To be precise, this was exactly what EHA and WIV were engaged in, which has all been undone, thus making the world woefully unprepared for the next pandemic. On the heels of the approval of the SSCPs report, Dr. Shi Zhengli, who was participating in a virology-based pandemic preparedness conference in Awaji, Japan, on December 4, 2024, addressing questions from her peers, reiterated that among all the viruses they collected between 2004 and 2021, We didnt find any new sequences which are more closely related to SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Dr. Jonathan Pekar told Nature that the results to date have supported Dr. Shis previous assertions that the WIV did not possess any bat-derived sequences from viruses that were more closely related to SARS-COV-2 than were any already described in scientific papers. Indeed, the closest known viruses to SARS-CoV-2 have been found in Laos and Yunnan, Southern China, which the recent finding of SARS-CoV-2 and raccoon dog DNA at Huanan are linked to these regions. The recent Nature report goes on to add, Over the years, the collaboration between Shi and Daszak collected more than 15,000 swabs from bats in the region. The team tested these for coronaviruses, and resequenced the genomes of those that tested positive. The collection expands the known diversity of coronaviruses. She found sequences that can at the very least provide more context to our understanding of coronaviruses, says Pekar. In a larger analysis of 233 sequencesincluding the new sequences and some that had previously been publishedShi and her colleagues identified seven broad lineages and evidence of viruses extensively swapping chunks of RNA, a process known as recombination. Daszak says the analysis also assesses the risk of these viruses jumping to people and identifies potential drug targets; information of direct value to public health. All these advances are now at risk. As Shi said in 2021 when speaking with the New York Times, referring to demands that she prove that the WIV was not the source of the coronavirus pandemic: How on earth can I offer up evidence for something where there is no evidence? I dont know how the world has come to this, constantly pouring filth on an innocent scientist. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player The decision by ABC News to pay $16 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by fascist president-elect Donald Trump is a major political signal. ABC News' George Stephanopolis [Photo: ABC News] The corporate media, dominated by billionaires and giant corporations like Disney, the owner of ABC, is dropping any pretense of a critical, let alone adversarial, relationship to the incoming administration. It is throwing in the towel even as Trump has made clear he intends to rule as a dictator from day one. The factual issues involved in Trumps lawsuit against ABC News must be summarized briefly: ABCs This Week anchorman George Stephanopoulos, in an interview last March 10 with Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), asked her how she could continue to support Trump after the civil lawsuit judgment against him for denying a sexual assault on E. Jean Carroll and subsequently defaming Carroll as a liar. Mace had disclosed that she herself had been raped as a young woman, and Stephanopoulos raised the Trump case in that context, stating multiple times that Trump had been found liable for rape by a civil jury. As a legal matter, the jury found Trump responsible for sexual abuse rather than rape, since a New York state lawsince amendeddefined rape only as vaginal penetration by the penis. The law classified all other forms of sexual assault as sexual abuse. Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the civil trial, wrote subsequently, 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 concluded: Indeed, as the evidence at trial recounted below makes clear, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly that. Stephanopoulos paraphrased Kaplans comments, without mentioning the judge, and without referring to the distinction between the state law definition and the common understanding of rape. This was part of the campaign by the pro-Democratic wing of the corporate media to discredit Trump without actually addressing his fascist politics. ABC News initially fought the lawsuit on two well-established grounds: that the reference to rape was substantially true, even if technically deficient; and that Trumps lawsuit could only prevail if he could prove actual malice by the network and Stephanopoulos. However, in July 2024, Federal District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ruled against a motion to dismiss and ordered Trump and ABC to move forward with the civil suit, including exchanging documents and obtaining further evidence. Altonaga was the first Cuban-American woman appointed to the federal bench, nominated by Republican George W. Bush in 2003, and is now the presiding judge on the extremely right-wing South Florida district court. Legal commentators noted that it was highly unusual for a defendant like ABC News to settle before deposition testimony had been taken, and before making a motion for summary judgment, which would frequently be granted in the case of a defamation lawsuit against the news media, particularly by a plaintiff like Trump who has been convicted of multiple felonies. It is particularly noteworthy that ABC News agreed to settle only hours after a federal magistrate had ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to sit next week for four-hour depositions on the case. A delegation of ABC and Disney executives visited Mar-a-Lago last Monday for talks with Trumps transition team, which no doubt included both his threats to limit the networks access to the White House, and the broader crackdown on the media. According to the New York Times, Debra OConnell, the Disney executive who oversees ABC News, had dinner with Trumps chief of staff, Susie Wiles. It is apparent that the network executives hoped that a surrender that preempted a Trump deposition would curry favor with the incoming president. The result of this visit was the settlement of the suit on terms favorable to Trump, including a public expression of regret from ABC and Stephanopoulos, appended as a footnote on the networks website, but immediately publicized in a press release by Trumps lawyers, leading to widespread media coverage. ABC will donate $15 million to Trumps presidential library, which so far only exists as an online destination, and pay $1 million to Trumps legal team, thus effectively paying for the privilege of being sued. The capitulation by ABC News comes in the context of a series of moves by the giant corporations and billionaires who control the media to grovel obsequiously before the would-be American Fuhrer. An article posted in Politico on Monday was headlined with the comment, From big tech to the media, the rush to kiss Trumps ring is on. It noted, Tech titans are pouring millions of dollars into his inauguration and parading through West Palm Beach for meetings with the president-elect. Foreign leaders are seeking to curry his favor through phone calls and photo-ops. Liberal newscasters are rushing to Mar-a-Lago to mend fences with the man who painted them as enemies of the people. Even before the election, billionaire Jeff Bezos overturned the decision of the Washington Post editorial board to endorse Democrat Kamala Harris, decreeing that the newspaper he owns should remain neutral. The billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times took similar action. In the wake of Trumps victory, Comcast, the corporate owner of NBC/Universal, announced it would sell off its MSNBC cable news subsidiary, the most vocal critic of Trump in the corporate media. This followed the much-publicized visit to Mar-a-Lago by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, co-hosts of MSNBCs Morning Joe program, where they met with Trump personally and agreed to reestablish friendly relations. CBS is fighting a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed over its editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Harris. (Trump claims the interview was doctored to flatter Harris, but he had already refused to sit for his own interview with the program). Trump has threatened to revoke the broadcast license of ABC, and his nominee for chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates the broadcast media, has attacked CBS and NBC over what he claimed was too favorable coverage of Harris, while declaring that broadcast licenses are not sacred cows. These threats have been accompanied by suggestions that social media giants like Facebook and Google could be subjected to regulatory actions because of their alleged censorship of ultra-right and fascist pro-Trump postings. This is under conditions where the main target of social media censorship has been left-wing and socialist commentary, particularly the World Socialist Web Site, and more recently, all criticism of Israeli genocide in Gaza. The response of the corporate bosses has been to line up and salute their new commander-in-chief. Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook are making million-dollar contributions to Trumps inaugural celebration as a way of flattering the returning fascist president. In the ultimate form of sycophancy, Time magazine chose last week to name Trump its Person of the Year, hailing his electoral triumph as a stunning and historic achievement, and never mentioning the right-wing dictatorial and fascistic character of the regime he intends to install. Nothing else could be expected of the oligarchs who control the corporate media, which has long abandoned any independent, let alone critical, approach to the administration in power. Under conditions where the Trump administration is committed to a massive assault on democratic rights, beginning with the mass roundup of millions of immigrants, the opposition will come only from below, from the mass mobilization of the working class on the basis of a socialist program. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu paid a three-day visit to Sri Lanka in early December, during a tour of the region that included India and Nepal. The aim of the visit was to consolidate ties in South Asia, particularly with the newly-elected Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government in Sri Lanka, as Washington intensifies its war preparations against China. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu meets with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, December 2024. [Photo: X/@anuradisanayake] Lu, who was accompanied by USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth, met with top Sri Lanka political figures, including President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who took office on September 23. The JVP/NPP won a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections held on November 14. The elections mark a sharp shift in Sri Lankan politics. The JVP and its NPP electoral front, which have never held office before, exploited the mass disaffection with the traditional parties after the country defaulted on foreign debt in 2022 and was plunged into an acute economic and social crisis. A huge popular uprising forced President Gotabhaya Rajapakse to flee the country and resign. Lus visit follows that by Admiral Steve Koehler, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, on October 10. The two trips were clearly intended to consolidate ties with the new government and ensure ongoing close military cooperation. In 2022, Dissanayake and other party leaders held talks with the US ambassador in Colombo, Julie Chung, who declared the JVP to be a significant party and thought it her duty to really connect with the JVP leadership as person to person. Lu met with Dissanayake on November 7, expressing Washingtons support for his governments campaign against corruptionthe main plank of the JVP/NPP election campaigns. Its claim that the fight against corruption would resolve the crisis of Sri Lankan economy underscores the fact that the JVP long ago abandoned its false claims to be Marxist and socialist, and is fully integrated into the Colombo political establishment as a defender of capitalism. Replying to a question from a Daily Mirror columnist, a US embassy officer said: Lu emphasised the importance of the US-Sri Lanka partnership in advancing key priorities, including economic recovery, democratic governance and regional security. In particular, he stressed the necessity of fully implementing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity demands as part of the $US3 billion IMF bailout loan negotiated by the previous President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The JVP has already fallen completely into line and reneged on its campaign promise to renegotiate aspects of the loan agreement. In his inaugural address to the parliament on November 21, Dissanayake declared that renegotiation was out of the question as the economy was in dire straits. Asked by the Mirror whether there will be any policy shift under President-elect Donald Trump, Lu was diplomatically vague. He declared that US policy reflects long-standing commitments to democracy, economic growth and regional security and indicated those principles would not be changed. In reality, the fascist Trump is preparing for his accession on January 20 by assembling a far-right cabinet of billionaire oligarchs, warmongers and fascists to make huge cuts to social spending, deport millions of immigrants and, despite claims to the contrary, wage economic and military war against any threat to US hegemony. The policies of the first Trump administration and the anti-China hawks that he is appointing to his next administration indicate that the economic and military confrontation with China will sharply intensify. Sri Lanka is strategically positioned in the Indian Ocean across key sea lanes and is important for the Pentagons war plans against China. Dr. Chulanee Attanayake, from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, wrote on October 18: A vital element of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy is strengthening maritime security by building the capacity of regional partners like Sri Lanka. However, it is not clear exactly how Trump, who is known for his reactionary anti-communist diatribes, will approach the JVP/NPP government, which the media routinely describe as Marxist and leftistby bullying, cajoling or buddying up to Dissanayake, as he did with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his first term in office. What can be said with a degree of certainty is that Dissanayake and the JVP/NPP will shift even further to the right to accommodate to whatever the Trump administration demands. The JVP, a petty bourgeois organisation based on a mixture of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala populism, jettisoned its pro-Chinese and the anti-US rhetoric long ago. China is also trying to make an appeal to the Sri Lankan government. On November 25, a Chinese delegation led by Sun Haiyan, vice minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China, met with Dissanayake. The officials expressed Chinas readiness to collaborate closely with Sri Lanka and offered support in areas such as investment promotion, technology transfer, digitisation and rural economic development. Five days later, a discussion on strengthening China-Sri Lanka investment opportunities took place between Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and the Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong. During the recent election campaigns, Dissanayake indicated that Sri Lanka would maintain a supposed independent, even-handed approach to foreign policy. However, like his promise to renegotiate the IMF loan, the governments attempts to balance between the US and China will quickly evaporate. Dissanayake is well aware that US and its allies could, if Washington deemed it necessary, pull the plug on the IMF loan and, with that, the Sri Lankan economy. Acting at the behest of the Trudeau Liberal government, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) announced late Sunday that it was illegalizing the more than four-week-long strike that 55,000 postal workers have waged against the federal government-owned Canada Post. In what amounts to a major attack on the rights of the entire working class, the CIRB ordered postal workers to return to work Tuesday with none of their demands having been met. Postal workers must defy this anti-democratic edict, but this requires the mobilization of the broadest sections of the working classpublic and private sector alikeacross Canada and internationally. A political showdown is developing between corporate Canada and their representatives in parliament, who are all hell-bent on smashing the postal workers struggle to set the stage for the evisceration of all public services and worker rights, and the working class, whose social interests can only be defended through an industrial and political mobilization against capitalist austerity and war. Striking postal workers outside the Albert Jackson Processing Centre, in east end Toronto Last Friday, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon invoked the governments newly cooked-up reinterpretation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to order the CIRB to criminalize the postal workers strike. This is the third time in four months that MacKinnon has used Section 107 and the unelected CIRB to abrogate workers supposedly constitutionally protected right to strike. Unlike the previous two occasions, where MacKinnon explicitly ordered the CIRB to end strikes/lockouts involving rail workers across the country, and port workers in British Columbia and Quebec, in the case of the postal workers he ordered the CIRB to outlaw the strike and extend the postal workers expired collective agreements until late May, if they determined contract negotiations were at an impassea foregone conclusion. Opposition to the governments draconian intervention is boiling on picket lines across the country. Even bourgeois media outlets have been compelled to note widespread support for defiance of the CIRBs order. Speaking to the World Socialist Web Site, a striking postal worker summed up the sentiment at his Quebec local, We have no rights, we have no right to strike. What we wanted to do was to go at the same time as the dockers and railroaders. The CUPW apparatus is working might and main to smother this opposition so that no organized repudiation of the CIRB order takes place. A pathetic CUPW statement Monday bemoaned the CIRBs decision as disappointing to say the least. It touted a 5 percent interim wage increase, agreed to as part of the CIRBs deliberations, that is retroactive to when the contracts of urban postal operations and rural and suburban mail carriers expired a year ago. This amounts to nothing more than a bribe to keep workers quiet, while the union bureaucracy focuses on implementing the CIRBs edict that all Canada Post employees restart work at 8 a.m. local time Tuesday. To underscore this point, CUPW boasted that Canada Post would pay the miserly sum of $1,000 of this retroactive pay raise by December 24, exploiting the upcoming holiday season to browbeat workers into playing ball. Beyond that, all that the CUPW bureaucrats could muster was a pledge to challenge the CIRBs decision at hearings scheduled for January 13 and 14. There were no calls for defiance, no appeals for support from other workers, and no perspective for taking the postal workers struggle forward. According to CUPW, postal workers must simply accept that their right to strike is snatched from them at a point where they are in an incredibly strong position amid heightened mail volumes during the holiday season. The reality is objective conditions could hardly be more propitious for postal workers to defy the strike ban and rally mass working class support. The issues at the centre of the postal workers struggle are of burning importance to all working peoplethe defence of public services; workers control over the introduction of new technologies; an end to concessions and multi-tier workforces; and the defence of the right to strike. The Trudeau government is deeply discredited, its progressive pretensions have being shown to be an utter fraud; widely hated for its indifference to working class socioeconomic distress; and torn by divisions as the class warfare intensifies. Just hours after the CIRBs decision was released, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from the government, and on the very day that she was slated to present its fall fiscal update. To much applause from big business, she attacked Trudeau from the right, arguing the government should be focussing on austerity, not political gimmicks, that is, token measures to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. The ruling class drive to Amazonify the postal service MacKinnon and the corporate-controlled media have universally presented the five-month strike ban as a time-out. It is nothing of the sort. While workers are being prevented from employing their most basic method of struggle, the strike, representatives of Canada Post management, working in tandem with their accomplices in the CUPW bureaucracy and government officials, will continue working to craft a sweeping restructuring of Canada Post operations at workers expense. This is the significance of MacKinnons establishment of an Industrial Inquiry Commission to consider the future of the postal service, which the ruling elite wants to organize along the lines of low-wage operations like Amazon and other private parcel delivery services. Big business, the Liberal government and all the parties of the capitalist establishment see this as setting a precedent for sweeping attacks of a similar character across all public services. Corporate consultants and advisers have openly discussed eliminating over 20,000 full-time jobs at the Crown corporation, which currently has a full-time workforce of just over 40,000. They want to replace them with precariously employed, permanent part-time or temporary gig workers who have no rights and earn poverty wages. Postal workers have been chosen as a target for this fundamental restructuring because the ruling elite views them as one of the most militant sections of the working class, one that played an important role in achieving some of the social rights that the ruling class is no longer prepared to accept. As an article in the right-wing Financial Post explained this bluntly last month, citing a pro-corporate study on how to reorganize the postal service, In the 26 years between 1965 and 1991, postal workers went on strike 12 times. As unions consolidated, they also gained new powers to resist Canada Posts attempts to improve operations. Among the union gains at the expense of Canada Post and Canadian consumers, the most significant benefit was that all unionized employees have job security: they cannot be laid off. The article carried as its title the ominous question, Is this the last strike? The unions role in the restructuring of class relations As Canadian imperialism embarks on a policy of world war, in close alliance with its decades-long geostrategic partner, American imperialism, to secure key resources, control over production chains and strategic territories, it is no longer prepared to invest funds in full-time jobs with benefits for postal workers or, for that matter, workers in any sector. Its political and corporate representatives want to subordinate all of societys vast resources to the rearmament of the military, the waging of war against Russia and China, and the expansion of the super-richs already massive quantities of wealth. They have already gone a considerable way in enforcing this class war agenda, with Statistics Canada figures showing that income inequality at the end of 2023 was at its highest level on record. But if they succeed in defeating the postal workers, one can be sure that discussions about the problem of job security and other excessive rights and benefits among teachers, autoworkers, healthcare staff, transport workers, and others will soon permeate the pages of the corporate press. The scope of the restructuring of social relations that the ruling class wants to impose is incompatible with democratic forms of rule. The Trudeau governments resort to executive fiat to outlaw strikes is just one expression of the Canadian ruling class turn to authoritarian forms of rule. Others include Trudeaus invocation of the draconian Emergencies Act and his governments increased reliance on secret orders in council to adopt new laws, the normalization of the notwithstanding clause to abrogate constitutionally protected rights and the adoption of the far-rights anti-immigrant agitation. The entire union bureaucracy has colluded in the dramatic rightward shift of Canadian politics. The Canadian Labour Congress and the union-sponsored NDP have propped up the minority Trudeau government for the past five years. Their response to Trudeaus arrogation of new strikebreaking powers has been to enforce the government/CIRBs patently illegal orders. It took the CLC three full days to issue a press release on the state assault on the postal workers, and then its response was to plead for closer collaboration with the Trudeau government in suppressing the class struggle. It urged Trudeau to consult with unions and workers about the misuse of Section 107, and sought to justify its craven support for a government that is trampling on workers rights, imposing austerity and integrating Canada ever more fully in Washingtons global war by invoking the threat of a far-right Conservative government under Pierre Poilievre. In fact, it is the unions and NDPs systematic suppression of the class struggleexemplified by their support for the Trudeau governmentthat is paving the way for the ruling class to replace it with an even more rapaciously anti-working class government, led by Poilievre, who was catapulted into the Tory leadership after emerging as the most strident supporter of the fascist-instigated Freedom Convoy. Like the would-be fascist dictator Trump, Poilievre is able to make a demagogic appeal to working class distress because the unions and the so-called parties of left are identified with austerity and war. In its belated press release on the suppression of the postal workers strike, the CLC lamented, Undermining collective bargaining undermines democracy itself. What hogwash! Canadas state-designed, pro-employer collective bargaining system is a fraud. It is a mechanism for regulating and suppressing the class struggle. Over the past four decades, governments of every stripe have routinely criminalized strikes, while the unions developed a corporatist alliance with big business and the state that has served as the mechanism for imposing concessions and job cuts in every economic sphere. Postal workers must defy the CIRBs back-to-work order if they are to realize their justified demands for real wage increases, job security, and decent benefits. But this stand will only succeed if postal workers appeal to the entire working class for support. A political break from the suffocating grip of the union/NDP/Liberal alliance is required. For decades it has been deployed to keep workers straitjacketed within the collective bargaining system so each struggle can more easily be sold out and no working class challenge to the broader austerity agenda of the ruling class mounted. To prosecute this struggle new forms of organization, rank-and-file committees controlled by workers on the shop floor, like the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee, must be built. These organizations provide the mechanism for workers to assert their will against that of the union bureaucrats, who always want to uphold the legality of corporate Canada and its state. These committees must develop a political struggle drawing in workers throughout the transportation, logistics, and all other economic sectors to fight for the bringing down of the Trudeau government and the transfer of political power to the working class. This must be coupled with a sustained struggle for the development of a socialist vanguard in the working class, led by the Socialist Equality Party, that will spearhead the struggle for a workers government dedicated to placing the vast resources of society under the control of the working class so that the postal service and all public services are prioritized over the accumulation of private profit and the waging of war. The H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) virus is spreading to new locations across the United States, as the dairy industry continues to stifle public health measures that might impinge on its profits. Last week, reports emerged that the virus appeared in wastewater for the first time in Arizona and Hawaii, a highly significant development because unlike past locations with positive wastewater, these two locations do not have outbreaks in dairy cattle or poultry farms. Although scientists are still trying to determine how the virus gets into wastewater, one leading hypothesis is that the source is rainwater runoff from infected dairy and poultry farms. The absence of such farms nearby their detection in Arizona and Hawaii raises two concerning possibilities. The first is the possibility of human-to-human transmission, although there is no other clear evidence of this yet. The second is that the virus is frequently exchanged between farms and wild bird populations, meaning that the effects of outbreaks on farms travel far beyond their immediate vicinity. One hypothesis for the appearance of the virus in wastewater in Flagstaff, Arizona, is that infected backyard chickens are the source. On Hawaii Island, the virus was detected in the municipal wastewater system of the city of Hilo. The closest known outbreak was on the island of Oahu in a backyard flock of rescued ducks, as well as in a randomly tested wild duck. In the meantime, the virus continues to run rampant in dairy cattle across California. According to the latest US Department of Agriculture statistics, in the past 30 days 339 dairy farms were newly infected, nearly all of them in California. Biden administrations systematic cover-up of the spread of bird flu The Biden administrations response to the spread of bird flu among dairy cattle across the US over the past year amounts to nothing short of criminal negligence. A recent investigative piece published in Vanity Fair describes the intense campaign, spearheaded by Tom Vilsack, the head of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to suppress efforts by local and state public health workers to detect and eliminate bird flu from cattle herds. Based on interviews with over 55 individualsincluding veterinarians, the USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and figures in the dairy industryit presents a comprehensive and chilling account of how the response to this outbreak has continuously placed private profit over the health of the American and world population. Tom Vilsack [Photo: Tom Witham] According to the article, once the H5N1 virus appeared in cattle in Texas in April, it could have been immediately stopped by preventing movement of cattle among farms, especially to farms in other states. But rather than implement such an order, officials in Texas blithely dismissed the danger of the virus, despite the fact that it has a 15 percent fatality rate among cattle. The main culprit was Texas Agriculture commissioner Sid Miller. At the time, he was on the short list for Trumps pick to lead the USDA. Clearly auditioning for the position, he protected the industrys interests, which as the piece points out, is the primary function of the USDA. Its role in protecting the food supply typically takes a back seat when profits are at stake, as clearly demonstrated by the history of the response to H5N1. The campaign of suppression began almost immediately, with the USDA overruling the White Houses Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR). The USDA degraded rather than improved transparency and communication, canceling biweekly calls held between its veterinary service and state veterinarians. At least five veterinarians who have spoken out, or simply reacted to the H5N1 threat in a principled manner, have lost their jobs. One veterinarian working in the private sector was told she was a risk to the companys shareholders. Another veterinarian was fired simply for speaking out on behalf of farmworkers. A third veterinarian was fired for her refusal to fraudulently certify a sick herd as healthy. Vilsack, the man overseeing the response to this outbreak as head of the USDA, is intimately connected to the meat and dairy industries and has directly profited from these connections throughout his political career. After serving as the governor of Iowa, a major agricultural state, from 1999-2007, he then headed the USDA under Obama, before becoming president and CEO of the US Dairy Export Council during Trumps first term. It is expected that he will return to this position after Trump again takes office. Illustrating the level of control private industry has over the USDA, when the OPPR developed and began implementing plans to control H5N1 informed by public health best practices, dairy farming corporations immediately called the USDA to demand it stop. They wanted all communications and interactions to occur through the USDA, which they control. The White House immediately relegated OPPR to a back seat in the H5N1 response. The impacts are clear, as the anemic measures implemented thus far have enabled the virus to continue to spread across the nation and in Canada. The only regulation issued by the USDA was to require testing of lactating cattle prior to transporting them across state lines. The rampant spread to and among dairy cattle in California clearly demonstrates the impotence of the measure. The USDA has also been slow walking its releases of data. Typically, sequences of pathogenic viruses worldwide are shared rapidly, within days, with a service known as GISAID. The CDC shares sequences and associated data within 8 days. Other nations such as Cambodia and Vietnam share them even faster. But the USDA typically takes far longer, often up to 6 weeks. By contrast, China shared the first sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within at most 7 days. Critics have lambasted the USDA over the lack of transparency and inexcusable delays in sharing data. A microscopic photo of H5N1 Bird Flu virus (gold). [Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Dr. Rick Bright, an immunologist, vaccine researcher and director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority from 2016 to 2020, recently said: Its so critical that the US government is being as transparent as they can right now, overly transparent, and sharing all of these sequences and all of this data so the world can look at it and make their own risk assessments and start making their own vaccine if they need to in their own countries instead of waiting for the United States to say whats good and whats bad Already by April (the H5N1 outbreak in cattle was belatedly announced on March 25), three national veterinary organizations had written a letter to Secretary Vilsack demanding increased transparency and data sharing, saying: One way communication will not be effective in uniting regulatory and industry partners to mitigate and control the outbreak. Please encourage open communication, solicit feedback in the creation of guidance, allow access to data and results and continue to allow this coalition unfettered access to our APHIS and Field Staff. Vilsack followed the USDA playbook and moved at a snails pace even to respond to the letter. It took a month for his reply to arrive, a virtual eternity when it comes to controlling the rapid spread of novel pathogenic viruses. In his reply, he made no promises, merely saying that he was absolutely committed to timely, accurate, ongoing and coordinated communications about this situation. Even state departments of agriculture, no enemy of the dairy industry, expressed concern with the USDA response. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture sent Vilsack a letter in June demanding that the outbreak be treated primarily as an issue of animal health and that the USDA increase data collection and sharing on the outbreak. Vilsack was quoted as saying on a call with state veterinarians that he was unconcerned by the outbreak and that Its just going to burn itself out. This statement shows complete ignorance about how novel infectious diseases work and a complete lack of concern for the welfare of both animals and humans. Growing dangers of a bird flu pandemic under Trump Needless to say, humanity would be devastated by a new pandemic sparked by the ongoing H5N1 panzootic. Historically, bird flu has had a roughly 50 percent fatality rate among humans since it was first detected in 1997. The dairy industry and its servant, the USDA, are putting the entire world at risk in order to protect profits. The industry exports over $24 billion of produce every year, which is worth more to them than the tens or even hundreds of millions of lives that could be lost in an H5N1 pandemic. Of course, the incoming Trump administration offers no hope for improving the situation. The best thing one could say about Trumps nominee, Brooke Rollins, for USDA is that she does not have extensive ties to the dairy industry. Typical of nearly all of Trumps nominees, however, she was chosen for her loyalty to Trump and not her expertise. The sum total of Rollins agriculture expertise is growing up on a farm, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture development from Texas A&M in 1994 and having a good relationship with the Texas Farm Bureau. Her real credentials that led to her receiving a nomination in the incoming Trump administration was serving in his first administration and founding the America First Policy Institute. During Trumps first term, Rollins was director of the US Domestic Policy Council, where she was instrumental in Trumps suppression of protests after the police murder of George Floyd. The only agricultural policy put forward by the America First Policy Institute thus far has been to fearmonger about Chinese ownership of agricultural land. The institute drafted model legislation passed by 12 states to ban Chinese ownership of agricultural land. A report by Cornell University debunked the alleged threat. Meanwhile, Louisiana reported its first presumptive positive case of H5N1. The patient required hospitalization, and confirmatory testing by the CDC is ongoing. In California, another dairy farmworker was infected, and a child who drank raw milk there is officially listed as a suspected case. The danger of the virus spreading through raw milk is amplified by Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK, Jr.) whose charlatanry extends to advocating vigorously for legalizing the sale and distribution of raw milk. As secretary of Health and Human Services, he could potentially lift a rule banning its sale across state lines. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] Scientifically, raw milk has none of the additional benefits over pasteurized milk that its proponents falsely claim. And it has extraordinary dangers for transmitting a wide variety of pathogens, including H5N1. One outbreak of Salmonella alone, caused by raw milk consumption, sickened at least 171 people from September 2023 to March 2024. Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said: This outbreak could be many times larger than the 171 cases reported. Notably, the company that sold the contaminated raw milk, Raw Farm, was visited by RFK Jr. prior to his withdrawal as a candidate for the presidency. The CEO of Raw Farm, Mark McAfee, has applied for an advisory role with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), something he was reportedly encouraged to do by the RFK Jr. team working on the transition to the new Trump administration. If he were brought on as an adviser to the FDA, as is characteristic to so many individuals associated with Trump, it would amount to putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. The FDA has an enforcement action active against Raw Farm in the Eastern District of California. The ongoing, rapid spread of H5N1 throughout the United States, infecting people, cattle, poultry, house cats, marine mammals, and of course wild birds, is an object lesson for workers on the inability of capitalism to contain deadly pathogens and prevent future pandemics. The ruling class, as it claws back workers gains on wages, pensions, health benefits, and working hours and conditions, is also clawing back the gains in life expectancy seen in the 20th century that resulted from public health innovations and practice. To preserve and extend life, workers must organize their own independent program, free from the influence of the two capitalist parties and their subservient trade union bureaucracies. Only then can they overthrow capitalism and replace it with socialism, a social system that prioritizes human life, including the prevention and elimination of future pandemics. On Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked the Bundestag for a vote of confidence and, as expected, lost. Only the 207 Social Democratic Party (SPD) deputies expressed confidence in him, while the 116 from the Greens abstained and the 394 remaining members voted against Scholz. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz [Photo by DBT / Thomas Kohler / photothek ] Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier can thus dissolve the Bundestag prematurely and set new elections for February 23. This schedule was previously agreed to between Steinmeier, Scholz and the established parties. Scholz will remain in office until his successor is elected by the new Bundestag. In the debate before the vote, Scholz explained that with the early election, voters could determine the course of future politics: In the election, you decide how we answer the big questions that lie ahead. Nothing could be further from the truth. The early election does not serve to let voters decide on the big issues of the future, but to bring a government into power that is stable enough to enforce highly unpopular measuressocial cuts, mass layoffs, lower wages and longer working hours, the deportation of migrants, more rearmament and a further escalation of war. All established parties agree on these issues. The heat of the debate was in inverse proportion to the differences in content. The speakers heaped accusations on each other, but agreed to continue supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia, to arm the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) more, to deport more migrants and to offload the consequences of the economic crisis onto the working class. While berating each other, they simultaneously invoked respect and compromise because they all know they will continue to work closely together even after the election. Meanwhile, they are so hated by the population that they will be satisfied if the result is enough for a coalition capable of achieving a majority. Especially in the SPD and the conservative Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), many are hoping for a new edition of the Grand Coalition. To achieve this, however, other parties would have to miss the 5 percent hurdle for parliamentary representation. The CDU/CSU currently stands at 32 percent in the polls and the SPD at 16 percent. A coalition of the two would no longer be grand, but could at best count on half of the MPs. Among the Greens, many are hoping for a government alliance with the CDU. And the Free Democratic Party (FDP) is already acting as a junior partner of the CDU/CSU. Robert Habeck, Minister of Economic Affairs and lead candidate of the Greens, called on all parties to join forces in the name of Germanys geopolitical interests. The world continues to turn, and it often turns against Germany, he said. That is why the Greens have done everything to ensure that the government coalition remains in place and have made compromises for three years up to and including self-denial. Germany cannot afford self-reflection, he added. The agreement of all parties on the war course was clearest of all. Germany is Ukraines biggest supporter in Europe. I want it to stay that way, Scholz explained to the applause of the SPD and the Greens. During his trip to Kiev, he therefore told President Zelensky: You can rely on Germany. CDU lead candidate Friedrich Merz demanded even more. He wanted to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles and reminded Scholz that in February 2022, he announced a new era and decided on a 100 billion special fund for the Bundeswehr, which the CDU/CSU supported. But nothing remained of the new era, he continued. Instead of investing at least 2 percent in the Bundeswehr at the same time, he financed the Bundeswehrs ongoing operation from the special fund. Both Merz and FDP leader Christian Lindner, the finance minister fired in November, called for massive social cuts to finance war spending. We oppose the stagnation and redistribution of social democratic and green economic policy with an economic policy committed to performance and competitiveness, said Merz. This path will not be easy. Working hours in Germany are far too low, he asserted. As a positive example, he cited Switzerland, where 200 more hours are worked per year. We all have to work more, we all have to try harder, he added. Merz wants to abolish the Citizens Benefit, because incentives to return to the labour market are needed. Lindner accused Scholz of rejecting the necessary reorientation of economic and fiscal policy. He does not want to make billions in investments, but spend it on a policy of redistribution, Lindner claimed. He wanted to lift the debt brake so that he could redistribute more. Like Merz, Lindner also called for a reform of Citizens Benefit in order to mobilise the labour market. By lowering the standard rate and flat-rate accommodation costs, a lot of money can be gained to reduce taxes. On the other hand, he described the debate about higher taxes for the upper so many percent or the billionaires as an attempt to campaign with envy. According to Lindner, the decisive decision in the Bundestag election was: Does this country want a redistribution policy on request? Or do the citizens realize that an upswing must be worked for by all of us. The attempt to portray the SPD as a party of social redistribution is absurd. There is no other party that has contributed as much to the spread of poverty as the SPDfirst with the Hartz laws of the Schroder government, then with the raising of the retirement age to 67 and numerous other reforms for which social democratic labour ministers were responsible. Social inequality has also grown under Chancellor Scholz. The DAX stock exchange has broken through the 20,000-point threshold for the first time and is thus around 5,000 points higher than when Scholz took office. There are now 249 billionaires and 3,000 people living in Germany who own over $100 million. On the other hand, more than one in five is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. For workers, young people and pensioners, there is no alternative and no lesser evil among the established parties in the upcoming federal election. The Left Party also supports the war course and organizes social attacks at the state level. Only months after its foundation in Thuringia and Brandenburg, the BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance) also entered into coalitions of austerity with the pro-war parties. In the state of Saxony, a state government could work with the right-wing extremist AfD (Alternative for Germany) for the first time on individual projects to enforce the policy of war and cuts against the enormous opposition in the population. In the Bundestag debate, representatives of the government and opposition already adopted the AfDs refugee policy wholesale and drummed up support for mass deportations. Regardless of which of the parties form a coalition with each other after February 23, the new government will impose an extreme right-wing policy. Just as Donald Trump heralds the direct rule of the financial oligarchy in the US, here too the last remnants of the welfare state are to be smashed and Germany geared towards war and trade war. The reason for this is the deep, international crisis of the capitalist system. The Socialist Equality Party (SGP) is taking part in the elections to oppose this all-party coalition for war and social cuts. We are building an international movement against war and its root, capitalism. Sign the petition now to support our participation in the election and become a member of the SGP! DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday gave his instructions to reopen the Lebanese embassy in Syria after it was closed over the past years due to security events in the country. Mikati's remarks came during his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, according to a statement released by Mikati's office. There was no mention of the specific date of the reopening. Lebanon opened an embassy in Damascus for the first time in 2009 after some Lebanese political parties called for diplomatic ties between the two countries and asked Syria to treat Lebanon as a fully sovereign country. - - - - U.S.-led mediation efforts have failed to establish a lasting ceasefire in northern Syria's Manbij and Kobani regions, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Monday. In a statement from its media center, the SDF accused Turkiye and allied militias of rejecting key provisions in a proposed agreement, including the transfer of remaining Manbij Military Council fighters and civilians seeking relocation to safer areas in northern and eastern Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated the claim, reporting that Turkish-backed factions have refused to implement the terms of a de-escalation agreement reached with the U.S.-backed SDF. The Observatory added that these factions are blocking entry for the Kurdish Red Crescent and "autonomous administration" convoys aiming to evacuate civilians, prisoners, and the bodies of the deceased. - - - - Jordan and Iraq on Monday expressed here a unified parliamentary stance in supporting Syria's security and stability, backing efforts to stop the Israeli "aggression" on Gaza, and continuing to provide humanitarian aid to the region. During a meeting between Jordan's Lower House Speaker Ahmed Safadi and Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, the two stressed the importance of enhancing coordination between both countries to address regional challenges and exerting maximum efforts to prevent the expansion of regional conflict, Jordan's state-run Petra news agency reported. - - - - More than 880,000 people have been displaced since the latest escalation of hostilities in Syria, UN humanitarians said Monday. UN partners estimated that around 6 percent of the displaced are living with at least one form of disability. "Return movements remain dynamic, with partners recording more than 220,000 returnees yesterday (Sunday)," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "Additionally, over 40,000 displaced people are staying in around 250 collective centers across northeast Syria." President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named his longstanding parliamentary ally, Francois Bayrou, to head a new minority government. This comes after Prime Minister Michel Barniers minority government fell when its 2025 draft budget was censured. Yesterday, the divided National Assembly passed an emergency budget resolution continuing the 2024 budget until a majority can be found to pass the 2025 budget. The naming of Bayrou does not resolve the impasse facing the French political establishment, rooted in mass popular opposition to Macrons policies of austerity and war. Despite weeks of talks, Macron failed to rally any new parties in the Assembly to join his government and support Bayrou. Polls found that only 31 percent of the French population believes Bayrous nomination is a good thing, and 73 percent believe he will continue the previous governments policies. Outgoing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, left, welcomes newly named Prime Minister Francois Bayrou at the Prime Minister residence, December 13, 2024 in Paris [AP Photo/Christophe Ena] The New Popular Front (NFP) led by Jean-Luc Melenchon has emerged as the main new source of support for Macron. While Melenchons own France Unbowed (LFI) party is still threatening to censure the Bayrou government, the rest of the NFP is supporting Bayrou from outside his government. The big business Socialist Party (PS), backed by the Greens and the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF), offered a pledge not to censure the government as long as it does not try to impose its budget via a confidence motion without a parliamentary vote. It is the bankrupt policy of Melenchon and LFI, propping up the longstanding parties of bourgeois government around the PS, that allows the ruling class to constantly shift official politics to the right. By publicly supporting Macron, the NFP is handing the mantle of parliamentary opposition to Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN). The air of crisis and disorientation inside Macrons coalition is unmistakable. When Macron initially called Bayrou into the Elysee palace on Friday morning, it was to explain to him why Macron would not nominate him as prime minister. According to various reports, Macron proposed to name close supporters such as Roland Lescure, the parliamentary representative of French people in North America, or Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister. After an explosive, one-hour meeting during which Bayrou reportedly threatened to withdraw his Democratic Movement (MoDem) party from Macrons coalition, Bayrou left the Elysee without the prime ministerial nomination. Fifteen minutes later, Macron called him back to the Elysee and told him he would be prime minister. As Macrons influence fades, the main forces gaining strength are on the far right. Le Pen has refused to promise that the RN will not censure Macrons next government and is posing as the sole credible parliamentary alternative to the corrupt allies of Macron. Observing the display of mediocrity and debasement of our political opponents, I in no way regret this decision to bring down Macrons previous government, Le Pen said at a meeting yesterday in the town of Etrepagny in Normandy. In ten days, all these parties of hypocrites have turned into a genuine one-party regime which was already an unnatural electoral alliance, she continued, mocking them as willing to do anything to grab ministerial posts. If Le Pen can pose as the sole opposition to Macron, this is above all due to the bankruptcy of the forces that capitalist media falsely promote as the left. Though the PS did not dare openly join the government, and LFI is impotently threatening to send a motion to censure the government that it is too weak to pass through the Assembly by itself, the NFP is clearly backing Macron. While PS secretary Olivier Faure offered Macron a pledge not to censure the government as long as a PS official was named prime minister, LFI is now mouthing empty threats against Bayrou. Melenchon tweeted, Mr Bayrous government is not viable. His group has even fewer deputies than Barnier before it. We will ask him to submit to a no confidence motion. If he refuses, we will manifest our lack of confidence by placing a censure motion. Melenchons parliamentary word-juggling, rejecting any mobilization of workers in struggle, is a dead end. Melenchon won 8 million votes in the 2022 presidential elections, concentrated in the urban working class, and the NFP has the support of all Frances union bureaucracies. Nevertheless, these organizations have never called on the working class to bring down Macron, even during last years pension struggles, when two-thirds of the French people wanted a general strike to block Macrons wildly unpopular pension cuts. Instead, Melenchon focused his efforts on reviving the parties of the old Plural Left governments of the 1980s and 1990sthe PS, the PCF, and the Greenswhich had disintegrated in the 2022 elections. It is clear that these longstanding parties of capitalist government, whose candidates ran in the last years with the endorsement of Melenchon, are utterly hostile to the working class and to mobilizing it against the Bayrou government. As he went in for talks with Macron, PCF chairman Fabien Roussel said the NFP will not insist on the enacting of its entire election program. Roussel made clear that, by this, he did not mean the NFP programs support for sending French troops to Ukraine or further funding for military police and intelligence units. Rather, this meant that the NFP was ready to support austerity against the workers. Roussel dropped the NFP programs demand to abrogate Macrons pension cuts, saying it would place the matter in the hands of the social partners, that is, the union bureaucracies talks with the Macron government and the employers federations. Green party leader Marine Tondelier made clear that the NFP was seeking to get closer to Macron. Each must make a step towards the other, she declared during her meetings with Macron at the Elysee palace. She added that the NFP strategy was to convince Macron to drop the de facto alliance with the neo-fascist RN that he formed at the beginning of the Barnier government and instead rely on the support of the NFP. The solution would no longer be an agreement with the National Rally, Tondelier told the media about her meetings with Macron last week. He was very clear that the National Rally, for him, is not within the perimeter of parties that want to talk. This raises the question: What is it about the NFP that makes it compatible with a president who is himself compatible with the neo-fascists? And how can the working class stop the capitalist agenda of military-police escalation, attacks on democratic rights and deep austerity defended by Macron and the NFP? Indeed, it is all too clear that a situation where the RN is allowed to posture as the sole viable opposition to an anti-worker all-party regime is pregnant with the threat of far-right dictatorship. The policies of what the capitalist media promote as the left will, in any case, only further disgust and embitter broad masses of workers. This was evident in the radio interview given by former 1997-2002 Plural Left government Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to France Inter, endorsing the PS policy of supporting Macron from the outside. Jospin said, The socialists, the communists and the ecologists, considering that they had not been called upon by the president to form the government, decided to remain in the opposition. They are in opposition, and they must remain there. While the PS, PCF and Greens publicly declare themselves to be opposition parties, Jospin added, at the same time they must contribute to making sure that this government, whose choices it does not share, will last. The political dishonesty of Jospins statement is self-evident. While loudly proclaiming that the PS and its allies are opposition parties that do not support Macrons unpopular policies, it calls to make sure that this government remains in power so it can push through its agenda of imperialist war abroad and class war at home. The Bayrou government will, soon enough, face explosive social opposition in the working class. However, ensuring that workers struggles against it are not sold out, like last years strikes against Macrons pension cuts, or do not lead to the installation of a dictatorshipby the RN or nominally democratic partiesrequires a political struggle within the working class itself. The way forward must be the mobilization of workers in France and internationally in struggle against imperialist war and social reaction, based on a perspective for workers power and the building of socialism. Once again, horror has unfolded in an American school, as two people were killed and multiple others injured in a mass shooting Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital. A family leave the shelter after multiple injuries were reported following a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024 [AP Photo/Morry Gash] As of this writing, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes has confirmed that a student and a teacher were killed. Six students were injuredtwo in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, while four have sustained non-life-threatening wounds. According to CNN, this marks the 83rd school shooting of 2024, surpassing 2023 for the most school shootings in a single year since tracking began in 2008. Details remain limited, but here is what is known: Before 11 a.m. on Monday, police responded to reports of an active shooter at the school. Officers discovered a teenager dead inside. Madison police have not released information about the teens age or gender but confirmed the individual was a student at the school. A handgun was recovered at the scene. The shooting occurred in an isolated area, and, apart from the teacher, those killed and injured belonged to the same age group. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene, along with the shooter, who was also found deceased at the school. In May, a separate incident occurred at Mount Horeb Middle School, located 25 miles west of Madison, where a 14-year-old student brought a Ruger .177-caliber pellet rifle to school. The student allegedly pointed the weapon at officers and was killed after being instructed to drop it. While the Madison Police Department and major news outlets have yet to confirm the shooters identity, information posted online points to 15-year-old Samantha Rupnow, a student at Abundant Life. According to reports circulating online, primarily from X user and Reduxx.info reporter @Slatzism, Rupnow allegedly published a manifesto titled War Against Humanity. Key details of the manifesto include: Rupnow describes a toxic and abusive relationship with her parents, referring to them as scum. She claims her family did not love or want her, stating she felt like the wrong child in her family. She reveals that she had long considered suicide but decided a school shooting was better for evolution rather than just one stupid boring suicide. She expresses admiration for Pekka Eric Auvinen, the perpetrator of the Jokela High School massacre in Finland on November 7, 2007; Arda Kucukyetim, a Turkish neo-Nazi who stabbed five peopleleaving two critically injuredin Eskisehir, Turkey, in August of this year; and Vladislav Roslyakov, who carried out the Kerch Polytechnic College massacre in Crimea on October 17, 2018, killing 20 people and wounding 67 others before taking his own life. She offers praise for Kucukyetim, stating that he was an inspiration to her. She calls him an ultimate saint. Kucukyetim was a member of fascist online forum caller Terrorgram where followers were told that by committing an attack in furtherance of white supremacist accelerationism, they would become saints. She claims to have acquired weapons for the attack through lies, manipulation, and my fathers stupidity. In a published photo, Rupnow is seen wearing a KMFDM t-shirt in a selfie, a detail that echoes the Columbine High School massacre. Following Columbine, it was revealed that shooter Eric Harris had posted lyrics from KMFDM songssuch as Son of a Gun, Stray Bullet, and Wasteon his website. Notably, the date of the Columbine massacre, April 20, coincided with both the release of KMFDMs album Adios and the birthday of Adolf Hitler. Rupnows case paints a chilling portrait of a deeply pessimistic, racist and fascistic worldview. That a 15-year-old could develop such a catastrophic outlook speaks more to the society around her than to her troubled mind alone. The tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School is not an isolated incident but a reflection of a social order unraveling under the weight of its contradictions. From classrooms to war zones, the American ruling class oversees the same systemic forces of capitalist inequality and violence at home and abroad. With the full backing of the Democratic Party, Israels assault on Gaza since October 2023 has claimed at least 44,580 lives. Indirect deaths from disease, hunger, and lack of medicine likely push that number beyond 186,000. The UN reports that 70 percent of those killed are women and children, and Gaza now holds the grim distinction of having the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world. The violence abroad and the dysfunction within American society are inseparable. The brutality of American imperialism is mirrored in its domestic policies, with devastating social consequences. The widening canyon of inequality is exemplified by the fact that Elon Musk controls $400 billion, while millions of Americans sink further into debt just to put food on the table. Billions are funneled into the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine, where fascist forces have been actively promoted, pushing the world to the brink of a new nuclear world war. Meanwhile over a million Americans have died during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, victims of a profit-driven system that prioritizes corporate interests over public health. President-elect Trump and other fascist figures continue their efforts to establish a dictatorship, peddling lies, fostering chauvinism and promoting social backwardness. These horrors are not isolated phenomena but products of the same capitalist system that prioritizes wealth and power over human life. How can youth not be affected by a society so profoundly sicka world where violence, inequality, and despair are the norm? Like clockwork, in the wake of Mondays tragedy, politicians across Wisconsin and the United States issued the usual condolences and reflexive boilerplate language. In a released statement, President Joe Biden said: From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that dont receive attentionit is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. Every child deserves to feel safe in their classroom. Students across our country should be learning how to read and writenot having to learn how to duck and cover. Such words ring hollow coming from Biden as he oversees a genocide in which Palestinian children are killed daily, and his administration funnels billions of dollars in weapons and aid to kill and maim in Ukraine. The same capitalist system that fuels endless wars abroad, enriches billionaires like Elon Musk, and allows millions to live in poverty and despair is responsible for the social decay manifesting in school shootings, rising fascism and the erosion of democratic rights. At the same time, despite these conditions, the turn toward dejection and misanthropy remains the exception among the masses of the working class and youth. The same conditions fueling these horrors are also fueling a new resurgence of revolutionary upheavaland therefore, hope. Only through the establishment of a socialist society where the wealth of the world is democratically controlled and allocated to meet human needsnot the gorging enrichment of the fewcan the conditions that breed such tragedies be eliminated. Over 45,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its war of extermination in October 2023, Gazas Health Ministry said Monday. Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Friday, November 1, 2024. [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] Health officials added that tens of thousands of people remain buried under the rubbleand therefore have yet to be factored into the official death toll, and over 106,962 more have been injured. In a report earlier this year, the United Nations found that 70 percent of those killed in Israeli bombings were women and children. But even the horrific figures published by the Health Ministry only take into account direct violence by Israeli troops and do not include the impact of mass hunger and the spread of infectious diseases caused by Israels destruction of Gazas healthcare sector. In July, a report published in The Lancet estimated that the true death toll of the Gaza genocide could be 186,000 or morea figure that will have only grown since then. As dozens of people are killed every single day by Israeli bullets and bombs, and an untold number starve or die of preventable disease, the US and international media has largely blacked out the Gaza genocide, normalizing the continuous mass murder of women and children. Over the past day, more than 50 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes throughout Gaza. These included 10 people killed in an overnight raid in Gaza Citys eastern Shijaiyah neighborhood. The victims included an entire family of four. A separate airstrike on Sunday killed 13 people in Khan Younis, officials at Nasser Hospital said. Israel continues to directly target medical staff, aid workers and journalists. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike on Gazas civil defense agency killed Al Jazeera reporter Ahmad Baker Al-Louh. The airstrike killed three civil defense workers, including the head of the civil defense agency. At least 95 journalists and media workers have been killed worldwide in 2024, said Jodie Ginsberg, the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Israel is responsible for two-thirds of those deaths and yet continues to act with total impunity when it comes to the killing of journalists and its attacks on the media. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces are now attacking the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, dropping bombs on it after they cut power to the facility. In an earlier statement, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said that 14,500 children had been killed in Gaza since last October. Virtually all 1.1 million children in Gaza are in urgent need of protection and mental health support, she said. Virtually the entire population of Gaza is facing acute hunger, Cindy McCain, the director of the World Food Program, said in a post Monday on X. 2M people are facing acute hunger across Gaza. Last month, only 1/3 of trucks needed to deliver @WFPs food made it into Gaza. North Gaza was hit hardestjust 2 trucks reached thousands of hungry people. Safe, unfettered access at scale is needed to save lives & avert famine. In a separate statement, Jonathan Dumont, head of Emergency Communications at the UN World Food Program, said, 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, distributions. People come, and they get really desperate. You can see it in their faces and you can see it in their eyes. Karin Huster, a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders who worked in Gaza, shared an account Monday of the conditions she saw there. Its kind of hard for me not to cry about this because I dont think I have seen an army that has been so ... nonstop in its aggression toward a civilian populationand more specifically, toward children and women. She continued, The number of children and women that we see in the emergency rooms of the hospitals that we work in is just mind-boggling. And the number of kids I have seen with amputated arms or legs, or kids who were killed is just mind-boggling. She described the massacre carried out by the Israeli army at the Nuseirat refugee camp in June that killed 300 people, using a hostage rescue as a pretext. She wrote: In June, I was working at Al-Aqsa [hospital in Deir al-Balah]. I was responsible for the medical activities there. And the Israeli forces came into Nuseirat camp to free four hostages. When they did so, they killedyou know, call them collateral damageI dont know, well over 300 people. I was in the emergency room. We were asked by the director of the hospital to come in. It was as if I had a 747 [airliner] in the emergency room. There were people of all ages. There were hundreds of peopledead, not dead, legs blown off, people being intubated on the floor, chest tubes being put [in] with no infection prevention control. It was just complete chaos. She concluded, None of this destruction was left by chance. She wrote, Palestinians in Gaza live on borrowed time. Its only a matter of time before you die in Gaza. With just weeks before incoming President Donald Trump takes office, the Gaza genocide and Israels broader rampage throughout the Middle East is only set to accelerate. In an interview Monday, Trump threatened to force Palestinians to accept Israels demands, or its not going to be pleasant. The ongoing Gaza genocide is accompanied by an escalation of the US-Israeli rampage throughout the Middle East. On Monday, the US Central Command said in a post on X that the US military conducted a precision airstrike against a key command and control facility operated by Iran-backed Houthis within Houthi-controlled territory in Sanaa, Yemen. Israel, meanwhile, is continuing to carry out airstrikes in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime earlier this month, carrying out over 75 attacks beginning on Saturday night. At the same time, the incoming Trump administration is actively making plans for a possible strike on Iran. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that President-elect Donald Trump is weighing options for stopping Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon, including the possibility of preventive airstrikes, a move that would break with the longstanding policy of containing Tehran with diplomacy and sanctions. Israeli officials, emboldened by Trumps election, are openly discussing plans to annex the West Bank next year. 2025 will be the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, Israel Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said earlier this month. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (left) visits troops on the HMS Iron Duke after attending the Joint Expeditionary Force in Tallinn. December 17, 2024. Tallinn, Estonia [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street, Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with British troops on Russias border today, as part of a visit to Norway and Estonia. Starmer has made 16 international trips since Labour formed a government in Julymore than any of his predecessors in the same timeframespending more than six working weeks out of the country. The most common reason for Britains Member of Parliament for NATOs trips is to escalate the imperialist-backed war in Ukraine against Russia. He continues with this agenda, apparently in the face of mounting concern among Labours political strategists in Downing Street, while his own and the governments popularity plummet. Just 20 percent of respondents told Ipsos they were pleased with Labours performance in a survey conducted at the end of November. The same pollster found that Starmer had the worst approval ratings (minus 34) of any prime minister after five months in office. This is an entirely secondary concern for a Labour leader who was ushered to power by the British and American ruling class with the mission of continuing Britains role as NATOs chief provocateurtaking over from the crisis-ridden Conservative government. He is in Estonia for a conference of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), set up in 2014 as a British-led Northern European adjunct of the imperialist alliance. More than simply disregarding popular sentiment, Starmer is aware that his warmongering policy will meet social opposition which he is preparing to confront and suppress. Speaking at the summit, Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur told the media, My main message is that paying 2 percent of GDP [spent on the military] to secure the peace is not very much. We dont have time to wait to go up to 3 percent or even to 2.5 percent. We need to do it immediately it should be at least 5 percent. Starmer responded, 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. In the first instance, Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed. Making an appeal to British business, Starmer warned this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, while touting the economic benefits of his war agenda: 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 Throwing a bone to the corporatist trade unionswho, at the Trades Union Congress, pledged to dragoon their members into this militarist programme by supporting Britains defence industryStarmer added, Theres a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. He concluded, 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. Starmer is happy to make the case for more money for the military, while he and the political establishment continue to work to keep the population in the dark about the consequences of the wars and aggression it will pay for. NATO has tens of thousands of troops in Eastern Europe, with 300,000 at a state of high readiness targeting Russia. Britain leads the alliances battlegroup in Estonia. Just this summer its soldiers participated in NATOs largest-ever series of exercises in the Baltic, involving 9,000 troops, 50 vessels and 25 aircraft. A few days ago they joined Estonian, Latvian, French and American soldiers in Exercise Pikne 10 kilometres from the Russian border. It was these soldiers Starmer spoke with Tuesday, reportedly telling them, The Russia we face today is unlikely to change for a generation. It is the most acute threat we face, and it will endure beyond the end of the war in Ukraine. This was within hours of Ukraines hugely provocative assassination on Russian soil of the general, Igor Kirillov, in charge of its chemical, biological and radiological weapons unit. Russia responded to the British prime ministers visit by flying two Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea. Nor do the imperialist powers ambitions stop with Russia, with Starmer urging reporters in Tallinn, Its really important that we see this as not just a Ukrainian sovereignty issue but as a much wider conflict, referring to the join-up between different points of tension around the world, parts of the Pacific, parts of the Middle East. The prime ministers comments follow political interventions from yet more senior military figures demanding rapid hikes in military spending to meet the demands of a world war. The latest was Sir Richard Shirreff, a former deputy allied commander in Europe for NATO, who wrote in the Independent Saturday that the West would 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. The UK would have 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, or else the costs, in terms of blood and treasure will be appalling. Lord West, a former Royal Navy admiral and security adviser to then Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, told the same paper, 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 [Starmers list of political priorities] 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 prioritiesI find that very worrying. The well-connected former Tory defence secretary Ben Wallace commentedwith Starmer only committing at this stage to increasing spending to 2.5 percent of GDP following a military spending review next springNow is the time to commit to 3 percent GDP by 2030. For Starmer to not invest in our security would be a dereliction of duty. That Starmer did not satisfy these demands by his trip to Estonia was made clear by Ed Arnold at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, who criticised the prime minister for a lack of urgency when The Nordic and Baltic states are crying out for more U.K. leadership. The Labour leaders agenda was unambitious. Shirreff, West and Wallace all emphasised the need to respond to the threatened scaling back of US military support for NATO under Donald Trump. Shirreff said bluntly, 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; West argued that while he did not think Trump would just suddenly pull out of NATO, European nations should be pulling more weight in defence terms; Wallace warned that the UK had become overdependent on the US which has limited our choices and left us vulnerable. These fears were underscored Monday when Trump described authorising Ukraine to use US and UK-supplied long-range missiles for strikes on the Russian Federation as a big mistake a very stupid thing to do which he might reverse. Walking the tightrope of keeping Trump sweet while criticising his comment, Starmer responded by saying it was important that we put Ukraine in the strongest possible position if there are to be negotiations, and even if there arent to be negotiations, adding, 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. By Akbar Novruz The terrorist organization "Nubar Ozanyan Brigade", the Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG, has announced that it will support the group's activities in Syria. Stating the Turkish state as fascists, "We as Nubar Ozanyan Armenian brigade fighters, have taken our places at our resistance positions against fascist Turkish state and jihadists." The announcement by the group, an Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG, to actively resist Turkiye underlines a historical pattern: Armenian militant organizations, fueled by nationalist extremism and foreign backing, have maintained a consistent tradition of terror spanning generations. This brigades open alignment with the PKK/YPGrecognized as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the U.S., and the EUexposes both the continuity of Armenian extremist ambitions and the broader geopolitical designs aimed at destabilizing the region. Historic background The roots of Armenian terrorism trace back to the 19th century, when Armenians settled in the Caucasus with the support of Tsarist Russia. From that moment onward, Armenian nationalist movements pursued one overarching goal: to act as a destabilising force preventing unity between Turkiye and Azerbaijan. This remains true today, as groups like the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade and their PKK/YPG allies carry out armed provocations under the guise of resistance. Now this one was named after Armenian terrorist Nubar Ozanyan, when formed in 2019 in the wake of France declaring April 24 as a day of commemoration of the events of 1915. The YPG/PKK declared the organizations intention to be "the defence of Rojava against Turkey," and that it embraced the terrorist Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) as its precursor. ASALA, founded during the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, launched a systematic campaign of assassinations against Turkish diplomats, claiming over 30 lives in less than a decade. Between 1980 and 1983, the group executed 580 out of 699 attacks, marking an era of global Armenian terrorism. This bloodshed only subsided in 1986 after widespread condemnation, yet the ideological foundation remained intact. Nubar Ozanyan, who emerged as a commander in Middle Eastern militant circles, epitomized this legacy. Before he died in 2017, Ozanyan served as the so-called Middle East commander of TKP/ML TIKKO, another group notorious for assassinations and bombings targeting Turkish security forces. His martyrdom now serves as a rallying cry for the Armenian branch of the PKK/YPG. Modern Terrorism in the Region The Nubar Ozanyan Brigade, openly positions itself as a defender of Rojava against Turkiye, while simultaneously embracing ASALA as its ideological precursor. This direct connection reveals a concerning truth: Armenian militant groups have evolved in name but not in purpose. Whether it be Dashnaktsutyun, ASALA, or now the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade, their actions aim to foster chaos, disrupt stability, and advance extremist territorial claims. The brigades latest statement labelling Turkiye as fascist reflects its reliance on radicalized narratives to justify violence. Such rhetoric is not new; it mirrors the same ideology that fueled Armenian atrocities in Garabagh during the 2020 war, where mercenaries, including fighters from this brigade, were deployed against the Azerbaijani Army. However, following Armenia's defeat, the group retreated to Armenia thankfully. This cycle of Armenian aggression, often cloaked in victimhood, poses a direct threat to regional peace. Role of Armenian Lobby in relation to terrorist organizations The persistence of these groups is not coincidental. The Nubar Ozanyan Brigades creation in 2019 coincided with Frances decision to recognize April 24 as a day of commemoration for the events of 1915, signalling strong international political cover. Despite their bloody histories, most Armenian terrorist groupsASALA, Armenakan, Hnchak, AOD, and othersremain absent from U.S. and EU terrorist lists, exposing double standards in the international communitys approach to terrorism. Furthermore, the powerful Armenian diaspora and lobbying organizations have succeeded in shielding these groups from scrutiny. This complicity enables Armenian terrorism to flourish as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the South Caucasus and undermine the sovereignty of Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The revival of Armenian militant groups like the Nubar Ozanyan Brigade is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a long-standing tradition of extremism and terror. From Dashnaktsutyun to ASALA, and now to modern-day PKK/YPG proxies, the Armenian agenda remains clear: to sow chaos, disrupt peace processes, and target Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The international communitys failure to recognize and condemn these groups emboldens their actions. It is time for global powers, particularly the U.S. and Europe, to abandon their selective morality and hold all terrorist organizations accountable. Regional peace cannot be achieved while Armenias terror networks continue to operate unchecked under the political cover of their allies. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the site of a landslide after an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission, and at least one person was reported dead. (Xinhua) SYDNEY, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Multiple airlines have had to cancel or divert their scheduled flights to and from Vanuatu after a massive earthquake struck its capital city Port Vila on Tuesday. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission, and at least one person was reported dead. Australia's national airline Qantas diverted a flight bound for Port Vila from Brisbane, instead sending it on a return trip to New Caledonia's capital of Noumea, said the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The airline said on its website that due to an earthquake near Port Vila, it is currently assessing its operations and will provide a further update as soon as possible. "Due to earthquake activity in Vanuatu and reports of possible damage to Port Vila Airport infrastructure, our return flight between Sydney and Port Vila will not operate on Wednesday (Dec. 18, 2024)," said Australia's Jetstar on its website. Virgin Australia has also cancelled its flights scheduled to and from Port Vila on Tuesday and Wednesday in accordance with the flight information shown on its website. It says guests booked to fly to and from Vanuatu on Tuesday and in the coming days should closely monitor their flight information. Fiji Airways had to turn a flight around in mid-air because its pilot was unable to contact Port Vila's airport to land, said the ABC. This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a man running past a damaged building after an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission, and at least one person was reported dead. (Xinhua) This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a damaged building after an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission, and at least one person was reported dead. (Xinhua) This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a car damaged in a landslide after an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission, and at least one person was reported dead. (Xinhua) SYDNEY, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu's capital of Port Vila on Tuesday, causing "considerable damage" to some buildings, including a shared diplomatic mission. The quake hit 30 km west of Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, at 12:47 local time, with a depth of 43 km, the U.S. Geological Survey said. At least one person died and a mass casualty triage was set up at a hospital in Port Vila after the earthquake struck Vanuatu, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said. Information about the extent of the damage was hampered by disrupted communications, with phone lines and government websites down, but reports of widespread destruction began to emerge on social media in the hours after the quake, the Guardian Australia reported. A Red Cross spokesperson in Fiji said workers on the ground were reporting significant damage, the Guardian Australia said. Footage shared by the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation showed crowds outside the Vila Central Hospital appearing to lift injured people onto stretchers. The Guardian Australia quoted Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, as saying he saw three people on gurneys "in obvious distress," outside a hospital. "It was the most violent earthquake I've experienced in my 21 years living in Vanuatu and in the Pacific Islands," McGarry said, "I've seen a lot of large earthquakes, never one like this." The embassy building for Britain, the United States, France and New Zealand was damaged in the earthquake, the ABC reported. New Zealand's High Commission building, which is co-located with the U.S., French and British missions, had "sustained significant damage," a New Zealand foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement. Many large buildings collapsed in Port Vila, electricity was out and water was cut in most of the capital, Care Australia, a non-profit humanitarian agency, said in a statement. Australian High Commission in Port Vila was evacuated during the earthquake on Tuesday, the ABC said. There were communications outages across the country, the New Zealand statement added, while the Australian High Commission in Vanuatu said its communication systems had also been affected after the quake struck Vanuatu. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a symposium on the morning of Dec. 16 at the Great Hall of the People to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Qiao Shi. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the entire Party, along with the people of all ethnic groups across the country, is now confidently building China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The beautiful ideals for which generations of Chinese communists have strived are gradually being realized. He urged the nation to uphold the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, remain true to the Party's original aspiration and founding mission, work in unity, forge ahead with determination, and continuously achieve new accomplishments that will stand the test of history and time, and fulfill the expectations of the people. Zhao Leji presided over the symposium. Cai Qi and Li Xi also attended the event. They were members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. In his speech, Xi pointed out that in the grand processes of China's revolution, construction and reform, generations of outstanding communists have emerged, among whom Qiao stood as an exemplary figure. His life was one of revolution, struggle and brilliance. He devoted his life to the pursuit of truth, progress, and the communist cause. His achievements for the Party and the people are worth remembering, and his revolutionary spirit and noble character are worth learning from. Xi stressed that commemorating Qiao means learning from his noble character of steadfast belief and dedication to ideals. Strengthening one's ideals and convictions should be a lifelong endeavor, requiring regular self-reflection and advancement. It is essential to remain committed to the lofty ideal of communism and the common ideal of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and stand the tests of time and challenges. Xi highlighted that commemorating Qiao means learning from his strong Party consciousness, exemplified by improving Party conduct and upholding Party discipline. It is crucial to consistently uphold the Party's overall leadership and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. This requires unwavering commitment to full and rigorous self-governance of the Party, further improving Party conduct, upholding integrity, and combating corruption to maintain the Party's advanced nature and purity. Xi emphasized that commemorating Qiao means learning from his traits of staying true to the Party's original aspiration and working diligently for the people. Always adhering to the fundamental principle of wholeheartedly serving the people, we should adopt a people-centered development philosophy, genuinely safeguard the fundamental interests of the people, and strive to bring benefits to them. This will ensure that the fruits of modernization are shared more broadly and equitably by all. Xi said that commemorating Qiao means learning from his determination to carry out reforms and political courage to take action. It is necessary to unwaveringly hold high the banner of reform and opening up, uphold fundamental principles while breaking new ground, further deepen reform comprehensively and advance high-level opening-up with a focus on the path of Chinese modernization, and strive to write a new chapter of reform and opening up. Xi emphasized that commemorating Qiao means learning from his steadfast pursuit of respecting and promoting the rule of law. He called for consistent adherence to the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics as well as all-round efforts to ensure sound legislation, strict law enforcement, impartial administration of justice, and society-wide observance of the law to see that a modern socialist country is built in all respects under the rule of law. Xi pointed out that commemorating Qiao means learning from his work style which features seeking truth from facts with a pragmatic approach. It is essential to always integrate theory with practice, resolutely oppose pointless formalities and bureaucratism, concentrate efforts on promoting development, and steadily advance Chinese modernization. Zhao Leji, while presiding over the symposium, said that Xi's important speech highly praised Comrade Qiao Shi's outstanding contributions to the cause of the Party and the country and set clear requirements for learning from his revolutionary spirit and noble character. The speech is of great significance for passing on and advancing the cause pioneered by generations of Chinese communists, as well as for realizing the goals of the Party and the people on the new journey in the new era. It is important to earnestly study, comprehend and implement the spirit of the speech, closely rally around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, comprehensively implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the second and third plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and strive to build China into a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. During the symposium, Qu Qingshan, head of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, Sun Xinyang, deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Liu Qi, secretary general of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Gong Zheng, mayor of Shanghai, delivered speeches successively. Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, Chen Wenqing, Wang Xiaohong, Hao Mingjin and Su Hui attended the symposium. Leading officials from relevant departments of the central and state organs, Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province, along with Qiao's relatives, friends, staff, and representatives from his hometown, attended the symposium. GENEVA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Director for the Middle East and North Africa Rema Jamous Imseis said on Tuesday that around 1 million Syrian refugees may return to their homeland between January and June 2025. "We have forecasted that we hope to see somewhere in the order of one million Syrians returning between January and June of next year," said Imseis during a press conference in Geneva She described the recent developments as bringing "a tremendous amount of hope" for resolving the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria. However, she emphasized that regime change does not necessarily mean the end of the ongoing crisis, highlighting the immense challenges ahead. Imseis urged countries hosting Syrian refugees not to rush sending them back, and stressed that Syrians should maintain their right to seek asylum. Imseis pointed out that, despite the returns, over 1 million people have been newly displaced within Syria in the past three weeks, most of them women and children. She noted that it is still too early to determine whether it is safe for people to return to Syria, and called on refugees and other concerned individuals to have more time to evaluate the safety of returning. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry debuted their 2024 holiday card courtesy of their joint ventures, Archewell Foundation and Archewell Productions, on Monday. The holiday card includes a collage of images featuring the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as a rare, candid photo with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. For their 2024 holiday card, Markle and Prince Harry shared images from their charitable endeavors. The card included snapshots from the couples international travels as well, including their tour of Nigeria last May. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, the cards message began. We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year. Among the images included on the card, one featured a candid snapshot of Prince Harry and Markle with outstretched arms, ready to embrace their five-year-old son, Prince Archie, and three-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet. Prince Harry and Markle continue to make a concerted effort to protect their childrens collective privacy, a goal they shared upon relocating from the U.K. to Canada and later the U.S. in early 2020. As such, while the couple regularly make public appearances for events and charitable endeavors, their children are shielded from the spotlight. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023 at Merkur Spiel-Arena on Sept. 16, 2023, in Duesseldorf, Germany. In 2024, Prince Harry and Markle attended several events and traveled the globe for their respective endeavors. During the couples trip to Nigeria, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex showcased their unique approach to style. Markles style acumen since her return to the U.S. consists of several quiet luxury-related looks, including designs by Heidi Merrick, Ralph Lauren and Altuzarra, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Markle also wore a few red carpet pieces, including a strapless black Oscar de la Renta gown for the Paley Honors Gala on Dec. 4. In October, Markle recycled a Carolina Herrera red gown. View Gallery Launch Gallery: Royal Fashion of 2024: Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Queen Letizia and More Looks [PHOTOS] Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. When parents-to-be worry about the sacrifices theyll have to make after having children, travel often sits at the top of their list. While its true that traveling with little ones will be different than what youre used to, its still possible to indulge your wanderlust and explore new places as a family. As you may have gathered from your paltry parental leave, the U.S. is not always the most welcoming country for families with children. Many other nations show more consideration for kids and parents in both their public policies and their cultural practices. Not all of these locales feature bathroom changing tables or stroller-friendly streets, but there is often a shared expectation that kids will be integrated into daily life, whether theyre riding public transit, dining out or visiting a national monument. During one of our early forays abroad as parents, my wife and I took our 1-year-old to the Dominican Republic. We looked pretty ridiculous maneuvering our stroller through the cobblestone streets of old Santo Domingo, but everyone we interacted with was helpful and kind. A waiter in a traditional restaurant even picked up our baby and cheerfully walked around with him for a bit so that we could use both hands to enjoy our food. All our fellow diners got to watch our son return their smiles and bestow on him the standard Dios le bendiga(God bless him) that Dominicans offer every child who crosses their path. The author's son awaits lunch at a comedor in the Dominican Republic. Marie Holmes If youre itching to roam beyond the U.S. with your kids, here are some recommendations from families with lots of travel experience. Of course, not every part of any country will be suited for kids, but these families were able to find child-friendly spots for making memories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most important thing to remember there is that countries are not monoliths, and some parts of a city may be perfectly safe while others are not, digital nomad and mom Courtney Orgias told HuffPost. The Dominican Republic In addition to a child-friendly culture, the all-inclusive resorts in beachy places like Puerto Plata can simplify life for families traveling with young ones. You dont have to worry about lugging a carseat to multiple places or renting a car. They also typically have toddler pools, kids areas, activities and sometimes childcare. The buffets offer a variety of foods so theres a good chance youll find something the baby/toddler will enjoy. The rooms also typically come with refrigerators for storing the babys food and milk, Stephanie Claytor, founder of the brand Blacktrekking, told HuffPost. Jamaica Claytor mentions that similar all-inclusive accommodations, alongside white sand beaches and turquoise Caribbean water, are available in Jamaica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We took our son to Negril for his second birthday. Our favorite memory is of him dancing on the beach to reggae music during the all-white party on his birthday. We had no idea he could bust a move. He loved the party and reggae music. We of course were in the back away from the crowded dance floor but were still able to enjoy the DJ, said Claytor. She recommends looking for places that offer refrigerators (for breastfeeding parents who need to pump milk), ample shade and outdoor dining so that Im not embarrassed when my son breaks out in loud singing or accidentally throws some food. With young children, almost any place can be kid-friendly. Toddlers and babies are amused by the simplest things such as wood chips and stairways, Claytor said. So if theres a destination youre keen to visit with your little one, you can probably find a way to make it work just be ready to spend an afternoon collecting rocks instead of devouring your novel in the sun. Try to get out of your head any images of long afternoons lounging by the pool sipping cocktails, said British travel blogger Jenny Lynn. As a parent traveling with kids you still have to be on, she continued. But traveling provides you with a constantly changing backdrop to take on those daily parent chores, and with new adventures to experience together, daily life becomes all the more rewarding. Claytor with her husband and child in Jamaica. Stephanie Claytor Portugal Lisbon can seem intimidating to explore with small kids because of all the hills nobody wants to carry a toddler or push a stroller up a 30% incline but we were able to take the bus to most places and found it to be efficient and clean; there were stops everywhere, said Orgias. Ample parks and green spaces allowed the kids to get their wiggles out and break up a day of sightseeing, she added. Mexico Public transportation also makes Mexico City (Mexico D.F.) more navigable for families, according to Orgias. It has a great train system we were able to utilize and its very walkable, with lots of wonderful neighborhoods that are easy to explore on foot, she said.Worrying about traveling with car seats and hopping in and out of ride shares and taxis is scary for a lot of parents, she explained, but good public transportation options can allay these concerns. Costa Rica If your kids eat rice and beans, theyll have always something to nosh on with gallo pinto at every meal. Maria De la O of Roam Family Travel told HuffPost that year-round access to fresh fruit also made it easy to keep kids satisfied.Theres plenty to see, between the jungle and the beach. De la O and her family booked a tour via National Geographic Expeditions with local guides and saw about 20 different animals during their stay.We of course stayed in hotels with pools and allowed at least an hour or two a day just for the kids to do that, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada The CN Tower, Centre Island and the many summer festivals in the city all present opportunities for novelty, learning and bonding in Toronto. Its a city with so much cultural diversity that theres always something to do, indoor & outdoor, said Orgias. For animal lovers, Toronto features a zoo and an aquarium. In warmer months, you can take the ferry to Toronto Island Park and enjoy bike trails, picnic areas and even an amusement park. You can also tour Niagara Falls from Toronto. On the French-Canadian side, Montreal offers plenty of parks, museums and historical sites to keep the whole family occupied. If youre looking for European-style flair and cobblestone streets, check out Quebec City a bit further north. Namibia Namibia gets our vote as one of the best places for intrepid family travel, said Lynn, the U.K. travel blogger quoted above. She recommends forgoing an organized tour and instead renting your own 4x4 with roof tents. The quality of roads is generally very good and the campsites are seriously fantastic (theres often a pool), she added.In addition to lunar landscapes and safari wildlife, Namibia offers a low malaria risk, good health care, German bakeries in every town, and an amazing climate, Lynn said. Morocco Its so close to Europe, yet feels a world away with vibrant medinas, sweeping apricot-colored deserts, and jagged snow capped mountains, Lynn said.Orgias said some of her favorite memories are of Morocco: When our kids were 9 months and 3 years we spent Christmas Day riding camels and hiking through the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech. It was such a surreal experience to be able to gift them with these amazing bucket list activities.She described Marrakech as a fast paced city that allows kids and adults alike to get wrapped up in the blend of rich cultures. Lynn said the country is very doable by car.Kids will love sandboarding in the Sahara Desert, trekking the Atlas Mountains on a mule, or surfing the waves in Essaouira a coastal town Lynn found remarkably stroller-friendly. Thailand Thailand is easily one of the most accessible countries weve visited with the boys, said Lynn. Her family enjoyed the energy, the ornate temples, the colorful markets, the polite people and the food and of course the incredible beaches!Thailand boasts a plethora of street vendors selling delicious snacks. Lynn says her kids enjoyed sticky rice, banana pancakes, mango and other tropical fruits. Many restaurants, even along the once-backpacker enclave of Th Khao San, have highchairs, and we found that some beach restaurants in Ko Lanta have toys and kids play areas, she said. The Netherlands Orgias recommends Amsterdam for families taking their first journey abroad together, describing it as safe, clean and friendly to speakers of English.The city is walkable, offers lots of child-friendly museums and activities, she said.And if you get the itch to venture out even further, Paris is just a 3.5-hour train ride away! De la O recommended European destinations in general for travel with a baby. Pushing a sleeping child in a stroller or walking them in a Baby Bjorn or baby backpack is a perfect way to sightsee, so take advantage of the museums and Gothic churches you wont be able to enjoy when your child gets a little older. However, she advises, Forgo your fancy jogging stroller and bring a cheap umbrella stroller on your trip. They are soooo much more maneuverable and travel-friendly. Related... Skipping the cooking this Christmas? No problem. There are plenty of options in the Jackson area to order a Christmas meal, including main dishes, sides and desserts. Many of the following restaurants and catering companies have deadlines to place orders, so act now to get a fresh-cooked meal minus the actual cooking. Amerigo Amerigo, a local favorite for Italian dishes, is offering pans of lasagna and tiramisu to bring home for the holidays from all three of its Mississippi locations in Flowood, Fondren and Ridgeland. Pick up options include Christmas Eve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A half pan of lasagna is $100, feeds eight-to-10 people and is available hot or cold. A half pan of tiramisu is $55, feeds eight-to-10 people and is available thawed or frozen. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, and picked up by 2 p.m. on Dec. 24. At least 24 hours notice is required. You can place an order through the Amerigo website. Broad Street Baking Company Broad Street Baking Company in Banner Hall will offer Christmas meal packages for pick up on Christmas Eve. The holiday menu includes breakfast pastries, main courses, desserts and everything else in between. Beyond usual Broad Street pastries and dishes, the menu also includes some holiday specials. Those specials include an apricot ginger Christmas wreath king cake, Hanukkah sugar cookies, gingerbread men cookies, honey-glazed ham and fried turkey breast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You must place your order by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Pick up times can be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Orders can be placed through three different methods. You can fill out the order form online, print it out and drop it off at Broad Street. You can also call Broad Street at 601-362-2900 or email katieL@broadstbakery.com. Coming to a theater near you: MS author slated for film adaptation of Christmas romance novel. See details Char Char is offering Christmas meals that combine non-traditional and traditional holiday dishes. The menu includes crab, shrimp and andouille gumbo as the main dish. Side dish options include garlic mashed potatoes, smashed sweet potatoes, creamed spinach and cornbread dressing. Each side feeds five people. For dessert, customers can pick up a whole pecan pie for $40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, and picked up by 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Orders require at least a 24-hour notice. Orders can be placed through the Char website. Crazy Cat Eat Up Crazy Cat Eat Up is offering an extensive Christmas catering menu with dishes ranging from casseroles to desserts. Pick up options include Christmas Eve. The menu also includes whole smoked turkeys, cola-glazed spiral cut ham and beef tenderloin. Other holiday classics include mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole and more. Crazy Cat Eat Up doesn't have a preorder deadline, but will take orders until they feel they are at capacity. Pick up will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 24. A full menu can be found on the Crazy Cat Eat Up Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More in state news: MS legislators discuss expanding tuition assistance to grow better educated workforce Genna Benna's Genna Benna's in Brandon is offering traditional Southern cooking for people who don't want to do the actual cooking this year. Pick up options include Christmas Eve. The menu includes Southern holiday classics such as glazed ham, oven-roasted turkey, turnip greens, sweet potato casserole, cornbread dressing, peach cobbler, pecan pie and more. Packages include a meat, three sides, bread, dessert and 2 gallons of either sweet or unsweet tea. The packages feed 15 people and start at $250. Entrees, sides, breads, desserts and tea are also offered a la carte. The deadline to order holiday catering is 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20. Orders must be picked up by 5 p.m., Dec. 24. Orders can be placed through the Genna Benna's website. Logan Farms offers Christmas catering options, no preorder required. Logan Farms Logan Farms will offer meals that don't require a pre-order on certain dates leading up to Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The menu includes hickory smoked turkey, Cajun-spiced turkey, honey-glazed ham, filet mignon, ribeye and smoked brisket. Customers can also pick up frozen casseroles at the grab-and-go station. The casseroles are $12 and feed six-to-eight people. Options include green bean casserole, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, baked potato casserole and broccoli rice and cheese casserole. The grab-and-go station will also include cranberry relish, turkey gravy and pans of 24 mini rolls. The gourmet meats and grab-and-go items listed above will be available, no pre-order required at Logan Farms at the following times and dates: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 16 to Dec. 21 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 23 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 24 The Manship The Manship will offer traditional American holiday meal packages and even offers delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holiday packages start at $350 and feed eight-to-12 people. The meals include a choice between a whole turkey, ham or prime rib. Customers then get a choice of two sides and a dessert. Extras include gravy and cranberry relish. The Manship holiday catering menu also includes a la carte prices for appetizers, meats, sides and desserts. The deadline to order is Dec. 17, and pick up will take place on Dec. 23. The Manship also offers delivery for the Dec. 23 with a $25 delivery fee. Pig and Pint co-owner Grant Hutchenson places barbecue into a large oven with rotating racks in this file photo from Sept. 5, 2024. Pig and Pint offers Christmas catering packages with a preorder deadline of Dec. 19, 2024. Pig and Pint Local barbecue favorite Pig and Pint offers four different Christmas packages. Each package centers around different meats: smoked beef tenderloin, smoked ham, smoked turkey and a "Mississippi Barbecue" package that includes a choice of two smoked meats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christmas meal packages are completed with selection of three sides with options including Southern holiday classics with a barbecue twist smoked green beans, smokehouse beans, smoked mac and cheese and more. The packages, which range from $159.99 to $199.99 and serve eight, also come with a dessert. Customers can choose between white chocolate and cranberry pudding and bananas foster pudding. Orders must be placed with at least 24 hours notice. The deadline to place an order is 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 and picked up by 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23. Orders can be place online through the Pig and Pint website. You can pre-order pecan pie, seen in this file photo on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, for Christmas, from Primos Cafe in Flowood. Primos Another local favorite, Primos, is offering ready-to-go Christmas meals at all three of its locations in Flowood, Madison and Ridgeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Packages are $200 and serve 10 to 12 people. Customers can choose between a whole turkey or a whole ham as the main dish. Sides include cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, and additional choice side and rolls or cornbread. The meal is rounded out with a choice of pie, sweet potato, pecan or lemon ice box. Orders must be placed with 24 hours notice for pickup by 5 p.m. on Dec. 21 and Dec. 23 or by 12 p.m. on Dec. 24. Orders can be placed through the Primos website or by calling each location. Table 100 Table 100 in Flowood is offering a holiday menu for pickup on Christmas Eve. The "Whole Shebang" meal package starts at $249.95 and includes a main dish and three sides. Main dishes include a choice of ham, brisket or turkey. Side choices include green bean casserole, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, braised collard greens, sweet potato casserole and salad. The meal package is topped off with dressing, gravy, cranberry relish and a dessert choice of peach cobbler or bread pudding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Table 100 also offers an a la carte holiday menu with all of the main dishes, sides and desserts listed above at individual prices. The deadline to order is Friday, Dec. 20 for pick up on Dec. 24. Orders can be placed through the Table 100 website. Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 10 restaurants in Jackson MS to order Christmas meals for pick up 2024 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, addresses the opening ceremony of a symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2024 in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- China's diplomacy will continue to hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit, and strive to promote world peace, tranquility and common progress of mankind in the coming year, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the pledge when addressing a symposium on the international situation and China's foreign relations in 2024. He noted 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world anti-fascist war, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, and the historical course of mankind will once again come to a crucial juncture. Wang said in face of turbulence and conflicts in the world, China will firmly be a force for peace. In face of the risks of division and confrontation, China will firmly be a force for unity. In face of decoupling and severing of industrial and supply chains, China will firmly be a force for opening-up. In face of headwinds of unilateral bullying, China will firmly be a force for justice. In face of ideological differences, China will firmly be a force for inclusiveness. We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Whether you're the type to enjoy any coffee (as long as it's loaded with cream and sugar) or you're a specialty coffee professional who appreciates the nuances in each unadulterated cup, one thing holds true: roast level plays a crucial role. Most craft coffee connoisseurs are known to seek out lighter roasts, where intricate variations in flavor stand front and center. But there's no denying that dark roasts have earned their place at the table by providing a much-needed punch of intensity in the morning. So, what makes a roast light or dark? The answer lies in their roasting temperature. Lighter roasts are typically roasted between 385 and 410 degrees Fahrenheit, while beans need to be raosted to at least 430 degrees Fahrenheit for dark roasts. You may hear coffee roasters referring to "cracks" in the roasting process. Coffee beans crack from the heat of the drum twice while roasting. Dark roasts are usually pulled soon after the bean's second crack, while light roasts never come near the second-crack mark. Advertisement Advertisement Once you dive into the labyrinthine world of coffee, you'll discover that a coffee's origin plays as dramatic a role in its taste as roast level. To curate this list, I've incorporated my years of experience as a professional barista to showcase single-origin coffees that make ideal dark roasts. It takes an experienced eye to discern differences in darker coffees, and I've brewed and sampled countless dark roasts in an effort to determine their differences. So the next time you're on the hunt for a potent wake-up, look for coffees labeled with these origins for a flavorful, robust cup. Read more: 26 Coffee Hacks You Need To Know For A Better Cup Sumatra bag of Sumatra Mandheling from Leapknot Roasters on white background with coffee beans - Leapknot Coffee from the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia is among the most coveted coffee in the world. The humid, hot, tropical climate of Indonesia creates coffee that's revered for its intense yet smooth taste thanks to wet-hulled processing methods. This process practiced only in Indonesia involves keeping the coffee's fruit intact and then fermenting it overnight before removing the coffee cherry's protective layer. The coffee remains in a state of particularly high moisture content before it's air-dried and ready for export. This method produces a coffee that's uniquely earthy and syrupy, with low acidity and intense body. It's impossible to bring up Indonesian coffee without mentioning Sumatra Mandheling. This coffee, named for the Mandailing people, reigns as the caviar of Indonesian coffee. Sumatra Mandheling is known to be best as a darker roast, where its balanced acidity and naturally sweet and spiced flavor profile reminiscent of licorice and sweet chocolate are enhanced with longer roasting times at higher temperatures. This coffee is largely produced on smallholder farms. So, choosing Sumatra Mandheling, this one from Volcanica, promotes ethical, fair-trade coffee practices for dark roast. Guatemalan Antigua red and black bag of Volcanica's Guatemalan Antigua on white background - Amazon Coffee from the Antigua Valley region of Guatemala is a quintessential example of Central American coffee. This coffee cultivated at altitudes of over 1,500 meters above sea-level is grown under the perfect conditions for a bold yet delicate dark roast. Volcanic soil and consistently temperate conditions combine with high-altitudes to create hard coffee beans. These beans (dubbed SHB for Strictly Hard Bean) can withstand higher roasting temperatures and longer roasting times necessary to create a dark-roasted cup 'o joe. Since it doesn't take much to ensure these beans stay intact, their flavor stays consistent, maintaining deeply sweet and toasty notes throughout the roasting process. Advertisement Advertisement Antigua coffee is known for its smoked rum flavor, with hints of sweet caramel and middle-of-the-road balance and acidity. The full body coffee pairs well with rich, smoky flavors, contributing to its designation as an ideal dark roast. It's the ultimate cup to wake up to every morning, or, alternatively, to enjoy with sweet liqueur as a digestif. The boldness of this brew, like that of Volcanica's Guatemala Antigua Reserve, makes a nuanced espresso or a potent cup of drip coffee, where a dash of cream and sugar highlights toasty, caramel notes. Indian Monsooned Malabar white and purple bag of Indian Monsooned Malabar from Coffee Bean Direct on white background - Coffee Bean Direct While most of us don't think of India as one of the best countries for coffee, it's surprisingly among the top 10 producers of coffee beans worldwide, despite growing coffee in only three states. India's coffee market mainly focuses on robusta coffee, which is typically regarded as subpar compared to more ubiquitous arabica. But while India is known for producing the beans responsible for instant coffee's infamous taste, it also lays claim to a much more appealing brew. Monsooned Malabar coffee the most famous Indian coffee owes its unmistakable flavor to an unorthodox processing method called monsooning. First practiced by accident on a trade ship in the 19th century, this method involves leaving coffee beans exposed to high winds and intense rains for the entirety of India's monsoon season; a period of time spanning about four months. The beans subsequently swell to become almost double the size of traditional coffee beans, yet are as light as air. This process gives Monsooned Malabar coffee a smoky aroma and distinct earthy, spicy, and gritty flavor that coats the palate. The low acidity and full, smooth body of this coffee makes a deliciously unique single-origin espresso with thick crema. Or, try it in a dark-roasted espresso blend along with a favorite single-origin to make cappuccinos and lattes with elevated body. Peruvian blue bag of Peruvian dark roast from Laird Superfood on white background - Amazon Advertisement Advertisement Peru was the first country in South America to cultivate coffee beans, paving the way for the continent to be as synonymous with coffee as it is with breathtaking mountain scenery. In the mid-1700s, Peru received arabica coffee beans from Ecuador and then in the 1800s, entered the global coffee trade. In the early 21st century, Peru's coffee market transpired into one that advocates for fair pay and working conditions for farmers and responsible cultivation practices. These ethical sourcing and sustainable farming practices contribute to higher quality while making a positive impact on people and the environment. In the same vein, Peruvian coffee is also favored for its tendency to be organic. A vast percentage of Peru's small farms can't afford pricy pesticides for their coffee crops, thus making much of the country's coffee organic by nature. There are six regions in Peru responsible for cultivating coffee: the Amazonas, San Martins, Andes, Chanchamayo, Cajamarca, and Southern Highlands. These high-altitude, mountainous coffee-growing conditions yield a hard coffee bean that can withstand long roasting times, so Peruvian coffee tends to be roasted medium to dark. A medium roasted Peruvian coffee leaves intricate, natural notes in its flavor intact, but roasting dark allows the coffee to shine as a smooth, potent drink, adding a hint of smokiness to its naturally sweet taste. It's light body and mild acidity create an easy-drinking dark roast that works wonders as a cold brew or iced coffee. Tanzanian Peaberry orange and brown bag of Tanzanian Peaberry coffee from Fresh Roasted Coffee on white background - Fresh Roasted Coffee If you're looking to start an argument at your local third-wave coffeehouse, go ahead and mention peaberries. Peaberry coffee is known to be divisive among coffee fanatics, and for good reason. Rather than being a whole different variety of coffee, it comes from the same fruit as standard coffee, but there's one minute difference: peaberries occur when coffee cherries produce only one seed (or coffee bean) rather than the usual two per fruit. This occurs as a random genetic mutation that coffee growers have never been able to replicate, so in order to produce this coffee, the beans must be sorted; a meticulous process that drives up the cost. Some coffee aficionados argue that peaberries produce a sweeter, more well-rounded, brighter coffee, while others argue that this distinction is fueled by pretentiousness and coffee companies hungry for profit. Nevertheless, peaberry coffee specifically Tanzanian peaberry is still among the most sought-after coffees in the world. Now, some of you coffee fanatics might scoff at the mention of Tanzanian peaberry on this list of coffees that make excellent dark roasts, but I urge you to let me plead my case. While most Tanzanian peaberries are roasted light to medium, having experimented with darker-roasted Tanzanian peaberry, there's something to be said for it. For this particular coffee, a standard dark roast would be considered overroasting, but a full city to full city plus roast can accentuate its flavor. Dark-roasted Tanzanian peaberry yields a sweeter cup, with delicate hints of smokiness that don't overpower its natural wine-like taste. Hints of bright berries or citrus and sweet spice remain prominent, carried along by its heavy, sometimes even syrupy mouthfeel. Nicaraguan 50-pound bag of dark-roasted Nicaraguan beans on white background - Amazon Since Guatemala dwarfs Nicaragua in the Central American coffee scene, Nicaragua is sometimes viewed as an underappreciated region for coffee. In the mid-19th century, European immigrants recognized Nicaragua's ideal conditions for growing coffee, so they brought coffee to the country to begin its epic history as one of the underdogs of the international coffee market. The subsequent century proved to be successful for the Nicaraguan coffee industry, until a revolution and natural disasters disrupted production and trade. But the country has been on the up and up in recent years, continuing to make its mark with high-quality beans that offer exceptional flavor. Advertisement Advertisement Like most coffees on this list, Nicaragua coffees are grown at high altitudes, resulting in hard coffee beans. They also tend to be shade grown, causing more lengthy growing times which yield more nuance and complexity. Unlike other high-altitude coffees, Nicaragua coffee is relatively low in acidity. Dark-roasted Nicaraguan beans like this bag from Tiny Footprint Coffee are particularly smooth and mellow, with Nicaragua's trademark citrusy, fruity undertones and noticeably balanced taste. The coffee's pungent aromatics add to its distinction. You'll likely notice bright citrus, chocolate, and hints of sugary spice. Mexican Chiapas colorful, floral bag of Chiapas coffee from Etnia 52 on white background - Amazon The state of Chiapas in southern Mexico is arguably the country's most renowned coffee-growing region. With growing conditions similar to that of Guatemala its neighbor to the south this high-altitude coffee makes a delectable dark roast. The beans of Chiapas are known for their particularly round shape and, when roasted for longer periods of time at higher temperatures, they take on a glistening, oily sheen that indicates a deliciously luxurious dark roast coffee or espresso. Mexican Chiapas coffee is an excellent choice for a versatile dark roast. Mexican coffee is famous for its nuttiness, and Chiapas coffee takes nuttiness to a new level. Roasting dark imbues this coffee with a smoked-nut flavor that's robust but still offers a hint of sweet, cinnamon-like spice with a creamy, chocolatey finish. This brew is sure to appease all coffee fans or find itself useful in any coffee application. Its well-balanced body and mild acidity make it an excellent (and my personal go-to) for a daily drinker. Chiapas even acts as a delicious espresso. Keep in theme with the region and brew a couple shots of espresso to toss over ice and then add horchata for a sweet, creamy, Mexican refresher. Or use this coffee as a cold brew; its mild acidity creates an extra-mellow cold brew that's delicious and invigorating served black. Colombian Supremo white bag of Colombian Supremo from Omar Coffee on white background - Omar Coffee Advertisement Advertisement I think it's safe to say that when most people in America think of a coffee-growing country, they immediately think of Colombia. Coffee from Colombia is globally ubiquitous, but particularly so in the United States, where it's the most widely recognized coffee origin. Suffice it to say that dark-roast loving Americans often gravitate toward Colombian for a robust brew based on how recognizable and universally loved it is. Colombian Supremo coffee lives up to its name by being the highest-quality and most desirable Colombian coffee, as well as one of the largest coffee beans in the world. The characteristically extra-large beans are grown in a number of regions of Colombia, but usually high in the Andes mountains, where rich, fertile, volcanic soil can enrich coffee beans with complex tasting notes and textures. Colombian Supremo is defined by its clean, bright, and sweet taste with a medium to full body and lively acidity. Its flavor can range from vanilla, chocolate, and caramel to toasted nuts, citrus, and spice, depending on the coffee's region, altitude, and roast level. Roasting Colombian Supremo to dark elevates its body and adds toasty notes to make it even more complex. Use this dark roast in sweet coffee drinks, especially with added cinnamon, cardamom, or other spices that taste delicious in coffee. Brazilian close up of black bag of Brazilian coffee from Christopher Bean - Christopher Bean Brazil is the odd man out on this list for a few reasons, but nevertheless, it's the world's top coffee-producing country, with Brazilian coffee making up a whopping one-third of all coffee worldwide. Unlike the aforementioned coffee origins, Brazil sees little rainfall in its tropical climate, and tends to grow a significant portion of it's coffee at lower elevations (think at or below 1,100 meters below sea level). It's also known to produce a large amount of robusta coffee, along with the more popular arabica variety. Some coffee lovers opt for Brazilian coffee for its tendency to be dry-processed (otherwise known as naturally processed). This processing method requires beans to air-dry with the skin and fruit still intact, resulting in a sweeter brew. Advertisement Advertisement Brazilian coffee's intense sweetness caused by natural processing takes well to a dark roast. Instead of high temperatures zapping any lingering sweetness from the beans, Brazilian beans stay flavorful and tend to be less bitter than most dark roasts thanks to their smooth, mellow taste. A full body, low acidity, and intense dessert notes like creamy chocolate, toasty caramel, and smokey nuts are accentuated when roasted dark. Pick Brazilian beans for espresso, from such a brand as Fresh Roasted Coffee, to create sugary, creamy lattes that still pack a fierce punch of rich coffee flavor. Timor Hybrid black bag of unroasted Timor beans from Dean's Beans on white background - Dean's Beans Timor hybrid coffee is an obscure variety that you likely won't find at your local grocery store. This coffee is a cross-breed of the two most prominent species of coffee: arabica and robusta. Discovered on the island of Timor in the 1940s, this coffee grew rapidly in popularity thanks to its disease resistance. The discovery of this plant came in the nick of time, when a disease known as coffee rust was devastating coffee plants around the globe. Today, this coffee is grown at its origin in Timor, as well as in Latin America particularly Brazil where it's known by the name Tim Tim. It also acts as the basis for which other hybrid coffees are developed. The sturdy branches of hybrids can reach deep underground to absorb nutrients, resulting in high cherry yield and, therefore, a more successful coffee production. The intensity of robusta coffee and mellow sweetness of arabica combine in the Timor hybrid to create a coffee that makes an extremely potent dark roast. This coffee is typically used for mass market production in blends, to add richness and smokiness that doesn't overpower the way a pure robusta coffee can. If you manage to get your hands on a bag of pure Timor hybrid, props to you. You're more likely to find this coffee as a Catimor a blend of the hybrid and a bourbon variety sourced from Indonesia. This coffee tends to be savory and profoundly earthy, and is therefore not for the average coffee enjoyer. Ethiopian Harrar white bag of Ethiopian Harrar from Smokin Beans Coffee on white background - Amazon The Harrar region of Ethiopia is one of the country's top coffee growing regions. Nestled high in Ethiopia's eastern Highlands, coffee is grown at elevations of around 1,400 to 2,000 meters, yielding tough, hard coffee beans with invigorating acidity. Like other African coffees, Ethiopian Harrar is known for its bright, floral, and fruity notes that come alive when combined with a syrupy body and tingling acidity. Advertisement Advertisement Harrar is frequently described as tasting like blueberries, sometimes with hints of spice like cardamom or black pepper. These slightly tart, woody, and deeply aromatic notes make this Ethiopian coffee stand out among other African coffees, so be sure to inhale deeply with each sip. While this coffee is more frequently found as a light to medium roast, roasting these beans to full city plus alters their flavor in surprising ways. Longer roasting times and higher temperatures usually remove a lot of the fruity essence in these beans. Instead, chocolatey notes appear alongside just a hint of berry, making a dark-roasted Ethiopian Harrar taste like a wine and chocolate tasting. This coffee is delicious on its own, but a touch of cream enhances its sweetness and complements its full body. Costa Rican brown and orange bag of Dark Tarrazu coffee from Fresh Roasted Coffee on white background - Amazon Advertisement Advertisement Picturesque Costa Rica is just about as famous for its coffee as it is for being one of the top spots for the getaway of every vacationer's dreams. The country is home to nutrient-rich soil and a humid, tropical climate with defined dry and wet seasons that are ideal for growing coffee. Costa Rica's coffee is known for its light body and fruity notes, often including stone fruit, honey, citrus, and apricot. Some coffees, depending on the region, are also reminiscent of molasses or chocolate, so it's safe to say that this coffee is incredibly nuanced, fun, and fruity. There are eight coffee-producing regions in Costa Rica, with each region's brew boasting distinct flavors. Of all regional Costa Rican coffees, Tarrazu dominates as the most acclaimed variety, with some arguing that it's the best coffee in the world. The body of this coffee is heavier than most other Costa Rican varieties, with incredible nuance. Its bright fruit taste is accentuated by a hint of creamy vanilla and caramel notes, and when roasted dark, these creamy flavors become more apparent. Dark-roasted Tarrazu coffee like this one from Fresh Roasted Coffee is ideal for nearly all applications. Some coffee aficionados (myself included) would say that it's a crime against nature to dilute this exceptional brew with cream and sugar, so if you're lucky enough to snag a bag, enjoy it as a sipping espresso or create a heavenly pour over. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Fort Smiths Laney Slate finished fifth in the turkey barbecue competition at last month's National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference. Slate prepared ground turkey patties with Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle Barbecue Sause and Morton Salt Natures Seasons blend. Sarah Lamb won third place in the chicken barbecue competition. The competitors had two hours to prepare and cook their dishes, starting when they lit the grill. They were scored on their presentations about chicken or turkey production in the United States, the birds nutritional value, safe food handling and grilling procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slate closed out her Arkansas 4-H career with a couple of national wins. She placed fourth in the chicken competition in 2021. I feel extremely blessed, and Im very grateful to have gone to both competitions, Slate said. When I went in 2021, I thought there was no way it could happen again, so finishing out on a high note was nice. Slate finished first in the turkey barbecue division during last Junes 64th annual Poultry Festival in Rogers. Slate traveled to Louisville, Ky., to compete alongside Sarah Lamb, who won Arkansas chicken division. Slate has been a member of the Dayton 4-H Club in Sebastian County for nine years and began competing in the 4-H barbecue contest at the county level. She was first in the states chicken barbecue contest in 2021. Since she made it to the national competition with the chicken, Slate wasnt allowed to compete in the same category again, so she switched to turkey burgers this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had to practice a lot more because the cooking process for turkey burgers versus a whole chicken is very different, Slate said. Its almost two hours to cook a chicken versus 30 to 45 minutes for the burgers. I had to learn that its OK not to take forever. With the burgers, since you have to put in the ingredients to flavor and patty it yourself, finding the right consistency was difficult at first. Once I got that down, I felt like it was fine. Fort Smith's Laney Slate prepares her turkey burgers for the barbecue competition at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference held in November. Slate finished fifth in the nation. Slate said that breadcrumbs were key to her turkey burgers. You have to be careful because if you add too many, it dries the burgers out, and they will fall apart when you cook them, Slate said. Finding the right ratio of breadcrumbs to meat was tricky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the competitors, adjusting and adapting to the circumstances, like the weather, is all a part of it. Ive had to cook in the rain, sleet and snow. At the national level, it started sleeting and snowing on us, and after we got done cooking, the sun came out. You never really know, and you have to be prepared. Slate is a freshman at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, where she is studying elementary education and plans to become a special education teacher. Though the barbecue competition is likely her last 4-H event (members can compete until age 19), she already is helping the next group of grillers. Another girl from Arkansas 4-H reached out to me at the national competition and asked for pointers, Slate said. Weve been emailing back and forth. Ive sent her a step-by-step list of the process. She may start competing next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive met a lot of people, and the only thing we have in common is that we cook at contests. I still talk to the people I met at the 2021 national event. Ive enjoyed the friendships and people you meet along the way. Slates Turkey Patty recipe: Add two eggs and 3/4 cup of plain breadcrumbs for every two pounds of ground turkey. Add Natures Seasoning for flavoring and mix until combined. Makes about six patties. Cook until internal temperature of 165. Add Blues Hog Raspberry Chipotle sauce on both sides. Serve. This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Laney Slate shines at national 4-H barbecue contest DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) Kindergarten students at Enchanted Care Learning Center dropped off pet supplies to a local organization to benefit animals in need. Students visited the Humane Society of Delaware County and dropped off items like litter, toys, and food. Over the past few weeks, they have held a donation drive to collect the needed supplies. As a way to thank the children, they got to play with some of the cats and dogs at the shelter. They also learned about the work that goes on at the Humane Society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were hoping that those kids grow up, you know, and maybe become involved in the community, whether its at an animal shelter or getting into maybe a vet field, Humane Society of Delaware County Volunteer Coordinator Debra Leckrone said. Shelter staff said donations are always needed and theyre grateful for the students at Enchanted Care Learning that helped out Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. OSCEOLA, Iowa One person is dead and another is hospitalized following a shooting in Osceola Tuesday morning. At around 6:15 a.m. the Osceola Police Department responded to a 911 call requesting help in the 1000 block of Lakeshore Drive on the south side of town. According to Osceola Police Chief Marty Duffus, when officers arrived at the scene they found an adult male and an adult female suffering from gunshot wounds inside a home. Trump sues Des Moines Register, pollster Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adult male victim was transported to a Des Moines hospital via air ambulance where he later died from his injuries. The female victim remains hospitalized at a local hospital. Chief Duffus said the victims were husband and wife and it appears the shooting was a murder-suicide. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing. No additional information has been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The First Presidency released architectural renderings Monday of the exteriors of five new temples planned in North America for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (See renderings below.) The church has 202 operating temples and another 104 temples underway either through active construction, completed architectural renderings or selected site locations. Heres a breakdown: 51 temples are actively under construction. 2 temples have scheduled groundbreaking ceremonies. (Tacloban City Philippines Temple on Jan. 18 and Cali Colombia Temple on March 1.) Groundbreakings happen after building permits have been issued by local governments. 22 temples have architectural renderings released by the First Presidency. Renderings signal that proposals provided to government officials are advancing. 29 temples with exact site locations selected and announced by the First Presidency. Site locations indicate land has been purchased and church staff has begun to work with governments on building approvals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church is in the midst of the largest expansion in temple building in its history. The 104 temples under construction or active planning represented by renderings and location announcements represent more than 50% of the current total of operating temples. Thats not all: An additional 114 temples have been announced but have yet to reach one of those benchmarks. The church has added some employees to handle the expanded temple construction, but most of the work is done through trusted contractors, according to past statements by Brent Roberts, the managing director of the Special Projects Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive added scaled supervision as I need it, but weve stretched (our project managers), too, he said. Because our contractors have such great ability and we choose them wisely, then the project managers, for example, can do more temples than they did before. So weve added incrementally, but not what you would imagine. Weve been very fortunate, and weve been fortunate to find good people that want to work temples. Leaders dedicated 16 new temples in 2024, the second-most in a single year in church history. Latter-day Saints consider temples their most sacred places of worship. Here are the five new renderings released Monday, along with one new site location: Harrisburg Pennsylvania Temple Exterior rendering of the Harrisburg Pennsylvania Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Harrisburg temple will be the third in Pennsylvania, home to more than 53,000 Latter-day Saints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The temple is in the planning and approval phase for a 5.36-acre site located at 605 Rutherford Road, Harrisburg, Dauphin County. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 20,000 square feet. President Nelson announced the temple during the April 2023 general conference. The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple was dedicated in September 2016. The Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple was dedicated in September 2024. Jacksonville Florida Temple Exterior rendering of the Jacksonville Florida Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Jacksonville temple will be the fifth in Florida, home to nearly 173,000 Latter-day Saints. The temple is in the planning and approval phase. Plans call for a single-story temple of approximately 29,000 square feet on a 6.6-acre site located at 3323 Loretto Road, Jacksonville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Nelson announced the temple in October 2022. The church has three operating temples in the state after the dedication earlier this month of the Tallahassee Florida Temple. The other operating temples are the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple and Orlando Florida Temple. An exterior rendering for the planned Tampa Florida Temple was released in March 2023. Mexico City Benemerito Mexico Temple Exterior rendering of the Mexico City Benemerito Mexico Temple. | Tanya Davis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mexico City Benemerito temple will be built near the churchs Mexico City Missionary Training Center at Tenayuca-Chalmita 828 in Ciudad de Mexico. Mexico is home to more than 1.5 million Latter-day Saints. Plans call for a two-story temple of approximately 29,000 square feet for what will be the citys second temple. President Nelson announced the temple during the April 2022 general conference. The Mexico City Benemerito Mexico Temple will be the 26th Latter-day Saint temple in Mexico. Springfield Missouri Temple Exterior rendering of the Springfield Missouri Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Springfield temple will be the third in Missouri, home to more than 80,000 Latter-day Saints. The temple is in the planning and approval phase for a single-story temple of approximately 29,000 square feet on a portion of a 38-acre site located at 2720 East Farm Road #188 in Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Nelson announced this temple during the April 2023 general conference. The Springfield Missouri Temple will be the third temple in the state, joining the Kansas City Missouri Temple and the St. Louis Missouri Temple. Winchester Virginia Temple Exterior rendering of the Winchester Virginia Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Winchester temple will be the third in Virginia, home to nearly 99,000 Latter-day Saints. The planning and approval phase is underway for a single-story temple of approximately 30,000 square feet on an 11.27-acre site located at 200 Merrimans Lane in Winchester, Frederick County. President Nelson announced this temple during the April 2023 general conference. The Winchester Virginia Temple will be the third temple in the state. The Richmond Virginia Temple was dedicated in May 2023 and the Roanoke Virginia Temple was announced in October 2023. Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple Location map of the Buenos Aires Argentina City Center Temple. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The First Presidency has also announced the location of the Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple will be Avenida Cordoba Esquina Reconquista, ciudad autonoma de Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planning and approval work is under way for the 1.56-acre site. President Nelson announced the temple during the October 2022 general conference. Argentina is home to more than 481,000 Latter-day Saints. The Buenos Aires City Center Argentina Temple will be the second in the city and the seventh in Argentina. On Sunday night, Pittsburgh firefighters responded to a fire at an abandoned house on Race Street in Homewood. A firefighter was burned during the response and left in an ambulance. That scene has unfortunately become familiar to Pittsburgh firefighters. Three firefighters in the department have been injured fighting fires at abandoned homes in Homewood over the last month and a half. >>> Demolitions of dilapidated Pittsburgh homes slowly progressing; safety issues persist Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11 Investigates Jatara McGee has been reporting on the problems for months, even before the recent injuries. She took the concerns from firefighters and neighbors to City Councilman Khari Mosley, who represents the area. >>> Concerns of squatting, arson and collapse as vacant buildings deteriorate in Pittsburgh This is a public safety issue. Its an economic development issue, Mosley told 11 Investigates. Im extremely concerned. Actually, I just put in a call to staff over at the Pittsburgh firefighters to get a briefing. He vowed to do more to address the problem and fight for progress after 11 Investigates exposed a list of problems plaguing Homewood and neighborhoods like it, all tied to condemned and abandoned buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> Demolitions lag as vacant buildings plague Pittsburgh In November, firefighters responded to back-to-back fires at vacant Homewood homes nearby. One of those fires sent a firefighter falling backward off a ladder. He suffered serious injuries. >>> Firefighters battle 2 house fires in Homewood within hours of one another Mosley said he wants to work with the fire department and plans to meet with the chief to get a full briefing and develop a plan to address the problem, prioritizing the abandoned properties that pose the most risk to firefighters and the public. Mosley noted the process for a city-funded demolition can be long, an issue 11 Investigates has highlighted. He said residents have a right to be frustrated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have some addresses that Ive committed to memory in East Hills on Frankella Avenue, of houses that have sat for 15, 20 years, he said. 11 Investigates filed public information requests with other cities to find out how they are addressing blight and safety concerns at abandoned homes. We found this year the city of Detroit demolished more than 1,532 buildings before the fall. Philadelphia demolished more than 181 buildings by that point. City data shows the city has only demolished around two dozen homes this year, about 25% of its goal, within two weeks until the end of the year. Mosley made the argument that there isnt enough funding available. He also said councilmembers need to better advocate to the department of permits, licenses and inspections, for problem properties in their districts to come down. He said getting vacant homes torn down is crucial to making neighborhoods safer, getting properties back on the tax rolls and opening more opportunities for new affordable housing options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats advocacy on our part, he said. To ensure that these dangerous properties get torn down and we make our community safer. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW FALL RIVER, Mass. (WWLP) A dozen people were arrested and one person is still wanted after investigators uncovered an alleged high-end car theft ring. According to the attorney generals office, officials conducted at least 11 search warrants in Brockton, Fall River, and Northeaston on Thursday morning. Woman charged with armed robbery at Westfield Bank in South Hadley The suspects are accused of using programming devices that could turn blank key fobs into functional keys for the vehicles, allowing them to break into the cars and then drive off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe 63 cars were stolen. 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. U.S. forces in the Middle East conducted the second round of strikes in Syria in as many weeks, killing 12 enemy fighters Monday. Central Command, which oversees the American military in the region, said the targets included ISIS leaders, operatives and camps, though it didnt say how many of each were targeted or what weapons were used. Inasmuch as CENTCOM sees a potential threat posed by ISIS, and to mitigate their ability to be able to resurge, youre going to see these strikes, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a Monday briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without specifying where the strikes occurred, Ryder said they were an attempt to keep fighters from the terrorist group from seeking shelter farther west, in urban areas that are much more difficult to target. Earlier this month, just after the ruling Assad regime collapsed in Syria due to a stunning rebel offensive, CENTCOM pounded the countrys center, hitting 75 targets with a mix of military aircraft. Those attacks, like these, occurred in parts of the country that were once controlled by the Assad government or Russian forces, now reportedly withdrawing. CENTCOM said it was still assessing the impact of the latest strikes and hadnt yet seen indications of civilian casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Monday, the U.S. targeted a key command and control facility being operated by the Houthis, a Yemeni militia group backed by Iran. The site was in territory controlled by the Houthis in the capital of Sanaa, CENTCOM said, and a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Police seek help in locating an at-risk missing 12-year-old who was last seen in southwest Bakersfield, according to officials. Michaela Mason, 12, was last seen near the intersection of Easton Drive and California Avenue around 9 p.m. Monday night. BPD said this is her first time being reported missing. Shoppers feel safe at Valley Plaza mall, but more security wouldnt hurt Photo courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department. Officials said Mason is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 110 pounds. Michaela has brown straight hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a grey sweater, black sweatpants, brown bonnet and black Crocs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. Opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline gather Nov. 1, 2023, in Bismarck ahead of a public meeting on an environmental impact statement. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes the pipeline, citing concerns for its water supply and sovereign rights. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) A federal judge this week allowed 13 more Republican-led states to intervene as co-defendants in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes new lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The lawsuit, filed in October, accuses the Army Corps of unlawfully allowing the Dakota Access Pipeline to operate without an easement, a complete environmental assessment or sufficient emergency spill response plans. The tribe ultimately wants a federal judge to shut the pipeline down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing Rock has opposed the pipeline for years, saying it infringes upon the tribes sovereignty, has damaged sacred cultural sites and jeopardizes the tribes water supply. The Army Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over a part of the pipeline that passes below the Missouri River less than a half-mile upstream from the Standing Rock Reservation. The Corps has failed to act and failed to protect the tribe, Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire said in an October press conference announcing the lawsuit. The more than 1,000-mile pipeline, often referred to as DAPL, passes through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois. Its pathway includes unceded land recognized as belonging to the Sioux Nation under an 1851 treaty with the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Dakota joined the case on the side of the Army Corps earlier this month, arguing that closing DAPL would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, put thousands of jobs at risk, hamper regional supply chains and harm the environment. State attorneys also argue that a federal court order shuttering DAPL would violate North Dakotas right to regulate its own land and resources. In a brief filed Monday, the 13 additional co-defendant states made similar arguments. The group, led by Iowa, said DAPL is integral to the health of regional energy and agriculture markets. DAPL plays a vital role in ensuring the nations crops can come to market not because DAPL itself transports agricultural products, but because every barrel of oil that DAPL transports is a barrel that does not take space in a truck or a train, the states wrote. This also makes highways and railways safer and reduces pollution, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 13 states that joined the lawsuit this week are Iowa, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia. According to the states brief, the pipeline has paid over $100 million in property taxes to Iowa counties and over $33 million in property taxes to South Dakota counties since it began operating in 2017. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet filed an answer to the tribes lawsuit. Energy Transfer, the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, has not requested to intervene in the suit. The case is before U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who oversaw the tribes 2016 lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers opposing the pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Dakota in 2021 sought to join that lawsuit as well, but Boasberg denied the request as the case was in the process of wrapping up. That case concluded with Boasberg instructing the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full environmental impact study of the pipeline, which is still in the works. Boasberg also ordered the pipeline to stop operating pending the completion of the study, though that demand was ultimately overturned by an appellate court. In a separate federal court case, North Dakota seeks $38 million from the United States government for costs the state says it incurred responding to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The China-U.S. financial working group held its seventh meeting in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Sunday and Monday, China's central bank announced Tuesday. The meeting was co-chaired by Xuan Changneng, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), and Brent Neiman, assistant secretary for international finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Financial regulators, including the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission from the Chinese side, and the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission from the U.S. side, took part in the meeting, according to a PBOC statement The two sides had professional, pragmatic, candid and constructive discussions on topics ranging from macroeconomic and financial developments, monetary policy, financial stability, financial regulation and supervision, international financial institutions, capital market, to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, the statement said. They also exchanged views on other financial policy topics. The two sides were briefed on the previous technical exercises, including balance of payments compilation and climate modeling, according to the statement. During the meeting, China's National Financial Regulatory Administration and the U.S. Federal Insurance Office updated a memorandum of understanding on facilitating communication and cooperation relating to the insurance sector. DENVER (KDVR) Nineteen people were detained following a reported armed home invasion at The Edge at Lowry apartment complex in Aurora. Initially, Aurora police said 14 people had been detained but increased the number to 19 by Tuesday night. The Aurora Police Department told FOX31s Gabby Easterwood that officers sought, obtained and served several warrants for individual apartments believed to be connected to the armed invasion. The department said two of the complexs six buildings were included in the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City, state leaders weigh in on what to do about Aurora crime, gang problems An Aurora police spokesperson did not say how many units were searched or which specific units were searched. However, he said that the service of the last warrant resulted in the detention of five additional people for a total of 19 detained. Aurora police chief Todd Chamberlain provided initial information in a press conference on Tuesday, saying that at about 8:45 p.m. Monday at 1258 Dallas St., a male and a female victim were accosted by 13-15 armed individuals and forced into a different apartment at the same complex where they were allegedly tied up, pistol-whipped, beaten and stabbed. Chamberlain said 13 were male and possibly three suspects were female. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chamberlain said some of the suspects went to the victims apartment after the attack and burglarized the unit. Hours later, at 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, Chamberlain said the victims told the suspects they would not call the police if they were released. The victims were let go and went to a friends home, where they called officers. Chamberlain said officers immediately responded to the victims location and obtained information about the scene. Officers then locked down The Edge at Lowry apartment complex and located 15 individuals inside one unit. Chamberlain said based on preliminary evidence, it appeared most of those individuals were involved in the armed attack. At about 5:45 p.m., the agency said it was conducting a search warrant and had located additional suspects detained for questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrant service is still happening, a department spokesperson told FOX31. Police said it has not made any formal arrests and has no charges yet to report. Depending on the severity of the crime each individual is suspected of committing, police said they can detain the suspects for up to 72 hours. Troubled Aurora apartment caretaker says residents are not paying rent I am utilizing any resource that I can to verify who these individuals are, who these suspects are, what their involvement is with this crime and what their identities are, said Chamberlain during a press conference. I am presently using the Department of Homeland Security, I am using HSI and I am also using ICE to help identify who these suspects are and what actions they are involved in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims were in the hospital Tuesday being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Ex-ICE employee, gang expert weigh-in on violent incident John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field manager whos been weighing in on the conversation surrounding gangs, Venezuelan migrants and Aurora safety from the beginning, told Easterwood he feels this is what concerned citizens tried to warn the city about. This is just showing exactly what we said from the get-go that there are Venezuelan gangs in that area, Fabbricatore said. Chamberlain said that gangs were involved and Venezuelans were involved, but he didnt confirm if the gang involved was Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont even have to validate them as TdA. It doesnt need to happen, Fabbricatore said. We know that violence occurred in that complex last night. Some very graphic violence. Retired FBI agent and Hispanic gang expert Daniel Brunner told Easterwood that fear is exactly what criminals like this want. 2 Tren de Aragua members tied to viral Aurora video arrested in NYC Theyre creating the atmosphere of fear in the community to have them, the individuals who become their victims to be completely silent to not talk to law enforcement. Theyve come here and theyre utilizing all of the training theyve obtained in their criminal activity in Chile, Peru, Columbia. Brunner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they will use ICE to identify all suspects involved. Police chief: 100% gang activity During the press conference, Chamberlain said that based on his experience and expertise, he can guarantee without question, this is a gang incident. However, he said he didnt know which gang was involved and if it was Tren de Aragua but police are still investigating. Council member warns Aurora police chief, staff: Operation Aurora is coming Chamberlain said it is incredibly hard to identify people as belonging to TdA because there are no specific markers or identifiers unless the suspects self-identify. However, Chamberlain said there is a high assumption that the suspects in this case may be affiliated with TdA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I will say based on the actions that I saw, based on how the event unfolded, this is 100% gang activity, said Chamberlain. However, Chamberlain continued to push back on allegations that the city has been taken over by gangs, saying the complex is one of the pockets of the city with crime problems. Chief of police applauds victims courage During Tuesdays press conference, Chamberlian reiterated multiple times the courage the victims had in reporting this crime. Chamberlain said it appears the victims are immigrants that came with the Venezuelan community. He said the fact that they stepped forward showed immense courage. Again these individuals, like many gangs and many individuals involved in this type of activity, they victimize their own race and their own ethnicity. The reason they do that is because they are easy victims because they know that because of their status, they will not come forward to the police. They know they can mistreat them; they know they can do things to them that they couldnt do to anybody else in the community based upon their fear of what the ramifications would be if law enforcement gets involved in that, said Chamberlain. Apartment complex known for its troubled past The Edge at Lowry was deemed a troubled apartment complex after a viral video of a group of armed men surfaced in August. The owners of the video said it was taken shortly before a shootout at the complex that left one person seriously injured. Several vehicles were also damaged by gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants of troubled Aurora apartment complex worry about looming closure The apartment became a national topic when President-elect Donald Trump discussed the video during his presidential campaign. He visited Aurora in October and displayed enlarged mugshots showing the men identified in the video. During the press conference, Chamberlain said the Aurora Police Department has been focused on that apartment complex. As everybody here knows, and as the nation knows, this complex is an incredibly problematic complex. It is an incredibly crime-riddled complex that we have been focusing on, the city of Aurora has been focusing on, and without question, the attention will not stop until every individual who victimizes somebody else will be held accountable or be removed from that complex, said Chamberlain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chamberlain noted that many Venezuelan immigrants ended up living at the poorly managed complex, but didnt just point to poor building management as the cause. He also pointed to the federal government, saying officials did not do enough to respond to the wave of immigrants from Venezuela that ended up in cities like Aurora. We are now in the process, as many other cities throughout this nation, of trying to pick up the pieces of an incredibly bad system that was in place, he said. The apartment is now set to close after the owner reached an agreement with the city. Proceedings will continue in January and if the buildings close the city will give at least 30-day notice to current residents lawfully staying at the property. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. 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: Katherine Louise Cregan. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Katherine Louise Cregan, 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. The widow of a slain Hamtramck jeweler repeatedly asked two men who posed as DTE workers checking for a supposed gas leak in their Rochester Hills home where her husband was after he went to the basement with the duo, but didn't return when the pair came back upstairs. "I started asking: 'Where is my husband? Where is my husband?' And I didn't get a response," Linda Murray testified Tuesday during a preliminary exam in 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills for two men charged in the Oct. 11 death of her husband, Hussein (Sam) Murray, to whom she was married for 54 years. District Judge Laura Polizzi bound over both men Carlos Hernandez, 38, and Joshua Zuazo, 39, both of Dearborn to stand trial in Oakland County Circuit Court. Each is charged with one count of felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both wore orange jumpsuits and handcuffs and sat next to their attorneys during the exam. Their attorneys did not present any witnesses, but both said this was a question of fact for the Circuit Court. Zuazo's attorney Michael McCarthy posed some questions during cross-examination pertaining to his client's identification as a suspect in the case. Defendant Carlos Hernandez, 38, left, and Michael McCarthy listened to testimony during a preliminary hearing at 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Polizzi denied a motion by McCarthy to dismiss the complaint because Zuazo was not arraigned until four days after his Oct. 14 arrest while he worked as a construction laborer at a job site in Plymouth. Zuazo had outstanding warrants from Taylor and Ecorse police at the time of his arrest. Polizzi said there was no unreasonable delay; Zuazo had other warrants, and the charges in the murder case "are extremely serious." Before the exam began, McCarthy told the court that Zuazo wanted him to withdraw as his attorney because he believed McCarthy did not do an adequate investigating his case. McCarthy told the court he had been intensely involved in the case. Zuazo told the court he didn't feel comfortable with McCarthy representing him. Polizzi denied the request. An Oakland County Sheriff escorts defendant Joshua Zuazo, 39, out of the courtroom during a preliminary hearing at 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. More: Slain Hamtramck business owner was 'a man with a gold heart' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Returned from Deep South to face murder charge, second alleged DTE imposter is denied bond Hussein Murray, 72, was found bound and slain in the basement of his home in the 3700 block of Newcastle after his wife called 911 to report a robbery. An Oakland County sheriff's deputy, who was the first officer at the scene, was one of seven prosecution witnesses who testified. He testified that Linda Murray still had her wrists bound with duct tape when she opened the door for him, and she was on the phone with dispatch. Hussein Murray, 72, of Rochester Hills, was found dead in his basement on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Two men posing as DTE workers are believed to be responsible for the death, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. He testified that he cut the duct tape off of her wrists, helped with the search of the home and found her husband in the basement with duct tape around his wrists, ankles and mouth, as well as "a lot of blood" and an empty gun holster around the victim's waist. He testified he saw blood on the wall and the handrail before heading to the basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Hussein Murray's family and supporters left the courtroom when Dr. Shauna Bryan, deputy chief medical examiner for Oakland County, testified that Hussein Murray's cause of death was neck compression. She said his body had duct tape around his face and covering his mouth, his hands were tied and his feet were bound with duct tape and zip ties. Bryan testified that he had blunt force injury to his head, cuts on his scalp and his jaw bone and hyoid bone in his neck were fractured. She found a lot of blood in his lungs. When asked how long it was before death, she testified it depends on the state of the person, indicating it could be "a matter of minutes, less than 10 minutes if you firmly hold the neck for a long period of time." Linda Murray testified about the men posing as workers the night of Oct. 10 supposedly checking for a gas leak, how they were told to come back the next day and their return the next morning. "I was curious as to why they were looking for a gas leak when I didnt smell anything," she testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She testified how the men returned Oct. 11 with DTE badges and reflective yellow vests. They were permitted in and Hernandez said he needed to check something on the furnace, which was in the basement. Her husband took the men to the basement and Linda Murray testified that she went to finish making breakfast. She didn't hear her husband, who was a loud talker, say anything and didn't hear any commotion. She testified that when the men came back upstairs, Hernandez asked her where the safe, money and jewelry were located. She testified they didn't have a safe; jewelry was in a safety deposit box at the bank, and they only had the money she had in her purse (about $300) or what her husband carried in his pocket. Linda Murray testified that she asked where her husband was, then started screaming when she saw blood on Zuazo. She told the court Hernandez struck her in the face, sat her at the kitchen table, took her iPhone watch off and took her cellphone. She testified that Zuazo told her that her husband was sleeping. She testified that Hernandez bound her ankles and wrists with duct tape and that she could hear Zuazo upstairs in the master bedroom, drawers hitting the floor. She said the room was disheveled and costume jewelry was missing. She testified that she had never seen either man before that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ring camera footage caught who authorities believed were the suspects in the crime of the beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother who owned a jewelry store and pawn shop, Gold & Glitter and Hamtramck Pawn Brokers, for decades. Oakland County sheriff's detective Wendell Smith testified that he interviewed Hernandez in Louisiana when he and a colleague went down to collect evidence after Hernandez was arrested there. Smith testified that Hernandez said he was unhappy with how the news media was portraying him, but admitted to being the person in the Ring video. Smith testified that Hernandez said he never had a handgun missing from the scene and he believed it was sold; and that a cellphone that was taken was discarded while driving on a highway in Michigan. Smith testified that Hernandez said Zuazo, who he had been friends with since childhood, tied up Linda Murray and he didn't remember her being struck. Smith testified that Hernandez said during the interview that the DTE equipment and paperwork was provided by a third-party individual, who was not identified. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard previously told the Free Press the truck the suspects used was found unoccupied in Detroit, severely damaged and had been "lit on fire." An Oakland County Sheriff escorts defendant Carlos Hernandez, 38, out of the courtroom during a preliminary hearing at 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked why only Hussein Murray was killed, Smith testified that Hernandez became irate and said "it wasn't supposed to go down like that." Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2 accused of killing jeweler after posing as DTE workers to stand trial BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) Two men from Massachusetts were found in Bristol with equipment that would let them steal vehicles, according to police. Nelshon Pires and Andy Semedo, of Brockton, Massachusetts, were arrested last week after search warrants were conducted, according to police. They have been charged with being in possession of burglary tools. While Bristol police said officers have been investigating high-priced vehicles that have been stolen off car dealership lots over the last few years, they have not specified what role, if any, the two had in the thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) The City of Homewood and the City of Mountain Brook will officially work together on the future of the Brookwood Village site. In a unanimous vote, the Homewood City Council on Monday approved the Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement that the Mountain Brook City Council passed last week. The agreement states the cities will work together to figure out what will fill the property and any zoning changes needed, share new net revenues from the site and make joint decisions during the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because youve got a piece of land thats divided over multiple municipalities, it just makes everything easier if you work together, Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt said. It allows for hopefully a development that will be developed in a way that will benefit both cities equally. The Brookwood Village site sits on land in Mountain Brook, Homewood and unincorporated Jefferson County. The two cities said they were already working together unofficially to figure out what to put in the buildings with the hope of filling it with businesses that will be beneficial for both cities. We cant be shortsighted in just considering what we want to see in Homewood and then be maybe resentful of whats over in Mountain Brook, Homewood City Councilor Jennifer Andress said. Lets say theres a fancy hotel on the Mountain Brook side, and then we have retail or what have you. We cant have anywhere we feel like one side is getting something were not getting just because of some imaginary line on the ground. Former Auburn football players remember Chette Williams Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andress said regional cooperation is becoming more common among Jefferson Countys 35 municipalities. We have relationships with each other, Andress said. We work together, and this is a really great example of that. Im really proud of it and excited that were doing this together. The Brookwood Village site falls in Andress ward. She said her constituents are ready to see action on it. Its a very convenient location, Andress said. Its a beautiful site. With projects of this size, development plans can often take a long time. Wyatt, however, does not think working through two municipalities will slow down the process further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anything, it should create some efficiencies in terms of how the developers come to approach the cities and how they both not just the governments but the residents of the cities will come to review what the developers put forward and how they consider it, Wyatt said. Andress said what will likely happen next is a board will be designed with members from the City of Mountain Brook and City of Homewood to specifically oversee planning of this project. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. One person was killed and a deputy was injured during a shooting in Catoosa County on Sunday. At about 10:25 pm, deputies with the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office and a Georgia State Patrol trooper responded to a 911 call about someone shooting a gun outside. The deputies met with the 911 caller and learned that the shooting happened behind the 911 callers house. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Deputies and the trooper arrived at a home in the 600 block of Karen Drive in Ringgold, where they confronted Dameion Coonrod, 32, of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Coonrod tried to leave in a Genesis SUV. A deputy fired a stun gun at Coonrod and Coonrod tried to drive away while the deputy was by the SUV. Both deputies and the trooper fired their guns into the SUV, shooting Coonrod. After the shooting, the SUV continued through the front yard and hit a tree and a house. There was a woman in the passenger seat of the SUV during the shooting. She was not injured. Coonrod was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. His body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiners Office where an autopsy will be performed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy was taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released. The GBI will conduct an independent investigation of the incident. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] 50Hertz, the transmission system operator (TSO) for eastern Germany, has awarded its Ostwind 4 project to GE Vernova, in consortium with Drydocks World, a DP World company that provides marine and offshore services to the renewable energy sector, among others. The project involves the design, construction, and commissioning of a 2-GW high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) electric transmission systemthe first of its kind in the German Baltic Seaconnecting offshore wind farms to the German grid. Ostwind 4 is the fourth offshore project designed to connect wind farm areas northeast of Rugen island to the German power grid (Figure 1). Both an offshore converter platform and an onshore converter station will be built as part of the project. This is the first time an offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea will include 525-kV HVDC technology, which can transport more power than alternating current (AC) connections with lower losses across longer distances. [caption id="attachment_226855" align="aligncenter" width="600"] 1. Ostwind 4 is the fourth project to connect offshore wind farms (OWFs) from the northeast of Rugen island to the German power grid. Courtesy: 50Hertz[/caption] The wind farm concession area in which the project will be located was purchased during an auction by Total Energies. The area is located on the edge of the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). A subsea cable that will be approximately 110 kilometers (km) long is due to run from the offshore converter, through the Greifswald Bodden, to Lubmin near Vierow. An underground cable that will be approximately 4 km long will run from Lubmin to the planned substation with the counter-converter in the municipality of Brunzow in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald. The DC will be converted back to AC at that point and fed into the 50Hertz extra-high-voltage transmission grid. The contract for the production and installation of the subsea and underground cables was awarded to the Danish company NKT in 2023. Collaboration Key to State-of-the-Art Transmission Project The GE VernovaDrydocks World consortium is responsible for delivering both the offshore converter platform and the onshore converter station, enabling seamless transmission of electricity from offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea to the German transmission grid. As the consortium leader, GE Vernova will supply advanced HVDC technology, including voltage-sourced converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, air-core reactors, and g3 gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). GE Vernovas g3 (pronounced g cubed) insulating gas is an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) insulating gas, with a drastically lower environmental impactglobal warming potential (GWP) reduced by more than 99%, comparatively. Meanwhile, g3 products feature the same ratings and same dimensional footprint as SF 6 options, and operate with no restriction under the same temperature range as SF 6 products (down to 30C). As part of the Ostwind 4 project, GE Vernova will handle civil works for the onshore converter station and grid automation telecommunications equipment. The company said the project will also benefit from GE Vernovas new HVDC Competence Center in Berlin, which is focused on developing leading-edge technology to improve grid stability and integrate more renewable energy. Drydocks World will manage the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of the wind energy converter stations topsides and jacket structures. The topside, which will be fabricated at Drydocks Worlds Dubai facility, will integrate advanced equipment designed and manufactured in Europe. Once completed, the platform will be transported and installed in German waters. The Ostwind 4 project exemplifies the power of international collaboration in advancing renewable energy solutions, said Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World. Drydocks World is honored to support Germanys transition to sustainable energy by delivering cutting-edge offshore infrastructure that embodies engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. This achievement reaffirms our unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for offshore wind projects and supporting global efforts to build a greener future. Pioneering Work The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydocks World marks the beginning of a new chapter in the use of wind energy in the Baltic Sea. 50Hertz is the first transmission system operator to deploy 2-GW/525-kV technology in this sea area. This is pioneering work, said Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz (Figure 2). We want to ensure that the entirety of the technically and economically viable offshore wind energy potential in the Baltic Sea is exploited, primarily with the help of direct current technology. To do this, we need to think and act in an even more networked way across national borders. One prerequisite for this is the creation of legal and regulatory conditions that enable wind farms in the waters of other EU [European Union] states to be connected to the German transmission grid. [caption id="attachment_226857" align="aligncenter" width="740"] 2. Leaders are shown here after the symbolic signing of the contract. Standing are Stefan Hartge (GE Vernova), Marco Nix (50Hertz), Capt. Rado Antolovic (Drydocks World). Sitting are Johann Bindele (GE Vernova), Stefan Kapferer (50Hertz), HE Sultan Admed Bin Sulayem (Dubai Port World). Courtesy: 50Hertz/Kathrin Heller[/caption] GE Vernova noted that Germany has an ambitious energy transition (Energiewende) framework, which aims to phase out coal entirely by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. It said Germanys Climate Law requires 80% of the countrys electricity supply to come from renewable sources by 2030, with a target of 100% by 2035. Projects like Ostwind 4 are crucial in meeting these goals, enabling the efficient transmission of renewable energy from offshore wind farms to the national grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, GE Vernova said. Ostwind 4 represents a crucial milestone in our mission to electrify and decarbonize with the energy to change the world. By leveraging our advanced HVDC technology, this key infrastructure project underscores the essential role of offshore wind to ensure European energy security and to accelerate the global energy transition. This order also highlights the rapid growth in GE Vernovas Electrification segment, our fastest growing business, as our customers invest in the grid. We are very proud to collaborate with 50Hertz and Drydocks World to advance Germanys renewable energy goals and set a new standard for a resilient and sustainable grid infrastructure, said Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernovas Electrification business. Drydocks Worlds pivotal role in the Ostwind 4 project underscores its technical excellence and commitment to advancing sustainable infrastructure. This award reflects DP Worlds broader mission to drive clean energy transitions and economic growth. As the global energy landscape evolves, we remain dedicated to leveraging our expertise and innovative capabilities to support initiatives that drive clean energy transitions and economic development, said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World. Ostwind 4 demonstrates the advancements in HVDC technology that GE Vernova delivers to support the integration of renewable energy sources at transformative scales. The use of our voltage-sourced converters, g3 gas-insulated switchgear, and robust system design ensures not only efficient power transmission but also operational reliability over long distances. We are honored to lead this project in collaboration with our consortium partner Drydocks World and support 50Hertz in pushing the boundaries of energy innovation, added Johan Bindele, leader of Grid Systems Integration at GE Vernovas Grid Solutions business. Aaron Larson is POWERs executive editor (@POWERmagazine). BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Arson investigators were busy Monday morning after two separate structure fires ignited within a couple blocks from one another. The first structure fire was reported on Augusta and 3rd streets at about 10:15 a.m. The Bakersfield Fire Department arrived on scene and stopped the fully engulfed structure from burning nearby buildings. The home was a total loss, and BFD Battalion Chief Brad Ward says it was vacant and was previously burned. No injuries were reported during the blaze on Augusta St. augusta street fire Bakersfield Fire Department firefighters also battled a structure fire at Texas Street and Milham Drive, at about the same time as the blaze on Augusta St. The home on Texas St. was also believed to be vacant. texas street fire Nothing is truly vacant. It is boarded up, but we do have a lot of homeless that will live inside the structure, so theres always a lot of safety risk when we do have to go in, said BFD Capt. Stephen Vizzard. So we do have to perform a primary search when we go to every vacant structure to make sure that there is no homeless or anybody inside. In this fire, we didnt find anybody here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you know anything about either of these structure fires, youre urged to call Bakersfield Fire Departments arson hotline, at 1-877-347-3847. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. The U.S. Department of Justice announced two Iranian nationals have been charged for their roles in a Jordan drone attack that left three United States soldiers dead in January and more than 40 injured. All three of those soldiers were from Georgia, coming from Waycross, Savannah and Carrollton. Sgt. Breonna Moffett, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders and Staff Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, had been stationed at Fort Moore, just outside of Columbus, before deploying to Jordan. Now, USDOJ says Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, a dual U.S.-Iranian national of Natick, Mass. and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, A/K/A Mohammad Abedini (Abedini), 38, of Tehran, Iran were charged in a federal court in Boston for violating U.S. export control and sanctions laws. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Today, the Justice Department has charged, and our foreign partners have taken into custody, Mohammad Abedini, who we allege supplied sensitive technology used by the Iranian military to kill three American servicemembers in Jordan earlier this year, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. In addition, we have charged and arrested Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen for conspiring with Abedini to export sensitive U.S. technology to Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two men are accused of conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, said at a news conference announcing the charges. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abedini was also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. USDOJ said Sadeghi is the founder and managing director of an Iranian company that makes navigation modules used in the IRGCs military drone program. Justice Department officials said Sadeghi is also currently employed by a Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer and was a founder of another Massachusetts technology company that makes wearable sensors for fitness applications. This case reflects our commitment to pursuing those who unlawfully aid Irans military drone program and to seeking justice for the U.S. servicemembers killed at the hands of the IRGC-backed militants earlier this year, said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Departments National Security Division. Export laws exist to keep cutting-edge U.S. technology out of the hands of foreign terrorist organizations. When sensitive drone technology is supplied to the IRGC as alleged in this case it places our military at risk and imperils American citizens. USDOJ said they are working to extradite Abedini from Italy, following his arrest by Italian authorities at the request of U.S. officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadeghi has already had his first court appearance in Massachusetts and has a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 27. Officials said both men face up to 20 years in prison, with three years of supervised release and up to $1 million fines for the conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economics Powers Act, if convicted. Additionally, Abedini faces life in prison for the charge of supplying material support to a foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death. The Associated Press contributed to this report. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH) Two Massachusetts men were arrested in Bristol for possessing burglary tools after being spotted near a Blasius dealership, police said. The Blasius dealerships have had vehicles stolen off their lots over the last few years with multiple vehicles being taken at a time, police said. Police said on Dec. 8, Bristol patrol responded to a report of suspicious activity in the area of East Main Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelshon Pires and Andy Semedo of Brockton, Mass., fit the description provided and were found to have equipment that would grant them access to any vehicle and technology that would give them access to use cars they did not have the original keys to, police said. Search for Hartford fatal shooting suspect continues They are scheduled to appear in New Britain Superior Court on Dec. 23. Pires and Semedo were arrested in Massachusetts once again after police executed search warrants on both Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 facing similar charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. WELLINGTON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A massive earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Tuesday has caused severe damage to buildings, including those housing foreign embassies. The quake hit 30 km west of Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, at 12:47 local time, with a depth of 43 km, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The earthquake, described by locals as a "violent, high-frequency vertical shake," left at least one dead so far. The building in Vanuatu that houses the New Zealand High Commission as well as the U.S., French and British embassies was extensively damaged by the quake. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was contacting the New Zealand High Commission staff in Port Vila to check they were safe. There is no threat of a tsunami for New Zealand, according to the country's National Emergency Management Agency. A tsunami threat for those in Vanuatu was also cancelled by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand is ready to help if needed. There has been significant damage across Vanuatu, according to the Red Cross. MILLER COUNTY, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) Upgrades are coming to a Texarkana-area industrial site thanks to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. So we have a fantastic industrial site on the Arkansas side called the REDI Arkansas Manufacturing Center and its 1350 acres of prime real estate that were out there actively attracting new business to the area, says Rob Sitterley, President & CEO of AR-TX REDI. A total of $10 million is going toward industrial sites across the state of Arkansas, $2 million of which has been awarded to AR-TX REDI, which is a non-profit economic development group serving Bowie and Miller Counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We received 1/5 of it, which is pretty important, shows just how much the state thinks of our site and how much they want us to be more competitive when were out there globally trying to attract new business, says Sitterley. The money will connect the site to water and sewer lines. More: Arkansas News Water and sewer is probably the last really important piece that we need. Its 4/10 of a mile from the site, as we sit here today. So its not that far but to have it on site and available for when a company comes and tours it and we can say, hey, its there. says Sitterley. AR-TEX REDI says they are already in talks with several companies that are hoping to take advantage of the property as soon as next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im hoping that, you know, come the end of 2025 well have a great problem that well have to go out and find new property, new land to attract business to on the Arkansas side. says Sitterley. He believes ensuring the site is ready for development now will give them an advantage when attracting a new business and employers to the region. A lot of companies, a lot of site selectors will come and visit a community and theyll ask, where do you want us to locate? And if folks have just a general idea, well, we can put you here or we could think of putting you over there. That doesnt work. Todays competitive atmosphere is that you have to have a site that is in your control and ready to be implemented immediately. says Sitterley. In total, 13 sites were selected, including $4,602 to the Hempstead County Economic Development Commission and $698,845 to the City of Prescott, AR Industrial Park to replace aging water infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Federal prison is the destination for defendants in two child pornography cases in the state. A federal judge has sentenced Asha Graystone, 34, to a decade behind bars for uploading illegal pictures and videos of children to the internet. Graystone was already on the sex offender registry for a child pornography case in 2021. 29-year-old woman dies after falling from train in downtown Sioux Falls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Sioux Falls man is also headed to federal prison. Jeffrey Dicus, 40, received a 12-years behind bars for uploading illegal pictures and videos to a Dropbox account. The crimes happened over a five year period, ending with his February 2023 arrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. SYCAMORE, Ill. Two workers were injured in a paint production facility explosion in west suburban Sycamore on Monday. Sycamore Fire Chief Bart Gilmore said a paint can exploded around 8:30 a.m. at Seymore Paint Company, located at 917 Crosby Avenue, which invented Aerosol Paint. Gilmore says the buildings water and foam fire suppression system was activated immediately, but fire engines also needed to extinguish the flames. The blaze was under control in under 30 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the blast, emergency crews transported two people to Northwestern Kishwaukee Community Hospital with severe burns. Paramedics on the scene also evaluated a third person. No firefighters The potential was very bad, Gilmore told reporters. Luckily, they had an excellent suppression system. Luckily, we had a fast response time and the fire was able to be suppressed before any real, significant damage became a larger incident. Investigators are still collecting evidence, which includes video of the explosion, Gilmore added. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The cause of the fire is under investigation, as is the extent of building damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A 20-year-old man from the Bronx is in custody in connection to an incident involving senior citizens on Nov. 9. Camron Thomas was charged with two counts of attempted robbery in the second degree and assault in the second degree. More Local News Police say Thomas approached a 75-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman walking in front of 437 West 44th Street around 10:35 p.m. He tried to steal a purse and wallet from the couple but was unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the altercation, Thomas allegedly threw the woman to the ground and punched the man multiple times in the face. Police say the woman sustained a bloody nose and pain to the elbow and neck and the man sustained serious injuries to the eye and face. The victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. 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). 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. AUSTIN (KXAN) Hundreds of Austin children and police officers took over Target locations on Friday and Monday for the annual Shop With a Cop program. Amigos en Azul partnered with the Austin Police Department for the annual event, sending 200 students from seven Austin Independent School District elementary schools and children from APDs Police Activities League (PAL) program to two Target locations. Each kid was paired with an officer and got to spend $150 shopping for themselves or their families ahead of the holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amigos en Azul, or Friends in Blue, was founded by a handful of APD officers in 1982 with the mission of building a bridge between the Hispanic community and the Austin Police Department, according to a press release from APD. The nonprofit started the Shop With a Cop program in 2006 and hosts it each year, in hopes of creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where young students can connect with officers, helping reinforce the message that police officers are amigos who care about the community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Next year could be a transformative one for U.S. space exploration, as the election of Donald Trump to the presidency and his close relationship with SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk promises to change the space paradigm. The billionaire's influence over space policy, already strong under outgoing President Joe Biden, will most likely deepen in what many analysts believe will be a year of still more space initiatives being undertaken by the private sector. Meanwhile, the budget and performance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will come under more intense scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, NASA's incoming administrator, Jared Isaacman, another billionaire and close associate of Musk's, has hailed the expansion of the "space economy," meaning the business of spaceflight and exploration as practiced by private companies such as SpaceX and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. The latter company, as well as other commercial competitors, including one from China, could give SpaceX a run for its money during 2025, not only in terms of government contracting for manned space exploration, but also when it comes to the satellite communications field, which has long been the space economy's bread-and-butter. The SpaceX Starship rocket launches on its sixth flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, on Nov. 19. SpaceX says it is aiming for up to 25 launches the heavy booster reusable rocket during 2025 as the company seeks to change the character of space travel. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI The defense sector also could see some highly significant space developments during the year, including Trump's stated desire to establish a Space National Guard, while longer-range plans to explore -- and possibly colonize -- Mars will continue to play out over the next 12 months. SpaceX Starship to accelerate quickly NASA Administrator Bill Nelson (shown) will be replaced as the agency's head by billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. Isaacman is expected to deepen NASA's ties with commercial space companies. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI In the space sector, 2025's biggest story very likely could be the quick acceleration of SpaceX's mammoth, reusable Starship heavy booster in the wake of regulatory approvals to be issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starship, at 400 feet high, is the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, and is designed to help mankind settle the moon and Mars. SpaceX has said it wants to eventually conduct multiple Starship launches per day. NASA's Artemis II Orion Spacecraft sits in the Operations and Checkout Building at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., in August 2023. Delays in the Artemis manned lunar landing program are likely to receive scrutiny in 2025 under President Donald Trump. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI In a draft decision filed by the FAA, the agency granted the company's request to "increase the launch and landing cadence of the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle" at its Starbase site in Cameron County, Texas. The decision allows SpaceX to raise the number of annual Starship liftoffs there by a factor of five, to 25 from the currently allowed five. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches twin Amazon Project Kuiper satellites from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in October 2023. Amazon is expanding its Florida processing facility for Project Kuiper during 2025 as the "space economy" expands. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included in that number are up to 25 annual Starship/Super Heavy orbital launches and up to 25 annual landings of Starship, which the company says are "critical to continually develop the core design of the launch vehicle, which is rapid reusability." The U.S. Space Force, founded in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump, most likely will be in line for increased funding during 2025 in Trump's return to the White House. File Pool Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI Static fire of the Flight 7 Super Heavy booster pic.twitter.com/xqfykcq7QU SpaceX (@SpaceX) December 9, 2024 Musk could have great influence over the FAA and other U.S. regulatory agencies in his new role as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under Trump. The only questions that seemingly remain are how much influence he will have and how will he wield it to remove further regulatory hurdles? A bust of Elon Musk is seen along Highway 4, just outside of SpaceX's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas, in November. Musk's influence over the direction and budget of the U.S. space program is likely to benefit SpaceX and other commercial "space economy" companies during 2025. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI SpaceX Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell has voiced ambitious goals, stating at the 31st Annual Baron Investment Conference in November the company is aiming to conduct 400 Starship launches over the next four years and thus fundamentally change the character of space travel. Shotwell "expressed hope" that the Trump administration and Musk's DOGE will push for "regulatory reforms across industries," leading space industry analysts to predict that their close relationship will benefit SpaceX with more favorable regulations and faster approval processes. Known as Mars Dune Alpha, a 3D-printed structure will simulate a Mars habitat to support long-duration, exploration-class space missions as part of NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analogs mission during 2025. Photo courtesy of NASA NASA-led Artemis moon program delays Even as SpaceX accelerates its Mars/Starship program, the NASA-led Artemis moon landing program is facing more delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, NASA pushed back its next two launches after studying the causes of unexpected charring to the heat shield of the unmanned Artemis I in 2022. The crewed Artemis II mission was delayed to April 2026 from a hoped-for September 2025 launch, while Artemis III -- which is to land the first woman and next man on the moon -- is now slated for mid-2027. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said engineers needed time to prepare the heat shield on the Orion capsule, which requires modifications to safely re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, as well as to "address the Orion environmental control and life support systems." During 2025, analysts believe White House support for Artemis will continue, but may be accompanied by major reviews and reconsideration of its key elements that are delayed, overbudget or both. That includes Artemis' massive Space Launch System rocket, which from its inception in 2006 through 2023 has cost $23 billion to develop, but remains the only launch vehicle potentially capable of sending astronauts to the moon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Orion deep space capsule that is designed to ride atop the SLS has required $20.4 billion during that period, which critics, including Nelson, have blamed NASA's "cost-plus" contracts, which incentivize suppliers to go over budget. As the agency's new administrator, billionaire Isaacman could go after such cost overruns, or perhaps even seek to eliminate NASA programs such as the SLS that compete with Musk's private Starship program. Canceling the SLS, however, would require congressional approval. That might prove difficult because it retains the support of some key Republican lawmakers. New NASA chief to deepen private sector ties Nelson, an 82-year-old former three-term U.S. senator from Florida, will be replaced as NASA chief by Isaacman, a close associate of Musk's, Trump announced Dec. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 payments and leader of the first all-civilian space flight into orbit, said he is hoping to "usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization." Assuming he is confirmed by the Senate, what his remarks mean in practice for the U.S. space program remain to be seen, but in all likelihood, it portends even greater cooperation between the government agency and private sector players like Musk. In his comments, Isaacman referenced the "thriving space economy -- one that will create opportunities for countless people to live and work in space." Honored to speak @SpaceForceAssoc Space Power 2024 about the future of commercial space, the inevitable space economy & the critical role of @SpaceForceDoD. The Guardians are standing watch, protecting the high ground & ensuring our national security pic.twitter.com/0Fd9PDnC1C Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) December 11, 2024 The National Space Society hailed his coming appointment, saying he brings "a wealth of experience in entrepreneurial enterprise, as well as unique knowledge in working with both NASA and SpaceX, a perfect combination as we enter a new era of increased cooperation between NASA and commercial spaceflight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But are Isaacman's ties to Musk and the private space economy sector too close for ethical comfort? In an editorial on Isaacman's appointment, the Houston Chronicle predicted ethics watchdogs "will be keeping close tabs on how SpaceX stands to benefit as a space contractor" under his leadership and reported that "many space policy experts expect Trump to make NASA even more dependent on the commercial sector," perhaps by eliminating the SLS. "It would be a national security risk for the country to be overly dependent on SpaceX and Musk to reach space," the newspaper said. Competition for SpaceX is ramping up Despite Musk's incredibly powerful position as the world's richest man and his likely outsized influence over the U.S. regulatory and financial policy, 2025 also will mark an acceleration of competition against SpaceX in the space economy race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon in August announced a $19.5 million expansion of a still-under-construction Florida processing facility for its ambitious Project Kuiper, through which its aims to build a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites to increase global broadband access. The first two Project Kuiper test satellites were launched in 2023, and Amazon said it plans to invest more than $10 billion in the project. Construction is forecast to be complete in 2025, and before the year is out, Amazon expects to "begin delivering service to customers." Space economy analysts say Amazon's effort could pose the sternest test yet to the dominant market position of Musk's Starlink satellite broadband service. More competition during 2025 will come from China's Thousand Sails, or Qianfan, constellation. It is being rolled out in phases, including an initial phase of nearly 1,300 satellites, some 648 of which are planned for launch by the end of the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full constellation of more 15,000 satellites traveling in low-altitude orbits are to be deployed by the end of 2030, according to the Shanghai city government, which is leading the effort. Despite a late start, "China is rapidly advancing in building satellite constellations, particularly in the commercial sector, and catching up with global competitors," the Chinese Communist Party organ Global Times proclaimed. Seemingly heading in the opposite direction, however, is Boeing's Starliner in the wake of its failed mission to bring two astronauts home from the International Space Station in September. Whether it would fly again in 2025 seemed unlikely until NASA revealed in October that it could carry out its next mission sometime during the year. "The timing and configuration of Starliner's next flight will be determined once a better understanding of Boeing's path to system certification is established," NASA said. "This determination will include considerations for incorporating Crew Flight Test lessons learned, approvals of final certification products and operational readiness." U.S. Space Force spending could get a boost Under Trump, defense-related space spending is quite likely to get a significant boost in the coming year, at least if the Project 2025 plans laid out by the administration-aligned Heritage Foundation are any indication. That document calls for the U.S. Space Force to institute "offensive" strategies to provide a "deterrent" capability in space against anti-satellite nuclear weapons reportedly under development by Russia. One of the goals stated in the conservative roadmap is to "re-establish offensive capabilities to guarantee a favorable balance of forces, efficiently manage the full deterrence spectrum, and seriously complicate enemy calculations of a successful first strike against U.S. space assets." One area that almost certainly will receive more funding is the Space Force's Resilient Global Positioning System, or R-GPS. It is designed to "provide resilience to military and civil GPS user communities" by augmenting the existing civilian GPS constellation with new batches of small satellites meant to counter jamming threats by adversaries. The first of three phases to produce up to eight R-GPS satellites available for launch as soon as 2028 already is underway. Contracts for the first phase were awarded by the Space Force in October. Meanwhile, 2025 could be the year Trump establishes a Space National Guard after setting the Space Force in his first administration. On the campaign trail in August, he promised the creation of such a force. "The time has come to create a Space National Guard as the primary combat reserve of the U.S. Space Force," he said at the National Guard Association of the United States conference in Detroit. "So as president, I will sign historic legislation creating a space National Guard." A 2021 analysis by the White House Office of Management and Budget estimated that it would cost $500 million annually to establish a Space National Guard, prompting the Biden administration to block earlier proposals, but proponents say a smaller version could be much more feasible and cost-effective. Crewed missions to Mars getting closer? Leaning on the development of Starship, Musk says SpaceX is planning about five uncrewed missions to Mars within two years, according to an X post in September. "If those all land safely, then crewed missions are possible in four years," he wrote. "If we encounter challenges, then the crewed missions will be postponed another two years." The billionaire's ambitious timeline for manned missions to Mars and his oft-stated dreams of humans colonizing the Red Planet have drawn plenty of skepticism, even as The New York Times reported in July he has directed SpaceX employees to develop designs and details of a Martian city, and that he now expects 1 million people to be living there in about 20 years. One such skeptic is former President Barack Obama, who at the Paris POwR.Earth Summit in March criticized efforts by billionaires like Musk and Bezos to plant human colonies on Mars as a means to escape environmental degradation on Earth, even though the Red Planet has no breathable atmosphere. "I would rather us invest in taking care of this planet here," Obama said. "We were designed for planet Earth, and it would be nice to keep it! Even in the event of nuclear war or global warming, Earth will always be more suitable for humans than Mars. "Life will adapt and continue here, and we should invest now so that we can continue to live well here." Still, as he did when he was president, Obama supported continuing to explore Mars for scientific and research purposes, and NASA has more plans to do so in 2025. NASA's ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission is now targeting a launch in 2025. ESCAPADE's two satellites will investigate how solar wind interacts with the magnetic environment of Mars. Learn more: https://t.co/eIoFQ0BbPO pic.twitter.com/kHtbIaxOKz NASA (@NASA) September 6, 2024 The space agency has two planned Mars-related efforts on tap: the second of three Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analogs, or CHAPEA, which are simulated one-year Mars missions meant to help prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet; and two identical Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorer spacecraft, or ESCAPADE -- an unmanned mission to study how the solar wind interacts with Mars' magnetic environment. The latter project, being undertaken in conjunction with Blue Origin, was originally set for an October opportunity window, but was delayed, with the next available window coming in spring 2025. Also, NASA could have a new strategy for returning rock samples collected by the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover in place sometime during 2025. A prior plan that would have cost $11 billion and delayed the core samples' return to Earth until 2040 was scrapped in April. Nelson said he wants any new plan to accomplish that mission in the 2030s. The coming year also will see the repurposing of the crashed Ingenuity helicopter. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said in December that Ingenuity, whose final flight came on Jan. 18, 2024, could live on as a Mars weather station for another 20 years. The helicopter still beams weather and avionics test data to the Perseverance rover about once a week, JPL scientists noted in a blog post. "The weather information could benefit future explorers of the Red Planet," they wrote. "The avionics data is already proving useful to engineers working on future designs of aircraft and other vehicles for the Red Planet." BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A federal complaint has been filed against two Immigration and Customs Enforcement centers in Kern County, according to the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice. 21 people detained at the Golden State Annex and Mesa Verde processing centers filed a federal complaint on Monday with the Department of Homeland Security. Shoppers feel safe at Valley Plaza mall, but more security wouldnt hurt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint cites alleged medical failure and weaponization of care, specifically targeting workers accusing people detained of malingering. The complaint was filed by CCIJ and the ACLU foundation of southern California on behalf of the 21 people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. NEW YORK (PIX11) A slew of express and local bus routes will run more frequently by summer, according to the MTA. First, trips will be added to eight express bus routes during peak morning and evening periods. These new trips will start in the spring. By the summer, 16 local routes will see frequency improvements and running time adjustments. Drones pose no threats to the public: NYPD Commissioner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The improvements are meant to offer more options for commuters traveling into Manhattan after congestion pricing rolls out on Jan. 5, NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow said in a committee meeting Monday. This provides more rides to and from the Central Business District for residents outside of Manhattan, said NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow. In November, Hochul announced some of the bus routes slated for improvements, and the MTA identified the remaining routes based on factors like ridership and crowding. Six of the eight express routes identified were already upgraded last summer but rolled back when Hochuls original congestion pricing plan was initially paused, according to an MTA staff report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local route upgrades will require the MTA to refurbish 29 buses previously scheduled for retirement to return to rotation, necessitating a longer timeline. Here are the local and express bus routes that will see improvements by summer 2025, according to the MTA: Express buses: BM2 in Brooklyn: 1 Manhattan-bound trip added during AM peak BM5 in Brooklyn and Queens: 1 Queens/Brooklyn-bound added during PM peak SIM1C on Staten Island: 1 Manhattan-bound trip added during weekday afternoon SIM4C on Staten Island: 1 Staten Island-bound added during weekday afternoon SIM23 on Staten Island: 1 peak direction trip added during AM and PM peak period SIM 24 on Staten Island: 1 peak direction trip added during AM and PM peak period X27 Brooklyn: 1 peak direction trip added during AM and PM peak period QM15 Queens: 1 peak direction trip added during AM and PM peak period Local buses: B17 in Brooklyn: Run time adjustments B26 in Brooklyn-Queens: Frequency increases B74 in Brooklyn: Frequency increases B103 in Brooklyn: Run time adjustments Bx10 in the Bronx: Run time adjustments Bx17 in the Bronx: Frequency increases and run time adjustments Bx23 in the Bronx: Run time adjustments Bx28/Bx38 in the Bronx: Run time adjustments Q13 in Queens: Run time adjustments Q28 in Queens Run time adjustments Q35 in Queens: Run time adjustments Q43 in Queens: Frequency increases and run time adjustments Q66 in Queens: Frequency increases and run time adjustments Q69 in Queens: Run time adjustments S46/S96 on Staten Island: Frequency increases and run time adjustments S79 SBS on Staten Island, Brooklyn: Frequency increases and run time adjustments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Marc Nelson was only 14 years old when his father was murdered in cold blood. Now 58 years old, he will never forget the last time he saw his father prominent Capitol Hill staffer Raymond Nelson alive. It was the night before the 59-year-old was found bludgeoned to death in his apartment. When he left, he didnt just say, Ill see you guys another time he went around to each one of us with tears in his eyes and said goodbye, Marc recalled. To me, that indicates very strongly that my dad knew something bad was going to happen to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The father-of-threes roommate found his lifeless body in their ransacked Quincy Street apartment on June 1, 1981. The Rhode Island native had spent more than a decade working as an administrative assistant for Sen. Claiborne Pell following a stint at The Providence Journal. Raymond regularly traveled to Washington, D.C., after Pell was elected and eventually moved there. My mom used to say that he was the most loved man on Capitol Hill, Marc said. Raymond Nelson (Courtesy: Metropolitan Police Department) Though his father was known for being outgoing and friendly, Marc said he struggled with alcoholism. Raymond also came out as gay after separating from Marcs mother when he was 9 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marc was in middle school and remembers being called to the front office the day he learned his dad had been killed. I went down and I saw my mom and my dads lover they were both in the office waiting for me, Marc recalled. I got in the car and no one said anything on the ride there, but I pretty much knew something like this had happened. When we got home my mom and I were sitting on the couch and she said, dad is dead,' he continued. Marc described the months that followed as being the most difficult of his life. It was just a horrible time, he said. It was the summer right before I started high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12 News reached out to the Metropolitan Police Department regarding the ongoing investigation into Raymonds death. No evidence proving who committed this crime has been obtained, Metropolitan Police said in a statement. There were no signs of forced entry into his apartment, Marc said. There were signs of a struggle, of course, but instead of being shot or stabbed like you would expect in some kind of break-in or a robbery he was hit over his head with a typewriter. I thought of that as basically being a message that he may have known some information about some powerful people that they didnt want to get out, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motive for Raymonds murder remains unclear to this day. Marc fears whoever is responsible for his dads murder has now died and will never be held accountable. I definitely would like to see the perpetrators caught but I really dont think that thats going to happen, Marc said. Metropolitan Police is still offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest or conviction of Raymonds killer. Anyone who may be able to aid in the investigation is urged to call (202) 727-9099 or email unsolved.murder@dc.gov. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) On Tuesday, a San Francisco jury found Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Cash App found Bob Lee. Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder conviction, arguing that a vengeful Momeni stabbed Lee out of concern for his sister, Khazar. Lee, according to court testimony, introduced Khazar to his drug dealer, who then allegedly sexually assaulted her. Momeni also suspected Lee had an inappropriate relationship with Khazar. Who is Khazar Momeni? Sister of Bob Lee killer was key figure in trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense argued Momeni stabbed Lee in self-defense after the tech mogul became enraged over a bad joke and had sought a lesser charge, arguing Momeni stabbed Lee in self-defense. In the end, the jury chose second degree murder, which according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, sees Momeni facing 16 years to life in prison. California penal code describes murder as the unlawful killing of a human being, or a fetus, with malice afterthought. First degree murder, according to code, includes willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing, or killing that is committed in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, arson, rape, carjacking, robbery, burglary, mayhem, kidnapping, train wrecking, or any other act punishable under various sections of the state penal code. All other kinds of murders are of the second degree, according to the penal code. In the case of Momeni, a charge of second-degree murder was reached because the jury felt it was intentional, but not a premeditated act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, a second-degree murder conviction in California carries a penalty of 15 years to life. In Momenis case, he is facing an extra year because the allegation of the personal use of a deadly weapon a knife was found true by the jury. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani experts and officials hailed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformative initiative that is reshaping Pakistan's economic landscape, shaping up industrial growth, and empowering marginalized communities. Speaking at a seminar titled "10 Years of CPEC: Success, Opportunities, and Challenges," organized by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD) here on Monday to commemorate a decade of CPEC, the participants emphasized that the initiative holds the key to steering Pakistan's economy out of crisis and towards sustainable development. Launched in 2013, CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, is a corridor linking Gwadar Port in Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport, and industrial cooperation in the first phase, while in the new phase, it expands to fields of agriculture and livelihood, among others. Speaking at the event, Jamil Qureshi, secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) of Pakistan, said the initiative that began as a vision 10 years ago has now become a reality, reshaping Pakistan's economic landscape and the broader region. "CPEC is not merely a collection of infrastructure projects; it is a vision for Pakistan's future, marked by thriving industries, abundant employment opportunities, technological growth, and enhanced economic relations," he said. Qureshi underscored the urgent need to establish a robust industrial ecosystem and fully operationalize special economic zones (SEZs) to tap the potential of CPEC. "The government has evolved into a facilitator, ensuring policy frameworks, security infrastructure, and incentives to create a conducive business environment for investors in CPEC projects," said the secretary of the SIFC, adding that the high-level platform comprising government and military officers was dedicated to attracting foreign investment by simplifying processes and removing bureaucratic hurdles. In his comments, Zahid Latif Khan, chairman of AIERD, noted that CPEC presents an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen Pakistan's financial markets by introducing innovative instruments and opening pathways for local and international investors. Nabila Jaffer, a research analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, highlighted that CPEC has empowered women by creating equal opportunities for their participation. She cited examples from the Thar Desert in southern Sindh, where women were integrated into CPEC's coal mining project, and from Gwadar, where a technical and vocational institute has equipped women with skills, enabling them to secure livelihood opportunities and contribute to their communities' economic development. In his remarks, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of AIERD, underlined the strategic importance of CPEC energy projects, stating that without them, Pakistan would lose 15 to 20 billion U.S. dollars annually. He credited CPEC with turning Pakistan into a hub of connectivity and laying the groundwork for sustainable development and prosperity, stressing the need for joint mechanisms between Pakistan and China to ensure security for the initiative. The participants unanimously acknowledged that CPEC is more than an infrastructure initiative, calling it a game-changer for Pakistan and a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Some Ohioans might have felt an earthquake late Monday afternoon. At 4:39 p.m. on Dec. 16, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was reported around 2 miles northwest of Chesapeake, Ohio, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The location was very close to the West Virginia border and the Ohio River. The earthquakes depth was reported to be around 14 miles. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three men were arrested in a sting operation in San Luis Obispo County, after they allegedly arranged to meet an undercover detective posing as a minor under 15 years old. According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office, Salvador Mendoza Pille, of Oceano, and Genaro Santana Avalos and Ernesto Fernandez, of Santa Maria, were arrested Thursday on suspicion of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes. The arrests were made as part of an operation aimed at intercepting child predators in the city of San Luis Obispo, a Sheriffs Office news release stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation was led by the SLO County Counter Human Trafficking Task Force, including investigators from the Sheriffs Office and the District Attorneys Office, according to the release. The Santa Maria Police Department, San Luis Obispo Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department also assisted in the operation. Genaro Santana Avalos, 40, was arrested Dec. 12, 2024, on suspicion of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes, according to law enforcement. Salvador Mendoza Pille, 29, was arrested in a sting operation Dec. 12, 2024, on suspicion of arranging to meet with a minor for lewd purposes, according to law enforcement. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department and Ector County ISD Police Department responded to three separate crashes Monday in which school children were struck by vehicles. Now, OPD is asking for help from the community to identify one of the drivers after they left the scene. According to an OPD spokesperson, around 7:34 a.m. on December 16, ECISD investigators were called to Blackshear Elementary after an eight-year-old boy was hit by a car near the school. The condition of the child and the details about the crash have not yet been released. Then, around 3:22 p.m. the same day, OPD investigators were called to investigate another auto-pedestrian crash near 51st Street and Tom Green. OPD said a black Chevrolet was traveling southbound on Tom Green and struck an eight-year-old girl who was attempting to walk eastbound across Tom Green. The child, who was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, was reportedly not at an intersection or crosswalk when she was hit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that same day, around 4:30 p.m. , officers were called to another auto-pedestrian crash involving a 14-year-old girl near the area of 22nd Street and Golder Avenue. Investigators said the teen was trying to walk eastbound across the crosswalk on 22nd Street and was struck by a vehicle. The girl was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. OPD said the driver of the vehicle in that crash left the scene without stopping to help and has not yet been identified. Anyone with information is asked to call OPD at 432-333-3641 or Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS and reference case number 24-0014057. No details about the vehicle 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 Yourbasin. Three people have died and at least six others were injured in a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, Dec. 16 police said. Officers found multiple victims with gunshot wounds after responding to a report of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School around 11 a.m., Madison Chief of Police Shon Barnes said during a press conference. Barnes told reporters that a teenage student and a teacher were killed in the shooting. The police chief previously stated during the press conference that five people had died, but Madison Police later said in a statement that three people were dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a 9:30 p.m. local time press conference, Barnes identified the shooter as a 15-year-old female. She was a student at the school, with evidence suggesting she died from a self-inflicted shot wound. The official cause of death will be released by the county's medical examiner. She was pronounced dead while in transport to the local hospital. Police believe there was only one shooter involved and are still investigating the motive. Several people were transported to area hospitals after officers performed "life-saving efforts" to anyone who was wounded, Barnes said. He later added that at least two other students are currently in critical condition and four others are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 9:30 p.m., two survivors have been released and two other survivors are in stable condition. Today is a sad, sad day, Barnes said. Not just for Madison, but for our entire country. No officers fired their weapons during the incident, Barnes said. He also confirmed that a handgun was found at the school. Barnes said that a second grade student was the one to call 911. Let that soak in for a minute, Barnes said during the evening conference. A second grade student called 911 at 10:57 a.m. to report a shooting at school. Abundant Life Christian School asked for prayers in a statement posted on Facebook following the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS," the school said. "We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able." Abundant Life Christian School is a K-12 private school that was founded in 1978, according to its website. About 335 students attend the school, and the student body is comprised of about 200 families from approximately 56 churches in the greater Dane County area, according to the website. MSNBC reported that students who survived the shooting were loaded onto buses and taken to a reunification center to meet their parents. "Were going to give them an opportunity to come in and speak to what they may have saw when they feel ready," the police chief said. Barnes also asked people to not hold a vigil as this is still an active investigation. This article was originally published on TODAY.com AUSTIN (KXAN) After a flurry of elections, your body of local leaders is now set. Youll have three new Austin City Council members, including District 7s Mike Siegel, who is projected to win that district after a runoff election over the weekend. Siegel got just north of 51% of the vote in his runoff for Austin City Council against Gary Bledsoe. Nearly 8,600 people in that district voted. Travis County run-off election results Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the three council members outgoing just finished their last city council meeting last week. Siegel and two others Krista Laine and Marc Duchen will be on the body the next time council votes on major policy that impacts you. Its what our local governments do that have the most impact in our lives, Brian Smith, a political science professor at St. Edwards University, told me heading into the election. If you dont agree with Smiths assessment of how important our local government is, just take a walk with us through some of the most significant decisions Austin City Council made on your behalf in 2024. HOME part 2 Of the most contentious votes the council took this year, HOME part 2 was at the top of the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the first phase of HOME was approved by Austin City Council in December 2023, the second phase was considered this year. The ultimate yes vote came after more than 14 hours of public debate. The second phase of HOME focuses on minimum lot size meaning, how much land you need to put a house on it. The idea is that smaller lots will allow for the creation of more housing. Application process for HOME part two opens Friday Previously, most single-family lots were required to be a minimum of 5,750 square feet. Austin City Council voted to drop that down to 1,800 square feet. After 14 hours of public comment, Austin City Council passes HOME part 2 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Monday, the city of Austins Development Services Department told KXAN it has received: HOME Phase 1: 260 applications HOME Phase 2: Four applications (application process fully opened in November 2024) A new city manager The HOME part 2 meeting was T.C. Broadnax first as the new permanent city manager of Austin. Sit down with Austins new city manager, T.C. Broadnax It was interesting. I will tell you, I think not having been here as it relates to all of the breadcrumbs that led to that meeting, for me it was telling just one how engaged the residents are and two how important the issues particularly around land use and zoning are, he told us then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin City Council picked Broadnax as its next city manager and approved him in the role on April 4. He serves as the functional CEO of our city and makes roughly $470,000 a year doing it. I think he is going to prove very worthy of that salary moving forward, Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter said. Broadnax and Sara Hensley were the finalists for the position of roughly 40 applicants. They met with the public, with city of Austin staff and with the mayor and council members before that selection was made. APA labor agreement One of Broadnax main priorities when he first took on the role was getting a long-term police contract signed. The Austin City Council voted in favor of adopting a Austin police contract shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council Member Zo Qadri was the only member who voted against it. The Citys negotiations team and the Austin Police Association (APA) reached the tentative agreement on the police contract in September. City council had to vote it through before it could be ratified, as is the case with all sworn labor contracts in Austin. It comes after, in February 2023, the city and Austin Police Association (APA) reached a tentative agreement, but city council voted it down to wait for the results of a May 2023 vote on a police oversight measure. That measure, the Austin Police Oversight Act, which included the call for the release of once-sealed primarily unsubstantiated misconduct claims against officers, passed. It spent the following months making its way through the court system before a judge made a ruling that prompted the city to begin releasing those files via official public information requests from members of the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read more from KXANs public safety reporter Brianna Hollis here. Other significant votes Austin City Councils next regular meeting will be at the end of January. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The 118th Congress had a slow start in 2023, when it managed to pass only 34 bills over the course of a year, according to records kept by the National Archives. This lack of productivity was last seen during the Great Depression. Although the burdens of a divided government continued into 2024 with the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic Senate and White House Congress performed much better and had passed about 103 bills as of mid-December. But the numbers still lag behind previous years. The 117th Congress, which coincides with President Joe Bidens first two years as commander in chief, passed 362 bills. During President-elect Donald Trumps first term, the 115th and 116th Congresses passed a total of 786 bills, as ABC News reported. The current trend should reverse with the Republicans trifecta control of both chambers of Congress and the White House going into next year. While there were many roadblocks to passing legislation in 2024, here are three instances of bipartisanship in Congress. Reps. Curtis and Ocasio-Cortez offer support for geothermal energy Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republican Utah Rep. John Curtis offered each other support on their bills earlier in September, as the Deseret News previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the heart of this collaboration were two bills aimed at streamlining the permitting process for geothermal energy. Curtis bill, the Geothermal Energy Opportunity, GEO, Act, will help unlock this resource to meet our energy needs, he said. Geothermal energy is an affordable, reliable, and clean energy source, Curtis said in a press release. Despite significant investments from companies to secure project permits, the Department of the Interior often delays authorizations such as notices to proceed and drilling permits due to litigation threats. Ocasio-Cortez in her remarks on the House floor said the GEO Act requires permit applications to be reviewed within two months, and this efficiency will not sacrifice a proper review process, as mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. She thanked Republicans for their willingness to work across the aisle to ensure both communities and the environment continue to enjoy protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geothermal has the smallest footprint of any energy generation technology and uses significantly fewer resources than other sources, especially conventional fossil fuels, the New York congresswoman said. Curtis brings his ability to work across the aisle to the Senate, replacing outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney, who is also known for his ability to collaborate in a bipartisan way. House overwhelming agreed to ban TikTok (it didnt work) Utah House Reps. Blake Moore, Celeste Maloy, John Curtis and Burgess Owens all voted in favor of a nationwide ban on TikTok alongside 348 other members of Congress who voted for it. This marked a rare occasion when Congress set aside political differences to ban the social media app. As united as lawmakers proved to be to pass the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would require TikTok to divest from its parent company ByteDance within six months, 15 Republicans and 50 Democrats voted against the legislation. This group included representatives with very contrasting political ideologies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green, R-Ga., and Ocasio-Cortez. They argued that by taking away the platform American users would violate their First Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill sailed through the House but hit some speed bumps in the Senate. In April, a modified version of the bill ultimately passed after being attached to $95 billion in foreign aid. Blake Moore and Ro Khanna and Bernie Sanders on DOGE This newly established and Republican-led Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is sparking interest among progressives like Rep. Ro Khanna and Sen. Bernie Sanders, even though its an initiative of the Trump administration. This independent advisory body is headed by entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Khanna, in an op-ed published Tuesday by NBC News, said he looked forward to working with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reduce waste and fraud at the Pentagon, while strongly opposing any cuts to programs like Social Security, Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Sanders, in a post on X, said he agreed with Musk over cutting defense spending, as The Hill reported. The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. Its lost track of billions, Sanders said in his post. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change. Although DOGE hasnt officially begun its work, the conversations on both sides of the aisle for curbing spending are promising. DES MOINES, IOWA December 15, 2021 was an unprecedented winter severe weather day in Iowa. It featured the first derecho in December anywhere in the United States, and it set the new record for most tornadoes in Iowa in a single day in Iowa since 1950. A powerful area of low pressure moved into Iowa and produced a line of severe thunderstorms, which produced numerous tornadoes and thunderstorm wind gusts across the state. From the National Weather Service office in Des Moines: There were 63 confirmed tornadoes that occurred in Iowa, with 21 of those tornadoes being rated EF-2. Sixty three is officially the most tornadoes in Iowa in a single day, with the previous record being 35 tornadoes on August 31, 2014. Further, 21 EF-2 tornadoes is officially the most EF-2/F-2 or stronger tornadoes in a single day with the previous being 16 tornadoes on June 7, 1984. Prior to this event, a total of 5 tornadoes had occurred in Iowa in December since 1950 with all of them in southeastern Iowa. To have over 10 times that many tornadoes in a single day is unprecedented in any month, let alone the month of December! A tornado approaches Interstate 80 near Atlantic, Iowa, as a semi truck rolls eastward on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. A band of strong storms swept across much of the plains states on Wednesday, producing powerful wind gusts and tornadoes. (Bryon Houlgrave/The Des Moines Register via AP) December 15th wind damage image default Straight line wind gusts were also prevalent, some in excess of 80 mph. Audubon reported the highest gust in Iowa at 88 mph. This storm also met the criteria for a derecho, which makes it the first derecho on record in the month of December anywhere in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drone video from the damage in Cass County showed the power of these gusts. And a semi-truck driver was killed when his rig was flipped by a powerful gust. This event cost over 1 billion dollars in damages across the Midwest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Russian drone attacks in Kherson Oblast have killed 30 people and injured 350 over the past three months. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration, at the all-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Quote: "In the last three months alone, 350 people in Kherson Oblast have been injured and 30 killed. And thats just by drones and dropped explosives. All of these numbers represent civilians. The Russians are constantly sending more units that are trained on our civilians. These units then move to more active areas of the front." Details: Mrochko called for the creation of a defensive "dome" over the city of Kherson or other ways to combat Russian drones. Support UP or become our patron! The shootings at a Madison school on Monday bring the number of school shootings in the U.S. to 323 this year, according to a nationwide database. The 2024 number is down slightly from 2023, when 349 school shootings were recorded, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database linked to by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. The database was created by David Riedman, a chief data officer for global risk management firm Merrill Herzog, and an assistant professor at Idaho State University, according to Riedman's LinkedIn profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data includes incidents in which a gun was brandished or fired or whether a bullet hits school property. It also includes other factors, such as whether the shootings were gang related, domestic violence, shootings at sporting events or after-school events, suicides, accidents or fights that escalate into shootings. It tracks school shootings as far back as 1966. There have been 267 victims of school shootings in 2024, according to the database; that includes both those killed and wounded, an increase from 249 victims in 2023. The shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Monday left three dead and several injured. It was the second school shooting in the Madison area this year. In May, 14-year-old Damien Haglund brought a pellet rifle to Mount Horeb Middle School. Police later fatally shot Haglund after he pointed the rifle at them. There were thousands of school shootings between 1970 and 2022 A Center for Homeland Security and Defense database shows there were 2,069 shootings on K-12 school properties from January 1970 to June 2022. That database does not include more recent information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For that time period, 20 shootings took place in Wisconsin on K-12 school grounds. Those incidents include an incident in 2006 when nearby gunfire accidentally struck a Milwaukee student on a playground; a 17-year-old who died by suicide in a parking lot after school in Sheboygan in 2009; and a Milwaukee school employee's handgun accidentally going off in 2019, injuring a 10-year-old-student. Just one Wisconsin shooting since 1970 involved a hostage situation, the dataset shows. On Nov. 29, 2010, at Marinette High School, a 15-year-old student left class to use the bathroom and returned to the classroom with a backpack containing two guns. The student fired at the classroom projector, then took the class and teacher hostage for several hours. The shooter died by suicide. At least two shootings in Wisconsin were preplanned. At Weston High School in Cazenovia on Sept. 29, 2006, a 15-year-old student entered school with a long-barrel shotgun around 8 a.m. The principal and janitor wrestled the gun away, but while the janitor left to call 911, the student pulled out a .22-caliber handgun and fired multiple shots at the principal "before being subdued by other teachers," according to the database. The Weston High School principal died. The student had been bullied by other students and abused by his father and had a history of mental illness, according to the Homeland Defense and Security database. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Oshkosh West High School, a school police officer shot a student in the hallway on the morning Dec. 3, 2019. The 16-year-old student stabbed the police officer several times with a barbecue fork, and the police officer later reported being unable to reach a stun gun in time. There were another six instances when shots were fired on K-12 school grounds in Wisconsin between 1970, when the dataset began, and 2000. More than 100 threats at Wisconsin schools were reported in 2023-24 The Office of School Safety, a branch of the Wisconsin Department of Justice dedicated to providing school safety resources before and after crises, releases an annual report from its tip line, Speak Up Speak Out. In the 2023-24 school year, 114 tips were submitted from students concerned about a planned school attack. The office has received 243 planned school attack tips since 2022. Reporter Nadia Scharf contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 323 school shootings in U.S. this year, database says DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The city of Dayton is honoring nearly 50 firefighters and police officers who died from either performing their duties or injuries sustained in the line of duty. On Dec. 16, Dayton city officials unveiled new memorial signs. Two signs revealed at the ceremony honor Firefighter Rickie Halcomb and Detective Jorge Del Rio. New memorial signs | Dayton Police Department New memorial signs | Dayton Police Department While 31 signs will be designated to fallen Dayton officers and their end of watch date, 17 last alarm signs will honor fallen Dayton firefighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal, the signs will be a permanent memorial for city residents to remember the sacrifices of the fallen. I think this effort shows an appreciation for the men and women who serve selflessly in the service of others without thinking about harm to them or their families, said Afzal. Over the next few weeks, signs for fallen officers will be placed along Third Street, while signs for fallen firefighters will be noticeable on Main Street. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. This photo taken on Dec. 17, 2024 shows the site of an explosion in Moscow, Russia. Russian lieutenant general and his assistant were killed by an explosion in a Moscow residential building on Tuesday morning. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, was killed in the explosion, said the Russian Investigative Committee. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua) MOSCOW, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Russian lieutenant general and his assistant were killed by an explosion in a Moscow residential building on Tuesday morning. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, was killed in the explosion, said the Russian Investigative Committee. Preliminary information showed the explosion occurred after the detonation of an explosive device, which had a power of about 200 grams of TNT. The explosive device was planted in a scooter, said the committee, adding that a criminal case has been opened in connection with the killing. Staff members investigate the site of an explosion in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 17, 2024. Russian lieutenant general and his assistant were killed by an explosion in a Moscow residential building on Tuesday morning. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, was killed in the explosion, said the Russian Investigative Committee. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 17, 2024 shows the site of an explosion in Moscow, Russia. Russian lieutenant general and his assistant were killed by an explosion in a Moscow residential building on Tuesday morning. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiological, chemical and biological defense troops, was killed in the explosion, said the Russian Investigative Committee. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr/Xinhua) Two Poudre School District Elementary schools and three middle schools were ranked among the top 20 in Colorado in U.S. News and World Reports annual rankings for 2025. Four of the five use Core Knowledge curriculum. Zach Elementary, a neighborhood school in southeast Fort Collins, was ranked No. 5 among public elementary schools in Colorado by U.S. News and World Report, while Traut, a choice-only school in southeast Fort Collins with no defined attendance area, was rated No. 12. The rankings, which were released Nov. 14, are only for public schools and are based on the percentage of students rated proficient or above in mathematics and reading/language arts in state assessment tests. The data used for the 2025 rankings is based on the U.S. Department of Educations Common Core of Data for the 2022-23 school year, according to methodology published with the annual rankings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among middle schools, Compass Community Collaborative School was ranked No. 7, Liberty Common School was No. 13, and Kinard No. 20. Compass Community Collaborative and Liberty Common are both charter schools authorized through Poudre School District with middle school students attending classes in the same building as their high school students. Kinard Middle School, like Traut Elementary, is an all-choice school in southeast Fort Collins with no defined attendance area open to all students in PSD. Zach and Traut elementaries and Liberty Common and Kinard middle schools all use Core Knowledge curriculum, while Compass Community Collaborative School uses a competency-based educational model. The only other school in the area to make the top 50 in the U.S. News and World Report elementary and middle school rankings for 2025 was Windsor Charter Academy, a Core Knowledge charter school authorized by the Windsor-Severance School District that was ranked No. 42. The publications most recent high school rankings were released in April of 2024, with three PSD schools ranked among Colorado's top 50, and wont be updated again with new data until August 2025, it reported. Liberty Common School was No. 3 in the April rankings of Colorado high schools, while Fossil Ridge was No. 44 and Ridgeview Classical Schools was No. 45. Fossil Ridge is a comprehensive high school in southeast Fort Collins, while Ridgeview Classical is a K-12 charter school that, like Liberty Common, uses Core Knowledge curriculum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, x.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: 5 Fort Collins schools ranked in top 20 by U.S. News and World Report The other night, whilst driving just east of Oceanside, California for some last-minute holiday shopping, I spotted something strange in the sky. And it wasnt just one, but three. A trio of iridescent floating objects, ranging from very high in the sky, to just above tall buildings. They hovered silently, flashed different colored lights unlike planes or helicopters, then disappeared into the dark. My first UFO sighting, I thought. I was psyched. But my encounter was nothing special; this is happening, and being picked up by mainstream media at unprecedented levels compared to the past, on both coasts of the United States. In what feels like the inciting incident of a sci-fi thriller flick, countless Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs) have been sighted over the course of several weeks from New Jersey to California. Related: VIDEO: Surfers Airdrop of Death in Worst Wipeout from Historic New Jersey Swell As of now, for reasons unknown, it appears that the sightings have been largely centered on the coastal regions of the country. Like, for example, one of the most recent encounters of 50 drones (thats what theyre calling 'em, but nobodys really sure what they are) over the ocean in New Jersey. We got notified by a 911 call, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy of Ocean County, NJ said in a statement. There was concern of a sighting in Island Beach State Park. We responded. We met a certified New Jersey law officer, not from our department, from another agency. That officer did an excellent job. She documented. Thats where you get the reports of 50 drones over the ocean. Thats what she reported seeing. She reports she saw 50 drones, coming from the ocean to the mainland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South of Jersey surfing hotspots, like Manasquan Inlet, Island Beach State Park is a quieter, more rural stretch of coast. But theres waves there, too, perhaps less crowded than the main NJ focal points. And since they seem to be sticking around near the ocean, the mysterious drones are being spotted by Jersey surfers, in addition to civilians with cellphones. NJ correspondent, Jon Coen, told SURFER: They seem to be out there most nights. I did a sunset paddle the other night and saw some of them hanging around, but I am nearsighted. Theres definitely something going on. We are basically at Ground Zero, but the surfers aren't particularly worried. This is a developing story. Related: Is This the Best Winter New Jersey Has Ever Seen? For the first time, more than half of Polish citizens support the idea that the war in Ukraine must be ended even if Ukraine has to give up part of its territory or independence. Source: a poll by the Polish Centre for Public Opinion Research (CBOS), as reported by European Pravda with reference to Polish Radio Details: CBOS notes that for the first time since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Polish society believes that the first thing to strive for is an end to the conflict and peace, even if Ukraine has to give up part of its territory or independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This opinion is held by 55% of respondents, while in September 2024, it was supported by 39% of respondents, and in April 2022 by 26%. Only 31% of Polish respondents believe that Ukraine should continue to fight without any concessions to Russia (in September 2024, the number was 46%, in April 2022 59%). As CBOS points out, at different stages of the full-sale war, the belief that Ukrainians (with the support of the West) should continue to fight and not make any concessions to Russia has always prevailed among Poles. However, as noted in the study, this percentage has been steadily declining since the beginning of the second year of the full-scale war in Ukraine, and in the last three months, it has fallen by another ten percentage points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Peace talks" between Ukraine and Russia are more likely to be supported by Poles in the 18-24 age group, residents of small cities, less educated people, those with a poor financial situation, religious people and those with right-wing views, CBOS adds. It should be noted that recent opinion polls of Ukrainians show that after almost three years of Russia's full-scale invasion, the vast majority consider territorial concessions unacceptable. Support UP or become our patron! (KRON) A 58-year-old suspect accused of sexually assaulting two women and assaulting a man after breaking into a San Jose home in October was arrested last week, the San Jose Police Department announced Tuesday. Police responded to a report of the South University neighborhood home invasion at 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 2. The suspect, later identified as Juan Jordan, 58, of Santa Clara, allegedly broke into the home on the 700 block of South Ninth Street and brandished a firearm at the three victims. After Jordan bound the women and the man, he assaulted and threatened to kill the man, police said. The two women were sexually assaulted by the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unregistered gun, dagger uncovered in San Jose traffic stop Before fleeing the home, Jordan allegedly stole cash and personal belongings. SJPD Robbery Unit detectives identified Jordan as the suspect in the home invasion after an investigation, authorities said. An arrest warrant for Jordan and a search warrant for his residence were obtained. Jordan was arrested in San Jose on Dec. 10 with the assistance of SJPDs Covert Response Unit. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Mail Jail for sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery and burglary. Anyone with information on the case or similar cases is asked to contact Detective Hernandez at 4392@sanjoseca.gov or (408)-277-4166. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A 72-year-old man has been accused of deserting puppies at an Oregon bus stop. The Springfield Police Department revealed that Jeffery Lynn Dugger was charged with six counts of animal abandonment and cruelty on Monday. Providence faces $100 million lawsuit after Portland mom dies giving birth According to SPD, the charges stem from a report on Dec. 5 when an individual noticed that a large box near a bus stop on 54th Street contained six puppies who were several weeks old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said investigators learned the box had been taped completely closed without any ventilation, food, water, or attempt to keep the puppies warm. Officials also reported that the shipping label on the box showed the suspects address. After Springfield Animal Control responded to the scene, they held the animals at the Springfield Justice Center and later transported them to Greenhill Humane Society. According to SPD, Dugger had already called the humane society 24 hours before. Officials said he threatened to discard the puppies if the organization didnt immediately take them 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 KOIN.com. JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT) A 74-year-old Holton man and a 73-year-old woman were taken to an area hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Jackson County on Monday. At 2:10 p.m., a 67-year-old woman was driving a Dodge Dakota east on U-75, about 1.3 miles south of Holton. The 74-year-old man was driving a Toyota Rav4 north on U-75. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the 67-year-old failed to yield and hit the Toyota. According to the KHP, both vehicles came to rest in the northwest corner of the intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flint Hills restaurant at historic ranch to shut down For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. IOWA PARK (KFDX/KJTL) An Iowa Park family is searching for someone theyre calling an angel, and theyre asking anyone with any information to step forward. I wish I [knew] her name, but its hard to give details, 8-year-old Ally Williams said. On November 27, Ally was the victim of a violent one-vehicle crash when a mystery woman sat with and soothed her until paramedics arrived. She came up and [held] my hand, and she was, like, talking about school and stuff, the 8-year-old said. She said, If you ask nicely enough, you could get a lot of popsicles from the nurse, and I did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: Christmas Came Early for Iowa Park mental health advocate Ally broke her femur, tibia and fibula in the pin-in, something the alleged angel could relate to. She had dark hair. It was, like, a dark brown, Ally described. She said she broke her back when she was in the military. Her grandmother, Theresa Williams, wasnt involved in the crash but was touched by the strangers tenderness. Hearing her story, that somebody had held her hand and was there with her, Theresa said, You know, it was just, like, some guardian angel sat down and was there doing something I couldnt do for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time I looked away, she was, like, Hey, hey, look right here. Its gonna be okay, Ally said. The family is now searching high and low for Allys angel. It was so appreciated, Theresa said. We just want to thank this person in person and tell her she was definitely a blessing and that were just so grateful. And Allys message for the mystery woman? LOCAL NEWS: Wreaths Across America honors veterans in the heart of holiday season I just want to say to her, Thank you for making me forget about my leg hurting because I was screaming, she said with a smile. Theresa said Ally is about halfway done with her leg cast and added that she admires her granddaughters resilience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are or have any idea who this dark-haired woman was, please email our newsroom at news@kfdx.com, and we will connect you to the family. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Officials are investigating after an elderly woman died in a car crash Monday evening. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 5:40 p.m. on Monday, Cherokee County deputies responded to a car crash at Cumming Highway and Soleil Parkway. According to the sheriffs office, a Lexus sedan traveling east tried to turn left into the Soleil subdivision when a tractor-trailer traveling westbound hit the Lexus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passenger in the car, identified as 81-year-old Bonnie Moore, of Canton, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Lexus was taken to Kennestone Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. TRENDING STORIES: Deputies said the driver of the semi-truck was not injured. According to the sheriffs office, neither impairment nor speed are factors in the accident. Authorities believe the driver of the Lexas failed to yield to the tractor-trailer. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 16Gasoline prices remained on a downward trajectory across most of New Mexico last week, declining to an average price of $2.74 a gallon statewide, according to the Dec. 12 AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch report. That represented a drop of 3 cents from the previous week's figure for a gallon of regular unleaded gas and 18 cents cheaper than at the same point in 2023. Drivers in Santa Fe are paying the least for gas among the state's four metropolitan statistical areas at an average price of $2.68 a gallon, down from $2.75 a week ago and $2.84 a year ago. Fuel is most expensive in the Farmington area, averaging $2.97 a gallon an increase of 4 cents from last week, according to the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average price nationally is $3.03 a gallon, unchanged from last week. The national price a year ago was $3.14 a gallon. There are some indications the downward trend could be coming to an end as Christmas and New Year's Day approach. A record number of holiday travelers is expected nationally this year, with nearly 120 million Americans expected to leave home, according to AAA. That number is slightly more than the record number of people who traveled in 2019. "Gasoline prices are going down for now," Daniel Armbruster, a AAA New Mexico spokesperson, stated in the news release. "Price fluctuations through the remainder of 2024 are possible as record year-end holiday travel volume will likely put pressure on demand for fuel in the coming days." That increase in national traffic is expected to be mirrored locally. AAA New Mexico officials have projected 8.7 million people in the Mountain region will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holidays. The overall travel volume for the region is expected to 2.8% higher than last year, although that figure is 3.5% lower than 2019. LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)- A Sterling, Virginia mother Joey Batialles once-typically developing son became a frustrated and anxious 5-year-old, collecting various diagnoses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Little did she know at the time, Batialles child was suffering from Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, also known as PANS, which the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said sparks a constellation of symptoms such as obsessive behaviors, aggression, restricted food intake, and regression of developmental skills such as speech. The American Academy of Pediatrics released a report this week recognizing the diagnosis and establishing guidance for health care providers to treat the syndrome. PANS is thought to be triggered by an infection or autoimmunity issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama woman doing well after experimental pig kidney transplant Batialle sought care through a number of avenues, including occupational and play therapies, to no avail. Her sons tics and discomfort persisted. A turning point came when he was diagnosed with leukemia and doctors treated him with steroids. All of a sudden my very neurodivergent child became neurotypical, like overnight once he was put on these steroids. I said to the doctors Hey, my kid told me he loved me for the first time. His OCD is gone, his tics are gone. Whats going on?, Batialle said. It turns out the steroids were treating the brain inflammation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batialle set out on a healing journey for her son, including two years of taking antibiotics. I got him back because of it, she said. The AAP released guidance this week for medical providers diagnosing and treating PANS, and PANDAS, which is a subset of PANS stemming from a streptococcal infection. UVA Health University Medical Center named No. 1 hospital in Virginia, says Newsweek Treatment includes behavioral therapies for anxiety and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, antibiotic treatment, and therapies for neuroinflammation and autoimmune problems. AAP directs providers to address PANS with a family-centered approach, exploring family history and conducting physical and psychiatric exams. If autoimmunity issues are suspected, some clinicians might pursue testing including an EEG, MRI, lumbar puncture, and autoimmune panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batialle said that she feels the AAPs report does not cover the entire scope of issues that she has seen in her son and other children with PANS. The academys guidance focuses on the abrupt onset of symptoms, but Batialle said her sons were more insidious. At the time, there was little information about what could cause behaviors like her sons. PANS can be a challenging and frightening diagnosis, AAP President Benjamin D. Hoffman, M.D., FAAP, said. Its important for pediatricians to partner with families as they approach a diagnosis and prescribe evidence-informed treatments in concert with specialists and multidisciplinary teams. Flu vaccines drop among kids despite record deaths last year: CDC The AAP is calling for robust research into the causes and treatment of PANS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Batialle said the AAP report is encouraging, but much more must be done to help people suffering from PANS. I do hope and think were going to see more root cause medicine start to come out, because the system is overwhelmed and these kids are going to become grownups, she said. We see adults that are still struggling with it because it went missed as children. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. JUBA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday called on authorities in South Sudan's Jonglei State and Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) to redouble efforts to reduce tensions between youth from both sides. Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General's special representative for South Sudan and head of UNMISS, said immediate and targeted interventions by authorities and communities are needed to ensure clashes do not erupt. "UNMISS condemns repeated criminal activity in these areas and urges all parties to refrain from further confrontation," Haysom said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. The statement followed allegations of attempted cattle raids in Gumuruk County and along the west bank of the Nanaam River on Dec. 14, as well as persistent reports of youth mobilization. Officials of GPAA said youth from Jonglei attacked villages and raided thousands of cattle before fleeing across the Gadiang border. The Jonglei government, however, has since denied the allegations that state youth were involved in the Saturday attack and cross-border mobilization. Haysom said these reports of youth mobilization in Jonglei and GPAA and the consequent potential for widespread conflict are alarming, noting that despite the UN mission's efforts to engage communities, these cycles of mobilization for violence persist. "We have intensified our patrols and continue to encourage relevant stakeholders in both Jonglei and Greater Pibor to de-escalate the situation. But our peacekeepers cannot be everywhere," said Haysom, calling on the authorities, security actors, political parties, faith-based and traditional leaders, youth, and community members to find dialogue-based ways to resolve issues collectively. The UN official lauded the ongoing efforts by both sides to restore calm, adding that the mission has reinforced its troops in the region and is patrolling known conflict hotspots to shore up community confidence and deter violence. The short answer is that the future is already here. Were not talking about the mainstream media. Were talking about the establishment media. And ABC News is the establishment media, So is the New York Times and the Washington Post and CBS and NBC and Fox and the Wall Street Journal and the LA Times. Donald Trump now dominates the establishment in the United States, and ABC News has done what the establishment media has always done when confronted with power: They recognize that there is a new sheriff in town and behave accordingly. Its silly to be shocked by the fact that ABC here, you can read parent company Disney, which learned a thing or two in its dealings with Sheriff DeSantis down in Florida has settled the defamation case Trump filed. It is being speculated that ABC didnt want to risk testing the Supreme Courts Sullivan v. New York Times decision in a hair-splitting case over the definition of the word rape. That may even be the case, at least in part. But the larger question doesnt have to do with defamation, and the person who knows this and has told us as much is Donald Trump himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has long said that he will open up our libel laws so newspapers and broadcast news wont be protected by the strictures of the Sullivan decision, which requires that a public figure, especially a politician, bringing a lawsuit must prove actual malice, meaning that the news outlet either knew a statement was false or recklessly disregarded evidence of its falsehood in publishing it. One of Trumps big applause lines at his rallies during the campaign was when he said he would take on the media and change the libel laws. His crowds may not have known the details behind the Sullivan decision, but they didnt have to. Trump guided his crowds attention to the media enclosure where the television cameras were set up at nearly every rally and called the people trapped there the enemy. The crowds loved it. People were filmed at Trump rallies walking up to the media enclosures and shaking their fists at the reporters and camera operators. I saw this happen as far back as March of 2016 when I attended a Trump rally in Bethpage, New York, on Long Island. ABC News had cameras and reporters at plenty of Trump rallies. Theyve known that they had a target on their back for years. But the establishment media hasnt needed to know that it is a target to make sure it behaves itself in the presence of power. As far back as Richard Nixon, the establishment media soft-pedaled reporting the facts surrounding the Watergate break-in during Nixons campaign for president. On the first day of the Republican National Convention in 1972, it was reported that some of the money found on the burglars passed through the hands of one of Nixons campaign finance chairmen, Maurice Stans, who was present at the convention. No questions were asked by establishment media outlets of Stans about giving the funds to the burglars. Stans would later plead guilty to having given campaign funds to G. Gordon Liddy, one of the burglars. In 2002 and 2003, the establishment media, chiefly the New York Times, was guilty of repeating Bush administration lies about weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that did not exist in Saddam Husseins Iraq. In fact, even after the U.S. invaded in 2003 and no evidence of WMDs was found, you would be hard-pressed to find mention in the establishment media that the entire basis for the invasion of Iraq had collapsed ignominiously. The establishment media just went on reporting on the war as if it had been completely justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2016 campaign, the New York Times published countless stories about Hillary Clintons emails, an entirely made-up controversy that was stoked by Donald Trump throughout the campaign, while the paper made far less of the more than two dozen women who had charged Trump with sexual abuse and harassment. The establishment media reported on Clintons so-called email problem throughout the campaign, while it largely ignored Trumps invitation to RussiaRussia, if youre listening to look into what happened to Hillarys emails. During the 2024 campaign, we were treated to more sanewashing of the constant flow of Trumps lies and exaggerations that he repeated almost daily at his rallies and other public appearances. The so-called age issue was applied almost entirely to Joe Biden, who was 81, while the establishment press left Trumps age, 77, pretty much alone. I could go on, but Im sure you can fill in the blanks with your own memories of the lopsided way the election was covered. Little was made of Trumps continual garbling of sentences and loss of train of thought and his incredible barrage of lies, while the press put under a microscope every syllable uttered by Kamala Harris. Through it all, Trump accused the establishment media of bias, even claiming that the media was engaged in rigging the election in favor of Harris. All of it without so much as a shred of evidence. In the past, the establishment media has recovered from the mistakes it made in its initially lax coverage of Watergate, its failure to closely question the evidence asserted to justify the war on Iraq, and other lapses in the way it covered American politics and national affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what about this time? Is ABC News showing the way to the future by obeying in advance, to use the words of Timothy Snyder, who has written extensively about how nations descend into dictatorships and authoritarianism? Already MSNBC stars Joe Scarborough and Mika Brezenski have flown down to Mar-a-Lago for what appeared to be an ass-kissing session with Trump. Debra OConnell, who oversees the ABC News division for Disney, was reported to have dined with Trumps former campaign chairman and newly-appointed chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in advance of the settlement agreement between ABC News and Trump. Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, and Mark Zuckerberg, who sits atop Meta, owner of Facebook, have each pledged one million dollars to the Trump inaugural committee, which does not have to report what it does with the money it collects, or even that it is used for events surrounding the inauguration. Trumps last inaugural committee was found to have funneled millions to a friend of Melania Trump for planning of inaugural events that may or may not have taken place. The friend of Melania established her company only weeks before Trumps inaugural committee paid her the money. The question after the ABC News settlement with Trump is whether the establishment media will pull back from its coverage of Trump, even if his lies will be pointed out as they have been in the past. The Washington Post famously counted more than 30,000 lies uttered by Trump during his first tenure in the White House. After Bezos pay-off to Trumps inaugural committee, will there be another lie-o-meter kept by the Washington Post? I guess well have to wait and see. Trump has threatened the broadcast licenses of the major television networks and has threatened to file more defamation cases. He already has filed a lawsuit against CBS News alleging that the network interfered in the election by editing an interview with Kamala Harris so that she would appear in a better light than she would have if the interview had been broadcast unedited. This lawsuit would be laughable were it not for the fact that Trump went judge-shopping and filed it in Amarillo, Texas, where there is only one judge in the federal court district of Northern Texas, Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has made himself famous for putting his thumb down on the scales of justice for conservatives in case after case. If past is prologue, people who want unadulterated news about the coming Trump administration will probably have to listen to podcasts and watch independent political coverage on YouTube and read independent blogs on the internet. Whether the First Amendment will survive another Trump administration is the question we should be asking. ABC Newss decision to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Trump is sending a chill through the media, with press organizations suggesting it is a major blow. It should not be seen as normal for powerful elected officials to wage legal campaigns against members of the press and their employers, Caroline Hendrie, executive director of the Society of Professional Journalists, told The Hill on Monday. We are concerned that even the perception that media organizations must offer large payouts to settle legal challenges from public officials will have a chilling effect on the kind of independent and fearless reporting that our nation needs to hold the powerful to account, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and ABC reached a $15 million settlement after anchor George Stephanopoulos said on air that Trump had been found liable for rape. A New York jury found Trump had sexually abused and defamed the writer E. Jean Carroll but did not find that Trump was liable for rape. Trump at a wide-ranging news conference Monday signaled he could be emboldened by the outcome of the ABC lawsuit and go after other news outlets he feels have treated him unfairly. Im doing this not because I want to. Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to, Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago, calling it very important to have a fair media. Trump has a long history of using litigation as an effective weapon against the media, and ABCs decision was widely seen as an effort to avoid a lengthy and potentially embarrassing battle for the network in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But several press freedom advocates told The Hill it could send the wrong message to any news organization that finds itself in Trumps legal crosshairs. Trump has a history of using libel accusations to quash criticism, and its something that news organizations will have to contend with going forward, said Lisa Zycherman, deputy legal director at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Trump has frequently feuded with major television networks, and he and ABC have had a fraught history. The president-elect repeatedly attacked ABC anchors David Muir and Linsey Davis after they moderated his only debate with Vice President Harris in September. Trump argued there was no way he would get a fair debate on ABC, in part pointing to the Stephanopoulos incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A representative for ABC News did not respond to a request for further comment on the settlement. Trump appears to be headed to the White House with increased leverage over the media. In the weeks before Election Day, two major outlets the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times held back on decisions to endorse in the presidential race. Both decisions were seen as efforts to if not court Trump, at least sidestep his wrath. Trump during the 2024 campaign threatened to take away the broadcast license of NBC. He sued CBS last month over a 60 Minutes interview with Harris he claimed was manipulated to cast her in a positive light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump suggested Monday he could file a lawsuit over an unfavorable poll put out in early November by The Des Moines Register. The poll, conducted by J. Ann Selzer, found Harris leading Trump in Iowa by 3 percentage points. The poll ended up being widely off; Trump won Iowa by 14 percentage points. In my opinion, it was fraud, and it was election interference, Trump said Monday. Nathaniel Rakich, a senior editor at FiveThirtyEight, wrote on the social platform X that Trumps threat was disturbing. This would obviously be a baseless lawsuit, but just saying this has a chilling effect, and most pollsters dont have the financial resources for a legal battle, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some in the media have tried to send peace signals to Trump. Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Washington Post, which famously introduced the Democracy dies in darkness motto during Trumps first presidency, has spoken warmly of Trump since his election victory. Bezos is expected to meet with the president-elect this week. Marc Benioff, the owner of Time magazine and CEO of Salesforce, has also praised Trump and said he looked forward to working together after the magazine named Trump its Person of the year. Trump traveled to New York City last week and rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange to highlight the honor from Time. During that event, he signaled his relationship with the media seemed to be improving, but also underscored how quickly it could change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medias tamed down a little bit. Theyre liking us much better now, I think, Trump said. If they dont, well have to just take them on again, and we dont want to do 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. It feels like the forces upholding the free press in the United States are beginning to buckle. ABC's recent $15 million settlement with Donald Trump stemming from the president-elect's lawsuit alleging anchor George Stephanopoulos defamed him was a bad omen. Trump had accused Stephanopoulos of defaming him when he said on air in March that Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury," referring to author E. Jean Carroll's civil litigation. The jury found Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s but found he did not rape Carroll, as that crime is defined under New York law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As civil rights attorney Maya Wiley and MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance separately explained, ABC seemed to have a pretty strong case for why Stephanopoulos characterized Trumps abuse of Carroll as rape, given the judge who oversaw Carroll's trials said the jury found that Trump raped Carroll, as that word is commonly understood. But ABC, which Trump has said should have its broadcast privileges rescinded, opted to settle rather than fight the power. Per the settlement, ABC will pay $15 million to a Presidential foundation and museum to be established by or for Trump, which means the company will help fund what could be a shrine to Trump's ego. And predictably, the settlement seems to have emboldened Trump to launch more legal attacks on the media over coverage he doesn't like. During a news conference on Monday, Trump threatened to straighten out the press using the courts and said more lawsuits would be forthcoming. And he announced his plans to sue veteran pollster Ann Selzer, who conducted a pre-election poll showing Vice President Kamala Harris leading in Iowa, a state Harris ultimately lost. He filed the lawsuit Monday night in Iowa, accusing Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and the newspapers parent company, Gannett, of election interference. Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for The Des Moines Register, said in a statement Tuesday that Trumps lawsuit is without merit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Anton said. We stand by our reporting on the matter and will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights. Even if this lawsuit and other potential lawsuits brought by Trump against media companies are unsuccessful, they could have a chilling effect on reporting seen as unfavorable to Trump. It's alarming to consider the possibility that some outlets could elect to avoid this type of coverage rather than publish it and risk what they feel might be an inevitable and expensive legal fight. And some of Trump's Cabinet picks seem intent on deploying similar lawfare. The New York Times noted attorneys for Pete Hegseth the scandal-plagued former Fox News host Trump wants to lead the Defense Department and Trump's pick to lead the FBI, loyalist Kash Patel, have already issued pre-emptive legal threats to news outlets over unfavorable news coverage. Patel, for the record, has openly discussed his desire to target the media if he's put in a position of power. (He's backed off some of his tough talk about going after the media in recent months.) So let's not sugarcoat things here: The state of American media is on a dire path. ABC settled and other outlets targeted in the future could follow. Wealthy owners of The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times stepped in to quash editorial endorsements in the last presidential race, inserting themselves in the decision-making process in ways that benefit Trump. Both Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos said they made their decisions in the name of appearing unbiased. Trump's incoming Federal Communications Commission chair has signaled a desire to punish the free press over coverage conservatives don't like and target social media platforms that engage in content moderation. And several major social media platforms are led by uberwealthy elites eager to get in Trump's good graces, be that TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg or X owner Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban advised Republicans they need their own media to exert maximum political power in the United States, I took him to mean two things. The first is that Republicans should create their own media platforms and ecosystem of influencers to peddle their propaganda which they have. And second, Republicans should use the courts to wield crippling power yet to be seen in the U.S. over the media organizations that already exist. MAGA world is making headway on that front, as well. And rather than let Trump run roughshod over them, media outlets interested in maintaining a free press need to fight these efforts head-on, with vigor. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The Grays Harbor Drug Task Force (GHDTF) arrested multiple suspects and seized drugs, cash, and a vehicle during a search warrant operation on December 16, following a two-month investigation in Aberdeen. Officers served the warrant at an apartment in the 2300 block of Simpson Avenue. The primary suspect, a 54-year-old Aberdeen man, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail. During the operation, several additional arrests were made: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 60-year-old Aberdeen man was taken into custody on an outstanding Hoquiam warrant for third-degree theft. During the arrest, officers found 11.5 grams of suspected fentanyl powder and $5,350 in cash. He was initially booked into the Hoquiam Municipal Jail and will later face charges for possession with intent to deliver. A 30-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested on an extraditable warrant out of Arkansas. He was booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail and will be transferred to Arkansas authorities. A 53-year-old Aberdeen woman was found with approximately 1.5 grams of suspected fentanyl powder and 7.5 grams of methamphetamine. She was cited and later released. A 37-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested on a Grays Harbor County felony warrant for second-degree assault and transported to the county jail. During the search of the apartment, officers also seized 4.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 12.5 grams of an unknown substance, and numerous items related to drug use and sales. A vehicle believed to have been used to transport illegal drugs was also seized. The Hoquiam Police Departments Narcotics K-9 team assisted with the search, and officers from the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office, Aberdeen Police Department, and Hoquiam Police Department supported the GHDTF. Officials say the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are encouraging residents to report drug activity by calling the Grays Harbor Drug Tip Line at 360-500-4141. One day after a 15-year-old student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, investigators are working Tuesday to identify a motive in the shooting that killed a student and a teacher and left two others in critical condition. The shooting occurred Monday morning in a classroom at the private Christian school at 4901 E. Buckeye Road during a study hall. A 911 call was made to report an active shooter at 10:57 a.m., said Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. The suspect was identified Monday night as Natalie Rupnow. She died on the way to a local hospital of what police believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two students were in critical condition as of Monday night, authorities said. Three other students and one teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and two of the victims have been released from nearby hospitals. Here is what we know about the shooting and the ongoing investigation: Determining shooter motive remains a priority for Madison police Tuesday afternoon Chief Barnes held a press conference on Tuesday at 1:15 p.m. Barnes said identifying Rupnow's motive is the "top priority" and the motive appears to be "a combination of factors." He also said that, while a document has been circulated in relation to the incident, detectives have not verified whether the document came from Rupnow. Detectives are working to verify whether the document came from the suspect, Barnes said. He said police will provide an update on the document and on Rupnow's online activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said victim statuses remain unchanged from Monday night two are in critical condition, two more are hospitalized and two have been released from the hospital. Madison police clarify that 911 caller was not a second grade student Barnes clarified at Tuesday's press conference that a second grade teacher, not a second grader as previously reported, made the initial 911 call on Monday. "I'd like to provide an important clarification. Yesterday, after looking at the computer-aided dispatch system, it seemed as if the call came from a second grader," Barnes said. "It actually read 'the call came from a second grade teacher.'" Barnes apologized for the initial incorrect information. Madison police received numerous threats Tuesday at MMSD schools Numerous Madison Metropolitan School District schools have been subject to "false threats" known as "swatting" on Tuesday, Barnes said, but authorities do not believe there are "any current threats to any Madison-area schools." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will be clear on one thing. Making false threats is a crime," Barnes said. "We will be working with the district attorney to prosecute these crimes." How you can help victims and families of the Madison school shooting Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said those who want to support victims and Abundant Life families should donate to a fundraiser organized by United Way of Dane County. You can donate here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/75Bpxg?vid=1griad. You can also donate by texting "Help4ALCS" to 40403. Community members are invited to attend a vigil by the Vel Phillips statue at the Wisconsin State Capitol building at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. The vigil is hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another fundraiser has been started by April Landphier, a parent of a student at Abundant Life Christian School's sister school, Lighthouse Christian School. The GoFundMe labeled "Help Abundant Life Christian School Families Heal & Recover" has a goal of raising $25,000 to help with funeral or medical care costs and anything else Abundant Life Christian School needs. "Please pray for our brothers and sisters at Abundant Life Christian School," Landphier said in a statement provided to a reporter. To donate to Landphier's GoFundMe fundraiser, visit rb.gy/7g96fh. Law enforcement officers are shown at the scene of a shooting Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. At least six injured in addition to the 3 dead. 15-year-old student identified as shooter Barnes identified the suspected shooter as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. Barnes did not immediately know what grade she was in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence suggests Rupnow died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Monday night. She was found when police arrived at about 11 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School and died on the way to the hospital. Barnes said earlier on Monday that police believed she had been at school earlier in the day and that investigators had no evidence of a breach to the school building. Investigators searched the teen's house and have spoken with her family, but have not identified a motive for the attack. It remains unclear how she obtained a firearm. Barnes said at a news conference that Rupnow had no criminal history and no previous run-ins with police. Police are investigating social media posts and other writings allegedly written by the suspect in Mondays shooting, Barnes told CNN Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have been made aware of a manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter that's been posted by someone who alleged to be her friend," the chief told the outlet. "We haven't been able to locate that person yet, but that's something we're going to work on today." He went on to say investigators were looking into whether she had contact with anyone else about the shooting. "We'll also be looking through her effects, if she had a computer or cell phone, to see if there are any transmissions between her and someone else," Barnes told CNN. In Wisconsin, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes briefs the public on details from a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Dec. 16, 2024. Family is cooperating with police At the school, investigators discovered the firearm they believe was used in the attack, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief did not provide any additional information on where police believe the suspect obtained the weapon. Barnes said the suspected shooter's family was cooperating with authorities, who are investigating why the teen opened fire and how she obtained a weapon. How common are female school shooters? It is rare for school shooters to be female, according to data and experts who study such events. Of 544 school shooting incidents over an 11-year period, less than 5% of the shooters were female, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit group that advocates for stronger gun laws. The group noted that the gender of the shooter is not always available so data are incomplete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justin Heinze, an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the University of Michigan, cautioned against drawing conclusions from such data. I'll tell anybody who asks me that there is not necessarily a profile," Heinze said. "I cannot give you individual characteristics, or some patterns of behavior, or some life experiences, that produce with any real accuracy who might end up perpetrating an event like this." "I think we need to be careful when we have conversations like this, because then you can kind of conflate pieces of information," he added. What to know about Abundant Life Christian School About 400 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978, according to the school's website, and the main building is located next door to City Church Madison, a Christian nondenominational church. 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. (This story will be updated). This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin school shooting: What happened in Madison, who was shooter During my time as Minister of Health in Ethiopia, we wanted to transform the countrys health system, and I was looking for guidance on how to do it. It turned out the World Health Organization (WHO) had exactly what I was looking for but it wasnt WHO that told me about it; I only found it by Googling. My experience is not unique. WHO is known for its world-class technical products guidelines, norms and standards but translating them into real-world action has often been hindered by a lack of institutionalised training. Our products sometimes sit unused on shelves or unopened in email inboxes. While WHO does provide training in countries, it has never before been institutionalised or provided at the scale needed. That was one of the reasons that, following my election as Director-General of WHO in 2017, we set about the most ambitious set of reforms in the organisations history, to make WHO more effective, efficient and responsive to the needs and challenges that countries face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those needs is for capacity building to meet evolving health threats, including the threat of epidemics and pandemics. We recognised that while WHO has rich knowledge and expertise, we had no systematic or institutionalised way of sharing it. So the idea for the WHO Academy was born: a new institution to equip health and care workers, policymakers and the WHO workforce with the skills and competencies they need to deliver health for all. During the G20 meeting in Argentina in 2018, I had a chance meeting in a corridor with President Emmanuel Macron of France, and mentioned to him our idea for the WHO Academy. He grasped the concept immediately, and invited me to the Elysee to discuss it with him in more detail. In 2019 we signed a letter of intent to establish the Academy in Lyon; in 2021 we broke ground, and today we will open its doors together. With the generous support of the Government of France, the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, Lyon City and Metropole, the Academy features a state-of-the-art learning campus for both in-person and remote training; and an intelligent online learning platform, using artificial intelligence and other technologies to deliver free access to world-class courses on priority health topics. Solving the global health workforce crisis While the WHO Academy will not provide initial education for doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists or other professional disciplines, it will offer lifelong learning opportunities to help health and care workers stay abreast of the latest developments in their area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will be especially beneficial for health workers and policymakers in lower-income countries, who often lack access to training opportunities. The Academy builds on the long and close partnership between France and WHO. In one sense, France is the birthplace of WHO: the first International Sanitary Conference was held in Paris in 1851, and the International Office of Public Hygiene the forerunner of WHO was established in Paris in 1907. The establishment of the WHO Academy in Lyon is therefore of both symbolic and strategic significance. Lyon is a vibrant hub for public health, with world-class research centres and medical universities, but it is also strategically located just two hours from the WHOs headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, where the experts who will deliver most of the in-person training are based. The inauguration of the Lyon campus and the global launch of a diverse portfolio of online courses represent the culmination of a seven-year journey, and the beginning of another. For the Academy to truly succeed, it must align with the priorities and needs of countries, and it will require the engagement and cooperation of all countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while the Academy is a major step forward, it is only part of the solution. We aim to build the capacities of the global health workforce, but the workforce itself is facing a crucial deficit: a projected shortfall of 10 million health and care workers needed by 2030, with over half of this deficit in Africa. The global health workforce crisis cannot be solved without political will and financial investment from governments, international organisations, and the private sector. The WHO Academy provides the platform for growth, but governments must step up to address the root causes of workforce shortages. This means improving working conditions, ensuring fair pay, and offering decent work opportunities that will attract new talent to the health sector. Ultimately, there is no health without health workers. They are there at our first, last and most vulnerable moments of life, and at moments of crisis, from the personal crisis of a cancer diagnosis to a global pandemic. Investing in health workers is therefore investing not just in a healthier world, but in a more stable and secure world. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security 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. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Rex Heuermann, the man accused of a string of serial killings in Gilgo Beach on Long Island, was charged with a seventh murder on Tuesday. Prosecutors had promised a "major development" in the case against Heuermann, who was charged in the November 2000 death of Valerie Mack, whose remains were found in Manorville and Gilgo Beach. Heuermann, a New York architect, has been charged in the deaths of six other women, all suspected sex workers, whose remains were discovered in a remote spot along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach and parts of eastern Long Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors claimed that they connected Heuermann to Mack's death in June because of a device found in his Long Island home where he supposedly kept detailed notes about serial killings, body disposals, and torture pornography. Prosecutors have said Heuermann kept detailed notes about serial killings, body disposal, and torture pornography. Mack was identified through DNA, authorities said. Prosecutors said they have been able to pull together DNA evidence, burner phone data, witness description of a truck allegedly belonging to Heuermann and his Internet searches to make their case that he is a serial killer. Authorities still have the challenge of processing the 120 terabytes of data from some 400 devices seized from Heuermann. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Heuermann entered not-guilty pleas in the deaths of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. In July 2023, he was charged in the deaths of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman. Their remains were found in burlap bags along Gilgo Beach's Ocean Parkway in 2010. NEW YORK (AP) The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcares CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from from a Pennsylvania jail. Officials providing update on Luigi Mangione, suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder WATCH LIVE: Officials providing update on Luigi Mangione, suspect in murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO. Posted by Boston 25 News on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Luigi Mangione already was charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson, but the terror allegation is new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping. Mangiones New York lawyer has not commented on the case. Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare the United States biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9 after being spotted in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 26-year-old was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offenses and locked up there without bail. His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge. The attorney also has said Mangione would fight extradition to New York. Luigi Mangione, 26, a suspect in the New York City killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson, poses shortly after being discovered by police at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2024. Pennsylvania State Police/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. THIS PICTURE WAS PROCESSED BY REUTERS TO ENHANCE QUALITY. AN UNPROCESSED VERSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED The indictment could help move along procedural steps toward extraditing the suspect. Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorneys office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press week said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies parasitic and complained about corporate greed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione repeatedly posted on social media about how spinal surgery last year had eased his chronic back pain, encouraging people with similar conditions to speak up for themselves if told they just had to live with it. In a Reddit post in late April, he advised someone with a back problem to seek additional opinions from surgeons and, if necessary, say the pain made it impossible to work. We live in a capitalist society, Mangione wrote. Ive found that the medical industry responds to these key words far more urgently than you describing unbearable pain and how its impacting your quality of life. He was never a UnitedHealthcare client, according to the insurer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione apparently cut himself off from his family and close friends in recent months. His family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November. Esta foto sin fecha facilitada por UnitedHealth Group muestra al consejero delegado de UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson. (AP foto/UnitedHealth Group via AP) Thompson, who grew up on a farm in small-town Iowa, was trained as an accountant. A married father of two high-schoolers, he had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. His killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies, as Americans swapped stories online and elsewhere of being denied coverage, left in limbo as doctors and insurers disagreed, and stuck with sizeable bills. The shooting also rattled C-suites, as wanted posters with other health care executives names and faces appeared on New York streets and an outpouring of online vitriol prompted police to warn that there could be an elevated threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The New Mexico Supreme Court on Nov. 20, 2023 in Santa Fe. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) The most prominent civil rights organization in the United States has included the New Mexico Supreme Court among a list of state supreme courts falling far short of providing meaningful public access to their pending cases. The American Civil Liberties Union on Dec. 9 published a review of all state high court websites for four transparency practices already in place at the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization assigned tiers to each state and the District of Columbia based on whether they adhere to four practices which help ensure the public and the press are able to learn about, monitor, and where appropriate meaningfully participate in ongoing cases. Since New Mexicos highest court met one of the four criteria, the organization rated it as Tier IV, the second-worst rating. New Mexico is among 26 state supreme courts following only one or two practices. Six state supreme courts practice all four transparency measures, while another six dont follow any of them. The New Mexico Supreme Court is committed to fostering transparency and ensuring access to pending cases, said Barry Massey, a spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the Courts, the independent state agency that runs the judicial branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU found the New Mexico Supreme Court makes dockets (lists of case histories, hearings and parties) accessible and free for the public. Dockets can be found here, but the court doesnt make merit briefings (the parties actual written arguments) accessible and free for the public. However, once a case is scheduled for oral arguments, briefing documents may be accessible on the courts website. The court publishes monthly Certiorari Tables, identifying which petitions theyve denied and granted. It also posts lists of all cases pending before it. Massey said the court updates these reports every month, and issues news releases summarizing its decisions and explaining the legal implications of its rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People can ask to get these news updates and other notices of opinions, orders and rules by email, he said. The courts administrative orders, covering things like how much judicial workers can get reimbursed for travel, are also available online, he added. Despite these resources, the court doesnt meet this criteria because it doesnt typically publish them in a timely manner, the ACLU wrote. The court also doesnt provide timely information about the issues or questions presented by cases, ACLU wrote. Massey said each year, the court invites students from across New Mexico to observe the judicial systems role in democracy by attending oral arguments. The court has made stops in Las Cruces, Espanola and Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through these efforts, the New Mexico Supreme Court strives to ensure that its work is accessible, empowering the public to engage meaningfully with the Court, Massey said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Qabil Ashirov The Azerbaijani government is set to increase the allocation for the agriculture sector by over ?30mln ($17.7mln) in next year's state budget. 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. SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The floor leader of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party said Tuesday that new constitutional court justices should be appointed to deliberate the impeachment against President Yoon Suk-yeol under a full nine-justice court, according to multiple media outlets. WINONA, Minn. Adam Fravel, the 30-year-old southern Minnesota man convicted of killing 26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Tuesday afternoon. Fravel spoke briefly before he was sentenced. "I never caused harm to Maddi and I am innocent," Fravel said. / Credit: WCCO Kingsbury's family, including her mother, father and sisters, gave emotional victim impact statements before his sentencing. Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman asked the court to adhere to sentencing guidelines, which mandate life in prison for first-degree premeditated murder, the most serious of the four counts on which Fravel was convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr. Fravel's actions put an entire community in mourning, a community in shock, left her family devastated, left the lives of her children changed forever because of their father's evil act," Sonneman said. "But your honor, justice has caught up with Adam Taylor Fravel and justice will be served for Madeline Jane Kingsbury, her family, her friends, her community, this community, by this court sentencing Adam Taylor Fravel to life in prison without the possibility of parole." Last month, a jury found Fravel guilty of murdering Kingsbury, the mother of his two young children. A judge ruled last week in favor of allowing cameras and livestreaming of the sentencing hearing after the defense, prosecution and Kingsbury's family agreed to it, according to a court filing. March will mark two years since Kingsbury disappeared after dropping off the two kids she shared with Fravel at a daycare in Winona. Her body was found two months later near the Iowa border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial was moved to Mankato, about 136 miles west of Winona, because of extensive pretrial publicity. CBS News' 48 Hours has also been tracking this case since Kingsbury disappeared. Domestic Violence Resources: For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224. School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say Beanie Babies creator Ty supporting small businesses with its latest creation Undersea internet cables face new threats NEW YORK New York City Mayor Eric Adams declined to address some of the most pressing questions about his 2021 campaign in a new filing, leaving local election auditors in the dark about suspected straw donations, who paid for more than 150 fundraisers and who exactly was raising contributions on behalf of the mayor. The omissions add to the intrigue around Adams first campaign for mayor, which plays a key role in the five-count federal indictment against him alleging a bribery scheme involving the Turkish government. Adams has pleaded not guilty to those charges and is running for reelection in 2025. The New York City Campaign Finance Board pores over the paperwork of every campaign to identify the inevitable bookkeeping discrepancies, missed deadlines and other infractions of campaign finance law. In May, it issued a draft audit to Adams 2021 election effort. On Nov. 29, the Adams campaign sent its response, which was obtained Tuesday by POLITICO through a Freedom of Information Law request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board will now conduct a final audit that could result in fines. And while the campaign addressed the lions share of the boards queries, it left some of the most pressing issues unresolved. Vito Pitta, the campaign's lawyer, cited the mayor's legal woes as the reason for that. "Given the ongoing trial, the campaign was not able to respond to a number of findings identified in the Draft Audit Report," he said in a statement. "In an effort to cooperate as fully as possible in the post-election audit and not delay the process by seeking another extension, the campaign provided a partial response." In its draft audit, the board identified more than 50 possible straw donors meaning people whose contribution was paid for by someone else. Straw donations are often used to exceed contribution maximums or conceal the true source of money, which is why theyre outlawed in New York elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its audit, the board recommended relinquishing the straw contributions to it. But, in the response document obtained by POLITICO, the campaign made no mention of the potentially illicit donations. The board also identified nearly 60 groups of donations it suspected of being bundled together by an intermediary on behalf of the campaign. The groups of donations were typically given on the same day by people working for the same employer. Identifying the suspected bundlers, as the board requires, would provide more insight into who was currying favor with Adams during his 2021 run. However, the mayors campaign compliance attorney, Vito Pitta, did not mention the suspected intermediaries in his Nov. 29 response. The board declined to comment. And the campaign has said in the past that it did not have any undisclosed bundlers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even purported campaign fundraisers have presented a problem for Team Adams. The board identified 158 fundraisers the campaign said it paid for, yet did not provide any expenditure receipts to prove their claim. Without that documentation, those expenses would be considered in-kind contributions. That would present a major problem for the campaign, as many of the in-kind contributions identified by the board came from prohibited sources like businesses. The board released its draft audit report to Adams campaign on May 31, and Adams response was initially due July 1. The campaign was granted several extensions as Pitta argued they needed more time to respond to the voluminous report, but the board set Nov. 29 as the final hard deadline, with the campaign risking fines if it missed the date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign could be on the hook for more than half a million dollars in fines pending the boards final audit, The New York Times reported. The actual total may be far less, though, if the board finds the campaign addressed certain issues raised in the draft audit. It was not immediately clear when the board would publish its final audit, or whether it would do so before the June 2025 Democratic primary in which Adams plans to stand for reelection. Reuters reviewed 19 state government documents, many of them previously unreported, and interviewed more than two dozen state and federal officials about the deal, as well as independent energy and legal professionals. Most of the people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. U.S. prosecutors allege that $228 million was offered to an unnamed Andhra Pradesh official by the defendants to direct the state's electricity distribution companies to purchase the solar power supplied to SECI by Adani Green. The solar deal is now under scrutiny by U.S. prosecutors, who indicted Adani and seven other executives in November for alleged involvement in a bribery and securities fraud scheme involving several Indian states and one territory. The news agency spoke to a former state power regulator and an energy legal expert who said the 57 days between SECI's approach to the state government and regulatory approval from the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) for the 7,000 megawatt deal was unusually fast, although timeframes for such deals can vary. As much as 97% of that will go to Adani Green, the renewables unit of the billionaire's Adani Group conglomerate, according to documents related to the agreement, reviewed by Reuters. By Nov. 11, the state government had secured the nod from the energy regulator. On Dec. 1, state authorities signed a procurement agreement with SECI for the deal, which could eventually be worth over $490 million annually. While SECI's Sept. 15 letter did not name the energy supplier, it was publicly known at the time that the federal agency had only contracted with two suppliers, the larger of which was controlled by billionaire Gautam Adani, according to past statements from the two companies. But just a day after SECI approached the state government, the 26-member state cabinet led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy gave the deal its preliminary approval, according to cabinet records seen by Reuters. Two years earlier, Andhra Pradesh's energy regulator had said in a 10-year forecast the state had no short-term need for solar power, and should focus on other renewables that could provide 24-hour energy. NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The approach from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on Sept. 15, 2021 came out of the blue. The federal agency, tasked with developing the solar sector, wanted to know if the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh would like to sign India's largest renewables contract. Story Continues Together they provide a picture of how political leaders overruled advice from finance and energy officials in order to approve the massive Adani deal. Some officials have publicly described the contract as likely to strain the state's coffers, potentially leaving taxpayers on the hook for thousands of megawatts of energy that Andhra Pradesh does not need. Adani Green did not respond to Reuters' questions about the alleged corruption nor the speed of the approval process. Adani Group has previously called the allegations "baseless." SECI told Reuters in a statement it was up to states and their regulators to decide how much power to purchase. It declined to answer other questions. The office of Reddy, who was not named in the U.S. indictment and lost power in an election this year, referred Reuters to a Nov. 28 statement in which he denied being bribed and justified the deal on grounds it provided free power to farmers. Reddy's office declined to answer other questions. A spokesperson for Reddy's party said after this story was published that state energy officials had thoroughly analysed the contract. The official said Andhra Pradesh had signed a good deal because solar prices had not fallen significantly since 2021. APERC, which regulates the state's power sector and was responsible for due diligence on the deal, did not respond to repeated requests for comment on its processes and the U.S. allegations. The current state government also did not respond to requests for comment. DUE DILIGENCE For most of Sept. 15, 2021 then-energy minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy was unaware of any potential solar deal, he told Reuters. But late that night, he received a call from a person in his office, whom he did not identify, about a proposal that required his signature for discussion in cabinet the next day, said Srinivasa Reddy, who joined a rival party this year. "Never before" had he been so rushed to approve files, he said, and he was not given "details or time to study the matter." Srinivasa Reddy said he signed off after being assured by a senior official at his department, whom he also did not identify, that the contracting party was SECI. He said he had "no idea the supplier was Adani." Srikant Nagulapalli, who declined to comment, was then the top civil servant in Srinivasa Reddy's department. Reuters could not establish if Reddy consulted him or if he provided assurances about the deal. The next day, cabinet approved the deal "in principle," according to minutes from the cabinet meeting, allowing the regulatory process to be fast-tracked. On Oct. 21, the Andhra Pradesh Power Coordination Committee (APPCC) - which had been tasked with studying the deal after the preliminary approval - filed a report recommending the deal. The committee was established by the state government to coordinate between state-owned distribution companies; its members include the state's top energy official and company executives. Seven days later, the Andhra Pradesh cabinet officially committed to procuring 7,000 megawatts from SECI. In doing so, it overrode advice from officials at the finance and energy departments that the contract did not represent good value. On Oct. 28 - the same day as the cabinet meeting that approved the deal but before the greenlight was given - the finance department made a submission to the cabinet stating there was an industry trend of falling solar prices and that future agreements would likely be cheaper, according to cabinet minutes. It said Andhra Pradesh had leverage because the government was the buyer, offering the supplier security that a default would be unlikely. The treasury also questioned the duration of the 25-year contract, especially since supply was scheduled to start only in 2024, according to the minutes. The treasury said it believed costs could continue to fall in the period between agreeing the contract and power being supplied. The energy department endorsed the treasury's advice. The records of the cabinet deliberations do not document any discussion about the finance and energy departments' concerns beyond a statement in the minutes that the cabinet was "duly overruling the finance remark." Andhra Pradesh will pay 2.49 rupees per kilowatt-hour when the solar power comes online, according to the agreement. An Adani Green spokesperson told Reuters that supply would be delayed beyond 2024, citing delays in "grid availability." However, an analysis released by the office of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu - who ousted Reddy's government in elections this year - found the state would likely have to pay more, because the contract did not account for certain taxes and duties that are typically included in such calculations. A state official familiar with the matter said Andhra Pradesh is likely to pay as much as 23% over the price it agreed in the Adani contract once the taxes and duties are included. Andhra Pradesh is now seeking to suspend the deal due to the indictment of Gautam Adani. A decision could come by year-end, an official told Reuters. If the Adani deal goes ahead, the state treasury will be directly on the hook for solar bills running hundreds of millions of dollars annually, according to Reuters' review of contract documents. Annual payments to Adani once the power supply is fully operational will be roughly equal to state spending on social security and nutrition programs for the previous fiscal year. ($1 = 84.8380 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi and Sudarshan Varadhan in Singapore; Editing by Aftab Ahmed and Katerina Ang) BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Its been four years since Addie and Baylor Kirchgessner were tragically killed in an accident at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park in Panama City Beach, but their parents continue to honor their legacy, and love of reading. In partnership with the scholastic book fair, the Addie and Baylor Foundation is supplying books to Cedar Grove Elementary students. To see the excitement and joy on their faces. Being able to pick out the book means so much. A lot of our students dont always get to buy a book when we have the book fair, so gifting them those books means so much, Cedar Grove Assistant Principal Brandy Kemp said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn Haven town hall clock restored Cedar Groves 500 students each got to pick out three books completely free to keep and read. Educators emphasize the importance of reading outside of curriculum requirements. We are having a big push for literacy. And so then being able to pick a book that is their interest really means a lot to them. This is the first time that Cedar Grove has gotten picked, and we are so thankful and so excited to be able to have been picked, Kemp said. The Kirchgessners are from Kentucky but have been giving back to Bay County since the tragedy. The Addie and Baylor Foundation has donated over 100,000 books and helped more than 500 children receive school supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their mission is to encourage childrens imagination through access to literature. Cedar Grove students got the books just in time for their two-week holiday break. To learn more about the foundation or donate, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. WASHINGTON In the entirety of Joe Bidens presidency, there is perhaps no judicial nominee who endured more partisan ugliness and unwarranted hostility than Adeel Mangi, the presidents pick for a U.S. appeals court seat. Biden tapped Mangi, a veteran civil litigator in New Jersey, for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit in June 2023. Mangi checks all the boxes for a solid judicial candidate. He was unanimously rated well qualified by the American Bar Association. He was hailed for his legal and pro bono work by groups including the AFL-CIO and the Coalition of the Underrepresented Law Enforcement Associations, as well as more than a dozen Jewish groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangi also happens to be Muslim. If he had been confirmed, he would have been the first-ever Muslim U.S. appeals court judge in the country. He also would have tipped the ideological balance of this appeals court, giving it an even mix of Democrat- and GOP-appointed judges. But from the start of Mangis process, Republican senators and dark money groups subjected him to a monthslong, disgusting smear campaign. They baselessly tried to cast him as an antisemitic terrorist sympathizer. When that didnt seem to stick which was partly because Jewish groups lined up in strong defense of Mangi the GOP pivoted to a new line of attack: baselessly trying to cast him as someone who supports cop killers. Their attacks on Mangi got so intense they scared off a handful of Democratic senators from supporting him as they eyed their reelection campaigns. Mangis nomination limped along in the Senate until last month, when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) cut a deal with Republicans to expedite votes on nine of Bidens district court nominees in exchange for not voting on any of Bidens four appeals court nominees. After everything hes endured, Mangis nomination is over. He never even got a Senate vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Monday letter to Biden, Mangi offered a rare and sobering take on why his federal judicial nomination process went the way it did and why he never got a fair shot. This unfortunate fact remains: We have a fundamentally broken process for choosing federal judges, Mangi wrote. 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 price and so too does our nation. He warned that the brutal process he went through will likely cause other qualified people to think twice about giving up lucrative jobs to take a chance at becoming a federal judge. 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? Mangi asked. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, 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. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Below is a copy of Mangis letter to Biden. Related... Brochures are displayed at Crisis Center, a United Way associated resource in Birmingham serving individuals in central Alabama who may be experiencing personal crisis and mental health issues, on Monday July 3rd, 2023. The Alabama Department of Mental Health is considering requesting a $389.6 million budget for 2026, a 22.9% increase, to expand beds, school mental health services, and crisis care. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) is considering a $389.6 million budget for fiscal year 2026, a 22.9% increase from this years $317 million budget. Commissioner Kimberly Boswell said at the ADMH board meeting Friday that the $73.2 million increase reflects the departments push to address expanding needs in long-term commitment beds, school-based mental health services and crisis care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to hear us talk this year a lot about expanding crisis care and the civil commitments beds, and beds are just expensive, Boswell said after the meeting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The total amount includes an increase of $68.6 million (28.8% increase) from the General Fund budget and $4.6 million (5.8% increase) from the Education Trust Fund. The state is lagging in civil commitment beds, Boswell said, which provide care for mentally ill people when they are involuntarily placed in ADMHs custody for treatment. The state has fewer than 14 beds per 100,000 residents, compared to the recommended 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boswell is tentatively asking for $23.4 million, which would be the largest line item in their increase request, though that request may change. Boswell could not give an exact number of beds the request would fund due to variable cost at different locations, such as hospitals and crisis residential units, but it would only account for about one-fifth of beds that are currently needed. The commissioner said it could take at least five years to get the state up to capacity if they receive the full funding each year. The increase in civil commitment beds would be the first in at least 15 years. Substance use treatment is another reason for the budget increase, with a $2 million increase to expand detox services to address a shortage of detox beds. The proposed budget also includes funding to address trauma care for children and residential care for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental health diagnoses. It also includes $1 million to expand school-based mental health programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, were at 109 school systems. Our ultimate goal is to have a mental health therapist in all of the school systems, Boswell said. There are 205 public school districts in Alabama, according to the Legislative Study Commission on Modernizing K-12 School Education. Another significant increase in the budget is an allocation of $11.5 million to expand crisis care services. Boswell said the department aims to provide crisis services in all 67 counties. Currently, services are available in 20 counties, with five crisis centers operating and a sixth set to open in January. Boswell said Alabama needs 11 centers to meet demand across every county. Boswell said there could be potential challenges due to decreased General Fund revenue concerns, adding that she is not expecting to get the full increase request. Well see what comes out in the budget, but the General Fund is absolutely not looking great this year, Boswell said. The Alabama Legislature begins its 2025 session in February. Legislators will have the final say on how much each agency gets in the budget. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Montana State Capitol in Helena on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (Photo by Mike Clark for the Daily Montanan) In a 9-3 verdict Friday, an advisory jury found plaintiffs in a redistricting lawsuit didnt prove the Montana Legislature gerrymandered in redrawing Public Service Commission districts. The jury verdict is not binding, and Lewis and Clark District Court Judge Christopher Abbot said he would take it under advisement in considering the legal questions in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties will present the court with their final arguments by Jan. 4. The Montana Free Press first reported the jury verdict. In October 2023, Montana Conservation Voters and eight individuals sued the Secretary of State alleging a Public Service Commission map the Legislature adopted was gerrymandered to benefit Republicans and was unconstitutional. They argued the map violated the states equal protection and suffrage clauses. In February 2024, Abbott agreed the map was likely unconstitutional, because at least Districts 3 and 5 appeared to disadvantage voters on the basis of political ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Public Service Commission regulates monopoly utilities and is made up of five commissioners elected by district, currently all Republican. An old map from 2003 was declared unconstitutional in 2022 because the districts werent evenly proportioned, deviating as much as 24%. The legislature adopted a new map in 2023 through Senate Bill 109, the one in question in Abbotts court. Although the judge rejected in February a request from plaintiffs, represented by Upper Seven, to stop use of the new map, the judge also denied the states motion to dismiss the case altogether. The judge said he wasnt tossing the map because the alternative map was flawed too. He said it disadvantaged a different group, not Democrats but voters who live in the largest districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the judge also outlined the reason the new map was likely unconstitutional. In the order, he cited a mathematics expert who testified for the plaintiffs in the case and found the map was an extreme outlier compared with more than 100,000 maps with respect to partisan outcomes; the Free Press noted the mathematician testified last week to even more comparisons. The judges earlier order also said the state did not meaningfully rebut the analysis from the mathematician, who had in the past found maps to have disadvantaged both Republicans and Democrats. Sen. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, had proposed the map in SB 109, and the court acknowledged his map did a better job of achieving population parity than a map imposed by federal judges after the 2003 one was found to be unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature has the authority in Montana to draw PSC district maps. The earlier order said Regier denied any knowledge of the partisan lean of the districts, but the record didnt contain information about who might have helped him or their motivations. The question the jury answered was the following, according to a form filed with the court: Did the plaintiffs prove that the Montana State Legislature intended to use the PSC district boundaries they drew in Senate Bill 109 to favor or disfavor certain candidates or groups of voters based on their political beliefs or partisan affiliation? The answer was no. Although the jury didnt find enough evidence to show intent in skewing the map in favor of Republicans, the judge could find the districts are unconstitutional regardless. Advocate Health Care plans to spend $1 billion overhauling how it provides health care on the South Side of Chicago replacing Advocate Trinity Hospital with a smaller facility with far fewer beds, while expanding access to primary and specialty care. Its a plan that Advocate leaders say will address the health disparities that have long plagued South Side residents, by focusing more on keeping them healthy and focusing less on hospital beds. Its also a plan that comes as South Side hospitals continue to struggle financially, because of rising costs, older buildings and because many patients leave the area for health care. Under the plan, Advocate will spend $300 million to construct a new hospital at the former U.S. Steel South Works site near the lakefront. Advocate already has an agreement to purchase 23 acres at the site. That hospital will replace the Advocate Trinity building, which is more than 115 years old and sits on the Southeast Side of Chicago on 93rd Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocate Trinity has 205 licensed beds, while the new hospital will have 52. The new facility will be a full-service hospital with an emergency department and intensive care unit. Advocate decided it made more sense to build a state-of-the-art facility rather than continue to pour money into the old Trinity building, said Advocate Trinity President Michelle Blakely. Theres also an excess of hospital beds on the South Side. In 2023, there were 660 more hospital beds than necessary in that area of Chicago, according to the state. We are co-creating solutions that will help our community achieve health and wellness as opposed to what were currently doing, which is treating (illness), Blakely said. If were talking about how to spend that next health care dollar, the best use of that health care dollar is to go where our patients are and to create health and wellness, and not build a bed that will sit empty. To that end, the $1 billion plan also calls for Advocate to spend $500 million on a dramatic expansion of offerings for people seeking outpatient care. The system expects the expansion will allow for an additional 85,000 appointments a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocate plans to open 10 neighborhood care locations in places such as South Side churches and community centers, where advanced practice providers (such as nurse practitioners or physician assistants) will address common needs such as colds, sore throats, flu and chronic disease management, over video calls. The system also plans to add immediate care to its Imani Village outpatient clinic. Advocate plans to spend another $200 million on other programs and services, including adding more doctors to the South Side to enable an additional 5,000 obstetrician/gynecologist appointments each year. The South Side has a large Black population, and Black women in Illinois are significantly more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related conditions and suffer severe pregnancy or delivery complications. Advocate also plans to offer free prescription programs to patients in need, and add vending machine-like pharmacy kiosks to some of its locations where patients can more easily get common medications. In all, the plan calls for Advocate to hire another 1,000 workers on the South Side over the next three years, in addition to keeping all of its current workers there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and local leaders heaped praise on Advocates plan this week noting how it could ease health disparities on the South Side. A 2019 NYU School of Medicine analysis found a 30 year difference between average life expectancies of residents of the Streeterville neighborhood on the North Side versus those of residents of the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. Residents of the South Side also face higher rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, according to UChicago Medicine. Its believed those disparities stem from a lack of access to health care, racism, economic instability, and a lack of access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity, among other things. Gov. JB Pritzker called it a monumental investment that represents a critical step toward advancing equity, in a news release. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a news release its a visionary initiative that takes direct aim at the systemic inequities that have persisted for generations. By expanding access to quality care, addressing chronic illnesses, and fostering sustainable job opportunities, this investment will not only enhance health outcomes but also empower and uplift entire communities, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction on the new hospital could begin by the end of next year, and it could be completed by 2029, pending state approvals, Blakely said. Advocate must still submit its plan for the new hospital to the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board for approval. This isnt the first time Advocate leaders have sought to transform care on the South Side. In early 2020, four South Side hospitals, including Advocate Trinity, announced a plan to combine into a single system that would have included the construction of a new hospital and the potential closures of others, to better serve patients and create financial sustainability. But the hospitals jettisoned that plan after lawmakers declined to set aside funding for the project. Hospitals on the South Side have long faced financial struggles partly because many serve populations that rely heavily on Medicaid, a state and federally funded health insurance program that often doesnt reimburse hospitals as well for care as private insurance. Also, more than half of South Side residents now leave the area for care, according to UChicago Medicine, which is also working to expand care on the South Side with construction of a new freestanding, $815 million cancer hospital in Hyde Park. Still, Blakely said, Advocates new plan is about addressing health inequities rather than finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a financial move, Blakely said of the plan. This is how does Advocate meet the needs of the community based on current utilization and our desire to close the health equity gap. State Sen. Elgie Sims, D-Chicago, said he hopes the new offerings allow more South Side residents to receive care closer to home. As opposed to somebody using the ER as their primary care physician, youll see this focus on preventive care, this focus on providing services early so it doesnt get to the point where the person has to be admitted, Sims said. Am I concerned about the reduction in beds? Absolutely, but am I encouraged by the investment in the increased quality of care? Absolutely. The current Advocate Trinity Hospital will continue serving patients until the new hospital opens, at which point Advocate said it will demolish the building, create a green space and work with the city and community to determine the best use for the property. The new hospital is planned to be LEED-certified and carbon neutral. It will be part of a more-than 400 acre site being developed by Related Midwest and CRG that will also be home to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, a computer research development, which will include tenants PsiQuantum and IBMs National Quantum Algorithm Center. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) is receiving $1.5 million in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh for affordable housing development. The money will assist with the construction of three new duplexes in the City of Youngstown along Glenwood Avenue and the renovation of four homes on Pearce Avenue and Lake Drive. YNDC is happy to announce this investment that will allow for the creation of another 10 high-quality new housing units along the greater Glenwood Avenue corridor as part of our long-term and incremental neighborhood stabilization work. We are grateful to our partners at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, PNC Bank, Mahoning County Land Bank, City of Youngstown, Mahoning County, The Raymond John Wean Foundation, Flying High and others for their support and partnership in creating this success, read a statement from Ian Beniston, YNDCs executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The projects will be completed in 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 WKBN.com. Posters are displayed next to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as he speaks at a news conference to unveil the Take It Down Act to protect victims against non-consensual intimate image abuse, on Capitol Hill on June 18, 2024 in Washington, DC. Cruz introduced the bipartisan "Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act" (TAKE IT DOWN) which would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery and require social media sites to remove nefarious imagery if it is flagged by a victim. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) This story was originally published by The 19th. More than two dozen members of Congress have been the victims of sexually explicit deepfakes and an overwhelming majority of those impacted are women, according to a new study that spotlights the stark gender disparity in this technology and the evolving risks for womens participation in politics and other forms of civic engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Sunlight Project (ASP), a think tank that researches disinformation and advocates for policies that promote democracy, released findings last week that identify more than 35,000 mentions of nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII) depicting 26 members of Congress 25 women and one man that were found recently on deepfake websites. Most of the imagery was quickly removed as researchers shared their findings with impacted members of Congress. We need to kind of reckon with this new environment and the fact that the internet has opened up so many of these harms that are disproportionately targeting women and marginalized communities, said Nina Jankowicz, an online disinformation and harassment expert who founded The American Sunlight Project and is an author on the study. Nonconsensual intimate imagery, also known colloquially as deepfake porn (though advocates prefer the former), can be created through generative AI or by overlaying headshots onto media of adult performers. There is currently limited policy to restrict its creation and spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ASP shared the first-of-its-kind findings exclusively with The 19th. The group collected data in part by developing a custom search engine to find members of the 118th Congress by first and last name, abbreviations or nicknames on 11 well-known deepfake sites. Neither party affiliation nor geographic location had an impact on the likelihood of being targeted for abuse, though younger members were more likely to be victimized. The largest factor was gender, with women members of Congress being 70 times more likely than men to be targeted. ASP did not release the names of the lawmakers depicted in the imagery to avoid encouraging searches. They did contact the offices of everyone impacted to alert them and offer resources on online harms and mental health support. Authors of the study note that in the immediate aftermath, imagery targeting most of the members was entirely or almost entirely removed from the sites a fact theyre unable to explain. Researchers have noted that such removals do not prevent material from being shared or uploaded again. In some cases involving lawmakers, search result pages remained indexed on Google despite the content being largely or entirely removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The removal may be coincidental. Regardless of what exactly led to removal of this content whether cease and desist letters, claims of copyright infringement, or other contact with the sites hosting deepfake abuse it highlights a large disparity of privilege, according to the study. People, particularly women, who lack the resources afforded to members of Congress, would be highly unlikely to achieve this rapid response from the creators and distributors of AI-generated NCII if they initiated a takedown request themselves. According to the studys initial findings, nearly 16% of all the women who currently serve in Congress or about 1 in 6 congresswomen are the victims of AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery. Jankowicz has been the target of online harassment and threats for her domestic and international work dismantling disinformation. She has also spoken publicly about being the victim of deepfake abuse a fact she found out through a Google Alert in 2023. You can be made to appear in these compromised, intimate situations without your consent, and those videos, even if you were to say, pursue a copyright claim against the original poster, as in my case, they proliferate around the internet without your control and without some sort of consequence for the people who are amplifying or creating deepfake porn, she said. That continues to be a risk for anybody who is in the public eye, who is participating in public discourse, but in particular for women and for women of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Image-based sexual abuse can have devastating mental health effects on victims, who include everyday people who are not involved in politics including children. In the past year, there have been reports of high school girls being targeted for image-based sexual abuse in states like California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. School officials have had varying degrees of response, though the FBI has also issued a new warning that sharing such imagery of minors is illegal. The full impact of deepfakes on society is still coming into focus, but research already shows that 41% of women between the ages of 18 and 29 self-censor to avoid online harassment. That is a hugely powerful threat to democracy and free speech, if we have almost half of the population silencing themselves because theyre scared of the harassment they could experience, said Sophie Maddocks, research director at the Center for Media at Risk at the University of Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no federal law that establishes criminal or civil penalties for someone who generates and distributes AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery. About a dozen states have enacted laws in recent years, though most include civil penalties, not criminal ones. AI-generated nonconsensual intimate imagery also opens up threats to national security by creating conditions for blackmail and geopolitical concessions. That could have ripple effects on policymakers irrespective of whether theyre directly the target of the imagery. My hope here is that the members are pushed into action when they recognize not only that its affecting American women, but its affecting them, Jankowicz said. Its affecting their own colleagues. And this is happening simply because they are in the public eye. Image-based sexual abuse is a unique risk for women running for office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susanna Gibson narrowly lost her competitive legislative race after a Republican operative shared nonconsensual recordings of sexually explicit livestreams featuring the Virginia Democrat and her husband with The Washington Post. In the months after her loss, Gibson told The 19th she heard from young women discouraged from running for office out of fear of intimate images being used to harass them. Gibson has since started a nonprofit dedicated to fighting image-based sexual abuse and an accompanying political action committee to support women candidates against violations of intimate privacy. Maddocks has studied how women who speak out in public are more likely to experience digital sexual violence. We have this much longer, women should be seen and not heard pattern that makes me think about Mary Beards writing and research on this idea that womanhood is antithetical to public speech. So when women speak publicly, its almost like, OK. Time to shame them. Time to strip them. Time to get them back in the house. Time to shame them into silence. And that silencing and that shaming motivation we have to understand that in order to understand how this harm is manifesting as it relates to congresswomen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ASP is encouraging Congress to pass federal legislation. The Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024, also known as the DEFIANCE Act, would allow people to sue anyone who creates, shares or receives such imagery. The Take It Down Act would include criminal liability for such activity and require tech companies to take down deepfakes. Both bills have passed the Senate with bipartisan support, but have to navigate concerns around free speech and harm definitions, which are typical hurdles to tech policy, in the House. It would be a dereliction of duty for Congress to let this session lapse without passing at least one of these bills, Jankowicz said It is one of the ways that the harm of artificial intelligence is actually being felt by real Americans right now. Its not a future harm. Its not something that we have to imagine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of congressional action, the White House has collaborated with the private sector to conceive creative solutions to curb image-based sexual abuse. But critics arent optimistic about Big Techs ability to regulate itself, given the history of harm caused by its platforms. It is so easy for perpetrators to create this content, and the signal is not just to the individual woman being targeted, Jankowicz said. Its to women everywhere, saying, If you take this step, if you raise your voice, this is a consequence that you might have to deal with. If you have been a victim of image-based sexual abuse, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative maintains a list of legal resources. SINGAPORE, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's external trade rebounded strongly in November, reversing October's decline, according to data released by Enterprise Singapore on Tuesday. Total exports rose by 10.7 percent in November to 58.8 billion Singapore dollars (about 43.5 billion U.S. dollars) compared to the previous month, following a 2.7 percent contraction in October, said Enterprise Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Year-on-year, non-oil domestic exports grew by 3.4 percent in November, overturning October's 4.7 percent decline. The increase was driven by a rise in electronic exports, although non-electronic exports saw a decrease. Non-oil re-exports also saw robust growth, expanding by 14.2 percent year-on-year in November, building on October's 7.1 percent increase. Both electronic and non-electronic re-exports contributed to this growth. Oil domestic exports recorded an 18.2 percent decline year-on-year in November "amid lower oil prices compared to a year ago," the report said. The owner of a world-famous Airbnb with a 25-foot shark sticking out of the roof has hit out at a local decision to enforce its closure. UK resident Dr. Magnus Hanson-Heine has lost a planning appeal from Oxford Council to ban the use of short-let accommodation for the quirky property known as the Shark House. He claimed he had not received a single complaint from neighbors and was being targeted by the council as a test case to shut down AirBnbs in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And he has now urged visitors to come while you can and vowed to continue for as long as we can. This home has an astonishing 25-foot shark sticking out of its roof. Tom Wren SWNS The residence is famous for its fishy feature. Tom Wren SWNS Hanson-Heines father, Bill Heine, had initially constructed the sculpture without official planning permission from Oxford City Council in 1986. For the last five years, he has been letting the property out on Airbnb for short-term stays but received notice from the council to shut it down after a member of the public complained about the change from residential use to a short-term let. Hanson-Heine has now been informed that he must stop using the property as a short-term let by March 11, 2025 a move which he believes will hurt Oxfords tourism industry overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shark House is a major tourist attraction, not just a regular family home. Its been a delight to be able to open it up to members of the public to celebrate it with us, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can, he said. Dr. Magnus Hanson-Heine has lost an appeal from Oxford Council to ban the use of short-let accommodation for the property. Oxford Mail / SWNS Ive yet to hear any complaints from our neighbors, even during the planning appeal, and the inspector found no such harm in his decision, the owner said. Tom Wren SWNS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive yet to hear any complaints from our neighbors, even during the planning appeal, and the inspector found no such harm in his decision, he continued, while also noting he had mostly had five-star reviews from guests to his property. Certain elements of the council have just used this as an excuse to score some cheap political points by going after a local landmark at the expense of the public, he said. This does nothing meaningful to help people looking for homes, and after March all they will have done is to rob people who want to experience this piece of Oxfords history from the inside. Oxfords tourism and accommodation sector will be significantly poorer for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanson-Heine called the inspectors decision unfortunate and suggested that advertising on platforms such as Airbnb doesnt necessarily constitute a change of use under current guidelines. People renting and sleeping in a home is the proper use of a home, and C3 class includes a wide range of uses, including many work-from-home businesses People shouldnt simply comply with bureaucrats looking to make up and prosecute their own interpretations of the law by threatening people, he said. These are peoples homes and livelihoods, and if the council wants to control who can stay in them, then they should go and buy their own. He also slammed politicians who use their existing failures as an excuse to grab for yet more personal power. He called the move a disgrace, adding that short-term rentals arent the cause of the housing crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suppose my message would be Come while you still can,' he added. The wacky addition towers over neighboring homes. Oxford Mail / SWNS Two years after it was originally built, Oxford City Council refused retrospective planning permission before the then-Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Heseltine intervened to allow it to stay. Bill Heine died in 2019 at age 74, and his son Hanson-Heine reignited his late dads battle with the authorities when he protested against it being added to a list of cultural assets. In the latest fight, Hanson-Heine appealed the change of use decision with the National Planning Inspectorate and said it would remain open to visitors until he was forced to close. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years the property has also become a tourist attraction in Oxford with visitors coming to see the Jaws-like creature crashing head-first through the roof. It also has secured rave reviews from guests with a 4.86 rating. The listing states the house can sleep up to 10 people with prices for a two-night stay as much as $2,537. Where properties have changed from being residential homes to becoming short-let businesses without planning approval, we do take enforcement action, weighed in Councillor Linda Smith, Oxford City Councils cabinet member for housing. We live in one the least affordable places for housing in the UK. There are nearly 800 properties let out entirely as short lets in Oxford, and we need those for people to live in and not as holiday accommodation. Hanson-Heine urged visitors to come while you can and vowed to continue for as long as we can. Oxford Mail/ SWNS.com Hanson-Heine previously spoke of his fears that having the home added to a Heritage Asset Register was a stepping stone towards getting it listed meaning more planning controls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inclusion of a building or place on the register does not place any additional legal requirements on owners. But Hanson-Heine said he was adamant he did not want it added to Oxford City Councils list of important pieces of heritage. My father always resisted giving any conclusive answer to the question what was the meaning of it, he said. It was designed to make people think for themselves, and decide for themselves what is art. But it was anti-censorship in the form of planning laws specifically. Dec. 17Hundreds of acres near the Chickasha Municipal Airport may soon be developed to bring more businesses to the area. The Chickasha Municipal Airport Authority, which consists of Chickasha's nine city council members, on Monday approved selling around 320 acres to the Oh Hitt Corp., owned by developer Chet Hitt, for an industrial park next to the airport. According to the agenda item, Hitt plans to bring "business and industry" to Chickasha, creating jobs and sales tax for the city. The item description said the land was developed 25 years ago, with a mile-long paved road, power lines and water line, for future development and bringing in business. However, the land has sat vacant since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appraisal, effective July 13 and conducted by Property Valuation Specialists, Inc. in Edmond, listed the market value of the 320 acres at $1,578,000. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Chickasha Municipal Airport Authority for future airport investment and development, according to the agenda item. Hitt, an Anadarko High School graduate, first started investing in Chickasha in 2022 after visiting the leg lamp following a class reunion. He decided to invest in the town with plans to build a distillery and has purchased the Savoy building for a barbecue restaurant, purchased the old railroad depot for a banquet hall, and expanded his California restaurant, Town's End Stillhouse and Grill, to the area. This undeveloped land by the airport is his next endeavor. " I flew in here in my plane and I saw a road to nowhere," Hitt told the Airport Authority. He said he then reached out to the City to learn more about the land and began working to purchase it, making connections that could be used to bring businesses to the area. His plan includes parceling the land into about 120 lots at an average of 25,000 square feet each, which he said will bring about 3,000 total jobs to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement " Right now, my particular goal is to put together a package that will present to about (200) to 300 potential clients that share the same red values as Oklahoma...in Southern California. We want to put a seminar together," Hitt said. Hitt told the Airport Authority he has spoken with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, Senator James Lankford, Rep. Tom Cole, Rep. Lonnie Paxton, and a member of Governor Kevin Stitt's office about the development project. He said Pinnell is willing to help pitch Chickasha to potential companies. " It's really boils down to this... you either want more jobs or create more opportunities and I'm going to do the best I can," Hitt said. " If you want growth, let me help you do some growth. If you don't want growth, vote me out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lengthy discussion followed among the Airport Authority over why the land had not been developed over the past 25 years, with some members asking if the City had reached out to companies and developers about this land. City staff said they have pitched the land numerous times without success. In 2016, the Journal Record reported about $400,000 was spent in road improvements. The city and the airport also split the cost of $500,000 for electric lines and $450,000 for water lines. A 30,000-square-foot building was reportedly going to be built as well, but never was. Some members raised concerns about when the proposal from Hitt to purchase the land was first brought to city staff and when the Airport Authority was made aware. Staff also said there were issues proving ownership of the land that were resolved recently. Councilmember Kea Ginn recalled voting on the airport's trust indenture from a Sept. 16. meeting, which amended Article III of the indenture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment removed Part H, the primary purpose of the trust, and replaced it with the "purposes to allow for the promotion of economic development" within and without the territorial limits of the beneficiary municipality, and included providing additional employment opportunities. "I do look at this as an opportunity and I do agree that we need a long-term plan for the park," Ginn said. " It's a great opportunity that would be foolish for us to ignore." Outgoing City Manager Keith Johnson said there are "always going to be inherent risks and challenges" with any large project. Johnson said it is important to keep the vision of creating more jobs and economic interest and called Hitt's proposal "worthy," saying it should be evaluated. Mayor Zachary Grayson said he did not believe the City had the resources to complete a project like Hitt's on its own. Johnson echoed the statement, adding that the incomplete infrastructure on that property would be a significant investment that the city doesn't have the resources for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It feels like we have a plan in front of us that has the backing, connections and an actual plan, or we have hope somebody else might want to (develop the land)," councilmember Erica Alexander said. "I think it's a big gamble if we turn down someone standing here wanting to take us to the dance and say no to what all citizens talk about constantly water, roads, jobs." The council approved the sale in an 8-1 vote. There is a current agricultural lease on the land that expires at the end of June 2025 which will be upheld. Hitt will have six months of due diligence to explore any issues that could prevent him from being able to accomplish his plan, such as water and sewer infrastructure, height restrictions and more. A period of due diligence is standard, according to City Attorney Amanda Mullins. If any issues are discovered during the due diligence period preventing the project, the contract can be terminated, earnest monetary returned and the land would go back to the Chickasha Municipal Airport Authority. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Akron Mayor Shammas Malik on Monday presented city council with a proposal to hire a law firm and a consultant to review and possibly revise the citys use of force policy. The proposal comes just weeks after the fatal police-involved shooting of Jazmir Tucker, 15, on Thanksgiving evening. Social Security retirement age set to change in 2025 Tucker was confronted and shot by an Akron police officer after the officer reported hearing gunfire from his patrol car, where he was completing an unrelated incident report, and confronting Tucker who was later discovered to have a loaded handgun inside a zipped-up pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident itself is under investigation by the Ohio BCI and will be followed by an internal departmental review to determine if the officer violated any department policy. Well before the death of Tucker, Malik had made it a priority of his administration to revisit the departments use of force policy. On Monday, he proposed hiring with the law firm Paul, Weiss and 21 CP Solutions, a policing consulting organization to facilitate a comprehensive review of the Akron Police Departments (APDs) use of force policy and related policies, trainings, accountability systems, and community perceptions of public safety. Before presenting the proposal to a council committee Monday afternoon, the mayor sat down with Fox 8 News to share his intentions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that obviously there is a lot of concern in our community around specific instances of use of force. This is the most consequential step that we can take in terms of working on this issue, looking at where we can do better, said Malik. The mayor says the city is in a cycle we are trying to break. The current system, the current practices dont work for everyone. There are a lot of people who dont have trust in the system and thats not just in policing, thats in government, more generally, so we have to show people that we are listening and take tangible steps especially in the places where peoples concerns are not coming out of thin air, he told Fox 8 News. Since the Thanksgiving evening shooting death of Tucker, Malik has openly questioned why the officers involved did not turn on their body worn cameras and has explained how he was disturbed by the length of time that had elapsed, approximately 10 minutes, from when Tucker was shot and when officers first started to render aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His concerns have been criticized by the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 in Akron, who asked for citizens to call the mayors office to complain. I encourage all member of this city to call the mayors office and complain about his irresponsible comments and inflamatory remarks during his press conference and let him know you stand with the Akron police department, FOP President Brian Lucey during public comment at a city council meeting Dec. 9. People can agree or disagree with it. I said what I intended to say, which is that I have concerns and I stand by them, Malik told Fox 8 on Monday. Council members last week also called on Malik to act, several insisting he immediately fire the officer involved in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel as a lawyer due process is important, I shared as I did when we released the body camera footage the concerns that i have and to me that was very impotant that the community know that i share the concerns that have been voiced in the community, said Malik. Among those in council voicing concerns last week were Councilmember Jan Davis and Council President Margo Summerville. When officers do the right thing, we should commend them. They should be celebrated, but when they do the opposite, we need to hold them accountable and there needs to be consequences, said Summerville. Both council members were joining Malik on Monday to introduce the proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on Friday the city of Akron stated: The team from Paul, Weiss will be led by former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The firm will work closely with 21 CP Solutions as a consultant that specializes in helping cities and communities effectively tackle the challenges of delivering safe, effective, just, and constitutional public safety services. Cleveland police officer indicted following shooting outside of school: I-Team The FOP President was also quoted as saying: Our officers welcome an open dialogue in the upcoming review process. Their input will be critical in the evaluation of the Akron Police Departments policies and trainings, and they will undoubtedly have invaluable feedback to provide to this process. As a union, were open to this policy review and the opportunity to engage with the consultant teams and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers arent against training officers arent against stronger policies, you know ten people might disagree with what a policy might look like but thats the conversation we are talking about having, said Malik. If accepted, the city says the study would last between five and six months. They may tell us that we need to change our policy, they may tell us that the policy is strong but the training is where we really need to improve they muight tell is that the practice is differentor that there are things that need structured better. Idont know what those things are going to be but i know that its well past time that we ask those questions, Malik told Fox 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. 36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 36,706 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? An Alabama woman is doing well after she received a pig kidney transplant last month, doctors have said. Towana Looney is the fifth American to be given a gene-edited pig organ. The experimental procedure was done at New Yorks NYU Langone Transplant Institute last month. Its like a new beginning, Looney, 53, told The Associated Press. Right away, she said, the energy I had was amazing. To have a working kidney and to feel it is unbelievable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looney isnt as sick as prior recipients who died within two months of receiving a kidney or heart from a pig. The transplant freed her from eight years of dialysis. Doctors expect her to return home to Alabama in three months. If the kidney were to fail, she could begin dialysis again. Pig kidney recipient Towana Looney stands with transplant surgeons Dr. Jayme Locke, left, and Dr. Robert Montgomery of New York Citys NYU Langone Health. Looney is recovering well ((AP Photo/Shelby Lum)) To see hope restored to her and her family is extraordinary, Dr. Jayme Locke, Looneys original surgeon who secured Food and Drug Administration permission for the November 25 transplant, told the news agency. She was discharged from the hospital 11 days after surgery to recover in a nearby apartment, although she was temporarily readmitted this week while her medications are adjusted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The surgery marks an important step ahead of formal studies of xenotransplantation any procedure that involves transplanting living cells, tissues, or organs from a non-human animal into a human recipient that are expected to begin next year. Montgomery looks at a monitor during the gene-edited pig kidney transplant surgery in November. He led the experimental procedure ((Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health via AP)) More than 100,000 people are on the US transplant list. The majority are waiting for kidneys. Thousands of people die waiting and many never qualify. Looney, who donated a kidney to her mother 25 years ago, experienced a complication during pregnancy that had damaged her remaining kidney. It eventually failed. But she couldnt get a match because she had developed antibodies abnormally primed to attack another human kidney. Tests showed shed reject every kidney that could be offered. The gene-edited pig kidney is seen moments after blood vessels are reattached. More than 100,000 people are on the US transplant list ((Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health via AP)) So, in April 2023, Locke filed an application for an emergency experiment. Eventually, the Food and Drug Administration allowed her transplant. There, Locke collaborated with Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kidney Looney received has 10 gene alterations. The Virginia-based therapeutics company Revivicor provided the organ. Looney with Jayme Locke earlier this month. The patient said the energy she had since the operation was amazing ((AP Photo/Shelby Lum)) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since her release earlier this month, Looney has been closely monitored. She returns to the hospital for daily checkups. A lot of what were seeing, were seeing for the first time, Montgomery said. With reporting from The Associated Press Residents of the Midwest, Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast may have heard of the term "Alberta clipper" when a winter storm is rolling through the region, but what is the meteorology behind the term? "Alberta clippers are fast-moving storm systems that travel southeastward out of central Canada into the Great Plains, Midwest and sometimes the East Coast," explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. The name comes from the typical origin area of the storm, the province of Alberta, Canada, although clippers can form anywhere along the Canadian Rockies or prairies. From there, the storm usually rides a southward dip in the jet stream into the U.S., moving very quickly. The name "clipper" refers to speedy sailing ships used in the early 1800s to cross the Atlantic. "These storms are most common in late fall and winter, and since they form at high latitudes, they often bring cold, polar air with them," said Sosnowski. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with cold Canadian air from the north, clippers often produce gusty winds that cause AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures to dive. In addition to being very cold, central Canada is often quite dry in the winter, with no bodies of water from which to pull moisture. This aspect of the storms, combined with their fast-moving nature, allows Alberta clippers to produce generally light snow as they move through the United States, around 1-3 inches. However, there are places where clippers can fuel larger amounts of snow with the help of the Great Lakes. "In the Great Lakes, Albert clippers often produce conditions that are favorable for lake-effect snow," Sosnowski said. No two Alberta clippers are exactly alike, and the overall weather pattern plays a large role in the impacts of the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on the precise weather pattern, clippers can reach the East Coast and transition into stronger coastal storms or even nor'easters," said Sosnowski, adding that this can lead to some of the Northeast's most intense winter weather. For the latest weather news check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) An Albion man was arrested earlier this month for allegedly raping a child, as police are concerned that there may be more victims. 30-year-old John D. Smith, Jr. was accused of raping a child younger than 11 years old. He was arrested and charged with first-degree rape and endangering the welfare of a child. The Albion Police Department said they wanted to get Smiths identity out to the public due to concerns there may be more victims. Anyone whose child may have come in contact with Smith is urged to contact their local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was taken to the Orleans County Jail and is being held on bail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. CHICAGO The city has a revenue and spending plan for the coming year, but getting it approved was contentious, and even the mayors most loyal supporters are telling him to work on his leadership. How we do things is just as important as what we do, and the way youve led this process has left the City Council fractured, Ald. Maria Hadden (49th Ward) told Mayor Brandon Johnson during Mondays meeting. As your senior alderperson in this city, Im telling you, you got to bring everybody together, Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward) added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the City Councils feedback and a close 27-23 budget vote, Johnson insists theres not a problem. My number has not changed. Everybody still has it, he said. Were better at receiving input from alders. Historically, as you know, many alders werent invited into this process. City Council passes budget without property tax hike, but many alders still oppose mayors plan WGN Full Coverage: Chicago Budget Battle The budget that passed was the Johnson administrations fourth proposal, with the first including a $300 million property tax increase that alders unanimously shot down. The mayor then sought a $150 million hike but backed off when it became alders had no appetite for it. He then pushed a $68.5 million increase that was also a no-go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to property taxes, the mayor tried for a 34 percent increase in the liquor tax that also did not make it into the final budget. But many under-the-radar tax increases and cuts did, including an increase on the tax on personal property leases, such as cloud computing and car leases. Additionally, the budget increases the citys amusement tax, raises the tax on checkout bags at the grocery store, and hikes the tax on various license fees and residential parking permits. The budget eliminated $74 million from guaranteed basic income and some small-business programs. At a youth leader networking event in the South Loop on Tuesday evening, Johnson touted the investments his budget makes in young people. Its important that we ensure that young people get to direct whats best for them. Young people, dont you get tired of older people acting like they werent young once upon a time? he said. Our city is headed in the right direction, you all and I believe thats in part because of our invest in young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics say the new revenue is short term fix and that much more work must be done to shrink the size of government. The mayors long-term solution: additional funding from the state. If we dont go together and Im committed to going together to Springfield to fight for progressive revenue, were not going to be able to continue to make the type of investments that weve made thus far, he said. Getting more money from Springfield is not a sure thing. After all, the state has a projected a budget deficit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A nurse at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is facing theft charges in connection to stealing thousands of dollars from his patient. According to the Department of Health, Trenton Duckworth, 23, became a registered nurse in February. Then 10 months later, he was arrested on allegations of stealing from his patient. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side While working at Orlando Health, Duckworth allegedly stole checks from his 75-year-old patient, according to an arrest affidavit. Hes only 23 years old; he hasnt been a nurse that long, said Yolanda Fernandez, PIO manager for the St. Petersburg Police Department. After becoming a registered nurse in February, he began working at HCA Florida Northside Hospital until June. Months later, Duckworth allegedly wrote himself a $5,000 check and forged his patients signature. It was the son of the patient who was very alert, Fernandez said. He was handling his dads finances, and he noticed that there was some checks that was made out to somebody with an unusual name, Trenton Duckworth. Yolanda Fernandez with the St. Petersburg Police Department said Duckworth also allegedly stole this same patients credit card information. Court records show he used it to buy gas, food, dog walking services, and to bet on sports. Gulfport woman stole Christmas decorations, mail from abandoned, storm-damaged homes: PCSO It happened during the time that he was at the hospital because he was between assisted-living facilities, Fernandez said. Fernandez said the victim in the case is 75 and suffers from dementia. A hospital spokesperson shared this statement with 8 On Your Side: Orlando Healths number one priority is the health and safety of patients, team members and visitors. We take allegations of misconduct seriously and have launched an internal investigation. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement. When you go into the hospital, you want your medical records to be private, said Fernandez. You certainly expect that youll have privacy another way. I know the hospital took this very seriously and contacted police immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Pete police detectives are looking into this to make sure there are no other victims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The cargo ship "GREEN NAGOYA" is seen at Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 16, 2024. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania in about 20 days. A new direct shipping route between China's Qingdao and southeast Africa was officially opened on Monday. Running on a weekly basis, this route adds a safe and fast maritime shipping alternative between China and Africa. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows an engineering vehicle being loaded onto the cargo ship "GREEN NAGOYA" at Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania in about 20 days. A new direct shipping route between China's Qingdao and southeast Africa was officially opened on Monday. Running on a weekly basis, this route adds a safe and fast maritime shipping alternative between China and Africa. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows the cargo ship "GREEN NAGOYA" being loaded at Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania in about 20 days. A new direct shipping route between China's Qingdao and southeast Africa was officially opened on Monday. Running on a weekly basis, this route adds a safe and fast maritime shipping alternative between China and Africa. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) The cargo ship "GREEN NAGOYA" waits to be loaded at Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 16, 2024. The vessel is expected to arrive at the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania in about 20 days. A new direct shipping route between China's Qingdao and southeast Africa was officially opened on Monday. Running on a weekly basis, this route adds a safe and fast maritime shipping alternative between China and Africa. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday lost her bid to serve as the top Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee, with veteran party member Gerry Connolly winning the majority of votes from the House's Democratic caucus. Ocasio-Cortez, 35, was one of multiple, younger Democrats who launched bids for ranking member seats on key committees, seeking to overcome older Democrats vying for the positions. Politico reported last week that Ocasio-Cortez had the support of the majority of Democrats on the Oversight Committee, which is "stacked with younger, more progressive members who tend to align more with her than Connolly." Ultimately, its the full caucus that decides who will serve in leadership roles on committees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House Democratic Steering Committee, which recommends committee roles to the full caucus, backed Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez in a 34-27 vote on Monday. And he won the full caucus vote 131-84 on Tuesday, NBC News reported. Last week, I explained my reasons for believing Ocasio-Cortez would be a good pick to lead Democrats on the committee, which will be tasked with overseeing the incoming Donald Trump administration. I noted her powerful messaging capabilities, her youth, her vow to balance focus on Trump with a broader focus on improving Americans lives, and her alignment with the late, esteemed former Oversight Chair Elijah Cummings. But Democrats ultimately elected to go with 74-year-old Connolly, who received strong support from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and centrist Democrats, to keep a watchful eye over the Trump administration in the next congressional term. Connolly, who announced last month that he was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, told reporters after his victory on Tuesday that hes ready to take on the Trump administration despite his health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump may feel more emboldened, but that may also make him more reckless, Connolly said. There is a law in this land, and were going to make sure its enforced. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Christine Lee, the alleged Chinese spy, has lost her legal challenge against MI5 after a tribunal warned there were legitimate reasons to warn MPs about her. Ms Lee had sued the domestic intelligence agency after it issued an alert in 2022 warning MPs that she was a suspected Chinese agent. She said the interference alert was issued for a political purpose, namely to serve the interests of the Conservative party and argued issuing it was unlawful and interfered with her human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Lee brought legal action, along with her son Daniel Wilkes, against the security service. But in a judgment on Tuesday, three judges at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal unanimously dismissed both claims. Lord Justice Singh, sitting with Lord Boyd and Judge Rupert Jones, said MI5 had issued the warning for legitimate reasons. The security service alerted MPs in January 2022 that it believed Christine Lee had engaged in political interference and activities for a branch of the Chinese Communist Party, a day after Boris Johnson, then prime minister, apologised to MPs for the Partygate scandal. 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 New York architect facing murder charges for a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings has been charged in the death of a seventh woman. Rex Heuermann, 60, was on Tuesday charged with killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000. Mack, 24, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family that year in New Jersey. Macks partial skeletal remains were first found in Manorville, New York, about 50 miles (80 kilometres) east of where her skull, hands and right foot were discovered on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They remained unidentified until genetic testing revealed her identity in 2020. Human hair found with Macks remains was sent for testing earlier this year and found to be a likely match with the genetic profile of Heuermanns daughter, prosecutors said in court papers. Valerie Mack went missing in 2000 - Suffolk COuty Police Department His daughter is not accused of any wrongdoing and would have been three or four years old when Mack died. Heuermann is set to appear in court in Long Island on Tuesday to face the new charge, and law enforcement officials are expected to hold a press conference afterwards. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings dates back to 2010, when police searching for a missing woman found 10 sets of human remains which were bound and hidden in undergrowth along a remote beach highway, prompting fears of a serial killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2011, police had discovered four additional sets of human remains, including those of Mack, Jessica Taylor, a female toddler and an unidentified Asian man. Over the years, investigators used DNA analysis and other clues to identify the victims, many of whom were sex workers. In some cases, they connected them to remains found elsewhere on Long Island years earlier. Police also began re-examining other unsolved killings of women found dead on Long Island. Rex Heuermann is set to appear in court in Long Island on Tuesday - Suffolk County Sheriffas Office The case has dragged on through five police commissioners, more than 1,000 tips and doubts about whether there was a serial killer at all. Investigators were left puzzled as to how the victims were killed, and in 2020, the unsolved murders became the subject of the Netflix documentary Lost Girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuermann, who lived with his wife and two children in Massapequa Park on Long Island and commuted to a Manhattan architecture office, was arrested on July 13, 2023, and charged with murdering Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. His arrest came after a renewed investigation linked him to a pick-up truck a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared in 2010. Detectives later matched the DNA from a pizza crust he discarded in Manhattan to a male hair found with the Gilgo Beach human remains. He was charged in the deaths of three other women Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla and Taylor earlier this year and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Rex Heuermann is accused of killing Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes - Suffolk County Police Department In a June court filing, prosecutors said they had recovered a file on a hard drive in Heuermanns basement that he used to methodically blueprint his killings including checklists with tasks to tick off before, during and afterwards, as well as lessons for next time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court papers on Tuesday, prosecutors said that document, which was created the same year as Macks murder, includes details that align with her case. For example, it names Mill Road a road near where Macks first remains were found under the heading DS, which investigators believe stands for dump site. The document also lists foam drain cleaner under supplies. Prosecutors said that on October 3, 2000, Heuermanns phone records appear to show him making two calls to a Long Island plumbing company, and he paid another company the following month to check his mainline drain. In September, authorities released new renderings of an unidentified victim who was found in 2011. Officials said the victim, who for years they had identified as male, may have presented outwardly as female and died in 2006. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors are also looking into the death of Karen Vergata, whose remains were first discovered in 1996 and finally identified in 2022 after a new DNA analysis. 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. RIVERHEAD, N.Y. - Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been charged with a seventh murder. Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from New Jersey who had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area, in 2000. For years, she was known only as "Jane Doe #6." Her partial remains were found in Manorville, Long Island in 2000, and more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later. "The defendant is now charged with the murders of seven young women," Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney said. He was joined by the family of the seven victims at a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss the new murder charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuermann spoke in court Tuesday. "Your honor, I'm not guilty of any of these charges," he told the judge. It was the first time since that first day in July of 2023 that Heuermann has spoken in court. "I didn't direct him to speak. I know he's extremely frustrated. He has said since day one, he is not responsible for these murders," defense attorney Michael Brown said. Mack's parents were in court, and declined comment. "The lives of these women matter," Tierney said. "At least we can provide them with a small measure of closure." "Most of all, however, they want justice for those who were murdered an who were buried at Gilgo Beach," said Gloria Allred, an attorney representing some of the victims' families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial date has not yet been set, but the judge said more hearings will held in February. Court documents reveal new details According to the court documents, hairs found near Mack's severed wrist were linked to Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup and daughter, to the exclusion of 99.65% of the North American population. Heuermann's daughter would have been a young child at the time of Mack's killing, and neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in the case. Court documents also reveals pornographic images of sexual torture that were found on Rex Heuermann's electronic devices showed bindings similar to rope ligatures found on Mack's remains. Records also show he reached out to a plumbing company for draining of his home's pipes after Mack was murdered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents further allege in Heuermann's planning document, he references a dump site as Mill Road. Mack's remains were discovered near Mill Road in Manorville. "All of it is consistent with the murders occurring in the home," Tierney said. Court documents allege a similar cutting instrument was used to dismember Mack and another victim, Jessica Taylor. The indictment also alleges Mack's tattoos were removed. The removal of tattoos is also allegedly on a document Heuermann allegedly had that authorities have described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder, complete with checklists of things to do before, during and after killing someone. Court documents also reveal that inside Heuermann's office they found many magazines and articles about the serial killer case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People [Magazine]. There was a New York Times article in the safe, other news articles," Tierney said. "There are many people who are infatuated with this case, not just in Suffolk County but across our country," Brown said. Heuermann accusations to date Heuermann, 61, has previously pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of six women between 1993 and 2011. The remains of 11 people were discovered around Gilgo Beach during that period, and investigators believe Heuermann may be linked to other killings. The Suffolk County DA has said there could be future indictments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four of the victims had their bodies disposed of near Gilgo Beach. Two others were murdered as far back as 2003 and 1993. Each of them had been involved in sex work. Prosecutors allege Heuermann is linked to the murders through DNA, burner phone data, a description of his truck, internet searches and what they described as a blueprint for how to get away with murder. The women he is accused of killing to date are Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla, Taylor and now Mack. Attorneys wrangle over DNA, volume of evidence A key point of contention in the new DNA evidence is called SNP, which prosecutors say links hairs on six of the seven victims to Heuermann. The defense has called an outside lab's methods of genetic testing unproven and "magic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another hurdle for prosecutors is the sheer volume of evidence. The DA says they're struggling to keep up with the costs of processing the 120 terabytes of data and 400 electronic devices seized. Heuermann's attorney says his client is looking forward to his day in court and will be pursuing a change of venue, claiming the jury pool in Suffolk has been "poisoned." The defense attorney wants to separate the cases at trial. "We will be filing a motion to separate especially the first four from the next two, and then from the seventh," Brown said. The district attorney says the conversation continues, and additional charges linked to other victims could be forthcoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuermann remains in isolation in jail. Read the superseding indictment Rex Heuermann - Superseding Indictment 12.17.2024 by CBSNewYork Scribd on Scribd 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 The Detroit neighborhoods of Corktown, North Corktown and Hubbard Richard received a loving tribute Saturday when a new art installation was unveiled in their honor. I Am Because We Are, a massive photographic mural by local artists Jessica Trevino and Romain Blanquart, spans two sides of the former APAC building at 1800 Eighteenth St. in Detroit. The piece honors the resilience, diversity and interconnectedness of the community while drawing inspiration from the African philosophy of Ubuntu: I am because we are. It features 104 portraits of residents whose stories and histories embody the essence of the three neighborhoods. The sun shines on a mural, "I Am Because We Are, early in the morning in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The mural, created by local artists Jessica Trevino and Romain Blanquart, spans two sides of a building in North Corktown with 10 by 23 feet banners and features 104 portraits of residents whose stories and histories reflect the essence of the Corktown, North Corktown, and Hubbard Richard neighborhoods. See also: After 50 years, Michigan's oldest book club still going strong Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Saturdays community unveiling, the artists, both former Detroit Free Press photographers, and many of the people featured in the portraits were present, with live holiday music and the Hubbard Richard Residents Association serving refreshments. This mural is a celebration of the people who make these neighborhoods so vibrant and unique, said Blanquart. It would not have been possible without the incredible support of our community members, partners, and funders. Their generosity, collaboration, and shared commitment to preserving the spirit of these neighborhoods have been inspiring. This installation comes at a time of rapid transformation for the area, marked by the reopening of Michigan Central Station and other developments. While these changes bring hope and opportunity, they also raise questions about preserving the unique identities of the neighborhoods. The mural serves as a reminder of the people who have made these communities what they are today and the importance of safeguarding their as well as welcoming new residents. The mural will remain on display for several months. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Photographic mural honors 104 Detroiters in 3 neighborhoods Amazon (AMZN) is reportedly hitting pause on its return-to-office (RTO) plans due to a shortage of office space. The company had originally planned to bring all employees back to the office five days a week starting Jan. 2, 2025, but certain locations are not yet prepared to accommodate the full workforce, according to Business Insider, which cites internal notifications. Employees in cities like Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, and New York have received notifications that they can continue with their hybrid work arrangements until their offices are ready. The delays could extend as far as May, though Amazon expects the majority of workspaces to be prepared by January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in mid-September, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy sent a memo to staff outlining the companys decision to return to being in the office the way we were before the pandemic. In mid-October, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman reinforced the rigid in-office policy, claiming that innovation could not happen if were not in person. That statement quickly faced backlash from employees, particularly those used to the flexibility of remote work, who said they were appalled by the remarks. The new five-day policy is also stricter than what existed before the pandemic and more rigid than some of Amazons competitors. This isnt the first time Amazons RTO plans have hit a snag. When the company first required employees return to the office three days a week last year, many locations were unprepared to house all of the workers. Now, as Amazon works to resolve these space issues, employees are being told to prepare for a full return by the target date, regardless of whether their designated workspaces are ready. Meanwhile, other big retailers, like Starbucks (SBUX) and Walmart (WMT), have also implemented tough office return policies for their employees. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A few weeks ago, I launched a new video podcast series called Bring It Home, which highlights the American Reindustrialization Renaissance. Each episode tackles a different topic related to reindustrialization. So far on Bring It Home, weve covered the vast resources and advantages of Memphis, the shale revolution, supersonic airplane innovation, toy reshoring, factory automation and the importance of mining. You can find these episodes on YouTube. Dont forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be alerted about new episodes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why do I care so much about this topic? It goes back to my trucking roots. I am bullish on anything that drives more domestic trucking freight, and few things are as powerful for trucking freight demand as domestic manufacturing. Domestic manufacturing vs. imports When it comes to driving freight demand, domestic manufacturing has an impact that imports cant match. Both contribute to the movement of goods across the United States, but the effect of home-grown production on trucking and transportation is far more significant. Upstream supply chains are freight machines Consider two identical products: one manufactured in China and the other in the United States. Despite their similarities, the American-made product generates markedly more freight demand than the Chinese one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the product manufactured domestically, each component is often sourced locally, involving multiple trucking operations. From raw material extraction to parts manufacturing, nearly every piece in the supply chain is moved by surface transportation, often trucking. This multilayered approach means that even before the final product leaves the assembly line, it has already contributed to substantial domestic trucking freight activity. In contrast, the product from China arrives in the U.S. nearly complete. Typically, the imported item makes just one primary journey from port to a distribution center, reducing the need for additional freight movements. For example, consider a car made in the U.S. The steel might start its journey at a mill in Pennsylvania, then travel to a machining facility in Ohio, move to a stamping plant in Indiana and finally arrive at an assembly line in Michigan. Each step involves trucking, creating a ripple effect of freight demand nationwide. In contrast, imported goods arrive at U.S. ports nearly finished. Importing involves fewer domestic trucking trips as the final assembly is done before the goods reach American shores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This difference in supply chain complexity directly translates into more truck trips for domestically manufactured goods versus imports. Just-in-time: A truckers best friend The just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing model, widely adopted by American manufacturers, significantly boosts freight demand. Designed to minimize inventory costs, JIT relies on frequent, smaller shipments of components and materials, leading to a constant stream of trucks to keep production lines moving. JIT manufacturing demands responsive, agile transportation that suits trucking perfectly. Unlike the bulk shipments associated with imports, which arrive in large quantities at ports, domestic JIT supply chains require a steady flow of smaller deliveries, increasing both the frequency and geographic spread of truck trips. The heartland factor The geography of domestic manufacturing also significantly boosts trucking demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many new U.S. manufacturing plants are in the South and Midwest, far from coastal ports, favoring highway transportation over intermodal options, which are more efficient at coastal ports. Intermodal transportation is efficient for long hauls, especially for imports from coastal ports. However, for the shorter, varied routes typical of domestic manufacturing supply chains, trucking is superior. The multiplier effect of Made in America In the grand scheme of freight transportation, domestic manufacturing clearly leads in generating trucking demand. From complex supply chains to JIT models, from extensive distribution networks to geographic advantages, American-made goods keep the trucking industry vibrant in ways imports cannot match. This increased demand not only supports the transportation sector but also contributes to job creation, economic growth and the vitality of American manufacturing. As we witness a resurgence in domestic manufacturing, we can expect an even greater boost to trucking freight demand, further strengthening the vital link between Made in America and the trucking industry. The post American reindustrialization: A powerhouse for trucking demand appeared first on FreightWaves. Two years after it was first proposed, the American single malt whiskey category finally has a legal definition from the TTB, the U.S. governmental agency that regulates alcohol. Many distilleries, particularly in the craft world, have been pushing for this and eagerly awaiting this news. But, as is the case with many other topics in the whiskey world, there are some who are not happy about the new guidelines. The point of the definition is to protect and define the American single malt category in the same way that bourbon, rye, and other types of American whiskey are. The American Single Malt Commission (ASMWC) proposed certain defining rules, and the TTB announced on Friday that these will be binding. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a landmark ruling from the TTB that further cements our standing on the global stage in whiskey, said ASMWC president Steve Hawley in a statement. We applaud TTB for hearing the call from distillers, purveyors and fans of American single malt, and formalizing a definition that supports and protects our producers both here and abroad. Its a momentous day for American single malt whiskey, and this is just the beginning of a bright future for the category. The guidelines are as follows: American single malt must be made from a fermented mash of 100 percent malted barley at one distillery in the U.S; distilled to no more than 160 proof; aged in used, new charred, or un-charred oak barrels; no neutral spirits can be used; and no color, flavoring, or blending materials can be used except for caramel coloring, which must be disclosed on the label. Also, straight American single malt must be aged for a minimum of two years. Distillers like Virginia Distillery Company CEO Gareth H. Moore (who is also the ASMWC treasurer) are pleased with the decision. Americans have been distilling whiskey for centuries, and Im so thrilled to see that the TTB has finally announced American single malt as an official and protected category of American whiskey, he said in a statement. The category will further broaden the view of the American whiskey consumer and fuel innovation and premiumization across domestic products. Westland Distillerys managing director, Jason Moore, echoed the sentiment. Westland was founded on the conviction that American single malt could and should stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest whiskeys in the world, he said. For more than a decade we have been at the forefront of this new category diligently working to establish it on the global stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As mentioned before, there is at least one (and probably more) distiller who is not as giddy about the new rules. Minnesota distillery Brother Justus is specifically opposed to the distillation proof cap due to the fact that it distills its American single malt, as its been able to call the whiskey until now, to a slightly higher proof. While having a legal definition is a good thing, having the wrong definition that stifles innovation and limits the freedom to craft better flavors for consumers is worse than no definition at all, said CEO Phil Steger. We believe [the distillation proof cap] limits creativity, innovation, and freedom of the distiller, the flavor, quality, and variety of the whiskey, and the choices of the consumer. Fundamentally, it doesnt account for the nuances in the character of barley, which have never been fully explored in American whiskey until now. He goes on to say that these guidelines will not benefit American single malt at all. Instead, they will help buttress the dominance of scotch, which just watched American distillers bind their own hands in the international flavor wars, and bourbon, which doesnt have to adapt to a single malt flavor revolution because distillers must now make American single malt the way they make bourbon. Steger says he is exploring legal options to counter the new ruling, and Brother Justus will continue making its whiskey and calling it American single malt. It remains to be seen if the new guidelines will further boost the profile of American single malt, a category that is dwarfed by bourbon and rye even as big distilleries like Beam, Bulleit, and Jack Daniels have gotten in on the action. And with the return of tariffs on American whiskey looming under the next Trump administration, the category could be facing some serious headwinds. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. DAMASCUS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Syria's interim Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir on Tuesday called on Syrians displaced abroad to return home and invest in rebuilding Syria. The caretaker government has taken over state institutions through a smooth transition from ministries previously run by Bashar al-Assad's government, al-Bashir told Al Jazeera in an interview. "Our priority is to maintain services, establish security and stability, and avoid chaos," he said. "We have succeeded in doing so." The caretaker government faces significant hurdles, including corruption, crumbling infrastructure, and lingering debts, he said, urging the international community to lift sanctions on Syria and release frozen funds. He also outlined plans to safeguard citizens' property and provide basic services, promising that the new leadership would prioritize modernizing Syria's governance and economy to meet the aspirations of its people. Al-Bashir, a former regional leader in northwestern Syria, was appointed on Dec. 10 to head a transitional government until March 2025. His appointment followed a military operation launched on Nov. 27 by a militant alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which captured Damascus within 12 days. Al-Assad has fled the country following his government's downfall. China said Tuesday it was expanding its visa-free transit policy, allowing Americans and other eligible foreign travelers to stay in parts of the country as long as 240 hours, or 10 days, as officials try to attract more overseas visitors. Chinas National Immigration Agency announced the measure, which is effective immediately, on its WeChat account, saying passport holders from 54 countries are eligible. They include countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia, as well as the U.S. and Canada. Previously, travelers could stay in China visa-free for as long as 72 to 144 hours depending on where they visited, as long as they continued on to third countries or regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travelers with confirmed tickets to exit China within 10 days can enter the country in 60 places across 24 provinces, including the capital, Beijing, and Chinas largest city, Shanghai. The expanded scheme also allows transit visitors to travel across regions during the 10 days, with some restrictions. Tourists posing for photos at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing last month. Visa waivers for transit passengers are popular among travelers, including Americans, who might otherwise be required to go through a tedious visa process for travel to China or elsewhere. China, the worlds second-biggest economy, which has been trying to bring back international visitors as it struggles to emerge from three years of pandemic isolation, has steadily eased its visa policies in recent months. Passport holders from 38 countries no longer need visas at all, enabling them to stay in China for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange and transit purposes. They include France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and even Japan, with which China has a historically tense relationship, but not the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The immigration agency said in October that the number of foreign travelers to China had jumped nearly 50% year-on-year, while the number of visa-free entries was up almost 80%. Tourists eating dumplings fresh from the pot in Harbin, China, on Dec. 7. Last month the State Department lowered its travel advisory for China from Level 3, advising Americans to reconsider travel, to Level 2, or exercise increased caution, putting it on par with the travel advisories for France and Germany. The move was prompted by the Biden administrations announcement that it had secured the release of three Americans who had been detained in China for years. The Level 3 advisory, the second-highest level, had warned about the risk of wrongful detentions in China, where more Americans are detained than in any other foreign country, according to the Dui Hua Foundation, an advocacy group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the three Americans the State Department officially classified as wrongfully detained, Kai Li and Mark Swidan, were among those released in November. The third, David Lin, was freed in September after almost 20 years in detention. The language about wrongful detentions has been removed in the updated advisory, though it still warns of arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans. Beijing said it hoped the updated U.S. advisory would promote academic and other exchanges between the two countries, which have fallen off dramatically amid pandemic restrictions and geopolitical tensions. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (AP) At a time of heightened political division, Americans' confidence in their countrys judicial system and courts dropped to a record low of 35% this year, according to a new Gallup poll. The United States saw a sharp drop of 24 percentage points over the last four years, setting the country apart from other wealthy nations where most people on average still express trust in their systems. The results come after a tumultuous period that included the overturning of the nationwide right to abortion, the indictment of former President Donald Trump and the subsequent withdrawal of federal charges, and his attacks on the integrity of the judicial system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drop wasnt limited to one end of the political spectrum. Confidence dropped among people who disapproved of the country's leadership during Joe Bidens presidency and among those who approved, according to Gallup. The respondents werent asked about their party affiliations. Its become normal for people who disapprove of the countrys leadership to also lose at least some confidence in the court system. Still, the 17-point drop recorded among that group under Biden was precipitous, and the cases filed against Trump were likely factors, Gallup said. Among those who did approve of the countrys leadership, there was an 18-point decline between 2023 and 2024, possibly reflecting dissatisfaction with court rulings favoring Trump, Gallup found. Confidence in the judicial system had been above 60% among that group during the first three years of Bidens presidency but nosedived this year. Trump had faced four criminal indictments this year, but only a hush-money case in New York ended with a trial and conviction before he won the presidential race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases, which pertained to Trumps efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Other Gallup findings have shown that Democrats confidence in the Supreme Court dropped by 25 points between 2021 and 2022, the year the justices overturned constitutional protections for abortion. Their trust climbed a bit, to 34%, in 2023, but dropped again to 24% in 2024. The change comes after a Supreme Court opinion that Trump and other former presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution. Trust in the court among Republicans, by contrast, reached 71% in 2024. The judicial system more broadly also lost public confidence more quickly than many other U.S. institutions over the last four years. Confidence in the federal government, for example, also declined to 26%. That was a 20-point drop not as steep as the decline in confidence in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trust drop is also steep compared with other countries around the world. Only a handful of other countries have seen larger drops during a four-year period. They include a 46-point drop in Myanmar during the period that overlapped the return of military rule in 2021, a 35-point drop in Venezuela amid deep economic and political turmoil from 2012 to 2016 and a 28-point drop in Syria in the runup and early years of its civil war. The survey was based on telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,000 U.S. adults between June 28 and August 1. Revisiting a June decision to begin fluoridating their citys drinking water, the Leesburg City Commission decided to stay the course Monday night but its discussion showed how the politics of the issue have changed in a few short months. Commissioners in Leesburg the second largest city in Lake County, and one that has never added fluoride to its drinking water voted 3-2 in favor of fluoridation, after giving the dental health initiative unanimous support in June. In the interim, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo in late November called on Florida communities to stop fluoridating, suggesting the chemical is harmful, especially to children. Leesburg commissioner Jay Connell, who led a charge to reverse the citys course, cited Ladapos advisory in a Monday meeting as a reason he has rethought his initial support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really dont think we should be moving forward on an issue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars more taxpayer money when we have other cities that are already doing this, theyre looking to stop it, and were going to be the ones to move forward with it? he said. I think its craziness. But Mayor Jimmy Burry, a pharmacist, said he had no doubts fluoride is beneficial. All these professional organizations of healthcare professionals are telling us that this is a safe and effective way to prevent cavities, he said. Its factual. Theres not a lot of debate about the levels of fluoride that improve dental health. Even before Ladapos advisory, Lake County had been Central Floridas least receptive to fluoridation, with only 15.1% of its water system customers receiving fluoride in their water, compared to 79.7% in Orange County, 82.6% in Seminole and 97.8% in Osceola. Only three cities Tavares, Eustis and Umatilla currently fluoridate, but the issue had not been debated publicly for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, however, Tavares will consider Wednesday whether to end the practice. Water fluoridation, a common practice in the United States since 1945, is widely credited with slashing rates of tooth decay. But some recent studies have suggested that fluoride, in larger amounts than is commonly added to drinking water, may be linked to the reduction of IQ in children and increased risk for ADHD. That has led skeptics to stoke controversy regarding fluoridation, most prominently Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom U.S. president-elect Donald Trump intends to appoint as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to Trumps election victory, Kennedy had promised Trump would call to halt fluoridation on his first day as president. Ladapo issued his advisory at a press conference in Winter Haven, which voted in November to end fluoridation. In the Leesburg commission meeting, Connell voiced concerns over whether the Trump administration could issue regulations that would force Leesburg to discontinue its fluoridation efforts, with nothing but wasted money to show for it. Historically, the federal government has not regulated fluoridation, leaving the issue to local governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contractor hired by the city has until August to complete the fluoridation project, which is expected to cost around $600,000. Dr. Alan Hays, Lake Countys Supervisor of Elections and a former Republican member of the Florida Legislature who previously practiced dentistry for 27 years, spoke in support of fluoridation Monday evening. Im here because of the children of Leesburg today, who are going to be the parents of children in the future, deserve to have the advantage of fluoride protection in their teeth, he said. You have that ability and to not give that to them is, in my personal opinion, unkind, at least, if not irresponsible, and maybe even a dereliction of your duty as a commissioner. But Nicole King, a registered nurse who practices in Leesburg, said fluoridation is a violation of informed consent. We also want to make sure that our communities know what is being put into their food and water, and again, this is informed consent so that they can agree to these medical interventions, she said. If we are still on the fence about fluoridation, we ask that you please call to pause adding fluoride to your public water systems to see what our state and or federal government may change. As President-elect Donald Trump promises the largest deportation of migrants in American history, New York Citys public school system is reminding principals and administrators not to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement onto school grounds. Project Open Arms, a team tasked with enrolling migrant students in local schools since 2022, will hold training sessions in January for school administrators on what to do if nonlocal law enforcement officials request access to [New York City Public Schools] facilities, students or student records, according to a memo this week obtained by the Daily News. Im hoping humanity will prevail, and they wont toss 5-year-olds out, said the Manhattan principal of a school with a large population of migrant students. The principal was not authorized to speak with the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education officials and advocates are concerned migrant families may keep children home from public schools, fearing deportation efforts. The training for administrators is another way the school system can help build confidence that immigrant families are safe in government-run schools. The training sessions are based on existing policy for the school system. ICE and other noncity enforcement cannot just walk into a building and see children, put quite simply, city Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said Dec. 5 at a Brooklyn school district town hall. Trump made mass deportations a key issue of his presidential campaign, which has already spurred concern about anti-migrant rhetoric in the classroom. After his election, he tapped Thomas Homan as his border czar. Homan, who met with Mayor Adams last week, has promised to do the job of carrying out deportations with or without the help of New York City officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city school system does not require proof of citizenship. Schools with knowledge of a students immigration status may not enter it into their records and must keep it confidential, according to systemwide guidance. If an ICE officer has a warrant, administrators are supposed to have them wait outside the school building and contact senior field counsel for further instructions. The process also has staff record the name and badge or ID number of the agent, and the purpose of their visit during school hours, as well as contact a childs parents. There needs to be a subpoena, a court-ordered document, Aviles-Ramos said, and even still, we have this process in place, and this is why we are informing our families. This is why we are making sure that our principals are trained or, in some cases, retrained, on what those steps are. And so, nobody can walk in the building. School safety agent alerts the principal. The principal has to connect with field counsel. Parents have to be notified. There is a process in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two principal sessions are Jan. 9 and 16, according to the memo; the presidential inauguration is Jan. 20. School safety personnel will also receive training on the protocols, and the nonprofit Project Rousseau is hosting a dozen family or staff-facing Know Your/Their Rights presentations over the next few months. The worst thing that could happen is people are not confident and dont send their kids to school. Attendance will take a bigger hit than it already had with the [60-day local shelter] evictions, said Naveed Hasan, a member of the city Panel for Educational Policy and an advocate for immigrant students. We have to make sure theyre confident and keep coming to school. For the citys school chancellor, who rose to prominence a couple of years ago for leading the school systems response to migrant families arriving in the city, the issue is personal. Since then, an estimated 48,000 newcomers have enrolled in city public schools, a figure based on a growing number of students in shelters. Obviously, for those of you who know my story, [this is] very important to me, Aviles-Ramos said, because when we started supporting our asylum-seeking families, I was charged by First Deputy Chancellor [Daniel] Weisberg to launch what we called Project Open Arms. The work of Project Open Arms will continue, so were excited for more to come on that, but please know that we are committed to supporting all of our families, regardless of their status. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Anderson County Sheriffs Office said they are investigating a shooting after a woman was shot in the shoulder. Deputies said they received a call at 9 p.m. regarding a shooting on Circle Street, in Pendleton. The victim was transported to AnMed hospital. Deputies said no arrests have been made. 7NEWS will provide an update once more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ANDERSON COUNTY., S.C. (WSPA) At the end of each year, Anderson County officials pay their respects to the dead. 23 names were read aloud as county leaders and law enforcement gathered around at the Anderson County Cemetery. Its a tradition to honor those who died but their families did not have the money to pay for a proper service or next of kin couldnt be found. Anderson County Council funded this project about four years ago, and now we have an annual ceremony. This time every year to recognize those that have passed this year, Greg Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Anderson County Coroner said 20 to 40 people are remembered every year. We do hold on for about 12 months in case a family comes and wants to claim them. If we dont hear from them then we go ahead and spread their ashes here, said Shore. Before the coroners office spreads the ashes, the ceremony is led with songs, a prayer, reading of the names and then remarks about what honoring those who have passed on means to this community. It helps our staff to have this every year. We deal with families at their worst times. Theyve lost a loved one and its very stressful on all of us. This gives us some comfort to know that we have helped those that couldnt help themselves and had no more family, said Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afterwards, leaders stuck around to view the memorial wall filled with names. It just gives you comfort and feeling that we took care of 23 souls and were putting them on the wall to be recognized so that many years later, if a family member hears of their death and checks with our office and finds out that we took care of them, they can come here and say their name and their date of death on the wall, said Shore. The 23 people will have plaques that will be placed on the memorial wall by the end of January. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Police are investigating after two dead dogs were found dumped in Woodbridge last week, prompting animal rights activists to offer a $5,000 for information that can help with the investigation. The animals were discovered last Friday at the corner of Johnson Road and Brookwood Road, according to Woodbridge Regional Animal Control. The concerned citizen who found the dead dogs called the Woodbridge Police Department and animal control around 11:45 a.m. Both departments responded to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dogs were transported by animal control to the UConn Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsies. Animal control said both dogs were female and a micro bully type breed. One animal was an adult and the other was a juvenile. According to animal control, the adult was white and tan. The juvenile was white with brownish brindle patches around each eye and found in a garbage bag. Desmonds Army Animal Law Advocates is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever was responsible for dumping the dogs. Animal control said they are investigating along with police and are asking for the publics help. Anyone with information has been asked to call Woodbridge Regional Animal Control at 203-389-5991. LONDON (AP) Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson was freed from prison in Greenland on Tuesday after five months in custody, and will not be extradited to Japan where he is wanted on charges of obstructing a whaling ship. Watson is planning to return home to be reunited with his family during the festive season, he told The Associated Press upon his release. Im certainly quite relieved," Watson, 74, said during a video interview from Nuuk, Greenland's capital. "This gives me an opportunity to return home to my two children before Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan had asked Denmark to extradite Watson, who had been in custody in Greenland since his arrest under a Japanese warrant. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Wednesday in Tokyo that it was regrettable that Denmark rejected Japan's extradition request." He said Watson is still wanted in Japan and internationally and that Japan will continue to respond appropriately based on law and evidence. Watson's foundation said he faced a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison in Japan, which does not have an extradition treaty with Denmark. On his way back to France, where he has settled, Watson said he will be careful not to be caught again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have to make sure that I dont land in Iceland or another country where Interpol might try to have me arrested again, he said. Apparently, the red notice is still there," he added, in a reference to the system which flags people deemed fugitives to law enforcement worldwide and is one of the crime-fighting organization's most important tools. Interpol confirmed to AP that its red notice issued at the request of Japan is still valid, meaning that Watson could be arrested again. It is each member countrys decision whether to arrest an individual who is the subject of a red notice, which is not an international arrest warrant, the agency said. Watson should be safe in France. The country and its president, Emmanuel Macron, have been supportive of Watson, who said he was given an honorary citizenship by the city of Paris last week. I think that the support from France has been very instrumental in this case, Watson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canadian-American citizen is a former head of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, whose high seas confrontations with whaling vessels have drawn support from celebrities and featured in the reality television series Whale Wars. Japans coast guard had sought his arrest over an encounter with a Japanese whaling research ship in 2010 when he was accused of obstructing the crews official duties by ordering the captain of his ship to throw explosives at the whaling ship. Watson denied the accusation. Well, its a total fabrication. We never used explosives. Ever. We did use stink bombs, which are quite harmless, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson was subject to an Interpol red notice, and the captain a New Zealand citizen was convicted of assault and given a suspended prison term, which allowed him to leave Japan. Watson was arrested on July 21 when his ship docked in Nuuk, Greenlands capital. Japan had asked Denmark to hand over Watson so he could be tried in Japan. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. I think it all backfired on Japan, because this has put enormous focus on Japans continued illegal whaling operations," Watson said. "So my time here for five months has actually served a purpose. Its been an opportunity to continue to expose Japans illegal whaling activities. The Danish Justice Ministry said in a statement that the conditions for extradition were met, but it had not received adequate guarantees from Japanese authorities that the time Watson had already served in custody would be counted against any sentence he would receive in Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson left Sea Shepherd in 2022 to set up his foundation, which alleged at the time of his arrest that the action was politically motivated and called for his release. Japanese officials say their extradition request was not based on Watsons anti-whaling views but purely based on criminal allegations. He was detained in Germany in 2012 on a Costa Rican extradition warrant but skipped bail after learning that he was also sought for extradition by Japan, which has accused him of endangering whalers lives during his operations in the Antarctic Ocean. He has since lived in countries including France and the United States. He pledged to continue fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had five months of not really doing much, so Im not really tired, he said. But we have a ship, being prepared, to oppose Icelandic whaling operations in June next year. And we have a ship in Australia that is ready to intervene against Japan if they return to the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary. So were prepared to take action when we need to. Japan's says whale meat is part of its food culture and that it supports sustainable use of whales. Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019 and has since resumed commercial whaling within its exclusive economic zone. Whaling only continues to exist in Japan through massive subsidies, Watson claimed. In fact, $30 million from the tsunami relief fund was channeled into the whaling industry after 2011. So, you know, this does not benefit the Japanese people at all in any way, shape or form. In fact, what it is is an embarrassment to the Japanese people. ___ Associated Press Writers Jamey Keaten, David Keyton and Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report. Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been freed from a prison in Greenland and will not be extradited to Japan, the Danish Ministry of Justice announced today. Its good to be out and good to see that they are not going to send me to Japan and so have a go-home for Christmas, Watson said on social media after his release in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The only hard part was that my two little boys. I havent seen them since June. Watson was apprehended in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, in July while refueling a ship. Local police were acting on an Interpol red notice issued by Japan. It related to the alleged boarding of the Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru 2 in the Southern Ocean back in February 2010. The 74-year-old had denied all the charges, including one of assault, which could have led to 15 years in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last month he told the Guardian, I know that if I get sent to Japan, Im not coming home. Peter Hummelgaard, Denmarks minister of justice, said that he had not received sufficient assurances from Japans government that Watsons five months in jail would be deducted from any future sentence. That technicality was enough to see Watson released, and his lawyers said that after some lunch as a free man, he would find a way quickly to get back to his current home in Paris, where he lives with his partner and their two young boys. Related: Greenland Court Extends Marine Activist Paul Watson's Detention While he received support from some celebrities including French president Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Bardot and Pierce Brosnan (three names that you dont often see grouped together), the Japanese government had accused Watson and his various groups of eco-terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson was an early member of Greenpeace and founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Working under the Captain Paul Watson Foundation since 2022, he has continued his decades-long fight to stop commercial whaling. He is perhaps most famous for Whale Wars, the documentary-style weekly reality television series that aired in the U.S. in 2008. Japan withdrew from the International Whaling Commission in 2019 and has since resumed commercial whaling within its maritime exclusive economic zone. They claim that whale meat is part of its food culture and it supports the sustainable use of whales. We really don't need to add the inverted commas around sustainable. Its the second time Watson has evaded the Japanese authorities, having been arrested in Germany in 2012 on a Costa Rican extradition warrant, but skipped bail after learning that he was also sought for extradition by Japan. There was no immediate comment from the Japanese Embassy in Copenhagen. The Interpol red notice, the system which flags people deemed fugitives to law enforcement worldwide, remains in place and valid. However given President Macron gave Watson an honorary citizenship of the city of Paris last week, he will be safe in France. I think it all backfired on Japan because this has put an enormous focus on Japans continued illegal whaling operations," Watson told reporters before signaling he was far from done fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had five months of not really doing much, so Im not really tired, he said. But we have a ship, being prepared to oppose Icelandic whaling operations in June next year. And we have a ship in Australia that is ready to intervene against Japan if they return to the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary. So were prepared to take action when we need to. Related: Ocean Conservationist Paul Watson Arrested, Facing Extradition to Japan ANTIOCH, Calif. (KRON) An update now on a deadly hit-and-run investigation in Antioch. Police are releasing a photo of the car (below) that investigators ultimately believe killed a woman crossing the street back in October. More than two months after Patricia Redd was killed using the crosswalk at Lone Tree Way and Canada Valley Road in Antioch, the police department released a photo of the car involved. Its unfortunate that shes gone, Redds sister Terri said. Theyre doing the best they can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Antioch mayor aims to tackle spike in violent crime Investigators sat on the image for weeks before releasing it to the public to confirm it was in fact the car that struck Terri Redds 54-year-old sister on Oct. 12. This is especially frustrating for Terri, who has mourned her late sister at the crash site. She is now grateful the photo will reach more eyes. (Photo: Antioch Police Department) They just tell me that its a white sedan, Terri said. Investigators are looking for either a newer model Toyota Camry or Lexus. Patricia, who was homeless, died from the injuries she sustained that night 11 days after she was hit. Her sister has been hoping the driver would voluntarily surrender to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it doesnt seem like thats gonna happen. So, it looks like theyre gonna have to catch him. I hope they catch him, Terri said. Terri said she and her sister were close. 6-year-old boy killed after running onto San Jose freeway identified Shes my only sister, Terri said. You know, we were only 10 months apart. When she was feeling sad or hurt, I would feel it. Police say even seemingly minor details from potential witnesses in the area that deadly evening could have cracked this case. My sister she needs justice for this. I want to be able to put her to rest, Terri said. I dont think shes at rest right now until this is solved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A judge in New York denied on Monday U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's motion to throw out a jury's conviction of him in the hush money case on the grounds of presidential immunity. Juan Merchan, justice of the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, ruled that Trump's 34-count felony conviction in May for falsifying business records should not be overturned. Trump should receive broad immunity for official acts during his time in office does not mean the conviction should be dismissed and the evidence presented by the Manhattan District Attorney's office is not related to Trump's official conduct as president, according to Merchan. Trump's lawyers sought to dismiss the conviction via several avenues and the judge hasn't ruled on another similar motion on the grounds that Trump has been elected president. Trump faces up to four years in prison based on the conviction, though he could receive a shorter sentence, or merely probation. On May 30, a jury in New York found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in a bid to hide hush money payments to a porn star in 2016. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A bill advancing through the Statehouse would cement a definition of antisemitism into Ohio law and expand the criminal offense of ethnic intimidation. Senate Bill 297 passed with a 27-4 vote in the Ohio Senate on Dec. 11 to define antisemitism as a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the definition also states rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities. Property tax relief appears stalled at Ohio Statehouse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If signed into law, the antisemitism definition would be used when state agencies investigate ethnic intimidation, which S.B. 297 defines as the offenses of riot and aggravated riot committed by reason of the race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group. Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), the bills primary sponsor, said the legislation is needed given antisemitism is seemingly on the rise in these institutions of higher education, citing demonstrations on Ohio State Universitys campus earlier this year and a neo-Nazi march in Columbus in November. Johnson said Jewish students have increasingly found themselves facing discrimination, harassment and even violence. Such experiences not only create a hostile environment for Jewish students, for also undermine the very principles of diversity and inclusion that our universities are supposed to uphold, said Johnson shortly before the bill passed. It is essential for campuses, especially our state universities, to actively investigate and address antisemitism. Minority Leader Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) was one of four legislators to vote against S.B. 297 out of concern the legislation could be weaponized to suppress opposing views and deny First Amendment rights to Ohio citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These key Ohio education bills are still fighting for approval When democracies curtail peaceful protest, they violate the right to freedom of assembly and create conditions that can lead to violence, Antonio said on the Senate floor. I know that is not the intent of this bill. My fear is that, by curtailing the right to free speech, that may be the result. Andrea Britcher, a JewishColumbus board of trustees member, submitted testimony in favor of S.B. 297 earlier this month, citing recent FBI statistics that show anti-Jewish hate crimes rose to 1,832 incidents nationwide in 2023. This marked the highest number of anti-Jewish hate crimes ever recorded by the FBI since it began collecting data in 1991. In Columbus, weve seen Jewish students attacked walking home at night, swastikas graffitied at homes, anonymous callers spewing hate at city council meetings, and most recently masked neo-Nazis marching through the Short North, wrote Britcher. The struggle to combat antisemitism cannot fall only on the shoulders of the Jewish Community. We need our allies, from community members to lawmakers, to help stomp out hate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalid Turaani, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Ohio, echoed Antonios concerns in testimony he submitted against S.B. 297, arguing that the legislation is redundant and infringes on First Amendment rights. DeWine sounds off on taxes, death penalty, flag planting This bill threatens to stifle legitimate discourse on atrocities abroad, silencing Ohioans and Americans who engage in critical global conversations, wrote Turaani. The ability to speak out against injustice is fundamental to who we are as a nation, and we cannot allow this bill to jeopardize that right. Given S.B. 297 still needs to undergo review and a vote in the Ohio House, it is unlikely to be sent to Gov. Mike DeWines desk for signature before the end of the General Assemblys two-year session this week. Lawmakers could reintroduce the bill next session, which starts in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. House Democrats on Tuesday voted for Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) to become the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, electing him to the key position by a vote of 131-84 over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who was also vying for the role. House Democrats Steering and Policy Committee voted Monday night to recommend Connolly who is 74 years old and was recently diagnosed with cancer for the spot. The move was a hit for the 35-year-old Ocasio-Cortez, but she pressed on with her candidacy. The House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee which is headed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y) voted 34 for Connolly and 27 for Ocasio-Cortez on Monday, and the caucus clearly took its recommendation to heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The race has been part of a larger push by younger Democrats to replace veteran lawmakers at the top of committees. Ocasio-Cortez would have become the youngest Democrat to lead a House committee if the vote had gone her way on Tuesday. On Monday, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), 52, bested Agriculture Committee ranking member David Scott (D-Ga.), 79, and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), 72, to lead the Agriculture Committee. This is not a position I seek lightly, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a letter earlier this month in a bid to colleagues. The responsibility of leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee during Donald Trumps second term in the White House is a profound and consequential one. Now, more than ever, we must focus on the Committees strong history of both holding administrations accountable and taking on the economic precarity and inequality that is challenging the American way of life. Connolly, however, reportedly has a powerful ally. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been gathering support for the 74-year-old candidate behind the scenes. Last week, when speaking to the National Catholic Reporter, Pelosi said that she is backing newer members who are running for office, adding, This is with all the respect in the world for the chairmen who had been there and the contribution that they had made over time. But now others have come forward, and I respect the fact that theyre ready to take charge of their committees, and I support that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When speaking to Rolling Stone in September, Pelosi discussed her own decision to step down from the speakership and knowing when to pass the torch. Earlier this month, however, she made it clear she would support Connolly who announced in November that he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer but has begun treatment for the top seat. While Pelosi told Politico she wasnt certain on who would be in the Oversight race at the time, she has supported Mr. Connolly for that, should it be open. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Popular progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made her play. While her policy positions never changed, some noted that she seemed to push to the political middle during the campaign season. It was a move to seemingly curry favor with some of the party's power brokers. When she tried to play that chip on Tuesday for a powerful position on a House committee, it showed her progressive label still rankles in Washington. Even in her own party. On Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez lost her bid to lead the Oversight Committee to Gerry Connolly after Democratic leadership stated its preference for the 74-year-old from Virginia. The vote wasnt even close, with Connolly winning 131 votes to Ocasio-Cortezs 84 votes. The panel has broad powers and will help keep oversight of President-Elect Donald Trump Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the caucus, you know, has this process, made its decision, she told The Independent after the vote. I support ranking member-elect Connolly and I'm looking forward to doing the best we can. Tim Burchett, the conservative Republican from Tennessee who struck up an unlikely friendship with Ocasio-Cortez, said Democrats made a mistake. I'm happy for us, because the Democrats don't realize that in their youth circle, she is a rock star, he said. Ocasio-Cortez wasn't running against an incumbent but a fellow representative, one who carried the weight of Democratic stalwart Nancy Pelosi. It was a setback for Ocasio-Cortez and showed that even by playing the 'inside game' in the halls of Congress, the progressive from New York is fighting an uphill battle for recognition among her fellow - more moderate - Democrats. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came up short in her bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. (AP) Ocasio-Cortez arrived in Washington in 2019 when she beat Joe Crowley, the chairman of the House Democratic caucus who was considered a potential future speaker and the classic retail politician. During her first days as a congresswoman-elect, she joined a demonstration in front of Pelosis office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She would also endorsed her political mentor Bernie Sanders for president, which helped reinvigorate his 2020 campaign and spoke on his behalf at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. She and her fellow Squad mates were the only six Democrats to vote against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and led a protest against the end of an eviction moratorium on the steps of the Capitol in 2021. She voted against providing more aid to Israel and boycotted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress. At the same time, Ocasio-Cortez showed herself to be willing to work within the system. She quickly voted to make Nancy Pelosi speaker shortly after her first-days demonstration. She emerged as one of the best-prepared questioners who figured out how to make the most of her time on the Oversight Committee. When Harris became the Democratic nominee, Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent that other Democrats needed to protect her from racist and misogynistic attacks. During the first night of the Democratic National Convention, she gave a barn-burner of a speech where also said that Harris is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing hostages home. That line rankled some progressives since they likely would have hoped she would have tried to influence the Harris campaign to support stronger measures against Israel, but it also showed that Ocasio-Cortez wanted to be someone who could work with a potential Harris administration. Ocasio-Cortez also campaigned for Harris in Pennsylvania and Nevada, states with large Latino populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this was in the service of showing how she could be a loyal Democrat to push for more progressive policies. She never shifted her policy positions. As late as earlier this month, she told The Independent that she wanted Biden to commute more sentences, particularly for those on federal death row. But Ocasio-Cortezs coming up short shows the limits of her attempts to play an inside game. The loss was a blow to progressives hoping for larger say inside the Democratic party (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Older Democrats were quick to downplay Ocasio-Cortezs loss. South Carolinas James Clyburn, the former House majority whip who helped make Biden president, called the race between Ocasio-Cortez and Connolly just a regular intramural contest, adding that these fights were based on personalities. Debbie Dingell of Michigan said she has a long future ahead of her. Progressives were more sharply critical, with Becca Balint of Vermont telling reporters that Americans want members of Congress to fight, for them to be focused entirely on their constituencies and not on, you know, relationships within the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jamie Raskin, who is Ocasio-Cortezs longtime friend and supporter, said She ran a great race, and I know she'll be able to work really well with Gerry Connolly. Despite playing the inside game, progressives will still have to climb an uphill battle to earn the respect of their peers and gain actual influence the way that fringe conservatives have taken over the Republican party. WASHINGTON (AP) In a rare joint statement, the archivist and deputy archivist of the United States said Tuesday that the 1970s-era Equal Rights Amendment cannot be certified without further action by Congress or the courts, as Democrats press President Joe Biden to act unilaterally on its ratification before he leaves office next month. The five-decade push to amend the Constitution to prohibit discrimination based on sex remains stalled. Congress sent the amendment, which guarantees men and women equal rights under the law, to the states in 1972 and gave states seven years to ratify it, later extending the deadline to 1982. But the amendment wasnt ratified by the required three-quarters of states before the deadline. Four years ago, however, Virginia lawmakers voted to ratify the amendment, becoming the 38th and final state needed albeit nearly four decades after the congressionally mandated deadline for ratification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 120 House Democrats, led by Reps. Cori Bush and Ayanna Pressley, called on Biden on Sunday to direct the archivist to certify and publish the amendment despite the missed deadline. Solidifying your legacy on equal rights with a final action on the ERA would be a defining moment for the historic Biden-Harris administration and your presidency, they wrote to Biden. But the archivist, Colleen Shogan, and her deputy, William J. Bosanko, who are responsible for certifying and publishing new amendments once they meet the required ratification threshold, say neither they nor Biden can act without Congress or the courts lifting the deadline. In 2020 and again in 2022, the Office of Legal Counsel of the U.S. Department of Justice affirmed that the ratification deadline established by Congress for the ERA is valid and enforceable," they said in a joint statement. The OLC concluded that extending or removing the deadline requires new action by Congress or the courts. Court decisions at both the District and Circuit levels have affirmed that the ratification deadlines established by Congress for the ERA are valid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added: Therefore, the Archivist of the United States cannot legally publish the Equal Rights Amendment. As the leaders of the National Archives, we will abide by these legal precedents and support the constitutional framework in which we operate. Congress tried last year in the latest push to lift the deadline to allow for the amendment's ratification, but the measure didn't reach the required 60-vote threshold in the Senate. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who is leading the effort among Democrats in the Senate, insisted in a statement that the archivist's analysis was flawed and said she was wrongfully inserting herself into a clear constitutional process, despite the fact that her role is purely ministerial. She encouraged Biden to ignore the OLC memo and certify the ERA anyway. OLC memos are advisory in nature and can easily be disregarded by the current administration, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden White House has been discussing the possibility with lawmakers and in internal meetings, according to a person familiar with the matter, but believes the best path forward is for Congress to lift the deadline and thereby eliminate the risk of a legal challenge to the amendment. White House spokesperson Kelly Scully said: President Biden has been clear that he wants to see the Equal Rights Amendment definitively enshrined in the Constitution." Senior Administration officials have and will continue to engage with key Congressional leaders and other stakeholders on this issue in the weeks ahead, she added. "It is long past time that we recognize the clear will of the American people. An area Amber Alert ended early Tuesday morning after a 7-year-old girl was found. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Nora Judkins was last seen Monday night in the 3000 block of Harrison Avenue around 8 p.m., according to Cincinnati Police. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremey Judkins is accused of taking the child, the alert said. The area alert was originally issued around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday for Butler and Warren counties. Nora was found in the 7100 block of East Lawn Drive and reunited with her mother, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati. WKRC TV is reporting that Jeremey Judkins is in custody. We will update this story. Photo contributed by Cincinnati Police [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] People across the country are reporting seeing unexplained drones. Representatives for the federal government say the drones are not operated by the U.S. military but that there is no known security threat. Military bases and airports have acknowledged the sightings, sometimes leading to airport shutdowns. On Monday, President-elect Donald Trump claimed without providing evidence that the federal government, military and President Joe Biden knew the true nature of the drones but refused to comment, further fueling speculation about their origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the aerial object sightings that have been reported in recent weeks. Unexplained drone sightings were first reported in New Jersey New Jersey residents have reported seeing unusual lights in the sky for about the past month. Since then, the sightings have expanded to New York and Maryland. People have said they've seen clusters of light that look like drones. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have said that the objects do not appear to be operating illegally. No Arizona unexplained drone sightings confirmed by officials There have been no unexplained drone sightings confirmed by law enforcement or military officials in Arizona. The Arizona National Guard is not aware of any unauthorized drone sightings in Arizona, according to spokesperson Maj. Erin Hannigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As far as Arizona National Guard-specific drones, we conduct standard Air Force training and operations in southern Arizona on our MQ-9s," Hannigan said. "These aircraft have been a standard part of our fleet since approximately 2014." In Tolleson, Amazon has been implementing a new drone delivery service that took off in November. The drone is called the MK30 and was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The drones only deliver within a 7-mile radius of the Tolleson Amazon facility. Happening in Tolleson: Amazon launches airborne drone delivery Can I shoot down a drone? Shooting down drones or any aircraft is illegal nationwide. Trump on Friday said on social media that drones left unexplained by the government should be shot down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials also say people should not point lasers at flying objects; if an aircraft has a pilot on board, it could get in their eyes. What laws regulate drone use in Arizona? Drone pilots must abide by federal regulations, including FAA rules. Drones cannot interfere with police or fire operations: during the wildfire season, no-fly zones are often implemented. According to the U.S. Forest Service, flying drones over fires can pose serious risks to public safety personnel. Flying a drone near a wildfire can result in civil penalties, including fines up to $25,000, and potential criminal penalties. Even if youre not flying a drone near a wildfire, all drone operators must abide by Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones can only be flown in daylight, from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Drones generally must stay within 400 feet of the ground and avoid restricted airspace and other aircraft. Their maximum speed is 100 miles per hour. It is also illegal to fly your drone over people unless they are participating and for the drone to be out of sight. Drones cannot be operated within national parks, and recreational drone use in Arizona State Parks is prohibited. Drones can be flown under FAA rules in National Forests. Arizona law prohibits drones from flying near "critical facilities," like courthouses, police departments, hospitals with a helipad and utility complexes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some local Arizona governments have drone rules that build on state law. Where should you file complaints about drones? Unexplained aerial sightings or concerns about drone operations should be reported to local police. USA TODAY contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What Arizonans should know about unexplained drones Division of Corrections Director Dexter Payne (left) and Chief Financial Officer Chad Brown (right) of the Arkansas Department of Corrections answer questions from the Arkansas Legislative Council's Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review subcommittee on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Screenshot/Arkansas Legislature) The agency overseeing Arkansas prisons expects to spend $5.2 million in overtime pay for correctional officers in the next six months, Department of Corrections officials told a legislative panel Tuesday. The Arkansas Legislative Council will take up the departments spending authority request Friday for final approval after the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review subcommittee approved it Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several facilities under the departments Division of Corrections are very short-staffed, division director Dexter Payne told the subcommittee. For example, the medium-security Tucker Unit in northern Jefferson County is operating with just over half its allotted staff at the moment, requiring overtime pay for staff to cover shifts, he said. The $5.2 million for overtime will come from the departments salary savings and should be enough for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2025, department chief financial officer Chad Brown said. The department often pays $1.3 million to $1.5 million per month in overtime, he said. Axios NW Arkansas reported Tuesday that the Tucker Unit has 5.6 inmates for each correctional officer. That wasnt the highest prisoner-to-guard ratio, according to Axios. The East Arkansas Regional Unit in Marianna and the Cummins and Varner/Supermax units, both in Gould, had ratios of 7.9, 7.7, and 6.5, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had one month where we paid $2 million in overtime, but it looks like its trending back down, Brown said. The corrections department has been one of the most difficult state agencies to maintain adequate staffing, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in November when she announced a restructure of the states employee pay plan. Under her proposed plan, which requires legislative approval, correctional officers average entry-level salaries will increase from $37,589 to $50,845, and their average salaries will increase from $50,461 to $59,100. Implementing pay raises in several departments should make employees salaries competitive with the private sector and improve staff retention rates, Sanders said. Employees at the Tucker Unit, one of the most understaffed correctional facilities, make roughly $42,000 per year, Payne told the committee. He said he believes the pay plan restructure will help recruit new employees. Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock Sen. Linda Chesterfield, D-Little Rock, said she hoped Payne was correct because we cant continue to sustain this overtime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the Division of Corrections two dozen facilities, the department has six residential Community Correction Centers. Payne told the state Board of Corrections earlier this month that lengthening employees shifts from eight to 12 hours would help alleviate staffing shortages at those facilities. Extending shifts would not only reduce the need to hire more staff, but would also ensure enough around-the-clock supervision to allow more inmates to be moved from county jails to the state-run centers, Payne told the board. The state typically spends roughly $30 million a year to house thousands of inmates in county facilities. Payne said that number was 2,046 as of Dec. 2 and could be reduced to below 2,000 by Jan. 1 by implementing longer shifts. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has named an interim director and begun the search for a permanent director. Chris Racey, the agencys chief of staff, was promoted to interim director during a special meeting on Monday, according to a news release. Chris Racey (Courtesy: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission) The outgoing director, Austin Booth, announced his resignation in November and has been the AGFC director since 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the meeting, Racey thanked the commission for their confidence in him and gave credit to Booth. Arkansas Game & Phished: AGFC says it lost more than $400K from scam Thanks to Austin, we have a direction and an excellent staff to rely on to get the job done, Racey said. I look forward to working with the Commission, our conservation partners, the public and the AGFC staff to maintain the standard of excellence he has set. Racey will begin his term on Jan. 4, 2025, after Booths final day on Jan. 3. I am fortunate to not only have worked with [Booth] in the last few years but to have him available during this time of transition, Racey said. He is an invaluable resource who will be greatly missed by staff and sportsmen alike and I wish him all the best in his future pursuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Racey has been with AGFC since 2005 and earned a bachelors degree in biology from Grove City College in Pennsylvania and a masters degree in fisheries biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2001. He previously served as assistant chief and chief of the AGFC Fisheries Division and the agencys human dimensions specialist in the AGFC Communications Division. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. In a letter to Congress on Monday, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders called for them to pass the Kids Online Safety Act. Sanders addressed the letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and said that she has seen firsthand the rise in mental illness among the younger generation. What to know about the Kids Online Safety Act and its chances of passing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am writing in support of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a critical piece of legislation to ensure our kids safety online, Sanders wrote. I am the Governor of Arkansas, but I am also a mom to three, and I have seen firsthand the alarming rise in mental illness among my kids generation. The governor wrote that major tech companies know their algorithms are harming kids and its time for lawmakers to act. Big Tech companies know their algorithms are harming kids. They have been given chance after chance to fix the problem themselves; now, it is time for lawmakers to take action, the governor wrote. These companies are spending millions of dollars lobbying against legislation that installs commonsense safeguards on their platforms, and millions more suing states like Arkansas that take preventative steps to protect kids. It is time for a federal fix to this nationwide problem. Governor publicly supports bill to require age verification for new social media accounts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report from the Associated Press in July, Congress hasnt passed a law to protect children on the internet in 26 years. The last time Congress passed a law to protect children on the internet was in 1998 before Facebook, before the iPhone and long before todays oldest teenagers were born, the report said. In the APs report, it said that if KOSA passed, it would require companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm on online platforms that minors are likely to use. They would have to prevent and mitigate harms to children, including bullying and violence, the promotion of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual exploitation and advertisements for illegal products such as narcotics, tobacco or alcohol, the Associated Press said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders encourages schools to join phone-free mental health pilot program In her letter, the governor said that unrestricted social media use for kids is an unmitigated disaster. America experimented with unrestricted social media use for our kids and the results of that experiment are clear: it is an unmitigated disaster, the governor wrote. We need to reverse these alarming trends and protect kids online. I urge you to act quickly to pass KOSA before the end of the year and protect our children. To read the governors full letter, visit Governor.Arkansas.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. State lawmakers took action Monday in their ongoing fight against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who they say have been ripping off Arkansas pharmacies. PBMs are third-party companies that act as middlemen in setting prices for prescription medications for insurance companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Pharmacies claim PBMs are inflating prescription costs for patients and taking money from pharmacies while doing it. Federal bill looks to protect Arkansas health care patients & pharmacies from PBM overpricing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers on Monday considered whether to extend Rule 128 permanently or not. The rule looks to ensure pharmacies are reimbursed at a fair and reasonable rate for filling prescriptions. An emergency rule passed in recent months to allow the state to enforce this rule immediately. After more than five hours of discussion and questioning, lawmakers did not take a vote on the permanent rule Monday after reviewing it. They are expected to come back Thursday morning at 9 a.m. State Sen. Jonathan Dismang, who voted against the rule change, told KARK 4 News that his opposition stems from what it would do to consumers. The backbone of this rule is a dispensing fee that will fall on the back of consumers back home, Dismang said. Im very much concerned about what that amount is especially for the elderly and individuals that have restricted income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas lawmakers to enforce rule fining pharmacy benefit managers up to $5,000 per violation to protect independent pharmacies Sen. Justin Boyd, who is also a pharmacist and pharmacy co-owner, told KARK 4 News he supported the rule change because it would actually help the price for consumers. Ive been hearing it since 2015 Yall enact this legislation, costs are going to go up well, maybe they do, but not by the ridiculous amounts of money that they tell us that this specific law or this specific rule is going to happen, Boyd said. My gut says if we didnt do anything, the costs were going to go up anyhow. Lawmakers say its likely well see legislation addressing PBMs in the upcoming legislative session. Senator Dismang said he believes there will be legislation looking to clean up the language in current laws to better hold PBMs accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces notices of possible penalties against pharmacy benefit managers; local pharmacies react KARK 4 News has reached out to one of the main PBMs that pharmacies have raised complaints about, Express Scripts, but has not heard back yet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Two Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Gaza when a building collapsed, the Israeli army said in a statement on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip along the border between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, where Israeli forces have been deployed since May. The military identified one of the soldiers as Moshiko Maxim Rozenwald, 35, a company commander in the Combat Engineering Corps. The name of the second soldier was not released pending notification of his family. The two "fell during combat in southern Gaza," the military said. The collapse occurred Monday afternoon when a reserve force entered a dilapidated structure in Rafah city. The military said the building likely collapsed due to damage from earlier Israeli strikes and the soldiers' entry. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, 818 Israeli soldiers have been killed, according to official figures. John Vinson (right), CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, speaks to the Joint Insurance and Commerce Committee on Monday, December 16, 2024, in support of a proposed rule that would require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to include dispensing fees in their reimbursements to pharmacies for prescription drugs. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas lawmakers spent five hours Monday debating whether to permanently require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to include dispensing fees in their reimbursements to pharmacies for prescription drugs. The Joint Insurance and Commerce Committee questioned Arkansas Insurance Department staff and heard public comment from 11 people for and against the proposed rule, which has been temporarily in place since September and is set to expire in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PBMs are companies that serve as middlemen to negotiate prescription benefits among manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and health insurance providers. The companies rank prescription drugs, with the highest-tiered products costing consumers the lowest out-of-pocket costs. Pharmacies have sent the Insurance Department roughly 3,000 complaints this year about PBMs, Insurance Department general counsel Booth Rand said Monday. The complaints state that PBMs either illegally pay pharmacies below the federally-set national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) prices, or they pay pharmacies at or barely above NADAC, which is not enough for financial solvency, Rand said. Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View Some of Mondays speakers, representing PBMs and employers that insure large numbers of Arkansans, claimed consumers instead of PBMs will be forced to pay the dispensing fees under the new rule. Some lawmakers said they agreed. Im going to get more than 3,000 complaints if peoples copayments go up by $10 to cover a $10 dispensing fee every single time they get a prescription filled, said Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View. For some people, particularly the elderly, that is going to be a significant amount of money every single month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other lawmakers and speakers who supported the rule said it will hold PBMs accountable for alleged violations of state law and prevent unfair PBM reimbursements that could drive pharmacies, especially independent operations, out of business and leave communities without vital health care resources. I think its more about stabilization [of costs] and ensuring that the rates are legal and justifiable than it is about whether it costs more or not, said John Vinson, CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, in an interview after the meeting. Independent pharmacists from rural areas urged the Arkansas Legislative Councils Executive Subcommittee to pass the temporary rule in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is not exclusive to mom-and-pop pharmacies, Brad Lawson, a Little Rock-based health care supervisor for Walgreens, said Monday. He said unfair PBM reimbursements have forced the company to close several locations and plan further closures nationwide. He disputed that the rule would burden consumers with higher costs by default. I would challenge that thats a choice PBMs are making if they choose to prioritize their spread over patients health and keeping pharmacies open, Lawson said. The status quo, the business model that we have right now, is not sustainable. Transparency and accountability Arkansas lawmakers have approved several policies regulating PBMs within the past decade, and some said Monday that more legislation might come during the session that starts next month. Act 900 of 2015 required the drug middlemen to pay pharmacies at least as much as the national average of what drugstores pay wholesalers for the drugs. Additionally, Act 1 and Act 3 of 2018 forbade PBMs from paying their affiliate pharmacies higher reimbursement rates than non-affiliate pharmacies. Several PBMs are affiliated with mail-order pharmacy operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite these laws, PBMs have continued to strain Arkansas pharmacies, and the state has 40 fewer pharmacies now than two years ago, even with some new pharmacies opening in that time, Vinson told the committee. Exhibit C5 - 18-2024 Rule 128 Bulletin The temporary rule did not include the Insurance Departments proposed methodology for determining the dispensing fee amounts. Rand initially said the bulletin listing the data the department would require from PBMs would be ready for lawmakers in October. By November, it was still not ready. According to the rule presented Monday, the required data would include the total annual average percentage of total pharmacy reimbursement above or relative to NADAC pricing (or WAC, wholesale acquisition cost if NADAC is unavailable). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also include PBMs average dispensing fees paid to pharmacies, the total amount of price adjustments PBMs make in response to complaints and the total number of drug reimbursement claims paid during the previous calendar year, among other things. Irvin said the proposed rule would allow price-fixing by the Insurance Department based on a subjective review of the data and ultimately has nothing to do with PBMs. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, said he didnt believe the proposed rule was necessary when the Insurance Department already has the ability to collect PBMs data thanks to existing state laws. Until all the required PBM data is collected, Rand said, the department will not know which health insurance plans would be required to pay dispensing costs. Dismang and Sen. Ricky Hill, R-Cabot, both took issue with this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It still sounds to me like [youre saying], Pass it now, review it, and well write everything later and tell you what its going to cost you, said Hill, the committees Senate chair. Vinson and Rand both said there would likely be no dispensing fees, and therefore no changes to copays and premiums, if PBMs pay pharmacies fair and reasonable reimbursements. They said the rule would create the transparency and accountability necessary for this to happen. The Legislative Councils Administrative Rules subcommittee will take up the rule for a final vote Thursday. If the committee votes against it, the temporary rule will be rescinded before its expiration date of Jan. 12, Rand said Monday. Other attempts at regulatory action PBMs have long been a source of frustration for local pharmacies and regulatory entities nationwide. The three largest PBMs in the nation Express Scripts, CVS Caremark and OptumRX are owned by much larger corporations that each also own a top-10 health insurer. The Federal Trade Commission released an interim report in July saying these conglomerates are eliminating competition and increasing drug prices at the expense of patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2022, Arkansas then-Attorney General Leslie Rutledge sued the drug manufacturers Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Eli Lilly, accusing them of conspiring with the three largest PBMs to inflate the cost of insulin. The case is still pending in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Rutledges successor, Tim Griffin, filed a new lawsuit in June of this year against Express Scripts and OptumRX, alleging that they used data from drug manufacturers and distributors to maximize their financial gain instead of using it to mitigate the opioid addiction epidemic. Earlier in June, Rand said the Insurance Department would start fining PBMs $5,000 per violation in response to the large volume of complaints from pharmacies. The department followed through in August, fining Caremark, Express Scripts, Magellan and MedImpact a cumulative $1.47 million. Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs Jonathan Buxton, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Associations senior director of state affairs, said the PBMs the organization represents pay pharmacies fair and reasonable reimbursement rates. He also said the Insurance Department is responsible for enforcing the states laws if PBMs are found to violate them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arent you also responsible for following the law and taking care of your customers? Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, asked Buxton. All of our members are complying with the law, Buxton replied, drawing laughter from some meeting attendees. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association challenged Act 900 of 2015 in federal court upon its passage. The U.S. Supreme Court reviewed and upheld the law in 2020. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. Arkansas State Police is currently investigating a Sunday Lake Village shooting death. Officials said the ASPs Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the death of 20-year-old Markell Lamber of Lake Village on Sunday evening. Lamber died around 6:30 p.m. of multiple gunshot wounds, investigators said, at the Country Place apartments on Mulberry Street. Arkansas State Police, U.S. Marshals make third arrest in 2022 interstate shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agents did not give the name of a 17-year-old who was also shot in the 6:30 p.m. incident, saying only he was treated and released. CID agents have arrested 22-year-old Antario Andrews of Lake Village in connection with the shooting. Investigators said Andrews is facing charges of capital murder and the investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - Attorneys for Arm and Qualcomm grilled a former Apple executive on Tuesday about a key question for the future of the chip industry: Who owns the intellectual property built on top of Arm's computing architecture? At stake in a trial in U.S. federal court in Delaware this week is the fate of Qualcomm's push into the laptop business, where it is helping partners such as Microsoft try to regain ground that Windows computers lost to Apple after the iPhone maker introduced its own custom chips. Arm's flagship product is a computing architecture that competes against Intel's architecture and is ubiquitous in smartphones and increasingly used in laptops and data centers. Competing computing architectures are the reason that, until relatively recently, most smartphone apps did not work on most laptops. Massive companies like Apple design their own computing cores based on Arm's architecture, but Arm also offers its own off-the-shelf core designs that are used by smaller firms such as MediaTek . Where Arm's ownership of the core designs based on its architecture begins and ends is at the heart of the dispute between Arm and Qualcomm. The companies disagree over whether Nuvia, a firm Qualcomm paid $1.4 billion for in 2021, had the right to transfer its computing core designs to Qualcomm after the sale. In U.S. federal court in Delaware on Tuesday, attorneys for both sides pressed Gerard Williams, a former Apple engineer who founded Nuvia in 2019, over whether Nuvia's cores were ultimately derivatives of Arm's technology or whether Arm's technology played only a trivial role in Nuvia's work. Arm's attorney pressed Williams to acknowledge that the licensing contract at the heart of the dispute covered Arm technology and "derivatives" and "modifications" made from it. Williams repeatedly said he did not believe the contract meant that all of Nuvia's work was a derivative or modification of Arm's technology, but acknowledged that was what the words on the page appeared to say. Daralyn Durie, the Arm attorney, pointedly asked Williams to agree that "maybe you wouldnt say that, but thats what the contract says." I wouldnt say that," Williams responded, "but Im not a legal expert. Durie immediately said she was finished with her questioning. The exchange with Durie followed questioning by Qualcomm's attorney, who guided Williams to describe how little Arm technology was in Qualcomm chips that power phones, laptops and cars. FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (WKRN) More than 100 soldiers assigned to the U.S. Armys 101st Airborne Division helped honor the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Soldiers travelled to Belgium and attended a weekend of commemorative events, including the Nuts! parade on Sunday. The parade got its name from the now-infamous reply of Brigade General Anthony McAuliffe when he learned that the German army had sent soldiers demanding surrender from the U.S. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Five German armored divisions surrounded the 10st Airborne Division as part of that last-ditch effort for surrender. McAuliffe was reportedly half-asleep when he got the news of Germanys demands before typing up the following formal reply: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December 22, 1944 To the German Commander, N U T S ! The American Commander U.S. Army Eighty years later, 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagle Soldiers remain relentlessly committed to our NATO Allies, ready to respond to any threat and uphold the international principles of freedom and democracy, U.S. Army Major General Brett Sylvia, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, said in a press release. (Courtesy: 101st Airborne Division) (Courtesy: 101st Airborne Division) (Courtesy: 101st Airborne Division) In addition to the parade, soldiers participated in a military memorial ceremony at the Battle of the Bulge monument, an Angels of Bastogne ceremony and another military memorial ceremony at Luxembourg American Cemetery. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The bravery and heroism of our Screaming Eagle veterans who fought for freedom in this historic winter battle resonates 80 years later, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners, spokesperson for the 101st Airborne Division, said. Their memories and examples still live on in the 101st Airborne Division today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Natravien Landry, a 25-year-old Army National Guard soldier from Louisiana, is being charged for the murder of a man at Fort Eisenhower on Saturday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to a news release, court documents and testimony revealed Landry is an Army National Guard soldier assigned to the 1148th Transportation Company at Fort Eisenhower. He allegedly visited a residence in post housing. A woman who Landry shares a child with lived at the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Department of Justice, Landry is accused of assaulting and shooting a man who was with the woman inside the residence. He then left Fort Eisenhower. READ: Person dead after shooting at Fort Eisenhower in Georgia Three hours later, he was arrested south of Atlanta on Interstate 85 during a traffic stop. Deputies found a 9 mm pistol in his car. Landry was in court Monday for an initial appearance. A detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Landry is currently in the Lincoln County Jail, according to the news release. Fort Eisenhower officials have not released the victims name. According to the Associated Press, he was identified only by initials in the investigators affidavit [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Army reservists would earn more money if they stacked supermarket shelves, a report has found. An independent review of Britains Army Reserve found that it is too small and some of its soldiers are paid less than the minimum wage. It comes after General Sir Patrick Sanders, the former head of the British Army, called earlier this year for the establishment of a citizen army. Alistair Carns, the Veterans Minister, said earlier this month that the Army would be destroyed in six months to a year if it had to fight Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new report, produced by a team led by retired Major General Simon Lalor, found that the 32,490-strong Army Reserve had 1,340 fewer personnel than last year and 5,000 fewer than in 2021. Given ... that a reservist balances family, job and reserve service, a reservists family cannot help but notice that their reservist family member is not only away, but is being paid less than if they were stacking shelves, the report found. The review went on to find that the Reserve lacks a clear and resourced sense of purpose, had a recruiting system that was unfit for purpose and was not large enough to reinforce regular units for war-fighting duties. Our assessment in 2024 is that the health of the Reserve has not improved; it is still poor, and worse, and continues to decline, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also found that Army chiefs have no coherent plan on how to expand the Reserve to the size necessary for a longer-term conflict. Only seven out of every 100 applicants to the Reserve ended up joining, the report found, because many drop out. The reserve in part has become hollowed out just as much as the regular component is now described, Major General Lalor said in the foreword to the report. The British Army currently has 72,510 full-time troops its smallest size since the Napoleonic era. Responding to the report, Mr Carns said the pay rise awarded to the armed forces this year had aligned starting salaries with the minimum wage for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the Army was implementing a wide-ranging package of measures to improve recruitment and retention. The Government is committed to our reserves, and I have set out my intent to review and enhance the role of reserves, he said. It is imperative that we recognise and leverage the importance and unique contributions of our reserve forces, particularly in light of recent global events. 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. NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) A Chicago teen has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred in Normal earlier this year. Donye Arrington, 19, was indicted recently by a McLean County grand jury on charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the Sept. 29 shooting near the Illinois State University campus. Victim identified in Sundays deadly shooting near ISU campus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges filed in McLean County Circuit Court allege he personally discharged the firearm which triggers an automatic 25-year tack-on to the base range of 20 to 60 years in prison for murder. The tack-on also applies to the attempted murder charge upping that minimum sentence to 31 years in prison. Randall E. Glass, 18, of Oak Lawn, died of multiple gun-shot wounds during an incident that occurred in the 300 block of North Main Street shortly before 3:45 a.m. A second man, who was also 18, was also struck by gunfire during this incident. His current condition was not known. Officers were called to the 300 block of North Main to break up a large party. While there, they heard gunshots and went to the 300 block of North University Street, which is not far away, and found two victims, according to Normal police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrington was arrested in Chicago on Dec. 16, pursuant to a McLean County arrest warrant. If convicted of all charges, he faces decades behind bars. According to Brad Park of the Normal Police Department, Arrington was still in Cook County and was in the process of being brought back to McLean County. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA Astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman will be the first crew to fly around the moon in over five decades. Today, the Artemis II crew was at NASAs Kennedy Space Center to discuss their 10-day mission around the moon. It will now launch no earlier than April of 2026. Read: Off-duty deputy stabbed in road rage incident in St. Cloud Mission pilot Victor Glover said, I mean, you know, launch dates are a challenge. And we had delays in the shuttle program, and weve had delays in our commercial crew program. And, you know, delays and scrubs are just a thing of reality. So, well know were going to space when those solid rocket boosters light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read: Orlando Attorney Dan Newlin preps for confirmation hearings, but public service is his honor The crew will ride atop the SLS rocket inside the Orion Spacecraft. NASA teams will use all the extra time theyve gained from the delayed launch of Artemis II to ensure the crew has as safe a trip as possible by addressing Orions environmental control and life support systems and the spacecrafts heat shield. Read: Couple arrested for child abuse in Kissimmee, deputies say Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen told us, Weve set big challenges. Were coming together in this country as well as an international collaboration, to do some extraordinary things. And I play a very small part. Im very proud of that part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the crew also studied contingency plans and reviewed mission procedures. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A mass grave in a town outside Damascus contains the bodies of at least 100,000 people, the head of a US-based Syrian advocacy organisation has claimed. The people are said to have been killed by the former government of Bashar al-Assad, which suppressed any sign of dissent. Mouaz Moustafa, speaking to Reuters from Damascus, said the site at al-Qutayfah, 25 miles north of the Syrian capital, was one of five mass graves that he had identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One hundred thousand is the most conservative estimate of the number of bodies buried at the site, said Mr Moustafa, head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. Its a very, very extremely, almost unfairly conservative estimate. Mr Moustafa said he was sure there were more mass graves than the five sites, and that they contained US and British citizens, Syrians and other foreigners. Reuters said it was unable to confirm Mr Moustafas allegations. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been killed since 2011, when Assads crackdown on protests against his rule grew into a full-scale civil war. Assad and his father Hafez, who preceded him as president and died in 2000, are accused by Syrians, rights groups and other governments of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions within the countrys prison system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad repeatedly denied that his government committed human rights violations and painted his detractors as extremists. Koussay Aldahhak, Syrias UN Ambassador, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. He assumed the role in January while Assad was still in power but said last week that he was awaiting instructions from the new authorities and would keep defending and working for the Syrian people. Mr Moustafa arrived in Syria after Assad flew to Russia and his government collapsed in the face of a lightning offensive by rebels that ended his familys more than 50 years of iron-fisted rule. Assad flew to Russia when his government collapsed after a lightning offensive by rebels - Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP He spoke to Reuters after he was interviewed at the site in al-Qutayfah by Channel 4 News for a report on the alleged mass grave there. The news station described the mass grave as the largest of the 21st century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Moustafa said the intelligence branch of the Syrian air force was in charge of bodies going from military hospitals, where bodies were collected after theyd been tortured to death, to different intelligence branches, and then they would be sent to a mass grave location. Corpses also were transported to sites by the Damascus municipal funeral office whose personnel helped unload them from refrigerated tractor-trailers, he said. The Syrian Emergency Task Force claimed the estimate of 100,000 bodies was extremely conservative - Ammar Awad/REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were able to talk to the people who worked on these mass graves that had on their own escaped Syria or that we helped to escape, said Mr Moustafa. His group has spoken to bulldozer drivers compelled to dig graves and many times on orders, squished the bodies down to fit them in and then cover them with dirt. Mr Moustafa expressed concern that grave sites were unsecured and said they needed to be preserved to safeguard evidence for investigations. Speaking to Channel 4, witnesses to the mass burials said some of the people brought to the site had bullet wounds, were blindfolded or were naked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One man, who said his boss was involved in transporting bodies from Syrias prisons and military hospitals to the mass graves, said the bodies had blindfolds over their eyes and a single bullet wound to their forehead. The site at al-Qutayfah is said to be one of five mass graves that has been identified - Ammar Awad/REUTERS The Channel 4 news team was taken to the largest site by al-Qutayfahs former mayor, Muhammad Abdul Majid. There, they spoke to another man named Isam Saad, who said he operated the digger used to cover over the bodies at the site. Mr Saad told the reporters that corpses would arrive in refrigerated lorries owned by a state-owned logistics company, that would otherwise be used to transport fruit and vegetables. He said he was called in day after day for seven years to bury bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN estimates more than 306,000 civilians were killed between 2011 to 2021 in Syria an average of 84 people every day. Half of those deaths, according to UN Human Rights monitors, were never documented by any group. Mr Saad estimated that the grave contains the bodies of about 100,000 to 150,000 people, but said it could be possibly more, in what would represent a large portion of those who vanished under Assads regime and the dictators crackdown on the Syrian revolution. Mr Moustafa asked Channel 4 where are the forensic teams? Where are the governments and the experts who can, number one, secure these places, help us understand how do you exhume bodies from mass graves, how do you take DNA samples for the many families still looking for their loved ones? Even mine, he added. My uncle could be underneath my feet right now. My friends could be, and so many others. 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. JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israeli forces would remain on the Syrian summit of Mount Hermon for "as long as necessary." During a visit to the area with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior security officials for a situational assessment, Katz said, "We will stay here for as long as necessary," emphasizing that the military presence at the strategically significant summit "strengthens security." "Mount Hermon's summit is Israel's eyes for identifying near and distant threats. From here, we can see Hezbollah positions in Lebanon to the right, and Damascus to the left," he said. Following instructions issued last Thursday, Katz said the military must "swiftly" complete its deployment in the area, including "fortifications, defensive measures, and improving soldiers' conditions to prepare for a prolonged stay." Mount Hermon, located in the Golan Heights, was partially captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981, a move not recognized internationally. The mountain spans Syria, Lebanon, and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Its highest peak, at 2,814 meters, lies in Syria, while the southern slopes and lower summit are located in the Israeli-occupied area. On Dec. 8, Israeli forces seized the buffer zone, a demilitarized area in the Golan Heights monitored by a United Nations force since the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and also seized a Syrian army outpost at the summit of Mount Hermon. The move drew international condemnation. NAJHA, Syria (AP) Bones are visible here and there among the mounds of earth in a field south of Damascus, one of the mass graves around Syria believed to hold the bodies of tens of thousands of people killed under Bashar Assads rule. With his ouster, residents, forensic teams and international groups face what could be a yearslong task of unearthing the dead. In this site alone, by the town of Najha, several tens of thousands of bodies could have been buried, said Stephen Rapp, a former U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues who was visiting the site Tuesday. Some are believed buried under already existing graves of a regular cemetery nearby, he said. It's too soon to start digging, and it's unknown how many bodies remain there or if some were moved over the years. But here and there, bones were visible, including some vertebrae from a human spine and fragments of a femur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rapp is working with two organizations that aim to help document mass graves and identify officials implicated in war crimes the Commission for International Justice and Accountability and the Syria Emergency Task Force. They and other groups have for years been remotely gathering witness testimonies and satellite imagery to track and estimate the size of mass graves that swelled from crackdowns by Assad's feared security agencies, particularly in the early years of Syria's civil war that began in 2011. With Assad's fall 10 days ago, they are now able to see them firsthand. That gives the chance to "really corroborate what we already know about the machinery of death that was maintained and operated by the Assad regime, Rapp said. It is all so unthinkable that this is happening in the 21st Century. More than 150,000 Syrians remain unaccounted for after disappearing into Assad's prisons and most are believed to be in mass graves around the country, said Mounir al-Mustafa, deputy director of the White Helmets, a Syrian search and rescue team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An array of prisons run by the military, intelligence and security agencies were notorious for systematic torture, mass executions and brutal conditions that killed other inmates from disease and starvation, according to human rights groups, whistle-blowers, and former detainees. The White Helmets have received reports of at least 13 mass grave sites around the country, eight of them near Damascus, including Najha, al-Mustafa said. We cant open these mass graves yet. That is a massive task to document and take samples and give codes to the corpses before we can identify those people, he said. The priority is to take stock of the unidentified bodies above ground, those in hospital morgues and in clashes, al-Mustafa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rapp, who arrived in Syria on Monday, visited another suspected grave site, in al-Qutayfah, 37 kilometers (23 miles) north of the capital. He plans to meet with officials from the new transitional government installed since the lightning offensive on Damascus on Dec. 8 that forced Assad to flee the country. He intends to discuss ways to secure and eventually excavate the sites, gather samples from remains for identification and preserve thousands of documents discovered in many security branches and prisons. There needs to be a process. That is what I will be engaging with government representatives about, Rapp said. He said he will also see what the international community can do to assist the government in criminal prosecutions and in ensuring they meet international standards. On Monday, residents and medical teams began on their own digging up a mass grave in the village of Izraa in southern Daraa province. The remains of over 30 corpses were uncovered, and the teams estimated the total number could reach 70. Moussa Al-Zouebi, the head of the villages health directorate, said some of the people whose remains were uncovered were executed by shooting in the head, in the eye, or by burning. A local forensic team and rebel fighters handled bags of human remains as an excavator rumbled in the background, while relatives stood by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relatives said they initially had hopes that they would find their loved ones in a prison. But we didnt find anyone and it broke our hearts. They were burned alive here after being doused in fuel, Mohammad Ghazaleh said at the mass grave site. The new authorities in Damascus have designated a hotline for people and ex-prisoners to identify locations and secret prisons used by Assads government to find any trace of missing persons. The insurgents have freed thousands of prisoners in Damascus and other cities, including Aleppo, Homs and Hama. It is understandable that the desperate family members will try to go to a site hoping that they find some sign of their relatives, some information, Rapp said. He said the same is happening with documents found at sites. Although that is understandable, it can be damaging to an investigation," he said. Rapp said the process of securing and cataloguing documents could take up to three months but identifying those buried in mass graves could take more than two years. MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) The Associated Press was told by a law enforcement officer working on the investigation into a school shooting that left three dead that the shooter was a 15-year-old female student. The shooting occurred late Monday morning at Abundant Life Christian School. Police said a teenage student opened fire, killing another student and a teacher. The shooter also was dead, likely by suicide, Police Chief Shon Barnes said. Responding police officers did not fire their weapons, Barnes said. The shooter was a 15-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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The school website shows that Friday was to be the last scheduled day of classes before the holiday break. President Joe Biden, in a statement, called the shooting shocking and unconscionable, and urged Congress to act immediately. 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, Biden said. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine public schools in Madison were locked down for a few hours after the shooting as a precaution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. A metro Atlanta area nonprofit that works to get technology and internet access to underserved communities was nominated for a national award. InspiredU was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this year, and now its up for a Good Neighbor of the year award. Channel 2s Lori Wilson traveled with InspiredU CEO Richard Hicks to New York City when he was on Clarksons show. The InspiredU organization is dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing computers and training for families from underserved communities. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] It was a mission Clarkson wanted to feature during her Good Neighbor segment, and Wilson was able to get a front-row seat to the success the organization has had since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the show weve had a lot of success, Ive dubbed it the Kelly effect, Hicks told Channel 2 Action News. Since the April appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, InspiredU has been approached by more corporate partners and has seen an increase in volunteerism, as well as being able to reach more people and train them. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of all, weve been able to get closer to our learners, so weve had learners of all ages that have been able to come in and get the training because they know more about us now, Hicks said. In 2023, InspiredU offered training to more than 2,500 families across 16 Georgia counties. After training them on digital basics, the nonprofit was able to give free devices to more than 2,200 families in Georgia. Hicks traveled back to New York in November as a finalist for the Good Neighbor award and this week, hell find out if InsipredU will be named the Good Neighbor of the year. Weve even had people who are national since the show, and were like, were not in Oregon, Hicks said. So we want to make sure that we serve the community here, but they know about us now in a more amplified way. I want InspiredU to go to the places where people will find us. The winner of the Kelly Clarkson Shows Good Neighbor of the Year award will be revealed on Friday at 10 a.m., right here on Channel 2 Action News. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DENVER (AP) More than a dozen people tied up, pistol whipped and terrorized a man and woman at a crime-riddled apartment complex in a Denver suburb, the citys police chief said Tuesday, adding it appeared to be a gang-related attack on two Venezuelan immigrants. Police said around 13 to 15 armed people accosted the man and woman at their apartment in a complex, which was the scene of a viral video that led now President-elect President Donald Trump to claim Aurora had been taken over by a Venezuelan gang. City officials have pushed back on that, saying problems at locations like the complex are isolated and dont represent whats happening in the city overall. The unsubstantiated allegation gained momentum last summer during the presidential campaign following dissemination of the video from a complex resident that showed armed men knocking on an apartment door, intensifying fears the Tren de Aragua gang was in control of the six-building complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest incident, the male victim was also stabbed during a roughly five-hour ordeal that began Monday night but is expected to survive, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said. He said all of the people involved are most likely from Venezuela and there is a high assumption that those responsible are affiliated with Tren de Aragua. The gang, which started in an infamously lawless Venezuelan prison, has expanded as more than 8 million desperate Venezuelans had fled economic turmoil at home. Based on how the home invasion unfolded, Chamberlain said, he was confident it was gang-related. Something is seriously wrong and were going to try to fix it as soon as we can, and we have been, he said of crime at the complex, noting that police calls declined this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chamberlain said the complex is in one of the pockets of the city that has crime problems. However, he said the sprawling city of 400,000 people east of Denver is not infested by gangs. The victims were taken against their will to another apartment in the six-building complex while their apartment was burglarized, Chamberlain said. They were released early Tuesday after promising not to call the police but they contacted authorities anyway after driving to a friend's home, Chamberlain said. He praised them for their courage. Police said 14 people have been detained as they investigate what happened but no arrests have been made yet. Both victims were taken to hospitals, he said, but authorities had no immediate update on their conditions Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chamberlain said police were getting help from federal authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to identify those detained by police. City officials have gone to court to have most of the complex closed for being what they called a criminal nuisance, alleging that the owner's longtime neglect of the buildings has allowed crime to flourish there. They expect five of the buildings will be shut down early next year after the property owner, New York-based CBZ Management, did not try to fight the action. The company has claimed it was unable to provide maintenance of the complex because gangs had taken over. It did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. On X, the company posted a news story about the home invasion, saying We hope the message is learned so it doesnt spread any more! Chamberlain said the complex where many Venezuelan immigrants have ended up living was poorly managed. But he also faulted the federal government for not doing more to respond to the wave of immigrants from the country that have ended up in cities such as Aurora. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are now in the process, as many other cities throughout this nation, of trying to pick up the pieces of an incredibly bad system that was in place, he said. ___ This story has been corrected to show the victims of the attack were released early Tuesday, not early Wednesday. Environmental activists have launched a six-figure campaign attacking California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) climate record, through an advertisement airing in four battleground states. Food & Water Action, the lobbying arm of the national group Food & Water Watch, is behind a 30-second ad slamming Newsom for failing to make good on promises to shut down the contentious Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility. Americans are looking for leadership to resist Trumps assault on our climate. Someone who follows through and wont back down, the ad states. But his public utilities commission is considering keeping it open indefinitely just like the oil and gas industry wants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aliso Canyon, located just northwest of Los Angeles, was home to the countrys biggest -ever methane leak, which forced families to flee the area in 2015. While campaigning for governorship in 2018, Newsom told a reporter that he was fully committed to shutting down the facility. It was Governor Newsom himself who, at the start of his first term, said that he was committed to closing down Aliso Canyon, Andrea Vega, senior Southern California organizer for Food & Water Watch, told The Hill in a recent interview. He had even directed his public utilities commission to expedite the closure, Vega added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet last December, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved an increase in the facilitys inventory levels. The decision, the CPUC said at the time, served to guard ratepayers from the type of natural gas price spikes that occurred last winter. CPUC was expected to vote this Thursday on a proposed decision that would keep Aliso Canyon running while also charting its eventual decommissioning but with no definitive closure date. Amid protests from activists that the terms were insufficient, the CPUC announced last week that it would instead vote Thursday to extend the decisions statutory deadline until March 31, 2025. The new ad campaign to be aired in New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Nevada aims to ramp up pressure on the state government to shut down a site that activists believe is both a public health hazard and unnecessary, according to Food & Water Action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Newsom wants to position himself as a national leader on climate and in opposing Trump, but he cant be a credible national leader if his own house is not in order Mitch Jones, deputy director of the lobbying group, said in a statement. Asked to respond to the new campaign, Daniel Villasenor, a spokesperson for the governor, said in an email that Newsoms energy policy is ambitious, not reckless. We are committed to safely closing Aliso Canyon without harming working families with skyrocketing utility bills, Villasenor continued. While noting the governors successes in accelerating the clean energy transition, the spokesperson said that shuttering Aliso Canyon before natural gas demand dwindles would be irresponsible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a recipe for precisely the same price spikes weve seen in the gasoline market, Villasenor said. The state, he explained, has collaborated with local and federal partners to ensure the plants safety, via new protocols and stringent testing. The governor wants to see Aliso Canyon phased out, but not at the cost of enormous price increases for working families and our ability to keep the lights on, Villasenor added. The Public Advocates Office, an independent watchdog within the CPUC, last week described the proposed decision as striking a careful balance between ensuring reliability, controlling energy costs and progressing toward Californias clean energy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the key measures included in the proposal is the issuance of biennial assessments, which would reevaluate appropriate inventory levels for the site beginning in June 2025. The process, according to a CPUC fact sheet, would facilitate incremental reductions at the site, while also adopting a mix of carbon neutral energy resources to ultimately replace Aliso Canyon. The proposed decision ensures that the transition away from Aliso Canyon is both systematic and responsive to Californias evolving energy needs, the Public Advocates Office stated. Vega, on the other hand, expressed her disappointment in the proposal, arguing that it continues to kick the can down the road with a biennial review process instead of a clear timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its something thats honestly so simple and has been demanded from the community for now nearly a decade, she said. While Newsom may be widely seen as a possible contender for the 2028 presidency, Vega stressed her belief that political aspirations need to be set aside when it comes to the Aliso Canyon issue. I just want Governor Newsom to keep the promise that he made to these community members, she added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Attorneys presented oral arguments in Fresno Tuesday morning in the case of a Bakersfield baker who in 2017 refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. The state is seeking to overturn a Kern County judges ruling in favor of Tastries owner Cathy Miller, while her attorneys argued why the judges decision should stand. Each side was given 30 minutes to present their case before a three-judge panel of the 5th District Court of Appeal, located in downtown Fresno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Eric Rassbach of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty argued on behalf of Miller, while Carly Jean Munson presented the Office of the Attorney Generals case. The court will issue a ruling on a later date. If either party wants to appeal that ruling, it will be with the California Supreme Court. Like back in the Stone Ages: Mobile home park residents detail struggles after 1 week without power No writing, no images, no toppers or other decorations, Munson said of the Tastries cake. It is undisputed that Tastries sells this standard cake for a wide variety of events, including birthdays, quinceaneras and baby showers. Its also undisputed that Tastries sells this same cake to heterosexual couples for their marriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a legal tug-of-war over the question, does a standard cake made by Tastries count as protected speech? The lesbian couple denied the cake at Tastries, as well as the state, said no because the cake itself has no message no writing, no topper, etc. Munson further noted this standard cake is different from matters such as original writing, music or actions like wearing a black armband to a war protest. But Tastries owner Cathy Miller and her lawyer said yes, the cake is a matter of free speech, expression and religion because context matters. They explained regardless of the design, theres meaning in their cake being brought to a wedding, specifically a same-sex wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why, they argued, Miller had the right to not provide the couple with a wedding cake in 2017. Shes being asked as a designer to create something, you know, and thats the problem, said Rassbach. We wouldnt tell someone whos, say, a Jewish filmmaker, to celebrate Hamas, or that someone has to celebrate KKK, the attorney added. So thats really the kinds of things where if you dont want to express something you dont have to do it in this country. The parties also discussed Californias Unruh Civil Rights Act, which states no business establishment can discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tastries maintained Millers constitutional rights of speech, expression and religion are of greater weight. But the appellants argument? The Unruh Act does not compel her to alter that belief in any way, stated Munson, acknowledging Milers religious beliefs. It does, however, require her to provide the same service to same-sex couples she would provide to opposite sex couples. Following a trial in 2022, Judge Eric Bradshaw found Millers pure and expressive speech is entitled to protection under the First Amendment and state attorneys failed to prove Miller intentionally discriminated against same-sex couple Eileen and Mireya Rodriguez-Del Rio because of their sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state appealed, saying, Every couple deserves to celebrate and mark their special occasions without fear of discrimination. Refusal to provide equal access to goods and services is against the law. State attorneys argued at trial Miller violated the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which says all people, regardless of sexual orientation, must be given equal services at all businesses. Millers lawyers said forcing her to make wedding cakes for same-sex couples would violate her religious beliefs that marriage should only occur between a man and a woman. They also argued the creation of a wedding cake is a form of artistic expression and the state cannot force a person to create a piece of art against their will. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. AUGUSTA, Kan. (KSNW) An employee of the Augusta School District in Butler County has been arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a child. The Augusta Department of Public Safety says it was notified shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday by a school administrator. Investigators were given a video that reportedly showed an employee sexually assaulting a child on a school bus. The video was from Monday. The man was taken into custody at a district facility that was not a school building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Skeletal remains found in the Oaklawn area He has been booked into the Butler County Jail on a charge of indecent liberties with a child. Authorities believe, at the moment, it was an isolated incident. No other children were present at the time of the assault, and they are not aware of any other victims. However, the case is still under investigation. Formal charges against the man are still 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 KSN-TV. BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Upon landing at Beijing Daxing International Airport on Tuesday morning, Taylor Ethan from the United States was thrilled to find his brief stopover in China could be extended due to a fresh move by the authorities to relax the visa-free transit policy. China announced on Tuesday a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the initial 72 hours and subsequent 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. Effective immediately, 21 additional ports have been designated for visa-free entry and exit, and the areas in which transit travelers can stay have been expanded, according to a statement from the National Immigration Administration. The policy update was applauded by foreign tourists, expats in the country, and travel-industry insiders. "It's super-cool that I can have more time traveling in China, experiencing its stunning views and culture," said Ethan who is currently enjoying a brief three-day stopover in Beijing after concluding his trip to Hong Kong, before heading to the Republic of Korea. With a longer stay made possible, he plans to visit Jingdezhen, known as China's porcelain capital, in the eastern province of Jiangxi. Under the updated policy, eligible citizens from 54 countries, including Russia, Brazil, Britain, the United States and Canada, can enter China visa-free when transiting to a third country or region. These travelers may now enter through any of the 60 ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and stay within the designated areas for up to 240 hours. Data from Tongcheng Travel Holdings Limited shows that during the first hour after the policy was announced, the search volume for China's hotels and inbound flights by prospective overseas tourists increased by 87 percent compared to the same period the previous day. FACILITATING VISITS TO CHINA Some foreign expats in Beijing interviewed by Xinhua said the procedures for obtaining a visa to China used to be complicated, and their friends and family could only stay for several days. With the extended period and the new policy that allows intercity traveling, they can now accompany their friends or family to visit more cities. After learning about the new policy, Max Carrera from Mexico, a travel vlogger and YouTuber based in China, told Xinhua, "I think the 240-hour policy change is awesome. Through our recent travels, we have found many travelers who really wanted to extend their time in China, and now it will be easier for them to do so without leaving the country." "I am looking forward to inviting my followers to come and get to know this beautiful country," he said. Wang Lei, a professor at Beijing Normal University, applauded the policy as a clear demonstration of China's further opening up -- to a deeper and broader extent. "Through one-way and proactive opening-up measures, we are presenting to the international community a confident, open and inclusive image of our country," said Wang. BOOSTING INBOUND TOURISM The policy upgrade was welcomed by the travel industry and businesses in the related supply chains. Since the beginning of this year, with the launch of the visa-free transit policy, the inbound-tourism market in Beijing has recovered faster. So far this year, the number of foreign guests received at Beijing's landmark Silk Street Market has seen substantial growth compared to last year, said Dong Qing, president of Beijing Silk Street Business Management Co., Ltd., recognizing the policy as a boon for their businesses. Guangxi Sunrise International Travel Service Co., Ltd., a travel agency based in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has seen a significant increase in the number of foreign tourists in 2024, according to company chairman Charlie Chen. "The extension of the visa-free stay will allow us to offer tourist routes outside the staple itineraries, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an. Rather, we may extend their visits to, for example, other places in Guangxi to enable foreign tourists to learn more about the country," Chen said. Furthermore, as the policy reduces the amount that overseas tourists pay to obtain visas, it will assist the travel agents in their marketing campaigns, said Chen. Jacques Duquenne, a Belgian who lives in Guangxi and works for a European travel agency, said, "The new policy will not change a lot for me, as my clients are mainly Belgians and French who enjoy already 30-day visa-free trips to China. But it shows China's commitment to open up to the world, and this builds trust for the travelers." Zhang Mingyang, a senior researcher at the Tongcheng research institute, said the extension of the transit visa-free policy and the expansion of eligible destinations will attract more foreigners to visit China, thereby further promoting the growth of China's inbound-tourism market. China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million entered the country visa-free, marking a significant 123.3 percent year-on-year growth. DENVER (KDVR) An Aurora dentist accused of putting poison in his wifes protein shakes, leading to her death, has secured new legal counsel and a new court date for his case to proceed. James Craig, 46, was left without representation the morning his jury trial was set to begin on Nov. 21 when his defense attorney suddenly quit during jury selection. Craigs wife of 23 years, Angela, was found to have died on March 18, 2023, of poisoning from cyanide and tetrahydrozoline by the Arapahoe County Coroners Office. The latter substance is found in over-the-counter eyedrops, according to the coroner. Trial begins in case of Timnath 10-year-old killed by driver while biking Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the dentist secured representation from Robert Werking and Lisa Moses, attorneys with LFM Defense based out of Greenwood Village, according to court records. The dentist is facing six charges: First-degree murder, after deliberation Three counts of tampering with physical evidence destroy Two counts of first-degree perjury Craig is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 14, 2025. New dates for his trial have not yet been determined. Investigators say Craig drove his wife to a local hospital in March 2023 after she complained of severe headaches and dizziness. Her health continued to deteriorate, and she was placed on a ventilator. Soon after, she was declared medically brain dead, according to the Aurora Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement APD Division Chief Mark Hildebrand called it a heinous, complex and calculated murder in 2023. Craig is alleged to have bought poisons online just before his wife began to experience symptoms that doctors could not find a cause for. But his lawyers have argued there is no direct evidence that he put poison in his wifes shakes and have accused investigators of being biased against him. Denver officer sentenced to community service for allegedly striking juvenile suspect In May, police accused Craig of trying to plant letters to make it look like his wife was suicidal. Craig allegedly asked a fellow jail inmate to put letters in his garage and truck that the dentist had written and meant to appear as if his wife had written them. According to police investigators, Craig offered money to pay for the bond for the inmate to be released from jail or perform free dental work in exchange for planting the letters but the inmate decided not to take him up on the offer, the detective testified. That inmate instead contacted police defense attorneys for Craig have argued the inmate is not a credible witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Craig is also accused of asking his cellmate to try and kill detectives, multiple times. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) An Australian state government on Tuesday proposed new restrictions on protesters in response to rising antisemitism, including a ban on demonstrations outside places of worship. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan proposed the new laws after arsonists damaged a Melbourne synagogue this month and protestors kept fearful worshippers trapped inside a Sydney synagogue for three hours a week earlier. Thats not peaceful protest. Its menacing behavior, Allan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antisemitism is a cancer and we must leave no stone unturned to fight the evil of antisemitism, to fight the evil of this racism in all of its forms and also to continue to work to help heal our multicultural community, to help build on that social cohesion and continue to support our strong, united Victoria, she added. The new laws would protect the right of people to gather and pray free from fear, harassment and intimidation, her office said in a statement. The proposed laws, which will be voted on by the state legislature early next year, would establish safe access areas around places of worship and prohibit disturbances of religious gatherings. The laws would also ban protesters flying flags and displaying symbols of groups listed by Australia as terrorist organizations. Face masks used by protesters to conceal their identities and protect against capsicum spray would also be banned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dvir Abramovich, a leading opponent of antisemitism in Australia, welcomed the proposed law. Today, the Victorian government has declared war on hate and antisemitism and its about time, Abramovich said in a statement. Victoria has drawn a line in the sand and sent a thunderous message to the hate-mongers, the graffiti cowards, the firebombers, and the social media trolls: Your days of terrorizing our communities are over, he added. The arson attack on Adass Israel Synagogue on Dec. 6 marked an escalation in targeted assaults in Australia since the war between Israel and the militant Hamas group started over a year ago in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have declared it a terrorist act, which increases resources available to investigators. A federal law passed in January banned the Nazi salute and the public display of Nazi symbols in response to growing antisemitism, and the government appointed special envoys this year to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia. Australia is an increasingly multicultural society. The latest census in 2021 found that Australians born overseas or with a parent born overseas formed a majority for the first time. UPDATE: Authorities confirm, Stevens has been located and arrested in California. No further information has been released. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Investigators say a warrant has been issued for a man in connection with a NW Oklahoma City bank robbery. Investigators say they are searching for 46-year-old Carlton Stevens (shown below) in connection to the crime. Police are searching for 46-yr-old Carlton Stevens in connection with a bank robbery, Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Police are searching for 46-yr-old Carlton Stevens in connection with a bank robbery, Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Police are searching for 46-yr-old Carlton Stevens in connection with a bank robbery, Image courtesy Oklahoma City Police Department Autopsy reports reveal gruesome details in Texas County double murder; two defendants turn to state witnesses Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police ask anyone with information to contact 911 if you know his whereabouts! Contact Crime Stoppers with general info at 405-235-7300. A cash reward is possible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Dec. 16SANTA FE New Mexico officially closed the books on the 2024 election cycle Monday, as state officials certified the results of two races that had triggered automatic vote recounts. Neither recount changed the initial results of the races, Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said during a meeting of the State Canvassing Board. In one of the races, Republican Catherine Cullen defeated Democrat Michelle Sandoval by a 133-vote margin for the vacant House District 57 seat based in Rio Rancho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cullen gained one additional vote during the recount, while Sandoval picked up four additional votes, Toulouse Oliver said. The result means Democrats will enter the 60-day legislative session next month with a 44-26 majority over Republicans in the House of Representatives. They had entered the election cycle with a 45-25 advantage. In the other race that triggered a recount under state law, Republican David Reagor defeated Democrat Denise Derkacs in a race for a Los Alamos County council seat. State-paid recounts had been ordered last month in the two races, under a state law that calls for them to be conducted in races with narrow vote margins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, the law requires votes to be retallied when the margin separating the two top candidates in a race is less than 1%. The margin is different for statewide races and races in more heavily-populated counties. The State Canvassing Board is made up of the secretary of state, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court and the governor, and is tasked with certifying statewide election results after county clerks conduct their post-election canvas. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was excused from Monday's meeting, leaving Toulouse Oliver and Supreme Court Chief Justice David Thomson to vote on certifying the results of the two races that featured automatic recounts. Under the final certified results for New Mexico's 2024 general election, a total of 928,290 votes were cast statewide. That represents about 67.1% voter turnout down slightly from four years ago but above turnout levels from the 2012 and 2016 presidential election years. Dec. 16Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte had embraced the cause as a primary candidate, but now says the "timing is off" for the new, Republican-led Legislature to redraw election maps for the two congressional districts to make one of them more friendly to a GOP candidate. During the primary campaign, Ayotte, a Nashua Republican, said one of the biggest disagreements on policy she had with outgoing Gov. Chris Sununu was that in 2022 he had vetoed legislation that would have put the two Democratic congressmen, Chris Pappas of Manchester and Annie Kuster of Concord, into the same district. The plan would have shifted about 25% of the state's residents from one district into another. Authors argued it was logical and defensible to create one district within the Interstate 93 corridor and for the other to consist of all the communities east, west and north of that sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on WMUR's "CloseUp" program on Sunday, Ayotte said this wasn't the proper time to reopen the debate. "We're already halfway through the census. I believe if the legislature was going to act on this, they should have already acted on this," Ayotte answered. "So, we're heading into the next census already. We're, like, halfway through. I do think the timing is off for this." Ayotte said she was not changing her position and would have supported the bill that Sununu vetoed. This isn't the right time to revisit the matter, she said. Many GOP leaders have been enthusiastic about making this change since the party has lost every congressional election in the state since 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sununu said the bill he vetoed was unfair and that he insisted both congressional districts were winnable for a Republican candidate. "The citizens of New Hampshire will not accept this map, which moves both members of Congress into the same district," Sununu said back in May 2022. "Our races have to be fair, which is why I will veto this map." Prior to the veto, the Supreme Court had ordered a fail-safe process to draw a map that makes the least disruption to the existing districts. The court hired a Stanford University law professor who produced that map the justices approved after Sununu's veto that moved five small towns close together in three counties from the First to the Second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Corbett, a senior advisor to Ayotte, said if lawmakers had been aggrieved they should have acted before the next election happened. "With the next census only a few years down the road, Governor-elect Ayotte does not believe the timing is right for congressional redistricting," Corbett said. Despite this, lawyers for GOP legislative leaders said it would be legal to recreate new congressional districts in the middle of the decade between two federal censuses. According to public proposed bills for 2025, there is no redistricting proposal from GOP lawmakers. House Democratic leaders have countered with one to create "redistricting criteria," presumably in hopes of reducing attempts to overtly manipulate or gerrymander the districts to reach a partisan goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Democrats controlled the Legislature in 2020, they passed but Sununu vetoed turning this process over to an independent redistricting commission that would have been in charge of producing the maps. klandrigan@unionleader.com Photo via Getty Images The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that, even though police violated a murder suspects constitutional rights by analyzing his stored blood sample without a warrant, the DNA evidence can still be used against him because of an exception in search and seizure law. The unanimous decision provides new guidance on genetic privacy rights while allowing prosecutors to proceed with their case against Ian Mitcham, who is charged with the 2015 murder of Allison Feldman in Scottsdale. Feldman had been sexually assaulted in her home near Loop 101 and Pima Road and died of blunt force trauma to the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case began when Scottsdale police investigating Feldmans murder analyzed blood that had been taken from Mitcham during a DUI arrest a month before the 31-year-old burn and trauma specialist was killed. That analysis wasnt performed until 2018, after detectives sought to identify family members of the unknown man who left DNA at the murder scene, which found that Mitchams incarcerated brother was either a sibling or parent of the unknown man. Police then turned their investigation to Mitcham and realized they still had his blood samples. Her case was the first in Arizona where familial DNA was used to help track down a suspect. Although Mitcham had consented to the blood draw for alcohol testing and had agreed that any unused blood would be destroyed after 90 days, police never did that. In 2018, they extracted his DNA profile without obtaining a new warrant and matched it to evidence from the murder scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Mitcham lost his possessory rights to the second vial of blood, he did not lose all of his privacy rights in that blood, Chief Justice Ann Timmer wrote for the court. The court held that creating a DNA profile constitutes a separate search requiring its own warrant or exception to warrant requirements, even when police legally possess the biological sample. Their failure to do so violated Mitchams Fourth Amendment right against unlawful search and seizure.However, the justices ruled the evidence admissible under the inevitable discovery doctrine because Mitchams later felony convictions would have required him to provide a DNA sample anyway under Arizona law. The ruling requires law enforcement to obtain warrants before conducting new analyses on stored biological samples but provides flexibility through established exceptions to warrant requirements. The key inquiry is whether verifiable facts exist from which the court can findthat the evidence would have been lawfully discovered despite the illegal search and independent of it, Timmer wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitcham was indicted in 2018 for first-degree murder, second-degree burglary and sexual assault in Feldmans death. The trial court initially suppressed the DNA evidence, but Tuesdays ruling overturns that decision and allows prosecutors to use it. The ruling comes as courts nationwide grapple with privacy implications of advancing DNA technology and growing genetic databases. The Arizona Supreme Courts analysis provides a framework for balancing individual privacy rights with law enforcement needs as these technologies continue to evolve. The case now returns to Maricopa Superior Court for further proceedings. Mitcham remains in custody. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A large shipment of free baby formula is on the way to Rochester as part of a price gouging settlement. Remember that baby formula shortage that began two years ago? When will it end? Baby formula shortage persisting for many The state launched an investigation into several companies accused of taking advantage of families during that crisis by raising, and in some cases, doubling prices. One consumer reportedly bought a case of formula for $190 only to be charged $245 for the same case several weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marine Park Distribution and its affiliate, Formula Depot, are among those named as bad actors. Following the State Attorney Generals investigation, those two suppliers agreed to provide $675,000 worth of baby formula for babies in need. Lincoln Fire Department welcomes $75K UTV Monday afternoon, AG James announced Foodlink in Rochester will receive the donation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Child tax credit battles: Sen. Josh Hawley (RMo.) is pitching the idea of raising the child tax credit from $2,000 per child to $5,000 per child and allowing parents to take advantage of such credit not only once the child is born but also retroactively for the year prior when the mother was pregnant. This plan would reportedly cost $2 trillion to $3 trillion over the next 10 years, per Bloomberg. But tax credits are simply allowing people to keep more of their earnings, instead of the government being entitled to taking them. The problem is when tax revenue shrinks yet government spending doesn't keep pace, we deepen the deficit hole we're already in. Interestingly, Hawley "wants to apply the credit to payroll taxes, allowing even Americans who do not make enough to pay income taxes to access bigger refunds," notes Axios. This plan, which has also been endorsed by incoming Vice President J.D. Vance, has found plenty of supporters on the right and represents a possible shift by conservatives toward more explicitly pro-family policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has been happening in New Jersey? About a month ago, residents of New Jersey started noticing substantial numbers of dronesas many as 10 or 15 at once!hovering in the skies above them. driving through new jersey pic.twitter.com/ns9pIB4tUP Kevin Finnerty (@timeimmemorial_) December 12, 2024 "It's unnerving when you walk out your door, and this is what you see," one Morristown resident told The New York Times. "Federal officials have said that there is no evidence that the sightings pose a threat to public safety, or that a majority of them are even drones," the same Times article clarified. "Many of the sightings have actually proved to be manned aircraft mistaken as drones, according to officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the F.B.I." But there hasn't been a lot of information given as to what exactly is happening, and why it's happening now, leaving a lot of residents scared and irked. One angle worth considering, while we await more information about what the hell is happening, is that we're actually more vulnerable to aerial attack than we realize and that, regardless of whether these are drones flown by foreign adversaries, the future involves such threats (and we're nowhere near ready for it). Noah Smith writes in his Substack Noahpinion: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The basic idea here is that because drones are cheap to make in large numbers and hard to detect, they can easily penetrate peacetime air defenses that would easily catch and intercept manned aircraft. This means that every city and town and neighborhood is now vulnerable to approach by droneswe're just not going to put radars, electronic warfare devices, and point defense cannons on every city block in the country. If drones want to get close to you, they can. People in New Jersey are panicking because this fact is just now sinking in. Smith writes that "this is already a reality for Ukrainians living in the war-torn city of Kherson" where "Russians are using drones to hunt civilians." He cites the Financial Times: "When clouds gather, rain pours and winds sweep through this southern Ukrainian city, locals take their cue to run errandssensing a pause, at least temporarily, in the terror that has filled their skies. Kherson's civilians have been, since midsummer, the target of an experiment without precedent in modern European warfare: a concerted Russian campaign to empty a city by stalking its residents with attack drones." The piece continues: The killer machines, sometimes by the swarm, hover above homes, buzz into buildings and chase people down streets in their cars, riding bicycles or simply on foot. The targets are not soldiers, or tanks, but civilian lifeSince mid-July, Kherson and its neighbouring villages along the western side of the Dnipro river have suffered more than 9,500 attacks with small drones, killing at least 37 people and injuring hundreds more. New Jersey is facing nothing of the sort. But there's something absolutely disturbing about the fact that we would be wholly unprepared for such an attack and that, in the meantime, our government officials don't see fit to tell us much of anything. Scenes from New York: "The New York City Campaign Finance Board voted to withhold as much as $4.3 million in matching funds from Mayor Eric Adams, as he faces federal corruption charges focused on his fund-raising practices," reports The New York Times. You simply must enjoy the sheer delusion that's leading Adams to run for reelection; it probably won't go well, but his confidence is refreshing! QUICK HITS "A federal government department denies any involvement in the city of Yellowknife's handing out cigarettes as an incentive among the mostly Indigenous homeless population to participate in a Point-in-Time (PiT) count," reports Canada's National Post. A good question: I think things in San Francisco are finally turning around, but has anyone written the definitive account of how 2014-2024 was basically a lost decade for the city? It was showered with fabulous amounts of wealth, and has surprisingly little to show for it. M. Nolan Gray (@mnolangray) December 16, 2024 Big news in the world of fertility treatments: This is neglected news more people should see. Traditional egg maturation requires women to do about two weeks of hormonal stimulation. With this new method, you only need about three days, and about 80% of required injections are no longer needed, making IVF safer and easier. https://t.co/yL96PJYdUB Cremieux (@cremieuxrecueil) December 16, 2024 A teenager opened fire at a Christian school in Wisconsin, killing at least two people and injuring six before committing suicide. A federal jury in Nevada awarded $34 million to a woman for a wrongful conviction; the woman, Kirstin Blaise Lobato, had spent nearly 16 years in prison for a murder she did not commit. The full story is absolutely wild. How Donald Trump's tariffs helped northern Vietnam "For the furthest extremes of the American left, it doesn't matter that Luigi [Mangione] was a Huberman-loving center-right thinkboi hollowed out by pain and drugs, tragically lost to demons," writes Mike Solana at Pirate Wires. "Marxists have reshaped him into a folk hero, with songs of class war amplified across every corner of the social internet." "Interestingly, there's possibly some sign that young people are using less social media in general than in 2022," writes Noah Smith of recent Pew Research data on social media use for teens. "That might correspond to the end of the pandemic and the resumption of real-life interaction, or it might be a response to the general realization that public social media platforms are toxic and unhealthy. Note that the only significant gains in the last 2 years came from WhatsApp, which is a small-group chat service rather than a public platform." Teens are apparently using both Facebook and X way less than they used to. Vaccine revisionism is no match for Community Notes: I fully believe vaccines cause Autism. It's another example of crimes against humanity. And innocent babies, children, and their families are the victims. https://t.co/uR4T1kEsoX Marjorie Taylor Greene ???????? (@mtgreenee) December 16, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post Baby Incentives appeared first on Reason.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Residents of the Edison Mobile Home Park east of Bakersfield are still without power, more than a week after a fire tore through the community killing two women. Residents said in addition to mourning their neighbors theyre left to deal with the aftermath of no electricity and a charred mess they have to clean up themselves. Generators and campfires are keeping these mobile home park residents warm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really cold, said Scott Wesley Perkins, whos been trailer hopping in the park for five months. Theres no light, cant see nothing, so its just like back in the Stone Ages. Donald Riddle, a resident of five years, agreed with Perkins. No power out here, no hot water, electricityno nothing out here, said Riddle. Teacher and student killed, 6 injured in Wisconsin school shooting The trailer inferno killed two women trapped inside. The Coroners Office said Monday the victims have not yet been identified, as their bodies are too badly burned. The Kern County Fire Department has launched an arson investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, residents said theyre helpless, with many saying theyve not yet heard from property management. Jay Vee, whos lived in the park for almost two months, said, Were trying to help each other out. If we can get any help from the community, thatd be highly appreciated. Perkins, expressed concerns over the future. What are we all gonna do now, you know, if they dont fix this power, said Perkins. What are we going to do? Yeah, dont even think about taking a shower. Youll freeze to death. Ive never showered, since the fire, not once. Monday morning, Perkins and his neighbors were attempting to get their generator going, while clean up efforts continued throughout the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another resident told 17 News she and her husband are moving and scrapping their trailer, after it was badly burned. A week after the fire, the sheriffs office offered few details. A spokesperson would say only that theres enough reason to investigate the case as a homicide, but wouldnt say if theres a suspect or suspects, and whether theres a killer on the loose. The sheriffs office said based on their investigation so far, theres no concern for public safety. Arvin man and his accused killer were involved with same woman: report According to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, the mobile park has 27 lot spaces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One unit was fully burned, while two others were approximately 80% burned. Water, toilet paperstuff you would normally get at a store close by, Vee asked of the community. Were far from the market or anything like that. 17 News also met a veteran who was dropping off a Walmart gift card to a family. I belong to VWF Post 7216 over in east Bakersfield, and we found out one of the residents here is a veteran, explained Edward Ochoa. Post members have donated clothing, food and Im here to help them with a small monetary donation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) A Nelson County teacher is in jail facing a child sexual abuse allegation. According to the police, Richard Marzec, 41, is a teacher at Old Kentucky Home Middle School in Bardstown. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An arrest citation showed that in 2018, the alleged victim, a then 7-year-old girl, was asked by Marzec to remove her clothing in front of him and perform sexual acts. He is currently in the Boyle County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond and has been charged with first-degree sexual abuse. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JERUSALEM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Tuesday that he would not permit the establishment of a Palestinian state, rejecting reports that Israel had agreed to a "path toward Palestinian statehood" as part of efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. "Prime Minister Netanyahu has acted and continues to act against the establishment of a Palestinian state," his office said in a statement, describing the reports as "completely false." The statement added that such a move would "endanger Israel's security." Israeli media earlier reported that a concession on Palestinian statehood was being considered as part of ongoing negotiations for a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu, who has long regarded formal ties with the kingdom as a key strategic objective, dismissed the reports. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek to establish an independent state in those territories. Netanyahu's comments come amid mounting international criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched in October. The offensive has drawn global condemnation, with Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials facing war crimes accusations at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) The owners of Boil & Roux, a seafood restaurant in Baton Rouge, said their decision to close after 10 years in business was a difficult one. In a Facebook post, the owners thanked customers for their support, saying Boil & Roux has been a place where memories were created, flavors came alive, and our love for Louisianas rich culinary tradition was shared. They also encouraged customers to stay connected for updates on new opportunities. Located on Coursey Boulevard, the restaurant faced legal and financial challenges. In April 2023, an agreement with the local government allowed Boil & Roux to retain its liquor license after being cited for operating a Cinco de Mayo event without a special permit. Court records show that in 2020, the restaurant faced an eviction lawsuit for nearly $18,000 in unpaid rent, which was dismissed in January 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owners expressed frustration, saying they could not withstand a system that, at times, seemed set up for us to fail. The owners, who identify as a minority-owned business, called for equal opportunities, stating, We must be welcomed in this city to serve our community without being judged by the color of our skin. True progress comes when all businesses, regardless of who owns them, are given equal opportunities to thrive. According to Boil & Rouxs Google business profile, the restaurant is permanently closed. BRProud.com is awaiting closing date confirmation from restaurant management. Street Food Munchies opening second Baton Rouge location Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com. Donald Trumps big victory and horrific agenda for military-led mass deportation, accelerating climate change, rolling back reproductive rights, and pursuing dictatorial powers sent Democratic governors leaping to the barricades. Or, at least, the microphones. In the days following the 2024 election, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared hed invoke a special session of the state legislature to help Trump-proof the Golden State. Gov. Tim Walz, the vanquished vice presidential candidate, returned home quoting Bob Dylan promising Minnesota would be a shelter from the storm and pledging to stand up and fight Trumps hateful agenda. Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois delivered a message directly to Trump: You come for my people, you come through me. For the governors, talking tough to Trump mixes principle, policy, and of course politics. The leaders who can match their rhetoric to real action, foiling the 47th president, will not only protect their states residents, but also boost their national profile at a rare moment when the Democratic Party doesnt have a clear, next-in-line leader. Theyre all jockeying. They see an opportunity here, and they should see an opportunity, says Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, the progressive grassroots giant with more than 2,000 chapters across the country. (Contrary to recent media narratives about a deflated Trump opposition, Indivisible has seen a surge in new activists rivaling the groups launch in the aftermath of Trumps 2016 victory.) I would like to see blue-state governors trying to outdo each other, says Levin, pushing back against Trump 2.0. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Democratic governors of red states are pledging to block damaging Trump rollbacks. Kentucky voted nearly 2-to-1 for Trump in November, and Gov. Andy Beshear tells Rolling Stone hes not spoiling for a fight and can work with Trump when it benefits his state. But he points to his record as Kentuckys attorney general during the first Trump administration: I was one of the main plaintiffs defending the Affordable Care Act. That expanded Medicaid, brought health care coverage to 600,000 Kentuckians, says Beshear, who made the short list for Kamala Harris vice presidential nominee and is seen as a strong 2024 presidential contender. So you can bet, if they try to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, Im going to be on the front lines defending it once again. Rising stars in the ranks of state attorneys general also see opportunity in their obligations as they position themselves as a first line of defense against Trumps overreach. The best antidote to the threats is readiness, California Attorney General Rob Bonta tells Rolling Stone. His team has been poring over the agenda laid out in Project 2025, the playbook for a second Trump term spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation, and preparing litigation to respond including on immigration, the environment, gun safety, reproductive freedom, and other civil rights. Bonta says, All we have to do is cross the Ts, dot the Is, press print, and file. Governors Banding Together Among governors, Pritzker has been out in front positioning himself as the blue-state anti-Trump. The Hyatt hotel heir is a billionaire himself, worth nearly $4 billion, which counts as fuck-you money in an age when opposing Trump can carry significant costs, from increased security to the risk of retaliatory litigation, or lawfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Pritzker launched a new organization, called Governors Safeguarding Democracy, that seeks to unify state-based opposition to Trumps agenda. Unveiled with co-chair Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, GSD is built for pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy, Pritzker says. Polis expanded on the groups purpose in an interview with Rolling Stone: Were all facing a potential onslaught; lets pool together so we can share a common response. That onslaught includes Trump threats to revoke funding from states that dont follow his reactionary agenda on erasing transgender identity from public education, or to block federal disaster aid from states that dont loosen environmental protections. Safeguarding residents from ICE is also a priority. We wont cooperate with any federal efforts especially illegal federal efforts that separate families to deport hardworking, de facto Americans whove been here for decades, Polis says. The group will also focus on fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend upon, Pritzker says whether thats local election boards or state courts. The governors group has not unveiled a roster of member states, but Rolling Stone has learned that more than 20 are involved. The groups advisory board includes a formidable, bipartisan brain trust of former governors Deval Patrick (D-Mass.), Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kan.), Bill Weld (R-Mass.), and Arne Carlson (R-Minn.) as well as former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. GSD is currently probing how states can lock down databases to prevent the Trump administration from tracking undocumented immigrants who have received state driver licenses, for example, or from targeting activists who are arrested while protesting. Behind the scenes, GSD has been prepping states for the fallout from Supreme Court rulings that have undermined federal regulatory agencies, says Julia Spiegel, a former aide to Newsom who is GSDs top administrator. Anything from clean air and water to safe medication is potentially under attack now, she says. What are states going to do to create the regulatory infrastructure if the federal government is no longer going to be able to do it? Governors are working together to address these big questions to make sure their state institutions can protect and provide the things of daily life that matter to people most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GSD is modeled on the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, which saw Democratic governors unite in defense of reproductive rights after the reversal of Roe v. Wade. That included organizing bulk purchases of abortion drugs negotiated at a discount by the state with the largest purchasing power, California. The alliance also developed legislation, for introduction by member states, to safeguard the privacy of women who travel for abortion care and that of the doctors who treat them. At the press conference launching GSD, Pritzker emphasized the need to remain agile and swiftly respond to emerging threats. Pressed for details, he insisted that a proposal by Trump adviser Stephen Miller to deploy National Guard troops from Republican-led states inside unfriendly blue states, as part of a mass deportation regime, represented exactly the kind of question that [GSD] would be considering. Pritzker insisted that the proposal was illegal and Illinois would certainly not cooperate. Holding Them to It Activist leaders welcome such bold promises, but worry about empty grandstanding. It is encouraging to see a lot of blue-state governors talking the talk. But we need to see them walk the walk, says Levin. This is particularly true in the 15 states where Democrats control the governorship and the state legislature. Its not our job to tell Gavin Newsom, or Jared Polis, or JB Pritzker, This is what you should do, Levin says. Its our job to say, You better be fighting back with everything you got. Polis has already emerged as a problematic figure in the view of many progressives. He is a former congressman and tech executive, with a libertarian bent, who is worth $400 million and could make a credible 2028 candidate. But the same week he garnered headlines as a leader of the Trump resistance, Polis lavished praise on the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Trumps Health and Human Services secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is the kind of appeasement of Trump thats really dangerous, Levin says. Its bad on its merits because RFK Jr. is a wackadoodle who is going to do great harm to this country with his anti-science, anti-vax ideas. But its also bad as a matter of opposition politics, Levin says: Polis is creating a permission structure for other Democrats who would like to not do hard things. In fact, many blue-state Democratic governors have been striking an accommodating tone with Trump. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul touted issues she hopes the new administration will work on with her, including increasing federal tax deductions for wealthy state residents. She also declared, Ill be the first to call up ICE to deport undocumented immigrants who break the law. (Hochul did not respond to an interview request.) In New Jersey, where Trump lost by just five percent, Gov. Phil Murphy has vowed to seize opportunities for collaboration with Trump as fast as anybody. (In an awkward straddle, Murphy also pledged to fight to the death if Trump violates the states values.) Polis received withering criticism for embracing Kennedy, and Levin hopes the liberal blowback will steel other lawmakers against cozying up to Trump: This isnt the way. Theres not a pathway here if you want to become the next president, he says. You can say No. When it comes to fascism, No is a complete sentence. (Asked by Rolling Stone to explain his seemingly incongruent support of an extreme Trump Cabinet appointee, Polis deflected, arguing that the purpose of GSD isnt specifically to oppose the Trump administration.) Trump appointees like border czar Tom Homan have vowed the new administration will lead a campaign of shock and awe out of the gates in late January. For grassroots groups, the battle plan is to throw up as many roadblocks as possible in an attempt to limit the damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have no shortage of engaged activists. Since its formation in 2016, Indivisible has helped shape resistance politics with a famous field guide on how to effectively pressure elected officials. Indivisible has updated that guide for 2024, unveiling the new manual in a November Zoom call that drew 40,000 participants. This surge of activist engagement is widespread. Amanda Litman is the co-founder of Run for Something, which recruits young progressives to seek office. She says her group has seen a record surge in the wake of Trumps reelection, with more than 11,000 people signing a pledge to run for office in their own communities. Thats the place where we can do the most good, Litman says, and also stop the most harm. Much of what Trump wants to accomplish requires maneuvering legislation through a tightly divided Congress, and that should give activists hope, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said on the Indivisible call. She pointed to the unlikely defense of Obamacare in 2017, when Republicans held larger margins in Congress. Anybody who was going to bet money was going to say, Its gone. Just kiss it all goodbye, Warren said. But the ACA survived because activists cajoled key Republicans into standing against Trump. We get things done with an inside-outside game, Warren told the activists. Either one is powerful, but together, they are multiples more powerful. Leah Greenberg, Indivisibles other co-founder, underscored that there is both power and safety in solidarity, particularly when it comes to opposing the parts of the Trump agenda where he can act alone like initiating mass deportation. If millions of people are out there saying No, saying, This is not what our country should be, that raises the cost of repression, Greenberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our work, Greenberg continued, is defining Trump 2.0 and its apologists by their worst and their most devastating policies. It begins now. State AGs Gear Up While activists are readying to oppose Trump in the streets, perhaps the most promising preparation comes from state attorneys general who are ready to take Trump to court. Trumps 2016 victory caught many state attorneys general flat-footed. Thats not the case for Trump 2.0. We are light-years ahead of where we were when Trump was first coming into office, Bob Ferguson tells Rolling Stone. Ferguson is Washington states outgoing attorney general who has just been elected its governor. He served through the entirety of Trump 1.0 and has the battle scars to prove it. Ferguson filed the lawsuit that blocked Trumps initial Muslim ban a 2017 prohibition on people entering the United States from seven majority-Muslim countries. Trump ultimately faced more than 150 multistate lawsuits a record which curbed many abuses, including family separations at the border. Ferguson insists that Democratic attorneys general are organized and unified and strongest when they act together, recalling one case, defending an environmental regulation, when 17 states showed up in court: That was persuasive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Attorney General Bonta has no interest in Trumps supposed mandate. More Californians voted for Steve Garvey than voted for Mr. Trump, he says, pointing to the former L.A. Dodgers star who got trounced as the states GOP Senate candidate. California does not want what Trump is doing, and we will push back and fight back with all of our authority. (The Golden State, it should be noted, was not enthusiastic about what California native Harris had to offer; she received 1.8 million fewer votes than Joe Biden did four years ago accounting for most of her popular-vote defeat.) The special legislative session called by Newsom in early December whom Trump lambastes as Newscum proposed a $25 million boost to the states legal team as it prepares to go toe-to-toe with Trump. California had a strong track record against Trump 1.0, fending off attacks on mandates for zero-emission vehicles, for example, and protecting DACA the program safeguarding undocumented people brought to the United States as children from deportation. We are ready to do that again if theres any attack on lawfully present immigrants, Bonta says, or U.S. citizens. Reproductive freedoms are top of mind. This includes the dark prospect of a national abortion ban, Bonta says, insisting his team has already been preparing arguments and identifying the pathways for a challenge. Just as conservatives steered lawsuits against Biden policies through ideologically sympathetic courts hoping to reach the archconservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Bonta is also strategizing about favorable court venues: Weve given it thought, he says, where to file. Unlike in 2016, the nations highest court is now dominated by a conservative supermajority that has shown extreme deference to Trump. Thats important for sure, Ferguson concedes, but he underscores that lower courts have recently been stocked with Biden appointees, and that during Trump 1.0, only a fraction of the litigation ended up at the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Washingtons governor-elect, Ferguson takes seriously the threats by Trump to strip federal funding from states. But he also has confidence that such defunding is easier said than done. He points to a court victory that blocked Trump from stripping funding for a military base in Washington state and reallocating it to constructing the border wall. Ferguson raises the concerning prospect that a second Trump administration may also be better prepared and able to tighten up some of the sloppy legal work that made Trump 1.0 easier to defeat. Then again, Ferguson says, that may be giving Trump too much credit. From what Ive seen so far from President Trump, in the rollout of his Cabinet, its more of the same, he says. If hes rolling out executive orders in the way he rolled out Matthew Gaetz, hes going to get beat in court. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bakersfield City School District Board of Trustees President Chris Cruz-Boone announced her candidacy Monday for the vacant Bakersfield-area Assembly seat formerly held by Rep. Vince Fong, making her the second candidate to enter the race. Cruz-Boone announced her candidacy for the 32nd Assembly District seat in a news release, pitting herself against the only other candidate to enter the race, Republican businessman Stan Ellis. "In a contest that pits status quo power against the call for genuine representation, Chris Cruz-Boone is determined to give a voice to everyday families and workers who have long felt sidelined by politics-as-usual," the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news release characterized Ellis as "elitist" with deep ties to the political establishment in contrast to herself, "the candidate who will bring authentic representation to the state Assembly." Cruz-Boone, who has served on the BCSD board since 2020, is a college professor with a doctorate in education from Fresno State University. Speaking Monday to the Californian, Cruz-Boone said that, as a member of the school board, she's had firsthand experience with laws drafted by millionaires in Sacramento that don't make any sense. She pointed to Senate Bill 88, a 2023 law requiring that anyone transporting students for a school activity have the same qualifications as a school bus driver. She also referred to Assembly Bill 599, which would remove the requirement that students in possession of controlled substances be expelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the transportation requirement, Cruz-Boone said districts have had to obtain bus driver qualifications for school staff like vice principals and social workers. "It's just a waste of our time and energy so that we can keep serving the needs of our kids," Cruz-Boone said of the requirement. Though her campaign announcement made no mention of a political party, Cruz-Boone said she is a Democrat, even as much of her frustration is directed at Democratic-controlled Sacramento. Cruz-Boone said she knows Ellis only by what she has read of him in media coverage of his campaign, but his wealth and the fact that Ellis was able to secure endorsements from prominent Republicans was evidence of his closeness to the political establishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He'll fit in in Sacramento," Cruz-Boone said. "He may have an 'R' by his name, but he has more in common with people in Sacramento than I do." If elected, Cruz-Boone said her top priorities would be education, drug prevention and the environment, with a particular focus on water. In an announcement Wednesday, Ellis called himself a conservative Republican and promised to push back against the Democratic party. The announcement included endorsements by several prominent Republicans including Fong; Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford; Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh; and Kern County Supervisors David Couch and Jeff Flores, as well as Supervisor-elect Chris Parlier. In an email Monday, Ellis' campaign said the two candidates have not met but that Ellis respects anyone willing to serve the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Stan Ellis is a self-made entrepreneur who grew up on a hog farm, worked his way through college and built businesses that created jobs here in the Central Valley," said Cole Rojewski, campaign spokesperson. Stan remains focused on meeting with voters and addressing the real issues impacting our Valley like lowering gas prices, securing our water infrastructure and strengthening our local economy." Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a special election for the 32nd District after Fong now serving in Congress won the Assembly seat in the November election. Fong's name appeared twice on the November ballot following his early resignation from the Assembly in order to serve out the remaining congressional term of former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who resigned the seat after being ousted as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Fong had filed for re-election in the Assembly prior to the special congressional election. The California Secretary of State's office ruled it was too late to remove his name from that race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite endorsing his opponent, Bakersfield City Councilman Ken Weir, Fong won the 32nd District seat by 20 percentage points even as he won re-election to Congress. When Fong declined the state office, a vacancy was officially declared and the process for a special election began. The governor's declaration scheduled the special election for April 29, with a special primary taking place Feb. 25. Nomination papers must be filed with the county elections office between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2. BEACON FALLS, Conn. (WTNH) A Beacon Falls duo has been ordered to halt the deer processing business they were running out of their home, police announced Tuesday. Environmental conservation and Bristol police officers executed a search and seizure warrant at a home earlier this month. The two were running their business, New England Wild Game-Deer Processing, out of a home on Briarwood Drive. There were numerous potential building and land use violations, according to police, along with unsanitary conditions both inside and outside of the home. The duo have since been issues about public health and safety violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodbridge Animal Control seized numerous pets, along with 28 chickens and ducks. Rodney and Matthew Chase have been charged with risk of injury to a child, criminal possession of a firearm, and possession of cannabis over the allowed limit and not stores in a secure area. The facility did not have a taxidermy license, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Many residents in the San Jacinto Mountain community of Reche Canyon are pushing back against San Bernardino Countys plan to remove a portion of the areas famous and beloved wild burro population. Nearly 70 of the wild animals have already been rounded up after the countys contract with Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, a Texas-based organization, went into effect on Dec. 1. We really embrace them as a part of our community, Reche Canyon resident Brandi Augenstein told KTLAs Shelby Nelson. Its kind of fun sometime to watch them from your porch, just watch the donkeys roll through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donkey watching in Reche Canyon is something that many residents and visitors cherish. Wild burros seen in Reche Canyon in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burros seen in Reche Canyon in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burro seen at DonkeyLand in Riverside on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burros seen in Reche Canyon in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burros seen at DonkeyLand in Riverside on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burros seen in Reche Canyon in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Wild burros seen in Reche Canyon in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains on Dec. 16, 2024. (KTLA) Theyre part of the wildlife, Augenstein added. Thats part of living in a rural area, being able to surround yourself with natures beauty. I dont believe removal is the answer. We have hundreds of thousands of acres back here in Reche Canyon. In recent years, though, the donkey population has caused some problems, such as car accidents and traffic backups in the heavily traveled canyon. People will pull over, theyll feed and try to interact with the donkeys, Robert Kochis who lives in the area told KTLA. You dont want to do that. Because of that, they get used to coming up to cars expecting food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notorious California Sweethearts murderer dies in prison at age 75 What some residents are arguing for is proper county enforcement where the burro population is concerned and say the animals provide the much needed service of feeding on the brush and keeping it under control. If this brush keeps growing and drying out, this is going to be a real handful for firefighters, Kochis added. Without them, its not really the same canyon. The area is also home to DonkeyLand, one of the nations largest facilities for wild burros founded by the late Bob Barker of Price is Right fame. Officials at DonkeyLand released a lengthy statement about the issue, saying the county notified them of the donkey removal only after they started rounding them up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, all our efforts to help the wild burros stay in the area they have called home for the past 75 years wasnt successful enough for the County of San Bernardino, the statement read in part. As for the 68 wild burros already captured by officials, they are currently being held on county lands and are likely awaiting shipment to Texas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) Berkeley County council members approved Monday resurfacing work for more than 200 city, county, and state roads. Roads and infrastructure remain a top priority for County leadership and staff. Thats because its one of the publics chief concerns. Enhanced roadways improve traffic and quality of life in our communities, said Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb. The country awarded a contract for more than $12 million to Banks Construction for resurfacing and base work for 97 roads. That money will come from the One Cent Sales Tax program which was approved by voters in November 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders Brothers Construction was awarded a contract for more than $7 million to resurface 32 roads through Berkeley County Transportation Committee funds, and the county awarded a contract to Banks Construction for $5 million to resurface 98 roads and $2 million to complete five dirt-to-pave roads through American Rescue Plan Act funds. Council and I will continue to prioritize these projects across our entire county as we move into the New Year, added Cribb. We understand there is much to do, and we will continue to commit all resources available to address this critical need. A timeline for the resurfacing projects was not provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. TOPEKA (KSNT) One local church in Topeka is working hard to restart its homeless ministry after finding out its outreach violated city code. Open Arms Outreach Ministries helps people in need get back on their feet with food, clothing and even shelter. But after finding out it was violating several city safety codes, its had to turn people away. The Topeka Fire Department (TFD) informed the church in October of its violation of 17 codes. Since that visit, the church has been unable to house anyone overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Tuesday they came out and told us that the men had to leave, said the churchs administrator Tina Carter. And I think that was really heartbreaking for us, and for them, because this is where they call home. However, the church has been working hard to get up to date with city ordinances. Kansas food tax to change on Jan. 1, 2025, what to know There were things that we had to clean up and clean out and make sure we got everything up to code, Carter said. Its been a vary tedious process. Weve been working tirelessly on this. Making sure the church is compliant with all city code is a costly project. Pastor Sam Mitchel has been funding a majority of the upgrades from his 401k account. However, Carter sees this challenging time for the church as a blessing, not a financial burden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to be code compliant, Carter said. So thats a good thing. The best thing to come out of it was that we were made aware, and we are able to now make sure the church is operating the way we need to operate. With the holiday season right around the corner, Carter has just one thing on her Christmas list this year. Giant piles of trash prompt action from City of Topeka against local landlord If we could get the men their housing back, that would be the best Christmas gift ever, Carter said. 27 News reached out to the City of Topeka for comment on the situation. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Johnathan Walton and Mair (aka Marianne) Smyth at Smyth's tree-trimming party (December 2013). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton I can help, she said, and with just those three words, a four-year nightmare began to unfold as I fell hard for one of the oldest cons in the book: The Inheritance Scam. But this scheme wasnt cooked up by some fictional Nigerian prince soliciting me through a sketchy email. I fell under the spell of an immensely lovable woman who inserted herself into my life and became my best friend. Unfortunately, she was also an international con artist on the run from the authorities and I was about to become one of her many marks. She scammed me out of nearly $100,000 using a series of brilliant confidence tricks as she simultaneously destroyed my sense of self and darkened my once joyful outlook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as she was ruining my life, she was also scamming dozens of others around the world by impersonating psychics, mortgage brokers, psychologists, lawyers, travel agents, and even pretending to be a cancer victim. She was a true queen of the con, utilizing disguises and even plastic surgery to alter her appearance from one crime to the next, and she might have gotten away with cheating many more people if she hadnt unwittingly turned me into a relentless vigilante. Because instead of completely falling apart in the wake of her scam and the bankruptcy she forced me into I somehow found the strength I didnt know I had to pick myself up from the wreckage. And I fought back. I started my own investigation into her scams, uncovered other victims and painstakingly brought her to justice. Today shes sitting in a jail cell in Los Angeles County, probably wondering how on earth she became the victim of one of her own victims. Well, allow me to explain. The first photo Walton ever took of Smyth (2013). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton She introduced herself to me as Mair Smyth in May 2013 when she joined a group of angry neighbors in my living room to discuss what to do about losing access to our buildings swimming pool due to a legal spat with a neighboring building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can help, she told us. My boyfriend is a lawyer who can get the pool back! I liked her immediately. We all did. She was brash. Funny. Extremely intelligent and outspoken. Ironically, she came across as a woman who always told it like it is. She also came across as an incredibly wealthy woman. She wore $1,200 Jimmy Choos and once showed me her closet filled with more than 250 pairs. Thats $300,000 in shoes alone! I thought to myself. But I Iater discovered they were all fake. After our initial meeting in my apartment that night, Mair invited my husband, Pablito, and me to dinner. And over the next year, she frequently wined and dined us at fancy restaurants and always insisted on picking up the bill. I love you guys, shed convincingly plead. I have a lot of money let me pay! Wed hang out almost every evening in our BBQ area, exchanging intimacies under the cool LA sky. Mair told us she was originally from Ireland and one night she pointed to a framed document hanging in her living room. This is the Irish Constitution, she said. See that signature at the bottom? Thats my great uncles. Since my knowledge of Ireland was scant, I believed her. I had no idea that like her shoes, that tale was also fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mair brought me Irish tea and pastries and regaled me with stories of how when she was a young girl, her grandmother, who was supposedly in the Irish Republican Army, would bring her to the top of a bridge and teach Mair how to hurl Molotov cocktails down on British soldiers. I was captivated and horrified. But her stories about her family were all lies too. When I tearfully confided in her that part of my family had disowned me for being gay, she pounced. My family disowned me too! she said, as she fought back tears. Theyre trying to get me disinherited. All of a sudden we werent just new friends we were two discarded souls bonding over our incredibly painful family circumstances. Walton, Smyth and Walton's husband, Pablito, hanging out in the BBQ area of their apartment complex (2015). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton Mair told me that an uncle, the patriarch of her family, recently died and her cousins were dividing up an estate worth 25 million euros. She said she was supposed to receive 5 million euros the equivalent of $6.5 million at the time as her share of the inheritance. As months passed, shed frequently show me angry text messages and emails from her Irish cousins threatening that she wouldnt get a dime of the inheritance. I didnt realize that Mair actually created those phone and email accounts herself to impersonate her cousins as part of her scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mair told me she had taken a lot of family money with her when she left Ireland many years ago, so she never needed to work. However, she claimed she enjoyed working, so she got a job selling luxury vacations at a travel agency in Los Angeles that her family did a lot of business with. She said her familys association with the company made it easy for her to secure employment there. Fourteen months into our friendship Mair and I were like sister and brother. We even began ending our phone calls by telling each other I love you. She told me that her barristers (I had to google what that word meant) were having trouble trying to secure her inheritance and that they had warned her about a clause in her uncles will that stated that if any family member was convicted of a felony, they would forfeit their share of the inheritance. Mair was building up the framework of her con in such enthralling detail that I became an actual player in scamming myself. Instead of her telling me the next step in her deceitful story, she got me to tell her! You better be careful! I cautioned her. Since your family does a lot of business with the travel agency you work for, one of your disgruntled cousins might try and set you up to get you convicted of a felony to keep your share of the inheritance from you! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id read news stories about husbands knocking off their wives for million-dollar insurance policies. We were talking about $6.5 million here. And according to the emails and texts I saw, many of her family members certainly appeared to hate her. Why wouldnt they set her up? I thought. On July 8, 2014, my phone rang. You have a collect call from Its Mair an inmate at the Century Regional Detention Facility. Press one to accept, the computerized voice instructed me. I quickly pressed 1. You were right! she sobbed. I was arrested today. My family set me up to make it look like I stole $200,000 from my job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told you this would happen! I yelled into the phone. I was distraught. I quickly found a bail bondsman and paid him $4,200 to get her out of jail. Thats when I first learned that her legal name was Marianne Smyth, not Mair Smyth. She paid me back the $4,200 the very next day when she was released from jail. Or, rather, the married man she was dating at the time paid me back the next day. Little did I (or he) know it, but she was in the process of scamming him too. As the months passed, Mair showed me emails from her lawyers assuring her that the criminal case against her was falling apart. I had no idea those emails were also from fake accounts she had created herself. Then, almost three years into our friendship, she told me the district attorney prosecuting her case had frozen her bank accounts. She was devastated. So I started lending her money. She had immediately paid back the $4,200 I used to bail her out of jail, so I felt confident shed pay me back any other money I loaned her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats the thing: The term con artist is short for confidence artist because these individuals are skilled at gaining your confidence and then, once theyve attained it, they use it to scam you out of your money. Over the course of several months, I loaned Mair nearly $15,000. Youd think Id be worried about giving her that much money but I wasnt. At all. She was not only my best friend but she claimed she was about to inherit millions of dollars at least thats what all the emails from her barristers said so I never even considered the idea that anything sinister could be taking place. Smyth, Walton and Pablito on Halloween (2015). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day, Mair called me and said the DA was now demanding $50,000 to dismiss the criminal case against her. I didnt have $50,000 in cash. But I did have an 840 credit score. So I let her charge the $50,000 on my credit cards using her PayPal account to get the criminal case against her dropped, thereby opening the pathway for her to secure her $6.5 million inheritance and pay me back. I had only ever been to court for speeding tickets at that point. I knew so little about the criminal justice system. Besides, Mair was now like a family member! I just never imagined that she could be scamming me. A few months later, I was shocked to find out Mair had been arrested again. She said the judge in her case considered her charging my credit cards with her PayPal account money laundering and punished her with 30 days in jail. The charge was not a felony she said it was just a slap on the wrist and she assured me, once again, that as soon as she got out of jail and received her inheritance, she would pay me back in full. Mair called me collect from jail every day and begged me not to visit her. I dont want you to see me like this, she said. But I insisted. So I logged onto the jails website to schedule a visit and thats when everything fell apart and the true devastation she wrought on my life started to reveal itself. The jails website showed there had been no slap on the wrist. Mair was serving time for felony grand theft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I took the day off work and immediately rushed down to a Los Angeles courthouse. With trembling hands, I started reviewing every record from Mairs case that I could find. I discovered she had lied to me about everything. I suddenly couldnt breathe. That $50,000 I let her charge on my credit cards was really to pay $40,000 as part of a plea agreement to a felony grand theft charge she faced for stealing more than $200,000 from the travel agency she worked for. Had she not been able to come up with that $40,000, she would have received a five-year jail sentence not the measly 30 days she actually served. I discovered that her bank accounts had never been frozen. There was no wealthy Irish family or inheritance. Shes not even Irish! Those were all lies she used to entrap me. I went home and collapsed in my husbands arms. I didnt cry I wailed. How could I let this happen to us? I sobbed over and over again. I was inconsolable. Eventually, my pain was replaced by breathtaking anger and the determination to do something. First, I confronted Mair in the parking lot outside our apartment building the day she was released from jail. I told her I knew she wasnt Irish. I knew no one froze her bank accounts. I knew there was no inheritance. She emphatically denied everything. Thats not true, Johnathan! Thats not true! she pleaded over and over again as tears streamed down her face. But I had finally learned that those tears, like everything else in her life, were a complete fabrication. And I was done believing anything she had to say. I balled up my fists. Clenched my jaw. And walked away. We never spoke again. I went to the police days later in March 2017 and filed a report. The officer interviewing me seemed skeptical that there was anything they could do. Dont give strangers your money were his parting words. So I started my own investigation. I dug up Mair Smyths yearbook and learned that she was born Marianne Andle in Maine and graduated from Bangor High in 1987. She later moved to Tennessee, where, according to her estranged family, she told everyone in town she had breast cancer and allegedly scammed her friends and neighbors out of thousands for treatments. They told me Mair was oddly obsessed with wanting to be Irish so much so that in 2000 she went to Northern Ireland on vacation and ended up marrying a local and then stayed in the country for nine years. In the same way that wooden stakes kill vampires and silver bullets kill werewolves, publicity kills con artists. I began turning my pain into a profound sense of purpose. I started an online blog and detailed how Mair had scammed me. Soon Mairs other victims from all over the world started reaching out. Walton, his sister-in-law Lily, his mom, Pablito and Smyth in Walton's apartment (September 2014). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton I learned that she scammed $10,000 from one victim by impersonating a psychologist, according to allegations in a police report. She tricked our landlord out of $12,000 in rent by pretending to have cancer. I did some sleuthing and found out that Mair had low blood iron and would purposely avoid iron-rich foods so she could strategically get admitted into hospitals for transfusions. While sitting in a real hospital bed for a few hours, shed ask a nurse to take her picture and then email that photo to her victims to better sell her cancer story. She used this particular scam a lot. I even got a call from a police detective in Northern Ireland. He told me authorities in Belfast had been looking for Marianne Smyth for years. The detective said she had worked as a mortgage broker in 2008 and had scammed many other people and then vanished. And these are just some of the stories I discovered. All in all, Mair Smyth used (at least) 23 different aliases. In this video, she goes by Mair Aine as she tries to convince people shes psychic. She worked as a psychic for years scamming the most vulnerable of victims by using their innermost secrets and confidences against them. Shes also been charged with felonies for fraud and grand theft in Florida and Tennessee under the alias Marianne Welch. The Los Angeles Police Department ended up spending 11 months investigating my case. I called them every day and became a huge pain in their ass. Finally, in early 2018, Mair was arrested at the halfway house where she was hiding and charged with grand theft for scamming me. She was then released on her own recognizance, which was a huge mistake. One month before trial, Mair filed for a fraudulent restraining order asserting that I was threatening her with violence. I was forced to lose another $1,500 to her scams the cost of hiring an attorney to fight her bogus claim. If a judge grants the restraining order, you would be prevented from testifying against her at her criminal trial, my lawyer explained. I was apoplectic. Could this be her checkmate move? I wondered. Thankfully, a prudent judge refused to grant the restraining order and her criminal trial proceeded as scheduled. Four victims testified against Mair in early 2019 and a mountain of irrefutable evidence was presented by the prosecution. Though she was only being charged with scamming me, the judge allowed testimony from several other people she conned to demonstrate a pattern. Mair did not testify in her own defense. As the witnesses described how she had scammed them, Mair sat there with an emotionless look on her face. That was probably her biggest tell to the jury. As brilliant of an actress as she proved to be while she was conning people, remarkably, she did not know how to act innocent. The only defense her attorney had for the jury was that I was supposedly making the whole story up and that I had persuaded all of the other witnesses people I didnt even know before Mair scammed me to lie under oath so I could make a compelling documentary about it. And he was terrifyingly convincing. I had in fact decided to make a documentary about Mair. When I took the stand to testify against her, her attorney asked me why. I want to warn people about her, I responded. By the time Im done with Marianne Smyth, the world will know her face so she can never scam anyone ever again. Testifying at trial was particularly grueling because the prosecutor went over each dollar Mair scammed from me in extreme detail. Having to relive that experience in front of a roomful of strangers ignited fury and embarrassment and regret in a new, especially painful way. I was an emotional wreck. I spent two years doggedly pursuing Marianne Smyth. It consumed me. I had to file for bankruptcy because of what she had done to me. And the 24 court appearances I made even before the actual trial including continuances, pretrial motions and hearings meant I had to miss a lot of work and lost even more money. Not to mention the cost of hiring six private investigators in multiple states and countries to ferret out all her scams. But, damn, it was worth it. Smyth at a New Year's Eve party (2014). Courtesy of Johnathan Walton On Jan. 9, 2019, Marianne Smyth was found guilty of scamming me out of $91,784. She was sentenced to five years behind bars. Out of all the victims I uncovered during my investigation, only two of them had ever reported her to the police and that enabled her to continue scamming people for years before she met me. Most of her victims like most victims of any con artist were too ashamed to tell anyone what happened to them. Im ashamed too. But my desire to stop her from hurting other people is much stronger than my shame. Im forever changed by my experience of getting conned. Im now suspicious of everyone and everything. I subscribe to multiple criminal databases and I background check everyone. Often, I will suss out even the most minuscule inconsistencies in someones story upon meeting them and throw it in their face, demanding an explanation. Making new friends is not something Im good at anymore. But thats not something that I can really help. I was taken advantage of by someone I truly trusted and loved and when youre shattered in this specific, unthinkable way, its impossible to go back to who you were before. While my life may never be the same, I hope others can learn from my experience with Marianne Smyth and, by reading my story, avoid being swindled themselves. If you meet someone new whose backstory is filled with drama and intrigue, or even just really unusual circumstances (especially if theres money involved), theres a good chance theyre trying to scam you. You might not ever encounter someone as conniving or cunning or deceitful as I did, but confidence games are more common than you think and your entire life can change because you have trusted someone who wants what you have and will stop at nothing to get it. Johnathan Walton is a reality TV producer by day and a justice-seeking vigilante in his off-hours. His experience putting a con artist in prison has woken him to a new calling in life: helping other victims hunt down their con artists in the name of justice and closure and healing. You can reach him through his website, JohnathanWalton.com. This article originally appeared on HuffPost in August 2019 and was updated in December 2020. Bethenny Frankel has given her candid theory about the recent drone sightings over New York and New Jersey. The Real Housewives of New York City alum shared a video to TikTok on Monday (December 17) about the drones, claiming shes been speaking with someone whose father works with the Pentagon and NASA. Youre going to think Im nuts but why should today be different than any other day, she said. Hes been messaging me that hell never forgive himself if he doesnt tell the people that he knows that for a month, hes been watching this situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These drones are ours and they could very possibly be sniffing out something very dangerous, she added. The reality star who has a home in the Hamptons, New York also claimed that areas that coincide with where the drones were seen have spiked in radiation. Frankel explained how her friend told her to think about where she is and to consider going somewhere else with her 14-year-old daughter Bryn, who she shares with ex-husband Jason Hoppy. Bethenny Frankel claims the drones in New York and New Jersey are sniffing out something very dangerous (@bethennyfrankel/TikTok) For me, we blow things off and think nothing is going to happen. But things do happen, Frankel continued. After noting that shes just watching whats happening with the drones, she claimed that President-elect Donald Trump has now found out that these drones are ours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What were the governments choices? A, tell us that thats what theyre doing, [causing] widespread panic and pandemonium, she added. Or B, do what theyre doing. But something is wrong, or otherwise, they would eliminate [the drones]. In a follow-up video, she responded to someone who questioned her initial theory, asking why the drones are primarily visible at night. She claimed that this was because sunlight interferes with any kind of radiation or light that theyre looking for. When one person in the comments praised Frankels take, she clarified: It is a THEORY and only that now but something is OFF. Shortly before the reality star shared her theory about the drones, controversial podcaster Joe Rogan also shared his thoughts on the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On X/Twitter, he reposted a TikTok video from John Ferguson, the CEO of Saxon Unmanned, in which Ferguson speculated the drones could be scouting the interstates in search of a gas leak or radioactive material. Rogan wrote in response: This is the first video about these drones that has got me genuinely concerned. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) have released a joint statement on the spate of drone sightings over New Jersey and New York, bowing to growing public demands for an explanation. Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones, the federal agencies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast. Meanwhile, the FBI office in Newark, New Jersey, has cautioned the public against trying to shoot down the unmanned devices, warning they could injure themselves. Detroit police detective Axel Foley isn't just funny anymore. He's now historic. "Beverly Hills Cop," the 1984 classic comedy starring Eddie Murphy, is one of 25 movies chosen in 2024 for a permanent spot in the Library of Congress National Film Registry, an honor given to works with "cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nations film heritage," according to the Tuesday announcement. This year's additions include a wide range of films, from 1982's "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (the first title from the "Star Trek" franchise to make the list) to the 1987 romantic hit "Dirty Dancing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TCM cable channel will devote a special to the new registry films at 8 p.m. Wednesday that will feature Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden and National Film Preservation Board Chair Jacqueline Stewart discussing the selections. Through the years, "Beverly Hills Cop" has become the biggest cinematic franchise connected to Detroit, in no small part because producer Jerry Bruckheimer is a Motor City native. Earlier this year, Bruckheimer talked to the Free Press about the release of the fourth installment, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which was released in June on Netflix. Bruckheimer shared the reason for the movie's location, saying, "The story was originally written in another place, but I moved it to Detroit and used the high school I went to as part of Eddies backstory. Its fond memories of growing up there. What a wonderful city it was and Im sure it still is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pop culture 2024: From Taylor and Travis to Brat Summer and brain rot The comedy made Murphy a huge movie star and launched a run on the Mumford High School T-shirts that his character wore. The other films named to the 2024 list are: "Annabelle Serpentine Dance" (1895) "KoKos Earth Control" (1928) "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938) "Pride of the Yankees" (1942) "Invaders from Mars" (1953) "The Miracle Worker" (1962) "The Chelsea Girls" (1966) "Ganja and Hess" (1973) "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) "Uptown Saturday Night" (1974) Zora Lathan student films (1975-76) "Up in Smoke" (1978) "Will" (1981) "Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan" (1982) "Dirty Dancing" (1987) "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt" (1989) "Powwow Highway" (1989) "My Own Private Idaho" (1991) "American Me" (1992) "Mi Familia" (1995) "Compensation" (1999) "Spy Kids" (2001) "No Country for Old Men" (2007) "The Social Network" (2010) Public Nominations for the National Film Registry The public submitted 6,744 titles for consideration this year. The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Librarys web site. Nominations for next year will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Beverly Hills Cop' joins Library of Congress's National Film Registry DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- China Railway Jianchang Engineering Company (CRJE) (East Africa) Limited in Tanzania released its corporate social responsibility (CSR) report on Monday, stressing its dedication to becoming a responsible corporate entity and positively impacting the growing Tanzania-China partnership. The CSR report was launched in the port city of Dar es Salaam by Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian, Chairman of CRJE (EA) Limited Jiang Yuntao, the Tanzania Investment Center's Director of Investment Promotion John Mnali as well as Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Chairman Joseph Butiku. Jiang said CRJE has always believed in the philosophy of "building excellent projects," with its involvement in constructing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway, a project symbolizing the friendship between China and Tanzania. Over the years, he said that CRJE has invested more than 260 million U.S. dollars in the construction of projects, providing technical training for local staff, supporting community development, protecting the environment and fulfilling its corporate social responsibilities. "Today's CSR report is not just a reflection of the work we have done in the past but also a promise to continue contributing to Tanzania's growth," said Jiang. CRJE has constructed 200 major projects in Tanzania, including the Nyerere Bridge in Dar es Salaam, the parliamentary debating chamber in the capital Dodoma, the campus of University of Dodoma, the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation Square, and the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Coast Region. Shoma Phillip Ndono, a senior official who represented Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs Damas Ndumbaro, said CRJE has deepened the friendship between Tanzania and China through projects that have improved the living standards of the Tanzanian people. President Joe Biden expressed support for a stock trading ban in Congress for the first time. "Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market," he said. Lawmakers have been trying to enact a stock trading ban for years. With just a few weeks left in his tenure, President Joe Biden expressed support for banning members of Congress from trading stocks. "Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while they're in the Congress," Biden said in a forthcoming interview with More Perfect Union, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's the first time that Biden has expressed support for the idea, which has been a subject of debate on Capitol Hill for years. In 2022, then-White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Biden "believes that everyone should be held to the highest standard," but that he would defer to Congress on the issue. "I don't know how you look your constituents in the eye and know, because the job they gave you, gave you an inside track to make more money," Biden said in the More Perfect Union interview. "I think we should be changing the law." Despite widespread public support for a stock-trading ban, it's unlikely to come to fruition during this Congress. Even so, there's been significant progress over the years, with a bipartisan group of senators passing a compromise stock-trading ban bill out of committee in July. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden endorsed a ban on congressional stock trading in an interview thats being released this week, belatedly weighing in on an issue that has been debated on Capitol Hill for years. Nobody in the Congress should be able to make money in the stock market while theyre in the Congress, Biden said. The interview was conducted by Faiz Shakir, a political adviser for Sen. Bernie Sanders, and published by A More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy and journalism organization. The Associated Press reviewed a video of the interview before its release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear what impact Bidens statement could have, coming only a month before his term ends. The Democratic president spoke to Shakir about his economic legacy, which includes supporting unions, investing in clean energy projects and signing infrastructure. But Shakir also asked about congressional stock trading, which has been a catalyst for populist anger at Washington. For example, when the coronavirus pandemic was approaching, some lawmakers bought and sold millions of dollars worth of stock after being briefed on the virus. A bipartisan proposal to ban trading by members of Congress and their families has dozens of sponsors, but it has not received a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although lawmakers are required to disclose stock transactions exceeding $1,000, theyre routinely late in filing notices and sometimes dont file them at all. Shakir said he admired Biden for having not gone in early on Google, and Boeing, and Microsoft, and Nvidia, and, you know, Amazon while he was a U.S. senator from Delaware, a position he held for 36 years. Biden said he lived on his senator salary instead of playing the stock market. I dont know how you look your constituents in the eye and know, because the job they gave you, gave you an inside track to make more money," he said. "I think we should be changing the law. Biden had previously declined to take a position on congressional stock trading. When Jen Psaki served as White House press secretary two years ago, she said Biden would let members of leadership in Congress and members of Congress determine what the rules should be." Responding to a deadly school shooting in Madison, President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Three people are dead, including a suspected juvenile shooter, and six others were injured in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. "We need Congress to act. Now. 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," Biden said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." In his statement, Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden are praying for all of the shooting victims. He also expressed gratitude to the first responders who arrived quickly on the scene. The FBI is supporting local law enforcement efforts, he said, adding that, at his direction, his team also has reached out to local officials to offer further support as needed. Biden noted steps his administration has taken to combat gun violence, including the passage of the most significant gun-safety legislation in nearly 30 years. But more is needed, he said. He called on Congress to pass commonsense gun safety laws, such as universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and a national red flag law that would allow police or family members to get a court order to temporarily confiscate firearms from a person who may present a danger to others or themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart, Biden said. Lawmakers are unlikely to consider additional gun-safety measures anytime soon since Republicans will hold majorities in both the House and the Senate starting in January, while Donald Trump who was endorsed by the NRA returns as president to the White House. Michael Collins writes for USA TODAY This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Biden calls for tougher gun-control laws after Madison school shooting SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A man sentenced to nine years in prison for bilking South Dakota investors out of nearly $700,000 in 2019 is getting out of prison thanks to President Joe Biden. Tobias Ritesman, the man behind the Global Aquaponics scheme near Brookings, received presidential clemency. Noem remains governor as Burgum makes way in ND The official document from the White House is dated December 12 and titled Clemency Recipient List. It says Today, President Joseph R. Biden is granting clemency consisting of 39 pardons and 1,499 commutations. Scroll down to the Rs and you will find Ritesmans name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our KELOLAND News Investigation exposed his scheme back in 2017. Ritesman bilked investors out of hundreds of thousand of dollars for a proposed fish and vegetable farm south of Brookings. Federal investigators found Ritesman collected money from investors and then used it for his own purposes. He even temporarily secured the land and held a groundbreaking for the operation in June of 2016. At one point he told KELOLAND he had raised $2 million from investors. The following is from an interview that former KELOLAND investigative reporter Angela Kennecke. Kennecke: Have you gotten all those investors? Have you gotten $2 million? Ritesman: Oh yeah. We wanted to get as many local people involved in some of our projects and stuff like that. Kennecke: Have you raised more than $2 million?Ritesman: No. Ritesman claimed to have an MBA from UCLA and having done consulting for major corporations. He also claimed he was working with South Dakota State University on the project. It was all a lie. The former head of the so-called Aquaponics company was eventually convicted on 18 felony charges in federal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House document doesnt say why Ritesmans sentence is being commuted. What we do know is Ritesman is specifically getting a commutation, not a pardon. Thats a suspension of his sentence, which is essentially a get-out-of-jail card. But commutations dont wipe away the crimes he was found guilty of. Ritesman is still a convicted felon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A former Huntsville pill mill doctor was one of nearly 1,500 people who had their sentence commuted by President Joe Biden last week. In October 2016, Shelinder Aggarwal pleaded guilty to illegally prescribing controlled substances and conducting health care fraud involving $9.5 million in unnecessary and unused urine tests. Following his guilty plea, Aggarwal was sentenced to 15 years in prison in February 2017. He was ordered to report to prison in April 2017. Biden granted Aggarwal clemency on Thursday, Dec. 12, as part of what the Associated Press reported was the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Clemency describes the presidents power to relieve people of guilt and punishment, or pardon, and reduce or punishment without eliminating the wrongdoing, or commutation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggarwal was a pain management doctor who operated Chronic Pain Care Services in Huntsville. His medical practice was a pill mill, according to the charges and plea agreement. At the height of his practice, the U.S. Department of Justice said he was the nations highest Medicare prescriber of opioid painkillers. Documents state that in 2012, about 80 to 145 patients a day visited Aggarwals clinic, with him seeing the majority of patients and writing all prescriptions. Initial patient visits typically lasted five minutes or less, and follow-ups two minutes or less. The documents also state that Aggarwal did not obtain prior medical records for his patients, did not treat patients with anything other than controlled substances, often asked patients what medications they wanted and filled their requests, prescribed controlled substances to patients who he knew were using illegal drugs, and did not take appropriate measures to ensure that patients did not divert or abuse controlled substances, which led to the illegal prescribing charge he faced and later pleaded guilty to. The plea agreement summarizes an interaction with a patient, which was captured on video. In it, Aggarwal notes that the DEA viewed him as the biggest pill-pusher in North Alabama and that many of his patients were dropping like flies, they are all dying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The healthcare fraud charge against him stemmed from him requiring patients to undergo unreasonable and unnecessary urine drug tests that he did not need or use in their treatment. Other documents in the case cite the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program for Alabama, which tracks the dispensing of controlled substances and Medicare data. According to the PDMP, Alabama pharmacies filled about 110,013 of Aggarwals prescriptions for controlled substances in 2012. That would equal about 423 prescriptions per day if he worked five days a week, and resulted in about 12.3 million pills, the DOJ said in a release about his sentencing. He was also directed to forfeit $6.7 million and his former clinic on Turner Street Southwest in Huntsville as part of his guilty plea. The judge also ordered Aggarwal to pay $6.7 million in restitution to Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aggarwal surrendered his Alabama medical license in 2013, along with his Alabama and federal Drug Enforcement Administration certificates to prescribe controlled substances, after the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners initiated an investigation. Before the large act of clemency on Dec. 12, The AP reported that Biden had issued 122 commutations and 21 other pardons, including a broad pardon for his son Hunter Biden. Hunter was prosecuted for gun and tax crimes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Speaking at his last Hanukkah reception of his administration, President Joe Biden on Monday night reiterated his "ironclad" support for Israel and said he was committed to getting every single one of the hostages home. "I know this year's Hanukkah falls on the hearts that are still very heavy. It's the second Hanukkah since the horrors of Oct. 7. Over 1,000 slaughtered, hundreds taken hostage, unspeakable sexual violence and so much more. The trauma of that day and its aftermath is still raw and ongoing," Biden said. "I've gotten over 100 hostages out. I will not stop so I get every single one of them home," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also denounced the "despicable surge of antisemitism" in the U.S. and around the world. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during a Hanukkah holiday reception in the East Room of the White House on Dec. 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) MORE: Up to Hamas now, Biden says, announcing US-brokered Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal "I've said many times before, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and security of Israel and its right to exist as an independent nation-state remains ironclad," he said. During his remarks, Biden recalled taking each of his grandchildren to concentration camps in Europe so they would understand the horrors of the Holocaust. "I wanted them to know that you couldn't pretend it didn't happen, and it should never happen again," Biden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And so I learned a long time ago, you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. I'm a Zionist," Biden said, repeating a phrase he has used throughout his career. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks during a Hanukkah reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (Rod Lamkey/AP) MORE: Biden and Harris urge Democrats to 'keep the faith' at DNC holiday reception The president's remarks on Monday night come the day after he hosted the Democratic National Committee's holiday reception, joined by Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden, who has just over a month left in office, talked about his legacy and the lasting effect he wanted to leave on America. "The one thing I've always believed about public service, and especially about the presidency, is the importance of asking yourself: 'Have we left the country in better shape than we found it?'" Biden said during his remarks on Sunday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, I can say, with [every] fiber of my being, of all my heart, the answer to that question is a resounding 'yes.' Because of all of you assembled here, we can be proud we're leaving America in a better place today than we came here four years ago," Biden said. Biden speaks of Oct. 7 and commitment to getting hostages home at Hanukkah reception originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Jody Godoy (Reuters) - U.S. Department of Justice antitrust head Jonathan Kanter said on Tuesday that he will step down on Friday, capping off a three-year tenure in which he aimed to reinvigorate competition law in the U.S.. Kanter and his counterpart at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, have sought to revive antitrust enforcement in the U.S. as a check on corporate power, drawing praise from Democrats and some Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Plutocracy is its own kind of dictatorship," Kanter said in a farewell address on Tuesday. "When companies larger and more powerful than most world governments threaten individual liberty with coercive private taxation and regulation, it threatens our way of life," he said. Some attorneys and business groups have criticised Khan and Kanter's agenda and supported a return to a more limited view of antitrust that has prevailed for four decades. But President-elect Donald Trump's antitrust picks are not seen as likely to drastically curtail enforcement. Gail Slater, an aide to incoming Vice President JD Vance, is poised to take over for Kanter once she is confirmed. Before being tapped as Trump's running mate, Vance praised Khan's efforts and said that corporations can engage in "tyrannical" behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least until Trump takes office, Kanter's deputy Doha Mekki will lead the antitrust division. After that point, Trump could appoint a different acting head of the division. Kanter has kicked the DOJ's antitrust division into high gear, bringing cases against Apple, Alphabet's Google, Ticketmaster and Visa, and winning a groundbreaking legal victory over Google in a case over its dominance in online search that was brought during President-elect Donald Trump's first administration. The DOJ under Kanter also brought cases that successfully block a tie up between JetBlue and American, JetBlue's proposed $3.8 billion merger with Spirit Airlines and the $2.2 billion merger of Penguin Random House, the world's largest book publisher, and rival Simon & Schuster. Kanter warned in his speech that the DOJ's antitrust work faces an existential threat without full access to funding from the merger filing fees it collects. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday delivered the latest salvo in President Joe Bidens bid to take on so-called junk fees with a final rule targeted at bait-and-switch pricing in the live-event ticketing and hotel industries. The FTC estimates that the Junk Fees Rule will save consumers up to 53 million hours per year of wasted time searching for the total price of tickets and housing. According to the agencys calculations, that comes out to savings of more than $11 billion over the next 10 years. The rule requires that businesses clearly and conspicuously present the total price of their services, including all mandatory fees, whenever they offer or advertise the price of short-term lodging or live-event tickets. Theyre also required to display the total price more prominently than most other pricing information. Any fees that are excludable, such as shipping or taxes, will need to be disclosed before consumers attempt to pay for services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People deserve to know up-front what theyre being asked to pay without worrying that theyll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they havent budgeted for and cant avoid, FTC Char Lina Khan said in a statement, adding a call for policymakers to enact legislation banning unfair and deceptive fees across the U.S. The rule was approved by all but one of the FTCs commissioners, Andrew Ferguson, who President-elect Donald Trump has tapped to take over for Khan as the FTCs chair. In his dissenting opinion, Ferguson wrote that his disagreement is only on the ground that the time for rulemaking by Bidens FTC is over. This lame-duck Commission should give its regulatory pen a much-needed rest, focus on routine law-enforcement, and prepare for an orderly transition, he wrote, calling the rule inappropriate because it will take effect after Trump takes office in January. Last October, the White House launched its war on junk fees when it proposed a rule to prohibit the added costs and require companies to show full prices upfront. The U.S. Council of Economic Advisers estimates that American consumers spend $90 billion annually on junk fees, or over $650 per household. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The airline industry has been a key target of the bid to scrap junk fees, with the Biden Administration taking aim at charges for seat selection and checked bags, while the Transportation Department has simultaneously started requiring airlines to give automatic cash refunds for delayed or canceled flights. Other industries targeted by the junk fee crackdown include credit cards, banks, and financial advice. Last week, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a final rule that would limit the number of overdraft fees that large banks and credit unions could charge. Todays announcement builds on work across my Administration to ban junk fees and lower costs saving many families hundreds of dollars each year, Biden said in a statement. Wherever big corporations try to sneak fees onto bills, my Administration has been fighting on behalf of American families to ban them. Rocio Fabbro contributed to this report For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. By Nazrin Abdul In addition to the ongoing rapid construction in our territories freed from occupation and the intensification of the Great Return process, the fact that the capital, Baku, hosted the largest global-scale event in the history of our independencethe 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Changereflects the growing influence of our state and the leadership role it plays on the international stage. Azernews reports that this was stated by the Executive Director of the Media Development Agency (MEDIA), Ahmed Ismayilov, during his speech at the "Media Literacy" conference. He noted that the dynamic social environment of Azerbaijan and its transformation into a global focal point have had a significant impact on the Azerbaijani media, creating a robust information base that has enhanced its professionalism both domestically and in shaping the international media agenda. "The hosting of COP29 in our country was another manifestation of Azerbaijans growing international reputation, as it continues to take on new roles and responsibilities in implementing regional and global projects. Effective coverage of COP29, which focuses on climate changeconsidered the world's number one global issue by the UNwas crucial for properly informing society about its importance and forming public opinion. The establishment of an efficient media and communication mechanism for this purpose was of exceptional importance. Our analysis shows that all Azerbaijani media outlets demonstrated high professionalism during this landmark event in our country's history, providing information to both local and international audiences. On this occasion, we once again congratulate and thank our journalists who carried out their professional duties at the highest level during COP29," he said. TRIPOLI, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Up to 499 migrants, including 34 women and six children, were rescued off the coast of Libya in the past week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday. From Dec. 8 to 14, 499 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, the IOM reported, adding that 29 migrants went missing. So far this year, 21,343 migrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, a rise of more than 4,000 from last year. The IOM has recorded 635 deaths and 982 missing migrants on the Central Mediterranean route this year, including those departing from Libya and other countries. Since 2011, many migrants have chosen to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya. In the January 2025 issue of Reason, we're giving performance reviews of Joe Biden's presidency. Click here to read the other entries. President Joe Biden came to office promising to end "forever war," and that's the promise that could have been the easiest to fulfill. When it comes to war and peace, the U.S. president is more powerful than anyone else on earth. His promise was put to the test with the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. With each crisis, Biden seems to have grown more hawkish, embroiling the United States deeper in foreign wars. Biden's most courageous foreign policy decision was also the one he received the most political punishment for. By the early 2020s, the war in Afghanistan had become unwinnable without a major escalation by U.S. forces. Biden, like his predecessor (and successor) Donald Trump, decided to cut America's losses. He followed through with Trump's agreement to withdraw U.S. military advisers from the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fall of the Afghan republic caused a heartbreaking refugee crisis, and postwar U.S. sanctions on Afghanistan nearly led to famine. Biden deserves criticism for failing to prepare for the humanitarian consequences of withdrawal. But continuing the war would have meant death and suffering on a far greater scale. The fall of Saigon in 1975 came after months of Vietnam War combat that killed tens of thousands. In avoiding a similar outcome, Biden's courage was commendable. It is hard to grade Biden's performance in Ukraine, because much depends on the outcome of the warwhether U.S. aid wins Ukraine better peace terms than what Russia was offering at the beginning. Much of the crisis has been outside the U.S. president's hands. Russian leader Vladimir Putin, of course, made the fateful decision to invade his neighbor. Eastern European states have been the most eager to use Ukraine as a weapon against Russia. But a few things are clear: Biden's inner circle includes hawks who ignored the warning signs that U.S. entrenchment in Eastern Europe would provoke a violent Russian reaction. Once that violence came, Biden himself was able to resist the dangerous calls to escalate, and he has kept U.S. forces out. At the same time, he supplied and encouraged a failed Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023. For better or for worse, Biden's Ukraine strategy has been consistent with the past few decades of U.S. policy. When it comes to Middle Eastern politics, Biden lives in fantasyland. Instead of trying to extract the United States from conflicts, he has spent his entire administration chasing a U.S.-Saudi-Israeli alliance against Iran, tying American power and prestige to unstable actors. A big explosion was bound to happen. Perhaps the only surprise is that this explosion came out of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which had been relatively low-intensity before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's "ironclad" military support for Israel after the October 7 attacks has enabled massive bloodshed and an expansion of the war into Lebanon and Yemen. Meanwhile, it turns out Saudi Arabia doesn't want to be Washington's loyal policeman in the region; instead, Saudi leaders have been cutting side deals with Tehran and Washington alike. Biden's approach to the region has been both morally and strategically disastrous. Foreign policy performance review: strong start, weak finish The post Biden's Transformation From a Dove to a Hawk appeared first on Reason.com. HAWAII ISLAND, Hawaii (KHON2) The search continues for three inmates who escaped from a Big Island jail last Friday. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Police said they were months away from being released. Kawai Pomroy, Clyde Loa and Joseph Fernandez are still on the run after escaping from the Hawaii Community Correctional Center Hale Nani Facility on Friday around 4:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Zachary Fernando of the Hawaii Police Department said they are working with state sheriffs to locate the inmates. Top 10 holiday horror flicks for your gory celebrations: Honolulu Horror Nights. We believe that one of the inmates had made his way into the employee locker room area of the facility and removed one of the employees car keys from a secured locker there and the three inmates were able to flee the facility using that stolen employees vehicle, Lt. Fernando told KHON2. We were able to obtain some video surveillance to verify that three suspects left in the car. According to officials, the vehicle is a metallic dark gray 2014 Nissan Altima with the Hawaii license ZCK 261. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HPD searching for three Hale Nani escapees This is the first Ive heard where theyve actually stolen a vehicle belonging to an employee of the facility, Fernando said. Was the vehicle ever found? asked KHON. No, the vehicle is still at large as well, he explained. Fernando said the inmates are not considered an imminent threat to the community at this time. They all had less than a year left until their release. Glitter: Make your holiday foods, drinks POP! They were being held at Hale Nani, which is HCCCs minimum security reintegration facility. According to Fernando, escapes are rare, but they do happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last escape from that facility was back in November of 2023. The escapee left during the morning hours and was apprehended in the Pahoa district in the early evening of the same day, he explained. He said its just a matter of time until they are found. Before OCCC was Oahu Prison, a coral fortress And when theyre caught, theyll likely get years added to their sentences for escaping according to defense attorney Victor Bakke. It could be either be a B felony or a C felony, Bakke said. A B felony is more serious, but thats usually reserved for cases where some type of force was used. And the C felony would be where somebody just fails to return. So in this case, depending on the allegations, the fact that they maybe took somebodys car, committed another crime during the course of their escape, that could possibly result in the more serious B felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So why would anyone so close to being released jeopardize that? Those people are usually at the end of their rope, so to speak, Bakke said. They dont have any respect for the system. Theyve usually been through the system multiple times. They have mental health issues, they have drug addiction issues. So theyre not really the kind of clients or defendants that will be amenable to rehabilitation easily. If you have any information or have seen the suspects, please call 911, the Sheriffs Division at (808) 586-1352 or the Crime Stoppers hotline (808) 961-8300. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. St. John the Baptist Parish is a community in Louisiana set on the edge of the Mississippi River. It, and other communities along this stretch of riverbank, carry the horrifying honorific of Cancer Alley having a cancer risk rate 50 times higher than the United States average, thought to be caused by the numerous petrochemical and other industrial processing plants that have been built within these communities since the mid-20th century. The worst and most carcinogenic of these is a neoprene plant owned by a company called Denka. The Big Sea a documentary by British filmmakers Lewis Arnold, Chris Nelson and Demi Taylor contends that the processing of neoprene is connected to the high rates of cancer and autoimmune diseases in the area. While Cancer Alley has been explored in long-form journalistic exposes, the film is the first to link whats going on in Louisiana and wetsuits. "The Big Sea is a feature documentary about surfings connection to environmental racism," says Arnold. "That connection has come about due to surfings reliance on chloroprene as the main ingredient of wetsuits. It's an important subject to let people know about because the production of chloroprene is a highly toxic and really heavy industrial process. As lifelong surfers who've owned countless wetsuits, up until about four or five years ago, we had never even heard the word chloroprene. We just want to get the facts out about what has been going on with the production of wetsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The film focuses on members of the St. Johns Parish community whose histories are enmeshed with this embattled landscape. Many members of the community are descendants of former enslaved people who were granted parcels of land to build a home after the Civil War. But, once the industrialization of the area started, the community became a sacrifice zone, which the Center for Health, Environment and Justice defines as: communities in proximity to pollution produced by intensive and concentrated industry. Due to redlining, low property values, and other social factors, these communities have historically consisted of low income and/or minority populations. Courtney Baloney is a third-generation undertaker in Cancer Alley and his family was the first to notice the huge increase in cancer-related deaths within the community living in the shadow of the chloroprene plant. "I can eat organic all day long," he says in the film. "But if I'm walking outside just breathing in air, I mean, what can I literally do about that? Nothing? There's nothing I can do except move away. Or fight the system." PhD Easkey Britton Neoprene the well-known rubber many wetsuits are made with was created by a company called Dupont, the original owners of the plant in Louisiana. The technical name of the material is chloroprene. Chloroprene, whether it is made from oil or limestone, is toxic. The majority of neoprene globally is produced by Denka in the Louisiana plant and another plant in Japan where they produce limestone neoprene. In the making of their documentary, The Big Sea filmmakers were able to prove that at least some of the neoprene shipped to the company that manufactures the majority of wetsuits for surf brands globally came from the Denka plant in the U.S. Through our research, we found that there were shipments still coming from Denkas Louisiana plant, Chris said, But even if its coming from Japan you're still buying from Denka, it's still the same company. We had to dig quite deeply, but it was apparent almost from the get-go that shipments were happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) responded to the film's claims made by saying: Because wetsuit brands within SIMAs community are manufactured primarily via one prominent entity it is relatively easy to verify supply chain factsthey have never sourced neoprene from Louisiana. To say the surf industry is complicit is categorically false. "Production happens overseas, with brands teaming up with manufacturers like Sheico, Yamamoto, and Yulex to find better options," explains Vipe Desai, executive director of SIMA. "The idea that the industry ignores the well-being of people affected in Louisiana isnt right at all, as wetsuits arent produced there, nor are any materials sourced from that region. The responsibility lies on the EPA and the agency must do more to protect the health of residents in that region." Some players in the surf industry are pushing hard to find alternatives to neoprene. Natural rubber, otherwise branded as Yulex, has been on the market for a number of years, and with the right consumer support, could soon become the industry standard. While some major players have resisted the shift to natural rubber, The Big Sea calls on surfers to drive the change by only purchasing wetsuits made from natural rubber. Some brands responded positively to the film, with companies like Xcel announcing they were going 100-percent Yulex within three years, and smaller brands like Wallien shifting their range entirely. Other companies have been on the Yulex train for years, with Patagonia funding the original research and development for the natural rubber product. British outerwear brand Finisterre has also been part of spearheading the industry-wide transition to natural rubber. French stalwart Oxbow has also made the change. Even Billabong, which has historically been criticized for its lack of transparency in its production supply chains, has introduced a new Yulex wetsuit line. The broader shift now seems inevitable. Related: Finally: A Line of Coldwater Yulex Wetsuits That Dont Restrict Your Movement The film also addresses limestone neoprene, which has been sold by many companies, including manufacturers Sheico and Yamamoto, as an eco form of neoprene. But, according to The Big Sea filmmakers, there is no eco form of neoprene. In fact, in terms of environmental impact, limestone neoprene could actually be worse than the oil-based version. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Dr. Sarah Gerhardt, big wave pioneer and professor of chemistry puts it in the film: It doesn't matter which process you follow to get to chloroprene, chloroprene is chloroprene, carcinogenic, and highly reactive." The carbon footprint of limestone neoprene can exceed that of petrochemical neoprene through the melting of quarried limestone, processing it into oil and then into rubber. Limestone quarries alone have huge environmental impacts from groundwater contamination to biodiversity loss. In the eyes of The Big Sea creators, our only option to move forward is to move on from neoprene altogether. For the sake of the communities in Louisiana who are suffering under the weight of consumption, for the sake of the climate emergency and for the sake of our own well-being, Arnold and company plead with surfers to find alternatives to toxic materials. The Big Sea won Best Film at the London Surf Film Festival this year. It will tour the UK and Europe from January 25 with US and Australia dates to follow. Related: Patagonia Wetsuit Repair Tour Saves Over 300 Suits From Landfill GEDDES, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Volunteers are working hard to spruce up donated bikes for this weekends Central New York Bike Giveaway. But time is running out, with more donations still needed. Getting a donated bike ready for its next owner is hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes it takes you like an hour, two hours for one bike, said Dominick Colacicco, a volunteer for Central New York Bike Giveaway. Its how Colacicco spends his free time after retiring from a local school district a few years ago where he worked as a technology teacher. I needed something to do. In the wintertime, I saw this and thought Id give it a shot. So I came out and Ive been here ever since, Colacicco said. Spending countless hours fixing up donated bikes each year for the Central New York Bike Giveaway. The annual event has been happening for nearly 30 years. Its kids that have never had bikes before and their eyes light up, its like, Oh, pick a bike, try it out, and then go home with it. So, its satisfying, said Colacicco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deb Haines would agree. Shes been volunteering for more than a decade. You see families come in and there are people who have never had a bike before. There are kids who come in and think its Christmas, said Haines. But the organizer, Jan Maloff, says this holiday season has been a challenging one. Volunteers got off to a late start this holiday season. They were finally able to begin working on the donated bikes just before Thanksgiving. Donations have also been slow this year. We need more bicycles, and dont judge the condition of your bicycle because if I cant fix it, well use the parts off it, said Maloff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, about 1,800 bikes have been collected. The goal is to collect about 2,500 bikes before December 21. I usually go down to Fowler with anywhere from 2,000 to 2,500 bicycles, Maloff said. Maloff is hoping the community will step up soon with the giveaway happening this weekend. Its just a good healthy activity for someone who is under resource, said Maloff. Bikes are being collected from now until Friday, December 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the State Fairgrounds. All bikes are accepted. The CNY Bike Giveaway is happening on Saturday, December 21, at Fowler High School. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Missouri lawmakers will weigh two bills recently filed proposing to name portions of Missouri roadways after President-elect Donald Trump; one bill includes a roadway in St. Charles County. According to the bill filed last week by Senator Nick Schroer in St. Charles County, it proposes to rename a portion of Highway D in St. Charles to President Donald J. Trump Highway. The roadway on Highway D between Highway 94 and Highway T could be renamed after Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three new Missouri laws for drivers to know for 2025 The bill states private donations will pay for the creation and maintenance of roadway signs designating the highway. If passed, the department of transportation would designate the portion of Highway D on August 28, 2025. Senator Mary Coleman also filed a proposal to designate a portion of Interstate 55 between Highway 141 and Richardson Road in Jefferson County as Donald J. Trump Highway. The costs of roadway signs would also be paid for private donations. Though this isnt Colemans first attempt at renaming a Missouri roadway after Trump. In 2021, she attempted to rename a portion of Interstate 55 in Jefferson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release, Coleman said her attempt at renaming the roadway in 2021 was her way of saying thank you to President Trump for strengthening Missouris economy, defending our values, and making America great again during his historic first term. According to our partners at the Post-Dispatch, Colemans proposal shortly died after facing opposition from Democrats in the Legislature. Both proposals have been filed for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, which begins on January 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A 51-year-old Birmingham man was killed in a motorcycle crash Monday night. 1 killed, 2 injured in Cherokee County crash Lloyd Felix Jordan was traveling on 20th Street near Avenue J Ensley when he struck a curb and collided into a street sign around 10:37 p.m. Jordan was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries around 11:34 p.m. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa A death investigation is underway after a chase suspect died while in the custody of the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office on Sunday. At around 6:55 p.m. on Sunday deputies with the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office received reports of a vehicle chase initiated by the Waterloo Police Department. The vehicle, identified as a 2011 white Ford Crown Victoria, was reportedly driving over 90 mph while going northbound in the southbound lanes of travel along Logan Avenue, also known as Highway 63. Polk County man held girlfriend against her will for several days, police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DCI, at one point during the chase the run vehicle hit an uninvolved vehicle and continued to flee. Waterloo officers terminated the pursuit due to the danger of it being within city limits, the DCI said. A Black Hawk County deputy spotted the Crown Victoria traveling on Cedar Wapsi Road, north of Waterloo city limits, at around 7:16 p.m. The DCI said the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped off. A pursuit ensued for about nine miles, at speeds again over 90 mph, before the vehicle was disabled with stop sticks deployed by a deputy with the Bremer County Sheriffs Office. When the vehicle was stopped the driver, identified as 42-year-old Willie Earl Washington of Waterloo, was removed and taken into custody. According to the DCI, while Washington was handcuffed and on the ground he became unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts, including CPR, Washington later died, the DCI said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office requested the assistance of the DCI in investigating Washingtons death. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday at the Iowa State Medical Examiners Office. Results from the autopsy will then be forwarded to the Bremer County Attorneys Office for review. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. A high school principal in Rockville, Md. has been placed on administrative leave following a racist incident earlier this month in which a Black student was allegedly forced to endure a slur On Dec. 2, someone wrote the N-word on the desk of the student at Wootton according to a note sent by Montgomery County Public Schools. It took nearly a week for the letter to be sent to the school community in an effort to deal with the anti-Black, racist hate and bias incident. As district wide school leaders, the response was not up to our expectations, and we need to do better, Superintendent Thomas Taylor and Chief of Schools Peter Moran explained on Sunday, Dec. 8 per WTOP News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message also stated that the schools delay in responding to the disturbing occurrence was damaging to students. We recognize that the harm caused to the community by the actual incident and by the lack of prompt reporting is not isolated to this incident, and we are committed to strengthening future response and to fostering a community where understanding, empathy, and respect replace hate and bias, the note read. The letter shared that Wootton principal Douglas Nelson was placed on administrative leave on Dec. 10, without giving specific reasons on what led to that decision. He has been replaced by acting Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic, Jr. The Wootton High School PTSA invited families to attend a meeting on Dec. 17 in the school auditorium following the incident. Teramoluwa Taiwo, the schoolss co-president of the Black Student Union, told 7News what the purpose of the meeting will be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think a lot of parents are still a little bit confused on how we ended up in the situation and to a lot of parents who have not been here for the whole process, it seems like a big jump to place our principal on administrative leave, but I think this is an opportunity for parents to voice their concerns, Taiwo said. Moran and Bostic are expected to attend the scheduled meeting as well. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. LUANDA, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Monday expressed concern over the ongoing invasion and occupation of Syrian territory by "some neighboring states," asserting that Syria should remain recognized as a sovereign state. "The prevailing uncertainty in Syria, with the recent change of power, is dangerously fueling the desire of some neighboring states to invade and occupy parts of Syrian territory," Lourenco said. He made the remark while addressing the opening of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola's VIII Extraordinary Congress in Luanda, Angola's capital, as the leader of the ruling party. Noting that wars, terrorism and unconstitutional changes in Africa, Europe and the Middle East increasingly threaten global peace and security, Lourenco called for an end to the "genocide" against the Palestinian people in Gaza, while also urging for the release of Israeli hostages. "Nobody can deny the Palestinian people their inalienable right to live in peace on their own land, and any attempt to expel their citizens to neighboring countries must be discouraged," he said. Maryland Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez said electronic benefit transfer cards, such as the one he is holding in this photo from July, need enhanced security features to ensure money is not stolen by fraudsters. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. State officials are seeking a contract extension to maintain the states electronic benefits system after a contract approved in July was declared illegal and voided. The Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals voided the five-year deal with Conduent State and Local Solutions, citing concerns with how the procurement was handled. As a result, the Department of Human Services is asking the Board of Public Works to approve a six-month extension with Conduent, who is the incumbent vendor, while the agency appeals the decision in a Baltimore City court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In documents filed with the Board of Public Works, the agency said it needs the extension, valued at more than $3.8 million, because Conduent has ceased engaging in any work under the new contract. DHS is requesting to exercise the remaining six-month renewal option on the current contract to ensure DHS is able to continue providing cash and SNAP Benefits to our Customers, according to documents filed with the three-member board. The Board of Public Works in July approved a five-year, $11.1 million deal with Conduent to provide electronic benefits services including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments to roughly 930,000 state residents. The contract included two optional renewals valued at an additional $9 million for Conduent, who was the incumbent contractor at the time. The board approved the deal over the objections of Fidelity Information Services. The Milwaukee-based company was the only other bidder, and it asked the board to defer a decision on the contract pending its appeal to the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals. In its appeal, Fidelity alleged problems with the procurement including contingent pricing and a bias for Conduent. Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez assured the Board of Public Works in July that his agency was not asking it to approve an illegal contract for the electronic benefits transfer program. The board unanimously approved the contract, which was declared illegal a month later and voided by the Maryland Board of Contract Appeals. File photo by Bryan P. Sears. But Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael J. Lopez told the Board of Public Works at its July meeting that officials from Fidelity Information Systems had misrepresented the procurement process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would not bring to you the constitutional officers of Maryland an unlawful contract to sign, Lopez told the board then. We just wouldnt do it. Saying so doesnt make it true. What theyve done, sadly, is sow doubt, and at the end of the day, we lead with integrity. So, coming after my or our teams integrity will not work, Lopez said. Conduents pricing came in 36% lower than the bid submitted by Fidelity but contained options with costs that would be negotiated in the future. Lopez told the board that Conduent would incorporate security features including chip technology to prevent fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland ranked second in the number of claims of stolen food assistance benefits over the past two years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. From the second quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024, according to USDA, there were 48,732 stolen benefits claims made in Maryland, second only to New Yorks 90,677 claims. If we fail to act now, Maryland will pay more for extension of the current system contract, which does not provide enhanced security features to protect Marylanders from benefit theft, said Lopez told the Board of Public Works in July. This will likely result in a nine- to 24-months delay. The Board of Public Works unanimously ratified the deal with Conduent despite members reservations about getting involved while there was an active appeal. The panel justified the vote, saying the state had a substantial interest in moving forward. This is a serious and important contract, Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) said at the time. Theres a huge risk in the state not proceeding. Mike Miller, an attorney for Fidelity Information Services, told the Board of Public Works in July that a contract awarded to Conduent State and Local Solutions would not include promised security enhancements for electronic benefit transfer program recipients. The board approved the contract, but the Board of Contract Appeals later sided with Fidelity, declaring the award to Conduent illegal and biased. File photo by Bryan P. Sears. It was the second time in a month that the panel approved a contract under appeal. At a board meeting a month earlier, Lierman expressed concerns about departments bringing contracts that are subject to appeal before the board and warned losing bidders to not file frivolous appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals board, in an August ruling, sided with Fidelity Information Services. In a 15-page decision, it called the departments award recommendation to Conduent arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable or in violation of the law and/or biased. The panel also found that justifications for the award by a state procurement officer were nebulous at best. That same official noted that the chip technology required by the General Assembly and lauded by Lopez was not part of the scope of work in the contract. As part of the ruling, the panel wrote that Conduent included conditional pricing in its bid, in violation of the request for proposal. Such language should have rendered the bid ineligible, the board ruled. Conduent and Fidelity were the only two bidders presented as recommendations to Lopez. But in its recommendation, the department wrote that Lopez had two options: Approve the contract with Conduent or rebid a process that could take two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because both offerors were deemed susceptible for award, the absence of FIS [Fidelity] as an alternative awardee implies bias in favor of Conduent, the appeals board wrote in its ruling. In short, the recommendation read: Conduent or nothing. The state appealed the contract boards ruling. It also asked a Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge to stay the boards order pending the outcome of the appeal. That request was denied. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Over 60 additional Boeing South Carolina employees will be out of a job come February 2025. According to state Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification reports Boeing informed 67 South Carolina employees on Dec. 6 that they would be laid off. All notified workers will exit the company by Feb. 21, 2025. Boeing said those eligible can receive severance pay, career transition service, and subsidized health benefits up to three months after the exit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The layoffs are part of a broader workforce cutback that the aircraft company said would result in the loss of about 10% or 17,000 jobs. The first round of South Carolina reductions was announced in late November with 220 employees impacted. Workers in Washington, Oregon, Missouri, and Arizona have also been affected by the cuts. When third-quarter results were released at the end of October, the aerospace giant reported more than $6 billion in losses. According to AP, Boeing has been in financial trouble since two of its 737 Max jetliners crashed and killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. Despite the curtailment, Boeing announced its intention to expand Charleston County operations just days ago, with the expansion expected to create 500 new jobs. The expansion will support the production of the 787 Dreamliner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. (Bloomberg) -- Bolivian prosecutors on Monday said that an an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales had been issued in connection with a probe of sex abuse allegations involving a 15-year-old minor. Most Read from Bloomberg Morales has been under investigation since September and the warrant was issued when the former president failed to appear to give his testimony about the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge must first set a date for a hearing on the case, where the public prosecutor will make the states case. Then, if the judge deems it necessary would then have to sign off on the arrest warrant against Morales. The nation of 12 million has been roiled by social unrest this year and clashes between rival factions in the ruling socialist party, which has led to disruptive highway blockades. The economy is wracked by dollar and fuel shortages after the central bank almost ran out of foreign currency reserves last year, leaving importers struggling to get hold of dollars. The 65-year-old Morales, a former coca grower who was the nations president for 13 years, has previously denied any wrongdoing and alleges that the charges represent a bid by his successor, Luis Arce, to keep him out of next years presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Around the same time that St. Johns County Sheriffs Office was evacuating a Publix grocery store and surrounding businesses Monday in Sawgrass Village, authorities in St. Cloud were doing the same at a Publix there. Action News Jax reported on the evacuation at the Sawgrass Village Publix, 220 Front St., Ponte Vedra Beach, after the sheriffs office posted about the incident on its Facebook page. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Around the same time, Action News Jaxs Orlando TV station, WFTV9, was reporting on a similar evacuation at a St. Cloud Publix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both instances, no dangers were found in the stores or surrounding areas and normal activities continued. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Update: Nothing suspicious was located. Publix and surrounding businesses are back open. Thank you to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Explosive Detection K9s for their assistance. Posted by St. Johns County Sheriff's Office on Monday, December 16, 2024 Read: UPDATE: Nothing suspicious at St. Johns County Publix Read: Godmother detained by police in godsons shooting at Jacksonville home [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Gates Co., N.C. (WAVY) After a bond hearing Monday morning, Kelly Earley is additionally charged with exploitation of the elderly for financial gain. Her bond now totals $1.5 million. Earleys original charge stemmed from a Gates County Sheriffs Office investigation. Law enforcement told 10 On Your Side a scam involving Earley led a woman in her 80s to believe she owed an anonymous caller $20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim withdrew the money from her bank and Earley reportedly met at the victims house to receive the money. Investigators said the victim was subsequently contacted by Earley again for more money. Law enforcement then set up a trap. When returning to the victims home for additional money, Earley was greeted by Gates County deputies and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Sheriff Ray Campbell with the Gates County Sheriffs Office said they immediately took her into custody. Sheriff Campbell believes Earley is a flight risk. Well, we have deemed her a flight risk because shes from Florida and shes got ties to Missouri as well, said Sheriff Campbell. We feel like, for sure, if she was able to make bond that we would probably never see her again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Earley is currently behind bars, law enforcement is aware there are more potential scammers to be caught. He revisited the bank in Elizabeth City that first alerted them about the incident. Thank the bank teller for all they do. It was really shocking to talk with a teller and hear the tales and how many scams that they have a week, or even per day, thats coming to them, said Sheriff Campbell. Theyre kind of the first line of defense. So, they really help us out in that situation. Earleys next court date is set for Feb. 10. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR) The Bedford Police Department made an arrest in a child exploitation case on December 16. Details are limited; however, the sheriff said on Monday, 42-year-old Steven Cadle of Bedford was taken into custody on three felony charges under VA Code 18.2-374.3 Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children. 43-year-old man charged for alleged illicit communication with a minor in Alleghany County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Virginia State Police (VSP) assisted in the arrest of Cadle. The case remains under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Bedford Police Department at (540) 587-6011. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (This story was updated to add new information.) WEST PALM BEACH A judge has sentenced the bridgetender involved in a woman's fatal fall from the Royal Park Bridge to 10 years in state prison, saying she failed to take advantage of an "incredible opportunity" the victim's family extended to her. Circuit Judge Scott Suskauer imposed the sentence upon Artissua Paulk on Tuesday, Dec. 17, after she failed to comply with the terms of a plea agreement that would have let her avoid prison time in the Feb. 6, 2022, death of Carol Wright, 79. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright fell to her death when Paulk raised the drawbridge as Wright was crossing from Palm Beach to downtown West Palm Beach. A retired journalist, Wright at one point was the business editor of the Palm Beach Daily News. Prosecutors sought full 15-year sentence for bridgetender This file photo shows police blocking traffic to The Royal Park Bridge after 79 year old retired journalist and cyclist Carol Wright fell to her death, striking a lower portion of the structure below, Feb. 6 in West Palm Beach. Florida Drawbridges the company that operates the Royal Park Bridge in West Palm Beach has agreed to pay $8.27 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Wright's family. Paulk pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of manslaughter, with Suskauer crediting her with time served in the county jail and placing her on eight years of probation. However, prosecutors said Paulk violated her plea agreement by testing positive for marijuana use just two months into her probation term. During a hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, Assistant State Attorney Crichet Mixon argued for Paulk to receive the maximum penalty of 15 years. Defense attorney Jack Fleischman requested that Paulk be given time served and a reinstatement of her probation, telling the court that Paulk has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder in the wake of Wright's death. In his sentencing remarks, Suskauer described the case as one clouded with sadness, noting Paulk's struggles but adding that she also had to live with the consequences of her choices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite (being) given that significantly fair and unusual opportunity, within three months she violated her probation which is just incredibly disrespectful to the victim's family," Suskauer said. "It was an opportunity that was given, grace that was given, to the defendant, and she chose to violate that." Prior to Suskauer's ruling, Paulk addressed the court, as did members of her family and members of Wright's family. Paulk apologized to Wright's family and expressed remorse for her actions. "I never meant for that morning to happen," Paulk said. "I know I can't bring back Ms. Wright, I can't change the accident, but I can be a better person." Video evidence contradicted bridgetender's statements to police Police said Paulk raised the drawbridge at the request of a passing boat as Wright was riding her bicycle across it. Wright fell 50 to 60 feet and landed on the span's concrete footings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paulk told the Florida Department of Transportation that she had checked the drawbridge multiple times before raising it and broadcast its opening over loudspeakers. West Palm Beach police, however, said surveillance-camera videos from the bridge and text messages that Paulk sent and then deleted contradicted her statements. 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 Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Judge sentences bridgetender in woman's fatal fall to state prison KHARTOUM, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday said that the escalating fighting in Sudan was preventing humanitarian aid from reaching famine risk areas. "Fighting in Um Rawwaba, North Kordofan, has prevented a convoy from reaching famine risk areas in North and South Kordofan, including Kadugli and Dilling," the WFP said in a statement. The trucks were forced to return to a safer location and are waiting to be rerouted to other accessible areas in South Kordofan and Blue Nile state as the situation permits, it added. The WFP noted that even the available corridors have become more dangerous in recent weeks as fighting and intense shelling has escalated. The UN organization noted that in October, it provided food, cash, and nutritional assistance to 2.8 million people nationwide. It is now working to deliver essential food and nutrition support to 14 hunger hotspots, many of which are located in conflict-affected areas across Darfur, Kordofan, Khartoum, and Gezira, where the conflict continues to escalate. The Sudanese government recently announced that 28.9 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which erupted in mid-April 2023. Britain is at risk of losing its advantage in nuclear fusion, the Government has been warned, as countries such as China gain ground in the race to develop the breakthrough technology. In a report, the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) has said that the UK risks ceding dominance in one of the most important industries of this century. The lobby group urged policymakers to intervene after it found that only a fifth of companies believed the UK would become a strategically significant part of the fusion supply chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuclear fusion the atomic reaction that powers the sun has been seen for decades as a near-limitless source of energy, but has proved fiendishly difficult to control and harvest due to the immense heat created by the process. However, increasing environmental concerns and power demands, as well as a new generation of energy companies, have led to increasing optimism about its potential. The FIA said that while Britain had been a world leader in researching the technology, with probably the greatest concentration of fusion skills on the planet clustered around Oxfordshire, it needed to capitalise on its lead. It has called on the Government to issue a new fusion strategy to ensure clarity for investors and energy companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FIA added that the Government needed to lay out how fusion energy would become part of the wider electricity market, calling for draft proposals by the end of next year. No country has done more than the UK to set an emerging global standard [for fusion], the report said. This creates a time-sensitive and significant opportunity for the UK to establish the foundations for capturing a share of this 31 trillion global fusion market, and a window in which the UK Government can fight climate change disproportionately to the size of the domestic energy market. If countries like the UK fail to lead, the consequences could be significant. China is reportedly investing up to $1.5bn (1.2bn) annually in fusion, rapidly advancing its expertise and capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failure to seize the moment in partnership with nations like Japan, the United States, and European partners risks ceding dominance in one of the most important industries of this century. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, said earlier this month that my door is open for companies seeking to build nuclear projects in Britain, and that the Government was consulting on a new planning framework for prospective sites. He said that perceived threats from nuclear power pale in comparison to the energy security and climate threats we face. The US and UK governments announced last week that they were collaborating on a fusion project in Oxfordshire, run by UK fusion start-up Tokamak Energy, which was spun out of the UK Atomic Energy Authority in 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the FIA said that a taxpayer-funded project to build a fusion plant in Nottinghamshire had been held back by strict public procurement rules, and should have restrictions relaxed. 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. While Vancouver's City Council has passed a motion to explore becoming a 'bitcoin-friendly city', British Columbia still has a province-wide ban on mining BTC until December 2025. B.C.'s bitcoin mining ban began in December 2022 to address energy concerns, and it faced a legal challenge from Conifex Timber, which the B.C. Supreme Court upheld in early 2024, citing the policy's reasonableness and alignment with public utility regulations. BC Hydro, the largest electricity utility in the province, relies heavily on hydroelectric power, which generates over 90% of its electricity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vancouver's motion introduced to the council by Mayor Ken Sim focuses on bitcoin's financial benefits and mentions the benefits of bitcoin mining, but it can't influence mining because of electricity regulation and BC Hydro's operations fall under provincial jurisdiction. "The Province still has a ban on cryptocurrency mining and is continuing its work towards a permanent cryptocurrency mining policy," a spokesperson for BC Hydro said. Earlier this year, B.C.'s legislature passed an updated version of the Energy Statutes Amendment Act, which was first drafted following B.C. Hydro's temporary suspension of bitcoin mining connections to the provincial grid. The updated Act specifically enables the provincial government to bypass the BC Utilities Commission, the Provincial electricity regulator, giving it direct authority to regulate electricity service specifically for crypto. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conifex Timber, which had bitcoin mining farms in the province scheduled for connection to the grid, argued in court that these conditions were "unduly discriminatory and unreasonable," but ultimately, a Provincial judge disagreed. "One question arising out of the move towards regulating electricity with respect to crypto-mining projects is whether the Province could begin to regulate the availability of electricity for other industries in a similar manner," lawyers at McCarthy Tetrault, a Canadian law firm, wrote in a May 2024 post. During the debate over the updated Act, lawyers from McCarthy Tetrault noted that the leader of the provincial Green Party argued in the legislature that Liquified Natural Gas and emerging technologies like AI should face similar energy regulations as bitcoin mining due to, what the party views as their high energy use and limited economic benefits. Local bitcoin mining bans are not unique. New York State has a moratorium, with an exception for renewable energy. However, some states, like Arkansas and Montana, have bills that protect bitcoin miners from what they call "discrimination." Pennsylvania recently scrapped its mining ban to advance other energy conservation bills. UK Government officials met Syrias new leader in the first diplomatic mission to Damascus by a Western power since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, hosted Stephen Hickey, director of the Middle East department at the Foreign Office, and Ann Snow, the UKs Syria envoy. Pictures of the three showed Ms Snow without a head covering. It is believed to be the first time that Jolani, who is moderating his image to attract support and lift sanctions on Syria, has been pictured next to a woman without a headscarf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Office said that Ms Snow was not asked to cover her hair. Jolani has previously demanded that women cover their hair for pictures with him because of his religious beliefs. The former al-Qaeda fighter, who still has a $10 million (7.8 million) bounty on his head from the US government, promised to rule Syria with a tolerant new regime in the hope of unifying factions and engaging with international partners. However, questions remain over his past and his plans for the country. Jolani ditched his military fatigues for a suit to meet the British diplomats In the days following the fall of Damascus, the rebel leader was filmed asking a woman to cover her hair after she requested a picture with him. Jomana Karadsheh, a CNN journalist, also wore a head covering while interviewing Jolani for the US news channel earlier this month. Clarissa Ward, a fellow US reporter, was ordered to wear a headscarf by a rebel fighter while reporting on the seizure of Assads palace by Jolanis forces on Dec 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebel leader was pictured talking to Geir Pederson, the UN envoy, on Sunday and all three women present in the room wore head coverings. Mr Pedersons office did not immediately comment on whether the women were asked to wear the scarves. It is also unclear whether Ms Snow was asked to cover her hair at Tuesdays meeting. During his audience with the British diplomats, Jolanis rebel group said he discussed the latest developments in Syria as well as Britains important role internationally. Mohammed al-Jolani, pictured with Lea Khairallah, a Damascus resident who asked the rebel leader for a photograph - X German and French officials were also due to meet representatives from Syrias new regime, while the US said it had opened direct talks with HTS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germanys envoy recorded a video in Arabic outside the entrance to Berlins old mission. In front of a large shield emblazoned with the German federal eagle, Stefan Schneck vowed to continue supporting Syrians and working together towards peace. At the French embassy, Frances national flag was raised for the first time since 2012. France wishes for the Syrians in accordance with the ideals of the 2011 revolution that it supported a peaceful political transition, representative of all components of Syrian society, the French foreign ministry said in a statement. On Monday, Jolani said that all sanctions and restrictions should be lifted on both HTS and Syria. He said: They should lift all restrictions which were imposed on the flogger and the victim the flogger is gone now. This issue is not up for negotiation. Jolani, which is a nom de guerre, has begun to use his original name Ahmad al-Sharaa in recent days and ditch his military fatigues in favour of a smart-casual jacket and brogues. We were in military uniforms because there was a battle, he said. When we have civilian meetings, we wear civilian clothes. 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. Pope Francis marked his 88th birthday by revealing that he survived two planned suicide attacks against him during a 2021 visit to Iraq because of a tip-off from British intelligence. In an excerpt from his forthcoming autobiography, the pontiff said that he was informed by police of at least two known suicide bombers targeting one of his planned events after he landed in Baghdad in March 2021. He said British intelligence had warned their Iraqi counterparts that a double suicide bomb attack was being planned in Mosul during the visit and that one of the bombers was a woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pope wrote: The [Iraqi] police had alerted the Vatican Gendarmerie to a report from British intelligence: a woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was on her way to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit. And a van had also left at full speed with the same intent. During the 2021 visit to Mosul, the Pope urged Christians to forgive injustices while standing in the ruins of a church - Reuters Corriere della Sera, the Italian daily newspaper, published a brief excerpt from the Popes memoir on Tuesday, which is titled Hope: The Autobiography and was written with Carlo Musso, the Italian author. The book will be released in more than 80 countries in January. Recalling the trip in his book, he spoke about overcoming widespread opposition and serious security concerns around travelling to Iraq while violence continued to rage in parts of the country and Islamic State insurgents remained entrenched in some areas at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city, was once a headquarters for Islamic State militants who had forced thousands of Christians to flee. During his visit there, the Pope urged Christians to forgive injustices and called for peace as he stood in the ruins of a church. He also held a meeting with the Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, one of the leading authorities of Shia Islam, during the trip. A soldier stands guard over a church in Mosul, Iraq, in March 2021 - Sam Tarling for The Telegraph The day after the foiled suicide attack, the Pope asked a security official what had happened to the two bombers. The commander replied laconically: They are no more, he wrote. The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up This too was the poisoned fruit of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The autobiography, which was originally intended to be released after the Popes death, is being published to coincide with the Vaticans Jubilee 2025, a holy year that he will officially inaugurate on Christmas Eve. On Tuesday, The New York Times also released excerpts from the book that highlighted the Popes love of humour and irony. Irony is a medicine, not only to lift and brighten others, but also ourselves because self-mockery is a powerful instrument in overcoming the temptation toward narcissism, he said. According to Mondadori, the Italian publisher, Hope is the first memoir ever published by a sitting pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Pope Francis has published other books and conducted lengthy book-long interviews with biographers and journalists, including Life: My Story Through History, which was released earlier this year. 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. The aftermath of an exceptionally violent attack in early Bronze Age England suggests that at least 37 people may have been systematically dismembered and eaten, new research has revealed. The attack, which took place around 4,000 years ago, reveals a case of cannibalism and the darker side of human prehistory, according to the study published Monday in the journal Antiquity. Over 3,000 bones were excavated from a 50-foot pit in Charterhouse Warren, around 20 miles south of the city of Bristol in southwest England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bones, which were chosen for analysis because of the sheer number of cutmarks, were first discovered by cavers in the 1970s, researchers said. They had more violence inflicted on them then what would normally be seen "in a butchered animal bone assemblage, Rick Schulting, the study's lead author, told NBC News in an email Monday. Schulting, a professor of scientific and prehistoric archaeology at Britain's University of Oxford, said that the archeology at the site is exceptional. The most surprising thing is the sheer extent of the violence carried out on the bodies," he said. "They were killed with blows to the head, and then systematically dismembered, defleshed, bones smashed apart." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The violence took place probably in a single event between 2210 B.C. and 2010 B.C., researchers suggest, adding that it's a unique example of extreme violence in Early Bronze Age Britain and that "nothing else on this scale has been recorded in Britain. Examples of cranial trauma on a Bronze Age skull recovered from Charterhouse Warren. However, Schulting said the extreme violence was unlikely to have been an isolated incident in the U.K. at the time. There would have been repercussions, as the relatives and friends of the victims sought revenge, and this could have led to cycles of violence in the region, he added. Schulting said that determining the motive behind such as an attack is one of the hardest things to do in archaeology. But together with his fellow authors, he concluded in the study that the massacre was likely driven by a furious spiraling cycle of revenge within or between Early Bronze Age communities. Tensions may have built up from relatively innocuous beginnings such as theft or accusations of witchcraft and then escalated out of control, Schulting said in his email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims might have been eaten to dehumanize them and treat them like animals, Schulting said, emphasizing that this was not the action of just a few individuals. The number of victims and the time it would have taken to dismember the victims tells us that there must have been a large number of aggressors involved. The bones were found with faunal assemblage, or animal fossils, that also showed initial evidence of butchery, although they have not been fully examined yet, the paper said. The authors do not believe that the attackers were driven to eat the human remains because of hunger, as the bone fragments were found alongside these animal bones, indicating there was sufficient food. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Brown County Board of Commissioners will discuss reopening a road that has been closed for 20 years and cuts through part of the Hoosier National Forest, a move forest advocates see as a crisis for a wilderness proposal. (The roads) reopening as an active county road would put a stake through the heart of the proposed expanded Deam wilderness and result in untold damage to this pristine area in Hoosier National Forest, which we are working to protect, an Indiana Forest Alliance press release says. The in-person only board meeting is being held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Salmon Room located at 201 Locust Lane in Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combs Road, which the commissioners plan to discuss at their meeting, closed in 2004 after the forest around it was damaged by off-road vehicles, IFAs Evan Robbins said. If history repeats itself, which it likely will, the people will destroy the area to a point that it wont have a wilderness character and it wont be something you can save, Robbins said. Children run up a hill toward Browning Hill, located in a remote part of Brown County, Indiana, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Senator Mike Braun has introduced a bill that would double the size of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness Area, and designate land near Lake Monroe as a National Recreation Area. The IFA has been working with Gov.-elect Mike Braun and Rep. Erin Houchin to expand the existing Charles C. Deam Wilderness, and Combs Road cuts right through the area the group is trying to protect. Robbins said its likely that an area that is damaged and disturbed cant be federally designated as wilderness, and the Combs Road reopening will hamper the proposed bills Braun and Houchin have introduced in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown County has three commissioners, Jerry Pittman, Blake Wolpert and Ron Sanders. Pittman and Wolperts terms end this year, and Sanders will continue his term come January. IndyStar reached out to all three commissioners. Pittman said he was not prepared to speak on the issue and Wolpert did not immediately return a phone call. Sanders, however, said reopening Combs Road was not something he was pushing to do. Wolpert and Pittman first brought it up during a Dec. 4 meeting and Sanders said he hadnt heard anything about it before then. Sanders said he has not decided how he will vote if it comes to it but will listen to everybody who comes to the in-person meeting to speak. He did say he doesnt understand the need to reopen the road that has been closed for 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very, very pristine area, and for them to be considering opening it up to ATV or ORV groups is kind of insulting, Sanders said. Jim Killen has owned 40 acres in Brown county along Combs Road for 58 years and said he remembers what it was like when the road was open. At that time, 4-wheelers would go ripping through the forest and for some reason they liked to do this at night. It was truly a nightmare, Killen said. Killen said ATVs werent the only issue. His property was burglarized seven separate times when the road was open. The burglaries stopped when the gate was installed, and for the last 20 years I have not had any problems, Killen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protecting the forest: Proposal would double size of Charles C. Deam Wilderness area in Hoosier National Forest But the real issue, Killen said, is the ecological damage that would be done if the road was reopened. Combs Road runs along Browning Mountain, and the erosion caused by off-road vehicles driving over the area would devastate the ecosystem. Killen said this weekend was the first time he heard about the commissioners discussing reopening the road and plans to be at the meeting Wednesday to speak against it. Since the road has been closed for so long, there is no real way to know where the full length is anymore, Killen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There would have to be an expensive survey that would take months to redefine where that road is, Killen said. If they come ripping through there with bulldozers, there will be lawsuits beyond which the Brown County budget can sustain. Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk or BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Brown County talks to reopen road through forest irks advocates (CHAFFEE COUNTY, Colo.) A beautiful Chaffee County destination is also a prime location to enjoy the beauty of the night sky and to catch a great view of meteor showers as well. The U.S. Forest Service announced on Monday, Dec. 16 that Browns Canyon National Monument, near Salida, has been certified as the 18th International Dark Sky Place in Colorado by DarkSky International. International Dark Sky Places consist of places known for undertaking dark-sky conservation and education efforts through the management of exterior lighting, education, and promotion of best practices to visitors and community members. Browns Canyon National Monument is a haven for dark skies in central Colorado, a region that continues to push for stronger protections of the precious natural resource of the night sky, said DarkSky International Program Associate Michael Rymer. The staffs ingenuity in bringing the monuments lighting into full compliance is something worthy of praise and promotion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Browns Canyon is known for its impressive wilderness, with over 22,000 acres of pristine public lands, and the scenic Arkansas River corridor, offering many recreational activities. It is also an area that is valued by Indigenous and First Nations people for its deep cultural and historical significance. The Dark Sky Park designation now recognizes the special night sky viewing opportunities. Were thrilled for Browns Canyon to receive the night sky designation as it is in direct alignment with our management goal to protect the Monuments resources, said Pike-San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Deputy Forest Supervisor Jim Pitts. A local advocacy group, Friends of Browns Canyon, organized the effort to seek DarkSky certification. The group hosted night sky fundraisers, concerts, and photography outings. They also conducted light meter readings and hired a contractor to assist in developing the application. Friends of Browns Canyon were instrumental in getting the International Dark Sky Park certification and recognition, and should really be applauded for their tireless efforts, said Bureau of Land Management National Monument Manager for Browns Canyon Kalem Lenard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area is naturally suited for night sky viewing, so the work needed to meet the standards for certification was minimal. Because we have a lot of camping in the area, we had to retrofit some of our lighting near Browns Canyon National Monument to make sure we met certification standards, said Tom Waters, Park Manager for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. With a bit of ingenuity from our staff and some exceptional coordination with our local and federal partners, we have been able to provide this exciting opportunity to our community and visitors. Staff are currently being trained to deliver night sky programming and to educate visitors on the expanded recreation options being offered in 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 FOX21 News Colorado. VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) For the second time in a week, Binghamton University has signed an agreement with a major local employer to collaborate on research and provide job and internship opportunities to students. Today, BU and BAE Systems in Endicott signed a memorandum of understanding on campus. The agreement builds upon long-standing partnerships between the defense and aerospace contractor and the Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science. BAE, which has a history of developing both hybrid diesel and electric and fully electric drive trains for transit buses, hopes to collaborate more on battery research and development. And by working closely with the Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine, help promote a home-grown pipeline of future engineers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alignment at the high level, the alignment in specific pillars, and the potential for these initiatives to mutually reinforce and grow each other. It was a beautiful coincidence. We may call this fortuitous, we may call this serendipity, but I would call this the foresight of our colleagues at BAE Systems, said CEO of Energy Storage Engine Meera Sampath. BAE has committed to providing matching funds for grants from Engines to support internships for Engine-nominated students. Michael Crawford, senior director of engineering, says the agreement comes at an exciting time at BAE in Endicott as the company looks to develop electric propulsion systems for aircraft. Crawford says theres a growing demand for their technology, the major impediment is a lack of available engineers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were at a crossroads, where we have a history of our products in the ground vehicle market, weve got an emerging aviation market that has a demand to go more electric or full electric, and BAE Systems is sitting here with expertise in both of those areas so that we can bring that to bear so that we can support the growth in this area, said Crawford. SUNY Broome is also a party to the agreement as BAE looks to recruit more talent with ties to our area in the hopes that they stay on longer. The goal is to start the recruitment process in high school. Broomes Engineering Science Department has already collaborated with BU and BAE on a six-week hands-on curriculum for its students focused on the power and energy management sector. Already, 20 SUNY Broome students have completed the program with plans to transfer to BU and eventually work in the field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. (NEXSTAR) New data suggests Bud Light is no longer tops in Americas taprooms at least when it comes to the most popular draft beers offered at bars across the U.S. Draftline Technologies, a company that provides software for beverage distributors, found in a recent report that Michelob Ultra which, like Bud Light, is owned by Anheuser-Busch InBev recently overtook Bud Light in terms of the number of tap handles operating at U.S venues with beer systems. American, Australian tourists hospitalized after drinking cocktail at 5-star resort Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Hauke, the founder of Draftline Technologies, said Michelob Ultra has been poised to reach the top spot for years. The rise of Michelob Ultra as the leader by number of tap handles on draft reflects shifting consumer preference, Hauke said in an emailed statement to Nexstar. Michelob Ultra has been on a path to surpass Bud Light as the #1 brand on draft (by total taps) for a number of years. The news is Michelob Ultra did itwe have a new #1. News of Michelob Ultra overtaking Bud Light (in terms of beer taps) comes about a year and a half after Bud Light lost its title of best-selling overall beer to Modelo Especial. In July 2024, Michelob had also surpassed Bud Light as the second-best-selling beer, dropping Bud Light to third place. The decline, at least in part, has been credited to backlash over Bud Lights 2023 collaboration with Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender activist and influencer. The collaboration caused calls for a boycott from critics of the brands partnership with Mulvaney. But some of Mulvaneys fans, as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community, also became critical of Anheuser-Busch over their handling of the backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse in my opinion than not hiring a trans person at all because it gives customers permission to be as transphobic and hateful as they want, Mulvaney said in June 2023 TikTok video. And the hate doesnt end with me. Draftline Technologies, meanwhile, added that Michelob Ultras rise as the best-selling draft beer is also due to customer tastes that reflects a broader alignment with health-conscious, premium beer trends. Its important to note that Michelob Ultras rise has been years in the making, Hauke said. 6 ways to avoid a financial holiday hangover Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anheuser-Busch InBev was not immediately available to comment on Draftline Technologies findings. But a representative told CNN that the company is proud to have two of its beers as the first- and second-most-popular drafts. Bud Light is more than 30% bigger than the next closest draft competitor, the Anheuser-Busch InBev spokesperson added. Draftline Technologies based its findings on data collected from just over 1 million lines at beer venues in 40 states. Hauke told Nexstar that the company tracks somewhere between one-half to two-thirds of all beer systems in the U.S., according to its own estimates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MADRID, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley called for revitalizing multilateralism and global collaboration, reforming international institutions to address growing global challenges. "The institutional framework of multilateralism is fragile. While it served the world well, it does need both reform and commitment," Shipley said on the sidelines of the 2024 Imperial Springs International Forum held last week in Madrid, Spain. Shipley emphasized the fragility of current multilateral frameworks and stressed the need for nations to commit to strengthening these systems. "Global mechanisms must be alive and relevant," she said. Shipley pointed to trade as a key area where multilateral cooperation is critical, urging nations to prioritize dialogue over unilateral actions. "If there is conflict, there has to be a space to find resolution, and the WTO is not functioning as it should," she said, calling for leadership, reform, and revitalization of the global trade institution. On the ongoing disputes between the European Union and China over electric vehicles (EVs), Shipley criticized protectionist policies from the region, which she said hinder progress in addressing climate change. She cited New Zealand's openness to Chinese EVs as an example of how competition and collaboration can benefit consumers and the planet. "At a moment where we are trying to reduce emissions worldwide, it is of stupidity not to allow EVs that are accessible to citizens to flow freely," she said, adding that protectionist measures delay necessary transitions to competitive markets and harm consumer interests. "Why would European car users want to pay more for their cars when there is an equal quality if not better in terms of choice?" She said. Addressing rising uncertainties of potential global "trade wars," Shipley urged major economies to avoid protectionism. "We must avoid a trade war at all costs. No one wins a trade war; no one wins almost any war," she said. "I believe in inclusion, I believe in open trade, I welcome China's ongoing commitment to opening up further and to global trade commitments," she added. A powerful earthquake has hit the Pacific island country of Vanuatu, levelling buildings in the capital of Port Vila. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck 18 miles off the coast of Vanuatus main island, Efate, just before 2am on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings. Witnesses reported bodies lying in the street, while the wounded have been gathering outside the main hospital. Michael Thompson, a resident who runs a zip line adventure business, told AFP: Theres people in the buildings in town. There were bodies there when we walked past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One person has been confirmed dead with authorities expecting the death toll to rise. No casualties among foreign personnel have been reported. Credit: Stephane Rivier, Michael Thompson A 5.5-magnitude aftershock struck minutes later in the same spot, followed by a string of lesser tremors over subsequent hours. A landslide on one road had covered a bus, Mr Thompson said, so theres obviously some deaths there. Photographs showed landslips that sent tons of earth and large rocks tumbling down a steep hill over the international shipping terminal. Credit: Dan McGarry The British High Commission was damaged as well as embassies used by the US, France and New Zealand, which are in the same building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As well as destroying the ground floor of the diplomatic building, the earthquake knocked down at least two bridges and toppled other buildings, Mr Thompson said. Buildings collapsed during the earthquake - Michael Thompson/AFP No casualties have been reported amongst foreign personnel - AFP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bottom floor of the embassy block no longer exists, he said, adding: It is just completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but they have dropped. If there was anyone in there at the time, then theyre gone. Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago with a population of 320,000 people. The archipelago straddles the seismic Ring of Fire, an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. 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 group of former diplomatic and national security officials is calling on the Biden administration to loosen some restrictions on Cuba before handing over the reins of U.S. diplomacy to President-elect Trump. In a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, the former officials including former Havana Chief of Mission Vicki Huddleston and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes urge the outgoing administration to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, increase humanitarian aid to the country and to streamline rules for Cuban nationals to access the U.S. financial system. As you are aware, the countrys energy grid is failing, child malnutrition is on the rise, basic services are deteriorating and most Cubans have lost hope, precipitating the largest exodus of migrants from Cuba in its history, they wrote in the letter reviewed by The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In no uncertain terms do we exonerate the Cuban government for its insufficient and incoherent policy reforms that have in large part caused this crisis. Yet we also believe that current U.S. policy has exacerbated Cubans hardship, and thus we respectfully request that you take a series of actions in the remaining weeks of your administration to help alleviate these challenges in the U.S. national interest and in support of the Cuban people. Cuba was thrust onto the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) List by Trump in the waning weeks of his first term, leaving Biden with the choice of keeping Cuba on the list and likely spurring more emigration, or taking a potentially unpopular step in favor of the islands communist regime. But many observers including fierce critics of the Cuban government have noted the dangers of the islands seemingly arbitrary inclusion on a list of regimes who actively support terrorism. As many of us have said publicly, there is no credible evidence that Cuba sponsors international terrorism. The designation has hindered Cubas access to international finance, reduced tourism revenues to pay for imports of food, fuel and medicine and obstructed the arrival of humanitarian relief, wrote the officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our closest allies in the region have repeatedly requested we remove this designation to ameliorate the regional impacts of surging Cuban migration, and we are confident the United States will be applauded worldwide for making this fact-based determination. Cubas inclusion on the list has also harmed the countrys tourism industry, slapping restrictions on third-country nationals who visit the island. For instance, Europeans who are exempt from U.S. tourist visas lose that exemption after traveling to Cuba. In my view the only reason the Trump Administration put Cuba back on the SSOT in its waning days in January 2021 was to make it more difficult for the incoming Biden Administration to reverse Trump Administration reversals of President Obamas wise and forward-leaning policy, said Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who served as acting ambassador to Cuba during the Obama administrations rapprochement period. The former officials also called on Biden and Harris to send humanitarian aid to the Caribbean island, which has been hit by hurricanes and earthquakes, noting that the administration already pledged $2 million following Hurricane Ian in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The signatories also asked Biden to instruct the Office of Foreign Assets Control to guide financial institutions on how to serve qualified Cuban nationals without stepping astride of U.S. sanctions. They also called for a general license to allow U.S. citizens to invest in Cuban enterprises not linked to the countrys government. And the officials paraphrased Harris in painting both Cuba hawks stateside and the radical elements within the communist regime as the sole beneficiaries of continued adversarial relations between Havana and Washington. As you said in 2020, Vice President Harris, the U.S. embargo is a failed policy that only emboldens hardliners in both Miami and Havana who do not represent the Cuban peoples aspirations for a brighter and more prosperous future. We commend the steps that you have taken while in office, President Biden, to restore remittances, resume visa processing, support independent Cuban entrepreneurs and expand travel for Cuban Americans, they wrote. However, to address the scope of the current crisis in Cuba, we believe that your administration must pay close attention and act decisively to mitigate the potentially dire implications of having a failed state just 90 miles off our shores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated Dec. 18 at 11:24 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and other business groups are working behind the scenes to block a wealth of bills that they contend are anti-business and anti-jobs. Were extremely concerned about just a number of anti-jobs anti-business proposals that are out there, says Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. However, House Democrats argue these bills are pro workers, including a hefty boost in the state jobless paychecks going from $300 to $600.00 or so. There is a measure forcing companies to pay for dangerous chemicals underground when they leave a job location. Democrats say this is all good stuff, Miss Block says not so much. (WLNS) Were Were not giving up, Block says. We are continuing to push. And until its over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ultimately, if the business lobby loses this legislative battle because it has no other alternatives, it may ask the citizens to undo what the Democrats do this lame-duck session. Asked if she and business leaders ruled out hitting the streets with petitions to rollback lame duck decisions, Block says nothing is off the table. Were not ruling anything out, right? she says. Its certainly costly to undertake a petition drive, but all of these bills taken together have a very hefty price tag as well. She added, But moving forward, were going to have to figure out how are we going to pick up the pieces and what is that involve and what do we do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The business community should know by the end of the week what the box score is and whether the Democrats push through the legislation that they do not want. And if they dont, then they look at that one option, asking you to help out. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Small business owners should not forget about a rule currently in legal limbo that would require them to register with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, by Jan. 1. The registration is part of the Corporate Transparency Act, an anti-money laundering statue passed in 2021. Under the CTA, the owners and part-owners of an estimated 32.6 million small businesses must register personal information with FinCEN, such as a photo ID and home address. Registering isn't difficult, but if a small business owner is unaware of the requirement, they could be slapped with penalties of up to $10,000. Businesses with more than 20 employees and more than $5 million in sales can qualify for exemptions. For now, the rule is on hold. On Dec. 3 a federal court in Texas issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting enforcement of the rule. FinCen has said registering is voluntary. But the injunction could be overturned on appeal, so small business owners should keep an eye on the case. The act was intended to get a look inside shell companies and crack down on attempts by criminals, organized crime rings, and other illicit actors to hide their identities and launder their money through the financial system, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in 2022. Originally, the rules became effective in 2024 and gave existing businesses until Jan. 1, 2025, to register. However, businesses that started in 2024 were given 90 days to register. Doris Dike, a principal at Dike Law Group in Frisco, Texas, that works with small business healthcare clients, said she is concerned about the rule going into effect in 2025. FinCEN is intrusive, and Im relieved that its temporarily on hold. Im not convinced it would combat money-laundering," she said. Theres already laws in place for recording business ownership. FINCEN is burdensome and would create fear among small businesses. Jennifer Barnes, owner and CEO of San Diego-based accounting firm Optima Office, with 97 employees, said she might register even though the rule is temporarily on hold. A recent stay regarding FinCens Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting is just that a stay. It is not a definitive determination on the merits of the requirement, she said in an email. Therefore, the prudent course of action is to file before the previously determined deadline on Jan. 1 as there is no guarantee of a deadline extension if the stay is overturned. A death row inmate who sexually assaulted an 18-year-old UC Davis student before killing the teen and her college sweetheart in 1980 died Monday at a medical facility used to treat prisoners, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Richard Joseph Hirschfield, 75, spent nearly 12 years on death row after a Sacramento jury handed down a verdict of death. He was declared dead from natural causes at 4:50 a.m. by a nurse in the hospice unit at Vacavilles California Medical Facility, CDCR said. Couple John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves disappeared Dec. 20, 1980 after volunteering at a performance of The Nutcracker at a local theater in Davis and heading to a birthday party, according to The Sacramento Bees archives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UC Davis freshmen were found dumped near Lake Natoma with their heads wrapped in duct tape and throats slit. John Riggins parents, Kate and Dick Riggins, living in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast for decades, told The Bee in an email that they think of John and Sabrina daily. Yes, we are greatly relieved he is dead, Kate Riggins wrote. Law enforcement arrested suspects in the couples death in the years that followed, but released them. Their DNA did not match semen stains found on a blanket a birthday gift for Gonsalves sister left at the scene, according to the archives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A suicide note from Hirschfields brother and a DNA match led authorities to arrest Hirschfield in 2004 24 years after the murders. A national data bank for DNA profiles matched Hirschfields DNA to the genetic material left on the blanket. Investigators began to question his relatives, including his younger brother. After detectives left, the brother penned a note implicating himself and Hirschfield in the murder and killed himself, according to the archives. Five months before the murders, Hirschfield had just been released from prison after serving time for rape and burglary stemming from a case in the Bay Area, then-Deputy District Attorney Dawn Bladet said during her closing arguments while imploring jurors to vote for death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He kidnapped Riggins and Gonsalves who dreamed of becoming a medical engineer and occupational therapist, respectively, and tortured them, Bladet said. But defense attorney Linda Parisi, representing Hirschfield, said her client never had a chance at life. His mother was impregnated by her stepfather. Hirschfield suffered brain damage that led to controllable anti-social impulses, she said. Richard Joseph Hirschfield, with his attorney Linda Parisi, looks on impassively in Sacramento Superior Court on Dec. 6, 2012, during a hearing in which a jury recommended the death sentence for the murder of two UC Davis students in 1980. But jurors rejected that argument and voted to give him the death penalty. He was sentenced in January 2013 and put on death row in San Quentin, according to CDCR. The Bee interviewed Hirschfield imprisoned at San Quentin in 2015. He expressed his disgust with the legal system and maintained his innocence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Riggins expressed her gratitude to former Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, under whose tenure the case was prosecuted, and Sacramento Superior Court. She also thanked former Davis Enterprise reporter Joel Davis for his book, called Justice Waits that helped to renew interest in the cold case. The conviction would (never) have taken place if Joel had not persevered to find the perpetrator, Kate Riggins wrote. Reporter Joe Davidson contributed to this story. Several newly elected Chicago school board members and school principal support organizations are asking for more communication and transparency from the Chicago Teachers Union about ongoing contract negotiations. Angel Gutierrez, who won the race for school board in the Southwest Sides District 8, wrote a letter to Chicago Public Schools officials last Friday asking for an explanation as to why a scheduled training for newly elected school board members this week was canceled. Gutierrez urged the current seven-member appointed board to refrain from making significant decisions until the new board both elected and appointed is officially seated in five weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter obtained by the Tribune also asks for further explanation about an ongoing dispute with CTUs contract proposals concerns raised by principals at recent Board of Education meetings about a potential loss of leadership autonomy. Kia Banks, chief of staff for the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, told the Tribune that the group doesnt aim to be adversarial. Our concerns are that these decisions are being made without (principals) input, said Banks, who was principal at Vanderpoel Elementary School in the Beverly neighborhood for nine years. What this contract seeks to do could undermine our ability to coordinate the resources in our building. Banks said CPAA wants to work with teachers and has asked to meet with CTU leadership to discuss several proposals that she said run counter to the objectives of principals: an increase in planning time for elementary teachers, curriculum changes driven by teachers and allowing committees to weigh in on principal performance. The teachers union has not been receptive, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thaddeus Goodchild, CTUs deputy general counsel, defended the teachers unions contract proposals. Though he did not say whether CTU has met or plans to meet with the groups members, he said the two unions have been in communication. The principals union is fairly new, formed in January 2023 after years of failed attempts. There are always going to be competing interests and give-and-take and push and pull with how best to operate schools, but we think that the opportunities before us make it so each side and all sides are able to rise, Goodchild said. More preparation time for teachers would allow for educators to collaborate with each other to make sure that students needs are being met, Goodchild said. The unions proposals to grant teachers more autonomy comes down to the fact that students arent cookie-cutter, and curriculum shouldnt be either, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another principals group said CTUs proposals could undermine school leaders to the detriment of students. The contract proposal to provide elementary school teachers with 30 minutes of planning time daily translates to less time with students, which has a proven impact on achievement, said Mariel Laureano, the director of educator supports at the Chicago Public Education Fund. Test scores in some subjects have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, noted Laureano, who served as the founding principal of CPS Prieto Math and Science Academy in Belmont Cragin for 10 years. The more time that students have with their teachers is going to push to close those gaps and to accelerate learning, she said, estimating that students could lose up to 100 hours of instruction time per year if CTUs demand for planning time is obliged outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union proposal that allows teachers to opt out of adopting schoolwide curricula risks disjointed learning experiences, said Gregory Jones, a former principal of Westinghouse College Prep and Kenwood Academy High School, who launched the funds principal mentorship program. Schools are more than just the sum of individual classrooms, Jones said at a news conference last week, noting that principals are held accountable for the coherence of a schools academic programs. We all know students learn best when the curriculum is consistent and aligned, he said. Jones, like several newly elected board members, is requesting a slowdown of big decision-making that might affect the district until after Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But collective bargaining conversations are ramping up and CTU members are pushing to finalize a contract immediately, saying there is more urgency ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps transition to power in the new year. Gutierrezs letter comes at a time of transition for the board, which expanded this week after Mayor Brandon Johnson made 10 additional picks, alongside 10 members who were elected in Novembers election. The mayor has yet to fill the final seat to make up the new 21-member body. Two of those picks were CTU-aligned candidates who lost in last months election. Critics of CTU say the mayor a former teacher and union organizer is using his power to appoint board members in a way that ignores dissenting voices to the powerful teachers unions agenda at a pivotal point in contract negotiations. The current sitting board before the hybrid 21-member body is seated next month was appointed by the mayor in October after the previous board resigned when CPS CEO Pedro Martinez refused to take out a $300 million high-interest loan to cover ongoing contract negotiations and a pension payment to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When this weeks four-day training for the elected board members was canceled with no explanation, newly elected board members told the Tribune they wondered if it was due to the unions urgency to ratify a contract. This board seems intent on getting the CTU contract done before we take office, which I think is a mistake, said Near North Sides District 3 school board winner Carlos Rivas at the time. Jennifer Custer, a newly elected school board member in District 1 on the Northwest Side, said volunteers with district-adjacent organizations are putting together an ad hoc training this week for incoming members. Some previous board members have even offered their time to brief new members on what it takes to sit on the board, she said. Were really grateful for people who want to sit down and work with us and offer their help, Custer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez emphasized that the cancellation of school board training has bigger ramifications. Were asking them to slow down, he said. (The current board) is trying to go through this super fast, and theres all this language (in the contract) thats going to affect other stakeholders. Its like they dont care. When an Oklahoma City woman heard about the closure of a popular urban camp, she was flooded with memories of the 1950s when she was a Camp Fire Bluebird. Cindy Hamm Eggeling, 72, said she was upset when she learned about the dissolution of the 95-year-old Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma Council, along with the closing of Camp DaKaNi, and she remembered visiting the camp when it was new and located in what was then the deep woods of Oklahoma City. "I was heartbroken," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A board spokeswoman for Oklahoma City-based Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma, a charter of Camp Fire USA, is hoping families cherish memories of their involvement with the youth organization now that it is being dissolved and Camp DaKaNi closed due to financial struggles. "We've had generations, literally multiple generations, come to our camp for decades and decades, and so we knew that this would be a hard blow to a lot of people," she said. The nonprofit announced the big changes in a letter from the nonprofit's board of directors posted on Dec. 13 on its website and Facebook. "After 95 years of helping thousands of local children discover the joys of nature through programs like Camp DaKaNi, Camp CANOE (Children with Autism Need Outdoor Experiences), Outdoor School, and Camp Fire Girls, we have made the difficult decision to dissolve our nonprofit organization," the board said in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit's leaders said a majority of Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma's programs have taken place at its "treasured" Camp DaKaNi campgrounds at 3309 E Hefner Road since 1956, but the organization's struggles that began with the COVID-19 pandemic never lessened. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts The ongoing financial woes led the board to make its decision to close, and they didn't make it lightly, the board spokeswoman said. She said she did not wish to be identified because she was speaking for the entire board who were united in their recent decision. She said the decision only impacts Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, and other Camp Fire USA charter affiliates in Tulsa, Perry and Ardmore are separate entities and not affected. "We're really grateful for the community to trust us with their kids for 95 years," the board spokeswoman said. Closing the camp The pandemic and changing times ultimately resulted in the closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "COVID hit and the enrollment went down after that, and we've just really struggled to recover," she said. "I think a lot of nonprofits are." Operating a camp, in general, also is hard and was another factor that led the organization to dissolve and close the camp, she said. "Times are changing," she said. "Kids don't always want to be outside. It's just different, so we struggled to see the numbers come back up." More: Looking back: Decades of laughter and fun have been experienced in Oklahoma summer camps The spokeswoman said the economy has shifted since COVID, and it became more difficult to keep up Camp DaKaNi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just maintaining the campgrounds of 33 acres, and providing the kind of experience that we want campers to have, just got harder and harder," she said. "The board labored over the decision for months. What we really hope is that people take away the memory of it." Campgrounds' future Numerous former and current Camp Fire families like Eggeling reached out to the nonprofit once the board's letter became widely circulated. "It's been really, beautifully overwhelming support," the board spokeswoman said. "People just saying how much they've loved the camp and sharing their stories with us has been really sweet and encouraging in a way because there's so many good, wonderful memories from people's time with us, and that we're part of this long legacy now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for what will happen to the Camp DaKaNi property, in the board's letter, the nonprofit said it was expecting to announce news regarding the Camp DaKaNi campgrounds in the coming months, but the grounds would be closed for 2025. It's not being sold and turned into neighborhoods, the spokeswoman said. "That's probably the Number One question, 'is it going to turn into a housing addition?'" the spokeswoman said. "No, it is not. It's going to stay for nonprofit use in some capacity. We're just trying to determine what that is." Heartbreak, hope Families that have been connected to Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma for generations are online sharing their memories, along with disappointment about nonprofit's end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eggeling said Camp Fire participation was a family affair. She said she took part in Camp Fire programs during her much of her youth, and her daughters also participated in Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma activities. She said her oldest daughter earned an award considered the highest achievement for Camp Fire youth participants, while her youngest daughter was one of the first Sparks, a Camp Fire group for younger girls at that time. Eggeling said her husband served on the organization's board, and he also received honors. Michelle Swedlow, of Oklahoma City, said her family members also participated in Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma activities, and they were one of the families that have stayed active over the years. "My kids are fourth-generation Camp Fire kiddos," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swedlow said the Camp Fire organization stands out because it was founded as a nonsectarian, multiracial, multiethnic organization for girls in 1910 and became increasingly inclusive over the years. The organization officially became co-ed in 1975. "I'm deeply concerned and heartbroken about the vacuum this closure is going to leave to the kids in our community," she said. "My being an active adult volunteer is secondary to my concerns about the loss of Camp Fire's unique programs for the kids in the metro area." Swedlow said she's hopeful about another nonprofit coming in to operate the Camp DaKaNi property. "My hope is for another nonsectarian organization that would be inclusive to all kids," she said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Camp DaKani in OKC to close after Camp Fire Heart nonprofit dissolves CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Taylor County man is facing several charges after he reportedly shot the taillight out of a sheriffs patrol vehicle. Around 6 p.m. on Saturday, the Taylor County Sheriffs Department received reports that someone had been shot at in the Popps Road area. According to an arrest citation, when the sheriff arrived, 31-year-old Cody Laytart fired four shots from his home in the sheriffs direction, hitting the vehicle in four places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies noted that a gun was found on Laytarts front porch, but he was found lying face down on the bedroom floor, passed out or pretending to be. According to court documents, Laytart began yelling, asking the deputies to just shoot him, and threatening to kill them. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Laytart became combative, per authorities, and spit in the deputys face while being placed in the patrol car, then proceeded to kick the vehicles window off its track. He was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center on the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attempted murder of a first responder Resisting arrest Third-degree assault of a peace officer Alcohol intoxication in a public place Violation of conditions of release Second-degree criminal mischief Second-degree terroristic threatening Read more of the latest Kentucky news Laytart appeared in court on Monday and is being held on a $250,000 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 FOX 56 News. Unhoused Lewiston residents huddle for the evening at the city's new warming center. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star) With restaurants shut down during the pandemic, Brian Arborio found himself unemployed, unable to pay his rising rent and eventually evicted. He lived on the streets of Portland for about 10 months, but left after an encounter with police. His next stop was Westbrook, then the woods of Scarborough, and Old Orchard Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arborio said law enforcement had him on their radar because he had broken into empty buildings to avoid the cold. One snowy night, as the soles of his shoes were peeling away, he said he returned to his tent to find it slashed, and his sleeping bag pepper sprayed. What he thought would be three months of camping outdoors and couch surfing turned into almost three years of homelessness. He landed in a Portland-area hospital and found housing through Section 8, the federal governments housing assistance program. But even now, as the weather gets colder and he passes people living on the streets, its hard not to flash back to his experience. Youre not considered a citizen when youre homeless. Youre subhuman. Thats how youre treated, said Arborio, who now advocates for policy to help people experiencing homelessness. Youre not considered a citizen when youre homeless. Youre subhuman. Thats how youre treated, said Portland resident Brian Arborio, who now advocates for policy to help people experiencing homelessness. Being chased away constantly is the most inhumane aspect. You are not welcome indoors anywhere anyway, and you have no place to sit down and rest outside. And these are meant to be public places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Backed by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in an Oregon case that local governments can legally impose criminal penalties for public camping bans, police across the country are enforcing ordinances that advocates say threaten to worsen homelessness and further deplete their limited resources to help. As long as were using our resources whether it be our human resources, our public forums, our financial resources to chase and police, surveil, punish and hide unhoused people, thats taking away from how we could invest into actual solutions, said Heather Zimmerman, a legal fellow with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. Advocates and officials say they could benefit from a coordinated approach to share information and resources among municipalities. Some Maine cities are considering adding camping bans, while those with laws are ramping up enforcement, according to the ACLU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization found 10 municipalities with loitering bans. Six ban solicitation, begging or panhandling. At least 12 have constructive camping bans, which means they use other ordinances such as loitering prohibitions and park regulations to enforce a camping ban in public spaces. Every ban is worded differently. Lewiston explicitly prohibits sleeping or camping in public places. Portland bans public camping as long as there is available shelter space. But even in municipalities such as Bangor, which, according to a city spokesperson, does not have a camping ban, police routinely sweep encampments and ask unhoused people to leave public property. Maine tracks homelessness through point-in-time counts, which record the number of unhoused people on one day, typically in January. This years count recorded 2,695 people experiencing homelessness. While the number is lower than the past two years, the number of unsheltered people those not housed temporarily in shelters, motels or transitional housing has been increasing, with 299 in 2023 and 273 in 2024, compared with 95 unsheltered people counted five years ago. People without shelter might be another reason municipalities are again enforcing camping bans, according to Katie Spencer White, president and CEO of Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in Waterville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a lot of folks experiencing homelessness, but what we didnt have is a lot of unsheltered homelessness, where people couldnt find a place in a bed, she said. So thats where many municipalities like, if theyre like Waterville, theyre now reposting these signs and enforcing something thats already on the books, or some municipalities are creating new ordinances where they didnt already have one. According to the ACLU, at least two cities Sanford in southern Maine and Presque Isle in northern Maine have considered camping bans since the Supreme Court ruling. Shelters as solutions to camping bans City leaders and advocates both believe homeless shelters can be a short-term solution to camping ban enforcement, since most agree that being outside, especially in Maine winters, is the worst case scenario. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MaineHousing, the state agency that oversees distribution of federal and state funding for affordable housing and homelessness solutions, has allocated more than $60 million in emergency housing assistance since 2020. But that funding is not enough to provide adequate resources to help people find beds or safe places to sleep, Spencer White said. As long as we're using our resources whether it be our human resources, our public forums, our financial resources to chase and police, surveil, punish and hide unhoused people, that's taking away from how we could invest into actual solutions. Heather Zimmerman, ACLU of Maine We want to be the solution to the camping ban, she said. Its hard to do that when youre paid $18 a night for a product that costs almost $100 a night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early December, 33 people needed shelter from freezing temperatures at Watervilles warming center, but its funding can only support 25. Without financial support for staffing and operational costs, shelters cant keep operating to meet the increasing demand, Spencer White said. Often, municipalities are left to find their own solutions. In cities with shelters, they are overcrowded or have restrictions that ban pets, require sobriety or separate residents by gender. A majority of cities in Maine dont have permanent shelters, and their expansion is often met with resistance from city government or local business owners, according to council meetings and media reports. In 2022, the Lewiston City Council imposed a six-month moratorium on building any new shelters, despite the lack of low-barrier shelters in Maines second largest city. Three city council members who had opposed a shelter expansion lost re-election and the new council is now building partnerships to expand services, according to Scott Harriman, who has served on the council since 2021. One of their arguments was that, basically, if you build it, they will come, Harriman said, explaining the previous councils opposition to shelters. So theyre concerned that if we just open up more shelters, we just attract more people here to use them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the political shift, nonprofit Kaydenz Kitchen recently received approval and funding from MaineHousing to build the citys first low-barrier homeless shelter. In other cities, pushback to shelters is being led by business owners. After the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter in Waterville received $700,000 to build a new permanent shelter and expand its current capacity, some business owners asked the city to consider a six-month pause on any expansion. Municipal leaders said bans allow them to strike a necessary balance between the interests of residents and business owners who complain to the city about tents or encampments. From a city perspective, we have to manage both sides of the issue, said Jessica Grondin, Portlands spokesperson. Weve got residents and business owners who are saying we dont want people outside in tents on our property, leaving behind trash and going to the bathroom on my doorway, combined with the fact that we do provide shelter for 600 people a night; theres no other municipality around whos stepping up in the way that we already are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portland Mayor Mark Dion said the city keeps shelter beds open in case people want them, but they cant force everyone to use the shelter. The city has removed 809 tents in the past year, and law enforcement and park rangers regularly sweep for encampments, but by providing notice, Grondin said. But data has shown that removing tents does not necessarily result in unhoused people going to shelters. Often, they relocate to a different part of the city or another town. There are no more large encampments in the city of Portland, but that doesnt mean there arent unsheltered people all over the city, Zimmerman said. Unhoused Lewiston residents wait for a van to pick them up at Kennedy Park around 7:30 pm to bring them to the citys new warming center, where some can stay overnight. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star) Lack of coordinated state response While the state has helped with funding for shelters and affordable housing initiatives, it has not weighed in on policy decisions, including camping bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many who work in the field believe homelessness in Maine can be solved made rare and brief but we have to all want to solve for it and we have to do it together and in collaboration across many sectors, governments, nonprofits and individuals, said Scott Thistle, a spokesperson for MaineHousing. But MaineHousing does not endeavor to tell local elected officials what the best solution is for their community is or should be we support them in finding and funding those solutions. Nobody wants to take full responsibility. Municipalities dont want to say this is for us to fix, the state doesnt want to say it. Everybodys pointing somewhere else, said Spencer White of the Mid-Maine shelter. Theres ways that we could leverage the existing resources at our disposal, but what we lack is coordinated and committed leadership, leadership that will actually bring the municipalities to the table and work through the issues. Ahead of the upcoming session, the Maine Legislature recently amended committees to break up Labor and Housing and make a permanent committee focused on housing and economic development. Maine Morning Star reached out to several legislators focused on housing issues but didnt hear back by publication. A spokesperson for the Governors Office of Policy Innovation and the Future did not answer questions related to the states role. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dion said theres a statewide council of mayors, where city leaders discuss solutions to homelessness, but without coordination, theres no opportunity to share resources between municipalities. Having somebody facilitating data on resources and demand, thats a state responsibility, he said. What Im looking for is a dedicated office and staff to help us. At the front end of the problem, I mean, they could stand up some shelter space, and especially at the back end in terms of securing housing. Supreme Court ruling paves way for heightened enforcement Though Lewistons City Council is now supporting the establishment of a permanent shelter, the citys camping ban is still on the books. Several unsheltered Lewiston residents said police are still giving out warnings when tents are reported, although a new warming center also operated by Kaydenz Kitchen that opened last month is the only legal place for them to stay. We literally got asked to move our tent with all our stuff in it because we had it set up under a bridge and someone called the cops on us, said Linda Chagnon, who was at the warming center on a snowy December night with her husband. After the warning, her family will soon have to move the tent if they want to keep their belongings, since taking everything with them from a day center to the public library to the warming center overnight isnt possible, she said. Like the experiences of both Chagnon and Arborio, the constant moving and fear of interacting with law enforcement can be among the most challenging aspects of homelessness. Arborio traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this year with the ACLU to speak against the Grants Pass, Oregon ruling. Since then, Grants Pass officials have limited where about 600 homeless people can pitch a tent or sleep to just two locations in the city of 39,000. Grants Pass officials have been publicly chastised for the ordinance. At an August council meeting, City Manager Aaron Cubic met withering criticism after he said the city was not legally obligated to provide water at city-designated spots. There is no legal requirement the city do anything more than designate a place to rest or a place to camp, he said at the meeting, adding that other services and amenities could include water and shade. The city has provided portable toilets and handwashing stations, though not water. Mayor Sara Bristol said that balance is necessary to avoid the perception the city is encouraging people to come there. Maine advocate Arborio said the impact of a camping ban is hard to understand without experiencing the despair and lack of hope and support unhoused people live with daily. If the shelters are full and theres no warming center, you have to let them at least have a chance outdoors, he said. People in warm city halls dont understand the impact of these policies, the trauma of marching somebody around all day long in this weather. Ben Botkin of Oregon Capital Chronicle, which like Maine Morning Star is part of the States Newsroom network, contributed to this report. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A barricade is set up at a homeless encampment by the City of Las Vegas. (Michael Lyle/Nevada Current) A series examining how local governments regulate and criminalize homelessness. A man is sleeping on the ground next to a bus stop wrapped in a blanket when he is spotted by a police officer. A City of Las Vegas Marshal notices the 55-year-old while patrolling near the Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas on a recent November morning, according to the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officer James Blaisure determines the man is unhoused and violating an expanded ban passed by the city council earlier in the month that restricts camping or lodging citywide even if there arent available shelter beds. The officer sees the mans walker covered in clothes next to him as he sleeps. Blaisure unwraps his blanket and tells him he cannot sleep there. The man is asked if he has been to the Courtyard Homeless Resource Center, roughly a mile away that can accommodate up to 550 people with a sleeping mat at night. He tells the officer he was going to make his way over there eventually, according to the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the second time in a week that officers had warned him for the same offense camping or lodging without consent, a misdemeanor that could carry a $1,000 fine. Experts and advocates suspect such encounters are on the rise following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that cities dont violate the 8th Amendments restriction on cruel and unusual punishment when they criminalize those experiencing homelessness for sleeping outside even if there arent other adequate accommodations for them to go. The National Homeless Law Center tracked cities that have passed anti-homeless camping bans or expanded existing camping bans to make them more punitive since the high courts decision. It found 99 ordinances were passed in 26 states that restrict unhoused people from sleeping and camping, according to data it provided to States Newsroom in November. Another 66 ordinances were pending at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But with homelessness rising, driven by the lack of affordable housing, low wages, and limited access to social services among other factors, advocates say the court decision stands to worsen an issue that has become more politicized in recent years. Every bill is a little bit different, said Jesse Rabinowitz, the communications and campaign director for the National Homelessness Law Center. The main two things they all have in common are that none of them solve homelessness and all of them will make homelessness worse. A full report from the law center on recent criminalization trends is expected to be released in early 2025. Roughly a third of all camping bans the National Homeless Law Center has tracked since July were passed in California, the state with the largest homeless population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois had the second highest with 13 ordinances, all that featured language crafted by the Illinois Municipal League. Eric Tars, the senior policy director at the National Homeless Law Center, said there is a common refrain across cities adopting ordinances with local officials saying its not our intent to criminalize people experiencing homelessness. The camping bans passed in Illinois cities start with a $75 fine, a hefty price for someone experiencing homelessness. The cost can increase each time. Violating camping bans could result in a $50 fine in Merced, California and a $100 fine in Phoenix, Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost nowhere in America can you do all of the activities that you and I do every day and take for granted. Eating, sleeping, resting, sitting. We're all sitting right now. If we were doing that and we were homeless and doing that outside in a public space, it might be considered a crime. Eric Tars, National Homelessness Law Center senior policy director A West Virginia city expanded a ban in September, prohibiting camping and storing personal property in public spaces, West Virginia Watch reported. Morgantown officials set penalties ranging from fines of $200 to $300 for second and third offense as well as possible jail time. Many of Wheeling, W.Va.s unhoused population stayed in an encampment on a state-owned parking lot across the street from the Catholic Charities Neighborhood Center in March 2024 before the state closed and cleaned the camp, forcing people to move. (Daniel Finsley | Finsley Creative for West Virginia Watch) Kinsburg, California has fines up to $500. Similar to Las Vegas fine, ordinances passed in some California cities like Fresno, Indio and Hemet could come with up to $1,000 fines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Vegas City Marshals, which oversee public safety and enforcement on city-owned property, issued citations to three unhoused people sleeping near the Fremont Street Experience in November. In addition to a potential $1,000 fine, the 55-year-old man also faces up to six months in jail after his 2025 court date. In an email, a Las Vegas official said that its up to the judge to decide whether to implement the full amount. Unhoused people who are arrested under many of these new ordinances could also face jail time ranging from 10 days to a year, the law center reported. In the Illinois cities that passed similar camping bans, jail time is possible if someone violates the ordinances more than six times in a two-year period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all the bans tracked in the last five months are new, but some have been amended to be more restrictive following the Supreme Court ruling, according to the law center. Cities including Las Vegas; Oceanside, California; Paso Robles California; Bremerton, Washington; and Auburn, Washington all updated existing camping and sleeping bans in recent months to remove provisions that prevented enforcement if shelter beds werent available. When passing these ordinances, Tars said officials often try to assuage their conscience and say things like we want to push them into services or were working on other shelters. Things like those will take longer, if ever, he said. The camping ban they pass goes into effect immediately. Even without those services theyre already moving toward enforcement. Thats the only piece they prioritize. That really tells you what their priorities are. Public pressure to do more The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that nationally 654,104 people experienced homelessness on a single night in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The numbers are largely viewed as an under count as the method of counting individuals on a single January night comes with challenges and an already transient population can easily fall through the cracks. Marcy Thompson, vice president for programs and policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said data doesnt give a full picture of homelessness. If you just look at that data, its easy to assume that things arent working and that homelessness response systems arent doing their job, or that resources arent being spent appropriately, Thompson said. What you dont see in those numbers are things like, how many people are becoming homeless each year for the first time. Low wages not keeping up with the cost of rent, the lack of access to health care and mental health resources and systemic racism have all contributed to the homeless crisis, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the list of policy issues that contribute to homelessness, Thompson said the lack of affordable and available housing nationwide is at the top. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law by President Joe Biden, provided cities and states with an historic, one-shot infusion of flexible dollars that some used to address housing shortages or stand up homeless resources. Lauren Lowery, the Housing and Community Development director with the National League of Cities, said those funds resulted in $6.7 billion for housing-related expenditures, which is like over 10 years of the home investment block grant. ARPA dollars were very significant about helping cities to address those at risk for homelessness and those experiencing homelessness as well, she said. But the investments, while significant, were never enough, Thompson said. There isnt sufficient housing, she said. As homelessness becomes more visible, theres often a lot of public pressure to do something. The law center said of the 187 cities previously surveyed in recent years they found that each one had at least one, if not multiple, laws criminalizing homelessness in some form, Tars said. In 2023, Georgia lawmakers passed a bill that mandates local governments to enforce ordinances prohibiting unauthorized public camping and sleeping on sidewalks and other public spaces, the Georgia Recorder reported. The measure also requires an audit of how public funding is used for programs to help people experiencing homelessness. Gov. Bill Lee allowed a Tennessee law banning camping on public property to take effect without his signature in 2022, calling for the need to seek solutions to address homelessness, the Tennessee Lookout reported. Almost nowhere in America can you do all of the activities that you and I do every day and take for granted, Tars said. Eating, sleeping, resting, sitting. Were all sitting right now. If we were doing that and we were homeless and doing that outside in a public space, it might be considered a crime. There were attempts to limit punitive measures. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation in 2023 that would have made it illegal for unhoused persons to camp in public spaces. And the Missouri Supreme Court struck down that states public camping ban on a technicality. An appellate court in 2022 ruled in favor of unhoused people who sought to overturn city ordinances passed in Grants Pass, Oregon, that restricted and fined people for sleeping and camping in public even though there arent other places to go. Many Western cities within the jurisdiction of the court submitted amicus briefs the following year asking the Supreme Court to overturn the decision. Many argued their hands were tied to address homelessness because of the federal courts ruling. Anit Jindal, an attorney representing the League of Oregon Cities, wrote in a brief that the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision limits the tools available to local governments for tackling this complex and troubling human issue. When we talk to cities about the need to build housing or the need to fund outreach or services, they say cities cant move quickly because government is slow, Rabinowitz said. They have moved very, very quickly to pass these bills that make homelessness worse. Even as the federal courts ruling stood, cities carried out encampment removals and adopted carefully worded ordinances to criminalize sleeping in a public right of way but only when shelter beds werent available. In a 6-3 ruling this June, the Supreme Court reversed Johnson v. City of Grants Pass paving a way for cities to adopt camping and sleeping restrictions. The case, Gloria Johnson, et. al. v. Grants Pass was originally brought by three homeless people against the citys ban on the use of tents, blankets and cardboard to protect them from the elements while camping on public property. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) In a statement to States Newsroom, Jeff Olivet, executive director of U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said cities are facing a difficult decision when it comes to the rising number of encampments. Encampments raise significant, legitimate concerns about the health and safety of neighborhoods and local businesses, he said. However, the criminalization of homelessness is ineffective, expensive, and inhumane. Housing and health care, not handcuffs and fines, solve homelessness. An uncertain future In the days following his re-election, Republican Donald Trump vowed in his second term to use every tool, lever and authority to get the homeless off our streets. Trump proposed an urban camping ban. He said he would open up large parcels of inexpensive land and create tent cities where the homeless can be relocated and their problems identified. He plans to bring in doctors, social workers and job rehab specialists. The threat of a national camping ban from Trump isnt new and something he spoke about during his first term. Before the Grants Pass decision, the 9th Circuit ruled in the 2018 case Martin v. Boise that cities cant punish people for sleeping on the streets if there isnt any alternative shelter. The Supreme Court declined to review the case in 2019. Tars said the courts decision might have prevented Trump from pursuing aggressive plans toward pressuring cities to enact punitive measures toward the unhoused. Now that the Supreme Court has overturned the Martin v. Boise principle in the Grants Pass case, that has basically paved the way for him to pick up right where he left off, only bigger, better and worse, Tars said. There are still mounting questions around what legal authority Trump would have federally to criminalize homelessness. Thompson said there are other ways the federal response to homelessness and the housing crisis could change in a second Trump term. When awarding grants, HUD gives points to communities who are demonstrating that they are not criminalizing homelessness, she said. Another administration could choose to take those points away or offer those points for something else, right? she added. HUD isnt the only department that could change how it approaches homelessness. Weve seen the Department of Justice over the years provide guidance around the importance of not criminalizing, Thompson added. Weve seen guidance around good first responder and community partnerships that are housing focused from Department of Justice. Weve seen them speak out against community and state level tactics that have been enforced. Those guidances, she added, could change and push more punitive tactics. Even who is appointed to agencies could impact the direction the federal government takes to address homelessness, Rabinowitz said. The 2019 pick to head the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Robert Marbut, had been against housing first strategy. While it is still unclear about a second Trump administration, Rabinowitz said early indicators show that Trump could force more people into homelessness by gutting further the social safety net. Once people are homeless, they (Trump administration) have no plan to address it other than literally rounding people up and putting them in detention camps, he added. Little daylight between Republicans, Dems Although many are worried about what a more punitive approach to homelessness could look like under Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, Tars said its not just Republicans who have embraced harsh stances toward the unhoused. Democratic mayors, governors, people who should know better, are aligning themselves with the same position that Trump is taking, he said. One example Tars points to is Californias Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed an executive order less than a month after the Supreme Court decision around encampments. The directive orders state agencies to remove an encampment if they determine it poses an imminent threat to life, health, safety or infrastructure and if feasible to remove the encampment. The order requires notices be posted 48 hours prior to an encampment removal. Following the directive, Newsom said there is now no excuse not to clean out encampments. Tars warned moving people out of encampments isnt easy, especially if there isnt enough housing or shelter space for people to go. He warned the method to remove people could lead to more people ending up in jail. Rabinowitz said Newsoms push to clear out encampments shows theres often little daylight between what Democrats like (Gov.) Gavin Newsom and what far right extremists like Donald Trump want to do in regards to homelessness. The governors office declined to answer questions about whether the directive could push more unhoused people into the criminal legal system or how the effectiveness of the directive is being monitored. In a statement to States Newsroom, the office said Governor Newsoms stance is not to forcibly remove homeless encampments or people. We cannot comment on hypotheticals for the next administration or policies which have not yet been enacted, but California always stands ready to protect the best interests of our state and people, said Tara Gallegos, a spokeswoman for the governor. California will continue to advance person-centered approaches to help people access help, shelter, and affordable housing options. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE TASHKENT, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and four others injured on Tuesday in a gas station explosion in the eastern Uzbek city of Ferghana, local media reported, citing authorities. Fire crews arrived at the scene and quickly extinguished the fire that followed the explosion. It is reported that the incident was caused by violations of the technological process and failure to comply with safety regulations during the discharge of liquefied gas. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) RV dealer Camping World reached a $3.5 million settlement with the Oregon Department of Justice after an investigation found the company would claw back its advertised discounted prices, the Oregon Attorney Generals Office announced Monday. The settlement follows a multi-year consumer protection investigation led by the Oregon Department of Justice. The settlement orders Camping World to return $3 million in refunds to affected customers. Our investigation found that Camping World would advertise a heavily discounted Dare to Compare price. During negotiations, Camping World would claw back its purported discount by double charging consumers for freight and prep charges that had already been included in the advertised price, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said. This is not how Oregonians expect or deserve to be treated! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PHOTOS/VIDEO: King tide flooding from around the Pacific Northwest Under the settlement, Camping World is required to pay the state $3 million to refund customers who purchased an RV from the chain between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, who paid more than the advertised price for an RV. Customers who purchased an RV after Dec. 18, 2018, may also be eligible for a refund and must submit a written complaint to the Oregon DOJ within six months of this announcement to potentially receive a refund, officials said. Under the settlement, Camping World cannot charge customers more than the advertised price of a vehicle, with the exception of optional goods or accessories, license and registration fees, or other taxes. The Oregon DOJ explained that the offering price must be available to all customers and cannot depend on whether a customer is paying with cash or financing the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest The settlement includes other consumer protection measures, including banning the company from double-charging customers for any goods or services already included in the MSRP, and Camping World must disclose charges on a label attached to the vehicle. Additionally, the company must use clear abbreviations in purchase orders. This measure comes after the DOJs investigation found Camping World would use the term environ on purchase orders to describe a limited warranty for weather damage, the Oregon Attorney Generals Office explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials added that Camping World cannot make a free offer with the purchase of an RV unless it is offered by a manufacturer of another party, excluding Camping World or its Good Sam Club, Because Camping World owns both companies, such free; offers can be illusory. I thank the Civil Enforcement team at DOJ for their focus and persistence in this investigation, and in helping to make restitution to those affected by Camping Worlds practices, AG Rosenblum added. KOIN 6 News reached out to Camping World. This story will be updated if we receive a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. (Bloomberg) -- Canada is deploying what it calls an aerial intelligence task force as part of a new C$1.3 billion ($908 million) plan to address US President-elect Donald Trumps concerns about migrants and fentanyl flowing across the northern border. Most Read from Bloomberg The Royal Canadian Mounted Police will operate the task force, made up of helicopters, drones and mobile surveillance towers. Its one of multiple measures unveiled by the Canadian government on Tuesday in an effort to avert Trumps threat of 25% tariffs on all goods from the country unless it boosts border security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement comes a day after the countrys finance minister, Chrystia Freeland, abruptly resigned, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of failing to seriously prepare for a Trump presidency. She was replaced by Dominic LeBlanc, the public safety minister who released the border plan on Tuesday. Canada takes pride in our border and law enforcement agencies that protect our communities and support our economy day in and day out, LeBlanc said in a statement. They also expect their government to support them in their ability to do that important work. The funding was first announced in the governments budget update on Monday. Trudeau has been pledging stronger border measures since Trump threatened tariffs on Mexico and Canada unless they did so even though the issues at the northern crossing pale in comparison to those at the southern one. The plan also involves expanding the intelligence-collection capacity of the RCMP and Communications Security Establishment, the cybersecurity agency. The government plans to increase fines and criminal penalties for money laundering and create a task force on the issue involving law enforcement and the financial sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also aims to increase information sharing between Canadian and US officials, as well as between the federal government and provinces. Trudeaus government said it would propose to the US the creation of a new North American Joint Strike Force to target transnational organized crime. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme explained that the strike force would entail partnering with the US to develop officers and law enforcement partners who specialize in fentanyl. They would work both domestically and in international source countries for the deadly drug to disrupt its illegal trade, he said. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced changes to end a practice known as flagpoling, when a temporary resident leaves Canada and immediately returns to a point of entry to get immigration services. He also said the government planned to expand its ability to cancel, change or suspend immigration documents and to stop accepting new applications. As well, the government will deploy artificial intelligence and imaging tools, and train new canine teams, to further help detect illegal drugs before they enter Canada. It also plans to create a new unit within the countrys health department to stop imports of precursor chemicals and accelerate the regulatory process for banning those materials to six months from three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeBlanc said he had shared the plan with Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan and was encouraged by that conversation. Im confident that as we continue to work with our American partners theyll see that our resolve is absolute, LeBlanc said, adding that Canada and the US are on the same page on border security. Theres no daylight in terms of the objectives we share with the incoming administration. --With assistance from Thomas Seal. (Adds more details on North American Joint Strike Force in paragraph eight. An earlier update added more details and background.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) -The abrupt resignation of Canada's finance minister leaves the government adrift less than a month before the inauguration of a new U.S. administration that could impose crippling sanctions on Canadian exports. Chrystia Freeland quit on Monday after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered her a lesser position. She said his wish to increase spending could endanger Canada's ability to withstand the damage done by the tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeland had headed a special cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations and was working closely with the 10 provinces to ensure a united response. "As a country we have to project strength and unity, and it's chaos right now up in Ottawa," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after a scheduled online conference call of provincial premiers on Monday to discuss the U.S. threat. An unimpressed Alberta premier, Danielle Smith, one of Trudeau's biggest domestic critics, said the provincial leaders had only learned halfway through their call that the point person on Canada-U.S. relations had quit. "It's chaos. I'd be looking at this wondering who the next leader is ... are they going to be able to bring forward a coherent plan? Is there going to be a team that is able to do a Team Canada approach?" she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not the greatest time to have a vacuum," she added, calling for a national election to help restore stability. Unhappy legislators from the ruling Liberal Party, some of whom have been calling on Trudeau to quit for months, met on Monday in Ottawa to vent their frustration. The Liberals are trailing badly in the polls ahead of an election that must be held by late October 2025. Trudeau has until now ruled out the idea of resigning but if pressure on him mounts significantly, the results could be unpredictable. "Trump will be inaugurated in 34 days. Canada must have a stable government," former Trudeau foreign policy advisor Roland Paris said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump came to power in 2017 he vowed to tear up the trilateral free trade treaty with Canada and Mexico. Freeland, who was then foreign minister, played a large role in helping renegotiate the pact and saving Canada's economy, which is heavily reliant on the United States. Vincent Rigby, a former national security and intelligence adviser to Trudeau, said Freeland's departure meant the Canadian stance with Trump was up in the air. "This is going to be quite problematic for the prime minister from a political perspective, but it's now also going to be problematic in terms of how the Canadian government deals with an incoming Trump presidency," he said on the sidelines of an event in Washington. The role of chief federal coordinator on U.S. relations now passes to Dominic LeBlanc, the new finance minister, who flew with Trudeau to Florida late last month to meet Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The one thing I think the American administration will respect is a government that's focused on our common priorities, on the shared issues," he told reporters after being appointed. Freeland was not invited along. Trump, who made it clear during trade talks in September 2018 that he did not like Freeland, cheered her departure late Monday. "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!!!" he wrote on his social media platform. (Additional reporting by Nia Williams, Ryan Jones, Andrea Shalal, Ismail Shakil and Susan Heavey; Editing by Chris Reese and Louise Heavens) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Canada imposed economic sanctions on Tuesday on five Venezuelan officials, including the head of the countrys high court, accusing them of engaging in electoral fraud during the disputed July presidential election. Both Venezuelas incumbent President Nicolas Maduro and the political opposition with its candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, who is now in exile in Spain, and its leader Maria Corina Machado, who is in hiding in Venezuela claim to have won the July 28 vote. Tuesday's announcement from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly marked the fourth time Canada has sanctioned individuals linked to Maduro's government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduros government swiftly denounced the sanctions as extortionate measures and a failed attempt to pressure Venezuela. The development comes less than a month before Venezuelas next presidential term is set to begin. Canada's measure seeks to add pressure on Venezuelas de facto authorities to "respect the will of the Venezuelan people, according to the statement from the ministry of foreign affairs. The sanctions also aim to dissuade the authorities from taking further actions that violate the human rights of protesters, journalists, opposition leaders and other members of civil society, the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Caryslia Rodriguez, president of Venezuelas Supreme Tribunal of Justice, those sanctioned include two judges, a prosecutor and a member of the countrys electoral body. Venezuelas protracted political crisis deepened after the highly anticipated presidential election. The countrys National Electoral Council, stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner hours after polls closed. However, unlike previous presidential elections, electoral authorities did not provide detailed vote counts. Meanwhile, the opposition, led by Machado, collected tally sheets from 80% of the nations electronic voting machines, posted them online and said the voting records showed that the factions candidate, Gonzalez, had won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global condemnation over the lack of transparency prompted Maduro to ask Venezuelas high court, also stacked with ruling-party loyalists and led by Rodriguez, to audit the results. The court subsequently reaffirmed his victory. Todays sanctions deliver a clear message: Canada will not stand by as the Maduro regime continues to ignore the democratic will of the Venezuelan people, Joly said. A peaceful, negotiated and Venezuelan-led solution is needed to resolve this crisis. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) A southeast Kansas man died Monday when his car crashed into a pickup in Montgomery County. The crash happened just before 6 p.m. on U.S. Highway 169, a couple of miles north of Cherryvale. The Kansas Highway Patrol said William Gregory, 30, of Altamont, was headed south on U169, passing several vehicles, when his car crashed into a northbound pickup. Lawrence restaurant on video showing employee cutting meat on pavement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregorys car continued south, veering right and came to rest off the west side of the road. Gregory died at the scene. The 27-year-old Parsons man who was driving the pickup had serious injuries and was taken to a hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. DENVER (KDVR) After Denvers mayor made controversial comments pushing back on President-elect Donald Trumps mass deportation plan, the town of Castle Rock will vote on a resolution Tuesday that could support Trump and his immigration policies. The resolution will be voted on following public comment at the Castle Rock Town Council. The draft of the document has a lengthy title: Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Castle Rock Expressing its Strong Support for President-Elect Donald Trumps Immigration Policies and its Willingness to Lawfully Cooperate with Federal Immigration Officials in Implementing These Policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closures for Aurora light rail has local business owners concerned The document said that unauthorized migrants have caused a significant fiscal drain on public funds, paying less in taxes than they consume in public services. The document goes on to say that migrants have overwhelmed communities with already limited affordable housing, crowded classrooms, and strained transit and social services. The resolution calls out Denver, saying the city and Denver Public Schools have spent a combined $356 million serving migrants. Denvers Mayor Mike Johnston pushed back on Trumps policies and said, If Donald Trump tries to break the law and abuse his power, he will get no help from us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further cementing Denvers status as a sanctuary city. The resolution will be open for public comment in a meeting on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Upon entering or exiting the City of Charleston, mounds of debris can be seen stacked high beneath the Ravenel Bridge overpass between Morrison Drive and Meeting Street. Mattresses, empty bottles and cans, a dog bed, cushions, clothes, and a Bible are among the discarded items remnants of an encampment where unhoused individuals came to seek shelter and community. Crews with the South Carolina Department of Transporation (SCDOT) have been working to clean up the state-maintained area following a September request from city officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We try to prevent a tent city from occurring, said Geona Shaw Johnson, the citys director of Housing and Community Development. That meant dismantling the small encampment and attempting to relocate the individuals sheltering there. Typically what the driving force is behind asking individuals to leave a location is if theyre interfering or getting in the way of traffic in any way, Johnson explained. Other times, the need is to literally clean it up because the trash getting so severe, she continued. [This location] is also an area where people park, and so then people become a little frightened or afraid of parking because they see an enormous amount of trash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clean-up officially began on Nov. 4 after repeated delays due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. City officials said people living in an encampment are notified in advance, sometimes weeks before but sometimes just 48 hours ahead. What we will do is send what we call our outreach workers to our unsheltered neighbors and say, This is not the place for habitation. Let us help you with securing a different or better place to live,' Johnson said. Charleston Police handed out notices to roughly a dozen people throughout several interactions, telling them to gather their belongings and relocate, and pointing them to available resources. No one was reportedly still on site when SCDOT crews arrived to sweep the area. Whatever belongings they hadnt taken with them were raked into piles and loaded into trash bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartbreaking when an encampment is dismantled and people maybe dont have the resources to remove all of their belongings, said Stacey Denaux, the CEO of One80 Place, a nonprofit on Walnut Street that offers shelter and wraparound services to people experiencing homelessness. We might look at someones belongings in an encampment and think its trash, but thats what belongs to that person. Thats very personal for them, she added. According to SCDOT, the encampment has been cleared five times since 2019 with officials citing health and safety concerns. The city does offer services for unhoused people, including the Hope Center, a permanent day resource center located just blocks from the encampment on Meeting Street that opened in May 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve most recently included job services there, so our job service coordinators help someone find employment, Johson said, noting that while resources are made available, they arent always utilized. Denaux attributes the choice not to seek services partially to the trauma experienced by people when a homeless encampment is dismantled, especially on short notice. I might not think its safe and appropriate, but the people who are there, theyve become a community, she said. They trust each other. Theyve started to trust service providers, perhaps, and then an encampment gets dismantled in a way thats, you know, that could violate that trust or really set people back on their path towards permanent housing. Often, encampments simply end up relocating, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not accomplishing our goal of ending and preventing homelessness, Denaux said. Its moving people to a less visible location. So if you had one that had 10 or 12 people in it, now, maybe you have three or four smaller encampments that have gone further into the woods or into a remote part of our community. So dismantling encampments on the basis of health, safety, and sanitation sounds good, but the reality is, youre not doing anything to end homelessness for the people that were in that encampment, she continued. The number of homeless and housing-insecure people in South Carolina is growing, according to the Interagency Council on Homelessness. On a single night in January 2023, volunteers counted 4,053 unhoused people across the state. Were looking at various measures that we can use in concert with our police department, in concert with other stakeholders and providers in our community, such that were using the most up-to-date and the most innovative ways to reach the population that are unsheltered, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes the Lowcountry Rapid Housing Program, an initiative spearheaded by Charleston Mayor William Cogswell that would establish a campus of 118 private, temporary shelters on Herbert Street in the upper peninsula. The shelters would be available only to men. Cogswell estimated the plan would cost $5.5 million at the outset, which he envisioned being split between surrounding counties and municipalities. None in the tri-county area had officially agreed to participate as of Dec. 13, though the plan is expected to move forward. After the area on Meeting Street was cleared, a new homeless encampment popped up on private property along Ashley Phosphate Road. No trespassing signs were posted on the property and Dorchester County officials confirmed that deputies made contact with at least one individual. That individual reportedly refused services offered to them and willingly left the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys solid waste team spent several hours last Thursday morning clearing debris from the roadway and is now working with the property owners to clean up the wooded area. Still, advocates say there is only one solution that will end homelessness and stop the establishment of new encampments. Creation of affordable housing, whether its literally constructing units, or taking units that we have now and making them affordable, thats how were going to end homelessness, Denaux said. Its not by creating more shelter beds. Its not by just moving encampments and hiding people. If we want to end homelessness, we need to continue to work with homeless people who are unsheltered to find them their own place to live. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Charleston detectives are searching for two suspects, one of whom is accused of assaulting two victims during an argument on King Street. Police responded to the area of King and Hutson Streets around 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 14 after receiving a call about an assault in the area. The victims told law enforcement that the suspect struck them with an unknown object after an argument. Both victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charleston Police Department said the male suspect pictured is believed to be the person who assaulted the victims, while the female suspect witnessed the incident. If you have information related to the investigation, contact the department at 843-720-2422 and request to speak with the on-duty Central Detective or send a tip via e-mail at https://charlestonpd.fususvault.com/tips. Via Charleston PD Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Charlotte City Council appointed an interim city attorney and announced a search for a new top lawyer Monday, weeks after reports of City Attorney Patrick Bakers ouster. Council members voted 8-3 after no public debate to hire Anthony Fox on a six-month contract while conducting a search for a new permanent city attorney. Renee Johnson, Tariq Bokhari and Ed Driggs voted against the hiring. Fox, who is not the the same person as former Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, is a partner with the Parker Poe law firm. His tenure will begin January 1, Mayor Vi Lyles said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays vote was not on the public agenda for the days City Council meeting. The move comes after WFAE reported in October that Lyles and a majority of the Charlotte City Council voted in closed session to end Bakers employment. The decision was rooted in part in Bakers decision to fulfill a public records request from the NPR affiliate, according to WFAEs reporting. The City Council has held multiple closed sessions about personnel matters in recent weeks, including Monday afternoon, but hadnt publicly announced any action or acknowledged Bakers departure. Baker, who was a regular presence at City Council meetings to provide legal guidance, has been absent from public meetings since WFAEs story. Deputy City Attorney Lina James and other City Attorneys Office staff have instead appeared at the dais. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlottes city attorney leads a staff of more than 40 people and is responsible for providing legal and policy representation and guidance to the mayor, City Council and city staff. Its one of three city positions that report directly to the City Council. Baker, 57, was hired in March 2019 after 22 years with the City of Durham. The council awarded him four raises during his tenure, bringing his salary to $291,443.64. His compensation package also included a $4,800 yearly automobile allowance, contributions to a 401(K) and a cell phone. He was an at will employee, meaning he could be fired at any time, with or without cause, according to a copy of his contract obtained by the Observer through a public records request. The contract said that if Baker was fired without cause, he would get a lump sum severance payment worth six months of his salary and a payout for any unused vacation days or sick leave. But, according to the contract, he gets no severance if he resigned or was terminated for good cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyles did not specify at Mondays meeting whether Baker was terminated, resigned or retired. Fox has more than 30 years experience representing municipalities in North Carolina as an assistant city attorney and town attorney, according to his firms website. This photo taken on Dec. 17, 2024 shows Jagath Wickramaratne in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan parliament on Tuesday unanimously appointed ruling National People's Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne as its new speaker. (The Sri Lankan parliament/Handout via Xinhua) COLOMBO, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan parliament on Tuesday unanimously appointed ruling National People's Power (NPP) Member of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne as its new speaker. Wickramaratne was nominated by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and the Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake supported her proposal. No other names were proposed, and Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih announced to the House that Wickremeratne was unanimously appointed as the new speaker. On Nov. 13, former Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala resigned in the wake of controversy over his educational qualifications. Earlier, the opposition parties accused the speaker of lying about holding a PhD from a Japanese university. In a statement, Ranwala clarified that he had never lied about his educational qualification, but admitted that he currently lacks documentary proof of his academic achievements. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) For the first time in 14 years, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) voted to make the countys only public charter school an option. Its left some families feeling a little whiplash. The charter company has sued MNPS. It was super disappointing, said Dr. Ricky Gibbs, Head of Schools for LEAD Public Schools, in reaction to the decision from MNPS. In a city where we consistently talk about doing whats best for students and families If they could sleep at night with that decision, it would be interesting to me. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts On Monday, LEAD Public Schools and Cameron College Prep filed a lawsuit against MNPS, claiming the board is in violation of the contracts between LEAD and the school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant look them in the face and say, Well, we just stood by and did nothing while your child was zoned to a school thats not a better option,' Gibbs added. The lawsuit comes after MNPS voted to change LEAD Cameron Middle School from a Zoned school for those in the Glencliff area to a Choice school. That change means students will now be zoned to Margaret Allen Middle School starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Over 80% of the students that attend LEAD Cameron are students who are zoned for LEAD Cameron, Gibbs said. However, the MNPS vote didnt go forward without a fight. During a November board meeting, several members of the LEAD staff and former students spoke one by one in front of board members, to explain why they believe the school should remain Zoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I spent all four years at LEAD Academy where many of my teachers still teach there today who genuinely cared about my education and well-being, a former LEAD Cameron middle school student said. Now, it seems like we are being punished for doing what is best for the families we serve, a LEAD teacher said. If the vote stands, starting next school year, students will automatically be zoned to a different school, but LEAD Cameron will remain open as an option meaning if parents want their child to stay, they can apply to the charter school. However, LEAD officials said not every family may know about their option. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Those are families that, most of the time, would be families who are economically disadvantaged families who would be people of color, Gibbs said. Now, they may not never even know that LEAD Cameron exists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LEAD made parents aware of the situation on Monday. If the lawsuit fails, the zoning changes will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year. As of publication, LEAD is awaiting a response from MNPS. News 2 reached out to the District about the lawsuit and received the following statement: We are not able to comment on pending litigation Sean Braisted, MNPS Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. Its life in prison for a Galena man convicted of killing another man last year. Billy Barker today was sentenced to the Hard 50 in a Cherokee County courtroom for the shooting death of Levi Porter. Barker also received 24 months for felony weapons charges which will run the same time as the life sentence. In June of this year, a jury found Barker guilty of first-degree murder after a three-day trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barker shot Porter in the back of the head at a residence in Galena on April 18 of last year. It killed him instantly. Porters friends and family showed up at the trial and told us they wanted people to remember Porter for the good and kind person he was. Barkers attorneys asked for a new trial, but the judge denied the request. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Children at risk of turning to terrorism will face restrictions on their internet and social media use under Asbo-style orders after a surge in arrests of teenagers. The children served with the new youth diversion orders would have to undergo deradicalisation and psychiatric courses or face sanctions including potentially jail. The move, announced on Tuesday by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, comes after Ken McCallum, the MI5 chief, warned that the intelligence services were seeing far too many cases where children were being drawn into poisonous online extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Counter-terrorism police report a 67 per cent rise in the number of children arrested for terrorist offences in the past year. Children aged 17 or under accounted for one in five (19 per cent) of the 200 arrests in the year to March 2024, up from three in 2010. The youth orders were first proposed by Jonathan Hall, independent adviser on terrorism legislation, who said they should be targeted at children in lower-level offences such as downloading terrorism material, and those who might have mental health problems that could be better treated outside the criminal justice system. The Home Office has extended orders beyond those who have committed offences to children at risk of becoming involved in terrorism, enabling law enforcement and other agencies to intervene earlier. Yvette Cooper warned of youth radicalisation, driven by online activity - EDDIE MULHOLLAND for The Telegraph Police would be able to apply to the courts for the orders and set conditions including participating in the Governments counter-terror Prevent programme and place restrictions on online activity, said Mr Cooper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some time now, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been warning about the rapid increase in youth radicalisation, driven in large part by online activity, she added. I am determined that we bring in the changes needed to move young people away from these dangerous ideologies and make the whole system more effective. Some 40 per cent of all referrals to the Prevent programme aimed at steering people away from terrorism are for children aged 11 to 15. Half of the 7,000 people reported to counter-terror police each year, around half are children and include some aged under 10, Matt Jukes, head of counter-terror policing, has revealed. It comes 10 days after Five Eyes security chiefs issued a warning about the terrorist radicalisation of children online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time since its inception during the Second World War, the Five Eyes alliance of Britain, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand has published a public-facing paper calling for a whole society response to the threat of the radicalisation of children towards violent extremism. The Home Office said Islamist terrorism remains the primary threat, followed by extreme Right-wing terrorism, and the overall threat picture is changing to include a growing number of young people radicalised online who do not align with a particular ideology but instead have fixations with violence. Recent Prevent statistics showed most referrals were for individuals with a vulnerability but no ideology or counter-terrorism risk. Ms Cooper promised changes to the Prevent programme and a new commissioner to oversee how it works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told MPs there was confusion in the system and it was not always clear to practitioners what kinds of cases should be dealt with under Prevent. Concerns over low numbers of referrals for Islamist extremism have still not been addressed, and at the same time a lack of clarity remains over whether Prevent should be confined to cases of clear ideology or should also be picking up cases where the ideology is less clear, or where there is a fixation with violence, she said. As well as an end-to-end review of the thresholds for the programme and a series of other changes, Ms Cooper said the new Prevent tsar would provide oversight. The new independent commissioner of Prevent will review the programmes effectiveness and identify gaps, so any problems can be fixed early. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government also announced funding for counter-terror police will increase by 140 million next year and the UKs intelligence agencies will have funding increased by 499 million. 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. The News China expanded visa-free access for international visitors, part of efforts to bolster tourism and strengthen a moribund economy. Nationals of more than 50 countries including Australia, Japan, the US, and UK were previously able to transit through China visa-free for between three and six days, but that has now been increased to 10: The system was described by CNN as a popular hack for tourists dissuaded by the countrys standard visa requirements. Beijing has in recent months hugely liberalized its entry requirements, which were extremely restrictive during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the new policies helping drive international tourist numbers to record highs. China will now offer 10 days of visa-free transit for international travellers, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Tuesday. Passport holders from 54 nations - including Australia, Japan, the United States and countries throughout Europe - can now stay up to 10 days in certain areas of mainland China when transiting via one of the country's 60 international ports, according to the NIA. The visa-free extension of stay, which has been open to 54 countries since November 2023, is effective immediately, the NIA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Eligible passport holders can obtain visa-free transit for tourism, business or visiting family members, but they will require visas for work, study or media interviews, the administration said. China recorded more than 29 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of this year, an 86 per cent increase over the same period last year. Photo: Xinhua alt=China recorded more than 29 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of this year, an 86 per cent increase over the same period last year. Photo: Xinhua> The announcement by Chinese immigration authorities comes as Beijing struggles to attract foreign tourists and investment to help boost a slowing economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has seen a major outflow of foreigners after three years of strict Covid-19 controls. The zero-Covid policy, which was largely lifted in December 2022, imposed severe restrictions on domestic and international travel, including a two-month lockdown in Shanghai, the country's most international city. Beijing has been trying to attract foreign tourists and investors since the country's borders were reopened in January 2023. President Xi Jinping has also called for "building national strength in tourism" and increasing people-to-people exchanges, including with the US. China's immigration and tourism authorities have introduced several measures this year to boost inbound tourism, including easing entry and visa procedures and enhancing banking services for foreigners. Since last December, China has announced visa-free entry for passport holders from 38 countries, including France, Germany, South Korea and Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures have helped. China recorded more than 29 million foreigners in the first 11 months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 86 per cent. Nearly 60 per cent of those travellers entered the country without a visa, a 123 per cent increase over the same period last year. Twenty-one more ports of entry and exit have been added, bringing the total number to 60. Under the new measures, travellers are allowed to stay in 24 provincial regions during transit, with five new regions added, including the southern island province of Hainan, the southwestern province of Guizhou, the northern province of Shanxi and the eastern provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu. Under the new rules, visitors from 54 countries can now travel freely across 24 provincial regions for 10 days, but some provinces, such as Shanxi, Jiangxi and the southern autonomous region of Guangxi, will only allow stays in some of their cities. Previously, visa-free transit foreigners were usually only allowed to stay in the same province or neighbouring provinces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ]The NIA stressed that transit passengers seeking to enter China visa-free should have a passport valid for more than three months and a ticket to leave China for a third country within 10 days - either by plane or ship, or by train via a border crossing with Laos in the southwestern province of Yunnan. Round-trip tickets are not allowed as they do not qualify as "transit". Foreigners must also abide by Chinese law, the administration added. Zha Daojiong, a professor at Peking University's School of International Studies, said that "easing entry requirements and procedures for non-China passport holders is a step in the right direction, as it promotes 'seeing is believing' among other societies about life in China today". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The more China is seen as another normal society - similar to others, with its own share of good and bad - the more conducive it is to smoothing over raw feelings about the country," Zha said. The NIA said the transit policy had been "comprehensively relaxed and improved", but it appeared to overlap with some of China's existing visa-free arrangements. Passport holders from most of the eligible countries were previously allowed to enter China without a visa, such as Japan, Singapore and Australia. Travellers from those countries can also enter from ports that do not support visa-free transit, and they can stay longer, usually up to 30 days. Travellers from any country can visit for up to 24 hours on arrival at any international airport in mainland China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the visa-free transit changes were underwhelming for at least one foreign traveller. "It doesn't allow anyone to simply plan a trip to China. You must also incorporate another country in your itinerary, which most Westerners do not do," said an American businessman, who requested anonymity. "The majority of the world can travel to the majority of countries visa free, usually up to 90 days. If China truly wants to attract foreigners, it could do so much more," he added. However, according to NIA deputy director Mao Xu, the changes would "improve entry convenience ... and attract more foreigners to travel, do business, visit and exchange with China". China will also continue to open up its immigration management, "promote a larger, broader and deeper opening-up policy, and create a market-oriented, legalised, internationalised and first-class business environment", Mao said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. China has tripled the amount of time visitors can spend in the country without a visa in yet another move to entice more foreign tourists. The Chinese State Administration of Immigration announced the country will expand its visa-free layover period to 240 hours (10 days) across the board. Previously, there were two tiers, allowing eligible travelers to visit for 72 hours (3 days) or 144 hours (6 days) depending on the destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transit program, a popular hack for foreign tourists who want to visit China but find the visa process too complicated or overwhelming, allows visitors who have existing flight bookings from China to a third country or territory to snag a visa on arrival at a Chinese airport and travel for a short period before departing. Citizens of more than 50 countries, including the United States, are eligible for the program. China has made no secret of its desire to increase the number of international visitors and has made several major policy changes since reopening following the Covid-19 pandemic. And it appears to be working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the number of foreigners entering mainland China in the third quarter of the year reached a record high since tracking began in 2014, according to data from the National Immigration Administration. Passport holders from 38 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, including France, Malaysia, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland. However, the United States is not among them. Until 2023, US citizens seeking a China travel visa had to confirm a hotel booking, tour itinerary and flight reservation before applying for a visa, but those requirements have since been dropped. Foreigners eligible to visit under the new 240-hour transit policy are permitted to travel between 24 provincial regions, up from 19 previously. While a few of those provinces limit access to certain cities, most permit travel across the whole region, covering tourist hot spots like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special areas like Tibet and Xinjiang, though, require additional permission to access. Meanwhile, Hong Kong and Macao both count as third destinations for those entering under the 240-hour visa-free transit program. According to the latest statistics cited by state media, from January to November 2024, more than 29 million foreigners entered the country, a year-on-year increase of 86.2%. Of these, 17 million entered under the visa-free program, a year-on-year increase of 123.3%. More than four million of them entered via Shanghai, making it the most popular place to visit. Visa simplification isnt the only change China has made to entice foreign tourists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its two biggest e-payment apps, WeChat and AliPay, now accept non-Chinese credit cards, have built-in translation software and streamlined identity verification processes. In addition, the government has mandated that major tourist attractions and three-, four- and five-star hotels all accept international credit cards. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to remove references to Chinas previous visa-free transit policy that are no longer in effect. Editors Note: CNNs Fred He and Maggie Hiufu Wong contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIJING (Reuters) - China is ready to work with India to enhance mutual trust through dialogue and communication, and manage differences with sincerity and integrity, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday. Lin Jian, a ministry spokesperson, made the remarks when asked about the upcoming talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval this week on border issues. Wang and Doval are set to meet in Beijing on Wednesday in a resumption of talks under their "special representatives dialogue" mechanism since deadly border clashes soured ties four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China stands ready to work with India to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, respect each other's core interests and major concerns... and bring bilateral relations back to a stable and healthy development track at an early date," Lin said at the ministry's regular press briefing. Chinese President Xi Jinping met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October just days after the two countries reached a deal on patrolling their disputed frontier to end a four-year military stand-off. Both leaders agreed to boost communications and resolve conflicts and differences, directing their officials to take further steps to stabilise all aspects of bilateral ties. Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have been strained in recent years, after at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops were killed in hand-to-hand combat in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ties had remained frozen since, with their trust eroded by repeated border stand-offs. Wang last met Doval in September in St Petersburg, Russia, with the two agreeing to redouble efforts to ensure complete disengagement on the contested frontier. (Reporting by Joe Cash, Ethan Wang and Liz Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Raju Gopalakrishnan) SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's joint investigation unit said on Tuesday that if impeached president Yoon Suk-yeol refuses to show up for questioning after the exact time set for Wednesday, a decision will be made thereafter on whether to issue another summons order to call him in, Yonhap news agency reported. A summons order asking President Yoon to appear for questioning over his alleged insurrection charge at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday was delivered to Yoon's side Tuesday but sent back, the Yonhap report said, citing the joint investigation unit. The summons order was returned shortly after its delivery by the postal service, said the investigation unit, which was made up of the country's police, the defense ministry and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. Separately, South Korean prosecutors have asked Yoon to appear for questioning over his martial law imposition by Dec. 21, Yonhap said in a previous report on Tuesday, the second such request by the country's prosecution in less than a week. The prosecution's special investigation team delivered the summons to Yoon's side on Monday, asking Yoon to appear for questioning over alleged charges of insurrection and abuse of power by this Saturday. Yoon has rejected the prosecution's request made on Dec. 11 to appear for questioning set for Dec. 15. The embattled president now faces parallel investigations by the country's prosecution and the joint investigation unit. Yoon was impeached in a National Assembly vote last Saturday over his short-lived imposition of a highly controversial emergency martial law earlier this month. By Blake Brittain (Reuters) - A German-Canadian resident of China was sentenced to 24 months in prison in the U.S. for stealing electric vehicle trade secrets from Tesla for his competing EV battery business, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday. Klaus Pflugbeil, 59, pleaded guilty in June to conspiring with business partner Yilong Shao to sell Tesla's battery manufacturing secrets to undercover FBI agents posing as Long Island businesspeople. Pflugbeil's attorney and spokespeople for Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the sentencing. Shao, who was also charged but remains at large, could not be reached for comment. "In stealing trade secrets from an American electric vehicle manufacturer to use in his own China-based company, Pflugbeil's actions stood to benefit the (People's Republic of China) in a critical industry with national security implications," U.S. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said in a statement. Pflugbeil, who is a citizen of Germany and Canada, was charged in New York in March. Prosecutors said he and Shao built their EV battery business on trade secrets from a "leading U.S.-based electric vehicle company." Prosecutors did not name the company, but said it acquired a Canada-based manufacturer of battery-assembly lines in 2019, which matches the description of Tesla's acquisition of Canadian company Hibar. The Justice Department said Pflugbeil and Shao worked for the Canadian company before Pflugbeil joined Shao's business in 2020. Prosecutors said that Pflugbeil and Shao's venture has locations in China, Canada, Germany and Brazil that make the same battery assembly equipment as their previous employer. Shao met the undercover agents at a trade show in Las Vegas last year, according to prosecutors, after which Pflugbeil sent them a business proposal containing Tesla's trade secrets. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Jamie Freed) When the heads of both the FBI and MI5 stand shoulder to shoulder to declare that China is the biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security, it is impossible not to take notice. In an unprecedented alignment between two of the most significant intelligence agencies in the Western world, their words ring like a warning bell echoing through history. We are no longer in an era of ideological posturing or Cold War rhetoric; the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is waging a silent war on the West. It is attacking the very foundations of our societies interfering in elections, violating human rights, launching cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and using brute force against dissidents who seek refuge within our borders. The scale of this threat is staggering. Our own security services have responded by more than doubling their operations against hostile Chinese activity, with the number of investigations into CCP interference now seven times higher than in 2018. These numbers should be a wake-up call for any government that values sovereignty, security, and the sanctity of its democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was in this climate of rising hostility that, as Home Secretary, I made the decision to exclude Yang Tengbo from the UK. This was not a routine immigration case but a matter of national security. The Special Immigration Appeals Commission has now publicly upheld that decision, with Mr. Justice Bourne confirming that Mr. Tengbo posed a serious threat. Tengbo was linked to the CCPs United Front Work Department (UFWD), an organisation described by President Xi Jinping as a magic weapon. Its purpose? To manipulate and co-opt elites in foreign countries, shaping their decisions in favour of Beijings interests. For many in Britain, the UFWD remains an obscure entity, its activities shrouded in secrecy. But its methods and intentions are anything but benign. The UFWD is at the heart of the CCPs strategy to achieve elite capture recruiting former politicians, business leaders, and public figures to serve Beijings interests. These individuals, often handsomely rewarded with think-tank positions or lucrative university posts, find themselves drawn into a web of influence where their independence is steadily eroded. This is not soft power as we understand it in the West. It is clandestine, coercive, and corruptive a triad of influence designed to silence criticism and amplify pro-CCP voices. As MI5 has warned, the UFWD engages in campaigns that are patient, well-resourced, and highly deceptive. The goal is simple: to ensure that Beijings critics are drowned out, and its influence takes root in the highest echelons of Western decision-making. The damage this does to Britain is incalculable. When policymakers, business leaders, and academics are co-opted into this system, our national interests are subordinated to Beijings ambitions. The stakes are nothing less than our ability to act independently and to safeguard our own future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the mounting evidence, this government seems wilfully blind to the scale of the threat. The National Security Act I delivered last year included a vital Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, a measure designed to bring transparency to foreign interference in British politics. Yet, months into its term, this government has failed to implement it. Instead of treating China as the existential threat it is, ministers have spent their time tiptoeing around Beijing. David Lammys visit to China earlier this year was a case study in appeasement, marked by a conspicuous silence on human rights abuses. Meanwhile, the government found time to undermine Britains strategic position in the Indian Ocean by surrendering sovereignty over Diego Garcia. This military base is critical to countering Chinas growing naval presence in the region. Its loss undermines not only Britains defence posture but also the broader balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, where Chinas ambitions grow unchecked. Appeasement does not buy peace. It never has. History is replete with lessons of the folly of capitulation in the face of aggression. Each concession emboldens those who seek to challenge us, encouraging ever more audacious attempts to undermine our sovereignty and security. If Britain is to regain its place as a serious global power, it must abandon its current policy of weakness and rediscover its resolve. This means treating China for what it is: the greatest long-term threat to our way of life. It requires decisive action, not only to counter the CCPs malign activities but also to protect the values and freedoms that define us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not merely a question of national security; it is a question of national survival. Britain must stand firm, uphold its sovereignty, and lead by example in resisting Beijings attempts to reshape the world in its image. The time for action is now. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Chinas embassy in London said British politicians should avoid making smears against Beijing after the UK barred a Chinese businessman with close links to Prince Andrew from entering the country on national security grounds. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House of Commons on Monday held a session to discuss Yang Tengbo, the 50 year-old lobbyist named by the High Court as being banned from Britain, and the Chinese Communist Partys United Front Work Department, which handles relations with non-party organizations, and which a UK parliamentary panel said last year had penetrated every sector of the UKs economy. That prompted a rebuke from the Chinese embassy. 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, an embassy spokesperson said in a statement on its website. This is a typical case of a thief crying catch thief. 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. The embassys sternly-worded remarks addressed what the spokesperson described as anti-China clamors made by a handful of UK MPs, an apparent attempt to avoid direct criticism of the British government. However, it will likely be read as a fresh test for Prime Minister Keir Starmers efforts to improve economic and diplomatic relations with China since winning the UK general election in July. 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, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Chinas Foreign Ministry and Yang himself a former business adviser to the prince, who is King Charles IIIs brother have denied he is a spy. Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese ministry, on Tuesday told reporters that the accusation of espionage against China is ridiculous. --With assistance from Martin Ritchie. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Springfield Partners for Community Action hosted a Christmas Luncheon for veterans. The event was all about showing their appreciation for veterans and making sure that they can enjoy a warm traditional holiday meal as we get closer to Christmas. Springfield Partners provides veterans and their families throughout western Massachusetts with support services and access to financial assistance programs. $760M Mega Millions jackpot up for grabs: What time is the drawing? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the organization did not hesitate to show its appreciation for our countrys heroes. John Chapman, a veteran who said these kinds of efforts are special to him and other veterans, It is a very nice comfortable, relaxing afternoon. It helps us stay connected to everybody. This is only one of many ways Springfield Partners is giving back to veterans in the community during the holiday season. On Thursday and Friday, they will be distributing about 50 coats of all sizes to veterans in need. The veterans will also get some toys for children in their households. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The Church of England is once again in crisis occasioned by the alleged failure of a senior prelate to deal properly with an abuser in their midst. There are calls for the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, to emulate the recent decision of the Archbishop of Canterbury and resign. Justin Welby was accused of failing to curb the activities of notorious sadist John Smyth, an evangelical missioner who beat boys for pleasure. The case against Archbishop Cottrell concerns his time as Bishop of Chelmsford where he allegedly failed adequately to act against David Tudor, a priest in his diocese with a past conviction for child abuse. Archbishop Cottrell is resisting the pressure to stand down and says the accusation that he took no action against Tudor is incorrect. 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, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this goes to the nub of the problem. Why was Tudor still practising as an ordained priest when he had been tried twice on sexual abuse charges, convicted in one instance and suspended from his ministry for five years? The Archbishop said it was not possible to remove Tudor from office until fresh complaints were made in 2019, whereupon he was suspended and prohibited from ministry for life. If this is the case, why had the Church not changed whatever rules protected Tudor far earlier? The Archbishop said that was the situation I inherited; but there is collective culpability throughout the senior ranks of the Church for failing to introduce protocols that in any other walk of life would be automatic. To allow a convicted sex abuser to resume his office having already suspended him for five years beggars belief. To maintain, as the Archbishop does, that the process at that time did not prevent him from returning to ministry in the Diocese of Southwark in 1994 raises the obvious question as to why not. The way safeguarding is now managed would mean the previous decision allowing Tudor to resume his position would not take place now. But who allowed the old state of affairs to persist for so long and why? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be a blow for the Church to lose its second archbishop, but sometimes the senior clergy seems happier acting like another part of the institutional blob as it did during the pandemic. It needs to return to its basic function. 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. The founder and CEO of a shuttered Cincinnati startup, Rumby, is facing criminal charges for allegedly defrauding the investors who backed his venture. Benjamin Cantey, 41, is charged in federal court in Cincinnati with wire fraud and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from illegal activity. Court records show Cantey was arraigned Monday and allowed to remain out of custody on his own recognizance while awaiting trial. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Cantey gave false information about his business experience and past success, as well as overstated Rumbys revenue, profits, bank, balance, growth and potential growth to recruit investors and garner investment. A look back: The unraveling of Rumby, the laundry tech firm that folded amid fraud allegations What was Rumby? Hes also accused of lying about the number of active cleaners on Rumby, which was advertised as a platform connecting online customers to dry cleaners and laundry services. In monthly emails, Cantey made false statements about the companys monthly revenue and told investors in June 2022 that Rumbys bank balance for the previous month was over $1.5 million when it was tens of thousands of dollars in the red, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said those updates enticed investors to give more money, defrauding them of at least $6.5 million. Cantey asked one investor in May 2022 for an $850,000 bridge loan to finance the startups attendance at an industry show, prosecutors said, but used that loan and other investment money to buy himself a nearly $1.7 million house in Hyde Park. Civil suits also filed Prosecutors say the scheme happened from 2020 through 2022. Cantey's public defender did not immediately respond to a phone call and email from The Enquirer. Cantey previously faced fraud allegations in federal court, but this is the first time criminal charges have been filed in connection with the scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Before it shut down, Rumby allegedly ran on fumes as its bank account was overdrawn on multiple occasions. As investors caught wind of alleged mismanagement, Cantey resigned and Rumby filed bankruptcy. The filing stalled two civil lawsuits brought by his investors and by a former partner. As of Tuesday afternoon, court records did not list when Cantey is next expected to appear in court. Enquirer staff writer Alexander Coolidge contributed. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati tech startup CEO indicted after fraud allegations GHENT, WV (WVNS) Citizens of Flat Top Lake and others in the Ghent area have started a website and petitioned Raleigh County Planning and Zoning Board to deny a request that would allow Go-Mart to build a truck stop beside of the Ghent exit of the West Virginia Turnpike. Raleigh County Planning and Zoning Board Chief Zoning Officer Billy Michaels said on Monday, December 16, 2024, that Go-Mart officials have asked the Raleigh County Planning and Zoning Board to re-zone 26 acres at Ghent from residential to commercial so that the company may build a truck stop and a travel center which would include a hotel, retail space, and doctors offices according to plans filed by Go-Mart. Residents of the area have signed a petition to ask Raleigh County Planning and Zoning Board not to allow a truck stop to come to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the citizens opposed to the truck stop being in the area said citizens do not want the extra noise from large trucks. Fortunately, the plan that they have has some other things in it besides the truck stop, and we dont really have any issues with that part. Its the truck stop itself, said Susan Hambric, who lives at Flat Top Lake. Judge H.L. Kirkpatricks last Christmas party draws a crowd Hambric pointed out that Winterplace Resort is located in Ghent along with the rural, gated community of Flat Top Lake. She said citizens want to maintain the rural nature of the area. Hambric also said her group has collected data which shows there are also environmental concerns besides noise pollution including water, light, and air pollution along with traffic congestion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matt Davis, an attorney for Go-Mart, said that Go-Mart officials have asked to build the truck stop and travel center across the road from two existing gas stations, a Pal Mal and a Little General, and a Dollar General. Hambric emphasized that her group does not oppose all development but does not want a truck stop located close to residential neighborhoods. Visit Southern WV and New River Gateway partner to boost tourism efforts They do bring prostitution, drugs, [and] human trafficking, said Hambric. And Ive had people say, you know, youve got drugs out there anyway, but is that the element we want to invite in? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Publications by The Truckers Report, Mother Jones, City University of New York and The New York Times along with others contain reports of prostitution and human trafficking at various truck stops throughout the United States and truckers and hotel workers are often urged by law enforcement agencies to report human trafficking. The attorney for Go-Mart issued a statement on Monday. Go-mart is committed to responsible development and has been since 1914, and we welcome anyone who would like to support the project to come to the meeting on December 19th with the planning board, Davis said. The Raleigh County Planning and Zoning Board at 116 1/2 South Heber Street in Beckley will consider Go-Marts request on Thursday, December 19, 2024 and is expected to then make a recommendation to the Raleigh County Commission on whether to approve or reject Go-Marts request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raleigh County ranks in the top 10 best places to raise a family in West Virginia 59News reached out to the president of Raleigh County Commission, Greg Duckworth, who declined to offer a public comment prior to the hearing. The Planning and Zoning Board meeting is Thursday and were waiting for the process to move forward, said Duckworth. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Just days after a Google Fiber crew hit a gas main near a Dekalb County elementary school, the City of Brookhaven has ordered a stop work order for the company. On Monday, city officials confirmed that on Dec. 13, a crew installing Google Fiber in the right-of-way on Ashford Dunwoody Road struck a gas main near Montgomery Elementary School, which forced school officials to put the school on lockdown as firefighters rushed to the scene. The following day, city officials issued a citywide stop-work order in response to safety concerns. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The health and safety of our residents come first, said District 1 Council Member Michael Diaz. In particular when we are dealing with young children. As a civil engineer, Im looking forward to hear about how Google fiber plans to address our citywide concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are keenly aware that a local municipality such as Brookhaven is limited in the action we can take against utilities, but in terms of Public Safety, we have to take a stand, added District 2 Council Member Jennifer Owens. Google Fiber still has a lot more work to finish in Brookhaven and we have to pause and ensure better safety before we proceed any further. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This latest incident came nearly two weeks after Channel 2 spoke with frustrated homeowners who claimed that company struck their water lines, leaving them without water for hours. Its not clear when the work will resume. On Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for Google Fiber released the following statement: Google Fiber takes construction issues very seriously and follows local guidelines during the process, including locating any existing utilities before beginning work. We are working with the appropriate entities to address the incident in Brookhaven. Residents can always call (877) 454-6959 with any construction concerns they may have, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, according to a Google Fiber spokesperson. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MEMPHIS, Tenn. Sadly, violence has plagued far too many families and communities this year. However, city leaders say this year showed some hope. They say crime is the lowest its been in years. They recently touted their efforts. As of mid-December, the citys tracker showed a 14% decrease in overall crime compared to the same time last year. Violent crime are down 10%. So while its going down and the trend is good, were not yet where we need to be, said Bill Gibbons, Memphis Shelby Crime Commission President. We are still not at pre-pandemic levels. We have a lot of work to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says especially when it comes to aggravated assaults, which make up 80% of the reported violent crime. This year we will have roughly 12,000 reported victims of aggravated assault in our community. Thats a lot of victims, he said. Memphis police launched a unit focused on solving aggravated assaults involving guns. That unit was just mentioned in a Department of Justice report on MPDs practices. It stated data from the FBI shows the unit investigated more than 2,100 non-fatal shootings in 2023 and 13% of the cases were solved. It didnt mention this years numbers. Another study recently presented to the council stated that the same unit triaged more than 4,500 hundred shell casings in 2022 and 2023. We know there were even more this year. The casings entered into a national database that will link them to firearms and crime scenes. It helps to nab suspects and build stronger cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD announced another unit this year focused on nabbing repeat offenders. They vow that will make a difference. Data from the Crime Commission shows this year, 70% of the violent crime in Memphis involved a gun. The Crime Commission also reports from January through September, 1,300 guns were stolen from cars. That number is in addition to the 9,800 guns MPD says were stolen from a vehicle between 2016 and 2023. We had pretty easy access to guns, which is kind of driving that to some degree, Gibbons explained. He said next year, the Crime Commission will lobby for tougher punishments for some of the gun crimes including those caught with a switch which is a tiny device that allows criminals to turn their Glock into a machine gun. Earlier this year, WREG Investigators reported that the device wasnt brought up during a bond hearing when a man was reportedly caught with one in a stolen car. The switch was the lowest felony charge on his rap sheet that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released on his own recognizance. Weeks later, police say he opened fire and killed an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibbons said theres a push to change the charge to a Class B felony, meaning anyone caught with a switch could face a minimum of an eight-year sentence. The Crime Commission and other local leaders also say they will lobby for more money for programs to help curb crime like violence intervention work and youth programs that keep kids on the right path. The kids in our city could care less about our bureaucracy. They dont care whether its the city, the county, the feds, the state. They just want help, Memphis Mayor Paul Young said at a press conference last month. Federal dollars are also expected to roll in to help with public safety next year. The city and county using the funds to work together. Its unclear what could happen to that federal money once President Trump takes office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will keep an eye on what happens and continue to keep you updated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) Officials with the City of Spartanburg said they are hoping to make homeownership a possibility, no matter ones income, as new developments happen in the area. Brian Hurry, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker in Spartanburg, said that over the years hes seen an increase in the amount people moving to the area. We are seeing people relocate from many different states, said Hurry. Some come for a job, some really come here by choice because they like the prices, location, and weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City partnered with CommunityWorks to roll out a new Home Buyer Assistance Program. City leaders said it will give more people the opportunity to get in on the market. This particular homebuyer program is basically beefing up programs that we have done in the past to assist folks who qualify for our first time homebuyer program with down payment assistance, George said. The city is working to give households that are at or below 80% of the area median income up to $20,000 dollars to help with the down payment and closing costs. Katy Davenport, Chief Strategic Officer for CommunityWorks explained how the program works. This program is based on the number that will be residing in the house. If youre in a household of one or more, and then there is a percentage or dollar amount associated with the 80% maker. A household of four in Spartanburg at 80% or below couldnt make more than $60,150. At closing, we wire the funds for those homebuyers to help them with that $20,00 dollars of down payment closing costs. Hurry said that money can go a long way in helping first time homebuyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its doing exactly what they are trying to do, which is to show people that the American Dream and your ability to buy a home is still a possibility. There are ways for you to become a homeowner, there are many programs that help people become a homebuyer, this is one of them, added Hurry. Every program is going to have some guidelines, regulations on how you use the money but that is a significant amount of money to help you become a homeowner. City leaders said they hope the program will also go a long way in increasing the amount of homeowners in the city. As our city is growing, we need new homes and new homebuyers basically at all income points. We have a lot of interest in moving to the area and while that is happening and we have some folks moving who may be higher income, we dont want folks who have been in our city for a long time who maybe dont make a very high income to be completely shut out of the homeownership possibility, George said. CommunityWorks said potential buyers must be pre-approved and have identified a property they would like to buy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Spartanburg said they are using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. Were told around $3 million was set aside from city council for affordable housing efforts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. MANILA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has detected 52 mpox cases this year, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Tuesday. Herbosa said the DOH tallied only one death from the highly infectious disease. "Forty-seven out of the 52 are male, leaving only five females," he told a press conference, adding that the ages range from as young as six months to as old as 66 years. "All 52 cases are not epidemiologically linked," Herbosa said. "What's good is that whenever we identify a case, none of their contacts from our tracing efforts test positive." On Aug. 14, the World Health Organization declared mpox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern following the surge of cases in several parts of Africa. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) In the wake of a stark warning from state leaders and a multimillion-dollar addition in funds, the Clark County School District faced an accountability board to answer how budget problems started, and the plan to fix them. On Monday, the Subcommittee on Education Accountability listened to a presentation from and asked questions to Nevadas school board superintendents, but it was the interim superintendent from the Clark County School District, Brenda Larsen-Mitchell, that members saved for last. The meeting was expected to be somewhat sharp, following a changing CCSD budget shortfall, calls for an audit, a provocative departure in CFO, and a letter of noncompliance from state leaders. Larsen-Mitchell responded to initial questions from the subcommittee regarding the budget confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I apologize that that happened, she said. As the interim superintendent, as I come across mistakes that have made or things that we have not done correctly, we are digging into the law, we are working with the general counsel, we are working with the Nevada Department of Education, [and] we will be working with our compliance monitor to make things better. Larsen-Mitchell added some of the changes and obstacles on her plate as interim superintendent preceded her appointment, but state leaders did not excuse her the responsibility to answer questions of accountability. I recognize that some of this occurred potentially prior to you all taking the positions that youre in now, State Senator Nicole Cannizzaro said. However, we still need answers, right? We need answers as a legislature who is being asked to continually come back and fund education. Cannizzaro noted Larsen-Mitchell uncovered some of the issues within the school district and had worked to address them but expressed frustration at a lack of answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It did happen. You uncovered it. Youre making steps to change that, which is great, she said. But I still dont hear an answer as to how it is that the Clark County School District ended up with free and reduced school lunching lunches as their determination of weighted funding and not the at risk. The answer, provided by interim CCSD CFO Kellie Kowal-Paul, was staff discovered one team in their organization was incorrectly using provided data, incorrectly assuming it was grad score data. There was not a check and balance in place to confirm that the data being received was what they thought it was and the data being sent was what they thought it wasnt, Kowal-Paul said. That is what were correcting for in our process improvement weve built in. Representatives for CCSD also provided an organizational chart to the subcommittee which showed an improved process for school budget development, in hopes of averting another error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. [Attached video shows previous Fox 8 coverage] CLEVELAND A Cleveland police officer is facing a 14 count indictment after police say he fired shots outside Riverview Elementary School in Lake County. A Lake County grand jury indicted Alexander Sinclair Monday on several charges, including kidnapping, inducing panic, assault and endangering children. 3 dead, including suspect, in Wisconsin school shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lake County Common Pleas Court Friday. Law enforcement officials say on Oct. 31, Sinclair crashed his vehicle into a car of a woman he shares a child with, and then fired a shot into her car while she and a child were inside. According t the 9-page indictment, the assault charge states Sinclair did knowingly cause or attempt to cause physical harm to a deputy on Oct. 31 while the deputy was in the performance of his official duties. Meantime, Sinclair has previously entered a not guilty plea for the shooting. At his first hearing shortly after the incident, he told a Judge I understand this whole situation. If you could just give me an opportunity to talk to the kids at some point? I would just greatly appreciate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mysterious drones shut down air base in Ohio He also said I had a mental break. Sinclair, a sergeant with Cleveland Police, was relieved of duty and suspended without pay pending the adjudication of the criminal charges. He was hired by Cleveland police in April 2015 and served in the Fifth District. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A 7-Eleven that recently closed in South Tacoma has become an eyesore and host to vandalism and transients, nearby business owners say. Sasha Monir manages the property at 1430 72nd Street E. for her father, Morteza Vaghefi, who owns it. She told The News Tribune 7-Eleven has a multi-year lease on the property and closed the store on Nov. 4. Since closing, the windows have been boarded up. Graffiti has been tagged across multiple sides of the building. Trash litters the parking lot, and folks can regularly be seen loitering and sleeping in front of the closed business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monir said 7-Eleven has a triple net lease agreement which makes it legally responsible for its upkeep. Monir and her father both live outside of Washington, making it difficult for them to check in on the property. Monir told The News Tribune she was unaware of any of the vandalism and other issues at the property. They are responsible for maintaining the property, she told The News Tribune. But it is hard to control people. They are such a large corporation. 7-Eleven did not respond to The News Tribunes requests for comment on the state of the property. On Dec. 16, a spokesperson for the City of Tacoma, Maria Lee, said city inspectors had visited the property within the previous week to check for code violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property was inspected and the building was secure with no nuisance violations found, she told The News tribune in an email. There was graffiti. A case will be created for that and the property owner will be notified. The property sits just inside the border of the City of Tacoma, with unincorporated Pierce County just on the other side. Dennis Miller is an owner of Northwestern Environmental, an environmental-contracting company with offices located a block or so South of the closed 7-Eleven. Miller told The News Tribune the area has been a hot spot for all sorts of transient activity. According to him, his business has been affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recalled finding feces on the sidewalk in front of his business, evidence of campfires near his front door, and employees that had been harassed by loiterers in the parking lot. One morning employees found people sleeping in the back of company trucks parked in their lot, Miller said. He said encampments are not uncommon in the area. He said a large undeveloped lot across the street from his business was recently host to a swath of encampments. Pierce Countys Code Enforcement mapping tool shows multiple complaints have been made regarding encampments, debris, brush fires and human waste in the undeveloped lots south of the closed 7-Eleven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the complaints are marked as active as of Dec. 16, with one dating as far back as May 23. There is a homeless encampment that has well over 50 people inside of it. Garbage has been left on our property as well from these transients, one complaint filed on Oct. 3 read. We have had to set up traps for rodents that have come into our building because of this encampment. The sheriffs office has been there multiple times. They have cut the fence in multiple areas not just gaining access through an unsecured gate. Another area Frischs is set to close. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Frischs at 6188 Wilmington Pike in Sugarcreek Township is set to close on Thursday, Dec. 19, an employee confirmed to News Center 7. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported on News Center 7, Frischs across the Miami Valley have been shut down over the past few months. Lawyers for NNN Reit, LP, the landlord for more than 60 Frischs locations in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas, asked a magistrate for eviction orders for several restaurants. In early December, NNN Reit said Frischs had fallen behind on rent at the 65 locations it leases from the company and owes them more than $4.5 million in back rent. It is unclear why the Sugarcreek Township location is closing. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. It is not clear if the Sugarcreek Township location is connected to this [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CNN said that a man who previously claimed to be a civilian detained in a Syrian prison was actually a military intelligence officer for the Assad regime, citing local sources. During a segment that aired Dec. 12, CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her camera crew found a man who claimed he was locked away for months in a Damascus prison before the Assad regime fell. In the footage, the man identified himself as a civilian named Adel Ghurbal and reacted with joy and disbelief when he was led outside. However, Verify-Sy , a Syrian fact-checking organization, later identified the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, a resident of the central Syrian city of Homs and a lieutenant in the Assad regimes Air Force Intelligence directorate. CNN identified the man as Salama on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The network said a resident of Homs provided them with a photo of Salama sitting behind a desk at what appears to be a government office. Facial recognition software said the man rescued from the Damascus prison was a 99 percent match with the former regime officer. Locals told both Verify-Sy and CNN that he was responsible for running security checkpoints in the al-Bayyada neighborhood of Homs, where he was notorious for running extortion rackets. Though it appeared Salama may have been a prisoner, its unclear how or why Salama ended up in the Damascus jail, and CNN has not been able to reestablish contact with him, the outlet said. The Daily Beast has not independently verified the allegations. We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salamahttps://t.co/wb77EEMbnT Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 16, 2024 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 on Sunday after the first report was published by Verify-Sy. 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." At the same time, a CNN spokesperson said the network was already investigating the allegations that the prisoner gave them a false identity, and would continue to report the story as it unfolded. A man who was freed from a Damascus prison live on CNN last week by correspondent Clarissa Ward was actually an intelligence officer who worked for toppled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, CNN confirmed on Monday. The man, who was overcome with emotion in the initial video and would not let go of Wards hand, initially identified himself as Adel Ghurbal from the city of Homs, which is about 100 miles north of Damascus. In the video, he said he had been kept in a windowless cell for three months and was not aware that rebel fighters had ousted Assads 24-year reign. CNN reported on Monday that facial recognition software made a 99% match to a photo of a lieutenant in the Assad regimes Air Force Intelligence Directorate named Salama Mohammad Salama. The photo, which showed him wearing a military uniform, was provided by a resident of the Bayada neighborhood in Homs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the video went went viral, local residents alerted the news outlet that the man was no ordinary prisoner, as he had claimed, but an official who had a reputation for extortion and harassment. CNN has so far not been able to verify how Salama came to be in the jail and does not know where he is now. Verify-Sy, which identifies itself as a Syrian fact-checking website, first identified the man as Salama and said he was imprisoned because of a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer. CNN was not able to independently verify the claim. After Salama was handed over to the Syrian Red Crescent, the humanitarian organization, which is similar to the Red Cross, said he was returned to relatives in Damascus. The post CNN Confirms Man Freed From Syrian Prison Was an Assad Intelligence Officer appeared first on TheWrap. CNN confirmed Monday that it had been deceived about the identity of a man featured in a viral news report last week appearing to show the moment he was found in a Syrian prison and freed. The man told CNN he was Adel Gharbal from Homs, and claimed he had been locked up for three months, but a Syrian fact-checking group later cast doubt on those assertions and said it had identified him as Salama Mohammad Salama, an officer of the notorious Syrian Air Force Intelligence Directorate. CNN told HuffPost earlier on Monday it was investigating if the man gave a false identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salama, Clarissa Ward, who led the initial report, posted on social media Monday evening. CNN published an article elaborating on its findings. A man who was filmed by CNN being released by rebels from a Damascus jail was a former intelligence officer with the deposed Syrian regime, according to local residents, and not an ordinary citizen who had been imprisoned, as he had claimed, the opening of the article read. "You're okay, you're okay." A remarkable moment as CNN's @clarissaward and her team find a Syrian prisoner left behind in a secret prison, alone and unaware the Assad regime was no more. pic.twitter.com/Cz6TBWHvts Lauren Cone (@LConeCNN) December 11, 2024 Salam was found in a jail run by the Syrian Air Forces intelligence services until Bashar Assads regime collapsed on Dec. 8, according to CNN. The network said its team was there to pursue leads on the missing American journalist, Austin Tice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN said a resident of the Bayada neighborhood in Homs provided a photo of Salama apparently on duty in military garb, which CNN found, via facial recognition technology, to be a 99% match with the man in its report. Locals also told CNN Salama had a reputation for extortion and harassment. The network said it had been unable to reestablish contact with him. It noted that Verify-Sy, the Syrian fact-checking organization, had been the first to identify Salama over the weekend. CNNs findings aligned with what the group reported, though they were more limited. The group also reported that Salama had been involved in numerous acts of violence and that he had been jailed for less than a month after a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the initial report aired, Ward posted, In nearly twenty years as a journalist, this was one of the most extraordinary moments I have witnessed. According to CNNs translation, the man told them he had been taken from his home, interrogated about his phone and beaten. He suggested he did not know Assads regime had fallen until his shock discovery in the cell. Wards team provided him with food and water before he was taken away by workers with a medical relief group. CNN was accompanied by a guard from the rebel forces, who the network said was the one to approve the mans release. Related... CNN acknowledged this week it had been misled by a man purporting to be a Syrian prisoner but who was, in fact, a former intelligence officer under the Assad regime. The outlet said in a report posted Monday it had encountered the man and documented his release in a report while pursuing leads on the missing US journalist Austin Tice. The man told international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her team he had been kept in the Damascus jail cell they found him in for three months and claimed he was not aware former President Bashar Assads regime had fallen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wards dramatic report was prominently featured across CNN and shared widely on social media platforms over the weekend. On Monday, the network said it obtained an image proving the mans real identity to be Salama Mohammad Salama, a member of the Assad regimes Air Force Intelligence Directorate. Several Syrian residents confirmed the mans true identity, the outlet said, noting its journalists have not been able to establish contact with Salama again. A note on the original video report on CNNs website reads: In a report from Syria, CNNs Clarissa Ward discovers a man in a cell in a Damascus jail who claimed to be an ordinary citizen imprisoned by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. CNNs subsequent reporting suggests the man was a former intelligence officer with the deposed regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Hill. 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. 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. Updated at 10:24 a.m. EST Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The most heartbreaking story out of the Syrian revolution last week was the opening of the prisons. Over 130,000 people had disappeared into the Syrian prison system, notorious for torturing and killing inmates. As rebels began freeing prisoners who had been held incommunicado for years or even decades, the families of other missing persons scoured government buildings, desperately trying to find out if their loved ones were still alive. Last Tuesday, CNN claimed to have captured the moment one such missing person was found. While touring the basement of Syria's Air Force Intelligence Directorate alongside Syrian rebels, CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward saw something underneath a blanket in a locked cell. One of her rebel escorts shot the lock off the door and lifted the blanket, revealing a terrified man who shouted, "I'm a civilian!" Embracing Ward and the rebel fighter, the prisoner told his story. His name was Adel Ghurbal, he said, and he had been arrested in the city of Homs three months ago for his social media activity. Ghurbal explained that his captors had beaten him, then fled in a hurry, leaving him in the cell with no food or water for days. Only thanks to CNN and rebels was he able to see the sunlight again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the story sounded too good to be true, that's because it was. On Sunday, a Syrian diaspora news outlet called Verify-Sy came forward with a shocking revelation: "Adel Ghurbal" does not exist. Instead, the outlet said, the man from the CNN segment was First Lieutenant Salama Mohammad Salama of the Air Force Intelligence Directorate, the same agency running the prison. (Despite its name, the directorate was a secret police force rather than an aerial reconnaissance branch.) The next day, Verify-Sy published a photo of Salama in uniform, sitting behind his desk. After the photo was published, CNN admitted that the man was in fact Salama and that he was indeed an intelligence officer. Verify-Sy's team of 12 citizen journalists had caught CNN, the giant of broadcast journalism, in a grievous mistake. Anonymous sources from Homs told Verify-Sy (and later, CNN) that Salama was an infamous torturer and extortionist. According to Verify-Sy, he had ended up in prison for "less than a monthdue to a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a higher-ranking officer." A resident of Homs said in an interview posted by Verify-Sy to YouTube that "this man was a tyrant, and an oppressor, an oppressor, an oppressor," and that everyone in the neighborhood knew him as a sinister presence at checkpoints. Even before Verify-Sy published its claims, Syrians had voiced their suspicions about the CNN story. The "prisoner," they said, was too well-groomed and didn't act like someone who had been locked in a dungeon for three months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Your 1st instinct as a detainee when someone walks into your cell is to freeze. You don't say a word. 'I am a civilian' seems to be something someone pretending to be a civilian would say," Qutaiba Idlbi, a former Syrian prisoner who now works for the nonprofit Atlantic Council in Washington, wrote on social media on Wednesday. "Something only torture survivors would know: we're not big on physical touch. In prison, the only touch you get is the one from your torturers. It takes time to adjust to the real world." Idlbi speculated that the man from the clip was "an intelligence officer who didn't escape in time and was hiding since." He was right about Salama's job, if not the circumstances under which he ended up in that cell. It wouldn't be the first time CNN was apparently bamboozled in its war reporting. Last year, CNN correspondent Nic Robertson, who was embedded with Israeli forces in Gaza, was led to believe that they were hot on the trail of Israeli hostages. An Israeli army officer showed Robertson a chart hanging in a hospital basement, claiming that it showed the names of Hamas members assigned to guard hostages. The chart was, in fact, a calendar with the days of the week written in Arabic. CNN aired the segment, then quietly edited out the dialogue about the calendar in online versions of the video. Of course, war reporting is difficult, and it's hard to verify every single claim in a chaotic, rapidly developing situation. But the story of the prisoner in Damascus wasn't an offhand comment. CNN not only produced a segment based on the premise that he was telling the truth but also advertised it as an "extraordinary moment" in CNN history. The fiasco demonstrates the danger of foreign reporters parachuting into a place they don't understand in search of a sensational scoop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward isn't the only journalist to do so. Bloomberg reporter Sam Dagher complained on social media about the exploitative behavior of the foreign press corps after Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the Syrian capital: "Distressing reports from friends in Damascus about some of the journalists and social media influencers that have literally flooded the city after Assad's fall who know very little about Syria and are, to give one example, chasing victims of regime torture and rape that preferably speak English!" The story also demonstrates of why large institutions aren't necessarily the best judges of "misinformation." CNN employs thousands of people and, in many ways, has set the standard for modern American war journalism. Yet a few locals had an intuition that CNN's reporting was off. And that intuition turned out to be completely correct. The post CNN Presented a Syrian Jailer as a Torture Survivor appeared first on Reason.com. SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's joint investigation unit attempted to raid the presidential security service, located inside the presidential compound housing the headquarters of the defense ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), multiple media outlets reported Tuesday. Officials from the investigative unit, composed of the police, the defense ministry and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), attempted to search and seize computer servers of the security service, where communication details on the anti-wiretapping phone of the arrested police chief are believed to be recorded. The police estimated that President Yoon Suk-yeol called to the police chief six times by the security mobile phone after his imposition of an emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3 that was revoked by the National Assembly hours later. Yoon allegedly ordered the police chief to arrest lawmakers in a bid to prevent the legislators from lifting the martial law order. The joint investigation unit officials were reportedly waiting at the information office of the presidential compound's west gate as they were blocked from entering the security service for security reasons. The police failed to raid the presidential office last week and were provided only with some of relevant materials it requested. The joint investigation unit attempted to deliver a summons, asking Yoon to appear for questioning on Wednesday, but both the presidential office and residence refused to receive the summons. Yoon was named by investigative agencies as a suspect on rebellion charge. The second motion to impeach Yoon was passed through the National Assembly on Dec. 14 and was delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended. CNN reported Monday evening that it had wrongly identified a man who appeared in a video report claiming to be a long-term prisoner of former President Bashar Al Assads regime. In reality, the man is a former Syrian intelligence officer. In a CNN story published last week, chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward and her crew were led by Syrian rebels into a Syrian air force headquarters in Damascus to look for Austin Tice, a missing American who they believed might have been held in a secret prison there. Instead, they discovered a locked cell where a man was hiding under a blanket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man identified himself as Adel Gharbal from Homs, and claimed that he had been in solitary confinement for three months. He appeared surprised and overwhelmed to learn that Assads regime had fallen. The footage, if verifiable, would have been astounding. However, reports online suggested that the man might be lying about his identity. He appeared well-groomed and uninjured, and a website called Verify-Sy, which states that it fact-checks stories about Syria, said that it could not find any such Adel Gharbal. Verify-Sy reported that residents of a neighborhood called Al Bayyada in Homs had identified the man as Salama Mohammad Salama, or Abu Hamza, a first lieutenant in Syrian air force intelligence. On Monday, CNN was able to confirm that it was Salama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can confirm the real identity of the man from our story last Wednesday as Salama Mohammed Salama, Ward posted on X Monday evening. A resident of Al Bayyada provided CNN with a photograph of the same man, who appeared to be on duty in a government office. CNN was able to use facial recognition software to provide a match of more than 99 percent with the man whod appeared in their report. While Verify-Sy also said that Salama had been jailed for less than a month for a dispute over profit-sharing from extorted funds with a high-ranking officer, CNN was not able to verify this claim. Multiple residents have accused Salama of having a reputation for extortion and harassment. More than a few journalists voiced their outrage at CNNs reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazing that she just drops this like a further development to the story and not an embarrassing piece of misinformation and poor reporting, wrote Christin El-Kholy, an editor for New Lines Magazine, in a post on X. Journalist Tariq Kenney-Shawa slammed Wards response. No retraction, no apologies. The style of journalism that reporters like Clarissa Ward engage in is more about promoting themselves, their brand, & emotional narratives they believe will bolster their ratings, rather than reporting accurately & conscientiously, he wrote. And others were just disturbed by just how ridiculous it was to falsely portray the jailer as the prisoner. You got played by a corrupt intelligence officer from a dead dictatorship, journalist Jacob Silverman wrote in a post on X, responding to Ward. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared, Damico said. I was like, oh, I cant, you know, even think about using it, because theyll know. Salt Lake City-based Damico studied journalism before switching her major to public relations, and saw ChatGPT and tools like it as a real threat to the writing industry. She also felt very aware of the temptation she and her classmates now had suddenly a term paper that might take you all night to write could be done in a few minutes with the help of AI. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The technological developments of generative AI over the last few years have cracked open a new industry, and a wealth of job opportunities. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the first statewide partnership with a tech firm to bring AI curriculum, resources and opportunities to the states public colleges. And even for those students not going into an IT role, its likely they will be asked to use AI in some way in their industries. Recent research from the World Economic Forums 2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report found that 75% of people in the workforce are using AI at work, and that some hiring managers are equally prioritizing AI skills with real-world job experience. Higher eds view of AI Over the last few years, the University of Utah, like most academic institutions, has had to take a position on AI. As Damico experienced, the university added AI guidelines to its student handbook that take a fairly hard stance against the tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It urges professors to add additional AI detection tools in addition to education platform Canvas Turnitin feature, which scans assignments for plagiarism. The guidelines also now define the use of AI tools without citation, documentation or authorization as forms of cheating. Though Damico said some professors continue to hold a hard line against AI, some have started to embrace it. The case-by-case basis Damico describes from her professors is in line with how many academic institutions are handling the technology. 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) Some universities spell out college-wide rules, while others leave it up to professors themselves to set AI standards in their classrooms. Others, like Stanford Universitys policy, acknowledge that students are likely to interact with it. Stanford bans AI from being used to substantially complete an assignment or exam, and says students must disclose its use, but says absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative AI shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Byrne is an associate professor of higher education and student affairs at Morgan State University in Baltimore, and she studies technology in the lives of learners and educators, with a focus on how it impacts college students. She said the university allows professors to figure out what works best for them when it comes to AI. She herself often assigns projects that prompt students to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of popular AI tools. Shes also a researcher with the TRAILS Institute, an multi-institution organization aiming to understand what trust in AI looks like, and how to create ethical, sustainable AI solutions. Along with Morgan State, researchers from University of Maryland, George Washington University and Cornell University conduct a variety of research, such as how ChatGPT can be used in health decision making, how to create watermark technology for AI or how other countries are shaping AI policy. Its cool to be in a space with people doing research thats related, but so different, Byrne said. Because it expands your thinking, and it allows us to bring graduate students and undergraduate students into this community where everyone is focused on trustworthiness and AI, but from so many different lenses. Byrne hopes that her students can see the potential that AI has to make their lives and work more easy, but she worries that it creates an artificial expectation for how young people need to perform online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might lead some folks, younger folks, who are just starting their careers, to feel like they need to use (social media tool) Canva to look totally perfect on LinkedIn, and use all these tools to optimize their time and their calendars, Byrne said. And I just worry that its creating a false expectation of speed and efficiency that the tools currently cant accomplish. 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. University of Utah student Rebeca Damico 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she uses some form of AI tool every day, from planning her own schedule, to having a chatbot help decide how students in a group project should divide and complete work, based on their availability. Because she works with it regularly, she understands the strengths and limitations of AI, saying it helps her get mundane tasks done, process data or outline an assignment. But she said the personalized tone she aims to have in her writing just isnt there yet with the publicly available AI tools, so she doesnt completely rely on it for papers or correspondence. Parris Haynes, a 22-year-old junior studying philosophy at Morgan State, said the structure and high demand of some students coursework almost encourages or incentivizes them to use AI to help get it all done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He sees himself either going into law, or academia and said hes a little nervous about how AI is changing those industries. Though he leans on AI to help organize thoughts or assignments for classes like chemistry, Haynes said he wouldnt go near it when it comes to his work or career-related objectives for his philosophy classes. I dont really see much of a space for AI to relieve me of the burden of any academic assignments or potential career tasks in regards to philosophy, Haynes said. Even if it could write a convincing human-seeming paper, a philosophical paper, its robbing me of the joy of doing it. Gen Zs outlook on their future with AI Like Haynes, Fesinstine knows that some of her students are interested, but a little scared about the power AI may have over their futures. Although theres a lot of research about how older generations jobs are impacted by AI, those just about to break into the workforce may be the most affected, because theyve grown up with these technologies. 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright administers the oath of office for Colorados's 10 presidential electors Dec. 17, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Colorados 10 presidential electors met at the state Capitol Tuesday to cast their votes for 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who won 54.2% of Colorados votes. Republican President-elect Donald Trump won 43.2% of the vote. This was the first presidential election where Colorado had 10 electoral votes, after the state earned an eighth seat in Congress following the 2020 census. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Secretary of State Jena Griswold, both Democrats, oversaw the meeting of electors, and Colorado Supreme Justice Brian Boatright delivered the oath of office for the 10 electors from around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is part of our Constitutional process that you are successfully executing here today to make sure that Colorados voice is part of that process that determines the next president of the United States, Polis said to electors. Colorados presidential electors included Polly Baca of Denver, state Rep. Junie Joseph of Boulder, Cindy Orr of Grand Junction, Jarrod Munger of Fort Morgan, John Mikos of Monument, Kathryn Wallace of Arvada, Gil Reyes of Denver, Anita Lynch of Denver and Katherine Khadija Haynes of Denver. Colorado Supreme Court Justice Brian Boatright, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold during a meeting of Coloradoss 10 presidential electors Dec. 17, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Griswold said Colorado ranked sixth in the nation for turnout in the 2024 election with 79.5% of Colorados registered voters casting a ballot. She said this election was the first time Colorado had more than 4 million active voters, and more than 3.2 million voted. The votes cast today are the final votes that will be cast in this years election cycle, Griswold said. Im proud that so many Coloradans made their voice heard in this important election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado had the second-highest turnout in the 2020 presidential election with 76.4% of the voting-eligible population participating. In 2020, Colorado voters approved the states membership in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a coalition of states whove passed laws pledging their electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes from individual Americans instead of the popular vote in a given state. The agreement does not take effect until enough states have signed on to comprise 270 electoral votes, a majority of the Electoral College. As of April, the National Popular Vote compact had been enacted by 18 states and the District of Columbia, representing 209 electoral votes. Polis said at the meeting that he supports moving to a direct popular vote for president, noting that a group of U.S. Senate Democrats introduced a constitutional amendment Monday to abolish the Electoral College. Colorado presidential elector Jarrod Munger of Fort Morgan prepares certificates of votes cast to be mailed to various government entities Dec. 17, 2024, at the Colorado Capitol. (Lindsey Toomer/Colorado Newsline) Electors took their oath, filled out two ballots one for president and one for vice president and each signed six certificates of votes cast, the official record of the vote. Griswold also signed each of the six certificates, making the results official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The certificates of votes cast were paired with the six certificates of ascertainment Polis and Griswold signed following the certification of the general election results. One pair will be mailed to the U.S. Senate, two pairs to the archivist of the United States, one pair to the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and the final two pairs will be kept by the secretary of states office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A Columbus-based candy company has issued a recall on one of its chocolate bars. The Anthony-Thomas Candy Company announced Monday a voluntary recall of 30 cases of Caramel Fundraiser bars after a small amount of Peanut Butter bars were wrapped inside the caramel wrapper. Because the caramel wrapper does not declare a peanut allergen, the company issued the recall. Deer poacher imprisoned, receives largest fine in Ohio history Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have one of these bars wrapped, look for an X-like pattern on the chocolate itself to confirm it is a caramel bar. A starburst design on the chocolate confirms it is a peanut butter bar. The product date on the case is 3194319. To learn more information, email consumerrelations@anthony-thomas.com. Anthony-Thomas factory is located in west Columbus off of Trabue Road. Shops are also located in Dublin, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, and more. Courtesy Photo/Anthony-Thomas Candy Company Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) According to Columbus City Council, 8.7% of central Ohios population are immigrants. Now, local immigration and refugee centers worry they may not be able to help as many families under new federal restrictions. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to change this on his first day in office, with a pillar of his campaign promising a significant crackdown on immigration. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, about 2,800 refugees came to Ohio in 2023, originating from 35 countries. According to the National Immigration Forum, more than 528,000 immigrants live in Ohio. Antisemitism bill passes Ohio Senate after campus protests, neo-Nazi march Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) works to help refugees and immigrants enter central Ohio safely and successfully. The day after the November election, CRIS posted on social media acknowledging the election results. During President Trumps previous administration, the number of vetted, legal, vulnerable people the US welcomed as refugees dropped by 86%. We saw policies put in place that targeted the people we serve, and we grieved with local families whose loved ones were kept apart and left in danger, CRIS wrote on social media. We watched funding for CRIS and other immigrant- and refugee-serving organizations get cut over and over, even as our team did all it could to address the needs that exist in our community. Refugees and asylum-seekers are different from immigrants, although they may share similar experiences depending on their situation. Refugees are people who had to leave their home countries because they were in danger, and the U.S. government allows them to come to the U.S. for safety. Asylees are people who come to the U.S. on their own, but ask for protection because they are in a similar situation as refugees, and receive similar help once their asylum is approved. The most common country of origin for refugees in 2024 moving to Ohio was the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 1,338 refugees resettling in Ohio. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the decades of clashes between groups has led to 9.9 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced populations. The UN reports widespread human rights violations, with more than 940,000 people fleeing violence in the DRC in the first half of 2024 alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus leaders are still working to support immigrants and refugees like those fleeing the DRC. On Nov. 21, Columbus City Council passed legislation establishing the new Commission on Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, with initial appointments to the 15-member board being confirmed by March 1, 2025. The board will help remove barriers for immigrants. Immigrants and refugees are vibrant and vital to the City of Columbus. Immigrants contribute to the economic development of this city and we have long seen an impact in our historic neighborhoods like German Village, Italian Village and Hungarian Village, the ordinance read. As thousands have resettled and continue to resettle here, they often face barriers or are unable to access resources. Watch: Clintonville man holds suspected thief at gunpoint until police arrive Immigrant populations have already been front and center of the incoming administration, making headlines this fall as President-elect Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance helped perpetuate rumors about Haitian residents in Springfield. Haitian immigrants have a Temporary Protected Status designation through February 2026, which grants temporary immigration to people from specific countries to live and work in the U.S. if it is unsafe to return home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Immigration Impact, Trump tried to terminate Temporary Protected Status for more than 400,000 citizens during his first term. CRIS Executive Director Angie Plummer said in an update that she has worked with CRIS for seven presidential elections, and Trumps first presidency marked an outlier. I have grieved with weeping mothers waiting in agony to be reunited with their children, only to face delay after delay. I have sat across from disheartened husbands and fathers who felt helpless, mourning the milestones they missed sharing with their families, Plummer said. After a change in administration, I have been able to join many families as they are reunited with loved ones at the Columbus airport, often having waited many years for that moment. Plummer wrote that there may be a time soon when immigrants and refugees will need support. The Commission on Immigrant Affairs will begin its work next year, in hopes of helping offer support from the city. When you look at cities like a Springfield, across the country we see that immigrants are boosting the economy because theyre adding people to the country, Columbus Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla, the councilmember behind the commission, said. A city like Columbus that relies on income tax to fund city services, having more people is helpful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a private company spun off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, plans what it calls the world's first grid-scale fusion power plant in Virginia, to generate power by the early 2030s, the company said on Tuesday. The project, if successful, could revolutionize the global energy industry by tapping into a virtually limitless power source, similar to that which fuels the stars. But it is a long-shot. CFS lacks local and federal permits, investors to fund most of the plant's construction, and the answer to fusion's top technological question: how to get more energy out of a fusion reaction than what goes into it in the first place. Still, CFS, the largest private-sector fusion company, which has raised $2 billion since 2018 mainly for demonstration projects, is confident more money will flow for the plant. "The fact that there's a broad investor syndicate, that's a good thing," Bob Mumgaard, the company's CEO, told Reuters ahead of the announcement. CFS investors include Italian energy company ENI, Temasek, a sovereign wealth fund from Singapore, and Norway's Equinor. For decades, scientists in the U.S., China, Europe, Russia and Japan have hoped that fusion, the reaction that produces the light and heat from the sun, can be replicated and sustained on Earth. To create fusion reactions, physicists use lasers or magnets to jam two light atoms into one, releasing large amounts of energy. When harnessed, the reactions could be used in power stations to generate emissions-free electricity, helping to fight climate change. As power demand rises due to growth in artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and cryptocurrencies, companies are raising billions of dollars in hopes of commercializing the technology. Unlike today's nuclear reactors, powered by fission, which splits atoms, fusion does not generate large amounts of long-lasting radioactive waste. But there are other challenges, such as ensuring materials withstand constant bombardments of high-energy neutrons and some of the hottest temperatures ever created on Earth, and how to transfer that heat to a turbine to generate electricity. Getting reactions to occur almost continuously instead of once in a while is yet another challenge. A fusion breakthrough came two years ago when scientists at a U.S. lab in California briefly achieved "fusion ignition" with lasers, though the energy output was tiny compared to the energy firing the lasers. COLUMBIANA, Ohio (WKBN) Students from Crestview and Springfield Township schools came together once again for a long-standing tradition. The school districts partner up to support families in the community during the holiday season, teaching kids the importance of giving. For nearly three decades students from two different school districts have done a community gift exchange. They exchange donations of gifts, non-perishables and necessities to support families in need. Melanie Workman started the tradition with her husband, Scott. She said over the years, theyve made a large impact in the communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just gotten bigger and bigger, Workman said. But probably with all of this for 29 years, you know, we probably collected over 29,000 guests with every year. We usually hit between the two schools, a thousand guests between both of us. Melanie Workman works as a guidance counselor for Springfield Township schools. Scott Workman worked at Crestview but is retired. Crestview math teacher Matt Evans has stepped in to continue the tradition. He attended Springfield Townships schools and even participated in the gift exchange when he was younger. So unique, Evans said. I dont know. I dont think, theres anything around here that rivals this. Just the longevity and just the scope of it. So its, its a special thing to be able to continue to get back and work with both schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while supporting needy families is the end goal, it also teaches the kids a very important lesson. Its selfless giving, Evans said. Its just you dont know where this is going and not worry about, you know, like a reward or anything like that. Eighth-grader Henry Koch participated in the gift exchange for the last three years. He says the event makes him feel like hes making a difference. Ive just always thought its nice to help others in this way, Koch said. Maybe they need because oftentimes people need it more than others. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. People in at least seven states said they have seen mysterious aircraft in the past few weeks. Drones around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base forced the base to close its airspace for hours this weekend. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7s John Bedell worked to get answers from the state and federal leaders. I really want to know what theyre doing, Haley Roark said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People said they want to know whats behind mysterious drone sightings across several states lately. Especially now with a report in the Miami Valley. TRENDING STORIES: Its kind of hard to believe, Im ex-Air Force. So I think the technology and things that they have nowadays its hard to imagine that taking place over the base, Maurice Wimblery of Fairborn said. Wright-Pattersons public affairs office told News Center 7 that small drones spotted near and over the base late Friday night caused base officials to shut down its airspace for four hours into early Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I live right next to the base and Im used to hearing jet planes fly over our house all the time, Roark said. A base spokesperson told News Center 7 that none of what they described as incursions impacted people who live on the base, or base facilities or assets. News Center 7 reached out to Dayton Congressman Mike Turner. Turner chairs the House Intelligence Committee. In a statement to News Center 7 Turner said, I have been personally briefed by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base leadership. He declined to comment further. News Center 7 also reached out to Gov. Mike DeWines office. One of his spokespeople said, Our office is not in a position to comment at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a possibility nowadays that they could have some foreign entities or people just trying to make (expletive) happen. I mean, Thats just the way things are going. They want to create havoc or things of that nature - unrest, Maurice Wimberly said. News Center 7 also reached out to the Ohio National Guard. The Springfield Air National Guard base is less than 10 miles from Wright Patt. We will continue to follow this story and update if we receive a response. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The YMCA in the Steele Creek area of Charlotte is shutting down, and some neighbors are concerned about the long-term impacts of the closure, especially for kids in the community. Channel 9s Evan Donovan spoke with several people about the closure, and they say there have been issues with crime among juveniles in parts of the area. Neighbors say with the Y closing, it creates a challenge for kids who dont have enough to do. Yeah, were just not seeing that investment, said Joi Mayo, the board chair at Transforming Nations Ford, an organization dedicated to improving communities in southwest Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Steele Creek YMCA is Mayos home branch, and she says the closure continues a long trend. Historically, theres been a lot of violence in that area -- were top four in the city for violent crimes, we talk about youth engagement and youth getting into crimes, but how are we being proactive and preventative? Mayo told Donovan. Mayo says the community has asked for a regional rec center for decades, the type of community space thats similar to the Y but even more comprehensive. Mayo says thats especially important for kids. We know 30% of the residents in that area are under 18. So, right now they have nowhere to go. I know kids that are playing in parking lots. Thats problematic, Mayo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ >> Local YMCA assessing future of NoDa branch Channel 9 asked the YMCA for an interview to understand more about the closure. The organization said no one was available, but sent a statement. The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is evolving its service to the Steele Creek community. As part of this transition, we have made the decision not to renew the lease on our Ayrsley health and wellness facility, the statement said. They say they plan to refocus efforts with several local churches. Mayo says thats good and would like to see more school programs too, but the physical space matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a safe place for people to go, Mayo said. We asked the Y about how much the location is being used and how it compares to other locations, and we asked Mecklenburg County about the request for a rec center. Well let you know when we hear back. (VIDEO: Doing what I love: Charlotte YMCAs first woman CEO shares career journey) SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's constitutional court asked President Yoon Suk-yeol to submit a written argument for his impeachment trial by Dec. 23, multiple media outlets said Tuesday. NANTY GLO, Pa. More than 300 students who attend Blacklick Valley Elementary Center have had their Christmas seasons brightened by the generosity of the community. Through hundreds of donations from local churches, businesses, organizations and private donors, the school is providing each student at least one gift of their choice, with larger items to raffle off Friday, and dozens of families invited Sunday to handpick gifts for under the tree, including coats, shoes and clothes. Theres just so much joy to see the kids happy, the families happy, Amy Kanich said. Its just so great to bring so much light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is thanks to the St. Nicholas Market, which Kanich has organized on a smaller scale in the past. She said this year the response from the community has been significantly larger, and she couldnt be more thankful. Kanich said she contacted local groups in the district for donations to help lighten families burdens during the holidays, and they provided roughly 800 items for the school. It speaks a lot to the community that were in with what they were able to give, Superintendent William Kanich said, noting the economically disadvantaged area. The concept for the market spawned from a mission trip the Kanich family went on to Camden, New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amy Kanich said she liked the idea of inviting parents to the school to pick their items, noting a mother once told her Angel Trees are nice, but shed like a choice sometimes, such as with the color of a jacket. Amy Kanich said offering the market this way gives the dignity back to the parents. Blacklick Valley has offered a St. Nicholas Market for about three years, but not on this scale. Christmas is just one aspect of a community really coming together to help out these families, Amy Kanich said. William Kanich said its unbelievable to witness the support from area residents. The couples son, elementary Guidance Counselor Noah Kanich, has taken each group of students to the gift room off the cafeteria throughout the past week to pick their toys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the students are overwhelmed by the amount of items stacked on tables and the floor. They come in and theyre just in awe, he said. They cant believe it. They just say, Thank you, up and down. He joked it takes each student time to choose from the stacks because of the amount available. I cant thank them enough, Noah Kanich said of the donors. Other items are being stored in the schools Blessings Closet, which includes clothing, shoes and the like. Anyone interested in donating to the closet can contact William Kanich at 814-749-9211 or Noah Kanich at 814-749-9211, ext. 437. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A few weeks ago, the City of Columbus announced it is phasing out the current e-bikes and e-scooters available, including Lime, Spin and CoGo. Instead, there will be a brand-new fleet from a company called Veo with a wider array of options for riders. One of the current companies is not happy to be leaving Columbus. E-scooter company Lime sent a statement to NBC4 expressing its disappointment to be leaving Columbus. City Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla said she is excited about the future with Veo, which offers more devices including pedal bikes, e-bikes and sit-down scooters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The time was now for us to really think about the needs of all of our residents from whatever your age is, whatever your mobility challenges may or may not be, and give the best possible options to them, Barroso de Padilla said. She said part of the reason Veo was chosen was because the current scooters are dockless, leading to scooters being left on sidewalks and ADA ramps. Veos scooters will have to be returned to a charging dock after use. Lime directly called out this reasoning in its statement, saying, in part, We understand that new operators have promised that this decision will lead to an immediate fix to all problems associated with riding and parking e-scooters, something we do not believe to be true. Lime asks for the city to be clear eyed about evaluating whether or not that proves true and if not, we hope for the chance to return. Barroso de Padilla said the city is ready for the next chapter with Veo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went with one company because it gave us the ability to have better customer service, it gave us the ability to have more micro-mobility options for our residents, and thats why the time was now, she said. Barroso de Padilla is confident residents will enjoy the new Veo devices because of the range of options, but Limes statement makes it clear the company isnt giving up, saying, We would be grateful for the opportunity to work with the city and determine a way to come back. We dont want to let down our hundreds of thousands of riders here, who made us the provider with the most rides in the city. Barroso de Padilla said she is working to make sure there is not a gap in service as the current bikes and scooters are phased out and the Veo fleet comes in. She said people will notice the switch around March. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Top lawmakers were still negotiating the final details Monday night of a stopgap spending patch tied to a slew of other last-ditch priorities as Fridays federal government shutdown deadline grows closer. Negotiations between Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and their leadership counterparts are facing time pressure as they work to lock in a deal on a funding patch thats expected to carry several other major bills, in Congress last action before lawmakers are scheduled to leave for the holidays. While negotiations on the funding patch itself are resolved, disputes continue over agriculture aid and other potential add-ons, as leaders look to attach year-end priorities like extending expiring health programs and a bill to restrict U.S. investment in China. Were not quite there, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said Monday evening. Hopefully well get it done, because I think everybody wants to get out of here on time. Thats the best thing working for us is time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopes that a permitting deal could hitch a ride on the spending deal collapsed earlier Monday. Until the deal is final, you can't say for sure, because one change might restart certain negotiations, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said Monday night. Johnson said he is intent on giving lawmakers 72 hours to review final text of the bill, which is expected to punt the funding deadline into March, allowing the incoming Trump administration to weigh in on negotiations for the fiscal year at hand. Giving lawmakers three full days to review bill text would push House action to Thursday, at the earliest, risking at least a brief funding lapse at midnight Friday if Senate leaders cant secure a time agreement for fast-tracked passage. Stay tuned, Johnson said, hours after he suggested the bill would be released hours before. I think we are very close to the drafting process right now, he told reporters Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill leaders have tentatively secured a compromise on major pieces of a one-year extension of the farm bill, according to three people familiar with the talks. Disputes over those policies snagged negotiations over the weekend, and last-minute jockeying continued Monday night. But the plans so far include an additional $10 billion in economic aid for farmers, as sought by lawmakers from agriculture-heavy districts, among other items. Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations panel, said she didnt know exactly when text would be out, but like Christmas, its coming. In this business and youve heard this over and over again nothing is agreed to until it is all agreed to. And thats where we are now," DeLauro said. "Getting to the final push here to get it all done." Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations panel, is holding out hope for swift action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really want there to be a final agreement, Collins told reporters, and to get it posted tonight so that we avoid a government shutdown. Jasper Goodman and Eleanor Muller contributed to this report. House lawmakers on Monday finalized a sweeping veterans bill to expand caregiver benefits for elderly and infirm veterans and update medical options for veterans outside the departments health care system, sending the legislative package to the White House to become law. The legislation was originally passed by the chamber last month but had to be reapproved this week after technical changes were added by the Senate last week. The measure now heads to the White House, where President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law in the coming days. Advocates have lobbied for months for passage of the bill, expected to cost roughly $1 billion over the next decade. Theyve argued the reforms are needed to catch up with the care demands placed on veterans caregivers, who save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars annually with their around-the-clock personal medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have spent almost two years working tirelessly with our coalition partners to ensure a better future for our veterans, caregivers, survivors, and their families, said Elizabeth Dole Foundation CEO Steve Schwab in a statement after passage. Through this life-changing and lifesaving legislation, we are one step closer to our vision of an America where veterans and their families thrive. Vets caregivers need more support from VA, local orgs, study finds The measure its full title is the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act features significant improvements to current caregiver support programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would expand access to home-based and community-based services at every VA medical center. Supporters have said that will allow tens of thousands more veterans to receive medical care at home rather than in nursing home institutions, if they choose to do so. The bill would increase the cap for in-home care programs from 65% of nursing home costs to 100%, potentially providing thousands of dollars more a month to eligible families. In some cases, that figure could go even higher, if VA officials decide that at-home care is in the best interest of the veterans. The legislation would also create a mental health care grant program for family caregivers in the VAs current program. And the bill closes a loophole to stop veterans from losing their burial benefits if they choose to die in hospice care rather than a VA facility. Im excited to see the impact to our veterans that these policy improvements will have, including expanding access to home and community based services throughout every VA Center, allowing older and sick veterans to receive care where they fit and where they need it, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz. and a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said shortly before the vote. This comprehensive bill does so much. Other reforms The package also includes several provisions related to community care, the program through which veterans can use taxpayer funding to schedule medical appointments at private-sector clinics. About 40% of all VA medical appointments are currently handled through the community care program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation would prohibit VA officials from overriding medical decisions made by those outside physicians, giving more autonomy to non-VA doctors in veterans overall health care planning. It would also require new outreach by VA to veterans about their community care options and require department officials to look into potential reimbursement rate increases for those types of appointments. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, said in a statement last week that those moves will help protect the rights of veterans and their doctors to determine what is in a veterans best medical interest, without interference from VA bureaucrats. On veteran education benefits, the measure allows surviving spouses to maintain eligibility to use certain GI Bill programs upon remarriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dole Act also includes provisions to boost supportive housing grants in an effort to provide more funding to charities providing shelter for homeless veterans. And it mandates a closer look at VA dental care options, with a pilot program to gauge the feasibility of expanding dental coverage to more veterans. To pay for the package, lawmakers would extend the VA home loan funding fees for three years, at a cost of about $5 per loan. That extra expense would not apply to veterans with a service-connected disability. White House officials have not indicated when Biden will sign the legislation, but have also offered no opposition to the package. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Congress has until Friday to avoid a partial government shutdown. Republican leaders are planning on passing a temporary spending bill through next March but not without pushback from members of their own party. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) plans to fund the government through early next year. He briefed House Republicans in a closed-door meeting and heard complaints inside and outside the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was sharp criticism from Republicans about the Republican speakers plan to fund the government. We will get the job done, as we always do, said Johnson. Johnson says he plans to fund the government, mostly at current levels, through mid-March. Thats not popular among some House Republicans who want to see spending cuts. As long as you got a blank check, you cant shrink government, said Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas.) As some Republicans rebuke the plan Democrat Pete Aguilar says, House Republicans are going to need our votes, so we look forward to working with them. The spending package includes one $100 billion in disaster aid requested by the Biden administration for Hurricanes Milton and Helene recovery efforts and $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers who report less income on average for the second year in a row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House and the Senate will have until the end of the day on Friday to avoid a partial shutdown. Time is of the essence, said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). Speaker Johnson is expected to bring the funding package to a vote on Friday. If it passes, the Senate will then need to vote on the funding before it goes to the president. Lawmakers are trying to get the spending bill finished 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 Queen City News. Rep. Gerry Connollys triumph over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the top Democratic spot on the Oversight Committee illustrates the limits of the partys demand for generational change, with a well-established centrist beating out a progressive standard-bearer. While the victory went beyond ideology, there were simmering fears among centrists about how elevating Ocasio-Cortez, an outspoken liberal who has gone viral for her moments on the panel before, would turn out. There was also a sense that it was Connollys turn, after he had previously run for the Oversight spot twice and served on the panel for 15 years, according to interviews with eight Democratic lawmakers. Connolly also used his strong relationships in the centrist New Democrat Coalition, considered the largest ideological bloc in the caucus, to build significant support, after Ocasio-Cortez surged early on. Incoming New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) made calls on behalf of Connolly after the groups endorsement Friday, said a person granted anonymity to discuss the private outreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also phoned other lawmakers on his behalf a factor other lawmakers said was significant, but not nearly as decisive as Connollys own relationships throughout the caucus. The membership comes together and makes these decisions. Members make individual decisions, said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.). Ive seen leadership weigh in on races in the caucus and win some and lose some. Connollys internal whip count of roughly 130 lawmakers that POLITICO reported Friday almost exactly mirrored the final whip count of 131 votes for him on Tuesday morning. Ocasio-Cortezs allies had projected early confidence in the race and had hoped to capitalize on a post-election appetite for change in the caucus. But while other ranking members largely fell to or stepped aside for younger challengers, members still largely felt it wasnt right to bypass 74-year-old Connolly for the 35-year-old progressive darling. And despite the calls for a shift in leadership and some concerns about Connollys recent cancer diagnosis, House Democrats arent totally willing to abandon their attachment to seniority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that there are challenges in totally abandoning the seniority system here, because if seniority is not the rule, money becomes the rule, said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), whod been the first Democrat to call for President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid earlier this year. Lawmakers cemented their decisions to cast aside other senior committee leaders even as they elevated Connolly on Tuesday morning, electing Reps. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.) as ranking members to succeed lawmakers whod faced questions about their health and attendance in Congress. Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, a former top Democratic leader, spoke up in caucus in support of deferring to seniority. He said he did so on behalf of Pelosi, who was absent from Tuesdays meetings while she recovered from hip replacement surgery after a fall. In addition to Connolly, Pelosi had also backed Huffman and Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who failed in his bid to take the ranking position on the Agriculture Committee, as part of a push by the California delegation to back their own. The fact that you're senior does not necessarily mean you have the ability, Hoyer said after the elections. But if you have the ability, then seniority certainly reflects service, experience, knowledge of the committee, and I think that's perhaps what made the difference in the Connolly race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to the vote, Ocasio-Cortez had sought to neutralize concerns from centrists in the party. She indicated to members of the Steering and Policy Committee on Monday, who ultimately recommended Connolly for the spot, that she could stop backing primary challengers to sitting lawmakers. I think a lot of members know Ocasio-Cortez would be best, but I think theres some heartburn with New Dems and [moderates] she would put them in a tough spot by going hard on cultural issues, said one neutral Democratic leadership aide, granted anonymity to speak candidly. Ocasio-Cortezs loss left her allies fuming. Hill progressives had cited the New Yorkers power to mobilize millions on social media and her skills as a communicator as a huge benefit for a job that will largely involve messaging against the right. There is one person in our caucus that has the ear of millions and millions of people with just the touch of her finger, and that is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, said Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And some members warned not to expect that Tuesdays elections will be the end of intergenerational contests in the party. Those of us who have come up more recently within the Congress understand that the American people have had it with seniority issues, Balint added. Nobody in our districts cares about relationships in the building. Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance has agreed its joint manifesto for upcoming early elections at a meeting in Berlin, dpa learned on Tuesday. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister-party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have jointly compiled an election manifesto over almost 80 pages. Polls put the alliance, with Friedrich Merz as its candidate for chancellor, well in the lead ahead of the elections, which have been pencilled in for Sunday, February 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the meeting, CDU head Merz and his CSU counterpart Markus Soder had reiterated the alliance's unity, participants in the meeting said. "Unity comes before vanity," Soder, who serves as Bavarian premier, is reported to have said, while also praising the fact that the CDU had made major changes for the better thanks to Merz. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Merz stressed that the two parties had to be "guarantors of peace and freedom." He noted that outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) would represent himself an a "chancellor of peace." The CDU/CSU would make Germany's economic competitiveness a core theme in the campaign, Merz said. In the manifesto, the alliance pledges to cut taxes and impose a halt to all illegal migration. Military conscription is to be reintroduced and support for Ukraine continued, and there will also be lifelong investment to provide for old age, it states. Germany's centre-right CDU/CSU bloc pledged tax cuts, reduced immigration, bolstered support for Ukraine and a return of military conscription in a campaign manifesto adopted by party leaders on Tuesday. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister-party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), said that Germany's sputtering economy will be the central issue in the campaign ahead of early elections expected on February 23. A strong economy is "the basis for everything," including a good social, environmental and climate policy, Merz said during a presentation of the joint manifesto in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Merz and Bavarian state Premier Markus Soder rejected criticism that the manifesto fails to outline how the slew of promised tax cuts are to be financed. They claimed that a considerable amount could be saved by providing fewer public benefits to refugees and cutting social welfare benefits for the poor and long-term unemployed. Merz also hinted at the possibility of Germany taking on new government debt, a highly controversial issue in the country. Strict balanced-budget requirements known as the "debt brake" were enshrined in Germany's constitution in 2009, at the insistence of CDU/CSU politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Merz said that there would be enough wiggle room in the 2024 and 2025 budgets to allow for up to 100 billion ($105 billion) in additional borrowing. The campaign manifesto, which is about 80 pages long, also calls for a halt to the admission of all irregular immigrants to Germany and proposes creating state-subsidized investment accounts for every child a life-long provision for old age. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Merz stressed that the CDU/CSU bloc had to be "guarantors of peace and freedom." He has repeatedly criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) for being too deliberative and hesitant in supplying military aid to Ukraine, including by refusing to ship long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev. Attacks on the Greens Merz and Soder both attacked the Green Party in particular on Tuesday, suggesting the party was becoming more radical - and an increasingly unattractive potential coalition partner for the CDU/CSU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Greens are now obviously moving firmly to the left with what they have already done wrong in economic policy," Merz said. "They not only want to continue, but they want to intensify it. In other words, they are going even further towards high taxes, high debt and high redistribution through subsidies for the few," he said. Polls currently show Merz's CDU/CSU in a clear lead ahead of expected early elections on February 23, but well short of a majority. The Greens or Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) are seen as Merz's most likely potential coalition partners should the CDU/CSU place first in the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Merz refused to rule out a deal with the Greens, preferring instead to leave his options open. "The democratic parties of the political centre must remain capable of cooperating with each other," he said. Bavarian state Premier Markus Soder, who heads the CSU, has however consistently suggested that he might veto any deal with the Greens, which would sharply limit the bloc's room to maneouvre in potential coalition talks. Soder also described Scholz as "the most embarrassing chancellor our country has ever had." The traditional coalition partner of the CDU/CSU, the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), have been struggling in the polls and so far appear unlikely to win enough seats in parliament to complete a majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jointly compiled an election manifesto over almost 80 pages. In the manifesto, the alliance pledges to cut taxes and impose a halt to all irregular migration. Military conscription is to be reintroduced and support for Ukraine continued, and there will also be, it states. According to Merz, Germany's sputtering economy should be the central issue in the campaign. He put blame for Germany's economic struggles squarely on the Greens. Friedrich Merz (L), Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of Germany Federal Chairman and CDU/Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, and Markus Soeder, Minister President of Bavaria and CSU Chairman, shake hands at the presentation of the joint election program for the 2025 Bundestag elections after the meeting of the CDU and CSU executive boards. Michael Kappeler/dpa A California IT consultant was convicted Tuesday, Dec. 17 of fatally stabbing tech executive Bob Lee in San Francisco. Nima Momeni, 40, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2023 slaying of Lee, the founder of the money transfer service Cash App. Momeni was acquitted of first-degree murder by a San Francisco jury, which deliberated for a week, the Associated Press reported. "Were happy that Nima Momeni will not be on the streets, he no longer has the opportunity to harm anybody else in this world, Lees brother, Tim Oliver Lee, told reporters after the verdict, per AP. We think justice was done here today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 43-year-old father of two called 911 for help before he was found fatally stabbed in the heart and lung on April 4 at 2:35 a.m. on a sidewalk in the Rincon Hill area of San Francisco. He later died at a local hospital. Lee, who had recently moved to Miami, was in San Francisco attending a party in a condo in the Millennium Tower, the New York Times reported. Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP Nima Momeni Nima Momeni 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. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Momeni as furious with Lee after he connected Momeni's sister with a man who gave her drugs and sexually assaulted her, per AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of the killing, Lee and Momeni were allegedly captured on surveillance footage driving to a dark and secluded area of San Francisco following an argument. They were later seen standing on a sidewalk in the Rincon Hill neighborhood where Lee was stabbed. Related: Slain Cash App Founder Bob Lee and Suspect Argued About Suspect's Sister Before Killing: Witness On the stand, Momeni contended Lee pulled a knife on him after questioning Lee's parenting skills, AP reported. Momeni claimed a struggle over the knife ensued and he didnt realize that he had stabbed Lee, only learning of his death the following day. "If it were my last night in town, I'd be hanging out with my family not (expletive) around in strip clubs," Momeni testified during the trial, per ABC7. The jury was not persuaded by Momeni's self-defense argument. Momeni was allegedly captured on video leaving the area in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. Read the original article on People The front of the Montana Historical Society on the Capitol grounds in Helena (Photo by Eric Seidle for the Daily Montanan). Author and former Montana resident Brian DAmbrosio was sentenced Monday to six months in federal prison and ordered to pay $22,508 in restitution for stealing materials from the Montana Historical Society, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced in a news release. DAmbrosio, 50, will be allowed to self-report to a federal prison in Texas within the next few weeks, according to a news release. He also was fined $4,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DAmbrosios actions were intentional and calculated designed to steal Montanas cultural treasures so he could profit, said U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich in a statement. The Montana Historical Society, and all Montanans, were victims of DAmbrosios greed because these documents were deeply rooted in Montana history. Today, DAmbrosio faced the consequences, and we hope this case serves as a deterrent to anyone considering similar criminal conduct. DAmbrosio requested a sentence of five years probation, but U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris said jail time was warranted to reflect the seriousness of stealing irreplaceable documents from historical institutions and to provide deterrence, according to a news release from the Montana Historical Society. The judge said that DAmbrosios excuse that he stole the items during a difficult time in his life didnt explain his actions. I appreciate the personal struggles in your life, but in my experience, trauma in a life doesnt equate (to doing this) over and over again at a historical society, Morris said, according to the organization. When someone does something stupid, its usually a one-time thing. But this happened over and over again; how does tragedy in your life translate to your actions at the historical society? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DAmbrosios response was inaudible to the 20 members of the Montana Historical Society in the courtroom, according to the organization. DAmbrosios attorney, Colin Stephens, wrote in a sentencing memo that everyone involved in the case was struggling to reconcile the actions taken by his client, according to the news release from the historical society. The circumstances of the offense are those of a man in deep personal pain, who seemingly lashed out at one of the few places that used to provide him comfort, Stephens wrote. Now, because in the moment he could not find a healthy way to deal with his pain, Brian has lost his reputation, and he is barred access from the tranquility of the Historical Society, and the quiet peace it gave Brian, surrounded by the sense of the permanence of history. The government in court documents said that DAmbrosios actions targeted artifacts that would reap large profits, and he stole items from the archives from about April 2022 to September 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stolen items included letters written by Nancy Russell, the wife of renowned Western artist Charlie C.M. Russell. They were more than 100 years old, were of cultural heritage and exceeded $5,000 in value. DAmbrosio sold and attempted to sell the stolen items for profit on eBay. An undercover FBI agent posed as a would-be purchaser to confirm DAmbrosio was the individual stealing the items from the Montana Historical Society and selling or attempting to sell the items. DAmbrosio said during that time, his mother died, and both a daughter and his father faced medical difficulties. In a statement from the Montana Historical Society, Tim Fox, president of the Board of Trustees, said he was satisfied with the prison sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every item in our archives is a treasure of immeasurable value to our great state and its people, said Fox, also former Attorney General. DAmbrosios egregious and outrageous crimes violate all sense of decency and trust. A hallmark of our society is that libraries, museums, and archives are open and accessible to the public. The defendant violated that trust, committing these crimes for personal gain, profit and prestige. DAmbrosio initially was indicted by a grand jury in 2023 on 10 felony charges, including theft of major artwork, interstate transportation of stolen property, and seven counts of wire fraud, according to the Montana Historical Society. Under a plea agreement, he admitted to the theft of major artwork, and the other nine counts were dropped, the Montana Historical Society said. Some of the items were returned, but Montana Historical Society Director Molly Kruckenberg said the damage from the theft will be ongoing not just trying to recover the remaining stolen items, but also to restore staffs trust and lessen the impact on future researchers. This damage goes beyond the walls of the Montana Historical Societys Library and Archives; museums around the country are asking themselves again how to balance access and trust when a trusted researcher becomes a common thief, Kruckenberg said. Rest assured, we are working diligently to restore the trust Brian DAmbrosio selfishly took from us. But we will never forget what he did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montana Historical Society staff also said because of the thefts, the organization changed its policies. The items stolen by you (DAmbrosio) from the collections belong to the people of Montana, not to you for your selfish, greedy purposes. Your actions forced us to implement stricter rules regarding access and use of historical documents, which impacts all future researchers. The emotional and financial impacts will be felt for generations. The U.S. Attorneys Office prosecuted the case. The FBI Art Crime Team and Helena Police Department conducted the investigation. By Nazrin Abdul Rustam Minnikhanov, Head of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation, visited the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) on December 17. Azernews reports that during a meeting with Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the SEZ Board, and Rustam Minnikhanov, the activities of the Alat Free Economic Zone, its unique legislative base, and modern engineering and communication systems were discussed. Detailed information was provided about both internal and external plots of land, which are fully equipped and ready for use. It was noted that the FEZ1 Standard industrial zone, which has been operational since 2023, includes investor plots covering a total area of 30 hectares. A total of 27 investors have been registered in the Alat Free Economic Zone, with active construction taking place in four investor areas. Three additional registered investors are expected to begin construction in early 2025. To meet the growing demand for investor plots, infrastructure work began 18 months ago on a new area of 138 hectares, with completion planned for the first half of 2025. Infrastructure construction is also underway in the FEZ3 area, designated for heavy industry, which spans 350 hectares. Additionally, construction of an airport in the 4th zone, covering 748 hectares of the 4313-hectare area, is progressing rapidly. The airport, designed by SW-AFEZCO, will cater to innovative technologies and pharmaceutical production enterprises. Following the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov presented three minibuses to the districts of Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan, part of the East Zangezur economic district. The minibuses were handed over to Vahid Hajiyev, the special representative of the President of Azerbaijan, in the respective districts. LONDON, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) announced on Tuesday that it has fined the tech-giant Meta 251 million euros (263.7 million U.S. dollars) for a personal data breach affecting 29 million Facebook accounts globally. According to a press release from the DPC, the breach, caused by a vulnerability in a video upload function in Facebook's "View As" feature, exposed sensitive personal data, such as the user's full name, email address, phone number, and location. Between Sept. 14 and Sept. 28, 2018, unauthorized persons used scripts to exploit this vulnerability and gained the ability to log on as the account holder to approximately 29 million Facebook accounts globally, of which about 3 million were based in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), said the DPC. The breach was remedied by Meta Ireland and its U.S. parent company shortly after its discovery, said the DPC. Meta was penalized for insufficient breach notification and failure to ensure data protection by design. "This enforcement action highlights how the failure to build in data protection requirements throughout the design and development cycle can expose individuals to very serious risks and harms," said DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle. "Facebook profiles can, and often do, contain information about matters such as religious or political beliefs, sexual life or orientation, and similar matters that a user may wish to disclose only in particular circumstances," said Doyle. MULLINS, S.C. (WBTW) A 62-year-old killed in a Mullins shooting over the weekend that also critically injured two others has been identified. Ronnie Lewis Norman of Mullins died in the shooting, Marion County Deputy Coroner Jim Gray told News13. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers were sent to the 100 block of East Dogwood Drive at about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday, police said in a Facebook post. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was called in to assist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information about the shooting or the two people who were injured was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) 473 vehicles washed up in Washington County, Tennessee after Hurricane Helene caused the Nolichucky River to flood. The number of vehicles has prompted concerns as to how leaking oil or gas could affect the environment. East Tennessee State University environmental professor Phillip Scheuerman told News Channel 11 that the risks can vary. For any individual car, theyre very much there, and then when you sum that all together, if they were all in one location, maybe yes, thered be a really harmful exposure, said Scheuerman. But because theyre so dispersed, most of thats going to be diluted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Outdoors Appalachia According to Scheuerman, floodwaters from Helene have most likely diluted any gas or oil that leaked out of the cars, decreasing the environmental risk. When it gets in the sediment, its very heterogeneous so you may have a hotspot and you might get exposed there, said Scheuerman. But as a large-scale immediate concern, Im not too worried. However, Scheuerman said the long-term effects are still unknown pending further testing and sampling in the area. He advises people to still wear protection when sifting through debris. Weve got a number of river samplings and small samplings down there, said Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy. So far, they have all come back really good, which is encouraging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grandy said removing the cars is a high priority for state and local leaders because the longer they stay, the more damage they could cause to the environment. Tennessee Highway Patrol has been challenged with identifying these vehicles as best they can, said Grandy. Theyre going to go get VINs and tags and run those numbers to see if they can determine who the owners are. A plan is being developed to remove the cars from the debris, but as of Monday, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has asked the county to hold off. The TDEC people did give us the authorization if we needed to, to go into the river and extract a vehicle that was leaking fuel or something like that, said Grandy. So far, weve not had any visible indication that thats the case and so we are waiting to be told what to do with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. ANKENY, Iowa The city of Ankeny has a new mayor. Mayor Bobbi Bentz City council members voted Monday night to appoint long-time council member Bobbi Bentz to the position. At the same meeting, she was sworn in as mayor. 3-for-3! Another lucky Iowan wins big prize in Lucky for Life game Mayor Bentz takes over for Mark Holm who resigned after winning the election for Polk County Supervisor. Its an honor to serve as Mayor of my hometown, said Mayor Bentz. After serving 12 years as a council member with the last two as Mayor Pro-Tem, I have gained a deep understanding of our communitys needs and opportunities. I am excited to bring that experience to this new role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Bentz is Ankenys first female mayor and will finish out the remainder of Holms term, which runs through Dec. 31st, 2025. She works for a national pharmaceutical company as an Evidence and Outcomes Liaison. The council now intends to appoint someone to fill the vacant council seat. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) Councilwoman Janet Diaz couldnt remain silent about a potential drug trafficking scenario happening in the city she has called home for over the last 45 years. I consider that Lancaster is in the middle of what I call a drug hub, Diaz said. You have people from Washington, Florida, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey. They pass through and they are selling drugs. Diaz received two complaints detailing drug encounters at two different parks in Lancaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One was they sent me a picture of needles and syringes of Crystal Park, she said. That occurred about three weeks ago. Diaz took to the internet to warn others what could be happening in the park. It led to her hearing another story. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts [A woman] sent me a message regarding Musser Park and that shes found, what I consider, like small bags, nickel bags, Diaz said. Rolled up in tin foil and embedded into the benches. City police say they havent received any calls related to drugs in Crystal Park. Richard Mendez, The Lancaster City Bureau of Police Chief, released the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We take all community concerns seriously. I will ensure that officers and our Selective Enforcement Unit are made aware of these concerns so they can increase their vigilance and monitoring efforts in and around the park. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and park visitors. Diaz is hopeful for better lighting and cameras placed around parks. She even suggests a syringe or needle collection box. Just like in Philadelphia, they did that where they have boxes where they can dispose of them and its going to be safer, Diaz said. You cant throw needles and syringes in plastic bags. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Germany's Constitutional Court is set to consider whether the German government can be held responsible for US drone strikes because of a key US air base in the country. The court will hear arguments on Tuesday in a decade-old lawsuit brought by two Yemenis whose relatives were killed by a US drone strike on their home in Yemen in 2012. A decision is not expected for several months. The two victims - a police officer and a cleric who had preached against the al-Qaeda terrorist organization in the region, according to court records - were killed at the time during a meeting with three people the US suspected of being al-Qaeda members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit argues that Ramstein Air Base, a US military facility of global importance located in western Germany, played a vital role in the drone strike. The case was brought in German courts in 2014, citing the critical role of the base in Germany in the deadly strike, which the plaintiffs argue makes the German government responsible as well. Other German courts have so far been divided on the issue. In 2019, the Munster Higher Administrative Court (OVG) ordered the German government to actively investigate whether US drone missions in Yemen using the military base violate international law. However, that decision was reversed the following year by the Federal Administrative Court, Germany's highest appeals court for administrative matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the plaintiffs are now arguing that the drone strikes were a violation of the right to life and physical integrity guaranteed in the German constitution. A key question before the court on Tuesday is under what circumstances those rights apply beyond Germany's borders, and who is entitled to the protection of those rights. The German government has argued that there was no constitutional duty to protect the lives of those killed in Yemen, citing a lack of sufficient connection to Germany, among other things. According to the German Defence Ministry, there is an "ongoing and trusting dialogue" with the United States regarding the use of Ramstein Air Base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The German government has repeatedly obtained assurances that unmanned aircraft missions will not be launched, controlled or commanded from Germany in any way and that the US armed forces will comply with applicable law in their activities," the ministry said. However, the consultations to date are not enough for the plaintiffs. "Without Ramstein, the drone overflights could not take place in such numbers," said Andreas Schuller, a lawyer with the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), which is involved in the case on behalf of the relatives, who still live in Yemen. The base is used by the US armed forces as a hub in the global drone programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All the data to and from the drones passes through Ramstein. Ramstein is needed to be able to control this in real time from the US," said Schuller. Schuller said there have been continuous drone overflights and repeated attacks in the region in the 12 years since the deadly attack. "This is not a situation in which the complainants can and want to live. It is a permanent psychological threat, a threat to their lives," he said. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A hearing remains underway to determine whether a teenager accused of speeding and DUI in a deadly crash will be tried in adult court. Defendant in deadly SF wreck appears in court Damion Laurelez was 17-years-old in April when an SUV crashed into a central Sioux Falls home, killing two teenagers and sending several others to the hospital. Police described the crash scene crews responded to as catastrophic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday in court, one of the first police officers to arrive on the scene took the stand. He said he remembered the doors of the vehicle were ripped off and multiple people had been ejected from the SUV. There was also graphic video of the crash scene from police body cameras shown in court. KELOLANDs Karlee Phillips is listening in on the hearing and will bring you a full report on KELOLAND News. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) St. Helens students continue to speak out as more staff are removed from schools amid an ongoing sex abuse scandal. As of Friday, the St. Helens School District has announced 10 staff members are on paid administrative leave after news first broke that a current and former teacher had been arrested on allegations of sex abuse in mid-November. Providence faces $100 million lawsuit after Portland mom dies giving birth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High school seniors have told KOIN 6 News they are glad the staff members were removed because it makes them feel safer until the investigations are completed. Still, they added that the ongoing stress caused by this saga has impacted their classrooms. Its shocking, St. Helens High School senior Misha Bainbridge said. I mean, everyone kind of knew that there were some creepy things happening, I think. But I dont think anyone knew it was to this level. Its been more than a month since former teacher Mark Collins and current teacher Eric Stearns were first arrested on sex abuse charges on Nov. 13. The arrests were followed by state-led investigations into several teachers and administrative officials, including Principal Katy Wagner who is accused of failing to report these incidents for several years. Protesters outside of St. Helens High School on Nov. 14, 2024 (KOIN) Parents continue to protest in St. Helens following ongoing investigations into alleged sex abuse in the districts schools. Dec. 3, 2024. (KOIN) Community members began protesting in front of St. Helens High School and district offices on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (KOIN) St. Helens High School teacher Eric Stearns appeared in court on Nov. 13, 2024. (KOIN) Mark Collins appeared in Columbia County County on Nov. 14, 2024. (KOIN) https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/st-helens-principal-arrested-mistreatment-misconduct-11272024/ St. Helens High School (KOIN, File) So far, the list of those placed on leave includes Stearns, Wagner, Superintendent Scot Stockwell, and an unnamed middle school teacher who is being investigated by police for reported offensive contact with a student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very disruptive to the classroom environment, Bainbridge said. And I cant take my test from a few weeks ago because theres no teacher to even give me the test. The substitute doesnt know where the tests are. Two high school campus monitors are also under investigation by the Oregon Department of Human Services for alleged sexual abuse. However, the remaining people under investigation remain unknown to the public. On Monday, St. Helens police said there were no updates in their criminal investigations and no additional charges. The district has not released names, but a spokesperson said the additional staff were placed on leave based on leave due to internal and ODHS reports. Court docs: Strip club DJ hospitalized after being stabbed by dancer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bainbridge said she believes her teacher may be among those investigated. She told KOIN 6 News she began searching for answers after her teacher did not turn up for more than a week. Eventually we talked to the assistant principal, and he told us that, yes, he is gone until further notice, but he cant make an announcement for some reason, she said. Two school-based listening sessions have been scheduled for families in the St. Helens School District: St. Helens High School Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. St. Helens Middle School Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BAKU, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Transit freight traffic through Azerbaijan has grown more than 2.5 times between 2019 and 2024, Shahmar Movsumov, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, was quoted by Report news agency as saying on Tuesday. Speaking at the Customs-Business Forum in Baku, Movsumov attributed the increase to Azerbaijan's strengthened role as an international transport corridor. "Improved efficiency in cargo transportation from China to Europe via the Middle Corridor has reduced transit times to just 8 to 10 days," Movsumov said. "These achievements are the result of consistent efforts to implement electronic services, enabling operations that once took days to now be completed in hours." Movsumov emphasized that the constructive cooperation between the private sector and government institutions is key to further progress. "We have created more favorable conditions for local and foreign investors by simplifying customs procedures, introducing electronic services, and removing bureaucratic barriers," he noted. The City University of New York has reached a tentative contract agreement with unionized faculty and staff that includes across-the-board raises and a ratification bonus, CUNY and the Professional Staff Congress announced Monday. The deal, which covers some 30,000 CUNY employees, spans from March 2023 to November 2027. It included compounded raises of more than 13% meaning each years wage hike is calculated based on the previous years salary boost retroactive pay, equity raises for some of the lowest-paid members, and a ratification bonus of $3,000. A pro-rated bonus is available for part-timers. Full-time and part-time faculty and professional staff are at the heart and soul of the CUNY system, responsible for fulfilling our mission to provide a high-quality public education to all students, regardless of background, CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez said in a statement. This inclusive contract is a testament to our commitment to our teaching and non-teaching staff and determination to ensure CUNY continues to provide students with a top-tier education. Related Articles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PSC had been fighting for a contract for close to two years. Thirty members were arrested earlier this school year while protesting for raises at John Jay College. Under the terms of the deal, adjunct lecturer pay will grow in 2026. Starting in summer 2027, adjuncts will get paid for each course. The agreement also expands paid parental leave from eight to 12 weeks. The Delegate Assembly will consider recommending the deal Thursday for a union-wide ratification vote. The proposal is not final until PSC members ratify it online or by phone, and the CUNY Board of Trustees votes to approve it. Ultimately, this contract will mean a better education for CUNY students, said James Davis, PSC president and professor of English at Brooklyn College. Thats a goal we all share. Former State Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) promised to work across the aisle if elected to Congress in Michigan's 7th Congressional District while speaking at a July 17, 2024 campaign event. | Kyle Davidson Former Democratic state Senator Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) is looking to lead Michigan Democrats as chair of the state party after an election that has left the party bruised. Theres a lot on the line in Michigan and Democrats need to band together, Hertel said in a written statement. Hertel himself lost a bid to represent Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives in November to his fellow Michigan state legislature alum Tom Barrett who flipped the seat that had been held by Democrats by about 17,000 votes. The Michigan state House also lost its majority in the November election and the state turned red for President-elect Donald Trump by about 82,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stakes for our state have never been higher. With Donald Trump coming back to the White House, Im committed to doing everything we can to stand up to his extremist agenda, win back our Democratic trifecta, and defend the progress we have made here in Michigan, Hertel said in a statement. Re-energizing our party is going to take a fighter and thats exactly what I plan to be because I know when Michigan Democrats give it everything we have for working people, we can win and win everywhere. Hertel is ready to take on the challenges a Trump administration presents to Michigan, Hertels announcement said, touting his track record for taking on powerful entities. When Hertel entered into the Michigan state Senate, there were only 11 Democrats, when he left in 2023 the party had seized control of the chamber. Since his time in the legislature, Hertel has remained active in Lansing, serving as Legislative Director to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer for the first six months of Michigans first-in-decades Democratic trifecta where Democratic lawmakers got several large scale policies under Whitmers pen to become law including expanding civil right protections for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, implementing sweeping gun reforms, repealing right-to-work, and ending Michigans 1931 abortion ban. The leadership position of Michigans Democratic Party is up for grabs after current Chair Lavora Barnes announced shortly after the November election that shed be stepping down after first winning the seat in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to thank Chair Lavora Barnes for her leadership over the past five years. She has been one of the best state party chairs in the country, Hertel said in a statement. As party chair, I plan to continue her legacy of building a strong and resilient Michigan Democratic Party, which starts by reminding Michiganders that we are the party for working people. We will show up in every corner of our state to do just that. A few other contenders have thrown their hat in the ring to lead the state party following the losses of 2024, including Michigan Democratic Partys Rural Caucus Chair Mark Ludwig and Party activist Al BJ Williams. BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A former Pennsylvania doctor was allegedly prescribing drugs illegally to dozens of patients out of his basement, according to the District Attorneys Office. After being fired from Jefferson Health as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Kenneth Fox, 55, of Montgomery County, allegedly held appointments in his home basement office for $130, and gave patients a 30-day of Suboxone, the Bucks County DAs Office said. 20 Pennsylvanians charged in multi-million dollar Medicaid fraud scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 80 patients in total who were receiving prescriptions from Fox, the DAs Office says. During the appointments, Fox never discussed the patients health or any issues. The DAs Office says the patient would sit in a chair while Fox would be at his desk, and then once the payment would go through, he would supply a prescription for the drugs. There were never appointment times, patients would have to wait for Fox to just call them for an appointment while they waited inside a hallway where chairs were lined up. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Investigators began looking into Fox in November 2023 after a complaint was made against him. There also was a patient who was seeing Fox since 2017 but they noticed his practice changed in summer 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incomplete patient files and notes about prescriptions were found during a search at the office, and Fox allegedly admitted he could make a file based on what he already knew. According to the European Medicines Agency website, Suboxone is a medicine to treat dependence on opioid (narcotic) drugs such as heroin or morphine in drug addicts who have agreed to be treated for their addiction. Suboxone is used in adults and children over 15 years of age, who are also receiving medical, social and psychological support. Fox faces charges of administration of any controlled substance by a practitioner and furnishing false or fraudulent records and three counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He was arraigned on Dec. 11 by Magisterial District Judge Charles D. Jonas, and he is currently in Bucks County Correctional Facility with under $75,000 bail at 10%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy District Attorney Thomas C. Gannon is prosecuting the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A DeKalb County judge has ordered the dancing doctor Windell Boutte to pay $700,000 to her former medical malpractice insurance company. Decatur attorney Matthew Carlton represents Doctors Professional Liability Company Inc. According to a lawsuit filed in DeKalb County, the insurer represented Boutte in 28 medical malpractice cases. In 25 years of practicing law. Ive never seen so many claims on a single policy. Its pretty incredible, Carlton told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit alleges Boutte owed a $25,000 deductible for each case and has never paid the insurance company the $700,000. Boutte has been the focus of a series of Channel 2 Action News investigations dating to 2018. In a November undercover investigation, we told you she is now going by the name Catherine Davis and was listed as the owner of Eden Med Spa in Austin, Texas. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since that story aired, references to her being a doctor were removed from Edens website and then the med spa announced she had left the business. I was shocked when I when I saw your article. I couldnt believe it. I was literally speechless. And I dont get speechless very often, Carlton said. The Dancing Doctor videos from the operating table Boutte once posted on social media got viral attention after our 2018 Channel 2 Action News investigation. But Ojay Liburd was thinking about his mother Icilma Cornelius, who was about to be married and earn her Ph.D. in nursing, when a cosmetic surgery by Boutte went very wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornelius suffered permanent brain damage. In my 20s, I was now the parent, Liburd said. He became his mothers caretaker every day for seven years until his mother passed away last July from complications of those injuries. His was one of more than a dozen malpractice settlements and rulings with Boutte that resulted in millions of dollars in judgments. The state medical board ultimately suspended Bouttes license. Catherine Davis is Bouttes middle and maiden name. Nothing about Bouttes troubling legal and professional history comes up with a Google search of that new identity. Whether she goes by Boutte or Davis, she does not have an active medical license in Georgia or Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boutte was served with the lawsuit back on July 1 in Texas but never responded. So, on Dec. 11, Judge Kimberly Alexander issued an order in favor of the insurance company requiring Boutte to pay $700,000 plus interest and court costs. David Hogg, 24, hopes to improve the DNC's "age diversity." Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, who became a vaunted progressive activist, announced plans Monday to run for vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. And Hogg, who is currently president of Leaders We Deserve, a group backing Gen Z progressive candidates for office, is not seeking the position to make friends. The Harvard graduate and co-founder of the gun control group March for Our Lives is running partly out of frustration that his warnings that Democrats had a problem with young men went unheeded before Election Day, and wants to make sure the party doesnt make the same mistake twice. That means not just taking seriously the partys waning traction with young men, but also being generally more encouraging of honest feedback from good-faith critics, according to Hogg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the issue is that were surrounding ourselves with people who tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear, Hogg said. I get that its uncomfortable to be told what you dont want to hear, but we need to build that culture as a party. Hogg is still struck by the ridicule with which his warnings were met at a brunch held by the DNC Finance Committee during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, including follow-up messages from prominent Democrats admonishing him to stop publicly discussing the topic. Hogg, who is 24, is also running because he thinks its important for Democrats to take age diversity seriously. He recalled how dramatically he would bring down the median age while attending the DNCs executive council and rules and bylaws committee meetings. If were a party that claims to champion diversity, we need to have diversity of age as well at the table, and not in just a symbolic way, but in a real way that gives us the authority to speak out and be in these meetings, Hogg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DNC has a vice chair for civic engagement and voter participation, and three general vice chair positions. The partys convening arm will assemble to elect a new chair, vice chairs, secretary, treasurer and finance chair on Feb. 1. When there is a Democratic president, it has been customary for the DNC members to quietly approve the presidents picks for chair as well as vice chairs. But this year, with the party out of power, the vice chair contests are expected to be competitive. In addition to Hogg, Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and James Zogby, founder of the Arab-American Institute and a longtime DNC member, are running for vice chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years leading contenders to chair the DNC have largely focused on how they would improve the DNCs operations. But many Democrats remain hungry for a conversation about the partys strategic missteps in 2024, and Hogg is clearly one of them. He intends to make use of the bully pulpit to amplify and act upon his analysis of Democrats loss of power in Washington. For example, he sees the debate over Vice President Kamala Harris decision not to do an interview with Joe Rogan, a right-leaning podcaster with a massive and disproportionately male audience, as a symptom of the same tendency to avoid grappling with uncomfortable truths that led Democrats not to confront their youth problem until it was too late. I dont think her going on Joe Rogan necessarily would have decided the election, by any means, he said. But I think it speaks to a broader problem within the party where were choosing to live in a comfortable delusion a lot of the time of where the country actually is, rather than an uncomfortable reality of where it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the podcaster himself, Hogg added, The reality is, Joe Rogan cannot give an adversarial interview to save his life. Hogg also faults Democrats for failing to express more empathy for people experiencing economic hardship, and for sometimes proposing policy reforms with eligibility requirements that make peoples heads spin. Were overcomplicating things when we talk about our policies a lot of the time, he said. An example of that is it seems like a lot of the time we have all these rules around who can actually get different support for things. DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) There are more than 5,000 photovoltaic systems in the US. Thats a fancy term for solar farms where the panels are rooted in the ground instead of on top of homes or businesses. North Carolina is considered a national leader with about 700 solar farms. For Davidson County, it might be too much, too soon. The county elected to pass a two-year moratorium Monday night on solar farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson County is a rural area with fewer than 200,000 people in the whole county, but theyve got a lot of land. 63 percent of the land used for solar farms is agricultural land, and the county is pushing the pause button. We do have contact information, and we can reach out to people, but they arent communicating with us, Davidson County Planning Director Lee Crook said. Davidson County has become a target for solar farm development. There are six ground-mounted solar farms to date, spanning 1,400 acres. Its hard to keep in touch with the people in charge when commissioners want to know why the projects arent moving along. Only about 400 acres have been developed, so we have 1,000 acres out there in the county thats got a pending approval, and we arent seeing any activity, Crook said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Davidson County Commission expressed concerns about those projects. One commissioner said theyre worried about the risk to birds. That concern is the subject of national research. The sole public speaker said shes worried about what it could do to the environment. The toxic material is a question to me. There is electromagnetic material from those, said the woman speaking on Monday night. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 95 percent of solar panels are safe. While they can contain cadmium, silver or lead, they dont leach those metals. Theyre specially sealed. Dozens of counties nationally are passing their own moratoriums, including Edgecombe County in North Carolina, which recently passed theirs lasting nine months. Davidson County chose two years, so they could essentially chart a new map for solar power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could result in new overlay districts to new zoning districts, so we need the entire two years to go through the whole process and develop the ordinance, Crook said. When the new zoning and regulations are written and passed, Davidson Countys moratorium will be lifted. We would love to collect information and try to be fair to everyone involved and get our concerns taken care of and find out how other folks are doing it. Were going to be polling other counties, Crook said. There is also the issue of taxation. Other uses of that land could generate higher tax revenue. The moratorium expires in Dec. 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. A Lithuanian factory maker has chosen Mocksville in Davie County for a factory that will employ 250 by the end of 2029. SBA Group was awarded a state economic-development grant valued at nearly $1.9 million by the state Economic Investment Committee Tuesday morning in return for creating the jobs over a four year period. The company expects to invest $50.8 million for a 500,000-square-foot facility. Its primary furniture buyer is IKEA, and it announced plans in October to open a factory in an unidentified site in the southeastern United States, according to balticnews. The only IKEA in North Carolina is in Charlotte; the company backed out of plans to build a store in Cary in 2018. Read the full story on the Triad Business Journals 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 FOX8 WGHP. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1790, the Aztec Calendar, or Solar Stone, was uncovered by workmen repairing Mexico City's Central Plaza. In 1903, Orville Wright made history's first sustained airplane flight, lasting 12 seconds and covering 120 feet near Kitty Hawk, N.C. His brother Wilbur flew 852 feet later that day. In 1925, U.S. Army Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell, considered to be the father of the U.S. Air Force, was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the good of the armed services. He was awarded the Medal of Honor 20 years after his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1939, the Nazi warship Graf Spee was scuttled off the coast of Uruguay as British vessels pursued it after the Battle of the River Plate. United Press reporter Roscoe Snipes observed the explosions aboard an airplane. The North Korean flag flies at half staff over its Embassy in Beijing on December 19, 2011, two days after leader Kim Jong Il died. File Stephen Shaver/UPI In 1944, the more than 110,000 Japanese Americans who had been relocated from the West Coast shortly after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor were told they would be allowed to return home on Jan. 2. A woman visits the National Japanese American Memorial during the dedication November 9, 2000, in Washington, D.C. The memorial is dedicated to the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were interned in camps and the 800 who died fighting during WWII. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI "The Simpsons" store is promoted at an international fashion mall in Beijing on May 6, 2016. On December 17, 1989, "The Simpsons," which began as a feature of "The Tracy Ullman Show," had its first stand-alone episode broadcast. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI In 1967, the Clean Air Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1975, a federal jury in Sacramento sentenced Lynette Alice "Squeaky" Fromme to life in prison for her attempted assassination of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. She was released from prison in August 2009. On December 17, 1939, the Nazi warship Graf Spee was scuttled off the coast of Uruguay as British vessels pursued it after the Battle of the River Plate. File Photo courtesy of the York Space Institutional Respository Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1981, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. James Dozier was kidnapped in Verona by Italy's Red Brigades. He was freed 42 days later in a raid by Italian anti-terrorist forces. In 1989, The Simpsons, which began as a feature of The Tracy Ullman Show, had its first stand-alone episode broadcast. The popular animated series has spurred look-alike contests, college classes, tattoos and controversy. Secret Service agents rush President Gerald R. Ford toward the California Capitol following an attempt on the president's life by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme on September 5, 1975, in Sacramento, Calif. On December 17, 1975, a federal jury in Sacramento sentenced Fromme to life in prison. File Photo courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library In 1990, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a radical Roman Catholic priest and opponent of the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier, was elected president of Haiti in a landslide victory. In 1992, U.S. President George H.W. Bush and the leaders of Mexico and Canada formally signed the North American Free Trade Treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1996, Kofi Annan of Ghana is elected secretary-general of the United Nations. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan becomes the first secretary-general to toss out the first pitch for a World Series game during the game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves, October 26, 1999. File Photo by H. R. Celestin/UPI In 1997, New Jersey became the first state in the United States to permit same-sex couples to adopt children. In 2004, the United States officially forgave all of the $4.1 billion owed the government by Iraq and urged other creditors to do the same. In 2010, Mohamed Bouazizi self-immolated in protest of his treatment at the hands of a municipal official. This would prove to be the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution and set the stage for the Arab Spring. In 2011, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died and his son, Kim Jong Un, took over leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, Libya's warring factions signed a U.N.-brokered deal to form a unity government after years of violence following the death of Moammar Gadhafi. In 2020, China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft landed in China's Inner Mongolia region, making the country the third in history to return a space probe to Earth with samples from the moon. Dec. 16A Dayton man is facing murder and other charges in the July deadly shooting of a man in front of an Arby's. David Martez Brown, 42, is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Dayton Municipal Court for four counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of having weapons while under disability after charges were filed Monday afternoon. The gunshot victim was identified as 33-year-old Mo'rrell M. Fontenot by the Montgomery County Coroner's Office. He is survived by his daughter, mother, five siblings and other family and friends, according to his obituary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton police were dispatched around 12:30 a.m. July 28 to 2828 Salem Ave. on a report of a shooting. "(Fontenot) was walking on the sidewalk in front of Arby's restaurant, and he was approached by another male," said Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns. "That male then shot him several times and fled the scene." The shooting happened during a robbery, according to an affidavit. The shooter, later identified as Brown, reportedly fled the scene on foot. A warrant was issued Monday afternoon for Brown's arrest. BRUSSELS, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia on Monday, according to a press release of the European Commission. The package focuses on Russia's so-called shadow fleet and anti-circumvention measures. Another 52 Russian ships have been added to the list of banned vessels from docking at EU ports, bringing the total to 79. According to the European Commission, 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. The new package includes 54 individuals and 30 entities that are subjected to asset freezes and travel bans. EU officials failed to agree on this sanctions package at the beginning of December, as the Czech Republic and Slovakia blocked negotiations over the time given to some European companies to disinvest in Russia. The EU has adopted a series of sanction packages since February 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict started, with its last sanction package being adopted in June this year. The rash of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey continues to cause panic down the US east coast and on Capitol Hill, frustrations are bubbling. Joe Bidens administration, with just over one month left in office, is heading into the holiday season in full lame-duck mode. As rumors of a ceasefire in Gaza being close raise the hopes of some Democrats eager to see the president pull out a final legacy-defining win, more are becoming vocal about the failure of the broader administration to address what is quickly becoming a source of serious misinformation. The kicker came Monday as state senator Doug Mastriano of Pennsylania, who ran for governor unsuccessfully in 2022, posted an image of a replica Tie Fighter from the Star Wars franchise being hauled on the back of a flatbed truck, with another unknown social media users caption claiming it to have been recovered from Orange Beach a city in Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite his own furiously-added caption accusing the federal government of fecklessness on the issue, Mastriano would go on to claim in a separate post on Tuesday that he knew he was posting a fake image. But whether Mastriano was really fooled or not, a lot of other people certainly are. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing conspiracist congresswoman from Georgia, believes the feds are behind it. A number of other politicians, such as senator-elect Andy Kim of New Jersey, have turned to amateur drone-spotting, which also allows for a few quick poses with the local police. New Jerseys own Jeff Van Drew, a Democrat who turned to the GOP during the first Trump era, had the wildest take of all. He declared on Fox News: Iran launched a mothership that contains these drones. Numerous agency officials, including most prominently DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have come out to discourage fears and tamp down on conspiracies. A press call took place on Saturday which involved senior FBI, DHS and FAA officials stressed repeatedly that the government has no evidence pointing to foreign or criminal involvement. Some sightings have been outright dismissed as hoaxes and cases of mistaken identification. Others, officials have noted, could be commercial or privately-owned drones, both of which are legal in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We assess that the sightings to date include a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, a joint statement from those agencies on Monday read. Other examples of mistaken sightings included manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones", according to the statement. But one thing every one of these politicians (and there are many other examples of this) has in common: they are filling an information void being created by the federal government, which despite numerous statements from involved agencies like the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and FAA has not actually come up with a specific explanation publicly for sightings that have caused emergency shutdowns of airspace around a critical military installation in Dayton, Ohio, and a commercial airport in New York this past week. People in Bernardsville, New Jersey took photos of what they suspected to be multiple drones flying over the town on December 5, 2024. (AP) And thats where the anger is beginning to grow in Washington, as the presidents typical defenders say his officials need to provide more clarity and specificity about those incidents. State leaders, too, are growing annoyed: "This has gone too far," declared New Yorks Kathy Hochul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houses permanent select committee for Intelligence met on Tuesday for a classified briefing on the matter. There are a lot of us who are pretty frustrated right now, Jim Himes, the top Democrat on that committee, told Fox this weekend. People will fill a vacuum with their fears and anxieties, Himes said, before taking aim at Van Drews wild tale: Oh my god, theres an Iranian mothership hovering off the coast of Asbury Park! House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner, left, and ranking member Jim Himes received a briefing on the drone sightings by federal officials on Tuesday. (Getty Images) And wheres Joe Biden and Kamala Harris? Thats another question on the minds of these Democrats, even if they arent saying it outright. NBCs Seth Meyers needled the president on it Monday night: President Biden addressed the drone issue today Im just f***ing with you. He was nowhere to be seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That sort of gets to the heart of the problem now in Washington, where the presidents party is confronted with a White House seemingly unable to shake off the malaise caused by the vice presidents shattering election loss to Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the party is expected to have to bail out the GOP again later this week. House Republicans emerged from their own caucus meeting this morning unable to find common ground over the passage of another CR a short-term continuing resolution necessary to avert a partial government shutdown. Congress faces a funding deadline on Friday, while Speaker Mike Johnson faces the prospect of fighting off a rebellion from within his caucus yet again. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man from Washington D.C., has been charged with murder in connection to the shooting death of his brother, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). On Tuesday, D.C. police announced that officers arrested 23-year-old Lamar Odoms, of Southeast, on Dec. 16 for shooting his brother, 25-year-old Mark Odoms. Man arrested for killing partner, DC police say The shooting happened at the Parkchester Apartments in the 2000 block of Wade Road SE around 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said when officers arrived at the scene, they found Mark suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders took him to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. As the investigation developed, D.C. police located Odoms in Temple Hills, Md. He was taken into custody on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for second-degree murder while armed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man pleaded guilty on Monday to shooting a woman multiple times in the middle of the day in Southeast D.C., the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) announced. Johnwann Elliott, 31, was charged with second-degree murder while armed and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon for gunning down 37-year-old Nikia Young in 2022. Just before noon on March 15 that year, Elliott reportedly exited a Metrobus at Minnesota Avenue and White Place SE and walked toward the intersection at 23rd St. SE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Young and another person were walking toward the same intersection from the opposite direction. Family of 5-year-old boy struck, killed by van while walking to school in Riverdale files lawsuit against county, driver While passing them in the crosswalk, the USAO said Elliott pulled out a handgun and shot Young from a close distance. He fired seven times and shot Young five times, once in her face, three times in the chest and once in her right hip. He fled and caught the same Metrobus hed exited about two minutes earlier. Elliott was arrested two months later inside a hotel in Northeast D.C. and has been in custody ever since. At the time, the USAO noted he was on release pending trial for the unauthorized use of a vehicle and was on supervised release after serving a prison sentence for a robbery conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of his plea deal, Elliott agreed to a 21-year prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025, just a day shy of the incidents third anniversary. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rescue efforts continue after a powerful earthquake, possibly the strongest in years, devastated the island nation of Vanuatu, killing at least nine people. A previous report had indicated 14 deaths, but hours later, nine deaths were confirmed by the main hospital. That number is expected to rise. About 200 people have been treated for injuries, several of which had been extracted from the rubble. The 7.3-magnitude jolt rocked the region on Tuesday sending tremors through homes, businesses and critical infrastructure. Witnesses described buildings collapsing, roads blocked by landslides and hospitals stretched thin as reports of injuries and unconfirmed casualties surfaced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Port Vila, Vanuatu's capital, is without water after the quake destroyed reservoirs. According to the UN humanitarian office, sea port and airport access were "severely limited due to road damage." This could affect aid efforts. Port Vila's main hospital was damaged and patients were transported to a military camp. Health care services were already strained before the earthquake and since have been overwhelmed, according to Clement Chipokolo, Vanuatu country director at the Christian relief agency World Vision. Power outages and severed communications have made assessing the full extent of the destruction difficult, leaving residents in a state of fear and uncertainty as aftershocks continue to rumble through the region. No Water In Port Vila While power was out in swathes of Port Vila, the biggest fear among aid agencies was the lack of water. Two large reservoirs serving the capital were totally decimated, the National Disaster Management Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resident Milroy Cainton said people were joining large queues to buy water in stores, but could only purchase two or four bottles at a time. People are not really concerned about electricity, they're just concerned about water, he said. UNICEF was recording a rise in diarrhea among children, a sign that they had begun to drink tainted water, said the chief of the Vanuatu office, Eric Durpaire. Officials told residents of areas where water had been restored to boil it. Some People Remain Trapped Under The Rubble At least 10 buildings sustained major damage, many in a busy downtown area full of lunchtime shoppers when the quake hit. An unknown number of people were trapped inside, and Cainton, the resident, said rescuers had been forced to target their efforts to where they believed people could be saved. Michael Thompson, who runs a tourism business in Vanuatu, was among the rescuers and posted a video on Facebook of the frenzied efforts and dust-covered survivors on gurneys along with pleas for people to bring tools and water to the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Wednesday night that Port Vila appeared to be the worst-hit area, but some nearby villages and offshore islands had experienced landslides. Three bridges were at high risk of collapse in heavy rain, the government said. Some People Are Trapped Social media videos showed rescue efforts through the night for people trapped in buildings, including a three-story structure that collapsed onto its lower floors. Amanda Laithwaite said her husband was among rescuers searching for eight people they could hear yelling inside, but their progress was slow. Three people were pulled alive from rubble overnight, her husband, Michael Thompson, wrote on Facebook. In one video he shared, a dust-covered woman lay on a gurney. Army personnel and civilians worked with tools and shovels, Thompson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country does not have capacity to cope with a mass casualty event, Vanuatu-based journalist Dan McGarry told The Associated Press. He had visited Vila Central Hospital, where video shared by the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation showed crowds outside. Doctors were working as fast as they could at a triage center outside the emergency ward, he said. Embassies Are Damaged A building housing a number of diplomatic missions in Port Vila including those of the United States, Britain, France and New Zealand was destroyed, with a section of the building cleaving off and flattening the first floor. Windows were buckled and walls crumbled. The U.S. State Department said its embassy staff were safe, but the building was no longer functional. The office opened in July as part of a push by the U.S. to expand its Pacific presence to counter Chinas influence in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Zealands foreign ministry said officials have accounted for all embassy staff. Australias foreign ministry said its workers were safe. All Flights Grounded Damage to the seaport and airport is likely to hamper aid efforts and economic recovery in a country dependent on agricultural exports and tourism. The airport was closed to commercial flights for a further 72 hours from Wednesday. But the runway was deemed functional for humanitarian flights by French engineers who arrived by helicopter. Military craft from Australia and New Zealand were due to begin arriving Wednesday night, carrying search and rescue personnel and equipment, as well as relief supplies. Dan McGarry, a journalist living in Vanuatu, said there had been a massive landslide at the international shipping terminal. The government said the main wharf was closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vanuatus position on a subduction zone where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate means earthquakes of greater than magnitude 6 are not uncommon, and the countrys buildings are intended to withstand quake damage. The Associated Press contributed to this report. As I write this, the airwaves are flooded with the nations most recent school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, WI. There are three known dead at this moment and several injured, including at least one person with life-threatening injuries. The school shooting problem to the degree it exists here is unique to America. Nowhere else where these incidents have occurred is the plan to do nothing except offer thoughts and prayers. To be sure, America has improved post-shooting protocols so that everyone knows whats expected in the aftermath. Local officials know to look for the designation of a reunification center where families can meet up with the surviving children. Press conferences are set up with representatives from state and local governments and the FBI. Counselors are arranged for the survivors, flowers are delivered to a memorial site, and social media is littered with posts from elected officials expressing their sorrow. There is one new trend. Weve gotten better at placing blame, often in the wrong place. Mental health is blamed and were now prepared to throw parents under the bus for their failure to supervise their children and prevent access to guns. Weve hardened schools and provided more resource officers and armed some teachers. The one thing that wont happen is the restriction of guns because more guns equals freedom in the minds of the politicians paid by the NRA to think so. Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) offers grades from Kindergarten through 12th grade. It serves approximately 200 families from 56 churches. ALCS promotes smaller class sizes, a warm and respectful atmosphere, and a student body representing a wide variety of different area churches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has become clear is that the victims of this shooting and all who came before are acceptable losses because the people who can make changes wont do so. In 2024, there were at least 200 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group. The shooting in Wisconsin also comes less than two weeks after a gunman opened fire at a Christian school in Northern California and after years of debate over how to keep schools safe. The NRA has yet to issue a statement after this shooting. They can cut and paste from their previous statements. They may say theyre committed to making our schools safe and describe the shooter as a lone, deranged criminal. The NRA really favors more guns and doing more of the same weve always done. A few more dead falls within acceptable limits . Those words will never be used, but the tone will be inescapable. Whatever they are weighing vs. the lives of children whether profits or political power is obviously more important. See you next time. Earlier this month, 11 elected officials were sworn into DuPage County offices. Of those, nine were Democrats. In the wake of Novembers general election, DuPage County once a Republican stronghold seems to have definitively shifted left, experts and observers say. I think we have strong evidence suggesting that we can now say DuPage is reliably blue, said Melissa Mouritsen, a political science professor at College of DuPage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From federal races to county contests, the 2024 election saw the Democratic Party come out strong across DuPage. Voters favored the Democratic candidates in four of five congressional races that reached into the county. Democrats also captured a larger share of the countys vote in three of four state senator races and 12 of 16 state representative races. County-wide, three-term DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen was unseated by Democratic challenger Judith Lukas. Democratic incumbents prevailed in their reelection bids for circuit clerk and auditor while the Democratic candidate clinched a win in the race for recorder. On the DuPage County Board, a Democratic challenger unseated her Republican predecessor, while other Democratic incumbents held onto their seats, leaving the body with 12 Democrats, six Republicans and a Democratic chair. Eighteen years ago, not one Democrat sat on the board. Change in course For more than a century, DuPage County was undeniably Republican. But over the past two decades particularly the past six years Democrats have incrementally loosened the GOPs grip on the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, the county had an entirely Republican 18-seat board. Over the next 10 years, Democrats grew to have a small presence on the body. But then the tide really started to change. In 2018 alone, the body added six Democrats to the mix. That same year, Jean Kaczmarek was elected clerk, making her the first Democrat to snag a county-wide office in DuPage since 1934. By 2020, Democrats picked up four more seats on the board, flipping the majority in their favor. Two years later, voters elected the boards first Democratic chair in at least three-quarters of a century. It all pointed to a change in course. Still, even when Democrats took control of the board four years ago something that hadnt happened since the 1930s questions loomed: was DuPage County really blue? Was it purple? Will it last? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Novembers election, though, dealt answers, observers say. Thats even despite Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket underperforming President Joe Biden by nearly three points. I think its enduring change, Mouritsen said. And it comes down to there being a greater shift in what the electorate is thinking, meaning residents by and large more identify as Democrats, she said. Mouritsen, in part, attributes the change to secular shift, including demographics and that were seeing more people move to DuPage from Cook County, who bring their politics. Another factor is mapmaking, Mouritsen said. Favorable political districts for Illinois Democrats starting in 2010 gave way to Democratic gerrymandering in DuPage, she said. A third component has been just work of the party itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mouritsen called the trio of factors three legs of a table, all contributing to Democrats ascendancy in Dupage. Then, six years ago, the change already in the making hastened with something Mouritsen dubbed the Trump effect. Repudiation In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump received 39% of the countys vote, nearly nine points less than Mitt Romney four years prior. Locally, there appeared to be an aversion to Trump, Mouritsen said. (I would say) there was a strong contingent of Republicans in DuPage County who felt that way, she said, adding that in turn helped to spur on the blue shift already taking root in the county. Former DuPage County Board Democrat Elizabeth Liz Chaplin says that she has likewise found that, (With) what were hearing at the national level a lot of people just dont like this rhetoric (and) I think that really helped us resonate with the voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chaplin was first elected to the board in 2012. She retained her seat for 12 more years before leaving to successfully run for county recorder this year. I mean, from 12 years to where we are today, I never thought it would have turned this quickly, she said. To her, Trumps first term is the prevailing factor in propelling that flip, she said. Jennifer Zordani, who was the acting chair of the Democratic Party of DuPage County until mid-November, likewise thinks repudiation has played an important part in change, she says, though less so in direct response to Trump and more against extremist ideology in general. I dont know if its as much the repudiation of Trump (as it is) a repudiation of extremists on issues, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where Zordani and Chaplin do align is their belief in where the past few years have landed DuPage today. I believe it is solidly blue, Zordani said. Chaplin echoed, I do see (the county) as truly blue. Across the aisle, though, observations diverge. Green wave James Zay, a DuPage County Board member since 1999 and chairman of DuPage County Republicans, says he wouldnt call recent change a blue wave but a green wave. Democrats are outspending us probably 10 to one at least in all of these House and Senate races and on media on Chicago markets. And you cant tell me it doesnt have an effect down ballot, Zay said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats had a hefty financial advantage in state legislative races, with the House Democrats campaign organization and the state party funneling millions of dollars to candidates facing potentially tough Republican competition. As far as other potential down-ballot effects, Zay dismissed the notion that Trump is a deterrent for local Republicans. There were more requests for Trump signs ahead of Novembers election than hes seen before, Zay said. Speaking to the GOPs broader trajectory both in the years leading up to November and going forward, Zay did recognize there is work ahead for the party. Namely, building Republicans stronghold back from the ground up. DuPage Republicans in recent years have lost a once-strong pipeline for up-and-coming candidates, Zay said. Of late, the party hasnt done a good job of bringing people up from park district boards and municipal boards for higher office, he said. It needs to build a farm system again, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Zays estimation, the county these days is more purple than firmly blue. I would definitely say its a 60-40 (Democrats to Republicans) county right now, he said. But that split, as the past few years have shown, is subject to change, he added. It could turn at any time. I mean, who knows, you know? A blue future? The durability of Democrats momentum in DuPage is hard to pinpoint, according to Stephen Maynard Caliendo, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at North Central College. Caliendo, who is also a professor of political science, expects the shift to persist for some time, though that doesnt mean it will never swing back, he said. There are a few factors, again, playing to Democrats favor. One is incumbent advantage, Caliendo says. Another is the partys power statewide, he said, especially when it comes to redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a state that is always in control by Democrats, its very unlikely that theyre going to realign districts in a way thats going to put them candidates in DuPage included at a disadvantage, he said. What could make a difference is the countrys larger political environment, Caliendo said. The reason why I might be wrong, he said, is because we may be seeing a fundamental realignment of the parties and what I mean by that is I dont know if the Republican Party can survive Trump in the form that it had taken since 1980. If thats the case, Caliendo continued, everything I said about redistricting and whatever is not going to make any difference because people who used to vote Democrat might vote Republican and vice versa. For now, what DuPage Democrats can and should do is avoid complacency, Chaplin and Zordani advise. Were still growing. We cant rest on our laurels, Chaplin said. I think we have to continue to work to let people know who we are, Zordani added, (and) what were doing. We are solidly blue, but it would never ever be something I would take for granted. Chicago Tribune reporters Jeremy Gorner, Olivia Olander, Adriana Perez and Karina Atkins contributed. tkenny@chicagotribune.com For the past seven years, the City Schools of Decaturs process for referring students to placement in the districts special education program has disproportionately qualified Black students as eligible. According to district officials, these determinations are made by a group of school-based personnel and parents in teams for schools, who refer and place students in special education via a process of referral, evaluation, and eligibility determination. To address this disproportionality, the City Schools of Decaturs special education program has been working to implement Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services, required by federal and state statute, to prevent and reduce this difference in referrals. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The school district told Channel 2 Action News in a statement that for almost a decade, there has been a disproportionate identification of CSD Black students in special education, especially in the category of Specific Learning Disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said the Georgia Department of Education had analyzed the City Schools of Decaturs 2022-2023 FTE and Student Record data, citing concerns about a trend. After a review of the program by state officials, the GaDOE was providing support to the district to change how it manages the program, though school officials clarified that the district was not under investigation. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school district said student data showed a greater percentage of Black students were assigned to the special education program, compared to students of any other racial or ethnic backgrounds in the district. Data presented at the meeting also showed significant differences between white and Black students when it comes to suspensions, with more than 75% of in-school and out-of-school suspensions occurring amongst Black students, compared to white students. At a Dec. 10 board meeting, City Schools of Decatur Superintendent Dr. Gyimah Whitaker said that from an equity standpoint, you should not have the overidentification of special education students, specifically Black students, adding that when speaking about equitable student outcomes, the district needed people who are well-versed in Georgias multi-tiered systems of support process. State officials conducted a site visit in October, working on a comprehensive root cause analysis, interviews, surveys and classroom observations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of what Georgia state officials are doing to help after performing that work, school officials said they are still waiting for a final report on the program. GaDOE will provide feedback on targeted support the district will receive, helping the school district plan its next steps, but CSD does not know yet when it will be provided to them. Whitaker told board members that the Georgia Department of Education was under state oversight due to the trend of student proportionality by racial demographics in its special education program. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the Georgia Department of Education for more information and is waiting for their response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Today, Wilbur and Orville Wright are as synonymous with the first to achieve powered flight as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are with the first to walk on the moon. But it wasnt always so. In a four-part series dubbed The Real Fathers of Flight that ran monthly from January to April 1929, Popular Science writer and editor, John R. McMahon, made a passionate case for why the Wright brothers deserved to be acknowledged as the first to achieve powered flight. His unique account included exclusive interviews with Orville Wright (Wilbur died in 1912) as well as access to Orvilles personal diaries and other documents that chronicled the timeline of their invention, which culminated in the worlds first powered flight on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, NC. From the time of that seminal flight until 1942, the Wright brothers were not given credit for being the first to power into the third dimension. Around the world, a long list of aviation pioneers, or their advocates, attempted to claim the honors. Gustave Whitehead, for instance, an immigrant from Germany who moved to Connecticut in the late 19th century, claimed to have achieved powered flight as early as 1901 and again in 1902. For the last century, Whitehead supporters (or Wright brothers critics) have tried to resurrect his claim, but there has never been corroborating evidence; rather, theres a relatively strong case that his claim was a fantastical fabrication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most bitter challenge to the Wright brothers crown came from the Smithsonian, which bestowed first-powered-flight honors on one of its ownformer Smithsonian secretary Samuel Langley. In his 1929 series, McMahon did not hold back criticism of the Smithsonians decision: I believe Government scientists are as human as anybody and those of the Smithsonian were very human in seeking to bask in the fancied glory of a colleague, the ill-fated Langley whose machine crashed in the Potomac River a few days before the historic feat of the Wrights at Kitty Hawk. Langleys Aerodrome did, in fact, take off from the deck of a house boat days before the Wright brothers flight, piloted by Langleys assistant, Charles Manley. But it promptly crashed, and Manley had to be rescued from the river. Langley never attempted to rebuild his Aerodrome, but roughly a decade later it was refurbished by others with ulterior motives to prove that Langleys design had preceded the Wrights: the Smithsonians new secretary, Charles Walcott, who sought to honor his colleague; and Glenn H. Curtiss, another aviation pioneer, who had been found liable for infringing on the Wrights patent. Curtisss refurbished version did achieve flight, however, it included crucial modifications to Langleys original design, which the Smithsonian finally acknowledged in a detailed 1942 report. The report also acknowledged the harm done by the Smithsonian to the Wright brothers for propping up Langleys Aerodrome as the first to achieve powered flight. What distinguished the Wright brothers achievement from all the others who came before them was the combination of those key ingredients that come naturally to birds: lift, balance, control, and propulsion. Success required a flying machine that could not only leave the ground (lift) under its own power with a human aboard (propulsion), but one that could also remain aloft without flipping over (balance), and be steered by the pilot while in the air (control). In another Popular Science story written four years before his series, McMahon described the Wright brothers novel contributions to sustained flightchief among them their wing-warping system, which enabled them to slightly twist and bend the wing tips for balance and control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Describing an 1899 scene in the Wright brothers bicycle shop in Dayton, OH, McMahon wrote: Wilbur held the empty box by its ends while the customer examined its contents. Wilburs hands were inclined to be nervously active. He looked down and suddenly realized what he was doing with an empty boxtwisting itwarping it. What was this? Cant hinge wings? Never. But you can warp them! It was simply a great inspiration, like Newtons falling apple. After spending two decades in exile at the Science Museum in London, UK, the Wright brothers original aircraft has been on display at the Smithsonian since 1948. As Smithsonian secretary Charles Abbott wrote in his 1942 report, If the publication of this paper should clear the way for Dr. Wright to bring back to America the Kitty Hawk machine to which all the world awards first place, it will be a source of profound and enduring gratification to his countrymen everywhere. Its a statement that, no doubt, made Popular Science proud. Credit: Popular Science 1929 Credit: Popular Science 1929 Credit: Popular Science 1929 You can read browse more vintage Popular Science issues available for free on Google Books. Download the Popular Science app for free on Apple or Android to get the latest news and analysis on breakthroughs in science and technology. 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). SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The now-18-year-old man charged with manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a Sioux Falls wreck which took the lives of two teenagers returned to court Monday. Court: Witnesses take the stand in April deadly crash Court papers say the then-17-year-old Damion Laurelez of Sioux Falls was behind the wheel during a high-speed, violent car wreck in April. The early morning crash in the center of the city took the lives of two 15-year-old passengers; it also sent five young people to area hospitals with various injuries, per court papers. Laurelez faces several charges, including two counts of first-degree manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide and DWI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurelez appeared in Minnehaha County court Monday for what the judge described as a pre-hearing. The judge decided that the prosecution will have the opportunity to call the defendants probation officer as a witness. Such testimony could help the judge decide if the case proceeds in juvenile or adult court. The prosecution shared they plan to present intense body camera footage in this case. The crash scene was so graphic that KELOLAND News has had to exercise great caution in choosing which video to show our viewers. Tuesday morning brings a transfer hearing which will address if Laurelez faces charges in adult or juvenile court. But whats been clear since April is how devastating the crash was and is. Been doing this job 17, 18 years, and I certainly cant think of an accident that Ive been to thats more catastrophic than this, Lt. Andrew Siebenborn with the Sioux Falls Police Department said in April. This was a very, very, very serious scene, and quite frankly very tragic that we lost two lives in this, but also an absolute miracle that we dont have seven deceased in this if you look at that vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per court papers, an eighth occupant of the car admitted he ran from the car following the crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Editor's note: The article was updated with a statement by the prosecutor's office. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Dec. 16 ordered an investigation into the alleged abuse, extortion, and humiliation of soldiers in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade by their commanders. The announcement comes after Ukrainska Pravda reported that the unit's officers have beaten service members, extorted money from them, and even tied one soldier to a wooden cross as a punishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Umerov ordered the ministry's main inspectorate to investigate Ukrainska Pravda's revelations, adding that such behavior would be "unacceptable in the third year of the war." "My position as a minister is clear: all those responsible must be punished." Defense Ministry spokesperson Dmytro Lazutkin said that the department had not received any reports of abuse of soldiers in the brigade. He described the commanders' alleged behavior as "shameful" and "contradicting the basic principles of building a modern Ukrainian army." At the same time, Lazutkin said these cases do not happen on a "massive" scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Ukrainian military consists of over a million service members. Various cases happen. We had no information about these cases," Lazutkin told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. In response to the media investigation, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi also ordered an inspection and suspended Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, the brigade commander. State prosecutors have initiated an investigation into a possible abuse of power by the unit's officers. Poberezhniuk was also charged with abuse of office after he allegedly had four of his subordinates help build his house in Khmelnytskyi Oblast in the fall of 2023. While performing the service for Poberezhniuk, the four service members received full salaries and combat payments and were officially listed in a working visit to Mykolaiv Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 211th Brigade, formed in August 2023, performs engineering work, builds defenses in the rear, and does not participate in direct combat. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the cases of abuse surfaced after the start of official checks in the spring of 2024. The outlet's sources named now-Captain Vladyslav Pastukh, Poborezhniuk's godson and the son of the unit's chief of staff, as one of the main perpetrators. The officer was said to have extorted money from soldiers on account of being related to the unit's most senior officers. Though Pastukh no longer serves in the unit, the media investigation identified almost a dozen cases of fathers and sons or husbands and wives serving together in the 211th Brigade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelations come as Ukraine faces mounting challenges in replenishing the ranks of its Armed Forces, facing low enlistment rates and even cases of desertion. Mykhailo Drapatyi, the new commander of the Ground Forces, recently announced wide-ranging reforms focusing on recruitment and training. Read also: As US pushes Kyiv to lower draft age, why wont Ukraine conscript younger men? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A DeKalb County man was indicted for manslaughter following an investigation into a 2023 overdose death. The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said that Brandon Lee Croft, 31, of Crossville, was indicted by a Dekalb County Grand Jury for manslaughter in the death of Zachary McClendon, who was also from Crossville. In March 2023, an investigation began after a man was found dead inside his home. DCSO said that McClendon was found unresponsive, and when officers and DAS arrived on scene McClendon was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon further investigation, authorities found that Croft had allegedly supplied McClendon with a lethal dose of heroin laced with fentanyl. The case was then presented to the grand jury which returned a manslaughter indictment. DCSO said that Croft was arrested and released on bond. The sheriffs office said that this is the first overdose death case in DeKalb County that resulted in an indictment where a person has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly supplying someone who died with drugs. The Dekalb County Investigations Unit, Rainsville Police Department, Dekalb County 9th Judicial District Attorneys Office and the East Metro Alabama Crime Center also assisted during the year-and-a-half-long investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are glad this indictment was handed down. This is an important step to holding those accountable that are giving this poison to our citizens, our family, and our friends. I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation and process for helping the family of the victim to be one step closer to closure. God Bless! DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. A woman who stowed away on a Delta flight from New York City to Paris last month has been apprehended again this time while trying to sneak into Canada. Svetlana Dali, 57, cut her ankle bracelet sometime Sunday and was stopped Monday on a Greyhound bus at the border in Buffalo when she could not show a passport, a source told the Daily News. She could be charged with bail jumping and face up to five years in federal prison, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dali, a Russian national and permanent U.S. resident, was previously charged with one count of being a stowaway on a vessel or aircraft without consent which also carries a possible five-year-sentence after hiding on a Paris-bound flight from JFK on Nov. 26. At that time, she slipped through a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, and the airlines boarding gate check, to get onto Delta Flight 264 to Charles de Gaulle Airport. According to the original criminal complaint, she hid among the crew from Air Europa and was screened by TSA. She then boarded the flight while the airlines agents were distracted helping other passengers, the feds say. Dali was originally set to return to the U.S. on Nov. 30 but she became unruly and started screaming, causing her return trip to be rescheduled. She was finally returned to the U.S. this month and arrested. Dali was released on a recognizance bond Dec. 6 with mandatory GPS monitoring and a curfew. She had also been ordered to stay out of airports, not leave the city of Philadelphia except to meet her lawyer, attend court or other pre-trial services in New York surrender travel documents, and receive mental health treatment. Dalis attorney, Michael Schneider, had argued she was not a flight risk. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office in Brooklyn declined to comment. By Nate Raymond (Reuters) - Democratic-led states that have vowed to challenge President-elect Donald Trump's initiatives will face a tough legal landscape after his first-term appointments reshaped the judiciary, not only giving the U.S. Supreme Court a conservative supermajority but also diluting liberal judges' influence on a key appeals court that often stymied his agenda. During the Republican's first term, Democratic state attorneys general brought 155 multistate lawsuits against his policies, notching an 83% success rate, according to a database maintained by Marquette University political scientist Paul Nolette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California, Washington and other Western states led the charge then and are preparing to do so again. The 23 states that will have Democratic attorneys general next year are reviewing Trump's campaign promises and laying the groundwork for legal challenges on issues such as immigration, the environment and healthcare. "We've thought about the legal arguments," California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, told Reuters. "We, in many cases, have briefs ready to file. Just got to cross the t's, dot the i's, and press print." Asked for comment on the potential litigation, Trump transition team spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement said Trump will serve all Americans, even those who did not vote for him, and "will unify the country through success." Bonta cited Trump's plan to deport millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally as a potential litigation target for California, home to more than 10 million immigrants. The California Department of Justice, which Bonta heads, would receive much of the $25 million in funding Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom requested this month for legal fights with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the lawsuits will proceed through a federal judiciary remade by Trump during his first four years in office by his near-record 234 judicial appointments, representing about a quarter of all judges, including three U.S. Supreme Court justices that gave it a 6-3 conservative supermajority. Trump's Supreme Court appointees have moved it dramatically rightward, issuing rulings that have overturned the nationwide right to abortion, expanded gun rights and limited the authority of government regulators. But the high court hears only a handful of cases each year. Before a case can reach the justices it must wind its way through lower courts, including federal appeals courts that often have the final say. Trump transformed those appeals courts as well by appointing 54 appellate judges. He flipped 19 seats previously held by Democratic appointees on intermediate courts after Senate Republicans opted to cease allowing senators to block appellate court nominees from their home states they did not support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIBERAL BASTION NO MORE? Key among the appeals courts during Trump's first term was the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, long considered the most liberal of the 12 regional appeals courts. Many cases challenging Trump's policies in his first administration ended up at the 9th Circuit after being initially filed in the Northern District of California, whose 14 active judges in San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland are all Democratic appointees and frequently issued injunctions at the request of Trump's opponents. The 9th Circuit is expected to again play host to litigation challenging Trump's agenda. Bonta declined to "telegraph or signal our strategy," but said he believed "the vast majority of the courts will provide us a fair hearing and we'll prevail." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in 2018 described the 9th Circuit as a "disgrace" as it issued a series of decisions rejecting key parts of his first-term agenda, including against his travel ban from six Muslim-majority countries and his bid to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that protects immigrants brought into the country illegally as children from deportation. But Trump in the meantime gained the chance to name 10 conservative judges to the 9th Circuit, which when he took office in 2017 had 18 Democratic appointees, seven Republican appointees and four vacancies. "President Trump transformed the once-out-of-whack, liberal 9th Circuit," said Mike Davis, a Trump ally at the advocacy group the Article III Project. Today, it has 16 Democratic appointees and 13 named by Republican presidents, a shift that has increased the frequency of conservatives dominating the randomly drawn panels that hear appeals in the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is more risk in going there," John Collins, a law professor at George Washington University, said of the 9th Circuit. "It's less of a sure thing." OTHER APPEALS COURTS Collins and other experts said that could shift the calculus for litigants looking to challenge the second Trump administration's policies, potentially leading them to look to other jurisdictions with more reliably liberal benches. Even if courts ultimately rule for the Trump administration, a thicket of lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions has the potential to cause delays and impede the swift implementation of Trump's agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative law professor Josh Blackman of the South Texas College of Law Houston said Democratic-led states seeking court victories would have better odds in the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, potentially by filing lawsuits first in Maryland, whose federal court is dominated by Democratic appointees. Democratic Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown recently said he was seeking additional funding for federal litigation to prepare for lawsuits whenever "the rights of Marylanders are being impaired," such as if the Trump administration seeks to restrict or ban abortion nationwide. The 4th Circuit hears appeals from Maryland's federal courts. Its Democratic majority during Trump's first term blocked his travel ban and in recent rulings upheld gun control laws and ruled against Republican-backed voting restrictions. Another alternative venue could be the federal court in Massachusetts, where the state's Democratic attorney general, Andrea Campbell, has signaled she is preparing for litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appeals from rulings by federal judges in that state go to the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the lone regional federal appeals court with no Trump appointees and a majority of Democratic-picked judges. A spokesperson for Campbell called Massachusetts "an important venue for potential violations of the law," adding it had "experienced thoughtful judges in federal court." (Reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Alistair Bell) WASHINGTON Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia on Tuesday defeated Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York in the race to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee as rank-and-file lawmakers favored a more senior member of the partys caucus to take on the second Trump administration rather than a young progressive star. In a closed-door Democratic caucus meeting, the secret-ballot vote was 131 to 84, according to a lawmaker in the room. After the vote, Connolly told reporters the most capable candidate won. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. Again, I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by whos got experience, whos seasoned, who can be trusted, whos capable and whos got a record of productivity. I think that prevailed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connolly said hes ready to take on a Trump administration despite his recent health issues. President-elect Donald Trump, Connolly added, may feel more "emboldened," but that could make him more "reckless." "There is a law in this land, and were going to make sure its enforced, he said. Ocasio-Cortez wrote Tuesday on the social media site Bluesky: "Tried my best. Sorry I couldnt pull it through everyone we live to fight another day." The House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is closely aligned with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., backed Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez in a 34 to 27 vote Monday, a source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The position opened up after the top Democrat on Oversight, Jamie Raskin of Maryland, challenged Jerry Nadler of New York for a similar post on the Judiciary Committee, prompting Nadler to bow out. The full Democratic caucus also ratified other steering panel recommendations Tuesday. Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota was elected the top Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, beating Rep. Jim Costa of California, the second-most-senior member of the panel. Monday in the steering committee, she secured 34 votes and beat out her two rivals on the first ballot Costa got 22 votes, and David Scott of Georgia, who has held the top agriculture job since 2021, got just five. For the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, the steering committee recommended Jared Huffman of California over the more junior Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico. The vote was 44 to 17. Stansbury dropped out of the race, and the full caucus elected Huffman to the post Tuesday. The races for committee ranking member posts had been seen as a litmus test about the future of seniority in the Democratic Party as younger lawmakers clamored for new blood and generational change in the leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this weeks results yielded a mixed bag on that question. Connolly, 74, is a senior member of the Oversight Committee and was first elected to Congress in 2008. Even though he announced last month he had been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus, he beat back a challenge from Ocasio-Cortez, 35, the progressive hero who was first elected in 2018. The more senior Democrat also won the steering committees endorsement in the Natural Resources race. Huffman, 60, who was elected in 2012 and would be the second-most-senior Democrat on the committee next year, bested Stansbury, 45, a relatively junior member of the committee who won a special election in 2021. With Huffmans ascension to ranking member, Natural Resources will have a younger Democratic leader than in the past. Earlier, Huffman launched a surprise challenge to Raul Grijalva of Arizona, 76, who was elected to Congress in 2002 and had been the committees top Democrat since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the Agriculture race, the younger insurgent prevailed. Craig, 52, a Democratic Frontliner and one of the panels least senior members, knocked off the incumbent, Scott, 79, who was first elected in 1982 and had been suffering from health issues for years, and another senior member, Costa, 72, a third-generation farmer who was next in line in seniority after Scott. Im ready to help us win back rural Americans and with them a strong Democratic majority, Craig said after the vote. At the same time, a number of senior Democrats who lead other committees didn't face any challenges and will keep their coveted jobs in the next Congress. Maxine Waters of California, 86, won another two years as top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, while Gregory Meeks of New York, 71, will stay on as top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, 76, will remain ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Nydia Velazquez of New York, 71, will keep her job as top Democrat on the Small Business Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Democrats will remain in the minority in the new Congress that begins in January, the party committee leaders would wield enormous oversight power should Democrats retake control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz on Tuesday shut down rumors that he could sign onto Donald Trumps upcoming presidential administration. A Monday CNN report had said that Moskowitz was a favorite to become the president-elects pick to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which would have made him the highest-ranking Democrat in Trumps administration. Moskowitz has now made it clear, though, that he isnt interested in holding that title. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election, he wrote on X. Its an honor to serve the people of Floridas 23rd district. To be clear, nothing was ever offered, he added in a separate post. Three unnamed sources with knowledge of Trumps thinking on administration picks had told CNN that Moskowitz was in the mix. Representatives for Trumps transition team did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment on the situation. Moskowitz was previously Floridas director of emergency management. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Despite being a Democrat, Moskowitz had aligned himself with Republicans in the past and had extensive experience in disaster management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For two years he was Floridas director of emergency management under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, leading the states response to Hurricane Michael in 2018 and the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020. His bio on X dubs himself a Master of Disaster. Moskowitz has also signaled support for one of Trumps top allies, billionaire Elon Musk. He was the first Democrat to publicly pledge to sign onto the House caucus for the Department of Government Efficiency, the thus-unofficial agency Trump invented for Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead. Accor, a hospitality group, has signed an agreement with FC Elimai to introduce an ibis hotel in Semey, Kazakhstan. The 100-room establishment is expected to open in 2027. The hotel's design will be influenced by the Agora concept of ibis, which was created by Austrian design team, Innocad. The ibis Semey will boast social areas, a restaurant and bar, and a fitness centre. To cater to the needs of business travellers and local events, the hotel will also feature flexible meeting spaces. The property is strategically located near the Irtysh River, with easy access to the Semey International Airport. This latest venture is part of Accors growth strategy within Kazakhstan, where the group already operates 13 properties under various brands. Guests at ibis Semey will have the opportunity to join ALL, Accor's lifestyle loyalty programme that offers a suite of rewards, services, and experiences. Accor New East Europe chief operating officer Alexis Delaroff said: Kazakhstan offers a great mixture of culture, history and natural landscapes, which is attracting more travellers domestically and internationally. Semey is an important cultural and educational hub in Kazakhstan, and it is the perfect addition to further expand our presence in the country with another world-recognised brand. Launched in 1974, ibis operates more than 1,200 hotels across 70 countries and currently has more than 130 projects underway. Earlier in December 2024, Accor groups Movenpick Hotels & Resorts launched its new property in Waad Al Shamal, which is claimed to be the first five-star hotel in Saudi Arabias northern region. Also in December, Accor Groups Movenpick Hotels & Resorts opened a new property in Waad Al Shamal, claimed to be the first five-star hotel in Saudi Arabia's northern region. "Accor signs agreement to open ibis Hotel in Kazakhstans Semey " was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. More than 20 Democratic senators introduced an amendment Monday evening to remove language from Congress massive defense spending bill that seeks to ban coverage of gender-affirming care for transgender children of service members, the office of Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., told NBC News. The 1,800-page National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, passed the House last week by a vote of 281-140, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting yes, and 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting no. The $895 billion bill authorizes the annual budget for the Defense Department and sets defense policies for the upcoming year. The group of 21 senators, led by Baldwin who will be the Senates sole LGBTQ member in the new term is seeking to remove a provision tucked into the bill that would prohibit medical treatment for military dependents under the age of 18 who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria under the militarys health care program, Tricare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be clear: were talking about parents who are in uniform serving our country who have earned the right to make the best decisions for their families. I trust our servicemembers and their doctors to make the best healthcare decisions for their kids, not politicians, Baldwin said in a statement. Our amendment would protect military families right to make their own decisions and access sometimes lifesaving care for their children. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., pushed publicly and behind the scenes for the provision to be added into the defense spending bill, which was negotiated by senior House and Senate leaders from both parties. In a statement following the House vote last week, Johnson said the legislation prioritizes military lethality, not radical woke ideology. This legislation permanently bans transgender treatment for minors, prohibits critical race theory in military academies, ends the DEI bureaucracy, and combats antisemitism. If the amendment remains in the NDAA, it would mark one of the first times Congress passed a federal statute directed at trans people. President Joe Biden will either sign or veto the bill if it passes the Senate, which is scheduled to vote on it this week before leaving Washington for the rest of the year; the NDAA must pass before Jan. 1. A media release shared with NBC News by Baldwins office said if the transgender health care provision survives, it could affect 6,000 to 7,000 children of U.S. service members. Modern Military Association of America, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ members of the military and veterans, estimates that there are roughly 10,000 trans youths between 6 and 22 with parents who are active military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Congress has repeatedly quarreled over the rights of transgender people, who make up just 0.5% of all Americans above age 18, according to the Williams Institute. With the election of Congress first transgender member, Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, D- Del., House Republicans have introduced a measure to bar trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identities in the Capitol complex. Some Democrats have also been fighting with one another over whether the partys stance on trans rights played a role in Vice President Kamala Harris election loss. The amendment to remove the trans health provision from the defense was co-sponsored by Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon, Cory Booker and Andy Kim of New Jersey, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Alex Padilla of California, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, according to a statement from Baldwins office. Speaking on the Senate floor Monday night, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he hopes the upper chamber can find a path to pass an NDAA as soon as tomorrow. This years NDAA is not a perfect bill, but it nonetheless has some very good things that Democrats fought hard for that will strengthen military families and boost tech innovation here at home, something very important to me, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer didnt mention the transgender health care provision specifically, but he added that the bill has some bad provisions Democrats would not have included. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (AP) House Democrats on Tuesday picked 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly to lead the party next year atop an influential congressional committee, pushing aside growing calls for generational change in leadership ahead of a second term for Donald Trump. In a closed-door meeting, the majority of the caucus voted for Connolly to be the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee over 35-year-old Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who campaigned on calls to pass the torch to younger leaders. Connolly has seniority on the committee, having served on it for 16 years. The vote was 131-84. I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by whos got experience, who is seasoned, who can be trusted, whos capable and whos got a record of productivity and I think that prevailed, Connolly told reporters after the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Virginia Democrat on Monday had won the endorsement of a Democratic panel that makes recommendation for committee assignments. But Ocasio-Cortez and her allies had said the initial vote was close enough to keep her in the race and try again at Tuesday's caucus-wide meeting. In a brief statement on social media, Ocasio-Cortez wrote: Tried my best. Sorry I couldnt pull it through everyone we live to fight another day. Rep. Annie Kuster, the chair of the New Democratic coalition, said some of her members, who come from swing districts and tend to vote moderately, had concerns about Ocasio-Cortez supporting primaries against other Democrats, even though she pledged not to do that in the closed-door session this week. I think there are members that very much want this generational change but I think, members who had only been here a couple of terms gave them pause," Kuster said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez's loss comes as several other younger Democrats won the ranking spots on committees, pushing out more senior members. It's all part of a generational struggle in the party that has grown more urgent following Democrat's electoral defeat last month that handed Republicans complete control of Washington come January. I think were all starting to realize that we cant do things exactly the way weve always done them here in the Democratic Party, said Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who was selected to be the top Democrat on Agriculture after beating out two more senior members for the role. Rep. Jared Huffman, 60, who was successful in edging out the 74-year-old incumbent to become top Democrat on Natural Resources, said that his and Craig's victories represent a healthy generation transition. But, this is a team, and its a multi-generational team, so were not pushing out these other more senior members, Huffman told reporters after he won. We welcome them. They have incredible value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ranking member position on the Oversight committee is now held by Rep. Jamie Raskin, but the Maryland Democrat relinquished the position to seek another prominent post, as top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. The Oversight and Judiciary panels have traditionally been among the most high-profile in Congress, which means both positions will service as prominent foils to Trump and the Republican majority in the House. Connolly had unsuccessfully run for the Oversight role twice before. He was facing concerns from colleagues over his recent cancer diagnosis. He defended his health status Monday, according to Rep. Don Beyer, one of the Democrats who nominated him for the post. Gerry pointed out that theres many people in the room who are cancer survivors, and there was a bunch of heads nodding, Beyer told reporters. His chemo has gone really well and no surgery has been necessary. Kuster added, Connolly was very clear, telling colleagues if he doesnt have the capacity, if he will step down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of Connolly's allies, including himself, denied that this race was about a generational challenge in the Democratic party, but pointed to who is more experienced and ready to lead the party on some of the most urgent issues facing the country. __ An earlier version of this story misstated the committee roles for Angie Craig and Jared Huffman. Craig was selected to be the top Democrat on Agriculture. Huffman became the top Democrat on Natural Resources. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Today marked another step toward the future of the performing arts at Missouri State University. What is normally referred to on campus as the Art Annex will be no more, paving the way for the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex. In 2026, sometime late spring, or summer, were going to have a very special dedication ceremony when the site becomes the new Judith Enyeart Reynolds Performing Arts Complex, and that is thanks to a very special gift from the C.W. Titus Foundation and Tim Reynolds, Brent Dunn, Executive Director of the Missouri State Foundation said. Also to our friends in the General Assembly, because this was a match. We had to have this gift first, but our friends in the General Assembly matched this gift to make this project possible, and so we thank them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say that the donation gift from Tim Reynolds and the C.W. Titus Foundation was around $17.5 million. Dunn says the idea for the complex came during a walk through the Arts Park, also named after Judith Reynolds. It was just a walk in the park when the idea for this project came up, said Dunn. It was Shawn Wahl, the dean of the college, Tim Reynolds, and we were just taking a walk in the afternoon, actually looking at the John Goodman Amphitheater. The construction was in progress there, and that conversation and the little walk in the park ultimately turned into a big idea and boom, this project started. Illinois man takes 10,000th ride on Outlaw Run Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawn Wahl, the Dean of the Reynolds College of Art, Social Sciences and Humanities says the new performing arts complex is Phase Three of a performing arts overhaul that included the new Ellis Hall that opened in 2017 and the John Goodman Amphitheater that opened in 2022. Today we are celebrating phase three, Wahl said. The complex will include new acting and dance studios, a modernized black box theater space, a new scene shop that will extend to the site of Craig Hall and overall significant renovation of Craig Hall and so much more. MSU President Richard Biff Williams says its not the only construction project in the works. As of this morning, theres 212 construction projects that total $245 million in contracts. The momentum is definitely on our campus, Williams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfields annual Christmas parade makes its way downtown At the end of the remarks, Williams addressed Reynolds and others efforts to help push MSU into the future. On behalf of Missouri State University, I want to express my and our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication not only to Missouri State University but also to our students, Williams said. Reynolds was brought on stage to speak shortly before the ceremonial demolition began. Im really excited about whats going on here. I think this is just great, and I am the luckiest guy in the world that I have the ability to do these things and to make a difference, Reynolds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is expected to be completed in the summer 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Denmark released anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from detention on Tuesday and said it had rejected a Japanese request to extradite him over criminal charges dating back more than a decade. US-Canadian Watson, 74, founder of the Sea Shepherd conservationist group and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, was released in Greenlands capital Nuuk, police in the autonomous Danish territory said. Watson was apprehended when his ship docked in Greenland in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im certainly relieved, especially since it allows me to get home to my children before Christmas, Paul Watson told Reuters after his release on Tuesday. I havent seen my children since June. But the support here in Greenland has been incredible, he said, adding that he had received more than 4,000 letters of support, including around a dozen from supporters in Japan. Denmarks justice ministry said it had based its decision on an overall assessment, including the age of the case and in particular an uncertainty over whether time spent in Greenland detention could be deducted from any final sentence in Japan. Based on correspondence with the Japanese authorities on this matter, the Ministry of Justice believes that it cannot be assumed with the necessary certainty that this will be the case, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan had issued an international warrant for Watsons arrest, seeking him on charges of breaking into a Japanese vessel in the Antarctic Ocean in 2010, obstructing its business and causing injury as well as property damage. A spokesperson for Japans embassy in Copenhagen declined to comment. Japans foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Watsons lawyer Julie Stage said she was satisfied with the decision. We think it has taken a long time, but the most important thing is that it ends with the right decision, she said. Watson has had strong support in France, where he has lived with his family since 2023, with a campaign for his release enlisting the support of French President Emmanuel Macron and actress Brigitte Bardot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamya Essemlali, the head of Sea Shepherd France, who has visited Watson in detention in Greenland, said the news had taken her by surprise. When I got the news, I mean, I could hardly think, honestly. I just rushed into my clothes and rushed to the prison. I think I still dont realize really that hes out, she said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Tom Little, Louise Rasmussen and Isabelle Yr Carlsson COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Denmark released anti-whaling activist Paul Watson from detention on Tuesday and said it had rejected a Japanese request to extradite him over criminal charges dating back more than a decade. U.S.-Canadian Watson, 74, founder of the Sea Shepherd conservationist group and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, was released in Greenland's capital Nuuk, police in the autonomous Danish territory said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson was apprehended when his ship docked in Greenland in July. "I'm certainly relieved, especially since it allows me to get home to my children before Christmas," Paul Watson told Reuters after his release on Tuesday. "I haven't seen my children since June. But the support here in Greenland has been incredible," he said, adding that he had received more than 4,000 letters of support, including around a dozen from supporters in Japan. Denmark's justice ministry said it had based its decision on an overall assessment, including the age of the case and in particular an uncertainty over whether time spent in Greenland detention could be deducted from any final sentence in Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on correspondence with the Japanese authorities on this matter, the Ministry of Justice believes that it cannot be assumed with the necessary certainty that this will be the case," Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in a statement. Japan had issued an international warrant for Watson's arrest, seeking him on charges of breaking into a Japanese vessel in the Antarctic Ocean in 2010, obstructing its business and causing injury as well as property damage. Japanese government's top spokesperson said on Wednesday that the nation had received the notification of Denmark's decision on Watson. "We regret that the Danish government has not accepted our extradition request and we have conveyed this to the Danish side," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said. He added that the nation would continue to respond appropriately based on the law and evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson's lawyer Julie Stage said she was satisfied with the decision. "We think it has taken a long time, but the most important thing is that it ends with the right decision," she said. Watson has had strong support in France, where he has lived with his family since 2023, with a campaign for his release enlisting the support of French President Emmanuel Macron and actress Brigitte Bardot. Lamya Essemlali, the head of Sea Shepherd France, who has visited Watson in detention in Greenland, said the news had taken her by surprise. "When I got the news, I mean, I could hardly think, honestly. I just rushed into my clothes and rushed to the prison. I think I still don't realise really that he's out," she said. (Reporting by Tom Little, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen; Additional reporting by Kaori Kaneko and Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by Terje Solsvik, Jan Harvey, Mark Porter and Michael Perry) Canadian-US environmentalist and anti-whaling campaigner Paul Watson will not be deported to Japan to face trial for obstructing one of its whaling ships in 2010, the Danish Justice Ministry has decided. Watson, 74, would be allowed to leave custody in Greenland to travel to his family in France, his lawyer Julie Stage told the Ritzau news agency on Tuesday. Greenland police said he had been released earlier in the day. Watson was arrested on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by Japan in the port of Nuuk in the Danish autonomous territory after arriving on board the John Paul DeJoria in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His detention was repeatedly extended. While Greenland is autonomous, the final decision lay with the Danish Justice Ministry. One of the world's best known anti-whaling activists, Watson's confrontational methods have divided conservationists. Some see him as a hero, while others reject his radical approach. He has drawn anger from various whaling nations, including Japan in particular. Originally a member of Greenpeace, Watson went on to found the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The Japanese authorities issued an international arrest warrant following an incident involving a Japanese whaler in the Antarctic in 2010. He is accused of damaging the whaler and disrupting its work. Watson rejects the allegations. His lawyers say they are a pretext used to get at him for publishing Japanese infringements of whaling agreements. There have been calls and demonstrations for his release around the world. DENVER (KDVR) On Monday night, the Denver City Council voted 11 to one to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. This ordinance would include bans on e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, vapes and other flavored nicotine and tobacco products. It was a lengthy meeting for council members, as they had 34 community members signed up to speak on both sides of the aisle. Supporters were wearing red, and those opposed had donned yellow shirts with the words, Stop the Menthol Ban! Save our Stores and Jobs! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver marks 2 years since migrant crisis began as activists see work left to be done One woman who spoke during the hearing said shes known people who were personally affected by vape and nicotine products. The earliest memory I have of my father is an image of him smoking Pall Mall cigarettes, she said. Smoking was his only way of coping with how to live day to day. Those for the ban said this is all about making it more difficult for teens and young adults to get their hands on these products. Nicotine, as a drug regardless of its delivery mechanism, drives repeated use and dependence, much like cocaine and heroin, another speaker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, tobacco and vape shop owners, who showed up in droves outside the Denver City Council, said the ordinance only serves to punish those who abide by the law and dont sell to underage users. You can go up the street, maybe not even five minutes, and get your vapes or get whatever they would need, said Manraj Singh, owner of All in One. It just puts money out of our pocket into another city down the road. Local law enforcement increase staffing for holiday drunk driving incidents Singh said a ban of this magnitude could destroy small local businesses. I actually talked to my uncle today from Golden whos actually also seeing the flavor ban and his sales are down 30%, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Carothers, who retired from the Chicago Police Department after more than 30 years of service, attended the meeting and said bans as a whole do not work. The only way you could ever create change is to change the way people think about an item, and banning it, saying, No, you cant have it, wont do it, he said. Carothers added that criminalizing something like this wont help if there is no one to enforce it. Every single major city in this country is short on officers, he said. Im chasing drugs over here, burglarizing over here, but I got a kid with some vapes. Let me get him. Just before nine oclock, council members voted to pass the ban in the city of Denver. Denver now joins seven other Colorado cities that have restricted or prohibited flavored tobacco product sales, including Aspen, Boulder, Carbondale, Edgewater, Glenwood Springs, Golden and Snowmass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. DENVER (KDVR) Sunday was two years since Denvers mayor made an emergency declaration in response to a massive influx of migrants into the city in a short time. Since then, the city says things are much better, but activists told FOX31 there is more work to do. Tenants of troubled Aurora apartment complex worry about looming closure On Dec. 15, 2022, then-mayor Michael Hancock declared a state of emergency due to hundreds of migrants entering the city in a single week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt the first bus, said Jon Ewing with the Denver mayors office. It was, then there was a second bus and then there was a third bus and then there was a fourth bus. Ewing said the city felt unprepared. No one knew where it was gonna end up, where it was gonna go, he said. Those arrivals reached a peak late last year, hitting 6,000 arrivals in a single month. In January of this year, 5,000 people were in the citys shelters at one time. But the city said arrivals have drastically lowered in recent months thanks to help from the Biden administration. We havent received a bus from Texas since early June, said Ewing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its lone remaining migrant shelter, Mullen House, just shut its doors. Denver consolidates cold weather shelter plan, migrant services Amy Beck, a migrant activist with Together Denver, said the shelter closures havent helped, with migrants now looking elsewhere for aid. Youll find that a lot of the shelters are full of migrants as well as our existing unhoused community, said Beck. She said the homeless shelters cant handle the extra stress. We dont have the bandwidth in our shelter system to accommodate all of them, said Beck. Beck said that finding jobs is still the biggest hurdle for migrants looking to afford housing and suggests the city offers volunteer opportunities to help get them that experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar So that they get integrated, they get out and meet people, she said. But with two years of the migrant crisis behind it, Ewing said the city is now better prepared for the next two. Weve learned from things, he said. Weve learned from the things we wish wed done better, weve learned from the things that caught us by surprise. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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) A Denver Police Department officer was sentenced Monday to community service and probation for allegedly striking a juvenile suspect in 2023. According to the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office, Dat Truong was charged in January with a Class 1 misdemeanor of harassment for striking a juvenile who was reportedly in police custody at the time after an arrest near Interstate 225 and Colfax Avenue. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denver Police Department issued a statement in January, noting that Truong was placed in a non-patrol assignment on Nov. 6, 2023, as the investigation began. The department said Truong will remain in that role while the case progresses through the courts. Its unclear what might change with his employment now that Truong has been sentenced. Truong was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and will be on probation for nine months. He began with the Denver Police Department in 2014 and most recently worked in the Special Operations Division, according to the agency. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. The American mall, a once-dominant force in consumer culture, is dramatically transforming. As the retail landscape shifts with department stores closing and e-commerce booming, developers are finding new life for aging properties by turning them into vibrant mixed-use communities. A growing number of malls are incorporating residential units, with apartments and townhomes sprouting alongside the remaining retail stores. The trend, driven by a severe housing shortage nationwide, is breathing new life into struggling shopping centers and creating walkable amenity-rich neighborhoods. Don't Miss: Amy Henion, a 33-year-old graphic designer, moved into The Arcade Mall in Providence, Rhode Island, two years ago. The oldest indoor shopping mall in the country, The Arcade has 48 microunits on the second and third floors. Henion provided a tour of her 250-square-foot apartment on TikTok. "It's cool to be part of such a historic building and knowing that every single one of these units used to be a shop of some kind," Henion told CNBC. "You have access to amenities that you don't get if you're just living in a home in a suburb, like if I want to get my hair cut, I can walk downstairs and get my hair cut. If I want to pick up lunch, I don't even have to leave the building, even if the weather outside is awful." See Also: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing you can become an investor for $0.80 per share today. The Macerich Co. (NYSE:MAC), a real estate investment trust that owns 45 million square feet of real estate, is redeveloping the FlatIron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, Colorado, to include housing. "The mall is becoming cool again," Macerich Vice President of Development Jacob Knudsen told CNBC. "So being able to live by it, work by it, play by it, go to restaurants by it, we're definitely seeing this as a trend." According to real estate consulting firm Realogic, as of January 2022, at least 192 U.S. malls were planning to add housing units. Since the start of the pandemic, at least 33 malls have already completed apartment construction projects. MOTTVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies in St. Joseph County say a man is in custody after leading them on a chase that extended into Cass County and ended in a crash. It happened just before 1 a.m. Monday in the area of Hebron Road and N. River Road in Mottville Township, according to the St. Joseph County Sheriffs Office. Deputies say they tried to stop a vehicle for a motor vehicle violation, but it fled west into Cass County, sparking a chase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the vehicle crashed on Birch Road near Chapel Hill Street, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies say a 37-year-old man from Constantine was taken into custody and jailed for fleeing and eluding police, operating with a suspended license and felony and misdemeanor warrants. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Florida is moving ahead with a program aimed at increasing access to dental care for some Florida veterans. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday gave the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs approval to publish a proposed rule that, if not challenged or substantively changed, will set guidelines for the new Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. Bob Asztalos, executive director of the agency, told the Florida Phoenix that once published the rules will take about six weeks to be finalized if not challenged. Thereafter, the state will accept dental grant applications for two months, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rules require that the grant funds be allocated based on geographic distribution of the of the states veteran population. That means the state will seek to select one or more eligible nonprofit organizations with experience in providing dental care to veterans based on their geographic service area or their demonstrated abilities to provide dental care to the required areas of Florida, the rule notes. The agency will work with its direct support foundation, a nonprofit that provides dental care, and a dentist to award the grants. Smile its been funded The Florida Legislature created the program in 2023 to help increase Florida veterans access to dental care. According to a staff analysis of the 2023 law, just 15% of veterans are eligible to access dental services through the VA. In the National Survey of Veterans, 41% of veterans described their oral health as fair or poor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the program was created in 2023, the funds necessary to make it a reality werent appropriated by lawmakers until the following year, when the Legislature included $1 million in the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. To qualify for the program, veterans must live in Florida, earn $45,180 or less annually, and present their military discharge papers. The governor and Cabinet approved the rules without debate or even discussion during a brief teleconference Cabinet meeting Tuesday morning. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Screenshot from the Florida Channel of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Panama City on Dec. 17, 2024. When Hillsborough County Democratic state Rep. Susan Valdes flipped and joined the Republican Party of Florida last week, she became the 86th Republican in the Florida House of Representatives against just 34 Democrats a record margin of superiority celebrated by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday. I remember two years ago we generated supermajorities in the Florida Legislature, he said while addressing a crowd at Callaway Elementary School in Panama City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people said that was just a high-water [mark] and we actually added a seat in the Florida House and then we had someone switch over, so the supermajority is the biggest its ever been. Republicans have never had a supermajority this big in the Florida House. And in the Senate, we maintained the same supermajority [at 28-12]. Those remarks were the governors only comments about politics in one of his first public appearances in Florida since last months general election. He came to the Panhandle to celebrate the news that an additional 176 schools had earned what is known as the Purple Star School of Distinction for going above and beyond to meet the needs of military families. The Legislature established the distinction in 2021. Florida recently bypassed California to become the state with the second most military veterans (more than 1.3 million) in the country, surpassed only by Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The criteria for a school qualifying as a Purple Star School include having: A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Dec. 17, 1944, the U.S. Armys Western Defense Command rescinded orders to incarcerate people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast during World War II; more than 110,000 men, women and children of Japanese ancestry, about two-thirds of whom were American citizens, had been forced into camps and held by armed guards following a February 1942 executive order by President Franklin Roosevelt. Per historical accounts, after the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military during World War II, Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 9066, resulting in the rounding up of 120,000 people of Japanese descent from Americas West Coast. The majority were American citizens who had never been to Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ten camps would imprison Japanese Americans, in Utah, California, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho and Arkansas. As many as 11,000 were sent to the Topaz internment camp in north central Utah. Topaz, the Japanese internment camp which held over 8,000 internees for about three years, shown here in 1943. | , Utah State Historical Society Those years were difficult for Americans of Japanese descent, as well as German and Italian Americans. Now, 80 years later, a timeline of decisions surrounding Executive Order 9066 shows the challenges facing leaders in wartime, but also the overwhelming fear and heartache that Japanese Americans faced every day. On Dec. 17, Public Proclamation No. 21 was issued, lifting the West Coast exclusion orders and restoring the right of Japanese Americans to return to their former communities. The proclamation went into effect on Jan. 2, 1945, and it took a couple more years for all the camps to be closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1988, President Ronald Regan issued a formal apology, signing legislation that paid $20,000 in compensation to the surviving victims of the internment camps. Many Utahns carry the personal memories of those days, from all sides of the war. It might be easy to judge the headlines and photos and worries of the day through current political and social lenses, but the scrutiny helps Americans improve and overcome. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about that point in time in Utah, across the West and around the world: Never again using memories of Japanese internment to build a better future Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 things you may not know about Japanese-American internment in Utah Stories of Japanese internment camp recovered A last note for the trumpeters father At 84, Star Trek actor George Takei is still on a mission Topaz survivors, descendants honor man killed at camp after discovery of old monument Japanese Americans urged to share internment story Three widows of Japanese American soldiers who gave their life for their country and their Japanese American sons and relatives in the Topaz Japanese internment camp. | Photo Courtesy of Ted Nagata Feb. 19 ceremony marks Japanese internment Efforts to preserve history of internment camp recognized by lawmakers The investigation into a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday that left three dead, including the suspect, continued Tuesday. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday the shooting was reported to 911 by a second grade teacher. Previously, he had said a second grade student called 911. Officers, including some who were doing active-shooter training nearby, responded within minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student at the school, was identified as the suspect late Monday. Barnes said she died on the way to the hospital from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Another student and a teacher were also killed. Two students remained in critical condition Tuesday while three other students and a teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The victims have not been identified. Barnes said they believed Rupnow had been at school earlier in the day and there was no indication a breach had occurred. The shooting occurred in a study hall, not a classroom or hallway. It remains unclear what grade Rupnow who also went by Samantha was in, Barnes said. The chief has also dismissed rumors the shooter was transgender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think that whatever happened today has anything to do with how she or he or they may have wanted to identify, he said. Rupnow had no prior criminal history, Barnes said. A motive for the shooting and how she obtained the handgun used in the shooting were still under investigation. A combination of factors motivated the shooting, Barnes said Tuesday without getting into specifics. He added that investigators have asked students if bullying was an issue at the school. A handgun was discovered at the scene. Federal investigators are assisting in tracing the weapons origin. Parents of suspected school shooters have faced criminal charges in multiple instances in recent years. Barnes said several times Monday and Tuesday that the suspects family was cooperating with investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been made aware of a manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter thats been posted by someone who alleged to be her friend, Barnes told CNN on Tuesday. We havent been able to locate that person yet, but thats something were going to work on today. Well also be looking through her effects, if she had a computer or cellphone, to see if there are any transmissions between her and someone else. However, later on Tuesday, Barnes said nothing had been confirmed. Again, we are working to authenticate the document that you see online that some are referring to as a manifesto. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway similarly urged patience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is so much that we do not know and we have to allow law enforcement the time and space for a careful and methodical examination, she said. We dont know nearly enough yet. According to reform advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, fewer than 5% of school shooters are female. The school was scheduled to begin holiday break next week and its unknown when classes will resume. Abundant Life Christian School is non-denominational and has about 420 students in grades K-12. The shooting occurred less than two weeks after a man with a history of mental health issues opened fire on playing children at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Oroville, California. Two boys were seriously wounded before the shooter turned the gun on himself. _____ Robocalls spreading inaccurate voting information throughout Detroit ahead of the 2020 presidential election remain at the heart of an ongoing criminal case after the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Friday two prosecutions can proceed. The ultimate outcome of the four-year-old case drags on though, as questions around the government's ability to limit free speech prompted Michigan's highest court earlier this year to create an entirely new rule to use when judging whether such calls or other future campaign rhetoric are illegal. On Friday, the appellate court ruled 2-1 the criminal proceedings against Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman may proceed. The two judges in the majority used the new rule created by the Michigan Supreme Court in June to decide the conduct cleared the high legal bar necessary for prosecutors to proceed with their criminal case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the contentious 2020 election, the pair distributed robocalls throughout Detroit and other cities with large Black populations. The calls falsely stated people requesting an absentee ballot would provide private information to the government that would be used to collect debts, serve warrants and forcibly administer vaccines. The office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed multiple charges against the pair ahead of the 2020 election, arguing the robocalls they funded and distributed intentionally attempted to dissuade voters. The felony charges carry the possibility of years in prison. The pair has denied criminal conduct in Michigan, arguing they have free speech rights. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel thanked the Michigan Court of Appeals for their decision, arguing the pair of right-wing agents clearly violated state law aimed at deterring election interference. More: What the Michigan Senate, House are passing as 'lame duck' winds down More: Michigan Senate adopts plan to crack down on price gouging during emergencies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her majority opinion, Judge Anica Letica determined the case met all three prongs of the new high court test: the language in the robocalls was intentionally false, it relates to "voting requirements or procedures, and it was designed to "deter or influence an electors vote. Appellate Court Judge James Robert Redford dissented. He believed the calls did not specifically relate to voting requirements or procedures, so they failed to meet the high standard created by the Michigan Supreme Court. Nessel heralded Friday's decision. Voter intimidation infringes upon the fundamental right to vote, Nessel said in a statement. I am grateful the Court of Appeals saw this conduct for what it wasa gross misrepresentation of voting procedures meant to scare voters from participating in our elections. We look forward to continuing with the criminal case and bringing this matter to trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wohl and Burkman have pleaded not guilty. On Monday, lawyer Scott Grabel said his clients will likely appeal the recent court ruling, noting the dissenting opinion appeared to agree with their argument. "I dont believe the robocall, as distasteful as it may be, involved anything involving voting procedure," Grabel said. "Obviously Im pretty disappointed. I disagree with the majority, but like every other (opinion), I respect it." Wohl and Burkman face comparable charges in other states, where cases have already concluded with more than $1 million in fines and a guilty plea in Ohio; they were required to spend 500 hours registering people to vote, according to NPR. But in Michigan, questions about the law used to charge the men prompted substantial judicial review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, in June a majority of the Michigan Supreme Court decided a portion of the law crafted to regulate election interference was unconstitutionally broad. Instead of ditching the law entirely, the court created the three-prong test and told the appeals court to determine whether prosecutors met this new burden in their cases against Wohl and Burkman. Grabel said the fact the high court created a new rule could help their case: how could his clients know whether they were in violation of a rule that did not exist at the time they distributed the robocalls? He also said the dissenting opinion was promising, although he acknowledged it's hard to predict how the Michigan Supreme Court would rule. They have roughly two months to determine if they want to appeal. If they do, it would send the case back to the state court, to decide if they agree with the appellate court that prosecutors met all three components of the new test. If the pair do not appeal, in theory the case would head to trial in Detroit. Reach Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com and on X @Dave_Boucher1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit robocall criminal case from 2020 can proceed, appeals court rules A committee tasked with reviewing applications for tax increment financing gave its blessing on Monday to provide $3 million in assistance to a proposal to renovate and reopen the landmark Gold Dome as a concert venue. Mike Brown, president of Kismet Koncerts, told the Classen TIF Committee his $10 million redevelopment will preserve as much of the building as possible while turning it into a venue for up to 2,500 people. Browns presentation cautioned the proposed redevelopment is more than likely the last effort to save this building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A project like this needs help, Brown said. This is something that needs to be saved. This building is so unique. There have been offices, there have been restaurants, there was a massage place. There is a litany of things attempted to go in there that didnt work out for this space and use. The TIF request will be reviewed Tuesday by the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust. The request will then be submitted for introduction to the Oklahoma City Council on Jan. 14 with a final vote on Jan. 28. More: Iconic OKC Gold Dome may get new life as music venue through TIF funding Brown said he initially looked at acquiring the egg-shaped First Christian Church at NW 36 and Walker Avenue and was surprised when it was torn down without notice in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went a ways down the road with First Christian, and that was a shame, Brown said. Brown previously pitched a similar plan for the Gold Dome when he was president of TempleLive. He is now president of Tulsa-based Kismet Koncerts, which owns and operates several venues, including The Odeon in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Crown Uptown Theater in Wichita, Kansas. Conversion of second floor office space to balcony concert suites is shown in this conceptual rendering of proposed redevelopment of the Gold Dome. Brown said his estimate on revenues from the conversion is conservative and based on just 65 concerts a year with no bookings for weddings and special events. Much of the renovation will be focused on the interior, including conversion of the second floor offices into balcony suites. Replacement of electrical wiring and plumbing will be needed after theft of such materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exterior improvements, meanwhile, will be limited to cosmetic improvements. "The building, overall, is structurally sound," Brown said, adding "it will always be a gold dome." For the TIF district, base value for properties within its boundaries are frozen for up to 25 years. During that time, landowners in the district pay taxes based on the frozen base value, and that revenue goes toward the county, schools, libraries, the local health department and MetroTech. Meanwhile, if improvements are made to infrastructure in the district, that development will have a higher value and pay more taxes. The tax increment difference between the actual property value and the frozen property value is what funds the TIF. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TIF framework allows the city to use that portion of property taxes generated within the district to reinvest in its infrastructure and provide incentives for private investment. A TIFs purpose is to drive higher property values, increase property tax revenue, and promote economic development and job creation in the district. The use of tax increment financing for the Gold Dome will be based on payments based on a minimum $120,000 in annual property tax payments and a profit-sharing agreement with the city. Brown has not yet contracted with an engineer on the project but instead based estimated costs on a building permit filed by Natural Grocers in 2016 before it abandoned plans to buy the property and turn it into a market. What is the history of Oklahoma City's "Gold Dome?" When the Gold Dome was built at NW 23 and Classen in 1958, the two-story building with the familiar round anodized aluminum geodesic roof was touted by Citizens Bank as the bank of tomorrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the late 1990s, however, the property had seen a series of bank tenants either fail or be acquired by larger bank chains. It was then targeted for demolition by then-owner Bank One, which was planning to sell the corner to Walgreens. Community protests saved the building, but did not lead to a thorough renovation or a secure future for the property. Current owner Johnathan Russell told The Oklahoman in prior interviews that further damage was done during an aborted renovation by TEEMCO, a company that painted the dome gold and changed the exterior walls from gold to silver with permission from the city planning departments design commission. Russell bought the building in 2015 promising to do all he could to not let the landmark be destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor David Holt, who presided at the meeting, told fellow committee members the new Classen TIF District was created in hopes of ending years of uncertainty for the property, which has been repeatedly threatened with demolition. This building is generally why these TIFs exist, Holt said. This is a way to channel the political will a community has to save a privately owned building. TIFs have served that purpose well. Holt added that, as with downtowns First National Center, the focus is not on the use of the building but rather on the building itself. We are subject to the proposals that come to us from the private sector, Holt said. It has to work for the private sector, it has to work for the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holt praised Russell for protecting the Gold Dome and not selling it to buyers wanting to destroy the landmark to make way for new development. Not once have they submitted a demolition permit, Holt said. Brown said he understands why the property, located at a major intersection of NW 23, Classen Boulevard and Western Avenue, is attractive to those wishing to tear it down. "This is not the highest and best use for the site," Brown said. "If you ask the owner and the previous owner, they would say it shouldn't stay. It should be retail, a hotel and restaurants." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: TIF funding could be last chance to save iconic Gold Dome in OKC Midtown Renaissance Group is seeking tax increment financing assistance to build a 309-space garage that would provide parking for the future home of Palomar and respond to ongoing growth of the Midtown neighborhood. The development group, led by Bob Howard, Mickey Clagg and Chris Fleming, donated the land for construction of the MAPS 4-funded Palomar, a nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. A committee formed to oversee a recently created Classen Tax Increment Financing District recommended on Monday the citys Economic Development Trust and city council approve $1.9 million to assist in the construction cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kenton Tsoodle, president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, said the project proposal includes a loan from a separate tax increment financing district for downtown. It will still be a privately funded parking garage, but it will also have 130 spaces to service for Palomar, Tsoodle said. This is really a philanthropic effort, a public-private partnership to help provide parking for Palomar and also set the stage for future development. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts Fleming said the effort to create Palomar started a decade ago, followed by the formation of the nonprofit in 2017. The nonprofit was given an at-cost temporary home in a 28,000-square-foot office building that was built in 1949 and was purchased by the development group with the intention of tearing it down to make way for future development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We made a deal with Palomar at the time where their rent would be what would cover the operating expense, Fleming said. That equates to about $4.50 a square foot. We also provide them with free parking. This building was always intended to be a temporary home where they could prove out the idea, and they certainly did. The future home for Palomar, a family justice center that assists victims of domestic violence, is set to be built along Hudson Avenue between NW 11 and NW 12 in Midtown. What to know about the new Palmar building, services The $42 million new Palomar building was approved by voters as part of MAPS 4, and will allow the nonprofit to expand its services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking and children exposed to trauma. The building will include space for 24-hour victim assistance, therapy and trauma treatment, acute medical services, child services and education, a food pantry and other wrap-around services. Construction of the new Palomar building is set to begin next year across the street from the current location at NW 11 and Hudson Avenue. The garage will be built next to the new Palomar building and will include a secured parking area for Palomar clients who sometimes arrive fleeing from domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The garage proposal provides Palomar with 130 free spaces for 30 years with five-year renewal options to follow. Fleming said construction is likely to start in mid-2025 and will be completed before the opening of the new Palomar building. The remainder of the parking will be available for public use and includes enough spaces for growth in Midtown. Future development is expected to include the space where Palomars current home sits. Its a building where the useful life is pretty much used up, Fleming said. There is a lot of capital maintenance. Unless another Palomar type user comes up, we will probably demolish it. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Palomar family justice center to get 130 spaces in proposed new garage Former state Rep. Edward Acevedos testimony in the Michael Madigan corruption trial on Tuesday was testy from the moment a prosecutor said Good morning. Good morning. Can you hear me? Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu asked Acevedo, a former Chicago police officer and one of Madigans floor leaders in the House. Are you talking to me? Acevedo asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am, Bhachu shot back. Did you bring your glasses today, sir? Acevedo said he did, and held them up for Bhachu to see. Congratulations, Bhachu said. By reminding Acevedo of his failure to bring his glasses to court the day before which drew the ire of the judge Bhachu began his spiky and rapid-fire questioning of a complicated witness as the trial inched closer to an end. Prosecutors had in fact been expected to rest their case in chief Tuesday afternoon, after Acevedo left the stand and they presented a handful of remaining witnesses and wiretaps. Instead, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sent jurors home for the day at about 2:30 p.m., telling them only that he had some legal matters to attend to. Bhachu later told the judge they had some homework to do, but the attorneys said nothing in court about the reason for the sudden change of plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The focus lingered on Acevedo for much of Tuesday, though he was on the stand relatively briefly, testifying for only an hour altogether between Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning. Its unclear how much his testimony helped the prosecutions case, if at all. Acevedo has been diagnosed with dementia and a brain tumor, and his testimony, which was scattershot at best, is sure to be framed by the defense as unreliable. Other witnesses were called Tuesday to contradict some of Acevedos claims or confirm that he had previously told authorities something different than what he said on the stand. In the end, prosecutors were able to strengthen allegations that Acevedo was paid a lot of money over the years for doing little or no work and show jurors he committed tax fraud by hiding income from the IRS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acevedo, 61, a Chicago Democrat, is central to allegations that AT&T Illinois and Commonwealth Edison funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars in do-nothing consulting contracts to Acevedo and other Madigan loyalists in return for the speakers help with legislation in Springfield. Prosecutors allege Acevedo was paid a total of $142,500 by AT&T and ComEd after retiring from the Illinois House in 2017, even though he was not expected to do much of anything for the money. On Tuesday, Bhachu asked Acevedo whether he told the FBI in September 2019 that Madigans chief counsel, Heather Wier Vaught, had called him a few weeks earlier and asked if he had an attorney. Acevedo told Bhachu he couldnt remember Wier Vaught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhachu also asked Acevedo about his grand jury testimony, where he was asked if he provided any oral report to AT&T governmental affairs officer Stephen Selcke after they hired him in 2017. His answer then: I dont remember that. On Monday, however, he told the jury he had informed Selcke verbally about the status of the Latino caucus in the Illinois General Assembly. Bhachu also asked about another statement in the grand jury, where Acevedo said he talked to an AT&T lobbyist, Michael Lieteau, in person, often at the rail where lobbyists hang out in the Capitol. I told you, I talked to him about things that were happening in the Latino community, Acevedo said in the grand jury. He also told the grand jury he talked to AT&T about donating to a scholarship fund for needy kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bhachu finished by asking about Acevedos sons, Michael and Alex, who like Acevedo were each convicted of tax charges as part of the Madigan investigation. And you were upset about that as well? Bhachu asked. Yes, any father would be, Acevedo said. Bhachu finished his line of questioning after only about 20 minutes. In sharp contract to the aggressive and fast-paced questions from prosecutors, defense attorneys took a much softer tack with Acevedo in cross-examination Tuesday. Jurors did not hear about Acevedos dementia diagnosis until Madigan attorney Daniel Collins asked him about it, and Acevedo responded that he no longer takes care of his own bills or organizes his own medications his son takes care of that for him. Sometimes, Acevedo testified, he has trouble remembering the names of his grandchildren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Acevedo, are you confident in your memory as you testify to it today? McClain attorney Patrick Cotter asked. No sir, Acevedo answered, and then began to choke up. Thats one reason it hurts me so much when you ask me about my grandkids names. It hurts me so much that I cant remember their names. On further questioning from Cotter, Acevedo testified that he never asked anyone for a no-show job. His sons also did some work for AT&T, he testified, and when he was getting paid by AT&T he believed he was acting in conjunction with his sons. We worked as a team, Acevedo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Directly after Acevedo left the stand, prosecutors called Michael Lieteau, who worked as a lobbyist for AT&T, to testify that he did not ever recall asking Acevedo questions at the rail. Any work that he was performing for AT&T, I was not aware, Lieteau said. Lieteau also recalled that in Acevedos time as a state representative he saw Acevedo drink heavily after hours, occasionally falling off barstools and insulting people. I think he did not have a very good reputation in the General Assembly, Lieteau said, noting that he would not have wanted to hire Acevedo as a consultant or lobbyist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later Tuesday, FBI Special Agent Kyle Scherrer testified Acevedo told agents in a September 2019 interview hed met with Madigan before retiring from the House about assistance getting outside work, and the speaker nodded at the ask and said Mmmhmm, Mmmhmm. Scherrer also testified he searched a flood of subpoenaed records from AT&T and ComEd and did not find any evidence of work product from Acevedo. Prosecutors fought hard to get Acevedo in the courtroom. Hed initially invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify, but the U.S. attorneys office secured a grant of immunity that compels him to take the stand. He cannot be prosecuted for anything he says under oath, as long as his testimony is truthful, according to the agreement. Acevedos attorney Gabrielle Sansonetti then argued strenuously that Acevedos dementia diagnosis means he is not competent to testify reliably. After extensive hearings last week, including an in-chambers interview at Blakey questioned Acevedo himself, the judge determined that Acevedo could take the stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acevedo answered questions directly Monday and mostly with one- or two-word answers. At one point when asked to look at his grand jury transcript, Acevedo said he couldnt read it and had forgotten his glasses. He seemed to be squinting even after prosecutors enlarged the document on the screen. Acevedos testimony marked the first time hes taken the witness stand in a Madigan-related trial. He has not been charged in Madigans case, but he pleaded guilty to related tax charges and was sentenced in 2022 to six months in prison. His sons also were convicted of tax charges related to the money Acevedo took in through his consulting firm. Despite his conviction, Acevedo is still receiving a monthly state pension benefit of about $5,200, and is scheduled for an increase in July to about $5,350. He is also drawing a $381 monthly pension from the city from his time as a patrolman. Toward the end of his testimony Monday, Acevedo was asked about his conviction and whether he harbored any animosity toward the government over it. You were upset by the fact you were charged by the government, werent you? Bhachu asked. Acevedo answered, Yes. Acevedo testified that as he neared retirement, he asked McClain to ask Madigan for help getting work as a lobbyist, and met with the speaker about it on several occasions. He said Madigan assured him hed help get him work with AT&T or ComEd. I was also asking anyone who would listen, Acevedo said. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise. Both Madigan and McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. Besides the alleged AT&T and ComEd schemes, they are accused of trying to use Madigans government power to get business for his private property tax law firm, including one matter involving the possible development of a parking lot in Chinatown. Prosecutors ended the shortened trial day Tuesday by playing what likely will be the last wiretapped recordings the jury will hear as part of the governments case in chief. The first recording dated to May 10, 2018, when Madigan and McClain briefly discussed Acevedos ongoing search for more business. Um, you were saying that gaming companies may be in the market to hire people and, uh, Eddie Acevedo was in to see me looking for work, Madigan said. McClain responded, OK. Thats all I got, Madigan said. A week later, Madigan and McClain had another phone call where they discussed AT&Ts small cell legislation. Madigan told McClain there was a proposed amendment that could have walked back gains the company had made with the bill that passed earlier that spring. When Madigan asked McClain if he was familiar with the situation, McClain said, the small cell bill that you directed me to help them pass it last year, which I did do. Yeah, yeah, yeah, Madigan said. Its all about whether these governments can put charges on these companies and put the money into their general account. The call was the only recording involving the indictments alleged AT&T-related scheme, which took place the year before the FBI started wiretapping McClains phone. After some discussion about the small cell issues, Madigan asked, Mike, there was a matter with some property in Chinatown. Do you know where that is? jmeisner@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Ever wonder what New Mexico looked like before dinosaurs roamed the earth? Local paleontologists have been studying fossils and renovating a new space at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science to bring visitors a first-hand look at the prehistoric southwest. This week, the museums Curator of Paleontology, Dr. Spencer Lucas, joins Chris and Gabby to talk about their latest exhibit Ancient Life, painting a picture of some never-before-seen collections and creatures thatll soon be on display. Dr. Lucas describes what scientists believe New Mexicos landscape looked like millions of years ago. If we talk like from about 400 to 500 million [years ago], there was a sea, various seas that only went maybe as far north as Truth or Consequences, explained Dr. Lucas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So north of that, New Mexico was dry land. In the earlier part of that interval, 500-400, we dont think much was living on land. And by that, I mean globally, said Dr. Lucas. By about 400 million [years ago], the first forests appeared, he added. And you have to remember at this time, New Mexico is virtually at sea level. Part of it is below sea level in the southern part of the state. Learn about the scientific history paleontologists like Dr. Lucas have been studying, and more about what the public can expect to see at the museum in the full discussion above. The beauty of this exhibit is were gonna teach you about 250 million years of New Mexico history in 3,000 square feet, Dr. Lucas said. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download new episodes of the New Mexico News Insiders every Tuesday, starting around 5:30 a.m., Mountain time. Episodes are available on most podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean, among others. You can now watch our podcasts in video form both on-air or online. Tune in to an abbreviated version of the New Mexico News Insiders podcast on broadcast television every Wednesday at 10:35 p.m. on Fox New Mexico. Full video episodes are posted on KRQEs YouTube page at youtube.com/krqenews13. Having trouble finding the show? Try searching your favorite podcast player with the term KRQE or New Mexico News Insiders (without the quotes). You can also use the links above to find the podcast on each service or listen to the audio player at the top of this post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for who should be interviewed on the podcast, let us know! Email your hosts at chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. HONOLULU (KHON2) A hearing in the Dixie Villa case was postponed and will be heard in January. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Villas attorney said prosecutors provided evidence after closing arguments but the prosecution said they were in the process of turning over the evidence to the defense when the jury returned a verdict. Babysitter Dixie Villa found guilty for manslaughter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That evidence apparently claimed that the babys mother lied during her testimony. Prosecutors said nothing would have changed the outcome. Villa, the babys babysitter, was found guilty of manslaughter for giving Abigail Lobisch a fatal dose of Benadryl in 2019 when she was 7-months-old. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Police in Canada's capital city say they have identified the suspect in a fatal stabbing that happened almost three decades ago. The suspect, a man from Vancouver, British Columbia, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after advanced DNA testing helped authorities link him to the crime. Lawrence Diehl, now 73, is accused of killing 22-year-old Christopher Smith on April 12, 1996, according to Ottawa Police. Smith was stabbed to death on the Portage Bridge, which connects Ottawa, the Canadian capital, to Gatineau in the neighboring province of Quebec. "Advances in forensics and DNA have allowed police to identify the perpetrator and the matter is now before the court," Ottawa Police said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diehl was arrested in Vancouver on December 10, police said. Investigators returned the suspect to Ottawa within the week, and he made his first appearance in court over the weekend. Multiple law enforcement agencies from across Canada worked since 2020 to solve Smith's cold case, including the national police force. Diel was identified through investigative genetic genealogy, where scientists and investigators use a combination of genetic testing and genealogy research to build a family tree for the individual whose sample is being evaluated. Christopher Smith / Credit: DNA Solves/Othram Inc. In Smith's case, scientists used genome sequencing to build a DNA profile for the murder suspect, according to Othram Inc., a labratory that specializes in forensic genetic genealogy to assist law enforcement. Otram's findings allowed police working the case to develop new leads and pursue a renewed investigation, which culminated in Diehl's identification. Diehl's arrest marked the closure of Ottawa Police's oldest cold case, and the first time the department used genetic genealogy to solve a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By bringing these charges, the Ottawa Police Service demonstrates once again that we will never stop working for victims of crime and their loved ones," said Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs in a statement. "We will continue to embrace innovative techniques to solve cases, and I commend the members of our Homicide Unit for ensuring that no case is ever forgotten, and no effort is spared." Stubbs said police have connected with Smith's family to inform them of the new developments in his case. Investigators have asked anyone to contact the Ottawa Police Service's homicide unit with information about Diehl and time in Ottawa, as detectives learned he was there for work-related reasons at the time of the murder. Hermes and the success of the coveted Birkin bag | 60 Minutes School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say Fake nudes created by AI "nudify" sites are causing real harm, victims say | 60 Minutes Dec. 16WASHINGTON, D.C. A proposed federal project aimed at providing funding for future electric transmission lines across the state of Kansas has been dropped, the Department of Energy announced by email Friday. The Midwest Plains National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC), one of 10 electronic pathways announced last February by the DOE affecting grid transmissions across the country, on Monday was reduced to three in an announcement by the DOE. The Midwest Plains Corridor, designed as a five-mile wide, 780 mile long tract for future electronic development, was one of seven such pathways removed, the DOE announced. As proposed, the corridor would have stretched from its origin in Ford County diagonally across Kansas and the states of Missouri and Illinois, with a terminus at the Indiana border. In Kansas, the Corridor would have impacted landowners in 14 counties, including the Golden Belt area counties of Pawnee, Barton and Russell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its initial announcement as a preliminary DOE project received little notice until late spring at the close of a 45-day DOE comment period, landowners along the route fearful of the prospect of eminent domain began meeting with their county commissioners along the project route. A meeting hosted by Pawnee County Commissioners which drew more than 500 residents to the Larned Community Center on Aug. 15 was also attended by members of Sen. Roger Marshall's office. A similar meeting was scheduled for Aug. 20 at the Great Bend Events Center, hosted by the Barton County Commissioners, that was also attended by Russell County officials and residents. An October joint meeting hosted by commissioners of Pawnee, Barton and Russell Counties resulted in the creation of a joint resolution protesting the corridor proposal. While the meetings were attended by members of Sen. Marshall's staff, the senator was not personally present. Elected officials weigh in In his Monday announcement of the removal of the Midwest Plains Corridor from consideration by the DOE, Sen. Marshall noted that his office "took Kansans' feedback and amplified their concerns directly to the DOE. "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. 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. As soon as we heard of this project, we immediately went to the DOE and fought back; we are glad to report that we won this battle, and Kansan's voices were heard at the highest levels." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barton County Commission chairman Barb Esfeld was quick to praise the efforts of all local officials and residents involved. "It just goes to show that any time we pull together, work together for the same common good that we can't go wrong," she said Monday morning. The DOE also emailed it was dropping the Delta Plains NIETC Corridor, a 645-mile transmission path running from Oklahoma to Arkansas, Oklahoma legislators reported Friday. The Grain Belt Express Meanwhile, plans for Invenergy's $7 billion Grain Belt Express transmission line, which utilizes the same route through Kansas, continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an announcement Nov. 26, GBE noted it had agreed to a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee loan from the DOE's Loan Programs Office, of up to $4.9 billion in principal and interest to construct Phase 1 of a two-phase project through the state, running from Ford County to Callaway County, Mo. In a September release GBE noted that its "primary objective in seeking NIETC designation is to unlock federal financing options that can help us maintain competitive energy rates for consumers." Intended to connect three regional grids, the line's route impacts roughly the same 14 counties in Kansas. Earlier, GBE noted it favored a reduction of the 5-mile corridor width to a half-mile either side of the transmission line footprint. GBE reported in October that it had received 97% of its required landowner easement commitments for construction in the state. DOLTON, Ill. Monday marked a victory for a candidate hoping to oust Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard in next years election after an ally of the embattled south suburban politician withdrew an objection seeking to remove that candidate from the ballot. Henyard ally Demarkus Criggley, who was formerly employed by the village, filed an objection that sought to remove Casundra Hopson-Jordan, a member of the Rebuilding Dolton Party, from the ballot. Election attorney Perry Abbasi, who represented Hopson-Jordan and DNasha Lee Harrison a candidate running for trustee who also faced objection by Henyards ally said the petition cited outdated election law about needing a full slate to run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about democracy, and its about hypocrisy, Abbasi said. Tiffany Henyards power struggle takes a twist Abbasi said Hopson-Jordan and Harrison had close to 1,000 signatures from voters in Dolton that wanted to see them on the ballot. At a hearing Monday, Criggley withdrew his objection to both nominations, a move unopposed by the village electoral board, which unanimously accepted. Due to a conflict of interest, Henyard and Senior Trustee Jason House, also running for mayor, were not allowed to preside over the objection to Hopson-Jordan. Two members of the public were appointed by the Chief Judge of Cook County in their place. Both were expected to preside over the matter of Harrisons case, but Henyard was a no-show, and House participated by phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Henyard and House will battle it out to earn the Democratic nomination for mayor, and Hopson-Jordan will be on the general election ballot against the winner. Im glad the challenge period has concluded so that residents can be informed of their options in the upcoming election, House shared in a statement with WGN News. He added, I am proud of the work that Clerk Key, Trustees Belcher, Norwood, Tammie Brown and I have accomplished to serve the people of Dolton. Together, we have focused on building a stronger, more united community, and we remain committed to addressing the needs and priorities of our residents. As this campaign moves forward, I am asking the voters to support our team and our vision for a brighter future for Dolton. We are ready to continue working tirelessly to make Dolton a place where everyone can thrive. Hopson-Jordan said she is looking to bring a new era of leadership to Dolton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont really think they take this serious. Its a big game to them and I dont think they understand that the more confusion and more back and forth that we do, no one suffers but the people of the village, said Hopson-Jordan. Not long after Criggley filed the now-dropped objections, the attorney for Henyard, who serves as Thornton Township Supervisor, filed a lawsuit claiming she was illegally blocked from participating in the Democratic Caucus slating meeting. It was quickly dropped and re-filed, removing Dixmoors mayor as Henyards co-plaintiff. The latest developments in the village are just another layer in the ongoing saga in the south suburb facing a financial deficit in the millions. Henyard remains under federal investigation and has come under scrutiny after WGN Investigates reporting has revealed lavish trips taken on the dime of taxpayers. Its sickening to me. Ive been out here 33 years and never experienced anything like whats happening here, said Darrell Lathan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many residents say the ongoing drama is a distraction from the issues facing Doltons residents. WGN Investigates: Investigating public corruption, crime & fraud The real business isnt being done because of all of this nonsense, said Lathan. We need some action; somebody thats actually gonna do their job, how about that, somebody thats actually going to work for the people, not themselves and have pictures all over the place. We dont need that. WGN News has reached out to the attorney representing Criggley for a statement on Mondays developments. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WEBSTER, Wis. (WFRV) Authorities in Wisconsin are investigating a situation in which a domestic incident Monday evening turned into an officer-involved shooting. According to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), officers from the St. Croix Tribal Police Department responded at 5:55 p.m. to a home on the 24000 block of Eagle Feather Drive in the Town of Webster for reports of a domestic incident. Upon arriving, officials say they encountered a man with a knife which eventually led to one officer firing their gun at the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police: Man arrested after loaded gun is found in parking lot of a Wisconsin high school The man was flown to a Minnesota hospital where he still remains and no one else was hurt during the incident. The involved officers were said to be wearing body cameras during the incident and, per agency policy, have been placed on administrative leave. At this time, an investigation into the incident remains ongoing and the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) will turn over any findings to the Burnett County District Attorneys Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Community members are angry and disappointed after the St. Paris Village Council voted to get rid of their police department Monday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, community members are wondering how long it will take first responders to arrive during an emergency. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Village of St. Paris Mayor Susan Price proposed that the village dissolve its police department and enter a community policing plan with the Champaign County Sheriffs Office in November. Village leaders said this plan would help them save money. Over a month later, a decision has been made. Theyre not listening the people want the police, and they dont care, St. Paris resident Linda Wright said. Council members were tied three to three on the vote, forcing Mayor Price to make the final decision. Ultimately, the council voted to get rid of the police department. Wright was one of the many community members who didnt think this decision was fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were hoping that it wasnt going to be this, because at the last meeting, they decided not to. There were too many people that said no, Linda said. News Center 7 talked to Mayor Price about her decision. She said money forced the village to start talking about the police departments future. The village spent over $400,000 on the police department this year, according to Price. The police department is anywhere between 45% to 55% of our general fund, she said. Price said the Champaign County Sheriffs Office responded to about 950 calls in St. Paris last year. Between October and the first part of December, the sheriffs office responded to about 100 calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre all great guys, but theres not enough. Theres not enough to cover all of Champaign County, and theres not enough to cover St. Paris, resident John Wright said. Community members said they would start a petition after the decision was made. Thats what America is all about. People vote, not them, the people. Theyre representing us, Linda said. As previously reported by News Center 7, the village put police chief Eric Smith on leave over the summer and the departments only officer quit in September. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEW JERSEY (PIX11) The FBI on Monday delivered a warning to the public: dont shoot guns or point lasers at mysterious drones in the sky. Pilots of manned aircraft are increasingly being hit in the eyes with lasers because people on the ground think they see a drone, according to the FBIs field office in Newark, New Jersey. The FBI is also concerned that people might shoot a gun at a manned aircraft after mistaking it for a drone. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only is this act against the law, but it poses an incredible danger to the pilots and passengers on those aircraft, said Nelson Delgado, the acting special agent in charge of the FBIs field office in Newark. The warning comes following a large number of reports of mysterious drones flying over New Jersey and across the northeast in recent weeks. On Monday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said there is little to no evidence of suspicious activity related to drones at this time. Federal authorities have also said that there is no evidence of foreign involvement with the drones. New Jersey recently received three new drone detection systems from the federal government that are being deployed near sensitive assets and critical infrastructure, according to Murphy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want folks to know that we are on it, that we are on it 24/7, that weve got the most sophisticated systems that weve got experts who run those systems. And I have confidence that we will get the facts here, Murphy said. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than six years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Lara Trump (from Lara Trumps Facebook page) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Gov. Ron DeSantis during a press conference on Aug. 22, 2024, in Titusville. (Screenshot from Florida Channel) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. President-elect Donald Trump has made good on his threat to sue the Des Moines Register over a poll that showed him trailing Kamala Harris. In a complaint filed Monday night in Iowa, Trump accused pollster Ann Selzer of deliberately releasing a fake poll for the purpose of manufacturing support for Harris. The Selzer poll showed Harris leading Trump in Iowa by three points. Three days later, Trump won the state by 13 points. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pollsters such as Selzer and news organizations such as DMR and Gannett, are responsible for accurately representing the truth of events, not distorting polls to try and falsely make their preferred candidate appear to be in the lead, the lawsuit states. Due to Defendants actions, the public could not discern who was truly leading in the Iowa Presidential race and, as a result, were, or could have been, badly deceived into thinking that Harris was leading the race. In response, Des Moines Register spokeswoman Lark-Marie Anton said the suit is without merit. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Anton said. We stand by our reporting on the matter and will vigorously defend our First Amendment rights. During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, Trump said he would file a major lawsuit against the newspaper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my opinion it was fraud and it was election interference, he said. Shes a very good pollster. She knows what she was doing. Selzer retired from election polling last month, and has said she is at a loss to explain the 16-point miss. Trump sued the Des Moines Register under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which protects consumers from deceptive business practices. Trumps lawyer, Edward Andrew Paltzik, also sued CBS in October over a 60 Minutes interview with Harris, which Trump alleged was deceptively edited. That suit similarly alleged a violation of the Texas consumer fraud statute. Paltzik alleges in the new lawsuit that Trump and other consumers were badly deceived and misled as to the actual position of the respective candidates in the Iowa Presidential race. As a result, he alleges that Trump and his campaign were forced to divert enormous campaign and financial resources to Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS is seeking to throw out the 60 Minutes case on the grounds that the Texas consumer fraud statute does not apply to editorial decisions protected by the First Amendment. CBSs lawyers argued that courts across the country recognize a critical distinction between, on the one hand, commercial speech subject to regulatory regimes like the [Texas law], and, on the other hand, political or editorial speech. Trump is also suing Bob Woodward for publishing audio recordings of his interviews with Trump for the book Rage. Among other things, that suit claims a violation of Floridas deceptive trade practices law, which Woodwards lawyers argue does not apply to expressive speech. Trump scored a significant win in his legal war against the media on Saturday, when ABC News agreed to contribute $15 million to his presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit. In that case, George Stephanopoulos stated on air that Trump had been found liable for rape, though the jurys verdict held him liable only for sexual abuse. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President-elect Donald Trump filed suit Monday night against the Des Moines Register newspaper and veteran Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer over a pre-election poll that showed Vice President Kamala Harris beating Trump in a state he easily carried just days later. Trump is alleging the Nov. 2 poll that had Harris 3 percentage points ahead of him amounted to brazen election interference and contained leaked and manipulated data. Filed in Polk County, Iowa, under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, the lawsuit seeks an order preventing Selzer from releasing any further deceptive polls as well as unspecified damages. Trumps lawyers, in a filing first reported by Fox News Digital, accused the defendants and their cohorts in the Democrat Party of hoping the Harris Poll would create a false narrative of inevitability for Harris in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect had teased possible legal action against the newspaper and pollster during a press conference Monday, where he labeled the polls publication a fraud while also praising Selzer for her past accurate surveys. Trumps lawsuit names as defendants the Register; its parent company, Gannett, which owns USA Today; and Selzer and her polling firm, Selzer & Company. Selzer did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday, but the Register defended its decision to publish the outlier poll. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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 this lawsuit is without merit, Des Moines Register spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said in a statement. This weeks legal action is the latest escalation of the president-elects battle against the news media as he gears up to return to the White House. Last month, Trump sued CBS over its 60 Minutes interview with Harris, alleging the sit-down was edited to portray her more positively. ABC News over the weekend reached a $15 million settlement with Trump over his defamation suit against the network and anchor George Stephanopoulos. ABC will also pay $1 million toward Trumps legal fees and issue an apology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps Iowa suit, if successful, could have a chilling effect on the polling industry, though experts are skeptical that it will succeed. I dont expect this lawsuit to go anywhere, election law expert Rick Hasan of the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law wrote Monday night. The final Iowa Poll, from a pollster who had long been considered the first-in-the-nation presidential caucus states gold standard, sharply deviated from the election outcome in the traditionally red state. Selzer last week vehemently denied tweaking her data to sway the election. Theyre saying that this was election interference, which is a crime. So, the idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when Ive never done that before Ive had plenty of opportunities to do it its not my ethic, she said. The suit accuses Selzer, who has shared polling crosstabs and other data undergirding the results, and the newspaper of orchestrating the polls outcome to benefit Harris who ultimately lost every swing state and the popular vote to Trump. Trumps lawyers claimed that left-wing pollsters have attempted to influence electoral outcomes through manipulated polls that have unacceptable error rates and are not grounded in widely accepted polling methodologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they took specific aim at Selzer: As Selzer knows, this type of manipulation creates a narrative of inevitability for Democrat candidates, increases enthusiasm among Democrats, compels Republicans to divert campaign time and money to areas in which they are ahead, and deceives the public into believing that Democrat candidates are performing better than they really are. Related... Donald Trump has filed his lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register and Gannett, claiming they engaged in election interference with a poll published just before the election showing that Kamala Harris was ahead in the state by three points. Trumps lawsuit, filed in Polk County, claims fraud and violation of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, according to FoxNews.com, which first reported that the lawsuit was filed late Monday. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won the state by more than 13 percentage points, but he has attacked Selzer since then. Polls are snapshots of a particular moment during a campaign, and Selzer and the Des Moines Register have done extensive post-mortems on their methodology and whether the poll failed to capture late deciders. Selzer has denied that the poll was an intentional effort to impact the election results. Lark-Marie Anton, spokesperson for the Register, said in a statement, We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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 this lawsuit is without merit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, though, has a long history of suing news organizations, even with lawsuits that have been quickly dismissed. On Monday, following ABCs agreement to settle his lawsuit against the network over comments made by George Stephanopoulos, Trump vowed to file more litigation, including the lawsuit over the Iowa poll, telling reporters, We have to straighten out the press. As part of the settlement, ABC agreed to contribute $15 million to Trumps presidential foundation and library, as well as to pay $1 million in legal fees. The settlement was decried as caving to Trump in a case where, at least on its surface, the network had a good defense. Trump sued because Stephanopoulos said that a jury had found him liable for rape in the defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. In fact, the jury found Trump liable for sexual assault. The judge in the case, though, said that the jurys decision was that they found that Trump raped her in the sense of that term broader than the New York Penal Law definition. Trump has repeatedly railed about pre-election polls that showed him losing, believing that the data impacts the actual results of the election. Even after his election victory, he stewed over the Selzer poll, and called for an investigation. But hes also determined to also tie up media outlets with litigation, even those likely to be tossed out amid First Amendment challenges. The strategy is to chill reporters and media companies who dont want the hassle of being dragged into court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont expect this lawsuit to go anywhere, wrote Rick Hasen, UCLA professor, on his ElectionLaw blog. Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said, This absurd lawsuit is a direct assault on the First Amendment. Newspapers and polling firms are not engaged in deceptive practices just because they publish stories and poll results President-elect Donald Trump doesnt like. Getting a poll wrong is not election interference or fraud. Just before the election, Trump sued CBS News over the way it edited a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, even though he was not a part of the program or even the subject of the answer she gave on the program. Trump claimed that the network violated Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, which is typically used in false advertising claims. Plaintiffs attempt to punish Defendants for their editorial judgments is barred by the First Amendment, CBS News attorneys said in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps lawsuit, per Fox News.com, claims that consumers were badly deceived and misled as to the actual position of the respective candidates in the Iowa Presidential race. Trump claims that the poll forced his campaign to spend additional resources to defend Iowa. Because the Defendants conduct was willful and wanton, President Trump is also entitled to statutory damages three times the actual damages suffered, the lawsuit stated. In an interview with an Iowa public television station last week, Selzer 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. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President-elect Donald Trump is coming to Arizona to make his first rally-style speech after winning back the White House. Trump will be the keynote speaker Sunday morning at the AmericaFest conference in downtown Phoenix, his transition team announced Tuesday. The annual conference is put on by the Arizona-based conservative groups Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action, which bolstered Trumps get-out-the-vote organization during the 2024 election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly honored that President Trump will deliver his first rally-style speech since the election at AmFest 2024 in Phoenix, Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action President Charlie Kirk said in a written statement. Trump is set to deliver remarks at 10:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Convention Center. The president-elect asked organizers to call the event a Tribute to Arizona, Kirk said, noting Trumps margin of victory in the state last month. Trump won battleground Arizona on his way back to the White House, after narrowly losing it to President Joe Biden in 2020. The four-day AmericaFest conference begins Thursday. The event will feature appearances by a number of prominent members of the GOP, such as incoming Trump border czar Tom Homan, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, House Speaker Mike Johnson and the president-elects son, Donald Trump Jr., are also expected to attend. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Donald Trump is coming to Arizona on Sunday. Here's where he will be President-elect Donald Trump's felony conviction will stand for now, a New York judge ruled on Monday, Dec. 16. The Supreme Court's sweeping presidential immunity ruling in July called Trump's guilty verdict on 34 felonies into question, as his lawyers argued that some evidence shown to jurors would no longer be permitted because it involved his official actions as president. Prosecutors, meanwhile, asserted that the evidence in question was only a "sliver of the mountains" of proof in their case and would not have impacted jurors' ultimate conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Monday's long-awaited ruling, Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan determined that the Supreme Court's new guidance on presidential immunity does not apply to whether Trump can be held accountable for falsifying business records. Related: Donald Trump Seeks to Overturn New York Conviction After Supreme Court's Immunity Ruling ANGELA WEISS/POOL/AFP via Getty Former President Donald Trump attends the first day of his Manhattan criminal trial on April 15, 2024 Former President Donald Trump attends the first day of his Manhattan criminal trial on April 15, 2024 Trump spent six-plus weeks on trial in the spring, as prosecutors painted a portrait of a former reality TV star who unlawfully tilted the 2016 presidential election in his favor by conspiring with powerful friends to suppress information from voters. Jurors were presented with a wealth of hard evidence and exhaustive witness testimony to support the charges. On May 30, a jury of seven men and five women unanimously sided with the prosecution, finding Trump guilty of falsifying 34 business records to conceal a plot to influence the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conviction made him the first United States president in history to be found guilty of crimes. Related: Donald Trump Spreads Misinformation About His Jury Selection Process to Cement 'Witch Hunt' Narrative Shannon Stapleton-Pool/Getty Donald Trump sits for closing arguments of a civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on Jan. 11, 2024 Donald Trump sits for closing arguments of a civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on Jan. 11, 2024 During the trial, prosecutors introduced testimony from a couple of White House aides who worked with Trump. They also showed jurors a 2018 presidential financial disclosure form. That evidence was not controversial at the time, but a Supreme Court ruling one month after the verdict gave Trump's legal team a basis for arguing that the trial had been corrupted. On July 1, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump is immune from being charged for "official" presidential acts. The ruling clarified that he can still be prosecuted for "unofficial" actions he took as a private citizen or anything he did before and after his presidential term as long as his official White House conduct is excluded from evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Sonia Sotomayor Pens Fearful Dissent in Trump Immunity Case, Saying Decision Makes Him King Above the Law The immunity ruling did not automatically overturn Trump's New York conviction, because the case focused on his actions as a presidential candidate and his personal finances during his first year in office not on how he wielded the power of the presidency. The ruling did, however, force Merchan to reassess whether the way that jurors reached their verdict violated the Supreme Court's new guidelines. Related: ABC News to Pay $15 Million to Donald Trump's Presidential Library in Settlement for George Stephanopoulos Libel Lawsuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchan's conclusion closely echoed the argument that prosecutors made against tossing Trump's conviction, saying that even if evidence of his official acts as president was introduced at trial, "such error was harmless in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt." Further, Merchan suggested that using evidence related to Trump's official presidential conduct "poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch" in this case, because it centers around "the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records." 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. Though Merchan oversaw the trial, he will not have the final say on whether Trump's conviction stands. Trump has the option to appeal Merchan's decision, and if an appellate court does not give him the answer he wants, he can take the matter to the Supreme Court, which has a conservative supermajority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has another card up his sleeve, as well, in his quest to dismiss the case. Similar to how Merchan was asked to decide whether presidential immunity nullifies Trump's guilty verdict, the defense has also asked him to toss the conviction on other grounds: that Trump's recent election as president poses an insurmountable "legal impediment" to further criminal proceedings. Read the original article on People (WHTM) State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin/Adams) is calling out the federal government for its response to reports of drones across the East Coast. On Monday, Mastriano posted a statement to X saying, It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts Mastriano noted previous incidents of Chinese surveillance balloons that entered the United States and said the reported drones should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House, added Mastriano. Jan. 20 cant come soon enough! Mastrianos post on X was accompanied by a fraudulent news headline showing a Star Wars TIE Fighter prop being towed with an inaccurate headline claiming the prop was a drone that recently crashed. Mastrianos social media post was Community Noted stating the picture did not show a drone, but rather a Star Wars prop. Mastriano released a clarifying statement on X saying he posted a picture of the obvious prop as a meme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Mastriano re-released his statement without the Star Wars picture in an email to the media. The FBI, Homeland Security, and other agencies across the country are investigating the drone sightings that have primarily been reported in New Jersey. Federal authorities said Monday evening that the sightings have included legal commercial drones, hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, manned aircraft, helicopters, and even stars mistakenly reported as drones. Officials said that the assessment was based on technical data and tips. About 100 of the more than 5,000 drone sightings reported to the FBI in recent weeks were deemed credible enough to warrant more investigation, according to a joint statement by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Douglas Elliman ordered that its staff preserve all documents, texts, WhatsApp messages and other communications with its former top producers, Oren and Tal Alexander, according to a copy of a memo obtained by The Real Deal. The brothers, along with their brother Alon, who is not in real estate, were arrested last week by the FBI and charged with sex trafficking in a federal indictment that alleges the brothers raped and drugged women over the course of more than a decade. Oren and Tal rose to prominence over a decade at Douglas Elliman, where they built a track record of luxury real estate deals in Miami and New York. The two brothers left the brokerage in 2022 to start Official, a Side-backed firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elliman, in a memo sent to staff, said that preserving these documents doesnt indicate anything improper. It cites examples of the types of records employees should retain, including: documents related to travel by the Alexander brothers, including itineraries, flight manifests and records, hotel records, travelers identification documents. A copy of the memo obtained by The Real Deal Staff should also keep and not destroy documents related to allegations of wrongdoing by the brothers, including alleged drug use, sexual harassment or misconduct, threats, intimidation, physical violence and non-disclosure agreements, the memo states. This obligation supersedes the companys standard email and document retention policy, it reads. Representatives for U.S. Attorney Damian Williams declined a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloomberg reported Monday the brokerage was under pressure from the Department of Justice, which is seeking information and preparing to collect records from the company, including findings from internal reviews conducted alongside lawsuits against the former top producers. A spokesperson for Elliman said the company is committed to cooperating in any government investigation of improper conduct. We are appalled by the Alexander brothers alleged shocking and disturbing conduct, and we express the utmost sympathy for anyone who may have been victimized by them, the spokesperson told TRD in a statement. An indictment filed in the Southern District of New York alleges Oren, his twin Alon and older brother Tal operated a long-running sex trafficking scheme in New York and Miami that included multiple men along with the brothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven women provided accounts to the New York Times this summer that described allegations they were drugged after encounters with one or two of the brothers at the time. Tracy Tutor, a top Douglas Elliman agent who has appeared on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, said she shared a drink with Oren after an event in 2014 and then blacked out. A former Elliman agent told the Times it was understood longtime chairman and CEO Howard Lorber was aware of at least one incident, involving the brothers. Lorber resigned suddenly in October, months before his planned retirement. Later, Bloomberg reported that Lorber admitted during an internal inquiry to having intimate relationships with two of the companys brokers. The brokerage has previously denied leadership had any knowledge of allegations against the brothers. Read more Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Attorneys office claimed in the indictment Oren and Tal used their position in the real estate industry to persuade women to attend events and parties and also met women at those events, whom one or more of the brothers later sexually assaulted. The three brothers are being held at detention centers in Miami. Oren and Alon are still in state custody, while Tal is at a federal facility and will be transferred to New York. Oren and Alon are expected to go before a federal judge next. Sheridan Wall contributed reporting. This article has been updated with a statement from a spokesperson for Douglas Elliman. This article originally appeared on The Real Deal. Click here to read the full story. CHICAGO Cook County officials are spreading holiday cheer to children undergoing treatment at Stroger Hospital, giving gifts to the hospitals youngest patients as part of their Toys for Tots Day Christmas tradition. Inside the hospital, the spirit of Christmas is on full display. This is, for me, the best time of the year and the best part of my job where we are able to give back to members of our community and do what were supposed to do in this season, and that is give, Cook County Commr. Michael Scott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little Village Boys & Girls Club gets upgraded playground thanks to Chicago Blackhawks, NHL Youre bringing joy to some very deserving children. Its a nightmare for parents to have a sick child in the hospital and having them sick during the holidays can be especially difficult, added Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO of Cook County Health. The late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer started this effort years ago, partnering with the founder of Flags of the Heart a nonprofit organization helping the unhoused and Toys for Tots. Deer died last summer, prompting others to step in and continue the Christmas tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Englewood group raises funds to provide toys and essentials for children in need I will not let him down. I know hes smiling down on us right now that we are carrying this on in his name, Flags on the Heart founder Sharon Preston said. Toys for Tots brought 200 gifts to Stroger Hospital for sick and injured children. The gifts will be distributed to patients in the emergency room and pediatric ward. Donations like this are critical for boosting the morale of our children, which in turn can help their recovery, said Dr. Mopeola Akintorin, chief of pediatrics at Cook County Health. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. C3.ai (NYSE: AI) was one of the first enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) companies in the world when it was founded in 2009. It has developed over 100 turnkey and customizable applications, which are used by businesses in 19 different industries to speed up their adoption of AI. The company's revenue growth has accelerated for seven consecutive quarters thanks to a change to its business model from two years ago, which made it easier than ever for customers to sign up. However, C3.ai stock is still trading 79% below its all-time high, which was set during the tech frenzy in late 2020, but it has more than doubled from its 52-week low. Investors can buy a share of this AI company for well under $50, but that might not be the case for much longer. Helping businesses unlock the power of AI Not every organization is equipped with the financial resources or the appropriate expertise to build AI software from scratch. That's why C3.ai's turnkey applications are popular in non-technology industries like financial services and manufacturing. Its customer list features giants like Shell, ExxonMobil, Bank of America, and even the U.S. Department of Defense. They reply on the company for everything from equipment monitoring to fraud detection to improving efficiency. C3.ai can deliver a tailored AI application within three to six months after an initial consultation, which is likely faster than most of its customers can build an in-house solution. C3.ai sells its software directly to customers, but it also has an extensive partnership network that includes Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Alphabet's Google Cloud. C3.ai integrates with those cloud platforms and leverages their enormous computing power to provide customers the performance they need. Plus, since most businesses already use one of those three cloud providers, adopting C3.ai's applications is incredibly easy. During the fiscal 2025 second quarter (ended Oct. 31), C3.ai closed 62% of its deals through its partners. It closed 20 deals through Google Cloud alone, which was a 180% increase from the year-ago period. C3.ai also signed a blockbuster deal with Microsoft during Q2, which will run until 2030. It will make C3.ai's applications more widely available to Azure customers and introduce deeper integrations, especially as it relates to data. The two companies will also build new AI applications together for different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. Accelerating revenue growth At the start of C3.ai's fiscal 2023 (which began May 1, 2022), the company decided to shift away from its subscription-based revenue model and adopt a consumption-based model instead. The goal was to eliminate lengthy negotiating processes so customers could sign up more quickly and only pay for what they use. MANSFIELD A man from West Hartford was arrested earlier this month on charges after running a red light in Mansfield, according to the arrest warrant by State Police. Thatcher Slocum, 20, of West Hartford, was arrested and taken into custody by the West Hartford Police Department on December 2 on an active arrest warrant out of Troop CTolland. Slocum was arrested on the charges of illegally operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, unsafe passing left side, failure to drive in the proper lane, traffic control signals and interfering with an officer/resisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to reports, the crash occurred on Oct. 25 at about 9 a.m. when State Police located a red Honda CR-V that had crashed onto the shoulder of Middle Turnpike, about 30 feet west of the Stafford Road intersection. The Honda had collided with an electrical box and a black Jeep Compass driven by a 78-year-old woman. The woman told Troopers she was going through the green light and was suddenly hit on the passenger side by the Honda. A witness supplied dash cam footage backing up this claim. No serious injuries were reported, but the driver of the Honda was still in the vehicle and refused to identify himself. He also refused to cooperate with the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the operator, who was later identified as Slocum, tried to break loose from state police, he displayed symptoms of being on drugs. Slocum was taken to Windham Hospital, where blood tests came back positive for benzodiazepines, which are commonly known as downers. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, benzodiazepines are commonly used as depressants that produce sedation and hypnosis, as well as relieve anxiety and muscle spasms and reduce seizures. Slocum was released from Troop C custody after he was arrested on a $5,000 non-surety bond earlier this month and is scheduled to appear at Rockville Superior Court on December 17. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) In Dayton, drones are used both recreationally and commercially, particularly in the agriculture industry, for landfill work and in construction. Now, however, drone concerns are growing nationwide and right here in the Miami Valley after multiple reports of drone sightings over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base this past weekend. While there are no safety concerns at this time, the drone sightings did cause a four-hour shutdown at the base, halting all air traffic from late Friday night to Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Federal Aviation Administrations strict rules, drones are not allowed to fly in controlled airspace, such as around airports or over military bases, security sensitive facilities or certain national landmarks. What to know about potential car-sized flying drones The University of Daytons Research Institute said that even a small drone collision can be detrimental to an aircraft. Drones also must remain within the operators line of sight at all times, and must observe restrictions on the times of day and altitudes at which they can operate. Michelle Torres, head of the drone program at Bowser-Morner, said a new FAA rule requires drones to have remote ID for detection. However, the system isnt foolproof due to its recency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictions As of last year, the FAA basically put in a new rule that all drones have to have remote ID, said Torres. That if you have the equipment, youd be able to basically detect it and see basically the ID of that drone as it is flying. Theres a lot of drones that people already own that just dont have the technology installed. So if they continue operating old drones or purchase a drone that doesnt have the remote ID capabilities, then that will not be able to detected with that system. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 thousands of drone sightings reported over the last month in Northeastern states don't appear to be "anything anomalous," nor do they present a national security or public safety risk, federal officials said in a multiagency statement late Monday. The FBI has received more than 5,000 tips in the last few weeks about drone sightings in New Jersey and other states, said the statement, which was released jointly by the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense. Those tips have resulted in about 100 leads, with federal investigators supporting state and local officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: New Jersey drone mystery: What to know and what can be done "Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones," the joint statement said. Uncrewed aerial drones have been lighting up the sky at night in New Jersey and nearby states for weeks, since about mid-November, leading to concern from residents and speculation online. Some had demanded answers from local and state officials for answers. PHOTO: In this image taken from video, what appears to be drones flying over Randolph, N.J., Dec. 4, 2024. (AP) The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have deployed infrared cameras and drone detection technology to ensure the drones flying over the New Jersey and New York area aren't harmful, according to a law enforcement source. Dozens of agencies have been out daily to find answers and track down any operators acting "illegally or with nefarious intent," the FBI said recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies are also looking at social media and other photos to determine what exactly is in the photos. Most of the photos and video depict manned aircraft, according to a law enforcement source. But the newly released statement appeared to take a sober view of the mysterious drone sightings, noting that federal officials have yet to identify "anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast." "That said, we recognize the concern among many communities," the statement said. "We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement." The reported drone sightings in New Jersey are not Department of Defense assets, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether they could be part of an experimental program, he responded, "To my knowledge, no." MORE: Drone updates: Authorities warn people about taking matters into their own hands Several members of the House Intelligence Committee who attended a nearly three-hour classified briefing on Tuesday about the drone sightings said they were informed the aircraft flying over the tristate area are not "nefarious" or operated by either the American government or foreign actors. Government officials insisted most of the activity is "manned aircraft," Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the committee didn't receive an answer on who owns and is operating the possible drones, according to ranking member Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn. "We have no idea who owns these drones, assuming these drones are, in fact, drones. Again, everybody who studied this has arrived at the conclusion that most of these sightings are commercial aircraft," Himes told reporters. Members of the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and the FBI were among those at the briefing, Himes said. Committee members were assured that the drones are not operated by the federal government, according to Himes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We asked this question over and over and over again. They are not federal government operations to sniff radiation, gas, recovery, anything else," Himes said. The officials said there is "zero evidence" of any illegal activity by the drones, according to Himes. Krishnamoorthi wanted to see more data following the briefing. "Show us how it's manned aircraft. That's kind of my request of the government, and hopefully they do that," he said. PHOTO: Drone Flights New Jersey Buzz (Trisha Bushey via AP) National security spokesman John Kirby told George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday that the federal government continues to be "honest and transparent with the American people" about the unexplained drone activity happening along the East Coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After days of going through the various tips, days of looking at analysis, days of increasing our detection capabilities, including visual observers on the ground, we assessed that these drones, these aircraft people are seeing are a mix of law enforcement drones, commercial drones and hobbyists. We continue to see nothing that indicates a public safety risk or national security risk," Kirby said. Kirby offered a few explanations for why people may be seeing more drones in recent weeks, including simply that there are "an awful lot of drones in the sky." "There are 1 million drones registered with the FAA here in the United States. Thousands upon thousands fly in our skies legally and lawfully every single day doing all kinds of good things for the public good. The Northeast corridor is one of the busiest," he said. Kirby also noted that with the sun setting earlier in the winter there is more night sky for people to look up and see things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to work across the aisle to create legislation to deal with "gaps and seams in the authorities between federal and state officials" when it comes to drones in U.S. air space, Kirby said. ABC News' Calvin Milliner, David Brennan, Luke Barr, Meredith Deliso, Luis Martinez, Matt Seyler, Aaron Katersky, Sarah Kolinovsky, Cheyenne Haslett and Molly Nagle contributed to this report. Drone updates: No national security risk found after 5,000 tips, FBI and other federal agencies say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A US base briefly closed its airspace heading into the weekend due to heavy nearby drone activity. It's the latest military installation to report drone sightings nearby. The sightings reflect a growing challenge, but responding to the drone issue isn't easy. A US military base in Ohio briefly closed its airspace heading into the weekend after small drones were spotted in the area, officials confirmed to Business Insider on Monday. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the latest military installation to report drone activity in its vicinity, though, unlike some of the others, it actually interfered with operations. The development, like incidents at civilian airfields, speaks to a growing problem: a proliferation of drones that can spy on military bases or hazard their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones, especially small quadcopters, can be easily purchased for a few hundred dollars, and as the war in Ukraine has shown, they are surprisingly versatile. In the hands of an extremist, spy or even a careless enthusiast, these systems pose a threat the Defense Department is scrambling to counter as it increasingly factors them into day-to-day operations, from battle to base security. Drone sightings near US military bases Within the past few weeks, there have been multiple confirmed drone sightings near two military installations in New Jersey, as well as reports of drones near US Coast Guard operations and critical infrastructure. The Department of Defense hasn't expressed great concern, saying it doesn't have evidence the drones are a threat, but it has expressed frustration over this activity. One official called the activity "irresponsible." The development follows an unusual recent trend, with suspected drones being spotted up and down the US East Coast. In recent years, there has also been a growing trend of drone sightings and unidentified aerial phenomena near American bases, both at home and abroad. At Wright-Patterson, small drone activity was detected around the base on Friday, leading the airfield management team to close the airspace into early Saturday over "aviation safety concerns," an Air Force spokesperson told BI. US Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team members perform a show launch at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in June 2024. US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Meghan Hutton Wright-Patterson hosts the Air Force Research Laboratory, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, and the 445th Airlift Wing, as well as other units. The base and its two lengthy runways make it a key installation for the US military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force spokesperson said that, in general, depending on the facility, there could be many military aircraft taking off and landing. Some of the sites also host sensitive assets, making it a risk for operators to fly small drones in the vicinity. Drones don't have to be malign to be a problem. "To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets," Bob Purtiman, the chief of public affairs for Wright-Patterson, told BI. "We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and its residents. Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets," he added. The War Zone, a military news site, first reported on the drone incursions at Wright-Patterson, sharing an air traffic controller recording that reported "heavy" drone activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident at Wright-Patterson followed recent drone sightings at other military installations in New Jersey: Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle. These came amid a string of reported drone activity along the East Coast over the past month. A growing problem A Joint Staff spokesperson told reporters on Saturday the New Jersey sightings are "not a new issue for us. We've had to deal with drone incursions over our bases for quite a time now." There have been a number of sightings of suspected drones and other unidentified flying objects around important military installations in recent years. Just last week, for instance, drones were reportedly spotted above an American base in Germany. Some have been spotted near US operations in the UK, as well as a base in Virginia, among other stateside locations. The threat levels vary. Drones are readily available to both malign actors and harmless hobbyists alike. The challenge is that it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish which it is, and drones lower the barrier for entry on aerial surveillance and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This has become a huge problem for both military and civilian airfields and will get worse as drone usage proliferates further," Mark Cancian, a defense expert and retired US Marine Corps colonel, told BI. "It certainly has national security implications as many drones fly over sensitive military facilities like Wright-Patterson." With drones flying near civilian airports, Cancian, now a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that such activity could be a safety hazard and interfere with the flow of operations. This can be a huge disruption at a major airport with nationwide effects. Amid the recent East Coast drone drama, runway operations at a New York airport were briefly shut down. And over the weekend, there was also a "hazardous drone operation" incident near a Boston airport. Small drones like the one pictured have become versatile platforms for a range of activities. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura "For military airfields, the greater concern is espionage and improper disclosure of sensitive information," Cancian said, but "safety and disruption of operations are also important." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon recognizes the risks posed by growing drone usage and is seeking out ways to better its approach to counter unmanned systems, as a new counter-drone strategy shows. "If a determination is made that unauthorized drones are conducting any malign or malicious activity," Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Monday, "commanders are authorized to take appropriate action to mitigate and counter these unmanned systems." But in the US, as the Joint Staff spokesperson said, the military is limited in what it can do beyond the walls of its bases. It doesn't enjoy the same freedom of operation in the US that it has at some bases overseas. It can't simply open fire, especially near civilian areas. Ryder indicated something has to be a "clear and present danger" before it comes to that. Officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security also said during Saturday's call that they are similarly limited in their ability to respond to reported drone sightings. They urged Congress to pass legislation that would expand federal agencies' counter-drone authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The challenge for airspace management is how to deter or defeat such incursions without endangering the surrounding civilian communities or legitimate air traffic. That rules out everything kinetic," Cancian said. "Electronic interference or, in extremis, some laser system might be the solution. Those are just now being fielded in the military," he added. "It would be years before they are widely available to military and civilian facilities." Read the original article on Business Insider The alarming reaction to the alleged mysterious sightings of many drones and other aircraft over New Jersey is a great story for social media and late-night comics. But Ill bet theres nothing to it. First of all, if some intellectually superior extraterrestrial beings swooped down on Planet Earth for a visit, the idea that they would pick New Jersey is crazy. Yes, they might be attracted by the smell, especially around Exit 13 on the New Jersey Turnpike. But its hard to imagine that New Jersey would warrant universal curiosity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bruce Sprinsteen has zero following in zero gravity. And the fact that mortals in New Jersey are suggesting firing their weapons in the sky at the objects there just goes to show that if the purpose of the extraterrestrials visit is to explore human intelligence, they picked a bad spot. Its way more likely that all of these lights in the night sky are attributable to non-sinister Earthbound sources human-piloted drones and aircraft and human-launched satellites as well as the stars and planets that stare down on us every night, but go largely unobserved. Whats different is the number of people looking up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It reminds me of a string of national stories that popped up in the mid 1980s about commercial aircraft experiencing rough landings. I remember writing a story about a commercial flight (I think it was the now-defunct Eastern Airlines) that had its fuselage cracked like a watermelon during a hard landing in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a big story. And for days after that, there was a drumbeat of stories about other commercial airlines experiencing hard landings. It was nothing out of the ordinary. But it was something that suddenly became newsworthy and observable because people were paying attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats whats going on here, I think. There are more than 9 million people in New Jersey, and now a lot of them are just staring intently at the night sky, regarding every light there as a potential invader. And then posting it on social media sites, which operate most efficiently as spreaders of misinformation. You can bet that most of the information being spread about the strange powers and aeronautical feats of these objects in the sky is hearsay nonsense. Or just flat-out social-media mischief. That really bright light isnt a flying saucer, its Venus. And it has been there every night for eons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey has laws that permit the commercial and recreational use of drones. And when they fly at night, they have navigation lights. So, relax. Were not under attack by foreign nations or extraterrestrial visitors. Its just us again. Frank Cerabino is a columnist withTthe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network-Florida. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Concern on New Jersey drones is an amusing social-media creation Hill Air Force Base officials said Monday there have been recent drone sightings close to the base, amid numerous mysterious drones being reported on the East Coast. The unmanned flying objects have been seen over New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, even shutting down Wright-Patterson Air Force Bases airspace in Ohio, according to TV station WCPO. White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday there have not been any public safety or national security risks from the sightings, The Associated Press reports. Monday night, the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense, saying the FBI received more than 5,000 drone sighting tips in the last few weeks, generating around 100 leads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have sent advanced detection technology to the region. And we have sent trained visual observers," they said. "We can confirm that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of (Hill Air Force Base) recently," said spokesperson Kendahl Johnson. "To date, unmanned aerial systems have not impacted (Hill Air Force Base) operations, and all appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard (Hill) personnel, assets and infrastructure." No additional details about the number of drones, when these sightings occurred, or what was done about them were released. In the joint statement Monday night, officials said "such sightings near or over (Department of Defense) installations are not new," and they take "unauthorized access over its airspace seriously." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The various national agencies reported in their joint statement that "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 stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk." A Fruit Heights resident says she saw around ten drones Sunday night, hovering and emitting bright light over Hill Air Force Base. | Kristen Brinkman A Fruit Heights resident, Kristen Brinkman, told KSL.com she saw around 10 of what she believed were drones over the base Sunday night about 9:30 p.m. "Initially, I was like oh maybe it's Starlink," she said, "but it was way too close ... and brighter than anything I've ever seen." Living right next to base, she is used to seeing planes and helicopters going in and out in the exact location she saw the objects, she says. "They didn't really flash," Brinkman said. "Just a super strong light," that would one-by-one go black. Over time, she said, "They just disappeared into thin air," hovering and moving slightly. They were of different size but much too big to be a hobby drone, in Brinkman's opinion. One flew by over her house while her window was open, she said, and it was "pretty quiet," not like the planes she is used to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Small unmanned aircraft use is never allowed on or over the military base, according to Hill's website. "Unidentified drone swarms have recently been observed over several U.S. military bases," a press release issued last Tuesday said. "The use of personal drones on base poses a significant hazard to aircraft." Hill Air Force Base's airspace is adjacent to Ogden Regional Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport's arrival and departure corridors and is also a hub for helicopter medical evacuation flights for five area hospitals and U.S. Forest Service operations during fire season, officials say. The base uses a "5 mile rule," according to Hill's website, where drone operators need prior authorization to fly within 5 miles of the installation, have to fly between sunrise and sunset and operate below 300 feet. "We continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to track the unmanned aerial systems. To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures; however, we retain the right to protect our installations," Johnson said. Officials are requesting anyone who sees anything suspicious, to include unmanned aerial system activity to contact local police or Hills security forces. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The leader of a drug trafficking network in Savannah and the surrounding areas has been sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison. Kenyona Pinckney, 33, of Savannah, was sentenced to 178 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana. The sentence will be served consecutive to Pinckneys current term of state imprisonment for a separate conviction. Pinckney is also ordered to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conspiracy identified in this investigation was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of illegal drugs in the greater Savannah area and beyond, said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. This sentence is a credit to the outstanding investigative work of our law enforcement partners. According to court documents and testimony, Pinckney was being held in the Georgia Department of Corrections Transition Center in Columbus, Ga. He was serving a state sentence for trafficking methamphetamine and was using contraband cell phones to coordinate shipments of multiple kilos of cocaine and methamphetamine into the Savannah area, including Chatham, Bulloch, Effingham, and Laurens counties. The conspiracy first came to the attention of investigators when Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Virginia determined that drugs coming into that state were coordinated by one of Pinckneys co-conspirators in Savannah. Whether drug dealers operate out on the street or behind bars, the Drug Enforcement Administration stands ready to deliver justice, said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Customs and Border Protection officers remain committed to working with our valued local, state, and federal partners to keep dangerous drugs from reaching our communitys streets and protecting the residents of Georgia, said Andrea Coffey, Acting Area Port Director, CBP Savannah. This case highlights the broad reach of the law enforcement community to bring together federal, state and local partners to dismantle a large distributor of illicit drugs, said Jason Krizmanich, Acting Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. Postal Inspectors objectives are to rid the mail of illegal drug trafficking, preserve the integrity of the mail system, and provide a safe environment for postal employees and the American public. The January 2024 indictment charged Pinckney and 12 co-defendants in the conspiracy. Four of those co-defendants have been sentenced after pleading guilty; two have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing. Five defendants are awaiting further proceedings and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) An online-based retailer that sells non-alcoholic beverages is set to open its first storefront in Easthampton. Dry Humor was founded by Elizabeth CJ Mutti after she became sober in 2023. CJ launched the online business in May which offers alcohol-free cocktails, non-alcoholic beer, wine, and spirit alternatives all containing 0.5% or less alcohol by volume. After having successful pop-ups throughout the summer, CJ announced that her new storefront location will open in 2025 on Union Street in Easthampton. Currently, online orders are delivered to Hampshire County and Holyoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is that a drone or a plane? How to spot the differences Were so excited to be entering into this new phase of the business, said Elizabeth CJ Mutti, owner and founder of Dry Humor. Its always been our goal to open a brick-and-mortar location, and its been so awesome to see everything come together. We couldnt have done it without the support of this incredible community whove welcomed Dry Humor with such positivity and enthusiasm. We cant wait to continue giving back and being of service in our new capacity. Mocktails include margaritas, martinis, cosmopolitan, and more. Non-alcoholic beers range from dark, lite, sour, seasonal, and IPAs. And for the wine consigners, there are several varieties of rose, white, red, and even gluten-free. Well now be able to offer the sober(curious)-community with not only a retail, but a social space exclusively dedicated to those living a sober lifestyle just as for those who do drink, exist bars, breweries and wineries, and liquor stores, explained CJ. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Imperial Probe Droid We still don't know what's behind reports of mysterious "car-sized" drones circling over the skies of much of the East Coast over the past weeks. And while the FBI and other agencies are continuing their investigation into the sightings, people are coming up with increasingly unhinged "evidence" of a government conspiracy. Case in point, Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano posted a picture of what he claimed to be a "crashed drone" on X-formerly-Twitter earlier this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As practically anybody who's ever watched a movie could tell immediately, the picture showed a replica of a TIE Fighter spacecraft from the fictional "Star Wars" universe, tied to the back of a semi-truck. "You cant be that stupid," one user shot back, "or can you?" Others took the opportunity to indulge in humor steeped in "Star Wars" lore. "Many Bothans died to bring us this information, Senator," another user wrote, referring to a fictional species that secretly informed the Rebel Alliance of the location of Emperor Palpatine's presence aboard the second Death Star. "Please do something." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://twitter.com/SenMastriano/status/1868794734530953444 Nerf Herders The news comes after Former governor of Maryland Larry Hogan shared a video last week, claiming to have "personally witnessed... dozens of large drones in the sky above my residence." As the X community quickly pointed out, Hogan appeared to be referring to the constellation Orion, and specifically the stars Betelgeuse and Bellatrix, which are established by science to not be drones. In short, the theory that these "mysterious drones" are simply commercial aircraft, satellites, or even stars is growing by the day. "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," White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters during a Monday briefing, as quoted by CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I cant rule out the fact that we might find some sort of illegal or criminal activity, some nefarious activity, (but) all I can do is tell you that right now we see none of that," he added. If it were up to Mastriano, however, the federal government would simply shoot these drones whatever they may be out of the sky without a second thought. "The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down," he wrote in his post. "Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue." Meanwhile, netizens were apparently not convinced of this urgency, given the fact that he shared a picture of a movie prop to underline his point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These arent the drones youre looking for," one X user replied to the senator. "Move along." "In any normal country, this would be a career-ending diatribe," another user argued. More on the drones: Former Governor of Maryland Mocked for Posting Video of "Drones" That Appear to Be Ordinary Stars A view over the Gaza Strip from the Israeli side of the border on Jan. 8, 2024, in Southern Israel. (Amir Levy | Getty Images) This holiday season the world witnessed a surprising scene. Pope Francis is seated at the Vatican viewing the Bethlehem Nativity display in which the Christ child is enfolded in a keffiyeh. Johny Andonia, an artist from Bethlehem who led the project, said it represented the existence of the Palestinian people, especially, I might add, their children. In contrast, our own U.S. governmental institutions have for centuries paid lip service to children, falling far short of recognizing their full humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Hampshire, day care workers are grossly underpaid. Centers are scarce and suffer from severe staff shortages. We are one of few states lacking free early education for 3- and 4-year-olds, essential to their healthy development. We struggle to this day to define what constitutes adequate funding for our childrens schools. Chronic underfunding and high caseloads continue to plague child protection agencies and our foster care system. Children in low-income housing suffer from from lead exposure due to inadequate funding for its mitigation. Most unfortunately, we continue to fall short in our investment in children. Federal policies continue long-standing programs causing lasting damage to childrens physical and mental well being. Consider the heartless history of laws prescribing family separation. Slaves were sold down the river, separating loved ones forever. Native American boarding schools captured children from reservations to indoctrinate them in ways of white people, separating them from their language, culture, and, most importantly, their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incoming administration threatens to reinstitute the cruel policy of family separation to deter illegal immigration. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are now in danger of deportation, foreshadowing a devastating and irreparable loss to children and parents. Recently, New Hampshire joined 18 other states in petitioning the administration to deny health care to DACA children. On an international scale, the United States, in its continued military funding to the Middle East war in Gaza, deepens its draconian harm to Palestinian children. Palestinian activist Susan Abulhawa condemns U.S. complicity in the violent colonization of Palestine and the annihilation of its people, quoting Chaim Weizmann, who stated to the World Zionist Congress in 1921 that Palestinians were akin to the rocks of Judea, obstacles that had to be cleared on a difficult path and David Ben Gurion, who stated we must expel Arabs and take their places. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) states that the Biden administration is responsible for the increase in child amputees. According to its national director, Nihad Awad, Biden has remained unmoved by Israels systemic campaign of slaughter, ethnic cleansing, forced starvation, and mass destruction that he unfortunately supported and excused. The U.N. Human Rights Office claims there are 19,000 dead children. Tragically, we continue to look away; at the Vatican the keffiyeh enfolding the baby Jesus was inexplicably removed after four days, symbolizing that the chance for an immediate cease fire is becoming even more remote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1995, Louis Farrakhan organized the Million Man March to convey to the world a vastly different image of Black manhood. In 2017, prompted by misogynist rhetoric and a threat to womens rights, women staged the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. What we desperately need now is a worldwide peace march for children in Gaza, who continue to live in the line of fire. James Baldwin famously said: The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality. During this holiday season, lets take Baldwins words to heart. As the pope engages in contemplative prayer, lets pray with our feet. If theres a cease-fire vigil, attend it; if theres a march against funding military weapons for Gaza, join it and come together for a childrens march for peace in the name of every childs right to exist. Elon Musks escalating legal feud with Sam Altman could act as a drag on OpenAIs rocket-like ascent to the top of the artificial intelligence world. The two one-time collaborators are now locked in a simultaneous battle to advance artificial intelligence and prevail in a courtroom fight over the future of OpenAI, the organization Musk and Altman founded together in 2015 before parting ways. Musk, who now runs a competing AI company called xAI, is trying to convince a federal judge to issue an injunction that would stop the creator of chatbot ChatGPT from converting to a for-profit company. The lawsuit Musk filed in August also accuses OpenAI of putting profits before its initial nonprofit mission of advancing AI in a way that benefits all of humanity. Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans in Washington, DC, on Nov. 13. ALLISON ROBBERT/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo via REUTERS / Reuters "I think the fact that Musk has asked for a preliminary injunction ups the ante," Rob Rosenberg, former general counsel for Showtime Networks and founder of Telluride Legal Strategies, told Yahoo Finance. "Because if he were successful it would definitely throw a major wrench into the current plans for OpenAI." Altman, OpenAI, and its biggest backer Microsoft (MSFT), which is also named as a defendant in the case, last week shot back at Musk's request for the judge to step in on an emergency basis, calling his allegations "false" and claiming he has no legal basis for blocking OpenAIs for-profit conversion. Dividing up the spoils The legal fight is unfolding while OpenAI and Microsoft discuss how to divide up the spoils of the artificial intelligence upstart when and if OpenAI becomes a for-profit company. OpenAI and Microsoft hired Wall Street investment banks Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS) to advise them on these discussions after OpenAI closed a $6.6 billion funding round valuing it at $157 billion. Microsoft has invested $14 billion since 2019. Altman has said OpenAI needs to become a for-profit to help it attract additional investment capital. In September, the charity projected a $5 billion loss for 2024. Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO. of OpenAI, speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit on Dec. 4, in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images Musk's suit could introduce perilous delays. According to the New York Times, the terms of the charity's latest investment round require it to shed its nonprofit status within two years or have those investments convert to debt. Musk is not the only rival that could slow things down for OpenAI. AI competitor Meta (META) on Thursday sent a letter to California's Attorney General Rob Bonta asking the state to block OpenAI from becoming a for-profit business. It said that allowing the change would set a dangerous precedent, with nonprofit donors simultaneously benefiting from government-allowed tax deductions and profits from traditional investments. BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) An on-duty New York City employee was arrested Monday afternoon, according to the NYPD. Luis Benalcazar, 75, was taken into custody around 1:37 p.m. More Local News Benalcazar is an employee of the New York City Department of Education, police say. He was charged with assault in the third degree. 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). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. An East Chicago woman got four years probation Friday in a 2022 stabbing, court records show. Janisha Lowe, 28, signed a plea agreement Nov. 22 for aggravated battery. As part of the plea, she was sentenced to three years in jail, but served enough time with jail credit to satisfy that part of the sentence. Gary Police were dispatched Sept. 29, 2022 to a house in the 4000 block of West 10th Avenue at 1:25 a.m. for a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived to find Lowe screaming atop the outside stairs while the victim was lying in the yard with a noticeable wound that was bleeding on his back, court records state. The 46-year-old man was able to tell police that Lowe stabbed him, the records state, but as Lowe was handcuffed, she said she was sorry and claimed the victim had stabbed himself. Lowe had blood on her hands and face and did not have any injuries, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was questioned in the Intensive Care Unit of Methodist Hospital Northlake, where he told police that he and Lowe were having an argument about him contacting another woman when she came in the bedroom of a house and began stabbing him repeatedly, saying Die, die, die, according to the probable cause affidavit. The victim managed to run out of the house before collapsing in the front yard, court records state. Lowe was originally charged with attempted murder, a Level 1 felony; aggravated battery that poses a substantial risk of death, a Level 3 felony; domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony; domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury; a Level 5 felony; and misdemeanor domestic battery. Defense lawyer John Maksimovich represented Lowe, while Deputy Prosecutor C.J. Washington was assigned. Post-Tribune archives contributed. mcolias@post-trib.com TYLER, Texas (KETK) The Texas House will vote on a speaker in less than a month when the 2025 legislative session is set to begin, however Republicans are split on who to support in the race. Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock. and Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, are running for House Speaker after Dade Phelan removed himself from contention. Since then, Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, said he received threatening messages Sunday night from the Chairman of the Texas Republican Party, Abraham George. Judge rejects Trumps bid to toss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity ruling Harris said the message was clear, to unite behind the caucus and rules established by the party. If Harris does not comply, the chairman threatened Harris with a campaign mailer to his district encompassing all of Anderson, Cherokee, and Navarro Counties, and the majority of Henderson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This action is not only disappointing but baffling. My position reflects the will of the people who overwhelmingly elected me to represent their strong conservative values. In the 2024 Republican primary, I earned 83% of the vote, and in the general election, 81% of voters reaffirmed their trust in me. These voters chose me because they know I stand firm in supporting conservative policies, which, in turn, means supporting the most conservative candidate for Speakersomeone with the proven record, leadership, and ability to advance priorities like securing our border, protecting life, defending the Second Amendment and empowering parents. Rep. Cody Harris However, Cook and Burrows declared that they have enough votes needed to win the race in January. Im supporting Dustin Burrows, because I know that he will help lead us and deliver on the conservative legislation that voters elected me to go to Austin and deliver and so many others throughout the state, Harris said. Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris said Cook does not have a track record aligning with conservative principles. For example, Cook refused to support a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying. As a mayor, Cook raised property taxes and fees supporting ordinances, restricted natural gas drilling and banned fracking. Harris said the recent pressure from the chairman will not stop him from representing District 8s strong conservative values. They are gaslighting at every turn and Im not going to be swayed by that. Im not going to flinch. I know that the right thing to do for delivering conservative results to the citizens of House District 8 is to support Dustin Burrows for speaker of the house, Harris said. George said last week any members who go against David Cook could face a censure from the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lying to voters unless I agree to vote the way you want me to, that is legislative bribery. I look forward to seeing the legal process work out on that very soon, Harris said. Harris said he will not be swayed by coercion and his decisions are guided by his principles not outside interests or political power plays. I remain committed to fighting for the principles that make our party and our state strong. Together, we will ensure that conservative values and integrity prevail in the Texas House, Harris said. So, when that attack mailer hits your mailbox, youll know why. KETK News has reached out to Georges office who has not responded on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Life hasnt always been easy for 30-year-old Rashaan Mcjunkins, but hes made his job at Eat My Catfish his happy place, serving every customer with a smile and giving them all a unique experience. Mcjunkins said his optimism and creativity helped him win an employee menu competition where multiple staff had to come up with a new menu item that grabbed the attention of customers. The Kicking Shrimp. Yup that was all me Mcjunkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eat My Catfish sets reopening date for Breckenridge location destroyed in March tornado Mcjunkins won the $1,000 competition but still wanted to be of service, giving all the money to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Breast Cancer Clinic. Because thats where my sister fought at, Mcjunkins said. I felt that it really hits home for me because shes my hero shes everything to me. His sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in October, but they never lost hope. I did a lot of praying and worshiping and I know that my creator Yahweh is amazing and that he can do everything but fail, Mcjunkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HEALTH MATTERS: What doctors look for during breast exams and scans By October 31 McJunkins got a text saying his sister was breast cancer free. Now hes hoping the money will be another familys gift of life. We were created to be a ray of sunshine for someone else not for ourselves, Mcjunkins said. Its not about gloating or What can I get? What can I do? its about being the bugler for somebody else. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dec. 16Ector County ISD now has four partnerships for direct admissions with area colleges and universities that allow students to make the transition to higher education with little fuss. Director of CCMR & Post Secondary Education Rico Enriquez said the district has partnered with University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa College, Tarleton State University, and most recently, Sul Ross State University. Enriquez said they are in talks about potential agreements with Angelo State University and possibly Texas Tech University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partnerships have evolved over the last year and a half and they're continuing to grow. In November at New Tech Odessa, 74 students received admission letters from the University of Texas Permian Basin. Direct admissions gives students who qualify a chance to get into college without applying. "It makes college more accessible by ... simplifying the process, removing barriers like application fees and the uncertainty that some students might have," Enriquez said. "It gives our students confidence, I think, clarity about their future when they're looking at scholarships, financial aid, all that. It's all about making sure that all of our graduates, ... get a fair shot at success after high school," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Added into the mix of direct admissions is the My Texas Future direct admissions program, a state program with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board where any student in Texas can log into that site, get access to their personal information and find out if they're eligible for direct admissions to more 30 different colleges and universities statewide. "I think it's important for us to partner with our local and regional area colleges as much as possible to bring unique opportunities to our graduates, to our students," Enriquez said. Students can log into mytexasfuture.org and agree to share their academic information with participating colleges. Complete their academic profile with details such as unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Class rank, if available. SAT/ACT scores. These are optional but beneficial, information from ECISD said. According to the information, the more information you share, the more college matches you'll receive. After completing your profile, check the admissions offers available to you. Colleges will reach out directly to qualified students with next steps for applying. In partnering with the colleges and universities, Enriquez said they were able to remove obstacles for students. "Some of our students, especially our at-risk students, they look at this process, and unfortunately, a lot of them are intimidated and the big sea of students, you're looking at the process, you're saying you're maybe on the fence about deciding ... should I go to college or not. If the process seems daunting to you, because you're first in your family to even think about going to college," Enriquez said, "we don't want that for any student. We want to give that student support, not just by making it easier, but by also bringing those college advisors, those college officials, to our campuses to assist our students, assist our counselors, assist our college career advisors, and work together to bring those opportunities to all of our kids the right way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district holds regular FASFA/TASFA and apply nights. Enriquez said the FAFSA application is a state graduation requirement. At future FAFSA and apply nights, they will give parents and students information about admissions opportunities. Enriquez said they are also trying to offer support to students in terms of the admissions process so students aren't as intimidated and they feel ready to enroll in college in the fall. Students often get into college, but they don't always go. Enriquez said "life happens," or their life plan changes, or temporarily changes. "We try to follow through with them. It's a thing we do in partnership with our colleges. It's one of the most difficult tasks to follow and track our graduates, but we're making every effort," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ECISD is working with one of its partners, ACCESS, to develop a means to network with former graduates to give them a chance to communicate with prospective employers and find out about college opportunities beyond graduation, Enriquez said. "That's the to and through part of our work and working in conjunction with the colleges. We have data sharing agreements where we're able to contact our former graduates and give them the opportunities that they need to hear about," he added. "That's part of our mission, too." Ed Miliband has opened the door to forcing all new homes to be built with solar panels. The Energy Secretary suggested Labour could introduce new rules making it mandatory for developers to install the devices on new builds as standard, telling MPs he was very sympathetic to the idea. Mr Miliband has pledged to unleash a solar rooftop revolution, with builders encouraged to deliver the win-win technology to millions of addresses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government has previously said new carbon-cutting building regulations will not mandate one particular option when it comes to technology and design, acknowledging that solar panels may not be the best option for all new homes. But speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr Miliband said he was very sympathetic to calls for all new builds to be fitted with the devices. The Energy Secretary was asked by Max Wilkinson, the Lib Dem MP for Cheltenham, if he agreed with those who think all new homes should come with solar panels on the roof as standard. He replied: I am very, very sympathetic to this, and we are in discussions with our colleagues across Government and watch this space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling suggests installing solar panels on new homes as standard is popular with voters, with about 80 per cent in favour. It was reported in October that the Government was planning to make the devices optional for new builds, rather than forcing them on new developments. Instead of requiring an adequate number of solar panels on new properties, new regulations would merely encourage housebuilders to equip homes with some devices where appropriate, according to The Guardian. At the time, a spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: Solar panels are a vital technology to help achieve our mission to deliver net zero. However, they may not be the best option for all new homes, for example those surrounded by trees or with lots of shade overhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also crucial we set standards for new homes in a way that allows for future innovation and flexibility in technology and design, which is why the building regulations do not mandate one particular option. In response to the Guardian report, the department added: A final decision on the amount of solar panels that new homes will typically be expected to include is yet to be made. Solar panels are not currently mandated and it is a fundamental principle of building regulations that we do not constrain innovation by prescribing any specific technology. The new rules would form part of the Future Homes Standard, which will set new specifications for properties in England aimed at cutting household carbon emissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reforms, currently out for consultation, are also expected to include a ban on gas boilers in most new homes by 2027. It comes after it emerged that heat pumps and solar panels may be pushed onto owners of historic buildings under the Governments net zero drive. Under a separate blueprint tabled by Mr Miliband, homes would be graded on a number of measures including whether they had a heat pump or smart meter installed. There are fears it could force owners of listed buildings into blighting them with unsightly upgrades to achieve a better rating. The Energy Secretary used Tuesdays session in the House of Commons to stress the importance of clean power to the UKs energy security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said plans for the publicly-owned Great British Energy company will be rolled out in the New Year, including working with communities for solar on schools and hospitals to help reduce bills. 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. "How much should Saint-Gobain 'remediate the PFAS pollution in soil and groundwater'? There should be only one legitimate answer: Fully." (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan | Getty Images) Of all the hidden subsidies for big business also known as corporate welfare the failed enforcement or dismantling of environmental regulations are the most pernicious. Not bearing the full cost of ones action, economist Joseph E. Stiglitz writes in The Price of Inequality, is an implicit subsidy, so all those industries that impose, for instance, environmental costs on others are, in effect, being subsidized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New Hampshire, the modern poster child for this troubling reality is Saint-Gobain, the French multinational corporation that is in the process of dismantling its poison-spewing Merrimack facility, as NHPR reported last week. The release of PFAS, the carcinogenic forever chemicals, into drinking water in Merrimack and surrounding communities by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has endangered the health of thousands of residents and cost communities many millions of dollars. Logic dictates that the cost of doing business for Saint-Gobain should include the backpackers guiding principle of leave no trace, yet the company has seemed more interested in corporate-splaining its perception of responsibility than actually remediating the damage it has inflicted on the people of the state. And as it makes for the exit, Saint-Gobain is leaving a trail of buts. But it seems the company draws a line at complying with recent requests from the state to sample dozens of wells within that remediation region, known as the consent decree area, which includes parts of Bedford, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, and Merrimack, reported the Bulletins Claire Sullivan in July. Hundreds of properties in those areas tested above state standards for a type of PFAS chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, contamination linked to air emissions from the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And, from NHPRs Mara Hoplamazian last week: But how much Saint-Gobain must remediate the PFAS pollution in soil and groundwater is an ongoing debate between company officials and New Hampshires Department of Environmental Services. How much should Saint-Gobain remediate the PFAS pollution in soil and groundwater? There should be only one legitimate answer: Fully. Any other response is an endorsement of the idea that a multibillion-dollar global corporation that poisoned the local environment is worthy of a public bailout including payments from the victims themselves. But that illegitimate answer is the one we seem to be largely stuck with. In Merrimack alone, residents have spent millions to filter out the forever chemicals poisoning their water. According to Forbes, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA (the parent company, with about 159,000 employees) has reported profits of $2.9 billion this year on revenue of $51.8 billion, yet the people of Merrimack (with about 29,000 residents) were left with no choice but to approve a $14.5 million bond in 2019 to filter PFAS out of four public wells. As a result, the towns water rates nearly doubled. Lawmakers, in a too-rare show of bipartisanship, moved last legislative session to hold polluting companies more accountable for the damage they cause, passing House Bill 1415 to provide for perfluoroalkyls (PFAS) facility liability for contaminations of groundwater quality standards according to federal regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was an example of how the government can and should work to place limits on what corporations are allowed to extract from and inflict upon the communities where they operate. Gov. Chris Sununu, however, vetoed the bill. It is extremely important to hold appropriate parties accountable for their actions, Sununu said in his veto message, followed by yet another but: But this legislation misses the mark. How did it miss the mark? The governor said the PFAS concentrations triggering regulatory action would conflict with a bill he did sign, HB 1649, and that it would be extremely difficult to administer both and enforce them appropriately. So he signed 1649, which did some good in terms of product bans, but vetoed the one that took a stricter approach to reducing public subsidies for corporate polluters. It was an unpopular decision. In fact, the near-evenly divided New Hampshire House voted 289-38 to override his veto, likely not buying his argument that small-town fire stations rather than corporations like Saint-Gobain would be the targets of such a bill. In the end, though, the Senate sustained the veto, killing the measure. Rep. Nancy Murphy, a Merrimack Democrat who sponsored HB 1415, was clear-eyed about Sununus veto when she spoke to the Bulletin in August: Its unfortunate when paid lobbyists for polluters are heard, their voices are heard above that of actual constituents and the people that the government is supposed to be working for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunate, indeed. Somehow, and against all reason, the debate over whether polluters should be held liable for the harm they cause has become politicized in America. No matter how many environmental disasters we experience from the instant harm of oil spills to the slower-moving tragedies like lead and PFAS contamination there is a continuous American war on protective regulations. So powerful are corporations mainly through government lobbying and the free-flowing campaign contributions encouraged by our broken system that public servants are more likely to function as instruments of corporate greed than protectors of public health, safety, and overall well-being. Consider this post from President-elect Donald Trump on Truth Social last week: Any person or company investing ONE BILLION DOLLARS, OR MORE, in the United States of America, will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals. GET READY TO ROCK!!! Wow, three exclamation points. Ive never seen somebody so fired up to hand out more public money to corporate polluters. And should any freewheeling multinationals decide to come to your town, at the president-elects invitation, Im sure the people of Merrimack would be happy to brief you on what you can expect. Now, and forever. Indiana State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver speaks during a state budget hearing on Dec. 16, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) In the latest round of budget pitches, state agency heads detailed their funding requests before members of the General Assembly Monday, claiming victories and minimizing missteps over the last two-year budget cycle. Indianas lawmakers will convene in January to kickstart the 2025 legislative session, which will focus on crafting the next biennial budget. Nine additional departments presented before the State Budget Committee in Indianapolis, building upon the work of other agencies and higher education institutions from November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays meeting included baseline budgets, or budget data from the last few years. Budget pitches begin in earnest next month after analysts have time to absorb revenue forecast data, which is scheduled to be presented this week. Education concerns The Department of Education traditionally accounts for roughly half of the states $44 billion budget though legislators previously cautioned that projected health care growth threatens that line item. For the 2024 fiscal year, the agency received more than $9.4 billion from general funds, and estimated a base budget of $9.6 billion moving forward. Nearly all of that funding is funneled to schools in the form of tuition support, a calculation that includes the number of students in a given district with specialized needs, including students with disabilities, poverty status and English learners. Katie Jenner, the secretary of education, will hold her position in the next administration and pointed to areas of progress including small literacy gains and an increase in the average teacher salary but said more work was needed. Secretary of Education Katie Jenner addresses lawmakers during a budget committee hearing on Dec. 16, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) (Since) the last time I was here, we went up about 20,000 English learner students in Indiana. This is probably the most significant growth weve seen in any of our student population points, Jenner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest teacher needs in the state were special education teachers, another growing population, followed by English learner educators, she added. The highest English learner growth was concentrated in the cities of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Elkhart, Goshen, Seymour, Columbus and Logansport, Jenner said. The state doesnt track student immigration status and has a duty to educate every student, regardless of their citizenship. But literacy progress among this population and Hispanic students has plateaued, Jenner said, and is one area that Im very concerned about. Indianas literacy rates have been in decline for more than a decade, with the exception of one year. The pandemic, no doubt, exacerbated the literacy crisis, Jenner said, before pointing to legislation appropriating new funds and dictating new methods of teaching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rates have improved slightly in recent years and lawmakers spent much of the last session struggling with how to provide additional supports for students and teachers at minimal cost. One potential remedy has been increasing funds for summer schools, as documented in budget pitches. Though most students attend the vacation education programming for physical education or health classes, third- and second-grade reading make up the second- and fourth-largest populations, respectively. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In 2024, the state spent $26.7 million on summer school, with 15.7% of those costs going toward the two reading courses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenner acknowledged the tight budget session coming up and said she would be asking for a budget increase but that the agency also needed to be held accountable. Lets fund whats working and lets reallocate where its not and put that funding back into what is working, Jenner told lawmakers. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, sought to get a promise from Jenner that she would press the body for an increase in funding if she needed one, even if such a request went against the wishes of Gov.-elect Mike Braun. tell us that your budget is a trim back and its not what you want. Tell us what area you want more money for the betterment of our children. Are you willing to do that? DeLaney said. Or will we see what Ive seen in the past, where every governor-elects budget is the ask? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenner said she would work with Braun but said she would tell the General Assembly exactly what that (budget) number is. In particular, DeLaney pushed Jenner to detail potential costs associated with adopting a new diploma and whether there would be any savings realized down the road. We had to think about how to make the four years of high school as valuable as possible for Indiana students, Jenner responded. Shortening the waitlists The biggest questions surrounding the Family and Social Services Administration budget pitches for various divisions including Medicaid, which reported a nearly $1 billion shortfall last year will be answered later this week during a forecast presentation, noted Dan Rusyniak, who leads the agency. FSSA Secretary Dan Rusyniak during a budget committee hearing on Dec. 16, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) More recently, the agency made news when it implemented another waitlist for child care vouchers after reporting a 40% in demand. With federal dollars from the COVID-19 era stimulus packages soon expiring, Rusyniak said the agency would need more funds to support the 75,000 families currently receiving services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We estimate we can support around 50,000 of those children in the next federal fiscal year, Rusyniak told lawmakers. In the 2024 fiscal year, FSSA received $5.1 billion from the General Assembly and $2.3 billion in dedicated funds, compared to $16.8 billion from the federal government. Medicaid makes up the largest portion of that budget, or $20 billion. Payments for parents getting child care subsidies average $7,000, Rusyniak said. Eliminating the waitlist would take another $140 million investment from the state, he estimated. Doing that for the waitlist of long-term services for the elderly and disabled would require not only additional funding but some new approvals from the federal government. Attorney Generals Office The last agency to present its budget pitches for departments promoted itself as asking for no increase whatsoever, regardless of additional burdens imposed by the General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Todd Rokita boasted about his decision to pursue litigation, some of it potentially expensive, including actions against Tik Tok and federal government overreach. Additionally, the office frequently joins sign-on letters and amicus briefs, for a total of 280 in 2024. Defense of your legislation takes a tremendous amount of our time and were proud to defend the laws that you pass, Rokita said, highlighting abortion restrictions, pornography age verification and the opposition to gender-affirming care, in particular. Other subdivisions within the office include the Medicaid fraud unit and its pursuit of negligent landlords. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, questions an agency head during budget committee hearings on Dec. 16, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) But DeLaney questioned Rokita about his politicization of the office and his decision to join certain suits, such as whether Pres.-elect Donald Trump should appear on the ballot in Colorado or suing the Biden Administration over border control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You talk about how you support Indianas values and youve sued the federal government over the border, about elections, about the environment, about coal, DeLaney said. Who gives you direction? Who calls you up and says, I need this lawsuit brought? Rokita responded by saying, I think, ultimately, as an elected Attorney General, Im elected by the people of the state and with that Im given discretion and authority through that electoral process. the way I look at my client-attorney relationship is, I am the legal voice for the state of Indiana. The costs of some filings are underwritten by contingency fee arrangements, including the case against Tik Tok and another against Google and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. That means outside groups take on the work and wont receive payment unless theyre successful in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeLaney openly wondered how much the state would save with the incoming Trump administration, which Rokita an avid fan of the politician would likely sue less. The State Budget Committee will meet again this week to hear the revenue and Medicaid forecast, which will signal how much funding agencies can expect in the upcoming biennium. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ELKHART The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Elkhart County. The three students who will receive full-tuition scholarships at any Indiana college or university are: Jaden Fear of Northwood High School Tageeya Galeb of Goshen High School Annika Troyer of Concord High School Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. This years applicants were a strong group and the volunteers and staff who interviewed finalists were greatly impressed, said Guy Fisher, Chief Program Officer for the Community Foundation. Each eligible Elkhart County high school nominates one senior student based on academic performance (including grades and course load), extra-curricular and civic involvement, work experience, career goals, special circumstances, interview, and an essay. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. It means a lot for me, said Tageeya Galeb, who said she is likely to attend Goshen College to study pre-med. This removes a lot of the financial stressors from my family. Five additional students who participated in the process are receiving the Guy David Gundlach Memorial Scholarship: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madison Lehman of Bethany Christian School Jacob Whitlow of Elkhart High School Jose Cervantes, Jr of Jimtown High School Aislynn Herandez of Northridge High School Mariah Beachey of Fairfield High School Each of these students will receive $5,000 per year for four years to any accredited Indiana college or university. This memorial scholarship is only one of the many positive initiatives established due to Mr. Gundlachs gift in 2011. Since the inception of the scholarship, 63 Elkhart County students have received this $20,000 award. Each eligible Elkhart County high school nominates one senior student based on academic performance (including grades and course load), extra-curricular and civic involvement, work experience, career goals, special circumstances, interview, and an essay. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program. A total of 102 Elkhart County students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. The Community Foundation awards more than $2 million in scholarships annually. Its Universal Application for high school and adult students unlocks consideration for more than 30 different scholarships. That application opens Jan. 1 and is due by March 1. Today marks the third anniversary of the establishment of the DOST Digital Innovation Center (DOST RIM), which operates under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, Azernews reports. Founded on December 17, 2021, by a decision of the Supervisory Board of the DOST Agency, the center aims to contribute significantly to providing digital services in the social sector, making them more flexible and accessible. The primary objectives of DOST RIM are the application and sustainable development of innovative solutions in information and communication technologies (ICT), information security, and project management. The center works to improve digital governance quality and ensure transparency in services provided to citizens, supporting the Ministry and its subordinate institutions in these areas. During its three years of operation, DOST RIM has introduced a new phase in public administration by strengthening relationships between state institutions, integrating data systems, and implementing digital solutions. The center now facilitates efficient and effective information exchange by establishing integration agreements with over 80 institutions, enabling faster delivery of services to citizens. DOST RIM's digital services serve as an exemplary model for automating processes and applying e-solutions in both the public and private sectors. Through its efforts to expand electronic services, digitize documents, and optimize citizen services, the center has become a key driver of the countrys digital transformation. International recognition has confirmed DOST RIM's success and social impact. In its third year, the center received more than 30 international awards for its digital social projects. These accolades highlight that DOST RIM's innovative approaches and solutions meet global standards and serve as a model for other nations. India has unveiled plans to supply LNG to Sri Lanka, with ambitions to connect the power grids between the two nations and establish a petroleum pipeline. This announcement was made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a joint press briefing with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in New Delhi. During President Dissanayake's inaugural official visit since his election victory, the two leaders discussed energy collaboration. Petronet LNG, an Indian state-run enterprise, has secured a five-year contract to deliver LNG to Sri Lankan engineering company LTL Holdings' power stations in Colombo from its terminal in Kochi. The initiatives include a proposal to interlink the power grids and lay a multi-product petroleum pipeline, as per a joint statement from the Indian External Affairs Ministry. These projects aim to strengthen energy security and the economic partnership between the neighbours. The meeting underscored the growing energy ties and potential for further collaboration in the sector. India provided more than $4bn (Rs339.64bn) in assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022 after the country faced a significant economic downturn. In July, India joined other bilateral lenders including Japan and China in a preliminary agreement for debt restructuring. The two nations will now conclude talks regarding the bilateral memorandum of understanding required to finalise the debt restructuring process. In addition to LNG supply, India and Sri Lanka have consented to jointly explore offshore wind power potential in the Palk Straits. In a related development, India is set to lead Asia in oil and gas transmission pipeline additions, contributing more than 40% of the regions total by 2028. More than 50 planned and announced pipelines are expected to begin operations, adding over 26,000km, with around 24,000km already approved for development. "India announces plans to supply LNG to Sri Lanka and connect power grids" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. For a little over a year, I have fought tooth-and-nail for what I believe to be the good of the nation. I spent my car rides home phone banking, and Sunday afternoons canvassing. I spent my weekday nights protesting at the Tennessee State Capitol, and my study hall periods emailing lawmakers to ask them to do whats right. Recently, I, along with millions of my fellow Americans, watched as the United States made a choice contrary to what I believe to be good and just. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im just 16, and I feel fundamentally failed by my country. Let's look to our heroes to show us how to move forward We need a path forward, and that path starts with depolarization. It continues with my personal heroes, advocates like newly elected state Rep. Shaundelle Brooks and congressional and/or legislative candidates Maryam Abolfazli, Alison Beale, and Allie Phillips. Remi Lazo, 17, Austyn Stange, 17, and Monty Thomas, 17, gather with other Nashville area high school students to protest SB1325 before marching to the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 15, 2024. And that path ends with the next generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha. It brings me an immense amount of pain that there is a whole new wave of young girls who, like I did when I was 8, woke up to parents shaking their heads. He won, their parents said, just as mine did in 2016. Thankfully, they, like me, will learn from the mistakes of the older generations. They will watch, over the course of the next four years, as I did, as our rights as women are depleted. They will listen to the rhetoric, just like me, as they are increasingly referred to as less-than. But they, just like me, will know it is their right and duty to do better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: I'm too young to vote, but whoever becomes Nashville mayor will affect my future In four years, maybe theyll stay up all night until the election is called. And four years after that, theyll be fighting by my side. And they will raise their daughters to do the same. Children depend on citizens to keep trying to save the world I cannot promise most of my generation will do the right thing all of the time. Still, when I close my eyes at night and visualize however the hell were going to make it out of this one, I think about us. I think about the fathers voting for their daughters rights, and I think about the mothers who stepped up to run this election cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think about their kids. The kids of Alison Beale, Maryam Abolfazli, and Allie Phillips who are going to grow up with the utter privilege of knowing their mothers are saving the world. Those three women did not win their seats, but I know they wont stop fighting. I look forward to saving the world with them and their children. If we confront a dictatorship, we will stand up and fight These next four years will not be easy. There will be moments of pain. There will be times of sorrow. It will be scary. But the United States was constructed with the intention of never letting a dictator take it over. And if, by some way, a dictator finds himself in complete power, the people will fight it. All across history, they always do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The future is here, and it is ours for the taking. We lost the battle on the national stage. But thats the thing about progress: Time and time again, it finds its way. I see it in the yard signs and the kids showing up to the Sunday afternoon canvassing sessions. Emmie Wolf-Dubin We will move forward. We always do. Progress will find its way back, and nothing is irreversible. This fight surely isnt over its only just begun. Emmie Wolf-Dubin is a journalist and student at Hume-Fogg Academic High School in Nashville. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump election was a gut punch, but I'm not giving up on us | Opinion President-elect Donald Trump claimed the White House again after hundreds of counties shifted to the right when the more than 149 million 2024 presidential election votes were tallied. Trump won Texas by more than 1.5 million votes, securing the second-largest margin of victory in the state's history, behind Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1964, Johnson set the record, winning with over 1.8 million votes in his landslide defeat of Barry Goldwater.On Tuesday, the Electoral College is set to formally cast its votes on the former president, with Texas playing a key role. As one of the largest states, Texas will contribute a substantial portion of the total electoral votes, further cementing Trump's path to the presidency. More: When does the Electoral College vote? Trump set to receive official vote on Tuesday How did Texas vote in the 2024 election? See county-by-county map Tap or hover over each county to explore the map and see how vote totals changed between the 2020 and 2024 elections. By the numbers: How Texas voted in the 2024 US Presidential Election and how it compares to 2020 Total votes (2024): 11,388,674 Total votes (2020) : 11,315,056 Voter turnout (2024) : 61.15% Voter turnout (2020) : 66.73% Margin of victory (2024): 1,558,347 (13.68%) Margin of victory (2020): 631,221 (5.58%) County votes, Republican-Democratic (2024): 242-12 County votes, Republican-Democratic (2020) : 232-22 Electoral College votes (2024) : 40 Electoral College votes (2020): 38 How Texas counties shifted in 2024 election In 2020, 22 counties in Texas voted for President Joe Biden. By 2024, only 12 counties supported Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all remaining Democratic-leaning counties, the percentage of voters who supported the Democratic candidate decreased. For example, El Paso County saw a notable dip in Democratic support, dropping from 66.66% in 2020 to 56.91% in 2024. No county saw an increase in the percentage of voters choosing the Democratic candidate between the two elections. Among those who flipped from Democratic to Republican are: Cameron (Largest city: Brownsville) Culberson (Largest city: Van Horn) Duval (Largest city: San Diego) Hidalgo (Largest city: McAllen) Maverick (Largest city: Eagle Pass) Starr (Largest city: Rio Grande City) Tarrant (Largest city: Fort Worth) Webb (Largest city: Laredo) Willacy (Largest city: Raymondville) Williamson (Largest city: Round Rock) This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How Texas voted in the 2024 election: See county-by-county map Elizabeth Warren wants President-elect Trump to set conflict-of-interest rules for Elon Musk. Warren called any lack of rules an "invitation for corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes." Musk is set to play an influential role in Trump's second term as a co-lead for the DOGE. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday asked President-elect Donald Trump to set conflict-of-interest rules that would apply to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who's set to take on a high-profile role as a co-lead of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Massachusetts Democrat and former 2020 presidential candidate sent the letter to Trump's transition team, according to The Washington Post, noting that the team's members have to adhere to an ethics policy that compels them to "avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, who spent over $250 million to help elect Trump and boost other GOP candidates ahead of the 2024 general election, has been one of Trump's most omnipresent confidants in recent months, accompanying the president-elect on trips and sitting in on his talks with world leaders. Trump has tasked Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy with cutting government waste through the DOGE. The pair have said they want to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. "Putting Mr. Musk in a position to influence billions of dollars of government contracts and regulatory enforcement without a stringent conflict of interest agreement in place is an invitation for corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes," Warren said in her letter. "Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country or merely good for his own bottom line," she continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in a statement to Business Insider responded to Warren by praising Musk's influence and criticizing the Democratic lawmaker. Leavitt called Warren a "career politician whose societal impact is 1/1024th of Elon Musk's" and said Trump's transition team was adhering to high ethical guidelines. Musk was one of Trump's highest-profile surrogates during the presidential race, spending weeks campaigning for the president-elect in pivotal Pennsylvania, which Trump would go on to win en route to a national victory. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday called on Donald Trump to place guardrails around billionaire Elon Musk, who has maintained a near-constant presence in the president-elects inner circle since his victory in Novembers election. In a letter addressed to Trump, Warren emphasized the need for Musk to resolve his conflicts of interest if he wishes to continue serving as a top adviser to [Trump] and [his] transition team. Despite his role in Trumps orbit, its unclear if Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is subject to any ethics rules. Musk has seen his net worth explode since Trumps victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warren argued that the billionaire should share more details about his role and follow the same guidelines laid out in the Trump Vance 2025 Transition Team Ethics Plan, which stipulates that members of the presidential transition team have to avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest. Doing so, Warren said, would reassure the American public. Putting Mr. Musk in a position to influence billions of dollars of government contracts and regulatory enforcement without a stringent conflict of interest agreement in place is an invitation for corruption on a scale not seen in our lifetimes, Warren wrote. As your Transition Team Ethics Plan makes clear, the role of government is not to line the pockets of the wealthiest Americans; a strong, enforceable ethics plan for the worlds richest man is a necessary first step for delivering on that promise, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeff Hauser, director of the Revolving Door Project, a nonprofit that tracks corporate influence on the executive branch, recently told HuffPost hes concerned that Musk wont be subject to the same scrutiny and oversight of Senate-confirmed Cabinet members. There are even fewer ethical restrictions on his behavior that could ever possibly be enforced, Hauser said. Trump and Musk have been inseparable since the election, with the tech executive even joining Trumps call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month. Musk has accompanied Trump on trips, including his recent visit to France for the Notre Dame reopening. Trump has also announced the billionaire will lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency alongside former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to cut government spending. Mr. Musk is no ordinary citizen, Warren warned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks companies Tesla and SpaceX have lucrative government contracts. Warren suggested Musk has a great deal to gain from his proximity to Trump. Matthew Biggs, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, a union that represents NASA employees, said hes worried Musk could try to push more public money towards SpaceX at the expense of NASA program funding. The concern at NASA is that Elon Musk is standing there, waiting, Biggs told HuffPost. Warren noted that Musks companies have an ongoing interest in how the government does or does not enforce labor laws, workplace safety rules, environmental regulations, and other federal laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX is also at the center of a conservative legal effort to undermine the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that enforces collective-bargaining law. NLRB officials are prosecuting SpaceX for allegedly breaking the law by firing several employees after they criticized Musk. SpaceX, in turn, has defended itself by filing a federal lawsuit claiming the structure of the NLRB is unconstitutional. The case could go before the Supreme Court. Trump will have the opportunity to nominate new board members to set policy at the NLRB potentially with Musks input. Musk himself also faces various investigations from government oversight bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to Warrens letter, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump, mocked Warren without addressing any of the concerns she raised, according to The Washington Post. Pocahontas can play political games and send toothless letters, but the Trump-Vance transition will continue to be held to the highest ethical and legal standards possible a standard unfamiliar to a career politician whose societal impact is 1/1024th of Elon Musks, Leavitt said. Related... (Bloomberg) -- Jared Birchall, Elon Musks money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Most Read from Bloomberg But theyre not connected to Musks new technology venture, or the political operation thats endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, theyre tied to the billionaires new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world's richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astras website says its currently open to all children ages 3 to 9. The schools account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that's home to several of Musk's businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The schools main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes thematic, STEM-based activities and projects as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchalls and Balajadias names appear in the application, it isnt clear that theyll have substantive roles at the school once its operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didnt respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in childcare deserts where there is either not a facility or there isnt an available slot.Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves. Musks educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trumps first buddy. The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he and now the incoming Trump administration call DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though its not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in Americas schools, the account posted Dec. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musks Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musks employees if not Musks own offspring in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. Ad Astras mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders, reads the schools website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn't uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded Raise Your Hand Texas, which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers, Gormley said. A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general and preschool in particular because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce. Political Moves Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trumps presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trumps first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administrations cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what were doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work, Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in Americas public schools since 2000. https://t.co/RzKaMTdeGM Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 5, 2024 School Permits In 2014, Musk opened a private school also called Ad Astra for his five older kids and the children of SpaceX employees in southern California. By 2020, the Covid pandemic was underway, and SpaceX was building out operations in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, SpaceXs Starbase facility is home to the companys massive Starship rocket, designed to take humans to the moon and Mars. SpaceX wants to incorporate Starbase as a city, and theres already a Kenmont School at Starbase child care center. Separately, another Ad Astra day care facility owned by SpaceX appears to be under construction, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Tuition Costs Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that too many smart people go into finance and law. I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters, Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. Thats a lot more important than having incremental political science majors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ad Astras website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program. I do think we need significant reform in education, Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom. --With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Elon Musk and SpaceX face at least three federal reviews over whether they have complied with federal reporting rules aimed at protecting national security, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. This is not the first time the security practices of the SpaceX founder have been questioned by the Pentagon. A 2018 incident in which Musk, who is also CEO of Tesla, smoked marijuana on a live Web show with U.S. comedian Joe Rogan also sparked a security clearance review by the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such reviews ordinarily occur once instances of a potential infraction come to light, Pentagon officials have said. The New York Times said the new reviews were initiated by the Air Force, the Defense Department's Inspector General and the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security. It cited eight people with knowledge of the rocket company and internal documents. "Elon Musk and his rocket company, SpaceX, have repeatedly failed to comply with federal reporting protocols aimed at protecting state secrets, including by not providing some details of his meetings with foreign leaders," the newspaper report said. The Air Force and undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security referred queries to the Defense Department's Office of Inspector General. That office, in turn, said that as a matter of policy, it could "neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation." It added: "This is to protect the confidentiality of those involved and to protect the integrity of the investigative process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell declined to comment on the security clearance issues or the probes when asked by a Reuters reporter as she left an event in Washington. Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New York Times said the Air Force recently cited potential security risks in denying high-level security access for Musk, and that allies including Israel have flagged concerns that the billionaire CEO might share sensitive data. Last month, two Democratic U.S. senators, Jeanne Shaheen and Jack Reed, wrote in a letter that reports that Musk has held multiple calls with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, should be investigated by the Pentagon and law-enforcement agencies on national security grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall responded last week to Shaheen that he shared those concerns but could not comment on the status of a person's security clearance. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Mike Stone and Joey Roulette in Washington; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Matthew Lewis) Elon Musks shady behavior has gotten him and SpaceX flagged for federal review three times, according to reporting from The New York Times. Musk has reportedly failed to cooperate with security clearance reporting rules, hiding info on things like meetings with foreign leaders. According to disclosure stipulations, Musk is required to report details of his international meetings and travels as well as any drug use. He has apparently shirked that responsibility since at least 2021, according to four people with knowledge of SpaceX, putting his ability to handle highly classified information into question. Musk, who currently has top secret clearance, gets access to classified information on the U.S. military. But in 2023, the Air Force rejected his request for an even higher level of security clearance, known as Special Access Program. A Pentagon official told the Times that Musk was rejected due to a lack of explanation for some of his meetings with foreign leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without access to the clearance, Musk should theoretically be blocked from joining certain meetings between SpaceX and the Air Force on extremely sensitive classified information. But the Times reported Pentagon officials are concerned Musk is still joining many of those conversations anyway. No formal accusations have yet been leveled at Musk, and it is unclear how the reviews will impact the SpaceX CEO, if at all. Donald Trump could unilaterally grant Musk security clearance after his inauguration. To have someone who has major contracts with the government who would be in a position to pass alongwhether deliberately or inadvertentlysecrets is concerning, Senator Jeanne Shaheen told The New York Times. The New Hampshire Democrat requested that the Air Force and the Defense Departments Office of Inspector General investigate Musk for having inappropriate talks with foreign leaders, like Russian President Vladimir Putin. The worlds richest man and incoming Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, co-chair has continuously blurred the lines between civilian and elected officialespecially as he cements himself further into Trumps inner circle after stumping for the president-elect all election season. MAGA billionaire Elon Musk hosted Nigel Farage, the leader of Britains populist, anti-immigrant Reform Party, at President-elect Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate on Monday. The meeting came as rumors have swirled that the worlds richest man, who backed Trumps presidential run to the tune of $239 million and served as one of his most compliant and enthusiastic surrogates, is musing throwing his wealth behind the controversial Brits nascent party. Farage, a longtime Trump cheerleader, was a prominent figurehead in the 2016 Brexit campaign, which is often viewed as a populist presage for Trumps election as president later that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The son of a stockbroker, he has burnished his populist bona fides by chugging pints on the stump and making false claims about immigration and migrants. An old schoolmate described him as a deeply unembarrassed racist. Nigel Farage and Nick Candy meet with Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, December 16, 2024. / Reform UK Under his leadership, Reform had a surprisingly strong showing in this years U.K. election, winning 14.3 percent of the popular vote and five seats in the House of Commons. Trump congratulated Farage, who has been a fixture of the online alt-right on both sides of the Atlantic for years, on the breakthrough. We had a great meeting with Elon Musk for an hour yesterday, said Farage, who was joined by his partys treasurer, Nick Candy, in a statement. We learned a great deal about the Trump ground game and will have ongoing discussions on other areas. Farage also posed for pictures with and spoke to Vice President-elect JD Vance, images posted to his Instagram account show. U.K. media reports have swirled for weeks alluding to rumors that Reform was in talks with Musk for a massive financial donation, similar to the backing he gave Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk and Farage have denied the rumorswith Farage saying they are receiving only political supportthough Reforms deputy leader, Richard Tice, said the party would be delighted to exchange some Musk bucks for quid. Nigel Farage and Nick Candy meet with Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, December 16, 2024. / Reform UK More than just a populist political affinity, Musk and Trump have an axe to grind with the new U.K. government. This years election was won by the Labour Party with less than 34 percent of the popular vote, thanks to a divided electorate and the deeply unpopular Conservatives. Musk and Trump both warred with Keir Starmer, the new Labour Prime Minister, during the presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk accused the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), founded by Starmers chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, of violating US criminal statutes against foreign interference in elections and trying to kill his social media platform X. Trumps campaign filed a legal complaint that accused Labour of interfering in the U.S. election because Labour members had traveled to the U.K. to volunteer on Democratic campaigns. We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together, said Farage and Candy. Our thanks also to President Trump for allowing us to use Mar-a-Lago for this historic meeting. The special relationship is alive and well. Listen and subscribe to Opening Bid on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. These days, its good to be a major tech player. But its also good to be a legacy giant looking to get back on the radar if youre General Motors (GM). After slumping during the COVID-19 years, without a doubt as far as the earnings and EBITDA and free cash flow, were going to be at record levels for GM, Bank of America analyst John Murphy told Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi during the Opening Bid podcast (see video or listen below). Thats the level that nobody thought would ever be consistently hit and it seems like they may be hitting that for the next few years. This embedded content is not available in your region. That execution has led to GM earning the 2024 Yahoo Finance Surprise of the Year award. Murphy praised veteran GM chair and CEO Mary Barra for her leadership over time. Barra, he said, recognized the need to strengthen your core and make the core business that much stronger so you can fund the future." Founded in Flint, Mich., in 1908, GM is a member of the Big Three automakers alongside Ford (F) and Stellantis (STLA), formerly Chrysler. GM stock hit a 52-week high of $61.24 in December and is up 47% year to date far ahead of its Big Three peers. Ford's stock is down 15% in 2024, while Stellantis shares have dropped nearly 40%. Stellantis just axed its CEO amid poor execution. Some strength for GM comes courtesy of its crossover vehicles and a more keen eye toward electric vehicle profits, Murphy said. What has surprised Barra this year is how EVs such as the Cadillac Lyriq have been embraced by consumers, she told Sozzi in an exclusive interview. GM's third quarter earnings topped Wall Street estimates on the top and bottom lines. Revenue reached $48.76 billion, beating estimates of $44.69 billion. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $2.96, surpassing the $2.43 expected. The automaker also raised its full-year outlook for the third time this year. Importantly, when we get to calendar years '27 and '28, they have their pickups and large SUVs, which are an unbelievable franchise, said Murphy, adding that no competitor has achieved this feat. We may actually hit 18 million units in '27 and '28. I think theres a tremendous amount of upside in the cycle, he said. It hasn't all been rosy at GM, though. Earlier in the month, it announced a restructuring in China to the tune of $5 billion to shore up business woes in the ultra-competitive country. It also shared plans to shutter Cruise, its robotaxi division, by the first half of next year. The manager of a Boston-based dental practice is facing additional charges related to the unauthorized insurance of prescriptions and unauthorized use of a patients credit card. Fritz Gabriel, 69, the owner of Forest Hills Dental on Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester, has been indicted on charges of unlawful use of a registration number and one count of fraudulent use of a credit card, the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office announced Monday. According to the AGs office, Gabriel falsely representing himself as a licensed dentist, issued prescriptions, including ones for controlled substances such as Percocet and Hydrocodone, using the registration number and credentials of a dentist without that dentists knowledge or authorization. Additonally, the AG alleges that Gabriel futilized a patients credit card to make more than $6,000 in unauthorized purchases, including $5,000 in charges for Forest Hills after helping the patient open the credit card. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabriel was indicted in May 2024 on criminal charges for allegedly defrauding both their patients and the states healthcare system for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Gabriel and Forest Hills billed MassHealth for services including extractions, root canals, and fillings that were never provided to customers. Dental examinations of the MassHealth members at the Dorchester business allegedly helped authorities uncover the deceit. In total, officials say Gabriel, who was not a licensed dentist, fraudulently obtained $245,000 from MassHealth. Gabriel was arranged in court on Monday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW President-elect Donald Trump had not been terribly successful in suing media organizations until this weekend when ABC News agreed to settle a closely-watched defamation case he brought against the network to the tune of $16 million. Now, Trump is expanding his threats of legal action against the news media as he prepares to move back into the White House, stating he wants to straighten out the press. On Monday, Trump said he has a new target: The Des-Moines Register newspaper, which he said he plans to sue today or tomorrow over its final poll of Iowa voters that showed him losing the November election to Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump made the comments during a wide-ranging press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where he said hed bring the lawsuit against the storied Iowa newspaper because he believed the poll was fraud and it was election interference. The Registers final poll before Election Day, conducted by legendary pollster J. Ann Selzer, showed Harris leading Trump 47-44% among likely voters in the state, a bombshell result setting off a flurry of coverage that Harris could possibly pull an upset in a state Trump won in 2016 and 2020. Other surveys had found Trump comfortably ahead of Harris in the state. Trump went on to win the state by a 13-point margin. Shes gotten me right always. Shes a very good pollster. She knows what she was doing, Trump said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for The Registers parent company Gannett, said in a statement the newspaper has acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Anton said. In an interview Friday on the PBS show Iowa Press, Selzer said she did not know what went wrong. We have explored everything. The Des Moines Register in an unprecedented move for transparency has put online our cross tabs our weighting system and my analysis that Ive not needed to update because it was pretty complete, she said. Selzer previously said she wondered if the intense coverage of her poll helped motivated Trump voters to turn out on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selzer said she was mystified by allegations she was politically motivated or had engaged in election interference, accusations she takes very seriously. The idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when Ive never done that before - Ive had plenty of opportunity to do it. Its not my ethic, she said. But to suggest without a single shred of evidence that I was in cahoots with somebody, that I was being paid by somebody, its hard to pay too much attention to it except that they are accusing me of a crime. Reached by CNN on Monday, Selzer said she would decline to comment on Trumps threat until she saw a legal document. Trumps comments about the Register came in response to a reporters question about whether the president-elect planned to file more lawsuits, including against social media influencers and other independent figures, following the multimillion-dollar settlement reached with ABC News after he sued the network for defamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you have to do it because theyre very dishonest. We need a great media. We need a fair media, Trump said. Trump then laid out several other lawsuits hes brought against the media, including famed journalist Bob Woodward, CBS News 60 Minutes program and the Pulitzer Prize board. While the threshold for proving defamation is high, requiring proof that an outlet knowingly published false information, even if a lawsuit is tossed by a judge or a media outlet ultimately prevails, the punishment is in the process. Lawsuits can drag on for months or years and can cost companies millions in legal fees. Some news organizations are already warning their reporters to prepare: Axios recently told its staff to expect an increased number of lawsuits from the Trump administration, Semafor reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump at one point suggested Monday that the US government should be taking up these lawsuits against the news media, even though some have been filed alleging personal defamation. I feel I have to do this. I shouldnt really be the one to do it. It should have been the Justice Department or somebody else, Trump said. But I have to do it. It costs a lot of money to do it, but we have to straighten out the press. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) The Fayette County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing 1-year-old who was last seen in September. Kahleb Rowan Collins was last seen on Sept. 4 in Fayette County. Collins weighs 35 pounds, has blue eyes, and strawberry or blonde hair. Authorities started searching for Collins after a crash that killed his father and 2-year-old sister earlier this month. Steven Collins, the childs father, was reportedly not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred. He was ejected from the truck he was driving and transported to UAB Hospital. He died on Dec. 9. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says 2-year-old Ryleigh Collins was unrestrained in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendy Bailey, Kahlebs mother, was a passenger in the vehicle and remains in critical condition. She was airlifted to UAB Hospital for treatment. According to the FCSO, law enforcement learned on Dec. 9 that Steven Collins and Bailey had another child that was unaccounted for. It hits right at home, said Fayette County resident Karen Sanderson. Sanderson lives close to where the crash occurred, according to Jim Standridge, who serves as a public defender for the 24th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama. Standridge was assigned to the case Tuesday morning. Were here at the scene just trying to get a feel for the accident and what happened, Standridge said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Standridge leads the defenses own investigation, the FCSO is also questioning possible witnesses, family and friends of the missing child. Law enforcement agencies went to the Walker County Solid Waste Department on Tuesday looking for answers, according to the director, Rodney Cane. Bailey was employed by the landfill. Anyone with information on Kahlebs whereabouts or information on the case is urged to call the FCSO at 205-932-3205. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. News that a Canadian-owned pipeline had what is considered the largest oil spill in Wisconsin history last month has raised concerns about another of the company's lines, which runs through the northern part of the state as well as the Great Lakes basin. On Nov. 14, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it had approved the reroute of the controversial Line 5 pipeline in northern Wisconsin a project that environmental groups and Great Lakes tribes say continues to put the worlds largest surface freshwater system at risk. Then, last week, it was publicly learned that Enbridge Energys Line 6 a 465-mile pipeline carrying crude oil from Superior, Wisconsin, to a terminal near Griffith, Indiana spilled an estimated 1,650 barrels, or 69,300 gallons, in the town of Oakland in Jefferson County, according to federal officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Line 6 spill actually was first detected Nov. 11. That meant the DNR released the permit approval of the Line 5 reroute three days after it learned of the spill. You would hope that the state would make Enbridge clean up its mess before even considering the reroute of Line 5, said Tony Gibart, executive director of Midwest Environmental Advocates. That did not happen. Enbridge has proposed to reroute the Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas land. In June 2023, a federal judge ordered that the oil giant was in trespass of the Bands land, as the right-of-way easement expired more than a decade ago after the Band chose not to renew it, fearing environmental harm. The pipeline must be removed or rerouted from the Bands land by June 2026 as designated by court order. Still, the 41-mile reroute project has been hotly contested, as the Band and environmental groups argue that the new stretch of pipeline will still sit within its watershed, risking Lake Superior and important resources like the Kakagon Sloughs, a wetland complex on the Bands land that is internationally recognized for its ecological and cultural importance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Gibart, the Line 6 spill is an example of what can go wrong and why the project should not have been permitted. DNR officials have said the Line 5 reroute could be safely done, and that impacts would be limited. Industry groups said the proposed reroute will be a win for Wisconsins economy and workers. Enbridge spokesperson Juli Kellner did not immediately respond to questions regarding Line 5 opponents' concerns over the Line 6 spill. However, Kellner said cleanup efforts are ongoing and the Canadian company is working with the DNR. More: Enbridge pipeline spills nearly 70,000 gallons of crude oil in Jefferson County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bad River Band Chairman Robert Blanchard told the Journal Sentinel he was concerned that over a month went by before we were notified of the spill. Blanchard explained the terrain near Lake Superior and the Bands land is rugged and steep. If a spill or accident were to happen, Blanchard said the fastest response time would be two hours, and likely longer if the company has to mobilize large equipment. And by that time, who knows, Blanchard said. The Band has since contested the wetland and waterway permit granted by the DNR and filed a lawsuit against the state agency, arguing the final environmental impact statement violates the states Environmental Protection Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Stefanie Tsosie, senior attorney with the Tribal Partnerships Program at EarthJustice, the permit has a lot of conditions, but Enbridge has a history of not following those conditions as well as a history of accidents and spills. The reroute is a false solution, Tsosie said. In its roughly 70-year tenure, Line 5 has leaked 35 times and released a total of more than 1.13 million gallons of oil into the environment, according to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration database. November's Line 6 spill is another reminder of the risks. This is news, but its not news, Tsosie said. Its not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. Cleanup around Line 6 spill is underway The Line 6 spill was found during a routine inspection by an Enbridge technician. The spill occurred due to a faulty connection on a transfer pipe within the Cambridge Station, which was shut down and isolated. Following excavation of the area, the source of the spill was repaired and the station was returned to service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release involved a faulty connection on a pump transfer pipe within the Enbridge Cambridge Station which has been repaired. Kellner said in an email Monday that soil removal is ongoing and it estimates about 60% of the volume or roughly 30,000 gallons were removed from the soil thus far. "We are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as cleanup and restoration proceed," Kellner said, in an email. This isn't the first time an Enbridge pipeline has spilled in Wisconsin. Enbridge failed to report a spill in early 2019 for more than a year even though the company was well aware that a large amount of an oil substance had been released near Fort Atkinson, also in Jefferson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in 2010, another pipeline leak resulted in 50,000 gallons of oil entering the environment in Adams County. More: Along Wisconsin's northern shores, Line 5 continues to pit tribal culture against Big Oil More: As Lake Superior wetlands become more vulnerable, tribe fears cultural guideposts could slip away Caitlin Looby can be reached at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Enbridge oil spill heightens concerns over Line 5 reroute, experts say BOSTON (WWLP) A Boston bill that couldve changed tax policy statewide is no longer on the table. This bill would have changed the balance between commercial and residential property taxes, so the decrease in taxes for businesses would be smaller, and the increase in taxes for residents would be smaller as well. This bill was expected to have consequences throughout the Commonwealth, as cities and towns in western Massachusetts could adopt similar tax policies if this bill were to pass. Southie Senator Nick Collins led the charge in the senate to kill this bill, saying recent data released by the Department of Revenue showed that this bill is not necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins pointed out that local businesses are still struggling with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and should be able to enjoy as much of a tax decrease as possible. And now we know the sky isnt falling, and the campaign of fear and manipulation that took place and continues to take place is a farce, said Collins on the Senate floor last week. After Collins laid the bill on the table and delayed discussion three separate times, the Senate President released a statement ending the debate. Despite hard work and effort, the path forward for the City of Bostons proposal to shift its tax burden from residents to businesses has become increasingly challengingmany in the Senate believe that this proposal tips the scales too far in one direction, with a stalled economic recovery in Boston as an unfortunate potential outcome, said Senate President Karen Spilka. Boston Mayor Michelle Wuwho led the push for this legislationhas publicly expressed her disappointment with this bills demise in the legislature. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The YSU Foundation announced a new endowment has been established for the YSU English Festival, which is now in its 47th year. The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment was established by the Sniderman family, which includes Stephens wife Marilyn, and children Lani, Andy and Peter. Stephen Sniderman taught in YSUs English Department for 41 years, retiring in 2010. He was one of the earliest members of the English Festival Committee and joined the English Festival Advisory Board upon his retirement, serving the festival for a total of 40 years, according to a news release from the YSU Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud of our dads legacy of creativity and education. He had an incredibly fertile mind, and were honored to share his vision and passion with future generations, said Peter Sniderman, the older son of Stephen. The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment will fund monetary prizes and other expenses of the Writing Games, which is part of the festival. As such, the Writing Games will be named the Stephen Sniderman Memorial Writing Games to honor his memory. Dr. Sniderman was dedicated to teaching young people and loved passing along his passion for books to others, said YSU Foundation Senior Development Officer Andrew Zajac. The English Festival at YSU wouldnt have been what it is today without the energy and enthusiasm he had for the festival for so many years. This endowment will ensure that his passion for reading and the English Festival will live on for generations to come. Those who wish to contribute to the endowment can donate through the YSU Foundations website. Donors should click Give Now and Online Donation and include The Stephen Sniderman English Festival Endowment in the gift details to direct the donation to the fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. DENVER (KDVR) A water main break near Arapahoe and Dayton streets caused delays on Sunday as water cascaded from a large crack in the street. I saw it in the middle of the street raising up in the air we called and they ended up having the fire department come out, Courtney Lockard said. Pro-wolf groups urge budget committee to uphold their commitment to reintroduction program Residents living in nearby apartment and condominium complexes said the water gushing from the pipe quickly rose along the curb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It freaked me out a little bit, I had no idea what was going on it was about six to eight inches out of the ground, said Lockard. Denver Water crews quickly responded and repaired the break overnight Sunday, which disrupted service to 35 residences and two multi-unit buildings. (Difficult to) brush our teeth do all the simple things that you do on your day-to-day drink water make coffee all those little inconveniences, said Lockard. The water main break was repaired by midnight. On Monday, Denver Water responded to a complaint that seven units in one adjacent building were still without water. The minimum wage is increasing in Colorado: Heres what workers will make in 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just personal hygiene, you know drinking water, we had to go get cases of water; we cant shower, Fred Johnson told FOX31. Denver Water said an investigation shows water is flowing through the meter into the buildings service line, which means the problem is inside the building and will have to be addressed by the homeowners association. Denver Waters system has more than 3,000 miles of water mains. Crews are working to replace 140,000 feet of pipe a year by 2026 to prevent problems like corrosion, which Denver Water confirmed to FOX31 was the cause of Sundays break. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The post English Teacher Creator Brian Jordan Alvarez Accused of Sexual Assault by Former Collaborator appeared first on Consequence. Brian Jordan Alvarez, creator and star of the TV comedy English Teacher, has been accused of sexual assault by a former friend and collaborator. In a new Vulture report, former co-star Jon Ebeling has detailed allegations of misconduct on and off the set of the webseries The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo in 2015 and 2016. As the piece points out, the comedy show mirrored real life, where Ebeling and fellow co-star Stephanie Koenig actually dated and Alvarez had a crush on Ebeling. In one episode, Alvarez as Caleb and Ebeling as Billy have a sexual encounter after Billy and Karen (played by Koenig) first have sex. It was during this scene that Alvarez allegedly committed sexual assault in an eerie callback to the original incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its played off as sexual experimentation on the show, the reality was Ebeling had felt insane pressure from Alvarez to hook up. In one instance, Ebeling repeatedly said no to Alvarezs advances before allowing oral sex until he went flaccid and fell asleep. I thought this is what I needed to do to keep the peace, to keep seeing Steph, to stay on the show, he explained to Vulture. According to Ebeling, Alvarez initially suggested they keep the encounter a secret, while Ebeling insisted they tell Koenig who was understandably devastated. For his part, Alvarez told the publication that Ebeling enthusiastically gave consent and encouraged it throughout. He also said he felt it was important that they tell Koenig as depicted in episode three [of the show]. Later, Ebeling attempted to process what happened during sessions with a spiritual guru. While texting Koenig, Ebeling said he was in a dark place, but had been firm with Alvarez about not wanting to go there anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Koenig said she hoped Ebeling and Alvarez could get to a happy place about it. Koenig also said she thought [Alvarez] would never have done anything to hurt you. I think it all just felt right. And free. Despite the conflicted feelings, Ebeling went along with Alvarezs idea to use the incident as material for Caleb Gallo. While filming a scene when Alvarezs character was supposed to mime oral sex, however, Alvarez allegedly performed a blowjob for real, leaving Ebeling frozen in the moment. I was like, Wait a second. I didnt consent to this, Ebeling recalled thinking. We didnt talk about this. I was raped. Speaking through a lawyer, Alvarez has claimed all of their sexual contact was consensual and that Brian briefly made contact with Mr. Ebelings penis under the covers, believing (correctly and justifiably in light of Brians then-current sexual relationship with Mr. Ebeling) that Mr. Ebeling was fine with it. In a follow-up statement, the lawyer said Ebeling consented verbally to doing it for real before filming, which Ebeling vehemently denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the next several years, Ebeling maintained a close relationship with Alvarez and continued collaborating with him on additional projects because Koenig and other friends helped him [convince] myself this was a miscommunication. He also had a fear of losing my whole network of people. Now that several years have gone by, Ebeling says he has come to see the situation for what it was sexual assault. Before the premiere of English Teacher on FX and Hulu, he hinted at the misconduct on his Instagram Story. My personal experience with the creator of this show was much closer to the plot of Baby Reindeer than whatever this is, he wrote. Gonna skip this one. Days later, he filed reports with the LAPD and Screen Actors Guild. Read the full story at Vulture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual misconduct, you can reach out for support: RAINN Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) http://www.rainn.org Crisis Text Line SMS: Text HERE to 741-741 http://www.facebook.com/crisistextline (chat support) English Teacher Creator Brian Jordan Alvarez Accused of Sexual Assault by Former Collaborator Eddie Fu Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. NEW YORK New York Citys defiant Democratic mayor ran into one hurdle after another Monday facing mounting fallout from the investigations into him and his inner circle just as he tries to improve his precarious political standing. The citys Campaign Finance Board voted Monday morning to deny Mayor Eric Adams $4.5 million in public funds for his reelection. Ninety minutes later, his longest-serving, closest aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin and her lawyer announced the Manhattan district attorney will soon indict her on alleged corruption charges. More than 1,200 miles away, President-elect Donald Trump said he would consider pardoning the mayor in his federal bribery case a legal lifeline that carries great political risk in a New York City Democratic primary. The cascade of bad news comes as Adams faces attacks from a bevy of lesser-known Democrats running to unseat him next year, as well as the prospect of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo jumping into the primary. The mayor has been aggressively trying to change his circumstances lately alleging he was targeted for his criticisms of outgoing President Joe Biden, lambasting local reporters for their negative coverage and pushing out a string of positive announcements about public safety, tax relief and affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of that was enough to help him navigate the bad news Monday, which culminated in a combative news conference in which his staff tried to cut off reporters as they asked questions about the pressing stories. In denying Adams matching funds, the local board condemned him to another six months of fundraising ahead of next Junes Democratic primary, a significant setback for any incumbent though it is one he can appeal. The board partially based its decision on a five-count federal indictment alleging Adams participated in a bribery scheme involving the Turkish government. The mayor has pleaded not guilty and will face trial in April. On top of that, with its decision Monday, the board hand-delivered a line of attack thats sure to dog the mayor throughout his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is now even less of a shot of Mayor Adams winning reelection, said Democratic strategist Trip Yang, an adviser to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a potential Adams challenger. He could raise more contributions, but it will require a lot of effort and time. And this adds to the litany of credibility arguments that could be used against him for the Trump-averse Democratic primary electorate. Adams noted at his press conference that while several of his potential competitors did not qualify for matching funds, the board could change its mind going forward. He did not, however, mention that his rivals were denied for different reasons. Were going to continue to work with CFB to answer any questions that they have so we can continue to get the funding, Adams said. Even without the funding, we have out-raised substantially everyone else thats in the race." He also had to contend with pending troubles for Lewis-Martin, who abruptly resigned Sunday ahead of expected criminal charges this week. She has been Adams closest and most loyal adviser for decades and is departing his ranks during one of the most tenuous chapters in his political career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor addressed the loss which came as the two have been reportedly feuding in deeply personal terms Monday. "Whenever I walked on stage to do a State of the City, or go to a debate, no matter what I did, she would walk in the room, ask everyone to leave, and she would grab my hands and she would pray for me, Adams said. This morning I did it for her I lifted her up in prayer. The mayor said she is 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. Lewis-Martins press conference at the office of her attorney, Arthur Aidala, was a reminder that investigations into Adams and his inner circle are still piling up. Aidala, a friend and donor to Adams, answered in the affirmative when asked if he believed that Manhattan prosecutors were trying to get his client to cooperate in a case against the mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Adams, those legal troubles may be alleviated by the incoming president. The Republican has shown sympathy toward the Democratic mayor, and each insists Bidens Department of Justice is targeting them to seek political retribution. In Adams case, he publicly criticized Bidens handling of the migrant crisis. And both Adams and Trump say that act spurred the DOJ to action. I said hes going to be indicted, Trump said Monday during a press briefing at Mar-a-Lago. And a few months later he got indicted. So, I would certainly look into [a pardon]. Adams referred questions about Trumps remarks to his attorney and said he hopes the president-elect will make the DOJ less politicized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that what President-elect Trump has gone through is allowing him to see that if the Justice Department is doing what President Biden stated, such as being politicized, I believe he owes it to Americans to make sure thats not the case, Adams said. A pardon from Trump would almost certainly be a political liability for Adams in a Democratic primary, in which left-of-center voters typically flock to the polls. In the last general election, Trump lost the city 68-30 proving it remains an anti-Trump Democratic stronghold, even as he made significant gains statewide. Whether any of Adams opponents can effectively wield that against him remains to be seen, but early signs show most of them are trying that line of attack presuming voters will be turned off by any whiff of MAGA affiliation. Adams had steered clear of criticizing Trump or stumping for Kamala Harris during the campaign. Since Election Day, he hosted the incoming border czar at his official residence of Gracie Mansion to discuss immigration policy, and has spoken enthusiastically about Elon Musks high-level role in the incoming White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I should not have been charged, Adams said at Mondays press briefing. God has a way of showing the irony of life: Im just saying the same thing that President Biden said. President Biden stated his Justice Department has been politicized. President Trump stated that. I stated that. He was referring to Bidens pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, and the presidents subsequent statement alleging his own DOJ was engaging in politically motivated selective prosecution. Adams no-good Monday came as things were starting to look up for the mayor. Earlier this month, City Council members approvedAdams signature housing plan. He joined a politically influential union to announce a populist state measure to provide tax relief to low-wage workers. And the NYPD helped catch the 26-year-old suspect in the murder of the UnitedHealthcare CEO with a hefty assist from a fast food worker in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in City Hall, Adams pushed out top advisers who were ensnared in local and federal probes at the behest of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove him from office. That group of embattled aides including the former police commissioner, schools chancellor and two deputy mayors has been replaced by government veterans whom insiders generally regard as serious and competent. Political and government insiders particularly lauded his appointmentof Maria Torres-Springer as first deputy mayor in October as a sign the administration would begin to focus on governing amid the probes and charges. City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said overall crime numbers have come down since Adams took office, while job numbers have increased. As Mayor Adams says all the time: Stay focused, no distractions, and grind, she said in a statement. The best way to serve New Yorkers is to continue keeping our eyes on the goal of improving this city and let the results speak for themselves. The European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok on Tuesday for suspected Russian interference in the annulled Romanian presidential elections in November. The probe is taking place after "serious indications that foreign actors interfered" in the elections with the use of TikTok, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. In the European Union "it should be crystal clear" that all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable, von der Leyen added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is taking place under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a set of powerful EU laws governing social media and technology companies operating in the bloc. The first round of the Romanian presidential election, held on November 24, saw far-right and pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly come out on top. Georgescu's own videos on TikTok went viral. The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the first round of presidential elections and ordered a complete rerun. By Maki Shiraki (Reuters) -Japanese auto giants Honda and Nissan are in talks to set up a holding company, according to a person with knowledge of the matter, a move that would allow them to share more resources amid competition upending the global industry. The talks, first reported by the Nikkei newspaper, would allow the two automakers to cooperate more closely on technology at a time when the industry is being rewritten by the likes of Tesla and Chinese rivals. The talks are aimed at setting up an umbrella holding company that Nissan and Honda would then fall under, said the person, who declined to be identified because the information had not been made public. It was not immediately clear whether a new holding company was aimed at eventually establishing a full union between the two companies, although Nikkei said they were beginning merger talks. The two carmakers have increased ties in recent months as they wrestle with the changing EV landscape. As well as heavy competition, automakers also face stalling demand in Europe and the U.S., intensifying the pressures on them. Honda and Nissan on Tuesday issued identical statements saying no merger had been announced by either company. "As announced in March of this year, Honda and Nissan are exploring various possibilities for future collaboration, leveraging each other's strengths," the companies said in separate statements, adding they will inform stakeholders of any updates at an appropriate time. In addition, French automaker Renault, a major Nissan shareholder, said it had no information and declined to comment. Over the past year, an EV price war launched by Tesla and Chinese automaker BYD has only intensified pressure on any companies losing money on the next-generation vehicles. That has put pressure on companies like Honda and Nissan to seek ways to cut costs and speed vehicle development, and mergers are a major step in that direction. Honda's market capitalization is 5.95 trillion yen ($38.8 billion), while Nissan's is 1.17 trillion yen ($7.6 billion). Any deal would be the biggest in the industry since the $52 billion merger between Fiat Chrysler and PSA in 2021 to create Stellantis. "The thought that some of these smaller players can survive and thrive is getting more challenging, especially when you add on the complexity of all the additional Chinese manufacturers who have come in and are competing quite strongly," said Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell. "It's just sort of necessary to survive, not only to survive, but also just to afford the future." The European Commission launched an investigation into TikTok on Tuesday for suspected Russian interference in the annulled Romanian presidential elections in November. The probe is taking place after "serious indications that foreign actors interfered" in the elections with the use of TikTok, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. In the European Union "it should be crystal clear" that all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable, von der Leyen added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is taking place under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a set of powerful EU laws governing social media and technology companies operating in the bloc. The commission said the investigation would focus on the Chinese online video platform's procedures in place to address risks posed to the integrity of elections. This includes TikTok's video recommendation systems that may be open to coordinated artificial and automated exploitation and policies to regulate "political advertisements and paid-for political content." The commission highlighted that the opening of the investigation into potential DSA breaches does not prejudice the outcome and that there is no legal deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover are possible in the event of a non-compliance decision from the commission. The EU executive arm will now continue to gather evidence, conduct inspections of TikTok and carry out interviews. TikTok denied the allegations from the commission and stressed its cooperation with the investigation. "We've protected the integrity of our platform through over 150 elections around the world and continue proactively addressing these industry-wide challenges," said a spokesman for TikTok. Romania declassified intelligence to reveal Russian interference in the presidential election, and the Romanian public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into far-right candidate Calin Georgescu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutor's office is also investigating the origins and funding of the online election campaign of the previously little-known candidate. The first round of the presidential election, held on November 24, saw pro-Russian Georgescu unexpectedly come out on top. Georgescu's viral campaign was run mainly on TikTok. The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the first round of presidential elections in December and ordered a complete rerun. New elections must now take place but it is unclear when. A run-off vote for the presidency was supposed to pit Georgescu against Elena Lasconi, representing the liberal-conservative reform party Save Romania Union (USR), who followed in second place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of NATO and the EU, Romania has so far firmly sided with Ukraine against the full-scale Russian invasion. A large proportion of Ukraine's grain exports go through Romania. However Georgescu said in a recent interview that he plans to halt all aid to Ukraine if he wins the election. The EU imposed fully fledged sanctions on Dec. 16, including asset freezes and visa bans, on Chinese firms for supplying Russia's military for the war against Ukraine. The bloc 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 during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine represented an 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, according to AFP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 previously targeted Chinese firms for supporting Russia's military. But until now, the bloc has imposed bans on European firms doing business with 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 for Russia to fight Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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's military intelligence (HUR) reported 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. North Korean soldiers have been stationed in Kursk Oblast since October, initially taking on support roles. Their recent involvement in ground assault operations highlights the growing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Read also: EU imposes new sanctions on Belarusian officials and companies supporting Lukashenko regime Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission opened formal proceedings on Tuesday against social media firm TikTok over its suspected failure to limit election interference, notably in the Romanian presidential vote last month. The Commission said it will request information and look into TikTok's policy on political advertisements and paid-for political content as well as TikTok's systems to generate recommendations and the risks of them being manipulated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opening of formal proceedings empowers the Commission to take further enforcement steps and to accept commitments made by TikTok. There is no specific deadline to complete proceedings. China's Bytedance-owned TikTok said it had protected the integrity of its platform through more than 150 elections worldwide and had provided the European Commission with extensive information on its efforts. It added it did not accept paid political advertisements and proactively removed content violating its policies on misinformation and hate speech. The Commission ordered TikTok on Dec. 5 to freeze data linked to the Romanian elections under the bloc's sweeping Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates how the world's biggest social media companies operate in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romania's top court subsquently annulled the presidential election after accusations of Russian meddling and the victory of pro-Russia ultranationalist Calin Georgescu in the first round. The Commission is conscious of the risk of interference in the German parliamentary election in February and the presidential election in Croatia starting on Dec. 29. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new investigation followed serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential election. "We must protect our democracies from any kind of foreign interference. Whenever we suspect such interference, especially during elections, we have to act swiftly and firmly," she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the third investigation the Commission has launched against TikTok under the DSA, both related to risks for minors. One has been closed after TikTok committed to remove TikTok Lite Rewards from the EU. (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout) (Bloomberg) -- The European Union started an investigation of TikTok over suspicions that it didnt do enough to stop fake accounts and foreign powers from interfering with last months Romanian presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probe will look at whether the short-video app failed to prevent bad actors from manipulating its recommendation system and if it appropriately labeled political content under the blocs Digital Services Act, the European Commission said in a statement on Tuesday. A TikTok-driven social-media campaign propelled a pro-Russia candidate, Calin Georgescu, from obscurity to victory in the first round of Romanias election last month. The countrys top court voided the results over allegations of foreign meddling, ordering a repeat of the vote and sparking political turmoil in the European Union member state. Romanian security agencies, which blamed Russia for an alleged hybrid attack, had accused TikTok of failing to label the candidates videos as election material. Following the outcry over Georgescus victory, the commission asked TikTok for information on how the platform analyzed and mitigated the risk of inauthentic or automated exploitation of its service and for a response to the Romanian findings, according to a Dec. 5 statement. TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance Ltd. are coming under increasing regulatory scrutiny around the world over misinformation and security concerns. The social media platform is facing a ban in the US that takes effect on Jan. 19 unless ByteDance sells it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company is also facing a separate DSA probe over its addictive design and alleged failure to protect minors who use the platform. Breaches of the EUs law regulating online platforms carry the risk of a fine of as much as 6% of a firms global yearly sales. Police raided the homes of some Georgescu supporters in the days after the courts decision. Theyve detained a businessman in possession of $7 million in cryptocurrencies and halted a group of armed mercenaries from allegedly provoking unrest in Bucharest. A representative for TikTok said the company provided the commission with extensive information regarding its efforts to address challenges around elections and continued to work with the EU as well as local authorities. TikTok said Tuesday in an update to an earlier blog post that it has updated its in-app Election Center to link to the official Electoral Commissions website and that it has disrupted influence networks related to the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The networks include one of more than 4,000 accounts operated from Turkey that targeted Romanian audiences to promote the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians party and Georgescu, who ran as an independent. (Updates with background on US ban in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Corrects keywords used by some media clients to EU-DEFORESTATION/DELAY) By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Parliament gave its final approval on Tuesday to a one-year delay of Europe's landmark deforestation law, which from Dec. 2025 will ban the import of beef, soy and other goods linked to the destruction of forests. The lawmakers' approval paves the way for European Union countries to also approve the delay, which they are expected to do this week - as a formality, with no changes. After that, the postponement will pass into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The delay to the world-first policy to address deforestation is a blow to the EU's green agenda, which is facing pushback among industries from automakers, to airlines, who say EU measures to fight climate change are too onerous. But the delay offers relief to the companies and countries that had opposed the policy. Brazil and Indonesia had branded the law protectionist and said it could exclude millions of poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market. The EU law, which was initially due to take effect from Dec. 30, 2024, will require companies and traders placing soy, beef, coffee, palm oil and other products onto the EU market to provide proof their supply chain does not contribute to deforestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU farmers would also be banned from exporting products cultivated on deforested or degraded woodlands. CONTEXT EU lawmakers had tried to also weaken parts of the policy, but those proposals were shelved in negotiations with EU countries. The two sides struck a deal earlier this month to simply delay the law by 12 months. BY THE NUMBERS At least 120 million metric tons of CO2 emissions were caused by deforestation associated with EU commodity imports in 2021-2022, according to campaign group Global Witness. (Reporting by Kate Abnett, editing by Bart Meijer) The European Parliament presented Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Tuesday. Accepting the award in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Gonzalez said that it was important to continue the fight to restore democracy to Venezuela. "The work done by the international community is ongoing, tireless. But we still need more," Gonzalez said, thanking the EU legislative chamber for their support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Machado was not permitted to stand in the disputed July presidential elections as she has for years been banned from holding public office in her country. Gonzalez stood in her stead before fleeing to Spain after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He is widely believed to have beaten President Nicolas Maduro, who refused to stand aside. There have been protests all round the world in response to Maduro's election, in which detailed results were never presented. Finalists for the 2024 human rights award included two Middle East peace associations and Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Gubad Ibadoghlu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Gonzalez was presented with the award in person, Machado's daughter Ana Corina Sosa attended the ceremony on behalf of her mother. Last year's Sakharov Prize was awarded to Iranian-Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody, and the Iranian women's protest movement that followed her death. First awarded in 1988, the prize is named after Soviet nuclear physicist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Andrei Sakharov. Hungary and Slovakia are blocking EU plans for sanctions against Georgia over violence against pro-European demonstrators. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto justified the move on Monday after an EU meeting in Brussels, alleging that the European Union was taking sides with the protesters. He claimed Georgia was being targeted simply because a patriotic and conservative party, rather than liberal forces, had won the recent elections. The EU plan had been to impose entry bans into the 27-member trading bloc for several officials responsible for police violence and to order the freezing of assets that might be located in the EU. However, this has now failed for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the plan to suspend EU visa-free entry for Georgians with diplomatic or service passports is still on the table. An official plan for that is to be proposed by the end of the year, according to the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. For it to pass, only a majority is needed, rather than the unanimous consent required for sanctions. A significant majority of EU member states believe that Georgian authorities recently acted with unlawful violence and arbitrary arrests against demonstrators and opposition leaders. The sanctions' rejection by Hungary and Slovakia followed Monday's move by Lithuania, which announced it is expanding sanctions on an additional 17 individuals held responsible for the oppression. That move, announced by the foreign ministry in Vilnius, follows similar action by Estonia. Lithuania's move includes blacklisting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who, like all others on the sanctions list, is now banned from entering Lithuania. Estonia had previously imposed further sanctions on 14 leading Georgian politicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind the ongoing protests are indications of possible irregularities in the recent parliamentary elections and the announcement by the ruling party Georgian Dream to freeze the EU accession process until 2028. Critics fear that this might also be related to influence from Russia. Austrian foreign minister urges dialogue Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg advocated on Monday evening for not burning all bridges. "I would consider it a geostrategic mistake to push this country away now," he told journalists. He added that dialogue must be maintained, and a majority in Georgia still wants to join the EU. Schallenberg also indicated that Austria is unlikely to follow Lithuania and Estonia in imposing sanctions on Georgian Prime Minister Kobakhidze and other leading politicians. On giving notice of attendance, shareholders must state their name, personal or corporate identity number, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if there are any attending advisors, and details of their shareholdings. A proxy form for shareholders wishing to participate via proxy is available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com . Shareholders represented by proxy must issue a dated Power of Attorney authorizing the representation. If a Power of Attorney is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the registration certificate or the equivalent for the issuing legal entity must be appended. To facilitate the entrance, the Power of Attorney and registration certificate must be sent by mail to the Company at the above-stated address in due time prior to the EGM. A Power of Attorney must be presented in original. It is valid for no more than a year from issuance unless a longer period is stated in the Power of Attorney, however no more than five years from the issuance. Shareholders who wish to participate in the Meeting in person or through a proxy must notify the Company of their intention to attend the EGM no later than 13 January 2025, either via www.fingerprints.com , by telephone +46 (0) 771-24 64 00, by e-mail to proxy@computershare.se or by mail to Computershare AB, Fingerprint Cards EGM 2025, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, 169 73 Solna, Sweden. To be entitled to participate in the Meeting, a shareholder whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee must, in addition to providing notification of attendance or submitting a postal vote, register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is recorded in the share register on 9 January 2025. Such registration may be temporary (so-called voting right registration) and is requested from the nominee in accordance with the nominees procedures and such time in advance as the nominee determines. Voting right registrations completed no later than on 13 January 2025, are taken into account when preparing the share register. give notice of attendance at the Meeting to the Company in accordance with the instructions set out in the section B. Notice of attendance for participating in person or through a proxy no later than on 13 January 2025, or submit a postal vote in accordance with the instructions set out in the section C. Voting by post no later than on 13 January 2025. be registered in the register of shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as of 9 January 2025, and The Board of Directors has decided, pursuant to the Companys articles of association, that shareholders shall have the right to exercise their voting rights by postal voting. Shareholders may therefore choose to exercise their voting rights at the Meeting by attending in person, through a proxy or by postal voting. The shareholders of Fingerprint Cards AB (publ), reg. no. 556154-2381 (the Company or Fingerprints ), are hereby invited to attend an Extraordinary General Meeting (the EGM or Meeting ) to be held at 10:00 a.m. (CET) on 17 January 2025, at Gernandt & Danielsson Advokatbyra, Hamngatan 2, 111 47, Stockholm, Sweden. The entrance to, and registration for, the Meeting will open at 9:30 a.m (CET). Story Continues C. Voting by post Shareholders who wish to exercise their voting rights by postal voting shall use any of the methods listed below. Website voting: Voting may be done electronically through signing with BankID on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com. E-mail voting: Voting may be submitted by completing the voting form available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com, and then e-mailing such form to the e-mail address proxy@computershare.se, together with a Power of Attorney and/or other authorization documents (see below). Regular mail: Voting may be submitted by completing the voting form available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com, and after completion sending a physical copy (i.e., the printout) of such form, together with a Power of Attorney and/or other authorization documents (see below) to Computershare AB, Fingerprint Cards EGM 2025, Gustav III:s Boulevard 34, 169 73 Solna, Sweden. A shareholder cannot give any other instructions than selecting one of the options specified at each point in the voting form. The postal voting in its entirety is invalid if the shareholder has modified the form to provide specific instructions or conditions or if pre-printed text is amended or supplemented. The voting form, together with any enclosed Power of Attorney and other authorization documentation, must have been received by Computershare AB no later than on 13 January 2025. Votes received later will be disregarded. Those who wish to withdraw a submitted postal vote and instead exercise their voting rights by participating in the Meeting in person or through a proxy must give notice thereof to the Meetings secretariat prior to the opening of the Meeting. If the shareholder votes by proxy, a written and dated Power of Attorney shall be enclosed with the voting form. A proxy form is provided upon request and is available on the Companys website, www.fingerprints.com. If a Power of Attorney is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the registration certificate or the equivalent for the issuing legal entity must be appended. For questions regarding the postal voting process, please contact Computershare AB, telephone +46 (0) 771 24 64 00, weekdays between 9:0016:00 (CET). D. Matters to be addressed at the Meeting Proposed agenda: 1) Opening of the Meeting 2) Election of chairman of the Meeting 3) Preparation and approval of the voting register 4) Approval of the agenda 5) Election of two persons to attest the minutes 6) Determination of whether the Meeting has been duly convened 7) Resolution on: (a) reduction of share capital, (b) amendments to the articles of association, (c) amendments to the articles of association, (d) subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders, and (e) bonus issue 8) Resolution on authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues with or without preferential rights for the shareholders 9) Closing of the Meeting Proposals for resolution Item 7 Resolutions on: reduction of the share capital (item 7 (a)), amendments to the articles of association (item 7 (b)), amendments to the articles of association (item 7 (c)), subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders (item 7 (d)), and bonus issue (item 7 (e)) Due to a significant cash burn rate and a strained liquidity position within the Group primarily driven by unsustainably low gross margins in the Mobile product group the Company brought in a new executive leadership team who announced a comprehensive transformation plan in 2023. Although the transformation plan as a whole is designed to ensure sustained profitable growth and ongoing cost optimization will keep Fingerprints lean and agile, the ongoing process of executing the transformation plan has led to short-term revenue fluctuations. Against this background and given the Groups overall operational performance, the Board of Directors has carefully evaluated the possibilities for the Company to ensure a necessary capital injection in order not to jeopardise the completion of the transformation plan and in turn the survival of Fingerprints, as well as to support future growth initiatives. In this evaluation, the Board of Directors took into account scale and need of a necessary capital injection, and believed that a rights issue (see item 7 (d) below) together with a short-term loan, is the only way for Fingerprints to enable the completion of the transformation plan and in turn achieve stability and stronger prospects for the future of the Group. In order to enable a rights issue, the Board of Directors propose that the EGM resolves to reduce the quota value of the shares through a reduction of share capital and a bonus issue in accordance with the below. Item 7 (a) Resolution on reduction of the share capital The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves on a reduction of the share capital on the following terms and conditions. The share capital is to be reduced by SEK 158,988,426.514333. The reduction of the share capital is to be effected without redemption of shares. The purpose of the reduction is allocation to unrestricted shareholders equity. The reduction is carried out in order to reduce the shares quotient value to enable the rights issue to be resolved on pursuant to item 7 (d). Following the reduction, Fingerprints share capital will amount to SEK 733,637.4316 divided among 3,668,187,158 shares in total (prior to the rights issue as to be resolved on pursuant to item 7 (d)), each with a quotient value of approximately SEK 0.0002. The Board of Directors statement pursuant to Chapter 20, Section 13, fourth paragraph of the Swedish Companies Act The effect of the Board of Directors proposal is that Fingerprints share capital is reduced by SEK 158,988,426.514333, from SEK 159,722,063.945933 to SEK 733,637.4316. The bonus issue under item 7 (e) result in an increase of the share capital by the reduction amount (i.e., SEK 158,988,426.514333). By simultaneously with the reduction of the share capital carry out the bonus issue, which increases the share capital by the reduction amount, the Company may execute the reduction without approval from the Swedish Companies Registration Office or a public court, since the measures taken together do not result in a decrease in the Companys restricted equity or share capital. Authorization to make minor amendments The Board of Directors or the CEO, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors or the CEO, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (b) Resolution on amendments to the articles of association The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to amend 4 and 5 first paragraph in the Companys articles of association in accordance with the below to increase the permitted maximum number of shares and the permitted maximum number of shares of each class that may be issued. Proposed wording 4 Share capital The share capital shall amount to not less than SEK 54,428,133.389266 and not more than SEK 217,712,533.557063. The number of shares shall not be fewer than 4,400,000,000 and not exceed 17,600,000,000. 5 Classes of shares The Companys shares may be issued in two classes, designated Class A carrying ten (10) votes per share and Class B carrying one (1) vote per share. Class A shares may be issued to a maximum number of 1,552,941,175 and Class B shares to a maximum number of 16,047,058,825. It is further proposed that the Board of Directors is authorized to, in connection with the registration (including registration in part) of the rights issue resolved on by the Board of Directors subject to the subsequent approval of the Meeting in accordance with item 7 (d), submit for registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office the articles of association according to this item 7 (b) or item 7 (c) which limits for the minimum and maximum number of shares in the Company is compatible with the total number of shares in the Company when implementing the rights issue. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (c) Resolution on amendments to the articles of association The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to amend 4 and 5 first paragraph in the Companys articles of association in accordance with the below to increase the permitted maximum number of shares and the permitted maximum number of shares of each class that may be issued. Proposed wording 4 Share capital The share capital shall amount to not less than SEK 54,428,133.389266 and not more than SEK 217,712,533.557063. The number of shares shall not be fewer than 7,000,000,000 and not exceed 28,000,000,000. 5 Classes of shares The Companys shares may be issued in two classes, designated Class A carrying ten (10) votes per share and Class B carrying one (1) vote per share. Class A shares may be issued to a maximum number of 2,470,588,233 and Class B shares to a maximum number of 25,529,411,767. It is further proposed that the Board of Directors is authorized to, in connection with the registration (including registration in part) of the rights issue resolved on by the Board of Directors subject to the subsequent approval of the Meeting in accordance with item 7 (d), submit for registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office the articles of association according to this item 7 (c) or item 7 (b) which limits for the minimum and maximum number of shares in the Company is compatible with the total number of shares in the Company when implementing the rights issue. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office or due to other formal requirements. Item 7 (d) Resolution on subsequent approval of the Board of Directors decision on an issue of units with preferential rights for existing shareholders Background On 17 December 2024, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had decided on a partially guaranteed issue of units consisting of shares of series B (B-shares) and warrants entitling for subscription of B-shares (Warrants) (Units) in an amount of up to approximately MSEK 160 with preferential rights for the Companys existing shareholders (the Rights Issue). Proposal The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting resolves to approve the Board of Directors decision to carry out the Rights Issue, mainly on the terms and conditions set out below. Decision on the final terms and conditions The Board of Directors will on or around 15 January 2025 (however not later than on 17 January 2025) decide on the maximum amount by which the Companys share capital shall be increased with, the maximum number of Units (and thereby the maximum number of B-shares and Warrants) to be issued (including the number of unit rights to which each existing share in the Company shall entitle and the number of Units that each unit right shall entitle to subscribe for) as well as the subscription price to be paid for each Unit. Allotment of shares in certain cases Granting of Units (and thereby B-shares) in the Rights Issue that would entail that a party who guarantees part of the Rights Issue gains control of ten (10) percent or more of the votes in the Company following the Rights Issue entail a requirement for a prior decision from the Inspectorate of Strategic Products in accordance with the Screening of Foreign Direct Investments Act (2023:560), and, if applicable, any other equivalent body pursuant to legislation in any other jurisdiction, to approve the investment or leave the application therefore without remark (FDI Decision). Such Units in the Rights Issue which, if granted to a party who guarantees part of the Rights Issue, would require a FDI Decision and such FDI Decision has not been obtained at the time of granting are referred to as FDI Units. Terms for the Rights Issue 1. The record date for the right to participate in the Rights Issue shall be 24 January 2025. 2. The new B-shares and Warrants shall be issued in units of Units, where each Unit consist of a certain number of B-shares and Warrants. 3. Each shareholder have preferential right to subscribe for new B-shares and Warrants (in units of Units) in proportion to the number of shares previously held. In the event that not all Units are subscribed for by exercising unit rights, the Board of Directors shall, within the maximum limit of the Rights Issue, decide on allotment of Units subscribed for without exercising of unit rights in accordance with the following allotment principles: (a) Firstly, allotment of Units shall be granted to those who have subscribed for Units by exercising unit rights, regardless if they were registered as shareholders on the record date or not, and in the event of over-subscription, pro rata in relation to their subscription by exercising unit rights, and to the extent this is not possible, by drawing lots, (b) Secondly, allotment of Units shall be granted to others who have subscribed for Units without exercising unit rights, and in the event of over-subscription, pro rata in relation to the subscribed amount, and to the extent this is not possible, by drawing lots, (c) Thirdly, allotment of Units, that does not constitute FDI Units, shall as applicable be granted to the parties who guarantees part of the Rights Issue, pro rata in relation to such guarantee commitments in accordance with separate agreement with the Company, and (d) Ultimately, as applicable, allotment of Units that constitutes FDI Units shall be granted to the relevant parties who guarantees part of the Rights Issue if and when that guarantor has obtained a positive FDI Decision. 4. The new B-shares shall carry the right to dividend for the first time on the dividend record date that follows immediately after the new B-shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. Any new B-shares issued following the exercising of the Warrants shall entitle to dividends for the first time on the record date that occurs immediately following when the subscription of such B-shares has been executed, i.e., when the B-shares have been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office as well as in the share register maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB. 5. Subscription for Units by exercising unit rights shall be made between 28 January 2025 and 11 February 2025 through payment in cash. Subscription for Units without exercising unit rights shall be carried out on a separate application form during the same period. Payment for Units subscribed for without exercising unit rights shall be made through payment in cash no later than 17 February 2025. The Board of Directors shall have the right to extend the subscription period as well as the payment period. 6. Notwithstanding item 5 above, subscription for FDI Units, shall be made between 28 January 2025 and the earlier of (i) the business day that falls three (3) business days from an obtained FDI Decision (however not earlier than the last day of the general subscription period set out in item 5) and (ii) 13 June 2025. Notwithstanding item 5 above, payment for FDI Units shall be made through payment in cash no later than the last day of the subscription period for the FDI Units (however not earlier than 17 February 2025). The Board of Directors shall have the right to extend the subscription period as well as the payment period for the FDI Units. 7. The Warrants shall be issued free of charge. The terms for the Warrants will be available at the Company and on its website, www.fingerprints.com, no later than three weeks prior to the EGM. The Companys share capital shall as a consequence of the exercise of the Warrants be able to increase with up to an amount which corresponds to the number of Warrants that the Board of Directors resolves to be issued multiplied with the quota value of the Companys shares. Such amount shall be set out when the Board of Directors determines the final terms for the Rights Issue. 8. Allotment may only be made in Units and thus not in B-shares or Warrants individually. However, the B-shares and the Warrants will following the completion of the Rights Issue be separated. 9. The premium from the Rights Issue shall be transferred in its entirety to the unrestricted statutory reserve. 10. The Board of Directors, or any person appointed by the Board of Directors, shall be entitled to make the minor adjustments to the above resolutions that may prove necessary in connection with the registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB. Conditions for completion The resolution under this item 7 (e) is conditional upon the Meeting resolving to amend the Companys articles of association. Item 7 (e) Resolution on bonus issue In order to facilitate the registration of the Board of Directors proposal to resolve on a reduction of the share capital under item 7 (a), the Board of Directors proposes that the EGM resolves to increase the share capital by SEK 158,988,426.514333 through a bonus issue without issuing shares. The share capital shall be increased by transfer from unrestricted equity. The Board of Directors shall have the right to execute the transfer. The proposed bonus issue entails that the Company may execute the share capital reduction under item 7 (a) without approval from the Swedish Companies Registration Office or a public court, since the measures taken together do not result in a decrease in the Companys restricted equity or share capital. Authorization to make minor amendments The Board of Directors or the CEO, or any person appointed by either of them, shall be authorized to make such minor adjustments of the resolution as may be necessary in connection with the registration of the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB or due to other formal requirements. Item 8 Resolution on authorizing the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues with or without preferential rights for the shareholders a) authorization of 20 per cent The Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting authorizes the Board of Directors to resolve, on one or several occasions up until the next annual general meeting, with or without deviation from the shareholders preferential rights, on new issues of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B corresponding to no more than twenty (20) per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company at the time the Board of Directors first utilises the authorization. The authorization shall also include a right to resolve on a new issue of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B against payment through set-off or contribution in kind or otherwise with conditions in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act. Issue of shares against payment in cash or through set-off with deviation from the shareholders preferential rights shall be carried out on market terms. The purpose of the proposal and the option to deviate from the shareholders preferential rights shall be to strengthen the Companys shareholders equity or to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors and enable the Company to raise capital to pursue potential growth opportunities in line with its adopted strategy. b) authorization of 10 per cent In the event that the Meeting does not approve the proposal for authorization of twenty (20) per cent under item a) above, the Board of Directors proposes that the Meeting authorizes the Board of Directors to resolve, on one or several occasions up until the next annual general meeting, with or without deviation from the shareholders preferential rights, on new issues of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B corresponding to no more than ten (10) per cent of the total number of outstanding shares in the Company at the time the Board of Directors first utilises the authorization. The authorization shall also include a right to resolve on a new issue of shares of series B, warrants and/or convertible bonds entitling to shares of series B against payment through set-off or contribution in kind or otherwise with conditions in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act. Issue of shares against payment in cash or through set-off with deviation from the shareholders preferential rights shall be carried out on market terms. The purpose of the proposal and the option to deviate from the shareholders preferential rights shall be to provide the Company with sufficient funds to finance the ongoing operations or to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors and enable the Company to raise capital to pursue potential growth opportunities in line with its adopted strategy. E. Majority requirements Resolutions under items 7 and 8 are valid only if supported by shareholders holding at least two-thirds (2/3) of both the votes cast and the shares represented at the Meeting. All proposals under item 7 of the agenda are conditional on each other and the Board of Directors proposes that the Meetings resolutions under item 7 shall be adopted as a single and joint resolution. F. Shareholders right to request information Shareholders are reminded of their right pursuant to Chapter 7, Section 32 of the Swedish Companies Act to request that the Board of Directors and CEO provide information at the EGM in respect of any circumstances which may affect the assessment of a matter on the agenda. The obligation to provide information also applies to the Companys relationship to other group companies. Information must be provided if it is possible to provide such information without significant harm to the Company. G. Documentation and number of shares and votes Documentation will be available at the Company and on its website, www.fingerprints.com, no later than three weeks prior to the EGM. These documents will also be sent to shareholders requesting such documentation and who have provided their postal address. As of the date of this notice, the total number of shares in the Company amounts to 3,668,187,158 (7,875,000 A-shares and 3,660,312,158 B-shares). The total number of votes amounts to 3,739,062,158 (of which 78,750,000 pertain to the A-shares and 3,660,312,158 pertain to the B-shares). At the time of this notice, the Company holds 3,800,000 B-shares in treasury. H. Processing of personal data For information on how personal data is processed in connection with the Meeting, see the privacy notice on Euroclear Sweden ABs and Computershare ABs respective website, https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf and https://www.computershare.com/se/gm-gdpr. Gothenburg in December 2024 Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) The Board of Directors Attachment Hungary and Slovakia are blocking EU plans for sanctions against Georgia over violence against pro-European demonstrators. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto justified the move on Monday after an EU meeting in Brussels, alleging that the European Union was taking sides with the protesters. He claimed Georgia was being targeted simply because a patriotic and conservative party, rather than liberal forces, had won the recent elections. The EU plan had been to impose entry bans into the 27-member trading bloc for several officials responsible for police violence and to order the freezing of assets that might be located in the EU. However, this has now failed for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the plan to suspend EU visa-free entry for Georgians with diplomatic or service passports is still on the table. An official plan for that is to be proposed by the end of the year, according to the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas. For it to pass, only a majority is needed, rather than the unanimous consent required for sanctions. A significant majority of EU member states believe that Georgian authorities recently acted with unlawful violence and arbitrary arrests against demonstrators and opposition leaders. The sanctions' rejection by Hungary and Slovakia followed Monday's move by Lithuania, which announced it is expanding sanctions on an additional 17 individuals held responsible for the oppression. That move, announced by the foreign ministry in Vilnius, follows similar action by Estonia. Lithuania's move includes blacklisting Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who, like all others on the sanctions list, is now banned from entering Lithuania. Estonia had previously imposed further sanctions on 14 leading Georgian politicians. (Bloomberg) -- The European Union is assessing the legal and financial implications of confiscating Russias sanctioned central bank assets for use by Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter. Most Read from Bloomberg The blocs diplomatic service, as well as some member states, are examining whether judicial decisions would be needed as a legal basis to seize the frozen assets, or if a damage calculation would be enough, said the people, who asked for anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Europe confronts the risk that Donald Trump may reduce or eliminate aid to Ukraine when hes in the White House, some countries are trying to revive discussions on whether to harness frozen Russian assets more completely. Even so, several other member states, including Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, remain very concerned about the idea of confiscation. Up to now, the EU and the Group of Seven nations have tapped the profits generated by some $300 billion in sanctioned Russian assets to provide aid to Ukraine. Under a G-7 plan, Kyivs allies approved a mechanism where the profits would be used to underpin a 50 billion ($52.5 billion) loan package for Kyiv. Why Using Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine Is Fraught: QuickTake A decision to confiscate the money and hand it over to Ukraine would be a significant departure from the current approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some EU member states are currently evaluating what effect such a move would have on the euro as a currency, the people said. Theyre also assessing the potential impact of third countries deciding to withdraw assets from countries that proceed with seizures. EU foreign ministers discussed the idea at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. The discussion could be raised again when EU leaders meet Thursday for a summit in Brussels, by countries like the Baltic countries and Sweden that are pushing for creative ways to better use the immobilized Russian assets, the people said. US Pressure President Joe Biden has also continued to encourage the EU, which holds the bulk of Russias frozen cash, to pursue confiscation, including on a Dec. 13 G-7 call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaja Kallas, the EUs new foreign policy chief who runs its diplomatic service, said during her confirmation hearing last month that frozen assets should be tapped directly. I will not use the word confiscation, because its really using the assets in a legal way, she said. Brussels-based Euroclear Ltd., which holds around 180 billion of frozen Russian assets, has urged caution over the idea of confiscation. Valerie Urbain, the chief executive officer of the clearinghouse, warned in an interview earlier this month that the bloc would have to assume responsibility for liabilities related to the underlying assets and that the move could provoke a outflow of business to emerging rivals in Asia. Some diplomats raised the risk of massive deposit flows from large clients at Euroclear, including Chinese clients, who were concerned about the confiscation when the issue was first discussed one year and a half ago. Other countries, including Saudi Arabia, have previously cautioned against outright seizure. EU diplomats have also been concerned about a potential impact on the euro as a reserve currency, The ECB has repeatedly expressed concerns about the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belgium, which is home to the bulk of the frozen assets, has been reminding EU countries that certain economies are more exposed to the legal and financial consequences of confiscating Russias central bank assets, the people said. Euroclear is already caught up in several legal cases in Russia, with Moscow threatening to seize assets held there. As part of its latest sanctions package adopted this week, the bloc will allow some cash held in Europe to be unfrozen to counter those threats. --With assistance from Viktoria Dendrinou. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Eugene police are searching for an ER nurse who was at the scene of a serious crash on Highway 18 and helped save a drivers life in mid-November, according to officials. Officers responded to the head-on crash near the Willamina Junction on Nov. 16 where Deputy Chief Shawn Adams said he was assisted by a woman named Mikayla, though the exact spelling of her name is unknown. Prime Videos hit series Cross features Portland-raised actor as cunning ex-cop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we began the care for the driver there is a moment of conversation between Mikayla and I to determine who has the higher level of training and in the best position to provide the primary care, Adams said. This is how I learned Mikalyas name and that she is an ER Nurse. However, the woman left the scene before she could be identified by emergency responders. Mikalya was amazing. I believe she may have saved this drivers life, Adams said. At a minimum, I know her efforts positively impacted this driver and she needs to be recognized for the skill, effort and compassion she displayed for the 30 or so minutes we were inside this crushed Prius while firefighters were cutting the roof off the car. Authorities encourage anyone with information about this good Samaritan to contact the Eugene Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The European Union has finalized plans to build a satellite network to rival Elon Musk's Starlink. The $11 billion Iris network aims to provide high-speed internet to remote locations in Europe. Musk has frequently clashed with European politicians and has faced scrutiny over Starlink's role in Ukraine. Elon Musk's Starlink could have a new rival after the European Union confirmed it will join the race to provide high-speed internet to remote locations. The EU said Monday it had finalized plans to build a 10.6 billion ($11.1 billion) satellite network that will take on SpaceX's Starlink. The bloc said the Iris satellite constellation will include 290 satellites in low and medium-Earth orbit, with the service expected to be up and running by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European politicians have previously expressed concerns about the dangers of becoming overly reliant on Starlink. SpaceX's satellite internet service has around 7,000 satellites in orbit, according to expert estimates, and has seen traffic surge in recent years as it has expanded its operations to over 100 countries. Starlink has also played a vital role in the war in Ukraine, with Ukrainian military forces relying on the service for military communications. That reliance has caused tensions with SpaceX's billionaire owner. In September 2023, Musk said he had denied a request to activate Starlink in Crimea, thwarting an attack on Russia's Black Sea fleet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has also frequently clashed with European regulators, who have launched proceedings against his social media platform, X, over the platform's blue checkmark system, which the EU says is misleading. Europe has also been trying to cut its dependence on SpaceX's rockets with the Ariane 6, a reusable rocket that rivals SpaceX's Falcon 9 and had a successful first flight in July. The EU is not the only one building their own Starlink rival. Amazon is working on its own network of internet-providing satellites, called Project Kuiper, with the first satellites expected to be deployed next year. Read the original article on Business Insider European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss recent developments in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The talks will focus on the national unity of Syria and the protection of minorities after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, von der Leyen wrote on the social media platform X. The commission president also plans to discuss humanitarian aid deliveries with Erdogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU last week announced plans to send almost 100 tons of health supplies and other essential items to Turkey for onward distribution to Syria by United Nations aid agencies. The surprising takeover in Syria has raised questions in the EU about the fate of Syrians seeking refuge in the EU and how to deal with the new leadership in Damascus. The EU and Turkey both host large communities of Syrian refugees, with over 1 million having been granted international protection in the bloc and around 3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey. EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on Monday that an envoy was on his way to Damascus to make contact with the new Syrian leadership. According to dpa sources, the enjoy is experienced German diplomat Michael Ohnmacht. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 al-Assad's overthrow. HTS is on the UN terror list and subject to EU sanctions. Kallas said time will tell whether this should be changed. MADISON, Wis. (WFRV) A day after a deadly school shooting in southern Wisconsin, officials provided another update on the ongoing investigation. Authorities held a press conference on December 17 regarding an update to Mondays shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. A teacher and student died in the shooting, while six others were injured. During the release, Police Chief Shon Barnes said the department is looking for a motive and said it is their top priority. He did acknowledge a document that was going around on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Tony Evers orders flags to half-staff in honor of victims of Madison school shooting Barnes said that they could not confirm if it was from the shooter and authorities are working to authenticate it. The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. She reportedly opened fire during a study hall, killing another student and a teacher, and wounding six others. Authorities said they are looking into Rupnows online activity and her motivation appeared to have been a combination of factors. Barnes did say everyone was targeted during the attack. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said they must allow law enforcement the time and space for a careful and methodical examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things to know about the shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin No additional details were provided. Local 5 will continue to 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. For decades, Congolese officials have barred the Batwa from their ancestral lands in the name of preserving the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla. But a new study suggests the Batwa were never a threat to the creatures. In the 1970s, the military expelled some 6,000 Batwa from Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many Batwa now live in squatter camps on the edges of the park, and those who have recently attempted to resettle the park have been met with brutal violence. A recent report alleged that between 2019 and 2021 Congolese soldiers raped dozens of women and killed at least 20 Batwa in the park, including some who were burned alive. An eastern lowland gorilla in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Mike Davison via Flickr Some conservationists have claimed that the Batwa pose a grave threat to wildlife, but the new study shows the Batwa have actually had little discernible impact on eastern lowland gorillas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers found that after the Batwa were evicted in the 1970s, the population of gorillas grew only slightly. Gorilla numbers did see a precipitous drop in the 1990s, but only after refugees from the conflict in neighboring Rwanda moved into Kahuzi-Biega National Park and began to poach wildlife. Simply put, armed conflict had a much greater impact on gorilla numbers than the presence (or absence) of the Batwa inside the park, write researchers from the University of Antwerp. However, their study did find that in parts of the park where the Batwa recently resettled, tree cover dropped significantly as they gathered timber and charcoal for sale to nearby cities. These observations challenge narratives that either paint Indigenous peoples as environmental protectors or as destroyers, researchers write. Their findings were published in World Development. In July, the African Union ruled that the Democratic Republic of the Congo must hand back parts of the giant Kahuzi-Biega National Park to the Batwa people. Advocates are now calling on officials to abide by the ruling and to work with the Batwa to protect the forest and its wildlife. ALSO ON YALE E360 Fortress Conservation: Can a Congo Tribe Return to Its Forest? (Photo by Stephen Zenner/Getty Images) Washington is on track to have more eviction filings this year than any other year on record. Nine counties, including King and Spokane, hit new high marks, and seven others are on their way. The state is in an eviction crisis at this point, said Tim Thomas, research director at the University of California Berkeleys Urban Displacement Project. Washingtons policies, like its right to counsel program, have helped keep some of those people from becoming homeless, Thomas told the Senate Housing Committee on Friday. But he said without more action and funding, evictions will rise further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some lawmakers are voicing similar concerns. The increase in eviction filings is startling and alarming, Housing Committee Chair Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, said. There will be a tsunami of homelessness if we dont handle this correctly. Kuderer is moving on from her role in the state Senate next month after she was elected in November to be Washingtons next insurance commissioner. Evictions dropped significantly during the pandemic, largely due to national and statewide eviction moratoriums and rental assistance programs. Once those programs expired, evictions began to climb again. One in 50 Washington renters, or about 2%, faced an eviction filing in the last year, according to data from the Urban Displacement Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During 2024, Clark, Grant, Jefferson, King, Klickitat, Okanogan, Spokane, Thurston and Whitman counties have already broken their records for the number of eviction filings in a year. Asotin, Columbia, Douglas, Kittitas, Pend Oreille, Skagit and Walla Walla are on track to break theirs this month. Looking at trends in states similar to Washington, like California and Oregon, Thomas said he expects that evictions will not slow anytime soon. He said one way the state can attempt to manage the record number of evictions is to expand its right to counsel program, which he called a really powerful policy counterbalancing the crisis and keeping people housed. The program was established in 2021 and requires an attorney to be appointed in eviction proceedings for tenants with incomes below 200% of the federal poverty line. In 2024, thats one person making $30,120 a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since it launched, the program has handled 22,889 cases. About 81% of tenants in these cases ended up in permanent housing, and about 56% remained in the home subject to the eviction proceeding, according to the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which manages the program. The role that this program plays is not only a procedural safeguard, said Philippe Knab, eviction defense and reentry program manager at the Office of Civil Legal Aid. This program and these attorneys serve as a safety net. But as eviction filings rise, attorneys are struggling to keep up, Knab said. We are currently experiencing a volume of evictions unlike anything we anticipated, he said. And with limited resources, some tenants fall through the cracks, Thomas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just under 45% of tenants facing eviction had legal representation in January 2024, according to research from the University of Washingtons Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. A lack of information on the legal process, psychological barriers and logistical challenges are among the biggest reasons why some tenants never receive representation, Will von Geldern, a University of Washington Ph.D. candidate and researcher, told the Housing Committee. Attorneys can only help those they can reach, he added. The Office of Civil Legal Aid is asking lawmakers for $8.8 million in the next two-year budget cycle. That money would go toward continuing funding provided in the last legislative session along with adding five additional attorneys in King County. This budget request will allow the program to keep pace with the current eviction levels, not expand any services, Knab said. He acknowledged that legislators will have budget struggles this year given a multibillion-dollar deficit. Along with continuing to fund the right to counsel program, lawmakers will likely look at other policy solutions to ease the growing wave of evictions. Financial assistance to tenants and landlords, caps on certain rent increases and improving access to social services could all be on the table when they return in January. Christian Lindner, Germany's former finance minister and the head of the free-market liberal Free Democrats (FDP), said he hopes his party will play a "key role" in forming the country's next government after upcoming early elections. Lindner said on Tuesday that the results of the election, which is expected to be held on February 23, could set the direction for the country well beyond the next four years. "Our country is polarized because many people have the feeling that the state interferes in everything, but does not provide sufficient answers to the essential and major challenges," said Lindner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If this does not change in the next four years, then more and more people could feel compelled to look for an alternative to the parties of the democratic centre," he warned. Lindner was formally nominated as the FDP's top candidate for the election on Tuesday, a widely expected outcome that was unanimously supported by the party's executive committee. The FDP has been struggling in the polls, hovering around the 5% mark typically needed to take seats in the Bundestag, as the lower house of Germany's parliament is known. Lindner, a fiscal hawk, was sacked as finance minister by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in early November after months of disputes over the government's 2025 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That prompted the collapse of the fractious three-party coalition between the FDP, the Greens and Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). On Tuesday, Lindner said keeping the FDP in parliament following the elections will be essential to keeping the Greens - with whom he has repeatedly clashed - out of the next government. "Without Free Democrats in the Bundestag, there is no chance of a centrist government," said Lindner. The FDP is expected to adopt a campaign manifesto ahead of the election at a party conference on February 9. By Sonia Rolley PARIS (Reuters) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech firm of using conflict minerals in its supply chain, lawyers for the Congolese government told Reuters. Apple strongly disputes the allegations and says it has told its suppliers they must not use the minerals in question sourced from Congo or Rwanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congo is a major source of tin, tantalum and tungsten, so-called 3T minerals used in computers and mobile phones. But some artisanal mines are run by armed groups involved in massacres of civilians, mass rapes, looting and other crimes, according to U.N. experts and human rights groups. Apple does not directly source primary minerals and says it audits suppliers, publishes findings and funds bodies that seek to improve mineral traceability. Its 2023 filing on conflict minerals to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said none of the smelters or refiners of 3T minerals or gold in its supply chain had financed or benefited armed groups in Congo or neighbouring countries. After the cases were filed on Tuesday, Apple said in a statement that it strongly disputes the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As conflict in the region escalated earlier this year we notified our suppliers that their smelters and refiners must suspend sourcing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold from the DRC and Rwanda," Apple said in its statement, using an abbreviation for Congo's full name. "We took this action because we were concerned it was no longer possible for independent auditors or industry certification mechanisms to perform the due diligence required to meet our high standards." Apple said that the majority of the minerals in question in its products are recycled. "We recognize the situation in the region is very challenging and we have increased our support to organizations that do vital work helping communities," Apple said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International lawyers representing Congo argue that Apple uses minerals pillaged from Congo and laundered through international supply chains, which they say renders the firm complicit in crimes taking place in Congo. In parallel complaints filed to the Paris prosecutor's office and to a Belgian investigating magistrate's office on Monday, Congo accused local subsidiaries Apple France, Apple Retail France and Apple Retail Belgium of a range of offences. These include covering up war crimes and the laundering of tainted minerals, handling stolen goods, and carrying out deceptive commercial practices to assure consumers supply chains are clean. "It is clear that the Apple group, Apple France and Apple Retail France know very well that their minerals supply chain relies on systemic wrongdoing," says the French complaint, after citing U.N. and rights reports on conflict in east Congo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belgium had a particular moral duty to act because looting of Congo's resources began during the 19th century colonial rule of its King Leopold II, said Congo's Belgian lawyer Christophe Marchand. "It is incumbent on Belgium to help Congo in its effort to use judicial means to end the pillaging," he said. The complaints, prepared by the lawyers on behalf of Congo's justice minister, make allegations not just against the local subsidiaries but against the Apple group as a whole. France and Belgium were chosen because of their perceived strong emphasis on corporate accountability. Judicial authorities in both nations will decide whether to investigate the complaints further and bring criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an unrelated case in March this year, a U.S. federal court rejected an attempt by private plaintiffs to hold Apple, Google, Tesla, Dell and Microsoft accountable for what the plaintiffs described as their dependence on child labour in Congolese cobalt mines. MINERALS FUEL VIOLENCE Since the 1990s, Congo's mining heartlands in the east have been devastated by waves of fighting between armed groups, some backed by neighbouring Rwanda, and the Congolese military. Millions of civilians have died and been displaced. Competition for minerals is one of the main drivers of conflict as armed groups sustain themselves and buy weapons with the proceeds of exports, often smuggled via Rwanda, according to U.N. experts and human rights organisations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rwanda denies benefiting from the trade. Among the appendices to Congo's legal complaint in France was a statement issued by the U.S. State Department in July, expressing concerns about the role of the illicit trade in minerals from Congo, including tantalum, in financing conflict. The statement was a response to requests from the private sector for the U.S. government to clarify potential risks associated with manufacturing products using minerals extracted, transported or exported from eastern Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Congo's complaints focus on ITSCI, a metals industry-funded monitoring and certification scheme designed to help companies perform due diligence on suppliers of 3T minerals exported from Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congo's lawyers argue that ITSCI has been discredited, including by the Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) of which Apple is a member, and that Apple nevertheless uses ITSCI as a fig leaf to falsely present its supply chain as clean. The RMI, whose members include more than 500 companies, announced in 2022 it was removing ITSCI from its list of approved traceability schemes. In July this year, it said it was prolonging the suspension until at least 2026, saying ITSCI had not provided field observations from high-risk sites or explained how it was responding to an escalation of violence in North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and is a key 3T mining area. ITSCI criticised the RMI's own processes and defended its work in Congo as reliable. It has also rejected allegations in a 2022 report by campaigning group Global Witness entitled "The ITSCI Laundromat", cited in Congo's legal complaint in France, that it was complicit in the false labelling of minerals from conflict zones as coming from mines located in peaceful areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apple mentioned ITSCI five times in its 2023 filing on conflict minerals. The filing also made multiple mentions of the RMI, in which Apple said it had continued active participation and leadership, but did not mention the RMI's ditching of ITSCI. In its July statement, the U.S. State Department said flaws in traceability schemes have not garnered sufficient engagement and attention to lead to changes needed. Robert Amsterdam, a U.S.-based lawyer for Congo, said the French and Belgian complaints were the first criminal complaints by the Congolese state against a major tech company, describing them as a "first salvo" only. (Reporting by Sonia Rolley in Paris and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco, writing by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Rosalba O'Brien) Denmark-based pharma giant Novo Nordisk has announced plans to invest DKr8.5bn ($1.2bn) to establish a new production facility in Odense, Denmark. Announcing the news yesterday (16 December), the company said that the new site will include a production facility manufacturing multiple therapies for rare diseases, including haemophilia. It will also include a warehouse covering more than 40,000m. The companys haemophilia portfolio includes Alhemo (concizumab) and its antibody asset Mim8, with the Phase III FRONTIER2 trial (NCT05053139) in haemophilia A completing earlier this year. Novo Nordisk has not yet published data from the study. Novo Nordisk is also running a Phase I trial (NCT06649630) of its oral antibody, Inno8, for haemophilia. This announement comes just days after Novo Holdings, the controlling shareholder of Novo Nordisk, closed a $16.5bn deal to acquire Catalent, a global contract development and manufacturing organisation. The deal was greenlighted by the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission. It will boost the manufacturing capability for its glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) Wegovy and Ozempic, which have suffered global shortages. Construction work on the site has already commenced and Novo Nordisk expects the facilities to be completed in 2027. Up to 1,000 external employees will be involved in the construction, and the site will produce 400 new and permanent jobs. Speaking on the new Denmark facility, Henrik Wulff, executive vice-president of product supply, quality and IT of Novo Nordisk, said: The facility will utilise advanced technology and innovative equipment to ensure the highest quality to patients and meet the growing global demand for our life-changing medicines. We are proud to build on our heritage in Denmark and look forward to embarking on this journey in Odense, a well-connected city with a dynamic community and talented workforce, he added. Novo Nordisk also plans to plant 4,000 new trees at the site in an effort to preserve local nature. The new facility buildings will also be equipped with solar panels for on-site electricity generation, whilst the local landscape will be reconstructed using excess soil, wooden materials and other sustainable resources to create lakes, forests and community spaces open to the public. Novo Nordisk is Europes most valuable listed company, having found huge success with its weight-loss and type 2 diabetes injections Wegovy and Ozempic. The company expects to significantly increase production this year, announcing in June that it expects to invest $6.8bn this year, up from $3.9bn in 2023. By Marisa Taylor and Joey Roulette WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A September power outage at a California facility of SpaceX, the space venture of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, caused a loss of ground control for at least an hour during a mission that included the first private spacewalk in history, according to three people familiar with the problem. The spacewalk, part of SpaceX's five-day Polaris Dawn mission, was carried out by private astronauts including Jared Isaacman, a fellow billionaire and longtime Musk partner who is now nominated by incoming President Donald Trump to be administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outage, which has not previously been reported, meant that SpaceX mission control was briefly unable to command its Dragon spacecraft in orbit, these people said. The vessel, which carried Isaacman and three other SpaceX astronauts, remained safe during the outage and maintained some communication with the ground through the company's Starlink satellite network. "Not having command and control is a big deal," one of the people familiar with the problem told Reuters. "The whole point of having mission operators on the ground is to have the ability to quickly respond if something happens." SpaceX and Musk didn't respond to questions from Reuters about the incident. The outage raises questions about the disclosure of mishaps by private space companies and whether conflicts of interest could mar the ability of NASA and regulators to weigh their significance at a time when key figures from the sector, including Musk and Isaacman, are poised for prominent positions in the upcoming Trump administration. In their proposed roles Isaacman running NASA, Musk at the helm of a government efficiency commission both men could have significant sway over agencies that regulate and transact with SpaceX and other private space operators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters couldn't determine whether SpaceX notified the Federal Aviation Administration, which licenses space launches, about the outage. A second person familiar with the incident said SpaceX did notify NASA, particularly because the same type of spacecraft was to be used weeks later in a mission involving NASA astronauts. SpaceX, the person said, told the agency the problem had been resolved quickly and wouldn't be an issue in future missions. NASA officials have said they maintain close contact with SpaceX about its missions because of the agency's frequent work with the company. Spokespeople at NASA didn't respond to Reuters' questions for this story. The FAA in a statement to Reuters did not respond to questions about whether it was notified about the incident, saying it "does not have oversight authority for in-space activities generally nor for commercial human spaceflight." At present, safety standards for private space missions aren't regulated by U.S. law and private operators aren't required to disclose mishaps in orbit because of a moratorium approved by Congress in 2004. The moratorium, designed to protect business interests in the highly competitive sector and renewed periodically by Congress, is criticized by some experts because it limits the ability of regulators to investigate problems that could have implications for the safety and operability of the entire industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclosure is needed "so companies throughout the industry can know what's going on and mitigate or prevent a similar incident," said Douglas Ligor, a senior social scientist at the RAND Corporation, a California-based think tank hired by Congress last year to study the moratorium. Congress is expected to renew the moratorium before its current extension expires in January. The September outage, the people familiar with the problem told Reuters, occurred when a leak in a cooling system atop a SpaceX facility in Hawthorne, California, triggered a power surge. The surge knocked out mission headquarters, disabling the ability of operators to send commands or perform controls that would normally be standard during a spacecraft's mission. The outage also hit servers that host procedures meant to overcome such an outage and hindered SpaceX's ability to transfer mission control to a backup facility in Florida, the people said. Company officials had no paper copies of backup procedures, one of the people added, leaving them unable to respond until power was restored. Reuters couldn't determine the precise timing or duration of the outage. Two of the people familiar with the problem said it happened sometime before the Sept. 12 spacewalk and that at least one hour passed before power was restored. Had mission control remained offline, they said, the astronauts had enough training to control the spacecraft themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month before the Polaris Dawn launch, Musk responded to an Isaacman post about the mission on X, Musk's social media platform. "This is an historic mission," Musk wrote. "Everything possible must be done to ensure astronaut safety." After the spacewalk, the first conducted by astronauts not part of a national space program, the feat was widely hailed as a milestone in commercial space exploration. Since then, Musk has grown increasingly outspoken about government interference in the private sector and touted his plans, as the head of Trump's planned efficiency commission, to slash federal regulations. Reuters reported earlier this week that Trump's transition team wants to scrap car-crash reporting requirements opposed by Tesla, Musk's electric-vehicle company. The efficiency commission's decisions could impact NASA and the FAA, a regulator frequently criticized by Musk and SpaceX as a hindrance. Isaacman, for his part, as NASA administrator would be running an agency that has awarded more than $15 billion in contracts to SpaceX, a company with whom he has had extensive business dealings. In addition to funding two missions in which he has participated as a SpaceX astronaut, Isaacman is the chief executive and controlling shareholder in Shift4 Payments, a technology firm he founded that in turn owns shares in SpaceX, according to regulatory filings. The size of Shift4 Payments' stake in SpaceX at present isn't clear because the Musk venture is privately held and doesn't disclose financial or ownership details. In its 2021 annual report, Shift4 Payments said it had invested more than $27 million by then in SpaceX. Shift4 Payments has also said SpaceX is a client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shift4 Payments and Isaacman didn't respond to Reuters' requests for comment. In a public statement after Trump announced his NASA nomination earlier this month, Isaacman said he would step down as Shift4 Payments' chief executive if his appointment, which must be confirmed by the Senate, succeeds. He said he would retain most of his company stock, "subject to ethics obligations," but reduce his voting power as a shareholder, according to a copy of the statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Even if confirmed for the NASA job, Isaacman's extensive links to SpaceX could remain a source of concern for some. If he retains those ties, it "could pose conflicts of interest including with respect to safety," said Cary Coglianese, an expert on public administration and law at the University of Pennsylvania. (Reporting by Marisa Taylor and Joey Roulette; Additional reporting by David French; Editing by Paulo Prada) (WGHP) Mostly cloudy skies this evening with temperatures in the upper 50s through 7 PM. A stray shower cant be ruled out this evening but the chance for rain is less than 20%. Well see mild temperatures overnight with many remaining in the low 50s into Wednesday morning. Wednesday will remain mostly cloudy, breezy and warm with high temperatures nearly 15 degrees above normal for mid-December. Afternoon highs reach the mid to upper 60s ahead of a cold front that will return temperatures to seasonal highs for the last couple days of the work week. Isolated to scattered showers will be possible in the late afternoon and evening hours through the early overnight hours as a cold front moves through the region. The chance for rain is 40%. Partly cloudy skies on Thursday with temperatures in the low 40s in the morning and highs reaching the low to mid 50s. Winds will be breezy out of the northeast at 5 to 15 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday morning well wake up with temperatures in the upper 30s and afternoon highs will reach the low 50s. Skies will be partly cloudy, and winds will remain breezy out of the northwest at 5 to 15 mph. Another cold front will move through the Piedmont Triad from Friday into Saturday which will bring even colder temperatures for the weekend. Saturday morning temperatures will be in the upper 30s and afternoon highs will reach the low 40s with mostly sunny skies. There will also be a light breeze which means itll feel even colder with many seeing feels-like temperatures in the 30s. If you think Saturdays temperatures are cold It gets even colder into Sunday. Well wake up Sunday in the low 20s with afternoon temperatures in the upper 30s. Skies remain mostly sunny with a light northeast wind. The couple of days leading up to Christmas also remain frigid with morning temperatures on Monday in the 10s and afternoon highs in the upper 30s. On Tuesday, Christmas Eve, temperatures will start off in the low 20s in the morning with afternoon highs in the mid 40s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Inside the death chamber at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. (Photo provided by the Indiana Department of Correction) Barring a last-minute intervention by Indianas governor, death row inmate Joseph Corcoran will die in less than 24 hours, before sunrise Wednesday. The convicted murderer is currently being held at the Indiana State Prison, located in Michigan City. The execution will be the first in 15 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corcoran, who has been on death row since 1999, has long resisted opportunities to appeal his case that could potentially overturn his death sentence. He was 22 when he killed his brother, James Corcoran, 30; Robert Scott Turner, 32; Douglas A. Stillwell, 30; and Timothy G. Bricker, 30, on July 26, 1997. He committed the murders at the home he shared with his brother and a sister. His mental health has been a part of the decades-old case since its inception, with state and federal public defenders saying he continues to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia that causes him to experience persistent hallucinations and delusions. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the inmates attorneys have argued that he should be spared due to his ongoing mental illness, the Indiana Supreme Court upheld the sentence, just as multiple state and federal courts have done. The states high court justices most recently refused additional attempts by defense lawyers to delay the execution and allow for Corcorans competency to be assessed. Appeals for post-conviction relief at the federal level have also been unsuccessful. A request to pause the execution was denied by the U.S. Court of Appeals late Monday. A request by Corcorans legal team for a rehearing by the full 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was still pending Tuesday morning. Otherwise, Corcorans fate remains in the hands of Gov. Eric Holcomb who has repeatedly maintained that he supports capital punishment, when appropriate. The Republican governor told the Indiana Capital Chronicle last week that he believes Corcoran to be mentally ill, but that the courts have spoken to his ability to stand, to carry out the sentence and conviction. Holcomb made clear that hes waiting for judicial proceedings to conclude before he takes any action, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he plans to be at the governors mansion on the night of the execution with direct communication access to the state prison. There is a protocol in place, a phone here. Ill be here, Holcomb said. The next 24 hours Since 1897, all of Indianas 92 state executions have taken place at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, as required by state law. While separate from state death warrants, an additional 16 executions have been carried out at the federal prison in Terre Haute since 2001. The Hoosier state has carried out 20 executions in the last 50 years. The first three in 1981, 1985 and 1994 were by electrocution. The rest have been by lethal injection which is now the only method permitted by state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State law doesnt specify what drugs are to be used for executions, saying only that the drugs must be injected intravenously in a quantity and for an amount of time sufficient to kill the inmate. Indiana death row inmate Joseph Corcoran is scheduled to be executed at the Indiana State Prison before sunrise on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Michigan City. (Courthouse photo from Allen County; mugshots from the Indiana Department of Correction and public record; headshot by Andy Barrand/KPC News. Photo illustration by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Previously, Indiana used a lethal combination of three substances to induce death. A new one-drug method, using pentobarbital, will be used for Corcorans execution. The warden of the state prison, Ron Neal, is responsible for selecting an executioner. State law does not stipulate who can administer life-ending drugs. The Indiana Department of Correction has not answered the Capital Chronicles requests for information about who has been selected for Corcorans execution. Although multiple individuals are involved in the Indiana execution process, their identities have historically been kept confidential, as instructed under the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Death row inmates are provided with a last, or special meal, ordered from a local restaurant, according to DOC. The meal must be eaten within four hours and is served 48 to 36 hours before the execution. An inmate is allowed to share food with visitors. Also during the final 48 hours, offenders are permitted unrestricted phone calls to say their goodbyes. Theyre also allowed to visit with family, friends and lawyers in two-hour intervals. Per DOC policy, all visits with Corcoran must end by 6 p.m. Tuesday. Shortly before execution, inmates are able to write down a final statement. Theyre given the chance to provide one last verbal statement in the minutes before the lethal injection. DOC originally denied a request from Corcorans attorneys to allow the inmates Wesleyan minister to be present in the execution chamber with a Bible, and to be permitted to pray with Corcoran. The agency has since agreed to let Rev. David Leitzel have limited physical contact with Corcoran during the execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a prisoner is executed, he or she is strapped to a gurney in a white cinder block room, containing one two-way window, and another window affixed with retractable blinds. Once given the OK by the prison warden, an IV line is inserted, and a lethal substance, or substances, is injected. Indiana Code says only certain people may witness an execution: the states prison warden and designees, the prison physician and another doctor, the prison chaplain, the condemneds spiritual adviser, a maximum of five friends or family members of the condemned, and a maximum of eight family members at least 18 years old of the victims or victims. The lists of witnesses are often private, but past media reports show the most recent Indiana executions were attended by the victims family, attorneys, spiritual advisers and various prison staff. Corcorans sister, Kelly Ernst, said the inmates family does not wish for him to be executed. Neither she nor her twin sister plan to attend the execution. Once pronounced dead, the inmates family can request for the body to be released to a funeral home, or the deceased can be cremated and buried at the cemetery at the Indiana State Prison. Its not yet clear what Corcorans family plans to do with his remains. Last-ditch pleas Corcorans defense lawyers maintain that severe mental illness has caused their client to make decisions that arent in his best interest and have instead ensured his spot on death row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corcorans mental illness was documented in court filings as early as age 17, when he underwent a psychological evaluation following the deaths of his parents. He was charged with killing them when he was a juvenile but was acquitted. Doctors who evaluated Corcoran over the last three decades have reached multiple diagnoses, including depression, paranoid schizophrenia and schizoid personality disorder. State attorneys originally offered Corcoran a life sentence if he would accept a plea or waive jury. He refused, however, saying he would only agree to the terms if the state would sever his vocal cords first because his involuntary speech allowed others to know his innermost thoughts, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, at his sentencing, Corcoran stated that he wanted to waive all his appeals. And in the early 2000s, when the time was still ripe for Corcoran to initiate post-conviction review, he refused to sign the post-conviction petition. So far, Corcoran has been unwilling to sign the necessary paperwork to initiate a clemency review or other avenues that could result in his removal from death row. Three clemencies have been granted in Indiana since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The inmates attorneys point to delusions he has about ultrasound machines controlling him and his thoughts. But attorneys for the state maintain he is competent to be put to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They assert that Corcoran wants to be executed and has a rational understanding of the reason for his execution. The attorney general has additionally pointed to a 2006 letter and statements in years past in which Corcoran admitted he fabricated this delusion. Earlier this month, the Indiana Supreme Court sided with the state in a 3-2 decision, denying requests by Corcorans lawyers to delay his impending execution date and allow for his case to be reviewed or his sentence overturned. A different order issued by the court last week again denied a stay. Corcorans legal team asked a federal judge to step in and pause the execution to allow for a hearing and review of their claims that putting the inmate to death is unconstitutional. But in his Friday order, Judge Jon DeGuilio, of the U.S. District Court in Indianas Northern District, said claims that Corcoran is incompetent to be executed are procedurally defaulted and without merit. Larry Komp, Corcorans federal attorney, argued that Corcorans mental illness has long distorted his reality and made him unable to understand the severity of his punishment. He said his client lacks any rational understanding of his impending execution he simply wants to expedite the ending of the torture that is not real. Thats despite a November letter Corcoran sent to the high court, in which he said he has no desire nor wish[es] to engage in further appeals or litigation whatsoever. With his own free will and without coercion or promise of anything, he asked the justices to withdraw his counsels motions. Case background Joseph Corcoran told police at the time of the killings that the four men had been talking about him. He first placed his 7-year-old niece in an upstairs bedroom to protect her from the gunfire before killing the four men. He then laid down the rifle, went to a neighbors house, and asked them to call the police. A search of his room and attic, to which only he had access, uncovered over 30 firearms, several munitions, explosives, guerrilla tactic military issue books, and a copy of The Turner Diaries. Earlier, in 1992, Jack and Kathryn Corcoran were found shot to death in their Ball Lake home. Joseph, their son, who was 16 at that time, was charged for their deaths. In his recent letter to the state supreme court, Corcoran stated that he is guilty of the crime I was convicted of, and accept the findings of all the appellate courts. He gave a detailed recitation of what will happen early Wednesday. I will be put to death for the heinous crime I committed. I understand that the execution will end my life, Corcoran wrote. I understand medically my heart will stop and all brain activity will cease I understand the execution, in the interest of judgment, serves as both a punishment and a deterrent. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) The holiday season is a time to share joy and create memories, but it can also bring financial stress and debt. Financial experts we spoke to are sharing advice on reducing that burden. Man in West Springfield displays holiday train set to community Darren James, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual, suggests taking a moment to pause and create a budget. Write down all of your expenses for the month and determine how much you have left for your holiday spending. You can also utilize any credit card points you may have accumulated. If you do end up with debt, he says its best to connect with a financial advisor in January to create a plan to eliminate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James adds, Think about things like can I do a 0% balance transfer of the existing high-interest debt to a lower 0% interest credit card or even consolidating my debt on a lower interest personal loan? Those are all things that you can think about in the New Year. But I would advise doing that with a professional, especially if its your first go around doing that. If you are still paying off debt from last year, James says it is important to reassess your discretionary income and determine where you can cut back to recover before the next holiday season. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) As of publication, a Sumner County teen has been missing for nine months. Sebastian Rogers case has gained national attention through social media and the participation of celebrity bounty hunter Duane Dog Chapman. Experts told News 2 that the increase in social media presence can help, or hinder, the search for Sebastian. RELATED: Celebrity bounty hunter expands search efforts internationally for missing Sumner County teen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that [Sebastian Rogers] case needs attention, Jason Jensen, private investigator and co-founder of Cold Case Coalition, said. Theres a lot going on, but theres not a lot of answers. In an effort to keep missing teen Sebastian Rogers at the center of public awareness, Dog joined the search effort five months into Sebastians disappearance. Almost immediately, Sebastians case gained national attention. I think what happens is that individual users may start paying attention and say, Oh, well, this case is personal to me because it is personal to this person that I look up to or care about,' Associate Criminal Justice Professor at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, Dr. Michelle Jeanis, said. Jeanis studies the the relationship between social media and missing person cases, which seems to have a direct correlation between a missing persons recovery and traditional media attention. Meanwhile, another study of Jeanis shows a direct relationship between social media attention and recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot that we dont know about the relationship between the missing and the media, Jeanis explained. For a long time, weve been saying it makes a very significant difference when missing persons get traditional media attention, but we havent even empirically proved that yet. A private investigator in Utah, privy to the Gabby Petito case, said it was social media that helped assist in her discovery. Jason Jensen, a private investigator and co-founder of the Cold Case Coalition added that Dogs presence in Utah pressured law enforcement response in other cases, like the Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner case. RELATED: Sumner County officials address speculation about person in relation to Sebastian Rogers disappearance Within two days of being here, we held a press conference, and Dog mentioned we know who you are, Jensen explained. Next thing you know, the very next day, the Grand County Sheriffs Office revealed who was the killer revealed that they had a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jensen added that law enforcements lack of updates can sometimes mean they have sensitive information about a lead. They are just not sharing with the public because they dont want to tip their hand, Jensen said. If somebody is responsible for Sebastians disappearance, they dont want to let that person know. Its hard to inform the public without also telling the suspects. However, while social media and celebrity involvement have benefits, retired officer with the Metro Nashville Police Department Ken Alexandrow told News 2 that they can also create challenges for investigators. You get so many leads that are false positives that the police have to spend their time checking on every single lead that is called in, so its very, very work-intensive , Alexandrow said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the Sumner County Sheriffs Office released a statement responding to speculation involving an individual in a green hoodie. Law enforcement assured the public the person facing suspicion has no evidence linking them to Sebastians disappearance. As law enforcement continues to search for answers, Jeanis said the power of influence lies with social media users. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Social media is a tool just like a hammer is a tool, Jeanis said. We can use it for good or we can use it for bad. Sebastian Wayne Drake Rogers, 15, was reported missing on Monday, Feb. 26 from the Beech area in Hendersonville. Sebastian Rogers: Description Sebastian is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, 120 pounds with dirty blond hair. He was last seen on Monday, Feb. 26 near Stafford Court wearing a black sweatshirt and black sweatpants, said the TBI. AMBER Alert Issued The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) originally issued an Endangered Child Alert for Sebastian on the morning of Feb. 26 as multiple agencies took to the area to look for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based on additional investigative information developed during the search, the TBI issued an AMBER Alert for Sebastian on the afternoon of Feb. 27. An AMBER Alert is issued when there is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death, per the DOJ. Multiple agencies including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nashville Fire Department, City of Hendersonvilles first responders, Sumner County Sheriffs Office and Shackle Island Volunteer Fire have assisted in the search for Sebastian. Who to Contact If you have seen Sebastian or have info about his whereabouts, call the Sumner County Sheriffs Office at (615) 451-3838 or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. You can also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. LONDON (AP) European Union privacy watchdogs hit Facebook owner Meta with fines totaling 251 million euros on Monday after an investigation into a 2018 data breach on the social media platform that exposed millions of accounts. Ireland's Data Protection Commission issued the penalties after wrapping up its inquiry into the breach, when hackers gained access to user accounts by exploiting bugs in the platforms code that allowed them to steal digital keys, known as access tokens. Under the 27-nation EUs strict privacy regime, the Irish watchdog is Meta's lead privacy regulator because the company's regional headquarters are based in Dublin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The watchdog issued reprimands and administrative penalties worth 251 million euros ($264 million) after it found multiple infringements of the rules, known as the General Data Protection Regulation. The company said it would appeal the decision. This decision relates to an incident from 2018. We took immediate action to fix the problem as soon as it was identified, Meta said in a statement. The company said it proactively informed people impacted as well as the Irish watchdog. When it first disclosed the problem, Facebook said 50 million user accounts were affected. But the actual number was around 29 million, including 3 million in Europe, the Irish watchdog said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company has said that after discovering the bug, it alerted the FBI and regulators in the U.S. and Europe. The hack involved three distinct bugs in Facebooks View As feature, which let people see how their profiles appear to others. The attackers used the vulnerability to steal access tokens from the accounts of people whose profiles came up in searches using the View As feature. The attack then moved from one users Facebook friend to another. Possession of those tokens would allow attackers to control those accounts. Claim: In December 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden rushed to auction all leftover parts for building the wall along the southern border before President-elect Donald Trump took office. Rating: Rating: Mixture What's True: Leftover materials from the border wall were indeed auctioned off, as required by a bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker in April 2023 and enacted that December. The legislation required that the secretary of defense submit a plan "to use, transfer, or donate" all "excess construction materials on southwest border" no later than 75 days after the enactment of the law, and to start executing the plan no later than 100 days after submitting the plan, "until the date on which the Department of Defense is no longer incurring any costs to maintain, store, or protect the covered materials." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's False: However, the Department of Defense had sold all materials to auction platform GOVPLANET in a June 2024 contract, months before Trump was reelected. The sale had nothing to do with the timeline of Trump's accession to the White House. A rumor that U.S. President Joe Biden was auctioning off part of the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico spread in December 2024, weeks before President-elect Donald Trump was due to take the oath of office for a second time spurring criticism that Biden was sabotaging Trump's signature project during his first administration as well as wasting taxpayer money. For example, an X account that comments on U.S. immigration policy and uses the name and image of Trump's pick for "border czar," Tom Homan, posted on Dec. 12, 2024 (archived): News: In a last ditch effort to prioritize illegal aliens being allowed to cross our border, the Biden administration is now selling off material for the border wall in Arizona. All in effort to sell as much as they can before Christmas time. If youre unaware America, pic.twitter.com/vaCwbI0B2F Tom Homan - Border Czar Commentary and News (@TomHoman_) December 12, 2024 In a last ditch effort to prioritize illegal aliens being allowed to cross our border, the Biden administration is now selling off material for the border wall in Arizona. All in effort to sell as much as they can before Christmas time. If you're unaware America, this same tactic was used by the Biden Administration around October of last year when materials that were meant for 20-mile stretch of border wall started to be sold off. The safety and security of American citizens never seem to be a priority for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. It makes one wonder why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post had garnered 107,000 views and 5,600 likes as of this writing. "This can't be legal," one X user wrote in response. "Why does this administration want to weaken the United States and allow our enemies easy passage across our borders?" The uproar started with a report from The Daily Wire, a conservative news outlet, showing materials in transport. In a post on X, The Daily Wire suggested that the Biden administration was rushing to sell off all materials before Trump took office (archived): EXCLUSIVE: Weeks before Trump takes office, Biden is racing to auction off unused border wall materials. Video shows trucks hauling wall materials off the border to a government auction site, where a massive amount of wall is waiting to be sold. pic.twitter.com/ogaQMBHw7R Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) December 12, 2024 As we will see, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had indeed been selling leftover border wall materials. However, the sale began in June 2024, months before Trump was elected. Not only was the move legal, it was required by legislation introduced by a Republican lawmaker and enacted in December 2023. For this reason, we rated the claim as mixture of true and false. Congress Forced the Sale of Excess Parts In selling the leftover parts of the southern border wall, the Biden administration was complying with legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican from Alabama, and signed into law Dec. 22, 2023. Section 2890 of the law, known as the National Defense Authorization Act, compelled the DOD to submit a plan "to use, transfer, or donate" all "excess construction materials on southwest border" no later than 75 days after the enactment of the law, and to start executing the plan no later than 100 days after submitting the plan, "until the date on which the Department of Defense is no longer incurring any costs to maintain, store, or protect the covered materials." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of this plan, the department transferred and donated nearly 60% of the materials to "authorized recipients," a DOD spokesperson said in an emailed response to our request for comment. These included "U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the states of Texas and California." "The remaining 40% was sold to GOVPLANET under a competitive sales contract process beginning in June 2024," the spokesperson added. "The material currently being sold through GOVPLANET online auctions no longer belongs to the U.S. Government, and DOD has no legal authority to recall the material or stop further resale of material it no longer owns." GOVPLANET is an online auction platform for used government assets. Indeed, The Daily Wire had included in its report a search on the GOVPLANET website that revealed one remaining auction for such materials, scheduled for Dec. 18, 2024: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (GOVPLANET) As of this writing, the auctions had been removed from the website, however. We contacted the website asking for an explanation and we will update this report should they respond. Congress Forced Biden's Hand To Keep Building the Wall The sale caused all the more uproar because the wall's construction was ongoing. When Biden took office, he vowed to stop the construction of the border wall. However, construction resumed in June 2023, after Biden asked Congress to reallocate the funds appropriated in 2019, during Trump's first term. When Congress refused, Biden was forced to use the funds to continue building the wall, The Associated Press quoted him as saying in October 2023. Asked if he believed such a wall was effective in slowing immigration, Biden said "No," according to the same report. Legally, when Congress has appropriated money, it must be spent and it cannot be reallocated without legislative consent, according to the appropriations rules, which Snopes reported on in October 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to resume construction, the secretary of homeland security waived 26 statutes protecting wildlife, the environment and archaeological and historical sites, according to a notice the department posted on The Federal Register on Oct. 5, 2023. In 2022, the Biden administration had already donated $6 million worth of wall parts to Texas, so it could build its own wall. Meanwhile, Trump said on Dec. 16, 2024, that the materials should not be sold, calling it an "almost criminal act," despite the congressional requirement. Sources: 'Biden Says He Had to Use Trump-Era Funds for the Border Wall. Asked If Barriers Work, He Says "No"'. AP News, 5 Oct. 2023, https://apnews.com/article/biden-us-mexico-border-wall-immigration-texas-f99fd10257292a898618236df3613979. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EXCLUSIVE: Biden Races To Sell Off Border Wall Parts Before Trump Takes Office. 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-biden-races-to-sell-off-border-wall-parts-before-trump-takes-office. 'Federal Register Document Issue for 2023-10-05'. Federal Register, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/05. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. Khmara, Danyelle. 'U.S. Donates Leftover Border Wall Materials, Including to Texas for Its Own Wall'. Arizona Daily Star, 16 Feb. 2022, https://tucson.com/news/local/u-s-donates-leftover-border-wall-materials-including-to-texas-for-its-own-wall/article_0e2df762-8a01-11ec-996b-87e73be3d558.html. Mayorkas, Alejandro. Determination Pursuant to Section 102 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, as Amended . The National Register, 5 Oct. 2024, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-10-05/pdf/2023-22176.pdf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miroff, Nick, and Meryl Kornfielf. 'Trump Says Border Wall Material Shouldn't Be Sold despite Congressional Requirement'. The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/12/16/trump-border-wall-material/. https://archive.is/nlbQy. Rascouet-Paz, Anna. 'FEMA Isn't Running Out of Hurricane Relief Money Due to Migrant Aid'. Snopes, 7 Oct. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/10/07/fema-out-of-money-for-hurricane-season-migrants/. Rogers, Mike. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. H.R. 2670, 22 Dec. 2023, https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2670/text. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eJrax9WrAg. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. Claim: In 2024, Pope Francis will open five sacred portals on Christmas Eve for a ritual that has never been performed before. Rating: Rating: False Context: Pope Francis is only opening one "sacred portal" on this year's Christmas Eve. The other four will be opened over the following days and weeks, up until Jan. 5, 2025. Also, the ritual of opening "Holy Doors," symbolic locations that are opened at the start of the Jubilee, or "Holy Year," has been performed since 1423. The only "first" happening in 2024 is the opening of a "Holy Door" at a prison on Dec. 26, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-December 2024, a claim was circulating online that Pope Francis would open five "sacred portals" on Christmas Eve. One X account that shared the rumor wrote (archived): "Pope Francis Will Be Opening 5 Sacred Portals For A Special Catholic Ritual On Christmas Eve." Other users claimed it would be the first time the ritual had been performed. (Fun_Raisin_553 on Reddit) Many examples of the rumor stemmed from an online article by the New York Post newspaper (archived), which was published on Dec. 9. The report's headline read: "Pope Francis to open 5 sacred portals on Christmas Eve for a ritual that's never been done before." One lengthy X post copied the article nearly verbatim and other news outlets published similar stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "ritual" refers to a Roman Catholic "Holy Year," known as a Jubilee, which in modern times happens every 25 years, although a pope may occasionally declare them in other years. The "sacred portals" noted in the claim are actually doors, referred to in the religion as "Holy Doors." Only one is being opened on Christmas Eve 2024. The others are being opened on Dec. 26, Dec. 29, Jan. 1, 2025 and Jan. 5. As for the claim that this ritual has never been performed before, Catholicism has celebrated the Jubilee since 1300, when it was first enacted by Pope Boniface VIII. Vatican websites and Catholic news website National Catholic Register state that the Holy Door element was introduced in 1423 (although the official website of the 2025 Jubilee says it began in 1425). However, the 2025 Jubilee marks the first time that part of the ritual will be performed within a prison. For these reasons, we have rated the claim that the pope will open "five sacred portals" on Christmas Eve for a never-before-performed ritual as false. What Are Holy Doors? The official website of the 2025 Jubilee describes the Holy Doors as "the most powerful sign of the Jubilee, since the ultimate aim of the pilgrim is to pass through it." The opening of a Holy Door marks the official start of the Holy Year. It continues: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally, there was only one door, at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, which is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome. Later, to allow as many pilgrims as possible to take part in the Jubilee experience, the other Roman Basilicas also opened their own holy doors. [...] Passing through the Holy Door expresses the decision to follow and be guided by Jesus, who is the Good Shepherd. The door is a passageway that ushers the pilgrim into the interior of a church. Pope John Paul II described these Holy Doors in his declaration of the 2000 Jubilee by saying: "It evokes the passage from sin to grace which every Christian is called to accomplish. Jesus said: 'I am the door (John 10:7), in order to make it clear that no one can come to the Father except through him.'" For the 2025 Jubilee, according to the Papal Bull issued by the Vatican, the Holy Doors are located at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City (to be opened on Christmas Eve), the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran (to be opened on Dec. 29), the Basilica of St. Mary Major (to be opened on Jan. 1) and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (to be opened on Jan. 5). The latter three are all located in Rome. The fifth Holy Door will be located at the Roman prison of Rebibbia and will be opened on Dec. 26. Pope Francis said that the act of opening a Holy Door at a prison is an invitation for prisoners to "look to the future with hope and a renewed sense of confidence." According to the church's Dicastery for Evangelization, it will be "the first time that in addition to the Holy Doors opened in the four Roman Papal Basilicas one will also be opened in a penal institution too." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pope Francis also oversaw the last Jubilee in 2015. He declared it an "extraordinary" Jubilee one declared separately from the traditional 25-year gap of the "ordinary" Jubilee and dedicated it to the 50th anniversary of the end of the Second Vatican Council in 1965, the most recent ecumenical conference in which Catholic leaders convened to update certain elements of the Church to reflect the modern, more secular world. The last "ordinary" Jubilee took place in 2000. Snopes has covered numerous claims pertaining to Pope Francis in the past, including if he said "All religions are paths to God," whether or not he presented a Nativity scene that featured baby Jesus wrapped in a kaffiyeh and if he endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Sources: For the 2025 Jubilee Pope Francis Will Open a Holy Door in Rome's Rebibbia Prison. https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/notizie/comunicati/2024/papa-francesco-aprira-porta-santa-carcere-rebibbia.html. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024. Holy Door. https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/segni-del-giubileo/porta-santa.html. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incarnationis Mysterium: Bull of Indiction of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 (29 November 1998) | John Paul II. https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/bulls/documents/hf_jp-ii_doc_19981129_bolla-incarnationis-mysterium.html. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Information for Jubilee 2025 Preparation and Participation. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , 2024, https://www.usccb.org/resources/Jubilee%20Information%20Sheet_0.pdf. Jubilees throughout History. https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/giubileo-2025/giubilei-nella-storia.html. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Nota Del Dicastero per l'Evangelizzazione, Sezione per Le Questioni Fondamentali Dell'evangelizzazione Nel Mondo (1 Agosto 2024). https://www.vatican.va/content/romancuria/it/dicasteri/dicastero-evangelizzazione/documenti/nota-apertura-porta-santa-giubileo2025.html. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Opening of Holy Door Vatican & Others in Rome'. Www.Thevaticantickets.Com, https://www.thevaticantickets.com/jubilee-2025/holy-door-vatican/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. Second Vatican Council | History, Summary, Changes, Documents, & Significance | Britannica. 15 Nov. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/event/Second-Vatican-Council. Spes Non Confundit - Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 (9 May 2024) | Francis. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. The Last Extraordinary Jubilee Was in 2015. https://www.giubileo-2025.it/en/jubilee. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Opening of the Holy Door - Jubilee 2000. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/documents/ns_lit_doc_14121999_porta-santa_en.html. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. "Vatican Says Five Holy Doors Will Be Opened During 2025 Jubilee, Including at a Prison." NCR, 2 Aug. 2024, https://www.ncregister.com/cna/vatican-says-five-holy-doors-will-be-opened-during-2025-jubilee-including-at-a-prison. By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump will be sworn in as president of the United States on Jan. 20, ushering in his second term in office and capping one of the most astounding political comebacks in American history. Inauguration Day is, by tradition, largely dedicated to pomp and circumstance. One president leaves the White House, and another moves in. But Trump also has pledged to sign a flurry of executive orders on subjects ranging from border security to oil and gas production on his first day in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is what we know about Inauguration Day so far: WHEN IS THE INAUGURATION? Trump will take the oath of office, likely administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, at 12 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) in front of the U.S. Capitol. Trump will then deliver his inaugural address. In interviews, he has said he intends it to be uplifting and unifying. That would mark a departure from his first speech in 2017, which detailed a broken country he described as American Carnage. The outgoing president, Democrat Joe Biden, has said he plans to attend the ceremony and witness the transfer of power, a courtesy Trump did not afford him four years earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of spectators without tickets are expected to fill the National Mall and watch the ceremony on large video screens. WHO IS INVITED? Trump has broken with precedent and invited several foreign leaders to the ceremony. Historically, they have not attended the inaugural due to security concerns and have sent diplomats in their stead. Argentina's president, Javier Milei, a strong supporter of Trump's, has said he will attend. Another Trump backer, Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he is considering coming. Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend, despite an invitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PARADE TO THE WHITE HOUSE After a lunch with congressional leaders at the Capitol, Trump will proceed down Pennsylvania Avenue in a motorcade to the White House, accompanied by a procession of military regiments, school marching bands, floats and citizens groups. The new president and his guests will then observe the rest of the parade from a reviewing stand. GETTING TO WORK Trump has vowed to use the afternoon to sign more than two dozen executive orders dictates that do not require congressional approval that will seek to roll back many of the Biden administrations policies. He is expected to sign orders that give immigration officers more latitude to arrest migrants with no criminal records, send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The orders will include a drive to increase energy production and follow through on Trump's oft-stated campaign vow to "drill, baby, drill. Trump also is likely to issue the first wave of pardons for defendants convicted by the federal government for their participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, siege of the U.S. Capitol. PARTYING AT NIGHT There will be a series of inaugural galas held in locations throughout Washington that evening, some of which Trump may attend. The official events are financed by Trumps inauguration committee, which is chaired by longtime Trump allies Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer, and Kelly Loeffler, a former U.S. senator. Amazon.com, led by founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta Platforms , helmed by Mark Zuckerberg, have said they will donate $1 million each to the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Large donations to the committee must be reported to the Federal Election Commission. Trump raised a record $106.7 million for his 2017 inauguration festivities. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Lisa Shumaker) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to issue a flurry of executive orders and directives on his first day in office on Jan. 20, to put his stamp on his new presidency on everything from immigration to energy. Sources have told Reuters that on Day One he plans to release at least 25 orders, with more coming in the days and weeks following. Here is what we know about the executive orders so far: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IMMIGRATION Many of the actions that the Republican plans on his first day as president are aimed at ramping up immigration enforcement and following through on his pledge to deport record numbers of immigrants in the U.S. illegally. The executive actions would give federal immigration officers more latitude to arrest people with no criminal records, send more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and restart construction of the border wall, Reuters reported in November. Trump is expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency to unlock military funds for border wall construction. He also signaled in a Truth Social post in November that he would shift military resources to assist with his deportation plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to make it so if you're illegal, you're not coming in through a port of entry or even if you're trying to come into a port of entry illegally, you're not going to be allowed in," Trump adviser Jason Miller told NPR. Trump also plans to end Democratic President Joe Biden's temporary "parole" programs, which have allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants from certain countries to enter legally on humanitarian grounds and access work permits. In addition, Trump has vowed to end automatic citizenship for those born in the U.S. to parents in the country illegally, and advisers say his team is working on an executive order to this effect. The U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 in the post-Civil War period, provides for granting citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any move by Trump to end birthright citizenship would face a legal challenge. "We have to end it. It's ridiculous," Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" in December. ENERGY Sources familiar with the plans of members of Trump's transition team have said that Trump is considering a suite of executive orders to roll out within days of taking office targeting everything from electric vehicles to withdrawing again from the Paris climate agreement, a move he took in his first administration. Members of his transition team are recommending sweeping changes to cut off support for electric vehicles and charging stations and to strengthen measures blocking the import of cars, components and battery materials from China, according to a document seen by Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Trump's executive orders will also likely seek to roll back Biden's climate regulations on power plants, end his pause on liquefied natural gas exports, and revoke waivers allowing California and other states to have tighter pollution rules. TARIFFS One move that Trump could take on his first day or early in his new administration is to follow through on his threats to increase tariffs on foreign imported goods from America's biggest trading partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump believes tariffs would help boost economic growth in the United States, although opponents warn that the costs would likely be passed down to consumers. PARDONS Trump could also use executive actions early in his term to issue pardons for some of the people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump protesters. The details of such an action are unclear, but he has said he will act on the issue on his first day in office. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Ted Hesson, Timothy Gardner and Jarrett Renshaw, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) What is interesting about Enbridge is that it operates in the midstream segment of the broader Energy Sector. Midstream assets are largely fee-driven and provide reliable cash flows. Some investors might prefer a bit more commodity exposure, which is where TotalEnergies comes in. This French company is one of the world's largest integrated energy giants, with assets that span from oil and natural gas production all the way through to the chemicals and refining side of the business. While having exposure across the energy sector helps to soften the industry's inherent volatility, TotalEnergies still exposes investors to oil price variability. Oil prices have been weak of late, pushing the company's shares lower and its yield up to 5.9%. Meanwhile, Enbridge has an investment grade-rated balance sheet. It has increased its dividend, in Canadian dollars, on an annual basis for 30 straight years. And its distributable cash flow payout ratio is right in line with its 60% to 70% target payout range. The yield is a lofty 6.4%. One of Enbridge's big goals is to provide the world with the energy it needs as the world's energy needs change. Natural gas, which is cleaner burning than coal or oil, is acting as a transition fuel for the clean energy shift. And, thus, the company is looking to expand its exposure to natural gas. But don't overlook the 3% of EBITDA that's in the renewable power space . Management is also looking at the steps it needs to take beyond natural gas, as well, though it appears to believe it has ample time to build this business given the likelihood of a multi-decade energy transition. Roughly 50% of Enbridge's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) comes from oil pipelines. Another 25% is derived from natural gas pipelines. At the start of 2023, those two figures were 57% and 28%, which is an important change because it was driven by the Canadian midstream giant's acquisition of natural gas utilities. Its utility division grew from 12% of EBITDA to 22%, with a 3% exposure to renewable power staying largely the same. Here's why Enbridge (NYSE: ENB), TotalEnergies (NYSE: TTE), and Brookfield Renewable (NYSE: BEP)(NYSE: BEPC) are three interesting stocks to examine right now given this heightened interest, especially if you are looking to build a passive income stream in the energy sector that will last for decades into the future. If there's one theme in the energy sector that has gotten plenty of attention over the years, it is the global transition from dirty carbon fuels to cleaner alternatives. It is a very real phenomenon, though it is happening much more slowly than clean energy proponents would like. And that creates an interesting investment opportunity that even passive income investors who love high-yield dividend stocks can jump on. Story Continues What separates TotalEnergies from its closest peers is that it has been aggressively pushing into the clean energy and electricity space as it looks to adjust with the world around it. At this point, its integrated power division (where clean energy lives) made up roughly 10% of segment profits through the first nine months of 2024. And it is making this transition without resorting to a dividend cut, which is what European peers BP and Shell did when they announced similar plans. ExxonMobil and Chevron haven't invested nearly as heavily in the energy transition. All in, TotalEnergies is using its oil and gas profits to build a business that may, someday, end up replacing oil and gas. If you believe the long-term future is green, TotalEnergies is probably the integrated energy giant you should be looking to own. 3. Brookfield Renewable is all in on clean energy Both Enbridge and TotalEnergies are bridging the gap between today's energy needs and tomorrow's needs. Brookfield Renewable, and its yield of up to 5.9%, is a high-yield way to focus on clean energy. And given the fact that there's likely to be a multi-decade runway for growth ahead, there's no particular reason to believe that Brookfield Renewable can't provide decades of passive income. What's unique here, however, is that Brookfield Renewable is run by Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM), a highly respected Canadian asset manager with a long history of investing in the global infrastructure sector. Basically, Brookfield Renewable is a way to invest alongside Brookfield Asset Management. That's fine, but it changes the equation in some ways because Brookfield Renewable is very aggressive with the way it manages its portfolio of assets. Typically it buys clean energy assets when they appear cheap, works to improve operations to increase the value of the assets it buys, and then sells assets when it can get a good price. While there are some assets in the portfolio that probably won't ever be sold, you have to go in understanding that Brookfield Renewable is run more like an asset manager than an electric utility. This fact also helps explain the two different share classes, with a partnership class and a corporate share class, both of which represent the same entity. However, demand for the corporate share class, which is more popular among larger investors (which is basically the reason it was created, since it allowed Brookfield to tap a broader investor pool for growth capital), has left it with a lower yield of 4.7%. All in, however, if you want to focus on clean energy, Brookfield Renewable's globally diversified portfolio and high yield should put it high up on your list of options. 3 stocks for the investor who thinks the energy market is changing Oil and natural gas will likely be needed for decades to come, so you could stick to companies that are ignoring the clean energy transition and probably be OK. Brookfield Renewable, however, is akin to jumping into the clean energy pool with both feet. The modest and growing clean energy exposure offered by Enbridge and TotalEnergies, meanwhile, will be solid choices for those who prefer to dip a toe in before jumping. All three will allow you to hedge your energy bets while still collecting high yields for years to come. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, youd have $348,112 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, youd have $46,992 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, youd have $495,539!* Right now, were issuing Double Down alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 Double Down stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 16, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Brookfield Renewable Partners, Enbridge, and TotalEnergies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield Asset Management, Chevron, and Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends BP, Brookfield Renewable, and Brookfield Renewable Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Want Decades of Passive Income? 3 High Yield Energy Stocks to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool Dec. 17A local rescue mission has officially taken to the road in its efforts to assist homeless people living in and around Niagara Falls. The mission's new program is designed to ensure homeless people find shelter when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, a level that allows for the issuance of an emergency declaration known as "Code Blue." This year, mission staff, working as a specialized unit known as the Quick Reaction Force, are proactively seeking out homeless individuals during Code Blue events in an effort to make sure they are able to find shelter when temps dip below freezing. The team, using a van donated by the Western New York Ford Dealers, drives around neighborhoods in the Falls, North Tonawanda, and other parts of the county during Code Blue events to help find any homeless persons looking for shelter. The new Code Blue program launched for the first time last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, team members have used the van to deliver care packages, to those individuals who refuse transportation, containing a blanket, hats, gloves and snacks. "It has been a great experience working with those in our community in need of aid," said Ken Good, Code Blue director at the mission. "We here at Niagara Gospel Mission hope to continue to spread the word of the assistance we are seeking to provide during the cold winter months." Good said the outreach program reached several individuals in need over multiple nights with below-freezing temperatures last week, located at 1317 Portage Road in the Falls. With the weather reaching below freezing on multiple nights over the past week, Niagara Gospel Mission has begun to open its doors to those in need. The staff and team at the mission have already been able to see the positive impact it has had on many people's lives. Ken Good, Code Blue director at the mission, said, "It has been a great experience working with those in our community in need of aid. We here at Niagara Gospel Mission hope to continue to spread the word of the assistance we are seeking to provide during the cold winter months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mission, located at 1317 Portage Road, has already been averaging around 12 people per night and Good said it has been seeing growth each evening as word is spreading in the community. The mission currently has space for up to 60 men per night. Mission representatives are also working alongside Community Missions of the Niagara Frontier to help shuttle women and children seeking shelter to their facilities. Each person who enters Niagara Gospel Mission for Code Blue in the evening is given a warm blanket, hot coffee, cold water, snacks, dinner, breakfast and access to showers. Good said the program also offers something equally important: Hope. "Our goal is that no homeless person in Niagara County has to spend a night out in the freezing weather, hypothermia is a leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness and our program is designed to help prevent this as the winter continues," he said. If you are in the city of Niagara Falls and would like to donate or know more about the Niagara Gospel Mission, call 716-205-8805, ext. 107. The Niagara Gospel Mission exists to rebuild Niagara Falls through the rebuilding of lives and the reviving of hearts of everyone they meet in the community. [Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.] NORWALK, Ohio (WJW) Relatives of Amanda Dean, a mother of four whos been missing since 2017 and whom authorities believe was murdered, are now suing the Huron County sheriff and deputies, alleging a botched investigation that caused her family years of uncertainty and distress. Deans mother Caroline Tokar, along with Deans four sons and two sisters, on Monday filed the Huron County Common Pleas Court civil lawsuit against Sheriff Todd Corbin, current and former sheriffs deputies and other unnamed sheriffs office employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio drone sightings among many causing national concern Dean was 36 when she disappeared. She was last seen on July 11, 2017, in Collins, just east of Norwalk. Her relatives previously told FOX 8 News that the woman was a victim of domestic abuse. Deans boyfriend, Frederick Reer, 41, of Collins, now stands accused of killing Dean then dismembering her body and burning or otherwise disposing of her remains. He was indicted in February on felony counts of murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Frederick Robert Reer (Huron County Sheriffs Department) Days after Dean went missing, an anonymous caller to the sheriffs office said Reer had intended to kill and dismember Dean, and yet, no investigation into Amandas disappearance happened for more than five and a half years, reads the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, sheriffs office representatives told Deans family the woman was alive and well and staying in a domestic violence shelter. Family members, however, said it was unlike Dean to stay out of contact with them. They believed she was being held against her will in a cabin. As a result, the family was left in perpetual suspense, uncertain if Amanda was alive, but fearing that she was not, for years, the complaint reads. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office took over the case in 2022, at the sheriffs request. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation in November 2023 used an excavator in searching a Wells Road property where Reer and Dean lived together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen dies when ATV falls through ice The following February, Reer was arrested and charged with Deans murder. Prosecutors and state agents told the FOX 8 I-Team they believe there is enough evidence to prove Reer killed Dean. Reer was due back in court for a pretrial on Monday. His jury trial is set for March 2025, court records show. He remains in jail on a $1 million bond. The familys lawsuit brings four counts, including violations of U.S. and state constitutional amendments ensuring equal protection under the law, reckless infliction of emotional distress and reckless misrepresentation. It seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages, to be determined at a trial by jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the defendants misconduct in this case, the Dean family remained in psychological limbo for more than five years while Amanda Deans murderer was allowed to live free in their community, despite repeated requests to the defendants and [Huron County Sheriffs Office] employees for more information or at least some proof that Amanda was alive, the complaint reads. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DECATUR, Ga. (AP) The parents of an environmental activist who Georgia state troopers fatally shot near the site of a planned Atlanta-area police and firefighter training center filed a lawsuit Tuesday against three law enforcement officers who they say planned and carried out a police raid that led to his death. Manuel Paez Terans family says state troopers used excessive force against the 26-year-old when they fired pepper balls into the protesters tent after Paez Teran refused to leave on the morning of Jan. 18, 2023. Authorities said Paez Teran then shot at the troopers from inside the tent, wounding one of them and prompting the troopers to return fire, killing the activist. Authorities were conducting what officials described as a clearing operation against those who for months had been camping in the woods near the DeKalb County construction site to protest what critics call Cop City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killing of Paez Teran, who went by the name Tortuguita and used the they pronoun, was a galvanizing moment for the Stop Cop City movement, with activists across the world holding vigils and painting murals in honor of Tortuguita, who friends said was dedicated to helping others and protecting the environment. Authorities have portrayed Paez Teran as an out-of-state radical who wrote in their journal that police officers should be killed. Ever since Paez Teran's death, their parents have complained that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has refused to give them answers about the events surrounding his death. Last year, the family commissioned an autopsy that concluded that Paez Teran was sitting cross-legged with their hands in the air when they were shot more than a dozen times. The story of Manuels death is still being written, attorney Brian Spears said at a news conference Tuesday morning in Decatur, a few miles from where the training center is nearing completion. The objective of this lawsuit is to learn the truth about who planned the raid and to hold them responsible. Paez Teran had moved to Georgia from Florida in 2022 to join activists who had been camping in the woods and calling themselves forest defenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit says GBI Special Agent Ryan Long planned a raid that targeted protesters for expressing their political beliefs, violating their First Amendment rights. The protesters were camped out legally on public land, not on the construction site itself, the family's lawyers said, and Long was wrong to instruct officers to arrest campers for criminal trespass," thereby violating their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. The lawsuit said that when Paez Teran stated the desire to remain in the forest, Trooper Mark Lamb ordered Trooper Bryland Myers to fire pepper balls into the activist's tent, trapping the protester in an enclosed space with chemicals and making Paez Teran reasonably believe that they were going to die. Lamb and Myers were among the six troopers who fired their guns at the activist after Paez Teran fired at them, officials have said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GBI spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation. Body camera footage from four Atlanta officers involved does not show the shooting itself, the GBI has said. But the agency said footage shows the officers encountered Paez Teran in a tent in the woods and fired in self-defense after the activist shot at troopers, injuring one, and ignored verbal commands to leave the tent. A prosecutor declined to charge the troopers who killed Paez Teran, saying their use of deadly force was objectively reasonable. Investigators have also said ballistics evidence shows the injured trooper was shot with a bullet from a gun Paez Teran legally purchased in 2020. Activists formed the Stop Cop City movement to protest the construction of an 85-acre (34-hectare) Atlanta Public Safety and Training Center, which they said would cause environmental damage by cutting down huge swathes of trees and exacerbate flooding fears in a poor, majority-Black neighborhood. They also oppose the use of tens of millions in public funding on what critics describe as being a training ground for "urban warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially given a $90 million price tag, the cost has since jumped to $115 million, with taxpayer funds paying the majority of that cost, despite city officials' earlier claims that the public obligation would only be $31 million. The city said the state-of-the-art campus would boost police morale amid hiring and retention struggles while emphasizing progressive" training practices. Since the fatal encounter, Tortuguita's name has been invoked at numerous protests some of which have turned violent, including last year when more than 100 masked activists stormed the construction site and torched equipment while others threw projectiles at retreating officers. In September 2023, 61 protesters were indicted on racketeering charges, and dozens of activists have been charged with domestic terrorism. Attorney Jeff Filipovits said this was part of a strategy to demonize those who hold certain political beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forest defenders are not terrorists, said Paez Teran's father, Joel Paez. They aren't. And my child was with individuals concerned against environmental injustice. Paez Teran used to meditate every morning to be close to God and saw the forest as a sacred place, said their mother, Belkis Teran. In honor of Tortuguita Spanish for little turtle she wore a necklace with a turtle pendant to the news conference. ___ Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon. A local coalition found that immigrant parents and youths see racism, a disconnect on understanding mental health and a lack of cultural competency as some of the most significant obstacles to getting youths the help they need. But normalizing conversations on mental health, as well as expanding resources and educating Frederick County on immigrants experiences, could help resolve those issues and the coalition wants to help make changes. The Immigrant and Refugee Coalition of Frederick County, a partnership between three local organizations, recently released reports and a roadmap developed as part of its Immigrant Youth Behavioral Health Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition formed in 2022 to explore the unique mental and behavioral health needs of local immigrant communities. It consists of the Association of Nigerians in Frederick, Centro Hispano de Frederick and the Asian American Center of Frederick, with support from the Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ. The coalition hosted seven listening sessions with immigrant youths ages 11 to 18 between August 2023 and March 2024. It also hosted seven sessions with adults that focused on youths in that same age range. Two of the reports contain findings from those listening sessions. These findings were initially shared during an Immigrant Youth Behavioral Health Town Hall meeting on June 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The listening sessions were the first phase of the Immigrant Youth Behavioral Health Project. In the second phase, the Immigrant and Refugee Coalition created a community advisory board made up of members of immigrant and refugee communities to create a roadmap to help organizations implement solutions to improve immigrant youths mental health. YOUTH LISTENING SESSIONS The coalitions report on its listening sessions with immigrant youths and children said 58 people participated. Fifty-five percent were in middle school and 43% were in high school. Additionally, 38% of the participants were Hispanic, 21% Asian or Pacific Islander, 19% African, 12% Afghan, 7% Russian and 3% Ukrainian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said almost all of the participants knew what mental health is, and most 90% would turn to family members for mental health support. However, the participants also generally perceived that parents would downplay their mental health issues. About 80% of participants said they turned to teachers at school, but during discussions, they mentioned that schools didnt provide support that addresses their unique immigrant experiences. When asked about barriers for immigrant youths seeking mental health support, 44 participants said feelings of shame or embarrassment and not knowing who to turn to for help as the most common. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other barriers included a lack of trust in people or the system, personal reasons like work or school schedules, not being able to find someone who speaks their language or services being too expensive. Many participants also talked about the consequences of experiencing bullying and racism, academic pressure and religious intolerance at schools, according to the report. Participants spoke about getting bullied for their skin color, body size and dress, as well as hearing racial slurs at school. The Afghan participants said they can feel unprotected in school due to there being no regulation or consequences for bullying and racism, the report said. When there were consequences, the bullying sometimes continued or worsened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asian American and Pacific Islander participants described feeling intense academic pressures and expected to not ask for help compared to white students. Some participants, such as Ukrainian and Russian youths, mentioned schools not supporting their needs as immigrants, such as eliminating language barriers. Participants suggestions for how to eliminate barriers included normalizing conversations about mental health, creating safe spaces to share immigrant experiences, and expanding the availability and accessibility of mental health resources for immigrant youths. LISTENING SESSIONS The coalitions other report contained findings from listening sessions conducted in 2023 with 49 immigrant and refugee parents from different cultures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighteen participants were African, 11 Hispanic, seven Burmese, seven South Asian and six Chinese. The report said racism, isolation from communities, and trauma and loss are significant causes of mental and behavioral health challenges that immigrant and refugee people face. The participants talked about ways they experience racism, including profiling based on skin tone, verbal or physical bullying due to race, a lack of effective consequences for racism, and a lack of cultural competency in Frederick County. The adults also talked about trauma and loss when immigrating to the U.S. and leaving family members behind, as well as feeling a loss of identity while trying to assimilate to American culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some key obstacles that prevent adult immigrants from finding mental and behavioral health services are not knowing where to find information, not having information in their first language and not having information communicated orally. Additionally, immigrant and refugee communities especially adults have a nominal understanding of mental and behavioral health, according to the report. Adults dont recognize mental/behavioral health issues in themselves, much less in youth. For example, signs of depression are perceived as laziness; ADHD and autism are not understood at all. Adults in some cultures perceive suicide as being due to a curse, not a mental health issue, the report said. The themes of the participants recommendations to eliminate service barriers were to increase Frederick Countys understanding of immigrant experiences in general and in schools, support immigrant youths and expand the availability of mental and behavioral health resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ROADMAP SOLUTIONS The coalitions roadmap listed five key challenges based on what participants said in listening sessions: * Impact of school life and practices on immigrant and refugee youths * Disconnect between immigrant youths and parents in terms of understanding the youths mental health * Impact of trauma and loss on youth * Insufficient mental health services, availability and information * A lack of understanding of immigrant communities and their experiences For each challenge, the document listed and prioritized several recommended solutions. To address the impact of schools on immigrant youths, the reports most important recommendation was increasing the diversity and representation among school staffs, so students feel more comfortable having someone to talk to, including more bilingual school counselors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To help bridge the disconnect between immigrant parents and youths regarding mental health, the report recommended implementing mentorship programs specifically for immigrant children and expanding mental health literacy for parents by partnering with local organizations, like churches. The report said to address the impact of trauma and loss on youth, there should be more therapists with language and culturally appropriate treatment practices to work with youths who have dealt with trauma. It also said to educate families so they arent scared to get resources, as well as create a system to provide ongoing follow-ups and outreach efforts to help families get necessary services. To address insufficient services, the report recommended creating support groups so families can help each other, have mandatory mental health check-ins during school and have mental health therapists volunteer at school-based health centers. Lastly, to improve overall understanding of immigrant communities and their experiences, the report recommends promoting more diversified cultural events in the school system and county. It also suggests potentially creating clubs to teach languages. NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run near the Pontchartrain Expressway. Around 1 a.m., officers said they were called to the scene of a crash involving a pedestrian near the elevated section of United States Highway 90 Eastbound at the OKeefe exit. Man fatally shot in New Orleans East Upon arrival, officers reportedly found the unresponsive victim. EMS pronounced the victim dead on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOPD officers said the vehicle that struck the victim reportedly fled the scene. The crash left Highway 90 east closed for several hours as officers diverted traffic off the road via the OKeef exit. No further details are available at this time. The Orleans Parish Coroners Office will release the victims identity after an autopsy is and the family is notified. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The father and stepmother of 10-year-old Sara Sharif were sentenced to life in prison in Britain on Tuesday after they were found guilty of her murder. Sara's father, 43-year-old Urfan Sharif must serve at least 40 years of his life sentence, while his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, is required to serve a minimum term of 33 years. Urfan's brother, 29-year-old Faisal Malik was found not guilty of murder, but received a 16-year sentence for allowing the death of a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were found guilty last week in connection with the death of Sara, who was found with "multiple and extensive injuries" on her body including burns, bruises, and human bight marks along with 25 fractures, including 11 to her spine in a post-mortem review. Justice John Cavanagh called the girl's abuse "torture" and condemned the three defendants for not showing "a shred of remorse," adding it was "nothing short of gruesome. The girl's mother, Olga Domin, joined a court hearing remotely as her ex-husband got sentenced to prison for life for killing their daughter. "Sara was always smiling. She had her own unique character," Domin said Tuesday in her impact statement virtually from her home in Poland. "The only thing I had left to give to my daughter was to give her a beautiful Catholic funeral that she deserves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She is now an angel who looks down on us from heaven, she is no longer experiencing violence," Domin added. "To this day, I can't understand how someone can be such a sadist to a child." Prosecutor Emyln Jones stated the case "bristles with aggravating features" along with the fact the girl suffered an "unimaginable level of pain" at the hands of her father, uncle and stepmother. She was found dead at the family home in Surrey in a bunk bed on Aug. 10, 2023, after the three fled to Pakistan two days earlier with their other children, where Sharif notified police. Officials later discovered a handwritten "confession" note near her fully clothed body. Sharif wrote that he beat his daughter "too much" for being "naughty," adding how he "lost it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I swear to God that my intention was not to kill her," he said in part. Jones said the case involved a "gross breach of trust" because the deceased was the defendant's own small child. "In their care, she suffered this violence in her own home where she ought to have been entitled to feel safe and loved and cared for," the prosecution told the British court. Her death sparked nationwide conversations in Britain about the proper protection and care of children with child protection advocates calling for "substantial" reform. Sara was withdrawn from school in April 2023 after teachers alerted child protective services about bruises on the 10-year-old's face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Surrey County Council, the authority responsible for the area of southern England where Sara was killed in Woking, previously announced an independent statutory investigation into what went wrong in Sara's case looking at all professionals who had contact with the Sharif family. Permission to remove children from class for homeschooling should never be granted where abuse concerns have been flagged, England's children's commissioner for England said Thursday. FAYETTE COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) The Fayette County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing 1-year-old boy after his father and a 2-year-old girl were killed in a crash last week. The FCSO stated in a Monday news release it assisted the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency at a crash scene on Fayette County 73 near the Glen Allan community Dec. 8. According to the ALEA, the 2-year-old girl was unrestrained in the Toyota Tacoma that crashed. She died at the scene. The FCSO identified the 2-year-old girl as Ryleigh Collins. Steven Collins, a 40-year-old from Jasper, was reportedly not wearing a seat belt when the crash happened. He was ejected from the Tacoma and transported to UAB Hospital. Steven Collins died Dec. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wendy Bailey, a 22-year-old passenger in the vehicle who resides in Jasper, is in critical condition. The ALEA stated she was airlifted to UAB Hospital. Former Auburn football players remember Chette Williams According to the FCSO, law enforcement learned Dec. 9 that Steven Collins and Bailey had another child that was unaccounted for. That child is 1-year-old Kahleb Rowan Collins. The FCSO and Alabama State Bureau of Investigation are handling the case. Those with information on Kahleb Collins whereabouts are urged to call the FCSO at 205-932-3205 and ask for investigator Branndon Collins. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Fayetteville Public Schools assistant superintendent Dr. Courtney Morawski was named the lone finalist on Dec. 16 in a search for the superintendent of Granbury Independent School District in Texas. Dr. Courtney Morawski According to a press release from the Granbury ISD, the board of trustees voted unanimously to name Dr. Courtney Morawski as the lone finalist for the position. New procedures in place at Fayetteville schools as students return Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am deeply honored to be named the lone finalist for Granbury ISD superintendent, said Dr. Courtney Morawski. This districts commitment to student success, innovation, and community engagement strongly aligns with my values and leadership approach. Across my career, I have prioritized fostering collaborative cultures, building relationships based on trust and transparency, and advancing high-quality teaching and learningprinciples that will continue to guide me in Granbury ISD. I look forward to partnering with the Board, staff, and community to build on the districts strong foundation and achieve even greater success together. Dr. Courtney Morawskis husband Dr. Terry Morawski is the superintendent for Fort Smith Public Schools. Fort Smith Public Schools said Dr. Terry Morawski will discuss a leadership transition with the school board after his wifes position is finalized in January 2025. Two Fort Smith middle schools to pilot phone-free environment Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before she worked for Fayetteville Public Schools, Dr. Courtney Morawski was the executive director of middle-level education for the Bentonville School District and the director of professional learning for Fort Smith Public Schools. The Granbury ISD Board of Trustees are excited and honored to welcome Dr. Courtney Morawski to GISD and embark on a new chapter for our district, said Courtney Gore, President of the GISD Board of Trustees. Her passion for education, developing innovative systems and commitment to improving student outcomes will be instrumental in driving our district forward and ensuring the success of all students. Fayetteville Public Schools congratulated Dr. Courtney Morawski on Facebook on her new position. Congratulations to Dr. Morawski! Were very sad to see you go, but we know you will do wonderful things in Granbury. Once a Purple Dog, Always a Purple Dog! the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. The FBI is looking into an apparent manifesto linked to the 15-year-old girl accused of killing a teenager and a teacher before taking her own life in a school shooting in Wisconsin. Natalie Rupnow, a student at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, allegedly opened fire with a handgun inside a study hall in Madison, killing two people and injuring six others before turning the weapon on herself. Rupnow died on the way to the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while two other students remained in a critical condition in hospital on Monday night, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alleged killers motives remain unclear, but Madison police chief Shon Barnes confirmed last night that his department has been made aware of a document apparently written by Rupnow and shared online by a person alleged to have a connection with the [suspect]. We havent been able to verify that its authentic, he told CNN, adding that authorities have not located the person who made the post, but have shared information with the FBI which will look into the document. Police escort children off the school grounds - JEFFERY PHELPS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock A family leaves the scene of the shooting - Cullen Granzen/REUTERS The six-page apparent manifesto titled War against Humanity, was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by an unverified social media user claiming to have received it from Rupnows boyfriend. The author is listed as Samantha Rupnow a name police have said the alleged shooter went by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Barnes confirmed police had spoken with Rupnows parents, who were cooperating with the investigation into how she accessed the weapon. We also want to look at if the parents may have been negligent. And thats a question that well have to answer with our district attorneys office, he told CNN. But at this time, that does not appear to be the case. Police Chief Shon Barnes speaks to the media following the shooting - Scott Olson/Getty Images North America Police were called to the scene of the shooting shortly after 11am after receiving an emergency call from a second grade teacher. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told AP, leaving multiple people dead and injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A teacher and three students were taken to a hospital with less serious injuries, and two of them were later released. Police walk outside the school as they continue their investigations - Morry Gash/AP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school, located in the state capital, has around 420 students, from kindergarten through to high school age. It does not have metal detectors, a safety feature many American schools have installed following dozens of deadly campus shootings across the US in recent years, according to the schools director. Nora Gottsckalk, eight, was waiting for lunch when the shooting began and she saw a teacher she knew calling out in pain. She was screaming, Ah, my leg, help, help! Ms Gottsckalk told WISC. I was really scared, and I was really sad. Bethany Highman, the mother of a student, rushed to the school and learned over FaceTime that her daughter was safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A family leaves the school grounds - Morry Gash/AP Mr Barnes said: Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. Those types of trauma dont go away, he continued. Right now my heart is heavy for my community and we have to figure out what happened here and it doesnt happen in any other place that should be a refuge for students. Joe Biden, the US president, immediately denounced the shocking and unconscionable violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children from this scourge of gun violence, Mr Biden said in a statement. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. 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. Mass shootings carried out by female assailants are extremely rare. Gunmen commit the overwhelming majority of such attacks, and just nine female students have carried out a school shooting since 1999, according to a Washington Post database. Madison police are expected to hold a briefing at 1pm local time on Tuesday, when the identities of the victims could be released. A candlelight vigil is scheduled to be held in the city in the evening. 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. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Were in the middle of the flu season and COVID cases are also picking up. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID and flu combination test for over-the-counter use. To talk about the tests impact, Hartford HealthCare Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Joanne Passalacqua joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. She is with St. Vincents Medical Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Multiple agencies were sent over the weekend to Ohio Secretary of State Frank Laroses residence for a reported security incident. According to Dan Lusheck, spokesman for LaRose, a powdery substance was found upon opening mail at Laroses residence in Columbus late on Dec. 15. Along with the substance, Lusheck said material of a threatening nature was also received with the mail. After coming into contact with the contents of the letter, the Secretary notified his security staff and took appropriate actions to protect his family from any immediate harm, said Lusheck. At the request of local authorities, multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agents responded to the Secretarys home, including hazmat and bomb detection units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lusheck said Larose and his family are safe. The items were taken for further investigation. The incident remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Published by the Louisiana Illuminator A green light doesnt necessarily mean go for the 18 liquefied natural gas export projects that have been in limbo pending a U.S. Department of Energy study on whether LNG exports are in the public interest. Additional permits, court fights and market forces will impact whether the proposed increase in LNG capacity in the United States will be built, according to experts. On Tuesday, DOE released the long-awaited study , which found that a single LNG project, exporting 4 billion cubic feet of gas a day, would emit more annual greenhouse gas emissions than 141 of the worlds countries each did in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study also validated concerns of residents who live near existing LNG facilities, finding that LNG production and transportation adds more pollution to areas already burdened by other petrochemical industries. LNG exports not only devastate our environment but also escalate our energy costs and compromise our futures, Roishetta Ozane, founder and CEO of the Vessel Project of Louisiana and a consistent opponent of the LNG buildout, said in a written statement. Ozane and others urged the Biden administration to take more action on the issue before the president leaves office next month. If no limits are placed on U.S. LNG exports, the study finds such unconstrained development would increase energy prices by $100 or more per year for every household in the United States. Industrial sectors, which rely on natural gas, would see costs increase $125 billion through 2050, leading to potential price hikes for consumer goods. The more volumes of U.S. LNG are exported, the greater the risk of this global price volatility being imported into our domestic market and impacting U.S. consumers and manufacturers, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm wrote in a statement accompanying the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However the analysis, ordered by the Biden administration in January, does not say that LNG exports should be stopped. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm testifies at a congressional hearing on President Joe Bidens Department of Energy budget on April 30, 2024. On Tuesday, Granholm said continued expansion of liquefied natural gas terminals is neither sustainable nor advisable. (C-SPAN) Granholm points out that because of a 60-day comment period, decisions on future exports will be made by the incoming administration. But the facts laid out in the study could slow or stall President-elect Donald Trumps intention to increase production, one long-time energy observer said. We think that this updated public interest analysis is going to make it much harder for Trump to try and quickly approve these pending applications, because we've got a factual record by the agency that is being developed that Trump is going to have to counter, Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizens energy program, said in Dec. 11 press conference before the studys release. He's going to have to come up with his own studies, and that's going to take some time. The United States is the worlds leading exporter of the super-chilled methane gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The methane industry and its political allies say LNG will help transition the world off dirtier, more carbon-intensive fuels. But the study concluded the most likely scenario is that additional U.S. LNG exports displace more renewables than coal globally. A coalition of environmental groups opposed to the expansion of the liquified natural gas export capacity along the Gulf Coast march on Jan. 19, 2024 to protest the American Energy Summit, an oil and gas conference held at the New Orleans Convention Center. (Julie Dermansky / Julie Dermansky LLC) Massive pipeline of projects At the end of 2023, the United States was exporting 14 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) to more than 30 countries, including in Europe, which sought to replace natural gas piped from Russia following the start of its war with Ukraine. By the time permitting was paused earlier this year, the United States had already OKd construction of an additional 48 bcf/d of LNG including Venture Globals Plaquemines LNG in Louisiana, which started production on Dec. 14. The DOE study and resulting pause placed 18 projects, capable of producing an additional 24 billion cubic feet per day, on hold. Several of those projects, including Commonwealth LNG and Venture Globals CP2 project in Cameron Parish, still need approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before DOE can approve export authorization. Commonwealth LNGs plan to build a $746 million liquefied natural gas terminal in Cameron, La., is on hold, awaiting approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build the terminal, and from the Department of Energy to export the super-chilled methane. (Roddy Hughes / Sierra Club) FERC rescinded its approval of the largest of those projects, CP2, pending additional environmental analysis on the terminals potential air pollution. Venture Global has said it will complete those studies and expects FERCs approval in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even FERC and DOE approval doesnt mean a project will move forward. Projects totaling 22 billion cubic feet per day have been approved but not yet reached a final decision on moving forward. Companies need to line up enough long-term contracts to start construction, typically 75-80% of their capacity. Then, building the facilities can take three to five years. Ending of the pause in the short- and medium term (four to five years) wont do anything to the global gas/LNG market, said Anne-Sopie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy. Federal gas export study not the final word on US LNG projects Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking forward, its unclear whether there will be a demand for more LNG, Corbeau said, citing a recent analysis from the International Energy Agency. On the one side, you have analysis like the IEA showing that LNG export capacity existing and under construction is sufficient to meet any LNG demand by 2030 and even up to 2040, she wrote in an emailed response to Floodlight. But Corbeau cited other work by Shell and WoodMackenzie that disagree, concluding that there is a lot of demand to absorb the LNG. Corbeau also cautions that other countries, for their own global security, might want to diversify where they get their LNG. If the projects pending DOE approval move forward, the United States would control 40% of the worlds LNG. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) After more than seven years of battling to secure lifetime benefits, thousands of pension holders can finally breathe a sigh of relief. A Superior Court judge on Monday approved a petition to have a federal insurance program cover the retirement benefits of those orphaned by the St. Josephs Health Services pension plan. The pension holders are getting what they worked for and what they deserved and thats coverage, and I couldnt think of a better time of year to have that happen, court-appointed receiver Stephen Del Sesto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: After years in limbo, thousands of St. Joseph pensioners will see benefits covered for life The Diocese of Providence sold St. Josephs to Prospect Medical Holdings about a decade ago, which stopped paying into the pension plan. In 2017, Saint Josephs Health Services pension plan went into receivership, prompting pensioners to protest. Through millions in settlements aimed at recouping funds, special counsel secured enough money to allow the receiver to continue paying out full benefits as the issue was pending. On Dec. 3, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation a federal program that insures retirement plans stepped in and agreed to cover the promised benefits for the plans nearly 2,700 active and pending members. Del Sesto told Target 12 this is the first time in history the PBGC has covered a church plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynn Blais, a registered nurse with 40 years of experience, expressed her relief over the outcome, saying it truly was well worth the fight. If you took away their pension, any amount of their pension, it would have been devastating, Blais said. These are not people that are living big, extravagant lifestyles. These are people that are living day to day on a $1,500 pension a month. While Del Sesto noted that the transition will take a couple of months to fully complete, there will be no lapse in benefits, and pension holders should not notice any difference. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Federal officials oppose the request by Carlos Ayala, the former state board of elections member accused of participating in the Jan. 6 insurrection, for a judge to let him leave the country with his family on vacation this Christmas. Prosecutors say this image, one of several from court filings, shows Ayala at the U.S. Capitol before storming the building. File image from federal court records. A former state board of elections official accused of involvement in the failed Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection is seeking a federal judges approval to travel to El Salvador. Carlos Ayala, charged in January for his alleged participation in the storming of the U.S. Capitol, wants the courts approval to travel between Dec. 23 and Jan. 3. Federal prosecutors are asking U.S District Court Judge John D. Bates to deny the request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant awaits trial on serious charges, including a felony, in the instant case, prosecutors wrote in a three-page memo opposing the request. While the government may consent to travel if it were necessary for the defendants employment or family caretaking responsibilities, this proposed travel is none of those things. But James Trusty, an attorney representing Ayala, said his clients travel should be approved. He noted that Ayala had been aware of the initial investigation and continued to travel domestically and internationally repeatedly without incident. He has not broken any laws during that period and fully respects the importance of compliance with this Courts ordered conditions of release. As with his travel to Spain earlier this year, he will be with his family and has every intention of promptly returning to his home in Maryland after the Christmas/New Year celebratory trip. Trusty asked the judge to let Ayala pick up his passport, which had been turned over to the government, on Dec. 20 and return it on Jan. 6. This is the second such request on travel made by Ayala since his indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Ayala asked a federal judge to modify the conditions of his release to allow him to travel to Madrid for a celebration of life event for his deceased father that included family members and academics. Prosecutors likened it to an academic conference that will be attended by extended familiar members as well as religious and scientific figures in the international community. The court granted Ayalas request then over prosecutors objections, on the condition that he obtain a $25,000 bond and sign a waiver of extradition. Prosecutors noted differences between the Spain and El Salvador trips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayala traveled to Spain without his wife and children for an event honoring his recently deceased father. Prosecutors said the El Salvador trip is purely for pleasure, proposing to take a family vacation for two full weeks. They said they cannot agree to the request citing the seriousness of the charges and the inability to monitor Ayala outside the country. If the request is approved, prosecutors said in their motion, the court should impose an extradition waiver requirement similar to the one for the Spain trip. El Salvador has an extradition treaty with the United States. Ayala, of Salisbury, was charged earlier this year after federal investigators said he was identified among a group of rioters illegally gathered on restricted Capitol grounds. The crowd gathered there on the same day Congress met to certify the results of the presidential election. Federal officials said Ayala wore a sweatshirt hood cinched tightly around his head and a grey 3M-style painters mask with large filters on each cheek. At times, he was seen carrying a black and white flag affixed to a PVC pipe flagpole bearing the words We the People and DEFEND, documents said. An image of an M-16-style rifle was featured prominently on the flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators allege that video of the events show Ayala climbing over police barricades. Ayala then allegedly joined the vanguard of a crowd gathered outside a door on the Senate side of the Capitol. Security footage from inside the Capitol, near the Senate side door, allegedly shows Ayala waving his flag inside one of the windows next to the door. Ayala resigned from the Maryland State Board of Elections the day the charges were announced. The incident has since spurred changes in how state lawmakers review election board nominations. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ayala also has motions before the court seeking, among other things, a return of firearms he said he needs to protect his family and pets from rabid animals, the return of his personal cell phone, laptop and tablet device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also asked a judge to dismiss various charges and to move a trial if there is one from the District of Columbia, where he said media reports label him and others charged in the incident as insurrectionists and domestic terrorists. Ayalas attorney suggested a federal court in Western Virginia, or the Northern or Southern Districts of West Virginia would provide an opportunity for a fair trial. The judge, who has yet to rule on those motions, told prosecutors to file responses by Friday. The fate of the charges could rest with President-elect Donald Trump (R) whose 2020 defeat sparked the Capitol attack who has vowed that on his first day in office he will pardon those who took part in the Jan. 6 attack. Trump will be sworn in on Jan. 20. UPDATE: Bitwise co-founders sentenced to prison time following fraud convictions ORIGINAL STORY: Federal prosecutors will ask a judge on Tuesday to sentence convicted white-collar criminals Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr., founders of the failed Bitwise Industries, to 12.5 years in prison for masterminding a scheme to defraud investors of $115 million. The one-time darlings of Fresnos entrepreneurial community, Soberal and Olguin have pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one time, their Fresno-based company employed up to 900 people before it crashed in May 2023, shattering the lives of their former employees and supporters who championed their efforts to create a hub of technology entrepreneurship. Soberal and Olguin are due to be sentenced in federal court before U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour an ending to one of the more shocking chapters in Fresno history. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph Barton and Henry Carbajal III described the Bitwise collapse as one of the largest, and highest profile, financial frauds in the regions history. And for that, they should be made to serve meaningful prison sentences, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soberal and Olguin face up to 40 years in federal prison plus a $250,000 fine. But prosecutors are only asking the judge for 12.5 years, in part, because the defendants accepted responsibility early in the process and have no criminal record. The government is also seeking $115 million in restitution. Attorneys for Bitwise execs ask for leniency Attorneys for the pair will present their arguments for leniency before the judge. In court documents filed last week, Soberals attorney, Eric H. MacMichael, and Olguins attorney, Daniel Olmos, said a five-year prison sentence would be appropriate for the defendants. The attorneys describe their clients as being extremely remorseful for their crime and have accepted responsibility for lying to investors about the companys true financial worth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawyers said their clients didnt commit fraud for financial gain but to try and keep the company afloat. They said both have already paid a very heavy price for their misdeeds. Mr. Soberal lost his life savings through the collapse of Bitwise, and his familys financial situation is precarious. Mr. Soberal faces the reality of significant time away from his family and ultimately reintegration into the same community where he committed his offense, according to court filings. Adding a lengthy prison sentence does little to increase the deterrent effect when Mr. Soberal still faces various other consequences such as losing his license to practice law, his status as a convicted felon, and payment of restitution. The lawyers are hoping the judge also takes into consideration the tough upbringing of Soberal and Olguin, who lived through childhood trauma to become leaders, innovators and role models in the community. Ms. Olguins journey from poverty to accidental opportunity in the technology industry to leading an exciting technology company in the heart of the Central Valley inspired many who could relate to her experiences and see themselves potentially reaching for a better life, according to court filings. Though Ms. Olguin was not interested in the limelight, she was keenly aware of the responsibility of telling her story and using her lived experience to inspire others. The company adopted the slogan No one belongs here more than you to emphasize the idea that everyone was welcome at Bitwise and that people of all talents and backgrounds were encouraged to try. Prosecutors say Soberal, Olguin boasted Prosecutors allege that Bitwise appealed to social impact investors who wanted to see their money promote certain social values while also generating significant returns. But when the money from the social impact investors began to dry up, they turned to lenders and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a text message exchange obtained by investigators, Soberal and Olguin appear to reveal that they were aware of the gravity of their misconduct, approved of it and sometimes relished it. They boasted when they tricked someone into giving them more money and talked about how strong it made them feel, according to court filings. One month before Bitwise imploded, Soberal texted Olguin about the positive feedback the company was getting. People just rave about watching us do good work and being for us. Old, white, conservative, rich dudes, raving about our crazy, money-losing, progressive ideas, Soberal texted, according to court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While prosecutors acknowledge the defendants cooperated with authorities and admitted their guilt early on in the investigation, they are suspicious of the theory that they use fraud as a means to keep people employed. They took advantage of their employees. They even misappropriated their employees 401(k) contributions and solicited the employees friends and family members, according to court filings Such behavior belies any contention by the defendants that their primary aim in committing the fraud was to protect employees jobs. In reality, the defendants were consumed by their own delusions of grandeur and resorted to Ponzi scheme tactics to prop up Bitwise until the weight of their crimes caused the company to collapse. Kathy Love, director of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, listens during a discussion highlighting the consequences of longwall coal mining at Oak Grove High School. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. Undermined: Twelfth in a series about the impacts of longwall mining in Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OAK GROVE For what may be the first time in its history, the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, charged with regulating the surface impacts of underground coal mining in the state, has been put on formal notice by its federal counterpart to force a coal mines compliance with the law or face further regulatory action. In a ten-day notice sent to the agency in early December, officials with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) wrote that investigators had determined that Oak Grove Mine in western Jefferson County may be out of legal compliance for failing to adequately monitor potentially explosive methane emissions from the mine. The federal regulatory action comes about nine months after a March 2024 home explosion atop the expanding mine killed the homes owner, 74-year-old W.M. Griffice, and left his grandson seriously injured. The familys lawsuit against Crimson Oak Grove Resources, which operates the mine, alleges that methane escaping from the operation filled the Griffice home, causing the explosion. Lawyers for Oak Grove Mine have denied responsibility in court filings. The ten-day notice by U.S. regulators was issued following a federal inspection of the mine and visits to residences across Oak Grove that came days after an Inside Climate News investigation into federal inaction on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State regulators have done virtually nothing to address the concerns of citizens in Oak Grove who fear the risks of longwall mining. It took regulators months to hold a public meeting for citizens to voice those concerns, and officials said they had little power to intervene. So far, Alabama legislators have made no move toward proposing legislation to address the issues in Oak Grove, or risks from longwall mining more generally. In the OSMRE inspection report, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, investigators wrote that Oak Grove Mines current subsidence control plan does not adequately address the risks associated with methane release from the mining operation. Alabama officials approved its subsidence plan as recently as June 2024, according to the federal inspection report. The ten-day notice directed Alabama mine regulators to require subsidence and methane gas monitoring as mining moves forward beneath the small, rural Alabama community. Alabama regulators now have 10 days within which to either force correction of the violation or show cause for any failure to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Officials with the Alabama Surface Mining Commission declined to comment for this story, writing in an email that the agencys response to the ten-day notice would be forthcoming and could be obtained through OSMRE. Officials with Oak Grove Mine did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The inspection report underlying the ten-day notice shows that federal investigators followed in the footsteps of Inside Climate News reporting on Oak Grove, visiting the Griffice home and the mine as well as the homes of Lisa Lindsay, Clara Riley and Randy Myrick, all residents profiled as part of the newsrooms Undermined series. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials and managers of the mine accompanied OSMRE staff for the inspection, according to the report, including to the site of the Griffice home explosion. There, federal inspectors noted the recent installation of various methane vents in the aftermath of the explosion, meant to safely route air out of the ground and into the atmosphere. The inspection report notes that when a federal staffer with a methane monitor approached one vent, his device went into a warning mode and gave a reading of 32 percent of the lower explosive limit of methane. During visits to residents homes, OSMRE officials observed subsidence damage; inspected wells, which can serve as a route for methane to escape to the surface; and spoke with residents about their concerns. Lisa Lindsay, the Griffices closest neighbor, said in November that OSMRE inspectors spent just over 20 minutes at her home, briefly asking questions and observing the cracks in her homes foundationssigns of the subsidence caused by the expanding mine below. A resident points to the location of his home on a mine map thats been passed between residents searching for more information about the operation expanding beneath them. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) The longwall method of mining used by Oak Grove involves a large machine shearing coal, releasing methane gas and leaving vast underground caverns that collapse once mining has moved on. That collapse, experts say, causes subsidence, or the sinking of the land above, a process that often damages surface structures like the Lindsay home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fissures in the land above the mined area can also provide a path of escape for the methane released during mining. Its that escaping methane that Griffices family claims was the cause of the explosion that left their loved one dead. Lindsay said she is skeptical that any lasting good would stem from the federal inspection, which she called a dog and pony show, but that residents will take any help they can get. The so-called ten-day notice is an enforcement tool that federal regulators with OSMRE use sparingly. Only recently did federal regulators announce they would expand the scope of the enforcement mechanism, allowing such notices to stem from citizen complaints, not just federal inspections. States including Alabama have challenged that expansion, arguing that allowing citizens to complain directly to federal regulators tramples on states rights to primary regulation of coal mining within their borders. That legal challenge may soon become moot, as an incoming Trump administration is likely to roll back the rules expansion, leaving citizens with one less tool to use in combating the risks caused by the coal mine expanding beneath their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, though, Alabama regulators and officials with Oak Grove Mine will be forced to respond to the ten-day notice issued by OSMRE. It requires ASMC to have [Oak Grove Mine] revise their permit to address the absence of an effective methane monitoring and reporting plan and to update the well survey to include abandoned wells that may transmit methane to the surface after mining. The current subsidence control plan submitted by Oak Grove Mine and approved by Alabama regulators lacks specificity around the details of any subsidence and methane monitoring in the wake of active coal mining beneath residents homes, according to the report. The absence of this information for evaluation in the approved plan must be corrected as soon as possible, the report said. A staffer with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement takes methane samples at the site of the Griffice home explosion in Oak Grove. (Courtesy OSMRE) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal agency stopped short of concluding there is a current risk to the safety and health of residents, which could have led to a pause in mining operations. Coal experts including Jack Spadaro have criticized the agencys unwillingness to address what he said he views as an imminent threat to residentsthe uncontrolled escape of methane as coal mining moves forward. Joe Pizarchik, the former head of OSMRE, has also told Inside Climate News that the federal agency has the power to address the risks of methane by suspending mining operations until those risks are mitigatedsomething officials there are simply not doing. They should be able to conclude that blowing up peoples homes and killing them is an imminent hazard, and they should be able to suspend underground coal mining beneath those areas, he said earlier this year. It appears we have a documented example of the regulators failure to fulfill their mandatory duty to protect the health and safety of the public. Inside Climate News November investigation into the agencys failure in Oak Grove also pointed to a 2001 technical guide on methane escape as a guideline for what should be done in cases where gas escaping from coal mining is a concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its new inspection report, OSMRE pointed to the same document, suggesting that the state regulator direct methane monitoring consistent with the technical manual. The manual calls for methane sampling prior to, during and after mining occurs, particularly at water wells above the mine. Periodic samplings may be appropriate for up to one year, the manual states. Regardless of whether or not subsidence-induced changes are observed, the well should be sampled at least three times after the mining passes or until methane returns to ambient levels. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 17MONTOURSVILLE Four hundred and fifty women serve in the Pennsylvania State Police, playing important and vital roles. Twelve are lieutenants, six are captains and three are lieutenant captains, according to Communications Director Myles Snyder, who is stationed at department headquarters in Harrisburg. There are 21 women stationed among the 250 troopers in Troop F the region that includes Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties protecting the safety and security of Pennsylvania's residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They include Lt. Christine Fye, one of just two women leading criminal investigations in the region, troopers Sara Barrett and Jessica Naschke, both of the Milton barracks, and Lauren Lesher, of the Montoursville barracks. Naschke is an investigator in sex crimes. Barrett and Lesher are public information officers as part of their duties. Fye is no stranger to law enforcement, working her way through the ranks and serving in various roles within the state police after dedicating 12 years to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, where she earned the rank of staff sergeant. Fye said she sees growth opportunities for women in the state police, that those serving are doing a great job and she's excited to see troopers publicizing the opportunities. "It's great to see this happening and to see we are out in schools and talking to children and young adults," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fye was part of a women in law enforcement event held at Bloomsburg University last year. Shikellamy High School Police Chief Shawn Williams, a retired corporal in the state police, invited all of his law enforcement club female students to participate. "I think it was great and so nice to see so many young people involved," Fye said. "I think his (Williams) club is a great idea, and it shows a different aspect to what we do." Barrett and Lesher said the state police are continuing their community outreach efforts, planning several new events in 2025 to provide more interaction with the public. "We continue to look forward to coming out and meeting with the community," Barrett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four women had simple messages for anyone, women and men, looking to become a trooper. "You can do it," Lesher said. "If this is something you want to do with your life, then push through." Naschke said the department offers various jobs in different units. "There are so many different things you can do," she said. Barrett said she will often speak to younger people and tell them about her job, adding that she likes to see the interest in their eyes. "I explain what we do and answer all questions," she said. "It is amazing to see how many show interest in the state police." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fye said anyone looking to become a trooper and who graduates from the academy should continue to set new goals after they reach one. "Just keep setting new ones," she said. "Continue to push yourself and work toward the next goal." Snyder said he's pleased to see the number of women among the ranks growing. "I have met quite a few (of the women troopers) and even some from the first class in 1972," Snyder said. "They all are an inspiration to so many other men and women." Barrett said when she attended the state police academy, she knew she would tough it out and live her dream of becoming a trooper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not just a job for males," she said. There are times when members of the public speak to female troopers with some disrespect, but it is rare, the four state troopers said. "It may be an older generation thing, but there are times when we are called 'hun,' or 'honey' and we politely correct them," Barrett said. "I've also been asked if I was a secretary." Lesher said she still jumps in and covers patrol shifts. "I have no problem going out," she said. "This is a job where you can do everything," Naschke said. "I love coming to work every day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fye said the job takes all troopers away from their families on nights, weekends and holidays. "When we get the call, we go," Naschke said. "There are times it could be Christmas morning, but when the call comes, we go." Women have the same duties as male officers, but Naschke and Snyder said there are situations where being a woman has advantages. "It can be easy to talk to a woman," Naschke said. "Sometimes it's just easier for a woman, or a man, to open up to a female. I've been at scenes where the male troopers say it is beneficial." Snyder added, "There are cases where a victim would feel more confident speaking to a woman. Putting myself in a victim's shoes, it just tends to lend itself to what could be a less threatening image to that person speaking with a woman." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fye, Barrett, Naschke and Lesher said the 27 weeks they attended the state police academy were rough but worth it. The troopers said they saw people drop out, and that just made them even more motivated to complete the program. "I just embraced all of it, and made it through," Barrett said. Naschke agreed. "There were times it was tougher than I had thought, but I wanted to be a trooper, and I pushed through," she said. Dec. 16dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN Lake Lynn Generation's Lake Lynn Hydroelectric Project license expired Nov. 30. The federal Energy Regulatory Commission answered a few questions from The Dominion Hope as the company awaits a FERC decision on its license renewal. FERC said, "When a license expires and the commission has not acted on a pending license application, the commission issues an annual license. An annual license provides for the continued operation of the project under the existing license terms until the commission acts on the pending license application." The case docket doesn't show that an annual license has been issued to date, and FERC did not respond in time for deadline Monday whether issuance is automatic or whether is hasn't been issued yet and will be posted at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as what's ahead, FERC said the next milestone is a notice that the application is ready to begin the environmental analysis process. Lake Lynn Generation is a subsidiary of Maryland-based Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, which in turn is a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, a Canadian company. Eagle Creek owns 85 hydro-power stations in 18 states and has been the owner. Lake Lynn Generation has been this project's licensee and owner since 2105. The current license was issued on Dec. 27, 1994, and expired Nov. 30. Lake Lynn Generation filed its license renewal application in November 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The application process has generated a couple areas of public concern. One is a proposal to remove 243.8 acres of project land no longer needed for project purposes from its project boundary (down from 307.1 acres originally proposed, then revised after Lake Lynn located a more accurate map. This proposal stirred worry that the land might be sold to commercial interests and developed, contrary to the interests of Cheat Lake residents. The company has said it has no plans to sell the land. Lake Lynn's alleged poor maintenance of recreation areas, particularly Cheat Lake Park, has also been a subject of criticism in numerous public comments submitted to FERC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Lake Lynn submitted to FERC its 2024 shoreline erosion survey report, including measurements and photos from 33 monitoring stations. Regarding annual change, erosion at all but one site was termed minimal, meaning "no appreciable change in condition " compared to 2023. One site was termed moderate, meaning "some additional erosion and bank deterioration is apparent." Historic erosion at 32 of the sites has been termed moderate, with the remaining one historically and this year termed minimal. Lake Lynn said, "The 2024 Cheat Lake shoreline erosion survey indicated continued shoreline deposition at an annual rate consistent with past surveys." JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) A Filipina woman who had been on death row in Indonesia, and who was nearly executed by firing squad in 2015, arrived home early Wednesday after longstanding requests from her home country. Mary Jane Fiesta Veloso had spent almost 15 years in prison for drug trafficking but won a last-minute reprieve that will lead to her testimony exposing how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice and drug courier. Relatives and a small group of supporters, including Veloso's two sons who were 1- and 6-year old when she was arrested in 2010, welcome her with cheers and tears when she arriving at Manila's airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welcome home Mary Jane, read a huge banner carried by relatives and supporters who were clasping flowers. Veloso was moved late Sunday from a female prison in Yogyakarta to Indonesias capital of Jakarta, then escorted Tuesday night for a flight to Manila. Her repatriation was made possible by a practical arrangement for the transfer of prisoners signed between the two countries on Dec. 6. Her transfer removes the possibility of execution. The Philippines, Asias largest Roman Catholic nation, has long abolished the death penalty. Cries rang out and the crowd waved as Veloso was escorted by a security cordon to a waiting van. Her parents wiped away tears, with her mother Celia expressing frustration that they were unable to go near or hug her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that relatives and lawyers will instead spend an hour with Veloso at the Correctional Institution for Women in Metro Manila, where she was moved for security reasons. Hopefully the president can grant clemency to Mary Jane, Veloso's mother told reporters. Her family has been seeking presidential clemency but the presidential palace said there has been no decision. A crowd of about 100 supporters chanted Clemency for Mary Jane and Free, free Mary Jane as the van carrying Veloso arrived at the penal facility. Veloso earlier told reporters outside Pondok Bambu prison in Jakarta that she was overwhelmed by emotions. She said she was treated well by fellow inmates and prison officials during her 14 years of incarceration and had many souvenirs including a guitar, books, knitting and rosaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you, Indonesia, I love Indonesia, Veloso said, forming a heart with her fingers. In a news conference at the airport, she thanked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his government, as well as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for their efforts to send her home to serve the rest of her sentence in her country. I am grateful to God who has answered my prayers, Veloso said while trying to hold in sobs. I will return to my country, and I am sure and believe that God has a beautiful plan for my life. Eduardo Jose De Vega, the undersecretary for migration affairs at the Philippines Foreign Affairs Department, said her transfer was evidence of the success of diplomacy between the countries in upholding the principles of the supremacy of law and respect for human rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indonesias senior minister of law, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has said that if the Philippines want to pardon Veloso or grant clemency, that is entirely their authority and we must also respect. Under the agreement, Veloso is banned from entering Indonesian territory for life. Allow me to thank the government of Indonesia for its sincere and decisive action which allowed Mary Jane Veloso to be home before Christmas, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said in a statement Wednesday. This is a significant achievement for the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia, a mark of the trust and friendship between our two nations, Manalo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcos told reporters on Tuesday that we're celebrating already. Prison officials said Veloso will undergo five days of quarantine at the penal facility for women in Manila, where her family will spend Christmas Eve with her. Veloso, who will turn 40 next month, was arrested in 2010 at an airport in Yogyakarta, where officials discovered about 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin hidden in her luggage. The conviction and death sentence for the single mother of two sons caused an outcry in the Philippines. She had traveled to Indonesia where a 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, Indonesia moved Veloso to an island prison where she and eight other drug convicts were scheduled to be executed despite objections from their home countries Australia, Brazil, France, Ghana and Nigeria. Indonesia executed the others but Veloso was granted a stay of execution because Sergio had been arrested in the Philippines two days earlier. 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. 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. Indonesias last executions, of a citizen and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five Australians who spent almost 20 years in Indonesian prisons for heroin trafficking returned to Australia on Sunday under a deal struck between the governments. ___ Cerojano reported from Manila, the Philippines. Associated Press journalists Andi Jatmiko and Achmad Ibrahim in Jakarta, Indonesia, and contributed to this report. Join ICT and IndiJ Public Medias 2024 End of Year Campaign in honor of Mark Trahants 50-year legacy in Indigenous journalism. Help us reach our goal of $75,000 by Dec. 31 to celebrate and amplify Indigenous voices. Donate here! Kevin Abourezk ICT Born of heartbreak, an Indigenous women-led film production company with a lethal name has begun work telling the story of a Nebraska-based effort to welcome home the displaced people of that state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deer Woman Productions was created as an homage to the late Payton Canku by two of the Crow Creek Lakota womans friends, Rebekka Schlichting and Candice Dalsing. Their newly founded company is named for a figure prevalent in the lore of many tribes. Deer Woman made famous by her depiction in the TV series Reservation Dogs is a sort of avenging, half-deer spirit who lures men and then kills them. Some people are afraid to say the name, said Schlichting, laughing. Rebekka Schlichting, assistant professor of the practice at the University of Kansas' William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and co-director of Deer Woman Productions Established in November 2023, the nonprofit company seeks to tell contemporary Native stories and recently has begun work on its first full-length documentary, which will describe efforts by a University of Nebraska-Lincoln-led organization to welcome back the Otoe-Missouria people. The federal government forced the tribe to leave Nebraska in 1881 and moved its people to Oklahoma, where they live today. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the nations largest supporter of the arts and humanities, awarded the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe a three-year, $1.58 million grant in 2023 to launch the Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project seeks to re-indigenize Southeast Nebraska by hosting an annual Otoe-Missouria Day celebration each Sept. 21 in which Otoe-Missouria tribal citizens return to Nebraska and attend ceremonies honoring them and their peoples history. The project also plans to reintroduce Otoe-Missouria history and culture into the landscape of Nebraska through a variety of means, including changing and adding historical markers that describe the tribes history and contributions to Nebraska history and eventually establishing a physical monument to the tribe. Candice Dalsing, a Los Angeles-based film producer and director and co-director of Deer Woman Productions Deer Woman Productions is charged with documenting the three-year effort and recently completed its first year of shooting film footage. Schlichting an assistant professor of the practice at the University of Kansass William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications said she and Dalsing a Los Angeles-based film producer and director hope to finish the film by early 2028. Dalsing, who directed music videos and later workout videos for Fitbit, said working on the Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors film has helped her pursue her lifelong dream of telling Indigenous stories. The strength and the passion that everyone has behind this project is like something Ive never experienced on set, she said. The energy it creates between everyone, including the crew, including the people that were interviewing, is thick and rich and informative and healing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has definitely been one of the most important experiences of my life. Schlichting, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, and Dalsing, a Mescalero Apache descendant, have hired and will continue to hire Native interns to help complete the project and recently launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise $20,000 needed to pay for the intern position. Interns must be age 18 or older and either be in college or starting their film careers. They must have the ability to travel to film set locations, but they dont need to have any film experience. Those interested can send a letter of interest to deerwomanproductions@gmail.com. The intern will get to learn about every aspect of film production, from costume and sound design to cinematography and directing. We give them the opportunity to explore whatever department they want to explore, Dalsing said. Marci and Lena Black are interviewed by crew members from Deer Woman Productions, a new Native women-led film production company, as part of filming for a project called Walking in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors. (Photo courtesy of Deer Woman Productions) Schlichting and Dalsing also have begun work as impact producers for Bring Them Home, a documentary about a group of Blackfoot people seeking to establish the first wild buffalo herd on their ancestral lands since the species near-extinction a century ago. Directed by Blackfeet siblings Ivan and Ivy MacDonald and Daniel Glick, the film is narrated by Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner actress Lily Gladstone, Siksikaitsitapii and Nimiipuu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As impact producers, Schlichting and Dalsing will focus on spreading awareness about the film through social media campaigns and outreach to relevant audiences in order to use the films narrative to generate positive social change. The duo also has begun work as executive producers on a full-length documentary about breast cancer and its impacts on Native women. Payton Canku (Photo courtesy of Deer Woman Productions) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next up: a feature film called Rez Monster, based on a script written by Payton Canku, who wrote it as her final masters thesis project. Their hopes of bringing the horror film to life is, in many ways, what brought Schlichting and Dalsing together. They have begun working on the films script and scouting filming locations. We want to bring as many pieces of her to life, Dalsing said. In the meantime, they will continue their efforts to build up Deer Woman Productions by enlisting the help of other Native women. They hope to fulfill their friends dream of putting more Indigenous people in front of the camera, as well as behind it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see Natives, often were painted in the past, Schlichting said. Its really about bringing modern positive Native stories to light because we dont see that often. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. Calls for peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine are premature, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday ahead of a heads of state and government meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Tallinn. "I welcome those discussions, but let's focus on the essential. Ukraine needs to win this war first," Stubb said. The JEF is a Northern European military partnership led by the United Kingdom. It draws in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands. All are NATO members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Before we can start talking about peace or a ceasefire, we need to continue to support Ukraine, and the support needs to be very practical. It basically means arms and ammunition, so that Ukraine can win this war on the battlefield," Stubb said. Stubb stressed three principles for Ukraine: independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine had to start any talks from a position of strength, he said. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also backed strong support for Ukraine. He noted that Russia now felt itself to be stronger that Ukraine and said it would "extremely difficult" to bring the Kremlin to the negotiation table. "Hopefully, with our dedication and our commitment, it is possible to change the momentum on the battlefield to the better direction. And then of course we'll start to talk about possible solutions," Nauseda said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Baltic States and the Nordic countries have been among the staunchest backers of Ukraine in warding off the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Support for Ukraine is a central focus of the JEF meeting in the Estonian capital. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has stressed the need for a balanced approach to the idea of a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine, which some European leaders are discussing. Source: European Pravda with reference to Finnish public service media company Yle Quote: "Alexander Stubb is warning against jumping the gun as European leaders discuss a possible peacekeeping operation in Ukraine after peace is achieved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Stubb is representing Finland in Tallinn at a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations, where the issue is being discussed today. The Finnish president has not taken a specific position on the possible operation itself. Stubb noted that the operation would require UN authorisation. In addition, there is no peace at the moment, and Stubb believes that above all, Ukraine needs weapons. When asked about Stubb's message to Russia, he responded with one word: "Retreat". Background: Reuters reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte would convene a separate discussion on the situation in Ukraine with the leaders of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland on the sidelines of the summit in Brussels on 18 December. Radio Liberty learned from sources that French President Emmanuel Macron was likely to raise the issue of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire and a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The sources also noted that the topic of peacekeepers is very new and remains at the level of an idea. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 16WILKES-BARRE Wilkes-Barre City Fire Chief Jay Delaney on Monday said 15 people were displaced from a building at 294 Carey Ave. on Sunday. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. Chief Delaney said the building housed four apartments and the displaced residents were assisted by the American Red Cross to secure emergency housing and other needs. The Chief said a total of 13 pieces of equipment were used 11 from Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department, 1 from Hanover Township and 1 from Kingston/Forty Fort. The Rapid Intervention Team also responded with 34 firefighters and 4 paramedics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was called in to 911 dispatch at 3:54 p.m. and Chief Delaney said the assignment was completed approximately three hours later at 6:48 p.m. "The fire was very labor intensive and mostly an interior fight," Chief Delaney said. "Firefighters had an enormous amount of heat and fire to deal with." Chief Delaney also added that a neighboring building was especially at risk due to the proximity of the rain gutters. "This was very good work done by the WBFD and our mutual aid partners," he said. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) University of Michigan Health-West says that everything is back to normal after a fire outside the building prompted a brief evacuation Tuesday afternoon. The fire happened just before 1 p.m. in an area outside of the hospital, which is located near Byron Center Avenue SW and M-6. A fire outside University of Michigan Health-West on Dec. 17, 2024. (Courtesy Shaun Skibinski) Photos shared with News 8 show a semi-truck in flames. A fire outside University of Michigan Health-West on Dec. 17, 2024. (Courtesy Brittany Perry) The scene of a fire outside University of Michigan Health-West on Dec. 17, 2024. (Courtesy Brittany Perry) Part of the building was temporarily evacuated as a precaution, according to a spokesperson for University of Michigan Health-West, and the fire was quickly extinguished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patient care was not impacted, and all services are resuming as normal, the spokesperson wrote just after 1:10 p.m. in a message to News 8. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. University of Michigan | Susan J. Demas An attorney for a fired University of Michigan said Monday her client denies allegations that she made antisemitic remarks while at a conference. U of M fired Rachel Dawson, who had been director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, Dec. 10 after being accused of saying the university is controlled by wealthy Jews during a conversation with two professors at an academic conference on diversity and equity in late March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is currently being left out of the story is the full context of the conversation which she was fired over, said Amanda Ghannam, a Detroit attorney representing Dawson. Two women approached her and began to ask her questions about whether or not the University of Michigan harbors an antisemitic environment, and Ms. Dawson actually defended the university, Ghannam told Michigan Advance. She noted the multitude of resources, campus organizations, representation, resources that are available to all students, including Jewish students. And when she did not agree with these two women who approached her, they became visibly angry with her. She responded that she believed multiple groups of people have origins in that region, and they did not like what she had to say. She disagreed with them, and they went after her employment. The New York Times was first to report the allegations, and said the conference in question, sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, took place in March in Philadelphia. The newspaper reported Dawson told the two women that Jewish students were wealthy and privileged and had no need for her offices diversity services, adding that Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the women later contacted the Anti-Defamation League of Michigan, which filed a complaint with the university. According to the Times, the complaint prompted the university to hire an outside law firm, Covington & Burling, to investigate the matter. A subsequent report by the law firm said while it was not possible to determine with certainty whether Ms. Dawson made the exact remarks the weight of the available evidence supports A.D.L. Michigans report. Ghannam, however, emphatically denied Dawson made those statements when asked by the Advance. She did not make the statements attributed to her, Ghannam said. These two women who approached her and initiated the conversationthey took her words completely out of context, mischaracterized her, and again, went after her employment and after her livelihood because they didnt like what she had to say. When asked to comment on the situation, the universitys director of public affairs, Kay Jarvis, sent this statement to the Advance: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 judgement, said Jarvis. Ghannam says the on-campus protest referenced an incident on Aug. 28, when four people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest on the Ann Arbor campus Diag. Protestors at the University of Michigan mark the one year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, as they demand the university divest its holdings from Israel. Oct. 7, 2024. Photo by Jon King. What Ms. Dawson did there was advocate for student protesters not to be violently arrested, she said, pointing to allegations that the subsequent prosecution of protestors by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel had been initiated by university officials urging her office to bring felony charges against those involved in the various incidents. The fact that they would rely on Ms. Dawson attempting to protect these students from violent arrest by police as a reason for her termination, I think it speaks to a wider and more troubling pattern of the University of Michigans abdication of its responsibilities to uphold peoples First Amendment rights, said Ghannam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dawson initially received a written warning in October about her actions, but was then placed on leave a little over two weeks later when the warning was revoked, said Ghannam who pointed to the New York Times reporting that the termination came at the behest of a regent, who was disgusted with the universitys response, and demanded Dawson be terminated immediately. Its clear that her constitutional rights have been violated, and we are going to take the appropriate legal action, said Ghannam. This latest controversy follows the targeting of Regent Jordan Acker on Dec. 9 when someone threw Mason jars through the front window of his Oakland County home, shattering the glass. Police believe the jars were filled with urine. The vandals also spray painted the words Divest and Free Palestine in red on his wifes car in the driveway. That incident remains under investigation. Vandalized vehicle belonging to University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker. Dec. 9, 2024. Facebook photo by permission It was at least the third time Acker has been targeted since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, including in May when he said a masked intruder came to his home and those of other regents and left a list of demands, and the vandalism of his Southfield law office in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also follows protests earlier this month prior to a Board of Regents meeting in which scaling back the universitys diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were discussed. When asked if she thought Dawsons firing was connected to those efforts, Ghannam said she couldnt speak to that. I do believe that the university just decided to roll back some of its DEI efforts, so whether theres any connection there, I truly cant say. I dont have any personal knowledge and cant speak to that, she said. However, Ghannam did say she believes the university is not acting within the scope of what the public expects from an institution of higher learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our public institutions cannot fire employees because they dont like what they had to say. Even when speech makes us uncomfortable, even when it offends some of us, it is the cornerstone of our democracy to uphold and defend those free speech rights, said Ghannam. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX KEWAUNEE COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) A fire north of Algoma on Monday afternoon caused heavy damage to a house on Cedar Drive. Algoma Fire Department says that it got a call around 3:30 p.m. that reported the fire. According to an official, the house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene. Could be seen from many blocks away: Wisconsin garage fire destroys car, one evacuated The firefighters battled the fire for more than three hours, with support coming from multiple other fire departments. The assisting departments were from Kewaunee, Casco, Luxemburg, Southern Door and Nasewaupee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is unknown, but currently under investigation. No more details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. As American oligarchs line up to reap the benefits of ingratiating themselves with Donald Trump, Trump is growing increasingly bold in his plans to use the powers of the U.S. government to attack his personal enemies and his political opponents. Anthony Romero, executive president of the American Civil Liberties Union, talks with Rachel Maddow about the plan to preserve American values in the face of Trump's abuses. Temple, TX (FOX 44) FOX 44 had their first ever Rainbow Room Drive in Temple and a second location in Waco. I am very excited to have everyone come out and contribute to our cause, its always needed. I appreciate all the help that our community is going to give us today, says Faith Based Community Engagement Rainbow Room Coordinator, Brenda Jones. The Rainbow Room workers ask for brand new items so the kids can call them their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The key thing on this is we want new items donated here. The kids want to be able to open and get their own item. Its brand spanking new here. So, dont bring anything thats been used or worn. We want new things down here, but its been its been a great day, says FOX 44s Chief Meteorologist, Mike LaPoint. In the Rainbow Room, CPS Caseworkers can get supplies 24/7 for children who are victims of abuse or neglect. These kids are in the system, theyre in the foster care system. So, a lot of them have been through abuse or neglect. So, we want to make this holiday a little less traumatic and make sure they kind of have a nice holiday. Thats why we want brand new things, says FOX 44s Anchor, MG Montemayor. Donations are always needed; clothes, school supplies, diapers, baby formula, toys and much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CPS Office is open from 8PM to 5PM. They can always drop off their items at the front for our rainbow room, says Jones. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Police reports of a man waving an American flag while firing multiple rounds from a rifle at the Central Plaza shopping center in Independence, Oregon, on Nov. 20 ultimately led authorities to arrest several youths connected to a string of burglaries in the area, the Independence Police Department said. The suspect involved in the plaza shooting fled before officers arrived on scene, Independence Police said. However, several shell casings were collected in the area. On Dec. 5, more shell casings and a bullet were recovered from the scene of multiple vehicle break-ins in Independence. Security footage of the break-ins showed one of the suspects armed with a rifle. Court docs: Strip club DJ hospitalized after being stabbed by dancer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around the same time, police in Dallas, Oregon were also investigating a series of vehicle break-ins that included reports of stolen guns, according to authorities. Collaboration between the Dallas and Independence police departments led detectives to issue a search warrant at a Dallas home on Dec. 10. During the search, investigators recovered multiple guns, including some of those reported stolen in the previous burglaries. Police arrested three minors in connection to the burglaries. The juveniles face several charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, menacing, reckless endangering, burglary in the second degree, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, theft in the first degree, and unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle, the Independence Police Department said. Former Albany teacher, coach accused of sexual relationship with student Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Independence Police Department Chief Bob Mason thanked the Dallas Police Department for assisting in the investigation. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the diligent efforts of our officers and detectives were key in solving this case, Mason said. Our top priority is the safety of our community, and we are grateful for the support from our partners in this investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Florida Channel screenshot of Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis signing form as elector for Donald Trump in Florida Electoral College vote in Tallahassee on Dec. 17, 2024. Floridas presidential electors met in the Florida Senate chamber in Tallahassee Tuesday to cast their votes for Donald Trump for president and J.D. Vance for vice president in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, in a largely ceremonial vote. All of the 30 electors were present to vote with one exception Pam Bondi. The former Florida attorney general, who has been nominated by Donald Trump to serve as attorney general in his next administration, did not appear in the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She earlier tweeted a photo of herself meeting with Alabama Republican Sen. Katie Britt in Washington, D.C., as she prepares for her confirmation hearing to be held sometime after the president-elect is inaugurated next month. Other Florida electors of note included sitting Attorney General Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer and now Congressional District 1 candidate Jimmy Patronis, state Rep. and Congressional District 6 candidate Randy Fine, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton, and House Speaker Daniel Perez. Trump received 56% of the vote in Florida last month, defeating Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris by 13%, the biggest margin of victory in a presidential contest in the Sunshine State since 1988. Nationally, Trump won 312 electoral votes on Nov. 5; Harris took 226. Floridas 30 electoral votes are the third most of any state in the nation, trailing only California (54) and Texas (40). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All 538 presidential electors in the 50 states and Washington gathered around the country to formalize Trumps victory on Tuesday. Among them were 13 Republicans who participated in the 2020 fake electors plot, including some who face criminal charges, according to CNN. After voting, the electors signed documents that will be part of the certifying process in Washington on Jan. 6, when a joint session of Congress will declare the president and vice president. Trump will be sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 20. The Florida Electoral College vote itself took approximately 53 minutes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Drone sightings are on the rise, sparking both curiosity and confusion across Central New York. From drones to planes to even military aircrafts, local expert, Ken Stewart, CEO of NUAIR, shared that people are often unsure of what they may be seeing in the skies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NUAIR, one of the leading researchers based in Central New York, claims these increased sightings are used more for recreation and business. New Yorks Governor Kathy Hochul called for more help detecting these drones and Senator Chuck Schumer is also wondering and questioning where they come from and how many are actually drones. Most of the drone guidelines are set federally through the Federal Aviation Administration. However, Stewart reminds us theres a Department of Defense aspect we should be mindful of. Since these sightings are over the DOD areas. Theyre over base they could be legitimate aircraft flying, Stewart explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As drone technology advances, Central New Yorkers will see more of these small aircrafts, such as Air Taxis and other flying devices, including electric-powered planes in the near future. We actually had some BETA technologies that are located up in Vermont but a lot of their testing is in Plattsburg that has actually flown into this airport many of times, Stewart said. Stewart also reiterates how spotting a drone shouldnt be a concern until we see the government putting some activity up in our skies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. Dec. 16Plans to build a state-of-the-art circular "GigaFarm" in Cobleskill have been announced by Empire State Greenhouses LLC in partnership with vertical farming technology provider Intelligent Growth Solutions. The facility is co-located alongside SUNY Cobleskill, according to a news release from the company, which called SUNY Cobleskill, "one of the nation's top colleges of agriculture and technology." ESG plans to bring more than 150 full time jobs and more than 600 indirect jobs to the area, including internship, research and employment opportunities for SUNY Cobleskill students and members of the campus community, the release stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 385,000 square-foot, carbon-negative facility "will take a revolutionary circular approach to crop production," according to the release. Tts 100 vertical farming "growth towers," provided by IGS, will be integrated into a network of on-site facilities including renewable energy generation and food-energy-waste (FEW) systems, eliminating a third of the cost of food deriving from energy. When fully operational, facility will be capable of producing more than a billion plants each year and generating 6.4 million pounds of produce annually with another 1.6 million pounds of produce grown in greenhouses, totaling more than 8 million pounds annually, the release stated. As many as 50 different crop types will be grown in the facility, with the vertical farm ensuring producing food year-round. According to the release, the sustainable crop factory will be up to 98% water efficient and will utilize "proven renewable technologies" including: gasifier; solar PV; LED grow lights; energy storage; and combined heat and power. "The state of global agriculture is at a crossroads between climate change, land and water resources, and rising populations, posing an increasing challenge to our ability to feed ourselves," said Louis Ferro, president and chairman of ESG. "Agriculture and energy are inextricably linked, and until energy for CEA farming becomes predominantly renewable, agriculture will continue to be a leading cause of climate change representing part of the problem rather than the solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Working closely with IGS, we are building a new paradigm in agriculture," he said. "This is a new type of farming, built on a circular economy model, creating a resilient food system with a carbon-negative footprint." Andrew Lloyd, chief executive officer of Intelligent Growth Solutions, said, "By coupling IGS's scalable vertical farming infrastructure with ESG's circular approach and on-site renewable energy solutions, we're creating a resilient, carbon-negative model for U.S. agriculture, capable of delivering fresh, local produce to communities year-round. "Moreover, the Cobleskill site's positioning in rural upstate New York delivers IGS, as a relatively new name on the vertical farming scene in North America, an exceptionally strong foothold to partner with ESG in the potential development of future sites," he said. A video of the explosion that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, has been posted online. A source of Ukrainska Pravda reports that the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) is behind it. Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in security services Details: The video shows Lieutenant General Kirillov and his assistant leave the building, next to which is a scooter with an explosive device. As soon as they are within range, the scooter explodes. pic.twitter.com/6uLolCQS2d (@ukrpravda_news) December 17, 2024 Background: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 17 December, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, Head of Russias nuclear troops, and his aide were killed in an explosion in Moscow. The explosion occurred near a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. An explosive device was detonated in a scooter that was standing next to the entrance. Later, an Ukrainska Pravda source in the security service reported that the explosion that killed Kirillov was a special operation by the SSU. Prior to that, the SSU announced that it had served a notice of suspicion on the Russian general who had ordered the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine's defence forces over 4,800 times. Over 2,000 servicemen from Ukraine's defence forces have been sent to military hospitals and other medical institutions with varying degrees of chemical poisoning during Russia's full-scale invasion. Support UP or become our patron! The family of a protester shot and killed at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center has filed a lawsuit against Georgia State Patrol troopers and other law enforcement officers. State troopers shot and killed Manuel Teran at an encampment near the facility in January 2023. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The lawsuit says the troopers use of force violated the 4th amendment and ultimately caused Terans death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are here after the impossible...to know what really happened, Terans father, Joel Paez, said. Manuel was a forest defender. Forest defenders are not terrorists, Channel 2s Audrey Washington reached out to the Georgia State Patrol for a comment, but has not heard back. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troopers said Teran fired at them first when they reportedly tried to clear the area of protesters. They told Channel 2 Action News they had no other choice but to return fire. Terans family and attorneys dispute that account. Manuels hands were shot through the back of their hand, through their palm, attorney Brian Spears said. Attorneys said they filed the lawsuit to get more answers about who organized the raid. The suit also states that Teran was shot and killed while camping in Intrenchment Creek Park, which attorneys said is not owned by the City of Atlanta. Neither the GBI nor the City of Atlanta had the authority to exclude any person form Intrenchment Creek Park, the complaint read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the attorneys and the family say they question the evidence the GBI cites in their report because they have not seen it. We do not believe them, said Paez. Why? Why did this happen to my child? Belkis Teran, Terans mother. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A former Archbishop of Canterbury has quit amid claims that he mishandled child abuse cases. Lord George Carey, 89, has given up his license to minister after being contacted by the BBC about assistance he provided to enable a child abuser to return to the priesthood. On Monday, the BBC reported Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, was under pressure to step down after he let priest David Tudor stay in post despite knowing he had been jailed for sex abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also reported that Lord Carey who was in post between 1991 and 2002 agreed that Tudor could return to ministering in 1993. The Telegraph can now reveal that Lord Carey contacted the Diocese of Oxford on Dec 4 to surrender his license to minister, known as a permission to officiate (PTO). Tudors 1988 conviction for indecent assault was subsequently quashed on a technicality after the Court of Appeal found the judge had misdirected the jury. The following year the Church stopped Tudor from ministering for sexual misconduct, but the BBC revealed that, as Archbishop, Lord Carey allowed him to return only a few years later, in 1993 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The priest was only banned from ministering for life in October, following a Church tribunal. On Monday, BBCs File on Four detailed how Lord Carey enabled the abusive priest to remain in the Church. Churchs disgusting response One woman, who was sexually abused by Tudor between the ages of 13 and 15 when he was a vicar and school chaplain in Redhill, Surrey, told the programme that the impact the abuse had on her life was made worse by the Churchs disgusting response. Its absolutely disgusting that they supported him, that they welcomed him back into the Church, she said. The BBC has also seen leaked documents revealing that Lord Carey agreed, in 1996, to remove the priests name from a centrally-held record of clergy who had been subject to disciplinary proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord Carey told the BBC he does not remember David Tudors name. The Church said that the request was made by the then-Bishop of Southwark, the Right Rev Roy Williamson, who died in 2019, and Lord Carey had agreed to it. It is the latest in a series of historic complaints about the former Archbishops alleged mishandling of safeguarding concerns. Not only has Lord Carey already had his PTO removed and restored twice before, but he is also understood to have been subject to a review by the Churchs National Safeguarding Team. This followed the publication of a report by Keith Makin, the former director of social services, into the Churchs response to John Smyth, the institutions most prolific serial child abuser. The Makin Review, whose findings felled the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, led to a national review of a number of clergy named in the final report. Resignation letter In his resignation letter Lord Carey wrote: I wish to surrender my Permission to Officiate. I am in my ninetieth year now and have been in active ministry since 1962 when I was made Deacon and then Priested in 1963. It has been an honour to serve in the dioceses of London, Southwell, Durham, Bristol, Bath and Wells, Canterbury and finally Oxford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Archbishop also paid tribute to God and his wife, Eileen, writing: I give thanks to God for his enduring faithfulness but want to recognise the remarkable contribution of Eileen whose faithfulness and support has been outstanding. David McClenaghan, a partner in the abuse team at Bolt Burdon Kemp who represents three of Tudors victims, told The Telegraph that the Church ought to have removed Tudor in his entirety after his 1988 conviction. He said: My very strong feeling is that that is the kind of the key moment where the Church ought to have removed Tudor in his entirety. The burden of proof in a criminal case is beyond reasonable doubt. But when it comes to matters of employment law, or civil law or even ecclesiastical law, were looking at the balance of probabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it would be following that conviction, irrespective of it being quashed, that the Church should have conducted a really thorough investigation and spoken to the three girls who were involved. I just cant see how you couldnt reach a decision that these offences had taken place. 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. CLAY CITY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Indiana State Board found a former town official allegedly made hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorized payments. The Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA) conducted a special investigation from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, when Karla Pipes was Clay Citys Clerk-Treasurer. According to a special investigation report filed by SBOA, Pipes allegedly made unauthorized credit card transactions totaling over $280,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vigo County Republican party host ceremony to swear in Officials According to the report, Town officials became suspicious after a review of the Towns credit card statements. A significant number of transactions were made by Pipes with the Towns credit card wherein a point-of-sale company was utilized; Square. Pipes allegedly created an account on Square with a name similar to that of a legitimate vendor with whom the town regularly does business. She allegedly made 141 transactions to the fake vendor totaling $238,567.17 for which no receipts or records were provided to SBOA. The SBOA report found that those transactions paid to the fake vendor were linked to an account owned by Pipes. The SBOA says she also allegedly overpaid herself. According to the report, the approved salary ordinances state the Clerk-Treasurer was to be paid quarterly. In 2020 and 2022 Pipes paid herself an additional check of $2,187.42 and $2,411.73. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also states that the Clerk-Treasurer would also serve as the utility clerk and would be paid weekly. In 2021, Pipes paid herself 57 utility clerk checks, The report reads. Fifty-two checks were written for the correct amount of $409.92. The five additional checks were handwritten for $5,666.67. The report states that Pipes was interviewed by the SOBA in October 2024 but could not provide an explanation as to how the $32,932.50 of town funding was deposited into her account. In addition, Pipes allegedly wrote an unauthorized check to herself for $33,000 on June 11, 2020. No receipts, invoices, contracts, or other public records were able to determine the validity of the check, the report states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, the ledger stated the check was written to a vendor, but when the check cleared it was deposited into a personal account of Pipes. The report states, Four days after the check was deposited a large wire transfer was made from Pipes personal bank account to a title company. The SBOA states that during the period of the examination, Pipes allegedly did not properly and timely remit payments to the Indiana Department of Revenue, Indiana Department of Workforce Development, a financial institution, and a vendor causing the town to incur penalties, interest, and other charges. The report states that officials and employees have the duty to pay claims and remit taxes in a timely fashion. It goes on to say that failure to do so can be an indicator of serious financial problems which should be investigated by the unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board says these accusations, in addition to the cost of the special investigation, totaled over $385,000. The SBOA says in its report that its the boards understanding that there is an ongoing investigation by the FBI. WTWO reached out to the FBI and received the following statement: Per policy, we dont confirm or deny investigations. You would have to contact the US Attorneys office regarding any federal charges. -Chris Bavender, Public Affairs, FBI Indianapolis WTWO reached out to the US Attorneys office and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas office and is awaiting a response. WTWO reached out to the SBOA for a comment on the special investigation report, and they replied with this statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for reaching out to the State Board of Accounts. We have no comments or anything further to add to the information contained within our Special Investigation Report. Jennifer Gauger, Chief of Staff, State Board of Accounts WTWO also spoke with Terry Silvers, Chief of the Clay City Police Department. Since this is part of a federal investigation, they (him and town officials) are unable to comment at this time, he said. WTWO reached out to Pipes for comment but has not yet heard back. This is a developing story, WTWO will update this story as more information becomes available. Read the special investigation report in its entirety below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special-INvestigation-Report-1Download Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Smirnov was indicted in February by special counsel David Weiss, the prosecutor appointed to lead the now-defunct investigations into Hunter Biden. Biden issued a blanket pardon to protect his son earlier this month, one of more than 1500 he has issued since. As a longtime confidential human source, Smirnov told his FBI handler in 2020 that the two Bidens each accepted $5 million from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma several years earlier. The claims "were false, as the Defendant knew," according to the charging documents filed against him. Related: President Biden Pardons His Son Hunter Despite Early Promise That He Would Not The fake allegations were at the center of an FBI document that became a crucial piece of evidence in Republican lawmakers' efforts to investigate the Biden family. According to Smirnov's plea agreement, in May 2020, he sent a series of messages "expressing bias against" Biden and then claimed that Hunter Biden had been hired by Burisma to "protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems," and insisted that the company had paid the Biden father and son $5 million each to quash a criminal investigation being conducted by the then-Ukrainian Prosecutor General into Burisma. The claims, Smirnov admitted in his plea agreement, were "all fabrications" that he made up as a paid FBI informant and as a business consultant, which earned him $2 million dollars, according to court records, since 2020, "from multiple sources." Related: Hunter Biden Demands Fox News Remove Salacious Sex Shots Citing Revenge Porn Laws "He used these funds to pay personal expenses for himself and his domestic partner, a woman whom he has referred to as his girlfriend and, at other times, his wife, although they are not married," according to the plea agreement. "These expenditures included a $1.4 million Las Vegas condominium, a Bentley, and hundreds of thousands of dollars of clothes Jewelry and accessories for himself and Domestic Partner purchased at high-end retailers in Los Angeles and Las Vegas." 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 Former Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Outside Hitter Caylen Alexander has announced her commitment to the University of Missouri. Alexander entered the Transfer portal in early December and announced on her social media that she has committed to the Missouri Tigers. OFFICIAL from Caylen Alexander on Instagram. The former Hawaii Rainbow Wahine has announced her commitment to the Missouri Tigers. Alexander was the Big West Offensive POY and led the NCAA (D1) in total kills with 611 this season. She also has over 1200 career kills with pic.twitter.com/nDqYGfr0Fu Mitch Riberal (@Mitch_Riberal) December 17, 2024 During the outside hitters time with Hawaii, she earned All-Big West honors in all 3 seasons. With most recently being named the Big West Offensive Player of the Year this season after leading the NCAA D1 in total kills (611) and total points (676.5). Alexander joined UHs 1,000-kills club, finishing the year with a total of 1,225 career kills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her sophomore season, Alexander earned All-Big West honorable mention honors. As a freshman, earning Big West Freshman of the Year, All-Big West 2nd Team and Big West All-Freshman Team honors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The case of former Jackson County Sheriffs deputy Zach Wester could be heading to Floridas Supreme Court. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking Supreme Court justices to decide if Westers racketeering conviction should stand. Wester became a Jackson County deputy in 2016. In 2018, Sheriff Lou Roberts ordered an investigation of Wester for turning off his body camera during traffic stops. They discovered Wester was planting drugs in the vehicles of innocent drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Jackson County deputy resentenced after racketeering charges overturned In May 2021 a jury found him guilty of 19 counts against 3 victims, including one count of racketeering. Last month the first district court of appeal upheld Westers conviction on 18 charges but overturned the racketeering conviction. Moody is now appealing that decision. The Supreme Court has not announced whether it will consider the case. Wester is currently serving his 12-and-a-half-year sentence in a prison in Hawaii. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LE MARS, Iowa (KCAU) A former deputy with the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office who was twice sentenced on burglary and theft charges has been released from prison early. On Friday, Dec. 13, a judge decided to suspend Aaron Leusinks 15-year-prison sentence and place him on probation for five years. According to court documents, Leusink was apparently a model prisoner who was sincerely remorseful and recovering well, leading to the judges decision that no further benefit could be gained by having him stay in prison. Norfolk City Council considering settlements with 3 PD members placed on leave Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leusink was first sentenced in June 2022 to 40 years in prison as a result of 11 different charges connected to burglaries and thefts at places such as homes and pharmacies during his time as a deputy. He was first arrested and accused of these crimes in 2020 following five pharmacy burglaries in Plymouth County between 2017 and 2020. After an investigation, the Iowa DCI linked Leusink to the crimes. He would then appeal his conviction in August 2022. The court ruled that Leusinks counsel was ineffective and granted a retrial. After pleading guilty in June 2024, he was sentenced a second time on Nov. 8 on 10 different counts, including second-degree burglary. However, this time, his sentence was shortened to 15 years. Soon after, on Nov. 12, his attorney requested that the court reconsider this new sentence. He cited good behavior in prison and his lack of a criminal history as reasons. Leusink will still have to pay $724.50 in fines and $760.05 in restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Dec. 16A former Preble County Sheriff's deputy and school resource officer has been sentenced to prison after he had a sexual relationship with a student. Mason Williams, 26, of Eaton, was sentenced by Preble County Common Pleas Judge Stephen Bruns to 18 months in prison for two counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence. He was also designated a Tier III sexual offender, the highest level, and will have to register every 90 days for the rest of his life. At the time of writing, Williams was booked in the Preble County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams was previously a SRO at National Trail High School in Jefferson Twp., Preble County. An investigation began into Williams in March after school officials notified the sheriff's office of alleged unprofessional conduct by Williams, according to Preble County Sheriff Michael Simpson earlier this year. "It was learned that a school resource officer assigned to the National Trail Local Schools was alleged to be involved in a consensual relationship with an 18-year-old student outside of the school setting," Simpson said. The investigation was conducted by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators determined that Williams deleted electronic correspondence with the student, leading to the tampering with evidence charge, the Ohio Attorney General's Office said. No other students were believed to be involved. Williams was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and resigned on April 1. He had been with the sheriff's office since 2019. Staff writers Aimee Hancock and Kristen Spicker contributed to this report. The longest-living president will not attend President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration in January, according to the Carter Center. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Carter Center confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that since former President Jimmy Carter has been in home hospice care for nearly two years, he will not be attending the inauguration. Earlier this month, the former presidents grandson, Jason Carter, said the keys to his grandfathers longevity are his faith and stubbornness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 39th president, who turned 100 on Oct. 1, family said he was looking forward to voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. Carters ballot was dropped off at a dropbox at the Sumter County Courthouse near his hometown of Plains, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. TRENDING STORIES: Former President Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter did not attend Joe Bidens inauguration in 2021, The Associated Press reported. That was the first time the couple missed the ceremonies since Carter was sworn in as the 39th president in 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former first lady Carter died in Nov. 2023 at the familys home in Plains after a battle with dementia. The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States is scheduled to take place on Monday, January 20, 2025. Inauguration ceremonies will take place at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A former prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank almost six years ago was sentenced to death on Monday as his judge called the slayings calculated, heinous and cruel. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Circuit Judge Angela Cowden pronounced the sentence at the Highlands County Courthouse in Sebring. After a two-week penalty trial, a jury in June voted 9-3 to recommend that Cowden sentence Xaver to death. Cowden said the weeks of planning that Xaver performed before the 2019 murders at Sebrings SunTrust bank, the enormity of the crime and the fear the victims felt as they were shot greatly outweighed the two dozen mitigating factors his attorneys had presented, including his history of mental illness, his benign brain tumor and his jailhouse embrace of Christianity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May God have mercy on your soul, Cowden told Xaver. Read: Police name shooter in deadly Wisconsin Christian school shooting Xaver pleaded guilty last year to five counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of customer Cynthia Watson, 65; bank teller coordinator Marisol Lopez, 55; banker trainee Ana Pinon-Williams, 38; teller Debra Cook, 54; and banker Jessica Montague, 31. At gunpoint, Xaver ordered the women to lie on the floor and then shot each the head as they begged for mercy. Kiara Lopez told Xaver and the court that her mother Marisol had welcomed him into the bank with a smile, an act he repaid by murdering her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You shattered me into a million pieces, Lopez said. I will celebrate the day you die, whenever that might be. Let it be known that you will always be a killer, a coward, a nobody and a waste of human life. Michael Cook, Debras husband, also called Xaver a coward and told the judge, I have absolutely no sympathy for him. Read: Sheriff: Florida deputy shot and killed in the line of duty during traffic stop Xavers lead public defender, Jane McNeill, had asked that Cowden spare her client, saying a life sentence would put an end to the case instead of dragging it out for a decade of appeals and possibly a retrial if the sentence is overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only way for this matter to be brought to an end so that the families of the victims and this community is able to move forward is a life sentence, McNeill argued. The sentence will be automatically appealed. Under a new Florida law, death penalty sentences can be rendered by a jury vote of 8-4 rather than a unanimous recommendation. The change was adopted after the 2018 Parkland high school shooter could not be sentenced to death for murdering 17 people despite a 9-3 jury vote. McNeill called the new law unconstitutional. Xaver moved to Sebring, a city of about 11,000, in 2018 from near South Bend, Indiana. In 2014, his high school principal contacted police after Xaver told others he was having dreams about hurting his classmates. His mother promised to get him psychological help. Read: Couple arrested for child abuse in Kissimmee, deputies say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He joined the Army in 2016. A former girlfriend, who met him at a mental hospital where they were patients, told police he said joining the military was a way to kill people and get away with it. The Army discharged him after three months. In 2017, a Michigan woman reported him after he sent her text messages suggesting he might commit suicide by cop or take hostages. Despite his psychological problems and dismissal from the Army, Florida hired Xaver as a guard trainee in November 2018 at a prison near Sebring. He quit two months later, two weeks before the shootings and the day after he bought his gun. Hours before the murders, Xaver began a long, intermittent text message conversation with a former girlfriend in Connecticut, telling her this is the best day of my life but refusing to say why. Fifteen minutes before the shootings, he texted her, Im dying today, Then, from the bank parking lot he texted, Im taking a few people with me because Ive always wanted to kill people so I am going to try it and see how it goes. Watch for me on the news. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The outgoing Mahoning County prosecutor and her chief assistant will be working for the Mahoning County Juvenile Court starting in January. Gina DeGenova, who lost the election to retain her position as prosecutor, and her chief assistant, Linette Stratford, will join the Juvenile Court as magistrates. Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick said the court has experienced an increase in complex custody and third-party docket filings in the past few years. In order to keep the dockets timely and current, she found it necessary to hire additional magistrates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court believes Gina DeGenova and Linette Stratford, who are both familiar with the Courts duties and responsibilities as well as the governing laws, were best suited to fill these positions. The Court further finds that Attorneys DeGenova and Stratford will serve the children and families of our community with professionalism, integrity and respect, read a statement from Dellick. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. By Laman Ismayilova 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. 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. The Holly Leaf, where it's Christmas all year long, will close its doors permanently at the end of 2024. After 40 years of business in Old Colorado City, the beloved, specialty niche, Christmas-themed boutique at 2522 W. Colorado Ave. will shutter on Dec. 30. "I did everything I could to hold on, but this year it was just too hard," owner Julie Fabrizio said from behind her store counter Monday morning. Chalk handwriting across the storefront's windows both alerted customers to The Holly Leaf's closing and enticed them to make their final purchases. Fabrizio is offering a 40% off sale on all merchandise, including Christmas tree ornaments and toppers, nutcrackers, stockings, Christmas village houses and accessories, and more. Fabrizio said sales began declining in 2022 and 2023, after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and never recovered. COVID influenced consumers' shopping habits and more people seem to be shopping online more frequently, rather than in brick-and-mortar stores, she said. The Holly Leaf does not appear to have an online shop. The store's Facebook webpage acts as its official website. Specialty shops like Fabrizio's rely on revenues from a robust holiday shopping season to help operate the store the rest of the year. "January through May, business here is slow at that time. But you have to have money in the bank to run a business. My sales from January to September this year were so low, I knew I could never make it up (during the holiday shopping season)," she said. Fabrizio's parents opened the year-round Christmas-themed shop in Old Colorado City in 1984 and Fabrizio took it over in 1996. The store has always been located on Colorado Avenue, though it's moved locations a couple times. The Holly Leaf has operated at its current storefront, the former location of the Soap Box & More, since 2016. The Holly Leaf absorbed the soap shop when it moved in, after the Soap Box owner retired. Fabrizio said the decision to close the shop was bittersweet, and she's not sure what the future holds for her. "It's been a great run. Part of me is very, very sad. I have to say goodbye to people who have shopped with us for years. But I also know that the stress of the next year would have been too hard; I just couldn't do it," Fabrizio said. Two other stores along Colorado Avenue also advertised their imminent closures on Monday. The Buffalo Ridge Trading Post at 2430 W. Colorado Ave., and Out West a couple of doors down at 2426 W. Colorado Ave., are closing at the end of December. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Doug and Cindy Manyik opened The Buffalo Ridge Trading Post, which sells T-shirts, a variety of souvenirs and hot sauces, in 2004. On Monday afternoon, several customers came in to purchase goods for 70% off; all of them visited from out of state, including one customer who traveled all the way from Ontario, Canada. Cindy Manyik's family owns the building where the trading post is located, as well as the buildings on either side of it, she said. Her family owns and operates the Out West store, too, which sells a variety of Myra bags, wallets, jewelry, Colorado-made soaps and more. After 20 years in business, the Manyiks are ready to retire and move out of Colorado, so they are closing the shops. Cindy's family is also under contract to sell the buildings where the stores are located. "It's a little sad," she said of the decision to close the stores, reminiscing on the happy times there. A former employee met and fell in love with her husband at the trading post, for example. The Manyiks have even welcomed visits from American TV personality Duane Chapman, known better as Dog the Bounty Hunter, and in the early 2000s from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was president of the Philippines from January 2001 to June 2010. "But we will enjoy life and look forward to taking it easy for a little bit," Cindy Manyik said. The stores will close between Dec. 24 and 29. Across the street, The Honey Cottage at 2429 W. Colorado Ave. had a notice pasted to its front window on Monday alerting residents that it will be moving locations at some point. Jorge's Restaurant next door is closing down and the owner has sold the restaurant; the new owner will also use The Honey Cottage's space, so the honey shop must move. "We do not have any details yet and hours will (be) a little off as we are looking for a new location in between the hustle and bustle of the holidays," the notice read. Updates will be posted to The Honey Cottage's social media, Google and elsewhere once the owners have more information about the shop's move, they said in the notice. The specialty store sells several kinds of honey, honey jams, a variety of soaps and skincare, and more. The bulk beeswax the store purchases is all thoroughly vetted so owners Frank and Crystal Seeley know exactly how the bees were raised and what ingredients are in their products, Frank said. The couple also makes the skincare products they sell, free of the alcohol and mineral oil found in many commercial body care products and which can be too harsh on the skin. To watch for updates from The Honey Cottage, visit their website at thehoneycottage.com or its Facebook webpage, @TheHoneyCottage. Dec. 16Former Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave's name has landed on the statewide list of police officers with credibility problems for telling the chairman of the county commission he was not in the car when his wife was pulled over and charged with drunken driving. Brave's name appeared on an exculpatory evidence schedule, also called the "Laurie List," in November. Brave, 39, resigned as sheriff last December after being charged with stealing $19,000 in taxpayer funds in his role as the county's elected sheriff, among other charges, in an unrelated matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, additional charges of perjury and making false statements to the court were filed after he allegedly lied about living out of state and his need for a court-appointed lawyer as part of another case against him that includes theft of taxpayer. The Laurie List is a list of New Hampshire law enforcement officers whose past behavior may impact their credibility while testifying in court. Several officers have filed lawsuits to have their names removed from the list. Some names have been redacted. Brave's category is listed as "untruthfulness." On Dec. 10, 2022, Brave's wife, Jaime, was arrested in Newington on charges of driving while intoxicated after attending a Christmas party. She was pulled over during a saturation patrol, according to the report by Municipal Resources Inc., hired to conduct a formal review of the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strafford County Commissioner Ray Bower said Brave called County Commission Chairman George Maglaras and staff of the sheriff's department saying he was at home "watching the kids" at the time of the arrest. "We were beginning to hear rumors that he was present during the arrest. In other words, he was in the car. Not driving but he was a passenger," Bower said. "That is a lie, clearly, to a public official." According to the report, "Body camera footage of this motor vehicle stop showed members of the state police interacting with Mrs. Brave and her husband Mark Brave who was a passenger in the vehicle." It was determined that Mark Brave could not drive after taking a portable breath test and was held in protective custody before being driven to by a state trooper to the home of a friend. Sheriff Brave also told members of his staff Strafford County Chief Deputy Joseph McGivern and Major Steven Bourque he was not present for the arrest. The director of human resources for the county, Jill Sheing, had heard otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sheriff Brave did not make an effort to clarify what occurred with the county commissioners and or his staff," the report reads. The 14-page report makes it clear Brave did not try to use his official position "to persuade the troopers" not to arrest his wife." The other charges were filed, Bower said, after he looked into the purchase of a first-class plane ticket. "They are two totally separate instances," Bower said. "Separated by several months of time." The Strafford County case is being heard in Merrimack Superior Court. Brave also faces charges in Rockingham County. A status conference is scheduled for Jan. 30 in the Merrimack case. jphelps@unionleader.com MEXICO CITY (AP) Gunmen in northern Mexico attacked a police patrol and killed four officers in a shooting that also left four people wounded, authorities said Tuesday. The attack took place Monday in the north-central state of Guanajuato, which has Mexicos highest number of homicide s. It has long been the scene of bloody turf battles between rival cartels, and the state has long been among the most deadly for police in Mexico. State prosecutors said Tuesday the attack occurred in the town of Uriangato, near the border with the neighboring state of Michoacan. Those killed in the attack included one female officer. The industrial and agricultural state of Guanajuato has for years been the scene of a bloody turf battle between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and a local gang, the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel. (Bloomberg) -- Frances political and fiscal deadlock has ensnared the economy in low growth, raising the pressure on freshly-appointed premier Francois Bayrou to pick a government and quickly piece together a 2025 budget. Most Read from Bloomberg The euro areas second largest economy is set to expand by only 0.2% a quarter in the first half of next year with weak domestic demand and a slowdown in the support from unusually strong exports, according to an updated assessment from the countrys statistics agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report adds to signals that the political tumult since snap elections in June is increasingly engulfing the economy. Indicators of business and household confidence have been falling for several months and the Bank of France also cut its growth forecasts on Monday. Growth will be modest, Insee economist Dorian Roucher said at a briefing in Paris. Public spending will hit the brakes, businesses are in a fog and their investment will be low, trade will normalize, and only the consumer will carry French growth a little. Bayrou was appointed last week to patch together a new government and a plan to repair public finances after his predecessor, Michel Barnier, was evicted in a no-confidence vote that also torpedoed the 2025 budget bill. But the new premier faces the same intractable political challenges with no possible majority in a National Assembly fragmented into three opposing blocs. As Bayrou continues consultations on forming a new cabinet, parliament is set to debate emergency legislation to avoid a state shutdown on Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Answering lawmaker questions on Tuesday, the prime minister said he would seek to propose a new government for President Emmanuel Macron to appoint in the coming days, before presenting his policies to parliament. According to Bayrou, hell aim to work with lawmakers with different political sensibilities to negotiate a new 2025 budget. Maybe its unrealistic optimism, but Im sure the path exists for each side to take steps so we at least have the certitude to get a little closer to the necessary consensus, he said. Insee said having a new budget could deliver a boost to the economy by bringing more certainty, but new measures to bring down the deficit could also prove recessive. The uncertain political context is susceptible to change the behavior of economic agents, causing a wait-and-see approach from households and businesses, the statistics agency said in its report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business leaders have warned that the political upheaval has already triggered a rapid deterioration in activity and urged clarity on repairing on how the next government will tackling the budget challenge. Speaking to Bloomberg Television on Tuesday, Publicis Groupe SAs emeritus chairman Maurice Levy said he doesnt expect a quick resolution given the divisions at the National Assembly, and maybe not before the end of Macrons second term in 2027. We will be in their stalemate for a short while when I say short while, Im afraid until the end of the mandate of Emmanuel Macron, Levy said on the sidelines of a conference in Paris. While Insees forecasts do not go beyond June, they imply only an exceptionally sharp improvement would be enough to get the economy back on track with the outgoing administrations forecast for 1.1% growth next year. According to Roucher, it would require a jump to a quarterly growth rate at around 0.8% in the second half of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality to get to 1.1% in 2025, positive risks would have to become reality from the start of the year, Roucher said. Our central scenario is growth remaining morose. --With assistance from Caroline Connan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Dec. 16President Biden's designation Monday of the Francis Perkins National Monument in Newcastle is expected to generate new interest among visitors to the Midcoast region who want to learn more about the first woman to become a Cabinet member. As secretary of labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Perkins was instrumental in establishing Social Security, a minimum wage, a 40-hour work week and child labor laws as part of the New Deal package that pulled the nation out of the Great Depression. She held this role from 1933-1945. Perkins came to rest and refuel at the 1750s family homestead on 57 acres along the Damariscotta River throughout her years as one of America's foremost advocates for workers' rights, economic security and social justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those values are reflected in the Midcoast region's business community, said Melissa Palmer-Karas, a member of the local chamber of commerce who is a buyer for the Renys department store chain, which is headquartered in town. "We're a gritty, hardworking community and we support each other," she said. "Any time Frances Perkins and the Midcoast region are recognized, it just draws more national attention, which is good. Anytime a woman is recognized for her accomplishments is good." While the Frances Perkins National Monument is the 433rd national park site, it is one of only a dozen or so that are dedicated to women or women's history. Locals say that will attract new interest to the region as well. "I think we'll see a different kind of tourist," said Heather D'Ippolito, a chamber member who is development director at Lincoln Academy, a private boarding school in Newcastle that's also the local high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a totally different angle from the usual interest in oysters and lobsters and the natural beauty of the area," she said. "It's fitting to have her work recognized in our little corner of the world." The home is the second site in Maine to become a national monument. Former President Barack Obama designated over 87,600 acres of forestland in the North Woods as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in 2016. While her parents were from Maine, Perkins was born in Boston and grew up largely in Worcester, Massachusetts. She spent most of her professional life in New York and Washington, D.C., but she returned often to the farm and homestead in Newcastle. She owned the house from 1927 until her death in 1965 at age 85 and she was buried in Newcastle. The homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2014 and has been run by the nonprofit Frances Perkins Center since 2020, when the organization purchased the property. From now on, the site will be managed by the National Park Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center includes an 1837 brick house, farm buildings, woodlands, fields and hiking trails. It has already increased interest in the area, including visitors who have stayed at the 13-room Newcastle Inn, also located on River Road. "Even without the national monument designation, we've already seen people coming through, interested in visiting the center," said Liz Cooke, the inn's co-owner. "With our guests, the top two questions are where can we get the best oysters and where can we go hiking. Lately we've been directing them to check out the trails at the center." U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree attended the designation ceremony Monday at the Frances Perkins Building in Washington, D.C., headquarters of the U.S. Department of Labor, where President Biden called Perkins "one of America's greatest labor leaders." Pingree, who urged the president to approve the designation, described Perkins was a trailblazer whose legacy continues to transform the nation and taps growing interest in women's history and labor issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think there's an appeal for a lot of people because it's a wonderful slice of Maine history, and this is the place she came to recharge," Pingree said after the ceremony. "Many Mainers don't know about the contributions that Frances Perkins made and visiting the center is a much better way to learn about her." U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said in a statement that the designation "ensures that the legacy of a truly remarkable Maine leader is preserved for generations to come." Cynthia Phinney, the first woman elected president of the Maine AFL-CIO, also attended the designation ceremony Monday. In her statement at the event, Phinney recalled how Perkins saw a watershed workplace tragedy in New York City in 1911 that killed 146 garment workers, making it the deadliest industrial disaster in U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the moment when she witnessed the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, she doggedly pursued change not only to protect workers, but to create and implement policies that supported thriving, full lives," Phinney said. "I especially appreciate that she considered Maine a home, and it matters that we have leaders today who carry forward her work." Tomlin Perkins Coggeshall, Perkins' grandson, said his grandmother "made the world a better place, and she learned the values that guided her life at our family's homestead in Newcastle." Giovanna Gray Lockhart, executive director of the center, said the designation will allow more people to learn about Perkins' work. The center will retain ownership of enough land to allow construction of an educational facility on the property. "Future generations will be inspired by her steadfastness, intelligence and courage," Lockhart said in a statement. "This is a proud moment for Maine and the millions of working people in our country." Copy the Story Link (This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) Former Massachusetts Lt. Governor and three-term Attorney General Francis Xavier Bellotti died on Tuesday morning at the age of 101. "Frank's legacy lives on through his 11 surviving children, his 25 grandchildren, and his 15 great-grandchildren, who continue to honor his memory through their own acts of service," a statement from the family says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An only child raised by his mother in Roxbury, Bellotti's father, a World War I veteran, was gassed in combat. He was hospitalized and died when Bellotti was 14. In 1940, Bellotti graduated from Boston English High School and served as a Navy officer in World War II, leading a 58-man squadron. With the help of the GI Bill, he graduated from Tufts University and Boston College Law School. He went on to long and impactful career in law, politics and business. How Francis Xavier Bellotti entered politics First elected to public office in 1962 as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, he later served three terms as state attorney general from 1975-87. He ran for governor three times. Bellotti has collected dozens of awards over his long career. In June 2021, swimmers in the annual Frogman Swim Competition in Boston Harbor honored him for his service on D-Day, June 6, 1944. News articles have described him as "the last standing World War II unit squad leader of the World War II-era Scouts and Raiders, a predecessor of what today is known as the Navy SEALS." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1981, the National Association of Attorneys General honored him as the most outstanding attorney general in the United States with the Louis C. Wyman award. In 2012, the Quincy District Court was renamed the Francis X. Bellotti courthouse in his honor. Bellotti helped found Arbella Insurance Group in Quincy in 1988. Francis X. Bellotti's Quincy roots He lived in Quincy's Wollaston neighborhood for more than 50 years, raising 12 children with his wife Maggie, before moving to Hingham several years ago. Maggie died in December 2022 at 98. Frank and Maggie Bellotti voted at Ward 5, Precinct 8 in Wollaston in 1966. "My dad was my North Star and supported me always, as he did all his kids," said Michael Bellotti, the Norfolk County treasurer and former Norfolk sheriff. "I'll miss our talks about his rich political history dating back to the '60s and we will forever hold dear over 50 years of Sunday dinners we shared." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details on funeral arrangements will be shared soon, according to the statement. He died of natural causes, according to a publicist for the family. Peter Blandino covers Quincy for The Patriot Ledger. Contact him at pblandino@patriotledger.com. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Frank Bellotti dies at 101 years old Frank Bellotti, the lieutenant governor and state attorney general who lived to be 101, has died, his family announced Tuesday. Bellotti served as a Navy SEAL during World War II and went on to make an impact throughout his life in the worlds of law, politics and business. His wife, Maggie Bellotti, died less than a year ago at the age of 98. His life spanned more than a century and was wholly dedicated to serving others, the Bellotti family said. He was ever the devoted family man. He and Maggie lovingly raised 12 children, instilling in them the values of discipline, leadership, and compassion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family statement continued, Many remember him as Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, and we still hear stories from the countless people who considered him a mentor. He shaped policies with integrity and wisdom, always striving to positively impact the lives of those he served. House Speaker Ronald Mariano, a fellow Quincy Democrat, called Bellotti a giant and said very few people have touched as many lives. Frank marched with Dr. King, protested the war in Vietnam, and fought hard for civil rights, gay rights, and to protect the environment. ... Ill remember Frank as someone who was incredibly tough, yet kind, a combination that made him the perfect advocate, time and time again, for vulnerable residents who needed their government to step up and protect them, Mariano said in a statement. Norfolk County Treasurer Michael Bellotti, who served in the Massachusetts House in the 1990s, said, My dad was my North Star and supported me always, as he did all his kids. Ill miss our talks about his rich political history dating back to the 60s and we will forever hold dear over 50 years of Sunday dinners we shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday ordered state and U.S. flags to fly at half-staff until Bellottis burial. In a statement, the former attorney general called Bellotti a cherished mentor. His work to protect residents and uphold the rule of law has been widely respected and recognized across the country by the National Association of Attorneys General, said Healey. We express our deepest gratitude for his legacy of advancing civil rights, defending constitutional principles, and elevating the professionalism of the Peoples Law Firm. Sending my love to his family and friends and all that were fortunate to know him and share the great admiration he earned throughout his life. May we all find peace knowing he is with his beloved Maggie. Bellotti is survived by 11 children, 25 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Information regarding arrangements will be shared soon, the family said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Investigators with the Washington County Sheriffs Office have arrested a Freeport man and woman after executing a search warrant in Ebro. Officials said the warrant was executed on Captain Fritz Road in connection with a narcotics investigation. According to WCSO, during the search warrant officials found a large amount of methamphetamine, cocaine, controlled substance, scales, and paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensure a safe and merry Christmas with important tips In collaboration with the Bay County Sheriffs Office, authorities arrested Victoria Duncan, 35, and Cameron Weafer, 32. Both have been booked into the Washington County Jail on the charges of 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance, trafficking methamphetamine, evidence destroying, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of cocaine. If you have any knowledge of crimes being committed or tips, contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office at 850-638-6111. You can also contact them anonymously by calling 850-638-TIPS (8477) or by email at tips@wcso.us Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. By Jody Godoy (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Trade Commission passed a rule on Tuesday requiring ticket sellers, hotels and vacation rental sites to disclose total prices, including fees upfront, prohibiting them from concealing add-on charges until the last minute. The rule is one of the final pieces of President Joe Biden's wide-ranging crackdown on junk fees that drive up consumer costs without providing visible benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We all know the experience of encountering a hidden fee at the very last stage of checkout these junk fees sneak onto your bill and companies end up making you pay more because they can. Those fees add up, taking real money out of the pockets of Americans," Biden said in a statement. The FTC passed the rule 4-1, with the lone dissenting vote coming from Andrew Ferguson, a Republican who is poised to take over as the agency's chair when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Ferguson voted against the rule because, he said, "the time for rulemaking by the Biden-Harris FTC is over." He did not express an opinion on whether the FTC should enforce the rule once Trump takes office. Trump could seek to withdraw the rule for further review, and Republicans who will have control of Congress could seek to vacate it by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Commissioner Melissa Holyoak voted for the rule, saying it "helps protect consumers and competition, while also preserving flexibility for businesses to engage in lawful advertising and pricing practices." The rule would require service fees, resort fees, and other charges commonly added to bookings to be included in advertised prices. The rule is narrower than what the FTC proposed in 2023 that would have broadly banned hidden and deceptive fees regardless of industry. "I urge enforcers to continue cracking down on these unlawful fees and encourage state and federal policymakers to build on this success with legislation that bans unfair and deceptive junk fees across the economy," FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. The FTC estimates the rule would save U.S. consumers 53 million hours per year they would not have to spend sleuthing out total costs before making purchases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden's regulators have taken aim at inflated and hidden fees, though their efforts have met with lawsuits by businesses and corporate interest groups. A judge in Texas blocked a rule that would cap credit card late fees, and an appeals court in New Orleans blocked a requirement that airlines disclose baggage and other fees upfront. The cases are ongoing. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis and Susan Fenton) The Federal Trade Commission announced a new rule Tuesday requiring ticket companies to share ticket prices up front rather than hiding fees until the end of a purchase. - Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images The Federal Trade Commission announced a new rule on Tuesday to ban hidden fees for concert tickets in a move seeking to address one of the myriad complaints music fans have toward the concert business. The new ruling which also affects other businesses like hotels and Airbnb doesnt do away with the fees themselves, but rather requires that the total costs be displayed right away instead of hiding them until the end of the buying process. In other words, the price will still be the same, but customers wont have to wait until theyre about to pay to know how much theyre actually going to be charged. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People deserve to know up front what theyre being asked to pay without worrying that theyll later be saddled with mysterious fees that they havent budgeted for and cant avoid, FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement. The crackdown comes over two years after the FTC first said it was exploring a new rule on fees and comes amid an era of increased scrutiny for the live music business following years of complaints from frustrated fans. Prior to the FTC ruling, some states such as Maryland and Minnesota had already adopted all-in pricing requirements. The live business as a whole has long supported a mandate requiring all-in ticket prices, though industry experts have typically said such a rule would have to be mandated by the government. If not, companies that didnt use all-in pricing would have a competitive advantage over the others by making their tickets look cheaper. Still, several ticketing companies including Live Nation, SeatGeek and TickPick had joined a pledge with President Biden last year to adopt all-in prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve led the industry by adopting all-in pricing at all Live Nation venues and festivals and applaud the FTCs industry-wide mandate so fans will now be able to see the total price of a ticket right upfront no matter where they go to see a show or buy a ticket, Live Nation said in a statement Tuesday. The FTCs rule comes at a time of renewed scrutiny toward the ticket and live music businesses on the local and national level. Washington D.C. sued StubHub earlier this year over what it alleged to be deceptive ticketing practices. Meanwhile, the biggest music industry story this year was the DOJs lawsuit seeking to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster, accusing the concert giant of antitrust violations. Live Nation has denied the allegations.) While the new rule adds more transparency to the ticket-buying process, some have critiqued that the rule doesnt go far enough, with the Future of Music Coalition voicing disappointment that the rule doesnt require ticket companies to itemize fees in the face-value price descriptions. Unfortunately, FTC sided with Ticketmaster and StubHub over artists on the crucial question of requiring itemization of face-value price and fees, the coalition tweeted on Tuesday. The new rule means that more of your tickets oerall price could consist of fees, while less will make it to artists. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) With the help of various federal and state grants as well as private donations, the Disability Action Center (DAC) in Fairmont will be taking a major step next spring when it breaks ground on its new Wilfong Wellness Center. On Monday, West Virginia Senators Mike Oliverio (R-Monongalia) and Mike Caputo (D-Marion) presented a $15,000 dollar check to the DAC, adding to the total of the nearly $1.7 million the DAC has raised in the last four years for the new building. Caputo said the funding came from the local economic development funds left in the discretionary account where the senators decided the funding would help the DACs mission to create a place where people with disabilities can safely exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we get an opportunity like this to return some of their tax dollars to such an important project, its a really good feeling, Senator Oliverio said. The new building is set to be across from the current centers Fairmont facility, and plans have already been developed. Plans for DAC Wilfong Wellness Center (WBOY image). Plans for DAC Wilfong Wellness Center (WBOY image). NASA probe approaches sun thanks to Fairmont IV&V facility People with disabilities are more susceptible to collateral health issues whether it be through cardiac or through diabetes. [] And they have less access and theyre less likely to go to a traditional gym so we want to make sure that the fitness equipment that were using is fully accessible, that meets their needs first, DAC Executive Director Julie Sole said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wilfong Wellness Center will have a half-court gymnasium, therapy rooms, a recreation space as well as fitness and exercise equipment. The DAC received $500,000 of its funding from congressionally directed spending requested by Senator Joe Manchin for the fiscal year of 2024, one of 80 projects for the year. This check presentation also served as one of the last public actions for long-time public servant Caputo, who is retiring at the end of his term. He has helped secure thousands of dollars for the DAC, including for the current building and the new one. Its been a good career, a good run, the people of Marion and Monongalia counties, I cant thank them enough for putting their trust in me for the last 28 years. But to end it right here with one last goodwill deed, if you will, to help out the Disability Action Center, I couldnt think of a better place to say time for retirement, Caputo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the DAC serves more than 450 individuals and their families across North Central West Virginia, and Sole said that number is projected to grow. Sole added future plans down the road include potential housing and independent living options around the area, after the construction of the Wilfong Wellness Center. Sen. Mike Caputo and Sen. Mike Oliverio standing with Disability Action Center Executive Director Julie Sole on the land of the future Wilfong Wellness Center with the plans (WBOY image) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. You are the owner of this article. (This story was updated to add new information.) In the aftermath of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Dec. 16, at least three fundraisers have been started to help those who were affected. Here's what to know and how you can help: United Way of Dane County The United Way of Dane County set up "The Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund." All money raised will go directly to the school to support those affected by the shooting, according to a news release from the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of midday Tuesday, the fund had raised $10,220 from 161 donors, said United Way of Dane County Director of Communications Ashley Manthei. Abundant Life Christian School Principal Doug Butler said in the news release that the school was overwhelmed by the community support and grateful for the organization's help.We will be announcing a transparent process for funds distribution once we understand clearly what is needed and how best to support our families and school," Butler said.Visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org or text "help4ALCS" to 40403. United Way of Dane County warned those who want to donate to be aware of suspicious websites and to check the URL before giving out their personal information. The organization cautioned to never click links in emails or texts from unknown senders. Call or text 211 to get connected to mental health supports, warm winter clothes for those who evacuated from the school, or help finding meals, counseling services and other resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Way's news release also said there would be a candlelight vigil honoring the victims at 6 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Vel Phillips statue at the State Capitol. GoFundMe for Help Abundant Life Christian School Families Heal & Recover Another fundraiser has been started by April Landphier, a parent of a student at Abundant Life Christian School's sister school, Lighthouse Christian School. The GoFundMe labeled "Help Abundant Life Christian School Families Heal & Recover" has a goal of raising $25,000 to help with funeral or medical care costs and anything else Abundant Life Christian School needs. As of midday Tuesday, $85 had been raised. "Please pray for our brothers and sisters at Abundant Life Christian School," Landphier said in a statement provided to a reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To donate to Landphier's GoFundMe fundraiser, visit rb.gy/7g96fh. Abundant Life Christian School alumni fundraiser An alumnus of Abundant Life Christian School has also started fundraising efforts to help his former school. Adam Rostad posted in a public Facebook group, Abundant Life Christian School Alumni, that he is seeking gift cards that could be delivered to the school for distribution to those in need. He also is seeking volunteers to help deliver groceries, gift cards and meals. To sign up to help, visit rb.gy/xa43ki to share how you could help. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Funds to help those affected by Madison school shooting Sen. Kay Patterson, who died Friday, Dec. 13, talks to Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Columbia, and Sen. Darrell Jackson, D-Hopkins during an NAACP dinner in 2022. (Provided/Jamie Devine) COLUMBIA The funeral for former longtime state Sen. Kay Patterson will take place Friday afternoon, with a public viewing Thursday. The Columbia Democrat died last Friday at age 93. He was a stalwart fighter for civil rights known for his humor during his 34 years in the Statehouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His surviving family, including his wife, daughter and three grandchildren, will hold a public viewing from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Palmer Memorial Chapel in Columbia. That will include a 6 p.m. ceremony by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the first international fraternal organization founded at a historically Black college, of which Patterson was a member. Pattersons funeral will take place at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., with the ceremony following at noon. Patterson will be buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Originally from Darlington County, Patterson was first elected to the state House in 1974. Ten years later, he was one of three Black legislators elected to the Senate, where he remained until retiring in 2008. As a former teacher, Patterson fought for improvements to the public education system. He also pushed year after year for legislators to remove the Confederate battle flag from the Statehouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patterson was always willing to speak out about issues that mattered to him, and he brought a sense of humor to debates that didnt detract from the seriousness of discussions, friends and colleagues said soon after his death. As an outspoken and fiery speaker in his practice of politics, Patterson was a moving force in promoting and effectuating change in the state of South Carolina, his obituary reads. While the Russian military continues to withdraw equipment and troops from Syria, Israel has continued its air raids, intended to further degrade what is left of the former Syrian Armed Forces fighting capacity. Israel bombarded Syria overnight with what was described by a U.K.-based war monitor group as the heaviest strikes in the area in more than a decade. Meanwhile, there are varied reports suggesting that Russian forces might vacate Syria within days, or within a month, although officials on both sides have stressed that negotiations are ongoing. Overnight Israeli strikes on the Syrian coastal Tartus region targeted various sites including air defense units and surface-to-surface missile depots, according to the war monitor group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The same group said these were the heaviest strikes in Syrias coastal region since the start of strikes in 2012. Israeli aviation strike former Syrian army ammunition depot in Tartus to prevent it from falling into rebel hands. MAKS 24 (@maks23.bsky.social) 2024-12-15T22:41:44.933Z The Israeli attack on a surface-to-surface missile depot close to the town of Bmalkah, around six miles inland, resulted in an enormous explosion, equivalent to a 3.1-magnitude earthquake, according to reports. People walk past the fragment of a rocket at the site of a Syrian weapons depot that was hit by overnight Israeli bombardment on the outskirts of the village of Bmalkah in the countryside of Tartus on Dec. 16, 2024. Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP BAKR ALKASEM Outside of the Tartus region, Israel is also reported to have targeted missile launchers in the Hama area and radars at the military air base at Deir ez-Zor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ongoing campaign of Israeli strikes is designed to destroy regime weapons stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of Islamist groups. Last week, the Israeli military said it had conducted 350 strikes in Syria, destroying 80% of the strategic military capabilities left behind by the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Israeli bombardment has led to protests from the new Syrian administration, led by a rebel coalition. The administration has also lodged a complaint with the U.N. Security Council about Israeli incursions into Syrian territory in the Golan Heights. Israeli troops and military vehicles cross in and out of Syria through a gate in the boundary fence near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, on Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Mati Milstein/NurPhoto via Getty Images Mati Milstein Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, al-Jolani said in an interview with Syria TV. Some more details have come to light on Assads rapid departure from Syria earlier this month. In a statement published on the Syrian presidencys Telegram channel, Assad claimed he left Russias Khmeimim Air Base for Moscow on Dec. 8. He claims that he was evacuated from the air base as it came under drone attack, having left Damascus the same morning opposition fighters closed in on the capital. The comment was Assads first in public since he was toppled from power by the rebel offensive. Recent activity at Khmeimim Air Base and the Russian naval base at Tartus, in satellite imagery. PHOTO 2024 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having propped up the Assad regime, Russia is continuing to withdraw military equipment and troops from Syria. TWZ has already reported on apparent Russian evacuations from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. These movements have now been confirmed by different Western officials including two from the United States. However, those same officials, speaking to CNN, described the Russian withdrawal as large-scale and significant, but said it was unclear if the evacuation would be permanent. With HTS now effectively in control in Syria, the fate of the Russian facilities including Khmeimim Air Base and the naval base at Tartus will be dependent on some kind of negotiated settlement between the rebel group and Moscow. A Russian Il-76 Candid transport plane takes off from the Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, Syria, on Dec. 15, 2024. Note the Ka-52 flying armed overwatch in the background. Photo by Izzettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images Anadolu Recent imagery from Khmeimim suggests that Russia is using Ka-52 Hokum attack helicopters to provide armed overwatch while it moves assets out of the facility using cargo aircraft. At the same time, an aerostat has also appeared over the base to provide additional surveillance. A surveillance balloon, belonging to the Russian military, over Khmeimim Air Base on Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Izzettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images Anadolu Other recent aircraft movements have involved the evacuation of Russian diplomatic personnel in Damascus as well as Belarusian and North Korean diplomats, using Russian Air Force flights out of Khmeimim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont feel unsafe, we are hoping to make friendly relations with the new government as soon as it becomes a legitimate government, a representative of the Russian military at Khmeimim told The Guardian today, in a rare interview. Neither side is making provocations and things have been fine, the Russian military representative added. There is also now growing evidence of Libyas support for the Russian military exodus from Syria. At least some of the Russian naval assets have been moved from Tartus to Libya, while there are reports that Moscow is stepping up pressure on Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar to allow Russia access to a port in Benghazi. This would provide Russia with an alternative naval installation on the Mediterranean, the importance of which we have discussed in the past. At least one Syrian-registered Il-76 Candid airlifter has also been noted in recent days operating between Syria and Libya, and other locations in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Russia end up leaving Syria altogether, Libya could well provide an alternative hub for the Russian military to provide access to the Mediterranean and as a transshipment point for other Russian interests in Africa. Officially, at least, Russia says its still to decide on the fate of its military bases in Syria. The Kremlin today said it was in contact with those in charge of the country. Russian Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles outside Khmeimim Air Base on Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Izzettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images Anadolu Over the weekend, four Syrian officials told Reuters that although Russia was withdrawing its military from the front lines in northern Syria and from posts in the Alawite Mountains, it was not entirely leaving its two main bases. NEW: Russias withdrawal from bases in northern Syria and its loss of influence in Syria will likely expose the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to continued Turkish attacks in northern Syria. (1/3) isw.pub/IranUpdate12 Institute for the Study of War (@thestudyofwar.bsky.social) 2024-12-16T00:51:57.567Z Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departure of Russian air defense equipment from Syria is also allowing U.S. military aircraft to operate over the country with a greater degree of freedom. This was confirmed today by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder. Among the key systems that have departed are S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems previously based at Khmeimim. One of the big factors that has changed in Syria is the airspace, in the sense that previously you had Syrian regime and Russian air defenses, which would preclude in many cases our ability or desirability to go into those areas to conduct anti-ISIS operations, Ryder told reporters. It is a much more permissible environment now, in that regard. Since the fall of the Assad regime, the U.S. military has flown several rounds of airstrikes targeting ISIS camps and operatives in Syria. For now, it remains to be seen what kind of presence the Russian military will have in Syria longer term. These are still early days in a tentative relationship being established between Moscow and the new administration in Syria; after all, Russian forces bombed HTS and other rebel groups, as well as much of the Syrian population for nearly a decade. However, should basing options in Syria fall through, it may be the case that Libya is on hand to provide some alternatives for the Russian military to retain its presence in the region. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Editors Note: The video above is previous coverage on this story. GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) As the 60th anniversary of Beverly Jaroszs brutal murder approaches, the Garfield Heights Police Department has reaffirmed its commitment to solving the case. Jarosz, 16, was strangled and stabbed to death in her bedroom on Dec. 28, 1964, just days after Christmas. Flames shoot from Mentor-on-the-Lake restaurant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The murder occurred in her home on Thornton Avenue. Despite extensive investigations over the years, no one has been charged in her death. The department announced this week that Beverlys case remains a top priority and continues to be actively investigated. Recent advancements in DNA technology have uncovered new DNA profiles, police say. Beverly Jarosz (Photo: Ohio Attorney Generals Office) Police have also conducted additional witness interviews and surveillance as part of their renewed efforts. 15-year-old girl kills teacher and teenager at a Christian school in Wisconsin Garfield Heights detectives are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the case. Police have maintained ongoing communication with Beverlys sister, Carol Jarosz, sharing updates as new developments arise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact Detective Menary at (216) 475-5686 or via email at mmenary@garfieldhts.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested and charged a Georgia woman with forgery and theft by taking. The Thomas County Sheriffs Office requested help from the GBI on Aug. 8 after receiving a report that Melissa Mirick, 50, was involved in the misappropriation of funds from a Thomasville law firm. Agents and investigators determined that Mirick was employed by the law firms office manager and had full access and control of their financial accounts. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The investigation revealed that for several years, Mirick moved money from the law firm to a contracting company that she and her husband owned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GBI estimates the final amount of the theft will be several million dollars. Mirick was arrested and charged with eight felony counts of forgery in the third degree and one count of theft by taking. She was booked into the Thomas County Jail on Dec. 9. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected to be filed. Anyone with information is asked to call the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] GENEVA, Ala (WDHN) The Geneva City School Board has removed the superintendent from his office just days before he was set to retire, according to sources. Official sources confirmed the board asked Ron Snell to step down and vacate his office on Monday. Snell was set to retire on December 31. The school board accepted Snells sudden retirement in mid-September. At the time, Board Member Tewanna Marks protested Snells abrupt retirement and questioned the timing, saying the board could never finish an internal investigation into Snell. The investigation was approved during a school board meeting on September 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Snell told the board that his decision to retire at the end of the year was made to give the board time to find a replacement and for financial reasons. Staff at the Geneva City Board of Education office tells WDHN there is already an interim superintendent ready to step in on January 1. WDHN has reached out to the Chairman of the Geneva City Board of Education and Snell for additional 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Members of the Colorado Supreme Court gave an icy reception on Tuesday to the idea that defendants convicted decades ago and serving lengthy sentences under the state's "three strikes" law should have the opportunity to argue their punishments are grossly disproportionate under current standards. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) George Washington University (GWU) Hospital officials announced Monday they reached a tentative deal with resident physicians, just hours ahead of a strike that was set to begin on Tuesday. GWU issued the following statement Monday evening: Earlier this evening, the residents union negotiators and the university reached a tentative agreement on a contract. The mutually agreed upon tentative agreement includes a range of new enhancements that address the unions concerns, including compensation and support for mental health. The university is grateful for the continued dedication of clinical staff in providing patients with the highest quality of care. Shannon McClendon, George Washington University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GWU resident physicians, fellows authorize strike, demanding better pay, mental healthcare Hundreds of doctors voted to authorize a strike earlier this month, calling for better pay and mental health benefits. By then, negotiations between the university and resident physicians/fellows had been going on for more than a year. It does feel like we are going in circles, and we constantly keep bringing things to the table basic things that we need, like adequate pay, mental health coverage, Dr. Neha Gupta, resident physician in emergency medicine told DC News Now back on Dec. 3. The Committee of Interns and Residents/Service Employees International Union (CIR/SEIU), the union representing the group, began negotiating with GWU in the fall of 2023. Since then, GWU has tracked bargaining sessions and updates on an online site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Georgias new school voucher program may be in jeopardy before its set to begin in 2025. After the Governors Office of Student Achievement removed its failing schools list, parents are waiting to see if their childrens school is at the bottom 25% when it comes to academic achievement. If they are, they could be eligible for a $6,500 school voucher they can use to pay for private school, under Georgias new school voucher legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 2s Richard Elliot was at the State Capitol, where confusion over the law could put the program in jeopardy. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The school voucher law passed by the Georgia General Assembly was supposed to help parents pay for private school if their public school was in the bottom 25% of achievement. But an interpretation of that law could include so many children that the stay might have trouble paying for it all. The interpretation by the Georgia Education Savings Authority (GESA) could expand which students are eligible for vouchers from those in the 25% of schools at the bottom of the achievement rankings to any student living in the attendance zone of what the state calls a failing school even if they arent attending it. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, the Governors Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) created and published several versions of the school list but each time they pulled it back. The new list may not come out until after New Years Day. GOSA Director Joy Hawkins said in a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News that her office is conducting a careful, thorough and conscientious analysis of the validation process to ensure the ultimate list is correct, and it will therefore be posted at a later date in the New Year. Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators, said the organization has opposed vouchers from the start. She said she thinks the law, as written, doesnt do what lawmakers intended it to do, and that the new interpretation by GESA doesnt either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in so many things, when legislators pass a law, the intention and the implementation often are not in alignment, Morgan told Elliot. There is word that lawmakers will tweak that bill during the next session to clarify the language. When the state released the list of low-performing schools several weeks ago, it listed 45 underperforming schools in DeKalb County, 21 in Clayton County, eight in Cobb County, five in Rockdale County and 23 in Henry County. However, those numbers could change when the state re-releases the list of schools next year. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Georgia senators have produced a list of recommendations for the state's embattled detention centers, but loved ones and previously incarcerated people have expressed doubt they will solve problems like violence and unsafe conditions. (Photo by Caspar Benson/Getty Images) The Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee approved a list of recommendations last week they intend to help improve conditions for people inside Georgias prison walls. Recommendations can be formed into legislation that the state Legislature can move forward once lawmakers reconvene in January. The committees approved recommendations include increasing mental health services for incarcerated people and staff, implementing a pay study for corrections employees and advocating for the federal government to allow cellphone and drone jamming technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee also shot down several other proposals, including creating an oversight body to monitor prisons, providing new de-escalation training for guards and strengthening reintegration programming, all of which committee Chair Randy Robertson characterized as redundant. A recent U.S. Justice Department report found conditions within Georgia prisons are so bad that they violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, and incarcerated people and their loved ones complain of constant violence, unhealthy conditions, sexual assault and intimidation tactics from guards and gang members alike. Prisons are being failed at every level, said Tiffany Johnson, an advocate for incarcerated Georgians, at a recent meeting of a state Senate committee tasked with improving prison safety. Basic human needs are unmet. Safety is non-existent, and access to care is severely lacking. The DOJ report also emphasized the lack of oversight, access to care, and accountability within the system, which perpetuates these abuses. For many incarcerated individuals, life behind bars is not just about serving their sentence. It becomes a daily fight for survival. Several formerly incarcerated people and loved ones of people still in prison told the Recorder they dont believe the recommendations will solve the problems inside Georgias jails and prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think personally that they dont go far enough, said Alan Wiggington, who was formerly incarcerated. I dont think that they are anything that is more than just kind of a high-level view of things. One of the things I read in the Justice Department report from the Civil Rights investigation is I think most of the recommendations all start with follow your own policy. Wiggington was formerly the chief magistrate judge in Pickens County, but he went to jail after pleading guilty to financial crimes. Some of the things that theyre asking them to do are simply to follow policy or to strengthen policy, he said. As a former inmate, I can tell you that policy doesnt mean anything because either A, they dont understand it or B, they dont follow it. Wiggington said his advice for the Senate panel would include reducing the population by reducing sentences for first-time and non-violent offenders and following their official offender-staff communication policy to allow issues to be solved before they become too serious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the job of a prison warden is equivalent to the job of a firefighter, he said. They simply seem to be fighting fires all the time. If they took some recommendations on creating a culture of inmates that was more amenable and listen to what the inmates were saying and kind of follow through with that, I think that they would probably come out with a better product to protect Georgians. Others, like Della Newsome of Augusta, said they see no solution short of calling in the National Guard to run Georgias detention centers. Newsome and other family members of Joshua Mark Holliday showed up at the state Capitol wearing shirts with Hollidays face on them more than an hour and a half before the committee gaveled in in the hopes of signing up to speak on his behalf. Holliday was sentenced in September on charges including reckless driving, attempting to flee law enforcement and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In October, Newsome received a call that her fiance had died from suicide. Family members say they do not believe his death was a suicide, but Newsome said getting any answers from investigators has been impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive called the ombudsman. Ive called everybody that I can find a phone number to, she said. And everybody keeps telling me that they dont know. Theyre holding on to his belongings because their investigation is not complete. They say theres such a bad backlog on autopsies that his autopsy results wont be back in six to nine months. Thats six to nine months that youre going to possibly lose the Bible that he was studying and the things that mean the most to us. Della Newsome. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Heather Hunt is a mother whose son died in September while inside Rogers State Prison in Reidsville. She also said she faced hurdles in getting answers from the Department of Corrections and believes his death was not a suicide after a second autopsy was performed. After the committee had discussed recommendations but before it took a vote, Republican Sen. Timothy Bearden of Carrollton suggested recommending that the Georgia Bureau of Investigations be brought in to investigate all deaths within Georgia prisons. The GBI now performs autopsies for deaths in custody, but investigations are most often left up to GDC internal investigations, unless the death involves an officer or corrections officials request the agencys involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beardens suggestion didnt make it into the list of recommendations, but Robertson indicated he may be open to the idea. That would be Commissioner Olivers decision to do that, and I would trust, hope, that he would look at each case individually and make that decision, Robertson said. Im not far from you on that, I agree, because I think one thing that does is it takes the suspicion out of the mix, and the conspiracy theories tend to go away when that happens. Speaking to the Recorder during a recess, GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver said he wouldnt be amenable to that recommendation becoming law. Oliver said his departments investigators go through the same training as GBI investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think thats gonna change anything, he said. I think what weve got to do a better job of doing is just making sure that we communicate better with the family members to ensure that they have the answers that they need, he said. But the exact same things that happen in the community when it comes to death investigations happen inside the prison system. I dont think relinquishing that responsibility to the GBI is going to change anything. Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder But Olivers words will likely do little to satisfy families of incarcerated Georgians, and state and federal officials have openly questioned the departments commitment to truth and transparency. In April, a federal judge held corrections officials in contempt in a case dealing with prison conditions, citing longstanding and flagrant violations of court orders to improve conditions, saying that defendants, including Oliver, were figuratively thumbing their noses at the court. And the DOJ report accused the department of slow-rolling the production of documents for the investigation, which they said made the process of obtaining records and information from GDC unnecessarily contentious and lengthy. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation announced Tuesday that it had sold a more than century-old historic library in Gwinnett County to the City of Norcross, setting it up to be preserved after it was previously set to be demolished. In August, the Norcross Womens Club, which was based in the library, donated the building to the Georgia Trust in a bid to preserve state history. The building was the first public library in Gwinnett County and is 103 years old, with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] At the time of its donation, the Trust said it was looking for a buyer who could replace the roof and touch up the inside and outside of the building, though overall it was still in good shape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the City of Norcross will be the stewards of the historic building after purchasing it from the organization for $450,000 and local historic protections. TRENDING STORIES: From our initial involvement with the Norcross Womans Club, our primary goal has been to ensure the legal protection and necessary investment in the property to preserve the history of the building for another 100 years, Georgia Trust President and CEO Wright Mitchell said, adding that That the council has committed to spending $230,000 in 2025 towards appropriate rehabilitation is another step toward our desired outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The library will be incorporated into the nearby historic zoning district, according to Mitchell and was given a preservation easement and will be under the management of the Norcross Historic Preservation Commission. The commission has responsibility for making sure that the building is properly rehabilitated and maintained. It is now up to the citizens of Norcross to hold the Mayor, City Council and Historic Preservation Commission accountable for the long-term preservation of this important landmark. We are grateful to the Norcross Womans Club for donating this building to the Georgia Trust so that it may be protected for future generations to visit and enjoy, Mitchell said. According to the Trust, the building was built in 921 after the Womans Club approached various businessmen to donate in support of building a library. The resulting structure is a Carnegie-style Greek Revival and designed by Oliver Duke Wheeler, of Charlotte, N.C. with design approval by Andrew Carnegie. In 1966, the Trust said the library had grown to 24,000 books in circulation and 1,400 members, so it moved to a new building. The original structure then became the Norcross Womans Clubs organizational home. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The next chancellor of Germany will be confronted with the to-do list from hell. Olaf Scholzs chances of still being in power after Februarys general election are, at best, vanishingly slim. Mondays vote of no confidence, which he lost, was never in doubt. It was a procedural step to a process begun back on Nov 5, when Mr Scholz fired his finance minister. It means Germans will vote on Feb 23 for what, despite taking more than four months, is still called a snap election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is far ahead in the polls. It is fitting that Mr Scholz, who came to embody ponderous dithering, has signed such a lengthy political suicide note. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is far ahead in the polls - LISI NIESNER/REUTERS But Germany has little time to waste. Mr Scholz collapsed his dysfunctional coalition government on the very day that Donald Trump won the US election. It was another example of the centre-Left chancellors reverse Midas touch, which has cost Germany the credit it deserves for being Ukraines biggest European supporter in weapons and aid. Mr Trump has promised to hit the EU with tariffs of up to 20 per cent, which will hurt the German economy particularly badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His threats of 60 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods risk cheaper products swamping the European market in another blow to German industry. Anathema towards Berlin The president-elect has an anathema towards Berlin, which he believes has got rich off a trade surplus with the US while freeloading on Washingtons defence of Europe. He is unimpressed by Germanys close trade links to China, and how it used cheap Russian gas to power its world-famous manufacturing. Famously, he harbours a deep dislike of Angela Merkel, the former leader of Germany, where newspapers called Mr Trump a horror clown. Mr Trump returns to the White House at the end of January. Olaf Scholz collapsed his dysfunctional coalition government on the very day that Donald Trump won the US election - HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/SHUTTERSTOCK The pressure is on, but if it had been up to Mr Scholz, the elections would not have happened until March. He about-turned on that, like so much else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany remains Europes largest economy but this week there were reports it was approaching a point of no return. The loss of cheap Russian energy after the invasion of Ukraine is biting, the German car industry is struggling to keep up with Chinese competitors, and the cost of living is hitting voters hard in the pocket. After five years of stagnation, the economy is now 5 per cent smaller than it could have been if the pre-pandemic growth trends had continued. Reversing such negative economic trends would be a daunting prospect, but Mr Trump is also threatening to cut off financial and military support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Scholzs successor will have to embark on tough EU Budget talks on how to plug the financial gap left by Washington, while navigating sensitive talks with 26 other member states about how to boost Europes defence industries. That wont be possible unless strained relations with France, the other half of the EUs policymaking engine can be repaired. Olaf Scholz casts his ballot during the vote of confidence against him in the German parliament - MARKUS SCHREIBER/AP POOL Unfortunately, French politics is also in chaos after its own snap elections left Emmanuel Macron a lame-duck president. Meanwhile, the hard-Right Alternative for Germany is enjoying unprecedented success, amid growing anger about illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be a difficult debate over whether to resurrect German nuclear energy, which was ditched after the Fukushima disaster. If that wasnt enough, the German army and intelligence services still need a wholesale modernisation and overhaul after decades of neglect. Before the next chancellor can even begin to scale those mountains, they will have to form a coalition government and then keep it together It is, by any measure, an in-tray that would satisfy the most merciless of masochists. 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. German diplomats were in Damascus on Tuesday for talks with Syria's new transitional government, the latest in a series of countries seeking to re-establish ties following the sudden fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The German delegation was due to hold talks with the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led last week's overthrow of al-Assad's forces. The discussion was to "focus on an inclusive transition process in Syria and the protection of minorities," as well as exploring the possibility of a diplomatic presence in Damascus, according a spokeswoman for the German Foreign Office in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meetings with Syrian civil society and representatives of the minority Christian community were also planned. The delegation, led by Middle East envoy Tobias Tunkel, also included a representative of the German Development Ministry. The meetings come after British diplomats held talks on Monday with HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Mohammed al-Joulani. Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS scored a rapid series of victories over al-Assad's forces and captured Damascus. Al-Assad fled the country for Russia, where he has since been granted asylum. Cautious outreach HTS leaders have sought to signal moderation and expressed their intention of leading Syria toward stability and toleration of minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group, however, has past ties to the terrorist groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The European Union, the United States and others have designated HTS as a terrorist organization and put the group under sanctions. The German spokeswoman said HTS would be judged "by their actions." "Syria must neither become a pawn of foreign powers nor an experiment by radical forces. We know where HTS comes from and are aware of its origins in the al-Qaeda ideology," she noted. Meanwhile, the EU announced on Tuesday that it would reopen its representation in Damascus, after making contact with the new Syrian leadership on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at talks in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Tehran keeps embassy shut Iran is keeping its Damascus embassy closed for the time being, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Tehran, pointing to "political and security-related preparations," in comments carried by the ISNA news agency. In the upheaval following the overthrow of al-Assad, insurgents stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, thoroughly devastated it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally in its front against arch-enemy Israel. Syria served as a corridor for Iranian arms shipments to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and enjoyed generous Iranian financial support. Evidence being destroyed Amid the flurry of international diplomacy, a UN body established to investigate crimes under international law committed in Syria aims to be on site soon to secure evidence that is being destroyed daily, its head said in Geneva. Robert Petit, the chief of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, said the fall of al-Assad's regime created the opportunity to gather evidence on site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Canadian prosecutor has applied to Syrian ambassadors to the UN in New York and Geneva for permission for his team to enter Syria. The transitional government was aware of the need to secure evidence, Petit said. He added that he had a long list of suspects, some of whom had fled abroad. The IIIM was tasked by the UN General Assembly in 2016 with investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011, when a violent crackdown on protests triggered the country's civil war. Petit said that 283 terabytes of data had been collected, some of it by civil society groups outside Syria. Several countries had made use of this evidence to try and convict criminals, he said. Migrant flows Around 1 million Syrians in exile will return to their country over the first half of 2025, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) predicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa, cautioned against pressuring Syrians to return prematurely, while noting that returnees needed support in finding accommodation and work. "No one should be forced to return," she said. "We count on states to be patient and not make any drastic decisions." The UNHCR was at Syria's borders where it was observing thousands entering the country from Jordan and Turkey, Imseis said, adding that thousands were also leaving the country. Fighters to join state army In Damascus, Syria's de facto leader al-Sharaa announced plans to dissolve the country's many armed groups and integrate their fighters into a state army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fighters are being readied to join the Defence Ministry and will all be subject to the law," the head of HTS declared at a meeting with the Druze community, according to the group. "We need the mindset of the state, not the mindset of the opposition," al-Sharaa was quoted as saying. For the country's diverse ethnic groups to coexist, he said that a "social contract" was necessary to ensure "social justice." Following al-Assad's overthrow, HTS had relieved all soldiers of the state army from service. In addition, Israel's military claims to have destroyed more than 80% of the military capabilities of Syria's army, in unprecedented attacks on the neighbouring country. German diplomats held talks in Damascus on Tuesday with Syria's new transitional government, the latest in a series of countries seeking to re-establish ties following the sudden fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The German delegation met with representatives of the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led last week's overthrow of al-Assad's forces. "The talks focused on the political transition process and our expectations regarding the protection of minorities and women's rights in order to support peaceful development in Syria, the German Foreign Office said in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the statement, a representative of the HTS responsible for international contacts and the transitional government's education minister took part in the talks in the Syrian capital. In addition, meetings were held with representatives of civil society and religious communities. The delegation also undertook an "initial inspection of the German Embassy building in Damascus." The delegation, led by Middle East envoy Tobias Tunkel, also included a representative of the German Development Ministry. The meetings came after British diplomats held talks on Monday with HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Mohammed al-Joulani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS scored a rapid series of victories over al-Assad's forces and captured Damascus. Al-Assad fled the country for Russia, where he has since been granted asylum. Cautious outreach HTS leaders have sought to signal moderation and expressed their intention of leading Syria toward stability and toleration of minorities. The group, however, has past ties to the terrorist groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The European Union, the United States and others have designated HTS as a terrorist organization and put the group under sanctions. A German Foreign Office spokeswoman said HTS would be judged "by their actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Syria must neither become a pawn of foreign powers nor an experiment by radical forces. We know where HTS comes from and are aware of its origins in the al-Qaeda ideology," she noted. Meanwhile, the EU announced on Tuesday that it would reopen its representation in Damascus, after making contact with the new Syrian leadership on Monday. "Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at talks in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Tehran keeps embassy shut Iran is keeping its Damascus embassy closed for the time being, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Tehran, pointing to "political and security-related preparations," in comments carried by the ISNA news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the upheaval following the overthrow of al-Assad, insurgents stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, thoroughly devastated it. For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally in its front against arch-enemy Israel. Syria served as a corridor for Iranian arms shipments to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and enjoyed generous Iranian financial support. Evidence being destroyed Amid the flurry of international diplomacy, a UN body established to investigate crimes under international law committed in Syria aims to be on site soon to secure evidence that is being destroyed daily, its head said in Geneva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Petit, the chief of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, said the fall of al-Assad's regime created the opportunity to gather evidence on site. The former Canadian prosecutor has applied to Syrian ambassadors to the UN in New York and Geneva for permission for his team to enter Syria. The transitional government was aware of the need to secure evidence, Petit said. He added that he had a long list of suspects, some of whom had fled abroad. The IIIM was tasked by the UN General Assembly in 2016 with investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011, when a violent crackdown on protests triggered the country's civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petit said that 283 terabytes of data had been collected, some of it by civil society groups outside Syria. Several countries had made use of this evidence to try and convict criminals, he said. Fighters to join state army In Damascus, Syria's de facto leader al-Sharaa announced plans to dissolve the country's many armed groups and integrate their fighters into a state army. "The fighters are being readied to join the Defence Ministry and will all be subject to the law," the head of HTS declared at a meeting with the Druze community, according to the group. "We need the mindset of the state, not the mindset of the opposition," al-Sharaa was quoted as saying. For the country's diverse ethnic groups to coexist, he said that a "social contract" was necessary to ensure "social justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following al-Assad's overthrow, HTS had relieved all soldiers of the state army from service. In addition, Israel's military claims to have destroyed more than 80% of the military capabilities of Syria's army, in unprecedented attacks on the neighbouring country. Sondus Alkadri recalled the death of her fiance in the hands of soldiers of Bashar al-Assad, Syrias former president who fled the country following a dramatic collapse of his regime earlier this month. Today, Alkadri is a dentist in Aurora, where she lives with her husband, Hamid Imam, and two children. On Friday, she celebrated the fall of the Assad regime with her family and Auroras Syrian community following at the Colorado Muslims Community Center. During a sermon, the centers founder, Imam Karim Abu Zaid, focused on the significance of justice, the dangers of tyranny and the opportunity for a bright future in Syria, which has been embroiled in a civil since 2011 that displaced half of the countrys 23 million people. One of the most pressing questions facing Syrians is who would lead the countrys new government, and their celebration of Assads ouster has been tempered with uncertainty over the future. Zaid, who is from Egypt but now calls Aurora home, said Syrians need to come together and avoid those perilous disagreements in order to carve a successful path forward. They are really rejoicing because I think they are seeing now a bright future, he said. I think unity is the key to building their country. At the celebration, Alkadris family and dozens of other Syrians danced, sang and waved Syrian flags at the community center, buzzing with a shared excitement for Syrias potential. They said the joy comes after years of fear, heartbreak and trauma for Syrians like Alkadri, who fled to Saudi Arabia in 2013 as the war raged. Alkadri has lived in many places as she studied to become a dentist, going from Saudi Arabia to Turkey to Portugal and the United States but Syria is home, she said. Leaving Syria brought feelings of guilt, she said, but the alternative was imprisonment and possibly death. As a dentist, I felt its my duty to not leave my country during pain, she said. I wanted to help injured people. But even if you hand someone bread, you are doing a crime in Assads eyes. She went back to Syria briefly after leaving, using a fake name to avoid capture, but the threat of being taken and imprisoned was all too real, she said. Her family told her she needed to leave and join them in Saudi Arabia. Alkadri and Imam were flying back from visiting family in Saudi Arabia when the news came of Syrias liberation. As they landed in Denver, they were shocked at how quickly it all happened. They arent shocked, however, that it did happen. Featured Local Savings Im not surprised, you know. We have so much faith and belief in that cause, Imam said. It was a call for freedom. A call to end oppression and bring democracy to the country. Right is right and dictators never last. Imam and Alkadri have watched now as people are going home, cleaning the streets and celebrating. To many Syrians, they said, Syria finally feels like home again. Everyone is out on the streets cleaning, they feel like its their home now, she said. It gives me goosebumps to see how happy people are, to see all the people on the streets and no fear. Its still hard to believe, she said, and will stay that way until she sees the country with her own eyes. But she believes in its future. Syria, I drink its water, I breathe its air ... I feel like I have a purpose to go back to my country and rebuild it, she said. I need to give back to Syria, because its our mother. Himah Abou Habra and her 18-year-old daughter, Ghazal Obaid, left Syria in 2012. On Friday, they shared hopes to return for a visit. Habra, like so many at Fridays celebration, lost family members to Assads regime. She said she remembers the day her fathers body was found after his capture, tortured to the point of being almost unrecognizable. Obaid, who left with her mother at age 5, beamed talking about the possibility of going back home and seeing her family. As the oldest, she hasnt met her cousins, and the rest of her family hasnt seen her since she left. I left when I was 5, but I can remember the littlest things, she said. Now that its free, I cant wait to go back and see everything, but its not going to be the same. Everything is broken. I just cant believe that I have a family I can see, Obaid said. While the Syrian community has suffered a lot, they are taking this time to celebrate, Habra said. There is no word in the whole world, not in any language, to describe what we feel right now, Habra said. We still have something sad inside, but what happened, right now its a dream. Habra said she, too, feels called to go home and do something to help her country get back on its feet. Also like Alkadri, Habra thinks her family will wait to go back until things settle down. I want to hug everyone in Syria, I want to kiss the floor, she said. German diplomats held talks in Damascus on Tuesday with Syria's new transitional government, the latest in a series of countries seeking to re-establish ties following the sudden fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The German delegation met with representatives of the hardline Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led last week's overthrow of al-Assad's forces. "The talks focused on the political transition process and our expectations regarding the protection of minorities and women's rights in order to support peaceful development in Syria, the German Foreign Office said in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the statement, a representative of the HTS responsible for international contacts and the transitional government's education minister took part in the talks in the Syrian capital. In addition, meetings were held with representatives of civil society and religious communities. The delegation also undertook an "initial inspection of the German Embassy building in Damascus." The delegation, led by Middle East envoy Tobias Tunkel, also included a representative of the German Development Ministry. The meetings came after British diplomats held talks on Monday with HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Mohammed al-Joulani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, an alliance of insurgents led by HTS scored a rapid series of victories over al-Assad's forces and captured Damascus. Al-Assad fled the country for Russia, where he has since been granted asylum. Cautious outreach HTS leaders have sought to signal moderation and expressed their intention of leading Syria toward stability and toleration of minorities. The group, however, has past ties to the terrorist groups Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The European Union, the United States and others have designated HTS as a terrorist organization and put the group under sanctions. A German Foreign Office spokeswoman said HTS would be judged "by their actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Syria must neither become a pawn of foreign powers nor an experiment by radical forces. We know where HTS comes from and are aware of its origins in the al-Qaeda ideology," she noted. Meanwhile, the EU announced on Tuesday that it would reopen its representation in Damascus, after making contact with the new Syrian leadership on Monday. "Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at talks in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Tehran keeps embassy shut Iran is keeping its Damascus embassy closed for the time being, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Tehran, pointing to "political and security-related preparations," in comments carried by the ISNA news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the upheaval following the overthrow of al-Assad, insurgents stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus and, according to Iranian media reports, thoroughly devastated it. For Tehran, al-Assad was a strategically important ally in its front against arch-enemy Israel. Syria served as a corridor for Iranian arms shipments to the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and enjoyed generous Iranian financial support. Evidence being destroyed Amid the flurry of international diplomacy, a UN body established to investigate crimes under international law committed in Syria aims to be on site soon to secure evidence that is being destroyed daily, its head said in Geneva. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Petit, the chief of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, said the fall of al-Assad's regime created the opportunity to gather evidence on site. The former Canadian prosecutor has applied to Syrian ambassadors to the UN in New York and Geneva for permission for his team to enter Syria. The transitional government was aware of the need to secure evidence, Petit said. He added that he had a long list of suspects, some of whom had fled abroad. The IIIM was tasked by the UN General Assembly in 2016 with investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes committed in Syria since March 2011, when a violent crackdown on protests triggered the country's civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petit said that 283 terabytes of data had been collected, some of it by civil society groups outside Syria. Several countries had made use of this evidence to try and convict criminals, he said. Fighters to join state army In Damascus, Syria's de facto leader al-Sharaa announced plans to dissolve the country's many armed groups and integrate their fighters into a state army. "The fighters are being readied to join the Defence Ministry and will all be subject to the law," the head of HTS declared at a meeting with the Druze community, according to the group. "We need the mindset of the state, not the mindset of the opposition," al-Sharaa was quoted as saying. For the country's diverse ethnic groups to coexist, he said that a "social contract" was necessary to ensure "social justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following al-Assad's overthrow, HTS had relieved all soldiers of the state army from service. In addition, Israel's military claims to have destroyed more than 80% of the military capabilities of Syria's army, in unprecedented attacks on the neighbouring country. Many parts of Syria 'stable' The UN special envoy for Syria has praised the country's growing stability since the fall of al-Assad and called for international support. The fighting is not over yet in some places, cautioned Geir Pedersen, who joined via video link from Syria at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, he said, "We are seeing a Syria that is stable in many parts." The tasks facing the country and the international community are huge, especially given the scale of destruction after 13 years of war and with 90% of the population living in poverty, Pedersen said. "Now is the time to reassure all Syrians that their state and their future is understood and that it will be embodied in credible and inclusive arrangements," the Norwegian diplomat said. BERLIN (Reuters) - Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza said his mother was in hospital in Berlin on Tuesday, while German police said they were investigating a case of attempted homicide. Kara-Murza said suspicions that his mother, a German-Russian national, had been poisoned had not been confirmed. Police said the results of toxicology tests were not expected before Wednesday. "My mother is indeed in a hospital in Berlin, but suspicions of poisoning or heart attack have thankfully not been confirmed," Kara-Murza posted on social media. "The doctors are continuing with the evaluation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the woman, whose name they did not give, was being moved to the Charite hospital's isolation wing. She had gone to hospital in the afternoon complaining of poisoning symptoms. "We are currently looking into whether there is any evidence of a political motivation," police spokesperson Jane Berndt said. She added that the victim's flat, in the western district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, was being searched for clues. Kara-Murza, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, was one of 26 prisoners that Russia, Belarus and the West swapped in August, in the largest prisoner exchange since the Cold War. Among those for which he was swapped was Russian assassin Vadim Kasikov, convicted of the 2019 murder in a Berlin park of a Georgian citizen who had been part of the Chechen independence movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Russian investigative journalist Elena Kostyuchenko was taken ill on a train to Berlin after what she believed was a poison attack. Police opened an investigation into a case of attempted murder. (Reporting by Thomas Escritt and Tanya Wood; Editing by Hugh Lawson) (Bloomberg) -- Germanys conservative chancellor candidate, who is leading the polls ahead of a February election, proposed cutting 100 billion ($105 billion) from migration and social spending in an effort to fix the countrys finances. Most Read from Bloomberg The plan highlights CDU leader Friedrich Merzs stark contrast to policy under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has avoided reductions to social welfare despite the massive cost to taxpayers. Speaking at a press briefing in Berlin, Merz took early aim at Scholz, laying the blame for Germanys economic decline at the Social Democrats feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The German economy is set to shrink for a second straight year due to dwindling exports and high energy prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine. Whoever gets to form the next government will need to secure funding and public support for the massive investments needed to modernize the countrys crumbling infrastructure, shore up defense capabilities and navigate Donald Trumps return to the White House. Scholz has lost the confidence of investors, who are leaving the country, Merz, who heads the CDU/CSU alliance, said on Tuesday, adding that he wants to lower the corporate tax rate to 25%. We are ready and able to take on government responsibility in Germany again. Germany has an average combined corporate tax rate of 30%, according to the OECD. Germanys proposed 2025 budget is 488 billion, with labor and social spending making up 179 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign season kicked off on Monday after Scholz lost a confidence motion in the lower house of parliament, triggering a new federal election that will likely take place on Feb. 23, seven months ahead of schedule. Scholzs minority government will remain in place until a new administration is formed. Whats Ailing the German Economy? Can It Be Fixed?: QuickTake Scholzs Social Democrats, along with his former coalition partners the liberal Free Democrats and the Greens, have suffered in the polls. What Bloomberg Economics Says... Germanys problems wont go away on their own. Retooling the economy for the future, improving productivity and tackling the causes of high energy costs urgently need the next governments attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin Ademmer and Jamie Rush. Click here for the full GERMANY INSIGHT Merzs CDU/CSU alliance 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. The Greens are fourth with 11.2% and the BSW a new far-left party founded in January fifth at 7.5%. The Free Democrats, led by former Finance Minister Christian Lindner, whose firing prompted the dissolution of the governing coalition, remains in danger of falling below the 5% threshold needed to get into parliament. The party is currently polling at 4.9%. After the election, it will take weeks, if not months for a new coalition government to be formed. Although the CDU/CSU is leading in the polls, its far from winning an absolute majority and would need at least one, and potentially more, coalition partners. And the more parties that qualify for seats in parliament, the more difficult it is to build an alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz has proposed an immediate halt on the flow of irregular migration into Germany, income tax cuts, continued support for Ukraine, and a commitment to the constitutional debt brake. On Tuesday, he proposed that 100 billion ($105 billion) could be saved by cuts in migration and social aid. He also sought to manage expectations, saying I wont promise that everything will improve immediately. Scholz and the Social Democrats also presented their election program Tuesday, laying out their plan to get the economy back on track. The SPD proposed a 10% tax rebate for companies investing in Germany and the creation of a 100 billion investment fund to modernize the countrys infrastructure. To boost demand for e-cars, the SPD is also considering tax rebates for EV buyers. On top of this, Scholz wants to loosen the countrys strict borrowing limits, lower energy costs for heavy industries by capping the grid fees and stimulate domestic demand by lowering the income tax for most households while increasing the tax burden on those earning the most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SPD will put its focus on the economy and creating jobs so that Germany remains a strong industrial nation, Scholz said. --With assistance from Thomas Hall and Christoph Rauwald. (Updates platform priorities box.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Growing numbers of Colombian citizens have been applying for asylum in Germany, even though their odds of actually being granted asylum by German authorities have been close to zero. Now the German government hopes to convince Colombians that they have little chance to move to Germany as refugees - while also encouraging Colombians with in-demand job skills to apply for work visas instead. Joachim Stamp, Germany's special representative for migration agreements, arrived in Colombia on Tuesday for talks with the Colombian government about immigration issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Bogota, we will also publicly point out that the right of asylum is not a suitable route into the German labour market," Stamp told dpa in Berlin before his departure. In the first 11 months of this year, a total of 3,510 Colombians filed initial applications for asylum in Germany. That puts Colombia in ninth place on the list of countries of origin with the highest number of applications in Germany. As recently as 2018, the total number of Colombians claiming asylum in Germany was just 133, according to the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. But the recognition rate for people from Colombia has recently stood at just 0.4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people from Colombia who took the asylum route actually would have been eligible for regular labour migration to Germany, said Stamp. Stamp said his goal is "to quickly reduce the number of asylum applications with no prospect of success." Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) signed a coalition agreement forming a minority government in the eastern state of Saxony in the state capital of Dresden on Tuesday The agreement ruled out nothing and made a lot possible, CDU Saxony head and Saxony's Premier Michael Kretschmer said. "It is also an invitation to those not part of this coalition who wish to work for our state," he added in reference to the need for the coalition to seek support in the Dresden parliament to get legislation passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people in Germany were looking to Saxony, Kretschmer said, and the coalition would proceed with humility and modesty, but also with great enjoyment. He described the 110-page coalition deal as a sound foundation for joint effort. SPD head Henning Homann termed the deal an "invitation to the democratic groups in the state parliament" and said the coalition partners would be ready to compromise. The new government is one vote short of a majority in the Dresden parliament and aims to secure majorities through a consultation mechanism. The next state premier is to be elected by secret ballot on Wednesday. BERLIN (AP) Leading contenders in Germany's upcoming election presented their programs on Tuesday, setting out contrasting visions of how to put new vigor into Europe's biggest economy and tackle other issues such as migration. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a center-left Social Democrat, will seek a second term in the parliamentary election expected on Feb. 23 more than three months after his unpopular three-party coalition collapsed in a dispute about how to revive the stagnant economy. He hopes for a come-from-behind victory against center-right challenger Friedrich Merz, whose Union bloc leads all recent polls. Also seeking the top job are Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, Scholz's remaining coalition partner; and Alice Weidel of the far-right Alternative for Germany, which is polling strongly but has no realistic chance of governing because other parties refuse to work with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Social Democrats, Union and Greens all hope to implement as much as they can of their programs presented Tuesday, but any new government will almost certainly be a coalition and require extensive compromises. It's the economy ... The Union is pledging tax cuts for individuals and companies and wants to raise the level at which the highest level of income tax, 42%, kicks in. It wants to make working overtime more financially attractive. It also wants to abolish a tax once paid by everyone to finance the costs of integrating the former East Germany, now levied only on higher earners. It hopes to free up money by reforming the benefit system for the long-term unemployed and getting more people into jobs. It also wants to cut the value-added tax rate on dining out. Scholz's Social Democrats pledge a lower income tax burden for 95% of earners. They want to reduce value-added tax on groceries. The Social Democrats and Greens want to increase the national minimum wage, which will be 12.82 euros ($13.47) per hour on election day, to 15 euros reprising an issue both parties campaigned on in 2021. Scholz's party wants a made in Germany bonus to encourage investment in new plants and equipment. It also wants to set up a Germany fund to invest public and private money in energy networks, innovative companies and building new homes. The Greens propose something similar to finance spending on infrastructure and want the super-rich to make a bigger contribution, for example to help finance education. All the contenders have proposals to reduce electricity prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To borrow or not to borrow The Social Democrats and Greens want to reform Germany's self-imposed restrictions on borrowing the debt brake, introduced more than a decade ago, which allows new borrowing to the tune of only 0.35% of annual gross domestic product, though it can be suspended for emergencies that are out of the state's control. The two center-left parties, which are vague about how exactly they would modify it, argue that it has become a barrier to investment. The debt brake played a part in the collapse of Scholz's coalition in November. The chancellor's former coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats, insisted on upholding it strictly. The Union wants to hang on to it, arguing that it already has proven its flexibility in times of crisis and prevents Germany from burdening future generations with debt. But Merz has signaled that he might eventually be open to a future reform. Migration Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Union wants Germany to turn back at its border migrants trying to enter from other countries in Europe's free travel zone and seek asylum. It wants to increase deportations of migrants who aren't entitled to stay and designate more safe countries of origin, allowing authorities to speed up asylum proceedings. It is pledging to reverse legislation approved under Scholz that eased the rules on gaining citizenship and ended restrictions on holding dual citizenship. The Social Democrats argue that measures the government has taken, including border controls, are already reducing irregular migration significantly. The Greens want a fair and binding distribution of asylum-seekers in Europe. And what about Ukraine? Germany is Ukraine's top military supplier in Europe and its biggest after the United States. All three leading contenders pledge continued aid, but there are differences of emphasis. Scholz says he wants Germany to remain the biggest supplier in Europe but is touting his prudence in ensuring that the war doesn't expand into a conflict between Russia and NATO and underlining his insistence that he won't supply long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Union and the Greens have been more open to sending the long-range missiles. The Union wants to set up a contact group with France, Poland and the U.K. to consult with the United States on a strategy to support Ukraine and provide credible security guarantees. Current polls suggest it's likely that at least two of the Union, Social Democrats and Greens will end up having to govern together. We want to become so strong in this election ... that others have to ask themselves whether they are prepared to work together with us, and we aren't the ones who have to adapt to others and run after them, Merz said Tuesday. Rex Heuermann, the suspect in a string of Long Island slayings stretching back to at least 1993, was charged Tuesday in the death of a seventh woman. Authorities say the former New York architect has been linked to the death of Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old Philadelphia mother who disappeared in October 2000. A hunters dog found Macks decapitated body wrapped in a black plastic bag the next month. The rest of her remains werent discovered until April 2011, more than a decade later, roughly 50 miles away in Gilgo Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a superseding indictment Tuesday, prosecutors said they found a hair on Macks left wrist and were able to link it to Heuermann via DNA analysis. Macks own identity was unknown until genetic testing in 2020. This undated photo provided by the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Police Department shows Valerie Mack, who went missing in 2000. Rex Heuermann was charged Tuesday with killing Mack. via Associated Press Heuermann, 61, pleaded not guilty to the newest charge. Hes also been charged with killing six other women in the region over the course of nearly four decades, many of whom were sex workers at the time of their disappearance. Heuermann was arrested in July 2023. But the initial charges three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder have ticked steadily upward as authorities discover more remains. He now faces 10 counts of murder in the first and second degree. The other women hes charged with killing are Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Amber Lynn Costello, 27; Sandra Costilla, 28; Jessica Taylor, 20; and Megan Waterman, 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the indictment Tuesday, prosecutors noted that each of the five previously discovered victim remains on Gilgo Beach were recovered from the same side of a stretch of road, and buried at similar depths and distances from the road. The women were also buried in a similar fashion: bound with belts or tape and often wrapped in burlap material. In June, investigators who searched Heuermanns Long Island home revealed theyd discovered a Microsoft Word planning document on a hard drive belonging to Heuermann. The document described in detail the supplies Heuermann might need, authorities say, including Booties, Rope/Cord, Saw/Cutting Tools and Bags/Tape. Other sections on the document include one labeled Problems, and what appears to be a list of possible dump sites and targets. Related... On the morning of Nov. 19, 2000, three hunters in the woods in Manorville, N.Y. came across a black plastic bag wrapped in duct tape. Inside the bag were the partial remains of a woman. Both of her hands were severed from her body and her right leg had been cut off at mid-calf. Her torso, leg and arms were bound with rope. Authorities could not identify her. More than a decade later, on April 4, 2011, Long Island authorities searching for remains along Ocean Parkway as part of an investigation into the murders of online escorts Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard- Barnes and Megan Waterman, found the skull and right foot of the same woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was later identified as 24-year-old Valerie Mack. On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Mack became the seventh victim linked to suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann when Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney charged the former architect with her murder. Heuermann has also been charged in the killings of Barthelemy, Costello, Brainard-Barnes,and Waterman, who were found along Gilgo Beach. He is also charged with the murders of Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, whose remains were discovered elsewhere on Long Island. James Carbone/Newsday via AP Rex Heuermann Rex Heuermann Mack, who used the alias Melissa Taylor, was arrested multiple times for prostitution between 1996 and 2000 in the Philadelphia area. She also worked in the Atlantic City area. Authorities believe Mack, who had a son at age 17, was shuffled through various foster homes as a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities believe she was murdered sometime between Sept. 1, 2000 and Nov. 19, 2000. In the months leading up to Macks murder, Heuermann allegedly looked at pornographic images including breast mutilation and bondage by rope, which largely coincide with the injuries inflicted on Ms. Macks breast and how the rope ligatures were utilized on Valerie Mack, according to the indictment against him filed in Suffolk County. Related: Gilgo Beach Serial Killing Suspect Rex Heuermann Charged With Murder of Seventh Woman Heuermanns IP address was allegedly used to access gilgonews.com, a website maintained by the Suffolk County Police about the murders, which highlighted the upcoming investigation of Manorville Jane Doe, who would, five days later, be identified as Valerie Mack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also noted similarities between the garbage bags used in Mack and Taylors murders and noted similarities in the type of cutting instrument used to dismember both victims. Taylor was found "lying on her back with her legs bent underneath her" by a witness walking their dog in a wooded area in Manorville on July 26, 2003. Suffolk County Police Department; Barthelemy family; Suffolk County Police Department (2) Maureen Brainard-Barnes; Melissa Barthelemy; Megan Waterman; Amber Lynn Costello Maureen Brainard-Barnes; Melissa Barthelemy; Megan Waterman; Amber Lynn Costello A tattoo on her torso had been "severely obliterated by a sharp object" and her arms had been dismembered below her elbows. Authorities believe the killer used a hand-powered saw to dismember the victims. Authorities also believe that Heuermann amputated Mack's right leg at mid-calf in order to prevent a positive identification of her. Suffolk County Police Department Sandra Costilla; Jessica Taylor Sandra Costilla; Jessica Taylor 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, a hair from Heuermann's daughter Victoria was also found in the sealed garbage bag where Mack's remains were found. Victoria would have been three or four at the time of the killing. Read the original article on People What did you miss? Fred Sirieix and Gino DAcampo have hit the road for another adventure but fans are missing their usual co-star Gordon Ramsay. The trio have been on several adventures together in their Gordon, Gino And Fred Road Trip series, which has seen them travel to places such as Morocco and the US. But celebrity chef Ramsay is missing from Emission Impossible. Viewers started posting messages on social media minutes after it started on ITV on Monday, 16 December, saying it felt "flat" and that it was just "not the same" without Ramsay. What, how and why? The series sees the pair on a culinary, cultural, and eco-friendly tour of Austria and Croatia, as they explore sustainability. The first instalment saw them travel to Austria where they looked at its eco credentials while also sampling the local cuisine, visiting a tattoo parlour and riding in a cable car. The pair are exploring Austria and Croatia. (Objective Media Group/ITV) However, many viewers said they wished Ramsay was along for the ride. "Gino & Fred without Gordon is like chips with salt but no vinegar or something," one remarked on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another wrote: "Oh. I miss Gordon... my attention span is going really usually I love these guys... laughing and mischief but still learn things... this feels... flat... sorry." "Yeah this hasnt got the same vibe as previous trips with Gordon," said another. "Time to sack it off lads." Gino D'Acampo, Fred Sirieix and Gordan Ramsay on the road in 2023's Viva Espana. (ITV) Someone else said it was a "shame Gordon isnt in it" and another commented: "Watching #ginoandfred enjoying this but not the same without #GordonRamsay to keep the boys out of mischief." "Good 1st episode but we all know that it would've been much better & funnier w Gordon," agreed another. Read more: Gordon Ramsay Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, other viewers felt it worked without the star, with one calling Sirieix and DAcampo "TV gold". "Thought Id miss Gordon but have chuckled away at Gino and Fred," somebody else said. Why isn't Gordon Ramsay in Emission Impossible? The Road Trip series was very popular but in 2023, DAcampo announced that he was stepping back, saying on social media: The reason is simple nothing to do with Gordon and Fred, the friendship is very strong, weve known each other for many, many years its just because we cant get the dates together. And when we do get the dates together, sometimes they get changed, and it causes a lot of problems for me, because Ive got other stuff that I have to do. He and Sirieix then signed up for Emission Impossible, without Ramsay. However, in October, First Dates star Sirieix told The Sun there was no bad blood and cited the fact that Ramsay was extremely busy with his restaurant career. Viewers missed Gordon Ramsay. (MB Media/Getty Images) He also has two very young children, he said. Theres Oscar who is five-years-old, and Jesse who is 10 months. So he really has his hands full, you know? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of travelling, he's already got so many shows in America, he went on. He just couldn't make the time. And we love travelling and we said to him Well, look, we're going and when you want to join us, join us, and we'll go around and we'll have some fun. Gino & Fred: Emission Impossible continues on ITV at 9pm on Tuesday, 17 December. A man suspected of armed kidnapping and motor vehicle theft was arrested near the trailhead of a popular Colorado Springs park on Monday. Multiple law enforcement agencies collaborated Monday afternoon to arrest Brandon Myles Crozier, who was wanted by the U.S. Marshal Violent Offender Task Force of Southern Colorado. Crozier, 35, had an outstanding warrant for parole violation, prompting the search. He is currently being held at the El Paso County jail and is facing a slew of charges, including armed kidnapping with a handgun, motor vehicle theft and eluding law enforcement, police said. According to court documents obtained by the Gazette, the victim in the alleged Dec. 13 kidnapping case was Crozier's girlfriend of five years. The stolen car charges stem from a Colorado Springs airport rental which Crozier failed to return after the card he used started to decline. Further investigation determined the information on the card used did not match Crozier's. The rental car company's manager told police the discrepancy should not have been allowed, but was overlooked due to the transaction taking place online. Law enforcement personnel, including Colorado Springs police K-9s and tactical officers were involved in the effort to locate and arrest Crozier Monday. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department incident blotter, the hunt for Crozier began when officers with the Monument Police Department attempted to pull him over Monday for a traffic violation. He fled, but not before Monument officers had identified him as the registered owner of the vehicle and notified area law enforcement. At about 3:30 p.m. Monday, the Metro Motor Vehicle Task Force detectives spotted Crozier driving a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Academy Boulevard. According to the blotter, the Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Unit followed the vehicle from the air and found he had parked the stolen vehicle at a trailhead in Palmer Park. When officers arrived, they trapped Crozier's vehicle using armored vehicles and deployed chemical munitions into the vehicle while K-9 units ensured he could not flee on foot. Featured Local Savings Crozier exited the vehicle and was treated at the scene by medical personnel for exposure to the chemical munitions. He was then taken into custody at the El Paso County jail. After searching the vehicle, law enforcement reported finding a firearm and a large quantity of illegal narcotics. Just weeks prior Crozier had been pulled over by police in a separate incident in late November. During that stop officers reported finding illegal narcotics including methamphetamine and heroine, more than $10,000 and a stolen gun valued at $500, according to court documents. In the November search, Crozier was first flagged when an off duty federal officers overheard a male party threaten to kill someone and called it in to local police. When officers located Crozier, they observed drug paraphernalia in the center console of his vehicle. When questioned, Crozier admitted occasional methamphetamine use to law enforcement, as well as the presence of a firearm under the driver's seat. The firearm had a spent shell casing missing from the magazine due to Crozier "shooting it up in the mountains," according to the affidavit. In the affidavit, law enforcement notes Crozier was on parole and restricted from possessing firearms and ammunition. During this incident, Fountain police also noted Crozier had been previously convicted of sexual assault, vehicular assault and indecent exposure. Crozier had a hearing on advisement in the 4th Judicial District Court Tuesday. His next appearance in court is scheduled for Dec. 23. As of Tuesday afternoon, Crozier remained at El Paso County Jail, with a no-bond hold. Giraffes struggle to walk up steep hills because they are too top-heavy and may fall over, scientists believe. The savannah giants are the tallest land animals in the world and can reach heights of more than 18ft, weighing almost two tonnes. A study has found that a slope of more than a 20 degree incline is a common barrier for giraffes, according to GPS data which tracked 33 of the animals in South Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A project run by the University of Manchester and the University of the Free State analysed where giraffes live in the wild and what incline that terrain has. Data show that the animals can cope with a slope of 12 degrees if there is a good food source to motivate them for the climb, but tend to avoid anything more than 20 degrees. They will tolerate some steepness to access food, but simply cannot access areas above a 20 degree gradient, said Jessica Granweiler, study author and a PhD candidate at the University of Manchester. Its quite shocking when you look at distribution maps. She added that although giraffes are adaptable animals they also suffer with physiological limits. The work was presented at the British Ecological Societys annual meeting in Liverpool and is set to be published in a journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is thought to be the first study to analyse the difficulty giraffes have with hills and the scientists are hoping to learn more about what makes hills so problematic for the animals. We hope to build on our research by investigating the locomotion limitations of giraffes in greater detail, Ms Granweiler told The Telegraph. Its likely a combination of factors: navigating steep inclines may become too energetically costly (as giraffes are large-bodied animals), and their elongated body shape with a top-heavy weight distribution increases the risk of falling. Climbing uphill poses a significant risk of imbalance and toppling over if the incline is too steep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that hills are likely to pose real dangers to giraffes with the steep hill made even more hazardous by their lofty stature. What goes up must come down, said Ms Granweiler. Descending steep hills could also result in giraffes losing their footing and tumbling. Local reserve owners have reported occasionally finding dead giraffes at the base of hills, which highlights the potential dangers steep terrain poses for them. One of the 33 giraffes with a GPS tracker monitored by scientists in South Africa - Professor Francis Deacon The revelation has implications for conservation, the scientists say, as it means giraffes are unable to utilise hilly terrain in their habitat inside conservation parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Susanne Shultz, lead supervisor on the project, said: Steep and rugged environments are challenging for large-bodied animals, like giraffes. Unfortunately, natural and protected areas are more likely to be placed in such places, which can lead to a mismatch between the landscapes animals want to use and the landscapes that we have left for them. Incorporating geography and physical limitations in habitat assessments can help avoid conserving animals in inappropriate places. 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) The holidays are a time for celebrating with family; friends; and, of course, delicious foods and beverage. But what if you could make your meals even more exciting by adding a little sparkle? Imagine a dinner where your dishes shine as brightly as the twinkling lights on a Christmas tree or the shining stars of Hanukkah. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You With edible glitter, you can turn any meal into a festive and fun experience. This magical touch isnt just for cakes and cupcakes anymore. It can be used on all kinds of foods, from appetizers to main dishes to drinks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets explore how you can use edible glitter to make your holiday meals unforgettable! What is edible glitter? Before diving into glittery recipes, lets talk about what edible glitter is. Unlike the glitter you use for arts and crafts, edible glitter is made from food-safe ingredients. These ingredients can include sugar, starch or mica powder (a shiny mineral) which are all safe to eat. Edible glitter comes in a variety of colors, including gold, silver, red, green and even rainbow colors; so, it can be used on almost any dish. It gives food a sparkling effect, making it look like its covered in tiny, shining flecks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, lets get into the fun part, using edible glitter in your holiday meals! Glittery Christmas dishes Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year, and food is a big part of the celebration. Why not add some sparkle to your Christmas dinner with edible glitter? Here are some festive ways to incorporate glitter into your Christmas meals. Glittery Christmas cookies Christmas cookies are a beloved tradition in many homes. Whether youre baking sugar cookies, gingerbread men or shortbread, edible glitter can make them extra special. After frosting your cookies with royal icing or fondant, dust them with a sprinkle of edible glitter. Silver, gold or even red glitter will make your cookies shine like little ornaments on a tree. You could also add glitter to the edges of cookie cutters before pressing them into the dough for an added sparkle right from the start. Glittery Christmas tree cupcakes Cupcakes are another fun way to celebrate Christmas. You can frost them with green buttercream to look like little Christmas trees, then add edible glitter to make them sparkle like a winter wonderland. Gold or silver glitter can be used to mimic the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree, and you can even add small candy stars, snowflakes or tiny candy canes as decorations. These glittery treats are perfect for holiday parties or family gatherings. Glittering shrimp cocktail For a more elegant holiday appetizer, try adding glitter to shrimp cocktail. Shrimp cocktail is a classic dish served during the holidays, and you can make it extra fancy by adding edible glitter to the shrimp. After arranging the shrimp around a bowl of cocktail sauce, lightly dust them with edible glitter in silver or gold. The glitter will catch the light and make your appetizer sparkle, impressing your guests and adding a touch of glamour to the meal. Glittery cranberry sauce Glittery cranberry sauce adds a sparkling twist to a holiday classic. Simply prepare your cranberry sauce as usual, then sprinkle it with edible glitter just before serving. Silver, gold or red glitter will make the sauce shimmer like festive jewels. Its the perfect way to elevate a traditional dish for Christmas or New Years dinner, pairing beautifully with turkey or ham. The glitter doesnt affect the taste, but it adds a magical touch that will impress your guests! Glittery Christmas punch A sparkling drink can be just as festive as glittery food! For a fun twist on Christmas punch, add edible glitter to the drink. Whether youre serving a fruity cranberry punch or a non-alcoholic spiced cider, a sprinkle of glitter will give the drink a magical, shimmering effect. For extra fun, freeze the glitter into the ice cubes before serving. As the ice melts, the glitter will swirl through the drink, making it look even more enchanting. Glittered sweet potatoes Glittered sweet potatoes add a fun, festive touch to your holiday meal. After roasting or mashing your sweet potatoes, sprinkle edible glitter over the top for a shimmering effect. Gold or silver glitter complements the vibrant orange color, creating a beautiful, sparkling side dish. The sweetness of the potatoes, paired with the glitters sparkle, will wow your guests and make your holiday table feel extra special. Its a simple way to elevate a classic dish for Christmas, Thanksgiving or any celebration! Glittery Hanukkah foods Hanukkah is a celebration filled with delicious foods, and you can easily add some sparkle to these traditional dishes with edible glitter. Here are some creative ways to use glitter in your Hanukkah meals. Glittery latkes Latkes, also known as potato pancakes, are a classic Hanukkah dish. To make them shine like the candles on the menorah, try adding a little edible glitter on top after frying. You can lightly dust gold or silver glitter over the latkes once they are cooked and cooled. The glitter will sparkle when the light hits it, giving your latkes a festive and fun twist. Serve them with applesauce or sour cream, and your guests will be amazed by the twinkling effect. Glittery dreidel cookies Dreidels are one of the most recognizable symbols of Hanukkah, and you can turn them into delicious cookies! Use a dreidel-shaped cookie cutter to make your cookies, then decorate them with royal icing in blue, white or gold. After the icing dries, add a dusting of edible glitter to make the cookies sparkle like the holiday lights. These glittery treats are perfect for kids to enjoy or to share with guests at your Hanukkah party. Glittered noodle kugel Glittery noodle kugel is a fun and festive twist on a classic Jewish dish, perfect for Hanukkah or any holiday celebration. Simply prepare your favorite noodle kugel recipe, then, after baking, sprinkle edible glitter on top for a shimmering effect. Gold or silver glitter works well, adding sparkle that catches the light. The sweet, comforting kugel with its creamy texture and crunchy top is elevated with a touch of glitter, making it both delicious and visually stunning for your holiday table! Glittery challah bread Challah is a traditional Jewish bread thats often served during Hanukkah. While its usually braided and topped with sesame seeds, you can give it a festive twist by adding edible glitter on top. After baking and cooling the challah, brush it lightly with butter or olive oil and then sprinkle glitter over the top. The glitter will make the bread look magical and festive, perfect for your holiday dinner. Glittery Hanukkah gelt Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) are often given to children as part of the celebration. Make them extra special by adding edible glitter! Whether youre buying pre-made gelt or making your own, dusting the coins with gold glitter will make them look even more like shiny treasure. This is a fun and easy way to add sparkle to a beloved tradition. Glittery New Years foods New Years Eve is another holiday where people love to celebrate with food and drink, and edible glitter can make these celebrations even more exciting! Here are some ways to add sparkle to your New Years feast. Glittery champagne or sparkling water No New Years celebration is complete without a toast. For a festive and sparkling twist, try adding edible glitter to your champagne or sparkling water. Simply drop a pinch of glitter into each glass just before serving. The glitter will float around, making the drink shimmer like a glass full of stars. This is a fun and simple way to ring in the New Year with some sparkle. Glittery New Years Eve cupcakes Just like for Christmas, cupcakes can be a fun way to celebrate New Years Eve. You can frost them with rich, dark chocolate or champagne-flavored buttercream and top them with edible glitter in silver or gold. These glittery treats will be a hit at any New Years party and make your dessert table look even more festive. Glittery cheese platter Cheese platters are often served at holiday gatherings, and you can give your platter a touch of sparkle by adding edible glitter to some of the cheeses. Try dusting soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese with glitter in gold or silver for a glamorous effect. You could also sprinkle glitter on crackers or grapes to tie everything together. This is an elegant way to add some shine to your New Years celebration. Glittery finger foods If youre serving small bites or finger foods, consider adding edible glitter to them for extra flair. Glittery appetizers like mini sliders, bite-sized pizzas or even glittery veggie trays will make your guests feel like theyre eating something truly special. Sprinkle glitter on the food just before serving so it stays sparkling and doesnt melt into the dish. Glitter cocktail ideas Glitter Margarita: A sparkling twist on the classic margarita. The drink is made with tequila, lime juice, triple sec and a touch of agave syrup, mixed with edible glitter for a shimmering effect. Serve with a salted rim for extra flair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter Champagne Cocktail: For a sophisticated option, mix champagne with a splash of elderflower liqueur or raspberry puree and top it off with a pinch of edible glitter. This sparkling cocktail is perfect for celebrations. Glitter Gin Fizz: A refreshing gin fizz is enhanced by adding a dash of glitter. This cocktail includes gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white and soda water, with glitter stirred in for an eye-catching touch. Glitter Cosmopolitan: A twist on the classic Cosmopolitan, this cocktail combines vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice and triple sec with edible glitter. The shimmering effect gives it an extra level of elegance. Glitter Mojito: A refreshing mojito made with white rum, lime juice, mint, sugar and soda water, with a pinch of edible glitter added. The glitter gives this vibrant cocktail a magical touch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter Blue Lagoon: This tropical drink made with vodka, blue curacao, lemonade and a splash of soda is already visually striking. Adding glitter elevates its look, giving it a sparkling, oceanic glow. Glitter Paloma: This refreshing cocktail is made with tequila, grapefruit soda, lime juice and a pinch of salt. Add edible glitter to the mix for a shimmering, sparkling effect, giving the Paloma a fun, festive vibe. Glitter Mojito Mule: Combining the flavors of a mojito and a Moscow mule, this cocktail features rum, ginger beer, lime juice and fresh mint. A touch of edible glitter will make this already unique drink even more dazzling. Glitter Pina Colada: A tropical favorite with rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice and crushed ice. Add glitter for a fun twist to this creamy, smooth drink, making it a shimmering beachy delight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter Long Island Iced Tea: This popular cocktail made with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup and a splash of cola gets a glittery upgrade with edible glitter. The drinks vibrant colors become even more exciting with a bit of sparkle. Glitter Lemon Drop Martini: A citrusy, sweet martini made with vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup, often served with a sugared rim. Add edible glitter to turn this refreshing cocktail into a shimmering, playful treat. Glitter Berry Smash: A fruity and refreshing cocktail made with muddled berries, vodka, lemon juice and a splash of soda water. The addition of edible glitter creates a magical, sparkling effect, enhancing the cocktails vibrant berry colors. Glitter Raspberry Mule A twist on the classic Moscow Mule, this version features vodka, ginger beer, lime juice and fresh raspberries, with edible glitter stirred in to create a beautiful sparkling effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter Strawberry Daiquiri: This classic cocktail made with rum, lime juice and strawberries gets a sparkling makeover with a dash of glitter. The shimmer complements the drinks vibrant red color, making it a showstopper. Glitter Tiki Punch: A fruity, tropical punch made with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, grenadine and lime juice, all topped with a pinch of edible glitter. This festive drink looks as good as it tastes! Glitter Tequila Sunrise: The stunning gradient of a Tequila Sunrise (made with tequila, orange juice and grenadine) is made even more breathtaking with the addition of edible glitter, creating a twinkling, sunrise-inspired look. Glitter Espresso Martini: For a glamorous coffee kick, mix vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed espresso, then add a pinch of edible glitter for a sparkling finish. This creates a sophisticated cocktail with an added touch of magic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter Coconut Water Cooler: For a refreshing and light cocktail, mix coconut water, vodka, lime juice and a hint of agave syrup. Adding glitter makes this hydrating drink shimmer, making it perfect for a relaxing summer evening. Tips for using edible glitter While edible glitter can make any holiday meal more exciting, here are a few tips to help you use it effectively. Use it sparingly: A little glitter goes a long way. Too much can overpower the food and make it less enjoyable. Just a light dusting is usually enough to give the dish a sparkling effect. Choose the right glitter: Always make sure the glitter is labeled edible. Regular craft glitter is not safe to eat, so its important to use glitter made specifically for food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Add it at the end: Edible glitter should be added as a final touch, right before serving, so it stays looking shiny. If you add it too early, it might dissolve into the food. Be mindful of the flavor: Most edible glitter is tasteless, but its still important to consider the texture. It should not distract from the flavor of the dish but rather enhance its appearance. Adding edible glitter to your holiday meals is a fun and creative way to make your celebrations sparkle. Whether youre preparing Christmas cookies, Hanukkah latkes or a New Years toast, a little glitter can make your dishes shine and bring extra magic to the occasion. You can click here and here for a couple of suggestions on edible glitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 So, this holiday season, dont just make food make it shine! With edible glitter, your meals will be as dazzling as the holiday lights themselves. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) All eyes are on Washington D.C. Monday as the expected Health and Human Services Secretary nominee, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., meets with top officials. RFK Jr. is known for his criticism of vaccines and fluoride in drinking water, among other things. This comes as the city of Grand Rapids celebrates the national 50th anniversary Monday of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The act was applauded as the cornerstone for ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water for all Americans until recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What RFK Jr. had to say about health when visiting Grand Rapids Last month, RFK Jr. posted on social media that come Jan. 20, the Trump White House will advise all U-S water systems to remove fluoride from public water. Community water fluoridation gained popularity in the late 1940s after the city of Grand Rapids became the first in the nation to add it to its drinking water. After 11 years, researchers found cavity rates had dropped by 60% among kids in Grand Rapids. We as the city continue to follow the best practice recommendations that come from the CDC, the DHHS, the American Dental Association and many other respected agencies across the board that have the public health in mind, said Wayne Jernberg, water system manager for the city. Were going to monitor the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US towns plunge into debates about fluoride in water Low dosages of fluoride are believed to help reduce tooth decay, according to the CDC. But recent critics cite studies that link high fluoride exposure to lower IQs, bone density loss and other adverse neurological effects. Really, its too much of a good thing is the issue and the toxicity levels that people are concerned about is virtually impossible to reach in the human body without taking it straight, said dentist Brockton Willey with The Dental House GR. While fluoride is more of a protective for your teeth, oral hygiene is what protects everything else, Willey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First your teeth and then your health, he said. If we lose those and we lose those supporting factors, the beginning of digesting for our body, it really affects everything down the line. Almost all water contains some naturally occurring fluoride, Jernberg said. Which is why the city continues to monitor and adjust its additive monthly. About 10, 12 years ago there was actually a modification to the fluoride concentration levels, the dosage rates. It used to be 1 part per million in terms of the dosage rate and its been reduced to .7 parts, he explained. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma Citys iconic Gold Dome is one step closer to renovations. The Classen Corridor Revitalization TIF Review Committee approved a $3 million loan to turn the treasured piece of the citys landscape into a concert venue. The money will come from taxpayer dollars through Safer Streets, Safer Cities GOLT bonds. Weve looked at this project for a long time and it fits geographically for us, said Mike Brown, developer with Kismet Koncerts. Im from Oklahoma, so we want to save it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said the proposed venue was the first idea for the space that was financially backed and would also generate revenue. Brown estimated that the 3,000-capacity concert space would have 65 events or concerts in a year which would bring around $1 million in revenue. He said the total cost for the updates would end up around $10 million. PHOTOS: Iconic Gold Dome may be converted to music venue, city leaders say We think weve got a good handle on what the construction costs are, and theres a variance built in, said Brown. Theres 10% in there for surprises. Brown said thieves have picked apart pieces of the buildings electrical system over the years, but he felt the building was still structurally sound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys $3 million loan would be paid off over an estimated eight-year span by shared profits and taxes. Weve had a lot of false starts on this project through the years, said Holt. Ultimately this is the only really funded use that has come forward. We didnt go into this saying we really need another live music venue. We went into this saying we need to save the Gold Dome. The proposal will now go before the citys Economic Development trust for approval before heading to the city council. It approved, the project is expected to be finished by early 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) The bubble tea franchise Gong Cha has pushed back the grand opening of its new location in Narragansett to Dec. 21 and 22. The event was originally scheduled for Dec. 14 and 15. The store told 12 News it would have to delay the opening due to a permitting issue. There will be a buy one, get one free deal on Gong Chas top 10 drinks on Dec. 21. ALSO READ: Gourmet cookie shop opens in Garden City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The store will be located near the Stop and Shop in Salt Pond Plaza at 91 Point Judith Road. It will be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day. This store is the third Gong Cha location in Rhode Island. There are currently stores in Cranston and the Providence Place mall. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Mishal Husains final Today programme after 11 years as co-host, was an emotional and occasionally sombre affair. Her colleagues sounded shell-shocked and not a little miffed at her departure, and not one of them missed the opportunity to pay tribute. Karthi Gnanasegaram followed her 8.30am sport bulletin by lauding Husains behind-the-scenes and mentoring work, while Jeremy Bowen ended his report from Syria by praising Husain for always asking the right questions and for her grip on Middle East politics. Sarah Montague mentioned the many people within the BBC who were lamenting Husains departure, while John Humphrys joked that when she joined the series she learned from him, What not to do, before adding, She has been a joy to work with... And indeed to know as a human being. Justin Webb wondered aloud how he and his Today programme colleagues could follow Husains impressive tenure and I dont think he was being disingenuous when he decided that they probably couldnt. Im inclined to agree: the BBC is losing the very best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the many tributes Husain received throughout the show, the one that may well have tickled her most came from the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt, who said that being interviewed by her was the most terrifying experience. Husain does not have the bark of Humphrys, nor the bite of Jeremy Paxman. But sticks and stones dont break obfuscating politicians bones. As Bowen said, Husain always asked the right questions. In a neat moment of happenstance, it was revealed today by NHS England that a trial of the Marthas Rule scheme had been effective. One of Husains clearest triumphs on the Today programme was her interview with Merope Mills, the mother of Martha Mills who died aged 13 when doctors failed to spot her sepsis. Husain gave Merope what was in Today programme terms an extraordinary amount of time to tell her story. You can listen to the 30-minute version on BBC Sounds, and the striking thing is how little you hear Husains voice. It was a moment of journalistic judiciousness and integrity, and one that showed how little vanity there is to Husains work. Mishal Husain with her fellow Today presenters during her final show - Jeff Overs/BBC Ah yes, vanity. We can speculate that Husain might have got the TV gig she is rumoured to have wanted if shed just been that little more pushy, that little bit more like her male counterparts (Huw Edwards spotted outside the Global offices springs to mind). We had a reminder of all this with the arrival of Humphrys, demob happy and delighted to have his voice on the radio again. In a segment discussing Husains record use of profanity in a single Today interview (quoting the words of James Cleverly), Humphrys blustered that he and Nick Robinson would have been ripped apart just because were men. I am sure Husain has an ego, but it has never seemed to interfere with her work. As Robinson said, You dont need to sound like the Community Champion to be a champion of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Merope Mills ended their follow-up interview today with her own tribute, Husain sounded genuinely embarrassed: I thought they were going to cut that bit off the end, but they didnt. Of course they didnt. The final 21 minutes of the show were dedicated solely to Husain, including a Desert Islands Discs moment where she was able to choose a song to end the show (Daydream Believer by The Monkees analyse that), and there was a sense of her colleagues willing the moment to never end. Throughout the show we had reminders of Husains brilliance, from skewering politicians to her underrated on-the-ground reporting in Pakistan and Ukraine. We also had reminders of her endearing fits of giggles too, notably over a pampered German shepherd. The story was ridiculous: she asked the right questions, but she also laughed at the right things. How she fares at her new home of Bloomberg remains to be seen, but this is an enormous loss for the BBC. They have let the finest Today presenter of recent times walk out the door, someone who should have been a mainstay of BBC News for many years to come. In my time at the BBC, I have found more in me than I knew was there, said Husain in her gracious parting words. And now, at the BBC, they find they have much much less. 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 House GOP subcommittee is pushing for ex-Congresswoman Liz Cheney to be investigated by the Justice Department for witness tampering in retaliation for her efforts on the January 6 probe. In a report from the House Administrations Subcommittee on Oversight, Republican lawmakers led by Barry Loudermilk of Georgia argued that Cheneys communications with Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump White House official, violated the law because Hutchinsons lawyer was supposedly unaware they were happening. Evidence uncovered by the Subcommittee revealed that former Congresswoman Liz Cheney tampered with at least one witness, Cassidy Hutchinson, by secretly communicating with Hutchinson without Hutchinsons attorneys knowledge, it reads. This secret communication with a witness is improper and likely violates 18 U.S.C. 1512. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Text messages through the encrypted Signal app uncovered by Loudermilks subcommittee show Cheney and Hutchinson communicating directly, as well as a separate prior conversation between Hutchinson and fellow Trumpland figure-turned-witness Alyssa Farah Griffin. Griffin, in her texts to Hutchinson, describes her own conversation with Cheney in which the congresswoman supposedly spoke approvingly about Hutchinsons first round of testimony to the committee and was interested in hearing more. She said she admires you, and can tell you want to do the right thing from your testimony, Griffin wrote to Hutchinson in April of 2022. Liz Cheneys role on the January 6 committee made her a permanent target for Republican vengeance. Now, a house subcommittee is saying she should face a DOJ investigation (Getty Images) Despite text messages from Griffin stating that Cheneys one concern was that ethically, she couldnt speak to Hutchinson without the latters attorney present, later text messages show Hutchinson reaching out to Cheney directly and asking for a phone call. Loudermilks report does not specify about which section of the law Cheneys communications with the former Trump White House aide were supposedly in violation. The law states that its illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, mislead or otherwise push to alter witness testimony for any official proceeding, including congressional hearings, but even Loudermilks own press release does not accuse Cheney of doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Loudermilk argues that Cheney and others on the January 6 investigative committee knew that Hutchinson planned to make outrageous and supposedly untrue claims and knowing that, still promoted her testimony. He noted in his press release that Cheneys memoir avoided mentioning her role in recommending new attorneys for Hutchinson, though Griffins own book did. But it remains unclear if any of those actions constituted clear violations of the U.S. code, or merely crossed ethical boundaries. Some legal experts have already cast doubt on that idea. Jonathan Turley, a conservative legal commentator cited by Republicans for his opposition to the impeachment of Donald Trump in 2021, wrote that ethical proceedings are unlikely [for Cheney] after the disclosure of ex parte communications with former Trump aide Cassidy Hutchinson even as he acknowledged that the evidence seemingly contradicts public accounts of how Hutchinson decided to fire her counsel and change her testimony. He added: As an investigating member of Congress, she had an institutional interest, if not a duty, to pursue witnesses. Cassidy Hutchinson gave some of the most explosive testimony during the 2022 hearings on the January 6 attack. The House subcommittee is questioning Cheneys contact with Hutchinson (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Hutchinsons greatest revelation which came after her first round of testimony was disputed by Secret Service officials and other Trump aides: her insistence that Trump had lunged at an agent within a vehicle after being told he would not be driven to the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney had an ethical responsibility to only communicate with Hutchinson with her attorney present, Loudermilks press release stated. However, Hutchinsons sensational testimony was essential to the Select Committees inquisition of President Trump. Thus, Cheney apparently defied her ethical responsibilities and communicated directly with Hutchinson behind [her attorney]s back, encouraged her to fire [her attorney], and even assisted Hutchinson in obtaining new representation. The former congresswoman responded in a statement on Bluesky: No reputable lawyer, legislator or judge would take this seriously. Chairman Loudermilks interim report inteltionally disregards the truth and the Select Committees tremedous weight of evidence, she continued, and instead, fabricates lies and defamatory allegations in an attempt to cover up what Donald Trump did. These allegations do not reflect a review of the evidence, and are a malicious and cowardly assault on the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney left Congress at the beginning of 2023, having been targeted by President-elect Donald Trump as one of his chief enemies within the Republican Party. The Wyoming congresswoman faced a primary challenger, Harriet Hageman, who ran with Trumps endorsement and defeated Cheney. Her work involved co-chairing the committee that launched a months-long investigation into the January 6 attack on Congress that uncovered new details about the siege, including statements from Trumps closest allies and advisors fretting nervously about the very likely prospect of violence breaking out in the days just prior. The committees report also highlighted how the former president did little but watch news coverage for hours as some of his own family members and allies in Congress begged him to take more decisive action. Trump, in the wake of the committees investigation, blamed congressional Democratic leaders for supposedly being unprepared; he has since vowed to pardon a number of those charged with crimes on the day of the attack. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) Gov. Jim Justice (R) announced the approval of $65 million in School Building Authority (SBA) funds on Tuesday including $16,982,966 toward the construction of a new Suncrest Middle School. The county has already approved the purchase of the land on which the school will be built, located near Mon Health Medical Center. Gov. Justice said that the award is a multi-year commitment that will be made in two payments$11,400,437 in Fiscal Year 2025 and $5,582,529 in Fiscal Year 2026. Woman wins $100k through West Virginia Lottery app Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of the Suncrest project, a few other projects in north central West Virginia were approved on Tuesday including $5,313,402 in Harrison County for the expansion of the Robert C. Byrd Career & Technical Center and the cafeteria at Mountaineer Middle School. Funds totaling $2,774,945 were also secured in Marion County in order to improve safe school entrances at nine Marion County schools. Fairmont Senior High School became the first school in the county to install weapon detection systems in September after facial recognition software was installed at other schools across the county in 2023. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Two Georgia law enforcement officers were recently honored by Gov. Brian Kemp for their acts of heroism. On Nov. 22, 2023, while on patrol in Glynn County, the two officers came across a pickup truck lodged under a dump truck on GA Highway 25. When they arrived, the dump truck was on fire. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Without hesitation, Sgt. Brooks and Game Warden Tsiklistas rushed to the truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair pulled the severely injured driver to safety. They used a fire extinguisher to try and control the fire, all while ammunition and guns inside the truck began to explode. Fortunately, both officers and the driver made it to safety and firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Gov. Bill Lee has joined a group of 26 Republican governors willing to use any and every tool necessary to help President-elect Donald Trump with his plan to deport illegal immigrants, including the National Guard. In a joint statement issued Dec. 11, the Republican Governors Association wrote, 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, the statement 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, the statement from the Republican Governors Association continued. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Two days before, journalists asked Gov. Lee if he would use the National Guard to help carry out President-elect Trumps plan for mass deportations. Lee didnt directly answer yes or no, but he made it clear he agrees with and supports the incoming presidents policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump was elected based on the ideas he put forth, and the people clearly believed his ideas were good ones and therefore gave him a very strong message, primarily by electing him, Gov. Lee responded. I agree with his policies, but most importantly I agree that he should, because he has been elected, he should follow through with what he promised he would do for the American people. To the degree that Tennessee participates in that, I look forward to seeing what his plans finally are going to be, and we will be supportive of his strategies of the president. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), illegal immigration cost Tennessee close to $1 billion last year in education, healthcare, law enforcement, corrections, and other costs. While the details of President-elect Trumps mass deportation plan are still unclear, Ira Mehlman, the media director at FAIR, told News 2 the National Guard and state police could fill support roles during the deportation process to free up resources for the Department of Homeland Security. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means perhaps supervising people who have been arrested and are awaiting deportation, Mehlman said. There are all sorts of other needs that the Department of Homeland Security can designate to these local law enforcement that would assist them in doing the job the American people want them to do. However, the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) unequivocally condemns using the National Guard for mass deportations. Luis Mata, communications coordinator for TIRRC told News 2 not only would it negatively impact families, but also the state. Mass deportations is not just a moral disaster, but its an economic one, Mata said. The state resources we are wasting on mass deportations and would potentially waste on mass deportations could instead go toward giving our communities, all Tennesseans the resources to truly thrive, like access to affordable housing, quality healthcare, quality education for all Tennessee working families. Gov. Lee has previously activated the National Guard to mitigate illegal immigration. In 2021, he deployed 300 guardsmen to the Southern border, then sent additional waves of guardsmen in 2023 and most recently in March 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 2 reached out to Gov. Lees office for a comment. A spokesperson directed us back to Lees previous comments from Dec. 9. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The Republican Governors Association joint statement was signed by RGA Policy Chair Gov. Henry McMaster (SC), Gov. Kay Ivey (AL), Gov. Mike Dunleavy (AK), Gov. Sarah Sanders (AR), Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL), Gov. Brian Kemp (GA), Gov. Brad Little (ID), Gov. Eric Holcomb (IN), Gov. Kim Reynolds (IA), Gov. Jeff Landry (LA), Gov. Tate Reeves (MS), Gov. Mike Parson (MO), Gov. Greg Gianforte (MT), Gov. Jim Pillen (NE), Gov. Joe Lombardo (NV), Gov. Chris Sununu (NH), Gov. Doug Burgum (ND), Gov. Kevin Stitt (OK), Gov. Mike DeWine (OH), Gov. Kristi Noem (SD), Gov. Bill Lee (TN), Gov. Greg Abbott (TX), Gov. Spencer Cox (UT), Gov. Glenn Youngkin (VA), Gov. Jim Justice (WV), and Gov. Mark Gordon (WY). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Colorado Supreme Court took the extraordinary step on Monday of retracting its two-month-old decision recognizing tenants have the right to a jury trial in certain types of eviction disputes. In a three-page, unsigned order, the Supreme Court explained its prior opinion rested on a factual premise that the Court has now been advised was inaccurate. Rather than reassess its reasoning, the justices opted to abandon the issue outright. It is up to the legislature to clarify its intent, the court wrote. Its surprising to see the Colorado Supreme Court dramatically and unexpectedly reverse itself just two months after its landmark decision, said Spencer Bailey, who represented tenant Naomi Bermudez in her eviction appeal before the court. By rolling back critical rights that were recognized just two months ago, the court has created more confusion for landlords, tenants, and trial courts. Originally, the court was presented with the question of whether tenants disputing their evictions are entitled to have a jury decide any disputed factual issues. By a 4-2 decision in October, the justices answered yes. Although she received a favorable decision in her case, Bermudez quickly filed a petition asking the court to reconsider. The decision had touched on two sections of Colorados eviction law: one applying to tenants who are personally served with a notice of eviction and one applying to tenants who are served otherwise such as a posted notice on their door. Crucially, only the section for personal service mentions a jury. The Supreme Court proceeded on the understanding that Bermudez was personally served with her notice of eviction. This language contemplates that a jury (not just a court) may try the issue, wrote Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. However, Bermudezs petition alerted the court that she was not, in fact, personally served. Instead, she only received notice through a posting on her door and in the mail. The courts analysis, therefore, did not actually apply to her. Featured Local Savings Nevertheless, her attorney argued the Supreme Court should read both sections together, such that the right to a jury trial applied no matter the circumstances in which a tenant is informed of their eviction. Bermudezs landlord, Mercy Housing Management Group Inc., agreed the court made a mistake, but disagreed that the outcome should be the same. The opinion is crystal clear that tenants are only entitled to a jury trial when personally served, wrote attorney Chrisopher R. Cunningham. Instead of engaging in a new analysis, the Supreme Court chose to ditch the question entirely, believing the law does not make clear whether a person in Bermudezs circumstances has the right to a jury trial. The Court is unwilling to proceed by judicial fiat, the justices wrote in the Dec. 16 order, punting to the legislature to decide whether and when the right to a jury trial applies. The withdrawn opinion means county courts will likely resume the practice of trying eviction cases to a judge, not a jury. Colorado Poverty Law Project is disheartened and disappointed by the Colorado Supreme Courts ruling that retracted their prior decision recognizing the right to a jury trial in evictions, said Jack Regenbogen, deputy executive director of the legal aid organization. This decision undermines due process for Coloradans at risk of losing housing, and moreover, it creates judicial confusion based on an arbitrary and meaningless distinction whether the tenant received notice by a person or by posting on their door. He added that he hoped the General Assembly will address this miscarriage of justice. I plan on reviewing the order with my colleagues and charting an appropriate course, said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, an attorney who litigates on behalf of tenants. Justice Brian D. Boatright did not participate in the case. As is the Supreme Courts practice, he did not disclose the reason for his recusal. The case is Mercy Housing Management Group Inc. v. Bermudez. Abdur Azim was among the 33 people that Gov. Phil Murphy pardoned on Dec. 16, 2024. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pardoned 33 people and shortened the prison sentences of three more, the first time he has exercised his clemency powers in his seven years in office. The people granted clemency have criminal records for all sorts of offenses, from shoplifting to murder, with a majority having convictions for non-violent drug offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were recommended for clemency by an advisory board created in June and fit certain categories, such as non-violent offenders who have stayed out of trouble for at least a decade. People serving excessive sentences or who committed their crimes because they were victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, or sex trafficking are also eligible. Murphy signed many of the pardons Monday in his office at the Statehouse before an audience of criminal justice and civil rights advocates. In recent years, all of these individuals have distinguished themselves as upstanding citizens who are dedicated to giving back to their communities. Despite these facts, these individuals have been forced to live under the dark cloud that comes with having a criminal record, Murphy said. For them, receiving a pardon does not just represent redemption. It means it will be much easier for them to go about their daily lives, everything from applying for a new job to securing housing to simply traveling out of the country to visit friends or family. Justin Dews chairs the states clemency review board. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Justin Dews, who chairs the clemency advisory board, said board members reviewed clemency applications from people whose addictions drove their criminality but who are now recovered, those who committed crimes because of the foolishness of youth, and others who have used their time behind bars to better themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All those who are receiving clemency today, they share this in common: Theyve accounted for their past mistakes and faced the consequences for their actions, Dews said. The board created a thoughtful, systematic process to review clemency applications, he added. For the first time in our states history, we can say that fairness and not favor is the guiding principle behind the governors clemency decisions, Dews said. Amol Sinha, who heads the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, agreed New Jerseys categorical approach to clemency is a big deal because it aims to correct injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just waiting for the politically connected individual to make their way to Governor Murphys desk, but rather looking for the people who should no longer be incarcerated and no longer suffer the harms of their criminal sentences, Sinha said. Hopefully this is just the beginning, and throughout the last year of the governors term, hes going to do many, many more and be a real leader in clemency in the country. Abdur Azim was among the first to get a pardon, standing by the governors side as he signed the paperwork that pardoned his decades-old convictions for shoplifting, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and robbery. Before that, he shared a story about Murphy calling him about the pardon. He briefly wondered whether the voice on the other line was artificial intelligence, he said. I did not expect it to be a call from the governor, Azim said. I actually I cried. I cried. That was my first feeling. My second feeling was that it was just so surreal, like I was like, My god, I cannot believe this is happening! Its like a very long time coming, Azim said. Loreale Wilsons mother, Dawn Jackson, was among three women whose prison sentences Gov. Phil Murphy commuted on Dec. 16, 2024. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Dawn Jackson will also soon go free after getting sentenced in 1999 to 30 years in prison without parole eligibility for the fatal stabbing of her step-grandfather, Robert McBride, after years of sexual abuse. Celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian championed Jacksons case in her documentary series The Justice Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loreale Wilson, Jacksons daughter, teared up as she recounted learning her mother would be freed. Her mother, Wilson said, taught her perseverance and what it means to be resilient through difficult times and to keep striving no matter what life can throw at you. What this means to 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. The Rev. Pamela B. Jones, a reentry provider, also applauded the clemency actions, saying systemic inequities make second chances especially important. Clemency is not about erasing accountability. Its about acknowledging that change is possible, that people can grow, and that justice must be tempered with mercy, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy promised that Mondays batch of pardons and clemency wouldnt be his last. People can apply for clemency here. My only regret is that we didnt get to this day sooner, he said. But we will not let the grass grow. We will have more days like this over the next 13 months. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WFLA) Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Tuesday to speak about the success of Floridas Purple Star Schools of Distinction program. He was joined by Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs Director, James Hammer Hartsell, at Callaway Elementary School to commend the program, which is awarded to schools that offer extensive support for military families. In his speech, DeSantis acknowledged the lack of stability a career in the military affords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not easy when you have kids in school, and kids have to switch schools, said DeSantis. We wanted to make sure that these transitions were positive, the experience was positive for our military families, and thats why we created the purple stars school of distinction program, DeSantis explained. One hundred and seventy-six schools across Florida have now earned this designation, a feat which he described as a remarkable achievement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids City Commission will consider a proposal Tuesday that would reorganize the citys financial departments. City officials are at odds over its effects. The Grand Rapids Fiscal Committee and City Commissions vote will determine whether or not to reduce the city comptrollers department from 16 positions down to three by moving those people and their functions into the fiscal services department. The comptroller is sounding the alarm, saying the citys checks and balances would be eliminated. Meanwhile, the city manager behind the move says its about efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GR commission OKs project that would create downtowns tallest building The conflicting views come down to disagreements over a section of the city charter that outlines the duties of the comptroller and its office essentially the citys accounting department. Those primary duties are accounting for all city revenues and expenses, all money going into the city and going out and paying the citys bills and payments, vendors, orgs, nonprofits. Our team process payments for any funds or money leaving city hall, said Grand Rapids Comptroller Max Frantz. City Manager Mark Washington argues that the duties of preparing payroll and other accounting responsibilities, and the auditing of that accounting, should be housed in different departments. Payroll, for example, is a management responsibility. We should be producing payroll and the comptroller can review the record, report on it, audit it and determine if it is being conducted correctly and he will have the staff and technological access to accomplish that, Washington said. Grand Rapids holds hearing on triple tower development project Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proposal would leave the comptrollers department with four total positions: the comptroller, which is an elected office, their appointed deputy, one auditor and one admin staffer. Washington told News 8 thats plenty of staff to properly approve and audit the citys finances. Frantz disagrees. Absolutely not. Thats the primary concern. Most people will view this, as I do, as an attack on independent oversight of city finances, he said. Washington added that he moved forward with the proposal after consulting with the citys legal department and city commission during a closed-door session. If approved unanimously in subcommittee Tuesday morning, the proposal would go in front of the city commission Tuesday afternoon. If passed there, the changes will take effect on Jan. 6 after the new year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The Grain Belt Express transmission line can still move forward despite removal from a Department of Energy program meant to help spur transmission development in areas with limited infrastructure. (Robert Zullo/States Newsroom) Members of Kansas congressional delegation celebrated the federal governments decision Monday to remove a proposed electric transmission line route from a program offering assistance for power infrastructure projects. But the project will still move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Energy earlier this year announced a list of preliminary National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors to offer financial assistance and permits to transmission line builders in areas with little infrastructure. One of the corridors the agency initially proposed was the Grain Belt Express, a 5,000-megawatt transmission line expected to run from Kansas to Indiana proposed by Chicago-based Invenergy. The Grain Belt route was dropped from the program when the Department of Energy narrowed the proposed corridors Monday. U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said the program represented a dangerous overreach of federal authority, and on Monday took credit for the Department of Energys removal of the Grain Belt route. We are glad to report that we won this battle, and Kansans voices were heard at the highest levels, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Department of Energys decision Monday will not keep the Grain Belt Express transmission line from being built. While the agencys program helps obtain permits for transmission projects that cant get state approval, Invenergy has already obtained state approvals for Grain Belt. This designation was not required for the project to continue to advance toward construction, said Patrick Whitty, senior vice president of public affairs for transmission at Invenergy. Whitty said in a statement that Invenergy, too, asked that the Grain Belt route be removed from consideration for the Department of Energy program and was pleased the agency listened. Grain Belt Express is expected to run from southwest Kansas carrying renewable energy through Missouri and Illinois before ending at the Indiana border. To do so, the line has to cross thousands of properties and needs easements on landowners properties across three states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invenergy says it has obtained the vast majority of those easements through voluntary negotiations with landowners. For the rest, the project was granted the right of eminent domain, a legal mechanism that allows utilities and governments to take land or easements from unwilling landowners and compensate them. Grain Belts ability to use eminent domain has drawn the ire of Republican lawmakers and farm groups who fought to undermine the project at the Missouri General Assembly for years. Now federal lawmakers from Kansas, including Marshall, Sen. Jerry Moran and Rep. Tracey Mann are railing against the Department of Energy designations. Mann called Mondays announcement a huge win for Kansans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansans made it clear from the very beginning that we were not interested in the federal government seizing our private land, Mann said. Moran said the decision to allow projects like Grain Belt Express should be left up to Kansans, not Washington. In Missouri, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley has taken issue with a $4.9 billion loan the Department of Energy offered to the Grain Belt project. Hawley wrote a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm saying the Grain Belt line will wreak havoc on landowners. Your decision to commit funding to the Grain Belt Express via conditional loan comes after repeated refusals to engage with my constituents, Hawley said, who live in constant fear of their land being confiscated. This story was updated at 1:25 p.m. to clarify lawmakers comments. GRAND COTEAU, La. (KLFY) Grand Coteaus police chief promotes an officer to focus on juvenile offenders and at-risk minors. The decision signifies the importance of proactive decision-making when it comes to the towns youth. Newly ranked Cpl. Destahny Green has been promoted to serve the at-risk young population of Grand Coteau. Sometimes kids go through things mentally that we may not see, and they may do something based on what theyre going through. So, I just wanted to, you know, build a bridge, a different route, she said. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Green takes to the streets every weekday morning to manage school traffic. Afterward, Green heads over to the elementary school to visit with students. Some would rather charge a youth with something that could be detrimental to them being able to get this job, this place, or their place. Im more of the person to say let me talk to them. Let me see whats going on. Let me break them down, see why, and see where we can go from here, Green said. According to the private philanthropy group dedicated to children, the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that each year an estimated 195,000 young people are admitted to detention facilities across the nation. Just over 15,000 are held in detention on any given night. I tell them where Im from and tell them things Ive seen other kids going through; also things that Ive faced with people and friends I know, Green said. The chief said Green will be the police departments first juvenile-focused officer. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Grand Rapids Public Schools says its Board of Education has approved changes to the Reimagine facilities plan timeline, delaying two school relocations. While Alger Middle School was previously set to move to Ottawa Hills High School for the 2025-2026 school year, it will now make the transition for the 2026-2027 school year, according to a release from GRPS. The district says its been seeing growth lately in the two schools and wants to allow for an additional school year of continued culture-building. GRPS approves plan to build new school at Aberdeen site Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout this bond program, which goes over several years here, we are going to continuously evaluate all the moves. And if we have to make a change, we are going to do something, GRPS Communications Director Luke Stier told News 8. Were really proud of the work happening at Ottawa Hills and Alger, so lets take a moment to pause and let that work continue another year in the current facilities they are in before we bring them together. As a result, the relocation of Brookside Elementary School which is set to move into the renovated site that currently houses Alger Middle School will be postponed by a year, too. This transition is now scheduled for the 2027-2028 school year. Alex Smart, GRPS executive director of facilities, shared some details on the type of work necessary to retrofit school buildings for age groups they were not designed for. Moving middle school students to high school is not as difficult as moving elementary students to middle school, Smart told News 8. We will have to work on infrastructure to add bathrooms to some of the lower-elementary classrooms, pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. The furniture height and playground requirements are very important for elementary ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GRPS board approves new facilities plan In addition, GRPS says two renovation projects can now take place earlier than initially planned. Improvements at Kent Hills Elementary School and to the City High Middle School Performing Arts Center will be finished in 2026, which is a year earlier than expected. This is the type of work that people will see. The work we did last year, nobody could see. Its hidden behind doors and in the walls and in the roof, Smart said. This type of work, our scholars and parents will be able to see when they walk in the building. The board approved the changes on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. GUYMON A grandmother accused of orchestrating a double murder in the Oklahoma Panhandle now faces a jury trial. Tifany Adams, 55, on Tuesday waived both her preliminary hearing and her right to a speedy trial. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 16. A judge then began taking evidence and hearing testimony to determine whether her boyfriend, Tad Bert Cullum, 44, and Cole Twombly, 50, will face trial, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testifying against them Tuesday was Cora Twombly, 45, who struck a deal to plead guilty to the two murders in exchange for 30 years in prison. She has been married to Cole Twombly for nine years. More: Defendants now prosecution witnesses in murder case involving members of God's Misfits A fifth defendant, Paul Grice, 32, began testifying Tuesday afternoon. 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." Also, Adams at the time was chair of the Cimarron County Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing in Texas County District Court before Associate District Judge Clark Jett was held under extreme security. All the defendants wore bulletproof vests. What happened to Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley? All five are accused of killing Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, on March 30 after ambushing them on a dirt road just off a highway in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Butler was on her way from Kansas to pick up her children, then 6 and 8, from their grandmother. Adams had been taking care of the children at her home in Keyes and was in a court battle over their custody. Kelley, a pastor's wife, was with Butler to supervise her visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In testimony Tuesday, Cora Twombly said Adams had run out of money to continue the court fight. Adams thought the children had been abused by their uncle while with their mother, according to the testimony. The witness said Adams approached her for help killing Butler. "I told her we needed to do what we needed to do to keep the kids safe," Cora Twombly said. Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts The first plan was to throw a metal vice through the windshield of Butler's car on a country road so it would look like an accident, according to the testimony. They chose Butler's birthday, Feb. 28, but Butler did not travel that day out of Hugoton, Kansas, where she lived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams' second plan was to lure Butler and her visitation supervisor into a horse trailer when they picked up the boy and girl, according to the testimony. "Somebody asked, 'What about the supervisor?'" Cora Twombly recalled. "She said she had done nothing to keep the kids safe either. She said basically it was collateral damage. ... I think we all had a problem with it, but it was the plan." On March 30, Cora Twombly was the lookout, calling Adams when Butler drove by on the highway, according to the testimony. Cora Twombly said she knew the plan had gone wrong when she saw two people at the ambush site running from the trailer. She said she then saw Grice struggling on the ground with Butler. She recalled Grice saying, "I need some help. I need some help." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she gave Adams a stun device and told Adams to help. She said she later saw Grice on top of Butler moving his arms up and down. "I believe he was stabbing her," Cora Twombly said. Cora Twombly then destroyed both victims' cellphones and covered up blood on the ground with a shovel, according to the testimony. She then took Adams home. Butler and Kelley had been stabbed multiple times, 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. Adams, Cullum and Cole Twombly are charged with 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams also faces two counts of child neglect. Grice and Cora Twombly waived their preliminary hearings earlier. A waiver of the preliminary hearing often means a defendant has reached a deal. However, after Adams' waiver, District Attorney George H. Leach III announced that she still has a right to a jury trial. Also, her defense attorney, Mitch Solomon, remained in court taking notes. He declined comment afterward. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Grandma in 'God's Misfits' double murder case in Oklahoma faces trial In a few weeks, a Greater Johnstown Elementary School fourth-grade class will travel to Philadelphia to compete as one of 10 finalists statewide in the annual The Rendell Center Citizenship Challenge. Its going to be fun for all of us, student Xander Leventry said. He and 17 schoolmates from Brandon Simms class created the first entry that got them to the finals with a core group developing a script to present at the competition Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years Citizenship Challenge encouraged students in fourth and fifth grades to consider if the U.S. Constitution should be amended to eliminate the Electoral College system for selecting president and be replaced by the national popular vote. Teams took a position on the issue and wrote an essay defending their choice, with the top 10 being invited to the National Constitution Center next month to present a scene, song, rap, commercial or related creative endeavor to demonstrate their point. All the credit goes to the kids, Simms said. Throughout the process, hes been impressed with the pupils commitment to the contest and how hard theyve worked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To take on a topic like this thats such a high-level thinking topic Im just very impressed, Simms said. Since finding out that they advanced, Xander has worked with his peers Amirah Kmecak, Nova Lehman, Liam Sipes and Payton Goldberg on the groups final submission. (Amirah) started off, and we combined our ideas, Payton said. Amirah said she began working on the final submission after the Thanksgiving holiday and just tried to put everyones thoughts together. Nova said she, Amirah and Payton spoke frequently during the November break about their ideas and created a script that includes all their classmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three-minute skit focuses on election night and the following day in class, where students discuss the results with their teacher with a twist ending. Collectively, the fourth-graders agree that the Electoral College is very outdated and should be replaced, they said. I like our chances, Simms said. Weve got a really great script. Although the group is excited about advancing and looking forward to competing at the state level, they said theyve also enjoyed learning about how U.S. elections operate. I think its pretty cool that we know about that, Payton said about the process. Nova added that she got to educate her parents on the topic, which was enjoyable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre also looking forward to the trek to Philadelphia, which several said will be a field trip that theyll remember for the rest of their lives. Im excited to possibly win a prize and travel to Philadelphia, Liam said. Students will be judged by former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell; his wife, Judge Marjorie O. Rendell; and a team of moderators, who will ask each team questions about the issue. Grand prize winners will earn $1,000 to be used for a program that promotes civics learning and engagement in school, and four runners-up will each get $500 toward the same end. Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5054. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh. ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greek authorities say 23 migrants were rescued from a dinghy near the island of Lesbos in the eastern Aegean Sea on Tuesday. Rescue teams also recovered two more bodies after a boat carrying migrants sank off of Gavdos over the weekend, bringing the death toll to seven. Greece's government says migrant arrivals have increased by up to 35% since fall 2023. While most travel the short distance between the Turkish mainland and nearby Greek islands, a larger number now make the perilous 300-kilometer (200-mile) journey from the Libyan coast to the islands of Crete and Gavdos, officials said. On Sunday, some 39 migrants were rescued from the sinking vessel while three other rescue operations saved more than 150 others. Dozens remain missing, based on survivors' accounts, the coast guard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said pressure on eastern Mediterranean migration routes was likely to continue through 2025. The extensive geopolitical unrest in our broader region where three wars are raging, the most recent in Syria combined with the climate crisis, is forcing many to abandon their homes simply to survive, Panagiotopoulos said, speaking in parliament during a budget debate that ended late Sunday. All these factors are leading to a significant increase in migration and refugee flows since late 2023, he said. The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar Assad this month, Greece has temporarily suspended issuing final asylum decisions for Syrian applicants as the main basis for their claims persecution by the Assad regime may no longer apply. The asylum service is still accepting applications, but decisions are on hold pending a reassessment of conditions in Syria, according to government officials. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) The Green Bay Police Department went head to head with the Green Bay Metro Fire Department to see who could collect more donations for The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. Green Bay Police and Metro Fire Departments were ringing bells outside of Festival Foods on University Avenue in Green Bay on Monday, December 16, hoping to help bring in more money for the local Salvation Army. Bud Light no longer the best-selling draft beer at bars, data suggests Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Chris Davis from the Green Bay Police Department says bringing one of their dogs from the K-9 unit is something people cant resist. Bringing the dog along meant trying to get more folks to walk over for pets as well as donations. Two more match days will be held on Wednesday, December 18, at Festival Foods in De Pere, and Thursday, December 19, which will be held virtually to match all donations up to $1,000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A Greenville man was sentenced to 30 years behind bars after pleading guilty to the 2019 attack of a young mother. The 13th Circuit Solicitors Office said 29-year-old Uriel Romero-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct, first degree burglary and first degree armed robbery. Romero-Gonzalez was sentenced to serve 30 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. 7NEWS previously reported Romero-Gonzalezs arrest after he was accused of breaking into a 20-year-old womans apartment and sexually assaulting her at knifepoint while her baby was in the room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a release from the solicitors office, evidence presented during the plea hearing showed that Romero-Gonzalez entered the victims apartment off Villa Road in Greenville through an unlocked balcony door. The release stated once inside, Romero-Gonzalez hid his face, armed himself with a knife and sexually assaulted the victim before leaving the apartment with her cell phone and purse. According to evidence presented, the victim was able to use a cell phone Romero-Gonzalez dropped inside to call 911. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. CHICAGO Grubhub will pay $25 million to resolve allegations from the Federal Trade Commission and the Illinois Attorney General that the Chicago-based food delivery company engaged in deceptive and unfair practices harming diners, drivers and restaurants. The settlement announced Tuesday by FTC Commissioner Lina Khan and Attorney General Kwame Raoul follows a multi-year investigation into allegations of misleading pricing, unauthorized restaurant listings and inflated driver earnings claims. Our investigation found that Grubhub tricked its customers, deceived its drivers and unfairly damaged the reputation and revenues of restaurants that did not partner with Grubhub all in order to drive scale and accelerate growth, Khan said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays action holds Grubhub to account, putting an end to these illegal practices and securing nearly $25 million for the people cheated by Grubhubs tactics," she said. "There is no gig platform exemption to the laws on the books. The settlement includes a $140 million judgment against Grubhub, but that was partially suspended due to the company's inability to pay the full amount. If it turns out company officials misrepresented its financial status, Grubhub will have to immediately pay the rest. Customers are due to receive $24.8 million, with $200,000 set aside for the Illinois Attorney General's Office for use on consumer education and enforcement. In a statement, company representatives said they have been cooperative with regulators during their review of the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While we categorically deny the allegations made by the FTC, many of which are wrong, misleading or no longer applicable to our business, we believe settling this matter is in the best interest of Grubhub and allows us to move forward," they said. According to the seven-count complaint filed in the Northern District of Illinois, Grubhub company officials falsely advertised low-cost or zero-fee deliveries to attract consumers, only to tack on hidden service and small order fees at checkout. These charges often doubled or tripled the final cost of an order, even for subscribers to its Grubhub+ membership program, which was marketed as offering unlimited free delivery for $9.99 a month. According to the FTC, Grubhub failed to disclose these fees upfront and made it intentionally difficult for subscribers to cancel. Grubhubs app misleads diners with banners promising $0 delivery fees for Grubhub+ subscribers, reinforcing deceptive claims about free delivery throughout the ordering process, according to regulators. Such language still appears on the app as of the date of the settlement. (Federal Trade Commission/via Northern District of Illinois) Grubhub's tactics allowed company officials to seize money from its customers who paid with gift cards and pocket it for themselves, according to the 66-page complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Grubhub routinely fails to provide diners with any notification that their accounts are blocked or any means to restore access to their frozen funds," it alleged. "As a result, Grubhub often permanently denies those diners the use of their legitimate gift cards, effectively confiscating diners money." Internal company documents acknowledge the issue is its customers' biggest complaint to the Better Business Bureau. In just one month in 2022, there were more than 11,000 customer service contacts from nearly 7,000 diners reporting that their accounts had been improperly blocked. "One consumer whose family of six became ill with COVID-19 could use a $500 gift card only once before Grubhub blocked her account. Grubhub promised that someone would reach out within 48 hours to help, but no one ever did. Because they could not get any food delivered for over seven days, they had to ask other people to bring them food," the complaint alleged. "Yet another consumer, who was staying near a cancer center while her husband was receiving radiation treatment, could only use her $300 gift card once before she was blocked," it continued. "Grubhub purported to 'escalate' her issue and repeated the same empty promises of hearing back within 48 hours. The consumer reported that the experience was 'extremely extremely frustrating in an already vulnerable situation.' Similar sad stories abound." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurants also suffered under Grubhubs business model, according to regulators, who found that company officials listed hundreds of thousands of restaurants on the platform without their consent, misleading consumers into believing they had somehow partnered with the company while seeking to secure steep commissions from small business owners. The unauthorized listings resulted in outdated menus, incorrect orders and delivery delays that tarnished restaurants reputations. Grubhub, the complaint said, routinely delayed or imposed obstacles when unaffiliated restaurants requested removal from the platform. When Evanston restaurant owner Eric Young attempted to sever his relationship with the company in 2019, it continued to be listed the following year. In one case, he described a situation where a driver's GrubHub-issued credit card was declined and subsequently created a scene at his restaurant. "I'm sure you understand what a predicament that put me in, as I had no way to contact the customer to explain that GrubHub's unprofessionalism and predatory practices are what ultimately led to the order going unfulfilled," Young told company officials. "On top of that, I had to perform damage control to my waiting guests and explain that this entire situation is out of my hands, and that GrubHub is preying on small independent restaurants in order to maintain a failing, unsustainable business model." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal regulators also took issue with Grubhub's description of its drivers' potential earnings. Company officials have advertised the claim that its drivers can make more than double the minimum wage. But, in reality, only a tiny fraction of its drivers were making that much. For instance, its ads last year claimed that drivers in New York City could make up to $40, though only 0.1 percent of its drivers earned that much. "Similarly, when Grubhub advertised in April 2023 that Chicago drivers could earn Up to $26 Hourly, that was not true, either. The median earnings of a Chicago driver were only $11 per hour, and only 1.3% of drivers earned the promised $26 per hour," according to the complaint. The terms of the settlement require Grubhub, which does not admit wrongdoing, to cease deceptive business practices and implement transparency measures across its operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Company officials must clearly and conspicuously disclose all fees on the Grubhub platform including any service and small order fees at every stage of the ordering process. The company is prohibited from misrepresenting delivery costs, subscription benefits like free delivery for Grubhub+ and driver earnings and officials must simplify subscription cancellations to make sure it is as easy as enrolling and send its subscribers automatic renewal reminders. Grubhub is also barred from listing unauthorized restaurants without formal agreements, and it must also provide immediate notice and resolution mechanisms when blocking customer accounts with gift card balances. Grubhub's corporate headquarters are located at the Burnham Center, 111 W. Washington St. in Chicago. Last month, Just Eat Takeaway sold the company for $150 million in cash and $500 million in senior notes in a deal that is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. (Google Maps) Founded by Matt Maloney and Mike Evans in 2004, Grubhub quickly grew into one of the largest food delivery platforms in the United States. In 2013, it merged with Seamless, making an initial public offering the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facing rising competition from DoorDash and UberEats, which merged with Postmates in 2020, Grubhub's market share significantly declined. Amsterdam-based delivery firm Just Eat Takeaway bought Grubhub for $7.3 billion in June 2021, near the peak of the pandemic-fueled food delivery boom, in what turned out to be a tremendously unwise financial decision. By 2021, Grubhub handled 17 percent of food delivery sales in the U.S., compared to 57 percent for DoorDash and 21 percent for Uber Eats, according to Bloomberg data. In 2022, the European company wrote down its Chicago-based acquisition by nearly $3 billion. Then, last month, company officials announced a deal to sell Grubhub to New York startup Wonder Group for just $650 million, taking a 91 percent loss while retaining the company's material liabilities including the partially suspended $140 million judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This settlement is the culmination of a multi-year investigation into deceptive and illegal business practices perpetrated by Grubhub, Raoul said in a statement. I thank FTC Chair Lina Khan for another successful partnership between our offices that has resulted in relief for Illinois consumers, and I remain committed to holding businesses like Grubhub accountable for their deceptive business practices. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), the ranking member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded the action from federal regulators and Raoul's office. Consumers, workers, and small businesses alike are tired of being deceived. Food delivery apps promised more choice for consumers, flexibility and good pay for drivers, and access to customers for restaurants," Schakowsky said. "Instead, they are being deceived and defrauded by middlemen in the name of growth and profit." The FTC voted 5-0 to authorize the filing of the complaint and the settlement that resolves it, but two commissioners offered dissents on specific counts. Grubhub To Pay $25 Million Over Allegations Of Deceptive Practices originally appeared on the Evanston Patch YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Cleveland Guardians announcers Matt Underwood and Jim Rosenhaus are coming to Youngstown for a Q&A session on Jan. 7, 2025. The two will have a meet and greet put on by the Vestibule Club of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica in Youngstown. Admission is $35 per person and tables of eight can be reserved. Included in the admission is dinner with pasta, meatballs, chicken, sausage with peppers and onions, potatoes, green beans, salad and cake. Beverages will also be available for sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doors open at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. After dinner, Underwood and Rosenhaus will hold comments and a Q&A session. Tickets are available by contacting: 330-507-5203. The deadline for tickets is Dec. 27. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. AUGUSTA, Ga. A National Guard solider appeared in federal court Monday charged with murder in a weekend shooting that left an Army Reserve soldier 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. Hes charged with killing Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. on 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 confronted and fatally shot another man who had spent the night there, according to the affidavit. Army Cyber Center of Excellence officials identified Stewart as the victim Monday. Stewart joined the Army in 2019 and served on active duty as a human resource specialist, according to officials. He later transitioned to the Army Reserve in 2023 and was a member of the 400th Military Police Brigade at Fort Meade, Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 of Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower, in a statement Monday. 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. 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 sheriffs deputies in Meriwether County, about 180 miles from the base. The affidavit said Landry threw a 9mm handgun from the cars window after being pulled over and admitted to the shooting when questioned by an Army investigator. Military Times editor Beth Sullivan contributed to this report. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Police responded to reported gunfire on Youngstowns South Side Monday afternoon. Officers responded to Erie Street near the intersection of Florida and Marmion Avenues around 1 p.m. One person told police that two men got out of their vehicle on Erie Street and began firing gunshots before leaving eastbound on Marmion Avenue. Police recovered some shell casings between Florida Avenue and Rush Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said that police could not find any bullet damage or victims. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Photo via Getty Images More than half of public school teachers in Arizona say they may leave the profession in the next two years if working conditions dont improve, according to a new study examining the states teacher shortage crisis. The report, commissioned by Gov. Katie Hobbs Educator Retention Task Force, examined professional satisfaction among current and former teachers to inform policies that could help encourage them to remain in the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For almost a decade, the Grand Canyon State has struggled to retain teachers. A 2024 survey from the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association estimated that the states teacher shortage streak has stretched into its ninth year, with more than 6,000 positions remaining vacant or filled with unqualified candidates a month into the new academic calendar. And the new survey indicates the situation will only worsen in the near future. Roughly 69% of Arizona teachers have weighed leaving the profession in the past year, and 54% say theyre at least somewhat likely to change careers in the next two years. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The chief complaint from both current and former teachers was about inadequate compensation. In the 2021-2022 school year, Arizona ranked third-lowest in the country for teacher salaries, while having among the highest average class sizes that same year. Nearly three quarters of current Arizona teachers involved in the ASU study said dissatisfaction with their salary is driving them to consider leaving the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A higher salary would solve those problems: 93% of former teachers said increased pay would convince them to return. I loved teaching. I absolutely loved it, said one former teacher. I cant afford to be a teacher anymore. I would go back instantly if they paid a salary that was comparable to the private sector. I cant buy a house. My husband and I have been living with my parents for three years now, and Im done living with my parents, said another. I had to get a new job so that we could afford rent and we could move out. Because of student loans, because of medical bills, and all the things, I couldnt stay. Another concern impacting the ability of Arizona schools to remain fully staffed is discontent with state policies. About 70% of former teachers cited feeling micromanaged by state policies and not feeling respected as reasons for leaving the profession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers have recently become a target of culture war issues, with Republican lawmakers accusing them of advancing leftist ideologies in the classroom and opting to support school choice alternatives, like private school vouchers, rather than increasing public school funding. Respondents in the ASU survey expressed frustration with the lack of state support, and pointed out that insufficient funding for public schools contributes to their increased workloads and inadequate pay. I loved teaching. I absolutely loved it. I cant afford to be a teacher anymore. I would go back instantly if they paid a salary that was comparable to the private sector. An anonymous former Arizona teacher Some teachers noted that heightened distrust and scrutiny from parents restricts the instructional support theyre willing to give. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in my district are afraid to talk about (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) because they dont want to get reported to the hotline, said one current teacher, referencing an educational framework that helps create a safe learning environment. Thats just really disappointing, because weve seen it have such a positive impact on our students, on our staff, and our school community. Others pointed out that teachers, not lawmakers, are best equipped to know what works in the classroom. We know all of the data about what it takes to teach young people in a high-quality public education context, said a former teacher. We have information on how to do it effectively, and at every turn, there were fights about what was true and not true, about what was best for children. And I found that really, really frustrating as someone who is a scholar of education, to constantly be in a context in which we did not see data informing the work that we did. Among the possible solutions that both former and current teachers agreed with was including teachers in the policymaking process, re-evaluating the school voucher program and increasing funding for public schools. The vast majority of teachers, 96%, ranked raising salaries at the top of the checklist, and 91% agreed that ensuring teachers have enough lesson preparation time is pivotal to keeping them at the head of the classroom. Other solutions that were highly supported were decreasing classroom sizes and reducing health care insurance premium costs to help teachers afford coverage. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (KRON) A man suspected of burglarizing a Half Moon Bay business was arrested early Monday morning on several charges, according to the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office. At around 1:15 a.m., deputies made contact with the suspect at the Half Moon Bay Chevron gas station located at 375 Cabrillo Highway. Authorities said the man, identified as 42-year-old Jose Antonio Reyes Neri, is a known probationer and was out of jail on bail. A search of the man uncovered drugs, paraphernalia and multiple suspected stolen items, the sheriffs office said. San Mateo Co. DA declines to prosecute sheriff whistleblower: Should not have been arrested Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies were able to identify the owners of the items, including a local business. The business had unknowingly been burglarized hours earlier on Sunday evening, authorities said. The sheriffs office did not specify what was stolen. Neri was arrested and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility for burglary, possession of drugs and paraphernalia, petty theft, conspiracy to commit a crime and committing a felony while on bail. His next court date is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Hamas has become the latest party to the Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations to voice optimism about the prospects of reaching a deal, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in the region. In an official statement on Tuesday, Hamas said reaching an agreement was possible. A Hamas source also added that the talks were positive and optimistic. Top US, Israeli, Qatari and Egyptian officials have all touted progress in the negotiations in recent days. While officials caution that a deal is neither sealed nor guaranteed, the upbeat language and recent diplomatic activity point to significant momentum toward reaching a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CIA director, Bill Burns, is expected to travel to Qatar this week to participate in further talks on a ceasefire in Gaza, a US official and a second source familiar with the plans told CNN, with Burns expected in Doha as early as Wednesday, according to the second source. An Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN that a deal was still potentially weeks away. Hamas also cautioned that hurdles remain, suggesting that Israel was imposing new conditions in the negotiations. The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas affirms that in light of the serious and positive discussions taking place in Doha today, under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange is possible if the occupation stops imposing new conditions, the organization said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Israeli and Hamas teams are in the Qatari capital for indirect negotiations. The Israeli delegation includes representatives from the Mossad and Shin Bet security services, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. It is the most intensive period since talks fell apart at the end of August. The terms of the deal are broadly the same as the proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden earlier this year, according to a diplomatic source familiar with the matter. The three-phase Biden proposal in late May paired a release of hostages held in Gaza with a full and complete ceasefire. The first phase would last six weeks and include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the US president had said. What has changed is that Israeli forces are likely to stay in Gaza temporarily, when phase one of a deal starts, the diplomatic source said, namely in the strip of land on the Gaza-Egypt border, called the Philadelphi corridor, and in an area bisecting the strip, known as the Netzarim corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels demand that its troops remain along the Philadelphi corridor and Hamas insistence that they withdraw was a key reason for the collapse of talks in August. A US official told CNN that the Doha meetings were at the lower working level. US officials believe that a deal is closer than it has been but caution that there are gaps and sticking points that remain between Israel and Hamas, the official said. The optimistic language follows a slew of regional diplomatic activity, including a visit by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to Israel, Egypt and Qatar last week. My goal will be to put us in a position to be able to close this deal this month, Sullivan said last week, speaking after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brett McGurk, a top Middle East adviser to President Biden, remained in Doha with other US officials working toward a ceasefire in Gaza as US officials believe that a deal is closer than it has been. McGurk had been traveling in the region with Sullivan and the fact that he stayed is a sign the administration feels positive momentum, but a deal is not expected imminently. US and Israeli officials have said conditions have ripened for an agreement to be reached in the wake of the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which has further isolated Hamas in its battle against Israel. Officials also point to the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and other Israeli military achievements as giving the Israeli government the victories it has sought to achieve before reaching a ceasefire deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the death toll from Israeli military action in Gaza has risen to almost 45,000, with more than 106,000 people injured, according to the health ministry in the territory. US President-elect Donald Trump has also impacted talks, nudging Netanyahu toward a deal and threatening that there would be all hell to pay if the hostages were not released by the time he took office. His incoming team has also coordinated closely with the Biden administration and made trips to the region to help secure a deal. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Tuesday there is cautious optimism tempered by realism about the possibility of finally achieving a truce in Gaza. Based on the remaining issues, we should be able to get to an agreement, we should be able to bridge the disagreements between the two parties, Miller said, without going into detail about the remaining issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that is not to say that that we will, because again, there have been times before where we were close and we thought the differences were bridgeable, and ultimately we didnt get a deal, he said at a press briefing Tuesday. As youve heard me say before, all the United States can do is push and try to come up with compromises, but we cannot dictate to either side what choice they have to make. They have to make those decisions for themselves. Einav Zangauker, center, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, takes part in a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 7. - Mahmoud Illean/AP/File The longtime Israeli hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin cautioned that there is no deal until there is a deal. Hamas has been ready since September for a comprehensive deal to end the war, return all the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and even agreed to give up control in Gaza, said Baskin, who is not directly involved in the talks but remains a keen analyst. What is brewing now, perhaps, is a major Egyptian-Qatari effort to reach a deal in stages. Public anger against Hamas is erupting throughout Gaza, he said. At the same time, Hamas will not agree to release all the hostages if the IDF remains in Gaza, and even if there is a temporary ceasefire, it will not last if Israel intends to prevent the free movement of a million Gazans who want to return to their homes that no longer exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli prime minister has also vowed that he will not end the war until Hamas is completely defeated in Gaza, raising the prospect of the war resuming once a number of hostages are released in the first phase of the agreement. Amid the optimism, more destruction Renewed optimism over the talks comes even as Israeli forces continue to pound northern Gaza in an offensive Israel says is targeting Hamas renewed presence in the area. Israeli attacks killed at least a dozen people in Gaza overnight, health officials in the enclave said on Wednesday. Ten people were killed and a number of others wounded in Israeli strikes on a home near Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry. The area has been hit repeatedly in the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said a strike there on Tuesday had targeted Hamas militants who were planning to attack Israeli forces. Islam Ahmad, an eyewitness who was inside the hospital at the time told CNN the strike hit a residential building housing displaced families. The destruction around Kamal Adwan has restricted the flow of medical supplies to what is one of only three hospitals still operational in northern Gaza. The hospital has been bombarded relentlessly in recent days, according to its director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Attacks on its generators have left it without electricity, its water tank has been destroyed and staff in its intensive care unit the last functioning one in the area, according to Safiya have been shot at. Anyone who moves in the hospital risks being injured or killed. As of now, there is no electricity, water, or oxygen at all, he said Tuesday, adding, It is clear that the whole world either does not see or does not want to see what is happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the three minimally operational hospitals left in northern Gaza, Kamal Adwan is the closest to Israeli military activity in Beit Lahiya and the Jabalya Refugee Camp and has been receiving most of the injured from the surrounding fighting. On Monday, the World Health Organizations director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said WHO staff had finally reached the hospital two days earlier after four previous missions were denied access, leaving the hospital without specialized personnel for surgical and maternal care. The WHO chief said the ongoing hostilities around the hospital had further damaged the oxygen supply, generators, and broken windows and doors of the patients rooms. The conditions in the hospital are simply appalling, he said. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com You can search for dams using the National Inventory of Dams at https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/#/. (Screenshot, National Inventory of Dams) Of the 64 state-owned dams classified as high hazard meaning their failure could result in loss of life 33 are in poor condition, said the chief engineer of the Department of Environmental Services Dam Bureau. Each one of those high hazard dams, I mean, the risk associated, if that dam was to fail, there would be probable loss of life, said Corey Clark, who oversees the bureau. And here in New Hampshire, a high hazard dam can be anything from one home being impacted or hundreds or more homes being impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fixing New Hampshires state-owned dams is an expensive task one a bipartisan group of lawmakers studying the issue recommended in a November report be addressed through fees. It would take $300 million to rehabilitate all of the high hazard state-owned dams and another $114 million for the others, Clark told the committee. In other words, to get the states dams up to standards in the next 50 years, the bureau would need $16 million annually, he said. Right now, it gets less than half that a year. Current revenues place the Bureau in a shortfall, extending the repair and rehabilitation schedule to 100 years, lawmakers wrote in the report. Considering the age, condition, and growth of development downstream from dams, this is an untenable situation which is poised to deteriorate. New Hampshire, unlike most other states, owns a significant portion of dams within its borders, most of which were acquired between the 1940s and 60s, the report said. The state owns 276 dams, and is responsible for maintaining and operating 208 of those, according to Clark. Of those, about 111 are owned by DES, 97 by the Fish and Game Department, and the rest by various state agencies and entities, Clark said. Just five operators oversee those 208 dams, which breaks down to just over 40 dams per person, Clark said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we have a major flood event our resources are just stretched, Clark said. Were competing with every other agency that is trying to get some general funds to keep their agencies going. So it does become a challenge of trying to maintain these dams, particularly when we have either flooding events or even this summer, the drought we had, trying to maintain those water resources throughout the state becomes challenging. As dams have aged, more people have simultaneously moved into the line of risk. Because of downstream development, the number of dams classified as high hazard has almost doubled since 2004, the report said. The remaining state-owned dams fall into the other risk categories: 34 classified as a significant hazard, 80 as low hazard, and 98 as non-menacing. These categories describe the risk the dams pose in the event of failure, not the actual condition of the dams. Weve not built more high hazard dams, but more dams have been reclassified to be high hazard, therefore increasing the criteria that those dams then have to meet, Clark said. For example, a low hazard dam must meet standards for a 50-year storm event, while a high hazard dam must meet the criteria for a 1,000-year event. So you have a dam that may have been, you know, satisfactory when it was a low hazard dam (that) gets reclassified to be a high hazard dam. Now its in poor condition because, you know, it cannot pass that 1,000-year event. The average state-owned dam is more than a century old. Pawtuckaway Lake in the southeastern part of the state has four dams that were built in the mid-1800s, Clark said. Its largest dam has a wooden gate about 25 feet below the water that hasnt seen daylight in well over, I think, 40 years, he said. So, really if you look at it that way, Pawtuckaway Lake is relying on a wooden gate at the bottom thats over 40 years old. And its not the only water body relying on decades-old gates, Clark added. The flow gates on Murphy Dam in Pittsburgh are nearing a century old; unaltered since installation in 1940, the report said. (The four Pawtuckaway Lake dams are in poor condition, though their hazard classifications range from low to significant to high, according to the National Inventory of Dams. The Murphy Dam is considered high hazard, but its condition is not rated.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dam bureau operates on about $7.5 million a year, Clark said, but for us to really dive into that backlog, get these dams to meet current criteria, its going to take, likely, another $8 million annually. The lawmakers studying the situation now-retired Sen. Lou DAllesandro, a Manchester Democrat; Rep. Ron Dunn, a Londonderry Republican; Rep. Mike Ouellet, a Colebrook Republican; and Rep. Peter Leishman, a Peterborough Democrat agreed unanimously to recommend two new policies to raise funds for dam repairs. One would assess a fee of $1.58 per foot of linear shoreline upon all taxable waterfronts maintained by a state-owned dam, which would generate an estimated $7.5 million annually from the approximately 4.79 million linear feet of taxable, eligible shoreline, the report said. Another funding source would be a $5 fee for boater registration that would go to DES dam maintenance fund. That would generate an estimated $530,000 a year, the lawmakers found. Leishman said he is sponsoring legislation for those fees, and that three Republicans, including the two who sat on the study committee, will be co-sponsors. He said the study committee members werent married to the shoreline or boat registration fees and are open to other suggestions for how to generate the money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fees and tax increases generally dont receive a very favorable vote. If anything, weve been, you know, taking taxes away and reducing our revenue, Leishman said, referencing the interest and dividends tax that goes away at the end of the year. That lost revenue is a little troubling, Leishman said, especially in light of the issues with the dams and other infrastructure in the state. If lawmakers dont raise the money, other options might be on the table, he said. Well, we either have to make these repairs and pay for these repairs somehow. We may get some positive feedback, Leishman said. Otherwise, well have to start looking at draining the lakes behind these dams. And I dont think that would be met with a lot of enthusiasm. (Clark said the bureau can take the step of draining an impoundment when it finds imminent problems, but that this very rarely occurs.) Many of the states most treasured water bodies look the way they do because of dams, Clark said. Without dams, Lake Winnipesaukee could drop by 8 feet, Newfound Lake by at least 6 feet, Squam Lake possibly by about 12 feet, and Goose Pond in Grafton County by 20 feet, he said. A lot of people, Clark said, they dont think about, you know, why is this water here? The Hanford Site is the most polluted area in the US, though cleanup started decades ago. Estimates say it will take decades more and up to $640 billion to finish the job. The site just received record funding for cleanup, but the next administration may not follow suit. Sitting on 586 square miles of desert in Washington, the Hanford Site has the most radioactive and chemical contamination in America. Buried in storage tanks beneath the ground are 56 million gallons of radioactive waste. Many of them are leaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the late 1990s, Washington's then-governor, Gary Locke, called Hanford "an underground Chernobyl waiting to happen," the Associated Press reported. As part of the Manhattan Project, Hanford produced the plutonium to build Fat Man, the atomic weapon that was detonated above Nagasaki at the end of World War II, and for the United States' nuclear arsenal during the Cold War. In 1989, after years of dismissing concerns about contamination, the site's management finally said the site needed to be cleaned up. But cleaning up nuclear waste is difficult. It can't be burned or buried. Soon, a waste management plant will turn the waste into glass, which can be stored away for thousands of years. It's a slow, costly process. Yet time is of the essence. The longer the contaminated materials are left untreated, the worse they become. Plus, natural disasters could spread the site's contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's how Hanford became so toxic. Hanford is built on a desert in Washington, spread over 586 square miles. An aerial view of the Hanford nuclear site from 1995. Department of Energy/Handout via REUTERS During the Manhattan Project in the mid-1940s, Hanford was one of three main sites where thousands of workers developed and built the world's first atomic bombs. The government wanted both secrecy and security and chose an isolated location, away from cities on the East Coast. It's about 150 miles southeast of Seattle. The Columbia River passes Hanford to the north and the east by a few miles, and it's downstream from two dams. The Columbia River flows under the Vernita Bridge near the Hanford Reach National Monument. Elaine Thompson/AP The government wanted the site to be close to dams for electricity and near the river so it had a source of liquid to cool the reactors. The rural setting meant the operation would have to displace fewer people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hanford Nuclear Reservation began operating on September 26, 1944. What was then known as the Hanford Engineering Works, in 1945. Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images The government purchased the land in 1943 and gave about 2,000 locals, many of them farmers and Indigenous people, 30 days to leave, The New York Times reported. One resident, Annette Heriford, later said the government paid far less than the land was worth, per the Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF). The first reactor took 11 months to build, and the majority of the 51,000-person workforce did not know what they were working on. Workers arriving at the Hanford Site in August 1945. AP Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They understood their work was related to the war effort, but the site's role in building a nuclear weapon was top secret. The area experienced swift growth in just a couple of years. A worker repairing an inner tube at the Hanford Site, circa 1944. US Department of Energy/US War Department/National Park Service There were so many workers that Hanford and nearby Richland swelled with thousands of new residents. Most were white men, but Hanford also employed Black, Indigenous, and Latino workers, in addition to white women, according to the National Park Service. Hundreds of new buildings went up to accommodate the growing population, including banks, grocery stores, and cafeterias. Some of these places were integrated, while others were segregated. Restaurants in the area barred Black workers from entering, Cascade PBS reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To keep the nuclear complex secret, the government barred trespassers and set up a buffer zone. The White Bluffs near the Hanford Site. Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The area stretched along the Columbia River, covering hundreds of acres. The B Reactor was the first large-scale nuclear reactor ever built. Scientists, including Leona Marshall Libby, one of Hanford's few female scientists in the 1940s. Department of Energy/National Park Service It was the B Reactor that produced the first plutonium in the United States. The first supply of plutonium was delivered to the Army on February 2, 1945, just four months after the reactor began operating. No one fully understood plutonium's effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment at the time. An early warning sign at the Hanford Site. US Department of Energy/National Park Service Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The physicians working at Hanford reportedly knew radiation could cause illness, and they used dosimetry devices to monitor workers' exposure. They would wear badges containing photographic film that would develop an image of the protective case when exposed to radiation. Hanford's plutonium was used in the Trinity test, the first detonated nuclear bomb. The Trinity Test, the first ever detonation of a nuclear device at Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1945. Jack Aeby/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Fat Man, the nuclear bomb that was detonated over Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945, also contained Hanford's plutonium. The bomb killed an estimated 50,000 people in Nagasaki, The BBC reported. Another 135,000 people died in Hiroshima, Japan, where the US dropped a uranium bomb a few days earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suddenly, Hanford's purpose was no longer a secret. A Hanford worker paints a sign circa 1945 to 1955. US Department of Energy/National Park Service On August 6, 1945, Spokane, Washington, residents awoke to the news that Hanford was one of the secret sites responsible for the atomic bombs. "Tongues wagged, workmen talked, nearly every truck driver who passed that way had his pet theory," The Spokane Daily Chronicle reported at the time. "Many may have guessed the correct answer. But still the riddle of Hanford remained and the secret was kept." After World War II, there was a brief production hiatus. But in 1948, plutonium became a priority again. A scientist in protective clothing operates a polishing grinder at Hanford Site in 1957. AP Photo/Ed Johnson This time it was to supply the US with a nuclear arsenal during the Cold War. Six more reactors were built by 1955. Production continued into the late 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the plant was up and running, using nine nuclear reactors and five reprocessing plants, it produced about 65% of the plutonium used by the US government. The Hanford Test Reactor, which was shut down in 1972. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reactors weren't all built at once but over a 20-year period from 1943 to 1963. Hanford produced 67 metric tons of plutonium in all. Employees at the Hanford nuclear reload a camera used to photograph the inside of a radioactive tank. FPG/Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images That's a little less than the weight of 10 African elephants. Fat Man contained less than 14 pounds of plutonium, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation. The site was responsible for a large part of the 60,000 nuclear weapons the US had made by 1987. By the 1950s, scientists understood much more about the effects of radiation. Emergency Radiation Team members from Hanford use equipment for measuring levels of radioactive contamination in 1958. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images Some serious accidents and secret human experiments showed how deadly radiation sickness could be, according to the AHF. US officials suppressed information about how the bombs were causing severe illnesses and deaths in Japan, according to JSTOR. In 1954, Life Magazine profiled Hanford employee Homer Moulthorp, who had created plastic suits to combat radiation sickness. His friends referred to it as "Homer's Hideous Hallucination." Before that, the employees had to wear heavy clothing that had to be buried after being used once. To learn more about radiation sickness, scientists conducted tests on rats, cats, dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, and alligators. A scientist at the Hanford Site conducting radiation experiments on a sheep in 1957. AP Photo/Ed Johnson The researchers were trying to determine radiation's effects on people. In 2007, 40,000 tons of dead animals and manure were uncovered from trenches in Hanford, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported. Most of the waste was manure, contaminated with radioactive strontium-90. Decades of plutonium manufacturing left behind an enormous amount of nuclear waste. Employees check barrels of low-level nuclear waste with a Geiger counter at the Hanford Site in 1988. Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images Even producing a small batch of plutonium would result in a huge amount of contaminated waste. In 1985, a newspaper story about a nearby community dubbed "death mile" detailed the high rates of cancer among farming families living near Hanford. Activist Tom Bailie in 1988. Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images In a story for the Spokesman-Review, farmer Tom Bailie described the town of Ringold, Washington, about 11 miles southeast of the Hanford Site, as having unusually high rates of cancer. The story's reporter, Karen Dorn Steele, later found the government had conducted a test in 1949 to learn more about how the radioisotope Iodine 131 moved through the air, per NPS. Thousands of Hanford Downwinders, as they called themselves, filed lawsuits against the government. All the lawsuits have since been either dropped or settled. In 1989, the Tri-Party Agreement was signed to clean up the area. A worker looks through the open door of a storage room for nuclear fuel in 1988. Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, and the Washington State Department of Ecology signed the agreement. "It was at the end of the Cold War that the site's mission shifted from production of plutonium and that material to environmental cleanup," Ryan Miller, a communications manager for the Washington State Department of Ecology, told Business Insider. By then Hanford was no longer making plutonium. Reactors started shutting down in the mid-1960s; the last one closed in 1987. It was exclusively a massive environmental hazard that needed to be cleaned up. Despite the agreement, what would follow would be a slow, often halting, attempt to clean up Hanford, at a cost of $2 billion or more a year. Workers remove fuel from the core of the Hanford test reactor in May 1972. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images There are a host of challenges when it comes to cleaning up Hanford, from contaminated buildings and groundwater to leaky storage tanks holding radioactive waste. Officials don't even know where all the contaminated material is. In the '40s and '50s, working with radioactive material was still new, so much of the nuclear waste was improperly disposed of. A worker at the Hanford Site removes a lid from a canister holding sealed containers of low-level radioactive waste in 1979. AP Photo/Mason, File "One of the biggest challenges, at least back in the '80s when cleanup started, was documentation," Miller said. The agencies worked to figure out the scope of the problem, but they were hampered by poor record-keeping. "There's a kind of shroud of secrecy over the Hanford Site, especially during World War II," he added. When Hanford first produced nuclear waste, workers buried contaminated clothes and tools in the desert, without recording the locations, The Daily Beast reported in 2013. Hanford had different processes for different wastes: Slightly contaminated liquids went into ponds, solid waste was buried, and some gases were released into the air. A landfill for discarding contaminated soil, building materials, and debris at Hanford in 2005. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images Across the reserve, there were nearly 1,700 waste sites. During the production years, workers would dump barrels of waste and contaminated groundwater into unlined trenches, Miller said. The agencies have addressed over 1,350 sites so far, he added. Solid waste can be anything from contaminated tools to clothing to broken equipment. Employees work on a tank farm at the Hanford Site in 2013. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File Liquid waste is usually contaminated water or sludge, which is described as having the same consistency as peanut butter. Inspectors found 85 square miles of contaminated groundwater in the 1990s. A pumping system at the Hanford Site runs groundwater through charcoal filters to clean it. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images The contaminated groundwater had a footprint larger than Boise, Idaho. Hanford set up pump-and-treat facilities to treat the water and then re-inject it back into the ground, Miller said. So far, the facilities have treated over 32 billion gallons of groundwater. In 2017, the EPA said contaminated groundwater was flowing freely into the Columbia River. The river's hundreds of thousands of gallons of water help dilute the uranium, tritium, and other substances that seep in, according to Washington's Department of Ecology. Most concerning is the highly radioactive waste that was stored in 177 storage tanks, each holding between 55,000 and 1 million gallons. A double-shell tank farm containing six underground tanks at the Hanford Site in 2005. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images The first 149 tanks were built with a single layer of steel. In 1968, officials developed a new double-shelled model, storing waste in 28 of them. Altogether, the tanks contain twice the radioactivity released by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Russia, The Atlantic reported. By 1989, 68 of the 149 tanks had leaked 900,000 contaminated gallons into the ground. "This waste poses, arguably, the largest kind of cleanup effort being done at the Hanford site, and one of the biggest risks," Miller said. In 2010, Robert Alvarez, a former Energy Department official, said the amount of plutonium buried at Hanford could fuel 1,800 bombs, as reported by The New York Times. In 1998, Hanford managers said they had been wrong to describe the tank leaks as insignificant for decades. A technician works in a containment area at Hanford 1997. Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images It was only after a million gallons of waste had leaked into the ground that the DOE said more information was necessary, The New York Times reported in 2010. A year earlier, a contractor fired an employee who voiced concerns about the issue "too vigorously." "A lot of those tanks were built in the '40s, '50s, '60s," Miller said. "So all the tanks are well past their design life." In 2013, new leaks were discovered in several underground tanks. While management already knew that one tank was leaking at a rate of up to 300 gallons of waste every year, the discovery that five more were also leaking was especially concerning, CBS News reported. In 2002, work began on a tank waste treatment plant, which is key to cleaning up Hanford. Low-level radioactive waste in containers are put into trenches that are then covered in dirt. MICHAEL MACOR/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images The treatment plant will turn the waste from the deteriorating tanks into glass, which can then be stored more safely for several thousand years. This process, known as vitrification, is expected to begin with some of the low-activity, less radioactive waste next year. Once the vitrified waste is stored in steel containers, workers will dispose of the low-activity glass at a Hanford landfill, which has been engineered with barriers, Miller said. There's currently no facility in the US capable of storing high-level waste long-term, so that too will stay at Hanford for the time being. Radioactive cesium and strontium were removed from the underground tanks, put into capsules, and stored underwater. Cesium and strontium capsules are stored in water at the Hanford Site. US Department of Energy via AP Photo Strontium-90 is also called a "bone seeker" because it acts similarly to calcium accumulating in bones while increasing the risk of cancer. Concerned about earthquakes, the DOE decided the capsules needed to be moved. In the next year or so, the agencies will start transferring them to dry storage, Miller said. Seven of the nine nuclear reactors are in interim safe storage. The N Reactor on the Columbia River at the Hanford Site in 1988. Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images The nine reactors presented a challenge, Miller said, because they had big footprints. Workers removed hazardous materials and demolished supporting infrastructure and facilities. In addition to the reactors, nearly 2,000 contaminated buildings covered the Hanford Site. The agencies have demolished almost half of them. The reactors were sealed off, also known as being "fully cocooned." A protective enclosure or cocoon covers the former K East Reactor building at the Hanford Site. US Department of Energy Crews demolished parts of the reactors, then encased the rest in giant steel structures. They will remain like this for at least 75 years, until radiation falls to a safe level and workers can dismantle the structures, though the method for full disposal isn't yet known. One reactor still needs to be cocooned scheduled to be completed by 2032 while another will remain standing. Reactor B is now a national monument that visitors can tour. The control panel for the Hanford nuclear site's B Reactor in 2008. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File The B Reactor was the world's first full-scale plutonium production reactor. Instead of being cocooned, it was turned into a National Historic Landmark in 2008. Some areas are still radioactive but visitors don't have access to them, according to the tour's safety sheet. As many as 15,000 people visit the National Historical Park at Hanford each year. Most visitors to the site don't need to wear dosimeters or other special equipment. The former buffer zone is now called Hanford Reach and is home to dozens of species. Rattlesnake Mountain near the Hanford Site. Greg Vaughn/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Instead of farmers and ranchers developing the land, it's been left untouched for over 75 years, and wildlife has boomed. In 2000, President Bill Clinton made the 195,000-acre area a National Monument. Today, the Reach is an important habitat for the region's vegetation and wildlife. A herd of mule deer near one of Hanford's reactors in 2001. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images There are herds of elk and mule deer. Chinook salmon breed in stretches of the river in autumn, and it's home to an abundance of birds, including burrowing owls, Swainson hawks, and sagebrush sparrows. Not all animals are thriving, though. The agencies have found issues with radioactive wasp nests, fruit flies, and rabbits. When radioactive rabbit droppings were found in the area, it was protocol to set traps to kill contaminated rabbits, The Seattle Times reported. Recently, some populations, like the ground squirrels and burrowing owls, have been declining and specialists aren't sure why. Adventure companies bring kayaking tourists by Hanford Reach on the Columbia River. Kayakers on a tour organized by the Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, and Technology near the B Reactor at Hanford in 2008. Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images As for radiation on and in the river, health officials said fish tested for radiation posed no health risk. Earlier this year, Hanford workers pumped out contaminated water nearby that threatened to leak into the river, according to the Tri-City Herald. Though Hanford stopped producing plutonium decades ago, the surrounding areas continued to feel the effects of the nuclear waste. A former Hanford worker who has COPD during a pulmonary function test in 2017. Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post via Getty Images In 2000, wildfires threatened the complex, and Washington's Department of Health reported a rise in plutonium levels in the area, thought to be spread by dust and ash. Some Hanford workers say they have lung-related illnesses, like COPD or cancer, that they attributed to the time at the site, OPB News reported in 2016. Radioactive tumbleweeds rolling across the site also caused issues in the early 2000s. Tumbleweed is an invasive weed that pushes out native plants near the Hanford Site. GeoStock/Getty Images When affected Russian thistle decayed and broke from its roots, the radioactive tumbleweeds could roll for up to 4 miles and spread a year's dose of radiation, The Washington Post reported. In 2017, a tunnel storing radioactive waste collapsed. A 20-foot wide hole over a rail tunnel at the Hanford Site in 2017. Department of Energy/Handout via REUTERS Hanford radiation experts said if it had been a windy day, radioactive particles could've blown around and made the situation much worse. The DOE's own experts had warned the tunnels might collapse for decades, KING 5 reported in 2017. The EPA said more tunnels would collapse as the equipment deteriorated. Hanford's 11,000 workers are still at risk. Workers at the tank farms on the Hanford Site measure for radiation and the presence of toxic vapors in 2004. AP Photo/Jackie Johnston, File In 2016, 61 employees were exposed to vapors from leaking tanks, two years after a report found a "causal link" between the vapors and lung and brain damage. A 2021 Washington State Department of Commerce survey of over 1,000 current and former Hanford workers found that 57% had been exposed to hazardous materials. This June, firefighters responded to a fire not far from the Hanford site. A satellite image from June 2024 shows the heat shows a fire near the Hanford nuclear site. Reuters The area is prone to wildfires and possible earthquakes. The last big earthquake in the area was in 1936, but another sizable one could release radiation. That's what happened with the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011. In the next five years, Hanford could start turning low-activity waste into glass. A container of glass poured at Hanford's Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant. US Department of Energy Miller said Hanford is on track to start the vitrification process in the summer of 2025. Workers have already started making test glass. But not all the waste will undergo vitrification. Instead, some will go through a different process, grouting, which makes the waste more like cement than glass. It's less expensive and quicker, but the method hasn't been as thoroughly tested as vitrification, Cascade PBS reported. The grouting plans are part of a new Holistic Agreement between the EPA, DOE, and Washington State Department of Ecology. Drums containing waste at the Hanford Site in 2005. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images While the agencies say the deadlines haven't changed, the agreement does update the Tri-Party Agreement. Some stakeholders, like local tribes and environmental groups, said the agencies didn't include them in the meetings about the new plans, OPB News reported. The Department of Energy wanted to dispose of all of the underground waste by 2052, but that's unlikely. A sign warning about a radiologically controlled area at the Hanford Site in 2005. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images New estimates are closer to 2069 or later. In 2002, the Government Accountability Office estimated the price to clean up Hanford at between $300 billion and $640 billion. The office put the timeline at a vague "decades." It's unclear how the next Trump administration will handle Hanford. Donald Trump attempted to cut funding for Hanford's cleanup during his first term. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images In March, President Joe Biden gave Hanford its highest cleanup budget yet, $3.05 billion. Things could change under the next administration. During his first term, President Donald Trump proposed cutting Hanford's budget and floated the idea of reclassifying high-level waste as less dangerous to lower costs, per The Los Angeles Times. Miller said less funding could ultimately make cleaning up Hanford longer and more expensive. "Every year that Hanford cleanup is underfunded, that can actually push the ultimate lifespan of the project out further," he said. "It could actually balloon the cost by tens of billions of dollars if it's not funded appropriately now." Environmentalists won't stop fighting for the cleanup, but they know the waste will long outlive them. The B Reactor at the Hanford Site in 2005. Jeff T. Green/Getty Images Tom Carpenter, executive director of the watchdog Hanford Challenge, told The Atlantic in 2018 that the majority of Hanford's waste was going nowhere. "Hanford is going to be a national sacrifice zone for hundreds of years," he said. Sources used for this story include the Hanford Site, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the US Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Parks Service, the Atomic Heritage Foundation, the Government Accountability Office, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This story was originally published on September 23, 2019, and updated on December 17, 2024. Read the original article on Business Insider Hannah Kobayashi is back in the U.S., her family confirms, a return that marks an anti-climatic end to a mystery that began last month in Los Angeles and led to the apparent suicide of the 30-year-old aspiring artist from Maui's father. The LAPD released an updated statement Monday afternoon that "encouraged" Kobayashi, 30, to contact law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy "to confirm her well being." But an LAPD spokesperson confirmed that evidence shows she "crossed" from Mexico into the U.S. on Sunday. LAPD News: UPDATE Hannah Kobayashi pic.twitter.com/zjjPWtVeau LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) December 16, 2024 Last week her family announced that Kobayashi was safe, writing on a GoFundMe page that donors who would like a refund from the account that raised nearly $50,000 could do so before Dec. 18. Related: Hannah Kobayashi, Who Has Been the Subject of International Search, 'Found Safe,' Family Says "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us," the wrote. Kobayashi's disappearance most recently centered on a possible marriage for money scenario after her mother discovered paperwork showing she had recently gotten married to an Argentinian national named Alan Cacace and was using his last name, sources told Los Angeles. Cacace was flying with Kobayashi from Maui to New York City, and contacted authorities once the story of her disappearance made national headlines, the sources said. "He was cooperative about what he knew and what he did," one well-placed source said. Hannah Kobayashis disappearance takes a dramatic turn as new evidence uncovers a secret marriage and possible ties to an immigration scam. The FBI is now involved as her family continues the search for answers.Via Alan Cacaces Instagram The Kobayashi mystery began after she landed at LAX on the night of Nov. 8 and missed a connecting flight to New York City. She was photographed leaving the airport in rainbow-colored leggings and a black hoodie. She was then caught on video two days in a row sightseeing in L.A. at the Grove shopping center, first on Saturday Nov. 9, and then again on Sunday, Nov. 10, when she was captured in a cell phone video taken by a shopper and posted on YouTube while attending a Lebron James popup event at the Nike store. A photo of the event was also posted on Hannah's Instagram page that same day. She was tracked to LAX again on Nov. 11, the LAPD said in its statement Monday, when she returned to retrieve her checked luggage that had been rerouted back to Los Angeles from New York City. The following morning, she was captured at Union Station boarding a Greyhound bus to San Diego, where, the LAPD now says, she crossed into Tijuana, Mexico, from the San Ysidro border crossing at 12:13 p.m. and returned at an unspecified border crossing Sunday. Related: What Did Accused Assassin Luigi Mangione Scream Outside PA Court? Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, 53, died of what L.A. officials call a suicide at a parking lot near LAX on Nov. 24, after he flew to Los Angeles to join the hunt for the daughter he believed was missing and in danger. Hannah Kobayashi has made her first statement since returning to the U.S. this weekend, over a month after her family reported her missing and launched a nationwide search, of which the 30-year-old says she was unaware. The photographer, whose family said last Wednesday she was found safe, released a statement this week regarding the weeks-long ordeal, during which her father died by suicide. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all, said Kobayashi, who confirmed she crossed the border back into the United States at daybreak on December 15th, People reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi said her focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity and that she is deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. She requested respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding. Kobayashi was supposed to fly from her native Maui to New York, via Los Angeles, in early November but never made her connecting flight. Her family reported her missing on Nov. 11, a day before she walked across the border from California into Mexico. Prior to authorities declaring Kobayashi a voluntarily missing person, she sent disconcerting messages to her family, members of whom then traveled to Los Angeles to search for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her father was found dead early Nov. 24, after apparently jumping off a parking structure near Los Angeles International Airport. Kobayashis sister, Sydni Kobayashi, said Dec. 12 that though the family had finally had a phone call with Hannah, she did not wish to return to us. The same day, Sydni suspended a GoFundMe the family had set up to assist in the search, and the Kobayashi family offered to refund the nearly $50,000 in collected donations. Originally appeared on E! Online Hannah Kobayashi has spoken out for the first time since going missing. The Hawaii native broke her silence in a statement, confirming that she crossed the border from Mexico back into the U.S. in the morning of Dec. 15which prompted police to close the month-long missing persons case that received national attention. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, she wrote in a statement through her aunt Larie Pidgeon to NBC News, and I am still processing it all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 30-year-oldwhose dad Ryan Kobayashi died by suicide while she was in Mexico, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examineralso shared what is next for her after returning home. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity, Hannah said. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added, I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding." Hannahs family reported her missing Nov. 12 after last hearing from her on Nov. 11 following a missed flight connection to New York City, prompting authorities to search for her as a missing person. Hannah Kobayashi/Instagram LAPD later classified her as a voluntary missing person on Dec. 2 due to their discovery of footage that showed her entering Mexico on Nov. 12 in which she appeared fine and was with nobody else, according to police. Her sister Sydni Kobayashi and mom Brandi Yee eventually made contact with Hannah, noting on Dec. 11 they were incredibly relieved and grateful that she had been found safe in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five days later, on Dec. 16, police announced in a statement to NBC News that Hannah Kobayashi had presented herself on December 15, 2024, for entry into the US and appeared in good health and that their missing persons case is now closed. Keep reading for a look back through Hannahs case. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Hannah Kobayashi Arrives in Los Angeles On Nov. 8, Hannah Kobayashi flew from Maui to Los Angeles, where she was supposed to catch a connecting flight to New York's JFK International Airport, according to L.A. police. Hannah was booked on the same flight as her ex-boyfriend. Her sister Sydni Kobayashi said, per the Los Angeles Times, that they couldn't get a refund on the seats but had agreed to go their separate ways upon arrival in New York, where Hannah was going for a concert and a photography job. Hannah ended up not boarding her flight out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for reasons unknown, per an LAPD news release. Her bag, meanwhile, was checked through to her final destination, and she requested it be sent back to LAX. Surveillance video reviewed by police showed the 30-year-old picking up her bag at LAX on Nov. 11. Hannah's Whereabouts in L.A. Upon arrival in L.A., Hannah visited the Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center on Nov. 9 and texted a relative a photo of a book, her aunt Larie Pidgeon told the Los Angeles Times. Hannah also filled out a newsletter form, using her Maui address. Family members used the photo data to track Hannah to Taschen, Larie explained, where they confirmed with employees that Hannah had been there. (Larie said she was one of the relatives who traveled from Maui to look for her niece.) On Nov. 10, Hannah attended the LeBron XXII Trial Experience held at the Nike store at The Grove and posted a photo of Jordan-clad feet the same day, tagging the LA Times and putting her location as "City of Angels, Los Angeles CA." "We think she was staying around The Grove," Larie told the Times. "It's a pretty touristy area with a lot of shops, bookstores and museums, so we think she was just in that area sightseeing and felt safe." Hannah's Texts Take a Concerning Turn, Family Reports Her Missing Hannah's text messages to family members had sounded normal, including laments that she hadn't been able to get another flight yet, according to Larie. But on Nov. 11, Larie continued, per the Times, Hannah texted another aunt that she was concerned her identity and all her money had been stolen, after which no one could get ahold of her. "She was using words like 'hun' and 'babe' and saying 'someone's trying to steal my funds,'" Larie said. "She doesnt talk like that. It was just out of character and the family sounded the alarm." They were "strange, cryptic messagesthings about the matrix, it was so unlike her," Larie told KTLA. "And then all of a sudden, no more communication." The last time Hannah had her phone turned on was at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at LAX, where police said she picked up her bag. Her family reported her missing the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Last Sighting of Hannah in L.A. Hannah's family shared Nov. 18 that they had seen surveillance footage showing her getting off a train at the Pico Metro station near Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. at 10 p.m. on Nov. 11. "It is evident that Hannah does not appear to be in good condition and she is not alone," her family wrote on Facebook. According to police, Hannah made her way to Union Station, about three miles away from the arena, where she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket to a spot near the California-Mexico border. On Nov. 12, police said, she boarded a bus to San Ysidro. The community has been dubbed the "Gateway to the Americas" as it's the most southern city in California and a popular border-crossing spot. The Kobayashi Family Pleads for Help Finding Hannah Family members staged a rally and passed out fliers on Nov. 21 near the downtown spot where Hannah was last seen "Please, please do not stop saying her name, Hannah Kobayashi," her aunt Larie said at the event, per KTLA. "Your entire family is here. The entire world is looking for you. If you can and you have access, please reach out to us. Were not mad." Added Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, "She's a beautiful girl inside and outside. Just reach out, if you can at all." He told NBC4 at the rally, "Its every parents nightmare. We dont know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." Hannah's Father Is Found Dead Ryan Kobayashi, who was in town from Maui to look for Hannah, jumped to his death from a parking structure near LAX on the morning of Nov. 24, according to police, who responded to a report of a deceased male at the 6100 block of Century Boulevard at 4 a.m. The L.A. County Medical Examiner's report stated that Ryan suffered multiple blunt force traumatic injuries and the manner of death was suicide. "It's every parent's nightmare," Ryan told NBC4 at the Nov. 21 rally. "We don't know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." The RAD Movement, a nonprofit advocate for families of missing people, said in a statement Ryan had been in L.A. for 13 days searching for his daughter. "This loss has compounded the familys suffering immeasurably," the group stated, while also emphasizing that there was still a missing woman to look for and it was "crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah." Speculation that Ryan had something to do with Hannah's disappearance was cruel and needed to be shut down, Larie told the LA Times. "He died of a broken heart," she said. Police Say Hannah Is in Mexico, Change Status to "Voluntary Missing Person" The LAPD announced Dec. 2 that they last had eyes on Hannah crossing the border from San Ysidro into Mexico on Nov. 12, alone and carrying her luggage. Investigators from the department's Missing Persons Unit went to the border Dec. 1 and viewed surveillance video from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that showed her walking into Mexico, police said. Hannah is now considered a voluntary missing person, according to the LAPD, which noted that she is not a suspect in any criminal activity, nor has their investigation uncovered any evidence of human trafficking or foul play. "Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. "We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her." In a statement to NBC News, Hannah's family said they remained hopeful that she was safe and they were still looking for her. "The search is far from over," they said Dec. 3, "and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah's Family Says She's Safe On Dec. 11, Hannah's sister Sydni and mom Brandi Yee said they had made contact with her. We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," they said in a statement to NBC News. "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." Hannah Breaks Her Silence After returning from Mexico to the United States Dec. 15, which prompted police to close her missing persons case, Hannah reacted to the traction her departure caused. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away," she wrote in a statement through her aunt Larie Pidgeon to NBC News, "and I am still processing it all." And now, she's focusing on the future. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," she continued. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who launched a weekslong search after being reported missing in Los Angeles but then surfaced in Mexico, has spoken out following her return to the U.S. this week. The 30-year-old, in a statement shared with multiplenewsoutlets, said that shes still processing it all and was unaware of everything that was happening in the media during her mysterious, high-profile absence. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time, she said. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. A flyer with information on Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi is displayed in Los Angeles following her disappearance. via Associated Press Kobayashi was reported missing by family days after shed flown into LA on Nov. 8 while en route to New York City. Police said she missed a connecting flight and left Los Angeles International Airport with her luggage. Meanwhile, her loved ones said she sent them concerning text messages, suggesting that she could be in danger, before dropping all contact. Her father flew from Hawaii to California to help with the search efforts, and authorities said that he died by suicide at the LA airport after his body was discovered Nov. 24. In early December, police said that Kobayashi was now categorized as a voluntary missing person after surveillance footage showed her crossing the border into Mexico last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a challenging time for her, and she deserves kindness and compassion, Doug Kari, her attorney, told HuffPost by phone Tuesday. Kari said he personally accompanied Kobayashi back to the U.S. from Mexico early Sunday and called her brave. A checkpoint at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico, is seen on Nov. 29. An attorney representing Kobayashi said he accompanied her back to the U.S. from Mexico over the weekend. Anadolu via Getty Images I felt honored that she chose me to accompany her on the journey back to and across the border, he added. Kari said he doesnt know where she is now and declined to say exactly where they met up in Mexico, only describing it as physically some distance from the border. Its not a place where I would want a high-profile missing person to be walking around, he said. Mexico can be, on one hand, seemingly safe and routine but things can turn quickly, especially if the wrong people catch wind of someone whos high-profile and well sought after thats in their midst. Im glad that we were able to get out of there before anything bad happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also declined to comment on the record about what prompted her to travel to Mexico and fall out of contact. As for whether shell one day choose to speak about her experience publicly, he said he cant say. From my perspective, Im just glad to have her back across the border safely, Kari said. Last week, Kobayashis sister said in a statement that she and her mother had yet to physically connect with the 30-year-old but that they had spoken by phone. She does not wish to return to us, Sydni Kobayashi wrote in a Facebook message that was posted while her sister was still in Mexico. As you can imagine, we are all extremely relieved and glad that my sister is alive and seemingly okay, but we also have mixed and overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal. We are kindly asking the public to respect our privacy and offer us grace for a moment as we are still grieving. There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated, she added. Related... Hannah Kobayashi, whose disappearance led to a statewide search and international headlines, returned to the United States on Sunday, bringing an end to the high-profile missing persons case. On Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the case is now closed. Kobayashi, who disappeared in Los Angeles after arriving at LAX on a flight from Maui, Hawaii on Nov. 8, was later revealed to have willingly traveled over the U.S./Mexico border days after she arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of Nov. 12, 2024, she traveled by bus from Union Station to San Ysidro, LAPD officials said. Video surveillance showed she crossed the border into Mexico shortly after arriving in San Ysidro and apparently remained in Mexico since. Family members were reportedly told that she had no intentions of returning to the U.S. Intrigue about her seeming disappearance stemmed from still images captured of the 30-year-old Hawaii resident in various locations across the city. Family members and loved ones traveled to L.A. to aid in the search, with some concerned she may have been abducted and held against her will. Hannah Kobayashi seen at LAX on Nov. 8, 2024, in a surveillance photo obtained by family members. (viewer image) Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was among the family members to fly from Hawaii to Los Angeles to search for his missing daughter. His body was later found near LAX, dead from an apparent suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internal conflict between Kobayashis immediate and extended family has led to confusion among law enforcement and the media regarding the real nature of her disappearance. Hannah Kobayashi seen in this undated photography. (viewer image) Despite the radio silence between the missing 30-year-old, police have said there has been no evidence of foul play or human trafficking. At this point, no criminal charges have been filed. Customs Border Protection alerted local law enforcement that she presented herself for re-entry into the U.S. on Sunday and appeared in good health. Her name has since been removed from Californias Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Originally appeared on E! Online Hannah Kobayashi is only looking forward now. Following the Hawaii native's voluntary return to the United States from Mexico after her disappearance captivated the nation, she shared insight into her personal life for the time being. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," Hannah said in a statement through her aunt Larie Pidgeon shared with NBC News Dec. 16. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannahwho missed her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York last month, prompting an investigation from the Los Angeles Police Departmentadmitted that she didn't realize how much traction her departure garnered. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away," she continued. "I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, her case was catapulted into virality as her family became increasingly concerned with her well-being due to her unusual actions, including sending text messages to her loved ones about her identity and money being stolen. Hannah, who went missing Nov. 11, was ultimately declared a "voluntary missing person" by the Los Angeles Police Department after footage of the photographer entering Mexico. It's been an unimaginably difficult time for the Kobayashi family as Hannah's dad Ryan Kobayashi died by suicide Nov. 24 amid her search efforts, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Hannah Kobayashi/Instagram Ultimately, Hannah's sister Sydni Kobayashi and mom Brandi Yee confirmed they had made contact with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," the pair shared in a statement to NBC News Dec. 11. "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." Although Sydni was grateful for her sister's safe return, she also reflected on the tragic events her family endured. "When a loved one goes missing, you instinctively enter panic mode," she wrote on Facebook Dec. 12. "Your body switches to fight or flight, and unless you've experienced it, you can't fully comprehend the physical, mental, and emotional toll it takes." Hannah Kobayashi/Instagram "Couple that immeasurable pain with the court of public opinion and the relentless scrutiny that followed, and it's a challenge no one is prepared to face," she continued. "The past 31 days have been absolute hell for us, and I feel they will continue to be for a while, even as we try to transition back to some semblance of normalcy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And with the death of their dad, she noted that each day was stained with the "unbearable uncertainty of whether my sister was alive or dead." "Losing my father to suicide during this ordeal was more than my soul and heart could bear," she wrote. "I am human. Despite the differences any family hasand we all domy son, family, and I loved him immensely." Now, read on to learn more about Hannah's case. (E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Hannah Kobayashi Arrives in Los Angeles On Nov. 8, Hannah Kobayashi flew from Maui to Los Angeles, where she was supposed to catch a connecting flight to New York's JFK International Airport, according to L.A. police. Hannah was booked on the same flight as her ex-boyfriend. Her sister Sydni Kobayashi said, per the Los Angeles Times, that they couldn't get a refund on the seats but had agreed to go their separate ways upon arrival in New York, where Hannah was going for a concert and a photography job. Hannah ended up not boarding her flight out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for reasons unknown, per an LAPD news release. Her bag, meanwhile, was checked through to her final destination, and she requested it be sent back to LAX. Surveillance video reviewed by police showed the 30-year-old picking up her bag at LAX on Nov. 11. Hannah's Whereabouts in L.A. Upon arrival in L.A., Hannah visited the Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center on Nov. 9 and texted a relative a photo of a book, her aunt Larie Pidgeon told the Los Angeles Times. Hannah also filled out a newsletter form, using her Maui address. Family members used the photo data to track Hannah to Taschen, Larie explained, where they confirmed with employees that Hannah had been there. (Larie said she was one of the relatives who traveled from Maui to look for her niece.) On Nov. 10, Hannah attended the LeBron XXII Trial Experience held at the Nike store at The Grove and posted a photo of Jordan-clad feet the same day, tagging the LA Times and putting her location as "City of Angels, Los Angeles CA." "We think she was staying around The Grove," Larie told the Times. "It's a pretty touristy area with a lot of shops, bookstores and museums, so we think she was just in that area sightseeing and felt safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah's Texts Take a Concerning Turn, Family Reports Her Missing Hannah's text messages to family members had sounded normal, including laments that she hadn't been able to get another flight yet, according to Larie. But on Nov. 11, Larie continued, per the Times, Hannah texted another aunt that she was concerned her identity and all her money had been stolen, after which no one could get ahold of her. "She was using words like 'hun' and 'babe' and saying 'someone's trying to steal my funds,'" Larie said. "She doesnt talk like that. It was just out of character and the family sounded the alarm." They were "strange, cryptic messagesthings about the matrix, it was so unlike her," Larie told KTLA. "And then all of a sudden, no more communication." The last time Hannah had her phone turned on was at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at LAX, where police said she picked up her bag. Her family reported her missing the following day. The Last Sighting of Hannah in L.A. Hannah's family shared Nov. 18 that they had seen surveillance footage showing her getting off a train at the Pico Metro station near Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. at 10 p.m. on Nov. 11. "It is evident that Hannah does not appear to be in good condition and she is not alone," her family wrote on Facebook. According to police, Hannah made her way to Union Station, about three miles away from the arena, where she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket to a spot near the California-Mexico border. On Nov. 12, police said, she boarded a bus to San Ysidro. The community has been dubbed the "Gateway to the Americas" as it's the most southern city in California and a popular border-crossing spot. The Kobayashi Family Pleads for Help Finding Hannah Family members staged a rally and passed out fliers on Nov. 21 near the downtown spot where Hannah was last seen "Please, please do not stop saying her name, Hannah Kobayashi," her aunt Larie said at the event, per KTLA. "Your entire family is here. The entire world is looking for you. If you can and you have access, please reach out to us. Were not mad." Added Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, "She's a beautiful girl inside and outside. Just reach out, if you can at all." He told NBC4 at the rally, "Its every parents nightmare. We dont know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." Hannah's Father Is Found Dead Ryan Kobayashi, who was in town from Maui to look for Hannah, jumped to his death from a parking structure near LAX on the morning of Nov. 24, according to police, who responded to a report of a deceased male at the 6100 block of Century Boulevard at 4 a.m. The L.A. County Medical Examiner's report stated that Ryan suffered multiple blunt force traumatic injuries and the manner of death was suicide. "It's every parent's nightmare," Ryan told NBC4 at the Nov. 21 rally. "We don't know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." The RAD Movement, a nonprofit advocate for families of missing people, said in a statement Ryan had been in L.A. for 13 days searching for his daughter. "This loss has compounded the familys suffering immeasurably," the group stated, while also emphasizing that there was still a missing woman to look for and it was "crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah." Speculation that Ryan had something to do with Hannah's disappearance was cruel and needed to be shut down, Larie told the LA Times. "He died of a broken heart," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Say Hannah Is in Mexico, Change Status to "Voluntary Missing Person" The LAPD announced Dec. 2 that they last had eyes on Hannah crossing the border from San Ysidro into Mexico on Nov. 12, alone and carrying her luggage. Investigators from the department's Missing Persons Unit went to the border Dec. 1 and viewed surveillance video from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that showed her walking into Mexico, police said. Hannah is now considered a voluntary missing person, according to the LAPD, which noted that she is not a suspect in any criminal activity, nor has their investigation uncovered any evidence of human trafficking or foul play. "Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. "We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her." In a statement to NBC News, Hannah's family said they remained hopeful that she was safe and they were still looking for her. "The search is far from over," they said Dec. 3, "and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions." Hannah's Family Says She's Safe On Dec. 11, Hannah's sister Sydni and mom Brandi Yee said they had made contact with her. We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," they said in a statement to NBC News. "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." Hannah Breaks Her Silence After returning from Mexico to the United States Dec. 15, which prompted police to close her missing persons case, Hannah reacted to the traction her departure caused. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away," she wrote in a statement through her aunt Larie Pidgeon to NBC News, "and I am still processing it all." And now, she's focusing on the future. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," she continued. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman whose reported disappearance last month garnered national news attention, said in a statement on Monday that she "was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away." Kobayashi's family announced last week that she had been safely located in Mexico. The 30-year-old aspiring photographer reportedly returned to the U.S. on Dec. 15 after being declared missing by the Los Angeles Police Department exactly a month earlier, according to her attorney. In a letter shared by her aunt Larie Pidgeon with NBC News, Kobayashi said, now that she's returned to the U.S., her "focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time," Kobayashi said in the letter. As you can imagine, we are all extremely relieved and glad that my sister is alive and seemingly okay, but we also have mixed and overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal, Sydni Kobayashi wrote on Facebook on Dec. 12. We are kindly asking the public to respect our privacy and offer us grace for a moment as we are still grieving. There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated. We are happy to learn that Hannah has been found safe," the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. "Now that we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation. On Dec. 12, Sydni Kobayashi posted on the family's GoFundMe page that they would no longer accept donations to help find Kobayashi or fund her father Ryan's funeral, who died by suicide on Nov. 24. The GoFundMe was initially created on Nov. 15 to help cover the expenses the family claimed were growing with "the scope and intensity of the search." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time," Sydni wrote. "We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored." How we got here In early November, Kobayashi was traveling from her home on Maui to New York to visit an aunt and pursue a photography opportunity, according to various media interviews with her family. She allegedly missed two connecting flights out of Los Angeles on Nov. 8 and Nov. 11. At a news conference on Dec. 2, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico. She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. The LAPD also said Kobayashi walked alone to Mexico through the tunnel at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to the reviewed footage. McDonnell added that Kobayashis missing-persons case would remain active until her safety is confirmed, but the LAPD would not be investigating in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 3, Hannah Kobayashi's sister Sydni Kobayashi gave an interview to NBC News in which she said the family was "shocked" and "frustrated" by the LAPD's conclusion that Hannah had voluntarily traveled to Mexico by herself. Shes gone to different places, but shes always checked in, Sydni Kobayashi said. She always lets us know whats going on. Ryan Kobayashi, center, holds a picture of his missing daughter, Hannah Kobayashi, in Los Angeles on Nov. 21. (Damian Dovarganes/AP) The next day, the family's attorney, Sara Azari, shared a statement on X, saying, "The search is far from over" and "learning just two days ago that Hannah may be in Mexico has only heightened our fears." "It has been 22 agonizing days since we last heard from her, and not knowing where she is or if shes okay is heartbreaking," the statement continued. "Like everyone else, we are learning updates through the media, as LAPD has not been fully forthcoming in sharing critical developments directly with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Los Angeles magazine article published on Dec. 4, citing sources, reported that Hannah Kobayashi's mother may have discovered evidence that Kobayashi may have been involved in a green card marriage for money and the "secret new husband" may have also been on the flight to Los Angeles. Azari shared another statement on X from the family in response to the article, saying, "We want to stress that the family has not publicly announced any information regarding an alleged marriage because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information." McDonnell said at a police commission meeting on Nov. 26 that Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation determined was intentional. The LAPD did not immediately respond to Yahoo News request for comment. Hannahs sister Sydni Kobayashi denied the theory that Hannah intentionally missed her flight. Why did Hannah Kobayashi's family report her as missing? It is not clear why Kobayashi first missed her connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX on Nov. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family said they had seen security footage of Kobayashi leaving the airport on Nov. 8 and then again at the Grove shopping center on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, which is about 12 miles north of the airport. On Nov. 11, Kobayashi posted on her public Instagram account about attending a Nike event at the Grove and was even spotted on a strangers YouTube video about the event that was filmed on Nov. 10. Kobayashi then returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight. That was the last time anyone received messages from Kobayashis cellphone number. On Nov. 15, the LAPD missing-persons unit made a poster describing Kobayashi and stating that she was last seen at LAX on Nov. 11. The family also filed a report with the FBI. Read more from Yahoo News: Hannah Kobayashi's family says she has been found. Here's a timeline of everything that's happened since she was reported missing last month. Why was Kobayashi going to New York? In an interview with NewsNation on Nov. 23, Kobayashi's aunt Larie Pidgeon said that her niece had sent her mom a detailed itinerary for her stay in New York, including places where she wanted to eat, museums she wanted to visit and a photography assignment that had been on her bucket list forever as a career opportunity. Pidgeon added that Kobayashi allegedly paid a couple thousand dollars for a hotel reservation in New York as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannahs sister Sydni told CNN that Kobayashi and her then boyfriend had booked the flights to New York together and also made plans to visit an aunt in upstate New York. They broke up after booking the flights and agreed to go ahead with the trip separately. The ex-boyfriend, who has not been publicly named, successfully boarded the Nov. 8 connecting flight to New York and has been extremely responsive and cooperative with the investigation, according to the Kobayashi family. Kobayashi's family tried to piece together what happened in L.A. Pidgeon told USA Today that on Nov. 11, the family started getting texts from Kobayashis number that said she didnt feel safe, that someone was trying to steal her funds, that someone was trying to take her identity. Pidgeon added that the messages sent to family and friends included weird things, calling us babe, things that werent quite the normal way that she speaks. "She texted [a friend] that she was scared and that she couldnt come back home or something," Sydni Kobayashi told HawaiiNewsNow. "It was just really weird texts. It doesnt sound like her like theres just something off about it. So I wasnt too sure. I dont know if its her or if someone else was texting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of her last texts allegedly said, I just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. I'm heading back to the airport to get to NYC. I might need some help getting there." In addition to texts, the family also didnt recognize the names of two people Kobayashi sent money to over Venmo on Nov. 10 transactions that Yahoo News was able to verify since Kobayashis Venmo account is public. The family also said there was security camera footage showing Kobayashi and an unknown person at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, allegedly on Nov. 11. "It has been confirmed that she did leave the airport on 11/11 in the evening and that she boarded the Metro," Pidgeon told CBS News. "She was not alone. She was with an unidentified person. That causes us extreme alarm because that correlates with the timeline of her going missing. So, our focus now is on the Pico Metro station." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yahoo News had reached out to several of the family members. If you see Hannah, please call 911 immediately, read a statement from the family shared on Facebook. Please obtain a photograph if possible. Your prompt action is crucial. If youre able to safely keep eyes on her until law enforcement arrives, please do so. What happened to her dad, Ryan? After spending two weeks helping search for his daughter, Ryan Kobayashi was found dead on Nov. 24, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The county coroner's office confirmed on Nov. 25 that he died by suicide. The Kobayashi family said in a statement that Ryan Kobayashi tragically took his own life after tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days. "He just died of a broken heart," Pidgeon told USA Today on Nov. 26. "Being on the streets and seeing what the possibilities of where his daughter could be. No sleep. The speculating rumors that are going around. It just took a toll on him." Originally appeared on E! Online Hannah Kobayashi has returned to U.S. soil. The 30-year-oldwhose disappearance from Los Angeles last month prompted a massive police search effort and pleas from her familyhas made it back from Mexico safely. The Los Angeles Police Department received notification from Customs Border Protection, a Dec. 16 statement from LAPD to NBC News read, that Hannah Kobayashi had presented herself on December 15, 2024, for entry into the US and appeared in good health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannahs family also confirmed to ABC7 on Dec. 16 that she has returned safely. Her arrival means that the case is officially closed, and she has been removed from the Missing and Unidentified Persons System, according to the LAPD statement. Authorities had already begun winding down their search efforts for Hannah after discovering footage that seemingly showed her willingly traveling to the Mexico border and entering the country. On Dec. 2, LAPD noted she appeared fine and was with nobody else, prompting them to classify her as a voluntary missing person. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the search for Hannah in November, her dad Ryan Kobayashi died by suicide on Nov. 24, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Its every parents nightmare, Ryan told NBC4 News three days before his death. We dont know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean. On Dec. 11, her sister Sydni Kobayashi and mom Brandi Yee confirmed that they had made contact with her. Hannah Kobayashi/Instagram We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe, they shared in a statement to NBC News. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time, the familys statement concluded. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us. Keep reading for the full timeline of events in Hannahs case. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Hannah Kobayashi Arrives in Los Angeles On Nov. 8, Hannah Kobayashi flew from Maui to Los Angeles, where she was supposed to catch a connecting flight to New York's JFK International Airport, according to L.A. police. Hannah was booked on the same flight as her ex-boyfriend. Her sister Sydni Kobayashi said, per the Los Angeles Times, that they couldn't get a refund on the seats but had agreed to go their separate ways upon arrival in New York, where Hannah was going for a concert and a photography job. Hannah ended up not boarding her flight out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for reasons unknown, per an LAPD news release. Her bag, meanwhile, was checked through to her final destination, and she requested it be sent back to LAX. Surveillance video reviewed by police showed the 30-year-old picking up her bag at LAX on Nov. 11. Hannah's Whereabouts in L.A. Upon arrival in L.A., Hannah visited the Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center on Nov. 9 and texted a relative a photo of a book, her aunt Larie Pidgeon told the Los Angeles Times. Hannah also filled out a newsletter form, using her Maui address. Family members used the photo data to track Hannah to Taschen, Larie explained, where they confirmed with employees that Hannah had been there. (Larie said she was one of the relatives who traveled from Maui to look for her niece.) On Nov. 10, Hannah attended the LeBron XXII Trial Experience held at the Nike store at The Grove and posted a photo of Jordan-clad feet the same day, tagging the LA Times and putting her location as "City of Angels, Los Angeles CA." "We think she was staying around The Grove," Larie told the Times. "It's a pretty touristy area with a lot of shops, bookstores and museums, so we think she was just in that area sightseeing and felt safe." Hannah's Texts Take a Concerning Turn, Family Reports Her Missing Hannah's text messages to family members had sounded normal, including laments that she hadn't been able to get another flight yet, according to Larie. But on Nov. 11, Larie continued, per the Times, Hannah texted another aunt that she was concerned her identity and all her money had been stolen, after which no one could get ahold of her. "She was using words like 'hun' and 'babe' and saying 'someone's trying to steal my funds,'" Larie said. "She doesnt talk like that. It was just out of character and the family sounded the alarm." They were "strange, cryptic messagesthings about the matrix, it was so unlike her," Larie told KTLA. "And then all of a sudden, no more communication." The last time Hannah had her phone turned on was at 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at LAX, where police said she picked up her bag. Her family reported her missing the following day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Last Sighting of Hannah in L.A. Hannah's family shared Nov. 18 that they had seen surveillance footage showing her getting off a train at the Pico Metro station near Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. at 10 p.m. on Nov. 11. "It is evident that Hannah does not appear to be in good condition and she is not alone," her family wrote on Facebook. According to police, Hannah made her way to Union Station, about three miles away from the arena, where she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket to a spot near the California-Mexico border. On Nov. 12, police said, she boarded a bus to San Ysidro. The community has been dubbed the "Gateway to the Americas" as it's the most southern city in California and a popular border-crossing spot. The Kobayashi Family Pleads for Help Finding Hannah Family members staged a rally and passed out fliers on Nov. 21 near the downtown spot where Hannah was last seen "Please, please do not stop saying her name, Hannah Kobayashi," her aunt Larie said at the event, per KTLA. "Your entire family is here. The entire world is looking for you. If you can and you have access, please reach out to us. Were not mad." Added Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, "She's a beautiful girl inside and outside. Just reach out, if you can at all." He told NBC4 at the rally, "Its every parents nightmare. We dont know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." Hannah's Father Is Found Dead Ryan Kobayashi, who was in town from Maui to look for Hannah, jumped to his death from a parking structure near LAX on the morning of Nov. 24, according to police, who responded to a report of a deceased male at the 6100 block of Century Boulevard at 4 a.m. The L.A. County Medical Examiner's report stated that Ryan suffered multiple blunt force traumatic injuries and the manner of death was suicide. "It's every parent's nightmare," Ryan told NBC4 at the Nov. 21 rally. "We don't know where to start, where to begin. Its like a grain of sand in the ocean." The RAD Movement, a nonprofit advocate for families of missing people, said in a statement Ryan had been in L.A. for 13 days searching for his daughter. "This loss has compounded the familys suffering immeasurably," the group stated, while also emphasizing that there was still a missing woman to look for and it was "crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah." Speculation that Ryan had something to do with Hannah's disappearance was cruel and needed to be shut down, Larie told the LA Times. "He died of a broken heart," she said. Police Say Hannah Is in Mexico, Change Status to "Voluntary Missing Person" The LAPD announced Dec. 2 that they last had eyes on Hannah crossing the border from San Ysidro into Mexico on Nov. 12, alone and carrying her luggage. Investigators from the department's Missing Persons Unit went to the border Dec. 1 and viewed surveillance video from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that showed her walking into Mexico, police said. Hannah is now considered a voluntary missing person, according to the LAPD, which noted that she is not a suspect in any criminal activity, nor has their investigation uncovered any evidence of human trafficking or foul play. "Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. "We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her." In a statement to NBC News, Hannah's family said they remained hopeful that she was safe and they were still looking for her. "The search is far from over," they said Dec. 3, "and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely. We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannahs safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannah's Family Says She's Safe On Dec. 11, Hannah's sister Sydni and mom Brandi Yee said they had made contact with her. We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," they said in a statement to NBC News. "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." Hannah Breaks Her Silence After returning from Mexico to the United States Dec. 15, which prompted police to close her missing persons case, Hannah reacted to the traction her departure caused. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away," she wrote in a statement through her aunt Larie Pidgeon to NBC News, "and I am still processing it all." And now, she's focusing on the future. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," she continued. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who was the subject of an intense search, is only now learning about the widespread attention she received after her family reported her missing last month. Kobayashi said Monday in a letter distributed through Larie Pidgeon, her aunt, that she returned to the U.S. from Mexico on Sunday. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all," she said in the statement. Hannah Kobayashi. Kobayashi, of Maui, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 but missed a connecting flight to New York City, family members said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family became alarmed a few days later when she stopped communicating with them, they said. They reported her missing Nov. 13, with the Los Angeles Police Department taking over the case Nov. 15, police said. Relatives were particularly concerned with security video showing an unknown man with Kobayashi in Los Angeles, but police said they investigated and found no wrongdoing. Kobayashi had planned to travel to New York to tour museums and galleries as part of her goal of becoming an artist, Pidgeon has said. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said this month that it appeared Kobayashi willfully remained in Los Angeles and cut off communication on her own. He said she had her luggage rerouted back to Los Angeles International Airport after she missed her flight to New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonnell also said investigators reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing in San Diego at 12:13 p.m. Nov. 12. While he said the woman was free to travel, he urged her to reach out to concerned family members, some of whom flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii and other parts of the country to coordinate their search. On Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport, police said. Last week, Kobayashi's family said she had been found safe. Her mother and sister, who did not say when or where she was found, said they were grateful she had been located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her statement Monday, Kobayashi said she returned to the U.S. at daybreak Sunday, without providing details about her experience. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity," she said. "I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Hannah Kobayashi was the subject of a weeks-long search after she was reported missing last month, but the 30-year-old who has since been found has said she was "unaware" of the media coverage surrounding her disappearance. On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Kobayashi's family announced she'd been "found safe" about a month after she walked into Mexico in what police have since called a voluntary disappearance. Five days later, on Monday, Dec. 16, her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, released a statement to PEOPLE on behalf of her niece, who said she hadn't been aware of the headlines she had made around the country following her disappearance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi, a photographer living in Hawaii, said in the statement, "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all." "I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding," the statement added. Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi Related: Hannah Kobayashi Declared 'Voluntary Missing Person' After Crossing Mexico Border by Foot, Police Say Kobayashi also revealed in the statement that she had "crossed the border back into the United States" at "daybreak on December 15th." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time," the statement included. The statement came after Lt. Doug Oldfield, a member of the Los Angeles Police Departments missing persons unit, confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16, that police had "received notification that Hannah Kobayashi crossed yesterday 12/15/2024." Oldfield said that Kobayashi's case had now been closed and that she'd spoken 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." LAPD Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024 After Kobayashi was found, her sister and mother Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee said in a statement to PEOPLE through their attorney, Sara Azari, on Dec. 11 that they were "incredibly relieved and grateful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through," the family continued. "We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us," they added, without providing details about when, where or how Kobayashi had made contact with her family. Related: Police Havent Seen Hannah Kobayashi Themselves but Say She Isn't 'Obligated to Speak to Us' and Wish Her Well (Exclusive) Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon Hannah Kobayashi Hannah Kobayashi 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. Kobayashi was "found safe" weeks after her worried family who thought she might have been a victim of a kidnapping or human trafficking began searching for her when she did not board her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City on Nov. 9. At the time, it was reported she had sent "alarming" text messages to loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi's father Ryan Kobayashi, who flew from Hawaii to Los Angeles to assist with the search, died by suicide in L.A. on Nov. 24. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People A Hawaii woman believed to have gone missing in Los Angeles had no idea her nearly month-long disappearance had caused a media frenzy, she said in her first public statement. Hannah Kobayashis family reported her missing on Nov. 11 after she failed to catch a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York and sent friends and family a series of cryptic text messages suggesting she might be in trouble. Her father flew to Los Angeles to look for her and died by suicide after nearly two weeks of searching turned up nothing. Police later confirmed Kobayashi, 31, had walked across the border into Mexico and classified her as a voluntary missing person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Sunday morning, she crossed the border back into the U.S., according to a statement shared by NBC News that was sent from her aunts cell phone. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity, the statement said. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. Her statement went on to say that during her time away she had been unaware of the intense media coverage surrounding her case, and that she was still processing it all. Its still not clear why she missed her flight to New York, where she was supposed to visit her aunt, or why she went to Mexico. A Go Fund Me set up to help pay for search and rescue efforts netted nearly $50,000. The family has said it will give donors refunds now that Kobayashi has been found, NBC reported. Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman whose disappearance last month sparked a weekslong search complete with grainy surveillance images and tearful family, says she was unaware of everything that was happening while she was out of touch. Kobayashi arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from Maui on November 8, but did not board her connecting flight to New York, her sister previously told CNN. The 30-year-old then went radio silent on November 11 after spending four days in Los Angeles at various locations, according to video footage and photos and was later believed to have crossed the border into Mexico. Tragedy struck the family during their search for Hannah Kobayashi when her father Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled from Hawaii to Los Angeles to help look for her, was found dead November 24 near the airport, having taken his own life, the family and authorities say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday morning, Hannah Kobayashi returned to the US after a brief stay in Mexico, her attorney shared in a statement. Kobayashi says shes now focusing on her healing, peace, and creativity, according to an additional statement, made through her aunt, Larie Pigeon. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all, Kobayashi said. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. Kobayashi also asked the public to respect her family and herself as they navigate through this challenging time. Hannah found safe in Mexico Kobayashis family announced she was found safe last week, more than four weeks after her disappearance and their urgent appeals for information from the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe, her sister, Sydni, and mother, Brandi Yee, said in a statement. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through. The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement they are happy to learn that Hannah has been found safe and due to the new information this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation. The department said they officially closed Kobayashis case Monday and removed her from the Missing and Unidentified Persons System after being notified by Customs Border Protection the Maui resident had crossed the border appearing in good health. The family had launched a GoFundMe that raised over $47,000 to help find Hannah. Donations have been turned off, and donors who would like a refund can submit a claim, the family said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family has described the days following her disappearance as filled with troubling signs, including unusual financial transactions and multiple sightings. In social media posts made prior to leaving Maui, Kobayashi suggested having a strong desire to detach from modern connectivity, police said in early December. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old woman from Maui who was the subject of an intense search, is speaking out for the first time since her family reported her missing last month. Kobayashi said Monday, Dec. 16, in a letter distributed through her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, that she returned to the United States from Mexico on Sunday and is only now learning about the widespread attention she received. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all, she said in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hawaii woman arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 but missed a connecting flight to New York City, family members said. Her family became alarmed a few days later when she stopped communicating with them, they said. They reported her missing Nov. 13, with the Los Angeles Police Department taking over the case Nov. 15, police said. Family members were particularly concerned with security video showing an unknown man with Kobayashi in Los Angeles, but police said they investigated and found no wrongdoing. Kobayashi had planned to travel to New York to tour museums and galleries as part of her goal of becoming an artist, Pidgeon has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said earlier this month that it appeared Kobayashi willfully remained in L.A. and cut off communication on her own. He said she had her luggage rerouted back to Los Angeles International Airport after missing her flight to New York City. The chief also said investigators reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing in San Diego at 12:13 p.m. Nov. 12. While he said the woman was free to travel, he urged her to reach out to concerned family members, some of whom flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii and other parts of the country to coordinate their search. On Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Kobayashis family said that she had been found safe. Her mother and sister did not say when or where she was found, but said they were grateful she had been located. In her statement Monday, Kobayahsi said she returned to the United States at daybreak on Sunday, without providing details about her experience. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity, she said. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman whose disappearance at LAX prompted a weeks-long search in the city, has spoken out for the first time since returning to the U.S. from Mexico, according to a statement issued by her family. "At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States," Kobayashi said in a statement provided by her aunt, Larie Pidgeon. "My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the statement, Kobayashi said that she didn't learn of the media coverage around her family reporting her missing until she returned. "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding," she wrote. Kobayashi disappeared after missing her Nov. 8 connecting flight to New York at LAX, her family said. She was reported missing after her family said she sent them cryptic text messages suggesting that her identity and money had been stolen. The investigation culminated with the Los Angeles Police Department classifying her as a voluntary missing person, saying there was no evidence of criminal activity and video showed her crossing the border into Mexico. The LAPD also said it didnt believe Kobayashi was a victim of trafficking or foul play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officials said they got notification from Customs Border Protection that Kobayashi reentered the U.S. from Mexico on Sunday and "appeared in good health," according to a department news release. The case was closed, and Kobayashi has been removed from the missing and unidentified persons system. Kobayashi's family pushed back on the official police narrative that their loved one had gone off on her own, insisting that she was still missing. Officials said that on Nov. 12, the 30-year-old used cash and her passport to get a bus ticket to Union Station in order to reach the San Ysidro border crossing, where she crossed into Mexico through a tunnel. Kobayashis father, Ryan, traveled from Hawaii to Los Angeles to help look for his daughter. His body was found Nov. 24 near LAX; authorities deemed his death a suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kobayashi's disappearance was the second case in which a woman was reported missing by their families to the LAPD and their statements conflicted with official police narrative. "Gossip Girl" actress Chanel Banks was reported missing by her family in November before police revealed she was found safe in Texas. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. COURTESY PHOTO Hannah Kobayashi COURTESY PHOTO Hannah Kobayashi A missing Hawaii woman returned to the United States on Sunday, and the Los Angeles Police Department closed the missing-person case that sparked global interest in her disappearance. amid cries of foul play by her family on Nov. 11, but what emerged was a confusing mix of marriage-for-money schemes, a lack of transparency from Koba yashis family and the stress of a missing child that led Koba yashis father to leap to his death from a parking garage. Kobayashi issued her first public statement Monday and claimed she was unaware of media coverage regarding her disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States, she said in a statement distributed to some media outlets by her aunt Larie Pidgeon, who had parted ways with Kobayashis mother and sister. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding. Sydni Kobayashi, who made multiple national press statements and television appearances pleading for her sisters safe return and pushing a narrative that she may have been trafficked or in danger, hired a criminal defense attorney and refused to respond to questions from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Her phone was turned off Monday, and the family refused to tell their side of why Hannah Kobayashi ditched her life in Hawaii only to return. The Los Angeles Police Department received notification from Customs Border Protection that Hannah Kobayashi had presented herself on December 15, 2024, for entry into the US and appeared in good health, according to a statement from the Los Angeles Police Department released Monday. This case is now closed. Hannah Kobayashi has been removed from the Missing and Unidentified Persons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Mail, a newspaper based in the United Kingdom, published a story Monday reporting Koba yashi, 30, was on her way to New York from her home on Maui when she decided to walk out of Los Angeles International Airport and disappear. She was on her way to New York alongside her new green-card husband, Argentina native Alan Cacace, in a bid to hoodwink immigration officials into believing their marriage was genuine, according to the Daily Mail. And, on that same flight, her ex-boyfriend Amun Miranda joined them with his own green-card wife, Mariannewho was Cacaces 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, read the Daily Mail report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Kobayashis colleagues at Up N Smoke, the Maui smoke shop where she worked. But Cacace believed that pictures of him with Koba yashi, perhaps in front of the Empire State Building, in Central Park, on Broadway or by the Statue of Liberty, would be enough to persuade immigration officials that their marriage was for real. It is not immediately clear whether the Koba yashi family will be the subject of a California state criminal investigation or a civil action. This was handled with LAPD as the lead, Laura Eimiller, FBI spokesperson for the bureaus Los Angeles field office, told the Star-Advertiser. I would defer to LAPD and the District Attorney as far as whether any such charges are being considered. I am not aware of any such charges being considered by the federal government at this time. Sara Azari, a criminal defense attorney hired by the Kobayashi family, told the Star-Advertiser, We dont engage with Daily Mail. Nor (do ) we respond to their BS, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family is Brandi Yee, Sydni Kobayashi, Robert Montalvo and Geordan Montalvo. They are my clients. Larie Pidgeon is NOT. The family has done nothing wrong. And therefore, the family is not concerned about any investigation into any misconduct by them. Nor is there any indication that they are investigated for any misconduct, Azari said. A GoFundMe set up to pay for search efforts ; legal fees ; the funeral of Hannah Kobayashis father, Ryan Koba yashi ; communication devices ; a media campaign ; and other efforts designed to find Hannah Koba yashi had raised $44, 366 by Monday. Sydni Kobayashi, in a statement posted Dec. 12 on the GoFundMe page she and her mother, Brandi Yee set up, wrote that the family is incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us, she wrote. We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored. Hannah Waddingham is proud to back Prince William's Earthshot Prize. On Dec. 16, the Ted Lasso star praised the Prince of Wales' dedicated determination to spark environmental change through the worldwide environmental contest he launched in 2020. Waddingham, 50, co-hosted the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Singapore in 2023, and has partnered with Prince William again to host the new documentary The Earthshot Report, which premieres in the U.S. on Dec. 18. "Absolutely thrilling, and what a glorious gentleman he is," Waddingham said in a clip shared to Instagram by Parade on Dec. 16 about the heir to the throne, 42. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I even said to him, myself and the equally fabulous Sterling K. Brown, we were hosting it together and he and I said to Prince William, 'Sir, I hope you realize that you are a cut above the rest,' because he has created the Earthshot organization and he isn't a poster boy for it," she continued, recalling how she and Brown (who she co-hosted the 2023 Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony alongside) were impressed with William's drive. MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Hannah Waddingham, Prince William and Sterling K. Brown at the 2023 Earthshot Prize in Singapore on Nov. 7, 2023. Hannah Waddingham, Prince William and Sterling K. Brown at the 2023 Earthshot Prize in Singapore on Nov. 7, 2023. Related: Why Are Prince William and Hannah Waddingham Playing Darts and Swigging Beers? "It was very obvious from being out there he is the beating heart and he really does care," the Primetime Emmy Award-winning actress continued of William. "He absolutely has those finalists and the people who are in that whole competition, he holds them up, he gets them everything they need and that man is passionate about the environment. I was very proud to be there and being that kind of figurehead for his organization." Waddingham hit the stage to help helm the glamorous prize ceremony for the third cycle of the Earthshot Prize in November 2023, and has stayed connected to the initiative since. She reunited with William at the inaugural Earthshot Prize Innovation Camp in London in June, where the prince joined a panel that she moderated, and is supporting the cause once more with The Earthshot Report. The new documentary highlights inspiring environmental solutions spotlighted by the Earthshot Prize and travels around the world to explore the stories of the innovators at work on solutions to protect and restore the planet. Related: Prince William Wraps Up His Earthshot Prize Visit to Cape Town, South Africa: See the Best Photos! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince William introduces the special, hosted by Waddingham, in the program that premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K. on Dec. 15 and airs on PBS in the U.S. on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET. William and Waddingham had some upbeat fun to promote the documentary in a video released on Dec. 14. There, they met up at Alexandra Palace in London (the site of the first Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in 2021) for a game of darts, round of beers and chat about the Earthshot Prize's ambitions. Prince William launched the contest in 2020 as a decade-long pitch to help heal the planet across five flagship categories Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix Our Climate offering $1.3 million prizes in each tier every year to help innovators scale their ideas and create change. The conversation turned personal when Waddingham asked William about his efforts to instill Earthshot mission in his kids, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, whom he shares with wife Kate Middleton. (In another royal connection, the actress recently attended the Princess of Wales' Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6.) "I talk to my children all the time about it," the Prince of Wales said of the lessons at home. "Its important that they see, touch, feel, and experience nature. Its very hard for anyone to understand whats the point of protecting it if youve never used it." Getty Images Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis arrive for Kate Middleton's Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024. Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis arrive for Kate Middleton's Together at Christmas carol service on Dec. 6, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Prince William traveled to Cape Town, South Africa in November for the fourth cycle of the Earthshot Prize Awards, where the latest cohort of winners was unveiled from a pool of 15 finalists in a glam show featuring appearances by Heidi Klum, Nina Dobrev and Winnie Harlow. William said on the green carpet that it was special to host the event in Africa for the first time and called the continent "a home from home for me." Following the launch in London in 2021, the Earthshot Prize Awards' previous ceremonies were held in Boston in 2022 and Singapore in 2023. Aides have called the effort Prince Williams "Superbowl moment," and viewers can learn more by tuning into The Earthshot Report. The Earthshot Report airs on PBS on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET. Read the original article on People Dec. 25 is extra special this year: It's the date Christmas is always celebrated and, in 2024, marks the day Hanukkah begins. The eight-day "festival of lights" is observed by Jews around the world and marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century after it was liberated. It's also known as the "feast of dedication." "A menorah is lit in each household and traditionally is placed where it can be seen from the outside, such as a doorway or windowsill, to symbolize the spreading of Gods light to all nations," according to PBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are a few things to know about the holiday. Hanukkah this year runs from sundown Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. When will Hanukkah 2025 be celebrated? Hanukkah in 2025 will run from Sunday, Dec. 14 through Monday, Dec. 22. Why do the dates of Hanukkah, or Chanukah, change every year? Hanukkah can begin as early as Nov. 28 or as late as Dec. 27, depending on the year, according to Reader's Digest. The holiday seems to change dates every year since it's actually based on the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar. The Jewish calendar is synced to the moon, so the first day of the month is a new moon and the 15th day of the month is a full moon, according to BimBam, which "provides digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the lunar calendar, the months are shorter 29.5 days than they are in the Gregorian calendar. Hanukkah always falls on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. What is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is an eight-day festival of lights, celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods, according to Chabad.org. It commemorates a miracle that took place in 165 B.C., when a one-day supply of oil used to light the menorah and rededicate the Second Temple of Jerusalem actually lasted eight days, when new oil could be prepared under purification rituals. Can Christians celebrate Hanukkah? Christians can celebrate Hanukkah, and they would be in good company: Jesus celebrated the holiday, too, which is mentioned in the gospel of John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The holiday "can be a meaningful reminder for Christians about Gods ongoing faithfulness beyond the pages of Scripture," according to YouthPastorTheologian, which describes itself as a ministry focused on "helping youth ministries strengthen their biblical and theological teaching." "As Christians, we can celebrate the 'Festival of Lights' as we rededicate our lives to Christ and acknowledge Him as the perfect and true light of this world," Got Questions said. The website provides answers to biblical questions. What does Hanukkah mean? Hanukkah means dedication in Hebrew. How is Hanukkah observed? Hanukkah begins with the lighting of the first candle on the menorah. One candle is lit each night, until all candles are lit on the eighth night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A menorah is lit in every household and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places, according to Chabad. Special blessings and prayers are said and traditional songs are sung. The candle lighting is often accompanied by readings of Psalms 113118 and Numbers 7:18:4, according to Life in Messiah. The ninth candle on the menorah is known as the shamash, the helper. It's used to light the other candles, according to History.com. Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? Why are there so many spellings? Confusion over the spelling of the Jewish holiday is because the name of the holiday is a Hebrew word and the English transliteration isn't clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most popular spellings are Hanukkah and Chanukah. Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional. Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? Why the Jewish holiday has multiple spellings How do you pronounce Hanukkah? The word is pronounced as kha-nu-kah. How do you wish someone 'Happy Hanukkah' in Hebrew? Wish someone a happy Hanukkah in Hebrew by saying "chag sameach," which is pronounced khag sahmeh-ahkh. This means happy holiday. Another Hanukkah greeting is "chag urim sameach," pronounced khag oo-reem sahmeh-ahkh, which translates to happy festival of lights. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hanukkah 2024: When is the first night of Hanukkah? Dec. 17ROCHESTER The federal lawsuit against the former state trooper involved in a fatal crash that killed 18-year-old Olivia Flores revealed multiple instances of speeding earlier in his shift, inaccuracies in his statement to police and a joke made to fellow troopers at the scene. Flores died on May 18 while riding in the back seat of a vehicle driven by her friend. The vehicle was struck by the squad car of the since-fired Minnesota State Trooper Shane Roper. Roper is currently facing nine criminal charges in Olmsted County District Court, including one count of second-degree manslaughter, one count of criminal vehicular homicide and three counts of criminal vehicular operation, all felonies. He is also facing two gross misdemeanor counts of criminal vehicular operation, one count of gross misdemeanor reckless driving and one count of misdemeanor careless driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Dec. 12, Flores' parents filed a lawsuit against Roper, alleging he violated her constitutional rights and wrongfully caused their daughter's death. The lawsuit references multiple incidents captured on Roper's body-worn camera footage, detailing his behaviors before and after the fatal collision. The Post Bulletin attempted to obtain the footage referenced in the lawsuit. However, according to Minnesota statutes, active criminal investigative data collected by law enforcement is confidential. The data will be accessible to the public once an investigation becomes inactive or if it is presented in court. According to the lawsuit, Roper's shift began at 2 p.m. on May 18. He was scheduled to work a speed enforcement saturation shift, looking for speed, seat belt and phone use violations, for the first four hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:13 p.m., Roper observed a possible traffic violation on Highway 52 and accelerated to a top speed of 116 mph with no emergency lights or siren activated. He eventually turned his lights on to stop the vehicle. The driver received a warning for speeding of 76 mph. Thirty minutes later, Roper received a call that a man had his finger stuck in a machine. While driving on rural two-lane roads, he reached speeds of 107 mph in a 45 mph zone, 119 mph in a 55 mph zone and 135 mph in another 55 mph zone. He told his ride-along passenger that these speeds were "normal" for him, court documents say. At 4:40 p.m., Roper accelerated to 99 mph on Highway 52 with no emergency lights while pursuing a vehicle with an expired license plate registration. The driver also received a seat belt ticket. Fifteen minutes later, he issued another seat belt ticket after accelerating to 107 mph on Highway 52. Twenty minutes before the fatal crash, Roper activated his emergency lights while accelerating on Highway 52. He turned them off when he reached 98 mph and continued to accelerate to 105 mph. He eventually stopped a vehicle on 12th Street Southwest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Rochester police after the crash, Roper said during those minutes leading up to the crash he saw a white sedan weaving past and between other motorists, which is when he activated his lights but not his sirens. Roper later told Rochester police that he did not obtain a speed reading of the white sedan despite having a LIDAR, a tool used by law enforcement to measure the speed of other vehicles. According to the lawsuit, he told police that he "assumed" the white sedan was still speeding once it was on 12th Street Southwest although he lost sight of it. Around 5:42 p.m., Roper turned his squad car lights off when he reached 69 mph after he crossed the crest of the roadway on 12th Street Southwest, moments before his squad car collided with the Ford Focus at the intersection of 12th Street Southwest and Apache Drive Southwest. Roper's squad car collided with the Ford Focus around 5:45 p.m., according to RPD's press release in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, Roper was traveling 83 mph in a 40-mph zone. Witnesses told police that the oncoming vehicle was "flying" and said they did not see or hear emergency lights or a siren, according to the complaint. Due to the speed, Roper was unable to brake or maneuver his squad car to avoid the collision, the investigation found. The impact sent both cars eastbound through the intersection to collide with a Toyota Rav4. The criminal complaint said Roper's vehicle was traveling "at least" 55 mph when his squad car struck the Ford Focus that Flores was a passenger in. After the crash, Roper told troopers he had his lights on. His body-worn camera footage shows otherwise, the lawsuit says. Although Roper described the white sedan's movement as weaving through three lanes of Highway 52, the movement isn't visible on Roper's squad camera or body-worn camera footage, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately after colliding with the Ford Focus that Flores was in, the lawsuit says, Roper's body-worn camera footage showed him turn the squad car's lights and sirens on. However, in a statement to the Rochester Police Department, Roper said he believed he had his lights activated before he struck the vehicle. Thirty minutes after the crash, Roper's body-worn camera footage recorded him talking to three Minnesota State Patrol troopers about what happened when he drove through the intersection. "I had my lights on," he told them. During the same interaction, Roper also said, "This isn't my first rodeo." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roper later told police that the Ford Focus did a slight "nosedive," indicating that it was stopping. He said he saw the Ford Focus' hood come up, like it was accelerating, as it started to turn left through the intersection in the seconds before the crash. According to footage from Scheel's, the Ford Focus was stopped for 18 seconds and did not begin turning left until traffic cleared. The lawsuit says Roper likely could not have seen the vehicle do a "nosedive" because he was at a speed "grossly exceeding the other vehicles and without any emergency lights activated." Roper's next court date in the criminal case is Feb. 12, 2025. HERALD SQUARE, Manhattan (PIX11) Officials revealed the cause of a fire that devastated the Herald Holiday Market in Manhattan on Monday morning. The fire was sparked accidentally by electrical wiring, the fire department announced on Tuesday. More Local News Representatives from Urbanspace, the company behind the holiday market, have launched a GoFundMe to help support the small businesses impacted by the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire destroyed 18 businesses, all of which would be assisted by the GoFundMe campaign. Organizers also encouraged shoppers to continue visiting and supporting the surviving portion of the market. (Credit: FDNY) More Manhattan News The fire at the Herald Holiday Market broke out around 4 a.m. Monday morning and quickly spread from booth to booth. One firefighter was seriously injured while battling the blaze. Booths near West 35th and West 36th streets were burned. Stores between West 34th and West 35th streets were unaffected. Vendors said they had to take out insurance for their businesses which they hope will help cover the cost of fire damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In some of her most fulsome remarks since the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a message to those disappointed in the election outcome: Now is the time to stay in the fight and stay true to beliefs. The Tuesday speech marked the vice president's most extensive comments since her concession speech following her loss to President-elect Donald Trump in November. "The story of America's progress when we have made progress, in many ways, is the story of people who stayed true to their ideals, even in the face of difficulty," she said. "The movements for civil rights, women's rights, workers' rights, the United States of America itself ... would never have come to be if people had given up their cause after a court case or a battle or an election did not go their way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris noted that since the election, she has received "tens of thousands of letters" from people across the nation expressing some "disappointment." Over the past several weeks, since the election, I have received tens of thousands of letters from people across our nation, many of them young leaders, Americans from every walk of life, people of every age, race, faith and political party," Harris said in Prince George's County, Maryland. "These letters share a common theme. Yes, there is disappointment, but there is also resolve for the future." PHOTO: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to students and recent graduates at Prince George's Community College, in Largo, Md., Dec. 17, 2024. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) MORE: Biden and Harris urge Democrats to 'keep the faith' at DNC holiday reception As we then approach the end of this year, many people have come up to me telling me they feel tired maybe even resigned that theyre not sure whether they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay in the fight. Let me be very clear: No one can walk away. No one can walk away," she said. "We must stay in the fight, every one of us, including the fight for an economy that works, not just for those at the very top but for working people -- for all Americans. To fight to make sure everyone has a fair shot to pursue their ambitions. The fight for our ideals, including the equality among us, the freedoms to which we are entitled, the dignity that we possess and is possessed by every one of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So we must stay in the fight because that is the responsibility, in my opinion, that comes with the privilege of being an American," she added. Harris thanked the audience of "young leaders," which included high school and college students, recent graduates and apprentices who have been active in their local communities, in her remarks at Prince Georges Community College, and she said they now are "heirs" to the fight to "keep the light of America's promise" burning bright. She was joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Sen.-elect Angela Alsobrooks, all Democrats. Everyone, please, get some rest over the holidays and spend time with the people you love," she concluded. "And then I urge you I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path into the future, chin up, shoulders back and forever impatient for change and be ready to get back to work fighting for opportunity and freedom, fighting for fairness and dignity, back to work fighting for this country we love and the future we share. The speech followed remarks the vice president gave Sunday with President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Committee's holiday reception and came amid questions about Harris' political future after she leaves office on Jan. 20. Harris urges public to 'stay in the fight,' 'come back ready' after the holidays originally appeared on abcnews.go.com HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The mayor of Hartford is cracking down on problem landlords as part of an effort to improve housing in the city. Four landlords have been identified by the city as problem landlords after failing to address tenant concerns and maintain safe housing conditions. Displaced tenants of Concord Hill Apartments get extension on temporary housing Its really important that the individuals that are causing harm in our city face account for that harm, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those landlords are PAXE Properties, which lists Aron Puertz of New Jersey as the principal, Moshe Grossbard of New York who owns 10 LLCs according to the city and Whitehead Estates LLC, owned by Lamor Whitehead of New Jersey. Arulampalam also said four principals of the GreyHill group will be referred to the States Attorneys office for prosecution. This comes after the mayor says GreyHill failed to make repairs on the Concord Hills apartments after a fire displayed about a hundred people four months ago. Were not afraid of you, were not intimidated by you, he said. We will stand up here in the city of Hartford, we stand up for our residents. Identifying the principals of each company is part of the mayors housing initiative to hold landlords accountable. He said tenants have complained about mold, rodent infestations, leaks and lack of heat in units under the top three problem landlords. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont shape up, we are going to drive you out of this city, Arulampalam said. We are going to make it hard for you to do business and when you put profits over people, were going to make sure those profits dry up. Youll face violations and fines and youll find Hartford to be an unhospitable place for you. The city says a lot of the buildings have been foreclosed or transferred to a better landlord. We reached out to these four companies for a response to the comments made today and we have not heard back. The city provided a list of landlords and the extent of code enforcement violations as follows: PAXE properties Aron Puretz, Principal NY 24 buildings totaling 357 residential units, purchased Sept. 2021 Aug.2022 Over 50 Notices of violation issued by Housing Code/Blight Remediation/Building Dept. Multiple properties vacated for unsafe conditions City of Hartford made emergency repairs in multiple properties Liens for relocations and repairs have been filed 13 of the buildings are now in foreclosure and/or receivership due to enforcement by City of Hartford Blight, Housing Code and Building divisions. Moshe Grossbard, Principal NY Principal of the following: 1080 Broad Street LLC, Brick Realty LLC, Hartford Brick LLC, 27 Edgewood LLC, 44-46 Edgewood LLC, Kenyon Realty LLC, Martin Condos LLC, 353 Sigourney LLC, Standish Realty LLC, 221 Ward LLC Notices of Violations for Housing and Building Codes including work without permits /issued citations and liens filed for unpaid fines on multiple properties for non-compliance Whitehead Estates LLC Lamor Whitehead, Principal NJ 150-160 and 170-180 Earle Street (48 residential units) Condemnation of 24 units with relocation by the City of Hartford due to no heat or water Bank in process of foreclosure since 2022 due to two filings of bankruptcy by the owner, both of which have been dismissed. Receiver in place by court order on behalf of the bank Whitehead is serving a 9-year sentence in NJ Federal system after conviction on multiple counts of fraud Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A Hartford teen accused of killing his cousin appeared before a judge Tuesday. Saulo Soto-Veliz, 17, was transferred to adult court for the death of cousin, Edgar Martinez. Martinez was days away from celebrating his 19th birthday when his sister and aunt reported him missing on Nov. 8. Practically he was a child, he came here at 15 years old to come fight for his dream of being an adult and do the things that he wanted for his life, said the victims aunt, Veronica Martinez in Spanish. He was always very respectful to us. May God rest him in Heaven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinezs body was found wrapped in comforter dumped on Nov. 9 near Pope Park Highway. An arrest warrant said police went to Martinezs apartment and watched surveillance video showing two men carrying what appeared to be a body wrapped in blankets. In the unit Martinez shares with suspects Saulo Soto-Veliz and his 21-year-old brother, Sender, investigators found several droplets/smears of blood-like substance throughout the apartment, to include the bathroom, kitchen and both bedrooms. The warrant also says that The door of Bedroom #1 was observed to have white tape covering two apparent bullet holes. On one of the walls within bedroom #1 was a sticker that was found to have been placed to cover an apparent bullet hole. Sender Soto-Veliz was in court last month. He is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution. The warrant said Sender told investigators his brother Saulo called him on Nov. 8, saying Martinez was dead. On a second phone call, the document said that Saulo explained that there was a fight between Saulo and Martinez. Saulo explained that during the fight, he (Saulo) shot and killed Martinez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sender admitted to investigators that it was his idea to dump the body. Martinezs aunt and sister were in court on Tuesday. They say they dont know why the suspects would kill Martinez, who was loved by many. Everyone loves him, there are many tributes to him both at work and at home, and everywhere because all the people who knew him know that he was a respectable boy, Veronica Martinez said. The family said they were able to transport Martinez body back to Guatemala to be reunited with his parents. Saulo Soto-Veliz is expected to be back in court Jan. 16 and Senders next court date is Feb. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Dec. 16Harvard Pilgrim Health Care reversed a decision to stop covering certain HIV medications to Mainers, news of which created anxiety and confusion during the state's open enrollment period. The reversal, announced Monday, follows an investigation by the State Bureau of Insurance, after advocacy groups charged that proposed policy changes by the insurer, also known as Point32 Health, violated the Affordable Care Act and went against widely agreed-upon medical expertise. The change would have applied to common HIV medications like Biktarvy, a once-daily pill. The provider will also cover all eight nationally recommended treatment regimens for HIV, the bureau said in a release Monday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Carey, Maine's superintendent of insurance, applauded the reversal, but noted that it took a push by the government for the company to act. "The Bureau of Insurance will make certain that people with HIV or any other condition are not unfairly discriminated against or forced to switch insurers to maintain their course of treatment," Carey said in a written statement. "I also appreciate the work that health care advocates, in particular the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, and health care providers played in bringing this matter to our attention." Biktarvy will be available under all plans provided via CoverME.gov, the bureau said. The HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute filed its initial complaint with the bureau in November, alleging that failing to cover the broadly accepted treatment regimens would discourage people with HIV from enrolling in Harvard Pilgrim's coverage and would violate federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Affordable Care Act mandates that insurers provide "appropriate access to drugs that are included in broadly accepted treatment guidelines and that are indicative of general best practices at the time." The institute also noted that changes were not proposed for Harvard Pilgrim members in Massachusetts. Carl Schmid, the institute's executive director, said the reversal came as a surprise. "It is amazingly good news. And it shows that the advocacy works," he said on a Monday evening phone call. But "this is not the way that it's supposed to work. They're supposed to be covering the drugs in the first place." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmid added that open enrollment closed last week, making the reversal essentially moot for the upcoming calendar year. But he said, assuming the laws remain unchanged, this reversal should hold up in future enrollment periods. "They were successful in getting people not to sign up for their plan, which is unfortunate," Schmid said. "I think a lot of people with HIV went to another plan." Katie Rutherford, executive director of the Frannie Peabody Center in Portland, said her agency scrambled for weeks to help clients transfer from Harvard Pilgrim to other insurers after they heard about the initial decision. "When we saw the press release come out today from the bureau, 'I was like, Well, the damage is done,'" she said. "Unfortunately, the timing of the reversal is such that we already had to take the steps to support people in switching carriers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Rutherford said, the bureau's intervention is a warning to other insurance companies who may try to skirt regulations, and she hopes similar issues that come up will be resolved more quickly following this precedent. And while open enrollment has concluded for 2025, Rutherford noted that the change could be significant for Mainers who might become eligible for a special enrollment period later in the year. Enrollment for coverage beginning Feb. 1 is open on CoverME.gov through Jan. 15. "Now they have options ... instead of going with the one carrier who's going to cover their meds," Rutherford said. The reversal also comes amid a national uproar over the ethics of health insurance companies following the killing of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive officer earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reversal followed an internal review and came "in response to our members' concerns," a Harvard Pilgrim spokesperson said in a written statement Monday evening. "It is important to note that existing members would have had continued coverage of Biktarvy and other HIV medications, and new members to the plan would have had coverage of equally effective medication alternatives," the spokesperson. "Nevertheless, we made the decision to continue coverage for both existing and new members according to formulary guidelines." Rutherford, who was among the signatories of the institute's November complaint, said she was first alerted to the change by a client who was informed of the news via a letter from Harvard Pilgrim. Had that person not spoken out, she said, the advocacy groups could have lost valuable time formulating their challenge. "One of the toughest things when it comes to HIV is stigma," Rutherford said. "It can be especially tough for a lot of folks to raise their voices when things like this happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of Harvard Pilgrim's intention, choosing to exclude HIV treatments is "not a good look" for the company, said Heather Sharkey, assistant clinical professor at the University of New England and a board-certified doctor of family medicine. Sharkey said patients tend to remember when insurance companies treat them poorly, especially when selecting new plans. She called choosing to exclude HIV treatments "unconscionable," as the disease is a public health issue. She said she was glad to see the company reverse course, but noted that selecting the best insurance plan can often be tricky since there are so many variables to consider. "It's difficult to be a patient in the health care system in the United States," Sharkey said. "You can do your homework, you can try to be educated, but the rules seem to change without advanced notice." This story has been updated to show that enrollment for part of 2025 remains open through mid-January. Copy the Story Link Recently, some readers wondered if I developed a "MAGA mindset" following the Nov. 5 election of Donald Trump to a second non-consecutive term for president. Writers privately and publicly expressed shock and disappointment about columns I wrote criticizing President Joe Biden for calling Trump supporters "garbage" and for granting an all-encompassing pardon to his son Hunter Biden. "Holding President Joe Biden to a higher standard than that of a convicted criminal like Trump is ludicrous," wrote Carlos Tirres of Nolensville in a letter to the editor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During my 10 years in Tennessee, I typically get accused of being too "woke." In 2015, I shared a letter I received with the salutation: "Dear bleeding heart socialist." I am neither a socialist nor a MAGA Republican, but I do believe wholeheartedly in the promise of this democratic republic we live in that offers us the opportunity to disagree vehemently with each other, but also empowers us to reject abuses of power and responsibility. Electors works to affirm the will of the people in their states On Tuesday, I am scheduled to attend the meeting of electors at the Tennessee State Capitol who will affirm that Trump won the state's 11 electoral votes in 2024. Electoral Collage members Tom Lawless and Beth Amos are sworn in before casting their vote on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 at the Tennessee House of Representative Chamber in Nashville, Tenn. This will be my third time attending this solemn ceremony that is fundamental to how the United States picks its chief executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I first attended this event in 2016 when a protester began shouting from the state House gallery that the electors were not fulfilling the "will of the people," by which she meant that Trump lost the popular vote even though he won the majority of states. I wrote a column then, criticizing the relevance of the Electoral College and got accused of sour grapes by several readers. Looking back, I should have taken a step back and what I might have said instead is something like: "I do not like the outcome of this election. While I will accept the results, I realize I do not have to surrender my views or capitulate to the whims of a president." The first Trump term was full of disruption, but it also yielded tremendous innovation in the civic journalism space, leading many of us to become more present in our communities, to grow the diversity of views on our platforms, and to make connections between citizens, regardless of how they voted. That era resulted in The Tennessean's Civility Tennessee initiative, which is evolving into a philosophy of helping communities develop a "citizenship mindset." At the 2020 meeting of electors, COVID restrictions limited the number of people in the gallery, but I was one of the few. While the electors affirmed Trump's win in Tennessee, it was sad and irresponsible that he could not come publicly to accept his loss overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candidates win and lose elections, and as Trump found in 2024, they can achieve comebacks. Replace fear with resolve and intentionality over the next four years In the weeks leading up to Trump's second inauguration, news stories and social feeds talk about Trump's promises of retribution, his threats against his critics and the press, and his need to be the center of attention all the time. Secretary of State Tre Hargett speaks during Tennessees 2020 Electoral College at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. We have watched this movie before, and now is the time to prepare one's mindset in the new Trump era. For me, my goals include not being mopey, not doomscrolling and not being overcome with rage, but focusing instead on what I can do to contribute to my community and provide myself some peace when I need to disengage from the world of politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an opinion writer, it also means not shying away from criticism of an elected official, regardless of their party label, but seeking constructive, rather than destructive in my tone and arguments. Throughout the 2024 election, I saw many friends, especially in the LGBTQ community, post on social media sincere messages about the fear they felt that a second Trump term would erode their civil rights. I do not begrudge them, and I know what it's like to be threatened or insulted for being a Latino son of immigrants, gay and being among the minority of Tennessee voters who cast a ballot in the presidential election. However, we need to do better about embracing people who are hurting, and work to replace fear with resolve and be intentional in our daily practice of civic participation. That means calling out bullies and finding ways to seek common ground with adversaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I expect the next four years will be disruptive, but I am not ready to give up on my country. David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters.. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @davidplazas. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump's second term calls on citizens to shift our mindsets | Opinion By Laman Ismayilova On the occasion of the 152nd anniversary of the National Theater Day, the 1st Children's Theater Festival will be held in Baku from March 10 to 17, 2025. The event was jointly organized by the Baku City Main Department of Culture under the Culture Ministry and the Union of Theater Workers of Azerbaijan. The 1st Children's Theater Festival planned for children aged 6-14, is aimed at preserving Azerbaijani folk tales and increasing the interest of the new generation in culture. The festival can involve 10 people in 15 teams. Performances based on folk tales presented by teams will last 20-35 minutes. The main goal of the festival is to preserve our cultural heritage, instill in children the skills of teamwork, introduce them to the stage culture and the manifestation of their talents. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) Holyoke Community College (HCC) celebrated the grand opening of the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center and Parent Learning Center on December 11, marking a significant step forward in supporting adult learners and student parents. Dante Club holds final craft show of the year The centers were made possible by a $1 million posthumous donation from the Elaine Nicpon Marieb Foundation. Elaine Marieb, a former HCC faculty member and world-renowned author of anatomy and physiology textbooks, dedicated her life to education and was herself an adult learner. President George Timmons helps celebrate the grand opening of the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center and Parent Learning Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Holyoke Community College) Education lifts people up into a new life stage and enhances their quality of life, said Anne Morales Medina, HCCs associate director of recruitment and enrollment management, quoting Marieb during the opening ceremony. Marieb, who began her college journey as a married mother of two, earned multiple degrees and became a celebrated educator before her death in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Marieb Adult Learner Success Center offers a dedicated lounge and study area for students aged 24 and older, along with staff offices for personalized support. Nearby, the Parent Learning Center provides a family-friendly environment equipped with a desk and play area for children, computer workstations, a library of childrens books, and more. We are a space dedicated to HCCs adult learner and student-parent community, said Medina, where students who are 24 or older, or any student parent, can receive admissions counseling, holistic advising, and career counseling, and attend workshops. The Parent Learning Center is particularly impactful, offering student parents a space where they can focus on their studies without worrying about being a distraction to others. Since the program launched earlier this year, over 200 HCC students have enrolled in the support initiatives. Medina emphasized Mariebs belief in the resilience of adult learners and student parents. Marieb Adult Learner Success Center staffers, from left, Momina Sims (career planning and placement coordinator); Amy Woody (program coordinator); Anne Morales Medina (associate director of recruitment and enrollment); Danielle Clough (academic counselor); and HCC alum Elizabeth Busker 21, in the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center, holding a ceremonial check from HCC benefactor Elaine Marieb. (Photo courtesy of Holyoke Community College) Sharale Mathis, HCCs vice president of academic and student affairs, highlighted the colleges mission: Our job as a community college is to support every student that walks through the door with everything they walk through the door with. Through this generous donation and the launch of the Marieb Adult Learner Success Center and this Parent Learning Center, I hope our adult students and student parents know that we see you, we value you, and we support you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, HCC President George Timmons reflected on the lasting impact of Mariebs generosity. This is truly a major moment for us as an institution, said Timmons. We are unapologetic about removing barriers to student success. Every student who walks through these doors and is successful is testimony to Elaine Mariebs legacy and commitment. 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. A senior Russian general was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow, a day after Ukraines security service leveled criminal charges against him. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out the attack. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed as he left for his office. Kirillovs assistant also died in the attack. Kirillov, 54, was under sanctions from several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his actions in Moscows war in Ukraine. On Monday, Ukraines Security Service, or SBU, opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. The SBU has said it recorded more than 4,800 occasions when Russia used chemical weapons on the battlefield since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In May, the U.S. State Department said that it had recorded the use of chloropicrin, a poison gas first deployed in World War I, against Ukrainian troops. Russia has denied using any chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of using toxic agents in combat. Kirillov, who took his current job in 2017, was one of the most high-profile figures to level those accusations. He held numerous briefings to accuse the Ukrainian military of using toxic agents and planning to launch attacks with radioactive substances claims that Ukraine and its Western allies rejected as propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bomb used in Tuesday's attack was triggered remotely, according to Russian news reports. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched brickwork. The SBU official provided video that they said was of the bombing. It shows two men leaving a building shortly before a blast fills the frame. Russias top state investigative agency said it's looking into Kirillovs death as a case of terrorism, and officials in Moscow vowed to punish Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russias Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, described the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to distract public attention from its military failures and vowed that its senior military-political leadership will face inevitable retribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Russian military bloggers and hawkish commentators made unsubstantiated claims that the U.S. could have been involved in Kirillov's killing. Asked about Kirillovs death, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday: The United States was not aware of it in advance and was not involved. Speaking on the sidelines of a summit in Estonia, Swedens Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he did not have details of the attack but told The Associated Press that it would be understandable for the Ukrainians "to do everything in their power to hit back. In the past year, Russia has been on the front foot in the war, grinding deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine despite heavy losses. Ukraine tried to change the dynamic with an incursion into Russia's Kursk region, but it has continued to slowly lose ground on its own territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Russia invaded, several prominent figures have been killed in targeted attacks believed to have been carried out by Ukraine. Darya Dugina, a commentator on Russian TV channels and the daughter of Kremlin-linked nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, died in a 2022 car bombing that investigators suspected was aimed at her father. Vladlen Tatarsky, a popular military blogger, died in April 2023, when a statuette given to him at a party in St. Petersburg exploded. A Russian woman, who said she presented the figurine on orders of a contact in Ukraine, was convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison. In December 2023, Illia Kyva, a former pro-Moscow Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia, was shot and killed near Moscow. The Ukrainian military intelligence lauded the killing, warning that other traitors of Ukraine would share the same fate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 9, a bomb planted under a car in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Donetsk killed Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of the Olenivka Prison where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a missile strike in July 2022. One other person was injured in the blast. Russian authorities said they detained a suspect in the attack. ___ Associated Press writer Illia Novikov contributed from Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia's head of chemical weapons was killed on Tuesday when a scooter bomb exploded in Moscow. Ukraine was behind the attack, a Ukrainian Security Service source told BI. Igor Kirillov is the most prominent military official to be killed since Russia invaded Ukraine. A high-ranking general responsible for Russia's chemical weapons was killed on Tuesday by a bomb placed in a scooter on a Moscow street. A source inside Ukraine's Security Service with knowledge of the attack told Business Insider the agency was behind the death of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They shared a video with BI taken from a nearby vehicle, which showed two people exiting a building and moving toward a waiting car, and then a violent explosion taking place. The Wall Street Journal also reported Ukrainian officials as saying the killing was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine. Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed by a bomb planted in a scooter parked on a street in Moscow, Russia's investigative committee said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday. "According to the investigation, on the morning of December 17, an explosive device was detonated in a scooter parked next to the entrance of a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a result of the incident, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Igor Kirillov and his assistant were killed," it added. The committee said it had opened a criminal case and that investigators and forensic experts were working at the scene. The Russian investigations committee didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI. According to the Ukrainian source, the bomb on the scooter was detonated when Kirillov and his assistant were entering a nearby house on Ryazansky Prospekt. BI couldn't independently verify the claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target," they said, accusing Kirillov of giving orders to use banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. "Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable," they added. Kirillov is the most prominent military official to be killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the Financial Times. He was sanctioned by the UK in October for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine, including the choking agent chloropicrin. Kirillov's death follows a string of similar attacks, some of which sources said were the work of Ukraine's Security Service or other agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia's Security Council and a former Russian president, described Kirillov's killing as a terrorist attack, and offered his condolences to Kirillov's family, per the TASS news agency. He also said that Ukraine would pay for its actions. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider Ukraine set out to narrow the gap with Russia in long-range weaponry by developing a next-level kamikaze drone. However, at one point, things took an unexpected turn and Ukraine ended up with a fully-fledged missile. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered that 3,000 cruise missiles be produced in 2025. Although the Ukrainian defence industry has successfully completed this year's super-task producing one million First-Person View (FPV) drones well ahead of schedule, the target for cruise missiles appears, at first glance, to be entirely unrealistic. Even during Soviet times, Ukrainian plants did not excel in producing large cruise missiles, except for the Kharkiv Aviation Plant, which has long since lost this technology. Ukraine has developed the Neptune cruise missile, which is being worked on by the Luch design bureau, though large-scale production is not happening at the moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is, in fact, possible to produce 3,000 missiles next year. The only caveat is that they would be small in size. While the Russians are increasing the size of their missiles, producing the notorious Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles, Ukraine is continuing to advance long-range drone technology, enhancing their speed, accuracy and power. Ukrainian engineers conceived the idea of improving kamikaze drones and created a hybrid of drones and missiles. The new weapon occupies the niche of long-range drones, but its jet engine and advanced guidance system earn it the right to be called a missile. Ukrainian companies are already mass-producing them and preparing to scale up production significantly. A drone or a missile The question of what to call small cruise missiles is debated not only in Ukraine. "But is it a missile or a drone?" asks an article in the American magazine The Warzone, which explores the concept of small, cheap missiles capable of hitting targets hundreds of miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has come to refer to such products as "drone-missiles," a term used by the Ukrainian president when he unveiled the Palianytsia turbojet drone missile system on Ukraine's Independence Day, 24 August, this year. ["Palianytsia", a type of bread, is a Ukrainian word that Russians find difficult to pronounce properly. Since the full-scale Russian invasion started, Ukrainians have used the word as a means to identify Russian military or saboteurs ed.] Information from open sources suggests that the Palianytsia has a warhead weighing about 100 kg, which is four times lighter than the Russian Kalibr cruise missile. At the same time, this is 2 to 4 times heavier than the warheads typically carried by Ukrainian long-range drones. Another missile, the Peklo (Hell), was unveiled in early December. It has a much smaller warhead than the Palianytsia, making it resemble a kamikaze drone. However, it can reach speeds of up to 700 km/h [approx. 430 mph], while conventional drones typically fly at 150-200 km/h [roughly 90-120 mph]. According to one of Peklo's developers, technically speaking, the drone qualifies as a cruise missile due to the presence of a jet engine. The Ukrainian-made missiles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Screenshot from a video by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy In a way, the term "drone-missiles" can be considered fair. When it comes to cruise missiles, Ukrainians typically think of Russian missiles, which carry warheads weighing 400 kg or more, travel at speeds of around 1000 km/h and feature multiple targeting systems. In contrast, kamikaze drones are slower, carry warheads that are ten times smaller, and have less advanced navigation systems. Small cruise missiles, however, fall somewhere in between. Why does Ukraine need small missiles? Small cruise missiles mark a new chapter in drone warfare. Since the end of 2022, Ukraine and Russia have exchanged thousands of long-range drone strikes, continuously improving their technology in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians are working to mass-produce drones and make them more cost-effective. They use Shahed and Gerbera loitering munitions to deplete Ukrainian air defences before launching strikes with larger missiles. With a limited stock of large missiles, drones remain Kyiv's primary means of attacking targets behind enemy lines. At one point, it became routine for Ukrainian drones to strike Russian targets several hundred kilometres from the border, but the Russians are learning quickly and are increasingly shooting down Ukrainian drones. As a result, Ukrainian engineers began to focus on improving UAV design to continue destroying military and oil depots in Russia. Ukrainian plants have several challenges to meet at once. The first is increasing the likelihood of a drone crossing multiple defence lines across the war zone, which is heavily fortified with Russian air defence units. Ukrainian kamikaze drones, powered by electric motors or internal combustion engines, move slowly, so the Russians have learnt to shoot them down with small arms or anti-aircraft guns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second is improving accuracy. Unable to deploy heavy payloads, drone operators are forced to target vulnerabilities in Russian facilities: transformers, warehouses containing components and primary oil refineries. Hitting these targets accurately is a challenge. The third is increasing the strike force. A standard 20-50 kg warhead is often insufficient to breach the protection of targets and inflict significant damage on Russian forces. To achieve these objectives, Ukrainian engineers need to equip drones with jet engines and alternative guidance systems and increase the size of the warhead. Drone improvements are ongoing, but the drone platform is gradually reaching its capability limits. In parallel, Ukrainian designers have started developing new products small cruise missiles that could elevate Ukraine's long-range weapons to a new technological level. The birth of the Peklo missile Ekonomichna Pravda talked to the developers of the Peklo missile. For security reasons, the name of the company will not be disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea to develop the missile emerged after discussions with the Ukrainian military. UAV operators asked for a cost-effective weapon with a small warhead, capable of striking targets several hundred kilometres behind enemy lines. The military never specifically requested a jet engine; its inclusion was an initiative by the designers themselves. In August 2023, the company developed its terms of reference and created the first sketches. From that point, a complex process of development and testing began. The development programme lasted one year, was self-funded by the manufacturer, and cost several million dollars. The Peklo missiles Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Herman Smetanin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries One of the designers explained that the first task was to get the missile airborne: before it could reach the enemy, it needed an initial thrust. Ukrainian drones are typically launched from a catapult or runway, though this is not feasible for cruise missiles due to their technical characteristics. Cruise missiles are usually launched from aircraft, ships or specialised ground launchers. The method of launching the Peklo missile is currently withheld for security reasons. However, as development progresses, the company plans to enable launches from various platforms. The next challenge for the designers was to ensure the missile could hit its target and, before that, teach it to navigate in space. The Peklo is equipped with at least two guidance systems: an inertial system and GPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An inertial system works by having a computer independently calculate the missile's position and determine how it needs to adjust its movement to hit the target using installed sensors and indicators. This method does not guarantee high hit accuracy, especially at long distances. Therefore, it is complemented by other navigation methods. GPS guidance works by receiving missile location data from satellites. Its main weakness is the potential for interference from Russian electronic warfare, which can spoof the satellite signal. The only way to safeguard against this is by using controlled reception pattern antennas (CRPA), which block external interference. These antennas are both manufactured in Ukraine and imported. The developer has not disclosed information about other existing or potential guidance systems but mentions that various missile variants are currently in development. "Weve got to surprise the Russians," said one of the project managers. Once the engine, electronics, and other components had been selected, the missile was sent for testing. Due to the weapon's long-range capability, testing often had to start at one Ukrainian test site and finish at another. The Peklo missile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Screenshot from a video by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy To save costs on prototype production, the company temporarily added the ability for the missile to land by parachute. However, up to seven missiles were lost during testing, which resulted in significant financial losses for the developer. When the product was nearly ready, it was showcased to the military at a test site. President Zelenskyy was invited to one of the demonstrations, and Ekonomichna Pravda has learned that it was he who suggested the name "Peklo," as the weapon evoked the relevant associations. The warhead's size is relatively small, comparable to that of a conventional long-range kamikaze drone. But, as the developer says, the missile gets the job done. Senior Ukrainian officials inspecting the Peklo missiles Photo: Herman Smetanin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries Ekonomichna Pravda has learned that since development began, the Peklo missile has been used in combat at least five times, one of which resulted in the destruction of a costly Russian military asset. The Peklo in mass production Once the development and codification of the Peklo missile were completed, it was swiftly put into mass production. There was no shortage of buyers, as the very same units within Ukraine's defence forces that operate long-range drones signed contracts with the company. Over the past three months, the developer has produced approximately 100 missiles and is now ramping up production capacity. The exact cost of a single missile cannot be disclosed, though it is expected to be lower than the price of the Ukrainian-made kamikaze drone Liutyi (Fierce) [approx. US$200,000, according to Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military news outlet]. The Peklo missiles Photo: Herman Smetanin, Ukraine's Minister for Strategic Industries The developer states that the missile is made up of 70% Ukrainian components sourced from both state and private companies. Mass production experiences some bottlenecks, but these are being mitigated through the interchangeability of components. For example, the missile can be equipped with different engines, depending on their availability on the market. The future of the missile in mass production will depend on its performance against the Russians. This will reveal how well the technology meets the demands of war and which areas will need further improvement. Palianytsia, Ruta and others Three Ukrainian cruise missiles, Palianytsia, Peklo and Ruta, were unveiled in 2024. The first two are in mass production, while the third is being tested. In fact, there are more drone- missile models, but not all of them have been publicly disclosed by the authorities. The Palianytsia and Ruta have a larger explosive payload than the Peklo, so each of these weapons will likely be used against different types of targets. The Ruta missile Photo: Mikhail Kokorich The number of missiles produced in 2025 will depend not only on factory capacity but also on available funding. However, since the president himself publicly set the task of producing 3,000 missiles, the participants in the missile programme will not be left without contracts. In addition, Ukraine has been using a mechanism to raise money for arms production from its Western partners for several months now. Lithuania agreed to allocate 10 million for the production of the Palianytsia missile for the needs of the Ukrainian defence forces. This could be a signal to other countries. It is now possible to say that a market for small cruise missiles is beginning to take shape, much like the earlier development of the long-range drone market. There will be large missiles Drone-missiles will remain a specialised weapon, unable to fully replace large cruise missiles. Nevertheless, the experience of developing small missiles in the future may become an impetus for cooperation between defence companies for the production of longer-range weapons. The development of large cruise missiles is a much more challenging task and will require much more time, money and expertise. All the problems that developers encountered when working with small missiles will be felt many times more acutely. A project of this complexity requires support from the state and the military, which will be able to encourage companies to cooperate, develop precise terms of reference, find funding and components, and facilitate the introduction of this technology into the Armed Forces. Ukraine has one key development in this category the Neptune anti-ship missile. It is mass-produced, continuously upgraded and has recently been deployed to strike Russian ground targets. Additionally, work is continuing on a ballistic missile, likely the Sapsan, which successfully passed tests earlier this year. The missile programme is one of the most secretive areas of Ukraine's defence sector, meaning not all projects are made public. In 2025, Russians may see new Ukrainian missiles in the sky, whether it's a Sapsan, a longer-range Neptune, or something else, just as they did with the Palianytsia and Peklo this year. Translation: Artem Yakymyshyn Editing: Susan McDonald HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) Henderson County residents are encouraged to pick up a free turkey or ham on Tuesday after a generous Brookshire Grocery Co. customer anonymously donated $100,000. Texas most popular Christmas song is also one of the most hated According to the City of Mabank, this is a first-come, first-served event, so residents are encouraged to come early while supplies last. One turkey will be provided per vehicle in Athens and one ham will be given per vehicle at the Brownsboro location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents can stop by at one of these locations to receive their free Christmas food beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday: Rock Hill Baptist Church at 20022 TX-31 in Brownsboro Henderson County Regional Fair Park at 3356 TX-31 BUS in Athens While this is open to the public, we want to ensure that residents of Henderson County are aware of this generous donation from their fellow community member, city officials said. We hope you will help us give a warm heads-up to Henderson County residents so they may be first in line on Tuesday morning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) During a property check in the neighborhoods of Pine St. and Dwight St., Holyoke patrol officers and narcotics detectives discovered a large stash of cocaine and heroin. Pittsfield man sentenced to four years in prison for assault, animal cruelty, and property damage Police prompted this search as part of their ongoing effort to combat the distribution of illicit drugs. The Holyoke Police Department said that currently no suspects have been tied to the seizure of these narcotics. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Two decades ago, a pair of physicists stood in a museum in Madrid contemplating the work of the post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. One word kept popping up to describe the artists work and life: turbulent. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. One physicist turned to the other to ask: Can the turbulence in Van Goghs paintings be quantified? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new controversy in physics was born. Turbulence is all around us. It is found in the whirls in the atmosphere that make a plane ride bumpy, the eddies that churn the ocean, the chaotic churning of gas clouds that help birth new stars. But describing turbulence at a mathematical level is one of the hardest problems in science. Turbulence links together the motion of fluids at different scales of a system, feeding energy from large-scale swirls to smaller ones, as a 1922 verse by English mathematician and physicist Lewis Fry Richardson puts it: Big whirls have little whirls that feed on their velocity, and little whirls have lesser whirls and so on to viscosity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In statistical terms, this looks a bit different. In 1941, Andrey N. Kolmogorov, a Soviet mathematician, developed a statistical theory of turbulence. Kolmogorovs scaling law describes how energy is distributed across different scales in a turbulent flow. To measure it in a static painting, researchers had to devise a method to measure its flow, a problem that held them back for a year. After admiring the emotional turbulence in the paintings at the museum, physicist Jose Luis Aragon at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and his colleague Manuel Torres at the Spanish National Research Council began to search for mathematical turbulence in a few of Van Goghs paintings by examining differences in the luminance, or brightness, of pixels separated by a given distance. They found that The Starry Night was turbulent, and not just by artistic standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decade later, astrophysicist James Beattie analyzed the variations in luminance in a patch in the middle portion of the painting. He broke the square down into three color channels for analysis. He found that Van Goghs swirls and vortexes followed the statistical fluctuations found in a different flavor of turbulence that gives birth to the real starry night: supersonic turbulence. Beattie is an astrophysicist at Princeton University and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics who uses supercomputers to simulate supersonic turbulence and is also captivated by the visual spectacle of turbulence in nature. He recently replaced the sky of Van Goghs painting with a simulation of supersonic turbulence. Yet the question of whether Van Gogh precisely depicts turbulence at a mathematical level was not settled. Another paper appeared, rebutting the original paper and accusing those who suggested turbulence was embedded in the work of perpetuating a myth. Now, a new study in the journal Physics of Fluids tries to settle the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Physicist Yongxiang Huang of Xiamen University assigned the problem to his graduate student, Yinxiang Ma, who started out by converting the painting to grayscale. Then, they removed the village, the church, the mountains - anything that didnt flow. That left the 14 eddies in the iconic painting. They began manually analyzing each whorl, measuring several hundred individual brushstrokes, quantifying the brightness along with the width and length of each stroke. Beattie notes that in a static painting, its impossible to study the velocity or energy of a fluid or gas as scientists typically would. We instead think of the paint itself as a trace of the underlying structure of the turbulence, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the new study, the researchers found classical turbulence in the painting - the sizes of the swirling eddies and their relative distance and intensity followed the physical law discovered by Kolmogorov when they analyzed all the vortexes lighting the night sky, including the moon. They also found within the variation of the brushstrokes a pattern known as Batchelors scaling, named after Australian mathematician George Batchelor. In 1959, Batchelor identified a universal law describing how a passive scalar - which could be a dollop of cream stirred in coffee, confetti thrown into a turbulent wind or jellyfish in ocean currents - is transported by a turbulent flow. Whats unusual, according to Huang, is seeing both types of scaling at the same time. For many years, scientists have attempted to validate this theory through laboratory experiments and high-resolution numerical simulations using supercomputers, Huang said. Thus, it is quite surprising to us to observe both of these scalings in this masterwork by Van Gogh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huang credits Van Gogh not with understanding the math of turbulence, but of being a careful observer of turbulent flows. For a turbulence theorist, we pride ourselves on the universality of turbulence - its here, its there, its everywhere. What I take away from studies like this is that Van Gogh captured some of this universality in the beautiful Starry Night. And I think people know this, Beattie said in an email. They know that something wonderful has been embedded in this painting and we are drawn to it - physicists and layperson alike. The swirls and whirls - they are familiar to us. Related Content Deny and delay: The practices fueling anger at U.S. health insurers OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) The families of two newlyweds from Weber County are raising money for the couple after the groom was rushed to the hospital with swelling on the brain while on vacation just a couple short weeks after tying the knot. His mother-in-law told ABC4 that the first visit to the hospital wont likely be covered by insurance. Lexie and Jax Packard are high school sweethearts who celebrated their five-year anniversary on November 17th by getting married. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the most beautiful day of all of our lives, Jennifer Garrett, Lexies mom, told ABC4 through a laugh. While showing off one of the wedding pictures with the couple in an embrace, Garrett explained, They did a first look with each other. Year-long carp hunt contest aims to remove carp from Utah Lake: We want carp gone Jennifer Garrett is a single mother. She said she looks up to her daughter and new son-in-law because of the bond they have as a couple. She added, I hope that I can find that. The love that they have, the commitment that they have, it blows my mind, and I am so proud of them. While the wedding was magical, the fairytale seemed like it might be cut short just two weeks later. We went from the happiest feelings you can have to some of the scariest, Garrett stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jax was having migraines, dizzy spells, nausea, and trouble with speech. Garrett told ABC4 that the couple went to the doctor a couple of times to try to figure out what was wrong. Just to be kind of blown off as a sinus infection and have it grow into so much pain before it was caught was crazy, she added. It all came to a head during a family trip to St. George just days after the pain began. Garrett was not on the trip but explained, They realized he needed to go to a hospital right away. His eye had swollen so much more. It was basically completely shut. Unmanned drones confirmed near Hill Air Force Base Garrett said that at the hospital in St. George, doctors found swelling on the brain and were able to drain fluid to alleviate the pressure. However, there was a cyst on his brain, behind his eye, that needed to be removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple learned that the hospital was not part of their health insurance plan and decided they needed to get to a hospital closer to home that was part of their coverage. Garrett told ABC4 that doctors told the pair if they were to leave, Jax would die. Despite the warnings, they made a decision to drive back home and seek treatment at Ogden Regional Medical Center. They arrived in the evening and the next morning, Jax had surgery. During the surgery, Garrett said doctors were able to remove the cyst from Jaxs brain. A cyst which she says was about the size of a grape. Hes doing so good now, she added. Today, Jax is at home recovering with his wife and two-year-old daughter. He wont be able to work during recovery and the first hospital visit will likely not be covered by insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Garrett told ABC4 that neither family will let the newlyweds go without. Nonetheless, the two should be focused on the honeymoon stage rather than covering unexpected bills, so Lexies aunt created a GoFundMe Account to help get the two on their feet. A whole lot of adulting in the first couple of months of being 21, stated Garrett. Its a lot of pressure, a lot of emotions. It was just wild. Something youd never think would happen to you. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nearly 40,000 households in seven rural New Mexico school districts will receive high-speed home internet in the coming months. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez Viloria / Getty Images) Nearly 40,000 households in seven rural New Mexico school districts will receive high-speed home internet in coming months, following state grants from the Office of Broadband Access and Expansions Student Connect program. The OBAEs Student Connect program falls under the offices Connect New Mexico Fund, which was established in 2021 by the legislature. It designated $70 million in state funds to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas. Working to connect rural students and educational institutions was one of the intentions behind the creation of the fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Curtis, spokesperson for the OBAE, said about $56 million has been awarded through the Connect New Mexico Fund so far, but this recent award came from the subprogram created specifically to help students. Through the award of $13.5 million two internet service providers and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo will expand high-speed internet connection to 38,482 households, according to an OBAE news release. This will ensure students and teachers continue to have access to high speed internet outside of the school setting. The money will go toward building towers, installing fixed wireless service and providing receivers to homes. Projects are expected to be completed by June 30, 2025. According to the news release, students and school staff benefiting from the home access will also receive three years of free internet access. Awardees include Resound Networks, based out of Pampa, Texas; Oso Internet Solutions from Ramah, New Mexico; and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in Rio Arriba County. Connection will be extended to remote areas of Dona Ana, Catron, Cibola, Rio Arriba and Valencia counties, impacting students and teachers in seven school districts: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belen Consolidated Schools Gadsden Independent School District Grants Cibola County Schools Hatch Valley Public Schools Los Lunas Public Schools Ohkay Owingeh Community School Quemado Independent School District The Student Connect program grants became available in October and still has about $11.4 million in grants available for applicants. Other Connect New Mexico Fund grants awarded outside of the connection to school districts include areas in Dona Ana, Valencia, Colfax, Socorro, Grant, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Chaves, Otero, Eddy, Luna, Sierra and San Miguel counties, as well as Picuris, San Ildefonso, Isleta, Laguna and Tesuque pueblos. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Wet and windy weather will arrive in waves Tuesday through Wednesday morning as a strong frontal system moves into the region. The rain will be paired with strong winds along the coastline today, as well as breezy winds in the Willamette Valley setting up by the evening time. A High Wind Warning set by the National Weather Service goes into place for the Oregon coastline from noon Tuesday to 4 AM Wednesday for the beaches and the headlands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weak atmospheric river keeps Portland wet and windy South winds up to 35 mph are possible with the strongest winds arriving this evening. Gusts up to 60 mph are possible across the coastal headlands with a few communities possibly seeing gusts up to 50mph. Damaging winds could knock down power lines and cause power outages. Travel along Highway 101 may also be difficult, especially for high-profile trucks and vehicles. Stay with the KOIN 6 Weather Team for all the weather updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) Berea police are searching for a suspicious male in the Brushy Fork area behind Berea College on Scaffold Cane Road. The department said in a Facebook post on Monday evening that they had received calls about a middle-aged man with longer salt and pepper grey hair and a grey beard frequently visiting Brushy Fork Trail. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to authorities, the man was seen wearing a bright green T-shirt and pants. He is also possibly either wearing or carrying a jean jacket. An incident on Monday involving this man was described as highly inappropriate, the department said. Berea police confirmed officers were present in the area Monday attempting to find the man. Read more of the latest Kentucky news If anyone can identify the man, they are encouraged to contact the Berea Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Dec. 16BATESVILLE Hillenbrand, Inc. chose the American Heart Association, the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, to be commemorated at the 101st annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony held as part of the New York Stock Exchange's Global Giving Campaign. The NYSE Global Giving Campaign inspires NYSE-listed companies to share their efforts to help those in need and promote the important organizations they support. Each participating company and charity are represented with a custom ornament, complete with the charity's logo and the company's NYSE-listed emblem, used to decorate trees outside the NYSE's VIP entrance. Additionally, Hillenbrand's support of the American Heart Association is among NYSE-Listed Company Charitable Highlights on the Global Giving Campaign website. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, with stroke ranked fifth in the U.S. and second globally. The American Heart Association funds groundbreaking research, advocates for the public's health, and provides critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. The Association is the leading non-government funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease scientific research in the U.S. Supported by 35 million volunteers globally, the Association is celebrating 100 years of serving as a leading source for heart and brain health information in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the American Heart Association, our future is about improving the lives of everyone everywhere. We are honored that Hillenbrand has chosen to highlight the American Heart Association through the NYSE Global Giving Campaign," said Marsha Jones, American Heart Association volunteer board chair and former executive vice president and chief diversity officer for The PNC Financial Services Group. "We are grateful for Hillenbrand's commitment to prioritizing well-being for its own associates and its support of our efforts to increase health equity in worksites across the country." Hillenbrand has supported the American Heart Association regionally, with a focus on the Association's work on health equity in the workplace. Support of the Association is guided by Hillenbrand's Chief Financial Officer, Bob VanHimbergen, a member of the Milwaukee American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team. The Association's Workplace Wellness work has provided Hillenbrand associates with education on strategies, guiding principles, and practices for supporting a healthy workplace through topics including communicating and championing equity. These values align with Hillenbrand's Purpose Shape What Matters For Tomorrow. "Heart disease and stroke are disruptive forces to many families across the globe, including those within the Hillenbrand organization," VanHimbergen said. "Through our local support of the American Heart Association, we can help provide resources to our team while investing in healthier people, families, and communities." About Hillenbrand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillenbrand is a global industrial company that provides highly-engineered, mission critical processing equipment and solutions to customers in over 100 countries around the world. Information provided Information provided Fifty years ago today, the City of Lockport lost the up-and-coming regional icon the Union Station Restaurant to an unsolved fire. In the early morning hours of Dec. 17, 1974, all firefighters employed by the city about 70 responded to the blaze. But by the time the flames had been extinguished, the former train station, which was renovated three years before to become the Union Station Restaurant, was only charred ruins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roger Barone, a police officer, said he was walking his beat when he came upon the fire. He had eaten at the restaurant a few times and said it was becoming a destination that people were coming to from all over the area. It was cozy, he said, a nice place. But on that night he wasnt concerned about the food. When he saw the fire, he asked Thomas Groff, a bartender at Groffs Tavern across the street, if there was anyone left inside. Groff replied, No one but the mynah birds. Fifty years later, Barone recalled braving the fire and saving the birds. I got them out of there, he said. Barone isnt the only one left to remember the historic fire. Charlie Quagliano and Michael Sansone were both members of the fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quagliano said that he was just a rookie, but he lived close by to the fire on Chestnut Street. It was the first big fire hed ever seen in his career. It made a big impression, he said. Quagliano also said that hed only eaten at the restaurant a few times, and thought it was a real ritzy, nice place. Roxanne, his wife, said as a kid she would play in what was the abandoned train station all the time. Quagliano thought for sure that Roxanne would be watching the fire from their home after he got called in from sleeping, but as it turned out she slept through the entire fire. I said, I can see my house from there. I was sure she was watching me, Quagliano said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sansone, who went on to work in a Beverly Hills emergency room and met a few stars before coming back to Lockport, said hed only eaten in the old Union Station once and considered it too fancy. He did remember the fire, though, and said he and the first firefighters on the scene tried to go in, but only got as far as the foyer in the building. It was much too hot and there was no way of knowing if there were any holes in the floor. There were flames all over the place, he said. At that time Sansone had been in the department for two years. The Union Station Restaurant was dowsed with water until about 3:30 a.m. In reports on the blaze from the time, the owner, David Goldstein said, I cant say anything, when asked about the fire. In that mornings edition, he was described as being in a state of shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire has never been determined. The train station was built by the Vanderbilts family owners in the railroad industry and were the same that built Grand Central Station in New York City. Lockports building was constructed between 1888 and 1889 and between 10 and 35 passenger trains passed through Lockport every day into the early 20th century. However, as times changed and the rise of the automobile came forth, the station was abandoned and vandalized. It was sold to John Saraf Jr. in 1967, who had an idea of a Victorian-age interior, for $34,000. The plan caught the interest of John Tarantino who put $250,000 into the project and the restaurant opened in December of 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, different owners, including the City of Lockport, have grappled with what to do with the structure, according to the Niagara County Historical Society. Many have planned to rebuild it as a restaurant but none of those plans has ever come to fruition. In 2006, the property was purchased by Mark Davidson of Los Angeles. Davidson, who now lives in the Western New York area, has worked for many years to maintain the property. A new not-for-profit organization, New York Central Train Station, Inc., was recently established to raise funds to restore Union Station by applying for grants, accepting donations and holding special events. The project is expected to take years to complete and cost $4.5 million. Davidson said he saw something in the stations ruins almost 20 years ago in 2006. Im trying to give the respect the building deserves, he said. Since owning the property, a movie crew shot parts of the 2023 film Assault on Hill 400 among the wreckage which modeled well as a bombed-out French church during World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson said that such young men were seen at the Lockport terminal in its hey day, going off to fight for our freedom in both world wars. There are people who fought for our freedom World War I, World War II seen at the terminal. Theyre dressed up and leaving their families at the station, he said. Currently, Davidson said he was told some old blueprints of the second floor of the station are in Medina and intends to get copies of them. He noted that volunteers are needed to get the word out for fundraising and awareness events like the Trunk or Treat event that happened over Halloween this year. The reason Im doing this is because nobody else is doing anything, he said. People dont realize the significance. More information can be found at www.newyorkcentraltrainstation.org. COLLINSVILLE, Ill. Inside Collinsvilles Verona Coffee Company, Jodi Sager spilled the tea. The hot topic brewing here for weeks? A delivery debacle gripping the streets. We had a package that was delivered to us that was somebody elses, Sager said. Matt Grisolano dished up the same story at Berts Chuck Wagon. My wife, she got a couple that were wrong, Grisolano said. The mail mishaps have been the talk of the town on The Collinsville Connection Facebook page. Members posting pics of packages wrongly delivered to their doors as social media sleuths search for the grinch responsible for this holiday hassle. This is Facebook after all, so theres plenty of folks cracking jokes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They thought it was something about a disgruntled employee or something, but I hadnt heard anything past that. Most of the complaints we saw in the Facebook group involve the regional delivery company Better Trucks. Headquartered in Chicago, the companys website says it delivers to homes in select cities across the country. Better Trucks didnt answer our questions about how and why these issues delivery issues are happening in the Metro East. In a statement, a spokesperson told us: We know its frustrating if you dont get your package when and where you expect it, regardless of which carrier is delivering it. We want to help. For anyone in Collinsville who has received a package that was not intended for them from any carrier, they can email us, and well work with them to get the package to the right place. Its impressive that everybody pulled together and get this done, Grisolano said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Better Trucks offer, members of the Collinsville connection had already taken matters into their own keyboards, creating a social media solution Santa would be proud of. We ended up putting something on Facebook and putting the packages out to the right person and they came and got them, Grisolano said. She was like really emotional about what was in there and teared up and hugged it as she walked away, Sager said. Messages of thanks are now pouring onto the groups page. Proof the spirit of the holiday season is alive and well, not just words on a coffee shop wall. If youre expecting a package from Better Trucks, the company says you can track it at BetterTrucks.com and email the company if you need help. That email address is: STL@bettertrucks.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Dec. 17After years of enduring worker shortages, Maine retailers say they are having an easier time hiring people to keep up with holiday-season demand. Sales of items like clothing, electronics, home goods and toys this winter are expected to reach almost $1 trillion nationally, up slightly from 2023. "We saw a pretty good improvement last year," said Curtis Picard, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Association of Maine. "My sense is hiring has gotten better." But with the latest unemployment rate of 2.9%, considerably below the 4.2% U.S. rate, employers face tough competition for hiring. To attract workers, employers are offering shorter hours and flexible scheduling, he said. They're also hiring high school and college students who want to earn some money and learn to work with customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will McDowell, 18, was working his first day Wednesday at Renys in Windham. The American history student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, was looking for a job and his parents suggested the department store. He's taking advantage of a school break extending from before Thanksgiving to Jan. 5. "I can feel productive," said McDowell, a North Yarmouth resident. "I would never see this many people on any given day." The $16 an hour job, or $640 a week full-time before taxes, will pay for groceries when he goes back to college, McDowell said. Jason Sulham, spokesman for L.L.Bean, said the Freeport-based outdoor clothing and equipment retailer is on track for its hiring goal of about 3,500 "peak season hires" due to an "excellent rehire rate." That's slightly less than half the number during non-peak season, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Like most businesses, we experienced some challenges this year due to the low-employment rate," he said. Still, a "fluctuating retail landscape" is forcing the company to lay off up to 75 employees at its corporate headquarters in March, according to Sulham. Holly Margaritis, human resources coordinator at Renys, said the chain of 18 department stores across Maine is always hiring for the holidays. "We ramp up for the additional customers," she said. "In larger cities it's easier to pull from. There's a larger pool," Margaritis said. The company usually has about 490 workers at its stores, administrative offices and warehouse. The number rises to 560 at Christmas and during the summer, Margaritis said. Youngsters who work in the summer return to Renys for the holidays, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employees are quickly trained to work the cash register where they learn to handle money and face customers. Norm Robert, manager of the Windham Renys, says the goal is to "get the customer in and out of the store. Customers don't want to wait." Glenn Mills, deputy director of the Center for Workforce Research at the state Department of Labor, said Maine's retail industry has settled into an employment pattern that has prevailed for years: a spike in hiring in the run-up to the summer tourism season and again for Christmas shopping, and a leveling off during the other months. The rise of online shopping has kept a lid on retail employment. The number of retail jobs in Maine has consistently been in the "low 80,000s, 70,000s," he said. It's not changed much even though Maine's population has grown, he said. Retail employment is flat and is dwindling as a share of overall employment, Mills said. "It's amazing it's held up as well as it has." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, a strong economy is helping boost strong holiday sales that justify hiring. On a conference call in mid-October, Matthew Shay, president and chief executive officer of the National Retail Federation, said that "overall, the economy has been in a good place this year." Retail represents 70% of economic activity, and holiday sales are projected to rise between 2.5% and 3.5% over 2023, to as much as $989 billion, according to the retail group. It compares with $955.6 billion last year. The industry group said it expects retailers will hire between 400,000 and 500,000 seasonal workers, which "tracks very much in line with hiring patterns of 2023," Shay said. Retailers are well staffed now and have already been adding workers so the "same kind of spike" in previous holiday hiring sprees may not materialize, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether the healthy increase in sales "translates into job hiring is more uncertain than normal," said Andy Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., an outplacement and career consulting firm. "We don't know what employers are going to do," he said. Labor shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic are over. "I'm not hearing about major staffing issues," he said. "It was the greatest labor shortage in modern history. It's been slowly cooling," Challenger said. Copy the Story Link HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Holmes County Teachers Association is pushing for raises, but Holmes District School Board members said they dont have that much money. The 2023 to 2024 base salary for teachers is $43,468. The Holmes District School Board proposed to increase the base salary by $556. The Holmes County Teachers Association wants more than that. Walton County residents petition against rezoning in Red Bay Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All were asking for is $77,000. Thats it. To add, so that the teachers can have a decent wage to take home for this year. $1,200 per teacher. Thats for the year split over 26 pays. So I dont think were asking for anything astronomical, Holmes County Teachers Association Executive Director Sheria Griffin said. Griffin said many teachers in Holmes County have to work two jobs to make ends meet and they are going to lose more teachers if the salary doesnt change. There are some surrounding counties that are above us, and so we have people that are leaving so that they can have a better, better wages as well as better retirement, Griffin added. The district currently has 17 vacant teaching positions. Griffin is concerned some of their best teachers will leave, threatening the overall quality of education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board needs to go back and really consider their employees, their loyalty and their commitment to the students of Holmes County, Griffin said. Project Spinner is taking off with IAG Aero Group Holmes County Teachers Association wants the Holmes District School Board to dip into school district funding. The school board is only offering to use state money allocated for raises. With a decrease in enrollment and less money in the budget, Holmes District School Board members are proposing to cut 30 positions of the districts 232 total employees. Both sides will return to the negotiating table by the end of January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The right to home education will no longer be automatic for parents of the most at-risk children, under proposed legislation being unveiled in the wake of Sara Sharifs murder. The Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill is being introduced in the Commons on Tuesday on the same day that 10-year-old Saras killers are sentenced. Last week, Urfan Sharif, 42, and his wife, Beinash Batool, 30, were convicted of killing Sara at their home last August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair removed Sara from school four months before her death after they became aware her teachers had spoken to social services. Her father and stepmother claimed she was being home-schooled. Following their conviction, Sir Keir Starmer said there were questions that need to be answered on protections for children. Ahead of the Bill taking the first step towards becoming law, Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said too many children have been failed by the state. The proposed legislation includes giving local authorities power to intervene and require school attendance for any child if the home environment is assessed as unsuitable or unsafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will also mean that parents no longer have an automatic right to take their children out of school for home education if the young person is subject to a child protection investigation or under a child protection plan meaning the child is suspected of being at risk of significant harm. Other aspects will include new registers to identify children not in school and a measure giving children a unique identifier number akin to a National Insurance number in a bid to ensure issues can be tracked and shared across services preventing children from falling through the cracks. But The Telegraph understands a smacking ban will not be included, with sources saying the Government was keen not to overload it. Ms Phillipson said: In recent years, too many children have been failed by their last line of defence: the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Bill will be a seminal moment for child protection. No more words, no more lessons learnt. This government will put children first at every turn. That means a child-centred Government, with better protections for young people and real join up between childrens social care, schools and local services. Alongside further measures to drive high and rising standards in our schools, this Bill will deliver on this Governments Plan for Change, so that all children, whatever their circumstances, can achieve and thrive. Foundation for change in many childrens lives The Department for Education said measures in the Bill will ensure teachers and schools are always involved in decisions around safeguarding children in their area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dame Rachel de Souza, the Childrens Commissioner, said: The urgency with which this legislation is being introduced to Parliament demonstrates the importance of these issues. It lays a foundation for change in many childrens lives many of whom have been neglected or hidden by services working in silo. As Childrens Commissioner, I have called on successive governments to introduce a unique identifying number for children and a register of all children not in school. Writing these two landmark measures into law will be of huge significance for any child currently at risk of harm in this country it must now be supported by proper data-sharing between organisations so no child can become invisible in the system. Backstop law to stop profiteering Charities told The Telegraph they were working with MPs to scramble together a smacking ban amendment to be added to the proposed legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under current laws in England, parents and carers are prohibited from smacking their children except when it amounts to reasonable punishment or reasonable chastisement. Scotland and Wales have removed this defence, but the same has not happened in England. There has also been a pledge for a backstop law, which would limit the profit childrens social care providers can make, to be brought in if providers do not voluntarily put an end to profiteering A Department for Education spokesman 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. 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 fire Monday afternoon caused extensive damage to a two-story home in Tulpehocken Township, fire officials said. Crews were called to the scene about 2:15 p.m. after reports from neighbors of smoke and flames coming from the front door of a home on Goose Run Road. The fire had spread throughout the building when crews arrived at the scene, reports said. Homeowners werent home when the fire started, according to Chief Curvin Martin of Mount Aetna Rescue Fire Company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the fire likely originated in the living room and extended up the wall and into the second story. It was pretty extensive damage, Martin said. The fire was under control within about 30 minutes, Martin said, but crews had to contend with hoarding conditions that caused the flames to spread. No one was injured in the blaze, Martin said, and the residents of the home are being assisted by the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The West Virginia State Capitol is decorated for Christmas in December 2024. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) As 2024 winds down, I have one hope for 2025 that the new state leadership will take transparency and clear communication more seriously than the Justice administration. Gov. Jim Justices office and the West Virginia First Foundation while not technically a government office was created by the legislature and is responsible for allocating millions in state dollars have been among the worst offenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice began holding virtual press conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic but when other government operations returned to normal, he never went back to holding them in person. Its easy to understand why: They give him the upperhand. In person, a reporter is often able to ask a follow-up question, or another reporter in the group might pick up the thread of the questioning. Reporters might even be able to sneak in a few more questions as the governor is walking away. On a Zoom call, the reporter is muted as soon as the question is asked. No follow-up. And when the press conference is over, with a click of a key someone in Justices office shuts it down immediately. And Justice is not the clearest speaker. I understand all of the words that he says individually, but they dont always form a coherent sentence or complete thought. After hearing Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey speak during a news conference, I was impressed that he was able to clearly explain himself and that the media were allowed to be there in person but the bar has been set so low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now were experiencing issues with the West Virginia First Foundation. While its not an official government entity, board members voted to adopt a public access policy to remain transparent with the public and press. The policy came after a rocky start where the board didnt announce its first meeting publicly and West Virginia Watch reporter Caity Coyne spent an entire day trying to confirm the meeting. After the policy was adopted, communication improved. Until a few months ago. In September, the board stopped allowing reporters to ask questions during their virtual meetings, saying it was to ensure accurate answers for a complicated process. Oftentimes Caity is the only member of the press attending the meetings and asking questions. She now has to email her questions after the meeting and wait much longer to get answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Monday, the board held a special meeting to approve committing $20 million to a regional addiction recovery project. The meeting was confusing without many details. After, a news release was sent out that said the project is the Appalachian Continuum of Care for Overdose Reduction Network or ACCORN. She couldnt find out if it was a new project or something existing. She emailed the First Foundation media account at 3:31 p.m. while the meeting was still going on to try to get answers ASAP. At 5:18 p.m., the media account responded by telling her a press release was sent out, and to let them know if she had further questions. She did. At 5:46 p.m., Caity responded with her questions. She received a response at 10:04 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next morning, she asked if they could provide her with a few of the partners that were involved with ACCORN since the project is receiving almost 10% of First Foundations current funds. This is the response she got: ACCORN anticipates partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including municipalities, health departments, health systems, universities, focused providers in recovery and housing, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) providers, and more. As for the West Virginia First Foundation (WVFF), we can only speak to our involvement at this stage. However, as the application progresses, we are committed to keeping the media and the public informed with more detailed updates. We look forward to sharing the significant collaborative efforts that will drive this initiative forward. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, both Caity and Ogden Newspapers Steven Allen Adams heard rumors that Marshall University was involved with ACCORN. Instead of confirming when Caity asked the media spokesperson replied: I spoke with Dr. OConnell and it sounds like you are connected with someone on her team that will be able to help provide more detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats how she confirmed the First Foundation was in fact working with Marshall. Not by them telling her that, but because she had contacted Dr. Lyn OConnell, the associate director for the Division of Addiction Sciences at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, to see if she knew anything about Marshall being involved. An entire eight-hour day was spent on that. Dont get me wrong. I realize most people spend long work days dealing with much worse and under conditions far worse. But our government officials and people responsible for spending government funds need to be transparent, and most often the best way to do that is by talking to reporters and providing them with timely and accurate information that they then pass on to readers the very people government servants are supposed to serve. But a new year is coming. Lets all start fresh. Lets all be better communicators. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GUYTON, Ga. (WSAV) Local hospitality business owners are reacting to the shocking murder-suicide at the Mahgniffe LLC catering location. According to the Effingham County Sheriffs Office, a husband and wife were found dead Friday afternoon. Theyve been identified as Nick and Tracy Mueller. Customers, coworkers and loved ones have said theyre all mourning this loss. The pair gave 25 years of service to the community, many people who knew them say never saw this coming. I still dont believe it, you know? I just didnt see any of that happening ever, Stephen Williams, Chef owner of Coastal Kitchen Catering, said. So It just wasnt that vibe ever. Williams says he worked closely with the couple for years, working his way up to Nicks sous-chef. This news is something he was shocked to hear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, of course, in the food industry, theres heated and stressful moments things get tense and heated. Sometimes, if somebody makes a mistake, it could be a very sort of stressful environment, Williams said. They had a reputation of quality food and service. Jamie Weaver, owner of Dream Weaver Photos and Photobooth, talked about how driven Nick was. He was just such a professional, and I hate to say perfectionist, but it seemed that way when I would see pictures of events that he didreally top notch, and he was the best in his field, she said. Williams said the couple worked very well together and seemed to perfect for each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were just awesome people. You could tell that they were in love, and you always thought about them being a match made in heaven, Williams said. This situation is hard for Sarah Aliffi-Baez, a former colleague and friend of Tracy and Nick, to understand. As wonderful as all the things that they did are, Its also possible for something horrific and tragic to have happened and not understand it, Aliffi-Baez said. Aliffi-Baez tells News 3, she hopes the family, friends and employees of the company are taking care of themselves. She acknowledged that the hospitality business can be stressful at times, but folks should take time to relax and decompress. If youre struggling, share your feelings with someone. The Suicide and Crisis Hotline is 9-8-8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The City of Jackson is one step closer to demolishing Hotel O. They expect the demolition to begin sometime in January. According to Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba, the city is awaiting a review by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Tear that s down: Jackson councilmembers stand behind decision to demolish Hotel O The eyesore off of I-55 has caused problems for several nearby businesses and residents. From drugs to other illegal activities, Jackson police said the hotel has become a hot spot for crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We anticipate receiving a response from MDEQ very soon here, and we expect that approximately within the next two weeks. Once we receive notice, we will schedule the actual date for the demolition. So, we cannot proceed without the Mississippi Department of Environmental Qualitys approval. Once we receive that, then we will move forward, Lumumba siad. The owner of the hotel, Noah Muthana, has been fighting the demolition, despite a judge issuing an arrest warrant for him earlier this year. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. LOUISVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A man who was rescued from a boat fire on Fort Loudoun Lake on Monday night credited his dog for alerting him to the blaze. Blount County fire crews responded the Ish Creek Boat Ramp in the Louisville area where three boats caught fire. Proposed subdivision at former TNT storage site in South Knoxville approved Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesperson Matt Cameron said that the Blount County Fire Protection District was able to deploy a fire boat to contain the fire and rescue the owner of the boats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the boats were completely destroyed. Cameron shared that one of the boats sank, and the other boat was burned to the metal hull. I was on my phone in the front of the boat and my dog started barking in the back of the boat. He never does. He always barks at the front on the dock, boat owner Jim Baxter told 6 News. I got up and looked and the whole back of the boat was on fire. Baxter said one of the boats was a houseboat and his primary residence. He added he lost everything he owns except for the clothes he was wearing. See more top stories on WATE.com No injuries were reported. Cameron said the cause of the fire is under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. Whitney Hammer of Columbus (center) with activists from Save Ohio Parks in front of the corporate office headquarters of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company to protest fracking under State Parks and Wildlife Areas, February 26, 2024, at One Nationwide Plaza in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Who do Ohio lawmakers represent in the fracking free-for-all carving up acres of our state parks and public land for oil and gas money? They sure as heck dont represent the people. Public resistance to fracking in Ohio State Parks is almost universal. Ever since a Republican-facilitated law went into effect last spring that required a state commission to lease huge tracts of state parks and wildlife areas for fracking for natural gas, opposition from park-loving Ohioans has only grown. Recently, the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission fielded public comments from nearly 600 citizens about pending oil and gas company bids to frack under almost 900 acres of Salt Fork State Park. The vast majority about 98% opposed more fossil fuel drilling in the states largest park, a rural recreational magnet for tens of thousands of yearly visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People know that the risks and harms of fracking for public health and the climate are real and growing. Besides a history of leaking loads of planet-warming methane into the atmosphere and eroding local air quality, fracking industrial zones and wells threaten ground water including drinking water. The drilling process involves injecting enormous quantities of fluid (mixed with a cocktail of chemicals) deep into the earth at super high pressure to fracture rock formations and extract methane gas or oil. Evidence of a correlation between those fracking operations and an array of reported health problems by those who live near a fracked oil or gas well is building. All of which explains the negative feedback from thousands of Ohioans to more fracking where they live and play. Their dissent is fortified by hundreds of scientific studies and countless expert witnesses who document how fracking can go wrong, poison water, contaminate the air and emit massive amounts of greenhouse gas pollution. But last week the states oil and gas commissioners ignored the alarms and dismissed the pleadings of people to protect their parks. Panel members, most of whom have close oil and gas associations, sided with the fracking industry again. One of the few pro-fracking voices in favor of more oil and gas extraction in Salk Fork and other public land was surprisingly the director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But before Mary Mertz endorsed further destruction of our state parks and pristine wildlife sanctuaries for short-term profit, she at least asked that the winning out-of-state drillers use their best efforts to catch water contamination in local wells and to minimize other polluting impacts of industrialized fracking on the surrounding community. How reassuring to the people who inhabit fracked regions of the state or to the millions who retreat to them every year to fish, hunt, hike, kayak, or camp. Surely, state lawmakers have taken measure of the enduring public protest against fracking and the defilement of Ohios natural playgrounds. Surely, they responded accordingly as elected representatives of the people. Surely, visions of sugar plums dance in your head because only two days after the commissioners awarded hundreds of acres in Salt Fork to the highest and best Big Energy bidders and parceled out more acreage in state wildlife areas for fracking, Statehouse Republicans also awarded the polluters of parks a Christmas bonus. They tucked a last-minute gift to the fracking industry into an unrelated bill (on nuclear energy) with a sneaky provision to extend the standard lease terms of contracts to frack under state parks from three years to five. That stretched the total amount of time drillers from Texas, West Virginia, Colorado, etc., can spoil Salt Fork and other Ohio natural resources from six to eight years. The lame duck measure quickly sailed through the legislature to the governors desk. Republicans voted to expand fracking in state parks despite the recent groundswell of constituent objection to that very expansion. In doing so, the GOP gerrymandered supermajorities in the General Assembly made clear who they represent when oil and gas money is on the table and state parks are cash cows to be milked for all theyre worth. Human and environmental consequences be damned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These politicians didnt listen to, care about, or even feign representation of Ohioans fighting valiantly to save our beloved parks. They just green-lit constant fracking in those parks. More well pads, pipelines, gas flares, industry accidents, leaks, chemical run off, contaminated water, fracking truck traffic, 24/7 noise, transient workers, decimated wildlife, destroyed ponds, streams, roads, property values and public health. That is not representative government that serves the people. That is unaccountable autocrats, cocooned in safe districts, doing whatever the hell serves them. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine could, of course, block the lawmakers sellout of citizens and veto the bill to enrich big oil and gas companies who are also big GOP donors. But the guy solely responsible for the fracking free-for-all under Ohio state parks and protected wildlife terrain wont. DeWine infamously caved to the fracking industry over the clamor of outraged Ohioans in 2023 when he signed another last-minute, industry-friendly Republican bill that forced state agencies to grant lease applications to oil and gas drillers in state parks. That is his sorry legacy. DeWine will quietly cave again because money talks in Ohio and tragically plunders the peoples parks for cheap gas. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hundreds of laws and amendments will go into effect in Illinois in 2025. A higher minimum wage will be implemented. Legislators crack down on youth vaping, and several health insurance mandates are added. Here are a few changes coming after the Times Square ball drops. Minimum wage Minimum wage in the state will climb to $15 per hour, coming from $14 per hour. Employees who receive tips will see a rise in minimum wage to $9 per hour from $8.40 per hour. Pay transparency Employers with 15 or more employees will be required to disclose pay scale and benefit information in job postings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change is result of an amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 that was contained in HB 3129, passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2023. Canceling gym memberships A new law will make it easier for you to cancel your gym membership. House Bill 4911 passed in the summer and will allow people to cancel gym memberships either via email or their gym's website. Landlord retaliation It is against public policy of the State for a landlord to take retaliatory action against a tenant. The law spells out that a landlord may not evict someone, increase rent, decrease service, or file a lawsuit against them provided that the tenant acts in ways that are outlined. Youth vaping The amendment to the Preventing Youth Vaping Act restricts a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer from advertising, marketing, or promoting an electronic cigarette "in a manner that is likely to cause a parent, legal guardian, teacher, or other adult to mistake the electronic cigarette for a product that is not a tobacco product." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Springfield business owner warns of potential consequences of anti-youth vaping measure Purchasing e-cigarettes Electronic cigarettes can no longer be shipped through the mail or other remote methods to anyone under 21 years old. Digital drivers licenses The law allows the Secretary of State to issue digital drivers licenses or state IDs. The digital ID would be issued in addition to a physical ID. The law allows agencies and private entities to choose if they want to accept electronic IDs in place of physical ones, but upon request by law enforcement, physical ID must be presented. Epinephrine injectors Insurance companies must limit the total price for medically necessary epinephrine injectors for children and teens to $60 for a twin-pack. Hearing devices Insurance plans must now provide coverage for medically necessary hearing instruments for all individuals, rather than just those under the age of 18. Strengthening community media Citing a need for local news services and trusted information in Illinois communities, along with local news struggling due to dropping advertising, the law calls for notice of sale of potential news organizations and creation of a journalism scholarship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A local news organization will be required to provide written notice 120 days before a sale occurs to affected employees and the county government, as well as any Illinois nonprofit in the business of buying local news organizations. The law also will create a Journalism Student Scholarship Program to encourage academically talented Illinois students to pursue careers in journalism, especially those in underserved areas of the state. For a full list of new laws, go to the Illinois General Assembly website. Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: New year, new laws: 10 things to know in Illinois for 2025 The Hungarian parliament voted by a large majority on Tuesday to change the distribution of seats following an election, in a move that will reduce representation for the capital city. The resolution was backed by 134 deputies of the groups making up Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government, while the opposition secured 52 votes, according to a report on the parliamentary website. The changes provide for Budapest to have 16 direct mandates in future, rather than 18 as in the past. The Pest district, which includes the rural environs of the capital, is to have 14 instead of previously 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move is seen as benefiting Orban's party, as the Budapest electorate is seen as largely opposed to the current government, while the surrounding region is largely pro-Orban. Opponents have argued that population changes within Greater Budapest do not justify the changes. Another change is that polling stations will no longer have to provide envelopes for ballot papers, in a move seen by critics as a step towards undermining the secrecy of the ballot. Electoral officials will be able to check how voters cast their ballot more easily, particularly in smaller constituencies, they say. The next elections are scheduled for the spring of 2026. Orban, who has drawn criticism from within the European Union for his authoritarian methods, has been premier of the eastern European EU member since 2010. His government has come under pressure since February from former government insider Peter Magyar, whose Tisza (Respect and Freedom) Party is currently polling higher than Orban's Fidesz (Hungarian Civic Alliance). LUNENBURG COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) A Virginia man was killed earlier this month after a bear reportedly fell from a tree and hit him. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said it was notified of what they described as a hunting incident at around 9:50 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 in Lunenburg County, about 80 miles southwest of Richmond. The initial investigation indicates that a group of hunters were following a bear that had run up a tree. The DWR said a hunter within the group then shot the bear, and as it fell, it hit 58-year-old Lester C. Harvey, who was standing around 10 feet away from the bottom of the tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of the hunting group gave him first aid until local fire and EMS arrived. Harvey was then taken to a local hospital and then eventually transported to VCU Medical Center. Suspect in Gilgo Beach serial killings is charged in the death of a seventh woman Several days later, on Friday, Dec. 13, Harvey died due to his injuries, according to the DWR. Authorities are not currently seeking any charges related to the incident. According to his obituary, Harvey was from the town of Phenix in Charlotte County and is survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. He is described as a friend to all and an avid outdoorsman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A funeral service will be held for him at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 at located at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 bizarre hunting accident ended in the deaths of both a bear and a father in Virginia. A group of hunters were reportedly tracking a bear in Lunenburg County, between Richmond and Danville, Virginia, on December 9 when the animal ran up into a tree to escape its pursuers. A hunter shot the bear, which fell out of the tree, crushing and killing another member of the party. The man has been identified by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as Lester Harvey, 58, of Phenix, Virginia. The bear fell approximately 10 feet and landed on Harvey, who was standing under the tree, according to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of the hunting party provided first aid until Harvey could be transported to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately died from his injuries on Friday, according to the wildlife department. According to his obituary, Harvey was a married father of five and had eight grandchildren. He worked as a self-employed contractor and reportedly loved the outdoors. A funeral for Harvey is scheduled for Thursday, according to the obituary. Harvey and his party violated Virginia hunting laws when they shot at the fleeing bear. According to the state's Department of Wildlife Resources, it is illegal to "cripple, harm, or dislodge a bear from a tree for the intent of continuing a hunt, chase, or for the purpose of training dogs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department told WTVR that it is not currently seeking any charges over the incident. Despite the odd circumstances leading to Harvey's death, it's not unheard of for hunters to die or sustain severe injuries in the chaos of trying to kill a fleeing animal. In Alaska in 2018, a hunter was critically injured after his hunting partner shot a bear that was standing on a ridge. The bear fell down a slope next to the ridge, dislodging rocks that tumbled down and struck the man. A year later, another hunter in North Carolina was injured when his partner shot a bear in a tree. The bear fell out, but wasn't dead; it defended itself and began attacking the hunter. The man and the bear then tumbled off a cliff together. The hunter was rushed to a nearby hospital, and the bear was later found dead. LUNENBURG COUNTY, Va. (AP) A Virginia man has died after a bear in a tree shot by one of his hunting partners fell on him, state wildlife officials said. The incident occurred Dec. 9 in Lunenburg County, which is between Richmond and Danville, Virginia's Department of Wildlife Resources said in a statement. A hunting group was following the bear when it ran up the tree, the department said. As the group retreated from the tree, a hunter shot the bear. The animal fell onto another hunter who was standing about 10 feet (3 meters) from the bottom of the tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department identified the man as Lester C. Harvey, 58, of Phenix, Virginia. A member of the group rendered first aid before Harvey was rushed to two different hospitals. He died from his injuries Friday, the wildlife department stated. An obituary for Harvey, a married father of five with eight grandchildren, said he was a self-employed contractor and avid outdoorsman. Similar incidents have occurred in recent years. In 2018, a man in Alaska was critically injured after his hunting partner shot a bear on a ridge. The animal tumbled down a slope into the man, who was also struck by rocks dislodged by the bear. Another man was injured in 2019 after his hunting partner shot a bear in a tree in North Carolina. The bear fell out of the tree and began biting the hunter. The man and the animal then tumbled off a cliff. The hunter was taken to a hospital, while the bear was later found dead. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who has been assassinated in Moscow aged 54, was a senior figure in the Kremlin and head of the Russian radioactive, chemical and biological protection forces. In theory his troops were tasked with protecting Russian ground forces; in practice they are alleged to have used banned chemical weapons in the war in Ukraine. In October Kirillov had been sanctioned by Britain for overseeing the cruel and inhumane use of such weapons on the battlefield; the Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that Russian forces had openly admitted to using such weapons, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin first deployed on the battlefields of the First World War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day before his death Kirillov had been accused by the Ukraines security service of ordering almost 5,000 chemical weapon attacks on Ukrainian troops. The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office noted that Kirillov had been a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russias shameful and dangerous behaviour. Over the past few years he had been in the vanguard as the Kremlin, with support from China, spread inflammatory and unsubstantiated claims that the US and its allies were pursuing illegal biological and chemical weapons programmes. In 2018 he accused the US of secretly producing and testing biological weapons, including anthrax and plague, in a lab in the former Soviet Georgia. In 2023 he claimed that the US planned to infect Russian troops with malaria by releasing mosquitoes from drones, accused Kyiv of planting swine fever in pigs in a Russian-occupied region and claimed that it was using a cyanide-like poison to contaminate water and food. Kirillov addresses the Russian Duma in 2023 - Russian State Duma/Reuters In March this year he alleged that US-sponsored labs in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa were working on dangerous pathogens custom-designed to target Russians and other Slavs. One of the goals of the United States and its allies is the creation of bioagents capable to selectively infect various ethnic groups, Kirillov said. The US, he added, planned to exploit Ukraines unique geographical position by sending migratory birds carrying deadly diseases into Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later the same month he claimed that information found in documents seized in Ukraine revealed that the US president Joe Biden, George Soros and the US Democratic Party were funding Ukrainian biolabs developing an especially dangerous pathogen of anthrax. In June he alleged that the current Mpox outbreak had been spread from four US-operated biological laboratories in Nigeria. He appears not to have been involved in recent charges that the US and Ukraine have been involved in developing a sex bomb targeting Russian women and their ability to reproduce, leading to the weakening of a nations immunity and its eventual extinction. Perhaps that was a lie too far even for Kirillov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Igor Anatolyevich Kirillov was born in the Russian city of Kostroma on July 13 1970 and joined the Soviet army in 1987. After graduation from the Kostroma Higher Military Command School of Chemical Defence, from 1991 he served as a platoon commander in the Western Group of Forces which remained in the eastern part of Germany after the dissolution of the Soviet Union until 1994. From 1995 he held positions successively from company commander to brigade commander of a separate radiation, chemical and biological protection brigade. After rising through the ranks in the Office of the Chief of the Russian Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, in 2014 he was appointed head of their Timoshenko Military Academy. He was appointed head of the protection forces in April 2017. Kirillov and an assistant were reportedly killed by an explosive device concealed in an e-scooter, as they were leaving a residential complex along the Ryazansky Prospekt area of Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources in Kyiv have confirmed that Ukraines security forces carried out the killings. Igor Kirillov, born July 13 1970, died December 17 2024 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois presidential electors will meet Tuesday in Washington to certify the states 19 electoral votes for Vice President Kamala Harris. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will oversee the states electors at a ceremony at the Illinois State Capitol. Similar events will be held in all 50 states. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Harris won Illinois popular vote in the Presidential Election in November, taking all 19 of the states electoral votes. Former President Donald Trump won the popular vote in 31 states, giving him 312 electoral votes to win. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Yesterday, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced a constitutional amendment that would abolish the Electoral College system of voting. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Radio silence from their generals, mysterious voices giving instructions on their walkie-talkies, terrifying rumours spreading through the ranks and then headlong flight. Soldiers and officers who served Bashar al-Assads regime have provided the first detailed glimpse into how Syrias armed forces, despite years of training and reorganisation by Russia, collapsed in just 12 days. Angry and fearful for their future, and accusing their superiors of betraying them, they told of a complete breakdown in the chain of command, a collapse in morale and then chaos as rebel forces advanced at lightning pace towards Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite their superiority in terms of manpower and weaponry, it was a fight the army could never have won in the first place, according to Bashar al-Ibrahim, one of more than a dozen servicemen who described the armys implosion to The Telegraph. There are two reasons why we were defeated, he said. First, salaries were so poor. No one wants to fight for $30 [24] a month. Secondly, no orders came. What were we supposed to do? We just wanted to be back with our families and out of the madness, to be honest. We were ready to fall and we fell. Men register for new ID with rebel fighters - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph A lieutenant in the fourth armoured division, he had originally been stationed near Hinah, a mountain village close to the Lebanese border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, as the rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the movement that now runs the country, attacked the city of Aleppo, he was ordered to fall back on division headquarters in Qudsaya, near Damascus, to prepare for the defence of the Syrian capital. The fourth division was ostensibly the most elite and ruthless unit in the Syrian army, commanded by Assads younger brother, Maher. It proved to be anything but. Lieut Ibrahim described an atmosphere of panic among officers and men alike as they saw how swiftly their colleagues capitulated in Aleppo, Syrias second city, which fell to HTS and its allies within four days. Although Aleppo was more than 200 miles away, he said there was widespread terror of HTS because soldiers had been told they were Islamic State (Isis) terrorists under a new guise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intention of presenting HTS, which severed its links with al-Qaeda in 2017, in such terms appears to have been to stiffen the armys resolve. Yet given that Isis has frequently sliced off the heads of captured soldiers and posted the footage on the internet, it had the opposite effect. We were really scared, said Wael Suleiman, a sergeant stationed on the outskirts of Aleppo whose unit rapidly retreated before the rebels arrived. We thought they would kill us one by one. Isis still has a toehold in Syria despite suffering defeat at the hands of a US-supported, Kurdish-led coalition in 2019. In recent weeks, US forces in the country have carried out airstrikes on its hideouts to prevent the group taking advantage of the present situation. As Aleppo fell district by district and the sense of panic grew, Sgt Suleiman heard a message on his walkie-talkie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were told to abandon everything, to ditch our weapons and our uniforms and to get out, he said. We didnt have to be told twice. Many such messages would be relayed via walkie-talkies to soldiers across the country. Who gave those messages was not entirely clear. Many soldiers claim they heard messages on walkie-talkies telling them to ditch our weaponry and to get out - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph Muhammad Ali, a lieutenant in Latakia, the heartlands of Assads Alawite minority, heard similar messages a few days later. He did not recognise the voice at the other end of the radio and assumed they were the rebels closing in. Like Sgt Suleiman, he and his men did not wait to find out, locking their weapons into an armoury, changing into civilian clothes and heading for home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the south of the advancing rebels, Col Wasim Ahmed of the 25th special mission forces division was stationed in the Qamhana area of Hama, aware that the city would be next in the rebels sights once Aleppo had fallen. Appalled at how swiftly Assads forces were falling, Iran and Russia, the regimes allies on the battlefield, told the president that he had to hold Hama if there was to be any chance of surviving the onslaught. No one believed it could happen, Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, would later tell Iranian television. What was surprising was, first, the Syrian armys inability to confront the situation, and, second, the rapid pace of developments. Mr Aragchi may have been surprised. Col Ahmed was not. Although there was some resistance at first, it petered out as orders from central command stopped coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was nothing coming through at all on the radio, he said. There were no orders from senior officers. Just silence. It soon became apparent that it was every man for himself. Saying goodbye to his colleagues, Col Ahmed changed into a pair of jeans, got into his army-assigned Toyota Tundra, stowed his rifle in the footwell and drove away from the battlefield. A rebel fighter takes a mans headshot to swap his military ID for a new one - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph Yet the war was not lost in the 11-day offensive, he said, but in the years before it began. Although the army once numbered over 200,000 men and boasted the sixth-largest armoured fleet in the world, it had long been weakened by corruption. Even in the early days of the uprising, much of the fighting had been outsourced to the Shabiha, criminal gangs from Latakia that were connected to Alawite families related to the Assads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, much of the heaviest fighting would be done by Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militia that had long been active in Syria and enjoyed Assads protection. But, with Hezbollah effectively crippled by a highly effective Israeli offensive in neighbouring Lebanon, the Syrian army would now have to stand on its own. It was in no position to do so, Col Ahmed said, in large part because large amounts of the Syrian armys weaponry had been sold by its own generals. Rebel fighter shows a box of grenades which was surrendered by former Syrian soldiers - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official inventory for his unit listed 2,500 rifles and 50 armoured vehicles, he said. The reality, however, was that he had fewer than 200 rifles, mostly not in working condition, and no operational vehicles at all. When vehicles became broken down, they were supposed to be replaced, he said. But they were replaced only on paper. Not in reality. The whole Syrian army existed only on paper. Corruption was not the only reason for the hollowing out of the Syrian army. Conditions and the lack of something to fight for were others. There was no money and no food, said Samar Hamid, a sergeant based in Satifa to the south-west of Tartus, a port city on the Mediterranean coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may have served in his army but none of us loved Assad. We blamed him for the terrible conditions we fought and served in. We wanted to desert but knew if we did we would end up in Sednaya, he added, referring to Syrias most notorious military prison. Samar Hamid, a former Syrian sergeant, says none of us loved Assad and many blamed him for the conditions they lived in - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph Life has not been easy since the collapse of the army. As they fled for home, soldiers spoke of the terror of only having a military ID as they headed through checkpoints manned by rebels from unknown outfits. Lieut Ibrahim said that after he fled Qudsaya the day before Assad fell he witnessed a senior commander being hauled out of a vehicle at a checkpoint and killed. He said he did not know if the fighters were part of HTS or not. Although he and others said that HTS had left alone ordinary soldiers and officers below the rank of general, they were still scared of having a military ID in case they were discovered by Isis cells. Videos and reports of Isis hunting down and executing Syrian soldiers have been widely shared on military WhatsApp groups, spreading further fear although the claims have not been independently confirmed. Wael Suleiman, a sergeant stationed outside Aleppo, says Syrian soldiers thought [the rebels] would kill us one by one - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph HTS has also sent text messages to former army soldiers asking them to hand over their military IDs and be issued with new ones. A long queue of former soldiers snaked around the block by the military police station in Tartus as frightened former soldiers took up the offer. Among them was Col Ahmed, who handed over his rifle and Toyota Tundra to an HTS fighter who recorded the details in a ledger book. What the future holds for Syrias former soldiers is unclear. Terrified of Isis, they have thrown themselves at the mercy of HTS, with many saying they now regarded their former enemies as their only protectors against the Islamists. It is perhaps the basis for some kind of reconciliation between the former foes. A queue of former soliders under the Assad regime wait to receive new ID from the rebel fighters - Eduardo Soteras for The Telegraph As yet, we dont fully trust them and they dont fully trust us, said Lieut Ali Ibrahim as he waited in the queue. But we look to them for protection and hope that we can be brothers and not enemies. We need an army for all Syrians. They seem to understand that we were not responsible for the war. We suffered along with everybody else, paying the price for our leaders mistakes. 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. Minnesotas Republican Party elected a new leader this weekend, ousting current chair David Hann, and replacing him with Wayzata city councilman and longtime party activist Alex Plechash. The move was celebrated by anti-establishment grassroots party activists who opposed Hann, though they stopped short of embracing Plechash, who was not their No. 1 pick for the role. When he takes over the party in January 2025, Plechash will be challenged by the need to please a strong right-wing base while convincing the donor class he can get results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That term grassroots has become a pejorative. It shouldnt be, because it really applies to the culture, the ethos of the Republican Party, Plechasch said in an interview. Its a tall order, I understand. But if we can somehow get the message out to all sides if you want to call it sides that were all pulling together, believe in my heart that we will come together. The primary grassroots organizing group that has been at odds with Minnesota GOPs establishment for years Action 4 Liberty, took credit for Hanns ouster Saturday. Some observers say that could spook major donors who want to invest in candidates who can win statewide elections. The last time a Republican candidate won statewide office in Minnesota was in 2006. Theres a large block of Republicans out there, particularly in Minnesota, who do not identify with the Liberty-MAGA wing of the party, said Michael Brodkorb, a former GOP deputy chair. And I think its a risk for the incoming chair to embrace that association. Priorities Plechash said his main priorities will be to build major donor fundraising as the party sets its sights on the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesotas Republican Party had financial issues for more than a decade until recent years when Hann pulled the party out of debt something the outgoing chair touted in a statement after he lost reelection. When I was elected in a special election in October of 2021, the Party was deep in debt, our members were demoralized, and our donors and allies were frustrated by the dysfunction of the Party, said Hann. I cannot emphasize enough what it took to bring us to that place and what an honor it was to lead the charge in healing our Partys finances. Plechash says the GOPs statewide losing streak could be reversed by concentrating on areas of the state the GOP has not focused on, such as deeply blue cities. The strategy he described resembles one advocated by 2024 U.S. Republican Senate candidate Royce White, an anti-establishment figure whose endorsement and nomination were seen as a surprise by many political observers. Plechash was among Whites backers at the May endorsement convention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plechash has previously served as the partys representative on the Republican National Committee, a position he served in since 2021 before losing the seat to AK Kamara this year. Hes a Marine veteran who flew fighter jets from the 1970s to the early 90s. In his private sector career, hes worked for Exxon, in investment banking and as a vice president at an executive search firm. He was first elected to the Wayzata City Council in 2016 and was elected to a third term this November. Hes been involved with the GOP since 2004. Activist group plays role in Hanns ouster Activists with the anti-party establishment activist group Action 4 Liberty claimed victory in Plechashs election as party chair, though mainly because he will replace Hann, who they call a RINO a Republican In Name Only. They stopped short of fully embracing the newly elected chair, noting he had backstabbed a group of Otter Tail County Republican delegates who the party had excluded from the 2022 convention for backing a non-endorsed candidate for state Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hann, a former state senator, had served as party chair since a special election in October 2021 following the resignation of former Chair Jennifer Carnahan amid a toxic workplace scandal and allegations of sex trafficking against a donor with whom she had close ties. MN GOP Deputy Chair Donna Bergstrom won reelection and said delegates may have turned on Hann after he endorsed her opponent Kip Christianson in that contest. When he decided not to support me that really soured a lot of our delegates, she said. DFL response This weekend, Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chairman Ken Martin seized on Hanns ouster as an opportunity to paint the Minnesota GOP as dysfunctional and extreme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Control of Minnesotas entire state government is on the ballot in 2026, he said in a statement. 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. State Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, the partys outreach and engagement director, said that wasnt surprising. We can bet with confidence that the DFL had their press release ready to go and simply inserted the name of whoever prevailed as MNGOP chair, he said. Related Articles (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Narendra Modis government introduced draft legislation in Indias parliament to hold simultaneous elections across the country, the latest step to alter the electoral landscape in the worlds biggest democracy. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The One Nation One Election bill, which proposes that India conduct its national and state polls concurrently, was introduced by Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the lower house of parliament on Tuesday. Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party have long advocated for a one-time nationwide election to cut costs and improve efficiency. Opposition lawmakers have objected to the plan, though, arguing that simultaneous elections would blur national and grassroots concerns. Some analysts also say the proposed law would give an unreasonable advantage to the party governing at the federal level. This excessive centralism which is sought to be brought into existence by this bill absolutely militates against the constitutional scheme in its essence, Manish Tewari, a member of parliament with the main opposition Indian National Congress, said Tuesday. The introduction of the bill is just the first of many steps before the proposal becomes a law. After this, the draft legislation may be up for discussion or could be reworked entirely, a process that can take multiple parliament sessions. The ongoing winter session of the parliament ends this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and federal elections are non-concurrent in India as of now, with few polls scheduled almost every year. If the legislation is cleared and implemented, it would entail adjusting the terms of ongoing state assemblies. According to the draft of the law, the Indian president can initiate the legislation into action in the first sitting of the lower house of the parliament after a national poll, which implies the law cant be implemented until 2029. If enacted, it would truncate the terms of some state governments, in order to sync the polls. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Cyclone Chida, a powerful category four storm, ripped through communities in the southern Indian Ocean off the coast of east Africa over the weekend, devastating the French territory of Mayotte in the Comoros Archipelago. Thousands are feared dead on the islands, with residents telling CNN, Its as if an atomic bomb fell on Mayotte. Mayotte is made up of two islands and is still part of France after the other islands of the Comoros gained independence in 1975. The islands are known to have offshore reef breaks, including a hollow powerful left-hander called Passe Bateau and a small surf community along with the odd intrepid South African or wandering Frenchie. South African Rian Greef wrote for Zig Zag in 2015 when he sailed to the islands in search of waves: This was a wave unlike any I had ever seen in my life before. This was the stuff of movies, the magazines, only better because there were no pros or cameras around. The storm is considered to have been the most severe to hit the islands in a century, with many informal settlements thought to have been completely razed. Mayotte is home to 300,000 people and is the poorest place in the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm was recorded to have winds of more than 225 km/hr and average wave heights of more than five meters. The storm hit northern Madagascar first before it slammed the tiny islands of Mayotte and made landfall in northern Mozambique where more than 5,000 homes are reported to have been destroyed. The impacts of Cyclone Chido are expected to be long lasting, with Crisis24, a risk management company warning about the risks of waterborne disease following the storm. Meteo France weather service told AAP that the cyclone was exceptional and was supercharged by rising sea surface temperatures. The region has always had severe weather events due to its warm ocean temperatures but in recent years the storms have become more severe and more frequent, with scientists finding that the Pacific Ocean is increasing in temperature at a faster rate than the Pacific and the Atlantic. In 2021, temperatures in the Indian were measured as high as 87 degrees (F), which increased severe storm activity. Communities in low lying islands are most vulnerable to increased frequency and severity of storms caused by human induced climate change despite often contributing the least emissions. The neighboring island of Reunion is acting as a hub for rescue and recovery operations with the French president Emmanuel Macron declaring a national day of mourning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The volcanic islands are rich with unique biodiversity. The larger of the two islands, Grande Terre, sits within a ring of barrier reef that creates a large lagoon around the island. This coral reef is supported by mangroves on the shoreline that in some areas are a nursery for species that live along the coral barrier, sequestering carbon and purifying the water. The impacts on this important ecosystem are not yet known. Related: Anti-Whaling Activist Paul Watson Released From Greenland Jail Dec. 16OLDENBURG Through the Indiana College Core 30 program, Oldenburg Academy students can earn a full year of college credit while they are still in high school. This structured program allows our students to enroll in and complete general education course requirements, which are recognized by all Indiana public colleges and universities. The head start enables OA graduates to explore courses outside their major, reduce their freshman course load, or even graduate early saving time and money while making the most of their college experience. The exciting news is that Oldenburg Academy offers students the opportunity to complete these hours on campus. Dual-credit courses, taken with familiar OA teachers and classmates, cover essential areas in Written and Oral Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Scientific, Social, and Behavioral Sciences, and more. Moreover, Advanced Placement courses can also fulfill some of these credits, allowing even greater flexibility for students pursuing rigorous academic pathways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former OA student Emma Wederding, now a college junior, reflected on the value of her experience with the program: "Receiving the Indiana Core 30 through Oldenburg Academy gave me an incredible advantage in pursuing higher education. Thanks to the active involvement of my teachers, I was able to draw on their expertise, not only in their respective subjects but also in their personal college experiences. I've always set ambitious academic goals for myself, and this educational achievement allowed me to enter college with a unique leverage." Over the past five years, OA has been helping students achieve this academic goal. Thirty-seven percent of the Class of 2024 earned the designation, while the Class of 2023 saw 44% of its students meet Core 30 the requirements. These numbers underscore OA's commitment to supporting students as they take this significant step toward their college futures. Information provided Indiana's Medicaid office has chipped away at its $1 billion budget shortfall discovered last year, but growing costs and expanding usage of its programs remain pressing concerns for state lawmakers as they head into a budget-writing year. The state's updated revenue forecast for the next three years offers some relief with revenues expected to come in modestly above projections but the Medicaid pressures still have top budget writers like Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka "scared," he said following a state budget committee meeting Tuesday. "I fear that Medicaid is going to start driving our budget," he said. "I said that two years ago, and I'm even more nervous about it now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid lawsuit: Hoosier seniors on waiver waitlist file class-action suit against Indiana Medicaid Director Cora Steinmetz and a representative of Milliman, the actuary firm hired to draw up the forecasts, faced some tough questioning again over how they got to this spot to begin with. "I'm looking for accountability," state Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charleston, said while grilling Jeremy Palmer of Milliman. "I dont think we should be hiring or retaining companies that make billion-dollar mistakes." Around this time last year, the Medicaid office revealed to the budget committee that they had underprojected Medicaid costs in the 2023-25 budget by nearly $1 billion. Budget writers plugged some of that shortfall with reserves there was a projected $450 million left to help in 2025 and the Medicaid office has made a series of cost-cutting moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Checks and Balances: Subscribe to our politics newsletter The cost-cutting has meant changes to the way families are compensated for caring for their loved ones with complex medical conditions, as well as waitlists for assisted living facilities and child care vouchers. The state saved hundreds of millions of dollars with these measures, but the savings were largely offset by unanticipated cost increases elsewhere since the 2023 forecast. The net result: the Medicaid budget needs about $85 million less from the general fund than the office thought last year. A large driver of the growing cost of Medicaid is how many people have enrolled. From January 2020 to April 2023, the Medicaid population in Indiana grew by about 50%, or 772,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2023, the Medicaid office estimated that 400,000 people would leave their rolls in 2024 with the unwinding of continuous enrollment following the pandemic. But in reality, only 225,000 people left this year, meaning the state was left with 175,000 more enrollees than projected. On the other hand, the cost-cutting measures saved the general fund about $350 million more than the $300 million of savings originally estimated. Most of that savings is attributed to the waitlists. Revenue forecast breeds cautious optimism Despite some prior monthly revenue reports to the contrary, the latest revenue forecast for 2025 through 2027 presented Tuesday anticipates slow but steady growth in revenues. Forecasters are expecting the state to take in 4.5% more money in 2025, and 3.3% and 0.3% more in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This leaves Mishler and Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, the chair of the House Ways and Means committee, "cautiously optimistic." The state also is expected to continue to have what economists consider a healthy surplus even though the projected growth in Medicaid expenses for 2025, 2026 and 2027 is higher at between 5-6%. "That really sets an interesting dynamic, that if we don't think ahead, we end up in a bad position in that second year," Thompson said. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Medicaid cost projections continue to scare Indiana lawmakers JAKARTA (Reuters) -Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto headed to Egypt on Tuesday to attend meetings of a group of eight major Muslim developing countries, known as the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, the government said. The D-8, which groups Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, was established in 1997 to improve cooperation between the countries stretching from Southeast Asia to Africa. Indonesia will chair the grouping starting in January 2026. Prabowo said he would also meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Egypt is our close friend, our strategic partner and an important country in the Middle East," he said before his departure, adding he would also meet the Egyptian business community. From Egypt he will travel to Malaysia before heading back to Indonesia. Prabowo, who took office in October, has said his presidency would continue Indonesia's long-held foreign policy of non-alignment. He has visited more than 20 countries since being elected president earlier this year, including China, the United States, Japan, and Russia. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair, Martin Petty) DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) An investigation is underway at the Houston County Community Corrections work release after an inmate died. Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd identified the victim as 45-year-old Jerome Boykin, Jr. A member of the Houston County Commission tells WDHN Boykin died Monday night of a possible overdose. Boykins body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources say Dothan Police and emergency services responded to the community corrections building around 6:00 p.m. after the man stopped breathing. The State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation. The Houston County Community Corrections is a work-release program that allows inmates to leave and work during the day but must come back at night to be incarcerated. WDHN has reached out to the SBI and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency for additional 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) An inmate was attacked and treated at an outside medical facility after he was allegedly attacked by an other inmate on Monday. Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told 17 News the alleged attack was reported just before noon at Kern Valley State Prison when staff saw an inmate attack another inmate in the recreational yard. KCSO seeks 4 suspects allegedly involved in robbery at Walmart Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff responded to the attack, according to officials. One of the inmates sustained injuries consistent with being struck with an improvised weapon. The inmate with injuries was taken to an outside medical facility and has returned to the prison. Both inmates have been rehoused to a higher security level, according to officials. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. WASHINGTON (AP) Wrapping up their own investigation on the Jan. 6 2021 Capitol attack, House Republicans have concluded it's former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney who should be prosecuted for probing what happened when then-President Donald Trump sent his mob of supporters as Congress was certifying the 2020 election. The findings issued Tuesday show the Republican Party working to reinforce Trump's desire to punish his perceived enemies including Cheney and members of the Jan. 6 committee that the president-elect has said should be in jail. House Administration Committee Chairman Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., wrote, Until we hold accountable those responsible, and reform our institutions, we will not fully regain trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel Republicans' 128-page interim report arrives as Trump is preparing his return to the White House and working to staff his administration with officials at the highest levels, including Kash Patel as FBI Director, who appear like-minded in his efforts at retribution. Trump also vows to pardon people who were convicted for roles in the riot at the Capitol. It revisits long-running Republican arguments that Trump is not to blame for the attack on the Capitol. The Department of Justice has prosecuted some 1,500 people including the leaders of the militant Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, and indicted Trump on four criminal charges, including conspiracy to overturn the election. Special counsel Jack Smith has since abandoned the case against Trump ahead of the inauguration in adherence to Justice Department guidelines that sitting presidents cannot be charged. But the new report's conclusion singles out Cheney, the daughter of the former vice president, and herself once a rising conservative star who was kicked out of GOP leadership after her vote to impeach Trump for inciting the insurrection. Once she became vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee, Cheney lost her own reelection to a Trump-backed challenger in Wyoming. By fall, Cheney was working to stop Trump from returning to the White House, having campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris. Cheney on Tuesday delivered a detailed defense of her committees painstaking work, the 900-page Jan. 6 report released in December 2022, and said Loudermilks own report disregards the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "January 6th showed Donald Trump for who he really is a cruel and vindictive man who allowed violent attacks to continue against our Capitol and law enforcement officers while he watched television and refused for hours to instruct his supporters to stand down and leave, Cheney said in a statement. Now, Chairman Loudermilks Interim Report intentionally disregards the truth and the Select Committees tremendous weight of evidence, and instead fabricates lies and defamatory allegations in an attempt to cover up what Donald Trump did. President Joe Biden is considering issuing pardons to spare members of Congress and others from Trumps wrath. But several of the people involved have said they are not seeking or dont want pardons from Biden. Among those Trump wants prosecuted are Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Cheney and others members of the Jan. 6 committee, as well as Smith, the DOJ special counsel who indicted Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report's release comes at a timely moment when Congress will be asked in the weeks ahead to confirm the results of the 2024 election. But unlike four years ago, when Republicans refused to accept Biden's victory over Trump and claimed voter fraud, the Democrats say they trust and accept the election results. The GOP panel's findings revisit the multiple security failings on Jan. 6, 2021, and revive the dispute over the lag in calling in the National Guard, which along with police reinforcements, restored order at the Capitol by nightfall. Congress returned to work that evening and worked into the next morning to certify the 2020 election for Biden. "This report reveals that there was not just one single cause for what happened at the U.S. Capitol on January 6," Loudermilk wrote in an introduction. The Capitol is no safer today. But Loudermilk focuses just as intently on the Jan. 6 committee that then-Speaker Pelosi stood up in the aftermath to investigate what happened, and its leaders Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Cheney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report singles out Cheney for prosecution for her role in working with one of the star witnesses against Trump, a former young White House aide, Cassidy Hutchinson, who provided some of the most detailed descriptions of the defeated president's actions that day. Hutchinson had testified before the Jan. 6 committee in 2022 hearing that she had not been forthcoming during her first interviews with the panel and had a moral struggle and wanted to return. She eventually ditched her Trump-aligned lawyer and later delivered a blockbuster public hearing, describing Trump at the White House as the Capitol riot unfolded. Cheney, in her own account in her book Oath and Honor of the committee's work, had been crucial in meeting with Cassidy and worried for her safety as she decided to come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loudermilk's panel concludes these actions are witness tampering and grounds for prosecution. Numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney, the committee wrote in its conclusion. These violations should be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It also says Thompson broke House rules in the handling of files and transcripts. Thompson said the report was filled with baseless allegations. Theres no escaping the reality that Donald Trump bears the responsibility for the deadly January 6th attack no matter how much Mr. Loudermilk would love to rewrite history, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in an interview earlier this month revived his campaign promises to go after those who blamed him for Jan. 6. Honestly, they should go to jail, referring to members of Congress who investigated the Capitol attack. ___ Shondiin Silversmith Arizona Mirror 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navajo Nation Attorney Generals Office launched an outside investigation into the allegations in April after Montoya voiced her claims of harassment and bullying. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Jack Vanderflught, one of Iowa's six presidential electors, showed Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate his driver's license for identity verification as he and the other electors met to cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to the electoral college for the 2024 presidential election Dec. 17, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowas votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance were finalized Tuesday as the states presidential electors meeting was held to submit votes to the electoral college. The meeting, overseen by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and Gov. Kim Reynolds, was the last step for the state in the 2024 presidential election process. All six of Iowas electoral votes four presidential electors representing the states four congressional districts in addition to two at-large electors representing Iowas U.S. Senate seats cast their ballots for Trump and Vance Tuesday. They were a handful of the 538 presidential electors who make up the electoral college, who met at their state capitols Tuesday across the country to weigh in on the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds and Pate thanked the six presidential electors for their service in performing this duty to formalize election results. Pate also thanked Iowans for participating in the 2024 election, saying its inspiring to see Iowans come out every year to do their part. Iowans turned out strong to make their voices heard at the ballot box, Pate said. In the 2024 general election, more than 1.6 million Iowans voted 74% of Iowa registered voters. We have one highest voter registration and turnout rates, and we thank Iowans for fulfilling their substituting and casting their ballots 927,019 Iowans cast their ballot for Donald Trump for president and J.D. Vance for vice president, securing 55.73% of Iowans votes and enabling them to secure the vote of Iowas six electors. The Trump-Vance ticket carried 94 out of Iowas 99 counties. Those votes were technically and legally cast, with six of you (in) the role of presidential electors. Jack Vanderflught, a social studies teacher at the Dallas Center-Grimes Community High School, served as one of the presidential electors. He said the process was easier than he thought it would be after going through the process of being nominated for the role by at the Republican Party of Iowas district and state conventions. The electors were all bound by law to cast their votes for Trump, who won the states popular vote in 2024 with 56% of the vote to Vice President Kamala Harris 43%. Ive been teaching about the government for my entire life, and I knew about the basics of the process, he said. When I looked over and saw the media and everybody, you realize that this is something (important), and its an honor to be here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pate said Iowas presidential elector votes will be submitted to the Office of the Federal Register. On Jan. 6, 2025, U.S. Congress will meet in a joint session to count the Electoral College votes; Harris, serving as president of the Senate, will then announce the winner of the election. Trump and Vance will be inaugurated Jan. 20, 2025. Britain, France and Germany have accused Iran of growing its stockpile of high enriched uranium to unprecedented levels without credible civilian justification. The three countries said in a statement on Tuesday ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Tehrans nuclear programme that Iran must reverse its nuclear escalation. Iran had increased its manufacturing to such an extent that it was the only non-nuclear weapons state to possess uranium enriched to 60 per cent, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear watchdog said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That level is well on the way to the 90 per cent required for an atomic bomb. Irans stockpile of high enriched uranium has also reached unprecedented levels, again without any credible civilian justification. It gives Iran the capability to rapidly produce sufficient fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons, Britain, France and Germany said in the statement. Iran has ramped up its installation of advanced centrifuges, which is yet another damaging step in Irans efforts to undermine the nuclear deal that they claim to support. Last week, Berlin, London and Paris raised the prospect of using a mechanism in a 2015 deal on Irans nuclear programme that allows signatories to reimpose sanctions which had been eased. That deal with Tehran traded sanctions relief for limits on its nuclear programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was signed by Iran on one side and France, Germany, Britain, China, Russia and the United States on the other. It has been reported that Donald Trump is considering how to deal with Irans potential nuclear threat - Evan Vucci/AP Photo But in 2018, then US president Donald Trump pulled the country out of the agreement and reimposed sanctions against Iran. Iran has retaliated by escalating its production of uranium enriched to 60 per cent. One Western diplomat described Iran as pretty weakened by the collapse of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assads regime, suggesting that might push Tehran to seek a nuclear weapon to strengthen its hand. [But] if Iran is weakened they may be more inclined to have talks, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was reported last week that Mr Trump, the US-president elect, is considering options on how to deal with Irans potential nuclear threat. One option, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited anonymous sources, would be to launch strikes against Irans nuclear sites. Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons - Shutterstock Mr Trump reportedly expressed concern to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, over an Iranian nuclear breakout on his watch, two people familiar with their conversation said. Mr Trump is not interested in a new war that would involve the US military, the report added, meaning he is looking at several options. Mr Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, issuing multiple military threats over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran says it has the right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and has consistently denied any ambition of developing weapons capability. 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. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran has paused the process of implementing a new, stricter law on womens mandatory headscarf, or hijab, an official said a bill that many believe could have reignited the protests that engulfed the Islamic Republic after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. The controversial law, which was approved by the parliament in September 2023, will not be sent to the government as planned this week, according to one of the country's vice presidents. The development effectively means that Iran has halted enacting the legislation. The law levies harsher punishments for women who refuse to wear the hijab and for businesses that serve them, penalties previously rejected by Irans reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian as he tries to restart talks with the West over sanctions imposed on Iran over its nuclear program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the discussions held, it was decided that this law will not be referred to the government by the parliament for now, Shahram Dabiri, the vice president in charge of parliamentary affairs, was quoted as saying in an interview Monday with the pro-reform Ham Mihan daily. The decision to halt the legislation at least temporarily was reached by top executive, legislative and judiciary bodies, Dabiri also said. At the moment, it is not feasible to implement this bill, he added, without elaborating. Had the bill passed to the government, Iran's president would have had little room to maneuver. By law, hes required to endorse the bill within five days, after which it would have taken effect in 15 days. The president has no authority to veto it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pezeshkian could try to convince Irans 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, to halt the bill. If the bill had been enacted, Pezeshkian could also refuse to act on it or urge police not to enforce it, setting up a potential constitutional crisis that hard-liners could try to exploit to weaken him. The president had earlier described the law as having many questions and ambiguities. Amini died on Sept. 16, 2022, after her arrest by the countrys morality police over allegedly not wearing her hijab to the liking of the authorities. Iran has denied being responsible for her death and disputes she was beaten. However, United Nations investigators have concluded Amini was subjected to physical violence that led to her death, which they blamed on the morality police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monthslong security crackdown that followed Aminis death killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In the years since, Iranian women on the streets increasingly have ignored the existing hijab law, walking in public with their hair uncovered despite the threat of arrest or harassment. The new, 74-section law envisages fines of $800 for first offenses and $1,500 for second offenses, followed by prison terms of up to 15 years for third offenses. Also, celebrities and public figures could see the confiscation of 8% of their net worth, while businesses face the possibility of closure and fines for serving those not wearing a headscarf. Travel bans also would have been enacted for offenders. The law also would have allowed foreign nationals, including the millions of Afghans living in Iran, to work as informers reporting women not wearing the hijab. Business owners and taxi drivers would be encouraged to report on uncovered women. Otherwise, they can face cash fines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scope of the law, which would be in place for three years, is extraordinary even for the Islamic Republic. It also includes allowing police access to private surveillance footage and even footage recorded by security forces, the Defense Ministry and the countrys civilian nuclear agency. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Two brothers from Ireland were sentenced to 18 months in prison for running a fraudulent contractor scheme that defrauded an elderly Shoreline homeowner out of $435,000, the Department of Justice announced Monday. Patrick McDonagh, 35, and Matthew McDonagh, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in September. U.S. District Judge John H. Chun, who handed down the sentences, described their actions as terrible and serious criminal conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brothers approached the Shoreline victim in January 2024, claiming they noticed a hole in his roof and offered to fix it. Over the next few days, they pressured the homeowner to write checks totaling tens of thousands of dollars, citing fake problems such as a cracked foundation. They even demanded $200,000 to be wired for supposed building supplies. Investigators later determined that no significant repairs were necessary, and the work the men completedsuch as digging trenches and pouring concretewas largely superficial. Quick action by a Shoreline detective and the King County Prosecutors Office helped recover the wired funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI linked the McDonagh brothers to similar scams in Oregon and Illinois. Patrick McDonagh falsely claimed ties to a legitimate construction company in Oregon and collected nearly $50,000 for incomplete foundation work. Matthew McDonagh performed poor and damaging repairs in Illinois after charging $75,000 for driveway and retaining wall work. In total, the brothers were ordered to pay restitution, including $235,000 to the Shoreline victim, $50,000 to Oregon victims, $75,000 to an Illinois homeowner, and over $673,000 to a Bellevue, Washington, victim. The Shoreline victim told the court, They were aggressive, relentless in their pursuit of more and more money. They preyed on my trust and my faith. I feel ashamed, frustrated, and betrayed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI reminds homeowners to be cautious of unsolicited contractors using high-pressure tactics. Residents should verify licenses through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries and check for complaints via the Better Business Bureau or Federal Trade Commission. EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. A shooting on a busy Illinois highway has left one person fighting for their life. According to investigators with the Illinois State Police, the shooting happened around 9:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes of Illinois Route 3 near its meeting point with Interstate 55/64. The driver who was shot drove to East St. Louis City Hall for help after being shot on the highway. The driver remains in critical condition at the hospital. A passenger in the vehicle had injuries that were not life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enter for your chance to win a $250 Rawlings Experience Gift Card! Police are still trying to piece together what happened, as they have more questions than answers. At one point, the highway was shut down for hours as authorities investigated. Police are unsure what led up to the incident or if the victim knew the shooter. However, police believe the incident is an isolated case. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to contact the East St. Louis Police Department. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. By Steven Scheer JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli lawmakers narrowly approved the country's 2025 state budget in an initial vote despite a rebellion by one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition partners demanding he fire Israel's attorney general. The 59-57 vote in the Knesset, or parliament, to pass the wartime austerity budget in its first of three readings underscored divisions within the coalition that heavily relies on ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his six-seat ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party voted against the budget, sparking a war of words with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the head of another right-wing party. Ben-Gvir has been pushing for the firing of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on the grounds that she opposes plans to overhaul Israel's judicial system and supports an independent inquiry into Israels handling of the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border incursion led by the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas. He has asked for the issue to be raised at cabinet meetings. Ben-Gvir said on X that his faction would no longer be bound by the coalition's positions, including the budget law, and would operate independently. Addressing Smotrich, he said the government must fire the attorney general so it can implement its policy. The right-wing government had to either to send her home or face having her bring the government down, Ben-Gvir wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month ago, in a letter to Netanyahu, Baharav-Miara asked the prime minister to consider firing Ben-Gvir, citing evidence that he allegedly interfered directly in police operations and politicized promotions within the force, threatening its status outside politics. Should the issue be raised at Sunday's cabinet meeting, "the crisis will be behind us," Ben-Gvir added. In posts on X, Smotrich accused Ben-Gvir of irresponsibly aligning with the opposition and Arab parties and putting their right-wing government in danger in time of war. Smotrich said Ben-Gvir and his party were jeopardising a historic opportunity for further Israeli settlement of the occupied West Bank and for the State of Israel itself with Donald Trump's administration moving into the White House next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will continue to work for the people of Israel and for victory in the war, with or without Ben-Gvir," he wrote. Netanyahu in September sought to bolster his coalition, which had a 64-56 edge in Knesset, by bringing in opposition lawmaker Gideon Saar and his four seats in the New Hope party, enabling him to be less reliant on other members of his ruling coalition. Saar last month was named foreign minister. Total budget spending in 2025 will be 756 billion shekels ($210 billion), with a deficit target set at 4.4% of gross domestic product. The budget includes spending cuts and tax increases of 37 billion shekels, which are needed to keep the deficit under control as war costs have soared. Spending on defence will be 108 billion shekels next year. All three agencies have cut Israel's credit rating this year due to war expenses that have pushed the budget deficit to near 8% of GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget next goes to the Knesset finance and other committees, where it could face changes. It is not expected to be fully approved until at least January. Until a budget is approved in 2025, the 2024 budget will be divided into 12 parts and 1/12 is allocated each month. Failure to approve the budget by March 31 would trigger new elections. ($1 = 3.6019 shekels) (Reporting by Steven Scheer; Editing by Howard Goller and Angus MacSwan) Israel plans to maintain "security control" in the Gaza Strip even after a ceasefire, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday. This means that, after dismantling the military and administrative capabilities of the Palestinian militant Hamas organization, Israel's army would retain "full freedom of action," akin to the situation in the West Bank, Katz posted on social media platform X. In the West Bank, Israeli troops regularly conduct raids in cities technically under the security control of the Palestinian Authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will not tolerate any organization of terror against Israeli communities and Israeli citizens from the Gaza Strip," Katz said, adding: "We will not allow a return to the reality of before October 7." The massacre committed in Israel by Hamas and other militant groups from the coastal area on October 7 last year resulted in 1,200 deaths and more than 250 people abducted, triggering the Gaza war. Since then, Israel has been fighting Hamas in Gaza where, according to Palestinian sources, more than 45,000 people have been killed so far. Hamas demands a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war as conditions for a ceasefire. However, Israel aims at all costs to prevent a resurgence of the Islamist organization after the war. Israel's defense minister has vowed that it would maintain full freedom of action in the Gaza Strip after fighting ends in the Palestinian enclave, a day after raising hopes that a ceasefire and hostage deal was imminent. Israel was closer to a ceasefire deal than we have ever been, Defense Minister Israel Katz said during a closed-door parliamentary committee hearing Monday. The comment was confirmed to NBC News by an Israeli lawmaker who was present. While ceasefire talks have broken down multiple times in the past, two U.S. officials and an Israeli official last week told NBC News that Hamas relented on key points to securing an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Hamas agreed that Israeli forces would remain in Gaza temporarily after the end of hostilities, and Hamas would provide a comprehensive list of hostages, including American citizens, to be released. Hamas would also see a large number of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of the deal, the sources said. An anti-government protest in Tel Aviv on Tuesday calling for action to secure the release of hostages. The Wall Street Journal first reported these concessions. Hamas has not confirmed to NBC News or others reporting that it has agreed to Israeli troops in Gaza. Hamas said Tuesday that serious and positive discussions had taken place in Doha, Qatar, with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and that reaching a ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange was possible if Israel stops setting new conditions. On Tuesday morning, Katz said Israel would maintain control over Gaza after the fighting ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After the military and governmental power of Hamas in Gaza is defeated, Israel will securely control Gaza with full freedom of action" he posted on X, likening this outcome to Israels current control over the occupied West Bank. Katz did not immediately respond to NBC News request for details on what full freedom of action would mean. But the comparison to the West Bank underscores a key concern for Palestinians and their supporters: the fear of prolonged Israeli military presence in Gaza, akin to the West Bank, where Israel maintains ultimate control over territory and settlements, and carries out regular raids in the area. Yossi Mekelberg, a senior consulting fellow with Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa program, said Katz' comparisons with the West Bank suggest that Israel is going to have full control entering by any means at any given time. "Thats a completely fair enough interpretation, considering that we know what happens in the West Bank," he said. "Is that what a ceasefire agreement is going to say? I have my doubts." Smoke and flames rise from a residential building following an Israeli attack in Gaza City on Tuesday. Gershon Baskin, an Israeli hostage negotiator and frequent critic of Netanyahu's government, said he did not believe Katz' remark that Israel had never been closer to a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have difficult accepting that Hamas has dropped its fundamental demand of an obligation to end the war including full Israeli withdrawal," he told NBC News via WhatsApp. President-elect Donald Trump has injected urgency into negotiations, repeating Monday his threat that there would be hell to pay if no deal was in place by the time he was inaugurated Jan. 20. A senior administration official told NBC News on Friday that Trumps pressure was a major factor in Hamas relenting on two key issues during ceasefire and hostage-release talks with Israel. There is a confidence we have not seen since May when" President Joe Biden "presented his proposal, the official told NBC News, acknowledging that Trumps warning that he wants to see a deal before he takes office was a big factor in recent concessions. A Palestinian woman cries over the shrouded body of a child at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. The U.S. hopes to secure a ceasefire agreement before the end of the month, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said last week in a press conference in Tel Aviv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent developments in the region, including the weakening of Iran, the longtime backer of the terrorist group, the degradation of Hezbollah and the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, also contributed to the compromise by Hamas, the senior Biden administration official said. Negotiations to secure the release of the remaining hostages captured by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack have languished for months. According to Israeli officials, around 1,200 people were killed in the country during the attack and around 250 people were taken hostage dozens of whom are still being held by Hamas and other militant groups. More than 45,000 people, more than half of them women and children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israel's military campaign following the attack, according to the enclave's health officials and aid organizations. Much of the Palestinian enclave has been destroyed and a majority of the population driven from their homes. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) -Huge Israeli airstrikes killed extended families in homes in two parts of the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, Gaza medics said, with Israel's military saying it had taken out a Hamas weapons storage facility. In the south of the enclave, meanwhile, residents said Israeli tanks were pushing towards a humanitarian zone on the Mediterranean coast, forcing displaced families to take flight again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medics said at least 10 people were confirmed killed in an airstrike on a house in the Daraj suburb of Gaza City that destroyed the building and damaged nearby houses. Further north, in the town of Beit Lahiya, which has been under Israeli siege since early October, at least 15 people were believed to be dead or missing under the rubble of a house hit by an airstrike around dawn, said medics. Rescuers were unable to reach the site to confirm the toll. At least 10 other Palestinians were killed in separate strikes elsewhere in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya, medics said. The Israeli military said in a statement that it struck a Hamas weapons storage facility that served as a sniper post which posed an immediate threat to troops operating in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military said that steps had been taken to mitigate civilian casualties "including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence." In Beit Lahiya, Israel has been operating since October in what it calls an offensive to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping. Palestinians say the army aims to depopulate a buffer zone on the enclave's northern edge, which Israel denies. In the southern part of the enclave, in Rafah near the border with Egypt, Israeli tanks pushed deeper towards the western area of Mawasi, forcing dozens of families to flee northwards towards Khan Younis, residents said. Hours later, residents said the army blew up several houses in the area and set several tents ablaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has previously designated Mawasi, along the Mediterranean coast, as a humanitarian area. Thousands of Palestinians have lived there in tents for months, having obeyed Israeli orders to move there from other areas for safety. Footage circulating on social media showed lines of thick black and grey smoke rising from the area beside the tent encampment. Reuters could not immediately verify the time or exact location of the images. Contacted by Reuters, the Israeli military said it had no information corresponding to the reports of tanks advancing towards Mawasi. After months during which ceasefire talks had stalled, efforts to reach a truce in the 14-month-long war, brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, have resumed in recent weeks, though with no breakthrough yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, an official with knowledge of the talks told Reuters an Israeli technical team was in Doha for working-level talks with Qatari mediators on "remaining issues" in a deal for a ceasefire and release of hostages. The talks are focused on bridging gaps on a deal that U.S. President Joe Biden outlined more than six months ago, the official said. Egypt's state-affiliated Al-Qahera news said on Tuesday there were "extensive" Egyptian-Qatari efforts with all parties to reach a ceasefire deal. 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 more than 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. (Reporting by Nidal al-MughrabiEditing by Andrew Heavens, Peter Graff and Rosalba O'Brien) An Israeli strike in Gaza has killed an elderly Palestinian man known from a touching video that went viral last year of him grieving his 3-year-old granddaughter, also slain in an airstrike. Khaled Nabhan was killed Monday during an Israeli attack on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, according to reports. Footage from Gaza journalists shows Nabhans bloody, lifeless body on a hospital bed at Al-Awda Hospital while mourners, including his nephew, journalist Saed Nabhan, surround him. Khaled Nabhan drew global attention after CNN reported in November 2023 on the Israeli military bombing his home and killing his grandchildren, 3-year-old Reem and 5-year-old Tariq. His daughter and the childrens mother, Maysa, was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the video spread on social media of him gently cradling Reems body, nuzzling her with his beard, opening her eyes to kiss them and tearfully telling her in Arabic, Rouh al rouh, which means You are the soul of my soul. Our birthdays were the same; we celebrated our birthdays together, Nabhan said at the time in a video from DOAM, an independent media outlet. She used to play by kissing my beard, and I would kiss her face. But when I came back, she had passed away. I started calling to her, Get up, my dear, get up! I thought she was sleeping, but she had died. A separate video showed Nabhan kneeling over his slain grandchildren while they were wrapped in shrouds in preparation for burial fixing Tariqs hair the way he liked it, he told CNN at the time. Nabhan would keep pinned to him an earring belonging to Reem, so that she would be close to his heart. Nabhans tenderness in the widespread footage helped to remind the world of Palestinians humanity and pain at an early stage of Israels destruction of Gaza, which many human rights experts have since described as genocidal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the deaths of his grandchildren, Nabhan continued to dedicate his time to helping the displaced children of Gaza, as well as bringing comfort to hospital patients and victims families. He created an Instagram account to document daily life under bombardment, amassing a million followers by the time of his death. Some videos show him also feeding Gazas stray cats and spending time with his mother. His embrace of his murdered granddaughter, Reem, gave us a painful & human image of the loss being inflicted on Palestinians early on, journalist Sana Saeed posted on X. Every loss of a Palestinian brings pain, but Khaleds death hurts a little more today. Khaled Nabhan (on bed), who honored his 3-year-old grandchild, Reem, in what became a viral video after she was killed by an Israeli airstrike, was himself killed during an Israeli attack at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza on Monday. Here, Nabhan's body is taken from the morgue of Al-Awda Hospital for funeral prayers and burial. Ahmed Maqdema/Anadolu via Getty Images Saed Nabhan said that their neighborhood was under tank shelling and that as he ran toward Al-Awda Hospital, he found his uncle among those killed. Eyewitnesses told him Khaled Nabhan saw injured people and ran to help, but he was instantly killed by another tank shell, according to CNN. When asked about Nabhans death on Monday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the ever-rising civilian death toll in Gaza an ongoing tragedy but avoided holding Israel accountable for that death toll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinians and activists have posted their own tributesfor Nabhan, some including art that honors the lives of both him and Reem. According to his nephew, Nabhan died while wearing, for the first time, a T-shirt designed for and given to him by a Palestinian American-owned brand. The T-shirt reads, The soul of my soul. This is forever how we will remember Khaled Nabhan and his grandchildren Reem and Tariq. Smiling and happy, the brand, Wear the Peace, posted on X along with footage of Nabhan and Reem laughing together. We are heartbroken but happy theyre far away from this cruel world. Related... More Marion County high schoolers will have the chance to attend Indiana University Indianapolis after the college expanded its seamless admissions process Monday. The University's seamless admissions process now includes students at Decatur Township, Lawrence Township, Pike Township, Warren Online Academy and Warren Central High School. The expansion also includes more charter schools, such as Irvington Preparatory Academy, the James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy, and Rooted School Indianapolis at Eastern Star. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seamless admissions process means that any high school student, at one of the participating schools, who has a 3.0 GPA or higher can be automatically admitted to the university once they fill out an online form. Going to college next year?: All Indiana high schooler have to fill out the FAFSA. Learn why and how to do it here. The expansion will be effective for students applying for enrollment for fall 2026. The change is meant to help more high schoolers attend college by removing some of the typical processes that can serve as barriers, like filling out applications, paying application fees and supplying high school transcripts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By establishing seamless admission, we are not just simplifying the college application process; we are validating the hard work of our students and reinforcing our commitment to their future success, said Lawrence Township superintendent Shawn Smith. High school graduation changes: State board approves final diploma redesign, new requirements boost work-based learning This process was launched last fall for Indianapolis Public School flagship high schools with the first group of students starting at Indiana University Indianapolis this school year. Now the program is available to all of the district's innovation high schools and has meant that more than 450 seniors have qualified for admissions for fall 2025, according to a news release from the college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative has also increased first-year attendance of Indianapolis Public School students at the college by more than 80%. University leaders said they intend to continue expanding the seamless admission process to more Marion County schools and possibly outside the county as well. Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: More Indy high schoolers could be admitted to IU Indy The recent shooting death of a man at a Woodland Park City Market grocery store parking lot "appears likely to be a case of self-defense," according to a news release Tuesday from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Luis Morales died in the Nov. 29 shooting. According to the CBI investigation and previous Gazette reporting, there was a physical altercation in the parking lot just off U.S. 24 during a child custody exchange between Morales and the boyfriend of the mother's child. Witnesses said Morales, 28, threatened the mother's boyfriend with a knife. The boyfriend, 29, then pulled a gun and fired a single shot that hit Morales. Woodland Park police arrived and, along with bystanders, gave first aid to Morales before taking him to a Colorado Springs hospital, where he died, according to the release. The shooter stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, the CBI said. By the end of December the CBI expects to forward the case and its findings to the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which will making a final decision whether to pursue criminal charges. A voting ballot. Alabama officially casted its electoral votes for Donald Trump and J.D. Vance. (Getty Images) Alabamas appointed electors signed the necessary paperwork Tuesday casting the states nine electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice-President-elect J.D. Vance after the two were declared the winner of the November general election. Gov. Kay Ivey, speaking prior to the event, thanked Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and his staff for overseeing a fair, secure and transparent election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump and Vance ticket won the presidential contest in Alabama by capturing more than 1.4 million votes. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, received about 770,000 of the total ballots cast. Despite the victory, Trump did not significantly expand his base of voters in the state compared to what he received during the 2020 contest. The states shift to the right was led by a marked decline in turnout of those who favored Democrats. The support for Harris declined by almost 82,000 votes compared to the total votes that President Joe Biden received when he was the candidate in 2020, a 9.6% difference. Alabama continues to lag the rest of the nation in terms of voter turnout, with about 58.5% of registered voters in the state casting a ballot last month. That is the lowest turnout figure since 1988. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 17COLUMBUS Ivy Tech Community College has received a $5,000 grant from Duke Energy to help the College's Columbus Service Area provide engaging and educational day camps for elementary and high school students during school-year breaks. These camps will focus on offering students hands-on experiences in subjects that include Biology, Aviation, Advanced Manufacturing, and Engineering. The camps will feature innovative activities designed to spark interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Activities will include the use of virtual reality headsets, which will allow students to explore different STEM careers in an immersive environment. Other hands-on activities will include building birdhouses or toolboxes, assembling Bluetooth speakers in an electronics lab, and participating in various STEM stations. The Columbus Propeller MakerSpace will partner with Ivy Tech to facilitate some of the camps. "We are incredibly grateful to Duke Energy for their generous support," said Therese Copeland, Ivy Tech Columbus Vice Chancellor of Development. "This grant will enable us to offer enriching experiences that inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. Duke Energy's commitment to education and the community is truly commendable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grant from Duke Energy will be instrumental in providing the necessary materials and support to make these camps a success. "We are proud to support Ivy Tech Community College in their efforts to provide valuable educational opportunities for local youth," said Kylie Foster of Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager. "Investing in STEM education is crucial for the future, and we are excited to see the positive impact these camps will have on students." Camps will be held starting in spring. Exact dates are being developed. About Ivy Tech Community College Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and serves thousands of students annually online. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the most up-to-date information. Information available LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Jobs for Americas Graduates, better known as JAG, helps at-risk students across Nevada earn their diplomas by enrolling in college or helping them get full-time employment. Christian Tapia is one of those students undergoing a big change in his life. When the pandemic closed schools, he dropped out during his sophmore year to work. I was going to work, I was like why go to school anymore? Were in covid, just work, said Tapia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The JAG Nevada program steered him back on track. The program helps high school students with additional services and skills. Tapia has sinced graduated from high school in 2023, and then enrolled in barber school with a full scholarship. Rene Cantu, executive director for JAG Nevada said its all about supporting students to reach their full potenial and overcome obstacles. Some of the barriers that we see are obviously economic challenges, low grades, high absenteeism, signs that theyre disengaged from school, and risk of not graduating, explained Cantu. We teach them practical skills that they feel are going to help them like resumes, cover letters, how to show up on work on time, how to work as a team, how to solve problems. these are the skills that propel young people to success. Christian Tapia who is apart of the JAG Nevada program (KLAS) Christian Tapia who is apart of the JAG Nevada program (KLAS) Cantu said a helping hand makes all the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have to give credit to the JAG team and specialists who are at the schools everyday providing the extra support. You know the care, the structure, the accountability that helps young people like Christian, Cantu added. Christian Tapia also just graduated from barber school and is prepared to take the state board exam next month. I just graduated two days ago and its going really good. I take my state board exam on January, that first Sunday so after that Ill do my 18-month apprenticeship and after that, Ill take another state board and once I pass it Ill get my master of barber license and from there Ill be able to open up my own barbershop, Tapia remarked. According to JAG Nevadas website, 93% of 2019 graduates found themselves working full-time, going to college full-time or doing a combination of both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JAG Nevada is all about community involvement and the JAG team is inviting the public to get involved. You can volunteer to talk to students about your career, as well as helping with mock interviews to prepare students for the workforce. For more information, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Jamaica has taken its official first steps to remove King Charles as its head of state. Last week, Marlene Malahoo Forte, Jamaica's Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Republic Act 2024 in the House of Representatives. She described it as a historic moment, per the Jamaica Observer. 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. In an interview with the Guardian, Forte said, 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. In order to abolish the monarchy, Jamaica must pass the act in both houses of parliament with a two-thirds majority vote. The bill would then be followed by a public referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King Charles currently serves as head of state of 15 Commonwealth realms; Jamaican politicians, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness, have long expressed their countrys intention to become a republic. When Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Jamaica in 2022, Prime Minister Holness told them that his country was moving on to fulfill our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country. In November 2021, Barbados became the first country in almost 30 years to remove the British monarch as head of state. King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, attended the ceremony where Barbados officially cut ties with the monarchy. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the most recent British royals to travel to Jamaica, attending the global premiere of Bob Marley: One Love in January 2024, while William and Kate were the last British royals to undertake an official tour in the country, in 2022. You Might Also Like (Bloomberg) -- Japan is getting its pitch across to US President-elect Donald Trump for continued strong relations, even as its unpopular prime minister stays home to deal with an unstable political situation. Most Read from Bloomberg An announcement on Monday by SoftBank Group Corp. of plans to invest $100 billion over the next four years to create thousands of new jobs in the US follows a visit to Washington by a close aide of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and a dinner meeting between Trump, his wife Melania, and the widow of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abe was the first world leader to visit Trump after his 2016 election victory, and their warm bond is often cited as one reason for Japans relatively stable ties with the US during Trumps first term. Many in Tokyo have expressed concern about whether Ishiba who has little international experience will succeed in establishing a similar relationship. I was very close to the Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. He was great, Trump said on Monday, a day after the meeting with Abes widow Akie. The former prime minister was shot and killed in 2022. In meetings with Trump before and after the 2017 inauguration, Abe highlighted Japans contributions to the US economy through job creation and investment, including a previous investment pledge from SoftBank. Tokyo was still hit with US tariffs on steel and aluminum, and occasional criticism from Trump over its trade surplus with the US, but the US leader didnt follow through on a demand for Japan to quadruple what it pays for hosting US troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ishibas chances of bonding with Trump following his re-election appeared to suffer a setback in November when he was denied a meeting on the way back from a visit to South America. At the time, Ishiba said Trump staff had explained that the incoming president wasnt planning to meet any world leaders before his inauguration, an excuse that crumbled with the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Mar-a-Lago soon after. Yet on Monday, Trump said: Id love to see the (Japanese) prime minister, and we will do that. He added that he was open to a meeting with Ishiba before his Jan. 20 inauguration, although the prime ministers domestic commitments, including mandatory appearances in parliament, may make that difficult. Ishibas coalition failed to win a parliamentary majority in the October election, leaving his party facing tough negotiations to pass legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Trump and his team are still engaged with Japan. In late November, Akihisa Nagashima, a national security adviser to Ishiba, met with around ten members of Trumps diplomatic and security teams. In a subsequent interview with Bloomberg, Nagashima said he came away with confidence about Trumps commitment to the US-Japan alliance, as well as appreciation for Japans increases in defense spending. Tension still exists in US-Japan relations, most notably over political resistance in the US to Nippon Steel Corp.s bid to buy United States Steel Corp. President Biden is said to plan to block it and Trump has pledged to kill the bid outright. Still, some uncertainty over who will handle bilateral relations has also been removed with Trumps announcement late Monday in the US of former investment banker George Glass as his ambassador to Japan. Glass is a former ambassador to Portugal and doesnt have clear links to Japan. When Ishiba does meet Trump, the events sure to be closely watched for comparisons with the US leaders meetings with Abe. Besides security and economic matters, they will have at least one less weighty subject to discuss: Trump said he gave Ms. Abe a book and other gifts to pass on to Ishiba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Yoshiaki Nohara. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Kantaro Komiya TOKYO (Reuters) - Space startups in Japan and India said on Tuesday they had agreed to jointly study using laser-equipped satellites to remove debris from orbit, an experimental approach to the increasingly imminent problem of orbital congestion. Tokyo-based Orbital Lasers and Indian robotics company InspeCity said they would study business opportunities for in-space services such as de-orbiting a defunct satellite and extending a spacecraft's life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carved out from Japanese satellite giant SKY Perfect JSAT this year, Orbital Lasers is building a system that will use laser energy to stop the rotation of space junk by vaporising small parts of its surface, making it easier for a servicing spacecraft to rendezvous. Orbital Lasers plans to demonstrate the system in space and supply it to operators after 2027, said Aditya Baraskar, the company's global business lead. It can be mounted on InspeCity satellites if the companies clear regulatory requirements in India and Japan, Baraskar added. The companies said they had signed a preliminary agreement to initiate the collaboration. InspeCity was founded in 2022 and raised $1.5 million last year, while Orbital Lasers has raised 900 million yen ($5.8 million) since it was established in January. A United Nations panel on space traffic coordination in late October said that urgent action was necessary to track and manage objects in low Earth orbit because of the rapid increase in satellites and space junk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are already more than 100 companies in the space servicing market as satellite constellations expand, Nobu Okada, chief executive of Japanese debris mitigation pioneer Astroscale, said earlier this year. The project is the latest example of collaboration between Japan and India, whose governments are working together on the joint Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, which could launch as early as 2026. Indian rocket maker Skyroot and satellite builder HEX20 are also working with Japanese moon exploration firm ispace on a future lunar orbiter mission. The two countries' commercial space tie-ups have been driven by Japanese satellite data solutions for India's disaster management and agriculture, and can expand to more fields such as manufacturing, said Masayasu Ishida, chief executive of Tokyo-based nonprofit SPACETIDE, which has hosted space business conferences since 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The key is finding where and how to build complementary relationships" that align with national policies such as Make in India, which aims to boost local production, Ishida said. ($1 = 154.1000 yen) (Reporting by Kantaro Komiya; Additional reporting by Nivedita Bhattacharjee; Editing by Kate Mayberry) Music mogul Jay-Z is reportedly "upset" about the rape lawsuit brought against him by an anonymous woman represented by lawyer Tony Buzbee. The rapper's attorney, Alex Spiro, revealed the news during a press briefing. In it, he shared how downcast Jay-Z has been, especially because of his wife and kids. Jay-Z has since denied the shocking rape allegations made against him in connection to fellow rapper, Sean "Diddy" Combs, vowing to expose Tony Buzbee "for the fraud that he is." Jay-Z Is 'Upset' That The Rape Lawsuit Against Him 'Distracts' From 'Real Victims' MEGA In a recent press briefing held in New York City, attorney Spiro gave an update on Jay-Z amid the rape allegations plaguing the rapper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He revealed that the Roc Nation boss is "upset" about the lawsuit and displeased that a person would be allowed to make a mockery of the "system." "He's upset. He's upset that somebody would be allowed to do this, to make a mockery of the system like this," Spiro said, per CNN. "He's upset that this distracts and dissuades real victims from coming forward. He's upset that his kids and his family have to deal with this. He's upset, and he should be upset." Jay-Z's name made headlines when he was named in an amended lawsuit on December 8 as the celebrity who allegedly raped a 13-year-old alongside Diddy in 2000 at an MTV VMAs afterparty. He has since denied the allegations, claiming he is being blackmailed by attorney Buzbee and his client, who is currently identified as "Jane Doe." The Rapper's Attorney Says He Has No Association With Diddy MEGA During the press briefing, Jay-Z's attorney, Spiro, was further asked about the rapper's relationship with Diddy and whether he planned on speaking about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Spiro claimed that Jay-Z and Diddy do not share a strong relationship beyond working together and that the Tidal founder knows nothing about Diddy's legal battles. "Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs's case or Mr. Combs," the lawyer said. "They knew each other professionally for a number of years. Just like in all professions, people know each other. At the music awards, they support each other." "There is no closer association between any of them," Spiro added. "That's also a matter of fiction. That's all that there is. He doesn't know anything about the charges or allegations against [Combs]. He has nothing to do with that case." Jay-Z's Accuser Admitted She Made Some 'Mistakes' In Her Story MEGA In an interview with NBC News, Jay-Z's accuser admitted that there were inconsistencies in her account of what happened on the fateful night of the alleged rape incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 anonymous woman who hails from Alabama. "So I have made some mistakes. I may have made a mistake in identifying." According to the news outlet, some of the mistakes in her story include her father's statement that he does not recall picking her up at a gas station after she fled the scene of the alleged assault, as she claimed. Additionally, the accuser stated she had a conversation with a celebrity at the afterparty where the assault reportedly occurred. However, it was later revealed that the celebrity was not at the party and was on tour at the time. Despite these inconsistencies, the 38-year-old alleged victim maintains that her claims are not false and continues to stand by her allegations. The Accuser's Lawyer Said He's Office Is Still Vetting Her Rape Allegations MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buzbee, who represents Jay-Z's alleged victim, has admitted that his office is still vetting the rape claims. He also emphasized that not only does she stand by her story, but she has also agreed to submit to a polygraph test. "Jane Doe's case was referred to our firm by another, who vetted it prior to sending it to us," he said in an email to 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." Buzbee noted that the entire situation has been "extremely distressing" for Jay-Z's accuser, who has experienced seizures and sought medical treatment due to the stress. The lawyer further explained that he wasn't surprised by the father's lack of recollection, as the alleged victim had already pointed out that he was "in no state to remember" at the time due to personal issues he was facing. Jay-Z's Legal Team Slammed The Rape Lawsuit As A 'Sham' MEGA After Jane Doe's admission of inconsistencies in her rape claim, Jay-Z's lawyer released a statement to the court, dismissing the allegations and branding them a "sham" and "patently false." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Basic facts in her narrative the who, what, when, and where are wrong," the filing stated. "These stunning revelations make clear that the complaint filed by the plaintiff's attorney, Anthony Buzbee, had no factual basis whatsoever." The legal team also criticized the alleged victim's lawyer for failing to conduct a "reasonable inquiry into the facts" before filing the claim against Jay-Z, adding that the allegations should never have been filed in the first instance. The lawyers concluded the filing by stating their intention to immediately file a motion to strike the first amended complaint, which referenced the refiling of the lawsuit that initially named only Sean "Diddy" Combs. Jay-Z's attorney Alex Spiro says the rapper is "upset that his kids and his family have to deal with" allegations made in a complaint filed on Dec. 8, in which he was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs Spiro also discussed Jay-Z's relationship with Combs, saying, they "knew each other professionally for years" and "there is no closer association" between them Jay-Z has denied all allegations calling the complaint "a blackmail attempt Jay-Zs attorney is speaking for the first time since the rapper was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl 24 years ago alongside Sean "Diddy" Combs. Attorney Alex Spiro shared insights into the mindset of the Empire State of Mind musician, whose real name is Shawn Carter, at a press briefing in New York City on Dec. 16, per CNN. The allegations against his client were made in a civil lawsuit that was amended on Dec. 8 to include Jay-Z, alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs, as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes upset. Hes upset that somebody would be allowed to do this, to make a mockery of the system like this, Spiro said of Jay-Z. ... Hes upset that his kids and his family have to deal with this. Hes upset and he should be upset. The rappers attorney was further asked about the case in relation to Combs, who has been behind bars following a September federal indictment charging him with sex trafficking by force, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy and who has been accused by multiple alleged victims of misconduct and sexual abuse. LISA O'CONNOR/AFP via Getty Tina Knowles, rapper Jay-Z, singer-songwriter Beyonce and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Tina Knowles, rapper Jay-Z, singer-songwriter Beyonce and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Related: Jay-Z Denies Allegation of Raping a 13-Year-Old Girl in 2000 with Sean Diddy Combs: Heinous Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combss case or Mr. Combs, Spiro said. They knew each other professionally for a number of years. Just like in all professions, people know each other. At the music awards, they support each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no closer association between any of them, he added of Carter and Combs. Thats also a matter of fiction. Thats all that there is. He doesnt know anything about the charges or allegations against [Combs]. He has nothing to do with that case. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The woman, who filed under Jane Doe and is being represented by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee, claimed she was raped by Carter and Combs after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000 as a still-unnamed female celebrity watched. Kevin Mazur/Getty Sean Combs, and Jay-Z attend Sean Combs 50th Birthday Bash in 2019. Sean Combs, and Jay-Z attend Sean Combs 50th Birthday Bash in 2019. Jay-Z denied the allegations in a lengthy response on Roc Nation's X (formerly Twitter), writing that the filing was a "a blackmail attempt and said that he looked forward to showing you just how different I am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all 'celebrities' are the same," Jay-Z added, in part. "I'm not from your world. I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor." Related: Beyonce and Jay-Z Attend Mufasa: The Lion King Premiere with Daughter Blue Ivy One Day After Rapper Denies Child Rape Allegation Since her complaint was filed, inconsistencies have since been reported, per NBC News, including the fact that she said her father picked her up after the alleged sexual assault, but he did not recall that, and that she claimed she had spoken to Benji Madden at the afterparty, though he denied being in New York at the time. Monica Schipper/WireImage Jay-Z attends the Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' "The Book Of Clarence" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Jay-Z attends the Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' "The Book Of Clarence" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Her attorney Buzbee, told NBC News on Dec. 13 that though she made some mistakes when recalling the catastrophic event, it did not mean her allegations are false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our client remains fiercely adamant that what she has stated is true, to the best of her memory. We will continue to vet her claims and collect corroborating data to the extent it exists. Because we have interrogated her intensely, she has even agreed to submit to a polygraph. Ive never had a client suggest that before," Buzbee told NBC News. He continued: We always do our best to vet each claim made, just as we did in this case. This has been extremely distressing for her, to the point she has experienced seizures and had to seek medical treatment due to the stress. Following the news, Carter released a statement to PEOPLE saying, in part, Todays investigative report proves this attorney Buzbee filed a false complaint against me in the pursuit of money and fame. This incident didnt happen and yet he filed it in court and doubled down in the press. True justice is coming His attorney also added in his own statement, ... We are asking the Court to dismiss this frivolous case today, and will take up the matter of additional discipline for Mr. Buzbee and all the lawyers that filed the complaint. 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 Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. MSNBCs Jen Psaki said Donald Trump is instilling a culture of fear in media and politics before even returning to the White House and hes learning that it works. She cited the $15 million ABC News recently agreed to pay to Trumps presidential library in order to settle a defamation lawsuit that many legal experts said the network could have won. Many critics of the decision viewed it as an act of cowardice, or obedience, from the news organization. If youre Trump and his team, what does that teach you? It teaches you that tactics like this can work, and that you should keep at them, Psaki, a former White House press secretary for President Joe Biden, said on her show Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that Trump, as if on cue, expanded his threats of legal action against the media after the ABC News settlement. At a news conference in Florida on Monday, Trump said he planned to sue the Des Moines Register over a poll that predicted he would lose Iowa by 4 points. (He ended up winning by a substantial margin.) Trump claimed the poll amounted to election interference. Psaki laid out her concerns with this emerging pattern. Trump and his team decide they dont like something, they employ threats and pressure and intimidation to change the thing they dont like, and it works. And that means theyre incentivized to do it again, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to remember that what this pattern could lead to is a country where journalists dont feel comfortable speaking truth to power, where elected officials dont hold people accountable, she added. Her guest, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), said he didnt want to be too alarmist, but I think this is a red alert moment. There are not just two things in this world: democracies and dictatorships, he said. There are all sorts of countries in this world that occupy a gray zone. He pointed to countries like Hungary and Serbia, which he said hold elections, but it is virtually impossible for the political opposition to win, because the press is either owned by the regime or, when the press is not owned by the regime, it is intimidated into submission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could be the direction the U.S. is headed for if the press stops telling the real story and holding Trump accountable, Murphy said. Related... (Bloomberg) -- JetBlue Airways Corp. is urging President-elect Donald Trump to bolster the nations air traffic control system, which industry leaders have blamed for travel disruptions due to insufficient staffing and outdated technology. Most Read from Bloomberg I wish this administration would focus more on air traffic control, Chief Executive Officer Joanna Geraghty said in a Bloomberg Television interview Tuesday. That has definitely been a meaningful pressure for JetBlue and other airlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nation is grossly understaffed in air traffic controllers, she said, and we should be able to have a more resilient air traffic system. JetBlue and other carriers with large operations in the New York area have been particularly hard hit by the shortages. Halts to hiring and training during the pandemic, along with retirements, created a shortfall in the number of air traffic controllers, straining the aviation system. The Federal Aviation Administration hired 1,811 controllers this year, the largest number in nearly a decade. Id love to see more hiring, better technology and ultimately improving the amount of delays that come out of air traffic control, Geraghty said. She noted that she has not met with members of the incoming administration. --With assistance from Jonathan Ferro, Lisa Abramowicz and Annmarie Hordern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. A Russian woman who made headlines for reportedly sneaking onto a Paris-bound Delta flight from New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport is at it again, this time allegedly being busted trying to sneak into Canada. Svetlana Dali, 57, apparently hid in a bathroom at the back of the aircraft during take-off and then rotated between that and other bathrooms during the flight from JFK Airport last month. She was hauled off the flight and returned to the U.S. ARRESTED AGAIN: Russian JFK stowaway, Svetlana Dali, who made it from NYC Airport LGA to Paris without passport and a ticket, has been arrested again. Dali was caught again fter cutting off her ankle monitor and trying to flee to Canada from Buffalo NY on a bus. pic.twitter.com/Xuuv4wODcU Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) December 17, 2024 Now, she has reportedly been arrested againthis time for a mad dash towards Canada. WGRZ reports that Dali was arrested in Buffalo, upstate New York. She was stopped in her tracks while on a Greyhound bus trying to cross into Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops asked to see her passport, but she said she didnt have one, reports stated. They realized she was wanted on an open warrant when they brought her to the station. CNN cited law enforcement sources who said that Dali cut off her ankle monitor Sunday, before her roommate in Philadelphia informed authorities. An arrest warrant was issued after she allegedly jumped bail Monday, WGRZ added. She could face up to five years in federal prison for the attempted getaway, CNN reported. Dali will appear in court before a federal magistrate Tuesday. Her attorney, Michael Schneider, did not immediately respond to request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge in her stowaway case previously raised concerns about releasing Dali after the previous incident, but Schneider successfully argued for her release. JUST IN: Svetlana Dali, woman who snuck on NY-Paris flight arrested at NY-Canada border after ditching ankle bracelet - WNBC pic.twitter.com/OiTHbRVeWs Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 17, 2024 We do not believe she is a serious risk of flight. Its not as if she can sneak on a flight every day, he said during a court hearing. Dali, a U.S. permanent resident and Russian national, was told after the previous incident that she cannot go to airports, must submit to GPS monitoring, surrender any travel documents and cannot leave the area where she is staying or facing charges. The judge, Joseph Marutollo, also ruled that Dali must abide by a curfew and be evaluated and submit to any recommended mental health treatment. Dec. 16When Centerville resident and U.S. Army veteran Eric Burke needed help finding a job, he found a friend in the right place. Burke, 41, had taken classes at Sinclair Community College, but said he had been having a "tough time finding something for me." Burke connected with Taleisa Jones, a counselor for the Dayton VA vocational rehabilitation program, who connected him with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, where he works today in loss prevention and safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've never been happier," Burke said in an interview. "I love my job. It's because of voc rehab (VA vocational rehabilitation). They helped me get it." Burke isn't alone. According to a 2023 U.S. Department of Labor report, more than 200,000 military service members transition to civilian life each year. There are nearly 700,000 veterans and service members who call Ohio home, amounting to the sixth-largest such population among the 50 states. Kevin Fields, vocational rehabilitation program manager for Dayton Veterans Affairs, called jobs that are ready and open "the low-hanging fruit." Usually, finding the right jobs takes more digging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said occasionally local employers will contact her office, but most of the time, she has to go to employers. "It would have to be an employer the veteran is interested in or an occupational goal that the veteran is interested in," she said. "And then our job is to go out and talk to those employers." It takes more than a phone call, much of the time. "Our first option, we actually walk into the businesses," Jones said. The typical reception? Jones put it at "75-25." "Most people are open to talking with us," she said. "However, we do have some who are a little bit reluctant. Once they find out what we're doing, they usually are pretty open to talking with us." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal is to bridge employers who need trained employees able to think on their feet and take direction and veterans who need an opportunity, Fields said. "It's a solution-focused mindset on process improvement, where sometimes we can create jobs out of thin air," Fields said. He said his office tries to broker an "informational meeting," getting the right veteran in the room with the right employer. That's when the magic happens. "We just make the introduction," he said. "The two of them just start talking their industry-speak. We step back and just let them do their thing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The VA office can help with discussions on hours, pay and logistical arrangements. The Dayton VA vocational rehabilitation office can be reached at (937) 268-6511, ext. 1517, or kevin.fields@va.gov. 'The right jobs at the right employers' Ohio government also has services for veterans. David Stonerock, program administrator for veterans services at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), said there are 88 county centers devoted to helping veterans (and other residents) find job. Such centers provide comprehensive assessments. State employees there will direct veterans to job leads and contacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our program is not just about finding jobs for veterans; it's finding the right jobs at the right employers," Stonerock said. Veterans can get the ball rolling by simply visiting a local job center or visiting https://jfs.ohio.gov/. "We want to come up with a plan," Stonerock said. "It's not just hey, I'm looking for a job, can you get me a job? It's getting you the right job." ODJFS was able to help Centerville resident and Army veteran Matthew Schlosser, 45, land a government contracting job as a project manager that dovetailed with his Army career field, security cooperation. The job involved spending three months in Germany, among other tasks conducted remotely from Centerville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, that contract has expired, and he's looking for another position. "Even though I'm fairly self-sufficient when it comes to looking for work, they (ODJFS) have resources and accesses that have been fairly helpful," he said. His contact at ODJFS "has a rolodex full of hiring managers." The state directed him to useful job leads, pointing him toward openings posted two or three days before they hit open job boards, such as Monster.com. "Services like that were extremely helpful to me," Schlosser said. State services are probably more useful for younger enlisted workers looking for direction, rather than, say, a retired experienced officer, Schlosser believes. No one seemed to know what to do when John Curtis entered the Senate chamber. In the moments before, a steady stream of senators had shuffled in, taking their assigned seats. Mitt Romney, moments away from delivering his final Senate address, was already seated on the back row, his legs crossed, thumbing his cellphone. His colleagues, as they passed his desk, offered him greetings: Joe Manchin gave him a hug; Thom Tillis slapped his shoulder; Cory Booker cracked a joke. Curtis, meanwhile, hovered by the door. The senator-elect from Utah had not yet been sworn into his new post, and he wont have an assigned seat until he formally replaces Romney on Jan. 3. There had been some debate that morning among the senator-elects staff as to whether he should watch Romneys speech from the Senate floor, as senators do, or take a seat in the visitors gallery above he was there to show support, not steal the spotlight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Playing postlude to Romney is tricky business. Romney, who entered the Senate in 2019, was already one of Americas most recognizable political figures. He became a lynchpin in historic Senate negotiations on COVID relief, infrastructure, manufacturing and gun reform. But Romney was also a lightning rod: openly critical of his partys own president, he became the first senator ever to vote to impeach a president of his own party, which he did twice. He retires from political service as a two-time presidential candidate, a governor and senator, though he hopes his greatest legacy is that he lived by and subscribed to my values. Enter Curtis Romneys heir, the good-natured congressman, standing awkwardly by the door. Romney saw him first, or perhaps Curtis saw Romney. The two embraced. A Senate aide, visibly confused by Curtis presence, helped Curtis find a seat in the corner on the visitors bench. Romney delivered his farewell speech. Curtis joined the standing ovation. The act is now Curtis to follow. Curtis already has his own reputation, developed over three terms in the U.S. House and a decade in local government. He, too, positions himself a dealmaker and a pragmatist, delivering big wins for Utahns on public lands and water. He rallied Republicans to talk about the climate, previously viewed to be an off-limits issue for conservatives. And nearly two dozen of his bills have been signed into law, making him by that metric one of the most effective House members. But the most frequent question he gets is whether hell be the next Romney. Those who ask him are rarely referring to legislative records, but to party loyalty. To the Trump-skeptical, Romneys independence made him a hero; to the MAGA faithful, he was a heretic. Curtis, perhaps exasperated, has developed a boilerplate response: Im not Mitt Romney, he says, Im John Curtis. Sen.-elect John Curtis, R-Utah, sits in his temporary basement office during an interview in the Russell Senate Office Building Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. | John McDonnell, For the Deseret News Late last month, though, the issue came quickly into view. Trumps pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration after he decided at least four GOP senators were implacably opposed to his nomination, The New York Times reported. Curtis was listed among them. Curtis social media pages were quickly flooded with angry Trump supporters who called on him to resign. His House office phone lines were bombarded with out-of-state callers. Curtis press team attempted damage control, noting that Curtis had never met with Gaetz and emphasizing Curtis had not yet made up his mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the storm blew over, a silver lining emerged: Curtis, a back-bencher who hadnt even been sworn in as a senator, was now seen as a swing vote as Trump sought Senate confirmation for his top administration officials. Curtis accepted the challenge. I think its very fair to say Im not a rubber stamp, Curtis said in an interview last Thursday. As Trumps Cabinet picks are paraded across Capitol Hill, Curtis is conducting what he deems a deep dive on each. Ahead of his visit last week with Kash Patel, Trumps choice to lead the FBI, Curtis spent the weekend listening to Patels book and interviewing Patels former employees. He compares notes with his new Senate colleagues about their meetings with the Cabinet hopefuls. Hes instructed his staff to do their own research and to report back. That Gaetzs candidacy tanked was no surprise to Curtis. I served with Matt, Curtis said. I knew what he was and what he wasnt. And I think he knew very well he wasnt the right candidate for this, and I knew that as well. Some have expressed concerns that Curtis carefulness is undermining Trump, who nominates his Cabinet. Curtis disagrees. I think it actually bolsters the president, he explained. I think we play a role in the president getting the right people to support him and what he came to do. And even sometimes disagreeing can be a complementary role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That disagreement, though, has earned Curtis any number of labels. Some assume him to be a moderate, in the mold of Romney. Others try to demean him as a RINO. Everybody tries to stereotype me, Curtis said, shaking his head. What label does Curtis prefer? Im normal, he said. Sen.-elect John Curtis, R-Utah, poses for a portrait in a hallway of the Russell Senate Office Building Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. | John McDonnell, For the Deseret News Good compromise Curtis new office isnt much to look at, but Curtis doesnt mind. It will be several months before Curtis will be assigned his permanent office, after all the senators with seniority make their selections. For the time being, hes consigned to a windowless hutch in the basement, with whitewashed brick walls and fluorescent lights. When we walked in, we said, Hey, this is like our House office, Curtis said, smiling. Everybodys spoiled on the Senate side. He shook his head. Its not that big a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The space will become more cramped come Jan. 3, when his office can officially begin onboarding new staffers. A number of former Romney employees are slated to come on board, though much of his staff will carry over from his House office. Corey Norman, Curtis chief of staff, has worked for Curtis since 2010. Boyd Matheson, the former chief of staff to Sen. Mike Lee, will assist as a strategic adviser to help facilitate the transition to the Senate. But the most useful experience may be Curtis own. He arrives to the Senate with more experience in Congress than any senator from Utah in decades. The last Utahn to enter the U.S. Senate after serving in the U.S. House was Abe Murdock, a New Deal Democrat who lost reelection in 1946. As I watch my other colleagues that are coming in (the U.S. Senate) with me, theyre bright, theyre sharp, theyre very good, experienced people, Curtis said. But theyre walking around lost in the hallways, (and in) understanding the way Washington works. The biggest advantage Curtis has, he says, is his relationships. He spent his three terms in the House forging a number of unlikely alliances with conservatives and liberals alike. The number of allies and alliances that Ive been able to build during the last seven years are substantial and rewarding, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the 119th Congress approaches, Curtis expects to lean on those alliances heavily. Hes already signaled his willingness to be the tip of the spear on negotiations over Social Security and Medicare, and he says the new Senate Majority Leader John Thune is on board. (He and I have had very specific conversations about Social Security, Curtis said.) On climate, Curtis says the dialogue has totally changed among Republicans, pointing to Trumps selection of former Rep. Lee Zeldin, a member of Curtis Conservative Climate Caucus, to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. On fiscal responsibility, Curtis says he is hearing from both Republicans and Democrats that its about time to rein in spending. On immigration, Curtis said hes willing to jump into finding solutions. Were not going to be afraid to talk about issues that can get people in trouble, Curtis said. Curtis seems willing to do more than talk. In a political era where compromise can be equated with weakness, Curtis is careful to parse the difference between bad compromise and good compromise or consensus, as his office brands it. The former, Curtis posits, says, Ill give you half what you want, I want half of what I want, and neither of us really get a good bill. Consensus, meanwhile, says, Tell me what there is in my bill thats bothering you; let me tell you whats bothering me. Now that we understand and weve listened to each other, is there a cross section there, where we can both go back and take a win? Sen.-elect John Curtis, R-Utah, poses in his sparse temporary basement office in the Russell Senate Office Building Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C. | John McDonnell, For the Deseret News Matheson, Curtis new strategic adviser, suggests this view of consensus sets Curtis apart. Currently, many in Congress are trapped in a zero-sum game where compromise often falters before the finish line, he said. Sen.-elect Curtis ability to link arms with allies while forging strategic, and even unexpected, alliances will enable him to be a positive force for Utah and the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis best legislative victories are evidence of this thinking. You dont pass 22 bills unless you get Democrats to agree with you on a lot of issues, he said. The most impactful bill he ever passed, by his measure, is clearly the Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018, a wonky natural resources bill that spliced up hundreds of thousands of acres of land in eastern Utah and redesignated them as wilderness area or conservation area. To the regions residents, who recreate or graze livestock on the land, it was a bill decades in the making. But what stands out to Curtis is the degree of difficulty in turning it into law, he said. As the bill neared the finish line, former Rep. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, expressed his distaste for the legislation. Curtis visited his office. I want you to not hate my bill, Curtis recalls telling Lowenthal. Whats it going to take to get you to not hate my bill? Lowenthal listed several things, including his fear that Curtis bill would change the national precedent for the types of drills rock climbers could use to insert bolts into rock walls. Curtis took the concern back to his team, who came up with the idea of a new land designation that would allow Curtis desired changes to recreation standards but not impact wilderness-designated areas across the country. If Im honest, it made my bill a better bill, Curtis recalled. Lowenthal didnt just appreciate the change, but he voted for the final product. We couldnt have been more diametrically opposed philosophically hed define himself as liberal and I would define myself as conservative but we shared that alliance of having found that cross section between what was important to each other, Curtis said. To onlookers, the compromise was masterful. Ive never seen anybody move legislation like he does, Norman, Curtis chief of staff, said. Norman worked for the late Rep. Chris Cannon in the early 2000s, when local leaders in Emery County were petitioning for a similar solution. When Norman returned to Washington with Curtis 20 years later, he found that the same people were still waiting for a solution. The only thing that changed was John Curtis, Norman said. We solved this thing because he did it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Curtis reflects on Romneys legacy, the outgoing senators work to find consensus on key issues looms large. I just have a lot of respect for Sen. Romney, Curtis said. Hes done some work on legislation and been very successful on things that were important to him and to the state. Romneys legacy as a pragmatist seems to be the area where Curtis is very comfortable comparing himself. As Romney and several of the Senates other chief dealmakers, like Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, are on their way out, does Curtis have a desire to fill that role? Not only desire, Curtis said, but if I were to brag on myself a little bit, Id say its a superpower. Allies and alliances Can a pragmatic Republican dealmaker find influence in Trumps Washington? Curtis thinks so and he thinks he already has. Its what his constituents want, he suggests. At a No Labels conference last week, Curtis earned applause by noting he won a Republican primary in Utah with nearly 50% of the vote as the non-Trump-endorsed candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the political landscape in Washington looks different even than it did when he won his primary last spring. Trump returns to office with Republican control of both chambers of Congress. The Senate has a new majority leader in John Thune a very good person, Curtis said. Hes the right person at the right time. The scope of Curtis reach, though, will largely rely upon the committee assignments he receives. His top choice was Energy and Natural Resources, though now that Sen. Mike Lee is the chair, it wouldnt make a lot of sense for two Utahns to be there. (Utahs congressional delegation, Rep. Celeste Maloy noted, is better than any other state at making sure that our committee assignments all work together to cover the issues the state needs covered.) Getting a seat on the Environment and Public Works committee would be a nice consolation prize, and a great one-two punch for the state especially as the 2034 Salt Lake Olympics approach, he said. His other preferences? Finance (realizing that freshmen dont get that); Commerce (A lot of the work Ive done in the House would apply there); Banking (Most people dont realize, Utah is the No. 1 industrial bank state); or Foreign Relations (Its an interesting time in the world.) Wherever he ends up, Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, expects him to find success. Hes an honest guy that will do the right thing, and he will be truthful to his constituents, Moore said. Hes somebody that I implicitly trust, and its kind of rare in this world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maloy agrees. Ive been really impressed with his ability to work with people who disagree with him, and he does it in such an agreeable way, she said. That approach, Curtis suggests, is baked into the history of his state a pioneer value, he said. He sees it in the story of Martha Hughes Cannon, the first U.S. woman ever elected to a state senate, whose statue was unveiled at the U.S. Capitol last week. Cannon was a physician, a health reformer, a suffragist, and a wife and mother. But Curtis, when speaking at a luncheon hours before the statue was unveiled, decided to focus on her role as a dealmaker, in forging allies and alliances. Cannon was not successful by demonizing opponents, bludgeoning skeptics or bashing men, Curtis said, but by engaging allies and building strategic alliances based on democratic principles and shared moral values. The lesson for 21st-century leaders was clear, Curtis suggested: Lets commit to being the allies and forging the alliances that history demanded back then and upon which the future of America depends, now in our families, in the workplace, in our communities, at the ballot box, and in the halls of power. His speech earned a standing ovation. That speech delivered to an audience of local politicians, civic leaders and historians whod flown out from Utah was Curtis best opportunity to speak to his states movers and shakers before he enters the Senate in January. Curtis, it seemed, was attempting to put his stake in the ground, declaring exactly how he intends to govern in the Senate: in constant search of consensus. I asked Curtis if this was a fair assumption, and he smiled. Youre not reading too much into it, he said. Dec. 17I respect Southwestern Community College's Pay It Forward week held every spring. During PIF Week, students, faculty, and staff get involved by encouraging positive behaviors and service to the community. The hope is that these efforts will ripple and spread community-wide in Creston, Osceola, and Red Oak " according to the college's website. Lots of great stuff happens that week within the college and throughout town. I also hope the ripple and spread happen throughout the year. It has for me. You might be surprised at what happens to help you pay it forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late February, I was visiting a friend recovering from surgery at a Des Moines hospital. It was in the evening during a weekday. On the drive home, my car had some mechanical problems. Fortunately, I was still in Des Moines and safely made it to a store's parking lot. But how do I get home? A friend of mine in Winterset was the closest. I called him and fortunately he had the time to come get me and take me home. Family members were not close enough at the time to be of any help. Last week it was my turn. Another friend was stranded in Des Moines, also with car problems. I remembered what was done for me earlier this year. I had the time to go get him and take him home. I never thought twice. I never thought of an excuse to avoid doing it. The friend was grateful that I was able to pick him up. While he was explaining his speculation on his car problem, I was thinking what was done for me earlier this year. It was my turn to pay it forward. Another moment that I've been told, and not often, is when someone who has used certain assistance programs (like food, utility bill payments, etc.) reach a point where they no longer need those services. They are fully sustainable. I've heard those people have gone back to the same providers and ask what they can do to get another person or two off the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A free meal to the public for those who may not have a place to go or someone to share on Christmas Day, is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Malachy school in Creston. A holiday dinner in Greenfield has already been held. When I worked in western Kansas years ago, I assisted with one of those meals for Thanksgiving. Like providing a ride for another who has car problems, those feelings of assistance are genuine. Just don't let it go to your head. There's nothing wrong with traditional gift giving for the holidays. A great addition to a gift is letting a younger person have an opportunity to assist others, especially during the holidays. Hopefully the person will better understand how some people struggle more than others and offering a hand creates humility. Maybe the seed has been planted for that person to pay it forward when the opportunity arises. ### Rotary Clubs and their members are not encouraged to make their clubs political. Despite the guideline, there comes a time when something can be said tactfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On our front page Monday was a story about Robert Kennedy Jr., who is nominated for Health and Human Services Director under the incoming Trump administration, suggested ending the polio vaccine requirement. Kennedy has a history of questioning vaccines and their effectiveness. Rotary, a worldwide volunteer community service club with a chapter in Creston, has been heavily involved worldwide in ending polio. According to its website, "Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 % since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary's advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it's crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year." I fear what will happen to polio if the vaccines end. Several years ago I attended an event where people from older generations spoke about their battle with polio during their childhood. They were all grateful the vaccine was available to prevent others from experiencing what they did. Syrias rebel groups will be disbanded and absorbed into the national army, the head of the faction which ousted Bashar al-Assad has said. Meeting the countrys religious minority Druze community, Mohammed al-Jolani who has started using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa said rebels would be trained to join the ranks of the defence ministry. With his interim government seeking to reassure minorities that they will be protected, Sharaa emphasised the need for unity in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria must remain united, he said. There must be a social contract between the state and all religions to guarantee social justice. Sharaa had previously suggested Syrias armed groups would be dissolved and join a national army. It is likely this is intended to prevent future power struggles of the sort seen in Libya. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) the Islamist group led by Sharaa as Jolani which is now leading Syria was once affiliated with al-Qaeda and is still classed as a terrorist organisation by the UK, US and much of Europe. Although Sharaa has said he will guarantee rights for women, minority groups and supporters of the old regime, there is still anxiety about what the future holds under the new leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite strict rules around the group owing to its terrorist designation, international diplomatic missions have made contact with HTS this week as part of efforts to stabilise Syria. Sharaa told a British delegation that international sanctions must be lifted to return refugees displaced by the war and stressed the importance of restoring relations with the UK and ending sanctions imposed on Syria. Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Mohammed al-Jolani) meets Stephen Hickey, a British diplomat, in Damascus on Tuesday - Sana/AFP via Getty Meanwhile, the US has warned that Turkey and the Syrian militias it backs are building up forces along the Syrian border, suggesting a cross-border operation could be imminent. The build-up includes large numbers of militia fighters, Turkish uniformed commandos and artillery near the border city of Kobani, the Wall Street Journal reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey-backed rebels have been pushing an operation against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the north of Syria since early December, with Turkish officials saying the aim is to eliminate Kurdish groups. Turkey considers the SDF, and their affiliate the Peoples Defence Units (YPG), to be an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency for decades. The SDF is backed by the US and was instrumental in ending Islamic States so-called caliphate in 2019. It controls Syrias north-east. With Turkish-backed rebels in control of Manbij, an SDF stronghold west of the Euphrates, a ceasefire was reached through US mediation last week. However, negotiations failed on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US is reportedly working to extend the ceasefire after fresh fighting raised fears of further destabilisation in Syria, and a possible IS resurgence. IS has staged at least six attacks in Syrias desert regions since the rebels swept to power just over a week ago. The attacks killed at least 70, with many victims thought to be former members of Assads regime. 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. Rebecca Nagle has turned the false history of Native American communities she received as a child into a career of truth-driven storytelling. A writer, journalist and author, Nagle is the host of the documentary podcast This Land and author of the novel By the Fire We Carry. Born in Joplin, Missouri, 38-year-old Nagle spent much of her youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City with her Cherokee family members. She recalls Native history scarcely being addressed throughout her education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember making ships out of popsicle sticks to celebrate Columbus Day and asking questions that went unanswered. I definitely think my education was lacking when it came to that stuff in public school, she said. Her understanding of her family history and culture was primarily taught through her grandmother. Growing up, I learned a lot from my grandma. She made sure that we understood that we knew who our family was, she said. And then, of course, as an adult you sort of test what your family members told you about your family. Her familys portrayal of their forebears was mostly heroic, focused on how her Cherokee ancestors sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Cherokee Nation. Though she recognizes that her familys history has more detail and nuance, she has kept their overarching pride and sacrifice close to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This passion for history fuels much of Nagles work as a writer and journalist. Over its two seasons, her podcast, This Land, reflects her will to dive into research and highlight the very stories that were avoided throughout her childhood. The first season leads the audience through the case of Patrick Murphy, a citizen of the Muscogee Nation who was sentenced to death for the murder of George Jacobs in 1999. Murphys case took an unexpected turn when his attorney challenged his conviction by arguing that he could not be prosecuted by the state of Oklahoma but instead must be tried by the Muscogee Nation. Murphy was ultimately convicted for murder and sentenced to life in prison by the federal court. Season two continues the work of purposeful storytelling by detailing the Haaland v. Brackeen Supreme Court case, which challenged the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Acts restrictions on Native children being adopted by non-Native parents. The high court affirmed the constitutionality of the act in 2023. Nagle describes the work she produced on her podcast as a push that led her to writing her novel, By the Fire We Carry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We made the first season, and I then kept wanting to follow this story and follow those threads, and I felt like I had more to tell and more research to do, she said. By the Fire We Carry invites readers through the fight for rightful ownership of Native lands. Deep diving into U.S. history, Nagle highlights the ways in which Native people were forcibly removed from their homes on lands that are now recognized as property of eastern Oklahoma. The history she details provides context to the Murphy case, which she recognizes as a modern-day portrayal of the generations-long battle for Native grounds. Exploring how the past has influenced the present and using that knowledge to increase visibility and awareness is a primary reason she has continued to amplify Native stories in her journalism career. When you look out in the news media, there just isnt enough Native representation, and I think that that creates this prevailing ignorance in U.S. society about Native people and our tribes and the law, Nagle said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That ignorance is a really big barrier for progress, and I think that impedes us having better policy in place. Thats one thing that Im very passionate about: pushing back against that erasure and having Native stories in the mainstream, she continued. But she said it can be tricky to get editors to view these stories as newsworthy. Its almost like if you were writing about womens reproductive health and your editor didnt know what abortion was and thats their starting point, she said. People who are used to having a [high] level of knowledge and expertise have a hard time when theyre confronted with this situation where their ignorance is kind of daunting. I think some people can have a hard time admitting that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Nagle can be found working on an essay series with other Native writers and historians about the history of colonization and genocide against Indigenous people undermining democracy in the United States. You can tell some big lies about tribes and about Native people, and people will believe it because they dont know that much. I think when you look at history, I can tie every oppressive policy against Native people to the lies that were told to justify it, Nagle said. I think so much of history informs our present day and I think we cant understand one without the other. The post This journalist is pushing back against the erasure of Native American history appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. A new motion filed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will allow his defense team to test George Floyd's heart tissue and blood in a new attempt to prove Chauvin did not cause Floyds death. Chauvin was convicted in 2022 of the murder of Floyd on Memorial Day 2020, and was also convicted on federal charges of violating his civil rights. During an attempted arrest, Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nine minutes, with the 46-year-old pronounced dead a short time later. It sparked civil unrest and riots in Minneapolis, and a global protest movement to end racial inequality. Chauvin is currently serving state and federal prison sentences of over 20 years; however, he is seeking to overturn his federal conviction due to having "ineffective assistance of counsel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Department of Corrections According to Chauvin's motion, his original defense attorney, Eric Nelson, did not tell him that forensic pathologist, Dr. William Schaetzel, said a heart condition called Takotsubos myocarditis could have caused Floyd's death, not Chauvin kneeling on his neck for nine minutes. Per the filing, Dr. Schaetzel claims Floyd may have had excessive levels of catecholamines that caused him to have a heart attack, resulting in pulmonary edema and death. On Monday, Chavin's motion to test this theory by inspecting samples taken during Floyd's autopsy was granted. Chauvin's trial featured testimony from multiple medical experts, among them Dr. Lindsey Thomas, formerly of the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, who determined Floyd's death was caused by asphyxiation. Multiple experts brought by the prosecution agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense attempted to argue that the presence of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd's body meant he died from an overdose. This theory was rejected by Hennepin County chief medical examiner Dr. Andrew Baker, who listed "heart disease" and "drug use" as secondary factors in his death, but that his primary cause of death was "subdual, restraint and neck compression." George FloydGeorge Floyd, Facebook During the trial, Baker noted that the levels of drugs in Floyd's body were not sufficient to cause an overdose, and pointed to the fact that Floyd was talking, pleading during his arrest that he couldn't breathe, whereas opioids such as fentanyl has the opposite effect, depressing the body's inclination to breathe. Baker added that Floyd's heart disease was a factor as his body needed more oxygen than normal to function, which was exacerbated by Chauvin's knee on his neck. The Chauvin's motion says that his defense is asking to inspect Floyd's vitreous fluid, postmortem femoral blood, antemortem blood, and urine to see if fractionated catecholamines and metanephrine levels are present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chauvin also wants to examine Floyds heart tissue slides and photographs of his heart to see if they show evidence of Takotsubos myocarditis. The court granted these requests, writing that Chauvin could examine Floyd's heart tissue and that the defense could inspect, examine, and make copies of any photographs taken of Mr. Floyds heart. The defense will also be allowed to take quantities of certain fluids. Related: Charges: Inmate stabbed Derek Chauvin 22 times with improvised knife ACLU of Montana attorney Alex Rate argues for a preliminary injunction to block a DPHHS rule he said prohibits transgender Montanans from changing the sex designation on their birth certificate in front of Judge Mike Menahan on Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge on Monday issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the state from enforcing multiple laws, rules and policies that are keeping transgender Montanans from changing their sex designations on their birth certificates and drivers licenses to denote their gender. Judge Mike Menahans injunction applies to a rule adopted by the Department of Public Health and Human Services earlier this year in which the department said it would not amend any birth certificates based on any persons gender transition or gender identity. It also applies to a 2022 DPHHS rule in which the department said it would only change sex designations on birth certificates if that sex designation was made in error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And his order applies to Senate Bill 458, passed during the 2023 session, which created law that said there are only two sexes, male and female, and attempted to define those sexes without regarding a persons psychological, behavioral, social, chosen, or subjective experience of gender. That law was blocked by a judge earlier this year. Once again the State of Montana chose to adopt a draconian policy that is clearly intended to marginalize transgender Montanans, only for that discriminatory action to be blocked by the courts, said Akilah Deernose, the executive director of the ACLU of Montana, one of the organizations representing the plaintiffs, in a statement. The attorneys for the two transgender women who are the plaintiffs in the case told Menahan during a hearing in November that the policies should be struck down because the state was directly targeting transgender Montanans through them and that they were a departure from the status quo in 2017, when transgender Montanans could change their sex designations without any issues. ACLU of Montana attorney Alex Rate told the court that the policies constituted discrimination against his clients in violation of the state Constitutions equal protection clause, prohibition on compelled speech and right to privacy. That, in part, is because his transgender clients were being treated differently than people who present as the sex they were born. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state, DPHHS and Gov. Greg Gianforte, who are the defendants in the case being represented by the Attorney Generals Office, argued that sex and gender are not interchangeable, that the plaintiffs wanted the court to put a new protective class into Montana law, and that the suit argued over political questions that were not within the courts jurisdiction. The states attorneys said they do not believe that discrimination against transgender people constitutes discrimination on the basis of sex. Menahans order found that the plaintiffs had established that the states policies affect cisgender people who present as the sex they were born and transgender Montanans unequally. He also disagreed with the states argument that discrimination on the basis of a person being transgender was not the same as discrimination on the basis of their sex. Assistant Attorney General Alwyn Lansing (right) tells Judge Mike Menahan why he should not issue an injunction blocking a DPHHS rule concerning birth certificate changes during a hearing on Nov. 14, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Menahan cited two court rulings from the past four years to support his findings. The first was the U.S. Supreme Courts 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which involved employment discrimination, in which the court found it was impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex. The second decision he cited was one from the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision earlier this year involving an Oklahoma policy similar to Montanas and the U.S. Constitutions equal protection clause. The appeals court, relying on the Bostock decision, found the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Bostock did not only apply to employment, and that Oklahomas policy was intended to discriminate against transgender people in part based on sex. Menahan wrote that he adopts the same reasoning in reaching his conclusions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the challenged state actions discriminate against transgender individuals on the basis of their transgender status, they also necessarily discriminate on the basis of sex, Menahan wrote. The Montana Supreme Court has not yet identified the level of scrutiny applicable to classifications based on transgender status or sex. However, if a right is explicit in the Declaration of Rights in Montanas Constitution, it is a fundamental right. He pointed to the right to individual dignity in the state Constitution, which disallows, among other things, discrimination against a person based on their sex. That means it is also a fundamental right subject to the highest level of scrutiny in the court system, strict scrutiny, he wrote. Strict scrutiny forces the state to show its actions are narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest. Menahans order said the state did not offer any argument about why the policies served that interest or even related to a state interest, but the plaintiffs had suggested the state was aiming to ensure it was gathering accurate vital statistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Menahan said that might be a compelling interest for the state and that he anticipated that argument will become more clear as the case moves forward. But he said even if that is the case, the state has yet to show that the policies are narrowly tailored. He also noted that transgender Montanans were previously able to change their birth certificates and drivers licenses and that the plaintiffs had argued there was no record of that affecting the states ability to maintain accurate vital statistics. Thus, the state interest could presumably be effectuated without the challenged state actions, Menahan wrote. If the challenged state actions are not necessary to effectuate the state interest, they cannot be narrowly tailored. Menahan found that the plaintiffs had shown they would be irreparably harmed because their constitutional rights under the equal protection clause were being violated, another prong required for the court to issue a preliminary injunction. Menahan wrote that the plaintiffs had also met the standard for an injunction because they had shown a likelihood of success on their equal protection argument and the balance of equities also tipped in their favor because court precedent shows the government is not harmed when an injunction ensures that constitutional standards are implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injunction prevents the state from enforcing the birth certificate and drivers license policies, as well as SB 458, though it was already struck down by a Missoula District Court judge earlier this year, as applied to Montana birth certificates and drivers licenses. The state will be able to appeal the preliminary injunction to the Montana Supreme Court, but it was unclear Tuesday whether that would happen. Chase Scheuer, a spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office, pointed the Daily Montanan to a quote he gave to Lee Newspapers in which he said the office was reviewing the order to determine next steps. The judiciary has once again defied the democratic will of Montanans by siding with special interest groups and radical leftist ideology, Scheuer added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors office did not immediately respond to a question about whether the state will appeal nor a request for comment. A spokesperson for DPHHS said the department does not comment on pending litigation. The ACLU of Montana argues that requiring transgender people to carry government documents that do not reflect their gender presentation subjects them to mistreatment and discrimination because they are outed every time they have to show those documents. The organization said during the November hearing it was seeking to certify a class of Montanans so the policies cannot be enforced for any current or future transgender Montanans. During the November hearing, the ACLU of Montana said state data showed at least 280 Montanans had tried to amend their birth certificates during the past seven years, including at least 85 since 2022. One of the plaintiffs, Jessica Kalarchik, a 31-year U.S. Army veteran, said she is frustrated by that situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I live my life openly as a woman, I am treated as a woman in my daily life, and there is no reason I should be forced to carry a birth certificate that incorrectly identifies me as male, Kalarchik said. Fortunately, the court agrees that this ridiculous policy should not be in effect. Editors note: This story has been updated to include comments from the Attorney Generals Office. Order Motion for Preliminary Injunction (1) NEW YORK A judge on Tuesday denied New York City Mayor Eric Adams' request to dismiss a bribery charge he's facing in federal court. The ruling deals a blow to the mayors effort to blunt the five-count criminal case alleging a long-running quid pro quo scheme involving the Turkish government. The bribery charge was one of the most serious of the bunch, and Judge Dale Hos decision ensures that Adams and his legal team will need to defend against it during a trial set to begin in April. In 2021, when Adams had won the Democratic primary for mayor but was still technically serving as Brooklyn borough president, he approached the fire department commissioner about a safety inspection at an under-construction Midtown skyscraper owned by the Turkish government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a dense, 30-page ruling, Judge Ho addressed the arguments from Adams legal team that Adams actions at that time did not amount to a quid pro quo under the law. Ho disagreed. Ultimately, whether or not Adams used his official position as Brooklyn Borough President to exert pressure on the FDNY is a factual question for a jury to resolve, he wrote. Adams lawyer, Alex Spiro, was unhappy with the ruling. Spiro initially filed the motion to dismiss the bribery count on Sept. 30, just days after federal prosecutors released the indictment. The prosecutions case is so contrived that it took several months for the court to unwind its legal theories, questioning several of them in its ruling and proving the point that this case was simply invented to harm Mayor Adams and not about justice at all, Spiro said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ho did concede some of Spiros arguments, even while ruling against the motion, acknowledging the complexity of parsing two different federal bribery statutes. In a separate ruling, Ho also denied Adams motion to move up the trial date to April 1, from April 21. Adams legal team argued that would give both sides enough time to prepare for trial, while also allowing for the trial to conclude further in advance of the Democratic mayoral primary scheduled for June 24. The Court finds that, under the circumstances, it is impracticable to accommodate Mayor Adamss request for a trial that begins prior to April 21, 2025, Ho wrote but noted that Adams would be welcome to seek a later trial date. In September, Adams was indicted by Damian Williams, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has alleged without evidence that he's being targeted by the Department of Justice for criticizing President Joe Biden a notion shared by President-elect Donald Trump. A day before the judges ruling, Trump said he would be open to pardoning Adams. This story has been updated to include comment from Adams lawyer. Judge Juan Merchan has rejected Donald Trump's motion arguing that his guilty verdicts in his New York hush money case should be overturned on presidential immunity grounds. But its still unclear when sentencing will happen. Even before Trump won the election, his lawyers had signaled that they would immediately appeal an adverse ruling before any sentencing could take place. So if they do immediately appeal, then the next step is up to the appellate courts including potentially the Supreme Court, which granted Trump broad immunity in the federal election interference case. Trump has also filed a motion to dismiss the case due to his election as president earlier this month. After a jury convicted Trump in May of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, Trump was scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. But before that could happen, the Supreme Courts Republican-appointed majority issued the immunity ruling July 1. Trumps lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the verdicts should be overturned and the indictment should be dismissed, contending that evidence introduced at trial and in the grand jury ran afoul of the high court ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if this Court did find that the disputed evidence constitutes official acts under the auspices of the [Supreme Court's presidential immunity] decision, which it does not, Defendants motion is still denied as introduction of the disputed evidence constitutes harmless error and no mode of proceedings error has taken place," Merchan wrote in his ruling on Monday. Sentencing in this case has been delayed multiple times, with Merchan pushing it until September and then to Nov. 26 because of the election. But Trump's lawyers asked to pause the proceedings last month due to his impending White House return. Prosecutors agreed to request a postponement and Merchan allowed it. Incarceration isnt mandatory in this case and, even if Merchan imposes any, Trump wouldnt serve time as president. In any event, he would likely remain free pending appeal of his convictions. This case is the only one of Trumps four criminal prosecutions that went to trial. His two federal cases have been dismissed before he takes office, while the fate of his New York and Georgia state cases is unclear. He pleaded not guilty in each of the cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in Donald Trumps legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A Georgia judge on Monday denied a former prosecutors 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 Johnsons request to disqualify Georgias attorney generals office from prosecuting her. Johnsons 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. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jury selection for Johnsons trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 in the coastal port city of Brunswick, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Arberys 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. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Johnsons attorneys argued that the indictment against her describes Carrs office as a victim, meaning his staff would be among the key witnesses. Johnsons lawyers said that creates a conflict of interest for Carrs prosecutors handling the case. The judge denied Johnsons legal motion in a ruling Monday without elaborating on his reasoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Carrs 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 Arberys killing. Barnhill told police he saw no grounds for arrests, as he believed Arbery was shot in self-defense. Johnsons court appearance last Wednesday was her first as a criminal defendant in the three years since her indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner has said he couldnt move forward with Johnsons 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. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEW YORK A Manhattan judge on Tuesday denied Mayor Eric Adams motion to dismiss the bribery count in his public corruption case. In a 30-page order, Manhattan federal court Judge Dale Ho rejected Adams arguments that the governments allegations did not meet the legal standard for bribery and said dismissal of the most serious charge facing the mayor was not warranted. The Manhattan U.S. attorneys office says Adams is guilty of bribery for accepting luxury travel benefits from wealthy Turkish officials in exchange for pressuring the FDNY to open a 36-story Midtown skyscraper that houses the countrys consulate before it was safe to do so after hed won the Democratic mayoral primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his motion to dismiss the bribery charge one of five counts Adams faces Adams lawyer Alex Spiro had argued, among other positions, that the claims were extraordinarily vague and tantamount to normal and perfectly lawful acts that many city officials would undertake for the consulate of an important foreign nation. Spiro argued that the government had failed to establish a quid pro quo showing Adams agreed to take action in exchange for luxury perks, citing a Supreme Court ruling that said officials may accept gratuities after an official act as a token of appreciation. He said Adams alleged communications with FDNY officials about the consulate in the months before he was elected was not equivalent to him abusing his official power because he didnt then have formal authority over the fire department or the Turkish Consulate. [A] public official may use their role to influence those who are not within their direct line of authority and federal bribery laws seek to limit the possibility of such corrupt influence, Judge Ho wrote in his Tuesday opinion, citing precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge later added, Ultimately, whether or not Adams used his official position as Brooklyn Borough President to exert pressure on the FDNY is a factual question for a jury to resolve. Reached for comment, Spiro said, The prosecutions case is so contrived that it took several months for the court to unwind its legal theories, questioning several of them in its ruling and proving the point that this case was simply invented to harm Mayor Adams and not about justice at all. Nicholas Biase, a spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office, declined to comment. The embattled mayor has pleaded not guilty to bribery, wire fraud, and secretly soliciting illegal campaign contributions from overseas donors in the case that alleges he put a price on his political influence dating back to his days as Brooklyn borough president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other allegations, hes accused of raking in more than $100,000 worth of lavish trips around the world, cruises, and hotel stays paid for by a Turkish government official and wealthy Turkish businessmen who believed the former NYPD captain would one day make it to the White House. The mayor, who has rebuffed calls to step down and vowed to run again next year, has claimed the feds are targeting him for his criticisms of the Biden administrations handling of the migrant crisis. However, his lawyers have not reflected those claims in legal arguments. President-elect Donald Trump has sympathized with him and on Monday said hed consider offering him a pardon. The case is headed to trial on April 21. -------- A judge rejected a request by a former district attorney charged with interfering in the Ahmaud Arbery murder investigation. Attorneys for Jackie Johnson wanted Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr disqualified from the case arguing he cannot be both a prosecutor and a witness. The judge denied the motion. Jury selection for Johnsons trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 21 in Brunswick. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was arrested in Arberys 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. RELATED STORIES: 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Johnsons attorneys argued that the indictment against her describes Carrs office as a victim, meaning his staff would be among the key witnesses. Johnsons lawyers said that creates a conflict of interest for Carrs prosecutors handling the case. The judge denied Johnsons legal motion in a ruling Monday without elaborating on his reasoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Carrs 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 Arberys killing. Barnhill told police he saw no grounds for arrest, as he believed Arbery was shot in self-defense. Johnsons court appearance last Wednesday was her first as a criminal defendant in the three years since her indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turner has said he couldnt move forward with Johnsons 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. The Associated Press contributed to this article. President-elect Donald Trump's request to dismiss his New York hush money conviction on the basis of presidential immunity was denied Monday. Judge Juan Merchan found the evidence presented in the trial related "entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receives no immunity protections." File Pool Photo by Timothy A. Clary/UPI Dec. 16 (UPI) -- New York Judge Juan Merchan on Monday rejected President-elect Donald Trump's request to toss his hush money guilty verdict on the grounds of presidential immunity. "Defendant's motion to dismiss the indictment and verdict is denied," Merchan wrote in his 41-page ruling, which said the evidence presented in the trial was related "entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receives no immunity protections." "Even if this court were to deem all of the contested evidence, both preserved and unpreserved, as official conduct falling within the outer perimeter of defendant's presidential authority, it would still find that the People's use of these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch," Merchan wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was convicted in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump called the verdict a "disgrace" and said the trial was "rigged." After Trump won the presidency in November's election, Merchan delayed sentencing without announcing a new date. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has fought against dismissing the jury's verdict and even suggested other paths, including freezing the proceedings until after Trump's presidential term. Merchan's ruling Monday comes despite a Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity in July, which stated Trump has some immunity for official acts and absolute immunity in executing his core constitutional powers. The high court ruled he does not enjoy immunity for unofficial acts. While Trump has not responded to Merchan's ruling, his spokesperson Steven Cheung blasted the decision Monday and called it a "witch hunt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today's decision by deeply conflicted, acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Court's decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence," Cheung, who is the incoming White House communications director, said in a statement. "This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, as President Trump must be allowed to continue the presidential transition process, and execute the vital duties of the presidency, unobstructed by the remains of this, or any other, Witch Hunt," Cheung wrote. "The sooner these hoaxes end, the sooner our country can unite behind President Trump for the betterment of all Americans." Last month, a federal judge granted special counsel Jack Smith's request to drop all felony charges against the president-elect for his alleged role in seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election and alleged mishandling of classified documents. Merchan's ruling on presidential immunity is one of several Trump requests to dismiss the New York criminal case before his inauguration on Jan. 20. Trump has also asked the judge to dismiss on the basis of his November election victory. Merchan did not rule on that argument Monday. Judge Mark Scarsi (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) The federal judge in Los Angeles who presided over Hunter Biden's criminal tax fraud case has been sued over a party at his home where significant underage drinking allegedly led to a guest being assaulted and later hospitalized. The injured guest, Alex Wilson, filed the suit against U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi and his wife, Laura Scarsi, alleging that they were negligent in allowing teens from various schools, including Loyola High School and St. Francis High School, to consume alcohol without proper supervision. The party occurred sometime in 2023 the lawsuit offers two conflicting dates at the Scarsis' gated Pasadena mansion. While the festivities were underway, a fight among heavily intoxicated underage minors erupted in front of the Scarsis' home and on their property, according to the suit, which was filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court and first reported by Law360. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson alleges that one of the guests, Jackson Dorlarque, assaulted him and struck his head and body on a curb on the Scarsi property. From the beating, Wilson lost consciousness, sustained a traumatic brain injury, and had to be hospitalized for more than two weeks, according to the lawsuit. The suit contends that a major cut to Wilsons face has left permanent scarring that "will require" plastic surgery. Wilson's age, background and educational status are unclear, with the lawsuit offering just one detail: He is a resident of L.A. County. Wilson's attorney, James Orland, did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment. In addition to the injuries, Wilson alleges he has suffered emotional trauma and social anxiety in the wake of the incident. Read more: Former O.C. high school football player who was injured during practice is awarded $31 million Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson is seeking unspecified damages, contending that the Scarsis did not properly supervise or secure the party and that they are liable if they knowingly provide alcohol to minors or allow underage drinking to occur on their property. Wilson also brought an assault and battery claim against Dorlarque and his parents, Aaron Dorlarque and Jessica Brumfiel, claiming that the parents are liable for their sons alleged conduct. It's unclear whether Scarsi and his wife were present during the alleged party or beating. Scarsi did not respond to requests for comment, including an email sent to the judge's chambers. Dorlarque and his parents did not respond to messages seeking comment. Read more: Football player alleges he was assaulted by teammates at Santa Margarita Catholic High School Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then-President Trump appointed Scarsi, 59, to the federal bench in 2020. Before assuming his lifetime appointment, Scarsi was a prominent patent and intellectual property attorney. From his courtroom in downtown L.A., he has presided over high-profile matters, including two cases brought by special counsel David Weiss: the prosecution of Hunter Biden and a separate prosecution of a former FBI informant, Alexander Smirnov. Recently, Scarsi gained national attention after he penned a rebuke of President Bidens reasons for issuing a full and complete pardon of his son, Hunter. Scarsi was scheduled to sentence Hunter Biden, probably to prison, after Biden pleaded guilty to tax offenses. In Delaware, Biden had been convicted of illegally purchasing a gun, but the pardon wiped away both convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scarsi excoriated the president for asserting in a news release that his son was treated unfairly because of his last name. After also criticizing the president for offering an incomplete version of his son's criminal case, Scarsi tartly noted that the president enjoyed broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States ... but nowhere does the Constitution give the President the authority to rewrite history. Smirnov pleaded guilty Monday to lying to a federal agent about a fake bribery scheme involving the Bidens, along with tax evasion. Scarsi is scheduled to sentence Smirnov next month; prosecutors have agreed to seek four to six years in prison. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A Fulton County judge ordered the City of South Fulton to allow a braid shop to open on Campbellton Fairburn Road amid a legal battle between the owner and the city. As Channel 2 Action News has reported, Awa Diagne had been working to open her shop due to the citys like-use zoning code, which officials said limited new businesses with similar use from opening within a mile radius of each other. Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln previously spoke to Diagne, who said her shop was unique in the area because it was the only African braid shop within 15 minutes of the shops location. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] However, South Fulton council members disagreed due to the area having a barber shop, beauty supply store and a hair salon nearby, saying that to remain competitive it could not approve the permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fighting the decision, Diagne sued the City of South Fulton, and now a judge has ordered the city to allow her business to operate. In a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, a representative for Diagne said the judge ruled that South Fulton had improperly denied Diagnes permit to open and ordered one be issued. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am so grateful that Im going to be allowed to open my braiding shop, Diagne said. It wasnt easy to keep believing in my American dream, but Im happy that I kept going, stood up for what is right, and won. The decision was made by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert C.I. McBurney who found that the South Fulton City Council had, according to Diagnes representative, abused its discretion when it denied the permit. Additionally, McBurneys ruling said the council had only denied the permit for political reasons, saying instead that it was up to market forces, not government officials, to determine which businesses succeed. The most forceful opposition at the Planning Commission came from the owner, employees, and clients of Salon Vibez -- a beauty salon located in the same shopping center where Diagne hoped to start her own equally important small business, McBurney wrote in his order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going further, he wrote that central to the case was the theme of unconstitutional economic protectionism; that the City may not refuse to issue a business permit to protect the commercial interests of an existing and potentially rival business; that here, in America and in Georgia, the competitive marketplace determines which businesses thrive and which do not -- without the government paternalistically interfering in that process by shielding an existing business from the potentially competitive impact of a new one. Following the ruling, issued Monday, Diagne will be able to open her braiding salon at the location she applied for instead of having to move elsewhere. Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the city for comment and is waiting for their response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 17A Morgan County judge on Sunday denied pretrial immunity for a Decatur murder defendant following a "stand your ground" hearing last month wherein the defendant argued he acted in self-defense. Spencer Harwell, 47, is accused of shooting and killing Frankie Smith Jr., 62, at Decatur Door Service on June 10, 2021. Smith was the owner of the business at 3023 U.S. 31 S, and Harwell had been living at an apartment on the premises for several months at the time of Smith's death. "The defendant has not met his burden of proving immunity at the pretrial hearing," Circuit Judge Stephen Brown wrote in an order filed Sunday. "The defendant may continue to pursue the defense of self-defense or defense of another person at trial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harwell, who remained in the Morgan County Jail on Monday in lieu of a $150,000 bond, has pleaded not guilty. A trial date has not yet been scheduled. "I thought he (Smith) was going to kill me," Harwell testified at the Nov. 5 hearing in response to questions from his attorney, Richard Jensen. Jensen had argued that Harwell was justified in using deadly force against Smith in accordance with Alabama law. The law allows deadly force to be used in certain circumstances, such as when a person reasonably believes another person is about to use unlawful deadly force. At the hearing, Harwell claimed Smith became angry at him after a woman arrived at the business to pawn a firearm, which he purchased while Smith was indisposed. Harwell, who was on probation at the time for a felony drug conviction, said he intended to give the firearm to Smith. Harwell claimed he later locked himself inside his apartment while Smith yelled and banged on his door. The door's window then "blew open," Harwell said, before he opened the door to see Smith standing 6-7 feet away holding a tire iron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's when I shot," Harwell testified. "I was trying to shoot over his head." The defense characterized it as a "warning shot" from a .40-cal Glock 23, a different firearm than the one purchased earlier that day. Harwell said he stayed at the scene and called his father but did not call 911. Harwell agreed with Jensen that he "negligently" and "recklessly" pulled the trigger. He said he regularly shared drugs with Smith, although he denied using drugs that day. "I never intended to shoot him," he said. Following Harwell's testimony, Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said that self-defense is an "intentional act," and, by Harwell's own admission, the killing shot was not intentional. He argued that the defense could not claim it was both an accident and self-defense simultaneously. Brown, after reviewing case law, allowed the hearing to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vickery called a man who worked at Decatur Door Service at the time as a witness. Brandon Atchley said Smith was telling Harwell to "get his stuff and get out" around the time Harwell fired his gun. Atchley said there was a "big pile of stuff," or door manufacturing items, between Harwell and Smith when the shot was fired. He said he immediately called 911, prompting Harwell to say, "Tell them it was an accident or that he was attacking me." Morgan County sheriff's investigator Tony Vest then testified that law enforcement had ruled out self-defense during their investigation. He said Harwell "one hundred percent" had the opportunity to retreat into his room. A bunkmate of Harwell's at the Morgan County Jail claimed Harwell told him, "I shot a man between the eyes execution-style," according to Vest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the conclusion of the hearing, Vickery argued that the defense had not met its burden in proving Harwell acted in self-defense. Brown gave both parties several days to file supplemental briefs in support of their positions. Jensen, in his Nov. 18 brief, spent several pages arguing that the 'Stand Your Ground' statute doesn't require an element of intent. "The defendant testified that he wasn't sure if he accidentally pulled the trigger or on 'instinct' pulled the trigger when he fired the gun which killed the alleged victim in this case," he wrote. Vickery, in his Dec. 4 response, pointed out that the court had already reviewed several cases regarding whether a 'Stand Your Ground' claim can survive regardless of intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The arguments and case law contained (in Jensen's brief), as best the State can tell, did not abrogate any findings this court had already made regarding the non-intentional self-defense issue," he wrote. Vickery reiterated that the defendant had failed to meet his burden of proof in seeking immunity and asked the court to deny it. Brown agreed with the state. Jensen did not respond to requests for comment. david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. Mark Hillman served as Senate Majority Leader and State Treasurer. To read more or comment, go to www.MarkHillman.com. The News US President-elect Donald Trumps effort to have a criminal conviction thrown out was rejected. In May, Trump was convicted of falsifying business records to hide a hush-money payment to an adult film star. His lawyers argued that some of the evidence was inadmissible due to presidential immunity, but a judge rejected the claim. The ruling is a rare piece of bad news for Trump, who is basking in the thrill of victory, a CNN reporter wrote. Most of his cabinet picks are likely to be approved, and world leaders are vying for his good graces. But things may become more difficult as he has to honor promises to bring down prices, control immigration, and end Russias war in Ukraine. A New York judge ruled Monday that Donald Trump does not have immunity from his conviction on 34 felony counts in his hush money case. Judge Juan Merchan concluded that the case did not stem from Trumps official acts as president. Trumps attorneys had sought to have the case dismissed based on a Supreme Court ruling last year. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case centered on falsification of business records related to hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, before Trump became president. Merchan wrote in his ruling that the evidence in the case relate entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections. Trumps attorneys argued that the conviction should be tossed because witness testimony and other evidence fell within the scope of immunity, citing the fact that former White House figures such as Hope Hicks testified. But Merchan wrote that even if this Court were to deem all of the contested evidence, both preserved and unpreserved, as official conduct falling within the outer perimeter of [Trumps] presidential authority, it would still find that [prosecutors] use of these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the executive branch, a conclusion amply supported by non-motive related evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote that even if the evidence was admitted in error, it was harmless to the case in light of the overwhelming evidence of guilt. Trump has yet to be sentenced in the case. His lawyers also are arguing that his conviction should be tossed because of his recent victory in the presidential election. New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg opposes such a move, but has proposed some alternatives to the judge, including delaying sentencing until 2029, after the end of Trumps next term. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A New York judge upheld a jurys verdict that convicted President-elect Trump of a felony, ruling the outcome of the hush money case can withstand the Supreme Courts new test for presidential immunity. Judge Juan Merchans decision comes on the heels of Trumps presidential election victory against Vice President Harris, when voters chose to catapult him back to the White House despite his years of legal peril. The judge has not yet ruled on Trumps efforts to toss the case entirely now that he is president-elect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps attorneys contended that New York prosecutors introduced evidence during his seven-week trial that was protected by the Supreme Courts presidential immunity doctrine. Among other things, the challenged evidence included testimony from Trump White House aides, social media posts Trump sent while in office and his government ethics form. The judge ruled Trump failed to preserve some of his immunity objections by not raising them earlier, but regardless, none of the evidence was protected. The evidence related to the preserved claims relate entirely to unofficial conduct and thus, receive no immunity protections; and as to the claims that were unpreserved, this Court finds in the alternative, that when considered on the merits, they too are denied because they relate entirely to unofficial conduct, Merchan wrote in his ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the trial, the high court held that former presidents enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for exercising core constitutional powers and at least presumptive immunity for other official acts. Unofficial conduct can be prosecuted, but the jury cannot question the motivation behind a presidential decision, the court said. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) urged the judge to reject Trumps arguments, arguing that no evidence placed before the jury was protected, and even if it was, it paled in comparison to other overwhelming evidence of defendants guilt. Merchan agreed, writing that even if immunity did extend to the evidence in question, he would still find that the Peoples use of these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch, a conclusion amply supported by non-motive-related evidence. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records tied to a $130,000 hush money payment made to porn actor Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election to conceal an affair, which he denies. Prosecutors with the district attorneys office portrayed the scheme as an effort to unlawfully influence the elections outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York hush money case was the first-ever criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president, and the only one to have reached trial. Trump has separately argued that his White House victory compels the dismissal of the jurys verdict and the case in its entirety. Bragg has pushed back, instead laying out alternatives such as freezing the proceedings during Trumps term. The judge has yet to rule on that matter. Todays decision by deeply conflicted, acting Justice Merchan in the Manhattan DA Witch Hunt is a direct violation of the Supreme Courts decision on immunity, and other longstanding jurisprudence, Steven Cheung, Trumps spokesperson and incoming White House communications director, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braggs office declined to comment on the ruling. In a separate letter, Merchan revealed Trump also sent a Dec. 3 letter alleging juror misconduct. The judge provided sparse details but indicated the issue would be made public with redactions. Trumps other criminal proceedings have fared worse following his presidential win. Special counsel Jack Smith dismissed all charges against Trump in his federal election subversion and classified documents cases, while the president-elects Georgia criminal case is paused indefinitely as an appeals court weighs a pretrial defense challenge. Trumps lawyers have pushed to end that case, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 7:53 p.m. EST Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is made up of 16 colleges across Kentucky. Its headquarters, above, is in Versailles. (KCTCS photo) A Franklin Circuit Court judge has denied the Kentucky Community and Technical College Systems motion to dismiss a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former chief of staff. The two-year college system is facing allegations of waste, mismanagement, and violations of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from Hannah Rivera, who worked in many capacities at KCTCS over a decade including as chief of staff. Rivera is suing KCTCS for violating the Kentucky Whistleblower Act and for wrongful termination, as she alleges she faced retaliation for reporting issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Thomas Wingate denied a motion from KCTCS to dismiss the case Monday. In his order, Wingate wrote that he cannot dismiss this matter at this premature stage and directed Rivera and KCTCS to begin the discovery process as there is a clear factual dispute between the parties. KCTCS previously refuted Riveras claims in a statement to the Kentucky Lantern. Rivera declined to comment on Wingates order. Blair Hess, a spokesperson for KCTCS, said in an email the college system continues to refute Riveras claims, including breach of contract and retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We continue to be focused on what is important: the future of KCTCS and a path forward that prioritizes the success of our students and building an educated workforce for Kentucky, Hess said. Attorneys for Rivera and KCTCS appeared before Wingate in Frankfort last week. There, Cynthia Effinger, representing KCTCS, argued that Rivera resigned from her position after presenting Quarles with a signed voluntary separation agreement and asking KCTCS to consider the terms of the agreement. However, Garry Adams, for Rivera, said that Riveras offer to be terminated was contingent on her terms being considered, which he said KCTCS never did. Riveras whistleblower complaint comes as KCTCS has undergone several reviews and audits. KCTCS representatives, including President Ryan Quarles, recently presented lawmakers with nearly a dozen recommendations to improve the two-year college system. The recommendations could lead to future legislative action affecting KCTCS. Established in 1997, KCTCS has 16 colleges across the state and serves more than 100,000 students. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A panel of jurors was set to be chosen for trial at the Fulton County courthouse. But there was one problem. The defendant never showed up. Channel 2s Tom Jones learned Austin Saunders told the court he had other plans. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Senior Fulton County Judge David Emerson was not happy Saunders was a no-show for jury selection in his trial on Monday. The judge told Jones, that Saunders called the day before, saying he was in a treatment facility in Dublin, Ga. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge issued a warrant for Saunders arrest, saying he missed two other court appearances. He has no conscious. He doesnt care. Life doesnt matter, Pearlie Haynes told Jones back in March 2019 after Saunders was arrested for her daughters murder. East Point police said Saunders helped set 18-year-old Talya Torres body on fire after she was murdered in Clayton County in January 2019. Jones was there that morning when officers found her body in a burning car on Connally Drive. Some people dont have heart. Some people are just ruthless, Haynes said. Kingston Hyman-Bozeman is now serving a life sentence for Torres murder. Haynes wants justice in the Saunders case, but now it will have to wait. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they were able to arrest Saunders after surveillance video captured him using Torres bank card hours after she was killed. Officers also said he suggested burning her body after Hyman-Bozeman came to him and said he had killed her. Haynes told Jones it was all so senseless. It was silly of them to think that they would go unnoticed, Haynes said. The plan is to get Saunders in custody and back to Atlanta so he can stand trial. Haynes told Jones in the past with other delays in getting the case to court, This rollercoaster is draining my soul. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A pro-gun demonstrator sporting an AR-15 and a handgun is seen on the sidewalk outside after a special session is adjourned at the Tennessee State Capitol on August 21, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called for the special legislation session on public safety in response to public outcry after the The Covenant School mass shooting on March 27th, where three children and three staff were killed. (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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Trump's lawyers allege there was juror "misconduct" at his NY hush-money trial. Details of the allegations, which Trump hopes will void his conviction, are not being released. Manhattan prosecutors called the allegations "unsworn, unsupported, heresay." One day after Donald Trump lost his 11th-hour bid to void his hush-money conviction, a juror "misconduct" battle is brewing, according to a newly-public series of court filings in the case. The heavily-veiled dispute began with a December 3 letter in which the president-elect's lawyers told the trial judge, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, that "the jury in this case was not anywhere near fair and impartial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly two-thirds of the 15 page letter is redacted to protect juror confidentiality. In the unredacted sections, defense lawyer Todd Blanche Trump's pick for deputy attorney general complained to Merchan about "extensive and pervasive misconduct" that "violated President Trump's rights under the federal Constitution and New York law." Details of the alleged misconduct, and even whether it concerns a single juror or more than one, are obscured by large black rectangles. The letter demands that the supposed misconduct be considered by the judge as evidence in Trump's yet-resolved request that the historic conviction be voided in the interest of justice. The defense followed up their December 3 letter to the judge with two more dated December 5 and 9. Both asked that the December 3 letter be made public in redacted form, a request opposed by prosecutors with New York Attorney General Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors responded to the misconduct allegations on December 9, arguing that the claim "consists entirely of unsworn allegations," and is based on "hearsay and conjecture." As part of Monday's 41-page denial of Trump's most recent dismissal effort in which the judge rejected defense presidential immunity claims Merchan told the parties he would only consider the new juror misconduct claims if they were formalized by the defense into a motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchan, like prosecutors, noted that the defense misconduct claim "consists entirely of unsworn allegations." "Allegations of juror misconduct should be thoroughly investigated," he wrote, adding, "However, this court is prohibited from deciding such claims on the basis of mere hearsay and conjecture." Merchan has not indicated when he might rule on Trump's interest-of-justice dismissal claim or broach the subject of sentencing. A lawyer for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story. Read the original article on Business Insider Nima Momeni was found guilty of second-degree murder in Cash App founder Bob Lee's stabbing death. Momeni killed Lee after a dispute about Momeni's sister, prosecutors argued. Momeni, who was acquitted of first-degree murder, faces 16 years to life in prison, the DA said. A San Francisco jury found Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of 43-year-old Bob Lee, the creator of Cash App . Momeni, a 40-year-old tech consultant, was accused of killing Lee in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023. Police had discovered Lee bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds on an empty street in downtown San Francisco after he had called 911 for help. Lee later died of his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors successfully argued to the jury that Momeni stabbed Lee three times with a knife he took from his sister's kitchen set. Prosecutors said Momeni planned the killing after learning Lee introduced his sister to a drug dealer who drugged and sexually assaulted her, Fox News reported. Momeni had confronted the Cash App founder about his sister, who had been drinking with Lee and a group of friends. Momeni asked Lee if she "was doing drugs or anything inappropriate," according to court documents. Prosecutors said a witness saw Lee reassuring Momeni that his sister had not taken any substances and that "nothing inappropriate had happened." Later, Momeni lured Lee to a secluded area where prosecutors said he stabbed Lee before fleeing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Momeni testified in court that he had been acting in self-defense. Momeni said he and Lee were driving together but pulled over because Momeni thought Lee was going to vomit, NBC News reported. Momeni said Lee then attacked him after he had joked that Lee cared more about strip clubs than his family, the outlet reported. Momeni told the court Lee pulled out the knife, and the pair struggled over it before Momeni walked away not realizing Lee had been stabbed. But Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai argued that Lee was "stabbed through his heart and left to die," NBC News reported. "In a world where the powerful and well-connected sometimes act as though they are immune to consequences, it is heartening to see a jury of ordinary San Franciscans demonstrate that if you break the law, you will be held accountable," Talai and Assistant District Attorney Dane Reinstedt said in a press release. Momeni, whose attorneys didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from BI, was acquitted of first-degree murder charges. He faces 16 years to life in prison, the district attorney's office said. Read the original article on Business Insider By Laman Ismayilova A new exhibition of paintings by talented artist Narmin Najaf has opened at the Leyla Khazari Art-Gallery. The exhibition titled "Goyrengli halal" presented the "Light" series dedicated to Baku, as well as the "Kelaghayi", "Pomegranate" series and other paintings to visitors. The artist said that the blue color in his works expresses desires, loftiness and harmony. She underlined that the shades of blue, which are a source of inspiration for her works, reflect the richness of people's inner world. Speakers at the event said that Narmin Najaf is the creator and head of the "World of Dreams" painting school. The artist, who first began her professional career with her solo exhibition held in Turkiye in 2021, has had subsequent solo exhibitions in Baku, Minsk and Moscow. Narmin Najaf's works were also exhibited at exhibitions held in cities such as Marmaris, Prague and London. Then the guests got acquainted with the exhibition. The artist's works reflect a modern view of the national color and convey examples of Azerbaijani culture and cultural heritage through colors and images. The exhibition "Goyrangli Halil" will continue until December 24. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Writer Jim Miller is a contributor to Today on NBC and author of The Savvy Senior. For the record: 12:24 p.m. Dec. 18, 2024: A previous version of this article said that Nima Momeni faces up to 16 years in prison. He actually faces 16 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder. A 40-year-old tech consultant has been convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee in San Francisco last year. The verdict read Tuesday arrives more than a year after Lee was found bleeding to death in a downtown San Francisco street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jury listened to over six weeks of testimony about a drug bender, sexual assault and ultimately an early morning stabbing in San Francisco in April 2023. During closing arguments, prosecutors played the 911 call Lee made after Nima Momeni stabbed him and left him dying on the street, the Associated Press reported. The jury listened as Lee repeatedly asked for help on the call. Lee, 43, was found bleeding downtown around 2:30 a.m. on April 4, 2023. He later succumbed to his injuries. Momeni stabbed Lee three times near the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge because he was upset that Lee introduced his sister, Khazar Momeni, to a man who allegedly gave her GHB, known as a date-rape drug. Khazar Momeni testified that she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Jeremy Boivin, a friend of Lee's and described by prosecutors as a drug dealer, according to reporting from news station ABC7. Boivin has not been charged in connection to the case, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's family spoke to reporters after the verdict was read and thanked the jury and prosecutors for securing a guilty verdict. Lee's brother, Timothy Oliver Lee, acknowledged that the jury was presented with a difficult case. "It was Nima's word versus my brother's word, which he's not here for anyone to be able to hear those words," he told CBS news station KPIX. "We think justice was done here today." Lee would have turned 45 on Friday, according to his family. His murder and the trial have hung over their heads for over a year. Tuesday's verdict provided some sense of closure, family members said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our family tries to start healing from here," Timothy Oliver Lee said. "What's happened over the last 18 months is that this has been an open wound for our family. It's been so difficult because of the scrutiny and all the context that has been around us has been extremely hard for us. This marks a point where we know that Nima Momeni is being held accountable for his actions." Momeni faces 16 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced at a later date. His mother, Mahnaz Tayarani Babai, expressed her condolences to Lee's family and said both families are the victims of drug abuse. She told reporters outside the courtroom she was disappointed. "He is the kindest person. Every mother would love to have a son like him. I know my son and he never done that," she said. "This is not a fair trial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She suggested Lee's family start an organization to address drug use to honor his memory, "so in the future no other families will face such a difficult time." One of Momeni's attorneys, Tony Brass, said they will review the case for an appeal. "These are hard-fought battles and within this battle there were a lot of decisions made, some of them we don't think are right," Brass told news station KRON, referring to evidence admitted into the trial. The trial, which started Oct. 14, ends a chapter in a killing that rocked the Bay Area. The jury reached their verdict after several days of deliberation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early reports of Lee's death sparked fear and criticism in San Francisco about rampant crime, though the narrative around the incident quickly changed after police announced Momeni's arrest and provided details about a possible motive. Assistant Dist. Atty. Dane Reinstedt summarized the events that led to the stabbing in his closing arguments on Dec. 2. Hours before the stabbing, Lee met Nima Momeni at Momeni's sister's condo on Mission Street and Momeni questioned Lee about what happened to her. Nima Momeni then grabbed a paring knife from the kitchen before heading out the door with Lee. Video from an elevator shows the men leave the building around 2 a.m. and then driving away in Momeni's BMW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the stand in his trial, Momeni testified that Lee attacked him after he made a "bad joke" , according to the Associated Press. I was scared for my life, Momeni told the jury. Momeni testified he drove over a pothole and Lee spilled a beer he was holding, so he pulled over on a quiet section of the Bay Bridge. That's when Momeni joked that Lee should spend his last night visiting the city with his family instead of trying to find a strip club, according to his testimony. Momeni's defense attorney claimed Lee was upset and attacked Momeni, forcing his client to use his Krav Maga martial arts skills to defend himself, according to the Associated Press. Momeni did not realize Lee was stabbed, his attorney told the jury during his closing argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But prosecutors said that the stab wounds were precise, clean and not made by someone in a self-defense posture. Momeni didn't call police to report that Lee attacked him with a knife or even after it was reported that Lee was found on a street with stab wounds and later died, Reinstedt said. Alcohol, ketamine and cocaine were found in Lees system, according to an autopsy report. Defense attorneys claimed that Lee was on a multiday drug-fueled bender, which would explain why he was agitated and violent the night he died. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh played surveillance video in his closing arguments that shows Lee and a friend outside the private San Francisco social club The Battery. In the video, Lee allegedly snorted drugs off an object that Zangeneh claims was the knife used in his own murder, according to reporting from ABC7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Assistant Dist. Atty. Omid Talai asked the jury to consider why none of Lee's DNA was found on the handle if it was supposedly the knife used in the killing. Prosecutors said that only Momeni's DNA was found on the knife handle. Prosecutors showed video of Lee before he was stabbed. At one point, his jacket was open and Reinstedt said there was no knife visible, because the jacket flapped in the wind. Another video, albeit grainy, showed the men on the bridge but it showed that Momeni was the aggressor, according to reporting from the Associated Press. San Francisco Dist. Atty. Brooke Jenkins thanked prosecutors, the jury and Lee's family after the verdict was read. Jenkins said her office was satisfied with the verdict, despite seeking a first-degree murder conviction. "Although nothing will bring back Mr. Lee, I hope that this verdict brings his family and friends some closure as they work to heal from this devastating loss," she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She reminded the public that Lee's killing was not random and police were able to find his killer. "We all know that after Bob Lee was murdered, Elon Musk took to Twitter to make an effort to really shame San Francisco and to make it seem like this was about lawlessness in San Francisco and about what's going on out in our streets, and we knew it was something different," she said, referring to the Tesla chief executive. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. SCRANTON Jurors found Travis Lanzo guilty of first-degree murder and criminal conspiracy in the shooting death of David Deshler on Monday, after two hours of deliberation. The verdict came after a weeklong trial during which prosecutors and defense attorneys painted different pictures of evidence surrounding Deshlers killing March 12, 2023. In a move described by Deputy District Attorney Sara Varela as target practice, Lanzo shot Deshler in the back of the head as he walked down Schultz Court near Mulberry Street in the citys Hill Section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting sprang from a dispute between Jonathan Lance Smith, 33, and Freddy Frenchie Mealing, 23, at a vigil earlier in the night. Smith contacted David Gaskins, Noah Ortiz and Lanzo, who returned to the area in two separate cars, police said. It is unclear why Lanzo shot Deshler in a dispute involving two other men. During closing arguments, Varela told jurors Smith, Gaskins and Ortiz had been ruled out by investigators after careful examination of the evidence. Defense attorney Nicole Lermitte told jurors Gaskins and Ortiz had lied about having seen Lanzo entering Schultz Court where the shooting occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both testified they were at the scene, but neither was the shooter. Lermitte told jurors that the two men were known liars and had testified as part of a plea agreement with the district attorneys office. Both pleaded guilty to felony counts of criminal conspiracy and await sentencing. She asked the jury not to rely on the words of liars and criminals. Varela said each part of the mens testimony had been corroborated by other evidence. Law enforcement officers have not been able to locate Smith and a bench warrant has been issued for him. No reason to lie In Varelas closing, she told jurors Gaskins and Ortiz had no reason to lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Varela pointed out that during their original statements to police, just days after the murder, they had not yet been charged and no plea agreement had been offered to them. Still, the men had consistently told the same story in multiple interviews and their testimony, she said. Varela said Smith was caught on surveillance video with a gun as he walks down Schultz Court, but that same footage shows him leaving down Gordon Place to Prescott Avenue and not returning. Gaskins, could be seen backing out of the scene and Ortiz admitted to driving the getaway car, Varela said. She pointed out that although Smith, Gaskins and Ortiz remained in the city and spoke with police before being arrested, Lanzo left the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fleeing the scene is not necessarily evidence of guilt, but the jury could interpret it as consciousness of guilt, Varela said. Lanzo went on the run after the shooting. He was captured in May 2023 at his home in the Catskills of New York. Prosecutors found Gaskins, Ortiz and Smiths statements credible, Varela said. Crimes dont take place in heaven, so we dont have angels for witnesses, she said. Evidence questioned Lermitte also addressed Lanzos DNA on bullet casings found at the scene. She said there were two scenarios in which his DNA could be found on the casings if he was not the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first was if Lanzo had handled the bullets, but someone else used his gun. The other was if the casings had been cross-contaminated with DNA from other evidence. Lermitte said a black jacket found at the scene was processed in the same area as the casings. The black jacket, she said, contained Lanzos DNA, which could have been transferred to the bullet casings. But, Varela pointed out that Gaskins DNA was also on the black jacket and his DNA was not found on the casings. Had there been a transfer from the jacket, both sets of DNA would have transferred to the casings, she said. Concluding statement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Varelas closing argument, she argued for first-degree murder. She told jurors Lanzo had intended to kill Deshler in a deliberate, premediated act. He set out to kill him, she said. And he was successful. Judge Andrew Jarbola said he agreed with the verdict. First-degree murder carries with it a mandatory life sentence, Jarbola said. A date has not yet been set for formal sentencing in the case. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A jury reached a verdict on Monday afternoon for Nima Momeni, the man accused of murdering Cash App founder Bob Lee. Jurors deliberated for seven days before they agreed on a unanimous decision. The verdict will be read inside a San Francisco courtroom at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday with Judge Alexandra Gordon presiding. The sole family member present at the courthouse Monday afternoon was Momenis mother, who immediately began sending text messages on her cellphone. Her 39-year-old son is charged with first-degree murder. As jurors left the courthouse, they appeared solemn and relieved. One juror said to another, See you tomorrow morning. Nima Momeni walks into the courtroom for his arraignment in San Francisco on May 2, 2023. (Gabrielle Lurie /San Francisco Chronicle via AP, Pool, File) The verdict will remain secret until Tuesday when jurors, the judge, Momeni, Lees family, Momenis supporters, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and reporters are all gathered inside the courtroom. Judge Gordon said no one inside will be allowed to use cameras, laptops, and cellphones. Reporters are only allowed to take notes using a pen and paper as the verdict is read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee, 43, was a superstar in the Bay Area tech industry when he was stabbed through the heart under the Bay Bridge on April 4, 2023. Around 2:30 a.m., Lee left behind a blood trail and called 911 begging for help until he collapsed on Main Street. He told the dispatcher that someone stabbed him, but did not name the killer with his last words. Prosecutors played the victims 911 call during opening statements in October, and a second time during closing arguments two weeks ago. Bob Lee Prosecutors said the defendant murdered the tech mogul to get revenge for Momenis younger sister. The sister, Khazar, testified that she was sexually assaulted by Lees drug dealer on the day before the homicide. Prosecutors said Momeni blamed Lee for the assault and he was an overprotective big brother. Khazar Momeni walks out of a San Francisco courtroom with her mother on Oct. 22, 2024. (KRON4 Photo) Momeni testified earlier in the trial that he acted in self-defense after Lee blew up with anger over a bad joke. On the stand Momeni told jurors, I made a bad joke. I said, If it was my last night in town, Id go hang out with my family instead of f**king around in strip clubs. It set him off. He just blew up in front of me. He went from zero to one hundred. Momeni said Lee pulled out a knife and he fought back. Prosecutors said Lee was unarmed when he was slain. Police found a knife near the crime scene with Momenis DNA on the handle and Lees DNA on the blade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance cameras clearly recorded Lee and Momeni leaving Khazars luxury condo at Millennium Tower together just 30 minutes before the stabbing. The two men appear cordial as they walk toward Momenis white BMW and drive away toward the bridge. The only surveillance camera that recorded the stabbing itself was a Nest camera perched nine stories above street-level. Lee and Momeni appear as tiny dots in the Nest cameras grainy video, and jurors could not clearly see what the two dots are doing. Bob Lee (Photo via X) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lees violent death sent shockwaves through the city. He founded the company Cash App, worked for Google as a software engineer, and served as an executive for MobileCoin. His family said they are hoping for a verdict that will send Momeni to prison for the rest of his life. During seven days of deliberations, the jury considered four possible verdicts: Guilty of first-degree murder, guilty of voluntary manslaughter, guilty of involuntary manslaughter, or not guilty. For Momeni to be convicted of first-degree murder, he must have killed Lee willfully, deliberately, and with premeditation, Judge Gordon said. If jurors believe Momenis self-defense claim, they could convicted him of manslaughter. Momeni remains in custody with no bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Gov. Jim Justice speaks during his virtual media briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Screenshot from Gov. Jim Justices briefing) Gov. Jim Justice said Tuesday that he will leave the duty of appointing a new state health officer to Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey. His announcement came after Dr. Matthew Christiansen, who has served as the state health officer since January 2023, resigned from the office last Friday. No information has been released about where Christiansen, who is also currently serving as the volunteer co-chair of the West Virginia First Foundation, will be working next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor gave the answer during his weekly press briefing on Tuesday in response to a question from WV News reporter Charles Young. I think we should leave that to Patrick [Morrisey] and his team, Justice said. Its too tight and everything and I think theyll do a good job picking somebody and I think that ought to be their pick. Justice is set to take the oath of office as West Virginias newest U.S. senator on Jan. 3, 2025. Morrisey is scheduled to be sworn in as governor on Jan. 13, 2025. Its unclear whether Justice will resign as governor in order to participate in the senatorial swearing in ceremony or if he will wait until Morriseys inauguration. If he does leave the post early, the acting state senate president either outgoing Sen. Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, who will not be returning to the body this session, or Sen. Randy Smith, R-Tucker, who was nominated to be the incoming senate president earlier this month will serve as acting governor until Morrisey officially takes office. Justice said Tuesday that talks are still ongoing with people in his office and those working with Morrisey to finalize what the transition to power will look like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to figure it out on how all of this would work, but it is a quagmire a little bit, Justice said. Im sure we can figure it out and make it happen smoothly and everything but right now I have not made a decision, but I will very soon. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau soared to victory in 2015 on the promise of change and sunny ways for the country. Nearly a decade later, a dark storm cloud has descended upon his increasingly unpopular administration, with the resignation of a top Cabinet minister over a dispute about how to manage US president-elect Donald Trumps tariff threats. The abrupt exit Monday of finance minister and longtime Trudeau ally Chrystia Freeland and her public rebuke of her boss stunned Canadians and threatened to further unravel the government of a country known for its stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeaus already shaky hold on the country has now become more tenuous as pressure builds on him to step down. Heres whats happening and what it means for Canada. Who is Trudeau? Justin Trudeau, a former high school teacher and the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau, one of Canadas most well-known prime ministers, was elected in 2015 with a decisive parliamentary majority for his Liberal party. One of the countrys youngest-ever leaders, Trudeau quickly became a poster boy for Canadas progressive values on the global stage acting as an antithesis to Trump during the incoming US presidents first term. Trudeau won successive elections in 2019 and 2021, but his popularity has steadily declined since as Canadians have become frustrated with political scandals, reneged promises and the economy, among other issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A viral video of a tense exchange between Trudeau and a steel worker complaining of the high cost of living came to embody the growing resentment many Canadians felt towards Trudeau. Youre not really doing anything for us, Justin, the worker said. Trudeaus political downfall solidified in recent months after the Liberal party lost a couple of historically safe seats in by-elections, prompting some within Trudeaus caucus to call for him to step aside. In a particularly telling sign of the prime ministers unpopularity, more Canadians now regard the incoming American president more favorably than they do Trudeau 26% to 23% respectively in recent polls, according to David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last time Canadians were polled about Trump, in November 2020, just 11% viewed him favorably, Coletto said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland arrive for a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 10, 2023. - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout/Reuters What sparked the latest crisis and how is Trump involved? On Monday, Finance Minister Freeland quit her post hours before she was due to deliver an annual fiscal update. Her shock announcement came after Freeland said Trudeau had tried to demote her, following a disagreement between the two politicians over how Canada was handling the threat of tariffs by Trump. Canada, home to about 40 million people, is one of Americas largest trading partners and closest allies. Freeland, who has long been seen as a potential successor to Trudeau, said she and the prime minister had become at odds about the best path forward for Canada, in her resignation letter posted to social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and Trudeau had disagreed in recent weeks about a two-month sales tax holiday and 250 Canadian dollar ($175) rebates for most workers policies widely seen as tactics to win back voters. Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including the threat of 25 per cent tariffs, Freeland said. We need to take that threat extremely seriously, she said, arguing that Canada must eschew costly political gimmicks in favor of keeping our fiscal powder dry so we have the reserves we may need for a coming trade war. 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, said Freeland, who wrote that she will stay in parliament and plans to run again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeland, a former journalist for The Financial Times, Reuters and the Globe and Mail, was a key interlocuter with the first Trump administration and negotiated the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Her resignation, from an American perspective, is akin to a vice president stepping down, said Tari Ajadi, assistant professor of political science at McGill University and not going quietly, but deciding to resign because they disagreed fundamentally with the direction of the government, the country, and because they were convinced they would lose the next election. US President Donald Trump speaks with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the plenary session of the NATO summit in Watford, England on December 4, 2019. - Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images Can Trudeau stay in power? Trudeau has so far been adamant that he will stay on as prime minister and has yet to directly acknowledge Freelands exit. But experts see little path forward for the embattled Liberal leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just dont see how he recovers, said Tyler Chamberlin, associate professor at the University of Ottawas Telfer School of Management. If it was almost impossible for him to come back, to be competitive again, to convince Canadians or change their minds about him, I think this basically makes it impossible now, Coletto said. Freelands departure has exposed the fissures within Trudeaus own party and has emboldened more of his own caucus to call for his resignation. At least seven Liberal members of parliament have publicly called on Trudeau to step down, and more have done so privately according to sources, CNN-affiliate CBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadas three opposition leaders have also called for Trudeaus departure. This is not a government that has much life in it at all, Ajadi said. Canadas next federal election must legally be held by next October. It could happen earlier if Trudeau calls it, or if lawmakers trigger a no-confidence vote. Polls show if an election were held today, Pierre Poilievres opposition Conservative Party would earn a decisive victory. What does this mean for Canada? While Trudeaus political survival hangs in the balance, Mondays events have thrown a country that is widely considered to be a stable and even boring middle power into disarray, Ajadi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the promise of tariffs on the horizon and little goodwill between Trudeau and Trump, the loss of Freeland is also a loss for Canada, said Chamberlin. Following a visit by the Canadian leader to Mar-a-Lago to convince Trump to ease up on tariffs, the incoming US president has thrown jabs at Trudeau, calling him governor and referring to Canada as the 51st state. The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau, Trump said on his social media platform 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!!! Forty years ago, Trudeaus father Pierre famously took a reflective evening walk through an Ottawa snowstorm before deciding to resign as prime minister of Canada. Now, with snow falling across most parts of the country, it may be time for the younger Trudeau to take his own walk, Coletto said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Disclaimer: All persons are considered innocent unless proven guilty. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Shreveport police are searching for a man after a juvenile victim told a counselor she had been sexually assaulted. SPD detectives began investigating a 2nd Degree Rape case on Dec. 5, 2024. The investigation resulted from the Department of Children and Family Services reporting the allegations to law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim has provided detailed information about the assault during a forensic interview conducted at a local child advocacy center. Detectives were also able to identify another potential victim, who disclosed information about abuse. An arrest warrant has now been obtained for Khristian A. Gregory, 22, who faces 2nd-degree rape, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and sexual battery charges. If you have information about Khristian Gregorys whereabouts, please get in touch with the Shreveport Police Department at (318) 673-7300. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dec. 16Three juveniles who escaped a detention facility in Granbury Sunday night were arrested Monday morning in Hutchins. According to law enforcement, Kamirone McDole, 16; Isaiah Lauderdale, 16; and Asheton Marshall, 15, assaulted two guards and escaped the Rite of Passage facility Sunday around 6:30 p.m. The three then stole a vehicle and several firearms before committing an armed robbery at a gas station in Dublin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A manhunt for the juveniles was conducted by police in Dublin and Granbury, as well as the Erath County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Criminal Justice and DPS. During the search, police said the trio stole a second vehicle and traveled to Lancaster. Police there observed the stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the juveniles fled to Hutchins, where they abandoned the vehicle. They were located at an apartment complex and placed in custody around 10 a.m. Monday. McDole was confined in the juvenile facility for murder, Lauderdale for probation violation and a firearms charge, and Marshall for evading arrest and detention. All three have ties to Cleburne and McDole also has ties to Alvarado. The three now face an additional charge of felony escape. KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (KHON2) The west Hawaii community is set to have more health services, including a state-of-the-art emergency department, ambulatory care and a helipad to for inter-island patient transfers. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The Queens Health Systems announced their plans to build an 80-bed hospital in Kailua-Konas West Hawaii Business Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to create a centralized outpatient and specialty care hub to serve the West and North region of Hawaii Island, said Jason Chang, President and CEO of The Queens Health Systems. This plan presents a transformative vision for healthcare delivery on the Island of Hawaii. Anchored in the principles of care close to home, this plan addresses the pressing challenges of delivering healthcare in rural and isolated settings while leveraging innovation, sustainability, and community engagement to create a resilient and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem. In addition, Queens is looking to provide skilled nursing, post-acute care and urgent care facilities. Top 10 holiday horror flicks for your gory celebrations: Honolulu Horror Nights. To attract and retain skilled employees, Queens is exploring an affordable housing program for employees in addition to a housing development adjacent to the new facility to attract medical professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glitter: Make your holiday foods, drinks POP! At Queens North Hawaii Community Hospital, a 40,square-foot facility will house a cancer center which will offer radiation oncology, infusion therapy, oncology surgery as well as precision medicine and genomics. The plan, which aims to reduce traveling to Oahu for healthcare needs, will be phased over seven years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. WASHINGTON (AP) Kamala Harris on Tuesday urged anyone who is disappointed by her defeat in last month's election to stay in the fight as Donald Trump prepares to take office, hinting that she won't be stepping off the political stage anytime soon. The vice president's remarks to students in the Maryland Corps service year program were her most extensive since her concession speech. She did not disclose her own plans for after her term ends, but she spoke about our shared commitment to the work ahead. The speech was something of a pep talk as Trump returns to the White House and Republicans take full control of Congress, a devastating result for Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people have come up to me, telling me they feel tired, maybe even resigned," Harris said. "Folks have said to me that theyre not sure whether they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay in the fight. But let me be very clear. No one can walk away. We must stay in the fight. Every one of us. At 60 years old, Harris likely has another act or two in public life, maybe even another run for the presidency. But she could face stiff competition from other Democratic politicians and weariness from voters who want to move on after a dispiriting campaign ended with Trumps victory. The true test of our character is how resilient and persistent we are to pursue the future that we all can see," she said. Harris did not mention Trump in her speech, but the remarks could serve as a first step toward positioning herself as a leader of the political opposition. Theres also speculation that she could run for governor in her home state of California, where the next election is in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are still trying to figure out the best way forward for their party. Judging by her speech, Harris envisions a path that's very similar to the message from her candidacy and vice presidency, and she echoed many of the same themes on Tuesday. While serving under President Joe Biden, Harris toured college campuses and focused on issues that resonate with students, like gun violence and climate change. She also made sure to meet with young people overseas in Africa and Asia as she worked on U.S. diplomatic efforts. During the presidential campaign, Harris often talked about her love of Generation Z and the importance of rising leaders. It was one of the ways she tried to draw a contrast with Trump, who is 78 years old. However, Harris did worse with young people this year than Biden did four years ago. According to AP VoteCast, a survey of the electorate, she won 51% of voters ages 18 to 29, down from 61% for Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris told her audience on Tuesday that they should enjoy the holidays. But, she said, I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path to the future. Chin up, shoulders back, forever impatient for change. In addition, she started her speech by expressing concerns about gun violence after a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday. Solutions are in hand," she said. "But we need elected leaders to have the courage to step up and do the right thing. NANCY RUN, WV (WVNS) A Kanawha County man was arrested for attempted murder and malicious wounding after an incident in Roane County. According to a press release, 27-year-old Scott Breeden, of Charleston, was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder and Malicious Wounding, after a reported shooting that occurred in the Nancy Run area of Roane County. Members of the West Virginia State Police responded to reports of shots fired in Nancy Run in Roane County at around 9:15 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials reveal connection between Amber Alert and fatal Wayne County fire Once members of law enforcement arrived at the scene, they were informed that a 19-year-old woman was shot multiple times, and was taken to Roane General Hospital before being flown to CAMC- General Division for medical attention. Special Operations K9 and SRT Units helped search for Breeden, who reportedly ran from the scene, and the scene was processed by West Virginia State Police Crime Scene Team Bravo. Warrants were gathered for Breedens arrest, and he was arrested in the Dunbar area of Kanawha County before later being taken to South-Central Regional Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release stated that the victim of the incident is at CAMC General and in stable condition, and the incident is still under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. This illustration shows Osceola, Missouri, burning on Sept. 26, 1861, during conflict between Kansas and Missouri. (Kansas State Historical Society) Hidden stories in plain sight This two-week series delves into the history and legacy of the Kansas-Missouri border war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless you live in the state, you may have forgotten that Missouri remained in the Union during the Civil War. Its an easy oversight. For nearly a decade, Kansas and Missouri were each others mortal enemy. The hostilities persisted even longer. For perspective, it helps to revisit the Bleeding Kansas era between 1854 and 1860. James Montgomery didnt set out for the Kansas Territory in 1854 with his wife and six children to become an abolitionist, observe Todd Mildfelt and David Schafter in their history, Abolitionist of the Most Dangerous Kind: James Montgomery and His War on Slavery. They describe Montgomerys transition into a militant abolitionist, absent the myths and legends that grew up around his fellow abolitionist John Brown. While living in Kentucky and struggling financially, Montgomery became frustrated by the need to compete against slave labor. In a widespread practice, slaveholders hired out enslaved men, women and children to work for other people. As a skilled carpenter, Montgomery could have earned between three and five dollars per day in a free labor market. But in places like Kentucky and Missouri, slave labor undercut that rate, Mildfelt and Schafter write. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery was a free soiler, opposed to slavery in Kansas more on economic grounds than moral ones. He settled in southeast Kansas in the midst of the 1854 election. That was the first instance of Missourians crossing the state line to vote and intimidate Kansas residents. Of the 3,000 votes, 1,700 were later deemed fraudulent. Even after a second vote, the state legislature remained in the firm grip of the pro-slavery majority. Free-state leaders believed this basic right was being seized from them and it was being done with the consent of the US Government, according to the authors. Two years later, a pro-slavery force intent on driving free-state settlers off their land struck in Bourbon and Linn counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The raiders cut a swath several miles wide, stealing horses, cattle, hogs and chickens. They also plundered furniture, clothing, saddles and farm implements. On at least three occasions, the pro-slavery forced burned houses, the authors wrote. Later that year, Montgomery, armed with a small force and list of Missourians responsible for the raids, supposedly took possession of a home in Bates County, Missouri, held 21 captive, stole $250 and 11 horses, and smashed their weapons. The story, real or myth contributed to the reputation Montgomery fostered as a guerilla chieftain in Linn County, according to Mildfelt and Schafer. The Civil War began in April 1861. In June and July 1861, Kansans invaded Vernon, Bates and Cass counties in Missouri. In September, military commander and U.S. Sen. James Lane organized Lanes Brigade. Montgomery led one of the four regiments in the command. The tables are turned now, a Kansas soldier is quoted as saying. And here in camp are many Kansas men who were hunted in 55 and 56 by the Border Ruffians who rode, booted and spurred over our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking advantage of the conflicts between pro-Confederate and pro-Union families within Missouri, the Kansas Brigade had nearly free rein. Missouri historian Tom Rafiner observed: For Kansas radical abolitionists, a call to open war meant an invitation to aggressively pursue long held designs to destroy Missouris slave institutions. The fall 1861 campaign by Lanes Brigade, moving as far east as Osceola, Missouri, is often highlighted as the first and the worst of the brigades looting, murdering and burning campaigns. At the time, it was reputed to be a storage site for ammunition, and a source of cash on hand. Among Civil War historians I consulted, theres agreement that much of the city was burned, property and cash were pilfered, and some enslaved people welcomed the opportunity to follow the brigade back to Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website www.civilwarontheborder.org quotes from a contemporary newspaper, The Newark Advocate, which reported: With his immense train of supplies, three-hundred and fifty horses and mules, 400 head of cattle, large drove of sheep and swine, and as many contrabands (200 slaves) as he could employ, Lane made his way to West Point, Missouri unpursued. In his account of the Osceola raid, historian Bryce Benedict offers a scaled down list: 50 horses, 20 wagonloads of valuables and 27 slaves. Benedicts data is based on many primary sources and multiple eye-witnesses. His book Jayhawkers, The Civil War Brigade of James H. Lane is cited by a number of reputable Civil War historians. For a time I considered these differences purely academic. What difference does it make in my life, in our time, how many wagonloads of stolen property Lanes boys actually carried out of Missouri 163 years ago? But considering the huge divide between these two accounts, how has each story shaped the views and opinions of generations of students who followed? Keeping that in mind, consider making your own road trip into Missouri. There are remarkable historic museums throughout the state; staff and volunteers welcome the opportunity to speak to curious visitors from Kansas. I recommend the Bushwhacker Museum in Nevada, the Cass County Historical Museum in Harrisonville, the Bates County Museum in Butler, and the St. Clair County Museum and Research Library in Osceola. Frank Barthell is a former video producer at the University of Kansas. 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. TOPEKA (KSNT) Law enforcement is investigating after an inmate at the Shawnee County jail apparently died as a result of suicide at a local hospital. Trenton James with the Shawnee County Department of Corrections said in a press release that authorities have contacted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) following the death of 39-year-old inmate Matthew S. McCarthy. He died at a local hospital after an apparent attempt to end his life last week. Jail employees were called to the inmates cell in the Adult Detention Center around 4:15 a.m. on Dec. 11 due to a reported medical emergency. Staff found McCarthy in medical distress from an apparent suicide attempt. He was taken to a local hospital and was placed on life support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Auditors release findings after allegations, death of Kansas state employee Family of McCarthy later made the decision to remove him from life support. His death is under investigation by the KBI due to state law which requires all unexplained deaths in jail facilities to be investigated by the agency. The Shawnee County Department of Corrections is also investigating the death for internal operational management purposes. McCarthy was initially arrested on Dec. 6. He was being held in the jail for the following charges: Aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Rape; victim under 14. Aggravated criminal sodomy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Some customers in a Kalamazoo neighborhood lost power after a semi-truck crashed into a power pole then fled the scene, police said. The crash happened around 6 p.m. Monday on N. Park Street between Bessie Street and Lulu Street, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety. Police said because of the crash, a low-hanging wire fell across the roadway, causing power outages and road closures nearby. The driver of the semi-truck ran away from the scene, according to KDPS. Consumers Energy anticipated an extended delay to repair power lines, police said. KDPS asked drivers to avoid the area for five to six hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's choice to leading the Health and Human Services Department, said Monday he's "all for the polio vaccine" in a brief interview with ABC News, though he did not respond to questions on issues like school vaccine mandates. Kennedy was on Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, and Tim Scott of South Carolina. He will have meetings with more Republican senators during the week. Heading into his final meeting of the day with Tim Scott, Kennedy said his meetings have been "very productive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 3 key questions for RFK Jr. as he lobbies senators to be health secretary Rick Scott said he and Kennedy had discussed "transparency" around vaccines. PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 16, 2024. (Evan Vucci/AP) "So, what he wants with vaccines is, which is what I believe in, is transparency," Rick Scott told reporters outside his office. "I think we, we need to know exactly, with all vaccines, what has been the, the research and, you know, do they work? What's your risk?" Kennedy, a former Democrat who allied with Trump during the 2024 election, has faced questions over several of his health-related beliefs. He has in the past promoted the debunked theory linking vaccines to autism, and a lawyer helping Kennedy hire staffers for the incoming administration has pushed for the revocation of the federal approval for the polio vaccine. His support of abortion rights could threaten support from Republicans, and his opposition to things like hog farm subsidies for seed oils, among other things, could irk senators from agriculture-heavy states. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary, arrives to meet with U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 16, 2024. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) To be sure, Trump's policies are anticipated to rule the day within his own administration for the next four years, but Kennedy's tour on Capitol Hill could look to allay some concerns voiced by Republicans, including outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Efforts to undermine public confidence in proven cures are not just uninformed -- they're dangerous," McConnell, a polio survivor, said in a statement Friday. "Anyone seeking the Senate's consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with such efforts." MORE: Trump talks drones, an Eric Adams pardon and his election boost from TikTok Currently, all 50 states and Washington, D.C., have laws requiring vaccines to attend schools, although many offer exemptions. Trump, during a press conference Monday, dismissed worries that Kennedy would do away with the polio vaccine but said he's "not a big mandate person" and that Kennedy would investigate the impact of immunizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want him to come back with a report as to what he thinks. We're going to find out a lot," he said. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said he is looking forward to a hopefully good discussion, with Kennedy later this week but disagrees with the his views on agriculture. Asked about Kennedy's views on GMOs and seed oils, Hawley, who represents a farm state, said, Those are interesting ideas. I don't agree with most of them. I think he's, you know, he's against much of the Farm Bill, which I think is deeply misguided, but he will not have any policy control over that, I don't think," Hawley said. "If he were nominated for the [Department of Agriculture], Id talk about that quite a lot, so. But we'll see -- I mean, I'll probably raise that with him, but I imagine our conversation will focus on HHS-related issues. Kennedy hits Capitol Hill to win support for Trump administration confirmation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is trying to tamp down concerns about his history of vaccine skepticism as he meets with GOP senators who will vote on whether to confirm him as President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy on Monday told reporters on Capitol Hill that he is all for the polio vaccine comments that came hours after Trump said at a news conference that Americans are not going to lose the polio vaccine. Several GOP senators later Monday said they would press Kennedy to fully explain his views and intentions about vaccines before deciding whether to support him highlighting the work that lies ahead for Trumps HHS pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Kennedy saying he supports the polio vaccine, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a key centrist Republican who will meet Kennedy this week, said, I havent heard that. But then I guess it begs the question: is it just that one vaccine or kind of where is it coming from more broadly? She continued: So, those are the conversations that I think are important for me to have with him, because I do think that vaccines save lives. Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the health committee, said he wants to give Kennedy the opportunity to explain his views on vaccines. If they are as reported, of course, the North Carolina Republican said when asked if he was concerned by what hes heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its hard to dispute that vaccines are probably one of the key factors behind our life expectancies and eliminating scourges that killed millions of people before vaccine, he added. Trump and Kennedys insistence on Monday that the incoming administration would not target a vaccine in use since 1955 followed reports that a lawyer affiliated with Kennedy has petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to revoke approval of the polio vaccine used in the United States. If Kennedy is confirmed as head of HHS, hell oversee the FDA and could take the rare step of intervening in its petition review process. Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a polio survivor, issued an apparent warning to Kennedy in a letter last week, writing that anyone seeking the Senates consent to serve in the incoming Administration would do well to steer clear of even the appearance of association with efforts to rescind the approval of the polio vaccine. The letter was referenced by incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune in saying Kennedy will need to explain if he supports people being vaccinated against polio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I expect thats one that I and many other of my colleagues will probably raise with him, the South Dakota Republican said. Florida Sen. Rick Scott defended Kennedy after sitting down with him, saying the two both want transparency on vaccines. What he wants with vaccines is, which is what I believe in, is transparency. I think we need to know exactly, with all vaccines, what has been the research and, you know, do they work? And whats your risk? he told CNN when asked what Kennedy had said about vaccines. Kennedy refused to answer CNNs questions Monday about whether he stands by his previous comments tying vaccines to autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Kennedy told Sen. Markwayne Mullin he plans to question the science of vaccines, the Oklahoma senator told reporters after meeting with the HHS pick. Pressed by CNNs Manu Raju if Kennedy would encourage people not to vaccinate their children, Mullin said, No, I dont think so. I think hes going to question science, and Im glad hes going to question it. Mullin told reporters he and Kennedy discussed autism rates in the US, but that Kennedy did not specifically link that to the use of vaccines, as he has in the past. He said, Weve got to question it. Whats causing it? Mullin said. He added that Kennedy told him he 100% supported the polio vaccine, and the Oklahoma senator expressed his belief that that ones different. Kennedy often treaded carefully around the vaccine issue as a presidential candidate. In a July 2023 Fox News interview, Kennedy then still running as a Democrat said, I do believe that autism does come from vaccines, but I think most of the things people believe about my opinions about vaccines are wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy, who later launched an independent presidential campaign before dropping out to endorse Trump, is meeting with GOP senators this week as Trumps team prepares for what could be contentious confirmation hearings. In Kennedy, Trump tapped a member of perhaps the most prominent Democratic family one of the 11 children of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. However, he also chose a promoter of vaccine misinformation whose history of false claims of connections between vaccines and autism have made him a controversial choice to lead HHS. Kennedys past support for abortion rights could also prove problematic for some Republicans. Mullin said Kennedy told him he serves the will of the president of the United States and would be pushing policies supported by Trump, who has said he thinks abortion should be left to the states. In next years GOP-controlled Senate, Kennedy can afford to lose only three GOP votes, if all Democrats oppose him. The extent of his bipartisan appeal, however, is still an open question, with some liberals praising his commitment to taking on pharmaceutical companies as well as challenging the use of pesticides and the consumption of processed food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Democrat, told CNNs Pam Brown on Tuesday that Kennedy has worked on some issues she cares about, like food safety and clean air and water. So I think theres a great deal of issues where we might find, we may find common ground on with Mr. Kennedy, she said. And I look forward to exploring those before I decide how Im going to vote. Pressed on what it would take to back him to lead HHS, Gillibrand returned to vaccines. I just want to make sure theres going to be no reduction in access to vaccines for school age children. We know that vaccines work, she said on CNN Newsroom. Kennedy and Trumps comments on Monday suggest that its Kennedys vaccine positions that have raised the most concerns about his ability to be confirmed. In his news conference Monday at Mar-a-Lago, when asked whether he believes there is a connection between vaccines and autism, Trump said, Right now, you have some very brilliant people looking at it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to look into finding, why is the autism rate so much higher than it was 20, 25, 30 years ago? And its like its 100 times higher. Theres something wrong, and were going to try that, Trump said. Experts say that although autism is more common than in the past, its probably largely due to increases in awareness of the signs, better screening and coverage for services, and changes in the criteria for diagnosis Trump said hed dined recently with pharmaceutical executives, Kennedy, and his pick to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dr. Mehmet Oz. In defending Kennedy, Trump called him a very rational guy. Trump also acknowledged the significance of the polio vaccine, saying he knew people afflicted with the disease that was all but eradicated when vaccines were developed, and he credited polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk by name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated Tuesday with additional information. CNNs Manu Raju, Ali Main, Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer and Brenda Goodman contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com KENTUCKY (FOX 56) According to law enforcement officials, a teenage girl opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin on Monday morning, killing a student and a teacher. The shooter is also dead. Police Chief Shon Barnes said her death was likely by suicide. Officials said in a Monday news conference that the school does not have metal detectors or a school resource officer. While this may cause some concern, security experts say safety measures are divisive and may vary from school to school. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following active shooter tragedies, concerned parents and community members often advocate for physical technology, such as metal detectors and security cameras, as a possible preventative measure. But its whats behind that fortified front door that really matters, said Dr. Ken Trump, who serves as the president of National School Safety and Security Services Trump said schools must start focusing on human factors instead. Take some reasonable fundamental steps to train their staff, build a climate and culture, get people to come forward to report things, and provide the social, emotional, and mental health supports that kids need to prevent these types of shootings in the first place, Trump asserted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said school protocols vary between private and public schools, but having emergency plans in place is important regardless. Many districts in Kentucky equip their buildings with school resource officers who often train for emergencies. Read more of the latest Kentucky news First responders are using those schools to practice those drills, and all the first responders are working together just so they know what to expect and how to better respond to those types of situations, said Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson. According to the Kentucky Center for School Safety, there are 830 reported SRO positions in the state. In 2023, Gov. Beshear signed a law that now allows private schools to utilize SRO services as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richardson also noted that having open conversations about school shootings with students and practicing active shooter drills is key to being prepared. Just so they understand, you know, what to expect in a situation like that and what they can do in order to protect themselves, where they can go, said Richardson. And to just know what that situation would be like, and kind of give them the guidance and practice 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 FOX 56 News. BOCA RATON After publicly backing Donald Trump's presidential bid and celebrating the president-elect's win in November, venture capitalist and "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary, famously known as "Mr. Wonderful," is back to business. "I wanted to be part of that narrative, but not be shilling for any one politician," O'Leary said during a panel interview at Florida Atlantic University on Dec. 4. Leading up to the election, O'Leary appeared on several cable networks, including Fox and CNN, making strong political statements about the presidential candidates. In one instance, on an Oct. 24 CNN panel, O'Leary suggested that Democrats "circumvented democracy" by selecting Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee. ABC's hit series 'Shark Tank' judge Kevin O'Leary plays the guitar with Rob Arenth during Croc Tank at NobleCon at Florida Atlantic University on Dec. 4, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. "When the Democratic Party decides to circumvent democracy, its like watching a group of money managers who just cant beat the S&P," O'Leary tweeted the following day, with a clip of the CNN panel discussion. "Only 90 days ago, Pelosi approached Biden to convince him to step aside. He listened, but the process to replace him? That didnt happen." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called the Democratic selection "reminiscent of Hillary Clintons nomination." About two weeks before the election, O'Leary also suggested that Harris didn't strike him as authentic as her opponent did. Andria Beal, right, talks to ABC's hit series 'Shark Tank' judge Kevin O'Leary after she accepted an offer for her EpiPaws product during Croc Tank at NobleCon at Florida Atlantic University on Dec. 4, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. "Trump has no filter and comes across as authentic, whereas Harris processes too much," O'Leary tweeted. "She has to just start spitting it out there and be more authentic. If she wants to sway undecided voters, she needs to show the pain, show the mistakes and be real." Following Trump's victory, O'Leary declared the former president's economic policies would "save" multiple aspects of the U.S. economy. On election night, he appeared on Fox News, saying Democrats owed Trump a "thank you very much." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month, O'Leary, along with two other "sharks" from the ABC hit show "Shark Tank" took the stage at FAU. There, O'Leary specifically was asked about his thoughts on the election results. But this time, Trump's name didn't come up and O'Leary was way more circumspect in his remarks and far less partisan. ABC's hit series 'Shark Tank' judges Daymond John, left, Robert Herjavec, center, and Kevin O'Leary answer questions at Croc Tank during NobleCon at Florida Atlantic University on Dec. 4, 2025, in Boca Raton, Florida. "I wanted to support good policy," he said. "My belief is that the No. 1 export of America is not energy and technology. It's actually the American dream. The reason people come here is to pursue the American dream." O'Leary said the country went through "a very unusual election" and that he was outspoken partly because some ideas espoused by candidates were just not good though he was vague. "They didn't fit what the American dream is about," he said. "It was counter. It was going to hurt the core DNA of America. I just felt, 'I haven't worked this hard in my life to watch this be turned off, because my kids are Americans. They work here. I want them to have the same opportunity I had.' " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement O'Leary did not state which ideas he was referring to. But, throughout the campaign, he was critical of Harris' economic proposals, including her corporate tax plan. "When I heard those ideas, it was a visceral reaction to me," O'Leary said. "I said, 'Screw this, I'm going to go call them. I'm going to say, explain to me why that policy makes sense, like price fixing is a very stupid idea, and here's why it's stupid. And if you could tell me why I'm wrong, that would be very good.' " He called the idea of raising the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21.2% "insane." "There's absolutely no merit in doing that," O'Leary said. "And I just brought that forward." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he was happy with the outcome and glad he was vocal. "I don't care if you're a Democrat or Republican," O'Leary said. "Those are bad ideas. And, now, I'm very proud of the work I did." He shared his thoughts for the Democratic party moving forward, saying he hoped it would have no problem starting "from scratch." "They took America to the wrong place, and it self-corrected," O'Leary said. "That's what it does. That's why this democracy works so well. When it knows it's sick, it gets better, and that's what happened, and I'm really happy with that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jasmine Fernandez is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Shark Tank' star Kevin O'Leary backs Trump's economic policies at FAU Olaf Scholzs government was officially brought down on Monday after he lost a vote of confidence, paving the way for an election on Feb 23. The German chancellor will remain in place in a caretaker capacity until his successor is determined. Here are the chief candidates competing to replace Mr Scholz. Friedrich Merz is a former lawyer and millionaire who has pulled his party the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to the Right to see off the threat from surging opponent AfD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 69-year-old Catholic from North Rhine-Westphalia has long criticised Angela Merkel, the former CDU chancellor, for making the party more centrist by opening Germanys borders and deactivating its nuclear power plants. He has advocated for a hawkish approach to Ukraine and urged the German government to give its long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv. Mr Merz is well known in Germany after saying in 2003 that the countrys notoriously long tax return forms should be made so simple that they can fit on a beer coaster. He is seen as the favourite to win the election, with the CDU currently leading in the polls. Alice Weidel is the Alternative for Germanys first candidate for the chancellorship in the partys 11-year history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 45-year-old from Gutersloh is a vocal speaker in the Bundestag and has vowed to severely reduce immigration if she wins the election. She is an unlikely face for the red-blooded German nationalism of her surging Right-wing party a lesbian that speaks fluent Mandarin having completed a doctorate in China. She is also raising two children with a film producer from Sri Lanka. Despite the AfD currently placing second in opinion polls, Ms Weidel is unlikely to become chancellor as other parties have ruled out forming a coalition with her. For years, Sahra Wagenknecht was a leading figure in The Left, a successor group to the communist Socialist Unity Party of Germany that ruled former East Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being an explosive figure in German politics, Ms Wagenknecht appeals to legions of former East Germans and their descendants, who have never quite got on board with capitalism and retain a cultural affinity with Russia. She once told ZDF, the German broadcaster, that she would have preferred a thousand times over to have lived her life in communist East Germany rather than post-1989 unified Germany. Though an unrepentant socialist, the 55-year-old has long fought against the Lefts focus on identity politics and drawn attention to unfashionable causes such as how immigration negatively affects Germanys native working class. She released a bestselling book in 2021 called The Self-Righteous (Die Selbstgerechten), in which she argues that the Left has been taken over by self-obsessed, bourgeois liberals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Wagenknecht has repeatedly called for peace talks in Ukraine since the Russian invasion of 2022. In late 2023, she finally broke with her old party to launch the eponymous Left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance at the beginning of 2024. Long a pariah for both Left and Right, her party played kingmaker in recent elections in the east of Germany and is currently polling higher than Germanys main liberal party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 45-year-old from Wuppertal has been leader of the Free Democratic Party since 2013. Christian Lindner became a member of the party when he was a teenager and at the age of 21, picked up the nickname Bambi for becoming the youngest ever member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state assembly. Being social media savvy and often sporting open-necked suits, he served as finance minister from 2021 to November 2024, when he was fired by Mr Scholz who accused him of putting his partys interests before those of the country. Mr Lindner had refused Mr Scholzs request to loosen Germanys debt-brake, which is a constitutionally-enshrined fiscal rule enacted in the wake of the 2008 crash that limits public deficits to 0.35 per cent of GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also a reserve officer in the Luftwaffe, Germanys air force, and currently holds the rank of Major. Robert Habeck, a former childrens book writer, has served as Germanys vice chancellor and economy minister since 2021. He is viewed as being on the Right of his party. In 2023, he said that Greens had to accept reality and make morally difficult decisions when it comes to tightening immigration laws. Mr Habeck encouraged Germany to increase its defence spending and said in March that we cannot rely on the Americans to always foot the bill for everything. Somewhat of a latecomer to politics, he was in his early 30s when he joined Alliance 90/The Greens in 2002 and was aged 52 when he was elected to the Bundestag in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is married, has four children and lives in Flensburg near the countrys border with Denmark. Jan van Aken, 68, from Schleswig-Holstein has the unenviable task of fighting for his partys survival. The Left is in crisis following its split from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance and is currently polling at around 3 per cent, according to an average of recent poll data. Mr van Aken studied biology at the University of Hamburg and later worked as a genetic engineering expert for Greenpeace before becoming a biological weapons specialist for the UN, according to the Rosa Luxemburg Institute. He has been co-leader of The Left since October and was an MP for the party between 2009 and 2017. Olaf Scholz was once nicknamed the Scholzomat the Scholz robot for his staccato mannerisms and technocratic image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That being said, his dependability helped him win Germanys 2021 election as he was seen in some quarters as the unofficial continuity candidate. However, back in the 1980s, he was a Left-wing firebrand who called for the downfall of capitalism and railing against imperialist Nato. By the 2010s, he was considered a sensible pragmatist and served under Ms Merkel as finance minister between 2018 and 2021. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a flicker of Mr Scholzs youthful anti-Nato instincts appeared to resurface as he repeatedly refused to allow the countrys long-range missiles to be sent to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Scholz is married to Britta Ernst, a fellow SPD politician, and grew up in Hamburg, having entered politics via the Young Socialists, the SPDs youth organisation. Although his re-election is seen as unlikely given his waning popularity, it is possible that Mr Scholz could lead his party back into power at the next election. But their approval rating currently stands at just 16 percent, which is far behind the Conservative CDU/CSU bloc at 31-34 percent and the far-Right AfD party at over 20 percent. 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. An important party panel picked Rep. Gerry Connolly over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday to lead fellow Democrats on the House Oversight Committee when the next Congress takes over in January. The Democratic Steering Committee, a group of House Democrats seeded with party leadership supporters, gave its endorsement to Connolly, an eight-term House veteran from the Virginia suburbs of Washington, on a 34-27 tally, according to a House Democratic staffer. The panels recommendation will be taken up by the full House Democratic caucus Tuesday. The fight between Connolly, 74, and Ocasio-Cortez, 35, over who will be the ranking member has been the most prominent one in an unusual wave of committee contests this year seeming to lay bare party concerns over the age of some of its leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the Oversight Committee battle, the Steering Committee held votes on who would be the top Democrat on the agriculture and natural resources committees. Asked about the generational overtones of his race with the New York City representative, Connolly told HuffPost: Bullshit. Thats not what you saw in the [Steering Committee] results. Its about competence and ability to do the job, not generation, not age, he said. Ive never had a shot. This is my shot, irrespective of my age. I have something to contribute still, and I want to do it. Of the three races within the Democratic caucus, the one between Connolly and Ocasio-Cortez drew the sharpest contrast. Connolly is a genial but always prepared former suburban Virginia county executive who is also fighting esophageal cancer, while Ocasio-Cortez, a rising star who came to Congress by defeating a 10-term Democratic incumbent, has been trying to show there is more to her persona than social media savvy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Agriculture Committee race, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) beat Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) on 34 to 22 tally in the Steering Committee, according to the staffer. Only five votes went to Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), the current ranking member whose frail health has been a source of concern during farm bill negotiations with Republicans over the past year. The other race, for the top Democratic spot on the Natural Resources Committee, also has a generational aspect, as the current ranking member, 76-year-old Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), dropped out after undergoing treatment for cancer. In the race to succeed Grijlava, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), 60, beat Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), 45, whom Grijalva had endorsed, in the Steering Committee on a 44-17 vote, according to the Democratic staffer. Typically the caucus votes to ratify the choices made by the Steering Committee, so it is unclear if all three of the contested races will also be put to caucus votes Tuesday, though the Oversight Committee race was considered almost a certainty to go to a full vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Stansbury made it sound like she would also take her case to the full caucus. As the caucus prepares to consider Committee races tomorrow, Rep. Stansbury looks forward to continuing the conversation, said Communications Director Caroline Sweeney in an email. In the Agriculture Committee race, Scott had reportedly decided not to try his case again after the third-place showing in the Steering Committee. Asked about how he felt his Oversight Committee chances would be in front of the whole caucus, Connolly told HuffPost, Im feeling pretty good about it. WASHINGTON The lawmaker leading Republicans counter-investigation into the House Jan. 6 committee said former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) should face a criminal investigation over her committee work. In a report published Tuesday, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.), chairman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, said Cheney may have illegally tampered with a witness and encouraged that witness to commit perjury. Based on the evidence obtained by this Subcommittee, numerous federal laws were likely broken by Liz Cheney, the former Vice Chair of the January 6 Select Committee, and these violations should be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the report says in its conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheney served as vice chair of the House select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a bipartisan investigative panel that produced a final report blaming President-elect Donald Trump for inciting the attack, laying out his broader efforts to undo the 2020 election result, and prodding the Justice Department to bring federal charges. The wrongdoing accusation outlined in Tuesdays report centers on Cheneys interaction with former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. The report claims Cheney improperly interfered with Hutchinsons relationship with her attorney, Stefan Passantino, causing her to alter her testimony after having spoken to the committee twice. It is no surprise that the claims made in Hutchinsons first two sworn interviews vary substantially from the claims she made following Representative Cheneys direct intervention, the report says. As Hutchinson said in a transcribed interview with the committee, however, her Trump-aligned attorney had discouraged her from offering candid testimony while promising lucrative jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The less you remember, the better, Hutchinson said Passantino told her. Were gonna get you a really good job in Trump world. Hutchinson testified to the Jan. 6 committee that she believed Passantinos advice would lead her to commit a crime by making false statements to the committee, and that her breaking point came when she said Passantino told her to stop cooperating with the committee altogether. Loudermilks report said the Jan. 6 committee manufactured the story that Hutchinson told in her own words about her lawyer. Hutchinsons most explosive allegation, in public testimony before the Jan. 6 committee, was that she was told Trump so wanted to accompany his supporters at the U.S. Capitol that he lunged at a member of his security detail. Trumps driver that day, however, disputed Hutchinsons second-hand account, according to Jan. 6 committee testimony previously disclosed by Loudermilk. Cheney said in a statement Tuesday that Loudermilks new report fabricates lies and defamatory allegations that are a malicious and cowardly assault on the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether the Justice Department goes after Cheney will be an early test of whether Republicans and Trump will seek retribution against Trumps political opponents. The president-elect said earlier this month that Cheney and other members of the committee should go to jail. Trumps pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, has said in the past he would use the government to go after Trumps enemies in government and the media. Trump has drawn on Loudermilks work in his fulminations against the Jan. 6 committee, so the Georgia Republicans material on Cheney could get significant attention from the incoming president. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), who was a member of the Jan. 6 committee, suggested Tuesday that Loudermilks criminal referral will hit a brick wall. She noted that members of Congress cant be prosecuted for doing their official duties per Article I, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution. The idea that legislative activity would be the subject of a criminal investigation is unconstitutional, Lofgren told HuffPost. Loudermilks recommendation for a criminal investigation mirrors the Jan. 6 committees recommendation that Passantino face charges for interfering with a witness. Loudermilks work has always had a small element of payback former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) put Loudermilk in charge of the counter-investigation after the Jan. 6 committee dubiously suggested Loudermilk led Jan. 6 rioters on a reconnaissance tour of the Capitol basement, an insinuation Capitol Police said was untrue. His subcommittees reports have argued it wasnt actually Trumps fault that a mob of his supporters attacked the Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for retribution in Trumps second term, several Senate Republicans told HuffPost last week that they did not expect Patel to follow through on his past pledge to go after Trumps enemies. And Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday he didnt think members of the Jan. 6 committee should go to jail. But it wont be up to them. Related... President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly no longer considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s daughter-in-law as a potential deputy director of the CIA. Citing sources familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, The Washington Post reports that Trump has already dismissed Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, a former undercover CIA operative whos married to Kennedys son Bob Kennedy III, as a contender for the role. The decision reportedly arose from Republican lawmakers concerns that Fox Kennedy might push for major changes at the CIA. The sources added that pressure from Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas was particularly strong, and claimed that he lobbied Trumps chief of staff Susie Wiles and others close to the president-elect to prevent Fox Kennedys selection. 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 The deputy director role is one of the most important roles at the CIA, and one of the most powerful positions in national security. However, its appointment does not require Senate confirmation, meaning that whoever Trump ends up selecting for the role would likely be the final pick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those apprehensive about Fox Kennedy were reportedly concerned over any relative of RFK Jr. getting too close to the CIA in general, particularly regarding past comments made by his uncle, former president John F. Kennedy. The 35th President of the United States famously declared that he wanted to splinter the CIA into a thousand pieces and scatter it to the winds following its failed 1961 attempt to overthrow Fidel Castros government in Cuba. While Fox Kennedy has never expressed similar sentiments, a source familiar with the matter told The Post that Cotton and others were concerned about getting Bobby Kennedys proxy in the building. Another person close to Cotton said that the senator was concerned over comments Fox Kennedy made on Al Jazeera in 2016, where she argued for the importance of trying to understand Americas enemies. The only real way to disarm your enemy is to listen to them, Fox Kennedy said at the time, which Cotton reportedly likened to sympathizing with terrorists. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) at a meeting with Senate Republicans in the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 16, 2022. / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Slated to chair the Senate Intelligence Committee next year, Cotton was not the only critic of Fox Kennedy, but was reportedly her most strident, according to the Posts sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CIA position is reportedly not the only role Trump is considering for Fox Kennedy, with sources familiar with the matter disclosing that he wants her in a national security position. The sources suspect Fox Kennedy could be in the running for a position at the White House National Security Council, or at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence instead. Spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition, Karoline Leavitt, told The Post in a statement that, President-Elect Trump continues to make decisions on who will serve in his second Administration. Those decisions will continue to be announced when they are made. The union representing thousands of federal workers said it would fight any effort by President-elect Donald Trump to block a Biden administration agreement allowing thousands of federal workers to continue with remote work. "It's ridiculous," Trump said Monday of the agreement Social Security Administration Commissioner Martin O'Malley signed with the American Federation of Government Employees extending telework protections until 2029 before he stepped down last month. Trump, who spoke to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, called the deal "very terrible" and said it's interfering with his plans for how to handle the federal workforce, which include ending remote work. He said he would seek to challenge the rule in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If people don't come back to work, come back into the office, they're going to be dismissed, and somebody in the Biden administration gave a five-year waiver of that, so that for five years people dont have to come back into the office, Trump said at his first post-election news conference. They just signed this thing, he said. So it was, like, a gift to a union, and we are going to obviously be in court to stop it, he added. In a statement later Monday, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said the union would fight any effort to strip those protections. "Collective bargaining agreements entered into by the federal government are binding and enforceable under the law. 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, Kelley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Telework and remote work are tools that have helped the federal government increase productivity and efficiency, maintain continuity of operations, and increase disaster preparedness," he added. The White House declined to comment. The SSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ending work-from-home is a key priority of two of Trump's top advisers, Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, who are set to lead efforts to increase government efficiency and reduce costs. Ramaswamy told Tucker Carlson after Trump's election victory that he believed ending remote work would lead to mass resignations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just tell them they have to come back five days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Ramaswamy told Carlson, predicting it would lead to a 25% thinning out of the federal bureaucracy right there. In his statement, Kelley said, Rumors of widespread federal telework and remote work are simply untrue." "More than half of federal employees cannot telework at all because of the nature of their jobs, only ten percent of federal workers are remote, and those who have a hybrid arrangement spend over sixty percent of working hours in the office," he said. Trump touted the work Musk and Ramaswamy have been doing at the news conference, saying they're aiming to "eliminate hundreds of billions of dollars of waste and fraud. And I can only tell you, Ill give you a little early report, theyre finding things that you wouldnt even believe. So were looking to save maybe $2 trillion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents of workers returning to the office include Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat. She told reporters last month that more federal workers going back to work in the city would bring vibrancy back to our town. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Now that the verdict in the trial for the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee has been announced, one of the most important witnesses and memorable characters throughout the entire case was Khazar Momeni. Momeni is the sister of Nima Momeni, the man found guilty of 2nd degree murder in Lees killing. She allegedly had an intimate relationship with Lee and spent time with both men on the night of the killing. Bob Lee murder trial: Nima Momeni found guilty of 2nd degree murder Who is Khazar Momeni? Khazar is the younger sister of Nima Momeni, who is accused of fatally stabbing Lee near the Bay Bridge on April 4, 2023. Khazar was a star witness at the trial, testifying for multiple days. Khazar Momeni waits outside the courtroom before she testified on Oct. 22, 2024. (KRON4 Photo) Khazar (Photo by Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images) Khazar Momeni walks out of a San Francisco courtroom with her mother on Oct. 22, 2024. (KRON4 Photo) Khazar, who also went by the name Tina, is married to a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon named Dino Elyassnia. Court documents state they live at the Millenium Tower, a luxurious 35-story high-rise in San Francisco. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khazar and her husband are paying for Nima Momenis defense team. Throughout the trial. she did not imply anything negative about her brother. Witnesses told police that Khazar was romantically involved with Lee. The jury saw a text message from Lee requesting a sexual favor from Khazar. Lees family has been critical of Khazar, and his ex-wife called her the whore of high tower. Khazar called Lee a very erratic person. Khazars story on the night of Lees murder In October, Khazar Momeni testified on the stand for hours as prosecutors pelted her with questions. She said she partied with friends and used drugs on the night of Lees death. She also said Lees drug dealer sexually assaulted her on the same night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the night of April 2, Khazar had a get-together at her apartment, and Lee showed up with his drug dealer. After a night of partying, Khazar ended up at the apartment of the drug dealer, Jeremy Boivin. Khazar Momeni arrives at the San Francisco courthouse on Oct. 21, 2024. (KRON4 Photo) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boivin gave Khazar whippets and LSD, which she had never tried before. Lee later showed up with a friend and the group all used drugs together, Khazar testified. Khazar became uncomfortable at Lees friend staring at her, and Boivin asked Lee and his friend to leave. Khazar invited a female friend over and began to feel the effects of the LSD, she said. Boivin then gave Khazar and her friend a drug called GHB and then sexually assaulted her, she testified. He lost consciousness while face-down on his bed. We passed out, he didnt. I couldnt move my body. I woke up twice, just opened my eyes, and then out again. When I passed out, me and her were both face down. He was walking around in tiny little red shorts. I woke up in a one-piece swimsuit. I started crying, Ive never cried like that before, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Khazar woke up, she sent her location to Nima, who picked her up and drove her home. Video shown in court depicted her disheveled and barely able to stand as she left Boivins apartment. She was her apartment with her brother and husband when Boivin arrived to pick up some of his drugs, she said. She was still receiving drugs from Boivin as recently as August 2024. Boivin left and Lee arrived, and he began to talk to Nima Momeni. She asked the men to leave and invited Boivin back over to ask for more drugs, she said. She never reported the sexual assault to police. About 30 minutes later, Lee was stabbed to death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Ukraines Security Service, or SBU, has claimed responsibility for killing Lt. General Igor Kirillov, head of the militarys nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, in a bombing Tuesday in Moscow. Kirillov, 54, was killed alongside his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, when a bomb planted on a scooter exploded outside an apartment block. An official with the SBU said the agency was behind the attack. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information, described Kirillov as a war criminal and an entirely legitimate target. On Monday, Kirillov was charged in absentia by the SBU for ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraines Defense Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out other high-profile attacks throughout the nearly 3-year-old war. Kyiv has hinted at its involvement but Ukrainian officials have stopped short of publicly claiming responsibility. Other high-profile attacks that Russia has blamed on Ukraine: Darya Dugina TV commentator Darya Dugina, 29, was killed in August 2022 when a remote-controlled bomb planted in her SUV blew up as she drove on Moscow's outskirts. Her father, Alexander Dugin, was widely believed to be the intended target. The philosopher, writer and political theorist is an ardent supporter of the war and a prominent proponent of the ideology that emphasizes traditional values, the restoration of Russias power and the unity of all ethnic Russians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine denied responsibility for the attack, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying Dugina is not our responsibility. She is not a citizen of our country. We are not interested in her. Russias Federal Security Agency, the FSB, publicly identified two suspects, Ukrainian citizens. Vladlen Tatarsky Military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky was killed in April 2023 when a bomb tore through a cafe in central St Petersburg where he had been speaking. Tatarsky, 40, supported the war in Ukraine and filed regular reports from the front for his Telegram followers. Born in the Donbas region, Ukraines industrial heartland, the former coal miner was convicted of bank robbery and escaped after a Russia-backed separatist rebellion engulfed the region in 2014. He joined the rebels and fought on the front line before turning to blogging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darya Trepova, 26, was convicted of the bombing and sentenced to 27 years in prison after she was seen on camera presenting a small statue to Tatarsky that exploded shortly afterward. Trepova testified she didnt know the gift contained a bomb. Zakhar Prilepin Nationalist Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin narrowly avoided death in a car bombing in Russias Nizhny Novgorod region in May 2023. His driver was killed, while Prilepin was hospitalized with broken bones, bruised lungs and other injuries. Prilepin, known for support of the war, was sanctioned by the European Union. A Ukrainian, Alexander Permyakov, was found guilty of the attack in a Russian court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Russias Investigative Committee accused him of working under orders from Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stanislav Rzhitsky Former submarine commander Stanislav Rzhitsky was gunned down in July 2023 while jogging in Krasnodar, Russia. Ukrainian media reported that Rzhitsky was one of six submarine commanders able to launch the long-range missiles that hit Vinnytsia, Ukraine, a year earlier, killing 23 people and wounding over 100. When he died, Rzhitsky was deputy head of a military mobilization office in Krasnodar. Russian media outlets reported that the 42-year-old regularly used a fitness app that could have been used to track his movements, Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys main intelligence directorate, denied Kyiv's involvement in the death. However, the agency also released details about the killing, including the time of the attack and the number of shots fired. A 64-year-old Ukrainian-born man, Sergei Denisenko, was later arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illia Kyva Illia Kyva, a Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia shortly after the full-scale invasion, was found dead near Moscow in December 2023 with a gunshot wound to the head. A controversial political figure in Ukraine before the war, Kyva, 46, often appeared on pro-Kremlin TV talk shows and discussions. A month before his death, a Ukrainian court found him guilty in absentia of treason and sentenced him to 14 years in prison. Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukraines military intelligence, said after Kyvas death that the same fate will befall other traitors of Ukraine." He did not say who was behind the killing. Russias state Investigative Committee opened a probe, but no charges have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sergei Yevsyukov Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of a prison that housed Ukrainian POWs, was killed Dec. 9 after a bomb exploded under a car in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, Ukrainian media reported. One other person was injured in the blast. Yevsyukov had run the Olenivka Prison, where dozens of POWs died in a missile strike in July 2022. He later was charged in absentia by Ukrainian authorities with mass torture." Russian authorities said Saturday they had detained a suspect in the attack. Mikhail Shatsky Ukrainian media reported Dec. 12 that Russian missile designer Mikhail Shatsky was gunned down in a suburban Moscow park. Shatsky worked at the Moscow Experimental Design Bureau Mars, where he reportedly oversaw the modernization of cruise missiles. Several Ukrainian media outlets reported that Shatsky had been shot while walking in the Kuzminsky forest, near his home. Russian news media reported on a disturbance in the same area on the day of Shatskys reported death, but did not elaborate. PALERMO One of the two kindergarteners injured in a Northern California school shooting in early December may not regain the use of his legs, the family told CBS Sacramento on Thursday. The family said that Elias Wolford, 5, suffered damage to his spinal cord. Wolford's aunt Tawnee Preisner said doctors told her that Wolford was able to move his legs when he was first admitted to the hospital, but that movement was lost after his first surgery and has not yet returned. "He has lost movement. We are hoping that it would come back and it was just swelling. We knew that there was some spinal damage, but we were all hoping, but at this point, it looks like he is not going to regain it with the swelling going down," Preisner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wolford and Roman Mendez, 6, were both shot at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Butte County on December 4, 2024. Six-year-old Roman Mendez (left) and 5-year-old Elias Wolford (right) were wounded during a shooting at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Butte County on Wednesday, Dec. 4. / Credit: Butte County Sheriff's Office Wolford was shot in the stomach while Mendez suffered two gunshot wounds that resulted in internal injuries. Both of the young victims had been hospitalized in critical condition but were deemed stable five days after the shooting. Wolford's family created a GoFundMe to help with his recovery efforts. The suspect was identified as 56-year-old Glenn Litton. A California Highway Patrol officer found Litton later that day with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a gun next to him. He was declared dead shortly after. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said Litton was found to have a lengthy criminal history and attended another Adventist school as a child in the nearby town of Paradise. 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 KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) On Nov. 8, Kinston Police Department received report of an assault on a 2-year-old child. According to the press release, the child was hit by their teacher at Bethel Christian Academy. The academy notified the childs parents that Eunice Massengill, 72, of Goldsboro, hit the child. After investigation, officers charged Massengill with assault on a child under 12. Wayne County Sheriffs Office served the summons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. For many travelers, an Arizona vacation might feel incomplete without stops in Sedona and the Grand Canyon. U.S. News & World Report seems to agree: Both popular destinations were included in its 2025 Best Vacations rankings. Grand Canyon National Park and Sedona are popular places to go in Arizona and are revered for their natural beauty and outdoor activities. Sedona frequently receives accolades from national travel publications and travelers; for example, Tripadvisor users named it one of the best places in the U.S. to travel in 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time both destinations ranked strongly in the U.S. News survey. Grand Canyon was named the No. 3 U.S. destination in a 2023-24 survey. You can see the entire U.S. News 2025 Best Vacation rankings here. Free things to do in Sedona: From hikes to the Chapel of the Holy Cross Grand Canyon, Sedona rank top 5 in U.S. News best vacations U.S. News' best vacation rankings included Arizona destinations in the top 5 in three of its 16 categories: Best places to visit in the U.S.: Grand Canyon is No. 4. Best cheap vacations in the U.S.: Grand Canyon is No. 4. Best small towns to visit in the U.S.: Sedona is No. 5. What is the #1 place to vacation in the US? The best U.S. destination to visit in 2025 is Glacier National Park in Montana, according to the U.S. News ranking. How is the U.S. News Best Vacations list determined? U.S. News bases its assessment on a variety of factors, including user and editor rankings, seasonality and affordability. Advertisement Advertisement The users and editors scores are weighted 50-50. User scores are determined by travelers who respond "yes" to a prompt asking whether they believe a destination belongs on the list. Editor scores are determined by three criteria: A 0 to 5 ranking, with 5 meaning phenomenal, in categories such as sights, culture, people, food, family, nightlife, adventure, romance, value and accessibility. Editor scores are then averaged together to calculate the average score for each category of the above characteristics. Destinations' overall scores are a weighted average of the individual editors' averages, based on which factors travelers said were most important to them. Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist whos covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republics consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 Arizona cities named best 2025 vacation destinations in US (NEXSTAR) A student and a teacher were killed and six more people were injured Monday after a 15-year-old student opened fire in a study hall at a Christian school, according to police in Wisconsins capitol city. As of Tuesday morning, the victims had not been publicly identified. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Monday night that the student killed was a teenager but did not provide any additional information. Those injured include five students and another teacher. During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Barnes said that two students remain in critical condition. Of the others who were injured, all with less serious injuries, two remain hospitalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 15-year-old girl kills teacher and teenager at a Christian school in Wisconsin The ages of the students have also not been shared but Abundant Life Christian School, a nondenominational school of roughly 420 students in Madison, serves pre-kindergarten through high school. Its unclear if those who were killed and injured were targeted. On Tuesday, Barnes said everyone was targeted in the shooting. 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. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Dane County Executive Melissa Agard declined to disclose the names of the victims during Tuesdays press conference, which Barnes left after making remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leave them alone, Rhodes-Conway snapped. Let them grieve. Let them recover. Let them heal. Multiple services and vigils have been planned to honor the victims of Mondays shooting, according to Madison outlet WISC. The United Way of Dane County has also established an emergency recovery fund with all proceeds going to the schools families. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims. The order began Monday and will run through sunset on Sunday. 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, Evers said in a statement. We are also praying and hoping all those injured survive and recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter has been identified as Natalie Rupnow, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound by arriving officers. She died en route to the hospital. The website for the anti-violence organization Everytown for Gun Safety shows that there have been at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, in 2024. That data doesnt include the latest shooting in Madison. Things to know about the shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin The deadliest school shooting in 2024 happened in September at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Last year, 45 people died in 158 school shootings, the Everytown for Gun Safety website shows. Sixty-seven people died in 181 school shootings in 2022, according to the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A teacher and a student were killed at a private school in Wisconsin on Monday after a person authorities identified as a teenage student at Abundant Life Christian School opened fire. Six people were injured, and the suspected shooter, a 15-year-old female student, was killed, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters. Heres what we know about the shooting: When did the shooting happen? Authorities were dispatched to a report of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School, east of downtown Madison, at 10:57 a.m., Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second-grade teacher made the 911 call, he said at a news conference Tuesday. Barnes had incorrectly said Monday that a second-grade student made the call. That was a mistake. Thats my responsibility, and I apologize and I clarify that today, he said. At the time of the shooting, Barnes said, officers had been training to respond to similar scenarios. So what began as a training day became an actual thing, he said. Law enforcement officers respond to a report of a school shooter at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., on Monday. Where did the shooting happen? The private school, east of downtown Madison, was founded in 1978 and teaches kindergarten through 12th grade to roughly 335 students. The shooting happened in a classroom during study hall, Barnes said, adding that students in a variety of grade levels were in the room. Who are the victims? A teenage student and a teacher were fatally shot, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dane County Medical Examiners Office identified the victims Wednesday as 14-year-old Rubi P. Vergara, of Madison; and Erin M. West, 42, of Deforest. Vergara and West, who were pronounced dead on scene, died of homicidal firearm related trauma, according to the medical examiner's office. West was a substitute teacher at Abundant Life Christian School before becoming permanent staff as a sub coordinator and in-building substitute teacher, "a role tailor made for her abundant skills and breadth of knowledge," Barbara Wiers, the school's director of communications, said in a statement. Wiers said the school "is a better school for the work of Erin West," calling her loss "a painful and deep one." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vergara had been a student at the school since kindergarten, according to Wiers, who called her "blessing to her class and our school." The three students and one teacher who were taken to the hospital with minor injuries have all been discharged, police said Wednesday night. Two other students were taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said they both remain in the hospital as of Wednesday night. Barnes said Tuesday some have asked whether the shooter targeted victims in the shooting. Everyone was targeted in this incident, he said. And everyone was put in equal danger. The Abundant Life Christian School campus after the shooting. Who is the shooter? Barnes identified the suspect as Natalie Rupnow, 15, who went by Samantha, a student at Abundant Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She died en route to a hospital of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, Barnes said. The medical examiner's office said she died as a result of firearm-related trauma, and noted additional testing was underway. The county medical examiner will make an official determination of the cause and manner of death, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said a motive was not clear. Investigators have talked to the shooters family and searched the home, Barnes said. Her parents are fully cooperating, Barnes said. A handgun was recovered, said Barnes, who did not provide additional details about it. How are officials responding? Hours after the shooting, President Joe Biden pressed Congress to pass gun reform legislation, including universal background checks and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. "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," Biden said in a statement. "We cannot continue to accept it as normal." Students are escorted from a church next to school. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., said: "Thoughts and prayers without action means more school shootings, more dead kids. More ACTION is needed by our elected officials." He also provided location details for a reunification site and a phone number for people who need help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., offered his "condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School." He said he would continue to closely monitor the situation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Two people a teacher and a 14-year-old student were killed and several others were wounded in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday that also left the suspected shooter dead, officials said. At least six people were hurt in the shooting, authorities said, with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Two people remained hospitalized on Friday in critical but stable condition. Officers responded to the school at around 11 a.m. following a 911 call from a second grade teacher reporting 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.) The shooting was confined to a classroom where study hall with students from several different grades was being held, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do we know about the suspected shooter? The shooter was identified by police as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow. Rupnow was a student at the school and went by Samantha, Madison Chief of Police Shon F. Barnes said Monday night. Barnes said Rupnow appears to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead while being taken to the hospital, although the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said she was pronounced dead at the hospital. The medical examiner confirmed preliminary testing showed Rupnow appeared to have died "as a result of firearm related trauma." "They found the person who they believe was responsible, who was down, deceased," Barnes said earlier in the day of how the shooter was discovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the suspected shooter was dead by the time officers arrived, and no police fired their weapons. He said the shooter's motivation is not yet known. Barnes also could not say how the shooter obtained a gun, but that it would be part of the investigation. "What we do know is that this child obviously was very troubled. 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," Barnes said in an interview with "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday. "We have to wrap our arms around our children and understand what's going on in their lives." Police have made contact with the suspected shooter's family, Barnes said, and the family was cooperating with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Rupnow was her parents' only child, and the mother and father, Mellissa and Jeff Rupnow, shared joint legal custody of her. Rupnow's parents divorced and remarried twice during her life, with the records indicating they married two years after their daughter's birth, in 2011, and divorced in 2014. After that initial divorce, records show they remarried in 2017 and filed for divorce a second time in 2020. Before her parents remarried, Rupnow lived primarily with her mother and alternated between her parents' respective homes on weekends. Another joint custody agreement was settled after the second divorce filing, which called for the child to alternate between the mother and father's homes every two or three days. But court documents show Rupnow was enrolled in therapy by July 2022 and living mainly with her father. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it was working on an "urgent trace" of the firearm used in the shooting. Barnes earlier said that a handgun was recovered after the shooting. However, on a Madison city website providing details about the shooting, police disclosed Wednesday that two guns were found at the school, but only one was used. A law enforcement source previously told CBS News the weapon used appears to have been a 9 mm pistol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is extremely rare for women to carry out mass shootings. Exact figures vary slightly, depending on how a research group defines what constitutes a mass shooting, but their findings overwhelmingly point to the same pattern. Data generally show men make up more than 95% of perpetrators, while women make up less than 5%. Of 195 mass shootings that the nonprofit Violence Prevention Group tracked between 1966 and 2022, just 4 of the shooting perpetrators were women, and 192 were men. What do we know about the victims of the school shooting? Other than the suspected shooter, two people were killed a teenage student and a teacher officials said. At least six people were injured, including two who were in critical condition with injuries that were considered life-threatening. The student who was killed was identified as 14-year-old Rubi Vergara. The teacher was identified as 42-year-old Erin West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vergara was a freshman who was described in an obituary as "an avid reader" who "loved art, singing and playing keyboard in the family worship band. She shared a special bond with her beloved pets, Ginger (cat) and Coco (dog)." Both Vergara and West were pronounced dead at the school, the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. "Preliminary results of the examinations confirm that Mrs. West and Miss Vergara died as a result of homicidal firearm related trauma," the medical examiner said. According to Pastor Chris Dolson, who spoke at a vigil for the victims on Monday night, West 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS News has not independently confirmed if West was a substitute or full-time teacher. As of Monday evening, two injured people have been released from the hospital, Barnes said. The police chief initially said all of the injured victims were students, but later said a teacher was among the wounded. In an update on Friday, UW Health Medical Center said the two people who were still in the hospital were in critical condition but stable. "I'm feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas," said Barnes. "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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes taught history at a public high school for four years before switching to a career in law enforcement and said Monday's shooting impacted him tremendously. "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 understanding that our kids need to be safe in order to learn," he said on "CBS Mornings." What do we know about Abundant Life Christian School? Abundant Life Christian School is a private K-12 school founded in 1978, according to its website. The school has about 420 students, a school administrator said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS," the school posted on Facebook. The school describes itself as a "private, nonprofit, nondenominational K-12 institution founded for the purpose of developing disciples of Jesus Christ through an excellent, comprehensive, Biblically-integrated educational program that is thoroughly Christian in content, context, and practice." Barnes was asked about metal detectors at the school during a Monday news conference. "I'm not aware that the school had metal detectors, nor should schools have metal detectors. It's a safe space," Barnes said. The shooting took place at Abundant Life Christian School, a private school in Madison, Wisconsin, with about 420 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. / Credit: Murat Usubaliev/Anadolu via Getty Images Barbara Wiers, the school's director of Elementary & School Relations, confirmed that while there are no metal detectors at the school, there are security protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every student is visually scanned before they go up to their locker spaces or into their classrooms," Wiers said during a press conference. There are cameras in the building, which students are aware of, Wiers said. The cameras are regularly monitored in the office. What are the gun laws in Wisconsin? The Giffords Law Center, which reviews gun laws, gave Wisconsin a C on its annual scorecard. According to the center, "the state still lacks a number of key policies that would go a long way toward reducing gun violence." In Wisconsin, possession of a firearm under the age of 18 is a misdemeanor, while selling, loaning or giving a gun to a person under the age of 18 is a felony. It's also a state crime to allow a child under the age of 14 to be within reach of a loaded firearm. Bringing a loaded weapon into a school is also a crime. President Biden, Gov. Evers respond to Wisconsin shooting President Biden was briefed on the Wisconsin shooting, a White House Official said. Mr. Biden called the shooting shocking and unconscionable, and called on Congress to act. "From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don't 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. 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." Gov. Tony Evers ordered the U.S. and Wisconsin flags flown at half-staff after the shooting. "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," Evers said. "This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. Former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who founded a national gun violence prevention organization, said her heart went out to the Madison community. "Just days after we remembered the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, another school community has been subjected to the terror of a mass shooting in Madison," Giffords said in a statement. "Students deserve to attend school free from gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of childrena devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders." How many school shootings have happened in 2024 so far? Monday's shooting happened just days after the victims of the Dec. 14, 2012, Sandy Hook school shooting were remembered. According to Education Week, there have been 38 school shootings this year that resulted in injuries or deaths. Bar chart showing the number of shooting incidents in U.S. schools since 2014 to present. Earlier this month, two kindergarteners were wounded in a Northern California school shooting. In the last four years, school shootings have killed more than 200 people and injured more than 600, according to a CBS News analysis of the K-12 School Shooting Database. Teen shooter connected to man accused of plotting separate attack Sneak peek: The Journals of Maria Munoz Sneak peek: Shootout at the Shaughnessys' Police on Monday night identified the student suspected of killing a teenage classmate and teacher and wounding six others at a Christian school in Madison earlier in the day. Evidence suggests the suspected shooter, a 15-year-old female student, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Monday night. She was found when police arrived about 11 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School, 4901 E. Buckeye Rd., and died on the way to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the six who were injured, two students remained in critical condition with life-threatening injuries Monday night. A teacher and three other students were initially hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Two had been released from the hospital as of 5:30 p.m., he said. Who was the suspected Abundant Life Christian School shooter? Barnes identified the suspected shooter as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. Barnes did not immediately know what grade she was in. Was the suspected shooter in school at the beginning of the day? Barnes said earlier Monday that police believed she had been at school earlier in the day and that investigators had no evidence of a breach to the school building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the shooting happened in a classroom during a study hall that included students of various grades. How common are female school shooters? It is rare for school shooters to be female, according to the data and experts who study such events. Of 544 school shooting incidents over an 11-year period, less than 5% of the shooters were female, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit group that advocates for stronger gun laws. The group noted that the gender of the shooter is not always available so data are incomplete. Justin Heinze, an associate professor of health behavior and health equity at the University of Michigan, cautioned against drawing conclusions from such data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'll tell anybody who asks me that there is not necessarily a profile," Heinze said. "I cannot give you individual characteristics, or some patterns of behavior, or some life experiences, that produce with any real accuracy who might end up perpetrating an event like this." "I think we need to be careful when we have conversations like this, because then you can kind of conflate pieces of information," he added. What else are Madison police looking into following the school shooting? Barnes said police have not yet verified certain information circulating online, including a purported manifesto from the shooter. Madison police have shared that document with the FBI and are looking into some of the things written in that document, he said. He cautioned social media users to be cautious about what they share online. Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about the suspect in the Madison school shooting Head of RT Margarita Simonyan, a decorated state TV propagandist and Kremlin insider, has spilled not only Russias hopes and dreams for Donald Trumps second term in office but also Moscows strategy for suckering him in. She believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin has an irresistible sway over Trump and will extract the desired outcomebut only if they meet face-to-face, without any influence or interference from other American power brokers, a la Helsinki, where the two men held discussions in secret. The head of RT is convinced that a personal meeting between Trump and Putin will totally reverse the course taken by the Biden administration, including the sanctions that banned her propaganda network from American airwaves. Speaking on the program The Right To Know, Simonyan predicted that the incoming Trump administration would attempt to establish good relations with Russia and lift multiple sanctions. According to her, RT has good reason to believe that under Trump, it will return to the U.S. cable networks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simonyan explained that the ban cost many Americans their jobs and that alone should prompt Trump to reverse course. She noted, These are American citizens and not the immigrants that irritate Trump. These are real Americans with real values that Trump and Elon Musk are defending. The RT boss expressed her belief that this simplistic explanation should suffice for the incoming administration to lift the sanctions against Russias premier state TV outlet. Simonyan said, I think there is no way Trump doesnt understand thisand if he doesnt, its just because the word didnt get to him yet, in which case well make sure that it does. At the same time, Simonyan admitted that she dreams of Russia becoming more like China in terms of totalitarian government censorship that will allow Moscow to control its domestic info-space while banning Google, YouTube, and other foreign platforms from Russia. Simonyan scoffed at Trumps promise to achieve peace in Ukraine in 24 hours and shrugged off his interest in a peace deal as part and parcel of American politics. She aligned the intellectual level of American politicians to Soviet kindergarteners and ascribed their disagreements to childish spite. Simonyan mused, If Biden is for war, then Trump is for peace. Otherwise, how will he set himself apart? Simonyan and other prominent state TV propagandists are not impressed by the proposals allegedly put forth by Trumps team. The idea of European peacekeepers that would monitor a potential ceasefire has ruffled feathers in Moscow, prompting state TV host Vladimir Solovyov to threaten them in advance : We will kill all of you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state TV experts, Russia remains disinterested in any peace deal that would not involve Ukraines unconditional capitulation. Peacemaking proposals aside, Trumps cabinet picks continue to thrill Putins mouthpieces . Simonyan noted, I would endorse most of what [Vivek] Ramaswamy says. She readily admitted, These people who are being announced as potential members of his team certainly bring us lots of joy. Most of these people are constant guests of RTs broadcasts. Until RT was shut down, they were our constant guests. For example, Tulsi Gabbard, who keeps being hounded about this right now, Ah, you love RT, you constantly shared their clips, you constantly went there. Well, she did come to us all the time, its true. Its not something you can concealand she is not the only one. Many prominent propagandists and experts eagerly anticipate Trumps impending arrival. Experts on Vladimir Solovyovs show, The Evening With Vladimir Solovyov, urged the Kremlin not to withdraw Russian troops from Syria . Even that situation is expected to shift in Russias favor under Trump. Russian experts predicted that under the new US administration, life will become easier, significantly easier. In general, the head of RT reported that Trumps potential appointees fill her with optimism. Simonyan boasts about her ability to predict the future using logic. She recounted predicting a big war between Russia and Ukraine in December 2021 and later collecting multiple bottles of champagne from everyone who bet against her premonitionwhich might have been boosted by her close ties to the Kremlin. Journalist Maxim Yusin noted, Its either due to your logic or reliable sources of informationperhaps both. Leaning into her self-proclaimed reputation of a soothsayer, Simonyan promised, Either way, we will win. Youll see. Even for a very frequent flier, this is a singular first. Its October, and Im zipping over northern Argentina in a Cessna Grand Caravan the kind of workhorse airplane I used to skydive out of a lifetime ago. The plan is to stay inside, but this flight still thrills because the passenger list includes a wild jaguar. And it has just woken up. The 74-year-old woman sitting next to me shows concern not for our safety but that of the apex predator in the box right behind our seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We started the journey a few hours before at a jaguar reintroduction center in the wetlands of Ibera National Park. After the vet sedated the cat with a dart and prepared to stuff her ears with cotton to muffle the propeller noise, the once-CEO of Patagonia Kristine Tompkins looked on with mothering concern. It must have been exhilarating, the first few times you did this, I said in a hush. Its exhilarating still, she replied, eyes locked on the jaguar. But so many things can go wrong. I just worry about how its all going to go. Whats the stress on the animal? The stress on the team? On the plane, I peek at the groggy cat through an air hole in the box and then out the Caravan window at the town of Juan Jose Castelli below our landing spot. It strikes me how the folks below would never imagine a wild jaguar in the sky, because such a translocation has never been tried. But if the woman on the plane has her way, this is just the beginning; Chaco Province will be part of the most ambitious conservation project on Earth. Kris Tompkins carefully feeds a jaguar at the jaguar reintroduction center in Ibera National Park, Argentina, October 2024. - Julian Quinones/CNN Tompkins wants to rewild the Americas. She wants pampas deer, giant anteaters, river otters and pumas to return to healthy numbers across South America. And she dreams of a day when jaguars the biggest cats on the continent can once again roam from Argentina to Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, theres so many projects that can and should be taken on immediately to bring breeding populations of jaguars back to the United States, she says emphatically. Thats a no brainer. I can imagine the headlines, I reply, eyebrows raised. What about the fear? The predator stigma? Somebody needs to put (the idea) out there, she shrugs. With a plan that addresses the fears with a tremendous amount of social interaction and education. But I havent seen an example where a species has been reintroduced and has been made extinct again by neighbors. I just havent seen it. A love story for the ages If anyone can make such an audacious claim, its the woman who helped create or expand 15 national parks in South America, thanks to a life of rugged adventure, and a romance for the ages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristine McDivitt Tompkins grew up on a California ranch and was always drawn to outdoor types, so she fell into her first job with rock climber Yvon Chouinard and his new outdoor equipment company. They called it Patagonia. Kris Tompkins became CEO of outdoor apparel brand Patagonia in the 1970s, overseeing the company's early years. - Gary Regester Kris Tompkins as a child, pictured atop a horse, 1958. - Tompkins Family Archives By 28, she was CEO, and at 43 she found the love of her life in the wilds of southern Chile. One of Chouinards best friends North Face and Esprit founder Doug Tompkins made such an impression that after one off-the-grid trip together, she retired, packed two bags and moved into his cabin. They had no phones or internet, but they had each other, Dougs plane (a tough, single-engine Husky) and a burning desire to protect the Patagonian wilderness from the ravages of cattle ranches and soy plantations. Doug would cash in stock, sell his legendary art collection and buy millions of acres in Chile and Argentina with the grand plan of giving it all away as national parks. But locals were naturally suspicious, and conspiracy theories began to fly. Some believed they were going to melt the glaciers and sell the water to China or create a shelter for Jewish people to escape World War III. Doug (right) and Kris Tompkins, pictured outside their home in Renihue, Chile, near what would become a national park they helped create in Pumalin. - Tompkins Family Archives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first five years were very rough, Kris recalls. Death threats and a lot of upheaval for team members. She says their phones were tapped and Chilean military planes would even buzz the Tompkins cabin, but they preserved until the politics changed and they could prove their intent with the opening of Pumalin National Park. There were trails and campgrounds and a restaurant and a little hotel. And the infrastructure was beautiful and respectful, and everything was for free. You didnt have to pay to camp, she says. And that really was a tectonic shift because people could see that while we may be crazy, we were doing what we were said. But in the winter of 2015, just as public sentiment was swinging their way, Doug fell out of a kayak on a massive South American lake and died of hypothermia. Kris was left to complete their vision, with their team, but without her soulmate. When he died, he took the best of me with him, and I kept the best of him with me, she told me back in 2016, in the first TV interview after his death. I carry him around with me in the pocket of my heart. But he left me with so much. "Live with no fear," says Kris Tompkins. - Tompkins Family Archives A giant step for Mini Eight years later, were together again as the plane bounces down on a grass strip and the team from Rewilding Argentina, an organization that spun out of Tompkins Conservation, transfers the precious passenger onto the bed of a 4x4. Under a blazing sun, we set out on the dusty, bouncy four-hour drive to a place fittingly known as El Impenetrable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With over 500 square miles of brambles and cacti, roseate spoonbills and howler monkeys, the forest is second only to the Amazon in continuous size in South America, but after generations of hunting and human encroachment, only a handful of jaguars remain. As the only members of the genus Panthera in the Americas, the biggest male jaguars can tip 350 pounds but the 120-pound female in the box is small enough to be named Mini. The names are all their chosen by schoolchildren, Kris tells me. You know theres this debate in science, I reply. That we shouldnt anthropomorphize wild animals and give them names? Thats baloney, she shoots back. Exactly what you would call her? 27? Really? Fabulous, she says with deadpan sarcasm. You mean so much to us. Were going to name you 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the jaguar reintroduction center in Ibera National Park, where the big cats are bred, the teams from Rewilding Argentina isolate jaguar cubs from human contact from the moment they are born and they spend the first couple of years learning to hunt in huge enclosures. Mini was one of 28 successful jaguar releases into Ibera and now has the distinction of being the first one moved into an entirely new ecosystem in the Gran Chaco. Its almost dark by the time we reach her new, temporary home and there is an awed hush among the team as we watch her disappear into the forested five-acre pen. Shell acclimate here for about eight months before shes released into the wild. Within hours, the males in El Impenetrable show signs that they know shes here. So for them and for Kris and Rewilding Argentina release day cant come soon enough. Doug would be so proud, I tell her, but she demurs with praise for the team and when pressed, offers the biggest lesson learned over her wild life. Live with no fear. Live with the real sense that youve got to get up every day and go for broke. You know, when Doug died, I lost all fear because the worst thing that could happen to me had happened. Hes been gone nine years now, but I feel that. Every day. Go for broke. You have nothing to be afraid of. This story has been updated to clarify details of Kris Tompkins personal life. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Kroger announced Monday it will be built a grocery store in the Sendera Ranch community in far north Fort Worth. The Kroger Marketplace is expected to break ground in 2025. It is unclear when the store could open. Kroger also plans to build another Marketplace in Little Elm, west of Frisco. The new Kroger will be part of Sendera Rancho Marketplace, an almost 20-acre shopping center planned for the northeast corner of Rancho Canyon Way and Sendera Ranch Boulevard. Kroger is listed as a developer of the property in city records. Typically between 100,000 and 113,000 square feet, Krogers Marketplace stores are larger than its traditional locations. Marketplace stores also sell a wider range of products, including home goods, electronics and clothes to create a one-stop shopping experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents of north Fort Worth have long pushed for new retail development, which has lagged behind residential construction in the area. Aside from a Walmart Supercenter at 2401 Avondale Haslet Road, the closest grocery store to Sendera Ranch is an H-E-B in Alliance Town Center a roughly 20 minute drive south of the community. Some residents have fought against additional development, as hundreds of new homes have brought more residents and traffic to the area. Kroger expands to the north Another new shopping center, Sendera Ranch Neighborhood Shops, is planned for the northwest corner of the intersection of Avondale Haslet Road and Sendera Ranch Boulevard. It is unclear what type of retail development the roughly 16.5-acre development could bring to the area. A Kroger Marketplace at the corner of 113 E. Bonds Ranch Road, along U.S. 287, is expected to open in 2025. The $10 million project, which will anchor the Bonds Ranch Marketplace shopping center, broke ground in November 2023. Kroger has over 200 stores in Texas. One of the largest grocers in the country, the companys annual profit was over $3 billion in 2023. Cincinnati-based Krogers attempted merger with rival Albertsons was blocked by a federal court last week. Albertsons is now suing Kroger for breaching their merger agreement. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Less than one week after a KU med student was denied an expensive medication, shell soon have the prescription her doctor says she needs. I will be going to have my prescription filled so I should have my medication by the end of the week, Kaitlyn Sy said. Patrick Mahomes cleats auction proceeds going to FARE and 15 and the Mahomies Thats partially due to the generosity of FOX4 viewers, with the GoFundMe skyrocketing from about $3,000 to more than $22,000 in a matter of days. More than enough to pay for the $8,000 medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartwarming, its humbling, its inspiring. Those are my frail attempts at trying to express whats on my mind and heart, Sy said. Sy said she is thankful and grateful that 10 days after she first made a post on LinkedIn, as she and her family became desperate, the community responded. It reassures me that despite how broken this world is there are still many, many people out there who choose goodness, Sy said. Sy has ITP, an autoimmune disorder where the platelets in her blood dont allow clotting, and shes faced some dangerous bleeding episodes. The medicine her doctor prescribed is Promacta but her plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City didnt cover it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sy says there was a misunderstanding between what prescription coverage she had and the medical network she was on. Jack Dillon is executive director of the Association of Independent Medicine where they advocate for better patient care. It almost feels like theyre made complicated to do exactly what the result there was, which is to deny somebody appropriate care. Were working in healthcare, and we have a tough time understanding ourselves. Youre going to expect the rest of the population that doesnt deal with this work every day to understand intricacies like that is unacceptable, Dillon said. Dillon says its worth looking at the system to ensure transparency and keeping patients first are the top priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KC Chiefs release former first-round pick RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire This isnt a new issue, this has been going on for decades and now in 2024, has gotten exponentially worse, Dillon said. Sy filed an appeal with her insurance company. If she doesnt hear back, she will use the GoFundMe funds to buy her medicine. Use your voice whether that be social media, use your connections because there are good people out there that will be able to help you as theyve helped me, Sy said. The first-year medical student plans to return to the classroom next month. We reconnected with Blue Cross Blue Shield and they provided a statement that reads: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue KC offers multiple insurance plans at various price points allowing members to choose what works best for their circumstances and budgets, including what benefits are covered. Before enrolling in any health insurance plan, we encourage consumers to work with their companys human resources department or a licensed insurance broker to ensure the plan they are considering will meet their needs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Los Angeles County has filed a lawsuit against the owners of Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic, accusing them of failing to contain a noxious smell that has been plaguing neighbors for nearly two years. Local and federal officials say the stench emanates from an underground fire smoldering within the landfills trash and creating a reaction event from gases and liquids. Nearby residents have complained of health issues, including headaches, nausea, eye, nose and throat irritation and vomiting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These new California driving laws take effect in 2025 These odors last for hours at a time in some cases for more than twelve hours wreaking havoc on the quiet enjoyment of these residential communities and rendering many outdoor activities unbearable, the lawsuit alleges. State officials are also investigating if the fumes have led to a cluster of cancer cases. The countys lawsuit is seeking an injunction to halt the noxious emission and force the landfills owners, Waste Connections, to pay to relocate residents until the smell is contained temporarily. The Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic, California, is seen in an aerial view from Sky5. (KTLA) This lawsuit is a necessary step to ensure accountability and compliance with the rules that protect our residents and the environment, said County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. We must hold the responsible party accountable and continue doing everything possible to restore safe and healthy living conditions for our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLA has reached out to the Waste Connection for a response to the lawsuit. Managers have insisted that they are working cooperatively with regulatory agencies to address the issues. Chiquita takes very seriously its role in the safe operation of the landfill, a statement in December 2023 read. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 17An Albert Lea man is facing a charge of first-degree drug sales after he reportedly sold a pound of methamphetamine to a South Central Drug Investigation Unit informant in July. Aruan Enrique Campa, 39, appeared on the charge on Monday. Court documents state the sale occurred July 22 for $1,700. The informant reportedly purchased the drugs at Campa's residence on the 200 block of Morningside Road. Court documents state agents listened to the exchange but could not understand it as it was in Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents state an agent reviewed the video of the transaction and positively identified Campa packing meth in multiple baggies while speaking with the informant. Campa has been convicted of previous drug offenses, including a first-degree controlled substance offense in 2015. District Court Judge Christy Hormann on Monday set Campa's bail at $50,000 with conditions or $100,000 without conditions. His next court hearing is slated for Dec. 26. Labour has ruled out compensation for almost four million women who claim they lost thousands of pounds because of changes to the state pension age. The party had previously promised to right the historic wrongs while in opposition, but secretary of state for work and pensions, Liz Kendall, confirmed on Tuesday that no compensation will be paid. In March, the parliamentary ombudsman found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had failed to properly communicate changes to the state pension age. It recommended payments of up to 2,950 each, at a cost of up to 10.5bn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Labour rejected the findings of the Ombudsman on the basis that most women affected knew that the state pension age was changing, and that sending more letters would not have made a difference. Speaking in the Commons, Ms Kendall said: We cannot accept that in the great majority of cases, sending a letter earlier would have affected whether women knew their state pension age was rising. The Government does not believe paying a flat rate to all women at a cost of up to 10.5bn would be a fair or proportionate use of taxpayers money. Not least when the previous Government failed to set aside a single penny for any compensation scheme and when they left us a 22bn black hole in the public finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister said the Government did take responsibility for maladministration in the early 2000s, which saw letters to women affected delayed by 28 months. The Government will work with the ombudsman to create an action plan to prevent future similar cases, Ms Kendall said. Ms Kendall added that 90pc of women affected knew about the changes, and said: Even if we had sent the letters, it wouldnt have made a difference for most. This is despite Labour offering Waspi women compensation of up to 31,300 in its 2019 manifesto. In 2019, Jeremy Corbyn pledged to compensate Waspis to the tune of up to 31,300 each - Instagram The Governments decision comes despite Ms Kendalls personal support for the Waspi campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Ms Kendall, then a backbench Labour MP, was pictured holding a sign which stated: I will work with Waspi to identify and deliver a fair solution for all women involved. Her personal website describes her as a longstanding supporter of the Waspi campaign. She wrote on X (formerly Twitter) at the time: As a result of changes made in 2011, women across the UK are now suffering financial hardship with 3,300 women affected in Leicester West alone! This injustice cant go on. Labours decision comes despite Ms Kendalls personal support for the Waspi campaign - Liz Kendall In 2017, the secretary of state attended a protest in Leicester alongside Waspi women, saying the Conservatives have refused to budge on the issue. From 1948 until 2010, the state pension age was 60 for women and 65 for men but a law change in 1995 ruled the womens pension age would increase to 65 between 2010 and 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Waspi women were forced to work beyond their planned retirement date, while others claim that they would have been paid tens of thousands of pounds more in state pension. Helen Whatley, the shadow secretary for work and pensions, said: I am sure that the Governments statement today will be a huge disappointment to Waspi women, and I recognise the strength of feeling on this. The decision to provide no compensation is the Governments decision and they need to own it. I am not going to let them get away with saying that this is because of a fictional black hole in the public finances. The countrys financial position now is because of their political choices. Labour MPs lined up to criticise Ms Kendalls announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour backbencher, Brian Leishman, said he was appalled at the decision, telling the Commons: This is an incredible let down. Waspi women, in my opinion, certainly do not need words of disappointment and they certainly do not need hollow statements. What they need is justice. Former Labour MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, a long-term supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, said that it was unprecedented for the Government to agree with the findings of an ombudsman but refuse to pay compensation. She told the Commons: Many even lost their homes. The secretary must realise that an apology is welcome but it is not enough for them. Gareth Snell, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, said the decision was a sad moment as he asked the Government to consider providing compensation to affected women if economic circumstances improve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Snell told the Commons: If we find ourselves in the future in a much better economic state, will she [Liz Kendall] consider readdressing this issue and seeing what compensation might be available for those women that were affected? Another Labour backbencher said that letters being sent earlier to women affected by the increasing of the pension age would have made a difference to their finances. Melanie Onn, Labour MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes, said: [Liz Kendall] says this report is about the way that it was communicated to those 1950s-born women and earlier letters would not have made a difference. But I say they would have made a difference, they would have made a difference when it comes to individuals financial planning, in their retirement dates and notice they were giving to their jobs, from their wider family arrangements and commitments that they made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Darling, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay, added that the decision was nothing more than a betrayal of Waspi women. He said: Throughout the United Kingdom, there will be millions of women who are shocked and horrified by this decision by the Government. The fact that they have inherited an awful state of our economy is no excuse. Scottish National Partys leader in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, said shame on Labour for deciding not to give Waspi women compensation. He said: When it was politically convenient to do so, the Labour secretary of state chose to back and support Waspi women. Today she chooses to betray them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the public voted for change, instead theyve been given more of the same. Shame on them. If [she] is so confident in her position, then why does she not bring a vote to this House to let us all decide. Ms Kendall said: Im sure he can have a vote in the Scottish Parliament if the SNP Government decides to do that. So-called Waspi women have campaigned for years for justice, following claims in October that the Labour government had snubbed them. The Waspi campaign said as many as 3.8 million women born in the 1950s were not made aware of the age change and their retirement plans were thrown into chaos as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angela Madden, chairman of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign, said: The Government has today made an unprecedented political choice to ignore the clear recommendations of an independent watchdog which ordered ministers urgently to compensate Waspi women nine months ago. This is a bizarre and totally unjustified move which will leave everyone asking what the point of an ombudsman is if ministers can simply ignore their decisions. It feels like a decision that would make the likes of Boris Johnson and Donald Trump blush. An overwhelming majority of MPs back Waspis calls for fair compensation and all options remain on the table. Parliament must now seek an alternative mechanism to force this issue on to the order paper so justice can be done. Sir Steve Webb, former Liberal Democrat pensions minister, said: There is a risk that governments will now feel emboldened to pick and choose when faced with a critical ombudsman report, effectively setting themselves up as judge and jury. The pensions expert added: Even if the Government felt it could not afford to implement the recommendations in full, there were many options which would have offered some redress to those most affected. 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. Ollie, a labradoodle, died when he was 9 months old, two months after being mauled at a pet care facility in Massachusetts. He was the inspiration for "Ollie's Law," a new state statute designed to protect pets in kennels. Business owners worry the regulations may be too expensive. (Courtesy of Amy Baxter) The death of Ollie, a 9-month-old labradoodle mauled at a Massachusetts pet care facility in 2020, led the state this October to enact the stringent Ollies Law, tightening regulations on the care and housing of pets at boarding and training kennels. The new Massachusetts law mandates the timely reporting of such incidents to local authorities. It also empowers state regulators to come up with new rules that may require that dogs be housed with similarly sized animals and not be left without human supervision, as Ollie was, according to his owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few other states including Colorado and Iowa have regulations in place, but most states rely on local rules or have no regulations at all for pet care facilities, according to Jeremy Cohen, an attorney who founded Boston Dog Lawyers. His firm represents pet owners in cases ranging from custody in a divorce, to injury and wrongful deaths, to defense of dogs that bit someone. (He did not represent Ollies owner, who did not file a suit.) Opponents of new regulations say the rules may make it more expensive to operate the facilities and could hurt small businesses. Facing such opposition, recent legislative efforts to tighten rules have failed to advance in other states, including Kansas and Washington. That leaves some pet owners without assurances that the facilities they trust to care for their pets are operating under certain standards, said Cohen, who pushed for the new Massachusetts law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pet owners dont know until something happens, he said. And they are shocked to find out there are no regulations. [Pet care facilities] can stay under the radar until something happens. That was the situation facing Ollies owner, Amy Baxter. She dropped off Ollie, who was 7 months old, at a doggie day care center in East Longmeadow and later received a call that her pet had been hurt in a dog fight, she said in an interview. The center, which she said was unlicensed and which has since closed, did not notify local authorities of the incident nor immediately take Ollie to a vet. He died two months later after multiple surgeries. Baxter, a former legislative aide in New York state, gathered a coalition of pet owners, kennel operators and animal protection groups and spent several years lobbying the Massachusetts legislature for new rules. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed Ollies Law in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, which goes into effect Thursday, limits the number of dogs that can be cared for in a single facility and requires recordkeeping, inspections and reporting of pet injuries and deaths. The precise rules on staff-to-animal ratios, dog group sizes and supervision, emergency planning, minimum housing and care requirements, and staff training and insurance will be written by the states Department of Agricultural Resources over the next 18 months. The National Humane Education Society said the Massachusetts law sets a new standard in kennel regulation and safety for pets. Its an animal protection issue, its a consumer protection issue, its also an employee protection issue. Amy Baxter, whose dogs death inspired Ollies Law In an interview, Baxter said the most important part of the new law is that pet injuries are now required to be reported to the local licensing authority and that investigation results be made publicly available if enforcement action is taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I hadnt gone to the police, no one would have heard of Ollie, she said. There should never be just one employee at a facility, she argued. If one worker is at the front desk taking payments, whos in the back taking care of the animals? Its an animal protection issue, its a consumer protection issue, its also an employee protection issue. Extra staff and precautions cost money, and pet kennel owners are concerned about how the new rules will affect them, said Linda Wood, owner of Pawsitively Pets boarding and day care center in Bolton, Massachusetts. Wood, who has owned her business for 20 years, said she fully supports the new law because it will give animal control officers better guidance on how to inspect facilities, as well as require training for kennel employees, such as the courses she provides her own workers. Linda Wood, operator of Pawsitively Pets, a pet care facility in Bolton, Mass., and Emmet, a mini-labradoodle she cares for. (Courtesy of Linda Wood) Kennels that dont measure up are dangerous, she said. She limits the number of animals she takes at one time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she added, the extra steps will be costly for pet boarding facilities and owners. They are going to have to hire more employees. This will make it difficult for business. The prices are going to have to go up. Its necessary, but how is the public going to handle it? Breeder concerns The American Kennel Club, which represents dog breeders, is skeptical of new regulations such as the Massachusetts law, which it says would impede breeders. The bill originally included new rules for breeders, but after pushback from the group, lawmakers stripped that part and the organization dropped its opposition to the legislation. Kennels care for customers dogs intermittently, while breeding operations raise puppies to be sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to Stateline, Phil Guidry, the American Kennel Clubs director of policy analysis, said that while it is important that pets in day cares and kennels get proper care, including personal breeder kennels under the bill was unnecessary and went too far. The original legislation could have allowed inspectors into breeders homes and attempted to limit the number of dogs breeders own, he said. In Colorado, state regulations set cage dimensions and worker-to-dog ratios and requires facility license holders to be trained, among other provisions. The Iowa kennel regulations require specific recordkeeping on all animals housed at the kennel and lay out standards of cleanliness. For dog day care centers, the rules require, among other things, that dog owners sign a waiver acknowledging that grouping dogs together involves inherent risks. Safety costs Recent efforts to tighten pet boarding regulations failed in other states. Argo, Wallaby and Paluka check out the snow from the windows at Pawsitively Pets in Bolton, Mass. (Courtesy of Linda Wood) In Washington state, the cost of the new safety measures was one of the issues raised at a legislative hearing on a bill that would have required a fire alarm system or a sprinkler system in kennels but that didnt make it out of committee this year. The bill had been filed after two separate fires at Seattle dog day care and boarding facilities in 2023, during one of which a dog died after it ran from the burning kennel and into traffic on Interstate 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire safety experts and animal activists supported the bill. But Sam McEntire pointed out at the hearing that the fires happened at two locations of the same business, and suggested that the problem is not widespread. I dont think anyone would oppose having some standards and safety measure systems, but some of these would devastate small-business owners having to implement hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of systems to these buildings, he testified, adding that while the state doesnt have a lot of regulation of this industry, cities and counties do. The bill died in committee in January. Its lead sponsor, Democratic state Rep. Darya Farivar, may reintroduce it next year. In Kansas, a 2022 bill that would have regulated dog kennels and breeders died in committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board, an arm of the state Agriculture Department, considered new safety regulations designed to make pet boarding and day care facilities safer. A family in Olathe had lost both their dogs while boarding them at a kennel called Lucky Paws KC. In that case, two small dogs, a Pomeranian mix and a mini-labradoodle, were killed after being put in an outdoor area with more than a dozen large dogs. An employee was inside the facility with a door propped open to monitor conditions outside, according to KCTV. Instead of passing new rules, though, the advisory board instead decided to increase education efforts on the current rules, said Heather Lansdowne, communications director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. The concerns would best be addressed by increased education and enforcement, Lansdowne said. Thats better than additional regulations, which can sometimes be burdensome in a way that backfires and causes problems for the good facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the department would be sending out reminders to kennels that they should house dogs of similar sizes together and monitor their behavior. A lot of that is, how do you help those facilities work through decisions about which pets can be housed together? she said. You have to understand animal signs and signals. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 17The death of Ollie, a 9-month-old labradoodle mauled at a Massachusetts pet care facility in 2020, led the state this October to enact the stringent "Ollie's Law," tightening regulations on the care and housing of pets at boarding and training kennels. The new Massachusetts law mandates the timely reporting of such incidents to local authorities. It also empowers state regulators to come up with new rules that may require that dogs be housed with similarly sized animals and not be left without human supervision, as Ollie was, according to his owner. A few other states including Colorado and Iowa have regulations in place, but most states rely on local rules or have no regulations at all for pet care facilities, according to Jeremy Cohen, an attorney who founded Boston Dog Lawyers. His firm represents pet owners in cases ranging from custody in a divorce, to injury and wrongful deaths, to defense of dogs that bit someone. (He did not represent Ollie's owner, who did not file a suit.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of new regulations say the rules may make it more expensive to operate the facilities and could hurt small businesses. Facing such opposition, recent legislative efforts to tighten rules have failed to advance in other states, including Kansas and Washington. That leaves some pet owners without assurances that the facilities they trust to care for their pets are operating under certain standards, said Cohen, who pushed for the new Massachusetts law. "Pet owners don't know until something happens," he said. "And they are shocked to find out there are no regulations. [Pet care facilities] can stay under the radar until something happens." That was the situation facing Ollie's owner, Amy Baxter. She dropped off Ollie, who was 7 months old, at a doggie day care center in East Longmeadow and later received a call that her pet had been hurt in a dog fight, she said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The center, which she said was unlicensed and which has since closed, did not notify local authorities of the incident nor immediately take Ollie to a vet. He died two months later after multiple surgeries. Baxter, a former legislative aide in New York state, gathered a coalition of pet owners, kennel operators and animal protection groups and spent several years lobbying the Massachusetts legislature for new rules. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed "Ollie's Law" in October. The law, which goes into effect Thursday, limits the number of dogs that can be cared for in a single facility and requires recordkeeping, inspections and reporting of pet injuries and deaths. The precise rules on staff-to-animal ratios, dog group sizes and supervision, emergency planning, minimum housing and care requirements, and staff training and insurance will be written by the state's Department of Agricultural Resources over the next 18 months. The National Humane Education Society said the Massachusetts law sets "a new standard" in kennel regulation and safety for pets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's an animal protection issue, it's a consumer protection issue, it's also an employee protection issue. Amy Baxter, whose dog's death inspired "Ollie's Law" In an interview, Baxter said the most important part of the new law is that pet injuries are now required to be reported to the local licensing authority and that investigation results be made publicly available if enforcement action is taken. "If I hadn't gone to the police, no one would have heard of Ollie," she said. "There should never be just one employee at a facility," she argued. If one worker is at the front desk taking payments, "who's in the back taking care of the animals? It's an animal protection issue, it's a consumer protection issue, it's also an employee protection issue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extra staff and precautions cost money, and pet kennel owners are concerned about how the new rules will affect them, said Linda Wood, owner of Pawsitively Pets boarding and day care center in Bolton, Massachusetts. Wood, who has owned her business for 20 years, said she fully supports the new law because it will give animal control officers better guidance on how to inspect facilities, as well as require training for kennel employees, such as the courses she provides her own workers. A woman poses for a picture with a dog. Linda Wood, operator of Pawsitively Pets, a pet care facility in Bolton, Mass., and Emmet, a mini-labradoodle she cares for. (Courtesy of Linda Wood) Kennels that don't measure up are dangerous, she said. She limits the number of animals she takes at one time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, she added, the extra steps will be costly for pet boarding facilities and owners. "They are going to have to hire more employees. This will make it difficult for business. The prices are going to have to go up. It's necessary, but how is the public going to handle it?" Breeder concerns The American Kennel Club, which represents dog breeders, is skeptical of new regulations such as the Massachusetts law, which it says would impede breeders. The bill originally included new rules for breeders, but after pushback from the group, lawmakers stripped that part and the organization dropped its opposition to the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennels care for customers' dogs intermittently, while breeding operations raise puppies to be sold. In a statement to Stateline, Phil Guidry, the American Kennel Club's director of policy analysis, said that while it is important that pets in day cares and kennels get proper care, including "personal breeder kennels" under the bill was unnecessary and went too far. The original legislation could have allowed inspectors into breeders' homes and attempted to limit the number of dogs breeders own, he said. In Colorado, state regulations set cage dimensions and worker-to-dog ratios and requires facility license holders to be trained, among other provisions. The Iowa kennel regulations require specific recordkeeping on all animals housed at the kennel and lay out standards of cleanliness. For dog day care centers, the rules require, among other things, that dog owners sign a waiver acknowledging that grouping dogs together involves inherent risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety costs Recent efforts to tighten pet boarding regulations failed in other states. Three dogs stare out a window. Argo, Wallaby and Paluka check out the snow from the windows at Pawsitively Pets in Bolton, Mass. (Courtesy of Linda Wood) In Washington state, the cost of the new safety measures was one of the issues raised at a legislative hearing on a bill that would have required a fire alarm system or a sprinkler system in kennels but that didn't make it out of committee this year. The bill had been filed after two separate fires at Seattle dog day care and boarding facilities in 2023, during one of which a dog died after it ran from the burning kennel and into traffic on Interstate 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire safety experts and animal activists supported the bill. But Sam McEntire pointed out at the hearing that the fires happened at two locations of the same business, and suggested that the problem is not widespread. "I don't think anyone would oppose having some standards and safety measure systems, but some of these would devastate small-business owners having to implement hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of systems to these buildings," he testified, adding that while the state doesn't have a lot of regulation of this industry, cities and counties do. The bill died in committee in January. Its lead sponsor, Democratic state Rep. Darya Farivar, may reintroduce it next year. In Kansas, a 2022 bill that would have regulated dog kennels and breeders died in committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board, an arm of the state Agriculture Department, considered new safety regulations designed to make pet boarding and day care facilities safer. A family in Olathe had lost both their dogs while boarding them at a kennel called Lucky Paws KC. In that case, two small dogs, a Pomeranian mix and a mini-labradoodle, were killed after being put in an outdoor area with more than a dozen large dogs. An employee was inside the facility with a door propped open to monitor conditions outside, according to KCTV. Instead of passing new rules, though, the advisory board instead decided to increase education efforts on the current rules, said Heather Lansdowne, communications director for the Kansas Department of Agriculture. "The concerns would best be addressed by increased education and enforcement," Lansdowne said. "That's better than additional regulations, which can sometimes be burdensome in a way that backfires and causes problems for the good facilities." She said the department would be sending out reminders to kennels that they should house dogs of similar sizes together and monitor their behavior. "A lot of that is, how do you help those facilities work through decisions about which pets can be housed together?" she said. "You have to understand animal signs and signals." YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. This article was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat. Karisa Bayudan spent her junior year of high school moving between hotel rooms after her family lost their home in last years Lahaina wildfires. She did her homework from the couch when she didnt have space of her own. Now a senior at Lahainaluna High School, things are better for her and her classmates. Shes keeping up with her coursework and taking classes at a local community college. And school spirit is better, she said, with students more eager to participate in homecoming traditions and volunteer events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are still challenges ahead. Bayudan is worried about what will happen when her familys temporary housing ends in the spring. And the consequences of the devastating Lahaina fires on Aug. 8, 2023, can be seen in her classmates academic scores and attendance, even as Hawaiis education department has struggled to bring more mental health support to the schools. Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74 Im in a much better head space now than I was in junior year, especially since Im in more stable housing at the moment, Bayudan said. Recent data from the Hawaii Department of Education illustrate just how difficult last year was for Lahaina students, with math and reading proficiency rates dropping by nearly half at some schools between 2023 and 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Republican Lawmakers Seek Further Expansion of Missouri Charter Schools The department received a $2 million federal grant to support student learning and mental health earlier this year, but a shortage of behavioral specialists and therapists has prevented schools from hiring necessary personnel. Instead, most of the funds spent so far have gone toward bus services allowing students to commute from Central Maui to Lahaina for school. Only two-thirds of Lahaina students have returned to their schools since the fires, which destroyed King Kamehameha III Elementary and closed three other campuses from August to October 2023. Some families are skeptical that Lahaina schools will ever return to previous levels of enrollment and staffing, especially as teacher burnout is high and some students move away from West Maui. But educators like Jarrett Chapin, who teaches at Lahainaluna, believe their students are benefitting from the stability and structure of this year. Kids are more engaged in class and attend school regularly, teachers say, and schools are doubling down on tutoring and personalized check-ins, with an eye on ensuring kids graduate on time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire is a landmark or touchstone that everyone has in common, but its not as raw, said Chapin. I think school life has improved. Improvements In Learning At Lahainaluna High School, Chapin said his students were in survival mode after the fires. It was difficult for students to stay focused and motivated, he added, especially when they were facing so much uncertainty at home. Last year, 5% of Lahainaluna students tested proficient in math, down from 10% in the 2022-23 school year. The schools college enrollment rate dropped from 48% to 40% between 2023 and 2024, despite the University of Hawaiis offer of full scholarships to students who graduated from Lahainaluna in June. Some seniors last spring struggled to keep up in their classes after the fires and complete graduation requirements. Test scores for the current school year wont be released until next fall, and its unclear what long-term effects the fires will have on student learning. But at least its a less chaotic year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kids still go through stuff, but gosh, it was so raw last year, Chapin said. We are so much further away from that. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, meeting with state leaders and Lahaina principals earlier this month, emphasized the importance of high-quality support for students as they continue to grieve after the fires, and for staff, who may be experiencing burnout. Students at King Kamehameha III Elementary experienced some of the greatest disruptions, missing over 50 days of school last year. In the spring, roughly a third of students tested proficient in math and reading, down from 45% the year before. Mindi Cherry, a teacher at King Kamehameha III Elementary, said her first graders seem to be on track with their learning this year. To curb absenteeism, the school is offering ice cream parties to classes with the highest attendance rates, she said. Teachers will also offer tutoring in January to students who have fallen behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOE said recruiting and retaining teachers also remains a priority, although the drop in student enrollment at some schools has corresponded to the loss of some staff. Lahainaluna lost a few teachers in the math and English departments, Chapin said, but the remaining staff has been able to serve the existing student population, which fell by 200 kids this year. Erin Vegas, who taught fourth grade at Princess Nahienaena Elementary last year, said shes worried schools could continue to see a drop in their staffing in the future with the high cost of living and lack of affordable housing in West Maui. They wont be able to retain anybody if theres this huge fear that so many teachers will never be able to stay, Vegas said, adding that she moved to Oahu after she wasnt able to find housing at the end of last school year. The education department plans to build affordable housing on Lahainalunas campus that could be available for teachers starting next summer. Where Did The Students Go? While Lahainas student population dropped by a third this year, not all students left at the same rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the fires, roughly half of Lahaina students were low-income. Now, at least three-quarters of students at Lahaina schools are, according to data from standardized tests issued every spring. King Kamehameha III Elementary teacher Robert Livermore says wealthier families may have moved out of Lahaina schools since the fires and transitioned to private or charter schools. Those who could did, those who couldnt went without, Livermore said, adding that he sees more students coming to school without snacks or supplies this year. Its more difficult to explain declining enrollment trends among other groups of students. For example, white students made up over 45% of King Kamehameha III Elementarys student population before the fires but have since dropped to less than 30% of the overall enrollment. English language learners now make up more than a third of the elementary schools population, compared to only 18% before the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department did not respond to questions about enrollment, and theres little data available on how the overall population of Lahaina has changed since the fires. Shrinking student populations in Lahaina could mean cuts in staffing and budgets in the coming years, since enrollment determines a large part of schools budgets. DOE Deputy Superintendent Tammi Oyadomari-Chun said the department plans on slowly reducing Lahaina schools budgets over the next few years to prevent schools from losing resources and teachers entirely. Some families who sought other learning options after the fires still havent returned to Lahaina schools. David Weeks chose to enroll his children in Hawaii Technology Academy, a charter school with a Lahaina campus, when he didnt feel safe sending his children to DOE schools near the burn zone last year. While his daughter returned to Lahaina Intermediate this fall, Weeks added, his son has remained at HTA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaliko Storer, a parent at Princess Nahienaena Elementary, said some families simply dont have the money or time to wait for housing to open up in West Maui. Shes hopeful more students will return to Lahaina schools in the future, but she also understands if families dont want their children to keep moving campuses. Its a work in progress, she said. A Need For More Services But while there are some indications that academics are on the upswing in schools, staff and students say theyre worried about having enough mental health resources to help those who are still processing the events of last year. Heather Long, program director for Maui Youth and Family Services, said some students are only now understanding the loss and trauma they experienced after the fires. When Lahaina schools reopened last year, she added, many students were still focused on securing their basic needs and werent fully processing their emotions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealing with the trauma now, I actually do think it gets worse, Long said, adding that a shortage of counselors and therapists on Maui can make it harder for students to connect with trusted adults or focus on their schoolwork if theyre struggling emotionally. King Kamehameha III Elementary Principal Ian Haskins said the elementary school has two counselors and a behavioral specialist for students, but its still a struggle to find providers amid an islandwide shortage. After the fires, DOE trained Lahaina staff to help students cope with mental health struggles and trauma, and partnered with Kaiser Permanente and other organizations to offer support groups for students. The Lahaina complex and surrounding region is hiring five positions focused on student behavior and mental health, with some of the positions vacant since January, according to DOEs job posting website. But the department has struggled to spend much of a $2 million federal grant supporting mental health and academics. So far, Chun said, DOE has spent roughly $600,000 on bus services for students who are commuting to Lahaina schools from other parts of the island, but hasnt been able to hire mental health professionals like it intended under the grant. The grant will run until next summer. In the meantime, school principals say theyre worried about students and staff who spent the last year running on adrenaline. Teachers are tired, said Lahainaluna Principal Richard Carosso, and many were burned out at the end of last school year. I dont think summer was long enough for our staff, he said earlier this month in a meeting with state and federal leaders. Bayudan, the senior at Lahainaluna, said shes grateful for the therapists available on campus but wishes students received more encouragement to seek care. Many of her friends and classmates are hesitant to open up about the emotions and challenges theyre facing, she added. I dont think what we have right now is serving us enough, Bayudan said. This story was originally published on Civil Beat. Conceived to protect Lake Tahoe and keep it from turning gray, TRPA moves further from its conservation roots with each systematic amendment to once strict development ordinances. (Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Its not good when it takes a formal letter from a Nevada legislative committee chair to pry loose a required environmental update from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). This letter, sent Oct. 16, followed months of public testimony at the state capitol and TRPA headquarters in Stateline, Nevada. Just days later, Californias Attorney Generals office also sent a letter advising TRPAs Governing Board that the agency failed, again, to meet a reduction in one of its key environmental milestones: Vehicle Miles Traveled. The correspondence referenced several previous warning letters. Californias Department of Justice further noted TRPAs latest environmental threshold pivot was a confusing mix of apples and oranges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, this month the League to Save Lake Tahoe and Sierra Watch filed a lawsuit against a controversial massive development at Palisades Tahoe. Conservationists deem the project significantly detrimental to Lake Tahoe due to worsening traffic congestion, increased air pollution and degraded Lake Tahoe Basin water quality. TRPA stands to receive $2 million in mitigation fees should the project go forward. A bi-state agency, TRPA has spent nearly $3 billion in federal, state and private funding over two decades and recently secured $300 million from Congress. It has also raised greenwashing to an artform. How we got here TRPA first laid out Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacities in 1982 to help protect and evaluate Lake Tahoe in areas such as air and water quality, soil conservation, vegetation, noise, recreation, scenic resources, and fish and wildlife. Meant as straightforward metrics rooted in science to identify trends and inform policy, these thresholds are required by law in the Tahoe Regional Planning Compact. The Compact, first championed by then Governors Laxalt and Reagan, was adopted in 1980 by Nevada and California State Legislatures, ratified by the United States Congress, and approved by President Carter on December 19, 1980. TRPA justified changes to environmental thresholds in 2007 due to advances in scientific understanding. It suggested a need for development and rolled threshold changes into a needlessly complex environmental improvement program (EIP). Todays EIP dashboard defies clear threshold answers but there are colorful renderings and vague symbols. Ziplines, tube lifts and trails are listed as accomplishments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency since appears to have developed antibodies to modern environmental science. Conceived to protect Lake Tahoe and keep it from turning gray, TRPA moves further from its conservation roots with each systematic amendment to once strict development ordinances. TRPA has modified the Regional Plans Code of Ordinances 44 times since 2013 resulting in 375 code changes. These changes are not in service to the environment but to the agencys highly prized public-private partnerships and programs. These have been packaged with a parade of clever marketing buzzwords: Pathway 2007, Community Enhancement Program, Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan, Partnering for Destination Stewardship at Lake Tahoe. Their latest: Cultivating Community. Workarounds and false promises TRPAs campaign to obfuscate environmental realities took shape with Pathway 2007. This contentious endeavor aimed to make it easier for development projects to gain approval. In 2010 TRPAs respected scientists got pink slips in no small part because their findings conflicted with agency leadership plans to push growth over conservation. Pathway also enriched consultants by outsourcing TRPAs environmental analysis. With internal guardrails gone, TRPA set about rewriting its rules for land use, which resulted in the 2012 Regional Plan Update and Tahoes last full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly thereafter conservation groups, including the Sierra Club, sued the agency. The lawsuit declared TRPA may not update the plan unless TRPA finds that the amended plan maintains the same environmental standards to protect the lakes beauty and environment. Further, it contended TRPAs new plan did not maintain the environmental protections in the original Regional Plan. Article VII of the Compact requires TRPA to prepare and consider a detailed Environmental Impact Statement before approving or carrying out any project that may have a significant effect on the environment. Sounds airtight? That was the intent, but over the past 25 years TRPA leadership and partners pursued an ambitious long-term strategy to engineer workarounds. TRPA has sponsored new 501 (c)(3) structures and Business Improvement Districts to tax visitors and residents alike without a vote to fund more tourism amenities. When its ordinance language gets in the way, TRPA cavalierly proposes and rubber stamps amendments. If the agencys tactics werent so environmentally harmful, youd have to admire its brazen unilateral approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A prescient Tahoe Quarterly piece a decade ago quotes environmentalist Laurel Ames on the agencys faulty logic: TRPA never produced numbers demonstrating more clustered development will result in the critical mass necessary to fund a full-time public transportation network. The article notes that the idea of leveraging private dollars in an era of dwindling public funding might be sound theory, but Ames and others did not want Lake Tahoe to serve as an experimental laboratory. What happens if they try it out at Tahoe and make a mess of it? Ames asks. The Lake loses. Its a big risk. There is too much dont worry, it will work in this plan. TRPAs spokesman stated the intent of the Regional Plan update was to encourage private entities to leverage their own money to complete environmentally beneficial projects. The plan focuses on restoration of sensitive lands by encouraging more redevelopment, more revitalization, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dozen years later, large swaths of commercial land surrounding Lake Tahoe languish in blight. Since favoring development and tourism the Lake has succinctly been described as sick. Today, the agency relies on a simplistic Initial Environmental Checklist for substantial projects with no mention of threshold attainment. (Waldorf Astoria Crystal Bays troubled developer merely checked no impact.) On south shore a court decreed twicethat TRPA must set aside its approval to use herbicides in the Tahoe Keys following Tahoe Area Sierra Club legal action. Separately, the agency fails to use its basin-wide authority to tackle Lake Tahoes growing plastic debris despite leadership from Truckee and South Lake Tahoe banning the sale of single use plastics. And those environmental thresholds TRPA promised to evaluate every four years? The last threshold attainment update was 2019. No more lip service During Junes TRPA governing board meeting, the League to Save Lake Tahoes policy directorin a chorus of voices calling for a more comprehensive, honest focus on modern environmental threats to Lake Tahoezeroed in on TRPAs toothless EIP dashboard and compliance deficits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of TRPAs $28 million budget, only $400,000 a year is spent on enforcement. In six meetings this year Nevadas legislative committee tasked with TRPA oversight failed to fully explore these issues. Finally asked directly why there hasnt been an EIS since 2012 TRPAs executive director implausibly responded: there has not been a big action that has triggered a full environmental impact statement. Pressed to provide environmental data before the 2025 legislative session, the agency head committed to an update for TRPAs Dec. 18 governing board. The update isnt on the meeting agenda. If TRPA spent as much time attaining environmental thresholds as it does on partner programs, lobbying and weakening ordinances that create developer loopholes and workarounds wed know the true health of Lake Tahoe. Its time to end TRPAs greenwashing and lip service to the environment. The public is waiting. Mike Heck, Derrick Prentice, Principal Chief Lora Chaisson, and Michael Billiot (Photo/United Houma Nation) The United Houma Nation, located in Houma, Louisiana, received two sacred mounds through an Act of Donation signed on Friday, December 13, 2024. This monumental donation was generously made by L & R Realty, Inc., Lana & Brothers, LLC, and P & G Realty, with Mr. Mike Heck representing the donors. United Houma Nation Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson gratefully accepted the donation on behalf of the Nation. The donated property includes two mounds historically used by Native American tribes for ceremonies, burials, and as high-ground refuges during floods. A 1978 archaeological report by the Environmental Protection Agency also identifies modern burial sites and significant artifacts on the land, further emphasizing its cultural and historical importance. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This donation aligns with the principles of the LAND BACK movement, a nationwide initiative focused on returning traditional Indigenous lands and cultural artifacts to Native communities. Efforts to secure the Indian Mounds for the United Houma Nation date back to 2007, when the National Archaeological Society, in collaboration with local officials, sought to purchase the site. Although an agreement was not reached at the time, the property owners chose to withdraw it from the market. In the Fall of 2024, the corporate owners reengaged with the United Houma Nation, announcing their collective decision to return the land to the tribe. We are extremely grateful for this LAND BACK donation, Principal Chief Lora Ann Chaisson said. This sacred land holds deep cultural and historical significance for our people, and we look forward to preserving it as good stewards of the land. The United Houma Nations reacquisition of the Indian Mounds represents a powerful step forward in the ongoing efforts to restore Indigenous sovereignty and preserve cultural heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) Crews addressed a traffic light issue Tuesday morning that closed a stretch of road for an extended period. East Dixie at I-75 was shut down completely, according to Sgt. Perry with the West Carrollton Police Department. The call came in before 3:50 a.m. Maintenance on the traffic light is expected to take 6 to 8 hours to complete. Eastbound lanes were shut down from Dixie to West Alex Bell and westbound lanes from Dixie to the I-75 southbound exit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to our 2 NEWS crew, the intersection of Dixie at I-75 has reopened to traffic. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DENVER (KDVR) The Commerce City Police Department said two high schools were placed on secure status Tuesday and cleared out of an abundance of caution after Adams City High School received a threatening call. The call came in at approximately 9:53 a.m. The other school that was secured and cleared was Lester Arnold High School. Students at both schools were dismissed at 2:10 p.m., around 30 minutes before the normal dismissal time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the FOX31 App: Breaking news alerts & Pinpoint Weather The schools will resume their normal schedules on Wednesday. The situation was investigated by CCPD in coordination with school officials. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A teacher at a Las Vegas-area elementary school was arrested Monday on child abuse-related charges, according to Clark County School District police. Police arrested Mateusz Baran, 47, on Monday and he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on the child abuse-related charges. The arrest stemmed from an investigation that started on Dec. 12 at Sunrise Acres Elementary School, CCSDPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baran teaches at Sunrise Acres Elementary School and has been employed by CCSD since July 2024. He has been placed an paid leave per the negotiated agreement with the bargaining unit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) In the past three weeks, nine people were rescued from a popular trail on Mt. Charleston, about 40 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Search and rescue teams with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said most of the rescues involved serious injuries and hikers who lacked proper equipment for the icy conditions, according to a Facebook post. LVMPD Search and Rescue teams have rescued nine people from the South Loop Trail on at Mt. Charleston. (Credit: LVMPD) LVMPD Search and Rescue teams have rescued nine people from the South Loop Trail on at Mt. Charleston. (Credit: LVMPD) LVMPD Search and Rescue teams have rescued nine people from the South Loop Trail on at Mt. Charleston. (Credit: LVMPD) The rescues took place on the South Loop Trail of Mt. Charleston Peak, an 8.5-mile hike, half of it above 10,000 feet. During the winter months, the trail can be heavily iced creating dangerous conditions. Police said hikers need to bring proper traction devices, use crampons, and wear winter layers, including a hat and gloves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro said the nine people were rescued in four separate incidents starting on Thanksgiving Day. Nov. 28: Two hikers slipped, with one sliding 500 feet into a rock, sustaining a broken ankle. Despite the hiker wearing microspikes, icy conditions still proved treacherous. Dec. 6: A hiker broke their ankle after sliding 50 feet into a tree. None of the three hikers had traction devices. Dec. 12: Three hikers were involved in a serious incident. One slipped, sliding 100 feet and colliding with a tree, causing severe leg injuries. Another slid an additional 100 feet before stopping on a ledge. A complex rope and hoist rescue was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec. 15: A hiker slipped and sustained a lower leg injury after attempting the trail without traction devices. Search and rescue teams, along with a helicopter, conducted a hoist rescue to extract the victim, who was transported to the hospital. Police said hikers should pay attention to the weather conditions before a hike and always bring a fully charged phone, extra food, water and emergency supplies. Most importantly, police said know your limits and if the trail looks dangerous, turn back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Latvia's Armed Forces on Dec. 17 announced snap military exercises across the country "to test and improve procedures and units' combat readiness." While the Latvian Defense Ministry said that the drills are "not related to changes in the security environment," the exercises take place amid surging tensions between NATO and Russia. The partial test will consist of moving units across Latvia to different sites where they will perform assigned tasks. Sodien, 17. decembri, visa Latvija notiek Nacionalo brunoto speku vienibu kaujas gatavibas parbaude. Mes parbaudam un pilnveidojam proceduras un vienibu kaujas gatavibu, trenejot reagesanas spejas. #ManaLatvija #Manaatbildiba pic.twitter.com/CVgwdhI362 NBS (@Latvijas_armija) December 17, 2024 The Baltic states have been on high alert since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, sharing a history of Russian aggression and occupation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latvia, a NATO member country of 1.8 million with a sizeable Russian minority, borders Russia and its key ally in the region, Belarus. One of Ukraines biggest supporters, Riga has committed to providing military support at the level of 0.25% of its GDP every year and will provide thousands of drones. Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have been raising alarm about a growing Russian threat to the Baltic region and the alliance as a whole. As they prepare for possible conflict, the three nations agreed to build a Baltic defense line in the coming years to strengthen the eastern border with Belarus and Russia. Lithuania, another Baltic state bordering Russias Kaliningrad enclave, has blocked and fortified a bridge over the Nieman River, linking it to the Russian exclave. The country has also drafted plans to relocate a quarter of its population in the case of war. In light of Russia's war against Ukraine, civil preparedness measures have been under review also in Latvia and Estonia. Read also: Why the Baltic States fear Russias Kaliningrad exclave Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. For years some lawmakers have said being forced to publish legal items like ordinances and meeting notices in newspapers is a strain on taxpayers. (Getty Images) With local governments mulling where they should publish legal notices when the states largest daily newspaper ceases printing in February, a bill advanced Monday that would allow governments to print those notices in a newspapers digital edition until March 1. The bill comes after years of complaints from some local officials that being forced to publish legal items like ordinances and meeting notices in newspapers is a strain on taxpayers and an antiquated practice as more readers get their news from non-print sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Raj Mukherji (D-Hudson) said its disappointing that lawmakers are forced to address this issue, but characterized it as a necessity as more newspapers shutter. The Star-Ledger announced in October that it will print its final edition on Feb. 2, 2025, while Advance Local said it is also ending print publications of the Jersey Journal, the Times of Trenton, the South Jersey Times, and the Hunterdon County Democrat. I think its just a sad day, and it speaks to an uncertain future in terms of accessing news for our constituents, Mukherji said. Its obviously a move that we have no choice but to make, because what are public entities going to do without a print option? The measure advanced out of the Assembly Appropriations and Senate Judiciary committees and is expected to be heard in both chambers for a full vote Thursday. The state Open Public Meetings Act requires local governments to publish public notices and legal advertisements in a newspaper of record, but many towns will lose a daily newspaper once the Star-Ledger halts production. Lawmakers have previously said they need to act quickly to account for governments that reorganize in January and formally declare their newspaper of record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses on Monday urged senators to find a more permanent solution. Tom Cafferty, general counsel of the New Jersey Press Association, said the group backs the bill as an interim measure to allow online newspapers to carry official public notices. New Jersey Association of Counties Executive Director John Donnadio, who has called the public notice issue a crisis for local governments, suggested allowing public entities to post notices on their own websites. Part of that conversation, of course, has to be allowing them to post digitally or on a website, or even having the state or counties create their own database, and in a shared services type of environment and allow us to kind of streamline the process, he said. The bill advanced unanimously out of the Senate committee, but three Republicans voted against the measure in the Assembly committee. Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) compared the bill to subsidizing the pay phone, buggy whip, whale oil industry. The time for newspaper notices of public events and meetings has come and gone. And theres better ways, more efficient ways for local officials to notify their constituents of public meetings instead of continually propping up organizations that are closing every day, Webber said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE AUSTIN (KXAN) Three Texas lawmakers are looking for ways the state can better collect data on truancy cases, following a KXAN investigation that discovered no state agency has tracked outcomes for tens of thousands of students referred to court for missing too much class in the past decade. Since 2016 the year after lawmakers reformed the truancy system and made it a civil issue rather than criminal more than 86,000 students have had to face a judge over truant conduct, according to data from Texas Office of Court Administration. 12,000+ Texas kids sent to court for missing class, no one tracks what happens next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court orders in truancy cases can have a major impact on a students life. For example, students can be ordered to get their G.E.D., which would require them to withdraw from school. Nobody knows how often thats happening because the state doesnt keep track. The Texas Education Agency previously told KXAN it doesnt have the authority to require courts to provide that information. The OCA data that is available shows school districts are relying more and more on courts to handle their truancy issues. Statewide, the number of truant conduct cases escalated each year since the pandemic, with more than 12,000 cases in fiscal year 2024. Lawmakers concerned Beyond those basic numbers, KXAN found it isnt clear how cases are being handled in hundreds of municipal and justice of the peace courts across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic state senators Judith Zaffirini of Laredo and Royce West of Dallas, along with Rep. James Talarico, a Democrat out of Round Rock, told KXAN there is a need for better data on truancy. Truancy remains a critical challenge in Texas, largely because inconsistent tracking precludes identifying root causes, intervening early and providing families the support they need, Zaffirini said. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Texas Senate to identify better and more effective methods for uniform truancy tracking. Talarico, a former public school teacher, said budget cuts have limited districts truancy prevention efforts. This reporting features some of the incredible work being done by Texans to address the root causes of truancy, Talarico said in a statement. However, it becomes clear that state lawmakers need to do more to understand the results of these cases and, most importantly, fully fund our neighborhood schools. Class to Court To explore the impact of truancy, KXAN interviewed multiple education experts, attorneys, local judges and followed the case of Nathaniel Karle, a former student at Georgetown High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to family problems outside his control, Karle felt unsafe at school and missed dozens of days. In April, when a Williamson County constable knocked on his door to serve him papers, Nathaniel learned he was being sent to court for truancy. Nathaniel, 17 at the time, said he was so scared and feared he was going to jail that day. A Williamson County justice of the peace court judge gave him and his mother Rosa Yharte two options: homeschool or G.E.D. Nathaniel opted for a homeschool program, which meant he had to disenroll from GISD, where he took special education courses. Cases like that happen thousands of times per year in Texas. Education experts said its critical to track outcomes to know if the system is helping or harming students. Explore the number of cases filed over the past eight years in each county and city municipal court here. Data provided by the Office of Court Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To illustrate what can go wrong, experts pointed to problems found in Corpus Christi. Truancy trouble In February, four advocacy groups filed a complaint with TEA alleging Corpus Christi ISD violated students rights through its overuse of truant conduct referrals. The advocacy groups Disability Rights Texas, Texas Appleseed, Texas Civil Rights Project and the National Center for Youth Law found CCISD referred students to truancy court at a much higher rate than nearby districts. The groups alleged the district discriminated against students with disabilities by removing them from classroom instruction, which violated their right to a free and appropriate public education, according to a February news release. TEA investigated and confirmed the allegations. CCISD told KXAN it has reformed its truancy process and made a checklist for preventative measures it uses before sending a student to court, among other efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CCISD faces similar challenges that other districts face throughout the state, CCISD said in a statement to KXAN. These challenges include a highly mobile student population, high chronic absenteeism, and barriers to attendance faced by our students which may include transportation, housing, financial, and medical and mental health issues. Nueces County, where CCISD is located, had one of the highest counts of truant conduct cases in the state. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. WASHINGTON (AP) The State Department has carved out exceptions for close ally Israel that block a U.S. law restricting foreign military support over human rights abuses, a lawsuit from a group of Palestinians in Gaza and American relatives asserted Tuesday. Former State Department officials and crafters of the 1997 Leahy law were among those advising and backing the lawsuit. The lawsuit details the barriers that it accuses the State Department of creating on Israel's behalf to skirt enforcement and asks courts to intervene. That is after campus protests and moves by some lawmakers failed in their goal of limiting U.S. military support to Israel over civilian deaths in Gaza during the war with Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's really a modest set of goals here: There's a U.S. law. We'd like the federal government to adhere to U.S. law, said Ahmed Moor, a Philadelphia-based Palestinian American who joined the lawsuit on behalf of cousins, uncles and aunts displaced and killed in the 14-month war. The law bars U.S. military assistance to foreign military units when there is credible evidence of gross human rights abuses. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denied that the department has given Israel a pass. Do we have a double standard? The answer is no," he said in April. The State and Justice departments declined to comment Tuesday. Israel says it makes every effort to limit harm to Palestinian civilians in its military operations. The Biden administration has warned Israel to do more to spare civilians in the Gaza war, holding back one known weapons shipment of 2,000-pound bombs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State Department report in May concluded there was reasonable evidence that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza violated international law that protects civilians but bypassed a decision on limiting arms, saying the war itself made it impossible for U.S. officials to judge for certain. It also declined last month to hold back arms transfers as it had threatened over humanitarian aid to Gaza. Charles Blaha, a former State Department official who helped oversee reviews under the Leahy law, argued that enforcing the law for Israel would have prevented much of the harm that civilians in Gaza are suffering. The secretary of state has made all the decisions so far on Israel and the Leahy law, and every single decision has resulted in those units being eligible for continued U.S. military support, Blaha said. And thats not the way the normal process works." U.S. military support to Israel in the light of Palestinian civilian deaths was a fraught issue in the presidential election. Republicans and many Democrats demanded unwavering military backing to Israel. The Biden administration's refusal to limit support cost Democrats some votes from some Arab and Muslim voters and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's lawsuit is part of a last push on the outgoing Biden administration by Muslim Americans and others to limit U.S. military support to Israel, which is estimated to have reached $17.9 billion in the first year of the war over its treatment of Palestinian civilians. Two former Senate staffers, Tim Reiser and Stephen Rickard, were instrumental in crafting the law named for former Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy and said the rising death toll in Gaza warranted the court case. The nonprofit Democracy for the Arab World Now, an Arab-rights group founded by slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, helped bring the lawsuit for five Palestinians and Palestinian Americans. The plaintiffs include a former Gaza math teacher and humanitarian worker now living in a tent after losing 20 family members and being uprooted seven times. Hamas militants began the war with an Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostages, some of whom are still being held. The Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its death tolls, said the war has killed 45,000 Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed under the Administrative Procedures Act. Groups ranging from immigration advocates, Medicare groups, petroleum giants and fishermen have used the law in the past to try to shape how U.S. public agencies enforce laws. It accuses State Department officials under President Joe Biden of creating a series of high barriers when vetting Israel's military for Leahy law violations. Former State officials, including Blaha, have accused the U.S. of effectively exempting Israel from enforcement, and the lawsuit offers some details for the first time. It claims obstacles include setting up a multimember committee from the State and Defense departments in 2020 solely to consider possible violations by the Israeli military and uniquely requiring the deputy secretary of state to sign off on any findings of violations. The process also carves out an additional loophole for Israel, the lawsuit says, giving its government alone a chance to stave off a restriction of military support over a human rights abuses by showing it has addressed the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Department used that exception in August, saying it had decided against cutting off aid to an Israeli military unit in the West Bank over grave human rights abuses because it removed two responsible soldiers from combat and committed to special training and oversight of remaining members. The unit was accused in the death of a 79-year-old Palestinian American man it had taken into custody. On Monday, Blinken met at the State Department with the family of another American, 26-year-old Seattle resident Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed after taking part in a demonstration in the West Bank in September. Blinken told the family that Israel had recently informed the U.S. it was wrapping up its investigation of her death, Miller said Monday. State officials in the 50-minute meeting kept repeating this frankly kind of bogus claim of it being an accident, widower Hamid Ali said after the meeting. U.S. officials told the family they did not yet know enough details to say whether the family's demands for an independent U.S. criminal investigation were warranted, Ali said. A Cherokee County man is dead after his family says a chain of smoke shops skirted Georgia law to sell a product containing a widely abused gas called nitrous oxide. The so-called Galaxy Gas allegedly caused a driver to lose control and hit the man who was riding his bike. Regina Johnson said her husband Charles, who went by Chuck, was a deeply religious man. Everywhere he went he shared his love for Jesus, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson said Chuck played guitar to lead worship services at a biker-based prison ministry and started his own business 40 years ago in his basement that has put custom vanities in showrooms across America. Im just asking God to just please show me what he wants to come out of this, Johnson said. I want to see some good come out of losing the love of my life for 50 years. According to a wrongful death lawsuit, on March 3, Johnson was riding his electric bike on the sidewalk in the Towne Lake community of Cherokee County when Joey Tillman hit him with his car. The lawsuit said Tillman purchased a tank of Galaxy Gas nitrous oxide less than an hour before from a Cloud 9 Smoke & Vape head shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document said Tillman used the nozzle on the Galaxy Gas as a mouthpiece to do whippets to get high while driving. TRENDING STORIES: Mr. Tillman was riding down the road, driving while huffing nitrous oxide straight out of the Galaxy Gas can, attorney Alan Hamilton said. The suit said the Galaxy Gas caused Tillman to pass out. His car then ran over the curb onto the sidewalk and hit Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had his helmet on. But unfortunately, due to the impact, he passed away a week later, Kyle Wallace said. Wallace said its a felony in Georgia to possess or sell nitrous oxide except for certain medical or food uses, or in household products. The suit said Galaxy Gas includes disclaimer language in its packaging and online that states food and beverage additive for culinary use only. But though the companies deny it, it said Galaxy Gas disclaimers are nothing more than an attempt to skirt the law. Our lawsuit says basically that Galaxy Gas, at a minimum, had to absolutely know they were distributing a substance that was going to be inhaled by kids and other people, Hamilton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement from attorney Chris Timmons, he said Neither Cloud 9 Smoke Co. nor SBK International, LLC, have ever marketed or sold nitrous oxide products for unlawful use or misuse, which was strictly prohibited under their terms of use and conditions of sale at the time Galaxy Gas products were sold. Both Cloud 9 and SBK International took immediate action out of an abundance of caution to remove Galaxy Gas products from retail shelves and distribution following viral social media videos of individuals misusing various nitrous oxide products. The intent is clear that its not being sold for culinary purposes, Wallace said. Wallace said Though theyve recently sold Galaxy Gas, the family that owns parent company SBK International and Cloud 9 Smoke and Vape, created Galaxy Gas specifically because of the demand for nitrous oxide for illicit recreational use among its customer base at its Cloud 9 head shops. The statement said Cloud 9 and SBK International bear absolutely no responsibility for one individuals choice to illegally and dangerously misuse a product for anything other than its intended culinary use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a strong faith in God and I said I dont understand whats coming next but Im just gonna trust him and he has given me grace and peace that he has everything in control whatever is coming down the road from here, Johnson said. Secretary of State records we pulled For Cloud 9 Smoke Co. 28, LLC, Galaxy Gas, LLC and SBK International, LLC, and they show in 2022 all three listed the same principal office address in Kennesaw. Wallace said that corroborates that the folks behind the head shop chain were behind Galaxy Gas. Timmons' statement said for decades, nitrous oxide has been sold for culinary use, mentioning cold brew coffees, home-brewed beer, tasty desserts and whipped cream. New lawsuits argue that scholarship programs aimed at diversifying the student bodies at medical school are discriminatory, as the assault on affirmative action continues. The advocacy group Do No Harm, which says it opposes "woke health care," filed lawsuits against two scholarship programs aimed at underrepresented minorities one offered at the University of Colorado and another by the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons on the grounds that they discriminate against white men, according to a recent Fox News article. In these lawsuits, Do No Harm, which has also lobbied against gender-affirming care, is following the lead of the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the court effectively banned colleges from using race-conscious admissions policies designed to help diversify their campuses many of which have histories of overt racism I wrote about how the ruling opened the door for Republicans to target scholarship programs meant for racial minorities. And around that time, I also covered the push by conservatives in Congress to punish medical schools that support diversity, equity and inclusion policies. (Its worth noting that the Supreme Court made an exception for military academies in its 2023 ruling restricting race-conscious admissions practices.) While the anti-diversity efforts are absurd in general, this particular attack is extremely dumb. Campus diversity programs are primarily about making colleges more interesting, challenging and enriching environments full of students from various races, ethnicities, religions, genders, professions and other socioeconomic groups. This helps every student, especially in a field such as medicine where they will be treating people from all walks of life in the future. Racists and other chauvinists often argue that diversity isnt a strength, but the evidence says otherwise. Diversity programs are especially important at educational institutions focused on health and medicine, which study disparate outcomes and are key to maintaining public health in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public health problems don't live inside ideological or demographic bubbles. A virus that gets a foothold in another community can find its way to yours, so it's just good medicine to make sure that we have people working in the health field who understand these communities, including everyone from nurses and doctors to health researchers. This was a major focus of my video interview about the public health threats posed by Project 2025, in which I spoke with the public health experts Dr. Chris Pernell and Regina Davis Moss. You can check that out here. To put it plainly, killing scholarship programs designed to aid historically marginalized people doesnt make the United States more meritocratic. It makes all of us less healthy and less safe. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com LONDON (AP) A lawyer accused of trying to interfere in British politics on behalf of the Chinese government has lost a legal challenge against the U.K.'s domestic intelligence agency MI5. Britain's Security Service issued a security alert to all lawmakers in January 2022 warning that London-based lawyer Christine Lee was knowingly engaged in political interference activities in the U.K. in coordination with the Chinese Communist Partys United Front Work Department, an organization known to exert Chinese influence abroad. The House of Commons' Speaker warned at the time that Lee had facilitated covert donations to British political parties and legislators on behalf of foreign nationals." Members of Parliament are required to declare the source of donations they receive, which must be from U.K.-registered electors or entities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lees firm, Christine Lee & Co., provided legal services mainly to the British Chinese community and had acted as a legal advisor to the Chinese embassy in London. Her son, Daniel Wilkes, worked for lawmaker Barry Gardiner as a diary manager for five years, while she had donated some 500,000 pounds ($635,000) to Gardiner, mostly for office costs, according to official records. Lee, who was not accused of a criminal offense, brought a legal action, arguing that the security alert against her was political and that it breached her human rights. On Tuesday, three judges at the Investigatory Powers Tribunal unanimously dismissed her claim, saying MI5 had issued the warning for legitimate reasons. The tribunal decision came the day after British authorities named Chinese national Yang Tengbo as an alleged spy who cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and sought to exert influence among British establishment figures on behalf of China's United Front Work Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang, 50, also known as Chris Yang, was banned from entering the U.K. last year after MI5 found that he was believed to have carried out covert and deceptive activity for China. Authorities said his relationship with the royal had a covert nature, citing correspondence that referenced getting people unnoticed in and out of the house of Windsor. Yang strongly denied the claims. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday called the spying allegations against Yang ridiculous," while the Chinese Embassy in Britain condemned U.K. lawmakers for smearing China. 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," a statement released on the embassy's website said. The leader of a large-scale fentanyl trafficking ring in New England will be spending nearly two decades in prison after his 2022 arrest for distributing deadly poison into the streets of Massachusetts and other states, the U.S. Attorney said. Jasdrual a/k/a Josh Perez, 36, of Cranston, Rhode Island was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for his role in a crime syndicate that distributed large quantities of fentanyl across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and other states, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement. U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin handed down his sentencing. Perez was also ordered to pay a fine of $1 million. In addition, Perez was ordered to forfeit his rights to the residence from which Perez distributed fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez was arrested on Feb. 11, 2022 and has been in custody since his arrest. Last week, co-defendant Erik Ventura was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in this conspiracy. Fentanyl kills over 2,000 people a year in Massachusetts. That is unacceptable. Jasdural Perez was running a business that pumped over 200 kilograms of this deadly poison onto the streets of Massachusetts and neighboring states, wreaking havoc and destroying lives, Levy said. Perez was the leader of a drug trafficking ring based in Providence, Rhode Island that distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, Levy said. Perez and his ring pressed fentanyl powder into pills designed to look like pharmaceutical grade Oxycodone or Percocet pills and sold these pills across multiple states, Levy said. Perez and his ring distributed an estimated 200 kilograms of fentanyl and manufactured and sold millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez led the drug trafficking ring, had multiple people working for him and manufactured fentanyl pills himself, prosecutors said. This was not some low-level street dealer. This is a man who bought industrial pill presses to churn out millions of pills containing highly addictive and dangerous fentanyl, Levy said. On Feb. 7, 2022, a search of a home owned by Perez resulted in the seizure of two industrial-sized pill presses and kilograms of fentanyl, including bags containing fentanyl powder and over 50,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, prosecutors said. Perez fled from Rhode Island to New York upon hearing of the searches on his properties. While he was fleeing, Perez orchestrated another fentanyl deal, this time for the sale of 19,000 pills, Levy said. Those drugs were also seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sentence of Jasdural Perez sends a strong message to all those who seek to endanger the welfare and wellbeing of our communities in order to enrich themselves, Jonathan Wlodyka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office said in a statement. Perez led a syndicate whose sole intent was flooding our streets with large quantities of deadly drugs, Wlodyka said. By concealing fentanyl as pharmaceutical grade prescription drugs, Perez further endangered his clients lives by selling them a product that is much more potent and deadly. Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division., said the investigation into Perez demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorneys Office. Belleau said his office will aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison, especially in the form of pills designed to look like real prescription medication, in order to profit and destroy lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levy said his office and our federal partners will stay relentless in holding accountable the people contributing to this deadly crisis. We commend the tireless work of our law enforcement partners who continue, day in and day out, to root out, dismantle and punish these organizations and the people who sit atop them, Levy said. Assisting federal investigators with the case were the Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, and police departments in Cranston, Warwick, and West Warwick, Rhode Island. 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 Robert Knodell addresses a group of state employees on May 24, 2021 (photo: Missouri Governor's Office). The director of Missouris Department of Social Services will resign next month, allowing Gov.-elect Mike Kehoe to choose a new leader for the embattled agency. Robert Knodells last day as director of the department which oversees foster care, Medicaid, other public assistance programs and services for delinquent youth will be Jan. 13. He accepted a job to be the city manager of Poplar Bluff, his hometown, on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knodell has been director since Oct. 2021. Previously, he worked in Gov. Mike Parsons office as deputy chief of staff and then acting director for the Department of Health and Senior Services. In an interview last week, Knodell said his biggest accomplishments leading the agency included helping push for staff pay raises, modernizing technology and putting the child welfare system on a more positive trajectory by emphasizing prevention. We have to continue to try to do everything as a full continuum to make sure that family needs and childrens needs are being addressed and that safety can be assured, he said, to prevent children from having to go into the foster system. And the prevention focus is new for the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his tenure, the department faced criticism over its administration of public benefits. A federal judge earlier this year ruled Missourians were illegally denied food aid by the state due to hourslong call center wait times for participants to receive a required interview. The most recent monthly data the state submitted in the lawsuit says the average wait time to get through for its general call line was 43 minutes as of November. The wait time for the interview line for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was 23 minutes. The department in its budget request to the state legislature is asking for $11 million to hire 220 new staff in the Family Support Division to help ensure the agency complies with federal and state rules on timely processing, and maintains a reasonable wait time in the call centers, the budget request states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has also struggled to meet federal guidelines for its processing of Medicaid applications. Over the summer, the federal Medicaid agency announced it was intervening to help bring the state back into compliance. According to the most recent federal data, 27% of low-income Missouri Medicaid applications were processed in excess of the 45-day limit in July, which is down from 72% in February. The department also faced scrutiny for its handling of missing foster kids. A federal report in 2022 found that there were 1,780 instances of foster kids going missing in Missouri over a two-and-a-half year period that spanned July 2018 to December 2020. The agency last year said it has increased efforts to find missing foster kids. As of the most recent public data, from October, there were 72 foster children categorized as runaways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That data doesnt distinguish between missing kids and those whose locations are known but unauthorized, though the department says it collects that data now. Knodell said one of the challenges has been balancing the desires of those who want as robust a safety net as possible with those who want to control costs. We try to build as strong a safety net as we can, being as responsible a steward of the resources that we have as possible, he said. But there is a push and a pull, and there are limits to what the government can do, but certainly we want to do the things that weve been tasked as efficiently and effectively as possible. Knodell said the social services system in Missouri has been underinvested in for so long. But you know, hopefully, were pointed in the right direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parson in a press release Tuesday said I remain ever grateful that, regardless of the challenges, Robert answered the call to serve in leadership within both DSS and the Department of Health and Senior Services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON In 2019, Austin repealed a ban on camping in the city. It was a priority championed by the city councils most progressive members who said the measure would help homeless people access housing by keeping their criminal records clean. Soon, encampments sprung up across the city. Residents complained about littering and noise. Pandemic social distancing rules pushed more people out of homeless shelters, making the issue even more visible. Conservative opponents of the city council said the citys lax laws were drawing more people from outside Austin to pitch their tents. Gov. Greg Abbott protested. Conservatives mobilized, and by May 2021, the citys residents said they had enough. A 57% majority of voters voted to reinstate a ban on camping in the city. At the center of the initiative was a young city councilmember, whom conservatives delighted in caricaturing as the face of the most progressive policies in one of the most liberal cities in Texas. Greg Casar, who was elected to the Austin City Council in 2014 at the age of 25, had a leading hand in many of the citys most progressive initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casar is now a freshman congressman elected unanimously this month to lead the Congressional Progressive Caucus, one of the largest and most influential groups in Congress. The group of nearly 100 members drives much of the Democratic Partys ideological compass and includes a wide range of members from the ultra-visible Squad who became famous for bucking then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2018 to more muted members who also belong to the moderate New Democrat Coalition. He has a lot of lessons hes learned from his time on city council, particularly the camping fight that colored his political career for years after. Though he stands by the move to lift the camping ban, he says the city council didnt do enough to communicate to voters how the measure helping homeless people aligned with the priorities of a majority of voters. He is taking those lessons to Congress as Democrats reel from mass losses in this years elections. He would rather build coalitions than pass ideological purity tests that have pushed voters away from the left. He espouses a more working class message, steering away from the culture wars and back to economic concerns that dominated voters minds this year. Greg Casar, Austin City Council member at the time, comments on recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Austin outside the Little Walnut Creek Branch Library in February 2017. Credit: Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune That doesnt mean abandoning the vulnerable people that make up much of the progressive coalition, including immigrants, people of color and LGBTQ communities. But it means returning messaging to issues that all voters can relate to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casar is the first chair of the Progressive Caucus to come from a Republican-controlled state. Hes seen Democratic losses and their policy consequences first hand, and he says it isnt enough to be ideologically right Democrats also have to win. In the past, there were some progressives, including people I've been friends with for a long time who used to say, I'd rather see you lose righteously than win politically and strategically, Casar said in a lengthy interview from his Capitol Hill office. And I've learned to respectfully disagree with those people. We can't afford to lose anymore because the cost of losing is just so high. Forged in Austin Casars public service started in the Austin City Council, where he was often listed as one of the most progressive members in an already extremely liberal city. He was a fierce advocate for worker rights, having entered public service after years as a labor organizer going back to his time at the University of Virginia. Even today as a member of Congress, he tries to always visit the kitchen at formal events in Washington to speak with workers. This is my 23rd year in public service and every once in a while, you come across people who would be in it for the right reasons. And thats how I felt about Greg, said U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Progressive Caucus member who encouraged Casar to run for city council when he was still a labor organizer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Adler, the Austin mayor during Casars time on city council, said Casar often drove the council to the left but was always open to hearing alternative ideas. He cited Casars work on sick leave in Austin, a contentious fight that left much of his agenda on the cutting room floor (after Texas courts ruled that a city did not have the power to mandate sick leave for private sector workers as Casar had advocated, Casar pushed sick leave for temporary and part time city workers). Adler said moderating goals was necessary to give them greater hope for life in a red state. He was also amenable to sitting and talking with people who disagreed with him, Adler said. Probably not to the degree some of those folks wanted him to. But he was always willing to talk and to listen and make some adjustments. But not everyone had as rosy an assessment. Casars work on the city council drew significant and coordinated attention from conservative and moderate residents who attacked him as an idealogue. After the city passed Casars measure allowing camping in much of the city, hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent pinning him to the effort during his first congressional election in 2022, casting him as a radical leftist. The Save Austin Now PAC, founded by Travis County Republican Party Chair Matt Mackowiak, pushed for a city referendum, dubbed Proposition B, to recriminalize camping in the city and panhandling. The PAC called Casars efforts an unmitigated public health and safety disaster for our beautiful city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposition gained momentum, with Abbott toying with a legislative ban on homeless encampments in urban areas. Proposition B passed in May 2021. The fact that the electorate rose up and rejected that policy as clearly as they did, making Austin the first major U.S. city to overturn a camping ordinance was an incredible feat, Mackowiak said. And I dont say that to pat myself on the back. I say that to reflect the strategic misjudgment, the disastrous miscalculation that [Casar] made on that policy. Looking back on the episode, Casar recognizes the need to get ahead of the message to prevent opponents from controlling the narrative. Save Austin Now PAC asserted that Casar intended to get more people visibly on the street to advance a universal right to housing, though Casar asserts he was trying to make sure people did not have a criminal record that could disqualify them from housing. The police union also pushed that the law was more lax than it was, letting people pitch tents in areas like public parks and sidewalks, he said. Both were rebuttals that Casar said he did not sufficiently anticipate or counter at the time. He also said it was a mistake of the city government not to build more housing more quickly, another priority popular with most of the citys residents, though he could not predict the pandemic forcing more people out of shelters and raising the homeless population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I underestimated having an active opponent that wanted us to fail as a city council, Casar said of the movement for Proposition B. "We lost people that would have been with us." Taking Texas lessons to Washington As Casar and the rest of his party seek a path forward to win future elections, he is tapping into many of the lessons he learned from his fights on city council. He thinks the caucus should be wiser in picking its fights to win and get ahead of negative messaging from his opponents. He is centering first and foremost a message of support for those suffering economic hardship. Its a return to the partys roots but also in response to a wave of anti-trans messaging from Republicans that pummeled Democrats in this years elections. In battleground races around the country, Republicans invested millions of dollars into television ads claiming Democrats wanted to use tax dollars for gender transition surgeries for children. Greg Casar walks down the House steps on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 25, 2022. Credit: Julia Nikhinson for The Texas Tribune Democrats were largely caught off guard by the ads, with only a handful willing to contradict the ads on camera, even though gender transition surgeries for children are exceedingly rare. The ads proved effective, casting Democrats as distant from everyday voters, focusing on a small population instead of on rising costs. One ad for President-elect Donald Trump finished with the line: Kamala is for They/Them. President Trump is for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People's main association with the Democratic Party was the party for the working class from the post-war era up into the early 2010s, Casar said. And since then, we've lost a lot of that and Trump has capitalized on it. Casar said there is room within the progressive movement for disagreement, particularly on issues where we dont have the vast majority of the American people with us. Since the election, several moderate Democrats have denounced some of the left-wing priorities pushed by social interest groups, including defunding the police and transgender athletes. That doesnt mean leaving vulnerable people in the dust, Casar said, adding we have the majority of the American people with us on common decency. But it does mean linking social progressive priorities back to an economic message more voters can support. Instead of just saying Gov. Abbott is bullying LGBTQ kids I think we need to make clear to people that Greg Abbott, instead of working on lowering your housing costs or lowering your taxes, he's spending today, again, picking on LGBTQ Texans, Casar said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casar also has little patience for more economically moderate members who view robust social spending as a political gamble. He cited West Virginias Sen. Joe Manchin, who was the most conservative Democrat in the Senate before leaving the party and becoming an independent in May. Manchin opposed several social spending provisions within President Joe Bidens Build Back Better agenda, including an expanded child tax credit and a $15 minimum wage, fearing it would expand the already swollen federal deficit. He also criticized Democrats for being out of touch with average Americans who would rather work than have social welfare. I can't abide by the most conservative elements of the Democratic Party saying that the Democratic Party needs to focus on bread and butter issues, when sometimes it's those most corporate and conservative elements that blocked the very policies that they say that we should be running on, Casar said. The caucus future Casar takes the mantle atop of the Progressive Caucus after serving only one term in Congress. At 35, he is one of the youngest members of Congress and was elected in 2022 to replace U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett in a deep blue district that runs from Austin to San Antonio along Interstate 35. Doggett ran in the newly drawn 37th district. He has served as the caucus whip during his first term in office a heavy workload for a group that has minimum requirements on how often members vote with the caucus agenda. From left, politicians Beto ORourke, Lloyd Doggett, Greg Casar, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attend a rally organized by the University Democrats on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Oct. 1, 2024. Credit: Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune Its a rapid rise in a group that has ballooned in recent years, going from a small cohort founded by then-Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont where a few people came to complain, to nearly 100 members, said outgoing Chair Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington. Along with Castro and Casar, U.S. Reps. Lloyd Doggett of Austin, Veronica Escobar of El Paso and Jasmine Crockett of Dallas are also members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caucus pushes for protections for working people, including universal health care, increased minimum wage and child tax credits, as well as robust investment to combat climate change. They advocated for those priorities in Bidens domestic policy agenda, squaring off with more fiscally minded Democrats including Texas Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar. Casar hopes to use the caucus large membership to direct the House Democratic Caucus as it pushes back on Republicans agenda for the next two years. Democrats are steeling for what they say will be a uniquely tumultuous time in Congress. Republicans will have control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, leaving Democrats responding to and trying to stop conservative policy. We're going to be on offense over the next two years in this upcoming Congress. Those of us who have lived through a Trump administration know how dangerous the administration is, especially for vulnerable communities, Escobar said. I have no doubt that Greg will be able to lead us to the best plan forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casar sees hope of influencing legislation through public pressure campaigns. He cites Democrats resistance to Republicans attempted repeal of the Affordable Care Act in 2017, which failed because Democrats voted as a bloc and then were able to create such a clear message to the American public that people like John McCain came over and voted with us. My goal is to organize our members to vote as much as we can as a bloc on key issues, and to mobilize our members to make joint asks of our leadership to move the entire Democratic Party, Casar said. If we move the entire Democratic Party on votes, we can actually stop some of Trump's most extreme policy proposals. Casar is also open to working with other ideological blocs within the Democratic Caucus on common goals. When U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Illinois, was elected chair of the moderate New Democrat Coalition last month, one of his first calls was to Casar, Schneider said. Both agreed that they had common objectives in tackling economic issues, even if they differ on tactics. There are some advocates that are so committed to their cause that it is difficult for them to compromise or seek middle ground, Adler said. I dont think thats Greg. Dec. 17 (UPI) -- At least one person was killed after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the main island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific on Tuesday, triggering landslides, collapsing buildings and cutting power and communications. A journalist based in the capital, Port Vila, told the BBC he had witnessed "several people who were visibly, seriously injured" at a triage station outside the emergency room of the Vila Central Hospital and that police had confirmed one fatality. The reporter, Dan McGarry, said he believed the quake was the most powerful "in more than 20 years" and that he expected the death toll to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Emergency services are going to be busy for a while. We have limited equipment and capabilities here [in Vanuatu]," he said. Footage circulating on social media showed many injured people on stretchers awaiting treatment outside a hospital with more arriving on the back of flatbed trucks, or being carried by other people, and rescue workers attempting to access collapsed buildings and vehicles crushed beneath buildings. The diplomatic quarter of Port Vila on Efate island was badly affected with the U.S. Embassy there reporting in a post on X that its complex "sustained considerable damage" but that staff were able to evacuate and all personnel were "safe and accounted for." However, the damage forced the closure of the embassy until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Authorities are reporting an earthquake in Vanuatu, 23 miles from Port Vila at 12:53 p.m. local time and subsequent aftershocks," it said in a news release issued via the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, 1,400 miles away. "The U.S. Embassy is hearing reports that flights to and from Vanuatu are canceled. There are also reports of landslides in the Port Vila area. People are advised to avoid entering buildings as they may be damaged or unstable." U.S. citizens needing consular assistance were told to contact the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby. The United States pledged to do all it could to help Vanuatu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake, and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu. We stand ready to assist the government of Vanuatu if requested." Buildings housing the British High Commission, the French Embassy and the New Zealand High Commission also sustained serious damage. Australia also offered assistance with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling the quake "devastating." "We are closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu following this afternoon's devastating earthquake. We stand ready to support Vanuatu, as the extent of the damage is assessed. Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need," she said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways said it had canceled its daily Sydney to Port Vila flight. "Due to earthquake activity in Vanuatu and reports of possible damage to Port Vila Airport infrastructure, our return flight between Sydney and Port Vila will not operate on Wednesday Dec. 18, 2024," the budget carrier said in a travel alert. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed Tuesday's quake was 7.3 magnitude with its epicenter located 18 miles west of Port Vila at a depth of 35.5 miles. The South Pacific archipelago was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake centered 15 miles from Port Olry on the largest island, Vanuatu, in January 2023, triggering tsunami warnings in nearby waters, but no reports of damage or casualties were reported. Vanuatu, with a population of 280,000 spread across 80 islands, is highly prone to earthquakes located as is it is on the so-called Ring of Fire, the arc of tectonic faults that encircles most of the Pacific Ocean where seismic activity and volcanic eruptions occur on a daily basis. By Jonathan Landay WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The head of a U.S.-based Syrian advocacy organization on Monday said that a mass grave outside of Damascus contained the bodies of at least 100,000 people killed by the former government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Mouaz Moustafa, speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview from Damascus, said the site at al Qutayfah, 25 miles (40 km) north of the Syrian capital, was one of five mass graves that he had identified over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One hundred thousand is the most conservative estimate" of the number of bodies buried at the site, said Moustafa, head of the Syrian Emergency Task Force. "It's a very, very extremely almost unfairly conservative estimate." Moustafa said that he is sure there are more mass graves than the five sites, and that along with Syrians victims included U.S. and British citizens and other foreigners. Reuters was unable to confirm Moustafa's allegations. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been killed since 2011, when Assad's crackdown on protests against his rule grew into a full-scale civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad and his father Hafez, who preceded him as president and died in 2000, are accused by Syrians, rights groups and other governments of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions within the country's notorious prison system. Assad repeatedly denied that his government committed human rights violations and painted his detractors as extremists. Syria's U.N. Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He assumed the role in January - while Assad was still in power - but told reporters last week that he was awaiting instructions from the new authorities and would "keep defending and working for the Syrian people." Moustafa arrived in Syria after Assad flew to Russia and his government collapsed in the face of a lightning offensive by rebels that ended his family's more than 50 years of iron-fisted rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He spoke to Reuters after he was interviewed at the site in al Qutayfah by Britain's Channel 4 News for a report on the alleged mass grave there. He said the intelligence branch of the Syrian air force was "in charge of bodies going from military hospitals, where bodies were collected after they'd been tortured to death, to different intelligence branches, and then they would be sent to a mass grave location." Corpses also were transported to sites by the Damascus municipal funeral office whose personnel helped unload them from refrigerated tractor-trailers, he said. "We were able to talk to the people who worked on these mass graves that had on their own escaped Syria or that we helped to escape," said Moustafa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His group has spoken to bulldozer drivers compelled to dig graves and "many times on orders, squished the bodies down to fit them in and then cover them with dirt," he said. Moustafa expressed concern that graves sites were unsecured and said they needed to be preserved to safeguard evidence for investigations. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols from the United Nations; Editing by Don Durfee and Saad Sayeed) Leaders in Leesburg could decide to pull the plug on a project to introduce Fluoride into their drinking water. City leaders plan to discuss the project Monday evening at city hall. City commissioners voted to fund construction on a fluoridation project in May of 2024, for $517,697. According to city documents, more than $300,000 had already been spent on the project, when commissioners decided to put the project on hold in early December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1945, fluoride has played a crucial role in public health initiatives aimed at reducing dental cavities and improving overall oral health for adults and children. Dental experts say fluoride reduces dental decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Read: Leesburg to again vote on adding fluoride to water supply Monday However, In November, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that President-Elect Donald Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day as president. Following Kennedys remarks, Floridas Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo held press conferences calling for the end of water fluoridation and spoke of potential Neuro-psychiatric risk from fluoride exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research conducted by the National Toxicology Program found that drinking water containing more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter was linked to lower IQs in children. However, the CDC and National Institute of Health recommend fluoride at half that amount, setting the national standard to 0.7 milligrams. According to the National Toxicology Programs own research, more studies are needed to determine whether fluoride at the national standard of 0.7 milligrams could have a negative effect on IQ. Still, the Surgeon Generals warning has local cities including Leesburg, Tavares, and Winterhaven to reconsider Fluoride in their drinking water. Read: Tavares leaders to discuss removing fluoride from drinking water Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, multiple local dentists including Lake County Supervisor of Election Alan Hays came to the Leesburg City Council meeting to support continuing the project. Hays argued commissioners have a chance to greatly improve the health of Leesburgs children. The proof is irrefutable of how beneficial it is to children to have fluoride in the drinking water as the enamel is being formed as those teeth are coming in, said Hays. Leesburg Mayor Jimmy Burry also is supported the continuation of the project. The benefit of this outweighs any potential risk, said Burry. According to Burry, the city has already spent over $300 thousand on the project to boost public health, but about $300 thousand more is needed to finish the job. If scrapped the city will lose $225,000 in construction costs. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DENVER (KDVR) Mysterious drones are being reported across the country, including some in Colorado, however, not all sightings are a cause for concern. Unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, were spotted in mid-November over northern New Jersey, and reports have expanded nationwide. Similar sightings were reported in California and flashing lights were seen in Minnesota. Drone sightings shut down airspace at an Ohio military base in mid-December. Meanwhile, Coloradans have reported drones flying near their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on New Jersey drones: Biden admin wants to keep people in suspense While concerns are growing as the government has yet to give a concrete answer to the mysterious sightings, there are many cases when drones are legal across the country, including in Colorado. Is drone use legal in Colorado? Drones are legal as long as people follow federal, state, city and county regulations. According to Colorados Legislative Council Staff, in an overview of federal and state drone use and regulation in the public sector, the Federal Aviation Administration maintains rules over the use of drones in both the private and public sectors. States can also regulate drones as long as laws dont conflict with regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, Part 107 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires drone pilot certification, altitude restrictions, airspace restrictions and specific times drones can be operated, among other requirements. Drone detectors in New Jersey have found little or no evidence of wrongdoing, governor says In Colorado, the overview said the state law prohibits drones when they obstruct a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical services provider, rescue specialist, or volunteer in a manner that puts public safety at risk. Meanwhile, the Colorado Code of Regulations prohibits drones in state parks, except in designated areas, and the use of drones to look for wildlife to aid in hunting or taking wildlife. Drones also have specific regulations by county. For example, in Denver, using a drone to film an event usually requires a film permit issued by the Office of Special Events, while Boulder requires a drone flight request application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as drones follow federal, state, city and county guidelines, which should be checked regularly for updates, drones are legal and commonly used in Colorado for anything from holiday light shows to helping first responders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. (WFRV) There are some legal implications to some court rulings involving entities like LLCs and Corporations. University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Farm Management Outreach Specialist Kelly Wilfert explains what this means for farmers. Anyone who is interested in staying on top of other recent ag law updates can find more at go.wisc.edu/nxttg5 For more information on beneficial ownership check out https://fincen.gov/boi Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. To the editor: With the fall of Syria's ruthless dictator and finally, the opening of its prison gates, the world is getting a full picture of the barbarity Bashar Assad unleashed against the innocent civilians of his country for years. Countless Syrians were abducted, kept in horrific conditions, tortured and butchered. All we need to know about Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is that he has provided safe haven to Assad, the man who should stand trial for his crimes against humanity just as the monsters of the Nazi regime did at Nuremberg. Oren Spiegler, Peters Township, Pa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement .. To the editor: Can anyone, other than this op-ed writer, claim there is an established new regime one week after the fall of Assad? And, did the writer think for even a moment as to why, after having just been bombed at will and their internationally recognized border invaded with American support by Israel, the Syrian public might not think his referenced list of dictates persuasive? The history of our taking for granted U.S. strategic interests in the region being more legitimate and primary to that of any individual countrys national interests is well documented. However, if no one in Syria has any knowledge or memory of how successful our State Departments same cut-and-paste requirements proved in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, perhaps the writer might not sound so ignorant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Rosenblatt, Pacific Palisades .. To the editor: Peace is definitely cheaper than continued conflict. I think the time is ripe for a regional cease-fire in the Middle East including immediate talks between the Kurds and the Turks, between the Lebanese nation in all its parts and the Israelis, and of course between the Palestinians and the Israelis as well. I don't think anyone will miss the Assad regime in the long term. I'll even include the Iranians and Russians, as he was an embarrassment. They all will be forced to confront some uncomfortable negotiations that could possibly produce peace in the region. No expulsions or land grabs, just an offering to the surrounding nations of equality, respect and nonaggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. would need to ensure the stability of the next Syrian government. There are far too many war dead on all sides who would instead be enjoying their grandchildren at this point. Mike Caggiano, San Mateo This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. To the editor: I'm conflicted on many aspects of the immigration issue. I don't want to see large round-ups and detention centers, as have been suggested. What seems to be glaringly missing from the conversation is that businesses are federally prohibited from hiring undocumented persons. How about we start by enforcing the laws on the books? If they are lawful permanent residents with green cards or the like, leave them alone. If they have Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers in California, move on or change that provision. Fine and jail the employers who hire and profit and possibly take advantage of these unlawful immigrants. Then maybe the laws will change to benefit all. Understandably Trump is pro-business and cruel to the less fortunate so this may never get resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gina Lovin, Vista .. To the editor: Interesting article. Why arent there articles about farm and restaurant owners applying for work visas, nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visas, or other employment visas for their employees? Marcia Barnett, Santa Barbara .. To the editor: In light of President-elect Donald Trumps push for mass deportation, the view on immigrants has become dehumanizing and demonizing. The language used towards immigrants should be presented in a new light, not to dehumanize them. Trump refers to immigrants as criminals and murderers who are a threat to our country. For years, undocumented immigrants have been given terms like illegals and aliens, only further perpetuating fear and division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve turned on our nations ideals, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Rather than acknowledging their contributions, immigrants are framed as threats to safety and the economy. Theyve contributed to our economy as laborers, consumers and altruistic workers, and in return, weve exploited their labor force and profited from their countries consumer base. By pushing for mass deportation, Donald Trump only reinforces the oppression of the poor and working class, fueling discrimination. Karina Mora, El Monte .. To the editor: The wealth of nations now depends on the size of their populations if you don't believe that, please look at China and India. These countries are no longer Third World nations because of the size of their populations. They are challenging the United States in wealth due to their populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who contribute to the economy need to be recognized as a legitimate part of our country; to do otherwise is suicide. Red states are killing themselves with their programs to deport them. They, more than any other industrial states, need them to grow their economies. Stop the insanity! Glenn Shockley, Winnetka This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. LEWIS COUNTY, N.Y. (WWTI) The Lewis County Sheriffs Office held the 16th edition of its Shop with a Cop event over the weekend. A total of 26 kids participated in the event that received donations from area businesses, agencies and individuals. Local law enforcement agencies take part in Shop With a Cop event Here are the parties that participated in the event: 3-G Fire Department Beaver Falls Fire Department Beta Sigma Phi Xi Delta Sorority Harrisville Fire Department Kaitlyn Wood Photography Lewis County Fire Police Association State Farm Insurance Agency Tom Spaulding Vinnys Pizzeria Walmart Multiple Lewis County residents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies such as fire departments from Beaver Falls, Castorland, Constableville, Croghan, 3-G, Harrisville, Lowville, Lyons Falls, Martinsburg, New Bremen, Port Leyden and Turin participated in the event. Law enforcement entities like the Lewis County Sheriffs Office, Lewis County Probation Department, Lewis County Emergency Management, Lowville Police Department, New York State Court Officers, State forest rangers, New York State Police, state Department of Environmental Conservation also helped with the event. The Harrisville Central School Varsity Club also participated in this holiday tradition. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department has identified Sunday nights homicide victim as 15-year-old Tacobe Kindred. Police say no one is in custody for his death, but adds that detectives continue to work hard on the case and are making headway with identifying a person of interest. New details revealed in death of Gardner 2-year-old girl: court docs Officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of Bales for a shooting call on Sunday. 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, the KCPD shared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary investigation revealed there was an argument that led to shots being fired and the victim ultimately being struck. Kindreds death is the 140th homicide in the city this year. That number is down 42 homicides from this time last year. However, police and community activists still say that number is too high. The work is towards zero, Sgt. Phil DiMartino with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department shared. When you say 140, thats not good enough. Activists in the community share the same viewpoint. How many conversations do we have to prevent this? We keep having the same conversation about the same situations, community activist, Pat Clarke shared on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been on this block before this year. A six-year-old was shot in a ride-by, and Im familiar with a couple of families on this block. He was in the area again Monday to check on the families who live there. Its the same area where a six-year-old was hit by gunfire in April of this year. Its personal for me because I am one of them. You know what I am saying? I come from the same area. I know the kids. I know the parents. When you hear something like this and (are) familiar with the block and the area, it sets off an alarm. I made it a habit just to come and check, Clarke added. This kid will never finish school. This kid will never have kids. North Kansas City police investigating drive-by shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clarke said hes praying for the family and is hoping to make a difference. And trying to see what it is I can do now that I didnt do before to prevent this, Clarke shared. Again, I am one of them and that makes us family. If you gotta bring a gun to a family gathering or event, that means you dont need to go. Somebody lost their life, because somebody was careless. If they havent turned themselves in by now, then they dont care. Whatever the situation was, its still going to be what it is, he continued. Kansas City Public Schools sent the following email to East High School Families after the death of Kindred: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear East community, It is with a heavy heart that I let you know about a sad event that has impacted our East High School family. We have lost one of our beloved students in a tragic incident. Words cannot adequately express the profound grief we all feel as we come to terms with this devastating loss. The passing of a young life is an indescribable tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the students family during this incredibly challenging time. Our primary concern now is to support our students, faculty, and staff as they process this news and navigate through their emotions. East High School will provide a safe space for all our students & staff to express their feelings and seek help if needed. We have counselors on-site and support staff available to offer guidance and a listening ear to anyone who requires it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge youas staff, parents, and guardiansto engage in open conversations with your students. Let them know that it is not only welcome, but essential to communicate feelings and concerns during this trying time. If you have any questions or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to our counseling department or the school administration. We are here for you, and we will get through this together. Sincerely, Sheila Dannar Interim Principal East High School View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com Investigators are still looking for the person who caused Kindreds death. Anyone that heard or saw something, again, I will always emphasize this point, no matter how small they may think it is, it wont be small to the case, Sgt. Phil DiMartino shared. If anyone has any information, you can contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to reassure the public, that these detectives will bring these individuals to justice or individual to justice for whoever is responsible for this, Sgt. DiMartino added. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. You can run. You cant hide from God. He knows you did it, Clarke 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Dec. 17The convictions and two life sentences a Parker County jury gave a Weatherford man last year for repeatedly molesting a girl from the ages of 4 to 8 years old was affirmed on appeal Thursday. In October 2023, Stephen Leslie Roof, Jr., 50, was convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and indecency with a child after the jury heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including the victim and three women who said they were molested by Roof as children. "This appellate ruling is a victory for the generations of young girls that Mr. Roof molested," said Parker County District Attorney Jeff Swain. "Our prosecutors did an excellent job helping both our child and adult victims tell the jury their stories of abuse. The court of appeals confirmed that Judge [Craig] Towson was right in letting them do so, over the objections of the defense." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the trial, Assistant District Attorneys Kathleen Catania and Mallory Vincent used a Texas law that allows prosecutors to introduce evidence that a defendant has previously sexually assaulted children to prove the defendant's character as a child sexual abuser and that his current alleged conduct is consistent with that character. Testimony from the victim and the three women proved a pattern of child sexual abuse dating to the late 1980s involving children as young as a toddler. It was this testimony that, while powerful for the jury, formed the basis of the defendant's appeal. In addressing the issue, the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth agreed with Roof's attorney that some of the extraneous allegations were from decades ago and that they could have significantly impacted the jury's evaluation of the case. However, the court ruled that, considering the additional intervening abuse, similarity of past abuse to present abuse, and the brevity of the evidence presentation regarding previous cases and corresponding improbability of confusing the issue for the jury, that Judge Towson was "within the zone of reasonable disagreement" and the conviction and sentence should be affirmed. During the trial, Vincent told jurors that Roof had been abusing children in Parker County for 35 years and that "this case is about ending it." In her closing argument, Catania emphasized the powerful testimony of the victim of the case and said, "Sometimes it's the littlest voices that speak the loudest." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After jurors returned with two life sentences, Judge Towson ordered that the sentences be served consecutively or, what is more commonly referred to as "stacked". In doing so, he told Roof, "You took something from [the victim] that she will never get back... You stole the innocence of a 5-year-old girl." Assistant District Attorney Brian Wolfskill, who represented the prosecution on appeal, said that Roof can appeal the ruling to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in Texas for criminal matters. "Much like the United States Supreme Court, the Texas CCA has the authority to consider or decline cases at its discretion," Wolfskill said. Swain said Roof's life sentence would be served without the possibility of parole. "The maximum sentence assessed by our jury speaks volumes about our county's feelings about child predators," he said. "We are glad that the difficult work of our prosecutors, Parker County Sheriff's Office investigators, and our jury will stand." LINCOLN COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) Lincoln County residents will have until just before the end of the year to leave their storm debris in the Countys right of way. The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has set December 30, 2024, as the deadline for residents to move their vegetative storm debris off the right of way. In discussing the Countys storm debris clean up progress with our contractors, we feel that 85-90% of the debris on the right of way has been cleared and this date will allow us to ensure that we process and properly dispose of any remaining debris during the time allotted for 100% federal funding. The cost of the clean up to the County as of December 16, 2024, is $2,150,000 and may likely exceed $3,000,000, said Lincoln County Commission Chairman Walker T. Norman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county is only taking vegetative storm debris, such as downed trees and limbs. All other debris must be disposed of by other means. If you have any questions, youre asked to contact Public Works at 706-359-5523 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman said he has had to hire security thanks to baseless suggestions Elon Musk has made that Hoffman was a client of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman said he had to beef up his security thanks to conspiracy theories spread by his former friend Elon Musk. Hoffman, who was part of the PayPal Mafia with Musk, now alleges his former colleague is immoral and irresponsible, he told The Sunday Times of London. Part of the reason for his change in attitude is because the Tesla CEO has repeatedly linked Hoffman with Jeffrey Epstein, the New York financier who was charged with sex trafficking dozens of minors in 2019 before he died by suicide in a jail cell while awaiting trial on the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson earlier this year, Musk said that Democratic donors such as Bill Gates and Hoffmanwho backed Vice President Kamala Harris campaign for presidentare terrified that President Trump will publish Epsteins client list. In the interview, Musk specifically called out Hoffman. Yeah, hes terrified of a Trump victory, Musk said. Carlson then questioned whether Hoffman is afraid because of the disclosure that would follow? Musk replied: Hes certainly ideologically not aligned with Trump anyway, but I think he is concerned about the Epstein situation. Something might actuallythe DOJ [Department of Justice] might actually move forward. There is no evidence that Hoffman was a client of Epsteins. The Wall Street Journal reported that years ago Hoffman met with Epstein to raise funds for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He reportedly told the Journal he regrets the interaction. Hoffman, in the interview with the Sunday Times, labeled Musks claims about him as a conviction with no evidence, and added that he went to no Epstein parties and didnt even know who he was. Thanks to Musks allegations, though, Hoffman has had to hire more security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elons defamation makes me angry and sad, he told The Sunday Times. Angry because it is an ugly assault. Sad because it comes from someone whose entrepreneurial achievements I continue to admire. Hoffmans chief of staff Aria Finger told Fortune that Hoffman declined to comment further. In addition to Musks interview comments, the SpaceX founder has also called Hoffman out on his social media platform X. When [sic] is there not one just one even *attempted* prosecution of that Epstein (Bill Gates & Reid Hoffman come to mind) client list. Either FBI does their duty or the case for an entire departmental reset or abolishment is strong, Musk wrote in a July post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks comments led the LinkedIn cofounder to receive threats, Hoffman claimed. Its hard when someone is generating completely slanderous lies that end up resulting in crazy Maga [Make America Great Again] people sending you threats of violence, Hoffman told The Times. Hoffman previously defended Musk when the latter was attacked by Trump in 2022. At a rally in July of that year, Trump called the Tesla CEO another bullshit artist. Hoffman responded by saying Musks was the classic American immigrant story, and lauding him as an entrepreneur with a real record of success. In this election cycle, Musk and Hoffman found themselves on opposite party lines. While Hoffman endorsed and donated millions to support Harris presidential bid, Musk backed Trump with $250 million, ultimately helping him land an advisory position as co-lead of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump won the election in November. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com WARSAW, Poland Four days after she was sworn into office, Lithuanias defense minister, Dovile Sakaliene, signed an agreement to purchase 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks during her Dec. 16 official visit to Germany. Over the course of her visit to Berlin, Sakaliene met with her German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, with whom she discussed issues related to the two countries defense cooperation. These include the heavy maneuver brigade of 4,800 personnel that the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, is to deploy to Lithuania next year. The move is designed to strengthen NATOs eastern flank in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Dutch to buy tanks for more than $1 billion, add Kongsberg air defense Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement on the acquisition of Leopard 2 tanks is the largest [military] contract in the history of Lithuania, Sakaliene was quoted in a statement released by her ministry. This is a critically important stage in the modernization of our military and strengthening regional security. These tanks will open up opportunities to strengthen the integrity and interoperability of the Lithuanian and German armed forces, she said. The value of the forthcoming acquisition was not disclosed by the Lithuanian ministry. Sakaliene was appointed to her post in Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas cabinet following Lithuanias Oct. 27 general election. The vote was won by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, for which she is also a lawmaker. Shortly before the election, the State Defence Council, Lithuanias top defense decision-making body, authorized Sakaliene's predecessor Laurynas Kasciunas to initiate the acquisitions of Leopard 2A8 tanks and CV90 infantry fighting vehicles for the nations army. Manufactured by KNDS and BAE Systems Hagglunds, respectively, both types of tracked vehicles are to become part of Lithuanias new Infantry Division comprising two battalions. NEW YORK CITY (WFLA) A New York City grand jury on Tuesday indicted Luigi Mangione on charges that include first-degree murder in the ambush killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, the Manhattan District Attorneys office announced. The indictment elevates the case against Mangione, 26, in Thompsons killing outside a New York City hotel on Dec. 4. The charges began to pile up for Mangione after his arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9 after he was recognized following a massive manhunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more by visiting NBCNews.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 WFLA. MADISON, Wis. (WTVO) Police in Madison, Wisconsin are working to track the social media activities of a 15-year-old girl, in search of a motive for a mass shooting at a Christian school Monday that killed a student and a teacher and injured six others. According to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, the shooting was reported around 10:57 a.m. at the school, which is located at 4901 East Buckeye Road. The teenage suspect was identified as 15-year-old Natalie (Samantha) Rupnow, a student at the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rupnow used a handgun in the assault, which happened in a classroom study hall with students of mixed grades, Barnes said. A teacher and a teenage student were killed. Authorities said Rupnow was found dead in the school, of a self-inflicted wound. Six additional victims are being treated for gunshot wounds. Two of those are students who are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, and another three injured students and a teacher are expected to recover. Barnes said detectives are working to determine a motive for the killings, adding that Rupnow appeared to have been motivated by a variety of factors, but declined to elaborate, citing an ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said his department is working to verify the legitimacy of a manifesto attributed to Rupnow, currently circulating on social media. Barnes said police are pouring over other documents found in Rupnows home, and working to track her social media activities prior to the shootings. Authorities did not release the identities of the victims. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway bristled at questions from reporters when pressed for details, admonishing reporters and saying, Im gonna say this, then were done. It is absolutely none of yalls business who was harmed in this incident. Please, have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones, or were injured themselves, or whose children were injured. Just have some human decency, folks. Let them grieve. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Adam De Wilde was taking out the trash at around 12:30 p.m. Monday when he noticed something unusual. Some 90 minutes earlier, a student at the Abundant Life Christian School roughly eight miles away from the tidy 3-bedroom home he and his wife share in Madison, Wisconsins Sherman Village section had fatally gunned down a classmate and a teacher, and wounded six others. But De Wilde did not yet realize that his neighbor, 15-year-old Natalie Samantha Rupnow, who would not be identified publicly by police for another several hours, was the person responsible for the unthinkable bloodshed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw that there were a bunch of cop cars, probably between eight and 12 vehicles, which is not normal for this neighborhood, De Wilde told The Independent. ... You rarely see a single cop car driving down the street [around here] with its lights on. De Wilde, 45, said on Tuesday that he watched as the Madison PDs SWAT team positioned an armored personnel carrier-type of thing in front of a house almost directly across from his, while a clutch of heavily armed officers took cover behind it. The entry team stayed behind the SWAT vehicle for quite some time, until they eventually drove right up to the door of the house and set off two explosive charges one for the door and one for the window, De Wilde continued, thinking at first that he was witnessing a drug bust. Photos from the scene showed the door blown completely off its hinges and an adjacent window shattered by the blast. Gunfire rang out during a mixed-grade study hall, killing two and wounding six. Police identified the shooter as a 15-year-old female student (AP) After the officers went inside, [I]t was just sort of waiting, waiting, waiting, De Wilde recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, De Wilde said, the police emerged with the Rupnow familys dog, a boxer seen in multiple photos posted on social media by Natalies father, Jeff, which was taken away by animal control. There were no people in there, De Wilde went on, grateful that what could potentially have been another deadly situation instead remained otherwise uneventful. Suzy De Wilde said she and her husband moved in about four years ago and that Natalie Rupnow was a familiar face. Every day, I wash my dishes and I see that house, she said. Its f*****g crazy that thats where the shooter lived Every day, I get to look at that front door now. How do you live with these reminders everywhere? The Madison, Wisconsin, home where 15-year-old school shooter Natalie Rupnow lived with her parents. Her neighbors have described the sadness on the block (Google Maps) Crime scene tape continues to surround the property, and detectives are still searching for further evidence. Rupnow shot herself before police arrived, and was pronounced dead. Her parents, Jeff and Melissa Rupnow, are reportedly cooperating with police. The Abundant Life Christian School serves roughly 400 students, from kindergarten through 12th grade. A second-grade teacher was the first to call 911 and alert police to Mondays deadly gunfire, which rang out during a mixed-grade study hall shortly before 11 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rupnow, who police say used a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to commit the 325th school shooting of 2024 , joins an exceedingly short list of female school shooters. An alleged manifesto she left behind has emerged, but Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, himself a former public school teacher, said investigators have not been able to verify its authenticity. Ive talked to a couple of [other] neighbors, and its just sadness, Adam De Wilde said. Its just sad to think that a kid woke up in the morning and grabbed a gun and went to school, and theyre your neighbor. Everybodys surprised. Its a quiet neighborhood. Two students injured in Mondays ghastly rampage remain in critical condition, with what authorities described as life-threatening injuries. Three students and one teacher were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; two of the survivors have been released, while two are considered stable. Detectives have not yet determined a motive, according to Barnes. Investigators are still working to determine a motive for Mondays horrific school shooting, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes (Getty Images) To Suzy De Wilde, a trained paramedic who works at an area healthcare clinic, yesterdays shooting is all Ive heard patients talking about, its all Ive heard staff talking about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flags are at half-mast, it hurts, she said. Everybody Ive talked to has a little bit of anxiety, a little bit of something, and I assume that will last for a while. I saw people on Facebook offering to send Uber Eats to families who were affected, but nobody really knows what to do. A former coworker of Jeff Rupnows said news of the shooting came as a shock, and the fact that his ex-colleagues daughter was behind it made it even harder to comprehend. You dont expect something like that to happen in your town, and then you find out that you somehow knew somebody involved, Aaron Harter told The Independent. You never know whats going on in somebodys life. When he got home on Monday night, Harter said he hugged both my boys tight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A candlelight vigil hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County is scheduled to take place outside the State Capitol on Tuesday. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard are expected to attend. The FBI and ATF are assisting the Madison PD in its investigation, which remains ongoing, and the Dane County District Attorneys Office has mobilized resources, including social workers, attorneys, victim advocates, and others, for anyone who needs help. Meanwhile, Suzy De Wilde spent the first half of Tuesday preparing for a holiday party at work, as the aftershocks from yet another mass shooting continue to reverberate throughout Madison. We dont have children, she said. But if we did, this isnt the world I would want for them. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) A renowned bagel store on the Upper West Side was recently forced to close following an inspection by the New York City Health Department. Absolute Bagel, located at 2788 Broadway, was inspected on Dec. 11. During the inspection, pest and food contamination conditions were observed, including rat droppings and live roaches in food preparation and storage areas. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The establishment does have a history of noncompliance and was previously closed by the Health Department on Jan. 17, 2013, and Oct. 26, 2017, for vermin infestations and unsanitary conditions, a spokesperson from the Health Department told PIX11 News. As of Friday, the owner had not contacted the Health Department to begin the reopening process. Following the closure, local officials penned a letter to the owner, landlord, and landlords broker for Absolute Bagel to outline a path to keep the store open. Absolute Bagels was one-of-a-kind not just the best bagels in the city, but a touchstone that occupied a special place in the heart of our community, Assemblymemeber-Elect Micah Lasher, Councilmember Shaun Abreu, and State Senator Cordell Cleare wrote. For residents of the West Side and Morningside Heights, Absolute Bagels is irreplaceable even, and especially, by a new and different bagel store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renowned Harlem bakery launches GoFundMe to stay in business In the letter, the officials called on the owner, Samak Thongkrieng, to consider selling the existing business as is if he decides to retire. The other suggestion is for the landlord and the broker to find a new tenant who would arrange with Thongkrieng for the continuity of Absolute Bagels name, brand identity, recipes, and staff. The officials also offered their assistance in working with the Health Department to get the store up to code. The latter concluded: By working with us to ensure that the tradition of Absolute Bagels continues, you will be doing a great service to the community and to bagel lovers everywhere while also pursuing the fastest path to a renewed and sustainable tenancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) On Monday, local residents got the opportunity to check up on their health before the Christmas holiday next week. Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Panama City sponsored a health fair at the Glenwood community center. Former Jackson County deputy case potentially heading to Florida Supreme Court Residents could drop by for free services like a blood pressure check, flu shots, lipid screens, stroke risk assessments, and general health education and tips. Coordinators say their goal is to promote health in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we do a lot of community events to promote health in the community and talk about services that we do as well as like I said, other vendors. But weve been working in this community recently trying to establish some new relationships and trying to build up this community and get some more healthy information specifically here, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital Rehab Liason Debbie Messer said. Messer says, even if you feel fine, its still important to have this information to monitor your health. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dec. 16Local United Way officials said Monday their annual campaign is far from its goal. According to a news release from the United Way of Mid Rural New York, its Otsego County campaign has only reached 11% ($10,779) of its $97,500 goal as of December. The campaign has been running since mid-September, the release stated, and donations have been coming into the United Way through employee payroll pledges and through individual mail solicitations. The campaign will close its annual fundraising campaign on Dec. 31. "It's so important that we raise as many dollars for our community as possible, "said Elizabeth Monaco, executive director of the United Way. "We also have many United Way initiatives, like the Otsego Micro Loan project, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Regional Dental Task Force that depend on a strong annual campaign to serve our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This last year has been difficult for so many of our families and we need to ensure that local programs are able to continue functioning and that funding remains available for them through the United Way. It's critical that we meet and exceed our goal to be able to do that." she said. Contributions from the United Way campaign will be used in 2025 to fund local programs "that address the issues of a healthy community, opportunities for youth, financial security and community resiliency in Otsego County," the release stated. Those are new categories for 2025. Every program that is funded through the United Way's competitive request-for-proposal process "must demonstrate measurable results and lasting change in our community," according to the release. For example, because of donations to the United Way last year, more than 250 Otsego County children received monthly books in the mail through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program and more than 4,300 elementary school children received free dental products to help increase oral hygiene. The United Way of Mid Rural New York is also raising funds across its footprint for Madison, Otsego and Delaware counties. The regional goal for the United Way is $562,900 and to date the United Way has reached 52% ($290,632) of that goal. More than 55 programs have requested 2025 funding across the four counties served, totaling more than. "Times are challenging for our communities. Families are struggling with increasing grocery bills and rising utility and heating costs," Monaco said. I'm so proud of local employers who have rallied their employees to support the United Way campaign. ... Each county is doing a great job of raising funds, but we still have progress to be made. It's critical that we raise as many dollars as possible so that we can fund as many programs in our communities as we possibly can." For more information about the annual campaign, call the United Way office at 607-334-8815. To learn more about the organization or to make a contribution, visit the organization's website at www.uwmrny.org. American aerospace company Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has successfully launched its GPS III SV07, the seventh GPS III satellite, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch took place on December 16, 2024, at 7:52 p.m. ET, putting the satellite in orbit at 12,550 miles above the Earth's surface. This latest launch has attracted interest because of the M-code technology on the satellite empowers secure access multiple times for the country and allied armed forces with its 8x more anti-jamming power than previous generations. The technology will significantly strengthen military GPS security and reliability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This launch is necessary for the continuation of the GPS constellation modernization which is important for both military use and civil applications, but especially for military purposes. With 8x more anti-jamming power, the satellite with its new technology improves the reliability of military navigation for better operations accuracy and the delivery of supplies and logistics. The satellite GPS III SV07 with the M-code technology upgrade is an improvement to military operational security. The enhanced functions of anti-jamming and anti-spoofing features are important in terms of geopolitical support for less disruption GPS. Lockheed Martin together with the Space Force have well-demonstrated the ability to enable installing critical space assets in less than three months showing strong reliability. This operational is necessary to support national security needs in a rapidly competitive space environment. Deep dive into Lockheed Martin's performance with charts, breakdowns, insiders, politician trading activities, guru insights and more by visiting GuruFocus now! This article first appeared on GuruFocus. A popular regional burger chain might finally open a site in Pierce County. While executives with Burgerville have expressed interest in the area before, this time the consideration comes amid expansion plans and the addition of new investor partners. May Han, chief development officer for Vancouver, Washington-based Burgerville, told The News Tribune in response to a recent reader poll that Pierce County is a contender again for a future site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Burgerville begins to expand, we are considering sites along the I-5 corridor, including Pierce County, Han said via email. We are grateful for the demand and look forward to the opportunity to serve your residents, Han added. Burgerville was one of the top two vote-getters in a recent News Tribune Readers Poll that asked what home improvement, grocery or restaurant brands people would like to see come to Tacoma and/or Pierce County. Expect a story on the full poll results later this week. Burgervilles closest location for now is in Centralia. Other than making the trek south, local fans in the past might have been lucky enough to encounter the Burgerville Nomad, a roving Burgerville mobile food vendor that served up burgers and fries and other fare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truck in 2015 was in lieu of developing a local site after company officials previously floated plans to open a site in the Tacoma-Olympia market. The burger chain was launched in 1961 and has grown to 40 locations across Oregon and Southwest Washington, primarily in towns along I-5 and in the Vancouver area. Han, a former Dutch Bros executive, was announced as taking on her current role with Burgerville in September. The September announcement also noted that the brand was preparing to more than double the number of existing locations in the coming years. An earlier announcement about new investors coming on board noted that In the coming year, the company plans to open restaurants in Salem and Keizer, followed by expansion north and east of its store in Centralia, Washington. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) The longtime girlfriend of Brittanee Drexels killer could get a lengthy prison sentence in January months after admitting lying multiple times to the FBI as they investigated the case. Angel Vause, 56, pleaded guilty Sept. 9 in U.S. District Courts Charleston division to three counts of making a false statement to federal agents and faces up to 24 years behind bars. U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Veronica Hill told News13 on Monday that sentencing could happen early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the latest development in a case that began in March when Vause was indicted. Her boyfriend Raymond Moody is serving a life sentence after confessing in 2022 to raping and murdering Drexel while she was on spring break in Myrtle Beach. Vause agreed in July to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Charleston to two counts of making false statements to federal agents each carrying a penalty of five years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. But on Aug. 15 the planned date of her sentencing both sides agreed to a 10-day continuance after the penalty was upgraded to a maximum of eight years for each count. In light of Ms. Vauses rejection of the plea, were currently preparing for trial and considering all our options Those options include potentially seeking a superseding indictment to include a federal kidnapping charge, First United States Attorney Brook B. Andrews told News13 at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WSAV) With less than 10 days from Christmas, workers at two Amazon warehouses in Georgia are threatening to strike, joining thousands of workers from two New York warehouses. NBC is reporting both those warehouses are in the Atlanta metro area and are part of the Teamsters union which is fighting for better working conditions and pay. Sunday was the deadline the Teamsters union set for Amazon to start negotiations. Without a deal, the workers could strike next week. Amazon delivery drivers we spoke with say they have not heard anything about strikes happening at local distribution facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One, who chose to remain anonymous, said he is fine with current working conditions at the Port Wentworth location where he is employed. Its been fine for me. I like the pace. I like going fast. Its been smooth for me, said the driver. A spokesperson for Amazon told News 3 in a statement the Teamsters have continued to mislead the public and claim to represent thousands of Amazon employees and drivers They dont. The full statement is below. News 3 also asked Amazon if a potential strike on the regional and national level could slow deliveries in the area, and we have been told that none of the strikes in the past have affected local operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statement from Amazon: For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public claiming that they represent thousands of Amazon employees and drivers. They dont, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative about the independent small businesses who deliver on our behalf. The truth is that the Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges. -Eileen Hards, Amazon Spokesperson Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Los Angeles County is suing the owner of Chiquita Canyon Landfill for failing to control a high-temperature chemical reaction that is cooking garbage and sickening nearby residents. For nearly two years, trash has been smoldering in a long-dormant portion of Chiquita Canyon due to the rare chemical reaction. The broiling temperatures have affected a roughly 30-acre area, where putrid gases and hazardous liquids have burst through the surface of the landfill. Although regulators have ordered Chiquita Canyon staff to take steps to contain the reaction, many of their efforts have been delayed or have failed to stop the stench from drifting into the nearby communities of Castaic and Val Verde. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Fertilized soil may be a major source of smog near Salton Sea, researchers say On Monday, Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit against Chiquita Canyon's owner, Waste Connections, claiming that its efforts have not been sufficient to extinguish the smoldering reaction and end the ongoing public nuisance, which the landfill's staff acknowledges could persist for years. This lawsuit is a necessary step to ensure accountability and compliance with the rules that protect our residents and the environment, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. We must hold the responsible party accountable and continue doing everything possible to restore safe and healthy living conditions for our communities. "While Federal, State, and County agencies are working around the clock with the landfill operator to mitigate this incident, its clear that the ... mitigation measures have not brought a permanent stop to the awful stench that afflicts the surrounding communities. This lawsuit is a powerful tool that demands the landfill owners bring immediate relief to impacted residents. They must step up efforts to take care of those that have been harmed by their facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county is seeking a court order to halt the noxious emissions as well as civil penalties for environmental and public health violations. If Chiquita Canyon fails to do so, the county is asking for the court to appoint a receiver "to take possession" and bring it into compliance, according to court documents. Read more: Elevated radiation detected at former Bay Area landfill turned art park Despite repeated enforcement actions and abatement orders, the landfill operators have not adequately addressed the situation, said Dusan Pavlovic, senior deputy county counsel for Los Angeles County. This lawsuit seeks to ensure immediate action to stop the harm. The resources that have been deployed in the community fall woefully short. Chiquita Canyon representatives could not be reached immediately for comment on the lawsuit. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Paying for cancer screenings for firefighters in Louisiana will become less stressful next year. The state legislature passed Act 554, which requires local governments to provide cancer screenings for all full-time firefighters and retirees at no cost to the firefighters. The law is designed to provide financial protection to firefighters who are exposed to cancer-causing chemicals while on the job when they are fighting fires and the aftermath of smoldering clean-up. Health experts with Willis-Knighton said firefighters are at greater risk for developing cancer, and regular screenings are essential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willis-Knighton Health and the cities of Shreveport-Bossier and their fire districts will host a news conference Tuesday morning to announce their plan to combat this critical occupational health care issue under the new law that goes into effect in 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 KTALnews.com. (Wesley Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Louisiana will hold a special election Feb. 15 for open state Senate seats in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. A runoff, if needed, will be held March 29, on the same ballot as Gov. Jeff Landrys proposed tax and criminal justice state constitutional amendments. Sens. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, and Jean-Paul Coussan, R-Lafayette, are leaving the Louisiana Legislature to take their new positions in Congress and on the Public Service Commission, respectively. Their resignations will leave Senate districts 14 and 23 open. The candidate qualifying period for both Senate seats will take place Jan. 7-9. State Rep. Larry Selders, D-Baton Rouge, and former state school board member Carolyn Hill, D-Baton Rouge, have both said they will run to replace Fields. State Rep. Brach Myers, R-Lafayette, and Broussard Councilman Jesse Regan, also a Republican, have said they will run to replace Coussan. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) On Tuesday, members of the Prince Georges County community and loved ones gathered in Landover to honor the life and legacy of DMV activist, Cornelius Neal McDonald. In November, McDonald was shot and killed outside of Jaspers Restaurant in Maryland after he was involved in an argument with Terrelle Bailey, 35, according to Prince Georges County police. His family told DC News Now that he was trying to break up a fight between Bailey and another man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald and Bailey did not know each other. Community gathers for candlelight vigil to honor DMV activist Cornelius McDonald McDonald, who touched the lives of many, was loved by his community and was known as a beloved leader. He was the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Stay Solid For Mental Health, where he advocated for anti-gun violence and young mental health. McDonalds funeral was held at the City of Praise Family Ministries on Dec. 17. During the funeral, several loved ones and those who were part of McDonalds life shared some of their best memories of him. His presence was irreplaceable, said Viktor Valente, McDonalds best friend and business partner, during the funeral. To be a person with so much influence and so many great ideas and just so many things going for himself, to lead in that way was very spectacular and very one-of-a-kind. Neal I love you forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald will be laid to rest at the Heritage Memorial Cemetery in Waldorf. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 little desert town of Calipatria, known for its state prison, is a humble place. It struggles with poverty. It's in the middle of Imperial County, where the 20% unemployment rate is California's highest. And some days, its dusty air carries the stench of the polluted Salton Sea eight miles west. But if you call townsfolk low-down, they won't take it as an insult. Sitting 184 feet below sea level, Calipatria is the lowest incorporated town in the Western Hemisphere. (Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is lower, at 282 feet below, but no one lives there.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many rural towns that don't have a lot, Calipatria takes pride in what it does have. A flagpole that was once world's tallest: a 184-foot staff from which Old Glory flies at sea level. Edgar Self, the city's public works director, called it "the shining star" of the Imperial Valley this month. He was setting out barrels of concrete to anchor 11 strings of white lights that would be hoisted to the top of the pole to create a very tall Christmas "tree" visible for miles around. It's a sleepy little community, but were trying to get it going again, Self said. "This community is very low income," added Self, 48, whose family has lived in this town 30 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border for several generations. "Theres not a lot of money going around. This is one of the things we get to do for the community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this little town surrounded by agriculture fields and solar farms, summer temperatures exceed 110 degrees, and many homes have lawns of dirt instead of grass. The biggest employer is Calipatria State Prison. Besides a few restaurants, including a mouthwatering birria joint, there are not many businesses to draw in tourists. The flagpole marked on Google Maps as the Highest Flagpole is the kind of road-trip oddity that has beckoned Canadian snowbirds, Bombay Beach bohemians and leather-clad Harley-Davidson riders passing through this town where pastors used to joke that their low-elevation parishioners had to pray harder because they are closer to hell. Employees at City Hall across the street often step outside to take flagpole photos for tourists, sometimes lying on the ground to get the best angle. Even better than the pole, Self said, is its backstory an only-in-California tale for which city workers, led by an intern with an encyclopedic knowledge of its twists and turns, are trying to get official state recognition. The flagpole, per the plaque at its base, is "Dedicated to Good Neighborliness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But locals know it really stands in honor of the late Takeo Harry Momita and his wife, Shizuko Helen Momita. The Japanese American couple lived in Calipatria after being incarcerated with their three children at the Poston War Relocation Center in western Arizona during World War II. Momita was a pharmacist who was born in Hiroshima, Japan, moved to California with his parents at age 8 and graduated from USC. In the 1930s and '40s, he ran drugstores throughout the Imperial Valley, including in Brawley and El Centro. "You see, in those days, it was difficult for a Japanese to operate a drugstore successfully," his daughter, Louise Momita, said in a 1958 episode of the TV series "This Is Your Life." "As social pressures increased, and business fell off, Daddy would have to find a new location and start over again." After Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, paving the way for the imprisonment of 120,000 people of Japanese descent two-thirds of whom were American citizens in desolate detention camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Momitas' son, Milton, told The Times that his family was living in El Centro in the spring of 1942 when they were forced to board a bus bound for the Poston camp. He was nearly 5 years old. He remembers driving through the gates, past the barbed-wire fences. At the camp, his elementary school classrooms were in converted barracks, where the children stood every day to say the Pledge of Allegiance. "I think now, why did I do that?" said Milton Momita, 87. "I pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and here we were, devoid of all our civil rights, put into camps and without having committed crimes just the fact that we were Japanese." The Momitas were incarcerated for three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milton Momita, a retired pharmacist who lives in Contra Costa County, said that even after the imprisonment, his father "believed in this country." "He taught us that this is a good country, a great country to work hard, keep your nose clean, get an education, be good citizens," he said. "I'm happy to say that my two sisters and myself, we ended up being really good citizens." By the early 1950s, the Momitas were living in Calipatria. That's where Momita became president of the Chamber of Commerce and opened another drugstore. It was a beloved hangout where wife Helen served coffee and locals served up chitchat. Besides being a very friendly town ... ever since we moved down there, no one hardly calls us Mr. Momita or Mrs. Momita. We're known affectionately as Helen and Harry," Momita said on "This Is Your Life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 1957, the couple were driving to Los Angeles to visit their then-grown children when a car slammed headfirst into them in Colton. The 18-year-old driver of the other vehicle, The Times reported at the time, was trying to pass another car. Helen Momita died instantly. She was 50. The mayor of Calipatria, a city councilman, and the chief of the police hustled to the hospital. They persuaded Momita to hand over the keys to his pharmacy. For weeks, while Momita recovered and mourned, his neighbors ran his shop. They even recruited a pharmacist from nearby Brawley to fill prescriptions for three hours a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helen Momita's female friends "kept the coffee hot and waited on the customers and dusted and cleaned," said one of those women on "This Is Your Life." Host Ralph Edwards noted that her husband had been "killed in the Pacific" during World War II and her son was then serving with the U.S. Air Force in Japan. The townspeople collected $500 for flowers for Helen Momita's funeral. But Momita said his humble wife would not have wanted a big memorial. He suggested putting the money toward something that local officials had pitched years earlier but that the town could not afford: a flagpole reaching up to sea level. He was so touched by his neighbors keeping his store afloat that he gave an additional $500 from his own savings. The story made national news and was featured in Time magazine, which noted that the Imperial Valley had come a long way "since the old days and Pearl Harbor days when inflamed feelings against Japanese settlers brought persecution and bloodshed." Set in 18 feet of concrete, the Calipatria flagpole was erected in October 1958. Per the plaque at its base, it is "Dedicated to Good Neighborliness." (Hailey Branson-Potts / Los Angeles Times) Donations poured in. Then-Vice President Richard Nixon sent a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol. Pacific Southwest Pipe Co. in Los Angeles offered to erect the pole at cost, which, The Times reported, was about $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next year, Mayor Ed Rademacher and a city councilman brought an unsuspecting Momita to the Burbank set of "This Is Your Life," where, to his surprise, family and friends joined him onstage to tell his story. And the story of the flagpole. Rademacher, a World War II veteran, mentioned another landmark flag when describing his friend: "I can remember when I was on Iwo Jima, and that flag was on top of Mt. Suribachi. But I think Harry has raised that flag a little bit higher." The Calipatria flagpole, set in 18 feet of concrete, was erected in October 1958. A bright yellow sign at its base still declares it is the "World's Tallest Flagpole." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, it's not even close. The title currently belongs to a 662.57-foot flagpole in Cairo built in 2021. The Calipatria pole isn't even the tallest in California. It was overtaken in 1996 by a 200-foot flagpole dedicated by the Lions Club in Dorris, a town of 860 people near the Oregon border. But none of that matters to Calipatria city employees and elected officials, who want to see their flagpole formally designated as an official California historical landmark or point of historical interest. The backstory, they say, is especially noteworthy. The Momitas were some of the few, if not the only, Japanese Americans living in Calipatria, where today less than 1% of the town's population is Asian, according to the U.S. Census. The mostly Latino town now has about 6,200 residents a figure that includes more than 2,400 inmates at Calipatria State Prison. Milton Momita said that, in 2019, he brought his daughter and two grandsons, one in high school and one in college, to the Imperial Valley to show them where he grew up. "Being raised up in the Bay Area, they didn't think there was much to do there," he said, chuckling. But they were impressed by the flagpole which, after all these years, is still a source of pride for him. At Calipatria City Hall, Rudy Rosales, a 23-year-old intern from nearby Niland, has spent months researching the story of the flagpole, combing through municipal and news media archives, calling research libraries for obscure articles, putting together a comprehensive record that the city will be able to reference for years to come. Rosales is a little shy until he starts talking about the pole. He has memorized its significant dates, minutiae about the company that built it and details about what became an international fundraising campaign for the landmark. Its a bit hard to believe that this happened, which is why were doing a lot and I mean a lot of research to make sure that we have all of our facts correct," Rosales said. City officials said they hope to use Rosales' research as part of a nomination package for the state Office of Historic Preservation to get the ball rolling on a much-hoped-for official designation. "It's iconic to this community," City Manager Laura Gutierrez said on a recent December day. She keeps a stash of stickers and pins in her office. They are emblazoned with the new city seal, which features you guessed it the flagpole. A state designation, she added, would hopefully help the town preserve the pole and keep it well-maintained in the future. If the city gets a historic landmark designation for its flagpole, it also could get a directional highway sign from the California Department of Transportation, pointing the way for tourists. It's a humble hope. But a hope nonetheless. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. RHODE ISLAND Only about 50.4 percent of kids in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, 60.9 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Flu activity remains minimal in Rhode Island, as of Tuesday. The CDC said that while 200 pediatric deaths were confirmed for the 2023-2024 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 2023-2024 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 2017-2018 season, according to the CDC. Have a news tip? Email jimmy.bentley@patch.com. Low Flu Vaccination Rates Among RI Children Worry Experts originally appeared on the Cranston Patch The state Capitol. (Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury) Lucas looks for tax relief, but no sanctuary city ban. Richmond Times-Dispatch Two Virginia women who came to Congress on a mission prepare to leave at a critical moment. The Associated Press Virginia senator used Chesapeake address to run for office, but wasnt listed on propertys lease. The Virginian-Pilot Teenager found dead behind Henrico home near elementary school. WTVR Hunter dies after bear falls from tree in Virginia. WRIC SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Luigi Mangione has now been charged with murder as an act of terrorism for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. On Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the new terror upgrade toward the 26-year-old Ivy League grad on top of his existing murder charge from the Dec. 4 shooting. Bragg said the midtown Manhattan crime was a killing that was intended to evoke terror. And weve seen that reaction. This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation, the DA said at a press conference. It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, a New York grand jury indicted the suspected shooter on 11 charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder (which includes the act of terror). Thompson was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown nearly two weeks ago while in Manhattan for a company investor meeting. The shooter was captured on video in the act and afterward in video taken by a taxi cab camera. They also etched the words deny, delay and depose on bullet casings found at the scene and notably did not target a bystander. Following the shooting and the ensuing five-day manhunt, suspected shooter Mangione became somewhat of a folk hero. The fervor around him only grew once he was caught at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a 262-word note expressing rage at the American healthcare system. The case has already reached such heights that multiple documentaries about the killing are in the works including one by filmmaker Alex Gibney. Gibneys doc wont just explore the crime itself, but also the public support for Mangione in the aftermath and how it became an outlet for expressing frustration toward private healthcare companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to second-degree murder, Mangione had previously been charged with forgery and three counts of illegal weapons possession. He was denied bail and remains in Pennsylvania while New York seeks extradition. The post Luigi Mangione Charged With Murder as an Act of Terrorism for UnitedHealthcares CEO Killing appeared first on TheWrap. Just 12 days after the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney and producers Anonymous Content have announced their plans to develop a documentary about the killing. Thompson was killed in broad daylight in midtown Manhattan, where he was set to speak at an investor conference. Last week, 26-year-old Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione was arrested in relation to the murder and was found with a 262-word note expressing rage at the American healthcare system. Gibneys film, which he will also produce through his Jigsaw Productions banner, will explore how killers are created and what Thompsons murder says about our society and the values we place on who lives and who dies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the crime, the film will explore the public support for Mangione and how it has become an outlet for widespread frustration towards private healthcare companies, which regularly deny coverage to patients while costs continue to spiral. UnitedHealthcare in particular has been known to have a higher rate of denied claims than the industry average. Gibney received an Academy Award in 2008 for his documentary Taxi to the Dark Side, which recounts the torture and killing of an Afghan taxi driver by American soldiers at a black site. He also received Primetime Emmys for his films Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief and Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God, the latter of which also won a Peabody Award. Gibney is repped by UTA. The post Luigi Mangione Doc In Works From Alex Gibney appeared first on TheWrap. Luigi Mangione has been indicted on charges of murder as an act of terrorism, after prosecutors upgraded the complaint against him in New York. State lawyers said they had changed the charges against Mr Mangione, 26, from second to first-degree murder because his alleged killing of Brian Thompson was in furtherance of an act of terrorism. Thompson, the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, was gunned down on a busy New York street on Dec 4, prompting a national manhunt for his killer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Mangione, an Ivy League graduate, was arrested days later after he was recognised from police handout photographs in a branch of McDonalds in Pennsylvania. New York police officials have said Mr Mangione was carrying the gun used in Thompsons killing, a passport and various fake IDs, including the one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. Lawyer suggests Mangione likely to plead not guilty He was originally charged with second degree murder, which is the charge usually used in murder cases in New York state, unless there is a significant aggravating factor. His lawyer suggested he is likely to plead not guilty to the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, on Tuesday New York prosecutors unveiled a more significant charge of first-degree murder, in furtherance of an act of terrorism. The indictment accused Mr Mangione of murdering the chief executive with the intent to influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion. This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, said Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney. The terror charge was one of 11 counts brought against Mr Mangione by a grand jury. Police have said the tech graduate was found with a handwritten manifesto that expressed grievances against corporate America. Mangione allegedly disillusioned with healthcare industry It has been speculated Thompson was the victim of a targeted assassination, motivated by his work at UnitedHealthcare, one of the biggest healthcare insurers in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Mangione suffered a back complaint and was disillusioned with the healthcare industry, friends have said, although UnitedHealthcare said he was not a client. The case has prompted a significant public debate about health insurance providers, and backlash against some leftists who celebrated Thompsons murder. His supporters have donated more than $140,000 to a fund for his legal defence. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Donald Trump said it was terrible that some had expressed admiration for Mr Mangiones alleged crimes. That was a terrible thing, he said. It was cold-blooded, just a cold-blooded, horrible killing. And how people can like this guy is thats a sickness actually. Thats really, very bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Mangione is currently being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week. Mr Braggs office is seeking his extradition to New York to stand trial. Luigi Mangione shouts at the press as he is escorted into court in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania - Matthew Hatcher/REUTERS His arrest was the culmination of a dramatic manhunt and the discovery of a series of cryptic clues, including bullet casings at the scene with the words deny, defend and depose written on them. Police later found a backpack thought to have been used by the killer, which contained fake money from Monopoly, the board game. Mr Mangione is thought to have left New York shortly after the shooting took place, catching a bus to Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of his wealthy family in Maryland expressed shock at his arrest, although his friends said he had been out of contact with his relatives for some time. Thompson, 50, was laid to rest in his home state of Minnesota last week in a private service. His family described him in a statement as an incredibly loving husband, son, brother and friend. Most importantly, Brian was a devoted father to our two sons, and we will miss him for the rest of our lives, they said. We appreciate the overwhelming outpouring of kind words and support we have received. 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. Luigi Mangione has been indicted on murder charges in the slaying earlier this month of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, one of which was charged as an act of terrorism, for the brazen, targeted and premeditated shooting of Brian Thompson, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said at a press conference. The first-degree murder charge and second-degree murder/terrorism charge carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The maximum penalty for the other second-degree murder charge is 25 years to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione, 26, also faces charges of criminal possession of a weapon and a forged instrument. Bragg said his office is still in the process of extraditing Mangione from Pennsylvania, where he as apprehended last week, to New York, where hes accused of killing Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Hes scheduled to appear before a Pennsylvania court Thursday. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch used her time at Tuesdays press conference to slam anyone who has celebrated Mangiones alleged actions. He was found with a manifesto on him denouncing the U.S. health insurance system. We have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder, Tisch said. Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack. People ghoulishly plastered posters threatening other CEOs with an X over Mr. Thompsons picture, as though he was some sort of a sick trophy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bragg spoke out about the proliferation of so-called ghost guns untraceable weapons built from parts purchased online or assembled with 3D printers like the one prosecutors allege Mangione used. Last year, over 80 ghost guns and ghost gun parts were recovered in Manhattan alone, Bragg said. The NYPD and the Manhattan DAs office have been leading in the interdiction of these ghost guns. And one thing I want to make clear: Theyre unserialized, they can be printed out, but as this case tragically makes clear, they are just as deadly as traditional firearms. Related... By Akbar Novruz The Armenian terrorist organization "Nubar Ozanyan" has announced its alliance with the YPG, declaring its intent to combat Turkiye, Azernews reports, citing Armenian media. It should be noted that the "Nubar Ozanyan" group, which originated from Syria, was involved in the Second Garabagh War four years ago, fighting on the Armenian side in Khankendi. However, following Armenia's defeat, the group retreated to Armenia. After a four-year absence, the organization returned to Syria in early December, where it has now declared its renewed activity and alignment with the YPG. Luigi Mangione leaving the Blair County Courthouse in Pennsylvania on Dec. 10 - Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images Luigi Mangione was officially indicted in New York City on multiple charges connected to the killing of UnitedHelathcare CEO Brian Thompson. The office for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the grand jury indictment Tuesday, Dec. 17, just over a week after Mangione was first arrested and charged. The new indictment charges Mangione with first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism, as well as two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione was also charged with 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. If convicted, Mangione would face a max penalty of life in prison without parole. In a statement, Bragg accused Mangione of carrying out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of Thompson, adding: This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated. Karen Friedman Agnifilo, the lawyer Mangione has retained to represent him, did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione is currently being held at a correctional facility in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania after he was arrested last week at a McDonalds in Altoona. He has also been arraigned in Pennsylvania on firearm and forgery felony charges. His attorney in the Pennsylvania case, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione would plead not guilty to the charges in both cases. Mangione is accused of killing Thompson in the early hours of Wednesday, Dec. 4, outside a New York hotel. The CEO was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, and Mangione was allegedly able to flee the scene and eventually leave New York City. He was arrested in Altoona five days later, with police recovering a 9-mm ghost gun reportedly made by a 3D printer and a fake New Jersey ID he allegedly used at a New York City hostel. Mangione also reportedly had on him a handwritten manifesto that criticized health care companies and the ways they prioritize profits over patient care. The contents of the document (which was eventually leaked in full) appeared to comport with one of the most striking pieces of evidence left at the crime scene: discarded shell casings with the words Deny and Depose carved on them, and a bullet with the word Delay written on it a possible allusion to terms used by health insurance companies to avoid paying claims. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEW YORK A Manhattan grand jury has indicted Luigi Mangione on first-degree murder and terrorism-related crimes for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, court filings show. The Manhattan Supreme Court indictment charges Mangione, 26, with first-degree murder, second degree murder as a crime of terrorism, and nine other charges related to the high-profile hit outside an entrance to the Hilton Hotel in Midtown on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. The first degree murder charge is typically reserved for people accused of killing a member of law enforcement or a witness. Mangione was previously expected to be charged with second-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While first degree murder typically applies to killing a police officer or a witness, it can also apply if the victim was killed in furtherance of an act of terrorism, according to New York State statute. Mangione is expected to waive his extradition to New York when he next appears in court in Pennsylvania on Thursday, a source told the Daily News. He has previously planned to contest it. Mangiones lawyer, former Manhattan prosecutor Karen Friedman Agnifilo, could not immediately be reached for comment. Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, was gunned down from behind by a masked suspect as he arrived early for UnitedHealthcares annual investor conference shortly before 7 a.m. on Dec. 4, footage of the killing shows. Mangione, an Ivy league graduate from Maryland who hails from a prominent family with significant real estate holdings, has been incarcerated at a Pennsylvania correctional facility since his arrest on Dec. 9 more than 200 miles from the scene at a McDonalds in Altoona, where a worker recognized him from widely circulated stills of surveillance footage and called 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When cops approached him sitting toward the back of the fast-food restaurant, he allegedly lied about who he was and presented a fake ID. After he was pressed on his identity, he admitted to his real name and was placed under arrest. He faces charges in the Keystone State related to carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, and giving cops a fake ID, but Pennsylvania prosecutors have said they will not seek to try him on those charges before his case in New York is resolved. Authorities allegedly recovered a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer from Mangiones backpack and ammunition matching shell casings at the scene, which bore the words deny, delay, and depose, in an apparent reference to the health insurance industry routinely denying medical care to maximize profits. The cops also allege Mangione was also in possession of a manifesto laying out his reasons for the killing. He allegedly wrote that insurers had simply gotten too powerful, continuing to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has [allowed] them to get away with it. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, the missive read, the police allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione was not a client of UnitedHealthcare, according to police, but they are investigating his experiences with the industry for potential motives. He posted on Reddit and other forums about pain he endured that led him to undergo major surgery on his spine. Mangiones PA-based attorney, Thomas Dickey, who could not immediately be reached for comment, has said his client is innocent and that he hasnt personally seen anything to suggest otherwise. Once he is extradited to New York, Mangione is expected to appear before a judge for his Supreme Court arraignment at 100 Centre St. and enter a plea to the charges. His attorney may request that he be released on bail while he waits for his case to play out; if a judge finds he poses a flight risk, he will likely wind up awaiting trial from Rikers Island. --------- A New York grand jury has indicted Luigi Mangione on terrorism charges related to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The grand jury voted to indict Mangione on second-degree murder charges as a "crime of terrorism," indicating the accused killer had intended to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion, and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping," Mangione is also charged with first-degree murder, which in New York is reserved for specific acts like the murder of police officers, murder-for-hire, killing a witness, or acts of terrorism. He also faces charges for possessing weapons and forged instruments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Ivy League Grad Luigi Mangione Charged with Murdering Health Care CEO Brian Thompson in N.Y.C. We allege that Luigi Mangione carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan," said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in a statement issued on Dec. 17. "This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice." The Ivy League-educated scion of a prominent Maryland family is the prime suspect in the killing of Thompson, who was gunned down on Dec. 4 in Midtown Manhattan by a masked assailant who then fled the scene on a bicycle, evading authorities. Five days later, Mangione was arrested at an Altoona, Pa., McDonald's after a customer recognized the suspected killer from images put out by New York police. Police found a 9 mm ghost gun and several fake IDs on his person. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A motive has not been definitively established, but police believe Mangione harbored an animus towards corporate America, particularly the healthcare industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The words "deny" and "depose" were found on shell casings at the scene, while "delay" was found on a bullet, per Bragg's office similar to a phrase used to describe the health insurance industry's practices for scuttling claims. Besides the gun and IDs, police also found a manifesto in his possession in which he said the health insurance industry were "parasites" who "had it coming." Meanwhile, on Reddit, an account belonging to Mangione opened up about struggles with chronic back pain, irritable bowel syndrome and other health issues. He reported getting spinal surgery in 2023. Mangione had cut off contact with family and friends for six months prior to the killing, and his mother filed a missing person report with the San Francisco Police Department in November. Read the original article on People A plea of insanity might not be a wise move for the suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter Luigi Manigone, prominent defense attorney Benjamin Brafman told Jake Tapper Monday on CNNs The Lead. But an alternative plea of extreme emotional disturbance could work, he added. I think a smarter defense might be extreme emotional disturbance, because an insanity defense requires that you not know right from wrong, and here its clear that he targeted this individual, so he obviously knew that it was wrong, Brafman explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the CNN segment below: Will the insanity defense work in CEO murder case? Watch the full video here: https://t.co/rjk0RU3E8O pic.twitter.com/swNlRuUbnP The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) December 16, 2024 Mangione was apprehended at a Pennsylvania McDonalds and arrested in connection with the shooting death of Brian Thompson on Dec. 9. He was charged with second degree murder, forgery and three related gun crimes in New York City. Thompson was shot ahead of an investor meeting on Dec. 4. I think insanity defense is not an appropriate defense under the facts of this case, Brafman said. He premeditated this execution. He wrote about it in a manifesto. He went through great efforts to hide he had forged a drivers license that got him into the hostel and they arrested him with the gun that was apparently used in the execution. Mangione wrote the words deny, delay and depose on bullet casings found at the scene of the shooting, an apparent reference to the book Delay, Deny, Defend by Jay M. Feinman. The Late Show host Stephen Colbert tore into Mangiones alleged 262-word manifesto days after his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not a manifesto, thats a mini-festo! Colbert said. He couldve just made it a Yelp! review. American healthcare sucks, one star. Much nicer. On Sunday, Mangione hired attorney and former CNN analyst Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him in court. Mangione is meanwhile fighting extradition to New York and is currently held in Pennsylvania on charges related to a gun and fake ID authorities found when he was arrested. Watch a clip from Brafmans CNN appearance in the video above. The post Luigi Mangione Insanity Claim in CEO Shooting Unlikely Because He Knows Right From Wrong, Attorney Says | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Three of Marylands top health insurers have higher than average claim denial rates, according to research thats gained traction in the wake of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the arrest of suspect and Baltimore area native Luigi Nicholas Mangione. UnitedHealthcare, Marylands third-largest health insurer by market share, ranked first in failure to pay, denying about one-third, or 32%, of claims in 2022, said an analysis by consumer research site ValuePenguin, a subsidiary of LendingTree. The report showed two of Marylands other top six insurers also had denial rates above the national average of 16%. They include BlueCross BlueShield, which operates in Maryland as CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, with a 17% denial rate, and Cigna Health Group, with an 18% rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health insurance company you have can affect how likely it is your medical claim will be denied, said a ValuePenguin post that appeared in May, months before UnitedHealthcares Thompson was killed on Dec. 4 in New York City. For example, UnitedHealthcare denies about a third of in-network claims. UnitedHealthcare disputed claim rates it says have been circulating, though the company declined Monday to comment specifically on ValuePenguins figures. Representatives of CareFirst and Cigna did not respond to requests for comment Monday. A Dec. 6 update on ValuePenguins research said the site removed certain data elements from the post at the request of law enforcement. The suspect in Thompsons death, Mangione, a Gilman graduate, faces five charges in New York, the most serious being second-degree murder, which in New York is roughly the same as Marylands first degree murder statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear which data elements were removed, but it appeared the most recent version of the post no longer includes a bar graph ranking companies rates of claim denial. The rates corresponding to the chart remain, however. ValuePenguin also had said in a Dec. 5 update that one insurer contacted ValuePenguin claiming that the denial rate listed in this article is not consistent with their internal records. Lending Tree, ValuePenguins parent company, did not respond to questions about data removal or whether it was connected to the insurer that disputed its rate. UnitedHealthcare said in a statement that it pays about 90% of medical claims upon submission and that only one-half of one percent of claims that need further review are flagged for medical or clinical reasons. About half of claims not initially paid have administrative errors and can be corrected, while most of those remaining have issues such as lack of coverage with UnitedHealthcare or are duplicate submissions, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any other numbers being discussed in some quarters purporting to be the UnitedHealthcare approval rate are wrong, the statement said. Highly inaccurate and grossly misleading information has been circulated about our companys treatment of insurance claims. Charts showing rankings of insurance claim denials by company have been circulated on social media on sites such as Tumblr, X (formerly Twitter) and rReddit, part of a public outcry about unfairness in the health insurance industry. UnitedHealth Group, parent of UnitedHealthcare, has a nearly 17% share of the market in Maryland, while Carefirst Inc. has a nearly 34% share and Cigna has a 5% share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Kaiser Permanente, which the ValuePenguin report said had the lowest claim denial rate of all insurers at 7%, has a more than 17% share of Marylands market. ValuePenguin said it based its claim denial rates on publicly available denial and appeals data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The denial rates look at in-network claims, the analysis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consumer site said it downloaded public-use files containing the data on March 1, covering data from Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022. It presented the most current data when the article was published in May. The analysis also showed top reasons for claim denials, based on Experians Report of the State of Claims. Claims are denied at a rate of 48% because procedures lacked prior authorization, 42% because doctors or hospitals were out of network and 42% because of billing code issues, the analysis said. Have a news tip? Contact Lorraine Mirabella at lmirabella@baltsun.com, (410) 332-6672 and @lmirabella on X. Luigi Mangione, the suspected gunman in the high-profile assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to waive his extradition to New York when he appears in a Pennsylvania courtroom later this week, a source told the Daily News Wednesday. Mangione had previously been slated to appear for a preliminary hearing on state charges he faces in Pennsylvania on Dec. 23 but will now appear Thursday following a joint request from his defense and the prosecution, court filings show. His extradition proceeding will occur directly after. Mangiones Pennsylvania attorney, Thomas Dickey, last week said he would contest his extradition to New York authorities custody to face charges for Thompsons Dec. 4 killing outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a source familiar with the matter, who asked to speak on background, told The News that was no longer the case. Gov. Hochul has said she will formally request Mangiones extradition if and when an indictment is handed up against him in New York. Prosecutors in Pennsylvania have charged Mangione with carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, and various low-level offenses, including giving cops a fake ID, but have said they will not seek to try him on those charges before his case in New York plays out. Manhattan prosecutors have accused him of second-degree murder and other offenses in a criminal complaint. Authorities say Mangione shot dead Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, as he arrived early for UnitedHealthcares annual investor conference shortly before 7 a.m. the morning of the killing. They say he fled the scene on a bike through Central Park before ditching the bicycle and taking a cab on the Upper West Side to a bus depot near the George Washington Bridge. They allege he rode a southbound A train to Penn Station and fled the city on a train. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangiones family had reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November, leading an officer there to recognize him in widely-circulated images of CCTV footage days before his arrest and alert the FBI, according to the FBI. After a five-day manhunt, the Ivy League graduate who hails from a prominent Maryland family with ties to the Republican party was arrested on Dec. 9 more than 200 miles from the scene at a McDonalds in Altoona. According to multiple law enforcement agencies, a customer recognized him, prompting a worker to ring 911. He allegedly first lied about who he was and presented a fake ID, and after being pressed on his identity, he admitted to his real name, prompting his arrest, authorities say. Hes since been held at a local jail facility without bail. Authorities allegedly recovered a 3D-printed ghost gun and silencer from Mangiones backpack and ammunition matching shell casings and a bullet at the scene, which bore the words deny, delay, and depose, in an apparent reference to the health insurance industry routinely denying medical care to maximize profits. The NYPD has said theyve further tied Mangione to the scene through fingerprints recovered from a water bottle and a granola bar wrapper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cops allege Mangione was also in possession of a manifesto and various writings laying out his reasons for the alleged killing. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, the missive read, the police allege. Mangione has not spoken publicly outside of comments he yelled to media crews at his first court appearance last week, when he shouted something about an insult to the intelligence of the American people and their lived experience. Some who have drawn their own interpretations of what motivated his alleged actions have hailed him as a hero, with an online crowdfunding effort raising nearly $140,000 as of Tuesday. Mangiones New York attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to comment comment. Dickey could not be reached. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Pennsylvania State Police announced the arrests of 22 people connected to a long-standing, Philadelphia-based human trafficking ring on Oct. 22, 2024. This investigation is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania. Thats because it targeted not only the suspected leader of the trafficking ring, but all prongs of the enterprise, including the alleged financial manager, drivers and customers, or johns. I am the director of the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Previously, I was an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia. In that role, I pioneered a program that encouraged a group of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to collaboratively investigate and prosecute allegations of human trafficking in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, investigations into sex trafficking in Pennsylvania have happened in silos. Law enforcement typically engages in stand-alone operations, or prostitution stings, that exclusively target either the demand or the supply the sex buyers or sex sellers. Other operations solely target the traffickers. While arresting buyers of sex is an effective way to reduce commercial sexual exploitation, it is only one piece of the puzzle. The traffickers and facilitators are another. Targeting the supply is a more complex issue. Due to the overlap between people in prostitution and victims of trafficking, this often criminalizes and further traumatizes and stigmatizes trafficking victims. Sex trafficking prevalent in Philadelphia Both federal and Pennsylvania state law criminalize human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as a crime of violence that occurs when an individual carries out a specific act, such as recruiting, enticing or soliciting, by a specific means, namely by force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of commercial sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These comprehensive anti-trafficking laws criminalize a wide range of conduct and target a broad range of actors. But our analysis of data from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts shows that sex trafficking not only happens in the state, but that it happens at alarming rates, especially in the Philadelphia area. Between 2014 and the end of 2023, prosecutors in 38 counties across Pennsylvania have charged 304 defendants with trafficking-related offenses. Of those, 115 led to convictions and 43% occurred in or around Philadelphia. In 2023, Philadelphia County had the most human trafficking convictions in the state at 19, followed by Delaware County with 11, Chester County with 10 and Bucks County with nine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrest data sheds some light on the prevalence of trafficking in Philadelphia. But due to the illicit and underground nature of commercial sexual exploitation, which includes prostitution, it is difficult to study and quantify. Targeting buyers and suppliers Among those arrested on Oct. 22 are Terrance Jones, the alleged leader, his daughter, Natoria Jones, the alleged financial manager of the trafficking enterprise, four alleged drivers and 16 men who allegedly paid money for sex. Terrance Jones and Thomas Reilly, one of Jones alleged drivers and his trusted confidant, were charged with trafficking in individuals and related charges, including involuntary servitude, promoting prostitution and patronizing prostitution. The other alleged drivers were charged with promoting prostitution and related charges, and the alleged commercial sex buyers were charged with patronizing prostitutes and criminal conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economic market theory supports the concept that supply and distribution follow demand. Applying this theory to human trafficking leads to the conclusion that as long as there is a demand for commercial sex, there will be traffickers who exploit victims primarily women, girls and LGBTQ+ people to fulfill that demand. Turning point? Id argue that Henry used Pennsylvanias human trafficking statute as the legislature intended it to be used to target all sectors that make money from trafficking, facilitate the trafficking organization and drive the market for it to exist in the first place. That is precisely what makes this investigation unique. Law enforcement targeted all levels of the supply chain for commercial sex, uprooting the alleged trafficking ring from top to bottom. The leader, financial manager, drivers and buyers were all charged with multiple counts for their roles in allegedly exploiting the victims. Moreover, the fact that none of the victims in this case was charged with prostitution is a recognition by the office of the attorney general that those who are exploited through sex trafficking are victims and should not be criminalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This recognition, coupled with the attorney generals top-down approach, could signify an important turning point in investigative strategy in Pennsylvania and beyond one I believe that can significantly reduce rates of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in the state. Riley Crouthamel, a research assistant at the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova Universitys Charles Widger School of Law, 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: Shea Rhodes, Villanova University Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shea Rhodes receives funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. French President Emmanuel Macron is planning a visit to Mayotte, a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean, following the devastating effects of Cyclone Chido in the French overseas territory. Macron, in a post on Monday evening on X, said he intends to make the trip in the coming days "to support our fellow citizens, the officials and emergency services." He also plans to declare a national period of mourning. In a preliminary report on Monday evening, authorities said there were 21 deaths and more than 1,400 injured, the broadcaster France Info reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final death toll is expected to be confirmed only after several days. On Sunday evening, the local prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville mentioned that there could be hundreds, if not a thousand deaths. Cyclone Chido swept over Mayotte on Saturday with storm gusts reaching speeds of over 220 kilometres per hour, leaving a trail of destruction. Many impoverished homes were destroyed. Thousands of households are without power, and there are also issues with the water supply and telephone network. Roads are blocked, and some areas are cut off from the outside world. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Can adults come together and agree that we need to act this time? A teenager fatally shot a teacher and a classmate and injured at least six others on Monday morning before taking their own life at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. The motive is not known and investigators are still piecing together clues, but I'll bet much of the story will sound familiar. In the school shootings that have repeatedly occurred across the nation (83 in 2024 alone), the details often follow a pattern: A troubled individual gains access to a firearm a family member has procured for protection, resulting in a violent act that kills and injures multiple unsuspecting victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Causey: School violence is soaring in Milwaukee and across nation. We can't give up on these kids. In the immediate aftermath, there is a contentious (and utterly predictable) debate between conservatives and liberals regarding the type of firearm involved and whether the root cause is the weapon itself or the individual who perpetrated the violence. Mental health and bullying will play a part somehow. Regrettably, traction on the issue of gun rights versus public safety remains stagnant. Nothing changes. We're desensitized to violence, stuck in partisan holding pattern There's an outcry at the time of a mass shooting and then no significant changes are implemented. Lives are lost those of children and educators and survivors face the daunting struggle of reconstructing their lives in the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can adults come together and agree that we need to act this time? Playing partisan politics with the lives of citizens has proven deadly time and time again. I have written about school shootings for far too long, and I am increasingly concerned that many individuals have become desensitized to the tragic reality of these fatalities or, worse yet, maybe they believe there is nothing they can do to prevent such tragedies. As we approach the end of 2024, can we collectively prioritize the safety of our children as they attend school and commit to taking all necessary measures to ensure that they return home safely? We need a multifaceted approach to keep schools safe The students, teachers, and faculty members who were at the school during the shooting, as well as the parents who rushed to the campus upon hearing the news, will have their lives changed forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My heart is heavy for my community. My heart is heavy for Madison," Madison Police Chief Barnes said. "We have to come together as a community and figure out what happened here, and make sure that it doesn't happen in any other place that should be a refuge for students in our community." The key question is: Whats the solution? The answer is multifaceted. First, parents must secure their weapons to keep them away from children. If they fail to do so, they should face consequences. Fortunately, there has been a change here. The parents of a teen school shooter were held accountable in Michigan. A father was charged in connection to a mass shooting his 14-year-old son is accused of carrying out at a Georgia high school in September. James Causey: We need mentors and mental health services to help Black boys cope with trauma Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that guns are everywhere. One study says that an estimated 4.6 million children live in a home where there is a loaded, unlocked gun. However, no one should argue with the need to properly secure firearms and keep them out of the hands of children. One of the ideas that came out of a crowd-sourcing call for ideas to reduce crime in Milwaukee last year called for students to learn about firearm safety in health classes. Additionally, we need wraparound programs for every child, rather than including or ignoring certain groups. The carnage is anywhere and everywhere. Bullying must be treated as a serious issue, not merely a rite of passage. While we dont know if the child accused of the shooting in Madison was bullied, it has been cited as a factor in many school shootings. Furthermore, we must encourage youth to speak out when they hear or see something concerning. In almost all cases of mass school shootings, the perpetrators shared threatening or disturbing messages beforehand. We need to communicate to all students that it is okay to come forward. Finally, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle must unite and take proactive steps to keep schools safe. Arguing that guns are not the problem but rather bad people with guns is not a valid solution. If that is the stance some choose to take, these lawmakers need to find a way to prevent guns from getting into the hands of those who misuse them, as too many people are losing their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who argue that these measures will cost too much, try explaining that to the victims families. It's time to say enough is enough. If we dont act now, its only a matter of time before someone in another city is faced with the same harsh reality that not enough is being done to keep our children safe. Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X @jecausey. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: After Madison school shooting, don't just play politics. Act | Opinion Parents and community members scrambled Monday to get quick answers after police said a student at Abundant Life Christian School shot and killed a fellow student and a teacher and injured six other students, two critically. Police found the shooter dead at the scene, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. Those numbers only begin to describe the emotional and psychological toll of what the community went through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More on Abundant Life Christian School: Student, teacher killed in Madison school shooting that also left shooter dead, 6 others injured Check the live stream for updates: Watch Madison police press conference on shooting at Abundant Life Christian School "We know that this was the middle of the day of a school day, and so there will be other injuries that we'll have to face for a very, very long time, and we're going to do everything we can as a community to heal those injuries as well," Barnes said. "We owe it to our community to do everything possible to ensure that it's not only a special place, but a safe place as well, and we're going to continue to do that," Barnes said moments later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 335 students are enrolled at the K-12 Abundant Life Christian School. City buses carrying children rolled to and from the nearby SSM Clinic at 1821 South Stoughton Rd., which served as a reunification point for parents. One couple, who looked like a mother and father, held a young girl as they got into their pickup truck. The woman, visibly emotional, approached nearby officers who were maintaining the perimeter and thanked them before leaving. Panic, uncertainty and shock have pervaded the community. Michelet Jean-Charles heard sirens for nearly half an hour this morning. He works at Bou Matic, a manufacturing company near the school. His boss said it was a school shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panic immediately set in. Jean-Charles has a ninth grader and twin boys in sixth grade at the school. A colleague walked him across the street to the reunification center. I could not (walk on my own), you know, I was trembling, he said. I was crying. I've cried before, but this was a different cry because I never thought my children would be safe. Two hours passed before Jean-Charles received word that all three of his children were safe. At the clinic, they hugged. They cried. Then they prayed. Troy Regge lives about three blocks from the school. Many in the neighborhood send their children to the school, he said.Nothing like this has ever happened in the area, he said. Its a sad situation all around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shannon Moungey lives about 15 minutes away in Stoughton and said the shooting was a very sad situation this close to Christmas. Kiss your loved ones tonight extra, extra, Moungey said, adding she has friends whose kids attend the school. Theyre safe, fortunately enough. Theyre pretty shaken up and theyre going to go through some major trauma with this. Moungey said she was surprised it happened in this area. Its a little close to home, Moungey said. You see more and more of this every day and its very unfortunate. You see this on TV and you never think its going to happen in your area, and unfortunately it did for us today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked how the community can move past this moment, Moungey said, This is going to be a long process for many, I think. The parents that are coming to pick their kids up, I cant even imagine how theyre feeling or how they felt until being able to get to them." Parent Bethany Highman said her daughter goes to school at Abundant Life. Highman declined to give her daughters name or age. She said she video-called her child briefly earlier in the day to learn she was OK. She was uncertain of the next steps but said she intended to support her daughter through community and prayer. Your world stops for a minute. Nothing else matters, she said. Were just waiting, praying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than seven months earlier, a 14-year-old brought a pellet rifle to Mount Horeb Middle School where he went to school, 25 miles west of Madison. The student pointed the gun at officers, who was fatally shot after being told to drop his weapon. He was the only casualty, with no other physical injuries reported. School shootings lead to ongoing trauma for children, parents The Office of Children's Mental Health released a factsheet in April noting a troubling spike in Wisconsin-based school shootings. Between 1970 and 2022, Wisconsin has experienced 27 school-based shootings, but a vast majority of them, at nearly 60%, occurred in the last eight years. More on Abundant Life Christian School: Wisconsin political leaders react after Madison school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School According to the state agency under the Department of Health Services, children who survive shootings are twice as likely to develop pain disorders, 68% more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition, and 144% more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who haven't endured a shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it's not isolated to the survivors. Parents of shooting survivors have increased rates of psychiatric disorders and mental health visits than parents who did not have a child encounter gun violence. The Office of Children's Mental Health recommends ramping up anti-bullying programs, promoting a culture of help-seeking and building an awareness of warning signs. Warning signs to watch for Trish Kilpin, director of the state Office of Student Safety, told the Journal Sentinel in May following the Mount Horeb shooting to be alert if students start talking about school violence or researching previous school shootings and previous acts of violence. Obsessions with death and lacking positivity can sometimes indicate trouble. Changes in behavior, outlooks on life and how someone dresses can be indicators that something is amiss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The process of behavioral threat assessment is looking at the totality of a person's circumstances, all of their protective factors, their stressors, any kind of indicators of behavioral concern," Kilpin said. "But in order to do that, we need those things reported. We can't connect the dots if we don't collect the dots." Kilpin recommends anyone with a tip connect with Speak Up, Speak Out, or SUSO, at www.speakup.widoj.gov. A spokesperson from DHS encouraged anyone who needs to talk to reach out to the Disaster Distress Helpline by either call or text at 800-985-5990. They can also connect to additional resources on its website. Families and teenagers can also connect to mental health resources by calling 211. If you or someone you know is in crisis or distress, call or text 988. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Uncertainty and panic after deadly Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting (NewsNation) MGR Govindarajan, District 8 alderperson for Madison, Wisconsin, expressed his sadness following the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in the city. Govindarajan joined NewsNation Now to discuss the tragedy where three people were killed: a teacher, a teenage student and the teenage shooter. The motive behind the attack is not known at the time of writing. This is a terrible thing, and it should not be happening, Govindarajan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teacher, student killed; 6 hurt in Madison school shooting I think it has become normalized in our society, and it really should not be because this is devastating to see, he continued. Police said the shooting was confined to one area, though it is not clear if it was a classroom or hallway. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed a handgun was used in the shooting. I am frustrated with how slow progress has been happening, Govindarajan added. I think it is going to be the younger folks slowly getting into politics that will make the change happen here in Madison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. When media at a news conference Tuesday pressed for more information on Monday's shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, including about the victims, the mayor of Madison got heated, saying it's "absolutely none of yalls business" and pleaded for "human decency and respect." The shooting left a student and a teacher dead. Two students are in critical condition. Three other students and one teacher suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening, and two of the victims have been released from nearby hospitals. On Monday, the suspect was identified as 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow. She died on the way to a local hospital of what police believe to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Tuesday's presser, multiple outlets inquired about the victims, who have yet to be identified. "It is my first priority, and I believe the priority of many of us here, to respect their privacy and their timeline," Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said. "These are folks that have been deeply impacted by trauma and are grieving. And, frankly, I think it should be up to them whether and if they want to share any personal identifying information with anyone at all. But, it's not up to me. It's a law enforcement decision. And so, when law enforcement feels like that's appropriate, they will share that information." Barnes did not take questions from the media Tuesday but said he focused his remarks around reporters' pre-submitted questions. One outlet asked Rhodes-Conway for more general information on the victims, including about their personalities and if the students were involved in sports. The mayor declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reporter who noted being there for 27 hours said if officials wanted to dispel rumors circulating social media, including about the victims, why proper people weren't in place to answer questions, provide clarification or set the record straight. Getting frustrated, Rhodes-Conway said good, factual information will be shared "when we can." "None of you is obliged to stay here," Rhodes-Conway continued. "You're free to leave. You don't have to be sitting in this room if you don't want to." "It is absolutely none of yalls business who was harmed in this incident," Rhodes-Conway said. Please, have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves or whose children were injured. Just have some human decency, folks. Leave them alone. Let them grieve. Let them recover. Let them heal. Dont feed off their pain. Well share what we can when we can and not before that." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison mayor gets angry at press conference on school shooting This story was updated to add new information. As the Madison community tried to make sense of the school shooting in which a teenager opened fire and killed a student and teacher and injured six others, police on Tuesday said they are still working to shed light on what happened. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes asked anyone who knew the suspect, 15-year-old student Natalie Rupnow, or had insight into her state of mind before the shooting, to contact police as they try to piece together a motive for what appears to be one of the biggest school shootings in recent Wisconsin history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Identifying a motive is our top priority," Barnes said. "At this time it appears that the motive was a combination of factors." Investigators are talking to students about whether bullying was one of those factors, he said. He did not provide more information because he said he did not want to jeopardize the investigation. Meanwhile, Barnes did not identify the teacher and student who were killed in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. And they said the conditions of each injured victim remain unchanged from Monday. Two students remain in critical condition. Three students and a teacher suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, and two of them have been released from nearby hospitals. "The past 24 hours have been a flurry of emotion, sadness, anger for the Madison community," Barnes said. "Three families woke up today in a world without a loved one." Updates on victims trickle out Barnes did not take questions from the media Tuesday but said he focused his remarks around reporters' pre-submitted questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he erroneously reported that a second grade student called 911 to report the active shooter at 10:57 a.m. In fact, he said Tuesday, it was a second grade teacher who made the call. Barnes was also mistaken when he told CNN Tuesday morning that the teacher who was killed was a substitute. His office later confirmed that a substitute teacher was injured in the shooting, and the teacher who was killed was a full-time staff member, according to CNN. Emergency medical radio transmissions indicate five of the injured victims transported to Madison hospitals were teenagers, roughly 14 to 17 years old. Two were boys and three were girls. The injured teens suffered gunshot wounds to the forearm, head, neck and shoulder. One teen suffered a cut to the leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A woman in her 70s was also transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to the emergency radio. Investigation into motive continues Officers are looking into a widely shared document on social media that some are calling the shooters manifesto to determine where it came from, he said. Barnes cautioned that police had not verified the documents authenticity. The process for doing that is looking at original documents that may have been taken from the suspects home, looking at information that may be on laptops or on computers, to determine if this document originated from our suspect, he said. Barnes said people have asked him whether the victims were targeted by the teen. The shooting took place in a study hall where students of different ages were present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone was targeted in this incident and everyone was put in equal danger," Barnes said. It was not clear what he meant. Investigators on Monday said they found the handgun at the school they believe was used in the attack, but Barnes did not provide more information Tuesday about how the teen obtained the gun. Barnes previously said the suspected shooter's family was cooperating with authorities as they investigate a motive. Police are also looking into the shooter's online activity. "There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurs," Barnes said. Several Madison School District schools were targeted Tuesday by swatting, which Barnes said are being investigated. Dane County leaders share perspectives Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said the state's laws are far too lax when it comes to children's access to guns. She called for safe storage laws, background checks, red flag laws and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said the state Department of Justice's Office of School Safety does not have enough resources, a situation she said the Legislature is responsible for. The shooting at Abundant Life is the largest school shooting in recent Wisconsin history by number of people shot, according to federal data and the K-12 School Shooting Database. The federal database catalogs school shootings starting in 1970. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway expressed frustration after a reporter's question at Tuesdays news conference about why more information was not being released, and why certain school and public officials left in the middle of the news conference without the opportunity to ask them questions. It is absolutely none of yalls' business who was harmed in this incident, she said. Leave them alone. Let them grieve. Let them recover. Let them heal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said any reporter was free to leave the room. Nick Penzenstadler of USA Today and Eva Wen of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison police trying to determine school shooting suspect's motive Several schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District were the target of swatting calls Tuesday morning, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed while providing updates about the Abundant Life Christian School shooting. "Today, numerous MMSD schools were targeted by false threats, often known as swatting. We're working closely with the Madison Metropolitain School District to determine where these originated, and to investigate this call," Barnes said at a Tuesday midafternoon press conference. Police do not believe there are any current threats to any Madison-area schools, Barnes said. Police will continue to investigate calls and any threats of violence as they come in, including working with federal partners, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let me be clear on this point: Making false threats is a crime, and we are working with the district attorney to prosecute these crimes as information is gathered. And if we have to do that, we certainly will," Barnes said. Barnes encouraged parents and families to remind loved ones that calling in false threats is a crime. Madison-area television stations first reported that the district sent an email to families Tuesday morning about the false threats. The calls reported a person in crisis outside the school with a weapon and appeared as though they were coming through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The district's Office of School Safety contacted Madison police, who quickly determined the calls were not credible. The targeted schools were placed on a brief "secure" hold "out of an abundance of caution," the district said in an email, later shared with the Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hoax threats like these, also called 'swatting,' have become increasingly common, particularly following tragic situations. Schools and districts across the country are regularly impacted by them," the email read. The false threats are designed to trigger a large police response, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams arrive at the purported scene. High-profile politicians and members of Congress have been swatted in recent months, including Wisconsin's U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Several schools in Madison, Wisconsin, targeted by fake swatting calls (NewsNation) More than 12 years on from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, a former police captain had hoped he would no longer have to discuss the deaths of children from a school shooting. Christopher Vanghele, Newtowns police former captain during the Sandy Hook shooting in Connecticut, joined NewsNation Now to discuss the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where three people died. Madison police said the three were a teacher, a teenage student and the teenage suspect. Two other students are currently hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You hope that it doesnt happen again but unfortunately, thats not the reality, Vanghele said. Live: Teacher, student killed; 6 hurt in Madison school shooting Between [Sandy Hook] and now, weve had hundreds of school shootings, and once again, a community has a great loss, he continued. The K-12 school has roughly 300 students on a 28-acre campus with close to 60 staff members. This was the final week of school before Christmas break. It should not be happening at a place where kids are supposed to take refuge, Vanghele added. So right now, my hearts go out our house go out to the families, to the people that are affected, and, of course, to the law enforcement officers that also have to deal with what theyve seen today for the rest of their careers and the rest of their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials encourage anyone who needs mental health support due to the shooting or coverage to reach out to 988 via phone or text to be connected to resources. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. When Donald Trump reenters the White House next month, hell be flanked by an army of outside enforcers prepared to squeeze any Republican who resists his agenda. Its a political weapon the president-elect did not possess during his first term as president. That work is already underway, with Trump-affiliated groups and activists pressuring wary Senate Republicans to confirm the former and future presidents executive branch nomineessome controversial and others not conservative. Exhibit A is Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, with a pressure campaign on social media, streaming video podcasts, and talk radio. Once Trump is inaugurated, this MAGA-aligned network will shift to strong-arming obstinate House and Senate Republicans to support the president-elects agenda, be it executive orders or legislative proposals. Critically, MAGA insiders tell The Dispatch, they wont be sitting around waiting for direction from Trump to join a particular fight. Much of their activism will be organic, although they will take cues from the president, plus Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and top MAGA influencers like Donald Trump Jr., and Charlie Kirk, who runs the populist group Turning Point USA and hosts a talk show on the Salem Radio Network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ecosystem on the Right is going to be a force multiplier, Steve Bannon told The Dispatch on Monday during a telephone interview. Bannonwhose War Room podcast airs for several hours dailyis yet another major MAGA player trying to keep congressional Republicans in line behind Trump. For the next few weeks that will take the form of Senate confirmations, but it will shift to passing legislation once the president-elects Cabinet is installed. What I think youre seeing now is the institutionalization of what had been a self-organizing effort, added Bannon, who was early to support Trump in 2016, served on the president-elects first White House campaign that year, and advised him in the West Wing for a time. What Bannon is describing amounts to the rise of a new Republican establishment, complete with well-funded activist groups and influential media figures. And, just like the faded GOP establishment of the pre-Trump era that grassroots conservatives and independent-minded lawmakers chafed under, this institutional support for the incoming 47th president enforces loyalty to party leadership and support for that leaderships legislative agenda. In addition to Vance, Bannon, Kirk and Turning Point USA, and Trump Jr. (who hosts the Triggered With Don Jr. podcast), big names in the partys new establishment include the Heritage Foundation and its sister organization, Heritage Action for America and the Article III Project, helmed by attorney Mike Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His outside supporters, especially at the Article III Project, are going to be with [Trump] every step of the wayon every nomination and legal issue, and his legislative priorities, said Davis, whose group specializes in supporting the president-elect in issues involving the courts. But a key feature of the activism on Trumps behalf, say Republican operatives inside and outside the new establishment, is that it will operate bottom-up too. Participants will jump into the fray on various issues immediately after Trump takes office on issues ranging from the scope of his promised mass deportations of illegal immigrants to the shape of the budget reconciliation bills expected to include the meat of Trumps legislative agenda. The broader MAGA movement will take some cues for getting involved in legislative debates (and fights) from Trump, of course, as well as prominent figures and organizations who support his agenda. It puts Republican leaders in a difficult position. Since we arent activated, we cant be told to shut down, said Kurt Schlichter, an attorney in Los Angeles who guest hosts for Salem Radios Hugh Hewitt. Schlichter emphasized that for all of the online activism behind Trump in the first term, it simply wasnt as developed or cohesive as it is shaping up to be this time around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You had, essentially, citizen journalistsit was all new then. But now were experienced and we have expectations, explained Schlichter, who has roughly 542,000 followers on X, the social media platform owned by Trump acolyte Elon Musk and preferred by the president-elects supporters. Incidentally, Muskwho spent $250 million of his personal fortune to help Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris and is leading Trumps effort to streamline the federal governmentis prepared to keep the money spigot open to bolster the incoming administration by supporting Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections. (If the GOP maintains control of Congress in those contests, Trump would gain two more years of nearly unfettered power.) Attracting donations from wealthy GOP donors and grassroots Trump supporters, who contribute in small amounts, is yet another reason groups aligned with the president-elect are expected to be active on his behalfunpromptedover the next four years. It helps show Trump who his friends are, said a veteran Republican operative without MAGA roots, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about the president-elects supporters. It helps show him and donors: We will spend your money on causes that matter. Pushing for the Senate confirmation of Trumps provocative Cabinet picks presented the refashioned Republican establishment with its first opportunity, post-election, to beta test strategy and gauge its influence on Capitol Hill. Attempts to browbeat skeptical Senate Republicans into supporting the confirmation of, for instance, Kash Patel for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director, and Hegseth has provided a glimpse of what efforts to pressure congressional Republicans to back Trumps legislative agenda might look like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As has been the case with the bid to win confirmation support for Hegseth, the strategy has been partially coordinated from the top down and partially organic. As reported in detail by the New York Times: The campaign to revive Mr. Hegseths nomination was led internally by Mr. Vance and orchestrated externally by a small group of Mr. Trumps most aggressive allies. Similar campaigns are already continuing. Senator Bill Cassidy has drawn a formal primary challenger. Remember he voted to CONVICT Trump during his second impeachment trial, Kirk posted on X last week, warning the Louisiana Republican who is often critical of Trump not to step out of line. Former Rep. John Fleming is challenging Senator Cassidy. This is just the first of many to come. We are watching closely to see if Trump gets his cabinet! Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Jamie Bourque, director of Maine's new Office of Injury and Violence Prevention (Courtesy of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services) The commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services named a leader for a new state office focused on reducing violence. Jamie Bourque was appointed by DHHS Commissioner Sara Gagne-Holmes to lead the Office of Injury and Violence Prevention, according to a news release Monday. The new office will be part of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and was created by legislation passed earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bourque assumed the position on Monday and will work with the governor and commissioner to set priorities for the new office. She and her team will focus on education and awareness of mental health and substance use disorder resources in Maine. The office will also work on suicide prevention, safe storage best practices for firearms and laws related to injury and violence prevention. The office was born out of the governors bill in response to the October 2023 shooting in Lewiston that left 13 dead. That proposal, which was signed into law in April, also strengthened the states yellow flag law and created receiving centers to provide prompt care to people in crisis. Gagne-Holmes described Bourque as an experienced leader, adding that her background in public health, policy experience and Maine roots will serve her well in the new role. Among the plans for the new office is creating a central hub for data on violence-related injuries and deaths. Currently, that information is scattered in police reports, medical examiner files and emergency department files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office also plans to work on violence prevention by building adult and youth suicide awareness campaigns, connecting people to resources, fostering community connectedness and sharing risk reduction best practices. The establishment of this office and the work we will undertake will provide Maine with the ability to share data-driven prevention programming to keep Maine people and families healthier and safer, Bourque said. Bourque joined the Maine CDC in 2006 where she focused on infection disease prevention and served as an educator, epidemiologist and program manager. For the last five years, she has led the Division of Disease Prevention, where she spearheaded work on the prevention and response to chronic diseases, including injury and suicide prevention. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A group of Salt Lake City Public Library employees and supporters erupted into boisterous celebration almost immediately after the city librarys board of directors voted Monday to approve a resolution that will allow employees to formally unionize, all but completing a journey about two years in the making. The jubilation poured out into the basement of the Salt Lake Main Library branch afterward, as employees and supporters embraced. The board's decision sets up a final vote by the Salt Lake City Council that is expected to take place as early as next month. If approved by city leaders, Salt Lake City Public Library Workers United a branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees would become the first public library union in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been a long time coming, and we were just excited for it to finally happen," said Melanie Rodriguez, an employee of the Salt Lake Main Library. "It was a pretty long process, and we're making history here ... so we're pretty excited about it." Library employees made their intent to unionize public in April 2023, but they had discussed the idea internally months before making their formal request to the board. Those who attended a rally at the time cited "long-standing issues" as their reason to seek unionization, including what they described as safety concerns, below-average wages, access to affordable health care and exclusion from major library system decisions. Katy Hagge, union organizer, and Esther Daranciang, Salt Lake City Public Library childrens librarian, embrace after the Salt Lake City Public Library Board of Directors voted to pass a resolution allowing library workers to unionize, at the Salt Lake Main Library in Salt Lake City on Monday. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News They also noted that they were essentially the last remaining city department not unionized, as most city employees are members of either the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or part of police or firefighter unions. Yet, it took nearly 20 months to reach Monday's vote because of hurdles that union leaders didn't expect when the process started. Brad Asay, vice president of the Utah AFL-CIO, which has helped employees seek unionization, said the effort was complicated because of Salt Lake City's unique structure. The city's library system is independently governed, but its budget is approved by the City Council every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That meant more work to approve everything even after the library board voted in August 2023 to recognize the employees' efforts. Employee turnover over the last 18 months also slowed down the process as the group needed enough approval from new employees to continue unionization efforts. "It took a lot longer than we thought it would," Asay told KSL.com after Monday's meeting. Bryce Hays, Salt Lake City Public Library librarian, and other Salt Lake City Public Library Workers United members and supporters react as the Salt Lake City Public Library Board of Directors votes to pass a resolution allowing library workers to unionize, at The City Library in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The resolution approved Monday essentially authorizes most full-time and part-time employees to unionize and form a collective bargaining agreement. Those who came to Monday's meeting to support it held a small rally beforehand, where they participated in chants and cheers. The final decision, however, will be made by the Salt Lake City Council since it requires a city policy change to formally adopt. Asay said he and other organizers have already met with city leaders about the proposal, and he's confident that the measure will pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez, who had been a part of the initial unionization discussions, called Monday's vote "a relief" after the long journey to reach it. She and other employees also feel hopeful as their effort reaches one last hurdle, saying they're "basically in the homestretch" now. Its been exciting. ... Its historic its very cool to me, she said, of the journey. I just feel honored, honestly, to be a part of this. Dec. 16A man was recently arrested in Albuquerque after allegedly raping a child then fleeing Memphis, Tennessee. On Friday, the U.S. Marshals Service's Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team arrested Humberto Martinez, 26, of Memphis, inside an Albuquerque residence. He is awaiting extradition back to Tennessee, according to a U.S. Marshals Service news release. Martinez is accused of raping a child and aggravated sexual battery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear how he got to Albuquerque. On Dec. 9, a warrant was issued for Martinez. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Apprehension Team then learned Martinez fled to Albuquerque, the release states. The Fugitive Apprehension Team requested help from the U.S. Marshals Service's Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Memphis to find Martinez. The Task Force then passed on leads to the U.S. Marshal Service's Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team in New Mexico, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -Luigi Mangione sought to "sow terror" by shooting dead UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson on a Manhattan street this month, a New York prosecutor said on Tuesday in announcing Mangione had been indicted for murder. A grand jury indicted Mangione on 11 counts, including first-degree murder and murder as a crime of terrorism, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told reporters. Mangione, 26, would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted on all counts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," Bragg told reporters. "The intent was to sow terror." Mangione's defense lawyer in New York, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to comment. Ivy League-educated Mangione was charged with murder on Dec. 9 for the killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel before a company conference, following a five-day manhunt. Mangione is currently being held on gun charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested last week at a McDonald's restaurant in the city of Altoona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bragg said he had indications that Mangione may waive his right to contest his extradition to New York. A hearing over Mangione's extradition is scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania. 'NO HEROISM' The killing of Thompson has ignited an outpouring of anger from Americans struggling to receive and pay for medical care. Americans pay more for health care than any other country, with spending on insurance premiums, out-of-pocket co-payments, pharmaceuticals and hospital services on the rise in recent years, government data shows. The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on shell casings found at the Thompson murder scene, several news outlets reported, evoking the title of a book critical of the insurance industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione has been celebrated in some circles, and more than a thousand donations have poured into an online fundraiser for his legal defense. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said any attempt to rationalize Mangione's alleged actions was "vile." "There is no heroism in what Mangione did," Tisch told reporters. "We don't celebrate murders and we don't lionize the killing of anyone." The indictment accused Mangione of murdering Thompson with the intent to "influence the policy of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion." Mangione suffered from chronic back pain that affected his daily life, according to friends and social media posts, though it is unclear whether his own health played a role in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UnitedHealth Group said last week Mangione was not a customer of the health insurer. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub in Washington and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Jasper Ward, Mark Porter and Daniel Wallis) St. Johnsbury, VT (myCV) The man accused of shooting a St. Johnsbury police officer pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon to all five charges filed against him, including attempted first-degree murder. Vermont State Police say 38-year-old Scott Mason shot and wounded St. Johnsbury Police Captain Jason Gray last Friday evening inside a Portland Street apartment, firing two shotgun rounds at him. Court documents detail that pellets from inside the shotgun shells hit Capt. Gray in the face, neck, arm and torso, causing significant injuries, including a collapsed lung. Mason now faces up to life in prison for the incident. At Mondays arraignment, Masons court-appointed attorney Jennifer Cleveland argued attempted first-degree murder isnt an appropriate charge because the shooting wasnt premeditated. However, Caledonia County States Attorney Jessica Zaleski noted previous Vermont court rulings have declared premeditation can only take a matter of seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont see any evidence of premeditation, Cleveland said. The states, to wit, language indicates that he (Mason) was lying in wait. Theres no evidence that he knew who was coming up the stairs, that he had any plan to harm this person. Theres ample evidence of a disturbed mental state at the time; Not exactly a planning, premeditation type of mindset. So we would ask the court to review that finding. Theres only five seconds between him (Gray) arriving at that area and the shot being fired. Vermont Superior Court Judge Michael Kainen sided with Zaleski in the debate, upholding the attempted first-degree murder charge. The case laws very clear that it can be a matter of seconds, Zaleski said. Theres no definitive timeframe there. Theres actually pretty strong evidence that one of the shotgun blasts actually went through the window, indicating that Mr. Mason knew exactly what and who he was firing at Five seconds is more than enough time, under the case law, to establish premeditation. He (Mason) knew what was happening, even if it was a short period of time, Judge Kainen said to Cleveland. He formed the necessary intent for attempted first degree murder, and so Im going to decline your probable cause challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Kainen ruled Mason will continue being held without bail until his next hearing. Meanwhile, court records from Monday revealed new information in what may have happened Friday afternoon. An affidavit details police were called to the Masons house for a domestic violence incident involving Scott, and when Capt. Gray walked in first, Mason was waiting with a .22 caliber rifle, firing two .410 gauge shotgun rounds and yelling an expletive, telling him to Get out.' Capt. Gray then came running out of the house bleeding, telling fellow officers he had been shot in the face and arm and needed an ambulance. One of the other officers on scene put Capt. Gray in their cruiser and rushed him to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. After arriving there, he was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to receive further treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of that, someone living in the Portland St. apartment with Mason told police he had been using crack cocaine and acting delusional that day, talking to himself and people who werent there. They also noted Mason was a user of fentanyl, but hadnt had any in five days. Police later returned to the house to execute a search warrant, and found multiple surveillance cameras outside the house connecting to a large TV monitor inside. They also found more shotgun ammunition, and a bullet cartridge that could have come from Capt. Grays pistol. When evaluated after the shooting, it was noted Capt. Grays gun only contained 12 of a possible 13 bullets. Knowing the difficult details of what occurred, dozens of local and state police officers showed up to the Caledonia County Courthouse Monday afternoon for Masons arraignment. Among them was Robert Gerrish, an officer with the Lyndonville Police Department, who used to work with Capt. Gray in St. Johnsbury. Hes one of the guiding forces in my career development, Gerrish said. Hes one of the people who I consider made me the police officer I am today. Hes a wonderful person. He was always there to tell us what to do, give us advice. He cared deeply about the city and the people in the village and everything. I mean, this is a terrible thing that happened to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just hope he gets better soon, Gerrish added. Im glad Mr. Masons being held without bail. Up next in the case will be a weight of evidence hearing, and both Zaleski and Cleveland said during Mondays arraignment that they want that hearing to happen as soon as possible. However, an exact date for the hearing has yet to be set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said it arrested a man for killing his significant other in Northwest D.C. on Sunday. Officers responded to the 700 block of Girard Street NW shortly before 9 a.m. after receiving a call from 42-year-old Mario Miguel Banegas Deras. DC Council moves forward with recommendation to expel Trayon White from office He told police he killed 35-year-old Maria Magdalena Ayala Guardado of Northwest D.C., with a knife. She was pronounced dead at the scene, despite life-saving efforts by DC Fire and EMS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banegas Deras was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. Detectives confirmed the offense was domestic in nature. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Dec. 16Police arrested Jacob John Griffin, 28, on warrants, second-degree driving while intoxicated, driving after revocation, fleeing on foot and assault at 11:23 p.m. Saturday at 1704 Sunset St. after receiving a report of a male and a female in a vehicle that assaulted a female in the driveway. Juveniles cited for vape devices Deputies cited a juvenile for possession of a vape device on school property at 11:22 a.m. Friday at 215 N. Broadway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police cited a juvenile for possession of an e-cigarette device on school grounds at 9:15 a.m. Friday at 2000 Tiger Lane. A juvenile was cited for possession of an e-cigarette device on school grounds at 2:03 p.m. Friday at 2000 Tiger Lane. Man arrested for DUI Deputies arrested Shane Curtis Bridley, 56, for driving under the influence after receiving a report of a possible drunken driver in a ditch at 11:48 p.m. Friday near 795th Avenue and 130th Street in Glenville. House rummaged through, theft reported A house was reported rummaged through and money stolen at 5:12 p.m. Friday at 204 McArthur Drive. The incident reportedly happened sometime since Dec. 10 and the time of the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phone stolen A phone was reported stolen at 6:48 p.m. Friday at 1550 Blake Ave. It was shown to be at a motel in Albert Lea. Wallet reported stolen A wallet was reported stolen at 10:52 p.m. Friday at 130 W. College St. Money and other cards were also taken in the wallet. Man arrested for drug possession Police arrested Dajuan Tru Abrego, 21, for fifth-degree drug possession and driving after revocation after a traffic stop at 11:02 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Eberhart Street and Garfield Avenue. 1 arrested for domestic assault Police arrested Kengel Josue Albizua Servilla, 24, for domestic assault at 3:59 a.m. Saturday at 920 W. Front St. 1 cited for trespassing Police cited Cheryl Denise Racine Hernandez, 34, for trespassing at 3:#2 p.m. Saturday at 2301 E. Main St. A Massachusetts man was charged in a murder-for-hire plot that left a soldier dead in 1992 and remained unsolved for decades. Michelle Miller, 29, a soldier in the United States Army, was found dead in the basement of a vacant apartment in Cambridge, Mass., two weeks after she was last seen alive, the Middlesex County District Attorneys Office says. Prosecutors charged 65-year-old Edward J. Watson with first-degree murder in connection with Millers 1992 death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson is accused of killing Miller at the behest of her partner, Daniel J. Innis, who died in 2012 after he was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison for an unrelated manslaughter charge. Michelle Miller had served her country as a U.S. Army soldier, and she was a mother of two beautiful children, whom she adored, District Attorney Marian Ryan said in a 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. Miller told a social worker that she intended to obtain a restraining order against Innis on July 28, 1992, Ryan says. The next day, she disappeared. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. According to authorities, Millers body was found with her head covered by a blanket and partially naked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not specify what led them to charging Watson with murder. But a map of Cambridge released by prosecutors appears to show that the suspect lived just blocks away from where Millers body was ultimately found. It is not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney or entered a plea. Read the original article on People LEAVITTSBURG, Ohio (WKBN) A Leavittsburg man is facing a criminal charge after a dog was surrendered with a large mass hanging from its neck. Rick Mason is charged with misdemeanor prohibitions concerning companion animals. He was arraigned Tuesday morning in Warren Municipal Court. The charge stems from an incident Friday where Jason Cooke with the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project called Warren Township police after the dog was surrendered to a concerned neighbor. According to a police report, Mason told officers someone dropped the dog off about a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report goes on to say Mason told officers he knew about the mass and the dog hadnt been to a veterinarian. The dog, now named Nicholas, has since undergone surgery to remove the mass. He is recovering at a medical foster home. Mason is scheduled to be back in Warren Municipal Court on January 16. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) The Metro Nashville Police Department responded to a knife attack on a WeGo bus over the weekend, resulting in the arrest of a man after he was found still holding the weapon. Myron Aldridge, 32, was arrested Sunday, Dec. 15 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, trespassing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Around 7 p.m. on Dec. 15, officers were called to WeGo Central where security reported a fight on a bus parked at the station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was definitely scary: Bus rider recalls moments during WeGo Central station shooting According to arrest documents, when officers arrived, they found Aldridge sitting on the bus holding a large knife in his right hand. Officers immediately restrained him and he fought against the arrest, dropping the knife in the process. While speaking with the bus driver, a WeGo security officer and a passenger, authorities learned that the incident began after Aldridge allegedly got on the bus and started making threats to other bus riders. The driver requested that Aldridge get off the bus, which he refused. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When passengers exited the bus amidst the conflict, Aldridge also got off. However, when the passengers reboarded the bus after he followed them, he also got back on the bus. The driver then called security at WeGo Central and made them aware that he was returning because of a disorderly person, arrest documents said. On the drive to the station, a woman stepped in to attempt to calm the situation, and a verbal altercation broke out between her and Aldridge. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The woman told police that Aldridge pulled the knife out and lunged at her, cutting her arm. Officers observed a slash in her sweatshirt in the same area where she claimed Aldridge slashed her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The security officer reportedly stepped between the two to prevent any further violence, officials said. The security guard was able to restrain him until Metro police arrived. Aldridge was arrested and remains detained in Metro jail on a $14,000 bond. A statement from WeGo Public Transit regarding the incident read: We appreciate the quick response from WeGo Security and MNPD in resolving this issue and are grateful there were no serious injuries. The safety and security of our riders and employees is a top priority for WeGo. We will continue to partner with MNPD and other entities to develop tactics and strategies that enhance the safety and security of our customers. WeGo Public Transit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (FOX40.COM) A man convicted of holding an elderly couple hostage as he burglarized their home in Placer County was sentenced on Monday. In July 2023, an elderly woman was attacked after a burglar shattered a rear glass sliding door, according to the Roseville Police Department. The suspect was reportedly knocking on doors in the neighborhood to check if people were home. Once in the victims home, the burglar used threats and physical force to intimidate and control. Butte County Sheriffs Office continues search for duck hunters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said Ring camera footage allowed officers to locate the vehicle used in the commission of the crime and arrest the suspect, 47-year-old Wyatt King III. King had a prior violent criminal history and was convicted of first-degree residential burglary, kidnapping, and conspiracy. Our senior residents deserve to feel safe in their own homes that is non-negotiable, said Senior DDA Shannon Quigley. The decisions the defendant made in those few minutes, when he chose to shatter her sliding door, enter her home and terrorize an elderly woman in an instant he permanently impacted her life and wellbeing. Police respond to Sacramento elementary school stabbing Quigley added, His continual criminal conduct demonstrates that he is unable to be rehabilitated and the only way to keep our community safe is to separate him from society to ensure that no one else can be a victim to his selfish criminality ever again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, King was sentenced to 58 years to life in prison, plus 44 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CANE CREEK, Fla. (WFLA) A man died early Tuesday morning in a suicide by cop incident in Brevard County, Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a news conference. Deputies were called to Egret Lake Way in Viera at 2:46 a.m. after a family fled to their neighbors home and called 911. Woman dies in shooting at Tampa home: police The family reported a man threatening them with a knife and gun. The suspect told deputies it was game over and they would have to come inside the home and shoot him, according to Ivey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an hour of trying to get the suspect to surrender, he left the home with a gun in his hand. According to the sheriff, he pointed his gun toward deputies, and one fired their own weapon at him. The suspect died from his injuries at the hospital. No deputies were hurt in the incident, which Ivey described as suicide by cop. While my heart goes out to those who are struggling with a mental health disorder, it doesnt give them the right to put out deputies lives at risk, Ivey said. If you point a gun at one of my deputies, you just guaranteed yourself a trip to the hospital at the very least, more likely the morgue. The deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave and the incident is under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. DENVER (KDVR) A mans body was recovered from the Second Flatiron outside of Boulder on Monday. According to the Boulder County Sheriffs Office, deputies received a call at about 9 p.m. of an overdue hiker. Friends of the hiker told the sheriffs office that he was supposed to return home around dark. When he did not return, the friends went to search the area and found the 42-year-old on a rock ledge on the Second Flatiron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Boulder County Sheriffs Office, Boulder Parks and Open Space rangers, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, American Medical Response ambulance, Boulder Emergency Squad and the Boulder County Coroners office all responded to the mountain and recovered the mans body. Details about how the man died were not released, but the sheriffs office said he fell from the Second Flatiron in a press release. The identity of the man will be released at a later date. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) The Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office has arrested a man for fraud. According to a news release, on Dec. 13 a Rio Arriba County resident reported receiving a call from a man claiming to be a US Marshal. The man told the resident his social security number had been tied to money laundering and that he would be arrested if he didnt pay. The resident then received a second call from a woman claiming to be with the Espanola Police Department who told him to withdraw the money from his bank account and transfer it to a nearby ATM. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office says the resident was unable to use the ATM and on Dec. 15 deputies waited at his home for the caller to come collect the money they had demanded. Deputies arrested Mahendra Darbar, who they say traveled from Pennsylvania to New Mexico. He is facing one count of fraud over $20,000 and one count of attempt to commit fraud over $20,000. The Rio Arriba Sheriffs Office reminds the public to remain alert regarding scammers impersonating law enforcement officials. It is important to note that the United States Marshals Service does not conduct phone calls to individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A man is facing charges after authorities say he crashed into the back of a state troopers cruiser on Storrow Drive in Boston late Monday night. Melvin Lopez, 32, of Chelsea, is slated to be arraigned Tuesday in Boston Municipal Court on several charges including operating under the influence of alcohol, according to Massachusetts State Police. Lopez was driving a 2013 Acura SUV on the eastbound side of Storrow Drive near Kenmore Square when he rear-ended the cruiser, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trooper, whose name hasnt been released, was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both vehicles were badly damaged in the wreck. There were no additional details 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 WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. (WWLP) A driver involved in a deadly crash on the Mass Pike earlier this year has pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide. On Thursday, December 12, Gilberto Franciapena pled guilty to motor vehicle homicide, losing his license for fifteen years and facing two years of probation. The incident occurred in April 2020, when Franciapena was driving eastbound on the Mass Pike in West Stockbridge when Franciapenas vehicle, which had five occupants, flipped in a single-vehicle accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franciapena was sentenced to two years of probation, a 15-year loss of his drivers license, and 100 hours of community service. Prosecutors had requested a two-year suspended sentence along with the license revocation. Suspect arrested in connection with stabbing two people in Pittsfield The Berkshire County District Attorneys Office said the other four occupants, including the driver, were brought to Berkshire Medical Center and treated for their injuries. The fifth occupant did not survive the crash. According to authorities, the defendant was not impaired at the time of the crash. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man has been found not guilty in connection to a fatal 2019 shooting at a York County movie theater. According to court records, Anu-Malik Johnson was found not guilty of charges including murder of the first degree and aggravated assault for the December 2019 shooting of 22-year-old Andre White Jr. at Regal Cinemas 13 in West Manchester Township. Johnson did, however, plead guilty to a firearms charge, according to the York County District Attorneys office. Sentencing for that charge remains pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022 the District Attorneys office dropped plans to seek the death penalty against Johnson. Witnesses to the shooting told investigators that White had briefly spoken with Johnson and another man as he headed to his seat, but Johnson later approached the seated victim and opened fire, authorities said. Police said the victim was hit five times. Authorities allege that the shooter continued to fire as he ran for the exit with his companion. Two bullets struck a woman seated in a row in front of the shooting victim, one injuring her shoulder and the other grazing her cheek, police said. Several other people were later charged with hindering apprehension and other counts in the case. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis man who shot and killed his mothers fiance in 2022 appeared in court on Monday and pleaded guilty to an amended charge. Prosecutors with the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office said Joshua D. Jackson, 33, killed Jeffrey Cook on Jan. 29, 2022, at Cooks home in the 2800 block of Chariton Street, located in the citys Mt. Pleasant neighborhood. Police and prosecutors said Jackson shot Cook during an argument. Officers found Cook inside the residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Cook was rushed to the hospital but died. He was 60. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three new Missouri laws for drivers to know for 2025 An eyewitness told police that Jackson threatened to harm them and their children if they spoke with the police. Jackson had been set for trial later this week in St. Louis Circuit Court for first-degree murder and four other felony charges. However, prosecutors agreed to amend the murder charge to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for Jacksons plea. The other felonies were also dismissed. The circuit court judge approved the plea agreement and sentenced Jackson to eight years in state prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Editors note: This story has been updated with statement provided by Cranston & Edwards and United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) The large police presence at a Morgantown law office Monday afternoon was because of a man with a gun who lawyers say was the brother of a convicted man that they represented. According to a release from the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office, a man who was not an employee entered Cranston & Edwards law office on Dorsey Avenue with a gun early Monday afternoon. Dorsey Avenue was shut down while officers attempted to communicate with the man, who was the only person in the building after employees were evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Palmer said that crisis negotiators were able to speak with the man and he surrendered without any further incident after approximately five and a half hours. Westover man allegedly had images of sexual violence against children on his device A statement from Cranston & Edwards said that the armed man who entered the firm was the brother of a man that the firm had represented in a federal child pornography case in April. During the trial, it was our contention that Christopher Harp was not the individual who received and possessed the pornography; but it was, in fact, his brother, who committed this heinous crime. Unfortunately, Christopher Harp was convicted, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement also said that on Monday, the brother arrived at our office unannounced and then provided a full recorded confession of the crime in front of a court reporter. Afterward, he pulled out a pistol and placed it on his chest, the law office said. The office was immediately evacuated and 911 was called. No one was injured. We would like to thank the Monongalia County Sheriffs Department, Morgantown Police Department, West Virginia State Police, and Monongalia County EMS, and all other responders, for handling the situation in such as professional manner. It was greatly appreciated, the release from Cranston & Edwards said. The U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld sent 12 News a statement about the situation, calling the claim by the law firm that Christopher Harp is innocent a self-centered strategy of blaming his brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am grateful that no one was harmed during yesterdays standoff in Morgantown. The efforts of law enforcement to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of all involved are to be commended. It is unfortunate that Christopher Harp continues to blame someone else for the crimes he himself committed. Christophers attempt to implicate his brother during trial was flatly rejected by the judge and the jury, as the evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Christopher Harp regularly downloaded, possessed, and viewed child pornography. To once again point the finger at his brother, someone who clearly is struggling with his mental health, is disappointing, selfish, and shows that Christopher has not accepted responsibility for his crimes. Once the details of yesterdays purported confession are fully disclosed, Im confident that this self-centered strategy of blaming his brother will again be rejected. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld As of Monday morning, Christopher Harp is in the North Central Regional Jail. According to the sheriffs office, the man involved in Mondays incident is being evaluated at Ruby Memorial Hospital and no charges have been filed regarding Mondays standoff. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)- A man has been indicted by a Columbiana County grand jury in a Wellsville murder case. Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito J. Abruzzino and Wellsville Police Chief Ed Wilson announced in a Facebook post that Jeno L. Wall (aka: Mally), 34, of Steubenville, Ohio, was indicted by the Columbiana County grand jury on charges of aggravated murder, murder, intimidation of a witness and firearm specifications. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WKBN Breaking News This case is connected to the shooting death of Robert E. Herron, 30, of Wellsville, on September 9. Reports said officers from the Wellsville Police Department responded to a call of possible shots fired on 10th Street around 11:30 p.m. Police found Herron fatally wounded behind a garage. Abruzzino said that Wall is currently incarcerated on a parole violation through Jefferson County. The post says that Abruzzino will be requesting a $1 million bond for Wall. Abruzzino praised the work of the Wellsville Police Department and members of the Columbiana County Major Crimes Task Force for their investigative efforts in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People with additional information regarding this case are asked to call the Wellsville Police Department at 330-532-1522. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dec. 16A 69-year-old St. Paul man pleaded guilty Monday in Freeborn County District Court to an amended second-degree controlled substance charge for possessing a pound of drugs believed to have been trafficked from St. Louis. Andre Randle initially faced one count of first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime. Randle was pulled over by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper Oct. 15, 2022, on Interstate 35 after the trooper received information from the Dakota County Task Force that Randle was traveling to St. Louis to pick up a pound of fentanyl, cocaine or a mixture of the two substances. He was believed to be driving a 2005 light blue Cadillac Deville with a white topper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At about 10:20 p.m. that day, task force agents confirmed that the vehicle had entered Minnesota. Randle was reportedly driving 80 mph, and the trooper reportedly saw Randle cross the centerline with both driver's side tires and pulled Randle over. Randle reportedly told the trooper he lived in St. Paul but was in St. Louis for his mother's birthday. He would not make eye contact and appeared to be sweating on his forehead and around his eyes. His speech was also rapid, according to court documents. Because of these observations, the trooper conducted field sobriety tests, which determined Randle was not under the influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randle consented to a search of the car, in which a K-9 alerted to the trunk of the vehicle, where authorities found a heat-sealed brick of a white powdery substance weighing about 1 pound behind the carpet on the passenger side of the vehicle. Due to Randle having possible ties to trafficking fentanyl, no roadside test on the substance was completed for officer safety purposes. Randle reportedly refused to cooperate with being handcuffed and at one point pushed away from the car and also pushed troopers back. When in the squad car as the trunk was being searched, Randle could be heard breathing heavily and repeatedly saying, "Oh Jesus. Oh no. Oh Lord." Once troopers found the drugs, he reportedly let out a loud, "Oh Jesus no" and begins to cry, according to court documents. The plea agreement stated Randle will be sentenced to five years and seven months in prison with jail credit. Sentencing is slated for March 7. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A man pleaded guilty on Monday to randomly shooting into a crowd of people at Romare Bearden Park last New Years Eve, according to court documents. MORE DETAILS: 5 shot during Uptown NYE celebration; teen suspect IDd Daevion Crawford pleaded guilty to five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Crawford was sentenced to 20 to 36 months in prison. He was given a 350-day credit for his days spent in confinement prior to judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford was also given three years probation and court records show he has to complete a cognitive behavioral course. QUEEN CITY NEWS MORE ON NYE UPTOWN 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. BOSTON (WWLP) The leader of a drug trafficking organization from Rhode Island was sentenced to prison for manufacturing large quantities of fentanyl pills that were sold across the country including in Massachusetts. In a news release from the Department of Justice in Boston, an investigation began in September 2019 into a drug trafficking organization (DTO) based in Providence, Rhode Island led by Jasdrual Perez. It was alleged that Perez manufactured large quantities of fentanyl pills designed to appear like pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone/Percocet pills and distribute them and other controlled substances throughout the United States. Massachusetts man serving over 7 years in prison ordered to pay funeral expenses for fentanyl overdose death Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A member of the organization, 36-year-old Erik Ventura, maintained one of the drug stash locations. He would transport cash and drugs to and from New York and distribute thousands of fentanyl pills to customers of the organization in Massachusetts. It was also discovered that Ventura distributed fentanyl and cocaine to his customers, including one who survived an overdose at a stash house where Ventura lived. Ventura and Perez were arrested and charged in February 2022 for their involvement in the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl pills that spanned across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Texas, and North and South Carolina. In February 2022, investigators seized two industrial-grade pill presses, approximately 20 kilograms of powdered fentanyl, pressed fentanyl pills, and other items, including kilograms of pill binder used in the large-scale manufacturing of clandestinely pressed fentanyl pills. (Department of Justice) (Department of Justice) (Department of Justice) (Department of Justice) Perez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $1 million and forfeit his rights to the residence from which Perez distributed fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ventura pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Fentanyl kills over 2,000 people a year in Massachusetts. That is unacceptable. Jasdrual Perez was running a business that pumped over 200 kilograms of this deadly poison onto the streets of Massachusetts and neighboring states, wreaking havoc and destroying lives. This was not some low-level street dealer. This is a man who bought industrial pill presses to churn out millions of pills containing highly addictive and dangerous fentanyl. said United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. This office and our federal partners will stay relentless in holding accountable the people contributing to this deadly crisis. We commend the tireless work of our law enforcement partners who continue, day in and day out, to root out, dismantle, and punish these organizations and the people who sit atop them. Fentanyl is causing deaths in record numbers and DEAs top priority is to aggressively pursue anyone who distributes this poison, especially in the form of pills designed to look like real prescription medication, in order to profit and destroy lives, said Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Stephen Belleau, New England Field Division. Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take fentanyl off the streets, lives are saved. This investigation demonstrates the strength of collaborative local, county and state law enforcement efforts in Massachusetts and our strong partnership with the U.S. Attorneys Office. The sentence of Jasdrual Perez sends a strong message to all those who seek to endanger the welfare and wellbeing of our communities in order to enrich themselves, said Jonathan Wlodyka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. Perez led a syndicate whose sole intent was flooding our streets with large quantities of deadly drugs. By concealing fentanyl as pharmaceutical grade prescription drugs, Perez further endangered his clients lives by selling them a product that is much more potent and deadly. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The man who was shot and killed by deputies in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday afternoon after he brandished a gun at his wife was actively on around-the-clock house arrest at the time he was killed, according to court records. Robert Drangel, 64, of Margate, arrived at his estranged wifes home in Tamarac shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday and pointed a gun at her and the womans friend, the Broward Sheriffs Office said. He then fled in his wifes car, according to first-responder radio transmission archived by the streaming site Broadcastify. His wife filed a petition for divorce in Broward County in August 2023. The two had been married since 2014, according to records in that case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies issued a be-on-the-lookout for Drangel for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and over radio communications gave the description of his wifes car, according to Broadcastify. Officers from multiple agencies chased Drangel north from Interstate 95 near Hollywood Boulevard to the 200 block of Southwest 21st Avenue in Fort Lauderdale near the Tri-Rail station, where one deputy forced the car Drangel was driving to stop by performing a Precision Immobilization Technique maneuver, called a PIT maneuver, according to the Sheriffs Office. After the deputy stopped Drangel, perceiving a threat from Drangel inside the vehicle, four deputies shot him, the Sheriffs Office said. Broward Sheriffs Office deputies fatally shoot man following pursuit near Tri-Rail station Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy said over radio that shots had been fired and the suspect was down, according to Broadcastify. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue pronounced Drangel, who had a gun with him, dead at the scene, the Sheriffs Office said. The Sheriffs Office did not provide further information about the threat prior to the shooting or release the names of the deputies who shot Drangel. They have been placed on administrative assignment as the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigates the shooting, as is customary. Drangel had been ordered to 24-hours-a-day house arrest since late September, after his wife reported multiples times that he had violated a temporary injunction for protection against stalking that a judge issued in July, court records show. After the judge granted the injunction, Drangel was required to surrender any guns and concealed weapons permit to law enforcement, according to the court order. The injunction and house arrest agreement were still in place at the time of his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drangels wife alleged in her initial petition for the protective order that he had been sending her harassing and verbally abusing text messages on many occasions and had threatened suicide multiple times throughout their divorce proceedings. In August, the woman filed an affidavit that said Drangel had violated the injunction by texting her from different Google phone numbers. Prosecutors declined to file any criminal charge against him at that time, according to a State Attorneys Office Aug. 29 memo. After the injunction was extended at a Sept. 3 court hearing, Drangel texted his wife multiple times from a Google number, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest, including one message that said: Im kind of fighting for my life here and well-being so youre not leaving me. Drangel was arrested later that month on charges of aggravated stalking after an injunction for the multiple texts he sent after the court hearing, the affidavit said. After his arrest, he was ordered to wear a GPS monitor and remain at his address for 24 hours each day unless an exception was approved, according to the house arrest agreement. The temporary injunction was again extended in mid-November, to be in place until at least Feb. 11, 2025, court records show. Police say a man was shot on Church Street and his girlfriend robbed at gunpoint a few blocks away following a disturbance in downtown Burlington early Saturday. Just after 2 a.m., police received a call about a disturbance on Church Street, near Akes Place, involving 10-20 people. Officers learned that one person allegedly brandished a gun. Officers detained a man, but said they did not find a firearm. The man was eventually released, police said, in the absence of credible witnesses or victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minutes later, just before 2:30 a.m., the officers were called to St. Paul Street for a report that a woman had been robbed at gunpoint. She told officers that the two men who robbed her took her purse, phone and wallet and threatened to shoot her. Police said they later learned that the robbery victim was the girlfriend of the man who had been detained on Church Street. Just before 6:30 a.m., police were told that a man, who officers say was the robbery victims alleged boyfriend, was being treated at University of Vermont Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his hand. Police are investigating both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Corporal Nikki Moyer at (802) 540-2326. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Croatian authorities arrested an Austrian national on suspicion of trying to smuggle a corpse, after he was stopped at a border crossing with a dead woman riding in his car's passenger seat, police said Tuesday. The 65-year-old man was stopped at the Gunja border crossing with Bosnia in late November after presenting travel documents for himself and another passenger, police told AFP in a statement. The officers then became suspicious after noticing the female passenger "was not conscious and was not communicating." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police called a coroner to the scene, who established that the passenger was dead. Authorities said the 83-year-old woman had died in Bosnia, and the driver had tried to take her body to back Austria to "avoid formalities related to the transport of deceased," the statement added. Police did not elaborate on the relationship between the two, but local media has described the man as the deceased's legal guardian. Police said the case had been formally handed over to the country's prosecutors. Drivers in the U.S. have also been found with corpses in their vehicles for a variety of different reasons. Last year, a man in Texas was arrested after a man's body was found inside his car nearly 40 miles away from where police there believe he was hit by the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, a Detroit-area man said he refused to stop and contact authorities after one of his passengers died during a drive to Michigan from Arizona because he feared being incarcerated if police investigated. Four years before that, police said a Southern California woman drove around for months with a homeless woman's mummified body in her passenger seat. Hermes and the success of the coveted Birkin bag | 60 Minutes School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say Fake nudes created by AI "nudify" sites are causing real harm, victims say | 60 Minutes A man who was found guilty in 2023 for his role in a decadelong, $31 million embezzlement scheme that brought down Washington Federal Bank for Savings in 2017 was sentenced Monday. Marek Matczuk was sentenced to 155 months, or nearly 13 years, in prison, said Joseph Fitzpatrick, an assistant U.S. attorney. Matczuk was also ordered to pay almost $6 million in restitution and forfeit more than $6 million.. Matczuk, 61, was convicted after being part of a group of some 15 defendants that received embezzled funds from Washington Federal. For more than a decade, Matczuk was using fraudulent real estate loans for personal use, such as paying bills and traveling, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also using the money to fund the lifestyle of the now-shuttered banks president, John Gembara, who took his own life in Matczuks Park Ridge home less than two weeks before the banks closure. The bank was a family-run institution, started by Gembaras grandfather in 1913, and was a mainstay in the Bridgeport neighborhood. By the time the bank was seized in December 2017, Washington Federal had at least $66 million in bad loans on its books. The scheme has led to criminal charges for the several defendants, including a former high-ranking city official, a Chicago attorney and former Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson. ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) A man will spend decades in prison after trying to kill his wife in Eden in 2021, according to a statement released by the Rockingham County and Caswell County District Attorneys Offices. A Rockingham County jury found Donald Ray Newman, of Danville, guilty on Dec. 9 of: attempted first-degree murder assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury first-degree burglary Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced to three consecutive terms of imprisonment of 180 to 228 months (15 to 19 years), 73 to 100 months (about 6 to 8 years) and 83 to 112 months (about 7 to 9 years). During the six-day trial, District Attorney Katy Gregg proved to the jury that Newman attempted to kill his estranged wife Angela Williams on Oct. 9, 2021. Gregg called eighteen witnesses and introduced 173 exhibits. The evidence showed that Williams was in her Eden home when he broke in through the basement window. Newman came upstairs to the kitchen where he found her attempting to call for help. He pointed his gun at her and ordered her to put her phone down. Newman began punching Williams in the face and telling her that he was going to kill her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams fell to the floor and landed on her stomach. Newman tried to bind her hands together with a zip tie that he brought with him. When he was unsuccessful, he lifted her to her feet and asked Williams where her gun was. Williams told Newman that the gun was in her bedroom. While Newman held Williams at gunpoint, he tried to retrieve her gun. Newman then shot Williams in the chest with his own gun. Despite having been shot, Williams was able to get to her gun and shoot Newman one time. Williams ran to her neighbors house for help. Newman took Williamss vehicle and drove away. He left the vehicle about one mile down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities believe Newman had parked his vehicle at that location and walked to Williamss house to avoid detection. Newman later drove himself to a hospital in Virginia about two hours away. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. A man is lucky to be alive after walking naked for 25 miles in rain and near freezing temperatures from the Oregon border to near the Tri-Cities, say officials. BNSF railway employees spotted the nude man walking along the railroad tracks near McNary Dam on the Columbia River about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. After railroad employees alerted the Benton County Sheriffs Office, deputies began to scour the rural area for the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They knew temperatures were going to be hovering in the mid-30s Sunday night. They searched on foot, used ATVs, deployed drones and asked for help from LifeFlight to try to spot the man as they flew over the area. After several hours, they couldnt find him and called off the search, said a Benton County post on Facebook. Then at 5:30 a.m. Monday, a passerby spotted the man, still naked, walking in the Finley area of Highway 397 and Owens Road south of Kennewick. The area is more than 25 miles from where he was last seen. Before deputies could arrive, another person took the man to the emergency room at Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was suffering from moderate to severe frostbite on both feet, but was otherwise in stable condition. While he gave deputies little information about what happened, they were able to piece together that he was out the night before and may have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. On Sunday, he started walking from a Circle K in Umatilla, Ore., across a bridge and into Benton County. Its unclear if he crossed on the railroad bridge or the Interstate 82 bridge. Sheriffs officials said he took off his clothes near McNary Dam on the Washington side and began walking north through farm fields until he reached Owens Road. Deputies said in a Facebook post that he is lucky to be alive after his more than 12-hour journey. The mans family was notified, and hes expected to make a full recovery. UPDATE: JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Jackson police said Dias Thompson turned himself in at JPD headquarters around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17. He was arrested and charged with murder. Detective Tommie Brown said Thompson also has five active warrants for aggravated assault. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Jackson police are searching for a man in connection to a recent homicide. Police said the fatal shooting occurred in the 800 block of Powell Rhodes Drive around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said the victim, Camaurice Davis, was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two dead after apparent murder-suicide in Jackson Wade said a warrant was issued for the arrest of Dias Thompson on Monday, December 16. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Thompson can contact the Jackson Police Department (JPD) at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS(8477). Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect that the kidnapping occurred in Colorado Springs, not in Monument, as the Colorado Springs Police Department initially reported. (COLORADO SPRINGS) A man who allegedly committed an armed kidnapping and stole a car in Colorado Springs was eventually captured in Palmer Park on Monday, Dec. 16 after initially evading officers. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), members of the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force of Southern Colorado were in Colorado Springs searching for Brandon Crozier on Monday, who was wanted on a parole violation. The warrant indicated that Crozier was a known narcotics user, armed, and considered dangerous, wrote CSPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crozier was also a suspect in an armed kidnapping with a handgun in Colorado Springs that occurred on Friday, Dec. 13. That same day, Crozier also allegedly stole a car and escaped officers with the Monument Police Department which initially attempted to pull the vehicle over for traffic violations before the suspect took off. On Monday, the task force received information that Crozier was in Colorado Springs driving the stolen vehicle. Around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, detectives spotted the stolen car being driven by Crozier near the intersection of Austin Bluffs Parkway and North Academy Boulevard. The Colorado State Patrol Aircraft Unit was called to assist in following the car. According to CSPD, Crozier eventually parked the car at a Palmer Park trailhead in the 3300 block of Paseo Road. Multiple CSPD units responded, including K9s Kai, Kylo, and Zev, as well as two members of the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPSO) SWAT team. Responding law enforcement used armored vehicles to pin Croziers car and ordered him to surrender. CSPD said Crozier ignored officers commands and tried to ram the tactical vehicles to escape, though he was unsuccessful. Tactical officers and SWAT team members deployed chemical irritants into the vehicle while K9 units prevented Crozier from running into the park and endangering bystanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being exposed to the chemical irritants, Crozier surrendered to officers and was treated on the scene by medical personnel for exposure to the chemicals. A search of the stolen car revealed a gun in the drivers floorboard along with a large quantity of illegal narcotics. Crozier was taken to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center. Courtesy: Colorado Springs Police Department This operation was a successful example of law enforcement agencies working together to apprehend a dangerous fugitive, CSPD said. Their coordination, strategic planning, and careful execution resulted in the safe capture of Crozier with minimal force used, preventing further harm to the public or officers. According to CSPD, Crozier was not injured during the arrest. CSPD Dispatcher M. Willett demonstrated remarkable skill in monitoring multiple channels simultaneously, effectively distinguishing between officers from six different agencies, CSPD wrote. She consistently delivered critical information and made necessary notifications to various agencies in a timely and organized manner. M. Willetts professionalism and efficiency were key in facilitating smooth coordination across agencies, and her contribution was invaluable to the success of the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Authorities are investigating a possible manifesto, linked to the 15-year-old girl who opened fire inside her Wisconsin school, killing two people and wounding several others before turning the firearm on herself. Natalie Rupnow, who also went by Samantha, was found suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound when officers arrived at the Abundant Life Christian School on Monday. She died on the way to the hospital, after exacting carnage during her study hall period around 11 a.m., police said. Rupnow was armed with a handgun when she opened fire inside the classroom, at the time packed with students from several different grades, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said. A teacher and a student, neither of whom have been identified, were killed, while another six were wounded, including two who were in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they are still working to understand what triggered the deadly violence. And while a motive still remained unclear Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed that they are looking into a possible manifesto, allegedly posted by a friend of the shooter, which has been circulating online. The documents have also been passed along to the FBI. We have been made aware of a manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter thats been posted by someone who alleged to be her friend, Barnes told CNN. We havent been able to locate that person yet, but thats something were going to work on today, The police chief added: Well also be looking through her effects if she had a computer or cell phone to see if there are any transmissions between her and someone else. Police previously said they believe the attack was carried out by a lone gunman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have offered few other details about Rupnow other than that she was a student at Abundant Life Christian School. Some 390 students, from kindergarten through high school, are enrolled there, ABC 6 reported. Barnes has also address other rumors swirling about the school shooter, including whether the gunman 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, he said, adding that he was unaware of the suspects gender identity. And I wish people would kind of leave their own personal biases out of this. Also still unclear is how exactly Rupnow obtained the weapon, a 9mm pistol, she used to carry out the shooting. Barnes said they are looking into whether it belonged to her parents, who are cooperating with the investigation, and whether or not there was negligence involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of recent school shootings, some parents have been investigated and held accountable alongside their accused children. Back in September, Colt Grey opened fire inside the halls of Apalachee High School in Georgia, killing four people. His father, Colin Gray, is facing 29 charges including two counts of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children related to the shooting at his sons high school. Police said Colin purchased the rifle allegedly used in massacre as a Christmas present for his son last year, despite the fact that theyd been interviewed by law enforcement officials in May 2023 in connection with online threats Colt allegedly made to carry out a school shooting. Chief Digital Officer Brian Tardiff leaves the podium, partially obscuring Gov. Dan McKee, at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, outlining the state's response to the RIBridges data breach. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) For the third time in four days, Gov. Dan McKee and a slew of state officials took to a conference room at the Rhode Island Department of Administration Monday to inform the public about a cyberattack on the RIBridges system. But technical details about the breach which potentially affects up to hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders who have applied for or received social services since accounting firm Deloitte created the centralized system in 2016 were basically nil at Mondays press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an ongoing investigation, was the refrain of Chief Digital Officer Brian Tardiff, the states top IT official, who used that phrase at least a half-dozen times at the press conference. The system, developed and is maintained by Big Four accounting firm Deloitte, serves as the customer-facing infrastructure for state services like food stamps and Medicaid. Its typically housed at the URL HealthyRhode.RI.gov, although state officials took the website down Friday, two days after Deloitte confirmed it was very likely there had been unauthorized access to sensitive data. As with press conferences from Friday and Saturday, officials continued to advise RIBridges users to freeze their credit, activate fraud alerts on their bank accounts, change passwords, and set up multi-factor authentication. The leaked information could include Social Security numbers and banking details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Tardiff did divulge, however, was a two-pronged attempt to recover from damage inflicted by the attacker. Deloitte confirmed Monday the culprit is Brain Cipher. The international cybercriminal group is a relative neophyte in the ransomware scene but now has several high-profile breaches under its belt, including an attack earlier this year on the Indonesian government. There are two parallel lines of effort right now, which is incident response, to ensure that this is fully remediated, and restoration planning efforts, so that we can restore the system in a timely manner, so that its stable and secure, Tardiff said. He declined to estimate what the restoration timeline looks like or when HealthyRhode.RI.gov will be back online. We are pushing Deloitte to answer those questions, Tardiff said. Deloitte again had no representative at the briefing. Asked if the firm would have a presence soon, Tardiff replied: Were in constant contact with Deloitte throughout the day, and they are focused on the incident response and restoration activities, so I would anticipate that, as a good partner, they would be present at some point in time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deloitte has relayed to Rhode Island state officials that the hackers intend to release the data unless a ransom is paid, although officials have not made the amount public. In the meantime, Gov. McKee advised potentially affected citizens to take protective measures if they ever applied via the RIBridges site even if they didnt qualify for benefits. We do not control if and when the cyber criminals will make this information public or available to other bad actors, McKee said. That is why, if you believe you or someone in your household may have interfaced with a program on Rhode Island Bridges, you need to act now. The state opened a call center to field questions about the breach and received 1,100 calls on Sunday, its opening day, McKee said. The call center can be reached at 833-918-6603, and a companion website is now live at cyberalert.ri.gov. McKee also noted that temporary disability insurance and unemployment are not part of the Deloitte-run system and are unaffected by the breach or outage. Doors looking out toward Smith Street are seen from inside the Department of Administration building in Providence. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) Extended office hours, back to paper In ransomware and exfiltration attacks, IT workers will shut down affected networks to remove the intruders. That means that currently, the state systems which depend on RIBridges are not accessible by applicants, beneficiaries and state workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states human services agencies have had to get creative: Benefit and payment processing across the affected state services are still active, said Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito at the press conference. The agency is using paper processing for benefits and has opened all its field offices, extending hours at its Pawtucket and Providence locations from Tuesday through Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Everyone already enrolled in an affected program should be all set for December, McKee said. We were able to get ahead of the benefits and the distribution of the benefits in December, and so that is not putting pressure on the system as we speak. But McKee added that the state will need other options when January rolls around. Brito said her department has also scrambled to mitigate confusion, including opening all field offices and moving back office staff to frontline positions. Over at HealthSource RI, the states health insurance marketplace, Director Lindsay Lang said things went relatively well on the first business day back after the crisis was announced. Approximately 200 HealthSource RI staff received a briefing on the situation and training Monday morning, delaying the 8 a.m. opening till noon. Im happy to report we did have a smooth start to the day, Lang said. She clarified that individuals who are already enrolled or automatically re-enrolled in benefits can still pay their January premiums by phone, in person, or at CVS locations except those inside Target stores by using the barcode on their health insurance bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The health marketplace is open for enrollment through Jan. 31, but Lang noted that, as of Monday, new enrollments are not being processed. People can still call to receive quotes. We can help you understand the application process, and we can answer questions about eligibility, as long as they dont involve specific account information that is in the Rhode Island Bridges system, Lang said. HealthSource RI for Employers was hosted on the RIBridges platform until 2019, so its current online enrollment is unaffected by the outage, Lang said. But data from the period it was part of the RIBridges system could still be in the breach. Clarion call The RIBridges much-maligned genesis, which included state lawsuits against Deloitte, goes back to 2016, when it was first known as the Unified Health Infrastructure Project or UHIP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RIBridges system was designed to be the one-stop shopping, the single portal, for when people apply to various social services, said Sen. Lou DiPalma, a Middletown Democrat, in a phone interview ahead of Mondays press event. Hes concerned that about 500,000 to 600,000 Rhode Islanders may have been affected in the breach, which allegedly contains one terabyte of data. Once the state ensures that people can get their benefits, then it may be time to look carefully at security across state systems, he suggested. If this isnt a clarion callnothing is, DiPalma said, describing the breach as an all-hands-on-deck moment for state government. DiPalma was especially curious if the Deloitte-run system complied with encryption rules set forth in the Identity Protection Act of 2015, most recently revised in 2023. The general law specifies a minimum standard of encryption for personal information stored on state computer systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was the data, in fact, encrypted? DiPalma asked. With a decryption key, even encrypted data may be unscrambled and made usable by bad actors. But Tardiff would not say whether the breached data was encrypted. Asked about the prospect of legislative oversight hearings on the hack on the state vendor, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said Monday it was too early to make that call. I dont want to comment too much on Deloitte because its an ongoing thing, Shekarchi said. Ive spoken to the governor. Ive spoken to the attorney general. Every day, things are changing. Looking ahead to the upcoming legislative session, Shekarchi named possible changes to state procurement laws such as requiring contractors to include their own protections against cyberattacks as one way to lessen the states exposure to data breaches. A photo of the front of North Providence resident Patricia Mahoneys state issued EBT card is an exhibit in the complaint against Deloitte filed Sunday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. (Exhibit A/Mahoney v. Deloitte Consulting LLP, Docket No. 1:24-cv-09575, S.D.N.Y. Dec 15, 2024) So far the data breach has led to at least one federal lawsuit. A class action complaint filed Sunday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York names a North Providence resident who receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as the lead plaintiff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit accuses Deloitte of negligence, breach of contract and unjust enrichment and claims lead plaintiff Patricia Mahoney and others identities are now at substantial and imminent risk. Mahoneys attorney Peter Wsylyk, a former state representative and House deputy majority leader, did not respond to requests for comment. Any device connected to a network is potentially vulnerable to bad actors, especially computers connected to an enterprise system outside its usual firewall, like an employees laptop used away from the office. Institutions use security software called endpoint protection to protect devices like these. During the Crowdstrike outage of July 2024, Rhode Island Current reported that state employees at HealthSource RI used a software suite curated by the states IT office. Tardiff said he believed the breach did not come from the states end, since the system is owned and operated by Deloitte. But its still unclear what databases would be available on Deloittes systems but not to state employees who work with client data on a regular basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online comments, meanwhile, offered a resigned, ironic tone to the latest leak of their personal information. Cant wait for my 35th coupon to Equifax and a my bad email, wrote one Redditor. Nancy Lavin and Janine L. Weisman contributed reporting to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The North Carolina Department of Transportation released a second map of 41 proposed electric vehicle charging station sites in the Tar Heel State. NC reaches goal 2 years early for number of electric cars on the road In January, 11 initial locations were identified along an alternative fuel corridor where there are fewer charging stations. Thirty-six are in Eastern North Carolina and five are in Western North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NCDOT has been allocated $109 million from the national electric vehicle infrastructure program, part of a $5 billion bipartisan law enacted in 2021 by the Biden-Harris administration to build these corridors. >>CLICK here to check out the map. DELHI, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A Margaretville man was sentenced to prison for possessing and intending to sell fentanyl. Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that Dennis Fickeria, 43, was sentenced to 4 years in New York State prison for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B Felony. On January 3, a search warrant was executed at Fickerias residence at 1542 Jones Hollow Road in Margaretville. During the search, investigators located controlled substances and firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On October 28, as part of a negotiated disposition, Fickeria pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. He admitted that he possessed Fentanyl with the intention of selling it. Fickeria was ordered to be supervised by the Department of Parole for one year following his prison sentence. The Court also forfeited the money that was seized from Fickeria during the search. The money will be used to provide additional resources to police and prosecutors so that they can continue to remove drugs from Delaware County. I want to thank the members of the Delaware County Sheriffs Office for their actions in taking down a drug dealer. Because of them, a drug dealer is now where a drug dealer belongs -behind bars. Im sure I am not alone in commending these deputies for their efforts on January 3rd, said Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (WJTV) Marty Stuarts Congress of Country Music hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday to celebrate the creation of the museum and cultural center in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Country music legend Marty Stuart led the ceremony as construction officially commenced on the remainder of the Congress of Country Music campus. The Legendary Vanessa Bell Calloway This is more than just a museum project, said Stuart. Its about the preservation and furtherance of our musical history and culture. With the support of incredible partners, were creating a space that will inspire, educate and connect generations through the stories of country music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A highlight of the ceremony was the tribute to Cynthia Lake and the Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust of Reno, Nevada, whose generosity will be immortalized with the dedication of the Cynthia Lake Green Room and Administration Building. The museum will showcase Stuarts extensive collection of country music artifacts, along with treasures from the newly established partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Could Germany leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) before Britain? That was the possibility raised by Jens Spahn, a senior member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who are predicted to be the largest party after the next German election. A former minister under Angela Merkel, Spahn is widely expected to return to the cabinet in the next German government. His statement demonstrates the huge change which has taken place in the CDU since it was led by Merkel, who infamously invited Syrian refugees to come to Germany in 2015, sparking a European migrant crisis which has never really ended. Her opening of Germanys borders ended in disaster. Within the year 1.3 million people had come to Europe to claim asylum, trailing across the countryside in winding columns. That led some European governments, like Hungary, to start building walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite claims that these refugees might rescue an ageing continent, as of 2021 only 54 per cent of the 890,000 who arrived in 2015 have jobs. Although Syrian refugees have made contributions in some areas, such as the 10,000 who work in German hospitals, they also feature regularly in newspapers as the perpetrators of horrific crimes, like the terror attack this year in Solingen, in which a Syrian Islamist with a knife murdered three people. With over one million Ukrainian refugees also having arrived in recent years, Germany has seen spending on refugees, welfare payments to foreigners, and housing costs soar. That has made immigration the number two issue in polls just below the economy and contributed to a series of state-level election victories for Alternative for Germany (AfD), the hard-Right party who have made opposition to mass immigration a key part of their platform. Nor is the crisis ending. Germany received 236,400 asylum applications this year alone and 71,000 illegal border crossings. In many areas the refugee centres set up in 2015 have been reopened for new arrivals. As the German economy sputters under the cost of high energy prices and the number of layoffs increases, with Bosch being the latest to cut nearly 10,000 jobs, the voters have had enough. Desperate to win votes away from the AfD, leader of the CDU, Friedrich Merz, has called for a national emergency to be declared so that asylum seekers can be turned back at the border. The current, deeply unpopular, coalition government led by the left-wing Social Democratic Party (SPD) has tried to head off the issue, by reimposing border controls. But when investigative journalists from the online outlet NIUS went to investigate, they found nobody guarding the borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, where ECHR cases are heard, has expanded the definition of asylum to the point where it makes controlling borders an impossibility. Many asylum seekers can rely on Article 3, which prohibits degrading treatment, to stay in Germany, arguing that they will face poor treatment at home. Those who stay long enough can rely on Article 8, which means that even criminals can avoid deportation if they can argue that it would hurt their family. Thats one reason why less than a third of migrants who are ordered to leave the EU actually do so. The ECHR, which was drawn up in the aftermath of the Second World War, was made for a world which no longer exists, before our current world of easy travel and mass migration. That has been worsened by judges in Strasbourg, who have consciously increased the scope of the law, most recently seeking to overturn a referendum in Switzerland on climate change. European politicians, confronted by a never-ending asylum crisis and voters angry about it, are realising that their power to stop it has been usurped by these international judges. Thats why there is an appetite for tackling the ECHR, with Poland, Denmark, Italy, and Austria all expressing deep frustration with it. Reforming the ECHR means amending the text however, which requires the agreement of all 46 members and will be near-impossible to get. Britain attempted a renegotiation in 2012 but achieved little. As Germany is a member of the EU, a similar danger is presented by the EUs current attempt to accede to the ECHR, so that the ECHR will apply to its decisions as well as to those of member states. After years of negotiation, a provisional agreement was reached in 2023. If it does happen, it will make it even harder to reform or leave. Nonetheless, the fact that German politicians, in the country which previously had the most liberal asylum policies in Europe, are saying this, shows how far the debate has shifted. Whether the next German government really will do this or only wants to block off the threat of the AfD before the election, the option is on the table and the genie is out of the bottle. Any failure to control asylum will make it an ever more pressing argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Britain, the Government have recommitted to supporting the ECHR, leaving them at the mercy of the courts and frustrating their efforts to end the small boats crisis. All eyes will therefore turn to the opposition, to see if they are willing to commit to the measures necessary to restore Britains borders. As Brexit showed, democracy requires national sovereignty. So long as foreign judges have the final say on control of our borders, the problem wont go away and if we dont lead the way, others in Europe are preparing to. 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 Massachusetts man has been arrested in Michigan and charged with sex trafficking a victim across four states, the U.S. Attorney said Monday. Melando Streety, a/k/a Prez, 41, of Lowell, was charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and five counts of transporting a person to engage in prostitution, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement. Streety will make an initial appearance in federal court in Detroit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, from September to December 2023, Streety caused the victim to engage in commercial sex through the use of various means, including force, threats of force, fraud and coercion. During this time, he also transported the victim from Nevada to Massachusetts and then to Rhode Island and New York, all to involve the victim in prostitution, prosecutors said. The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of transporting a person to engage in prostitution provides a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the public who have information regarding this case should call 888-221-6023, option 5. 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 SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Drones are being spotted across the U.S. and it has become a concern for many Americans. These drones have been spotted in several places including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The Associated Press says elected officials are calling for action to identify and stop the mysterious flights of these drones. Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has raised concerns as many residents have seen these drones while driving or walking outside. These drones have been seen flying around military facilities. At the moment, it is unknown who is responsible for the drones but the AP says national security officials have said these mysterious drones dont appear to be a sign of foreign interference or a public safety threat. State Senator John Velis says there needs to be rules and regulations on these drone operations which is why he has been trying to file a bill to do just that, I am going to be refiling that bill, expanding on it even more, because since the last filing, there has been an abundance of new information but this is not something we can run from we need to deal with this head-on. Velis says who can fly these drones, how high they go, and where they are flown should be considered in these regulations. Through all of this, U.S. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says they are working in close coordination with state and local authorities to get more answers about these drone sightings. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. (This story was updated to include additional information.) BOSTON Federal authorities arrested a Natick man on Monday after he allegedly sold U.S. technology that was later used in a fatal drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers. The arrests of Mahdi Mohammed Sadeghi, 42, of 85 Woodland Road, Natick, and Mohammad Abedini in Milan, Italy, are connected to a Jan. 28 attack at a U.S. military base, Tower 22, in Jordan, according to federal authorities. The attack killed three U.S. Army members Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Sgt. Breonna Moffett and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders and injured 47 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said during a press conference Monday at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse that Sadeghi illegally exported "sensitive" technology to terrorist organizations. "We often cite hypothetical risks when we talk about the danger of American technology getting into dangerous hands," Levy said. "Unfortunately, in this situation we are not speculating. As alleged in this criminal complaint, the grave potential damage from the leak of American technology overseas came to fruition." U.S. attorney says suspect's company in Iran has ties to terrorist groups Authorities were able to trace the drone used in the attack to Abedini's company in Iran, which Levy said has ties to terrorist organizations. Levy said authorities plan to seeking his extradition to Boston. Levy said the two men had worked together since 2016 to violate laws designed to keep technology that had military applications from being illegally exported. Items leaked included materials used in unmanned drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his LinkedIn page, Sadeghi worked for Analog Devices Inc., a Wilmington-based maker of integrated circuits, software and subsystems products for the semiconductor industry. Jodi Cohen, FBI special agent in charge of the Boston FBI office, said the FBI arrested Sadeghi without incident about 2 p.m. Monday at his home. She said Sadeghi was "a naturalized U.S. citizen living in Natick who we believe abandoned this country that took him to help strengthen the arsenal of weapons for one of world's most infamous state sponsors of terrorism." Both Sadeghi and Abedini are charged with conspiring to illegally export sensitive technology. Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. Levy said he hopes the arrests, in some way, help the families and loved ones for those killed and injured in the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a son of a combat veteran, I humbly hope today's charges bring some measure of justice and accountability to those families," he said. During his initial appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in Boston, Sadeghi was ordered held without bail pending a detention hearing on Dec. 27. Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: FBI arrests Natick, MA man for exporting U.S. technology to Iran Northern California emergency and animal specialists last week teamed up to rescue a horse that fell into the bottom of an abandoned grain silo in Yolo County. The Yolo County Animal Services Center asked agencies including the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the El Dorado County Search and Rescue team and the Yolo County Fire Protection District to help retrieve Matsie, a mare who got stuck in the subfloor of the silo. The horse fell several feet in open spaces at the bottom of the structure, officials said in several social media posts this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The personnel worked together to hoist Matsie back up to ground level, where she was reunited with her owners, said the Sonoma Valley Animal Emergency Response Team, which added the work was a great collaboration between response groups that frequently train together to perform a difficult rescue. It was not clear how the horse had gotten into the confined space. Matsie the Mare was thankful to be out and play again with her friends, they said. Matsie, a mare who was stuck in the subfloor of a Yolo County grain silo, is hoisted through a narrow spot with help from multiple agencies. Pictures from the various groups showed Matsie being plucked from the basement using a unique animal tripod that officials said was critically needed on this rescue and donated by Halter Project. Officials were able to pull her through the opening that was less than two feet wide. Life is truly an adventure, and you never know what you will encounter, said the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office, reflecting on the horses rescue. Marking a new chapter in an ongoing power struggle with Chicago Public Schools leadership, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new round of appointments to the Chicago Board of Education Monday evening. The mayors picks will join 10 elected members, who secured their seats during the citys first school board elections in November, on an expanded, 21-member body that will begin overseeing CPS operations in the new year. Among a slate of nine appointees, Johnson named business consultant Sean Harden as the new board president. With the exception of three newcomers, an assortment of sitting members and candidates who lost their bids for elected school board seats last month round out the mayors choices, for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One appointee is yet to be announced, according to state law which requires Johnson to appoint a member in each of the citys 10 newly-drawn school districts, as well as the board president. On the heels of a long-delayed City Council vote on the mayors fourth proposed budget, the appointments come amid a tough stretch of months for Johnson , a close Chicago Teachers Union ally. With the districts contract negotiations with CTU ongoing, and as CPS strives to solve projected deficits of up to $560 million in each of the next five years, Johnsons appointees and elected board members alike will each serve two-year terms. In a late news conference Johnson held Monday evening to discuss his budget, Johnson emphasized the importance of education to his mayoral tenure. Johnson, who was buoyed to power by the Chicago Teachers Union, has made education one of his top priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want every single family in this city to have a fully funded neighborhood school. I talk about this a lot because its important to me, especially because we know looming attacks from the federal government around public education are severe, he said. The mayors 2025 budget plan includes a short-term fix to declare a record $570 million surplus from the citys special tax increment financing districts, known as TIFs, which will net the city a total of $132 million and deliver $311 million to CPS. Johnson said Monday night that his commitment to education is exemplified not just in TIF money, but in the character of his appointments, people who actually love and believe in public education. So looking for people who understand the urgency of this moment, people who know that they have to organize and work collectively to fight for progressive revenue in the state, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harden, the new president, is the most recent addition to the current board, sworn in last week to replace the Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, who was forced to resign within days of his October appointment by the mayor due to controversy. A business consultant, Harden previously worked as CPS deputy CEO of community affairs, around 15 years ago, according to his profile on the social media site LinkedIn. In a news release sent by the mayors office Monday evening, Harden praised his fellow appointees. Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective and an unrelenting commitment to the success of Chicagos students, Harden said. Together, we will prioritize equity, amplify community voices and create opportunities that unlock the potential of every child in our city. The mayors remaining picks include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward Ed Bannon, whom the mayors office said is a parent of three CPS graduates and former Local School Council member, lost his bid in the 38th Ward aldermanic race in 2023. A veteran Northwest Side community organizer, the release sent by the mayors office said Bannon has consistently demonstrated steadfast leadership in guiding school governance and fostering parent engagement. Norma Rios-Sierra also has a background in organizing. As an artist, activist and CPS parent, she has brought together communities in Logan Square and Hermosa, according to the citys news release. Her work underscores her dedication to inclusivity and community-driven solutions in education, the release states. A longtime leader of the immigrants rights organization Centro Sin Fronteras, Pastora Emma Lozano has been a champion for bilingual education and immigrant rights, bridging faith and activism to create lasting change for Chicagos most vulnerable communities, the mayors office said. Two CTU-endorsed school board candidates who failed to secure seats in the fall, despite heavy backing from the union, are also among Johnsons picks: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karen Zaccor is a retired CPS teacher and former parent and member of multiple Local School Councils, according to her campaign site. An organizer with Northside Action for Justice, a grassroots organization that is a grantee of the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation, Zaccor advocated for the implementation of Sustainable Community Schools, a model in which CPS provides $500,000 grants to community groups that partner with CTU to provide wraparound support services to students and families at each of currently 20 schools. Zaccor lost the District 4 race to Ellen Rosenfeld, a CPS parent who will be resigning from her role as a family and community engagement specialist for the district in early January, per rules prohibiting employees from serving on the board. Anusha Thotakura is director of Citizen Action Illinois, a statewide progressive advocacy organization that has sought policy change in support of affordable health care, retirement security, and stronger environmental and food safety protections, according to the organizations site. A former bilingual teacher as part of the Teach for America program, Thotakura lost the District 6 seat in November to independent candidate Jessica Biggs, a former CPS principal. Four of the current board members, whom Johnson initially appointed after a stunning shake-up in October, will stay on, according to the announcement. The mayors list of appointments as of Monday did not include current board Vice President Mary Russell Gardner nor member Rafael Yanez, a hate crimes officer with the Police Department. Because of rules that each appointed member must hail from opposite sides of the district from their elected counterparts, Gardner, whose home address is in the same district as elected member Aaron Jitu Brown is ineligible to stay on. Of the current sitting members, four will remain on the board: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debby Pope, a retired bilingual history teacher, previously served as the CTUs class size coordinator and grievance correspondent. Pope lives in District 2b, opposite CTU-backed candidate Ebony DeBerry, who won the race for the Far North Side seat in November. Michilla Blaise, a parent of two CPS students, is a longtime political consultant and the current chief of staff for 16th District Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar. Blaise previously vied for the District 5 school board seat on the West Side, before dropping out of the race, which CTU-backed candidate Aaron Jitu Brown won uncontested. Frank Niles Thomas is a grassroots organizer who lives in Washington Heights and the father of four CPS graduates, according to the city. He worked as the Streets and Sanitation superintendent for the 21st Ward for over a decade and has served on the Dunne Elementary School Local School Council. Niles Thomas lives in District 9 where Therese Boyle, a dissenting CTU member who ran as an independent candidate without the unions endorsement, won the far Southwest Side district in the general election. Olga Bautista is a CPS parent and former member of the John Marsh Local School Council. As co-executive director of the Southeast Environmental Task Force, Bautista has organized against industrial facilities such as General Iron and Ozinga and fought to bring a green new school to the Southeast Side. Last year, she served on Johnsons transition team on the Environmental Justice Subcommittee. Bautista lives in District 10 where Che Rhymefest Smith won the Far South Side seat without support from either the CTU nor pro-school choice interest groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayors appointments announced Monday will be joining another 10 members who were elected in each district last month. The full list of elected members: Jennifer Custer, Ebony L. DeBerry, Carlos A. Rivas, Jr., Ellen Rosenfeld, Aaron Jitu Brown, Jessica Biggs, Yesenia Lopez, Angel Gutierrez, Therese Boyle and Che Rhymefest Smith. Chicago Tribunes A.D. Quig, Alice Yin and Jake Sheridan contributed. By Tassilo Hummel PAMANDZI, Mayotte (Reuters) -Authorities in Mayotte struggled on Tuesday to stop hunger, disease and lawlessness from spreading in the French overseas territory after the weekend's devastating cyclone, while Mozambique reported dozens of deaths from the storm. Hundreds or even thousands could be dead in Mayotte, which took the strongest hit from Cyclone Chido, French officials have said. The storm laid waste to large parts of the Indian Ocean archipelago, France's poorest overseas territory, before striking the African mainland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Essential goods, medical and technical staff and police were arriving via the air bridge with La Reunion, the territory's only lifeline. With many parts of Mayotte still inaccessible and some victims buried before their deaths could be officially counted, it may take days to discover the full extent of the destruction. So far, 22 deaths and 1,373 injuries have been confirmed in Mayotte, the interior ministry said, adding there were currently no reports of disease outbreaks. "It's impossible to find them all", said Mathieu Gouzou, a sports teacher at the Boueni M'titi-Labattoir middle school in the town of Dzaouzi when asked about the fate of his pupils. "Many of them live in the shantytown nearby, nobody can go there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Mayotte on Thursday, his office said. Opposition politicians in France have criticised what they say is the government's neglect of Mayotte and failure to prepare for natural disasters linked to climate change. Ambdilwahedou Soumaila, the mayor of the capital Mamoudzou, described a grim scene as authorities prioritised the distribution of food and water. "There are people who have unfortunately died where the bodies are starting to decompose that can create a sanitary problem," he told Radio France Internationale. "We don't have electricity. When night falls, there are people who take advantage of that situation." The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the number of victims was likely to be much higher as about a third of the island's population was still unaccounted for because of bad communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a small island with 300,000 inhabitants, and because the cyclone has disturbed the electricity, the connection of the internet and the phone lines, about 100,000 people are still unaccounted for," IFRC communications manager Nora Peter said. Tens of thousands of people may have died in Mayotte, and doctors are bracing for a surge in disease, a dental surgeon at the islands' only hospital said on Tuesday. "The fact that we don't see that many injured from the cyclone when everything has collapsed makes us think that all these people are still buried and are dead," Naouelle Bouabbas told Reuters in a video call from the islands. SHANTYTOWNS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue workers have been searching for survivors amid the debris of shantytowns bowled over by 200 kph (124 mph) winds. "My children are traumatised, my husband hasn't slept in three nights," said Anne, a doctor and mother of four who came back to Mayotte in the afternoon. "I needed to go to La Reunion for a professional training, and then I was trapped there." The situation is made more difficult by the fact that the exact size of Mayotte's population, which rose by an estimated 100,000 over the last 10 years mainly due to undocumented immigration, is unknown. France's interior ministry announced that a curfew would go into effect on Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. local time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctor Claudia Lodesani of Doctors without Borders said it was crucial to restore access to drinking water to avert the outbreak of cholera and other diseases. "An epidemic is not inevitable, but there is a very high risk," she told Reuters, saying that even before the storm access to clear water and health services was difficult in shantytowns, where many immigrants live. "France will repair the hospital quickly, but the situation in the shantytowns is worrying," Lodesani said. Chido was the strongest storm to strike Mayotte in more than 90 years. In Mozambique, it has killed at least 34 people, officials said on Tuesday. Another seven died in Malawi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drone footage from Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province showed razed thatched-roof houses near the coast and personal belongings scattered under the few palm trees still standing. (Reporting by Jean-Stephane Brosse, Makini Brice, Elizabeth Pineau and Gabriel Stargardter in Paris, Abdou Moustoifa in Moroni, Nellie Peyton in Johannesburg, Custodio Cossa in Maputo, Cecile Mantovani in Geneva and Frank Phiri in Blantyre; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Maclean and Angus MacSwan) Dec. 17OKLAHOMA CITY House Rep. Michelle McCane, D-Tulsa, released the following statement urging the Oklahoma State Department of Education to work alongside the McClain County Sheriff's Office during their investigation after Blanchard Elementary School said a student fired a School Resource Officer's gun on the school playground last Friday. "There should never be a circumstance where a student has access to a loaded gun on school grounds," McCane said. "I am thankful no one was harmed during the incident at Blanchard Elementary School on Friday, but I am deeply concerned at how likely a serious injury or death could have occurred. While the school district and the McClain County Sheriff's Office conduct a thorough investigation, I urge the Oklahoma State Department of Education and our State Superintendent to work alongside them to set a standard where this kind of thing can never happen again. The safety of our students should be our number one priority. I will work within the Oklahoma Legislature and with anyone who is ready to do what is best for our students' safety and success to ensure public school teachers and support staff, including school resource officers are paid efficiently and trained properly so we have the highest quality of security available for our students." Submitted by the Oklahoma State House of Representatives The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority heard public comment from industry members on proposed rules at the Capitol on Tuesday. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomas medical marijuana regulatory agency heard public feedback Tuesday on proposed rules that would implement legislation passed by the Legislature this year. Dozens of medical marijuana business owners and industry offered public comment and criticisms of the proposed rules. While many said they understood that the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority is required by the Legislature to make the rule changes, they still expressed frustration with having to keep up with what they called excessive changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed permanent rules are related to four bills signed by the Gov. Kevin Stitt this year, including House Bill 3361 and Senate Bills 758, 1635 and 1939. Much of the comment surrounded a proposed expansion of the controlled pesticide list and a change in the limits of the threshold for pesticide residue that can be found in product samples. Representatives from various Oklahoma testing laboratories said these proposed limits are unreasonable to maintain and are so low that testing becomes pass or fail. Some suggested that OMMA create an approved pesticide list rather than adding more restrictions to them each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffery Havard, owner of Havard Industries, a testing laboratory, said human error should be accounted for when making rules about the allowable thresholds of pesticide residue in products. When it comes to the state-run laboratory thats slated to open in February, he said he hopes it will be the hammer that will hold bad actors accountable, but that without transparent operations there will be a lack of trust from the industry. Growers and processors also offered criticism on a proposed rule requiring pre-packaging of medical marijuana products. They said it would create difficulties for growers who often do not have operations equipped for packaging. Other parts of the proposed rules require fingerprinting to be included in background checks for medical marijuana employees, make changes to the required documents needed for license renewals, and adjust provisions for transfers of commercial licenses and license renewals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OMMA was also pressed to be a better advocate for business owners when at the Capitol. Doing so could help prevent some of these bad changes from happening. Adria Berry, executive director of OMMA, said that anyone who submitted a public comment, whether in person or online, will receive a written response from the agency. Public comment is part of the process for any agency to impose new rules. After receiving feedback from the public, OMMA will decide if changes will be made to the proposed rules. The rules are then submitted to the Legislature for consideration by Feb. 1, according to a spokesperson from OMMA. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Russia's Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev has threatened Ukraine's leadership with "retaliation" following the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, in Moscow. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti Details: Medvedev, in his usual manner, claimed that the assassination of the top general was orchestrated by "Banderites" and referred to Kirillov's death as "agony". [Banderite is a colloquial term for members and supporters of the faction of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists led by Stepan Bandera, whom Russia claims to be targeting in Ukraine ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He further threatened that Ukraine's top military-political leadership would face "inevitable retaliation". Background: On 17 December, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russias nuclear troops, and his aide were killed in an explosion in Moscow. Prior to that, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) had served the general with a notice of suspicion in absentia. Later, a Ukrainska Pravda source in the security service reported that the explosion that killed Kirillov was a special operation by the SSU. Prior to that, the SSU announced that it had served a notice of suspicion on the Russian general who had ordered the use of chemical weapons against Ukraine's defence forces. The report specifically mentions Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. Support UP or become our patron! While many American students and teachers across the country were celebrating the holidays with classroom parties and performances, another mass school shooting occurred. Mondays tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, marks the 83rd U.S. school shooting recorded in 2024. After the March 27, 2023, school shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, in which three children and three adults were killed, former U.S. President Barack Obama tweeted, We are failing our children. Guns are now the leading cause of deathfor children in the U.S. A year earlier, the Uvalde school shooting occurred on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School in Texas. The gunman purchased an AR-15 the day after his 18th birthday and then killed 19 children and 2 adults, making it one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Roy Guerrero, a pediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, had several pediatric patients from Robb Elementary and attended the school when he was a child. He, along with multiple witnesses, survivors, family members of victims and gun reform and safety advocates, gave impassionedtestimony at a congressional subcommittee hearing on June 8, 2022.Guerrero spoke about the intelligence and spunk of the children he knew, but also mentioned how their bodies appeared following the attack, with missing limbs and gun wounds in their chest. Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit organization founded by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in the 2012 mass shooting, reported that 12 children die from gun violence every day in America, while another 32 are shot and injured. And since the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999, more than 338,000 students in the U.S. have experienced gun violence at school. Its easy to understand why parents are considering leaving the country when one of the environments our children should feel safest is compromised by a political stalemate and the cowardly inaction of lawmakers. We spoke with several parents who cited gun violence as being one of their primary reasons for leaving America. Heres what they told us. For Megan Lawless, an American living in Amsterdam with her husband and two kids, it wasnt one specific event but several that convinced them to move. After her husbands company floated the idea of relocating, they began to consider a move out of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We talked about it, and it was on our radar. And then a few months later was the Uvalde shooting in Texas. I had been volunteering in my sons kindergarten classroom that day. I walked home and my husband was sitting on the couch watching the news coverage. And we both just kind of looked at each other and thought, Why are we here? Moving abroad had its obstacles, but Lawless husband is a Dutch citizen, and her own employer was open to her relocating. While the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde sparked deeper conversations about a move, two months later in July, the Highland Park Parade mass shooting occurred 40 minutes from their home in Chicago. Lawless began to see moving as a rational choice for her familys safety. We just thought the number one cause of death for children in the United States is being shot to death. And if it was anything else, if it was drinking water or food dye or living next to a nuclear power plant and we had the means and the resources, we would eliminate that risk from our childrens lives. We need to look at gun violence the same way, Lawless said. Six months after their move, she returned to the U.S. for a work event. On that day, an active shooter drill was scheduled in her office. I started having a little panic attack. My heart started racing, and my hands got sweaty, and I thought, I bet I felt like this every day, and I didnt even know it. She equated that anxiety to feeling like a lobster in a boiling pot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jana Concha presently lives in Stuttgart, Germany, with her husband and their three children. Her kids have never lived in the United States. She left the U.S. at age 28, before her first child was born. But despite the distance, gun violence in the U.S. impacts their familys choice to continue living abroad. Concha is originally from El Paso, Texas, and grew up not far from where the August 3, 2019, Walmart mass shootingoccurred. That was the Walmart I went to when I was a kid, the one we went and picked out our school stuff at. My mom could have been at that Walmart. Gun violence wasnt the reason Conchas family left the U.S., but its one of the primary reasons they have no plans to return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over a video call, Concha, who previously worked as a traveling nurse, recalled reading an article about a kindergartener who used to wear light-up shoes. The child loved them, but one day stopped wearing them after a school safety drill. And when her mother asked why, the child admitted she worried the bad person was going to be able to find her if she was wearing her little light-up shoes. And it just broke my heart. I thought, for heavens sake, that a 5-year-old has to think that way because of a drill or will come home that frightened, right? she said. Concha also has concerns about mental health resources for young people in America and their access to guns. Her niece lost a former fiance to suicide by a firearm. I had just seen the guy a few months prior. He seemed like a great kid and had his whole life in front of him. But he shot himself in the head. And, I mean, my public health background says the facts are more guns equals more gun violence, Concha said. Kristi Booth, an occupational therapist originally from Boise, Idaho, lives in the southern Algarve region of Portugal with her two children. For her, several shootings motivated her decision to leave the country. She had a child in kindergarten when the Sandy Hook mass shooting occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, it has been a series of events both nationally and closer to home. A work colleague losing her teen son to suicide using a gun from his home. My spouse had a colleague murdered by their stepdad on Thanksgiving over a minor dispute. And I missed a mall shooting where I would have been if not delayed by work, she said. Her eldest also experienced a school lockdown when police shot an armed man following a vehicle chase in front of his school. Her son stayed home the following day, but she noticed he became hypervigilant after that event. Ultimately, the Uvalde school shooting happened, and we were ready to move. There was no change to keeping kids safe other than lockdown drills and locking doors, Booth said. Like Lawless, Booth also mentioned the anxiety she and her family felt without realizing how severe it had become until they moved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a heaviness that just lifted off us, she said. Big crowds of people dont set off a need for hypervigilance. We arent always looking for the closest exit. Dr. Lauren Gambill is a pediatrician in Austin, Texas, and is an advisory board member of Texas Gun Sense. Like Dr. Guerrero, Dr. Gambill also provided testimony during the subcommittee hearing regarding the Robb Elementary School shooting. Shes seen the effects of gun violence firsthand. She has had several personal experiences of firearm violence. Every family has some story. As a kid, my neighbor was killed in a drive-by shooting. In high school, I worked in fast food, and two of my coworkers were shot. And then one of my colleagues, who was a pediatrician, was murdered in her office. I knew her well and trained with her. I actually took my son for his two-month shots the day before in that office where she was murdered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She discussed how gun violence is a multifaceted trauma: There is an immediate physical threat of gun violence. And the other thing Ive experienced as a pediatrician is just the profound ripple effects that we see in kids. As a result of increased violence and increased awareness of violence, our kids are truly suffering. Theres such high levels of anxiety, of depression, of fears of going to school. And these broad impacts, mental health-wise, for kids that are secondary responses to this trauma are really harmful, Gambill said. We know that elevated cortisol has generational impacts on kids and their families. And I think we havent even begun to see the impacts of all of that. Its challenging to provide mental health care for kids when they dont have a foundational level of safety, she added. We can put Band-Aids on these fears, anxieties and trauma responses kids are having to gun violence, but until theyre actually safer, none of those things are actually going to solve the problem. The children shes seen exposed to gun violence are often profoundly impacted by depression and anxiety. They worry about going back to school, or in some cases, they even question whether they want to be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see kids who have attempted to take their own lives as a direct result of the trauma of witnessing gun violence, by survivors guilt they may have, just all of the ripples from that, she said. Dr. Gambill said her own exposure to gun violence seeps into her daily life as a parent. When we go to farmers markets or concerts, the whole time in my head, Im planning an exit strategy. Which direction well run, she said. And I think those things are really taxing on people. And exhausting and really harmful to kids in ways we havent even begun to understand. Related... J. Robert Oppenheimer was the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project. During the World War II-era project, scientists created the world's first atomic bomb. Oppenheimer had a wife and two children. He also has grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Robert Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project, which created the world's first atomic bomb for the United States during World War II. He famously quoted the Hindu text "The Bhagavad Gita" following the first nuclear weapons test, saying: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Shortly after the US dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, he resigned from the Manhattan Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Cillian Murphy portrayed the theoretical physicist in Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer." The film was met with huge critical acclaim, earning five awards at the 2024 Golden Globes, including best picture. It also won seven awards at the 2024 BAFTAS, with Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. taking home awards for best actor and best supporting actor, respectively. In addition to Oppenheimer's nuclear work, the film looks at the scientist's complex personal life, including his marriage to Katherine Oppenheimer, nee Puening. Here's everything you need to know about the real Oppenheimer's family. Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer was married three times before she married Oppenheimer. Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, nee Puening, smiles in a photograph. Corbis/Getty Images Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer, nee Puening, married the scientist in 1940, only two years before he joined the Manhattan Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitty had been married three times before, as she wed musician Frank Ramseyer in 1932 before their marriage was annulled in 1933. Shortly afterward, in 1934, she was involved with the Communist Party of America, and became John Dullet Jr.'s. common-law wife when they lived together in Chicago, before separating in 1936. Kitty then married Oxford doctor Richard Stewart Harrison in 1938, but had an affair with Oppenheimer while Harrison was working in California. She divorced Harrison in 1940, and married Oppenheimer a day later. They remained married until Oppenheimer's death from throat cancer in 1967, and Kitty scattered his ashes into the water by the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands, where they had spent plenty of time with their children, Peter and Toni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitty spent the rest of her life with Robert Serber, another physicist from the Manhattan Project, whose wife had died by suicide. Kitty died in hospital in 1972, just as the pair had set out to go sailing to Japan, the Galapagos Islands, and Tahiti. Peter Oppenheimer has spent most of his life on his father's ranch in New Mexico. Peter Oppenheimer as a child. Corbis/Getty Images Oppenheimer had two children with his wife, Kitty. Their oldest child, Peter, was born in Pasadena, California, in May 1941, before the family moved to Los Alamos for the Manhattan Project. When Peter was just two months old, the Oppenheimers left him with friends Haakon and Barbara Chevalier, according to "American Prometheus." Robert said his wife was exhausted. The couple then spent two months at the family's ranch, Perro Caliente, in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Nuclear Museum, Peter struggled with anxiety as a child and didn't have a good relationship with his mother. "Robert thought that, in their highly charged, passionate, falling in love, that Peter had come too soon, and that Kitty resented him for that reason," Oppenheimer's secretary, Verna Hobson, said during a 1979 interview. When his father died in 1967, Peter moved back to the family's Perro Caliente ranch in New Mexico. He's worked as a carpenter over the years and has three children. Katherine "Toni" Oppenheimer died in 1977. Katherine "Toni" Oppenheimer as a child. Corbis/Getty Images Toni Oppenheimer was born in 1944 and lived at Los Alamos until she was three. That's when her father became director of the Institute for Advanced Study and moved the family to Princeton, New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a baby, Toni lived with the Oppenheimers' friend Pat Sherr for several months. Robert visited regularly but asked if she wanted to adopt Toni, Sherr later recalled. When Sherr asked him why, he said, "Because I can't love her," adding that he wasn't "an attached kind of person." However, a childhood friend of Toni's described Robert as a "loving dad" in an April interview with The Winchester Star. Toni had polio when she was young, which is largely why the family started visiting St. John in the Virgin Islands; the warmth seemed to help her condition. Toni had a complicated relationship with her mother, largely because of Kitty's alcohol use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She leaned on Toni an awful lot and it was difficult for her in that way, but she wanted only good and happiness for Toni," Hobson said of Kitty in 1979. Two years after Robert's death in 1967, the United Nations rejected Toni's application to become a translator. The FBI wouldn't grant her the appropriate security clearance for the job. She struggled to cope with losing her father and her job opportunity, and after living on the island of St. John for a while, she died by suicide in January 1977, just a month after she turned 32. Peter Oppenheimer had three children: Charles Oppenheimer, Dorothy Vanderford, and Ella Oppenheimer. Charles Oppenheimer, grandson of US physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, during a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in 2024. Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Toni didn't have any children before her death, Peter Oppenheimer has three: Charles, Ella, and Dorothy. Dorothy Vanderford, who was born in 1973, is Oppenheimer's oldest grandchild. She works in the nuclear industry and has a PhD in English. In 2023, she spoke to KSNV about the film and said that Christopher Nolan didn't consult the family about making his movie. After seeing the movie, she said, "There were a few things that I didn't agree with and didn't like, but overall I felt like it was a good movie." Charles Oppenheimer was born in 1975 and has worked in software development for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The youngest sibling, Ella, keeps her life private. Both Dorothy and Charles took part in a lengthy interview in 2015 about their grandfather for the Atomic Heritage Foundation. At the time, Charles said that many historians find his grandfather a mysterious figure. "In particular, people are having a hard time pinning down who this guy was. I guess it's made it difficult to deal with for the family, for some people. Not for me," he said. Charles has two daughters with his wife, Karen Pak Oppenheimer, which means that Oppenheimer has at least two great-grandchildren. Both Charles and his wife are co-executive directors of the Oppenheimer Project, which honors Robert's legacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a recent essay for The New York Times, Charles wrote that nuclear war would end the world as we know it. "I'm not afraid to be the voice calling for increased unity in the world, even though my grandfather was eventually attacked for this," he wrote. This story was originally published in July 2023 and was updated on December 17, 2024. Read the original article on Business Insider Meghan Markle and Prince Harry featured their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in their holiday card for the first time in years, but the five other photos they chose were also loaded with meaning. On Dec. 16, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent season's greetings by issuing a collage-style card featuring six pictures on a deep green background. "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation," said the message from the couple's office, production company and charitable foundation. "We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, snuck a surprise into the montage by incorporating an image with their son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are raising their young children outside of the limelight in Montecito, California, making it unexpected that the kids were included in the holiday montage. The outdoor snap captured the children from behind as they excitedly ran towards their parents, who had their arms open. Prince Harry and Meghan looked at their children with love, and the family's three dogs were at their feet. Archewell Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2024 holiday card. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2024 holiday card. Related: Prince Harry Spoke of Daughter Princess Lilibets Long Red Hair Recently and Its on Display in the Sussex Holiday Card! Though the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have sent pictures with their kids as their holiday greetings previously, they hadn't done so since 2021. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were last seen briefly in some scenes of their parents' docuseries Harry & Meghan on Netflix, which debuted in December 2022. Two years later, Archie and Lilibet looked that much more grown up. Both kids were taller, and Lilibet's hair was long, calling back to Harry's previous comment that his children were "blessed with their mother's thick hair." Archewell; Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty (Left) Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie in their 2024 holiday card; (Right) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024 (Left) Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie in their 2024 holiday card; (Right) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024 The shot didn't show Archie and Lili's faces, aligning with Harry and Meghan's conscientious choice to keep their kids' lives private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats. He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm," a friend told PEOPLE over the summer. Archewell Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie in their 2024 holiday card. Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie in their 2024 holiday card. Related: How Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Holiday Card with Archie and Lilibet Aligns with Their Desire to Protect Them "As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesnt repeat itself," the friend said, referring to the fate of Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. The couple spread cheer by bringing their kids into the holiday card in a careful way this year, but it's not the only one the family is sending this season! PEOPLE understands that this card is meant for professional use, and that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent a separate, private card to close friends and family which will not be shared publicly. Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in San Basilio de Palenque in Cartagena, Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in San Basilio de Palenque in Cartagena, Colombia on Aug. 17, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other five pictures in Prince Harry and Meghan's multi-photo card were from the couple's trips to Nigeria in May and Colombia in August. The five pictures were all previously seen and captured the couple on the ground during each excursion. Photos chosen from the trip to Colombia included Meghan hugging a young student at Colegio La Giralda, Harry kissing Meghan's head in a tender moment at a stop at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogota and the couple in San Basilio de Palenque near Cartagena, established as the first free African town in the Americas in 1619. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Colombia to further the work of their charitable Archewell Foundation and other close causes, and the foundation said it gave contributions to benefit Colegio La Giralda and San Basilio de Palenque. Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Meghan Markle at Colegio La Giralda in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024. Meghan Markle at Colegio La Giralda in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 16, 2024. The shots in the card from the trip to Nigeria included Prince Harry, a British Army veteran and founding patron of the Invictus Games, holding hands with a wounded soldier at the Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna. The empathetic move was reminiscent of Princess Diana's warm way, and Prince Harry was totally focused on the soldier in a video captured by PEOPLE's chief foreign correspondent Simon Perry, who exclusively covered the trip. The photo was taken by Harry and Meghan's friend and celebrated photographer Misan Harriman. "Are they helping you? Are you feeling better?" Prince Harry asked at the bedside of Private Habu Sadiq. "Get better, be strong," Harry told the soldier, who had suffered from impaired eyesight due to a blast. The other picture in the holiday card of Harry and Meghan in Nigeria showed the couple sharing a laugh at Lightway Academy in Abuja, which was the first stop of the trip. The trip to Nigeria was memorable as their first official international tour since stepping back from their royal roles in 2020. The couple's school visit coincided with the announcement of the expansion of the partnership between GEANCO and the Archewell Foundation, and it was revealed then that Archewell's existing initiative dedicated to serving girls and young women in Nigeria with menstrual health products and educational services would now include mental health support for young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the trip to Colombia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Nigeria tour was all about furthering Archwell's philanthropic work, and Prince Harry opened up to PEOPLE about the power of direct connection. KOLA SULAIMON/AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria on May 10, 2024. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria on May 10, 2024. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! "It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change," the Duke of Sussex said in Nigeria. "Theres only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters. Whether it's the Archewell Foundation, Invictus or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work," he said. Looking forward to the future, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are anticipating more travel for their core work. Read the original article on People Two men accused of recklessly flying a drone close to Logan Airport over the weekend faced a judge on Monday. 42-year-old Robert Duffy of Charlestown and 32-year-old Jeremy Folcik of Bridgewater are facing charges of trespassing, breaking and entering, and violating a municipal ordinance or bylaw. At Boston Municipal Court in Dorchester, Judge Erika Reis released both men on personal recognizance and ordered them not to operate drones and to stay away from Long Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Boston Police say they responded to an abandoned homeless and hospital campus on Long Island for a report of an unmanned aircraft being flown in hazardous proximity to Logan Airport. No trespassing signs are posted throughout the shuttered Long Island campus. Arriving officers spotted a light on in the building and a person walking by the second window. Police climbed to the second floor of the facility and reportedly found Duffy and Folcik, where Duffy allegedly told officers he had been flying a drone that was in his backpack. Investigators say the two men told them they were transported to the island on a boat owned by a third man, who was not apprehended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using data from the drones serial number, officers identified six recorded flights on Saturday and seven recorded flights on December 7, according to police. Both men will return to court on February 6 for pretrial hearings. There are many areas in Massachusetts to safely operate drones, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. But flying them from an area closed to the public while creating a potential public safety hazard in the process is conduct that will land people in court to answer to criminal charges, which is exactly what happened here. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The legal cases for Erik and Lyle Menendez will be handled separately, new Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Monday. 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, Hochman told NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The update is the latest in a winding road of headlines regarding the fate of the two brothers, who are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for killing their parents in 1989 in California prison. The brothers admitted to the murder, but have been model inmates for nearly three decades since then. Recently, Netflixs Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story from Ryan Murphy as well as the Peacock docuseries, Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed have led to an uptick in public interest regarding their story, which has included several appeals and now, a petition for a habeas corpus hearing. Previous L.A. district attorney George Gascon had bolstered the process to free the brothers, but many have expressed curiosity whether the incoming D.A. will handle the situation differently. Hochman, a Beverly Hills native, in some ways won his election against Gascon by positioning himself as the tougher-on-crime candidate, saying he will take a hard middle approach to crime in the city. Starting today, I will get access to confidential prison files that number in the 1000s of pages [and] trial transcripts from two months-long trials, he told TMZ when he first gained access to the Menendez file. Ill get a chance now to meet with the prosecutors, law enforcement officers, the defense counsel [and] victim family members and then were going to look at what the different motions are that are currently pending. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Lyle and Erik Menendezs petition to secure their release from prison will be reviewed as two separate cases, according to Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman. In a televised interview with NBC News, the freshly elected prosecutor emphasized his opposition to thinking of the brothers, who have been imprisoned for the last three decades for killing their parents, as a collective. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal analyst Kevin Brackett, a prosecutor in South Carolina, told Court TV that even if the brothers cases are technically separated, they will still be legally treated as a collective insofar as their crimes were committed in concert with each other. The Menendez brothers shot their parents dead in 1989. / Los Angeles Times / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The brothers held the nations attention in the 1990s as they were tried for blasting their parents to death with shotguns, although they argued that the brutal slaying was motivated by sexual abuse at the hands of their father. But the September release of a new Netflix documentary, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, brought renewed attention to the brothersand calls for their release from prison. The series' debut also synched up with an ongoing push by the brothers' attorney to garner their release, citing new evidence that their camp says supports the brothers' original defense that they were abused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous Los Angeles district attorney, George Gascon, had vocally supported these efforts. Hochman, though, who took over in early December, has said he intends to come to his own stance on the matter. TRIAL OF BROTHERS LYLE & ERIK MENENDEZ, PARRICIDES (Photo by Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images) / Ted Soqui / Sygma via Getty Images On NBC, he signaled his belief that the the brothers, despite their fame, are not entitled to a more favorable review of their case than anyone else. 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 told NBC. What Im actually hoping about the Menendez case is that people use that as the springboard to get interested in criminal justice issues. Although the brothers committed the 1989 killings together, they were initially tried for the murder in front of two separate juries, which resulted in a deadlock and a pair of mistrials. Their second trial, however, which resulted in their conviction and life sentences, had a single jury. Hochman, as he reviews their case, has delayed a hearing on the prospect of resentencing the brothers until the end of January. Windfall and Missy have lived at the Applegate Park Zoo in Merced for more than 15 years. Although the two bears appear to be comfortable in their 1,000 square foot habitat, zoo officials would like them to have even more. We want our girls to upgrade somewhere bigger, Lnyssa Ledford, a zookeeper, said. That somewhere bigger would be a habitat of about 4,000 square feet. And that is what city leaders plan to do with part of $1.8 million in pandemic recovery funds Merced City Council recently approved to be directed toward zoo improvements. It would be the first major investment since the zoo opened in 1962, according to a city spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to improvements to the bear exhibit, changes could also include a full-time tortoise sanctuary, improved walkways, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems. Jackie Guevara and her 3-year-old daughter were taking a birthday stroll through the zoo recently. It happened to be her daughters birthday. Guevara is a frequent visitor, she said her family frequents the park about once every two weeks. Its a fun way to get out of the house, and its not that expensive, she said. About 30,000 people visit the park annually, according to Christopher Jensen, director of Parks & Community Services. Its growing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council voted 5-2 to approve the funds with Jesse Ornelas and Fue Xiong, who represents District 6, voting against the motion. Ornelas, who represents District 1, said he values the zoo and park services in general but thinks the pandemic recovery funds are not the proper funding source for the improvements. Ive been saying over and over again for the last few years that these types of dollars are meant to be used on the impacts of COVID on the people of Merced, Ornelas told the Merced Sun-Star. Zoo improvements are slated to begin in the fall of 2025. Jensen said the facility will remain open during construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The projects timeline includes approving a contract by year-end, acquiring appropriate permits by spring of 2025 and beginning construction in the fall of 2025. The facility will remain open as much as physically possible with the work being done, Jensen said. This will permit students, residents and visitors to continue learning about various animals living in the Central Valley. Ledford, whos been an employee at Applegate Zoo for three years, described Windfall and Missy as animals who were imprinted by and enjoy the company of humans. Both are under the care and protection of zoo staff for this reason. Windfall, a 21-year-old American brown bear arrived at the park in 2005. Three years later she was joined by Missy, 17. Both bears were rescued. Visitors can meet both during the zoos open hours. Zoo hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-13, $2 for residents aged 60 and older, and free for infants under 2 years old. Former German chancellor Angela Merkel has argued that international cooperation, not the closure of internal European borders, is the key to addressing irregular migration. Speaking at a special event during the Lit.Cologne literature festival in Cologne on Monday evening, Merkel said that combatting illegal migration requires collaboration with countries of origin and transit, rather than focusing on internal European borders. "I don't think the issue can be resolved at our internal borders," Merkel said. "And if it can, it will only be at the very high price of endangering freedom of movement in Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merkel's comments came as the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), along with its Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Democrats (CSU) have announced plans for a de facto admissions freeze for illegal migrants, should the conservatives win the next election, expected on February 23. The draft manifesto section on migration, seen by dpa, states that those entering from another EU member state or the Schengen Area and wishing to apply for asylum in Germany will be turned back at the borders. The executive boards of the CDU and CSU are set to approve the election programme on Tuesday in Berlin. CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the favourite to be Germany's next chancellor, and CSU chief Markus Soder - the premier of Bavaria - are then expected to present the manifesto. Former CDU chancellor Merkel presented her book "Freedom: Memories 1954-2021" in Cologne and spoke about her decision to accept what became some 1 million Syrian refugees into Germany. When she read a passage about this, the audience applauded. DALLAS COUNTY, Iowa A West Des Moines man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison following the death of his young son. According to the criminal complaint, in April 2023 Jacob Ballard deprived the child of health care after the child consumed fentanyl at his West Des Moines apartment. Online court documents said the child was 12 months old at the time of his death. In October a jury found Ballard guilty of child endangerment resulting in death. On Friday, Ballard was sentenced to serve up to 50 years in prison. He must also pay $150,000 in restitution to the estate of the child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother, Angela Gabriel, was also prosecuted in the case. She was convicted of neglect of a dependent person and involuntary manslaughter. In August, Gabriel was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but the sentence was suspended. She must still serve five years of probation. Iowa news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. King County Metro has temporarily closed bus stops at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street starting Monday, citing ongoing safety concerns in the area. According to Metro, the decision was made to ensure the safety of riders, transit operators, and employees as the area continues to experience frequent illegal activity. Metro didnt specify previous incidents in the area, although five people were stabbed Nov. 10, and five other stabbings in early November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stops will remain closed until further notice. Impacted routes include 1, 7, 9, 14, 36, 60, and 106. Riders can use nearby stops along South Jackson Street, Rainier Avenue South, and other alternative locations. Metro has notified riders through Transit Alerts and posted notices at the affected stops. Alternate stops for each route have been provided: Routes 1, 7, 14, and 106 : Nearby stops include South Jackson Street at 8th Avenue South (eastbound), and South Jackson Street at Boren Avenue South (westbound). Additional stops for Route 7 and Route 106 are available at Rainier Avenue South and South King Street. Route 36 : Riders can use stops at South Jackson Street at 8th Avenue South or 12th Avenue South and South Weller Street. Route 60 : Alternate stops include 12th Avenue South and South Weller Street and East Yesler Way at Broadway. Route 9: Northbound riders can board at Boren Avenue at East Yesler Way or Rainier Avenue South and South Dearborn Street. Southbound stops include Rainier Avenue South at South King Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Seattle Streetcar First Hill route will continue to operate at its stop at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street. According to King County Metro, Metro Transit Police and the Seattle Police Department are working together to address safety issues in the area. Metro stated that these closures are temporary and updates will be provided as safety concerns are mitigated. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A middle school student was injured after their school bus was struck by gunfire in east Charlotte Monday afternoon, according to Principal Toni Perry of Albemarle Road Middle School. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said the incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Idlewild Road North near the Albemarle Road Recreation Center. When officers arrived, they discovered an Infiniti vehicle and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus had each been shot into. Woman charged with felony hit-and-run after pedestrian fatally struck in east Charlotte Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 30 students from Albemarle Road Middle School on board when the shooting occurred. The injured student was treated on scene with glass cuts. Officers made an arrest from the incident, described by CMS officials as a dispute outside the bus. However, the suspects name has not been released. The shooting remains under investigation. Principal Perry sent the following statement to parents: It is natural to feel anxious or frightened by incidents like this. Our crisis counselors will be on campus tomorrow if students need support. Resources for speaking to your child about violence are linked below. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our number one priority. Thank you for your continued support of Albemarle Road Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMS officials said another bus arrived to take the remaining students home. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Crime & Public 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 Queen City News. The district attorney for Van Buren and Warren counties in Middle Tennessee has been indicted, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Monday afternoon. A DeKalb County grand jury on Monday indicted 31st Judicial District Attorney General Christopher Robert Stanford on one count of reckless endangerment, according to the TBI. An employee at the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office who answered the phone Monday afternoon confirmed the charge against Stanford and said it is a felony. Stanford is accused of firing his weapon while trying to apprehend a man accused of triple homicide in Warren County, according to information from authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment, obtained by The Tennessean on Tuesday, states that Stanford "unlawfully, intentionally and recklessly" fired a handgun on Bell Street in Smithville, about 60 miles east of Nashville, on Nov. 21, 2024. A bullet shot through the wall of a home a woman and her three children were in, according to the indictment, but no one was injured. The TBI said Stanford was in pursuit of a wanted fugitive when he fired his weapon. But the indictment states that there was "no immediate threat" to Stanford or others. The indictment further adds that Stanford "was not aiming the handgun, that he did not make use of the gun's sights but just held it out and shot." Bryant Dunaway, the district attorney general for DeKalb County, said in a social media post that Stanford was after Caleb Brookins, who was wanted on arrest warrants in Warren County. After Brookins was apprehended, he and another suspect were booked into jail and charged with three counts of criminal homicide, according to a post from the Warren County Sheriff's Department. The night of the shooting, Dunaway contacted TBI to investigate. A view of the DeKalb County Courthouse on the square of Smithville, Tenn., on April 25, 2006. Stanford surrendered to authorities and was booked at the DeKalb County Jail at 12:29 p.m. Monday and was released at 12:52 p.m. after posting $10,000 for bail, the sheriffs office employee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 31st Judicial District Attorney Generals Office did not comment when reached by phone Monday afternoon. Stanford has been district attorney for the 31st Judicial District, which prosecutes criminal cases in Van Buren and Warren counties, since 2022. He spent 15 years as a trial attorney and small business owner before that, according to his offices website. Stanford's first court hearing is 9 a.m. Jan. 7 in DeKalb County, the sheriff's office employee said Monday. Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him at emealins@gannett.com. This story has been updated to add video and additional information. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Chris Stanford, DA for Van Buren, Warren counties, indicted FLORA Cannabis, a Middlebury based cannabis-retailer, is filing a lawsuit against Vermonts Cannabis Control Board. The lawsuit takes particular aim at a Vermont law requiring cannabis businesses to submit all public statements, regarding sales, for pre-approval by the control board. Dave Silberman, FLORAs Co-Founder, says he believes the states restrictions infringe on the cannabis industrys right to commercial free speech. Backers of the law, however, claim the pre-approval restrictions guard against potentially misleading marketing and protects minors. These rules and regulations restrict what we can say to customers, even in face-to-face communications, the type of signage that I can put up in my stores and even emails going out to customers, who are verified to be over the age of 21, said Silberman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the business owner, the law affects his ability to effectively place sales on products as, he claims, it can take up to a week to get approval on the messaging. He also says the limitations set on Vermont businesses makes it harder for them to compete with larger out-of-state cannabis retailers, who do not face the same regulations. James Pepper, the Chair of the CCB, who was named in the lawsuit alongside the boards executive director, says the case did not come as a surprise. Every year the industry has come forward and asked for parity with other regulated industries when it comes to advertising. Every year the legislature kind of just doesnt do that, and so it was only going to be a matter of time really, he said. Pepper tells me the board will not take a position as it just tries to, implement the law as its written. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CCB chairman says the case has been assigned to the attorney generals office and that a hearing is set for January 27. Silberman, who hopes to see the pre-approval laws rescinded, says he expects the case to take some time but that he is in it for the long haul. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Lawmakers unveiled a stop-gap spending bill on Tuesday night to prevent a shutdown that funds the government through March 14 and includes $100 billion in disaster relief and other key provisions. The deal would avert a lame duck showdown, instead punting major spending decisions to the incoming Trump administration. Its release comes as conservatives have grown increasingly frustrated with Speaker Mike Johnson over the negotiations, a warning sign for the House GOP leader who faces a vote to keep the gavel at the start of the new Congress. The deal had been delayed by at least a day as leaders of both parties haggled for their own legislative priorities in the end-of-year package. In addition to disaster relief, a top priority for Democrats and the Biden administration, Republicans pushed for farm aid and the package includes $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, an issue that became a massive last-minute negotiation in the package. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the speakers late-December dealmaking with Democrats provoked intense anger across his GOP conference. Many Republicans are irate at the number of provisions that have been tacked onto a bill that was intended to simply extend current funding levels and stop a shutdown. If the measure passes as expected it will hand Johnson, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune and President-elect Donald Trump a major funding headache, and a test of their governing powers, early in 2025. Trumps first few months when he returns to Washington were already expected to be jam-packed: Congressional leaders already under pressure to confirm Trumps Cabinet quickly in the Senate must also defuse a debt limit standoff. Trump is also eying a pair of huge legislative packages, focused first on border and energy policy, and second on taxes. This new funding deadline will create a major political test for the Trump administration and the GOPs two relatively green Hill leaders. Further complicating matters, Johnson will have almost no room for error early on in the new Congress, before the chamber can replace members who leave for Trumps Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to punt the spending fight had been opposed by many senior Republicans, including the powerful Appropriations Chairman Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican from Oklahoma who had preferred to strike a deal with Democrats as they left power. But conservatives like those in the House Freedom Caucus had insisted that they could reach a better funding deal when the GOP takes full control of government in January. Key provisions of the bill The bill includes nearly $100 billion in disaster relief and another $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. The breakdown includes $29 billion for FEMAs disaster relief fund; another $2.2 billion for the Small Business Administrations disaster loan program; $21 billion in disaster relief for farmers including $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, and $3.5 billion for state and tribal assistance grants to go toward water systems damaged in disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Department of Housing and Urban Development program for disaster relief would get $12 billion and federal highway and roads disaster relief would total $8 billion. The funding bill also has a huge win for the city of Washington, DC, as it seeks to become the future home of the Washington Commanders. After years of infighting, Hill leaders allowed the team to negotiate with DC leaders to return to the site of Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. The provision came after Hill leaders satisfied other demands from Maryland leaders, including for the federal government to cover the full cost of the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The legislation will also allow the US Treasury Department to eventually recoup funds from any settlements related to the Key Bridge collapse to pay for the rebuilding. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has been in close contact with Democratic leaders as they landed the deal. Delays frustrate conservatives The delays throughout the day Monday and Tuesday came amid far bigger problems for Johnson: Multiple GOP lawmakers and senior aides privately predict Johnson wont get a majority of his conference to back the bill in the end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a complete monstrosity, GOP Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona said of the spending bill ahead of its release, adding, No, I dont think it was handled well at all, but thats kind of par for the course for this town. Asked by CNN if he sees himself voting for Johnson on January 3, when members will meet to elect the House speaker, Crane said he would absolutely not vote for the spending bill, and well see about January 3. Crane was one of the eight GOP members who voted to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. Another of the GOP lawmakers who helped take down McCarthy, Rep. Tim Burchett, called the way leadership has handled funding the government gutless, explaining, They got a bunch of garbage they want to pass, so theyll attach emergency things to it. Crane and Burchett are among multiple House conservatives who said Tuesday they feared Johnson and GOP negotiators have ceded too many Democratic demands resulting in the kind of massive year-end package that Johnson has promised hed avoid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a total dumpster fire, said Republican Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, voicing his frustrations at Johnson, whom he wouldnt commit to backing on the floor in January. Their anger is largely symbolic since most of those conservatives routinely oppose spending deals on the floor. But conservatives are sending an early warning to Johnson, suggesting this weeks funding fight could determine the speakers fate in that leadership vote. Well see. Everythings got consequences, said Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, when asked if the funding bill would impact his support for Johnson next month. In recent days, Johnson and his allies have spent hours trying to keep conservatives on his side as negotiations continue. Johnson sat down with the House Freedom Caucus at their weekly meeting on Monday night as he detailed some of the spending conversations and worked to head off a conservative rebellion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Byron Donalds, who attended that meeting, said members still want to see the text of the deal: We got a lot of questions. A deal put together like this, the number one question is, What did the other side get? Donalds said. Aid for farmers Negotiators had hoped to finalize the government funding deal over the weekend, but last-minute hang-ups emerged, pushing congressional action closer to Fridays deadline. A fight over aid for farmers vexed negotiators over the weekend with Republicans desperate to include additional funds in the end-of-year spending deal and Democrats continuing to make demands in exchange for the ask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if the farm aid could wait until 2025, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told CNN, Theres the potential for a lot of foreclosures to happen by the end of this year, so its an imminent threat that has to be addressed before the end of the year if were going to maintain family farms across America. Republican Rep. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, the former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, said, From the perspective of the political crowd, of course, rural America is and has been for a long time Republican, so this conference has a responsibility to address those needs, not just because of the political base but because those farmers feed the United States and the world. GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas argued that Republicans should have forced Democrats to vote down farm aid on the House floor and not offered any sweeteners in exchange. If I was doing this, I would make Democrats vote down farm aid, Roy said. Put it on the floor, actually go down and legislate So instead, we get this negotiated crap and were forced to eat this crap sandwich - why? Because fricking Christmas is right around the corner. Its the same dang thing every year, legislate by crisis, legislate by calendar, not legislate because its the right thing to do. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. CNNs Annie Grayer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The clock is ticking on another imminent government shutdown, but Republicans cant square the fact that two of their deepest desires are, in reality, mutually exclusive: more tax cuts for the wealthy, and a long-held goal to decrease the federal deficit. Conservatives across the spectrum came out in fierce opposition against the House spending bill on Tuesday. The continuing resolution was originally scheduled to be released days ago, but by noon, the actual contents of the spending package were still hidden from lawmakers, fueling concern that the vote willonce againcollide with their Friday deadline to avert a shutdown. The bill, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, will fund the government through March 14, giving conservatives a chance to organize and reassess their spending priorities once their Republican trifecta takes effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CR is coming together, bipartisan work is ongoing, Johnson told CBS News. Were almost there. The resolution was intended to be a very skinny, very simple stopgap solution, but it was complicated by disaster relief needs related to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Weekend discussions also hit a snag by looping Americas farmers into the spending package, which will offer a one-year extension of the farm bill, according to Politico. But party members have been less than thrilled by the developments. Missouri Representative Eric Burlison called the continuing resolution a total dumpster fire in an interview with C-SPAN. I think its garbage. This is what Washington, D.C., has done, this is why I ran for Congress to try to stop this, Burlison told the nonprofit broadcaster. Sadly this is happening again. I think that its shameful that people that celebrate DOGE coming inand yet were going to vote for another billion dollars to be added to [the] deficit. Its ironic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Representative Chip Roy rolled his eyes at the conundrum, telling C-SPAN that the swamp is gonna swamp. Since weve been given the majority again, were adding $30 billion in literally, totally unpaid for additional deficit spending, just since November 5in 45 days, Roy said. I dont see how thats doing what were supposed to be doing. The conference itself owns this. The conference needs to decide whether were actually serious about spending. Were just fundamentally unserious about spending, Roy continued, highlighting the fact that his party intends to shift cash away from Social Security, shrinking the time before the program goes bankrupt. As long as you got a blank check, you cant shrink government. If you cant shrink government, you cant live free. Representative Nancy Mace announced in a statement that she would not be supporting the 1,500 page Continuing Resolutionwhich, again, has not yet been released. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) We are nine days away from Christmas, will the forecast call for a white Christmas? 29-year-old woman dies after falling from train in downtown Sioux Falls On Monday, warmer than average temperatures returned for many, enough to melt some of the snow and ice across the area. And the melting will be watched closely for those who wanted a white Christmas. While were still a week and a half away, well have to add to whats on the ground to give any hope of seeing a white Christmas. We will add some snow Tuesday and then again on Thursday. Thursdays snow will be found mainly in northeast KELOLAND. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That clipper will also bring in much colder air by Friday, but the cold wont last. As you can see, temperatures will return above average and above freezing as we go through Christmas week. Early indications are showing highs will return to the 40s by Christmas Day. Thats at least 10 degrees above the climate averages. With the ups and downs during the first half of the month, Sioux Falls is slightly below average when it comes to high temperatures. Well see if that averages out for the second half of the month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. (Courtesy of Andrea Deutsch) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. You try not to go bankrupt by the end of your life. Andrea Deutsch, mayor of Narberth, Pa. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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%). 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Milwaukee County health officials are holding several vaccination clinics across the county throughout the rest of December as the holidays near, according to a Dec. 11 Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) press release. The release cited recent data from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), which indicated just 28% of residents have received flu shots and 14% have received updated Covid-19 vaccines this season. To boost lagging vaccination rates, the county-wide mobile clinic and vaccination events are being held by health officials in partnership with Health Connections, Outreach Community Health Centers and Hayat Pharmacy. With colder weather and respiratory viruses on the rise, nows the time to protect yourself, your family, and your community by getting vaccinated. For a full list of upcoming clinics, visit https://t.co/HeBFb7VLTX or call Health Connections at (414) 999-1099. pic.twitter.com/MsMUX1NXPN MkeCoDHHS (@MkeCoDHHS) December 16, 2024 Gift cards are available at these events while supplies last, the press release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee County Aging and Disabilities Services Administrator Tina Anderson said vulnerable residents are impacted hardest by respiratory illnesses each year. Weve heard too many stories of families facing preventable hospitalizations during what should be a joyful season, Anderson said. By offering free vaccines in accessible spaces, were working to protect our community and give everyone the peace of mind they deserve this time of year. When are the vaccination events? Wednesday, Dec. 18 Location: McGovern Senior Center, 4500 W. Custer Ave. Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Location: Wilson Park Senior Center, 2601 W. Howard Ave. Time: 9 a.m. to noon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Location: Rivers Shore Comprehensive Treatment Center, 3707 N. Richards St. Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 Location: Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. King Drive Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Location: Consulate of Mexico in Milwaukee, 1443 N. Prospect Ave. Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27 Location: West Milwaukee Comprehensive Treatment Center, 1610 Miller Park Way Time: 8:30 a.m. to noon Weekly vaccination clinics are also held at Northcott Neighborhood House, at 2460 N. 6th St. You can call Health Connections at 414-999-1099 for more information. Are vaccinations free? Milwaukee County DHHS Community Health Coordinator Kaisa Kerrigan, MPH, told the Journal Sentinel vaccinations are available "with no out-of-pocket cost to the individual with an activated insurance card." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Uninsured individuals may be redirected to City of Milwaukee Health Department walk-in clinics," Kerrigan said. For more information on county vaccination efforts: For more information on Milwaukee County vaccination events and efforts, you can click here. You can also call 414-999-1099. More: Wisconsin has third-highest number of total whooping cough cases in the U.S., CDC says More: Red Cross asks for blood donations in Wisconsin ahead of holidays. How to donate For more information on county vaccination efforts: For more information on Milwaukee County vaccination events and efforts, you can click here. You can also call Health Connections at 414-999-1099. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Where to get flu, Covid-19 shots across Milwaukee County in December Journee Grandberry, 11, was last seen on Monday afternoon, Dec. 16, around the 4400 block of North 57th Street. The Milwaukee Police Department have located a critically missing 11-year-old girl. Police say she was last in contact with her family on Monday afternoon and was last believed to be in the area of the 4400 block of North 57th Street, a primarily residential area on Milwaukee's northwest side. "Critical missing" is a label police apply to people who may be especially vulnerable due to a variety of factors. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police locate critically missing 11-year-old girl France faces a huge task in rescue operations on its overseas territory of Mayotte after the small group of islands in the Indian Ocean was struck by Cyclone Chido, acting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau posted on X on Tuesday. "What's awaiting France in Mayotte is colossal. The island is devastated," Retailleau said. "The state has been mobilized since the outset to help the victims and to prevent further crises exacerbating the disaster," he added. The authorities on the island group situated between Madagascar and Mozambique are enforcing a nighttime curfew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a preliminary report on Monday evening, authorities said there were 21 deaths and more than 1,400 injured, with the death toll expected to rise. Chido struck the islands with winds reaching 220 kilometres per hour on Saturday, wrecking the simple sheet metal houses that many of the 310,000 residents inhabit. The Mozambican authorities have thus far reported a death toll of 27 after winds reaching 240 kilometres per hour hit the country's northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula. Mozambique's Institute for National Disaster Management said that rescue work was ongoing and the extent of the damage could not yet be fully estimated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations' children's organization UNICEF said 175,000 people were affected, adding that 24,000 homes had been destroyed, along with numerous schools and health facilities. Mozambique's state-owned electricity provider EDM said that around 200,000 people had lost power. Downtown Minneapolis' 57-story Wells Fargo Center sold this month to a trio of investor groups. Minnetonka-based Onward Investors on Thursday announced it had partnered with Cross Ocean Partners and Neuberger Berman on the acquisition of the city's third-tallest building. The tower, designed by Cesar Pelli, opened in 1987. Finance & Commerce, citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the deal, reported the building sold for roughly $85 million, or about $73.90 per-square-foot. Wells Fargo Center. Courtesy of Onward Investors. The building sold as recently as 2019 for $313.6 million, or roughly $272.7 per-square-foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Onward Investors, the building is currently 62% leased. "Pairing state-of-the-art amenities with timeless design, the Wells Fargo Center is well-positioned to attract tenants seeking a premier building in a dynamic urban environment," the group shared in a press release. In a statement, Jon Lanners, partner at Onward Investors, said the group is committed "playing an active role in Minneapolis' revitalization." Related: Snowy Thursday could bring accumulations along I-94 corridor in Minnesota JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Next month, Missouris public safety department will be under new leadership after the agency has been led by Sandy Karsten for more than six years. Since 2018, the Missouri Department of Public Safety has been overseen by Karsten. Throughout her time in that role, the state went through COVID, crime increased, and Missouri experienced a tragedy at the Chiefs Super Bowl celebration. I was the first female from the lieutenant rank, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and then the colonel, and now as the director, Karsten said in an exclusive television interview with our Missouri Capitol Bureau Chief Emily Manley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her title might be history-making, but shes been tasked with responding to historic events and tragedies. I was also the colonel at the time of the duck boat tragedy, Karsten said, recalling the Branson tragedy that took place in July 2018. Earlier this year, divisions within her department provided lifesaving care at the deadly Kansas City Super Bowl parade when shots rang out, killing one and injuring dozens of others. We had troopers on the ground, Karsten said. We also had the Disaster Medical Assistant Team there to provide assistance. We had doctors and nurses there that actually treated victims of the shooting and treated victims being trampled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS also assisted local communities during COVID by helping with vaccination clinics. Karsten will step down as director in January. Before leading DPS, she served the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) for more than three decades. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News We see more guns now than weve ever seen before, Karsten said. If you talk to a local trooper or you talk to a law enforcement officer, we stop people who are armed. There are good people, and then there are also bad people. During her leadership role at DPS, Karsten pushed for more license plate readers to capture suspects and raised awareness that first responders needed mental health resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout her career, she said she saw the shortage of police officers grow. Weve seen declining numbers even back then, Karsten said. When Ferguson hit, that was something that also impacted the people that would be coming in the door for law enforcement, 21-year-olds. That impacted their willingness to look at law enforcement and public service in general as a future career. Her successor is no stranger to Missouri law enforcement or the department. Mark James is a former state and federal law enforcement officer. He worked at MSHP for nine years before being recruited to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in 1987. In 2005, he was appointed by former Gov. Matt Blunt to serve as DPS director. Most recently, he was appointed by President Donald Trump as the United States Marshal of the Western Judicial District of Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouris incoming governor said Karstens retirement is a great loss to the state. Mark James has some big shoes to fill, but he will be very good and another great critical piece to that crime plan, Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe said. Karsten will retire from DPS on Jan. 13. Her message to Missourians is to support law enforcement at a time when theres a staffing shortage and to put your phone down while driving because there are more pedestrian deaths in Missouri this year than ever before. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LONDON (AP) Heres a recipe as essential to Christmas in Britain as turkey, tinsel and mince pies. Mix a fairy-tale plot with topical references, slapstick, song, dance and double entendres. Drench in sequins and spangles, mix vigorously, add some noisy audience participation, and you have a panto. Pantos short for pantomimes are stage musicals that play at theaters big and small across the U.K. each winter. Formulaic but anarchic, family friendly but a little risque, they are a holiday tradition that give many children their first exposure to live theater and adults a chance to cut loose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who thinks Britons are buttoned up hasn't been to a panto. Audiences happily shed their inhibitions cheering, singing, hissing the villain, shouting Hes behind you! to warn the hero. Its singing, dancing, laughing taking the family out and being able to be out with their kids and letting the kids run riot, said Clive Rowe, who directed and stars in Dick Whittington and his Cat at the Hackney Empire his 17th annual panto for the storied east London theater. Pantomime has deep roots, stretching back to the stock characters and bawdy humor of the 16th-century Italian commedia dellarte and the French harlequinade, as well as the English music hall. By the late 19th century, the elements had gelled into a form still recognizable today. The plots are drawn from well-known fairy tales and childrens stories such as Aladdin, Snow White and Cinderella. Characters include a plucky hero, or principal boy, often played by a woman, an outrageous villain, and a dame, a sharp-tongued matron who is always played by a man in fabulously flamboyant drag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pantomime dame is the beating heart of the show, said Simon Sladen, curator of theater and performance at Londons Victoria and Albert Museum. She is that engine that drives it. Firstly with pace and anarchy, but also a little bit of sauce on the side. An estimated 3 million people in Britain attend a pantomime each year, in venues ranging from small regional theaters to London West End playhouses. Many theaters rely on them for a big chunk of their annual income. When Londons theaters were closed for months by pandemic lockdowns in 2020, panto dames led a protest march through the city to stress their importance to the creative economy. They provide seasonal work to faded pop stars, television entertainers, the occasional Hollywood celebrity Pamela Anderson took Liverpool by storm when she starred in Aladdin in 2010, singing Santa Baby while suspended on a swing above the stage, dressed in costumes by Vivienne Westwood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also vital experience for many young actors, including the A-listers of tomorrow. Jude Law told The Associated Press recently that hed played Humpty Dumpty, recalling his performance as loud and round. At 17, Michael Fassbender played one of Cinderellas Ugly Sisters, and a tree. Wicked star Jonathan Bailey starred alongside a young Nicholas Hoult in a production of Peter Pan. Hoult also appeared in Mother Goose as a child, and says he would happily do another, as theyre really fun. Asked to sum up the art form, Bailey called it a quintessentially British bloody good time for all the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays pantos often strive to reflect diversity, both onstage and in the audience. Rowe, whose Hackney Empire pantos draw many of their cast and crew from Britains Black communities, said that at its core the genre is about acceptance. Its about understanding, its about the idea that being different isnt necessarily a bad thing, he said. It should be brought in and kind of celebrated and that no matter where you are in society, from the youngest to the oldest, we all have a place and we should embrace that. Drag performer Ginger Johnson, starring in an adult all-drag panto version of Peter Pan at Londons Phoenix Theatre, said that pantos ability to change is why its managed to survive for so long as a cultural form. I think for a lot of kids, panto is the first time that they come in contact with drag as well, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stage historian Sladen said that some are leaning into the drag element of panto, with a bigger, wider explosion of roles than just the dame and the principal boy being cross-dressed. We might see the fairy godmother played by a dame or played by a drag artist. We might see a wicked stepmother, also played by a very well-known drag performer. So (its) constantly evolving, constantly changing with the times. ___ Jill Lawless contributed to this report. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) With only a handful of days left until Christmas 2024, schools are starting to let out for the holiday. WKRG News 5 has compiled a list of important school dates parents and teachers should have before Santa comes to town. Baldwin County Public School System Baldwin County Public School teachers and students will be on vacation starting Dec. 23. BCPSS teachers will return on Jan. 6, and students will return on Jan. 8. Bayshore Christian School Students and teachers at Bayshore Christian School will have a half day on Dec. 20 and return to school on Jan. 6. Bayside Academy School will let out at 11 a.m. on Dec. 20 for students and teachers at Bayside Academy. Classes will be back in session on Jan. 6. Catholic Schools Catholic schools under the Archdiocese of Mobile will be released early on Dec. 20. Students will return to class on Jan. 6. Cottage Hill Christian Academy Cottage Hill Christian Academy students will have an early dismissal on Dec. 19 to start their vacation. Students will return to class on Jan. 6. Faith Academy School will be let out at noon on Dec. 19 and 20 for students and teachers at Faith Academy. Students will return to classes on Jan. 6. Gulf Shores City Schools Teachers and students in Gulf Shores will start their vacation on Dec. 23. Teachers will return to the classroom on Jan. 6, and students will return on Jan. 7. Mobile Christian School Mobile Christian School administrators will let their students out early for half a day on Dec. 20 to kick off their break. Teachers will return on Jan. 6, while students return on Jan. 7. Mobile County Public School System Students and teachers in the Mobile County Public School System will be on vacation starting Dec. 23. Teachers will return on Jan. 2, and students will return on Jan. 6. Orange Beach City Schools Dec. 20 will be an early dismissal day for students and teachers in Orange Beach, starting their holiday break. Students will return to school on Jan. 6, and teachers will return on Jan. 3. South Baldwin Christian Academy South Baldwin Christian Academy students and teachers will begin their holiday break on Dec. 23. Teachers will return on Jan. 6, and students will return on Jan. 7. St. James Episcopal School Students and teachers will be dismissed early on Dec. 20 to kick off their holiday break. Teachers will return on Jan. 6, and students will return on Jan. 7. St. Lukes Episcopal School Students and teachers at St. Lukes will start their vacation on Dec. 20. Teachers will return to their classrooms on Jan. 3, while students return on Jan. 6. St. Pauls Episcopal School Students and teachers at St. Pauls will begin their holiday break on Dec. 20 and will return from break on Jan. 7. UMS-Wright UMS-Wrights student and teacher holiday break begins on Dec. 23 and lasts until Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) The Mobile Police Department is asking for the publics help in finding a man accused of assaulting a gas station employee. Mobile police looking for man who hit vehicle with machete at Zaxbys According to MPD, the incident occurred around 8:32 a.m. on Dec. 6 when the man walked into Quik Pik located at 2311 St. Stephens Road. LOCATION: An MPD spokesperson said the man poured a cup of coffee and attempted to leave the store without paying for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fairhope ATM ripped from bank, cash taken: FPD (Mobile Police Department) Police said a store employee confronted the man, and the man threatened the employee while pouring coffee on him. According to MPD, the man attempted to physically assault the store employee before pulling out a knife. The man then fled the scene before officers arrived. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. The Ministry of Defence is to spend 6bn buying back military homes from a private equity tycoon, reversing what has been described as a rotten deal for British taxpayers. More than 36,000 military homes are to be taken back into public ownership after the MoD said it would buy the properties from Annington Homes, a company controlled by billionaire Guy Hands. The deal ends a bitter battle between the Government and Mr Hands over control of the homes. It is also the latest twist in a long-running saga over the privatisation of army homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 55,000 properties were sold to Annington for 1.7bn and then leased back by the MoD under a 1996 deal struck under John Majors government. However, the privatisation deal has since been dogged by controversy, with the National Audit Office (NAO) concluding the taxpayers lost more than 4bn on the sale. The spending watchdog said the MoD had dramatically underestimated how much the value of the homes would rise by. The estate is now worth 10bn, according to the MoD. Meanwhile, the Government has also been saddled with huge costs for both rent and maintenance for which it retained responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meg Hillier, the then-chairman of the Commons parliamentary affairs committee, called the sale a rotten deal for the taxpayer at the time of the NAO report in 2018. The MoD originally argued in the 1990s that taking out a 200-year lease would free up money to spend on improvements. However, it now says owning the homes outright will be cheaper in the long run and will save the Government some 230m a year in rent. On Tuesday, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, said the new deal presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix up the military housing estate and create jobs. Billionaire Guy Hands, whose company Annington has been at the centre of a long-running battle with the Ministry of Defence over military homes - Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph Richard Hands, the managing director of Terra Firma, said: This deal ensures long-term value for both parties and brings an end to the legal disputes which had created uncertainty for both Annington and UK service families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This resolution also enables Annington to focus on exciting future growth prospects in the UKs residential property market. The transaction draws a line under a legal battle between the Government and Mr Hands over the properties. Mr Hands Annington Homes filed a legal claim against the Housing Secretary with the European Court of Human Rights in September. The billionaire was challenging the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, which gives leaseholders the right to buy the freehold of the property. Mr Hands feared that the law could open a loophole that would harm its ownership and allow the MoD to buy back the homes on the cheap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also a separate legal dispute between Annington Homes and the MoD over who has the rights to the properties. Annington, which was previously owned by a consortium led by Japanese bank Nomura, was bought for 3.2bn in 2012 by Terra Firma, Mr Hands private equity firm. Mr Healey said savings unlocked by the deal would be used to plough cash into improving the estate. According to the MoD, the deal means the Government no longer has to plan for 4.3bn of liabilities related to the previous arrangement with Annington, unlocking headroom in budgets for spending on substantive redevelopment and improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, in the coming days, officials will submit a planning application for 265 new houses and apartments for personnel at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire. Separate plans will also be submitted in the spring for some 300 new houses at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire. The MoD pointed to Imjin Barracks, in Gloucestershire, as an example of what could be delivered in future. There, it is in the process of building 176 homes equipped with low-carbon heating systems and solar panels that will help to reduce energy bills for military families. Improving the military estate is viewed as a key priority by service chiefs, as they struggle to recruit enough people and face complaints about the state of accommodation on some bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, said: We understand the importance placed on this for peoples morale and decisions on whether to continue in the Armed Forces long term. This work will provide military families the higher-quality houses they fully deserve. It is very significant and very welcome. 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 pediatric vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is proving to be elusive, according to news from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. RSV is a highly contagious, common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. And while it does not usually cause severe illness in healthy adults and children, some people with RSV infection, especially older adults and infants younger than 6 months of age, can become very sick and may need to be hospitalized. But enrollment for all clinical studies of infant RSV vaccines is now on hold due to safety concerns, explained a Dec. 11 briefing document from the FDA that was released ahead of a meeting of the FDA's Vaccine and Related Biologic Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document notes that a phase 1 trial of two experimental Moderna RSV vaccines in infants aged five to eight months was paused in July. The pause came after five cases of severe to very severe lower RSV respiratory tract infections were reported among the 40 babies who received the vaccine dose, compared with just one case in the placebo group of 20. Five infants required hospitalization, with one needing mechanical ventilation. It all has uncertain implications for the ongoing and future pediatric development of other non-live attenuated [inactivated] RSV vaccines," said the FDA, which put a hold on the trial after the July incident. For adults aged 60 and older, mRNA-1345, marketed under the brand name mRESVIA, was approved by the FDA in May for use in adults aged 60 and older. It's one of three RSV vaccinesincluding GSKs Arexvy and Pfizers Abrysvothat have been licensed for adults and pregnant women within the past 2 years (with maternal immunization providing protection for a babys first six months of life). And while 2023 brought the development of a monoclonal antibody for infants, a type of passive immunization that provides short-term protection from RSV, there has yet to be an actual RSV vaccine for childrendespite those under 5 being the most vulnerable population, with RSV being the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But scientists have been proceeding with caution, as the July incident was not the first time development of a pediatric RSV vaccine has prompted safety concerns, noted the FDA document. In the 1960s, two infants died during an RSV vaccine trial, and 80% were hospitalized, after it caused vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD). That cast a decades long shadow over RSV vaccine development, David Kaslow, who heads FDAs vaccine branch, said at the VRBPAC meeting. Researchers are now hoping the Moderna trial situation does not get exploited by those pushing anti-vaccine agendas, including president-elect Donald Trumps nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., We want this vaccine field to move forward and this is a great thing for them to jump on and say, Oh, this is so toxic, scary, we cant do this, Coleen Cunningham, a pediatrician at the University of California, Irvine, told Science. I think that would be a mistake. While Moderna will continue to monitor trial participants and gather additional data, there are no plans to restart the trial in children younger than 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some VRBPAC members said they remained hopeful that an RSV vaccine will be developed for infants, and that more information was needed. In the meantime, Michael R. Nelson, M.D., PhD., chief of the asthma, allergy, and immunology division at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, said at the meeting, "The system worked, the safety signal was reached, the proper pause was put in place." More on vaccines: This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The death of a new mother hours after she gave birth via C-section in an Oregon hospital was entirely preventable, a new lawsuit said. Because of a series of violations of safety culture principles culminating in a complete system failure, the hospital let Abirami Goyal, who went by Abi, bleed to death on the operating table in its own operating room, according to the lawsuit brought by the young mothers family. Goyal was 31 when she died on March 13 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, a hospital part of the Providence network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed Dec. 3, seeks $100 million. It names Providence St. Vincent, along with multiple individual doctors and health care providers and two anesthesiology groups, as defendants. A Providence spokesman said the hospital didnt have information to share about the pending litigation in a Dec. 16 email to McClatchy News. Goyal worked for Intel, and she and her husband, Kartikeya, were married for six years, her obituary said. Goyal was admitted to Providence St. Vincent in the early morning hours of March 12 with contractions, the lawsuit said. She pushed for a while and eventually had a C-section, the lawsuit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the C-section, Goyal was transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit, according to the lawsuit. While there, Abi demonstrated signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock secondary to bleeding. But Abi was neither monitored appropriately, nor responded to with the urgency required, according to the lawsuit. The Providence team did not administer Abis first blood transfusion until over one hour after her bleeding was belatedly discovered and it didnt clamp off and remove Abis uterus until nearly three hours after her bleeding was discovered, the lawsuit said. The 31-year-old, whod been healthy, went into cardiac arrest and died about six hours after her daughter was born, the suit said. Abis death was entirely preventable. Postpartum hemorrhage and the corresponding increased mortality rates among minority women are common knowledge in obstetrics. Providence St. Vincents is a tertiary center with the capability and resources to properly monitor for and treat postpartum hemorrhage, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit seeks $75 million in non-economic damages, including for Goyals extreme pain, discomfort, and distress. It also seeks $25 million in economic damages for her impaired earning capacity, lost capacity to perform services as a wife and mother, lost capacity to perform personal and household services, as well as reasonable funeral and burial expenses, according to the lawsuit. Jeffrey B. Killino, an attorney representing Goyals family, said in a Dec. 16 email to McClatchy News that the 31-year-olds death highlights a systemic problem not only with the healthcare she received at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, but with the larger systemic problems assailing the maternal healthcare system in the U.S. Its time to reverse course and address the root causes of preventable and unnecessary deaths of amazing young mothers like Abi, Killino said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added in a phone call that Goyals relatives are rallying around her husband and daughter, though theres no replacement for your mother. The babys middle name is Abi, according to Goyals obituary. Our only solace is the brief time (Goyal) was able to hold and feel her and the happiness she radiated in her final moments, the obituary said. Volleyball player dies after wait for ambulance that never came, Georgia officials say Girl still missing 8 years after California mom killed. Can new FBI photo crack case? Mother of 5 found badly stabbed in Texas home, cops say. Husband accused of murder A Texas mother who saved her two children from a house fire, but died attempting to save her infant son, has received a posthumous honor for her heroic efforts. Giovanna Cabrera, 31, was one of the 18 recipients of the Carnegie Medal which is awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund to individuals who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others, according to a release from the organization announcing the 2024 honorees. In the early morning hours of Feb. 3, a fire erupted in Cabreras home in Houston, and she quickly sprang into action to secure her 9-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter's safety before going back inside to retrieve her 1-year-old son Gabriel Pena from his crib. Tragically, Cabrera and Gabriel both died in the fire. Chief Samuel Pena The scene of the house fire that Giovanna Cabrera died in while saving her children The scene of the house fire that Giovanna Cabrera died in while saving her children 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. Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Pena confirmed Cabrera and her sons death in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) writing at the time that Cabrera went back into her home to rescue her child from the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Mom of 3 Dies Trying to Save Her Kids from Georgia House Fire: She's a Hero, Sister Says Our prayers & condolences to the family, Chief Pena added. Upon arriving at the scene, crews from the Houston Fire Department said heavy fire conditions were found, Pena confirmed at the time. Footage of the blaze, shared by local CBS affiliate KHOU, showed flames erupting as they completely engulfed Cabreras home. Giselle Bueno, Giovannas sister, said her sister was found with her son in her arms, according to local ABC affiliate KTRK-TV. I know that she had to save her babies, she added, like I can only imagine how scared she was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cabreras two surviving children were placed in the care of their father following her death. Related: Mom of 4 Dies in House Fire While Her Children Escape: 'Tragic Accident' The Carnegie Medal is the highest honor for civilian heroism and recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant for being recognized, according to the Carnegie Hero Fund. Following the news that Cabrera was honored, Bueno spoke with KHOU about how her sister would feel about being deemed a hero. "And everyone is calling her a hero," Bueno said. "I know that shes just looking at us and shes happy and proud, even though she didnt make it, that everyone is trying to help. Read the original article on People By Qabil Ashirov The 19th Internet Governance Forum of the United Nations is currently being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Azernews reports citing the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Ministry. The Ministry noted that over 10,000 guests from 170 countries are participating in the event. Additionally, speeches from over 1,000 international experts are expected. The forum, which will continue until December 19, includes nearly 300 panel sessions and special seminars. During the forum, international policies and trends related to internet governance innovations will be discussed, and best practices will be shared. The main objective of the forum is to create a platform for the exchange of ideas, promote economic development and societal well-being, and contribute to the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. A delegation from the Innovation and Digital Development Agency is representing Azerbaijan at the forum. Orkhan Ismayilov, Head of the Strategic Partnerships and International Cooperation Department, told Azerbaijani media outlets that the delegation members will discuss Azerbaijan's sustainable digital development concept, digital government solutions and innovation ecosystem, efforts to increase digital literacy, and the activities and goals of the Azerbaijan Innovation Center. The delegation is also scheduled to meet at Google's Riyadh office. The forum will focus on four main themes: applying innovations and balancing risks in the digital space, enhancing the contribution of digital technologies to peace, development, and sustainability, increasing human potential and promoting inclusivity in the digital age, and improving digital governance of the internet. DECATUR The city has upped its presence in Washington, D.C., and Springfield by hiring a high-powered lobbying firm with ties to President-elect Donald Trump and powerbrokers on Capitol Hill and in the state Capitol. The Decatur City Council unanimously approved a two year, $8,333-per-month contract with Mercury Public Affairs, adding to the city's portfolio of lobbyists to push the city's legislative agenda and fight to bring more state and federal dollars back to Soy City. City Manager Tim Gleason, who serves on several national boards and organizations related to his position, told council members that the firm could tell Decatur's story with the powerful and influential at higher levels of government in a way that city employees simply could not. "This is something (where) you have to have a professional in place," Gleason said. "The staff, even if we did have the capacity or the bandwidth to take this on ourselves, we do not have the relationships. And it is critical to have those kinds of relationships, open those doors with our federal delegation, navigate the different departments out in D.C., and then also work with our state representative partners as well." The firm has more than 20 offices across the country, including in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Springfield. Its Illinois operation is headed by former U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, a Democrat who represented northwestern Illinois in Congress from 2013 to 2023. Bustos, along with her son, Nick Bustos, who is a senior vice president with the firm; and Michael Morthland, also a senior vice president as well as a Decatur native, attended Monday's council meeting. Bustos, a city council member in East Moline prior to her election to Congress, said she understood the desire of Decatur officials to maximize the city's return on investment. She said her own connections, including with Decatur's congresswoman, Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, and her former colleagues who chair powerful House committees, would be useful. And where she doesn't have a direct connection, she said there was likely someone else at Mercury who does. The firm is bipartisan, which would serve to benefit the city in what will be a closely divided but Republican-controlled federal government and a Democratic-dominated state government. And the firm will have a direct connection to the White House: Trump's incoming Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, was a Mercury co-chair until last month. "I like to say that there's not a door that we can't open," Bustos said. "We're a well-established firm," she added. "We know our way around Washington, D.C. In Illinois, we know our way around Springfield very well, also." The organization has built up its Springfield connections in recent years, opening an office in Illinois' capital city and hiring experienced Statehouse hands such as Nick Bustos, former state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, Democratic political consultant Zach Koutsky and James Hartman, the former chief counsel to Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. Morthland, who served in Gov. JB Pritzker's administration and was an assistant counsel to House Speaker Chris Welch, is the son of Decatur city attorney Wendy Morthland. Some of Mercury's clients include Ameren, Illinois State University, the Illinois Corn Growers Association, the Illinois Soybean Growers Association, the city of East Moline and the city of Rock Island, according to state and federal lobbying disclosure databases. The firm also represents Chinese company Gotion, which is constructing an electric vehicle battery plant in Manteno; and One Earth Sequestration LLC., which is seeking to build a 7-mile carbon sequestration pipeline from One Earth Energy's ethanol plant in Gibson City to storage wells in McLean County. Decatur has long deployed lobbyists to get its priorities in front of decisionmakers in state and the federal government. Since 2016, the city and Macon County have split the cost of a $60,000-per-year contract with transportation lobbyist Ann Schneider, whom city officials have credited for helping secure funds needed for major projects like the Brush College Road grade separation. Since 2022, the city has retained former Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Lisa Bonnett on a $36,000-per-year contract to consult on its long-term initiative to reduce siltation in Lake Decatur. And for nearly a decade prior to 2020, the city contracted with former Democratic state Rep. Julie Curry for $30,000-per-year for state government lobbying services. Gleason said that Mercury will be retained in addition to those already under contract, not a replacement for. The firm's contract begins Jan. 1 and runs through the end of 2026. In other news, the council vote to approve a development agreement with restaurant/pool hall Stix on 36, 3645 U.S. Route 36, that will grant the business a video gaming license. Per the agreement, the owners of Stix on 36 must invest at least $250,000 into the building, hold at least 50 amateur pool tournaments per year and increase dining capacity by 50% within 12 months, among other conditions, in exchange for the video gaming license. The council voted 6-0-1, with Councilman David Horn abstaining. The relatively easy passage came despite ongoing concerns about the proliferation of video gaming. Efforts have been made in recent years to rein in the activity, which has been a boon for local bar and restaurant owners as well as city and state coffers. But it has also led to the creation of parlors centered around the activity, not as a complement to bars and restaurants as intended. "I'm going to vote for this tonight, but I am concerned that we're opening a little bit of a floodgate," said Councilman Chuck Kuhle. Gleason said the agreement was important because it captured "the uniqueness" of the business. He said it could serve as "the template for what may come in front of council in the future." It's the first development agreement of its kind inked since the council amended the city's liquor code in October. That change required a development agreement in place before a video gaming license is issued. The council also unanimously approved a resolution changing the zoning of the former Temple B'Nai Abraham synagogue at 1326 W. Eldorado St. from B-1 to a planned development district. The building's owners, Byron and Jody Suey, are seeking to renovate the building for use as a private event space, such as for weddings, receptions and fundraisers. The renovations will happen in phases and, at least at the beginning, events will be limited to fewer than 100 people. Another development agreement that would authorize a sales tax rebate for KC Finds, an overstock and discount retailer that opened earlier this year in the former Ace Hardware space at 2809 N. Main St., was pulled from the agenda. A reason was not immediately given. Under the proposed agreement, the city would rebate 90% of the sales taxes collected for the first three years, 75% in the fourth year and 50% in the fifth year. These would help the developers recoup some of the $275,000 building remodel costs that were incurred. Police in Gwinnett County said a boy kidnapped by his mother who did not have custody of him was found in Los Angeles. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Dec. 17, Gwinnett County police were dispatched to Valley Bluff Lane in Snellville after receiving a 911 call about a missing child. Police learned that Michelle Marks lost custody of her son, 7-year-old Royal Marks, while they were living in Oklahoma last year due to child neglect. The boys father was given custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwinnett officials said when they arrived at the home on Tuesday, the childs father learned that Michelle Marks had come to Georgia to visit the child. TRENDING STORIES: During the visit, family members told authorities that heard Michelle Marks make multiple threats to hurt herself if she completely lost custody of Royal Marks. Michelle allegedly made these threats in response to a conversation about a custody hearing that was going to take place soon, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs father told police that Michelle Marks took the child in the middle of the night after making the threats. Investigators said late Tuesday evening that Michelle Marks used an alias to fly from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Gwinnett investigators contacted LAPD and officers in Los Angeles were able to locate the boy and take Michelle Marks into custody. Gwinnett police have already issued kidnapping warrants for her. Michelle Marks also has several warrants for her arrest in Oklahoma. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, speaks during a press conference about a package of maternal health bills ahead of Virginia's 2025 legislative session. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Virginia lawmakers are gearing up for a renewed push to tackle maternal health disparities in the 2025 session, with a slate of bills and budget amendments focused on improving outcomes for parents across the state. A key proposal is a bipartisan effort to mandate unconscious bias training for nursing license renewals, which previously passed the legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers say that targeted training is critical in addressing preventable deaths and complications during childbirth, marking it as a vital step in the broader push for maternal health reform. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a stark disparity in maternal health: Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Research also highlights that women of color often face worse health outcomes, partly due to racial bias in healthcare settings. House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, emphasized the urgency of addressing these inequities, stating that the proposed legislation aims to tackle the broken systems and lack of resources contributing to poor maternal health outcomes, particularly for Black parents. The momnibus package a play on the term omnibus also includes proposals to enhance healthcare monitoring and expanded Medicaid coverage to improve maternal health outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One key initiative by Del. Amy Laufer, D-Charlottesville, seeks to pilot remote monitoring for conditions like hypertension and diabetes. This approach is designed to assist expectant parents, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to hospitals or healthcare providers, by ensuring their conditions are closely monitored during pregnancy. About 30% of Virginia counties lack a birthing center within a 30-minute drive, according to the March of Dimes, a non-profit that works to enhance the health of mothers and babies. In Southwest and Southside Virginia, recent years have seen the closure of several obstetrics units However, the latest state budget includes funding to support OB-GYN residencies in hospitals, aiming to bolster care in underserved areas. The momnibus package also includes proposals to expand Medicaid coverage to include diapers and limited baby supplies, as well as legislation to establish a womens health commission focused on developing targeted maternal health policies. Lawmakers and maternal health experts first previewed the momnibus package during a Black Maternal Health Summit in Richmond in October, where public health professionals and legislators from around the country gathered to collaborate on solutions to improve maternal health outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Del. Candi Mundon King, D-Prince William, on Monday expressed optimism about bipartisan support for the upcoming maternal health proposals, noting that Republicans have previously supported and even co-sponsored some Democrat-led maternal health initiatives. Were hoping that when these bills get before them, they will continue that support, Mundon King said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dec. 16State officials want to hire a Missoula, Montana, company to engage in a six-month pilot program to determine if giving a taxpayer-paid benefit to the children of childcare professionals would help in recruiting and retaining workforce in the critical field. This contract is one of 196 before the Executive Council on Wednesday when it holds its final session of 2024. Pyramid Model Consortium was the only vendor to respond to a request for proposals for the pilot that stems from legislation former State Sen. Becky Whitley, D-Hopkinton, sponsored during the 2024 session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill (SB 404) earmarked $1 million for the pilot to come from state funds with another $100,000 given to the Department of Health and Human Services to administer it. "A childcare professional is determined to be eligible for the project if they are employed at a qualified childcare center, their household income is equal or less than the median income for the geographic area in which they reside but over income for the federal Child Care Scholarship program, and they have a child enrolled in a New Hampshire childcare program," HHS Commissioner Lori Weaver wrote in her request to the council. She estimated the program would support services for 200 children in the current state budget year that ends next June 30. The benefit will not be given for children who are cared for by a provider who is not licensed or if the care is provided in a home child care business or by a parent, legal guardian or person living in the same residence as the child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Chris Sununu signed legislation for the pilot in August and it is to take effect Jan. 1. The bill requires HHS to produce a report by next Nov. 1 on the number of childcare professionals served in the program, what if any adjustments need to be made and what a budget would require if lawmakers and Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte decided to make the program permanent. There are many critical decisions for the council to make starting with the ambitious plan to have Dartmouth Health, through its Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, become the long-term company in charge of carrying out psychiatric services for youth at Hampstead Hospital. Councilors put that contract on the table after several had questions about the degree of state government involvement in future management and the future status of workers there who had asked to be made permanent state employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sununu has said the state employee mandate would be unacceptable to Dartmouth Health. The future of the agreement is at risk if the council fails to support it Wednesday. Under the proposed deal, Dartmouth Health would pay the state $1.1 million in annual rent, an amount that could go up 2.5% a year. The initial lease would be for seven years, but the contract would permit three additional extensions of five years apiece after that point. The state would retain an administrative role during the first year of this proposal and be reimbursed up to $5 million by Dartmouth Health. Other major actions before the council include $126 million in payments to county nursing homes, $48.9 million in cost adjustments for the three insurance companies that provide managed care to Medicaid clients and $41.6 million upgrade to the New Heights information system housed at HHS. klandrigan@unionleader.com FLETCHER, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) There are still so many signs that the storm of the century was here in western North Carolina. For the Cane Creek Middle School band in Fletcher, recovery means daring to dream big again, some three months after the deadly disaster. Some of our families were hit a little bit more significantly than others, says band director Adam Stewart. Coolest dad ever? Belmont man makes snow to give his kids a winter wonderland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His school is located in the heart of an area with so much recent heartbreak. But at the Home of the Hurricanes, the band room is a temporary shelter where the teens can tune out the outside world. Im Charlie and I play the baritone, Charlie Ulmer says. I play clarinet, said fellow 8th grader Sophie Luff. I play obo, Josephine Guiffrida says. Get set up, were going to start with Polar Express, said Stewart, greeting the band, while reminding them of the holiday concerts ahead. Just from coming in, I can tell were a little excitable and a little chatty today. You still have a concert in six days, he told the group. As musicians, they mirror the community response to Helene; everyone bands together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being in a band is all about the sum being greater than the individual parts, Stewart said. We all have to play our part and when we do its beautiful, Ulmer said. Catawba College track coach connects with athletes by being vulnerable after 2017 accident left him paralyzed As they practice for this months performances, bandmates cant help but think ahead to March. Cane Creek was one of six groups selected to perform at the New York Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a big opportunity that we have been given, to perform in one of the most prestigious places in our country, says Ulmer. After Helene made landfall in the mountains in September, Mr. Stewart considered canceling the trip. Because of the scope of the disaster, he asked his parents if the band should still go to New York. Over 90 percent of our families responded with a Yes, we need to do this. This is important, it gives our kids a good goal, Stewart said. The fundraising campaign to send Cane Creek to Carnegie Hall would allow the band to sponsor the most storm-affected students. Parent Sandi Boyer says theres more riding on the journey than just music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen a lot of devastation in the area, and this was just an opportunity to spark some hope in them, says Boyer, whos also the PTA president. We didnt really have a lot to look forward to after the hurricane, Luff said. because a lot of peoples houses kind of got destroyed. Sign from God: Family memento found in Helene debris is returned to the daughter of a woodworker Together were all a family. We all share our talents and our passion, Guiffrida says. I would hate to know about it and know that Im not going. Raising all that money would be awesome for everybody to get the chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carnegie Hall gives them a chance to show the world what mountain grit looks and sounds like. You dont want a situation like this to knock somebody out from what is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, Stewart told Queen City News. So really the bigger stress for me was, How am I going to make it so these students can all go. Each day, they play for something bigger than themselves, and maybe thats a metaphor for life after Helene. [The community has] never shied away from offering help when weve asked for it in the past, Stewart noted. But now its the community that needs the help. Hopefully everybody can go, thats why wed like to raise money for everybody to go, and everybody to get the opportunity, Guiffrida said. And its a big thing not everybody gets to go to Carnegie Hall and performing is very important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Moorhead police are asking for the public's help in finding a 17-year-old girl who was last seen over a month ago in North Dakota. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension posted to Facebook about Melissa Barrett, 17, who was last seen in West Fargo, North Dakota, on Nov. 15, according to the Moorhead police department. She is five feet and two inches tall, weighs 100 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. Minnesota BCA Facebook While no information is available about what she wore when she went missing, Barrett is frequently pictured wearing glasses with red frames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about Barrett's whereabouts can contact the Moorhead Police Department at 701-451-7660 or dial 911. Related: Snow dusting for Twin Cities Tuesday; 3-6 inches possible Thursday A record half a million adults are claiming disability benefits for anxiety and depression, official figures show. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims linked to anxiety or depressive disorders rose to almost 525,000 in October, up 14pc from 461,000 a year ago, according to data published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This number has doubled since lockdown, with claims linked to mental health soaring since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are now a record 3.6m people entitled to PIP, up 3pc from the previous quarter, according to the data. The DWP said psychiatric and neurological diseases and disorders were among the top five recorded as having disabling conditions, accounting for more than half of all claims. The figures show that people in their 50s are most likely to be on benefits for anxiety or depression, followed by those in their 30s, with women more likely to be claiming than men. Musculoskeletal problems, including arthritis, back and neck pain account for a further third of total claims, the data showed. PIP is the main non-means-tested benefit for those with health conditions or disabilities, with payments of up to 9,500 a year to help people with living costs and getting around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DWP data showed that almost 125,000 people receive the maximum PIP award, which suggests that many claimants are unable to travel long or even very short distances without extra assistance. Payments linked to supporting people with autism and learning difficulties also make up a substantial share of claims linked to mental health, with more than a quarter of a million adults now receiving PIP linked to these conditions. There has also been a sharp increase in the number of children claiming benefits linked to autism, ADHD and learning difficulties. PIP is paid regardless of income or employment status, and can be claimed alongside other benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Office for Budget Responsibility noted in 2023 that just 16pc of people who received PIP were in work. The figures underscore the challenge facing Labour to resolve Britains worklessness crisis, which has dogged the economy since the pandemic. Fresh figures on Tuesday showed there are 2.7m people who are neither in work nor looking for a job owing to ill health, according to official data. DWP projections released earlier this month showed disability benefit claims among working-age Britons were on course to rise by a quarter of a million each year until the end of the decade, official forecasts show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 4.2m adults will be claiming PIP by 2030, up from just over 3m today, according to estimates by the DWP. However, Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, has delayed announcing how the Government will tackle benefit reforms until early next year. Predictions of a relentless rise in claims means the cost of footing the rising working-age disability benefits bill is now expected to soar to 31bn in todays prices by 2030, up 40pc from an estimated 22bn this financial year. A Government spokesman said: Weve inherited a spiralling benefits bill and have been clear that the current system needs reforming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were already taking action with our Get Britain Working White Paper by joining up local work, health and skills plans to support people into employment and will set out plans to reform the health and disability benefits system in the spring, so that it delivers for disabled people and the taxpayer. 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. NEW HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Connecticut State Police plan to have more troopers at schools in the states northwest region after a threat was made. The written threat was made in New Hartford, and was not directed at any specific school, according to state police. Hartford teen accused of killing cousin appears in court Troopers stressed that while the threat referenced Thursday, there is no known actual threat to the public at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Hartford First Selectman Daniel Jerram said hes worked with local troopers and police officers to make staffing changes to ensure theres a law enforcement presence at all schools. Increased Police presence will also be seen at Northwestern Regional 7, he said in a Facebook post. As always, if you see something.say something. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Action 9 is looking into a website that offers puppies for sale and found some odd things. A woman claims her mother is heartbroken after she paid hundreds of dollars for a puppy that was never delivered. Do you have a consumer complaint or need help from Jeff Deal and Action 9? Click the banner below to submit a tip. Puppies can brighten a smile and light up a room. Nella Dudovas mom Marie has always been a dog person. Dudova told Action 9 Consumer Investigator Jeff Deal, She really loves taking care of her dogs, and theyre basically like babies to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marie lost her two companions, Caramel and Hessy, about a year ago. In September, as the heartbreak started to subside, she decided it was time find a new furry friend. A quick online search landed her on this website: michaeldreamchihuhuapuppies.com. It seemed geared toward Florida residents. Youre going to pay for this anyway: Consumers upset about travel companys tactics and service Marie looked at puppy, after puppy after puppy. One of them named Sara grabbed her attention. Nella Dudova said, The website is actually really well put together. She told Action 9 her mom exchanged emails with someone connected to the website. They sent her more photos of the puppy and even videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that communication and the professional looking website, her mom signed a contract and she wired $1000. My mom, shes not easily manipulated, but she really likes to trust people, Dudova said. We have unauthorized charges here: Scammers use fake QR codes to steal money and personal info But while scrolling social media to look at chihuahua photos, she came across the same photos of Sara that had been posted two years ago on Instagram. Thats when she first started wondering if shed been scammed. Better Business Bureau President Holly Salmons said, If theyre asking for a deposit before youve ever laid eyes on the puppy, before youve ever physically seen the puppy or the pet in person, thats a real leap of faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salmons said puppy scams are something to look out for especially around the holidays. Websites will sometimes use stock photos to advertise them for sale. The BBB has received complaints about Michael Dream Chihuahua Puppies with consumers claiming they took money but didnt deliver the dogs. I kind of thought I was in a nightmare: Fan has tickets stolen from his Ticketmaster account One photo on the Michael Dream Chihuahua Puppies website caught the attention of Action 9. The same photo was used to advertise an Urban Pup brand dog harness on a UK website. The same photo showed up on the shopping website Zazzle also advertising the dog harnesses for sale. Nella Dudova said, At this point, I was like, This is most definitely a scam. But lets kind of see where it goes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For her mother, it only got worse. On the day the puppy was supposed to arrive, someone contacted her and demanded another $1500 for delivery. She didnt pay it, but it was then she knew the puppy of her dreams had all been just smoke and mirrors. Dudova said, It was sad seeing her that way, especially because, you know, like I said, her heart dogs recently, like, about a year ago passed. And like, shes trying to, you know, start up a new part of her life and she didnt get to do that. Fortunately, her bank reimbursed her for the money. Action 9s Jeff Deal reached out to this company to ask about the complaints, the issues with these photos and to ask if this website is just set-up to scam people. So far, he has not heard back. For the first time, a majority of Polish citizens support ending the war in Ukraine even if it requires Ukraine to cede territory, Polish Radio reported on Dec. 17, citing a survey by the Polish Center for Public Opinion Research (CBOS). The survey found that 55% of respondents prioritized ending the conflict over Ukraines territorial integrity, up from 39% in September 2024 and 26% in April 2022. Only 31% of Poles believe Ukraine should continue fighting without concessions to Russia, a significant drop from 46% in September 2024 and 59% in April 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBOS noted that this shift reflects a growing fatigue with the ongoing war, especially as Polish society had previously been predominantly in favor of Ukraine continuing the fight. The survey highlighted that younger Poles aged 18-24, residents of smaller cities, individuals with less education, and those with more conservative views were more likely to support a negotiated peace. Read also: West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says In contrast, a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) revealed that nearly two-thirds of Ukrainians remain willing to endure the war "as long as it takes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This figure has declined slightly from 73% in late 2023 to 63% in October 2024, but the majority still firmly reject territorial concessions. The contrasting attitudes underscore the challenges facing Ukraine as it braces for renewed Russian offensives and continued pressure from some Western quarters for negotiations. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov recently stated Moscows aim to fully occupy Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts by 2025, signaling no intent to halt aggression. President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in on the conflict during a Dec. 16 news conference, describing the war as horrible and expressing his intent to make a little progress toward peace, though he provided no specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has previously suggested reducing U.S. aid to Ukraine to pressure both sides into negotiations. Read also: Ukraine sets goal to open all EU negotiation clusters in 2025, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Leading Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza on Tuesday confirmed his mother had been taken ill and was being treated at a hospital in Berlin, but said there was no evidence she had been poisoned as initially feared. "My mother is indeed in a hospital in Berlin, but suspicions of poisoning or heart attack have thankfully not been confirmed. The doctors are continuing with the evaluation. We would be grateful to the media for respecting our family's privacy," he posted on X. German police said earlier Tuesday they were investigating a possible attempted homicide after an unnamed German-Russian woman suspected she had been poisoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several German media outlets then identified her as being a relative of Kara-Murza, who was released from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange with the West in August. A police spokeswoman said the woman had complained of nausea and called an ambulance after suspecting she had been poisoned. "Blood tests for all kinds of toxic substances are being carried out. All police measures necessary to maintain public safety, but also to identify potential suspects, are in progress," the spokeswoman said, before Kara-Murza posted on social media. Determining a motive behind the Monday school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, that killed three people, including the 15-year-old assailant, remains a top priority, authorities said Tuesday, noting that they are working to authenticate a purported manifesto circulating online. It appears that the motive was a combination of factors, with bullying among the angles being investigated, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said at a press conference following the incident at Abundant Life Christian School. Were looking into her online activity, he said of the shooter, identified as student Natalie Rupnow. Barnes added, Were asking anyone who knew her or who may have insights into her feelings leading up to yesterday to please contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers a nonprofit that seeks crime-solving tips. Shon Barnes, the Madison police chief, speaks at a news conference Tuesday about this week's shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. via Associated Press He said the shooting which wounded six other people, two of whom remained in critical condition Tuesday left the community with a flurry of emotion: sadness, anger, disappointment, grief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three families woke up this morning to a world without a loved one, he said. Police said Rupnow, who went by the first name Samantha, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after fatally shooting a teacher and another teen student. Addressing whether individuals were specifically targeted in the attack, Barnes said that everyone was put in equal danger. He also clarified that a 911 call placed during the rampage earlier attributed to a second grade student was actually placed by a second grade teacher. An emergency vehicle is parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Monday. via Associated Press Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, also speaking at the press conference, declined to publicly identify the victims when asked, telling reporters their loved ones need time and space to grieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is absolutely none of yalls business who was harmed in this incident, she said. Please, have some human decency and respect for the people who lost loved ones or were injured themselves or whose children were injured. Barnes described the assailants parents as cooperating with law enforcement. Its far too early to say whether they may face related criminal charges, said Rhodes-Conway. We dont know nearly enough yet, she said. Meanwhile, the community is struggling. Police stand guard on Tuesday outside the home of 15-year-old accused of carrying out the school shooting in Madison. Scott Olson via Getty Images On Tuesday, numerous schools within the Madison Metropolitan School District were the target of false threats, often known as swatting, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do not believe that there are any current threats to any Madison-area schools and will continue to investigate these calls and any threats of violence as they come in, he said. Dane County Executive Melissa Agard commended students and teachers who returned to school Tuesday, calling it an act of bravery. Parents dropping their children off after what we witnessed yesterday took an act of bravery and a belief in our community, she told reporters. And thats a bravery we should not have to put on the shoulders of our children and our families and our community. A resident places flowers outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Tuesday. via Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agard said her own son attends school in the district and that he found it hard ... to get up and go to school today. Then when he did, his school was placed under lockdown amid swatting in the district, which she said was triggering not only to him and his peers, but to family members and educators. Gun violence is the No. 1 killer of children in this country. Thats a legacy we cannot accept, she said. Part of the reason I feel so pained by this tragedy is that mass shootings feel like something thats ominous and hovering, and were all wondering where and when the next one is going to occur. And guess what it happened here. Agard went on to call state laws too lax when it comes to access of guns by children. I do believe that we should have safe storage laws, she said. We should have background checks. We should have red flag bills. We should be providing adequate support for everyone in our community when it comes to behavioral health. People should not be waiting when they raise their hand and ask for help. Related... HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge announces the return of a School Resource Officer to the Wabash School District. Mayor Judge says the partnership with Wabash School District #348 will bring on Sergeant Price as their School Resource Officer. We are excited that Sergeant Price has agreed to be the SRO, says Joe Judge. He will do a fantastic job. Mayor Judge says this was a joint effort between Dr. Chuck Bleyer and the School Board along with Chief McWilliams, City Clerk Ryan Turner, himself and the City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Mufasa: The Lion King has one very important thing going for it: an original story. That may seem like faint praise or at least a very, very low bar in the grand scheme of things. But in a landscape where Disney continues to remake its animated catalogue in slightly different, and usually less interesting, forms whether live action or photorealistic that usually only serves to remind how good the 2D animation was, originality is not to be undervalued. And this story isnt simply checking off fan service boxes and overexplaining origins that never needed them: Its actually good. A prequel to The Lion King, opening in theaters Thursday, its a tale of found family, betrayal and destiny, one that begins to explain the estrangement between brothers Scar and Mufasa that we all know will end in murder, how Mufasa ( Aaron Pierre ) ends up as king of the pride lands and, perhaps most importantly, why only one has an English accent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this telling, Scar was once Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), destined to be king of his pride, and Mufasa was a lost cub, separated from his parents in a dramatic flood. Taka saves Mufasa and brings him into his family. His mother (Thandiwe Newton) embraces the newcomer; his father (Lennie James) rejects him as nothing but a stray. Not that it matters much to the cubs; both are thrilled to have a brother. They play and protect one another and grow up together. But fissures start to appear in this foundation as Mufasa emerges as the exceptional one and Taka as the coward. And then a lioness enters the picture in Sarabi (Tiffany Boone). Weve all seen enough movies to know what happens with that. The screenplay comes from veteran screenwriter Jeff Nathanson, whose credits include the 2019 Lion King, this years lovely Young Woman and the Sea and Catch Me If You Can. He clearly took a corporate mandate (give us more Lion King) and made the absolute least cynical version of that. There are still questionable corporate-feeling choices, like straining to tie it to a current and future Lion King by having Rafiki (John Kani) tell the story to Simba (Donald Glover) and Nalas ( Beyonce ) daughter Kiara ( Blue Ivy Carter ), Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner). These comedic breaks, and Lin-Manuel Mirandas songs peppered throughout, arent additive. They really only serve to break up the momentum of the compelling main story. But the biggest issue remains the form itself. The photo-realistic computer-generated animals may have technically improved since the 2019 Lion King, but they still arent movie stars like their 2D animation counterparts. Impressive though it may be intellectually, the reality of watching these animals for two hours is a somewhat numbing and dull experience despite the best efforts of director Barry Jenkins. The Oscar-winning filmmaker of Moonlight did an admirable job adding visual interest and color into the landscapes, bringing it closer to the vibrancy of animation than ever before, and making it as cinematic as possible. The original story also helps here in that he was never going to have to recreate iconic sequences in a less stimulating form. There are just inherent limitations that filmmakers have not yet figured out, including how odd it looks for these animals mouths to be moving and speaking English words. Its strangest when theyre singing, mouths agape to hold the long notes in a way that no lions mouth should ever appear. If this is one future for filmmaking theres still a lot of room for improvement and experimentation. That doesnt mean it shouldnt be embraced while the kinks are worked out. But it also doesnt mean the moviegoing public has to get excited about every rehash. Mufasa: The Lion King is better than the ones that came before it, but that doesnt mean its great. Mufasa: The Lion King, a Walt Disney Studios release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for peril, action/violence and some thematic elements. Running time: 118 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. Lawmaker Yuriy Boyko on Dec. 17 apologized for his earlier video interpreted by many as pro-Russian and called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal." Boiko made the apology in a TikTok video after he was questioned by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) over his previous statement. I do not want my words to be used by the Russian Federation or war criminal Putin to justify their aggression against our country, Boyko said. "If my words insulted some Ukrainians who are fighting on the front line or working on the home front to achieve victory, I want to apologize." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that we should all be united, focused on defeating the foreign enemy, and put aside all internal differences. In his Dec. 14 video on TikTok, Boyko echoed pro-Russian narratives about alleged "radicals" in Ukraine and restrictions on language and religion. Boyko claimed that radicals were tearing down monuments, renaming cities, forbidding people to speak their native language and attend the church of their choice without citing specific examples or evidence. Boyko, a parliamentary member since 2007 and former deputy prime minister under ex-President Viktor Yanukovych, has a long history in Moscow-aligned political factions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His recent statements and subsequent apology suggest an attempt to navigate Ukraines political landscape, potentially aiming to rebuild his relevance ahead of potential elections. In wartime Ukraine, however, pro-Russian rhetoric provokes fierce criticism and could hinder Boykos political rehabilitation. Read also: Ukraine strongly condemns African delegations visit to Russian-occupied territories Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The assault and kidnapping case against Mykola Tyshchenko, an MP who was expelled from President Volodymyr Zelensky's party in 2023, has been sent to trial, the State Investigation Bureau said on Dec. 17. The bureau said it had completed the investigation against Tyshchenko on charges of illegally detaining and assaulting a war veteran in Dnipro. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges stem from a widely circulated video recorded in June showing Tyshchenko and his bodyguards confronting veteran Dmytro Pavlov, who was walking with his child in central Dnipro. The footage shows an argument escalating into a physical altercation, with Pavlov reportedly detained and sustaining injuries. Tyshchenko, who later admitted to being in Dnipro during the incident, claimed he was investigating alleged bot farms. The incident drew significant backlash from activists, soldiers, and public officials. Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak condemned Tyshchenko's actions, calling them absolutely disgraceful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yermak also noted his long-standing acquaintance with Tyshchenko, who had previously christened Yermak's son. Tyshchenko has a history of controversy, including his expulsion from Zelenskys Servant of the People party in January 2023 after an unauthorized wartime trip to Thailand. The incident has amplified calls for Tyshchenkos accountability among activists and military personnel. Read also: UK sanctions 20 Russian shadow fleet tankers, announces financial aid to Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Mississippi Humanities Council recently announced the latest recipients of the organization's Public Humanities Awards. The awards honor individuals, organizations and businesses that are making a significant impact to the state's unique history and culture. The 2025 Public Humanities Awards ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on March 28, 2025 at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for purchase on the Mississippi Humanities Council website. Mississippi Humanities Council Malcolm White, Cora Norman Lifetime Achievement Award Malcolm White is the recipient of the 2025 Mississippi Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award. The Cora Norman Award honors the MHC founding director and is given to a Mississippian who has made a significant, longtime contribution to public humanities in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malcolm White has a long career of revitalizing Mississippi. During his 12 years as director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, White revived the state poet laureate program, helped organize the "Culture Club," a group of state agencies leading the recovery of the cultural sector after Hurricane Katrina, chaired the Mississippi Blues Commission and launched the Mississippi Writers Trail. In between his two stints as MAC director, White spent three years as director of Visit Mississippi where he advocated for heritage tourism. White has also published two books titled "Little Stories: A Collection of Mississippi Photos" and "The Artful Evolution of Hal and Mal's." Dr. Christina Thomas, Humanities Scholar Award Christina Thomas is the recipient of the 2025 Mississippi Humanities Council Humanities Scholar Award. Christina Thomas is a 2023-2025 Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Scholar at the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. A historian dedicated to examining civil rights and educating, Thomas is currently working on a manuscript on civil rights activist Geraldine L. Wilson. She is also working on a research project focusing on the early history of the education program Friends of Children of Mississippi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MHC will honor Thomas with the Humanities Scholar Award in recognition of her work at JSU. Thomas is known as a publicly engaged scholar of the civil rights movement and has done extensive research and writing for the Mississippi Freedom Trail. Thomas also led a National History Day program at the Youthful Offenders Unit at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Consider: If Trump gets rid of the US Department of Education, where does that leave Mississippi? Emily Liner of Friendly City Books, Humanities Partner Award Emily Liner is the recipient of the 2025 Humanities Partner Award for her impact on the Columbus through her bookstore Friendly City Books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The MHC will honor Friendly City Books and its founder Emily Liner with the Humanities Partner Award in recognition of Liner's collaboration with the council to reach new audiences. Liner founded Friendly City Books in Columbus in 2020 after the town's only bookstore, a Books-A-Million, closed its doors. The independent bookstore has since grown into a nonprofit giving free books to local schools. The award recognizes Liner's impact on her local community through public programming including community book discussions, youth poetry convenings and the Possumtown Book Festival, an annual literary celebration. Activists With a Purpose, Reflecting Mississippi Award Activists With a Purpose is an organization in Grenada dedicated to positive change within Mississippi, specifically working to change discriminatory policies in economics, education, labor and politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization's director Diana Freelon-Foster and her team are the recipients of the MHC Reflecting Mississippi Award. The award recognizes the organization's efforts in the 1966 Grenada County Freedom Movement which works to preserve the history of school integration and the Civil Rights Movement in Grenada. More in state news: Here are the top 10 public middle schools in Mississippi for 2025. See which made the cut Dr. Joseph Peterson, Humanities Educator Award Joseph Peterson is the recipient of the 2025 Mississippi Humanities Council Humanities Educator Award. Joseph Peterson is an assistant professor with the School of Humanities at the University of Mississippi where he teaches world and European history. The MHC Humanities Educator Award recognizes Peterson's dedication in bringing educational opportunities to Mississippi's incarcerated individuals. Specifically, the award reflects Peterson's work leading the Life Builders Book Club at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution. Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Humanities Council announces 2025 public humanities award winners MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis-Shelby County School Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss terminating Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins contract, according to the MSCS Board agenda. The meeting was added on Monday and is set to take place on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. This comes after months of reported strife between the MSCS Board and Feagins, who was hired back in February. In September, some school board members claimed it was a mistake to hire Dr. Feagins and have said under her regime district morale has hit a new low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In letters written by outgoing board members Mauricio Calvo and Althea Greene, they advised incoming board members on who theyd be working with. Calvo wrote, I tried to be as objective as possible in balancing some of her attributes, strong communicator, a super hard worker. Ex-school board members criticize Supt. Feagins; one calls her hire mistake in letter But, he said, he also has two major concerns, claiming the superintendent has an inability to listen to others, and too often pushes back on checks and balances. It really created a culture that was very toxic, Calvo said. Now she inherited a very toxic culture, she didnt create that, but she didnt make it any better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of this was echoed in another letter from Greene, the former school board chairwoman. She complained that Feagins fails to communicate with the board about personnel changes. She also now says Feagins was the least qualified candidate, even going so far as to say hiring her was a mistake. As a board, we made a decision to hire Dr. Marie Feagins, and if Im being honest with you, it was a mistake, Greene wrote. She was the least qualified candidate for the position, and her actions since coming onboard have shown her lack of experience as a leader. We will update this story as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Dec. 16A grant of more than $347,000 for Missouri Southern State University that will fund expanded nursing education programs was one of 13 announced Monday by Gov. Mike Parson for Missouri colleges and universities. Thirteen nursing education programs across the state will share a total of about $5 million in grants. The 13 competitive grants were part of a special appropriation to the Missouri State Board of Nursing that was recommended and approved by the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Joplin, MSSU's department of nursing is to receive $347,252 over three years to expand its prelicensure baccalaureate in nursing program. That money is intended to address a shortage of registered nurses and nursing faculty in Joplin and surrounding rural counties, the university said. By expanding the program, MSSU said in a statement it will be able to produce more qualified nursing graduates to meet growing health care demand. The university also plans to provide resources to support additional faculty nursing positions, enhance faculty retention through development programs, and create a nurse educator mentoring network to promote mentorship and professional growth. An accelerated graduate nursing degree program is to be put in place to increase the number of qualified nursing professionals with advanced degrees for the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university said it also plans to expand faculty nursing positions for both undergraduate and graduate programs and acquire equipment to expand instructional capabilities. Another goal is to develop a graduating nursing program in education. Other grants to colleges and universities: $343,000 to Bolivar Technical College. $115,533 to Mineral Area Community College. $719,135 to Missouri Baptist University. $347,252 to Missouri Southern State University. $359,000 to Missouri State University-West Plains. $286,438 to Missouri Valley College. $630,000 to Rockhurst University-Kansas City. $150,000 to State Fair Community College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $621,975 to Stephens College. $424,500 to St. Charles Community College. $334,117 to Saint Louis University. $150,000 to University of Missouri-Kansas City. $519,050 to University of Missouri-St. Louis. Parson said in a statement: "These investments today are a continuation of our commitment to the future of Missouri, ensuring that future generations get the hands-on training necessary to fulfill their American Dream, while addressing the nationwide nursing shortage." MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) While engaged in Operation Safe Shopper, the Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) arrested a Nashville man for shoplifting and found more. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The MJPD posted to social media that authorities caught a 48-year-old Nashville man for shoplifting before discovering that the man was wanted for theft in both Nashville and Smyrna. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers searched his vehicle, they found crack cocaine, powder cocaine and drug paraphernalia as well. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Thanks to proactive policing and with our local merchants, were keeping Mt. Juliet a safer place for everyone, the post reads, in part. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) A Wisconsin favorite, Seroogys Chocolates, is having a banner year as the candy company, first established in 1899, celebrated 125 years. But now, in more than a century, the popular seller is now facing one of its busiest holiday seasons of all time. Were busy. Were very very busy trying to keep things on the shelves and our customers happy, Seroogys customer service manager Sarah Siefert said. The orders are bigger, were short-staffed too, so thats not helping in our production facility. But yes, it seems were much busier this year. Photos of every entry from the 2023 Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The holiday business has inundated Seroogys to the point where it had to temporarily stop taking online orders, and it is still unknown whether online orders will be available again before Christmas. We have to turn our website off because we just couldnt handle any more orders coming in, Siefert said. Dont know that well be able to get it on before Christmas, were just day by day doing our best. Siefert says that placing orders over the phone is still an option, but coming into the store to pick out from the chocolate on the shelves is shoppers best bet. At this point, we cant guarantee its going to happen before Christmas. Were doing the best we can but we cant guarantee, your best option is to come into the stores and see whats on the shelves, she said. We can only make our product so far in advance, and our building is only so big so we can only make so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-person shopping is no trouble for Steve Blank, who makes the drive from Neenah. Ive been coming to Seroogys for about the last five years, always have a great selection, he said. Im someone that likes to come to the store and get what you want. Im not so much the mail order person. Blank says that shopping early will get you the best success, and it is all worth it to support local businesses. Green Bay Police Department welcomes five new officers and celebrates three promotions If youre looking to do your Christmas shopping, go early and theyll have what you need, Blank said. Its local. I like buying local and I just think it makes a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even amidst the frenzy of the holiday season, the employees still find ways to embrace and enjoy the craze. We try to keep positive, and we do a little countdown and keep smiling. Keep smiling your way through it, Siefert said. Christmas is where its at for Seroogys. Its always busy and we always try our best to prepare as much as we can. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Several lanes on Interstate 66 East were closed in Prince William County after multiple vehicles were involved in a crash on Tuesday morning. Virginia State Police told DC News Now that the call came in just before 7 a.m. and the crash involved more than three vehicles. State police said the collision was at mile marker 47. Skaters hit the ice in a new way at National Building Museum in DC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update around 8:30 a.m., officials said all lanes on I-66 East had reopened to traffic. Details about what led to the crash remain unclear and it is unknown if anyone was hurt. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) Multiple business owners are picking up the pieces after an alleged impaired driver sped through Lebanon Square, went airborne, and damaged several places. Lebanon police said both the driver and passenger were sent to the hospital. The driver is recovering from serious injuries. There were car parts strewn all the way from the end of this sidewalk and, of course, all the way down a block and a half, said Lebanon attorney Jeff Cherry. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Cherry showed News 2 the damage inside his law office after this speeding driver tore through Lebanon Square early Sunday morning. The glass was in one two, three, four different rooms, as well as all the way through the hall to the back of the building, Cherry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spindle from the fence lodged into the drywall at the law office, and another spindle broke glass at a nearby business. When I saw the video, I was very surprised at how the vehicle, as if it were a blur coming through the square, Cherry said. While the case is still being investigated, Lebanon police told News 2 that just after 3 a.m. on Sunday, officers saw a white Cadillac driving fast. Where can you expect to find increased impaired-driving enforcement this holiday season Due to the weather conditions and the estimated speed of that vehicle, our officers didnt actively pursue that vehicle, but it was radioed down to other officers further down West Main to be on the lookout for that vehicle, said Zach Patton, Lebanon Police Department public information officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash scene spanned about 700 feet. After hitting a fire hydrant and breaking glass at the Coffee House, the car came to a complete stop. We are absolutely grateful that no one was hurt and that it happened at 3 in the morning. There was nobody around; no one was on the streets, said Chad Seabright, owner of the Lebanon Coffee House. However, those who work on the square said this isnt the first time theyve seen an incident like this. Back in October, a 73-year-old woman pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication in a crash that killed a 27-year-old woman on Lebanon Square in April 2022. Eight weeks that they just replaced the same fencing and spindles, as well as the light pole, so it seems like its become a little more frequent in the past couple of years to see something like that occur, Cherry said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The Wilson County Sheriffs Office will be ramping up its patrols this holiday season in an effort to combat drunk driving from now until Jan. 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in southern California experienced multiple drone incursions over its airspace the past several days, a facility spokesman told The War Zone on Tuesday morning. Between Dec. 9 and 15, there were six instances of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) observed entering Camp Pendletons airspace, with no threat to installation operations, Capt. James C. Sartain, a base spokesman, told The War Zone in response to our query on the matter. Sartain could not immediately provide details about how many drones flew over the installation, their origin, what actions were taken in response and if any air or ground operations were affected as a result of the incursions. We have asked for these details and will update this story should any be provided. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Located in north San Diego County, MCB Camp Pendleton is the Marine Corps major west coast training facility. It is home to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Logistics Group, elements of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and several other tenant units including Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, ACU-5, Naval Hospital, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA), Weapons Field Training Battalion, Naval Weapons Station Fallbrook, and Deployment Processing Command/ Reserve Support Unit West. A map of the sprawling Camp Pendleton facility located on the SoCal coast. (USMC) This is just the latest in a growing string of incursions reported over U.S. military installations at home and abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News about MCB Camp Pendleton follows a drone incursion over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio forcing the closure of its airspace Friday night into Saturday morning. The War Zone was the first to report that incident. On Tuesday, Wright-Patterson officials announced that there were additional incursions over the facility. Small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over Wright-Patterson AFBs Area A and Area B during the late evening and early morning of Dec. 16 and Dec. 17th, the 88th Air Base Wing said in a statement. Installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets. The Wright-Patterson AFB airspace was not affected by the incursions. The number of systems has fluctuated, and they have ranged in sizes and configurations, the release added. Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local law enforcement authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. We request individuals in the area to contact either local police or Security Forces if they see anything suspicious, to include sUASs or drone activity. The sprawling Wright-Patterson AFB complex. (Google Earth) This all comes amid a growing frenzy about drones that began when they appeared over Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey on Nov. 18, which we were the first to report. Since then, the FBI said more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings came into its drone hotline, of which fewer than 100 merited further investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday night, the Pentagon, FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a statement that they have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast. The full statement is below: There are more than one million drones lawfully registered with the FAA in the United States and there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones lawfully in the sky on any given day. With the technology landscape evolving, we expect that number to increase over time. FBI has received tips of more than 5,000 reported drone sightings in the last few weeks with approximately 100 leads generated, and the federal government is supporting state and local officials in investigating these reports. Consistent with each of our unique missions and authorities, we are quickly working to prioritize and follow these leads. We have sent advanced detection technology to the region. And we have sent trained visual observers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones. We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast. That said, we recognize the concern among many communities. We continue to support state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and support of law enforcement. We urge Congress to enact counter-UAS legislation when it reconvenes that would extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge. Additionally, there have been a limited number of visual sightings of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, including within restricted air space. Such sightings near or over DoD installations are not new. DoD takes unauthorized access over its airspace seriously and coordinates closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, as appropriate. Local commanders are actively engaged to ensure there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place. DHS, @FBI, @FAANews, and the @DeptofDefense released the following joint statement on the ongoing response to reported drone sightings. pic.twitter.com/ihGcGbjOEy Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 17, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, public furor has become so concerning that the FBI and New Jersey State Police last night issued a plea for people to not fire lasers or bullets at anything in the sky. We are seeing an increase of pilots of manned aircraft being hit in the eyes with lasers as people on the ground think they see a drone, cautioned Nelson Delgado, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Newark Field Office, which is leading the drone investigation. We are also concerned that people will take matters into their own hands and fire a weapon at an aircraft. Not only is this act against the law, but it poses an incredible danger to the pilots and passengers on those aircraft. Whatever your beliefs are, Delgado added, putting someone elses life in danger is not the answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI warning came after pilots of 15 fixed and rotary wing aircraft from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst reported being struck by lasers from the ground since Dec. 7, Capt. Kitsana R. Douglomachan told The War Zone. One of those pilots had to seek medical treatment but was quickly released. All aircraft landed safely, he said, adding that officials do not know who fired the lasers. NJ.com was the first to report these incidents. Monday night, Hill Air Force Base became the latest installation experiencing drone incursions. We can confirm that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of Hill AFB recently, a spokesperson told KUTV2 news Monday night. To date, unmanned aerial systems have not impacted Hill AFB operations and all appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard Hill AFB personnel, assets, and infrastructure. An amazing elephant walk of F-35s at Hill Air Force Base. USAF Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials are still trying to discover the origin of drones that appeared over four U.S. Air Force bases in the U.K., another story we first broke. Theyve been spotted over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell, all within close proximity, and RAF Fairford, about 130 miles to the west. A few days earlier, Ramstein Air Base in Germany joined the growing list of places registering unknown drone overflights. TWZ has been on the leading edge of covering this topic for years and has broken multiple stories now about drone incursions over key U.S. bases and training ranges, as well as uncrewed aerial systems harassing American forces off the coasts of the United States and making worrisome overflights of important non-military sites. A spate of drone incursions over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in December 2023, which TWZ was the first report on, has now become a particular focal point of concern about these instances. While authorities are downplaying the majority of public drone sightings, they acknowledge a real concern about those flying over military installations, which as we have noted, forced the closure of airspace over one of those facilities. Update: 4:37 PM Eastern MCB Camp Pendleton responded to our additional questions about the drones spotted over the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each instance of observance occurs when an individual, via line of sight, observes a suspected unmanned aerial system (UAS) perceived to be in Camp Pendleton air space. Based on observation for all six instances, deploying countermeasures was not necessary, and air and ground operations were not impacted. The Pentagons top spokesman on Tuesday acknowledged that some of the drones flying over U.S. military bases could have been up to no good and shed additional light on the counter-drone capabilities being sent to two facilities in New Jersey. Is it possible that some of those drones could be up to malign activity? Thats entirely possible, but in the vast majority that is not the case, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters, including from The War Zone. When we detect them, [we] attempt to classify them and take appropriate measures, he added. Is it possible that some of those are surveilling? Absolutely. But can you make that assumption in every case? Not necessarily so in each case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installation commanders have the authority to respond appropriately, and well continue to do that. As mentioned earlier in this story, both Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle will be receiving equipment to help them track and, if necessary, defeat drones. During his presser, Ryder offered new details of those capabilities. In addition to some of the capabilities that are already on these installations, these capabilities essentially will enhance a base authoritys ability to detect, identify and track UASs, Ryder explained. So for example, this could include active or passive detection capabilities, plus capabilities like the system known as Dronebuster, which employs non-kinetic means to interrupt drone signals and affect their ability to operate. In a follow-up exchange with The War Zone, Ryder confirmed that Picatinny will be receiving the Dronebuster equipment. Its a man-portable, radio-frequency jamming system with a pistol grip made by a company called Flex Force. The Pentagon doesnt see a connection between the drone sightings over military bases in the U.S. and overseas, Ryder said. When we pushed him to tell us the visual and sensor similarities between these sightings, he declined to answer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryder reiterated a point made yesterday that the drones being reported are not connected to the military. They are not associated with the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP) in southern New Jersey that develops and tests drones, he added. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) State House Republicans last year were thwarted in their attempt to keep so-called DEI initiatives off public college and university campuses, but a Myrtle Beach lawmaker is leading a second effort at the ban. I think these DEI programs theyll push the group identity over the individual identity. This is not about groups. Its not about favoring somebody based on anything but their merit, state Rep. Tim McGinnis said Monday. McGinnis is co-sponsor of H. 3572, which also has support from House Education and Public Works Committee chairwoman Shannon Erickson, of Beaufort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If signed into law, the state would no longer financially support diversity, equity and inclusion programs at taxpayer-funded higher education institutions. Federal prohibitions already bar colleges and universities from discriminating against students based on race, gender and religious affiliation, so a statewide DEI ban wouldnt have any impact on admissions, McGinnis said. Not here in South Carolina necessarily, but there have been some universities that have spent millions and millions of dollars a year on these programs that really might be excluding people instead of doing what the intention is to make people feel included, he said. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Drone sightings across New Jersey and the East Coast have sparked questions and calls for transparency from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. People have a lot of unanswered questions. What the heck are they? Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) asked. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says hes trying to get those answers. Hes asked the Department of Homeland Security to implement a drone detection system in New Jersey and New York airspace. He also says Congress will propose legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That says that our local authorities can also be involved in sighting and finding out what the drones are, Schumer said. Thats similar to Pennsylvania Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahans Countering Drones bill that she wants to be included in the latest spending package. Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) says the government needs to be more forthcoming. We have 330 million Americans that just want to know the answer. The federal government should come out and authoritatively just explain to the American people whats going on, Markey said. In a press call Saturday, an FBI official said that some of the sightings match with the approach patterns for planes landing at major airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those drone sightings are in fact drones. Some are manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABCs This Week. Mayorkas said theres no national security threat right now. We know of no foreign involvement We are vigilant in investigating this matter, Mayorkas said. The sightings are still causing concern. I think maybe I wont spend the weekend in Bedminster. Ive decided to cancel my trip, President-elect Donald Trump said. Trump blames the current administration for a lack of information. Something strange is going on. For some reason they dont want to tell the people, and they should, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI says theyve received about 5,000 tips regarding the drones and fewer than 100 have been deemed worth investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. As unexplained drone sightings along the East Coast trigger investigations and demands from officials for more information, a wave of online speculation has filled the void as amateur sleuths seek to solve the mystery themselves. One Facebook group called "New Jersey Mystery Drones - let's solve it" has surged to over 73,000 members in recent days, becoming a hub for users to share their drone sightings and speculate on the source of the mysterious activity. George Gary, a New Jersey resident who joined the Facebook group, told CBS News that he was sitting in his car in Moorestown when he saw what he said were "multiple drones" in the sky. "I'm honestly not sure what's behind them," he said, speculating that it could be connected to government activity. "I'm really curious to find out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey resident Vanessa Grierson, who also said she has seen drones, told CBS News she joined the Facebook group to find out what others were seeing. "It's alarming that there are still no answers," she said. Across social media, users have shared theories that range from foreign interference to UFOs to hobbyist activity. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement last week saying there is "no evidence at this time" that the reported drone sightings pose a threat to national security or public safety, or have any foreign connection. But state and local leaders have been pushing for more information and a stronger response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Sunday he is urging federal authorities to allocate more resources to investigate the sightings, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that a drone detection system is being deployed in the state. In some cases, people mistake planes for drones The number of drones flying over the East Coast and the identity of those behind the activity remain unclear. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said Monday that the FBI has received about 5,000 tips of reported drone sightings in the last few weeks, "about 100 of which they felt needed to be followed up on." Authorities say many of the reported drone sightings could be aircraft or helicopters operating from the region's numerous airports, as residents increasingly turn their attention to the skies in search of answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim said he went on patrol with police on Thursday night to find out more about the drones. In a lengthy X thread, Kim said he "concluded that most of the possible drone sightings that were pointed out to me were almost certainly planes." Kirby said many other reports were determined to be "a combination of lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones." In addition, unrelated videos have sparked confusion. On Friday, a video was widely shared and said to show a mysterious drone seemingly "shooting" at the ground. However, CBS News traced the footage to a military training exercise at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. People have also shared old videos from different contexts. One widely shared clip, allegedly showing drones over New York, is at least four years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials respond Rep. Mike Waltz, a Republican from Florida who is President-elect Donald Trump's pick for national security adviser, said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that the lack of information highlights lapses in authority between local law enforcement and federal agencies like the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. "I think Americans are finding it hard to believe we can't figure out where these are coming from," Waltz said. "It's pointing to gaps in our capabilities and in our ability to clamp down on what's going on here. And we need to get to the bottom of it." Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said there is a "growing sense of uncertainty and urgency across the state" despite statements from federal investigators assuring residents that the drones do not pose public safety threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As such, I urge you to share any relevant information about these drone sightings with the public," Booker said. "Without transparency, I believe that rumors, fear, and misinformation will continue to spread." Shooting down drones? Some social media users have suggested that they plan to shoot down the drones if they veer too close to their homes. President-elect Trump also suggested shooting down the drones, though he did not clarify who should take such action. However, shooting down a drone is a federal crime. The Federal Aviation Administration classifies drones as aircraft, meaning damaging or destroying them is a violation of the Aircraft Sabotage Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond legal risks, firing at drones poses a serious safety hazard and could lead to injuries. Police say "combination of factors" led student to carry out Wisconsin school shooting Federal Reserve cuts interest rate again Trump wants Herschel Walker to be U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas Ongoing drone interest has led Ring users to use the "Neighbors" forum to discuss possible sightings. Some users shared frustration on Reddit about the influx of posts on the app unrelated to home security. The unidentified sightings have been reported since mid-November across the East Coast. The "mystery drones" over the East Coast have sparked concern from local residents, some of whom are flocking to neighborhood surveillance apps to post about the topic. Owners of Amazon-owned Ring video doorbells have taken to the accompanying app, which sends motion alerts, to discuss the possible drone activity in the app's "Neighbors" section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, Ring's forum is used to share information about lost pets, wildlife sightings, or stolen packages activities happening on the ground. However, some are now using the forum to discuss what's happening in the sky above their homes. The posts have ranged from written reports of drone sightings to shared videos showing light movements in the sky and footage of plane-like objects. "Multiple drones spotted flying over Mount Laurel in Countryside Farms just off Church road," wrote one Ring user in New Jersey earlier this month, posting footage showing an aircraft with blinking lights. Another Ring user in Union City, New Jersey, posted footage over the weekend of lights seeming to streak across the clouds. "Looks like the old club days when they used to put lights in the sky, but these are different," the person wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Ring users have also posted video footage online captured by their doorbell cameras, though it wasn't clear if the footage showed unidentified aircraft or simply time-lapses of the moon. "It has become something that pops up everywhere on my Ring sightings, on the Neighbor's function, constantly, constantly, constantly, people saying that they are seeing drones out there," said "Squawk Box" co-anchor Becky Quick on Monday. Ring declined to comment on the forum discussions. People on Citizen, a neighborhood safety app, joined the conversation and posted footage of suspected drones on the platform. The company behind the app encouraged its users to livestream drone-related footage "to alert the community and protect the world." #BREAKING | Report of Four Drones Heading Eastbound Above Belt Parkway Police have received a report of 3 to 4 drones over the Belt Parkway. When incidents happen near you, you can go live on #CitizenApp to alert the community and protect the world. Download pic.twitter.com/15RHEdf7yN Citizen (@CitizenApp) December 13, 2024 Not everyone is eager to join the discussions. Some have taken to Reddit to complain about the amount of drone talk taking place in Ring's community forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Reddit user questioned if the Ring App was "the new Facebook for useless posts," and complained about the amount of drone speculation. Others echoed similar sentiments, expressing annoyance at the free-wheeling nature of the discussions and an increase in their app notifications. "I had over 100 ring neighbor notifications last night because people thought it would be funny to troll about a (fake) helicopter flying in our area. Like over 100 troll posts about helicopters," one user commented on the Reddit post. "I officially turned off the notifications when I woke up." Many of the forum posts aren't showing videos captured by Ring's video doorbells but rather videos users uploaded that were captured elsewhere, such as from smartphones. And in the age of generative AI video tools and editing software, it can be difficult to tell what's real and what the footage is actually showing. The White House has said many of the drone sightings are likely crewed aircraft that are operating lawfully. It has also said that it doesn't believe the drone sightings are a public safety threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the FBI and Homeland Security have both said they want more authority to deal with drones. An FBI official said that the drone investigation is "limited in scope" and that pending counter-UAS legislation could expand their legal power in implementing counter methods. Reports of the drone sightings have been ongoing across the East Coast since mid-November. The mystery has mostly been centered on New Jersey sightings, where drones have reportedly been seen above military facilities and critical infrastructure sites. Read the original article on Business Insider There is growing but still circumstantial evidence that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 Candid cargo plane, currently at Russias Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, is one that appeared to go missing in the final chaotic moments of Bashar Al Assads regime. Rumors and claims swirled that the aircraft had been carrying Assad and was shot down after it disappeared from online flight tracking sites. The Syrian dictator fled the capital Damascus for Khmeimim, and then to Moscow, according to the first statement attributed to him in more than a week that was put out earlier today. A Syrian Airlines Il-76 is seen at Khmeimim Air Base on Dec. 15, 2024. Izzettin Kasim/Anadolu via Getty Images The statement said to have been from Assad was posted through a channel on the Telegram social media network linked to the now-defunct Syrian regime earlier today, but it is unclear whether or not he actually drafted it and/or put it online. The deposed Syrian dictator has not been seen publicly in more than a week, despite Russian officials saying they have offered him asylum. You can read more about the overall current situation in Syria, which remains very fluid, in our past reporting here. Assad relocated to Khmeimim via unspecified means and with Russias assistance on Dec. 8, according to the statement. It also claims the Syrian strongman had initially intended to continue commanding the fight against rebel forces from the Russian base. So far, there is no independent corroboration of this assertion. The War Zone has noted in the past that the Russian air base would be the safest place in the country for Assad in a crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, the statement adds. 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 basic timeline outlined in the statement aligns with online flight tracking data showing a Syrian Airlines Il-76 with the Syrian registration YK-ATA fly north from the Damascus area early Dec. 8. The tracking data for that flight cut out just after it passed the city of Homs, which rebel forces had taken control of the day before. That, combined with data showing a pronounced left turn and a precipitous drop in speed and altitude all the way down to 1,625 feet and 130 knots, had quickly sparked rumors that the aircraft had been shot down. Last night we tracked a Ilyushin Il-76T flight over Syria. The flight took off from Damascus and the signal was lost near the city of Homs. * We can confirm that flight took place. * The aircraft was old with an older transponder generation, so some data might be bad or pic.twitter.com/uCGUnVeug0 Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 8, 2024 Publicly available data from NASAs Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), which is primarily intended to help monitor wildfires and other blazes sparked by natural disasters, had also shown a hot spot exactly in the area where the aircraft dropped off radar. The War Zone has been working to obtain high-resolution imagery of this location, but we have not received a clear picture yet. No imagery has otherwise emerged to date showing any apparent Il-76 wreckage in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last night we tracked a Ilyushin Il-76T flight over Syria. The flight took off from Damascus and the signal was lost near the city of Homs. * We can confirm that flight took place. * The aircraft was old with an older transponder generation, so some data might be bad or pic.twitter.com/uCGUnVeug0 Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) December 8, 2024 FIRMS (NASA's space-based fire/thermal anomaly tracking system) got a hit early this morning right where the IL-76 disappeared on radar between the Lebanese border and Homs. pic.twitter.com/XQDGR2yLEw Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) December 8, 2024 The area in which the aircraft was flying, especially the area of Syria between Homs and the coast, is regularly subject to GPS interferenceincluding spoofing and jamming, a post on Dec. 12 from the official blog for online flight tracking site Flightradar24 says. With that in mind, analyzing the raw ADS-B data received from YK-ATA shows positional and speed data that strains credulity. Its also worth noting here that YK-ATAs trip north was unusual to begin with, based on flight tracking data from ADS-B Exchange that The War Zone reviewed. In the months leading up to Assads fall, the plane was very active but was observed flying routes to and from locations in Africa. Flightradar24s Dec. 12 blog post also says that in recent months the aircraft has visited Benghazi, Libya on a regular basis. There are now reports that Russia may be looking to make any losses to its presence in Syria by expanding its posture in Libya, though there are no indications that is tied to YK-ATA recent flight history. An example of a typical flight track for YK-ATA in the months leading up to the fall of Assads regime. This particular flight occurred on Dec. 3. ADS-B Exchange Furthermore, it has now been confirmed that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 is parked in one corner of an open apron at the northeast end of Khmeimim. Satellite imagery The War Zone has reviewed from Planet Labs show the Candid at its current position by Dec. 9. An Il-76 was seen parked between the runways the day before and was not there on Dec. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Syrian Airlines Yak-40, a passenger plane that is between a large business jet and a small airliner size-wise, also appeared at the base on Dec. 8. The Yak-40 was initially parked on a different apron, but was moved next to the Il-76 by Dec. 13. The video in the social media post below, which was taken via a drone, and that Turkey-based Syria TV put out last week, clearly shows a Syrian Airlines Il-76 at Khmeimim at multiple points in its runtime. Syrian rebels meanwhile fly drones over the Russian air base in Hmeimim pretty amazing upclose look. https://t.co/VnKByxSz68 pic.twitter.com/Vuuw8NsmCi Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) December 12, 2024 A satellite image of Khmeimim taken on Dec. 13 showing the Syrian Airlines Il-76 and Yak-40, at left, and a Russian An-124 cargo plane, at right. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies The Syrian Airlines Il-76 is seen at left in this Dec. 10 satellite image of Khmeimim. A Russian Il-76 is also seen on the apron to the right. Satellite image 2024 Maxar Technologies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a Russian Il-76 was tracked leaving Khmeimim for Moscow on Dec. 8, which further aligns with the timeline in the new statement attributed to Assad. Altogether, there are signs that the Syrian Airlines Il-76 at Khmeimim is YK-ATA and that Assad used that aircraft or the Yak-40 as part of his ultimate flight from the country on Dec. 8. The Il-76 could have been used to help spirit other assets, including regime riches, to Khmeimim and then out of the country. It would have been a top priority for Assad to get physical assets, including gold and currency reserves, to a safe place. The Assad family has already been reportedly squirreling away vast wealth overseas for years. There are reports that other former regime officials have been fleeing to the Russian base in order to get out of the country with the Kremlins help, as well. However, it remains unknown for sure whether or not it is YK-ATA at the Russian base. Syrian Airlines has four Il-76s in its inventory and no imagery has emerged so far clearly showing the registration on the example at Khmeimim. There is still a possibility that YK-ATA went elsewhere or came down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questions very much remain about what might happen to the Khmeimim Air Base, including the Syrian Airlines aircraft there, as well as Russias naval base at Tartus. The air and naval facilities are highly strategic facilities for the Kremlin that support operations beyond Syria. A substantial withdrawal of Russian forces from the country is underway, but it remains unclear whether or not they are leaving for good. Russian officials insist that they are still trying to hold on to their two prized bases, but there are unconfirmed reports that they could be ordered to vacate the country within a month. You can read more about what is known now about these deliberations in reporting here. The end of Assads regime has already provided the opportunity for unprecedented views of Khmeimim. Maybe now clearer imagery will emerge showing the Syrian Airlines Il-76s registration code to settle the question of whether this is the missing jet for good. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) criticized Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) for filing a lawsuit against a New York doctor for providing abortion care to a Texas patient via telemedicine. Last week, TX Attorney General Paxton attempted to expand his draconian crusade to control womens bodies by suing a New York OBGYN for providing abortion care to a Texas patient via telemedicine, Nadler wrote in a Tuesday statement on social platform X. This lawsuit is a outrageous attempt to intimidate New Yorks abortion providers out of providing lifesaving care to women who need it across the country, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton filed the lawsuit last week, and Texas bans surgical and medical abortions. However, Nadler warned the Texas attorney general that his efforts wouldnt stick in New York, which is the first legal test to see what happens when state abortion laws conflict with one another. AG Paxton doesnt know New Yorkers we wont be intimidated by bullies, Nadler wrote. New York has passed several interstate shield laws protecting our providers who are lawfully practicing abortion care, including through telemedicine. Margaret Daley Carpenter, a physician and co-founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine (ACT) in New York allegedly provided abortion medication to a 20-year-old pregnant woman in Collin County, Texas, which terminated her pregnancy after heavy bleeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxtons goal is to stop Carpenter from providing abortion care to Texas patients, requesting that she pay $100,000 for every violation of the states abortion ban. New York Attorney General Letitia James described Paxtons actions as unjust. Abortion is, and will continue to be, legal and protected in New York, she said. We will never cower in the face of intimidation or threats. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Four people, including one from Naperville, have been charged with stealing merchandise from the Nordstrom Rack store in Oak Brook, with one of the suspects allegedly punching and biting the officer as he was arresting her. Alanah Booker, 22, of the 300 block of West Ogden Avenue, Naperville, was taken into custody along with Shavaughn Johnson and DErrika Thrasher, both 18 and from Chicago, and a 16-year-old juvenile in connection with the alleged Friday night shoplifting incident, a news release from the DuPage County States Attorneys Office and the Oak Brook Police Department said. The adult suspects were charged with one count each of felony burglary and felony retail theft. Johnson also is facing one count of felony aggravated battery to a police officer, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group is reported to have gone into the Nordstrom store at 2155 W. 22nd St. about 8:35 p.m. and taken more than $300 in merchandise, including clothing, fragrances and Marc Jacobs gift boxes, the report said. They were taken into custody by Oak Brook police after they left the store, with Johnson allegedly striking the arresting officer in the chest and biting his right bicep, officials said. Booker, Johnson and Thrasher were released pending their next court appearance, scheduled for Jan. 6. They are prohibited from entering the Oak Brook Nordstrom Rack store while the case goes through court, the release said. The teen was charged with retail theft and burglary and released to the custody of her mother, the report said. It is alleged (these) defendants helped themselves to more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Nordstrom Rack store and simply walked out the door without paying, States Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. To make matters worse, it is further alleged that one of the defendants, Shavaughn Johnson, fought with and bit an officer as he placed her under arrest. I want to make it perfectly clear, as we are now in the heart of the holiday season, in DuPage County we will not tolerate any type of behavior that disrupts our businesses or threatens public safety. Design work has begun on a new Nashville Fire Department headquarters and Fire Station No. 2, Mayor Freddie O'Connell's office announced in a news release Tuesday. As part of the process, the headquarters currently spread across multiple separate facilities will make a temporary move to the office building formerly occupied by Bridgestone Americas' operations center at Global Mall, the shuttered retail center in Antioch that was the subject of various failed redevelopment attempts before the city purchased the property for $44 million in 2022. The current fire department headquarters address listed on the city's website is 63 Hermitage Ave. This marks the beginning of the process to bring one of Nashville's 40 fire stations back into action for the first time since 2019. Fire Station No. 2 near downtown Nashville was closed over safety concerns in late 2019; it was one of the oldest stations still in use at the time, having been built in 1974. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early 2023, Nashville's council approved $11 million in spending for the new headquarters as part of a larger one-time spending package. That plan calls for the headquarters to be built atop the new Fire Station No. 2. O'Connell's office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the combined facility will be constructed at the same site as the former station: 500 Second Ave. North. Joseph Pleasant, a spokesperson with the fire department, said on Tuesday that because the move to Global Mall is still in the planning phase, the fire department is not yet prepared to confirm exactly which divisions will be housed at the temporary location. Those details, as well as the timeline for relocating and a number of other factors, are still being finalized, Pleasant said. At the moment, Pleasant said, the fire department has personnel spread across the Howard Office Building, Cornelia Airpark, the current headquarters on Hermitage Avenue and at Metro Southeast, where the department's logistics division is located. The release notes that the fire department relocation caps a year of progress in implementing a new vision for the Global Mall site, which culminated in a master plan adopted earlier this year. Tuesday's release also provides a progress update on work at the mall property; demolition on the mall interior is slated to begin in the first part of 2025. The mayor's office previously suggested that demolition would have begun earlier this year. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Fire Department HQ makes temporary move to Global Mall ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) The Nashville Fire Department will temporarily move its headquarters to the site of the former Hickory Hollow Mall while the city works to design a new headquarters and Fire Station 2. According to a release from Mayor Freddie OConnell, the fire departments headquarters is currently located at multiple separate facilities. The department will take over the Bridgestone Building at the mall, which is the site of the former Sears store. The Nashville Fire Department is excited to announce our temporary relocation to the Global Mall at Hickory Hollow Parkway. Thanks to the support of multiple mayoral administrations, we have been able to expand our services to meet the growing needs of our community, Fire Department Director Chief William Swann said in a release. This growth includes increased demands on our Fire Marshals Office for inspections and our administrative staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Hickory Hollow Mall/Global Mall at the Crossings set for demolition The site is currently acquiring new zoning while readying the interior of the mall for demolition, according to a release. The Global Mall property provides us with the space needed to accommodate our expansion as we prepare for the construction of the new Fire Station #2 and the Nashville Fire Department Headquarters. I am grateful to Mayor OConnell, the Metro Planning Department, Councilmember Joy Styles, and Director Gerald Smith at Metro General Services who have helped us find a suitable location for a temporary headquarters.We look forward to continuing our mission and serving the community from our temporary home while building for the future. Mayor Freddie OConnell added, Weve worked very hard with the Antioch community to ensure the overall Global Mall site delivers what neighbors envision, want, and need. As an interim step, we can now put a core public safety function on site temporarily that activates one of the buildings. This is a safety and efficiency step that helps the surrounding area as we keep making longer term progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1978, Hickory Hollow Mall now known as Global Mall at the Crossings opened its doors to shoppers, becoming the Tennessees fifth mall and Antiochs main shopping hub. The space has set empty for years and in March of 2022, the city of Nashville purchased it for $40 million. New images show master plan for former Hickory Hollow Mall site The Metro Planning Commission adopted the Global Mall Master Plan in July 2024. The vision looks to transform the site into a mix-use, walkable center that promotes quality of life, economic opportunity, equity and environmental responsibility. According to the renderings, the plan would keep the library, community center, community college, KIPP school and Ford Ice Center, which already exist on the site. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville) (Courtesy: Metro Nashville) Several new additions, including cultural museums, art galleries, and a theater, will be added to the site to highlight the citys creative community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro already announced plans to build a transit center at the site since the mall sits along one of the busiest WeGo bus routes in the city. Demolition of the interior of the mall is slated to begin in the first part of 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 WKRN News 2. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A Nashville high school student was charged Tuesday in juvenile court for carrying a weapon onto school property. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The 16-year-old McGavock High School student was charged after the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) reported that a staff member saw him leaving his vehicle with an apparent rifle. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Police said the rifle-style pellet gun was recovered from the eleventh grade student. Officers also recovered a machete and a hunting knife from the vehicle. The student reportedly told the MNPD he had been on a hunting trip and was moving the gun from his backseat to his trunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Leonard Peltier (Photo/File) The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) in partnership with Indigenous leaders sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Monday, December 16, 2024 urging him to grant clemency to Leonard Peltier. Peltier, 80, who has spent nearly five decades in prison for crimes related to his involvement in the American Indian Movement (AIM). NACDL President Christopher A. Wellborn penned the letter on the Associations behalf, explaining that Peltiers case is a stark example of systemic racism and injustice within the criminal legal system. Mr. Peltier's conviction has been widely criticized as flawed and unjust. Despite the government's admission that it could not definitively prove his guilt, he remains incarcerated. This prolonged imprisonment, particularly for an elderly man in declining health, is a profound injustice, he writes. I implore you to act with courage and compassion and release Leonard Peltier. His freedom would be a beacon of hope for countless others who have suffered injustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NDN Collective has been a proponent in advocating for Peltiers release with Holly Cook Macarro, who leads Government Affairs for NDN Collective, speaking out against what she calls a historic wrong. The injustice of Leonard Peltiers long incarceration has inspired many voices to step forward and call for his release. President Biden has the opportunity to cement his historic legacy in Indian Country as our greatest President and right a historic wrong by granting clemency to Mr. Peltier, Macarro said. 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 Dec. 16The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has awarded a $260,000 grant to The Peregrine Fund to support critical habitat restoration efforts in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Park Service partners in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Peregrine Fund will use this funding to expand suitable habitats for several endangered and threatened species, including the Northern Aplomado Falcon, Eastern Black Rail, and Texas Botteri's Sparrow. "Huisache and mesquite trees have invaded native coastal prairie grasses that are essential nesting habitats for the Aplomado Falcon" said Ralph Duggins, Peregrine Fund Board member and former Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. "We are especially grateful to the National Park Service and to the Fish and Wildlife Service for their support on these restoration efforts." The National Park Service owns the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service owns Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The restoration project will target over 1,400 acres of public land at these sites currently impacted by invasive woody vegetation. Peregrine Fund biologists will conduct comprehensive monitoring of bird communities before and after restoration, enabling quantification of impacts on habitat improvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This grant represents a crucial opportunity to restore critical grassland ecosystems that have been systematically degraded over decades," said Brian Mutch, Peregrine Fund Aplomado Falcon Program Director, "By removing invasive vegetation and rehabilitating native prairie habitats, we're not just protecting individual species, but rebuilding entire ecological networks that are vital to biodiversity in South Texas." The Lower Rio Grande Valley, recognized as a "globally important bird area" by the American Bird Conservancy, is among the most ecologically vulnerable and biologically diverse regions in Texas. Restoration efforts associated with the NFWF grant will concentrate on Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park sites with historical significance for the Northern Aplomado Falcon and for rich biodiversity. "By focusing our habitat restoration efforts on these key sites, we not only improve our ability to bring the Aplomado Falcon back to a sustainable population size in their historic range but also support the numerous other grassland-dependent species that share the same ecosystem." said Paul Juergens, Vice President of Conservation Domestic Programs, The Peregrine Fund. The Peregrine Fund is grateful to NFWF for supporting this important initiative. NFWF's Board of Directors includes Texans Kit Moncrief and Ryan Lance. A National Guard soldier in Georgia is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing a man he found with the mother of his child. Natravien Landry, 25, of Abbeville, La., an Army National Guard soldier assigned to the 1148th Transportation Company at Fort Eisenhower, is charged with one count of murder, Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, said in a statement. The victim was identified by Fort Eisenhower as U.S. Army Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr., Stars and Stripes, WRDW, and The Augusta Press report. Fort Eisenhower did not immediately return a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our Fort Eisenhower team suffered a tragedy this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with a grieving family, Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, commanding general of the Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower, said in a statement obtained by Stars and Stripes. 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. On Saturday, Dec. 14, Landry allegedly visited the residence in post housing at Fort Eisenhower of a woman with whom Landry has a child, the U.S. Attorney said. Landry is accused of assaulting and shooting a man who was with the woman in her residence, and then leaving Fort Eisenhower, the U.S. Attorney said in the statement. Per an Army investigator's affidavit obtained by ABC News, Landry confronted a man who had spent the night at his ex's home, assaulting and fatally shooting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry was arrested about three hours later south of Atlanta on Interstate 85 during a traffic stop by the Meriwether County, Georgia, Sheriffs Office. Deputies recovered a 9 mm pistol during the stop, the statement alleges. The U.S. Marshals Service took Landry into custody and took him to the Lincoln County Jail to await a court hearing. Fort Eisenhower commanders issued a two-hour lockdown because of the shooting, WSB-TV reports. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry appeared in court on Monday, Dec. 17, for an initial appearance hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps in Augusta. He is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday for a detention hearing. Landry's attorney did not immediately respond to Peoples request for comment. Read the original article on People NATO fighter jets patrolling in the Baltic region were scrambled seven times last week to identify and intercept Russian aircraft that had violated flight rules. Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence reports that on 11 December, NATO fighter jets were scrambled to identify two Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft and one Il-20 aircraft, probably of this model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is noted that the planes were flying in international airspace from Russias Kaliningrad Oblast without filing a flight plan, with the onboard transponder switched off, and without radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. Last Thursday (12 December), NATO Air Policing aircraft were scrambled again to identify an IL-20, a Tu-214PU and an IL-18 passenger aircraft. These aircraft flew from Kaliningrad Oblast to mainland Russia or vice versa without filing a flight plan, and the IL-20 had no activated onboard transponder. On 13 December, NATO fighter jets were scrambled to identify an IL-76 military aircraft and two Tu-214 passenger jets flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia without filing a flight plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, 15 December, an An-72 cargo plane was identified as flying to Kaliningrad without filing a flight plan and with its onboard transponder switched off. The Alliance's Air Policing mission in the Baltic states is being carried out from Lithuania and temporarily from Latvia while the Estonian airbase is undergoing repairs. Background: Fighter jets performing NATOs Air Policing mission in the Baltic states intercepted Russian aircraft violating flight rules three times in one week in August 2024. Russian military aircraft were spotted and identified near Latvian airspace in early December during NATO patrol flights. Support UP or become our patron! A meeting between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will take place in Brussels on the evening of 18 December. Source: NATO press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: The meeting between Rutte and Zelenskyy is scheduled for Wednesday at the official residence of the NATO Secretary General in Brussels. The leaders will hold a press conference at approximately 19:00 local time (20:00 Kyiv time). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This announcement confirms earlier media reports regarding the anticipated meeting between Rutte and Zelenskyy in Brussels. Background: Zelenskyy confirmed in his evening address on 13 December that he would be travelling to Brussels for meetings, but provided no further details. Reuters had reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte plans to hold a separate discussion on the situation in Ukraine with leaders from Ukraine, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Poland on the sidelines of the Brussels summit on 18 December. Support UP or become our patron! NATO has assumed responsibility for coordinating Western military aid to Ukraine through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) center, Reuters reported on Dec. 17, citing its sources. The center, located at a U.S. military base in Wiesbaden, Germany, is now "fully operational." Established following the Alliances July 2024 summit in Washington, the organization aims to streamline training programs and the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It involves approximately 700 personnel, including troops stationed at NATO's SHAPE headquarters in Belgium and logistics centers in Poland and Romania. This shift marks a greater role for NATO in supporting Kyivs defense against Russias invasion. Diplomatic sources noted that the transfer of authority to NATO might have limited impact, as the U.S., under President-elect Donald Trump, could still reduce its support for Ukraine. Trump, who has signaled a potential reduction in U.S. aid, met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Dec. 7. While the meeting did not produce a specific peace plan, Trump advocated for an immediate ceasefire, while Zelensky stressed the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Who was Russian General Igor Kirillov, Ukraines latest assassination target? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The North Atlantic Alliance has taken over the coordination of Western military assistance to Ukraine from the United States after a several-month delay, as planned. Source: Reuters citing an unnamed source, as reported by European Pravda Details: This refers to the launch of the new NATO Security Assistance and Training Centre for Ukraine (NSATU), which was agreed upon by the Allied leaders at the summit in Washington in July 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centre, located at a US military base in the German city of Wiesbaden, is "fully operational, an unnamed source told Reuters. NSATU is expected to have a total strength of around 700 troops, including those stationed at NATO's SHAPE military headquarters in Belgium and logistics centres in Poland and Romania. NSATU, which is designed to coordinate training and weapons supplies to Ukraine, gives NATO a greater role in helping Kyiv defend itself against Russian invasion. Reuters' diplomatic sources, however, acknowledge that the transfer of authority to NATO may have limited effect, given that the US under Donald Trump may still reduce its support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who will take office in January 2025, has said that he wants to end the war in Ukraine quickly while also criticising the extent of US financial and military aid to Ukraine. Trump also recently assured that his team is working to end the war in Ukraine and has made some progress in this area. Support UP or become our patron! In a swift action, the Navajo council met in a special session Monday and approved a measure to remove Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch, voting without any discussion, debate or explanation. The legislation to oust Branch, introduced only recently, had passed through the Naabikiyati Committee on Thursday, again without any debate or discussion. In a statement after the vote, President Buu Nygren said the action to remove Branch without explanation to the Navajo people and public sends a message "that the Navajo Nation government is unstable, unreliable and subject to political tampering by a legislature that oversteps its policy-making role." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Nygren sought to force Vice President Richelle Montoya to resign, attempting to revoke her authority. He accused her of signing the ongoing recall petition aimed at removing him from office. In the mad rush on Monday to remove Branch, the Navajo Council placed the legislation onto a consent agenda alongside another measure. Items on a consent agenda can be passed without debate. After some confusion over rules and procedures, the council approved the legislation, leaving the government without its top law enforcement official. Deputy Attorney General Heather Clah will serve as Branch's replacement until the council appoints a new attorney general. Ethel Billie Branch is interim executive director of the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund. No explanation from measure's sponsor The attorney general is appointed by the Navajo Nation president and confirmed by the council. In accordance with Title II of the Navajo Nation Code, the attorney general and deputy attorney general serve at the pleasure of the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release, the council said the attorney general can be removed from the position with or without cause with a council vote. Tribal statutes confirm the council's claim. The legislation was sponsored by Council Delegate Eugenia Charles-Newton, who had previously introduced a bill to remove Navajo Nation Speaker Crystalyne Curley and select a new speaker for the 25th Navajo Nation Council. Charles-Newton, who lost to Curley in the race for the speaker position, ultimately withdrew that legislation. The key difference between Charles-Newtons legislation to remove Curley and the legislation to remove Branch is that, in Curleys case, Charles-Newton provided an explanation for the proposed removal. In Branchs case, neither Charles-Newton nor any other delegates have offered the public an explanation beyond what is stated in the legislation itself that the Attorney General works at the discretion of council and can be removed with or without cause. The Arizona Republic reached out to the speakers office requesting comment and explanation on why the removal and from Charles-Newton or any other delegate but no response has been provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of two days, Branch gained support online with the slogan #WeBackAGBranch, and people were asked to text their delegates and tell them to vote no on the legislation. Branch's last acts as AG While the Council was meeting to decide Branch's fate, Branch issued last-minute press releases to inform the public that an external counsel's preliminary investigation into the sexual harassment allegations against President Buu Nygren concluded that neither the claim nor the appointment of a Special Prosecutor was warranted. She also announced that her office had terminated the Navajo Nations legal contracts with the outside counsel Rothstein Donatelli LLP due to delays in receiving the investigation results. Finally, Branch sent out her last press release as Navajo Attorney General, stating she filed an application for special prosecutor with the special division of the Window Rock District Court to conduct an investigation and prosecution into serious allegations of misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Branch did not elaborate on the misconduct allegations, last month CKP Insurance the administrator for the Nations Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Program was accused by the Navajo Nation Council of retaliating against the decision to not renew their contract for 2025. The alleged retaliation included restricting access to the official program website and spreading misinformation after the Navajo Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture selected a different administrator for AIF benefits for Navajo farmers and ranchers. The Attorney General received information from a reliable source regarding possible misconduct or criminal activity directed at CKP Insurance and certain officials of the Nation that was sufficient to begin a preliminary investigation, she stated. The preliminary investigation indicated possible violations of federal and/or Navajo law, and a Special Prosecutor is now needed to carry out a full investigation. Nygren appointed Branch as attorney general, and after the council's action, he expressed his disappointment, especially after there was no discussion or debate on the matter. He noted that the legislation to remove Branch was sponsored by Charles-Newton, a social media critic of both the Attorney General and President Nygren with a penchant for reporting inaccurate information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney General Branch did a great job, he said. She delivered several of the most significant water rights settlement agreements in Indian Country to the council in only 19 months when two previous administrations couldnt get it done at all. Attorney General Branch has done an exemplary job that was clearly unappreciated by this council. Request for comment to Branch by The Republic was not returned. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Navajo Nation council ousts Attorney General Ethel Branch Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya. Photo Courtesy of April Hale After the announcement that the preliminary investigation of the sexual harassment allegations she voiced against her boss would require no future investigation, Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya said she wants the full report to be released to understand precisely how that conclusion came about. I expect to receive a full copy of the investigation report to come to my own conclusions, Montoya said because she wants to know what laws from the Navajo Nation guided the investigation and, ultimately, the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I will not rely on the summary of the investigation provided in a press release, she said, adding that she did receive an email that the full report would be shared with the public once it was shared with Navajo leadership. However, she doesnt know if she is included in that leadership, even though she is the vice president. She contacted Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch who was fired on Monday and requested the full report but has not received a response. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The eight-month investigation into the sexual harassment claims that Montoya made against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren concluded that the events that occurred did not constitute sexual harassment, and further investigation was not warranted, according to preliminary findings released Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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], investigators wrote. Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation Attorney Generals Office launched an outside investigation into the allegations in April after Montoya voiced her claims of harassment and bullying. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, Nygren confirmed in a press conference that Montoya was accusing him of acting improperly in a meeting in his office on Aug. 17, 2023. Montoya said the investigations alleged outcome shows that even high-ranking elected tribal officials claims of harassment can be dismissed and disregarded. President Nygren did harass me that day in his office, and he has been harassing me every day since, she added. He and his staff have created a hostile work environment for everyone to witness. In response to the preliminary investigation results, Nygren said in a press release that the allegations against him were nothing but a disgraceful power grab and an attempt to remove him as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the Arizona Mirror, Montoya said that is a laughable claim, and she has always made it clear to the president and his staff that she never intends to be president of the Navajo Nation. I was elected to be vice president, she said. Thats the job that I said I would do (and) thats the job that my constituents voted me to do. Ive never tried to grab for power or his position, she added. Montoya said she still goes to her office at the capitol in Window Rock, which is in the same building as the Navajo Nation Presidents office. However, she has only seen Nygren in passing and has not spoken to him directly since April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Nygren called for Montoyas resignation. She said she never considered resigning because she committed to her vice-presidential role when sworn into office in 2023. She said she plans to do her best until her term ends. It hasnt been easy, (but) I still do my job, Montoya said. She still focuses on the priorities she set out during her campaign, which include missing and murdered Indigenous relatives, implementing pet initiatives across the Navajo Nation and working with local chapter house leadership. Montoya said she continues to work on those projects, even after Nygren terminated her authority over any projects, and she hopes to add updating Navajo Nation policies and procedures to her list of projects because she wants to help protect people working on the Navajo Nation, not only in the government but with any entities on the reservation. Montoya said she did not have guidance on how to report what happened in August 2023. She said she sought help from Branch and other attorneys within the Navajo Nation government but received none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody knew what to do, she said, adding that the policies related to sexual harassment and misconduct on the Navajo Nation need to be updated. Montoya said a lot of people have reached out to her since April about their experiences of sexual harassment, and she feels it is unfortunate that this is the result of the investigation into her case. She said many have told her they have been told it did not happen or have been questioned about how they remember the traumatic event. She said that is what happened to her, but she knows what happened and how she felt back in August 2023. I know what I saw that day, Montoya said. (Nygren) wouldnt let me leave his office even though I asked four times, and I want other individuals out there to know that I believe them. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Following recent attacks on American shipping in the Red Sea, the United States said it struck back in a targeted operation near the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) on Monday said it had conducted a precision airstrike against a command facility operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Sanaa, Yemen. The targeted facility was a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Centcom said in a release. The strike reflects Centcoms ongoing commitment to protect U.S. and coalition personnel, regional partners, and international shipping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other details were provided. The Houthis earlier this month twice launched attacks on a trio of U.S.-owned and -flagged merchant ships and two U.S. Navy destroyer escorts. The missile and drone assaults were neutralized by the Navy with no casualties or damage reported. The U.S. and European Union have been providing a military presence to help protect shipping in the region. The violence in the Red Sea, a key route to the Suez Canal for the Asia-Mediterranean-U.S. East Coast shipping trade, has led carriers to divert vessels on longer routes around the Horn of Africa. Including the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, 164 ships have been attacked a total of 227 times from November 2023 through November 2024, according to the International Monetary Funds PortWatch. The attacks have claimed four lives, while two vessels and their crews remain in captivity, in Yemen and Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundamentalist Muslim Houthis seized approximately 40% of Yemen territory in 2014. The militia began launching attacks against what they say were merchant vessels linked to Israel following the start of the war in Gaza. Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here. Related coverage: Fitch upgrades container shipping outlook but not because of containers Trump again backs longshore union as possible port strike nears Apparel importers call for labor talks to resume, say port automation vital The post Near Red Sea, US forces strike Houthi base in Yemen appeared first on FreightWaves. LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) 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, the Nebraska Examiner reports. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Nebraskas minimum wage again increasing by $1.50 on January 1 Hilgers said the companys management runs afoul of legal responsibilities for protecting data. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Bird flu cases found in more Iowa counties 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural, critical access hospitals lost money because of the breach, he said, putting some in a cash-flow crunch. He 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KCAU 9 Morning Update 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASAs two stuck astronauts just got their space mission extended again. That means they wont be back until spring, 10 months after rocketing into orbit on Boeings Starliner capsule. NASA said Tuesday that a fresh crew needs to launch from Florida before Butch Wilmore and Needham native Suni Williams can return from the International Space Station. This new crew was supposed to launch in February, but SpaceX needs more time to prepare the brand new capsule for flight. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Court transcripts obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators reveal more about the scene of a deadly police shooting that resulted in the death of a 911 caller. A Clark County grand jury indicted Alejandra Boudreaux, 31, for four felony charges including home invasion with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon constituting domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, or endangerment, and fourth-degree arson. Las Vegas Metro police officer Alexander Bookman shot and killed 43-year-old Brandon Durham after Durham called 911 to report the home invasion on Nov. 11. Durham told a dispatcher that he was inside his home with his 15-year-old daughter and said he was locking himself in the bathroom. Fourteen seconds after breaking down Durhams front door, Bookman shot and killed Durham as he and Boudreaux struggled over a knife, video indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bookman discharged his weapon five times, according to grand jury testimony. Boudreaux wanted to die by suicide by cop, according to Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney John Giordani. At a grand jury reading Friday, Giordani acknowledged Bookman shot the wrong person. During grand jury proceedings, police said they found a propane tank used to destroy windshields on two vehicles parked outside the home, landscape rocks used to break windows at the home, two kitchen knives on the bathroom floor, and three stove burners that had been turned on. Detectives also found pills and an unidentified crystal-like substance with hypodermic needles in Durhams mancave, according to Detective Todd Fasulo, Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pre-toxicology report showed Durham had methamphetamine in his system, Fasulo testified. Detective Gilberto Valenzuela testified he interviewed Durhams daughter at the scene before she knew her father did not survive, and then Child Haven arrived and took custody of her. Police suspect Boudreaux broke into the home after Durham had police remove her from the property the night before. In an interview with police, Boudreaux said the pair had a casual sexual relationship. The charges indicate prosecutors suspect Boudreaux and Durham has had or was having a dating relationship, documents said. Boudreaux and Durham met on a dating app in October, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bookman spoke with both Boudreaux and Durham during the call for service on Nov. 10 the night before the home invasion and shooting, the 8 News Now Investigators reported. Boudreaux later left the property and took a rideshare to the airport. In an interview with police, Boudreaux said her ticket was canceled and she returned to Durhams home. Boudreaux said she broke in, turned on the stove, and grabbed two knives. She told investigators she was attempting to stab herself when she heard the officer fire the shots, documents said. The indictment means Boudreauxs criminal case automatically bypasses the justice court process where judges weigh probable cause before a case is transferred to district court. During a previous court hearing, Boudreaux flashed a photographer. She faces an additional charge of open and gross lewdness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boudreaux remains in custody on a $1 million bail. Boudreaux is also referred to as Robert Boudreaux in court documents. Bookman has not been charged in connection with the fatal shooting which remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. EDITORS NOTE: The contents of this article may be disturbing to some. Reader discretion is advised. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Day two of The State of Texas v. Francisco Morales saw law enforcement members, a woman who lived near the apartment where Jacob Hernandez died, a leasing agent and more testify. The trial resumed at approximately 8:49 a.m. in the 340th District Court of the Tom Green County Courthouse. Morales, who is accused of fatally shooting Hernandez while burglarizing the apartment of Hernandezs girlfriend, did not appear in court until 9:10 a.m., however, leading the court to attempt to proceed in absentia and revoke Morales bond. Judge Jay Weatherby called for trial with Morales present at 9:23 a.m., although Morales bond remained revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial began with the prosecution, led by District Attorney Allison Palmer, delivering its opening statement. According to the State, evidence presented in the trial would prove that Hernandez was shot and killed in the apartment of Crystal Ramirez, his girlfriend. The defense, led by Attorney Byron Hatchett, reserved its opening statement. Harley Williams, a San Angelo Police Department 911 dispatch supervisor, was then called by the State to testify. An audio recording of a 911 call made at approximately 3:22 a.m. the morning of the shooting incident was played during her testimony, with the caller stating that individuals had entered her home and shot her boyfriend. A Concho Valley Homepage reporter observed that the caller sounded panicked. Landon Terry, an SAPD patrol officer who was the first law enforcement member to arrive at the scene of the incident, was then called to the stand. Terry stated that he was dispatched to apartment 816 of the Nueva Vista Apartments during the morning of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stated that, upon arriving at the scene, he heard screaming. He said that he found a handgun on an outdoor staircase that appeared as if it was unloaded recently. When asked by the prosecution, Terry clarified that the gun could have been in this state due to having the ammunition removed from the firearm or due to the discharging of all bullets in the gun. Later in the trial, a separate law enforcement member who testified stated upon reviewing images of the handgun found at the scene that the firearms slide was in a locked position, indicating that it had been emptied through the firing of all bullets in the gun. The State then called Beatrice Ramirez, the occupant of a neighboring apartment residence who was at home during the time of the incident, to testify. Beatrice Ramirez stated that she became aware of the incident after hearing multiple gunshots, listening to people using an outdoor staircase located near her apartments door and noticing that there was a firearm near her door. She said she then called 911 to report what she observed. An audio recording of Beatrice Ramirezs 911 call was then played for the jury. During the recording, she could be heard stating that the gunfire was coming from apartment 816. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatrice Ramirez stated that she afterward went to apartment 816 and called out. She said that she observed Crystal Ramirez to be crying inside. She stated that she then descended the outdoor staircase to meet arriving law enforcement. Briana Chacon, a leasing agent of the Nueva Vista Apartments, was then called to the witness stand. Chacon stated that she gave surveillance footage recordings of the incident filmed by cameras at the apartment complex to law enforcement, adding that she also provided the State with floor plans of the complexs apartments as well as a layout map of the entire complex. Following Chacon, SAPD crime scene supervisor Robin Hooper was brought to testify. Hooper stated that she was dispatched to the Nueva Vista Apartments at approximately 3:25 a.m. in response to a shooting. She said that she conducted a gunshot residue test and a field gunshot residue test on Crystal Ramirez upon arriving at the scene, with the field test producing a negative result. Hooper said she then took photos of Crystal Ramirez to provide a record of her appearance and demeanor at the time of the incident, with Hooper stating that she looked distraught but did not have any visible injuries or blood on her person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hooper said she later took multiple photos and recorded videos of the scene of the incident. She also attempted to create a bullet trajectory reconstruction of the scene using bullet holes found at several points throughout the residence. Photos of the crime scene were then shown to the jury. Several of the photos depicted bullet holes and spent bullet casings found in select parts of the apartments interior, including the residences master bedroom, full bathroom and bedroom that was used by a child. One set of photos depicted what Hooper described as significant damage to the master bedroom doors locking mechanism. According to Hooper and photos presented during the trial, the mechanism was found to be bent and on the floor inside the master bedroom, while a faceplate for the door handle was located next to a dresser also within the master bedroom. Other photos depicted Hernandezs body. A reporter observed that the images showed Hernandezs body facing upward on a bed in the master bedroom, clothed with only a pair of blue undergarments. Blood from a bullet wound located in between the clavicles at the base of his neck was observed to be pooling on and staining his torso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hooper stated that blood splatter patterns observed on Hernandez and the floor of the master bedroom indicated that he was moving slowly and toward the direction of the bed, at one point stepping on an amount of his blood. Hooper said that, apart from the beds located within the apartment and the full bathroom, the apartment looked neat and tidy. Concho Valley Homepage will continue to bring you the latest in trial coverage. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, X or download the Concho Valley Homepage app from the App Store or Google Play for the newest information. Below are previous articles regarding this trial: Previous Trial Coverage Capital murder trial for Abilene man begins in San Angelo Pre-Trial Coverage 17 year-old arrested for homicide of Jacob Hernandez Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Update on homicide investigation from 2401 N Lillie on May 26th 2021 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Admiral Lord Nelsons final words were not kiss me, Hardy, an unearthed letter has claimed. The British naval hero is instead said to have declared thanks be to God as he died after being shot during his victory over the French and Spanish at Trafalgar in 1805. In the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy defeated a joint Franco-Spanish fleet, dealing a blow to Napoleons plans to take control of the English Channel and launch a land invasion of Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official account of the battle and Nelsons death recounts that his last words were, kiss me, Hardy, to Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, his flag captain. But in a letter to be auctioned on Wednesday, it is instead claimed that Nelsons final words were: Thanks be to God, I have but lived this day and now I die content. The account was written six days after Trafalgar by George Sievers, a petty officer who fought in the battle but was not present at Nelsons death, at the age of 47. A scene on board HMS Victory during the battle of Trafalgar at the moment Admiral Horatio Nelson was shot - Hulton Archive//Getty Images It also claims that Nelson was shot twice during the battle, not once as the official account records. Sievers was a master-at-arms on HMS Belleisle, second in the line of one of the two British columns, and wrote to his landlord from Gibraltar on Oct 27 1805. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord Nelson in the Victory engaged the French Admiral most closely, during the heat of the action his Lordship was wounded with a grapeshot in the side and was obliged to be carried below, he wrote. Immediately on his wound being dressed he insisted again on being brought on deck when shortly afterward he recd [received] a shot through his body he survived however till the evening: long enough to be informed of the capture of the French Admiral and of the extent of the glorious victory he had obtained. His last words were, Thanks be to God, I have but lived this day and now I die content. Nelson is held to be one of the greatest naval commanders in history and played a pivotal role in the Navy maintaining control of the Channel and preventing a French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also won victories at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797 and the Battle of the Nile in 1798, and was known for his bravery and tactical innovations. The letter is expected to fetch $2,000 (1,600) when it is auctioned by Bonhams New York - BNPS The two-page letter, addressed to Thomas Tunnard, adds: I have the satisfaction to inform you of a most complete victory gained by our Fleet over the combined fleet of France and Spain on Monday the 21st of October. When they commenced a most awful fire on us we were at first engaged by Eleven sail of the Line when we were totally dismasted they cut our Bowsprit in Pieces and dismounted a number of our Guns [and] left us a complete wreck. I am happy to inform you that after three hours in this dreadful situation I had the satisfaction to see one three Decker and two seventy fours strike to the Belleisle and one Frigate we sunk and every soul on board perished in the Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, which remained in the Tunnard family until 2005, is expected to fetch $2,000 (1,600) when it is auctioned by Bonhams New York. Darren Sutherland, Bonhams senior specialist of fine books and manuscripts in New York, said: This seamans account from aboard the Belleisle provides a fascinating look at the Battle of Trafalgar, as well as an important early description of the death of Nelson. The accepted version of his last words often includes kiss me, Hardy this particular construction has not been seen before and was conveyed within a week of his death. Although Sievers was not present on the Victory, he was on an adjacent ship and would have picked up the story very near the event. 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 spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rejected reports the Israeli leader was traveling to Cairo for negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. While the Biden administration said negotiations over recent days for a ceasefire have been productive, theres little word from Israels side of forward movement on a truce that would lead to the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Contrary to the wave of rumors, Prime Minister Netanyahu is not in Cairo, the spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Hill by Israels Embassy in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime ministers office further said Netanyahu had traveled to the border area between Israel and Syria, the Hermon ridge, to hold an assessment with Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Israels military and intelligence officials. Israeli forces have taken control of a demilitarized zone between Israel and Syria amid the ousting of alleged war criminal Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Biden administration over recent days has renewed efforts to achieve a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on Monday said negotiations have been productive in recent days. But he tempered optimism over a year of efforts to try to repeat a truce and hostage release that took place over a period of a week at the end of November 2023, when an estimated 100 hostages were released. We have continued to try to work with the other mediators to narrow the differences. We have been down this road so many times before, though, its hard to stand here and say were optimistic about it, because we are very much realistic about how difficult it has been to reach a deal, Miller said. There are really and this has been true for some time there are a very small number of differences that remain between the parties, and we continue to believe that those differences can be bridged. We continue to work to bridge those differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos will meet with President-elect Donald Trump at the president-elects Florida residence Mar-a-Lago, a source familiar with the meeting confirmed to TheWrap. CNNs Alayna Greene first reported news of the meeting. Trump is scheduled to meet with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos on Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago, a source familiar with the meeting tells me, she wrote on X. The visit comes as Trump has met with major CEOs in recent weeks. Hell meet later today with TikToks CEO, and is slated to meet w/Bezos on Wed. News: Trump is scheduled to meet with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos on Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago, a source familiar with the meeting tells me The visit comes as Trump has met with major CEOs in recent weeks. He'll meet later today with TikTok's CEO, and is slated to meet w/ Bezos on Wed Alayna Treene (@alaynatreene) December 16, 2024 A topic for the meeting has been shared. Sarandos and his wife, Nicole Avant, are longtime donors to the Democratic Party, and Avant served as President Barack Obamas Ambassador to the Bahamas during his first term in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has met with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, and Apple CEO Tim Cook in recent weeks. On Wednesday, Zuckerbergs Meta donated $1 million to Trumps second inaugural fund, despite having not donated to President Bidens inauguration or Trumps first inauguration in 2017. In November, MSNBCs Cup of Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, previously outspoken critics of Trump, also met with the incoming president. The visit was described by many as a betrayal; Brzezinski later said she was surprised by the negative backlash that followed. Sarandos visit follows news that Trump settled his defamation lawsuit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos. The news organization and anchor have agreed to publicly apologize, and ABC News will donate $15 million to a presidential foundation (which is often a presidential library or museum). The organization will also pay $1 million of Trumps legal fees as part of the settlement. News of the settlement was blasted by media pundits as an awful precedent and one more mainstream news organization bending the knee to the incoming administration. The post Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to Meet With Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday appeared first on TheWrap. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada Dreamers still have access to health plans through Nevada Health Link despite a court ruling issued last week, officials said on Monday. A U.S. District Court judge in Bismarck, North Dakota, dealt a setback to young adult immigrants in 19 U.S. states, temporarily blocking enrollment in health insurance through the Affordable Care Acts public marketplace. But that does not affect eligibility in Nevada, according to Nevada Health Link officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the Dec. 9 ruling by Judge (Daniel) Traynor, DACA recipients in Nevada remain eligible to enroll in coverage through the NevadaHealthLink.com marketplace, Russell Cook, Nevada Health Link executive director, said Monday. We encourage DACA recipients to enroll by Dec. 31 in order secure a Jan. 1, 2025, coverage start date. We also encourage Nevadans with questions about their eligibility, particularly those whose households might include DACA and non-DACA members, to contact a certified Nevada Health Link Navigator using our Find Local Assistance tool. Navigators can provide free assistance in both English and Spanish, Cook said. Dreamers is a nickname often used for young immigrants who qualify for protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It allows deferral of deportation, and individuals have to re-apply for protection every two years. But the terms arent interchangeable: Dreamers refers to the larger population of unauthorized migrants who arrived to the United States as minors, according to Nevada Health Link officials. See the document below: NVHL_LawfullyPresentCMSRuleChangeDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DACA recipients lost access to coverage in 19 states where Republican attorneys general sued to avoid having to comply with a Biden administration rule that allowed an estimated 147,000 immigrants to enroll. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, was not a party to that lawsuit. Traynors ruling will affect people in those 19 states until the matter can go to trial. Nevada Health Link officials promoted the access for DACA recipients as they launched this years open enrollment campaign on Nov. 1. At the time, officials acknowledged that access to coverage could change due to court challenges, and thats exactly what happened in some states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on health coverage available through Nevada Health Link, go to NevadaHealthLink.com. Officials said 17,815 people had actively shopped for and enrolled in plans during November, the first month of open enrollment, which continues through Jan. 15. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Texas may join several states in legalizing recreational marijuana if a bill is passed in the next legislative session. If passed, the bill would let adults ages 21 and older possess, use and transport marijuana for personal use, up to 2.5 ounces. Up to ten ounces of marijuana could be possessed legally if stored in a secure location. It would also require cannabis products to be clearly labeled and have child-resistant packaging, WFAA reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas) filed the bill in November, to be considered during the next legislative session. The next session runs from Jan. 5 to June 2, 2025. If the bill passes, it will go into effect Sept. 1, 2025. The bill would have limitations. Smoking marijuana in public would remain illegal, as would smoking in a vehicle on a public road. Texas would join 24 other states in legalizing recreational marijuana. The Lone Star State established a medical marijuana program through the Compassionate Use Program in 2015 and is among the 38 states that allow it for medical use. However, it's unlikely that the new bill will be passed as Texas officials continue to tighten regulations on marijuana issues statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are also reading: Why a Texas House candidate says 'it's high time' to legalize marijuana Recreational marijuana bill filed after Texas AG files lawsuit against Dallas Around the time Rep. Gonzalez filed the bill, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton added Dallas to the list of cities he is suing for the decriminalization of cannabis. The lawsuit came shortly after 67% of Dallas voters approved Proposition R, also known as the "Dallas Freedom Act." The law amends the city's charter and prevents police from arresting or citing individuals for possessing up to 4 ounces of cannabis, except in cases involving felony investigations tied to violence or narcotics. The measure also prohibits officers from using the smell of cannabis as probable cause for searches or seizures and restricts city funds and resources from being used to test cannabis-related substances to determine whether they meet the legal definition of cannabis. Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference at the Price Daniel State Office Building on Friday May 26, 2023. Before the vote, Dallas had been one of the largest U.S. cities that had not decriminalized cannabis possession. Texas Lt. Gov. moves to ban sale of all THC products Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, greets then-President Donald Trump at the foot of Air Force One at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2019. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is on the right. Just weeks ago, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick launched an effort to pass Senate Bill 3, which would ban all forms of consumable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from being sold, according to a news release from his office. As president of the Senate, Patrick has a strong influence over which legislation is heard. The bill's low number suggests it will be among the first to be debated in the next legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Proposed Texas bill would ban sale of all THC products, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Newly filed bill could make weed legal in Texas if passed On the snowy sidewalk of a drab residential street in Moscow, blood, soot and the mangled remnants of an electric scooter marked the spot where a top Russian general was assassinated and signaled a potentially dangerous new phase of the war in Ukraine. Coming just over a month before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the bombing that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov and his assistant on Tuesday was widely attributed to Ukraine, which stopped short of a formal claim of responsibility but quietly let the role of its security services be known. Kirillov, 54, was the highest-ranking Russian military figure to die outside the battlefield since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. With the U.S. president-elect vowing to bring a swift end to the fighting, analysts say both sides are scrambling to inflict heavy blows aimed at achieving maximum leverage in any upcoming negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a new chilling stage in this war, former Ukrainian government minister Tymofiy Mylovanov wrote on X, casting the killing as part of an apparent retaliatory campaign in which Russia has similarly targeted Ukrainian military officials. Russian state media cited investigators as saying the early-morning blast that killed Kirillov and his assistant an act of suspected terrorism was triggered by an explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance to an apartment building. Ukrainian officials had made it abundantly clear they considered Kirillov a legitimate target. Only a day earlier, authorities in Kyiv lodged charges in absentia against the general, accusing him of ordering the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Read more: Wartime Ukraine waits to see what's in the 'surprise box' of Trump presidency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration too had linked Kirillov to Russias use of the chemical agent chloropicrin a poison gas dating to the trenches of World War I against Ukrainian troops on the front lines in the countrys south and east. The State Department, joined at various points by Britain, Canada and New Zealand, imposed sanctions over Moscows alleged violation of the three-decade-old Chemical Weapons Convention. In his capacity as chief of Russia's radioactive, biological and chemical defense forces, the general had often publicly turned international accusations back against his accusers, claiming the Ukrainian military employed toxic agents and plotted to carry out attacks with radioactive materials. Ukraine and its backers denied those claims. As it has at many key points in the war, Russia vowed harsh retaliation for the killing. The deputy head of the Kremlins Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, pledged there would be imminent retribution in kind against senior Ukrainian figures. Russias United Nations mission said it would bring the matter before the Security Council, of which it is a permanent member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: News Analysis: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin: A much-scrutinized relationship is back in the spotlight Some analysts pointed out that the killing was a likely prelude to talks in which Russia and Ukraine will each desperately seek to avoid negotiating from a position of perceived weakness. I think its a significant escalation, analyst Ian Bremmer said of the killing, citing Kirillovs rank and importance. In an analysis posted online for his GZERO Media, Bremmer suggested that escalatory moves by both sides in the conflict probably reflected the belief that negotiations are coming soon. The killing of Kirillov was particularly audacious and high-profile but not an unprecedented attack. Last week, Moscow was also reportedly the scene of the apparent targeted killing of a top engineer of its cruise missiles, deployed with the aim of sowing havoc and death in Ukrainian cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those attacks on civilian targets have increased in tempo and intensity in recent weeks, often targeting Ukraines power grid as cold weather tightens its grip. On the battlefield, outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces are increasingly beleaguered. In a bloody war of attrition on the eastern front, Russian forces have steadily gained ground. In addition, a slice of Russian territory that Ukraine captured in a surprise late-summer incursion has been shrinking in size, with Russia using North Korean troops to augment the push to regain ground in the Kursk region. Read more: Why has North Korea sent troops to help Russia fight Ukraine? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps election victory in November sent tremors of dread across Ukraine, where people had closely tracked his campaign-trail commentary denigrating billions of dollars in crucial Western assistance to Kyiv. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly turned his attention to a public relations campaign of sorts, seeking to persuade Trump that there were distinct advantages from personal prestige to potential access to Ukraines mineral wealth in avoiding capitulation to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president-elect and Zelensky spoke this month in Paris, a meeting brokered by French President Emmanuel Macron when the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders both attended the grand reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, which had been ravaged by fire in 2019. Even before taking office, Trump has rattled nerves in Ukraine and among U.S. allies over the prospect of withholding crucial support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine considered it a significant breakthrough last month when President Biden, after months of public pleas from Zelensky, reversed course and gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles for strikes against military targets deeper inside Russian territory. On Monday, at a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump called that decision stupid and suggested he would reverse it. Hours after the targeted bomb blast against Kirillov in Moscow, Zelensky, speaking remotely to the summit of a regional alliance, did not mention the generals killing. But he cited the expectation that negotiations might come soon. We all understand that next year could be the year this war ends we must make it happen, the Ukrainian leader said. But he added: We need to establish peace in a way that Putin can no longer break. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Throughout his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised national prosperity and global peace, saying he would quickly drive down the cost of groceries in local supermarkets and bring deadly overseas wars to an abrupt end. He echoed that rosy message during a wide-ranging news conference Monday, saying his second term "will be the most exciting and successful period of reform and renewal in all of American history, maybe of global history." "The Golden Age of America, I call it," he said. "It's begun." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then again, maybe not. Trump also offered a caveat a warning that things could go badly wrong, such as when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted "out of nowhere" during his first term in office. "We hope we don't have any intervening problems," he said, "because things happen." The remarks were the latest example of Trump's idea of himself as the strongman fixer of all the world's problems running headlong into his penchant for pessimism for casting the world as a dangerous place, the nation as a crumbling wreck and himself as the undeserving victim of political ill will and plain bad luck. Since his victory last month, those dueling worldviews have collided repeatedly, as he has softened the assured rhetoric of his stump speeches, walked back some of his more grandiose campaign promises and doubled down on some of his more dire warnings about a future filled with chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his victory speech, Trump said he would "govern by a simple motto: Promises made, promises kept. We're going to keep our promises. Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you, the people." During a more recent interview with Time magazine, Trump cast fresh doubt on his ability to bring down grocery prices a key campaign promise by saying, "Its hard to bring things down once theyre up." After a campaign that spent millions on ads about the alleged threat posed by the nation's small population of transgender people, he also suggested the issue has been overblown, saying "it gets massive coverage, and it's not a lot of people." Read more: Trump promises to 'save' America with mix of lofty, vague, legally dubious policies During his Monday news conference, Trump said he'd recently had a "very good conversation" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is leading a brutal campaign against Hamas in Gaza and beyond, and that he believes "the Middle East will be in a good place" soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he also said that if hostages taken from Israel during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that precipitated the war aren't returned by his inauguration on Jan. 20, "all hell's going to break out." Asked to clarify, he simply said: "It won't be pleasant." Trump also said that Russia's war on Ukraine which he promised to end in a day during the campaign, saying "Ill have that done in 24 hours" will be "actually more difficult" than addressing the Middle East tensions. He said the fighting was producing the "worst carnage this world has seen" since World War II, and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must be "prepared to make a deal" with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked directly if he thinks Ukraine should "cede territory" to Russia in that deal, he said he would let people know once he takes office and begins having meetings as president. Then he suggested the territory isn't worth fighting over. "There are cities that there's not a building standing. It's a demolition site. There is not a building standing," he said. "So people can't go back to those cities. There's nothing there. It's just rubble." According to historians and experts in political speech, Trump's wildly vacillating rhetoric is unique among presidents many of whom have overpromised or shifted positions, but few so wildly. "The president-elect has spoken on both sides of so many issues that it's impossible to know what he will do after being inaugurated. It's a brilliant strategy, leaving him free to move in any direction," said H.W. Brands, a prominent historian, author and history professor at University of Texas at Austin. "His predecessors, wherever they are, must be watching in envy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brands noted that Trump has less of a mandate than he claims, having won but not by much and failing to secure a popular majority. His "margin of error is slim," Brands said. Read more: Trump says it was 'stupid' for Biden to let Ukraine use U.S. weapons to strike deeper into Russia But as long as his "appeal to his base remains firm," Brands said, "he will continue to be largely immune from ordinary expectations of political leaders." One limit, Brands said, is that "the longer he is in government himself, the less persuasive his efforts to blame government for what his base doesn't like." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania and co-author of "Presidents Creating the Presidency: Deeds Done in Words," which considers how presidents have defined the office through their speech, said Trump "lives in an all-or-nothing world," and it is reflected in his stark pronouncements about the direction of the country and the world. "Trump on average is far more hyperbolic than candidates have traditionally been," she said. Presidents and presidential candidates of all stripes "routinely claim that they will do something that they actually can't do alone, that requires Congress," Jamieson said such as Vice President Kamala Harris promising to sign a bill that would restore the protections of Roe vs. Wade. "That's a routine part of presidential discourse, that's not unusual," Jamieson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump does something different, she said, in that he promises to accomplish things that are "completely unrealistic," then works to "reframe" the promise in the eyes of his followers once he fails to fulfill it. His first-term promise that Mexico would pay for a border wall, for example, morphed into a promise Mexico would pay for a piece of the wall, then transformed into an argument that Mexico had in fact paid for the wall by agreeing separately to deploy troops to the border. Trump is able to get away with such shifts for a few reasons, Jamieson said. One is that he has made good on other big promises, like overturning Roe vs. Wade. Another is that his followers understand and accept his speech as bluster "not as literal statements" but as "statements that he is going to do something that is bigger and more impactful than what other people are going to do," Jamieson said. That Trump has already started walking back promises about the economy is new, she said, adding that she will be interested to see how he handles the other economic promises he has made about decreasing or eliminating taxes including the federal income tax, tax on tips and tax on Social Security benefits and increasing tariffs without costs being passed on to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unless mainstream economists are wrong," Jamieson said, "that's impossible." One of the first major opportunities for Trump to describe his view of the world heading into his second term will be his inauguration. Presidents have traditionally offered a hopeful view of the country at inaugurations, but not Trump. He shocked many political observers during his first inaugural speech in 2017, when he spoke of "American carnage" and a suffering nation. During a recent interview with NBC, he said "carnage" would not be his message this time around, but "unity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some experts, including Jamieson, were doubtful, as unity messages have not come easily to Trump before. "It's as if he only has one mode, it's campaign mode, and he only has one focus, it's himself," Jamieson said. Unity speeches are generally "centered on something other than yourself," she said, "and he seems to have trouble with it." 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. Late in December 2023, the former top editor of The New York Times editorial page, James Bennet, dropped a bombshell in an article for The Economist. The leadership of the New York Times is losing control of its principles, he wrote, saying slanted coverage at the institution is pervasive. In the article, Bennet talked about the pressures driving what he called liberal bias at one of the worlds most influential newspapers. While recounting his final days at The New York Times he resigned amid controversy in 2020 over an op-ed by Republican Senator Tom Cotton he also discussed what economists call demand- and supply-side factors behind the rise of media bias. Demand-driven bias happens when newspapers offer slanted news to appeal to readers. Supply-driven bias stems from the ideological leanings of owners or employees. Bennet indicated that both had influenced decision-making at The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be fair, not everyone agreed with Bennets diagnosis not least the current leadership at The New York Times. But people across the political spectrum tend to agree that media bias is a problem, and not just at the Times. I wanted to understand which cause of bias mattered more: supply or demand. So I did an experiment. Why I read 100,000 articles As an economist who specializes in the economics of digitization, Ive long been captivated by how new technology empowers editors with unprecedented control. For example, in the old days, it was nearly impossible for newspapers to update their front pages after they had been laid out; if you wanted to make a change, you needed to literally stop the presses. But the rise of digital platforms lets editors make updates on a minute-by-minute basis. That helps certain stories remain in the spotlight, subtly guiding public discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, together with my colleague Koleman Strumpf at Wake Forest University, I looked at how this plays out in two of Americas leading newspapers: The New York Times, which people commonly believe leans left, and The Wall Street Journal, which is often viewed as leaning right. We analyzed more than 100,000 articles from both newspapers, as well as 22 million tweets linking to them, to tease out the factors that influence how long articles remain on digital homepages. By controlling for demand-side preferences as measured by the number of times each story was shared on Twitter, which we used as a proxy for reader interest we found that supply-side biases were a big factor behind articles being kept on a homepage. In other words, newspapers kept stories prominently placed based on their own political preferences rather than because people were reading it. Two examples from The New York Times Using a machine learning approach, we assigned political scores to each article, with the most Republican-leaning articles scored as zero and the most Democratic leaning as one. We found that both tweet counts and a publications ideological leanings affect how long a given article is kept on the homepage. To illustrate, consider two stories from The New York Times. The first, For Many Who Marched, Jan. 6 Was Only the Beginning, published on Jan. 23, 2022, had a clear liberal-leaning tone, describing the event as the worst attack on American democracy, garnering it a pro-Democrat score of 0.93. The article was published at 3 a.m., featured on the homepage by 6 a.m., garnered around 200 tweet shares by noon, and stayed on the homepage for more than two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contrast this with the second article, At Least 46 Migrants Found Dead in Tractor-Trailer in San Antonio, published on June 27, 2022. This piece had a more conservative-leaning tone, highlighting Texas Governor Greg Abbotts criticisms of President Joe Biden. The story, which got a pro-Democrat score of just 0.22, was published at 9 p.m., immediately featured on the homepage, and received more than 600 tweet shares within two hours. However, despite its strong engagement, it was removed from the homepage within the next hour. Media bias as a larger phenomenon Of course, unrelated issues like competition from breaking news could have affected how those two articles were placed. But they werent isolated cases. We found that on the whole, articles aligning with the political leanings of their respective newspapers liberal for The New York Times and conservative for The Wall Street Journal tend to remain on the homepage longer, even after accounting for their popularity. This photo was taken in 1969, but The Wall Street Journal has had a reputation as conservative for even longer than that. Keystone-France via Getty Images This is clear evidence of supply-driven media bias. Editorial choices arent just a response to reader demand; they reflect a publications ideological leanings. This influences which stories get highlighted, and which narratives dominate public discourse. (The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal did not respond to requests for comment as of publication time.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Determining whether media bias is caused by supply or demand issues isnt just an academic game. It has profound real-world implications. Most important, it can help the public understand how competition in the media industry affects bias. If bias is mostly about publications responding to demand, more competition could actually make the problem worse, as outlets vie to cater to the specific preferences of their audiences. On the other hand, if bias is largely supply-driven, competition could be a corrective. Thats because in a competitive market, media outlets have incentives to appeal to the broadest possible audience, which means bias is bad for business. The recent waves of consolidation in the media industry, coupled with the noticeable rise in perceptions of media bias over the past decade, seems to support the supply-side argument. As fewer companies control more of the media landscape, outlets have less of an incentive to maintain a broad, unbiased approach. Tin Cheuk Leung receives funding from Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition (CTIC) from the University of Pennsylvania and the Knight Foundation for another project unrelated to the story. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced the departure of his chief of staff Dana Williamson and tapped Nathan Barankin, a former aide to Vice President Kamala Harris, as the fourth person to fill the top job in six years. The Democratic leader is making the switch from one seasoned Sacramento operator to another with added experience in Washington as he begins his final two-year stretch as California governor and speculation mounts about his political future. I greatly appreciate Danas counsel and her service to the state and the people of California over the last two years," Newsom said in a statement. Im honored to welcome Nathan his leadership and vision will ensure our administration continues delivering on our promise to create a more affordable, healthy, and prosperous California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barankin, who is married to Newsom's Cabinet secretary Ann Patterson, left his consulting firm and joined the governor's office two months ago as a senior advisor in an elongated transition. He served as a senior advisor to Harris during her failed 2020 presidential bid, as her chief of staff in the U.S. Senate and worked as her right hand in the California attorney general's office. Compared to prior governors, Newsom has experienced particularly high staff turnover. Each of Barankin's predecessors in Newsom's office held the fast-paced and demanding role for about two years. "It's a high-burnout job," said Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist who worked for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and described Barankin as a "well-experienced, even-keeled, steady hand." "I can't think of who would have been a better choice," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor surprised California politicos in 2018 when he hired Ann OLeary, a Washington, D.C., policy veteran and longtime aide to Hillary Clinton, as his first chief of staff despite her lack of familiarity with Sacramento. O'Leary stepped aside after lifting his administration off the ground, battling against then-President Trump and managing the state's response through the first turbulent year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more: Gov. Gavin Newsom's chief of staff leaves as new top advisor joins his team Newsom went in the opposite direction when he hired Jim DeBoo, a veteran political operative with experience working inside and outside California government, as O'Leary's replacement at the end of 2020. DeBoo helped stabilize the governor's relationships with lawmakers and interest groups and navigate the state's path to post-pandemic normalcy. He guided Newsom's team as the governor survived a GOP effort to recall him from office in 2021 and sailed through his 2022 reelection to a second term. Williamson joined Newsom's office in DeBoo's stead in early 2023 with a reputation as a smart and tough Cabinet secretary to former Gov. Jerry Brown. She took over at a time when California's budget outlook swiftly changed from surplus to shortage and Newsom was forced to cut programs and delay funding for some of his policy promises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She led the governor's political fight with the oil industry, facilitated deals between business and labor over fast-food workers' wages and workplace lawsuits and provided a steady hand in Sacramento while Newsom traveled around the country during the 2024 presidential election. Its always hard to leave this work, but in two short years, weve made a lasting impact," Williamson said in a statement. "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. Read more: Gov. Gavin Newsom loses top aide, taps two key advisors Barankin takes the reins as Newsom braces for battle against the incoming Trump administration over abortion access, climate change programs and disaster assistance, among other anticipated tussles and the potential loss of billions in federal funding that threatens to worsen California's grim future budget outlook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new chief of staff will also face the charge of cementing a positive legacy for the 40th governor of a state beset by homelessness, a housing crisis and other big-picture problems, while Newsom sets himself up for a possible run for president in 2028. I am deeply humbled to step into this role at a time of both challenge and opportunity," Barankin said. "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. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) The Newton Police Department is still investigating the incident that led to a school bus being evacuated on Friday. Someone punctured a can of Axe body spray, and the fumes forced the bus driver to pull over and get the children off the bus. The bus stopped on South Kansas Avenue near Southeast 14th Street. The City of Newton initially believed 64 students were evacuated, but only 37 students were on the bus at the time of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the City, the driver told the students to stay with the bus, but most of the kids scattered. Only 7-8 students stayed, and they were taken home on the bus. The others walked home, were picked up by police, or got other rides. All made it home safely. DOE says it will no longer pursue transmission corridor in Kansas There is video footage from the bus. The police department is in the process of obtaining it and audio evidence. Investigators are also interviewing the bus driver and each student. We understand parents frustration, Chief Craig Dunlavy said in a news release on Monday. We all want to know exactly what happened, but this will take some time to investigate thoroughly, especially with so many juveniles involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our primary focus on Friday was for the safety of all the kids. Now we have time to have more in-depth conversations and examination of the evidence. Were investigating this like any other potentially criminal act, he continued. Dunlavy credits Walmart staff for helping to round up children who went to the store. Store staff helped gather the kids at customer service to be taken home. USD 373 said that the investigation is ongoing and that the school district will reach out to the families impacted by the incident regarding potential witness interviews. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch Happy Tuesday! We were shocked to find out that the bald eagle isnt already the national bird of the United States, but thankfully a bill is now headed to President Joe Bidens desk to rectify this grave error . Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories Ukrainian officials said Monday that North Korean troops fighting for Russia had taken heavy losses in the region of Kursk, the first reported casualties for the Russian ally. Both Ukraine and the Pentagon believe that roughly 12,000 North Korean soldiers are present in Kursk after the Kremlin deployed them to help take back the Russian region partially occupied by Ukrainian forces during an August offensive. As weve said all along, those forces are legitimate military targets for the Ukrainians given that they are engaged in active combat ops, said Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. The United States launched airstrikes Monday targeting Islamic State camps in Syria as part of the ongoing mission to degrade the terror groups capabilities. The strikes killed 12 ISIS operatives in territory formerly controlled by the Assad regime and Russia, according to U.S. Central Command. CENTCOM, working with allies and partners in the region, will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria, CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement. German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs minority government lost a confidence vote Monday, forcing an early election for the parliament in February. Scholz, the leader of center-left Social Democrats, had led a three-party coalition with the centrist Free Democrats and the progressive Greens until its collapse in November when he fired Free Democrat Finance Minister Christian Lindner. The parties agreed on February 23 for an early election, leading to Mondays vote, which now allows President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve parliament. A 15-year-old female student shot a teacher and another student Monday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. The shooter also died, according to police. Another six people were injured, including two students who are currently in critical condition. The shooters motives are currently unknown. The White House said Monday that a rash of drone sightings over New York and New Jersey in recent weeks was caused by the ordinary operations of commercial, hobbyist, and law enforcement drones. Some of its manned, some of its unmanned. We absolutely acknowledge that a lot of these are probably drones, but theyre flying legally, said White House adviser John Kirby. Officials reviewed more than 5,000 tips from civilians, and only 100 of which prompted further examination, they said. Justice Department officials said Monday that two men had been arrested under suspicion of exporting sensitive drone technology to Iran. An Iran-backed militia then used that technology in a January attack that killed three U.S. servicemembers in Jordan. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual Iranian-American citizen who prosecutors say worked at a Massachusetts semiconductor plant, was arrested in that state on Monday. Prosecutors allege that he worked with Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, an Iranian national who owns a drone systems company with alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, to bypass U.S. export laws and funnel drone technology through a Swiss front company into Iran. Tiktoks CEO Shou Chew met Monday with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago shortly after the company asked the Supreme Court to rule on the legislation that could ban the social media app in the United States. I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it, Trump said during a press conference earlier on Monday. During this years presidential campaign, Trump also said he would save Tiktok even though he sought to ban the app during his first term. The Challenges Facing Syrias New Leaders A man burns a picture of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad close to Syria's border with Lebanon. (Photo by Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) In front of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus last week, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group behind the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assads dictatorial regime, hailed a new era for his country. This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation, said Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani. This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region, a history fraught with dangers (that left) Syria as a playground for Iranian ambitions, spreading sectarianism, stirring corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS has tried to portray itself as the legitimate and tolerant state authority in a religiously and ethnically diverse country that has been wrenched by war for more than a decade. But two key questions hang over the group. How committed is it to a non-sectarian, non-authoritarian, government? And can it actually stabilize Syria while other regional powers like Turkey jockey for influence? Those questions are still very much open. When Assad fled Syria on December 8, the geopolitical ground shifted underneath the country of 23 million, and the former regimes two top foreign allies, Iran and Russia, suffered a severe setback. Iran lost a pillar in its axis of resistance and a friendly host for its proxy Shiite militias. Assads Syria also served as a crucial supply corridor to Hezbollah and Hamas, funneling arms and cash to the terrorist groups. That route is now gone, and thousands of Iranian military personnel and diplomatic staff have been evacuated from the country. Russia, Assads other largest international backer, has also suffered embarrassment. Its currently in the middle of a large-scale withdrawal of its forces from Syria, including its Mediterranean naval base in Tartus. Russian officials are reportedly scrambling to find a home for their departing naval assets in Libyas port of Benghazi, but Moscow could potentially be left without direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Russia and Iran both making fast retreats, HTS has signaled a pivot toward stability rather than continued revolution. Al-Sharaa announced in an interview on Sunday there will be no military conscription, and the new regime will focus on reconstruction. He said there will be immediate efforts to rebuild destroyed homes and return refugees, and that all factions will be dissolved and there will be no weapons except in the hands of the state. HTS has also said that its committed to a new, religiously tolerant state. No one has the right to erase another group, al-Sharaa said in an interview earlier this month with CNN. These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them. A new caretaker government has been appointed under the leadership of Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir. Al-Bashir led the Syrian Salvation Government in northern Idlib province, the center of power for HTS and its coalition, and will lead a group of ministers from that same body. Set up to keep basic government services running, the caretaker administration has said it will remain in power until March. Political leadership, then, will be in the hands of HTS allies, but al-Bashir said last week that hes working with government officials and civil bureaucrats from the previous government to help ensure continuity of government, perhaps signaling purges may not be on the horizon. Some countries have begun cautiously reaching out to the new government. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the American government had made direct contact with HTS on Saturdaythe group remains a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization and the FBI still has a $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa. British Foreign Minister David Lammy, meanwhile, announced that the United Kingdom had opened diplomatic ties with HTS and noted that HTS remained a proscribed terrorist organization, but we can have diplomatic contact and so we do have diplomatic contact. International observers are waiting to see whether HTS more recent pronouncements are genuine or part of a facade of moderation. In a meeting in Jordan this weekend, diplomats from the United States, the Arab League, Turkey, the EU, the U.K., and the U.N. (but absent Syrian representatives), produced the Joint Statement on Syria, a document calling for an inclusive, non-sectarian, and representative government, stressing respect for human rights, including for women and minorities, and emphasizing combating terrorism and extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria finally has the chance to end decades of isolation, the group said. How can you not be an optimist? Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin, who has reported extensively on Syria, told Jamie Weinstein on Mondays episode of The Dispatch Podcast. Rogin argued that while HTS may be a terrorist group, it being only one part of a larger coalition and its willingness to hand off power are good signs. Is it better or is it worse? Its better, he said, referring to life in Syria under the former regime. Assad was worse. He was the worst thing you can imagine, a mass murdering, atrocity-driven dictator who was friends with Iran, friends with Hezbollah, friends with Russia. But other observers are more skeptical of HTS. A reformed al-Qaeda group is a group that doesnt behead Christians, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Michael Rubin, who has spent time in Kurdish-controlled parts of Syria, told TMD. They only put them in prison. [Al-Sharaa] can say the right things, but then if some of the groups underneath him do the opposite, HTS could simply be playing a game of good-cop, bad-cop, Rubin argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups recent governing record in Idlib province, which it has controlled for years, lends some credence to Rubins perspective. HTS authorities confiscated hundreds of properties of Christians, Druze (a small, idiosyncratic religious group that broke off from Islam), and Alawites (a Shia sect of which the Assads are members), with the latter two groups reportedly facing forced conversions. Some regional actors arent waiting to see how things shake out. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted nearly 300 strikes in Syria over the weekend, targeting military installations and weapons depots. IDF troops also moved into the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. Israeli officials have said that these operations are meant to deny extremists access to Syrian military stockpiles of heavy weapons and poison gas. The Israeli government also announced plans to double the population of the Golan Heights, in an effort to fortify the new front. Israelis arent quite sure what to make of HTS, Raphael Cohen, the director of the Strategy and Doctrine Program at the RAND Corporation, told TMD. Theyre happy that Assad is gone, and theyre happy that Hezbollah loses a line of communication, but if it means a whole bunch of high-powered weaponry, chemical weapons, and advanced missiles falling into the hands of terrorists, theyre less happy about it. Israels airstrikes and forward deployments are attempts to get ahead of this eventuality, argued Cohen. With their recent lightning successes against Hezbollah and Iran in mind, Israeli officials likely see pre-emptive strikes against Syrian targets as a way to keep their various foes on the back foot. But Israeli strikes also risk delegitimizing HTS as it attempts to consolidate control, which could lead to a chaotic Syria on Israels doorstep yet again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HTS has little ability to respond to Israels moves. Syrias war-weary condition, after years of conflict and war, does not allow for new confrontations, al-Sharaa said in a TV interview Saturday. The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability, not being drawn into disputes that could lead to further destruction. Turkey is also looking to capitalize on Assads fall. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has supported HTS indirectly but has also functioned as the primary backer of the Syrian National Army (SNA), which includes both more secular and Islamist groups that have sometimes been at odds with HTS. Turkey has for years backed proxy groups in northern Syria as a way to continue its campaign against the Kurds, who had reached an uneasy truce with Assads forces in order to defend against Turkey and its proxies. Erdogan could try to use the power vacuum in Syria as a chance to press home its campaign against the Kurds and expand its influence in the region, continuing his push to restore Turkey to its Ottoman-era role as the Middle Easts hegemon. If the conflict with the Kurds heats up, it could also threaten the roughly 900 U.S. troops stationed in Syria as part of a Kurds-aligned coalition combating the Islamic State. Further attacks on Kurdish areas, and even potential incursions by the Turkish military itself (already operating in parts of Syria), increase the odds of an armed incident between NATO allies. There are only so many intellectual somersaults and permutations we can take before we recognize that Turkey is not our friend, argued Rubin. Were coming much closer to Americans and Turks killing each other in Syria than anyone wants to admit. While the Assad regime, Russia, and Iran have largely been taken off the Syrian chessboard, the country still faces an uphill battle for stability. And if HTS is unable, or unwilling, to make the necessary reforms to gain Western support, Syria risks descending into bloody interreligious and interethnic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if [al-Sharaa] is sincere with regard to peace and reconciliation, youre in a land of blood feuds: 600,000 Syrians have been killed, 10 times that number have been pushed into internal exile, and another 6 million people have been sent overseas, Rubin said. You think that all of those people are going to stand down on their blood feuds? To me, thats incredibly naive. Worth Your Time Nicholas Carr, an author whos chronicled how the internet affects our thinking, has an interesting new theory for why modern technological progress feels so small-scale. Writing for his Substack New Cartographies, Carr argued that innovation feels less radical than in previous decades because our goals have changed. Innovations focus moves up through five stages, propelled by shifts in the needs we seek to fulfill. In the beginning come Technologies of Survival (think bow-and-arrow), then Technologies of Social Organization (think cathedral), then Technologies of Prosperity (think assembly line), then technologies of leisure (think TV), and finally Technologies of the Self (think Facebook, or Prozac), Carr wrote. Were no longer changing the shape of the physical world or even of society, as it manifests itself in the physical world. Were altering internal states, transforming the invisible self. Not surprisingly, when you step back and take a broad view, it looks like stagnation it looks like nothing is changing very much. Sen. Mitch McConnell, recently retired from his role as one of the modern Senates most effective majority leaders, penned an essay in Foreign Affairs arguing against the isolationist turn in his partys foreign policy. The right has retrenched in the face of Russian aggression in Europe, while the left has demonstrated a chronic allergy to deterring Iran and supporting Israel, McConnell wrote. Neither camp has committed to maintaining the military superiority or sustaining the alliances needed to contest revisionist powers. If the United States continues to retreat, its enemies will be only too happy to fill the void. Trump would be wise to build his foreign policy on the enduring cornerstone of U.S. leadership: hard power. To reverse the neglect of military strength, his 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. Presented Without Comment New York City Mayor Eric Adams in an interview Sunday: I am not not communicating with the president[-elect] about a pardon. President-elect Donald Trump during a press briefing on Monday on whether hed consider a pardon for Adams: Yeah, I would. I think that he was treated pretty unfairly. Also Presented Without Comment Politico: Steve Bannon Floats an Unconstitutional Candidate: Trump in 2028 In the Zeitgeist If youre a fan of sibling duets, youll love this mesmerizing Tiny Desk Concert by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. Toeing the Company Line In the newsletters: Kevin D. Williamson reflected on () political violence and Salman Rushdie, and Nick Catoggio explored () why Trump is backing down from some of his campaign pledges. On the podcasts: Sarah Isgur and David French discuss the latest drama on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons abortion pill lawsuit on the latest episode of Advisory Opinions . On the site: Mike Warren breaks down the policy debate the left wants to have in reaction to the UnitedHealthcare CEOs murder, David Drucker details how the MAGA movement has now become the Republican establishment, Kevin D. Williamson examines the growing unrest in China, and Chris Stirewalt unpacks Trumps first post-election press conference. Let Us Know Are you optimistic about the future of Syria? Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Nigeria arrested 792 people following a raid at a building where people allegedly committed crypto-related scams, Reuters reported on Monday. The suspects would lure victims, typically from America and Europe, with romantic offers before asking them to hand over money for fake crypto investments, the report said. The people, who included Chinese and Filipino nationals, were detained last week at a seven-floor building in Lagos, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," he said. Nigeria has been clamping down on illegal activity related to crypto. At one point it was reported that the country had blocked several exchanges from operating within its borders. More recently the country has been in an almost year-long legal dispute with Binance and its executives over alleged money laundering and tax evasion charges. CoinDesk reached out to Nigeria's Economic Financial Crimes Commission for a comment. Nima Momeni has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, a verdict reached by a San Francisco jury after seven days of deliberations. The verdict of second-degree murder carries a 15 years to life sentence and includes an enhancement for using a knife in the crime. Momeni was found not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated first-degree murder. Prosecutors Dane Reinstedt and Omid Talai were present in the courtroom for the verdict, as was Sgt. Brent Dittmer who testified in the trial and a handful of members of the District Attorney's office. The Lee family including his ex-wife Krista and brother were also there with other family members, friends and supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorneys Tony Brass and Zoe Aron were also present along with Momeni's mother Mahnaz Momeni. The defendant's sister Khazar Momeni was not in attendance when the verdict was read in court Tuesday morning. The judge issued a stern warning in the courtroom for those present not to have any audible reaction to the verdict as it was read. Momeni was seen dabbing his eyes as he listened to the verdict. Nima Momeni wipes his eyes as he listens to the verdict in his murder trial for the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, December 17, 2024. / Credit: Sketch by Vicki Behringer A preliminary hearing to set the sentencing date for Momeni has been scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025. Bob Lee family speaks Outside the courtroom, Lee's brother Timothy Oliver Lee said the family was satisfied with the verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're happy with the result today. We're happy that Nima Momeni won't be on the streets, no longer has the opportunity to harm anyone else in this world," he said. "The verdict of murder two will put him away for a long time." He also noted that besides Momeni being found guilty of the murder, the proceedings showed that his family was complicit in the crime by trying to help him cover it up and had "blood on their hands." He said the Momeni family had several dozen friends and supporters in the courtroom when the verdict was read. "We're extremely thankful to the District Attorney's Office, we're extremely thankful for the juries. I think justice was done here today," he added. San Francisco DA Jenkins defends city Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins was on hand for the verdict and thanked the attorneys who prosecuted the case outside the courtroom after the guilty verdict was read. "I knew was confident that we had the best two handling this case," Jenkins said. "And I think the verdict was a testament to the hard work they put in, to the great lawyers that they are, and to their commitment to justice and to making sure that this family received justice." She also pushed back on what Elon Musk and others said after the stabbing happened when critics claimed San Francisco is lawless and out of control as part of the popular "doom loop" narrative commonly aired on social media. "I think that hopefully now, we have once again established what truly happened here. We all know that after Bob Lee was murdered, Elon Musk took to Twitter to make an effort to really shame San Francisco, and to make it seem like this was about lawlessness in San Francisco and about what's going on in our streets," Jenkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted that law enforcement early felt the fatal stabbing of Lee was not a random crime. "And we knew it was something different. And I think today proved once again, that we are a city committed to accountability, we are a city committed to public safety," she added. "And that when something bad happens, which we can't always control, that law enforcement at every level will respond to make sure that there is justice and accountability in each and every situation." Jenkins said her office would prepare for an appeal to be filed by Momeni's defense team. Fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Momeni was accused of fatally stabbing tech executive Lee in a secluded part of San Francisco's East Cut neighborhood under the Bay Bridge in April 2023. Court officials announced late Monday afternoon that the jury had reached a verdict shortly before 4 p.m. Prosecutors accused Momeni of stabbing Lee with a kitchen paring knife following a heated discussion regarding his sister's relationship with Lee as well as their ongoing drug use. During the trial, Momeni's lawyers claimed that their client acted in self-defense, alleging that Lee lunged at Momeni with a knife in his hand while high on ketamine and cocaine. The defense said Lee became erratic and aggressive after Momeni made a "bad joke" at the expense of Lee's family. Intense trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six-week trial was punctuated by dramatic testimony, including an appearance on the stand of Momeni's sister, Khazar Momeni. She testified as a witness for the prosecution and insisted during her first day of testimony that her brother didn't kill Lee. She also detailed consuming several drugs with Lee and others in the days leading up to the fatal stabbing. During cross-examination by defense attorneys, Khazar Momeni described Lee as "all over the place" and "aggressive" while high on drugs. Her testimony was criticized outside the courtroom by Lee's ex-wife Krista Lee, who accused her of trying to "make herself a victim." The testimony turned contentious when Nima Momeni took the stand, as the defendant sparred with the prosecution during cross-examination after earlier describing how Lee allegedly attacked him while his defense team questioned him about the confrontation. Challenging Nima Momeni's story Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Omid Talai challenged Momeni's version of the story and focused on his actions immediately after Lee's death, including his calls to attorneys and text messages with his sister. The case wrapped up in the first week of December with prosecutors trying to tear down Momeni's defense in their closing arguments and asking why he didn't call police or tell anyone about Lee allegedly attacking him. The defense showed a bombshell video during their closing arguments, presenting surveillance footage they claimed showed Lee doing cocaine on the street outside a private club with the same knife used to kill him hours later. Defense attorney Saam Zangeneh used a cardboard cutout of the knife in court so the jury could see the size of the paring knife he said the video proved Lee had in his possession all along. That video sparked a tense exchange between Zangeneh and Lee's former wife, who let out a loud, mocking laugh as he showed the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zangeneh turned to directly address her, saying it wasn't funny. Prosecutors quickly objected and the judge intervened to restore order in the courtroom. The jury began deliberations on the morning of Dec. 4. Who is Nima Momeni? Nima Momeni, 40, was described as a "tech entrepreneur" when he was arrested for the murder of Bob Lee back in April of 2023. Momeni was taken into custody at his home in Emeryville on April 11, days after the deadly stabbing. According to his Linkedin page, Momeni is the owner of Expand IT. His profile describes the company as providing IT solutions in the Bay Area since 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors who lived near Momeni were shocked to hear of his arrest. After Momeni was taken into custody, Bay Area public relations veteran Sam Singer who worked next door to him said he had never had any issues with the defendant beyond hearing music being played a bit too loudly. "Warm, welcoming, very nice fellow, like any other tech consultant here in the Bay Area, lives in a live-work space," Singer said. "He handed us a stack of cards and said, 'If you ever need anything let me know.'" It later emerged that Khazar Momeni had introduced Lee to her brother, thinking that the successful Cash App founder might work with him on one of Nima's projects. Who was Bob Lee? A successful Bay Area technology executive, Bob Lee was best known as one of the creators and founders of the digital wallet Cash App. Lee had also worked at Google as a staff software engineer in the 2000s, helping to develop the mobile operating system used by Android cell phones. In 2010, he was recruited by the San Francisco e-commerce company Square, Inc., where he became chief technology officer before eventually moving on to Cash App. At the time of his death, Lee was working as the chief product officer of the cryptocurrency MobileCoin. Lee was living in Mill Valley with his family including his now ex-wife Krista and two children, but the couple separated in 2019. Lee had subsequently moved to Miami in 2022 to live with his father and was visiting San Francisco on business when he was fatally stabbed. The Wall Street Journal reported Lee and Khazar Momeni belonged to a sex and drugs-fueled underground party scene known in wealthy Bay Area tech circles as "The Lifestyle." The medical examiner's report revealed the tech executive died on the operating table and was found to have alcohol, cocaine and ketamine in his system. 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 A New Jersey mayor has a new theory on the drones spotted over the state; they're searching for missing radioactive material. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham has theorized that the lights people have been seeing above Essex County are "looking for something." "What might they be looking for? Maybe that's radioactive material," he told Fox's Good Day New York. Melham said that a shipment of radioactive material was delivered to the area, but was damaged and empty when it arrived., the New York Post reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued an alert that a piece of medical equipment used in cancer scanning was "lost in transit" on December 2 while it was being shipped to the Nazha Cancer Center in Gloucester County in southern New Jersey. This photo provided by Brian Glenn shows what appears to be multiple drones flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey (AP) The device in question is an Eckert & Ziegler HEGL-0132 and was being shipped for proper disposal. As the mayor said, the container transporting the device had been damaged and arrived empty. The device contains a small amount of radioactive material, Germanium-68, which is used in PET scans. According to the regulatory agency, the radiation produced by the material in the device registers less than a Category 3 on the International Atomic Energy Agency's scale, meaning it is "very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The radioactive material theory has been repeated on social media and spread around among more conspiracy-minded individuals. The problems with the theory are numerous. If the government is willing to share the fact that radioactive material is missing, there would be no reason to not also disclose that the drones are searching for the device. Further, there is already a team dedicated to searching out dangerous nuclear material: NEST. The Nuclear Emergency Support Team NEST is "the umbrella designation that encompasses all DOE/NNSA radiological and nuclear emergency response functions." In other words, if there was an actual threat posed by the missing device, a NEST team would be in action, not drones of unknown origin aimlessly crisscrossing the skies of New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, US officials issued an explanation for the lights over New Jersey; according to the government, the lights are a combination of traditional aircraft sightings, commercial and hobby drones, and stars and planets mistaken for aircraft. In a joint statement by the US Defense Department, the US Homeland Security Department, the FBI and the FAA, fewer than 100 of the more than 5,000 reported sightings in New Jersey warrant an investigation. Members of the US House Intelligence Committee will be briefed in a classified meeting on the drone issue later today, according to Punchbowl. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Dayton officers will not face charges after shooting an armed man in August. The Montgomery County Grand Jury has decided not to indict Dayton police officers for shooting a suspect at the Desoto Bass Apartments on Aug. 23 of this year. Additional drone incursions experienced over Wright-Patterson AFB Authorities responded to the apartments on Custer Place around 11:30 p.m. on reports of a man with a gun. On scene, they found Eric Grady holding a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera footage shows police ordering Grady to drop the firearm several times. When he refused, officers shot him several times. At last check, Grady was in stable condition. He is expected to face charges for the incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A viral post on X claims that French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing the European Union to deploy military forces to Ukraine. BREAKING: FRENCH PRESIDENT Macron to push for sending EU troops to Ukraine, reads the post, which had more than 180,000 views as of December 17. The claim is false. Macron and other European leaders are meeting this week to discuss peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, including the possible deployment of peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire agreement. However, the EU is not considering deploying forces in a combat capacity. Last week, Politico reported that EU and NATO leaders intended to meet December 18 to discuss possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and the subsequent deployment of peacekeeping forces to the country. The meeting will reportedly take place in Brussels and include Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Polish President Andrzej Duda, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and several other European officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks come on the heels of President-elect Donald Trumps December 7 meeting with Zelensky and Macron, where Trump reportedly told the leaders that European troops should be sent to Ukraine to monitor a successful ceasefire agreement. Trump promised throughout his 2024 presidential campaign to end the war in Ukraine quickly, even saying he could do so by his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The Trump administration has yet to share its peace plan publicly. While EU countries could contribute peacekeeping forces in the event of an eventual ceasefire, the deployment of troops in a combat capacity would be unlikely, if not impossible. Absolutely not, people who believe that the European Union would do this have no idea how the EU works, Luke Coffey, a national security and foreign policy expert at the Hudson Institute, told The Dispatch Fact Check when asked whether Macron or any other EU leaders would push the union to send combat forces to Ukraine. Coffey said the EU would need both an authorizing resolution from the United Nations Security Council and unanimous support from each of the EUs 27 member countries before it could deploy military forces. From both a practical and legal perspective, clearing these two hurdles would be nearly impossible. You have three neutral countries inside the European UnionIreland, Malta, and Austriathat would not go along with the EU sending a military force to Ukraine, Coffey explained. And then, most of all, you have Hungary and Slovakia, which both have leadership who are sympathetic to Moscow. In February, Macron drew criticism from some Western leaders when he suggested that no options should be ruled out in support of Ukraine, including the option to send military forces. The EU has provided substantial support to Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, including through arms and ammunition deals, personnel training, and non-lethal military equipment. No Western ally, however, has crossed the line into direct military involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. Flooding is one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in the U.S., causing billions of dollars in damage each year. In 2024 alone, floods destroyed homes in over a dozen states and claimed more than 165 lives. Southeast Texas was hit by flash flooding repeatedly in the spring, and then hit again by Hurricane Beryl. In one heartbreaking moment, a 4-year-old boy was swept away after his familys car was submerged during a thunderstorm near Fort Worth. In the Upper Midwest, days of rainfall in May caused flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. A slow-moving storm in the Northeast in August caused catastrophic flooding in Connecticut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee saw some of the years most devastating flooding as the remnants of Hurricane Helene hit in September. Heavy rain poured down mountains, turning creeks and rivers into torrents that washed away homes and vehicles. More than 100 people died in North Carolina, and six workers drowned when their plastics factory was inundated in Tennessee. Floodwaters rise over a bridge in Grapeland, Texas, on May 2, 2024. Texas Department of Transportation via AP Storms like these are intensifying faster, weakening more slowly and producing more extreme precipitation that the land cant absorb fast enough. While many coastal areas are becoming more prepared for hurricane and tidal flooding, inland flood risk is less understood or easily anticipated. These disasters underscore the importance of fast, accurate flood warnings. Theyre also a reminder that extensive gaps still exist in the systems that monitor U.S. stream levels. Current coverage is less than 1% of waterways The National Weather Service uses advanced models to issue flood warnings. These models rely on historical trends, land cover information and a network of over 11,800 streamgages sensors that provide near-real-time data on precipitation, streamflow and water depth to simulate water flow. Much of that data is available online in real time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the streamgage network covers less than 1% of the nations rivers and streams. Deploying a single sensor costs over US$25,000 for permanent federal gauges, and nearly 70% of these costs can fall on communities. These high upfront costs, combined with rising operational expenses, significantly limit sensor coverage particularly in small and urban watersheds prone to flash floods.The U.S. Geological Survey acknowledges that these sensors alone do not provide enough data at fast enough intervals to fully address flood risk. Without data, risk is often underestimated Flood risk can be estimated in waterways without streamgages, but not as accurately. In these areas, computers use data from similar waterways to estimate stream flow. However, these assumptions, along with limited data and the evolving effects of climate change, introduce uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resulting models often underestimate flow in smaller creeks and overlook the effects of urbanization. In particular, they can miss new risks in fast-developing areas, where changes to the landscape and more pavement can quickly funnel water in risky ways. These flood models are used for more than warnings. They also guide risk assessments for development, insurance and decisions on building protective infrastructure, so accuracy is important. A case study in Philadelphia A July 2023 flash flood in Lower Makefield, a suburb of Philadelphia along the Delaware River, highlights the challenges of insufficient data coverage in urbanizing watersheds. On July 15, heavy rain transformed Houghs Creek, a small tributary of the Delaware River, into a deadly torrent, washing out Washington Crossing Road and trapping multiple vehicles. Survivors recalled the chaos: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of a sudden, 3 inches of water, 4 inches of water, a foot of water just coming at us, Chloe Weissman said. This huge gush of water just came down from down a hill, added Eli Weissman. As it was coming down, cars were starting to float. [We] just tried to survive, laid on our back, feet heading down, grabbing trees, grabbing vines, grabbing whatever we could to stay afloat. This stream in the Philadelphia suburb of Lower Makefield flooded so quickly on July 15, 2023, that it toppled trees and caused cars on the road to float and crash into each other. Drivers and passengers tried desperately to grab hold of tree branches as they were swept away by the torrent. Google image A map of rainfall totals and flash flood warnings shows how important locally targeted information can be. The flash flooding in Upper Makefield (pink) that washed away cars occurred outside the zones listed in the warning. Julie Arbit/University of Michigan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 5:18 p.m., but a phone alert wasnt triggered until 6:09 p.m. after the flooding had begun. While the Delaware River has a nearby streamgage, flood models did not predict the rapid flooding along this small tributary. Urbanization around Houghs Creek has made these events more dangerous and less predictable, as impervious surfaces quickly funnel the water into low-lying areas. The flash flood underscored the need for hyperlocal data to improve predictive models and allow earlier, more accurate warnings. Expanding coverage of stream flood levels Addressing data gaps is essential for improving weather forecasting and emergency management. One promising solution is expanding the streamgage network through public-private partnerships and encouraging state and local governments, small businesses, academic institutions and nonprofits to build and operate their own sensors. Greater coverage enables more accurate and timely flood forecasts, leading to improved warnings, more prepared communities and more effective emergency responses when disasters strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engineers at the University of Michigan Digital Water Lab created one example of a low-cost, easy-to-deploy solution for flood monitoring. At its core is a controller connected to an ultrasonic sensor that measures water levels in a way similar to how bats navigate using sound. The data can be transmitted in real time for fast analysis. CC BY-ND Digital water sensors on bridges provide real-time, continuous water level monitoring, enhancing safety for drivers and supporting transportation agencies in assessing and maintaining infrastructure. Digital Water Lab/University of Michigan The simplicity and affordability around US$800 per sensor of this system allows for widespread deployment, providing critical information to communities. Techniques such as validating readings against precipitation measurements, calibrating sensors with federal monitoring stations and using supervised machine learning can build confidence in the value of this third-party and citizen-generated data. Eventually, nonfederal sensors like these may be integrated into federal flood models. In the meantime, researchers have created open-source databases that consolidate all known gauge data and allow the public to supply information. These combined datasets allow more advanced and robust flood models, such as Googles flood forecasting model, which covers large portions of the country. Future of flood monitoring Several universities are working together in a collaboration called FloodAware to develop a system that integrates floodcams, social media posts, smart city sensors and more to detect and warn residents of flash floods. Bringing these tools together could greatly expand the data available to meteorologists and emergency managers, improving flood risk assessments and warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combining diverse sources of data on a shared platform would establish a more comprehensive, accessible flood monitoring system. We believe that would empower communities with the information they need to advocate for protective measures, ultimately enhancing resilience in the face of climate change. 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: Julie Arbit, University of Michigan; Brad Bottoms, University of Michigan, and Branko Kerkez, University of Michigan Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Branko Kerkez works and has co-founded Hyfi.io, a provider of digital stormwater solutions. Brad Bottoms and Julie Arbit do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. State lawmakers won't give a pension fund covering Ohio's police and firefighters a rate increase but the retirement system leaders promise they'll ask again next year. Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund Director Mary Beth Foley called it a "disappointment" that state senators decided against approving legislation that would have increased how much employers are required to pay into the system. House Bill 296 would've increased the employer contribution rate from 19.5% for police and 24% for firefighters to 24% for both police and firefighters. Employees currently pay 12.25% toward their police and fire pension. The bill called for increasing the employee contribution rate to 12.5%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But cities, townships and villages that employ police officers said the rate hike would've cost them $78 million a year and cut into their ability to hire new officers or give pay raises. Local government groups asked lawmakers to pump the brakes on the proposal, giving time to come up with alternatives. While the Ohio House approved the bill, Senate leaders signaled they'd rather not rush the decision. Any bills that don't clear both chambers in the Ohio General Assembly this week will die and would have to be reintroduced next year. A similar bill introduced last legislative session to shore up the police and fire pension fund failed to pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fund reduced its assumed annual rate of return how much it expects to make each year off investments from 8% to 7.5%. That move caused its unfunded liabilities to increase on paper. State law requires the five public pension systems to be able to pay off their liabilities within 30 years. Without either funding increases or benefit cuts, Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund will likely be out of compliance with the 30-year requirement in the coming years. Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio police and fire pension fund won't get a rate hike this year American air bases can no longer be considered a sanctuary. That is the sobering conclusion of the U.S. Air Forces new Installation Infrastructure Action Plan, released in December. Unlike the last 30 years, when U.S air bases were largely safe havens from enemy attacks, the document continues, adversaries now possess high-end capabilities that can threaten such installations. This warning is correct, but it understates the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In our new Stimson Center report, Cratering Effects: Chinese Missile Threats to US Air Bases in the Indo-Pacific, and co-authored with Jonathan Walker, we conclude that Chinese missile strikes could keep U.S. military runways and taxiways in Japan, Guam, and other Pacific islands closed in the critical first days and even weeks of a war between the United States and China. Even if the United States undertook massive investments in a mix of active and passive countermeasures, runways and taxiways would remain closed for at least the first several days of any conflict. Specifically, the United States would not be able to operate fighter aircraft from U.S. air bases in Japan for close to the first two weeks of a conflict, including from Kadena Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, located closest to the Taiwan Strait. These are the only two locations from which U.S. fifth-generation fighters would be able to complete their missions and return to base without requiring aerial refueling. Most importantly, Chinese missiles could keep U.S. military runways in Japan closed to aerial refueling tankers and the aircraft which depend on them for in-flight fuel for over a month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas growing reach could also keep U.S. air bases in Guam and other Pacific locations closed to tankers and bombers for at least the first four days of a conflict, and thereafter the United States would face other significant operational problems. For example, low-flying and slow-moving tankers are already vulnerable to Chinese air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, but they would be especially easy for China to detect and shoot down when flying predictable flight routes from Guam and a handful of other Pacific bases. Unfortunately, no single countermeasure or even a combination of countermeasures will be sufficient to counter runway attacks by the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force. Our results validate the Air Forces Agile Combat Employment concept of dispersing U.S. aircraft and personnel more widely across multiple locations. If the United States were to disperse to civilian airfields in the Pacific, as well as Japan Self Defense Force bases and civilian airfields in Japan, assuming it had the necessary political permissions, the shortest closure time would decline by over 70% in Japan, or three days for fighter operations and nine days for tanker operations. Within the Second Island Chain, closure times would drop only by about 10%, with runways opening on the fourth day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These results, however, assume all personnel, equipment, and repair materials are available and ready for use at these other operating locations, which is not the case. Even if Washington and Tokyo made these substantial investments, Chinese missiles would still keep aircraft grounded in the critical first days of a war, when the U.S. Air Force might be expected to quickly set up a combat air patrol or sink Chinese ships in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, senior Air Force leaders have emphasized the need to protect U.S. air bases in the Indo-Pacific with more robust missile defense capabilities, with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall going so far as to suggest his service should take over this mission from the Army. Our findings suggest that even a massive buildup of U.S. missile defense capabilities is likely to fall short, however, even when combined with other countermeasures. For example, even if the United States grew its Patriot missile defense force expanding to 20 Patriot batteries and deployed them all to protect runways in Japan China could still deny the use of these runways by fighters in the first two days of a war, and thereafter fighters would have to operate without any tanker support for another week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without tankers, these fighters would have to fly fewer sorties each day. The operational gains hardly seem to justify the costs, especially because China could easily offset these investments by increasing its missile stocks. Instead, the United States will need to outthink not outspend China. Doing so requires the Air Force to prioritize the air denial mission within the First Island Chain, including building an inside air force around large numbers of runway-independent platforms and drones of various types and different ranges. Over time, as the Chinese missile threat dissipates, the United States could bring forward more traditional crewed aircraft, including advanced fighters and the tankers required to support them, and transition to air superiority and offensive strike missions. To make that happen, however, the Air Force will need to move more rapidly toward uncrewed and autonomous systems, preposition equipment and munition stockpiles, and prepare to prioritize air denial in the initial air war. Kelly Grieco is a senior fellow with the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center, an adjunct professor of Security Studies at Georgetown University, and a nonresident fellow at the Brute Krulak Center of the Marine Corps University. Hunter Slingbaum is a junior fellow with the Reimagining US Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A holiday tradition in southeastern South Dakota is in the national spotlight this Christmas season. The Nora Store in Union County was featured on CBS Mornings Monday. Name released for deadly hit and run Mike Pedersen started inviting carolers into the former country store 35 years ago. In fact, KELOLAND has brought viewers inside the Nora Store several times. Pedersen plays Christmas tunes on the pipe organ while the audience sings along. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Monson brought his family to the Nora Store for the first time in 2015. Mike is just such a down-to-earth guy, and he doesnt do any of this for himself. This is for everybody else, Monson said. But Monson wanted more people to know about the holiday gem and the man behind it. After years of trying to get national coverage, Monson reached out to CBS News contributor David Begnaud. It worked. This was my favorite Christmas story Ive done in 25 years of journalism. It was like a warm hug. It was comfort food for the soul, Begnaud said. But the nearly five-minute story is more than just a cute Christmas tale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres something deeply meaningful about what Mike Pedersen has done for his community for the last 30 plus years, deeply meaningful. Were talking about how hes created holiday memories for families that will be a part of their families for generations. That is a public service that that man is doing, Begnaud said. Perhaps this story from rural South Dakota will resonate with people all over the map. 27 years of Christmas magic at the Empire Mall I hope people take away from this story that we are more united than we are divided, and that theres more good news on the news than people like to admit, Begnaud said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And some of that good news is being shared thanks to a man with a story idea. This was just one story that I thought had to be told to a bigger audience, Monson said. When Monson submitted the story idea to Begnaud, he included a story his son did on the Nora Store as a college assignment. Begnaud says that story from 2016 is what hooked him, and he included part of it in his story that aired Monday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. First Amendment of the US Constitution. (Image: Adobe Stock) North Carolina legislators voted this month to ask Congress to call for convention of states to suggest changes to the U.S. Constitution. Some Republican legislators have been pushing to file an application for a constitutional convention for more than a decade. North Carolinas resolution is added to the pile of requests for a convention that other states have approved and sent to Congress. Congress must call a convention once 34 states ask for one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolinas resolution says it wants a convention only to consider a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits. North Carolinas resolution says its application should be counted with other state applications for term limits toward the goal of 34, but should not be included in the count of state applications on other subjects. But David A. Super, a constitutional scholar at Georgetown University Law Center, said it doesnt matter what North Carolina put in its resolution because Congress can count state applications however it wants. Theres nothing in the Constitution that allows those limits, Super said in an interview. Its up to Congress how to count. U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, a Texas Republican and chairman of the House Budget Committee, wants Congress to call a convention and claims that the 34-state threshold has already been met. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interest groups are engaged in a coordinated effort to have states adopt resolutions calling for a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to suggest amendments. The convention method of amending the Constitution has never before been used. Super calls the movement for an Article V convention dangerous because once it convenes, it can propose whatever constitutional amendments it wants. States wont necessarily be able to choose delegates to a constitutional convention, he wrote in a 2021 American Constitution Society issue brief. Any proposed amendments coming out of a convention would need to be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures. States have been asking for a convention since the 1700s, desiring anti-polygamy amendments, prohibitions repeal, and the direct election of senators. Forty-five years ago, North Carolina was one of dozens of states backing a balanced budget constitutional amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the group Convention of States Action is leading one of the efforts for an Article V convention. Started by Mark Meckler, a Tea Party Patriots cofounder and Michael Farris, the founder of the Home School Legal Defense Association, Convention of State Action has an aggressive campaign to convince states to pass its resolution calling for a convention to consider amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress. Representatives have visited the North Carolina state government complex in recent years with a llama dressed in red, white, and blue. The groups senior advisor, former Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, held a press conference last year with House Speaker Tim Moore and other legislators calling for North Carolina to support its convention application. Santorum was back in the state this year to speak at a rally for a constitutional convention. Former U.S, Sen. Rick Santorum (file photo) North Carolina Republicans in the House and Senate have filed bills since 2015 copying Convention of State Actions proposed resolution. The resolution almost passed in 2017 but was pulled from the House agenda as it was about to take a final vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House passed the Convention of States Actions preferred resolution and the separate resolution limited to term limits in March 2023. The Senate approved the term-limits resolution on Dec. 2 as one of its final votes of the session. The group U.S. Term Limits supports a convention for an amendment on that single issue. It counts North Carolina as one of nine states that has passed the term limits resolution. Asked whether the single-issue resolutions can be counted with resolutions mentioning other issues to reach the 34-state threshold, Stacey Selleck of U.S. Term Limits said in an email that the question will likely be answered by the courts. Happy Tuesday and welcome to another edition of Rent Free. This week's newsletter takes an extended look at the surprise passage of a "downzoning" ban in North Carolina that effectively prevents local governments from tightening zoning restrictions on your property unless you provide express written consent for them to do so. North Carolina's Surprise Ban on Downzoning Last week, the Republican-controlled North Carolina Legislature overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's veto of Senate Bill (S.B.) 382an omnibus bill that paired millions in hurricane relief funding with restrictions on the powers of incoming elected Democratic state officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partisan political controversies surrounding the bill have naturally dominated discussions about it. What interests this newsletter is a short provision tacked on to the end of S.B. 382 that gives North Carolina property owners perhaps the nation's strongest protections against local governments tightening zoning regulations on their land. "No amendment to zoning regulations or a zoning map that down-zones property shall be initiated, enacted, or enforced without the written consent of all property owners whose property is the subject of the down-zoning," reads the relevant provision of S.B. 382, found on the last page of the 131-page law. The law defines downzoning as any decrease in the allowable density of development, any reduction in permitted uses, or any creation of a "nonconforming" use, lot, or structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In effect, if you have a right to do something or build something on your land right nowwhether that's operate a gas station or build an apartment complexS.B. 382 says you'll always be allowed to do that unless you give express written consent to the local government to take that right away from you. Supporters and opponents of the provision are unsure of precisely how something so sweeping ended up in S.B. 382. "It showed up there without any notice to anybody," says Scott Mooneyham of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. The League wants to see the new downzoning ban repealed. "We didn't ask for this provision. I'm not really sure where it came from," says Steven Webb of the North Carolina Home Builders Association, which supports the provision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What everyone does agree on is that this is a far-reaching restriction on local governments' ability to regulate development. Other States' Less Robust Downzoning Guardrails Many states have adopted some sort of restriction on downzoning, although the precise forms of these laws and the strengths of their protections for private property vary. On the weaker end of the spectrum is something like California's S.B. 330. Passed in 2019, it imposes a "no net loss" standard for local government downzonings of residential land. That means that if a locality reduces the number of homes that can be built on one property, it has to allow the same number of homes to be built elsewhere in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics argue this standard is easily gamed. A local government can downzone a parcel where development is likely to happen and upzone another parcel no one is likely to build on. The "no net loss" on paper becomes a net loss in practice. More robust is Arizona's Prop. 207. Passed by voters in 2006, the law doesn't ban downzoning. But it does require that the government compensate property owners when their regulations reduce property values. Christina Sandefur, executive vice president of the Goldwater Institute (which helped develop Prop. 207), says the law's compensation requirements have discouraged numerous government efforts to tighten zoning regulations on development. "If it's too expensive for the government, it's probably too expensive for the property," she tells Reason. "It is one of the strongest protections for property rights in the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, because the law doesn't ban downzoning, local governments can often still get away with passing more restrictive zoning regulations without paying compensation by granting exemptions to property owners who do object to additional rules on their property. S.B. 382's Best-in-the-Nation Property Rights Protections? North Carolina's flat prohibition on downzonings that don't have the written consent of all affected property owners would seem to go far beyond even Arizona's Prop. 207. "The way it's drafted, it's a pretty black-and-white, pretty straightforward, potentially pretty powerful law in terms of providing a hard stop against any sort of downzoning," says Charles Gardner, a research fellow at George Mason University's Mercatus Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's homebuilders are certainly pleased with the new law. They argue it will prevent local governments from getting around existing state prohibitions on development-killing policies. Webb, of the Home Builders Association, notes that North Carolina law already forbids local governments from imposing aesthetic design requirements, inclusionary zoning policies (which mandate builders include below-market-rate units in their projects), impact fees, and other policies known to drive up the cost of home building. But local governments can still evade these prohibitions by downzoning a developer's property and then conditioning any upzoning on the developer paying impact fees, building affordable units, or adopting certain design requirements. By banning downzoning, S.B. 382 would prevent these games, says Webb. He says it will be a powerful protection for homebuilders trying to meet demand in the rapidly growing state. Local Governments Have Objections, YIMBYs Have Concerns Mooneyham, of the League of Municipalities, says that S.B. 382's provisions will effectively prevent local governments from doing comprehensive updates to their land use regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law's exceptionally broad definition of downzoning and its requirement that all affected property owners receive individual notice of code changes and give individual written consent is a huge procedural hurdle. "That's going to essentially mean that no cities are going to make those changes right now," he says. Some of the local government concerns can be chalked up to the turf wars that come with any state preemption, says Jennifer Truman, a planner working in private practice who is also involved in local "yes in my backyard" (YIMBY) activism. "Some of the uncertainty and honestly panic on the part of planning departments that I've heard is 'they're touching our thing, this is supposed to be the thing we're supposed to have control over'," she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Truman says S.B. 382 could prevent zoning code rewrites that on net allow more housing construction. When cities do comprehensive zoning code rewrites, that will typically involve some mix of downzoning and upzoning. Truman cites recent changes in Raleigh's zoning code that allowed denser housing near transit stops but also restricted the construction of new gas stations and drive-thrus. S.B. 382 would effectively prohibit adopting such a zoning change unless all the affected property owners explicitly signed off on it. Will It Stick? Property rights maximalists might well be unconcerned with these limitations. Raleigh could simply allow denser buildings near transit, not put any additional restrictions on gas stations, and avoid any procedural hurdles created by S.B. 382. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There would seem to be a practical, political concern that if local governments can't tighten any zoning regulations at all, they won't bother with loosening them either. It's rare to find local governments that are interested solely in repealing land use regulations. Sandefur, while supportive of S.B. 382's changes, also says that flat prohibitions on local government actions can occasionally backfire. Without any flexibility built into the law, localities could be incentivized to just flout the new downzoning restrictions and force the state to try to enforce them. The breadth of S.B. 382's property rights protections might well be its downfall as well. Its quick, quiet passage through the Legislature meant there wasn't much time to build a consensus behind the downzoning ban. Mooneyham predicts the Legislature will revisit S.B. 382's downzoning provisions next year. In a sense, all zoning laws represent a downzoning. In pre-zoned America, property owners generally had a right to develop their land as they saw fit. Zoning codes changed this by dividing up cities into increasingly elaborate and restrictive districts that dictate how large or small buildings can be and what's allowed to happen inside them. More recently, there's been a nationwide effort to liberalize zoning codes and upzone land so that more homes and businesses can be built in more places and with fewer restrictions. Bans on downzoning don't make existing zoning codes any better for development or property rights. But they do prevent them from getting worse. Quick Links One criticism of zoning regimes is that they focus city bureaucrats on micromanaging private property owners at the expense of maintaining public property. See San Francisco, where city staff have demanded a local cafe remove its sidewalk seating while doing nothing to fix a dangerous sidewalk nearby. The Canadian city of Yellowknife is beefing with the federal government over whether it had permission to offer homeless people cigarettes as an incentive for participating in a yearly point-in-time census of the homeless population. After years of deliberations, the California Coastal Commission approves a new 120-unit affordable housing development on city land in Los Angeles, California. The commission's approval comes a day after the city government voted not to transfer the land to the project's developer after all. The Los Angeles Times has the full story. Next year, the Oregon Legislature will consider expanding the state's rent control law to cover mobile home parks. Colorado Springs, Colorado, is advancing an update to its zoning regulations that will allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in exclusively single-family areas. The city's planning commission has recommended that new ADUs be allowed to be as large as the primary dwelling while opposing a proposal to allow two ADUs on a property. The changes are mandated by a state law passed earlier this year. The post North Carolina Passes Sweeping Surprise Ban on 'Downzoning' appeared first on Reason.com. NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A man who ambushed two victims he believed were hunting him was sentenced to 55 years in prison last week. Israel Malachi Robinson was sentenced for murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime by Judge Patrick C. Fant, III. Jacquez Butler and E.J. Morgan were walking through the Pinecrest Apartments playground on June 22, 2021, when two men with AR-style rifles ambushed them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler, who was 16 years old, was shot 15 times while Morgan managed to escape, according to the Ninth Circuit Solicitors Office. Investigators found Butler and 28 spent cartridges in two areas of the playground. Throughout the investigation, North Charleston detectives identified Robinson and his co-defendant, Framon Frasier, Jr., as the suspects. Detectives discovered that Robinson had an ongoing dispute with a group of people who were hunting him, the solicitors office said. It is unclear whether the dispute was over debts, jealousy, or rivalry. Robinson and Frasier shot the victims, believing they were Robinsons hunters. After police arrested Robinson, they found three boxes of the same ammunition found at the crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson was being hunted, but he became the hunter, said Assistant Solicitor Lemuel Zeigler, who prosecuted the case. This was a team effort to deliver justice for Jaquez Butler and his family. Investigator Jennifer Butler and Shamika Smith played vital roles in the success of this trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. From the right: State Sen. Jeff Magrum, Kim Koppelman and Rick Becker sign one copy of the state's electoral college votes for President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 17, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota completed its 2024 presidential election Tuesday after Republican electors cast the states three electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump. Republican state Sen. Jeff Magrum and former state lawmakers Kim Koppelman and Rick Becker took the oath of electors, administered by Secretary of State Michael Howe, before signing their names onto six copies of the Electoral College ballots. Howe then stamped the ballots with a state seal before securing them in separate envelopes. Secretary of State Michael Howe affixes a state seal sticker to an envelope containing one copy of the states electoral college votes on Dec. 17, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Erika White, elections director for the Secretary of States Office, said two copies of the electoral votes will be sent to Colleen J. Shogan, United States archivist; one copy is sent to the president of the Senate; one is sent to U.S. District Court Chief Judge for North Dakota Peter Welte; and two copies are kept in Howes office for the states official records. The electoral votes will be delivered via UPS and verified through tracking numbers before being tallied on Jan. 6, 2025, during a joint session of Congress led by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kelly Armstrong presided over the vote at the Capitol in Bismarck and told the electors that the vote they conducted was important to the countrys democratic process. Gov. Kelly Armstrong, right, leads the meeting of the states presidential electors before they cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 17, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) We should always remember the significant amount of people in this world never get to do this. They never get to participate in free and fair elections, Armstrong said. While being primarily ceremonial, its also hugely, hugely impactful and important. All three North Dakota electors said it was their first time as presidential electors. Each elector received an application for tickets to the presidential inauguration, though travel and lodging to the event would be at the electors own expense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Koppelman said the democratic processes and the Electoral College are more important now than ever before. There are people in our country today that would like to do away with it, and I think that would be very dangerous, Koppelman said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast are already "legitimate targets" for the Ukrainian military, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Dec. 16. The remarks came the same day that the Pentagon confirmed the first North Korean casualties in Russia's war against Ukraine. "North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Kursk are already legitimate targets," Miller told reporters during a press briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They entered a war, and they are, as such, combatants and are legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military. We have seen North Korean soldiers who have been killed in action on the battlefield inside Russia." Miller warned that if North Korean personnel crossed the border from Russia into Ukraine and engaged in combat, the U.S. would consider it a significant escalation in the war. "And if they were to cross the border into Ukraine, that would be yet another escalation by the Government of Russia and also an escalation by the Government of North Korea ... That would absolutely be an escalation," he said. Miller declined to say what the U.S. response would be to such an escalation by Moscow and Pyongyang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm not going to preview that publicly," he said. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported on Dec. 14 that North Koreans had begun engaging in assault operations with Russian troops fighting aginst Ukraine in Kursk Oblast. Ukraine and the U.S. had sounded the alarm on the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the region for months prior. Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on Dec. 16 that at least 30 North Korean personnel had been killed or wounded in assaults in Kursk. Zelensky then alleged that Russia has gone to great lengths to hide North Korean losses, including burning soldiers' bodies. Thus far, North Korean units have only been deployed in Kursk Oblast, the Russian border region that Ukrainian troops attacked in a shock offensive in August. North Korean troops have not yet engaged in combat on the Ukrainian side of the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia and North Korea have deepened their economic and military ties since the full-scale invasion of February 2022. The two nations signed a defense treaty in June, requiring either state to render military aid to the other in the event of an attack. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia sets goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions in 2025 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON (AP) North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces have seen a couple hundred casualties, US military official says. North Korean troops began conducting large-scale assault operations against Ukrainian forces in Russias Kursk region last week, the head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) told The War Zone on Monday. That timeline was later confirmed by the Pentagon. While there have been about 12,000 North Koreans in Kursk for months to help Russia push back the Ukrainian invasion there, they only recently began to attack in larger numbers, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told us. His comments followed those by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who on Saturday said that the Russians have begun to use North Korean soldiers in their assaults a significant number of them. 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 frontline. There are also already noticeable losses in this category. Zelensky's early evening speech with special attention to the use of DPRK soldiers by Russia. Today, there is already preliminary data that the Russians have begun to use soldiers from North Korea in assaults a significant number. The Russians are including them in pic.twitter.com/eN9NRsdE9J NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) December 14, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, North Korea has suffered more than 200 casualties in those operations, GUR said on Telegram. One of their positions in Kursk was effectively covered by first-person view (FPV) drones. Pyongyangs forces, as we previously noted, have already been killed in Ukraine, but on a much smaller scale. Ukrainian media are now sharing drone footage of what they claim are North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/V4wlEJJa8H NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 16, 2024 A group of North Korean soldiers hit by cluster munitions during an attempted assault in the Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/TeOA2Q39xu MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) December 16, 2024 Ukrainian Special Operations Forces strike North Korean infantry in Kursk region. pic.twitter.com/xYfXmznQ3F Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) December 16, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GUR posited that there are challenges in integrating the North Korean troops into Russian ranks. Language barrier remains a difficult obstacle to management and coordination of actions, GUR explained. As a result, North Korean soldiers fired on vehicles belonging to the Akhmat battalion of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. At least eight of those fighters were killed in the incident, GUR claimed. On Saturday and Sunday, at least 30 North Koreans were killed or wounded in fighting near three villages Martynovka on the easternmost portion of the Ukrainian salient, Plekhovo in a contested area about 10 miles to the south, and Vorobzha, which is about nine miles to the southeast in Russian-held territory. The War Zone cannot independently verify Ukraines casualty claims. The North Koreans suffered losses fighting near Martynovka in Russias Kursk Oblast, Ukraine claims. Google Earth image 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, GUR explained, using the official Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) acronym for North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagons top spokesman on Monday confirmed GURs claim that the North Koreans are now fighting alongside Russians. They entered combat alongside Russian troops about a week ago, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. We do have indications that they have separate casualties, both killed and wounded, he said. I dont have specific numbers to provide for you, but that is obviously something that we continue to monitor. And as weve said all along, those forces are legitimate military targets for the Ukrainians, given that they are engaged in active combat. North Korean and Russian troops are now fighting together in Kursk, officials say. (Via Twitter) Via Twitter After launching the Kursk invasion in August, Ukraine captured about 500 square miles of what was initially lightly defended territory. Russia has since mounted two counter-operations, including one in September that saw upwards of 60,000 troops recapture about half of what it had lost by the end of November. Since then, there havent been any major territorial gains or losses by either side as the fight has bogged down in the frigid December weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having 12,000 North Koreans in the mix is certainly a boon for Russia, even with language and command and control issues. As we have noted before, as Moscow and Pyongyang continue to cement their relationship, many more troops could be on the way given that manpower is North Koreas greatest resource. There are many other facets to this relationship. In addition to potentially receiving air defense systems and energy supplies from Russia in exchange for the troops in Kursk and assorted weaponry, including millions of artillery shells, North Korea is reportedly going to receive fighter aircraft as well. Russian Su-27 (Dmitry A. Mottl/Wikimedia Commons) There have also been concerns that Moscow might provide North Korea with technologies to help accelerate its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile programs. Russia would also be a prime candidate to assist North Korea in pushing forward its submarine program, which also includes a growing family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) as well as increasingly advanced submarine technologies. PHOTO BY VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and High Representative of the European Union issued a joint statement condemning the burgeoning North Korea-Russia relationship. Those nations also raised concerns that this is inflaming tensions on the Korean peninsula. Direct DPRK support for Russias war of aggression against Ukraine marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security, the statement read in part. The DPRKs export of ballistic missiles, artillery shells, and other military materiel to Russia for use against Ukraine and Russias 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 DPRKs illegal weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, which would exacerbate the already tense environment on the Korean Peninsula. Ukraines investment in Kursk comes as it continues to lose ground in the eastern part of its own country. As we have continuously highlighted in the past, Kursk is a bargaining chip. With Donald Trump set to return to the White House on Jan. 20, both sides are trying to grab as much territory as possible ahead of any future peace negotiations or any plan implemented by the new administration. The Latest Elsewhere on the battlefield, Russia continues to make gains in the east, particularly in Donetsk Oblast. Their push toward Pokrovsk continues but has yet to succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the key takeaways from the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment. Russian forces conducted a roughly battalion-sized mechanized assault in the Siversk direction 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 maneuver 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. Russian forces recently advanced near Siversk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Vuhledar. Russian forces conducted a roughly battalion-sized mechanized assault in the Siversk direction following a recent reported command change of the Russian forces operating near Siversk. (1/2) https://t.co/TudnsYun2Q pic.twitter.com/PBZqJhrzWi Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 16, 2024 Ukraines Security Service (SBU) conducted a precision drone operation targeting ammunition and fuel storage facilities near the village of Markyne in the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainian Suspline media outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ammo depot contained thousands of ammunition items, including shells for infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, mines and grenades, millions of ammunition rounds of various calibers, Suspline explained. Drones from Ukraines Security Service hit a Russian ammo depot near Markyne, Donetsk, according to Suspilne. They destroyed tank shells, anti-tank missiles, grenades, mines, millions of bullets, and a nearby fuel depot. pic.twitter.com/IKdnEpvKlk UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 16, 2024 Learning from its enemy, the Russian army is developing a separate military drone branch akin to Ukraines, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov announced Monday. It is currently unknown what structure and tasks the new formation will have, as well as whether it will include existing UAV operator units operating as part of the occupation forces in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Militarnyi website. The Russians will likely copy the general principles that underpin the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (UAF), which were created as a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian Defense Minister Belousov: The Russian Armed Forces will form a new branch "Unmanned Systems Force" and will complete their creation in the third quarter of 2025." https://t.co/FwV8VmpDHf pic.twitter.com/KD2X5oI4Og Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) December 16, 2024 New video emerged of the Hitchhiker multi-purpose drone interceptor, which has reportedly been successfully tested on the frontlines. Developed by two American tech companies IronNet, the AI-based collective defense cybersecurity company, and Asterion Systems, a leader in counter-unmanned air system (UAS) technology Hitchhiker was designed to take down hostile drones, according to Newsweek. The defensive network is formed by combining IronNets Iron Dome cybersecurity system, which provides real-time detection of cyber threats, with Asterions Hitchhiker counter-drone technology, the publication reported. The system is designed to neutralize hostile drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The propeller-driven, electronically powered Hitchhiker is reportedly capable of reaching speeds of 279mph with a range of 125 miles. Ukraine's New Hitchhiker multi-purpose drone interceptor has proved its worth on the Ukrainian frontline where it was successfully tested in battle. Capable of reaching speeds of 279mph and with a range of 125 miles, the electric-powered drone has been described as a pic.twitter.com/xiJX8UNVLj Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) December 11, 2024 Ukrainian vehicles are reported to increasingly use radio-electronic jamming systems to protect against FPV and Mavic-type drones. They send out broadband signals creating noise to jam the command signal between the drones and the operator. REBs work by sending out a broadband, noise signal to jam the command frequencies most commonly used on drones (FPV and Mavics). Once a drone frequency is detected (via a detection device, aka sugar cube), the operator pushes a button and the REB disables any nearby drones. pic.twitter.com/vt7mCVQXpr Dr. Anthony Tingle (@AnthonyLTingle) December 8, 2024 A GUR sniper with the call sign Lecturer killed a Russian soldier at a distance of 2,069 meters, or nearly 1.3 miles, GUR claimed, adding it was the longest kill shot ever fired by a Ukrainian. The sniper was actually on the same terrain level with the Russian occupier, aimed in the harsh Ukrainian December, fired while standing in a trench at the enemy, who was moving in a landing and hit with the first shot, GUR stated on its website. In the conditions of modern warfare, you do not have the opportunity to climb out of a trench, lie down in a landing, etc. Enemy drones do not allow you to shoot from classic positions, the scout explained. The shot was a masterful job that will definitely go down in the history of our struggle for freedom, Budanov said in a statement on the GUR website. Hitting a moving target at such a distance is a huge achievement; evidence of high professionalism and concentration, which snipers of Ukrainian military intelligence are famous for. We continue the fight to destroy even more Russian occupiers! To make the shot, Lecturer said he fired a .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6mm) round from a Sako TRG M10 sniper rifle. But if I had a choice: to choose one rifle and one cartridge, I would take the Cadex Kraken and the .338LM caliber, noted Lecturer. The confirmed record for this caliber belongs to the British sniper, Corporal of the Royal Guards Regiment Blues and Royals Craig Harrison. In November 2009, during the war in Afghanistan, he successfully hit two Taliban at a distance of 2,475 meters (about 1.53 miles) and also damaged their machine gun. Ukraine continues to up its decoy game. Video recently emerged of a pretty good mockup of a U.S.-donated M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Unlike inflatable decoys, this HIMARS is fashioned out of an existing vehicle, making it an even more realistic option to fool Russians. Very high-quality mock-up of American M142 HIMARS by Ukraine to deceive Russians. pic.twitter.com/XjDqYLBGS8 Clash Report (@clashreport) December 7, 2024 Zelensky frequently visits troops in the field. He recently toured Ukraines first underground advanced surgical group, which has reportedly already saved more than 1,000 lives. Zelensky visited Ukraine's first underground advanced surgical group the hospital has already saved over 1,000 lives According to the president, doctors here receive wounded soldiers directly from the battlefield and provide them with medical assistance. The president is pic.twitter.com/PyrICoII8s MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) December 12, 2024 Norway will provide $242 million to strengthen the Ukrainian Navy, according to the Norwegian Defense Ministry (MoD). The funding will, among other things, be used to protect people in Ukraine from attacks as well as for mine clearance operations and training of Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine needs more support to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea in the time ahead, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said on Monday. It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russias Black Sea Fleet. It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine. Norway will allocate 242 million dollars to strengthen the Ukrainian fleet, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. "It is necessary to protect the population and infrastructure of Ukraine from attacks by the russian Black Sea Fleet," he said. Follow @blyskavka_uapic.twitter.com/bW7jQfaPVA BLYSKAVKA (@blyskavka_ua) December 16, 2024 Ukraine has begun assembling a NATO-standard assault rifle locally, according to Euromaidan Press, citing a Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC announcement. The licensed assembly of CZ BREN 2 rifles reportedly started last month in November at one of the military conglomerates facilities, the company reported, the publication reported. The CZ BREN 2 is already in service with the Ukrainian army, as well as the armed forces of the Czech Republic, Portugal, French National Gendarmerie operational group, Polish border service, and Romanian gendarmerie, Euromaidan Press explained. The localization of weapons production is gradually making Ukraine less reliant on its allies for arms supplies and more resilient against ongoing Russian aggression. Dec. 14 was a particularly bad day for Russia, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Moscow lost the largest number of vehicles since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, according to the General Staff, which claimed its forces destroyed or damaged 181 vehicles. The War Zone cannot independently verify that figure. On December 14, the Russian army lost the largest number of vehicles since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on that day, Ukrainian defenders destroyed and damaged 181 vehicles, including trucks for various pic.twitter.com/el1GcfxASi WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) December 16, 2024 You cant fly much lower than these two Ukrainian Mi-24 Hind helicopter gunships. The video below offers a cockpit view of them following a motorway to the front just a few feet above the roadway. Cockpit footage from a pair of Ukrainian Mi-24 Hind gunships following a motorway to the front at extremely low altitude. pic.twitter.com/E3ZUUQMC0Q OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 16, 2024 And finally, Russia continues to find new ways to add armor to vehicles for protection against FPV drones. In this case, the tracked vehicle has so much extra armor and caging that it looks like a Mad Max prop. I don't even know what to call these anymore pic.twitter.com/8zfj3K6IOS Preston Stewart (@prestonstew_) December 16, 2024 Thats it for now. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Tuesday visited a mausoleum for his late father and grandfather Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung to pay tribute to his father, state media reported on Wednesday. Kim made the visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where his father and grandfather lie in state, on the 13th anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death, according to North Korean state media. Kim was accompanied by senior party and government officials, KCNA reported, including premier Kim Tok Hun and Choe Ryong Hae. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A floral basket in leader Kim's name was laid before the statues of his late father and grandfather and Kim also made a bow before them, the report said. North Korea has remained relatively quiet on South Korea's political situation in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law earlier this month. The country's state media have just run several stories on the impeachment of Yoon, protests and the fallout from the short-lived martial law without offering much commentary. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim in Seoul; Editing by Matthew Lewis) NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Police in North Little Rock are conducting a homicide investigation after a man who was stabbed later died. According to authorities, North Little Rock Police Department officers responded to a report of someone being injured in the 5000 block of Velvet Ridge on Dec. 12 just before 1:30 p.m. Razorbacks football player says his brother was shot and killed by police in Texas When the officers arrived, they said they found a man who had been stabbed lying on the sidewalk. Police said the victim, later identified as 38-year-old Charles Bam Watson, was taken to a hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NLRPD officials said they were told on Dec. 14 that Watson had died, and detectives subsequently began a homicide investigation. Pulaski County deputies seeking help in identifying robbery suspect Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the North Little Rock Police Department tip line at 501-680-8439 or detectives at 501-771-7149. Those with information can remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. A UK-led defence initiative of 10 northern European countries expressed support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "Victory Plan" to defeat Russia at a meeting in Tallinn on Tuesday. "We reaffirmed our unwavering and longstanding support for a sovereign Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes," a statement by the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) said, after a meeting of the format's heads of state and government in Estonia's capital. "We supported the underlying principles of the Victory Plan proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky and are working with Ukraine to contribute to its implementation," it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan includes a demand for an invitation to join the Western military alliance NATO before the end of the war. In addition, Ukraine is to be massively rearmed and Russia is to be subjected to stronger sanctions. Apart from Britain, the JEF draws in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands. All are members of NATO. The Baltic States and the Nordic countries have been among the staunchest backers of Ukraine in warding off the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022. Norwood Police say the women have been found safe. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norwood police are asking for the publics help in locating two missing elderly women. Paula Horne, 84, and Ann Sharkey, 87, were last seen on Monday at noon. The women were believed to be seen in a 2006 Mercury Montego with Massachusetts license plate CC5905. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are known to frequent Norwood and surrounding towns, as well as Bostons Roslindale section. Horne was last seen wearing navy blue sneakers, a navy blue sweater, sweatpants, a black peacoat, and a plaid purse. Sharkey was last seen wearing a black jacket, a red shirt, and a black purse. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact Norwood Police at 781-762-1212. 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 Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano became the latest MAGA Republican to launch into hysterics about recent drone sightings over the United States, and as evidence for his claim, he shared a photo of an iconic movie prop from a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away In the post on X Monday, Mastriano included a screenshot of a familiar-looking large metal object sitting on a trailer in the back of a car, captioned, Breaking News: Crashed drone in Orange Beach retrieved from water, and taken to undisclosed location for further investigation. It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones, Mastriano wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, the object wasnt recognizable as one of the mass of drones. In reality, it was a TIE fighter, the iconic symbol of the Imperial fleet in the classic space opera movie series Star Wars. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down, Mastrinao continued. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. We have recourses [sic] and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. January 20th cant come soon enough. Screenshot of a tweet Online, some found Mastrianos lack of movie knowledge disturbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNNs Jake Tapper pointed out that these were not the drones that Mastriano was looking for. I take the actual drone story seriously but re the below, Im pretty sure Red Leader Garven Dreis shot down that TIE fighter in ep IV A New Hope, he wrote in a post on X. The Texas Observers Steven Monacelli lamented that our nation is facing a crisis of information literacy. Mastriano isnt the first Republican to post drone drivel. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that the government was behind the drones, while former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan begged the government to do something about the lights hed seen floating in the sky, which a meteorologist quickly pointed out was a constellation. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CNN Monday that the drones spotted over New Jersey and other states on the eastern seaboard represent lawful, legal, commercial [and] hobbyist droneseven law enforcement drones, and were not a threat to public safety. A person has died at the VAI Resort construction site in Glendale on Monday morning, Glendale police confirmed to The Arizona Republic. Law enforcement and fire officials responded to the incident, Glendale police said in an email, but said "there was nothing criminal that took place." Authorities did not identify the person in their statement, what their job was or clarify how they died. The VAI construction site sits south of State Farm Stadium on Cardinals Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glendale police referred further inquiries about the incident to VAI and to the Occupational Safety and Health, the government agency responsible for setting workplace safety standards. A spokesperson for the Arizona division of OSHA told The Republic that the agency is investigating the incident but cannot comment on ongoing investigations. (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Glendale police confirms death at VAI Resort construction site Notorious California inmate Richard J. Hirschfield, sentenced to death in connection with the 1980 Sweetheart Murders, a case that took more than 30 years to solve, has died at the age of 75, officials announced Monday. The victims, Sabrina Gonsalves and John Riggins, both students at the University of California Davis, went missing on Dec. 20, 1980. The young couples van was spotted a day and half later on a rural road around 30 miles from Davis. Their bodies were located beneath some brush in a nearby ravine. Their eyes and mouths had been covered in duct tape and their throats slashed. Riggins had also suffered a blow to the head with a sharp object and investigators found signs that Gonsalves had been sexually assaulted, CBS News reported. Richard J. Hirschfield, 75. (CDCR) Nine years after their murders, investigators arrested David Hunt and Doug Lainer as suspects in the case. The two men spent three years in jail awaiting a trial before a quilt discovered in the couples van that was stained with semen was tested for DNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Hunt nor Lainer was a DNA match, and they were released from prison. It wasnt until 2002 that a DNA match came back to convicted sex offender Richard Hirschfield. The Sweetheart Murders trial took nearly a decade to start and included a suicide note from Hirschfields brother, Joseph Hirschfield, that stated, Ive been living with this horror for 20 years and Richard did commit those murders, but I was there. I didnt kill anyone but my DNA is still there, CBS News reported. Suspect wanted for murder in Southern California found in Pennsylvania Hirschfield was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and use of a firearm with an enhancement of use of a deadly weapon in Sacramento County Superior Court and sentenced to death on Jan. 25, 2013, according to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation news release. He was committed to San Quentins death row just a few weeks later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prison officials said the 75-year-old was pronounced dead by a registered nurse in the hospice unit at 4:50 a.m. on Dec. 16. His cause of death was determined to be natural. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For more than two decades, the slayings of two UC Davis students stumped law enforcement, until DNA evidence finally led investigators to the kidnapper and rapist behind the notorious "sweetheart murders." Now, after 11 years on San Quentins death row, Richard J. Hirschfield has died of natural causes, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced. His death puts a period on a long and grisly tale that haunted the families of Hirschfield's victims for half a century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sweethearts, John Riggins and Sabrina Gonsalves, were 18-year-old freshmen at the Northern California school. On Dec. 20, 1980, they were volunteering at a production of "The Nutcracker" ballet at the Davis Community Center. "These kids were exceptional, and I don't take that word usage lightly," said investigator Ron Garverick in a Sacramento County district attorney's office podcast. "They really, truly were. Each of them was very involved in community, in family, in the school, in giving back." Read more: 50 years after a classmates slaying, three amateur sleuths set out to find her killer The couple was abducted by Hirschfield after leaving the community center that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonsalves' sister Andrea reported Gonsalves missing the following day. She would wait 33 years to see the killer convicted. Hirschfield raped Gonsalves and dumped both of the teenagers' bodies in a ravine about 30 miles east of Davis in Sacramento County, where they were found by police three days later. Their throats had been slashed and their heads wrapped in duct tape. "The Gonsalves family was headed by George, who was an Air Force colonel, very stoic man, strong family man," said lead prosecutor Dawn Bladet in the podcast. "Andrea described how she had never seen her father cry until they had gotten the news of Sabrina's death, and he dropped to his knees and was wailing about his baby." Investigators struggled for almost a decade to identify a culprit. Then in 1989, David Hunt and Doug Lainer were arrested as suspects in Yolo County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunt was the half-brother of Gerald Gallego, a Sacramento-area serial killer who raped and killed at least 11 women. Investigators theorized that Hunt had developed the same sadistic taste. The suspects sat in prison for three years waiting for their trial in Yolo County Superior Court. Before that could happen, investigators made a breakthrough in the case when they discovered a previously overlooked stain on a blanket that turned out to be semen. Neither suspect was a match for the DNA, and they were both released. The case went cold again. That was, until police uploaded the semen sample to a national DNA database in 2001. There was an immediate match to a sex offender listed in Washington state. There, Hirschfield was in jail for fondling two young girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators quickly discovered he had been convicted of another violent sexual crime in California five years before slaying the sweethearts. In 1975, Hirschfield broke into the Mountain View apartment of two sisters, ages 16 and 22. "He threatened them, tied them up, had a box cutter, garrote. He had a gun in his hand. He asked who wanted to be raped," Bladet said. The 22-year-old "didn't want her little sister to be raped, so she said, 'Please don't hurt her, take me,' and he did." Investigators now had a clear link to their suspect, but securing an arrest and verdict was no simple feat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All the 1980 original investigative materials had to be looked at and documented and then, of course, all the new investigations," Bladet said. "In the end, there was over 200,000 pages, 80 banker boxes of materials in this case." Not all of the original evidence had been well preserved, and much of it had to be shipped down to Sacramento from Yolo County, where the initial investigation against Hunt and Lainer had taken place. Multiple witnesses had died since the crime took place, and many struggled to recount the long-ago events, the prosecutor said. Then there was the matter of the suicide note left by Hirschfield's brother Joseph, who killed himself shortly after police announced that a DNA match had been found in the sweetheart murders. In the note, Joseph wrote, "Richard did commit those murders, but I was there. I didn't kill anyone but my DNA is still there." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The note was both a blessing and a curse, Bladet said, as it sparked a fierce debate between prosecutors and defense over whether any parts of the note could be used as evidence. Read more: An actor, her boyfriend and a multimillion-dollar fraud that ended in prison and death "There's a difference between what we know happened and what we can prove in court, what is admissible evidence," Bladet said. "There was no way that Joseph's dying declaration about Richard being guilty was going to come into evidence. The law doesn't allow it, so we had to take those parts of the note out." The note also created the opportunity for the defense team to try to pin the murders on Joseph, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, in 2013, more than 10 years after crime-scene DNA was matched to Hirschfield, the jury reached a verdict. Hirschfield was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and use of a firearm with an enhancement of use of a deadly weapon. He was committed to San Quentins death row. "I felt so relieved for these families, and they were just full of emotion, extremely relieved," Bladet said. "It had been such a long time coming for them. They had lived with this for 30 years." Hirschfield died Monday at California Medical Facility, a prison hospital in Vacaville, at 75 years old. The sweethearts he murdered, Riggins and Gonsalves, have a tree and plaque dedicated to them on UC Davis' campus. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Some of the most abiding images of the 1980s were the mass protests across parts of Europe against the deployment of tactical nuclear missiles on the continent. As Cold War tensions rose to heights not reached since the Cuban Missile Crisis two decades earlier, peace activists feared the massing of warheads would inevitably lead to full-blown conflict between the Soviet Union and the West unleashing ruinous consequences. Their worries, in the end, would prove to be unrealised. In July 1991, just months before the Soviet Union collapsed, then-leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US president George H.W. Bush signed the START treaty, ushering in a dramatic reduction in the stockpiles of nuclear weapons each side had accumulated. But the threat of a catastrophic nuclear conflict never truly subsided. And now, fears are intensifying once again amid a new arms race for tactical nuclear weapons, one being led by a Russian state already at war in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global power is shifting, and a third nuclear age is upon us, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff, said earlier this month. The security outlook is more contested, more ambiguous and more dangerous than we have known in our careers. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the nuclear domain. From Russia, we have seen wild threats of tactical nuclear use, large-scale nuclear exercises and simulated attacks against Nato countries, all designed to coerce us from taking the action required to maintain stability. Whereas US military doctrine in the post Cold War-era has largely focused on conventional (non-nuclear) capability and, indeed, sought to cap and shrink the number of nuclear weapons in play Russia has been steadily bolstering its arsenal with tactical nukes. China, which has a no limits partnership with Russia, and North Korea have done the same. Moscow is now thought to possess some 2,000 weapons of this type, outnumbering US stocks by about 10 to one. They are designed to devastate enemy targets in specific areas in order to win battles, rather than obliterate entire cities and cause widespread radioactive fallout, as strategic nuclear weapons are capable of doing. Nonetheless, the destructive power of todays tactical nuclear warheads are still comparable to the atomic bombs dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by US forces in the dying days of the Second World War. Analysts speculate that Americas adversaries, aware of the upper hand held by the US in conventional terms, have sought to outflank it. By possessing tactical warheads, and being willing to deploy them, they may believe they can counter Washingtons might by forcing it to back down if confronted with the prospect of direct conflict. This is essentially the same theory adopted by the US during the Cold War, when US-led Nato forces stationed in Europe were outnumbered by the Soviet Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vladimir Putin, for his part, has repeatedly indulged in nuclear sabre-rattling since launching Russias invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago. He has deployed tactical nuclear missiles to neighbouring Belarus and ordered drills simulating the use of such weapons. Last month, he approved changes to Moscows nuclear doctrine which mean a large attack on Russia with conventional weapons could now meet the criteria for a nuclear response. A response of that nature, such as the use of a tactical nuclear weapon on the battlefields of Ukraine, could, in turn, set off a spiral of counter-launches, thrusting the world towards all-out nuclear conflict and the deployment of higher-yield, devastating strategic nuclear warheads. The problem now for Washington, and by extension Nato, is simple: if conventional deterrence fails in the face of the Russian threat, then there are no trump cards to play apart from strategic nuclear weapons. Our conventional deterrence is no longer convincing, so we will be more reliant on nuclear weapons, says Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, former commander of the British Armys Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment. And if strategic nuclear weapons are to be used, then they will be met with the same: an instant escalation to a massive, global nuclear exchange Armageddon. Seemingly aware of this gap in the US security apparatus, president-elect Donald Trump is expected to push for new missiles tipped by nuclear warheads capable of being launched from ships or submarines when he re-enters the White House next month. In his first term, Trump plunged money into developing tactical nukes and the equipment needed to fire them, reversing decades of arms reduction efforts. Ahead of his second, he has pledged to end the war in Ukraine in a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps return to the presidency is also anticipated to see the US pile pressure on its partners in Europe to increase all forms of defence spending, too, with the shortage of tactical nuclear missiles stationed on the continent seen by some as a serious gap in Natos deterrence credibility. Having removed almost all of its weapons of that kind from Europe after the Cold War, the USs tactical nuclear stocks in the region now consist of an estimated 100 warheads latched onto B-61 bombs. If used, they would be dropped by F-35A fighter jets. The weapons are held at Nato air bases in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey and the Netherlands. Washington also has some 150 more of the B-61s, housed on US territory, and is building a new tactical nuclear storage facility at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, at a cost of several hundred million pounds. It is thought that some of the tactical warheads currently stationed in the US will be redeployed to the site when it is completed in the next few years. If we had a tactical nuclear force, it would make Putin think twice about attacking us conventionally and would nullify his tactical nukes and stop him holding a lot of Nato countries to ransom, says de Bretton-Gordon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the consideration of the utility and potential necessity of tactical nuclear weapons isnt limited to Washington and Moscow. For some time, it has been accepted that if Iran becomes the worlds 10th known nuclear power, both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would look to acquire similar, tactical-type weapons. Links with Pakistan, a known nuclear state, could provide them with a quick route to acquiring such weapons, even if crude ones. In Europe, meanwhile, Polish analysts and industry groups say Warsaw hasnt ruled out kickstarting a tactical nuclear weapons programme of its own. Its distrust of the reliability of Germany, France and the UK, as well as worries about the USs commitment to Nato under Trump, has fed the idea that Poland could, or perhaps even should, become a tactical nuclear power. Certainly, it has not misunderstood the lesson of Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons that were based on its soil as a result of the Budapest Memorandum in 1994. And more recently, there has been some talk in both the UK and France about whether there should be new, non-US tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Europe, and whether the two countries who already share nuclear warhead design and modelling facilities should cooperate on developing such a device. One reason for such cooperation stems from concern that, in the event of a European defence crisis, Trump might refuse to unlock the bunkers and issue the B-61 nuclear bombs to European air forces. But its not only the asymmetry in stocks which is causing concern, with worries rising about how tactical nuclear weapons would be deployed, if required, too. Russia has worked on new classes of tactical nuclear weapons that can fly at hypersonic speeds, that is over 3,500mph/6,000kmh. The Oreshnik missile fired in November against Ukraine, is reported to fly at a speed of Mach 10, or 12,300kmh. It could reach the UK in about 10 minutes from launch positions in Western Russia, and currently the UK has next to no means to counter such weapons. If you are in Poland, the Baltic States or Finland, the warning times of any such attack would be in scant minutes. The readiness level of Natos air-launched tactical nuclear B-61 bombs pales in comparison. Freefall bombs this is yesterdays technology, says de Bretton-Gordon. Youd have thought we could do better with the missile technology that exists today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doug Barrie, a senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, agrees. The greater stand-off range provided, for example, by a cruise missile of some description, would give greater credibility, reinforcing the deterrent value of the capability. Still, assumptions about the value tactical nuclear warheads have as a tool of deterrence must be weighed against the threat such weapons pose. Would greater numbers reduce the prospect of direct conflict between nuclear-armed powers, or jeopardise the nuclear taboo? Some experts have raised concerns that further proliferation of small bombs might heighten the temptation to use them, based on potentially flawed assumptions that the chain of escalation could be carefully managed in a manner that would avert all out nuclear conflict. While simulating an escalating war between the US and Russia, modelling conducted by the Princeton School on Science and Global Security in 2019 suggested a single tactical strike by Moscow could escalate into a full nuclear exchange within the space of an hour leaving 44 million people dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, any further build-up of warheads will come with risks. But even if Trump were to give a green light to a new class of tactical nuclear weapons, it should be remembered that at the end of the Cold War, the USA had about 20,000 nuclear warheads (of all types), and the Soviet Union had approximately 30,000. And yet there was no nuclear exchange, or even conventional war. We are a long way from these numbers, and appear destined to remain so. The fears that drove the protests of the 1980s never materialised, after all. The deterrence that Nato was able to project, at least in part thanks to its tactical nuclear weapons, showed Moscow that it would not succeed militarily against a united and capable Western alliance. Despite thousands of missiles and warheads being deployed to Western Europe, there was no nuclear war. The worry now is that Russia has gained superiority in the tactical nuclear domain, and can bring military pressures to bear on Nato which the alliance cannot counter. It might seem that nuclear re-armament on the continent of Europe brings greater dangers but, in fact, it is the very lack of this capability which puts the West more at risk. 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. The city of Richland is considering selling 425 acres of former Hanford nuclear site land for a $4.5 billion project related to advanced nuclear fuel. The company interested in the project, which is projected to employ 1,000 workers, has not been made public. It is identified in city documents only under the code name of Project Spin. The proposal is the latest in a series of 10-figure economic development deals pending in or near the Tri-Cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others include Atlas Agro, which is considering Richland for its proposed $1.1 billion carbon-free fertilizer plant, and an unnamed U.S. tech company that plans to build a $4.8 billion data center complex at Wallula Gap Business Park, about 10 miles east of Pasco. Richland economic development leaders are confident Project Spin is a win for the community and its vision of an economy bolstered by clean energy manufacturing. We believe based on conversations this far that the project is very likely to move forward as planned in some form, Mandy Wallner the citys economic development director, told the Tri-City Herald. The identity of the company behind Project Spin should be revealed in January, when executives are expected to make a presentation to the Richland City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Richland Economic Development Committee voted earlier this month to recommend that the council support an option agreement for the sale of the land, which is part of the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park. Richland is considering selling 425 acres of the Northwest Advanced Clean Energy Park for development of a nuclear fuel project. The Department of Energy transferred about 1,600 acres of Hanford land north of Horn Rapids Road to the Tri-Cities community in 2015 for development through local government agencies and the Tri-City Development Council. Hanford land, which now covers about 580 square miles, was seized in 1943 from a patchwork of private and government owners for the secret project to make plutonium for the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. The acreage, some of which borders Stevens Drive, was never used for nuclear work. Fuel needs NRC license City documents say the unnamed company has been awarded a DOE contract to provide nuclear fuel after President Biden signed into law in May a ban on the future import of Russian nuclear fuel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort is in concert with the nations investment in advanced reactor technologies, according to city documents. The proposed project would require a 1 million-square-foot nuclear fuel cycle facility to be built. The land would be acquired in three phases over six years at a total cost of nearly $27 million, or an average of about $63,200 per acre. In Phase 1, up to 100 acres would be bought for $35,000 per acre. In Phase 2, up to 120 acres would be purchased for $40,000 an acre, and in Phase 3 up to 205 acres would be bought for $90,500 per acre. The lower prices in Phases 1 and 2 reflect the companys cost to build infrastructure. The land, which is in part of the southern half of the clean energy park, does not have utilities or roads now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project will require licensing approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a process the city of Richland called rigorous before it can begin development. Richland will retain the right to repurchase the land if construction has not started within 18 months of NRC licensing approval. U.S. researchers have fabricated HALEU fuel for next generation nuclear reactors, an important step in the testing and qualification process. Federal nuclear fuel contracts In October, DOE announced that four companies Louisiana Energy Services, Orano Federal Services, General Matter and American Centrifuge Operating were awarded a minimum of $2 million to enrich uranium to help the nation establish a domestic supply of high-assay, low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, for nuclear fuel The enriched uranium would support the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The work will create new good-pay, high-quality jobs and reinforce Americas leadership in the nuclear industry, DOE said in its announcement. DOE has a total of $2.7 billion over 10 years for more awards to the selected companies, subject to Congress appropriating the money. DOE also announced that it has awarded contracts to six companies to convert HALEU into oxide or metal forms that can be made into nuclear fuel. The companies are Framatome, BWXT, Centrus, GE Vernova, Orano and Westinghouse. Framatome already has a nuclear fuel production plant in Richland. Uranium hexafluoride gas containers are shown. The Department of Energy is working to expand domestic commercial low enriched uranium enrichment capabilities to supply nuclear reactors. And in a third announcement DOE said on Dec. 10 that it has selected six companies to compete for future work to expand the nations capabilities for a different type of nuclear reactor fuel using low enriched uranium, or LEU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are American Centrifuge Operating, General Matter, Global Laser Enrichment, Louisiana Energy Services, Laser Isotope Separation Technologies and Orano Federal Services, which will build new facilities or expand existing capacity. Each will receive a minimum contract of $2 million and contracts will last for up to a decade. Companies with contracts to produce both HALEU and LEU fuel could potentially combine operations at a single site. Replacing Hanford site jobs The Tri-City Development Council worked with former U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, both D-Wash., to require DOE to turn the excess Hanford land over to the Tri-Cities community, including the city of Richland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRIDECs goal with the transfer was to replace well-paid jobs lost at Hanford as portions of environmental cleanup are completed or less federal money is spent on environmental cleanup of contaminated portions of the nuclear reservation. When TRIDEC acquired the land to turn over to local governments, it said the acreage would provide highly sought parcels covering hundreds of acres for new industrial use, with a focus on advanced clean energy projects. A 300-acre portion will be used as a solar project, which was planned before DOE announced in July that it planned a gigawatt-scale project on up to 8,000 acres of unused Hanford land that the federal government continues to own. That leaves 1,341 acres of the Hanford land transferred to local governments for industrial development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atlas Agro, the green fertilizer company, has a deal to buy 150 acres from the Port of Benton, though it has not yet finalized its commitment to actually build. The Atlas site is at the northwest corner of Stevens Drive and Horn Rapids Road, near the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Most of the 580-square-mile Hanford site is now part of the Hanford Reach National Monument or is designated for preservation and conservation once environmental cleanup is completed. Hanford was used from World War II through the Cold War to produce nearly two-thirds of the plutonium for the nations nuclear weapons program. Now the site employs about 11,000 people for environmental cleanup and maintenance of the site at a cost of about $3 billion annually. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) With a new law in place banning the sale of dogs, cats and other small animals, some New York stores are offering big sales. Citipups, which now lists its Chelsea and Lexington Avenue locations as closed, is running a goodbye sale online, offering up to $1,000 off the price of pets. The company ran sales for months leading up to the closure to prepare for the new law, a spokesperson for Citipups told PIX11 News. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, as of December 15th, the New York State Legislature has banned the retail of puppies statewide, forcing us to close our doors, reads a notice on Citipups website. Citipups had made arrangements to place any remaining pets with adopters or rescues but were able to clear out the New York City shops, according to the spokesperson. Another pet store, Astoria Pets in Queens, ran sales over the weekend, discounting pups by over $1,000, the New York Post reported. The shops owner, Don DAlessio, told the New York Post that after the weekend hed have to send the remaining dogs to a shelter. The Health Department was in contact with all 24 previously licensed stores before Sunday, but it was up to the stores to make necessary arrangements to be compliant, a spokesperson told PIX11 News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days after the law went into effect across New York state, a spokesperson for the Health Department said it is too early to report whether any stores are in violation. Representatives of Animal Care Centers and Best Friends Society told PIX11 News they have not seen an influx of pets from shuttered shops. 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. Beloved Soho seafood staple Lure Fishbar will likely get the hook when its lease expires because luxury retailer Prada has its sights set on the prized location, The Post has learned. The Milan-based company wants to replace Lure in the space thats been its home for two decades at the corner of Lafayette and Prince streets, where its lease expires soon, with a Prada-branded cafe, sources said. Its all but a done deal. Prada has four times more space than Lure, and [landlord] Peter Brant isnt likely to say no, one prominent broker who is not involved at the location told The Post. Beloved Soho seafood staple Lure Fishbar will likely get the hook when its lease expires Elizabeth Lippman Prada, which has been aggressively expanding in the US, already leases about 20,000 square feet in the 176,000 square-foot office and retail building between Broadway and Mercer Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lure Fishbars lease on its 5,000 square feet expires in early 2026. The expected arrivederci comes after the company, with annual revenue of $4.2 billion, recently purchased the Fifth Avenue sites of its flagship store from Jeff Sutton for a combined $835 million, as The Post previously reported. They want the same kind of control over their Soho space and Lure is in their way, the broker said. Brant, the investor and art patron whos married to supermodel Stephanie Seymour, owns the buildings long-term leasehold. It wasnt known whether Brant has told Lure its sublease wont be renewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blogger Emily Sundberg posted on the FeedMe newsletter site Friday about a rumor . . . that Prada was taking over the Lure Fishbar location. She wrote she received a text that confirmed this rumor. Prada wants to boot Lure from its underground space at the corner of Prince Street where it has been for two decades and replace it with a Prada-branded bakery and cafe, sources said. Helayne Seidman Lure owner John McDonald told The Post on Monday that he was unaware of the Prada buzz. I would hope that if they take over the entire building, they would want to keep Lure Fishbar given its long-standing history and role in Soho for more than 20 years, he said. Sources said the restaurant pays nearly $2 million a year in rent, a remarkable number for a space entirely in the basement, reached by an outdoor metal staircase on the buildings Mercer Street side. Investor and art patrron Peter Brant wns the buildings long-term leasehold. Getty Images for Guggenheim New York None of the players involved responded to requests for clarification and comment, including the Peter Brant Foundation; Prada USA retail director Carlo Croso; and Prada spokesman Nikolas Pankau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lure Fishbar has been one of the citys most popular seafood eateries since it opened in the heart of Soho in 2004. Time Out NY recently named it the No. 1 best Soho restaurant and Thrillist called it the Balthazar of the sea. Lure chef Preston Clark was named by the NYC Tourism + Conventions, the citys official tourism agency, as one of the black chefs shaking up the NYC food scene. Lure Fishbar has been one of the citys most popular seafood eateries since it opened in the heart of Soho in 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Lures fans is Mitchell Moss, an NYU professor of urban policy and planning. Moss, a frequent customer, said, Lure is more than a restaurant. Its the connective tissue that ties people from all sectors of city together. He added, Prada is a global brand with no local roots. Lure is the opposite. They complement each other and no one gains if Prada pushes Lure out. Prada would be resented and diminished. At a press conference Tuesday announcing the indictment of Luigi Mangione on charges of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch scolded the countless Americans who have celebrated his death. In the nearly two weeks since Mr. Thompsons killing, we have seen a shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder, Tisch said. Social media has erupted with praise for this cowardly attack. Soon after Thompsons death, a handful of wanted posters featuring the insurance executives face with a red X on top were plastered around Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commissioner called the posters ghoulish Tuesday and denounced the implication that Thompson was some sort of a sick trophy. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemns the "shocking and appalling celebration of cold-blooded murder" after the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and the threats made to other CEOs since that shooting. "These are the threats of a lawless, violent mob, who would pic.twitter.com/gzqiEcVU1o CBS News (@CBSNews) December 17, 2024 At one point, Tisch held aloft a copy of the New York Post. The cover story was about a socialist clothing company founder creating a deck of cards with photos of most wanted CEOs who, Tisch said, could be targeted for assassination next. These are the threats of a lawless, violent mob who would trade in their own vigilantism for the rule of law that protects us all, she said. Tisch concluded by describing Mangione as a cold and calculated villain. Let me say this plainly: There is no heroism in what Mangione did, she said. This was a senseless act of violence. It was a cold and calculated crime that stole a life and put New Yorkers at risk. We dont celebrate murderers and we dont lionize the killing of anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice. Related... House Democratic veteran Rep. Gerry Connolly fended off a challenge from progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Tuesday, putting the Virginia Democrat in line to become the House Oversight Committees top-ranked Democrat in the new Congress. Connolly has served on the Oversight Committee since 2009 and has led Democrats on the subcommittee on government operations since 2013. He announced on Nov. 7 that he was diagnosed with esophagus cancer, opening the door for a challenge from Ocasio-Cortez. Despite those health challenges, Connolly won by a vote of 131-84, according to multiple Democratic sources -- cementing his role in one of the most high-profile positions in Washington to combat the incoming Trump administration and a unified Republican majority in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Harris urges public to 'stay in the fight,' 'come back ready' after the holidays Ocasio-Cortez has served on the Oversight Committee since her first term in 2019 when she took Capitol Hill by storm as a leader of the so-called Squad. Despite the defeat today, she is still poised to take on a prominent role on the panel in the 119th Congress. PHOTO: In this April 2, 2019, file photo, Rep. Gerry Connolly talks with Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Robin Kelly, and Ayanna Pressley while meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Carlos Barria/Reuters) Connolly said he is ready to take on the Trump administration. He [Trump] may feel more emboldened, but that may also make him more reckless," Connolly said. "There is a law on this land and we're going to make sure it's enforced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our strategy is going to be to tell the truth and if that hurts then we know weve made our mark, he said. Connolly said he was able to defeat AOC because, I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by who's got experience, who's seasoned, who can be trusted, who's capable on it, who's got a record of productivity. And I think that prevailed. Connolly won an initial recommendation Monday evening from the House Democratic Steering Committee to lead Democrats on the panel in the next Congress over AOC by a vote count of 34-27. In defiance of that recommendation, Ocasio-Cortez asked the full caucus to vote on the contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results come as Democrats undergo a post-election reckoning following Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to President-elect Donald Trump -- a period of soul-searching that has put a noticeable dent in House Democrats' traditional deference to seniority for committee assignments. PHOTO: In this Jan. 31, 2023, file photo, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Washington, D.C. | Rep. Gerry Connolly prepares to give a television interview on Capitol Hill, Dec. 12, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Politico via AP) Democrats so far have already opted for younger, more junior Democrats to jump the line to serve as the top party member of the Judiciary, Agriculture and Natural Resources committees, moves that amounted to significant shakeups on Capitol Hill. MORE: 'Total dumpster fire': Republicans fume over speaker's spending plan days from shutdown deadline The maneuvering comes as Democrats prepare for battle with the Trump administration next year, with members hopeful that younger, more energetic voices would be able to better carry the party message into what are expected to be high-profile policy fights, even if Democrats are stuck in the minority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, when it came to the Oversight Committee, Democrats appeared to still prioritize Connolly's standing despite his health issues over Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive and effective communicator but someone who has emerged as a prominent boogeyman for national Republicans. Overall, Democrats have selected five women to be ranking members on committees in the next Congress, along with several people of color, while Republicans have tapped zero women. Ocasio-Cortez loses bid to be top Democrat on House Oversight Committee originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Editors Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. The worlds oceans are under threat from rising sea temperatures, marine pollution and overfishing. The effects are visible in shallow ecosystems suffering from coral bleaching, but less is known about the impact on deeper areas of the ocean such as the mesophotic or twilight zone, which lies between 30 and 150 meters (100 and 490 feet) below the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the area that Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Perie-Bardout, a husband-and-wife team of ocean explorers from France, are focused on. They founded Under the Pole, an organization that carries out diving expeditions to gather scientific knowledge on these extreme, uncharted environments, as part of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Ghislain Bardout and Emmanuelle Perie-Bardout, a husband-and-wife duo of ocean explorers, in Moorea, French Polynesia, 2019. - Franck Gazzola/Under The Pole They have witnessed firsthand the impact of bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging nets along the seabed to catch species that live close to the seafloor, such as cod, hake and shrimp. Around a quarter of all wild-caught seafood is caught via this method each year. As the heavy nets scrape along the seafloor, they can collect unwanted bycatch and harm reefs and seagrasses, leading to the destruction of precious ecosystems. Despite this, the practice is permitted widely across the world, including in some marine protected areas (MPAs), such as in the French Mediterranean. This year, the Bardouts carried out a series of expeditions in the Mediterranean Sea. As guest editors for CNNs Call to Earth series, which reports on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions, they spoke with CNN about the threats facing the mesophotic zone and what must be done to protect it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. CNN: What is bottom trawling and why is it so damaging to the ocean specifically the mesophotic zone? Emmanuelle Perie-Bardout: Bottom trawling is (a method of) fishing that you could compare to a bulldozer in a forest. If you imagine a forest which is being clear cut by a bulldozer, you can picture the danger for the biodiversity and the life inside the forest, and the same (happens) in the water with bottom trawling. But the problem of the ocean in general is that we dont see it. You have bottom trawling everywhere, every day, and its a massive damage to biodiversity, but we just dont see it. CNN: When this damage happens how long does it take for corals to grow back? Can these ocean ecosystems recover from damage like that? Ghislain Bardout: It can take hundreds of years to recover the ecosystem. It depends on the species, but most of them have very slow growth. For example, black corals, which are like underwater trees and can grow up to a meter and a half high, can be 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 years old. They can be destroyed in just a few seconds by a trawler. When they are destroyed, you lose the entire ecosystem very quickly all the fish, all the shells, all the different species that create this ecosystem. CNN: This summer you discovered a rich marine animal forest ecosystem in Fourni, Greece. Did you see signs of industrial fishing there? Emmanuelle: The first time we dived to the marine animal forest we found in Fourni we saw the tracks of the bottom trawler just close to the forest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghislain: This rich ecosystem is on some rocks with sand plains all around it. When trawling, the fishermen try to be as close as possible to this rich ecosystem, but they try not to go on it, because the rocks could damage the nets. But indirectly, fishing so close to those rich ecosystems is very damaging, because its not only physical destruction, its generating mud clouds that then fall on the ecosystem, and little by little, it destroys life. This is where the question of science is essential. Its not only the fact that there are regulations banning trawling, but you also need to know where to do it, and this needs exploration, science and knowledge. CNN: How does documenting these deep ecosystems help to secure their protection? Ghislain: With regulations, if you dont know what to protect and where to protect it, they have no value. You have to know where to apply those regulations. You need to have knowledge of those ecosystems: where are they, what species are living in this ecosystem, what are the conditions of those ecosystems, what are the threats to those ecosystems? If you have a good understanding of that, you can adapt the conservation issues to it. For instance, some species are very fragile and are highly threatened and need a very strong and total conservation, whereas other locations could be partially fished some of the year, but not during the spawning or reproduction period. Emmanuelle: Without science-based information, you cannot change the regulation and the conservation policies. So its a tool, I would say. But also, we cannot wait to have all the science information to act and ask for better protected areas, because it can take years and we dont have years. CNN: What existing protections are there for these deep ecosystems in the Mediterranean? Emmanuelle: This year, Greece was the first European country to say that they will ban bottom trawling in their protected areas by 2030. Its kind of a joke, to say we will protect a marine protected area, but its better than nothing. It was a first step, and England followed, saying they will ban bottom trawling in most of their marine protected areas. So its going in a good direction, but we are waiting for the United Nations Ocean Conference, which will take place in Nice, France, next June. I hope that more countries, including France, will move forward to ban bottom trawling in MPAs. I think we should quickly transition to a fishing technique that is more selective and it exists, its small fishermen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghislain: Local, selective, low-scale fishing with many small boats makes sense, and it also distributes the resource and the economy much better. Whereas industrial fishing is very concentrated on a few companies which are making a lot of profit based on the global resources of the oceans. CNN: Besides bottom trawling, what other threats to the oceans mesophotic zone have you encountered during your research? Ghislain: There is global warming, plastic pollution. The impact of global warming in the ocean can be huge, especially in shallow waters. As you may know, this year was a huge bleaching year. But where we worked in French Polynesia (in the South Pacific), our studies revealed that at a depth below 30 or 40 meters (98 or 131 feet) in the mesophotic zone, there was just a little bit of bleaching. The same occurs in the Mediterranean Sea with the gorgonias (sea fan corals): they have been destroyed in shallow waters by heatwaves in the last few years, whereas in the mesophotic, in Greece, or in France, they are sheltered. That might change in the future, due to global warming, but for now they are protected, and thats a huge hope. That should encourage us to act now, as the mesophotic could have a role as a refuge and be a regenerative ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emmanuelle: We are often asked about solutions and technology. I think its interesting to work on solutions. But if you have a fire in the forest, you wont put seeds in until youve put the fire out. Thats what marine protected areas are for they give us the time we need to stop the fire. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginias State Income Tax on Monday. The proposal would directly impact the food and hospitality industries, including Oceanfront restaurants and employees. I think it would be a lot better for a lot of the servers to have an opportunity to keep a lot of that money that comes in, said Jacob Scarborough, a server at Ocean Eddies Seafood Restaurant. While many of the service workers believe Youngkins proposal would be financially beneficial, theres are inquiries. That money that we were being taxed on, its got to come from somewhere else, otherwise youre going to have a deficit somewhere, so is sales tax going to come up? Are property taxes going to go up? State taxes going to go up? Because you got to make up for it somewhere, said Rick Leebrick, the general manager of Oceans 14 and Oceans Ole. Oceanfront restaurant employees do agree tax relief is helpful as tips are their livelihood. The average server makes $2.13 an hour, bartenders $2.13-$5 an hour. The rest of it comes from your tips, Leebrick said. With tips being taxed, servers say they often take home a fraction of their pay. Youngkins proposal will return an estimated $70 million to the pockets of Virginians to lower the cost of living for working families across the Commonwealth. Virginians who earn tips will be able to claim a deduction on their state tax return, provided the income is included in their federal adjusted gross income. The Department of Taxation will use IRS data and employer-reported W-2 information to ensure compliance. I think itll be really beneficial to a lot of people working in this industry since its a lot of students and a lot of people working as a second job. This can help them get a little further ahead in life, Scarborough said. The 2025 Virginia General Assembly session will begin on Jan. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man from Townville was arrested last week for touching a child inappropriately, deputies said. According to the Oconee County Sheriffs Office, the investigation began on November 13 after a deputy received a call about a child sex crime on Little Choestoea Road. The investigation revealed that 37-year-old Michael Matthew Banks had touched a minor inappropriately on October 18. The incident involved only one victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banks was charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and is held on a $25,000 bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. The St. Cloud Police Department said it is investigating after an off-duty Orange County deputy was stabbed during a road rage incident. Records show Daniel Siekawitch was arrested after the altercation. Both drivers pulled over around 1 p.m. Monday at the 192 Pet Doc parking lot near the intersection of 13th and Connecticut after a disagreement related to driving. Read: Live: Shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin leaves 3 dead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Siekawitch, who was driving a white Tesla, exited the vehicle and pulled a knife, stabbing the second driver in the left shoulder. The other driver is an off-duty Orange County Deputy. The deputy pulled his service weapon and held the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived. Read: OCSO Charges 28-year-old with Unlawful Distribution of Fentanyl The identity of the deputy involved has not been released. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The Longview Police Department has confirmed that there was no shooting at the Longview Mall on Monday afternoon. Popular fishing YouTuber Ben Milliken arrested for fishing tournament fraud in Nacogdoches According to Longview Police Departments Public Information Officer LaDarian Brown, a person called emergency personnel after seeing an individual with an airsoft gun in the mall parking lot near Overstock Furniture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown said the individual was detained and cleared, no one was injured and the scene has since been cleared. However, Brown emphasized that the department takes all suspicious activity seriously and encourages the public to report anything unusual to emergency services. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. The Bonneville Dam is the last of 14 dams on the Columbia River before it empties into the Pacific Ocean. (Bonneville Power Administration/Flickr) Officials are still not close to reaching their goal of returning at least 5 million salmon and steelhead to the Columbia River Basin. However, new data shows a positive trend in total abundance of fish in the basin. Thats according to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, which met over Zoom last week to discuss the latest data of salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before 1850, salmon and steelhead runs to the Columbia River Basin were estimated to have been between 10 to 16 million annually. Dams significantly fractured those runs, and in the 1990s, runs declined to about 1 million a year. The Columbia River Basin spans 259,000 square miles, an area the size of France. It includes parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and British Columbia. (Courtesy of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council) However, the most recent 10-year rolling average from 2014-2023 stands at 2.3 million salmon and steelhead returning to the basin, similar to the average of 2.4 million fish between 2004-2013, and an improvement from the average in the 1990s which fell to 1.3 million fish, according to data from the council. Increased salmon and steelhead abundance in the Columbia River Basin especially above Bonneville Dam over the past 40 years marks important progress, Council Member Louie Pitt, who represents Oregon and is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, said in a press release. 37 years later, council remains far from goal of 5 million fish returns The Northwest Power and Conservation Council was established in 1980 by the Northwest Power Act, which authorized Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington to develop a program to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by hydropower systems in the Columbia River Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The councils fish and wildlife program is funded by the Bonneville Power Administration, and it directs more than $280 million annually to cover 300 projects throughout the basin. In 1987, the council set a goal to have 5 million salmon and steelhead return to the basin past Bonneville Dam by 2025. And through the 1990s, 12 salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin were listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act as run sizes continued to decline. Since then, the closest the council has been to reaching its 5 million goal was in 2014, when 4.6 million salmon and steelhead returned to the basin. While dams are a primary hindrance to salmon and steelhead population recovery, these fish also face severe stresses from climate change, pressures from human population growth in the basin, and other environmental impacts, Pitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot ease up in our collective efforts to help these fish populations grow stronger and larger everywhere we can including in blocked areas of our basin such as above Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee dams, Pitt said. In the 1990s, the number of salmon and steelhead fish returning to the Columbia River dipped as far as less than 1 million fish. State, federal and tribal agencies are working toward bringing up those numbers. (Courtesy of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council) Ed Schriever, a council member who represents Idaho and is a former director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said the progress is a result of the coordination between state, federal and tribal agencies and other partners across the Columbia River Basin. Over the past four decades the regions fish and wildlife managers have significantly increased their capacity to perform mitigation, stewardship, and enhancement, Schriever said in the press release. The managers have also refined their methods and processes as our scientific understanding has evolved and grown more sophisticated. The work being done today is more directed and purposeful than it has ever been. Data shows improvement in fish production above Bonneville Dam Another key finding from the presentation is an improvement in salmon and steelhead production above Bonneville Dam since the establishment of the council Endangered Species Act listings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early initiatives of the 20th century to recover salmon and steelhead populations, such as hatcheries, focused mostly in the lower sections of the Columbia River to benefit commercial fisheries and ocean harvest, said Peter Jensen, council spokesperson. This ignored fisheries upstream, particularly those for tribes, which experienced the heaviest losses of salmon and steelhead abundance. Since then, new hatcheries upstream of Bonneville Dam, many managed or co-managed by tribes, have helped offset some of those losses. The data presented last week gives a more complete picture of salmon and steelhead returns in the basin, showing current and historical estimates of proportions of ocean harvest, returns to the mouth of the river, and adult fish tracked passing Bonneville Dam as they migrate upriver to spawn. Previous efforts only focused on fish migrating past Bonneville Dam. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Capital Sun, like Oregon Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WFRV) Wisconsin officials have identified the victim of a fatal stabbing that occurred on Saturday evening at a bar, which is currently under investigation. The original report came in after 6 p.m. reporting that a man was stabbed at the Do-Dodge-Inn in Eau Claire. Officers performed life-saving measures on the victim, identified as 31-year-old Alex Graff of Medford, Wisconsin. No injuries reported after bank robbery in Wisconsin, investigation underway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graff was reportedly in town visiting a friend. Video surveillance and statements from witnesses said that the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Anthony Jackson, a homeless man in Eau Claire, approached Graff and his friend, stabbing him multiple times. The attack at this time is being considered unprovoked. Jackson also attempted to stab Graffs friend. Graff died of his injuries after being transported to a hospital. Jackson was arrested on scene, and had an initial court date set for Tuesday morning, with the Eau Claire County District Attorneys office formally charging him with the following: 1st Degree Intentional Homicide with a Dangerous Weapon Attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide with a Dangerous Weapon Felony Bail Jumping (x2) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Domestic incident in Wisconsin leads to officer involved shooting, DOJ investigating Detectives are currently looking for more witnesses. Anybody who was in the bar and hasnt spoken with law enforcement is asked to contact investigators. No more details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution could change the state's voter ID law and allow counties to expand their early voting locations or number of ballot drop boxes. The Ohio Voters Bill of Rights cleared a procedural hurdle with the state Ballot Board last month, meaning advocates can start collecting signatures to get the measure on the ballot. Backers hoped to put it before voters this year, but a legal fight with Attorney General Dave Yost delayed their efforts. Sign up for The Scoop: Get our weekly newsletter on Ohio politics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition began pushing for the amendment after Ohio enacted an election law in 2023 that requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls. Secretary of State Frank LaRose and some Republican lawmakers are now mulling whether to ban drop boxes and require proof of citizenship for voter registration. "Ohio has some of the most oppressive voter laws in the country," said Bria Bennett, a spokesperson for the group. Here's what you need to know about the proposed amendment. What would the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights do? If approved by voters, the amendment would: Let Ohioans automatically register to vote when they apply for or renew their Ohio driver's license or state ID. Allow people to register or update their registration the same day they vote. Require voters to present an unexpired photo ID issued by the government or an Ohio school. Those who don't have a photo ID could sign an attestation form that poll workers would verify. Permit boards of elections to install more than one ballot drop box per county and designate multiple locations for early voting. Reinstate early voting the Monday before Election Day until noon. The 2023 election law eliminated Monday early voting hours, a change supported by county election officials. Prevent the state from purging the registrations of voters who are inactive over a four-year period. People vote at Blackburn Recreation Center in Columbus on Nov. 5. Who's behind the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights amendment? The coalition comprises several groups, including the Ohio chapter of the NAACP, Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Unity Coalition and the A. Philip Randolph Institute, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO that advocates for racial justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The League of Women Voters of Ohio has yet to take a position on the amendment. Does anyone oppose the Ohio Voters Bill of Rights? LaRose has called the proposal a "political Trojan horse" and contends it would enable noncitizens to vote. He also said it would "undercut and roll back Ohio's popular photo-ID requirement, degrading the integrity of our process." "I have major concerns it will put the scales of convenience and security out of balance," LaRose posted on X last month. When will Ohio Voters Bill of Rights be on the ballot? The amendment still has a ways to go. Bennett said the coalition is determining next steps, including whether to aim for the November 2025 election or wait another year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify for the ballot, advocates must collect a minimum of 413,487 voter signatures from at least half of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitions for November elections are due in July. Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How Ohio Voters Bill of Rights could change state election law Countries that have a special love for Armenians have one peculiarity: usually, the authorities in these countries bring the situation to a deep crisis. In Canada, following France, the government is rapidly collapsing. Local television reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is already considering options to resign in order to hold new elections as soon as possible, before his approval rating drops too much. Over the past few days, both Housing Minister Sean Fraser and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland have resigned. Moreover, Freeland managed to announce her resignation just a couple of hours before she was scheduled to speak in the House of Commons about the country's financial situation. Freeland was considered the most influential member of Trudeau's cabinet and the "grey cardinal" of the Canadian Liberals. She is leaving at the most inconvenient time. A trade war is raging with Trump, who promises to impose tariffs of 25% on Canadian imports. The economic situation remains dire, and there is an acute housing crisis in the country. The Canadian dollar is close to its lowest point in 20 years. Canada is flooded with migrants, and the social system is becoming dysfunctional. Scandals have been surrounding Freeland herself, which definitely does not help Trudeau's popularity. The collapse of the Canadian government could bring elections closer, where the Liberals, with a rating of 20%, are likely to lose badly. The Canadian Conservatives, who have adopted the Trumpian slogan "Canada First," are poised to win. As a result, members of Trudeau's cabinet are fleeing like rats from a sinking ship, not wanting to go down with their embattled prime minister. Members of the LGBTQ+ community and supporters celebrate during the annual Stonewall Columbus Pride March. (Photo by Graham Stokes for the Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Ohio advocates are warning against an Ohio bill that would require schools to notify parents if the child identifies as LGBTQ+, as well as opt out of so-called sexuality content. The GOP denies it is homophobic, saying its just a way for parents to stay informed. During the last expected week of lame duck session, legislators are trying to pass everything they can. Legislation that has been up for debate is House Bill 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Reps. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced the bill that would require schools and teachers to notify parents about any changes to their childs mental, physical, or emotional being including if they identify as LGBTQ+. Dara Atkinson with TransOhio explained that this could lead to a forced outing of students. If people are out and they dont have supportive parents there is an epidemic of LGBTQ youth homelessness, Atkinson said. [There are] parents who dont affirm their children and then decide that they would like them to not be their children. The legislation also mandates notification about so-called sexuality content. For students that have queer families, it is then not OK in early childhood curriculum to discuss queer families as part of the community, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Carruthers denied that her bill is homophobic, saying in a floor speech that it would simply keep parents informed about their kids. There is no hidden agenda here, Carruthers said. Enacting the parents bill of rights has to do with bringing the parents back into the schools and letting them know that they still have a voice in their childs education. She added that the bill is not anti-LGBTQ and said that nothing can be done these days without offending others. There is already a policy around sexual content in schools, and parents are allowed by law to see the curriculum. But Carruthers said this bill requires schools to be proactive, and it would protect parents rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All this bill asked for is age-appropriate education and to promote parental involvement in public school systems, she added. The bill passed primarily along party lines in the House back in 2023. Only state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, joined the Democrats to vote against it. But the bill does face some challenges when it comes back to the House for a concurrence vote. The Senate has added an amendment, one that requires public schools to allow kids to leave class to go to religious instruction. House Speaker Jason Stephens isnt a fan of the new version of the bill, but he cant speculate on if he will or wont concur on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We asked him to explain his opposition and his request for a clean bill. I think you say more by saying less Adding on a lot of other things, there may be unintended consequences or there may be things in in a bill like that may have not have been thoroughly vetted or discussed, Stephens responded. H.B. 8s message could get bungled by the unrelated provisions, he added. We could have easily loaded it up with a lot of different things on our side, but we wanted to make a clear, clean statement with that legislation that parents have the right to know whats going on in the schools with their children, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After session that day, we challenged Stephens on this statement, considering he has concurred on other bills that were combined at the last minute. We passed a lot of Senate bills that we were able to put in a lot of House bills that we have voted for before, he responded. Were trying to get good policy done. We asked specifically about H.B. 8 and his not liking the amendment. There [are] things Im sure that we voted for today that the Senate may not like an amendment on there or something that we put on, Stephens said. Thats just part of the legislative process. Atkinson is hoping it doesnt make its way through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its gonna hurt a lot of kids and its gonna make schools less safe and a lot scarier for LGBTQ youth, Atkinson said. Gov. Mike DeWine has said he will sign it if it gets to his desk as long as several changes to the bill are made. He is supportive of the addition of the religious release bill, as he likes a statewide policy. Senate Education Chair Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, said the bill will be a priority next General Assembly if it doesnt pass before lame duck ends. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Getty Images. An Ohio-based health policy group says students, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid, would benefit from more school-based health care options. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio said the key to better outcomes for the state as a whole comes from healthy students who are able to attend school. Offering health care services to kids in schools, known as school-based health care, is a worthy investment, with the potential to improve future health and education outcomes for Ohio students, the HPIO stated in a recently released paper on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The institute acknowledged the attention policymakers and school districts are increasingly giving to the connection between health and academic performance, but said financial stability and administrative burdens bring challenges in implementation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A change on the federal level back in 2014, however, could present opportunities for the state to leverage Medicaid reimbursement to improve the health and well-being of students. The change allowed flexibility for coverage of school-based health services for Medicaid-enrolled students. The states K-12 public school students include more than 700,000 students who were enrolled in Medicaid for at least three months, accounting for 42% of K-12 students, according to Ohio Department of Education and Workforce data for the 2022-2023 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same school year, the HPIO found nearly 4 in 10 children enrolled in Medicaid were considered chronically absent, that is, missing more than 10% of instruction time in a school year. The rate for Medicaid-enrolled students was double that of students not enrolled in the program. Children from families with low incomes, and therefore eligible for Medicaid, often experience more barriers to accessing health care due to factors such as lack of transportation or parent challenges taking time off work, the HPIO study stated. These barriers increase the value of school-based health services for families. While school districts across the state have school nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors, many do not have the number that school-based provider associations would recommend, according to the HPIO. The study also found that services provided by these school-based professionals arent fully reimbursable with public or private insurance. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) already requires that students with special health needs get free appropriate public education and related services that align with the need of the student. Medical services that are needed are documented in individualized education plans (IEPs), plans which 17% of all students in Ohio had in the 2023-2024 academic year, HPIO research stated. Funding for the IDEA requirements is funded through a combination of federal, state, and school district monies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2014 federal change that HPIO says could present an opportunity for the state was a reversal of the Free Care Rule, a federal rule that barred reimbursement of Medicaid services that were already provided to students for free, therefore limiting reimbursement to those with IEPs. Now, states have more flexibility to decide which types of services can be offered in schools and covered by Medicaid, the research stated. In states that choose to take advantage of the flexibility, services provided by both school-employed and school-contracted health care professionals can potentially be reimbursed through Medicaid, the study found. But Ohio has not chosen to use that flexibility, a move that would require changes to administrative policies on IEPs and Medicaid reimbursement, as well as the submission of a state plan amendment. The 2024-2025 state operating budget included goals from the Ohio Department of Medicaid to submit the plan amendment, possibly expanding eligibility for the Medicaid School Program and the covered services packages under the MSP, the HPIO stated, citing an August email from the ODM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said it partners with the ODEW and 650 school districts and community schools to provide school-based health services for 125,000 students with disabilities in a year. In fiscal year 2022, participating school districts received $48 million in federal matching dollars, according to the ODM. The most frequent services used as part of the Medicaid School Program in 2022 were group treatments of speech, language, voice, communication and/or hearing processing disorders, which made up 35% of the procedures used in that year by the program. Expanding Medicaid-funded services in schools could ease financial constraints for schools while simultaneously improving student outcomes, though the HPIO acknowledged health care workforce shortages may further complicate efforts to expand services. Still, statewide support could help bring implementation of new Medicaid services in school environments, as 26 others states have done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By paying the non-federal share (of Medicaid funding), these states are investing in their students health and learning, while also experiencing boosts in federal revenue, the HPIO study concluded. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A riverboat on the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline make a scenic backdrop for President Joe Biden in Covington after he and other elected officials celebrated more than $1.5 billion in federal funding for a new Interstate 75 bridge linking Kentucky and Ohio, Jan. 4, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Michael Clubb) A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a new office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address environmental needs of the Ohio River basin spanning 204,000 square miles. The Ohio River Restoration Program Act would create a new office and program modeled after similar efforts in the Great Lakes region and the Chesapeake Bay area, says a release from Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville. The office would work with states, local governments, tribal leaders and private groups to find ways to secure federal funding for the river basins protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGarvey in a statement said he was proud to partner with Republican Rep. Erin Houchin of southern Indiana on the bill. The representatives are co-chairs of the Ohio River basin caucus in Congress. From waste and erosion to pollution and climate change, the Ohio River is facing serious threats that arent going to just work themselves out and cant be fixed by one person or organization alone, McGarvey said in a statement. Houchin in a statement said the lawmakers are committed to ensuring the river gets the attention and resources it needs by securing federal funding and bringing together stakeholders to develop a plan that protects and restores it for future generations. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Kentucky, center, and Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, right, announce the Ohio River Restoration Program Act. (Photo provided) Unlike some watersheds, the Ohio River has no long-term, federally-funded strategic plan for its future. According to a release, the new office under the legislation would be tasked with creating a plan to prevent pollution, conserve farms and restore natural habitats, make investments to prepare against extreme storms and flooding and support robust environmental data collection for a protection program, according to the release from McGarvey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Rivers, a national nonprofit advocating for the protection and restoration of rivers across the country, in 2023 named the Ohio River the second most endangered waterway in the country in part because the lack of federal investment leaves it environmentally vulnerable. Heather Taylor-Miesle, a senior vice president of conservation for American Rivers, in a statement said the proposed legislation would have a profound impact on the river that serves as a drinking water source for millions of Americans across 14 states. The release from McGarveys office said the legislation is endorsed by more than two dozen national and Kentucky-based organizations including the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, the Kentucky Resources Council, the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, the Kentucky Conservation Committee and the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network. A riverboat on the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline make a scenic backdrop for President Joe Biden in Covington after he and other elected officials celebrated more than $1.5 billion in federal funding for a new Interstate 75 bridge linking Kentucky and Ohio, Jan. 4, 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Michael Clubb) A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a new office within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address environmental needs of the Ohio River basin spanning 204,000 square miles. The Ohio River Restoration Program Act would create a new office and program modeled after similar efforts in the Great Lakes region and the Chesapeake Bay area, says a release from Democratic U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville. The office would work with states, local governments, tribal leaders and private groups to find ways to secure federal funding for the river basins protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGarvey in a statement said he was proud to partner with Republican Rep. Erin Houchin of southern Indiana on the bill. The representatives are co-chairs of the Ohio River basin caucus in Congress. From waste and erosion to pollution and climate change, the Ohio River is facing serious threats that arent going to just work themselves out and cant be fixed by one person or organization alone, McGarvey said in a statement. Houchin in a statement said the lawmakers are committed to ensuring the river gets the attention and resources it needs by securing federal funding and bringing together stakeholders to develop a plan that protects and restores it for future generations. Unlike some watersheds, the Ohio River has no long-term, federally-funded strategic plan for its future. According to a release, the new office under the legislation would be tasked with creating a plan to prevent pollution, conserve farms and restore natural habitats, make investments to prepare against extreme storms and flooding and support robust environmental data collection for a protection program, according to the release from McGarvey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Rivers, a national nonprofit advocating for the protection and restoration of rivers across the country, in 2023 named the Ohio River the second most endangered waterway in the country in part because the lack of federal investment leaves it environmentally vulnerable. Heather Taylor-Miesle, a senior vice president of conservation for American Rivers, in a statement said the proposed legislation would have a profound impact on the river that serves as a drinking water source for millions of Americans across 14 states. The release from McGarveys office said the legislation is endorsed by more than two dozen national and Kentucky-based organizations including the Kentucky Waterways Alliance, the Kentucky Resources Council, the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, the Kentucky Conservation Committee and the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network. Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX School lockers in a hallway. Getty Images. A Republican bill in the state Senate would automatically shut down low-performing Ohio public schools. State Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, introduced Senate Bill 295 over the summer, which would revise the states automatic school closure language. The bill has a fourth hearing scheduled Tuesday in the Senate Education Committee. The bill defines a poor performing school as a school, serving grades four and older, that has performed in the bottom 5% among public schools based on their Performance Index Score for three consecutive years. A school would also be considered a poor performing school if they are in the bottom 10% based on their Value-Added Progress for three consecutive years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is my hope that this bill will help to standardize the law surrounding school closures for public and community schools and help ensure that each student in Ohio receives the best education possible, Brenner said. Ohio charter schools are automatically closed if they have three straight years of poor performance. We right now have an existing law where charter schools can be shut down if they dont perform, and just the threat of that has actually forced the turn around with many of these charter schools, Brenner said. Seventeen people submitted opponent testimony against S.B. 295 during last weeks committee meeting. Only one person submitted supporter testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the requirements for closure or restructuring are based upon bottom percentages, there will always be schools that meet the criteria, even if those schools are meeting state standards, Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper said in her testimony. As low performing schools are closed, other schools that are higher ranked will now be in the bottom 5% even if they show no decline in their own rating. This cut-off is arbitrary and its potential effect is that eventually well-performing schools will also be subject to closure. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As an alternative to closing, Brenner said a school can replace the principal and 60% of their licensed staff, but Cropper wonders where the replacement educators would come from. There is already a shortage of teachers and other licensed personnel in schools and positions in low performing schools are especially hard to fill, she said. This will also create a further disincentive for teachers to teach in challenging schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro said the bill would harm students. S.B. 295 proposes a heavy handed and overreaching state approach to local schools that receive low ratings on state report cards, he said in his opponent testimony. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce uses 1 to 5 star ratings in half increments based on five categories: achievement, progress, early literacy, gap closing and graduation. 10% percent of Ohio school districts are below state standards, according to the latest state report cards ODEW released earlier this year. Schools and school districts that receive one star need significant support to meet state standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S.B. 295 does not do this, DiMauro said. Instead of offering significant support, S.B. 295 proposes significant punishments that will most likely destabilize schools where many great things are happening, even if those successes are not revealed on data printouts of standardized test scores. Sen. Catherine Ingram, D-Cincinnati, asked where the students would go if their school closed. The school would be closed and all the students would have to go to another school, which is what happens right now in our charter school law, Brenner said. The two-year General Assembly ends this week, so any bills that dont pass will die and would have to be reintroduced in the next General Assembly. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LifeWise Academy is a Hilliard-based religious instruction program that started in 2019 and now enrolls 50,000 students across 29 states. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal.) On the eve of the last scheduled lame duck session, the Ohio Senate Education Committee Tuesday has yet to pass House Bill 8, known as the Parents Bill of Rights to supporters and the Dont Say Gay bill to opponents. The bill would also mandate school districts create a policy to release students for religious instruction time. Republican state Sen. Andrew Brenner. Official photo. After convening, the chair of the Senate Education Committee State Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, immediately called the committee to recess Tuesday afternoon, saying he plans on calling the committee back to order Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two bills were up for a vote during Tuesdays meeting H.B. 8 and House Bill 206, which would allow school districts to make a policy to expel a student that poses an imminent and severe endangerment to the safety of students or school staff for 180 days, and possibly longer. Were still working with various colleagues in both chambers, as well as leadership in both chambers and the governors office on these bills and are still working on them, Brenner told reporters Tuesday afternoon. We are still working on basically H.B. 206, were looking at amendments that were discussing between both chambers, and I think weve come to an agreement on House Bill 8 as well. Brenner wouldnt say what the hang-ups are with either of the bills. I cant really say as to what were discussing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brenner did say say chances are very high both bills will be voted out of committee and make it onto the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon for the final scheduled Senate Session of the General Assembly. House Bill 8 State Reps. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, introduced H.B. 8 last year. The bill would force educators to out a students sexuality to their parents and would require public schools to let parents know about sexuality content materials ahead of time and give them the option to request alternative instructions. State Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, was the only Republican to vote against the bill when it passed the Ohio House last summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Education Committee added the religious release time amendment to the bill last week. Candidly, I think it would be better if we had a uniform state policy, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters last week when asked about the religious release time policy. Ohio law currently allows school district boards of education to make a policy to let students go to a course in religious instruction, but this would change the wording in the Ohio Revised Code from may to shall meaning this would be a mandate for Ohio school districts. If the bill is voted out of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate passes the bill, the Ohio House would have to concur with changes to the bill before it would go to DeWines desk. The Ohio House is also in session on Wednesday with an if-needed session scheduled for Thursday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, was noncommittal when asked if H.B. 8 would have enough votes to concur in the House with the addition of the religious release time policy. Well have to see, he said. Especially during lame duck, its hard to say what and if, because things can change so rapidly. So well see what the Senate does. Its a very fluid situation as part of what actually comes out, and thatll give us time if we break (Wednesday) for whatever the Senate may vote out for us to caucus and talk about. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, also expressed uncertainty when asked about a possible concurrence of H.B. 8 based on conversations shes had with Republican leadership in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know, she said. Theres been some discussion about the LifeWise bill, what version of it emerges from the Senate Committee. I maintain that we are a no on the legislation. We believe firmly that those decisions should remain with the local school districts and communities to have input and what best fits the needs of their communities and their student population. School expulsions State Reps. Gary Click, R-Vickery, and Monica Robb Blasdel, R-Columbiana, introduced H.B. 206, which passed the House earlier this month. Fifteen Democrats voted against the bill, including Russo. My main concern is how do we address the disproportionate impact of expulsions, especially on children of color and students of color and the bill doesnt seem to have enough safeguards to address that issue and concern, she said. A 15-year-old high school student brought a gun to her Wisconsin school and fatally shot a student and a teacher on Monday. Several others were injured. School closures Brenner told reporters his bill that would change Ohios automatic school closure language and automatically close low-performing Ohio schools is dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That bill is now off the table, Brenner said, but didnt elaborate why. The bill wasnt scheduled for a vote. S.B. 295 defines a poor performing school as a school, serving grades four and older, that has performed in the bottom 5% among public schools based on their Performance Index Score for three consecutive years. A school would also be considered a poor performing school if they are in the bottom 10% based on their Value-Added Progress for three consecutive years. This is the last week of the two-year General Assembly cycle, meaning any bill that doesnt pass and get signed into law dies and would have to be reintroduced next General Assembly. Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DOUGLAS, Okla. (KFOR) An Oklahoma cookbook author and social media influencer says she plans to use a different online website hosting company after issues getting paid by Squarespace. Erin Fischer runs an Instagram account with over 42,000 thousand followers. Recently, the Oklahoman also published a cookbook titled Yall Want Seconds to cater to friends, family and followers that had been asking for recipes. I knew in my head it wasnt going to be a 50-page cookbook, it was going to be a big one, said Fischer. Ive always loved cooking, so I knew that one day I wanted to have a place to share all of my recipes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pre-orders for her cookbook opened in October, and Fischer says she enlisted the help of a friend she paid to set up a personal website for her on Squarespace. The online company allows users to pay to create a customizable website for a monthly or annual fee. Fischer says she had familiarity with using it in the past through another business. It was something, again, I was familiar with so I could navigate the back end of the website and be able to be more efficient when I needed to get the books out to my customers, said Fischer. Fischer said she experienced issues in November when she tried to collect money through the website, initially just expecting a minor delay of a few weeks. Fischer said her website designer was able to get in contact with Squarespace initially, which advised her of an unspecified issue with her payment-processing account for credit/debit card processing. Fischer said her website designer informed Squarespace but things went radio silent. Gold Dome one step closer to possible renovation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I went on to their support page and they have a note on there that says that they do not accept phone calls, said Fischer. So, theres no person you can actually get on the phone. Then whenever you send an email to their support email, you get an automatic reply that says this inbox does not accept incoming messages. Fischer says its also not possible to get ahold of a live agent or representative by using the websites chat feature. Eventually she says, after running out of options, and her website designer being unable to get ahold of Squarespace again, she started using her own social media. I did go to one and I said, I need you to message me, you owe me thousands of dollars, and it looks like you owe other people money too, said Fischer. Fischer threatened legal action and also threatened reaching out to local news in her area. She reached out to News 4 last week for help. We told her that we had reached out to Squarespace through the companys press contact form and offered Fischer an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I posted the email from your News Director that I was going to be interviewed, that is when they said my money would be in my bank account in 1-3 business days, said Fischer. Fischer received her payment on Monday, but says she never received a formal apology or explanation. Who is making these decisions and telling them to withhold funds for whatever reason? Fischer asked. And even if theres a break in their communication, they need to stand up and fix it so that this doesnt happen again. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With some turnpike fees increasing by as much as 20% next year, some drivers might be searching for ways to avoid Oklahoma's pay-as-you-drive highways. It's easy enough to program a GPS or smartphone's map app to avoid tolls, but here are some options to consider before you plan your trip. More: Drivers likely to pay increased tolls as ACCESS Oklahoma costs exceed projections Free Oklahoma City-Tulsa route avoids turnpike The state's first toll road was the Turner Turnpike, which connects Oklahoma City and Tulsa along Interstate 44. The trip takes about an hour and a half, and costs at least $4.50 for PikePass members and $8.75 for everyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers on the Turner Turnpike soon will pay $5.40 with a PikePass and $10.50 with PlatePay to travel between Oklahoma City and Tulsa as tolls go up throughout Oklahoma. PlatePay uses cameras to automatically log drivers' license plates, then the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority mails a bill to the vehicle's registered address if it isn't enrolled in PikePass. More: Plan your trip with the PikePass toll calculator The quickest toll-free route between OKC and Tulsa will bring you north through Guthrie, then east toward Tulsa along State Highway 33. This route will take you through Langston, Perkins, Cushing and Drumright and adds about half an hour to the trip. Drivers who don't want to stray too far from the turnpike also can take the more scenic Historic Route 66, which runs alongside the Turner Turnpike as it snakes through Arcadia, Wellston, Chandler, Bristow and Kellyville. Avoiding H.E. Bailey Turnpike adds 45 minutes Another popular turnpike connects the Oklahoma City metropolitan area with southwestern Oklahoma. The H.E. Bailey Turnpike contains multiple sections with connections in OKC, Norman and a separate turnpike connecting Lawton with Wichita Falls, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To avoid these toll roads as you head south, take U.S. 81 south from Chickasha. This route adds 45 minutes on a trip to Lawton. Oklahoma turnpike increases through the years. Multiple routes available to southeastern Oklahoma The Indian Nation Turnpike connects Interstate 40 in eastern Oklahoma with communities in southeastern Oklahoma. This is the route that Tulsa and Oklahoma City residents might take if they're headed to McAlester, Hugo or Idabel. If you're headed southeast and want to avoid toll increases next year, there are several state highways that can help you reach your destination. Most alternate routes go through Shawnee before dipping south along State Highway 3. For those headed to far southeastern Oklahoma, another option is to drive south along Interstate 35 from Oklahoma City to Ardmore before turning east. These options can add about half an hour to the drive. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Toll-free routes: OKC to Tulsa, OKC to southeastern Oklahoma A 69-year-old disabled man was killed Tuesday morning when a fire tore through the shuttered Brooklyn tire shop below his apartment, officials said. The blaze broke out inside the three-story brick building on Vermont St. near Dumont Ave. in East New York about 1:15 a.m., killing Denis Sexton and leaving another resident critically hurt. Sexton lived in a second-floor apartment above the shuttered tire shop his late father owned. He was disabled after being poisoned as a young man and then in later years struck by a driver, according to his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A building worker spotted the fire and raced up to the second floor to try to help Sexton, who uses a cane and has limited mobility There was too much smoke. I couldnt see. I couldnt breathe. I couldnt do anything, Yunior Rodriguez told the Daily News in Spanish. If I kept going it was going to take both of us out. I still havent processed this yet, Craig Sexton, 60, said about his older brothers death. Im going to break down. It just hasnt happened yet. The fire broke out in the tire shop, officials said. Once gaining access to Sextons apartment, firefighters pried up the floorboards to pour water into the shuttered storefront. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbor Alex Louis watched as firefighters pulled Sexton and the sufviving victim out of the burning building. They were doing CPR on (Denis) and another man, right here on the sidewalk, Louis said. It was crazy. There were fire trucks everywhere. I saw a lot of smoke coming out of the top windows. Medics rushed the two men to Brookdale University Hospital, where Sexton died a short time later. The other victim remains in critical condition. More than 60 firefighters were called in to douse the flames. One firefighter suffered a minor injury fighting the blaze, which was extinguished by about 2:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FDNY fire marshals are working to determine what sparked the blaze. Tuesdays fire was a tragic end to Sextons tragic life, his brother Craig said. Denis was considered the most likely to succeed out of the five brothers but someone spiked his drink with poison at a party in downtown Brooklyn while he was in college, leaving him physically disabled and mentally impaired, Craig said. Before these things happened to him he was the one of my brothers I looked up to. He was very bright, Craig Sexton said. He was the best looking of us all. He had great hair like my mom. He had perfect penmanship. He was just on top of things. After whatever happened to him in college hes never been the same. His special needs became compounded in 1997 when a speeding driver hit him on Linden Blvd. and knocked him up as high as a light pole, his younger brother said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was three weeks before anyone was able to recognize him, Craig Sexton remembered. Hes never been the same. Denis needed a cane to walk ever since the crash, his brother said. Craig Sexton and his brothers grew up in the Vermont St. building, where his father operated both the tire shop and a church which he ministered. These days, the tire shop and the church are shuttered and used as storage filled with family heirlooms, representing happier times. Its like a museum for me, said Craig Sexton. A museum for my father. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One person was rushed to the hospital after a reported shooting on the east side of Columbus Monday night. According to a Columbus police dispatcher, the shooting was reported near the intersection of East Fulton Street and South 18th Street at approximately 10:22 p.m. One victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their condition is not known at this time. There is no further information available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Telekom Malaysia (TM) has unveiled its locally hosted sovereign GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) solution, with the expressed aim of bolstering Malaysia's AI infrastructure and accelerating digital transformation. TMs GPUaaS is claimed to provide low-latency, real-time, high-performance AI computing capabilities while ensuring data sovereignty and security. The solution, unveiled following the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) by Malaysian Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, leverages NVIDIA GPU technology hosted at TMs Uptime Tier-III certified data centres. TMs GPUaaS is backed by the telco's nationwide fibre optic network and edge computing facilities, and integrates GPU resources with high-speed connectivity to power AI-driven applications such as: AI for Public Services: Real-time AI Avatars providing information for citizens. Healthcare Diagnostics: AI-powered imaging and analytics. Autonomous Vehicles: Real-time traffic and navigation systems. Immersive Media: AR/VR content creation with real-time rendering. TMs GPUaaS will further enhance our digital infrastructure and support the nations AI aspiration," Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TMs Group Chief Executive Officer, said. "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. Our GPUaaS design is modular and scalable, catering to various user needs. "Leveraging this agility, we are pleased to announce that TM has secured an international customer for GPUaaS requirement to be delivered by year-end. "This initiative underscores TMs commitment to empower industries and unlock new opportunities through AI infrastructure, as we align our Digital Powerhouse 2030 aspiration to fast forward the future of a Digital Malaysia. UPDATE @ 7:00 P.M. Oklahoma City Police said one man was critically wounded after a shooting on Monday. The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. at the intersection of NE 12th and Standish. Police said several people called 911 after hearing gunshots in the neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found the man lying in the middle of the road. Calls into police stated the man was shot in the head. An Oklahoma City PD spokesperson said homicide detectives were called to the scene because they expect the victim will not survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have interviewed witnesses and started reviewing door bell cameras and cell phone video to track down the shooter. No description of a suspect has been released. UPDATE @ 5:00 P.M. According to police, the shooting victim was found between two homes in the neighborhood. Investigators are also currently reviewing video from the area to piece together what led to the shooting. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police responded to a shooting in a neighborhood near NE 12th Street and Standish Avenue on Monday afternoon. Police say one person was shot in the head and has been taken to the the hospital. The victims condition is currently unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4s Adria Goins spoke to a neighbor in the area who says she heard about five gunshots and a stray bullet hit her house. Police have not released any suspect information at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who shocked the political world in 2018 when she unseated 10-time incumbent Joe Crowley in a heated Democratic primary, has told colleagues that the rebel life may no longer be for her. According to a report in Politico, citing three people familiar with the conversations, AOC has privately told elected Democrats she may not back future primary challenges to her incumbent colleagues. Since her election, AOC has been affiliated with the informal left-wing House group known as The Squad, whose members Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO) were also elected to office after unseating incumbents in primary challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her first bid for office was backed by Justice Democrats, a progressive political action committee that has gone on to back other left wing candidates in races against elected Democrats. In a reversal of fate, Bowman and Bush were defeated in primaries earlier this year. But, her Squad colleagues troubles aside, AOCs olive branch likely has more to do with her future in the Democratic Party than her chances on the hustings. While she comfortably fended off a primary challenge earlier this year and cruised to re-election, she is currently trying to convince her colleagues that she is worthy of the partys top post on the House Oversight Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pundits, meanwhile, have begun floating her name as a potential 2028 presidential candidate. On Tuesday, the House Democratic caucus will pick between 35-year-old AOC and 74-year-old Gerry Connolly (D-VA) for the Oversight gig. While AOCs bid for the post showed initial promise, 84-year-old former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been campaigning against AOC among the Democratic ranks, according to multiple reports, despite her professed retirement from leadership. AOC lost a House Democratic Steering Committee vote to Connolly, 34-27, on Monday, in a sign of Pelosis lasting influence on senior caucus members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While steering votes are rarely rejected by the Democratic caucus, theyre not an absolute guarantee and a close vote is expected. She has an incredible ability to communicate with so much of the country, one member of the Steering Committee told Politicos Playbook newsletter on Monday. And I think theres a missed opportunity to not have that at the table. There are also signs Pelosis influence in the party has waned: While she tried to whip votes for Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) to be the top Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) won the Steering Committee vote Monday. Does it help or does it hurt to have Nancy Pelosi making calls for you? one AOC ally asked Axios. UPDATE (2:00 pm, December 17): Oneida County Sheriffs have said that Emma May Lyon has been located. No further details will be released. BOONVILLE, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) Oneida County Sheriffs are asking for the publics help in locating a missing Boonville woman, last seen on Monday, December 16. Police are searching for 25-year-old Emma May Lyon out of Boonville. She was last seen in the area of Erwin Street in the Village of Boonville at approximately 11:46 pm Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Oneida County Sheriffs, Lyon is approximately five feet, eight inches tall and approximately 184 pounds. She has dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes. When last seen, Sheriffs say that she was wearing a black coat, a green hooded sweatshirt, light blue jeans and light gray hiking books. Police are asking anyone with information on Emmas whereabouts to contact the Oneida County Sheriffs Office at 315-736-0141. 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Saturday it was announced that ABC News and its parent company Disney had reached a dubious settlement of a defamation lawsuit brought by President-elect Donald Trump, capping off an extraordinary stretch of capitulation by major players in old and new media since October. These media giants recognize all too well what we document in the latest edition of our American Autocracy Threat Tracker: Yes, the press and the companies that own them are at risk at the hands of the incoming Trump administration. The preservation of our democracy, however, will require much more fight than old-media entities like ABC News have so far exhibited. In March, Trump sued ABC, ABC News, and host George Stephanopoulos for comments he made during a March 10 interview with South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace in which Stephanopoulos said that Trump had been found liable for rape. The comment was in reference to a May 2023 verdict in which a jury found Trump civilly liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and awarded her $2 million in damages. Another one of Carrolls civil claims alleged that Trump raped her according to New York law, but the jury did not find for her on that claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the months following the verdict, Trumps lawyers trumpeted that the jury had rejected the rape claim and asked the judge for a new trial. Denying Trumps request, presiding federal Judge Lewis Kaplan explaineddescribing in detail the lewd evidence and the applicable lawthat the definition of rape under New York penal law is far narrower than in common modern parlance and other criminal statutes. According to the judges written opinion, the jury found that Mr. Trump in fact did exactly what many people commonly understand [by] the word rape. Given those facts, Trumps lawsuit against ABC was likely to meet the same fate as his other, prior defamation actions against the media: failure (based on the public record). Not only were Stephanopoulos comments grounded in Kaplans analysis, but Trump needed to prove actual malicei.e., that Stephanopoulos knew that his comment was false or recklessly disregarded the truth. This is a high bar for a jury to find media liability on that basis. Yet ABC agreed to settle by contributing $15 million to Trumps yet-to-be-established presidential museum and foundation, as well as paying $1 million for his legal fees. This appears to be a case of what Yale professor Timothy Snyder terms anticipatory obedience, with Disney and ABC voluntarily acceding to the wishes of an incoming would-be autocrat. Indeed, the New York Times reported, Debra OConnell, the Disney executive who directly oversees ABC News, dined with Mr. Trumps incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in Palm Beach last Monday part of a visit by several ABC News executives to Florida to meet with Mr. Trumps transition team. Unfortunately, it is not only ABC and Disney that are obeying in advance. Take Meta Chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. He once championed democracy and lambasted foreign efforts to interfere in American elections. He has had a rocky history with Trump, which included suspending Trumps Facebook account following the Jan. 6 riots, finding that Trump had tried to use the platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government and undermine the peaceful and lawful transition of power to President Joe Biden. Trump has even threatened to imprison Zuckerberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since the election, Zuckerberg has gone to Mar-a-Lago to dine with Trump and, through Facebook parent company Meta, has given $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund. The hosts of MSNBCs Morning Joe also made the trip to bury the hatchet with the president-elect. Amazons Jeff Bezosowner of the Washington Post, which during the first Trump administration played a critical watchdog reporting roleblocked that papers endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris prior to Novembers vote. Postelection, Amazon has committed $1 million to Trumps inauguration and agreed to broadcast it live on its Prime Video streaming platform. Many observers will chalk this up to politics as usual. As a Silicon Valley historian put it, All the powerful tech companies want is to keep growing their size, influence, and profits, and executives are hoping Trump will not interfere with the industrys expansion. That Meta and Amazon are currently defending antitrust lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commission, alleging that they have illegally maintained their respective monopolieslawsuits that the Trump administration can choose to abandonis concerning. But the root problem goes deeper. To echo the work of Vaclav Havel, who led Czechoslovakia, then the Czech Republic, after the fall of communism, authoritarians turn the press from a watchdog of government in a democracy into an instrument of control. Media, social media, and corporate leaders cozying up to Trump must be viewed as another early warning sign of democratic peril. And as we explain in our Threat Tracker, there is overwhelming evidence of Trumps threats to democracy. Trump and his allies have repeatedly articulated plans that, if successful, could mimic what Viktor Orban has done in Hungary, turning the country from a liberal democracyin which government power is limited and constitutional principles, norms, and institutions protect individuals rights and freedomstoward an autocracy. An analysis of Trumps threats to act as a dictator, violate the Constitution, imprison his political adversaries, censor the media, use the military to enforce his will, subvert the separation of powers, and demonize tens of millions of Americans who disagree with him could readily find disturbing parallels with countries who have veered from democracy into authoritarianism or dictatorship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decisions of executives in new and old media to move in favor of obedience only further emboldens those associated with the incoming administration, who are already ramping up additional threats of legal action against media outlets. Trump doubled down on these threats at a Monday press conference. We hope that we are not watching the unraveling of our tradition of a proud and independent press. But given recent developments, mainstream media need to stiffen their spines. And others who have courage need to supplement that and prepare to take on that responsibility by creating new spaces to engage with the American people and arm them with the truth. The good news is that those new vehicles are exploding in popularity. From Substack, the subscription-based blogging platform, to a new generation of outspoken podcasters and YouTubers, to the purveyors of defiant web publications, to the 25 million who have joined the Bluesky social media platform, voices supporting democracy are loud, and their audience is growing. We will need it. Today the Washington Posts mottoDemocracy Dies in Darknessreads like foreshadowing rather than a slogan to fight against that darkness. We did not expect our mainstream media to be the ones to turn off the lights. But if they do, the rest of us dont have toand must notjoin them. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Odessa Police Department is asking for help from the community to identify a theft suspect. According to OPD, an unknown woman, pictured below, entered a DK at 3800 E 52nd Street and stole two iPhones, valued at about $2,000, that were left on the counter. The suspect left the scene in an Infinity SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information is asked to call Detective M. Troglin at 432-284-2012. You may also submit your anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS and referencing case number 24-0011735. If your Crime Stoppers tip leads to an arrest, it could be worth a cash reward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Over the last five years, a series of brazen incursions involving objects that exhibit seemingly highly advanced technology, have left local, state and federal authorities baffled. In short, an unknown actor appears to be sending a stark message: We can operate drone-like vehicles in American skies, over critical infrastructure and hover even above sensitive military facilities with complete impunity. Most recently, military personnel, law enforcement officers and New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York residents observed what they described as mysterious low-flying drones over their respective states. According to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, the objects are very sophisticated the minute you get eyes on them, they go dark. Murphy is taking the situation deadly seriously. The Pentagon strenuously denied that the objects are U.S. military assets and claimed to have no evidence they are from a foreign adversary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent rash of sightings began on Nov. 13 with reports from security and police officers at Picatinny Arsenal, a military research center in New Jersey. The facility reported an additional 10 confirmed incidents over the ensuing weeks. A key New Jersey naval base, Naval Weapons Station Earle, reported multiple incursions over its airspace, including several over a 24-hour period. Alarmingly, groups of these unknown objects have been observed over critical infrastructure, including reservoirs, bridges and nuclear power facilities. The mayor of West Milford, N.J., for example, reported 60 of them hovering above local reservoirs in one day. During a New Jersey State Police briefing that drew more than 200 mayors, officials learned that the objects are approximately six feet in length, often operate in a coordinated manner and can loiter for as long as seven hours. Notably, even though New Jersey has some of the best detection equipment in the nation, the craft evade detection. Officers with the Ocean County, N.J., sheriffs drone unit, for example, told the New York Times that we had one the other night that, as were watching it, it just shuts the lights off and its gone in pure darkness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one particularly striking incident, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan described to legislators how a police helicopter hovered over a large, six-foot object that suddenly shut off its lights, forcing the helicopter to depart due to flight safety concerns. During a Dec. 10 House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) recounted how an Ocean County, N.J., sheriffs deputy observed 50 of the objects come in off the ocean. Shortly thereafter, a Coast Guard vessel reported more than a dozen of these drones shadowing it. According to Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, the approximately eight-foot-long objects then flew over the Coast Guard vessel at an altitude of 300 feet. A Coast Guard spokesman confirmed that multiple low-altitude aircraft were observed in [the] vicinity of one of our vessels near Island Beach State Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsurprisingly, the month-long incursions have now escalated into a crisis, with key senators, local elected leaders, police officials and citizens demanding answers and action from a seemingly clueless federal government. On Dec. 13, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said that we have not seen anything unusual, we have not seen any unusual activity following the deployment of federal officials and equipment to New Jersey. Mayorkas then suggested that a case of mistaken identity and small drones purchased at convenience stores explain the recent incidents. To be sure, the vast majority of video footage recorded by private citizens is of misidentified commercial and private aircraft. But Mayorkas point-blank dismissal of multiple confirmed incursions over key military facilities, including over a dozen objects shadowing a Coast Guard vessel which falls under Mayorkas direct authority is astounding. Similarly dismissive statements from the White House spurred fierce pushback from law enforcement officials and legislators, including one former Army helicopter pilot who observed the objects moving in tight formations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monmouth County, N.J., Sheriff Shaun Golden, for example, invited White House national security communications advisor John Kirby to speak with members of the state police, county and local law enforcement [and] trained personnel from two military installations who observed highly sophisticated, very large objects that avoid detection [and] move at rapid speeds. Critically, these incidents follow an alarming pattern. For 17 days in late 2023, unknown objects flew over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, a key military facility tasked with defending the airspace above the nations capital. Beyond forcing the cancellation of nighttime training missions and the transfer of highly advanced fighter jets to another base, the incursions left the military so perplexed that it tasked a special NASA aircraft equipped with highly sophisticated camera systems to investigate. Intriguingly, the objects made no effort to hide their presence, displaying bright, flashing lights. With parallels to the recent incidents, the Wall Steet Journal noted that the unknown craft observed over Virginia in 2023 were nearly impossible to track, vanishing each night despite a wealth of resources deployed to catch them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-November, unknown, brightly-lit objects hovered and flew with complete impunity for several days over four U.S. military facilities in the United Kingdom. The incidents reportedly began at a U.S. base believed to host nuclear weapons. Five years ago, hundreds of Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska residents and law enforcement officers reported observing mysterious objects, including some that hovered over nuclear missile facilities. In at least two instances, police officers observed over a dozen objects circling around a stationary mothership, an intriguing dynamic also reported during the recent New Jersey incidents. In another notable parallel to the New Jersey incidents, a Colorado witness described one of the unknown objects descending towards him before the lights suddenly shut off. Critically, such perplexing incidents date back many decades. The New York Times, for example, reported on a series of extraordinary incursions by unknown objects at four key U.S. nuclear weapons facilities in 1975. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declassified documents describe how, as fighter aircraft approached these objects, they turned off their lights. The lights then turned back on upon [the jets] departure. The Washington Post noted that the 1975 incursions involved unidentified, low-flying and elusive objects [which] led to extensive but unsuccessful Air Force attempts to track and detain the objects. With yet more parallels to recent incidents, the Post stated that brightly lighted, fast-moving vehicles hovered over nuclear weapons storage areas and evaded all pursuit efforts. Government documents also describe how more than 140 personnel stationed at nuclear missile sites in Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska observed nearly 150 objects over three nights in 1965. Just like the New Jersey incidents, the unknown craft flew only at night, moved in various formations, displayed bright flashing lights and engaged in hovering and up and down movement. Notably, the objects also frequently disappeared by fading out, usually quite suddenly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marik von Rennenkampff served as an analyst with the U.S. Department of States Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, as well as an Obama administration appointee at the U.S. Department of Defense. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ten years ago this month, we greeted each other at a military air base in Cuba. Alan Gross was finally being released after spending five years incarcerated in Cuba for acts against the territorial integrity of the state. Patrick Leahy, then a senator from Vermont, had worked to obtain his freedom. On Dec. 17, 2014, Leahy, along with Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), flew to Havana on a blue and white United States of America plane to pick up Alan and bring him home part of a secret prisoner swap that included the release of a U.S. intelligence asset imprisoned in Cuba, in return for three Cuban spies who had served years in prison in the U.S. When President Obama informed the world of Alans release, he also announced a new policy of engagement with Cuba, ending more than half a century of hostility, unilateral sanctions and isolation that had achieved none of their goals. Hundreds of thousands of Americans traveled to Cuba over the next two years, and the two governments signed 22 agreements for cooperation on everything from migration and maritime security to academic and cultural exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of the new policy labeled it a failure because Cubas Communist Party remained firmly in control. But it had also been in control during more than 50 years of U.S. sanctions. Human rights remained a subject of strong disagreement, as critics of the Cuban regime continued to be harassed and jailed after sham trials. But no one who understands Cuba and supported Obamas change in policy was so naive as to think it would become a democracy in a mere two years. What did happen, in addition to government-to-government cooperation on issues of shared interest, was the expansion of a fledgling entrepreneurial sector, buoyed by American visitors with dollars and the gradual relaxation of restrictions on access to the Internet. These two developments reinvigorated Cuban civil society, giving Cubans far more personal freedom than they had before. Perhaps most important, the prospect of normalized relations with the U.S. gave Cubans a sense of hope for a better future. Then came Donald Trump and his America First policy. He methodically reversed almost everything Obama had done, reimposing a web of sanctions. Travel by Americans to Cuba screeched to a virtual halt. Family remittances fell by two-thirds because of U.S.-imposed limits. With Cuba reeling from COVID-19, Trump relisted it as a state sponsor of terrorism which prevented Cuba from partaking in normal international financing, weakening the private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four years later, President Biden, who had other priorities, kept most of the Trump sanctions in place. As Cubas economy contracted due to COVID and official mismanagement, living conditions worsened significantly, resulting in the worst humanitarian crisis in decades, with shortages of food, medicine, fuel and electricity. In July 2021, the regime cracked down on public protests, sentencing hundreds to prison. Since then, more than a million Cubans have left the island, most seeking refuge in the U.S. While the lives of the Cuban people have gone from bad to worse, our global rivals have benefitted. The Cuban government, forced to look elsewhere for economic support, has turned to Russia and China. Drawn to Cubas large reserves of strategic minerals, they are quickly filling the vacuum we left and expanding their presence just 90 miles from Florida. If anyone should be a bitter, fervent supporter of punitive sanctions, its Alan, who languished in a Cuban prison for acts that would not be a crime in most countries. But he firmly supports positive engagement with Cuba. We both agree that after a decades-long policy of economic, trade and travel restrictions, Cuba is no closer to becoming a democracy today than it was in 1961 and the human rights situation is worse than in 2017. Our sanctions have impeded U.S.-Cuba cooperation on important issues, infringed on the right of Americans to travel, and prevented U.S. agriculture, construction, biotechnology and other companies from competing in the Cuban market. It is harder for Cuban Americans to send help to their relatives, and harder for families to visit one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. routinely engages with authoritarian regimes with which we have profound disagreements. We do so not as a favor to them, but because a pragmatic approach best serves U.S. national interests and is far more likely to benefit the people of those countries. Cuba is no different. In fact, Americans have far more in common with Cubans than with the people of many countries that are ruled by autocratic regimes, some of which are U.S. partners. There is simply no justifiable or practical reason to continue a failed policy of sanctions against a country whose government poses no threat to us, and whose leaders have long profited politically by blaming our sanctions to deflect domestic criticism of their own repressive and bankrupt policies. With time running out, President Biden should immediately remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, which at this point has no factual or legal basis and depreciates the credibility of the list; and restore the right of Americans to travel freely to Cuba, as they can to every other country except North Korea. He should end the Trump-era Cuba prohibition lists that restrict where Americans can stay, where they can eat, and what they can buy and bring home. While far short of restoring the Obama policy, these two steps would make a world of difference to the Cuban people. They will be the ones to ultimately determine the future of their country, but they desperately need and deserve our help today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Leahy is a former U.S. senator from Vermont and President Pro Tem of the Senate. Alan Gross is an American citizen who looks forward to being able to visit Cuba again. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Frances civil Maginot Line has just been crossed. The government has essentially fallen. Massive budget deficits, way over European Union limits, forced the Macron government to propose spending cuts to get their deficit below 5 percent of GDP from more than 6 percent. That was, however, enough to unify the hard right and left in opposition. The center is nowhere to be found. France, Europes second-largest economy, is now adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Both equity and credit markets are suffering and the bottom is not in sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northeast of France, Germany is in the throes of an industrial nightmare. Two economic stalwarts, automaker Volkswagen and steel fabricator Thyssenkrupp, are shedding workers and threatening plant closures. In the case of Volkswagen, this is something unseen in the 87-year history of the company. Workers just staged a practice two-hour strike and threatened far longer ones unless planned job cuts and wage rollbacks are rescinded. At least the German annual budget deficit is under 3 percent, so the actions do not threaten borrowing costs. What is behind this industrial discontent with its very serious political ramifications are several factors, all of which point to the day of reckoning coming soon. First, Europe has been in a slow-growth mode for well over a decade, lagging far behind Asia and especially China. Even compared to the U.S., the continent has consistently experienced lower growth coming in around 0.9 percent annually over the last decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European recovery from the COVID lockdowns has also lagged behind the U.S. According to the Brookings Institution, every facet of the recovery is lower in Europe: labor participation, industrial output and GDP growth. Simultaneously, the demands of an aging population, immigrants needs and the war in Ukraine have placed unprecedented strains on social services and defense budgets. European workers, and the population in general, expect a continuation of the social benefits they have grown accustomed to in the heady post-war years. Needless to say, governments are very reluctant to cut these benefits and have chosen to finance them via deficit spending. On top of this, Europe is under assault on several economic fronts from Chinese overcapacity. Be it autos, solar panels, electronics of all makes and models, textiles or toys, China is exporting around $300 billion more in goods and services than Europe sells to China. As recently as 2022 it was significantly higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plain fact of the matter is that there is nothing Europe can make cheaper than the Chinese can. While the German workers were on strike, Chinas 200+ auto factories were humming along without a hiccup, churning out advanced EVs destined for Europe. Adding insult to injury, Germany and the other high-tech countries exported lots of machine tools, cutting-edge industrial know-how and even patented biotech processes to China, under the gun of forced technology transfers and required joint venturers. Now in an All About Eve moment, the Chinese understudy no longer needs the aging European diva and can outperform in engineering prowess any continental company (see auto battery makers like CTAL, the worlds largest). If that fails, China just uses industrial espionage to steal whatever tech it wants. The doom loop can now be seen in its entirety in Italian statesman Mario Draghis recent paper on The Future of European Competitiveness. Europes aging and declining population cannot produce the growth necessary to support the social services and defense budgets. Workers experience declining living standards. In order to cushion this fall, they look for less expensive everything, from clothes to cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This benefits China and other low-wage countries, yet results in more unemployment and underemployment as aggregate domestic spending is reduced. This results in more massive deficits as governments refuse to cut services or place trade barriers on imports. Rinse and repeat until governments fall or strikes cripple output. This results in higher borrowing costs and even larger budget deficits. Theres darkness at the end of the tunnel. There is little hope of a way out. Like Great Britain after World War II, the restoration of global importance is in the past. Europe is constitutionally unsuited for a Reagan or Thatcher moment. The spark of a new dawn is not in the DNA of the populace. If you doubt this, recall the 25-year-old French men protesting the raising of the retirement age a few years back. They took to the streets, horrified they would lose pension benefits 40 years into the future. In 2023, European start-ups raised $52 billion vs. the $138 billion in the U.S., even though Europes population is larger than Americas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So as far as this eye can see, China will continue to drain Europes jobs and GDP. Any attempt to rectify this will be met with countermeasures against cherished EU products like Brandy or Iberian ham. There is little else China can threaten, as they already produce everything they need of any real value. Europes sclerotic left will continue to wage strikes and slowdowns as if this were a Marxist struggle from two centuries ago. The newly threatening ascendant right, now in almost all EU countries, will point the finger at immigrants and cultural decadence. Their nationalism will threaten the very economic cooperation that lifted a country like Spain from a quaint tourist backwater to a full member of the global order. The goal of these nationalist movements will be aided and abetted by Russia through social media plus under-the-table cash. The weaker the EU is, the more the Russians gain. The EUs resurgent right doesnt see this as a problem, since it harbors nostalgic longings for strong men and scoffs at the democratic process. Sooner or later, something will break. All those who are going to be crushed by the falling pieces will wish they had compromised earlier, worked toward a coherent industrial policy, and stopped believing in the myth of free trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan Russo writes about entrepreneurship, economics, domestic and foreign policy and cultural issues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On Saturday, South Koreas National Assembly, the countrys unicameral legislature, voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. His fate will now be decided by the Constitutional Court. If the court votes to remove Yoon likely, since his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law has been roundly condemned throughout South Korean society the country will head to the polls to select the 14th president of the Republic of Korea. In the meantime, domestic turmoil continues. The impeachment is by no means the end of the crisis, as Leif-Eric Easley of Seouls Ewha University said. It is not even the beginning of the end, which will ultimately involve election of a new president, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Yoon survives the crisis, the episode is undoubtedly the end of his most important, bravest, and most unpopular accomplishment. Yoon was instrumental in building a security partnership with Japan. The South Korean leader traveled to Camp David in August of last year to meet President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. There, the three leaders issued The Spirit of Camp David, a joint statement to inaugurate a new era of trilateral partnership. This is a moment that requires unity and coordinated action from true partners, and it is a moment we intend to meet, together, the statement reads. Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States are determined to align our collective efforts because we believe our trilateral partnership advances the security and prosperity of all our people, the region and the world. The grouping of the three states is now known by the acronym JAROKUS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden in the Camp David statement commended President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida for courageously transforming their relationship. But Yoon, far more than Kishida, was the hero of that moment. There is extreme animosity in Korea toward Japan, due to Japans annexation of Korea at the beginning of the 20th century and brutal Japanese rule there through the end of the Second World War. Today, Japan and the U.S. are treaty allies. So are South Korea and the U.S. But Japan and the South are not allies. Both Tokyo and Seoul and especially Seoul have often treated each other as adversaries. It has been a long-standing U.S. policy to get the two capitals to work closely, but it was not until Yoons presidency that the prospect of sustained progress emerged. One of the first casualties of Yoons political demise, therefore, will be cooperation with Japan and maybe even the U.S. If Yoon is no longer president, then Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the leftist Democratic Party of Korea, is likely to become the next president of South Korea, Tara O of the East Asia Research Center told me. Lee is pro-Communist Party of China, pro-North Korea, anti-South Korea, anti-U.S. and anti-Japan. He and his supporters constantly stir up anti-Japan sentiment in South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee is following in the footsteps of Yoons immediate predecessor, Moon Jae-in, also of the Democratic Party of Korea, more commonly called Minjoo. Moon during his term did everything to sabotage relations with Tokyo, especially defense ties. For instance, Moon in 2019 announced he was terminating GSOMIA, the General Security of Military Information Agreement with Japan. He ultimately relented, but only just a few hours before the pact was to expire and under intense pressure from, among others, Washington. Minjoos Lee is bound to take up where Moon Jae-in left off. The real issue can be seen in the impeachment motion that complained that the presidents Japan-centered policy antagonizes North Korea, China and Russia, David Maxwell of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Asia Pacific Strategy told me. This is the problem with the political opposition in South Korea. They view the trilateral [South Korea]-Japan-U.S. cooperation negatively and will likely try to undo it when they come to power, which they are likely to do in the next election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members of the opposition are under the naive belief that South Korea can appease North Korea, China and Russia, Maxwell, who served five tours of duty as a U.S. Army Special Forces officer in Korea, also said. They would rather weaken the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the U.S. to send a message that they do not have a hostile policy toward North Korea, China and Russia. The political opposition in the South does not seem to acknowledge that it is North Korea, China and Russia that have hostile policies toward the South. Maxwell also says that Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow might execute those hostile policies more vigorously because of a shift to appeasement in Seoul. In fact, North Koreas previous leader, Kim Jong Il, responded to South Korean President Kim Dae Jungs generous Sunshine Policy, which some characterize as appeasement, with outright hostility and belligerent military actions. In any event, Lee Jae-myung if he in fact becomes president, will change South Koreas direction, reorienting the country away from its only protectors, the U.S. and Japan, and toward its main enemies, particularly North Korea and China. Unfortunately, The Spirit of Camp David has now become a dead letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the impeachment vote, the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Philip Goldberg, tweeted that Americas alliance with South Korea is and will remain ironclad. Americas commitment is certainly ironclad, but with a leftist in charge, South Koreas embrace of the alliance will not be. Gordon G. Chang is the author of Plan Red: Chinas Project to Destroy America and The Coming Collapse of China. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. It was a cold, breezy October evening in 2015 when a foul odor swept through neighborhoods in the north San Fernando Valley. The smell reminiscent of rotten eggs invaded homes, forcing residents to seal windows and doors in vain. Soon many fell ill with headaches, rashes, nosebleeds and nausea. Those symptoms were only the beginning of a disaster that unfolded over the next 112 days. A massive gas leak at Aliso Canyon released 97,000 metric tonnes of methane, 7,300 tonnes of ethane, and other gases, forming carcinogens and smog. The blowout one of the largest natural gas releases in U.S. history upended lives and routines. More than 8,000 families had to be relocated, with both humans and pets experiencing health complications. The event highlighted the inherent risks of an aging fossil fuel infrastructure. Nine years later, scars of the disaster remain visible. Southern California Gas Co., which owns the facility, agreed to a $71 million settlement last year to address environmental concerns resulting from the disaster. Affected communities are still grappling with health issues and continue to push for the permanent closure of the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility. In 2017, Gov. Jerry Brown directed the California Energy Commission to develop a plan to close Aliso Canyon permanently , and the commission planned to do so within a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Column: Gavin Newsom's failure to close Aliso Canyon is hurting us all When Gov. Gavin Newsom took office, he pledged to accelerate that timeline, saying 2027 wasnt fast enough and agreeing closure was a top priority . Yet not only has no progress been made under the Newsom administration, Aliso Canyon gas storage levels have increased . Last month, the California Public Utilities Commission proposed to keep Aliso Canyon open and not set a closure deadline. This plan would defer exploration of a shutdown until SoCalGas projected peak natural gas demand drops below a specified threshold, which according to current estimates would happen after 2030 . The commissions upcoming vote on Dec. 19 could jeopardize Californias climate goals and expose nearby communities to ongoing health risks. California has made significant strides in reducing reliance on gas, cutting usage by 20.2% between October 2015 and October 2024, with electricity-related gas use dropping 25.9%. This progress has been driven by growth in energy efficiency as well as the use of batteries, electric heat pumps, and solar and wind sources. There have been setbacks such as a 50% decline in rooftop solar installations in 2024, following the public utilities commissions 2022 decision to slash by 75% payments to new residential solar customers for excess solar output they send to the grid. Even so, by the end of July, the state set a record this year: 100 days of 100% renewable-powered electricity for up to 10 hours at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These clean energy advancements demonstrate that California can meet its grid reliability needs without gas. Southern California Edison has testified that Aliso Canyon can close by 2027 while maintaining reliability, provided that batteries ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission meet expectations which they have so far exceeded. CPUC studies confirm 2027 as a feasible target year, emphasizing how investments in building electrification and energy efficiency improvements can cut winter peak demand and eliminate reliance on Aliso Canyon. But we need to seize the moment. Read more: California regulators propose plan that could close Aliso Canyon. Or is it just 'kicking the can'? With respect to gas for heating, the California Energy Commission has set an ambitious target of installing 6 million heat pumps statewide by 2030 , sending a strong market signal to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. Widespread deployment of heat pumps will be made possible by measures including the states Equitable Building Decarbonization program, with $525 million in funds, and the public utilities commissions TECH initiative, supported by $40 million in state funding that prioritizes supporting Aliso Canyon communities. Expanding these efforts is crucial to reducing our use of gas. The benefits of clean, renewable energy solutions extend beyond ensuring comfortable homes and a reliable power grid. Electrifying and retrofitting buildings could create 100,000 construction jobs and 4,900 manufacturing jobs annually for 25 years in California, according to a UCLA study. Investments in electric heat pumps and building efficiency would benefit disadvantaged communities by reducing pollution and improving air quality, particularly in the low-income areas where fossil-fuel infrastructure has historically been built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Newsom faces a straightforward opportunity to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels and permanently close Aliso Canyon. With declining gas consumption, growing clean energy capacity and available solutions, the case for closure has never been stronger. More than 100 scientists and scholars have joined me in sending a letter to Gov. Newsom urging him to close Aliso Canyon by 2027. The governors role in driving Californias global climate leadership has never been more important, especially in the face of a federal government aiming to increase fossil fuel use. He should continue standing up to fossil-fuel interests, keep his promise to protect the health and safety of Los Angeles and other California communities, and shut Aliso down. Mark Jacobson is a professor of civil and engineering at Stanford and the author of No Miracles Needed : How Todays Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., has shocked the nation, not only for its horror but for its unique profile. This time, a teenage girl opened fire inside her school, killing a teacher, another student, and apparently herself, and injuring six others. Although female school shooters are exceedingly rare, the patterns that lead to such tragedies are painfully familiar. School shootings are a uniquely American crisis. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database , which tracks whenever a gun is brandished or fired on school property, there have been 323 such incidents on school property in 2024 alone . The publics attention often focuses on the gender of the perpetrators. After the March 2023 mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, the shooters transgender identity was much discussed. After other school shootings, toxic masculinity has been highlighted, along with the well-documented fact that the majority of mass shootings are perpetrated by men and boys . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Teacher and a teen student killed in shooting at a Christian school in Wisconsin In our recently released K-12 school homicide database , which details 349 homicides committed at K-12 schools since 2020, only 12 (3%) of the perpetrators were female. There have been some notable cases involving female school shooters. In 1988, a female babysitter walked into a second-grade classroom in Winnetka, Ill., and told the students she was there to teach them about guns; she opened fire, killing an 8-year-old boy and wounding five other students. In Rigby, Idaho, in 2021, a 12-year-old girl plotted to kill 20 to 30 classmates . Armed with two handguns, she walked out of a bathroom and began firing in the hallway, wounding two students and the custodian. A teacher heard the shots, left their classroom, and hugged the shooter to disarm her. Read more: Police chief says motive for Wisconsin school shooting was a 'combination of factors' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The earliest case in our records was in 1979, when a 16-year-old girl opened fire at Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, killing two and injuring nine. This was when the American public was first introduced to a female school shooter. Her infamous explanation for her actions I just dont like Mondays is etched in pop culture. But it was less about a flippant attitude and more about despair. At a parole hearing years later, the shooter admitted the truth: I wanted to die . She saw her attack as a way to be killed by police. Her story reflects what we now know: Most school shooters are suicidal, in crisis and driven by a mix of hopelessness and rage. Decades of research reveal a consistent set of truths. School shooters are typically insiders, meaning they are current or former students. They know the routines, security measures and weaknesses of their schools. And while investigators dont yet know what led to the Madison shooting, school shootings are almost never spontaneous acts of violence. Instead, in most cases, school shootings are the culmination of a profound unraveling, a last and terrible cry for help. More than 90% of the perpetrators show clear signs of a crisis in the months or weeks leading up to their attacks depression, mood swings, agitation, isolation or an inability to manage daily life. And crucially, more than 90% leak their plans ahead of time , sharing warnings with peers, posting ominous messages, or even voicing their intent outright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Op-Ed: We have studied every mass shooting since 1966. Here's what we've learned about the shooters With each school shooting, we tend to concentrate on details: the rare female shooter, the high-profile massacre, the immediate response of authorities. But if we step back, we tend to see the same story repeated again and again. A student insider. In crisis. Suicidal. Finally, there is access to guns the bridge between crisis and catastrophe. As of Tuesday afternoon, we dont know where the Madison shooter got the gun she used. In Wisconsin, it is illegal for someone under the age of 18 to possess a firearm, although there are exceptions. In nearly every school shooting, the weapon is obtained from the shooters home or from a complicit adult. This was true in 1979 when the Cleveland Elementary shooter used a rifle given to her by her father as a Christmas gift , and it remains true in the data today. When firearms are stored securely locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition the risk of impulsive violence drops dramatically. Yet this basic precaution is far too often ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents and guardians must understand their role in preventing tragedy. Safe gun storage is the simplest, most effective way to ensure that guns do not fall into the hands of teens in crisis. Many states have implemented laws holding adults accountable when their firearms are accessed by minors. For the purposes of that law in Wisconsin , a child is defined as someone 14 or younger. The shooter was 15. Read more: Op-Ed: Why mass shootings stopped in 2020 and why they are now roaring back At the same time that families must be vigilant, schools must foster environments where students feel safe reporting troubling behavior without fear of punishment or stigma. This year alone, several teenage girls have made threats of violence against their schools, sometimes coming alarmingly close to taking real action. On Sept. 7, a 15-year-old girl in Temperance, Mich., was arrested after sending a group text threatening a school shooting at Whiteford Agricultural Schools. Two weeks earlier, on Aug. 26 in Austin, Texas, a tip to the FBI led to the arrest of a 17-year-old girl , disgruntled and openly plotting a shooting at her former elementary school. In March, an 18-year-old woman was taken into custody after threatening to shoot up a school in Knoxville, Tenn. Yet if we simply criminalize threats without intervening meaningfully, we risk amplifying the very grievances that lead to violence. We must address the broader culture of despair and anger that typically fuels these attacks. Social isolation, bullying and untreated mental health issues are not trivial adolescent struggles they may be precursors to violence for those who see no other way out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School shootings should not be remembered for the novelty of any of their details, but as reminders of what we already know and what we can prevent. We cannot erase the trauma that these events cause, but we can act on the lessons they offer. The warning signs are usually visible. The tools for prevention exist. And every school shooting we fail to stop is a tragedy we could have prevented. James Densley is a professor at Metropolitan State University and co-founder of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. Jillian Peterson is a professor at Hamline University and co-founder of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center. David Riedman is a professor at Idaho State University and creator of the K-12 School Shooting Database . If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. Watch tonight: Bill OReilly is out with a new column on what Donald Trump should and shouldnt do to his political enemies what is justice? More importantly: What is Trumps mandate from the voters you know, the folks, as Bill would say, that elected him indict Fani Willis and Liz Cheney or lower gas prices? Yes, as we told you over and over, this election showed us that America wanted things torn down can Trump rebuild them? 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) Trust Me or Your Lying Eyes When I first got to the Middle East, I couldnt figure out why everybody lied from cab fares to political spin to business transactions, grocery prices, it didnt matter lying was an acceptable form of communication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody did it there was no shame in getting caught lying. Everybody assumed they were being lied to because they were often lying too. As someone whose father made an 8-year-old Leland write, I will always tell the truth one hundred times as punishment for getting caught lying about doing my nightly reading, this took some getting used to. Now, lying in America is acceptable: Lying by our government is acceptable lying by our media is acceptable thats an objectively bad and dangerous reality. Take drones, for example: People are seeing things in the sky, and they dont believe the government and experts telling them not to worry. As the New York Post Editorial Board writes, Alejandro Mayorkas insists NJ drones sightings are no big deal theres ZERO reason to believe him. No kidding, this is the guy who told us over and over that the border is secure. What a joke. For a long time, if Democrats were the ones telling the lies, the media went along with it. Here is a helpful list of said situations. Be fair: The Trump administration invented alternative facts and the biggest crowd size ever. Trump himself sees no shame in saying things that are totally untrue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be more fair: When Trump tells his whoppers, there is a LOT more pushback. Father knows best: My dad always told me if I lied about the little things, he couldnt trust me about the big things as fate would have it, that lesson would save me over and over again. Drones and the Cost of Lost Trust, editorializes The Wall Street Journal. The loss of public trust in U.S. institutions is well-chronicled, and for an example of its cost consider the national mini-panic over unidentified aerial objects. No one in America seems to believe what anyone in authority says about them, and unproven claims are filling the vacuum. Ill go one step further Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Twitter army proved right on a number of things the government and science experts told us were wrong. Hunters laptop. COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines. Social media shadowbanning. The border. DUH! Its no surprise people find the Twitter army both interesting and credible they have proven to be more reliable than our government. Not trusting the government is a thing on both sides right now. Trump alluded to it in his press conference today. 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. And for some reason, they dont want to comment. Low stakes: The lack of trust over drones that so far have caused no real problems makes for a lot of conjecture, conversation and hours on cable news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lack of trust during the next huge crisis financial, pandemic, terrorist attack, war with China, etc. will prove unimaginably dangerous. Fuel on the fire: Iran, China, North Korea and Russia all have massive agencies dedicated to exploiting divides in America. For all the Democrats and the media complain about mis- and disinformation, they have no problem spreading it themselves. See above: Just like trust tearing apart institutions and government is the easy part. Rebuilding it is unimaginably difficult. Fun fact: This doesnt just apply to the government but the media as well. 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl says she worries about the future of the legacy media. DUH! The legacy media lost its credibility because it hated Trump more than it cared about the truth. Its the same as when politicians care more about winning and making political points than the trust of the American people. U.S. 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 City. (Photo by DAVID DEE DELGADO/AFP via Getty Images) RFK Jr. on the Hill Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump campaign face a MAJOR hurdle from their own constituents in both his confirmation and Make America Healthy Again plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memo to Democrats: Dont ever attack someone on their weaknesses vaccines, etc. attack someone on their strengths. RFKs plans call for creating European-like rules on ultraprocessed foods. The MAHA crowd hates: All the chemicals given to dairy cows. All the high fructose corn syrup. All the seed oils. We have a model for this: Its called Europe, where the government mandates and rules make food production far more expensive. Its not just Europe. Yes, Mexican Coke tastes better and is better for you I buy it in bulk at Costco. Are Republicans going to tell Iowa farmers that they will significantly lower the demand for corn by banning high fructose corn syrup? Will Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin allow rules that raise the cost of production for dairy farmers in his own state? Oh yeah: Remember Trumps promises to lower costs? Just wait until every egg must be organic! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch tonight: Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who, among Republican leadership, wants to turn the United States into Denmark with rules from Brussels so we can all be healthy. Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Donald Trump has never liked the U.S. Postal Service. Even by Trumps standards, his explanations for this hatred range wildly: He complained about the Postal Services contracts with Amazon (and its founder, Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos), its imaginary role in imaginary mail-in voter fraud and even just the Postal Service being a loser. His first term featured frequent griping, efforts to undermine its work and threats to its funding. Now, as he prepares to begin his second term, Trump is thinking about privatizing the post office altogether. If that happened, it would be a disaster for the country. And it would hit rural voters who overwhelmingly supported Trump in all three of his elections harder than anyone. On Saturday, The Washington Post reported that Trump was holding talks with advisers at Mar-a-Lago to discuss postal privatization. Asked about it at a Monday news conference, Trump called privatization not the worst idea Ive ever heard, adding, Its an idea that a lot of people have talked about for a long time; were looking at it. As Casey Mulligan, one of Trump's top economic advisers in his first term, told the Post, We didnt finish the job in the first term, but we should finish it now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admittedly, privatization may not be the worst idea Trump has ever heard but only because that is a very low bar. In fact, privatization is a terrible idea in almost every way you could imagine. To start, the chief critique Republicans aim at the Postal Service that it runs a deficit every year and therefore is failing is completely misleading. The Postal Service is structured differently than most federal departments; it has more independence and funds itself to a large degree by charging for services. For this reason, Postal Service critics frequently complain that the agency is losing money. But the Postal Service is still a government department, like the Defense Department and Agriculture Department. We accept that operating those agencies costs money, because we believe the country should have a military and monitor crop yields. And it should give health coverage to veterans, and maintain highways, and have courts, and do a thousand other things, too. Thats why we pay taxes. Many of the fiscal challenges the Postal Service faces are a result of the things it does that a profit-seeking private business would never do. If the post office were privatized, it would probably start charging more a lot more for the services it now provides for a pittance. For instance, sending a letter from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles with FedEx will run you about $50 at a minimum; from the post office, its just 73 cents. Even with recent increases, we have some of the lowest postal rates in the world (sending a letter in Denmark will set you back 29 kroner, or over $4). And just like FedEx, a private postal service would probably charge different rates depending on where you send your letter meaning it would discard one of the foundations of our postal system. Its fundamental to how we think of mail service that every American can send mail to every other American at the same rate, whether youre sending a letter to the other side of town or from Apalachicola, Florida, to Alakanuk, Alaska. The Postal Service connects Americans to each other, binding us together as one nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not just my poetic gloss on the USPS; its written into law. Title 39 of the U.S. Code states, The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. In keeping with that mandate, the USPS maintains over 30,000 post offices, many of which are not economically advantageous. It does so precisely because its mission is not to make money, but to serve all Americans wherever they live, no matter how sparsely populated. According to the Post Office inspector general, 57% of post offices are in rural areas, serving just 16% of Americans. Of those post offices, nearly two-thirds cost more to run than the revenue they bring in compared with just 7% of offices in urban areas. If we shut down every outpost that doesnt make a profit, thousands of rural post offices would close. In other words, no one gets a better deal from the Postal Service than rural Americans most of whom have voted emphatically for Trump in three straight presidential elections. Bringing mail to rural areas is the least cost-effective part of what the USPS does. Commercial carriers such as UPS and FedEx wont even bother delivering to many rural addresses; it just doesnt make economic sense to drive miles and miles to deliver a single package. If you use one of those carriers to send something to a rural address, theyll often just give your package to you guessed it the post office. An unkind liberal might say, Go ahead then privatize the Postal Service. We here in the cities and suburbs will be fine. Its the rural voters who backed Trump wholl lose out. But liberals arent saying that, and not just because there are millions of rural voters who didnt back Trump. Its because we believe in certain fundamental principles, including the one that says all Americans, wherever they live and whoever they are, deserve to be served by their government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all its problems, the USPS is a national treasure. It delivers billions of pieces of mail quickly and affordably. It has long provided an avenue for secure, middle-class jobs for Black workers, who make up almost a quarter of its employees, and workers without college degrees. In a time of widespread distrust of institutions, the USPS consistently ranks as one of the most popular government agencies; a recent Pew Research Center poll, for instance, found that 72% of Americans had a favorable view of the USPS. Only the National Park Service scored higher. Perhaps thats the source of Trumps hostility: In contrast to his claim that our country is a festering hellhole of misery that only he can save, the Postal Service is a government agency that Americans have always loved. It treats us all equally, without a profit motive. Its unionized workforce is more racially diverse than the country as a whole. Its popularity is a reminder that when the government does something important and does it well, Americans dont want it taken away. So if Trump wants to try to privatize the Postal Service, his foes should welcome the fight. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again criticised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for attempts at mediation, stressing that he has no leverage over Russia. Source: Zelenskyy at a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on Tuesday, 17 December, European Pravda reports, citing Interfax-Ukraine Details: Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is a strong country and has shown this on the battlefield against Putin's aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Who else in Europe has such experience? No one. Does Orban have such an army? No. How would he put pressure on Putin? With a joke, a smile? He can keep it," he added. Zelenskyy separately noted that Ukraine needs direct relations with the United States without intermediaries. Quote: "Prime Minister Orban, who wants to [achieve peace for Ukraine], you know, somehow, somewhere will not work. I won't let him or people like him handle this," the president added, stressing that he was talking about the Hungarian prime minister, not the Hungarian people who support Ukraine. Background: Tensions between Kyiv and Budapest escalated after Viktor Orban called Vladimir Putin last week. Afterwards, Orban said that he had offered Ukraine a ceasefire and a large-scale exchange of prisoners of war for Christmas, but President Zelenskyy allegedly rejected the idea. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that Kyiv had refused to take part in a telephone conversation between Orban and Zelenskyy regarding the Hungarian "truce" proposal, and was outraged that almost no one in the EU supported the "Christmas truce". Support UP or become our patron! NEW ORLEANS (AP) The city of New Orleans and the U.S. Justice Department are pushing to end more than a decade of police oversight that was ordered in response to a long history of mistreatment of African Americans and notorious corruption, including a 1994 murder ordered by a crooked cop and an attempt to cover up the killings of unarmed civilians after Hurricane Katrina. Critics say the reform effort is hardly a success story that should be replicated nationwide. At a Tuesday hearing, members of the public shared personal experiences of police brutality and cited continued racial disparities in use of force, poor handling of sex crimes and lackluster efforts to engage the community. One elderly Black man got down on his knees to beg the judge to keep oversight in place. The city agreed to what it called "the nations most expansive federal oversight plan in 2013 after a U.S. Justice Department investigation found evidence of racial bias, misconduct and a culture of impunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told The Associated Press that the goals have been met: Weve built that system." Almost everyone acknowledges that the department has been transformed, with improved policies and leadership, but officers still disproportionately use force against Black people, and community activists say they're still not being adequately consulted. "It is the community that is going to be served by the NOPD, needs to feel included by the NOPD, heard by the NOPD. And I cannot say today that that has been achieved, said Stella Cziment, who runs the Office of the Independent Police Monitor, a civilian-run city agency. A success story to replicate in Minneapolis? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the lawyers overseeing the consent decree formed a nonprofit and hired former NOPD leaders to manage oversight of Minneapolis police in the wake of George Floyds murder, prompting a public rebuke by one of his colleagues. I think its a great, great, great conflict of interest among a lot of other ethical and integrity issues, Ashley Burns told deputy monitor David Douglass, whose Effective Law Enforcement for All group won the Minnesota contract. You dont give a damn about Minneapolis or the people of New Orleans, Burns said to Douglass during a public meeting on Oct. 29. Douglass denied any conflict of interest, and championed the NOPDs evolution: Many of the practices here are serving as a model for the nation and for other departments, he told the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ready to move on? In public comments, New Orleans residents have pointed to payroll fraud allegations, a corruption charge involving the mayors bodyguard and rape cases that go unsolved far more often than the national average. But the oversight should still be seen as a success story, particularly given the department's notorious history, said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the anti-corruption nonprofit, the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Any department with more than 900 members will have some officers crossing lines, but that won't necessarily mean that the entire department is corrupt or mismanaged, Goyeneche said. Jonathan Aronie, the lead federal monitor, cites improved policies and training, and says accurate data now enables auditors and the public to hold officers accountable. The numbers no longer show unconstitutional patterns or practices, he said and this should be seen as a floor, not the ceiling, for policing in New Orleans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Racial disparities in use of force But in a city that's just over 50% Black, nearly 90% of police uses of force targeted Black people last year, the city's Office of the Independent Police Monitor reported. That's similar to the racial disparity cited by the Justice Department more than a decade ago in calling for a searching review and a meaningful response." If we havent achieved the goal, why would we eliminate a structure that protects New Orleanians' civil rights? said Rachel Taber, an organizer with the immigrant rights group Union Migrante. Police leaders take disproportionate physical force and arrest numbers extremely seriously, but that doesn't necessarily mean officers are doing anything wrong, the superintendent said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we see disparities, we then ask the question, is there a bias behind the disparity? Not all disparities equal bias, Kirkpatrick said. The data show that officers use force against Black people 10 times more frequently than on white people. But because roughly 9 in 10 uses of force led to arrests among Black and white people alike in 2023, the police and federal monitors say it is not necessarily driven by racial bias. When activists confronted federal monitors with the disparity data, Aronie said the oversight has focused on improving policies and structures, given "the difficulties of solving bias in the same way it exists across almost every institution in the U.S. I would like to live in a city where those differences in practice reflect in the statistics before NOPD exits oversight, responded community activist Zunyana Crier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Struggling with community engagement Community surveys required by the decree haven't been updated since 2019. Neighborhood advisory boards that were supposed to facilitate engagement have largely been left to wither and die," Deputy Superintendent Nicholas Gernon told a public meeting, adding that the city intends to fix the program. Police accountability groups also cite the lack of Spanish and Vietnamese language accessibility in the public comment process. Community activist W.C. Johnson remains cynical: When youre not being taken seriously, when youre not being included, why waste time? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan agrees to end the consent decree, the oversight will continue for two more years under a sustainment period. ___ Associated Press reporter Kevin McGill in New Orleans contributed to this report. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96 Nurses protest outside of University Medical Center in New Orleans on Oct. 25, 2024. (Photo courtesy National Nurses United) On Oct. 25, Tonjanika Webster joined a line of nurses on Canal Street, outside of New Orleans University Medical Center. Some, like Webster, wore scrubs. Others, red for their union, National Nurses United. A giant banner reading UMC Proud unfurled over the hospitals facade, while Beyonce and Taylor Swift echoed out of giant speakers, punctuated by approving honks from drivers. The air was jubilant, like a party, but it was a picket line. It was also Louisianas first-ever strike of private-sector nurses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in high-profile strikes such as that of the United Auto Workers in 2023, however, the nurses sought more than improvements to their jobs. They wanted a first contract negotiated by their union the very document that establishes ground rules for improving their jobs. In the process, they joined a nationwide surge in short, pre-contract strikes following a spate of union organizing. (Disclosure: National Nurses United is a funder of Capital & Main.) This article was produced by Capital & Main. It is republished here with permission. When UMC nurses won their fight to unionize last December, battling a lack of supplies and staffing even as hospital revenue soared, I expected the negotiations wouldnt be swift, but not that they would take this long, said Webster. The victory put them among the ranks of well over 100,000 workers who have unionized in the last few years amid a significant rise in organizing. Yet experts report its normal for workers to successfully unionize but struggle to secure a contract and improvements to their jobs without a lengthy second battle. From 2004 to May 2024, getting a first contract took unions an average of one year and three months 459 days according to data analyzed by Robert Combs of Bloomberg Law. For all the attention garnered by the fledgling unions at Starbucks, Trader Joes, REI, the New York Times and Amazon, none of them has yet signed contracts that can improve wages and working conditions. According to Bloomberg Laws data, health care workers typically face the longest first-contract battles, nearly 18 months 528 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those delays reflect labor laws that cannot compel employers to bargain a contract, said Kate Bronfenbrenner, director of labor education research at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. The [National Labor Relations Board] can force a company to hold an election, but they have no legal power to force it to come to the bargaining table other than a piece of paper saying, Bargain in good faith, and then they still ignore it, she said. Those delays can weaken union efforts, said Margaret Poydock, a senior researcher at the Economic Policy Institute. With turnover, it diminishes worker solidarity over time, said Poydock. Federal labor law allows unionized workers without a contract to vote to decertify an election after one year. Pro-labor legislators have attempted to address the issue in recent years. In 2019, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act was first introduced before Congress. The legislation would set deadlines for beginning and ending negotiations (President-elect Donald Trumps labor secretary nominee, Oregon U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, was one of three Republicans who co-sponsored the bill in 2023-24). Introduced three times, the bill passed the House twice, but never passed the Senate. With more unions but no consequences for companies that stall on contracts, strikes in the period between union recognition and contract agreement have become increasingly common. Unions at Trader Joes, REI, Amazon, and Starbucks have all staged short strikes similar to the one at University Medical Center. Bloomberg Laws inhouse database of strikes and Cornell Universitys Labor Action Tracker both have recorded dramatic increases in first contract strikes, reaching new highs in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Orleans nurses didnt set out looking to strike. Negotiations began in March, but nurses say hospital representatives were condescending and combative from the beginning. It seems like [University Medical Centers counsel] almost wants us to be frustrated so that we dont want to keep going, said Dana Judkins, a trauma ICU nurse on the negotiating committee. University Medical Center declined to respond to most questions for this article, citing the ongoing negotiations. Nurses say that hospital representatives have arrived late to negotiations and cancelled a Sept. 18 negotiation session with less than a days notice. University Medical Center released a statement that it was necessary to reschedule negotiations due to Hurricane Francine, which had hit the city a week earlier as a Category 2 storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurses were also dismayed when UMC refused their request to lift fees for hospital parking, totaling about $400 annually. According to nurses, the hospital offered them a 2% raise, and some bargaining units up to 2.5% less than a dollar per hour for many nurses, according to Heidi Tujague, an ER nurse on the bargaining team. It is also far below the 8% average raise nurses receive with first contracts. Were not asking for the moon and the stars, said Tujague, who has 18 years of nursing experience. Nurses also noted that University Medical Centers parent group, LCMC Health, announced upgrades to its benefits package for nurses at its other New Orleans hospitals, noting on flyers that benefit changes for unionized workers had to be made through and would be delayed until completion of union negotiations. The benefits package, combined with the resources LCMC has spent on scabs at UMC, feels like a big middle finger, said Webster. Meanwhile, without a contract, the problems that pushed nurses to unionize in the first place have continued. Union members say wages are still too low and staff-to-patient ratios still too high. Nurse Mike Robertshaw said he feels he has to check my conscience at the door because of understaffing at the hospital which has been penalized by Medicare for high rates of readmissions and hospital-acquired conditions. The hospital has also not addressed nurses requests for clear policies to prevent workplace violence, which nurses say is increased by patients frustrated by insufficient staffing and care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By September, nurses were ready to escalate. After holding two informational pickets outside of the hospital, workers voted in favor of holding a one-day strike. [We decided,] lets show them that we really do have the numbers and the people in support, said Tujague. In response, the hospital locked the striking nurses out of work for the weekend. University Medical Center administrators estimated that the three-day contract for scab nurses cost up to $6 million. Since the strike, Webster says she has noticed renewed enthusiasm for the union among her colleagues. I didnt realize quite how many people were still excited about making moves to get what we needed to get done, she said. Webster added that a lot of her colleagues who were afraid to go on strike before the action said they were glad that they did. Its encouraging us to fight harder, she said. We hold a lot of value in our hospitals. We are worth what were asking for. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Copyright 2024 Capital & Main NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) A new set of recruits has been welcomed the by New Orleans Police Department. NOPD officials said Recruit Class 204 attended an event at the NOPDs Municipal Training Academy on Monday, Dec. 16. Riverfront streetcar line out of service due to vandalism, theft: New Orleans RTA More than 20 new recruits at the event heard remarks from NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, who says its important that the recruits prove they have what it takes to protect the city. (WGNO/Pat Thomas) (WGNO/Pat Thomas) (WGNO/Pat Thomas) My commitment to this police department and to this community is that Im only going to hire the best of the best. And I hope this morning that you have put your mindset that you are also committed to being the best of the best, said Kirkpatrick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 24 recruits will undergo about six months of training. Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO. Even to the close family of Reeva Steenkamp, the resemblance is uncanny. Photographs show the same long blonde hair, the same smile, and the same model looks. Moreover, the two women with successful careers reportedly share the same love of animals. Steenkamps sister at the weekend remarked on the unsettling likeness to Netwerk24, saying: I am just looking at this womans photographs and I have goosebumps and shivers going down my spine at this moment She looks so much like my Reeva. She is the same build, the same face and hair, even the same eyes. Is he that sick that he wanted to find a lookalike? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports that Oscar Pistorius, the amputee blade runner who sprinted in the Olympics, has a new girlfriend who is the spitting image of the woman he murdered 11 years ago are the latest development in a story that transfixed the world. Nearly a year after the 38-year-old former athlete was released on parole from a 13-year sentence for shooting Steenkamp dead, he has reportedly found love with a long-standing family friend. The development has prompted shock from Steenkamps family, who have always alleged that the sprinter never told the truth about what happened the night she was shot dead. It has also put the spotlight on how, or indeed whether, the nations former golden boy might be able to rebuild his life and rehabilitate his image after conducting such a notorious crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pistorius new girlfriend is Rita Greyling, a 33-year-old business management consultant from Wakkerstroom, in Mpumalanga, South Africa, the Afrikaans news channel Netwerk24 has reported. She grew up in a farming family and her father, BP Greyling has appeared in television programmes about the success of his vast agriculture business. Yet her family has also been touched by turmoil in recent years and friends of the new couple have reportedly claimed that shared personal tragedies have brought them closer. Her family made the headlines in 2022 when a guest died at her brother Ghini Greylings stag party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Willem Kruger disappeared at the event at Henbase Lodge, Morgenzon, and was found dead days later in the Vaal River. The incident was at first considered an accident, but police later launched a murder investigation after announcing they were now more convinced that there was foul play. The case is still unresolved. Greylings family has also been touched by turmoil in recent years and friends claim that shared personal tragedies have brought the couple closer - Instagram/Rita Greyling/JPNL Meanwhile, Steenkamps family have been quick to comment on Pistorius new relationship. Her mother, June, 78, expressed concern that he might still be a danger to women, despite having served his prison sentence. She said: I dont understand how she doesnt see a red flag about him because he has not lost his temper problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 wasnt having treatment. Steenkamps sister, Simone, added: I have nothing against her, but will warn her to sleep with one eye open. He has inside him the potential to do again what he did to Reeva and I dont want that ever repeated. I am just so shocked he has chosen a woman that looks so like my Reeva. I cant help thinking that having got rid of one Reeva he has gone out and got another, she told Netwerk 24. He had been dating model and TV personality Reeva Steenkamp for three months when he murdered her at his home on Valentines Day 2013 - Str/AP Pistorius was at the top of the world in 2013 before, in the early hours of Valentines Day, he fired four shots through his bedroom toilet door killing Steenkamp, who was inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous year he had competed at the London Olympics on his customised carbon fibre prostheses against the worlds fastest able-bodied athletes. Feted at home, he was soon going out with Reeva Steenkamp, a model and television personality, who was the face of an anti-bullying campaign. Yet their gilded life of red carpet events ended after only three months, when he opened fire in his Pretoria home with his 9mm pistol. Prosecutors alleged Steenkamp, then aged 29, was killed while hiding in the toilet after a heated row. Pistorius, the only witness, claimed it was a terrible accident: he was unaware his girlfriend had got up to go to the lavatory and he had mistaken her for a dangerous intruder behind the door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was first convicted of culpable homicide, a charge comparable to manslaughter. That was overruled by South Africas supreme court, which judged that even if Pistorius believed he was shooting at an intruder, he must have reasonably foreseen that the person behind the door would die. As such he was guilty of murder under the principle of dolus eventualis, an obscure legal term which quickly entered South African vocabulary, referencing a persons intent behind their actions. He was jailed for 13 years and five months, taking into account time already served. Since he was freed on parole at the start of this year, he has been trying to rebuild his life in a country where at the time of his trial, many felt betrayed by a man who had been a unifying national hero. Pistorius at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria, 2013. He was convicted of murdering Steenkamp and was given a new sentence of 13 years and five months - ALEXANDER JOE/AFP Until now he has largely managed to keep out of the papers and keep a low profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source 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. It has been clear from the start, that the family which always stood by him would be the bedrock of his post-prison life and any attempt at rehabilitation. Since his release, he has been living under strict parole conditions with his uncle, Arnold Pistorius, in the upmarket Pretoria suburb of Waterkloof and doing volunteer work at a Dutch Reformed Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then late last week, on the same day news of Pistorius new relationship was disclosed, his father Henke gave an interview saying he was looking forward to a family Christmas including his middle child for the first time in more than a decade. He said: When I saw him a week ago, it was clear that he had regained the wonderful spontaneity and authenticity of the old Oscar. He went on: Hes a great man. Hes had experiences that most people will never have in their lives, and Im talking about the highs and the lows. I know, as a father, that he will experience the joy of highs in his life again. Meanwhile Steenkamps mother will spend another Christmas without her daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said at the weekend: Its not painful for me that hes with this young woman Im just worried about her. 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. Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez has agreed to pay a $250 fine for posting a photo online of 13-year-old Madeline Sotos body but the fate of a related probe into Lopez credibility is unclear. The fine, reduced from $500, comes after Lopez pleaded no contest to violating state records laws by placing the crime scene photo on his personal social media pages on March 2, the day after the teens body was found. The photo apparently was included by accident along with several other pictures intended to highlight an event for senior citizens Lopez attended. Court records show the plea deal was signed Dec. 11 and filed Monday. Lopez did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report, Lopez received the photo on his personal cellphone from one of his majors, who initially obtained it from a captain present at the scene in St. Cloud where Madelines body was found. Lopez told investigators the photo was posted unintentionally and he deleted it from his Instagram and Facebook pages when he learned of the error. The sheriffs office issued a public apology for the mishap once news outlets began asking questions about the photo. Another photo a selfie taken by the executive director of the sheriffs office during the perp walk of Stephan Sterns, the man accused of strangling Madeline after sexually abusing her for years was also deleted. Sterns, the boyfriend of Madelines mother, faces the death penalty after an indictment on a first-degree murder charge. He also faces dozens of sex crime charges including for possession of photos and video purportedly showing Madelines abuse. Then-Kissimmee police Chief Betty Holland, who led the search for the teen along with the Orange County Sheriffs Office and then helmed the murder probe, told investigators she was very upset about the post. Lopez said he later personally apologized to Holland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its go time: Artemis II moon mission players focus on job despite Trump uncertainty Florida law makes it a third-degree felony to release photos or video of the killing of a minor, including of a body, without permission of the surviving family. But prosecutors stopped short of charging Lopez with a crime, saying there wasnt sufficient evidence he willfully and knowingly posted the photo, and instead filed the case as a civil infraction. What remains unclear is the status of an Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office investigation into Lopezs comments after the photo was taken down. Lopez insisted during a March radio interview the photo was not of Madeline and further accused critics of politically trying to use this as an advantage. State Attorney Andrew Bain warned Lopez in a July 8 letter that he was being considered for his offices Brady list a collection of law enforcement officers with questionable credibility after having difficulty squaring the statements made under oath with comments made on the radio. Brady list material must be disclosed to defendants if it is relevant in a criminal case, and can interfere with the prosecution of suspected criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bain called on Lopez to conduct an internal investigation, the absence of which he said will result in our office making a determination with the evidence currently in our possession. A State Attorneys Office spokesperson did not immediately respond to a question about that investigation. Federal regulators have cited solar panel company Sunrun Installation Services for allegedly exposing workers to what were described as deadly fall hazards in the Chicago suburbs, the U.S. Department of Labor said Monday. Investigators for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found Sunrun workers were installing solar panels at heights of up to 18 feet without required protection from falls, according to citations issued by the agency. The citations are tied to investigations that took place during solar panel installations over the summer at houses in Oak Park and Skokie. The Labor Department said Sunrun has been cited previously for similar violations in Massachusetts and New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSHA has proposed fines of about $288,000 tied to the citations. Sunrun, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday, must now either comply with the citations, contest them or request an informal conference with the agency. Falls from elevation can cause life-altering and deadly injuries, all of which can be prevented through proper protective equipment and worker training, OSHA regional director Sukhvir Kaur said in a statement. Employers who ignore their obligations are putting their workers lives and well-being in serious risk. Citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data, OSHA said nearly 400 construction workers died of fall-related injuries in 2022. Recently, the agency has also cited suburban contractors Fino Exterior Inc. and KW Framing Inc. for allegedly putting workers at risk of falls. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The hit Netflix series Outer Banks is not only captivating audiences but also inspiring travel trends. The release of Season 4 has led to a remarkable 319% increase in Google searches for Charleston holidays, according to travel experts at Travelbag. Although the show is set in the fictional town of Kildare, much of its filming takes place in Charleston, South Carolina, attracting fans eager to explore the real-life locations featured in the series. Even more surprising, searches for Outer Banks vacation homes have skyrocketed by 10,547%, suggesting a growing interest in experiencing the area beyond a brief visit. Charlestons mix of historic landmarks, scenic backdrops, and ties to the Outer Banks storyline make it an ideal destination for fans of the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Season 4 prominently features a number of Charleston-area landmarks. Heres a detailed guide to the filming locations fans can visit. *Contains spoilers!* Major Filming Locations in Charleston: Olde Village, Mt. Pleasant: JJs dramatic crashout scene, where he smashes windows of beloved local stores, including Pitt Street Pharmacy, was filmed here. The pharmacy is also the site where Sarah secretly takes a pregnancy test. Outer Banks. Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 406 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Bowens Island Restaurant: Known as Rockfish Bar in the series, this Charleston restaurant is a must-visit. Outer Banks. (L to R) Kenneth Nance Jr. as Boogie, Chase Stokes as John B, Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 402 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Circular Congregational Church and its cemetery: Pope and the Pogues follow clues to this historic church, where John B discovers the grave of his ancestor. However, the interior shots of this church were filmed at Unitarian Church in Charleston. Outer Banks. Chase Stokes as John B in episode 405 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Old Exchange Building (Provost): The crypt-like catacombs where Sarah and Pope search for Blackbeards treasure were filmed in this historic building. Outer Banks. (L to R) Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron, Jonathan Daviss as Pope in episode 405 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admirals House (Quarter G): The real-life stand-in for Blackstone Manor on Goat Island. Outer Banks. Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 402 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Crosbys Fish & Shrimp Company: The ATM scene where the Pogues realize their jackpot winnings. Outer Banks. (L to R) Madison Bailey as Kiara, Carlacia Grant as Cleo, Madelyn Cline as Sarah Cameron, Chase Stokes as John B, Jonathan Daviss as Pope, Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 401 of Outer Banks. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix 2024 The Maybank Property is located in Charleston and serves as the site of Poguelandia 2.0, the Pogues home base and business. Outer Banks. Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 401 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Hospital Scenes: The hyperbaric chambers and other hospital interiors were filmed at May Forest State Park, Charleston. Outer Banks. (L to R) Madison Bailey as Kiara, Rudy Pankow as JJ in episode 402 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional Charleston Locations: Shem Creek: Many boating scenes take place along this picturesque waterway. Fort Johnson: The Shoals, where the Pogues regroup and are confronted by Sheriff Shoupe. Zeasy Realty Co.: JJs vandalism scene was shot at the Gatekeepers Inn in Quarters F, North Charleston. Tolers Cove Marina, Mt. Pleasant: Hollis boat scenes. Groffs Boathouse: This Goat Island boathouse is part of Richmond Plantation, SC. Military Recruiters Office: Popes Marine Corps meeting was filmed at Quarters J in North Charleston. Islamic Center: Located in North Charleston. Character Homes: Sophia, Rafes girlfriend: Located in Charleston. Mr. Sunn: Located on Johns Island. Rafe Cameron, Uncle Roger Heyward, Hollis Robinson: Located in Mount Pleasant. A Last Chance for Fans to Visit Fans of Outer Banks will want to act quickly, as the shows creators have confirmed that Season 5, set to begin filming in Charleston in spring 2025, will be its last. The final season promises to tie up loose ends and deliver a thrilling conclusion to the Pogues treasure-hunting adventures. For film buffs and Outer Banks devotees, now is the time to visit Charleston and explore the shows iconic filming locations. Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of the cast filming their farewell season. Other Screen-Inspired Travel Trends for 2025 While Charleston leads the pack with its Outer Banks fame, other destinations are also set to see a surge in popularity thanks to film and TV releases in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searches for package holidays to Peru have risen by 125%, inspired by Paddington 3, while Yellowstone season 5 has fueled a 60% increase in interest for Montana getaways. Meanwhile, White Lotus season 3 is spotlighting Thailand with a 23% boost, and Gladiator II is rekindling interest in Rome, driving a 22% rise in holiday searches. As audiences turn their screen dreams into travel plans, these cinematic destinations are primed for a wave of eager visitors. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) As 2024 ends, so does the tax year for most Mississippians. Tax reform in Mississippi is still a major issue in state politics. Some have put great emphasis on the states 7% grocery tax, which is the highest in the country. Others focus on eliminating the state income tax. Though the grocery tax is higher, significant changes to the income tax system would likely have a greater impact on the states finances -and the average taxpayers. Every resident and nonresident, that owned or sold property, earned income or did business in Mississippi must file a tax return on gross income that exceeds any exemptions, deductions or credits. Below is an overview of all three. Tax exemptions Exemption type Amount Married Filing Joint or Combined $12,000 Married Filing Separate $6,000 each Head of Family (with at least 1 dependent) $9,500 Single $6,000 Dependent, other than self or spouse $1,500 Taxpayers/spouse over 65 $1,500 Taxpayer/spouse who is blind $1,500 Where can I file my taxes for free in Mississippi? Tax deductions In the case of a resident individual, the above exemptions provided by this section, as applicable to individuals, are allowed as deductions in computing taxable income. Other deductions include the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adjustments to gross income; Alimony payments; Unreimbursed moving expenses; Payments for medical insurance by self-employed individuals; Contributions to Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) account; Unreimbursed expenses related to donation of an organ by a living donor View the Mississippi Individual Income Tax Checklist for a more detailed list of deductions. Tax credits Credit type Amount Land used as a natural area preserve, wildlife refuge, habitat area, wildlife management area or for the purpose of providing public outdoor recreational opportunities $5.50 per acre of land Donation of land for conservation purposes up to $10,000 Adoption expenses paid or incurred $5,000 (non-Mississippians) $10,000 (Mississippi children) Individual resident taxpayers of Mississippi whose gross income is from both in and outside the state are eligible for a tax credit for income tax paid outside of Mississippi and to another jurisdiction part of the United States. Income tax rate Mississippi collects income tax at a set rate for every dollar made above $10,000. For tax year 2024, it is taxed at 4.7%. For the upcoming tax year, it is set at 4.4%. By 2026, it should be at 4%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eliminating the state income tax has been a years-long policy goal for state lawmakers. However, state revenue for this year flatlined compared to relatively consistent growth in previous years. As a result, this complicates efforts sought by many in state leadership. Though April 15 may seem like a long time from now, many websites offer consumers the ability to file their state and federal income tax returns for free. To find out which sites to use, click here. For more details on Mississippis tax code, visit the Mississippi Department of Revenues website. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. (WJET/WFXP) Pennsylvania State Police in McKean County have charged a Pennsylvania man after receiving reports of two dogs not being cared for properly. According to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Lewis Run, troopers were first called to a home in the 600 block of Fowler Brook Road, McKean County about the alleged ill-treated huskies on Dec. 7 around 1:46 p.m. State police investigating $16,300 theft in Crawford County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After investigating, police said the dogs were being cared for in a safe manner and the local SPCA was called in to help remove the dogs. According to the report, the dogs were living in such conditions from at least Dec. 1 to when troopers arrived on Dec. 7. Crawford Co. man arrested after police find large amount of marijuana, plants during stop The owner, identified as 51-year-old Joseph Snyder of Eldred, PA is being charged with one count of neglecting an animal for each dog. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. (WJET/WFXP) More retired Pennsylvanians and some veterans will now qualify for reduced or waived vehicle registration fees with a law signed by Governor Josh Shapiro going into effect. Retired Pennsylvania residents who have an annual income of $29,906 or less will qualify for a reduced registration fee of $11 whereas the previous threshold was $19,200. Six new Pennsylvania license plate designs revealed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, registration and title fees for one passenger vehicle or truck weighing 9,000 pounds or less owned by military veterans who meet the following criteria: Vehicles registered to a veteran who lost a limb or eye or who became partially paralyzed while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Vehicles registered to a person who, as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, was captured by the enemy in any armed conflict for which the Department of Defense authorizes a campaign medal. Vehicles registered to a person who has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Vehicles registered to a person who has been awarded the Purple Heart. Anyone who meets the criteria for the reduced or eliminated fees will have to complete and submit Form MV-371 while current customers can attach the form to their invitation to renew and return it to PennDOT to be processed. PA home care agency ordered to pay $414K for overtime violations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were glad that these changes in the law help make things a little easier for older Pennsylvanians and our veterans, said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. PennDOT and the Shapiro Administration are committed to working with the General Assembly on commonsense changes like these that have a direct, positive impact on peoples lives. The changes come from the bipartisan passing of Act 60 of 2024 which was signed into law by Shapiro back in July. For more information on the program, 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Dec. 17Police received a report at 10:36 p.m. Monday of two males who were caught on a camera stealing a package off of a porch at 808 Ramsey St. The males were believed to be juveniles. 1 arrested for domestic, reckless driving Deputies arrested Paris Brooke Rocap, 19, for domestic assault and reckless driving after a passenger was reportedly on the hood of a vehicle at 11:44 p.m. Monday near the intersection of Edgewood Avenue and Ramsey Street in Albert Lea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juvenile cited for marijuana A juvenile was cited for marijuana under 21 at 9:40 a.m. Monday at 2000 Tiger Lane. Theft by fraud reported Police received a report at 12:35 p.m. Monday of theft by fraud on the 1400 block of Garfield Avenue. The individual had purchased two plane tickets because she was advised she would be arrested if she didn't show up for court. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) A Pakistani charity used an air ambulance on Tuesday to deliver medicines to a northwestern region where a doctor said 29 children had died in the past two months because life-saving supplies couldn't get through roadblocks following sectarian clashes. Air ambulances are rarely used in Pakistan but the violence in Kurram district has led to road closures and the deaths of at least 130 people. The air ambulance will also transport critically ill patients from Kurram to Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a spokesman for the Edhi Foundation, Gul Sher Khan, told The Associated Press by phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortage of food and medicines has persisted in Kurram since October, when armed clashes erupted there between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. The clashes, which started as a land dispute months ago, turned into sectarian violence in November, leaving 130 people dead before authorities brokered a ceasefire. Though the ceasefire has been holding, the roads haven't reopened yet. Javed Ullah Mehsud, the deputy commissioner of Kurram, said that elders from rival Shiites and Sunni tribes were in talks for a permanent ceasefire so that thousands of people who have been stranded could travel to other parts of the country. In November, 52 Shiites, including women and children, were killed after unidentified gunmen attacked a convoy of vehicles Though nobody at the time claimed responsibility, some Shiites, after burying the victims, launched attacks on Sunni Muslims. Since then, key roads leading to Kurram have been closed by the government for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mir Hassan Jan, a doctor at a government hospital in Kurram, said 29 children died in the past two months due to the shortage of life-saving medicines. Hundreds of more patients are at risk as we need uninterrupted supply of medicines in this remote area where snowfall also blocks roads in winter, he said. Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan, which has a history of sectarian animosity between the communities. Shiites dominate parts of the Kurram district. President Joe Bidens administration is violating U.S. law that blocks aid to foreign militaries credibly accused of committing human rights abuses, according to a federal lawsuit from a group of Palestinians in Gaza and their American families. A lawsuit filed in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday marks the first time that victims are alleging the governments calculated failure to follow the so-called Leahy Law, a decades-old statute that prohibits taxpayer-funded weapons and aid towards foreign militaries implicated in human rights abuses. Former State Department officials who navigated Leahy Law requirements helped draft the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint outlines how the State Department and Secretary Antony Blinken allegedly created barriers on Israels behalf to evade the law and urges the courts to intervene to enforce it. Palestinians and their families, represented by civil rights group Democracy for the Arab World Now, argued that the State Department created a set of unique, insurmountable processes to evade the Leahy Law requirement to sanction abusive Israeli units, despite overwhelming evidence of their human rights violations. These violations include torture, prolonged detention without charge, forced disappearance, and flagrant denials of the right to life, liberty, and security, such as genocide, indiscriminate and deliberate killings, and deprivation of items essential to survival, including food, water, fuel, and medicine, according to DAWN. A group of Palestinian children watch smoke billowing as they wait for a food portion at a distribution center south of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 17 (AFP via Getty Images) Plaintiffs are seeking one thing and one thing only: for the State Department to obey the law requiring a ban on assistance to abusive Israeli security forces, according to DAWN director Sarah Leah Whitson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For too long, the State Department has acted as if theres an Israel exemption from the Leahy Law, despite the fact that Congress required it to apply the law to every country in the world, she added. As a result, millions of Palestinians have suffered unimaginable, horrific abuses by Israeli forces using U.S. weapons. Former state department official Josh Paul, among the first administration officials who publicly resigned as the U.S. continued to funnel arms to Israel in its assault in Gaza, said that it shouldnt take a lawsuit to get the U.S. government to obey its own laws. But it was quite clear from my own experience that the political pressure we faced not to conform with either the spirit or the letter of the law was never going to be overcome from the inside, Paul said. A Palestinian man sits inside a destroyed building in the Nuseirat refugee in the central Gaza Strip on December 13 (AFP via Getty Images) Stephen Rickard, another former state department official who monitored implementation of the Leahy Law when he was a congressional aide, said if the administration refuses to comply with the law, then it is time for the courts to vindicate the rule of law and order it to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation from The Independent revealed that the Biden administration rejected or ignored pleas to use its leverage to persuade Israel which has received billions of dollars in U.S. military support to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza to prevent famine. Administration officials provided diplomatic cover for Israel to create the conditions for famine by blocking international aid efforts and attempts to alleviate the crisis, making the delivery of aid almost impossible, The Independent found. In December, a sweeping report from Amnesty International concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians, following similar findings by international aid groups tracking allegations of human rights abuses in Gaza. The International Criminal Court at the United Nations has also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, as well as Hamas military chief, as Israels war against the group entered its 13th month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe Netanyahu is using starvation as a method of warfare by restricting aid into the region and has intentionally targeted civilians in its campaign against Hamas. More than 45,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamass health authorities, which have said more than half of all those killed include women and children. In January, a federal judge rejected an unprecedented lawsuit from a group of Palestinian families and aid groups accusing the president of complicity in genocide. But the judges ruling issued a warning that Biden must reflect on his unflagging support for Israel, and that it is every individuals obligation to confront the current siege in Gaza. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Palestinian families sued the U.S. State Department on Tuesday over Washington's support for Israel's military amid its war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis, a court filing showed. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleged that the State Department under Secretary of State Antony Blinken has deliberately circumvented a U.S. human rights law to continue funding and supporting Israeli military units accused of atrocities in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Leahy Laws prohibit providing U.S. military assistance to individuals or security force units that commit gross violations of human rights and have not been brought to justice. Both South Africa at the World Court and Amnesty International have accused Israel of committing genocide and war crimes. Israel has denied the charges. Washington faces criticism from human rights groups for maintaining its support for Israel with no major policy changes. "The State Department's calculated failure to apply the Leahy Law is particularly shocking in the face of the unprecedented escalation of Israeli gross violations of human rights since the Gaza War erupted on October 7, 2023," the lawsuit said. Israel's war in Gaza has killed over 45,000 people, according to the local health ministry. Israel's assault has also displaced nearly Gaza's entire 2.3 million population and caused a hunger crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on Oct. 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The lawsuit was filed by five Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the United States. The lead plaintiff was a Gaza teacher who has been displaced seven times in the current war and lost 20 family members, the lawsuit says. The State Department declined to comment and referred reporters to the Justice Department, which had no immediate comment. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; additional reporting by Simon Lewis; editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Ali Sawafta and James Mackenzie JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian Authority security forces have battled Islamist fighters in Jenin for days, as they wrestle to exert control of one of the historic centres of militancy in the West Bank ahead of a likely shakeout in Palestinian politics after the Gaza war. Forces of the PA, which exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, moved into Jenin in early December and have since clashed with fighters from Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least three people have been killed, including a senior Islamic Jihad commander and two civilians. The U.N. humanitarian agency OCHA has called for an investigation into what it called violations of human rights law by the Palestinian forces. Heavily armed Palestinian security forces in armoured personnel carriers have set up checkpoints around the city and outside the adjacent refugee camp, where there have been repeated protests by residents against the operation. Residents say the behaviour of the PA security forces resembles the way the Israeli army has traditionally acted in Jenin. The city and refugee camp have long been a centre of Palestinian militancy, where fighters have clashed with Israeli forces mounting large-scale raids that left trails of smashed roads and infrastructure. "The PA does not have bulldozers like the (Israeli) army does. That is the only difference. The raid is the same, the blockade is the same," said Jenin resident Malek Jaber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brigadier General Anwar Rajab, spokesperson of the Palestinian security forces, said "outlaws" who had taken over Jenin camp had been arrested and would be brought to justice. The operation was aimed at imposing order and security and would continue until the objectives were achieved, he said. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, who visited Jenin with Palestinian security leaders at the weekend, said the operation should restore security "on the way towards the creation of an independent state". However, the operation has provoked strong opposition in Jenin and there have been violent clashes in other West Bank cities including Tubas in the Jordan Valley and Tulkarm in the north. 'PROVE ITS WORTH' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing of the operation is a sign that the PA has to "prove its worth" as it seeks to uphold its role in the West Bank while preparing for a possible future role in Gaza, said Hani al-Masri, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah. The Palestinian Authority was set up three decades ago under the Oslo interim peace accords and given limited authority in the West Bank and Gaza, where Palestinians hope for an independent state. It was driven out of Gaza by Hamas in a 2007 civil war. Since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas-led fighters, Israel has vowed to drive Hamas out of Gaza. Israel says it also believes the PA should have no role in Gaza after the war, but most Western and Arab countries say Gaza must be run by Palestinians and they expect a role for the PA. Michael Mihlshtein, a former Israeli military intelligence officer and one of Israel's leading experts on Palestinian affairs, agreed that PA President Mahmoud Abbas was trying to show force now, ahead of an anticipated post-war settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is very broad pressure on him to do something if he wants to be considered as a relevant player for the day after in Gaza," said Milshtein. He noted that the operation in Jenin also follows a ceasefire in Lebanon, the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria and the election of Donald Trump in the United States, events that leave the region's future unsettled. Israel accuses the PA of failing to control militant groups in the occupied West Bank. The PA says Israel, which has military control over the territory, deliberately undermines its authority. PA officials say one of the aims of the operation is to prevent Hamas and Islamic Jihad from creating the kind of rule in the West Bank that opened the way for Israel to destroy Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite efforts at reconciliation, Fatah, the main faction behind the PA, has so far failed to agree with Hamas on how Gaza should be ruled after the fighting. (James Mackenzie reported from Jerusalem; Editing by Howard Goller and Peter Graff) After three years of modest growth in school enrollment that bucked statewide trends, counts from this fall show 131 fewer students attending Palm Beach County public schools than in 2023. The total number of kindergarten through 12th grade students in all public schools, including charter schools, now sits at 187,562. The small change in Palm Beach County, although negative, sets it apart from enrollment trends elsewhere in South Florida: Both Broward and Miami-Dade's school districts saw enrollment decreases in the thousands of students this year. Now, district leaders there are weighing closing campuses or decreasing the number of school days in a week to address the decline in enrollment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enrollment at all Broward County schools dropped by 3,600 students this year, according to that district's attendance reports, while enrollment at all Miami-Dade schools dropped this year by about 1,700 students, that district's records show. Miami-Dade is the largest district in the state with 335,000 students, followed by Broward County with 247,000 students. Palm Beach County ranks third. School enrollment reports are often broken up and examined separately to see what types of schools are seeing growth. For example, Palm Beach County school district officials are celebrating figures that show the total number of students in district-run schools (not including charter schools) grew this year by 381. That's a notable figure for state funding, which is assigned, in part, based on how many students attend a school. If a student applies to a choice program at another school or uses a voucher to attend a private school, the money follows them. Students arrive for their first day of school at Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School in Palm Beach County, Florida on August 10, 2023. It's also good news for school officials who have worried about how Florida's universal voucher program, which allows parents to apply for public funds to send their students to private schools, will impact the number of students the district is directly responsible for educating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enrollment reports also paint a picture of which schools are the most crowded. Last year, seven elementary, two middle and nine high schools were at or above their full capacity that's a problem because classroom space, teachers and resources can be stretched thin when a school serves more students than it is designed to. This year, enrollment data shows that eight elementary, two middle and eight high schools are at full capacity or have more students than the campuses should hold. More on the new school: Palm Beach County's newest elementary school opens in fall 2025. Which students will attend? That includes Binks Forest Elementary in Wellington, which is at 103% of its capacity and is on track to get relief when the district's newest elementary school opens in the fall near the Arden community on Southern Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's a breakdown of crowding across the school district: The most crowded elementary schools in Palm Beach County Here are the elementary schools with enrollment rates at or above 100%: Acreage Pines, Loxahatchee: 103% Addison Mizner School, Boca Raton: 101% Binks Forest, Wellington: 103% Golden Grove, Westlake: 109% Meadow Park, West Palm Beach: 119% (unlike other schools, Meadow Park's enrollment number includes part-time Pre-K students) Palm Springs Elementary: 105% The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach: 125% (enrollment number includes mobile classrooms) Verde K-8, Boca Raton: 100% All K-8 schools are counted in the grouping with elementary schools, according to the school district report. All students of all grades are included in K-8 reports. Only 2 Palm Beach County middle schools are at or over capacity Here are the middle schools with enrollment rates at or above 100%: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don Estridge High Tech Middle, Boca Raton: 101% Western Pines, West Palm Beach: 102% High schools at 100% or higher Here are the high schools with enrollment rates at or above 100%: Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach: 111% Dr. Joaquin Garcia High, west of Lake Worth Beach: 100% Forest Hill High, West Palm Beach: 105% John I. Leonard High, Greenacres: 104% Palm Beach Central, Wellington: 101% Palm Beach Lakes, West Palm Beach: 101% Seminole Ridge, Loxahatchee: 106% West Boca Raton High: 103% Unlike the other high schools, Dreyfoos School of the Arts is a full-choice school, meaning school administrators can choose how many students to admit each year. Charter school enrollment dips by 1.1% compared with 2023 Included in the enrollment figures are counts of students attending charter schools, which are public schools run by private organizations. Charter schools cannot charge tuition nor can they be religiously affiliated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter school enrollment dropped by 249 students this year for a total of 21,873. It's the second year in a row that charter school enrollment has dropped in Palm Beach County a far cry from explosive growth in 2013 and 2014, when the number of students enrolling in charter schools grew by 19.1% and 34.2%, respectively. Now, charter school students represent just 11% of the public school population which, despite the growth in charter school enrollment a decade ago, is consistent with years past. In 2015, 10.5% of all Palm Beach County students attended charter schools. Enrollment trends in Palm Beach County schools from 2005 to 2025. Enrollment figures include students in all public schools, including charter schools. Want more education news? Sign up for ourExtra Credit weekly newsletter, delivered every Friday! Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County school enrollment: Which schools are most crowded? PAMLICO COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) Pamlico County JROTC has joined forces with the local Walmart and food bank to give back this holiday season. The group is giving 100 families a bag of food each. The bags all contain canned goods along with a turkey and ham. Pamlico County JROTC Commanding Officer Shelby Mehring said families will come by on Dec. 20 to pick up their bags. Distribution will happen on December 20th. Its going to be in the morning and all the families are going to show up here to the high school and theyre going to line up and were going to have the bags outside the school ready, Mehring said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a yearly tradition the JROTC program has for underprivileged families. Pamlico County JROTC Command Senior Chief Nathan Gibbs said there is a lot that goes into distribution day. To go out there and were going to distribute the food. We have other cadets come out, their school resource officers pack up the food, open the trunks, put them in all in the cars and have school resource officers throughout the traffic and stuff like that, Gibbs 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 WNCT. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Panama City police are releasing more details in a tragic murder-suicide this weekend. Officers responded to a home in the Sweetbay community just before midnight last Friday. Once on scene, they found 67-year-old Newell Mock standing on the porch with a firearm in his hand. As they tried to de-escalate the situation, mock took his own life. When they entered the home they found 40-year-old Joshua Johns dead and his wife Jessica gravely wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two dead, one injured in reported murder-suicide incident at a residence in Panama City Their two sons ages 5 and 7 were asleep upstairs and unharmed. Mr. Newell Mock, the shooter in this case, had been involved in a domestic violence incident with his wife, in their residence in Gulf County in the Port St. Joe Beach area. He had armed himself there and his wife was able to escape the house, but he took her phone and her car and left. And then he left there and drove straight over to the residence at SweetBay, which is where her daughter lived, and decided to take his anger out on that family, said Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith. Jessica Johns had surgery over the weekend and will require several more. Family members have started a GoFundMe account, to donate, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Some DeKalb County parents are raising safety concerns after police arrested two students for having a gun at school. The students took the gun to Clarkston High School on Friday, causing a lockdown. Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes asked school officials about safety protocols and spoke to parents about what had them worried. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] I found that there are no barricades in the classrooms here and there has never been a plan for them, Tracey Harris, a parent of a Clarkston High student said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told Fernandes that she was furious that school district officials dont have a plan to add an extra layer of protection for everyone here. Right now, the only thing protecting students and staff from a school shooter is a locked door. TRENDING STORIES: I got the alert on my phone from WSB, right? And my heart absolutely 100% dropped, Harris told Channel 2 Action News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she gets nervous any time her daughters school is on lockdown. On Friday when she got the alert that Clarkston High School was on a lockdown, her daughter told her a gunman was in the school and she didnt feel safe. She said the door was only locked, so my question to DeKalb County is I thought the door was supposed to be more than locked, with so many school shootings happening in America, I thought some sort of barricade shouldve been put together to keep people out, Harris said. Harris said it was especially concerning after the shooting at Apalachee High School in September, when several parents raised concerns about school safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for DeKalb County Public Schools told Fernandes that there is no plan to, nor has there been a plan for, barricades on classroom doors at Clarkston High School. When Fernandes told Harris, she said she was shocked and couldnt believe that district officials think a locked door is enough protection fro ma school shooter. She said Friday was a trial run for what could happen at the school, and she hopes the district will reconsider. I do want us to have stronger rules if thats what we need to have and if that includes barricading some doors, then thats what we need to do, Harris said. I want my daughter safe, I want my daughter and her friends and everybody thats connected to us safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris said shes always been supportive of the school and the district and shell continue doing that by making sure school board members are aware of what happened here and the fact that parents want more protection. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A group of special needs students and school staffers were allegedly denied service at a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Md., on Dec. 3 The restaurant company, which has denied that their disabilities were the reason for refusing service, fired the location's general manager and two employees in response Dozens of protesters, including parents whose students were allegedly discriminated against during the visit, demonstrated outside of the restaurant's Waldorf location on Dec. 16 A group of protesters numbering in the dozens staged a demonstration outside of a Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Md., after the restaurant was accused of refusing service to special needs students in early December. Were protesting, not only for the 11 children that Cracker Barrel discriminated against, but for all kids or humans that are disabled or have special needs," Dustin Reed, a protester and parent whose 7-year-old daughter, Madelynn, was one of the students who were allegedly discriminated against, told CBS affiliate WUSA at the Sunday, Dec. 15 event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident allegedly took place on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when 11 students and seven staff members visited the Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, read a Dec. 5 statement from Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Maria V. Navarro. The visit, according to the superintendent, was part of a community-based instruction (CBI) that allows students to practice generalizing skills. Related: Michigan Man Claims Racial Discrimination After He Changed His Name on Resume and Got an Interview, He Says Prior to the Dec. 3 visit, wrote Navarro, CCPS staff notified the establishment of the planned visit, including how many were in the party, and shared the CBI purpose of the visit. CCPS staff was reportedly told by restaurant staff that no reservations were necessary. Upon arrival, she continued, the students and staff were declined service and asked to no longer include the restaurant on its CBI list. The group was able to place a carry-out order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navarro added that she spoke with the restaurants district manager about what allegedly happened and why the students and staff were denied service. Our students and staff are our No. 1 priority, and we are disheartened to learn about the alleged treatment they received while participating in an activity designed to educate our students using real-world applications, Navarro wrote. The alleged treatment of CCPS students and staff at Cracker Barrel is one that no one should experience. However, it is encouraging to learn that the district manager said the business would be willing to work with CCPS to do better. Following the alleged incident, the restaurant confirmed in a statement later obtained by PEOPLE that a general manager of the Waldorf Cracker Barrel location was fired, along with two other employees. In a previous statement, the company said that the incident happened "due to our inability to accommodate a party of 18 that arrived when we were facing unexpected staffing issues and had partially closed our second dining room." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At Cracker Barrel, we strive to create a welcoming environment and great experience for all of our guests," the company said. "That we disappointed this group of students and teachers during their recent visit is unacceptable to us, and we sincerely apologize." Related: Hallmark Executive Wanted to 'Replace' 'Old Talent' Like Lacey Chabert and Holly Robinson Peete, Age Discrimination Lawsuit Claims Cracker Barrel also added: "Our missteps last week were unfortunate but were unrelated to the students capabilities. ... Our failure to follow certain operational protocols combined with poor communication on our part then led to misunderstandings and misperceptions." At the Dec. 15 protest outside of the Waldorf location, demonstrators held up signs that read, Treat us equally, Inclusion is a right not a privilege and God loves and accepts everyone! Why cant Cracker Barrel? USA Today reported. The protesters were also heard chanting, Treat us equally and Our kids matter. 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. It sends a message that we will not tolerate discrimination in Charles County," Dyotha Sweat, Charles County NAACP president, told WUSA about the demonstration. "If we have to continue to do this, we will. This is not a one and done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew Blumhardt, a protester whose 7-year-old daughter Mary was also one of the students allegedly discriminated against, said his daughter was told by a server to move her electric wheelchair. Not everyone knows what kids who have disabilities like this go through, Blumhardt said, USA Today reported. Obviously, the staff at Cracker Barrel didnt know. Reed told NBC affiliate WRC that Cracker Barrel did not apologize for allegedly discriminating against his child and the other students during the Dec. 3 visit. In the meeting that they had last Monday [Dec. 9] with us parents, they denied discrimination, told us that we're all going to have to agree to disagree and theyre sorry that we feel this way, he said. When reached by PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16, about the protest, a spokesperson for Cracker Barrel said they declined to comment. Read the original article on People By Andreas Rinke and Matthias Williams BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's main political parties presented their competing plans on Tuesday for lifting Europe's largest economy out of the doldrums as campaigning kicked off for a snap election on Feb. 23. The election, triggered after Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition collapsed last month amid arguments over debt and then lost a parliamentary vote of confidence on Monday, comes at a testing time for Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its economy is set to shrink for a second straight year, industrial giants like Volkswagen face an existential threat from foreign rivals and political attitudes are hardening towards migrants. Data from the Ifo institute also delivered a sharp reminder of Germany's woes on Tuesday, showing that business morale worsened more than expected in December. Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservatives who are tipped to win the election, said at his party's manifesto launch that they were ready to govern Germany again after three years in opposition. "The chancellor asked for a vote of confidence yesterday and lost. He lost the trust of the majority of the population long ago. He has also lost the trust of investors who have been leaving Germany for several years now," said Merz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His Christian Democratic Union party (CDU) wants cuts to income and corporation taxes and lower electricity prices as a way to boost the economy. His political opponents say Merz's policies are uncosted, though the CDU believes it can finance them through faster economic growth and cuts in some welfare payments. DEBT BRAKE REFORM? Merz has so far said he plans to stick to a constitutionally-enshrined government spending cap known as the debt brake. The tool was introduced after the 2009 financial crisis but critics say it hobbles growth by restricting borrowing and investment. Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and their coalition ally the Greens want to reform the debt brake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economy Minister Robert Habeck from the Greens accused Merz of failing to grapple with the realities facing Germany. "We have to get our infrastructure up to scratch," Habeck said at the presentation of his party's manifesto, estimating that an overhaul of Germany's creaking infrastructure would cost hundreds of billions of euros over the next decade. "That requires a reform of the debt brake." Scholz, the most unpopular German leader of modern times and battling to regain the initiative, said jobs were at the centre of his party's programme. "The first and most important thing is to protect jobs and ensure new ones are created," he said at the launch of the SPD's programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SPD has also proposed incentivising private investment, especially in domestic manufacturing, and modernising infrastructure with an off-budget 100 billion euro fund. However, some economists questioned whether any of the main parties offered major change. "Small-scale measures won't help - we have to think bigger. You can't really see that in most of the election manifestos," said Cyrus De La Rubia, Chief Economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. "Of course, it improves morale when income taxes are reduced... If these micro-interventions continue, resignation will finally take hold because of the lack of courage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DIVISIONS ON UKRAINE Apart from the economy, other issues set to dominate the election campaign include migration and the war in Ukraine. Germany under Scholz has ramped up defence spending and become the second biggest military backer of Ukraine behind the United States. However, Merz would like to go further by equipping Kyiv with Taurus missiles, a step Scholz fears could drag Germany into direct confrontation with Russia. The Greens want defence spending raised beyond the NATO alliance target of 2% of national output. By contrast, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently in second place after the conservatives in opinion polls, wants an end to weapons deliveries to Ukraine and a resumption of good relations with Moscow. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Matthias Williams, Holger Hansen, Rene Wagner, Kirsti Knolle, Alexander Ratz, Christian Kraemer; Writing by Matthias Williams and Thomas Escritt; Editing by Gareth Jones) Dec. 16Nearly six decades after walking to Straw School on Chestnut Street as a kindergartener, Paul Beaudin is returning to the city to become the next president of Manchester Community College just two miles away. Beaudin, who starts his new post Jan. 13, lived in Manchester only 18 months in the mid-1960s before his Air Force dad moved the family elsewhere. "My family loved living there," Beaduin said in a phone interview from Haverhill, Mass. on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So more than two years ago, Beaduin, 64, bought a house in Manchester about a half-dozen blocks from where he lived as a child, commuting to Massachusetts for work. Seeking the MCC job "had nothing to do with a shorter commute," he said. "At the end of the day, my hope is students who enter with a dream are able to get the support they need to find a place in the workforce that allows them to earn a living wage, raise a family and gives them incredible opportunities," he said. Beaudin plans to spend his first 100 days talking to students and staff to learn more. Beaudin held administrative jobs in New York and Massachusetts before the board of trustees of the Community College System of New Hampshire last week unanimously confirmed him as MCC's next president, according to an announcement Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His commitment to educational excellence, removing barriers, and creating a sense of belonging to support student success came through in all phases of the search process," Board Chair Katharine Shields said in a statement. The Maine native most recently served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Northern Essex Community College, which has campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence in Massachusetts. His salary will be $185,000 a year. MCC enrolls about 3,000 students a year, plus more than 2,000 high school students who enroll through CCSNH's early college program. Interim President Charles Lloyd had led MCC since August and will resume his role as vice chancellor of the community college system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaudin also served within the State University of New York (SUNY) system from 2015-2021 as vice president for academic affairs, interim vice president of student affairs, and dean of instruction at SUNY Suffolk on Long Island, a tri-campus community college of more than 20,000 students. From 2008-2015, he worked at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, a private, graduate-level institution where he served as associate dean, directed advisement for graduate education students, and was an associate professor of education. "When we began this search, we knew it would be important to find a leader who could step into a dynamic environment in stride, to ensure that Manchester Community College continues to serve its students and the community well, and that MCC is contributing to the renaissance in Manchester," Mark Rubinstein, CCSNH chancellor, said in a statement. "Dr. Beaudin has demonstrated that ability throughout his career," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beaudin holds a Ph.D. in language and literacy education and a professional diploma in school administration and supervision, both from Fordham University. He also has a master of science in education and a bachelor of arts degree summa cum laude, both from Iona College. RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Pearl man pled guilty to sexual battery of a child under the age of 14. Madison and Rankin Counties District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Lavarias Sherod Chaffee, 32, was sentenced to serve 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for sexual battery of a minor. Two dead after apparent murder-suicide in Jackson Bramlett said Chaffee will serve 25 years in prison and will have five years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender, have no contact with the victim and have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On November 15, 2023, Pearl police received a complaint from the victims parents. They said their child was communicating with a man in his 30s on social media. During the investigation, the Mississippi Childrens Advocacy Center interviewed the child and discovered that the defendant drove to the childs neighborhood in a work truck. Investigators said Chaffee had the minor come out to meet him and had the child perform sexual acts on him in the truck. The victim and other juveniles said Chaffee requested inappropriate images from them. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Dec. 16SANTA FE The head of the New Mexico Public Education Department is asking state lawmakers for over $5.5 billion to fund the state's K-12 schools and a host of initiatives, including programs to improve the graduation rate, bring down chronic absenteeism and fill teacher vacancies. In a hearing room at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on Thursday, Mariana Padilla, secretary designee of the department, outlined her agency's multi-billion request to the Legislative Finance Committee, which is hearing budget requests from all agencies in the run-up to the legislative session in January. PED's budget proposal is an increase from the $5.08 billion it asked for last year. "The recommendation we're presenting to you today really reflects a commitment to equity and excellence in education, addressing the needs of all students, especially those identified in the Martinez-Yazzie ruling," Padilla told the committee. "This proposal seeks to continue making targeted investments that enhance instructional equality and seeks to improve student outcomes exactly what you requested, Mr. Chair." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling she referred to involves New Mexico public school parents Wilhelmina Yazzie and Louise Martinez, who argued in 1st Judicial District Court several years ago that the state was not providing an equitable education for their children under the New Mexico Constitution. A judge ruled in their favor and asked PED to implement a plan, which it is still fighting in court. Among the biggest legislative requests from PED is $79.5 million for programs to improve the graduation rate. These programs include career-connected learning; out-of-school time enrichment programs and high-impact tutoring; school improvement and transformation programs; and community schools. Another large legislative request is $52.3 million to improve educator training and recruitment. "Teachers remain the most important factor in student learning," Padilla said. "However, the state still has far too many teacher vacancies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With enrollment in teacher residency programs going from 40 educators in 2022-23 to nearly 300 in 2023-24, Padilla said there is good reason to boost support for programs that help teachers. "These educators are more likely to stay in communities, their community, upon graduating," she said. PED hopes to add $50 million to the Indian Education Fund, recurring expenditures to support Native American students. The request is less than the $90 million proposed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for the fund. That is just part of $150 million the governor's plan proposes be funneled into a Native American education fund over the next three years. Padilla told lawmakers that the proposal does not include compensation for public school employees because parts of the budget are still under review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But I will say we are closely aligned with other recommendations," she said. Under questioning from lawmakers following her presentation, Padilla told state Rep. Derrick J. Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, that she was not sure where the state ranked in terms of spending per student, but could get that figure to the Legislature. Lente responded he wants to "dig in" to the figure more since the state has a "recurring theme" that its students "continue to score the lowest." "We're going to dig ourselves out of that eventually, right?" Lente said. "I just wanted to see where we can get out of this funk, if you want to call it that." Fresh off hip replacement surgery, Nancy Pelosi, 84, secured another victory. House Democrats on Tuesday afternoon decided that 74-year-old Gerry Connollywho announced his throat cancer diagnosis in Novemberwill serve as ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, besting 35-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a closed-door caucus vote. Gerrys a young 74, cancer notwithstanding, said Virginia Democrat Don Beyer, a Connolly ally. Pelosi had opposed the 35-year-olds run for the role, approaching colleagues urging them to back Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez, Axios reported last week. Connolly will join fellow septuagenarians in top committee spots next year. Richard Neal, 75, will lead Democrats on Ways and Means while Frank Pallone, 73, will be the partys top representative on Energy and Commerce. Eighty-six-year-old Maxine Waters will be the ranking member on the Financial Services Committee, and Rose DeLauro, 81, will helm the Democrats presence in Appropriations. The elderly are not too old to govern. But they may, in this case, be too attached to a failed way of doing things. The job of the Oversight Committee, for instance, is to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the federal government and all its agencies, including the Pentagon. Connolly this past cycle accepted $118,500 from political action committees linked to the defense sector. Ways and Means is the Houses top tax-writing committee, with jurisdiction over the revenue-related aspects of Social Security and Medicare, among other programs. Neal is a top recipient of donations from the insurance industry, having accepted $412,000 from insurance industry PACs during the 2024 campaign cycle, plus generous six-figure donations from HMOs and pharmaceutical companies. Frank Pallone has gotten more than $1 million from electric utilities since joining Congress in 1998. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other democracies, the leaderships of parties that have endured humiliating defeats like the one Democrats saw in Novemberor even just regular defeatsresign. That kicks off a process by which members determine a new, ideally more successful direction, represented by different people. But the Democratic Party isnt really a party of the sort that exists in other democracies, with memberships and official constituencies, like unions, who have some say over how its governed. Members mostly make decisions based on their own interests rather than to drive some shared, democratically decided agenda forward. Thats part of whats so depressing about the Oversight Committee ordeal for the couple dozen journalists and political junkies who pay attention to that sort of thing. Pelosi and the old guards continued opposition to younger talent seems breathtakingly counterproductive in the face of the Democratic Partys numerous challenges right now. Simultaneously, the Houses resistance to Trump and the GOP in the House will be led by people of all ages who dont seem particularly interested in that project, despite having spent the entire election cycle warning that Trumps Republican Party represents a second coming of fascism. If incoming House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries really believes that, then why is he advertising his willingness to work with the GOP? Why are so many other Democrats, for that matter, trying to make nice with Trump acolyte Elon Musk? But the Groundhog Day of it all adds a special layer of dread: Once again, Pelosi and AOC are fighting a proxy battle over the future of the Democratic Party. In 2020, Pelosi squashed AOCs bid to join Energy and Commerce over a perceived lack of loyalty. Now Pelosi has gotten her way again. This isnt an ultra-significant outcome in isolation: Whoever heads the House Oversight Committeenow Connollywill still be doing so from the minority. The future of the Democratic Party will not be won or lost in committee leadership votes, or even those for the leadership of the Democratic National Committee; these fights are well worth engaging in for those actually doing it but a fools errand for most people to invest much faith or care in. For the rest of us, these elections are just a sad reflection on how committed the partys top brass are to maintaining their cozy patronage system. If the Democrats have a future, its inspiration will come from outside the bounds of its own fiefdoms and sclerotic internal processes. It will come, for example, from unions that cultivate leaders who can genuinely speak to working-class voters. It will come from social movements that build momentum for populist ideas that havent been poll-tested into bland, business-friendly mush. At the very least, those things can outlive Pelosi and the old guard. Ideally, it can build an electoral force that aspires to more than meaningless loyalties and bigger checks from donors. (WJET/WFXP) Penn State Behrend announced Tuesday theyve named Ozgun C. Demirag as the director of the Black School of Business after serving as the interim director since 2023. Demirag has been teaching at the Black School of Business since 2009 and has served as the associate director of undergraduate programs and faculty affairs and is currently the Samuel A. and Elizabeth B. Breene Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Booker T. Washington Center awarded over $1.8 million for drop-in SUD services Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She earned her bachelors in industrial engineering from Middle East Technical University, in Ankara, Turkey then earned her Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering and masters degrees in industrial engineering and operations research from the Georgia Institute of Technology. With more than 15 years of experience in teaching around the world, conducting research for companies including Norfolk Southern and academic leadership, Demirag said shes honored to lead the school. I am honored to lead the Black School of Business, Demirag said, and I look forward to collaborating with our students, faculty, staff, alumni and advisory boards to further enrich our programs, advance opportunities for industry and community partnerships, and enhance our regional and global impact on business and society. Gannon nursing programs awarded 10-year accreditation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With research published in the Operations Research, Production and Operations Management, the European Journal of Operational Research and the International Journal of Management Science and more, Behrends vice chancellor and associate dean for academic affairs said shes perfect for the role. Ozgun is the perfect fit to lead the Black School of Business, where a learn-by-doing approach prepares our graduates to be leaders in a constantly evolving business landscape, said Greg Filbeck, vice chancellor and associate dean for academic affairs. Her experience in the classroom and in administrative roles provides a clear and interdisciplinary vision for how to build on the programs that already set our graduates apart. The Black School of Business is the only business school in the region accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and ranks in the top 10% of business schools in the country based on financial return by the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvanias 19 presidential electors gathered at the state capitol in Harrisburg today, voting to confirm the results of the 2024 presidential election. The Republican Party certified presidential electors to represent the 19 electoral votes that Pennsylvania had in the November General Election. Donald Trump and JD Vance won Pennsylvania by more than 120,000 votes over Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, a margin of less than 2%. The 19 hand-picked Republican electors who participated today were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement William Bachenberg Vallerie Biancaniello Curt Coccodrilli Bernadette S. Comfort Robert A. Gleason Jr. Joyce Haas Fred Keller Ash Khare Jondavid Longo Robin Lee Hoyt Medeiros Rochelle Marie Pasquariello Patricia K. Poprik Andrew J. Reilly Carol Lynne Ryan Carla Sands Lawrence Tabas James Jim Vasilko T. Lynette Villano Christine A. Wilkins It was such an honor and its a very historic process, said Sands, Trumps former ambassador to Denmark who ran for U.S. Senate in 2022. Theres a lot of pomp and circumstance and formality, a lot of signatures. The certified votes will be officially received by Congress on January 6 along with the 49 other states. I think it showed that the Electoral College worked very well this time, said Lawrence Tabas, Chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. People have accepted the results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time they did, but last time, not all Republicans accepted the 2020 election results when Joe Biden won the state. Bernie Comfort was a legitimate elector on Tuesday but an illegitimate one four years ago when Republicans seated their own slate of electors. What I would say about 2020 is what the now-governor said when he was attorney general, that we acted within the law and we were preserving President Trumps right while legal cases were still pending, said Comfort. So thats what I would say about 2020. Five of the fake electors who were accused of such actions were among the 19 electors casting their votes in Pennsylvania today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former statewide Republican Chair Rob Gleason was supposed to be an elector in 2020 but refused to come to Harrisburg to be part of the alternate slate. We lost last time, we won this time, and here we are, said Gleason on Tuesday. Pennsylvania vehicle registration fees to be reduced for select customers Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt oversaw the process on the House floor. This year, more than 7 million registered Pennsylvania voters participated in the process to elect the president, and their voices have been heard, said Schmidt. Voting is the cornerstone of our representative democracy, and I want to thank the 19 men and women in this years Electoral College who performed their Constitutional duty and reflected the wishes of the Commonwealths voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar scenes are happening today across the nation with state electors gathering to vote for the president and vice president on separate ballots. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A Pennsylvania jail retaliated against inmates suspected of smoking synthetic marijuana by punishing entire cell blocks confiscating legal paperwork, withholding necessities like toilet paper, soap, and warm clothing, and cutting power and heat, inmates allege in a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. Top jail officials waged an escalating, monthlong campaign of collective punishment, imposing near-total deprivation and violating the constitutional rights of people incarcerated at Dauphin County Prison, a 1,000-person lockup outside the state capital of Harrisburg, the lawsuit says. For DCP to launch this campaign of mass torture is abominable. Their actions violate the Constitution and basic human decency, said Margo Hu, staff attorney for the Abolitionist Law Center, which is representing the plaintiffs. People in Dauphin County Prison have been advocating against the facilitys depraved conditions for years. It is past time Dauphin County be held responsible for the harm they have been inflicting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dauphin County is aware of reports regarding a class action lawsuit filed in federal court by the Abolitionist Law Center, naming the County and several of its employees as defendants, said Vincent Paese, Chief Clerk/Chief of Staff for the Dauphin County Commissioners. The County has not yet been served with the lawsuit as of the writing of this release and will not be commenting on the matter until further consultation with legal counsel has taken place. County Commissioner Justin Douglas, who took office after the 2023 jail crackdown, told the Associated Press Tuesday he has been deeply disturbed by the allegations since they first surfaced in local media reports several months ago. I believe it is essential to let this process play out fully. If any inappropriate actions occurred, it is important that there are appropriate consequences, he said. The abuses described in the lawsuit took place in November and December 2023 in the jails restricted housing unit, where inmates are typically held for breaking jail rules and where jail officials believed synthetic drugs were being used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jail responded by confiscating inmates tablet computers, eliminating their access to religious texts, legal mail and other materials, and shutting off communications with anyone outside the jail, the lawsuit says. Jail officials are accused of seizing personal hygiene products and locking detainees in their cells nearly round-the-clock, permitting only one 15-minute shower every three days. Power and heat were cut, and some inmates sliced open their mattresses to keep warm as temperatures outside dipped below freezing, the suit alleges. Most of the affected people were pretrial detainees. When one of the inmates, 27-year-old Kani Little, complained about the conditions, a dozen guards in riot gear assaulted him, slamming him to the ground and spraying him with chemical irritant, the lawsuit asserts. Little and two other plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages on behalf of all detainees kept in the restricted housing unit at any time between Nov. 16 and Dec. 19, 2023. Dauphin County, the warden, the chief deputy warden and other jail officials and guards are named as defendants. Dauphin County has a widespread and well-earned reputation as a troubled prison facility, the plaintiffs lawyers wrote in the filing. More than 20 people have died in custody at the jail since 2019, the lawyers said, and the rate of overdoses is disproportionately high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen so many people die in DCP that I was scared I was next, one of the plaintiffs, James Patterson, said in a statement released by the Abolitionist Law Center. I kept talking to staff and no one wanted to listen. They all had their hands in this, none of them protected us, and they all need to go. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM) Patrik Bohn sure doesnt blame his 2013 Suburu Outback, with its 250,000-plus miles, for not making the Thanksgiving week trip home from Wheeling, West Virginia where his fiance is finishing school to become a physical therapist to Carlisle. He doesnt blame AAA, either, for insisting that he pay for the excess miles the car had to be towed, beyond the 200 miles included with his platinum-tier membership. He wouldnt have even blamed the towing contractor AAA called in West Virginia for charging him $525 for a 275-mile route, rather than the $310 the using a 230-mile route mostly along Pennsylvanias Turnpike (recall the first 200 miles were included either way) if the driver had, in fact, used the longer route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem? Skimming device discovered on York County ATM They ended up taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Bohn said Monday morning, even though they charged for the longer route. Bohn says he knows that because he left his work cell phone inside the cars glove compartment. It has live tracking on it, because I do a lot of traveling for work, he explained. And because of that GPS evidence, he has time-stamped video recordings of the towed car moving along the Turnpike, ultimately getting off in Carlisle. He even has a time-stamped photo of himself inside a house in Carlisle at the same time, awaiting the car in disbelief while he watched it live, on his laptop and personal phone take the route the truck supposedly couldnt take. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bohn said he paid the $525 and asked AAA Central Penn the club where hes a member to reimburse him the $315 difference between what he paid and what he should have paid. He says next he was bounced between AAA Central Penn and the AAA club that dispatched the tow truck in West Virginia Its been tossing back and forth of, Its not our fault, its their fault,' Bohn said and both blaming the towing contractor. AAA told me that this is at the tow truck companys discretion, and the owner of the tow truck company is calling me a liar [despite] all of this evidence, Bohn said. He did fill out a reimbursement form with AAA Central Penn. And last week, he contacted abc27 News. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter Monday morning, abc27 News contacted AAA Central Penn. Bohn said he got a call Monday afternoon saying the club would reimburse him. The reimbursement is the outcome of a process to verify details that began immediately after the member notified us of the situation, a AAA Central Penn spokesperson told abc27 News Monday afternoon. Im so happy to be able to get back the over mileage, because $315 is a lot of money, Bohn said especially with him being the primary breadwinner for the couple while his fiance finishes her education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. (WHTM) The United States marked the anniversary of one of the most significant battles in the countrys history today, and a division of the Pennsylvania National Guardsmen played a crucial role in the outcome. On December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began, as the Allied Forces fought the Nazis in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg from December 1944 into January 1945. Known today as the Battle of the Bulge, was a month-long vortex of war whose horror and glory are studied and remembered today, said Major General Michael Wegscheider, Commander of the PNGs 28th Infantry Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Desperate Nazis made a last-ditch assault to split Allied lines. With speed and fury, they slammed into the thinnest point, causing a bulge. The six-week battle that ensued became Americas bloodiest in World War II. People get inspired by those stories about the selfless sacrifice. That was the greatest generation, said Brigadier General John Pippy. They went through the Depression. They had a never-quit attitude. One of those stories included the PA National Guards 28th Infantry Division. They were outnumbered and outgunned, but they had simple orders from the commander: Hold at all costs, hold in place, dry the enemy off, and dont let them pass, recalled Wegscheider. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts The 28th held off the Nazis long enough for reinforcements to join the fight. Many died, and many more were injured in defense of freedom. This ceremony is to honor and educate about dangers from 80 years ago, but military professionals know such dangers arent just distant and long ago. Here we are now looking to face again China, Russia, and Iran in a more conventional matter, said Marc Ferraro, the Executive Deputy Secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Its hard to prepare for everything and its hard to predict the future. But I think having been in the military, maintaining the readiness of our soldiers to make sure that they understand what theyre getting ready to go into is the best way to prepare for any contingency that is going to come up on that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On this day 80 years ago, Pennsylvanians answered the call. The hope is the word of their valor will spark the next generation to be the greatest generation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association is loading a tractor-trailer with toys for the annual Toys for Tots drive in Harrisburg on Tuesday morning. According to the PSTA, the board of directors will load the tractor-trailer with toys starting at 8:45 a.m. at the PTSA Headquarters, 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest The PSTA has been collecting new toys for local communities across Pennsylvania since November since November. The toys will be presented to the Fraternal Order of Police PA State Lodge at PSTA Headquarters in Harrisburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association represents 4,440 state police troopers in the Keystone state, according to the PSTA. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Not many people would want to shut down their business for a whole day to give out free food. But one Peoria restaurant did just that. Toys for Tots donates bikes to children in need Shaun Gist is the owner of Shaun Chef Soulfood in Peoria, which has been around for 8 months. He was asked by a customer of his if hed be able to help out the unhoused in Peoria through food. Im a customer at his restaurant, I eat here a lot, said Oshen Walker, a regular of Shaun Chef Soulfood. His food is really good, home cooked soul food. He is really, really nice at what he does. Shout out to him for helping me with all of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of them came into the restaurant at 8 a.m. Monday to prepare all the food they were serving. Walker says she has always wanted to do something good for the community and says food is a way to a persons heart. Theres people out there who actually need help and can use this kind of loving and care, she said. I have a very big heart, a very good heart, a caring heart. So I just put that to use in the ways that I know how to. Both Walker and Shaun were able to do their two favorite things: give to the community through serving a hot meal. Im glad Ill be able to, you know, fulfill their souls with some good, loving food, home cooking food, said Gist. No canned, fresh made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gist said closing for the day was an easy decision, especially with it being the holiday season. To be able to see the smiles on their face and be able to fill their heart, man, he said. Especially with Christmas coming up, for the holidays, they might not have nowhere to eat it, and Im glad we can be the ones to feed them. Normal business hours for Shaun Chef Soulfood will be in order for Tuesday onward. As the owner and operator of his restaurant, someone asked Gist if he ever gets tired of cooking. He had one word to say. No. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mysterious sightings of alleged drones over New Jersey, New York and other eastern states have sparked outcry from officials and residents even as the federal government has attempted to reassure the public and emphasize that it has no evidence that there is any threat to public safety. But the lack of definitive information about the phenomena, coupled with the lack of public trust in institutions and the viral spread of claims on social media, has created a furor. In a joint statement released Monday, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense said that after closely examining the technical data and citizen tips, officials had concluded 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones." "We have not identified anything anomalous and do not assess the activity to date to present a national security or public safety risk over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the northeast," the statement reads. Officials added that they are supporting state and local authorities with advanced detection technology and trained visual observers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such "carefully worded" statements from government officials are unlikely to assuage concerns from Americans, Thomas Warrick, a former DHS deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism policy, told Salon in an interview. The last decade of political turmoil, fueled in part by conspiracy theories and coming after revelations about secret government aircraft like the U-2 spy plane, have combined to create "a perfect storm of mistrust and suspicion," he said. "The odds are, five years from now, someone will write a retrospective of, 'Wasn't that silly? We were all worried about this,'" said Warrick, now a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and director of the Future of DHS Project at the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. "But right now, the anxiety that people are expressing is real. All the governments in question need to be both more active and more forthcoming to try to address these problems." Residents of New Jersey, including former elected officials, first reported seeing clusters of lights, believed to be drones, hovering over their properties and other populated areas around the state about a month ago, according to CBS News. Those largely nighttime, possible sightings have since expanded to at least a half dozen other states, including New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Last week, drone activity briefly closed runways at the Stewart International Airport in New York and shut down the air operations of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for nearly four hours. The number of reported sightings has also exploded, with an FBI official telling reporters over the weekend that the bureau has received 5,000 tips since the first sighting in New Jersey on Nov. 18, though fewer than 100 have spawned leads "deemed worthy of further investigative activity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday that the Biden administration has not identified "anything anomalous or any national security or public safety risks over the civilian airspace in New Jersey or other states in the Northeast, according to CNN. Kirby echoed the agency assessments of the sightings and said none of the 100 tips appear nefarious. I cant rule out the fact that we might find some sort of illegal or criminal activity, some nefarious activity, [but] all I can do is tell you that right now we see none of that, Kirby said. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a Sunday appearance on ABC News "This Week" that the federal government is "deploying additional resources, personnel" and technology to assist New Jersey state police in investigating the drone, or unmanned aircraft systems, sightings. He confirmed that some of the reported sightings are drones while noting that some are "manned aircraft that are commonly mistaken for drones." "It is our job to be vigilant," he said. "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware of any." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Defense Department spokesperson has confirmed that drones had been spotted over two military installations, Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, in New Jersey. That official added, however, that such sightings are not a new issue for the agency. The department spokesperson told reporters they have been unable to determine who is responsible for flying the drones but reiterated that they have no indication that a foreign adversary is involved. "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." The spokesperson also called the activity "irresponsible" and said that the department is "just as frustrated" by it. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder reiterated Monday that drones flying near or over U.S. military installations would not unsual and that the vast majority "pose no physical threat to our forces or impact our operations." Concerning activity, he said, occurs far less frequently, and if the department determines that such activity is malign, commanders take appropriate action to "mitigate and counter these unmanned systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To be clear," Ryder said, "we'll continue to do everything possible to investigate reports of concerning activity. But given how many drones are lawfully in our skies every day, we need to be careful to avoid assuming malintent or malicious behavior." On Monday, an FBI spokesperson told Salon that the bureau had no additional comment or information to provide at this time. The DHS declined to comment, and a spokesperson for the DOD referred Salon to transcripts of a Saturday press call with federal officials and Ryder's Monday press briefing. The White House National Security Council did not respond to a request for comment. Javed Ali, a former DHS and FBI official now teaching national security law at the University of Michigan, said that reading between the lines in their early statements federal authorities "really can't explain the phenomena either." Government officials "never have perfect information," he told Salon, and often have to wrestle with how and when to come forward to the public with more information. Striking that balance is difficult, he said, "because the minute you say something, facts could change. Then you'd be accused of lying to the public or you're not being truthful, and that's never really the case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contrary to the conspiracy theories currently en vogue, the least likely explanation for the drone sightings is aliens; second to that is that they come from some "hostile foreign power," Warrick said, noting that the federal agencies monitor hostile foreign actors "very carefully" and don't allow them to "get away with" such activity for "very long." The more likely explanations for most of the sightings, he said, are airplanes, helicopters and other aircraft that "aren't nefarious and that are well known." From there, officials are still confident that the remaining truly unidentified cases, which are down to an "irreducible minimum," do not constitute threats to the public. Warrick said government agencies need to do more to outline their plan for addressing the public's concerns. "They also, by the way, ought to be more constructive in telling the public what they can do," Warrick added. "One of the things that we in the counterterrorism world learned is it's not enough to tell people there is or is not a threat. You also need to tell people, 'Here's how you can help.' Most people will be constructive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last week, officials have ramped up demands for the Biden administration to share more information about the possible drone activity. In a letter to President Biden posted to social media last week, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy urged the government to direct more resources toward demystifying the increased alleged drone activity, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urged Congress to pass legislation strengthening the federal government's ability to regulate the use of drones. Adding fuel to the fire has been the number of current and former public officials who have claimed to have seen drones. Ex-Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan claimed over the weekend that he "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 nation's capital). I observed the activity for approximately 45 minutes," starting around 9:45 p.m. ET Thursday night. He also called the federal response to the possible drone activity "entirely unacceptable." Social media users, however, were quick to note that some of the lights Hogan recorded appeared to be stars in the Orion constellation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano, a Republican, on Monday posted a screenshot that claimed a drone shown strapped to a flatbed trailer had crashed into a beach and was being hauled to an undisclosed location for further investigation. Social media users quickly identified the object in the screenshot as a replica or prop TIE fighter spaceship from the Star Wars franchise. Nonetheless, Mastriano used the image to stoke fear. "It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones," Mastriano wrote, lamenting the "fecklessness" of the Biden administration. Other public figures who have shared false information have later issued corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., for example, last week posted a video of what he and local law enforcement suspected was drone activity above a New Jersey park. In a lengthy social media thread, however, he later clarified that "with the help of civilian pilots and others able to do deeper analysis," he and others had "concluded that most of the possible drone sightings that were pointed out to me were almost certainly planes." "I share this because this is the kind of analysis we need but are not getting from the federal government to explain this situation," Kim wrote Saturday. "FAA experts have much more experience/resources to identify aircraft. Instead I'm left to draw on civilian support and public apps." Robert Pape, a University of Chicago professor of political science who specializes in national security affairs and political violence, told Salon in a phone interview that the bigger issue the government is facing amid the purported drone sightings is in eroding public trust. "In the absence of good information, there will be many people [who'll] simply fill in the blanks with bad information, and there's no real way to stop that," Pape said, calling on the federal government to deploy advanced satellite technology, not often used in these scenarios, to track and monitor the possible drones in an effort to assuage concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pape also warned of the positive correlation between conspiracy thinking driven by deep distrust of American institutions and support for political violence. Nearly a month of possible drone sightings and hardly any answers, he argued, is "causing this pattern of the erosion of public trust in this issue of national security." "That void is almost surely being filled with conspiracy theories, and that is not good for our security," he said. "That's why I say this is really worth the government's time to clear up." Peter Navarro, President-elect Trumps previous and incoming White House trade adviser, said its best to let Trump do his thing in building relationships with the Chinese and other foreign actors so he can obtain the best deals for America. In an interview on NewsNations The Hill, Navarro, a well-known China critic, was asked about Trumps comments at a Monday press conference that China and the United States can together solve all of the problems of the world. Navarro who was Trumps trade adviser in his first administration and will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing in Trumps second said he was with Trump when he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on numerous occasions, and he is confident in the president-elects ability to navigate relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have a relationship which can be productive dealing with things like Ukraine and Gaza and oil and all of that, Navarro said about Trump and Xi. So what we do is we trust Donald Trump in developing relationships with Xi, with Putin, with whoever is out there, [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan in Turkey people the left doesnt like because of their obvious authoritarian methods yet for the good of this country, we have to let the boss do his thing in order to get the best deals for America, Navarro said. Lets see what happens. Last week, Trump invited Xi to attend his inauguration in January. Navarro shot back when asked whether he was softening his position on China. No, not at all, Navarro said. OK, we had that kind of relationship. Let 1,000 flowers bloom, as the Chinese might say, but we slapped them hard with tariffs, and we were the toughest presidency on China ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And theyre taking us apart now, and weve got to do something about that, Navarro said. The Hill is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns NewsNation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A new trial program in Philadelphia is offering financial support to people during pregnancy. The Philly Joy Bank program is giving $1,000 a month to 250 pregnant Philadelphia residents, from their second trimester to the baby's first birthday. The trial program aims to reduce racial disparities in the city's infant mortality, per the programs official website. To be eligible, residents must be pregnant, have a household income of less than $100,000 annually, and live in one of the three Philly neighborhoods with the highest rates of very low birth weight: Cobbs Creek, Strawberry Mansion or Nicetown-Tioga. Families will also be offered voluntary assistance such as home visits, financial counseling, and doula help, among other services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to recent data from the Department of Public Health, Philadelphias infant mortality rate is 40% higher than the national rate. Black and Hispanic people were the top two ethnic groups disproportionately impacted in categories linked to child deaths, such as prematurity, perinatal conditions, and sleep-related deaths. Getty Related: Babies Conceived via Fertility Treatments Born to Black Mothers 4 Times More Likely to Die as Newborns Philly Joy Bank was established by Philadelphia Community Action Network (CAN) to help combat the city's racial disparities in infant mortality rates by building a community of awareness and education. Black infants in our city are over three times more likely to die before their first birthday than White infants, the programs website states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt have to be that way, Dr. Stacey Kallem, director of the Philadelphia Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health, said, per Whyy. Alleviating financial stress during pregnancy can have real and positive impacts on birth outcomes. And the way to alleviate financial stress is actually pretty simple you give people cash. SDI Productions / Getty Images Stock image of mom and newborn 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. So far, 111 people have signed up for the trial program, per Daily Mail. Public and private funds of $6 million were raised over two years to support the Philly Joy Bank program, Whyy reported. The money can be used by recipients for whatever they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Program member Imani Davis said, per Whyy, All your money has to go to bills, all your money has to make sure you have food on the table or a roof over your head, so you might not have extra money for a stroller or a crib. This is where the guaranteed income will make an impact. Read the original article on People BEIJING (Reuters) - The Philippines said it delivered provisions earlier this month to its military personnel stationed at features in the South China Sea that Manila occupies but are claimed by Beijing. China's coast guard said on Tuesday that the Philippines sent a civilian vessel to deliver the provisions to an "illegally grounded" warship at Second Thomas Shoal on Dec. 12 "with China's permission". There was no immediate response from the Philippine embassy in Beijing to the coast guard statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Philippine armed forces said the resupply mission from Dec. 3-14 delivered "essential life support and sustainment provisions" and included "Christmas packages" to boost morale for soldiers who will be away from their families during the festive season. Although its statement did not name the features the mission visited to drop off supplies, photos shared by the Philippine military showed delivery to personnel stationed on the Sierra Madre warship in Second Thomas Shoal. Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the country will not send its navy to support Filipino fishermen in another contested shoal in the South China Sea to avoid escalation. On Dec. 4, Chinese coastguard vessels fired a water cannon and side-swiped a Manila fisheries bureau boat transporting supplies to Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal, according to Philippine officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's coast guard said Philippine ships "dangerously approached" Beijing's territorial waters around the Scarborough Shoal. Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated throughout the year over the disputes in the South China Sea, which China claims nearly the entirety of. Parts of the vital waterway, where more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce takes place, are also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague that its sweeping claims were not supported by international law. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Ethan Wang in Beijing, and Mikhail Flores in Manila; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Raju Gopalakrishnan) Wisconsin school shooter Natalie Rupnow, 15, was pictured wearing a T-shirt from a band idolized by a Columbine gunman just months before she opened fire at K-12 Abundant Life Christian School and killed a student and a teacher. In a Facebook post in August, Rupnows father, Jeff Rupnow, shared a photo of his daughter in the band tee as he boasted about their trip to North Bristol Shooting Club, located in a suburb outside of Madison, the New York Post reported. Joined NBSC this spring and we have been loving every second of it, he wrote. And when asked if that was his daughter in a comment, Rupnow answered, Sure is!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither the North Bristol Shooting Club nor Jeff Rupnow responded to the Daily Beasts request for comment. In the photo, Natalie can be seen taking aim at a clay pigeon with her back to the camera, but it was her T-shirt that reportedly caught the eye of some investigators. Natalies T-shirt referenced the German rock band KMFDM or Kein Mehrheit Fur Die Mitleid, which loosely translates to no pity for the majority, reported the New York Post. It is the same band that was also idolized by Columbine killer Eric Harris, who was seen wearing one of their T-shirts ahead of the 1999 mass shooting that killed 13 at a Colorado high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement about the shooting, the band condemned any association with Harris actions. First and foremost, KMFDM would like to express their deep and heartfelt sympathy for the parents, families and friends of the murdered and injured children in Littleton. We are sick and appalled, as is the rest of the nation, by what took place in Colorado yesterday, said the band in a statement at the time, reported Newsweek. KMFDM are an art formnot a political party. The band reportedly disbanded soon after over political and creative differences and reformed later with a new sound. The band announced its 40th anniversary tour across the U.S. this year. The KMFDM reference adds another piece to the puzzle as investigators look to establish a motive behind Natalies actions. In a press conference, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed that Jeff Rupnow was cooperating with authorities. Jeff Rupnow/Facebook We also want to look at if the parents may have been negligent. And thats a question that well have to answer with our district attorneys office, Barnes said in a Monday press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That news comes after earlier this year James and Jennifer Crumbley were convicted on manslaughter charges after their son Ethan killed four of his classmates and injured seven in a mass shooting at a Michigan high school. Their convictions marked the first time that a parent had been implicated in a mass school shooting and was thought to set a precedent for how similar cases would be handled in the future. Ethan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In another photo that emerged Tuesday, Natalie, who sometimes went by Samantha, can also be seen smiling and playing with two brindle fur dogs in a pile of yellow leaves. The roommate and suspected partner of an LGBTQ+ activist in Kenya has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for his murder. Photographer Jacktone Odhiambo was found guilty earlier this month of killing 25-year-old Edwin Kiprotich Kipruto, better known as Edwin Chiloba, nearly two years after the activist's body was found discarded in a metal box near where he attended university in January, 2023. The two were reportedly in a sexual relationship. While the sentence for murder in Kenya is death, and the country has not abolished the death penalty, capital punishment has not been used in the nation since 1987. Judge Reuben Nyakundi said he handed down the 50-year sentence based on the "diabolical manner" of the murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have considered all factors and found that Odhiambo was a vengeful person who committed the killing of his close friend," the judge, via the BBC. Chiloba was found with socks stuffed into his mouth and a piece of denim fabric covering his mouth and nose. The metal box his body was concealed in was seen being tossed from a vehicle on Kipenyo-Kaptinga road in Mokombet in the western city of Eldoret. There were also signs Chiloba was sexually assaulted before his death. Same-sex sexual relations are illegal in Kenya under colonial laws from the British, and are punishable by up to 14 years in prison, though there is no available data on convictions. The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission praised the sentence in a statement, while emphasizing the lingering effect of Chiloba's death on the country's LGBTQ+ community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The judge's comments serve as a somber reminder of the devastating loss to Chiloba's family and the wider community. After a lengthy legal battle, the decision brings some measure of justice, though the pain of the loss remains profound," the group wrote. "The Commission welcomes the conclusion of this harrowing chapter with the sentencing of Jacktone Odhiambo," it continued. "However, we reaffirm our commitment to continue to agitate for stronger protections for LGBTIQ+ Kenyans, ensuring justice and safety for every member of our society! www.instagram.com NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) Workers at Norfolk International Airport (ORF) staged a protest on Sunday to ask for better wages. Piedmont Airlines workers took to the picket lines to demand better pay. Piedmont is a subsidiary of the American Airlines Group. Workers said Piedmont currently offers a 16 cent raise over the course of five years with pay starting at $12.50 an hour, only 41 cents higher than Virginias current minimum wage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All we are asking for is safer working conditions so that we can be safe out here, to make sure those planes get out on time, to make sure that we leave the same way we came on, Ramp agent with American Airlines Yureacia Parker said. Asking for better wages is not that much to ask when youre only at $12.50 an hour and you do what we do to get these planes out. Airline officials said they have been bargaining since September of 2023 and have yet to receive a new contract. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Hours before outgoing Republican state House speaker Tim Moore presided over a Dec. 11 veto override vote serving as a power grab affecting four Democratic Council of State seats, he urged Steve Bannons War Room listeners in North Carolina to press their GOP representatives to toe the party line. Moores appeal to Bannons right-wing MAGA followers was not focused on promoting the $227 million in state Hurricane Helene disaster relief funding in the controversial Senate Bill 382. Rather, Moores appearance was designed to justify utilizing SB382 to target four Democrats elected in November as governor (Josh Stein), lieutenant governor (Rachel Hunt), attorney general (Jeff Jackson) and superintendent of Public Instructions (Maurice Mo Green). Several House Democrats pointed out that just 13 of the bills 131 pages are dedicated to Helene relief. A boilerplate of what SB382 does includes: Moving the State Board of Elections to the State Auditors Office. Preventing the attorney general from undermining the state legislatures positions on new laws. Allowing the State Treasurer to appoint a member to the Utilities Commission. Making the State Highway Patrol an independent, cabinet-level department whose commander is confirmed by the General Assembly. Cooper vetoed the bill Nov. 26, calling it a sham and a cruel blow. Moore said the need to clip the wings of Jackson is so that they cant be out here pushing these crazy woke ideologies ... joining all these work lawsuits across the country that he identified as radical environmentalism and this transgender thing, all this stuff. We need the MAGA world to step up and remind our Republicans to stand strong and to demand that this bill go into law, Moore told Bannon in an interview that ended around 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 11. About six hours later, the House overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto of SB382 by a 72-46 vote along party lines. On Dec. 12, Cooper and Stein filed a lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court, mostly targeting the State Highway Patrol elements of SB382. The $227 million contained in SB382 doesnt immediately disperse it a key factor in the initial no votes from the three western N.C. House Republicans Reps. Mike Clampitt of Jackson County, Karl Gillespie of Macon County and Mark Pless of Madison County. They are getting a lot of pressure. I think they are going to come around, Moore told Bannon. But its a big deal. Its a big vote. All three voted to override the veto. Pless said in a statement Dec. 11 that even though the bill did nothing for victims of Helene, he was convinced there is a path forward and money will be available quickly to provide help [for] the people of Western North Carolina. Numerous attempts have been made to characterize this bill as being unconstitutional. I have no reason to believe that is the case, or I would not be voting to pass it today. Stein said in a statement Thursday that the people of western North Carolina are desperate for help from their state government. Yet, this bill is a power grab, not hurricane relief. It is despicable for the Republicans in the General Assembly to use folks incredible need for aid to cloak their political pettiness. The legislature needs to step up and do its job. Helene relief talk Moore is transitioning from ending his final term as House speaker to his first term as North Carolinas 14th U.S. House district representative a seat gerrymandered by Moore and the Republican supermajorities into a safe GOP seat. As such, appearing on the Bannon War Room show is part of proving Moores bonafides to Bannons listeners. Bannon ended the interview by saying we cant wait to get you in the war room and introduce folks to you here. Bannon set up the interview with a conspiracy-theory assessment of how federal relief efforts in western N.C. are failing to assist Republican-leaning counties that has been debunked by Republicans and Democrats. Moore decried the terrible job (FEMAs) done in getting aid to our people here in North Carolina. Moore touted the now $1.1 billion in Helene disaster relief from the states rainy-day fund, while Cooper has recommended $3.9 billion in state funds be used to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools and farms. The Biden administration has committed to providing at least $25 billion to help cover the estimated $58 billion in damages in western N.C. Rep. Destin Hall, R-Catawba, and Moores successor at House speaker, said Dec. 11 that from conversations with Republican U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd that weve got every indication that help is on the way very soon, probably by Christmas. Hall said the $25 billion in federal relief funds will make a material impact on the disaster in western North Carolina. SB382 GOP motive Bannon asked Moore to explain how President-elect Donald Trump did so well in North Carolina but Democrats won the governorship and the other three high-profile Council of State seats. Bannon said that I understand the gubernatorial candidate (GOP Lt. Governor Mark Robinson) had some issues. Stein defeated the embattled Robinson by a 54.9% to 40.1% margin. Although the controversial Sept. 19 CNN report on Robinson likely played the key role in weighing down his campaign, his controversial rhetoric appeared off-putting soon after he won the GOP nomination in March. The rest, the undercard, just did not, Bannon said. It just kind of shocked people about the performance. Then, you guys in the House are in a fight to make sure theres not a mess. ... The new folks taking over are not going to turn this thing into a circus. Moore responded by saying, The thing we did in this same bill was we put in some election integrity legislation to move the Board of Elections from the governor to move it under the state auditor (a Republican) because, frankly, I think we need auditing of the elections. There are a lot of questions. Moore cited as an example for the need of SB382 how Republican Jefferson Griffin was leading on Election Day by nearly 10,000 votes over Democrat incumbent Allison Riggs for the sole N.C. Supreme Court seat up for election. However, as absentee and provincial ballots were counted that tend to lean Democratic, Riggs moved in front by 734 votes following two series of recounts conducted by the State Board of Elections. Griffin has declined to concede and has filed for legal challenges to have about 60,000 votes thrown out. Moore cited the attention SB382 had been attracting from mainstream media outlets, in particular left-leaning MSNBC, as well as the public protests against SB382 at the General Assembly. All these radical groups are going to be there today to protest, Moore said. Theyve made a full-on assault. Weve got all these woke folks that like to wander around creating mischief and protest for the sake of protesting. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) Pinellas County commissioners voted in favor of approving bonds for the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium Tuesday evening, but the Rays reiterated the price of the project has gone up, and they want more money for the deal. The commission voted five to two in favor of the bonds, with commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer being the dissenting votes. Chris Latvala, who opposed the bonds previously, flipped in favor of the measure. Last week I spoke to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who expressed to me his support of Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay and the importance of passing these bonds to keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay, Latvala said. While I do not trust the owner of the Rays, I trust Mr. Manfred. He is the reason I am voting yes. MLB is aware of several instances where the Rays organization has intentionally tried to sabotage the very deal that they agreed to. As a result of this vote, it is my hope that the Tampa Bay Rays will finally have an owner that our other wonderful local franchises have. Rays fans deserve to have our own Vinik, Steinbrenner, Glazer, or Middleton who care more about the fans and community as they do their own bottom line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricanes Helene, Milton may have spread dozens of invasive species across Tampa Bay, Florida The move would allow $300 million in these bonds to be invested for the new $1.3 billion ballpark. However, these bonds would not be issued until milestones are met in the ballpark. Previously, some commissioners expressed concerns about spending a large amount of money when families are still dealing with damage from recent hurricanes. Two of the newest commissioners, Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer, voted against the bonds. Scherer said the timing was not right. Nowicki said he would like to see a large convention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The delay in the commissions previous vote was to give Nowicki and Scherer time to catch up on the inner workings of the deal, but it created a contentious back and forth with Rays leadership. We cannot keep having people move down here, signing our contracts, spending our money when its pretty clear its a negative vote in the county right now, Co-President Brian Auld previously said. Early in December, team president Matt Silverman sent a letter saying the previous agreement is still in effect and the team is just waiting for the county to take action. St. Petersburg City Council has already approved the funding for their portion of the deal. In response to Tuesdays vote, Silverman sent the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unsurprising to see the Commissioners acknowledge how important the Tampa Bay Rays and our stadium development agreement are to this community and its citizens. As we have made clear, the Countys delay has caused the ballparks completion to slide into 2029. As a result, the cost of the project has increased significantly, and we cannot absorb this increase alone. When the County and City wish to engage, we remain ready to solve this funding gap together. During the commission meeting, it was made clear that cost overruns are the responsibility of the Rays, as stated in the agreement. If they want to renegotiate and ask for more money, I can tell you I dont believe theres one commissioner on this board that would be entertaining renegotiating if theyre asking for more money and Im confident in that statement, said Kathleen Peters, County Commission Chair. Mayor Ken Welch has also said at past city council meetings that he would not be renegotiating the deal either. The mayor released this statement on Facebook: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Ive stated from the start, the Historic Gas Plant District deal could not happen without the impactful partnership of Pinellas County. Im thankful for the Commissions thoughtful deliberation and support of this transformational project. We will continue to focus our work on repairs to Tropicana Field to meet our current obligations, and our ongoing discussions with the Rays and other stakeholders to move this project forward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Pinellas County schools are set to get a new panic alert system aimed at making it easier for teachers and staff to initiate lockdowns and contact law enforcement during emergencies. The school board on Tuesday approved a five-year, $3.8 million contract to provide all employees with badges that have a button that, when pushed, would set off a silent alarm network. It would replace a phone app system that assistant superintendent Clint Herbic told board members made some people apprehensive. Many worried that the app would allow them to be tracked, even when not working. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herbic assured the board that the card-based model is not trackable, unless someone sets off an alert that triggers monitors installed in classrooms, hallways and other areas of a school to let everyone know the situation. He added that the cards, which would be on employee lanyards with their ID badges, are easier to remember during stress-filled emergencies than opening and enacting a phone app. Board member Eileen Long said anything to ease the demand on staff would be welcome. Unfortunately, we live in a world where danger is all around us, Long said. Its going to take a lot of pressure off the teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinellas has had a panic alert system in place since 2020, after Florida lawmakers required them as an offshoot response to the 2018 shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Broward County. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told the board that his administration has been looking for a more efficient model for a couple of years. We are constantly evaluating our safety and security systems to find the best way to keep our students and staff safe, Hendrick told the board during a Dec. 10 workshop discussion on the proposal. Over time, the five state-approved vendors have upgraded their offerings, district security director Sean Jowell said. The newly approved version can now be more seamlessly integrated with existing district emergency response systems, and more efficiently connect to law enforcement, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board member Katie Blaxberg asked whether the ease of use might inadvertently cause more panic alerts, perhaps even including accidentally hitting the button at home. Herbic assured the board that the system only sets off when in proximity to the school-based monitors. You can sit at home and push it all day long. It wont set off anything, Herbic said. Board vice chairperson Caprice Edmond said colleagues and others she told about the proposal supported the change. I believe this is the right step to go, Edmond said. The system is supposed to take six weeks to install, including training. Officials said the Hillsborough County school district uses the same system and has not encountered any problems with it. Dec. 16Pittsburg County Commissioners approved Monday the purchase of two metal detectors and two x-ray machines for use at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. Among the agenda items on Board of County Commissioners Meeting was to discuss, consider, and take possible action to approve "the purchase of a Compact Package X-Ray Machine and a walk-through metal detector from Linev Systems LLC, Inc through Omnia Partners Contract, to be purchased with American Rescue Plan Act Funds." Pittsburg County Clerk Hope Trammell and Chief Deputy Sandra Crenshaw have previously discussed that multiple machines could be purchased for possible reasons of higher foot traffic in and out of the courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crenshaw said, "It might even be worth the cost to maybe purchase two of each, so that if we have a high profile case we can set one up outside the courtroom or out here in the front lobby." Commission Chairman/District 3 Commissioner Ross Selman even suggested with Trammell and Crenshaw that the machines could be used at various places including the Southeast Expo Center and the Election Board Office if necessary. Selman asked Pittsburg County Acting Sheriff Frankie McClendon if there's any need at his Office. McClendon said, " We've got that X-ray machine." And, Pittsburg County Jail Administrator Jeff Daniels explains that the PCSO has a full body scanner that shows everything. "That X-ray scanner is probably going to be just as important, I think, as a metal detector," McClendon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selman and Crenshaw moved forward to discuss warranty and decided to purchase a $3,600 two-year warranty agreement. The board then stated that Daniels is well-qualified to train anyone to use the machines. The base price for the X-ray machine is around $23,000 and the metal detector is around $10,000. The board is looking at the total cost necessary that includes software and warranty options. Crenshaw said each X-ray Machine with software and accessories will cost $31,651.45 each. Two will cost $63,302.90. The walk-through metal detectors will cost $10,003.96 each. Two will cost $20,007.92. She said the installation and training will cost $1,156.61. And with two warranty agreements at $7,200. Total cost for the county is $91,667.43. McClendon said that Pittsburg County Courthouse is one of the very few in Oklahoma without any metal detector or X-ray machine at the points of entry. Earlier this year, at a commissioners meeting the board and McClendon decided this needed to change. A Pittsburgh Jimmy Johns employee was attacked after an argument over petting his service dog, according to police. Officers were called to the restaurant on Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh on Monday at around 8:30 p.m. Police said officers found a man who was severely beaten when they got there. Not far from Jimmy Johns, officers took two men into custody, Tyree Blue-Murphy and Damon Robinson. Police said both of them had blood on their clothing and matched the description of the suspects. Tyree Blue-Murphy (left) and Damon Robinson (right) Murphy told police that he got into an argument with the employee about petting the employees service dog, according to the criminal complaint. He said the argument then became physical after the victim grabbed his hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson said he tried to break the fight up but became angry when he was hit and also began to attack the victim, police said. The criminal complaint said video footage shows the two men stomping, punching, kicking and hitting the victim with a bicycle tire. The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition but is expected to survive, according to the criminal complaint. He suffered serious head trauma and a brain bleed. Murphy and Robinson are both facing aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy charges. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A lawsuit that briefly halted in-vitro fertilization services in Alabama, sparking national controversy, appears resolved as the plaintiffs filed to dismiss their case with prejudice. (Getty Images) A lawsuit that briefly halted access to in-vitro fertilization services in Alabama and sparked a nationwide controversy appears to be over. Felicia Burdick-Aysenne and Scott Aysenne, who sought to make a wrongful death claim against a Mobile IVF provider over the accidental destruction of their embryos, filed a motion Friday to dismiss their case with prejudice against The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, meaning plaintiffs cannot make the same claim in the same court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing did not state a reason for the decision but said each party will bear the costs as paid. The motion means that plaintiffs cannot make the same claim in the same court. Messages were left Tuesday with attorneys for the parties. The news was first reported by Lagniappe. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Two other couples James and Emily LePage and William Tripp Fonde and Caroline Fonde dropped similar lawsuits against the same clinics in late July. The couples claimed that the cryongenic storage area in the Center for Reproductive Medicine where their embryos were stored was left unsecured in 2020, which allowed an individual to walk in and destroy the embryos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties brought the two lawsuits together to the Alabama Supreme Court, leading to a February decision that halted IVF services in the state. In a majority opinion, Justice Jay Mitchell wrote that there was no exception for frozen embryos under an 1872 law allowing civil lawsuits for the wrongful death of children, or under a 2018 state constitutional amendment that required the state to ensure the protection of the rights of the unborn child. Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker, concurring with the opinion, wrote that even before birth, all human beings bear the image of God, and their lives cannot be destroyed without effacing his glory, which he argued was set in policy when Alabama voters approved the 2018 amendment. The ruling led to several IVF programs in the state to temporarily suspend operations and sparked local and national criticism. The Alabama Legislature quickly passed a bill in March that extended criminal and civil immunity to IVF clinics for IVF operations, allowing programs to resume. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobile Infirmary has temporarily resumed IVF treatments at the hospital, but because of litigation concerns, IVF services at the hospital will be halted on Dec. 31. The Center for Reproductive Health, the other defendant in the case, plans to move its operations to new facilities in Mobile and Dothan. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A federal judge sentenced a man to three years probation for an incident aboard a plane. (Getty Images) LINCOLN A federal judge sentenced a 37-year-old man to three years probation after he yelled God is real while on an airplane set to take off from Omaha, started chattering about demons and tried to open the cabin door. Wesley Orban of Ireton, Iowa, was sentenced last week for assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction, Susan Lehr, U.S. attorney for Nebraska, said Monday. Chief District Judge Robert Rossiter Jr. presided over the case investigated by the FBI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orban was a passenger on a Delta Airlines flight set to depart from Omahas Eppley Airfield to LaGuardia International Airport in New York on Nov. 9, 2023. Shortly after the aircrafts external doors were closed following boarding, and as the plane was taxiing toward the runway, Orban reportedly began yelling about God and demons. He left his seat, ran to the front of the plane and began banging on the cabin door and tried to open it, according to a media statement by Lehr. Orban physically struggled with a flight attendant who got between Orban and the cockpit door. He was subdued by passengers and removed from the airplane before takeoff. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PLATTE CITY, Mo. The Platte County Commission will not levy a tax that would help fund childrens mental health initiatives, at least for now. Voters approved of the tax during the November 5, 2024 election, but on Monday, the three-member commission decided not to implement it. Dozens of people attended the meeting at the Platte County Government Complex Monday morning and residents who supported the tax and opposed it spoke to the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platte County Presiding Commissioner Scott Frickers wife Kelly was one of the residents who spoke in opposition to the childrens services fund tax. As she wrapped up talking, people who supported it started laughing at what she was saying. She argued that the people who supported the tax were a minority of the people in the county. New details revealed in death of Gardner 2-year-old girl: court docs 32,000 people is less than a third of our population, she said. I think its arrogant of this minority to feel that your opinion is the right one. The debate was heated Monday, but the voters in the county have already decided on this at the ballot box. 56%, or as Kelly said, nearly 32,000 Platte County voters said yes to this question. 44%, or nearly 25,000 voters said no to this potential quarter-cent sales tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Mondays public comments, Commissioners Dagmar Wood, Joe Vanover and Scott Fricker all voted not to implement it. The commissioners suggested they had the power to vote down the tax because of the way the measure was worded. They say it authorized the commission to levy the tax, but just because the majority of voters said they wanted this doesnt mean its automatically instituted. The 30% of Platte County population that wants to impose this tax on the 70% of the Platte County population that didnt weigh in on this in favor of it, are overturning the will of future voters because this tax will last forever, Fricker said after the meeting. One man who did not support what the commission did was Synergy Services Co-Executive Director Dennis Meier. He spoke to the commission and talked to FOX4 after the decision. They are obviously exercising their right to not implement it, Meier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres still a question as to whether the Childrens Services Fund has been established as the voters had chosen on November 5. Synergy Services is a mental health agency that may have benefited from the sales tax. The next step will be to determine whether this in fact has been established even if it may not be implemented, Meier said. Correct, he added when asked if that could be a part of a lawsuit. Meier added he was not surprised by what the commission did. Voters in 11 other Missouri counties, including Jackson and Clay, have passed similar taxes for similar purposes. The quarter-cent sales tax would raise between $5 and $6 million each year to be used to help kids going through a mental health crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Police are searching for the owner of a rabid cat in Abilene. A picture of the cat and its collar was circulated on social media Tuesday. The cat, which was found on the 6600 block of S 3rd Street, December 11, tested positive for rabies. Residents in the area were notified, but the owners have not been identified. Cat in Abilene tested positive for rabies Anyone who recognizes the cat or who may have come into contact with it is asked to contact Animal Outreach at (325)673-8331. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Animal Outreach offers these tips concerning exposure to rabies: Do not feed, handle, or touch wild animals such as bats, skunks, and raccoons. Teach children to stay away from wild or deceased animals. Do not allow pets to roam freely as this increases their chance of exposure Keep pets rabies vaccination current Immediately contact a veterinarian if your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal Consult with a physician immediately after possible rabies exposure Report all animal bites to animal control authorities. The biting animal must be quarantined or tested for rabies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Poland has proposed ideas for a project to equip Ukrainian military brigades and plans to invite the Nordic and Baltic countries to participate. Source: a communique from the Ukrainian side following a meeting between Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv, as reported by European Pravda Details: Tusk revealed that Poland is preparing to implement a project aimed at equipping Ukrainian brigades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Donald Tusk will discuss this with other European partners, namely the Baltic and Scandinavian countries," the communique states. More details: During a joint briefing by the two leaders, Tusk emphasised that Poland cannot give Ukraine "all of its weapons" because it is, in a sense, also a "frontline state". He also called for an end to speculation about "Ukraines possible defeat" and for efforts to be focused on supporting Ukraine. Background: In November, a Ukrainian military brigade named after Princess Anna of Kyiv completed training they had undergone in France. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 16Windham police arrested a man after he led officers on a chase through town and attempted to ditch his car in the woods Sunday night, officials said. An officer spotted the car driving erratically on Route 302 toward Portland and attempted to stop the car, but the driver refused to pull over, Windham police Chief Kevin Schofield said. That triggered a chase that looped through a handful of Windham streets before the driver went off the road near the intersection of Windham Center and River roads, Schofield said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It appears by watching video the suspect deliberately drove over the curb and down into the woods," Schofield said on a Monday afternoon phone call. Though there were no injuries during the chase, the driver caused minor damage to a parked Windham police cruiser, Schofield said. Police charged the 19-year-old man from Poland with "a litany of offenses," including driving under the influence, driving without a license and eluding a police officer, Schofield said. Two 16-year-old boys were also riding in the car, but they were not arrested, he said. Copy the Story Link President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Lviv on Dec. 17 to discuss bilateral cooperation, historical reconciliation, and coordination with Western partners. Both leaders reported progress in addressing complex historical issues, including the legacy of the Volyn massacre. Zelensky highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the Ukrainian and Polish Ministries of Culture on historical matters, saying: "There is cooperation, there are meetings, joint work has begun, and there is progress in this." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that history "certainly cannot divide us." Poland has long sought progress on the exhumation of victims of the 1940s events in Volyn, and Tusk said he's understanding Ukraine's current challenges. He reaffirmed that historical complexities would not undermine the strong alliance between the two nations. Read also: West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says The leaders also discussed the front-line situation, diplomatic strategies, and the need for a just peace. Tusk underscored the importance of unwavering Western support, warning against speculation of a Ukrainian defeat, which he dismissed as baseless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky emphasized the shared vision of a strong and secure Ukraine supported by Western unity. Expectations for Poland's upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024 were addressed, along with discussions on defense cooperation. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Poland's military aid and its support for Ukraines NATO and EU aspirations. Tusk reaffirmed Poland's steadfast backing for Ukraine's European integration and security objectives, calling it vital for regional stability. The ongoing dialogue over the Volyn massacre continues to be a sensitive issue in Polish-Ukrainian relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Polish officials characterize the events as genocide perpetrated by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), Ukrainian officials have called for recognizing shared responsibility for the violence, which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Poles and Ukrainians during World War II. Both sides view continued engagement as crucial for reconciliation. Read also: Zelensky rejects Orbans mediation, says he has no leverage over Putin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Amity Township police are seeking the publics help in locating two teens who ran away from their respective homes in the townshipo. Carly Cosbey-Voshell, 14, ran away from her home on Saturday, police said. There has been occasional contact with her, but she has refused to come back home. Carly Cosbey-Voshell, 14, ran away from her home in Amity Township on Dec.14, police said. She may be in the West Reading or Philadelphia area with an unidentified male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes Black, 5 feet tall and 110 pounds with brown eyes, glasses and wavy hair. Tristan Perry, 17, ran away from his home on Nov. 9. There has been occasional contact with him, but he refuses to disclose his location or come back home. Tristan Perry, 17, ran away from his Amity Township home on Nov. 9, police said. Perry may be in the Reading or Pottstown area. Perry is biracial, 6 feet tall, and 150 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information regarding either juvenile is asked to contact Amity Township police at 610-689-6002. DESOTO, Texas On Monday, the DeSoto Police Department held a press conference following an officer-involved shooting last week, which resulted in the death of 26-year-old Arthur Lee Armstrong Junior, the brother of Razorbacks player Andrew Armstrong. DeSoto police said the incident happened at 10:39 a.m. on Dec. 13 after they received a 911 hang-up call from a home in the 1000 block of Hunters Creek. DeSoto police chief Dr. Joseph Costa said the caller identified himself as Arthur Lee Armstrong. He stated he had several weapons and wanted to harm police, Costa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Razorbacks football player says his brother was shot and killed by police in Texas Costa said a second caller stated he had mental health issues, and this wasnt the police departments first interaction with him. Officers also had prior knowledge of Armstrong as the department had dealt with him in the past under similar circumstances, Costa said. Police body cam footage shows when officers arrived they told Armstrong who had a knife in each hand to drop them, however, he refused. As Armstrong continued to close the distance between himself and officers, one DeSoto officer fired a single round from a patrol rifle, Costa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Little Rock police investigating homicide on Velvet Ridge after stabbing victim dies Armstrong was shot in the chest and later died at the hospital. Charles Boyce, the familys attorney and Armstrongs godfather, said this was a mental health issue and wants reasonable explanations. One of the biggest things the mother Mrs. Armstrong has a problem understanding is why the level of force? Why was an AR-15 military weapon used in this instance, Boyce asked. Were confident when the investigation falls out, as we know it has to, there will be some other facts come out. Texas Rep. Carl Sherman, also a member of the Armstrong family, said theyre all grieving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant bring A.J. back but we do want to make sure no other family has to suffer like this, Sherman said. DeSoto Mayor Pro Tem Letitia Hughes said the investigation will be thorough and fair. The officer involved in the shooting was placed on paid administrative leave as a part of the departments policy. The familys attorney says they would like to know his name as it hasnt been released. Teacher and student killed, 6 injured in Wisconsin school shooting The Grand Prairie Police Department is leading the investigation, and the Dallas County District Attorneys Office Public Integrity Unit is also conducting an independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. UPDATE @ 4:34 P.M. According to the Grady County Sheriff, the chase began in Garvin County with a tribal member in a stolen car. The investigation has now been passed over to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. ORIGINAL STORY DIBBLE, Okla. (KFOR) Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to an officer-involved shooting in rural Grady County after a highspeed chase on Monday afternoon. The suspect involved in the chase was reportedly shot by authorities in a rural area southwest of Dibble and airlifted to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4 has a crew on the scene and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (WOODLAND PARK, Colo.) The Woodland Park Police Department shared an update on the City Market shooting that happened in late November and said that the incident appears likely to be a case of self-defense, but added that the 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office (DAs Office) would make the final decision. In the update posted to Facebook just after 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17, Woodland Park police said that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has nearly completed its investigation into the fatal shooting, which occurred on Nov. 29 in the City Market parking lot located at 777 Gold Hill Place South. On Nov. 29, police responded to the scene around 6:45 p.m. to investigate a reported shooting. According to police, the investigation by the CBI has revealed that before the shooting there was a fight in the parking lot during a child custody exchange. Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Courtesy: FOX21 News Witnesses say 28-year-old Luis Morales (the biological father of the child) threatened the mothers boyfriend with a knife, according to the police update on Tuesday. The boyfriend then pulled a gun and fired a single shot striking Morales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morales was treated on scene by officers and bystanders but later died from his injuries at a Colorado Springs hospital. According to police, the 29-year-old shooting suspect stayed at the scene and has continued to cooperate with investigators. The CBI agent leading this investigation expects to forward the case file to prosecutors by the end of the month, wrote police. Investigators from CBI have been in frequent contact with the family of the shooting victim during the investigation. According to police, CBI continues to lead the case with assistance from the Woodland Park Police Department and the DAs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) The president of a manufacturing company near Muskegon was stabbed by an employee Tuesday morning, police said. It happened around 9:20 a.m. at a staff meeting with employees of Anderson Express, located on Mill Iron Road south of E Broadway Avenue in Fruitport Township, according to police. During the meeting, a 32-year-old man from Walker who was employed at the company stabbed the president in the side with a knife, the Fruitport Township Police Department said. Officers said the suspect then left the building, got in his vehicle and drove away. He was stopped by police and arrested 15 minutes later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow employees described the suspect as having a quiet demeanor, police wrote in the release. The victim of the stabbing was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. He is in serious but stable condition, police said. Its not clear why the suspect stabbed the victim, but police are investigating. Officers are reviewing videos. Anyone with information about the stabbing should contact Detective Sergeant Bryan Rypstra or Deputy Chief Greg Poulson with the Fruitport Police Department at 231.865.8477 or Silent Observer at 231.722.7463. 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 WOODTV.com. Police have identified the three women found dead after being shot inside an Ohio home on Saturday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As previously reported by News Center 7, Columbus Police responded to the 1300 block of South Ohio Avenue near Karns Park on Saturday to investigate what a 911 caller described as, a medical event. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus Police identified the three women as Sierra Muse, 34, Dawn Clover, 49, and Tiffany Parrish, 36. Officers found all three with gunshot wounds on Saturday, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus. Sgt. James Fuqua said someone reported finding some of their friends inside a resident in medical distress. When officers arrived, they contained the scene. Medics pronounced all three women dead at the scene, WBNS said. This time of year, anytime of the year, its unfortunate when someone loses their life, but particularly this time of the year, during the holidays, its going to be very difficult for these victims families to come to the grips that these family members will no longer be in their lives, said Fuqua. The shootings remain under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Community members are in search of answers as police are still investigating a triple homicide on the south side of Columbus. Police found three women dead inside a home on the 1300 block of South Ohio Avenue Saturday. Just after 5 p.m. Monday, police identified the victims as Sierra Muse, 34, Dawn Clover, 49, and Tiffany Parrish, 36. Columbus police say this investigation is still very active. As of Monday, Columbus Police still have the crime scene taped off and officers are still at the home keeping watch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three women were killed when we found out about that. That really upset us, said Wendell Hancock. Hancock has lived in the neighborhood for decades. He said there has been improvement in recent years. He said people have been moving there, re-doing houses and they fixed up Karns Park just down the road. However, Hancock said neighbors have always been seeing issues involving the house where the women were found. Watch: Clintonville man holds suspected thief at gunpoint until police arrive He said there is constant traffic in and out of the house. I texted the owner and I told her what I threatened to do was to go down to city hall at one of the city council meetings and put it on blocks because somebody has the wherewithal to address the situation, to address it, Hancock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say a friend of the victims called around 4 p.m. Saturday. They say that the woman had gone by the home to check on her friends and found them. Investigators are still looking for a suspect. Last Tuesday there was another deadly shooting in the neighborhood, less than a mile away from the home on South Ohio Avenue. 39-year-old Haikiem Graham is charged with the murder of 45-year-old Darrall Hambrick. Other people we spoke with in the neighborhood say they did not want to go on camera out of fear. They say they are worried this triple homicide could be connected to other murders and violence in the city. However, the police say its too early to tell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, like I said, its been an ongoing concern. We want something to happen. We think something may happen now. So Im not as concerned for myself as I am for my family, Hancock said. Columbus Police detectives say they are looking into all leads and evidence in this case. They say they will release the names of the victims after their families are notified. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Police Department is investigating a shooting from early Sunday morning in Bricktown. It involved three females with two of them being injured from the gunfire. Its very frightening that these things happen, Bricktown resident Alicia Moise said. It was just across the street from Moises apartment where those gunshots rang out. I guess the most frightening part is that it all seems that were getting more used to this type of thing, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four shot, three in custody in Bricktown shooting Police got the call around 2 a.m. When they got to the scene they learned two females were shot and taken to the hospital. One was shot in the upper thigh, Capt. Tommy Ackerman with the Oklahoma City Police Department said. The other shooting victim was shot in the calf area. Both victims were treated and released, according to Ackerman. It all stemmed from a fight between two females. Then there was other people that were involved and then thats where one of the bystanders pulled the gun out, Ackerman said. Ackerman said that security video heled them identify a female suspect. This situation also comes on the heels of a different Bricktown shooting back in October. At that time, four people were shot including some teens after an altercation at a restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to do everything that we can to identify suspects and these types of things to prevent this from occurring, Ackerman said. According to Ackerman, theyve upped their presence in Bricktown and partnered with businesses in the area to try and mitigate crime there. I have not felt threatened, Moise said. Metro teen speaks out after being caught in gunfire during Bricktown weekend shooting Moise has lived downtown for about two years now. She walks her dog in the morning and has walked to restaurants in the area as well. However, its still not lost on her what took place across the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think normalization of these types of things is probably as frightening as the event, she said. Ackerman said there were multiple curfew arrests that same night. He added that they expect charges to be filed soon in this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. MONONA, Wis. (WFRV) In addition to the recent school shooting in Madison and threats made toward schools in Green Bay, police say one man was arrested on Monday after a loaded handgun was found in the parking lot of a Wisconsin high school. According to a release from the Monona Police Department, officers were notified at 6:51 p.m. of a firearm being found in the parking lot of the Monona Grove High School. Vehicle pursuit in Wisconsin ends with driver rescued from partially frozen Baraboo River Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The School Resource Officer, who was on the scene for an after-school event, assisted patrol officers in their response to the parking lot where a loaded 9mm handgun was found and recovered. After reviewing footage from the school camera systems, the School Resource Officer was said to have identified a suspect seen riding a bike through the area in which the handgun was found. Officers with the Monona Police Department say they later found the suspect on a bike at East Coldspring Avenue and Jerome Street and he admitted to having the gun and said he was just passing through on his way home. The suspect was identified as 33-year-old David C. Gassen from Madison who officials state is a convicted felon and was determined to be intoxicated at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say they contacted school district administration and determined that Gassen was not connected to the high school or the after-school event. Gassen was arrested as he was circling his way back to the area after he realized that he had accidentally dropped the gun. Officials believe that this incident is not connected to the shooting earlier that day at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and there is no threat to the Monona Grove High School or the school district. Body of Appleton man recovered from lake in Winnebago County, investigation continues Gassen is said to be cooperating with the investigation into this incident and is currently being held on the following potential charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a School Grounds Enhancer Possession of a Firearm while Intoxicated Misdemeanor Bail Jumping Police report that Gassen also already had a felony drug conviction on record and has an open case for a 2nd OWI offense. I am grateful for the swift response by the citizen in immediately reporting this incident. Im also very appreciative of our strong working relationship with the Monona Grove School District, faculty, parents and students. This relationship, which involves our SRO program and Patrols familiarity and access to school grounds, helps keep this community safe. Brian Chaney, Monana Chief of Police Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill., Police are looking for a driver they say hit and killed two people in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, Sunday night, then walked away from his car. Authorities say a man and woman, both in their 50s, were carrying bags of items theyd just bought at a convenience store at Illinois Route 15 and Pocket Road when they were struck just before 7:30 p.m. They had the whole street blocked off, Monteneil Walker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker was driving home from work at the time and got caught in the ensuing traffic, thinking it must have been a multi-car crash. Only one car was involved, according to police. I saw the car. It was all smashed up, Walker said. I thought they took the other car before (I passed the scene). Thats the sad part about itno accountability, Jarvis Lewis, who lives nearby, said. Its a sad thing because I knew the (man). People crossed the highway on foot again Monday night, less than 24 hours after police say the man, 55, and the woman, 51, were hit and killed. The man died at the scene; the woman died a short time later at a St. Louis hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three new Missouri laws for drivers to know for 2025 According to police, the driver of a 2010 silver BMW was heading toward St. Louis on Illinois Route 15, hitting the man and woman in the westbound lanes. The driver then walked away from the scene with a baby carrier. A juvenile, perhaps in their early teens, was walking with him. Investigators are processing the car for evidence and hoping someone comes forward with information. People who live nearby hope so, too. They also hope for safety improvements at a stretch of highway known for deadly crashes, where people often cross on foot, going to and from that convenience store. As you can see a lot of teddy bears (crash memorials along the highway). They need to fix it because theres wrecks all the time around here, Lewis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think there needs to be some more lights right here, for real, Walker said. The driver likely committed no crime until the point where he walked away, police said. Leaving the scene of an accident that results in someones death is a felony. Police do not believe the car was stolen but say it was recently sold, which investigators are looking into. Police have not yet released the victims names. If you have any information, call Cahokia Heights Police at (618) 337-9505. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Metro police are searching for a vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in the east Las Vegas valley. On Nov. 29 around 8 p.m., Metro police responded to a report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle on Flamingo Road and Euclid Street. Police reported that a dark-colored vehicle was traveling westbound on Flamingo Road when a pedestrian, crossing eastbound outside of a crosswalk, stepped into the vehicles path. The impact propelled the pedestrian into the roadway, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pedestrian was pronounced dead and the suspect left the scene before officers arrived, according to police. 1 killed in hit-and-run crash in east Las Vegas valley On Monday, police released a photo of the suspected vehicle, asking for the public help in locating it. The vehicle was described as a dark-colored small to midsize vehicle with damage to its front. Metro police are searching for a vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash near Flamingo Road and Euclid Street (LVMPD) Anyone with information is urged to call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Collision Investigation Section at 702-828-3595. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555, visit www.crimestoppersofNV.com, or use the mobile app P3. Message and data rates may apply. Tips directly leading to a felony arrest, or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers may result in a cash reward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Authorities are asking for the publics help locating suspects they say went on a mailbox smashing spree across several New Hampshire towns. Exeter Police say they responded to a report of multiple smashed mailboxes on Newfields Road and the adjacent neighborhoods on Saturday. The suspects then committed similar crimes in the neighboring communities of Newfields and Epping, according to investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A description of the suspects was not immediately available. Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call police. Officials say there could be reward money for information leading to an arrest. The aggregated cost of all this damage that they are responsible for will be expensive, Exeter Police wrote in a social media post. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio (WJW) Authorities in North Olmsted are searching for Alante Lemon, a 22-year-old nonverbal autistic man. Lemon was last seen walking away from the Extended Stay West location in North Olmsted around 3 a.m. on Dec. 11. His phone and wallet were found in his hotel room, and he has not been heard from since, police said. Flames shoot from Mentor-on-the-Lake restaurant Alante Lemon Alante Lemon 15-year-old girl kills teacher and teenager at a Christian school in Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lemon was last seen wearing a light-colored hoodie featuring a cartoon character and blue jeans. Anyone with information on Lemons whereabouts is urged to contact North Olmsted police at (440)777-3535. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HIGH POINT Representatives of the High Point Police Department, the nonprofit High Point Community Against Violence and other agencies involved in law enforcement recently met with criminal offenders in an intervention program that was pioneered in the city decades ago. Nine people currently on probation or parole heard from a panel representing local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as community advocates. The offenders criminal records include manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and possession of a firearm by a felon. High Point Community Against Violence hosted the meeting Dec. 10 at its headquarters on N. Main Street. The offenders arent required to attend but are encouraged to parole and probation representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The offenders are told any future crimes will be fully prosecuted, including seeking maximum prison time. Offenders are then offered a variety of community resources to help them change their lifestyles. We want them to know it all comes down to choices, Police Chief Curtis Cheeks III said. Bad choices put them on our radar, but they can turn their lives around by making better choices. This isnt something they have to navigate alone. There are people and resources available to help them with everything from jobs to housing. This is the departments first violent offender notification since 2019. It was suspended after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has stated that Poland is also, in a sense, a frontline state and cannot send all its weapons to Ukraine. Source: Tusk during a press conference in Lviv alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported by European Pravda, citing PAP, a Polish media outlet Details: Tusk began by expressing his gratitude to Ukrainian heroes and veterans for their readiness to defend not only Ukraine, but also Poland and all of Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am convinced that more and more people around the world understand that it is the mission of every civilised nation to support Ukraine today in this heroic battle," he said. Tusk emphasised that Ukrainians fight against Russia is "part of a broader civilisational clash", and that Ukraine can always count on Poland. Quote: "We cannot give everything. We are also, in a sense, a frontline state. Poland is increasingly being targeted by sabotage, diversions, and hybrid actions directly aimed at our citizens and our state." More details: Tusk further highlighted that supporting Ukraine is also a way of protecting Poland and Europe as a whole from Russia's hostile actions, which "are no longer directed solely at Ukraine". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tusk also announced Poland's 46th aid package for Ukraine, scheduled for January 2025. Background: Ukraine has repeatedly urged Poland to transfer Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets. However, Warsaw has explained that it cannot do so without weakening its own defence capabilities. Support UP or become our patron! Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has arrived in Lviv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 17 December. Source: Tusk's visit was confirmed by his office on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: The short message says that Tusk "has travelled to Lviv to meet with the Ukrainian president". No other details of the meeting were provided. Earlier, Zelenskyy, who is visiting Lviv as well, said he would hold talks with the Polish prime minister on the work of the new Ministry of National Unity and Support for Ukrainians Abroad. Background: Last week, the Ukrainian president reported on his conversation with the Polish prime minister and announced that they would exchange visits in the near future. Tusk himself said that he would visit Kyiv in early 2025, and his Ukrainian counterpart would visit Warsaw. Support UP or become our patron! DES MOINES, Iowa A Saylor Township man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly held his girlfriend against her will for several days. According to the Des Moines Police Department, the investigation into the kidnapping began shortly before 9 a.m. on Monday when the victim reported to officers that she had been assaulted and held against her will by her boyfriend since Friday at a home near SE 10th Street and Scott Street. Police said the victim was able to call for help because the alleged attacker, identified as 44-year-old Miguel Mercado Quintero, left for work. 3-for-3! Another lucky Iowan wins big prize in Lucky for Life game Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the victim reported she had been hit and kicked repeatedly and had her hands bound up with rope and electrical tape. She also claimed that Mercado Quintero had fired a gun into the floor next to her, threatened to kill her, and made her write goodbye letters to her kids. The victim had swollen black eyes and bruising to multiple areas of her body. Police said she is currently recovering from her injuries. On Monday Mercado Quintero was located in Urbandale and with the assistance of the Urbandale Police Department was arrested and charged with the following: Kidnapping 1st Degree Domestic Abuse Assault With A Weapon Felon In Possession Of A Firearm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mercado Quintero is currently being held in the Polk County Jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The United States Environmental Protection Agency placed "pom-pom" booms in the water in Bear Creek in Warren as part of its clean up efforts following the release of chemicals into storm sewers which empty into the creek. | Photo Courtesy of United States Environmental Protection Agency In the early hours of Friday morning, the Michigan State Senate pushed forward on a package of bills centered on ensuring greater transparency and accountability from polluters, discharging the bills from committee and sending them to the House for further consideration through a party-line vote. Members of both the House and the Senate each introduced Polluter Pay bills last October, however the bills were not taken up for a hearing prior to clearing the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) railed against the proposals, warning that these new regulations, if passed, would halt brownfield redevelopment and signal that Michigan is closed to business. These bills, in essence, send the message that all businesses are bad actors, and that only giving massive new control to an environmental regulatory agency and a new bureaucracy is the only way we can fix this in Michigan, Nesbitt said, while urging a no vote on the bills. Despite Nesbitts frustrations with Democrats discharging the bills from committee and fears that new pollution regulations will stifle Michigan business, state Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), who helped lead work on the package, said the bills were subject to a very active workgroup process over the summer, which included both the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) alongside industry stakeholders. State Sen. Jeff Irwin outlined how a new package of polluter pay bills would increase accountability and transparency in environmental cleanups. | Kyle Davidson We spent a lot of time over the summer sitting down primarily with polluters and trying to find out what they didnt like about this, and we tried to narrow it down to some of the hardest to oppose, most reasonable elements of our original proposal, Irwin told Michigan Advance Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While working with stakeholders, Irwin said transparency and efforts to ensure that pollution sources are removed when feasible remained the focus while workshopping the bills, with substitutes for Senate Bills 605 and 606 adopted to reflect these changes. One of the fundamental holes that were trying to still plug, despite the fact that weve compromised these policies down considerably, is that we want it such that when people find polluted property, they have to communicate that to EGLE. This is incredibly important to stopping the growing list of polluted abandoned sites in Michigan, Irwin said. We think that by enhancing the clarity of the law and requiring everybody to report their pollution, we get better eyes on whats happening on these sites and neighboring property owners have a right to know whats going on, because it can affect them, Irwin said. Another key focus was in addressing institutional controls, Irwin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Michigans polluter pay laws changed in 1994 under GOP Gov. John Engler, the law shifted the focus from cleanup to management. The way the law works now is that if you, as the owner of a polluted piece of land, can demonstrate that youre managing exposure to the pollution, then thats an acceptable plan from the standpoint of EGLE analysis, Irwin said. What ends up happening is that on thousands of sites, the plan to deal with it is just, you know, put a parking lot over the pollution. They put the monitoring wells in place to make sure its not moving, and then also put in place whats called institutional controls, which are usually deed restrictions or other sort of legal means of restricting access to the resourcebecause of these institutional controls, the law just says, no, youre not allowed to touch that water anymore because that water is polluted, Irwin said. While the initial proposal put severe limits on institutional control, concerns from local governments and stakeholders who redevelop brownfields prompted a different approach. Sean McBrearty of Clean Water Action at the Huron River in Milford, Aug. 10, 2022 | Kyle Davidson Rather than saying that they cant use institutional controls, we put in place a series of questions that EGLE has to answer before institutional controls can be used as a final cleanup plan. So not at the beginning of a plan, like when theyre trying to do the redevelopment of property, but at the end, when theyre trying to get a, what we currently call a no further action plan, but what I think in the future, were gonna call a closure plan, Irwin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want the polluters and the owners of polluted property to look at that and see if source removal is a practical option, and if it is, you want them to do that rather than just leave it in the ground, Irwin said. Alongside these efforts the Senate advanced Senate Bill 607 allowing EGLE to cleanup criteria without Administrative Procedures Act rulemaking. The chamber also passed policies allowing the state to bring claims on behalf of the public to cover cleanup costs and damage to natural resources due to contaminants not known to be harmful when the statute of limitations for contamination claims expired as well as allowing people harmed by pollution to seek justice through the courts by beginning the timeframe for the statute of limitations when a spill is discovered. Those are addressed through Senate Bills 609 and 611. However, not every bill from the package passed through the Senate, with policies requiring businesses working with large amounts of potential pollutants to provide up-front financial assurance to cover the cost of cleanup, and requiring polluters to cover the cost of medical monitoring for people exposed to pollution remaining in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irwin explained that alongside economic concerns from developers, there were practical concerns holding back Senate Bill 608. When looking into the deals of who sells financial assurances and how much they would cost, Irwin said they realized there wasnt a system in place to address these assurances, and that the cost would be very high. I think we just struggled to make sense of it and to, you know, understand exactly how it was going to work and you know, the numbers just werent working out, Irwin said. Additionally, the medical monitoring requirements of Senate Bill 610 proved to be more controversial than Irwin expected, creating frustrations among business stakeholders due to the additional legal liability the bill would bring. We only had so much time and capacity to focus on so many thingswe really zeroed in onhow do we change the cleanup law in a way that is positive but also possible? How do we change it without slowing down some of the redevelopments that are good in our downtowns? And so thats why we zeroed in on that set of changes, Irwin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite efforts to bring businesses on board, Irwin said he doesnt expect to see support from industry organizations as the bills move to the House. Mike Witkowski, director of environmental and regulatory policy for the Michigan Manufacturers Association said the organization opposed the package on its introduction as well as the legislation as it stands. While the Association participated in workgrouping efforts on the legislation in October, the versions of the bills which cleared the Senate do not reflect the concerns raised during that discussion. Witkowski said the major concern lies with Brownfield redevelopments and how the policies would impact not just economic drivers, but also actual environmental cleanups. The investments happening are happening through people coming in and saying, Hey, we want to build here. We want to create jobs here, and we want to clean up the legacy contaminants at the site, Witkowski said. If they make that too costly and too complicated which is what these bills do those folks either are going to leave the state or theyre going to build in greenfields, which I dont think anybody really wants, Witkowksi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the statute of limitations bills were not included as part of the workgrouping, Witkowski said. Charlotte Jameson, chief policy for the Michigan Environmental Council, disagreed. What these bills do is they force polluters to be more transparent, to tell the environmental department and the State of Michigan exactly what theyre doing to clean up and exactly when they pollute, if being transparent means that you cant redevelop the site or ensure that you can sell it that, you know, it doesnt seem plausible to me, Jameson said. The other thing that these bills do is, they dont transfer liability. The liability remains with the responsible party. So anyone who wants to buy a site thats already contaminated is not going to have that liability transferred to them, Jameson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, these bills do not allow polluters to sit on contamination without addressing it, while the states current system does, Jameson said. While the bills did not contain everything the council would like to see including strict liability for polluters and additional funding to clean up orphan sites, contaminated sites for which a responsible party cannot be identified Jameson said they are very supportive of the bills, and would plan to advocate for financial assurances and medical monitoring requirements moving forward. The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition similarly noted its support for the package. While the loss of the financial assurance and medical monitoring components was a disappointment, coalition Policy Associate Chris Gilmer-Hill said these bills would still mark a giant step forward. Andrea Pierce, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians citizen and Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition policy manager gathers with environmental advocates and tribal community members in Cincinnati, Ohio ahead of oral arguments on Line 5 litigation on March 21, 2024. (Screenshot) Andrea Pierce, the coalitions policy director, noted her support for medical monitoring requirements moving forward, saying that her mother had died two and a half years prior due to PFAS contamination. Pierce, who is a tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, said she has also been pushing for her tribe to do medical testing to find out how they have all been impacted due to PFAS contamination in Pellston. They dont have any water pipes coming in there. Theyre all through the well. So this could really, you know, this would have been really impactful for communities, especially tribal communities, Pierce said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, legislation efforts on air pollution will be another large priority of the coalition moving forward, Gilmer-Hill said, ensuring pollution is addressed in the air, land and water. However as the bills advanced to the House both Irwin and Jameson noted the precarious future of the polluter pay legislation, though Irwin remained optimistic. Even though you know it only takes one [Sen.] Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to kill this, we have really narrowed it down to some very sensible positive elements, and weve filtered out the things that were most scary to economic developers and industry, Irwin said, likely referencing the West Virginia senators refusal to support climate spending in an evenly-split U.S. Senate. However, with Republicans walking out of the Michigan House chamber and refusing to vote unless Democrats negotiated on road funding and changes to the states tipped minimum wage and paid sick leave policy, and Democrats facing challenges from within their party, Jameson was concerned that key legislative changes could fail due to chaos within the chamber. I just hope that the Michigan House, and frankly, the House Republicans who completely walked out on their job, can, you know, get their act together and move forward legislation like this, because its incredibly important to the people of Michigan, and I think to our water quality, Jameson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Qabil Ashirov An online event titled "Business and Human Rights" was organized for ombudsmen and national human rights institutions operating in the Asia region, initiated by Sabina Aliyeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and organized by the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), Azernews reports, citing Ombudsman Office. According to the press service of the Ombudsman Office, representatives from the ombudsmen and national human rights institutions of Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, Tatarstan, and other countries participated in the event, as well as members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Ombudsman's Association, representatives of state institutions, and multinational companies. In her speech, Sabina Aliyeva emphasized the importance of paying special attention to the topic of business and human rights by an organization covering such a wide region as the Asian Ombudsman Association for the effective protection of human rights. It was noted that this year, the Ombudsman Office prepared a national assessment document on "Business and Human Rights," taking into account the opinions and suggestions of international experts. Detailed information about this document, which includes proposals to promote the development of this field in the country, was presented at the event. An invited international expert, supported by the United Nations Development Programme's representation in the country, delivered a presentation on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Extensive discussions were held with the participants on strengthening the role of ombudsmen and national human rights institutions in this field. ROME (AP) Pope Francis turned 88 on Tuesday and marked the occasion with revelations that he almost didnt make it. According to excerpts of his upcoming autobiography, suicide bombers had planned to attack him during his 2021 visit to Iraq, but were killed before striking. Italian daily Corriere della Sera on Tuesday ran excerpts of Hope: The Autobiography, written with Italian author Carlo Musso, which is being released in more than 80 countries next month. The New York Times ran other excerpts Tuesday, Francis 88th birthday. In the Italian excerpts, Francis recalled his historic March 2021 trip to Iraq, the first ever by a pope. COVID-19 was still raging and security concerns were high, especially in Mosul. The devastated northern city had been the headquarters of Islamic State militants, whose horrific reign had largely emptied the region of its Christian communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the book, British intelligence informed Iraqi police as soon as Francis arrived in Baghdad that a woman wearing explosives was heading toward Mosul and was planning to blow herself up during the papal visit. And that a truck was heading there fast with the same intention, Francis says in the book. The visit went ahead as planned, albeit under tight security, and became one of the most poignant of all of Francis' foreign trips: Standing in the wreckage of a Mosul church, Francis urged Iraqs Christians to forgive the injustices against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild. In the book, Francis said he later asked his Vatican security detail what became of the suicide bombers. The commander replied laconically Theyre no longer here," Francis writes. "Iraqi police had intercepted them and made them explode. This struck me as well: Even this is the poisonous fruit of war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book, originally planned to be published after Francis' death, is coming out at the start of the Vatican's big Holy Year, which Francis will officially inaugurate on Christmas Eve. According to Italian publisher Mondadori, Hope is the first autobiography ever published by a pope. Francis, however, has published other first-person, memoir-style books or book-length interviews with biographers and journalists, including Life: My Story Through History, published earlier this year. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Pope Francis upcoming autobiography, Hope, details two attempts on his life in 2021 during a historic trip to Iraq. According to Politicos translation of excerpts from Hope, which were published by Corriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper, the pope wrote that he learned from British security forces that a would-be female suicide bomber was heading to the Iraqi city of Mosul, where he was located at the time, to blow herself up. Likewise, Francis noted that a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent. Neither attempt was successful, as Iraqi police had intercepted them, and detonated them, the pope wrote, per CNN, also citing the Corriere della Sera excerpts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That, too, was very striking to me. This, too, was the poisoned fruit of war, he added. Despite the regions relevance to Christianity, the pontiffs Iraq trip from March 5 to March 8, 2021, was considered risky because of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic and instances of violence throughout the battle-scarred country. Almost everyone advised me against that trip, Francis reportedly wrote in Hope. Francis visit marked the first time a pope went to Iraq, during which he visited six cities and multiple biblical locations and met with former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, top Shiite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and other officials. During the trip, he also called for peace and the end of the persecution of Christians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis autobiography, the first ever from a pope, will be released in January. According to the books publisher, Penguin Random House, it was written over six years, with Francis writing candidly, fearlessly, and prophetically about some of the most important and controversial questions of our present times: war and peace (including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East), migration, environmental crisis, social policy, the position of women, sexuality, technological developments, the future of the Church and of religion in general. Related... The News Pope Francis has revealed he was targeted in a failed assassination attempt during his 2021 visit to Iraq, according to excerpts of his upcoming memoir published in Italian media. UK intelligence warned Iraqi authorities who in turn told Vatican security that a woman wearing explosives was traveling to Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, with the intention of blowing herself up during the papal visit, the memoir revealed. A van traveled to the city with the same intent, his security detail told the pope at the time. Both threats were intercepted by Iraqi authorities, according to the book. Francis was the first pope to visit Iraq: He made the trip both in recognition of one of the worlds oldest Christian communities, and to show solidarity with Christians persecuted and displaced by Islamic State militants, he said. During the visit, Francis also held a historic meeting with one of the leading authorities in Shia Islam. Two attempted attacks on Pope Francis, including one by a suicide bomber, were foiled during his landmark trip to Iraq in 2021, the pontiff has revealed in an autobiography. The pope wrote that he was warned of a report by British security services that a young woman with explosives was on her way to Mosul to blow herself up during his visit. Francis added that he was told a van had also left at high speed with the same intention. Francis, who turns 88 on Tuesday, made the remarks in a new memoir, Hope, which will be released early next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I asked the (Vatican) Gendarmerie the following day what was known about the two bombers, the commander replied laconically, They are no longer there, he wrote in the memoir, an extract of which was published by Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. The Iraqi police had intercepted them, and detonated them. That, too, was very striking to me. This, too, was the poisoned fruit of war. Francis visit to Iraq was the first by a pontiff to the country, and was considered a very high-risk journey, both for security reasons and due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. But Francis explained he was determined to go to Iraq, a country rich in biblical history, and home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the trip he showed solidarity with persecuted Christians in the country and held a historic meeting with the Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani, one of the leading authorities of Shia Islam. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has revealed he was the target of an attempted suicide bombing during his visit to Iraq three years ago, the first by a Catholic pontiff to the country and probably the riskiest foreign trip of his 11-year papacy. In an excerpt published on Tuesday from a forthcoming autobiography, Francis said he was informed by police after landing in Baghdad in March 2021 that at least two known suicide bombers were targeting one of his planned events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A woman packed with explosives, a young kamikaze, was heading to Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit," wrote the pontiff, according to an excerpt from the book in Italian daily Corriere della Sera. "And a van had also set off at full speed with the same intent." Francis' visit to Mosul was a key moment during his Iraq trip. Iraq's second-largest city had been under the control of Islamic State from 2014 to 2017. The pope visited the ruins of four destroyed churches there and launched an appeal for peace. During the trip, the Vatican provided few details about the security preparations for the pope. Many of the events during his visit, which took place as the COVID-19 pandemic was first easing, were open only to a limited number of people. Iraq is known to have deployed thousands of additional security personnel to protect Francis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for further details about the pope's new comments. Francis' new autobiography, entitled "Hope", is due to be published on Jan. 14. The pope also published a memoir this March. In the excerpt published on Tuesday, Francis said the Vatican had been informed about the assassination attempt by British intelligence. The pope said he asked a security official the next day what had happened to the would-be bombers. "The commander replied laconically: 'They are no more'," wrote Francis. "The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up." (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Gareth Jones) Port Washington State Bank's branch in the City of Cedarburg was robbed on Monday. There were no customers present at the time of the robbery, and no employees were harmed, according to a Facebook post from the bank Monday evening. At 3:15 p.m., Cedarburg police were notified of a robbery in progress at the bank at W61N526 Washington Ave., according to a news release from the department. The amount of cash stolen was undetermined, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, Port Washington State Bank Vice President and Director of Marketing Tarrah Beyer said the bank is not able to comment on how much cash was taken. Initial reports indicated the suspect "jumped the tellers window" to access the cash drawer but did not display a weapon to staff at the bank, according to Cedarburg police. The suspect then fled from the bank in a southerly direction along Washington Avenue. Officers were immediately dispatched and searched the area. This is an ongoing investigation, Cedarburg police said Tuesday morning. The department is still looking for a suspect, and there is no one in custody at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was described as a black male, approximately 55 tall wearing ripped white pants, a D.A.R.E. shirt and had a blue bandana covering his face, police said. Beyer said the bank has resumed business on Tuesday. "We thank our amazing team in Cedarburg for handling the situation as well as possible and following procedures," the bank's Facebook post said. "Thank you to all of our customers and staff for their concern and support during this time." Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Port Washington State Bank in Cedarburg robbed Dec. 16The Portland Public School District's new five-prong strategic plan, concentrating on the district's vision for equitable education and strong systems, was the focus of the annual State of the Schools address Monday night. It was Board of Education Chair Sarah Lentz's third address in front of the Portland City Council. Lentz homed in on the plan approved in June, which is focused on five priorities: equity, achievement, whole student, people and systems. The district's prior strategic plan, called the Portland Promise, went into effect in 2017 and expired after five years. Lentz walked through ways each of the new plan's priorities have been implemented in Portland schools over the past semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the first strategy of equity, she cited a growing Wabanaki history curriculum, multilingual library books and a new food services director focused on a more diverse menu. On achievement, Lentz pointed to the district's high school redesign project, an ongoing study of special education services, and coming universal implementation of math, science and language arts curricula. The third strategy, called whole student, is an initiative to nurture entire school communities. Lentz said that in its first year, the district is implementing more social-emotional learning, identifying students who need support services, and increasing access to sports, clubs, other non-school activities and student leadership opportunities. She also cited a $64 million bond approved in 2017 to improve school facilities at four elementary schools, the renovations of which are now all complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Students and teachers have access to beautiful and improved learning spaces that are essential to facilitating teaching and learning and to boost strong, safe school communities, all of which are foundations of the equity and whole students parts of the strategic plan," Lentz said. The plan's next category is people, and Lentz said an improved onboarding process, a district-wide back-to-school staff meeting at Merrill Auditorium, and increased wages for educational technicians passed by the board in October are all initiatives to support district staff. "We know that our people in Portland Public Schools are our biggest asset, and retaining our talented staff is essential to the success of our district and our students," she said. The final strategy, focused on systems, is about creating better and more equitable district operations. To that end, Lentz said, the district is working on improved internal data, and is looking toward the next public budget vote, which she said should be a similar size to last year's of $161 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It will take all of us to create a budget that meets the needs of our students while also remaining fiscally responsible to the community Portland," Lentz said. Lentz also addressed the district payroll breakdown of 2022, and said after two years of difficulty, she could finally say that the district had completed implementation of its new payroll system, ADP. However, she said, one issue remains with payments into the state public retirement system, called MainePERS. The board approved a $500,000 contract with accounting firm BerryDunn in November to review and reconcile the errors over a more than year-old process. Lentz has served on the board as an at-large member since June 2022. She was first chosen to chair the board that December, replacing Emily Figdor, who stepped down from the role. In November the board informally picked Lentz to continue in the role, and formalized the appointment at its last meeting on Dec. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lentz gave her first City Council address in 2022 amid a district payroll crisis and the search for a new superintendent. One councilor in attendance Monday night was former school board member Benjamin Grant, who was elected to the council in November and resigned his seat on the school board earlier this month. The council decided on a plan to fill that open seat later in the meeting when it approved a special election for June 10, 2025, the same day as the school budget vote. The person who fills the seat will only serve the 6-month remainder of Grant's term and would have to run again in November. Copy the Story Link Over the past two years, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) built a national profile antagonizing Republican lawmakers as they sought to investigate President Joe Biden and his family. Moskowitz could soon go back to his roots leading a right-wing administrations disaster relief efforts though he says he intends to stay in Congress. According to CNN, Moskowitz is a top contender to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Donald Trumps second administration. He previously performed a similar role in Florida for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, and promptly cashed in. Moskowitz has denied reports he could join the Trump administration. All rumor and conjecture, he told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. I have no plans on leaving Congress. The lawmaker posted on X Tuesday: I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2019, DeSantis announced he had selected Moskowitz to head Floridas Division of Emergency Management. Moskowitz, then a Democratic state lawmaker, had previously served as an executive at the disaster and environmental recovery firm AshBritt. When he joined the administration, the department was in a precarious position, as the response to Hurricane Michael a disastrous storm that ravaged northern Florida in October 2018 was seen as slow and inefficient. Moskowitzs takeover of the division brought a renewed vigor to disaster response, one that would shortly be followed by the monumental task of leading Floridas response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Florida papers dubbed him the Master of Disaster, and upon leaving the DeSantis administration, Moskowitz embarked on a brief but extremely lucrative stint as a consultant before running for his seat in the House. Days after leaving his role, Moskowitz formed a new consulting company called MOD LLC an apparent reference to his nickname, the Master of Disaster. The firm quickly generated over $4 million in income, according to a congressional ethics disclosure filed in 2023. He valued the company as being worth up to $5 million on the disclosure form. Moskowitzs consulting clients included Miami-Dade County, Fortifi Financial, Lennar Homes, and Pace Funding Group, according to that disclosure. He did not identify all of his clients in the form, writing: Certain confidential clients not reported. Moskowitzs wife now runs the company, and he is not required to list her income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to Rolling Stone, a spokesperson for the congressman writes that Representative Moskowitz was a consultant during his time in the private sector. He has complied with all congressional ethics requirements. The spokesperson adds that Moskowitz is staying in Congress and will run for re-election. A pre-confirmation ethics review would definitely focus on Moskowitzs ownership interest in [the firm] to determine whether it could cause conflicts of interest if he serves as head of FEMA, says Kedric Payne, the vice president, general counsel, and senior director for ethics for the Campaign Legal Center. Moskowitz reported that before he entered Congress he earned over $4 million from this company, but he now reports that MOD only pays his spouse and he does not report the amount of her income. But the change in who receives the income does not change that the ethics rules apply. The public has a right to know that all public officials are serving the public interest and not their financial interests. If Trump were to successfully nominate Moskowitz, the lawmaker would assume the leadership of FEMA at a precarious moment for the disaster response organization. Earlier this year, after Hurricane Helene wrecked large swaths of the southeastern United States, Trump baselessly accused the Biden administration and the agency of abandoning Republican areas affected by the storm and squandering money from FEMAs disaster relief fund on undocumented migrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the conservative agenda program Project 2025, FEMA, along with several other major disaster programs, would be gutted and potentially privatized. Moskowitz, for his part, has proposed legislation that would turn FEMA into a Cabinet-level agency that reports directly to the president; the agency is currently housed within the Department of Homeland Security. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The abrupt fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following the lightning offensive of rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, may very well put regional reconciliations across the Middle East over the past four years to the ultimate test. This is particularly true for the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, member states and Turkey, whose stances on Syria had diverged, if to varying degrees. They will continue to do so in the aftermath of Assads ouster, as HTS seeks to consolidate control over the country and efforts toward reconstruction begin. As the peaceful protests against Assad in 2011 evolved into a brutal civil war, the conflict also became a fierce geopolitical struggle between Turkey and the GCC on one hand, and Iran on the other. But divergence between Ankara and some of the Gulf states in terms of preferred partners on the ground turned Syria into an object of regional power struggles. These were exacerbated by tensions between the two sides over the Saudi and Emirati-led blockade of Qatara partner of Turkeysin 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intensity of the fighting in Syria significantly declined in March 2020 following the Astana Process among Turkey, Russia and Iran. That agreement froze the conflict, while preserving the territorial control over Idlib province in northern Syria by rebels under Turkeys protection. Since then, efforts toward rapprochement between Ankara, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia gained momentum, particularly with the end of the Gulf crisis in 2021. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Now, the events in Syria may test whether these regional powers can continue to compartmentalize their geopolitical differences, or if instead their diverging interests jeopardize their rapprochements. The GCCs three geopolitical heavyweightsthe UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have all displayed stark divisions in their responses to the developments in Damascus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abu Dhabi appears to be the most concerned among them, having tacitly supported Assad and spearheading efforts to return the Syrian dictator to the Arab fold in recent years. In fact, the UAE backed Russias military intervention in support of Assad in 2015breaking ranks with Turkey and the GCC at the timeafter having previously supported non-Islamist rebels to counterbalance factions like the Muslim Brotherhood and Ahrar al-Sham, without the aim of toppling Assad. And in December 2018, the UAE became the first Arab nation to engage diplomatically with Syria since its suspension from the Arab League in 2011. In the immediate aftermath of Assads fall, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, expressed fears over an HTS-led rebel government, cautioning against nonstate actors exploiting the current vacuum of power in Damascus. He also warned of the potential for chaos and extremism to take root in Syria. The UAEs traditional hostility toward Islamist movementsa major driver of previous tensions with Qatar and Turkeymakes the prospect of an HTS government in Syria alarming. And Abu Dhabis preference for authoritarian leaders makes it wary of the popular support for Assads removal in Syria and among the millions of refugees from the war, out of fear that it could spur anti-authoritarian calls elsewhere in the region. Crucially, though, the HTS-led takeover has put paid to the UAEs gamble on support for Assad as a way to ensure future influence in Damascus, leaving Abu Dhabi with limited leverage in the country. While all the regional actors may share the goal of stabilizing Syria, their differences over Syrias long-term trajectory are evident, reflecting their long-standing divergence in approaches on regional affairs. Saudi Arabia shared the UAEs fear of an Islamist government in Syria and followed Abu Dhabis lead in normalizing with Assad. But it has taken a more measured approach to the recent developments in Damascus, emphasizing dialogue and an inclusive political future for Syria. Notably, Riyadh has confirmed having established communication with all regional stakeholders, especially Turkey, underscoring the Saudis desire to minimize regional fallout and prioritize cooperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Qatar has shown willingness to proactively engage with the HTS-led government and act as a backchannel between the new authorities in Damascus and Turkey, Russia, Iran and the West, reportedly communicating directly with interim Prime Minister Mohamed al-Bashir to do so. Should Qatar continue to play this role, it will further boost its regional diplomatic credentials, already on display in its mediation of talks between Israel and Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. But these ties, combined with Dohas financial resources, will also put Qatar in a stronger position to shape the direction of the post-Assad transition. Indeed, Qatar announced it would reopen its embassy in Damascus for the first time since Assad loyalists attacked it in July 2011, showing how its backing of the Syrian opposition has paid off in influence in post-Assad Syria. Qatars close relations with Turkey may also allow both sides to the coordinate their interests. Like Doha, Ankara opposed Assads rule, due to his violent suppression of initially peaceful opposition movements and his subsequent atrocitiesincluding the use of chemical weaponsduring the war. Turkeys backing of the formerly Idlib-based Syrian National Army, or SNA, which also played a role in overthrowing Assad, has now increased its leverage over future developments in Damascus. Meanwhile, elements of the SNA, with Turkish backing, are currently pursuing a military campaign in northeast Syria against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. Ankara sees the SDFa Syrian Kurdish militiaas an offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a Turkish Kurdish insurgency and proscribed terrorist group Turkey has been fighting for decades. At the same time, Turkey, which has been eager to see the millions of Syrian refugees it currently hosts to return home, wants to avoid another refugee surge toward its borders. So it has greater incentives to support efforts to stabilize Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While all the regional actors may share that goal, their differences over Syrias long-term trajectory are evident, reflecting their long-standing divergence in approaches on regional affairs. In addition to Syria and the 2017 Gulf crisis, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on one hand and Turkey on the other also found themselves on opposite sides of other regional conflicts, including in Libya and the Horn of Africa. In fact, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi viewed Assad as a counterweight in Syria to the influence Turkey wielded through the rebel factions under its protection in Idlib and the northeast. At least in the near term, any divergences on Syria will likely do little to disrupt the recent thaw in ties. Since the Al Ula summit of January 2021, all regional actors have sought to bury their differences and prioritize cooperation. And since their rivalry subsided, Ankara and the Gulf states have also upgraded their economic ties, including pursuing a Turkish-GCC free trade agreement, which could potentially create one of the worlds largest free trade areas, with a combined value of $2.4 trillion. Additionally, Ankaras drone sales to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait highlight all sides efforts to strengthen security ties in an increasingly multipolar world. Combined, this suggests that the long-term trajectory of their relations, which they would be highly reluctant to disrupt, could create incentives for cooperating over Syria. As for Iran, none of the Gulf states wanted to be at the forefront of countering Tehran due to their efforts to de-escalate tensions since 2023 and desire to avoid being drawn into a regional war between Iran and Israel. But theyand Turkeymay be quietly pleased with the degradation of Tehrans clients in Lebanon and now Syria. Israels decimation of Hezbollahincluding killing its leader, Hassan Nasrallah in Septembercoupled with Assads downfall has effectively weakened Irans regional foothold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Saudi Arabia may see an opportunity to reassert its influence in the Levant, particularly in Lebanon, from which Riyadh had recently distanced itself due to Hezbollahs leverage over the government in Beirut. Saudi Arabia has also found common ground with Qatar and Turkey in condemning Israels seizure of a buffer zone in Syrian territory beyond the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights as well as its attacks on Syrian military assets and weapons depots. And the Gulf states slammed Israels plans to double its population in the Golan Heights as an act of sabotage against Syrias sovereignty and stability. Israel is evidently concerned over the Assad regimes weapons falling into the hands of an Islamist-led government on its doorstep, but Riyadh, Doha and Ankara have warned about the danger of destabilizing Syria at a moment of transition. Ultimately, Gulf states may hope Turkeys influence, backed by Western-led incentives, can lead HTS and Syrias transitional government to moderate. HTS has so far hit all the right notes to win Washingtons approval, promising minority protections and promising to limit al-Bashirs tenure as prime minister through March 2025. But what comes after that, and whether a new constitution will be drafted in the meantime, remain uncertain. If the Middle Easts erstwhile rivals take the lead in cooperating to work toward a stable Syria, that could play a crucial role in unifying the country. Yet, if broader efforts to support Syrias stability falter, or if the post-Assad landscape takes a turn for the worse, regional countries might once again resort to supporting competing Syrian actors that align with their goals, with the potential for friction between them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, though, there is still hope that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Turkey can continue to work together, with the support and backing of the U.S. and other Western nations, to help shape a stable and unified future for Syria. Jonathan Fenton-Harvey is a British analyst and journalist whose work has focused largely on Gulf Cooperation Council affairs, as well as geopolitical and economic issues pertaining to the wider Middle East and Indo-Pacific. He has worked with or written for a wide range of think tanks and publications based in the U.S., the U.K. and the Middle East. The post Post-Assad Syria Will Test Turkeys Thaw With the Gulf States appeared first on World Politics Review. ALPINE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) On Nov. 21, the Alpine Station with the San Diego Sheriffs Office learned two 10-year-old girls wrote a list threatening to kill 14 students and two staff members, prompting parents to speak out at the Alpine Union School District Board of Trustees meeting. A room full of parents, unified at the meeting on Monday night, felt the collective fear for their childrens safety. Two weeks ago there was a note left on a bathroom wall that said I want to kill you with my daughters name on it, Joe Colston said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats something he says makes him scared to send his daughter to school. She was scared, and she still is to this day, Colston said. Superintendent Rich Newman addressed that incident plus another at Shadow Hills Elementary School. On Nov. 21, a teacher found a shared journal where two girls wrote a kill list, including 14 students and two staff members. Given the tragic news of the school shooting in Wisconsin today were reminded that safety is a shared responsibility, said Rich Newman, the superintendent of Alpine Union School District. City of Escondido declares local emergency to address public health risks: this is why Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Alpine Station with the San Diego Sheriffs Office questioned the two girls and their parents and told FOX5/KUSI while they cant determine when the list was written, they suspect it was put on paper last school year. We determined that they had no access to firearms, Cpt. Thomas Seiver said. At 10 years old they had very little capability to actually carry out sort of threats, nor did they have any plans that we could determine. Still, parents have been left feeling uneasy. Darcy Haisch, an Alpine Union School District mom, says she survived the Granite Hills High School shooting in 2001 where five people were injured in El Cajon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Ive grown up and become a mom since that shooting, it makes you question whether you want to put your kids in school, she said. Then, when you do trust your children to a school district, you want to make sure that district is following through with what theyre supposed to be doing. She says she learned of the threat on Facebook over the weekend and says her main concern is the lack of transparency from the school district. We should not be finding out from Facebook. We should not be finding out from other parents, Haisch said. Newman says the school suspended the girls, notified the parents of the kids on the list, and conducted backpack checks after the incident to keep students safe following the discovery, but parents are asking for more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want them to spend more time protecting out kids at the end of the day, thats all that matters, Colston said. The superintendent confirmed the school plans to add additional cameras to the campus, but parents say if they dont see a significant change, they will pull their kids from the school district. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Presbyterian Homes and Services, the nations fourth largest nonprofit senior living provider, has appointed a new chief executive officer to oversee its 8,000 employees and 61 senior living communities. Jon Fletcher, who has served the Roseville-based and faith-driven nonprofit for the past eight years, will become CEO on Feb. 1. Fletcher takes the reins at a time when the number of older adults ages 85 and up is expected to nearly double from 7.4 million to 14.4 million between 2025 and 2040, according to Presbyterian Homes and the U.S. Census Bureau. He currently is the senior vice president of Senior Housing Partners, the organizations development arm, which consults for nonprofits across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit, which launched in 1955 and operates senior living communities across Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, plans to extend its footprint into new service areas and geographic markets. Fletcher will fill the spot currently held by CEO Dan Lindh, who is stepping down after 48 years with the nonprofit. Presbyterian Homes, which serves 37,000 older adults, also operates Genevive, the largest geriatric primary care practice in Minnesota, which offers care to more than 15,000 older adults. Fletcher holds a business degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and dual undergraduate degrees in Christian ministry and music performance from Crown College. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is married and has two daughters. Related Articles ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Presbyterian Hospital is showcasing its brand new advanced learning lab. The 25,000-square-foot facility is designed to train the next generation of healthcare workers. In addition to mannequins for staff and students to practice on, there are also augmented and virtual reality simulators. City of Albuquerque asks for public input on new 2050 downtown redevelopment plan This space, the health care learning lab is going to provide a safe space for all of our clinical staff to come and learn when they are new hires or employees. This is a place for them to validate their skills and for us to teach them what we would like to see in how our patients and members to be cared for, said Director of Clinical Zach Fierro, Presbyterian Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital said it hopes this space excites healthcare workers and encourages them to stay in the community. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Presidential Electors meet Tuesday in Lansing LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The official electors for the 2024 Presidential contest will gather Tuesday at the state Capitol. The 15 electors will cast their votes for Michigans 15 Electoral College ballots for President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance. In preparation for the vote, Michigans Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson met Dec. 3 to sign the official Certificates of Ascertainment. This document declares Michigans official, legal electors. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (center) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (right) are assisted by staff members as they sign Certificates of Ascertainment for the 2024 Presidential Election. (Courtesy Michigan Secretary of State) Secretary Jocelyn Benson affixes the Great Seal of Michigan to an official Certificate of Ascertainment for the 2024 Presidential Election. (Courtesy Michigan Secretary of State) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Britains Prince Andrew has been caught up in an alleged spying case after cultivating an unusual degree of trust with a Chinese man who was barred from the country on national security grounds. The scandal-hit younger brother of King Charles III was prepared to enter into business activities with the alleged spy, Britains High Court said in a written ruling Thursday, which referred to the Chinese national as H6. The court lifted an anonymity order protecting his identity Monday, allowing him to be named as Yang Tengbo. Yang had been subjected to the highest levels of national security investigation in the U.K., Thursday's ruling by judges Charles Bourne, Stephen Smith and Stewart Eldon said, adding that British intelligence agencies feared he was attempting to gain influence over a member of the royal family. Prince Andrew with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo in China in 2017. In a statement released through his lawyers, Yang said the widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, Andrew forged a relationship of significant degree with Yang, marked by an unusual degree of trust, the court ruling said, adding that he was prepared to enter into business activities with the Chinese national, whom he invited to his 60th birthday party in 2020. Yang could reportedly act on behalf of the prince in engagements with potential partners and investors in China, the ruling said. Andrews office said in a statement that he ceased all contact with the individual after concerns were raised. It added that he met the individual through official channels with nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed. Yang also sought connections with prominent U.K. figures, including politicians, which could be leveraged for political interference by China, the court said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang was considered a risk to national security, prompting former Secretary of State Suella Braverman to conclude in March 2023 that the ban on his entry to Britain was justified and proportionate, the ruling added. Pictures of Yang alongside former British Prime Ministers Theresa May and David Cameron have been published in U.K. news outlets, although it is unclear when and where the meetings took place. Yang Tengbo outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In his statement, Yang said that he had done nothing wrong or unlawful and that the concerns raised by Britains Home Office are ill-founded. For the royal family, it is another embarrassing revelation about Andrew, a onetime war hero who served in Britains Royal Navy and flew a number of missions during the 1982 conflict with Argentina over the remote Falkland Islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew returned his military affiliations and royal patronages in January 2022 after his lawyers failed to persuade a U.S. judge to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse. He later paid a substantial sum to Virginia Giuffre, who alleges Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17. Giuffre has long alleged she was forced in the 1990s to have sex with Andrew after notorious pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his confidant, the British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, trafficked her to him. Maxwell, 62, was jailed for 20-years after a jury concluded that she played a pivotal part in recruiting and grooming teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegation. There have also been several high-profile spy cases involving China in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors this year charged Linda Sun, a former top aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, with violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling and money laundering. Sun, 41, used her position to aid Chinese officials and covertly sharing internal documents with Beijing, prosecutors alleged in court papers. She was also accused of blocking Taiwanese diplomats from contacting the state government. In return, Sun received millions of dollars in transactions for the China-based business activities of her husband, Chris Hu, a job for her cousin in China and tickets to various sporting and cultural events, the indictment said. Hu was charged with money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. Both have pleaded not guilty. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Prince Andrew is still proving to be a problem for his brother, King Charles, despite deliberately stepping back from public life five years ago amid a series of scandals. The prince, also known as the Duke of York, is back in the spotlight after being linked to an alleged Chinese spy who was banned from the U.K. over national security fears. According to documents published by a British immigration court on Thursday, the Chinese national secured an unusual degree of trust with Andrew, who was prepared to enter into business activities with the suspected agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang Tengbo, the alleged spy known only as H6 until a High Court judge lifted an anonymity order on Monday, was believed to have carried out covert and deceptive activity for the Chinese Communist Party, Britains interior ministry said. Yang denied espionage and said he has done nothing wrong or unlawful. The prince said he ceased all contact with the businessman after the U.K. government raised concerns. In any case, the latest round of negative headlines linked to the prince has reportedly led the 64-year-old to honorably withdraw from the royal familys traditional Christmas celebrations to avoid being a distraction. The saga comes two years after Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused the royal in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting and abusing her in 2001 when she was a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrew denied the allegations for years. He formally stepped back from royal duties in 2019 following a disastrous interview with the BBC. In the interview, he failed to distance himself from his friendship with the now-deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Details about the alleged spying 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. Judges agreed with MI5, Britains domestic intelligence, that Yang represented a risk to the national security and dismissed his appeal. The tribunal heard that in 2021, authorities found documents that showed how close Yang was to Andrew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letters from a senior adviser to Andrew justify the conclusion that [Yang] won a significant degree, one could say an unusual degree, of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family who was prepared to enter into business activities with him, the 53-page ruling said. Yang is reportedly a key member of an initiative by Andrew to support entrepreneurs and was invited to the princes 60th birthday. A statement from Prince Andrews office said: The Duke of York followed advice from HMG [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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yang denied the spying claims. I have done nothing wrong or unlawful, and the concerns raised by the Home Office [the interior ministry] against me are ill-founded, he said in a statement. The widespread description of me as a spy is entirely untrue. Related... Dec. 16The New Mexico Prison and Jail Project has filed a lawsuit against the state Corrections Department on behalf of an inmate who alleges he was raped by his cellmate for five hours in 2022, when he was a teen. The lawsuit, filed recently in state District Court, accuses the state of holding the inmate in inhumane conditions and seeks an unspecified amount of damages and legal costs. The New Mexico Prison and Jail Project is a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect the rights of incarcerated people in the state by bringing civil rights lawsuits on their behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inmate whom The New Mexican is not naming because he is the victim of an alleged sexual assault is gay, has a history of mental health problems and was a teenager at the time of the attack, all of which made him more vulnerable to sexual assault in prison, according to the complaint. "Despite these well-documented facts [the inmate] was assigned to share a cell with an individual with a long history of extremely violent crime stretching back decades," the lawsuit says. On the evening of the assault, the teen's cellmate covered the windows of their cell door with paper and towels, but no guard questioned it, even though they conducted rounds throughout the housing unit several times during the alleged rape, according to the lawsuit. When medical staff saw bruising on the prisoner's neck, he told them about the rape, the complaint says, and was subsequently placed in solitary confinement for the next two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that time, a counselor visited him twice, for less than 20 minutes each time, and "due to his young age and developmental challenges" gave him some markers and colored pencils to help him get his mind off the sexual abuse he had just endured, the suit states. Two weeks after the incident, the inmate was moved from the Lea County Correctional Facility, where the assault is alleged to have happened, to another prison. He "continues to suffer significant mental trauma" because of the failure of [corrections] staff and the staff of private prison operator GEO Group to protect him from being raped, the lawsuit says. DENVER (KDVR) Conservation groups are urging Colorado lawmakers to uphold their commitment to a future where wolves thrive alongside human communities by fully funding the voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction program. Colorados Joint Budget Committee has been meeting to discuss budget needs for various state departments, and some lawmakers have made comments debating whether cuts or delays to the initiative would be prudent because of a projected $1 billion state budget deficit. CPW plans to release 15 wolves in January from Canada, amid fight by stakeholders Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, sent on Dec. 13 by the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, represents 12 organizations supporting the wolf reintroduction program. The group of organizations said that cutting funding to the program would not only be against the voter mandate but would also prove fiscally and biologically irresponsible. Colorado voters made their voices heard through Proposition 114, setting the stage for the return of wolves to the Centennial state. To cut funding now would disregard the will of the people and waste the investments already made, said Rob Edward, president of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project, in a release. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, which has been in charge of managing the wolf reintroduction program, said earlier this month that officials plan to release 15 wolves sourced from Canada in January. In November, CPW announced that it was looking at Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties for the 2025 release. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Project said that the wolf program includes comprehensive conflict minimization strategies, such as the newly launched range rider program, but many agricultural groups have argued livestock producers in the state have not received proper resources to help protect their businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, livestock producers and ranchers petitioned the state to delay any gray wolf releases until CPW meets benchmarks set by the group. Those same groups sent a letter to the Canadian government in late November, asking the foreign government to reconsider allowing Canadian wolves to be relocated to Colorado. Of the ten wolves introduced in December 2023, at least three have died, and Colorado captured and removed a fourth introduced wolf and her four pups that were linked to high livestock fatalities. So, the program has not been good for the wolves or for the ranching community, the letter from Colorado agricultural producers stated. Group says legislators, ranchers promoting misleading narrative The pro-wolf groups fired back on Monday in a letter to state legislators. Over the past year, certain agricultural groups and legislators have promoted a deeply misleading narrative, casting unfair blame on Colorado Parks and Wildlife for wolf-related conflicts, said Edward in the pro-wolf groups letter to the Joint Budget Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This effort to defund the restoration program disregards the democratic mandate from Colorado voters and undermines the ecological and societal benefits of wolf reintroduction, Edward continued. The law requires CPW to establish a sustainable wolf population. Attempts to block funding not only jeopardize this goal but also diminish respect for the electoral process and the broad public support for restoring wolves to their rightful place in Colorados wild places. CPW shares monthly wolf movement as 26 organizations petition for no more releases Delia Malone, president of ColoradoWild, said that parts of the agricultural sector have leveraged their own subterfuge and lack of earnest engagement to put the program in a bad light. Colorados ranching community has had years to prepare for the return of wolves, Malone said in a release. Yet rather than fully embracing proven non-lethal coexistence measures that have succeeded for decades in the Northern Rockies, Canada and Europe, some have chosen obstruction over collaboration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malone pointed to lawsuits and attempts to influence western governors against wolf reintroduction programs as alleged ways the livestock producers have undermined the program. Earnest preparation could have prevented the unfortunate losses in Middle Park instead the rancher suffering the brunt of losses maintained an open carcass pit that lured wolves into proximity with livestock, Malone asserted. Jim Pribyl, a board member of the Colorado Nature League, said that livestock losses proven to be attributable to wolves are less than one-tenth of one percent of total herds. The group said that some legislators considering a pause or reduction in funding could potentially save up to $2.1 million annually. The organizations argued in their letter to the Joint Budget Committee that cutting the funding would undermine years of planning and may incur more costs due to the program disruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An often overlooked means of reducing the chance that an individual wolf will prey on livestock is to ensure that there are enough wolves on the ground to ensure pack formation, which promotes a greater ability for wolves to hunt wild game, the groups noted in their press release Monday. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar Budget proposals are sent to the state in late summer and early Fall, according to the Colorado Legislature, and all such requests must be submitted by Nov. 1 annually. The Joint Budget Committee then begins to hold briefings on the budget requests, followed by hearings to answer questions raised by the commission members, and will ultimately be sent to the General Assembly near the end of the legislature session in March or early April. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) At least two prominent development projects went in front of the COMIDA (Monroe Countys development arm) board Tuesday for votes on approval. The meeting was livestreamed. Westside Crossing (75 Monroe): Appears to have been tabled. Westside Crossing is asking for $1,274,250 in public sector tax benefits. The project has been mired in legal and planning difficulties for years. As of Tuesdays meeting, it appeared that initial plans to discuss this plan were removed from the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the abstract of the project as listed in public documents: Westport Crossing is an exciting mixed-use development that will contain 156 apartment units contained in 7 unique 3-story buildings on 7.5 acres in the Village of Pittsford, along with a clubhouse and restaurant facility along the canal. The Unit mix will consist of: 3% Studios/ 36% 1 Bedrooms/ 38% 2 Bedrooms and 21% 3 Bedroom Units. Rents will range from $1,800 to $3,500. The project will feature significant public benefits and public amenities, including unprecedented public access to the historic Erie Canal, remediation of an environmentally contaminated Brownfield site, an extensive network of sidewalks, boardwalks, gazebos and benches, extensive landscaping, docks on the canal and two off-site public infrastructure improvement projects, all of which were mandated by the Village of Pittsford.COMIDA application In 2015, it was designated as a Brownfield remediation site, and in October 2022 the project got its final approval from the town. In the summer of 2023, developer Mark IV filed a lawsuit against COMIDA. In January of this year, News 8 reported on a judges decision on that suit, and the subsequent appeal. Despite possible zoning bind, developer applies for tax incentives for Barn Bazaar Pittsford Oaks (Barn Bazaar): APPROVED Daniele Family Companies is looking to redevelop the Barn Bazaar, the main feature of a mixed-use area at the corner of Clover and Jefferson in Pittsford. During Tuesdays meeting, the project was approved with just one no vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the COMIDA application, the main building has remained vacant for 10 years, and is described as an eyesore. The Danieles also wrote that asbestos was found at the site and needs to be removed. The new development is slated to have 175 units. Per COMIDA rules, 20% of the units have to be affordable units. The rest will be market-rate. Members of the town board of Pittsford approved this new development contain to accommodate local individuals and families with occupations including current and retired teachers, firefighters, public services, hospitality services, and other similar workforce careers. Without agency support this development can not financially exist. COMIDA application The Danieles are asking for $4,526,853 as a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement for the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is looking for this funding despite the possible zoning bind. The town board of Pittsford unlocked the area for market-rate housing, not affordable housing. The latter is defined as housing that is a capped rate based on the median income of the area. 20% of all housing as funded by COMIDA is required to be affordable. This is something that was thought through very carefully, and the provisions that were put in there were consistent with the representations of the developers, and also consistent with the very clear expression of public sentiment with how we should move forward, said Bill Smith, town supervisor of Pittsford. Smith said that DFC did not indicate it would be pursuing tax incentives through COMIDA before this. Having an apartment complex itself Which is one of our goals, makes housing more affordable in Pittsford, because its a less expensive way of having housing without having to buy a new house, Smith continued. So we are sensitive to this, and theres a giant difference between that proposition and the proposition of things that are below market rate. Waffle8tor: APPROVED A waffle manufacturer is applying for county tax incentives, as it looks to move into the former Sams Club/Paneffort space in Elm Ridge Center. During Tuesdays meeting, the project was approved unanimously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Jay Wegman and his company, Wegman Companies, closed on the Elm Ridge Center. Wegman says since then, the plaza has gone from 20% occupancy to 94%, and are still adding businesses. Watch: Asian Street Cafe, AE Skin & Beauty grand opening, more at Elm Ridge Center in Greece Waffle8tr says in its application that it can produce over three-quarters of a billion waffles a year, and is seeking $2.5 million in incentives. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Prominent Russian general Igor Kirillov - a key figure in Moscow's war on Ukraine - was killed along with his aide in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday morning, investigators have said. A spokeswoman for the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Svetlana Petrenko, said the blast was caused by an explosive device hidden in an electric scooter near a residential building in the south-east of the Russian capital. Russia's state-run TASS news agency, citing a law enforcement official, said the device "had a capacity of some 300 grams in TNT equivalent." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 54-year-old was the head of the country's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence (NBC), responsible for protection against threats from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Kirillov frequently appeared publicly during the Russian war against Ukraine, making accusations that the United States was operating secret biolabs in the neighbouring country. Additionally, Kirillov, who was considered one of the most significant warmongers in Russia and is on Western sanctions lists, claimed that Ukraine was working on a so-called dirty bomb. Dirty bombs are weapons of mass destruction that combine conventional explosives with radioactive material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin had also made such accusations against Ukraine based on reports publicly presented by Kirillov. There has been no evidence for these claims. The background to the attack was initially unclear. According to Petrenko, investigators are on site working to solve the crime. The entrance to the building where the explosion occurred was severely damaged, photos showed. In the past, there have been attacks on high-ranking military figures and propagandists in Russia amidst the war. The power apparatus in Moscow repeatedly blames Ukrainian intelligence services for these attacks. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The cost of renting, or buying, a place to live is only getting more expensive thanks to rising property taxes, but Ohio lawmakers are likely not going to get anything done before the end of the year. If nothing gets through by then, that means legislation will have to start from scratch in the new year. Not providing direct relief on this property tax issue, it is a choice that is being made by the majority. Am I surprised? No. Am I disappointed? Yes, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said. There are definitely options before us that are feasible, that have support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identify victims in south Columbus triple homicide, still seeking answers Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) is poised to become Ohio House speaker in January, but before that, lawmakers have one week left in session before the new year. Huffman said passing property tax legislation is unlikely during his last few weeks as Senate president, despite the House passing a homestead exemption last week. Extraordinarily complex things that havent had much discussion, that have huge ramifications monetarily and into the future, Huffman said. Were not going to be able to do that in seven or eight days. Id like to take the findings of the Property Tax Committee and use those to draft legislation for the first six months of next year. The property tax study committee was supposed to release its report months ago. It will now likely come before the end of the year, at least. In the meantime, Huffman said there needs to be a deeper understanding of the issue before something can pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Property tax is] this giant robot that we started building 100 years ago, and every time when were supposed to actually make sure that its working right, we put some gizmo on it that solves the problem for the moment, Huffman said. Really, this whole system needs to be taken apart and take out the parts that dont work. These key Ohio education bills are still fighting for approval There are nearly two dozen bills, and many of them with bi-partisan support, to provide relief to homeowners. Introducing a bill and saying weve got a problem, isnt suggesting a viable solution, Huffman (R-Lima) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do I think that there needs to be a larger discussion about what are the long-term solutions to this that will require some more time? Yes. But there are options to provide immediate relief, Russo said. We dont have to wait six months from now in the budget when, by the way, were probably going to have less revenue or other tax cuts that are being considered that are going to reduce the amount coming in to provide relief to residents. Huffman said he wants to ensure more predictability in the tax system. If I know my property tax might go up 5% every three years or six years, I can handle it, but if all of a sudden, its three times as high instead of $5,000, youre paying $15,000 well, most people cant take care of that, he said. So, the predictability of the system, of the taxing system is important. You know, that if you make more money, you pay more income tax. If you buy more things, you pay more sales tax. Theres no predictability in our, in our real estate tax system. Sen. Brown on problems in the Democratic party Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even though Huffman is eyeing next year, and other lawmakers are looking at the budget, Russo said she is not holding her breath. Do I think that its likely going to pass then as well? Probably not, Russo said. I think there are always going to be excuses not to deal with this issue, and that is a choice that has real implications for everyday Ohioans who are seeing their housing costs, the rental cost, housing costs go up because of this issue. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said he thinks the legislature needs to act on this. Read more about his thoughts on property and state income taxes 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. NEW DELHI (AP) A controversial legislation submitted by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government to change India's voting system failed to pass Tuesday in the country's lower house of Parliament. Law minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, presented the legislation which proposed allowing elections for state assemblies and the national parliament to be held simultaneously. However, it was not approved as the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority; only 269 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal while 198 were against it. The government says simultaneous polls will result in higher economic growth and pave the way for better governance as they will reduce the frequency of election campaigns and expenses and allow politicians to focus on their work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Indias opposition has strongly objected to the legislation, which has been under review for over a year. Critics say the proposed system will undermine federalism and risks shifting India toward a presidential election model and could give unfair poll advantage to the governing parties at the federal level in state elections. The South Asian country of more than 1.4 billion people has 28 states and eight federal territories. Currently, staggered state and parliamentary elections are held at different times across India, with few state polls scheduled almost every year. Indias last national election was held in seven phases over 44 days. Meghwal said on Tuesday the government was willing to send the legislation to a parliamentary committee for wider consultation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As per the draft, the legislation if approved as a law can be put into action in the first sitting of the lower house of the parliament after a national election which implies it cant be implemented until 2029 when the current government's term ends. Modis government has long advocated for the proposed system and appointed a nine-member panel last year to look into whether it was feasible. The panel recommended the plan in March, saying it would help reduce wasting public funds and increase voter turnout. The legislation must be approved by both houses of the parliament by a two-thirds majority in each before it becomes law. The new system, if approved, would also require amendments to Indias Constitution and approval from all states and federal territories, experts say. Unlike its two previous terms, Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party does not have a majority in the lower house of the parliament and banks on its partners from the National Democratic Alliance and friendly parties to get laws passed. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Binghamton City Council is set to consider a law that would regulate when landlords can evict their tenants. City Council could vote on the proposed Good Cause Eviction law as early as this Wednesday. They say the law would prevent landlords from financially exploiting their tenants and that it might be the most important legislation of the year. The Good Cause Eviction Law was enacted on the state level this past Spring, allowing municipalities like Binghamton to opt in to the tenant protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Nate Hotchkiss says the law focuses on three points; it prohibits landlords from making retaliatory evictions, such as if a tenant requests maintenance on something, but instead of making the repairs, the landlord evicts the tenant. The proposal would also limit rent hikes to 10% and anything over 10% would require justification. Third, Hotchkiss says the Good Cause Law would require landlords to offer a lease renewal, if the tenant didnt have any lease violations or overdue rent. Hotchkiss says the law is solely meant to protect tenants rights, and the majority of landlords will be unaffected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as theyre not engaged in price gouging or unreasonable rent hikes, as long as theyre keeping up with maintenance, I think this will have very minimal impact. And it gives tenants the necessary protections that they need, which I think should be the higher priority right now. So, ultimately, this does put the human need over profitability, said Hotchkiss. The Greater Binghamton Chamber opposes the new law and says the increase in regulations could make landlords and developers shy away from staying and investing in this area. Public Policy Manager Mina Hoblitz says its already difficult to evict problem tenants and she fears this legislation will make it even harder. We are focusing on keeping our good landlords here, in the Binghamton City area as well as the Greater Binghamton area. Our membership has reached out with deep, deep concerns that this legislation has the potential to push reputable, good landlords out of the community. As well as potential property developers into municipalities that have not opted in to Good Cause Eviction, said Hoblitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoblitz says with a 10% cap on rent, it could limit landlords reinvestment back into their properties, which would otherwise improve the quality of life for tenants. She says the Chamber plans to meet with members of city council and local landlords on Wednesday to talk about the proposal. Binghamton City Council plans to take public comment, and vote on the proposal at its meeting this Wednesday at 6 p.m. Hotchkiss says whether its now, or in the next few months, he believes the Good Cause Eviction law will get adopted soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) A proposed law in Hamburg would put a six-month moratorium on multi-family homes in the town. The law was discussed by residents during a public hearing on Monday night. Residents opposed to the pause said the cost of living is already too high, more housing is needed and that it will bring jobs and investment into the town. Residents who support the moratorium said that there have already been impacts to wildlife already and that the town is becoming a city with too much development going up too fast in residential areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An extreme high density apartment building next to private homes is not wanted by homeowners for several good reasons do not let developers to continue to run this town, one resident said at the hearing. The moratorium will deter developer interests in these sites and they will continue to express blight in the town my board members, said Sean Doyle, the executive director of the Hamburg Industrial Development Agency. I encourage the town to work with a broad group of constituents to promote productive growth. The Hamburg IDA said that if the moratorium is approved, it could result in the town losing out on state grant money. Residents also point out to the largely vacant McKinley Mall as a place where housing could go. A one-year moratorium on the building of the homes was proposed on Mondays meeting, but the proposal was not approved by the town board. It is still unclear if the town will entertain the six-month proposal. Latest Local News Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) Zoning changes for a former dynamite storage facility in South Knoxville have now been approved, paving the way for the development of a new subdivision. The Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission approved rezoning for the D.R. Horton development on the south side of Tipton State Road, east of Lowland Lane. Development plans call for 342 single-family residential lots across nearly 86 acres. PREVIOUS: Neighbors fight proposed subdivision at old dynamite storage site in South Knox County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans were approved on the conditions that developers conduct an additional environmental study and make improvements to the intersection of Tipton Station Road and W. Martin Mill Pike. The land was formerly home to Atlas Powder Company, which stored dynamite and black powder at the site from 1955 until the mid-1970s. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation reviewed the initial environmental study and determined an additional environmental assessment was warranted because they could not rule out that TNT was manufactured on the site due to a data gap. there is a data gap that could not rule out that TNT was manufactured on the site, which would warrant an additional environmental assessment. Some area residents interviewed previously by 6 News expressed opposition to an influx of new homes and residents, while others were concerned about the potential environmental issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) The New York architect facing murder charges in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings was charged on Tuesday in the death of a seventh woman. Rex Heuermann pleaded not guilty to killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000. Mack, 24, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family that year in New Jersey. Some of Macks skeletal remains were initially discovered in Manorville, New York; authorities found more of her remains about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west, in Gilgo Beach, more than 10 years later. They were unidentified until genetic testing revealed her identity in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human hair found with Macks remains was sent for testing earlier this year and found to be a likely match with the genetic profile of Heuermanns daughter, prosecutors said in court papers. His daughter is not accused of any wrongdoing and would have been 3 or 4 years old when Mack died. Heuermann, 61, is charged with killing six other women whose remains were found on Long Island. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The lives of these women matter, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said at a news conference with Mack's parents and other victims' relatives. No one understands that more than the families. Mack's parents didn't speak. Four other victims' relatives gave the Macks roses and hugs and, through an attorney, expressed their sadness and solidarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were, and they are, loved. And they are missed every day by those who knew them and who had a strong bond with them, said Gloria Allred, who represents the families of Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Jessica Taylor and Megan Waterman. Outside of court, Heuermanns lawyer Michael Brown disputed evidence presented in Macks death, saying the DNA technology used to connect her and other victims to Heuermann has never been deemed reliable in a New York case. He also argued that Tierneys office has yet to produce proof any victims DNA was found in Heuermanns home, including the many weapons and tools seized during recent searches of the property. Theres something a little weird about these allegations, Brown said. Something that doesnt sit right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the Gilgo Beach killings dates back to 2010, when police searching for a missing woman found 10 sets of human remains in the scrub along a barrier island parkway, prompting fears of a serial killer. Over the years, investigators used DNA analysis and other clues to identify the victims, many of whom were sex workers. Police also began reexamining other unsolved killings of women on Long Island. The case has dragged on through five police commissioners, more than 1,000 tips, and doubts about whether there was a serial killer at all. Heuermann, who lived with his wife and two children in Massapequa Park on Long Island and commuted to a Manhattan architecture office, was arrested on July 13, 2023. At that point, he was charged with murdering Barthelemy, Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, he was charged in the deaths of three other women Brainard-Barnes, Taylor and Sandra Costilla. In a June court filing, prosecutors said they had recovered a file on a hard drive in Heuermanns basement that he used to methodically blueprint his killings including checklists with tasks for before, during and after, as well as lessons for next time. In court papers on Tuesday, prosecutors said the document, which was created the same year as Macks murder, includes details that align with her case. For example, it names Mill Road a road near where Macks first remains were found under the heading DS, which investigators believe stands for dump site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document also lists foam drain cleaner under Supplies. Prosecutors say that on Oct. 3, 2000, Heuermanns phone records appear to show him making two calls to a Long Island plumbing company, and he paid another company the following month to check his mainline drain. In recent searches of Heuermanns home and office, authorities say they found old magazines and newspapers with articles about the Gilgo Beach killings and investigation that prosecutors believe he kept as souvenirs or mementos. Among them was a July 29, 2003, copy of the New York Post that included an article about the investigation into Mack and Taylors remains. Tierney said Tuesday that evidence points to Heuermanns home as the scene of the killings in most cases, when his family was out of town. Heuermanns estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, said in a statement that she still does not believe her husband was capable of committing the crimes hes accused of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couples now grown children said in a separate statement they remain steadfast in observing the legal process play itself out, no matter how long it takes or how difficult it is. Authorities have still not charged anyone in the deaths of some other people whose remains were found on Long Island. Among them is an unidentified male victim who died in 2006 and likely presented outwardly as a female, and Karen Vergata, whose remains were discovered in 1996 but only identified through new DNA analysis in 2022. ___ Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York. NEW YORK (AP) The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday as they worked to bring him to a New York court from a Pennsylvania jail. Luigi Mangione already was charged with murder in the Dec. 4 killing of Brian Thompson, but the terror allegation is new. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Thompson's death on a midtown Manhattan street was a killing that was intended to evoke terror. And weve seen that reaction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangiones New York lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, declined to comment. Thompson, 50, was shot while walking to a hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare the United States' biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. The killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies, as Americans swapped stories online and elsewhere of being denied coverage, left in limbo as doctors and insurers disagreed, and stuck with sizeable bills. The shooting also rattled C-suites, as wanted posters with other health care executives names and faces appeared on New York streets and some social media users extolled Mangione's deed as payback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Tuesday that "any attempt to rationalize this is vile, reckless and offensive to our deeply held principles of justice. A New York law passed after the Sept. 11 attacks allows prosecutors to charge crimes as acts of terrorism when they're intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping. Prosecutors have applied the statute to various contexts. Some related to international extremism, but the law was first used against a Bronx gang member after a hail of gunfire killed a 10-year-old girl and paralyzed a man outside a christening party in 2002. The state's highest court later said the conduct didnt amount to terrorism, and a retrial produced convictions on other charges. Thompson's killing, Bragg noted, happened early on a workday in an area frequented by commuters, businesspeople and tourists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation, the district attorney said. After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was spotted Dec. 9 at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and arrested. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. The 26-year-old was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offenses and locked up there without bail. His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge. The attorney also has said Mangione would fight extradition to New York. Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorneys office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press last week said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies parasitic and complained about corporate greed. Mangione repeatedly posted on social media about how spinal surgery last year had eased his chronic back pain, encouraging people with similar conditions to speak up for themselves if told they just had to live with it. In a Reddit post in late April, he advised someone with a back problem to seek additional opinions from surgeons and, if necessary, say the pain made it impossible to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in a capitalist society, Mangione wrote. Ive found that the medical industry responds to these key words far more urgently than you describing unbearable pain and how its impacting your quality of life. He was never a UnitedHealthcare client, according to the insurer. Mangione apparently cut himself off from his family and close friends in recent months. His family reported him missing in San Francisco in November. After San Francisco authorities got a tip to their New York counterparts, investigators spoke to Mangione's mother in San Francisco late on Dec. 7. In that interview, "she said it might be something that she could see him doing, New York Police Department Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the case detectives could follow up on that lead, Mangione was arrested, Kenny said. Mangione's relatives have said in a statement that they were shocked and devastated by his arrest. Thompson, who grew up on a farm in Iowa, was trained as an accountant. A married father of two high-schoolers, he had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. ___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak contributed. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Protesters rallied outside Akron City Hall on Monday night to voice their feelings about the shooting death of 15-year-old Jazmir Tucker by an Akron police officer on Thanksgiving night. As they chanted Jazmir Tucker, Jazmir Tucker, those attending the rally expressed anger about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While the city is waiting for the outcome of an investigation by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents, protesters believe the officer who shot and killed the 15-year-old should be fired immediately. Ohio drone sightings among many causing national concern Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We either want to make change or we dont. We are either going to hold officers accountable or were not, and right now this city is not. He should be fired right now yesterday, said Freedom BLOC Executive Director Ray Greene Jr. Protesters say their opinions are based on police body camera videos that show the officer shooting Tucker with a rifle and shows that a gun with an extended magazine that the teen was carrying was in a zipped-up pocket in his jacket. When asked if the officer had the right to a complete investigation and due process, organizers said they have grown weary of talk from Akron City Hall about justice and police reforms. Right now, were overdue for change. We dont need any more conversation, no more community conversations, no more outside people going in. We have 10 years of recommendations that we just need to implement and hold officers accountable. The best way we can make change in this city is by holding officers accountable, by firing officers that are doing wrong, said Greene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voices of protesters outside city hall could later be heard at a tense Akron City Council meeting, where the leadership of the Akron police union posed tough questions about the shooting, which was set into motion when two officers heard gunfire nearby and then encountered Jazmir Tucker. Brent Heller with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 asked council members, What has the city of Akron become, that a 15-year-old needs to carry a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine for protection? Yet, some of you on this body and some in the community believe the police are the problem. Family of Amanda Dean sues Huron County sheriff, claims botched investigation On Monday, the mayor of Akron announced that he wants to begin the process of reviewing and revising the citys use-of-force policy with the help of a consulting firm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is something that obviously there is a lot of concern in our community around specific instances of use of force. This is the most consequential step that we can take in terms of working on this issue looking at where we can do better, Mayor Shammas Malik told FOX 8 News. When asked what he thought about the mayors proposal, Greene said, Smoke and mirrors. Everything theyre going to do weve already done over time for the last 10 years. Some of those attending the rally on Monday said they object to the officer involved in last months deadly shooting being on paid administrative leave as the investigation continues. However, police union officials said the officer has not been convicted of anything and has a presumption of innocence and a right to due process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. LOUIS Jonathan Williams, who serves his community of Cahokia Heights, Illinois, as a police officer and mental health advocate. After he and his academy classmates suffered the loss of one of their own, Jonathan makes it a priority to reach out to the community about mental health awareness! Prior to being a Cahokia Heights police officer, Jonathan was a juvenile detention officer as well as a social worker and he was one of the first black officers to be hired by the Swansea police department. Even after all of these accomplishments, Jonathans pride and joy are his three children! He was nominated by a community member who tells us: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan goes above and beyond the call of duty for the Cahokia Heights community and his family. He always steps in to help when needed for anyone even after working a 12 or 16 hour shift. He is a strong mental health advocate and still finds time to attend to his three beautiful children and their school activities. Jonathan Williams receives $500 from Brown & Brown Law Firm and FOX 2s Proud to Serve Award. If you would like to nominate a 1st responder, military or veteran, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The family of a woman who died hours after giving birth to her first child at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland on March 13 is seeking $100 million in damages, a lawsuit filed against Providence Health shows. According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Dec. 3, 31-year-old Portland resident Abirami Abi Goyal died from a massive blood loss suffered following an emergency cesarean section. In her life, Goyal was an accomplished businesswoman who was a rising manager at the local chip manufacturer Intel, The Oregonian first reported. Her tragic death, the 63-page lawsuit claims, was the result of a complete system failure by Providence St. Vincent doctors, nurses and hospital staff to notice or address the bleeding before it was too late. Abis death was entirely preventable, the lawsuit reads. Postpartum hemorrhage and the corresponding increased mortality rates among minority women are common knowledge in obstetrics. Providence St. Vincents is a tertiary center with the capability and resources to properly monitor for and treat postpartum hemorrhage. However, due a series of violations of safety culture principles culminating in a complete system failure, the Providence system let Abi bleed to death on the operating table in its own operating room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eugene police search for ER nurse who may have saved drivers life in November crash Even after discovering the bleeding, the doctors and nurses took too long to address the issue due to delays and mismanagement, the lawsuit claims. They delayed and withheld lifesaving interventions Abi desperately needed, the lawsuit reads. In fact, the Providence team did not administer Abis first blood transfusion until over one hour after her bleeding was belatedly discovered. Worse, the Providence team did not clamp off and remove Abis uterus until nearly three hours after her bleeding was discovered. When reached for comment, Providence Oregon spokesperson Gary Walker told KOIN 6 that the not-for-profit could not comment on pending litigation. Attorney Jeffrey Killino, who is representing Goyals family in the suit, told KOIN that her family hopes the lawsuit will bring change to Providence and help prevent future tragedies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case and the devastating loss of Abi highlights a systemic problem not only with the healthcare she received at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, but with the larger systemic problems assailing the maternal healthcare system in the U.S., Killino said. The time has come to reverse course and address the root causes of preventable and unnecessary deaths of amazing young mothers like Abi. Social Security retirement age set to change in 2025 Goyal was survived by her husband Kartikeya Goyal and her newborn daughter Sahana Goyal. The family is seeking $75 million in noneconomic damages for Abi Goyals suffering and $25 million in economic damages. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. BALTIMORE The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public hearing Wednesday on proposed revisions to the student cellphone use policy. Members of the public can sign up to testify at the hearing, which will be held in the county Department of Education building at 7 p.m. and streamed online. Participants can register by phone by calling 410-313-7194 or through an online form. Registration closes at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday. The public hearing comes after the school board was slated to vote on work group recommendations at its Nov. 21 meeting. Instead, the board opted to vote to hold a public hearing for more input and have the policy committee conduct a review. According to the Howard County Public School System website, the board is scheduled to vote on the matter on Jan. 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a June school board meeting, HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes said cellphone usage was teachers top concern when speaking with them during school visits. The HCPSS personal device policy came under review, with an advisory workgroup convening in July to conduct research and present recommendations to the board and superintendent. After community conversations, a public hearing, a survey and engagement with school staff and other groups, the workgroup, led by HCPSS Director of Communications and Engagement Brian Bassett, presented its recommendations to the board in November. The really difficult thing with this is we didnt have the gold standard to look at, Bassett said at the Nov. 21 meeting. I talked to school districts in Maryland and many other states, and I was on the phone with my counterparts in other places and I never heard, Just do this. If you just do this weve nailed it. Policy changes suggested by the workgroup included no cellphone use for elementary and middle school students between the first and last bell of the day. All personal devices for students in these age groups would have to be silenced and stored away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High school students would need to keep devices away and silenced during class time but could use them at other times throughout the day under the recommended policy amendments. Laptops and Chromebooks would be permitted for use by high school students only for instructional purposes, not for recording audio or video or for playing games. The recommendations would also make adjustments to outline specific consequences, including confiscation, when students break the rules for permitted use. Some schools, such as Reservoir High, Howard High and Mayfield Woods Middle had already implemented new regulations regarding cellphone use with success, Barnes said, encouraging school staff to work with administrators to learn from the others in the district. And while there are growing pains, thats what they are, just growing pains, Barnes said at the Nov. 21 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board members raised concerns that the recommendations for policy changes didnt go through the usual regulatory process, calling for a public hearing and policy committee review. Some also discussed their desire for stricter rules for high school students that are consistent with the younger grades or the need to balance regulations with teaching responsible use. The public hearing and following vote scheduled for January will occur with two new members of the board after the departure of Robyn Scates, District 1, and Yun Lu, District 5. Meg Ricks and Andrea Chamblee won the District 1 and 5 seats, respectively, in this years general election and were sworn in on Dec. 2. -------- GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) For the second time this month, guns were stolen from a Middle Tennessee store in a brazen and coordinated fashion. The Goodlettsville Gun Shop was broken into early Sunday morning after suspects backed a vehicle into the fortified front entrance, causing significant damage. According to the shops owner, about 20 firearms were taken, marking the first time in the businesss 30 years that theyve had a gun stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEC. 2024: 80+ firearms stolen from Dickson pawn shop Very surprised, but its also humbling, said Phillip Arrington, owner of Goodlettsville Gun Shop. I know that when we rebuild, and we will rebuild, its going to be back better and tougher to get in. Dickson, Donelson, Murfreesboro: those are just a few places where these quick and coordinated firearm smash-and-grabs have occurred this year. All three were done in a similar fashion to Sundays incident in Goodlettsville. In this latest case, Arrington said his security measures ahead of time were top notch. We got concrete pillars buried in concrete, double bars, glass breakage detectors, alarms, cameras. Weve got everything, Arrington explained, adding that he always turns the lights off inside the store after hours so his inventory isnt as visible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennesseans still strongly support gun control laws, poll shows Even strong defenses couldnt stop this determined group of thieves, who reportedly smashed a Kia Soul into the front entrance multiple times before getting in. They were very precise and they were in and out in about 30 seconds from the time they made entry. It was a different pattern, for sure, then what Ive seen in days gone by, Arrington said. Not only were firearms stolen, but the structural damage to the shop is significant. The timing, of course, couldnt be worse. Its a punch in the gut, to be honest with you, Arrington told News 2s Sam Chimenti. And its kind of disheartening for a lot of folks that have ordered things for Christmas and stuff like that. Its going to really kill our sales for the holiday. This time of year, retailers make their money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Goodlettsville police are working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to track down the suspects. Specific details and the full footage of the burglary could not be shared on Monday as the investigation continues. Arrington said there is no timeline for reopening his shop. At last update, the suspects are still on the run. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Vladimir Putin has been quiet about Syria since the end of Bashir Assad's rule. Rebels deposed Russia's longtime ally earlier this month, jeopardizing its military presence there. Any discussion about Syria may expose Moscow to further scrutiny, one expert told BI. During an annual televised meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Russia's top military officials on Monday, Putin was keen to keep the focus firmly on incremental successes in Ukraine. But he was conspicuously silent about recent events in Syria where longtime Kremlin ally Bashar Assad was deposed by rebels earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia had long provided military support to prop up Assad's government, but a lightning offensive by rebel groups that Russian intelligence failed to predict toppled Assad in just two weeks. It also exposed the limits of Putin's ambition to reestablish Russia as a great power, according to analysts. "The fall of the Assad regime is perceived as a sign of Russia's weakness in supporting its allies," Yaniv Voller, a senior lecturer in Middle East politics at the University of Kent, told BI. He added that under such circumstances, "any discussion of the situation in Syria may expose Moscow to further scrutiny about its capabilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loss of Assad also leaves the status of Russia's crucial Syrian military bases in doubt and means Putin needs victories in Ukraine more than ever. Russia's slow response to Syria Putin has long boasted of Russia's success in Syria. In 2015, it launched its first foreign military mission since the end of the Cold War, and successfully achieved its core goal of keeping Assad in power. The Kremlin used the campaign to mock the US and its allies over their failed Middle Eastern policies. It also used its military bases granted by Assad to project Russian power into Africa and beyond. Yet, with Russia's military stretched by its costly war in Ukraine, Putin appeared unwilling or unable to divert forces to save Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the face of events unfolding in Syria, the Kremlin's early comments were limited to confirming it had provided asylum to Assad and his family, who fled on a Russian plane as rebels approached Damascus. Russian media, which is tightly controlled by the Kremlin, was also muted in its coverage of events, according to RFE/RL, while military bloggers blamed Russian military leaders for the debacle and the ineptness of Assad's forces. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, meanwhile, sought to shift the blame to a familiar geopolitical foe: the US and its allies. "All this is a repetition of the old, very old habit of creating some havoc, some mess, and then fishing in the muddy waters," he said. What has Russia lost? The collapse of Assad's government could have wider implications for Russia's global military footprint, which might help explain Putin's silence on the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikolay Kozhanov, a research associate professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University, argued in a piece for Chatham House last week that it has damaged Russia's reputation as a reliable ally capable of guaranteeing the survival of its partners. Stefan Wolff, a professor of International Security at the University of Birmingham, went further. In a piece for The Conversation, Wolff said that Russia's failure to save a key partner like Assad highlights serious flaws in its capacity to act like a great power. And four former US officials and military researchers even predicted that countries in Russia's sphere of influence could break away in the coming weeks, as many did in 1991 after the Soviet Union collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The house of cards that Vladimir Putin has so carefully stacked over more than two decades is folding before our eyes," they wrote in Time Magazine. Other analysts, however, are more circumspect. Mohammed Albasha, founder of Basha Report, a Virginia-based consultancy specializing in Middle East affairs, told BI that "withdrawing from Syria would primarily impact Russia's influence in the Middle East." He said that it might prompt governments in Armenia or those in the Sahel region, such as Niger and Burkina Faso, to reconsider their alliances with Moscow, and shift focus toward building closer ties with the West or China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when it comes to countries bordering Russia such as Georgia, Tajikistan, and Belarus he said those were likely to remain due to their deep economic ties and Russia's national security mandate to protect its borders. Putin stays silent Some analysts believe that Putin's silence on Syria may not just be about wanting to divert attention from an embarrassing defeat, but also about brokering a deal with Syria's new government to enable it to retain at least some of its military assets in the country. Reports indicate that Russia has withdrawn naval vessels from the Tartus base, but has kept planes and other air force assets in Hmeimim. "Even if Russia withdraws its forces from Syria, Moscow will still try to negotiate so that this withdrawal will not be perceived as a flight," Voller told BI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Putin's focus on Ukraine on Monday underscores, now more than ever, that the Russian president needs a win. A victory in Ukraine, where Russia has been making incremental but important progress in recent months, would enable Russia to buffer its reputation as a military power, despite recent setbacks and losses. "There should be no expectation of anything but Russia doubling down in Ukraine," wrote Wolff in last week's blog post. "Putin needs a success that restores domestic and international confidence in him and fast." Read the original article on Business Insider A Russian general accused of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine was assassinated early Tuesday in Moscow by a remote-controlled bomb planted in an electric scooter, Reuters reported. Lt. General Igor Kirillov, head of Russias nuclear, biological and chemical defense forces, died along with his assistant when the bomb was set off outside an apartment building in the Ryazansky Prospekt neighborhood, Russias Investigative Committee, which handles serious crimes, said in a statement. Photographs from the crime scene show two bodies lying in the blood-stained snow in front of the apartment buildings shattered entrance. The killing is being investigated as a homicide but was likely to be upgraded to terrorism, police sources told Russian media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian security sources told multiple media outlets that the assassination was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, since he gave orders to use prohibited chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military, an SBU source told CBS News. Such an inglorious end awaits everyone who kills Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable. The blast that killed Igor Kirillov and his assistant shattered the entrance to a nearby apartment building. / ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images A day before his death, the SBU had charged Kirillov in absentia for allegedly using illegal chemical weapons during Russias invasion of Ukraine, particularly K-1 combat grenades, the Kyiv Independent reported. The SBU said their investigation revealed the weapons had been used more than 4,800 times on the battlefield since February 2022. More than 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been hospitalized with chemical poisoning and three have died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has denied using chemical weapons, and Kirillov has accused Ukraine of violating nuclear safety protocols, the AP reported. But the U.S. Department of State confirmed in May that the chemical weapon chloropicrin, a toxic choking agent first introduced during World War I, was used against Ukrainian troops. The U.K. and Canada have both sanctioned Kirillov for using chemical weapons against Ukraine, according to the AP. Other high-profile targets have been assassinated on Russian soil since the start of the war in Ukraine. Just last week, Ukrainian intelligence forces gunned down one of Russian President Vladimir Putins top missile developers in a park. Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, was also killed in a car bomb in 2022. Last year, a pro-war blogger was murdered in a cafe bombing and a submarine commander accused of war crimes was shot and killed while jogging. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has said that a change of government in Ukraine is a precondition for talks with Russia, once again distorting Ukrainian law and casting doubt on the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: ISW (Institute for Study of War) Details: Putin falsely claimed on 16 December that the Ukrainian Constitution allows only for the extension of the Verkhovna Radas (Ukrainian parliament) powers but not the president's, even under martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, as ISW notes, Ukrainian legislation clearly regulates the electoral process during martial law, which has been in place since February 2022. Under such conditions, it is impossible to hold presidential, parliamentary or local elections. Accordingly, the decision to suspend the 2024 elections is legal and in line with the Constitution. The Kremlin is actively using the distortion of Ukrainian laws to delegitimise the Ukrainian government. Putin has resumed this narrative, which has not been heard since the summer of 2024, to emphasise the need for a change of government in Kyiv as a condition for any negotiations with Russia. According to the ISW, the Kremlin is not interested in honest negotiations and seeks maximum concessions from Ukraine, including the removal of the legitimate government. Quote from ISW: "Kremlin officials are using a gross misrepresentation of the Ukrainian Constitution and Ukrainian domestic law to further this claim, which is consistent with Russian decade-long efforts to rhetorically delegitimise Ukraine's government and sovereignty." To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 16 December: Russian leader Vladimir Putin's continued fixation on the Russian Oreshnik ballistic missile and Russia's non-nuclear deterrents suggests that the Kremlin may be searching for off-ramps from its ongoing nuclear sabre-rattling narrative. Putin once again reiterated the false Russian narrative that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is illegitimate firmly establishing that the removal of Ukraine's legitimate, democratic government is one of the Kremlin's prerequisites for a negotiated settlement to the war. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov also used the 16 December Russian MoD board meeting to restate Putin's previously outlined territorial objectives in Ukraine as another Kremlin prerequisite for a negotiated settlement to the war. Belousov also used his 16 December address to position himself as an effective and innovative managersharply contrasting his leadership of the MoD with that of former defence minister and current Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu. Putin ordered the MoD to establish the Unmanned Systems Forces as part of continued efforts to centralise control over Russian irregular drone units. Belousov's statements confirm that the Russian military is recruiting just enough personnel to replace its recent casualty rates, but intensified offensive operations have and will likely continue to strain the efficacy of Russia's cryptomobilisation efforts. Russia continues to negotiate with the interim Syrian government to maintain its military presence at the Khmeimim Airbase and Port of Tartus in Syria, but Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov's recent appeals to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) suggest that talks may have hit a snag. Russia continues to withdraw elements of its force grouping in Syria to the western coast amid limited reports that Moscow plans to fully withdraw within one month. Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, Kurakhove, Velyka Novosilka, and in Kursk Oblast. The Russian government appointed Defence Minister Andrei Belousov as the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Military Construction Company, likely as part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the Russian MoD. Support UP or become our patron! More than half of candidates who went through a training with Moms Demand Action won their races in the 2023-2024 election cycle and the gun safety group says that one of its big takeaways is that nonpartisan messaging is key to wins, especially down ballot. Among the 330 Moms Demand Action volunteers who successfully ran, nearly 230 were in local offices. Among those were two school board candidates in Florida: Liz Barker, who won a seat in Sarasota County over a candidate backed by conservative group Moms for Liberty, and Rebecca Thompson, who defeated an incumbent in Broward County who had been appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Such wins are especially critical to enacting real change, said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, the executive director of Moms Demand Action. These are the folks in the community that are closest to problems, she said. Some of our volunteers that ran for school board, theyve been part of the PTA, theyre working with other folks in the community, they see their children play together, theyre on the same teams. Its important because once they get in, they get right to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She points to the progress that school boards covering nearly 11 million students have made to provide their communities with information about safe storage something she said is especially critical given that guns are the number one killer of children in the United States. Mother of four and former school psychologist, Liz Barker, successfully ran for the School Board District 2 in Sarasota, Florida. (Courtesy Liz Barker) Barker, a former school psychologist, described herself to The 19th as your typical public educator turned PTO mom. The mother of four kids aged 5 to 13, she was never particularly politically inclined until she saw highly hyper political ideology coming into the community. The final deciding factor was the day when her oldest, in sixth grade at the time, said shed had to help her English teacher pack up the classroom library. It wasnt allowed in the class anymore. That was the moment that I said enough, Barker said. This sort of politicization of education is not in the best interest of students, and I cant stand by and just watch it happen. And so that was the day I decided to run. Already involved with her local Moms Demand Action chapter, she learned more about their Demand a Seat program and quickly enrolled in it. Sarasota County has almost twice as many Republicans as Democrats, and Barkers opponent was backed not only by Moms for Liberty, a leading force in the right-wing push to remove books that touch on sex, gender or race from classrooms, but also by many more establishment-sort of Republicans in the area, Barker said. Barker focused on talking about the most effective way to help students learn and grow and stressing that this concern was an inherently nonpartisan one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My messaging was putting community first, putting our children first, and saving space for those conversations and leaving politics at the door. For Barker that conversation included dialogue about the threat of gun violence in schools alongside other topics that had become highly politicized, like book bans. Talking about all things that prevent children from being able to go to school to learn helped destigmatize some of these issues, she found. Likewise, Thompson never expected to run for any kind of public office. She got involved in her local Moms Demand Action chapter because, as a school social worker, she often reflected on the danger of school shootings. Thompson said she had gotten into the practice of recording audio messages for her children at the beginning of each school year, just in case anything ever happened to her on school grounds. Its extremely morbid to think about, but unfortunately as a country, thats the risk we put on our teachers and social workers and staff and children, she said. Then when a chance came to challenge a DeSantis school board appointee, she realized she wanted to represent to other moms that they shouldnt be scared off by divisive partisanship. She ran on a platform of making sure that her district had not only the best students academically, but in terms of mental health including how support resources lead to better and safer school environments and how this can impact gun violence in schools. She made a point of not mentioning that her opponent was a DeSantis appointee when she campaigned, too. Rebecca Thompson won a seat on the Broward County District 2 School Board in Florida. (Courtesy Rebecca Thompson) The network Thompson made through Moms Demand Action proved essential to her campaign in other ways, as well she found an emotional support system of other women like her who were new to running for office through their Demand a Seat program. She also found a practical network of support among members of her local Moms Demand chapter, like-minded women who were willing and available to help watch her children while she campaigned, which is something you couldnt ask just anyone to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Barker and Thompson describe the Demand a Seat training as a critical part of their victories especially in how it emphasized that candidates can talk in a nonpartisan way about gun safety and use that to find common ground among ideologically diverse voters. If you talk to parents, were all concerned about the same thing: We want our kids to be safe, we want our kids to be healthy, and we want them to have access to high-quality instruction if we stay in that lane, its very easy to find common ground, Barker said. Its especially easy among voters who are parents, people who are absolutely terrified about what it means to send children to school in America today. Its very scary to be a parent right now. You have to put that fear aside in order to move through your daily life, but its still with you all the time. Every time you get a text from your kid, youre thinking, Oh is this it? Are they OK? Barker said she heard daily during her campaign from parents who expressed their concerns about student safety, asking what school boards could do to better protect their children from school shootings. Moving this conversation out of a partisan frame was not only strategic, but natural school board races in Florida are nonpartisan. Talking about safety in a way not defined by party lines helped voters connect on other issues, too, Barker said. Everyone knows Im a Democrat its certainly not a mystery but theres a level there of a voter giving themselves permission to vote across party lines when theres not sort of this idea of it being a partisan race, Barker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson also talked about the way Moms Demand Action primed her to make gun safety conversations nonpartisan and ones organically linked to the school community. She specifically mentioned conversations about safe storage of firearms as something that doesnt have to feel political. The goal at the end of this is to keep kids safe. So how can we work together to ensure thats possible? Moms Demand Action also holds rallies to bring attention to the impact of gun violence as the number one killer of children in the U.S. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Mondays shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, in which a student killed a student and teacher and injured six others before dying in an apparently suicide, was another reminder for many parents of the fear of a mass shooting. It was the 83rd school shooting of 2024, according to a count by CNN surpassing 2023 as the year with the most school shootings since the network began tracking in 2008. While not everyone agrees on exactly what should be done to stop such shootings, there is broad agreement on many measures, Ferrell-Zabala said. Polling shows that approximately six in 10 Americans back gun restrictions such as an increase in the minimum age to buy a gun. Local candidates successes are key to making change in the long run, Ferell-Zabala said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can get up to Congress and get up to president if we start from building from the ground in our very own neighborhoods, she said. These are all important places for people that are going to have a really good, solid sense about what it looks like to be sensible with guns and to protect community. We need those folks in place. Barker said that parents desires for their children arent partisan. Its very easy to become worried about what might happen with the Department of Education, but what impacts our day-to-day lives are these hyper-local issues, and any way that we can have small, positive impacts in our own communities, thats huge, Barker said. When we choose each other over politics, its huge. The post Putting our children first: How gun safety as a nonpartisan issue helped local candidates win appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu Tuesday, smashing buildings in the capital, Port Vila, including one housing the embassies of the U.S. and other nations. A witness told Agence France-Presse of bodies seen in the city. Dan McGarry, a journalist with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project based in Vanuatu, told the Reuters news agency in an interview that police said at least one person had been killed and injured people had been taken to hospital. "It was the most violent earthquake I've experienced in my 21 years living in Vanuatu and in the Pacific Islands. I've seen a lot of large earthquakes, never one like this," he said. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 35 miles, off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu's main island, at 12:47 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The ground floor of a building housing the U.S, French and other embassies had been crushed under higher floors, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone after posting images of the destruction on social media. "That no longer exists. It is just completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but they have dropped," Thompson said. "If there was anyone in there at the time, then they're gone." Thompson said the ground floor housed the U.S. embassy, but that couldn't be immediately confirmed. A photo showed significant damage to the building: This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. / Credit: STR / AFP via Getty Images The United States has closed the embassy until further notice, citing "considerable damage" to the mission, the U.S. embassy in Papua New Guinea said in a message on social media. "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake," the embassy said. The New Zealand High Commission, housed in the same building, suffered "significant damage," a statement from Foreign Minister Winston Peters' office said, adding that, "New Zealand is deeply concerned about the significant earthquake in Vanuatu, and the damage it has caused." Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said, "There's people in the buildings in town. There were bodies there when we walked past." A landslide on one road had covered a bus, he said, "so there's obviously some deaths there." The quake also collapsed at least two bridges, and most mobile networks were cut off, Thompson said. "They're just cracking on with a rescue operation. The support we need from overseas is medical evacuation and skilled rescue, (the) kind(s) of people that can operate in earthquakes," he said. Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. / Credit: STR / AFP via Getty Images Video footage posted by Thompson and verified by AFP showed uniformed rescuers and emergency vehicles working on a building where an external roof had collapsed onto a number of parked cars and trucks. The streets of the city were strewn with broken glass and other debris from damaged buildings, the footage showed. Nibhay Nand, a Sydney-based pharmacist with businesses across the South Pacific, said he had spoken to staff in Port Vila who said most of the store there had been "destroyed" and that other buildings nearby had "collapsed." "We are waiting for everyone to get online to know how devastating and traumatic this will be," Nand told AFP. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake, with waves of up to three feet forecast for some areas of Vanuatu, but it was soon lifted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Earthquakes are common in Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people that straddles the seismic Ring of Fire, an arc of intense tectonic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific Basin. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report. 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 The Rhode Island Life Science Hub Board of Directors approved the employment contract for its first permanent CEO, Dr. Mark Turco, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Hub logo) Rhode Islands Life Science Hubs first permanent president and CEO is set to begin work on Jan. 13, according to a contract approved Tuesday. The agencys 15-member volunteer board of directors gave its consent to the selection of Dr. Mark Turco, picked to be its leader on Dec. 12. Turco must still be confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate when it reconvenes in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Senate confirmation date has not yet been scheduled, though the Senate intends to take the vote up early in the session, Greg Pare, a Senate spokesperson, said via text. Were thrilled to have him in the queue to get approved, Neil Steinberg, chairman of the board, said during the meeting. Turco, brings 25 years of industry experience to the nascent life science agency, including in his most recent job heading two cardiovascular tech firms. As the hubs CEO, he will be charged with laying out the year-old agencys strategic plan and annual operating budget, while forging connections and partnerships with businesses and institutions to grow the states life science sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marks got a great Rolodex outside of Rhode Island, Steinberg said during the meeting. Well supply that Rolodex inside Rhode Island, and we think itll be very positive, productive and probably fast-paced. The three-year contract, obtained by Rhode Island Current, comes with a $400,000 annual salary, along with an annual bonus of up to 10% and a 3% annual cost-of-living adjustment. His salary will be paid for through the Hubs existing $45 million budget, allocated as part of the states fiscal 2024 spending plan that also created the agency. Since its first meeting in January, finding a permanent leader to steer the nascent agency and its volunteer board of directors has been a top priority. But the search took longer than expected, forcing the hub to select an interim president former board member Patrice Milos to fill the leadership void temporarily beginning in July. Her month-to-month contract is slated to end in January. Milos will return to her role as an appointed board member, pending confirmation by Gov. Dan McKee, in February, Steinberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turco was plucked from a field of more than 300 applicants, including two other finalists, through a national search conducted by consultant Korn Ferry. Starting in the new year, the Hub will have a new office in downtown Providence. The 12-month lease with CIC Providence at 225 Dyer St., offers proximity to industry experts and institutions, Steinberg said. The agency is expected to move offices again at the end 2025, once its wet lab incubator within the new state health lab opens. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dec. 16OREGON Sleet and freezing rain failed to deter volunteers from laying wreaths on the graves of veterans at Daysville Cemetery on Saturday as part of the nationwide Wreaths Across America. "Thank you all for coming today despite the cold and the rain, again," said Laurie Perry, regent of the Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who coordinated the event with help from Oregon VFW Post 8739. Saturday's rain mirrored the 2023 event with about 25 volunteers meeting at the cemetery along Daysville Road at 2:30 p.m., despite ice-covered roads and a steady, cold rain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perry spoke briefly about the Wreaths Across America program, noting that Saturday's event was part of a national effort to honor local veterans by placing wreaths at their graves. "The United States of America was founded on the ideals of freedom and justice. We stand as a beacon of liberty and freedom to the world," Perry said. "We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free and we shall never forget. Today more than ever we reflect on our nation's veterans and active duty service members who stand to protect the innocent and the oppressed. "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." The wreaths were provided through donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ceremonial wreaths were first placed in honor of all of the military services: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and the U.S Space Force, U.S. Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, POW/MIAs, and Unknown soldiers. Volunteers clad in rain coats and some with umbrellas then spread out across the cemetery to place wreaths at each grave, previously marked with American flags. Jim Devine of Dixon was one of the volunteers who braved the elements to place the wreaths. Devine served in the Navy. Other area veterans laying wreaths included Jim Potts, Don Stevens, and Dan Reimer of Oregon and Gary Burgess of Dixon. "My wife is a member of the DAR," said Burgess as he laid a wreath on a Civil War veteran's grave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Saturday's program, 207 veterans are buried at the Daysville Cemetery, located 5 miles southeast of Oregon on Daysville Road. The DAR's website states: "With each veteran's wreath placed by a volunteer, we ask that they 'say their name' to ensure that the legacy of duty, service and sacrifice is never forgotten." Wreaths Across America Day, held annually in December, also includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, in addition to other locations in all 50 states. All the wreaths are provided through donations. According to a the Wreaths Across America website: "In 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans' wreaths on headstones of our nation's service members at 3,702 participating locations. This was accomplished with the support of more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The wreath-laying that began more than 30 years ago is still held annually, on the second or third Saturday of December. WAA's annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine to Arlington National Cemetery has become known as 'the world's largest veterans' parade.' Every year the convoy of trucks, local law enforcement, staff and supporters stop at schools, monuments, veterans' homes and communities along the way to talk about the Wreaths Across America mission and remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach." Perry said two new locations Woodlawn Cemetry in Creston and Palmyra Cemetery in Dixon will be added soon. For information or to donate for the Dec. 13, 2025, event, visit Rochelle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution or contact Perry at laurieannperry@hotmail.com. A very special Shelby Mustang is going up for grabs in the new yearone driven by the man the muscle car is named for. A head-turning 1969 Shelby GT500 fastback that was owned by Carroll Shelby himself will go up for bid during Mecum Auctionss upcoming Kissimmee sale. It is one of the few precious examples of to leave the factory finished in Grabber Yellow, and it has the kind of provenance you wont get from many muscle cars of the era. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre familiar with the legend of Carroll Shelby, you know there were few things he liked more than taking a performance vehicle and pushing it even further. The Ford Mustang was no different, with Shelby selling a high-performance variant called the GT350 almost from the start in 1965. This version of the muscle car survived a mid-generation refresh and was built until 1970, with Ford handling the last two years of production. Shelby appears to have been a fan of the vehicle and bought this particular 1969 example brand new from Russ Davis Ford in Covina, California. Shelbys GT500 is likely to be one of the coolest-looking cars to hit the auction block in the early part of 2025. The muscular fastback is finished in a striking coat of Grabber Yellowa color believed to have graced just 18 examples of the modelwith black stripes running along both sides. The final Shelby Mustangs had a revised front fascia, with a hood that juts out further than that found on the regular Ford version, a hoop grille, and the tuners cobra logo. Other sporty details include five NACA-style scoops and a set of five-spoke wheels wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas tires. The cars exterior may be bold and brash, but its interior is a bit more understated. The cabins Clarion front seat and back bench are covered in black leather. This is offset by liberal use of wood on the steering wheel, dashboard, and door panels. A roll bar and inertia-reel harnesses help signal the vehicles high-performance character. The GT500 is powered by a massive 7.0-liter Cobra Jet V-8. The brawny mill is connected to a five-speed manual that routes power to the rear wheels and produce 335 hp and 440 ft lbs of torque. The car has less than 5,000 miles on the odometer and looks to have been exceedingly well-maintained over the years, no huge surprise considering who its owner was. The history of the car is also listed in the Shelby Registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking to buy a piece of muscle car history? Shelbys old GT500 will go up for a bid on Saturday, January 11, as part of Mecums annual Kissimmee auctions. The car is being sold without reserve, but regardless it wouldnt be a huge to see it sell for more than the $95,700 another Shelby-owned GT500 sold for in 2023. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel is sharing her seriously out-there theory that the mysterious drones hovering over New Jersey and New York may very well mean something dangerous. Youre gonna think Im nuts, but why should today be any different than any other day? she begins the video, I know this guy whose father worked with the Pentagon and NASA and like secret projects, and he has been messaging me that he will never forgive himself if he doesnt tell the people that he knows that these drones are ours and that they could very possibly be sniffing out something very dangerous. The FBI received over 3,000 tips about nightly drone sightings in the past few months, in a strange phenomena thats sparked widespread social media interest, as users share their own clips of what theyre seeing in the skies. And though many of the widely shared videos are just typical aircraft activity, authorities have confirmed that there have been significant actual drone sightings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the media frenzy over where the drones are from and what theyre looking for, if anything, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced Sunday that the drone activity may be an increase due to a new rule by the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing drones to be flown at night. A White House adviser supported that theory on Monday, telling CNN, there are millions of drones that fly over the skies of the United States routinelythousands and thousands that have registered with the FAA. And a lot of them do really good work for public safety and for the public good. Those explanations havent quelled internet speculation, which Frankel added to on Monday. Frankel also says in the clip that her friend has been watching this situation and now several days ago before it became a discussion in the mainstream media, and believes that the drones are the U.S. governments way of searching for something he called missing [and] dangerous. Frankel adds the chilling detail that areas that coincide with where the drones have been seen have spiked in radiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Real Housewives star turned influencer admits that her theory might sound crazy, but cautions her followers that we blow things off and we think nothings going to happen, but things do happen. She adds that her in-the-know friend was concerned enough he might wanna go somewhere with my daughter for safety. President-elect Donald Trump has done little to put the public at ease and fueled conspiracy rumors himself when he said Monday at a Florida press conference, For some reason, [the government] wants to keep people in suspense, and added I cant imagine its the enemy because if it was the enemy theyd blast it out. Frankel concludes the video by with her thought that the government has two choices when it comes to explaining the drones: A, tell us that thats what theyre doing and [cause] widespread panic and pandemonium. Or B, do what theyre doing. But something is wrong because otherwise they would eliminate them and everyones being very cagey. PELHAM, Mass. (WWLP) The Pelham Police Department is warning residents to be on alert for unsolicited packages showing up on doorsteps nationwide as part of a brushing scheme. It may seem like a gift when you receive a boxload of merchandise from Amazon or other companies you did not order. However, con artists are sending these packages with scannable QR codes inside to access personal and financial information obtained from your cell phones. Is that a drone or a plane? How to spot the differences Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pelham Police says if you receive an unsolicited package in the mail, avoid scanning the QR code for any reason. Once the code is scanned, con artists will have access to all the information on that phone. If you were sent a package you did not order, the Better Business Bureau recommends the following actions to take: Notify the retailer . Brushing and fake reviews are against Amazons policies, so contact Amazon Customer Service if this happens to you and the product appears to come from Amazon. They will investigate and take action against the bad actor. Amazon also takes security seriously and encourages customers to report fraudulent purchases or other security issues. If the package appears to come through another established business, go directly to their website to get their contact information. If you prefer to contact the business by phone, be cautious about searching for support phone numbers. Attempt to identify the sender. If you can identify the sender of unordered packages, consider checking for potential false reviews in your name and ask for the reviews to be removed. Check your account for recent orders. Some targets of brushing scams can be flooded with unordered packages, creating a serious problem. If this happens, consider whether to refuse package delivery at your home address and temporarily direct items that you did order to a package acceptance service. Change your account passwords . This may be a sign that personal information has been compromised, and to improve account security, keep a close eye on credit reports and credit card bills. You are allowed to keep the merchandise. The Federal Trade Commission says you have a legal right to keep unordered merchandise. Protect your identity. BBB advises to take all necessary precautions to prevent identity theft. Be careful when entering personal information online, and ensure you use a secure site. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. TAMPA A few weeks before 14-year-old Jevario Buie was shot to death beside a set of North Tampa railroad tracks, Jahmir Moore and several other teens chatted on Instagram about a different shooting. They were incensed that one of their friends had been targeted. They talked about identifying the shooter and shared screenshots of an Instagram profile belonging to someone they believed was the gunman. Moore wrote that he was going to set em up, according to court records released this week. He said the young man was dumb asf and suggested they should rob him. This, police and prosecutors say, was the genesis of what resulted in Jevarios murder on April 17, a cold-blooded slaying that unnerved the Tampa community and thrust Tampa police into a monthslong, intensive investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of what led authorities to charge Moore in Jevarios murder were made public this week for the first time as a prosecutors upgraded the case against him to adult charges. Moore, 15, stood in a jury box Tuesday morning in a Tampa courtroom, nine days after his escape from a Tampa juvenile detention facility that spurred a daylong manhunt. Shackled at his wrists, he wore red over a yellow vest, denoting his status as a minor in adult jail. He stood, but said nothing during the brief hearing. Assistant State Attorney Chinwe Fossett filed a written request Monday for Moore to remain jailed as he awaits trial. An attorney for Moore said in the hearing that he would not contest the request. Hillsborough Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy ordered Moore to remain jailed without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fossetts written request details a Tampa police investigation that relied heavily on surveillance videos, social media and cellphone records. The precise motive for the teens slaying remains unclear. However, the prosecutors account of the case indicates that Jevario was friends with the unnamed witness whom Moore and others accused of being involved in the prior shooting. The call came in a little after 3:30 p.m. April 17. Someone said they heard three gunshots and saw a man running west along the train tracks that parallel Busch Boulevard. They found Jevario lying dead on rocks beside the tracks. Hed been shot multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His cellphone, with unread Instagram messages illuminating its screen, lay near his body. Detectives would pull his phone records. They became interested in a series of Instagram exchanges hed had with someone who used the handle jahhgeezyyy. Investigators would identify the handle as belonging to Moore. He started following Jevario, who used the name _jdot2xx, two days before the shooting. In one April 16 chat thread, Moore asked Jevario if he was going to meet up with him, according to court records. In another exchange the next day, Moore wrote to Jevario meet me halfway. A third person using the name Luh 3 also communicated with Moore about meeting up. The third person, identified as a witness, is not named in court records. Shortly before 2:30 p.m. the day of the shooting, Moore sent Jevario a picture of a Citgo gas station at 1815 W. Waters Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police obtained surveillance videos from that area. They pinpointed footage that showed Jevario meeting and walking with the witness and Moore. Video recorded a few minutes before the report of gunshots showed Moore and Jevario walking north along Rome Avenue toward a dead end. The witness was no longer with them. Three minutes later, video showed Moore walking west and south through the yard of a home on Jones Avenue, away from the area of the shooting. When detectives looked at Moores social media records, they noticed a message sent about 20 minutes after the shooting, in which he told a friend he would be using a different Instagram account for a while, according to the court record. Less than an hour later, he chatted with someone, quoting a rap song by Lil Durk. He still be alive today if dey bitch ass ain gas em up, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police interviewed the witness about two months after Jevarios death. The reason for the delay is unclear. On the day of the murder, he said, he smoked marijuana with Jevario and Moore in an abandoned apartment, according to the court record. They later walked around the neighborhood listening as music played on Jevarios cellphone. The witness said he tried to get Jevario to come back to his house with him, but Jevario kept walking away with Moore. In September, Moore turned himself in on unrelated charges stemming from a car theft case. It was then that detectives were able to obtain and analyze his cellphone records. Among the items they found in the phone were song lyrics, stored as notes, which referenced Jevarios murder, and included details police said were not known to the public, the court record states. The notes made repeated references to Vario, which was Jevarios nickname. They mentioned the specific place he was killed and details about his injuries. He also referenced the killing in Instagram messages, telling one user that he heard Jevario was shot in the face, according to police. It was a detail police said had also not been released publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before his arrest in the car theft case, Moore messaged with someone named Chapo, the record states. They talked about a gun. Jit I got da capital murder weapon, Moore wrote. Chapo replied that they needed to chop it up, the record states. Elsewhere in Moores cellphone records, police noted a Google search for the line: How many years would u do for homicide. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The American Red Cross is hosting a pair of holiday blood drives, trying to boost blood supply during a time it typically runs short. Donors can give Friday, Dec. 20 at Packard Music Hall and Monday, Dec. 23 at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown. Busy holiday schedules, seasonal illness and winter weather can often disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter, making blood donation especially important this time of year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People dont often think that if there is some type of massive emergency where a large amount of blood is needed, that would be used up very quickly by local hospitals, said Christy Peters, American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager. So its always our intent to ensure blood is on the shelves and were ready to go in an emergency so if there is a situation like that, were prepared. Both blood drives are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All donors will receive a Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt and have a chance to win a variety of prizes. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rebellious Labour MPs have once again urged ministers to backtrack on its decision to strip winter fuel payments from millions of pensioners. Pensions minister Emma Reynolds on Monday ruled out reversing the punitive policy despite interventions from her own party in the House of Commons. Backbenchers Rachael Maskell and Neil Duncan-Jordan openly lambasted the Governments decision to means-test the universal payments, worth up to 300 per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, said: The poorest pensioners in our society are those who are eligible for the pension credit but dont claim it, or are just a few pounds above the threshold and miss out on passported support. Means testing by its very nature is simply not the best way to get help to those who need it most, so will the minister reconsider the recent decision to means-test the winter fuel allowance? Ms Reynolds replied: We wont reconsider that decision because in a very tight fiscal environment when we inherited a 22bn black hole from the party opposite, we had to take some very tough decisions. Ms Maskell told the minister that people in her York Central constituency were going to really struggle this winter because of the cut. She asked: What additional steps will be taken to ensure that those who miss out on the 21 December [pension credit] deadline will still be able to get support to keep warm this winter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Maskell has also been a vocal critic of several of Labours controversial policies including the decision to implement a 20pc VAT on private school fees from January. Ms Reynolds said that 500 extra staff had been tasked with ensuring pension credit is given to those who need it. Claims for pension credit had more than doubled since the policy was announced, she added. However, over half of pension credit claims processed in the past nine months have been rejected, according to data from a Freedom of Information request. Some 92,000 claims were rejected between April and December 2024 while 91,000 were awarded the benefit. Eligible pensioners have until Saturday to claim it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pension credit is a means-tested benefit for those above state pension age with a low income. It tops up your income to help with everyday living costs, providing an average income boost of around 3,900 per year. Up to 880,000 eligible households do not claim pension credit, according to government figures. Around 10 million pensioners have lost out on winter fuel payments this year because of the decision to means-test the benefit. The move is expected to save the Treasury 1.4bn. It has been a divisive policy for the party, with 52 Labour MPs refusing to vote on it back in September. Labour has admitted that abolishing universal winter fuel payments will push as many as 100,000 pensioners into poverty by 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour Party analysis from 2017 found 4,000 pensioners would die if the support was removed. 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. South Dakota regulators approved a 7% increase in NorthWestern Energy's natural gas rates. (Photo by Getty Images) State regulators approved a settlement Tuesday in Pierre reducing NorthWestern Energys proposed $8.38 monthly increase on the average residential natural gas customers bill to $6.44. The 7% rate increase began as a request for a 9% increase. NorthWestern serves 49,800 natural gas customers in South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Public Utilities Commissions unanimous approval of the settlement will increase the companys natural gas revenues by $4.6 million annually, down from the originally proposed $6 million. NorthWestern Energy had not adjusted natural gas rates in South Dakota since 2011. In its application, the company cited rising operational costs and 13 years of infrastructure investments as justification for the rate hike. The average residential customer can expect an increase of approximately $77 annually. The settlement also includes a rate moratorium that prevents NorthWestern from seeking another natural gas rate increase until 2028, unless an extraordinary event occurs. Earlier this year, NorthWestern Energy was approved for an 11% electricity rate increase, though it was also reduced from an initial request. That decision added $13.67 per month to the average electric customers bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JOPLIN, Mo. For the last five years, weve had the privilege of honoring a number of local women who go above and beyond to make a difference in their respective communities and beyond. So what has winning our annual Remarkable Women contest meant to them? Everybody was so supportive, said Nancy Hampton, St. Pauls UMC Director of Missions and Outreach. Hampton is fresh off being named our 2024 local Remarkable Women contest winner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im so grateful for the opportunity and blessed to be able to be a part of this. The director of missions and outreach at St. Pauls United Methodist Church in Joplin was chosen for the honor back in March for the many missions she helps organize for the congregation. From mission trips to Nicaragua, to the Affordable Christmas program, to helping Afghan refugees shes always working on something to reach more people. At St. Pauls, our congregation is getting ready for our Christmas Eve offering. And our Christmas Eve offering is going to two locations. One is Ascent Recovery Residences, and the other is Rainbow Network through Nicaragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the 2024 winner, she received one thousand dollars to the charity of her choice. She chose St. Pauls Benevolence Fund and the Affordable Christmas Fund. She also got a trip to Los Angeles to meet other Remarkable Women from across the nation. Never been to LA before, but they met me at the airport, whisked us away to the hotel. Nancy says the trip was an inspiring experience. We got to meet the network of all the other women from all over. And, I met the ladies from Missouri and the ladies from New York and just everywhere we got to meet people, said Hampton. which helped further motivate her into finding even more ways to impact our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, every time I think about whats going on and what we can do, I think about, Well, who did this? And How did they do this? We now have this network of women that we are Facebook friends with, said Hampton. A fitting opportunity for the self-described empath who just wants to make people happy. No matter what I do, wherever I am, I am going to be working towards helping people. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Black Voters and the Fight for Democracy is a multipart series that explores the stakes of the 2024 election for our communities. This project was produced as part of the Advancing Democracy Fellowship. Bold. Assertive. Unafraid of questioning people or circumstances. Thats how 82-year-old Rosita Stevens-Holsey describes her Aunt Pauli. Even if she was talking with a supervisor, a general, or the president of the United States, she always made known what she was thinking what she felt was not right and needed to be changed, Stevens-Holsey told Capital B. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Aunt Pauli was Pauli Murray, a legendary civil rights activist and legal theorist whose contributions to the struggle for Black liberation have long been overlooked, according to scholars. While a law student at Howard University, Murray helped to establish the Congress of Racial Equality, participated in sit-ins, and coined the term Jane Crow to describe the discrimination beleaguering Black women. During a seminar, Murray articulated the novel argument against separate but equal that would inspire Thurgood Marshalls team in Brown v. Board of Education, the landmark case that ended racial segregation in public schools. Among civil rights activist Pauli Murrays achievements was their role in helping to establish the Congress of Racial Equality and articulating the argument against separate but equal that inspired Thurgood Marshalls team in Brown v. Board of Education. (Getty Images) Today, the under-sung life and work of Murray, who died in 1985 at the age of 74, are getting some much-deserved recognition through the recently opened Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in Durham, North Carolina. The center has transformed Murrays childhood home, built in 1898, into a sort of museum that champions civil rights by hosting events and exhibits in history, education, the arts, and more. Its the kind of institution that feels especially vital now, as the country braces for an administration thats anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion and that has pledged to punish any person who challenges it. At least five of President-elect Donald Trumps picks for positions in his Cabinet and administration are contributors to Project 2025, the conservative manifesto that would radically scale back some of the countrys most significant civil rights gains of the past half a century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need people to stand shoulder to shoulder and protect our democracy to save the values we cherish, said Stevens-Holsey, a seasoned community organizer. The center is just one of the many institutions that are working to celebrate Black history at a ferociously uncertain political moment. The past as a tool to advance social justice Located at 906 Carroll St. in Durhams historically Black, working-class West End neighborhood, the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice was a longtime coming. In the early 2010s, locals joined together to advocate for investment in basic services, including affordable housing, infrastructure, and education. They pushed for another sort of investment, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbors knew that a remarkable figure had once lived in a home built more than a century ago that was slated for demolition. You heard me right: Murrays home was slated for demolition in 2010, Angela Thorpe Mason, the centers executive director, told Capital B. And so those neighbors formed a coalition and pushed for Murrays home to be preserved as part of that investment effort. The center was officially established as a nonprofit in 2012, and it was designated a national landmark in 2016 by the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior (notably, only 2% of the 95,000-some entries in the National Register of Historic Places elevate the lives and legacies of Black Americans). But the rehabilitation process was completed only this year; the grand opening was on Sept. 7. Community members tour the newly restored childhood home of Pauli Murray. The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice is housed in Murrays childhood home in Durham, North Carolina. (Courtesy of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice) Its been the fortune of a lifetime to make good on whats been a decade-long promise to preserve Murrays childhood home so that we can use it as a space to leverage history as a tool to move contemporary social justice work forward, Mason said. The center partners with the North Carolina Bar Foundation to help transgender Americans sort through the legal issues related to name changes and gender identification on official documents. These efforts are a particularly poignant way to honor Murray, who was queer and today might be considered nonbinary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another marriage of history and activism, the center also offers resources and trainings for students and educators interested in bringing social justice frameworks to their classrooms. These days, the centers very existence is a political act. Republican lawmakers are endorsing legislation to strip nonprofits they oppose of their tax-exempt statuses. Analysts fear that the bill would be used to attack institutions that draw attention to Black experiences. Additionally, Trump is attempting to staff his administration with people who peddle the myth of reverse racism and seek to banish Black history from our schools. When we tell people about the effort to take Toni Morrison out of the curriculum or ban Jimmy Baldwin, its conveying to people something important, Kimberle Crenshaw, the co-founder and executive director of the African American Policy Forum, told Capital B. These are figures who transformed our lives and addressed our condition. When [conservative actors] are trying to take this history away, it means that we have to fight for it all the more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mason shared those sentiments. She explained that the current moment echoes some of the social and political struggles that Murray faced. We uplift Murrays life and activism as a reminder that you, too, can do what Murray did, she said. We can provide a physical space for people who are doing movement-building work to organize and strategize in safety. Other bastions of Black history Legacy Sites: Through three spaces the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, the Legacy Museum, and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park the Equal Justice Initiatives Legacy Sites lean into the power of place, challenging visitors to confront history where it actually happened. The sites are in and around Montgomery, Alabama, a region known for its duality. It once contained a large population of enslaved Black Americans; it later became the cradle of the Black liberation struggle, an area where movement leaders strategized on how they might topple Jim Crow. Together, the three sites offer first-person historical narratives, art, interactive exhibits, and more to document the long and ongoing history of anti-Black violence. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, uses the regions history of enslavement and civil rights to chart the struggle for Black equality. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) National Civil Rights Museum: Like the Legacy Sites, the National Civil Rights Museum takes advantage of its terrain. The museum, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is anchored by the former Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 and tells a rich story of Black struggle and achievement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The history that the museum explores is vast, and includes the global impact of Black Americans battle for equality. But its permanent exhibits focus largely on the Civil Rights Movement the Montgomery Bus Boycott, student sit-ins, freedom rides, Black Power and injects new life into this history through an array of oral histories, artifacts, and films. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site: Call it a hidden gem in our nations capital. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, operated by the National Park Service and perched atop a 50-foot hill in the majority-Black neighborhood of Anacostia, preserves the home of the great abolitionist and orator who was born into slavery in 1818 and honors his legacy. Visitors can tour the grounds of Douglass historic home, which he named Cedar Hill, watch a film on the social reformers life, and explore exhibits that feature his speeches and writings. For students ages 6 to 18, theres something extra special: an annual oratorical contest hosted at the site where youth can enjoy the power of language by performing a section of one of Douglass famous speeches. Institutions like the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice help to bind communities together by promoting and protecting their values, their traditions, and their histories, Stevens-Holsey said. Its just so crucial for communities to learn about one another to remember and celebrate their identities and aspirations. The post The Renewed Urgency of Preserving Black History appeared first on Capital B News. A renowned Chinese kidney transplant surgeon was sentenced to federal prison on Monday for his role in a steroid-money laundering scheme, the U.S. Attorney said. Zhendi Wang, 44, of Wuhan, the Peoples Republic of China, was sentenced by District Court Judge Allison Burroughs to 20 months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said in a statement. Wang, a surgeon at Wuhan Union Hospital, pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three others connected to a related money laundering conspiracy remain at large, Levy said. Wang opened bank accounts in Massachusetts. Between 2020 and 2023, Wang received $1.2 million in his bank accounts from a family member, and that money came from sales from the family members online steroids business, prosecutors said. Wang then repaid equivalent amounts to his family member in Chinese currency, prosecutors said. Wang did not have the appropriate license to operate a money transmitting business. 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 Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, spoke to reporters after the House District 54A election contest trial concluded on Dec. 17, 2024. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer. Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee, could be one step closer to definitively winning his reelection bid after a Shakopee trial concluded Tuesday, and six of the 20 voters whose ballots were lost testified that they voted to reelect the Shakopee representative. At issue are the 20 missing absentee ballots cast by Shakopee residents in mid-October in the House District 54A race between Tabke and his Republican challenger Aaron Paul. An election official likely threw away the 20 absentee ballots, which went missing around Oct. 17. Paul contested the election results after Tabke won the race by 14 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At stake: Control of the Minnesota House, which will be deadlocked at 67-67 should Tabke prevail. David Zoll, Tabkes attorney, called to the stand six Shakopee voters who were among the 20 people whose ballots werent counted. All six said Tuesday they voted for Tabke. Even if Pauls attorney, Reid LeBeau, could prove that the remaining voters cast their ballots for Paul, it wouldnt be enough to beat Tabkes lead. We had six folks testify under oath that they voted, in fact, for me, which makes it impossible for the result of this election to change, Tabke told reporters after the trial ended Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for Tabke and Paul will make additional legal filings next week, but Judge Tracy Perzel is unlikely to issue her ruling before the New Year. Perzel will have wide discretion in her ruling. Pauls lawyer LeBeau is seeking a special election, arguing that she has the authority to call one although thats a power typically reserved for the governor because the integrity of the race was lost after the ballots went missing. Perzel could rule that Tabke received enough votes to keep his election certificate, or she could simply make a report of what happened during the trial and leave it up to the Legislature, which is given wide latitude in the seating of its members. After voters testified, University of Minnesota statistician Aaron Rendahl testified that the probability of Paul winning was miniscule given the electoral makeup of the precinct from which the ballots went missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeBeau on cross examination poked holes in Rendahls analysis, noting that Rendahl had no expertise in elections, and that voter behavior is often different on Election Day compared to early voting. All 20 ballots in question were cast during the early voting period. LeBeau called his own witness, University of Texas at Dallas political science professor Tom Brunell, who said Rendahls statistical finding should be given less weight because he made a variety of assumptions that may not be true. Brunell is the author of a 2008 book titled Redistricting and Representation: Why Competitive Elections Are Bad for America. Brunell agreed, however, that if four or more of the 20 voters who cast lost ballots voted for Tabke, Paul could not win the election. Legislative leaders are currently working on a power-sharing agreement in the event of the deadlocked House, but it appears stalled while the court case contesting the 54A race proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An election lawsuit in House District 40B is also underway; the residency of winner Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson is being challenged. Though a safe DFL district, Republicans could temporarily control the House if a judge throws out Johnsons victory and orders a special election. Paul did not appear in court during the trial; Tabke was present for both days. CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) State Representative Frank Burns has called on the Pennsylvania Department of State to independently investigate the systematic failures with voting in Cambria County. On Nov. 5, Cambria County experienced long lines and mass confusion, a judge extending voting by two hours, printed ballots that could not be scanned and a mad dash by sheriffs deputies to Allegheny County to gather and distribute freshly printed ballots, Burns said in a release. VOTING COVERAGE: Cambria County granted 10 p.m. extension at polls after issues plague vote machines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was followed by the post-election swearing-in of a group of volunteers who then duplicated the ballots by hand so they could be counted, a process that took several days to provide final results. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Burns made a written request to Al Schmidt, secretary of the Commonwealth, who oversees the department responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Pennsylvania. In the letter, Burns urged Schmidt to both conduct a public hearing and use the full investigative powers of the office to determine what went wrong. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dec. 16An outside investigation found that sexual harassment allegations against Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren do not "constitute a violation of criminal law" or a violation of tribal policies, the tribe's attorney general announced Monday. The recommendation follows a monthslong investigation by an Albuquerque law firm into allegations against Nygren made in April by Navajo Nation Vice President Richelle Montoya. The nation has been rocked by political upheaval since Montoya took to social media to publicly discuss allegations of intimidation and sexual harassment within the administration. Nygren publicly demanded Montoya's resignation in October while Nygren's opponents organized an effort to recall the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch issued a statement Monday quoting sections of the report by Eric Dahlstrom with the Albuquerque law firm Rothstein Donatelli. "Vice President Montoya's recounting of the Aug. 17, 2023, incident does not constitute sexual harassment" under the tribe's employee policies, the report found. "Further, the facts reported would not constitute a violation of any criminal law of the Navajo Nation," it said. The report concluded that "further investigation of Montoya's sexual harassment claims and appointment of a Special Prosecutor are not warranted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Branch said she would follow the report's findings. "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," Branch wrote. "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," she wrote. Efforts by the Journal to reach Montoya on Monday were not successful. Nygren quickly issued a statement on his Facebook page announcing that he had been "cleared of Vice President Richelle Montoya's sexual harassment claim" and again called for Montoya to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now that I have been cleared, we need to move forward as a Nation and a people," Nygren said Monday. "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." Montoya, an avid supporter of Nygren during his 2022 campaign, is the first woman to serve as vice president of the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Less than two hours after the announcement, Branch emailed a second statement saying that she had terminated the Navajo Nation's contracts with Rothstein Donatelli, citing the "inordinate delay in receiving the results of the preliminary investigation." In her initial announcement, Branch appeared to defend the investigation, noting that it included interviews with multiple Navajo Nation employees. Investigators also set up a phone tip-line to accept allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am satisfied that no rock was left unturned in the search for evidence of any potential wrongdoing," Branch said. However, she expressed frustration at the length of time the investigation required. Branch said the investigative report would be released publicly after Navajo Nation leaders were briefed on it. A Republican state senator posted an image of a prop spaceship from the Star Wars film franchise, seeming to suggest that it was an actual recovered drone. Both intrigue and concern have flared in the past week over a high number of reports of mysterious drones flying over Americas Eastern Seaboard. The National Security Council said Tuesday that the drones are not a threatthat they are being legally flown by businesses, hobbyists, and law enforcement. Doug Mastriano, a representative in Pennsylvanias Senate, made an X post on Monday night, before an official explanation for the drones came down, in which he criticized the governments response to the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones, he wrote. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire pic.twitter.com/qWqyH3dnkI Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) December 16, 2024 His post included an image that showed a strange-looking aircraft fastened to the bed of an 18-wheel trailer. A caption on the photo read, Breaking News: Crashed drone in Orange Beach retrieved from water, and taken to undisclosed location for further investigation. The object in the photo, however, wasnt a drone at allsharp-eyed commenters quickly realized it was actually one of the Star Wars universes iconic TIE fighters, fictional spaceships used by the Empire in its battle against the Rebel Alliance. Mastriano was the GOP nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2022, losing a landslide. / Mark Makela / Getty Images Commenters under the post wasted no time in mocking Mastriano for the apparent mix-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not the drone you are looking for! wrote user @ArtemisBSG, referencing a famous quote from Star Wars: A New Hope. User @seanhalfcourt expressed their shock more bluntly, writing: Im sorry, youre an elected state senator???? Even though the original post seemed to include no indication that the image was a joke, Mastriano on Tuesday posted a brief statement claiming that he knew it was fake. I posted a statement about the drones and used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme, the 60-year-old wrote. The Philadelphia Inquirer just called asking if I knew it was a prop. Hilarious. Modern day journalism. Mastriano, a far-right Donald Trump backer, was the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2022, losing in a landslide to Josh Shapiro. He vocally denied the 2020 presidential election results and also holds ties to QAnon conspiracy theorists, Politico reported. SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, La. (KTAL/KMSS) After a nearly two-year investigation, authorities arrested a retired Deputy Chief from the Bossier City Police Department. 57-year-old Richard McGee of Shreveport is accused of sex crimes against a juvenile. Louisiana State Police (LSP) said they began investigating McGee in January of 2023, after allegations of malfeasance in office. Trooper Eddie Thomas said investigators discovered McGee committed sex crimes against at least one juvenile victim from 1994 to 1999. Criminal charges could be motive for disappearance of Harrison County family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former high-ranking officer was arrested around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 16th. He was booked into Caddo Correctional Center, charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Bond was set at $150,000. LSP encourages the public to report suspicious or criminal activity through the online reporting system. The anonymous and secure reporting form is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be accessed at lsp.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 KTALnews.com. Two shoplifting suspects were captured on video taking merchandise from a Dicks Sporting Goods store in West Covina recently. Surveillance footage was uploaded to the West Covina Police Departments Facebook page on Saturday. The video showed what appears to be two women standing next to a display table and then running out of the store with their arms full of merchandise. Surveillance video shows a pair of shoplifting suspects at a Dicks Sporting Goods in West Covina. (West Covina Police Department) Surveillance video shows a pair of shoplifting suspects at a Dicks Sporting Goods in West Covina. (West Covina Police Department) Surveillance video shows a pair of shoplifting suspects at a Dicks Sporting Goods in West Covina. (West Covina Police Department) Detectives managed to identify one of the suspects who was later taken into custody by West Covina police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video showed the suspect getting handcuffed by officers and then sitting in the back of a patrol vehicle. As the holidays approach, lets work together to keep West Covina a great place to live, shop and thrive! the post stated. The status of the second suspect was unclear but police did attach this message to the post. You can run, but you cant hide. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. When Dr. Margaret Hudson-Collins was about 5 or 6 years old in Tallahassee, Florida, her father took her and her sister to see Santa Claus at the historically Black college where he worked. To their surprise, this Santa did not look like the ones in holiday movies or books instead, he was a thin African American man. "This was just totally out of the realm for us. We just couldn't handle it," she said. "We kind of ran away." This became a family story they often laughed about. But growing up in the South during the Civil Rights era, she never saw an African American Santa or decorations, she told the Free Press. Later, she realized she had come to believe Santa Claus could only be white. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, when Hudson-Collins mother gifted her a slender hand-knitted Black Santa Claus in her late 20s, she became inspired. It was the beginning of her extensive collection of more than 200 rare and commercial African American Christmas memorabilia including various Santas, Mrs. Clauses, angels, nutcrackers, nativity scenes, ornaments, snow globes, mugs, stockings and more. Formerly a chief medical officer at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network, Hudson-Collins is now retired and living in Grosse Pointe Park. Every year for the holidays, she decorates her home with most of the items she has collected for more than 30 years. "I try to get decorations that really reflect African American characteristics as opposed to an African American Santa Claus that is actually Caucasian and painted brown," she said. "So the ones that have African American features, clearly African American, those are the ones that I really focus in on." Margaret Hudson-Collins, of Grosse Pointe Park, has her home decorated with unique collectible and commercial African-American Christmas memorabilia that she has collected for over 30 years from places like Hudson's at Northland. Photographed on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. She has several rare pieces from well-known African American artists and brands, including Thomas Blackshears Ebony Visions line, Daddy Long Legs and Sarahs Attic. Some of the items were purchased from antique shows, online or from stores like Hudsons at Northland Center before the mall closed in 2015. Throughout the years, her collection has been featured at local businesses, churches and in coverage by news outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's just been kind of a hobby and a journey to collect them," Hudson-Collins said. "Now that it's more popularized, you can see more African American Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clauses and that kind of thing. But over the years, it had not necessarily been that way." The retired doctor still treasures the knitted Black Santa Claus her mother gave her more than three decades ago, proudly displaying it in her living room each holiday season. Altogether, she now has six slender African American Santa Clauses in her collection, each a fond reminder of the first thin Black Santa she saw as a child. Hudson-Collins has never sold anything from her collection and does not plan to, she said. Instead, she intends to pass the memorabilia down to her children and grandchildren. "I think my collection has made a big impression on my children. They did not have the experience of fear that I did because they grew up with it," Hudson-Collins said. "I'm glad to see African American Santa Claus pretty commercialized now. I'm glad to see that there's an acknowledgment that this character can be of different races." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: nrahal@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Retired Detroit doctor flaunts unique African American Christmas decor A retired police lieutenant was arrested during an undercover operation near Cincinnati. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers arrested 58-year-old Keith Schoonover for soliciting prostitution, our news partners at WCPO reported. Blue Ash police said they were conducting an undercover operation at around 3 p.m. on December 4 at the Holiday Inn Express on Creek Road; Schoonover was arrested as a result of the investigation, police said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue Ash Police Chief Scott Noel said the undercover operation wasnt specifically aimed at apprehending Schoonover; they didnt realize who he was until he was arrested, Noel said. Video from Blue Ash polices interrogation of Schoonover obtained by WCPO on Friday showed Schoonovers reaction to the situation. I hate that I put you in this spot, Schoonover told officers. It was a terrible situation. And like I said, Ive been a cop for 36 years. The Sharonville Police Department said Schoonover was a former employee of the City of Sharonville, who retired in good standing in October. According to a social media post announcing Schoonovers retirement, he worked at the department for 31 years. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning on Monday afternoon for the return of fire weather in Southern California. The warning goes into effect from 3 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Wednesday for another Santa Ana wind event in much of Ventura and western Los Angeles counties, according to NWS. NWS forecasted the winds to peak on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, with northeast gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph, strongest in the mountains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These winds will bring dry air with minimum relative humidities in the 10-20% range leading to the potential for critical fire weather conditions, wrote the NWS in an online message. Winds will be focused on Santa Ana and Santa Lucia wind prone areas. A similar warning was issued nearly a week ago for a dangerous stretch of fire weather in the same areas, during which the Franklin Fire erupted in Malibu. As of 6 p.m. on Monday, the Franklin Fire was at 56% containment and being held at 4,037 acres. Although Dec. 16s warning does not come with the Particularly Dangerous Situation that was attached to last weeks warning, NWS officials urge residents to exercise the same caution. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire, stated NWS. Report any smoke or fires to authorities, and save yard work and any activities that can create sparks for a better weather day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NWS also said residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. Due to the Red Flag Warning, Caltrans posted on X that it decided to close Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Wednesday. In addition to the Red Flag Warning, NWS also issued a High Surf Advisory for coastal beach areas in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Wednesday. In these areas, NWS warned of Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet with dangerous rip currents, urging residents to stay out of the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on updating weather conditions, click here to visit the NWS homepage for Los Angeles. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Valley Crime Stoppers announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the convicted murderer who escaped custody two weeks ago in Delano. The organization, whose mission is to deter, reduce and help solve crimes by paying cash rewards for anonymous tips leading to arrests, is partnering with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to locate the escaped inmate, Cesar Moises Hernandez, 34. According to CDCR, Hernandez was transported to the Kern County Superior Courthouse in Delano at around 10:45 a.m. Dec. 2 for a status conference. The department said that as soon as the vehicle carrying Hernandez arrived at the courthouse, he evaded staff custody, jumped out of the vehicle and still hasnt been caught. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez previously pleaded no contest to one count of manufacturing a weapon in prison and was facing his sentencing in January. He was also accused of possessing drugs or alcohol in prison, but that charge was dismissed. Hernandez was first received from Los Angeles County on June 27, 2019, having been sentenced to 25 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. According to CDCR, this sentence was doubled, as it was his second-strike offense. Hernandez was sentenced to 80 years to life in prison. He was being held at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano prior to his escape. Delano schools were closed in the immediate aftermath of the escape for safety reasons. On Dec. 5, three days after Hernandezs escape, CDCR released a statement saying that investigators have determined the risk in the Delano area to have subsided, believing Hernandez has fled the area altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valley Crime Stoppers asked anyone with information regarding Hernandezs whereabouts to call Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP, text VALLEY to 738477 or submit a tip on valleycrimestoppers.org. All tips remain anonymous, according to Valley Crime Stoppers. CDCR has described Hernandez as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing about 161 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and was last seen wearing an orange top and orange pants. CDCR has asked anyone with information to call 661-721-6314 or 911. RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (PIX11) Rex Heuermann, the prime suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, has been indicted in a seventh murder, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. The Long Island architect is now being charged in the death of Valerie Mack, court documents showed. The remains of Mack, a sex worker from New Jersey and Philadelphia, were originally discovered in a wooded area of Manorville in 2000. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her skull, hands and right foot were later found along Ocean Parkway in 2011. A hair found on Mack consisted of DNA from Asa Ellerup, Heuermanns wife, and his daughter, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the additional murder charge during a court hearing on Tuesday. He had previously been charged with the deaths of six women: Megan Waterman, Jessica Taylor, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Sandra Costilla. More PIX11 Stories Gilgo Beach Murders Read More Macks skull, hands and right foot were found near Taylors body, Tierney said. Investigators were recently working on trying to identify the remains of an Asian man, who was discovered off of Ocean Parkway in 2011. His body was found near both Taylor and Watermans, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Despite spending the week courting lawmakers, Robert F. Kennedys nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services is looking increasingly precarious. The virulent conspiracy theorist reportedly only has 18 lawmakers clearly favoring his nomination, according to The Washington Posts Dan Diamond. Thats an equal amount to the number of lawmakers who oppose him, leaving 64 lawmakers still undecided on Kennedys future in Donald Trumps forthcoming administration. Kennedys confirmation is likely to be an uphill battle given his raucous lifestyle that included dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park, unscientific beliefs that include theories that AIDS is not caused by HIV, a vaccine misinformation campaign sparked by his nonprofit that sent Samoas vaccination rate plummeting amid a measles outbreak, and claims that he allegedly groped his childrens babysitter in the late 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hell also have to convince lawmakers that his agenda, which opposes vaccine mandates for school-aged children and includes appointing someone who has filed a petition with the FDA to end the approval and pause distribution of 13 vaccines, isnt at odds with the future of Americas health. If no Democrats side with Kennedy, the Make America Healthy Again politico will only be able to afford to lose three Republican votes in the Senate. Some of Donald Trumps most faithful MAGA acolytes have already voiced their strong opinions in favor of Kennedys nomination. After meeting with Kennedy on Tuesday, Florida Senator Rick Scott described the conspiracy theorist as very impressive and claimed that he was pro-vaccine. And despite the tough road ahead, Kennedy appeared decidedly optimistic as he navigated the Hill on Tuesday. While heading into Senator Tommy Tubervilles office, Kennedy told Diamond that the meetings were going really good. A lawyer advising Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wants the FDA to revoke approval of the polio vaccine. Before vaccines were available in 1955, polio caused 15,000 cases of paralysis in the US each year. The US eliminated the disease in 1979, but unvaccinated travelers can still carry polio in. Iron lungs line up at the Ranchos Los Amigos Respiratory Center circa 1950. Bettmann via Getty Images Some health experts are concerned that polio could make a comeback in the US if the government revokes approval for the vaccine. That's what lawyer Aaron Siri petitioned to the FDA in 2022. His petition is still under review but could get renewed attention if Donald Trump's nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, is confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy has said he doesn't plan to revoke any vaccines as health secretary. However, he has a close relationship with Siri who represented Kennedy during his presidential campaign. Moreover, Siri's polio petition was on behalf of the nonprofit Informed Consent Action Network, whose founder is close to Kennedy, The New York Times reported. Polio vaccines helped eliminate the disease from the US in 1979. Before then, in the 1950s specifically, cases of poliovirus ran rampant in the US. Hospitals overflowed with disabled or severely ill patients, according to the National Library of Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the outbreak's peak in 1952, polio infections caused 20,000 cases of paralysis. Families isolated in fear because of how easily it spreads among kids. Doctors warn that pausing polio vaccinations could help the disease regain its foothold. A virus that affects nerves in the spinal cord or brain stem causes polio. A young girl using an abacus in a bed at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, circa 1950. Douglas Grundy/Three Lions/Getty Images Polio mainly affects children under the age of five. Most people only have mild symptoms, but one in 200 cases causes irreversible paralysis. Between 5% and 10% of paralyzed patients die when muscles used for breathing can no longer move, according to the World Health Organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US had several polio epidemics in the 20th century, including in 1916 and 1937. A doctor removes special casts to examine the a polio patient's legs in 1916. Bettmann via Getty Images Polio was first identified in 1909, though it had been around for centuries, and the US had a serious outbreak in 1916, which started in New York. At the time, doctors understood very little about the disease, including how to treat and prevent it. An estimated 6,000 people died and 21,000 had resulting paralysis from the 1916 outbreak. There were a series of polio outbreaks in the 1940s and 1950s. Two-month-old Martha Ann Murray is watched over by a nurse in an iron lung in 1952. AP Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of polio cases rose from eight per 100,000 in 1944 to 37 per 100,000 in 1952, according to Yale Medical Magazine. During that period, about 60,000 children were contracting the disease each year. There was an increase in people over the age of 10 getting the virus, too. Treatments for polio included hot wool and physical therapy. Larry Becker draws a hospital floor plan using his right foot in 1955. AP Photo Early on, some doctors would put patients in full-body casts, which could make paralysis permanent. Roosevelt sought relief by taking dips in Georgia's warm springs. During a 1940s polio outbreak, the Hickory Emergency Infantile Paralysis Hospital in North Carolina tried treating patients with boiled wool "hot packs" for the skin and physical therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients with severe cases lived their entire lives in iron lungs. A nurse oversees a boy with polio in an iron lung in 1955. Kirn Vintage Stock/Corbis/Getty Images Bellows inside the large metal box provided suction to help patients breathe when they could no longer do so on their own. The device was first used to save the life of an eight-year-old patient in 1928. Some famous people contracted polio as children, including Mia Farrow and Alan Alda. John Farrow carries daughter Mia out of the hospital in 1954. Bettmann via Getty Images Farrow, the daughter of director John Farrow and the actress and Tarzan-girl Maureen O'Sullivan, became ill during an LA polio outbreak in the summer of 1954. "What I saw will never leave me in the hospitals and in the public wards for contagious diseases," Farrow said in 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin D. Roosevelt started the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, now known as the March of Dimes, to find a cure for polio. Children with polio meet Basil O'Connor, president of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. Matty Zimmerman/AP Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roosevelt founded the organization with his former law partner, Basil O'Connor, to help fund research into a polio vaccine. Roosevelt knew the effects of polio first-hand. He was diagnosed with polio in 1921 at the age of 39 and used a wheelchair, mainly in private, while he was president. Celebrities such as Grace Kelly and Joan Crawford helped promote campaigns for a vaccine. Grace Kelly with Mary Koloski at a March of Dimes event in 1955. API/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images These campaigns helped raise half of all donations to health charities in the US, PBS reported. Jonas Salk was one of the researchers working on a polio vaccine. Developer of the polio vaccine, Dr. Jonas Salk in a laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1954. AP Photo At the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Salk began developing a vaccine in the early 1950s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He grew polioviruses on cultures of monkeys' kidney cells and then used formaldehyde to kill the virus. When he injected the dead virus into live monkeys, it protected them from the disease, according to the Science History Institute. After his vaccine proved successful on monkeys, Salk began testing children. Jonas Salk gives a vaccine to a child in the 1950s. Mondadori via Getty Images Salk first injected children who had already had polio. He noted that their antibody levels rose after vaccination, a promising sign that it helped the body fight the infection. Roosevelt's foundation also backed another potential prevention method, gamma globulin. A line of children and parents wait to be immunized with gamma globulin in 1953. Paul E. Thomson/AP Photo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the early 1950s, over 220,000 children were injected with gamma globulin, proteins in blood plasma that are rich in antibodies. The hope was that the serum would boost kids' immune systems and keep them from contracting polio. After looking at the data, though, a committee of epidemiologists and other experts concluded that gamma globulin wasn't effective. The gamma globulin trials helped pave the way for similar trials with Salk's vaccine. Salk gives a shot of the polio vaccine to a girl during test trials in 1954. Bettmann/Getty Images In 1954, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis sponsored a trial to test Salk's vaccine. Nearly 2 million children between 6 and 9 years old participated. They were called "Polio Pioneers." Participants were divided into three groups: the first group received the vaccine, the second received a placebo, and the third received neither the vaccine nor a placebo. The following year, in 1955, the vaccine was declared 90% effective against Types 2 and 3 poliovirus. It was 60% to 70% effective against Type 1. Nearly 2 million children participated in the trials, and the vaccine was found to be 90% effective. Jonas Salk arrives in Pittsburgh with his family in 1955. AP Photo At a press conference, Thomas Francis Jr., director of the Poliomyelitis Vaccine Evaluation Center at the University of Michigan, called the vaccine "Safe, effective, and potent." It was headline news. "The story has blanketed the front pages of all the papers I have seen along a 1,600-mile route from New York to Saint Louis, to Memphis and Dallas," Alistair Cooke reported for The Guardian at the time. Though he had some detractors, Salk won many Americans' trust. Joans Salk's polio vaccine in 1955. AP Photo It took mere hours for Salk's vaccine to be licensed for use after the announcement of its efficacy. Vaccine distribution began almost immediately. Polio vaccines are shipped to Europe in 1955. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images NFIP had already funded facilities that could start producing the vaccine right away. The US sent some vaccines to Europe, and some countries started up their own productions. Children would receive a series of shots to complete the vaccination process. Eight-year-old Ann Hill gets the polio vaccine days after Salk's announcement that it's effective. AP Photo Children needed three shots, each costing between $3 and $5 (around $35-$59 today), according to The Conversation. Shortly after the vaccine program began, a tragic incident caused several deaths. Vaccines are prepared to be distributed around the West Coast from Cutter Laboratories in April 1955. Ernest K. Bennett/AP Photo One of the facilities manufacturing the vaccine, Cutter Laboratories, had kept the live polio virus in hundreds of thousands of doses. In April 1955, over 400,000 children received the improperly prepared vaccines. The mistake led to 260 cases of polio-based paralysis and several deaths, according to the National Institutes of Health. Despite the incident at Cutter Laboratories, hundreds of thousands of children were vaccinated in 1955. Son of the US Surgeon General Leonard McCormick "Bobo" Scheele receives the polio vaccine in May 1955. Byron Rollins/AP Photo The incident at Cutter Laboratories panicked many parents and the vaccine was pulled from the market on April 27, 1955. However, after a massive effort to recheck all the vaccines confirmed they were safe to use, immunization resumed on May 15, 1955. Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of children received the vaccine. Elvis got the vaccine backstage during the "Ed Sullivan Show." Oct. 28, 1956: Elvis Presley receives the polio vaccine in New York City. AP Photo If people were hesitant to have their children vaccinated, Elvis may have helped persuade them. After he got the jab in the fall of 1956, many followed suit. Within six months, 80% of America's youngest generation were vaccinated, Scientific American reported in 2021. Other celebrities, including Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, also promoted the vaccine to help inform people of all races and genders. A nurse prepares elementaary school children for a polio vaccine shot. Bettmann / Contributor / Getty Images Roosevelt's foundation was heavily involved in promoting the vaccine and recruited celebrities like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald for their campaigns. "There was a very early recognition that you couldn't just have white people talking about the vaccine," Stacey D. Stewart, former president and CEO of the March of Dimes, told NPR in 2021. The polio vaccine quickly began protecting people against the virus. Edward Scheffler with his mother after traveling by railroad in 1957. AP Photo Between 1953 and 1957, cases in the US dropped from 35,000 to 5,300 a year, according to the BBC. Meanwhile, Salk's rival, Albert Sabin, was still working on his own polio vaccine. Mark Stacey is visited by Albert Sabin (right) and Dr. Walter Langsam (left) in 1959. Gene Smith/AP Photo Sabin disagreed with Salk's method of using a vaccine with a killed virus. Instead, he preferred a live, yet weakened form that could be taken by mouth instead of injected. Once Sabin showed his version was effective using a trial in the Soviet Union, it was approved for use in the US in 1961. Because Sabin's vaccine was inexpensive and easy to administer many countries began using the oral method. In fact, the song "A Spoonful of Sugar (Helps the Medicine Go Down)" in the 1964 film "Mary Poppins" was inspired by Sabin's polio vaccine. A combination of the two vaccines helped nearly eradicate polio worldwide. An emergency polio ward in Boston, Massachusetts in 1955. AP Photo During the 2010s, the world eradicated polio Types 2 and 3. Only Type 1 remains. The World Health Organization hopes to wipe out the final strain by 2026, but that goal is impossible without polio vaccines. This story was originally published on August 13, 2022, and updated on December 16, 2024. Jake Johnson contributed to a previous version of this post. Read the original article on Business Insider Robert F. Kennedy Jr. returned to Capitol Hill Tuesday to try to make his case to Republican senators that he can lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Also meeting with senators on Tuesday was Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. She planned to meet with two Democratic senators and five Republicans. Kennedy, who has come under fire for his opposition to vaccines and push to regulate farm-grown food, did not immediately discuss the topics he planned to bring up in his meetings, but several senators did share what their priorities are for the potential head of the HHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: RFK Jr.'s lawyer and top ally asked FDA to revoke approval of polio vaccine And some indicated they were ready to push back on Kennedy's stances. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, moves between meetings with senators in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told reporters outside a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that he did not agree with Kennedy on his agriculture positions and avoided commenting on his stance on abortion, but expressed optimism that Kennedy would "support President Trump's policies" on all fronts. "So my working assumption is he will stay in his lane and do HHS policy," Hawley said, adding that he supports the polio vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy's opinion on the polio vaccine has come under scrutiny after reports that his personal attorney Aaron Siri lobbied the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval of the vaccine. Sources told ABC News that Siri has been helping interview candidates for top health jobs in the incoming Trump administration. Siri, a partner at the law firm Siri & Glimstad, has also filed petitions seeking to pause the distribution of other vaccines, including Hepatitis B, and to revoke the emergency-use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines. Asked by ABC News if he planned to meet with outgoing Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kennedy replied, "I hope so," as he left a meeting with Wyoming Republican John Barroso. McConnell, a polio survivor, criticized Siri's efforts to revoke the polio vaccine approval. Kennedy also told reporters he would "probably" meet with Democratic senators when he returns to Capitol Hill in January, though he said he wasn't yet sure which ones. Barroso said after his meeting that his "understanding" was that Kennedy is "for the polio vaccine, supportive of it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., was also critical of Siri. PHOTO: Sen. John Cornyn meets with President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters) Sen. Kennedy, who said he was "looking forward to sitting down" with RFK Jr. with an "open mind," suggested to reporters outside a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that the possible HHS secretary should fire his lawyer. "I've got a completely open mind, but, but that kind of nonsense is not helpful," Kennedy said of the polio misinformation. MORE: 3 key questions for RFK Jr. as he lobbies senators to be health secretary "I hope to be able to get to a position where I can support him enthusiastically. I'm looking forward to his confirmation hearings. We take those seriously," the senator added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., however, told reporters that Kennedy is a "breath of fresh air" who has his support. Tuberville, who has no medical background, brushed off concerns about Kennedy's views on vaccines and claimed, without any evidence or details, that they were not "100% proven." "He wants the parents to understand the good, the bad, and the ugly instead of just forcing parents to give vaccines to their kids," the senator said. Trump told reporters Monday that he was big believer in polio vaccine and vowed that it it was here to stay. He did, however, say he questioned vaccine mandates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy told reporters Monday that "he was all for the polio vaccine." Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he'd be meeting with Kennedy this week and looked forward to having discussions with him about vaccines and the agriculture industry. Abortion, Tillis said, was a "legitimate question" he was going to ask Kennedy about. PHOTO: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services, moves between meetings with senators in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, Dec. 17, 2024, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) "I am consistently and unapologetically pro-life since I was a member of the state legislature," Tillis said. MORE: RFK Jr. wants to regulate farms and food, but may face GOP opposition One Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, told reporters he has not had any meetings with Trump's potential nominees yet but that they should be vetted on abortion and vaccines, topics he called "life and death issues." Durbin did not specifically mention Kennedy in his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think, in all fairness, we should take the measure of these nominees based on investigation, thorough FBI investigation, and what they have to say on the record under oath, and then make final judgment," he said. Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-Mass also expressed her disapproval of Kennedy, citing his anti-vaccine campaigns. "Do you really want him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services?," she asked. Gabbard meets with Intelligence Committee Democrats Gabbard on Tuesday said she had a "great" meeting with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. "This has been a great opportunity to meet with both Democrat and Republican senators and address any questions or concerns that they have and talk about the role," she said. PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence and Robert Kennedy Jr., nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, visit Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (Getty Images/Reuters) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if she felt confident she had the votes to be confirmed, Gabbard said only that she "looks forward to meeting with senators as we continue through this process." Fetterman has been leading the charge among Democrats meeting with Trump's nominees. In a post on X on Tuesday, he confirmed that he has met with Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's selection for United Nations ambassador, and Pete Hegseth, his secretary of defense pick. "I believe that it's appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-Elect Trump's nominees," Fetterman posted on on X. "My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them. That's not controversial, it's my job." Gabbard met Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican senators Susan Collins, Dan Sullivan, Chuck Grassley, Lisa Murkowski and Rand Paul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins described her meeting with Gabbard as very broad and wide-ranging. "We talked about Syria, her visit to see Assad. We talked about Ukraine, we talked about Putin, we talked about NATO, we talked about her positions on introducing legislation that would have removed the criminal charges for [Edward] Snowden, Collins said. The senator said she had not made a decision on Gabbard and would wait for her FBI background check and Senate hearings. "As the co-author of the 2004 law that created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, I have a very strong interest in this position," Collins said. -ABC News' Allison Pecorin and Beatrice Peterson contributed to this report. RFK Jr. meets with more GOP senators amid concerns about his polio vaccine views originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Robert F. Kennedy Jr, President-elect Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, met with senators on Monday. Many Republicans are on board with this pick, while some Democrats have voiced concerns about his qualifications. The meetings on Monday were a sort of soft launch for RFK Jr. as he faces some pushback for some of his wide-ranging views. Bobbys going to get confirmed, said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican senators like Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin and Florida Senator Rick Scott feel positive about Kennedy and his mission. Im completely supportive of what he wants to accomplish, and I wish him the best of luck, said Scott. There is some concern around some of RFK Jrs claim that vaccines cause autism and that one of his advisers filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. President-elect Trump says not to worry. Youre not going to lose the polio vaccine, said Trump. Massachusetts Democrat Senator Ed Markey fears an HHS run by RFK Jr. would bring back an era of families fearing diseases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is he does not get any democratic support, said Markey. Some Democrats have expressed some interest in Kennedy because of his ideas about ridding the nations food of additives but none have given their seal of approval. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has received an order for 20 additional Marder infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for Ukraine. Funded by Germany, the vehicles are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2025. Source: Rheinmetall press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: Rheinmetall announced that in December 2024 it received an order for twenty Marder 1A3 vehicles designated for Ukraine, with financing provided by Germany. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact value of the contract remains undisclosed, but Rheinmetall said it was in the region of tens of millions of euros. The company also noted that it has already supplied hundreds of Marder IFVs to Ukraine's defence forces. The Marder 1A3 features an additional laser rangefinder, which enhances targeting precision and effectiveness. The first batch of 20 vehicles of this model was delivered as part of Germanys military assistance to Ukraine in March 2023, and was followed by further shipments. Background: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced during a visit to Kyiv that the weapons to be delivered by Germany in December include a sixth IRIS-T air defence system, launchers for the Patriot system, and Gepard anti-aircraft systems. In early November, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte revealed that Rheinmetall would soon complete the construction of its second military factory in Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) With Richwoods High School senior Aiden Post and his father Jon still hospitalized after a car crash on Saturday, Aidens classmates decided to wish him well on Monday. The high schools jazz band, of which Aiden is an alto saxophone player for, performed two songs in honor of him. Classmates also recorded get well messages for Aiden. Owen Cook has been close friends with Aiden since freshman year, and is also involved in jazz band and the cross-country team with Aiden. He wished his friend a speedy recovery, adding that the reaction from his classmates has been overwhelmingly positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really just hope that hes in a place where he can hear this and he knows that hes loved. Ive never seen so many people rush to the hospital at once, he said. Band director Chris Render described Aiden as a person with an infectious personality with a deep love for music. Hes always been dedicated to the craft of making music, but really only played the saxophone so that he could get to that expressiveness that he can do in jazz and freeform. And hes just been enamored by it ever since his freshman year, he said. Render said a few bandmates went to visit Aiden in the hospital and didnt get much of a response at first. Playing some music produced a different result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as they turned on some of the favorite jazz charts that we are working on or have worked on and that we know that Aiden loves, thats when we started to get a reaction, he said. He added that you could feel the loss of Aiden with the band, but that others had to step up in his absence. Render also said he did not want the performance to be seen as an in memoriam for Aiden, but rather, a celebration. I wanted to clear things up because people sounded like someone had passed away. He is still with us and so is his dad. Thats something to celebrate. Right now, were making a video and praying together because he is getting better, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Render anticipates the Post family to receive the videos of the performance and the get-well messages by Tuesday. Members of the boys and girls cross country team were also on hand during the concert and afterwards, gathered in a circle to do their team cheer. Background on the car crash 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Fraser Needham APTN News The annual December gathering of the Assembly of First Nations is in the books but what remains to be seen is whether a rift over how best to achieve child welfare reform can be bridged. At a Special Chiefs Assembly in Calgary in October, First Nations leaders voiced displeasure that the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society (Caring Society) was not part of negotiations that led to a $47.8 billion dollar proposed agreement on long-term reform in the First Nations child welfare system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final settlement agreement, or FSA, was reached between Ottawa, the AFN, Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe Aski Nation this summer but chiefs ultimately voted it down in Calgary after complaints the negotiation process was not transparent enough, funding was not guaranteed if there was a change in government and it lacked proper regional representation. National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak blamed the defeat on child welfare agencies for running a campaign to defeat the agreement. The public blaming prompted chiefs at this weeks assembly to include an apology to First Nations child welfare agencies in one of three resolutions directing the AFN on where to take its negotiations with Canada. During an interview with Nation to Nation, AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak was asked when this apology might happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that was an issue between legal and probably other people in the country when it comes to that issue, Woodhouse Nepinak said. It was maybe comments made I mean of course they represent First Nations child welfare agencies and the Assembly of First Nations represents First Nations and I know sometimes theres that split there. Early in the afternoon, chiefs from Manitoba were joined by Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the Caring Society to talk about Canadas actions regarding Jordans Principle, a program that is supposed to help First Nations children in need. Media asked Blackstock about the resolution and the apology. I dont need any personal apology but I do think that we need to really value people out there on the front lines working with First Nations children and their families, she said. That is really a key piece is to really honor them, uplift them, support them and also look at how we can change these models to reform to really meet childrens needs over time. Woodhouse Nepinak also reflected on her first year as national chief saying there is always room for improvement with better communication and she remains committed to improving the lives of First Nations children both on and off reserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also appears disagreements between the national chief and some AFN executive members have been smoothed over at least for now. Terry Teegee, regional chief for the AFN in British Columbia, was one of the members who took Woodhouse Nepinak to task for not consulting the executive before signing the final settlement agreement on long-term reform in child welfare and for asking the NDP to withdraw proposed amendments to the First Nations clean drinking water act. It wasnt necessarily issues with the national chief, Teegee said. I think it was just issues with in terms of process between the national chiefs office and the secretariat and how the executive relate with each other and I think better communications. Teegee stressed it is important the AFN executive always remember they work for all chiefs across Canada and they need to ensure regional representation when negotiating agreements with Ottawa. New book from George Erasmus Georges Erasmus has a new book out about his more than 50 years of First Nations activism called HotA! Enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erasmus has a long history of activism including serving as past national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, co-chair of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and chair of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. He said it is a period that contains many pivotal moments. There were a lot of important things that happened over that period of time that we cant underestimate, Erasmus said. Changing the British North America Act to become the Canadian Constitution and adding Section 35 in there. Plus, the equality clause and so forth. I think that recognition of putting Aboriginal and treaty rights in there was very important and it is going to become very important in the future. Erasmus also mentioned the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, getting governments to adopt a process of negotiating modern treaties and the creation of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation as other significant moments. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. When state Rep. Jim Rigby returns to Harrisburg to represent eastern Cambria County and the Windber area, he will be busy behind the scenes, too. Rigby was appointed as one of the Republican Partys deputy whips in the state House for the 2025-26 legislative session a prominent role tasked with ensuring there are enough votes to pass Republican priorities. It is an honor to have been chosen to serve in this position, said Rigby, R-Ferndale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jim Rigby State Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Ferndale, speaks on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Rigby will be one of 15 lawmakers to serve as deputy whips under House Republican Whip Tim ONeal, R-Washington, according to a press release from the state House Republican Caucus. Our deputy whip team is composed of strong, principled conservatives who are ready to take on the responsibility of ensuring our members are informed and empowered to represent their constituents effectively, ONeal said in the press release. As policy and legislation often move at a rapid pace with many unexpected developments, the role of our deputy whips is vital in ensuring our Republican values remain front and center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rigbys role will include keeping ONeal well-informed on issues that may impact the Republican agenda. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to advance legislative measures which attract more business, increase job opportunities and improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians, Rigby said. Rigby and other state lawmakers return to a split state Capitol in Harrisburg. Democrats control the 203-seat House by just one vote, 102 to 101. Republicans control the Senate, holding 28 of its 50 seats. Education, minimum wage and tax law changes could again be among the hotly debated issues on the House floor. House Democrats have also indicated that recreational marijuana proposals and efforts to protect womens reproductive rights will be on their agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rigby was elected to his first term in the state House in 2019. He is one of a handful of the regions Republicans rising in the partys ranks as the 2025-26 legislative session approaches. State Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, was named the House Republican leader last month. State Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, will serve as the partys third-ranking member as House Republican Appropriations chair. State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Richland Township, is completing his second consecutive term as Transportation Committee chairman in the state Senate. State Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township, will return to the state House for his ninth term representing the 72nd District as one of a few remaining Democratic state lawmakers in a conservative territory between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. He and four colleagues elected in 2008 are now tied for ninth as the longest-serving Democrats in the state House. State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Somerset, who also won a ninth term in office, now ranks 10th in seniority among Republicans in the state House in terms of total years served. BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) The story of a 16-year accused of killing his parents and siblings in Belen has left the community reeling including those within the Rio Communities Fire Department, where one of the victims spent years as a volunteer. She always would make us laugh. Even on a really rough call. She always had a smile on her face, said Rio Communities Fire Department Fire Chief Andrew Tabet. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rio Communities Fire Department shared memories on Monday about one of their own; Adriana Bencomo, who was killed over the weekend. My memory with her is we would go to calls and she always made sure to pay attention to the kids, said Tabet. A volunteer firefighter since 2007, Adriana was remembered for her bilingual skills which her friends say made her a leader amongst the rank and file. She dedicated herself to her community. She dedicated herself to the families that lived in the community. The families that shell never meet again. People shell never see again on the worst day to make it better, said Tabet. According to New Mexico State Police, Bencomo was among four people shot to death early Saturday morning at a home in Belen. Diego Leyva, 16, is now accused of four counts of murder after police said he called 911 and then confessed to killing his family including Bencomo. The fire chief said while she loved volunteering, she was a mother first. They were very eager to learn. Very sweet and they loved being at the firehouse, they loved being on the fire truck. They loved that their mother was a firefighter here, Tabet said about Bencomos children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As some Belen businesses like the Varelas Restaurant are trying to help cover funeral costs through fundraising, the fire department said its grateful for an outpouring of support. We brought in additional staffing to help cover Rio communities to ensure that their people had time to decompress and start grieving for their fallen colleague, said Valencia County Fire Department Chief Matt Propp. When we first heard about it, theres no words, said Lawrence Sanchez, Superintendent of Belen Consolidated Schools. Sanchez shared how theyve deployed counseling services to their middle school where one of the victims attended and the high school where the alleged shooter is a student. The hope is to help the students get over the initial shock, said Sanchez. Another victim attended the School of Dreams Academy in Los Lunas. The superintendent shared a statement saying in part, Our entire community is grieving this devastating loss, and we know its impact will be felt deeply in the days, months, and years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In four days, these students will be away from us, well be on Christmas break and we want to make sure they have the support before we send them home, said Sanchez. Belen Consolidated Schools Superintendent shared two resources for students. The HELPme app and at this link. The suspect, Diego Leyva, remains in custody facing four counts of first-degree murder. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. By Renato Spyrro RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Over the sound of Brazilian music and under the scorching Rio de Janeiro heat, around 90 barbers battled on Sunday to decide who would be the best in a yearly competition that boosts the careers of winners and garners international attention. Gathered in a park in Rio's Madureira neighborhood, barbers made the heads of volunteers their canvas, coloring and buzzing hair to create styles that showcase abstract or detailed designs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ten years ago, barbers were a thing from my grandfather's time, no one believed in the profession," said Erica Nunes, the event's creator. "The battle of the barbers arose to value this profession." Over more than a decade since it started, the competition has cemented itself as a tradition in Rio's suburbs, attracting barbers from across Brazil and even from neighboring countries. "We are very well prepared and eager," said Allan Gonzales, a Bolivian barber. From inside an MMA-like ring, barbers compete to win in four different categories, with their work evaluated by a panel of judges. Marcelo Anderson, known as Magnific, won in the drawing category - he used his clippers to create the portraits of two men on the side of the young client's head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was his fourth win since he started competing over a decade ago, and each time he sees a boost on his clientele after it, he told Reuters. "It brings more visibility, a lot of fans. They start following me on social media and I gain more clients." (Reporting by Renato Spyrro, additional reporting by Fabio Teixeira; Editing by Aurora Ellis) NEW MEXICO (KRQE) This week, Roadrunner Food Back will help people in need have something to eat for the holidays. The nonprofit will distribute food at Expo New Mexico this Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until supplies run out. People will need to use gate three to get onto the fairgrounds. There is no need to register ahead of time, but trunks, truck beds, or back seats should be clear. Eastern New Mexico University discontinues mens soccer program Roadrunner has other distributions set for Saturday: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5605 Bataan Memorial Hwy West, Las Cruces, 9 a.m. 1500 Grand Ave., Wool Bowl Stadium, Roswell, 1 p.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A man who spent nearly a quarter century in prison for a murder he didnt commit will receive $5 million from the city of Rockford. Patrick Pursley was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1993 shooting death of Andy Ascher in Rockford. He was sentenced to life in prison before winning a new trial in 2017. After he was acquitted of murder in his 2019 retrial, Pursley filed a wrongful conviction complaint in federal court, accusing the Rockford Police Department and the Illinois State Police Crime Lab of manufacturing ballistics evidence against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pursley, who was issued a certificate of innocence from the state, will receive a portion of his settlement this month. The balance will be paid in two installments. In 2022, Pursley received an offer to settle the case without going to trial. He declined to specify the exact amount of the offer but said had he taken it, he would have received less than $1 million after he paid his case-related expenses. It didnt take it because I am fighting for my kids and grandkids futures, Pursley said. Its not enough. The shooting of Andy Ascher Andy Ascher and girlfriend Becky Myers, then Becky George, planned to see a comedy show on April 2, 1993, at a Machesney Park bar called Laughs R Us. But, because Myers did not have her ID, they couldnt get into the club. Thats when they decided to drive to her brothers condo at 2709 Silent Wood Trail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myers testified that before they entered the condo, a man in a blue ski mask approached the car and said, This is a stickup, then shot Ascher twice in the head. She couldnt describe the shooter in detail but said he sounded like a black male. Arrest Before arresting Pursley, police received a Crime Stoppers tip and then interviewed his then-girlfriend, Samantha Crabtree, who initially implicated him in the shooting. Investigators then served a search warrant at the couples apartment and seized two 9mm handguns, including the Taurus prosecutors would say Pursley used to kill Ascher. Even as Crabtree recanted her statement, Pursley was charged with first-degree murder. He says his arrest was the result of what he calls a round em all up style of policing common in the 1980s and 90s during the war on drugs and a nationwide push to end gang violence. It wasnt just Rockford, he said. You had these little pockets of law enforcement that basically operated like cowboys, he said in a previous report. They made the cases, so they were heralded and lauded as heroes when, in fact, they were breaking every rule conceivable to obtain a conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators who worked Pursleys case in the early 90s are either deceased or retired. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. The Iowa Insurance Division has entered an order against a Cass County roofing company, prohibiting it from acting as insurance adjuster. (Stock photo via Getty Images) The Iowa Insurance Division has entered an order against a Cass County roofing company, prohibiting it from acting as insurance adjuster and negotiating claims with insurers. The order, which was issued in the aftermath of an undercover investigation by the division, alleges that Reeves Roofing of Anita, and its owner, Darren Reeves, were guilty of unfair trade practices, primarily by acting as an adjuster negotiating payment for insurance claims filed by the victims of storm damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The division claims Reeves misled roofing-repair customers of his construction business into believing he was authorized to negotiate such payments and would perform construction work for whatever their insurance company agreed to pay. The division alleges that as part of an undercover investigation, it had an agent approach Reeves and state that he had a sister who needed repairs to her home and outbuildings. According to the division, Reeves told the divisions agent he worked for insurance proceeds, had once been an adjuster, and would deal directly with the insurance company on the claim. The division also claims Reeves website has included testimonials from customers claiming Reeves worked with insurance companies on policyholders behalf to ensure the repair work on their homes could be completed. Reeves said Monday that he informed the division of numerous other construction companies that for years have done exactly what he is accused of doing but have never been pursued by the division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They targeted me, he said, adding that he feels the division pursued a case against him rather than larger companies that engage in the same practices simply because hes an easy target and cant afford to pay a lot of attorneys fees to challenge such actions. Everybody does this and I turned in, like, 40 people and they did nothing about it, Reeves said. These are (repair) companies that write claims and do the adjusting and the division didnt care about any of them. All they cared about was targeting me. State records indicate the case against Reeves was triggered by a March 2023 complaint that Farm Bureau Financial Services filed with the division alleging Reeves had been acting as an insurance adjuster on a Farm Bureau policyholders behalf. The order issued by the division bars Reeves from playing any role in the settlement of insurance claims, reviewing his customers insurance policies, advising a customer to demand an appraisal of the work to be performed, or choosing an appraiser or adjuster to assist with the customers insurance claim. Although the divisions order includes no fines or financial penalties, Reeves said the action has been damaging to his reputation. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Roth Junior High School employee is facing a felony charge accused of sexually assaulting a child. Provided: MCSO According to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, Scott Stradley, 52 of Pittsford, was arrested Friday and charged with predatory sexual assault against a child, a class A felony. Hes listed as a teacher on the Roth HS website. Deputies announced that the victim was a child Stradley knew personally. While he is an employee at the school, deputies said it does not appear his crime involved any students there. Stradley was arraigned and taken to jail without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No court date has been scheduled as the case goes to a grand jury. Bail was set at $50,000 in cash. Albion man accused of raping child, police searching for more victims News 8 reached out to the Rush-Henrietta Central School District for a statement. Leaders announced that Stradley was placed on administrative leave, writing in full: Dear Rush-Henrietta Families and Employees, This past weekend, district leaders were made aware of the arrest of a Roth Junior High School employee. We are at liberty to share the following: A faculty member who works at Roth Junior High School was arrested off-campus Friday, December 13, 2024. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office and the school district have no evidence at this time to suggest there are any allegations involving Rush-Henrietta students. The employee has been placed on administrative leave. The district will continue to cooperate with the Sheriffs Office as the investigation continues. Should you have relevant information, please call 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please keep in mind that news and rumors especially in the hands and on the devices of our teenagers spread rapidly. As best we can, we will continue to work as a school and district to address comments, questions, or concerns from students by attending to their social-emotional needs without discussing any of the specifics of this ongoing investigation. Please take time to explore the following resources to help students (and adults) process uncertainty, doubt, and sadness. How to Talk to Teens about Uncertainty Support Teens to Release Emotions Helping Teens Manage Uncertain Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because this is a personnel matter, state law precludes the school district from providing further public comment regarding details of this case. Thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Dr. Barbara Mullen Superintendent Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Wilson County commissioners voted to deny a land use plan amendment and rezone request needed to build a large industrial park presented by a Texas-based company Monday night before a standing-room only crowd that was mostly against the development. Hillwood, a company connected to the Ross Perot family, presented conceptual plans to develop 10.35 million square feet of industrial style office, warehouse and light manufacturing space on about 1,380 acres near Linwood and Bluebird Roads just off Interstate 40 in eastern Wilson County. The county commission voted 17-8 to deny the land use plan amendment and rezone, which were voted on at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Wilson County commission room, some of the attendees Monday wore t-shirts that said, "No Industrial Park." The development plan has been called Bluebird Business Park. Roughly 60 people spoke to commissioners during the public hearing portion of the meeting. The majority of speakers were against the development, but there was some support. The county commission's vote came about six months after Wilson County planning commissioners voted against a rezone and land use plan amendment in June. Many nearby residents around the property where the development is planned arrived at the June meeting at the Wilson County Courthouse in a tractor protest. Hillwood was allowed to appeal the June denial to the Wilson County Commission, leading to Monday's vote. A tractor convoy was organized in June to protest a plan to build a large industrial park in rural Wilson County. Attorney and area resident resident J.D. Lowery was quick to remind commissioners of the planning commission's previous denial of the land use plan amendment and rezone request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is solid ruling from your planning commission and something you should follow," Lowery said. Hillwood's right to appeal to the county commission did not allow for any major changes to the development plan. Significant changes would have to come through a new plan submission. Hillwood has advocated for the mixed-use business park by saying it will provide millions and even billions of dollars in economic impact and commitments to provide some direct benefits to the community. Hillwood representatives told county commissioners that community feedback was incorporated into the plan and that many concerns were being addressed in the plan. Hillwood Development Director Paul Reinke raised four main merits to the industrial park plan. They were: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Providing a convenience store and gas station for the community. An extension to public water for some that don't presently have that service. Thousands of jobs. A collaboration with the University of Tennessee, Cumberland University and Future Farmers of America to use 352 acres of property to promote the agricultural future of the county. But residents have continued to campaign against the project since June's planning commission meeting, raising concerns about traffic, flooding, continued loss of farmland and an overall loss of the agricultural character of the area. Several also felt the number of water residents who would benefit from extended water wasn't enough to warrant the project. Years ago, the property had a Planned Unit Development overlay for a Dell Webb branded housing community that has since expired, planning officials said. The uncertainty of a different development plan being brought to the area was also discussed if Bluebird Business Park was voted down. One Hillwood representative told commissioners that the land considered for the business park represented more than 150 investors, who believed it is time to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The development site chosen for the Hillwood project spans two commission districts one is represented by Chris Dowell; the other by Terry Scruggs. Dowell voted no, saying his constituents were overwhelmingly against it. Scruggs told commissioners he was voting yes based on the opportunity to extend water lines. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What we know: Ruling in for Tennessee Perot company industrial park Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! We explore the pressing issue of hospital readmissions and their significant impact on health outcomes and financial strain within the health care system. Our guest, health care executive Ahzam Afzal, shares insights into the strategies and challenges of reducing readmission rates, including the role of data-driven care, cohesive communication, and effective care coordination. We delve into how staffing shortages affect the implementation of new CMS programs and discuss practical solutions for supporting patients post-discharge to promote better outcomes. Ahzam Afzal is a health care executive. He discusses the KevinMD article, Effective strategies to reduce hospital readmissions amidst staffing shortages. Our presenting sponsor is DAX Copilot by Microsoft. Do you spend more time on administrative tasks like clinical documentation than you do with patients? Youre not alone. Clinicians report spending up to two hours on administrative tasks for each hour of patient care. Microsoft is committed to helping clinicians restore the balance with DAX Copilot, an AI-powered, voice-enabled solution that automates clinical documentation and workflows. 70 percent of physicians who use DAX Copilot say it improves their work-life balance while reducing feelings of burnout and fatigue. Patients love it too! 93 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational, and 75 percent of physicians say it improves patient experiences. Help restore your work-life balance with DAX Copilot, your AI assistant for automated clinical documentation and workflows. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended GET CME FOR THIS EPISODE https://www.kevinmd.com/cme Im partnering with Learner+ to offer clinicians access to an AI-powered reflective portfolio that rewards CME/CE credits from meaningful reflections. Find out more: https://www.kevinmd.com/learnerplus Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcasts. Today, we welcome Ahzam Afzal. Hes a health care executive. Todays KevinMD article is Effective Strategies to Reduce Hospital Readmissions Amidst Staffing Shortages. Ahzam, welcome to the show. Ahzam Afzal: Thanks for having me, Kevin. Kevin Pho: So lets start by sharing your story and journey. Ahzam Afzal: Yeah, so a little bit of background. So Ive been in this value-based care world for the last decade. Initially, I started out as an executive at CVS Health, building out a lot of medication therapy management programs. The goal of that was really to design programs that were to help reduce readmissions, drive down total cost of care, and enhance medication therapy management. I did that for a number of years, helping to really drive down the total cost of care in those specific segments. I think consistently one of the challenges in primary care, as well as in the outpatient pharmacy world, is that patients just didnt have the resources or the reminders or the technology in place to ensure that they were compliant with their medications or adhering to their medications. We helped build out some programs doing that. Since then, back in 2015, CMS actually rolled out a program called Chronic Care Management. That was a program designed to ensure that patients were more compliant with their medications or adhering to their medications. There was also a program designed to ensure that in between office visits, there was a system in place to check in on patients, set care goals with the patient, and ensure that theyre not essentially getting hospitalized. Those programs launched in 2015, and then I started my first chronic care management company shortly after that. The goal of that program was to ensure that patients were more adherent to their therapies, to their treatment plans. We grew that across 18 states, serving around 60,000 unique lives. Later, I exited that venture to Permonta, New Jersey, but through that work, I had the opportunity to work really closely with a number of different ACOs, other health systems, and CMS Innovation on a few different initiatives. The discussion points continually were that there are specific areas in health care that are areas of high cost. One of the areas that consistently came up in terms of high cost was the post-acute care segment. The post-acute care market tends to have one of the highest areas of spend because these are the sickest of the sick, the highest acuity patients. There was a big need to ensure that these patients had the right follow-through of care through the care transitions from the point of hospital discharge through the entry point into these post-acute facilities that are in the SNFs. When they go home for that 90-day post-discharge period, its a very high-cost area for CMS and for the health system. So, I started a company called Puzzle Health Care about three years ago as a result of those big issues that we identified. It was really designed to tackle this readmission problem thats been in place now for almost a decade. The goal of that program is to ensure that patients have the right care and the right support through the transitions of care. Weve been blessed enough to work with some of the largest health systems across the country and have been able to achieve really strong readmission rate reductions with some of our biggest health system partners, such as Health Care and Coral Health out here in Michigan. Now, I think its about being able to extrapolate that more on a national scale, and thats what were looking to do. Im excited to talk further about how we can solve this problem together. Kevin Pho: Sure. So lets talk more about those strategies to reduce readmissions in your KevinMD article. For those of you who get a chance to read it, tell us more about it. Ahzam Afzal: Yeah, so the article really came from years of firsthand experience observing how critical hospital readmissions are to both patient outcomes and the economics of health care. For context, hospital readmissions are costing the U.S. health system over 52 billion dollars annually. Many of these costs are concentrated in high-risk, high-cost areas like cardiology, specifically in chronic disease management, as well as post-acute transitions. The fact that nearly 15 percent of discharged patients are readmitted within 30 days underscores that there are a lot of systemic inefficiencies that persist in our system. When writing the article, I wanted to address not just the magnitude of the problem, but also the root causes, especially in the context of staffing shortages in the post-acute space. Staffing shortages are a critical leverage point in value-based care models because these facilities manage some of the sickest and most complex patients, yet theyre often the most under-resourced and understaffed. Theyre disconnected from the broader health care system, resulting in missed opportunities for interventions, poorly managed care transitions, and preventable readmissions. I structured the article around three core strategies that I believe are foundational to solving this readmission problem. The first is data-driven care delivery. Data is the backbone of any value-based care initiative. Without actionable insights, clinicians are flying blind. Predictive analytics can help us identify patients at the highest risk for readmissionthose with poorly controlled chronic conditions, multiple comorbidities, or social determinants of health that make it harder for them to recover at home. The real challenge isnt just identifying these patients; its intervening in real-time. At Puzzle Health Care, weve implemented real-time monitoring tools that track patient vitals in skilled nursing facilities and even at home. These tools enable us to flag early signs of deterioration, allowing care teams to step in before a patient ends up back in the emergency room. For example, in conditions like CHF, weight gain, increased shortness of breath, or abnormal blood pressure detected through monitoring technologies can lead to simple medication adjustments that prevent readmissions. Were leveraging various platforms, including radar sensor technology and other devices, to provide clear visibility into what patients experience when they leave the hospital and enter skilled nursing facilities. The second strategy is cohesive communication across the care continuum. This is often where the system breaks down. A patient may leave the hospital with a detailed care plan, but if the SNF staff, primary care providers, and specialists arent on the same page, critical details get lost. These communication gaps lead to medication errors, missed follow-up appointments, and exacerbations of conditions, all causing readmissions to skyrocket. The goal is to ensure a streamlined and centralized EHR solution is in place between the hospital, the SNF, and during the post-discharge window. This ensures everyone has the right information to interact effectively and achieve the desired outcomes. Its not just about the technology; its also about standardizing workflows. For example, when a patient transitions to an SNF, there should be a structured protocol for medication reconciliation, care plan handoffs, and follow-up schedules. These small steps make a huge difference in preventing unnecessary hospitalizations. The third pillar, perhaps the most important, is empowering patients and caregivers. Even with perfect care coordination among providers, patients ultimately bear much of the responsibility for their recovery. Expecting them to manage complex medication regimens or follow care plans without support is unrealistic. In the article, I discuss practical solutions like leveraging digital tools to send medication reminders, offering telehealth check-ins, and providing personalized care plans that are easy to understand. For patients discharged home, weve seen great success with RPM and remote patient monitoring combined with regular telehealth follow-ups. This combination ensures patients dont feel abandoned once they leave a facility and gives providers a way to intervene proactively when something goes wrong. Kevin Pho: So give us maybe a couple of case studies that would really chart that post-discharge course and how some of these technologies you mentioned would really move the needle. You can include my role as a primary care physician about how I would intersect with that. Ahzam Afzal: Yeah, for sure. One case that comes to mind is when patients leave the hospital and go into an SNF for rehab, then transition home. A big challenge is ensuring patients are safe and healthy enough to handle their ADLs and return to their prior level of functioning before hospitalization. For example, we deploy remote patient monitoring sensorshealth tags typically placed on undergarments. These tags are machine washable, have a battery life of 12 months, and track heart rate, respirations, movement, and activity levels. When our care management teams reach out to a patient like Mrs. Smith post-discharge, we can notice if she hasnt been out of bed in a couple of days or if her respirations are increasing, which could indicate an infection or deterioration. Heart rate and respiratory rates are the two most common predictors of patient deterioration. Having this real-time information helps drive outcomes and provides care teams with the right insights. This includes not just subjective information from patients but objective data from RPM panels. Additionally, we ensure that health system partners collaborate to provide patients with a place to go instead of getting hospitalized. OSF Health Care has been a great partner, setting up high-acuity clinics designed to manage patient exacerbations that may not warrant hospitalization. These clinics serve as referral points when issues arise, allowing us to triage whether a patient needs an observation stay or hospitalization. In the SNF world, when patients leave the facility, if theyre within the 30-day post-discharge window, they can return to the SNF instead of being readmitted to the hospital. Skilled nursing facilities are good partners to route patients back to if issues occur. Most post-discharge cases involve patients with remote monitoring devices that transmit data back. When we identify a potential readmission, post-acute facilities can intercept before the patient goes to the hospital. Kevin Pho: Is that fair to say? Ahzam Afzal: Yeah, exactly. The brick-and-mortar solution involves directing patients to high-acuity clinics. Initially, the nursing team triages issues, but theres also a telehealth component where an ER physician can enter a telehealth encounter to determine if the patient should go to a high-acuity clinic versus the hospital. Health system partners leverage their ER doctors and other providers to discuss with our care teams whether a patient should go to the clinic or the hospital. This helps us triage the level of care provided across the board. Kevin Pho: So tell us what kind of outcomes you have. You said that you work with several large systems in Michigan. Tell us some type of outcomes data from your technology. Ahzam Afzal: Sure. When we first started the company, our first health system partner was OSF Health Care. OSF Health Care has about 17 hospitals and is one of the largest health systems in the state of Illinois in terms of hospital accounts. When we engaged with them, they had a huge problem with readmissions, particularly for patients leaving the hospital, going into an SNF, and then going home. They tracked readmissions at about 29 percent for patients leaving SNFs who were originally coming from OSF. The issue was a lack of follow-through care after patients left the SNFs. When we came in, it took about three or four months to fully embed in around 75 to 80 skilled nursing facilities that were part of their post-acute discharge network. After engaging with them, we were able to reduce their readmissions from 29 percent down to 9 percent within a year. Initially, they lost over a hundred million dollars in readmission penalties over the last two years. The significant savings came from the reduction in total spend in the post-acute space. Another case is Coral Health, the largest health system in Michigan. We work with Boma, which manages the post-acute network of skilled nursing facilities for Coral Health East. They have about 50 to 60 SNFs where they discharge patients and have readmission opportunities. Their analysis showed that post-acute care consistently has one of the highest areas of spend across the country due to the high-acuity population. After a little over a year of partnership, their results placed them in the top 5 percent in the country in terms of post-acute spend. Historically, they performed well across the board, but the post-acute area was an opportunity. By layering in our programs, ACOs and health systems can drive down the total cost of care in the post-acute segment. Kevin Pho: Any barriers or obstacles in expanding post-discharge technology? Ahzam Afzal: Yes. Recently, weve seen more adoption. Often, health systems are more innovative in their thought processes, but skilled nursing facilities are lagging behind. Operators of SNFs are often stuck in archaic ways of doing things, adhering to methods theyve used for the last 15 or 20 years. Theres a need for change management to show SNFs the benefits of adopting new technologies and processes. Engaging a key health system partner in a large state was crucial to get buy-in and demonstrate results. Now, many health systems are looking to add these solutions to their SNF partners. When SNFs hear it from their health system referral sources, theyre more likely to adopt these solutions to ensure their health system partners are satisfied, as it helps with the continuum of care. The biggest obstacle is change management in this market. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Ahzam Afzal, a health care executive. Todays KevinMD article is Effective Strategies to Reduce Hospital Readmissions Amid Staffing Shortages. Ahzam, lets end with some take-home messages you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Ahzam Afzal: I think the health care system today is still too often built around processes and silos rather than the patients its meant to serve. My take-home message is that we need to fundamentally rethink how we approach the patient experience. It starts with asking ourselves one critical question: What does the ideal health care journey look like from the patients perspective? For me, the answer is a system where every touchpointwhether its a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or a follow-up telehealth visitfeels connected, seamless, and personalized. Patients shouldnt feel like theyre navigating a maze or falling through the cracks. Instead, they should feel supported and empowered every step of the way. To achieve this, we need to move beyond simply treating episodes of care and embrace a more longitudinal approach. This means leveraging technology not just to predict and prevent adverse outcomes but to actively shape better patient journeys. Predictive analytics, remote patient monitoring, and AI can provide the insights needed to intervene early, reduce readmissions, and offer personalized care. However, these tools must be paired with a commitment to empathy, communication, and truly understanding what a patient is going through. Imagine a health care system where a patient discharged from the hospital is automatically connected to a care team that spans their primary care provider, their post-acute facility, and even community resources. This entire team is equipped with real-time data and proactively reaches out to the patientnot just to check vitals, but to ask how theyre feeling, address barriers to recovery, and ensure they understand their care plan. Thats the kind of transformation were talking about: making the patient experience proactive, not reactive. Ultimately, the patient experience is about trust. When patients feel cared for, know their providers are communicating, and experience smooth transitions without their concerns falling through the cracks, theyre more likely to engage in their own care across the board. Patients leaving the hospital are often in a very vulnerable state without the right supports at home or a proper setup to understand their care plan fully. For us, its about putting the patient first, utilizing technology and data to support them, which leads to better outcomes for health systems, skilled nursing facilities, and most importantly, for the patient. Kevin Pho: Awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show. Ahzam Afzal: Thanks, Kevin. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, the Broward-Palm Beach county Democrat, was reportedly under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Moskowitz tamped down the speculation via text Tuesday morning. All rumor and conjecture. I have no plans on leaving Congress. He was more definitive Tuesday afternoon in a pair of social media posts. I appreciate the speculation but I am staying in Congress and running for re-election. Its an honor to serve the people of Floridas 23rd district, he wrote. To be clear, nothing was ever offered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People close to Moskowitz either didnt respond or declined to comment. On Monday, CNN reported that Moskowitz is a top contender for FEMA administrator during the coming Trump administration, citing two people with knowledge of the president-elects consideration. It said another person close to the Trump transition team confirmed Moskowitz is in the mix. Moskowitz has been sending positive signals toward the incoming administration since the election, though hes been a fierce Trump critic in the past. During the 2022 Democratic congressional primary, he was unequivocal. Donald Trump is the gravest threat to this country and democracy everywhere, and every Democrat in this country must ensure he never returns to power, Moskowitz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He introduced legislation to change the name of the federal prison in Miami to the Donald J. Trump Federal Correctional Institution after Republicans sought to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump. Everyone knows President Trump loves to write his name in gold letters on all his buildings, Moskowitz said in an April statement. But hes never had his name on a federal building before and as a public servant I just want to help the former president. Help us make that dream a reality. Moskowitzs previous criticisms of Trump wouldnt necessarily hurt his chances for a job in the administration. Many of Trumps top picks including Vice President-elect JD Vance have transformed themselves from vociferous critics to Trump acolytes. Since the election, Moskowitz has extended olive branches toward the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as Trump appointed Floridas Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, Moskowitz praised the move on social media. She is brilliant, tough, strategic. She will serve the country well, Moskowitz wrote. When Trump nominated then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Panhandle Republican, Moskowitz appeared on cable TV to describe his colleague as fiercely competent and revealed that Gaetz helped him get appointed state emergency management director in 2019. And Moskowitz became the first Democrat to join the DOGE caucus, a Republican effort to show support for the incoming Trump administrations effort to slash government spending, improve efficiency and cut regulations. DOGE stands for a committee led by billionaire Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy that theyre calling Department of Government Efficiency. Related Articles Disaster experience In 2023, Moskowitz introduced legislation that would have made FEMA an independent agency, pulling it out of the Department of Homeland Security. Under that scenario, if it ever became law, the agency administrator would report directly to the president, not to the secretary of homeland security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And hes pushed for additional funding for the agency to more effectively respond to natural disasters. Moskowitz has relevant disaster and political experience. He ran the Florida Division of Emergency Management during most of Gov. Ron DeSantis first term, and was widely seen as effective in the role. He was at the forefront of the states response to the COVID pandemic, and even changed his social media handle to Jared MASKowitz at the height of the crisis. He earlier was general counsel for AshBritt Inc., a national disaster response company based in Deerfield Beach. It also gave him experience working in an important job, often in high-stress situations, as a Democrat working for a Republican elected official with a strong personality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DeSantis-Moskowitz pairing worked. DeSantis later appointed Moskowitz to fill a vacancy on the Broward County Commission. And when the governors office drew a new map of congressional district lines and told a compliant state Legislature to approve it, the 23rd Congressional District it created aided a Moskowitz victory because of territory included in its boundaries. Helping Republicans If Trump appointed Moskowitz, and the congressman accepted, the move wouldve been a political gift for Republicans. It would immediately reduce the Democratic ranks by one vote in the House, where Republican control is exceedingly tight. Republicans will start the new Congress on Jan. 3 with a 219-215 majority, but Trump also has tapped two Republicans for administration roles, which would reduce the majority to 217 until special elections are held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More significantly in the longer term, a Republican could easily win a special election to fill a vacancy in Floridas 23rd Congressional District, which takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale and a share of southern Palm Beach County. Moskowitz won his two elections by the smallest margins of any congressional victory in the state. He received 52.5% of the vote in November, two years after he won his first term in the House with 51.6% of the vote. Trump lost the district by 2 percentage points and DeSantis won it by 1 percentage point in 2022, showing the territory is competitive. Many potential contenders could emerge if Moskowitz werent a candidate. Among them are former state Sen. Lauren Book, a Broward Democrat, and at least another half-dozen current Democratic state legislators and county commissioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, contenders could include state Rep. Chip LaMarca, the only Republican elected to a partisan office from Broward County. Joe Kaufman, who lost the November election to Moskowitz and has previously run for Congress several times elsewhere in Broward, said he would be a candidate again. Ive been planning my run since I lost. I know Im going to win this time regardless of what Moskowitz does, regardless of any other Republican. I will win the Republican primary. Theres no doubt about that, he said. Moskowitz background There are parts of Moskowitzs background that some Trump supporters wouldnt like. In the House, he has been a fierce Democratic partisan in events held by the Republican led House Oversight Committee, where he has defended President Joe Biden and sparred with Committee Chair James Comer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was a state representative from northwest Broward, he was instrumental in passage of Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act, passed after the massacre at the Parkland school. It raised the age to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21, created a statewide waiting period for long-gun sales and made it easier for law enforcement to seize weapons from people suspected of being dangerous, provisions that are anathema to many in the Republican Party base. Moskowitz, a former Parkland city commissioner, is a graduate of Stoneman Douglas. He was endorsed for Congress by a range of major environmental, labor and anti-gun violence organizations along with prominent figures, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Given the DeSantis appointments, Moskowitzs main challenger in the 2022 Democratic primary, Ben Sorensen, as well as some Democratic activists, expressed concerns that Moskowitz wouldnt sufficiently stand up to Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, the longtime Democrat in the district who wasnt running for reelection, defended Moskowitzs Democratic bona fides on social media. Suggesting that Jared Moskowitz is a supporter of Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis or their policies is unfair and untrue. Jared is a lifelong Democrat fighting for Democratic values. Moskowitz said at the time that, Im the only one who has fought Republicans in the arena, and knows what were up against. I mean democracy is on the line. This is serious. Republicans have undermined the media, theyve undermined truth, theyve undermined democracy, Moskowitz said. I have seen behind the curtain, by the way, and whats going on in the Republican side, and it is scary. Earlier this year, he endorsed Torey Alston, a Republican candidate for Broward School Board. Alston was appointed by DeSantis along with Moskowitz to fill County Commission vacancies. Moskowitz withdrew the endorsement under pressure from outraged Democrats; Alston lost the election. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, the Broward-Palm Beach county Democrat, is reportedly under consideration by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CNN reported that Moskowitz is a top contender for FEMA administrator during the coming Trump administration, citing two people with knowledge of the president-elects consideration. It said another person close to the Trump transition team confirmed Moskowitz is in the mix. Moskowitz tamped down the speculation via text Tuesday morning. All rumor and conjecture. I have no plans on leaving Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comment allows for plans to change. People close to Moskowitz either didnt respond or declined to comment. Moskowitz has been sending positive signals toward the incoming administration since the election, though hes been a fierce Trump critic in the past. During the 2022 Democratic congressional primary, he was unequivocal. Donald Trump is the gravest threat to this country and democracy everywhere, and every Democrat in this country must ensure he never returns to power, Moskowitz said. He introduced legislation to change the name of the federal prison in Miami to the Donald J. Trump Federal Correctional Institution after Republicans sought to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone knows President Trump loves to write his name in gold letters on all his buildings, Moskowitz said in an April statement. But hes never had his name on a federal building before and as a public servant I just want to help the former president. Help us make that dream a reality. Since the election, Moskowitz has extended olive branches toward the incoming administration. As soon as Trump appointed Floridas Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, Moskowitz praised the move on social media. She is brilliant, tough, strategic. She will serve the country well, Moskowitz wrote. When Trump nominated then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Panhandle Republican, Moskowitz appeared on cable TV to describe his colleague as fiercely competent and revealed that Gaetz helped him get appointed state emergency management director in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Moskowitz became the first Democrat to join the DOGE caucus, a Republican effort to show support for the incoming Trump administrations effort to slash government spending, improve efficiency and cut regulations. DOGE stands for a committee led by billionaire Elon Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy that theyre calling Department of Government Efficiency. Disaster experience In 2023, Moskowitz introduced legislation that would have made FEMA an independent agency, pulling it out of the Department of Homeland Security. Under that scenario, if it ever became law, the agency administrator would report directly to the president, not to the secretary of homeland security. And hes pushed for additional funding for the agency to more effectively respond to natural disasters. Moskowitz has relevant disaster and political experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ran the Florida Division of Emergency Management during most of Gov. Ron DeSantis first term, and was widely seen as effective in the role. He was at the forefront of the states response to the COVID pandemic, and even changed his social media handle to Jared MASKowitz at the height of the crisis. He earlier was general counsel for AshBritt Inc., a national disaster response company based in Deerfield Beach. It also gave him experience working in an important job, often in high-stress situations, as a Democrat working for a Republican elected official with a strong personality. The DeSantis-Moskowitz pairing worked. DeSantis later appointed Moskowitz to fill a vacancy on the Broward County Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when the governors office drew a new map of congressional district lines and told a compliant state Legislature to approve it, the 23rd Congressional District it created aided a Moskowitz victory because of territory included in its boundaries. Helping Republicans If Trump appoints Moskowitz, and the congressman accepts, the move would be a political gift for Republicans. It would immediately reduce the Democratic ranks by one vote in the House, where Republican control is exceedingly tight. Republicans will start the new Congress on Jan. 3 with a 219-215 majority, but Trump also has tapped two Republicans for administration roles, which would reduce the majority to 217 until special elections are held. More significantly in the longer term, a Republican could easily win a special election to fill a vacancy in Floridas 23rd Congressional District, which takes in northern Broward and much of the coast extending south through most of Fort Lauderdale and a share of southern Palm Beach County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moskowitz won his two elections by the smallest margins of any congressional victory in the state. He received 52.5% of the vote in November, two years after he won his first term in the House with 51.6% of the vote. Trump lost the district by 2 percentage points and won by 1 percentage point in 2022, showing the territory is competitive. Many potential contenders could emerge. Among them are former state Sen. Lauren Book, a Broward Democrat, and at least another half-dozen current Democratic state legislators and county commissioners. On the Republican side, contenders could include state Rep. Chip LaMarca, the only Republican elected to a partisan office from Broward County, and Joe Kaufman, who lost the November election to Moskowitz and has previously run for Congress several times elsewhere in Broward. Moskowitz background There are parts of Moskowitzs background that some Trump supporters wouldnt like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the House, he has been a fierce Democratic partisan in events held by the Republican led House Oversight Committee, where he has defended President Joe Biden and sparred with Committee Chair James Comer. When he was a state representative from northwest Broward, he was instrumental in passage of Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act, passed after the massacre at the Parkland school. It raised the age to purchase a rifle from 18 to 21, created a statewide waiting period for long-gun sales and made it easier for law enforcement to seize weapons from people suspected of being dangerous, provisions that are anathema to many in the Republican Party base. Moskowitz, a former Parkland city commissioner, is a graduate of Stoneman Douglas. He was endorsed for Congress by a range of major environmental, labor and anti-gun violence organizations along with prominent figures including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the DeSantis appointments, Moskowitzs main challenger in the 2022 Democratic primary, Ben Sorensen, as well as some Democratic activists, expressed concerns that Moskowitz wouldnt sufficiently stand up to Republicans. Then U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, the longtime Democrat in the district who wasnt running for reelection, defended Moskowitzs Democratic bona fides on social media. Suggesting that Jared Moskowitz is a supporter of Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis or their policies is unfair and untrue. Jared is a lifelong Democrat fighting for Democratic values. Moskowitz said at the time that, Im the only one who has fought Republicans in the arena, and knows what were up against. I mean democracy is on the line. This is serious. Republicans have undermined the media, theyve undermined truth, theyve undermined democracy, Moskowitz said. I have seen behind the curtain, by the way, and whats going on in the Republican side, and it is scary. Earlier this year, he endorsed Torey Alston, a Republican candidate for Broward School Board. Alston was appointed by DeSantis along with Moskowitz to fill County Commission vacancies. Moskowitz withdrew the endorsement under pressure from outraged Democrats; Alston lost the election. --------- JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. A man from a rural Illinois town outside of Mt. Vernon is facing charges of grooming and child porn possession. Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office arrested Christopher J. Richardson, 30, on the evening of Dec. 13 at his home in Woodlawn. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received an online tip in September that Richardson had solicited an underage child for nude pictures. The task force contacted the county sheriffs office on Sept. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies received search warrants for Richardsons online accounts and electronic devices. The Jefferson County States Attorneys Office charged Richardson with child pornography and unlawful grooming. He has a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 17. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Debris has fallen in four districts of Kyiv as a result of a Russian drone attack on 17 December. Source: Serhii Popko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram Details: A car was damaged in the Solomianskyi district. Drone debris damaged a window in a residential building in the Pecherskyi district. Debris from a Russian drone damaged window panes in a residential building in the Dniprovskyi district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no reports of casualties. Updated: Later, Popko reported that more debris was found in Holosiivskyi district, in the yard of a residential building. Background: An air-raid warning was issued in Kyiv at 09:47 due to Russian attack drones. Air defence was responding. The all-clear was given in Kyiv at 10:03. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces are carrying out an intensive offensive in Kursk Oblast for the third day in a row, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Dec. 17, as Ukrainian forces are on the defensive in the border region. "For the third day, Russian forces have been conducting intensive offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, actively using North Korean units," Syrskyi said in an online address to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities held in Lviv, according to Interfax-Ukraine. Russia reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk Oblast since early August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "North Korean mercenaries have already suffered heavy losses," Ukraine's commander said, adding that Kyiv's troops are holding the defenses, destroying personnel and equipment. The Special Operation Forces said that they had killed 50 North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast in three days and injured 47 more. The full extent of North Korean losses is hard to ascertain, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is trying to hide the casualties. Despite the losses within Russian and North Korean ranks, the Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Kursk Oblast seem to be increasingly on the back foot, facing a Russian advantage in manpower and equipment. Citing Ukrainian soldiers, The Economist wrote that Ukraine likely lost around half of the territory it had captured in the initial phase of the operation in August and September. An officer talking to the outlet connected this development to the redeployment of elite units that first spearheaded the offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine likely seeks to hold on to a piece of Russian territory as a possible bargaining chip ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's expected push for peace negotiations. Read also: ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Defence Intelligence has analysed the Russian army's losses in military equipment since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Source: UK Defence Intelligence update dated 17 December, as reported by European Pravda Details: The intelligence report noted that the loss of Russian military equipment in Ukraine continues to grow. They noted that since February 2022, Russia has lost more than 3,600 main battle tanks and almost 8,000 armoured vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UK Defence Intelligence noted that this has led to the use of outdated and poorly maintained Soviet-era equipment from strategic depots. The report indicates that the Russians are removing armoured vehicles from storage, upgrading them where possible, and sending them to the front line. As emphasised by UK Defence Intelligence, the images confirm a significant reduction in the number of armoured vehicles at tank bases in Arsenyev, Buy and Ulan-Ude since 2022. Photo: UK Ministry of Defence on X Photo: UK Ministry of Defence on X Background: UK Defence Intelligence noted that in November, the average daily losses of Russian occupation forces in Ukraine (killed and wounded) reached a new record in early December. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Russia had spent US$200 billion on the war since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On 9 December, UK Defence Intelligence reported that a Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system's position was targeted as a result of the attack on Russian-occupied Crimea. Support UP or become our patron! Russia plans to begin mass production of its Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), Russian President Vladimir Putin alleged at a defense ministry board meeting on Dec. 16. Russia first launched the experimental Oreshnik missile in an attack against Dnipro on Nov. 21. Putin claimed the strike was a response to Ukraine's use of U.S. and British long-range missiles to attack Russian territory. Putin said on Dec. 16 that large-scale Oreshnik production was a goal for the "near future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the near future, serial production of such systems should be ensured to protect the security of Russia and our allies," he said. A former Russian defense engineer previously told the Moscow Times that mass production of Oreshnik missiles would take years, due to bureaucratic and technological difficulties in Russia. The Oreshnik is an IRBM capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Putin has boasted that the missile travels at 10 times the speed of sound. He has also alleged that the weapon cannot be intercepted by air defense systems, a claim refuted by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Kremlin has leveraged possession of Oreshnik missiles in escalating anti-Western rhetoric and threats against Ukraine. A week after the strike on Dnipro, Putin on Nov. 28 threatened to target "decision-making centers in Kyiv" with Oreshnik strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An unnamed U.S. National Security Council representative warned on Dec. 13 that Russia was considering launching an Oreshnik missile at Ukraine over the upcoming weekend. No such attack took place. The intense media attention devoted to the Oreshnik in the aftermath of the Dnipro strike was the result of an orchestrated Russian attempt to stir panic in the West, four Russian officials told the Moscow Times in early December. Some defense experts say the Oreshnik missile is likely not an entirely new development, but rather an upgraded version of Russia's RS-26 missile. The RS-26, also known as the Rubezh, was first produced in 2011. Russia has yet to use the Oreshnik in any attacks against Ukraine since the strike on Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Dont overreact Oreshnik missile isnt as new as Russia claims, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troops may encircle Ukrainian forces near Velyka Novosilka, located 74 kilometers from the regional center of Donetsk, the monitoring group DeepState reported on Dec. 17. DeepState, an independent mapping project known for its close ties to Ukraine's Defense Ministry and widely trusted for accurate territorial updates, highlighted that Russian operations in the area aim to sever logistics and occupy the village. According to DeepState's map, Ukrainian troops in Makarivka south of Velyka Novosilka have been almost surrounded. Analysts warn that the situation around Makarivka is becoming more critical as Russian troops continue their advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent Russian raid on Novyi Komar, just 4 kilometers north of Velyka Novosilka, achieved partial success, with Russian forces reportedly entering the village. The DeepState monitoring group map, as of December 17. (DeepState/OpenStreetMaps) Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi previously described the ongoing Russian offensive as "one of the most powerful" since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Over the autumn, Russian forces have achieved operational gains in southern Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk, while also advancing on Russian soil in Kursk Oblast. Read also: Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, actively using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian Federations Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said on 16 December that Russia did not accept any scenarios for freezing the war and that Moscow considered Zelenskyy's peace initiatives an attempt to gain time to intensify the fight against Russia. Source: UN Security Council meeting Details: Nebenzya, speaking during the Security Council meeting, said that any scenarios for freezing the war, which were discussed during the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, are unacceptable to the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Nebenzya said that Zelenskyy's peace initiatives were an attempt to buy time to strengthen the fight against Russia and receive new military assistance. He said Russia was ready to negotiate, but only with those ready to "accept reality and end the war". Background: Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Russias seaborne crude shipments have fallen by about 11% since October, with maintenance work at one of the countrys main export terminals pushing flows even lower in the latest week. Most Read from Bloomberg Flows have settled just above 3 million barrels a day after weekly fluctuations are smoothed out. Four-week average volumes stood at 3.06 million barrels a day in the period to Dec. 15, down from a recent peak of 3.46 million two months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drop comes as Western powers are stepping up pressure on the shadow fleet of tankers built up by Russia to keep its oil flowing and as refinery runs hit their highest weekly rate since mid-August, potentially reducing volumes of crude available for export. Russia has also been under mounting pressure to abide by its OPEC+ production target, which has been extended to the end of March, after the group again delayed plans to start raising production. European nations have ramped up sanctions on the vessels that carry Moscows oil while the US is weighing new, harsher measures just weeks before Donald Trump returns to the White House. The European Union added 42 oil tankers to its list of sanctioned vessels on Monday, though more than half of them had already been sanctioned by the UK. Separately, 12 European countries are set to clamp down on tankers moving Russian petroleum around the world by asking to see how theyre protected against oil spills and other high-cost claims. Ukraine, meanwhile, has identified 238 tankers it says belong to the shadow fleet, with a view to authorities sanctioning even more of the carriers. Theres evidence that the actions have an impact, with almost two-thirds of tankers sanctioned by Western nations for their involvement in the Russian oil trade remaining idle, with many gathering in locations close to Russian ports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has extended until the end of June its own ban on oil sales to foreign buyers that adhere to a price cap mechanism imposed by the G7 nations in response to Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the countrys oil exporters are cementing their ties with buyers in India. Rosneft has agreed to supply about 500,000 barrels a day of crude to Reliance Industries under a 10-year contract thats due to start in January. Refinery runs continued to rise after completion of seasonal maintenance. The increase this month has been supported by the lifting of a gasoline-export ban for producers of the fuel and recent weakness in the ruble, benefiting export-focused refineries. Crude Shipments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total of 27 tankers loaded 20.8 million barrels of Russian crude in the week to Dec. 15, vessel-tracking data and port-agent reports show. The volume was down from 22 million barrels on 29 ships the previous week. Daily crude flows in the week to Dec. 15 fell by about 170,000 barrels to 2.97 million. That followed a drop of about 220,000 barrels a day in the week to Dec. 8. The drop resulted from a four-day halt in departures from the main Baltic port of Primorsk. A similar gap in a partial loading program for the port, seen by Bloomberg, suggests that the disruption was related to work on the terminal or the pipeline serving it. In contrast, cargo loading at the key Pacific site of Kozmino has remained strong, with 11 tankers loading in each of the past two weeks, just one vessel short of the record number handled in a seven-day period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less volatile four-week average flows moved in the opposite direction, edging higher to average 3.06 million barrels a day, an increase of 30,000 from the period to Dec. 8. Crude shipments so far this year are about 70,000 barrels a day, or 2%, below the average for the whole of 2023. No cargoes of Kazakhstans KEBCO crude were loaded during the week. Russia terminated its export targets at the end of May, opting instead to restrict production, in line with its partners in the OPEC+ oil producers group. The countrys output target is set at 8.978 million barrels a day until the end of March, after a planned easing of some output cuts was delayed for a third time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow also pledged to make deeper output cuts in October and November this year, then again between March and September of 2025, to compensate for pumping above its OPEC+ quota earlier this year. Export Value The Kremlins oil income slipped in line with crude flows, with weekly-average prices for Russias major crude streams moving different directions. The gross value of Moscows shipments fell by about $70 million to $1.36 billion in the week to Dec. 15. Export values at Baltic ports were down week-on-week by about $0.60 a barrel. In contrast, prices for Black Sea loading Urals rose by about $0.20 a barrel and key Pacific grade ESPO was up by about $0.40, compared with the previous week. Delivered prices in India were down marginally, all according to numbers from Argus Media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four-week average income increased, rising to about $1.39 billion a week, from $1.36 billion in the period to Dec. 8. On this basis, the price of Russias shipments from the Baltic in the four weeks to Dec. 15 was up by about $0.40 a barrel from the period to Dec. 8. Prices for key Pacific grade ESPO and for Black Sea Urals shipments were higher by about $0.50 a barrel and $0.30 a barrel respectively. The delivered price for shipments to India was also up by about $0.30 a barrel. Flows by Destination Asia Most Read from Bloomberg How California Sees the World, and Itself Observed shipments to Russias Asian customers, including those showing no final destination, edged higher to 2.77 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Dec. 15 from 2.68 million in the period to Dec. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 1.35 million barrels a day of crude were loaded onto tankers heading to China. Thats up from 1.27 million barrels a day in the period to Dec. 8. The Asian nations seaborne imports are boosted by about 800,000 barrels a day of crude delivered from Russia by pipeline, either directly, or via Kazakhstan. Flows on ships signaling destinations in India averaged 1.19 million barrels a day, down from 1.22 million for the period to Dec. 8. The Indian figures, in particular, are likely to rise as the discharge ports become clear for vessels that are not currently showing final destinations. Most of those heading from Russias western ports through the Suez Canal end up in the south Asian nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The equivalent of about 200,000 barrels a day was on vessels signaling Port Said or Suez in Egypt. Those show up as Unknown Asia until a final destination becomes apparent. The Other Unknown volumes, running at about 30,000 barrels a day in the four weeks to Dec. 15, are those on tankers showing no clear destination. Most originate from Russias western ports and go on to transit the Suez Canal, but some could end up in Turkey. Others may be moved from one vessel to another. Greek naval exercises that have been running since May and have forced ship-to-ship cargo transfers out of the Laconian Gulf and nearby waters, were extended for a sixth time and will now continue until mid-March. Russia has found a new location close to Greek shores to carry out cargo switches, though this has so far been limited to refined products. Europe and Turkey Most Read from Bloomberg How California Sees the World, and Itself Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias seaborne crude exports to European countries have ceased, with flows to Bulgaria halted at the end of last year. Moscow also lost about 500,000 barrels a day of pipeline exports to Poland and Germany at the start of 2023, when those countries stopped purchases. Turkey is now the only short-haul market for shipments from Russias western ports. Flows in the 28 days to Dec. 15 fell to about 300,000 barrels a day, the lowest in seven weeks. Fires at two Turkish refineries in November may have hit the amount of crude heading for the country. NOTES This story forms part of a weekly series tracking shipments of crude from Russian export terminals and the gross value of those flows. There will be no update next week; publication will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 7. All figures exclude cargoes identified as Kazakhstans KEBCO grade. Those are shipments made by KazTransoil JSC that transit Russia for export through Novorossiysk and Ust-Luga and are not subject to European Union sanctions or a price cap. The Kazakh barrels are blended with crude of Russian origin to create a uniform export stream. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Kazakhstan has rebranded its cargoes to distinguish them from those shipped by Russian companies. Vessel-tracking data are cross-checked against port agent reports as well as flows and ship movements reported by other information providers including Kpler and Vortexa Ltd. If you are reading this story on the Bloomberg terminal, click for a link to a PDF file of four-week average flows from Russia to key destinations. --With assistance from Sherry Su. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. I visited my school after many years. I enrolled in first grade in 1998 at age five and graduated from FSc Pre-Medical (12th grade) in 2011. After that, I started medical school in 2012, and since then, I havent returned to my school. It was one of those schools where skipping classes was simply not an option. The teachers were professional, dedicated, and sincere. Although it was a government school with minimal fees for our education, it still offered exceptional academics. I never needed any assistance with my studies; the teachers poured their heart and soul into everything they taught. I never hesitated to ask questions or express my concerns if I didnt understand something. Our teachers were extremely hard-working, and many of them were always willing to repeat lectures or teach lessons over and over again if just one student felt confused. I was a very shy kid, but I had good writing skills and beautiful handwriting. I was also quite studious. My teachers worked hard to discover my hidden talents and encouraged me to participate in various extracurricular activities, including calligraphy, picture description, poetry, embroidery competitions, debates, and essay writing in both English and Urdu. Although I experienced stage fright then and still do, they made every effort to involve me in debates. They helped polish my skills, as children like me often try their best to hide away. I excelled in languages, although I couldnt pursue them further. One of my English teachers always expressed her pride when she graded my papers, saying she was so happy that she wanted to frame them. While many of my classmates have drifted away into their busy lives and stopped in touch, I have stayed connected with all my teachers. Most of our communication is through WhatsApp and Facebook, but many of them reach out to me whenever they or their relatives need assistance regarding any health issue. Almost all of them wish me well on my birthday every year and shower me with prayers for my success and happiness. They have always showered me with prayers, and I can never forget their contributions to my life. I feel that if they hadnt recognized my abilities and taught me the value of hard work, I might have ended up as just a simple rock lying somewhere. They polished me, encouraged me, and prayed for me. They adored me, even though I was an ordinary child. I am very lucky to have found such loving and honest teachers. It feels as if they are towering trees that have consistently provided me with shade whenever I grow tired. They have taken pride in my achievements and have expressed it multiple times. Each one of them has made a significant impact on my journey. Unfortunately, I have not been able to visit my college since 2011. Every time they organized a get-together, I couldnt attend due to my hectic routine and circumstances that prevented me from taking leave. After completing my residency, I finally felt a sigh of relief. My school holds an annual ceremony for all the class representatives, inviting their students and parents to witness their achievements and celebrate their girls being recognized by the college. Fortunately, this year my younger sister, who is in 12th grade, was selected as the class representative. This allowed me to attend the ceremony with my parents. However, I did not inform any of my teachers about my plans. On the day of the ceremony, I surprised all of my teachers. I received many kisses and hugs from everyone. It was a special day, and everyone was dressed beautifully and looked great. Everyone was still the same, and everything remained beautiful. I visited every class I attended from grade one to twelfth, feeling as if I had never left that place. It was as if I had been there all my life as if I were still there. I even met with the aaya, the female worker who assisted kids with small tasks. I remember how she used to take me to the washroom while holding my tiny hand when I was in first grade. When we met again, she greeted me with the same love she had back then. Since it was a holiday for all classes except for the class representatives, who were gathered on the main lawn to take pictures with their parents, the classrooms, corridors, and laboratories were all deserted. As I walked through each room, I recalled those happy and carefree days, feeling as if I had never left. I took countless pictures of every place and my teachers; it truly was one of the best days of my life. The chemistry, biology, and physics labs looked the same, with those anatomy models in the cupboards reminding me of the lessons we had learned. Many of my teachers introduced me to young girls from different classes. They wanted to show them my journey as an example of motivation: a shy but hard-working kid who grew up to become an oncologist. They were proud of my achievements, emphasizing to the girls that if someone like mewho had no connections and came from humble beginningscould accomplish so much, then there was no reason why they couldnt succeed as well. When I reached home, I started looking at the photos, and many thoughts came to mind. I realized that I had been ignoring and delaying my visits to my old school for so many years, even though I had always kept in touch with my teachers and was fully aware of what was happening in their lives. If I had truly tried, I could have set aside just one day to visit. Why did I deprive myself of such happiness and love all those years when it was readily available to me? Why did I spend so much energy chasing after unattainable love instead of embracing the pure love that was always present? How is it that I remember all the bitter and unkind memories from my years in medicine but have forgotten every happy memory from my school days? I often criticized myself and failed to recognize how many people looked up to me. Why did I always doubt myself and my abilities? Why could I never remember how many people were proud of me? Why did I never try to hug any of them, especially knowing that any day could be our last? Working in oncology has taught me that each day could be our final one, and we should cherish every single moment with our loved ones. We never know if any of us, or those we care about, might get sick and may never recover. As I walked through those corridors, listening to the sounds of birds and surrounded by the greenery and beauty all around me, I felt like I was in the most peaceful place I had ever been in my life. When I left that sanctuary and returned to the busyness of medical life, I never experienced the same sense of peace or true happiness that I felt in those classrooms and hallways again. The carefree laughter and the love of my teachers were emotions I never managed to experience again. I was thirsty and had forgotten to bring a water bottle with me. I found the same water cooler in the playground from which I used to fill my bottle for all those years. After thirteen years, I drank that water again, and it was still sweet. I cant help but think of all the years during which I was unable to taste that sweetness once more. I wonder if everything had remained the same as if time had stopped there, if every nook and cranny was unchanged, if the corridors looked the same, and if the notice boards had not altered. Why, then, have I changed so much? Why did I forget the lesson of being happy that I learned there? How could I have forgotten every memory and feeling I experienced in that place? Was I too busy, or was I simply unlucky? I wish I could be a child forever. I long to go back to that time and avoid the process of growing up. I wish I had never experienced pain. I wish I could always be in my safe place. I desire to be loved again in the same way everyone around me once cherished me. Damane Zehra is a radiation oncology resident in Pakistan. The Russian military is attempting to hide the losses of North Korean soldiers fighting in the war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Dec. 16. Zelensky's remarks came after Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) and the U.S. Pentagon on Dec. 16 reported that North Korean troops suffered casualties in assault operations alongside Russian forces in Kursk Oblast. "Russia is not only involving North Korean soldiers in assaults on Ukrainian positions, but is also trying to hide the losses of these people," Zelensky said via his official Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian military has attempted to keep the presence of North Korean units secret throughout their training and deployment, Zelensky said. He also claimed that Moscow has resorted to extreme tactics to disguise the identities of North Korean soldiers killed in combat. Russia tries to "burn the faces" of North Korean soldiers after they are killed, Zelensky alleged. His post shared a video purportedly showing Russian personnel setting fire to the bodies of North Korean fighters on the front line. The Kyiv Independent could not confirm Zelensky's claim or the veracity of the video. "There is no reason for Koreans to fight and die for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And even after their deaths, all that awaits them from Russia is mockery." Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed on Dec. 16 that North Korean personnel had engaged in combat operations alongside Russian troops in Kursk Oblast and suffered their first casualties. The confirmation came after Zelensky reported on Dec. 14 that North Koreans were participating in Russian assaults in the Kursk region. Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed that at least 30 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded on the Kursk front. Ukrainian and Western officials issued warnings in fall 2024 that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia's attempt to oust Ukrainian forces after Kyiv launched a surprise incursion in the region in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first clashes between North Korean and Ukrainian troops in Kursk Oblast were reported in early November. Zelensky and Western officials have accused Russia of dramatically escalating the war against Ukraine by involving a foreign state in the conflict. Read also: North Korean troops suffer casualties in Russias Kursk Oblast, Pentagon says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Sukhoi fighter aircraft punched through the clouds, its growl echoing over Russias Hmeimim air base on Syrias coast. Abu Zaid, a bearded militant with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al Sham, cocked his ear toward the roar. That sound we used to be afraid of it when those planes would bomb us in Idlib, he said, referring to a rebel-held province that was a frequent target of Russias campaign in support of the now-exiled Syrian President Bashar Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this time the Russian plane wasnt on a bombing sortie. And Abu Zaid, rather than hiding in a rebels bastion, was standing at Hmeimims gate. He was part of a group of insurgents charged with protecting Russian soldiers who a mere eight days ago were his adversaries. A Russian aircraft takes off from Hmeimim air base. (Leo Correa / Associated Press) It was another sign of the seismic changes that have hit Syria, after the rebels blitz offensive this month swatted away Syrian army troops and removed Assad with Moscow unable or unwilling to help its ally. Speaking Monday from inside Hmeimim air base, a representative of Russias military who refused to be named in line with military regulations said relations with the rebels were quite good. We don't feel unsafe with the new government, he said, adding that Russia had been coordinating with the new authorities for the last week and hoped to maintain friendly relations with the rebels new government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have contact with the new governmental heads so neither of us [will] make provocative moves against each other," he said. That was not always the case. In 2015, Russia came to Assads rescue, dispatching warplanes and soldiers who helped turn the tide in his favor in a civil war that began in 2011 and left more than half a million people dead. But on Dec. 8, Damascus residents awoke to find the rebels in charge. On Monday, Assad issued a statement saying he had initially escaped to Hmeimim and had planned to stay there and fight. But when Hmeimim came under heavy drone attacks, the Russians decided he should leave for Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian military representative denied that Assad or any members of his government or family had left through Hmeimim. A Syrian employee working in the civilian side of the airport which lies adjacent to the base and shares runways with it said the last planes to depart the civilian airport were on Sunday night, including 10 flights taking Iranian fighters back to Tehran. Syrian fighters watch Russian armored vehicles driving past near Hmeimim air base in the town of Hmeimim in Syria on Monday. (Leo Correa / Associated Press) Assads departure leaves unclear Moscows military role in the country. The Russian presence includes not only Hmeimim, but also Syria's sole warm-water port in the nearby coastal city of Tartous. Assad gave Russia free use of Hmeimim and Tartous in 2017 as part of a 49-year lease. The Russian military representative said Russias presence would be determined by the two countries heads of state, adding that Russian troops have in recent days reduced their logistical footprint and pulled back from some of their far-flung bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite image analysis company Maxar Technologies released images of Hmeimim last week depicting heavy transport planes preparing to receive cargo and attack helicopters dismantled, probably ahead of being transported. Its not a withdrawal. Its just a transfer, the Russian official said. On Monday, Russian convoys could be seen traversing the coastal highway to Hmeimim. Later, an An-124 heavy transport plane could be seen taking off from Hmeimim, with a KA-52 attack helicopter flying in tow. The presence of so many Russian troops in Hmeimim had affected the nearby city of Jableh, where storefronts a few miles from the air base sported signs in Cyrillic as well as Arabic. Restaurants catered to Russian servicemens tastes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Souvenir shops would also sell trinkets and ceremonial goods commemorating Russian-Syrian military cooperation. When the rebels took over, they ordered shopkeepers to destroy such merchandise, said Ali Daqouq, who owned a souvenir shop down the road from Hmeimim. But Daqouq was reluctant to do so quite just yet. They told me to get rid of this stuff, but I have so much of it, he said, gesturing toward shelves of mother-of-pearl wooden boxes with Syrian and Russian flags, and plaques with the faces of Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin. I figure I might as well sell what I can while the Russians are still here," he said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A 59-year-old woman has been killed and a 63-year-old woman injured as a result of a Russian attack on Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast. Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "Russian forces once again attacked Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast on 17 December." Details: Reports indicate that a 59-year-old woman, who was outside at the time, was killed in the attack. A 63-year-old woman was also injured and has been taken to hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement authorities have launched an investigation into the war crime that caused the casualties. Background: Russian forces dropped explosives from a UAV on a civilian car in Khersons Dniprovskyi district on 17 December, injuring a 51-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman. Support UP or become our patron! Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least four civilians and injured at least six over the past day, regional authorities reported on Dec. 17. A 57-year-old woman was injured during Russian attacks against the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Governor Serhii Lysak said. The victim was hospitalized and is in serious condition. Three houses, two enterprises, and other buildings were damaged. A Russian attack killed one person in the front-line town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kharkiv Oblast, two men aged 53 and 64 were killed during a Russian attack against the town of Kupiansk on the evening of Dec. 16, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Fifteen houses were damaged. Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast killed one civilian and injured five others, said the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. Two apartment buildings and fifteen houses were damaged. Chernihiv, Luhansk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts also came under attack, but no casualties were reported. Read also: Ukraine assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. People living on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula have been warned about possible mobile internet shutdowns starting 17 December. Source: Occupying Ministry of Information of Crimea; Suspilne Crimea; Crimea.Realities Details: The shutdown will affect all operators on the peninsula, including those operating in mainland Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The occupying authorities added that internet providers and mobile communications will continue to operate as usual. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restrictions on mobile internet could occur at any time of the day, not just at night. Local residents told Suspilne Crimea that mobile internet on the peninsula is frequently subject to disruptions, and at night there is almost no signal at all. Support UP or become our patron! Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec. 16 that the deal allowing Russian gas to transit through Ukraine will not be extended beyond the end of the year. His statement comes as several European countries intensify efforts to secure alternative energy supplies. Following discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Shmyhal said Ukraine is open to negotiating gas transit for any origin except Russian. "To this effect, if the European Commission officially approaches Ukraine about the transit of any gas other than Russian, we naturally will discuss it and are ready to reach an appropriate agreement," Shmyhal noted in a statement on his Telegram channel. "I stressed that Ukraine's agreement with Russia on gas transit comes to an end on January 1st 2025 and will not be extended." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shmyhal added that significant progress has been made over the past year to ensure EU countries have sufficient energy supplies, particularly gas. Slovakia and other nations relying on Russian gas transiting through Ukraine are engaged in discussions to prevent disruptions when the contract expires. Fico, ahead of his talks with Shmyhal, emphasized that maintaining gas transit is not solely a bilateral concern for Ukraines neighbors but an issue affecting the entire European Union. Fico previously said his goal to ensure continued eastern gas supplies to avoid increased costs associated with alternative transit routes. Slovakia holds a long-term contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said earlier in Brussels that European countries and companies collectively require around 15 billion cubic meters of Russian gas next year via Ukraine and are negotiating ways to secure new supplies. Slovakia is aiming for an agreement covering gas deliveries for the next two to three years. The EU, meanwhile, has set a target to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027. Read also: Serbia claims US plans to sanction Russian-backed energy firm Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LATEST: Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was reportedly killed in an explosion at a residence in Moscow on the morning of Dec. 17, according to Russian media. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) on Dec. 16 sentenced Kirillov in absentia for the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirillov and another Russian servicemember, reported to be his personal assistant, were killed in an explosion near the entrance to a residential building in Moscow in the early hours of Dec. 17, according to the Russian Telegram news channel Astra. Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on the incident. The committee reported that the explosion was caused by a device planted on a scooter near the entrance to the building. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify these reports. The SBU alleged on Dec. 16 that Kirillov was responsible for "the massive use of banned chemical weapons" against the Ukrainian military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On Kirillov's orders, since the beginning of the full-scale war, more than 4,800 cases of enemy use of chemical munitions have been recorded," the SBU claimed. The U.K. issued sanctions against Kirillov and his unit over the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine on Oct. 8. Ukraine has previously targeted Russian officials who play a key role in Russia's full-scale invasion. Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian expert involved in modernizing missiles launched against Ukraine, was shot dead near Moscow on Dec. 12, a Defense Forces source told the Kyiv Independent. Aleksey Kolomeitsev, a Russian colonel who trained specialists in the use of attack drones, was killed in the city of Kolomna in Moscow Oblast, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on Sept. 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine charges Russian general over use of banned chemical weapons Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LATEST: Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov met his demise in Moscow on Dec. 17, reportedly killed by a bomb attached to a scooter planted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). "Kirillov was a war criminal and a completely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers," an SBU source told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Retribution for war crimes is inevitable." Who was Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov? Born on July 13, 1970, 54-year-old Kirillov was the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops (RKhBZ). According to the think tank and research group Global Security, the RKhBZ are ostensibly "special troops designed to perform the most complex tasks of protecting troops and the population, requiring the use of special equipment." "They consist of units and divisions for detecting nuclear explosions, radiation and chemical reconnaissance, special processing, aerosol countermeasures, flamethrower, etc," it adds. A Russian RS-24 Yars thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile arrives for a military parade rehearsal ahead of Russia's Victory Day celebration in Moscow, Russia, on May 5, 2024. (Contributor/Getty Images) In Ukraine, Kirillov became best known for his alleged role in the use of chemical weapons by Russian forces against Ukrainian troops. Chemical weapons Kirillov's involvement in chemical weapon attacks predates the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, Kirillov defended Moscow against accusations that Russia and Syria were tampering with evidence and blocking access to the site of a chemical weapons attack that killed more than 40 civilians in the Syrian town of Douma in 2018. A report from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons later found the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad had likely carried out the attack, despite Russia long-claiming otherwise, and spreading debunked conspiracy theories to try and shift blame away from their ally. Recent witness testimony provided in the wake of the fall of Assad provided further evidence that Syrian and Russian authorities lied and intimidated locals to try to suppress what actually happened. Russian chemical weapons in Ukraine Moscow's forces have been increasingly deploying gas attacks against Ukrainian troops, a Kyiv Independent investigation from August found, and Kirillov has since been sanctioned by the U.K. for his role in their use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian soldiers and officers interviewed by the Kyiv Independent acknowledged that the tactic is effective, allowing Moscow to capture positions occasionally without destroying them. According to an SBU investigation, chemical weapons have been used in more than 4,800 cases since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. 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 SBU said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department confirmed that Russian forces had used the chemical agent chloropicrin in Ukraine. On Dec. 16, Kirillov was charged in absentia by the SBU for the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Read also: Silent killer: Russia boosts grinding Donbas advance with chemical warfare Sanctions Kirillov was one of 123 "elites and close associates of the (Russian) Regime" sanctioned by the Canadian government in February 2023. And in October of this year, the U.K. issued sanctions against Russian units involved in the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirillov along with two Russian Defense Ministry scientific centers were also on the list. "The U.K. will not sit idly by whilst (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and his mafia state ride roughshod over international law, including the Chemical Weapons Convention," British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement at the time. Disinformation and conspiracy theories As well as his military endeavors, Kirillov was also a prominent mouthpiece for the Kremlin, and propagator of several debunked conspiracy theories. Shortly after the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion, Moscow's propaganda machine went into overdrive in an attempt to convince the world that Ukraine was hosting U.S.-funded bioweapons sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no evidence to support the claims but that didn't stop the conspiracy theory gaining traction in the West, and even found supporters in the likes of Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence. Kirillov played a central part in spreading disinformation, claiming to have documents obtained on the first day of the full-scale invasion that showed "the Ministry of Health of Ukraine has set the task of completely destroying bio-agents in laboratories." "The Pentagon knows that if these documents fall into the hands of Russian experts, then it's highly likely that Ukraine and the United States will be found to have violated the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons," Kirillov added. The World Health Organization (WHO) clarified that Ukraine had been advised to destroy high-threat pathogens in labs in order to "any potential spills," but stressed this was related to routine scientific research and not biological weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in 2022, Kirillov was also instrumental in spreading false claims that Ukraine was developing a "dirty bomb," a crude nuclear device designed to contaminate a wide area with radiation, making it uninhabitable. "According to the information we have, two organisations in Ukraine have specific instructions to create a so-called 'dirty bomb'. This work is in its final stage," he said in October 2022. He provided no evidence to back up the claim and none has come to light since. The assassination Kirillov and another Russian service member were reportedly killed in an explosion on the morning of Dec. 17 in Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The explosion occurred at around 6 a.m. local time when a service car arrived for Kirillov, the Mash Telegram channel reported. Russian state media outlet Kommersant said the two men were killed by a homemade explosive device that contained the equivalent of around 300 grams of TNT. An SBU source later told the Kyiv Independent it was responsible for the killing, and that explosives attached to a scooter detonated when the pair left the entrance of a house on Ryazansky Prospect in the capital. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Russia's Investigative Committee has begun a terrorism investigation into the case, and two undisclosed sources told the Russian RBC news agency that investigators consider Ukraine's involvement the most likely scenario. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MOSCOW (AP) The lower house of Russia's parliament on Tuesday approved a bill that would set the stage for Moscow to remove the designation of the Taliban in Afghanistan as a terrorist group. Under the bill passed by the State Duma in the second and third readings, the official terrorist designation of an organization could be suspended by a court. The legislation still needs to be approved by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law. The Taliban were put on Russias list of terrorist organizations in 2003, and any contact with such groups is punishable under Russian law. At the same time, Taliban delegations attended various forums hosted by Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian officials have shrugged off questions about the seeming contradiction by emphasizing the need to engage the Taliban to help stabilize Afghanistan. The Soviet Union fought a 10-year war in Afghanistan that ended with Moscow withdrawing its troops in 1989. Since then, Moscow has made a diplomatic comeback as a power broker, hosting talks on Afghanistan involving senior representatives of the Taliban and neighboring nations. There is a deepening divide in the international community on how to deal with the Taliban, who have been in power for three years and face no internal or external opposition. Afghanistans rulers have pursued bilateral ties with major regional powers. Ruben Vardanyan's lawyers seem to have finally begun to understand the gravity of the situation they are in. Armenian media has published a statement from his foreign lawyers warning that Vardanyan faces 45 charges. "According to these charges, Vardanyan could face a punishment of up to life in prison," the lawyers and journalists warn, trying to frighten readers. It seems like this came as a surprise to Vardanyan's lawyers. Didn't your client inform you about this? Is anyone really surprised? The crimes Vardanyan is accused of are among the most serious under the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. Or did Vardanyan's lawyers seriously believe he would get away with just a fine? Im a semi-retired cardiologist. I currently volunteer at a free community health clinic for individuals who do not have health insurance. Many of these individuals are undocumented foreign workers, yet we care for them seamlessly, without the restraints of our bureaucratic billing system and the burdens and restrictions promoted by the insurance industry. As I age, to my chagrin and utter dismay, I have also unfortunately become a patient. I have dealt with and continue to deal with certain significant health challenges. What I have witnessed and experienced as a patient is both disappointing, frustrating, and truth be told, alarming. As a practicing physician, and until I also became a health care consumer, I was never aware of all the roadblocks patients encounter to simply make an appointment. I admit I am spoiled. If I had a personal medical question or concern during my active practice days in the hospital, Id simply ask a colleague in the halls or in the doctors lounge, and wed address it promptly, usually with the caveat of come up and see me in the office this afternoon. That privilege is long gone but has clearly jaundiced my view of physician accessibility. There is obviously a serious physician shortage currently since it is virtually impossible to see any specialist (or primary care physician for that matter) in a reasonable time frame. More often than not, the next available appointment is usually several months away. When I was practicing, if a referring physician called and asked me to see a complex, potentially unstable patient, I would work them into my schedule within a day or so. No more. If youre lucky, they might move you up to a 46 week time frame rather than the original 46 months. Hopefully, you remain reasonably healthy, and nothing bad happens during this extended waiting period. Once youre finally seen, you are generally screened by a medical assistant prior to seeing the physician. The assistant asks the exact same questions you previously spent an hour painfully filling out on the digital portal. Most alarming is the fact that no one does a physical exam anymore. A thorough exam isor wasone of the key tenets of my medical school education. Apparently, it is a lost art. I guess it is easier for current-day physicians to simply order a battery of tests. And there is actually no pretense of even doing an exam. Ive started to notice most physicians dont even carry a stethoscope. In medical school, we were taught this was perhaps our most valued tool. Now its an afterthought at best. Ive had to be proactive and actually ask an infectious disease specialist to inspect my surgical wound rather than just checking the cultures when I was battling a postoperative infection. I had to ask the primary care doctor to listen to my lungs rather than just look at the X-rays when I was short of breath, demand the urologist perform a prostate exam rather than just referring to the PSA, and almost beg an orthopedic surgeon to perform a thorough musculoskeletal and neurological exam when I was dealing with hip and back pain rather than just reviewing the MRI and CT scans. We are witnessing a very disturbing trend where physicians are treating the lab tests and/or acquired images and not the patients clinical situation. When they rely on all these tests, they lose sight of their true mission, which is to treat the individual. Everyone is different. Everyone has different pain thresholds. Everyone has a different level of baseline activity that they hope to return to. Everyone has different social and financial support systems. Each of us must be treated as separate and unique individuals. Many physicians simply click on the normal template in the electronic medical record for the exam without actually performing one. On a very basic level, this is fraud. On another more concerning level, this is counterintuitive to the practice of good, sound medicine. How can the physician follow your muscle strength or range of motion or the intensity of your heart murmur or lung sounds on serial exams if one has never been done appropriately in the first place? This is a very dangerous precedent that will lead to serious harm and untold consequences. If you have the knowledge and courage to find the after visit summary (on the portal, after a lengthy search), you can easily surmise that the physician has used a template for the patient history section as well. There are no quotes, no mention of your actual words and concerns, just another cut-and-dry template. These offenses are compounded by the physician looking at their computer rather than at you, the patient, during your visit. The lack of eye contact is beyond disturbing. It creates a major barrier to the interaction. It is impossible to develop confidence, establish rapport, and stay engaged when one party is solely focused on the computer, entering data points, and typing away at a feverish pace. Patients are not aware that the medicine reconciliation list is a total disaster. Based on my personal experience, Id estimate it is inaccurate greater than 80 percent of the time. When multiple physicians have access to a patients chart, no one actually takes the time to authenticate and confirm changes with the actual current medications. The EMR makes entering changes both time-consuming, cumbersome, and quite challenging. Utilizing the patient portal as a communication tool is OK if people have computers and internet access. Yet, there are too many elderly patients that simply dont have the skills to navigate these difficult portals. These sites are simply not intuitive or user-friendly. To understand the billing summary, you truly need an advanced degree in higher-level mathematics. It is both terribly overwhelming and confusing. The disconnect from what youre charged to what insurance allows to what you end up paying is dramatically different. I have never understood the term usual and customary. At some point, you simply give up trying to understand, pay the bill for fear of being sent to collections, and drop your valid inquiries and concerns, out of sheer frustration. Youve probably noticed that physicians dont communicate directly anymore. When was the last time your personal physician picked up a phone and called a colleague (referring physician or specialist, it doesnt matter) and spoke openly and honestly about a situationyour situation? It has become simpler just to leave a note in the chart (which may or may not be found) and remain in ones own silo. This lack of direct communication is hurting patient outcomes. These observations should not be a surprise and are confirmed by a very recent landmark (Commonwealth) study indicating that indeed the U.S. is ranked last in multiple health care metrics compared to other high-income developed countries, despite spending more. What a shame and how very sad. I dont profess to have any of the solutions, but I do fear health care delivery is going in the wrong direction. A major part of the problem has been generated by the digital revolution. The EMR is truly a system aimed at documentation for billing purposes, not for enhancing the health care of our patients. No one likes to talk about these issues. Everyone seems too busy. The current goal seems to be seeing more patients, doing more tests, and increasing revenue. Hopefully, we can engage in open and honest dialogue and improve the delivery of health care. Until then, we remain in a tenuous situation where outcomes will be severely compromised. No one deserves less than the best. Mark Goldfarb is a cardiologist. The Russian parliament has increased punishment for armed rebellion in response to the coup attempt mounted by mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last year to 15 from 12 years in prison, state media reported on Tuesday. In serious cases where deaths result, for example, the penalty has been raised to life from 20 years, the TASS news agency reported. Prigozhin marched with his Wagner Group on Moscow from southern Russia in June 2023, saying he was dissatisfied with the way the Russian general staff was conducting the campaign in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After making considerable progress towards the Russian capital, he called the rebellion off. He and some of his associates died three months later in a suspicious plane crash. In its session, the Duma also increased punishments for foreigners in Russia who support attacks on the security of the Russian Federation either financially or organizationally. The law could apply to migrants from Central Asia who assisted Tajik jihadis in their attack on a music venue in Moscow in March that killed more than 130 people. By Andrius Sytas TALLINN (Reuters) - Vessels of Russia's so-called shadow tanker fleet will be boarded or put on a sanctions list if they do not provide proof of insurance, Estonia's prime minister said on Tuesday. 'Shadow fleet' refers to vessels used by Russia to move oil, arms and grains around in violation of international sanctions imposed on it over the Ukraine war. The vessels are not regulated or insured by conventional Western providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dozen Western countries - Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, five Nordic nations and the three Baltic states - agreed on Monday to "disrupt and deter" Russia's shadow fleet. Six of them - Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia - will begin checking insurance documents of vessels in the Channel, the Danish straits, the Gulf of Finland and the strait between Sweden and Denmark. "If the ships do not cooperate, next steps will be taken: they will be put on a list for prohibition, or they will be boarded in certain areas," Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told reporters in Tallinn. "The main thing is to do this systematically, to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet", said Michal, speaking at the end of the two-day gathering of the leaders of the military Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) grouping, which includes most of the 12 countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cheered the move. "Aside from generating enormous profits for Russia's war machine and funding war crimes against Ukrainians, these ageing oil tankers pose a serious environmental threat to the Baltic and Northern Seas' coastal states," he said on X. Russia rejects Western pressure to limit its oil exports and in the past year the number of tankers transporting cargoes that are not regulated or insured by Western providers has grown. 'RIGHT OF SUSPICION' Britain on Tuesday sanctioned 20 ships, prohibiting their entry to some of its ports and saying they were using illicit practices to avoid sanctions. The EU has also sanctioned 52 new vessels from the shadow fleet, bringing the total to 79. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leaders meeting in Tallinn said there was a limit to how much they can affect the shadow fleet, due to international law granting significant freedom for ships to sail uninterrupted in international waters. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said coastal states could invoke "the right of suspicion" as a pretext to board and inspect vessels. "There are rules to be followed here, but I believe we need to cooperate, to see how we can strengthen those rules and regulations to limit and restrict this very dangerous phenomenon", he told reporters on Tuesday. One shadow fleet vessel broke in half and another ran aground during a storm in the Black Sea on Sunday, spilling oil. Both tankers were over 50 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are firmly behind the international order of freedom of navigation, so there are obvious limitations", said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. "But there are also limitations in what we can accept Russia doing. So the steps we are taking right now are necessary", he added. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Gareth Jones) Russian forces attacked the village of Udachne in the Pokrovsk district, Donetsk Oblast, on 17 December, injuring four bus passengers. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office Quote: "The investigation indicates that on 17 December 2024 at 15:50, the occupiers shelled the village of Udachne in the Pokrovsk district, likely using artillery. A bus in the affected area was hit. Four passengers aged 26, 39, 41 and 46 sustained injuries." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The injured passengers were diagnosed with closed fractures, concussions, bruising, shrapnel wounds and puncture wounds. They were taken to hospital for treatment. Support UP or become our patron! Russian forces dropped explosives from a UAV on a civilian car in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson on 17 December, injuring a 51-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman. Source: Kherson Oblast Military Administration Quote: "The Russian military attacked a civilian car from a drone in the Dniprovskyi district of Kherson in the morning." Details: It is noted that the 51-year-old man and the 50-year-old woman sustained injuries in the attack. They were diagnosed with blast and craniocerebral injuries, concussion and shrapnel wounds. They were taken to hospital for medical treatment. Support UP or become our patron! Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, has stated that the Russians greatly increased pressure on the Kramatorsk, Toretsk and Vremivka fronts and were conducting extensive offensive operations in Kursk Oblast for the third consecutive day. Source: Syrskyi at the all-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Quote: "As of 17 December, the defence forces are actively battling on a front section spanning more than 1,170 kilometres. The toughest situation is currently on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, the Russian invaders greatly boosted pressure on the Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Vremivka fronts. For three days in a row, the enemy has been carrying out strong offensive operations in Kursk Oblast in an attempt to drive Ukraines defence forces units off Russian Federation soil." Details: Syrskyi acknowledged that the Russian forces are actively deploying units from the North Korean army. North Korean mercenaries have already suffered significant casualties. According to Syrskyi, Ukrainian defenders hold their lines of defence and continue to eliminate the Russian personnel and equipment. Given the current conditions, the entire society must unite to support the defence forces. In addition to Ukrainian soldiers' steadiness, engineering and fortifications are critical, Syrskyi emphasised when addressing local officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building of the fortifications was divided into three stages. The work is now nearing completion. Within it, the Armed Forces have already completed the implementation of their tasks, while the State Transport Special Service needs to speed up the process. 21 regional military administrations and contracting organisations are involved in the construction of fortification structures. Syrskyi emphasised that seven regions should step up their efforts to improve fortifications. Support UP or become our patron! By Lucy Papachristou LONDON (Reuters) -Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that tightens restrictions on income received by those Moscow has designated as "foreign agents". Russian law requires any person or organisation receiving support from outside Russia or who Moscow says is under foreign influence to register as a "foreign agent", a label that has negative Soviet-era connotations and brings onerous bureaucratic requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, which the Duma passed in the third and final reading, is Moscow's latest step to root out suspected internal enemies during what President Vladimir Putin has cast as a proxy war in Ukraine between Russia and the West. It requires "foreign agents" to transfer all income from the sale or rental of property and vehicles, as well as interest on deposits and dividends, to special rouble accounts. They must also transfer any earnings from intellectual activity, including works of science, literature and art, performances, broadcasting, inventions and trademarks. The individuals concerned will only regain access to those funds once they are removed from the Justice Ministry's register of "foreign agents". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill will now head to the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, and then to Putin for signing into law. "The adopted law will prohibit scoundrels from enriching themselves at the expense of citizens and the country they have betrayed," Vyacheslav Volodin, the Duma's speaker, wrote on his Telegram channel on Tuesday. A total of 895 individuals and organisations are listed as foreign agents by Russia's Justice Ministry, including former billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Nobel Prize winner Dmitry Muratov and prominent YouTube blogger Yuri Dud. CRACKDOWN Some 209 people have had their names successfully removed from the list since Russia's first law on foreign agents was passed in 2012, Justice Minister Konstantin Chuychenko told the TASS state news agency in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has pursued a sweeping crackdown on dissent since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, arresting over 20,000 people for speaking out against the war and pursuing criminal charges in more than 1,000 cases, according to human rights group OVD-Info. Moscow says its law on foreign agents is necessary to protect Russia from foreign influence. "As we have seen, the front today is not only along the line of military contact," Vasily Piskarev, a senior lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, told Duma deputies on Tuesday. "We must continue to strengthen the security of our homeland...not only in the fight against the external but also the internal enemy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of Russia's "foreign agents" now live abroad. They are barred from holding public office in Russia and running election campaigns, among other restrictions. Critics of the "foreign agent" law say it unfairly targets those who speak out against the Kremlin and its policies. A Russian former opposition politician who was labelled a "foreign agent" and still lives in the country said the bill was "another restrictive, prohibitive law against Russian citizens". The politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, told Reuters the law was unlikely to affect her, as she had little income and property. But said she had previously lost her job at a university due to the "foreign agent" restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Duma's speaker said in November that Russia was also working on legislation to tighten rules over the income of people who have left Russia and criticise the government. (Reporting and writing by Lucy Papachristou; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones and Christina Fincher) New satellite images show activity at Russia's Hmeimim Air Base in Syria. The images appear to show the movement of military equipment over the past few days. Russia's long-held military footprint in Syria has been in question since the Assad government collapsed. Newly captured satellite imagery seems to show the Russians moving military equipment out of a strategic airbase in Syria as its long-standing presence in the country remains in limbo. The images, captured by BlackSky and obtained by Business Insider, show new activity at the Hmeimim Air Base over the past few days and suggest that Russia is scaling down its military footprint in Syria following the shocking collapse of the Assad government earlier this month. An intelligence analyst familiar with the satellite imagery identified four Russian Il-76 strategic cargo planes one being loaded up with equipment and a Yak-40 regional jet parked on the eastern flight line at Hmeimim on Sunday. Four S-400 surface-to-air missile launchers can be seen on the southern end of the apron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The analyst also spotted three An-32 transport aircraft parked in the northwest corner of the airbase, a heavy equipment staging area on the western apron, and a disassembled Ka-52 attack helicopter being prepared for transport. An overview of Hmeimim Air Base on Sunday. BlackSky An image captured on Tuesday shows that much of the heavy equipment, including three of the S-400 launchers, is now missing from the base. One of the An-32s is also gone, while a single An-124 heavy transport aircraft is present. The heavy equipment is missing in this Tuesday image. BlackSky The aircraft and equipment spotted in images on Sunday and Tuesday differ slightly from what was seen in satellite imagery last week. The analyst said three Il-76s, three An-32s, one Yak-40, and two S-400 launchers were present at the base on Friday. Two An-124s, one being loaded with cargo, could also be seen there. The recent developments at Hmeimim appear to highlight a significant uptick in activity at the base compared with a week ago, just two days after rebel forces captured Damascus and ousted Syria's longtime dictator, Bashar Assad. There was no mass gathering of heavy equipment visible on December 10. BlackSky Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fall of the government brought new uncertainty for Russia's military footprint at Hmeimim and Tartus, a nearby naval facility on the Mediterranean Sea that has been emptied of warships. Though there's evidence of Russia withdrawing some of its assets from Syria, it remains unclear at this time to what extent and whether it's permanent or temporary. While some assets may be returning to Russia, others may simply be being relocated to nearby Tartus. Regardless, a drawdown of sorts appears to be underway. Russia long supported Assad in Syria's devastating civil war, but the rebels now have the upper hand; they control the province where Hmeimim and Tartus are. The Kremlin is said to be engaging in efforts to ensure the security of its bases with the new Syrian leadership. The European Union's top diplomat said on Monday that some of the bloc's foreign ministers believed Russia's expulsion from Syria should be a condition for the country's new leadership because Moscow uses its bases there to facilitate activities to the south and in Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is definitely of the worry of European security as well," Kaja Kallas, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy, told reporters this week. "We will raise this issue with the leadership when we have the meetings on different levels." A Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet taking off at Hmeimim in September 2019. MAXIME POPOV/AFP via Getty Images The US and Ukraine have both confirmed the movement of Russian forces out of Syria, though the two governments have provided varying assessments on the scale of the withdrawal. Ukraine's military intelligence agency, known as the HUR, said Monday that Russia was pulling troops from locations around Syria and consolidating them at Hmeimim and Tartus, "control over which the Kremlin seeks and hopes to maintain." The HUR said Moscow was using transport aircraft, including the Il-76 and An-124, to shuttle troops, weapons, and military equipment from Syria to Russia. Kyiv's aircraft identification is consistent with the planes spotted in satellite imagery of Hmeimim, though Business Insider couldn't independently confirm the reported activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin relies heavily on Hmeimim and Tartus to project power across the region. Hmeimim is used to move military forces in and out of Africa, while Tartus is Russia's main naval base overseas and provides the country with crucial access to a warm-water port. Losing access to both these bases, which are strategically valuable, would be a major setback for Moscow. Read the original article on Business Insider EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A total of seven firefighter units were at the scene of a structure fire early Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, after an RV caught fire at a construction site in Sunland Park, Sunland Park Fire Department Battalion Chief Ramiro Rios said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rios said they received a call at around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning in reference to a possible structure fire at Sunland Park Drive and Doniphan Drive. Rios said once they left the station, they could see heavy smoke in the area, and upon arrival, they discovered an RV fully engulfed in flames and six semi-trailers that were exposed to the fire. Two of the trailers ended up catching fire. The RV is going be a total loss. We do have some damage to the tractor-trailer right now. Were trying to get into the trailer and extinguish the fire thats in there right now, Rios said. Personnel also conducted a primary search of the RV and no injuries have been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now we dont have any injuries and we dont know of anybody that may have been inside that trailer, Rios said. Two units from the Sunland Park Fire Department responded to the fire along with four units from the El Paso Fire Department and one unit from Dona Ana County. So we dont have any hydrants in this area, so El Paso Fire was able to provide water for us as well as Dona Ana County, Rios said. The Sunland Park Police Department also responded to the incident and provided entry to fire officials. Sunland Park Police respond to all structure fires and then they assist us in any way they can. In this case, they were able to assist us with forcible entry into the gates, Rios said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire currently remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. (FOX40.COM) Sacramento County Department of Homeless Services and Housing (DHSH) will be extending the weather respite shelter to January 2, according to an update from the county shared on X. The Warren E. Thornton Youth Center shelter is located at 4000 Branch Center Rd, Sacramento, CA 95827. Over 1,400 toys donated by Stockton medical center employees In the post, Sacramento County said the reason for extending the weather respite shelter is due to the continued days of having bad weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shelter is set to be open continuously through the holidays to maintain a consistent location for those who are unhoused. Sacramento County recommends that if anyone is in need of accessing the shelter to call 2-1-1 to check the current capacity. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This post contains graphic images and/or details. Reader discretion is advised. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A Salt Lake City police officer was officially charged with 13 sexual abuse felonies on Monday, Dec. 16, according to court documents. Zander Ethan Nunley, 26, was charged with eight counts of forcible sexual abuse, two counts of forcible sodomy, one count of object rape, one count of rape, and one count of aggravated assault. He was also charged with assault, a class A misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLCPD officer put on leave, accused of sexually assaulting date he met online The charges are connected to an incident from earlier this month where Nunley allegedly sexually assaulted a woman he met on a dating app. Documents say Nunley was watching a religious Christmas devotional with the woman when he started aggressively kissing and touching her despite her telling him to stop. Documents say Nunley raped the woman, who police say had bruises from the incident. The victim told police she had seen several guns in the living room and Nunley had told her shed had a gun right by her head and chest the whole time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Salt Lake City Police Department previously confirmed that Nunley is an officer and was promptly placed on administrative leave following his arrest. SLCPD shared an email with ABC4 from Chief Mike Brown to employees which said, in part, that any allegation that a law enforcement officer may have violated the law, or betrayed the publics trust, is serious. As police officers for Salt Lake City, we work hard every day to earn and maintain the trust and respect of the communities we serve and represent. This arrest does not reflect the commitment, professionalism, and dedication of the women and men of the Salt Lake City Police Department, the letter read. Nunley was booked in the Utah County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Chief Mike Browns full letter below: On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) received information about a criminal investigation and the arrest of an SLCPD officer. Upon learning of this information, the SLCPD promptly placed the officer on paid administrative leave. Today, we learned that prosecutors in Utah County filed a 14-count information against the officer. Police officers take an oath to uphold our laws and serve with integrity. As public servants, we are dedicated to protecting and supporting our community; we are held to the highest standards of conduct and accountability. Any allegation that a law enforcement officer may have violated the law, or betrayed the publics trust, is serious. As police officers for Salt Lake City, we work hard every day to earn and maintain the trust and respect of the communities we serve and represent. This arrest does not reflect the commitment, professionalism, and dedication of the women and men of the Salt Lake City Police Department. Take care and stay safe. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Amid an increase in need, the Salvation Army kicked off Christmas gift pickup through its Angel Tree program Tuesday in Grand Rapids. Participants are preapproved and can choose three gifts per child. Volunteers sort the toys into bins and restock the tables to make sure they have enough for each age group. They also help guide each shopper through the process. A table of Angel Tree gifts. (Dec. 17, 2024) Kids visit Santa, receive gifts at Salvation Armys Angel Tree party Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shamarii Tyler was shopping for her four children Tuesday. After participating in the program last year, she is eager to see how her kids will react to their gifts once again. They were pretty happy. They are pretty easy to please, Tyler said. In addition to toys, the Salvation Army gives out cards for food and gifts cards for teenager, who can be the most difficult to shop for. It definitely was helpful to get things for the kids, Tyler said. The demand for assistance in the area has gone up in recent years. Weve seen about a 20% increase this year over last year. Last year was an increase as well, said Major Tim Meyer, the Grand Valley Area commander with the Salvation Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa Claus Girls getting back on feet a year after fire Meyer says the community has stepped up to meet the need. We have hundreds of volunteers who signed up to help us, and we have approximately 80 people coming in each hour for assistance today, Meyer said. And so this is the first of three days, and we will be helping approximately 1,800 families. Providing help around Christmas is a longstanding tradition for the Salvation Army in Grand Rapids that goes back more than 100 years. Weve been serving for 141 years in the Grand Rapids community, Meyer said. Every year, we do some type of a Christmas assistance, whether it was just a food basket in the early years. But often, theres a toy drive. Theres something for the children every year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anonymous donors to match Salvation Army donations For shoppers like Tyler, it is all about making sure her children are happy on Christmas. She appreciates those who donate to make that possible. I think its pretty nice. Its very thoughtful to help families that cant, Tyler said. Shamarii Tyler chooses gifts for her children through the Angel Tree program. (Dec. 17, 2024) Toy drive donations have ended for the year, but if you want to donate to the Salvation Army, you can do so through its website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Video above: About the Young Marines Program and how kids can sign up SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Hundreds of Young Marines from across the country, and some from right here in San Diego, visited Hawaii earlier this month in honor of the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. The Young Marines program is a national youth organization open to boys and girls, ages eight through 18 or high school graduation. The program focuses on leadership, honoring veterans, community service, and teaching them to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack In honor of the 83rd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, hundreds of Young Marines from across the country led the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 2024. The North San Diego Young Marines from Vista, California, were among the 35 Young Marines units who traveled to Hawaii to participate in the remembrance ceremonies. During the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Honolulu, the Young Marines performed a color guard and carried the banners of the 12 capital ships that were attacked. They also assisted with several floats in the parade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parade honored the heroes and survivors of Pearl Harbor and World War II, and paid tribute to veterans, active-duty military members and military families, celebrated freedom, and kept in remembrance the events of Dec. 7, 1941. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron returns home from combat deployment in time for holidays The Young Marines also performed community service activities in Oahu, including cleaning up the beach on Marine Corps Base Hawaii Kaneohe Bay. They also took part in the wreath laying ceremony at the National Memorial of the Pacific in Honolulu Punchbowl in memory of those interred there. National cemetery of the Pacific with two Pearl Harbor survivors in front of Young Marines (Photo: Young Marines) Young Marines in front of USS Missouri Pearl Harbor (Photo: Young Marines) Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade (Photo: Young Marines) We are excited to announce that 35 Young Marines units attended the 2024 Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies this year, said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines. The North San Diego Young Marines and all the units work very hard to raise funds and complete community service projects throughout the year in order to travel to Hawaii for this experience. This years events gave each and every Young Marine important memories to cherish as they actively participated in the remembrance events, met and listened to veterans tell their stories, and memorialized veterans who are no longer with us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military housing allowances to increase next year More information on the Young Marines program can be found at YoungMarines.org. To get to Hawaii, the North San Diego Young Marines raised money to pay for the trip. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) A San Mateo County Sheriffs Office deputy, who was one of the first people to speak up about the alleged toxic work environment currently shrouding the agency in scandal, was cleared of any wrongdoing by San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe after being arrested last month for timecard fraud. In an announcement Monday, Wagstaffe said no crime was committed by Deputy Carlos Tapia before being arrested by fellow deputies. On Nov. 12, Deputy Tapia, who is also the president of the sheriffs union, was arrested on felony charges of grand theft and obtaining money by false pretenses for alleged timecard fraud occurring between Jan. 1 and Oct. 18. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors called the arrest another example of retaliation by embattled Sheriff Christina Corpus. After being arrested, the sheriffs office submitted Tapias case to the district attorneys office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of the following month the District Attorneys Office conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into the allegations, DA Wagstaffe said in a statement Monday. We have concluded based on the follow-up investigation that no crime was committed by Deputy Carlos Tapia, that the complete investigation showed that there was no basis to believe any violation of law had occurred, and finally that Deputy Tapia should not have been arrested. Man who stole plane and landed on Half Moon Bay beach sentenced The district attorneys office said it conducted interviews with a number of people involved in the deputys payroll, including the acting assistant sheriff who solely investigated the timecard allegations by the sheriffs office against Tapia. The DA called the acting assistant sheriffs investigation extraordinarily limited and did not examine the accuracy of the allegations. In the acting assistant sheriffs notes, according to the DA, it was noted that more work needed to be done in the investigation. However, without further investigation being conducted, executive leadership at the sheriffs office directed Tapia to be arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the conclusion of the DAs interview with the acting assistant sheriff, the Acting Assistant Sheriff repeated several times that the follow-up investigation definitively established that there is no case against Deputy Tapia and he is not guilty of any criminal conduct, the DAs office said. Deputy Carlos Tapia did not commit grand theft, theft by false pretenses or any sort of timecard fraud, DA Wagstaffe said. There were clerical errors in the manner in which work hours were coded but nothing showing criminal intent or criminal conduct. Additionally there was no monetary loss to the Sheriffs Office by the miscoding. Tapia was arrested on the same day that a scathing 400-page report was released by the countys independent investigator, accusing Sheriff Corpus of abusing power, creating a toxic work environment, retaliation, and having a romantic relationship with Assistant Sheriff Victor Aenlle. The countys board of supervisors, the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs Association and the San Carlos City Council have called on the sheriff to resign. The San Mateo County Deputy Sheriffs Association sent out a statement agreeing with the DAs decision, calling Tapia fully vindicated and saying his arrest was unlawful and a clear case of retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to KRON4 on Monday, Sheriff Corpus said, While the criminal investigation has concluded, a separate internal review will take place, which is standard protocol when the arrest involves an employee. The internal review will be conducted by an independent third-party investigator to ensure it is a fair process. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. If Santa Claus was an American citizen, would he have sided with Democrats or Republicans in November? A new YouGov survey asks about that and other quirky, Christmas-related topics, revealing, among other things, that most Americans think old St. Nick would share their political views. Among Democrats, 62% think he would support the Democratic Party. Among Independents, 50% think he would support Independents. Among Republicans, 55% think Santa would back the Republican Party, YouGov reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survey also showed that Democrats and Republicans share a sense that the war on Christmas is petering out. While Republicans are still much more likely than Democrats to worry about attacks on the holiday, the share of members of each party who say theres a war on Christmas in the United States has notably dropped since December 2022. This year, 36% of Republicans say theres a war on Christmas, compared to 59% in 2022, YouGov found. The share of Democrats who say the same fell from 25% in 2022 to 13% today. Here are some other takeaways from the YouGov survey: Americans are divided over Santas political views. Equal shares of U.S. adults say hed be a Republican (21%) or Democrat (21%), while 30% say hed be independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (24%) believe children are never too old to believe in Santa Claus. Most families are supportive of Santa-related traditions and not worried about how kids will respond when they find out the truth. Eighty-one percent agree that teaching children to believe in Santa creates an opportunity for family bonding and shared memories, and 80% say doing so creates a fun and magical holiday experience, YouGov reported. YouGovs new survey was fielded from Dec. 3 to 5, 2024, among 1,107 U.S. adult citizens. The margin of error for the full sample is 4%. Sarah Ferguson said that, when it comes to marrying Prince Andrew, she would do it all over again, 100 percent. In a revealing interview alongside her older sister Jane Luedecke for The Sunday Times, Ferguson said of her ex-husband the Duke of York whom she married in 1986 and divorced 10 years later I was totally and utterly in love with Andrew. Hes the best, a great man with a great heart, and kind, she added. Of their July 23, 1986 nuptials, Our wedding was the best day of my life, she continued. But I gave up my anonymity that day. I was able to because love conquers all. Its still with us today. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 in Ascot, England Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Prince Andrew, Duke of York attend day four of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 21, 2019 in Ascot, England Related: Prince Andrew's Business Adviser Accused of Being 'Chinese Spy,' Banned from U.K.: Reports Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former couple share two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and after their 1996 divorce have remained close friends, even living together at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate up to the present day. The Duchess of York, 65, has stood by Prince Andrew, 64, amid scandals like his disastrous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, allegations of sexual assault, his forced step back from his role as a working royal, his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and, most recently, his association with an alleged Chinese spy. I wont let him down, Ferguson told The Sunday Times of her ex-husband. He supports me as much as I support him. Hes supported me through thick and thin, not just marriage or divorce. We agree on the three Cs communication, compromise, compassion. CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive to attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine of the Hellenes, at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Feb. 27, 2024 Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive to attend a thanksgiving service for the life of King Constantine of the Hellenes, at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Feb. 27, 2024 Even before her marriage to Prince Andrew, Ferguson was closely connected to the royal family. Ive known the King all my life, and I absolutely adore him, Ferguson said of King Charles. Hes kind and makes me laugh, and I love that he still calls me Fergie, she added, referring to her popular nickname. She recalled her mother telling her, Dont be naughty with the Prince of Wales [Charles former title before becoming King] when he comes to stay, dont duck him in the pool. Ferguson added, Id duck him straight in the pool and put a fake dog turd outside his room. He thought it was hilarious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson told The Sunday Times that King Charles second wife, Queen Camilla, was close friends with Mum, which is why were so close now. But Charles first wife, Princess Diana, was my best friend from the age of 14, she said. Thats why its so big that the Queen and I get on now. Its rather nice, and she reminds me of Mum. I admire the extraordinary support shes giving this country. I want to do as much for the Queen as possible. I wish theyd ask me to do more. Of Queen Elizabeth, Ferguson said they got on so well: My mum was her close friend, so she knew me all my life and she loved me, she told the outlet. The Queen was much more my mother than my mother was. I called her Mumma. She never let me down, even if I let her down. Even through the darkest days, she never left me. Though I still got nervous seeing her right up until the end because she was the Queen of England. I had many COVID jabs so I could walk the dogs with her. David Levenson/Getty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her sixieth birthday on April 21, 1986 at Buckingham Palace in London. The Queen was joined on the balcony of the palace by Prince Philip (R), Prince Andrew and his wife Sarah, Duchess of York, as they listened to thousands of children singing After Queen Elizabeths death on Sept. 8, 2022, Ferguson inherited her two remaining corgis, Sandy and Muick, who now live with her and Prince Andrew at Royal Lodge. Theyre phenomenal, Ferguson said. Of Prince Andrew, Ferguson told The Sunday Times that she first met him when she was 12. My first thought was that I was going to marry him, she said. We came back into each others lives when Diana invited me to Ascot in 1985, and six months later we were engaged. You werent allowed to hang out or live with each other then. Diana couldnt, I couldnt. But they learned from us, and Sophie [the Duchess of Edinburgh, who married Prince Edward in 1999] and Catherine [the Princess of Wales, who married Prince William in 2011] could. They both got to know their boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Ferguson married into the royal family, I was the breath of fresh air, she said. Everyone loved me it was addictive. I think what I did wrong was I got lost, probably trying to be like Diana. Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images Princess Diana with Sarah Ferguson at the Guard's Polo Club, Windsor, June 1983 Princess Diana with Sarah Ferguson at the Guard's Polo Club, Windsor, June 1983 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She mentioned her addiction to food, telling the outlet that The fact I could eat my emotions was the only thing that saved my life. After the media began calling her the Duchess of Pork a cruel play on her title, the Duchess of York I believed my critics, Ferguson said. But 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. In recent years, Ferguson has battled both breast cancer and skin cancer, recalling that her sister Jane insisted I get a mammogram. She saved my life. I was sure I was going to die, then I looked up mastectomy and faced it. Now I love Derek and Eric, as I call my breasts. Of her second cancer diagnosis, My father died of melanoma, so when I got that diagnosis on New Years Eve 2023, I nearly fainted, she said. Im through treatment, but I wont go outside in the sun. Otherwise, Ive got to live life. Im lucky its 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. John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew on their July 23, 1986 wedding day in London These days, Ferguson is invested in being a fun granny to Beatrices daughter Sienna, 3, and stepson Wolfie, 8; Beatrice, 36, is also currently pregnant and due in early 2025. Shes also grandmother to August, 3, and Ernest, 1, the sons of Eugenie, 34. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sienna wanted a unicorn birthday party, so I dressed a white pony as a unicorn, she said. For the boys, August and Ernest, Im learning about trains. I know Im alright because Beatrice, Eugenie and my sister love me, Ferguson said as the emotionally-charged interview concluded. I think Andrew, too. I hope so. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Janette Pellegrini/Getty Princess Eugenie, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice attend Annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC at BGC Partners, INC on Sept. 11, 2015 in New York City Princess Eugenie, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice attend Annual Charity Day hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC at BGC Partners, INC on Sept. 11, 2015 in New York City Related: Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson Will Not Be at Royal Familys Christmas Celebrations Reports emerged on Dec. 16 that neither the Duke and Duchess of York nor their daughters Princess Beatrice or Princess Eugenie would be spending Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham this year, despite being in attendance at 2023s Christmas celebrations on the Norfolk estate. Read the original article on People Screenshot from the Florida Channel of Sarasota County GOP state Sen. Joe Gruters on Dec. 16, 2024. Without much fanfare, Gov. Ron DeSantis stunned members of the arts community and their supporters up and down the Sunshine State in June when he stripped all $32 million in state arts funding from the 2025 fiscal year budget. Six months later, some of those in the arts community in Sarasota still havent gotten over it, and hope it never happens again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year was the first year since funding began that the arts were zeroed out. Even during the great recession and the pandemic, our state saw the value in providing support for the arts. It was good business, said Joseph McKenna, president and CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra, speaking during a Sarasota County legislative delegation meeting on Monday. Ive been an arts executive in three regions of the country over the last 30 years and this is the first time I have to stand before a body to mention that a state zero funded its arts programs, McKenna said. It is important that the anomaly of zero funding will be just that, and not that of a new trend, added Richard Russell, the Sarasota Operas general manager. The budget cut represented a loss of $1.45 million that the Legislature allocated for 27 arts and cultural organizations in Sarasota County, said Brian Hersh, CEO of the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very difficult time for our arts organizations, especially for some of our mid- and smaller-size arts organizations where the margins are much more narrow, he said. That means they have to curtail some of their programs and their programming and have a greater gap to fill as we look forward to this year. Advocacy urged Sen. Joe Gruters, who represents Sarasota County, voiced sympathy for the advocates complaints. The Sarasota County delegation has been the leader over the years in trying to push for maximum funding for it but its I couldnt believe it when I saw it on the veto list, and so I apologize on behalf of the state and I hope that we can get some return to normalcy moving forward, Gruters said. He advocated that board members from all of those arts and cultural organizations that didnt receive funding from the state last year write letters to DeSantis and members of the Legislature and go to all of our offices and go to lunch with as many members across the state and just reemphasize the importance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appearing in Polk County days after his veto last summer, DeSantis said he had to cut all $32 million in arts funding requests because of a concern that a small group of fringe festivals could benefit by state funding. So, this is money that would go and we didnt have control over how it was being given, so you have your tax dollars being given in grants to things like the Fringe Festival, which is like a sexual festival where theyre doing all this stuff and its like how many of you think your tax dollars should go to fund that? DeSantis said. Not very many people would do that. And so, when I see money being spent that way, I have to be the one to stand up for taxpayers and say, you know what, that is an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars, and I think the Legislature needs to reevaluate how thats being done. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 16The Satanic Temple brought back a second statue of an occult deity to the State House Plaza in Concord, one week after a group of unidentified vandals destroyed the first display. The Massachusetts-based secular group also planted next to the replacement a logo that identified the temple as the source and a copy of the city permit that allowed it to have this icon unattended in front of the State House and steps away from a nativity scene. The permit granted to The Satanic Temple was for three weeks expiring on Dec. 28, the Saturday after Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Ellen Read, D-Newmarket, who first suggested to the temple they bring their statue to New Hampshire's capital city, confirmed she made a second query after, in the dead of night, vandals removed the goat head atop of the costume deity and then smashed a marble tablet to pieces. "I was reached out to by a member of an ad hoc group of Concord area artists who appreciated the original Baphomet and were dismayed at the mayor's and councilors' comments and even more disheartened about the vandalism, who wished to recreate the display," Read said. "I put them in touch with TST (the temple), who are fully in charge of the art direction of the display, and they brought it together quickly." After the statue was destroyed, Read returned to the scene and placed what was left of the crumpled statue in her car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read said she turned it over to the custody of temple supporters who would get it to the leadership of the organization. Lucien Greaves, the founder of the organization, and Erin Helian, who has served as a spokesperson, declined to respond to requests for comment last week and on Monday. Concord Mayor Byron Champlin said he'll name a committee to decide by next December whether the city will continue to approve permits for these statues or displays that are put up and left there without security. He condemned the earlier vandalism. Group not shy about suing if city or town tries to prohibit displays Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group has a national agenda to promote disruption and make people uncomfortable during the holiday season, the mayor said. He called any suggestion that TST was a religion a "smokescreen for a deliberately provocative and disturbing effigy." Some on social media condemned the critical comments from Champlin and some city officials. "I'm VERY disappointed in my city after the way last night's meeting ended, then to learn that a religious display has been destroyed in clear disregard for the First Amendment absolutely disgraceful," June Grace of Concord wrote on Facebook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Not standing against such acts only emboldened people. We need more from our leadership. I hope people remember this come election time." A majority of the Concord City Council had approved the permit after City Manager Tom Aspell reminded them TST has a history of suing and often winning lawsuits against communities that refuse to permit their displays. The Satanic Temple is not the Church of Satan, which advocates devil worship. The temple calls itself a "non-theistic religion and sociopolitical movement that promotes empathy, equity, and social justice." The group espouses seven principles of harmony such as, "One should strive to act with compassion and empathy toward all creatures in accordance with reason" and "The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As with the first statute, the goat-headed icon is seen holding a bouquet of artificial lilacs in its right hand and an apple in its left, the latter depicting the group's "quest for knowledge," according to a spokesman. klandrigan@unionleader.com Scammers are targeting people in a clever way that involves technology many of us use every day QR codes you can scan with your phone. Channel 2 consumer advisor Clark Howard said QR codes are so easy to use and theyre even easier for criminals to steal our money. All it takes is a quick scan. They provide quick access to restaurant menus, parking lot payments, and scooter rentals. I really see QR codes popping after COVID. You know, when the menu list prices and stuff seemed like they were everywhere after that, William Robinson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He uses them to charge his electric car saying they are convenient and easy to use. But that ease is making them a prime target for scammers, especially at parking spots. A recent Instagram post warning about bogus tickets with fake QR codes near Piedmont Park prompted Atlanta police to issue a warning. APD said most tickets are issued by ATL-Plus. If you suspect a citation is fake, you can check with the parking company and you should file a police report. MORE STORIES FROM 2 INVESTIGATES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, scammers placed stickers with bogus QR codes over the top of the real QR codes. About two minutes after I put in my information, her credit card company called her and said, We have unauthorized charges here, said a scam victim. The fake codes actually sent drivers to a website called POY by phone instead of PAY by phone, just one letter off asking them to input their location and payment information. So, youre actually providing your financial information and some personal information to identity criminals. Theyre going to take some money out of your account to pay for the parking, but then theyre also going to have your identity information that they can misuse in other ways, said James Lee, the Chief Operating Officer of Identity Theft Resource Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said in many cases the scammers are counting on victims being in a hurry to pay and get somewhere. He warned to only use QR codes from a trusted source, avoid QR codes sent through unsolicited emails or text messages, pay attention to irregularities like a sticker pasted on top of others, and try to verify the web address they link to. Its something Robinson said he will think about the next time he comes across a QR code. Now that you warned me about it, absolutely I would pay attention to that, Robinson said. Howard said he never uses a QR code when he is out at a strange place like a parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Atlantas contractor pulled the QR codes at city street parking and warned not to pay by QR code. Howard said your big danger today is at a private parking lot where they still use QR codes and they could be fake. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his top challenger, conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz, are expected to face off in at least two televised debates prior to early elections expected on February 23. Public broadcasters ARD and ZDF are planning one debate on February 9, while the private broadcasters RTL together with news magazine Stern have invited the candidates to a debate on February 16. Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD), lost a confidence vote in the lower house of Germany's parliament on Monday and has asked German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to call early elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz's centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), and their sister party in Bavaria, the Christian Social Union (CSU), have held a clear lead in polls over Scholz's SPD. Pundits see Merz as the favourite to replace Scholz as chancellor and lead Germany's next governing coalition. Apart from the Scholz versus Merz debates, the public broadcasters plan to host one between the top candidates from the Greens and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the broadcasters said. RTL also announced that it is "currently in talks" with the chancellor and leading candidates of other parties regarding further debate combinations. The insurgent populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) announced on Monday evening that the party's founder and namesake, Sahra Wagenknecht, would also make a bid for chancellor. It's unclear whether that will score Wagenknecht invitations to televised debates as well, since her party lags well behind the others in the polls. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said recent comments from US President-elect Donald Trump about the war in Ukraine have bolstered and vindicated his own steadfast refusal to supply Kiev with long-distance Taurus cruise missiles. Scholz said on Tuesday that he has adamantly opposed giving Ukraine long-range weapons that could strike deep into Russian territory out of prudence to avoid escalation. "And if I see it correctly, it will also be assessed similarly in the future, for example in transatlantic cooperation. At least that's what I read from President Trump in his most recent interviews," Scholz said at a campaign event for his centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has condemned current US President Joe Biden's decision to authorize Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US-supplied missiles as "very stupid." "I don't think that should have been allowed, [...] certainly not just weeks before I take over," Trump told journalists at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. "Why would they do that without asking me what I thought? I wouldn't have had him do that. I think it was a big mistake." Trump did not say whether he would reverse the decision once he takes office on January 20. In November, Biden had authorized Kiev to attack certain targets in Russia with ATACMS missiles in order to defend against the ongoing Russian invasion. France and the United Kingdom had also recently eased restrictions on the use of cruise missiles those countries that have supplied to Kiev. A student and teacher were shot and killed and six others were injured when a teenage student opened fire inside a classroom at a private Christian school in Madison Monday, according to authorities. The incident is the second school shooting in the Madison area in seven months. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes has not identified the victims in the shooting, which took place at Abundant Life Christian School, but the suspected teen shooter was identified by Barnes as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a timeline of events. 10:57 a.m.: Second grader calls 911 to report shooting Barnes said a second grade student was the first person to call 911 and report a shooting inside of a classroom where students from varying grades were in study hall. "Gonna let that soak in for a minute," the chief said at a Monday night news conference as the country continues to grapple with children being inflicted with horrors inside their schools. Law enforcement authorities and emergency first responders were immediately dispatched to the school. 11 a.m.: First law enforcement officer arrives A deputy with the Dane County Sheriff's Office was the first officer to arrive on scene, according to Barnes. 11:01 a.m.: Authorities enter school Twenty-four seconds after a deputy arrives at the school, a Madison police officer arrives and they immediately enter the school, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have training and tactics that we employ," Barnes said. "We did that today. They know exactly what happens during an active shooter. Stop the killing. Stop the dying. Stop the threat." 11:05 a.m.: Officers says suspect is down Officers inside the school say that the shooter is down and a gun has been recovered, Barnes said. The chief said an initial investigation shows that Rupnow was already at the school and died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and no officers fired their weapons. Abundant Life did not have a school resource officer or metal detectors. Cameras in the building are monitored, doors remain locked and every student is "visually scanned" by staff as they arrive at school, said Barbara Wiers, director for elementary and school relations for Abundant Life. Authorities begin plans to create a reunification center at a nearby SSM Health urgent care and clinic and the Madison Fire Department arrives on scene to help victims. 11:13 a.m.: Madison police announce school shooting The Madison Police Department posts an initial statement to its website announcing that a school shooting had taken place. Roads were blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Police asked people to avoid the area. 11:14 a.m.: Authorities work to clear building Authorities begin to clear Abundant Life Christian School, according to Barnes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school 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. 11:23 a.m.: Authorities use K-9s to clear building Authorities use K-9s to help clear the building. 11:26 a.m.: First victim transported to hospital Emergency personnel begins transporting patients to area hospitals, Barnes said. Of the eight people who were shot, four people were transported to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, and three were transported to University of Wisconsin hospitals, according to Madison Fire Chief Chris Carbon. One of those victims died on the way to the hospital and one of the gunshot victims was pronounced dead at the scene, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rupnow also died on the way to the hospital, Barnes said. 12:15 and 12:30 p.m.: First press briefings held Barnes and other officials hold two separate news conferences at 12:15 and 12:30 p.m. less than two hours after the shooting to provide updates on the number of people killed and injured. 12:16 p.m.: Gov. Evers announces he was briefed Gov. Tony Evers announces he has been briefed on 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. 12:32 p.m.: School posts to social media Abundant Life posts to social media that "we had an active shooter incident" on Monday and "we are in the midst of following up." 3:07 p.m.: Evers released a full-length statement Evers sent an updated statement and announced that flags across the state should be immediately lowered to half-staff to honor the victims. "There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today," he said. 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 4 p.m.: President Biden releases a statement President Joe Biden said the shooting was shocking and unconscionable and called for congressional action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, he said in a statement. We cannot continue to accept it as normal. 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. He called on Congress to pass universal background checks, a national red flag law and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. 5:30 p.m.: Police provide update An evening news conference was held shortly after sunset where Barnes shared that two student victims are in critical condition and suffered life-threatening injuries and two injured students had been released from the hospital. 8:01 p.m.: School says all students have been reunited Abundant Life announces on social media that all students have been united with their parents. 8:30 p.m.: Suspected teen shooter identified Barnes identifies Rupnow as the suspected shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Madison school shooting underlines how female school shooters are statistically rare This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: School shooting at Madison private school: A timeline of events ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) News 8 continues to receive emails and phone calls from viewers claiming to notice suspicious objects in the sky. As the discussion of drone sightings continues nationwide, New York State officials are calling on national entities to put the public at ease. Monday in D.C., Senator Chuck Schumer advocated for swift action to address mysterious drone sightings in New York and New Jersey, which he said have caused significant public anxiety without providing clear answers. Theres no reason to believe these drone sightings pose a national security threat, but even so, they can be disruptive if they fly over restrictive airspace, particularly near airports and bases, Senator Schumer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer called for the deployment of drone-detecting tools by homeland security and legislation to empower local officials to respond effectively. We know one thing, though, local officials now dont have the resources nor authority to get to the bottom of whats happening. This is federal jurisdiction. But of course, because drones are so new, and there are so many in so many different places, including recreational users, that we need to do a lot more, Senator Schumer said. Licensed drone users, like Rochester photographer Kalika Dachtler advised against using personal drones during a critical situation, emphasizing amateur use is causing more confusion than assistance. Dont bring your own drone out, especially at night right now. Its not helping the situation. Let the experts, or you know, if youre working with, lets say, law enforcement or federal agencies, let them deal with the moment, at least, let it settle down before starting to try to get some video of the of the drones that are out there, Dachtler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dachtler said he had to pass tests to get an FAA license for drone flying and shared some reminders on where it is okay, and where to avoid flying. If youre a hobbyist, learn it, Dachtler said. Make sure youre flying it in parks that is, has fields, not people around. Check your air spaces. You want to keep it under 400 feet. So thats the airspace that can go nothing more than that legally. Other than that, Id say just step back and let the professionals do it. Governor Kathy Hochul stated she wants federal legislation to pass giving more authority to the state so it can respond directly. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The notorious red ghost crab, known for populating the beaches of Cox's Bazar in southeast Bangladesh, has long been a major tourist attraction. Now, their population is facing extinction due to human activities and environmental degradation. What's happening? "It's heartbreaking to see them tangled and killed by synthetic nets that litter the beach," said Shahidul Islam Kajal, a marine researcher from Cox's Bazar, to Mongabay. Tourism has been surging due to the construction of a 50-mile marine drive along the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf coastline. The Bangladesh Navy also built a nearly mile-long jetty in December 2022 for international naval exercises, which now welcomes tourist ship operations. Authorities believe the jetty facilitates smooth rescue operations, commercial activities, tourism, and maritime security, which contribute to Bangladesh's economy. However, environmentalists disagree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crab population was once stable, but the influx of human activity along the coastline has pushed them to the brink of extinction due to environmental degradation. Why are red ghost crabs important? Red ghost crabs are not just a tourist attraction. They are largely responsible for maintaining the ecological diversity of Bangladesh's coastline. Marine ecologist Edwin Cruz-Rivera, an associate professor at Morgan State University, told Mongabay that crabs like the red ghost crab contribute to the habitat of estuaries, where rivers meet seas. They feast on organic matter and oxygenate the soil, supporting plant and animal life. Damage to ecosystems is increasingly harmful to the environment. Beyond just endangered species, a damaged ecosystem means fewer food sources for humans and more carbon pollution. Marine ecosystems are said to play an important role in regulating the climate as they help absorb roughly half of human-made carbon pollution. What's being done about the dwindling population? The Bangladesh National Conservation Strategy seeks to promote the development of eco-friendly tourism policies in coastal biodiversity hotspots like Cox's Bazar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation efforts are equally shown to make a difference, even though Bangladesh has not fully adopted them. One study compared protected beaches versus non-protected beaches to find a significantly higher population of ghost crabs within the protected areas. The backlash from some communities against conservation efforts is exacerbated by a lack of education on how ecosystems benefit humans. By aiming to keep areas filled with native plants and being mindful of how tourism impacts biodiversity, everyone could help restore dwindling species like the red ghost crab. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The Scottish Government has banned staff from using WhatsApp on their work phones after Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney deleted all their pandemic-era messages from the platform. Kate Forbes, the Deputy First Minister, announced mobile messaging apps would no longer be permitted on official Scottish government phones and tablets from next spring. She said the SNP government had reflected on the policy it operated during the pandemic, which allowed ministers to destroy messages after any points they considered salient were added to the official record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her announcement was made alongside the publication of a review of the policy, which found that it was clearly open to interpretation about what information should be retained The outcry by bereaved relatives over the mass deletion of messages prompted Humza Yousaf, who was then first minister, to order the review in March this year. Mr Swinney succeeded him in May. But Ms Sturgeon, the first minister during the pandemic, had already started deleting her WhatsApps, despite promising during an August 2021 press conference that they would all be handed over to the UK public inquiry. She and Mr Swinney, who was her deputy, continued deleting them even though the UK Government wrote to all devolved governments three times in 2022 asking for material of potential relevance to be kept and not destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK inquiry also wrote to the Scottish Government in August 2022 ordering ministers and officials to retain all material that could be relevant, including emails, text or WhatsApp messages and other communications. Ms Sturgeon says she did not use WhatsApp to do government business related to Covid - COLIN FISHER It also emerged that Prof Jason Leitch, who was then Scotlands national clinical director, told colleagues in May 2021 that WhatsApp deletion is a pre-bed ritual less than 24 hours after the UK inquiry was unveiled. Unveiling the findings, Ms Forbes said: We have carefully considered the recommendations and we will end the use of mobile messaging applications to conduct government business by spring 2025. At that point, mobile messaging apps will be removed from corporate devices. She added: The use of mobile messaging apps increased during the pandemic as staff worked remotely in unprecedented and difficult circumstances. Having reflected on our working practices, we are now implementing changes to the use of mobile messaging apps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated guidance and training for staff and Ministers will take place ahead of the new policy being implemented. But Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Tories Shadow Health Secretary, said: The SNP must think Scots are buttoned up the back. It is astonishing that Kate Forbes says her party value openness and transparency after the nationalists spent the pandemic deleting WhatsApp messages on an industrial scale. The review was conducted by Emma Martins, a former Channel Islands data protection commissioner, and handed to SNP ministers last month. It found there was little to evidence a consistent and widespread knowledge, understanding, or application of mobile messaging apps, including rules around retention, exportation, and deletion. Impossible to take comfort from policy The review said that the Scottish Governments policy required ministers and officials to transcribe salient points from mobile messages to its Electronic Records and Document Management system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Ms Martins said: In the absence of any information about how much or how often such transcribing took place, it is impossible to take any comfort from the policy. She said the process was unwieldy and increased the likelihood of ministers or officials neglecting to to take [the] required steps. Giving evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry in January, Ms Sturgeon said she had not used informal platforms such as WhatsApp to do government business related to Covid. But the inquiry was shown a lengthy WhatsApp exchange obtained from the phone of Liz Lloyd, Ms Sturgeons former chief of staff, in which she held detailed discussions with the former first minister about the opening hours of hospitality venues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WhatsApp is banned in Iran and North Korea and earlier this year China prevented iPhone users from downloading it. In April the UK Cabinet Office issued guidelines stating it must not be used for sharing anything above the lowest level of security classification. 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. The recording of non-crime hate incidents should be scrapped in their current form, a police chief has said. Donna Jones, Hampshires police and crime commissioner, said the practice should be subject to a lock, stock and barrel review. The former chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) said police should not be responding to any incident that was not a crime. Its as simple as that, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her comments follow the controversy over how officers police hate speech following an abortive investigation into Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson for allegedly inciting racial hatred in a social media post last year. The inquiry by Essex Police was subsequently ditched, with officers deciding to take no further action. More than 13,200 hate incidents were recorded in the 12 months to June this year, according to figures from 45 of Britains 48 police forces. Children were among thousands of people being investigated by police for non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). One force recorded an incident against two secondary school girls who said that another pupil smelt like fish. Speaking on GB News, Ms Jones, a Tory commissioner, said: What I would say is that this was a poor piece of legislation written by the previous Conservative government, and then a pretty poor bit of guidance written by the College of Policing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So theres been two things really here that have compounded it. And actually its the poor police officers that have been stuck in the middle of this that have been trying to pick their way through poor legislation, poor guidance. The clue is in the title; the police should not be responding to anything that is not a crime. Its as simple as that. Pictures in pubs, schoolchildren calling each other names in the playground being investigated and reported as a non-hate crime hate incident, this is just ridiculous. What I would say is we dont have enough police officers to investigate the actual crimes, the burglaries, the shoplifting, the street robberies, the sexual assaults, and actually, we need to be standing up for victims of crime. This was a really woeful piece of legislation, and as a Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, this is something that I am not proud of. It came out of the last government. It really is time now, lock, stock and barrel, that we do have a complete review of that piece of legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she would be lobbying Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, to rethink the approach. Ms Cooper wants police to record NCHIs only when there is a clear risk to community tensions under new common sense guidance. She wants to focus predominantly on incidents of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to give the authorities better warning of rising abuse against Jewish and Muslim communities. While the home secretary is ultimately responsible for the code, the College of Policing will rewrite the guidance for officers to implement. The three most senior bodies in policing believe that the review could result in a move away from the current concept of non-crime hate incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone is offensive to someone because of their race or their religion, that is an actual crime, said Ms Jones. If I go up to somebody and call them a name in the street because they are Muslim or theyre Jewish or whatever it is, I am committing a crime. However, if I make a comment about something thats not directly about you because of your religion, and Im just calling someone a name, calling them fat or too thin or too tall or whatever it might be, that is not a hate crime. That is just me giving my opinion, and people may not like it. Its just been absurd. 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. The search for relics inside the walls of a historic Reading church has all the earmarks of an Indiana Jones adventure. And there was an edge-of-the-seat excitement Monday afternoon when work crews used a radar device to scan the red sandstone exterior of Christ Episcopal Church at Fifth and Court streets. What church officials had hoped to discover was the location of a time capsule that was embedded into the wall of the church during a rededication service in 1863 that could become a centerpiece of the churchs bicentennial celebration in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Ken M. Saul Jr. of Restoration Artisans LLC of Kutztown was doing exterior restoration work in 2021, he found an anomaly in the front wall of the church. While we were doing the work, I noticed these stones were in a really unusual pattern, he said. Cliff Buckwalter, a member of the church property committee, had recalled an old newspaper clipping from the 1863 rededication service of the church, and they both wondered whether a time capsule could be located within that wall. The image from the ground-penetrating radar system shows a metallic object in the wall of Christ Episcopal Church at Fifth and Court streets. (BILL UHRICH READING EAGLE) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Reading Times story from Sept. 8, 1863, tells of the fate of the first time capsule that was constructed of tin and found inside the original 1826 cornerstone of the church when it was removed for the reconstruction. All that remained were a few coins with the other contents having mouldered away. For the newer time capsule, the article states that the original coins were carefully placed back in with the addition of other coins reflecting the 1863 date along with a copy of the Holy Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. Other items enclosed included a sheet of parchment specially prepared, with a red and black border beaded Christ Church, Reading, Pennsylvania, 1863 in beautifully engraved German text. The rest of the parchment bears the names of the church officials, the architects and builders. Rounding out the contents were newspapers that included a history of the church and various other ephemera on the government of the state and the city along with the by-laws of the church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In hopes of better preserving the contents, the article notes, The whole was enclosed in a box manufactured of copper, and hermetically sealed. How well the copper box preserved the contents will be seen when the box is removed and opened in time for the churchs bicentennial celebration scheduled for May 10, 2026. For Andrew Machemer of Ground Penetrating Radar Systems in Aston, Delaware County, this was the first time he used the radar to find an object like this embedded in a wall. He usually works with utility and construction companies to locate pipelines and other underground utilities. I cant tell you exactly, but weve got good evidence that suggests theres some type of metallic object inside, he said after scanning various parts of the wall. The fact that we dont have any rebar in the wall that we know of would indicate that we do have an object inside the wall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Saul, the findings give him a good place to start to excavate in the wall. The readings indicate that theres a 4-inch slab of stone behind which is the box that the radar estimates at around 6 by 10 inches, he said. Andrew Machemer of Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, right, shows the results of his scans to Cliff Buckwalter, a member of the Christ Episcopal Churchs property committee. The image from the ground penetrating radar system shows a metallic object in the wall of Christ Episcopal Church at Fifth and Court streets. (BILL UHRICH READING EAGLE) The Rev. Bryce Wandrey, rector of the church, is looking forward with the congregation to the bicentennial and to the revealing of the contents of the box. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be a celebration not only of our past, but propelling us even more into our future and being a better resource to downtown Reading, he said as he watched Machemer operate the radar. Wandrey said the congregation has been energized by the current restoration efforts in the church and will be carrying that energy through to the bicentennial. I know theyre excited to put together a time capsule now, he said, so in 2226 somebody can open it up and go, what was going on in 2026? The Reading Times story reflects the unease of the city and the congregation as the nation was in the midst of the Civil War, but the placement of the copper box within the walls had offered a sense of renewed hope. Such were the historic records deposited, the article concludes, connecting the past and present, reminiscences of the structure so appropriated to the service of Him, who dwelleth in a temple not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Minneapolis Police are searching for the person responsible for defacing a synagogue, painting Nazi symbols on the building early Monday morning. The vandal struck at the Temple Israel at 2323 Fremont Avenue South at 7:19 a.m., according to MPD. The suspect can be seen on surveillance video spray-painting two red swastikas on a front door and pillar that faces Emerson Avenue South. The suspect can be seen arriving and getting out of a silver Honda Civic, the license plates of which are not visible in the video. They wore a white hoodie, a black face covering, black jogger pants, and tan boots. The video shows the vandal spent less than two minutes at the temple. Minneapolis Police Department Hate crimes and crimes against our houses of worship are particularly troubling because they can result in real widespread fear and can contribute to potential division among our residents, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said. MPD has no tolerance for these types of crime and will investigate this as a bias-based crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not the first such antisemitic incident to be called into this temple, with a 21-year-old recently charged with calling the temple and threatening to shoot it up on Sept. 11 before being seen outside of the temple with a handgun on Oct. 3. When hate is embraced or tolerated, it is emboldened and spreads, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. "Ive seen blatant antisemitism increase dramatically over the last year, yet too few have had the courage to speak out against it, opting for the safety of silence. No matter ones ethnicity, race, or religion, when any group is targeted, its on all of us to condemn it." The Minnesota DFL delegation said it was "horrified" to see the graffiti at the synagogue. "Hate crimes against our Jewish neighbors are unacceptable, and the Minneapolis Delegation condemns these acts," it said. "All Minnesotans deserve the right to practice religion freely and without fear. Unfortunately, we have recently seen a rise in both antisemitism and islamophobia that has left our communities less safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Keith Ellison said his office is currently monitoring the situation. Minnesotans of every faith deserve to live and worship with dignity, safety, and respect no exceptions, Attorney General Ellison said. Painting swastikas on a synagogue is an appalling act of hate that no one should tolerate. It is a direct threat to Jewish Minnesotans and a stark reminder to all of us that we must stand with each other to protect our shared values and one another. MPD is monitoring cameras in the area and investigating the incident; however, no arrests have been reported 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. Is Rocky ruffling feathers around his Palm Beach mansion? Action star Sylvester Stallone's plans to place a floating seaweed barrier in the area's Intracoastal Waterway by his South Florida estate has reportedly ticked off nearby neighbors. The 78-year-old submitted the plans to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through celebrity wealth manager Lester Knispel on behalf of Southpaw Trust. Residents were given a notice by FDEP letting them know they had until Christmas Day to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about floating barriers and why Stallone's neighbors are not thrilled. Where does Sylvester Stallone live in Florida? Last December, Rocky and Rambo star Sylvester Stallone used his Southpaw Trust to buy, for a recorded $35.38 million, this lakeside estate at 1480 N. Lake Way on the North End of Palm Beach. Sylvester Stallone and his wife, Jennifer Flavin, live in Palm Beach. Their estate sits on the town's northern edge, known as a popular spot for local boaters, paddleboarders and kayakers. The Stallones have owned the home since December 2020, according to former reports. They bought the estate through a trust for a recorded $35.38 million. They have since remodeled the gated lakefront property, which has a main residence and two outbuildings, at 1480 N. Lake Way on the North End. Is he your new neighbor? Sylvester Stallone is latest celebrity moving to Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estate is said to encompass 1 acres with outdoor loggias, a swimming pool, a whirlpool spa, and a sandy beach, all facing 254 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. What is a floating seaweed barrier? What are the benefits? According to Water Pollution Solutions, a floating seaweed barrier helps to control floating mats of seaweed and sargassum that can build up in water, washing up on beaches and shorelines. If not controlled, they state these mats of floating seaweed will decompose as they wash up onshore, causing an "unpleasant, aromatic, and unsightly experience" for beach visitors. They also help keep debris, trash and certain marine life from washing up. They can be made from various materials, such as vinyl-coated polyester fabric, PVC green fabric, or stainless steel. Why does Sylvester Stallone want a floating barrier outside his estate? This starlet coral was spotted during a November 2022 survey by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in an area where actor Sylvester Stallone is proposing a seaweed barrier in the water next to his Palm Beach home. While the project was pitched as an environmental concern, a public notice from the Army Corps said "the overall project purpose is to exclude boaters" from coming near the property. It lists seaweed as a secondary concern for the actor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show Stallone's application also includes a request for a submerged lease of state land because the barrier would in part be on underwater property owned by the state of Florida. According to reports by the USA TODAY Network's Palm Beach Daily News, the project dates back to at least 2022, when the state Department of Environmental Protection completed a site survey in November of that year. While they did not find any seaweed, a project engineer said most of the seaweed accumulates during the summer. The survey did describe the items that washed up on Stallone's shore, including plastic bottles, trash, sticks, leaves, coconuts, and a watermelon, in addition to seaweed. They confirmed these items would reduce if a barrier was placed in the area. Representatives for Stallone officially applied to the state on Jan. 23, 2023. The plans were received by the Army Corps on Aug. 16 of this year, an Army Corps spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That agency published a notice for public comment on Oct. 24, and there was a 30-day comment period that ended Nov. 24. What would Stallone's proposed barrier look like? According to records, the floating barrier would rise about 8 inches above the water and extend down about 10 inches below the water's surface. It would be anchored into the bottom of the waterway using a system of nylon ropes and eyelets that would be secured into the substrate by six piles, records show. The barrier would allow marine life to swim underneath, and creatures could also swim around the barrier at each end, an engineer for the project said in an email to the state Department of Environmental Protection that was reviewed by the Palm Beach Daily News. The barrier would extend 191 feet south from the dock that is at the north end of Stallone's beach, and then make a 90-degree right turn to run 50 feet back toward the shore, forming an "L" shape, according to federal and state public notices describing the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Army Corps said it 'is reviewing the project purpose to determine if the use of barrier for the purpose of deterring boaters within the public waterway is permittable.' 'Safety issues' to 'endangering wildlife': Here's why neighbors are not onboard with Stallone's barrier Residents told the Daily News they were blindsided by the proposal request from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Susan Gary and her husband, Bradford, highlighted the area is used as a refuge for those who may get stuck in the strong current that rushes in and out of the inlet. "From that experience, I would say it was a safety issue, particularly for people who are new to the area and don't realize how strong the current can be," Susan Gary said. "You could pull in there to get out of the current." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other residents discussed concerns about local wildlife and the Sailfish Club, which teaches young people about sailing. The Army Corps notice states that the plans would include conditions that are standard for protecting manatees, sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish. The project team would use floating curtains to protect the surrounding area during work until sediment stabilizes, the Army Corps notice said. The application to the Army Corps said that the amount of seagrass and hard bottom of the waterway that would be affected is "negligible," the Army Corps notice said. When is the deadline for residents to comment on the fate of Stallone's barrier? Residents have a deadline of 5 p.m. on Dec. 25 to submit comments in regards to the project. Written comments must be submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 3301 Gun Club Road, SC 7210-1, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. Why did Sylvester Stallone permanently move to Florida earlier this year? The Palm Beach Daily News previously reported the Stallones are empty-nesters, which influenced their decision to make Florida their permanent home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Feb. 21 season premiere of "The Family Stallone," Sylvester told his three daughters Scarlet, Sistine, and Sophia about the decision to relocate permanently to Florida. After a long, hard consideration, your mother and I have decided (its) time to move on and leave the state of California permanently, he said. And, we're going to Florida. He added: We already have a place (in Florida). It's a done deal. In the opening scenes of his 2023 Netflix documentary, "Sly," Stallone spoke again about the decision to move, saying: "I wasnt moving because Oh, wow, I wanted another beautiful view. Any time changing that paradigm which you become used to, its literally to jump-start that process again." Where can I watch episodes of The Family Stallone"? Viewers can catch up on "The Family Stallone" on Paramount+. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Sylvester Stallone wants seaweed barrier for Florida mansion. See why The pre-Christmas buzz and serene sense of safety at a Wisconsin private school were shattered when a student pulled out a gun and opened fire killing two people, wounding six others and devastating a bewildered community. Now, investigators are digging into how and why the 15-year-old shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, got the gun used to unleash terror at Abundant Life Christian School traumatizing some 420 students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday the motive for the shooting appears to have been a combination of factors, but declined to give more details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have asked if people were specifically targeted. Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger, he said. The police chief previously told CNN that authorities are also investigating whether the shooters parents owned the gun. We also want to look at if the parents may have been negligent. And thats a question that well have to answer with our district attorneys office, Barnes said. But at this time, that does not appear to be the case. Madison police are also working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to find the origin of the gun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have asked our partners with the ATF to expedite whats called an ATF trace form to try and determine the origin of that weapon, who purchased it and how it got from a manufacturer all the way to the hands of a 15-year-old girl, Barnes said. These are questions that are going to take some time to answer. The motive might also take time to determine. The shooter, who also went by the name Samantha, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said. Investigators are looking into online posts and a possible manifesto that might be linked to the shooter, the police chief said Tuesday. We have been made aware of a manifesto, if you want to call it that, or some type of letter thats been posted by someone who alleged to be her friend. We havent been able to locate that person yet, but thats something were going to work on today, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well also be looking through her effects if she had a computer or cell phone to see if there are any transmissions between her and someone else. The tragedy marks the 83rd school shooting across the United States this year surpassing 2023 for the most school shootings in a single year since CNN began tracking such incidents in 2008. I dont think theyll be OK for a long time Excitement filled the air when children filed into the school Monday morning. It was the last week of school before Christmas break, and students had a week full of festivities to look forward to including a holiday concert and an Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, according to the schools website. Like the other students, the shooter entered Abundant Life at the beginning of the school day. Shortly before 11 a.m., she was inside a study hall classroom with students from mixed grades when she pulled out a handgun and opened fire at her peers, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter killed a student and a teacher, police said. Their names have not been publicly released, as authorities wanted to make sure family members were notified first. Six other people were taken to area hospitals, the city of Madison said. Two students remain in critical condition and have life-threatening injuries, the city said Tuesday morning. At least two patients were in stable condition Tuesday morning at SSM Health St. Marys Hospital, and two had been released, a hospital spokesperson said. Survivors of the attack some as young as 7 or 8 recalled screaming in the hallways of the school, saying they were really scared and really sad, according to CNN affiliate WISC. Parents anxiously waited to learn what happened to their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank God they were safe, said Mireille Jean-Charles, a mother of three students at the school. But the trauma its a lot, because Im sure they lost friends and teachers, which is not OK. And I dont think theyll be OK for a long time. The police chief said officers are sensitive to the childrens trauma and will not pressure them to help with the investigation even though many questions remain unanswered. Were not going to interrogate students, Barnes said. Were going to give them an opportunity to come in and speak to what they may have saw when they feel ready, which is why some of these questions cant be answered. The United Way of Dane County announced the creation of the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund, which the non-profit said will raise funds to support children, families and educators affected by the shooting. Children and medics practiced for this kind of horror Recent training drills practiced by students and some of the first responders may have averted even greater tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments before Mondays mass shooting, a group of medics from the police department were at a training center 3 miles away from the school rehearsing what to do during a mass trauma incident. At 10:57 a.m., that nightmare became a reality when a second-grade teacher called 911 to report a school shooting, Barnes said. Previously, Barnes said a second-grade student had called 911 before correcting himself Tuesday. The police medics left the training center immediately and came down here doing in real time what they were actually practicing for, Barnes said outside the school. Students at the school were clearly scared as the attack unfolded, said Barbara Wiers, director of elementary and school relations for Abundant Life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the students were well-trained in active shooter drills and handled themselves brilliantly, Wiers said. Kellen Lewis said his son told him that children huddled in a corner could hear people outside their classroom running and screaming about an active shooter. My third-grade son mentioned that his teacher stood between the door and where the kids were, hiding with scissors, ready to do whatever he had to do to defend the kids in that class, Lewis told CNNs Jake Tapper. The school had prepared them for this sort of a situation. They worked that plan. They did the right thing, said Lewis, a father of four. And to reinforce that sense of agency with the kids so that when they remember this, theyre going to remember that they made the right choices. And fortunately for them, it worked out. Authorities searched the shooters home Police searched the suspects home and were seeking additional search warrants, Barnes said Monday. Rupnows father has spoken with police, and the shooters parents have not been charged with any crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have no reason to believe that they have committed a crime at this time, Barnes said Monday. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said Tuesday it was far too early to comment on whether the teen shooters parents will face criminal charges. We dont know nearly enough yet, Rhodes-Conway said. But in recent years, some law enforcement agencies have charged the parents of children who opened fire at their schools. The father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who carried out a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, was charged with 29 counts earlier this year. Both federal and Wisconsin laws generally make it illegal for someone younger than 18 to possess a firearm. According to state law, its also illegal for any person to intentionally sell, loan or give a dangerous weapon to someone younger than 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Wisconsins state law has exceptions that allow a minor to possess a firearm for target practice under adult supervision, for use in the armed forces or for hunting. In addition, Wisconsin has a child access firearm law that makes it illegal to recklessly store a loaded firearm within reach or easy access of a child younger than 14. Regardless of how the Madison school shooter obtained her gun, no child should have such access, the police chief said. I do not believe that 15-year-olds should have access to weapons that they can bring to school and potentially hurt someone, Barnes said. We really have to do a better job not only in our communities but in our country with making sure that our young folks dont have access to weapons and firearms and certainly making sure that were paying attention to the mental health of our children. An unthinkable tragedy Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes, a former teacher, said the tragedy of school shootings must stop. - Scott Olson/Getty Images A candlelight vigil was scheduled for Tuesday night, with the citys mayor and education officials expected to attend. All flags over federal installations and facilities statewide would be lowered to half-staff until December 22 in honor of the victims, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced. 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, the governor said. This should never happen. Ending the fall semester how it started The fall semester is headed into its Christmas holiday break like it began with a mass shooting. Rice University in Houston witnessed an apparent murder-suicide on the first day of classes on August 26. The following week, a 14-year-old shooter killed four victims at a high school in Winder, Georgia making it the deadliest school shooting of the year. The shooting at Abundant Life also marks the latest shooting to take place at a small, private Christian school and among the 56 to have taken place on K-12 grounds. Last year, a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville left three 9-year-olds and three adults dead. Earlier this month, two boys, ages 5 and 6, were in critical condition after a shooting at a Christian school north of Sacramento in Oroville, California. The private school, Feather River Adventist School, is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Protestant Christian denomination. CNNs Amanda Musa, Chris Boyette, Eric Levenson, Elise Hammond, Antoinette Radford, Jessie Yeung, Jennifer Feldman, Steve Almasy, Taylor Romine and Michelle Watson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City). File photo by Danielle E. Gaines. Gov. Wes Moore (D) has plucked another Annapolis lawmaker for a key state position, announcing Monday evening that he would nominate state Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) to serve on the state Board of Contract Appeals. Moore also moved to fill vacancies on two other state panels, the Maryland State Board of Education and the Maryland Public Employee Relations Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alverne Chet Chesterfield, executive director of the Chincoteague Bay Field Station on the Lower Shore, is Moores choice to join the education board, while labor lawyer Lafe Solomon has been tapped to be chair of the Public Employee Relations Board. These three public servants have built distinguished careers advancing the interests and values of our state, Moore said in a statement. I thank them for continuing to give back to the people of Maryland. Carters nomination will prove to be the most consequential, at least in the short term, at a time when the Senate is also about to lose Sen. Sarah K. Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel), who will be sworn in to the U.S. House on Jan. 3. The next General Assembly session starts Jan. 8. A lawyer and longtime civil rights advocate, Carter has been a warrior in the legislature for criminal justice reform and a pugnacious presence who has at times vexed leaders in the get-along, go-along General Assembly. She was appointed to her Senate seat in the spring of 2018, following a brief hiatus from the legislature; she had served in the House from 2003 to early 2017 before resigning to become director of the Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights and Wage Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Contract Appeals is a quasi-judicial body that considers appeals from companies that lost out on bids for lucrative state contracts. It consists of six members who serve five-year terms on a full-time basis; the rank-and-file members are paid about $180,000 a year, while the chair and vice chair earn more. Carter will be filling a longtime vacancy on the appeals board. In a draft of a statement due to be released Tuesday, and provided to Maryland Matters, the 60-year-old lawmaker noted that she began her legal career representing government contractors. Ive always had a passion for fair and just procurement laws and policies, she said. I look forward to the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Contract Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter, the daughter of the prominent late Baltimore civil rights leader Walter Carter, called serving in the legislature the greatest honor of my life. From the very beginning of my journey, I have been committed to advancing fairness, justice, and equity principles that guided every decision I made, every fight I led, and every piece of legislation I championed, she said. The work was never easy, but it was always meaningful. The opportunity to stand in the Senate of Maryland as the only Black woman attorney and use my skills, voice, and determination to push for transformative change is a responsibility I carried with humility, pride and determination. Carter can begin serving provisionally on the appeals board almost immediately, and a confirmation hearing and vote in the state Senate during the upcoming legislative session will follow. Her looming departure means there will be a vacancy in Northeast Baltimores 41st District Senate seat. The members of the Baltimore City Democratic Central Committee from the 41st District will eventually meet to recommend a replacement for Carter to Gov. Wes Moore (D), who has the ultimate say. Speculation will naturally focus, at least initially, on the districts three House members, all Democrats: Dels. Dalya Attar, Samuel I. Sandy Rosenberg and Malcolm P. Ruff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenberg, who was elected to the House in 1982, is the senior member of the General Assembly. Attar was elected in 2018, while Ruff was appointed to his seat by Moore in June 2023 after the 41st District central committee members deadlocked between recommending him and former Del. Angela D. Gibson (D) for the vacancy. In an interview Monday night, Rosenberg said he was not interested in the Senate appointment. The other two delegates did not respond immediately to messages left by email or text on Monday evening. Since the 2022 election, four people have been appointed to fill Senate vacancies in Annapolis, and Elfreths and Carters imminent departures will create two more openings in the upper chamber. Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) is competing for an appointment to become the interim Baltimore County executive, which could make for another vacancy. In the House, 10 delegates have been appointed to their seats since the 2022 election, and two more, Del. Rachel Munoz (R-Anne Arundel) and Del. Brooke Grossman (D-Washington), are scheduled to resign at the end of the year. Replacements for the departing senators could come from the House, creating yet more vacancies. Two more appointees For the relatively new Public Employee Relations Board, Moore has turned to Solomon to be its new chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solomon, according to the governors office, has practiced labor law at the federal level for more than 40 years. He has served in a number of roles in the U.S. Department of Labors Office of the Solicitor, including as senior adviser to the solicitor, labor counsel and senior counsel. Solomon has also held several positions with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) including as director of the Office of Representation Appeals, and as acting general counsel. Susan Jackson Getty, former vice president and current member of the Maryland State Board of Education. File photo by Bryan P. Sears. Solomon will replace Michael Hayes, a law professor and former NLRB official who spent 14 months as board chair before resigning in September. The board was created on July 1, 2023, after the General Assembly passed legislation last year to consolidate three separate boards that oversaw state labor relations and collective bargaining negotiations into one entity. Labor leaders had fretted that without a permanent chair in place, the board would not be able to fulfill its mission. Board members serve six-year terms. For the state Board of Education, Moore has turned to Chesterfield, the executive director of the Chincoteague Bay Field Station, which provides multidisciplinary educational and research opportunities that focus on natural, cultural, economic and technological resources. He is a retired longtime administrator at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chesterfield will replace Susan Getty, an appointee of former Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who had once served as vice president on the state board. Board of Education members are appointed to four-year terms. Chesterfield and Solomon are also subject to the Senate confirmation process, which will begin when the legislature convenes next month. Reporter Bryan P. Sears contributed to this report. Senator Thom Tillis (left - Photo: senate.gov video stream) and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James Wynn (File photo) Americas courts and the judges who sit on them have always been inextricably linked to the world of politics. Indeed, the idea that lawyers who are either appointed by politicians or who run for office themselves wouldnt be political animals to some degree and often render judgments that reflect their own personal values and philosophies, is rather silly. Its no surprise, for instance, that American courts consistently rendered opinions favorable to white men and white male supremacy throughout most of their first two centuries since they were, of course, comprised almost exclusively of white men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, up until recent decades, the line between politicians and judges (as well as judicial ideological lines) were often blurrier than they are today. Prior to the late 20th Century, it was considered perfectly acceptable for politicians to serve as federal judges. One chief justice William Howard Taft, who served from 1921 to 1930, was a former president. Chief Justice Earl Warren was the former Republican governor of California. Chief Justice Fred Vinson was a former congressman and Treasury Secretary who was known to play poker with President Harry Truman while serving as chief. Its only been in recent decades that its become a de facto requirement for Supreme Court nominees that they be sitting judges on other courts. And as recently as the 1990s, it wasnt considered especially noteworthy that Justice David Souter a moderate on many issues had been appointed by President George H.W. Bush. All that said, the politicization of the courts has grown much more intense in recent decades, thanks in large part to a concerted, well-funded, and highly successful effort pursued by the political right. As author David Daley documents in painful detail in his recent book Antidemocratic: Inside the Far Rights 5-Year Plot to Control American Elections, and explained in a recent interview with NC Newsline, the federal judiciary has undergone a dramatic ideological transformation in recent decades that has, in turn, helped transform our national political landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of which makes the recent complaints by Republicans about the decisions of a small handful of federal judges appointed by Democratic presidents to rethink their plans to retire or take senior status in light of Donald Trumps recent election (and their desire to avoid having Trump name their successors), rather laughable. As NC Newslines Brandon Kingdollar has reported, the list of judges having second thoughts in recent weeks and rescinding plans to take their leave from full-time work includes U.S. District Court Judges Max Cogburn of North Carolina and Algenon Marbley of Ohio and, perhaps most notably, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge James Wynn. Wynn, a North Carolinian and former member of the North Carolina Supreme Court who was appointed to the Richmond-based Fourth Circuit by President Obama, wrote President Biden last Friday to explain that he was withdrawing his plan to take senior status. The letter came just a few days after North Carolinas Republican U.S. senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, blocked the nomination of the gifted attorney that Biden had nominated to replace Wynn North Carolina Solicitor General Ryan Park. That action, in turn, led Tillis to issue a blistering and preposterous condemnation, in which he accused Wynn of being among a group of judges who are nothing more than politicians in robes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would be the same Thom Tillis who has made flip-flopping his position from semi-principled consensus seeker to craven lapdog on any number of issues in response to complaints from Trump minions most notably, on immigration policy a signature component of his political repertoire. And it would also be the same Thom Tillis who happily and hypocritically abetted previous Republican efforts to a) block without legitimate reason President Obamas nomination of Merrick Garland to the high court for almost an entire year in 2016, and b) race through the nomination of Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett in just a few weeks in late 2020. And it would be the same Thom Tillis who presided as North Carolina House Speaker over the enactment of legislation that unleashed partisan judge buying in our state by ending public financing for judicial campaigns and whos fellow Republicans soon thereafter repealed a state law that had made judicial races nonpartisan. And it would be the same Thom Tillis who has never so much as raised a peep of concern about the blatant conflicts of interest that continue to plague the North Carolina Supreme Court, where Justice Phil Berger, Jr. the son of the legislatures most powerful politician, Sen. Phil Berger, Sr. continues to render judgments of his daddys handiwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, none of this blatant hypocrisy is terribly surprising. As countless once supposedly serious pols from Mitch McConnell to Lindsey Graham to JD Vance have repeatedly demonstrated, when youre on team Trump or willing to be one of its enablers, honesty, consistency and any concern for genuine governance always play second fiddle to winning at all costs and appeasing the Republican Dear Leader. One just wishes that Tillis could at least spare us the embarrassing faux outrage as he follows his marching orders. The Senate on Monday cleared a key procedural hurdle toward passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), teeing up a final vote in the coming days before Congress wraps up its work for the year. Senators voted 83-12 to advance the $895 billion annual defense policy package, setting up a vote on final passage by Wednesday, absent a time agreement that would expedite getting the package over the finish line. I hope we can find a path to pass an NDAA as soon as tomorrow, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a floor speech ahead of the Monday vote, arguing the proposal is not a perfect bill but has some very good things that Democrats pushed for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, which sets Pentagon policy for the year, passed the House 281 to 140 last week. The annual bill usually passes with widespread bipartisan support, but that took a hit this year after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pushed for a provision in the bill that would restrict the use of funds from TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty service members, for gender-affirming care for the children 18 years and younger of service members. That led numerous Democrats to vote against it. Even some Republicans signaled they were not pleased with the legislative change, which they say could have been made unilaterally by President-elect Trump after he takes office, sparing the legislative fight. Some lawmakers believe Johnson pushed for the change to shore up his right flank ahead of next months Speaker election. The Senate is expected to easily pass the NDAA as well, but some Democrats could side against it over the Johnson-led effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, the NDAA has some bad provisions Democrats would not have included, Schumer said. And there are other provisions that were left out of NDAA which we still hope can get done elsewhere. Among the items included in the bill are a 14.5 percent pay raise for junior enlisted troops and a 4.5 percent pay hike for all other military members. It also includes language barring the Defense Department from backing critical race theory in academic institutions or military training exercises that are run by the Pentagon, and another yearlong hiring freeze on positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The overall price tag checked in at a lower point than where some top Republicans were hopeful it would. Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.), the top GOP member on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pushed for an additional $25 billion, but came up empty on that end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, appropriators could still try to boost that figure via a full-year defense spending bill in the coming months. McConnell, who is leaving his perch as Republican leader at the end of the year, will take over atop the Defense subcommittee on the Senate Appropriations panel next year. The Kentucky Republican lamented this omission on Monday, calling it a tremendous missed opportunity. Artificial budget restraints mean that major bill provisions, like a pay raise for enlisted service members, will come at the expense of investments in the critical weapons systems and munitions that deter conflict and keep them safe, McConnell said Monday. For all the talk about growing threats to Americas national security, its past time for an honest conversation about the military requirements to meet those needs. If this NDAA offers any valuable lesson, its that we have a tremendous amount of work to do, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Three Democratic senators unveiled a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College system Monday, just more than a month after President-elect Trump stunned the Democrats by sweeping all seven battleground states, knocking off three Senate Democratic incumbents in the process. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii,) Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), three leading progressive Senate voices, say its time to restore democracy by allowing for the direct election of presidents through the popular vote alone. The senators are troubled that the Electoral College has twice elected a candidate who didnt win the popular vote in the past 19 years. In both those instances, a Republican captured the White House George W. Bush in the 2000 election and Trump in the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an election, the person who gets the most votes should win. Its that simple, Schatz said. No ones vote should count for more based on where they live. The Electoral College is outdated and its undemocratic. Its time to end it. To be sure, Trump would have still won the 2024 election if it had been decided by popular vote. He collected 77,300,739 votes compared to Vice President Harriss 75,014,534. But many Democrats think that they would have had a better chance to beat Trump if they had a reason to focus on running up the margin of Harriss victory in populous Democratic strongholds such as California, Illinois and New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans, however, also have big, populous states squarely in their column, namely Florida and Texas. Durbin, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, argued that the Electoral College disenfranchises millions of Americans. 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 its time to retire this 18th century invention, he said. Democrats are worried that it has become increasingly difficult to win on the presidential ticket in battleground states while advocating for the progressive agenda that candidates need to embrace in the primary to appeal to the partys base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its always worth reminding people: Its really hard for Democrats to win battleground states, OK? David Plouffe, a senior adviser to Harriss presidential campaign, told Crooked Medias Pod Save America last month. Lets look at Pennsylvania: 25 percent of the electorate is liberal, roughly, 34 percent is conservative, Plouffe explained. So in every battleground state, theres more conservatives than liberals. Democrats felt all the more demoralized by Harriss loss because she dramatically outspent Trump, raising $1 billion for her campaign while a super PAC supporting her, Future Forward, raised nearly another $1 billion. Harris lost in all seven of the presidential battleground states, including the three states that made up the blue wall: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welch called the Electoral College outdated and flawed. Our democracy is at its strongest when everyones voice is heard and right now our elections arent as representative as they should be because of the outdated and flawed electoral college. Im excited to partner with my friends and colleagues Senator Schatz and Chair Durbin on this important constitutional amendment, which will help empower every voter in every state, he said. Former first lady and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for abolishing the Electoral College after she won the popular vote but lost the vote of the Electoral College in the 2016 presidential election. I think it needs to be eliminated, Clinton told CNNs Anderson Cooper in 2017. Id like to see us move beyond it, yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Three progressive Democratic senators have unveiled a constitutional amendment that aims to abolish the Electoral College, five weeks after Donald Trump stormed to victory in the presidential election by sweeping the battleground states. Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Peter Welch of Vermont presented their bill on Monday, saying it was time to restore democracy by doing away with the college system altogether and giving primacy to the popular vote, the total number of ballots cast by the American electorate. In an election, the person who gets the most votes should win. Its that simple, said Schatz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No ones vote should count for more based on where they live. The Electoral College is outdated and its undemocratic. Its time to end it. Currently, the Electoral College carries the day, an institution established under Article Two of the US Constitution that grants each state a given number of electors in proportion to the size of its congressional delegation. For example, a populous state like California is worth 54 votes but North Dakota just three. With 528 Electoral College votes available in total, a majority of 270 is required for a candidate to win the White House. On November 5, Trump and JD Vance secured a commanding victory of 312 to 226 over their Democratic rivals Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schatz, Durbin and Welch now say they are concerned that in two presidential elections already this century George W Bushs win over Al Gore in 2000 and Trumps over Hillary Clinton in 2016 Republican candidates have entered the Oval Office without picking up the majority of votes cast. Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin, along with colleagues Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Peter Welch of Vermont, have proposed a new bill to abolish the Electoral College (Kevin Dietsch/Getty) Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the present system disenfranchises millions of Americans. In 2000, before the general election, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to amend the Constitution and abolish the Electoral College, he continued. I still believe today that its time to retire this 18th century invention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Welch added: Our democracy is at its strongest when everyones voice is heard and right now our elections arent as representative as they should be because of the outdated and flawed Electoral College. Their proposal would not have had any bearing on the outcome this year, however, given that Trump and Vance also won the popular vote, scoring 77,300,739 ballots to 75,014,534 for Harris and Walz. But that gap is, relatively speaking, much narrower than the 82-point difference between their respective Electoral College scores. The loss of the Electoral College which places a distorting emphasis on campaigning in the so-called swing states like Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Nevada would have greatly reshaped the 2024 race and allowed Harris and Walz to lean into shoring up support in Democratic bastions like New York, Illinois and California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their doing so would, in turn, have prompted Trump and Vance to devote their energies to large red states like Texas, Florida and other southern strongholds. Democrats like Harris adviser David Plouffe have taken to complaining in the wake of her defeat that it is becoming increasingly difficult for their presidential candidates to win battleground states because of the conflict between the centrist arguments they need to make to uncommitted or conservative-leaning voters and the more progressive policies the partys base expects them to advocate for during the primaries. Its always worth reminding people: Its really hard for Democrats to win battleground states, OK? Plouffe told Pod Save America last month. Lets look at Pennsylvania: 25 percent of the electorate is liberal, roughly, 34 percent is conservative, he explained. So in every battleground state, theres more conservatives than liberals. The Social Security Fairness Act cleared a key procedural hurdle Wednesday, soaring past the 60 votes it needs to advance by a vote of 73-27. This puts the legislation on a glide path toward final passage, though the exact timing of that vote is a bit unclear as we wait for further clarity on floor action in the coming days. The legislation has already passed the House. Once it finally passes the Senate, it will head to President Joe Biden's desk for his signature. Along with government funding, this will be one of the last major pieces of legislation that Biden signs into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was pushed forward by a bipartisan group of cosponsors who, in a press conference Wednesday, praised the Senate's actions for helping to protect millions of workers. "I am so thankful that we in the federal government are keeping a promise on earned benefits to return that which is due to the people who have given their lives to serve the public," Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said. MORE: Video Current retirees could face significant cuts to benefits "It is a wonderful way to end the year. We'll be bringing some equity in my state its 250,000 workers will be helped by this it really is to me about this canary pin and the dignity of work and fighting for workers," Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closely watched legislation repeals provisions that limit the ability of some retirees who also collect pensions from claiming Social Security benefits. Among those impacted are retirees who at one time worked as firefighters, teachers, postal worker, a police officer, or in other public sector jobs. A provision that limits the benefits allotted to those workers' surviving spouses would also be eliminated. The legislation already passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support in November, but Congress would need to act this week to avoid having to restart the process of passing the legislation in the new year. It has strong advocates on both sides of the aisle. PHOTO: Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer speaks following the weekly Senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 3, 2024, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) "It is unfair to penalize Americans who have taught our children, protected our streets, and ran into burning buildings," Cassidy, the top Republican on the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a post on X earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there is some concern among Republicans about the cost of the bill and the increased strain it could put on the already underfunded Social Security trust fund. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated that the bill would increase the deficit by $196 billion and increase the rate at which the Social Security trust fund becomes insolvent. MORE: Social Security, Medicare face financial risk As a result, there could be challenges on the floor that limit the ability to expedite passage of this bill. And there's certainly a time crunch to consider. The Senate isn't short on things to accomplish during this last week of the lame-duck session. It is currently working to process the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act. Senators must also approve a government funding bill before the end of the week if they wish to avert a shutdown. Social Security Fairness Act clears Senate procedural hurdle, on path for final passage originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Senate Republicans fear that the confirmation hearings for secretary of defense nominee Pete Hegseth will be a repeat of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs heated 2018 hearings. Both Kavanaugh and Hegseth have been accused of sexual misconduct and have rejected the allegations. Hegseths plan to release his accuser from a nondisclosure agreement is setting up the hearing to be filled with tension and fervor from both Democrats and Republicans. Hegseth is set to push ahead with his nomination despite warnings from Senate Republicans that hes likely to face a frenzy of uncomfortable questions about the sexual misconduct allegations and the claims against him of excessive drinking and financial mismanagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told him its going to be a miserable experience, sort of like Brett Kavanaughs confirmation hearing, said Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, according to The Hill. In 2018, dozens of protesters were detained by Capitol Police in the Senate office buildings, leading to senators being escorted by police as they went around the Capitol complex. Kavanaugh also became famously animated as he discussed the allegations of sexual assault and was questioned before he was eventually appointed to the Supreme Court. While Cornyn said senators remain open to confirming Hegseth, he added that They want the process to continue and well respond to any new information that they get. Everything is going to be elevated. I think its going to be Kavanaugh on steroids, said North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Donald Trumps nominee to be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters as he arrives for a meeting with Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA). Now, some are warning his hearings could be similar to one Supreme Court justice (Getty Images) Senators noted that the atmosphere depends on whether Hegseths accuser would be willing to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee. In 2018, Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey-Ford appeared before Congress to detail sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh when they were teens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have both said that they would be unwilling to vote against Hegseth based on anonymous allegations. An advisor to Hegseth said the 44-year-old is willing to discuss any and all allegations against him in meetings with senators, according to The Hill. Mr. Hegseth has assured the Senators with whom he is meeting that they will be able to fulfill their advise and consent duties when it comes to this and all topics, said the advisor. The next Senate Republican leader, John Thune of South Dakota, said it will be the Armed Services Committees decision if they want to call on the accuser to testify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats obviously a decision the committee, he, and theyre all going to have to make that, he said of the panel and Hegseth. As a general rule, I think its important that hearings be conducted in the light of day with full transparency, he added. Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill on September 27, 2018, in Washington, DC. Senators have warned Hegseth that his confirmation hearings may be reminiscent of Kavanaughs which featured the nominee growing animated during questioning (Getty Images) Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the next chair of the Armed Services Committee, said he doesnt know if the accuser will testify. I guess it depends on what she has to say, he said. Rutgers University political science professor Ross Baker said the Democrats are likely to read out the most controversial parts of the 2017 police report of the sexual misconduct allegation against Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must assume that it will contain some pretty graphic information, and presumably it would be presented by the Democrats at the hearing in the Armed Services Committee, he said, according to The Hill. The accuser has claimed that Hegseth took her phone and stopped her from leaving his hotel room during a conference in Monterey, California. Hegseth has said that the encounter was consensual and that he ensured that she was comfortable with what was going on. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) A man with a history of burglarizing retirement homes in the Rockford area is wanted again on new charges. According to the Rockford Police Department, Jerry White, 53, attempted to enter multiple apartments at Greencastle of Mulford, at 2750 N. Mulford Road, on Monday, November 25th. Police discovered that coin machines in the laundry room were damaged and money had been taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White is not currently in custody, authorities said, but is wanted on charges of Residential Burglary and two counts of Criminal Trespass. White was on probation from the Illinois Department of Corrections for a burglary conviction when he was accused of burglarizing area retirement homes over a two-week period in September 2016. In January 2021, he was accused of burglarizing St. Edwards Catholic Church, 3004 11th Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or by leaving an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867 or via the Tip 411 app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Police worked Tuesday to dispel social media speculation that a serial killer is on the loose in Columbus. After three women were found dead Saturday with gunshot wounds in a South Side home, posts quickly started circulating on social media that a serial killer was at large. A spokesperson with Columbus police told NBC4 Tuesday morning they could not provide an update on the triple homicide, but did say the division is not investigating any active serial killers in its jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio ruling stands that boneless chicken wings can have bones During the afternoon, Deputy Chief Smith Weir held a news conference specifically to address the speculation. Weve been made aware over the past several days that there had been some rumors circulating on social media that some of the incidents are connected to a serial killer, Weir said. I can tell you definitively that that is not the case. Another false post is also spreading in connection to serial killer speculation, featuring a photo of a bald man, stating he is going around the city, knocking on doors and claiming to be homeless then attacking people. This post is circulating in multiple states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI defines a serial killer as someone who kills three or more people in separate events over a significant period of time. Weir said police are investigating a possible connection between the triple homicide and a fatal shooting Tuesday on the South Side. Haikiem Graham, 39, has been arrested in that case, in which Darrell Hambrick, 45, was fatally shot. Records show that Hambrick was a former tenant of the home where the triple homicide took place. On Monday, police identified the victims of the triple homicide as Sierra Muse, 34, Dawn Clover, 49, and Tiffany Parrish, 36. Parrish was registered at the address where the homicide took place. A nearby resident told NBC4 neighbors have had an issue with the house, located on the 1300 block of South Ohio Avenue, for years, due to a stream of people coming and going at the residence. I texted the owner and I told her what I threatened to do was to go down to city hall at one of the city council meetings and put it on blocks because somebody has the wherewithal to address the situation, said Wendell Hancock, a neighbor of the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A friend of the homicide victims discovered the women suffering from gunshot wounds after going to check on them, then called police. All three women were pronounced dead at the scene at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Investigators have yet to publicly announce a suspect. We want nothing more to find out who did this, Parrishs aunt Kellie Argyle said. They killed three people. Like, what kind of person could they be? They dont need to be out there because I mean, they could kill again. NBC4s Anna Hoffman contributed to this story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The video in this story contains graphic material of an officer-involved shooting that may be upsetting to viewers. Discretion is advised. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) On Monday, the Oklahoma County Grand Jury determined that seven Oklahoma City Police officers should not be charged for the shooting death of a 77-year-old woman in October. The deadly shooting came as a result of a standoff between police and 77-year-old Annette Prince on October 10. Officers responding to a reported accident found Prince holding a gun while in a car near NW 122nd Street and N Macarthur Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body cam footage obtained by News 4 shows officers asking Prince to put the gun down in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Prince, however, refused to drop the gun and fired several shots. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: OKCPD release video of deadly police shooting Video then shows Prince getting out of the car and pointing the gun at officers before she was shot and killed. Prior to the incident, Prince was a passenger in the car when she allegedly shot the 75-year-old driver twice. The driver jumped out of the car to get away before Prince reportedly moved into the drivers seat and ran the victim over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, who has not been named, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries and has since been released. After reviewing 36 pieces of evidence, including videos and photographs from the scene, and hearing testimony from two OKCPD detectives, grand jurors recommended no charges should be filed against the officers involved. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An Oklahoma County grand jury has decided not to indict seven Oklahoma City police officers for a fatal shooting Oct. 10. The seven officers were placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting death of Annette Prince, 77, who was armed with a pistol around 10:30 p.m. near NW 122 and N MacArthur Boulevard. Prosecutors announced the decision Tuesday in a news release. Grand jurors made the decision after hearing testimony from two detectives with the Oklahoma City Police Department, according to the news release. One detective testified about interviews conducted during the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grand jurors also reviewed 36 exhibits, including police body-worn camera, dash camera video, photographs from the scene and interviews from a civilian witness and the officers involved in the incident, according to the news release. The grand jury concluded that a use-of-force expert would not be needed to help them deliberate. District Attorney Vicki Behenna requested the grand jury "to investigate and potentially issue indictments on officer-involved shootings that occur within Oklahoma County." It has not indicted any police officers so far. OKC Police Department released footage of deadly shooting In November, the Oklahoma City Police Department released footage of the deadly shooting involving Prince. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said two related 911 calls came in around the same time. The first reported a victim was driving when they were shot by a passenger and subsequently run over after fleeing the vehicle. The second call reported a woman later whose car had crashed and pointed a gun at a passerby trying to help her. The passerby was not injured. More: Police video shows moments leading up to 77-year-old being shot, killed by 7 officers It's unclear why the woman, identified later as Prince, shot the 75-year-old female victim a woman police said she lived with. The womans injuries were treated at a hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police footage, which police edited and posted to YouTube with a viewer discretion warning, first shows the viewpoint from a home security camera. Prince's car is shown turning around on NW 123 Terrace, driving on a sidewalk and a home's yard before returning to the street. The woman Prince had shot is then seen being hit by the car. The victim was thrown into the air by the impact before falling to the ground. Minutes later, Prince crashed and disabled her vehicle near the intersection of NW 122 and MacArthur. The Oak Grove shopping center can be seen in the background of the footage, which appears to come from a traffic camera in the intersection. The footage shows another vehicle stopping near Prince's car. The driver of the vehicle got out and walked to Prince's door, where he appeared to speak to her before putting his hands up and backing away from Prince's vehicle, eventually ducking onto the ground. Police said Prince had pointed her gun at the person, who then hid behind his car and called police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be the first to know: Sign up for breaking news email alerts The next footage is from the dash of a police vehicle that arrived at the scene at 10:41 p.m. When officers arrived, Prince was sitting in her car. Officers can be heard asking the "driver of the PT Cruiser" to hold both of her hands up and out of the window. Three initial sets of gunshots can be heard, which police said came from Prince's vehicle while she was seated in it. Then, a round of shots is heard after police said Prince pointed her gun at officers while in her car. While Prince was in her vehicle, officers asked her multiple times to put down her gun. Four minutes after police arrived, Prince began to step out of her vehicle, appearing unsteady on her feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers again asked Prince multiple times to "drop the gun." Instead, she stood between her door and the car, gun in hand. Police said Prince pointed the gun at officers, though the video shows Prince waving the gun in small circles rather than in a concrete direction. This went on for about 30 seconds before seven officers started shooting. The video blurs out Prince once the shooting starts, but she is seen falling to the ground. Police said Prince was taken to an area hospital where she died from her injuries. No officers were injured. Master Sgt. Gary Knight previously told The Oklahoman he was not aware of a crisis intervention unit having been contacted or requested. He also said an officer trained in crisis intervention "would have had no opportunity to help her," as she was actively shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Keep in mind, this didnt come in as a mental health call," Knight said. "The officers were responding to a traffic accident." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police officers cleared in shooting death of 77-year-old woman TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) The Tioga County Public Health Department is warning residents that a highly contagious bacterial disease is present in the county. Tioga County Public Health says multiple cases of Pertussis, or Whooping Cough, have been reported in Tioga County and across New York State. Whooping Cough is a respiratory illness caused bacteria. It is airborne, meaning it is spread easily through the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. Urgent medical attention is recommended as it may be dangerous or even life threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms of Whooping Cough are listed below. Early symptoms: Stage One Early symptoms can last for one to two weeks and usually include: In its early stages, Whooping Cough resembles a common cold. Doctors often do not diagnose it until more severe symptoms appear. Runny nose or nasal congestion Low-grade fever (less than 100.4F) Mild, occasional cough (babies do not do this) Apnea (life-threatening pauses in breathing) Cyanosis (turning blue or purple) in babies and young children Later symptoms: Stage Two One to Two weeks after the first symptoms start. People with whooping cough may develop rapid, violent, and uncontrollable coughing fits. These coughing fits usually last one to six weeks but can last for up to ten weeks. Coughing fits generally get worse and become more common as the illness continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coughing fits can cause people to: Make a high-pitched whoop sound when they are finally able to inhale at the end of a coughing fit Vomit during or after coughing fits Feel very tired after the coughing fit, but usually seem well in-between fits Struggle to breathe Whooping cough can be extremely dangerous for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Those who are experiencing symptoms are advised to stay home from school or work and avoid close contact with those around you. Tioga County urges individuals and families to make sure they are up to date on their Whooping Cough vaccines. Vaccines are effective is preventing severe symptoms but do not always prevent illness. Symptoms are usually milder for those who become infected but are vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are showing signs of Whooping Cough, contact your health care provider or one of Tioga Countys Public Health nurses at (607)687-8600. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. (KRON) San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins gave a press conference after the jury found Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee. Jenkins said she believes the verdict established what truly happened. The DA addressed Elon Musks comments in the immediate aftermath of Lees killing regarding San Francisco being an unsafe city. Jenkins said Musk attempted to shame the city. Jenkins alluded to the verdict proving the citys commitment to accountability and safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is Khazar Momeni? Sister of Bob Lee killer was key figure in trial Jenkins opened her questioning by expressing gratitude towards prosecutors, Omid Talai and Dave Ryan. She said the verdict is a testament to the hard work they put in. She also thanked San Francisco Police Department Sergeant Brent Dittmer. We are a city committed to public safety, and that when something bad happens, which we cant always control, that law enforcement at every level will respond to make sure that there is justice and accountability in each and every situation, said Jenkins. We just want to thank this family that put their trust in us, the communities across San Francisco, that put our trust in law enforcement, local police and my office to make sure that we have accountability in this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A Seneca man is being held in jail without bond after investigators claim he got a child drunk and then sexually assaulted them. According to Oconee County Sheriffs Office, Steven Lee Sherman, 34, was arrested on Friday on two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The sheriffs office said it had been investigating Sherman since October after a school resource officer was asked by a school district employee to speak with a minor victim. The victim told the SRO Sherman gave them alcohol, which caused them to get drunk, and then sexually assaulted them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs office said an investigator determined Sherman had sex with the victim, who was between the ages of 11 14, twice on July 5 of this year. Also, the investigator determined that Sherman had provided alcohol to the victim. The investigation involved only one victim. The sheriffs office is continuing to investigate the case. Sherman will appear before a circuit court judge at a later date to determine if he will get bond. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Dec. 16MASSENA The Tim S. Dool, stranded for weeks, has successfully been refloated by a "united coordination group" on Monday, a news release from the United States Coast Guard states. The Coast Guard reported no injuries or pollution from the event. When the Tim S. Dool ran aground on Nov. 23, it was loaded with wheat grain in United States waters southwest of the Eisenhower Lock near Massena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard has previously stated that crews would work to get the wheat grain off of the boat and then attempt to refloat the ship. "The successful refloating of the M/V Tim S. Dool in the St. Lawrence Seaway was a great example of the professional and unified collaboration between the U.S. Coast Guard and our interagency and international partners in this region," Capt. Mark Kuperman, Federal OnScene Coordinator and Commander of Sector Eastern Great Lakes said in the news release. "This complex operation required close coordination between multiple federal agencies and our Canadian counterparts to ensure the safety of personnel, protection of the environment, and minimal disruption to vessel traffic. The importance of our partnerships cannot be understated in resolving maritime incidents safely and efficiently, while maintaining the flow of commerce through this vital waterway." In addition to the Coast Guard, the Canadian Coast Guard, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, Transport Canada, and Environmental and Climate Change Canada assisted in refloating the ship. The cause into the grounding remains under investigation. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A teenage girl was shot near a Northwest D.C. high school in the middle of the day on Tuesday, according to police. A 17-year-old girl was shot near Dunbar High School in the 200 block of Morgan Street NW just after 3 p.m. She was taken to a hospital after fleeing to the high school for help, Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker noted in a post on X. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries. A photo of the shooting suspect. (Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department) The school was placed on alert status, delaying dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police: Metro officer stabbed near Gallery Place Metro station, suspect in custody The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was looking for a white Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania tags KFD1584. Investigators from the Real Time Crime Center released a photo of the suspect. The victim was a student of the high school. It was not known whether the suspect and the victim knew each other. The following roads were closed as police investigated: 200 block of Morgan Street NW, between New Jersey Avenue and Kirby Street 100-200 blocks of N Street NW, between New Jersey Avenue and First Street 1200 block of Kirby Street NW, from New York Avenue to N Street (Northbound One-Way) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter sent to Dunbar High School parents, interim Principal Tiffany White, said the school is committed to the safety and well-being of its students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff, we immediately delayed our dismissal procedures as we went into alert status and contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Police. During alert status, instruction and movement throughout the building occur as usual, but entering and exiting the building is not permitted. Please be assured students and staff in our building remained safe and accounted for during this time. Dunbar High School interim Principal Tiffany White The letter went on to say that the school acknowledges the effects of gun violence is a difficult decision and that the DCPS Crisis Response Team and the schools dedicated wellness team is ready to assist any students who may need the support. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. Accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been charged with a seventh murder: the death of Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found 24 years ago, according to a superseding indictment unsealed Tuesday. A hunter's dog discovered Mack's decapitated body in a wooded area of Manorville on Long Island on Nov. 19, 2000. Her remains were bound with rope inside a black plastic bag which was wrapped with duct tape, according to a bail application that accompanied the new indictment. Both of her hands had been severed from her body and one of her legs was cut off, the document said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Abundant Life Christian School shooting latest: Motive under investigation The rest of Mack's remains were found more than a decade later, in April 2011, along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, authorities said. Mack's parents "are very grateful for the small bit of closure," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said at a news conference Tuesday. PHOTO: This undated photo provided by the Suffolk County, New York, Police Department, Thursday May 28, 2020, shows Valerie Mack who went missing in 2000. (Suffolk County Police Department via AP) Prosecutors said they linked Heuermann to Mack's death in part through a mitochondrial DNA analysis of a female hair found on Mack's body. It matched the profiles of Heuermann's wife and daughter, the bail application said. At the time of Macks murder, Heuermann's daughter would have been between 3 and 4 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said they also linked Heuermann to Mack's death through evidence recovered on some of the 350 electronic devices they seized from him that include his "significant collection of violent, bondage and torture pornography" dating back to at least 1994. This online collection included images of mutilation and tying up women with ropes, two things prosecutors said are consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack and how she was bound, officials said. PHOTO: Gilgo Beach Serial Killings (James Carbone/AP) MORE: Who is 'Asian Doe'? New Gilgo Beach victim sketches released Investigators said they found one document that they believe Heuermann used to "plan out" his kills. The document was created in 2000, the year Mack was killed. Under a section named "supplies," Heuermann allegedly listed "rope/cord," "saw/cutting tools," and "foam drain cleaner." Under a section labeled "DS," believed to stand for "dump site," Heuermann allegedly listed one of the locations where Macks remains were found, officials said. The document also included a "body prep" section with a note to "remove head and hands," according to the bail application. PHOTO: Alleged Gilgo serial killer Rex Heuermann (R) appears with his attorney Michael J. Brown for a conference in Suffolk County Court on Oct. 16, 2024 in Riverhead, N.Y. (James Carbone-Pool/Getty Images, FILE) Heuermann allegedly kept newspaper and magazine clippings about the Gilgo Beach serial killings in his Massapequa Park home, prosecutors said in a court filing Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said they found a 2003 New York Post edition with an article titled, "Serial Killer Eyed in LI Slay" and a 1993 copy of Newsday with an article headlined, "Body Discovered in Woods." "Rex A. Heuermann sought, purchased and kept these publications as souvenirs or mementos of his crimes," prosecutors said. PHOTO: Rex Heuermann allegedly kept newspaper and magazine clippings, like this Nov. 7, 2016 People Magazine, about the Gilgo Beach serial killings in his Massapequa Park home, prosecutors said in a court filing, Dec. 17, 2024. (Supreme Court of Suffolk County) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuermann, 61, was charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with Mack's death. He appeared in court on Tuesday shackled in a suit and told the judge, "Your honor, I am not guilty of any of these charges." Judge Timothy Mazzei continued to hold Heuermann without bail. Families of the other Gilgo Beach victims presented flowers to Mack's parents after court on Tuesday. PHOTO: Families of the Gilgo Beach victims presented flowers to the parents of Valerie Mack after court on Dec. 17, 2024. (ABC News) "He has said from day one he is not responsible for these murders," defense attorney Michael Brown told reporters Tuesday. "From day one he wanted his day in court." The defense was given until next month to file motions related to evidence. The defense has questioned the DNA methods prosecutors used and may try to limit admissibility at trial. Brown also said the defense will file a motion to separate some of the cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York architect was initially arrested in July 2023. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty in the murders of six other women: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. The first victim was found in 1993 and the last victims were found in 2010. Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect Rex Heuermann charged with 7th murder as stunning details emerge originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The man facing murder charges in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings was charged on Tuesday in the death of a seventh woman, The Associated Press reports. Rex Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, whose remains were first found on Long Island in 2000. Mack, 24, had been working as an escort in Philadelphia and was last seen by her family that year in New Jersey. RELATED: Long Island architect charged in 3 of the Gilgo Beach serial killings Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macks partial skeletal remains were first found in Manorville, New York, in 2000, about 50 miles east of where more of her remains were discovered on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later. They were unidentified until genetic testing revealed Macks identity in 2020. Human hair found with Macks remains was sent for testing earlier this year and found to be a likely match with the genetic profile of Heuermanns daughter, prosecutors said in court papers. His daughter is not accused of any wrongdoing and would have been three or four years old when Mack died. Heuermann is charged with killing six other women whose remains were found on Long Island. One of the victims hes accused of killing was from the Charlotte area. The AP reports that Amber Lynn Costello was living in Wilmington, and had been married to a man from Kannapolis, before moving to New York after a falling out with her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsday, a news outlet in New York, previously reported that Costello was born in Charlotte and raised in Wilmington. Newsday reporters said Costello left her home on Sept. 2, 2010, but wasnt seen after that. She was never reported missing. Costellos body was found on Dec. 13, 2010. >>Download WSOC's apps to keep up with news and weather wherever you go In a court filing for the most recent charges, prosecutors said they had recovered a file on a hard drive in Heuermanns basement that he used to methodically blueprint his killings including checklists with tasks to tick off before, during and afterwards, as well as lessons for next time. WATCH: CMPD addresses rumor of serial killer in Charlotte A school bus from Spiro Public Schools stands parked at the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater on April 15. Fifty-five rural school districts had secondary math and science teachers accept classroom positions through a signing bonus program. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A $1.2 million signing bonus program drew 61 teachers to schools in rural Oklahoma, the state Department of Education reported Tuesday. The state agency offered signing bonuses of up to $25,000 to teachers certified in secondary math and science who agreed to teach in a rural school for the 2024-25 academic year. Eligible teachers could not have worked in any Oklahoma public school the previous school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program followed a similar round of signing bonuses paid last year that attracted more than 500 certified teachers to Oklahoma districts, which have long suffered from an educator shortage. Last years bonuses also resulted in a lawsuit when the state Education Department demanded certain teachers repay the money they received. In this round of bonuses, the agency checked applicants eligibility through the Oklahoma Educator Credentialing System and through their local superintendents, spokesperson Dan Isett said. The Education Department did not spend any funds until after the verification process, he said. Of the 61 recipients, 20 came from out of state, Isett said. Out-of-state candidates qualified for a $25,000 signing bonus while in-state teachers were eligible for $15,000. A total of $85,000 in agency funds went to federal taxes on the bonuses. Fifty-five rural districts had a recipient teacher. The average teacher pay in Oklahoma is $60,656, according to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association. State Superintendent Ryan Walters, pictured Oct. 29, has called his teacher signing bonus initiative the most successful teacher recruitment effort in state history. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) State Superintendent Ryan Walters announced the program in June with the objective of attracting qualified teachers to critical shortage areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His agency said it would select candidates in August on a first-come, first-served basis and award bonuses in September. Walters called his first signing bonus program the most successful teacher recruitment effort in state history, though it made headlines for some erroneous payments. After distributing over 500 bonuses last year, the agency discovered it had paid four teachers who should have been ineligible, and it underpaid others, Walters said in a January news conference. He said his administration would pursue a path forward that does not require a payback from those teachers. Two teachers, Kristina Stadelman and Kharis Kay Bojorquez, sued the agency in January for breach of contract and defamation after the state demanded they pay back their $50,000 bonuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stadelman, of Oklahoma County, and Bojorquez, of Osage County, said the agency informed them after they had spent all of the money that they never actually qualified for the program in the first place. Their lawsuit states it would be financially impossible for them to repay their bonuses, particularly the $20,000 that went to federal taxes. Walters said some teachers had been paid in error because they included misinformation in their applications. Stadelman and Bojorquez both deny the accusation. The lawsuit is still pending in Oklahoma County District Court after settlement negotiations with the Education Department fell apart, said the plaintiffs attorney, Mark Hammons. He said the agency wanted an agreement that stated Stadelman and Bojorquez didnt provide any knowingly false information, but the plaintiffs reject any suggestion that they were untruthful, even unintentionally. The agencys mistakes created a situation that was virtually impossible to correct, Hammons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isett declined to comment on the case. The plaintiffs have asked that a judge order Walters to pay them each at least $75,000 in damages and absolve them of liability for repaying their $50,000 bonuses. Hammons said he intends to request a deposition of Walters before asking a judge to enter a final ruling. In the meantime, both plaintiffs are still teaching in Oklahoma public schools and have not been forced to repay any funds, he said. Its important for my clients, who have been put through the ringer in public, for it to be clear that they didnt lie to anybody, Hammons said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) This winter, the Sioux City Art Center is offering an array of classes and workshops for children and adults alike. In a release Friday, the art center announced that registration is open for a number of opportunities for the January through March term. These include lessons in pastel painting, watercolor, ceramics, and many more. Sioux City Public Library hosting holiday break activities Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All classes and workshops are open to beginners as well as more experienced students. Instructors will be able to provide individualized help no matter ones level of experience, according to the release. Starting in January, after-school youth programs will be available every Thursday. Kids ages 7-12 can take an art class, and teenagers ages 13-18 can participate in an open art studio. There will also be new Family Art Lessons every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. You do not need to register ahead of time for these Saturday lessons. Sioux City Animal Adoption & Rescue offering pet vaccines, license renewals ahead of new year In addition, a free workshop series will be open to teenagers and adults starting Saturday, Jan. 25. Intuitive Art Journaling will allow participants to learn about the art journaling process through collage, paint, mark making, and words, the release says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on all of these events and how to register, click here. If you are a member of the Sioux City Art Center, youll get a 20 percent discount on any paid classes/workshops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OMAHA, Neb. (KCAU) A Sioux City man has been federally sentenced for possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorneys Office of Nebraska said that Marty B. Jay Johnson, 44, was sentenced Thursday to seven and a half years (90 months) in prison. He has also been ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution to 20 identified victims. After his prison sentence, he will also be placed on probation for five years. Former Plymouth County deputys prison sentence suspended Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a cyber tip of suspicious internet activity. The organization informed the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) that 24 files, both video and images, were uploaded from Johnsons IP address to a mobile app between April 27, 2021, and August 3, 2021. The NSP then searched Johnsons residence on March 22, 2022, seizing 16 devices for examination. On those devices, authorities found more than 7,000 items containing child pornography, including more than 6,700 images and 285 videos with 2,155 total minutes. The content included at least 27 victims from infant and toddlers to children older than 12. Only 20 sought restitution. There is no parole in the federal system. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The Sioux City Police Department has issued a warning against brushing scams. In a Facebook post Monday, the Sioux City Police Department stated that reports of these brushing scams have been popping up nationally, though there have not been any local reports. Former Plymouth County deputys prison sentence suspended A brushing scam is when someone receives an anonymous gift shipped from a company such as Amazon, the department said. Along with the gift, recipients will find a QR code. These QR codes often lead to a phishing website where the senders may acquire the victims information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say that if you receive a brushing scam, you can throw away or keep the gift itself. However, they advise against scanning the QR code. Fore more information on brushing scams, the police department provided the following links: Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) A Sioux Falls restaurant owner has been anxiously watching developments unfold in Syria following the overthrow of the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Noem remains governor as Burgum makes way in ND Sanaa Abourezk has family living in Syria and has been concerned for their safety as her former homeland transitions to new leadership. Abourezk says she was surprised at how quickly rebel forces took control of Syria, ending years of a bitter civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were glued, literally glued on the TV and the international media and all the experts from all over the world were surprised, Abourezk said. Abourezk, who owns Sanaas Gourmet Mediterranean, has been in constant contact with her Syrian family members since the fall of the Assad regime. She says despite the images of Syrians celebrating in the streets, most people have been staying inside, at home. But there are encouraging signs of life returning to normal. My sister told me shes going to go back to work Monday, today. Today shes going to open her clinic, she called her nurses, Abourezk said. Abourezk says Syrias new leaders seem to be saying all the right things when it comes to bringing democratic reforms to her native country. But this expert chef is taking everything with a grain of salt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Words are cheap. An announcement is like every two minutes. But I want to see actions, Abourezk said. Abourezk, along with the wider world, are watching whether bad actors within Syria may try to exploit the fragile transfer of power. We know that what happens inside of Syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders from mass displacement to terrorism. And we know that we cant underestimate the challenges of this moment, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday. Abourezk says both her staff and her customers have been very supportive during these challenging times in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who follow my cooking things, hows your family? Were so sorry. What can we do? Human beings, they can be cruel, but they can also be so wonderful, Abourezk said. Abourezk left Syria nearly 40 years ago to attend college in the United States. But her thoughts are always with the country she left behind, and what the future holds for the Syrian people. Wait and see. Thats basically right now. Theyre just hoping for the best, for the sake of the country, Abourezk said. Abourezk is even planning a trip to Syria to see her family in March. But she says the visit will depend on whether its safe to travel there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A water main break last week in the west Baltimore neighborhood of Yale Heights remains unrepaired after six days, according to a resident, who said neighbors are using buckets to flush toilets or for water needs. Baltimore Department of Public Works spokeswoman Mary Stewart confirmed DPW is aware of the leak but said there is no timeline for repairs. Geneva Greene, 84, who lives on the 4300 block of Eldone Road, told The Baltimore Sun that since the break last Wednesday shes had very little water pressure and isnt able to flush the toilets in her home without dumping water down the pipes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Greene, water has continued to flow down the street since the break. She said DPW workers had been in the neighborhood for up to an hour and a half combined between two site visits Thursday and Saturday. Stewart confirmed DPW had been there those days, but said the department has since handed control of the repairs over to a contractor. Stewart said DPW was unable to name the contractor or give an estimated time frame as to when the repairs would be completed. She said for the latest updates, residents need to contact 311, but 311 was also unaware of a possible date of completion for the repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats terrible, Greene said in response to the city contracting the job out with no date set for the repairs to be completed. Baltimore City is responsible for this residence. The mayors office did not immediately respond to requests to comment. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. HIGH PIONT, N.C. (WGHP) Construction, HVAC and other skilled trades will soon have training available in High Point. Guilford Technical Community College plans to open up a new skilled trade building on its campus. Right now, its known as the Johnson Building and serves as a storage space on campus. It is piled high with boxes. In the coming weeks, it will be cleared out and ready for new life. There is no time to waste, so we will get started very, very soon, said Dr. Anthony Clarke, the president at GTCC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demand for skilled positions is high across the Triad. GTCC jumped at the opportunity to help fund the project. The Southwest Renewal Foundation in High Point received $18.5 million from the Environmental Protection Agency, and $5 million of that will go to GTCC. We couldnt bring jobs per se, but we could bring jobs training. The idea was to improve the vitality of the campus because we do have other programs there, Clarke said. The inside of the old sock factory will be made into four bays, and each will have a different training focus. GTCC leaders are in talks with area employers to see which ones would be most beneficial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is bringing training to South Main Street where we are located Hopefully, we can bring some jobs to that area, Clarke said. Once up and running, they hope to train 75 students a year. There will be a full-time career navigator to help students land jobs after graduation. It is very exciting, Clarke said. The grant money will not only fund the entire renovation project, but there are some leftover funds that will be used to purchase two electric vans. Many of our students have transportation challenges as far as getting to campus, Clarke said. The school is still working out the final details and hopes the project will help transform the future of South High Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we project $40,000 a job that is about a $3 million impact, Clarke said. We wont see too many changes to the outside of the building, but the entrance will be in a different spot. GTCC expects the funds to come through in the next month or two, and they will start construction right away. Its expected to take two years to complete. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Tracking that Amazon package? It may be delayed by a labor dispute. As the holiday shipping rush hits the home stretch, hundreds of workers at an Amazon delivery station in Skokie have voted to authorize a strike in an effort to reach their first union labor contract with the online retailing giant. The delivery drivers, who began organizing in June to join the Teamsters union, gave Amazon a Dec. 15 deadline to negotiate an agreement, seeking higher wages, benefits and improved workplace safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon has refused to recognize the fledgling union affiliation at the Skokie delivery station, one of 10 facilities nationwide to join the Teamsters as part of a growing labor movement. The Skokie vote follows similar actions at two New York facilities, where workers authorized a strike Friday against Amazon. Amazon is one of the biggest companies on Earth, but we are struggling to pay our bills, Riley Holzworth, a worker at the Skokie facility, said in a news release Monday. Other workers are seeing our example and joining our movement, because we are only going to get the treatment we deserve if we fight for it. A majority of the workers at the Skokie delivery station signed union authorization cards with Teamsters Local 705 over the summer. They joined thousands of workers at facilities in California, New York and Georgia that have unionized with the Teamsters seeking an inaugural labor contract with Amazon. The Teamsters say that Amazon has illegally refused to recognize their union and come to the bargaining table. Amazon contends that the subcontracted workers, who drive for third-party companies to deliver the packages, are not eligible for union representation in labor negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than a year now, the Teamsters have continued to intentionally mislead the public claiming that they represent thousands of Amazon employees and drivers, Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards said in a statement Monday. They dont, and this is another attempt to push a false narrative about the independent small businesses who deliver on our behalf. In response, a Teamsters spokesperson said in an email Monday that Amazon is gaslighting the American public while unleashing union busters to swarm facilities and intimidate workers. The Amazon union movement started in March 2022, when workers at a large Staten Island warehouse became the first in the U.S. to join the Teamsters. On Friday, those workers again led the way when they voted to authorize a strike against Amazon. The 10 unionized Amazon locations are in Staten Island and Queens, New York; Palmdale, San Francisco, Victorville, City of Industry and San Bernardino, California; two Atlanta facilities and the Skokie delivery station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the hundreds of workers at the delivery facility on West Howard Street in Skokie, the threat to walk off the job during the peak holiday season would not only delay orders for customers, but also deliver a message to Amazon to recognize the union in labor negotiations. The ball is in Amazons court, Juan Campos, secretary-treasurer of Local 705, said in the news release. If they keep breaking the law, they will face the consequences. rchannick@chicagotribune.com The execution-style killing of Hamid Mirshojae was a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by the doctors ex-wife, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. Hochman held a press conference Monday afternoon to provide the latest on the investigation into the killing, which happened Aug. 23 as the 61-year-old was walking to his car in the parking lot outside of his clinic in Woodland Hills. Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen with his wife and their baby in a personal photo. Five people have been arrested in connection with Mirshojaes murder, including his ex-wife, 53-year-old Ahang Kelk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Hochman said charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon have been filed against Kelk, who is accused of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband in a financially motivated crime. The horror and betrayal of this crime are beyond words, Hochman said in a statement released after the news conference. The depth of the deceit and violence involved in this case is chilling, and we will not rest until justice is served. Kelk allegedly hired Evan Hardman, a 41-year-old resident of Tomball, Texas, to be the triggerman in her ex-husbands slaying. Hardman was driven to and from the scene by 40-year-old Rose Sweeting of Reseda, Hochman added. Brother of murdered Woodland Hills doctor speaks out Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardman and Sweeting were the first to be arrested in connection with the killing. Three others, including Kelk, Shawn Randolph, 46, from Valley Village and Sarallah Jawed, 26, from Canoga Park, were arrested in the days that followed. Authorities described them as a local network of friends and acquaintances of Kelk. Ashley Sweeting, 40, of Reseda and Evan Hardman, 41, of Tomball, Texas. (LAPD) Both Jawed and Hardman face charges for murder and assault with a deadly weapon for their roles, which were also said to be financially motivated. Hochman said the two were previously hired by Kelk weeks prior to the murder to assault Mirshojae with a blunt object. Sweeting faces charges for being an accessory to the killing and has pleaded not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randolph was not mentioned during Mondays press conference or ensuing statement, but jail records indicate he remains in custody without bail. Authorities later clarified that the case was sent back to police for further investigation. Kelk pleaded not guilty to the charges at her arraignment, Hochman said. In August, she called any insinuation that she was involved in the crimes all lies, the L.A. Times reported. Prosecutors are still awaiting the extradition of Hardman, who was arrested by local authorities in Texas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Salt Lake City Police Department cruiser is pictured on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Kyle Dunphey/Utah News Dispatch) A Salt Lake City police officer is facing 13 felony charges after being accused of sexually assaulting and raping a woman at his townhome after investigators say he invited her to watch a religious Christmas devotional before going to look at Christmas lights. Zander Ethan Nunley, 26, was charged Monday in 4th District Court with one count of rape, a first-degree felony; two counts of forcible sodomy, first-degree felonies; one count of object rape, a first-degree felony; eight counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; one count of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; and one count of assault, a class A misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charging documents say Nunley and the woman met on a dating app and had been texting and talking for a few weeks before the woman drove to Nunleys home in American Fork on Dec. 8 with plans to watch a religious Christmas devotional, then go look at Christmas lights. After five minutes, the defendant changed the channel and started kissing (the woman), charging documents say. This took (her) by surprise, and she said she wanted to have a conversation about boundaries. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Nunleys advances continued, according to charging documents. The woman told investigators Nunley rolled on top of her and started kissing her again, but more aggressively to the degree he caused soreness and lesions in her mouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman told Nunley he was really strong and his response was, I like to beat people up, charging documents say, alleging the off-duty police officer continued touching the woman under her shirt despite her telling him no multiple times. Eventually, Nunley asked the woman to move to his bedroom so they would be more comfortable, and she agreed because she said she was feeling intimidated, but hoped they would just go back to kissing and cuddling, charging documents say. But as soon as they got to (Nunleys) bedroom, he removed his clothes and hers, charging documents say. He grabbed her hands and put them above her head and was aggressively touching her body. Despite the woman saying no, Nunley went on to sexually assault her, according to the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the assault, (the woman) said the defendant was saying things like you like it rough, dont you, and Im teasing you, Im just tempting you, charges say. At one point, the defendant put his hands around (the womans) throat and squeezed to the point she was having a difficult time breathing. After the assault, Nunley told the woman shed had a gun right by her head and chest the whole time, which was upsetting to (her) because in a previous conversation she told him she wasnt comfortable around guns, charging documents say. After Nunley was arrested last week, the Salt Lake City Police Department issued a statement saying it had promptly placed one of its officers on paid administrative leave when the department was informed Wednesday about a criminal investigation and the arrest of one of our officers, KSL.com reported. Monday afternoon, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown sent a message to all employees within the police department notifying them of the charges against the officer, whom Brown did not name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officers take an oath to uphold our laws and serve with integrity. As public servants, we are dedicated to protecting and supporting our community; we are held to the highest standards of conduct and accountability, Brown wrote. Any allegation that a law enforcement officer may have violated the law, or betrayed the publics trust, is serious. Brown added Salt Lake City police officers work hard every day to earn and maintain the trust and respect of the communities we serve and represent. This arrest, he wrote, does not reflect the commitment, professionalism, and dedication of the women and men of the Salt Lake City Police Department. An initial court appearance for Nunley was scheduled for Monday afternoon, according to state court records. He has been denied bail as he poses substantial threat, according to the charges. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As Ruben Gallego prepares for the biggest moment of his career on Jan. 3, his swearing-in as Arizona's first Latino U.S. senator, he acknowledges that it's a once-improbable fulfillment of the American dream one that he unknowingly set the stage for in his childhood. While growing up in Chicago, Gallego's middle class life took a drastic and unexpected downturn when his father, who had a fairly successful contracting business, abandoned the family for a life of drug dealing. "Even before my father left, he was a horrible man," the senator-elect, now 44, tells PEOPLE. "He was very emotionally abusive, physically abusive to me and my mother." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This upheaval led to Gallego's mom, a secretary, moving her son, then in seventh grade, and his three younger sisters into an apartment where he'd sleep on the floor because a bed was unaffordable. "It sucked, there's really no other way to describe it," he says, adding: "And when you're poor, it hurts." "I was angry and also a little frustrated at that point just because I felt that things had gone very wrong very fast in my family," he continues, "in a very short period of time." Related: Ruben Gallego Defeats Kari Lake in Arizona Senate Race to Replace Kyrsten Sinema Courtesy of Ruben Gallego Ruben Gallego (left) helped take care of his younger sisters Liza, Alejandra and Laura (pictured with him on the right) Ruben Gallego (left) helped take care of his younger sisters Liza, Alejandra and Laura (pictured with him on the right) However, Gallego was determined to make things right, for himself and his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm like, okay, I need to figure out what I'm going to do. Either just focus on how to get out of it, or you just kind of languish in it," he recalls. Gallego set his mind on working as hard as he could to change his circumstances both for outstanding grades and at jobs to support the family, juggling algebra and history homework after school with shifts at a pizza parlor, a meat plant, flipping burgers, and as a bouncer. At night, exhausted, he'd sometimes cry, overwhelmed with his desire to succeed and help his family. "I was definitely hoping, but also literally praying," he says, "that this was all going to be worth it in the end." It was. Courtesy of Ruben Gallego Ruben Gallego poses outside the White House in Washington, D.C., long before holding public office Ruben Gallego poses outside the White House in Washington, D.C., long before holding public office Gallego began feeling his hard work pay off during his senior year of high school, when a large envelope from Harvard University arrived at his apartment mailbox, containing an acceptance letter and scholarship offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have these little envelope slots and I just saw it stuck in there, it was massive," he recalls. I'm like, 'Holy s---, I made it! At Harvard, though, Gallego struggled to adapt to college life alongside his much wealthier classmates. "I worked throughout college cleaning toilets, toilets in the dorms of students that I had to see in class the next day," he recalls and he floundered academically. When officials suggested he take a leave, Gallego joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve before returning to Harvard and graduating in 2004. Courtesy of Ruben Gallego A young Ruben Gallego pictured in uniform. On the right, he stands beside his mother A young Ruben Gallego pictured in uniform. On the right, he stands beside his mother The next year, his unit deployed to Iraq, where his Lima Company, at first called "Lucky Lima" because it suffered no combat casualties, ended up with 48 men losing their lives the most casualties for a Marine unit since the Beirut bombing of a Marine barracks in 1983. (Gallego later recounted his time with the unit in the 2021 book They Called Us 'Lucky'.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his service, Gallego suffered from PTSD, as did many of his friends from the unit. "I had to talk a lot of my friends down from committing suicide," he said. "I had friends who lived on my couch because they were going to be homeless." The lack of support Gallego found from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs would later spur him to run for public office. 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. Gallego eventually moved to Arizona to be with Harvard classmate Kate Widland, whom he later married. The now-divorced couple share a 7-year-old son. His ex-wife, who still carries Gallego's last name, is currently serving as the mayor of Phoenix. "I'm very lucky," Gallego says, "to have a good co-parent to work with." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, after a stint as the assistant minority leader in the Arizona House of Representatives, Gallego was elected to federal office as a Democratic congressman. He spent the past two years vying for independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's seat in the Senate, ultimately defeating Republican nominee Kari Lake in November during an election year when Arizona otherwise swung conservative. Related: Donald Trump Wins Arizona, Completing Swing-State Sweep Courtesy of Ruben Gallego Arizona Senate candidate Ruben Gallego meets with concrete workers at sunrise Arizona Senate candidate Ruben Gallego meets with concrete workers at sunrise Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A key to Gallego's most recent victory? He believes his openness in sharing his personal struggles while growing up resonated with Latino voters, particularly Latino men, who felt financial strain many of whom backed Donald Trump for president. "A lot of them decided to vote for me because they saw that I understood them," he says. "I understand how hard it is working hard and then not making it I'm the guy that was a dishwasher, the guy who flipped burgers, the guy who did everything you can think of to make money for my family. I was able to get them to understand I was going to be fighting for them." Gallego made an effort to accommodate his constituents' schedules and meet voters where they were, in one case joining concrete workers at the break of dawn before they clocked in for the day. Courtesy of Ruben Gallego Ruben Gallego and his wife, Sydney Barron Gallego, and two kids Ruben Gallego and his wife, Sydney Barron Gallego, and two kids Gallego splits his time between Arizona and Washington, D.C. In 2021, he remarried to Sydney Barron, with whom he shares a 17-month-old daughter, Isla. The couple tell PEOPLE that they are expecting a baby boy in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while he grows his family and looks ahead to the next chapter in the Senate, he notes that the women in his family who once faced the same difficult circumstances are now doing well for themselves, too. "We all have middle class lifestyles, we all have college degrees," he says. His mother, who is about to retire from a nonprofit, moved to Phoenix to be closer to him. One of his sisters is a businesswoman, one is a primary school teacher and one is a blood cancer research doctor at Northwestern's medical school. "We studied hard, worked hard, we did whatever we had to do," says Gallego. "The sacrifice that my mom and my three sisters did to succeed, to really live the American dream, has definitely worked." Read the original article on People Slovakia's state-owned energy company SPP and its partners in Hungary, Italy, and Austria called for continued gas transit through Ukraine in a declaration published on Dec. 17. The agreement under which Russian gas transits to the EU via Ukrainian territory is set to expire on Dec. 31. Kyiv said it has no intention of prolonging the deal as Moscow continues to wage its all-out war. "The declaration, drafted by the SPP, is meant to support the continuation of gas transit through Ukrainian territory and to sustain its gas infrastructure since it is the most advantageous solution not only for European buyers but for Ukraine itself," the company said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document will be presented to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen so that she can receive "first-hand information about the threat to the energy and economic security in our region," the statement read. SPP chairman Vojtech Ferencz said that replacing the entire volume of gas transiting from Ukraine would cost the company an additional 150 million euros ($157 million). Cutting the transit will also increase gas prices ahead of the coming winter and can reduce profits of SPP's subsidiary Eustream, which cooperates with Ukrainian gas companies, Ferencz added. Despite Europe's efforts to wean itself off Russian fossil fuels in the wake of a full-scale invasion, many countries remain heavily dependent on Russian gas, with Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria among the main buyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only in June this year did the EU approve the first sanctions against the Russian gas industry, targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG) rather than pipeline gas. Following discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal said Kyiv is open to negotiating gas transit for any origin except Russian. "To this effect, if the European Commission officially approaches Ukraine about the transit of any gas other than Russian, we naturally will discuss it and are ready to reach an appropriate agreement," Shmyhal noted in a statement. Fico, ahead of his talks with Shmyhal, emphasized that maintaining gas transit is not solely a bilateral concern for Ukraines neighbors but an issue affecting the entire European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraines gas transit operator prepared for Russian attacks after transit deal expires, operator says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Concrete movement on an inclusive political transition in Syria will be key in ensuring the country gets the economic support it needs, United Nations special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on Tuesday. "There is a clear international willingness to engage. The needs are immense and could only be addressed with broad support, including a smooth end to sanctions, appropriate action on designations too, and full reconstruction," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pedersen and U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher briefed the 15-member council from Damascus, where they met with the country's new leaders after President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The United States, Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 spiraled into civil war. But the new reality in Syria has been further complicated by sanctions on Islamist group HTS for its days as an al Qaeda affiliate. Formerly known as Nusra Front, HTS was al Qaeda's official wing in Syria until breaking ties in 2016. Along with unilateral measures, the group has also been on the U.N. Security Council al Qaeda and Islamic State sanctions list for more than a decade, subjected to a global assets freeze and arms embargo. Fletcher appealed to all states to ensure "sanctions and counter-terrorism measures do not impede humanitarian operations" in Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Syria was already one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with 17 million people more than 70 percent of the population in need of support," he told the council. There is a humanitarian exemption for U.N. sanctions on HTS that allows "the provision, processing or payment of funds, other financial assets, or economic resources, or the provision of goods and services necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs." Many diplomats acknowledge that the removal of sanctions could be used as leverage to ensure Syria's new authorities fulfill their commitments. Diplomats and U.N. officials are also keen to avoid a repeat of the difficulties faced in Afghanistan. After the hardline Islamist Taliban took over in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces withdrew after two decades of war, banks were wary of testing U.N. and U.S. sanctions, leaving the U.N. and aid groups struggling to deliver enough cash to run operations. The U.S. had to issue sanctions exemptions. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Bill Berkrot) How much snow is going to fall this week in Minnesota? Well, a couple of inches could strike southern parts of the state on Tuesday, but a more potent clipper system will bring a chance for more significant snowfall on Thursday. It's that second round that could be toying with the Twin Cities, perhaps bringing the heaviest snows into the metro or simply flirting with the area but dropping higher amounts of snow further north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NWS Twin Cities According to the National Weather Service, Thursday's system should bring "at least" an inch of snow to the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, though there could be a swath of heavier snow reaching totals of 3-5 inches. "Currently, guidance generally favors this 3-5" swath near and north of I-94," say forecasters at the Chanhassen office of the National Weather Service. "However, we will have to see if any shifts occur within future forecasts. It is almost certain that this Clipper will occur, it's just the certainty lessens for 'where.'" The simulated future radar for snow Thursday across the region.WeatherBell Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard believes the snow-to-liquid ratio for Thursday will be around 12 inches of snow for every inch of rain. We can do some easy math to figure out how much some of the models are suggesting could fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, the European model is suggesting around 0.3 to 0.4 inches of liquid, which at a 12-to-1 ratio would mean somewhere between 3-5 inches, just as the NWS is thinking. WeatherBell The NAM model is very similar. WeatherBell Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, there's a good chance that you'll see some snowfall maps with higher totals. That's because some people will share model outputs using the Kuchera ratio, which is suggesting snow-to-liquid ratios much higher around 15 or 18 inches of snow for every inch of liquid. Case in point, the map below may be overdoing snow totals because the ratio is too high. WeatherBell Likewise, the same model, using a 10-to-1 snow-to-liquid ratio as shown below, might be a little low on projections. WeatherBell It's not a slam dunk that the Twin Cities will get accumulating snow, but it may be one of the final chances to have a white Christmas. We'll have updates throughout the week before the snow arrives on Thursday. And don't forget, there could be a couple of inches of snow Tuesday. More on that right here. A U.S. Army National Guard soldier is being charged with shooting and killing a man on an Army installation in east Georgia on Saturday morning. Natravien Landry, 25 of Abbeville, Louisiana, is charged with murder after he assaulted, shot and killed a man on the Fort Eisenhower post, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The DOJ says Landry went to the home of a woman who is the mother of his child early on Saturday morning. When he got there, a man was in the house with her. Thats when investigators say Landry shot and killed the man before leaving Fort Eisenhower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry was arrested three hours later in Meriwether County with a 9mm pistol. Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith says Landry threw a handgun out of the passenger side of the vehicle during the traffic stop. TRENDING STORIES: The U.S. Marshals Service arrested and him and took him to the Lincoln County Jail. Landry is assigned to the 1148th Transportation Company at Fort Eisenhower. His current standing with the Army National Guard is unclear. He appeared in court on Monday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on Wednesday. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A pair of San Luis Obispo County agencies issued warnings to residents to be on the lookout for individuals impersonating community service district employees and claiming that the districts water is contaminated. According to a scam alert published Monday, the Nipomo Community Services District received multiple reports of one or more individuals claiming to be district employees to gain entry into residents homes to test the water. The impersonators advised Nipomo CSD customers not to use water without treating it first, followed by trying to scare or pressure residents to install expensive water treatment equipment, according to the scam alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone visits your home claiming they need to test your water, DO NOT LET THEM IN! the alert read. The city of Paso Robles issued a similar release Monday afternoon concerning a seemingly similar scam tactic. According to the release, individuals were reported in the Lana Street area knocking on doors and claiming to sell water treatment devices from the state. According to the Nipomo CSD alert, residents should verify the identity of any individuals claiming to be district employees, who can be recognized by the logo on their uniforms and their marked Nipomo CSD vehicles bearing California exempt license plates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents should not give out personal information such as their Social Security number, bank account numbers or payment information to anyone who comes to your door or calls claiming to be from the District, according to the alert. Nipomo CSD customers should not make any payments to a district employee at their home, as they are not permitted to accept or solicit payments at your residence, online, via phone call or text. Like the Nipomo CSD, the city of Paso Robles warned residents not to provide personal or financial information to door-to-door solicitors, and to request information and verify the solicitors claims by contacting their water provider. Any suspicious incidents should be reported immediately to the Nipomo CSD at 805-929-1133 and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office at 805-781-4540. Paso Robles residents affected by the scam should contact the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464. MIAMI (AP) The son-in-law of a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader was sentenced Tuesday to two and a half years in prison for his role in a vast conspiracy to siphon $1.2 billion from the state-owned oil company, some of which allegedly landed into accounts controlled by President Nicolas Maduro s stepsons. Fernando Vuteff, 53, was arrested on a U.S. warrant in 2022 in Switzerland while on a visit to retrieve a valuable watch from a safe deposit box held at a bank in Zurich. The Argentine asset manager is the son-in-law of former Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, a fierce Maduro opponent. He was charged in Miami federal court with laundering bribes and illicit proceeds from a fake foreign currency exchange scheme involving senior Venezuelan officials. Vuteff, in a November deposition to Swiss prosecutors, described feeling panicked when he learned that three sons of Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores from a previous relationship were behind financial accounts held in the name of four Scotland-registered shell companies he helped set up. The discovery came after a 2015 meeting he arranged for an associate in Malta at which Los Chamos Venezuelan slang for the kids showed up unexpectedly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had to close the accounts. But it was very difficult to close these accounts because each account had over $100 million in it. Who would accept that amount of money so quickly?, Vuteff told the Swiss prosecutors in Miami, explaining how over the next two years he was pressured to gradually transfer the money out of the accounts. This pressure included threats because of the political position these people had, he said, referring to Maduros stepsons. They werent normal people. A transcript of the deposition was provided to The Associated Press by someone familiar with the investigation on the condition of anonymity since the Swiss investigation is ongoing. Corruption is rampant in Venezuela the country trails only Somalia in a widely cited ranking of 180 countries for perceived levels of graft and U.S. prosecutors have uncovered billions in fraud and bribes connected to top officials in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the prosecutorial pressure, which includes indictments for drug trafficking against Maduro and several aides, has done little to loosen the self-described socialist leaders grip on power. Maduro is set to be sworn in Jan. 10 for a third six-year term after claiming victory in this summers presidential election despite widespread evidence his opponent won by a two-to-one margin. Meanwhile, the once abundant Venezuela caseload has dried, as several key prosecutors in Miami have resigned, the Justice Department has turned its attention to national security probes in China and Russia, and the Biden administration has dangled sanctions relief in a so far futile effort to entice Maduro into changing course. Vuteffs is one of the highest profile defendants to have been arrested as part of Operation Money Flight, a multi-year investigation led by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations targeting corruption inside Venezuelas oil industry. Several others remain fugitives including Vuteffs former boss, Ralph Steinmann, in a Swiss firm and one of their former clients, Raul Gorrin, a billionaire media tycoon charged in October with ginning up a currency-exchange scheme using fake loan agreements to embezzle more than $1 billion from state-run oil company PDVSA at a time of collapsing crude production. Gorrin was previously charged in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a separate bribery case in which he is alleged to have paid bribes including yachts, private jets and champion show-jumping horses to two former Venezuelan National Treasurers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now a convicted money launderer for billionaires, Vuteff came from humble beginnings, working from the age of 12 in a laundromat his family owned below the small apartment where they lived in rural Argentina. Defense attorney Brian Bieber said Vuteff felt deep remorse for his mistakes, actively cooperated with the governments investigation and had already paid dearly for his crimes by being unable to be at his parents bedsides when they died due to travel restrictions. I know the decision in the past were wrong and I am not trying to find excuses to justify them," Vuteff, holding back tears, told Judge Darrin Gayles at Tuesday's sentencing. Prosecutors led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham had sought a sentence of 41 months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know I can never undo the harm I have caused. But I can promise you that I have used this experience in my life to change, Vuteff added. My only wish is to redeem myself." Twenty nine childhood friends, business associates and relatives of his Venezuelan wife also wrote letters to the court seeking leniency. Conspicuously absent was any letter from Vuteffs father-in-law, Ledezma, who led massive protests against the government before being arrested in 2015 on allegations he was plotting a coup. Ledezma fled house arrest in 2017 and took up residency in Spain, where Vuteff was living prior to his arrest. I have learned to love Fernando like a son, Ledezma's wife, Victoria Capriles, told Judge Gayles at Tuesday's sentencing. He has earned my trust, our affection. As part of his plea agreement earlier this year, Vuteff agreed to forfeit over $4 million in unlawfully obtained assets, including real estate in Miami, Spain and Paraguay. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america The reports of mystery drones above New Jersey began on November 18th. It didnt take long for other residents across multiple states to claim seeing similar events. The Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA and the Department of Defense have since received more than 5,000 drone sighting reports over the last few weeks alone. But according to them, only about two percent of the events potentially warrant further investigation. And although not mentioned in their December 16th joint statement, the sightings definitely have nothing to do with a conspiracy theory called Project Blue Beam that has reemerged online. According to Mondays press release, expert analysis of the technical data and tips from concerned citizens already resulted in attributing the vast majority of sightings to lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones, and law enforcement drones, as well as manned fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and stars mistakenly reported as drones. Authorities added they have not yet identified anything anomalous, and they do not believe the events are national or public safety risks. The recent wave of supposedly unidentified uncrewed aerial vehicles began last year after New Jersey residents reported multiple drones flying over the state. Similar sightings have now been documented nearly every evening across New York, Ohio, and elsewhere, prompting bipartisan calls for immediate investigation into the matter. Some state politicians and governors have even claimed the drones may pose a national security threat, while New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew went so far as to contend the machines are controlled by an Iranian mothership off the East Coast. (They arent.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar in Netcong NJ pic.twitter.com/h78D4U4kj9 Joanne Cuomo (@JoanneCuomo) December 16, 2024 If history is any guidance, the explanation behind the sudden proliferation of sightings may be something much more mundane. As 404 Media explained on December 12th, a nearly identical situation occurred across Colorado in the winter of 2019-2020. The events were largely chalked up to Starlink satellite constellations, low-flying aircraft, hobbyists, and ironically, remote-piloted devices deployed by law enforcement to investigate the original reports. Mass hysteria aerial sightings date further back than the UFO panic of the 1940s and 50s, or even Orson Welles famous War of the Worlds radio broadcast panic in 1938. In the late 19th century, for example, thousands of Americans claimed to have seen a massive cigar shaped dirigible floating across the sky in what would eventually be named the Great Airship Wave of 1896-1897. Nevermind that the eras technological abilities prevented anything of that size from existing. Modernity hasnt lessened some peoples susceptibility to such influence. If anything, an internet flooded with misinformation from bad actors and uninformed influencers may be making it worse. One prominent rightwing columnist previously fired from Buzzfeed for plagiarism has claimed without evidence the US is secretly using experimental drones to locate a missing nuclear weapon or radioactive waste. Joe Rogan, meanwhile, also recently echoed the theories on his popular podcast. Newsletter background image Get the Popular Science newsletter Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Email address Sign up Thank you! By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. And then theres Project Blue Beam. First publicized in 1994 by Canadian conspiracy theorist Serge Monast, Project Blue Beam falsely asserts that an international cabal is planning to stage a faked extraterrestrial invasion. Once deployed, the villainous New World Order government will use it to help replace the worlds Abrahamic religions with a totalitarian, New Age belief system. A favorite theory of former InfoWars figurehead, Alex Jones, the latest drone sightings prompted at least one prominent Trump ally to revive the baseless conspiracy claim on social media. It may be comparatively unexciting, but there is no evidence supporting the holiday seasons drone sightings link to nuclear cover-ups, staged alien invasions, Iran, or anything else nefarious. If anything, the reports indicate that the publics ongoing drone fears simply echo a longstanding American tradition of mass panic. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) A man convicted of murder who is expected to be the next inmate scheduled for execution in South Carolina is making a final appeal to the state Supreme Court, saying his trial lawyer was inadequately prepared and had too much sympathy for the victim. According to a court order signed earlier this year, Marion Bowman Jr. will be the next inmate set for execution. The state Supreme Court has paused executions for the holidays, but could set a date for Bowman's death as soon as Jan. 3. Bowman is on death row for the killing of 21-year-old Kandee Martin in 2001. Martin was shot in the head and her body was found in the trunk of a car that had been burned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowmans current lawyers filed an appeal Tuesday asking to halt his execution until a full hearing can be held. They said Bowmans lawyer at his trial called the victim, who was white, a little girl, while referring to Bowman, who is Black, as a man even though he was a year younger than Martin at the time of her killing. Much of the evidence against Bowman at his trial came from friends and family members who testified against him as part of plea deals. Prosecutors produced evidence of a sexual relationship between Bowman and Martin, although he wasn't charged with rape. The trial attorney, Norbert Cummings, suggested at one point that Bowman plead guilty even though Bowman insisted he did not kill Martin, according to the appeal. Cummings said it would be tough to get a jury sympathetic toward a Black defendant and a plea would keep him off death row, the appeal said. His trial attorney because of his own prejudices didn't listen to Marion or his views on his own defense, appeal attorney Lindsey Vann said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a hearing on whether to overturn Bowman's conviction in 2014, Cummings turned to him at one point and asked what he was doing in a remote area in Dorchester County the night of the killing. Marion, what are you doing on Nursery Road at that time of the morning with a white female and African American males in Dorchester County? Really. This is 2001 but what good are you doing out there on a dirt road?" Cummings said, according to Bowman's latest appeal. Cummings did not respond to a message left at his law office Tuesday. Prosecutors failed to turn over information about the witnesses given plea deals to testify against Bowman, like psychological problems and a possible confession from one witness, and criminal charges that were hanging over another when they testified. That information could have led jurors to be more skeptical of the testimony, Bowman's current lawyers said in the appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think I have read a transcript where so many people charged in a case got deals to testify, Vann said. And then what they said happened changed over time. It's just unreliable." Lawyers for the South Carolina Attorney General's Office didn't immediately respond to the new court filing. Bowman has exhausted all of his regular appeals with judges upholding his conviction and death sentence at each step. Bowman, 44, has spent more than half his life on death row. Another avenue to his appeal filed Tuesday is asking justices to consider how he has matured during his 22 years awaiting execution. They include sworn statements from several former nurses and other death row workers who said Bowman is a gentle giant who has a knack for helping inmates with mental problems cooperate with psychologists and take their medication. He also acted for years as the official intermediary between death row inmates and prison officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowman is scheduled to be the third inmate executed in South Carolina since the General Assembly passed a shield law in 2023 allowing secrecy about where the state obtains lethal injection drugs. The state didn't execute anyone for 13 years and ran out of the drugs. Freddie Owens and Richard Moore were both executed earlier this year. Bowman and three other inmates are out of regular appeals and have been placed on a schedule for executions as quickly as every five weeks once 2025 starts. A federal judge earlier this year threw out a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union asking that prison officials allow them to tape and air a podcast of Bowman asking for mercy and talking about his life on death row. South Carolinas prison system bans on-camera, in-person interviews with inmates or recording their phone calls or words for broadcast. SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) A firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after a house fire on Amos Street in South Kingstown on Monday. Union Fire District Chief Steve Pinch said the firefighter had burns to his legs, but hes expected to be OK. When crews first arrived on scene, they were met with heavy flames coming out of the third floor. [The fire] was a little tough to get to but luckily it stayed contained to one side of the building, Pinch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: Fire marshal finds cause of East Greenwich fire that displaced 40+ A second alarm was called with crews from Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond and Hope Valley helping to put out the fire. Pinch said the building was still standing because of the actions taken by the first firefighters on scene. It was difficult conditions, and they made a nice aggressive attack that held the fire to where it is, Pinch explained. The home sustained significant smoke and water damage. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire also delayed some South Kingstown students from getting home on time. In an email to the community, the district said in part, school buses may be delayed by at least 15 minutes this afternoon due to a fire on Amos Street. Buses must use alternate routes. Crews work to knock down a fire in South Kingstown on Monday. (Phil Silva/WPRI-TV) Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. South Korea has imposed sanctions on 11 individuals and 15 organisations involved in military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, the financing of North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes and Pyongyang's illegal procurement of sanctioned goods. Source: statement by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; DW, a German international broadcaster and media outlet Details: The restrictions on individuals and organisations will take effect on 19 December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions list includes generals of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Bok and Sin Kum Chol, missile engineer Ri Pong Chun and another high-ranking officer, Ri Song Jin. Restrictions have also been imposed on several businessmen and their companies, such as Roman Alar and his company Parsek LLC, which reportedly supplied key missile materials and technologies to North Korea. In total, the sanctions list includes seven Russian individuals and 13 organisations, including several banks. Conducting financial or currency transactions with them now requires Seoul's authorisation. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that the sanctions were imposed in response to the statement issued on 16 December by Western foreign ministers condemning military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Prior to this, the US Department of the Treasury added nine individuals and seven legal entities to its blacklist for providing financial and military support to North Korea and being involved in military aid to Russia. In recent months, confirmed reports have emerged that North Korea sent artillery shells and ballistic missiles to Russia and, more recently, even its own troops to fight against Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources, North Korean troops already suffered their first battlefield casualties in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! South Korea imposed sanctions on 11 individuals and 15 entities "engaged in illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Dec. 17. The sanctions will enter into force by Dec. 19. Among the sanctioned individuals are high-ranking North Korean military officers deployed to Russia and a senior missile engineer in the North Korean army, as well as an elite unit called "Storm Corps" and their commander, also deployed to Russias war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian and Western officials issued warnings in the fall of 2024 that over 10,000 North Korean troops had amassed in Kursk Oblast, ready to aid Russia's attempt to oust Ukrainian forces after Kyiv launched a surprise incursion in the region in August. The sanctions list further includes seven Russian individuals and 13 organizations, including several banks. Seoul accused them of facilitating arms trade between Russia and North Korea, supplying the Russian military with North Korean telecommunications equipment, and helping North Korea's nuclear and missile program. The sanctions mean that financial transactions with these entities will require Seouls prior approval. South Korea has committed economic and humanitarian support to Ukraine, recently providing a $100 million loan to help keep Kyiv's budget afloat. Seoul has not supplied Ukraine with direct lethal support, a step prohibited by the country's legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian delegation to the East Asian country met with the now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has signaled the possibility of providing military aid to Ukraine in light of growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. In a recent video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that North Koreans were participating in Russian assaults in the Kursk region. Ukraine's military intelligence has claimed that at least 30 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded on the Kursk front. Read also: Russia trying to hide North Korean losses in Ukraine war, Zelensky claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Southern California doctor accused of bilking Medicare out of millions by billing for unnecessary hospice services has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison, federal prosecutors said. Dr. Victor Contreras, 69, of Santa Paula was charged with falsifying medical claims for hospice care between July 2016 and February 2019 billing the federal insurance program nearly $4 million during that time, according to the U.S. attorney's office. He pleaded guilty to one count of healthcare fraud on July 24, and will have to pay nearly $3.3 million in restitution in addition to prison time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Five arrested over 'sham hospices' alleged to bilk Medicare for over $15 million Federal prosecutors say Contreras and 62-year-old Juanita Antenor submitted fraudulent claims through two hospice companies: Arcadia Hospice Provider Inc. and Saint Mariam Hospice Inc. Antenor, who controlled both companies, paid illegal kickbacks to marketers in exchange for referring patients to these companies, authorities said. Among those alleged marketers was 66-year-old Callie Black of Lancaster, who was charged in 2022 with 10 federal counts of healthcare fraud and paying illegal kickbacks for healthcare referrals. Black has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Contreras would falsely note terminal illnesses on claim forms to make patients eligible for hospice services via Medicare. Medicare paid about $3.2 million out of the $3.9 million false claims submitted by Contreras, despite him not being the patients' primary care physician. Read more: SoCal pair milked Medicare for $6 million in gold bars, other riches, feds allege Since 2015, Contreras has been on probation with the Medical Board of California, which placed limitations on his practice. Antenor remains at large. Authorities previously said they believed she may be in the Philippines. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An Arkansas-founded and based chicken chain known for its southern-inspired menu announced its first full-service Michigan location will open in Washtenaw County in early January. Slim Chickens set Jan. 6 for opening the location at 5505 Arbor Chase Drive in Scio Township, off of Zeeb Road. Known for its chicken offerings, with the spotlight on chicken tenders, Slim Chickens also has chicken wings and chicken breast sandwiches. This Slim Chickens location is from local franchisees and brothers Brad and Todd DeLange, along with business partner Doug Broadright. No strangers to the fast-casual restaurant business, the DeLange brothers own and operate 10 Jimmy Johns locations in metro Detroit's northwest suburbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The franchisees announced they plan to open 25 Slim Chickens locations, mainly in the northwest areas of metro Detroit, over the next 10 to 15 years. "We are the first multi-site franchisee that will be building out full, Slim Chickens restaurants in Michigan," Brad DeLange said. Known for their chicken tender meals, the Slim Chickens brand was founded in 2003. Its menu also includes chicken and waffles, mac and cheese bowl options topped with chicken, and a wrap sandwich. On its menu are its Southern sides of fried okra and potato salad, plus fried mushrooms and pickles. There are also milkshakes, including an Oreo milkshake and specialty milkshakes served in jars. In the last few years, there's been an influx of chicken chains in metro Detroit. Newcomers include Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken, Lee's Chicken, Houston TX Hot Chicken and more Chick-fil-A locations coming to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the competition, DeLange said he believes what sets them apart is bringing the brand's southern-inspired uniqueness. "We are trying to bring that Southern comfort food and hospitality customer service that you typically see in the South; we're bringing that kind of feel up here into Michigan. DeLange said he and his business partners spent time investigating the Slim Chickens brand. "What drew us to the brand is they are already international," DeLange said. "They are further down the line in growth and support of the brand, and their backing and track record of success in new markets." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slim Chickens has more than 200 U.S. locations and more than 50 in the United Kingdom. DeLange added the Slim Chickens leadership group, food quality and vibe, and how they fit within their communities were a big draw. "It was a natural fit," DeLange said, "to bring a new brand into the market where our Jimmy Johns are." From pasties to coneys: Made-in-Michigan food gifts you can send for the holidays The Washtenaw County Slim Chickens is expected to create 75 jobs. A new buildout on an outlet near a Meijer grocery store, DeLange said the restaurant is about 3,000 square feet and will have a double drive-thru. The inside dining room will have seating for about 66 people, he said, plus an outdoor patio that will seat about thirty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slim Chickens, according to its website has smaller, limited menu outposts in food courts at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant and at Oakland University in Rochester. More Michigan Slim Chickens locations are forthcoming from other franchisees, including locations set for Jackson, Monroe and Saginaw. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Slim Chickens fast-casual chain coming to metro Detroit in January The leader of the House Armed Services Committee said Tuesday the Space Force needs to grow in size to overcome increasing threats from China and Russia. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., was a key player in establishing the Space Force five years ago. At the time, he and others in Congress advocated for a small, agile force that could quickly establish the processes and organizations needed to get the service up and running. Weve come a long way since those early tasks, Rogers said Tuesday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Now, its time to increase the size of the Space Force to meet growing threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers didnt specify to what extent he thinks the service needs to expand. Acknowledging that many lawmakers do not support a major increase in overhead, he noted that hes not calling for a wholesale end strength increase. Yes, Congress should approve more general officers, he said, but the Air Force and the defense secretary should also transfer billets to the service. If we want the [branch] capable of doing what the nation expects, it has to have enough people and the right people [to] carry out its mission, Rogers said. Along with manpower growth, Rogers also advocated for more development opportunities for guardians across career fields, particularly technical and acquisition roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and the committees Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-Wash., elaborated on these concerns on Tuesday in a letter to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. In the letter, obtained by Defense News, the lawmakers suggest the Space Force may be placing too much emphasis on its operational community to the detriment of its acquisition, training and testing workforce. We believe this is needed to not only be successful in developing the next generation space warfighter, but also to ensure that the service will have the skillset and workforce to design, develop, and acquire systems that guardians are going to need in the future, the letter states. We fear a divide that elevates operators at the detriment to other core functions of the Space Force will have negative impacts, potentially not immediately, but as we look to 2030 and beyond. For its part, the Space Force over the last few years has been working to better align its acquisition and operator communities. Last year, the Saltzman announced a pilot program to create integrated Mission Deltas as a way to better coordinate responsibility, authority and resources within mission areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot was widely viewed as successful in its first two mission areas positioning, navigation and timing and electronic warfare. In April, the Space Force expanded the pilot to include space domain awareness and missile warning and tracking. The service now plans to expand the concept to additional Mission Deltas over the next year. Rogers and Smith said in their letter they want more detail on how those integrated deltas will be staffed with additional acquisition personnel in the coming years. They also asked for a breakdown of the Space Forces officer selection boards by rank between 2021 and 2024. Further, the committee leaders ask for more information on how acquisition training personnel are developed through the Space Forces force generation model, known as SPAFORGEN, and what specific recruiting, training and retention efforts are in place. In his speech Tuesday, Rogers noted that his concerns about operator emphasis within the service are linked to the Air Forces tendency to promote fighter pilots over airmen in other career fields. He said hell be watching closely to ensure the Space Force doesnt follow similar patterns. The Space Force has to be led by more than just operators, he said. It must represent the contributions of all career services if its to be successful. A deep understanding and connection with technology is at the core of the Space Force. Operators, acquisition, intel and cyber professionals all must be on equal footing. In a span of less than 22 hours, SpaceX managed three Falcon 9 rocket launches and one landing of a Dragon spacecraft. It flew a Department of Defense mission from Cape Canaveral on Monday night and on Tuesday knocked out a National Reconnaissance Office mission from California, the landing of the latest cargo Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Florida and the final topper of a busy day with a launch from Kennedy Space Center. The final launch saw a Falcon 9 on the mPower-E mission lifting off from KSCs Launch Pad 39-A at 5:26 p.m. with a payload of a pair of satellites for Luxembourg-based communications company SES headed to medium-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was the first launch of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic. It marked the 90th launch from all providers among Space Coast pads for 2024, with SpaceX responsible for all but five of them. Earlier Tuesday, a SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida to complete the CRS-31 mission. The Dragon arrived to the International Space Station with 6,000 pounds of resupply payloads back on Nov. 5 after launching from the Space Coast, and returned with thousands of pounds of supplies and science experiments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also earlier on Tuesday, the company flew the NROL-149, a National Space Security Launch mission, from Californias Vandenberg Space Force Base. The busy schedule began on Monday night, with what had been a secretive mission leading up to launch. That one was a Falcon 9 that lifted off on the RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 at 7:52 p.m. This was the fourth launch of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. After launch, the Space Force revealed in a press release the RRT stood for Rapid Response Trailblazer, and its payload was a GPS III satellite flying under a National Security Space Launch contract that had switched from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It touted the launch as a new level of readiness and resilience for its Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command, as it took less than five months to turn around the mission from its inception to launch. Normally this sort of NSSL mission would take 24 months to execute. The prelaunch processing timeline was also sped up from a normal six-month turnaround to only three months. It took an existing satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin from storage, sped up its integration and readiness for launch. The mission was originally tapped to fly on a ULA Vulcan rocket, but had been delayed because Vulcan has yet to be certified by the Space Force. This launch was a remarkable achievement that highlights the Space Forces ability to execute high priority launches of major space systems on a significantly reduced timescale, said Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for the Space Forces Assured Access to Space program. As an added benefit, it also demonstrates flexibility to adjust our manifest to minimize the impact of Vulcan delays. The GPS satellite, which was nicknamed Sally Ride, joins 31 others already active in orbit, along with seven backup satellites and three more awaiting launch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over six billion people use GPS on a daily basis, and we are always eager to update the global capability we provide by getting some new technology on orbit, said Col. Andrew Menschner, Space Force Delta 31 mission commander, which acted as the space vehicle lead for the first time. With the three launches from three pads in Florida and California, SpaceX has now completed 128 launches in 2024, not including the four suborbital test flights of its in-development Starship and Super Heavy rocket from Texas. In a span of about 22 hours, SpaceX could manage three rocket launches and one landing of a Dragon spacecraft. It flew a Department of Defense mission from Florida's Cape Canaveral on Monday night and on Tuesday knocked out a National Reconnaissance Office mission from California and the landing of the latest cargo Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Florida. The topper will be a launch from Kennedy Space Center that would mark 90 spaceflight missions among all providers on the Space Coast in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That launch would see a Falcon 9 on the mPower-E mission launching from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A targeting an updated 5:26 p.m. EST liftoff at the end of a one-hour, 27-minute window that opened at 3:59 p.m. with backup during the same window on Wednesday. The payload is a pair of satellites for Luxembourg-based communications company SES headed to medium-Earth orbit. With one hour before the opening of the window, the countdown was paused for weather, with the T-0 getting first pushed to 4:30, then 5 p.m. and finally the last minute of the available window at 5:26 p.m. Space Launch Delta 45s weather squadron forecasts a 55% chance for good launch conditions, that would improve to 65% in the event of a 24-hour delay. High winds at the launch site and concerns for booster recovery delayed launch attempts for both Space Coast missions over the weekend. When it does fly, this would be the first launch of the first-stage booster that will aim for a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already on Tuesday, a SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida to complete the CRS-31 mission. The Dragon arrived to the International Space Station with 6,000 pounds of resupply payloads back on Nov. 5 after launching from the Space Coast, and returned with thousands of pounds of supplies and science experiments. Earlier Tuesday, the company flew the NROL-149, a National Space Security Launch mission, from Californias Vandenberg Space Force Base. The busy schedule began Monday night, with what had been a secretive mission leading up to launch. That one was a Falcon 9 that lifted off on the RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 at 7:52 p.m. This was the fourth launch of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After launch, the Space Force revealed in a press release the RRT stood for Rapid Response Trailblazer, and its payload was a GPS III satellite flying under a National Security Space Launch contract that had switched from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX. It touted the launch as a new level of readiness and resilience for its Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command, as it took less than five months to turn around the mission from its inception to launch. Normally this sort of NSSL mission would take 24 months to execute. The prelaunch processing timeline was also sped up from a normal six-month turnaround to only three months. It took an existing satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin from storage, sped up its integration and readiness for launch. The mission was originally tapped to fly on a ULA Vulcan rocket, but had been delayed because Vulcan has yet to be certified by the Space Force. This launch was a remarkable achievement that highlights the Space Forces ability to execute high priority launches of major space systems on a significantly reduced timescale, said Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for the Space Forces Assured Access to Space program. As an added benefit, it also demonstrates flexibility to adjust our manifest to minimize the impact of Vulcan delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GPS satellite, which was nicknamed Sally Ride, joins 31 others already active in orbit, along with seven backup satellites and three more awaiting launch. Over 6 billion people use GPS on a daily basis, and we are always eager to update the global capability we provide by getting some new technology on orbit, said Col. Andrew Menschner, Space Force Delta 31 mission commander, which acted as the space vehicle lead for the first time. Because SpaceXs next crew rotation mission to the International Space Station will use a new Dragon spacecraft that wont be ready by a previously planned February launch date, NASA announced Tuesday it has opted to delay the launch now until no earlier than late March. What that means is an even longer stay for the two NASA astronauts who flew up in June to the ISS aboard Boeings beleaguered Starliner spacecraft. They launched on the first crewed mission of Starliner on June 5 from Cape Canaveral atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V arriving to the ISS one day later for what was supposed to be as short as an eight-day stay. Because of concerns with Starliners thrusters and helium leaks on its propulsion module, NASA elected to play it safe and keep Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on board the ISS while sending Starliner home without a crew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their ride home is now set to be aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom, which flew up to the ISS and docked in September, but with only two crew on board instead of the normal four so Williams and Wilmore would have a ride home. That mission had been aiming for a flight home after Crew-10s arrival in late February. NASA, though, announced Crew-10 wont launch until late March now with its replacement crew, which gives SpaceX and NASA time to get the new Dragon spacecraft, which has yet to be named, ready for the mission. Its expected to arrive to Florida in early January. Fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking endeavor that requires great attention to detail, NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich said. We appreciate the hard work by the SpaceX team to expand the Dragon fleet in support of our missions and the flexibility of the station program and expedition crews as we work together to complete the new capsules readiness for flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would be the fifth crew Dragon spacecraft. The first crewed flight came in May 2020 and its fleet of four current Dragon spacecraft have now flown 15 times carrying 56 humans to space, including two who were two-time fliers. The crew of each spacecrafts first flight are given the right to name the spacecraft. NASA said teams looked at using the other available crew Dragon spacecraft but determined moving the launch date for Crew-10 was the best option. Its crew will be NASA astronaut and commander Anne McClain, making her second trip to space; NASA astronaut and pilot Nichole Ayers, set to become the first of the 2021 astronaut candidate class to make it to space; JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and mission specialist Takuya Onishi, making his second spaceflight; and Roscosmos cosmonaut and mission specialist Kirill Peskov, making his first spaceflight. The delay could mean close to a nine-month stay on board for Wilmore and Williams, as Crew-9 wont fly home until a handover period after Crew-10s arrival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most ISS rotations last about six months. NASAs Commercial Crew Program aims to have two providers for U.S.-based rotation missions with SpaceX and Boeing, but after the incomplete launch of the Crew Flight Test mission its unclear when and how Starliner will get its final certification so it can begin trading off with SpaceX, the regular ferry service. Boeings contract calls for it to provide six flights to the ISS before the end of the space stations service, currently targeting 2030. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz greets a crowd of supporters at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Fifth District Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz took to social media Monday to say she refuses to go to meetings for committees or the GOP caucus. I will stay as a registered Republican but will not sit on committees or participate in the caucus until I see that Republican leadership in Congress is governing. I do not need to be involved in circuses. I would rather spend more of my time helping @DOGE and @RepThomasMassie to save our Republic, as was mandated by the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE is the acronym for the Department of Government Efficiency, which incoming President Donald Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to run. It has no binding or legislative powers. Spartz staffer JP Etchison sent a statement to the Capital Chronicle saying, Rep. Spartz will be working harder than ever to draft and deliver real policies not spectacles and presentations in committees. Unfortunately, no real work is done in committees. Governing means delivering policy solutions through passing bills into laws and overseeing and authorizing spending not delivering talking points and messaging bills. Spartz announced in February 2023 she would not be seeking another term, and Republicans lined up to replace her. Then, a few days before the filing deadline she about-faced. She won her primary and general elections. Spartz was first elected to the 5th District in 2020. The district covers parts of Hamilton, Delaware and Madison counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last week, LegiStorm reported that staff turnover Spartz has reached a new personal high. Following the recent departure of Communications Director Corinne King and three other staffers, Spartzs 2024 staff turnover is now the highest its been in her four-year career as a member. Her 2024 staff turnover rate is nearly 3.5 times the 2024 House average. This turnover rate understates the matter, as one of these former staffers joined and left the office after a salary disclosure deadline for the House, which means they are not yet counted against LegiStorms turnover metric. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Daylight Saving Time is a debate that doesnt seem to hit the snooze button in Middle Tennessee, with President-elect Donald Trump dialing up the conversation once again. Trump posted to X on Dec. 13 and called for an elimination of Daylight Saving Time. That would mean sticking with the standard time we just fell back to last month. Specialist Dr. William H. Noah, Senior Medical Director at Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee, told News 2 doing away with Daylight Saving Time is more ideal for our circadian rhythm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO: Heres what permanent daylight saving time would look like in Nashville Its a real simple thing. Theres so much light in the day and the argument is: should you have it in the morning or should you have it in the evening? Noah said. Im one who would prefer it in the evening, but science clearly shows that we need it in the morning. Its healthier. Trump called Daylight Saving Time inconvenient and costly in his post last week. United Truck Driving School owner Danny Bradford seemed to agree. I lived in Phoenix for many years Phoenix, Arizona and their time doesnt change, Bradford said. So if youre picking up a load in Phoenix and its 6 a.m., and youre going to the East Coast, now youve got to add sometimes three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bradford added a night driving course at his trucking school and said navigating big rigs and school buses can be difficult enough. That difficulty, he said, is only further complicated by low light. In Tennessee, [there are] all these two-lane roads, these little back roads that are two-lane [drivers are] trying to negotiate that [with] deer running out in front of you, Bradford said. So again, daylight [is] much safer, and itd be much safer for our children. With respect to children, Noah said students could also benefit from sunlight earlier in the day. He said later start times also benefit teenagers, who can need up to 10 hours of sleep per night. He cautioned against starting school any earlier if standard time became permanent across the country. Gov. Lee among Republican governors ready to utilize every tool in Trumps mass deportation plan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle Tennessee could especially benefit from the switch, with Noah noting that the region is on the eastern side of the central time zone. That means means Middle Tennessee sees the sun earlier in the day compared to other areas in the central time zone, like Dallas and Oklahoma City. Wed be healthier, Noah said. Theres evidence to suggest less cardiovascular risk. Theres evidence to suggest less re-admissions to hospitals, less hospital admissions, less emergency room visits. Theres less missed days at work. Theres less mood disorders. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reflecting on complaints about his leadership by legislators from the ruling Liberal Party who are unhappy that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quit, a close ally said on Tuesday. Another Liberal parliamentarian said separately that Trudeau was "delusional" if he thought he could fight the next election, which is due by Oct. 20 next year. Polls show the Liberals would be crushed by the official opposition Conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeland resigned on Monday amid a policy clash and released a letter savaging Trudeau's leadership, prompting one of the worst crises since he took office in 2015. Trudeau later held a special meeting with his parliamentary caucus, which is already unhappy over the party's poor performance in the polls. "He did say to caucus that he had heard very clearly, and listened carefully, to their concerns and he would reflect on it," new Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. LeBlanc, one of Trudeau's closest friends, was named finance minister later on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LeBlanc is also temporarily keeping his previous role as public safety minister and a number of other ministers have more than one job as a result of colleagues' resignations. CBC said Trudeau would reshuffle his cabinet soon, possibly on Wednesday. "A number of my caucus colleagues have said publicly that the prime minister is reflecting on Minister Freeland's decision and the feedback he heard yesterday. I respect that he is taking time to reflect," Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told Reuters. Trudeau alluded to the turmoil on Tuesday night, telling a Liberal Party event to mark the end of the parliamentary session that the last couple of days had not been easy. "We really are a big family. Now like most families, sometimes we have fights around the holidays, but of course, like most families, we find our way through it," he said to some cheers from the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing two Liberal sources, said Trudeau told Freeland on Friday she would be replaced by former central banker Mark Carney, who is already advising the prime minister on economic affairs. Carney, long courted by the Liberals, has stayed out of federal politics. No one in the offices of Freeland or Trudeau was immediately available for comment. If Trudeau does resign, it will set off a Liberal leadership race that Freeland could join. She sent an email to party volunteers on Tuesday saying "this will not be the end of the road" but gave no details. The email was posted on X by journalist Stephen Maher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIBERALS LOSE SPECIAL ELECTION To underline the party's woes, it badly lost a special election in the western province of British Columbia. While Trudeau cannot be forced out by his caucus, he may find it harder to stay if enough parliamentarians openly call on him to go. Only a handful have done so publicly but that number is growing. Veteran Liberal legislator John McKay, who has remained loyal to Trudeau, told CBC the prime minister needed to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later. Trudeau is safe for now, since the only way he can be toppled is if all opposition parties unite against him on a vote of non-confidence. Such a vote could not happen until after the House of Commons elected chamber returns on Jan. 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberal legislator Wayne Long, who had previously called on Trudeau to quit, told reporters the prime minister was "delusional if he thinks we can continue like this ... We're not just taking on water, we're underwater". The opposition Bloc Quebecois demanded an immediate election, saying Canada needed a properly functioning government to deal with the incoming U.S. administration and its threats to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports. A Nanos Research poll released on Tuesday showed the Conservatives have 43% public support, the Liberals have 23% and the smaller left-leaning New Democrats are attracting 20% support. Such a result on Election Day would produce a massive Conservative majority. (Additional reporting by Nia Williams and Saeed Azhar, editing by Caroline Stauffer, Chizu Nomiyama, Rod Nickel and Michael Perry) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the Western world should assist Ukraine's efforts to reach a fair settlement rather than speculating about its "possible defeat." Source: Tusk at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, writes PAP, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Tusk, "there is a big game ahead for the future of Ukraine, Poland and Europe," in view of which he appealed to the leaders of the Western world "from the bottom of my heart", as he put it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We all, without exception, must support Ukraine at this time more than ever before, for the peace we are all waiting for no one wants peace more than Ukraine, we know it; and in the EU, nobody wants peace more than Poland, for similar reasons," he added. Tusk emphasised that such a peace is only conceivable if it is fair, and it would be fair if the entire Western world worked towards it. "Stop speculating from any capital of the world about Ukraine's possible defeat; this has nothing to do with the facts," Tusk said, adding that Ukraine successfully defends itself against the Russian invasion, "despite [actions by] some scoundrels." "Now is the time for the whole West to believe in its own strength and such an ability to convince all the players of this great game that Ukraine and the whole world deserve a just peace, respect for its territory and borders," Tusk concluded. Background: Earlier, the Polish Prime Minister stated that during his country's leadership of the EU Council in the first half of 2025, serious events concerning war and peace in Ukraine could occur. Tusk earlier stated that, given Donald Trump's victory as president of the United States and potential "peace proposals," it is critical to prevent Ukraine from weakening. Support UP or become our patron! Dec. 16The New Year could bring a new medical services provider to the Spokane County Jail. The Spokane County Commission will decide Tuesday whether to grant a one-month, $685,000 contract extension to NaphCare, the private contractor that provides medical services in the Spokane County Jail. Ken Mohr, a project manager for the county, said during a Monday meeting that the extension will allow time to finish negotiating "a new contract with a new vendor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're very close on the negotiations," Mohr said. "I won't get into detail on that for obvious reasons." Spokane County CEO Scott Simmons told The Spokesman-Review after this article's initial online publication Monday that Mohr meant to say "a vendor." Simmons said the county is in the midst of a request for proposals period and that no decision has been made regarding who the next provider may be including whether the county will choose to continue contracting with NaphCare. The commissioners will be briefed publicly on the new contract for medical services in the Spokane County Jail, including who the provider is, at a Jan. 7 meeting, Simmons said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NaphCare has provided outside medical services for county inmates since the commissioners voted to outsource care in 2016. The three-member commission at the time agreed to an initial six-month, $2.6 million contract after years of staffing woes within the county's medical team for detention services. Concerns around the Alabama-based company's conduct in the Spokane County Jail and detention facilities across the country surfaced shortly after the ink dried. In 2017, county inmates alleged the company was not upholding its responsibilities, saying NaphCare repeatedly delayed providing necessary care, including prescriptions and surgeries. Like many companies that provide medical services to prisons and jails, NaphCare has faced dozens of lawsuits over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a federal jury awarded $27 million in damages to the family of a woman who died in the Spokane County Jail. Cindy Lou Hill was booked into the jail on Aug. 21, 2018, on suspicion of heroin possession. Four days later, the 55-year-old was shirtless on the floor of her cell, unable to move and complaining of intense stomach pain. Hill wasn't brought to a doctor or sent to the emergency room. A NaphCare nurse determined Hill's symptoms were consistent with heroin withdrawal and sent her to a medical cell. Hill died hours later of a bacterial infection caused by a ruptured intestine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill's estate sued Spokane County and NaphCare, arguing her death could have been avoided if she'd received proper medical care. The U.S. District Court jury agreed and decided NaphCare would pay the estate $26.5 million in damages. Spokane County was ordered to pay $275,000. "It was absolutely the right decision," Ed Budge, the attorney for Hill's estate, said in 2022. "The jury recognized that a message needed to be sent." NaphCare filed an appeal of that decision in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year, according to court records. Another notable lawsuit against NaphCare ended in 2019 when the company was part of a $3 million settlement with the family of a man who died in a Virginia jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of his death in 2015, Jamycheal Mitchell was a 24-year-old inmate at Hampton Roads Regional Jail. Mitchell, who suffered from mental illness, lost nearly 40 pounds and experienced extreme swelling in both legs while in custody. The Virginia Office of the Inspector General determined that he received substandard care from NaphCare nurses before his death. Dec. 16Spokane County appears to be severing ties with a controversial medical provider responsible for the care of county inmates for nearly a decade. The county commissioners will decide Tuesday whether to grant a one-month, $685,000 contract extension to NaphCare, the private contractor that provides medical services in the Spokane County Jail. Ken Mohr, a project manager for the county, said during a Monday meeting that the extension will allow time to finish negotiating "a new contract with a new vendor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're very close on the negotiations," Mohr said. "I won't get into detail on that for obvious reasons." Mohr's comments indicate the county is prepared to part ways with its first contractor for outside medical services since the commissioners voted to outsource care in 2016. The commissioners agreed to an initial six-month, $2.6 million contract after years of staffing woes within the county's medical team for detention services. Concerns around the Alabama-based company's conduct in the Spokane County Jail and detention facilities across the country surfaced shortly after the ink dried. In 2017, county inmates alleged the company was not upholding its responsibilities, saying NaphCare repeatedly delayed providing necessary care, including prescriptions and surgeries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many companies that provide medical services to prisons and jails, NaphCare has faced dozens of lawsuits over the years. In 2022, a federal jury awarded $27 million in damages to the family of a woman who died in the Spokane County Jail. Cindy Lou Hill was booked into the jail on Aug. 21, 2018, on suspicion of heroin possession. Four days later, the 55-year-old was shirtless on the floor of her cell, unable to move and complaining of intense stomach pain. Hill wasn't brought to a doctor or sent to the emergency room. A NaphCare nurse determined Hill's symptoms were consistent with heroin withdrawal and sent her to a medical cell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill died hours later of a bacterial infection caused by a ruptured intestine. Hill's estate sued Spokane County and NaphCare, arguing her death could have been avoided if she'd received proper medical care. The U.S. District Court jury agreed and decided NaphCare would pay the estate $26.5 million in damages. Spokane County was ordered to pay $275,000. "It was absolutely the right decision," Ed Budge, the attorney for Hill's estate, said in 2022. "The jury recognized that a message needed to be sent." NaphCare filed an appeal of that decision in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokane County CEO Scott Simmons told the commissioners that more information on the new contract and vendor for medical services will be provided in January. Another notable lawsuit against NaphCare ended in 2019 when the company was part of a $3 million settlement with the family of a man who died in a Virginia jail. At the time of his death in 2015, Jamycheal Mitchell was a 24-year-old inmate at Hampton Roads Regional Jail. Mitchell, who suffered from mental illness, lost nearly 40 pounds and experienced extreme swelling in both legs while in custody. The Virginia Office of the Inspector General determined that he received substandard care from NaphCare nurses before his death. Dec. 16Spokane coffee roaster Deborah Di Bernardo dreamed of a sustainable industry supported by organic beans, living wages and practices that enhanced the natural world rather than profits built off plundering it. "I may not change the world ... but I can try!" Di Bernardo once wrote. And try she did, one f-bomb at a time. Di Bernardo died Sunday. She was 70. A third round of cancer finally ended the run of the founder of Roast House Coffee, 423 E. Cleveland Ave., and First Avenue Coffee, 1011 W. First Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Di Bernardo built award-winning coffee blends using only organic, fair-trade coffee beans, grown under the shade of a natural canopy instead of clear-cut groves, sorted by hand to ensure quality. She paid a premium for coffee grown by women and provided funding for World Coffee Research, an organization that seeks to preserve coffee for future generations. Facing terminal cancer at the end of 2022, she told The Spokesman-Review that she feared not enough people would realize how commercial practices of the coffee industry were driving it toward an ecological collapse. "I'm almost glad I won't be around to know," she said. "The history of mankind. ... It's not going to change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Di Bernardo kept a book on her desk titled, "Swearing is Good for You" by Emma Byrne. Her longtime colleague, 32-year-old Aaron Jordan, said she lived by that code. And, f-bombs were part of nearly every conversation. "She always did it in a weirdly loving way. It's an aggressive word," Jordan said. "I've only met one person in my life who could pull that off. Deb was unfiltered. Say what is on your mind. No beating around the bush to get the impact you are aiming for." Doyle Wheeler, who formerly did branding work for Di Bernardo before he and his wife, Carri, bought First Avenue Coffee from her, still serves Roast House's F-Bomb cold brew at all hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheeler said the blend got its moniker as Di Bernardo was trying to find a name for the creation at a time when she couldn't eat sugar. "And, she was a chocolate lover. The blend smelled like brownies. Every time she smelled it, she'd say the word," Wheeler said. "After a while, it was fun to instigate her. "I'd walk up and ask, 'What's the F in F-Bomb?' She'd say, 'Fantastic, you (expletive).' She was hilarious. She was always like that." Later, Di Bernardo formed the F-Bomb Coffee Club. Jordan put it simply: "We lost a (expletive) legend." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Road west The daughter of a Sicilian immigrant, Di Bernardo lived in Queens, New York, where her family ran an Italian restaurant. The family left the Empire State, moving first to California, then to Bend, Oregon, when it was still a small lumber town, then to Alaska. Di Bernardo's last stop was the Lilac City, where she arrived in her early 20s, though her parents moved again to Southern California, which reminded her father of Sicily. "I just didn't want to go," she said in 2022. "I like Spokane. I like the weather. I'm an unusual Italian, because they like warm weather, but I like cold weather." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not long after arriving in the Inland Northwest, she married her first husband, a young attorney. With her business degree and his law degree, they started law offices across the state, pioneers of using word processors in the '80s to expedite bankruptcy and divorce paperwork. "We did more divorces every year then almost all the firms (in Washington) combined," she said. Di Bernardo was living large, she said, noting the expensive suits and long fingernails she wore, the nice house she lived in. But the work drained her, and she began to think that she was profiting off the suffering of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I quit, because I found it too painful to work with these people at the worst point in their lives." So Di Bernardo opened a deli, though she lost it when she and her then-husband divorced. Wanting to stay in the food industry, she went to work for a local coffee roaster, where she learned about the industry from bean to brew. She was horrified by what she found. "The most cost-effective, profit-driven coffees are the ones grown in a clear-cut environment with lots of chemicals," she said. "It's one of the most toxic crops." Unable to persuade her employer to change their business practices, she set out to open her own roastery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going all-organic and fair trade was part of the original mission. "Vanilla beans, coffee, chocolate: Our foods are really threatened," she said. "So I'm not doing that because I am looking for a way to showcase my company. "I'm doing this because I'm gonna say one more time, I am terrified. And I won't be around to see it happen." Mission begins In 2010, Di Bernardo opened Roast House in a small warehouse space on Cleveland Avenue in north Spokane. Two years later, a 19-year-old Jordan began pestering her about the coffee -roasting business. Moving here from Chicago, Jordan's wife, Allison, while working as barista was trained by Di Bernardo. Allison Jordan then made the introduction to Aaron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I asked Deb for a roasting job. She told me to (expletive) off," Jordan said. "I just kept coming around." He explained that roasting was his passion and asked for an internship. "She said, 'You can come on, but I can't afford to pay you.' " Eventually the head roaster took another job. "Deb goes, 'You want the job?' I mean, that's literally why I'm here," Jordan said. She made a business card for Jordan, who was 19 at the time, with an email address for "Roasterboy." Earlier in life, Jordan had a counselor tell him to find 20 people who were tenured in his target field and get in their back pockets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone told me to get lost except for Deb. She took a chance on a 19-year-old punk kid," Jordan said. "Nobody does that." Eventually, Roast House won more than two dozen national awards. "I grew an appreciation and respect for her. That was our whole relationship," Jordan said. "She would say, 'I don't know about that idea, but I trust you.' Sometimes they would work and sometimes they would fail. We would just rebound together." Legacy Di Bernardo leaves her husband of 25 years, James Haynes, and their beloved golden doodle, Lucy. Jordan said Di Bernardo survived breast cancer and bone cancer, but then the disease resurfaced in her abdomen. She spoke of her impending doom just like she did everything: blunt and to the point. As she battled cancer in 2023, she sold the First Avenue location to Doyle and Carri Wheeler. "It was not easy for her. It was her baby," said Wheeler, 48. "She trusted us with her baby while she was alive." In 2020, Di Bernardo made Aaron and Allison Jordan managing partners of Roast House after she received a bleak diagnosis. They became owners as of Sunday. Di Bernardo left explicit instructions not to have a memorial in her honor, Jordan said. "She said, 'Don't give me some poor sad-sack memorial. Throw an Irish coffee party,' " he said. "So, that's what we are going to do." Irish coffee party details, other than the inclusion of plentiful f-bombs, remain pending. SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) Residents in Spring Hill say they want safer road conditions after a mother and her 8-year-old daughter were both hit by a car while crossing the street together Friday night. This stretch of road seems to be one of the more dangerous stretches of road in this town, Clay Davis, a Spring Hill resident, told News 2. And [theres] no indicator that theres a crosswalk actually there other than the sign and if youre not paying attention, you miss it. PREVIOUS | Mother, 8-year-old daughter struck by vehicle in Spring Hill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis is one of several people in the neighborhood, along with Allison Trivettee, who are sharing concerns about dimly lit roads in Spring Hill at night, including on Commonwealth Drive, where the crash occurred. According to the latest update from the Spring Hill Police Department, the 8-year-old girl who had to be airlifted to the hospital and her mother are still recovering in the hospital with serious injuries. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com If theyre wearing dark colors and have no reflectors on their coat or shoes you can see nothing, and people fly down Commonwealth, said Trivette. I think the speed limits are like 30 [mph] and even the other morning I had someone driving 60, ran through the stop light at Dewey Drive and didnt even think twice, said Trivette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to more lighting, neighbors who live nearby said they would like to see more signage for the cross walk, including speeding enforcement as the population grows in Spring Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Dec. 16A new restaurant is preparing to open for business in the Springboro shopping center anchored by Dorothy Lane Market. Wasabi, owned by Skywasabi Inc., has received zoning permit approval for a restaurant at 784 N. Main St., the site of a former China Cottage location, in the Marketplace of Settlers Walk, Springboro Planner Dan Boron said. Xiong Wei, who identified himself as co-owner of the property, said this week the target date for restaurant opening is about four months away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant has signed a 10-year lease for the site, Wei said. A Springboro zoning application filed by Qingrong Cheng of Lebanon was submitted in October, city records show. Cheng is the agent for Skywasabi Inc., which registered as a business Oct. 1, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office website. Attempts to reach Cheng were unsuccessful. A banner on the building says, "Wasabi Japanese Cuisine Coming Soon!" 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. China Cottage closed at the end of last year at that address, saying it planned to relocate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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." SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Members of the University Heights community are feeling surprised and relieved after tonights city council meeting. City Council was once again scheduled to discuss rezoning over 2.5 acres of property near the intersection of Sunshine Street and National Avenue after the previous rezoning bill failed to pass in October. After the bill didnt pass, a six-month waiting period was put into place before it could be brought before the City Council again, so it came as a shock to many that the resolution was back on Mondays agenda. I was angry, and so were many of the people in our neighborhood, says Jeff Carney, Board President of the University Heights Neighborhood Association. All the people I talked to, we only found out about it this weekend after voting it down at the last council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Jenson was the council member who re-introduced the resolution for this meeting, saying he met with the developer to review significant changes to the development plan. While I believe this would have been a win for the neighborhood and our community, Ive spoken with trusted advisers and community leaders, and I will be withdrawing my sponsorship for this new, said Jenson. Springfield City Council makes steps towards bringing professional soccer to the city Carney says he is happy to see Councilman Jenson have a change of mind. Im pleased with what happened. Councilman Jensen withdrew his support of the bill, his sponsorship, and theyve tabled the sponsor, Carney said. Theyve tabled the bill until next meeting on January 15th. But if nobody picks up the sponsorship, then its dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield residents who are not in the University Heights community also came to the meeting upset that the resolution made its way onto the agenda. David Trippe, President of the Phelps Neighborhood Association, says if this resolution was discussed, it would have set a bad example. It affects every neighborhood in Springfield. We dont want bad behavior rewarded. And this would have been rewarding bad behavior, says Trippe. Now that there is no longer a City Council member sponsoring the resolution, it has been tabled until the next meeting on Jan. 13. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. A man from Springfield pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to illegally possessing fentanyl and 14 firearms. The federal court says 51-year-old Proevine Lennox Robins pleaded guilty to one count of possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute and one count of possessing firearms to further a drug-trafficking crime. In March 2023, Springfield law enforcement searched Robins home and found more than a kilogram of fentanyl throughout the residence. Officers also found 14 firearms in the house, one of which was reported stolen, along with ammunition and $21,000 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield man pleads guilty to threatening others with AR-15 at gas station in 2023 Robins told investigators that he purchased about $9,000 in fentanyl and made multiple trips over the past 10 months to buy fentanyl. He also said he was selling an average of around two ounces of fentanyl a week at $1,000 to $2,000 an ounce for the past 10 to 12 months before officers searched his home. Robins is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum of life in prison without parole, according to the federal court. Robins will receive a sentencing hearing after the United States Probation Office finishes its presentence investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Youth Aid Bureau is looking for any assistance in locating fifteen-year-old Zaneiah Mabry. Woman charged with armed robbery at Westfield Bank in South Hadley The Springfield Police said Mabry may be in the Orange Street area. If you know anything regarding Mabrys whereabouts or think you may see her, please call 413-787-6360 or the non-emergency line at 413-787-6300. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. FLOYD, Va. (WFXR) A leading nonprofit organization, Springhouse, has received the Nonprofit of the Year award in the field of transformative education. The award from the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce was given at the annual dinner held in November of 2024. It recognizes Springhouse for their great impact on education within the community by fostering unity and respecting diversity. Those present to accept the award for the organization included Springhouse Executive Director Jenny Finn and Development Director Carolyn Reilly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are incredibly grateful to the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce for this recognition, said Jenny Finn, Executive Director of Springhouse. This award is a testament to the passion and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters who persistently work to transform education in ways that lead to a thriving world. We are deeply honored to be a part of the Floyd community as we continue to reimagine what education can and should be. $50k grant presented to Virginia Western Community College for healthcare education Springhouse was founded in 2014 to provide holistic, vitality-centered learning opportunities for students of all ages and to encourage engagement with the community and create significant educational experiences. Floyd nonprofit leaders will organize monthly meetings with Springhouse to facilitate community internships and foster connections with high school students. In 2024, Springhouse also allowed elementary-age leaders to join the two-way language immersion program along with welcoming those with Spanish as their first language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springhouse has grown to be a major component to education innovation in the region. We believe a foundational aspect of education is about waking up to the gift of being alive on the planet at this timeits about nurturing the whole person and preparing individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world, said Carolyn Reilly, Development Director. Being recognized as Nonprofit of the Year is a wonderful affirmation of the work we are doing, and were committed to continue carrying out our mission of transforming the purpose and practice of education, both in Floyd and around the world. The award of Nonprofit of the Year is one of the several awards that Floyd County Chamber of Commerce presents at its annual dinner to celebrate the successes in local businesses and organizations. For more information on Springhouse click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assured Narendra Modi that Colombo will not allow its territory to be used in any way detrimental to Indias security interests. The statement came during Mr Dissanayakes first bilateral visit to New Delhi on Monday, amid growing concerns over Chinas increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region. I have given an assurance to the prime minister of India that we will not have our land... be used in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India in any way, Mr Dissanayake said after talks with Mr Modi at Hyderabad House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two leaders emphasised their shared commitment to ensuring regional stability and the security of the Indian Ocean, with Mr Modi stating: We both agree that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to soon finalise the defence cooperation agreement. The assurance follows diplomatic tensions sparked by recent visits of Chinese military ships to Sri Lanka and Chinas development of the Hambantota port in the island nation. A joint statement from the two countries reiterated the importance of trust and transparency in addressing mutual security concerns and underscored their commitment to countering threats in the region. India pledged continued assistance to strengthen Sri Lankas maritime and defence capabilities. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, right, shakes hand with Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Disanayaka after a joint press statement in New Delhi (AP) Mr Modi expressed hope for swift implementation of collaborative measures, including enhanced defence cooperation and capacity building. Both sides agreed to work on a framework for supplying defence platforms, conducting joint exercises, and expanding maritime surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the contentious issue of Chinese vessels docking in Sri Lankan ports, Mr Dissanayake reaffirmed his countrys policy of prioritising Indias security interests, a position described as a trusted and reliable partner in the joint statement. Energy cooperation was another focal point of the discussion. Both nations agreed to establish electricity grid connectivity and develop multi-product petroleum pipelines to deepen their energy partnership. India will also support Sri Lanka in enhancing renewable energy capacity, with projects such as the solar power plant in Sampur. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, left, talks with Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Disanayaka during their meeting in New Delhi (AP) Mr Modi highlighted the broader economic partnership, which will focus on investment-led growth and connectivity to facilitate development and reduce Sri Lankas debt burden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Dissanayake and his party have in the past been seen as more ideologically aligned with China. After his win, analysts predicted that could mean drawing more Chinese investment, which slowed after the Sri Lankan government was blamed for taking on too many Chinese loans that added to the countrys debt as its economy collapsed in 2022. Chinese money quickly became a cautionary tale in the country, while the economic crisis allowed India to gain some sway as it stepped in with massive financial and material assistance to its neighbour. A relationship rooted in civilizational and spiritual ties! President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka visited the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya to seek blessings and offer prayers. Our shared values and common cultural heritage are the foundation and guiding force of our pic.twitter.com/I7uRoK1xWx Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 17, 2024 Just after Mr Dissanayake was sworn in, Beijing said it wanted to work with the new government on boosting development and cooperation in building Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Mr Dissanayake, theres a possibility of more Chinese money coming into Sri Lanka, Happymon Jacob, founder of the New Delhi-based Council for Strategic and Defense Research, earlier told the Associated Press, adding that this could concern India. However, the newly elected president attempted to allay some of the fears, prior to his win. As a neighboring country, we need to be concerned over Indias stability, national interests and national security when taking decisions, Mr Dissanayake told the Associated Press in an interview a few weeks before the election. Our main objective is the safety of the region and we will not allow any party to use our land, sea and air to create instability, he added. Additional reporting by agencies. Dec. 16SANTA FE Two St. John's College foreign exchange students started an online summer seminar for students in their native countries of Russia and Ukraine with the aim of providing educational outreach to those who cannot leave their war-torn countries and bridging divides between people. Russian native Amir Balafendiev and Kanstantsin Tsiarokhin, a native of Belarus who later moved to Ukraine, were the brain children of the "Svet Summer Seminar Program: Toward a Lasting Peace in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine." In their home countries, "Svet" means "light." Students in Belarus, which is not involved in the war, could also participate. With the war between Russia and Ukraine raging on into its third year and incoming President Donald Trump pledging to end the conflict quickly and peacefully once he takes office in January, Balafendiev and Tsiarokhin have made their own pledge: to host more seminars next year, even if Tsiarokhin is graduating in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not planning to continue our program we are continuing our program," Balafendiev said. A second online course, starting in January, will allow Russian-speaking students, not just natives, to enroll, Balafendiev said. A separate course starting in March, which is based out of an international school in Armenia, will be taught in English. To make the upcoming seminars possible, Tsiarokhin and Balafendiev plan to use remaining funds from the Kathryn W. Davis Collaborative, the foundation that allowed them to start the summer seminar. "As far as I know, this is the first time that students, in a very formal way explicitly want to use the St. John's College seminar mode as the way to solve a very big project, which is the psychology, history and toxicity of history that leads to conflict," said Charles Bergman, senior adviser with the Office of Personal and Professional Development at St. John's College in Santa Fe. "I've been doing this a long time. I instantly knew they had a winner." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tsiarokhin and Balafendiev approached Bergman last year with the idea of holding a seminar and wondered how they could secure funding for it. Bergman recommended the Projects for Peace Program, funded by the Davis Collaborative, which is based at Middlebury College in Vermont. Projects for Peace funds at least 125 projects annually, each receiving $10,000 to pursue "innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world's most pressing issues," according to the Middlebury College website. The seminars, in which Balafendiev and Tsiarokhin played a behind-the-scenes role, took on the classroom model of St. John's in which faculty members, or "tutors," act as guides to discussion rather than lecturers. "At St. John's College, we say the book is the professor and the tutor is the first among equals," Bergman said. "It is a very powerful, pedagogical method and you don't find it anywhere in Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The objective of the seminar was to "bring people that wouldn't talk to each other otherwise together ... to talk about a shared path; focus on similarities and differences," Tsiarokhin said. For their project, Balafendiev and Tsiarokhin chose three books for students to read: Nikolai Ostrovsky's "How the Steel Was Tempered," Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's "The Gulag Archipelago" and "Secondhand Time: The Last of the Soviets" by Svetlana Alexievich, a 2015 Nobel Prize recipient for literature. Ostrovsky's novel is a fictionalized account of his experiences in fighting for the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War of 1918-22. Solzhenitsyn's book documents prisons and labor camps by the Bolsheviks during the war. Alexievich's book, a New York Times best-seller, is an oral history of the fall of the Soviet Union and the ushering in of Russia. "I selected three texts that were all speaking to major historical trauma that all the three countries have shared," Tsiarokhin said. "All of the texts are oriented to understand the conflicts in a very humanistic way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from reading the assigned books, Balafendiev felt the students who participated in the seminar learned a lot through the St. John's method of teaching. "Receiving feedback students will tell us, 'I never thought I would be good in such academical [sic] atmosphere,'" Balafendiev said. "If there are students like this, then there are many more that will enjoy it." Asked about his personal takeaway from the summer, Balafendiev said it felt good to share the values he learned at St. John's with other foreign students. "I'm hoping that as we continue to raise more funds for the project, we can expand it and deepen the presence of 'Svet' in the region to connect more people together," Tsiarokhin said. GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. (WWTI) A 39-year-old Hermon woman is facing drug charges after a traffic stop on Monday in St. Lawrence County. New York State Police and the Troop B-Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team pulled over Elizabeth Daniels in the town of Gouverneur. Oneida County Sheriffs searching for missing Boonville woman During the stop, Daniels is alleged to have be found with over 16 ounces of methamphetamine, approximately 90 bags of heroin suspected of containing fentanyl, over 22 grams of crack-cocaine, and empty bags for packaging narcotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was subsequently charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Daniels was arraigned in Gouverneur Town Court and remanded without bail to St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility. State police were assisted by the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force and U.S. Border Patrol. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kurtis Watkins at Jefferson City Correctional Center on Feb. 6. (Photo by Clara Bates/Missouri Independent) Crouched behind a dumpster in a St. Louis alley, Officer Steven Pinkerton heard gunshots. It was after midnight on Aug. 10, 2013, in the Dutchtown neighborhood and an argument that had been building for hours among a group of young men had escalated into a shootout. Pinkerton said he saw two men rush by the mouth of the alley, shooting as they ran. He couldnt see what happened next if anyone had been shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a few minutes, one man, holding a gun, ran down the alley where Pinkerton was staked out. The longtime St. Louis Metropolitan Police officer raised his upper torso above the dumpster, hed later say in a deposition, and ordered the man to stop. It was one of the shooters, trying to flee, Pinkerton thought possibly one hed seen run by earlier but he couldnt really tell at that point, he later said. When the man kept running, and appeared to raise his gun, Pinkerton fired five shots. He thought he hit him the man was kind of staggering, Pinkerton later said but he escaped. Pinkerton, who is white, said he only saw the mans face for a few seconds and couldnt determine his age or note any distinguishing characteristics. He was Black, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighed about 180 pounds and bald, according to Pinkerton. He wore blue jeans and a black shirt. Around 15 minutes after Pinkerton fired his gun, other officers arrested Kurtis Watkins, a 23-year-old Black man, two blocks away. Pinkerton identified him as the man he had seen run through the alley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Based solely on Pinkertons account, Watkins has been incarcerated for the last 11 years, convicted of shooting and critically injuring a man. Watkins says he had nothing to do with it. In his account, he wasnt at the scene of the shooting or in the alley that night: He was walking from a friends house to a convenience store when he got arrested. He says he didnt know the victim or anyone involved. He had no discernible motive for the shooting. There was no physical evidence. None of the witnesses to the shooting said they knew who he was. Another man who was apprehended and convicted in the shooting testified hed never met Watkins before. Everyone agrees that the sole evidence against Watkins was Pinkertons account of what he saw from behind the dumpster. The only issue in this case is identification of the defendant by Officer Steven Pinkerton, the prosecutor said at Watkins trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of a monthslong investigation, The Independent uncovered two pieces of information about Pinkerton that could have cast doubt on his credibility. But the jury never heard them. First, less than a year before he arrested Watkins, Pinkerton arrested a man he encountered in a gas station parking lot named Kerwin Harris who he mistakenly believed was the suspect in an earlier robbery. Pinkerton chased the 39-year-old Black man, tackled him to the ground and then held him face-down in a chokehold as another officer shocked him with a Taser. Harris died at the scene, and the robbery case remains open. Second, Pinkerton had a history of social media posts denigrating Black people that raised concern from at least one of his colleagues at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black people are pathetic, one of Pinkertons Facebook posts read. You dont want to be treated equally, you want favored treatment. And you wonder why there is so much animus toward you? Watkins, who has been appealing his case for years without success, didnt know about Pinkertons past until he was informed by a reporter from The Independent during a March interview at the Jefferson City Correctional Center, where he is now incarcerated. All along, hes racist, Watkins said from the visitors room of supermax Jefferson City Correctional Center when told about Pinkertons history. They let him put me in prison? The law, under the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in the 1963 Brady v. Maryland case, requires prosecutors to notify defense attorneys of credibility issues with witnesses when they could materially affect the outcome of a case. The information about Pinkerton should have been turned over at trial, said Vida Johnson, a law professor at Georgetown University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes already misidentified another suspect. And we also know that he tends to paint Black people with a broad brush, Johnson said, pointing to the Facebook posts. Peter Joy, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis, agreed that the information should have been turned over to the defense because it could have prompted jurors to discount Pinkertons testimony. When you have a one-witness ID case and the entire case hinges on that one witness, he said, then that witnesss credibility is the entire case. Pinkerton did not respond to calls, emails and certified letters seeking comment for this story. He appeared to block an Independent reporter on Facebook after several messages went unanswered. Watkins arrest Crime scene tape surrounds the apartment complex outside of which the shooting occurred. (Photo provided by St. Louis Metro Police Department) The night of his arrest began like any other, Watkins remembers, until he walked into a hostile environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had spent the evening at his friends house, chatting and playing video games both lived in the neighborhood. He decided to walk to the Conoco gas station to buy liquor for them sometime after midnight, he says. As he walked on the sidewalk to the gas station, police officers pulled up in a patrol car. They stopped him, pushed him to the ground and struck him several times on his head and ribs, according to the police report. The officers claimed he was sweaty and out of breath; Watkins said that he was perspiring because it was humid out and that he had been walking, not running. One of the officers used his knee to pin Watkins face-down to the ground. Watkins says he tried to push back to lessen the pain; the report says he was resisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers handcuffed him so tightly, he testified later, that his hands went numb. Police then drove him a few blocks to Pinkerton, who was waiting in the alley. Watkins was in the back of the van, surrounded by police officers. One of them shone a flashlight on him and Pinkerton peered in. It took Pinkerton around two seconds to reach a conclusion. He said at trial he was 100% positive it was the same person he had encountered in the alley. Watkins, like the man Pinkerton described, was around 6-foot-2, Black, bald and wearing a black shirt. His jeans were black, not blue, but Pinkerton later said he had meant blue jeans as slang for jeans in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And although Pinkerton had called for emergency medical services after the man staggered away because he thought hed shot him, Watkins hadnt been shot. Pinkertons gun fired five times, but only four bullets were recovered from the scene. The crime scene investigators didnt find blood in the alleyway. They found a gun on the ground, possibly the one belonging to the man who ran through the alley, but there were no recoverable fingerprints. Pinkerton also added a new detail after seeing Watkins in the van. He said he remembered seeing large white letters on the mans shirt. It just reminded me of it, he said at trial. Watkins shirt had the brand Levi written across it in white, Watkins said at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins was booked and charged with three counts of first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and resisting arrest. At the time he had five kids, another on the way and two jobs, driving a Frostys Treats ice cream truck and working at Popeyes. He felt like he was getting on the right path, he said, after spending time behind bars for a drug charge and a gun charge. So did his mother, Judy Watkins, who said that at the time I was thinking that he was going to be OK working and caring for his kids. She has long had health problems and expected her son would be the one to provide for her. Watkins said he declined plea deals because he wanted to prove his innocence. The man who was shot outside the apartment complex, Darrell Macon, was hospitalized for weeks. Macon and his family members who witnessed the crime said that shots had been fired by a man they knew named Stephant Hibler. Macon remembered seeing Hiblers face close to his as Hibler pulled the trigger. Asked by detectives, and then attorneys in depositions, he and his family said they didnt know who Watkins was. There is no record that the police showed witnesses a lineup of photos that included Watkins. Failure to show such a lineup, according to several experts, could have been a sign of tunnel vision in the police investigation not seeking out evidence that could cast doubt on their suspect. The Macons were, however, shown a lineup of photos including Hibler and selected Hibler, according to the police report. Witnesses said they didnt recognize any of the shooters other than Hibler. At the hospital, according to the police report, Macon himself named another man, an acquaintance who had been present at the fight leading up to the crime, and said he had been a shooter. No records indicate that the officer followed up on the lead. Macon subsequently denied having made the statement. At his first trial, Watkins was a co-defendant with Hibler, though both swore they had never met before the trial. The jury at Watkins trial in late 2015 deadlocked on him but convicted Hibler. Hibler was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting and was released on probation in September of last year. Watkins was retried in early 2016 by a jury that had only one Black member. The jury deliberated for three hours before telling the judge they couldnt reach a consensus, with four of the twelve jurors holding out against conviction. The judge told them to keep deliberating. Around a half hour later they returned the verdict: Watkins was found guilty on all nine counts. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Pinkertons identification What did this have to do with me? Watkins said during a March interview in the correctional center visitors room. For hours leading up to the fight, Watkins had been at his friends house. He and his friend said Watkins didnt have a gun when he left. Watkins said he didnt even have a cell phone at the time because he couldnt afford it, so hes not sure how he could have been summoned to the fight. Watkins was the only defense witness at both his 2015 and 2016 trials. The prosecution focused on attacking his credibility because of his prior convictions. This is a man who is dangerous and this is a man who needs to be held accountable, Matt Martin, a prosecutor at the time in the St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office, told the jury during the 2016 trial. So because I have a background, do I deserve to be in prison for somebody elses crime? Watkins asked in an interview. At trial, Watkins public defender, Brian Horneyer, called Pinkertons description of the man who ran through the alley a bald Black man of roughly 180 pounds and six foot two about as vague and ambiguous as you could get, asking: How many young men in the City of St. Louis fit that description? Horneyer raised doubts about the identification. Pinkerton is white and Watkins is Black, and cross-racial identifications are known to be less reliable than identifications within ones own race. The circumstances it was the middle of the night, with the added stress of gunfire could further reduce accuracy. Experts say a show-up identification, where the witness is shown only one person, is far less reliable than a lineup, where the witness must choose from several people. Of course he is going to pick up Kurtis, Horneyer told the jury. He is the only one there. Studies have found that eyewitnesses often misremember details. Under a Missouri Supreme Court decision from 2020, defense attorneys can have experts testify about these studies in order to cast doubt on eyewitness accounts. But when Watkins was tried in 2015 and 2016, there was some uncertainty in Missouri about the admissibility of such expert testimony. Experts interviewed by The Independent said that with the risks of misidentification in this case, jurors might have found such testimony persuasive. At Watkins trial, the prosecutor emphasized Pinkertons expertise again and again. We are talking about a trained police officer who has been on the force for 20 years, Martin, the prosecutor, told the jury. Watkins lawyer speculated in court that Pinkerton had been eager to arrest someone quickly, to make up for the fact that the police on the scene had done little to intervene or stop the shooting. He also wondered aloud if Pinkerton had been distraught in the aftermath, coloring his identification, out of concern hed be disciplined for shooting his gun five times. That prompted Martin to say: Its incredible that at this point the defense wants to put Officer Steven Pinkerton on trial. A prior mistaken arrest and death The sign at the bottom of the road leading to Jefferson City Correctional Center. (Clara Bates/Missouri Independent) What the defense didnt know was that Pinkerton had mistakenly arrested a different Black man months prior. On the morning of Dec. 22, 2012, a Dennys diner in St. Louis was robbed of $109. That night, Pinkerton was starting an overnight shift, he wrote in a later police report. He had stopped at a Quiktrip gas station to buy a drink and go to the restroom when he saw a gold Buick Century in the parking lot the same model that had been used in the Dennys robbery. Kerwin Harris was sitting in the car. Harris, like the robber, was Black and wearing glasses and a hat. Pinkerton ran Harris license plate which revealed no theft on the primary screen, according to the police report. But as he was waiting for more information to appear and preparing to notify the dispatcher of a possible robbery suspect, Harris started his car. Pinkerton put on his emergency lights and blocked Harris from backing up. Harris got out and began to run away, according to Pinkertons arrest report. I believed I was pursuing a robbery suspect, Pinkerton later wrote. Pinkerton eventually tackled Harris to the ground, on his stomach. Harris wouldnt release his arms from under him, Pinkerton said in the reports, and he was worried Harris might be armed because the robber earlier in the day was alleged to have been. So he sat on Harris back and struck his head several times. Harris was unarmed. Then Pinkerton placed him in a neck restraint because of what he later called Harris strenuous resistance a detail that was disputed by several witnesses later interviewed by the police. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department had banned the neck restraint five years earlier. Other officers soon arrived, and one tased Harris six times against his bare skin. A witness interviewed by police and quoted in the arrest report said officers struck Harris head against a landscape paving rock several times. Another witness said she heard an officer call Harris a racial slur during the arrest. The department didnt begin using body cameras until 2020, and there is no dashboard-camera footage from the arrest. When Harris was finally handcuffed, his body went limp, the officers wrote. The officers checked for a heartbeat and found none. He was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital and pronounced dead. He was 39 and had a five-month-old daughter. Harris was at least 80 pounds heavier than the robber, according to his autopsy alongside witness descriptions. He was also at least two inches taller. The robber wore a green cap, but Harris wore a black one. Neither witness from that robbery selected Harris photo from a lineup. The Dennys robbery case remains open. Any internal investigations related to Harris death are closed and unavailable under Missouris Sunshine Law. Harris family never knew the details of his death until notified by a reporter for The Independent 11 years later. One of Pinkertons colleagues, the homicide detective assigned to the case as scene supervisor, Heather Taylor, testified before a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties in a hearing on white supremacy in local police departments in September 2020. Even though she didnt identify Pinkerton or Harris by name in her testimony, the facts of the description fit Harris death. Taylor told the committee the death haunts me to this day, and that she personally delivered a copy of the police report to St. Louis circuit attorney in 2013, hoping the office might investigate charges against the officer. A request under Missouris Sunshine Law filed with the circuit attorneys office this year by The Independent for copies of documents related to Harris returned no responsive records. I just couldnt believe that there were no charges, there was nothing, Taylor, who has since retired from the St. Louis Police Department, told the committee. Taylor declined to comment for this story. Pinkertons social media An SLMPD police car in front of the downtown courthouse. (Photo by Clara Bates/Missouri Independent) Leading up to the trial that convicted Watkins in 2016, Pinkerton was posting negatively about Black people on Facebook, according to posts collected by the Ethical Society of Police dating back to at least 2015. And following the trial, he continued posting. You black people are pathetic, he wrote in one post. Having negative feelings about someone or a sub-group of certain people, is different than treating them differently because of it, which I do not, he wrote in another, referring later in the comment to the violence and complete disregard for civility in much of the black sub-culture. If the case were remanded for a new trial with the credibility evidence allowed, Johnson, the Georgetown professor and former public defender, said Watkins lawyer would be able to cross-examine Pinkerton on all of the pejorative things that Officer Pinkerton has expressed about Black people in the community where hes supposed to be protecting people. Taylor told the 2020 congressional committee: For nearly seven years, I have repeatedly reported an officer for his racism, based in part on the officers posts. According to a report from the Ethical Society of Police, which advocates for officers of color in St. Louis, an officer was under internal investigation in 2020 for racially denigrating Facebook posts. Pinkerton is not named, but the reports description of the officer, including his involvement in the Dec. 2012 death in custody, matches exactly. And The St. Louis American, writing about the report when it was released, named Pinkerton as the officer in question. (That reporter now works for The Independent.) The Facebook posts, according to the Ethical Society of Police report, centered around George Floyd, the Black man whose murder by white officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis that year set off widespread racial justice protests. That report also discussed the 2012 death of Harris. It was later determined that this subject was not involved in the robbery, the report noted, of Harris. Pinkertons employment with the St. Louis Metro Police ended in May 2021, according to a spokesperson for the department, after he spent 24 years there. A Facebook account under his name offers a possible explanation for his departure, in the form of at least five posts referring to having been forced out of the department for his assessment of the murder of George Floyd. I was told, my words could have started a riot, he added in a comment last year. For all you mother f at the St. Louis Police Department, one post began last year, especially the Internal Affairs Division, you can all kiss my a for condemning me and pushing me out of my decorated career and losing my ability to retire with the benefits I wanted, all because I exposed the corruption behind the prosecution of Derek Chauvin. The police department declined to provide any information on an internal investigation or the circumstances under which his employment ended, and law enforcement officers personnel records are closed under Sunshine Law in Missouri. But Pinkerton still works as a police officer, with an active license: He has been an officer with the police department in Moscow Mills, a community of 3,300 about 50 miles northwest of St. Louis, since August 2022. The chief of police in Moscow Mills, Terry Foster, declined to answer a list of questions but confirmed Pinkerton is an active employee. I stood up for truth and lost my 25 year career and I would do it all over again, Pinkerton wrote on Facebook in May. And he has continued to post denigrating comments about Black people, among other groups including immigrants and women. Some black folks just disgust me, one June post read, in the way they act in simple interactions. A reexamination? Kurtis Watkins with his wife and youngest son, who was 8 when this photo was taken in October 2021 (Submitted photo). Watkins lawyer, Kansas City-based Jonathan Sternberg, plans to file a federal habeas corpus petition next month, which will include arguments about the new credibility evidence. He hopes that St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore will take up the case for review in his conviction integrity unit. I believe hes innocent, Sternberg said. I dont believe the prosecution proved anything beyond a reasonable doubt, but at every stage, for some reason, a court has disagreed with us. Adolphus Pruitt, president of the St. Louis city branch of the NAACP, said he doesnt think any reasonable jury would have believed Pinkerton if all the information had been disclosed. Were talking about someones life whos been taken away from them by being incarcerated, their freedom taken away from them, for years and years to come, Pruitt said, And so if there are any questions related to that, I think it warrants a reexamination. Past appeals have argued Watkins trial lawyer was constitutionally deficient in failing to call witnesses, including the friend he was with that night and witnesses to the shooting who would have testified that he was not present. Late last year, the Missouri Court of Appeals ruled against Watkins in part because of a bureaucratic disagreement about whether his attorney had submitted a document correctly, as St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Tony Messenger wrote at the time. Watkins public defender for the original trials, Brian Horneyer, declined to comment for this story, except for confirming he had no knowledge of Pinkertons credibility issues and that he was unaware of Pinkertons past. From within the maximum security prison off of Militia Avenue in Jefferson City, on No More Victims Road, Watkins hope has waned. His wife, Kelsey Watkins, took on an extra job as a nurse to help cover their attorney fees, but theyre still behind on payments. Watkins spends upward of 20 hours a day in his concrete cell in the max-security prison, allowed to go outside for three hours per week. He has nearly 14 years left in his sentence. Kelsey started a dog kennel a few years ago because they thought he was about to get out on appeal and theyd run it together. They spend hours on the phone most days talking about the business, racking up around $30 per day in phone fees. Watkins has six kids, one of whom was born a few months after he was arrested, when he was in jail. I missed life. I missed my kids life, he said, And Im still missing it. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ST. PARIS, Ohio (WDTN) The St. Paris Village Council voted to disband their police department at Mondays council meeting. The decision was made as the villages mayor broke a tie. The idea of dissolving the department was proposed as a cost-saving measure, one that would enable a cheaper alternative, contracting policing through the Champaign County Sheriffs Office. Polarizing is the theme of the responses, with some disapproving residents raising concerns about potentially long wait times as a result of cutting the police force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents, business owners invited to community policing meeting The President of the local Police union says the situation couldve been handled better by the council. They did not do a very good job of talking with the citizens, trying to determine what it is they want from their police department. And if they had done that, I think they would have been in a much better spot right now, said John Dipietro, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 117. The ordinance that will disband the department is set to take effect once a contract for law enforcement services has been signed between St. Paris and the Champaign County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Weeks and months pass, but Lapshin still faces the same problem: a lack of income. It seems Armenian sponsors have stopped paying as well, so the individual has resorted to trying to shake down his Armenian followers. He spins tales about preparing for trips that will supposedly rally the world to support Yerevan. But for this grand endeavor, Lapshin just needs a little more a bit of money for tickets and hotels. Lapshin then asks Armenians to contribute for these basic needs. Without hesitation, he requests not even a dollar, but simply some drama to be donated! At this rate, he'll soon be working for food. The St. Paul Port Authority is poised to acquire the location of a former Big Kmart store on Maryland Avenue near Interstate 35E, a blighted property that hasnt seen foot traffic since the big box store closed in 2019. Port Authority officials said theyve been in discussions, off and on, with the propertys owners since the 1990s to buy the 12.6 acres at 245 Maryland Ave. E. They recently entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the site for $9.5 million by the end of this month, with the intention of knocking Big Kmart down, cleaning up the land and bringing in new industry. Todd Hurley, president and chief executive officer of the Port Authority, said the agency has a strong track record of attracting developers and commercial tenants to its 23 business centers, several of them located near the Kmart site. Kmart is the next one, said Hurley, in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2003, Westminster Junction a former rail switch yard hosted 50 jobs and paid $138,000 in property taxes. Today, years after being redeveloped into a business center, it hosts 980 jobs and pays $2.5 million in annual property taxes, Hurley said. The vision is largely around the success weve had in the neighborhood the Arlington/Jackson site to the north, and Westminster Junction and Williams Hill just across the highway, he said. Theyre very successful business centers that weve developed. There is some contamination well have to take care of, and a functionally obsolete building that well have to demolish, he added. This is a challenging site, and theres going to be some environmental remediation. Then we can get it ready to create jobs and tax base for the city. The ownership group is listed in board documents as the Shidler Group and Westinghouse Credit Corporation, known as the Shidler/West Finance Partners V Limited Partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The acquisition announcement, issued Tuesday, included written statements of support from Hurley, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Council Vice President HwaJeong Kim, who represents the North End. The St. Paul City Council is scheduled Wednesday to vote on a symbolic resolution supporting the acquisition, sponsored by Council Members Cheniqua Johnson, Nelsie Yang and Kim. Related Articles Heres another reason to love your treat-yourself moment at Starbucks: the coffee giant just unveiled an expanded parental leave policy thats envy-inducing (hold your peppermint latte). Starting March 2025, Starbucks is more than doubling paid parental leave for U.S. store partners working an average of 20 hours a week or more. Birth parents will get up to 18 weeks of fully paid leave, and non-birth parents up to 12 weeks. This move positions Starbucks as a leader in retailmaking it possible for hourly workers to access something that most in the industry dont have (but 100% deserve): paid time off to recover from childbirth and bond with their baby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: This study proves that paid parental leave benefits moms healthfor decades But lets zoom out. In the U.S., paid family leave is a luxury, especially for retail and lower-income workers. Only 27% of workers have access to paid family leave through their employer, with higher-wage earners more likely to receive these benefits. This leaves many lower-income workers (who need the paid support more!) without support during a critical time in their familys life. In the retail world, the constraints have been even tougher. Many employees are part-time or hourly, and paid parental leave is rare. Studies show that about two-thirds of service-sector workers cant afford to take leave, or take less than they need, due to financial constraints. This lack of support has real consequences. Without adequate leave, new mothers may return to work sooner than is healthy, impacting both maternal and child well-being. Thats why organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasize that paid family leave is essential for improving the health and financial stability of families. Heres what the AAP said in their recent policy statement endorsing universal access to paid leave: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The positive effects of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) on the physical and mental health of infants, children, and their families are well documented. Low-income and part-time workers benefit most from PFML programs; however, there would be several positive economic aspects if a universal PFML program were available to all families. Most employees who take leave return to the same employer, improving talent retention and attracting new employees. Businesses report positive effects on employee productivity and profitability, reduction of attrition costs, improvement in employees morale and engagement, and a lower level of public benefit use. Related: The U.S. is way behind in paid parental leavebut these 6 companies offer generous policies The benefits are not just economic, the AAP notes: A wealth of scientific evidence demonstrates the critical nature of parental presence on infant mental and physical development, allowing for parents to be emotionally available, sensitive, and responsive to the needs of the infant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PFML is associated with lower rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and child hospital admissions; reduced neonatal, infant, and child mortality rates; higher rates of breastfeeding; and higher timely vaccination rates. In other words, lives depend on increased access to paid leave for moms and their babies. So while Starbucks policy is a step in the right direction, theres a pressing need for comprehensive national policies to ensure all workers, regardless of income or job type, have access to paid family leave. All new parents deserve support and protection during this vulnerable time. As we celebrate Starbucks initiative, lets also advocate for policies that extend these essential benefits to every worker across the country. And yes, pass me a latte. Sources: PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Starbucks is increasing parental leave benefits for part-time employees, both men and women, who are welcoming a new child. Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol spoke with employees who noted the importance of new parents having family time. Starting in spring, mothers who give birth can have triple the amount of parental leave. Meanwhile, parents who did not give birth, but are welcoming a new child will have double the amount of leave. This includes families gaining a new child through a partner, surrogate, adoption or long-term foster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, store partners receive six weeks of paid parental leave. Now, birth mothers will receive 18 weeks of leave and parents who did not give birth will receive 12 weeks at 100% of their average pay. To be eligible, partners only need to work an average of 20 hours per 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 WAVY.com. Sir Keir Starmers plans to boost the skills of British workers are unlikely to generate big cuts in net migration, the Governments advisers have warned. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) said Labours plans were not guaranteed to deliver large falls in net migration because UK skills shortages were often not a reason for employers recruiting abroad. The advisers said it was frequently poor pay and conditions which deterred British workers from applying for jobs that were filled by skilled foreign staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warning comes just weeks after it emerged that net migration the number of people entering the UK minus those leaving hit a record 906,000 in the 12 months to June 2023, some 166,000 higher than previously thought, according to revised estimates from the Office for National Statistics. The figures, covering the previous Conservative governments administration before the general election, have since dropped by 20 per cent and stood at 728,000 in the latest period for the year to June 2024. Sir Keir has pledged to reduce net migration but has refused to set targets. He plans to reform the points-based immigration system by requiring firms employing foreign workers to also train British people. Bad bosses who breach visa rules or employment law will be banned from recruiting foreign staff for up to two years. Sir Keir Starmer has refused to set targets to reduce migration despite putting numbers on commitments in other policy areas - Leon Neal/PA Professor Brian Bell, the chairman of the MAC, said measures introduced by the previous Government which included restrictions on students and workers bringing dependents to the UK would mean net migration would fall further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he said: We would caution the Government against seeing linking immigration and skills policy as a one-size-fits all approach to bringing down net migration and encourage them to continue to consider individual circumstances within sectors. Analysis by the MAC showed that some professions such as IT business analysts, architects and systems designers heavily recruited abroad even though there were few skills shortages. Many sectors exhibit high levels of immigration not just due to skills shortages but as a result of poor pay and working conditions which cause low engagement from the domestic workforce, said the MAC in its annual report. The analysis suggests there is no guarantee that improving domestic skills would automatically result in lower demand for visasThere are wider economic and fiscal benefits of having highly skilled, productive and high-earner migrant workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therefore, we would not expect upskilling of domestic workers to eliminate the potential economic benefits of migrant workers in skill-intensive sectors; some migration of workers in specific areas may continue to be desirable from an economic perspective. Despite a decline in visas in the wake of rule changes, migration for care worker jobs is still substantial, said the report. If the Government wants a functioning health and care sector, with lower reliance on immigration, more still needs to be done to fill roles domestically through increased funding to improve pay and conditions, it added. This important trade-off must be considered when designing migration policy and a point we have repeatedly made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In-house estimates of the fiscal impacts of migrants on the skilled worker visa found the average migrant made a substantially greater contribution to the public finances than the average UK-born adult. The report said this was partially due to the immigration rules being designed to allow entry to the highest earning migrants who meet the salary threshold of the Skilled Worker route. The role of the MAC Chair has also been made a full-time position, while a new deputy chair role has been created to boost the committees resources in line with the Governments intention to strengthen the MAC. No 10 said it would agree with Prof Bell that boosting skills in Britain should not be treated as a one size fits all approach to bringing down net migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Prime Ministers official spokesman told reporters on Tuesday: I think what Prof Brian Bell has said is that he would caution against the Government seeing linking immigration and skills policy as a one size fits all approach to bring down net migration and to encourage Government to look at individual circumstances within sectors. And obviously we agree with that. Asked if that meant Downing Street would agree with Prof Bells claims that Labours plans are not guaranteed to deliver large falls in net migration, he said: No, were saying that a one size fits all approach is not the approach that this Governments taking. So we agree with Brian Bell on that. 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. The state agency that oversees workplace safety has fined the city of Los Angeles $563,250 after finding that the severe mauling of a animal shelter worker resulted from "significant safety and training lapses" that put employees "in harm's way." The city failed to protect and train staffers at its San Pedro animal shelter and also failed to evaluate and correct overcrowding at their animal shelter, which resulted in animal attacks and bites on employees, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, said in a statement Tuesday. In the May 31 attack, the employee's leg "was badly mauled, requiring hospitalization," Cal/OSHA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leslie Corea, a kennel supervisor at the Harbor animal shelter in San Pedro, told The Times earlier this year that she was getting a dog out of its kennel to show it to a rescue group when it flipped out and attacked her leg. She underwent several surgeries and told KNBC-TV that she lost half her thigh. At the time of the attack, Los Angeles Animal Services said in a statement that it was housing 1,500 dogs in the city's six shelters but that it only had the capacity to safely and humanely care for approximately 800 dogs at a time. Overcrowding and understaffing have been a problem for years in the city's animal shelters, which are chronically underfunded. Dogs are routinely doubled or tripled up in kennels or stored in hallway crates because of a lack of space. Euthanasias surged in the shelters this year. From January to September, 1,224 dogs were killed 72% more than in the same period last year, a Times analysis found. Some dogs are being sentenced to death not because they are seriously ill or arrive with severe behavioral issues but because the shelters cannot meet their basic needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six violations of the California Labor Code that Cal/OSHA cited in levying the fine were related to the Harbor shelter's management of animals, violence prevention, training and personal protection as well as emergency response. "Employees and their supervisors were not trained on effective animal handling and safety procedures," Cal/OSHA wrote in its citation letter. Read more: L.A. city employee badly mauled by dog at Harbor animal shelter City employees and supervisors did not receive adequate personal protective gear or training, and there was a "lack of an effective communication system" that delayed an emergency response, the Cal/OSHA citation said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said in a statement that the brutal May attack on the staffer "underscores the severe consequences that arise when employers fail to take proper measures to protect their staff from preventable risks." While we cannot undo the harm caused, we can hold employers accountable," Lee said. "Every employee deserves a workplace that prioritizes their health and safety. Representatives for Mayor Karen Bass and Animal Services didn't immediately comment on the fine. Read more: Mayor Bass said she'd save L.A.'s shelter animals. More dogs and cats are dying Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dog bites related to the animal shelters have been a serious liability for the city. In June, the City Council agreed to pay $7.5 million to a Van Nuys woman whose arm was amputated after she was attacked by a dog adopted from a city shelter. Shelter staffers failed to provide written notice of the dog's bite history before it was adopted, as required by state law, according to the woman's lawsuit. Last year, a jury awarded $6.8 million to a volunteer at the city's Lincoln Heights shelter after her arm was nearly ripped off in a dog attack. The jury found the city liable for gross negligence. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas transportation authorities say several new features have been added to the states road monitoring website to help drivers get to where they need to be. Cheryl Cadue with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) announced in a press release on Tuesday, Dec. 17 that its KanDrive website has undergone some overhaul work recently. The website provides drivers with up-to-date information on current road conditions, weather, traffic incidents, crashes and road work on many roads and highways across Kansas. New features include: Display oversized truck locations U.S. 83 corridor only. Send alerts on high wind, low visibility and ice or snow road conditions. Operate on Amazon Alexa home speakers and the app. Integrate with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Enhance detour information. Improve sharing of details regarding work zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cadue said the updates were made to improve safety and make the website an enhanced travel experience for drivers traveling through Kansas. The websites new interactive navigation features were developed in association with the U.S. 83 Advanced Technology Project with most features being available for use statewide. The U.S. 83 Corridor Project extends from the southern Finney County line to the northern Thomas County line. What new laws go into effect in Kansas on Jan. 1, 2025? You can check out KanDrive for yourself by clicking here. You can download the KanDrive app by heading to the App Store or Google Play. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A man was charged with DUI last week when state police reportedly caught him racing another driver on Interstate 91 in North Haven. The trooper was conducting traffic enforcement last Friday shortly before 11:50 p.m. on I-91 North near Exit 11 when two vehicles were seen weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed, according to Connecticut State Police. The vehicles were described as a dark-colored SUV and a white sedan and appeared to be racing. The driver of the SUV was seen using the right shoulder to pass other motorists, state police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trooper was able to catch up to the SUV, which was found to be a Toyota 4Runner that was clocked at 127 mph in a 65 mph zone, state police said. The trooper pulled over the driver of the Toyota and was unable to get the registration from the white sedan. The driver of the Toyota was identified as 43-year-old Derrick R. Hannon of Cheshire, according to state police. A trooper believed that Hannon was under the influence, noting that his breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were bloodshot and watery, state police said. According to state police, the trooper also reportedly found several opened and unopened alcohol containers on the passenger side floorboard. Hannon refused to answer when asked if he had consumed any alcohol, state police said. He was allegedly unsteady on his feet when he got out of the vehicle and refused to take field sobriety testing, according to state police. He also allegedly refused to be fingerprinted and photographed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hannon was charged with reckless driving, illegal racing on a highway, illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, improper passing, failure to comply with passing on the right rules, failure to drive in the proper lane, failure to comply with a fingerprinting request and first-degree reckless endangerment. He was later released on a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 20. Rep. Kevin Van Winkle, a Highlands Ranch Republican, speaks on the House floor March 8, 2021. (Faith Miller/Colorado Newsline) Colorado Gov. Jared Polis appointed Republican state Sen. Kevin Van Winkle as the Douglas County commissioner for District 3 on Tuesday. Van Winkle won the seat on the countys board of commissioners in November and would have taken office in January, but former Commissioner Lora Thomas, a Republican, resigned on Dec. 6. The Douglas County GOP opted not to have a special vacancy election to replace Thomas for the remaining month of her term, so Polis was able to appoint Van Winkle to fill the gap. The appointment is effective immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas cited four years of hell from fellow commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal as reason for her early departure. That includes what she called an order to evict her from her county office space so Van Winkle could move in six weeks before his term starts. Van Winkle was appointed to his state Senate seat in June 2022, and won election to a four-year term later that year. He previously served for nearly eight years in the state House of Representatives. Last month, he defeated his Democratic opponent for the Douglas County commissioner seat with about 58% of the vote. A vacancy committee will meet to pick Van Winkles replacement in the Senate. It is one of three expected vacancy committees to replace senators at the start of the upcoming legislative session. Other committees will decide on replacements for Democratic Sen. Chris Hansen, who is taking a job in the private sector, and Democratic Sen. Janet Buckner. Hansen and Buckner both won reelection in January. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) President Bidens clemency action for Kids for Cash Judge Michael Conahan continues to draw harsh criticism from people from across Pennsylvania and the nation. State Senator Lisa Baker, who spearheaded efforts to reform the Juvenile Justice System in Pennsylvania in the aftermath of the Kids for Cash scandal says the clemency is a travesty for the victims and their families. Senator Baker also criticizes the way the situation was handled without notifying the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 28/22 News I-Team reporter Andy Mehalshick spoke with Baker, who like many other lawmakers are demanding answers as to how the clemency decision was made. Also weighing in, is Congressman Dan Meuser. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. Lawmakers passed the Live Healthy Act this year to combat forecast physician shortages. (Getty Images) Florida health care officials announced last week a plan to submit a sweeping Medicaid waiver request that would allow the state to spend $3 billion to bolster its medical workforce over five years. Sen. Kathleen Passidomo via Florida Senate The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) posted details of its proposed Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Project waiver on Wednesday and gave the public until Jan. 24 to weigh in on the details. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services approval of the waiver would authorize Florida to implement four workforce development programs the Legislature passed earlier this year through the Live Healthy Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Sen. Kathleen Passidomo of Naples spearheaded the act during her last year as Senate president with the idea that it would help increase the number of doctors, dentists, and nurses as the states population grows and gets older. What are the four programs? While hospitals have traditionally received funding to train doctors, Passidomos Live Healthy expands the compensation to places other than hospitals to train people studying other areas of medicine, such as nursing. Under the Training, Education, and Clinicals in Health (TEACH) Funding Program, clinics in underserved areas would receive up to $100,000 a year for residency programs and up to another $75,000 to offset the costs of training medical, nursing, and dentistry students and others studying to become licensed practitioners. Between 633 and 844 qualified health facilities could get funding for training health care providers, according to the proposed waiver application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Nursing Indirect Medical Education (IME) Program pays public teaching hospitals with higher percentages of Medicaid patients to recruit, train, and retain nursing staff. AHCA estimates that around 13 hospitals would benefit. How much money each hospital gets would depend on the ratio of full-time nurses to beds and the facilitys Medicaid caseload. Live Healthy also expanded the states student loan program for physicians, nurses, and physician assistants, known as Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME). Mental health providers, including social workers, would qualify for the loan program under Live Healthy. AHCA wants to spend $519 million over five years to encourage providers eligible for FRAME to work in parts of Florida and with populations that the federal government deems underserved. Lawmakers funded a separate loan program for dentists and dental hygienists serving Medicaid recipients in areas with provider shortages. The Dental Student Loan Repayment Program would add nearly $113 million over the demonstration period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amounts of reimbursements would vary depending on the profession, but the programs would pay off up to $150,000 of physicians student loans over four years and up to 20% of dentists and dental hygienists loans. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Largest health care package in recent years Mary Mayhew, president of the Florida Hospital Association, said the Live Healthy programs are important to address workforce shortages before they become a crisis. The federal Health Resources and Services Administration has projected that Florida would be among 37 states in which the supply of primary care doctors wouldnt meet the demand. Former state Medicaid director Mary Mayhew appears before a Senate committee in 2019. She now heads the Florida Hospital Association. (Screengrab/Florida Channel) We want to recognize how critically important Medicaid is in helping to fund these initiatives because of the dependency, Mayhew said in a phone interview with Florida Phoenix. Of course, we have 4.2 million Floridians that depend on Medicaid and depend on having a robust health care workforce to provide timely access to health care services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Policy Institute was among groups that criticized the Republican-led Florida Legislature last year over its refusal to expand Medicaid. Live Healthy is the largest health care package passed in Floridas recent history, Erica Li, an institute analyst, told the Florida Phoenix. It is workforce-focused and, unfortunately, it does miss the opportunity to provide more direct access to care for those who need it. Because of this, it will be important to ensure that all of these programs and their implementation are tracked and monitored for areas of potential improvement, so its good to see that the 1115 waiver has been submitted for public comment, Li wrote via email. AHCA also announced plans to hold an inaugural meeting of a blue-ribbon graduate medical education council on Thursday, also under Live Healthy. The council has to produce an annual report about the cost of training residents and whether theyre staying to practice in the state after finishing their education. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged on Tuesday Democrats' disappointment in her failed bid for the White House, but urged supporters not to walk away from upcoming political battles. Harris, who has kept a low profile in the weeks since her Nov. 5 loss to Republican Donald Trump and Democrats' loss of control of both houses of Congress, told a conference of young adults that the fight for equality, rights and a fair economy must go on. "Many people have come up to me telling me they feel tired, maybe even resigned," Harris said at Prince George's Community College, in Largo, Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Folks have said to me that they're not sure whether they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay in the fight. But let me be clear: No one can walk away. No one can walk away. We must say in the fight, every one of us." Democrats are agonizing over the Nov. 5 election results, which saw Harris lose all seven battleground states, the Electoral College vote and the popular vote to Trump. Harris did not address her own future, including the possibility of a 2026 bid to be governor of her home state of California or another presidential run in 2028. (Reporting by Reuters Washington bureau; Editing by Mark Porter) Stephen Colbert highlighted the potentially fatal festive flaw with a GOP congressmans proposed response to recent drone sightings over New Jersey and elsewhere. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) wants local police to shoot at anything in the sky in December, Colbert noted on Mondays episode of The Late Show. Colbert cited CBS News reporting on Smith telling a press conference that his proposed legislation will allow state police to have the same type of capability as the Department of Defense and Homeland Security that if necessary to down one of these unmanned drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colbert then sent a joking warning. Santa, I hope you have a Kevlar sleigh, and dont forget to take the battery out of Rudolphs nose, he cracked. Watch Colberts full monologue here: Related... Steve Bannon wants Donald Trump to double down on his legal battles against the media, saying the president-elect should seek retribution and even incarcerate reporters for inaccurate coverage. Hes got a kind heart and big soul. But thats not us, right? We want retribution, Bannon said on Sunday, per The New York Times. And were going to get retribution. Bannon made the comment which drew a cheer from the crowd while speaking at a gala hosted by the New York Young Republican Club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The longtime Trump advisors comment came right after ABC News and George Stephanopoulos agreed to publicly apologize to Trump for repeatedly calling him a rapist; ABC News will be donating $15 million to a presidential foundation as part of its settlement. Bannons gala speech also came a day before Trump filed a lawsuit against Iowa pollster Ann Selzer, the Des Moines Register, and its parent company Gannett on Monday for brazen election interference and fraud. Selzer released a poll the weekend before Election Day showing Harris was beating Trump 47-44 in Iowa; Trump ended up winning the state by 13 points, and Selzer announced her retirement two weeks later. Earlier on Monday, during his first press conference since winning the election, Trump said the mainstream media needed to straighten out. Bannon, according to The Guardians coverage of the gala, wants Trump to straighten the press out himself. I need investigations, trials and then incarceration. And Im just talking about the media. Should the media be included in the vast criminal conspiracy against President Trump? Should Andrew Weissmann on MSNBC and Rachel Maddow and all of them? Bannon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: We want all your emails, all your text messages, everything you did. You colluded in a conspiracy with Merrick Garland, Nancy Pelosi, Lisa Monaco and Jack Smith. Bannon was referring to the attorney general, former Democratic speaker of the house, and the deputy attorney general. Even without Bannons prodding, Trump has a handful of media lawsuits already going. That includes one against CBS for how it edited its 60 Minutes interview with Harris in October. The president-elect also has a pending lawsuit against Bob Woodward and another against the Pulitzer Board for rewarding the Washington Post for its reporting on him. The post Steve Bannon Says Trump Should Seek Retribution Against Media, Including Incarceration appeared first on TheWrap. NEW YORK (PIX11) The woman accused of stowing away on a Delta Airlines flight from JFK Airport to Paris was arrested in Buffalo on Monday, law enforcement sources told PIX11 News. Svetlana Dali was taken into custody after allegedly cutting off her ankle monitor and taking a bus to the Canadian border where she was stopped and detained, sources said. More Local News Her roommate in Philadelphia reportedly alerted authorities after finding the monitor, sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dali is due at the United States District Court for the Western District of New York on Tuesday for allegedly bail jumping and will be brought back to EDNY where her bail could be revoked pending a hearing, sources said. According to the complaint filed in court, Dali allegedly snuck through a special lane for airline employees at JFK Airport, masked by a large flight crew on the night of Nov. 26 just before 8:30 p.m. This was after she was initially denied entry by the TSA at Terminal Four for not having a boarding pass, per the complaint. Prosecutors said Dali was later able to bypass employees at the airline gate because they were busy helping other passengers and did not stop the woman for a ticket. On the flight, Delta employees realized Dali had boarded without their consent and contacted French authorities to detain her, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officials said Dali admitted to flying as a stowaway and intentionally looked for opportunities to bypass TSA. Dali was flown back to the U.S. after causing a disturbance on two different flights to New York City, sources 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 PIX11. When the votes to pass Mayor Brandon Johnsons 2025 budget finally came together Monday, they were rife with caveats. Many of the aldermen who finally pushed the spending plan through argued the mayors process was disorganized, overly delayed and even disrespectful. But with a critical Dec. 31 deadline looming and property taxes stripped from the $17.1 billion spending plan, they paired their harsh critiques with much-needed approval. Some of you aint never been in government. Dont know nothing, cant nobody tell you nothing, longtime Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, told Johnson before casting a crucial yes vote as the package passed 27-23. Running around here like you have all the answers. You dont have all the answers! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chaotic two-month negotiation over the city budget is now over. But the pile of criticism it ended with might be an omen for Johnson. Aldermen increasingly think he indeed does not have the answers, and instead of following the City Hall convention of looking to the fifth floor to chart Chicagos course, they could instead start looking inward. Key figures in the aldermanic Progressive Caucus voted against the budget or blasted Johnson for his handling of the spending plan. The mayors most steadfast opponents grew more organized as the monthslong debate dragged on. The City Councils middle has expressed frustration with perceived disorder and long-term fiscal instability. Altogether, it adds up to a force Johnson must grapple with: likely the most empowered and independent City Council that Chicago has seen in decades. Johnsons budget process left the City Council fractured and Chicagoans less trusting in government, Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, said during the debate. While Hadden later voted for the spending plan, her Progressive Caucus co-chair, Ald. Andre Vasquez, voted against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think there are real concerns about the judgment and decision-making thats occurring, Vasquez, 40th, said Tuesday. This did not feel collaborative. It didnt feel like something where they were leading on. It felt like a mess that people suddenly at the end felt like they had to close up before it got to a shutdown. Vasquez successfully pushed for the process to change in the future. As a part of the budget, the mayors budget director is required to give aldermen a midyear report on city finances and quickly share annual budget forecasts. The new rules also call for earlier department hearings and better access to finance data for aldermen. But the mayors budget process still needs an autopsy after one of the narrowest and latest spending plan approval votes in decades, Vasquez said. Weve got to wait to see if they have learned from some of how this all went, or if they feel like they just got another victory and double down, he said. Asked about the criticism after the vote Monday, Johnson who repeatedly described himself as the citys collaborator-in-chief throughout the budget process argued his final budget in fact reflected the concerns aldermen raised. He praised his budget offices outreach with aldermen and touted decisions to shrink his own staff, make cuts and drop property tax hike plans as evidence that he responded to the City Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isnt that proof that we actually worked together, if the ideas in which people signed on to, wanted to see come to fruition and we actually did it? Johnson said. He added that he was very proud of the City Councils work and praised aldermen for finding their voices. Ald. William Hall, 6th, predicted after the vote the budget-strained City Hall relationships will soon be repaired. This is life, and in life, we got moments where you disagree, but were not disconnected. Were not disconnected, Hall said. Johnson appointed Hall last fall to lead a new Revenue Subcommittee tasked with finding new sources of funds for Chicago, a signal to aldermen that they would have more control and earlier involvement in crafting this years budget. The subcommittee met only once and never publicly discussed specific plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the mayor did find an array of ways to get the city government more money. His final budget included a flurry of new fine and fee hikes, like raised cloud computing and digital subscription taxes and additional speed cameras. That mix largely replaced the $300 million property tax hike Johnson initially proposed as necessary to fund the future of our city, despite a campaign promise to not raise property taxes. Johnsons delayed Oct. 30 budget address was the first time many aldermen learned of the massive property tax hike proposal. His close ally Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, gathered TV cameras and came out against the idea moments later the first drop in a deluge of opposition that forced Johnson to propose dropping the hike to $150 million, then to $68 million before finally removing it altogether. Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, said credit for the property tax hikes demise should in part go to the bloc of 15 aldermen who aggressively campaigned against it and called for deep spending cuts that never materialized. The group made broad demands that Johnson shrink Chicagos government, but did not offer much in specific plans. In the future, the City Council should get the tools it currently lacks to craft its own budget so it can better negotiate with the mayor, Villegas said. The current process, where only mayors have control of the large budget staff needed to piece together a spending plan, only allows aldermen to check the mayors math, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think my colleagues realized the power that they have, he said. I think they are realizing that they are a co-equal branch and that the City Council members are not a division of the mayors office. Other aldermen extracted critical concessions from Johnson as the mayor turned to horse-trading to gather enough votes. Johnson added $500,000 for a city-run sidewalk snowplowing pilot program to win over Ald. Daniel La Spata, 1st, and promised $30 million for an Ogden Park field house to get Ald. David Moore, 17th, on board. There was little praise for the budget and virtually none unfettered in the debate before Mondays vote. In the end, it was just barely enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trust is lacking at City Hall right now, the 24-year veteran Mitts said. Going forward, Johnsons administration must bring more aldermen in to craft policy, she said. She criticized the budget process for having no collaboration, no engagement and decried learning of major developments in negotiations from media reports instead of Johnson administration officials. The mayors small margin of victory could easily evaporate if he doesnt start taking City Council concerns more seriously, Mitts warned. I think the snowball keeps rolling now, she said. It doesnt take anything for the wind to blow a different way and he is stuck again. Chicago Tribunes A.D. Quig contributed. This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com Communicating with friends and family throughout the state could soon become easier. The Biden-Harris Administration announced Monday it approved more than $15.9 million in funding to expand internet access throughout Washington. The grant comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and is part of the Internet for All initiative, according to a news release from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internet for All was established in Washington to implement reliable high-speed internet across the state and expand digital equity programs and internet education trainings, as stated on the Washington State Department of Commerces website. Washington has committed to make Internet for all possible and Im grateful these funds will continue those efforts, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee stated, via the release. Were one of the best-connected states as far as broadband goes but still have more than 200,000 households without broadband access. Previous coverage: Washington one step closer toward $1.2B to broaden internet reach The NTIA said the funding will go toward developing a train-the-trainer certificate program, with a peer-to-peer model to ensure education is culturally relevant and accessible for covered populations. The money will also provide outreach and engagement, in-person digital skills trainings, tools, education and resources related to online privacy, cybersecurity and digital literacy. The state of Washington will also partner with internet service providers to promote cybersecurity education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Senator Patty Murray added the $15,983,291 grant will be used to support Washingtons workforce, community colleges and community-based organizations, along with providing access to underserved populations. It will also go toward fostering education in the states public schools and expanding virtual healthcare, such as telehealth, in rural areas. More on WA internet: Affordable internet program may end for millions; these are other local options Murray said in addition to the grant, several awards, totaling more than $32 million, have been announced for Tribes in Washington from the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. More than $6 million will go to the Lower Elwha Tribal Community to provide high-speed internet access to 250 households via fiber, nearly $6.2 million will go to the Makah Indian Tribe to provide high-speed internet to around 160 households, more than $1 million will be used to provide digital literacy and technology equity for the Spokane Tribe, nearly $8.5 million will go to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to provide high-speed internet access to around 100 households and more than $10 million will be used to provide high-speed internet for around 650 households in the Tulalip Tribes of Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This funding represents a major step toward closing the digital divide in Washington state making sure that everyone, no matter where they live, can make the most of a high-speed internet connection to work, study, get health care, and connect with their loved ones, Murray said via a news release from her office on Monday. AUSTIN (KXAN) Tiffany Robinson remembered approaching her schools assistant principal in tears. I was shaking, I was mad, I was upset, I was scared, she said. Robinson, a chemistry teacher at Jarrell High School, explained she never felt so afraid in her 18-year teaching career. Two weeks after school started, Robinson recounted how she and her teaching aide struggled reining in her class while they waited to be dismissed to a pep rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it began when one student started yelling obscenities. Shortly after, three more students joined in, she said. Violence against teachers on the rise nationally, experts weigh in with solutions There was a student in the front that was cussing and telling me that I was going to make him late. Eff you, eff you, youre going to make me late. You dont know what youre doing, Its just on and on and on, she recounted. She explained that one student, in particular, jumped up on a stool to further rile up the other students. When the bell finally rang, the students left. But Robinson said she worried the group would return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im done, she said. Im resigning. Im not doing this. Im not taking this anymore. Investigators said video of student thrown into wall wasnt abuse, then changed their minds That night, at 10 p.m., Robinson emailed her formal resignation to her principal and Board of Trustees. Though Robinsons incident stopped short of a physical altercation, in her resignation letter she expressed feeling fearful and unsafe. The constant behavior, discipline and disrespect issues daily have significantly impacted my ability to perform my duties effectively and safely, she wrote. In a statement to KXAN, a Jarrell ISD spokesperson did not speak directly to the incident in Robinsons classroom but said the district condemns any form of violence or disrespect from students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Jarrell ISD, we work hard with campus administrators and our Jarrell ISD Police Department to build an environment where teachers can perform their duties without fear, harassment or violence, continued the statement. Court records allege Manor student fatally stabbed classmate in school restroom A teachers rights Robinson is not alone in feeling unsafe in the classroom. Texas school districts collectively reported 2,654 district employees being assaulted by a student in the 2023-2024 school year, an 18% increase from the year before, according to data from the Texas Education Agency. School districts are required to annually report the number of physical assaults against a district employee by a student to TEA. Texas AFT president Zeph Capo advocates for public school teachers who have experienced violence in the classroom. (KXAN Photo/Nina Banks) But there can be discrepancies when districts report their numbers, according to Zeph Capo, a former public school science teacher and president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers, a union that advocates and provides resources to more than 65,000 public school employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some districts have better reporting practices, he said. Some districts use it more as a proactive measure to ensure that behaviors dont escalate out of control across their campuses and their districts. State of Texas: Task force report aims to improve teacher pay, working conditions Educators in Texas have options in the event of an assault. If physically assaulted, teachers may apply for assault leave. This leave is separate from workers compensation, does not use any accrued leave time and may even last for two years. After an assault, the district employee may apply for assault leave and the district must grant it immediately. However, a KXAN analysis of school district policies found districts can retroactively deny the request if they determine the incident did not meet the criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Texas Association of School Boards, each school district tracks the type of leave employees use. KXAN requested assault leave data from 29 Central Texas school districts since the 2018-2019 school year. A total of 340 assaults were reported by district officials across the time frame requested. However, the districts received few requests for assault leave, with only 46 days collectively approved. Funding needs According to Capo, many teachers are unaware of assault leave. Even though the law states assault leave may last two years with no docked pay, Capo said he usually sees teachers granted hours or a few days to recuperate. Its the cases where theyve been dismissed or theyve been left to feel like this thing that happened to them didnt happen is where people get angry or where theyre looking for, frankly, somebody to tell them that theyre not crazy, he said. That this is wrong and that it shouldnt have happened and acknowledge their pain or acknowledge where theyre at. Assault leave does not account for psychological or minimal physical injuries such as bruising or soreness which Capo explained is the majority of cases he encounters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is nothing that stops any principal or any school district from giving each and every one of those individuals that were assaulted in the in the examples that you used a day, two days, three days off to heal, he said. Prior to an assault happening, however, teachers and district employees can rely on laws that allow them to safeguard themselves, their students and their jobs. The Safe Schools Act, championed by Texas AFT, gives teachers the authority to remove disruptive students from the classroom and seek legal help if necessary. Martha Owen, special counsel to Texas AFT, works with teachers who have sought legal counsel after being assaulted in the classroom. Whether the removal is temporary or permanent, teachers understanding their right to protect themselves in the classroom is necessary for their protection and getting students in a better environment, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jarrell ISD said schools need backing from the Texas legislature to secure funding and implement security measures and mental health resources. We have to work together to make our schools safe havens for both educators and students. Violence of any kind has no place in our educational system, the statement said. At what cost?: Many Central Texas districts make cuts as they face million-dollar deficits The spokesperson added the district has implemented programs that help students with character development and professional growth to foster a positive, inclusive culture to meet students academic and behavioral needs. Were proud to be proactive in addressing these needs, reinforcing our commitment to a supportive environment where both educators and students can thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson got an email from the associate principal the day after she hit send on her resignation letter. In the email, which KXAN reviewed, the administrator acknowledged the ongoing concerns in her classroom and outlined that disciplinary action had been taken with the involved students. While appreciated, it didnt bring Robinson back to the classroom. She did not plan on retiring for several more years, but at 56, shes swearing off teaching entirely and pivoting to real estate. Still, she feels she has unfinished business. I think thats the part I miss the most, is being able to change those kids lives, she said. Just one at a time, being able to help them. Robinson said she wished she received support when she initially voiced concerns to her administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These things are happening in other schools, she said. Its getting closer and closer to home. Its almost like youre just waiting for it to break. Senior Investigative Producer David Barer, Investigative Reporter Arezow Doost and Investigative Reporter Kelly Wiley 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 KXAN Austin. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) On Saturday, hundreds of volunteers will gather at Portland International Raceway to deliver food to families, schools and faith groups across the city, thanks to the Sunshine Division. Powered by community groups, police officers and volunteers, this tradition ensures no one goes hungry this holiday season. Providence faces $100 million lawsuit after Portland mom dies giving birth Its something that sort of makes our Christmas, said volunteer Terri Wallo-Strauss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sunshine Division packed 4,000 holiday meal boxes with the power of over 100 volunteers. Wallo-Strauss grew up delivering these boxes with her dad, a Portland police officer, instilling in her a lifelong passion for giving back. She gets emotional thinking about the powerful legacy her father built, one rooted in service and community, led by the dedicated officers of the Sunshine Division. Its just about honoring my father and giving back to the community, she said. Now, shes passing that tradition on to her husband and children of her own, creating a three-generation family commitment. From packing boxes to braving snowstorms, their dedication only grows stronger each year. The pride in continuing that legacy is palpable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think of my grandfather when he was like doing it and its like I dont even think he could imagine it like grown to this scale, said Wallo-Strausss daughter, Genessa. The boxes are packed to the brim with everything from fresh produce to pantry staples, all set to roll out to Portland-area families this weekend. Despite the rising demand, the Sunshine Division continues to provide food and clothing year-round. With the communitys support, theyve been delivering hope for 102 years and counting. I dont think kindness ever goes out of style. Help people because you can, because the right thing never goes out of style and so here we are over 10 decades later still doing it, said Kyle Camberg, executive director of the Sunshine Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The Evansville Police Department (EPD) has offered a way people can help support the family of an officer seriously injured after a wreck. A spokesperson for EPD says, During challenging times, such as the one Officer Rundles family is currently facing, it is unfortunate that some individuals may attempt to exploit the situation for personal gain. While we are not aware of any fraudulent accounts at this time, we would like to share that there are two verified channels through which the community can offer support to Officer Rundle and his family. Warrick Humane Society raises money for new shelter at Creepy Little Christmas Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EPD says the ways to support his family include: GoFundMe, a team fundraiser for Officer Rundle Donations can be made through Venmo at @elaniemay16. Apparel supporting Officer Rundle is available for purchase here. An EPD spokesperson says, We appreciate the outpouring of support and encourage the community to use these verified channels to assist Officer Rundle and his loved ones during this difficult time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). During a wide-ranging impromptu press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, President-elect Donald Trump signaled an eagerness to wrap up the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East as quickly as possible -- suggesting he would call on some of the combatants to make significant compromises. We've been doing our best and we'll see what happens, Trump said. Since the election, Ive been working every day to put the world at ease a little bit, to get rid of the wars. Trump has previously insisted he would need only 24 hours to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has now pressed on for more than 1,000 days. But on Monday, he said he anticipated that would be more difficult to resolve than the current turmoil in the Middle East, which is rooted in the century-old Israeli Palestinian conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump talks drones, an Eric Adams pardon and his election boost from TikTok I see that as more difficult, Trump said, before decrying the Biden administrations recent decision to loosen restrictions on Ukraines use of American-supplied arms in recent weeks, allowing Kyiv to strike deeper inside Russian territory. PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 16, 2024. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) I dont think that should have been allowed, he said. Certainly not just weeks before I take over. Trump then said he might reverse the decision, adding I thought it was a very stupid thing to do. The president-elect also suggested he might expect Kyiv to hand over land to Russia as part of negotiated peace, signaling a departure from the Biden administrations longstanding policy that Ukraine should steer any discussion on making territorial concessions in order to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All those cities are destroyed, he said. It's nice to say they want their land back, but the cities are largely destroyed. MORE: Trump meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew at Mar-a-Lago Trump said he would speak to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before weighing in on how much land Ukraine should cede, but said it was still possible a deal to end the war could be reached before he entered the White House. He also spoke about the devastation the war had caused in vivid terms, without expressly blaming Moscow for igniting it. It's a carnage that we haven't seen since the Second World War. It's got to be stopped. And I'm doing I'm doing my best to stop it, he said. On Syria's Assad: 'We have to get on with our lives' The president-elect was also asked by ABCs Selina Wang if the Kremlin should have to hand over former Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad, who fled rebel fighters by escaping to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, I hadn't thought of it. I think we have to get on with our lives. I have to see what happens, Trump responded. The president-elect said he was already actively engaged on other matters related to the Middle East, saying he had a very good talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend. Tough talk on Israeli hostages in Gaza Trump also reiterated a demand he made in a post on his Truth Social site earlier this month that all hostages held in Gaza should be released prior to his inauguration, saying otherwise there would be ALL HELL TO PAY. Asked about what the consequences Hamas would face if all the detainees were not freed by that point, Trump responded theyre going to have to determine what that means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Gaza schools targeted in series of airstrikes as death toll passes 45,000 But it means it wont be pleasant, he added. Some progress on Gaza ceasefire Trumps statements come as the State Department and some Israeli officials are signaling progress towards a limited deal to exchange some of the hostages held by Hamas for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. According to two U.S. officials familiar with the negotiations, Hamas has shown more willingness to compromise in recent days -- indicating it would temporarily tolerate the presence of some Israeli forces in the enclave during a ceasefire. The group has also provided information on some hostages Hamas said it would release as part of an agreement, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are we are pushing as hard as we know how to do at this point, and we believe we can get to a deal, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday. It remains incumbent on Hamas and Israel agreeing to those final terms and getting it over the line. And I can't good conscience tell you stand here and tell you that that's going to happen, but it should happen. At surprise news conference, Trump pushes for swift end to wars originally appeared on abcnews.go.com KANSAS CITY, Kan. One man has been charged in the shooting death of a Kansas City, Kansas teenager last week. 42-year-old Sean Lyle Marshall was taken into custody on Dec. 11 for the murder of 17-year-old Nicholas Brooks. Marshall barricaded himself inside a home near McGrew Grove and Quindaro Blvd. when officers were serving a warrant for the killing of Brooks. This resulted in a standoff, where Brooks eventually surrendered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Today, The Wyandotte County District Attorney charged him with aggravated endangering of a child under 18, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon and intentional second-degree murder. He is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $250,000 bond. KCKPD is still investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) On Wednesday night December 11th, there was a report of two Pittsfield residents being stabbed on Harvard Street around midnight. The Pittsfield Police Department arrived at the victims residence to find a man and a woman with multiple stab wounds. Both received care at Berkshire Medical Center and are expected to recover. Two pedestrians struck by vehicle near Riverdale Shops in West Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Pittsfield Police arrested and charged 32-year-old Jacob Frusciente, who is believed to have known both victims. Frusciente was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court for one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury. He is being held on $50,000 cash bail pending a mental health evaluation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Pittsfield Police Dept. Detective Bureau at 413-448-9705. Anonymous information can also be sent via the Detective Bureau Tip Line at 413-448-9706, or by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411). Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. A Santa Ana man suspected in a deadly shooting that occurred nearly two years ago has been captured, police said. Detectives arrested 22-year-old Ruben Oswaldo Cielo on Dec. 11 in connection with the March 29, 2023, death of Johnny Daniel Mercado, 35, in the area of Jetty Drive and Trask Avenue, the Santa Ana Police Department posted on Facebook Tuesday. Mercado was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Ruben Oswaldo Cielo is seen in an image provided by the Santa Ana Police Department. The departments homicide unit has been diligently investigating this case and eventually identified Cielo as a suspect, the post read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cielo was charged by the Orange County District Attorneys Office for his involvement in the killing and is in custody awaiting trial, the Police Department said. Details regarding the exact charges were not released. Detectives believe there are more suspects involved in the case and are asking the public for help. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Police Department at 714-245- 8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS. The case is eligible for the Gang Reward Program, police said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (NEXSTAR) Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder as an act of terrorism in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, authorities announced on Tuesday. A New York State Supreme Court indictment has charged Mangione, 26, with one count of murder in the first degree, in furtherance of terrorism; two counts of murder in the second degree, one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; and multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Mangione had previously been charged with murder in Thompsons killing, but the terror allegation is new. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under New York law, such a charge can be brought when an alleged crime is intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policies of a unit of government by intimidation or coercion and affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping. Mangiones New York lawyer has not commented on the case. Motive in deadly Wisconsin school shooting a combination of factors: police chief Thompson, 50, was shot dead as he walked to a Manhattan hotel where Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare the United States biggest medical insurer was holding an investor conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday. It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatened the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day. After days of intense police searches and publicity, Mangione was arrested on Dec. 9 after being spotted in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying the gun used to kill Thompson, a passport and various fake IDs, including one that the suspected shooter presented to check into a New York hostel. The 26-year-old was charged with Pennsylvania gun and forgery offenses and locked up there without bail. His Pennsylvania lawyer has questioned the evidence for the forgery charge and the legal grounding for the gun charge. The attorney also has said Mangione would fight extradition to New York. Mangione has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after his arrest, the Manhattan district attorneys office filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses. The indictment builds on that paperwork. Investigators working theory is that Mangione, an Ivy League computer science grad from a prominent Maryland family, was propelled by anger at the U.S. health care system. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that when arrested, he was carrying a handwritten letter that called health insurance companies parasitic and complained about corporate greed. Mangione repeatedly posted on social media about how spinal surgery last year had eased his chronic back pain, encouraging people with similar conditions to speak up for themselves if told they just had to live with it. In a Reddit post in late April, he advised someone with a back problem to seek additional opinions from surgeons and, if necessary, say the pain made it impossible to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We live in a capitalist society, Mangione wrote. Ive found that the medical industry responds to these key words far more urgently than you describing unbearable pain and how its impacting your quality of life. He was never a UnitedHealthcare client, according to the insurer. Is that a drone or a plane? How to spot the differences Mangione apparently cut himself off from his family and close friends in recent months. His family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November. Thompson, who grew up on a farm in small-town Iowa, was trained as an accountant. A married father of two high-schoolers, he had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group for 20 years and became CEO of its insurance arm in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His killing kindled a fiery outpouring of resentment toward U.S. health insurance companies, as Americans swapped stories online and elsewhere of being denied coverage, left in limbo as doctors and insurers disagreed, and stuck with sizeable bills. The shooting also rattled C-suites, as wanted posters with other health care executives names and faces appeared on New York streets and an outpouring of online vitriol prompted police to warn that there could be an elevated threat. The Associated Press contributed to this developing report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man was found guilty on several weapons charges after an early 2023 shooting in downtown Portland. According to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, on Dec. 12, a jury found Dwayne Rayshon Driver, 29, guilty for the shooting at a Chevron station near Dantes on West Burnside Street. The shooting happened on March 18, 2023, when officers said they were called to the Chevron station and found an unconscious man with gunshot wounds in his stomach, thigh and left arm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 72-year-old Oregon man accused of abandoning puppies in unventilated box The victim was hospitalized for several weeks, undergoing emergency surgery and managed to recover. Security footage of the incident showed a silver Audi SUV arriving at the parking lot and parking near a party bus. In the video, a man could then be seen exiting the car, concealing a gun, and walking into the party bus, firing multiple times before running back to the car and fleeing. Police and probation officers said they recognized the shooter as Driver, and detectives found a silver Audi parked outside his home. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives said they found clothes that matched the ones seen in the security video and took Driver into custody on April 13, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 12, the 12-person jury found Driver guilty of several charges, including second-degree attempted murder with a firearm, first-degree assault with a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm. Driver is still in custody until his sentencing which has not been scheduled. This is his second attempted murder conviction, the first one was from Washington County in 2014. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Prosecutors filed another murder charge Tuesday against the man accused in the Gilgo Beach serial killings, bringing the number of alleged victims to seven all women who were slain near New York City. A hair linked to the wife or daughter of suspect Rex Heuermann was found near the left wrist of 24-year-old victim Valerie Mack, according to court documents. Heuermann's daughter would have been 4 at the time of Mack's killing and his now-estranged wife is not considered a suspect in any of these slayings. Valerie Mack, who also used the name Melissa Taylor, went missing in 2000 at the age of 24. Mack worked as an escort before her skeletal remains were found in 2000 and 2011, taking years for her to be identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mack's killer severed her right leg, which had a tattoo of her son's name on it, prosecutors said. Notes found on the suspect's computer, which prosecutors have called his "planning document," called "for the removal of identifying marks on the victim's body," such as tattoos, "prior to packaging the body for transportation." Investigators believe the killer cut off "Mack's lower right leg at mid-calf to inhibit and/or delay the identification of Ms. Mack's tattoo and therefore, Ms. Mack," prosecutors said in court documents. Many of the victims were sex workers who allegedly met Heuermann after advertising their services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The lives of these women matter," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters in Riverhead. "We as investigators, we understand that. Obviously no one understands it more than the families. So again, were just delighted and honored and privileged to be able to work with these families." Heuermann, 61, spoke briefly in court Tuesday and denied involvement in the womans slayings and the dumping of her remains, which were found along the southern shore of Long Island. Your honor, I am not guilty of any of these charges, he said. Outside court, defense lawyer Michael Brown said he'll attack the company doing DNA testing for investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense is also considering whether to ask for the trial to be moved out of Suffolk County or to have the seven murder charges broken into separate cases. "I know hes extremely frustrated, he has said from day one he is not responsible for these murders," Brown told reporters. "He wants his day in court." Investigators are still working on other nearby, unsolved murders to see if they could be linked to Heuermann, officials said. No one has yet been arrested in the slaying of Karen Vergata, 34, who had previously been dubbed Jane Doe Seven. Sets of her remains were found in 1996 and 2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are still looking for the killer of a victim dubbed "Asian Doe." The person, whose body was found in 2011, has been described by authorities as a biological male of Chinese descent who was wearing womens clothes when the remains were discovered. Theres no telling how many possible victims could be out there, and an army of investigators is pursuing numerous cold cases in the area, according to Tierney. The prosecutor spoke to reporters with loved ones of several victims standing behind him. "Let's be clear, none of the victims deserve to die," said attorney Gloria Allred, representing the families of several victims. "They were all innocent and they were just trying to earn some funds to support themselves and their families. They were and they are loved and they are missed every day." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mack's loved ones have been kept in the loop on the probe, officials said, leading to Heuermann being charged. "They are very grateful," Tierney said. "They are very grateful for the small bit of closure that the task force has been able to provide." The charge connected to Mack comes after Heuermann was accused by Suffolk County prosecutors of murdering Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor. Costilla was killed in 1993, Taylor in 2003, Brainard-Barnes in 2007, Barthelemy in 2009 and Costello and Waterman in 2010, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested in July 2023 and initially indicted in connection with the slayings of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The News Luigi Mangione, the suspect alleged to have murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was indicted by a New York grand jury on several charges, including first-degree murder as an act of terrorism, prosecutors said Tuesday. This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The other charges include two counts of second-degree murder one count of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism criminal possession of a weapon, and other crimes. Mangione faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted, Bragg said. Prosecutors are still working to extradite Mangione from Pennsylvania, where he was found after a multi-day manhunt. He has pleaded not guilty to unrelated weapons charges and is fighting extradition, his lawyers said. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: The suspect in an armed robbery at a College Station restaurant has been identified and arrested. Police say 17-year-old Kameron Deonjay Lewis, of College Station, was found in an apartment in the 900 block of Spring Loop on Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged with Aggravated Robbery. Security camera video showed Lewis running from The Cookshack, located at 980A University Drive E, wearing the same clothes which were recovered inside the residence, as well as a firearm. (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) (Courtesy: College Station Police Department) Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at The Cookshack around 8:40 a.m. Tuesday. Lewis had been seen running towards the Spring Loop area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have described Lewis as a young man with short hair, a colorful jacket, cream-colored pants, and was carrying a firearm. The victim was not injured in this case, although Lewis was able to get away with the victims purse. Suspect sought in Temple copper wire theft Police say the investigation led to The Halston Apartments, located at 801 Spring Loop. For a short time, residents were asked not to come or go for their safety while officers searched for Lewis, who was not found at the time. If you have any additional information on this case, you can call the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Rex Heuermann, the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, was charged on Tuesday in the death of another woman. In total, New York authorities have now charged Heuermann in the killings of seven women that occurred over the course of three decades. Investigators have accused Heuermann of killing Valerie Mack, a woman who had been working as an escort and whose remains were found on Long Island in 2000. Heuermann pleaded not guilty in court, and a judge ordered him to remain held without bail. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said at a news conference on Tuesday: "The lives of these women matter. We, as investigators, understand that. No one understands that more than the families." Valerie Mack in an undated photo from police in Suffolk County, N.Y. (Suffolk County Police Department via AP) The latest charges against the suspected serial killer Heuermann, a 61-year-old father and former architect, was charged with second-degree murder in Mack's death. According to the Associated Press, Mack's skeletal remains were first discovered in Manorville, N.Y., but more of her remains were found near Gilgo Beach over 10 years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remains were identified through genetic testing in 2020. In a court filing, prosecutors said that a human hair found on Mack's remains likely belonged to Heuermann's daughter, who would have been 3 or 4 years old at the time of Mack's death and is not accused of any wrongdoing. Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. (Courtesy of the family [2], Suffolk County Sheriff's Department [4]) Heuermann was first arrested in July 2023 and charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, Megan Waterman in 2010 and Amber Costello in 2010, all of whom were sex workers in their 20s. Earlier this year, Heuermann was also charged with second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, a 25-year-old escort who disappeared in 2007; Sandra Costilla, who was killed in 1993; and Jessica Taylor, who died in 2003. The remains of all of these victims excluding Costilla were found over a decade ago, bound in a deserted spot on the north side of Long Island's Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators previously said they seized hundreds of electronic devices from Heuermann's home. They also discovered a "planning document" on a hard drive found in his basement used to "methodically blueprint" his killings, according to prosecutors. In a court filing Tuesday, prosecutors said that the so-called blueprint included details that matched Mack's death. Authorities said that in recent searches of Heuermann's house and office, they found old newspaper clippings with articles about the Gilgo Beach killings that prosecutors believe he kept as "souvenirs." On 16 December Honduras foreign minister,, said the system of impunity inherited from the previous government was posing obstacles to the installation of a United Nations (UN)-backed anti-impunity commission in Honduras (Cicih). End of preview - This article contains approximately 406 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann in court in June 2024 - Credit: James Carbone/Newsday RM/Getty Images Rex Heuermann, the suspected Long Island Serial Killer, was charged today with a seventh murder for the 2000 killing of Valerie Mack, The New York Times reports. Heuermann appeared in court Tuesday, Dec. 17, in Riverhead, New York, where he pleaded not guilty to the new charge. Mack was a sex worker from New Jersey, whose partial remains were first discovered in Manorville, New York in 2000. Additional remains belonging to Mack were later found in 2011 along Gilgo Beach, where many of the other victims were discovered. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities brought the charge against Heuermann after doing a DNA test on human hair discovered with Macks remains. While the hair was found to be a likely match with the genetic profile of Heuermanns daughter, police did not accuse her of any wrongdoing as she would have been three or four-years-old when Mack died. Investigators also used phone records and Heuermanns internet activity to link him to Macks killing. They said mutilation wounds on Macks breast, as well as marks ostensibly left by a rope on her body, appeared similar to some of the bondage and violent pornography images Heuermann has been accused of downloading at the time. Heuermann is accused of using similar techniques on another one of his alleged victims. A press conference on the new charge is scheduled for later this morning. Heuermann is already facing murder charges connected to the deaths of six women, and has pleaded not guilty over all charges. He was originally arrested in July 2023 and charged with murdering three of the so-called Gilgo Four victims, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello. Charges pertaining to the fourth victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, were brought in January of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, in June, authorities charged Heuermann with the murders of two additional victims, Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. Taylor had been missing since 2003, and her partial remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach. But Costillas partial remains were found in 1993 in the Hamptons, and her unsolved murder had not been previously associated with the Long Island serial killer investigation. When Heuermann was charged with Taylor and Costillas murders, investigators seemed to suggest they were preparing to charge him in Macks death as well. Investigators had long believed Mack and Taylor were victims of the same killer, as their remains were disposed of in a similar manner in Manorville. Heuermanns bail application from this summer also mentioned Mack multiple times, noting the similarities between her death and Taylors. The Gilgo investigation dates back to 2010, when investigators discovered the bodies of 10 victims along a stretch Long Islands southern coast. The investigation largely centered around the Gilgo Four, as all four victims were sex workers at the time of their deaths and found wrapped similarly in burlap. (The other six victims included four women Taylor among them a man, and a toddler.) After more than a decade as a cold case, investigators finally zeroed in on Heuermann as a suspect in 2022 after discovering that hed once owned a Chevrolet Avalanche the same car model a witness had mentioned seeing in connection to the Costello murder. After that, police were able to connect a series of burner phones and email addresses to Heuermann, alleging he used those to contact sex workers. One of those accounts led investigators to a trove of evidence, including to sex workers, sadistic, torture-related pornography and child pornography, as well as more than 200 searches related to the unsolved Long Island serial killer case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final piece of evidence preceding Heuermanns arrest came from a discarded pizza crust. Investigators used it to obtain DNA evidence, which matched male hair found in the burlap sack that contained Watermans remains. DNA evidence also tied Heuermann to male hair recovered from the bodies of Costilla and Taylor. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Svetlana Dali was arrested for the second time this month on Monday, after a first arrest by the FBI on Dec. 4 for stowing away on a Delta Air Lines flight from the United States to France. Dali had cut off her ankle monitor on Sunday and was trying to sneak into Canada, law enforcement sources told ABC News. The person she was staying with in Philadelphia discovered the bracelet cut and alerted authorities. PHOTO: Svetlana Dali FB (Svetlana Dali FB) An arrest warrant was issued for bail jumping on Monday morning out of the Eastern District of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian national was apprehended in Buffalo on Monday afternoon. She was on a Greyhound bus trying to cross into Canada. When law enforcement asked her to produce her passport, she did not have one. She was taken into custody, where it was determined that she was wanted on an open warrant. MORE: Stowaway arrested by FBI after returning to US from France: Official Dali appeared in court before a federal magistrate Tuesday where she was remanded to custody. She declined the services of a public defender and opted to represent herself. She made a statement to the judge mirroring claims in a previous handwritten civil lawsuit claiming she had been sex trafficked and poisoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dali was originally caught traveling without proper documentation on Nov. 26. She had sneaked aboard Delta Flight 264, which department from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and was bound for Charles-de-Gaulle International Airport in Paris. PHOTO: Booking photo for Svetlana Dali who was arrested for the second time this month on Dec. 16. 2024, after she cut off her ankle monitor and tried to sneak into Canada, Dec. 15, 2024, law enforcement sources told ABC News. (Niagara County Sheriff's Office) But Dali was unable to avoid detection on the flight, and she wound up being returned to the U.S. days later. Once she landed at JFK, she was turned over to authorities. According to a statement from the French Interior Ministry, "She was not admitted to French territory due to lack of a valid travel document (visa) and was placed in the waiting area for the time necessary for her re-routing to the United States since she held a valid US residence permit." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her attempt to sneak into Canada on Monday appears to be a second attempt to illegally leave the country in fewer than 30 days. Svetlana Dali, the Delta Air Lines stowaway, arrested again trying to flee US originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Swedens famed Icehotel has opened its doors for winter with 12 temporary art suites promising travellers a cool nights sleep. The Icehotel 35 opened on Friday (13 December) in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the original Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. Originally opened in 1989 as the worlds first and largest ice hotel, the accommodation and art exhibition is recreated using snow and ice from the Torne River each winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year, the hotel in Swedish Lapland welcomes thousands of guests to tuck into the hotel that maintains a temperature of -5C, with multi-course Arctic dining experiences and snowmobile tours available on icy itineraries. The hotel maintains a temperature of -5C (Asaf Kliger) With 12 art suites, one main hall and one ceremony hall, 26 artists from 13 countries worked to create the frosty art features in Icehotel 35. Construction took just six weeks and used 550 tons of ice and 10 Olympic swimming pools of snis a mix of snow and ice. For 2024, themed rooms include Ahku Fahcat, made in honour of Sami knitting, colours and craft, Kiln, inspired by the elegance of traditional Korean pottery and the Gaias Bloom ceremony hall created by design duo Lisa Lindqvist and Kate Munro. The Gaias Bloom ceremony hall was created by design duo Lisa Lindqvist and Kate Munro (Asaf Kliger) This year, along with the 12 art suites, there are 20 ice rooms and a 30m-long main hall complete with crystal chandeliers made from 220 handcrafted ice crystals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although much of the hotel melts back into the Torne River come spring, Icehotel 365 has 18 art and deluxe suites, an ice gallery, and the new space-themed Icebar In Orbit for guests to enjoy year-round. Discover the World host a range of Icehotel trips combining stays with days in the Abisko National Park, from 625 for a three-night break for couples. The new space-themed Icebar In Orbit is open for guests to enjoy year-round (Asaf Kliger) For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast A man convicted in the 1980 murder of two UC Davis students died in prison Monday, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) said. According to CDCR, Richard J. Hirschfield was pronounced dead around 4:50 a.m. by a nurse at California Medical Facility, near the city of Vacaville. He was 75. Man convicted in Placer County kidnapping, burglary of elderly couples home receives life in prison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hirschfield had been serving time in Washington State for a child rape conviction from 2002 when DNA evidence linked him to the deaths of John Riggins and Sabrina Gonzales, both aged 18. The couple was abducted from Davis and their bodies were discovered days later near Lake Natoma. The case was known to locals as the sweetheart murders. Hirschfield was found guilty and sentenced to death in 2013. His death on Monday was determined to be from natural causes, CDCR 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 FOX40. ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's parliament on Tuesday voted to outlaw Hezbollah, in a rare move by the neutral country that has traditionally followed a policy of promoting international dialogue and mediation. Proponents of the ban, which was passed by the lower house after receiving upper house approval last week, said Hezbollah was a threat to international security and that Switzerland needed to prohibit it to take a stand against terrorism. The Swiss government opposed the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If Switzerland now moves to ban such organisations with special laws, we must ask ourselves where and how the boundaries are drawn," Justice Minister Beat Jans said during the parliamentary debate. The ban against the Lebanese armed group passed the lower house with 126 votes in favour, 20 against and 41 abstentions. The security policy committee that proposed the ban argued that Switzerland's mediating role will remain intact thanks to a specific provision on peace talks and humanitarian aid. Last week, the Swiss parliament outlawed Hamas for the Palestinian militant group's Oct. 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. Switzerland had previously only banned al Qaeda and Islamic State, which are on the United Nations' list of terrorist organisations. (Reporting by Ariane Luthi; Editing by Ros Russell) Australian homicide detectives are investigating the suspected "targeted double murder" of a Sydney couple. On Tuesday, Dec. 17., New South Wales (NSW) police confirmed a second body had been found in the Sydney suburb of Botany near where the body of Zhuojun "Sally" Li, 33, was discovered. The initial body was found in bushland in Sir Joseph Banks Park in Botany on Monday, Dec. 9. "Officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command arrived to find the body of a woman wrapped in plastic," a news release stated, adding that the woman was discovered that day at around 7 a.m. local time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Inside the Grisly Murders of an Elderly Couple in their $1.7 Million Shorefront Home in 2021 While Li's husband, Jai-Bao "Rex" Chen, also 33, remains missing, police confirmed that a second body had been found around 2 p.m. local time on Dec. 17. The remains have yet to be formally identified, but NSW Police Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said in a news conference shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, Dec. 17. that there is a "strong likelihood and assumption" that the body found is that of Chen. NSW Police Zhuojun 'Sally' Li Zhuojun 'Sally' Li Doherty told reporters that detectives are treating the case as a "targeted double murder," stating that Chen's next of kin in Taiwan had been informed amid the ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doherty said that the second body had been found in a creek covered in bush foliage and undergrowth and had "been there for some time." "One of the motives possibly could be financial debts," he told reporters, adding, "They owed money." Doherty said there was "no other criminality" that police were aware of, and that police were working with Chinese and Taiwanese authorities, as they believe the two or more suspects had fled overseas. NSW Police Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen Li moved to Australia from China 20 years ago, while Chen is originally from Taiwan, according to Australian newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doherty also confirmed the police's working theory that more than one person had targeted the couple. Related: Luigi Mangione Allegedly Considered Using Bomb to Murder CEO but Did Not Want to 'Kill Innocents': Source He said Chen's phone had been located by police in Queensland and that police believe it was used by a third party before it was retrieved. Per the detective, police have a "strong theory" that the alleged murders took place inside the couple's Greenacre home, before their bodies were dumped. NSW Police A grab of a silver Toyota Avensis seen in CCTV footage released by NSW Police A grab of a silver Toyota Avensis seen in CCTV footage released by NSW Police In a Dec. 14 news release, police confirmed Li's body had been identified after she was reported missing to Parramatta Police Area Command when her mother had been unable to reach her. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Authorities also released CCTV footage of a silver Toyota Avensis believed to have been used in the case. The vehicle was seen "stopped on the northern side of Foreshore Road in Botany during the early hours of Saturday 30 November 2024," per the release. The couple was last seen together in late November, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Read the original article on People A broken portrait of Bashar al-Assad is seen on on the ground at Mezzah Military Airport on Dec. 16, 2024, in Damascus. Credit - Chris McGrathGetty Images After 13 years of civil war, and 54 years of ruling Syria with an iron fist, the brutal Assad regime has fallen. This marks a pivotal opportunity for Syrians to rebuild a social compact, create viable political alternatives, and chart a brighter future for the country. But to take advantage of this crossroads, Syrians need to understand their countrys post-independence history. It suggests that a successful transition to a post-Assad Syria will require efforts to foster an inclusive national identity and a political conscience that transcends the sectarian and ethnic divides entrenched by Assad family rule and the civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1946, the French left Syria, marking the countrys independence. This ushered in a quarter century of instability, marked by frequent coups, military revolts, and civil disorders. The country was the most coup-prone country in the Arab world and it was more often governed by military officers than civilian governments. In 1963, the Baath Party seized power, initiating a 61-year era of military rule. Syria became the ideological heart of Baathism, a political ideology that combined elements of secularism, Arab nationalism, and Arab socialism. Yet, Baath rule did not immediately bring stability. For the first seven years, two party factions remained locked in a power struggle. One side was led by Aflaq and al-Bitar, two prominent Baath politicians, and the other by Salah Jadid and Hafez al-Assad, an ultra-left-wing general and the commander of the Syrian Air Forces respectively. Then Assad staged a coup in 1970, known as the Corrective Movement, ousting Syrias de facto leader, Salah Jadid. In order to bring authoritarian stability to Syrian politics, Assad deployed unrestrained violence. He also exploited sectarian and ethnic divisions to consolidate power, and cultivated international alliances to avoid outside scrutiny or pressure. Read More: What to Know About Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the Leader of Syria's Insurgency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad elevated people from his own minority religious group the Alawite community to positions of power in the military and intelligence operations and cultivated an intricate web of patronage. His regime redefined Alawite identity to revolve around Assads personality cult. This tactic provided him with a base of support and suppressed dissent. The regime also encouraged Alawites to move from their traditional home in northwest Syria to specific neighborhoods in Damascus. By increasing the Alawite presence in strategically important areas, Assad aimed to counterbalance the Sunni majority in the city and secure a loyal base close to the political and military center of the country. However, Assad recognized that Alawite support alone would not be enough to ward off threats to his rule. So he set out to co-opt Syrias Sunni elites. He appointed them to senior posts in his government and cultivated new networks of support among the powerful Sunni merchants in cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Hama. Assad and his allies even regularly intermarried across confessional lines in an attempt to broaden their patronage and client networks beyond the Alawite minority. Yet, his courtship of Sunni elites merely created the illusion that Assads regime was inclusive. In reality, even as he appointed them to positions of power, he also disenfranchised and repressed Sunnis more broadly. Nonetheless, the combination of a fearsome security apparatus and Assads elite network across ethnic and religious lines safeguarded him against the sort of coups that had felled numerous leaders between 1946 and 1970. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assad also used foreign policy as a tool to entrench his regime and build public support. In 1973, Syria and Egypt staged a coordinated attack on Israel to regain the territory they had lost in the 1967 Six-Day War. Assad hoped to regain the Golan Heights and to gather favor from the Syrian public. Although Syria was defeated, the campaign made Assad a national hero. Additionally, Assad skillfully managed to align himself closely with the Soviets securing military and economic aid while also seeking limited engagement with the West. Notably, in 1974, he hosted Richard Nixon, in the first visit by a U.S. president to Syria. Assad's goal for Nixons visit was to position Syria as a regional power and signal openness to diplomacy after the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. All the while, Assad remained a brutal tyrant at home. His disenfranchisement of Sunnis drew opposition from the Muslim Brotherhood dating to the early days of Assads regime. Over time, the group gained support among Sunni conservatives, urban elites, and segments of the middle class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Assad tried to appease this religious opposition by presenting himself as a pious Muslim. He inserted a provision in Syrias Constitution that the countrys president must be Muslim, prayed in Sunni mosques, and made the Hajj the pilgrimage to Mecca. Yet, these gestures did little to eliminate the Islamist threat to his rule. The matter came to a head in Hama in 1982. Muslim Brotherhood fighters launched a coordinated attack on government buildings, military barracks, and Baath Party offices and declared the city an autonomous zone, encouraging an open rebellion against Assad. The dictator responded by deploying artillery fire and chemical weapons, killing an estimated 10,000-25,000 people in what some pundits have labeled the single deadliest act by any Arab government against its own people in the modern Middle East. The massacre hardened the sectarian perceptions of Assad as embracing Alawite minority rule and made it clear that winning back the loyalty of the vast majority of the Sunnis would be highly unlikely. That caused Assad to double down on the three key strands of his leadership using repressive violence when necessary, relying on support from the Alawite community and some Sunni elites to overcome broader Sunni opposition, and savvily courting international power players to maintain control of the country. Assad had always seen his brother Rifaat as his logical successor. But in 1984, Rifaat joined in a coup attempt, which failed, leading to his exile. That made Hafezs eldest son, Bassel, the heir apparent. A decade later, however, Bassel al-Assad died in a car accident, which meant that Hafezs heir would almost certainly be his other son, Bashar, a Western-educated ophthalmologist with minimal political experience. Six years later, in 2000, Bashar became ruler when his father died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bashars rise was largely unanticipated, as his father had not groomed him for leadership until after his brother died. However, he quickly consolidated power through political maneuvering and obtaining loyalty from the military and security apparatus. Initially there was substantial optimism and enthusiasm that Bashar, who was married to a British-born Sunni woman, would adopt a more liberal, non-sectarian approach. His early years witnessed tentative attempts at economic and political reform, such as the easing of media restrictions and the launch of the short-lived Damascus Spring, during which intellectuals and activists were allowed to form discussion forums and voice demands for greater political freedoms. Yet, over time, Bashar Assad inherited his fathers obstinacy and brutality and increasingly relied on the security apparatus to maintain control, stifling dissent and curbing opposition. In December 2010, the Arab Spring unleashed widespread anti-authoritarian protests and uprisings across the region, including in Syria. Assad reacted brutally, tenaciously clinging to power, even as authoritarian leaders fell in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen. Read More: The Fall of Bashar Assad After Nearly 14 Years of War in Syria Brings End to Decades-Long Dynasty Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result was a 13-year civil war pitting his security forces against a fractured opposition composed of both moderate and extremist factions. The war quickly evolved into a complex, multi-front struggle, drawing in international powers. Russia and Iran backed Assad, providing crucial military and economic support and further sectarianizing the conflict, while the U.S., Turkey, and the Gulf states supported various opposition factions. The rise of ISIS in 2014 further complicated the conflict, leading to a global coalition fighting the terrorist group. Despite numerous ceasefires and peace talks, the war became increasingly protracted, with millions of Syrians displaced and the country ravaged. Once a key regional player, the prolonged war weakened and isolated Syria. In 2020, Russia and Turkey brokered a ceasefire, under which Assad controlled much of the territory lost during the initial phases of the war. Yet, in November, after four years of relative stalemate, opposition groups launched a surprise offensive as Assads three key allies Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah were stretched thin with other conflicts. Within weeks, Assads forces succumbed, ending his familys 54-year reign. There are reasons for cautious optimism about Syrias future but also concerns that it could disintegrate politically and geographically. Most critically, those who build Syrias next political system will need to overcome the most important legacy of the half century of Assad rule: the ethnic and sectarian conflict and strife nurtured by the Assads. They pitted Alawites and other minorities against the majority Sunnis, creating deep divisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A healthy political system in Syria will require dismantling entrenched ethnic and sectarian divides and fostering an inclusive national identity that unites its diverse communities. It will also require international actors, including the U.S. and Turkey, to support policies that promote harmony and tangible progress toward pluralistic and democratic governance. This will be a challenge, given that each opposition faction, and their foreign allies, have diverging goals. But its only way to create a vibrant, stable, pluralistic Syria. Sefa Secen is assistant professor of political science at Nazareth University in Rochester, N.Y. He studies Middle East politics, refugees, international security, foreign policy, and political behavior. More information is available on his website: https://sefasecen.weebly.com. 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. On 16 December the attorney general for Bolivias Tarija department,, announced that former president(2006-2019) is the subject of an arrest warrant and has been formally charged with human trafficking. End of preview - This article contains approximately 570 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options (This Dec. 17 story has been corrected to fix the number of missing in Syria, provided by the International Commission on Missing Persons, to more than 150,000, in paragraph 11) By Timour Azhari and Anthony Deutsch QUTAYFAH, Syria (Reuters) - An international war crimes prosecutor said on Tuesday that evidence emerging from mass grave sites in Syria has exposed a state-run "machinery of death" under toppled leader Bashar al-Assad in which he estimated more than 100,000 people were tortured and murdered since 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking after visiting two mass grave sites in the towns of Qutayfah and Najha near Damascus, former U.S. war crimes ambassador at large Stephen Rapp told Reuters: "We certainly have more than 100,000 people that were disappeared into and tortured to death in this machine. "I don't have much doubt about those kinds of numbers given what we've seen in these mass graves." "We really haven't seen anything quite like this since the Nazis," said Rapp, who led prosecutions at the Rwanda and Sierra Leone war crimes tribunals and is working with Syrian civil society to document war crimes evidence and is helping to prepare for any eventual trials. "From the secret police who disappeared people from their streets and homes, to the jailers and interrogators who starved and tortured them to death, to the truck drivers and bulldozer drivers who hid their bodies, thousands of people were working in this system of killing," Rapp said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are talking about a system of state terror, which became a machinery of death." Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been killed since 2011, when Assad's crackdown on protests against him spiralled into a full-scale war. Both Assad and his father Hafez, who preceded him as president and died in 2000, have long been accused by rights groups and governments of widespread extrajudicial killings, including mass executions within the country's prison system and using chemical weapons against the Syrian people. Assad, who fled to Moscow, had repeatedly denied that his government committed human rights violations and painted his detractors as extremists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of U.S.-based Syrian advocacy organisation the Syrian Emergency Task Force, Mouaz Moustafa, who also visited Qutayfah, 25 miles (40 km) north of Damascus, has estimated at least 100,000 bodies were buried there alone. "PLACE OF HORRORS" The International Commission on Missing Persons in The Hague separately said it had received data indicating there may be as many as 66, as yet unverified, mass grave sites in Syria. More than 150,000 people are considered missing, according to international and Syrian organisations, including the United Nations and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, it said. Commission head Kathryne Bomberger told Reuters its portal for reporting the missing was now "exploding" with new contacts from families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, roughly 40,000 people went missing during the Balkan wars of the 1990s. For the families, the search for the truth in Syria could be long and difficult. A DNA match will require at least three relatives providing DNA reference samples and taking a DNA sample from each one of these skeletal remains found in the graves, Bomberger said. The commission called for sites to be protected so that evidence was preserved for potential trials, but the mass grave sites were easily accessible on Tuesday. The United States is engaged with a number of U.N. bodies to ensure the Syrian people get answers and accountability, the State Department said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian residents living near Qutayfah, a former military base where one of the sites was located, and a cemetery in Najha used to hide bodies from detention sites described seeing a steady stream of refrigeration trucks delivering bodies which were dumped into long trenches dug with bulldozers. "The graves were prepared in an organised manner - the truck would come, unload the cargo it had, and leave. There were security vehicles with them, and no one was allowed to approach, anyone who got close used to go down with them," Abb Khalid, who works as a farmer next to Najha cemetery, said. In Qutayfah, residents declined to speak on camera or use their names for fear of the retribution, saying they were not yet sure the area was safe after Assad's fall. "This is the place of horrors," one said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside a site enclosed with cement walls, three children played near a Russian-made military satellite vehicle. The soil was flat and levelled, with straight long marks where the bodies were believed buried. SATELLITE IMAGERY Satellite imagery analysed by Reuters showed large-scale digging began at the location between 2012 and 2014 and continued up until 2022. Multiple satellite images taken by Maxar during that time showed a digger and large trenches visible at the site, along with three or four large trucks. Omar Hujeirati, a former anti-Assad protest leader who lives near the Najha cemetery, which was used until the larger Qutayfah site was created because it was full, said he suspected several of his missing family members may be in the grave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believes at least some of those taken, including two sons and four brothers, were detained for protesting against Assad's government. "That was my sin, what made them take my family," he said, a long, exposed trench behind him where the bodies were apparently buried. Details of Syria's mass graves first emerged during German court hearings and U.S. congressional testimony in 2021 and 2023. A man identified only as "the grave digger" testified repeatedly as a witness about his work at the Najha and Qutayfah sites during the German trial of Syrian government officials. While working in cemeteries around Damascus at the end of 2011, two intelligence officers showed up at his office and ordered him and his colleagues to transport and bury corpses. He testified that he rode in a van adorned with pictures of Assad and drove to the sites several times a week between 2011 and 2018, followed by large refrigeration trucks filled with bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trucks carried several hundred corpses from Tishreen, Mezzeh and Harasta military hospitals to Najha and Qutayfah, he said in the trial. At the sites deep trenches were already dug and the grave digger and his colleagues would unload the corpses into the trenches, which would be covered with dirt by excavators as soon as a section of the trench was full, he said. "Every week, twice a week, three trailer trucks arrived, packed with 300 to 600 bodies of victims of torture, starvation, and execution from military hospitals and intelligence branches around Damascus," he told Congress in a written statement. The grave digger escaped from Syria to Europe in 2018 and has repeatedly testified about the mass graves, but always with his identity shielded from the public and the media. (Reporting by Timour Azhari in Qutayfah and Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam; Additional reporting by Reade Levinson and Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Alison Williams) CNN recently released a clip of Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward, which claimed to show footage of the moments a Syrian prisoner was freed. The video went viral, and many viewers accused CNN of staging the scene because the prisoner was unusually well-kempt and healthy for someone who claimed to have been detained for months. Now, the network is under even closer scrutiny after allegations that the man seen on the video is actually an officer in Syrian Air Force Intelligence who has been accused of war crimes. CNN allegedly rescues Syrian war criminal According to the New York Post, the prisoner whose rescue CNN highlighted has allegedly been identified as a Syrian Air Force Intelligence first lieutenant by fact-checkers Verify-Sy. Verify-Sy released a report that stated the man who identified himself as Adel Gharbal from Homs was identified as Salama Mohammad Salama, also known as Abu Hamza. Residents of Homs have accused Salama, who ran a checkpoint in the Al-Bayyada neighborhood, of theft, extortion, and forcing locals to become informants. According to locals, Salama was in prison because he disagreed with a higher-ranking officer over keeping too large a share of extorted money and had been there less than a month when he was discovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Verify-Sy report goes on to say that Salama killed civilians during the Syrian Civil War. He also allegedly detained and tortured numerous men for refusing to pay bribes, cooperate with his demands, or because he didnt like the way they looked. In the wake of his rescue, Verify-Sy says that Salama has deactivated his social media accounts and changed his phone number. Since Assads regime fell, hes allegedly claimed he was forced into committing the crimes and was just following orders. The New York Post received the following statement from CNN concerning the situation: 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 network also claims that the segment wasnt staged in any way. The post Syrian Prisoner CNN Claims Was Freed on Camera is Accused of War Crimes appeared first on Mandatory. Mouaz Moustafa, the head of the U.S.-based Syrian advocacy organization, the Syrian Emergency Task Force, told ABC News Tuesday there are believed to be well over 100,000 bodies in a "massive" grave discovered at a site 25 miles north of Damascus. Opposition groups and rescue workers are still uncovering evidence of the alleged human rights abuses committed by toppled President Bashar Assad's regime over his 24 years in power -- and over 50 years of Assad family rule. The overthrown president was in power from 2000 to his ousting on Dec. 8. His sudden fall in the face of a surprise, multi-pronged rebel offensive marked the end of a 14-year conflict between Damascus and a collection of anti-government forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Syria's rebel-led transitional government, NGOs and rescue workers are uncovering Assad's vast network of prisons and suspected mass burial sites, where more than 100,000 people may have gone missing since 2011. PHOTO: A satellite image shows what a U.S. advocacy group called a mass grave in al-Qutayfah, Syria, on Sept. 4, 2019. (Maxar Technologies/via Reuters) MORE: Syria live updates: Rebel leader says Syria won't be launchpad for Israel attacks SETF believes it has identified three other "mass graves" so far, as well as two "smaller ones," Moustafa said. Moustafa told ABC News from the Syrian capital that the site in al-Qutayfah close to Damascus 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 graves contained men, women, children and the elderly "tortured to death" by Assad's regime, Moustafa said. 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) MORE: Syria's Assad blames 'terrorism' for regime collapse in first statement since defeat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Qutayfah burial site is in an area that was under military control, with the road in closed to civilian traffic. Large villas nearby housed Iranian and Iraqi allies of the Assad regime, which became increasingly reliant on foreign partners in Moscow, Tehran and Baghdad to retain control as the brutal civil war wore on. Syria's Air Force Intelligence -- considered the most powerful branch of Assad's military -- also maintained a presence nearby. At the site, workers clad in white overalls piled large black plastic bags of human bones onto a truck. Some of the bags had Farsi -- the official language of Iran -- written on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locals told ABC News they saw bags being dumped at the site in the days leading up to Assad's fall, as rebels surged towards the capital from Idlib and Aleppo in the north and Daraa in the south. In his first statement since fleeing Syria, Assad on Monday blamed a "terrorist onslaught" for the stunning collapse of his regime. Assad made no comment on the longstanding human rights abuse allegations, abuses that the opposition and key Western governments say intensified after the outbreak of civil war in 2011. PHOTO: A Syrian man stands on the statue of late President Hafez Assad -- father of Bashar Assad -- at the Umayyad Square in the capital Damascus on Dec. 17, 2024. (Sameer Al-doumy/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Inside Assads secret police headquarters: Reporter's notebook The fall of his regime saw jubilant fighters and residents emptying Assad's infamous prisons. More than 100,000 people are still believed to be missing, disappeared into Damascus' fearsome security apparatus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." Syrians uncovering 'massive' graves could find 100,000 bodies, NGO says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's de facto leader following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, said on Tuesday that he plans to dissolve armed groups in the country and integrate their fighters into a state army. "The fighters are being readied to join the Defence Ministry and will all be subject to the law," al-Sharaa, the head of Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared at a meeting with the Druze community, according to HTS. Alongside HTS and its allies, a multitude of armed groups are active in Syria. Among them are Turkey-affiliated and Kurdish militias, who are locked in a conflict in the north of the country and failed this week to secure a truce in US-led mediation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need the mindset of the state, not the mindset of the opposition," al-Sharaa was quoted as saying on Tuesday. For the country's diverse ethnic groups to coexist, he said that a "social contract" was necessary to ensure "social justice." According to the HTS central command, he also met army major Jamil al-Saleh, who reportedly congratulated al-Sharaa on the successful "revolution." Following the overthrow of Syria's long-time ruler al-Assad, HTS had relieved all soldiers of the state army from service. Furthermore, Israel's military claims to have destroyed more than 80% of the military capabilities of Syria's army, in unprecedented attacks on the neighbouring country. The News Syrias de facto leader called for sanctions against his country to be lifted and for international help in rebuilding a society battered by years of war and dictatorship. Speaking to foreign journalists in Damascus, he outlined a desire to refashion Syrias institutions, but warned that problems wont be solved with a magic wand. SIGNALS Talk of lifting sanctions may be premature Sources: The New York Times, The National, Reuters The rebels who overthrew Bashar al-Assad have worked hard to present an image of order and insist that they want to preserve a pluralistic society. This has so far been received positively, with The New York Times describing a parade of officials from around the world reopening embassies or meeting with rebel leaders. But talk of lifting sanctions may be premature: We cant even say were in a transition period. Were in a stabilisation period, a member of the Washington-based Syrian American Council told The National. The EUs new foreign policy chief said Syrias interim leaders would be judged by the deeds, not only the words, and needed to prove their commitment to the protection of minority groups, Reuters reported. Sanctions relief could keep HTS on moderate path Sources: Atlantic Council, The National, Radio Free Europe Calls to rethink sanctions are not new: The US sanctions regime against Assad failed to change the political calculus of his enablers or deter human rights abuses, partly because they were too broad to be effective, two analysts argued for the Atlantic Council in 2023. The risk is that delaying sanctions relief will see the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) revert back to their Islamist roots, a Syria analyst told The National, as theyre pragmatic in both directions. The West, too, should deal with the new reality on the ground by putting forward clear benchmarks for HTS, another expert told Radio Free Europe. Across the world, parents manage a lot of anxieties when they send their children to school each morning: Will my son make friends? Is my daughter keeping up with school work? Are we doing enough to set our child up for success? But in America, parents kiss their babies goodbye and whisper an extra prayer: please keep my child safe from a school shooting. Its a uniquely American crisisone fueled by the abundance of firearms available to kids. (America has the most guns per capita in the entire world; Everytown For Gun Safety found that an estimated 4.6 million children in the United States live in homes with at least one gun that is loaded and unlocked.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of yet another act of preventable violencea murder at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old student fatally shot a teacher and fellow student before taking her own lifethe responsibility falls squarely on our society and political leaders who have failed to act. The Abundant Life shooting occurred nearly exactly 12 years after the shooting at Sandy Hook, where twenty innocent children and six brave educators were gunned down. The latest shooting induces a sickening sense of deja vu, leaving families to wonder if their childs school could be next. And so, as they always do, parents across the United States are stepping up because they can no longer wait for lawmakers, administrators, or those in power to prioritize the safety of their children. This failure to address gun violence, mental health gaps, and school security has left ordinary parents no choice but to drive tangible change themselves. From advocating for mental health resources to promoting secure gun storage and fostering better communication between students and schools, here are some powerful ways parents are leading the fight for safer schools. Five impactful ways parents are stepping up to make schools safer 1. Advocating for Secure Firearm Storage One of the most effective ways to prevent school shootings begins at home. Parents are partnering with advocacy organizations like Moms Demand Action to promote safe gun storage practices, ensuring firearms are kept unloaded, locked, and out of the reach of children and teens. These initiatives aim to reduce unauthorized access to weapons, which is a leading factor in many school shooting incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2 million students nationwide now attend schools with policies that raise awareness about secure firearm storage, thanks to parental advocacy efforts. These programs emphasize that preventing access to guns can save lives. Related: 5 steps to protect more kids from gun violence, starting now 2. Pushing for Increased Mental Health Resources A generation of parents raised in the wake of Columbine is now advocating for schools to prioritize students mental health by increasing access to counselors, social workers, and early intervention programs. Research shows that mental health challenges by potential shooters often go unaddressed, and parents are determined to break that cycle by encouraging schools to treat mental health as seriously as physical health. For example, districts like Los Angeles Unified School District have expanded their mental health support systems after significant parent and community advocacy. Early intervention and ongoing support can help identify students in crisis before it escalates into violence or self-harm. 3. Launching School Safety and Security Committees Parents are actively working alongside administrators, teachers, and law enforcement to ensure schools have up-to-date safety protocols. From conducting risk assessments to advocating for secure entry systems and organizing lockdown drills, parents are taking leadership roles on school safety committees to create proactive solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my own childrens school, an increased focus on school safety among parents and administrators has led to the expansion of security programs, including armed guards on campus. While I wish we lived in a country where this wouldnt be necessary, Im grateful this step has been taken. In states like North Carolina, initiatives like the Center for Safer Schools are engaging parents directly to connect them to local resources working to make schools safer. These collaborative efforts help bridge gaps between schools and families when it comes to safety concerns. 4. Leading Advocacy for Stronger Gun Control Legislation Grieving parents have turned into leading advocates: Parents who have lost children to school shootings are turning their grief into action by pushing for stronger gun control laws, including universal background checks, red flag laws, and restrictions on high-capacity weapons. Their voices have been instrumental in state-level reforms and federal legislation proposals aimed at preventing further tragedies. Following the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, parent and student advocates have led movements that resulted in significant policy changes across several states, proving that their advocacy can drive impactful change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: U.S. Surgeon General emphasizes the seriousness of gun violence: Its a kids issue 5. Promoting Reporting and Threat Awareness Programs Parents are championing programs that empower students, staff, and families to recognize and report signs of potential violence. Tools like Safe2Tell, an anonymous reporting system in Colorado, have successfully prevented violent incidents by identifying threats early. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a thousand small actions to keep our children safer. While they deserve absolute safety to learn in peace and security, incremental change can truly make a difference. And as I wrap up a morning of work to start the morning dropoff routine with my kids, a familiar anxiety washes over me: I hope they are safe today. I hope more is done to protect all children and educators. I hope I can help make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy in Madison serves as a devastating reminder that we cant afford to wait. Sources: TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) The China-friendly mayor of Taiwans capital, Taipei, on Tuesday called for less confrontation between the sides, even as Beijing continues to send warships and fighter jets to intimidate the self-governing island democracy. Chiang Wan-an was speaking Tuesday at the 15th Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum, which is not sanctioned by Taiwans government, whose official position is that Taiwan is already an independent country with no reason to unify with China. Chiang put a somewhat romantic twist on his remarks, saying I am a Taipei mayor elected by the people. I have high expectations for whether there is peace, tension, or development across the strait. I think there should be more ... lights on fishing boats at dawn and less noise of (war) ships and (war) planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between Monday and Tuesday, China sent 10 military aircraft and seven aircraft toward Taiwan, according to Taiwans Defense Ministry. Four of the aircraft crossed the middle line of the Taiwan Strait that forms an unofficial border between the sides. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary, although economic ties between the sides especially with China's financial hub of Shanghai remain robust, with an emphasis on high-tech. Shanghais representative, Vice Mayor Hua Yuan, told the 102 participants that, the people of the two sides are all one family. Taiwan banned nine Chinese reporters from the gathering, saying they were superfluous, along with a Shanghai official for Taiwan affairs, in response to new, harsh new penalties targeting diehard Taiwan independence separatists. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing's move had severely disrupted already meager bilateral exchanges and put Taiwanese residents in China at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faced with China's massive military, Taiwan has been upgrading its defenses with latest version F-16 fighter jets, missiles, submarines and artillery. On Monday, Taiwan began unloading 38 U.S.-made M1A2T tanks that represent a quantum leap in Taiwan's outdated land defenses. A further 42 of the tanks are due to be delivered next year, and at least 28 the year after. Chiang's Nationalist Party fled to Taiwan in 1949 as Mao Zedong's Communists swept to power on the mainland and long vowed to retake the lost territory. Recent decades have seen it warm to China's more capitalist leaders, despite public opinion in Taiwan that favors the status quo of de-facto independence. The Democratic Progressive Party which China has refused almost all contact with since 2016 won a third consecutive four-year term in the presidential office in this year's election, but the party lost the legislature by a thin majority. Despite the potential for friction, China has limited its actions thus far to firing missiles over the island, near daily air and sea missions and rehearsals of economic blockades that could be a precursor to a full-on invasion. A yearly two-shot treatment shown to be highly effective in preventing HIV infections is to be offered at low cost to people in 120 poor nations. Experts have called the treatment the closest the world has ever come to developing a vaccine against HIV. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is an infection that destroys cells of a persons immune system and makes it difficult for them to fight off diseases. The HIV virus can progress to the related disease AIDS. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains that AIDS is a term used to describe the most advanced stages of HIV infection. American-based drugmaker Gilead is the developer of the medication, called lenacapavir. The drug is already sold under the name Sunlenca to treat HIV infections in the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere. But Gilead plans to seek approval soon for the medication to be used to prevent HIV infection. Studies have shown the twice-yearly injection was 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infections in a study of women. And another recent study found the drug worked nearly as well in men. Winnie Byanyima is the executive director of UNAIDS. She told The Associated Press that the shots had worked so well, she sees them as an unprecedented treatment. Byanyima praised Gilead for developing the drug. But she noted that the worlds ability to stop HIV/AIDS also depends on its use in at-risk countries. Gilead has said it plans to offer low-cost, generic versions of lenacapavir for sale in numerous poor countries with high HIV rates. These are mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. However, the company does not plan on launching the drug in most of Latin America. HIV infection rates are far lower in Latin America than Gileads targeted countries. But critics of the drug companys deployment plans say HIV in these countries is increasing. So several groups have called on Gilead to reconsider its plans to include sales in Latin America. In a recent report, the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, noted the number of AIDS death last year an estimated 630,000 was the lowest since 2004, when AIDS deaths were at their highest. The organization suggested the decreasing numbers mean the world is now at a historic crossroads, with a chance to end the epidemic. There are other methods to protect against HIV infection. These include condoms, daily pills and bi-monthly shots. But experts say the Gilead twice-yearly shots would be especially useful for underrepresented groups. These could include people fearful of seeking care, including gay men, sex workers and young women. Byanyima told the AP, the treatment would be a miracle for these groups because it means they just have to show up twice a year at a clinic and then theyre protected. A collection of 15 activist groups in Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Guatemala and Colombia recently wrote to Gilead to voice their concerns. They are asking for the generic version to be made available in Latin America. They say there is alarming inequity there in providing new HIV prevention tools with infection rates rising. Countries including Norway, France, Spain and the U.S. have been paying more than $40,000 per year for Sunlenca. But experts have said it could be produced for as little as $40 a treatment once generic production expands. In a statement, Gilead said it has an ongoing commitment to help enable access to HIV prevention and treatment options where the need is the greatest. Among the 120 countries approved for the generic version are 18 mostly African nations that make up about 70 percent of the worlds HIV cases. The drugmaker said it is also working to establish fast, efficient pathways to reach all people who need or want lenacapavir for HIV prevention. Dr. Chris Beyrer is the director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University in North Carolina. He said it will be greatly useful to have the Gilead shots available in the hardest-hit countries in Africa and Asia. But he added that rising HIV rates among groups including gay men and transgender populations represents a public health emergency in Latin America. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Quiz - Highly Effective HIV Drug to Be Offered at Low Cost to Poor Countries Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________ Words in This Story immune system n. the cells and tissues in the body that fight against infection advanced adj. having developed to a late stage crossroads n. a time when you have to make an important decision that will affect your future life condom n. a thin rubber covering worn by a man to stop a woman from becoming pregnant gay adj. being attracted to others of the same sex miracle n. something that is very surprising or difficult to believe clinic n. a place where people go to see doctors or receive medical treatment inequity n. the state of being unfair, or something that is unfair access n. the ability to get or use something option n. a choice among things efficient adj. working well and not wasting time or energy transgender adj. used to describe someone whose gender does not match the body they were born with TAIPEI (Reuters) -The mayor of Taiwan's capital told visiting Chinese officials on Tuesday he hoped for peace and wanted less of the "howls of ships and aircraft" around the island, saying dialogue trumps confrontation. China, which views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory, sends warplanes and warships near the island on an almost daily basis, and held a new round of mass military activities last week. Addressing the annual Taipei Shanghai City Forum with Shanghai Vice Mayor Hua Yuan in attendance, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an used poetic language to say he wished for peace across the Taiwan Strait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "More dialogue and less confrontation; more olive branches of peace and less sour grapes of conflict. More lights from fishing boats to adorn the sunset; less of the howls of ships and aircraft," Chiang said. "I always say that the more tense and difficult the moment, the more we need to communicate," he added. China has continued to send warplanes and warships into the strait even with the forum taking place, with Taiwan's defence ministry saying on Tuesday morning that in the past 24 hours it had detected 10 military aircraft and seven warships. Chiang is from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which traditional favours close ties across the Taiwan Strait although it denies being pro-Beijing. He is widely considered a future presidential contender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forum, first held in 2010, is one of the few high level venues for talks between Chinese and Taiwanese officials after China cut off a regular dialogue mechanism with Taiwan's central government in 2016 following the election of Tsai Ing-wen as president. Tsai, and her successor Lai Ching-te, refuse to acknowledge Beijing's position that both China and Taiwan are part of "one China". Lai, like Tsai, says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, rejecting Beijing's sovereignty claims. Hua told the forum he hoped for closer practical cooperation. "Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have always been one family. We often come and go, getting closer and closer to each other," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shanghai tour group trips to Taiwan will restart, Hua added, offering his own olive branch given China has yet to allow a full post-pandemic resumption of tourism to the island. 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". (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan is introducing a new initiative called "Chips Team Taiwan" that will encourage Taiwanese companies to build more satellites, drones and robotics locally, its technology and science minister said on Tuesday. Wu Cheng-wen said Taiwan's defence needs were growing and this would create local demand for such products from the island's chip design firms, most of which have focused on selling to overseas manufacturers. He said their hope was that this would also help them reduce reliance on the Chinese market, the world's largest producer of commercial drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today we are working on the national security systems and the defence spending is getting higher and higher in the next few years for Taiwan...so that means we are creating our own market for the chip industry to form our local supply chain," added Wu. Drones was the governemnt's top priority for now and they would detail plans for robotics a few months later, he added. Taiwan has previously set a goal to become an Asian manufacturing hub for drones. Reuters has reported that Taiwan is recruiting the islands commercial drone makers, along with aviation and aerospace firms, work with with the military to fast-track the development of a self-sufficient drone supply chain. (Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; Edeiting by Angus MacSwan) Global security leaders are warning that nuclear threats are growing as weapons spending has surged around the world. At the same time, private bunker sales are on the rise globally. Critics warn these bunkers create a false perception that a nuclear war is survivable. They argue that people planning to live through an atomic blast arent focusing on the real and current dangers posed by nuclear threats, and the critical need to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, government disaster experts say bunkers arent necessary. A Federal Emergency Management Agencys 100-page guide on responding to a nuclear detonation focuses on having the public get inside and stay inside, ideally in a basement and away from outside walls for at least a day. Those existing spaces can provide protection from radioactive fallout, says FEMA. Here are takeaways from the APs reporting on bunkers and the debate over the message building bunkers sends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the market for bunkers in the United States? The market for U.S. bomb and fallout shelters is forecast to grow from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030, according to a market research report from BlueWeave Consulting. The report says major growth factors include the rising threat of nuclear or terrorist attacks or civil unrest. People are uneasy and they want a safe place to put their family. And they have this attitude that its better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it, said Atlas Survival Shelters CEO Ron Hubbard. He says his bunker factory, in Sulphur Springs, Texas, is the worlds largest. Hubbard said COVID lockdowns, Russias invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war have driven sales. What do government disaster preparedness experts say? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, this fallout exposure is entirely preventable because it is something that happens after the detonation, said Brooke Buddemeier a radiation safety specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where the U.S. government designs nuclear weapons. Theres going to be a fairly obvious nuclear explosion event, a large cloud. So just getting inside, away from where those particles fall, can keep you and your family safe. After a deadly and deafening blast, a bright flash and a mushroom cloud, it will take about 15 minutes for the radioactive fallout to arrive for those a mile or more away from ground zero, said Michael Dillon, a scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Its going to literally be sand falling on your head, and youre going to want to get out of that situation. You want to go to your most robust building, he said. In their models, they estimate people may need to stay inside for a day or two before evacuating. What do nonproliferation advocates say? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonproliferation advocates bristle at the bunkers, shelters or any suggestion that a nuclear war is survivable. Bunkers are, in fact, not a tool to survive a nuclear war, but a tool to allow a population to psychologically endure the possibility of a nuclear war, said Alicia Sanders-Zakre at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Sanders-Zakre called radiation the uniquely horrific aspect of nuclear weapons, and noted that even surviving the fallout doesnt prevent long-lasting, intergenerational health crises. Ultimately, the only solution to protect populations from nuclear war is to eliminate nuclear weapons. Massachusetts Congressman James McGovern year after year introduces legislation pushing for nonproliferation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we ever get to a point where theres all out nuclear war, underground bunkers arent going to protect people, he said. Instead, we ought to be investing our resources and our energy trying to talk about a nuclear weapons freeze, initially. Next, he said, we should work for the day when we get rid of all nuclear weapons. - The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. - Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ HILLSBORO, Mo. Parents and a teacher are coming forward about an elementary school teacher they say mistreated special needs students in Hillsboro. I was notified by Child Protective Services, Samantha Wilson said. Wilson said it was a call about her 6-year-old special needs son. They said his teacher picked him up by his feet and put him in the trash can and said he is putting my son where he belongs, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teacher Nerissa Dickinson says she was also in the room. In a phone interview with FOX 2, she said the teacher held him over the trash can, saying he was going to throw him away and the little boy was terrified. Dickinson said she called the abuse hotline and told school leaders. They were disappointed in what Id seen and what Id witnessed, and they pretty much said for me to offer the teacher a break whenever he gets out of control like that, she said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Give him a break? the boys stepfather said. Well, what about the child? Did you give the child a break? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also concerned about another report involving Amanda Beraneks 7-year-old special needs son. The principals called me early in the morning and said, Hey, this incident happened with your son; we just wanted to make you aware of it and DCFS will call you to take a statement, Beranek said, adding that her son said one of his teachers had grabbed him by the waist and twisted his skin and left a mark. Beranek hasnt heard the result of her sons investigation, but Samantha Wilson obtained a Childrens Division investigative report involving her son. That report shows it was ruled unsubstantiated for emotional maltreatment. An investigator wrote, There was insufficient evidence the incident resulted in an injury to (the students) psychological capacity or emotional stability which had an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 2 is not naming the teacher because of this finding. The teachers attorney, Travis W.T. Grafe, told FOX 2, The allegation in question was thoroughly investigated by two independent Missouri agencies. The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) investigated and found the allegation unsubstantiated (that no abuse or neglect occurred); therefore, that administrative matter was closed. Hillsboro School District Superintendent Dr. John Isaacson said the school notified law enforcement and put the accused teacher on leave. Dr. Isaacson added that it let the Childrens Division and police investigate. He said the accused teacher has not been back since and is no longer employed by the Hillsboro R-III School District. Hillsboro police added that its investigation continues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Still reeling from Mondays shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., residents held a candlelight vigil at the state Capitol on Tuesday evening to try to come to grips with a tragedy that left three people dead and has upended the lives of many more. I think all of our students and educators are feeling scared and vulnerable right now, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said at an afternoon press conference. We are also trying to care for our whole community, because I believe we are all fearful, grieving and impacted. Held at the state Capitol, the vigil began at 6 p.m. local time. It brought together a community struggling to explain what may have caused 15-year-old suspect Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha, to bring a handgun on Monday to the K-12 school of approximately 390 students and open fire in a study hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone was targeted in this incident, and everyone was put in equal danger, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at Tuesdays press conference. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also helping Madison police try to determine how the student obtained the gun used in Monday's shooting. That and other questions remain. "Identifying a motive is our top priority," Barnes said. "But at this time, it appears that the motive was a combination of factors." Citing the ongoing status of the investigation, Barnes declined to share further details about what police have learned so far, but cautioned people to avoid circulating information about a purported manifesto left behind by the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this time we cannot verify the document. We ask that you not share the document or spread any information that may be false," Barnes said. Rhodes-Conway echoed Barnes, asking the public and the media to "avoid spreading misinformation, particularly via social media." "There is so much we do not know at this point and we have to allow law enforcement the time and space for a careful and methodological investigation," she said. Barnes also clarified that police had received the initial 911 call from a second-grade teacher at Abundant Life Christian School, a K-12 academy with approximately 390 students, at 10:57 a.m. CT, rather than from a second-grade student, as he had stated late Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A deputy from the Dane County Sheriffs Office was the first to arrive on the scene at 11 a.m. The first Madison police officer arrived 24 seconds later and immediately entered the school. Inside, police found multiple gunshot victims, including the suspect, who died in transit to a hospital of what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. "A teacher and a teenage student were pronounced dead at the scene at that school," Barnes told reporters Monday. "Six other students and a teacher were injured and taken to area hospitals. Two students remain in critical condition and have life-threatening injuries." Another teacher and three additional students were treated for "non-life-threatening injuries" and two of them have since been released from the hospital. "At this time we believe there was only one shooter involved," Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At an earlier press conference, police said they had recovered the weapon used in the shooting, which Barnes said took place in a classroom study hall made up of "students of mixed grades." Attendees sign crosses during the candlelight vigil outside the state Capitol. (Morry Gash/AP) The suspect The family of the suspect has been cooperating with police, said Barnes, who added Tuesday that police were examining Rupnow's social media activity leading up to Monday's shooting. "There are always signs of a school shooting before it occurred. Some of you have reached out about Rupnow's social media activity prior to yesterday's shooting," Barnes said. "We're looking into her online activity. We're asking anyone who knew her, or who may have insights into her feelings leading up to yesterday, to please contact the Madison Area Crime Stoppers." Barnes said Monday that nothing suggested that the school was a place where violence would occur and added that he was not aware of any prior contact the suspect may have had with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone wants to know what led up to this, Barnes said. Are there any additional threats to public safety? Is this person, or was this person, by themselves? There are a lot of questions that we want to answer, but we have to answer the safety questions first. Barnes said the evidence suggests that Rupnow died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound but that an official cause of death would be determined by a medical examiner. Asked how Rupnow had procured the gun used in the shooting, Barnes said, "That's something that will be a part of this investigation." People hold candles at the vigil. (Morry Gash/AP) Anxious moments for parents Police evacuated students from the school before transporting them by bus to a nearby health clinic that acted as a reunification center where their families could come and pick them up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rob Nelson was first alerted to the shooting by a text from his 14-year-old daughter, who wrote, not a drill we heard popping," the Washington Post reported. Waiting to be reunited with her 12-year-old son, Viktoriya Gonzales, told the New York Times that she learned he was safe but that he had been severely traumatized, because he was right by the shooter. 'This should never happen' In a nation that has already recorded more than 300 school shootings in 2024, the mood among the officials at Mondays press conference was of disbelief that the trend had finally come to Madison. Im feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas," Barnes said. "Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway echoed the grim reality her community now faces. 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, Rhodes-Conway said at the press conference. 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. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff until Dec. 22 in honor of the victims. It is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home, Evers said in a statement. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, President Biden called the latest school shooting shocking and unconscionable and urged Congress to pass universal background checks for firearm purchases, a national red flag law and a ban on assault weapons. 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, Biden said. Training day Barnes noted Monday that police had been conducting a school shooting training exercise 3 miles from Abundant Life Christian School when the 911 call was received. What began as a training day became an actual day, Barnes said. Asked by a reporter how safe parents should feel sending their children to school in the wake of Mondays shooting, Barnes gave a blunt response: All I can tell you is that we have systems in place so that if something happens, we can respond like we did today. I think youre asking me how can I say 100% that no child will ever be harmed in school? I cant. No police chief can, Barnes said. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Tech consultant found guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee in San Francisco. Earlier this year, Ted Sarandos backed a winner in new Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and now the Netflix co-CEO is heading to Florida to make friends in even higher places. One day after Donald Trump bragged in a Mar-a-Lago press conference that everybody wants to be my friend, Sarandos will be breaking bread with the President-elect, sources close to the situation have confirmed for Deadline. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither Netflix nor the Trump transition team replied to requests for comment on the scheduled Tuesday sit-down. If and when they do, this post will be updated. Having scored a $15 million payout and an apology from ABC News this weekend to settle a defamation suit Trump had hit the Disney-owned outlet and anchor George Stephanopoulos with, the former and future POTUS has indicated pretty strongly he intends to sue more and more media organizations even after he gets back in the Oval Office. We have to straighten out our press, he said speaking before noticeably respectful reporters Monday. Our press is very corrupt, almost as corrupt as our elections, Trump added, while listing off outlets he doesnt like (CBS 60 Minutes, the Des Moines Register) and those he does (aka Fox News hosts past and present like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity). While Sarandos and spouse Nicole Avant, Americas Ambassador to the Bahamas during the first term of Barack Obamas presidency, have long been deep pocketed donors to the Democratic Party, the pilgrimage by the streaming boss follows a long line of media executives kissing the Trump ring in recent days. Former Trump antagonists like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Apples Tim Cook and today TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew have schlepped to Trumps Florida residence to curry favor. First Buddy, worlds richest man and now Twitter owner Elon Musk is said to have sat in on some of the sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putting their money where their mouths are, Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is set to sit with Trump before Christmas, have both donated $1 million to the 45th and 47th Presidents inaugural fund. Musks ex-pal and now foe OpenAI chief Sam Altman has put up almost a million bucks for Trumps second swearing in. The shift in MSM POV began even before Trump got back in, as Washington Post owner Bezos, like LA Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, pulled written endorsements by the paper of VP Kamala Harris in the weeks before the election. While the billionaires insisted they wanted balance and a return to a non-endorsements policy, the moves were widely seen as preemptive attempts to curry favor. For those of you who remember the former Celebrity Apprentice hosts first term, Trump had a rocky (to put it politely) relationship with MSM and Big Tech. TikTok in particular felt the pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing national security concerns about Chinese ownership of TikTok, Trump unsuccessfully tried to have the platform banned back in 2020. Now as TikTok asked the Supreme Court to throw them a lifeline before a January 19 sell deadline, Trump says he has warm feelings towards the app. Today and in recent months, Trump has also said he is considering putting the boots to an almost certain banning of the platform by the Biden administration. Because the enemy of your enemy is almost always your friend. With that, Netflix founder Reed Hastings, who gave big bucks to Vice President Kamala Harris failed White House campaign this year, doesnt look like hes heading to Mar-a-Lago anytime soon, Im told. Yet, with that 60 Minutes lawsuit looming, dont be surprised if soon-to-be new Paramount owner David Ellison and his dad Oracle kingpin Larry Ellison are jetting over to the Sunshine State soon-ish. CNN Media reporter Alayna Treene first reported the news of the Trump/Sarandos meeting. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has found a 14-year-old shot and wounded by a Cleveland police officer already had a criminal record and was wanted by the court for weeks. The teen suspect was shot by an officer early Saturday morning off East 146th Street on the citys northeast side. The teen was taken to the hospital but has since been released and is being held at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. According to juvenile court records obtained by the I-Team, the teen is now facing several charges, including felonious assault and receiving stolen property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The I-Team also learned the teen had prior cases for receiving stolen property. And in September, Euclid police also filed charges against him for fleeing and eluding. Jacob Paxton gets prison in $2.1M baseball card theft On Nov. 19, the juvenile court granted a motion to place him on house arrest. On Nov. 25, a capias was issued for him after he cut off the ankle bracelet. A press release from the Cleveland Division of Police stated on Friday that detectives were investigating more than 30 fresh car break-ins that occurred in the Midtown neighborhood. During that investigation, detectives were able to identify at least two of the involved suspects as juveniles who had prior arrests for multiple break-ins. According to the release, the suspects were supposed to be wearing ankle monitors but had cut off the monitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers approached the vehicle just after 4 a.m. and said they discovered one occupant sleeping or unconscious in the drivers seat. Cleveland police officer indicted following shooting outside of school: I-Team Officers gave commands to the driver, he woke up and when seeing officers, put the car in drive, striking the marked police car. The suspect attempted to use his vehicle to push the zone car and then reversed striking a garage, then again put the car in drive and drove towards officers, read the release. According to officials, one officer fired toward the suspect, striking him one time in the right shoulder. Officers then removed the suspect from the vehicle and immediately rendered aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen is due back in court soon. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Roanoke Police have arrested a teenager in connection to a shots fired incident that occurred at a restaurant in northwest Roanoke on December 15. RPD said officers responded to a restaurant on the 1400 block of Towne Square Blvd NW around 3:13 p.m. on Sunday after reports of gunfire in the mens restroom of the establishment. On the scene, officers allegedly found evidence of a shooting and identified a customer as a potential suspect. Two arrested after armed robbery, vehicle chase in Rocky Mount, said RMPD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 15-year-old male teenager from Rocky Mount has been arrested and charged with Reckless Handling of a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by a Juvenile, according to police. No injuries have currently been reported. WFXR News will update you if 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 WFXRtv. Data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed earlier information suggesting the universe is expanding at a faster rate than scientists had expected. The new finding is based on measurements collected by the Webb over the past two years. The telescope is operated by the American space agency NASA. Researchers say the new readings show that our universe is growing faster today than it did in the period after it first formed billions of years ago. The data suggests the distances between nearby stars and galaxies are increasing. This confirms earlier studies based on data collected by other telescopes. The finding that todays universe is expanding faster than expected was first made in the 1990s by data gathered by NASAs Hubble Space Telescope. In 1998, data examinations led a group of scientists to first conclude that our universe is expanding at an ever-increasing rate. That finding was based on studies of huge explosive events called supernovas. NASA describes a supernova as an extremely bright, super-powerful explosion of a star. A supernova takes place at the end of a stars life. The 1990s research on supernovas and the universes continued expansion resulted in three scientists winning the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. One of the winners Adam Riess of Johns Hopkins University in Maryland was the lead writer of a study on the new data collected by the Webb telescope. The study notes the idea of the universe expanding at an unexpected rate and the mysterious reasons behind the growth has long been known as Hubble Tension. The Nobel winners were awarded the prize in part for showing evidence that Hubble Tension may be caused by forces they describe as dark energy. NASA says astronomers believe dark energy makes up about 68 percent of the universe, while dark matter makes up around 27 percent. But beyond that, very little is known about these two dark elements. Riess a professor of physics and astronomy wrote about the new data produced by the Webb telescope observations. He said in a statement, "The discrepancy between the observed expansion rate of the universe and the predictions of the standard model suggests that our understanding of the universe may be incomplete." Riess noted that data from both the Webb and Hubble instruments had confirmed the earlier findings linked to the Hubble Tension problem. He said the ongoing mysteries of how dark energy might affect faster universe expansion presents a major challenge for scientists. However, the new data also provides new possibilities to learn more about our universe. The researchers used three different methods to measure a specific value the distances from Earth to galaxies where a kind of pulsating star called a Cepheid had been identified. The universe's expansion rate is measured in kilometers per second as megaparsecs, a distance equal to 3.26 million light-years. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.5 trillion kilometers. The researchers said the Webbs observations appear to rule out the idea that the earlier Hubble data might have returned false information because of possible instrument errors. The teams findings recently appeared in a study in the publication The Astrophysical Journal. Siyang Li is a doctoral student in astronomy at Johns Hopkins who was a co-writer of the study. He told Reuters news agency the Webb results could mean there may be a need to revise our model of the universe. However, Li added that such a revision would be very difficult to make currently with existing data. Li also noted a great improvement in the Webb data compared to the older Hubble information. "The Webb data is like looking at the universe in high-definition for the first time and really improves the signal-to-noise of the measurements, he said. The researchers suggested more work is needed to possibly unlock the Hubble Tension mystery. Riess said more data observations will be necessary to learn about what forces are continuing to drive expansion of the universe. And the team will next try to capture more detailed data on the rate of expansion, as well as seek to establish timelines for the growth. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters, NASA and Johns Hopkins University. _____________________________________________ Words in This Story discrepancy n. a difference between two things that should be the same challenge n. something difficult that tests ones ability or determination pulsate v. to beat or move with a strong, regular rhythm revise v. to change something so that it is more correct high-definition adj. a system for showing very clear pictures on a television or computer screen TEGA CAY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Tega Cay isnt done eliminating deer from the city. Leaders of the small lakeside city approved funding Monday night for a permit to cull an additional 80 deer. Theyve already entered into a deal to cull 80 and sterilize another 200, a process that began in October. RELATED: How Tega Cays deer sterilization process worked The permit goes to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, who will vote to approve it at its Jan. 16 meeting. If approved, City Council said the next round of culling would take place in the spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmember Brian Carter was the only vote in opposition. The city manager said the funds for the additional round of culling would come from either operational contingency or reserves. In November, it was estimated that Tega Cay had between 800 and 1,000 deer for a city thats only 4.5 square miles and mostly surrounded by Lake Wylie. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Tempe police said an officer shot in the leg was released from the hospital Monday morning after a shooting with a man wanted in connection with drug charges. A spokesperson for the Tempe Police Department told The Arizona Republic the male officer was released from the hospital after recovering from a successful surgery but declined to immediately provide the name of the officer. The officer has been with the Tempe police for 10 years and served a year and a half as a detention officer, added the spokesperson. Many have asked how to help our injured officer. The Tempe Police Foundation has set up a donation link to support the officer and his family. Please reference injured officer assistance in the PayPal special instructions. Thank you for your support! https://t.co/xTRdGtLGtl pic.twitter.com/LvqLDz5JoR Tempe Police Department (@TempePolice) December 19, 2024 A Dec. 18 Tempe police post on the social platform X detailed how to help the injured officer. The Tempe Police Foundation has set up a donation link. Those interested in contributing can reference "injured officer assistance" in the PayPal special instructions, the post explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday evening, 32-year-old Matthew Granado was spotted by a police special unit at the Circle K gas pump on the southwest corner of Rural and Baseline roads, according to Tempe police. Granado, known to police to have an active felony warrant for drug sales, fled from police as officers approached him. He drove away on Rural Road and headed across the street toward Lamplighter Lane, where he ditched his vehicle and fled down the street on foot. He revealed a gun and fired at the officers, striking one in the leg. Officers returned fire and shot Granado, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooting will be investigated by the Mesa Police Department, as per the East Valley Critical Response Team, which handles any shootings involving police. (This story has been updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Officer shot in fatal shooting released from hospital after 3 days WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Temple Heights Post Office branch celebrated its grand reopening on Dec. 16, just in time to serve Dupont Circle customers during the busiest shipping week of the year. Its the part of the year we look forward to, its peak season, District postmaster Erica Hall said. To serve the community a week and a half before Christmas, its phenomenal. U.S. Postal Service (USPS) officials said that the service is fully staffed with a complement of 7,500 seasonal employees and the capacity to process 60 million packages a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC Council moves forward with recommendation to expel Trayon White from office A number of key dates are approaching this week to ensure Christmas Eve delivery: -USPS Ground Advantage: Wednesday, Dec. 18 -USPS Priority Mail: Thursday, Dec. 19 -USPS Priority Mail Express: Saturday, Dec. 21 To avoid long lines at busy post office locations, customers are reminded that they can purchase shipping labels at home. Items can be packaged at home and picked up or dropped off at a branch through the Click and Ship service. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AURORA Colo, (KDVR) Tenants at a troubled apartment complex say they are worried and not sure of their next steps after the city of Aurora said the owners of Edge at Lowry have agreed the property needs to be closed. Its the same apartment complex that made national headlines after a viral video showed armed men in the building. Troubled Aurora apartment complex, The Edge at Lowry, set to close A handful of tenants from the complex met with different organizations ahead of the city council meeting, including Carlos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he has lived at the complex on East 12th Avenue and Dallas Street for two years and he is concerned about the future. He worries he will be evicted at the last minute with nowhere to go. He says he has been experiencing a lot of problems including no heat and pest infestations. Now what were asking the city of Aurora is to step in and help these tenants relocate, said V Reeves, with House Key Action Network Denver. People are desperate for opportunity. They have given up on the system. They have given up on the city of Aurora. They say basically where we come from we dont have the same rights as people that at born here. They dont have trust in the system anymore at this point, The city is now trying to shut down the complex through upcoming criminal nuisance hearings. Its a different situation from the CBZ Management property on Nome Street, which the city shut down back in August because of uninhabitable conditions. They (the tenants) are terrified about not knowing whats to come. A lot of them have already been pushed out. A lot of them are living out their cars and living on the streets, said Reeves. So, we have already seen that this neglect from the point of the landlords and further abandonment by the city of Aurora have resulted in people hitting the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Englewood water main break that closed roadway caused by pipe corrosion The city of Aurora said in a statement there has not yet been an agreement finalized between the city and the property owners, and that court proceedings will continue next month. To close the property would require court approval first, in which the city would provide a notice of at least 30 days to renters. Reeves expects about 200 families will need help relocating. What were demanding is that the city steps in to offer support for these tenants to move out of their situation of abuse from these neglectful landlords and to move into safe housing, said Reeves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A city spokesperson said they dont expect any updates on the matter until at least the middle of January. FOX31 also reached out to CBZ Management who declined comment due to ongoing litigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Nashville-based Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition issued a statement on Dec. 16, 2024 condemning Gov. Bill Lee's commitment to support President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to deport more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. (Photo: John Partipilo) A nonprofit Tennessee immigrant rights group on Monday condemned Gov. Bill Lees commitment to utilize every tool at our disposal including state law enforcement and the National Guard to support President-elect Donald Trumps promise to deport more than 11 million undocumented immigrants. Lee and 25 other Republican governors signed a letter on Dec. 11 stating their united support of 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Sherman-Luna, executive director of the Nashville-based Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said in a statement that Trumps plan has been deemed disastrous by business leaders, economists, faith leaders and legal experts and all Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live and work safely and without fear in our communities no matter the color of our skin, whats in our wallets or how we came to call Tennessee home. TIRRC was founded in 2003 as an advocacy group led by immigrants and refugees aiming to make Tennessee more inclusive. Lisa Sherman-Luna, TIRRC executive director (Photo: TIRRC) About 6.1% of Tennessees 6.9 million residents are foreign-born, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Of those, approximately 37.6% are naturalized U.S. citizens, and 62.4% do not have citizenship. Whether fleeing danger or seeking opportunity, immigrants enrich our state and strengthen our communities, Sherman-Luna wrote. Rounding up families is not just a moral disaster, but an economic one, crippling our businesses and agriculture and grinding production to a halt. Further, the state resources wasted on mass deportations could instead provide housing, healthcare, and education for Tennessee working families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump recently told Time Magazine that he would go up to the maximum level of what the law allows to deport undocumented immigrants. Federal law prohibits military force from being used against civilians in the United States, unless authorized by Congress in specific circumstances. It should concern every Tennessean that the Governor is threatening to rubber stamp local law enforcement and the National Guard to overstep their jurisdiction and forcefully detain our neighbors, Sherman-Luna stated. This sets a dangerous precedent for all Tennesseans. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Tennessee State University President Glenda Glover, Ph.D., surrounded by students on Aug. 14, 2022, at her resignation announcement. TSU officials said Monday they expect her to sue after the school scrapped a $1.7 million consulting contract. (Photo: John Partipilo) Tennessee State University officials said Monday they recently broke ties with the schools former president, Glenda Glover, but predicted she will file suit after the Board of Trustees canceled a consulting contract totaling $1.7 million. The state injected $43 million into TSUs budget this fall so the university could make payroll. Yet the university remains in flux after new interim president Dwayne Tucker stepped into the role when his predecessor, Ronald Johnson, resigned last week amid questions about Glovers consulting fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a meeting Monday with the State Building Commission that marked his first day on the job, Tucker hesitated to agree to seek adoption of an exigency plan, an emergency measure designed to resolve the universitys financial problems. He said he hopes to persuade business executives he is familiar with to dig into TSUs finances and bring a three-year revival plan to the commission in February. Answering questions from State Comptroller Jason Mumpower, a commission member, Tucker, who moved from the TSU Board of Trustees to the presidency, confirmed that Glover no longer has a parking pass, Tennessee Titans tickets or a contract with the university. Charles Traughber, vice chairman of the TSU Board of Trustees, said the boards decision to end the contract was a source of potential litigation and referred commission members to the Tennessee Attorney Generals Office. Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower talks with Dwayne Tucker, newly-appointed interim president of Tennessee State University at the State Building Commission meeting December 16. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2024) Tucker, who is taking leave from overseeing LEAD Public Schools, said afterward Johnson resigned because the board questioned him about the Glover contract he inked without board authorization. Originally, the consulting fee was $850,000, and another agreement would have bumped it to $1.7 million, according to Tucker, who spoke to the Tennessee Lookout afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally, it started off as $850,000, and then the last agreement that was signed between her and the university was another $850,000, said Tucker, a TSU alum who is not taking a university salary. He added that the Board of Trustees felt the agreements were approved out of its purview. Johnson said last week his decision to leave was not made lightly, according to news reports, and he noted that it has become apparent there is a fundamental difference of perspective with the board. Yet Traughber said Johnson misled the Building Commission about his involvement in Glovers consulting contract, according to news reports. Under pressure from Republican lawmakers, she resigned at the end of June. Traughber also said the former interim president told him that TSU graduates and students who didnt earn degrees were destined to work at Popeyes or Starbucks, comments that caused consternation across the TSU community, according to an Axios article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mumpower, who has criticized the universitys finances for two years and called for removal of Glover and the board of trustees, told Tucker and Traughber they made the right move in dismissing their legal counsel and chief financial officer and canceling the contract with Glover, who, he said, made out like a bandit, leaving only a legacy of dysfunction. He raised questions, though, about whether TSU could continue to make its budget into 2025. This is a question of whether Tennessee State University will continue to be open, Mumpower said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TSU ran into problems in fall 2022 when it conducted an aggressive scholarship program, using $37 million from a federal grant to fund students as enrollment jumped to more than 8,000. The universitys financial shortfall stems, in part, from increases in daily operating expenses as tuition and fee revenue declined. TSU failed to sustain the scholarship program, and enrollment dipped to about 6,300 this fall as only 1,000 freshmen opted to attend, putting the university in an even more precarious position. The former interim president told state officials last month that 114 people were laid off and expenses were cut, saving some $24 million. Yet the university needed a financial boost from the state to continue operations, and another one might be necessary in April or May if TSU cant meet its $18 million payroll. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally told Tucker the university could adopt an exigency plan and continue with a full review of expenses. Mumpower also directed Tucker to look at every faculty and staff position on campus and low-performing academic programs, in addition to selling TSUs Avon Williams campus in downtown Nashville and a piece of property at John C. Tune Airport thats used for storage but could be sold for $9 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders allowed TSU to use $32 million for a campus building project and made an $11 million advance to the university to help it stay alive this fall. TSU has struggled financially for decades. A federal report last year found the university had been underfunded by $2.1 billion over 30 years, and a previous state study determined the university, one of two land grant institutions in Tennessee, was shorted by a minimum of $150 million to as much as $540 million over a century. Rep. Harold Love, a Nashville Democrat, second from right, with interim Tennessee State University President Dwayne Tucker, listen to discussions of TSUs finances at a meeting of the State Building Commission. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2024) At the governors request, lawmakers approved $250 million for the campus improvements two years ago, but those funds can be used for housing. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who raised questions at the last meeting about TSUs deal with Glover, said people didnt trust the former chief financial officer and legal counsel to handle finances but that hes willing to give the new leadership more time. He also said TSU is likely to need more financial help this spring to make payroll, though he wasnt sure what the universitys summer school expenses entail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looks like theyll have to get additional funding unless they figure out how to make additional cuts, Sexton said. Democratic state Sen. Charlane Oliver of Nashville said she has confidence in the university to continue operating. Theyve always kept it together since their founding. So this wont break us, Oliver said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tennessee's 2024 presidential electors on Tuesday officially cast the Volunteer State's 11 electoral votes for President-elect Donald Trump. Tennessee's electors, which consist of one per congressional district and two at-large positions, gathered in the Tennessee House chamber at the state Capitol on Tuesday with Gov. Bill Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett and other state leaders to formally cast Tennessee's electoral ballots. Tennessee's electors signed the certificate of vote, Tennessee's historical document certifying presidential election results that will be submitted to the U.S. Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee is a "winner-take-all" state, meaning electors are bound by law to cast their vote for the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in the state. A record 3.08 million Tennessee voters cast a ballot in this year's presidential election. Trump and his Republican vice presidential candidate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, received 1,966,865 votes. Vice President Kamala Harris and her Democratic running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, received 1,056,265. Electors are sworn in during Tennessees 2024 Electoral College at the State Capitol in Nashville, Tenn.,Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's electors cast 11 Electoral College votes for Donald Trump A number of new Tennessee laws are set to take effect on Jan. 1, including three that currently face active challenges in federal court. Two significant changes to state law involved online protections for Tennessee kids. Lawmakers have argued protections from certain online content are necessary changes in a shifting online landscape, while free speech advocates are pushing back over implications of increased data gathering and potential constitutional violations. One of the highest profile laws set to go into effect in January is the Protecting Children from Social Media Act. The law, signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May, will require social media companies to verify user ages before they can make an account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the user is a minor, the company must confirm "express parental consent" before the minor is allowed to create a social media account. The law also requires social media companies to allow for certain parental controls, such as setting daily time restrictions and allowing the parents to view the account's privacy settings. Parents can also revoke their consent at any time under the law. The law has been challenged, though, by a trade association that represents online businesses, including Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook. The lawsuit alleges free speech violations and warns it would force social media companies to collect more personal data from users that could be vulnerable to hackers. A federal judge in November set an initial hearing in the lawsuit for January, though, meaning the law will go into effect on Jan. 1 even as the lawsuit plays out in the courts. Age verification for porn sites Another law supporters argued was necessary to protect kids online will require adult websites with explicit material to require age verification and retain user data for seven years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Protect Tennessee Minors Act was filed over concerns about minors accessing pornography online. To be regulated under the law, websites must have one-third or more content that could be considered "harmful to minors," which the law describes as explicit nudity and sexual content. Those websites must verify the age of every user who tries to access the site. The law states companies can either require users to match an uploaded photo with a state ID or use "a commercially reasonable method relying on public or private transactional data to verify" a user is over 18. Though several other states have introduced similar laws, Tennessee's is the first to classify violations of the law as a felony. A group alleging free speech violations sued the state over the law earlier in December. The plaintiffs have asked a judge to temporarily block the law, while the lawsuit plays out, before the law can go into effect on Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a similar case in Texas has risen to the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to rule next year on whether the free speech rights of adults to view online pornography is unconstitutionally violated by requiring age verification. Oral arguments in that case are set for Jan. 15. More: Tennessee age verification law for adult websites challenged on free speech grounds Foreign land ownership On Jan. 1, Tennessee will begin blocking residents from certain countries from owning agricultural land in the state. Under the law, residents of China, Iran, North Korea and other countries subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations are prohibited from acquiring a stake in agricultural land, which the statute defines as land used for forestry, timber, ranching or farming purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the law partially went into effect this year, new provisions will take effect in January. The prohibition is part of a growing trend around the country restricting foreign land ownership that typically takes aim at China. A recent lawsuit over the law indicated there could be ongoing confusion surrounding its implementation. A group of investors sued this fall over the law. Stephen Misch, an American chief physician at a Shangai hospital, and Alessandro Silvestroni, an Italian citizen who lives in Hong Kong, were among the plaintiffs who have invested in the company Walton Tennessee. Walton has an ownership interest in more than 1,200 acres across the state. But in a December court filing, the Tennessee Attorney General's Office argued the two men would be considered residents of the United States and Italy for the purposes of the law and therefore would not be required to divest their ownership stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AG's arguments also indicated the new law won't be as sweeping as initially thought, and any foreign owners who acquired their land prior to 2025 will not be required to sell. The law will require they register their ownership stakes with the state. Tenant information House Bill 1814, sponsored by Rep. Dwayne Thompson, D-Cordova, and Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, requires landlords to provide certain information to new tenants when signing a leasing agreement. Under the new law, landlords must provide contact information for the "agent" authorized to manage the property, in addition to providing either direct contact information for maintenance requests and services or an online portal system to allow for landlord-tenant communication. Bartender sexual assault training All alcohol servers in Tennessee must be trained on preventing date-rape drugging and the role of alcohol and drugs in sexual assault beginning on Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law, which received bipartisan support, adds the education requirement to the Tennessee code that regulates server permits in the state. Alcohol servers must be licensed with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Servers will have to provide proof of the training, which should include curriculum around patron safety, bystander intervention and human trafficking awareness. More: Tennessee bars to receive more training on date rape drug awareness Birth control access Providers with TennCare, the state's Medicaid program, must begin prescribing birth control as a 12-month refill, allowing patients to get a year's worth of contraceptives without returning for multiple doctor visits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 1919 allows a patient to request a smaller refill and allows for physicians to prescribe a smaller supply for medical reasons. But for continuous contraceptive use, the law states physicians "shall" prescribe a 12-month refill. The new law does not require any insurance provider to cover birth control if it does not already. This story has been updated to correct information about the legal challenge to the The Protect Tennessee Minors Act. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee new laws 2025: Age verification for social media, porn sites A personalized California license plate that appeared to mock the bloody Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas has prompted an apology by the department of motor vehicles and explanation by vehicle owners son. The heated controversy over the license plate, affixed to a Tesla Cybertruck, was highlighted on social media by StopAntisemitism, a group dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism. The organization said the vehicle was spotted at the intersection of Jefferson and Sepulveda Boulevards in Culver City. The license plate reads, LOLOCT7. LOL is typically considered an acronym for Laugh Out Loud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How did this get processed? the post read. Demand the @CA_DMV recall this license plate that celebrates the October 7th terrorist attacka vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred. In response, the DMV released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, calling the license plate unacceptable and disturbing. California DMV is apologizing for issuing this license plate. (@stopantisemitism) As the social media post garnered more attention, journalists tracked down the Cybertrucks owner and spoke to his son, who said the personalized plate was being misinterpreted. The son, who did not want to be identified, told KTLA that Lolo is Tagalog for grandfather, CT is short for Cybertruck, and the number 7 represents the owners seven children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beloved wild burro population in Southern California facing uncertain future Tagalog is a language spoken in the Philippines and by tens of millions of people globally. The son said they didnt mean to offend anyone and, because of the reaction, would change the Cybertrucks plates. On Monday, the DMV acknowledged the misinterpretation and in a statement to KTLA said the plates would still be recalled. While the plates owner has shared that the configuration was intended to honor their Filipino heritage, we recognize that the same combination of letters and numbers has been interpreted by others as offensive, particularly within the Jewish community, the statement read in part. We understand that language and symbols can hold different meanings across cultures and communities. What may be a term of endearment in one context can be perceived differently in another. To prevent similar situations in the future, the DMV is reviewing and strengthening its internal processes for evaluating personalized license plate applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. When Donald Trump won a second term in office, experts predicted that it was only a matter of time before a civil war of litigation around abortion broke out between the states. Apparently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wasnt willing to wait anymore. Last week, Texas filed a lawsuit against Margaret Daley Carpenter, a physician and member of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, for mailing pills to patients in the state. Paxton is seeking massive penalties against Carpenter for practicing medicine without a license in the state and violating state abortion laws, but the case got started more simply: A man learned that his partners miscarriage was actually an abortion. If this sounds simple, dont be fooled. The suit will raise messy questions about which states law applies and when it is unconstitutional for one state to ignore rulings from another. Paxton may have just opened a legal Pandoras box, but its part of much broader plans we should expect to see unfold in the new yearled by men just like the one who gave Paxton this case. Messiness aside, theres a reason Paxton led with this suit. New Yorks shield law, which is designed to protect doctors and others who help abortion seekers, authorizes anyone who gets sued for engaging in protected conduct around reproductive rights to bring a so-called clawback lawsuit against the person targeting them. But because the federal Constitution makes states immune from most kinds of lawsuits, it will be harder for Carpenter to go after Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt mean that Paxtons suit is a slam dunk, of course: Even if he secures a judgment in Texas, he might not be able to enforce it, even though the full faith and credit clause usually requires states to honor one anothers judgments. The Supreme Court recognizes an exception for so-called penal judgments that applies to more than just crimes. Indeed, it seems tailor-made for situations like this one, in which Texas is using civil penalties to enforce its idea of public justice. Paxton might like his odds when this case lands, sooner or later, before the high court. But this is the beginning of a much bigger push to end interstate access to abortion that focuses on men like the one at the center of this case. Texas Right to Life and other anti-abortion groups looking for plaintiffs to bring lawsuits in the new year have focused on male partners of abortion seekers, who they hope will bring suits for wrongful death. These suits will target not just medical providers like Carpenter but a wide array of actorsincluding abortion funds, friends, family, websites, internet service providers, and others who help abortion patients find services or information. And organizations like Texas Right to Life dont just want to apply Texas law when Texas patients take abortion pills within state boundaries. Abortion opponents also want these men to help them shut down travel out of state for abortionboth by punishing those who facilitate travel to places where abortion is protected and by applying bans to conduct that takes place in those states. Wrongful-death suits are seductive to abortion opponents for another reason: They can set a precedent for the recognition that certain forms of legal personhood begin when an egg is fertilized. Constitutional fetal personhood is the endgame for anti-abortion activists, who believe that state laws recognizing reproductive rights themselves violate the U.S. Constitution. But the state of the law on personhood isnt clear. When SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, it didnt embrace the theory that personhood begins at fertilization. As the organization Pregnancy Justice has documented, states had already created fetal protections in areas from homicide law to policies on drug use in pregnancy. Some have language in their constitutions stressing that life and rights begin at conception. But howand whenthese laws are practically enforceable isnt clear. Thats where a wrongful-death suit could make a difference. Look at what happened in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court allowed families to sue for wrongful death based on the destruction of frozen embryos created by in vitro fertilization. The suit focused on wrongful death, but it inspired a broader personhood fight. In Alabama, advocates are now trying to establish that protections for IVF violate state constitutional rights of embryos. Across the country, anti-abortion leaders have pushed for IVF restrictions. Abortion opponents in Texas might hope that these suits launch a fight for constitutional personhood even beyond Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This kind of lawsuit might have an additional aim: to force courts outside ban states to recognize some sort of personhood too. What happens in this scenarioif a man wanted his partner to continue a pregnancy and a red state claims that a wrongful death occurred, while a blue state believes that no one did anything wrong and, indeed, that the partner was exercising a protected right? It wont be easy to convince a court that a red state can apply its laws to an abortion that takes place somewhere else. But that may only be part of the point. The U.S. Supreme Court hasnt seemed interested in taking on the question of fetal personhood. Groups like Texas Right to Life might be on the lookout for a way to force the issue by creating conflicts between the states. Thats because Texas lawsuit is not just about conflict between the states. Its the first salvo in a conflict between men and women over who controls what happens in pregnancyand the next step in a broader fight for fetal personhood. A fragile truce between the states on abortion just collapsed: Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against a doctor in New York for mailing pills into the state. The physician, Margaret Daly Carpenter, is part of a group called the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, which represents doctors who mail abortion medications in this case, mifepristone and misoprostol to states where the procedure is banned. ACT refers to these clients as shield providers because they rely on the protections afforded by so-called shield laws, which are on the books in 23 states and the District of Columbia to protect providers and other possible defendants from out-of-state legal consequences. Texas suit is the first to challenge these shield laws, and its likely to raise unprecedented legal questions in the new year. The genesis of shield laws dates from shortly before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, after Missouri considered (but ultimately didnt pass) a bill that would project its abortion ban outside state lines. That inspired a pre-emptive strike from lawyers supportive of abortion rights, who drafted shield laws to prevent criminal and civil consequences for residents who helped out-of-state abortion-seekers. The most ambitious and most consequential form of assistance involved doctors in jurisdictions where abortion is protected mailing abortion pills into states where abortion is banned. This strategy has had obvious practical advantages: It makes medication available to patients who live in remote areas or lack the resources to easily travel out of state. The shield network also makes pills available far more quickly than would be the case if doctors were based offshore. Shield doctors can organize in a range of states to mail tens of thousands of pills into states where abortion is a crime. And there has been no challenge to shield provisions in federal court until now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this lawsuit, we enter uncharted territory. Texas has accused Carpenter of practicing medicine without a license and violating a state law limiting the availability of abortion pills, with civil penalties for the latter starting at $100,000. If Texas lawsuit goes forward, it seems likely, Texas will win in its own state courts. A Texas court will have to decide which states law applies, given that the physician was based in one state and the patient and the abortion in another. Standard telehealth law tends to focus on the location of the patient. And Texas will argue that it has the right to apply its laws because of where the abortion the injury in Texas view took place. That means Texas could win a civil judgment against Carpenter even if she never travels to the state. The real question might be whether New York will enforce a judgment against Carpenter despite what its shield law and state constitution say about reproductive rights. Texas will argue that New York has no choice because of the Full Faith and Credit Clause, which generally requires states to honor valid, final judgments and decisions of other states. But the clause has exceptions. For example, states dont have to carry out the penal policies of other states a term that encompasses not just criminal laws but other laws that have the purpose of punishing an offense against the public justice of the state. While state courts have rarely applied this exception, Texas laws especially civil penalties on abortion pills look pretty penal: Their goal is not to help an injured patient but to enforce Texas concept of justice. New York courts may simply refuse to honor whatever ruling a Texas court reaches. Would Texas then try to garnish money from accounts in banks with in-state branches? Could Carpenter easily frustrate that ambition by moving her assets to a different bank? The answers to these questions are that no one knows. Further complicating matters is the fact that Carpenter could sue Texas right back under New Yorks shield law, which authorizes so-called clawback lawsuits against anyone who brings a suit that counts as unlawful interference with protected rights. If she does, the state will argue it has sovereign immunity from any lawsuit that Carpenter brings under the 11th Amendment, which limits when states can be sued in federal court. And Texas will say it definitely has the power to go after Carpenter because she chose to have contact with the state when she mailed pills to patients within its borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is certain is that the Supreme Court will ultimately have to decide these legal questions. Many of them land in enough of a legal gray area that predicting the outcome with any certainty is challenging, especially with conservative judges who are likely to sympathize with Texas view of reproductive rights. Heres another certainty: Whatever happens in this case will be just the tip of the iceberg. If Texas and other anti-abortion jurisdictions can target doctors who mail pills into their states, it will be harder to target providers who serve out-of-state patients who travel to places where abortion is legal. And then there are in-between scenarios for example, if a patient receives a pill in one state and ingests it another. None of that even touches on whether states like Texas can go after someone for providing information that facilitates abortion travel or a corporation for subsidizing abortion-related travel of employees in ban states. And though Texas can claim sovereign immunity, that wont be true of other plaintiffs, like the former partners of abortion patients, who can also bring suit against out-of-state defendants. These lawsuits will tee up even messier questions. States may even race to be the first to reach a final judgment they can then push their neighbors to recognize. In concurring with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Justice Brett Kavanaugh quoted Justice Antonin Scalias complaint that Roe fanned into life an issue that has inflamed our national politics in general. The man who appointed Kavanaugh to the court agreed: With Roe gone, Donald Trump said, we have abortion where everyone wanted it from a legal standpoint. It will soon be quaint to think of the demise of Roe as Trump and the conservative justices do: as a kind of settlement that would simplify and de-escalate conflicts about abortion. Texas lawsuit makes it clear that with Roe gone, things are about to get much more complicated and much worse. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Leaders of the Republican Party of Texas are upping the pressure on Republican lawmakers who are backing Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, in the contentious race for House speaker. This week, multiple Republicans received text messages from Republican Party Chair Abraham George, calling for them to unite behind Burrows opponent, Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield. Before the Republican Party of Texas sends any direct mail into your district I wanted an opportunity to personally connect about your public position on the speakers race, George wrote, according to a screenshot of a text message shared with The Texas Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The text messages come amid an intra-party fight over the speakership that has only intensified since earlier this month, when Cook won the endorsement of the House GOP Caucus and then Burrows announced that he had enough bipartisan support in the 150-member chamber to win. The day of the caucus vote, the Texas GOP indicated it would censure any Republican lawmaker who does not vote for Cook as speaker a move that, under new party rules, would bar those lawmakers from appearing in a GOP primary for two years. Republican county leaders in Harris and Fort Bend have since vowed to censure their lawmakers if they vote for Burrows, and the vice chair of the Montgomery County GOP has announced that he will run against Rep. Will Metcalf in 2026 for his support for Burrows. The Texas GOP has also begun to air attack ads against Burrows in his hometown of Lubbock. The party has traditionally focused on fundraising, voter outreach and other efforts supporting its members. But in recent years and amid an ongoing war for control of the party leaders have taken a more activist approach, endorsing candidates and railing against lawmakers they deem Republicans in Name Only. The Texas GOP declined an interview request on the recent text messages from George, who was elected party chair amid heated infighting earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George commented on the strategy this week, however. We want to spend our resources attacking Democrats, he wrote on social media. Im hopeful that the small band of Republicans currently standing in our war way [sic] will seek unity over increased conflict. The move has been decried by some party members, however including at least one pro-Cook House member. Im solidly behind Cook & am confident he will prevail, Rep. Matt Shaheen wrote on social media this week. But the [party] must stop its constant attack on Republicans! WAXAHACHIE, Texas (AP) A Texas man being held in jail fatally assaulted a detention officer who was returning him to his cell following the one hour he was allowed out of his lockup each day, a sheriff said Tuesday. Isaiah Patrick Bias, a 28-year-old who worked at the Ellis County Sheriff's Office for over six years, was assaulted Monday afternoon at the county jail in Waxahachie, south of Dallas. Sheriff Brad Norman said during a Tuesday news conference that Arron Semeion Thompson, 45, from nearby Ennis, has been charged with capital murder in Bias' death. Most of the time, law enforcement officers and detention officers deal with good folks having a bad day. Occasionally, we deal with bad folks, Norman said. I can honestly say that my staff, over the last day, has dealt with pure evil." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norman said Bias was a family-oriented person and beloved by colleagues. He was one of the kind of guys who if you needed help, he'd come help you, Norman said. Officials said Thompson has been in jail since last month on charges of assaulting a public servant, public intoxication and evading arrest. Thompson's bond in Bias' death was set at $2 million. Jail records did not list an attorney for him. Norman said the Texas Rangers will investigate. HOUSTON (AP) A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers announced Tuesday they had issued a new subpoena that would require the states prison system to allow death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify in person this week about the states junk science law. An earlier subpoena ended up delaying Robersons Oct. 17 execution, which had been set to be the first in the U.S. tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence announced it had issued last week and served on Monday a subpoena compelling Roberson to appear before it at a meeting in Austin on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee has argued it needs to hear from Roberson about whether a 2013 law created to allow prisoners to challenge their convictions based on new scientific evidence was ignored in his case. Roberts testimony will shed important light on some of the problems with our junk science writ process, a legal procedure Texas lawmakers expected to provide reconsideration in cases like this one, committee chair and state Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat, and committee member and state Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican, said in a statement. The committee said its waiting for a response from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Amanda Hernandez, a department spokesperson, said in an email that her agency doesn't have a comment at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberson's lawyer said he's grateful for the chance to be heard. I profoundly hope that his ability to appear is not obstructed by those who, for whatever reason, do not want the lawmakers and the public to hear from him directly about his experience trying to communicate his innocence, attorney Gretchen Sween said in a statement. Roberson had been set to appear before the committee on Oct. 21 under the first subpoena. However, the Texas attorney general's office said he would only appear by videoconference because bringing him to the state Capitol would present myriad security and logistical concerns. The committee and Robersons lawyers have pushed for him to appear in person, saying testimony via video conference would be difficult for him because he has been diagnosed with autism and has communication challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberson, 58, is being held in the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, located more than 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of Austin. Roberson was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. Prosecutors said Roberson shook her violently back and forth. Robersons attorneys have argued that the childs symptoms did not align with child abuse and that she likely died from complications from severe pneumonia. Roberson has gained bipartisan support from lawmakers and medical experts who say he was convicted on faulty evidence of shaken baby syndrome, which refers to a serious brain injury caused when a childs head is hurt through shaking or some other violent impact, like being slammed against a wall or thrown on the floor. After the state parole board, multiple lower courts and the U.S. Supreme Court had all rejected Robersons request to delay his October execution, it appeared he would receive a lethal injection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the House committee used an unconventional strategy to delay his execution: issuing a subpoena for Roberson to testify days after he was scheduled to die. After legal debate in multiple courts, the Texas Supreme Court upheld an order to stay Robersons execution. In November, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot stop an execution. But the court did say the committee could issue another subpoena for Robersons testimony so long as it didnt block a scheduled execution. A new execution date for Roberson has not been set. If the state criminal justice department would not comply with a new subpoena, the House committee could seek judicial relief to compel Robersons testimony, the Texas Supreme Court said in its order. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice and attorney generals office had objected to the first subpoena because it would have forced the state prison system to disobey a valid court order to carry out a lawfully imposed death sentence. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 JACKSBORO (KFDX/KJTL) The Texas Rangers have begun investigating a controversy surrounding the Jacksboro city manager and the suspension of the Jacksboro police chief and officers within the department. The Jacksboro Police Association and the Texas Municipal Police Association called for the Jacksboro mayor and city council to reconsider the employment of city manager Mike Smith after what they called a pattern of questionable decisions, retaliatory actions, and leadership failures. Police non-profits fund a shopping spree to help family of late Olney officer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Dec. 11 news release, two Jacksboro police officers and the chief were placed on administrative leave two days earlier by city manager Mike Smith. The release said before that, officers observed Smith appearing intoxicated at a city event and then followed protocol, with one activating her body camera and alerting a DPS trooper. Later, the city managers vehicle was reportedly pulled over after leaving the city Christmas party. The city managers wife, who had not been drinking, was driving. After contacting the city manager Monday for further comments on the situation in Jacksboro, he told newsroom staff at KFDX/KJTL and Texomas Homepage that it would not be appropriate for him to comment during the Texas Rangers investigation. Smith continued, stating, Once the investigation is complete, I might be willing to meet with you. The communications manager at TMPA, Tyler Owen, said he hopes the Jacksboro City Council does its job regarding the city manager. He also said he believes the suspensions are putting the safety of the remaining officers at risk. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Officials from Thailand signed the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on Monday, making the Asian nation the 51st member of the international safe space exploration pact. Pakorn Apaphant, executive director of Thailand's Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, signed the accords for his country during a ceremony held in Bangkok. "Thailand will enter the golden age of space exploration in full force," Apaphant said, according to a statement from NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec was among the U.S. officials on hand for the ceremony. In a statement, he described Thailand's signing of the accords as Bangkok taking "an historic step into space exploration." "Congratulations!!" he said on X. "Thailand signed the Artemis Accords, joining the family of nations pledging peaceful cooperation in exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It's a huge step forward on Thai-U.S. space cooperation. Together, we will explore the cosmos!" Today Thailand took an historic step into space exploration - congratulations!! Thailand signed the Artemis Accords, joining the family of nations pledging peaceful cooperation in exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. It's a huge step forward on Thai-U.S. space cooperation.... pic.twitter.com/iKza4r5dkz Ambassador Robert F. Godec (@USAmbThailand) December 16, 2024 Founded by NASA in 2020, the Artemis Accords establish principles for peaceful space exploration based on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. It is also in conjunction with NASA's Artemis campaign to land the first woman, the first person of color and the U.S. agency's first partner astronaut on the moon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thailand's commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country's engagement with NASA and the international community," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "By signing the accords, Thailand builds upon an important foundation and shows great leadership for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space." With the ceremony, Thailand becomes the 51st signatory to the accords after Austria became the pact's 50th member on Dec. 11. More countries are expected to join, according to NASA. SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) To get ahead of the fate of his draft notice, Kevin McKeon joined the Navy. My draft lottery number came back when I had just gotten into my senior year and it was number three, McKeon told 7NEWS. Vietnam was still going on. He said the Navy is his familys branch of service. My dad was in the Navy. His brother was in the Navy, said McKeon. McKeon performed well on his electronics test, so he became an Electronics Technician in the Submarine Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very specialized, McKeon shared. It was the ships inertial navigation system, which provided possession information, speed and velocity information, depth information, all of that information thats required for targeting of missiles. Which meant lots of computer work. I was on the U.S.S. James Madison and we were going to sea and it was an unusual set of circumstances, but I loved it, he explained. It was great. McKeon deployed to the Arctic Circle during the Cold War. Our objective and our mission were to remain undetected and to be a strategic deterrent for, you know, for the Soviet Union to get the idea of launching any kind of nuclear missiles at our nation, said McKeon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After several tours, McKeon came back to the States to become an instructor at the same school he attended as a student. I was there running the navigation subsystem training section as a first-class petty officer, which was unheard of at the time, said McKeon. He was honorably discharged in 1985. His civilian jobs then filled several different corporate training leadership roles. Now retired, McKeon works as the new president of the Vets Helping Vets Spartanburg chapter and the office manager at the VFW in Roebuck. Im working harder now and working more hours and doing more gratifying work than anything that I ever did when I was getting paid for it, McKeon shared. And I love it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A challenge, McKeon said he wanted to prove to himself he could fulfill. If you can lead a volunteer organization, then you truly can lead people, he explained. And I wanted to prove to myself that I could as well as knowing that the organization was really about helping veterans, boots on the ground. McKeon said it keeps him motivated to continue to serve. Kevin McKeon, Thank You for Your Service. To nominate a veteran like Kevin Mckeon to be featured in our Thank You for Your Service, 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 WSPA 7NEWS. OVERTON For Jaelynn Roberts, the holiday season is a time to give back to those in need, especially children in the foster care system. A junior at Overton Public Schools and Lexington resident, Roberts is spearheading an FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) Community Action Project called Operation Stocking Stuffer with her school. Roberts and a small team of volunteers are making and decorating 72 stockings to be filled with gifts and distributed to foster children in the Dawson County area. This is not Roberts first giving back to those in need during the holiday season. In previous years, she has organized blanket drives and other initiatives to support local families. I go to a public school, and I can see the difference in some kids. For some they have depression or they feel upset because maybe they have a bad home life, Roberts said. I want them to feel like theyre loved and people care for them, because I feel like some people in the foster care system dont feel that way. Roberts motivation to help others stems from her own experiences teaching a church class with her father, Matt Roberts, of the Lexington Police Department and witnessing firsthand the lack of love and support some foster children face. In planning this years Operation Stocking Stuffer, Roberts had to consider various factors, including time constraints and material costs for the stockings. She opted for stockings over blankets this year, despite the higher expenses, because she felt it was an important project that she could get the necessary help to complete. I do it based on time. I am short on time this year, but Im that kind of person who likes to get things done no matter what, Roberts said. To organize the project, Roberts had to get help to secure $250 gift cards to help with the costs. She then contacted the director of Dawson/Gosper County CASA Linda Shaw and the HOMES (Homeless, Orphans, Mothers, Elderly, SICK) organization to get the number of foster children in need. Roberts also got in touch with individuals from Ridgeway Senior Living, the Lexington chapter of Kiwanis International and the Optimist Club to gather additional support and donations. Roberts said the Ridgeway team was excited to collaborate and provided valuable input, including ideas for decorating the stockings. They were all incredibly excited, Roberts said. We talked about all the ideas we wanted to bring to life, and everyone contributed their input. Everyone was enthusiastic and eager to help decorate the stockings. The stocking decoration event at Ridgeway Senior Living is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 3 p.m., and Roberts is looking forward to seeing the communitys enthusiasm and support. While recognition for her efforts is not her primary motivation, Roberts has been nominated for awards in the past, which she finds both humbling and exciting. I genuinely love doing this out of the kindness of my heart and the love I have for others, Roberts said. Its a way to show how much God has influenced my project and share that with others. But honestly, it would be really cool to be nominated for something like this again. Its just exciting to be able to say, Yeah, I did that. As Roberts looks to the future, she envisions continuing her passion for helping others, particularly through a career as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse. She believes her experiences with community service projects have reinforced her desire to work with children and show them love, even in challenging circumstances. Roberts advice to other schools and students interested in similar holiday service projects is simple: If they feel like thats something they want to do in their heart, they should just go for it even if theyre unsure. Roberts father, Matt, credited the cooperating organizations for helping bring Operation Stocking Stuffer to life for his daughter and her school. They are the driving force behind this project. Most people dont realize just how impactful their participation is, Matt said. I hope people in the community see that if my young daughter can make a difference, so can anyone. Police identified the school shooter in Madison, Wis., as a 15-year-old female student an occurrence experts say is rare. Mondays shooting at Abundant Life Christian School left three people dead, including the female shooter, and six others injured. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said on Monday that when officers arrived at the scene, they found the shooter, identified as Natalie Rupnow, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and she was pronounced dead while being taken to the hospital. The shooter used a 9mm pistol, according to police who said they were trying to trace the gun. Rupnow has now joined the small list of female shooting perpetrators in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Females comprise about 4% to 5% of all mass shooters, Jaclyn Schildkraut, the executive director of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government, told Yahoo News. The institutes data focuses on mass public shootings, not just school shootings. Adam Lankford, professor of criminology at the University of Alabama, told Yahoo News, In general, about 95% of public mass shootings are committed by men. The Violence Prevention Project database has tracked mass shootings since 1996. They found that males disproportionately commit mass shootings, (98%) vs. females (2%) or transgender individuals (fewer than 1%). It defines a mass shooting as an occurrence where four or more people [are] shot and killed, excluding the shooter, in a public location, with no connection to underlying criminal activity, such as gangs or drugs. The Washington Post has been tracking school shootings that happen during the school day on K-12 campuses dating back to the Columbine High School shooting in 1999. Under its parameters, 4% of school shooters are female. What's the difference in characteristics between male and female shooters? Lankford explained that, generally, it was long assumed that men are just more aggressive than women. Now there's research that says maybe men and women and boys and girls are more similar when it comes to aggression or anger, but the behaviors it leads to, differ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those types of behaviors, according to Lankford, include the type of murder weapon used and the motive behind targeting certain victims. When it comes to weapons preference, Lankford says of the data, men have a stronger preference for firearms and the gender gap is closer when it comes to using poison, or like, arson, as a murder weapon. When asked about any research that has been done as to why men prefer to use firearms, Lankford said there was no agreed-upon or confirmed answer. There's been speculation that, for example, women don't like to see the bloody damaged body, or even to envision themselves being defaced if they were discovered after a suicide. Whereas men aren't bothered by that or, and in some cases, are even attracted to this idea of blowing things away. Lankford added that in the victim-offender relationship, men are more likely to commit murder involving victims who are strangers. The gender gap's a little closer when it comes to women killing people who they have a closer connection to, like family, an intimate partner, someone else they're closely connected to, Lankford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that in some school shootings, there has been a close connection that involves a fellow student or teacher they had a grudge or conflict with. In the case of the Madison shooting, Everyone was targeted in this incident. And everyone was put in equal danger," Barnes told reporters Tuesday. But then there are other cases where especially male shooters just view the victims almost as a symbolic enemy, and/or they kill victims and they don't think about them as personal enemies, but rather are using them to become famous, as a means to an end, Lankford explained. Warning signs usually precede a school shooting, experts say Mass shooting perpetrators often display some sort of warning signs before they commit the acts of violence. In fact, in 32 percent of the mass shootings in which four or more people were killed, a shooter exhibited at least one warning sign before the shooting, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for stricter gun laws. Barnes said the 15-year-old female shooter was obviously very troubled 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schildkraut told Yahoo News that she is working on a project funded by the Department of Homeland Security to look at the warning signs, behaviors and communications of individuals that perpetuate these types of shootings. Regardless of their gender or sex identity, these are individuals who are presenting considerable warning signs before the shooting happens that one or more persons is usually privy to, Schildkraut explained. What our project is doing is analyzing that total threat environment and creating public awareness training for K to 12 schools, colleges and universities and the general public to try and help to break down that bystander effect, get more people to intervene and hopefully prevent these tragedies from occurring, she said. A group of six males were arrested Saturday in San Bernardino County after surveillance cameras at a retail outlet captured the suspects walking out with more than $1,000 in stolen merchandise, officials announced Monday. Details are limited and its unclear exactly where or what time the suspects were captured on video during the theft, but officers with the Upland Police Department responded to the area on reports of the incident. In vehicle and police body-worn camera footage released by police, officers can be seen pulling over the crew in what appears to be a dark-colored SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police can be seen searching the vehicle as the six suspects, handcuffed and seated on the side of the road, look on. Six males were arrested for organized retail theft in Upland on Dec. 14m 2024. (UPD) A fake gun inside of a vehicle pulled over and searched after an alleged retail theft in Upland on Dec. 16, 2024. (UPD) Sneakers and clothing recovered after a retail theft arrest in Upland on Dec. 14, 2024. (UPD) Sneakers and clothing recovered after a retail theft arrest in Upland on Dec. 14, 2024. (UPD) Six males were arrested for organized retail theft in Upland on Dec. 14m 2024. (UPD) Nearly a dozen boxes of shoes, many of them Nikes, were recovered along with several items of clothing and a fake gun inside the vehicle, which was ultimately towed and impounded. Each of the suspects was booked into the San Bernardino County Jail and face charges of conspiring to commit organized retail theft, police said in a post to X, formerly Twitter. Authorities also noted that at least a few of the suspects had existing warrants at the time of the alleged theft. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla. (WFLA) An employee at the Chevron gas station in Port Charlotte spoke about the measures she took to try and save Charlotte County Deputy Sergeant Elio Diaz. Michelle Pardo was working at the gas station when the shooting occurred and rushed outside to help Diaz. Hunter dies after bear falls from tree I had been keeping an eye on him because the traffic stop was long, it was very long and I know they are not that long, Pardo said to NBC affiliate WBBH. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz pulled over a pickup truck at the gas station on Tamiami Trail. I was taking care of a customer, and I heard all the gunshots, Pardo said. I heard several of them. I turned around, and I looked through the window right by the counter, and I saw him laying there, and I just grabbed my phone and I ran. I didnt even think about what I was doing. I didnt think about the job. I didnt about anything. I grabbed my phone, and as I was running outside, I called 911. Pardo recounted how she tried to help Diaz by talking to him and doing CPR until another bystander and Fire Rescue showed up to help. According to Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, Diaz was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I need them to know that I did try; I really did try, Pardo said. The suspect, Andrew Mostyn Jr., pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz before fleeing the scene. Deputies approached Mostyns vehicle that was spotted at a Poepeyes, when he reached for a rifle, prompting deputies to shoot him. Mostyn later died at a 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 WFLA. It was our most expensive item in the store at the time. A $1,200 gold ring with a Freemasonry symbol and ruby was stolen last week from Bellas Voice, a thrift store in Lynnwood. On December 12, the thief was caught on surveillance video trying to open a locked jewelry case. Bellas Voice Executive Director Jordan Hoffman-Nelson says the man asked an employee to see the ring, then took it and started to walk away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes all, Im going to go buy it right now but instead of walking to our registers, he walked to the door and the supervisor was standing in between the door and him and she said hey give me back our merchandise and he started yelling at her not to touch him and he said dont touch me, dont touch me and shoved her out of the way and then ran, said Hoffman-Nelson. She says employees later realized the same guy was in the store three weeks earlier, going behind the same jewelry case, which at that time was unlocked, and grabbed a $1,100 locket, then calmly walked out seconds later. He got away with it because no one caught him and thats why he was able to come in the second time, said Hoffman-Nelson. Its a tough loss for Bellas Voice, which recently moved to a new location, raising money to help rescued animals and the non-profits pet food bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just pretty upsetting and it just takes money from the animals takes away from our mission, said Hoffman-Nelson. This is also changing the way the thrift store does business. Now, items worth more than $200 will be posted online, instead of on display in the store. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest. Speculation is running rampant regarding a sharp intake in drone sightings across the East Coast and in Massachusetts. A source in Washington told Boston 25 there is frustration among some members of Congress, including Massachusetts lawmakers regarding a lack of information about recent drone sightings from New Jersey to Boston. The same frustration was expressed to Boston 25 News by members of the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think theres too many flying around for it to be, like, recreational, Lynn resident Ryan Sweeney told Boston 25 News. I think the government knows whats going on and they dont want to tell us. Two men were arraigned on trespassing charges in Dorchester District Court on Monday. They are accused of flying a drone dangerously close to Logan Airport this weekend from Long Island in Boston Harbor. Hazardous drone operation: Two arrested for flying dangerously close to Logan Airport, police say [They have]cooperated with everything, theres no reports of anything having been broken, and if this had happened two months ago it would be, Guys, you shouldnt be filming here, and it wouldnt be a big issue, defense attorney Michael Martin told reporters after the arraignment. The FAA declined to comment on the case but did tell Boston 25 News more than 1 million drones are registered with the FAA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal data also reveals more than 368,000 active Remote pilots nationwide, including nearly 5,700 in Massachusetts. The FBI and Homeland Security both say theres nothing to suggest the drones pose a threat or that theyre connected to a foreign country, and that most drone sightings turn out to be planes. However, in a statement last week, both agencies acknowledge the reports highlight what they say is the insufficiency of current authorities. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The worlds foremost man-made cellulosic fiber (MMCF) innovators have been duking it out for years, all vying for the coveted No. 1 ranking in Canopys annual Hot Button Report. For the first time this year, three companiesBirla Cellulose, Lenzing and Tangshan Sanyouhave all earned the highest honor from the sustainable forestry nonprofit. The firms each earned 33 buttonsunits of measurement which denote engagement in audits, conservation, next generation solutions, improved sourcing policies, transparency and traceability and improved supply chains. Their low-risk status as supply chain partners to leading brands establishes them as dark green shirts, the foremost leaders in the space. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2024 assessment revealed some encouraging strides for the MMCF industry at large. For one, 97.5 percent of all global MMCF production is now represented in the reportamounting to 28 global innovatorsand 71 percent of these rated producers earned green, partial dark green or dark green shirts. Green shirt production remained consistent with last year at 53 percent. According to Canopy, China once again showed remarkable leadership in the MMCF space. Tangshan Sanyou, a first-time first-place winner located in Hebei Province, China, produces a viscose staple fiber made from 30 percent to 50 percent recycled content dissolving pulp. This product was the first MMCF containing post-consumer recycled textiles, Canopy wrote. Meanwhile, Chinese MMCF producers Yibin Grace and Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co. achieved the second-highest number of buttons, 32, for scaling up next-gen fiber solutions. Other notable mentions include Jilin Chemical Fiber (31.5), Eastman (30), and Acegreen (30). Lenzing, which has been a top Hot Button Report contender or winner for several years in a row, earned high marks for sourcing, conservation and next-gen solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company brought to market the first lyocell fiber containing 30 percent recycled pre-consumer content-based cotton waste with up to 10 percent post-consumer content. Lenzing has a large-scale partnership with Sodra Once More to create up to 60,000 tons of product made with 50 percent recycled cotton and 50 percent wood pulp. The Austria-based firm has also been vocal about the importance of next-gen fiber solutions, signing onto a letter to governments calling for support for innovators in the space. An industry leader, Lenzing opened a mill in Brazil that produces FSC-certified 100-percent dissolving pulpa step above most mills, which produce an FSC Mix of FSC-certified and non-certified fibers. India-based Birla has consistently worked to reduce risk in its supply chain, and is rated low-risk for sourcing from ancient and endangered forests. According to Canopy, the company owns a mill near ancient and endangered forest land in Canadas Boreal, and Birla and Canopy have actively explored conservation solutions that seek to preserve 70 percent of it. In 2024, that mill closed and stopped all wood sourcing. Birla is now talking through co-management opportunities with First Nations in New Brunswick, Canada. The group in turn increased its procurement of FSC-certified fiber, and it continues to invest in research and development for next-gen solutions. Like Lenzing, Birla contributed to a letter to global governments about the importance of scaling up solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birla Cellulose is proud to be leading the collaborative effort for scaling up Next Gen solutions, H.K. Agarwal, business director of Birla Cellulose, said. This prestigious recognition affirms Birla Celluloses unwavering dedication to enhancing sustainable wood sourcing practices, forest conservation, and maintaining transparency in the value chain. Despite the best efforts of movers and shakers in the MMCF space to champion new solutions that reduce reliance on virgin raw materials, Canopy said the pressure on the worlds forests remains higher than ever. The annual production of forest-derived fabrics is increasing, not slowing, and based on volumes disclosed to Canopy, MMCF production has ballooned by nearly half a million tons from 2023. Some of that uptick in production comes from green shirt producers, but the largest increase comes from Sateri, a partial red shirt company that has been acquiring other mills and now makes up almost one-quarter of global MMCF production capacity. Now more than ever, it is vital that Next Gen fibre solutions begin to displace forest fibre in MMCFs in a significant and accelerated way, Canopy wrote. Notably, though, nearly all the producers engaged with the nonprofit are either actively utilizing next-gen products or are engaged in the research and development process. Over the past year, the industry was shaken by the bankruptcy and sale of Renewcell (now Circulose), but Canopy said the saga served as a case study, providing learnings for others in the space about what it is going to take to scale Next Gen through the long value chain. Chinese short-form video-hosting service TikTok is making a last-ditch attempt to prevent a potential ban in the United States by appealing to the Supreme Court. The platform, owned by the Beijing-based ByteDance, filed an emergency appeal on Monday to challenge a US law that mandates it must change ownership by January 19 or face removal from US app stores. The law, which took effect in April, gives ByteDance until the deadline to divest from TikTok before the app is banned from app stores in the US. The justification cites the risk that China could gain access to US data and exert political influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While US President Joe Biden has the authority to extend the deadline by three months, this would require progress in ongoing sales negotiations. However, TikTok has so far refused to consider a change of ownership. Last week, an federal appeals court in Washington declared the law to be legal. The subsidiary of the ByteDance group argued in its lawsuit that the law violates the freedom of speech enshrined in the US Constitution. However, the court noted that the law aligns with long-standing regulatory practices and that the US Congress did not intend to suppress specific expressions. TikTok says it has 170 million users in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump tried to ban TikTok in his first presidency Former and soon-to-be president Donald Trump tried to ban TikTok during his first presidency by issuing an executive order in 2020 that would have had that effect, saying TikTok's "risks are real." That attempt was thwarted by a US federal judge, who said the then president did not have the authority to ban the app. But Trump's had a change of heart. He now credits TikTok with helping him connect with young voters during his election campaign. "I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok," Trump said at a press conference in Florida, when asked about his efforts to prevent the popular app from being banned in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump shared how his 18-year-old son, Barron, introduced him to TikTok influencers during the campaign. "I said, 'Who is that? Tell me, who's that?'" Trump recalled, with Barron replying, "Dad, you gotta be kidding. I can't believe you don't know." Trump went on to describe how he took part in interviews on the platform, calling it "sort of cute." While more than half of young voters backed Trump's Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, in the November 5 presidential election, Trump gained significant support from this age group compared to the 2020 election. WASHINGTON TikTok on Monday asked the Supreme Court to block a law that could ban the video-based social media app, which has millions of American users. At issue is a bipartisan measure passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden that would go into effect on Jan. 19, the day before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, unless the justices intervene. The law, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, would require TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an American company or face a ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok has challenged the law, saying it violates its free speech rights under the First Amendment. "The Act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," TikTok's lawyers wrote in the court filing. "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," they added. TikTok asked the Supreme Court to act by Jan. 6. "Today, TikTok is 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," company spokesman Michael Hughes said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Supreme Court temporarily blocks the law, it would tee up a final decision from the justices on whether the law passes constitutional muster. The court could expedite consideration of the case, meaning it could issue a final ruling within months. If the justices reject TikTok's application, the law would go into effect as planned. TikTok could still seek to have the high court review the law while it is in place, but the justices would already have sent a signal that they think the company is unlikely to prevail. The federal government has defended the law on national security grounds, saying there are concerns about the Chinese government's influence over the app. TikTok, as well as eight individual users and Based Politics Inc., a conservative group that uses TikTok, all filed separate challenges saying the law violates their free speech rights, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The individual challengers filed their own application at the Supreme Court. For people who rely on TikTok, the ban would be "devastating to their livelihoods, their communities, and their ability to express themselves and hear the ideas of their choosing," their lawyers wrote. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the law, despite finding that it did implicate the First Amendment and needed to be reviewed very closely. Applying court precedent, the three-judge panel concluded that the law served a compelling government interest and was sufficiently narrowly tailored to further that interest. The appeals court found that the government's national security justifications, including concerns that the Chinese government could access data about American users and potentially manipulate content on the app, were legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok was launched in the U.S. in 2018 and has become increasingly popular, now claiming 170 million American users. Its algorithm provides users with streams of short-form video content that adjusts based on their interests. There were national security concerns from the beginning, with Trump at one point seeking to ban it. Trump has since equivocated, saying during the recent election that he could "save TikTok." Trump said Monday he has a "warm spot" in his heart for TikTok when he was asked about the law. He was also scheduled to meet with TikTok's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida on Monday, according to a source familiar with the meeting. The company has the backing of civil liberties groups that have joined the legal fight on free speech grounds. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com LONDON (AP) European Union regulators said Tuesday they're investigating whether TikTok breached the bloc's digital rulebook by failing to deal with risks to Romania's presidential election, which has been thrown into turmoil over allegations of electoral violations and Russian meddling. The European Commission is escalating its scrutiny of the popular video-sharing platform after Romania's top court canceled results of the first round of voting that resulted in an unknown far-right candidate becoming the front-runner. The court made its unprecedented decision after authorities in the European Union and NATO member country declassified documents alleging Moscow organized a sprawling social media campaign to promote a long shot candidate, Calin Georgescu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following serious indications that foreign actors interfered in the Romanian presidential elections by using TikTok, we are now thoroughly investigating whether TikTok has violated the Digital Services Act by failing to tackle such risks, European Commission president Ursula on der Leyen said in a press release. It should be crystal clear that in the EU, all online platforms, including TikTok, must be held accountable. The European Commission is the 27-nation EU's executive arm and enforces the bloc's Digital Services Act, a sweeping set of regulations intended to clean up social media platforms and protect users from risks such as election-related misinformation. It ordered TikTok earlier this month to retain all information related to the election. In the preliminary round of voting on Nov. 24 Georgescu was an outsider among the 13 candidates but ended up topping the polls. He was due to face a pro-EU reformist rival in a runoff before the court canceled the results. The declassified files alleged that there was an aggressive promotion campaign to boost Georgescu's popularity, including payments worth a total of $381,000 to TikTok influencers to promote him on the platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TikTok said it has protected the integrity" of its platform over 150 elections around the world and is continuing to address these industry-wide challenges. TikTok has provided the European Commission with extensive information regarding these efforts, and we have transparently and publicly detailed our robust actions, it said in a statement. The commission said its investigation will focus on TikTok's content recommendation systems, especially on risks related to coordinated inauthentic manipulation or automated exploitation." It's also looking at TikTok's policies on political advertisements and paid-for political content." TikTok said it doesn't accept paid political ads and "proactively" removes content for violating policies on misinformation. The investigation could result in TikTok making changes to fix any problems, or in fines worth up to 6% of the company's total global revenue. The News The EU opened an investigation into TikTok Tuesday over allegations that it failed to stop fake accounts and foreign powers from interfering in Romanias recent presidential election, in the latest blow to the social media app. The European probe comes as TikTok faces an imminent ban in the US that could see it removed from digital app stores in the country within weeks, unless Chinese parent ByteDance sells the platform to an American company. In a last-ditch effort, TikTok on Monday also asked the US Supreme Court to temporarily block the ban. The same day, President-elect Donald Trump who pledged to save the app during his most recent campaign met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, who was expected to plead his case for keeping the platform accessible. SIGNALS Trump may not be able to fulfil promise to save TikTok Sources: Forbes, Associated Press Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump is all about optics, the president-elect could wait for the ban to scheduled to come into effect on President Joe Bidens last day in office to take place and then immediately give TikTok a three-month extension to claim he saved the app, Forbes wrote. But Trumps hands may be tied if he tries to nullify the ban which an expert told The Associated Press would not be lawful or attempt to circumvent it: The law stipulates heavy fines for American tech giants that try to keep TikTok accessible. A mere Truth Social post or even an Executive Order might not be enough to convince American companies to keep the app available, Forbes wrote. Zuckerberg might benefit most from TikTok ban Source: Bloomberg Virtually any app with a large, young user base is poised to benefit from the US TikTok ban, Bloomberg wrote, but Meta and Google are best-placed to absorb its 170 million monthly users. Meta has Reels, a short-form video ecosystem similar to TikTok, and Google has YouTube shorts. Trump initially complained that a TikTok ban would make Metas products too powerful, the outlet wrote, but the president-elects animosity toward CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears to have softened in recent months. Zuckerberg might also aim for an informal advisory role to aTrump White House in order to shape tech policy, Bloomberg reported. Falsehoods circulating on TikTok blame Brussels for Romanias election fiasco Source: Euronews Despite the probe into Romanian election interference, TikTok accounts supporting far-right candidate Calin Georgescu are now spreading the falsehood that European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen personally intervened to nullify the vote, according to Euronews. The commission has repeatedly attested that it is the Romanian government not the EU that oversees the countrys electoral proceedings. These accounts are also promoting anti-EU and anti-Western messages, Euronews wrote. Still, legal experts have called Bucharests decision to annul the vote unusual given that Romanian authorities have not disclosed any evidence supporting the allegation that Moscow used TikTok to subvert the election. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER While the puzzle pieces have been laid out over the last two years, a picture is beginning to form for NASAs pursuit of the first human spaceflight of its Artemis program to the moon. While the launch of Artemis II is still officially more than 16 months away, its massive Space Launch System rocket core stage went vertical inside KSCs cavernous Vehicle Assembly Building this week while the four crew set to be the first to fly to the moon in more than half a century say theyre ready to go. Amid the clanging echoes of work in progress across the building that spans eight acres, the three NASA and one Canadian Space Agency astronauts were on hand to let everyone know theyre on board with NASAs decision to move forward without replacing the heat shield on their ride to the moon, the Orion space capsule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wife, when the announcement was made, she looked at me and she said, Well, what do you think? I said, I think its safe and I think its go time, said NASAs Victor Glover, the pilot for the mission. I always tell my family, dont pay attention to launch dates until I tell you to do so. And this is the first one you know, there have been several since weve been assigned to this mission and this is the first one I said, Hey, put it on your calendar and and be ready.' Show Caption1 of 21 From left: Jenni Gibbons, Artemis II backup crew member with the Canadian Space Agency; Andre Douglas, Artemis II backup crew member with NASA; Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist with the Canadian Space Agency; Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist with NASA; Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot with NASA; and Reid Wiseman, Artemis II spacecraft commander with NASA stand in front of the Space Launch System core stage inside the Vehicle Assembly Building on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Expand Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Targeting no later than April 2026, the quartet of Glover, commander Reid Wiseman, NASAs Christina Koch and the CSAs Jeremy Hansen would be the first humans to fly to the moon although not land on it since the last Apollo mission in December 1972. The test flight would pave the way for the Artemis III mission that looks to return humans to the surface, including the first woman, by mid-2027. Artemis flights launch on the Space Launch System rocket, which is a core stage made by Boeing powered by refurbished space shuttle-era RS-25 engines from L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne. Those combine with solid rocket boosters by Northrop Grumman to provide 8.8 million pounds of thrust on liftoff to send the Lockheed Martin-built Orion spacecraft on its way to the moon. The Artemis I flight in 2022 was considered a win for the SLS rocket, which while delayed and over budget, remains the most powerful rocket to ever launch a payload into orbit. NASA delays Artemis II to 2026 and Artemis III moon landing to 2027 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the return of Orion, which hurtled back to Earth at close to 25,000 mph facing reentry temperatures of near 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, gave NASA and Lockheed a major hurdle to solve. The heat shield suffered more than 100 cracks and chunks that posed a danger to humans if flown again in the same way. NASA announced in October it had been able to recreate the problem on Earth, but only announced last week its plan to stick with the heat shield for Artemis II and just adjust the return flight trajectory as a safe solution. From a safety perspective, I think its been proven through our data, through our testing and all the analysis we did to show that we have a safe way to fly the heat shield that we have today, said Howard Hu, NASAs Orion program manager. Its a decision that still delays the launch for about eight months, although that would have likely been closer to two years had NASA opted to replace the heat shield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that decision in place, the machine of getting the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft ready for launch have already begun moving. With the core stage standing upright for the first time, the two solid rocket boosters will begin to be pieced together as soon as this week while the Orion spacecraft is expected to arrive to the VAB by April or May, said Amit Kshatriya, deputy associate administrator of NASAs Moon to Mars Program Office. The full integrated stack were going to try and roll by the end of 2025, Kshatriya said. Then the rocket heads to KSCs Launch Pad 39-B for more tests and could be ready for launch even earlier than April 2026, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We said no later than because we meant no later,' Kshatriya said. I believe we have taken a lot of the risk out of the integration flow here, out up front, because of the time weve been working on getting the development activity done for (Artemis) II, so I think its very realistic. Kshatriya adds that the change in return trajectory for Orion means chances for launch each month will be more limited than the windows under which NASA was able to launch Artemis I. Those chances will become even tighter for Artemis III because that mission will require Orion to rendezvous with a version of SpaceXs in-development Starship in orbit. I want to set a date earlier than April because I want to challenge this team to do that, he said. We have got to get our launch probability up. Its going to be very difficult to launch this vehicle, given the constraints that we put on it. Hes realistic, though, that not everything will go as planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are we going to run into problems? Of course we are. Thats just the name of this business. I mean, if you look at the size and scale of the machine behind me, and then all the other parts that have to come together, absolutely, but I think that this team can do it. Despite the eight-month delay, there is a sense of urgency among NASA and its prime contractors for the program, especially with the specter of a new Trump administration that may opt for changes in the Artemis program. Every administration wants to put their stamp on the government, said Kirk Shireman, a former NASA executive whos now a Lockheed Martin vice president and program manager for Orion. Things change, and just from a pure practical sense building spaceflight I dont care who you are, what country youre from, it takes a long time, and so we need this. We need to keep on that path to complete what we started. Thats the most efficient way. So hes in favor of sticking with SLS under the current plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point in time, SLS is really the only game in town, he said. This is the only rocket right now that can do this job. Billionaire tapped to lead NASA looks beyond SpaceX during Daytonas Embry-Riddle grad speech Trumps nominee to head NASA is billionaire Jared Isaacman, who flew to space twice with SpaceX, whose founder Elon Musk is set to be part of a new Department of Government Efficiency that could take parts of the Artemis program to task. NASAs Office of the Inspector General in an audit last year stated that through 2025, Artemis missions would have topped $93 billion. That includes billions more than the original costs projected when the program was announced in 2012 as well as years-long delays seen to the SLS, Orion, a future mobile launcher and other needed facets such as SpaceXs Starship for the human landing system and new spacesuits from Axiom Space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not married necessarily to the mission design that was written down five years ago, Kshatriya said. We know thats going to evolve with elements and how they perform. Audit calls NASAs goal to reduce Artemis rocket costs highly unrealistic, threat to deep space exploration That means NASA is open to change, but looking at each launch as an individual goal, and not seeing the overall program objectives could be limiting. When you see the rocket flight, people love that. Its incredible. It inspires everybody, he said. But the reality is, theres like 50 different integrated test activities that have to happen in the next four or five years in order to get to our goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expects Isaacman, if approved by the Senate, will be open-minded, and the chatter from critics of SLS that want some sort of shift to Starship or another heavy-lift rocket like Blue Origins New Glenn for future launches, is a decision that cannot be made without more data. Were constantly evaluating different options for how to do the missions. noting a big challenge is that Orions size in itself means switching launch vehicles would bring different risks, and more delays. We want to to get to the objective, which I think this administration is going to want very clearly, which is to make sure we do those landings as soon as we can. One of the most galling effects of a preoccupation with inclusion or the gender wars or trans ideology over the last few years has been the actual neglect of womens lives. And womens deaths. I dont say this lightly. Time spent on changing NHS language from mothers to birthing people to arguments over whether men can get pregnant and chest-feed means that provision for those of us with female bodies has been set back. This is all thanks to the grow your own cervix brigade. When we argue for better healthcare for women, we are arguing for sex-based rights, not some imaginary right based on a desired identity. And what could be more basic to our sex than giving birth? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet while the NHS frets pointlessly over a whole slew of nonsense that seeks to deny female biology, something is going very wrong in our country with maternity care. An analysis by the Institute of Global Health innovation at Imperial College London has revealed alarming declines in NHS patient safety. It shows that the number of women dying during or shortly after pregnancy, and babies dying within 28 days of being born, have increased for the first time in a decade. Since 2017 the maternal death rate itself has increased by a statistically significant 52.3 per cent. Surely the time and energy spent on trans ideology could have been used on caring for women and babies? Recently, we have rightly focussed on the lack of decent palliative care in the NHS. But we must also talk about the beginning of life. We must talk of what it is like to give birth these days, the parlous state of antenatal care in some parts of the country, and the complete lack of follow-up care for mothers who are clearly struggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The myth is that every woman forgets the pain of childbirth. Most of us clearly remember the parts of giving birth that went right and the parts that went very wrong. We remember the small kindnesses from some medics and the monstrous arrogance of others who simply refused to listen to us. We remember feeling euphoric and then quite lost and alone, even if we ended up with a healthy baby. But it really is not like that for everyone. According to the MBRRACE-UK Report last year, the leading direct cause of maternal death between six weeks and a year after the end of a pregnancy is suicide. This is completely tragic, is it not? Lord Darzi, who led the NHS review that was published in September, has said that the deterioration in maternity care requires immediate action. He pointed out that there is a North-South divide in quality of care, and that the increase in maternal and neonatal deaths is particularly prevalent amongst black women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Covid we know how hard it was for the many who gave birth alone. One of my daughters was allowed to have her partner present, but I could not visit her. One of my friends had a scan that told her she would miscarry, but was sent home alone to deal with it. So little has changed that, even years ago, I remember a midwife telling me that even though I was at risk, I had taken up my allotted six minutes of appointment time. Today, women in labour can find themselves in the middle of competing ideologies about vaginal versus caesarean births. Those who ask for epidurals may find that there are no anaesthetists available. Those who say they know there is something going wrong may be ignored by junior doctors who have little experience. And there are at least 20,000 women left with birth trauma. Terrible tears leading to both urinary and faecal incontinence, and PTSD. It has led to MPs Theo Clarke and Rosie Duffield setting up a cross-party inquiry into birth trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the while, new mothers are shoved out of hospital, often in pain and sleepless with no support available. Pregnant women are at the bottom of the heap when it comes to care. The US, meanwhile, treats its pregnant women even worse than we do. Its maternal mortality rate is twice as high as the UKs. So when Elon Musk and his ilk tell us that we need to have more babies, he might ask why so many chose not to. Many mothers now stop at one child, often for economic reasons but also because they do not want to put themselves through a grim experience again. The joy of bringing new life into the world can never be exaggerated, but when it goes wrong, it can go very wrong. Those who create life deserve much better care than we are currently getting. Birth is an everyday miracle. But it should also be the everyday priority, and, in a developed country such as ours, an unquestionable and indeed sex-based right. 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. What began as a search for one missing woman led to multiple bodies and the capture of a man police say is a serial killer. May 1, 2010: Shannan Gilbert disappears Shannan Gilbert / Credit: GilgoNews.com Shannan Gilbert, 23, was working as an escort. In the early morning hours of May 1, 2010, Gilbert made a frantic phone call to 911. She had been at a client's home on Long Island, and said she believed someone was after her. She took off running and told the 911 operator there were people trying to kill her. Then, Gilbert vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police would do an exhaustive search for Gilbert. Months passed without a sign of the missing woman and then, in December 2010, near Gilgo Beach, a police officer and his K-9, Blue, found human remains. But it wasn't Gilbert. Instead, they found the bodies of four women. December 2010: The Gilgo Four The Gilgo Four. From left, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. / Credit: CBS News Police found the bodies of four women near Gilgo Beach on New York's Long Island. The women became known as the Gilgo Four and were identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy. Police say all of the women were petite and three of them were wrapped in burlap. Police began their hunt to find a serial killer. The killer had a type Dominick Varrone was chief of detectives at the Suffolk County Police Department, / Credit: WCBS Dominick Varrone, who was Suffolk County chief of detectives at the time, said there were striking similarities among the Gilgo Four. "Very petite. 5 foot or under, 100 pounds," Varrone said. The women were also all in their 20s and were all working as online escorts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 6, 2007: Maureen Brainard-Barnes' final weekend Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, was the first of the Gilgo Four to disappear. She had been working as an escort in New York City when she vanished in July 2007. / Credit: Melissa Cann Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maureen Brainard-Barnes is often referred to as the first of the Gilgo Four. She went missing in July 2007. Brainard-Barnes was a single mother of two living in Norwich, Connecticut. She had begun working as an escort, posting ads on Craigslist and other websites to meet clients. On July 6, 2007, her cellphone was contacted by a burner cellphone a prepaid phone that anyone can buy and use anonymously. Between July 6 and July 9, there were 16 interactions between the caller using a burner phone and Brainard-Barnes' cellphone. July 8, 2007: Missy Cann's last call with her sister Melissa Cann says her sister Maureen's death is always in the back of her mind. Maureen Brainard-Barnes' sister, Missy Cann, received a call from Maureen late at night from Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. In an interview in 2020, Cann told "48 Hours" Maureen said she was going to take the train at midnight. Cann never saw or heard from Maureen again. July 2009: The disappearance of Melissa Barthelemy Melissa Barthelemy / Credit: Barhelemy family Melissa Barthelemy, 24, moved from Buffalo, New York, to New York City to work as a hairdresser. At some point, she also began working as an escort. In July 2009, nearly two years to the day that Brainard-Barnes went missing, Barthelemy disappeared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 17, 2009: Taunting phone calls begin Melissa's younger sister Amanda. ( In the weeks following Barthelemy's disappearance, police say her then 15-year-old sister, Amanda, received a series of phone calls from a man calling from Melissa's cellphone. The first of these calls came on July 17, 2009 at approximately 12:40 p.m. A number of calls followed in the coming weeks. In one, the caller told Amanda he had killed Melissa. June 5, 2010: Megan Waterman Megan Waterman, 22, was the youngest of the four victims whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach. Megan was last seen on June 6, 2010, leaving a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge, N.Y. / Credit: Handout Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Megan Waterman, 22, a mother from Scarborough, Maine, was also working as an escort. On June 5, 2010, she was contacted by a burner phone which had just been activated that same day. June 6, 2010: Megan Waterman vanishes Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison released video never seen by the public of a lobby of the Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge on June 4 and 6 in 2010. Seen in a yellow top is Megan Waterman in her final hours. / Credit: Suffolk County Police At 1:31 a.m., Waterman's phone was again contacted by the same burner phone as the day before. Security video showed Waterman leaving a Holiday Inn Express in Hauppauge, Long Island, around the same time. This was the last time she was seen alive. "I can't bring her back" Lily Waterman tells Liliana Waterman was just 3 years old when her mother disappeared. In her first television interview in 2020, Liliana (pictured with Megan Waterman) told "48 Hours" that if she could talk to her mom, she would tell her how much she loves her. "I never got to really say those words," Liliana told correspondent Erin Moriarty. She said she misses her mom every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sept. 2, 2010: Amber Costello disappears Amber Costello, 27, disappeared in September 2010, after she left her home on Long Island to meet a client. In 2011, her roommate Dave Schaller told Amber Costello, a 27-year-old escort living on Long Island, was contacted by someone using a burner phone. The next day, she left her house to meet a client and never returned. After Costello's disappearance, police say her roommate Dave Schaller told them about her clients. He described one of them as looking like an "ogre" and having "a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche." On the night she went missing, Schaller says, a client offered Cistello $1,500 for the night six times her hourly rate. In 2011, Schaller spoke to Moriarty. "This guy was so relentless," Schaller said. "He called several times. He was on the phone with her for quite a while each time." He says the client got Costello, an experienced escort, to do something she never did: leave home without her purse or cellphone and meet him in his car. At nearly midnight, Schaller says Costello left the house, walked down the street, and he never saw her again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec. 16, 2010: Still no Shannan / Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the spring of 2011, investigators continued a wide-ranging search for Shannan Gilbert. May 2011: Six more sets of remains discovered By May 2011, police had discovered six more sets of remains in the area, bringing the total to 10 sets of remains including the Gilgo Four. Investigators were not sure the same killer was responsible for all the murders. / Credit: Suffolk County Police Department By May 2011, police had discovered six more sets of remains in the area, bringing the total to 10 including the Gilgo Four. Investigators were not sure the same killer was responsible for all the murders. Victim No. 5, Jessica Taylor, is an escort who went missing in 2003. Another set of remains police called "Jane #6" has now been identified as Valerie Mack, who also worked as an escort and went missing in 2000.Number 7, to investigators' surprise they found a toddler girl. Number 8 was an Asian male dressed in women's clothing. Number 9 was a female skull belonging to Karen Vergata, an escort who disappeared in 1996. Number 10, female remains, from a victim cops nicknamed "Peaches" because of a tattoo on her torso. Although her remains were found 6 miles away, police say DNA has confirmed that "Peaches" is the mother of that toddler. Dec. 13, 2011: Shannan Gilbert is found In December 2011, a year-and-a-half after she went missing, police found Shannan Gilbert's belongings. Her purse, cellphone, shoes and even her jeans were found in the marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach. A week later, her skeletal remains were found about a quarter mile from her belongings. Investigators are not convinced Shannan was murdered and theorize that she may have died of hypothermia or possible drowning. / Credit: John Ray Law/AP In December 2011, a year-and-a-half after she went missing, and a year after the Gilgo Four were found, investigators found Gilbert's remains. But they don't believe she was murdered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Years later, the Suffolk County Police Department released the full audio of Shannan's 21-minute 911 call on May 1, 2010, the morning she disappeared. Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said in an interview with Erin Moriarty, Gilberts's death was likely not a murder. "It's an unfortunate incident, but right now we believe that she just ran into the marsh and unfortunately drowned," Harrison said. February 2022: A fresh look at the case Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney exits after a court appearance by Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Riverhead, N.Y. / Credit: AP/John Minchillo For nearly a decade after the discovery of the Gilgo Four, the investigation stalled. Until, in February 2022, a new task force was formed by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison and Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. In an interview withMoriarty, DA Tierney said, "... a mere six weeks later ... Rex Heuermann was identified for the first time." A tip from the past After Amber Costello disappeared in 2010, police say her roommate Dave Schaller told them about her clients. He described one of them as looking like an How did investigators get a suspect in six weeks? It turns out that in the original case files were a number of critical clues that the new task force was finally able to connect. Costello's roommate Dave Schaller had previously described one of Costello's clients and the type of vehicle he drove to investigators. The vehicle was a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche. With a description of an"ogre-like" man, and the make and model of his truck, police took a closer look at Costello's phone records from 2010. Schaller had told them that before Costello disappeared, there was one client that called her incessantly. The burner phone clue Police back then knew the client was using a burner phone. And they knew that the Brainard-Barnes, Barthelemy, Costello and Waterman had all been in contact with burner numbers right before they disappeared. In 2012, with the help of the FBI, police determined that most of those calls connected to cell towers inside a small area of Massapequa Park, Long Island. They called this area "the box." According to DA Tierney, "the box" consisted of a couple of blocks within Massapequa Park. A suspect in sight Rex Heuermann was observed by law enforcement at a cellphone store in Midtown Manhattan on May 19, 2023. / Credit: Suffolk County District Attorney Armed with their small radius of "the box" and the description of an "ogre-like" man that drove a Chevrolet Avalanche, the task force now had a prime suspect. Police identified an architect named Rex Heuermann as the man they believed may have been responsible for the murders. And when they looked at Heuermann's personal cellphone records, they say that his phone was in the same area as those burner phones when they were used to contact victims. They also say that when the burner phones contacted victims, they were often in Massapequa Park, where Heuermann lived, or midtown Manhattan, where his architectural firm was located. In 2023, they noticed Heuermann going into a phone store to make a payment on a burner phone. A DNA hit Detectives tailing Rex Heuermann recovered his DNA from pizza crust in a box that he discarded in a Manhattan trash can. / Credit: Suffolk County D.A. Police began to tail Heuermann. When he threw out a pizza box into a trash can in midtown Manhattan, investigators found that Heuermann's DNA on the pizza crust was consistent with a DNA profile found on a male hair discovered with Megan Waterman's body. With DNA evidence, along with the cellphone records linking Heuermann to the burner phones, officers made an arrest. July 14, 2023: A suspect in custody Suspect Rex Heuermann leaving the Suffolk County Police 7th Precinct in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders on his way to court on July 14, 2023. / Credit: Splash by Shutterstock Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, Long Island, was charged with multiple counts of murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Heuermann is currently the prime suspect for the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, but he has not been charged with her death. When asked about Heuermann's innocence at a press conference, Heuerman's attorney Michael Brown said, "What has my client told me? He told me he didn't do this." Digging for evidence An excavator is seen at the home of Rex Heuermann.. According to law enforcement sources, investigators are looking into whether any victims may have been killed at the house. / Credit: CBS New York Police spent 12 days looking through Heuermann's house, pulling guns out of the basement, and digging in the backyard. Another important piece of evidence taken into possession was a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche registered to Heuermann at the time of the murders. It was sitting on property he owns in South Carolina when they recovered it. An opportunity to kill? A married man, Heuermann has a daughter and stepson with his second wife, Asa Ellerup. Ellerup, who was born in Iceland, would take the children to see her family there in the summers. It was during these trips and others, police believe, that Heuermann killed the women. Heuermann pleaded not guilty Rex Heuermann is seen in a booking image from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. / Credit: Suffolk County Sheriff's Office/AP Heuermann was arraigned in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, New York. He pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. The judge ordered that he be held without bail in a Suffolk County jail where he is currently awaiting trial. Remembering Amber, Melissa and Megan From left, Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy / Credit: CBS News Investigators hope that the arrest can give victims' families a sense of peace. Police Commissioner Harrison told Erin Moriarty, "He took away somebody's mother, somebody's daughter, somebody's sister, not just one person, multiple individuals." Other investigations? Investigations spread to South Carolina and Las Vegas where Heuermann owns property, with detectives there taking a fresh look at cases of missing women. Heuermann has not been charged in any additional investigations. As for the other bodies found near Gilgo Beach Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, Karen Vergata, "Peaches", the toddler girl, and the Asian male none of them have been linked to Heuermann. Prosecutors: Suspect's cheek swab matches pizza box DNA DNA from Heuermann's cheek swab matches the DNA that authorities had previously collected from a pizza crust and used to link Heuermann to one of the victims, according to prosecutors during a Sept. 27, 2023 court appearance. Heuermann's lawyer disputed the significance of the DNA sample. Jan. 16, 2024: Heuermann charged with fourth killing Six months after his arrest, Rex Heuermann was indicted in the death of a fourth alleged victim, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Investigators said they linked Brainard-Barnes' murder to Heuermann via DNA from a female hair found in the buckle of a belt used to bind her ankles, feet and legs - eight trillion to one that it matched Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup or daughter Victoria, who was tailed on a commuter train and threw out an energy drink, according to court documents. Prosecutors made it clear they believed all hair transfer were made from Heuermann to his alleged victims. The family was out of town for the murders of the Gilgo Beach Four. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders. June 6, 2024: Two more cases linked to Heuermann Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann is now charged with killing two more women, Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, 10 years apart on Long Island. / Credit: CBS New York Heuermann was charged with killing two more women 10 years apart on Long Island the 1993 murder of Sandra Costilla and the 2003 murder of Jessica Taylor. Costilla's death was not previously tied to the Gilgo case. The Suffolk County district attorney's office says DNA from hair found near Costilla and Taylor's remains and pick-up truck evidence connect Heuermann to their killings. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Dec. 17, 2024: Heuermann charged with 7th killing Heuermann was charged with killing Valerie Mack, a 24-year-old from New Jersey who had been working as an escort in the Philadelphia area, in 2000. For years, she was known only as "Jane Doe #6." Her partial remains were found in Manorville, Long Island, in 2000, and more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach more than 10 years later. Hermes and the success of the coveted Birkin bag | 60 Minutes School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, police say Fake nudes created by AI "nudify" sites are causing real harm, victims say | 60 Minutes HONOLULU (KHON2) As 2024 comes to an end, many people are looking forward to what 2025 will bring. That includes making New Years Resolutions, and trying to stick to them. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You KHON2s Jodi Leong asked Sondra Leiggi-Brandon for some tips for those who are looking to make resolutions for the New Year. The first advice I have is make sure you make a manageable, realistic goal. Dont make your goal too lofty. Make sure that its something that is actually attainable, and something that is small so you can be sure that you accomplish it, said Leiggi-Brandon. I definitely recommend only making one resolution, and again, making sure that its very realistic. And another thing is, learn from your mistakes. Learn what you couldve done differently, and thatll help you maintain your resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following through on New Years resolutions can be difficult, however. Leiggi-Brandon said its a good idea to write it down and write a plan. Ask A Specialist: Carpal Tunnel Writing it down creates a contract with yourself. The other thing is, have an accountability partner, so that way you guys can hold each other accountable, and you can make sure youre meeting your resolutions together. And its always better to do something in pairs or with a partner as well. The other thing you can do is track your progress, and then finally, give yourself time to succeed in your resolution, Leiggi-Brandon said. In the end, New Years resolutions could lead to a healthier lifestyle physically, mentally, and emotionally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are specific resolutions that you can do like exercise that can actually improve all of those, right? So, if you exercise, not only can you improve your physical health, but endorphins from exercising can improve your emotional mental health. So thats one thing you can do, said Leiggi-Brandon. The other things you can do are you can change how you write your resolution. So instead of saying should, you say want. Because should has a connotation that is negative? So, if this is something that you shouldve done, and if you dont do it, you almost feel like a failure in itself. But if you say want, its something thats desirable, something thats attainable. It changes it more to a positive spin and something that you can work towards. Leiggi-Brandon also suggests giving yourself grace, and involving your family. They can be your accountability partners and they can go on this journey with you. And the one thing I love to do is to practice gratitude. The things, really small things, but it changes your mindset. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive and do more with gratitude and recognize it more. And then youll start to recognize every day, those little things that you should be grateful for. To learn more about the services offered by Queens Behavioral Services Department, visit www.queens.org., click on services, then click on Behavioral Health or call (808) 691-4352. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) Just days after all of the cats were removed from Bajahs Cat Cafe due to licensing issues, the Tiverton business has announced plans to partially reopen. On Friday, Dec. 13, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA), along with Tiverton police and animal control, inspected the facility at the request of local officials. Due to regulatory and compliance issues, owner Amanda Souza-Viera surrendered 18 cats, keeping two that she owned and returning two others to Forever Paws in Fall River. Some of the cats were found to have mild upper respiratory infections, but the RISPCA reported that all appeared well cared for with up-to-date veterinary records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: RISPCA removes cats from Bajahs Cat Cafe; cites licensing issues Souza-Viera admitted she knew she lacked the proper licensing, but said she was in the process of starting a rescue. Officials notified her of the permits and approvals required to open as a rescue facility, which she intends to pursue so she can accept surrenders and process adoptions. In the meantime, Bajahs Cat Cafe announced plans to reopen the cafe section on Friday, offering coffee, tea, pastries and breakfast sandwiches from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Souza-Viera told 12 News that they have not received any updates on the cats yet, but once they do, they will begin making moves to reopen that part of the cafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a learning and adjustment period for us, so thank you for your patience as we navigate these changes, Bajahs Cat Cafe said in a social media post. Thank you for your continued supportwe couldnt do this without you! Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Keep your eye to the sky Tuesday over Floridas Space Coast. For the second day in a row, SpaceX plans to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Brevard County. The launch will be in conjunction with SES, a satellite communication service provider. READ: Artemis II crew discusses challenges of NASAs planned moon mission at Kennedy Space Center The SES O3b mPOWER mission will aim to send a pair of satellites into medium-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SES said this mission will expand the companys constellation and bring incremental capacity to serve markets around the globe. READ: SpaceX launches Falcon 9 rocket for RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral SpaceX said Tuesdays liftoff from Kennedy Space Center is scheduled for 3:59 p.m. Get ready for liftoff! Mark your calendars for today as the next pair of #O3bmPOWER satellites launch into space, expanding our constellation and bring incremental capacity to serve markets around the globe. Don't miss it! 17 December 2024 3:40 PM ET / 9:40 PM CET pic.twitter.com/sUvjowuNAg SES (@SES_Satellites) December 17, 2024 Stay with WFTV.com for updates on todays launch. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. HONOLULU (KHON2) Christmas season has officially arrived, and many people are gearing up to celebrate with festive parties; cozy gatherings; and of course, plenty of holiday movies. To help get you in the spirit, KHON2.com connected with Steven Hobaica to find out his top 10 must-watch Christmas horror movies this season. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hobaica is a local film expert based on Oahu who founded Honolulu Horror Nights, a social organization that connects horror fans and expands their conceptions of what horror is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hobaica is known for his reviews and deep knowledge of both mainstream and niche films; he has curated the ultimate holiday movie list for you to enjoy this season. Whether youre looking for heartwarming classics or something a little more unconventional, these films will help you embrace the magical horror of Christmas. Heres Steven Hobaicas official list of his top 10 Christmas movies to watch this holiday season: 1. Black Christmas (1974) Why Watch: The original slasher that inspired countless imitators, Black Christmas is a slow-burn classic, said Hobaica. Its chilling atmosphere, eerie phone calls, and shocking twists make it a staple for horror fans during the holiday season. 2. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010) Why Watch: This Finnish gem reimagines Santa Claus as a monstrous, ancient figure unearthed by a group of researchers, explained Hobaica. Equal parts dark fantasy and horror, its a unique twist on holiday lore with striking visuals and a chilling atmosphere. 3. The Thing (1982) Why Watch: Set in an Antarctic research station, John Carpenters masterpiece is the ultimate in paranoia-fueled horror, said Hobaica. With groundbreaking practical effects and a chilling sense of isolation, The Thing is a must-watch winter horror classic. 4. Better Watch Out (2016) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Watch: This clever twist on the home invasion genre keeps viewers guessing, said Hobaica. Set during Christmas, it combines dark humor, tension, and shocking twists that make it an unforgettable holiday horror experience. 5. Inside (A linterieur, 2007) Why Watch: One of the most brutal French horror films, Inside is an unflinching tale of survival, explained Hobaica. Set on Christmas Eve, this home-invasion horror is intense, gory, and utterly unforgettable. 6. Gremlins (1984) Why Watch: This beloved horror-comedy is a chaotic blend of Christmas cheer and mischievous monster madness, said Hobaica. Its mix of camp, humor, and creepy gremlins ensures it remains a timeless holiday favorite. 7. Dead Snow (2009) Why Watch: Nazi zombies in the snow? Yes, please. This Norwegian horror-comedy is as gory as it is absurdly fun, said Hobaica. Its the perfect winter watch for fans of campy, splatter-filled horror. 8. Dead End (2003) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Watch: This underrated indie horror follows a familys eerie road trip on Christmas Eve, Hobaica said. With unsettling twists and a darkly humorous tone, Dead End is a hidden gem for fans of psychological horror. 9. Krampus (2015) Why Watch: This holiday horror-comedy takes on the darker side of Christmas lore. With creepy practical effects, an eerie atmosphere and wicked humor, Krampus delivers festive frights perfect for a winter movie night, said Hobaica. 10. Terrifier 3 (2024) Why Watch: Art the Clown returns for another round of shocking, over-the-top kills. Known for its brutal gore, this latest installment promises holiday-themed carnage and twisted fun for die-hard fans, said Hobaica. Want more recommendations? You can follow Hobaica on Instagram! Or you can mingle with other horror fans at HHNs next gathering on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Hawaiian Brians Social Club. Click here for more details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also follow Honolulu Horror Nights on Instagram or go to their website. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 Honolulu Horror Nights is invested in bringing the best of horror and community throughout the year; so, you dont have to wait for Halloween to enjoy great company while taking in a scary flick. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. INDIANAPOLIS We all know scammers spend day and night calling potential victims, hoping to steal their money and information. Now we have a better idea of where theyre calling from, or at least pretending to call from. Phone number lookup service ReversePhone recently compiled the top five area codes and phone numbers used by scammers in 2024. The list is based on the number of complaints about scam calls from each number and in each area code. The five most popular area codes for scammers in 2024 were 720 in north-central Colorado, 272 in northeastern Pennsylvania, 959 in Hartford, Connecticut, 829 in the Dominican Republic and 346 in the Houston metro area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top five phone numbers used by scammers were (763) 274-3899, (217) 402-1312, (202) 456-1111, (662) 255-3743 and (325) 244-7821. Its important to remember this doesnt mean the scammers are all calling from Colorado, Pennsylvania or anywhere else in the U.S., for that matter. Scammers can call from anywhere in the world and spoof the number to make it look local. While many people these days refuse to answer calls from numbers they dont know, some people enjoy answering calls and messing with the would-be scammer. However, according to experts, if you answer the call, youve just confirmed that your number is active and it belongs to a live person. At that point, the caller is likely to keep your number in their queue, and you can expect to receive more calls later. If you do answer a call and it turns out to be spam or a scam, its a good idea to block the number and report it as junk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTTV CBS4Indy. The News The head of the Russian militarys chemical weapons unit was killed in Moscow in a bombing attributed to Kyiv. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov is the most senior Russian official killed in the countrys capital since Moscow launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and had been blamed by Kyiv for the mass use of chemical weapons during the conflict. Kirillov and his assistant were killed by explosive devices that appear to have been rigged to an electric scooter, which was set off remotely, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent, the BBC, and AFP all cited Ukrainian sources to say the country was behind the attack that killed Kirillov. SIGNALS Moscows rising use of chemical weapons Source: The Kyiv Independent Russia has been increasing its use of chemical weapons in its almost three-year war against Ukraine, a recent investigation by The Kyiv Independent found. In May, there were 715 recorded incidents, compared to 81 in December last year. In the Donbas region, which had endured months of grinding warfare, the deployment of bioweapons usually via drones forced soldiers out of the trenches into the open where they were then taken out by artillery. The tactic was effective, the investigation noted, allowing Russia to capture positions without destroying them. The deployment of chemical weapons is a breach of international humanitarian law: Retribution for war crimes is inevitable, a source in the Ukrainian security services told the outlet following the killing. Peace talks look more likely with Trump taking office Sources: Politico EU, Le Monde The Ukraine war has markedly intensified in recent weeks, which analysts attribute to the two sides seeking bargaining chips ahead of widely expected peace talks following US President-elect Donald Trumps accession to office. The incoming US president has repeatedly claimed he will end the war within a day of entering the White House, with the growing prospect that Ukraine will have to cede ground to Moscow. At his first press conference since winning the election Trump stated: You know its nice to say they want their land back, but the cities are largely destroyed, Politico EU reported. At the same time, Le Monde reported that some EU officials are prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine to ensure that a ceasefire deal is enforced. By Alimat Aliyeva The United States has delivered the first batch of 38 M1A2 Abrams tanks to Taiwan. Taipei is set to receive an additional 42 American tanks in 2025, with the final batch of 28 combat vehicles scheduled for delivery in 2026. The sale of 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks to Taiwan, valued at $2.2 billion, was approved by the U.S. State Department back in 2019. This agreement is part of the U.S.'s ongoing commitment to enhance Taiwan's defense capabilities in the face of growing tensions in the region. Currently, Taiwan's tank fleet consists of around 1,000 combat vehicles, most of which are older and less capable models. The addition of the Abrams tanks is expected to significantly bolster Taiwan's military strength, offering advanced firepower and protection in case of any escalation in the Taiwan Strait. Strategic Implications: Strengthening Taiwans Defense The delivery of the Abrams tanks comes at a time of heightened military tension between Taiwan and China. Beijing has consistently opposed any foreign military support to Taiwan, considering the island as part of its territory. As such, the U.S. support, including the provision of these advanced tanks, is seen as a clear message of strengthening Taiwans self-defense capability. The M1A2 Abrams is one of the most advanced battle tanks globally, known for its superior armor, firepower, and advanced electronics. By incorporating these tanks into Taiwan's defense strategy, the island significantly upgrades its ground forces to counter potential threats. Experts believe that this move could act as a deterrent, signaling to China that Taiwans defense is becoming increasingly formidable. Additionally, with China rapidly modernizing its military, the need for Taiwan to upgrade its defense arsenal has never been more pressing. Taiwan's acquisition of advanced military systems like the Abrams tanks underscores the island's determination to maintain a credible deterrent against potential aggression. 23:54 RG Kar murder: Medics move HC for demonstration nod File image The Joint Platform of Doctors on Tuesday moved the Calcutta high court, seeking permission to hold a demonstration at a key crossing in the central part of the metropolis, demanding that the CBI submit a supplementary charge sheet in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case. The application was... Read more > 23:17 Army, Manipur police recover five IEDs in Imphal File image Acting on specific intelligence of the presence of explosives in the general area of Maphitel Ridge in Manipur's Imphal East district, the Indian Army and Manipur police on Tuesday launched a search operation and recovered five Improvised explosive devices, weighing 21.5 kilograms at multiple... Read more > 22:58 Coimbatore serial blasts mastermind Basha buried amidst tight security File image The body of SA Basha, the mastermind of the 1998 serial bomb blasts that rocked Coimbatore, was taken in a procession amidst heavy police security and buried on Tuesday evening. The funeral procession commenced from his Rose Garden residence in South Ukkadam and the body was taken to the... Read more > 22:42 Blast at Punjab police station, none hurt File image A blast occurred at a police station in Punjab's Amritsar in the early hours of Tuesday, triggering panic in the area. Officials said no one was injured in the attack. The incident comes a fortnight after a hand grenade was lobbed at a police post in Nawanshahr. An explosion was... Read more > 22:17 Kerala CM, ministers skip Governor Khan's Christmas celebrations Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and CM Pinarayi Vijayan/File image Amidst the ongoing tensions between the Raj Bhavan and the Left government in the state, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his council of ministers skipped the Christmas celebrations hosted by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Invitations were sent to the... Read more > 21:43 Maoists used villagers as human shields during Abhujmaad encounter: Police Security forces during an anti-Maoist operation/File image Maoists used villagers, including minors, as human shields during an encounter with security forces in Abhujmaad area of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district last week, resulting in injuries to four civilians in the Maoist firing, the police said on Tuesday. Preliminary investigation suggests... Read more > 21:18 Warring factions: SC orders status quo on management of Kerala churches File image The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed for maintaining status quo on the management and administration of churches in the dispute between Jacobite Syrian Church and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church factions in Kerala. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan noted both factions had... Read more > 20:56 Georgia tragedy: Most Indian victims from Punjab The 11 Indian nationals who died in an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, Georgia due to carbon monoxide poisoning are mostly from the state of Punjab, the sources said the embassy is working to repatriate the mortal remains at the earliest. The Indian embassy in Georgia is in touch with... Read more > 20:39 BSE Sensex top losers today Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped over 1 per cent on Tuesday, weighed down by an across-the-board selloff amid cautious investors approach ahead of the US Fed interest rate decision. Falling for the second day in a row, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex tanked 1,064.12 points... Read more > 20:33 Western Nepal records mild earthquake A mild earthquake hit Bajhang district of western Nepal Tuesday evening, which was felt by people living in the surrounding districts as well even when the authorities said there are no immediate reports of any damage or loss of life. The tremor with 4.3 magnitude epicentred at Dhamane area... Read more > 20:18 Cong amended Constitution to stay in power: Shah Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday attacked the Congress for bringing various amendments to the Constitution, saying the opposition party considered it as the 'private fiefdom' of one family and amended it to remain in power.Replying to a discussion on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of... Read more > 19:46 Efforts on to pacify sulking MLAs: Maha minister Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant on Tuesday said efforts are underway to placate party leaders who are upset over their exclusion from the state cabinet.Talking to reporters in Nagpur, Samant admitted there may be some unhappiness among party legislators because of the denial... Read more > 19:26 SIT to probe conspiracy against Fadnavis, Shinde Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Pravin Darekar on Tuesday alleged in the Maharashtra council that a conspiracy was hatched to frame Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and then-minister Eknath Shinde in a false case during the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.At the time, BJP MLA Fadnavis was... Read more > 18:06 Omar Abdullah's minister backs simultaneous polls Satish Sharma, Sports Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday said that there is nothing wrong with the introduction of a 'One Nation One Election' in the country if the Bill saves the country's money.First I will take the opinion of my CM. Apart from being the minister, I believe nothing is... Read more > 17:58 HC quashes extortion FIR against Vijayendra The Karnataka high court on Tuesday quashed the first information report (FIR) registered against Bharatiya Janata Party state president B Y Vijayendra, who was accused of extorting money under the pretext of electoral bonds.The FIR, filed by Bengaluru police in September based on a complaint by... Read more > 16:54 What's brewing? Uddhav meets Fadnavis in Nagpur Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray head Uddhav Thackeray called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the latter's chamber in the Vidhan Bhawan in Nagpur on Tuesday.The former state CM was accompanied by Sena-UBT legislators Aaditya Thackeray, Anil Parab and Varun Sardesai during... Read more > 16:13 Voting showed BJP doesn't have...: Cong on ONOE bill Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday hit out at the government, saying voting at the introduction stage of two bills on simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha showed the BJP did not have the two-third majority required to pass a constitutional amendment. Two bills that lay down the... Read more > 15:50 Rapper Badshah fined Rs 15K for traffic rule violation Gurugram Traffic Police has issued a challan of Rs 15,000 to popular rapper Badshah for driving on the wrong side of the road, playing loud music, and rash driving, officials said on Tuesday. The incident took place on December 15 when Badshah came to the Airia Mall on Sohana Road for a... Read more > 15:48 Am I a toy in your hands?: Bhujbal hits out at Ajit Senior Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on party president Ajit Pawar over his exclusion from the new council of ministers, claiming Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in favour of his induction in the cabinet. He said Ajit... Read more > 15:33 Maratha quota activist Jarange to launch indefinite fast from Jan 25 Activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday announced that he would launch an indefinite fast on January 25, 2025, to press for the Maratha community's demands, including reservation in jobs and education under the OBC category.Addressing the media at Antarwali Sarthi village in Jalna, Jarange urged... Read more > 15:16 Modi favoured referring ONOE bill to JPC: Shah Prime Minister Narendra Modi favoured detailed discussion at every level on the 'one nation, one election' bill and wanted it to be referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday. Shah made the remarks in Lok Sabha when the House was hearing objections... Read more > 14:43 Bengaluru Police seizes drugs worth Rs 24 cr A foreign national was arrested for allegedly running a drug racket and 12 kg banned MDMA crystals worth an estimated Rs 24 crore were seized from her possession here, police said on Tuesday.This was the largest drug seizure by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) unit of Bengaluru Police in the state... Read more > 13:41 BJD undecided on simultaneous polls The Biju Janata Dal will decide its stand on the issue of the simultaneous election after examining the details of the two bills on the matter that are before the Lok Sabha, party leader Sasmit Patra said on Tuesday.Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal Tuesday moved for the introduction of the... Read more > 13:25 LS votes on sending simultaneous polls bill to JPC Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal proposes the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 on 'One Nation, One Election'.Also proposes the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.He proposes bills should be sent to the Joint Parliamentary... Read more > 13:17 Was Nehru govt illegal: Rijiju on simultaneous polls As the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) opposed the One Nation, One Election bill, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju slammed the Congress saying, Does they mean to say that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's government for so long was illegal.Speaking with ANI,... Read more > 12:49 Bahrain-bound aircraft returns to Cochin Airport after tyre trouble A passenger aircraft that took off from the Cochin International Airport for Bahrain on Tuesday was called back shortly after departure following reports of a suspected issue with its tyre, an airport source said.The issue was detected soon after take-off, the source said. As a precautionary... Read more > 12:04 After Palestine, Priyanka flaunts 'Bangladesh' bag Several Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Tuesday, demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh. The MPs protested with handbags which had 'Stand with minorities of Bangladesh' written on it. They raised... Read more > 11:56 Worsening air quality: Delhi-NCR schools hold classes in hybrid mode Delhi-NCR schools on Tuesday switched to the hybrid mode of conducting classes following the re-imposition of anti-pollution measures under the Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). According to the revised GRAP schedule, classes for students in grades VI-IX and XI in... Read more > 11:19 BJP likely to get new president in February The new BJP president, who will succeed incumbent J P Nadda, is likely to be elected by the end of February, according to a senior party functionary.Party sources said the ongoing organisational election is on track to complete the polling process in more than half of its state units by... Read more > 10:52 Pak politician lauds Priyanka for 'Palestine' bag Pakistani politician Fawad Chaudhry lauded Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra after she carried a bag with Palestine emblazoned on it to Parliament on Monday.The former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader slammed his fellow Pakistani politicians for not demonstrating such courage.What else could... Read more > 10:19 Israel says Gaza hostage deal 'closer than ever' Israel is closer than ever to closing a deal with Hamas regarding the freeing of the hostages held in Gaza, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told Knesset lawmakers on Monday (local time), as reported by Times of Israel. Katz's comments to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee... Read more > 10:01 6 killed, 10 injured as bus rams into dumper truck in Gujarat Six persons were killed and nearly 10 others injured after a private bus rammed into a dumper truck on a highway in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district on Tuesday morning, police said. The accident took place near Trapaj village at around 6 am when the bus was on way towards Mahuva from Bhavnagar,... Read more > 09:36 Delhi's air quality breaches 400 mark Delhi's air quality has worsened further, with levels again breaching the 400 mark and falling into the 'severe' category, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), At 7 AM on Tuesday, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) was 421. AQI values in areas including... Read more > 09:09 With 11 IPOs So Far, Dec Tops As Busiest Month For Listings Sundar Sethuraman/Business StandardDecember is shaping up to be the busiest month for IPOs this year.With half a dozen companies announcing their listing plans on Monday, the total count has already reached 11. Investment bankers expect an additional 2 to 3 launches before the year ends. The... Read more > 09:01 Guess How Many EVs Were Sold In Delhi This Year? Nitin Kumar/Business StandardDelhi has emerged as the only major state or Union Territory that saw a sharp decline in electric vehicle (EV) registrations this year, despite the government extending its EV policy until March 2025.Registrations in the national capital slumped from 1,435 units in... Read more > 08:53 Expect Low Hiring From IT Cos in FY 2025 Shivani Shinde/Business StandardThe Indian IT services industry is expected to clock revenue growth in the mid-single digit for the financial year 2024-2025 (FY25), according to a report by Icra for the year.The Indian IT service sector will log growth in the range of 4 to 6 per cent, slightly... Read more > 08:33 One nation, one election bill likely in LS today A constitutional amendment bill for holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously has been listed for introduction in the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday and could be referred to a joint committee of the two Houses.The Lok Sabha agenda said the Constitution (One Hundred and... Read more > 01:22 Temperatures to dip further in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada, says IMD Amid chilly weather in Maharashtra, the India Meteorological Department has predicted further dip in temperatures in the state's central parts and Marathwada. Temperatures in Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada regions may fall even more on Tuesday, though no such conditions are expected... Read more > 01:00 Scuffle breaks out at Delhi University law faculty amid exam schedule protests File image 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. The Delhi police... Read more > 00:55 Tribal woman's body transported in autorickshaw to crematorium in Kerala File image A tribal woman's body was transported to the public crematorium in an autorickshaw, allegedly due to the non-availability of an ambulance on time, triggering a protest in this district on Monday.The image of the body of Chundamma, an elderly woman from the Veettichaal settlement in Edavaka... Read more > Congressional leaders on Tuesday evening finally released a short-term government funding bill to avert a shutdown at the end of this week. The measure will fund the government through March 14, 2025, at current spending levels. The measure also includes $100.4 billion for disaster relief and an additional $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers. Republican leadership could hold a vote as soon as Wednesday but its more likely to occur on Thursday. Among provisions in short-term spending bill: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reauthorization the Department of Homeland Security's unmanned aircraft systems program, which would allow for coordination among all Homeland Security agencies to address and counter the potential threats from drones. A one-year extension of the Farm Bill. It extends several expiring health care programs, including telehealth programs. It grants Washington, D.C., control of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, paving the way for the NFL's Commanders to move from Maryland to D.C. A provision for the government to cover 100% of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which collapsed when a container ship ran into it. Restrictions on U.S. investment in China. Republicans had initially promised to release bill text over the weekend with the aim of holding a vote early in the week, but outspoken criticism from within their ranks continually delayed negotiators from finalizing the legislation. While Speaker Mike Johnson expressed a preference to abide by waiting 72 hours after the bill text was posted to hold a vote, lawmakers are eager to get out of town for the holiday break, so its very likely he might not honor that rule. Earlier Tuesdauy, several House Republicans stormed out of a morning conference meeting furious over Johnsons handling of the bill. MORE: Senate to vote on expanding Social Security payments for some teachers, firefighters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Republican Rep. Eric Burlison called the speaker's funding plan presented at the conference meeting a "total dumpster fire. PHOTO: House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to reporters following a House Republican conference meeting with Rep. Blake Moore and Rep. Steve Scalise on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters) I think it's garbage, Burlison said, adding that he has conveyed his frustrations to Johnson, who is seeking to retain the speakers gavel in the new year. I'm disappointed, Burlison said when asked about Johnsons future. I think that he can do better. He can communicate better. The fact that we haven't seen the language today and we're supposed to vote on it this week is unacceptable. South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman said he is frustrated with the funding plan as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not voting for the CR [continuing resolution], he said. Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy, a frequent critic of the leaderships spending bills, said, This is not the way to do business right. Were just fundamentally unserious about spending. And as long as you got a blank check, you cant shrink the government. If you cant shrink the government, you cant live free, Roy said. The Texas congressman did not respond when asked if hell support the speaker in January. MORE: Johnson's government funding timeline differs from other Republicans' plans Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick said as he left the meeting, I'm frustrated with the whole approach to this, because I think, once again, we're just adding to the deficit without having any clear plan forward, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After relying on Democrats for bipartisan support to pass the past five continuing resolutions, Johnson brushed off the criticism bubbling up within his ranks, stressing that the bill has not been released. I got a couple of friends who will just say that about any end of year funding measure, Johnson said. This is not an omnibus, OK? This is a small CR that we've had to add things to that were out of our control. These are not manmade disasters. These are things that the federal government has an appropriate role to do. Despite the growing tensions, Johnson expressed optimism that his speakership will overcome the challenges to buy the conference time until Republicans have unified control over Washington next year. I'm not worried about the speakers vote. We're governing. Everybody knows we have difficult circumstances. We're doing the very best we can under those circumstances, Johnson said. These are the hard choices that lawmakers have to make, but we will get the job done, as we always do. We will. We will keep moving forward, and in January, we have a new lease on all this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With government funding set to lapse at the end of the week, Johnson was steadfast that the House must abide by a 72-hour rule, where the clock starts to tee up a vote once bill text is released. I believe in the 72-hour roll rule, Johnson said. We're committed to all of that. We're going to take care of these obligations and get this done, and then we're going to go to work in unified government in the 119th Congress. It begins in January. 'Total dumpster fire': Republicans fume over speaker's spending plan days from shutdown deadline originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) With the help of a few local businesses, Toys for Tots is donating bikes to children in need this holiday season. The owners of West Down Tap & Bloody Mary Brunch Company, as well as Herolds Pizza Oven, got together to donate brand-new childrens bicycles to the Toys for Tots program. Peoria Elks Lodge No. 20 helped assemble the bikes adding training wheels to the bikes for younger children. Monday afternoon, volunteers gathered at the lodge to load up a delivery truck. From there, the bikes will be given to kids in need across Central Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Herold, the owner of West Down Tap, donated 40 bikes, but he hopes to keep giving back to the community because he knows how special it is to get a bike for Christmas. Seeing the joy in those kids, how important it is to them, and what it does for me is probably even a better feeling. It truly is better to give than to receive, said Harold. Next year, Herold said, he hopes to give out 60 bikes. He said he was inspired to do this because of a man he met whose bike was stolen. He recounted the story, saying, A couple of years ago, there was a young man, and Im in the parking lot in front of West Town, who was riding a pink girls bicycle. According to Herold, the young man said he was riding his sisters bike because his had gotten stolen. Herold said he bought the young man a bike for Christmas, but the encounter inspired him to spread that holiday joy to other kids in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Bipartisan legislation to honor the late Shirley Chisholm, the nations first Black congresswoman, became law last week, as the 118th Congress winds down with a final flurry of bills. President Joe Biden signed the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act on Thursday, posthumously honoring Chisholm, who died in 2005, with Congresss highest award for her distinguished service and achievements. Days prior, Vice President Kamala Harris signed the measure in her role as president of the U.S. Senate, flanked by the bills two lead sponsors, Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., and Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was an honor to stand next to Vice President Kamala Harris as she signed this historic bill, Lee said in a statement. Chisholm became a mentor to Lee as a college student and as Lee built her own career in public service. Vice President Kamala Harris signs the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, which grants the late congresswoman the highest civilian award Congress can bestow. I see no one more deserving than Shirley Chisholm, Lee added. It is critical for the next generation of leaders to see the first Black woman elected to Congress get the recognition that she deserves. Butler, who stepped down from her post last week to make way for incoming Sen. Adam Schiff, said Chisholm left a mark on our nations history that demands its own recognition. Touting Chisholms patriotism, leadership and commitment to our nation, Butler added, with her service to New York and our nation, she truly has earned it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the legislation, the gold medal falls under the direction of the U.S. Treasury Department and will be designed and minted with Chisholms image, name and suitable emblems and inscriptions. It will be given to the Smithsonian Institution and made available for display at events and locations associated with Chisholm. Duplicates can be minted and sold to the public. Chisholm, the daughter of Caribbean immigrants with roots in Barbados and Guyana, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 30, 1924. After earning an undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and a masters from Columbia University, she worked in the fields of education and social services. Chisholm would later seek a seat in the New York State Assembly, and upon her election in 1964 became its second Black legislator. Two years later, she helped found the National Organization for Women. When the activist decided to run for Congress, she weathered derision and threats, but tireless campaigning helped Fighting Shirley whose slogan was Unbought and Unbossed win a seat in 1968. After being sworn in, she quickly established a reputation for being an outspoken advocate of civil rights, gender equality and uplifting the vulnerable and marginalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat introduced some 50 pieces of legislation over seven terms, which ran the gamut from pushing for immigration reform and child support, to federal lands for Native American tribes. She was vocal about issues that included ending the Vietnam War and providing safety nets for families, such as food stamps. While serving on the Agriculture Committee, she collaborated with colleagues like Republican Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas to help develop the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC. Chisholm broke new ground with her high-profile 1972 campaign for president of the United States; once again, she blazed trails, this time as the first Black candidate and Black woman to seek the nomination from a major political party. In 1983, the lawmaker retired and relocated to Florida. A decade later, she was tapped by President Bill Clinton to serve as his administrations ambassador to Jamaica, but health challenges reportedly prevented the appointment. She died at age 80 on New Years Day in 2005, and is buried in Buffalo, New York, near her husband, former state Assemblyman Arthur Hardwick. The same year of her passing, then-Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y. who along with Chisholm co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus introduced the first of several bills designed to celebrate her life and legacy. Lee subsequently introduced a series of congressional measures to honor Chisholm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a CBC Special Order Hour this month on the House floor, Lee recounted those efforts years ago. As members considered an earlier resolution to honor Chisholm before her death, Lee called her mentor from the House cloakroom and urged her to watch the proceedings on C-Span. Lee recalled that Chisholm was distressed initially as votes were being tallied, asking her, Barbara, where are the Republicans? I worked very closely with the Republicans constantly Quickly reassured that there were GOP members on board, Lee said Chisholm was relieved. I mean, that is just how serious she took her bipartisan work. Now, in this year that commemorates Chisholms 100th birthday, support for the gold medal came from both sides of the aisle. Besides Lee, the bill was led in the House by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as well as members who included Maxine Waters, D-Calif., Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., and Byron Donalds, R-Fla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senates companion legislation was introduced by Butler and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and passed with bipartisan support. In both chambers, Democrats, Republicans and independents voted for it. During the CBC event, member after member stood to share fond memories of Chisholm. Several younger representatives, among them Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., and Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, paid their respect and gratitude. I cant help but think that Shirley Chisholm is looking down at all of us and saying how proud she is that we have gotten here, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, D-Fla., told colleagues that evening. We have a lot of work to do. What she started has to be finished, I hope by our generation. By working together, and all of us recognizing her hard work on both sides. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The first transgender woman to be removed from womens housing in a Washington state prison filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, alleging that the state Department of Corrections decision to forcibly place her in a mens prison violated the state constitutions prohibition on cruel punishment. Amber Kim, who was transferred back to a mens prison in June, has chosen to live in solitary confinement, which the United Nations recognizes as a form of torture, rather than live in general population at Monroe Correctional Facility. If I am eventually placed in mens general population, I will live in constant fear. I am afraid of physical assault, sexual assault, and the constant harassment, Kim wrote in a declaration. I will face the ultimate paradox: my continued physical transition helps address my debilitating gender dysphoria, but the more female-presenting I become in appearance, the more unwanted, nonconsensual attention I will receive from the men in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans people, who face disproportionate rates of incarceration, are also disproportionately likely to be victims of violence once locked up. But without access to treatments, trans people with gender dysphoria face higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and self-harm, including suicide. Kim was previously the subject of a HuffPost story about her 15-year fight for gender-affirming health care and housing in prison. The story documented Kims struggle to access a legal name change, hormone therapy and, eventually, placement in womens housing. After multiple denials, which included suggestions that Kim posed an inherent threat to female prisoners, Washingtons Department of Corrections finally allowed Kim to move to a womens prison in 2021. Without the emotional burden of facing constant harassment and spending my time avoiding physical violence, I was able to focus on my mental health, plan for the future, and engage with positive programming, Kim wrote in the declaration. Amber Kim spent three and a half years at Washington Corrections Center for Women before she was forcibly transferred to a men's prison. courtesy of friend of Amber Kim A team of prison officials, required to review trans prisoners housing placement at least every six months, wrote in a July 2021 report that Kim reported feeling ready to give up on life while at the mens prison but began looking forward to the future after transferring to the womens facility. A shift supervisor described her as reliable and dependable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Amber was caught having consensual sex with her cisgender roommate in their cell. The following week, the National Review published an inflammatory story about the incident, citing a leaked disciplinary report. The story, which deadnamed and misgendered Kim, included no allegations of assault or non-consensual activity, but described transgender women as male inmates who identified as women in order to sexually exploit women in prison. DOC rules forbid any sexual activity, consensual or otherwise. Both Kim and her roommate were found guilty of a so-called 504 infraction, the act of engaging in a sex act with another person(s), and were placed in a more restrictive unit in the womens prison. In April, DOC conducted another housing review for Kim and concluded that she should remain in the womens prison. Although housing reviews typically occur every six months, DOC held another review five weeks later and reversed its decision. The sudden reversal was arbitrary, in bad faith, and lacking a legitimate penological purpose, Kims lawyers, Adrien Leavitt and La Rond Baker of the ACLU-Washington, wrote in her petition, noting that Kim did not receive any additional disciplinary infractions between the two decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law requires that trans prisoners fears for their safety be given serious consideration when determining housing placement. DOCs baseless transfer decision defies its own well-found reasons for placing Ms. Kim at [Washington Corrections Center for Women] nearly four years ago, her lawyers wrote. For Ms. Kim, the risk of violence, sexual assaults and harassment is not merely speculative. Prior to her transfer to WCCW, Ms. Kim experienced two attempted sexual assaults, inappropriate touching by DOC employees, and ongoing sexual and verbal harassment by male inmates. Despite DOCs prohibition on sex, intimacy is commonplace in prisons. Life doesnt stop because people are in prison, Starr Lake, who was incarcerated at WCCW for more than 20 years and briefly overlapped with Kim, previously told HuffPost. People facing long prison sentences really do their best to live their life as normally as they can within the confines of the institution theyre in and so that means having relationships, making connections and behaving as any healthy adult would. When Lake first got to prison, the DOC used to allow brief hugs, but eventually banned them, too. They were like, No hugging. No touching, she said. I cant imagine who I would be today if I spent 24 years in prison and never had a hug. I cant imagine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the intimacy goes undetected or ignored by prison staff, but there were 33 504 infractions at WCCW between the time that Kim arrived at the prison and when she was caught. Kim was the only person who was transferred to another facility as a result, DOC communications director Chris Wright previously told HuffPost. In fact, Kims cisgender roommate, who also received a 504 infraction, has since been returned to the same, less-restrictive custody status she was held under before she and Kim had sex, according to Kims petition. The difference between Ms. Kims treatment and that of her cisgender roommate is a stark illustration of DOCs cruel treatment of Ms. Kim, exposing her to physical violence and serious mental health consequences, Kims lawyers wrote, accusing DOC of punishing Ms. Kim for her status as a transgender woman. In June, guards came to Kims cell and told her she was going into solitary confinement, she wrote in the declaration. She didnt think much of this and agreed to be handcuffed. But once the guards started placing her in waist restraints she started to panic, she wrote. As she was led to the intake hallway, she realized she was being taken out of the womens prison. She asked to speak with her lawyer and begged the guards not to carry out the transfer. I stopped walking, but I did not physically resist. The officers slammed me onto the ground. I screamed for help. Multiple officers piled on top of me. I felt like my body was being crushed into the floor, Kim said in the declaration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guards placed Kim in a restraint system called a WRAP, which prevented her from moving at all, she wrote, and put her in the back of an SUV. At the time, Wright, the DOC communications director, told HuffPost that Kim attempted to assault staff during the transfer, which Kim denies. Asked to provide video footage of the transfer, Wright directed HuffPost to file a formal public records request. HuffPost obtained video of Kim in the WRAP device in the back of the car, but DOC declined to release the earlier footage of prison staff forcibly removing Kim from the prison. Disability Rights Washington, a legal services group that is designated under federal law to protect the rights of people with disabilities, reviewed all surveillance and video footage related to the transfer. Contrary to DOCs statements to the press, DRW found no reliable evidence that Ms. Kim attempted to assault staff during her transferring, DRW attorney Rachael Seevers wrote in an email to DOC that was filed with Kims lawsuit. Seevers asked DOC to retract its claim and remove references to the attempted assault from its internal reports, which the agency agreed to do, according to Kims petition. Once at the mens prison, Kim learned she was set to be placed in a unit that houses people convicted of sex offenses, former gang members, and a small number of transgender women. I knew I would not be safe, Kim wrote. She began a hunger strike that lasted for 17 days, only suspending her protest action when DOC indicated she would be denied access to an upcoming surgery, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt that DOC was trying to force me to choose between safe housing or a gender affirming surgery that would allow me to live my life more fully, Kim wrote. In August, Kim was transferred to another prison for the procedure. She was placed in a cage in a bus, several rows in front of incarcerated men. For ten hours, I heard them yelling sexually suggestive comments and anti-gay slurs at me, and even debating the very existence of transgender people, Kim wrote. I felt emotionally exhausted and traumatized. It reinforced my fear of what would happen if I was in prison with men. Related... PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The ribbon was cut Monday on Delaine Street in Providence for a newly renovated transitional housing facility for veterans. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley and other local leaders attended a ceremony marking the reopening of the YWCA Gateway Independence Facility. ALSO READ: Heres how to contact the new RI cyberattack call center The facility can house up to 50 veterans experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally built in 1998, the facility previously had shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Now, it has 50 bedrooms, 50 bathrooms and 8 common kitchen areas. Single-room occupancy projects like this provide more stability and safety than communal settings, Reed explained. They give people a stronger platform to find their footing and regain their independence. The project was funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs totaling more than $2 million. Further improvements will be made to the outside of the facility in 2025. Veterans have served this nation. They have put their lives at stake, Reed added. When they come back home, they deserve an appropriate place to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The extraordinary collapse and fall of the Assad regimes 50-year rule in Syria raises questions about justice for the great crimes former President Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, unleashed on the countys population over the past five decades. Even before civil war broke out in 2011, the regime was notorious for its disappearances, torture and executions of dissidents. In conducting the war, it engaged in war crimes and crimes against humanity, using chemical weapons, incendiary bombs and horrifyingly indiscriminate conventional barrel bombs in urban areas, in addition to intentionally targeting hospitals and schools, and starving the Syrian population. Now, with the rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, having overrun the last remnants of the Syrian army and seized power in Damascus, Assad and his family have fled to Russia for safety from prosecution. That he may remain there with impunity for his many crimes has rankled human rights organizations and Syrian activists. As Annie Sparrow and Kenneth Roth note, establishing a precedent of accountability for the atrocities of the past would be a significant way for the international community to signal expectations for the future. Similarly, Johann Soufi said, Impunity fuels the feeling of injustice and reinforces the desire for revenge between communities, perpetuating a cycle of violence. These sentiments are understandable. However political science research suggests that Assads departure and asylum in Russia is neither as bad for Syria nor as good for Assad as it may seem at first glance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, the appeal of justice can cloud the political value that exile or even amnesties for fallen dictators provide to their formerly oppressed populations. Typically, a dictators options include: To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. death at the hands of the revolutionaries, as happened to former Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi; trial at the hands of the new authorities, often followed by death, as for former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, but also imprisonment, as happened to former Sudanese dictator Omar Bashir; trial and imprisonment at the hands of an international tribunal, as happened to former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic; amnesty from trial or death in exchange for stepping down, as was offered to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh; and escape to a comfortable life in exile, a fate now seemingly enjoyed by Assad. Given the average dictators understandable preferences among these options, they often try to hold onto power even longer and more brutally if escape into exile isnt possible and they harbor doubts about the durability of any potential amnesty. If the dictator nevertheless falls, according to political scientists Jack Snyder and Leslie Vinjamuri, the possibility that the formerly oppressed population will mete out victors justice also often undermines a transition to durable peace. Revenge killings of a dictator within a country often extend to a dictators supporters. Potemkin trials of dictators by their own people can undermine the emergence of rule of law. And the presence of a jailed deposed dictator in a country creates opportunities for counterrevolutionary spoilers to drive wedges in an effort to upend the new order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all these reasons, its often better for dictators to be out of the way through whatever means possible than for their own people to deal with them once toppled. In this respect, Russia may have done the Syrian people a favor by essentially forcing Assad to leave. Second, the fact that Assad is safe for now in Russia does not mean he has not or will not face consequences for his cruel and brutal rule. True, so long as he is hosted by Russia, the chances of legal impunity are high. Many dictators who escape their ruined lands live out their lives happily, often in opulent palaces and with large bank accounts. At the same time, however, Assad can no longer travel freely, since national and even subnational jurisdictions can and do scoop up people accused of similar crimes. In fact, data shows that states are less and less willing to harbor autocratic fugitives. The best revenge, and the most poetic justice, for Assads crimes might be the successful establishment of a moderate, rights-compliant democratic regime in Syria. In addition, there are at least two legal pathways by which Assad could still be brought to international justice. The first is for the International Criminal Court, which was designed precisely to punish the crimes of which Assad stands accused, to issue an indictment and warrant for his arrest. True, Syria is not a party to the court, which ostensibly limits ICC jurisdiction: Absent a United Nations Security Council referral, which Russia would veto given its interest in protecting Assad, the court could presumably only punish crimes occurring on the territory of a state party or at the hands of a national of a state party. However, this does not mean the ICC cannot punish the harms Assad has inflicted, for two reasons. First, although Syria never ratified the ICC statute, Assad did sign it in 2000, suggesting he personally accepted the jurisdiction of the court even if it could not be applied to the entire country. Second, past ICC prosecutors have expanded jurisdiction to nonparty states on the argument that refugee flows into a second states territory caused by human rights violations constitute the commission of the crime against humanity of forced displacement on the territory of the receiving state. Therefore, if that receiving country is a party to the ICC statute, the offending states ratification status is irrelevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This legal theory was used to initiate investigations of the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar due to Bangladeshs status as a party to the ICC that had received massive refugee flows resulting from the genocide. It has also been used to call for prosecuting Sudan for crimes spilling over into contiguous African countries. It could certainly be applied to Syria, where neighboring Jordanwhich has absorbed more than a million Syrian refugeesis a party to the court and has specifically requested the courts help. And thats to say nothing of the myriad other countries that have taken in victims of the Syrian civil war. Coupled with Assads signature on the ICC treaty, this suggests indictments could well be forthcoming. Even if they arent, however, another pathway to justice for Assads crimes is prosecution in national courts under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction. A specific category of crimes that shock the conscience of states as a whole are subject to prosecution by anyone anywhere, offering individual states tools in the fight against impunity. Perhaps the most famous example of the use of universal jurisdiction occurred in 1998, when former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested in London on a warrant issued in Spain. The British authorities ultimately released Pinochet and allowed him to return to Chile. But this principle has often been used to hold dictators and war criminals accountable since then, including Syrian perpetrators associated with Assad who have already been tried and convicted in Germany. In fact, France has issued an arrest warrant against Assad himself, meaning he can be tried in absentia, and arrested and jailed if at any point he sets foot in France or a country that has an extradition treaty with it. Just last week the U.S. Justice Department indicted two top military officials from Syria as well, and the state of California just arrested another, originally for visa fraud but now with additional charges of torture and murder. Of course, given Assads current safe haven in Russia, either one of these pathways to justice would require something very simple: convincing Putin at some point to extradite his former ally to France or the Hague for trial. This may seem far-fetched, given the ICC arrest warrant issued for Putin himself. But it is entirely possible that Russia took Assad in with the idea of using him later as leverage in any number of international negotiations it may soon be involved in, such as for ending the war in Ukraine and lifting the Western sanctions against Russia resulting from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside Syria, however, the most productive route to justice likely isnt the mass trials alluded to by the HTS, but rather a truth commission linked to amnesties for mid- and low-level perpetrators. Thats because trials invite a country to divide itself according to who supports or opposes specific defendants. To be credible, they also require institutions of due process that are difficult to build quickly out of thin air. Truth commissions are instead designed to bring a country together to make meaning out of suffering by pointing fingers at the structural conditions under which people acted and offering them an opportunity to atone and repent for those actions, as well as to forgive them, while collectively pledging fealty to a new order. Research shows that truth commissions have a strong track record of reducing future violence. With Assad out of the country and out of the picture, this process of national meaning-making and peace-making stands an actual chance. To make that work, the fingers must point collectively from the Syrian people to Assad and Russia, rather than devolve to pointing at one another. The best revenge, and the most poetic justice, for Assads crimes might be the successful establishment of a moderate, rights-compliant democratic regime in Syria. In a violently divided society riven by competing factions, ethno-sectarian complexity and political spoilers, this wont be an easy task. But Assads absence, whether in Russia or a jail cell, has actually given Syria the fighting chance it needs. Charli Carpenter is a professor of political science and legal studies at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, specializing in human security and international law. She tweets at @charlicarpenter. 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 Transitional Justice in Syria Will Be Better Off With Assad in Russia appeared first on World Politics Review. The Scott County Government Center, where the House District 54A election contest trial was held, seen on Dec. 16, 2024. Photo by Michelle Griffith/Minnesota Reformer. During the first day of a bench trial that could determine control of the Minnesota House, a key question emerged about 20 missing ballots upon which the race and the contested result now hinge: Do we know which Shakopee residents cast those missing ballots? In House District 54A, which includes Shakopee, Rep. Brad Tabke won the race over GOP challenger Aaron Paul by 14 votes. If Tabke prevails, the House will be deadlocked 67-67 between Republicans and Democrats; legislative leaders are currently working on a power-sharing agreement, but it appears stalled while the court case contesting the 54A race proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul is contesting the election results, and on the first day of whats expected to be a two-day trial Monday, lawyers for Tabke and Paul agreed on the basic facts of the case: Twenty ballots went missing around Oct. 17, and the county has done all it can to retrieve them, without success. An official likely threw away the 20 absentee ballots, all of which were delivered in-person at Shakopee City Hall. Attorney David Zoll, on behalf of Tabke, argued that the lawyers can determine who cast the absentee ballots that are now missing and ask them who they voted for. Pauls attorney Reid Lebeau, however, said its impossible to determine with absolute certainty who cast those ballots therefore, a judge should order a special election. In the end, this court will be left with a clear choice. Either we restore certainty and confidence in our elections, in the system, or we dont, Lebeau said in his opening statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zoll said holding a special election would disenfranchise the 20,000 residents who already cast their ballots in the House race. A special election would likely be a mid-winter, low-turnout affair. History shows only a fraction of the voters will cast their ballots and have their voices heard (in a special election), Zoll said in his opening statement. Representative Tabke, on the other hand, believes that this court and the parties should do the work to determine whether the failure to count the 20 ballots . actually affected the outcome of the election. Zoll said that had the 20 ballots been counted, Tabke would still have won the race. Prior to the trial, Judge Tracy Perzel issued a ruling that the voters identities would be sealed and kept secret. The voters were only identified by a number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys called witnesses that indicated both sides have identified the 20 people whose votes were lost. Theyve been able to do so because they have a good idea of the day and time of the lost ballots, allowing them to identify the voters by elimination. LeBeau called to the stand six Shakopee voters, who said they were told by LeBeau that their votes were not counted. All six said they voted for Paul. I feel like Ive been robbed, said voter number 17, a man who appeared to be in his 60s. On Monday, testifiers got into the nitty gritty of Scott County election procedure, detailing exactly how they believe the ballots went missing and how they attempted to retrieve them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott County Elections Administrator Julie Hanson testified for about three hours about how she discovered a discrepancy in vote totals and tried to fix it. After interviewing other elections officials and consulting the states voter rolls, she believes that the ballots were thrown away when they were still in their secrecy envelopes. An absentee ballot is in a secrecy envelope, which is nested inside the signature envelope. Election workers are tasked with approving or declining the signature envelope and, if approved, removing the secrecy envelope and setting it aside, thus preserving the voters secret ballot. But in this case, rather than removing the ballots from the secrecy envelopes and running them through the machine, they mistakenly discarded the secrecy envelopes without having removed the ballots, creating a 20-ballot discrepancy between signature envelopes and ballots. Hanson testified that election officials were supposed to keep the secrecy envelopes even after the ballots were run through the machines, but she said she was given the impression that officials had been discarding envelopes after putting ballots into the machines for some time, even before the 2024 general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanson characterized the missing ballot error as very large and said it was a big deal that shouldnt have happened. Additional witnesses are expected Tuesday. Its unclear when Perzel will issue her ruling. Tabke was present in court Monday, but Paul was not. An election contest in House District 40B is also underway; the residency of winner Rep.-elect Curtis Johnson is being challenged. Though a safe DFL district, Republicans could temporarily control the House if a judge throws out Johnsons victory and orders a special election. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have rejected an increase in the price of oil of 15% suggested by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and have chosen instead to impose a lower price rise. The two countries are to limit their increases to 5 per cent while the other 11 countries in Opec will initially increase their prices by 10% in January and a further 5% in July. This will take the cost of Opec oil to $13.30 (8.42) per 42-gallon barrel by July 1977. Explaining their decision the Saudi Arabian oil minister said: We have no aims. We decided the price of our own oil and they decided their own. However, it is also hoped America will take the move into account when dealing with the Arab-Israeli conflict. A spokesman from the United Arab Emirate said holding the price of oil sold to Western countries would be beneficial because we need their cooperation in searching for a peaceful settlement. And they warned countries the 15% rise would damage the world economy. In response to Opecs decision to raise prices outgoing US President Gerald Ford said the members who agreed had not considered the destructive consequences of their actions. World prosperity requires a common commitment to the well-being of all peoples and a special sensitivity to the plight of the worlds poorest societies. The decision of the Opec majority clearly does not meet such standards of international responsibility he added. Jimmy Carter, currently waiting for his January inauguration as President of the United States, praised the decision of the breakaway members but insisted no commitments had been made on the handling of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Courtesy BBC News In context The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) was formed in September 1960. There were originally five member states. At one time that rose to 13 but there are currently 11 members. They include Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. Opec aims to stabilise the price of oil on the international market. In doing so it hopes to ensure a regular supply of petrol, a fair deal for buyers and sellers of petrol and to secure a steady income for its member states. Treasure Valley students were taken to the hospital after a school bus accident Monday morning. A pickup truck struck a Nampa School District special education bus carrying a handful of students at about 7:20 a.m., Nampa School District spokesperson Matthew Sizemore told the Idaho Statesman. The crash occurred near the 8th Avenue South and 2nd Street South intersection in northwest Nampa, according to a Nampa Police Department social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two students and the bus driver were transported to the hospital with injuries that Sizemore said were minor and non-life-threatening. The truck driver was cited for a stop-sign violation, Sizemore said. Police said the accident caused roadway delays, but law enforcement cleared all lanes by 8:50 a.m. The Nampa Police Department did not respond to the Statesmans request for additional information. WASHINGTON President-elect Donald Trump said U.S. government officials, including President Joe Biden, know where the mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast are coming and going from, accusing the leaders without evidence of intentionally keeping those details from the public. Trump said the U.S. military also knows where the drones took off and where they went afterward. "And for some reason, they don't want to comment," he said Monday at a wide-ranging news conference at his private club Mar-a-Lago. "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." "I can't imagine it's the enemy, because if it was the enemy, they'd blast it out. Even if they were late, they'd blast it," he added. "Something strange is going on. For some reason they don't want to tell the people, and they should." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's remarks drew a quick pushback from the White House, where national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a call that the U.S. government was not withholding critical information from the public. "We are making a very good faith effort to be as open and direct with all of you and with the American people ... as we can and that will continue," he said. "There's absolutely no effort to be anything other than as upfront as we can be." PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 16: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives to give remarks alongside SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son (L) at Trumpas Mar-a-Lago resort on December 16, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump announced that SoftBank will invest over $100 billion in projects in the United States including 100,000 artificial intelligence related jobs. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) "I recognize that some of the criticism over the last few days has been that we ... haven't said more of what we know," Kirby added. "That's because we didn't, we didn't have as much information as we do now, after a few more days of extra resources, extra personnel, extra analysis." Federal authorities have tried to reassure residents that the objects dont appear to be operating nefariously. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have said such sightings mostly appear to be not drones at all. Kirby said that there are more than one million lawfully-registered drones in the U.S., thousands of which are flying around on any given day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," he said Monday, crediting law enforcement officials. At his press conference, the president-elect said he was reconsidering visiting his Bedminster, New Jersey, club as a result of the nearby sightings. "I think maybe I won't spend the weekend in Bedminster," Trump said from his Florida club with a smile. "I've decided to cancel my trip." For the last month, New Jerseyans have reported odd lights in the sky at night, a rash of reported drone sightings that has attracted the attention of local residents. These photos were taken on Dec. 8 in Toms River, N.J. Trump declined to say whether he'd received an intelligence briefing on the sightings, and it was not clear from his remarks if he had direct knowledge of the origins of the strange lights in the sky, which have been spotted in New Jersey and New York. He previously said in a social media post that he did not think drones could be flying over the U.S. without the federal government's knowledge. He said the Biden administration should tell the public more information or "shoot them down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lights in the sky were first spotted in New Jersey in November. The sightings have continued for nearly a month, prompting concern from elected officials. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called on Congress on Saturday to enact stricter drone oversight. The Biden administration had previously asked Congress to take action. Kirby said last week that despite using "sophisticated electronic detection technologies provided by federal authorities," that neither federal nor local officials had not been able to "corroborate any of the reported visual sightings." U.S. officials have repeatedly said since they do not have any evidence to suggest the drones are being operated by a foreign government or present a danger to Americans. The Department of Defense told reporters on a Saturday call that the U.S. does not have intelligence or observations that would suggest any drones that have flown over military bases recently are associated with a foreign power. However, the department said it can not be certain, partly because personnel have to coordinate with local and federal officials to track them down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is our job to be vigilant," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABC News. "If there is any reason for concern, if we identify any foreign involvement or criminal activity we will communicate with the American public accordingly. Right now we are not aware of any." Contributing: Jeanine Santucci This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump weighs in on drones, claims US government, Biden know origins NEW YORK Donald Trump campaign adviser Alex Bruesewitz appears to be OK following a frightening fall during Sundays New York Young Republican Club Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. The 27-year-old conservative was introducing White House senior aide Dan Scavino at the annual gathering when he became disoriented. Im forgetting my words, Bruesewitz said before taking a long pause and falling forward to his right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political strategist is credited with helping to coordinate a podcast strategy that was instrumental to Trumps 2024 presidential election win. Before collapsing, he credited the Young Republican Club for being on board for Trump early and thanked guests attending the event including Matt Gaetz, who recent withdrew his candidacy for Attorney General amid allegations he had sex with an underaged girl, which he denies. Neary four minutes into his speech, Bruesewitz confessed he was confused before falling down and taking the lectern with him as audience members shrieked. After he was helped off the stage and the damaged lectern was reset, event emcee Raheem Kassam assured the crowd Bruesewitz was alright. Its a little bit warm up here under the lights, Kassam said. It happens to the best of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservative activists on social media reported they too had been assured Bruesewitz was doing fine. Numerous outlets reported that Trump phoned into the event to say he expected his adviser to be alright because hes a very special guy. Gaetz posted a message of support for Great American Bruesewitz on X. One nose dive off a stage wont slow him down, he said. _____ Pennsylvania Republican Doug Mastriano is facing some heat after posting a picture of what appears to be a Star Wars prop instead of one of the mysterious drones that are flying around the East Coast this month. The meme the politician shared on the social media platform X includes a picture of what looks like a replica of a TIE Fighter, which is a fictional spacecraft used by the Sith Empires Imperial Fleet and seen in the 1977 classic and first film Star Wars: A New Hope. Breaking News: Crashed drone in Orange Beach retrieved from water, and taken to undisclosed location for further investigation, the memes caption reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mastriano reposted the image with a serious comment on Tuesday. It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue, the Trump-backed lawmaker insisted. It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire pic.twitter.com/qWqyH3dnkI Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) December 16, 2024 We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. January 20th cant come soon enough, Mastriano said. The post has since garnered 2.7 million views and earned a Community note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, on Tuesday, Mastriano who was backed by Donald Trump in his failed bid to become governor of Pennsylvania in 2022 wrote to assure his more than 207,000 followers that he knew the image was a meme. I posted a statement about the drones and used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme, he said. The Philadelphia Inquirer just called asking if I knew it was a prop. Hilarious. Modern day journalism. Republican Doug Mastriano, a former gubernatorial nominee, speaks to supporters in Pennsylvania in November 2022. Mastriano, who is now a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, shared a meme about drones this week that made waves on social media ((Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)) The newspaper reported that statement and that Mastriano said the extreme left needed a sense of humor. But people responding to his Tuesday tweet werent so convinced. You 100 percent did not know it was a prop, claimed user @JohnnyWalsh__. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not once while reading that caption did I think you knew it was a prop, said @hossbo71. Nice try, Doug, wrote @kmartceo. No one believes you, said @SilvermanJacob. The drones did not appear to be related to the franchise in any of the videos that have been taken. While it remains unclear where they are coming from specifically or why they are flying, authorities and the White House have assured people that they are lawful and legal. The FBI, FAA, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security said recent drone sightings did not present a national security or public safety risk. Donald Trump says privatizing the United States Postal Service an idea Republicans have been circling for years in a crusade to kill one of Americas most popular public agencies is not the worst idea hes ever heard. Its the clearest signal yet that his incoming administration is reviving plans to gut the agency, which is empowered by the Constitution and older than the nation itself. His remarks on Monday followed reporting in The Washington Post that Trump and his billionaire nominee for commerce secretary Howard Lutnick are mulling plans to overhaul the agency, including whether to privatize it entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Republicans have argued that taxpayers should not be subsidizing an agency that has reported billions of dollars in financial losses, and Trump has publicly lamented that the Postal Service is not a profitable service. But the agency is not a for-profit enterprise; its literally in the Constitution, as Democratic Senator Tina Smith said this week. Donald Trump and Republicans have floated privatizing the US Postal Service (Getty Images) There is talk about the Postal Service being taken private, you do know that not the worst idea Ive ever heard, Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. Its a lot different today between Amazon and UPS and FedEx, and all the things you didnt have, he said. But there is talk about that. Its an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time. Were looking at that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers Union, said in a statement that privatizing the USPS is the last thing we should be considering as a country. Privatization would end universal service, he said. Right now, the USPS delivers to every address, regardless of who we are or where we live. Universal service is especially important to rural America. Privatization also would lead to price-gouging by private companies. Cuts to the nations postal system would upend service to rural Americans who rely on the US Postal Service for its mandated obligation to mail anywhere in the country (Getty Images) The nations postal service was founded in 1775 with Benjamin Franklin as its chief, and later written into the Constitution to grant Congress authority to establish Post Offices and post Roads, empowering the agencys authority to carry, deliver and regulate the mail. Broader cuts to the USPS would upend the e-commerce industry as well as the delivery of medications and other critical mail for rural Americans who rely on the agencys universal service obligation, which mandates USPS to deliver mail regardless of how far it needs to go or how much it costs to do so meaning that the agency is often the only carrier that can deliver to hard-to-reach Americans across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon, the agencys largest customer, relies on postal workers for last-mile delivery between its warehouses and homes and businesses. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy who has remained in the role throughout President Joe Bidens administration after Trump supported his appointment in 2020 has faced intense scrutiny from lawmakers and watchdog groups, including calls for his removal, letters to the agencys board of governors demanding that its members fire him, protests outside his home, and investigations probing his time before and after he entered office. He is the first postmaster general in US history in decades without any prior history with the agency, and the first ever to come from a private company that directly competes with USPS. He was confirmed to lead the USPS by a board made up entirely of Trump appointees, and his companies still hold active contracts with the agency he is leading. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, whose term in office was supported by Trump, has proposed a 10-year plan with rate hikes and other changes to the USPS (AP) DeJoy implemented significant cuts and service changes to the agency during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a surge in demand for the mails critical lifeline during the public health crisis, and as 2020 elections saw a massive increase in vote-by-mail options that critics have argued were undermined by DeJoys plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His 10-year plan Delivering for America, unveiled in 2021 proposed longer first-class mail delivery, shorter office hours and higher postage prices. Last week, he literally covered his ears during a congressional hearing while a Republican representative grilled him for giving himself an A grade. Trump-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy covers his ears with his hands today while Republican Rep. Rich McCormick yells at him for destroying the Post Office. pic.twitter.com/0S4UrY4VE1 Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 10, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Trump threatened to block the agency from receiving $10 billion in pandemic aid, unless it agreed to raise prices. While he explored how to privatize the agency, he created a task force to look into restructuring the USPS entirely, including hiring private contractors to process and sort mail. House Republicans are also promoting the idea to hand over control of the nations mail to private companies. There are private companies that are interested, which is where I think a lot of the problems are, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer said last month. The problem with that is nobody wants to deliver the mail to every house in America six days a week, and to operate all those retail postal facilities, he added. Theres no private company in the world that wants that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A quasi-government advisory board led by billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are proposing drastic cuts to the federal budget, is also exploring cuts to the agency. The Department of Government Efficienctys congressional counterpart is asking for DeJoy to assign a point of contact for members of Congress to work with. The Post Office is in our constitution, Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan said on Saturday. There is no way we let Donald Trump privatize it, he added. Fire his former pick for postmaster, DeJoy, and let a real professional run it like it should be run. The first priority is delivering mail. Cut the Pentagons bloat if you want to save money. Hell no, @RepMTG! Im going to fight privatizing the @USPS with all Ive got. Maybe we should just replace a certain grandstanding rep with AI instead. Trump speaks, you repeat. No thought in that. https://t.co/hnnMWrZ1lE Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) December 17, 2024 While Trump mocked the agency as a joke and Amazons delivery boy, his White House budget office wrote in 2018 that the USPS is caught between a mandate to operate like a business, but with the expenses and political oversight of a public agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2018 report from the Office of Management and Budget argued that a privately-run USPS would have more flexibility to raise prices, but it would still face oversight from Congress and other agencies. Despite Republican-led threats, the USPS ranks only behind the National Park Service as the most popular federal agency; more than 70 percent of Americans, including 68 percent of Republicans, have a favorable view of the USPS, according to a 2024 survey from Pew Research Center. Sipping a soda in the food court of a West Des Moines mall recently, Iowan Cari McIntosh said she hasn't kept tabs on the flurry of Cabinet nominations and other critical hires that President-elect Donald Trump is making as Inauguration Day approaches. McIntosh, a supporter of the former and soon-to-be president, said she doesnt have to. I dont pay attention because I think he knows what hes doing, I really do, said McIntosh, 54. Cari McIntosh, a 54-year-old supporter of President-elect Donald Trump sits at a table in Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, Iowa, Dec. 5, 2024. Following his victory last month, Trump has made a flurry of appointments to fill out his Cabinet and the rest of his incoming government. Some are controversial with confirmation in the Senate not yet guaranteed. Others are unconventional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump voters from 11 states including those with senators likely to play a key role during upcoming confirmation hearings told the USA TODAY Network none of that matters. They trust Trump. Some voters said they are watching the parade of nominees like a hawk, while others like McIntosh have largely tuned out the news. But most gave positive reviews of Trumps best-known hires like Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI director pick Kash Patel and world's richest man Elon Musk, saying theyre confident the president-elect knows what hes doing. I'm supportive of outsiders that don't have long Washington credentials, said Chris Hicks, a 59-year-old consultant in Cincinnati, Ohio. The mandate to Trump from Trump voters, more than anything, is that we need to reform government. Scott County, Tennessee voted overwhelmingly for President-elect Donald Trump on Election Day. Many in the county are supportive of Trump's picks for his cabinet. On Dec. 7, the county held a large Christmas parade. Hes got fighters Trumps first term in the White House was marked by personnel drama and infighting that at times was so contentious the former president fired staff via Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a dynamic that was on Trumps mind in the final days of his 2024 campaign for the White House. In one of his last public appearances before Election Day, Trump re-litigated the Cabinet battles of his first term and promised to staff his next administration with better people. Maurice White Jr., 71, a registered nurse in Shreveport, Louisiana, said he agreed Trump made a mistake in his first term by staffing his administration with people recommended by D.C. insiders. Hes been watching Trumps administration choices closely, like a hawk hungry on a limb in a desert. This time he's got fighters; he's got people that have been screwed over by the same entrenched bureaucracy, White said. I've never seen an administration choose people like this. And choose such radical people, but radical in a good way, people who would stand up and fight for what they believe in. I don't think they're going to steamroll Donald Trump. Maurice White, Jr. photographed on December 6, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. Trump supporter Glenn Gromann, an attorney and real estate developer in Boca Raton, Florida, who has met Trump personally and visited his nearby Mar-a-Lago club, said hes thrilled by the incoming administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think he wants to hit the ground running, Gromann said. He has the experience now. People learn from trial and error. Thats what he did in 2016, so hes not going to make the same mistakes again. Attorney Glenn Gromann, a Boca Raton developer and consultant, (right), sits with his date, Jean M. DaRocha, a member of the Trumpettes, at the group's gala Feb. 11, 2024 at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., tapped to be the new administrations secretary of state, ranks as Gromanns favorite pick for Trumps Cabinet. Hes also been impressed by his encounters at Mar-a-Lago with border czar Tom Homan and Dr. Mehmet Oz, the doctor and TV star nominated to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They are good people, Gromann said. Bradley Youngman, a 45-year old sheriff in Daviess County, Kentucky, also praised Homan. Youngman attended this years Republican National Convention as a delegate for Kentucky for the first time. He did a good job last time, and I think he'll do a good job again, Youngman said. Senate confirmation could hamper Hegseth Though his supporters are on board, several of Trumps nominees are facing challenges getting enough support in a narrowly-divided Senate where Republicans early next month will have a 53-47 majority. Presidential nominees need a simple majority vote in the chamber to serve in the Cabinet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers can approve Trumps choices without any votes from Democrats so long as almost all members of the GOP are on board. That is posing an uphill climb for Pete Hegseth, Trumps controversial pick for Defense secretary who has been accused of sexual assault and drinking in the workplace. He has denied the allegations. Sen. Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, is among the lawmakers undecided on whether to confirm Hegseth. Elizabeth Jordan, a fellow Maine Republican from Kennebunk who ran unsuccessfully for the state legislature this fall, told the USA TODAY Network she supports Hegseths nomination and all of Trumps picks. Elizabeth Jordan I am thrilled with his choices, Jordan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth also received praise from Lori Viars, the vice president of anti-abortion group Warren County Right to Life, who lives in Lebanon, Ohio. I think he would be great. Has he done everything perfectly in his life? No, he hasn't, Viars said. Some of what they're saying may be true, and probably a lot of it is false. Viars called Trumps choices common sense picks, particularly Rubio and his fellow Floridian Pam Bondi, the former state attorney general who Trump picked to serve as U.S. attorney general after his first choice dropped out amid allegations of sex trafficking minors. Musk and Ramaswamy garner praise, skepticism Some of the most polarizing Trump administration hires Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy wont require Senate confirmation. Trump tapped the pair to head a new Department of Government Efficiency aimed at curtailing government spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelia Arnett, a hospice-specific health care recruiter from Ocala, Florida, hailed Musk and Ramaswamys initiative as needed. So did Grace Anne Blake, a salon owner in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a business owner, we're constantly dealing with waste, Blake said. So having two people that like getting rid of waste is huge. Others were more skeptical about Musks newfound closeness with Trump - and Ramaswamys outspoken personality. I might have left Elon Musk off, said 79-year-old Hazel Kyar of Glendale, Arizona. It makes me think theyre trying to do something with his money because hes rich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamey Bobo, a 45-year-old truck driver who lives in Greer, South Carolina, and has been to nine Trump events, said he views Ramaswamy as untrustworthy. Vivek, I can do without him. Hes a race baiter and he cant be trusted. He talks too much about race and one thing were trying to do is get away from that," Bobo said. "The only mistake Trump can make is messing around with Vivek." Lukewarm Trump voters optimistic about cabinet Its not only die-hard Trump supporters who are optimistic about the president-elects selections. Emmett Reistroffer was probably the loudest Nikki Haley supporter in South Dakota during the Republican presidential primary, but the 34-year-old cannabis industry professional has come around on Trump and his Cabinet picks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy is an incredibly important and exciting pick, said Reistroffer, who lives in Rapid City. Both Kennedy and Tulsi Gabbard, nominated to be the director of national intelligence, are not beholden to party loyalty or special interests in Reistroffers view. Emmett Reistroffer He did say the controversies around nominees like Patel for the FBI or Hegseth at defense or Matt Gaetz, whos no longer in the running to serve as attorney general did feel reminiscent of Trump's transition after winning the 2016 election. And despite Reistroffers own criticisms of Gov. Kristi Noem, he said South Dakotans should be proud to see their governor chosen to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Fellow South Dakotan Paul Soroka, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 1999 and owns a tailor shop in Sioux Falls, also appreciated Noems nomination to lead DHS. Soroka said he thinks Trumps first term as president gave him good experience and will make him more selective about the people he keeps around him and turns to for advice. I cant say Im 100 percent a pro-Trumper and everything he says, I say Amen. No. But we have to choose the best out of everything, Soroka said. Voters happy to see Gaetz withdraw Meanwhile, several of Trumps nominees have already withdrawn from consideration for his Cabinet, including Gaetz. The Florida Republican now a former member of Congress was up for the U.S. attorney general role but faced scrutiny for being embroiled in an alleged sex trafficking scandal. Keyna Humphrey is 53 and lives in Red Springs, North Carolina, where she works for local government. Shes voted for Trump in the last three presidential elections, despite being a Democrat in previous years. Humphrey has been paying close attention to the picks along with her husband, and shes over the moon excited about all of them. She said the choices show Trump has surrounded himself with brilliant people that will reflect his policies for years to come. Humphrey was particularly fired up about Trumps inclusion of several women in his Cabinet lineup, including super smart women like Bondi, Gabbard and Linda McMahon, chosen to lead the Department of Education. She was surprised by Trumps initial pick of Gaetz, saying he gave her some pause. Humphrey was much more excited about Bondi, who replaced Gaetz after he withdrew from consideration. I dont think he was the right guy, but hes gone, said Gromann, the Boca Raton attorney who mingles at Mar-a-Lago. In Tennessee, rural Scott County voted for Trump by the highest percentage of all of the state's 95 counties. Scott, a rural county on the border with Kentucky, was the longtime home of the late-Sen. Howard Baker, Jr., the former Senate GOP leader and White House chief of staff under President Ronald Reagan. Lorenzo Garcia, sits inside his restaurant El Rey Azteca in Oneida, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Lorenzo Garcia, 48, who opened El Rey Azteca in the county 20 years ago as part of his familys Mexican restaurant chain, said he supports Trumps tougher immigration policy and is optimistic about the future. He gives people hope, Garcia said. Dianne Massey left Scott County before returning in the 1980s. Massey and her family are big Trump supporters. She thinks he can continue what he started eight years ago. But hopefully with less bravado and social media outbursts, she said. I think hell pull through, she said, if he keeps his mouth shut and people leave him alone. Contributing: USA TODAY Network reporters Terry Benjamin II, Makenzie Boucher, Margie Cullen, Sarah Gleason, Erin Glynn, Trevor J. Mitchell, Hannah Pinski and Kelly Puente. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump Cabinet: Supporters across 11 states back his nominations President-elect Donald Trump delighted in the shock resignation of a top Canadian cabinet minister on Monday evening, calling her toxic and not at all conducive to making deals for the very unhappy citizens of Canada. Chrystia Freeland stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government earlier in the day. In a letter to Trudeau that she made public, Freeland blasted him for allegedly being ill-prepared for a potential trade war with a tariff-happy Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She pointed to Trudeaus alleged fixation on political gimmicks that could leave the country open to economic shocks as it faces Trumps aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs. See my letter to the Prime Minister below // Veuillez trouver ma lettre au Premier ministre ci-dessous pic.twitter.com/NMMMcXUh7A Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) December 16, 2024 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, Freeland wrote to her boss, noting she would stay on as a backbench member of the ruling Liberal Party. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment. One gimmick she was likely referring to is a two-month suspension of sales tax on several goods intended to ease the rising cost-of-living, set to run through mid-February and which could cost the federal government up to CAD$2.7 billion ($1.9 billion). A former financial journalist, Freeland was a regular on Morning Joe and CNBC where she likely came to the attention of TV-obsessed Trump. She was a crucial envoy to the first Trump administration, during which she held the International Trade and Foreign Affairs portfolios and served as one of Canadas lead negotiators on the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade agreement at Trumps behest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Freeland blasted her party leader, Trump volleyed insults. Her behavior was totally toxic, and not at all conducive to making deals which are good for the very unhappy citizens of Canada, he wrote in a Truth Social Post. She will not be missed!!! Truth Social Freeland was replaced as Finance Minister by Minister of Public Safety and Trudeau loyalist Dominic LeBlanc, who visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida late last month along with the prime minister. The two were part of a delegation that tried to dissuade Trump from pursuing his plans to slap 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which could significantly rewire two of the worlds largest trading relationships. Productive meeting at Mar-a-Lago yesterday evening with the Prime Minister and President Trump. We had a positive discussion about shared border security priorities, including working together to combat fentanyl trafficking. pic.twitter.com/FV0TmzFA7X Dominic LeBlanc (@DLeBlancNB) November 30, 2024 Trump joked at the event that Canada could become the 51st state and has since nicknamed Trudeau Governor, something he continued with Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor or not, Trump may soon find himself dealing with a different Canadian leader. A Canadian election must be held by October 25, 2025 and Trudeaus Liberals are badly trailing in the polls to the rival Conservative Party led by Pierre Poilievre, who public surveys also suggest Canadians believe is best suited to deal with Trump. Freelands resignation led to widespread speculation in Ottawa on Monday that Trudeau could be forced to step down and allow a new Liberal leader to fight the next election. He was already facing calls from some backbench members of his caucus to quit after nearly a decade in power. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party that Trudeaus Liberals rely on for support in the House of Commons, called on him to resign Monday. Tari Ajadi, a political scientist at Montreals McGill University, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that Freelands departure has effectively left Trudeau leading a zombie government. Its not a matter of if, but when, things eventually do fall apart, he added. OTTAWA President-elect Donald Trumps tariff wars have claimed their first casualty: Canadas Chrystia Freeland. The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau, Trump shared on Truth Social late Monday night. 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!!!! Freeland made a dramatic exit from Trudeaus Cabinet on Monday, citing differences with Trudeau over economic policy and Trumps tariff threats. In her resignation letter, she warned that how Canada deals with Trump will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bombshell announcement ended Freelands run as deputy prime minister and Trudeaus trusted right hand, especially during the first Trump administration when the president reopened continental trade talks that posed a primordial threat to the Canadian economy. Six years later, Trump has driven the leaders apart with a threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports. Freeland was conspicuously absent last month when Trump welcomed Trudeau to Mar-a-Lago for dinner. The prime minister instead jetted to the Nov. 29 meeting in Florida with his longtime friend and confidant Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's public safety minister. Freeland dismissed her absence as jurisdictional the border falls into LeBlancs portfolio, so he was better suited to break bread with Trumps people. Yet it was Freeland whod been front and center during Trumps first administration as the political lead of the Canadian team renegotiating NAFTA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That role made her a target even as she hosted a homemade dinner for trade czar Robert Lighthizer in her Toronto home. Trump was openly critical of her negotiation style. We dont like their representative very much, he said at the time. In Mondays letter, Freeland cited differences with Trudeau over economic policy and Trumps tariff threats. And LeBlanc meanwhile accepted a new invitation from Trudeau taking over from Freeland as finance minister. She accused Trudeau of tying one hand behind her back when it came to spending that would strengthen Canadas hand with Trump. Mondays exit won't spell the end of Freelands decade-long political career, which followed several decades as a journalist during which she chronicled the fall of the Soviet Union. For now, shell remain as an MP in a seat on the governments backbenches well behind Trudeau but with her options still open to someday run for his job. Trumps latest threats added to the weight of domestic pressures on the Liberals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trudeau wanted to spend money on a temporary two-month holiday tax break to win back working-class Canadians battered by soaring prices and a stagnant economy as his partys poll numbers plummet; Freeland says she wanted to increase spending on border and security issues to assuage Trumps criticism. In her departure note, she pointed to costly political gimmicks forced upon her as finance minister that deprived the country of the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. Trump has said tariffs will be imposed on Canada and Mexico if they dont stop the flow of illicit drugs and migrants across their American borders. Freeland and Trump have a rocky past. She made a practice of criticizing Trumps protectionist policies and hostility towards global institutions during his first administration especially during the fractious renegotiation of NAFTA. Two years ago, when Trumps son-in-law criticized Freelands negotiating style, she dialed things up a notch by calling the former president a bully. Freeland was responding to broadsides in a memoir written by Jared Kushner, and her counterpunch came at a time when Trump was widely perceived to be in historys rear-view mirror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the tables have turned and Trump is threatening onerous tariffs, not to mention retribution against a long list of enemies, perceived or real. On Monday morning, Freeland shared her resignation note just hours before she was scheduled to rise in Parliament to deliver a major update on the state of the Canadian economy. In her letter, Freeland didnt back away from past criticism of Trumps protectionist policies. Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs, Freeland wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means pushing back against America First economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring. LeBlanc, the New Brunswick-born son of a former Canadian governor general, moved swiftly after his hastily arranged swearing-in to project calm reassurance in the aftermath of a chaotic day that saw multiple calls for Trudeaus resignation. I had, today, interesting conversations with officials in the incoming administration in the United States on border security, LeBlanc said before name-dropping Trumps nominee for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He brushed aside a suggestion that Trump was likely smelling blood in the water after the events of the day in Ottawa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I've continued to have discussions with incoming secretary Lutnick for example, the commerce secretary around border security (and) was involved in meetings with senior officials in the incoming administration today, LeBlanc said. I saw two leaders focused on these issues at Mar-a-Lago. US President-elect Donald Trump failed on Monday to get his 34 felony convictions overturned in a New York court, as Judge Juan Marchan sided with prosecutors and upheld the verdicts. The well-publicized "hush money" case involved the illegal concealment of $130,000 paid to porn star Stormy Daniels. Jurors agreed that Trump had paid the money to keep the actress quiet in an effort to gain advantage in the 2016 election, which Trump won. Trump's lawyers had argued that in light of the US Supreme Court ruling giving presidents broad immunity for actions taken while in office, the convictions should be overturned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Merchan said that decision does not apply in this case, since the payments were made before the election when Trump was not president - and Trump made them as a private individual. Trump's lawyers also argued that the process was compromised since statements from White House staff were used at trial. The judge rejected that. Convicted felon in the White House? Jurors in New York found Trump guilty of 34 charges at the end of May. It was the first time in the history of the United States that a former president was convicted of a crime. Should the conviction stand, Trump would become the first US president to govern as a convicted felon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear when Judge Merchan might decide on Trump's sentence. The prosecution has already shown openness to postponing the sentencing until after the end of Trump's second term in 2029. Announcing the sentence before Trump's inauguration on January 20 is not seen as likely. In the worst case, the former and soon-to-be next president could face a multi-year prison sentence, but as a first-time offender, a probationary or monetary fine is considered more likely. George Stephanopoulos is famously meticulous. He does not slip up. He used to arrive each day at 2:30 a.m. for Good Morning America, the show he has co-hosted for the past 15 years, so that his face could settle before going on air at 7 a.m. He would then monastically eat an apple at 9 a.m. after each show. He runs, he works out, he meditateshes out of book parties before theyve barely begun, and he sleeps early. The name of his and his wife Ali Wentworths production company is literal: Bed By 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several executives describe him as among the smartest broadcasters theyve worked with. He largely shed his partisan past as President Bill Clintons former top communications aide to emerge as a national news anchor cast consciously in the mold of Peter Jennings, Ted Koppel, and David Brinkley; a voice of moral authority, intellectual integrity and establishment consensus. So how has Stephanopoulos now cost his employer ABC News $15 million in damages and $1 million in legal fees after inaccurately describing Donald Trump as a rapist on-air during an interview in March? Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury, Stephanopoulos repeatedly told Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) in a This Week interview in Marchdespite knowing that statement was arguable at best, if not outright wrong. You cant be the smartest guy in the room and then make the dumbest mistake ten times, says a former news producer. George Stephanopoulos on There are two theories circulating among executives and broadcasters who know Stephanopoulos or have worked with him as to how he could have erred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one, he was undone by a moral righteousness that has driven his reaction to Trump since 2015, stretching the boundaries of what he knew to be true. In another, he made an honest, if repeated, error. Some news executives suggest there was nothing accidental about his choice of words. He appeared to understand the verdict against Trump clearly last year when he interviewed E. Jean Carrollthe woman Trump was found to have sexually abused. He asked her on-air in May 2023 for her reaction to Trump having been not found liable for rape. The judge in the case did however add an opinion two months after the Carroll interview, saying that while Trump had not been not found liable according to the states legal definition, 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. The fact that Stephanopoulos is known to be deliberate in his choice of words posed a danger for Disney, those that know him say. If Stephanopoulos could be shown to have acted with reckless disregard for the truth, or malice, the network would be liable for defamation and damages. (His agent at CAA did not respond to requests for comment; ABC News declined to comment on the record.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court filings before the settlement, Disney never addressed whether Stephanopoulos acted deliberately; instead, it argued that the term rape was substantially true. Whatever Stephanopoulos precise intent, industry insiders say his antipathy towards the president-elect is evident. Anybody who works at ABC knows that George hates him, says a news executive. Its visceral. Trump violated everything George believed about how the presidential city should be run. It made him absolutely crazy. He couldnt understand why the country wouldnt reject him. Disney settled rather than adjudicating the case in court. The Beast understands that Stephanopoulos is saying privately to friends that he is relieved. As one TV insider from another network says, Would I rather apologize and have somebody pay the $15 million, or go through discovery for two years and every text and email end up on the front page of the Daily Mail? Id say, for most broadcast journalists, thats an easy decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Stephanopoulos is well aware of the professional consequences of ABCs capitulation, with the New York Post reporting that he is apoplectic and humiliated. Any private spin cant mask his new public reality. Indeed, multiple insiders who spoke to the Beast were surprised that Stephanopoulos agreed to apologize to Trump. Some wonder whether a new, imminent contract renewal helped to persuade him. (He was paid more than $100 million by ABC in the 2010s, and was earning $25 million a year under his current contract.) Money matters to him, along with morality. He lives a life where the table stakes are high, one split between the Upper East Side, ABCs Times Square studio, and the Hamptonshalcyon liberal worlds where status can disappear overnight. He dines with director J.J. Abrams and wears the merchandise of his friend Howard Stern. After 500 weeks spent covering Trumps ambitions, aims and outrages each weekday morning, Stephanopoulos has now been caught up in a political fight thats bigger than him or his news network, which some observers believe Disney would gladly sell if they could. Cynthia Johnson/Getty Stephanopoulos could have walked. But, as one executive put in jest, there are already 57 CNN anchors backed up at JFK trying to land. There arent enough jobs around for moral stands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has left Stephanopoulos, who wished to be the great impartial anchor, wrestling with a loss in the value of his medium and metier, one which afflicted magazine journalists a decade ago and is now hitting the stars of television news. Thirty years of relevance By staying, Stephanopoulos is once again playing a role in a presidential administration. This time he begins as a defeated figure rather than an ascendent one: as he wasin various guisesunder each of the last three Democratic presidents, Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. Today he is an emblem of the legacy medias humbled state ahead of Trumps second term. In his youth Stephanopoulos was the brilliant presidential aide whose life inspired The West Wing. Then he became the anchor America came to know, his career having played out in public since he was filmed trying to get Clinton elected in The War Room, the 1993 documentary that inspired a generation of political operatives including Steve Bannon, and was among Netflixs most rented DVDs when it was still a mail order business. An early episode of Friends was named after him in 1994he was 33. The son of a Greek Orthodox priest, he was an unconventional liberal poster child for the 1990s, where within Clintons world he was part boy wonder, part whipping boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote about his time in the White House to great acclaim in 1999 after breaking with the president over the Monica Lewinsky affair. The leap he made to covering the news set a path that later alums of Democratic presidencies, from Jon Favreau to Jen Psaki, would follow in their own ways. This summer he landed a global scoop: Joe Bidens last-gasp attempt to save his presidency after the debate that shattered his standing, interviewing the president for 22 fatal minutes. He was picked for that sit-down, insiders say, after years of being protective towards the president. He was reluctant to cover thinly sourced stories that could hurt Biden; a position taken by many liberal journalists towards Democratic politicians throughout the Trump era. President Joe Biden speaks with 'This Week' anchor George Stephanopoulos on July 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. The president sat down with Stephanopoulos while on the campaign trail in Wisconsin, a few days after a debate with former President Donald Trump. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images) / ABC/Getty His focus was on Trump, who he has long felt is a threat to democracy. Multiple sources describe him as enthused by the Mueller investigation into Trumps ties to Russia, and the now discredited Steele dossier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He felt that was going to get [Trump], says an executive at a rival networka hope that many Democrats harbored during the president-elects first term. Through it all, he has to deal with the rise of a rival anchor at ABC News: David Muir, the de facto face of the network since 2021a broadcaster Stephanopoulos regards as his intellectual inferior: the triumph of dashing style over substance. Stephanopoulos, a Rhodes scholar, went to Columbia. Muir, like Disney CEO Bob Iger but precious few others in the media industry, went to Ithaca College in upstate New York, in the shadow of Cornell. For years Stephanopoulos had held ABCs chief anchor role, a role hard won after he first replaced Diane Sawyer on GMA in 2009. In 2014, he coveted the famed World News Tonight chair and a move to the evening show after Sawyer stood down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did not get it. Muir did. Then, in 2021, Muir was handed the chief anchor title after Stephanopoulos was forced to relinquish it. Stephanopoulos felt deceived; he had been told no one would have it. He threatened to walk in fury. Iger personally intervened in the deal Disney offered Stephanopoulos to stay: a pay rise, a production deal, and primetime shows. Muir still became the anchor of breaking news coverage, and election specials. Stephanopoulos refused to sit next to him on air again, marginalizing himself as Muir alone anchored coverage of the 2022 midterms and this years presidential election. Stephanopoulos remained on GMA, a show whose number one rating has held for 13 yearsuntil the past five weeks, when NBCs Today has begun to eclipse it. (Today already beats GMA in the advertiser-coveted 25-54 demographic.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has left Stephanopoulos increasingly marooned on a declining morning show, whose populist segments, handled by his co-hosts, frustrate his political soul. He does also present This Week (which bears his name) once a month on a Sunday, where he has combatively interviewed Trump allies, from then-Ohio senator JD Vance to Mace in the interview that has now cost ABC $16 millionalong with four years of future ridicule from the right and a president who already calls him Slopadopoulos. Trump will now invoke that insult whenever Stephanopoulos or ABC report on him, or attempt to cover his government. His $16m error, whatever the intent behind it, has dredged up another made earlier in Stephanopoulos career, in 2015, when he was revealed to have donated $75,000 to the Clinton Foundationundermining the neutral on-air brand he had so assiduously created since leaving the White House. That standing has now been undermined once again. Stephanopoulos told The Late Show with Stephen Colbert shortly thereafter that he was not going to be cowed out of doing my job because of the threat of Donald Trump. He has now chosen to stay at ABC. He has not been cowed out his job, perhaps, but cowed in it. Timothy Simpson never expected his stay in Macau would turn into such a long haul. He arrived in 2001, thinking of it as a good stepping stone to greater adventure in Asia. Two decades later, the American from Alabama is firmly rooted in the city that has become his home. I came to Macau 18 months after its return to China in 1999, Simpson recalls the days when he took up a job at the University of Macau (UM). I thought Id stay for just a couple of years. But life had other plans. The citys energy and growth, the universitys expanding opportunities, and the unique cultural mix kept him here for far longer than he had intended. Simpson, now an associate professor of communications at the UM, has spent much of his career teaching classes and conducting research in Macau, focusing on topics like media, culture, communication, and the gaming industry. When he first arrived, the university was located on its old campus, a modest space compared to the sprawling, modern facilities that UM occupies today. Ive witnessed the universitys growth firsthand, Simpson says. Hes seen the university evolve over the years, with rising academic standards and an influx of talented students from both Macau and the mainland. The students are incredible, bright and motivated, Simpson says. Actually, theyve improved dramatically over the last two decades. Today, getting admitted to the university is very stiff competition. Simpsons ties to Macau go beyond his professional role at UM. He met his wife through the Thai community in Macau, and he credits this personal connection as a major reason for making the city his home. As an expatriate, Simpsons experience of living in Macau has been shaped by the citys unique blend of cultures. Centuries of Portuguese influence have left their mark, resulting in a vibrant multicultural atmosphere that Simpson has come to cherish. The Lusofonia Festival, an annual event that celebrates Portuguese-speaking cultures, is one of the many expressions of Macaus multicultural identity that Simpson enjoys. The festival features music, dance, and food from countries as diverse as Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. Its moments like these that give me a real, vibrant sense of how diverse Macau still is today, Simpson says. For him, Macaus diversity isnt just in its history its alive in the present, in the people and traditions celebrated every day. In Macau, Simpson chose not to live close to the university but in the historic center of the city, near Senado Square, one of the most popular tourist areas. Its sometimes difficult to navigate the sheer number of visitors, but these tourists have contributed to Macaus development in the last 20 years. Despite his growing roots, learning the local languages has been a challenge. The biggest failure of my life is that I dont speak Chinese fluently, he admits. Ive taken both Mandarin and Cantonese lessons over the years, but I still struggle. English is widely spoken in Macau, especially among younger generations, which has made it easier for Simpson to navigate his daily life. Despite the challenges, Simpsons relationship with the city has only deepened over time. Macaus growth has been astounding, Simpson says. I happened to live here during this massive transformation of the city, the economy, and the population. Its a place thats constantly changing, constantly expanding. The citys skyline has now exploded with towering resort complexes, and Simpson has observed a gradual yet significant shift in the economy. As the government seeks to balance the gaming industry with other emerging sectors, Macau is navigating its path toward diversification. Its a big experiment, Simpson says, noting that it will likely define the citys future trajectory. Whats truly fascinating is watching how the policies and strategies unfold, and seeing how these efforts can create alternative economic drivers for the city. Simpsons experience as an expatriate has also shaped his teaching philosophy. Drawing on his own experiences navigating cultural differences in Asia, he teaches students about the complexities of intercultural communication. I often share my mistakes with students, he explains, noting that it helps them understand the realities of adapting to new cultures, whether in Macau or elsewhere. For Simpson, what began as a temporary stint has blossomed into a unique life in Macau. As he looks to the future, Simpson has no plans to leave. Ive made Macau my home. Its where I built my life, my career, and my family. I plan to stay here until I retire. Guo Likun, Xinhua MSAR 25 in numbers WASHINGTON Donald Trump is suing Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and the newspaper's parent company, Gannett, accusing them of consumer fraud, according to a copy of the filing reviewed by NBC News. The suit, filed Monday night in Polk County, Iowa, says it seeks accountability for brazen election interference over a Nov. 2 poll that showed Kamala Harris up by 3 percentage points in Iowa. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago on Monday in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump won the state by double digits, a difference that his lawyers argue in the suit constitutes election-interfering fiction. Trump is making the claim under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to. Im going to 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 going to lose by 3 or 4 points," Trump said in discussing the suit Monday. Selzer announced after the election that she would stop polling political contests and move into other ventures. When the Register published the Selzer poll, Trump had been widely expected to win the state. The survey of 808 likely Iowa voters found Harris with 47% support to Trumps 44%. Defendants and their cohorts in the Democrat Party hoped that the Harris Poll would create a false narrative of inevitability for Harris in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election, Trumps lawyers wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly before the poll's release, a possible leak predicted its findings, prompting an internal probe. A spokesperson for the Register said the newspaper stands by its reporting. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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," said the spokesperson, Lark-Marie Anton. "We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit. Selzer declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit is the latest front in Trumps campaign against coverage by the media and analysts that he claims are biased. Trump secured a $15 million payout from ABC News, plus the payment of his lawyers fees, totaling $1 million, in a defamation case over the weekend. Trump is also pursuing legal action against the Pulitzer Prize Board after it awarded prizes for stories about Russia and his 2016 campaign. Media law experts were skeptical the suit could achieve its aims in court but said it could have a chilling effect on the media. The odds of success here are slim to none, but winning in court is not likely the real goal of this lawsuit," said Clay Calvert, a media law expert and professor at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. "The true motivation is to intimidate the press and journalists. I unfortunately suspect this lawsuit is just a harbinger of things to come. The suit says Millions of Americans, including Plaintiff, residents of Iowa, and Iowans who contributed to President Trumps Campaign and its affiliated entities (the Trump 2024 Campaign), were deceived by the doctored Harris Poll and that the polling miss was not an astonishing coincidence it was intentional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It attacks Selzers reputation as a standard-bearing pollster, alleging that the polling miss showing Harris with a lead in Iowa that never materialized was intended to sway the race. The suit argues a pattern by Selzer of trying to influence political races in favor of Democrats and says her large platform offers "a significant and impactful opportunity to deceive voters." Rick Hasen, an election law expert at UCLA School of Law, quickly dismissed the lawsuit. I dont expect this lawsuit to go anywhere, he wrote on his blog. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ignited a flurry of support for the alleged shooter: People across the partisan divide used the occasion to vent their collective spleen on social media, rooting on the alleged assassin and posting their own tales of mounting frustrations with American health insurers. Some supporters have set up fundraising accounts for his defense one account has already raised more than $131,000. And a billboard reading, FREE LUIGI MANGIONE: HES A HERO (sic) cropped up along a highway in Southern California. Jerome Adams, who was Surgeon General during the first Trump administration a position he did not seek to reprise in the second does not condone the killing. But he says it signals a profound loss of confidence in structures that are meant to support and protect the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, an anesthesiologist who now leads Purdue Universitys health equity initiatives, spoke to POLITICO Magazine about what Thompsons murder means for a health care system already mired in politicization and distrust. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. The U.S. Surgeon General is called Americas doctor. He (or she) is supposed to use the bully pulpit to help us be as healthy as we can. The Surgeon General doesnt regulate insurance, but how people feel about it is relevant to their health. And we have reached the point where people are not just angry, they are murderously angry. How does that affect our ability to stay well, to get the care we need? When individuals resort to violence, it signals a profound loss of confidence in structures that are meant to support and protect the public. This eroded trust leads to people feeling hesitant to seek care, fearing that they might not receive the treatment that they deserve, or that their concerns will not be taken seriously when they come in for care. Its crucial that we are having this conversation and that we work to rebuild trust, through transparency, through accountability and through a commitment to patient-centered care. Can the insurers ignore this moment? Do they have to do something? Insurers absolutely cannot ignore this moment. Several things have to happen. Some actions are going to have to be taken by government, some by insurers, some by providers. But obviously in the crosshairs right now thats a terrible way of putting it, but its also a literal way of putting it are the insurers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant ignore the fact that companies like United and Anthem are literally making billions of dollars of profit. Its going to be hard to regulate insurers. Its partly federal, partly state regulation its a mishmash. The incoming Trump administration is talking about less regulation, not more regulation. And theres a huge partisan divide. If you were in government, what steps would you recommend? How confident are you that they would take them? We absolutely know that Republicans tend to be anti-regulation, small government. We also know that this current iteration of the Republican Party and the presidency came in on a wave of populism, on a wave of anti-establishment sentiment that gives me some hope that they will push for change including looking at the profits of insurance companies. How theyre utilizing their funds, and the ultimate end goal, how they are serving patients and providers. I think the jury is still out in terms of which end of the seesaw is going to end up, up or down. Government has a critical role in regulating and in reforming the health care system to ensure it meets the needs of all Americans. Insurers have a responsibility to improve their practices, but it cant be solely left up to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen bipartisan movement to increase transparency of pricing, to address prescription drug costs. We see bipartisan support around the opioid epidemic, around the need to identify and to treat people with mental health issues. Ultimately, no matter whether its a Republican or a Democratic administration, they arent going to be able to do their job if the public doesnt feel that they can trust institutions such as the government and such as insurance companies who hold so much power. Anger is also coming from providers doctors, nurses, physical therapists pretty much everybody who has to deal with these pre-authorization reviews, with being on the phone and emailing insurers. Theres a lot of bureaucracy. Even when its approved, they have to do it again every three months. What are you hearing from friends and colleagues who are providers? Are they quitting? One of the things I try to do with the bully pulpit that I have is share my experiences, to give them a voice and to illustrate to folks the challenges that I face [as a patient] even as a former Surgeon General. In 2024, I went to the Mayo Clinic for dehydration and got a $10,000 bill. Was that your out-of-pocket cost, or the on-paper cost and you paid less? My on-paper bill was $10,000 for going to the ER and getting rehydrated. My out of pocket cost ended up as $5,000. I had a high-deductible insurance plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one is going to feel sorry for most physicians. We are in a higher tax bracket than the average citizen. We are seen as part of the system, and its challenging to help people understand the importance of provider dissatisfaction. But that provider dissatisfaction turns into patient access issues. I talk to colleagues all the time who have stopped taking insurance and gone to concierge and cash-pay only types of medicine. I am frightened for what that means for access to care, when providers are literally checking out of the system. Previously, the concern was the uninsured, and rightly so. But now, even people who have insurance are struggling to access providers. So its important that we frame physician concerns through the lens of patient access to care and quality of care. Where are you practicing now? Im an anesthesiologist at Eskenazi Health in downtown Indianapolis. Im taking care of inner-city patients. Im taking care of a high percentage of uninsured, Medicaid and underinsured patients. Im on the front lines, and Im seeing the patients who are often dissatisfied or frustrated with their ability to navigate a complicated system. Im also seeing the providers who are getting more and more frustrated with their inability to provide the care that they know patients need and deserve. Wait a sec, Im still thinking about your $5,000 bill. Were you admitted to the hospital? Or that was outpatient care? I went to the emergency room with dehydration after hiking in Arizona, and got three bags of IV fluid. I got a round of lab tests. I got an EKG and an X-ray. I have totaled it up, and I could literally go out and get those services a la carte in the community right now for less than $300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was discharged, I think, in about 16 hours. Weve seen a severe erosion of trust in medicine, in science and in public health. It predated Covid but it got much worse during and after Covid. And now the United shooting. What worries you the most about the distrust? Whats the first step toward fixing it? Its a crisis, because it undermines public health initiatives. It hampers our ability to respond. And when individuals distrust health authorities, they often ignore vital public health guidance. They refuse vaccinations, and were seeing measles and polio and whooping cough threats. This erosion of trust hurts everyone, from the upstream public health policy maker to an ICU doctor whos trying to provide recommended care for a patient whos refusing it because they say they dont believe that the health care system has their best interest at heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This leads to worse health outcomes. It prolongs public health challenges. And what scares me the most is, without trust, the foundation of our health care system starts to crumble. It makes it difficult to address current and future health issues, and thats going to impact the new administration. I have said that very publicly that [officials] have to be careful about acknowledging real faults in the prior Covid response, while balancing that against the erosion of trust. In about a month, its not going to be on the Biden administration to deal with H5N1 [bird flu]. Its going to be on the Trump administration. Its not going to be on the Biden administration to deal with measles outbreaks across the country. Its going to be on the Trump administration. You cant un-ring that bell after youve helped sow mistrust in many ways, and then expect people to suddenly believe in what youre saying when youre in charge. Your work now involves addressing equity in health care. How are all the things were talking about access and the insurers and being afraid you cant get the right care how much worse is it among communities that have been historically underserved? Marginalized communities, rural communities, people who live below the poverty level, Black and brown communities, LGBTQ+ communities, veterans, people who are disabled all of these groups take on a disproportionate share of the negative outcomes that we see in this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to acknowledge that we have a war on words going on in this country right now. Were weaponizing and demonizing and co-opting words like diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI], and its making it harder for us to have nuanced but also objective conversations about these groups who are often disadvantaged. But I often frame it through a quality lens, as opposed to a moral lens, in order to build trust, particularly with conservatives. Hopefully we can all look at objective data and see that Group A is dying 20 years younger than Group B, and can say that a health care system should try to figure out how we can address the needs of the lower performing group so that everyone has a fair chance to live a long and healthy life. I am trying to institute policies that give everyone a fair chance to achieve healthy outcomes, where everyone feels included. When you explain it that way, its hard to argue against. Lets talk about RFK Jr. At the Bloomberg American Health Summit, coincidentally two days before the Thompson murder, you were asked about Kennedy and the other health appointees, and you were not that critical. You talked about looking for common ground on chronic disease and food and reducing stigma about drug use. You were being very diplomatic that day. But open the door a little bit for me. If we had a bird flu outbreak, do you feel safe that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would be able lead us through a dangerous pandemic? To be frank, were at a critical stage right now in terms of the new administration, regarding not only who theyre going to put in positions of authority, but what those people choose to prioritize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For someone like me who has a bully pulpit, attacking the individual doesnt help. Focusing on policies, to me, is where I get the most bang for my buck. On Twitter, youve seen that I have pulled no punches in talking about the threat of bird flu, the threat of lower vaccination rates. Im raising up the potential for harm if the new administration erodes trust in public health and tears down institutions that allow us to focus on infectious disease. But if you are someone who engages in a negative way, youre going to be boxed out. And I want to present some hopeful opportunities for individuals. I think there are real possibilities to take on the food and agricultural establishments in this country. To take on drug costs. And I think there are real opportunities to ask, OK, UnitedHealthcare deserves to make a profit, but do they deserve to make a $20 billion profit? What Im focused on is trying to help make sure the new administration is prioritizing the right issues so that they truly can be successful in making America healthy again. You can make America healthy again if you focus on chronic disease, but you cant make America healthy again if you allow measles and polio and H5N1 outbreaks to dominate the headlines and take all your attention over the next four years. My last question is, did you read the op-ed from UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty in The New York Times? Did you find anything reassuring? Underlying frustration on the publics part can lead to extreme actions and I was glad to hear him express an acknowledgment of that underlying frustration. It includes rising cost of care, complex insurance policies and perceived indifference from providers. One thing that bothered me, that was a yellow flag if not a red flag, was he said that insurers need to do a better job of explaining why they say no, as opposed to saying that insurance companies really need to focus on reforming their policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I didnt expect him to come out there and say, Its all our fault and were going to tear down everything that were doing to fix it. To be fair to him, its not all his fault. Theres government, theres health care providers, theres the public, theres the media. We all we all have to have a role in trying to fix what everyone agrees is a broken system. Theres a final point that I wanted to make. We have to recognize that the crisis were in, particularly as it relates to Brian Thompson and his killing, isnt just about health care policies. It reflects broader societal issues. Populism and the anti-government sentiment thats being stoked. Frustration and anger. And rising loneliness and isolation. Rising suicide rates. Rising depression. Rising anxiety. Mental health has long been neglected. The consequences can be dire. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew after the company asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in to block a law that could potentially ban the platform nationwide next month, according to multiplenewsreports. Chew, who was also spotted at Trumps Florida estate in early December, has been working to secure a meeting with Trump since his election victory, according to CNN, which was the first to report the planned meeting. The contents of their discussion remain unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump hosted Chew shortly after TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance asked the Supreme Court to intervene to stop a federal law that would ban the platform in the U.S. unless ByteDance divested its stake in the platform by Jan. 19. TikTok has said the potential ban would mean that small businesses on the platform would lose $1 billion in revenue, while creators would lose about $300 million in earnings in just one month unless the law is stopped from taking effect. TikTok, which reportedly boasts a user base of 170 million Americans, asked the Supreme Court to issue a decision by Jan. 6, citing the time it would need to perform the complex task of shutting down the TikTok platform only in the United States in the event that their injunction was denied. Last week, a federal appeals court rejected a request by TikTok to stop the law from getting enforced until the Supreme Court gets a chance to review it. The same court previously upheld the law signed by President Joe Biden in April, rejecting the companys claims that it was unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who is set to take office on Jan. 20, has not specified what actions he could take to stop the law from taking effect. During a press conference earlier on Monday, Trump shared his appreciation for the platform, noting it may have helped him win the election. Well take a look at TikTok, he said. I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that. Despite his claims, early exit polls showed Vice President Kamala Harris won the majority of voters under 30 years old, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump had previously tried to ban TikTok at the end of his first term in office, he has since had a change of heart and criticized the apps potential ban during his campaign. Apart from Chew, Trump has met with several other prominent executives in recent weeks, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This week, the president-elect is also reportedly due to host Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for meetings at Mar-a-Lago. Related... Incoming First Lady Melania Trump is devoted to ensuring her 18-year-old son, Barron Trump, is happy and healthy which will likely make her role in the White House less visible than other first ladies, insiders say. Melania, 54, strives for open communication with her son, who recently began attending college at New York University, to help him adjust to the spotlight, two sources familiar with the Trump family told People. Melania worries about the hate in the country and how it falls on her son, who is innocent of any of this, a social source told the magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source said Melania does anything she can to be a support system for Barron. Another source, from Palm Beach, Florida, said Melania encourages her son to make friends while being careful about haters. Melania appears alongside her son, Barron, on Election Night (Getty Images) They talk about life as it is and how they are in the spotlight," the first source said. "She tries to normalize his life. If that is even possible. As Donald Trumps youngest son, Barron has been subject to the attention and criticisms that come with political news for much of his life. Melania has dedicated her time to protecting her son from too much publicity. When Barron was chosen to serve as a delegate from Florida earlier this year, Melania quickly swooped in to decline the offer on his behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Barron attends college in New York and lives at his familys Trump Tower residence, Melania is reportedly spending her time there as well to support him. 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 from Palm Beach told People. Its unclear what Melanias role as a first lady will look like. Multiple people have told various news outlets, including the New York Times, that she will likely take on a more nontraditional role living between her homes in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida more often than the White House. Donald Trump, Melania and Barron attend the 17th Annual Bunny Hop at FAO Schwarz March 11, 2008 in New York City (Getty Images) It is clear, however, that Melania prioritizes her role as a mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In interviews, she gushes over her son and praises his intelligence. Her love for Barron is one of the only takeaways from her little-revealing memoir Melania. "As much as Melania loves Mar-a-Lago and her life in Palm Beach, she will spend more time in New York with her son, who is more important to her than anything else, another unnamed source told People. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump failed to convince a judge to throw out his conviction in the New York hush money case on presidential immunity grounds, but the case is far from over as the president-elect continues to press other challenges to the verdict. Most Read from Bloomberg Justice Juan Merchan on Monday rejected Trumps argument that the trial was tainted by evidence that wouldnt have been allowed under a July US Supreme Court decision that gives presidents broad immunity from criminal charges. Merchan must still rule on additional requests Trump has made to toss the case because it would interfere with his ability to govern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Bloomberg Daybreak podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Merchan said in Mondays ruling that Trump failed to raise his immunity argument in a timely fashion and didnt object to the use of certain evidence stemming from his time in the White House such as testimony from former aide Hope Hicks until the first day of trial on April 15. But he also ruled that even that testimony wasnt subject to the Supreme Court ruling. A Manhattan jury in May found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to former adult-film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. The verdict on 34 felony counts made Trump the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Prosecutors used evidence to prove decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records and that posed no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch, Merchan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said that any possible error in admitting evidence was harmless, in that it would not have changed the overwhelming evidence of guilt against Trump. Merchan also rejected arguments from the Trump team that the Supreme Court decision took the case out of his hands and blocked his authority to rule on it. Trump called the ruling illegal and psychotic and said in a social media post that Merchan had little respect for the Constitution. Acting Justice Juan Merchan has completely disrespected the United States Supreme Court, and its Historic Decision on Immunity, Trump said. But even without Immunity, this illegitimate case is nothing but a Rigged Hoax. Trump, 78, faces as long as four years behind bars, though many experts have predicted even before the election that he would likely get far less time than that or even just probation. The case is the only one of four criminal prosecutions to go to trial but also bogged Trump down during his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, Trumps sentencing in the hush money case was immediately placed in doubt when he won the Nov. 5 contest against his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Supreme Court The US Supreme Court held in July that former presidents are largely immune from charges over conduct that falls within their official duties in office. The hush money case was focused on Trumps conduct before he was in office a scheme to keep tabloid stories from being published but his lawyers argued the immunity ruling nevertheless had an impact. The criminal charges here stem from the private acts of the defendant made prior to taking the office of the president, the judge wrote Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchan said any conversations Trump had with Hicks while she was White House communications director about Daniels was about personal matters involving an alleged affair and a sexual encounter that occurred prior to his becoming president. The judge added that these matters are not the greatest public interests the Supreme Court contemplated when it wrestled with a presidents ability to deal fearlessly and impartially with the duties of his office. Trump denies the encounter ever took place. Trumps lawyer Todd Blanche on Tuesday released a heavily-redacted Dec. 3 letter in which he claimed his team has evidence of grave juror misconduct during the trial which was yet another reason that the verdict to this case cannot and should not stand. Blanche said the alleged wrongdoing was evidence this case was not anywhere near fair and impartial. Merchan said in his rulings on Monday that these were unsworn allegations and didnt say if he conducted any further inquiries into Trumps claims. Justice Department Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the Justice Department ended its two criminal cases against Trump on Nov. 25, citing a department policy that states the indictment or prosecution of a sitting president would unconstitutionally undermine their ability to serve in office. Thats similar to the remaining challenge in the New York case that Merchan is yet to rule on. New York prosecutors have asked, in light of the election results, that Merchan delay sentencing in the criminal case until after Trumps term in office ends in 2029. Meanwhile, a Georgia state case accusing the president of election interference has stalled amid Trumps challenges. Merchan doesnt have the final word as Trump can appeal his decisions to a midlevel state appeals court in Manhattan, and then up to the New York State Court of Appeals. Even if Trump loses in New York, he could ask the US Supreme Court to review the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Erik Larson. (Adds Trump comment in seventh and eighth paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. NEW YORK Donald Trump lost one of his efforts to toss his criminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money case Monday as a judge ruled that the Supreme Courts landmark decision on presidential immunity doesnt apply to evidence used in the case. Justice Juan Merchan, who oversaw the hush money trial in May, rejected Trumps contention that Manhattan prosecutors had improperly introduced evidence of Trumps official conduct from his first presidential term. The evidence at issue, Merchan wrote in a 41-page ruling, actually related to Trumps private conduct specifically, his effort to conceal a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Because the evidence related solely to unofficial conduct, Merchan wrote, it was not covered by the immunity principles the Supreme Court laid out in its July decision in a different Trump case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that July decision issued more than a month after a New York jury convicted Trump in the hush money case the Supreme Court declared that prosecutors generally cannot charge former presidents with crimes, or even introduce evidence, stemming from their official presidential acts. The immunity decision helped thwart the federal case over Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election. Trump also tried to harness the decision to overturn the hush money conviction, in which he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. But Merchan concluded that the immunity principles do not apply to the evidence in the hush money case. And the judge wrote that even if some of that evidence had been improperly admitted, the mistake would not have affected the outcome of the trial because of the overwhelming evidence of guilt. Trump has a separate pending motion asking the judge to toss out the conviction and dismiss the case in light of his 2024 electoral victory. Maintaining the case and proceeding toward sentencing, Trump argued in that motion, would infringe on his presidential responsibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter on Monday to the lawyers in the case, Merchan said he is still reviewing that motion. He did not say when he expects to rule on it. While Merchans ruling on the immunity question handed Trump a legal loss, the reality is that Trump will likely face few, if any, consequences stemming from the conviction, even if it is ultimately upheld. Even Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has argued that Trumps election isnt a valid reason to toss the conviction, has acknowledged Trump cant be sentenced while he is president. And while Merchan could choose to put the case on hold during Trumps second term, that would mean sentencing Trump no earlier than 2029, when Trump will be 82 years old. In his ruling on Monday, Merchan identified several instances in which Trump incorrectly argued that evidence or testimony should have been withheld from the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, for example, said the testimony of Madeleine Westerhout, who worked in the White House as an assistant to Trump, should have been off-limits because she testified about Trumps presidential practices and work habits while in office. But, Merchan wrote, Westerhouts role does not per se cloak her communications and observations of the President with absolute immunity. The judge noted that much of Westerhouts testimony related to mundane topics, such as Trumps habit of working in a dining area and his preference for a Sharpie marker instead of a ballpoint pen. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove had also tried to convince Merchan that Trumps social media posts after he took office, a number of which were displayed and discussed during the trial, should be considered official acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps Twitter posts fall well within the core authority of the Nations Chief Executive, they wrote in a court filing. But the judge was unpersuaded. Treating the Twitter messages as entitled to immunity would effectively mean that every statement ever uttered (or posted on social media) by a sitting President, whether personal or official, in his or her own interests or that of the Country, would be protected by absolute immunity, Merchan wrote. The News Republicans may have figured out a way to temporarily grow their slim House majority: Appoint a Democrat to the Trump administration. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., is reportedly on the shortlist to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency next year. The move would deny Democrats a vote for weeks, padding Republicans edge, and potentially let the GOP flip Moskowitzs seat. His office declined to comment, and House Democratic leadership deferred comment ahead of Mondays internal elections. We are focused on ranking member races and completely organizing the 119th Congress at this moment, a spokesperson for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told Semafor. The appointment could win Moskowitz more name recognition if he decides to run for Florida governor in 2026. He spent two years as director of emergency management under Gov. Ron DeSantis before running for Congress. President-elect Donald Trump is meeting with the TikTok CEO Shou Chew at Mar-a-Lago on Monday, a source familiar told ABC News. The meeting comes after Trump said in a news conference on Monday that he has a warm spot in his heart for TikTok, crediting the app for helping him win over young voters in last month's presidential election. CNN was the first to report on the meeting. Trump originally tried to ban TikTok in his first administration, but has since reversed course, vowing on the campaign trail to save the app. Its not clear how he would do so, given the legislation passed with strong bipartisan support and would require approval from both the House and Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: TikTok files emergency motion to stop ban from taking effect TikTok filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday seeking a temporary injunction that would delay the ban on the app from taking effect while the company seeks formal review by the justices. PHOTO: Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, testifies during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled 'Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis,' Jan. 31, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images) President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which was part of a massive, $95 billion foreign aid package passed by Congress, in April. As part of the act, TikTok, which has more than 170 million U.S. users, is forced to sell the company from its current Chinese-based owner ByteDance. Biden and some congressional leaders argued that the ultimatum against TikTok was necessary because of security concerns about ByteDance and its connections to the Chinese government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers have warned Apple and Google to be ready to remove TikTok from their app stores on Jan. 19. They also wrote to TikToks CEO, urging him to look for a buyer. We urge TikTok to immediately execute a qualified divestiture, they wrote. Selling off TikTok from its Chinese parent would avoid the ban, but it would be an extremely complex and expensive transaction. Chinese officials have said they would block any sale of TikToks algorithm, which drives the apps success. In addition to his meeting with the TikTok CEO, Trump will also meet with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos on Tuesday at Mar-a-Lago and is expected to meet with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on Wednesday, two sources familiar with the plans told ABC News. The meeting with Bezos comes after a Wall Street Journal report that Amazon is planning to donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. -ABC News' Rachel Scott and Devin Dwyer contributed to this report. Trump meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Chew at Mar-a-Lago originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Donald Trump reportedly met with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on Monday to discuss the app's potential ban by the US government. The two men reportedly had a meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, according to NBC News. In the days leading up to the meeting, Trump had expressed some degree of sympathy for the company, saying he had a "warm spot" for the app, and promising that he'd "take a look" at the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Trump did somehow defuse the ban, he'd be actively undermining his Republican colleagues and many Democrats who worked to present the app as an unchecked tool for Chinese surveillance and worthy of prohibition. Earlier this year Joe Biden signed a federal law that would ban TikTok in the US unless the company's Chinese owners divest their interest. The deadline for TikTok to comply was January 19. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort on December 16, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida (Getty Images) Since then, TikTok has been trying to find ways to block the law, going so far as to challenge it at the Supreme Court. A previous court gambit failed when a federal appeals court upheld the divestment ruling. TikTok took its case to the Supreme Court on Monday, trying to argue that it was a significant tool for free speech and that its ban would limit Americans' rights to free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Act will shutter one of Americas most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration," TikTok argued to the court. "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," With the courts ruling on the side of the ban, the only other way around the January 19 deadline is a 90-day reprieve that would have to come from Biden himself. Since Trump won't be taking office until the day after the deadline, it's unclear if there's any influence he can wield to save the app, if her were so inclined. If Biden grants a reprieve, then it will fall solely on Trump to uphold or tear down. The president-elect attributed some of his 2024 electoral success to TikTok, noting that he won the "youth by 34 points" during a press conference on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that, Trump said, but, as always, refusing to elaborate on who he was talking about. Trump's softening on TikTok is a notable attitude swing from 2020. That year, Trump himself tried to ban the app, but his efforts were blocked by courts three times. When he switched position earlier this year, he shocked some of his supporters but delighted others namely Jeff Yass, a major TikTok investor and Republican megadonor. By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - In his first news conference since his election victory six weeks ago, President-elect Donald Trump covered the Ukraine war, mysterious drones flying over New Jersey, the future of TikTok and lawsuits aimed at the media he often loves to hate. Trump displayed the loquaciousness and bravado of his 2017-2021 White House years as he held court in an ornate room at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, making an economic announcement and fielding questions for more than an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He bantered with reporters, a departure from the dark rhetoric and anger he often flashed on the campaign trail. He answered questions about Ukraine and Israel, but declined to say whether he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether he would support military strikes on Iran. He seemed wiser to the ways of Washington and pleased, if a little bit puzzled, about his own new place in it, marveling at the steady procession of foreign leaders wanting to congratulate him and corporate CEOs rushing to meet with him. "The first term, everybody was fighting me," he said. "In this term, everybody wants to be my friend. I dont know my personality changed or something. Trump's return to the White House on Jan. 20 comes at a time of deep polarization in the country and is likely to test democratic institutions at home and relations abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advisers say he has been focused on choosing members of his Cabinet and his broader team who are expected to carry out his plans to dramatically overhaul government and U.S. policy. Since his Nov. 5 victory, Trump has not held one of his signature rallies or spoken at length to reporters, communicating instead through social media posts and the occasional speech. On Monday, however, he had good economic news to announce. With SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son at his side, Trump said the Japanese technology company would invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. But that was just the warm-up act for the main event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing in front of the Trump coat of arms, the president-elect outlined some of his priorities for his second term, criticized President Joe Biden's outgoing administration and defended some of his own controversial cabinet picks. The lengthy back and forth marked a contrast with Biden, who rarely holds news conferences. 'GOTTA MAKE A DEAL' Trump predicted his choice for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., would be "much less radical than you think" but waxed on about whether there is a link between vaccines and autism while saying he supports the polio vaccine. Studies have found no links between vaccines and autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said "it would be a tragedy" if his choice for defense secretary, former Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, does not make it to Senate confirmation amid concerns about allegations of misconduct in his professional and personal life. He spoke about the possibility of issuing a pardon to New York City Mayor Eric Adams and said he thought it was possible to eliminate $2 trillion in government spending through the Elon Musk-led government efficiency project. He said his administration will "take a look" at whether the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok should be banned in the U.S. and encouraged the U.S. military to tell the American public more about the nature of the drone sightings that have plagued the East Coast over the last several weeks. Trump also veered into personal grievances, vowing to file lawsuits against multiple media companies that he felt have abused him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now you need fair elections, you need borders, and you need a fair press," Trump said, touching on some of his favorite grievance-related topics. "Our press is very corrupt. Almost as corrupt as our elections." That interlude aside, Trump spent most of his time talking about foreign policy and the economy. Of the world's two biggest hotspots, he was blunt: Hamas needs to reach a deal with Israel releasing the remaining hostages it is holding in Gaza, or face the consequences. If no ceasefire deal is reached by the time he takes office, Trump said, "it's not going to be pleasant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should be prepared to make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the nearly three-year-old Ukraine war. "Gotta make a deal," Trump said. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Lincoln Feast.) A red fox frantically scratches the wires of its small cage. An Arctic fox meanders lazily with a bloody tail. Other furry creatures, some with teary eyes, stare blankly into a light on an activists video camera. Finnish advocacy group Oikeutta Elaimille, or Justice for Animals, and Humane Society International have released images taken from an undercover investigation at three fur farms in western Finland in late October to highlight the behind-the-scenes realities of the trade. The activists incursion came as the European Union, which counts Finland as a member, is awaiting advice in March from the EU agency that oversees animal welfare before deciding in March 2026 whether it should propose a ban on fur farming altogether. FIFUR, a Finnish fur-breeders group, blasted the covert filming of the farms, accusing the intruders of breaching strict biosecurity requirements on farms where operations are strictly controlled by national laws and regulations and where veterinarians monitor animal welfare. Some viewers might ache over the conditions of the cuddly-looking creatures; others might wonder what the big deal is: The industry is at least for now legal and regulated. Aside from the animals captivity in small cages with sometimes more than one in a single cage none of the images shows abuse in progress. No explanation was given for the bright red blood on what looked like an open gash and exposed bone in a single Arctic foxs tail area. These pictures and these intrusions it creates a false image of normal lab animal welfare and animal keeping in the farms, said FIFUR spokesman Olli-Pekka Nissinen, adding that his group believed the initiative to ban fur farming will be rejected. The breeders group said the fur sector has among the highest welfare standards of any form of animal husbandry, and Nissinen suggested that farmers have little incentive to mistreat them. Animal welfare first shows in the animals fur and its very important for farmers to take care of the animals so that they can have decent incomes. FIFUR says most of its 442 member farms as of December last year are run by family businesses, and nearly all the farms are in the Ostrobothnia region along the Baltic Sea. Finland is the worlds largest producer of certified fox pelts, the industry group said. Oikeutta Elaimille spokesman Kristo Muurimaa says the operation involved entering the farms to observe and document the conditions in which the animals are kept and that the photos were taken in compliance with Finnish law. Neither side has announced plans for any legal action. Fur has been used by people for a long time, since the Stone Ages basically, Muurimaa said. However, a practice where animals are kept in very small barren cages is not that old. It is a product of modern times where animals are seen just as products. This kind of treatment of animals doesnt belong to this day. Times have moved on and now its time to leave this kind of cruelty behind, he added. Nobody needs fur in modern times. Fur is mostly used as a status symbol by the rich elite in countries like China and Russia. The 27-country EU, according to its most recent figures, estimates about 1,000 fur farms with roughly 7.7 million animals including mink, fox and raccoon dogs are active in the bloc. In neighboring Switzerland, which is not an EU member, a three-month public consultation ended last month on a government proposal to ban the import and sale of furs drawn from the mistreatment of animals. The measure would allow authorities to seize such furs. Activists want the Swiss government to go further, seeking a broader definition of mistreatment and wider range of fur farms affected. The issue, currently low on Switzerlands full referendum calendar, could be put to a public vote in late 2026 at the earliest. Humane Society International, in a statement last month, said tens of millions of animals suffer and die each year in the global fur trade and the vast majority of animals killed for their fur are kept in barren battery cages on fur farms. Finland, the advocacy group said, is one of the last European countries where farming such animals for their fur remains legal and finger-pointed a number of retail brands that use fox fur from Finland. China is the worlds most important export market for furs, followed by South Korea and the Western Europe-North American market, said FIFUR, which counts hundreds of farms in Finland as members. In Europe, as of 2023, Poland and Greece were the biggest producers almost entirely from mink while Finland is third, according to a report by the industry association this year. Bird flu and coronavirus outbreaks hit the fur industry hard, notably in Denmark, since 2020, but the trend line in supply has been declining for many years. FIFURs report showed supply volumes of mink pelts plunged by roughly three-quarters since 2010 to 12,285 last year a similar percentage decline to that for mink pelts, which totaled 2,440 in 2023. JAMEY KEATEN, GENEVA, MDT/AP The New York judge in President-elect Donald Trump's criminal hush money case ruled Monday that the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision does not apply to that case. Trump had sought to dismiss his criminal indictment and vacate the jury verdict on the grounds that prosecutors, during the trial last May, introduced evidence relating to Trump's official acts as president, after the Supreme Court later ruled in July that Trump is entitled to presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts undertaken while in office. However, Judge Juan Merchan said on Monday that the evidence in Trump's hush money case related "entirely to unofficial conduct" and "poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump's lawyers, seeking to dismiss hush money case, slam DA for 'thuggish tactics' Trump was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election. Judge Merchan has yet to hand down a sentence. In his ruling Monday, Merchan found that there was "overwhelming evidence of guilt" that led the jury to convict Trump at trial. Trump's attorneys, arguing for immunity, had emphasized the importance of former White House Communications Director Hope Hicks' testimony, including her recounting of interactions with Trump in 2018 when reporting about the alleged hush money payment to Stormy Daniels broke, to demonstrate Trump's knowledge of the payment and his preference that the story came out after the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyers used a similar argument to argue that tweets from Trump -- which prosecutors used to demonstrate an alleged "pressure campaign" to prevent Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen from cooperating with authorities in 2018 -- were official communications protected by immunity because the posts "fall well within the core authority of the Nation's Chief Executive." PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, Dec. 16, 2024. (Brian Snyder/Reuters) But Merchan on Monday rejected Trump's argument that the testimony of Hicks, Trump's Twitter posts about Cohen, and other evidence, constitute official acts. "Just as the title of Communications Director does not bestow absolute immunity to any and all communications with Ms. Hicks, neither does mere reference to the Justice Department convert a Tweet to an official act," Merchan wrote in his ruling. "It is therefore logical and reasonable to conclude that if the act of falsifying records to cover up the payments so that the public would not be made aware is decidedly an unofficial act, so too should the communications to further that same cover-up be unofficial," the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has also offered another argument that he is entitled to presidential immunity because he is now president-elect, which Merchan has yet to rule on. Last week, the Manhattan district attorney's office urged Merchan to preserve the jury's verdict and sentence Trump at some later date following his second term, but Trump's attorneys blasted that proposal as "thuggish tactics." MORE: Timeline: Manhattan DA's Stormy Daniels hush money case against Donald Trump In a letter accompanying Monday's ruling, Merchan referenced a forthcoming filing from Trump's lawyers alleging "juror misconduct," which has yet to be made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchan wrote that Trump's argument "consists entirely of unsworn allegations," but that he will allow the president-elect's lawyers to file a redacted version of their claims. "Thus, this Court finds that to allow the public filing of the letters without redactions and without the benefit of a hearing would only serve to undermine the integrity of these proceedings while simultaneously placing the safety of the jurors at grave risk," Merchan wrote. The judge said that he would consider Trump's claims if he submitted a motion to throw out the case with sworn testimony backing up the allegation of juror misconduct, rather than the unsworn allegations provided by Trump's lawyers in their recent filing. "Allegations of juror misconduct should be thoroughly investigated. However, this Court is prohibited from deciding such claims on the basis of mere hearsay and conjecture," the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchan's letter did not provide any additional context about Trump's allegation of juror misconduct, and Trump's filings have not been posted to the court's public docket. Trump not eligible for immunity in New York hush money case, judge rules originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A homeless man asks for funds for travel gear outside a coffee shop in downtown Salem on Sept. 14, 2024. (Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle) The coming year heralds many changes in homeless services across America. Donald Trump returns to office again as president on Jan. 20, having pledged a series of significant social and legal reforms, including solving the nations homeless crisis by doubling down on previously failed strategies that stand as little chance of working in 2025 as they did in 1985. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His plan proposes creating large encampments on cheap land, where the unsheltered would be required to live and receive services from social workers, treatment specialists and behavioral health professionals. Those who refuse to comply would be incarcerated or committed to mental health institutions. If this proposal sounds familiar, it should. For two years, a version of this lock em all up plan has been floated in deep blue Portland and up and down the presumptively progressive West Coast. None of these plans has been successful to date because of the enormous potential costs of such systems operated at scale. Like many anti-homeless fever dreams, an incarceration strategy might work with a handful of people, but to date it has simply not been scalable. The incarceration model claims high success rates at keeping people off the streets, but historically it has affected less than 5% of the homeless population. We know how to solve our homeless crisis, through housing and shelter, aligned with evidence-based practices that include harm reduction strategies, housing first philosophies, affordable housing construction, and a commitment to the dignity, safety, and constitutional rights of those in poverty. These systems must look to economic and racial justice first, not blame the homeless for their poverty of their condition, nor their temerity to survive. We suffered through 30 years of bad housing policy, which manufactured the crisis we have today. In the last full statewide homeless count in 2023, there were 20,110 homeless persons in Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will take consistency and commitment to what works to end this tragedy. Reviving the old state hospital system in 2024 is not an answer. Nor is criminalizing poverty. We cannot ignore the civil liberties of our unsheltered neighbors out of convenience, nor give in to the simple sense of shame produced by our witness to the depth of their suffering and poverty. Modern homelessness is not the result of bad personal choices. It is more typically bad luck and usually economic in origin, a job loss, a divorce, an injury, or the death of a partner. Once outside, solving the homeless condition becomes more like a medical problem to cure, not a criminal justice problem. The path to our reckoning in 2025 began with the states questionable decision to recriminalize drug possession last session, via House Bill 4002. Recriminalization created deflection courts around the state to permit those charged with drug possession to enter deflection programs or face prosecution. On its surface, that looks like smart policy. But many local governments across Oregon see this as a way to solve their homeless crisis, not simply address their drug problems. Deflection programs run the risk of becoming a contrivance to force the homeless into drug treatment programs. And then this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for local governments to criminalize the homeless condition, sweeping away Eighth Amendment rights that have been protected in Oregon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ink was hardly dry on the courts decision when many, on both sides of the aisle, called for the repeal of Oregons homeless protections, which were both reasonable and crafted with the support and input of local governments. Those protections in state law have not only safeguarded the rights of the poor, but also theyve allowed local governments to trespass dangerous encampments with reasonable restrictions around time, place, and manner. So now the proposed solution at the federal level, which will find support here in Oregon, is to push our homeless into large government-run camps. This is not the Oregon Way. We face a turning point in 2025. There are profound civil liberties questions in the policy choices that lie ahead. There are equally profound public dangers that we will make the homeless crisis far worse than it is today, by looking back to an era when these carceral mindsets, based on shame and punishment, failed to stop our growing housing crisis. We cannot arrest our way into ending homelessness. That model failed before. It will fail again. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has been under intense lawmaker scrutiny throughout the past year as a wider network overhaul led to late deliveries in certain marketsand the upcoming presidential transition only leaves more questions for the future of the government agency. In a Monday press conference, President-elect Donald Trump confirmed a report from The Washington Post that his upcoming administration is considering taking the courier private, saying, were looking at it. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump called privatization not the worst idea Ive ever heard and an idea that a lot of people have liked for a long time. The ability for a sitting president to carry out the privatization of the USPS remains murky. According to the U.S. Constitutions Article I, Section 8, only Congress has power to establish post offices and post roads. While a president can propose budget cuts, advocate for policy changes or appoint members to the USPS board of governors, they cannot unilaterally make decisions or operational changes to the agency without congressional approval. Trump had already called for the privatization of the USPS during his first term in 2018 to lower its cost structures, but the movement gained no traction in Congress, even as the Republicans held a House and Senate majority before that years midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was years before Trump-appointed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy launched the Delivering for America 10-year turnaround plan in 2021, which was aimed at helping the USPS break even by fiscal 2023 after years of losses. Congress already sought to assist soon after by approving a major legislative overhaul in 2022The Postal Service Reform Actthat relieved billions of dollars of debt from USPS books. However, the USPS is still bleeding money to the tune of $6.5 billion in 2024 net losses and expects to lose another $6.9 billion in 2025. The agency is implementing $5 billion in cost cuts through the end of next year, including consolidated mail processing that cut transportation costs but led to delivery delays in multiple major U.S. markets like Atlanta and Houston. As these financial hurdles appear tougher to clear, a Republican-led Congress has more leverage if they wanted to narrow the USPS universal service obligation, which is designed to ensure that all U.S. postal users receive a baseline level of service at a reasonable price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such decisions could result in delivery being scaled back in unprofitable areasa major benefit other carriers dont provide as consistentlyor a cut in company headcount. But any alterations would fly in the face of general consumer support of the USPS. A July survey from the Pew Research Center said 72 percent of Americans have a favorable opinion of the federal agency. Satish Jindel, president of logistics consultancy ShipMatrix, said privatizing would be a huge shock to both the post office and the consumers, namely due to the added costs expected in different service areas. According to Jindel, the cost of First-Class mail will increase dramatically in the wake of privatization and a more profit-driven incentive. The agency already has hiked 2025 prices to ship via several of its services, and increased the price of its First-Class Forever stamps in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My view is that this is not a good idea and will bode ill for folks in rural areas because they would likely see deterioration of service and/or substantial price increases if the USPSs universal service obligation was eliminated, said Jason Miller, interim chairperson, department of supply chain management at Michigan State Universitys Eli Broad College of Business. Miller noted that USPS employment has already seen significant decline since late 1990s, when it had roughly 880,000 workers. That number has since dwindled to roughly 600,000. The Post Office was never conceived to operate on the logic of a for-profit enterprise, so applying the same type of logic that would apply for UPS or FedEx doesnt make sense (e.g., neither of those carriers has a universal service obligation), Miller said. I personally believe, as noted in the Washington Post, this is President-elect Trump having an ongoing grievance with this organization because, in his eyes, it isnt profitable. Jindel was more bullish on the prospects of privatization in the long run, comparing it to a smoker or an alcoholic going cold turkey in their attempts to break their habits. But its not going to be an immediate fix, he noted, recommending that the Trump administration ensures the agency makes more internal structure changes before any go-private effort is put in motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would include a switched focus on its original mail delivery value proposition, rather than trying to compete in the heavier parcel shipping ecosystem with companies like UPS, FedEx and Amazon. Its real monopoly is the access to the mailbox. Thats where everything gets deliveredmail. When it comes to parcels, why are they handling parcels that are bigger than the ones that can fit in a mailbox? said Jindel. Right now, they handle a 30-pound package, a 50-pound package and a 70-pound package. That ends up costing the post office a lot more, and it gets spread to everything else. Limit them to only handling what they can that can fit in the mailbox. Currently, the USPS delivers more than 30 million packages a day, up from the 24 million each by UPS and Amazon, and ahead of FedExs 16 million, according to ShipMatrix data. To an extent, [USPS] is the only government-related entity that competes in the private sector, when you got plenty of carriers in the private sector who can provide parcel service and will have the ability to ramp up if needed, to do the parcel deliveries, said Jindel. Donald Trump has suggested yet again that Canada should be absorbed by the United States as the northern country grapples with the MAGA leaders forthcoming trade plan. The president-elects proposed trade tariffs on the Great White North (which include a 25 percent tariff on goods) have launched the country into a political and economic crisis. On Monday, Canadas deputy prime minister and minister of finance, Chrystia Freeland, resigned just hours before releasing the nations first economic plan in response to Trumps America First policies. In a stinging resignation letter, Freeland openly questioned Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus ability to deal with the tariffs, prompting Trudeau to discuss his own resignation with his Cabinet, according to Canadian broadcaster CTV News. Trump, of course, had a diplomatic and delicate reply at the ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau, Trump wrote on Truth Social late Monday. 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!!! Freeland was a key figure in negotiating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, or USMCA, in 2018 after Trump dissolved NAFTA. Now that Trump apparently sees the USMCA as less than favorable to the U.S., its no wonder hes glad to see Freeland go. Trump also made the biting state joke last week, when he falsely claimed during an interview with MSNBCs Meet the Press that Mexico and Canadas trade deficits with the United States were subsidies, rather than indicators that Americas neighbors are purchasing more of its goods than they were selling in return. In 2023, that differentialor deficitwas nearly $41 billion with Canada and $162 billion with Mexico, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The president-elect also vastly overinflated the reality of the deficits, wrongly asserting that the U.S. is subsidizing its neighbors to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars each. Turning Canadaand Mexico, for that matterinto a state, was the obvious solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has, apparently, been mocking Trudeau with the flagrant suggestion for years, long before the Canadian prime minister was wrestling with historically low approval ratings and nationalistic trade policies from one of its strongest trade partners. Trump used this 51st-state line all the time with Trudeau in his first term, Trudeaus former principal secretary Gerald Butts wrote on BlueSky earlier this month. Hes doing it to rattle Canadian cages. The president-elects ex-allies also dont believe theres any underlying meaning to Trumps bully behavior. In an interview with CBC News on Thursday, Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton suggested that the comments about turning Canada into a state were little more than a public humiliation ritual for the president-elect. I think hes poking at Justin Trudeau and trying to humiliate him, and I think Trump gets a laugh from it, Bolton told CBC News. When asked specifically about Trumps quips targeted at Trudeau, Bolton told the outlet that he wouldnt over-intellectualize it. I think hes just mean, Bolton said. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz as his top choice to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in his upcoming administration. Citing two sources with knowledge of the matter, CNN reports that Moskowitz, a Democrat, is a favorite for the role, and adds that a person close to Trumps transition team confirmed that Moskowitz was in the mix. Although its unclear if Moskowitz and Trump have already met to discuss the appointment, if selected, Moskowitz will become the highest-ranking Democrat in Trumps new administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the news of Moskowitzs candidacy may come as a surprise to some, the Florida representative has previously aligned himself with House Republicans and spent two years working under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the states director of Emergency Management. Moskowitz helped lead Floridas recovery following the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018 and initiated the states COVID-19 response in 2020. Moskowitz has also shown support to one of Trumps fiercest allies, tech mogul Elon Musk , and was the first Democrat to announce his intention to join the congressional caucus for Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy s newly created Department of Government Efficiency ( DOGE ) upon its start in January next year. Per CNN, Moskowitz introduced legislation to make FEMA a Cabinet-level position that reports directly to the president last year. He previously worked in the private sector as the general counsel and vice president of business development for AshBritt Environmental, a disaster recovery response contractor. President-elect Donald Trump is no longer considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s daughter-in-law to serve as deputy director of the CIA after a fierce campaign against her appointment by some Republican lawmakers, according to multiple reports. Trump was reportedly weighing an appointment for Amaryllis Fox Kennedy who is married to Kennedys son. The woman is a former undercover CIA officer and managed her father-in-laws unsuccessful presidential campaign. But the report prompted sharp pushback from Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton (R), who will be the No. 3 Republican in the chamber next year. He is expected to chair the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post reported Monday that Cotton one of the fiercest hawks in Congress was concerned about Fox Kennedys past comments in which she advocated for listening to Americas enemies as the only real way to disarm them. I think the question we need to be asking as Americans examining our foreign policy is whether were pouring kerosene on a candle, she said in a 2016 interview with Al Jazeera. The only real way to disarm your enemy is to listen to them. Amaryllis Fox Kennedy, seen in 2019. Tristar Media via Getty Images She also wrote an in-depth memoir about her time in the CIA, which was reportedly submitted without going through a required government review process. In the book, she described working for the CIA from 2002 to 2010, at one point posing as an art dealer in a foreign country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was tapped as Trumps choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, a highly controversial pick given his attacks on vaccine science and other government health programs like water fluoridation. A spokesperson for the Trump transition would not confirm the reports on Fox Kennedys prospects in a statement to the Post. President-Elect Trump continues to make decisions on who will serve in his second Administration, Karoline Leavitt told the paper. Those decisions will continue to be announced when they are made. Related... US president-elect Donald Trump said on Monday that Beijing and Washington could work together "to solve all of the problems of the world", a sweeping statement issued a little more than a month before he returns to office. Hours after making the remarks in a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump met TikTok CEO Chew Shou Zi at the Florida resort, according to US media reports. The meeting coincided with the company's emergency appeal to the US Supreme Court for a temporary halt on the ban, which would take effect if it fails to secure a non-Chinese buyer on January 19, a day before Trump officially takes the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Earlier in the day, Trump signalled during a news conference that he was willing to block the ban on TikTok, which has more than 170 million domestic monthly users on its platform in the US. "We'll take a look at TikTok. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok. TikTok had an impact, so we're taking a look at it", he said, hailing the platform for boosting his connection with young American voters during the campaign. Both Trump and the social media platform kept the meeting low-key, with neither side confirming the meeting, nor issuing any statement on what was discussed. Media reports from the US said it was not clear what the two men talked about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts have said that Trump has limited options when it comes to saving TikTok from the ban. The meeting followed Trump's hopeful remarks about Chinese President Xi Jinping's response to his invitation to attend the January 20 presidential inauguration. During his press conference at Mar-a-Lago ahead of the TikTok meeting, Trump said Xi "hasn't said one way or the other" about whether he will attend. The issue was "something we barely discussed", Trump said, adding that he has had "some very good conversations" with the Chinese leader through letters. "You know, because China and the United States can, together solve all of the problems of the world, if you think about it. So it's very important. And you know, he was a friend of mine", Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reflecting on the meeting the two men had at Mar-a-Lago in 2017, Trump said: "He was here for a long time, right in that spot, except sitting in a very comfortable chair. He wasn't standing like you are. But we spent hours and hours talking, and he's an amazing guy". Trump's latest Beijing-friendly comments inject more mystery into the approach he will take when he is back in the White House next month, as they send different signals compared with the incoming president's cabinet picks like Florida Senator Marco Rubio - one of Congress' harshest critics of the Chinese government - for secretary of state. According to Jake Werner, acting East Asia director of the Quincy Institute, a think tank in Washington, Trump's latest comments "signal a real openness to doing some sort of deal" with Xi. "While many of Trump's national security appointments seemed to promise an immediate, sharp deterioration in US-China relations, Trump's comments, and his decision to extend Xi an invitation to his inauguration, indicates that we have a genuine opportunity to build the relationship on a new foundation", Werner added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Florida lawmaker Mike Waltz, who will be Trump's national security adviser in the White House, in an interview with CBS downplayed the invitation to Xi, saying the ongoing conversations between Trump and other world leaders were "really nothing beyond congratulatory and niceties". No Chinese head of state has ever attended a presidential inauguration in the US. Such a move would be a departure from a decades-long tradition whereby the White House includes foreign dignitaries and diplomats at the ceremony, but not world leaders. Some analysts have expressed doubt that Xi would attend the inauguration, pointing out hat the diplomatic groundwork for such a visit would likely require more than the five weeks remaining before the president-elect is sworn in. Denis Simon of the Institute for China-America Studies, another Washington-based think tank, said it has "more or less been determined that Xi is not coming, and the only question will be, 'Who would come?'". US Republican Senator Marco Rubio, president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, speaking to reporters in Washington last week. Photo: Getty Images alt=US Republican Senator Marco Rubio, president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of state, speaking to reporters in Washington last week. Photo: Getty Images> Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Describing Trump as a "deal maker", Simon reckoned that by inviting Xi, the US president-elect wants to be "seen as some kind of grand statesman" with a knack for personal diplomacy, and added that Beijing might be inclined to send a high-level delegation. "I really do think Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize win. I think that's his aim here. So I think that this grand statesman status, if he can work with Xi, and then Xi can work with Putin and all of a sudden we can find peace in several areas, I think that would be Trump's dream", the long-time China scholar contended. Earlier this month, Trump had suggested that China could play a key role in brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine. "Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting," Trump said in a social media post on December 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview aired later that day Trump told NBC that he "got along very well" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that the two leaders had "communication as recently as this week". At the time, the Chinese embassy in Washington declined to comment on any recent communication between Xi and Trump, saying only that Beijing "welcomes and supports all effort conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis". Werner of the Quincy Institute noted that "China would not be willing to do a one-sided deal". "Trump would need to begin by offering a stable trade environment and clarity on what realms of exchange are off-limits and enter negotiations on China's core complaints around security and space for economic development", he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. NEW YORK 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. _____ A former bank employee has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for embezzling funds from client accounts to finance unauthorized stock trades. The decision was recently upheld by the Court of Final Appeal (TUI) after the employees appeal was dismissed. The employee, identified as Person A, exploited his position at the bank to access dormant client accountsthose inactive for over a yearand manipulated their details to execute stock transactions without consent. He specifically altered the account information of four clients, including a victim known as B, and transferred profits from these unauthorized trades to his wifes account to accrue interest. The total loss incurred by B amounted to HKD882,728.31, according to the statement from the Office of the President of the TUI. The fraudulent activities came to light when the banks internal controls flagged the irregular transactions. An investigation was carried out and Person A was charged with multiple counts of computer fraud and unauthorized access to a computer system. In a ruling by the Court of First Instance (TJB), he received a sentence of five months for unauthorized computer access and an additional three years and six months for high-value computer fraud, which were combined into a single term of three years and nine months. Dissatisfied with the verdict, Person A appealed to the Court of Second Instance (TSI), claiming that the initial court had erred in its assessment of the evidence and violated legal principles related to doubt in criminal cases. However, the TSI found no merit in his claims. The court noted that while Person A suggested that remote access by hackers might have facilitated his actions, witnesses confirmed that any remote operations by the banks IT department were conducted with prior notice and required authorization. Person A also failed to provide a credible explanation for how a hacker could have accessed his wifes personal information to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. The court emphasized that Person As actions constituted serious breaches of trust and referenced his manipulation of bank systems as unacceptable behavior that undermined client security. In dismissing Person As appeal, the TSI reinforced the legal consequences of his actions, stating that his financial gains from illicit stock trading did not mitigate the severity of his crimes. Nadia Shaw President-elect Trump tried to downplay concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday, telling reporters that his nominee for Health and Human Services secretary wont be radical. I think hes going to be much less radical than you would think, Trump said during a wide-ranging news conference at Mar-a-Lago. Hes going to have an open mind, or I wouldnt have put him there. Trumps comments came as Kennedy kicked off a week of meetings with GOP senators to shore up support for his nomination. Some GOP senators have expressed concerns over Kennedys history of vaccine skepticism and wanted to hear directly from the former Democrat about what he believes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to Kennedy centers mostly on his policy stances, many of which run counter to traditional GOP orthodoxy. He has a long history of questioning vaccines and has promoted the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Kennedy argues the rise of chronic diseases in America can be traced to ultraprocessed foods, environmental toxins and chemical additives. He wants to ban fluoridated water and increase access to raw milk. Kennedy has argued he is not anti-vaccine but thinks that childhood shots arent safe and that the government hasnt done enough studies to prove otherwise. But at the same time, Trump on Monday seemed open to some of Kennedys most controversial views. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the press conference, Trump hinted that his administration would investigate the debunked link between vaccines and autism. Its a position Trump has flirted with for years, but its recently come to the forefront as the president-elect has allied with Kennedy. 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. Trump also sought to reassure the drug industry that Kennedy wouldnt upset the market, despite his previous comments railing against the industry. Trump noted he told industry executives as much when they traveled to a dinner he hosted at Mar-a-Lago recently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First as an independent candidate for president and then as a surrogate for Trump, Kennedy has said federal health regulators are sock puppets held captive by industry special interests. Trump said he told the executives he wants to work with the industry on stopping the middlemen in the prescription drug supply chain known as pharmacy benefit managers. We spent more time talking about that than anything else, Trump said. Were going to knock out the middleman. I dont know who these middlemen are, but theyre rich as hell. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- US President-elect Donald Trump said Turkey will play a significant role in the future of Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assads regime, while also praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his military. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe its Turkey, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, when commenting on which foreign powers will have influence over Syrias future. Nobody knows what the final outcome is going to be in the region. He said Erdogan was a very smart guy and had a major military force. The incoming US president also said Turkey was involved in Assad regimes collapse, supporting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the Islamist group that led a lightning assault on Damascus earlier this month. Turkey carried out an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives lost in Syria, he said. The US and Turkey, as well as the United Nations, list HTS as a terrorist group, though theyve all established communication with it since Assad was toppled. Ankara has denied involvement in the regimes collapse but remains a key player vying for influence in Syria, along with Israel and the US. Turkish officials hope for better cooperation in the region with the US, a NATO ally, under Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US has long relied on the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, as its primary partner against Islamic State, despite strong objections from Turkey. The Kurdish YPG forces, which Turkey sees as an extension of the outlawed militant group PKK, are one of the main SDF factions. While Washington also lists the PKK, which has waged a decades-long armed campaign against the Turkish state in the countrys southeast, as a terror organization, it differs on the YPG. Since Assads fall, clashes have persisted between the SDF and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. Turkey seeks the disarmament of the YPG and the departure of its foreign members from Syria. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said Saturday that Syrias new government shares Ankaras view on dismantling Kurdish military forces. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Elon Musks favorite Democrat is one of Donald Trumps top choices to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. CNN reported that Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz, who served as Florida Governor Ron DeSantiss Covid czar during the pandemic, had his name floated for FEMA head. Its not yet clear if Trump and Moskowitz have spoken about the role, but three sources with knowledge of Trumps thinking confirmed to CNN that the Florida Democrat is definitely a contender for the role. While the addition of a Democrat to Trumps Cabinet may be surprising, Moskowitz has historically aligned himself with House Republicans on many issues and is familiar with many people within the Trump campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moskowitz was also the first Democrat to join the congressional caucus for Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He has advocated for crippling federal government cuts, supports Israels bombardment on Gaza, is one of the top recipients of AIPAC funding in the House, and was one of just 15 House Democrats to vote to give Trump the power to revoke nonprofits tax-exempt status. These decisions make Moskowitzs rumored FEMA nomination much less surprising. If Moskowitz does leave to join Trumps Cabinet, however, his absence would make Democrats position in the House even more precarious. DeSantis is known to delay special elections for Democrats so that their seats may remain vacant for as long as possible. President-elect Donald Trump slammed the judge in his criminal hush money case Tuesday, a day after the judge refused to dismiss Trump's conviction on the grounds of presidential immunity. New York Judge Juan Merchan on Monday rejected Trump's request to vacate the verdict in the case based on the Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision. Trump had sought to dismiss his criminal indictment and vacate the jury verdict on the grounds that prosecutors, during the trial earlier this year, introduced evidence relating to Trump's official acts as president that was inadmissible based on the Supreme Court's subsequent ruling that Trump is entitled to presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts undertaken while in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump not eligible for immunity in New York hush money case, judge rules "Acting Justice Juan Merchan has completely disrespected the United States Supreme Court, and its Historic Decision on Immunity," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Tuesday, calling Merchan's ruling, without evidence, "completely illegal." Merchan, in his ruling, determined that the evidence in the case related "entirely to unofficial conduct" and "poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch." PHOTO: In this June 6, 2024, file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, speaks at a campaign rally, in Phoenix. (Rick Scuteri/AP, FILE) The judge "wrote an opinion that is knowingly unlawful, goes against our Constitution, and, if allowed to stand, would be the end of the Presidency as we know it," Trump wrote in his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was found guilty in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election. Judge Merchan has postponed Trump's sentencing indefinitely following Trumps reelection last month. Trump slams judge in hush money case for rejecting his immunity claim originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Donald Trump is suing the Des Moines Register, its top pollster J. Ann Selzer, her firm, and the newspapers parent group Gannett, alleging news coverage of Selzers poll showing Kamala Harris with a surprising lead was used to fraudulently boost his rival in the final days of the 2024 election. The lawsuit accuses the newspaper of brazen election interference and violations of consumer protections his latest line of attack against media outlets he disagrees with as he prepares to wage war against a critical press when he returns to the White House. His lawsuit was filed in Iowas Polk County late Monday, days after ABC reached a $15 settlement with the president-elect in his defamation case against the network and its star anchor George Stephanopoulos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The settlement marked a rare lawsuit victory for the former president, who has previously unsuccessfully sued The New York Times and CNN, and is currently trying to claim $10 billion in damages from CBS. Donald Trump has sued an Iowa newspaper and pollster J. Ann Selzer over results showing his rival Kamala Harris with a significant lead days before Election Day (Getty Images) Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump also repeatedly threatened to revoke network broadcasting licenses for airing critical coverage, and he called on Congress to kill bipartisan legislation to safeguard press freedom. His Iowa lawsuit, first reported by Fox News Digital, invokes the states Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deception when advertising or selling merchandise. Selzers poll anticipated Harris leading Trump by three points in the state. He eventually won Iowa by 13 points, reflecting a 16-point error in Selzers poll, which in previous elections was considered a gold standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, without any evidence, accuses Selzer and the Des Moines Register of creating a false narrative of inevitability for Trumps Democratic opponent to boost her chances of winning. Instead, the November 5 Election was a monumental victory for President Trump in both the Electoral College and the Popular Vote, an overwhelming mandate for his America First principles, and the consignment of the radical socialist agenda to the dustbin of history, Trumps attorneys wrote. Sezlers poll in deep-red Iowa was not reality, it was election-interfering fiction, they added. Trumps latest lawsuit against a news outlet comes on the heels of a $15 million settlement in a defamation case against ABC and anchor George Stephanopoulos (AFP via Getty Images) In the weeks after Election Day, Selzer announced her retirement to other ventures and opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps attorneys claimed she retired in disgrace from polling less than two weeks after this embarrassing rout. Left-wing pollsters have attempted to influence electoral outcomes through manipulated polls that have unacceptable error rates and are not grounded in widely accepted polling methodologies, they added. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Des Moines Register spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said in a statement. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election law expert Rick Hasen, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, said he does not expect the lawsuit to go anywhere. Trump, however, is heading back to the White House embroiled in several lawsuits and legal threats against a free press. Days before Election Day, Trump sued CBS News for $10 billion, alleging that the network deceptively edited an interview with Harris to unlawfully influence the election. His attorneys also made legal threats to The Daily Beast, The New York Times and Penguin Random House, and his campaign filed a six-page complaint to the Federal Election Commission alleging that The Washington Post made illegal in-kind contributions to Harriss campaign by promoting stories about the vice president. President-elect Donald Trump sued the Des Moines Register and its pollster for brazen election interference in publishing a survey the weekend before the election that showed Democrat Kamala Harris with a surprising lead of three percentage points in the state. The Register's parent Gannett Co. on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit as meritless and said it would vigorously defend its First Amendment rights. The lawsuit continues the president-elect's campaign against media outlets he feels have wronged him. ABC this past weekend agreed to pay $15 million toward a Trump presidential library in order to settle a defamation lawsuit against George Stephanopoulos for inaccurately saying Trump had been found civilly liable for rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Des Moines survey, done by since-retired pollster J. Ann Selzer, was considered shocking for indicating that an earlier Trump lead in the Republican-leaning midwestern state had been erased. In the actual election, Trump won Iowa by more than 13 percentage points. There was a perfectly good reason nobody saw this coming: because a three-point lead for Harris in deep-red Iowa was not reality, the lawsuit said. It was election-interfering fiction. The poll increased enthusiasm among Democrats, compelled Republicans to divert campaign time and money to areas in which they were ahead, and deceived the public into thinking Democrats were doing better than they actually were, Trump charged. The lawsuit was filed late Monday in Polk County district court in Iowa. It cites Iowa consumer fraud law, and doesn't ask for specific monetary damages, but rather wants a trial jury to award triple the amount of what it determines actual damages to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever happens legally, the case could have a chilling effect beyond Iowa. Trump said in legal papers that he wanted it to deter radicals from continuing to act with corrupt intent in releasing polls manufactured for the purpose of skewing election results in favor of Democrats. Lark-Marie Anton, Des Moines Register spokeswoman, said the newspaper acknowledged the pre-election poll did not reflect Trumps ultimate margin of victory and released the data and a technical explanation. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe a lawsuit would be without merit, she said. Selzer did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. But she told PBS in Iowa last week that it's not my ethic to set up a poll to deliver a specific response. She said she was mystified about what motivation people would think she had. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To suggest without a single shred of evidence that I was in cahoots with somebody, I was being paid by somebody, it's all just kind of, it's hard to pay too much attention to it except that they are accusing me of a crime, she said. ___ Associated Press correspondents Tom Beaumont in Des Moines and Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska contributed to this report. David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social. Donald Trump speaks to attendees during a Sept. 25, 2024, campaign rally in Mint Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump is suing The Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer for publishing a poll that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading in Iowa in the days before the 2024 election, claiming the poll amounted to fraud and election interference. The lawsuit, filed in the Polk County District Court Monday, seeks unspecified damages and accountability for brazen election interference under the states Consumer Fraud Act. The defendants are the Register and its owner, Gannett; Selzer and Selzer & Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that the poll, which showed Harris leading Trump among likely Iowa voters 47% to 44%, was published three days before the election as an attempt to create a false narrative of inevitability for Harris in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election. Trump won Iowa with 56% of the vote to Harris 43%. The lawsuit alleges that the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll was not merely an inaccurate poll, but was an intentional move with corrupt intent to aid Democrats. Selzer who had prided herself on a mainstream reputation for accuracy despite several far less publicized egregious polling misses in favor of Democrats would have the public believe it was merely a coincidence that one of the worst polling misses of her career came just days before the most consequential election in memory, was leaked, and happened to go against the Republican candidate, the lawsuit states. The Harris Poll was no miss but rather an attempt to influence the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election. Trump said during a Monday news conference that he was filing a lawsuit because he felt he had an obligation to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to 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 going to lose by 3 or 4 points, Trump said. The president-elect also said he would likely file lawsuits against the news show 60 Minutes as well as the Pulitzer Prize organization for giving awards to the New York Times and the Washington Post. Selzer announced shortly after the election that she would be retiring from election polling. In an Iowa Press interview in aired Dec. 13, Selzer denied allegations of election interference or of intentionally releasing inaccurate results. Theyre saying that this was election interference, which is a crime, Selzer said. So, the idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when Ive never done that before, Ive 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, I was being paid by somebody, its all just kind of, its hard to pay too much attention to it except that they are accusing me of a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for The Des Moines Register, also said in a statement that the organization believes the lawsuit is without merit. We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Anton said. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit. Trump v Selzer Media lawyers are bracing for an onslaught of lawsuits from Donald Trump and his political allies in the wake of ABCs decision to pay $16 million to settle a defamation case Trump filed against the network. Many First Amendment advocates see the settlement as a capitulation by ABC that handed Trump both a lucrative victory and a legal roadmap. They worry it will embolden him to escalate his use of private civil litigation against his media critics when he returns to power next month. These private lawsuits would be separate from anything Trump does as president to deploy official levers of power against the press. And even if the lawsuits lack merit, they can still have a chilling effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extremely troubling, said David Schulz, who runs a media law clinic at Yale Law School. It's going to fuel the perception that the media is unfair to Trump and to incentivize more litigation and more baseless litigation. No modern president including Trump in his first term has made a habit of personally suing the media while in the Oval Office. But speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump promised more lawsuits against journalists and pundits he doesnt like. Later that day, he followed through on his pledge: He sued the Des Moines Register and its veteran pollster, Ann Selzer, over a preelection poll that showed Trump trailing Kamala Harris in Iowa shortly before last months election. I feel I have to do this, Trump said in a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. I shouldn't really be the one to do it. It should have been the Justice Department or somebody else. I have to do it. It costs a lot of money to do it. We have to straighten out the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Railing against the media is a familiar political tactic for Trump, and throughout his business career, he filed many defamation lawsuits against his critics. But the pressure campaign against media organizations he has promised to unleash in his second term is unprecedented. He has threatened to throw journalists in jail and investigate news organizations for treason. He has proposed revoking broadcast licenses held by TV companies when he disagrees with their coverage. His pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, has vowed a campaign of retribution against the press. Were going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections, Patel saidon a podcast last year. Whether its criminally or civilly, well figure that out. Defamation cases: A potent weapon Among the arrows in Trumps legal quiver is the defamation lawsuit a type of civil claim in which publishers can be ordered to pay eye-popping sums if a court finds that they knowingly lied or recklessly spread falsehoods about a public figure. (A lower standard of fault applies in suits brought by private figures.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some conservatives, including Trump himself, have been successfully sued in high-profile defamation suits recently. Trump was ordered to pay the writer E. Jean Carroll more than $80 million; Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay two Georgia election workers $148 million; Fox News settled with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. But Trump has called for changes to defamation law to make it easier to sue the media. On the Supreme Court, Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch have floated similar changes. Trumps lawsuit against ABC arose from a March segment in which news anchor George Stephanopoulos repeatedly said a jury had found Trump liable for raping Carroll in the 1990s. The civil jury in New York actually found Trump not liable for rape, although it did find him liable for sexual abuse. The judge handling that case, Lewis Kaplan, said what the jury concluded Trump did amounted to digital rape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABCs decision to settle the case for an eight-figure payment plus an apology baffled and concerned some media lawyers because the network seemed to have strong legal arguments. Before the Stephanopoulos segment, Kaplan had ruled that Carrolls own continued claims that Trump raped her were substantially true. ABC could have pointed to that ruling to show that Stephanopoulos statements did not cross the high legal standard that a defamatory statement must be both false and made recklessly, legal experts said. But ABC and its parent company, Disney, may have had other concerns beyond the strengths of their potential legal defense: They may have feared reprisals by the incoming president. This kind of capitulation on the heels of Trump's election makes it appear that one of the factors was fear of retaliation by Trump, said Jane Kirtley, a former attorney for news organizations who now teaches media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota. Legal experts also pointed to the possibility that ABC could have been embarrassed by potential disclosures of its internal texts, emails and other communications about Trump and the Stephanopoulos segment if the case continued. Trumps other media battles Trump immediately began attempting to leverage the ABC settlement. In a pending lawsuit he brought against journalist Bob Woodward and publisher Simon & Schuster, a lawyer for Trump wrote to a judge Tuesday extolling a renewed accountability among those who violated [Trumps] rights over the last four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump is hopeful that the Defendants in this case follow Mr. Stephanopoulos expression of contrition, lawyer Robert Garson said. The case against Woodward and Simon & Schuster relates to the use of audio recordings of Woodwards interviews with Trump during his first presidential term. Other cases Trump has brought against the media have been described as lacking legal merit. He has, for instance, sued CBS over its editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris and he claimed $10 billion in damages. His newest lawsuit over the Des Moines Register claims that the newspaper and its pollster committed election interference by publishing a poll that turned out to badly underestimate Trumps Election Day performance in Iowa. Notably, neither the CBS or the Des Moines Register lawsuits are defamation claims. Rather, Trumps lawyers have advanced novel legal theories to argue that the news organizations violated state consumer protection laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of the nature of the civil claims, First Amendment advocates worry that the fusillade of lawsuits especially coming from the president-elect will chill the ordinary practice of journalism. History teaches us that a vibrant press can be attacked on multiple fronts, University of Utah law professor RonNell Andersen Jones said. Not just direct regulation, but also pressures that cause it to fear real-world repercussions or to self-censor. The future of press freedom The ABC settlement came as lawyers for news organizations have been meeting to strategize about how to defend the industry against threats during Trumps second term. One potential safeguard some had hoped for was pending legislation to shield journalists from having to disclose confidential sources and other information in federal court proceedings. But Trump appeared to shoot down the bill with a single social media post last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL! he wrote on Truth Social, without explaining further. The reaction of media lawyers to the ABC settlement stood in stark contrast to that of the small stable of lawyers who regularly bring defamation suits against news outlets. Those advocates were effusive about the result and said a surge of similar cases by Trump and other prominent figures would be a welcome development. I hope it means that more of these cases are going to get filed, because I think it is what keeps journalists and the press minding their Ps and Qs the legal risk of economic loss and reputational impact of being on the defendants side of the lawsuit, said Libby Locke, who represented former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in a defamation suit against the New York Times and Dominion in its mammoth suit against Fox News. I think more media outlets will be more careful and I think it helps the country and our citizenry to have better and more truthful information, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locke also tied Trumps traction in the ABC case to broader trends she said are making the courts more favorable to defamation plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have prevailed in some notable federal appeals court defamation decisions in recent months, although the underlying suits have yet to prove successful. The shifting legal landscape of defamation law may ultimately end up before the Supreme Court. The two justices who have called for reconsidering the law in this area, Thomas and Gorsuch, have yet to persuade their colleagues to take up a case that could revisit the landmark ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan, which set a very high bar for defamation lawsuits brought by public figures. But some lower court judges have called for a similar reassessment. I think its a correction thats happening now, Locke said. It's a pendulum swinging back from Sullivan and from how far afield the press has gotten in its reporting. Lawmaker Ella Lei urged the new government to prioritize economic development and enhance the quality of employment. In her address yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL), Lei acknowledged the challenges faced by the outgoing government under Ho Iat Seng, particularly during the pandemic that lasted three years. The government had to lead public servants and the population to fight the pandemic together and try to overcome economic difficulties, she stated. She commended the current administrations efforts in economic recovery, urban construction, and improving living conditions but emphasized that more work is needed. I hope the new government will commit itself to safeguarding social stability, promoting economic growth, increasing the quality of employment, and optimizing the well-being of the population, she said. Lei said, even in light of positive macroeconomic indicators (GDP, consumption, investment, and international trade), many residents still experience significant pressures related to daily expenses. In a recent survey carried out by an association, many interviewees said work pressure is high and that they face large burdens with day-to-day expenses, house payments, and raising children, she noted. Lei outlined three critical areas for improvement. First, she addressed the citywide consumption scheme ending this year. Several residents and shopkeepers agree with the governments measures to promote consumption and relieve pressure from residents, she said. Lei urged authorities to analyze this programs effectiveness to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and alleviate resident pressures. Second, she called for a balanced approach to economic diversification, and stressed the importance of guiding residents into emerging industries while enhancing technical skills among workers. The fifth government presented a strategy for adequate diversification of the 1+4 economy, Lei said. Lastly, Lei noted concerning trends in wage stagnation within specific sectors. In the third quarter of this year, median monthly income from active employment was MOP18,000, she said. The lawmaker noted declines in sectors like restoration and civil construction, urging the need for the government to focus on improving wages and working conditions. In tandem, targeted support programs should be created for young people and middle-aged workers facing employment challenges to reduce underemployment and tackle unemployment rates. Nadia Shaw In his latest step to strike back against media outlets he says have said wronged him, President-elect Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against an Iowa pollster and newspaper that he said intentionally skewed a poll against him to try to help Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election. A legal expert gave the litigation little chance of succeeding, and press freedom advocates protested it as another retaliatory measure designed to chill news agencies from making fair assessments of the incoming president particularly after other Trump lawsuits against media institutions including CBS News, ABC News and the board that oversees the Pulitzer Prizes. ABC News agreed last week to pay $15 million toward Trumps presidential library to settle a lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trumps supporters cheered the Iowa lawsuit and supported its contention that pollster J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register intended to influence the election outcome, though they presented no evidence of malfeasance or collusion intended to favor the Democratic presidential candidate. Trumps lawyers filed the action Monday in a state court in Polk County, home to the state capital of Des Moines and the Register, Iowas leading newspaper. The president-elect had signaled the action in a news conference earlier in the day, saying: In my opinion, it was fraud and it was election interference. Defendants and their cohorts in the Democrat Party hoped that the Harris Poll would create a false narrative of inevitability for Harris in the final week of the 2024 Presidential Election, Trumps lawsuit contends. The suit names as defendants Selzer and her polling company; the Des Moines Register; and Gannett, one of Americas largest newspaper chains and owner of USA Today. While Trump has accused other media outlets of defamation, the Iowa action alleges violations of the states Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deception when advertising or selling merchandise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selzer did not immediately respond to the lawsuit. But in postelection interviews she and election analysts familiar with her work rejected Republican conspiracy theories. Read more: Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the election Gannett released a statement acknowledging that the final Iowa poll did not reflect the ultimate outcome. It showed Harris leading by 3 percentage points, and Trump won Iowa by more than 13 points. The statement described the voluminous background data the pollster released about how the survey was conducted. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selzer has been one of Iowas most trusted pollsters for decades. Her surveys have been watched nationally by journalists and politicos of both parties due to their accuracy, particularly leading up to the primary-season caucuses, which are viewed as crucial in presidential politics. Selzers last poll for the Register, before the 2020 vote, showed then-President Trump leading former Vice President Joe Biden by 7 percentage points. That proved to be very close to the mark: Trump won the state by a little more than 8 percentage points. Leading into last months vote, the Selzer & Co. poll for the Register came up with a result that the veteran pollster and other observers acknowledged surprised them. It showed Harris held a 47%-to-44% advantage over Trump among likely voters, in a state that the Republican had carried handily in the two previous elections. Publication of the poll in the week before the election heartened Democrats as a potential sign that Harris had momentum, not just in Iowa, but potentially in other crucial Midwestern battleground states. Republicans expressed doubt about the polls accuracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pollsters routinely caution the public that their surveys are only snapshots in time and are not necessarily good at predicting election results. They also urge voters not to use poll results in a single state to extrapolate to other states, which inevitably have different electoral dynamics and demographic makeups. Still, the Selzer poll's more than 16-percentage-point miss was wide enough that the pollster conceded she had been troubled by it and had racked her brain for explanations. In recent interviews, Selzer expressed dismay and continuing puzzlement. In one interview, she described how she and her team had closely scrutinized the poll results and found no warning signs of a misstep. A couple of the internal indicators of the sample's composition seemed to favor Trump, since it included more rural voters and fewer young people than were expected to cast ballots. The pollster said it was possible that she had used too stringent a screen to weed out voters whom she deemed unlikely to vote. But she said critics had tarred her for something far more nefarious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They're saying that this was election interference, which is a crime, she said last week during a panel discussion. So, the idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when I've never done that before I've had plenty of opportunities to do it it's not my ethic. Read more: News Analysis: Trump offers murky worldview ahead of second term, mixing dire warnings with rosy promises But to suggest without a single shred of evidence that I was in cahoots with somebody, I was being paid by somebody it's all just kind of ... hard to pay too much attention to it, except that they are accusing me of a crime. On one thing both sides in the furor agree the Iowa poll results got major coverage in the media. Selzer speculated in last weeks interview that the finding that Trump was trailing Harris might have actually spurred more of his voters to the polls in Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There might have been something that happened between when we finished polling on Thursday night and election day, she said. Contrary to what was being charged, it could be that the release of that [poll] got the Republicans more hustled up, and ... had the impact of actually inflating the Trump vote. But she acknowledged that there was no proof of that speculation. I dont have the data for that, she said. Selzer also noted previous occasions when results of her polls mirrored the election victory, and one when they did not. In 1988, her poll showed a large lead for Democrat Michael Dukakis over Vice President George H.W. Bush, a finding that also went against conventional wisdom. Journalists at the Register even discussed whether they should publish the finding. They did, and Dukakis went on to win the state by more than 10 percentage points, much as Selzer's poll forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2004, by contrast, Selzers poll showed Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) with a narrow lead over President George W. Bush ahead of the election. But Bush eked out a victory of under 1 percentage point. Selzer recalled that Iowa's GOP governor, Terry Branstad, had later told her that the poll helped prod more Republicans to vote. In his Monday news conference in Florida, Trump acknowledged Selzers positive reputation. His implication seemed to be that such an adept pollster could not have been so off the mark unless she intended to favor his opponent. You know, she's got me right, always. She's a very good pollster, Trump said. She knows what she was doing. Election law expert Rick Hasen wrote on his blog: I dont expect this lawsuit to go anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Hasen noted that defamation cases surrounding public figures require plaintiffs to demonstrate actual malice. He said he expected that standard would be applied in Iowa, even if state law does not specifically enumerate it. This is 1st Amendment activity, a speech activity, and therefore she's protected, he said. She and the publishers of the poll are protected. Hasen predicted Trumps lawyers would face other hurdles. It doesnt appear that there was any false statement. And there's no evidence that the pollster deliberately manipulated the results, he said. Also, it's not clear that this [state] statute applies to something like a poll, as opposed to a consumer product, or typical protecting consumers from bad products or lies about products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the reaction to the lawsuit fell along predictably partisan lines. She wasn't part of any conspiracy, there was no conspiracy. She was just wrong, progressive commentator Cenk Uygur wrote on X. So, can Hillary [Clinton] sue all the pollsters who said she was going to beat Trump? Most importantly, can all the slimy politicians sue everyone now for criticizing them or even doing a poll that shows them losing? One Trump loyalist, former national security advisor Michael Flynn, posted a compilation of a series of preelection polls that mostly showed Harris with a narrow lead over Trump. Powerful data, Flynn wrote. Clearly shows how organized polling is meant to influence and not inform. I hope it doesnt have a chilling effect on news gathering, but it might, said Barbara Kingsley-Wilson, a lecturer and media advisor with the Department of Journalism and Public Relations at Cal State Long Beach. Its a financially difficult time for journalism organizations in general, and the well-heeled forces that try to bully and intimidate know that. She said she would tell student journalists to be thorough, be fair and dont be intimidated by threats of meritless lawsuits. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox three times per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President-elect Donald Trump is suing retired Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer over her pre-election survey that showed Vice President Kamala Harris leading in the state, calling it brazen election interference. The shock poll, which drew national attention given Selzers record of success in Iowa, proved incorrect: Trump won the state by more than 13 points. But that has not stopped the president-elect from claiming the poll was intended to manipulate the results of the election. "While Selzer is not the only pollster to engage in this corrupt practice, she had a huge platform and following and, thus, a significant and impactful opportunity to deceive voters," the lawsuit states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also represents an escalation of Trumps pledge to more aggressively pursue litigation against media he views as unfair to him. The case against Selzer comes just after Trump settled another media lawsuit with ABC News and its political anchor George Stephanopoulos for $15 million. The lawsuit against Selzer was filed in Polk County, Iowa, under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. Trumps lawyers argue that incorrect polls force Republicans to divert campaign time and money to areas in which they are ahead as well as deceives the public into believing that Democrat candidates are performing better than they really are. Speaking to a local PBS station on Friday before the lawsuit had been filed, Selzer said shes taking Trumps allegations very seriously, but added that shes mystified about what motivation anybody thinks I had and would act on in such a public poll. The idea that I intentionally set up to deliver this response, when Ive never done that before Ive had plenty of opportunities to do it, she said. Its not my ethic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced his plans to sue during his Mar-a-Lago press conference on Monday. Im not doing this because I want to. Im doing this because I feel I have an obligation to, he said. Also named in Trumps lawsuit is the Des Moines Register, which published Selzers poll, and its parent company, Gannett. "We have acknowledged that the Selzer/Des Moines Register pre-election 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, Des Moines Register spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said in a statement. We stand by our reporting on the matter and believe this lawsuit is without merit." When asked for comment, Gannett sent the Registers statement. Selzer announced two weeks after the election that she would be retiring from election polling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would I have liked to make this announcement after a final poll aligned with Election Day results? Of course, Selzer wrote in an op-ed for the Register, addressing her final poll. Its ironic that its just the opposite. Trumps lawsuit claims that Selzers poll was not just wrong, as many polls are, but instead was an attempt to influence the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election. Josh Gerstein contributed to this report. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a prominent real estate broker from the western North Carolina region to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Austria. A real estate tycoon himself, Trump tabbed Arthur Graham Fisher, president of Brevard-based Fisher Realty, to take up the position. He was one of five ambassadors Trump nominated on Monday, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Luxembourg among the others. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Art has been a staunch supporter of America First Policies, and will make us proud in Austria! Founded in 1977, Fisher joined the family business after graduating from the College of Charleston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nominations will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Fisher made campaign donations that exceeded $50,000 in 2024, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The U.S. State Department (File photo) President-elect Donald Trump nominated Art Fisher, a real estate broker and businessperson from western North Carolina, as the ambassador to Austria. In the latest round of nominations, Trump selected ambassadors to five countries, he shared on social media Monday night. Fisher is the president of Fisher Realty, his familys real estate firm founded in 1977. The company has offices in Brevard and Sapphire-Lake Toxaway, serving Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania, and Jackson counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Art has been a staunch supporter of America First Policies, and will make us proud in Austria! Trump wrote in his announcement. Fisher is a member of the Trumpettes, a group dedicated to electing Trump. He has contributed to the campaigns of Republican candidates during the 2024 cycle. Fisher donated $8,300 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and to the individual Senate candidates of Kari Lake (Arizona), Bernie Moreno (Ohio), Josh Hawley (Missouri), Marsha Blackburn (Tennessee), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), Steve Garvey (California), and Trent Staggs (Utah). The real estate broker also donated to the Republican National Committee, Republican Victory Fund, and Rep.-elect Brian Jack of Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fisher Realty declined to comment to NC Newsline. Future Business Leaders of America, a student organization, named Fisher as Mr. Future Business Leader of North Carolina one of the top ten Future Business Leaders in America at age 18, according to his profile on Fisher Realty. Fishers profile also said hes traveled to all seven continents and about 100 countries. He graduated from the College of Charleston with bachelors degrees in business administration and corporate communications. The real estate broker is a trustee of Brevard College and the Pisgah Health Foundation, board member of United Community Bank, and a Senate appointee to the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nominations to become ambassador of the U.S. to a foreign country or international organization must be confirmed by the Senate. Ambassadors fall under the U.S. State Department. After confirmation, ambassadors serve as the personal representative of the president and the chief representative of the U.S. government to that country or organization, according to the state department. Here are the four other ambassadors Trump announced on Monday: George Glass, former Portuguese ambassador, as ambassador to Japan Lou Rinaldi, entrepreneur and friend, as ambassador to Uruguay Stacey Feinberg, president of investment firm 33 Capital, as ambassador to Luxembourg Leah Francis Campos, former CIA case officer, as ambassador to the Dominican Republic (The Hill) President-elect Trumps proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada are expected to raise prices at the pump. Trump said late last month that on his first day in office, he would place 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican goods. The two countries are the leading sources of U.S. oil imports and if he implements the tariffs, analysts say the action could result in higher gasoline prices. Andrew Lipow, president of consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates, said a 25 percent tariff amounts to a surcharge of about 40 cents per gallon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prices at the pump are going to go up. Whether we like it or not, the East Coast is an import market and they would have to import oil at a higher price, Lipow told The Hill. Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service, had a similar projection. He told The Hill a 25 percent tariff would raise prices at least in the short term. There will be a difficulty in adjusting to a Canadian tariff of 25 percent, he said. It might produce a temporary but notable price shock. Even Trump himself has said that overall he cant guarantee the import taxes wont raise prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed tariffs set up a potential conundrum for Trump and the Republican Party, marking an issue where Trumps promises to put America first go head-to-head with his promises to bring down consumer prices including the price of fuel. Canada and Mexico are the top places where U.S. oil imports come from, with more than half of the nations oil imports coming from Canada and another 10 percent coming from Mexico as of 2022. While Trump has pledged to increase domestic oil production, Lipow said any increases in drilling that occur would not make up for higher prices on Canadian oil. He argued that an artificial price increase would cause U.S. producers to raise their own prices to match it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If prices go up, theyll just raise their prices, he said. Theres only so much increase in production that they can do. Unlike countries that have state-run oil companies, the U.S. government cannot decide whether or by how much to increase oil production as the decisions are instead made by private companies. Both Kloza and Lipow said they expect gasoline prices in the Midwest to be particularly hard hit by the tariffs, given that refiners that turn oil into gasoline in those areas rely on Canadian oil. U.S. refiners in the Midwest are isolated buyers. They need that Canadian crude, and theyre going to have to scramble, Kloza said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think everyone would be affected, and especially some of those swing states, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, that are all really right next to the Canadian border, [are] significantly dependent on Canadian energy supplies, Lipow said. However, Kloza said that in his view, the price hike that comes with the tariffs could be short-lived. Long term, youll see more crude oil come from perhaps nontargeted areas like Saudi Arabia, Colombia, even Iraq, he said. But Lipow said that a lack of pipeline infrastructure could still make it difficult to get oil from anywhere but Canada into key U.S. locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada is the only country that supplies imported fuel or crude oil into the Rockies and Midwest, he said. The difficulty is getting it there. I cannot import crude oil on the Gulf Coast and ship it to Montana and North Dakota. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Critics of Pete Hegseth have slammed the defense secretary nominee as many things: a vitriolic television host, an alleged drunk, and an accused sexual abuser. But hes also, apparently, a January 6 truther. In the wake of the Capitol riot, Hegseth appeared on Newts World, a podcast hosted by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, espousing baseless allegations that the mob that delayed the certification of the 2020 presidential election results was actually coordinated by leftists, CNNs K-File reported Tuesday. There are reports, you know, in the New York Post and elsewhere. And just from, you know, common sense, that Antifa folks took advantage of this to try to get to the front and try to agitate and create openings for themselves, Hegseth said on the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They want chaos, ultimately, Hegseth continued, referring to the decentralized, nonviolent antifascist group. I could even spot it. You can see the helmets where theres a Donald Trump bumper sticker on the back, quickly put on it so they could look like they wanted to stop the steal. But what they really wanted to do was further the narrative. The articles that Hegseth was citing at the time have since been debunked, according to CNN. The FBI found no evidence that antifa was connected to the events that took place on January 6, 2021, with Trumps own appointee, FBI Director Christopher Wray, repeatedly rebutting the conspiracy. Hegseth, a 44-year-old former infantry officer, has been under fire since Trump tapped him to lead the Pentagon. The heat has primarily stemmed from a shocking 2017 police report that revealed the Army veteran was accused of raping an attendee at a Republican womens conference in Monterey, California. Hegseth has also admitted to several other scandals, including five affairs that he had during his first marriage. Some of Hegseths former Fox colleagues have accused him of being handsy and groping them. Nearly a dozen of his former co-workers have spoken to various media outlets to warn that his drinking habits are concerning, and some noted that they had smelled alcohol on Hegseth as recently as last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth has also come under fire for supporting a return of the militarys dont ask, dont tell anti-LGBTQ policy, and has attempted to walk back comments he made disparaging female U.S. soldiers. Republicans at the forefront of the Senate confirmation process initially bristled at Hegseths nomination, with some taking particular note of his drinking problem, before eventually bending to Trumps will. Earlier this month, Republican Senator Kevin Cramer specified that Hegseth needed to stay away from the bottle and offer a promise of sobriety before taking the reins of the countrys military intelligence. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia plans to visit Kyiv next month and would be open to meetings in Moscow if invited, as the incoming administration seeks to end the nearly three-year war. Most Read from Bloomberg Keith Kellogg, a retired general who served in national security roles in the first Trump administration, also plans to travel to London, Paris and Rome, according to a person familiar with the situation, who asked not to be identified discussing the plans, which have not been finalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelloggs potential openness to travel to Moscow after Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration would be an extraordinary step for a US official amid the raft of sanctions against Russia since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The trip will be focused on gathering information rather than implementing any specific policy goal, the person added. The Trump transition team did not immediately respond to an inquiry about the planned travel. Reuters first reported Kelloggs plans to visit Kyiv and other European capitals. Trump has pledged to end the war swiftly by pressuring both sides to the negotiating table though has not yet explained specific policy changes he plans to undertake. Kellogg, 80, has written publicly about how he shares Trumps goal to broker a peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his new role, Kellogg will need to navigate explaining Trumps strategy to world leaders eager to understand how the US approach to the conflict might change. In recent weeks, Trump has vowed to arm Ukraine enough to get Russian President Vladimir Putin into talks, but has also decried President Joe Bidens move to allow Kyiv to fire US-provided missiles into Russia, calling it a dangerous escalation. The incoming president has also threatened to cut off aid to Ukraine if it wont seek a deal. On Monday, Trump signaled he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept some territorial losses as the price of peace. He should be prepared to make a deal, thats all, Trump said at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Got to be a deal. Too many people being killed. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. US-backed rebels have appealed to Donald Trump to prevent a Turkish invasion into Syria. In a letter to the president-elect, a senior Kurdish official warned that Ankara appeared poised to launch a military operation across the border. Ilham Ahmed, a civilian official with the Syrian Kurds, wrote that Turkeys aim was to establish de facto control over our land before you take office, forcing you to engage with them as rulers of our territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She urged Mr Trump to press Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president and Nato ally, not to mount an incursion into Syria, the Wall Street Journal reported. If Turkey proceeds with its invasion, the consequences will be catastrophic, Ms Ahmed added. SDF vulnerable without Trump backing Tensions on Syrias northern border with Turkey have escalated in the weeks since Bashar al-Assads regime was toppled. Turkey has long opposed the presence of Kurdish militants, which it considers terrorists, on its borders. In 2019, Ankara launched an invasion into northeastern Syria aimed at pushing them back. The threat of a cross-border raid is a particular concern for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who have fought alongside American soldiers to eradicate the remains of the Islamic State terror group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without the backing of Mr Trump, the SDF will be vulnerable to aggression from the Turkish military. The president-elect previously withdrew US forces from the area, which some argue paved the way for the Turkish invasion. We believe you hold the power to prevent this catastrophe. President Erdogan has listened to you before, and we trust he will heed your call again, Ms Ahmed wrote to Mr Trump. Your decisive leadership can stop this invasion and preserve the dignity and safety of those who have stood as steadfast allies in the fight for peace and security. Trump said he would not abandon Kurds US officials in Joe Bidens outgoing administration believe the current build-up of Turkish forces resembles that before its last major incursion into northern Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after attempts by the US to broker a ceasefire between Syrian Kurds and Turkish-backed rebels in the border city Kobani failed. US officials say the forces amassed in the direction of the town include rebels, uniformed commandos and artillery units. We are focused on it and pressing for restraint, a US official told the WSJ. Mr Biden has reportedly dispatched top officials to Ankara to hold talks to de-escalate the situation. Mr Trump has previously said he would not abandon the US-backed Kurds in meetings with the groups leaders. On Monday, the president-elect suggested that Turkey had dictated the rebel groups Hayat Tahrir al-Sham takeover of Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost, he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago. 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. The Legislative Assembly has passed the final reading of the bill that establishes the government budget for 2025. In a discussion that saw almost no debate or questions from lawmakers, the bill was approved with unanimous support. However, despite this, several lawmakers took the opportunity during the voting declarations to express their disappointment with the budget. Some, such as Lo Choi In, went further, stating that she and fellow lawmaker Zheng Anting, on whose behalf she was speaking, disagreed with the budget. Lawmaker Zheng and I are against this budget. We do not agree with it, but we voted to pass it because we understand that failing to do so might create problems for the incoming government, Lo explained. Lo, Zheng, and several other lawmakers, including Jose Pereira Coutinho, Che Sai Wang, Ron Lam, and those representing labor interests (Ella Lei, Leong Sun Iok, Lei Chan U, and Lam Lon Wai), criticized the budget for its narrow focus on improving the quality of life for residents and local businesses. This, they argued, could no longer be justified by the previous excuse of insufficient expected revenue. Unlike past budgets, the 2025 budget forecasts a positive outcome for both the local economy and government finances, with anticipated profits due to increased revenue and reduced expenditure. During the discussion and vote, Ron Lam was the only lawmaker to speak up, not to question any specific aspects of the budget but to offer his own perspective. I am not against this budget, but I believe the government needs to broaden the focus of its policies and provide more detailed justifications for its expenditures, he said. I hope the next government will address these issues, as I mentioned during the first reading of the bill, and as many other lawmakers have also suggested. I hope the next Secretary for Economy and Finance will give more attention to these matters, he added, addressing Secretary Lei Wai Nong, who will be leaving office. On behalf of the four lawmakers associated with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, Leong noted that while they voted in favor of the bill, they had significant concerns. Specifically, they expressed worries about the current difficulties faced by many local social institutions, which are struggling to pay wages and cover expenses while providing support to the underprivileged. Leong also called for increased support for senior citizens, noting government subsidies for the elderly have not been updated in several years. This lack of adjustment has made life more difficult for older citizens, who are facing rising prices for essential goods and services. Pereira Coutinho also voiced concerns, stating that the 2025 budget lacks clear and concrete measures to support the population and stimulate internal spending. He feared this would worsen the already dire situation for many small and medium-sized local businesses, which are struggling to survive. In response, Secretary Lei said the budget was a general proposal put forward by the current government to ensure the continued operation of the government and its institutions, as well as to honor commitments made during the transition to Macaus sixth-term government. Lei added that if the incoming government identifies the need for new measures to address the issues raised by the lawmakers, it would be within its rights to present an amended budget later on. SPRINGFIELD, Ohio Underlying 2024s most outrageous political lie was a truth some might even argue a confession voiced by an accomplice: To get media attention, then-vice presidential candidate JD Vance acknowledged, sometimes "I have to create stories." And so, with a brazen disregard for facts, Donald Trump and his running mate repeatedly peddled a created story that in Springfield, Ohio, Haitian immigrants were eating pet dogs and cats. Politifact is a nonprofit news organization focused on providing transparent, fairn, thorough reporting and clear writing. Politifact partners with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. With this claim, amplified before 67 million television viewers in his debate against Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump took his anti-migrant, the U.S. border-is-out-of-control campaign agenda to a new level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs," Trump said Sept. 10. "The people that came in. They're eating the cats. They're eating, they're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country. And it's a shame." City and county officials said repeatedly that it was not happening. Rebuttals did not diminish the consequences: Dozens of bomb threats at schools, grocery stores and government buildings. Pleas from locals to leave them alone. A continued lack of constructive debate on immigration and border control issues. After the threats subsided, some Haitians didnt want to go in public or send their children to school. The police department sent an officer to protect churchgoers at a Haitian Creole Sunday afternoon Mass. Haitian restaurant owners and schoolchildren heard taunts from people using Trumps words. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dad, do we eat dogs at the house?" Jacob Payen, a Haitian Community Alliance spokesperson and business owner, recalled his 7-year-old son asking. The Haitian population in Springfield had swelled since 2021 as people fled Haitis violence and instability. City officials estimated 12,000 to 20,000 Haitians had come to this city of about 58,000 residents in 2020, after hearing about jobs and low living costs. Most Haitians live in the U.S. legally under a temporary federal protection President Joe Biden extended. The sudden population surge came with growing pains on housing, health services, road safety and schools. When the local conversation turned to unfounded rumors and fearmongering, Trump and Vance seized an opportunity. Vances central role in fanning unwarranted attention on a city in the state he represents in the U.S. Senate caused resentment among some locals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Vance threw us under the bus," said Rob Baker, a political science professor since 1987 at Springfields Wittenberg University. PolitiFact, which for 16 years has issued a year-end lie of the year report, keenly understands that when emotions collide with facts, emotions often prevail. To wit: Trump increased his voter support in Clark County, Ohio, which includes Springfield, this year above what he garnered in his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. In choosing the 2024 Lie of the Year, the claims by Vance and Trump about Haitians eating pets stood out. It was an absurd statement that Trump raised unprompted on the debate stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And neither Trump nor Vance stopped there. They stuck with the narrative for the rest of the campaign, over the objections of allies who debunked it and pleaded with them to let it go. When challenged by voters and interviewers, Trump said he heard it on TV; Vance said constituents had called his office with the claim. "What am I supposed to do? Hang up the phone and tell them theyre a liar because the media doesnt want me to talk about it?" Vance said in October. Emboldened by Vances embrace of the rumor, Trumps debate outburst cemented lasting consequences, stigmatizing a town and its residents in the name of campaign rage. For those reasons, Trump and Vance own the 2024 Lie of the Year. Anatomy of a lie: How real strains primed voters for a baseless rumor Haitians in Springfield fled their home country after their family members were killed, their businesses were burned down and their lives were endangered. The country was thrown into chaos, its capital city controlled by gangs, after the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, an earthquake and a tropical storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As their population grew in Springfield, the Haitian immigrants filled jobs and opened restaurants and stores. Some longtime residents grew irritated by the strain on city services, such as wait times for public health services, a housing shortage and rising rents. In August 2023, a tragedy deepened the resentment: Hermanio Joseph, a Haitian who is in the U.S. legally and lacked a valid drivers license, drove a minivan into a school bus, injuring about 20 children and killing Aiden Clark, 11. It was the first day of school. Joseph was found guilty of vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison. Angry residents attended city commission meetings over the next year to ask questions about how so many Haitians ended up in Springfield. They said the Haitians didnt know driving laws or cultural norms and didnt speak English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local leaders acknowledged the road dangers and overburdened public services. They described steps they and the state had taken to mitigate the strains, such as hiring interpreters and launching drivers education classes. City Manager Bryan Heck said Springfield had struggled with housing scarcity for years before the Haitians arrived. On July 8, Heck sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, copying Vance, requesting federal help. The next day, at a banking committee meeting, Vance highlighted Springfields housing shortage and demands on hospital and school services among the "very real human consequences" of immigration. Trump announced Vance as his running mate about a week later. Discussion of real tension quickly turned to hearsay molded by racist tropes. The earliest rumors PolitiFact found of Haitians stealing and eating pets and geese came in August amid a neo-Nazi groups protest. On Aug. 10, a dozen people carrying swastika flags marched downtown, protesting the citys Haitian immigrants. The national white supremacist group Blood Tribe, which has opposed immigration around the country, posted on Gab, a social networking platform used by far-right groups, to take credit for the march. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once haitians swarm into a town animals start to disappear," an anonymous user commented. That post garnered only a few likes and comments. On Aug. 26, the Clark County Sheriffs Office received a call from someone who said he saw four Haitians carrying geese. Wildlife officials found no evidence to corroborate the claim. On social media the same day, users amplified similar claims with thirdhand accounts. In an Aug. 26 Facebook post, a woman said her work partners brother-in-law saw a Haitian man cut the heads off geese in front of children. She tagged Springfield resident Anthony Harris, who told the story at a city commission meeting the next day, adding that the man ate the beheaded geese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a private Facebook group about crime in Springfield, a resident said Haitians stole and ate a neighbors daughters friends cat. (The woman later took down the post and said she regretted it.) In the first week of September, verified accounts on X, sent the claim viral when they posted a screenshot of the Facebook post. "Springfield is a small town in Ohio. 4 years ago, they had 60k residents. Under Harris and Biden, 20,000 Haitian immigrants were shipped to the town," End Wokeness, a pro-Trump X account with more than 3 million followers, posted Sept. 6. "Now ducks and pets are disappearing." End Wokeness X post, which has 5 million views, included a photo of a Black man holding what appears to be a dead goose. The photo was taken in Columbus, Ohio, about 48 miles east of Springfield, according to a July Reddit post. Sept. 9 and 10: The claim explodes on a national stage Vance was the first from the Republican presidential ticket to pounce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio," Vance posted Sept. 9 on X. "Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn't be in this country." The same day, a Trump campaign account posted on X, "President Trump will deport migrants who eat pets. Kamala Harris will send them to your town next. Make your choice, America." On Sept. 9, PolitiFact and other news organizations fact-checked the claims that Haitians were eating pets. The reports said there was no evidence of it. Shortly before 10 a.m. on Sept. 10, debate day, Vance wrote on X, "It's possible, of course, that all of these rumors will turn out to be false." He tapped into Aidens death. "Do you know what's confirmed? That a child was murdered by a Haitian migrant who had no right to be here." At 4:15 p.m., Springfield Mayor Rob Rue and Clark County Commission President Melanie Flax Wilt, both Republicans, held a press conference to respond to the false pet-eating claims. "We have not been able to verify any credible reports or specific claims of pets being harmed, injured, or abused by individuals within the immigrant community," Rue said. The Trump campaign was undeterred. At around 5 p.m., Trump shared on Truth Social images of an army of MAGA hat-wearing cats holding guns and another of Trump seated among fluffy cats and ducks in his plane. A couple of hours before the debate, Aidens father, Nathan Clark, pleaded with politicians to stop describing his sons death as a murder. "Using Aiden as a political tool is, to say the least, reprehensible for any political purpose," Clark said at a 7 p.m. city commission meeting. He called out multiple politicians, including Vance and Trump. "They have spoken my son's name and used his death for political gain. This needs to stop now." At the Philadelphia prime-time debate, Trump needed no prompting. In response to the nights first question about the economy, Trump said immigrants in Springfield were "taking over." A half hour later, when asked about how he pressured Republicans to thwart a bipartisan border security bill, Trump said: "In Springfield, they're eating the dogs. The people that came in. They're eating the cats. They're eating, they're eating the pets of the people that live there. And this is what's happening in our country. And it's a shame." ABC News debate moderator David Muir told Trump that the city manager (Heck) said there had been no credible reports of Haitians harming pets. Trump disagreed. His source? Television. "The people on television say, My dog was taken and used for food," Trump said. By the end of the night, Springfield had ricocheted into a global story. After the debate, CNNs Kaitlan Collins asked Vance, "Why push something thats not true?" Vance once again cited his constituents, saying his office had received first- and secondhand accounts. Collins replied, "I mean, if someone calls your office and says they saw Bigfoot, that doesn't mean they saw Bigfoot. You have a sense of responsibility as a running mate, and he certainly does as the candidate, to not promote false information." Later that night, Trump shared a Truth Social post saying an Ohio woman ate a cat in front of her neighbors. But that incident happened in Canton, Ohio, and the woman was not a Haitian immigrant. Full steam to Election Day: Trump brings lie to battlegrounds, Vance says they had to create stories Springfield faced its first bomb threats Sept. 12, two days after the debate. Over the next few days, more than 30 bomb threats forced city hall, elementary schools, Wittenberg University, Clark State College, Springfield Regional Medical Center, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, two Walmarts and a Kroger grocery store to lock down, evacuate or temporarily close. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the bomb threats were hoaxes, many coming from overseas. With Springfield rattled, Trump retold the story about pet-eating migrants to Arizona voters. "Recording of 911 calls even show residents are reporting that the migrants are walking off with the town's geese. They're taking the geese, you know, where the geese are, in the park, in the lake, and even walking off with their pets. My dog's been taken. My dog's been stolen," Trump said Sept. 12 in Tucson. On Sept. 13, a reporter asked Trump why he was still spreading the false story, citing the bomb threats that followed the debate. "The real threat is whats happening at our border," Trump said. Vance and Trump eventually pivoted from the pets to the citys other issues grossly inflating the problems. Vance twisted data about communicable diseases and the citys murder rate. Trump wildly exaggerated the immigrants effect on schools, saying Haitian schoolchildren "take the place of our children in school," and "each one will have a private interpreter." The school district hired several English as-a-second-language teachers and Haitian Creole interpreters as the number of students rose from 200 to 1,200 in two years. Trump name-dropped Springfield dozens of times as an example of a city hijacked by immigrants. He proposed a solution: mass deportation. "We will do large deportations from Springfield, Ohio. Large deportations. We're going to get these people out," Trump told reporters Sept. 13 in California. Although most Haitians in Springfield are legally allowed to stay in the U.S. through February 2026, Trump has promised to end their protections. In national Sunday show interviews, Vance accused the national media of ignoring Springfields immigration story until he and Trump "started talking about cat memes." "If I have to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to the suffering of the American people, then thats what Im going to do," Vance said Sept. 15 on CNNs "State of the Union." On CBS News "Face the Nation," Vance again said he was just channeling constituents concerns. "Now, maybe all of these constituents are lying to me," Vance said, calling on the media to do "some real investigation." Many local, national and international reporters did investigate, traveling to Springfield. They found no evidence to validate the lie. In an Oct. 16 Univision town hall, a Republican Arizona voter who lives near the U.S. border with Mexico asked Trump if he really believed that Haitians were eating pets. "I was just saying what was reported," Trump said. On Oct. 20, Fox News host Howard Kurtz pushed Trump about not acknowledging he had spread a falsehood. "Why not say now, Well, look, that turned out not to be true?" Kurtz asked. Trump said: "I don't know if it's true or not true. I read something," and "I don't think it's been debunked at all." Residents face fear and harassment On the days of back-to-back bomb threats, Marie Morett, who was working as a bilingual assistant for Springfield area schools, said teachers told elementary school students they were going on a field trip. But they were seeking safety at evacuation centers. Morett sat with students for hours as they waited for parents to pick them up. She said she had to take breaks often to collect herself. "When you have to assist one building with bomb threats, and the following day you have a second one and the third day you have another one, you're like, OK, it's just a matter of time before they come after the building I'm working at," Morett said. A week after the debate and heaviest period of bomb threats, parents were still afraid to send their children to school. On Sept. 17, one Springfield elementary school had about 200 of 500 children absent, Springfield City Schools Superintendent Robert Hill said at a press conference. "There is still a high level of fear due to these unfounded threats and hoaxes that have marred our existence really for going on a week now," Hill said. Payen, the Haitian Community Alliance spokesperson, told his first grader son that the people asking whether his family ate dogs were joking. But Payen, who moved to Springfield in 2021 after decades living elsewhere in the U.S., knew it wasnt a joke. "He gets bullied because his parents supposedly eat dogs and cats," Payen said. "So, this is something my son is going to live with for a long time, and we're not gonna be able to change that fact." Haitian restaurant owners fielded threatening and demeaning emails and phone calls, some asking whether they served cat or dog. "I said, No. I dont have cat. I have chicken," said Romane Pierre, manager of Rose Goute Creole Restaurant. "I tried to be polite." DeWine, who was born in Springfield, became the most prominent Republican to challenge Trump and Vances rhetoric and defend the Haitians. DeWine and his wife, Fran, started a school in Haiti in memory of their daughter Becky, who died in a 1993 car accident. DeWine said in a Dec. 5 press conference that business owners have told him that they wouldnt be able to meet the demands for their products without the Haitian workers. "That's just a fact," he said. Before the debate, Jamie McGregor, CEO of McGregor Metal, spoke to national news outlets about the benefits of hiring Haitian workers. "I wish I had 30 more," McGregor told PBS in a Sept. 9 story. By the end of the month, McGregor received death threats. He told The New York Times the FBI showed up at his company and advised him on how to keep his family and business safe. He bought a gun, something hed vowed never to do. As the pet-eating lie stoked fears and threats, local residents said it also prompted support. Out-of-towners patronized the citys Haitian restaurants. A foundation donated 10 driving simulators. People as far away as Texas and California donated to the United Ways Springfield Unity Fund. "We choose love over lies," one person wrote in a comment on the funds donation page. "You are welcome here. Praying for you!" The Sunday after the presidential election, congregants of the Church of the Resurrection in Solon, Ohio, drove three hours to attend an afternoon Mass for Haitians and have dinner at Springfields St. Raphael's Catholic Church. The church members brought a big poster board with handwritten messages: "We are glad you are here." Attendance at the Haitian mass has dropped. Haitian leaders told PolitiFact that they have heard of Haitians moving to other cities in Ohio, Massachusetts or Canada. Some Haitians fear that when Trump is inaugurated Jan. 20, they will be an early target for mass deportations. Margery Koveleski, a New York-born Springfield resident of Haitian descent, helps translate for Haitians as they navigate their new lives. Now, she says shes turned into a travel agent, booking travel for Haitians who want to leave. If Trump succeeds in ending their Temporary Protected Status, many of Springfields Haitian immigrants would have to go through immigration court before being deported. There, they could make a case for asylum, which would allow them to stay in the U.S. Since his election win, Trump hasnt mentioned Springfield or singled out its Haitian residents as a target for deportation. In a Dec. 8 interview on "Meet the Press," Trump said he would prioritize immigrants in the country illegally who have a criminal record. Payen said that doesnt eliminate Haitians fears. "You cannot change the whole fact you already told these people you're gonna do a mass deportation, starting with Springfield, Ohio," Payen said. Trump tapped into voters feelings about immigration. He says it worked. In his Time magazine 2024 "Person of the Year" interview, Trump said it was important to discuss immigration, even if his details were exaggerated. "The country was angry because of immigration, because of the people, you know, millions and millions of people. I was saying it could be 21 million people," Trump told Time. "They were saying a much lesser number, but it wasn't a much lesser number. But even if it was, it was irrelevant, because it was they were allowing anybody to come into our country." The number of border encounters under Bidens tenure is about 10.6 million, as of October, or half of Trumps 21-million figure. A significant swath of voters believed Trumps comments about Haitians. A YouGov poll conducted Sept. 11 and 12 asked respondents if Haitians were abducting cats and dogs and eating them. It found that nearly half of Republicans said it was definitely or probably true as did about one quarter of independents. A Washington Post poll in early October of Ohio voters found that among Republicans, 42% said Trump was telling the truth when he said Haitian immigrants were eating peoples pets. (The vast majority of Democrats in both polls said it was false.) Ernesto Castaneda, director of the Immigration Lab at American University and co-author of "Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions," said Trumps Haitian migrant rhetoric moved the immigration conversation from asylum seekers at the southwest border to a small Ohio town. "While false and widely fact-checked, it was effective because it combined our love for pets with xenophobia," Castaneda said. About 64% of voters in Clark County, in which Springfield is the largest city, voted for Trump in 2024, up from his 61% share of the 2020 vote and 57% share of the 2016 vote. Trump won the Springfield-area precincts by slightly more than 50%. Austin Kocher, a Syracuse University research assistant professor who used to run an Ohio immigrant rights organization, said Trumps massive platform legitimized the hoaxes and kept them circulating long after they were disproved. "It is important that we have a robust public debate about our broken immigration system," Kocher said. "But when healthy disagreement gives way to utter fabrication, real people can and do get hurt." PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: PolitiFact awards the Lie of the Year to the most significant falsehood or exaggeration that worked to undermine an accurate narrative. It's official: President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance won Ohio's 17 electoral votes on Tuesday. The Electoral College convened at the Ohio Statehouse to cast their ballots after Trump and Vance won 55% of the vote in the Nov. 5 election. Tuesday's vote was purely ceremonial: State law requires electors to choose the candidates who won the popular vote, meaning the outcome was never in doubt. More: JD Vance, a Cincinnati resident and Middletown native, to be next vice president Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The votes for Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio, also marked the first time Ohio's Electoral College voted for a state resident and current office holder to become vice president. Vance grew up in Middletown and lives in Cincinnati. "I think that the founders intended the Electoral College to balance out the age old question of our nation: How do you make sure that big, populous states get their voice heard, but that smaller states also do as well?" Secretary of State Frank LaRose told reporters. "I think that we've achieved that balance in the last 200 years pretty well, and that's why the Electoral College has stood the test of time." Who are Ohio's members of the Electoral College? When Ohioans cast ballots for Trump and Vance, they actually selected a slate of electors chosen by the Ohio Republican Party. The electors who cast votes Tuesday are: Diane Cunningham Redden, Cincinnati. Timothy Inwood, Wilmington. Craig Anderson, Columbus. Keith Cheney, Lima. Gina Campbell, Findlay. Dave Johnson, Salem. Darrell Scott, Solon. Richard Jones, Fairfield Township. James Brennan, Perrysburg. Robert Scott, Kettering. Steve Loomis, Cleveland. Joy Padgett, Coshocton. Jane Timken, Canton. Janet Cafaro, Hubbard. Michelle Anderson, London. Bob Paduchik, Westerville. Alex Triantafilou, Cincinnati. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones talks with Bob Paduchik before Ohio's 17 electors met Tuesday to cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. How does the Electoral College work? There are 538 electoral votes nationally, and a presidential candidate needs 270 to win. Trump secured 312 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each state's electoral votes are the total number of its U.S. senators and members of Congress. The District of Columbia gets three votes. Ohio's 17 electors met at the Ohio Statehouse Tuesday to cast their votes for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Ohio's votes will be sealed and delivered by mail to the National Archives and U.S. Senate, according to a LaRose spokesman. Electors in other states also gathered Tuesday to formalize their results. Vice President Kamala Harris, as president of the U.S. Senate, will preside over Congress' official count of all states' electoral votes on Jan. 6. USA TODAY contributed to this report. Haley BeMiller covers state government and politics for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Electoral College makes votes for Donald Trump, JD Vance official Keith Kellogg, US President-elects appointed special representative for Ukraine and Russia, is set to visit Kyiv and several other European capitals in January 2025. Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters Details: Reuters writes that Kellogg intends to meet with Ukrainian leadership in Kyiv and his team is working on organising meetings with leaders in other European capitals, such as Rome and Paris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Kelloggs European tour is still being finalised, sources indicate that a visit to Moscow is not planned. The meetings are expected to focus on "fact-finding" on behalf of Trumps new administration, rather than negotiations concerning the war in Ukraine, the report states. Earlier, Kellogg mentioned that he was preparing certain visits to "hear out" the positions of parties involved in the full-scale war. Trumps team is currently working on a plan to end hostilities in Ukraine, with Trump recently claiming that "a little progress" had been made. Background: At the end of November, Trump announced he had chosen retired General Keith Kellogg as special representative for Ukraine and Russia. Support UP or become our patron! NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) On Monday, Tennessee State University (TSU) got the green light to construct two new College of Agriculture buildings. The approval came at a Tennessee State Building Commission meeting where commissioners approved the design phase for both a Food and Animal Science building and an Environmental Science building. Overall, the plan would add a combined 110,000 square feet to the campus and includes a cost of $63 million. View the plans for the construction project here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement coincided with the new interim president Dwayne Tuckers first day on the job. Tucker said he was excited about the approval, calling the buildings symbols of growth. Todays actions also demonstrate the State governments continued trust in TSU and ongoing support of our future, Tucker said. It also marks the beginning of our journey to enhance educational offerings and research capabilities with these state-of-the-art buildings. A press release from the university said the buildings would feature: At least 35 faculty offices 23 research labs Four classrooms A multipurpose room Read todays top stories on wkrn.com From a teaching perspective, we will have the most modern teaching labs there, dean of the College of Agriculture, Dr. Chandra Reddy, said. Agriculture is a very skill-based profession, not just a theoretical one, so the teaching labs will help us to provide experiential learning for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approval was unanimous, but given with the understanding that the commission would check back in should plans exceed their funds. TSU added the expected move-in date for the new buildings is August 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 WKRN News 2. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday that Turkey will receive an additional 1 billion ($1.05 billion) in 2024 to support Syrian refugees in the country. The fresh funding comes in addition to nearly 10 billion Ankara has received since 2011 to support people fleeing the now toppled Bashar al-Assad regime, von der Leyen said. Turkey and the EU both host large communities of Syrian refugees, with around 3 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey and over 1 million having been granted international protection in the bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new money should be used to support health care and education, but also to improve border management and finance voluntary returns of refugees, von der Leyen said. "One thing is very clear, all returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified," von der Leyen stressed, speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. "We are working with the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] to make sure that the necessary conditions are met," she added. Erdogan said the EU's long-term and comprehensive support, including investments in fundamental infrastructure in Syria, was crucial to allow Syrians to return to their home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After their meeting, both Erdogan and von der Leyen emphasized the need to achieve stability and maintain unity in Syria. The surprising change in power in Syria has raised questions in the EU about the fate of Syrians seeking refuge in the EU and how to deal with the new leadership in Damascus. It also led to concerns about Turkey's plans for further military intervention in Syria. Erdogan has long supported opposition forces against the deposed al-Assad regime while attempting to secure Turkey's southern border with the country. The Turkish president has also tried to politically and militarily weaken the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the north of Syria based on Kurdish separatist security concerns in his own country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Turkey has an essential role to play in stabilizing the region," von der Leyen urged. The EU announced on Tuesday that it would reopen its representation in Damascus, after making contact with the new Syrian leadership on Monday. "Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions," she said. The Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main group behind the offensive that led to al-Assad's overthrow, is on the UN terror list and subject to EU sanctions. ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that an inclusive administration is needed in Syria and called on the European Union to support the return of Syrians who fled during the country's 13-year civil war. "We have seen that we agree on the establishment of an inclusive administration in Syria," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Ankara. Western states are gradually opening channels to the new authorities in Damascus led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, though they continue to designate it as a terrorist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdogan said there was no place for terrorist organisations in the region, referring specifically to Islamic State and Kurdish militant groups. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has previously highlighted the importance of an inclusive transition process in Syria. Erdogan also called on the European Union to support the return home of Syrians who fled the war, millions of them to Turkey. "We expect the European Union to support returns to Syria," he said. (Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Daren Butler and Ros Russell) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for broader Western support for Ukraine in warding off the Russian invasion, during a visit to Lviv in Western Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I call upon all leaders of the Western world. We all need to support Ukraine at this time, more than ever before," Tusk said, according to his office. "Stop speculating about Ukraine's possible defeat," he added. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lviv. -/Ukraine Presidency/dpa Twelve European countries have agreed to jointly counter the shadow fleet used by Russia to export oil, bypassing the G7-imposed price cap. Ships will now be checked for valid insurance documents. Source: Estonian government website Details: Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, five Nordic countries and the three Baltic states have agreed to work together against the shadow fleet Russia uses to circumvent the price cap on oil exports set by the Group of Seven (G7). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that Russia's shadow fleet poses a threat to Europes security, economy and environment. Quote: "Those who choose to operate in the shadows need to face the consequences. We are taking coordinated steps to deter Russias shadow fleet and their attempts to evade sanctions." More details: The statement notes that the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland and Estonia will now inspect the insurance documents of suspicious vessels passing through the English Channel, Danish Straits and the Gulf of Finland. The collected information, including details of ships that refuse to respond to inquiries, will be jointly analysed with international partners. With these measures, the twelve countries aim not only to limit Russia's revenues from energy exports, which fund its war against Ukraine, but also to enhance the regions environmental safety. Environmental experts have determined that nearly 200 tankers in Russia's oil fleet are outdated and should be decommissioned. These vessels have caused several oil spills in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: While some vessels in Russia's shadow fleet still use Western insurance services, most owners rely on Russian insurers backed by Russia's state-owned reinsurance company. Support UP or become our patron! Two men have been arrested and charged for their involvement in the Jordan air strike that killed three soldiers from Georgia on Jan. 28, the Justice Department announced Monday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to officials, the men exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in the strike. Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, a dual U.S./Iranian citizen, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, an Iranian man, were arrested after FBI specialists analyzed the drone. Officials said they traced the navigation system to an Iranian company operated by Abedininajafabad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, Abedininajafabads company allegedly has deep connections to the Iranian government, the Iranian military, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The U.S. has designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. Levy said the men are charged with conspiring to violate U.S. export laws designed to protect sensitive technologies. Abedininajafabadi faces separate charges of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands, Levy said at a news conference. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Associated Press, officials blamed the drone attack on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack killed three soldiers from Georgia: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers of Carrollton, Sgt. Breonna Moffett of Savannah, and Sgt. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross. READ: A moment of silence in Waycross; fallen soldiers return home after deadly drone strike in Jordan It also injured more than 40 other soldiers. Abedininajafabad was arrested in Italy on Monday. The Justice Department is seeking his extradition to Massachusetts. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A Missouri lawmaker is pushing for new regulations on drones in the Show Me State as recent sightings nationwide have sparked growing concerns over safety, privacy, and ownership. Missouri State Rep. Dean Van Schoiack (R-Savannah) has introduced House Bills 209 and 210, which aim to tighten rules around drone operations in the state. The bills address matters such as who can fly drones, how they can be used, and safeguards to protect public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 209 would require state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant to use drones for the purpose of gathering evidence or information pertaining to criminal conduct. This proposal would ban an individual, entity, or state agency from operating a drone within the property line of private property without the consent of the property owner or occupant. Enter for your chance to win a $250 Rawlings Experience Gift Card! There are exceptions for both of those provisions that may permit government agencies or first responders to use drones in emergencies. Drone use could also be permissible for institutions that intend to use them for educational or research purposes, in addition to U.S. military branches, public and private utility companies, and railroad workers in specific applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also of significance, this bill requires drone usage to comply with federal aviation regulations, a provision not previously mandated in Missouri. Meanwhile, House Bill 210 would prohibit government agencies from using drones in Missouri that are manufactured or believed to be owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a country of concern. Such countries were identified as, but not limited to, China, Russia, and Iran. This proposal also aims to offer protections of sensitive locations, identified as military locations, power stations, and locations of critical infrastructure. It mandates that the state provide flight mapping software to geofence such areas and restrict unathorized drone use. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Additionally, this bill calls for drones to be classified into three tiers based on their abilities to collect, transmit, or receive data. Neither bill, as currently written, would explicitly make it legal to discharge a firearm to shoot down a drone, a concept recently suggested by a New Jersey state official earlier this month in response to concerns over mysterious drone activity. House Bills 209 and 210 have been preemptively filed for the states 103rd General Assembly for the 2025 legislative session, which is set to begin January 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated HB 210 would prohibit individuals from using drones in Missouri that are manufactured or believed to be owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a country of concern. The story has been revised as the bill says it would prohibit such actions for government agencies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Lawmaker Jose Maria Pereira Coutinho has expressed serious concerns regarding a recent scandal involving fraudulent high school diplomas from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This issue emerged after 24 students were expelled from the University of Science and Technology of Macau (MUST) for submitting fake credentials, which they obtained through intermediaries. The issue of fake HKSAR high school diplomas constitutes the tip of a huge iceberg that must be rigorously combated, Coutinho stated during his inquiry at the Legislative Assembly yesterday. He emphasized the threat this scandal poses to the reputation of local higher education institutions, both private and public. In his inquiry, Coutinho questioned how universities in Macau verify and authenticate academic qualifications presented by prospective students. He said many secretariats within these institutions may lack the necessary training or diligence to properly assess documentation. This oversight has allowed unqualified candidates to gain admission, undermining the credibility of academic programs. The lawmaker said inadequate training and verification processes within some educational secretariats may lead to the acceptance of questionable documents. At the end of the day, they simply enroll the new university student without proper scrutiny, he remarked. Coutinho recalled raising similar concerns in 2008 when reports surfaced about civil servants presenting questionable qualifications for public service exams. His 2008 inquiry addressed the recognition of academic documents. He said, Many candidates were presenting professional qualification certificates and university degrees of dubious origin. The lawmaker warned this could lead to injustices and unfair competition among applicants, This harmful practice threatens the integrity of our educational and professional systems. Coutinho also touched on decisions made by the government in 2003. A regulation was made that abolished advisory committees responsible for recognizing academic qualifications, which he believes has led to a surge in fraudulent documentation cases. Since these committees were dissolved, we have seen an increase in false certificates in public competitions, he argued. Educational fraud poses a significant threat to the integrity of academic institutions. Coutinho emphasized that it is imperative for the government to implement stricter verification processes for academic documents to maintain the quality of education and uphold the regions educational reputation. Nadia Shaw BOSTON Two men, including a dual Iranian-American citizen, have been arrested on charges that they exported sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The criminal case in federal court in Massachusetts charges the men, identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, with export control violations. Three US troops killed, dozens injured in drone attack in Jordan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. From L to R: Spc. Kennedy L. Sanders, Spc. Breonna A. Moffett and Sgt. William J. Rivers were killed in the Jan. 28 drone attack on Tower 22. All three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, based at Fort Moore, Georgia. (Courtesy/Army Public Affairs) 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. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tower 22 held about 350 U.S. military personnel at the time. It is strategically located between Jordan and Syria, only 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. Tucker and Copp reported from Washington. Two suspected scammers were arrested Monday for allegedly trying to steal thousands of dollars from a Yarmouth resident. Carlos Santos, 34, of Methuen, and Maria Ayala, 41, of Lawrence, were charged with conspiracy and larceny by a single scheme over $1,200. According to Yarmouth Police, the dispatch center received a 911 call from a local bank Monday morning reporting a potentially fraudulent transaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say a 96-year-old Yarmouth woman was attempting to withdraw $10,000 after receiving a call from a man claiming to be a bail bondsman, who told the would-be victim her son was in jail and needed bail money. Yarmouth Police Officer Jefferson Willis responded to the scene to assist the victim, and determined the fraudulent transaction was similar to other nationwide scams. Officer Willis learned the would-be scammer told the victim to place the money in a box and it would be picked up by a ride-share driver. Police say the driver was not involved in the scam. A surveillance team was established with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, who tracked the package delivery to Worcester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Santos and Ayala were then apprehended at the scene and transported to Yarmouth Police Headquarters. Police allegedly found an additional $30,000 in their vehicle following a subsequent search. Authorities say that money was from another ruse in Western Massachusetts. Santos and Ayala were arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Tuesday morning. The Yarmouth Police Department commends the actions of the bank employee who noticed the transaction and alerted police as well as the Police Officers and Detectives who worked together to successfully prevent a substantial loss of money and recovered thousands of dollars that had already been sent by people who were scammed, police wrote in a social media post. If you receive a call from an unknown person requesting large amounts of money due to a loved ones misfortune, attempt to contact that loved one, do not send any money, and contact the local police department. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Victims of Camp Lejeunes water contamination are celebrating a bittersweet victory Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. EPA officials announced they are banning two cancer-causing chemicals, both of which were found in the drinking water on the military base years ago, TCE and PCE. Those fighting for justice for those affected by these chemicals at Camp Lejeune said its been a long time coming. The EPA will be banning all uses of the TCE and most uses of the PCE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chemicals are known to cause different types of cancer and damage organs, sometimes found in degreases, glues, arts and crafts supplies and brake cleaners. PCE is also sometimes found in dry cleaning. Theyre both known as contaminants of the Camp Lejeune drinking water. The EPA only got the power to regulate these chemicals in 2016. The announcement came after a multi-year evaluation. Veteran Brian Amburgey has been at the forefront of getting justice for victims of the toxic water. Amburgey was stationed at Camp Lejeune in 1984. Its not going to bring back the ones that weve lost and have lost some good friends over the last year-and-a-half that does the same stuff I do, out here trying to get this stuff done, Amburgey said. And it really hurts cause it makes me think about, you know, my health issues that, that possibly could be me and but Ill keep going, keep fighting for them. The EPA is working on a phaseout for both uses of the chemical. They hope most TCE will be prohibited within a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. PANOLA COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) Two former Panola County employees have been arrested for allegedly using county fuel cards for their personal vehicles. State Auditor Shad White said between June 2024 and September 2024, Carvelle Russell, a former Panola County Road Department employee, took a fuel card assigned to a Panola County Road Department vehicle and used it to purchase fuel for his own personal vehicle. Former babysitter sentenced to life plus 40 years for murder, child abuse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, between July 2024 and September 2024, White said Anthony Davis, a former Panola County Solid Waste (PCSW) employee, took a fuel card assigned to a PCSW vehicle and used it to purchase fuel for his own personal vehicle. The dedicated team at the State Auditors Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results for taxpayers, said White. Carvelle Russell (Courtesy: State Auditors Office) Anthony Davis (Courtesy: State Auditors Office) If convicted, Russell and Davis both face up to $5,000 in fines and 10 years. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Two Iranian citizens are facing federal charges in connection to a drone strike that killed three US Army soldiers and injured dozens more in Jordan early this year, the US Justice Department announced Monday. The men, 42-year-old Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and 38-year-old Mohammad Abedini, are charged with conspiring to export electronic equipment from the United States to Iran. Sadeghi, who is a dual US-Iranian citizen, lives in Massachusetts and made his initial appearance in court Monday. Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and was arrested Monday in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays arrests demonstrate that the Justice Department will hold accountable those who enable the Iranian regime to continue to target and kill Americans and undermine the national security of the United States, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a news release. CNN has reached out to attorneys for Sadeghi for comment. It was not immediately clear whether Abedini has an attorney. According to t he DOJ news release, the two men worked to evade US sanctions by sending US technology from the Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer that Sadeghi works for to Abedinis Iranian company that manufactures navigation modules used in the IRGCs military drone program. Three US Army soldiers were killed and more than 30 service members were injured in a drone attack on a small US outpost in Jordan in January, US officials told CNN, the first time US troops were killed by enemy fire in the Middle East since the beginning of the Gaza war. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack on the outpost, Tower 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An FBI analysis of the drone, which was recovered from the site of the attack, found that it used a navigation system made by Abedinis company, according to the release. CNN has reported that the enemy drone followed a different, American drone as it approached the US military outpost along the Syrian border, though it was not immediately clear whether the enemy drone intentionally followed the American one or if it was a coincidence. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Haley Britzky, Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann and Jack Forrest contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BOSTON (AP/Boston 25) Two men, including a dual Iranian American citizen, have been charged with conspiring to export sensitive technology to Iran that was used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American troops early this year and injured dozens of other service members, the Justice Department said Monday. The pair were arrested after FBI specialists who analyzed the drone traced its navigation system to an Iranian company operated by one of the defendants, who relied on parts and technology funneled into the country by his alleged co-conspirator, prosecutors said. We often cite hypothetical risk when we talk about the dangers of American technology getting into dangerous hands, U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, said at a news conference announcing the charges. Unfortunately, in this situation, we are not speculating. U.S. Attorney District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy, right, faces reporters as Special Agent in Charge FBI, Boston Division Jodi Cohen, left, looks on during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, at the federal courthouse, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The defendants were identified as Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, who prosecutors say works at a Massachusetts-based semiconductor company, and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, who was arrested Monday in Italy as the Justice Department seeks his extradition to Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege that Abedininajafabadi, who was also called Adedini in court documents, has deep connections to the Iranian government. They say his Tehran-based company manufactures navigation systems for the military drone program of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and that he conspired with Sadeghi to circumvent American export control laws, including through the creation of a front company in Switzerland, and procure sensitive technology into Iran. Sadeghi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was arrested Monday in Massachusetts and was ordered to remain detained following a court appearance. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Both men are charged with export control violations, and Abedini separately faces charges of conspiring to provide material support to Iran. 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. U.S. officials have blamed it on the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias that includes Kataib Hezbollah. 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. Instead, it crashed into living quarters, killing the three soldiers and injuring more than 40. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the people who were injured by this attack, to the loved ones and family members of the people who lost their lives, as the son of a combat veteran I humbly hope that todays charges bring some measure of justice and accountability, Levy said. 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. Read the full complaint affidavit below: Complaint Affidavit by Boston 25 Staff on Scribd Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Andrew Osborn and Guy Faulconbridge MOSCOW (Reuters) - A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops was assassinated in Moscow by Ukraine's SBU intelligence service on Tuesday morning in the most high-profile killing of its kind. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter went off, Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An SBU source confirmed to Reuters that the Ukrainian intelligence agency had been behind the hit. "The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU," the source said. The source said that a scooter containing explosives was detonated, killing both Kirillov and his aide, as they stepped out of a building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. Unverified video footage of the attack circulating on social media showed two men exiting the building to get into a car followed by a large explosion as the two men remained on the pavement. Reuters could not independently verify the footage. Kirillov, 54, is the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated inside Russia by Ukraine and his murder is likely to prompt the Russian authorities to review security protocols for the army's top brass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior Russian security official, told a meeting shown on state TV that Moscow would avenge what he called an act of terrorism. "Law enforcement agencies must find the killers in Russia," said Medvedev. "Everything must be done to destroy the masterminds (of the killing) who are in Kyiv. We know who these masterminds are. They are the military and political leadership of Ukraine," he said. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, speaking to Russian news agencies, dismissed a comment from the U.S. State Department that Washington had no connection to the killing or any prior knowledge of it. The United States, she said, "created the Kyiv regime, sponsors it, provides money and sends weapons endlessly. The proof is clear: Washington has not once condemned a single terrorist act or planned murder committed by the Kyiv regime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate comment from President Vladimir Putin. Moscow holds Ukraine responsible for a string of high-profile assassinations on its soil designed to weaken morale and punish those Kyiv regards guilty of war crimes. Ukraine, which says Russia's war against it poses an existential threat to the Ukrainian state, has made clear it regards such targeted killings as a legitimate tool. Reuters photographs and video from the scene showed a shattered entrance to an apartment building with bomb-blackened bricks and the doors hanging off their hinges and what looked like two bodies lying beneath black plastic sheets on the snow. KIRILLOV WORKED 'FEARLESSLY FOR THE MOTHERLAND' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia denies Ukrainian allegations it uses chemical weapons on the battlefield and Kirillov, who was married with two sons, was himself sometimes shown on state TV giving briefings at the Defence Ministry in which he accused Ukraine of violating nuclear safety protocols or the West of various alleged crimes. Britain in October imposed sanctions on Kirillov and his nuclear defence forces for using riot control agents and over multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin on the battlefield. Such agents, Ukraine has alleged, are used to disorient its troops, leaving them unable to defend themselves against Russian attacks. Sergei Sitnikov, a regional Russian governor, said Kirillov was his friend and had told him he was aware of a threat against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some time ago, he told me that he had already been warned that the hunt for him had begun," Sitnikov said in a statement, saying he believed Kyiv wanted to kill Kirillov for various reasons, including his involvement in the development and use of a heavy flamethrower system. Kirillov was murdered a day after Ukrainian state prosecutors charged him in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons, the Kyiv Independent cited the SBU as saying. The lieutenant general was also listed in a sprawling unofficial Ukrainian database of people considered to be enemies of the country called Myrotvorets (Peacemaker). A photograph of Kirillov on the website was overwritten with the word "Liquidated" in red letters on Tuesday morning. Russia says Ukraine has carried out a string of targeted assassinations since the start of Moscow's full-scale war on Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most high-profile cases include the 2022 killing of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, the murder of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in a 2023 cafe bombing, and the shooting last year of a Russian submarine commander accused of war crimes by Kyiv. Russia's radioactive, chemical and biological defence troops, which Kirillov commanded, are special forces who operate under conditions of radioactive, chemical and biological contamination and who are tasked with protecting ground forces operating in extreme conditions. (Reporting by Reuters in Moscow; Additional reporting by Tom Balmforth in London and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Michael Perry, Andrew Heavens, Ros Russell, Ron Popeski and Lisa Shumaker) In 2022, two high school students created a trigonometric proof of the Pythagorean Theoremsomething thats only ever been accomplished by a few professional mathematicians. Now, a new article not only proves that theoremwhich relies on the Law of Sinesbut puts forth four more trigonometric proofs, as well as five additional proofs outside of trigonometry. The results of their work were published earlier in October in the journal The American Mathematical Monthly. Discovered in the 5th century B.C. by none other than Pythagoras himself, the Pythagorean Theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) lies at the very foundations of trigonometry. Thats why it was particularly impressive when, in 2022, two high school students at the St. Marys Academy in Louisiana proved the theory using trigonometry. Of course, plenty of proofs of this theorem exist, but very few use trigonometry to make their argumentthe theorem is so central to that particular field of mathematics that to do so would usually rely on circular reasoning (using the theorem to prove the theorem). However, Calcea Johnson and NeKiya Jackson managed to craft an ingenious proof of the 2,500-year-old mathematic breakthrough using the trigonometric Law of Sinesand the dynamic duo wasnt done yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a new peer-reviewed paper, published in the journal The American Mathematical Monthly , Johnson and Jacksonnow college freshmen at Louisiana State University and Xavier University, respectivelyproved not only that their Law of Sines method worked, but that they had an additional nine proofs to add to their original discovery. I am very proud that we are both able to be such a positive influence in showing that young women and women of color can do these things, and to let other young women know that they are able to do whatever they want to do, Johnson said in a press statement. So that makes me very proud to be able to be in that position. Johnson and Jackson originally submitted their work to the regional meeting of the American Mathematical Society in Atlanta in March of 2023, and received national attention for their discovery, including praise from former First Lady Michelle Obama. In this new study, the two mathematicians detail four additional ways for proving the Pythagorean Theorem, along with five additional proofs for a total of 10. However, the most fascinating piece of this new paper is how Johnson and Jackson came up with their five trigonometry solutions. Its beyond the scope of this paper to examine why trigonometry is so confusing, but one reason may be that there are two different ways to define the same trigonometric terms, the authors wrote in the paper. Its beyond the scope of this paper (and beyond our ability) to examine why trigonometry is so confusing, but one reason may be that there are two different ways to define the same trigonometric terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once Johnson and Jackson separated and isolated these two different ways to define the terms in question, they were able to create a series of trigonometric proofs that didnt rely on circular reasoningand its all thanks to one bonus test question. The reader may be surprised to learn that the catalyst for us to start this project was a bonus question of a high school math contest motivated by the $500 prize, we independently decided to take on this task, the authors wrote. For the next two to three months, we spent all of our free time perfecting and polishing our work. Thats $500 well earned. You Might Also Like SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A Tyler physician pled guilty on Monday in connection to his role in a $5.5 million over-the-counter COVID-19 test fraud scheme. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Mark Mazzare, 57 of Tyler, purchased Medicare beneficiary identifiers (BINs) used to bill Medicare millions of dollars for test kits that had not been requested by the beneficiaries. Popular fishing YouTuber Ben Milliken arrested for fishing tournament fraud in Nacogdoches Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Medical Boards records indicate that Mazzare is an internal medicine/pediatric specialist and worked at a clinic on Old Bullard Road in Tyler. Mazzare entered into a sham agreement with a purported marketer to conceal the purchase of BINs as lead packages, which in reality consisted of BINs and fraudulently generated audio recordings purporting to be the voices of the beneficiaries requesting the OTC COVID-19 tests, DOJ said. Mazzare caused OTC COVID-19 tests to be shipped to Medicare beneficiaries whose BINs had been purchased, regardless of whether the Medicare beneficiaries had requested or needed the tests. From November 2022 to June 2023, Mazzare caused more than $5.5 million in claims to be submitted to Medicare for the COVID-19 tests that were unnecessary and ineligible for reimbursement with Medicare paying approximately $3.44 million on those claims. Mazzare pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to purchase, sell and distribute Medicare beneficiary identification numbers. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date where he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now, the Texas Medical Board has not rescinded his license to practice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. The Kelly Canyon area is experiencing an increase in motorized and non-motorized summer use resulting in a demand for developed non-motorized trail opportunities. (Preston Keres/U.S. Department of Agriculture) The Palisades Ranger District is seeking public comment for the Kelly Canyon Mountain Bike Trails Project. The canyon area, which sits 27 miles northeast of Idaho Falls, is experiencing an increase in motorized and non-motorized summer use resulting in a demand for developed non-motorized trail opportunities, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before 2008, cross-country mountain bike travel was allowed in the area, leaving a series of non-motorized trails throughout the National Forest System lands. Many of these trails are on steep slopes, next to streams or in locations which are unsustainable and difficult to maintain. This project would designate a formal non-motorized system that would allow better recreation management and trail maintenance. The Kelly Canyon Mountain Bike Trails project is proposing: Designating nine miles of existing trails as official National Forest System trails for non-motorized use Constructing about two miles of new non-motorized trail to provide for loops and connections Reroute and reconstruct up to seven miles of proposed and system trails to improve sustainability and accessibility, which would follow existing alignments Eliminating or improving stream crossings to sustain riparian resources, hydrologic integrity and aquatic organism passage For more information about the project, visit the U.S. Forest Service website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Portuguese Ministry of Education has acknowledged the challenge of reducing the number of students without access to classes abroad, citing the lack of teachers in Portugal as a key factor. This comes in response to criticism from the Macau Portuguese school (EPM) parents association, which has raised concerns about the shortage of Portuguese language teachers at the school. In a statement to the Lusa news agency, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Portugal (MECI) has detailed the reasons behind its decision to reject requests to replace several teachers at EPM. The ministry noted that while it remains committed to reducing the number of students without classes, the lack of teachers in Portugal has necessitated a significant reduction in mobility for teachers who do not have a replacement. The parents association had previously criticized the silence of the Minister of MECI, Fernando Alexandre, and called for intervention to resolve the deadlock in the recruitment of teachers. The association argued the lack of Portuguese language teachers has affected the entire educational community, including students, teachers, parents, and the schools governing bodies. The association has said that to maintain the EPMs mission of providing education in Portuguese and contributing to the preservation of the Portuguese language and culture in Macau, the school requires authorization from MECI to hire Portuguese language teachers. Victoria Chan Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The United States on Monday imposed a new round of sanctions targeting North Korea over its ballistic missile program and support for Russia in the Kremlin's war against Ukraine. A total of 11 people and nine entities were blacklisted Monday by the Biden administration, including nine individuals and seven entities by the Treasury and two individuals and one entity by the State Department. The sanctions come as relations between United States and North Korea are at their lowest levels in decades. Pyongyang has steadily distanced itself not only from Washington but also other democratic governments, including South Korea, since the failed Hanoi Summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pyongyang has instead forged closer relations with countries such as Iran and Russia, while taking steps to advance its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs. In late October, North Korea conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile test since December of last year -- a move it followed days later by firing at least seven short-range ballistic missiles. It has also provided weapons and deployed some 11,000 troops to fight alongside their Russian counterparts in the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. Last month, it ratified a defense treaty with Moscow that greatly deepens their military cooperation. "The Kim regime's continued provocative actions -- including its most recent ICBM test and its deepening military support to Russia -- undermine the stability of the region and sustain [Russian President Vladimir ]Putin's continued aggression in Ukraine," Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley Smith said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The United States remains committed to disrupting the illicit procurement and facilitation networks that enable these destabilizing activities." Among those blacklisted by the Treasury on Monday is the Gold Triangle Bank, a state-owned company used by foreigners to exchange foreign currency into North Korean won, and Korea Mandal Credit Bank, which facilitates the procurement of supplies for entities supporting Pyongyang's weapons of mass destruction programs. Two people, Choe Chol Ryong and Kim Myong Jin, were sanctioned for their connections to previously designated banks with links to China. Seven North Koreans were also sanctioned by the Treasury for their involvement in their country's military and weapons programs. Additionally, three Russian shipping companies were sanctioned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the U.S. State Department, officials sanctioned Second Academy of Natural Sciences Foreign Affairs Bureau, as well as Rim Ryong Nam and Kim Yon Hui, all for their involvement in procurement activities benefiting Pyongyang's development of ballistic missiles. The punitive measures were announced as nearly a dozen Western countries, including the United States, on Monday chastised North Korea for its "dangerous expansion" of the war in Ukraine through its cooperation with North Korea. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Memphis man wanted for sex crimes against a child was captured by U.S. Marshals in Albuquerque, New Mexico last Friday. On December 9, an arrest warrant was issued for 26-year-old Humberto Martinez for rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery. Humberto Martinez. The Shelby County Sheriffs Office Fugitive Apprehension Team (FAT) developed information that Martinez had fled to Albuquerque. The FAT team requested assistance from the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis to locate and apprehend Martinez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman dead, toddler critical after shooting in Hardin County: TBI The TRVFTF adopted the case for investigation and provided leads to the USMS Southwest Investigative Fugitive (SWIFT). On December 13, the SWIFT team located Martinez at a residence in Albuquerque and took him into custody without incident. Martinez is currently awaiting extradition back to Tennessee. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Washington is preparing to target another segment of the Chinese chips industry. The Biden administration, with just weeks left in its term, is preparing an investigation into Chinese-made legacy chips that could ultimately end in tariffs or import bans, reports the New York Times, citing government documents and unnamed sources. The administration could kick off the investigation in the coming weeks, yet would take at least six months to conclude. That means any policy decisionstariffs, import bans or some other measurewill fall to the incoming Trump administration, which takes over in January. While Washington has focused primarily on exports of advanced chips and chipmaking to China, the reported investigation, if it happens, suggests the U.S. may now be turning its attention to less cutting-edge parts of the industry as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. imposed export controls on the sale of advanced semiconductors to China in 2022, and have steadily expanded its rules since then. Washington is also trying to cut off Chinas access to the high-end machines needed to make these cutting-edge chips. In May, the Biden administration announced that it would raise tariffs on legacy semiconductors from China, starting next year. Many consumer electronics and durable goods, like televisions, refrigerators, washing machines and even cars, use so-called legacy chips. China is poised to dominate the market for these less sophisticated semiconductors. U.S. officials fear Chinese legacy chips could pose a national security threat. In April, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo warned that 60% of new legacy chips entering the market will come from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to analysts, China has invested in the legacy chip sector in order to supply its own chip-hungry industry, like electric vehicles and renewable energy. Chinese companies are already able to compete with non-Chinese manufacturers in terms of price, even if they still lag on technological sophistication. A flood of legacy chips into the market could depress prices in an already-battered part of the market. That will put pressure on the bottom lines of non-Chinese semiconductor manufacturers; U.S. dependence on Chinese legacy chip manufacturing will increase if non-Chinese competitors go out of business. Still, imposing tariffs on legacy chips could prove challenging. Taxing finished products that use Chinese chips will raise prices for consumers across the boards, given that legacy chips are found in many electronic items. Yet taxing just Chinese semiconductors alone will require the U.S. to examine individual components in finished products, complicated when done at scale. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The United Kingdom has announced 35 million (approximately 42 million) of emergency support to help repair Ukraine's energy system and support those most in need. Source: UK government press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: Of the total sum, 20 million is designated for emergency needs to sustain the energy system, including repairing damaged infrastructure, creating additional generation capacities, and protecting energy facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes a project that will generate an additional 20 MW, enough to power up to 20,000 homes. The remaining 15 million is being allocated for humanitarian support for the most vulnerable. Of this amount, 5 million will be provided through UNICEF projects, while 10 million will go to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to equip collective accommodation centres for displaced persons and provide cash payments for winter. On 17 December, the UK also expanded its sanctions against Russias shadow fleet. Background: Estonia recently announced an additional 200,000 in similar assistance for Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced new sanctions against 20 tankers involved in the illegal transportation of Russian oil. Source: British media, citing Starmers statement, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "As Putins oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light or electricity, targeted by Russias relentless missile attacks," said Starmer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These sanctions will add further pressure to Putin's stalling war economy," Starmer added. The UK Foreign Office said that todays sanctions target 20 vessels in the shadow fleet involved in transporting illegal Russian oil, including the Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies and Mianzimu, each of which has transported over four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024. To date, the UK has imposed sanctions on more than 100 vessels used to transport Russian energy resources, including 93 oil tankers. Additionally, Starmer announced 35 million in support for Ukraine to help repair its energy infrastructure. Background: On 16 December, the EU Council adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia, aimed at countering sanctions evasion by targeting Russias shadow fleet and weakening its defence industrial base. A group of 12 Nordic-Baltic Eight Plus (NB8+) member states decided to increase surveillance of ships that may be part of Russia's shadow fleet. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- A UK Treasury minister lobbied the previous Conservative administration for the financial sector to water down proposed restrictions on Chinese business activity, highlighting support in Keir Starmers government for maintaining ties with Beijing amid a fresh spying scandal. Most Read from Bloomberg Emma Reynolds, 47, was named a minister in the Treasury by Starmer after Labours election win in July, when she returned to Parliament after a 4 1/2-year absence. Until May, she was the managing director of public affairs at TheCityUK, a trade group representing banks in the City of London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was in that role that she was part of a campaign to convince the then government not to impose tougher rules on those doing business with China, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named discussing sensitive matters. Those efforts centered on national security legislation introduced by former premier Boris Johnson and enacted during his successor Rishi Sunaks tenure, which aimed to increase transparency of any dealings with nations posing a potential risk to UK safety. Executives lobbied ministers not to include China in the strictest risk category, known as the enhanced tier, arguing the onerous disclosure rules would impede investment and generate negative publicity, Bloomberg previously reported. In a statement published on its website last week, TheCityUK said it had worked with industry and the government with the aim of taking our members out of the scope of the primary tier of a proposed register of people classed as being under the influence of foreign governments. The group said it had supported commercial diplomacy with key growth markets including China. Bloombergs earlier reporting revealed that banks including HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Plc were concerned about any notion that China might be included in the top tier. A spokesperson for TheCityUK told Bloomberg: Industry has been focused on these proposals for some time. Emma was part of a wider team of members and colleagues who engaged with government on this issue. The Treasury did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds declined to comment and referred questions to the Labour Party. A Labour spokesperson said the government would take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UKs relations with China. A party official said she was not involved in the governments China policy. Speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday morning, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said the UK would take a pragmatic approach to relations with Beijing. Like other countries around the world, we should trade and seek investment when it is in our national interest to do so, Reeves said. Reynolds current ministerial role straddles the Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions, with a remit for pensions, the net zero goal on climate change, and various arms-length bodies. Calls for restrictions have increased in the wake of revelations that a Chinese business adviser to Prince Andrew had been barred from the UK over unspecified national security concerns. While the adviser has denied any role in spying, his access to the highest level of the British establishment, including meetings with at least two former prime ministers, has been cited by China hawks as a case study in the need for greater vigilance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relations between London and Beijing have been strained over issues ranging from Chinas approach to governing Hong Kong to mutual allegations of spying. Still, Starmer is seeking a thaw with China aimed at boosting trade with one of the worlds great economic engines in wake of Britains exit from the European Union. We have to be alert to the risks and challenges of China, and we are alert, Starmer said on Tuesday during a visit to Estonia. But we do have a strategy of engagement and that means where we co-operate on important issues like climate, we must do so. But we must also challenge, and we do on important issues like human rights, with frank discussions as I have had on a number of occasions, and of course compete when it comes to trade. Starmers effort to deepen ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping runs against political currents in both Washington and Brussels. While US President-elect Donald Trump has packed his cabinet with China hawks and pledged sweeping tariffs, the European Union has also been inching toward a more assertive policy toward Beijing over its industrial subsidies and support for Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The proposed new rules known as the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme are yet to come into force. Starmers administration is now weighing whether to put China in the enhanced tier, a decision Sunak put off before the UK general election this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Monday that the government has been working hard on implementing the registration program. We will say more about that soon, but we intend to lay regulations in the new year and commence the scheme in the summer, he said. While the decision is ultimately one for the prime minister, Reynolds past role will draw scrutiny because behind the scenes the government is divided on how to handle the relationship with China. The Treasury, in which she holds a key role, is opposed to hitting Chinese business activity with the harshest proposal for restrictions, which would require those working at Beijings direction to declare a wide scope of activity in Britain, while the Home Office wants tighter scrutiny, people familiar with the matter said. I find it very worrying, the lack of understanding of the Chinese Communist Party, its aims and methods, unless it is willful blindness, Charles Parton, a former British diplomat who worked in China and is now a fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, told Bloomberg. We can afford to defend our interests and principles. --With assistance from Harry Wilson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with Rachel Reeves comments in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The United Kingdom will not mourn the death of Russian General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, who was killed in a Ukrainian operation in Moscow. Source: The Guardian reports this with reference to a spokesperson for the UK prime minister Details: The British government has reiterated that Ukraine has the right to self-defence against Russia's illegal war, making it clear that the killing of the Russian general in Moscow is part of this self-defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from the UK PMs spokesperson: "Clearly we are not going to mourn the death of an individual who has propagated an illegal invasion and imposed suffering and death on the Ukrainian people. We have always been clear that Ukraine has the right to self-defence against Russias illegal war. As the prime minister said just yesterday, Russia could put an end to this conflict today. It is Russian aggression that is causing this conflict and the ongoing suffering of the Ukrainian people." Background: On 17 December, an explosion in Moscow killed Igor Kirillov and his assistant. Ukrainska Pravda source in the Ukrainian security services, the blowing up of Kirillovs car was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new sanctions against 20 tankers that illegally transported Russian oil. Support UP or become our patron! The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russias "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraines energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17. Russia's shadow fleet is composed of semi-legal cargo ships transporting Russian products around the globe in violation of international sanctions. The U.K. sanctions follow similar restrictions imposed by the EU, which recently banned 52 vessels transporting Russian oil above the $60-per-barrel price cap from accessing EU ports and services Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to estimates, 70% of Russias seaborne oil exports are transported by such old and poorly insured tankers, fuelling the Kremlins war chest and posing a grave danger to the environment. This was exemplified by two tankers reportedly going under due to severe weather conditions in December in the Kerch Strait, carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each. The Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies, and Mianzimu are among the 20 newly sanctioned ships, the British government said. Each will have carried more than 4 million barrels of Russian oil by the end of 2024. With the latest measures, the U.K. has sanctioned over 100 ships for transporting Russian energy, 93 of which are oil tankers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light or electricity, targeted by Russia's relentless missile attacks," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. The newly pledged 35 million pounds will be used to " carry out vital repairs to the electricity transmission network and provide further power generation capacity and critical protection for energy infrastructure, the statement read. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's power grid with mass drone and missile attacks, most recently on Dec. 13, heavily damaging energy infrastructure as the winter sets in. Read also: Sinking of two Russian oil tankers may cause significant environmental impacts, Greenpeace warns Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the United Kingdom wants to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position in 2025. Source: European Pravda with reference to Starmer's statement during a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stre Details: Starmer stated that strengthening Ukraine's position includes using mechanisms such as economic sanctions and the shadow fleet initiative to combat critical income sources that fund Russian leader Vladimir Putin's war machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UK and Norwegian PMs agreed that steadfast support for Ukraine has been bolstered within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a group consisting of Ukraine's strongest and most dedicated allies. The parties also discussed the need to stay ahead of emerging threats, including those in cyberspace. Both prime ministers agreed on the importance of close cooperation with NATO allies across all defence and security areas. Background: Representatives of Ukraine and the UK held a fourth round of talks on 12 December regarding a bilateral agreement to transition to a "stronger and deeper partnership". On 16 December, Norway allocated another NOK 2.7 billion (about US$242.38 million) to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities. Support UP or become our patron! * Pipeline MOP7.3 billion allocated for six major infrastructure projects next year * Survey | Economic prosperity index stable with mixed indicators * Crime | Bank employee sentenced for fraudulent stock speculation * Lawmaker Coutinho expressed serious concerns regarding fraudulent high school diplomas from the Hong Kong SAR * Lawmakers approve budget 2025 bill despite disappointment * For the first time in eight years, a US Navy ship makes a port call in Cambodia * MACAU SAR 25 DOWNLOAD PDF Tuesday, December 17, 2024 edition no. 4627 Ukraine's SBU domestic intelligence agency unofficially claimed it was behind the assassination on Tuesday of high-ranking Russian general Igor Kirillov in Moscow. Kirillov and his adjutant were killed when an explosive device detonated in an electric scooter as Kirillov left his house in the morning to be driven to work, according to the Investigative Committee of Russia. Russia's state-run TASS news agency, citing a law enforcement official, said the device "had a capacity of some 300 grams in TNT equivalent." The entrance to the building where the explosion occurred was severely damaged, photos showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's chief investigator Alexander Bastrykin took over the case, which has been classified by Moscow as a terrorist attack. According to Russian media, the explosive device was allegedly detonated by a mobile phone signal. They reported that mobile phone communications in the neighbourhood were being examined. Kiev unofficially claims attack Interfax-Ukraine and other agencies unanimously reported SBU involvement, citing intelligence service sources. "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, because he ordered the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops," the reports said, quoting the SBU sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the confirmation was not official, Ukrainian authorities often release information in this way. Dirty warfare Kirillov was the head of the country's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops (NBC), responsible for protection against threats from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The 54-year-old frequently appeared publicly during the Russian war against Ukraine, making accusations that the United States was operating secret biolabs in the neighbouring country. Additionally, Kirillov, who was considered one of the most significant warmongers in Russia and is on Western sanctions lists, claimed that Ukraine was working on a so-called dirty bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dirty bombs are weapons of mass destruction that combine conventional explosives with radioactive material. Russian President Vladimir Putin had also made such accusations against Ukraine based on reports publicly presented by Kirillov. There has been no evidence for these claims. In the past, there have been attacks on high-ranking military figures and propagandists in Russia amidst the war. The power apparatus in Moscow repeatedly blames Ukrainian intelligence services for these attacks. The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, described Kirillov as a "fearless fighter." London: Thousands of Russian tanks lost Kiev has been defending itself against an all-out Russian invasion since February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this time, Russia has lost more than 3,600 main battle tanks and nearly 8,000 armoured vehicles, the British Ministry of Defence said in its latest intelligence update on Tuesday. "This has led to a reliance on outdated and poorly maintained Soviet-era equipment from strategic storage depots," it added, noting that armoured equipment was being hauled out of storage, upgraded where possible and sent to the front line. Moscow views London's daily updates on the war as disinformation. Finnish president: Peace talks premature US President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House has focused international diplomacy on how to end the entrenched conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But calls for peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine are premature, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday ahead of talks in Tallinn with his counterparts from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a Northern European military partnership led by Britain. "I welcome those discussions, but let's focus on the essential. Ukraine needs to win this war first," Stubb said. Besides Britain and Finland, the JEF includes fellow NATO members Denmark, Iceland, Norway Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands. "Before we can start talking about peace or a ceasefire, we need to continue to support Ukraine, and the support needs to be very practical. It basically means arms and ammunition, so that Ukraine can win this war on the battlefield," Stubb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stubb stressed three principles for Ukraine: independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine had to start any talks from a position of strength, he said. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also backed strong support for Ukraine. He noted that Russia now considered itself stronger that Ukraine and said it would "extremely difficult" to bring the Kremlin to the negotiation table. "Hopefully, with our dedication and our commitment, it is possible to change the momentum on the battlefield to the better direction. And then of course we'll start to talk about possible solutions," Nauseda said. The Baltic States and the Nordic countries have been among the staunchest backers of Ukraine in warding off Russia's full-scale invasion. Support for Ukraine is a central focus of the JEF meeting in the Estonian capital. Ukraine's SBU domestic intelligence agency unofficially claimed it was behind the assassination on Tuesday of high-ranking Russian general Igor Kirillov in Moscow. Kirillov and his adjutant were killed when an explosive device detonated in an electric scooter as Kirillov left his house in the morning to be driven to work, according to the Investigative Committee of Russia. Russia's state-run TASS news agency, citing a law enforcement official, said the device "had a capacity of some 300 grams in TNT equivalent." The entrance to the building where the explosion occurred was severely damaged, photos showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's chief investigator Alexander Bastrykin took over the case, which has been classified by Moscow as a terrorist attack. According to Russian media, the explosive device was allegedly detonated by a mobile phone signal. They reported that mobile phone communications in the neighbourhood were being examined. Kiev unofficially claims attack Interfax-Ukraine and other agencies unanimously reported SBU involvement, citing intelligence service sources. "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, because he ordered the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops," the reports said, quoting the SBU sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the confirmation was not official, Ukrainian authorities often release information in this way. Dirty warfare Kirillov was the head of the country's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops (NBC), responsible for protection against threats from nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The 54-year-old frequently appeared publicly during the Russian war against Ukraine, making accusations that the United States was operating secret biolabs in the neighbouring country. Additionally, Kirillov, who was considered one of the most significant warmongers in Russia and is on Western sanctions lists, claimed that Ukraine was working on a so-called dirty bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dirty bombs are weapons of mass destruction that combine conventional explosives with radioactive material. Russian President Vladimir Putin had also made such accusations against Ukraine based on reports publicly presented by Kirillov. There has been no evidence for these claims. In the past, there have been attacks on high-ranking military figures and propagandists in Russia amidst the war. The power apparatus in Moscow repeatedly blames Ukrainian intelligence services for these attacks. The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, described Kirillov as a "fearless fighter." Ukraine arrests soldiers accused of spying for Russia Ukrainian authorities have arrested four soldiers accused of spying for Russia by reporting the movements of the F-16 combat jets the country received this year from its Western allies, prosecutors in Kiev said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main suspect is said to be a soldier with pro-Russian convictions who recruited three fellow soldiers to collect information on the jets and other information by pretending to be working for domestic intelligence. The SBU domestic intelligence agency said a network of 12 people was involved, some of whom had deserted military service. The location of the US-made F-16s and where they are deployed is a key state secret in Ukraine. There have been repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian airbases housing the jets. Finnish president: Peace talks premature US President-elect Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House has focused international diplomacy on how to end the entrenched conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But calls for peace talks and a ceasefire in Ukraine are premature, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Tuesday ahead of talks in Tallinn with his counterparts from the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a Northern European military partnership led by Britain. "I welcome those discussions, but let's focus on the essential. Ukraine needs to win this war first," Stubb said. Besides Britain and Finland, the JEF includes fellow NATO members Denmark, Iceland, Norway Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands. "Before we can start talking about peace or a ceasefire, we need to continue to support Ukraine, and the support needs to be very practical. It basically means arms and ammunition, so that Ukraine can win this war on the battlefield," Stubb said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stubb stressed three principles for Ukraine: independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukraine had to start any talks from a position of strength, he said. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda also backed strong support for Ukraine. He noted that Russia now considered itself stronger that Ukraine and said it would "extremely difficult" to bring the Kremlin to the negotiation table. "Hopefully, with our dedication and our commitment, it is possible to change the momentum on the battlefield to the better direction. And then of course we'll start to talk about possible solutions," Nauseda said. The Baltic States and the Nordic countries have been among the staunchest backers of Ukraine in warding off Russia's full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Support for Ukraine was a central focus of the JEF meeting in the Estonian capital. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for broader Western support for Ukraine during a visit to Lviv in western Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky. "I call upon all leaders of the Western world. We all need to support Ukraine at this time, more than ever before," Tusk said, according to his office. "Stop speculating about Ukraine's possible defeat," he added. Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice, in collaboration with Poland and Denmark both set to hold the EU presidency in 2025 has prepared a plan for opening accession negotiation chapters. Source: Stefanishyna, addressing the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, reports European Pravda, citing Ukrinform During her visit to Kyiv in early December, Denmarks Minister for European Affairs, Marie Bjerre, outlined plans for opening negotiation chapters under Denmarks EU presidency in the second half of 2025, Stefanishyna said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister added that Ukraine, working alongside Poland and the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has mapped out a plan to open the first 15 negotiation chapters on the rule of law during the first half of 2025. Quote: "This is entirely achievable. Ukraine is progressing rapidly weve received a positive assessment in the enlargement report, agreed on our obligations, and met all the prerequisites for opening the second cluster," Stefanishyna said. She acknowledged that the negotiation process will not be easy, as opening each cluster requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU member states. "We are aware that key decisions are tied to April due to political developments in Poland. However, I believe EU countries, Brussels, and above all Ukraine, recognise the importance of a clear action plan to mitigate the impact of these processes on critical strategic decisions for Ukraine," she stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations for the accession of new EU member states are structured into 35 chapters grouped into six clusters, which are opened in sequence. Background: Kyiv aims to open two negotiation clusters on EU accession during Poland's presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025. Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva also expressed hope that Brussels might agree to an unprecedented move: the simultaneous opening of all negotiation chapters with the EU. Support UP or become our patron! The Economist has reported that as of mid-December four and a half months after the Ukrainian Armed Forces entered Russias Kursk Oblast Ukraine has lost half of the previously captured territories. At the moment, every unit of the Armed Forces has switched to the defensive, and the situation is getting complicated by weather conditions and constant attacks. Source: The Economist Details: The Economist spoke to the soldiers, who were frank about Ukraine's problems in this area of the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, Major Ivan Bakrev, the artillery commander of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, said that Russian troops were "tightening the screws" and that this was the case even before North Korean soldiers entered the battle. He stressed that the Russians had a huge advantage in almost everything in manpower, artillery, and equipment and were switching between mechanised and infantry attacks to great effect. Bakrev noted that Ukraine has already lost about half of the territories it previously captured. The retreat began when Ukraine replaced elite units with less hardened ones in late September. "That was a mistake," Bakrev said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as Bakrev said, the Russians are trying to cut off the main group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Ukrainian territory by attacking from the eastern and western flanks. "Every unit in Kursk has switched to defence," he said. The Economist noted that the urgency of the Russian counterattack may be related to Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration. Quote from the Economist: "Putin wants Kursk to be a done deal by 20 January, rather than an embarrassing topic for discussion. Volodymyr Zelenskyy seems equally determined to retain the pocket as a bargaining chip. The Ukrainians are holding on, though the conditions on (and under) ground are getting grimmer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More details: Ruslan Mokrytskyi, a 33-year-old non-commissioned officer of the 95th Air Assault Brigade, spoke about the difficult conditions of the fighting in Kursk Oblast. He said that the Russians can drop "as many as 40 glide bombs on one position in the space of a few hours". "Rain, slush, snow, cold, mud, beetles, worms, rats and glide bombs. In Kursk, death is always close; it practically holds your hand," Mokrytskyi said. Nevertheless, he added that Ukrainian troops have so far found ways to respond to new challenges even to Russian chemical attacks. "If the Death Star showed up above us, we would figure a way out," Mokrytskyi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Economist emphasised that four and a half months might be too short a time to judge the Kursk operation. Quote from the Economist: "Born at a moment of desperation for Ukraine, whose commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrsky, was facing the sack, the incursion did not achieve its goal of diverting troops from Russias main effort in Donetsk Oblast. It has cost Ukraine some of its elite troops. But it did ease the pressure elsewhere, and offered Ukraine a rare political fillip in a bad year. The soldiers seem to believe the counter-invasion was worth it, if only for giving the Russians a dose of their own medicine." Background: The Ukrainian operation in Russias Kursk Oblast began on 6 August. On 10 August, on the fifth day of the operation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that Ukraine had pushed the war onto the aggressor's soil. On 6 November, Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, summing up the results of the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk Oblast over three months, said that Russian troops had lost more than 20,000 soldiers killed and wounded in this area. "For almost three months of the operation, as of 5 November 2024, the enemy's losses on the Kursk front in personnel amount to 20,842 people, of which 7,905 have been killed, 12,220 wounded, and 717 captured," Syrskyi said. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated during a conversation with his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico on 16 December that Ukraine will not extend the transit of Russian gas after the current contract expires but remains open to discussing the transit of non-Russian gas. Source: Shmyhal on Telegram Quote: "The agreement between Ukraine and Russia on gas transit ends on 1 January 2025 and will not be renewed. If the European Commission officially approaches Ukraine regarding the transit of gas other than Russian, we are, of course, ready to discuss and implement appropriate agreements based on the principles of energy security for the entire EU and every European nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Shmyhal also emphasised that Russia is using its energy exports to finance the war against Ukraine and to continue destabilising activities against other European countries and the EU. He added that his conversation with Fico also touched upon increasing cooperation in the electricity sector, as 30% of electricity imports came from Slovakia over the past week. Background: The termination of the transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine on 31 December is expected to have little impact on the strengthened European gas market. The Ukrainian government is not holding official talks on extending the transit of Russian gas after the current agreement expires. Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has expressed confidence in the outcome of potential negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to ensure the continued supply of Russian gas to several European countries through Ukrainian territory. Ukraine has no intention of extending the gas transit agreement with Russia, which expires at the end of 2024. However, it is open to discussing the transit of gas from other suppliers through its gas transmission system if requested by Europe. Russian gas monopolist Gazprom in its planning for 2025 is assuming that gas transit to Europe via Ukraine will cease after 31 December 2024. Slovakia is set to hold a series of talks to secure Russian gas supplies after the current transit contract through Ukraine expires. Support UP or become our patron! Editors note: This is issue 5 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniaks weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Dec. 9-Dec. 15, 2024. This newsletter was until recently titled Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks and soft commitments in the memorandum with the IMF Tax committee approves bills extending tax benefits Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy has recommended the adoption of two draft laws exempting certain imports and other operations from taxes and customs duties. Specifically, the proposed laws suggest: exempting components imported for the production of ammunition and shells as well as components for all types of drones from customs payments; extending tax benefits for the import of unmanned aerial vehicles, night vision devices, and anti-drone rifles; and introducing personal income tax exemptions for funds raised by volunteers for charitable foundations etc. The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, is scheduled to review these draft laws during its sessions on Dec. 1720. Parliament to consider draft law on High Administrative Court According to the agenda shared with MPs, this week the Verkhovna Rada is expected to discuss a draft law establishing a new High Administrative Court. However, the updated draft text has not yet been submitted to parliament. The deadline for this step, as stipulated in the IMF Memorandum, is the end of December. Its worth mentioning that the upcoming sessions of the parliamentary meetings from Dec. 1720 will be the last for the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As noted in Issue 4, the Rada previously rejected three draft laws on the above-mentioned issue, as they were found to contradict Ukraines commitments under the International Monetary Fund financial support program (EFF). Read also: Ukraines parliament supports bill on multiple citizenship in first reading The benchmark for canceling 'Lozovyy amendments' is at risk of not being met on time In December, the deadline approaches for Ukraine to fulfill the IMF Memorandum requirement to amend the Criminal Procedure Code. These amendments have to enable the The Specialized Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office to manage extradition and mutual legal assistance requests and rationalize consequences from expiration of time limits for pre-trial investigations cancelling so-called Lozovyy amendments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, the structural benchmark is proposed to be addressed through amendments to another draft law, #10242. The bill is widely criticized by anti-corruption NGOs such as the Anti-corruption Action Center, Dejure Foundation, and Transparency International Ukraine for increasing the risks of criminal liability for investigative journalists. Given that the parliament will hold only one plenary week before the end of the year, there is a risk that the structural benchmark will not be met on time. Moreover, anti-corruption experts insist that the provision to transfer the authority to extend pre-trial investigations within a year from investigative judges to prosecutors must be incorporated into the draft law. Other key economic issues Social Policy Ministry proposes pension reform draft law The Social Policy Ministry has unveiled a draft law on pension reform. The proposal includes updating the solidarity-based pension system by introducing a basic pension level, simplifying the calculation of current pensions insured by the state, and establishing a mandatory second-tier pension system based on accumulated savings. Before submission to Parliament, the draft law must receive approval from the Cabinet of Ministers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine sets goal to open all EU negotiation clusters in 2025, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 17 that Ukraine aims to open all negotiating clusters with the European Union in 2025, an ambitious step in the countrys EU accession process, Interfax-Ukraine reported. During Polands EU presidency, we expect to open at least two clusters and six in total. To be honest, our goal is very ambitious to open all the clusters next year, Zelensky said at the All-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The EUs Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, has said Ukraine could join the bloc by 2029, provided it completes the necessary reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine submitted its detailed reform plan on March 20, outlining its vision for reconstruction and modernization as part of its EU membership aspirations. The European Commission recently commended Ukraines progress in key areas, including the rule of law, judicial reform, and anti-corruption measures. However, it emphasized that additional reforms are needed to meet EU standards. Ukraine received EU candidate status in June 2022. The European Commission recommended launching accession talks with Ukraine in November 2023, and the European Council approved the decision a month later. Read also: West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Editors Note: This is issue 158 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from Dec. 9-14, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Corporate governance of SOEs The Cabinet of Ministers completes the composition of Ukrenergos new supervisory board. On Dec. 10, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the candidacies of three state representatives for Ukrenergos supervisory board, completing the set of board candidates. The three new state representatives are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yuriy Boiko an advisor to the prime minister of Ukraine. According to Ukrenergo, Boiko has over 25 years of experience in senior management positions across private and public institutions in the energy sector. He served as a member of Ukrenergos supervisory board in 2021-2024. In November 2023, he was elected as Deputy Board Chairman. Anatolii Hulei Oschadbanks former CEO (2007-2010), before which he worked in various roles in the Ukrainian banking industry. According to Ukrenergo, Hulei served on advisory bodies of the Finance Ministry and the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) in 2016-2019 and is now a professor at the West Ukrainian National University. Oleksii Nikitin a chief specialist at the Engineering and Technical Parts Unit 38" state enterprise, whose job responsibilities include physical protection of critical infrastructure facilities. Ukrenergo said that Nikitin served as deputy head of the Unit of Regulatory and Legal Support for Electricity Markets at the energy regulator, NEURC, in 2021-2022. He became an advisor to the CEO of the State Enterprise Market Operator and a freelance advisor to the Energy Minister in 2022. As we reported earlier, the Cabinet approved four new independent members of Ukrenergos supervisory board on Nov. 27: Patrick Roland Graichen, Luigi de Francisci, Jeppe Sebastian Kofod, and Jan Henrik Montell. See Issue 156 for more detail. According to Ukrenergos charter, its supervisory board should consist of seven members: four independent members and three state representatives. The new composition of the companys supervisory board is thus complete. All the above candidates are to be appointed as supervisory board members by a decision of the Ministry of Energy in its capacity as the general shareholders meeting of Ukrenergo. As it follows from the information below, such a decision must have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 12, the newly appointed Ukrenergos supervisory board held its first meeting. Jeppe Kofod (independent member) was elected as the boards Chair, while Anatolii Hulei (state representative) became his Deputy. The supervisory board also established an audit committee, a nomination and remuneration committee, and an investment and strategy committee, as well as made up its mind on their chairs. Ukrenergo did not specify the names of committee chairs. Read also: Slovak energy company, partners call for continued gas transit via Ukraine G7 Ambassadors welcomed the appointment of Ukrenergos new supervisory board. The new board should launch the selection of a new CEO without delay, they emphasized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we wrote in Issue 146, on Sept. 2, Ukrenergos supervisory board dismissed the companys CEO Volodymyr Kudrytskyi by a majority vote. The board appointed executive board member Oleksii Brekht as an acting CEO and decided to hold a competitive selection for a new CEO. On the same day, Daniel Dobbeni (independent member and supervisory board chair) and Peder Andreasen (independent member) announced that they had filed their resignation notices. According to the fifth review of the four-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund, the full supervisory board of Ukrenergo had to be re-established by end-December 2024. This is a conditionality for Ukraines access to about $1.1 billion under the IMF program. As we wrote in Issue 148, on Sept. 20, the Energy Ministry in its capacity as Ukrenergos general shareholders meeting decided to hold a competitive selection for three independent members of the companys supervisory board. The fourth independent member would be elected in parallel under a previously launched procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The selection of all board members four independent and three state representatives was scheduled to be completed by Dec. 9 Energy sector Ukrainian energy infrastructure struck for the third time in less than a month. On Dec. 13, Ukraines Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko reported that Russia had launched yet another massive missile and drone attack targeting energy facilities across Ukraine. This marked the third massive attack since November 2024 and twelfth since the beginning of the year, the Energy Ministry added. Russias attack occurred during the afternoon of Dec. 12 and morning of Dec. 13, and was characterized by the use of combined weapons, Ukraines Air Force said. Russia launched an unprecedented 287 aerial weapons. Ukraines air defenses intercepted 81 missiles and 80 drones, while 105 drones failed to reach their targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Ukrenergo confirmed damage to energy facilities in several oblasts. As a result, the transmission system operator had to tighten the power outage schedules for the following days. Rinat Akhmetovs DTEK, Ukraines largest private energy holding, reported that Russia attacked its thermal power plants (TPPs) again, severely damaging equipment. This marked the ninth massive attack on its TPPs in 2024, DTEK added. Read also: EU adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), five of Ukraines nine operating nuclear reactor units reduced power output due to the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From March 22 to Nov. 28, Ukraine faced nine massive missile and drone strikes on electricity facilities. See our Issues 124, 125, 127, 129, 131, 134, 145, 154, and 156 for more detail. Following each Russian attack on Ukraines vital infrastructure, emergency outages occur, often lasting for days due to ongoing repair work. During such outages, people in Ukraine are often left without electricity, heating, water supply, or access to mobile phone networks. The Hague court confirms that Russia must compensate Naftogaz for assets seized in Crimea. On Dec. 13, Naftogaz Group announced that the Supreme Court of the Netherlands dismissed Russias cassation appeal, upholding the Partial Award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague concerning compensation for damages caused by the illegal expropriation of the Groups assets in Crimea. This ruling confirms for the second and final time the legality and validity of the Partial Award, Naftogaz explained. This decision strengthens Naftogaz Groups position in enforcement proceedings to recover compensation from Russia for the illegal seizure of assets in Crimea, Roman Chumak, Naftogazs acting CEO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we wrote in April 2023, the Hagues Arbitration Tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration ordered Russia to pay $5 billion to compensate Naftogaz for its losses in Crimea following the 2014 seizure of assets. See our Issue 83 for more detail. As we reported in November 2024, the Helsinki District Court froze Russian assets in Finland at Naftogazs request. See Issue 154 for more detail. Privatization The Cabinet approved the terms of seized Motordetal-Konotops privatisation. The starting price for the sale of the 100% stake is Hr 278.5 million ($6.6 million at the current exchange rate). All proceeds from this sale will go to the Fund for the Elimination of Consequences of Armed Aggression, part of the state budget. As we reported in Issue 149, on Sept. 26, the auction commission of the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPFU) set the terms for the privatization of Motordetal-Konotop LLC, a plant confiscated earlier from sanctioned Russian senator Sergey Kalashnik. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company was transferred to the management of the SPFU by a ruling of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) in 2023. Located in Sumy Oblast, Motordetal-Konotop is one of Ukraines largest producers of piston rings for internal combustion engines, the SPFU said. The companys clients include well-known car brands such as Rolls-Royce, Scania, MAN, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Renault, and CAT. See our Issue 149 for more detail. Read also: Moldova announces state of emergency over expected halt of Russian gas HACC Appeals Chamber confirms the seizure of Ocean Plazas debts to the Rotenbergs, paving the way for its privatization, the Justice Ministry announced on Dec. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the ministry, the claim rights of sanctioned Ethoder Investments Limited, a non-resident company related to the Rotenbergs, were seized in favor of the state, namely: the claim right under a 2009 loan agreement between IU Lybid and Ethoder; the claim right under a 2014 mortgage agreement between IU Lybid and Ethoder; and the claim right under a 2014 pledge agreement between Avangard-Vilarti and Ethoder. The ruling comes into force immediately after its announcement and is not subject to appeal in cassation, the ministry noted. According to Ekonomichna Pravda (EP), in July 2023, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) seized 100% of the little-known Avangard-Vilarti LLC. The ultimate beneficial owners of this company were the children of Arkady Rotenberg, a sanctioned Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin. Avangard-Vilarti, now managed by the SPFU, owns 66.65% of Investment Union Lybid LLC (IU Lybid), which owns Kyivs Ocean Plaza shopping mall. The remaining 33.35% in IU Lybid is owned by Andriy Ivanovs Lanita Invest LLC. Another company founded by Avangard-Vilarti is Ethoder Investments Limited, to which IU Lybid owes $177.4 million. It is because of this debt that Ocean Plaza has not yet been put up for privatization, the media explained. IU Lybid and Ethoder signed a loan agreement in 2009 for the construction of the Ocean Plaza shopping mall. The future asset was pledged as collateral to secure the agreement, EP said. According to the investors, UDP Holdings of Vasyl Khmelnytsky and Andriy Ivanov, and KAN Development of Igor Nikonov, the malls construction cost was $300 million. It is unclear who owned Ethoder in 2009 when the loan agreement was signed. Nikonov said that the developers had attracted a pool of private investors." They sold the mall to the Rotenbergs in 2012 for $280-350 million. In 2019, Khmelnytsky bought back 33.35%, and in 2021, he allegedly resold this stake to Ivanov when they announced the separation of their businesses. IU Lybid stopped all payments on the loan in February 2022. The outstanding loan posed a problem for the SPFU and potential new owners, as the mall building itself served as a collateral, EP wrote in January 2024. According to EP, the SPFU and the Justice Ministry then had several options for solving this problem. Ultimately, they decided to clear the asset through the courts by imposing sanctions on the loan. As we wrote in Issue 106, the SPFU wants to sell the states 66.65% stake in Ocean Plaza, previously owned by sanctioned Rotenbergs. As we wrote in April 2024 (Issue 127), the starting price was set at Hr 1.65 billion (39.2 million euros at the exchange rate at that time). See Issues 106, 109, 113, and 127 for more detail on Ocean Plazas privatization. Ukrainian SOE Weekly is an independent weekly digest based on a compilation of the most important news related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and state-owned banks in Ukraine. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the editorial team of the Ukrainian SOE Weekly. The SOE Weekly is produced and financed by Andriy Boytsun. Communications support is provided and financed by CFC Big Ideas. The SOE Weekly is not financed or influenced by any external party. Editorial team: Andriy Boytsun, Oleksiy Pavlysh, Dmytro Yablonovskyi, and Oleksandr Lysenko. Read also: As US pushes Kyiv to lower draft age, why wont Ukraine conscript younger men? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Foreign Ministry on Dec. 16 condemned the visit of the Pan-African Parliament's delegation to Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories. Representatives from a dozen African countries arrived in Ukraines Donetsk Oblast earlier in December "to find out the truth of the Russian people." Their statements, quoted by the Russian state media, parroted Kremlin propaganda lines about the Wests proxy war against Russia and the "brotherhood" of the Russian-Ukrainian nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their statements during this visit about opposing colonialism, made on Ukrainian land illegally seized by Russia in the course of its neocolonial war of aggression against Ukraine, are completely absurd," the statement read. "Ukraine's Foreign Ministry strongly protests the visit of the delegation of the Pan-African Parliament." The Pan-African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union, a 55-member strong international organization of the African continent. Russias full-scale invasion and the blockade of its Black Sea ports threatened imminent famine in developing countries, including much of Africa, until a trade corridor agreement was reached, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia announced in 2023 that it was withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, critical for ensuring global food security, effectively collapsing the deal. Subsequently, Ukraine opened a new corridor, restoring its exports via the Black Sea. Read also: What Russias army in Syria stands to lose after fall of Assad Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The University of Macau (UM) has updated its admission criteria for mainland Chinese students, now requiring applicants to apply for undergraduate programs without the option of using Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) qualifications. This change follows a recent incident at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), where 24 students were expelled amid allegations of using fraudulent credentials. In an announcement, UM clarified that it has not authorized any organizations or agencies in mainland China to manage admissions or enrollment processes. All prospective applicants must complete their applications through the universitys online portal. This year, UM will independently handle admissions for candidates taking the Gaokao, the National College Entrance Examination, separate from the national admissions plan for colleges and universities. Currently, the only available admission pathway for mainland Chinese students is through the Gaokao, a standardized test that attracted over 13.4 million candidates earlier this year, setting a new record for participation. Staff Reporter Ukraine claims they killed Russian General Igor Kirillov in Moscow. Meanwhile, questions are mounting over how President-elect Trump taking office may impact global affairs. Former deputy national security advisor during the Obama administration Ben Rhodes joins Andrea Mitchell to discuss the latest on the war and in the Middle East. Key developments on Dec. 17: Ukraine's SBU assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims Ukraine's Special Forces claim to kill 50 North Korean soldiers in 3 days Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, 'actively' using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says Zelensky rejects Orban's mediation, says he has no leverage over Putin Most Poles favor Ukraine peace deal with territorial concessions, poll finds Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was killed in Moscow on Dec. 17 in an operation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirillov and another Russian service member were reportedly killed in an explosion on the morning of Dec. 17 in the Russian capital. Ukrainian prosecutors previously charged the commander with using banned chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine. According to the source, explosives attached to a scooter detonated when Kirillov and his aide were near the entrance of the house on Ryazansky Prospect in Moscow. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. 0:00 / 1 "Kirillov was a war criminal and completely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers," the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Retribution for war crimes is inevitable." According to the Mash Telegram channel, the explosion occurred at around 6 a.m. local time when a service car arrived for Kirillov. The pro-state outlet Kommersant reported that the general and his aide were killed by a homemade explosive device of around 300 grams of a TNT equivalent. Russia's Investigative Committee began investigating the case as terrorism. Two undisclosed sources told the Russian RBC news agency that the investigators consider Ukraine's involvement the most likely scenario. Moscow's forces have been increasingly deploying gas attacks against Ukrainian troops, 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, the U.K. issued sanctions against Kirillov and his unit over the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. The officer held senior positions within the radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops since 2012 and was appointed the department's chief in 2017, Meduza reports. Kirillov has also repeatedly disseminated false narratives about U.S.-backed "bio laboratories" in Ukraine, supposedly researching biological weapons for use against Russia. Read also: Ukraines SBU assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims Ukraine's Special Forces claim to kill 50 North Korean soldiers in 3 days Ukraine's Special Operations Forces killed 50 North Korean soldiers and injured 47 others in three days of fighting in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the unit said on Dec. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Special Operation Forces published footage of first-person-view (FPV) drones successfully targeting soldiers and equipment on the battlefield. Russia has reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk Oblast since early August. "Soldiers of the 8th Special Forces Regiment of Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich organized a warm welcome for North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast," the unit said on Facebook. Two armored vehicles, two cars, and one all-terrain vehicle were also allegedly hit. The Kyiv Independent could not verify all the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After reporting initial but limited clashes with North Korean troops in November, Ukraine said that over the weekend, Russia also began using the soldiers in ground assaults. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) said that 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured during assaults on Dec. 14-15. The full extent of North Korean losses might be hard to ascertain, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is trying to hide the casualties. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed on Dec. 16 that North Korean personnel had engaged in combat operations alongside Russian troops in Kursk Oblast and suffered their first casualties. Read also: Ukraines Special Forces claim to kill 50 North Korean soldiers in 3 days Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, 'actively' using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says Russian forces are carrying out an intensive offensive in Kursk Oblast for the third day in a row, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Dec. 17, as Ukrainian forces are on the defensive in the border region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For the third day, Russian forces have been conducting intensive offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, actively using North Korean units," Syrskyi said in an online address to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities held in Lviv, according to Interfax-Ukraine. Russia reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk Oblast since early August. "North Korean mercenaries have already suffered heavy losses," Ukraine's commander said, adding that Kyiv's troops are holding the defenses, destroying personnel and equipment. The Special Operation Forces said that they had killed 50 North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast in three days and injured 47 more. The full extent of North Korean losses is hard to ascertain, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is trying to hide the casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the losses within Russian and North Korean ranks, the Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Kursk Oblast seem to be increasingly on the back foot, facing a Russian advantage in manpower and equipment. Citing Ukrainian soldiers, The Economist wrote that Ukraine likely lost around half of the territory it had captured in the initial phase of the operation in August and September. An officer talking to the outlet connected this development to the redeployment of elite units that first spearheaded the offensive. Ukraine likely seeks to hold on to a piece of Russian territory as a possible bargaining chip ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's expected push for peace negotiations. Read also: Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, actively using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says Zelensky rejects Orban's mediation, says he has no leverage over Putin Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has no leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine does not need his mediation in potential peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is a strong country and has proven it on the battlefield throughout Putin's aggression. Does anyone else in Europe have this experience now? No. Does Orban have such an army? No. How will he put pressure on Putin? With a joke, a smile? Let him keep it, Zelensky said, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine. Hungary has maintained close ties with Moscow despite Russias invasion of Ukraine, frequently criticizing EU sanctions on Russia and blocking military aid to Kyiv. Zelensky said that Ukraine needs direct relations with the United States, rejecting Orban's role as an intermediary. Prime Minister Orban... will not succeed. I wont let him or people like him in, he said, clarifying that his remarks were directed at Orban, not the Hungarian people, who he argued overwhelmingly support Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskys comments followed escalating tensions after Orbans recent phone call with Putin and his criticism of Zelensky for allegedly rejecting a Christmas ceasefire proposal. Ukrainian officials have dismissed these claims, emphasizing their focus on achieving a just peace through strength. Negotiations on a sustainable peace will begin only when the enemy does not have the resources to continue the war, Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on Dec. 17, adding that Ukraines victory plan was created to bolster its position. Read also: Zelensky rejects Orbans mediation, says he has no leverage over Putin Most Poles favor Ukraine peace deal with territorial concessions, poll finds For the first time, a majority of Polish citizens support ending the war in Ukraine even if it requires Ukraine to cede territory, Polish Radio reported on Dec. 17, citing a survey by the Polish Center for Public Opinion Research (CBOS). The survey found that 55% of respondents prioritized ending the conflict over Ukraines territorial integrity, up from 39% in September 2024 and 26% in April 2022. Only 31% of Poles believe Ukraine should continue fighting without concessions to Russia, a significant drop from 46% in September 2024 and 59% in April 2022. CBOS noted that this shift reflects a growing fatigue with the ongoing war, especially as Polish society had previously been predominantly in favor of Ukraine continuing the fight. The survey highlighted that younger Poles aged 18-24, residents of smaller cities, individuals with less education, and those with more conservative views were more likely to support a negotiated peace. In contrast, a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) revealed that nearly two-thirds of Ukrainians remain willing to endure the war "as long as it takes." This figure has declined slightly from 73% in late 2023 to 63% in October 2024, but the majority still firmly reject territorial concessions. The contrasting attitudes underscore the challenges facing Ukraine as it braces for renewed Russian offensives and continued pressure from some Western quarters for negotiations. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov recently stated Moscows aim to fully occupy Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts by 2025, signaling no intent to halt aggression. President-elect Donald Trump also weighed in on the conflict during a Dec. 16 news conference, describing the war as horrible and expressing his intent to make a little progress toward peace, though he provided no specifics. Trump has previously suggested reducing U.S. aid to Ukraine to pressure both sides into negotiations. Read also: Most Poles favor Ukraine peace deal with territorial concessions, poll finds Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Following major casualties, North Korean troops within the Russian army are attempting to counter Ukrainian defence forces drones, which successfully target them in Kursk Oblast. Source: press service of Ukraines Defence Intelligence Quote: "After serious losses, the DPRK units began to set up additional observation posts to detect drones of the security and defence forces of Ukraine." Details: Russia continues to use North Korean forces in combat clashes in Kursk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, before the assault, North Korean troops on the front lines form a group of up to 20-30 soldiers, with up to six soldiers moving to the concentration area in small groups. North Korean troops employ red scotch tape to ensure recognition at the front lines. Ukraine's Defence Intelligence emphasises: the continuing accumulation of assault units by DPRK soldiers in Kursk Oblast demonstrates that Moscow does not wish to slow the pace of offensive operations. Background: On 16 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said that North Korean units had suffered significant losses on 14-15 December 2024 near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha and Martynovka in Kursk Oblast at least 30 soldiers had been killed or wounded. On 17 December, the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted a video showing their combat work in targeting the North Korean military in Russias Kursk Oblast. Fifty North Korean soldiers were killed over the course of three days. The Economist found that as of mid-December four and a half months after the entry of the Ukrainian Armed Forces into Kursk Oblast of the Russian Federation Ukraine lost half of the previously controlled territories, now each unit of the Armed Forces has gone on the defensive. The situation is complicated by weather conditions and constant shelling. Support UP or become our patron! The Ukrainian parliament on Dec. 17 supported in the first reading a bill allowing multiple citizenship for Ukrainian citizens, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said. The Ukrainian law currently specifies that Ukrainians can hold only a single citizenship, while multiple citizenship is not recognized. President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the bill legalizing multiple citizenship in August and stressed its importance as part of his internal resilience plan in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, supported by 247 lawmakers in the first reading, still has to pass a second reading and be signed by the president before becoming law. The parliament also asked the Constitutional Court to review the document. The legislation lists permissible cases for holding multiple citizenship, simplifies procedures for foreigners to obtain Ukrainian citizenship, and establishes new grounds for losing citizenship, such as receiving a Russian passport or serving in the Russian Armed Forces. The bill is also seen as part of Ukraine's effort to strengthen ties with the Ukrainians living abroad. Zelensky said the document should allow ethnic Ukrainians born abroad to obtain citizenship. Even before the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian diaspora has been widespread around the world, with particularly large communities in the EU, the U.S., and Canada. The war drew millions more from their home, with some 6.7 million living as refugees abroad as of August 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To foster the relationship with the Ukrainian community abroad, the government launched a new department called the National Unity Ministry, headed by former Naftogaz chief Oleksii Chernyshov. Read also: Zelensky presents resilience plan: Ukraine may need to outlive someone in Moscow to achieve all the goals Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LATEST: Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was killed in Moscow on Dec. 17 in an operation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent. Kirillov and another Russian service member were reportedly killed in an explosion on the morning of Dec. 17 in the Russian capital. Ukrainian prosecutors previously charged the commander with using banned chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the source, explosives attached to a scooter detonated when Kirillov and his aide were near the entrance of the house on Ryazansky Prospect in Moscow. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. 0:00 / 1 "Kirillov was a war criminal and completely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers," the source said. "Retribution for war crimes is inevitable." According to the Mash Telegram channel, the explosion occurred at around 6 a.m. local time when a service car arrived for Kirillov. The pro-state outlet Kommersant reported that the general and his aide were killed by a homemade explosive device of around 300 grams of a TNT equivalent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Investigative Committee began investigating the case as terrorism. Two undisclosed sources told the Russian RBC news agency that the investigators consider Ukraine's involvement the most likely scenario. Moscow's forces have been increasingly deploying gas attacks against Ukrainian troops, 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. In October, the U.K. issued sanctions against Kirillov and his unit over the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. The officer held senior positions within the radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops since 2012 and was appointed the department's chief in 2017, Meduza reports. Kirillov has also repeatedly disseminated false narratives about U.S.-backed "bio laboratories" in Ukraine, supposedly researching biological weapons for use against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 0:00 / 1 Read also: Silent killer: Russia boosts grinding Donbas advance with chemical warfare Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The explosion that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, was a special operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU). Source: Ukrainska Pravda source in security services Details: The source reports that a scooter carrying explosives was detonated when Kirillov and his aide were entering a building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. Both were killed, our source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military." , , - ( ). Telegram- Astra pic.twitter.com/nowO33pUge (@ukrpravda_news) December 17, 2024 More details: The explosion occurred near a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt as the men were entering the building. An explosive device placed in a scooter standing next to the entrance was detonated. Russia's investigative committee has classified the deaths of Kirillov and his aide as a terrorist attack. Russian-language Telegram channel Baza, citing sources, reports that the investigators involved in the case are outraged by the actions of police officers and other operational services who were the first to arrive at the scene of the explosion. The area near the entrance was not fenced off for a long time, passers-by and residents of the Sereda residential complex were walking about the area, and the scooter where the bomb was allegedly hidden was in plain sight, and everyone was taking pictures of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day before, the SSU served Kirillov in absentia with a notice of suspicion of committing a war crime. On the orders of this Russian general, more than 4,800 cases of Russian use of chemical munitions have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale war. During the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 2,000 members of the defence forces have been sent to military hospitals and other medical facilities with varying degrees of chemical poisoning. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's Special Operations Forces killed 50 North Korean soldiers and injured 47 others in three days of fighting in Russia's Kursk Oblast, the unit said on Dec. 17. The Special Operation Forces published footage of first-person-view (FPV) drones successfully targeting soldiers and equipment on the battlefield. Russia has reportedly deployed over 10,000 North Korean troops to help oust Ukrainian troops fighting in Kursk Oblast since early August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Soldiers of the 8th Special Forces Regiment of Prince Izyaslav Mstislavich organized a warm welcome for North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast," the unit said on Facebook. Two armored vehicles, two cars, and one all-terrain vehicle were also allegedly hit. The Kyiv Independent could not verify all the claims. After reporting initial but limited clashes with North Korean troops in November, Ukraine said that over the weekend, Russia also began using the soldiers in ground assaults. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) said that 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured during assaults on Dec. 14-15. The full extent of North Korean losses might be hard to ascertain, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is trying to hide the casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder confirmed on Dec. 16 that North Korean personnel had engaged in combat operations alongside Russian troops in Kursk Oblast and suffered their first casualties. Read also: Russia trying to hide North Korean losses in Ukraine war, Zelensky claims Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have posted a video showing their combat work in targeting the North Korean military in Russias Kursk Oblast. Fifty North Korean soldiers were killed over the course of three days. Source: Special Operations Forces Command on Facebook Quote: "The soldiers of the 8th Special Operations Regiment named after Prince Iziaslav Mstyslavych organised a warm welcome for North Korean troops in Russias Kursk Oblast. Over the course of three days, Special Forces personnel killed 50 enemy soldiers and wounded 47 more." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: It is reported that during this period, the Special Operations Forces also destroyed two armoured vehicles, two cars and one ATV. The fighting continues. Background: The Ukrainian military posted photos and videos showing dead Russian and North Korean soldiers killed in Kursk Oblast after the recent assaults. On 15 December, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) reported that the North Korean military had killed 8 Kadyrovites (Chechen troops loyal to the country's leader, Ramzan Kadyrov) by friendly fire. On 16 December, DIU said that North Korean units had suffered significant losses on 14-15 December 2024 near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorobzha and Martynovka in Kursk Oblast at least 30 soldiers had been killed or wounded. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian troops are probably trying to hide the losses of North Korean soldiers. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defence destroyed 20 Russian attack drones in five oblasts on Tuesday, 17 December, and one is still flying in Ukrainian airspace. The remaining 10 UAVs did not reach their targets. Source: Ukraines Air Force on social media Details: Starting at 23:00 on 16 December, the Russians bombarded Ukraine with 31 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones from Russias Bryansk and Oryol oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 12:00 on 17 December, 20 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones were confirmed downed in Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Zhytomyr and Cherkasy oblasts. As a result of combat efforts, 10 drones failed to reach their targets (disappeared from radar). One UAV is still in the air. Quote: "The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Ukrainian defence forces. No strikes were recorded, and no information on damage or casualties was received. The combat efforts are ongoing! Information may be updated." Support UP or become our patron! The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has allocated an additional UAH 1.89 billion (about US$45 million) to combat brigades for the purchase of drones. Source: press service of the Ministry of Defence Details: This will provide the military units with additional UAVs through decentralised procurement. This year, the Ministry of Defence will spend more than UAH 100 billion (about US$2.4 billion) on drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, 55% of the amount will be spent on Mavic drones, including those with night vision. Another 18% of the amount will be spent on the purchase of FPV kamikaze drones. In addition, significant funding has been allocated for the purchase of reconnaissance UAVs, bombers, and spare parts for them. The brigades will reportedly purchase what they need to perform combat missions on their own. The drones will be sent to the frontline immediately. Background: Commenting on the redirection of UAH 23 billion (US$548 million) to the State Border Guard Service, the Ministry of Defence noted that there was a risk of funds not being used. The Ministry of Defence will allocate an additional UAH 1.1 billion (US$26.2 million) to purchase drones for the Armed Forces. Support UP or become our patron! The partial transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam began on Saturday, 12 years after Japan and the United States agreed on their realignment to reduce the heavy burden of American troop presence on the southern Japanese island, officials said. The relocation started with 100 members of III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed on Okinawa moving to the Pacific island for the initial logistical work, the U.S. Marine Corps and Japans Defense Ministry said in a joint statement. Under the plan agreed between Tokyo and Washington in April 2012, about 9,000 of the 19,000 Marines currently stationed on Okinawa are to be moved out of Okinawa, including about 4,000 of them to be moved to Guam in phases. Details, including the size and timing of the next transfer, were not immediately released. The Marine Corps is committed to the defense of Japan and meeting operational requirements to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, and it will maintain presence in the region through a combination of stationing and rotating Marines in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, the joint statement said. Japan has paid up to $2.8 billion for the building of infrastructure at the U.S. bases on Guam, and the U.S. government will fund the remaining costs. The two governments will continue to cooperate on the development of Camp Blaz, which will serve as the main installation for Marines stationed in Guam. The Marines and Japan Self Defense Forces will conduct joint training in Guam, the statement said. Okinawa, which was under U.S. postwar occupation until 1972, is still home to a majority of the more than 50,000 American troops based in Japan under a bilateral security pact, while 70% of U.S. military facilities are on Okinawa, which accounts for only 0.6% of Japanese land. Many Okinawans have long complained about the heavy U.S. military presence on the island, and say Okinawa faces noise, pollution, aircraft accidents and crime related to American troops. The relocation is likely to be welcomed by local residents, but how much improvement they will feel is uncertain because of the rapid Japanese military buildup on Okinawan islands as a deterrence to threats from China. MDT/AP Law enforcement personnel in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast identified a group of individuals who collected data about F-16 military jets for the Russians. Source: Ukraines Office of the Prosecutor General; Ukraines Security Service Details: According to the investigation, one soldier, who is pro-Russian, volunteered to assist an employee of the intelligence centre of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Ministry of Defence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He gathered and supplied information on the deployment and movement of Ukrainian Armed Forces units and military equipment on the territory of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and other Ukrainian regions, as well as the locations of authorities and military authorities to be targeted by missile and air strikes. The primary objective given to the suspect by the Russians was to determine the locations of Ukrainian soldiers and military equipment, particularly F-16 jets. According to the Prosecutor's Office, in order to collect information, the suspect deceitfully recruited three soldiers he was acquainted with by claiming to work for Ukrainian intelligence. They maintained contact via Telegram messaging app. The men were seized in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. During a search of their homes, tangible evidence was discovered that confirms illicit activity in favour of Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In proportion to the offences committed, one of the defendants is charged with high treason committed under martial law, while the other three are accused with unauthorised broadcast of information regarding the movement and location of Ukraines defence forces. According to the reports, preventive measures have been chosen for the four suspects. One was detained without the right to bail, while the others have been taken into custody with bail set. At the same time, Ukraine's Security Service suspects that the network operated with 12 Russian operatives and informants. Some of them are deserters who voluntarily left Ukrainian Armed Forces units and were recruited by Russia's special forces while evading justice. The members of the Russian cell worked independently and were all connected by one leader of the agent group, who was in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. According to Ukraines Security Service, he used faked cover documents, such as fake certificates of a volunteer and anti-corruption activist, in order to carry out espionage. Quote: "The Security Service's military counterintelligence exposed the entire enemy cell in due time, detained the organiser, and served his key accomplices with notices of suspicion. The problem of declaring suspicion to other members of the network is now being discussed." Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian marines destroyed three dozen Russians armoured vehicles while engaging in combat in the vicinity of Novoivanovka and Zelyony Shlyakh as part of the Kursk operation. Source: press service of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilinskyi Details: The marines published photos of the graveyard of wrecked Russian military equipment in Kursk Oblast, which is part of their brigade's responsibility zone. It should be mentioned that forces and assets of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade alone destroyed 30 armoured vehicles, 2 tanks, 28 wheeled vehicles, and 2 units of special equipment. Support UP or become our patron! NEW YORK Sunday night offered a sneak preview of what life might be like in President-elect Donald Trumps second term at the annual black tie gala of Manhattans most MAGA political club. Its a world where fringe media outlets are ascendant, a new wave of religious leaders are mixing politics and prayer, the global right-wing is rejoicing, and more established press are being subjected to a new level of restrictions and derision. The New York Young Republicans Club is an organization thats over a century old. These days, the group embodies the new GOP with a leadership that unapologetically embraces Trump, strident culture war politics, and a bare-knuckled approach to it all. According to the clubs leaders, this strategy has led to an eightfold surge in membership. The group also helped stage at least one memorable event for Trump in New York during his successful campaign. Trump, who attended the gala last year, was unable to make it this time around. However, in taped remarks from Mar-a-Lago, he credited the club with helping him win last months election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I attribute a lot of it to the people in the room tonight, so I just hope youre having a fantastic time, Trump said. I wish I could be with you, but Im doing a couple of other things. You probably heard about that, but Ill be with you, most likely, next year. The celebratory crowd included figures from both the American and global far right. Gavin McInnes, the founder of the Proud Boys, mingled in the room ahead of the speeches. He wouldnt speak with TPM. A contingent wearing U.S.-Germany flag pins was (slightly) more talkative. One of them introduced himself as Markus, and declined to give his last name. When asked if they were members of the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD), a far-right German political party whose founder once called for a 180 degree change in their politics of commemoration while referring to Berlins Holocaust memorial, they said yes. We are not here on AfDs behalf, Markus said, before the conversation ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another conversation, TPM spoke with Marco Spina, an Italian who introduced himself as national secretary of the youth wing of the countrys Republican Party. That was less expected: the Italian Republicans lean towards the center, though Spina became extremely exercised after TPM asked about the countrys current prime minister, Giorgia Meloni. She had made a big mistake in bowing down to Biden, Spina said. At another point, TPM spotted Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) posing for a photo along with Miklos Szantho, director-general of Hungarys Center for Fundamental Rights, a nonprofit that is a strong supporter of the countrys authoritarian leader, Viktor Orban. Gosar and Szantho, who also delivered remarks on stage, later appeared on Instagram posing together. The event even featured a representative from a country that does not exist: the New Federal State of China, a supposed Chinese government-in-exile formed by Trump adviser Steve Bannon and indicted billionaire Guo Wengui. Forrest Zhou, the ersatz governments secretary general, introduced himself to TPM as a friend of Bannons, and said he had come to help gin up support for the movement. The audience also included some of the unconventional internet broadcasters who have been seen as a major driver of Trumps political momentum. Elijah Schaffer is a podcaster who has worked with multiple right-wing news organizations including Gateway Pundit, which is infamous for publishing what CNN has described as baseless right-wing conspiracy theories. TPM asked Schaffer about a recent report that a top aide who serves as a gatekeeper for information that reaches the president-elect considers Gateway Pundit one of her go-to news sources. As he settled in at a table near the stage, Schaffer said he feels the site is clearly having an influence on Trump. I think the most important part is that, like, whether or not he talks about it or not, you can hear our original reporting in some of the speeches, Schaffer said. So, his speech writers are reading us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schaffers past use of slurs and mockery of minority groups has led some to brand him a racist. Its a label he doesnt necessarily shy away from. It doesnt bother me, Schaffer said. I mean, racism in and of itself is not inherently bad. Like discrimination and racism are just, there are ways that you can view the world to judge entire groups of people by the common patterns that they exhibit. Nigel Farage (C), Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, and former U.S. Representative Madison Cawthorn (L) watch Steve Bannon (not pictured) speak during the New York Young Republican Clubs Annual Gala at Ciprianis Wall Street in New York City on December 15, 2024. (Photo by ADAM GRAY/AFP via Getty Images) Indeed, many of the guests and speakers at the gala described Trumps win as evidence that the norms that have governed modern society are changing. Father Josiah Trenham, an Orthodox Christian priest, stood near the stage in a long black robe before the evenings program began. In a brief conversation with TPM, he attributed growing interest in Orthodox Christianity to a massive cultural shift that was provoked by the tyranny of COVID. Trenham went on to deliver a prayer from the gala stage. Lord God, as we partake of this meal and this evening together, bless our food and drink and grant to us the ultimate MAGA, Trenham said. Make America God-fearing again so that America can be great again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evenings master of ceremonies was Raheem Kassam, editor of The National Pulse site and co-founder of Bannons War Room broadcast. Kassam also mockingly flirted with the racist label as he teased NYYRC recording secretary Alexander Zhik, who is Jewish. I want to go back to my good buddy Alex Zhik Shmuley as I call him for explicitly racist reasons, Kassam said. Kassam continued his riff on Zhiks religion with a reference to one of the nights big themes, the Daniel Penny case. Shmuley is the one guy I know who as a lawyer was not interested in the Daniel Penny case until he heard his surname, Kassam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apparently, even in this new era, there are some limits. Kassams remark drew a smattering of boos. Soon thereafter, he described Natalie Winters, a co-host of Steve Bannons podcast, as Nazi barbie. While pro-Trump media outlets were taking the stage and enjoying the catered meal, the rest of the press was given a rather different reception. Lucian Wintrich, who served as a White House correspondent for Gateway Pundit during Trumps first term, is the NYYRCs press chairman. He sent an email with guidelines for the event to TPM and others who signed up to cover the proceedings. In that message, Wintrich indicated some of the media contingent would receive minders from the club. Without naming names, it was noted that a few press applicants have previously written stories schizophrenically calling modern Conservatives and Trump supporters a number of unfounded names followed by fake news coverage. In spite of that, and in the spirit of an open press and access, we have decided to admit those journalists for coverage, Wintrich wrote. Such being said, the most egregious offenders will receive the Christmas gift of their own personal elf (NYYRC Gala volunteer) escort to make certain they will neither harass nor misquote attendees. Should this be witnessed and reported, credentials will be revoked. When TPM arrived at the venue we learned that one of our reporters, Hunter Walker, was on this list. Wintrich informed us he was one of four to receive an escort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre particularly shitty and egregious, Wintrich explained, adding, My god. Its a paint-by-the-numbers liberal way of reporting that Im sure youre aware of. Walker was accompanied by an NYYRC volunteer named Ryan throughout the evening. Ryan was incredibly thorough. Ryan switched his cellphone wallpaper to a photo of Walkers face to help him keep tabs. He even escorted Walker to the bathroom. That was my first time watching a reporter pee, Ryan said after one trip. NYYRC volunteers also downloaded the social media platform Bluesky so they could keep tabs on TPMs live coverage of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nights final keynote speaker was Bannon, the combative Trump adviser, who noted what the media might expect over the president-elects term. We want retribution and were going to get retribution, Bannon said, adding, They never in a million years thought wed be back in power and they need to learn what populous nationalist power is on the receiving end. I mean, investigations, trials, and then incarceration and Im just talking about the media. TPMs minder, Ryan, apparently wanted to make sure we got Bannons message. Thats you! Ryan said. Youre going to get locked up. Clarification: The fuller quote from Father Trenham was added to make clear that the ultimate MAGA was Make America God-fearing Again. A United Nations-sponsored program is helping women across the world build financial independence while abandoning the use of one brain-harming substance. Liquid mercury has long been used in gold mining. As Scientific American explains, the element is added to sediment that has been dredged from a river and forms a coating around gold. In this type of mining, the mercury is burned off, leaving behind the gold but releasing toxic vapors. According to the U.N., between 10 and 20 million people worldwide many of them women and children work in these types of operations. Citing a study published in the ScienceDirect journal, the U.N. reported, "Up to 33% of artisanal miners suffer from moderate metallic mercury vapor intoxication." This toxic chemical is a neurotoxin that can cause permanent brain damage, the U.N. adds. Meanwhile, it also accumulates in the environment and can be particularly dangerous to species at the top of the food web, such as fish-eating birds and large predators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of this, the U.N. is looking to reduce the environmental and health harms of artisanal gold mining while also building resilience for local women through its PlanetGold program. According to the organization, this program has helped to institute local savings and credit groups that provide rural communities with new financing opportunities, allowing them to invest in technology that reduces their reliance on mercury. For instance, one group of women in Burkina Faso purchased a machine that helps them to process gold ore without mercury. "It's true: With mercury, it may be faster, but without mercury, it is more beneficial for us," local participant Angele Delo told the U.N. Meanwhile, in Colombia, a group that goes by the name "the unstoppable women" is also benefiting from the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a lot of illegal mining around here," group member Mary Luz Ante Orobio tells the U.N. "We want to counteract that, because it is polluting the environment. From the savings, women can [upgrade] their sluice boxes, can get their [sluice box] rugs... This group allows women to create their own small businesses and be [independent] from money or resources that the men bring home." According to the U.N., the PlanetGold program has already prevented over 34 tons of mercury pollution and supported more than 17,200 miners. "The global community is taking strong early steps to address mercury use across sectors. But the work is far from over," says Monika Stankiewicz, the executive secretary of the Minamata Convention Secretariat. "Creating new financial opportunities for those engaged in mining will accelerate the move away from mercury, leaving both people and the planet healthier." 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. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A top U.N. official on Tuesday pushed world powers and Iran to urgently work to restore a 2015 deal that lifted sanctions on Tehran in return for restrictions on its nuclear program, warning that its "success or failure matters to all of us." Iran's deal with Britain, Germany, France, the United States, Russia and China is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. quit the agreement in 2018, during Donald Trump's first term as president, and Iran began moving away from its nuclear-related commitments under the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Though diplomacy is the best option, the United States has also been clear a nuclear Iran can never be an option. We are prepared to use all elements of national power to ensure that outcome," deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood told the council. European and Iranian diplomats met late last month to discuss whether they can work to defuse regional tensions, including over Tehran's nuclear program, before Trump's return to the White House in January for a second four-year term. "Time is of the essence," U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the Security Council, which enshrined the deal in a 2015 resolution. "While the onus is on the JCPOA participants and the U.S., their success or failure matters to all of us. The region cannot afford further instability." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britain, France and Germany told the Security Council in a letter earlier this month that they are ready - if needed - to trigger a so-called "snap back" of all international sanctions on Iran to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. They will lose the ability to take such action on Oct. 18 next year when the 2015 U.N. resolution on the deal expires. "We will take every diplomatic diplomatic step to prevent Iran from requiring a nuclear weapon, including the triggering of snap back if necessary," Britain's deputy U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki told the council on Tuesday. Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the council that invoking the "snap back" of sanctions on Tehran would be "unlawful and counterproductive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The so-called snap back is not a tool in your hand to be abused for threatening Iran. Iran has made it very clear that such a provocative move will be reciprocated by a firm and proportionate response," he said. The U.N. nuclear watchdog - the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - said this month that Iran is "dramatically" accelerating enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% level that is weapons grade. Western states say there is no need to enrich uranium to such a high level under any civilian program and that no other country has done so without producing nuclear bombs. Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons and says its program is peaceful. DiCarlo told the Security Council that the IAEA was "unable to assure the international community of the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Stephen Coates) By Emma Farge GENEVA (Reuters) - A U.N. refugee agency official said on Tuesday that some 1 million Syrian refugees are expected to return to the country in the first six months of 2025, asking states to refrain from forcing them to do so. A lightning rebel advance swept Syria's President Bashar al-Assad from power this month, shocking the world and raising the prospect that some of the millions of people who fled the country during its 13-year civil war might return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now we have forecasted that we hope to see somewhere in the order of 1 million Syrians returning between January and June next year so we shared this plan with donors, asking for their support," said Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa. "We have massive humanitarian needs on a scale that hasn't in any way diminished," she added, noting that 1 million people have been internally displaced since the rebel advance began. In the immediate aftermath of the rebels seizing power, thousands of people fled Syria, while thousands had also returned to the country mostly from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, Imseis said. She added that some of those fleeing could be linked to the former government or else be religious minorities with concerns about their standing under the new authorities, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which once had ties to al-Qaeda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Countries should be patient as Syrian refugees consider whether to return, she added. "It's important to maintain that protection for Syrians who have already found refuge in host countries, and that they are not forcibly returned to Syria," she said. Asked about some countries' decisions to freeze asylum applications for Syrians, she said: "We have been very clear in the non returns advisory to all countries. It is just far too soon to make this determination on the safety and stability of Syria and there are many questions that are that need to be answered." (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Madeline Chambers and Chizu Nomiyama) The UN special envoy for Syria has praised the country's growing stability since the fall of ruler Bashar al-Assad and called for international support. The fighting is not over yet in some places, cautioned Geir Pedersen, who joined via video link from Syria at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday. Still, he said, "We are seeing a Syria that is stable in many parts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tasks facing the country and the international community are huge, especially given the scale of destruction after 13 years of war and with 90% of the population living in poverty, Pedersen said. He said what is needed is a transitional political process that is inclusive of all Syrian groups and which leads to a free election and a new constitution. "Now is the time to reassure all Syrians that their state and their future is understood and that it will be embodied in credible and inclusive arrangements," the Norwegian diplomat said. It was the first meeting of the UN Security Council on Syria since the overthrow of long-time ruler al-Assad a week and a half ago. Around 1 million Syrians in exile will return to their country over the first half of 2025, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) predicted in Geneva on Tuesday. Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa, said this was the planning estimate. Returnees needed support in finding accommodation and work, she said. Imseis cautioned against pressuring Syrians to return prematurely. "No one should be forced to return," she said. "We count on states to be patient and not make any drastic decisions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was also too early to say where in the country the returnees would be safe, and people who had lived in exile for years could not be expected to pack their bags overnight. Imseis said there were no new border checks in Syria following the ousting of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. She added that the UNHCR was at the borders and was observing thousands entering the country from Jordan and Turkey. There were also thousands leaving Syria, she said, but added that there were no precise figures. The unhinged Russian plane stowaway who snuck her way onto a Paris-bound flight from JFK Airport was arrested Monday after trying once again to flee the country, sources said. Svetlana Dali who was released without bail earlier this month despite her history of being a literal flight risk was caught trying to cross into Canada on a Greyhound bus from Buffalo, New York, a law enforcement source said. The failed escape artist allegedly cut off her GPS ankle monitor a condition of her release and fled the Philadelphia home of a friend she was supposed to be staying with while awaiting trial, the source said. Svetlana Dali was released without bail earlier this month despite her history of being a literal flight risk. Elder Ordonez/INSTARimages Dali, 57, then hopped on a Greyhound in Buffalo that was bound for the USs northern neighbor. But she failed to show her passport when asked, prompting cops to search her name, according to the source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers discovered an active warrant was out for Dalis arrest for leaving the approved travel perimeter outlined by her release conditions and took her into custody in the western New York city. Prosecutors warned that the Russian native who had attempted to hitchhike flights at other domestic airports before she was successful at JFK was a serious risk of flight at her bail hearing on Dec. 6. The Brooklyn judge who released her from custody even admitted he was worried shed seek a way out of the US as he freed her back into the world. I remain feeling concerned that there is a risk of flight here. She evaded TSA security checks twice, Judge Joseph Marutollo said at the hearing. There are not [community] ties here. Im in a tough spot. She was caught trying to cross into Canada on a Greyhound bus from Buffalo, New York, a law enforcement source said. Svetlana Dali/Facebook Dali is accused of secretly hitching a ride on a Delta flight from the Queens airport to Paris on Nov. 26 after dodging airline workers distracted by holiday travelers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was discovered after the plane landed in France and subsequently flown back to the Big Apple where she was met by cops who took her into custody. Dali had been staying with a friend from church as part of her release conditions before her latest attempted vanishing act to Canada. The officers discovered an active warrant was out for Dalis arrest for leaving the approved travel perimeter outlined by her release conditions and took her into custody in the western New York city. Chad Rachman/N.Y.Post But even the friend was weary of her restless energy. Silouan John Mathew previously said in court that hes willing to let her stay in [my] house as needed because I believe she doesnt have anywhere else to stay. I dont mind her staying in the house, but I dont want to legally be responsible for her, he said. Dali was not allowed to enter any airports as part of her release conditions. The conditions did not mention anything about bus stations. The escapee will appear in court on Tuesday. ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) It looked like a pretty normal day at Unicoi County Middle School (UCMS) Monday as students hands shot up in a science classroom and a special program took place in the gym, but the past 12 weeks have been anything but normal there. Environmental lawyer: Paddlers pics key in Nolichucky Gorge/CSX case How long will it take for all of our trees to regrow so that the Nolichuckys looking like this again? sixth-grade science teacher Tiffany Laws asked her students as she pointed to a photo of a lush, mature forest like the one that used to line the Nolichucky Rivers banks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students many of whom have seen the destroyed trees along those banks since Hurricane Helene produced devastating and deadly floods Sept. 27 guessed decades, and they were correct. Superintendent John English and leaders like UCMS Principal Kevin Graham hope recovery at the schools is a much quicker matter, but they told News Channel 11 Monday theyre trying to emphasize caring over curriculum and trusting the academics will take care of themselves. Weve had kids who lost their home, English said. Weve had kids who lost their parents. Weve had staff who lost their home. And even if you didnt directly lose your home or your family, you know somebody who did. Like the rural countys other schools, UCMS has confronted the aftermath of Hurricane Helenes devastating floods Sept. 27. With a two-week holiday approaching and students having missed weeks of school, English and Graham took stock of the whirlwind past 12 weeks. Science teacher Tiffany Laws ties the ecological impacts of the recent Nolichucky River flooding into her lesson for sixth-graders Dec. 1, 2024 in Erwin, Tenn. (Photo: WJHL) Theres just some things this year that were not going to get back, you know? English said during a visit to UCMS. When it comes to testing, you know, weve worked really hard and we were very proud and we saw a lot of improvement this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have two Reward Schools this year for the first time ever, and our system growth was a five, which were very proud of. Leaders have put the wellness of students, faculty and staff first, English said, because the county has lost everything from homes and lives to workplaces and its hospital. All fell victim to the violent floodwaters when the Nolichucky rose to unprecedented levels inside the narrow gorge that carries it from Western North Carolina through the mountains to Erwin. We have teachers who now went from a 10-minute drive to work to a 45-minute drive to work, Graham said. I have assistants who are struggling for the extra gas, and were trying to help them with that. And we have people who lost business, a teacher whose husband lost his business in the flood. Weeks of missed school with the likelihood of more as winter weather arrives in the mountainous county make some academic slippage a near inevitability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Academically, Graham said students took a benchmark test before the flood and did even better than they had in the award-winning 2023-24 fall benchmarks. That appears to have slipped some after a quarter that saw students out of school nearly as much as they were in. We just completed our second benchmark, Graham said. Weve not got our official results back, but the teachers can kind of see preliminary numbers and theyre seeing maybe a 4 to 5% dip. But they tell me, dont worry, we know what we need to do to get our status brought back up. He said his teachers have worked through the pacing they think their students need to follow to maximize results at the end of a shortened year. My teachers are professionals, and I trust their judgment. All of them tell me dont worry, that theyre going to have our students ready at the end of the year, and theyll be good to go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Graham said the signs of trauma among students have been minimal so far, and he wants to keep it that way. When your communitys been through something so devastating as a flood, we just kind of met as a faculty and staff and were like, weve just got to love our students. Academics is important, but our people are important to us as well, and we need to make sure theyre in a good spot. Eighth-grader Ike Laws has seen that firsthand. His family has spent time in the parsonage of the church his father pastors after their neighborhood was devastated, with both homes and lives lost. When it comes to students and what theyre going through, he said school leaders have been real nice about it. Encouraging us to just stay strong and that theyre here for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Department of Education seems to be trusting Englishs judgment as well. He said the state has provided every waiver asked for as the system deals with more missed days than would usually be allowed. And if snow days begin to pile up, English said the system wont sacrifice safety. We cant look at it and say, Well weve missed a lot, we need to come,' English said. If weve missed 25 days but on that 26th day its not safe, its not safe. UCMS is one of the Reward Schools English mentioned. As evidence of the disasters magnitude, it made room in a wing for the 100 or so Temple Hill Elementary students displaced when flood damage made that school unusable. Students will finish the school year at UCMS, where Graham said theyve been treated kindly by middle schoolers put on notice to be kind. Weve not got one report yet, and the kids have just been fantastic, Graham said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as faculty, staff and students dealt with the immediate aftermath, Unicoi County High School took on a temporary role as a disaster center. Its part of what English said is the systems commitment to caring for the community beyond academics. We had people there who lost their homes that were up there, and we knew they had lost their homes, and they were saying, What do you need? Were here to help, were here to work, and we want to help others,' English recalled. People who lost their family members were up there working and helping. That jumped out to me. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Union bosses have been tasked with helping Labour draw up its flagship industrial strategy in a move that will raise concerns over the prospect of Left-wing activists shaping legislation. Senior figures from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Community trade union have been appointed to the Governments new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, which has been set up to provide recommendations. Appointments include Kate Bell, the TUCs assistant general secretary, and Roy Rickhuss, Communitys general secretary, as well as Greg Jackson, Octopus Energys chief executive, and Greg Clark, the former Conservative business secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council has 16 members and will be chaired by Clare Barclay, Microsofts president of enterprise and industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Ms Bell, who has led the TUCs efforts to increase the minimum wage to 15 an hour, has said that the strategys success will be defined by rising pay for workers. Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss is among those appointed to the new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council - Yui Mok/PA The TUC, which represents 48 member unions, has repeatedly called for taxpayer bailouts across various sectors most recently demanding the Government to step in to prevent Stellantis from shutting its Vauxhall van plant in Luton. Meanwhile, Mr Rickhuss has also called for taxpayer cash to prop up Britains steel industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of government backing, we face Britains proud history of steel-making coming to an end, Mr Rickhuss said last year. Other members of the council include Dame Diane Coyle, a professor of public policy at the University of Cambridge who is critical of the use of gross domestic product (GDP) to measure economic progress. Dame Diane has said the measure has undermined social cohesion because it does not account for environmental degradation or inequality. The private sector panel will advise the Government on the development of its industrial strategy, which the Chancellor hopes will drive economic growth and jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ministers have said the strategy will help to maintain a pro-business environment that will provide a solid foundation to draw in investment. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, will on Tuesday attend the councils inaugural meeting to discuss how to break down barriers to growth and encourage investment and innovation. Other members include Dame Anita Frew, the chairman of Rolls-Royce Holdings, Sir John Kingman, the chairman of Legal & General and Barclays UK, and Tunde Olanrewaju, the UK senior partner of consultancy giant McKinsey. Ms Reeves said: With the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council, were bringing together the brightest minds to inform our Industrial Strategy and deliver growth that will improve living standards and that can be felt across every corner of the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Reynolds added: The expertise and work of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council will be key to giving investors the solid foundation on which to build, helping to support local skilled jobs and raising living standards in communities across the UK. But the launch of the council comes amid a growing backlash from businesses against Ms Reevess record tax-raising Budget, which included a 25bn increase in employer National Insurance contributions. Companies have also warned that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayners Employment Rights Bill will cost businesses up to 4.5bn a year to comply, reducing their ability to make investment decisions. The Chartered Institute for Procurement and Development (CIPD) warned that the Bill risks unintended consequences for both employers and workers after a quarter of its members said the measures would make their organisations more reluctant to hire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Willmott, CIPDs head of public policy, said: The Employment Rights Bill will have major implications for all employers in Britain. The CIPD supports many of the aims of this Bill and wants to see genuine consultation across all the reforms being put forward. That may mean there will be a need for potential changes and refinements to policy on certain measures. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Nearly 90 nonprofit organizations in the Rochester region are receiving multi-year funding from United Way. United Way is awarding two, three, and five-year program grants to 89 organizations in the Finger Lakes. Funding will be distributed next month and will total over $6 million. Some of the organizations receiving funding include Catholic Charities, Lifespan, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, and Trillium Health. The exact amount of funding each will get is unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Way also opened applications for its summer program and synergy grants. Non-profit organizers can apply here. Full list of non-profit organizations Action for A Better Community All Babies Cherished Pregnancy Assistance Center American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter ANT Alliance Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester NY Boy Scouts of America, Seneca Waterways Council Boy Scouts of America, Western New York Scout Council Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester Cancer Action CASA of Rochester-Monroe County Catholic Charities Family & Community Services Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston Center for Employment Opportunities Challenger Miracle Field of WNY Chances and Changes Charles Settlement House Community Place of Greater Rochester Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester, Inc. Dansville Food Pantry Deaf Refugee Advocacy Family Counseling of the Finger Lakes Family Promise of Greater Rochester Family Promise of Ontario County Flower City Noire Collective Geneseo Groveland Emergency Food Pantry Gillam Grant Community Center Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Harbor House of Rochester Hillside Childrens Center Hope Center of Leroy Hope585 Ibero-American Action League Keeping Our Promise Legacy Makers Legal Aid Society of Rochester NY Legal Assistance of Western New York Lifespan of Greater Rochester Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County Margaret Home Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County MHA Rochester/Monroe County Mission Fulfilled 2030 Monroe Community College Foundation Mt. Hope Family Center Partnership for Ontario County PathStone Corp Person Centered Housing Options Prosper Rochester Providence Housing Development Corporation Reach Advocacy Reentry Association of WNY Roc Royal Roc the Peace Rochester General Hospital Rochester Museum and Science Center Salvation Army, Canandaigua Salvation Army, Geneva Society for the Protection and Care of Children Spot-Canandaigua St. Vincent DePaul Society The Center for Teen Empowerment The Center for Youth Services The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester The Housing Council at PathStone The Salvation Army (Rochester Area Services) The Salvation Army- Batavia Corps Trillium Health United Youth Music and Arts UR Medicine Home Care Certified Services Urban League of Rochester New York URMC Noyes Health Home Safe Home Program Venture Compassionate Ministries Veterans Outreach Center Victim Resource Center of the Finger Lakes Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County Volunteers of America Upstate New York W A V E Women Warrior House Of WNY Wayne County Action Program Wayne Pre-Trial Services Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center Willow Domestic Violence Center Womens Foundation of Genesee Valley Worker Justice Center Of New York World Relief Western NY YMCA Of Greater Rochester YWCA of Genesee County YWCA Of Rochester and Monroe County Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Originally appeared on E! Online Luigi Mangiones legal battle has begun. After the 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 and later charged with murder in New York for the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, as well as four other charges in Pennsylvania related to possession of a firearm and forged documents, he was indicted Dec. 17. In the indictment document issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Mangione has been charged with one count of murder in the first degree for the death of Thompson, as well as one count of murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, one count of murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal weapon possession in the second degree, four counts of criminal weapon in the third degree, one count of criminal possession in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We allege that Luigi Mangione carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan, said district attorney Alvin L. Bragg in a press release. This type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice. If charged, Mangione faces the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. Mangiones indictment comes just over a week after he was arrested at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, when authorities received a call from an employee at the establishment. Following his arrest, the University of Pennsylvania alum was charged, denied bail and was later booked into SCI Huntington Department of Corrections, per CNN. Pennsylvania State Police/UPI/Shutterstock In the days since, Mangione retained high profile New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo after initially fighting extradition from Pennsylvania, per NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After retaining Agnifilo, multiple outlets reported that Mangione is expected to waive extradition during an upcoming Dec. 19 hearing. Since his arrest, Mangione has also been represented by Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey, who has maintained his clients innocence. I haven't seen any evidence that hes the shooter, Dickey told reporters outside the courtroom after a Dec. 10 hearing. Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concert of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you're proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And I've seen zero evidence at this point. Altoona Police Department via Getty Images Dickey has also spoken out about some of the publics support of his client, saying hes received many offers to cover Mangiones legal fees, telling CNN of the financial support, maybe these people were exercising their right to free speech and saying that's the way they're supporting my client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Mangiones familya locally well-known elite Baltimore pedigreehave remained mostly out of the public eye amid the alleged shooters arrest other than a singular statement shared by cousin Maryland Senate Delegate Nino Mangione. Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," the statement, shared to X Dec. 9, reads. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. Keep reading for everything that has unraveled since the Dec. 4 death of Thompson. Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompsonthough according to public records viewed by E! News, they had been living in separate homesand was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Departments Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompsons back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target. Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack and not a random act of violence. The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway, she noted, and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompsons arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooterwho ignored "numerous other pedestrians"approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. During a Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said the words depose, delay and deny were written on the shell casing in marker. However, hes noted the motive for the killing has yet to be confirmed. What have investigators revealed about the gunmans timeline? During the Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said investigators have footage of the shooter arriving at Port Authority in New York the night of Nov. 24. We believe that that bus originated in Atlanta, Kenny continued. It has several stops along the way, so were not sure where he got on the bus. After the shooter arrived at Port Authority, Kenny continued, the gunman took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton hotel, where he was for about half an hour before traveling by cab to an Upper West Side hostel. On the morning of the shooting, Kenny added, the gunman left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the Hilton hotel at 5:41 a.m. Kenny said the gunman continued to walk in the vicinity of the hotel before then going to a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased a bottled water and a snack. He then returned to the hotel, and the shooting occurred at 6:44 a.m. Immediately after, the gunman fled the scene. Kenny said the shooter was seen entering Central Park at 60th St. and Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exiting the park through W. 77th St. and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. At 7:00 a.m., Kenny added, the gunman was spotted on W. 86th St without the bike. And four minutes later, the chief detective continued, the shooter got in a cab at 86th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Kenny said the gunman was then seen in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Kenny told CNN on Dec. 6 investigators thought the shooter left NYC after he was seen at Port Authority. Who were investigators looking for? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who wore "a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." Over the next few days, the NYPD released a series of photos of the individual they were looking for with the person's face was covered with a mask in many of the pictures. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News Dec. 5 the photos with the lowered face mask came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel, and two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators were trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and cash for a hostel room. As for what led the individual to lower the face mask? "Apparently, there was an interaction while he was checking in, making casual conversation," Kenny said at the Dec. 6 briefing. "At some point, he pulled his mask down and smiled at the clerk." Kenny has also said a cellphone was found in an alley where the shooter fled before heading to the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News a backpack was also found in Central Park. Kenny said investigators are "looking at everything"including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and familythat could help the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. Why was Luigi Mangione arrested? Pennsylvanias Altoona Police Department arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges Dec. 9. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these include two felony chargesone of forgery and one of firearms not to be carried without a licenseas well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement. NYPD commissioner Tisch said a McDonalds employee recognized Mangione and that the Altoona police were then called. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "became quiet and started to shake," police said per NBC News. Tisch also called Mangione a "person of interest" in Thompson's murder and spoke about the efforts to find him, with her thanking law enforcement partners and the public. "For just over five days, our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence: DNA, finger prints, IP addresses and so much more to tighten the net," she said. "We deployed drones, canine units, and scuba divers. We leveraged the domain awareness system, Argus cameras and conducted aviation canvases, and our detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses and doing the good old fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for. This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did police find on Luigi Mangione? In addition to "acting suspiciously," Tisch added, Mangione was "carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport." Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," she continued in the Dec. 9 briefing, per a video shared by NBC News. "They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual." Tisch added officers also recovered a fraudulent New Jersey ID that matched the one the individual used to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting. "Additionally, she continued, officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset. What other charges is Luigi Mangione facing? On Dec. 9, Manhattan prosecutors filed a murder charge against Mangione, according to court documents obtained by NBC News. The 26-year-old is also facing three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (two in the second-degree for loaded firearm and one in the third degree such as for a silencer) and one count of possessing a forged instrument. He has yet to enter a plea for any charges. What did Luigi Mangione state in his writings? According to NBC News, citing the NYPD, Mangione had three pages of writings on him that totaled less than 300 words when he was taken into custody. Three senior law enforcement officials told the outlet these writings read, in part, "Frankly these parasites had it coming." In the writings, the officials continued, Mangione said he acted alone. However, the officials told NBC News they haven't ruled out other actors at this time. To the Feds, Ill keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country," Mangione's writings read, officials told NBC News. "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasnt working with anyone. Officials said Mangione also added, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. However, Tisch noted Mangione's motive has yet to be confirmed. "I think when we look at the manifesto, or that three-page written document that was recovered, you see anti-corporatist sentiment, a lot of issues with the healthcare industry," she said in a Dec. 10 Today interview. "But as to particular specific motive, that will come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and months." Has Luigi Mangione appeared in court? Mangione attended a hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. As he arrived, NBC News reported, he yelled out to families, "Its completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people." Per the outlet, Mangione did not waive extradition to New York and was denied bail. As a result, he will remain in Pennsylvania's SCI Huntingdon prison. His lawyer Thomas Dickey told reporters that Mangione will plead not guilty in Pennsylvania and will likely do the same in New York. "I havent seen any evidence that says hes the shooter, he said, per NBC News. Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concept of American justice is the presumption of innocence, and until youre proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is Luigi Mangione? Mangione is a suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson and is facing several other charges in both Pennsylvania and New York, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon. He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Masters of Science in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, the school confirmed to NBC News. NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he was born and raised in Maryland. His most recent address is listed as Honolulu but he also has connections to San Francisco, Kenny told NBC News. After Mangione's arrest, his family released a statement on X. "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in the Dec. 9 post. "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news." What has Brian Thompsons family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompsons family mourned his passing. We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian, a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time. Thompsons wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats prior to his death. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompsons death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brians family and all who were close to him. And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brians family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. This has included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC, remains active. And while a motive for the shooting hasn't been revealed, many outlets have noted the words depose, delay and deny on the shell casings are similar to the title of the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slammed "deeply disturbing" online reactions to the killing: "In America," he said at a Dec. 9 press conference, per NBC News' video, "we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint." (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App A New York City grand jury has indicted Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, on charges that include murder. Mangione, 26, was indicted Tuesday on one count of first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism; two counts of second-degree murder, one of which is charged as killing as an act of terrorism; seven counts of criminal possession of a weapon; and one count of possession of a forged instrument. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison without parole. Mangione is accused of fatally shooting Thompson in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4. A national manhunt ensued, and Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a news conference Tuesday. It occurred in one of the most bustling parts of our city, threatening the safety of local residents and tourists alike, commuters and businesspeople just starting out on their day. In Pennsylvania, Mangione faces felony charges of forgery and carrying a firearm without a license, along with misdemeanor charges of tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of crime and providing false identification to law enforcement. Mangiones New York attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, has not publicly commented about her client or the charges against him. His Pennsylvania lawyer, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione will plead not guilty to all charges. Dickey previously said his client would fight extradition to New York, but a source familiar with the situation told NBC News on Tuesday that Mangione plans to waive extradition. Bragg also told reporters that he expects Mangione to do so. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, was indicted Tuesday in New York on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, including one count of second-degree murder as an act of terrorism. "This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a press conference announcing the indictment, which also includes a number of weapons charges. Bragg said Mangione had arrived in New York City by bus on Nov. 24 and checked in to a hostel on the Upper West Side using the name "Mark Rosario" with a fake New Jersey ID. On the morning of Dec. 4, Bragg said Mangione left the hostel around 5:30 a.m. ET and traveled to midtown near the Hilton hotel. When Thompson showed up, "we allege [Mangione] then took out a 9mm, 3D-printed ghost gun, equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor, and shot him once in the back and once in the leg." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangione was then found at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., with the same fake New Jersey identification and the 3D-printed ghost gun. He is currently being held without bail at a Pennsylvania state prison on weapons and other charges while contesting his extradition to New York. Bragg noted Tuesday that Mangione is currently scheduled to appear in court in Pennsylvania on Thursday morning, first for a preliminary hearing on his Pennsylvania charges and then for an extradition hearing. It has been reported that Mangione could waive the extradition hearing. Who was Brian Thompson? Thompson was named the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, after having previously served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs, which include Medicare & Retirement and Community & State, according to his company profile. He joined the company in 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson. ... We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and all who were close to him." Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he had been receiving "some threats" but didn't know the details. A former private security leader for Thompson said he was surprised the CEO didn't have a private detail with him at the time of the shooting. "What stands out most to me is the inability to provide him security in New York City while he's going to give a speech to many mad stockholders and possibly mad clients of the health care company," Philip Klein, Klein Investigations CEO, said Friday on Fox & Friends First. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (UnitedHealth Group/AP) "I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him," she told the news outlet. "I can't really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I'm trying to console my children." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Amy Klobuchar, from Minnesota, said in a post on X: "This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompsons family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota." Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the news of Thompson's shooting "horrifying." "A terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota," he wrote on X. "Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian's family and the UnitedHealthcare team." The University of Utah Healths new chief is a veteran brain surgeon, educator, health care administrator and a BYU graduate. On Tuesday, the states flagship university announced that Dr. Bob S. Carter will be the new CEO of University of Utah Health and the schools senior vice president for health sciences. He begins his duties at the university in mid-February 2025. With his own history of research and clinical excellence, Dr. Carter brings a unique ability to run an academic medical center going through exceptional growth and institutional change, said University of Utah President Taylor Randall in a university release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his leadership, we will ensure University of Utah Health continues to innovate, educate and provide high quality, responsive health care. Carter will reportedly manage both the academic and research enterprises at University of Utah Health, with its nearly $500 million research portfolio across five schools and colleges and a health sciences library, according to the release. He will also oversee a $6.3 billion academic health system comprised of nearly 27,000 faculty and staff, and 6,400 students. Carter will be charged with integrating the clinical enterprise of 3,700-member faculty and 17 hospitals and community health centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University of Utah Health, and its dedicated faculty, staff and students, are at a unique inflection point, Carter said in the university release. I am impressed by what they have accomplished already as a team. And I am particularly drawn to the vision of the University of Utah as a public university striving to improve every persons life, and U. of U. Healths shared missions of leading-edge health care, curing through discovery and enlightening tomorrows leaders. Much awaits the new leader According to the university, Carter will be responsible for completing several in-process projects including dedicating a new Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Building in 2026; launching the West Valley City Hospital and Health Center; and opening several new Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Mental Health Institute facilities. I expect Dr. Carter to help us make the case to state lawmakers, donors and others for accelerating the growth and achievement of the University of Utahs world class medical discovery, health care education and patient care, said Randall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter currently serves as the William and Elizabeth Sweet Endowed Professor in Neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and Neurosurgeon-In-Chief at Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Womens Hospital. He also has almost two decades of experience as a researcher and professor of neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School, and another seven years at the University of California, San Diego, where he served as chair of the faculty of the school of medicine. A neurosurgical oncologist, Carter has also served as co-director of the Moores Cancer Center Brain Tumor Program at UC San Diego and the Brain Tumor Program at Mass General. Carter brings to the University of Utah a rich history in health care administration, according to the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He helped launch the integration of academic and clinical teams at Massachusetts General with Brigham and Womens Hospital earlier this year. Carter previously served as the clinical director of the UC San Diego Neurological Institute, a co-founder of Mass General Neuroscience, and as a member of the UC San Diego Health Board of Governors. Carter received his medical degree and a doctorate in epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University in 1992. He claimed a bachelors degree in chemistry at Brigham Young University in 1986. Carter replaces Mike Good, who spent almost seven years at the helm of University of Utah Health. During Goods tenure, the system nearly doubled its budget, added a hospital and community health center and recruited nearly 8,000 new faculty, staff and students. Meanwhile, patient visits increased by 25% and research funding grew from $356 million to $492 million, according to the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randall saluted Goods steady and calm leadership. Mike Good has been an extraordinarily perceptive and effective partner in the effort to guide this institution forward through times of transition, the global COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented growth, Randall said. I am so grateful for his wisdom, patience and calm counsel. His leadership leaves us well-positioned to continue this effort. DAVIS COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) On Monday, officials with Hill Air Force Base confirmed that unmanned drones were flying near the base, but assured the public that the appropriate measures were being taken. We can confirm that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of Hill AFB recently, the base said in a statement provided to ABC4.com. According to the statement, the bases operations were not being impacted by the unmanned systems that were spotted near the base. The statement also said the base is taking the necessary steps to protect its personnel, infrastructure, and assets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to track the unmanned aerial systems, the base said in the statement. To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures, however we retain the right to protect our installations. 3 Utah cowboys earn world champion titles at 2024 National Finals Rodeo Residents near the base who see suspicious activity including the operation of drones or unmanned aerial systems over Hill AFB have been asked to contact local police or Hill AFB Security Forces. Hill AFB published a reminder on Dec. 10, saying, in part, that drones are only allowed to be operated off-base. The base also provided a checklist for drone operators, including what not to do when operating a drone or similar device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using personal drones on base poses a significant hazard to aircraft, Hill AFB said. Any drone activity occurring within five miles of the perimeter of Hill AFB should be coordinated with the 75th Operations Support Squadron. Additional information about drone regulations, flight restrictions, and more can be found on the Federal Aviation Administrations website. The drone sightings near Hill AFB followed similar sightings on the East Coast. On Monday, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagons press secretary, said there is no indication that drones flying over various U.S. cities are being operated by a foreign country, per defense officials. The Associated Press and Matthew Drachman contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from President-elect Donald Trump on Elon Musks role as a top advisor in his incoming administration, expressing concerns in a letter about the billionaires massive conflicts of interest. After defeating President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election, Trump put Musk, the worlds richest man, in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency, an outside advisory committee that will work with people inside the government to reduce spending and regulations. In the letter, Warren described Musk as no ordinary citizen and pointed out that he is the CEO of several companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, that have significant interests before the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Musks substantial private interests present a massive conflict of interest with the role he has taken on as your unofficial co-president, Warren wrote to Trump. Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the countryor merely good for his own bottom line. Warren said that Tesla has obtained nearly $42 million in government contracts to provide electric vehicles and services to the government and SpaceX has received nearly $20 billion in government contracts. Warren specifically referenced Teslas stock surge in the days after Trumps election win, noting that it increased Musks fortune by $70 billion. Federal law contains ethics rules for government employees that are specifically designed to protect the public from dangerous conflicts of interest and ensure that government employees are working on behalf of the public interest rather than twisting government policy to line their own pockets, Warren added in the letter. As a member of the transition team, Mr. Musk is not a federal employee, but the conflicts he faces are enormous and the need for him to be subject to similar ethics standards is obvious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, will serve as DOGEs co-chair alongside Musk. The pair have said that they would encourage Trump to make cuts by refusing to spend money allocated by Congress. Warren requested that Trumps transition team provide answers to her questions no later than Dec. 23, 2024. Read Warrens full letter to Trump below: Warren Letter to Trump 12-16-24 by Boston 25 Staff on Scribd Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) Upper West Siders gave the mayor an earful Monday night about an increase in violent crime. From shootings to stabbings and random attacks, residents are demanding safer streets. Mayor Eric Adams himself called the incidents traumatizing. More Local News Stuffed into a small basement under the holiday lights, residents told the mayor about dark times in their neighborhoodno longer a safe space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has been spiraling down, said Lauren Schultz. Ive just had enough. An onslaught of crime this year has quite literally left Schultz, a doctor, rushing home and running scared. I start running not because someones chasing me, but because Im scared of my neighborhood, she said. At a town hall on public safety, Schultz sat at a table of concerned mothers, some of whom said their children have been victims of attacks by emotionally disturbed individualsand one woman spoke about how she was sucker-punched in the park. What were seeing is a failure in policy providing help for mental health, drugs, and people decarcerated from prison, said Maria Danzilo, a longtime resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven categories of felony crimes have spiked in the 20th Precinct this year. Notably, the number of shooting victims has surgedup 250% from last year. I looked at the numbers: upticks in shootings, random violence, public displaysit has to be traumatizing, Adams admitted. Most recently, a mentally ill man randomly stabbed a tourist, and a workplace grudge exploded into gunfire on busy Columbus Avenue, days after a double shooting on Halloween. The cops are taking it seriously and analyzing to make sure theyre deploying properly, said NYPD Assistant Chief Ruel Stephenson. We have to make you feel safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams praised the NYPD but blamed state lawmakers and judges for treating criminals with kid gloves. Noting 500 people have been arrested 7,800 times in the city. We made a mockery of our system, the mayor said. These criminals are laughing at us. Everyone must do their job. Residents also complained about the influx of homeless shelters near schools and playgrounds. The mayor and social services officials promised to revisit how these decisions are being made. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 forceful 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook the capital of Vanuatu damaging the newly established U.S. Embassy on Tuesday. Authorities reported the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks at 12:53 p.m. local time, according to an embassy alert. There are also reports of landslides in the Port Vila area. People are advised to avoid entering buildings as they may be damaged or unstable, the U.S. Embassy of Port Vila wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Embassy in Port Vila has sustained considerable damage during the earthquake and is closed until further notice. Bodies have been found crushed among the rubble as emergency response teams and neighbors ventured out to help those in need. Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. have offered to provide support to Vanuatu, which has a population of about 330,000. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake, and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu, the U.S. Embassy of Port Moresby wrote in a statement on the social platform X, confirming all Embassy personnel in the building at the time of the earthquake were safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We stand ready to assist the government of Vanuatu if requested. The United States opened its embassy in Port Vila in July. Vanuatu has worked to overcome various natural disasters in recent years stemming from its location in the Pacific Ocean. The country rests above two tectonic plates that shift frequently, resulting in earthquakes that often measure stronger than a magnitude 6. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it has sent warning letters to four companies for selling unapproved versions of GLP-1 drugs including semaglutide and tirzepatide, the active ingredients in popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs. The letters were issued to Xcel Peptides, Swisschems, Summit Research and Prime Peptides last week after the U.S. health regulator conducted a review of their respective websites in October. The websites indicate that their products are labeled as "research use only" or "not for human consumption or clinical use." However, evidence gathered by the FDA establishes that these products are actually intended to be used as drugs for humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency also sent a warning letter to Veronvy, which offers unapproved and misbranded oral GLP-1 products, including one that claims to be approved by the FDA. The FDA has observed that the website offers misbranded products that misleadingly suggest that the drug products are approved or endorsed by the agency in some way. The companies must inform the agency within 15 business days of receiving the letter, outlining the specific actions taken to address any violations. Failure to adequately address the violations may result in legal action including, without limitation, seizure and injunction, the FDA said. Semaglutide is an active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Ozempic, while Eli Lilly's diabetes drug sold as Mounjaro and weight-loss drug Zepbound use the ingredient tirzepatide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the websites were also offering retatrutide, Eli Lilly's experimental next generation weight-loss drug. The companies have previously sued various medical spas, compounding facilities and clinics for selling products purporting to contain the active ingredients. (Reporting by Sriparna Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Alan Barona) (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk urged lawmakers to shut down the federal government rather than accept a deal House Speaker Mike Johnson struck to temporarily fund operations, fueling opposition among congressional Republicans. Most Read from Bloomberg The public attack from the worlds richest man and close adviser to President-elect Donald Trump complicates the path forward for Johnson, who negotiated the package with Democrats ahead of a Friday deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the countrys largest political donor, put House Republicans on notice that they risk becoming a target if they support the deal, declaring any lawmaker who does so should be voted out of office in two years. The more I learn, the more obvious it becomes that this spending bill is a crime, Musk posted on his social media platform X. He added in another post that a government shutdown is infinitely better than passing a horrible bill. Trump has tapped Musk to advise the incoming administration on cutting government spending, making his campaign against the bill a signal of whats to come from his Department of Government Efficiency. The president-elect so far hasnt taken a public stand on the spending deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House and Senate have agreed to extend government funding into March but the deal includes some $29 billion to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund, more than $30 billion for agriculture programs, and billions more in assorted other disaster-related spending, outraging spending hawks. The Friday deadline to avoid a government shutdown leaves little time for haggling. Speaking on Fox News Wednesday, Johnson said he had been texting with Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will be working alongside Musk on the government efficiency initiative. Elon and Vivek and I are on a text chain together, and I was explaining to them the background of this, Johnson said. He added that they realized that with a narrow GOP majority in the House and Democrats in control of the Senate for now, Johnson must work with the other party to move legislation forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said, Its not directed to you, Mr. Speaker, but we dont like the spending, he said. And I said, Guess what, fellas, I dont either. Musk is becoming a formidable power in the Republican party through his wealth and control of the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, a spending spree that helped put Trump in the White House and made the largest US political donor in the election cycle. Johnsons struggle for a deal to keep the US government open after Friday is an ominous sign for his shrinking and fractious Republican majoritys ability to push through Trumps early priorities. Its the same fight between traditional Republicans and raucous conservatives that ultimately led to the ouster last year of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. But in the new Congress, Johnson will have an even smaller majority and a president eager to leverage Republican control of Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election losses, combined with Trumps selection of three House Republicans to serve in his new administration, will leave the party with a one-vote margin through at least early April, when special elections will be held for vacancies. Thats right in the middle of an anticipated push to quickly pass a budget blueprint on a party-line vote followed by partisan bills addressing US border security, taxes and other budget-related issues. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Johnsons top lieutenant, mentioned the narrow majority on Tuesday as he introduced Johnson at a press conference. The leader of the House today and the majority by the narrowest of margins in January, Scalise said. But it doesnt matter. Having the majority is whats important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dealmaking But some conservatives openly complained about the speakers bipartisan dealmaking on add-ons, which they deemed unnecessary. Its the same pattern of behavior, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said, adding that money for farmers and natural disasters had become an excuse to further bloat government funding. Greene predicted more Democrats than Republicans would ultimately vote for the package, an outcome that would infuriate Johnsons right flank just weeks before a vote to reinstall him as speaker. Johnson on Tuesday said he wasnt concerned about keeping his gavel when the House votes for a speaker on Jan. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also dismissed any suggestions that such fears had motivated some of his decisions on the negotiations. But the reality is he only has his job because a restless few axed his predecessor for the first time in US history. --With assistance from Christopher Anstey and Josh Wingrove. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- US ethanol producers are on the brink of getting the green light from Congress to sell higher blends of corn-based biofuel nationwide, a long-elusive goal the industry considers crucial to its future. Most Read from Bloomberg Language to make a higher-ethanol blend, known as E15, available across the US year-round is part of a proposed three-month stopgap spending bill, according to text of the measure released Tuesday. If the temporary funding legislation isnt passed and signed into law by midnight on Friday, the government will shut down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethanol makers and corn growers have fought for more than a decade to expand access to E15 amid fierce opposition from oil refining states. Yet more recently, the rise of electric vehicles has created an alliance between agriculture and Big Oil as they both face the same existential threat. Environmental restrictions now preclude sales of the fuel containing 15% ethanol during the summer across much of the country. Without a nationwide law, refiners will face the costly problem of dealing with a two-tiered fuel system after eight Midwestern corn states were approved by federal regulators for year-round E15 sales last February. My bill puts an end to years of patchwork regulations and uncertainty, said Senator Deb Fischer, a Nebraska Republican whose measure is part of the proposed funding legislation. Not only will my bill lower gas prices and give consumers more choices, but it will also create new opportunity for American producers, who are especially hurting right now from lower prices. Fischers measure would take effect immediately if passed into law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While E15 sales in the US have been steadily rising, ethanol supporters say year-round approval is crucial to future demand. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the countrys largest corn producer, said in an interview that the switch to allow year-round sales nationwide could benefit the state by hundreds of millions of dollars. The E15 measure would potentially heighten demand for American corn at a time when lower crop prices have eroded farmer revenues in the US. The nation already uses almost 140 million metric tons of the grain or more than one third of its harvest for biofuel production. Corn futures in Chicago have tumbled roughly 6% since the start of the year. Last-minute changes to the funding measure, known in Washington as a continuing resolution, could still derail the E15 push by farm state lawmakers, though key stakeholders said they are optimistic the measure will become law. We remain hopeful that the continuing resolution will move swiftly through Congress and to the presidents desk for signature, said Geoff Cooper, chief executive officer of the Renewable Fuels Association. This language finally removes an outdated, red-tape regulatory barrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Petroleum Institute the powerful oil lobby united this year with farm groups to support Fischers E15 bill, which also preserves access to lower-ethanol blends, such as the conventional 10% variety widely available across the US. Most of the gasoline sold in the US contains 10% ethanol, while selling higher E15 through the summer months has been generally off limits without a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency. The US government began to encourage the use of ethanol in the late 1970s following the oil crisis. After the 2001 terrorist attacks intensified energy security concerns, Congress established a mandate compelling ethanol and other biofuels to be mixed into the national fuel supply each year. That set off a debate, with oil producers arguing that blending brings higher refining costs and increased prices at the gas pump. It also has spurred clashes over pollution. A federal clean air law blocks E15 sales in most of the US from June through mid-September, when summer heat boosts evaporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biofuels industry has argued the summertime ban is based on flawed data, and higher gasoline-ethanol mixes are critically needed to help lower climate-harming greenhouse gases. E15 lowers emissions, saves drivers money, and increases American energy dominance, said Emily Skor, CEO of ethanol lobbying group Growth Energy. Giving consumers the chance to choose this fuel year-round would be an early Christmas present to American drivers. --With assistance from Gerson Freitas Jr., Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Steven T. Dennis. (Updates to add details of ethanol measure in the sixth paragraph. Previous version corrected chart to show billions of gallons.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. By Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday proposed three bills aimed at cracking down China's role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis, with measures that would set up a U.S. task force to disrupt narcotics trafficking and pave the way for sanctions on Chinese entities. China is the dominant source of chemical precursors used by Mexican cartels to produce fentanyl, while Chinese money launderers have become key players in the international drug trade, U.S. authorities say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed legislation would help hold China's ruling Communist Party (CCP) accountable for "directly fueling the fentanyl crisis through its state subsidies of precursors," said the House of Representatives' select committee on China, on which all of the sponsors of the bills sit. One bill, The CCP Fentanyl Sanctions Act introduced by Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss, would codify authorities for the U.S. to cut off Chinese companies from the U.S. banking system, including vessels, ports and online marketplaces that "knowingly or recklessly" facilitate shipment of illicit synthetic narcotics. "This is state-sponsored poisoning of the American people," Auchincloss said at an event introducing the legislation. "The genesis of this is squarely on the mainland of the People's Republic of China." Two other bills would create a task force of U.S. agencies to conduct joint operations to disrupt trafficking networks, and allow for the imposition of civil penalties on Chinese entities that fail to properly manifest or follow formal entry channels when shipping precursors to the U.S., the committee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is growing consensus in Republican circles close to President-elect Donald Trump that Beijing has exploited, even engineered, the synthetic opioid epidemic to harm Americans, something Beijing denies. China says it has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and that the U.S. needs to curb narcotics demand at home. China's anti-drugs authorities have always cracked down on incidents linked to missing drug-making chemicals, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, told a regular news conference on Wednesday, when asked about the bills. With little time remaining in the current congressional term, the bills would likely need to be reintroduced next year after the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the select committee, wrote in an article this month that it was "time to get tough" on Beijing over fentanyl. (Reporting by Michael Martina, Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership with Australia will benefit the United States and is the kind of "burden sharing" deal that President-elect Donald Trump has talked about, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. In an interview with Australia's Lowy Institute think tank published on Tuesday, Sullivan said he had confidence AUKUS would endure under the Trump presidency, as it enhances U.S. deterrent capability in the Indo-Pacific and has Australia contributing to the U.S. industrial base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trilateral AUKUS deal struck in 2021 is Australia's biggest defence project, with a cost of A$368 billion ($245 billion) by 2055, as Australia buys several Virginia-class submarines from the United States while also building a new class of nuclear-powered submarine in Britain and Australia. "The United States is benefiting from burden sharing - exactly the kind of thing that Mr Trump has talked a lot about," Sullivan said of the AUKUS agreement. Australia has agreed to invest $3 billion in U.S. shipyards that build the Virginia-class nuclear submarines it will be sold early next decade amid concerns that a backlog of orders could jeopardize the deal. Australia having conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines enhances America's deterrent capability in the Indo-Pacific, Sullivan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Australia is directly contributing to the U.S. submarine industrial base so that we can build out this submarine capability, supply Australia in the nearer term with Virginia class submarines and then in the longer term with the AUKUS class submarine," he added. Australia's defence and foreign ministers, meanwhile, met their counterparts in London on Monday to discuss progress on AUKUS for the first time since a change of government in Britain, and ahead of Trump's inauguration as U.S. president in January. Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey said they discussed "the challenge of maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the challenge of China - increasingly active, increasingly assertive in the region - and the vital importance of maintaining both deterrence and freedom of navigation". Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said they discussed accelerating the process of bringing Australian companies into the supply chain in Britain for building submarines. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Editing by Jamie Freed) The US Department of State has said that there have been casualties among North Korea's military in Kursk Oblast and warned that the potential deployment of North Korean soldiers to Ukraine to take part in hostilities would be regarded as an escalation. Source: Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, during a briefing, as reported by European Pravda Details: Miller was asked whether the North Korean military would become legitimate targets of Ukraine if they crossed the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Miller said that the US believes that "North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Kursk are already legitimate targets". Quote from Matthew Miller: "They entered a war, and they are, as such, combatants and are legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military." Miller noted that he had seen North Korean soldiers who had been killed in action on the battlefield in Russia. Quote from Matthew Miller: "And if they were to cross the border into Ukraine, that would be yet another escalation by the Government of Russia and also an escalation by the Government of North Korea to send North Korean troops to prosecute a war of aggression against an independent, sovereign nation inside that nations borders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also stressed that this would be an absolute escalation on the part of the North Korean government. Miller added that in the context of these events, the United States had been taking steps to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities in recent weeks. Quote from Matthew Miller: "And we will continue to do so." For reference: North Korea and Russia have increased their cooperation since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The countries signed an agreement that obliges each party to provide immediate military aid to the other in the event of armed aggression against one of them. Background: The day before, the Ukrainian military released photos and videos of Russian and North Korean soldiers killed in Kursk Oblast after recent assaults. Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that North Korean units had lost at least 30 soldiers killed or wounded. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that North Korean troops had engaged in combat on Russias side for the first time in Kursk Oblast and suffered losses. Support UP or become our patron! WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security said on Tuesday he expects to see the revival of a Justice Department program focused on fighting Chinese espionage and intellectual property theft. Speaking to the conservative Hudson Institute think tank, Rep. Mark Green highlighted Chinese infiltration and espionage threats targeting critical U.S. infrastructure, from port cranes to power plants. He stressed the need for a national strategy to deal with cyber threats and to take the offensive against China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're in a conflict with China on multiple levels, and too many people are asleep at the wheel," he said. With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to office on Jan. 20, Green was asked if he expected the revival of the China Initiative from the first Trump presidency, which critics said involved racial profiling and created a culture of fear that chilled scientific research. "Yes, I think you'll see that," he said. In ending the program in 2022, the Biden administration said this was done in recognition that the focus on China was too limited and there was a need to address threats from a broader array of hostile nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. agencies and Congress have nevertheless stepped up scrutiny of China's state-sponsored influence and technology transfers at American colleges and universities, concerned that Beijing uses open and federally funded research environments in the U.S. to circumvent export controls and other national security laws. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Republican Pennsylvania senator Doug Mastriano added a picture of a Star Wars prop in an otherwise serious-sounding social media post voicing national security concerns over drone sightings in the country. After he was called out by X users and its community notes feature, the politician clarified that he used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme.' It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones, Mastriano wrote, along with a picture of a TIE fighter. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. Such should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. January 20th cant come soon enough. It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire pic.twitter.com/qWqyH3dnkI Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) December 16, 2024 The post ended up being flagged by X with a community note, stating the object was of a the photo is of a prop/replica spaceship from Star Wars.' By Tuesday, Mastriano cleared the air not of drones but of any confusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I posted a statement about the drones and used an obvious Star Wars prop as a meme. The Philadelphia Inquirer just called asking if I knew it was a prop. Hilarious. Modern dad journalism,' Mastriano. Per ABC, there have been more than 5,000 drone sighting tips reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over the last few weeks, which has led to 100 leads for federal investigators and state and local officials. In a joint statement, the FBI Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Defense, stated there are no national security risks. Having closely examined the technical data and tips from concerned citizens, 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 stars mistakenly reported as drones, the statement read. The post US Senator Posts Photo of Star Wars Ship Amid Serious Concerns Over Drone Sightings: Action Is Long Overdue appeared first on TheWrap. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has asked Donald Trump's transition team to hold Elon Musk to the same ethics standards as other transition members, putting oversight of the unusually powerful presidential adviser in the spotlight. The billionaire CEO of Tesla and rocket company SpaceX, as well as the owner of social media platform X, has had an increasingly close relationship with Republican Trump since he endorsed him in July. Musk spent over a quarter billion dollars to help elect Trump, and also owns interests in cryptocurrency and other ventures. "Mr. Musks substantial private interests present a massive conflict of interest with the role he has taken on as your unofficial co-president,'" Warren said in a letter to the Trump transition team made public by her office on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Currently, the American public has no way of knowing whether the advice that he is whispering to you in secret is good for the country - or merely good for his own bottom line." Musk's role as the co-chair of a newly created Trump advisory body that is not part of the U.S. government, the "Department of Government Efficiency," means that he is not a government employee, Warren noted, "but the conflicts he faces are enormous and the need for him to be subject to similar ethics standards is obvious." A spokeswoman for the Trump transition team noted that the president-elect had stepped away from his own business to go to the White House. "President Trump removed himself from his multi-billion-dollar real estate empire to run for office and forewent his government salary, becoming the first President to actually lose net worth while serving in the White House," Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Musk's potential conflicts, Trump told Time magazine in an interview published on Dec. 12: "I think that Elon puts the country long before his company." Past presidents have often enlisted industrialists for efficiency commissions, Danielle Brian, executive director of the watchdog Project on Government Oversight, told Reuters. A key difference in this case is the industries Musk is invested in are in their early stages, Brian said, meaning decisions made by regulators whom Trump appoints are potentially going to transform the sectors they are in, and could put Musk's specific companies at an advantage. Trump's transition team issued an ethics pledge in November that promises members "will avoid both actual and apparent conflicts of interest," and that they "may not participate in any particular Transition matter which to their knowledge may directly conflict with a financial interest of theirs ... or other individual or organization with which they have a business or close personal relationship." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk's task force aims for a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. government, which spent $6.8 trillion in the most recent fiscal year and has threatened to fire thousands of government workers. Among other regulatory changes, the Trump transition team wants the incoming administration to drop a car-crash reporting requirement opposed by Musks electric vehicle company, Tesla, Reuters reported last week. Walter Shaub, the former director of the Office of Government Ethics, told Reuters that he felt Musk's role could endanger national security and public safety. The OGE is tasked with overseeing ethics standards in the executive branch. Shaub resigned in July 2017, months before his term was supposed to end, after clashes with Trump's first administration. "Taxpayers should lament their money going to serve Musk's interests instead of the interests of the American people," he said. (Reporting by Heather Timmons in WashingtonAdditional reporting by Jeff Mason in West Palm Beach, Florida. Editing by Matthew Lewis and Aurora Ellis) The US has moved detainees from the military prison at Guantanamo Bay to Kenya and Malaysia, the Pentagon announced this week. Mohammed Abdul Malik Bajabu was transferred to Kenya nearly three years after a Periodic Review Board determined the continued law of war detention was no longer necessary in December 2021, a release from the Pentagon said on Tuesday, marking the first detainee transfer in more than a year. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin notified Congress about his intent to transfer Bajabu to Kenya in November. He was never charged with a crime. Bajabu had been detained since 2007, Mark Maher, a staff attorney for the human rights group Reprieve US who represented him, told CNN last year. According to Department of Defense filings, Bajabu was a facilitator for al Qaeda in East Africa before he was detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, two detainees have been repatriated to Malaysia, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Mohammed Farik bin Amin and Mohammed Nazir bin Lep pled guilty to war crimes for an affiliate of al Qaeda that carried out attacks on Bali in 2002 and a 2003 attack on the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta, the US Department of Defense said in a statement. The two men were returned to Malaysia in accordance with pre-trial agreements and had cooperated with the US government in providing testimony against Encep Nurjaman, the statement said. Nurjaman is alleged to have been a leader in Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the Southeast Asian militant network blamed for the deadly Bali bombings, according to a 2021 Defense Department statement announcing charges against him and the two men. The al Qaeda-linked militant group is accused of orchestrating some of the deadliest attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 bombing of Bali nightclubs that killed more than 200 people and the 2003 bombing of the JW Marriott hotel in Jakarta that killed 12 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last detainee transfer occurred in April 2023, when a 72-year-old al Qaeda associate was transferred to Algeria after more than 20 years of detention at Guantanamo. President Joe Biden made it an early goal of his administration to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, also known as GTMO, but the US made only marginal progress in moving the prisoners held there over the last four years. The facility held about 40 detainees at the start of the Biden administration. As of Wednesday, 27 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay, the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagons release, 29 detainees remain at the military prison 15 of whom are eligible to be transferred out. Among those remaining are three alleged 9/11 conspirators whose plea deals are at the center of an ongoing dispute between the Pentagon and the military judge over the validity of said deals. President Barack Obama also promised to shut down Guantanamo when he campaigned for office, setting up the office of military commissions and the Periodic Review Board system during his tenure, but he failed to close the prison during his eight years in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During President-elect Donald Trumps first term in office, he signed an executive order in January 2018 to keep the facility open, reversing Obamas policy. Trump also raised the prospect of additional prisoners being held at the facility as part of his decision. The United States may transport additional detainees to US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay when lawful and necessary to protect the Nation, the order said. Originally opened in 2002, the facility was meant to be a place where suspects in the war on terror could be interrogated. But prisoners have been indefinitely detained, and as the US war on terror dragged on, the detention facility became an international symbol of US rights abuses in the post-9/11 era. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) UScellular donated $5,000 worth of equipment Monday to Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois. When Girls on the Runs executive director, Lisa Puma, received a call from the cellular provider informing her team of the initial nomination, she thought she was being pranked. We were like, I think its a scam. I put the person on hold. I think somebodys pranking us, because they said that we have an in-kind donation. It didnt sound like it was possible that it would be real. And in fact, they said that they would do a presentation for us the next day. ended up being an actual, real, real program, Puma said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The donation was part of the companys nationwide Gift of Connection program, which awarded cash to 50 non-profits across America. Were proud to provide Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois with a donation of sports equipment, said Marlon Bailey, director of sales at UScellular in N. Illinois & Wisconsin. Giving back is a part of UScellulars commitment to connect people to what matters most, and were honored to give the gift of connection this holiday season. Girls on the Run started in Winnebago County in 2015 with the goal of helping elementary-aged girls gain confidence and create lifelong friendships, all while training for a 5K run. Girls on the Run actually was nominated by one of our associates in the area, anonymously, because of the great work that they do, specifically with the girls in our community here in Rockford, said UScellular store manager Melissa Hollister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The donation will get Girls on the Run members water bottles, totebags, and drawstring bags. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Registered nurse Lindsay Waldman, left, prepares to administer a pediatric vaccine to a 5-year-old at a Denver hospital as the girl's father comforts her. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images) LINCOLN Vaccination rates for Nebraskas school children continue to decline, with rates for two vaccines falling below the 95% national target rate for healthy children. An annual state report issued last week indicated that immunization rates for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella combined) and for chickenpox were at about 94.5% and 93.5%, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is below a 95% target goal set by the Healthy People 2030 initiative of the federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in an effort to prevent the spread of preventable diseases. The report, which is based on surveys of children entering kindergarten and seventh grade during the 2023-24 school year, indicated that immunizations for DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis), polio and hepatitis B were all slightly above 95%. But those vaccinations, like the rates for MMR and chickenpox, have been generally declining since before the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, Nebraskas vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella was 96.3% in 2019-20, compared with 93.5% in the most recent report. National trend That mirrors a national trend, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, which said last month that 14 states have reported overall vaccination rates below 90% for the 2023-2024 school year, compared to only three states in the 2019-2020 school year, prior to the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main driver of lower vaccination rates, according to Kaiser, are non-medical exemptions, based mainly on religion, sought by parents to avoid the vaccinations for their children. That health organization, in a November article, reported that 14 states now have overall exemption rates (for both non-medical and medical reasons) above 5% Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Utah. That compares with eight states prior to the pandemic. Idaho led the nation in vaccination exemptions, at 14.3%, while Nebraskas rate was 3.5%, which was slightly higher than the national average of 3.3%, Kaiser reported. A spokeswoman with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, responding to an email, said the agency could not speculate on whats caused vaccination rates to decline in the state, although there has been a general increase in religion exemptions since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childhood vaccines are safe and effective, said spokeswoman Alycia Davis. DHHS encourages individuals and parents to consult their healthcare provider to develop a personalized care plan. A lot of misinformation Dr. Tom Safranek, a former state epidemiologist who now works for a company that does worksite immunizations, said lower vaccination rates appear related to a backlash against strict public health mandates adopted during the COVID-19 epidemic. That, he said, is despite plenty of good science that supports vaccinations. I think theres a lot of misinformation out there. Its almost the concept that if it doesnt kill you it makes you stronger, Safranek said. People are putting themselves and their kids at risk by avoiding (immunizations), he said, adding that he has always been a believer in vaccinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Particularly troubling, Safranek said, is a decline in vaccinations for measles, which he called the most infectious infection around that is easily spread and can cause a lengthy illness and even death. It may take some time to regain widespread public trust in vaccines and to dismiss false claims that vaccines cause autism, he said. Theres a pretty good scientific basis for vaccines and that the benefits far outweigh the risk, Safranek said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are threatening sanctions against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unless Ankara forces Syrian opposition fighters into a ceasefire with U.S-backed Kurdish partners in the northeast of the country, as the country roils from the fall of the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The senators said they are prepared to introduce sanctions legislation this week against Turkey if Ankara does not immediately accept terms for a sustained ceasefire and demilitarized zone. While Turkey has some legitimate security concerns that can be addressed, these developments are undermining regional security, and the United States cannot sit idly by, the senators wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the Assad regimes fall, Turkish-backed forces have ramped up attacks against our Syrian Kurdish partners, once again threatening the vital mission of preventing the resurgence of ISIS. The U.S. maintains about 900 troops in northeast Syria supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in combating a resurgence of the terrorist group ISIS. Turkey has long accused elements within Syrian Kurdish forces of being terrorists, specifically the Kurdish group PKK. The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, one of the opposition groups that took part in the takeover of the country from Assad earlier this month, reportedly ended on Monday a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that allowed for Syrian Kurdish forces to retreat from the northeastern city of Manbij. Van Hollen and Graham said that Turkey has refused to extend the ceasefire, including an offer for a demilitarized zone along the border, particularly the city of Kobani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sanctions Van Hollen and Graham propose mirror legislation introduced in 2019 that, at the time, helped move Turkey and Turkish-backed forces into a ceasefire with the Kurds. This includes sanctions against senior Turkish officials, including Erdogan; key Turkish banks; military transactions; and energy sector activities in support of the Turkish Armed Forces. It would also require the U.S. Treasury to move forward with delayed sanctions under federal law over Turkeys decision to obtain the S-400 Russian missile defense system. And it would prohibit U.S. military assistance to Turkey, bar Erdogan and Turkish leadership from visiting the United States, and require reports on the net worth and assets of Erdogan amid concerns of corruption. President-elect Trump has said that the U.S. should have nothing to do with Syria, and during his first term he sought to withdraw the U.S. troops backing the SDF. During a press conference on Monday, he did not directly address whether he would seek to withdraw U.S. troops again, but he said that Erdogan is someone I got along with great and seemed to suggest Ankara would have control of the country. Well, nobody knows what the final outcomes going to be in the region. I believe its Turkey. But Turkey did an unfriendly takeover without a lot of lives being lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Kirsty Needham and Cordelia Hsu (Reuters) - People remained trapped in a collapsed building in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Wednesday a day after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific nation, killing 14 people including two Chinese nationals. Three people were communicating with rescue teams from beneath the rubble of one building, while two survivors had been pulled from the ruins of another, Police Commissioner Robson Iavro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We believe there are more stuck inside," Iavro said in a video message. As aftershocks continued to rattle the island nation of 330,000 people, footage posted on social media showed vehicles crushed under the debris, boulders strewn across a highway and landslides near Port Vila's international shipping terminal. National broadcaster VBTC showed people queuing for fuel and essentials as power, water and communications were disrupted. There were 14 confirmed deaths including four in one collapsed building, the National Disaster Management office said in a report. More than 200 people were injured, police said, and triage tents were set up outside Port Vila's hospital to manage the influx of patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Vanuatu Eric Durpaire said water contamination was a major concern. "We already saw this morning an increase of children with diarrhea cases, meaning they have started to drink contaminated water because the water supply has been broken," he told Reuters in an interview. China's ambassador confirmed two Chinese nationals were among the dead. Vanuatu businessman Milroy Cainton said while rescue efforts had continued at the Billabong building, there had been no recovery of bodies at the larger Wong Store where two Chinese people and a local security guard were believed to have died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wong building is piles and piles of concrete that is a four-storey building, he said in an interview with Reuters. Concrete pillars on a building hosting foreign missions in the capital, including the U.S., British, French and New Zealand embassies, also collapsed but there were no reported casualties. AFTERSHOCKS OVERNIGHT Several aftershocks, including one of magnitude 6.1, shook Vanuatu overnight. "Even just two minutes ago, we had another shock ... probably wouldn't even count how many. Loads and loads of aftershocks throughout the night," Australian Caroline Bird, who manages a resort in Port Vila, told ABC News on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwai said a national disaster committee has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew for seven days in the worst-affected areas. International assistance has been sought. The United States Agency for International Development said it was sending a team to Vanuatu, where it keeps relief supplies pre-positioned in Port Vila. Australia's government said a 64-person disaster response with two dogs to undertake urban search and rescue operations, as well as Australian Federal Police, would arrive on Wednesday. France's ambassador to Vanuatu, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, said a French military helicopter had arrived from New Caledonia with satellite communications and military engineers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Port Vila's international airport would be closed to commercial airlines for 72 hours, to allow medical and emergency aircraft to land, Airports Vanuatu CEO Jason Rakau told VBTC. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated 116,000 people, around one-third of the country's population, had been affected by the earthquake. The tropical island nation, located on the seismically active 'Pacific Ring of Fire', is ranked among the world's most at-risk countries for natural disasters and extreme weather events. (This story has been corrected to change eyewitness account to clarify that he did not see bodies being recovered, in paragraph 11) (Reporting by Renju Jose, Cordelia Hsu and Kirsty Needham in Sydney, Lucy Craymer in Wellington and Pretish M J in Bengaluru; Writing by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Stephen Coates) COLUMBIA COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) A vehicle pursuit through Wisconsin came to a dramatic end Monday when the driver drove into the partially frozen Baraboo River, requiring a rescue by law enforcement. According to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, the chase began shortly before 10:30 a.m. when the Wisconsin State Patrol requested assistance with a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 90/94. Two Wisconsin men arrested in connection to armed gas station robberies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was allegedly driving on the wrong side of the interstate and exhibiting reckless behavior. The pursuit ended when the vehicle veered into the Baraboo River near the Fox Glen Wayside, and the driver attempted to flee on foot. Deputies arrived to find the man in the frigid, partially frozen water, clinging to a submerged tree. A deputy used a rescue disc device to reach the driver, who had spent approximately 10 minutes in the icy water. Law enforcement successfully pulled the man to safety, after which he was transported to a medical facility for evaluation and later turned over to the Wisconsin State Patrol. Wisconsin authorities urge caution after two squad cars hit in one week Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is another great example of the partnership between agencies to bring dangerous events like this to a safe outcome, the Columbia County Sheriffs Office stated. No further details about the incident 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. STRASBOURG, France (AP) The European Union's legislature on Tuesday celebrated the bravery and staunch resistance of Venezuelan opposition leaders Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia while awarding them the EUs top human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said it was in recognition of your tireless efforts to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela and ensure a fair, free and peaceful transition of power risking everything for the values that millions of Venezuelans and this parliament hold so dear. Machado was set to run against the incumbent president, Nicolas Maduro, in Venezuelas election this year, but the government disqualified her. Gonzalez took her place. He had never run for office before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lead-up to the election saw widespread repression including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. Machado went into hiding, fearing for her life. A Venezuelan court issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, who moved to Spain and was granted asylum. We are facing a regime which has seriously undermined human rights democratic institutions and the system of freedom, Gonzalez told the EU legislators. Maduros victory was contested by independent observers including the United Nations. In a resolution last month, the EU parliament recognized Gonzalez as Venezuelas legitimate president. The EU award, named after Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and basic freedoms. The winner is chosen by senior EU lawmakers from among candidates nominated by the European Parliaments various political groups. The assembly says the award is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several laureates, including Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This prize carries with it a rich historical legacy," Gonzalez said. The annual award also carries a 50,000-euro ($54,000) endowment. This article is part of Dealing the Dead, a series investigating the use of unclaimed bodies for medical research. CORNELIUS, N.C. Last year, Karen Wandel received an alarming message: Her father had died more than five months earlier in a South Carolina hospital and, when no family claimed his body, the hospital sent it to be used for medical research. Wandel had a strained relationship with her father, Libero Marinelli Jr., a widower, and hadnt spoken to him in years. But as a lawyer in North Carolina, she wasnt hard to find. Neither were Marinellis brother in California or sister in Massachusetts, who had kept in touch on birthdays and holidays. But they all learned of his death only after Marinellis brother sent him a Christmas card that was returned unopened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wandel remains stunned by the treatment of her father, who, as a former Army service member, was entitled to be buried in a veterans cemetery but whose corpse instead was first sent to a body broker in another state. Libero Marinelli Jr. served as an Army lawyer during the Vietnam War. I just want somebody to look me in the eye and say, What we did was wrong, and we are sorry. We are sorry to your family, and were sorry that your father suffered this indignity, Wandel said. Particularly after he served his country. Supplying unclaimed bodies for medical research is widely considered unethical, and most major medical schools and a few states have halted the practice. And yet it continues, in part due to the health care industrys steady demand for human specimens and local officials feeling overwhelmed by a rise in bodies without next of kin to claim them. Whats difficult to gauge is just how often it occurs: The body business has no federal regulation or oversight, and many states do not track the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC News spent months documenting the use of unclaimed bodies in medical research, submitting public records requests to dozens of state agencies, county coroners and medical schools. The records offer glimpses of where and how this is occurring. Since 2020, a community college in North Carolina has received 43 unclaimed bodies from local welfare agencies and medical examiners to teach embalming to funeral services students. In Pennsylvania, a state body-donation program that distributes human remains to medical schools said that it had received 58 unclaimed bodies from county coroners, medical examiners, hospitals and other facilities since 2019. Louisiana State University provided records on a single 2023 case in which an unclaimed car wreck victim was sent to the schools forensic department for study; a university spokesperson said the lab prioritizes ethical practices and respect for the dignity of individuals. But in many states where it is legal to use unclaimed bodies for medical research, officials told NBC News that they did not have records of any such cases or denied requests for detailed information. That included Pennsylvania, where an official said the body-donation program could not share how the 58 unclaimed bodies were used. In Illinois, a 2018 law requires record-keeping of the unclaimed bodies provided to medical institutions, but a spokesperson for the state agency responsible for the task said it is not doing it because no one allocated any money for the effort. There could be a lot more happening that we dont know about, said Joy Balta, an anatomy professor at Point Loma Nazarene University in California. He wants to see more regulation of the body donation industry and has written guidelines that call for donation programs to stop using unclaimed bodies. Otherwise, he said, Theres no way to know about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most extensive use of the unclaimed dead that reporters found was at a Fort Worth-based medical school, the University of North Texas Health Science Center. NBC News reported this year that the center collected thousands of unclaimed bodies from county medical examiners and leased some out to private companies and the Army, often without consent from any next of kin. The center halted the use of unclaimed bodies in response to NBC News reporting, citing failures of respect, care and professionalism. In the absence of regulations, many coroners, hospitals or nursing homes are left to decide for themselves what to do when people die without a relative available to arrange a funeral. For some, the easiest and cheapest solution is to donate the body to a medical school or a body dealer, even if there is no indication that is what the person or their next of kin wanted. Marinellis journey from a public hospital to a for-profit body broker demonstrates the peril of this choice: Health care workers and local authorities often lack the time and expertise to find peoples relatives, NBC News has found, and when they fail to do so, families are denied the chance to decide what happens to their loved ones remains. Once she learned of her fathers death, Wandel began to seek answers, growing angrier at each step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they could do this to a veteran Army officer, a guy with a house, a guy with a dog, a guy with family, she said, imagine what could happen to really vulnerable people. Karen Wandel hadn't spoke to her father in years but said she would have claimed his body if someone had told her he'd died. Wandel acknowledges that her father was a difficult man. Marinelli grew up in New Jersey, joined the Army, attended law school and served several years as a military lawyer during the Vietnam War. He told his daughter that an assignment representing a soldier who had fired on his own unit nearly broke him, and sparked a drinking habit that developed into alcoholism. He went on to work at the Justice Departments tax division, but lost his job and went into private practice, Wandel said. Marinellis wife, a lawyer for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, also suffered from addiction, and from mental illness, Wandel said. They separated but did not divorce. Neither was able to properly care for Wandel, their only child, so she spent much of her childhood in foster care but stayed in touch with her parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, Marinelli tried to clean up and get his daughter back but couldnt make it stick, Wandel said. Still, he taught her to swim, ride a bike and drive. He took her to folk and bluegrass concerts. He attended her graduations from high school, college and law school, and walked her down the aisle at her wedding. In 2009, after Wandels mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she returned to her and slept by her bedside until she died. She and her father later fought over his refusal to help administer her mothers affairs, Wandel said, and, in 2011, they stopped talking. Caring for her mother inspired Wandel to volunteer at a hospice. I found the idea of people dying without dignity or without somebody there to listen to them and hold their hand really offensive, she said. If she had known her father was dying, she said, I would have been there. Despite their disagreements, Marinelli tried to stay in Wandel's life, including walking her down the aisle at her wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he turned 80 on June 29, 2022, Marinelli received calls from his younger sister and brother. He told them he was doing fine, at his home in the town of Greer, South Carolina, the siblings said. Two days later, Marinelli fell at home and couldn't get up. He was taken to Spartanburg Medical Center, according to hospital records. Over the next several weeks, his condition worsened to include respiratory failure, a blood infection, Covid, pneumonia and strokes. He didnt have any family contacts listed on his chart, according to the records. But during his stay he told staff he had an estranged daughter, gave the full name of his sister in Boston and the first name of his brother in Southern California, and mentioned a cousin in Florida. The records say that local welfare workers conducted an extensive search for family members but failed to locate them. Marinelli was put on a ventilator and, without family available to make decisions on his behalf, the hospital took him off life support. He died on July 28, 2022. Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, which runs Spartanburg Medical Center, said in a statement that privacy concerns prevent it from answering questions about Marinellis case. A spokesperson said the hospital has the utmost sympathy for all families dealing with the loss of a loved one and aimed to identify and honor the wishes of the patient in life and after death. That includes working with patients to identify people they want to be involved in their care and to locate family members who may not regularly be in contact with them. Marinelli died at Spartanburg Medical Center in Spartanburg, S.C. SMC is committed to honoring the decisions of patients or their authorized decision makers regarding the disposition of remains, the spokesperson, Maria Williamson, wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Marinellis death, an employee at the hospital told the Spartanburg County Coroners Office that Marinelli had relatives but that he doesnt want anybody notified and we havent been able to find them, according to a phone recording provided by the coroners office in response to a records request. The coroners office didnt get involved in the search for Marinellis family because he died of natural causes. In early August 2022, the hospital posted a public notice that ran in print for three days in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, a local newspaper, seeking relatives of Marinelli, but no one in his family saw it. The medical center ultimately gave Marinellis body to NovaShare, a small company in North Carolina that says it provides human specimens to firefighters, surgeons, the Army and medical device companies for training, education and research. The company connects with donors through funeral homes and hospitals and offers free cremations to families in exchange for their loved ones bodies. NovaShare also accepted unclaimed bodies from Spartanburg Medical Center. In those cases, Charles Crook, NovaShares CEO, said he expected that the hospital made reasonable attempts to contact the persons family. State records give this building in Concord, N.C., as NovaShare Donation LLC's location. In January 2023, Wandel received a message from her uncle Louis. He had been looking for Marinelli for weeks and learned that he had died more than five months earlier at Spartanburg Medical Center. Louis wrote that the head of the hospital's morgue "had his body donated to science." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Wandel grappled with the finality of her fathers death, and the realization that they would never reconcile, she also began wondering about the donation, which surprised her. She assumed that his body had ended up at a medical school, where it would have been used to educate future doctors and scientists. But when she drove to Spartanburg for a copy of his death certificate the next step toward recovering his remains and holding a military funeral she discovered the hospital had provided his body to NovaShare. She began researching the body broker industry and was appalled to see stories of a largely unregulated market that sometimes resulted in misuse of donated human specimens, including in Army bomb-blast tests and as car crash dummies. If her father was eligible for a free burial in a veterans cemetery, why didnt the hospital simply notify the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs? More importantly, why hadnt anyone contacted her or her fathers siblings? Was it because there was money to be made? Now Im livid, Wandel recalled. Wandel intensified her efforts to determine what happened to her father. After learning his cremated remains wouldnt be ready for another six weeks, she said she confronted Wes Collins, coordinator of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare Systems ethics committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wandel said Collins told her the hospital turned to NovaShare because it was overwhelmed with bodies during the pandemic and promised the hospital would no longer use the company. Collins did not respond to requests for comment. Asked about Spartanburg Medical Centers providing unclaimed bodies to NovaShare, Williamson, the spokesperson, responded only that the hospital has not and does not have a contractual or financial relationship with the company. Wandel, dissatisfied with Collins response, said she also tried calling NovaShare, but was not able to reach anyone. She received help from the states Department of Veterans Affairs, where an employee arranged with NovaShare to obtain Marinellis cremated remains. Marinelli's cremated remains now lie in a columbarium at M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery. Not knowing what had been done to her fathers body and her inability to stop it provoked nightmares that did not ebb even after his remains were finally shipped to M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina. Marinellis funeral was held on a warm, breezy afternoon in April 2023. An Army honor guard thanked Wandel for her fathers service and presented her with a folded flag. She wept as she took it in her hands. In her eulogy, Wandel described their fractured relationship and how they had tried repeatedly to reconnect. Dad, you spent much of my childhood trying to bring me home, she said. I hope Ive honored you by fighting to bring you home, too. Wandel at her father's funeral. That summer, Wandel received her fathers hospital records and read how he had cried for his pets, grew frustrated and angry, then became confused, then unresponsive before dying alone. She saw that hed told staff about his siblings and daughter. It broke her heart. In September, more than a year after the funeral, Wandel saw NBC News article about the use of unclaimed bodies without consent at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. This happened to my family, she emailed the reporters. Wandel said she wants to find a way to bring more attention to the issue. That includes support for a federal bill that would require anyone who acquires human bodies and profits off their use to register with the government and provide proof of consent. The bill has been on the table for years, but has not gone anywhere. In South Carolina, its legal to use unclaimed bodies for medical research; its less clear what involvement the state has, if any, in controlling the choices hospitals make when patients die without next of kin. Regardless of whats required, Wandel believes hospital and county officials should have tried harder to find her and her family. There is a right way to do this, she said. Marinelli's cemetery marker pays tribute to his service in the Army's legal corps. After hearing Wandels story, NBC News contacted Crook, the head of NovaShare and the only person who could explain what happened to Marinellis body. In text messages and a phone conversation, Crook, a former funeral home employee who founded NovaShare in 2018, said he had picked up Marinellis frozen body and transported it to a facility in North Carolina. After the body thawed, Crook said, he determined that it was in poor condition and not suitable for research or training. So he put it back in a freezer, where it remained for months. He said he did not have documentation of this. Crook said that he had not communicated with Marinellis family, but that he generally doesnt tell families if their relatives bodies are unsuitable for research because it would hurt their feelings. We feel it is better for the healing process to let them think they helped with medical advances, he said. Crook added that NovaShare had stopped taking unclaimed bodies more than a year ago because they were usually in poor condition. NBC News shared Crooks account with Wandel, who said she didnt believe her fathers body wasnt used for research. The ordeal has left her shaken and hurt, without sufficient answers. If he wasnt suitable for donation, she said, then why was he sitting in your freezer for six months? Jon Schuppe reported from Cornelius, North Carolina; Tyler Kingkade reported from Los Angeles; and Mike Hixenbaugh reported from Washington, D.C. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Veterans gathered at the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday 80 years after the start of the Battle of the Bulge. More than 22,000 Allied forces and civilians died in what became one of the largest and bloodiest fights of the war. Six intense weeks during the coldest winter on record, Jane Droppa, the chair of the Friends of the National WWII Memorial, recounted during the ceremony. We remember the thousands who gave their lives in this pivotal battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most have to honor the sacrifices from the famous battle based on memorials like the ones at the National Mall, but 99-year-old Col. Frank Cohn survived it. Whenever I think about the Bulge, I think of the weather, Cohn said. Cohns mission as an Army intelligence agent during that brutal winter was looking for Germans in American uniforms throughout Belgium, and one drive in particular in sleet and snow with no windshield came to mind. I was lucky. I was just a PFC so I was in the backseat. The captain was in the front, and I got behind him. He shielded me, but I never told him that, Cohn remembered, laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good humor sustained Cohn throughout the war and his life. Like fellow veteran of the battle who also attended the ceremony, 96-year-old Harry Miller, Cohn continued to serve in the military after WWII. The legacy of the Battle of the Bulge lives on in the freedoms we cherish today, Droppa said. Following a wreath laying ceremony, dozens of spectators filtered through the WWII Memorial to recognize the battles 80th anniversary and to shake hands and take pictures with Cohn and Miller. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. He usually keeps his head on a swivel when hes riding the subway but New York Citys latest random subway shove victim allowed himself to be distracted by the MTAs Holiday Nostalgia Train. The next thing the 72-year-old victim knew he was bleeding on the train tracks at Manhattans 34th St.-Herald Square stop, pushed from behind on Sunday by a deranged man who nearly killed him. Now the victims plans to travel abroad with his family for Christmas are dashed as he recovers in the hospital from a fractured spine and other painful injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My guard was down. It usually is not. said the victim, a retired Local 1 stagehand who did not want to be named. Ive been in New York for 50 years. Ive seen a lot of bad stuff. Im very street savvy. But in that unique situation of being so excited because of the holiday train I was not aware of my surroundings. His attacker has not been caught. The victim, who lives in Greenwich Village, said he rode the historic train from W. Fourth St. to Herald Square around noon, admiring the vintage clothing some passengers were wearing, and enjoying the cheerful crowd. The eight-car train takes riders back in time aboard R-1/9 cars that havent been in service since 1977. They were first introduced in the 1930s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was using my phone to record the train pulling out, he said. The next thing I knew, I was looking at the track, and there was blood splattered on the track. He said it took him a few moments to get his bearings straight. It was terrifying. It was surreal to realize where I was, he said. He said the next moments were sensory overload. I kind of realized where I was, and that it was my blood and I was in pain, he said. There was a lot of commotion and a lot of noise. The train had just pulled out of the station and was about 20 feet away when he was shoved. Thank God there wasnt another train coming in, the man said. I did have that thought when I was down there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it terrified him because he couldnt get up. He said several people jumped on the tracks to his rescue and pulled him up, including an off-duty EMT who just happened to be on the platform. She really was fabulous, the victim said. She just took control of the situation, and it was very calming for me. She was actually one of the people that carried me to the ambulance. The man was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he is being treated for a cut to his head and fractures in his left foot, right hand, left upper rib and several in his spine, which may need surgery to insert some screws and a bar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im in a body brace to stabilize my spine, and Im in pain, he said, his voice breaking. Ive been really emotional. It comes up in waves. It overwhelms me at times. The ordeal has forced him to put off a holiday trip he was planning to Portugal with his wife, daughter and son. Unfortunately, my family Christmas plans are now ruined, he said. And now I dont know about the scheduling of the surgery and how Ill recover from that. He said his daughter and son will come to New York City to be with him for the holiday instead. Weve got to regroup and stay positive and get through this, he said. I hope to be home, and well celebrate by just being together. Not only because of the ruined Christmastime but I also feel depressed because of the condition of our society, that mankind can be so cruel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Im trying to hold on to the positive experiences, he added, noting the people who helped him off the tracks. Im just grateful for the people that came to my side and the EMTs and the transit police. The victim said the assailant didnt say a word to him and that he didnt even see the man who shoved him. He heard from bystanders that his attacker had shoved another person before him but that person did not fall onto the tracks. Im assuming he has a mental illness, said the victim of his attacker. He is obviously a damaged individual who did a lot of harm to me and my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he has tried to forgive his attacker but admitted he is struggling with it. I even said to my wife and a nurse Im not angry at this guy, he said, I have compassion for him. But as more and more information came to me about my condition I got more and more angry. Mostly he is just thankful to be alive. Its awful that things like this can happen, and there are so many reasons why it happens, the victim said, mentioning homelessness and mental illness. Its such a difficult reality to find a solution to. Cops released surveillance images of the suspect Sunday and are asking for the publics help identifying him and tracking him down. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential. MEDIC says one person was seriously hurt in a shooting in Uptown Charlotte Monday evening. Channel 9 got viewer video that shows a heavy police response outside of the Mecklenburg County Services Building near College Street and 9th Street around 9 p.m. MEDIC said the victim had life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department hasnt released any information on the shooting yet. We dont know if a suspect is in custody yet. The victim hasnt been identified. Were working on getting more details, check back for updates. (VIDEO: Family grieves after 11-year-old hit, killed walking to school) Dec. 16LOCKPORT The Vietnam Veterans of America, Niagara County Chapter 268, gathered on Monday for the yearly placement of a holiday wreath beside the veterans monument on the Niagara Hospice campus. Gordie Bellinger led the ceremony, speaking briefly to the gathered veterans, "We are not only here to honor those who took the time out of their lives to protect our freedoms, but also to remember the family and the friends that prayed for their safe return. Their family and friends may not have served in the military, but they all shared the light of freedom," Bellinger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the veterans who attended shared memories of the war, as well as the treatment they received coming home. Don Coates, a Vietnam veteran, said he was security police at Bien Hoa, a Vietnamese city, where he was among the servicemen holding the front gate during the Tet Offensive in 1968. About 400 American soldiers faced roughly 2,000 Vietcong. If events had transpired slightly differently, Coates said he wouldn't be here today. "There were only four of us to defend the front gate, but they came around on the other side," Coates said. Coates, as well as other veterans, also remembered being spit on when they came back. It has only been in recent years that Coates said he's felt recognized, usually when he wears his Vietnam Veteran hat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When I wear this, someone will come up and say 'thank you'," he said. "That's great, but it took 50 years to get there." Carlo Figliomeni, the president and CEO of Niagara Hospice, said he was proud to serve the veterans gathered. After the wreath placement, members of the VVA talked and drank coffee inside the facility. "It's very special, in the sense they've given so much," he said. "Whether it be Vietnam veterans or just veterans, in general. Their lives, their time with their family members. To serve this country. To serve the community, even beyond their service." Figliomeni said that many veterans volunteer at the hospice during its events and that he and the staff at the hospice are "honored" to be the recipients of their time. "And that goes for this event, too. It went from dropping off the wreath and taking off to staying a while to talk and just meet each other and share with each other. We thank them," he said. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) People who died homeless in Bakersfield will be remembered during a vigil Friday at Historic Union Cemetery. The Bakersfield-Kern Regional Collaborative and other area homeless advocates will hold the homeless persons memorial vigil for the fourth year on Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Valley Plaza Mall temporarily evacuated after false reports of a possible active shooter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said the memorial is in memory of people who died while homeless in 2024. The memorial will take place at the Sunrise Section of the Historic Union Cemetery located at 730 E. Potomac Ave. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17. AUSTIN (KXAN) Lawyer Martha Owen thinks people would be surprised by the amount of violence teachers are subjected to. Owen serves as special counsel to the Texas American Federation of Teachers, a union that advocates and provides resources to public school employees. She has defended several teachers who have been assaulted in the classrooms by students and has noticed an increase since the pandemic. I think if you asked 10 teachers, nine out of 10 are going to say that they have noticed a difference with just students not obeying directives, with students not staying on task or being agitated by other students, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2022 study conducted by the American Psychological Association found 56% of teachers reported incidents of physical violence committed by students post-pandemic a 26% increase compared to before the pandemic. Students assaulting educators on the rise across Texas The studys findings are reflected across Texas with a 58% increase in reported assaults perpetrated by students against district employees from the 2018-2019 school year to the 2023-2024 school year, according to data provided by the Texas Education Agency. Measures in place Under Texas Education Code, if a district employee is physically assaulted on the job, they may apply for assault leave, which can last up to two years. The leave is separate from workers compensation and school districts are required to put the district employee on leave immediately after applying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States determine how public schools should operate and what resources teachers and district employees may be offered if a student assaults them. Texas AFT serves 65,000 educators across the state. (KXAN Photo/Kelly Wiley) Assault leave varies by state. For example, South Carolina refers to it as administrative leave and district employees may receive 180 days, whereas in Florida, district employees have no form of assault leave and may apply for workers compensation instead. Texas AFT president Zeph Capo believes many districts do not properly inform teachers of their right to use the leave. Reform at the legislative level paired with funding is necessary to protect teachers, Capo said. Last year, the Texas Legislature passed several safety laws to tackle active-shooter threats, like Senate Bill 838, which requires schools to install panic buttons in classrooms. But Capo believes lawmakers didnt go far enough. Texas AFT president Zeph Capo advocates for public school teachers who have experienced violence in the classroom. (KXAN Photo/Nina Banks) We spent time last legislative session passing legislation on vape pens, rather than focusing on the professional supports that teachers needed, and the behavioral supports that students needed to keep our teachers from being assaulted, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas public schools are required to have an armed security officer on campus. Though not required, some teachers feel that installing metal detectors is an extra layer of protection. Well say that theyre not necessary until someone gets hurt, and then its too late, Capo said. Student supports Responsibility isnt something kids are born with its taught, said Terrell Ratliff, managing partner at Lento Law Firm. He said he applies this logic to his own children and the students he defends. He said he has witnessed firsthand how the pandemic stunted some childrens emotional growth. Theres kindergarteners that didnt have any graduation these are huge milestones, he said. These are big things, and we have a large group of people that was robbed of that experience, not to any fault of their own. We dont have the normal student walking into a classroom because theyre just dealing with a lot more mental health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ratliff primarily handles cases defending students who have assaulted their teachers. Though legal action may be necessary, Ratliff believes screening students mental health at the beginning of the year could help teachers grasp what their students may require. We can hop in there and sue right? he said. But thats not really solving the underlying problem. Some may jump to expulsion as a solution, but Ratliff is a part of a growing anti-expulsion effort that advocates reforming practices regarding suspensions. Some experts promote counseling or community service as an alternative. Growing up, Ratliff was the bad kid. Now as a lawyer, he hopes to provide troubled students with the tools to correct their path in the new social landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its different, he said. These kids got crisis drills, hide under a desk like it like its World War I. Its a different experience for them. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Virginia corrections ombudsman Andrea Sapone speaks with lawmakers on Dec. 16, 2024. (Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Virginias top investigatory body is turning its attention to Red Onion State Prison following alarming reports of self-harm and poor conditions at the supermax facility in Wise County. Andrea Sapone, the states new corrections ombudsman, announced Monday that her office will prioritize an investigation into living conditions and the health and safety of incarcerated individuals at the prison, which has faced scrutiny after a hunger strike in 2023 and six cases of people burning themselves this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the State Inspector General takes all allegations of abuse seriously, she told the House of Delegates Public Safety Committee. A Red Onion investigation will be prioritized as soon as we have full staff to do it properly. An offer has been extended for one position, and a pool of candidates is under consideration to fill four more roles, an OSIG spokesperson confirmed to The Mercury. Calls for oversight at Red Onion have grown louder from prison reform advocates, lawmakers and families of incarcerated individuals. Allegations against the facility include poor living conditions, mistreatment and the extended use of solitary confinement. During a presentation to the committee on Monday, Department of Corrections director Chad Dotson suggested the recent incidents of self-harm were attempts by inmates to secure transfers to other prisons closer to their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no evidence whatsoever that there was any kind of a plot or a protest, Dotson said. All the inmates involved said they did it because they wanted to get away from Red Onion. Two of these have a history of self-harm. However, Taj Mahon-Haft, founder of the Humanization Project, pushed back, emphasizing that the underlying issue is the level of desperation that drives people to harm themselves. Mahon-Haft, who was formerly incarcerated, said he understands firsthand the challenges of imprisonment, particularly how prolonged isolation can lead to harmful thoughts or actions. April Wright shared a harrowing account during the meeting, revealing that her incarcerated son had apparently attempted to hang himself. Wright said she only learned of the incident when another inmate reached out to inform her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of solitary confinement, or what Virginia calls restorative housing, was another major focus of the discussion. Under a state law enacted last year, incarcerated individuals in restorative housing are now granted four hours a day outside their cells. Dotson described the practice as a temporary measure, explaining that it is reserved for individuals with serious behavioral infractions who may pose a threat to themselves or others. Plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) allege they were placed in confined housing for extended periods, with at least one person claiming the experience left them feeling suicidal. Its clear that this is a systemic problem, ACLU attorney Geri Greenspan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a bill aimed at further reforming confinement practices in Virginia prisons, but it was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. While it remains unclear if a similar bill will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session, members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus have hinted at the possibility. In the meantime, Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, is looking forward to a formal investigation into Red Onion State Prison. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US I think the most important thing we heard was the commitment from the ombudsman to make this investigation into Red Onion her top priority, Simon said. I think thats a win. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A Virginia congressman beat New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Oversight Committee, according to reports. "I think my colleagues were measuring their votes by who's got experience, who's seasoned, who can be trusted, who's capable and who's got a record of productivity," Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., told reporters Tuesday after the closed-door caucus vote, CBS reported. Connolly won in a 131-84 vote to become the Democrats' ranking member on the influential oversight committee that was one that oversaw many investigations into the first Trump administration while Democrats controlled the House after the 2018 midterm election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connolly arrived in Congress after 2008's election. His younger New York counterpart arrived in Washington 10 years later. He won the recommendation of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee over Ocasio-Cortez, 35. The Virginia representative will replace Maryland's Rep. Jamie Raskin, who will move on as ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee for the next Congress convening Jan. 3. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (seen in February), D-N.Y., arrived in Washington 10 years after Connolly. His election illustrated growing tension in an ongoing generational split in the Democratic Party. Connolly previously ran for the job but this time had the support of ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI This puts Connolly as next-in-line to be committee chair if Democrats take back control of the House in the 2026 mid-term elections. The committee vote illustrated growing tension over an ongoing generational split in the Democratic Party. Connolly previously ran for the job but this time had the support of ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 84. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Ocasio-Cortez ally says she was "disappointed" in the outcome. "I know Gerry will do a great job," Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., told Axios after Tuesday's vote. "But there's no substitute for having someone in that position that literally has millions of Americans following her" on social media. "I think that the seniority issue in this building gets in the way," added Balint. "Our people back home, they don't care about seniority." However, Connolly, when asked how he will deal with a second Trump administration, said while the president-elect "may feel more emboldened," it may also make him "more reckless." "There is a law in this land, and we're going to make sure it's enforced," Connolly said. Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A Virginia man faces decades in prison after being convicted of providing ISIS "material support" via a crypto financial scheme, the U.S. government announced on Monday. According to a release, 35-year-old Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, of Springfield was convicted Friday by a jury in Virginia on charges stemming from allegations that he gave support in various different forms to the foreign terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or more commonly known as ISIS. He is expected to be sentenced on May 5 by a federal judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chhipa is an Indian national who later became a U.S. citizen. He was arrested in May of last year in a warrant signed by U.S. District Judge Lindsey R. Vaala of the Eastern District of Virginia, according to court filings. Over the course of the conspiracy, it was alleged he sent more than $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS. He was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and four counts of providing or attempting to provide material support or resources to a "designated foreign terrorist organization." Chhipa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison per count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI investigated the case within its various branches by different officials. His primary co-conspirator was a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria who was involved in raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks and other ISIS fighters, the Justice Department said. The jury found that, from at least October 2019 through October 2022, Chhipa collected and sent money to female members of ISIS in Syria for the benefit of the terror syndicate by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and by supporting its terrorists, according to court records and evidence presented at trial. He would allegedly raise funds online via various social media accounts and receive electronic transfers and travel hundreds of miles to also collect by hand. DOJ says Chhipa then would convert the money to cryptocurrency and send to others in Turkey, where it was smuggled to ISIS members in Syria. That nation recently saw a relatively bloodless revolution and the Assad regime's downfall after five decades. BALTIMORE Vice President Kamala Harris, with her future in public life up in the air and President-elect Donald Trump promising to soon dismantle much of the work she and President Joe Biden accomplished, pleaded with a crowd of mostly young people Tuesday in Prince Georges County to stay in the fight. In her first extended remarks since her concession speech, Harris spoke positively about the future while vowing to engage in the same kind of public service and advocacy she was asking of others. Many people have come up to me, telling me they feel tired, maybe even resigned. Folks who have said to me that theyre not sure whether they have the strength, much less the desire, to stay and fight, Harris said to a few hundred people at Prince Georges Community College. But let me be very clear: No one can walk away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris, 60, gave no specific details about her plans after she leaves office in five weeks. A former prosecutor and senator, who was also Californias attorney general, she is reportedly considering running for governor in her home state in 2026. Get some rest over the holidays. Spend time with the people you love, she said. I challenge you to come back ready, ready to chart our path to the future chin up, shoulders back, forever impatient for change. The speech represented a return to a solidly Democratic state that Harris won easily against Trump and did not campaign in at any point during her abbreviated run after Biden dropped out in July. She last appeared in Maryland in June for a pair of speeches one to boost Democrat Angela Alsobrooks campaign for U.S. Senate and talk about gun violence prevention, and another on the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alsobrooks has also kept a low profile since the election but appeared at the event Tuesday in her home county where she resigned as its top elected leader this month to support Harris, her longtime friend and mentor. Alsobrooks spoke broadly about her profound sense of optimism in young leaders in the face of challenges and her close relationship with the outgoing vice president even during the heat of this years campaigns. I cant tell you how many times Id get a text message or a call saying, You keep going. You keep fighting. You keep working. You can do this, said Alsobrooks, who beat Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan in the election and will enter the Senate on Jan. 3. Though Maryland was one of Harris best-performing states a Democratic stronghold that hasnt voted for a Republican in more than three decades she also lost some ground compared to Biden four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She secured more than 30,000 fewer votes in Prince Georges County and neighboring Montgomery County, which together are home to 40% of all Democratic voters in the state, than Biden. Trump gained a few thousand votes in those and other areas while winning just 34% of the statewide vote to Harris 62.6%. Trumps improvements on the margins were mirrored nationally as he performed better with most types of voters. When he returns to the White House on Jan. 20, he will do so with a Republican-controlled Congress and plans to immediately tackle a wide range of issues including limiting illegal immigration, tax cuts and tariffs on foreign goods. Gov. Wes Moore alluded only briefly to the potential challenges ahead for Maryland in a speech at the event with Harris. The governor traveled thousands of miles back and forth between swing states to campaign for Harris. Since the election, hes said his administration will aim to work with Trump and push back when needed. Much is on the line for the state, including billions of dollars in federal funding and roughly 160,000 federal jobs. Moores preparations have included contracting with a major consulting firm to analyze the potential impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His remarks before Harris, however, focused largely on the days theme of encouraging more young people to engage in public service a familiar message and priority since his own election. At a time when everything feels very uncertain, you give us certainty, Moore told the group. At a time when everything feels dark, you give us light. At a time when everything feels a little bit shaky, you provide stability. Among the crowd Tuesday were participants in Moores flagship service year program, a yearlong paid jobs initiative mostly for recent high school graduates. More than 600 are working for nonprofits, for-profit companies or government entities in the second year of the program. Cheering for Harris, Moore and others in the crowd Tuesday, many wore matching red service year shirts or other black shirts reading Maryland Tough, Maryland Serves, that Moores team introduced in a nod to the Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong merchandise they began wearing in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and other invited guests joined the service members in blasts of applause for Harris. In one moment of levity, murmurs among the crowd erupted in laughter and applause when Harris gave a nod to one of her own viral moments during the campaign. I ask you to remember the context in which you exist, she said, pausing before breaking out into a wide smile and nodding as attendees recognized a favorite Harris speech line that became something of a meme. Yeah, I did that. -------- Walgreens, which is moving to close around 1,200 drugstores nationwide, will shutter at least one location in the Twin Cities. The store at 4205 Egan Drive in Savage, near Sonic Drive-In, will close permanently Jan. 22. A notice posted on the door states prescription records will be available at all remaining Walgreens locations, including the other Savage location approximately three miles west. Walgreens at 4205 Egan Drive in Savage is set to close Jan. 22, 2025. Submitted photo. In October, Walgreens leaders unveiled plans to close 1,200 stores over the next three years as the company looks for a financial turnaround amid tough competition, lower prescription reimbursement payouts and other strains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walgreens rival CVS is winding down its own store-closing spree, having announced in 2021 that the chain would close 900 stores by the end of 2024. Walgreens hasn't revealed which stores could be marked for closure, however, the Associated Press reports Walgreens "will prioritize poor-performing stores where the property is owned by the company, or where leases are expiring." Bring Me The News has reached out to Walgreens for comment. Walmart is piloting a body-camera program at a set of stores as a safety measure for employees as the retail industry as a whole contends with rising levels of crime and violence from shoppers. Retailers have asked employees to wear the cameras as a way to deter difficult interactions from escalating. Walmart did not offer insight on the specific type of body cameras worn by employees in the pilot program. Its the holiday season, and shoppers have gotten more testyand in some cases, violentthan ever before. The National Retail Federation reports unprecedented levels of retail crime, violence, and theft, and thats spurred some of the nations largest retailers to take action by implementing the use of body cameras by employees. Walmart, the No. 1 retailer on the Fortune 500, confirmed Tuesday its piloting a program in which employees at a select number of stores are wearing body cameras as a safety measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we dont talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry, a Walmart spokesperson told Fortune in a statement. This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions. The program is being piloted in the Dallas area: One shopper at a store in Denton, Texas, shared a photo with CNBC showing the recording devices. Social media users have also shared photos of the yellow-and-black devices and signage posted at stores that reads body-worn cameras in-use. Walmart didnt confirm which brand makes the body cameras its using in stores. However, one TikTok user, who identifies himself as a deputy sheriff in Texas, said the body cameras worn by Walmart workers are the same brand he wears, which is Axon. Several images of the cameras shared on social media also show the body cameras are Axon branded, but the company didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from Fortune. While the use of body cameras by retailers isnt completely new, theyve historically been used as a loss-prevention measure. But now, with an uptick in violence against retail workers, some companies are using them to prevent violent acts against workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While theft has an undeniable impact on retailer margins and profitability, retailers are highly concerned about the heightened levels of violence and threat of violence associated with theft and crime, according to the NRF. Plus, the NRF's latest retail theft and violence report shows about 91% of those surveyed say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression compared with 2019, which highlights "why retailers are continuously looking at measures to reduce the threat of violence. Are body cameras effective at deterring violence against retail workers? Some social media users have criticized the measure, arguing its too extreme; others say the use of body cameras can be an effective deescalation measureand could really help workers. "Though some people would blame store employees for insufficiently intervening in acts of in-store violence, store employees are not police officers, Danny Karon, consumer attorney at Karon LLC, told Fortune. Its not their job to put out fires; its their job to sell merchandise. Anyone who blames store employees for customer violence and, accordingly, discourages the use of body cameras is looking at this problem all wrong." Other retailers have started implementing body cameras, both as a shoplifting prevention measure and safety protocol. Some of these body cameras have reverse-view monitors on them so customers can see themselves on a little video screen if they approach workers, David Johnston, vice president of asset protection and retail operations for the NRF, told CNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The videos and images available on social media of Walmarts body cameras dont clearly show whether their cameras have the same technology, but Johnston said these can serve as a very big deterrent for shoppers getting violent with workers. The moment that you see yourself is probably [when] youre going to change your behavior, and thats what I think the use of a body-worn camera can do, he told CNBC. The TJX Companies, including TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, are also testing body cameras on its loss-prevention workers. When somebody comes in, its sort ofits almost like a deescalation where people are less likely to do something when theyre being videotaped, TJX chief financial officer John Joseph Klinger said during the companys first-quarter earnings call in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say these devices can make a difference, but cameras are not a perfect fix, Eric Brown, founder and CEO of leadership and team management consulting firm Imperio Consulting, told Fortune. Some employees might see them as a sign of distrust, and theres always a risk of over-relying on footage, said Brown, who previously served in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Video doesnt capture everything, and it cant replace real-time judgment. Plus, the "use of body cameras is still a newer technology being used in retail and individual retailers are finding how this technology best works within their environments," Johnston told Fortune. Still, the new body-camera program at Walmart could also serve as a sigh of relief from retail workers. According to a November report from online compliance training company Traliant, more than one-third of Gen Z retail workers have witnessed workplace violence happening to another employee in the past five years, and less than half of Gen Z workers feel confident in their ability to deescalate potential violent workplace situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve all seen YouTube videos featuring retail shoppers being inexplicably, unnecessarily, and needlessly aggressive, Karon said. Theres no reason they need to be subjected to this avoidable danger, and the use of employee body cameras is long overdue. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Walmart said it's testing body cameras on some store employees, a move that comes after some of its locations have experienced shootings and other violent incidents. A Walmart associate checking receipts in a store in Denton, Texas, was spotted wearing a recording device earlier this month, according to CNBC, which cited a photo shared by a shopper. Walmart on Tuesday confirmed with CBS MoneyWatch that it is piloting the use of body cameras. "While we don't talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry. This is a pilot we are testing in one market, and we will evaluate the results before making any longer-term decisions," a Walmart spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, there were more than 200 violent incidents at Walmart stores, according to United for Respect, a worker rights group, while in 2019, a gunman killed 23 people inside a Walmart in El Paso. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart operates 4,700 stores and clubs across the country, and employs 1.6 million people in the U.S. The body cameras are "for the safety and security of workers it's not designed for anti-theft measures," a person close to the situation told CBS. Body cameras at other retailers Walmart is not alone in looking at body cameras, with more than a third of retailers reporting having researched the option in a survey released last year by the National Retail Federation. "No retailer reported being fully operational, but 11% are either piloting or testing the solution," according to the NRF's findings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Retailers are making every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers, associates and communities. The use of body cameras is still a newer technology being used in retail and individual retailers are finding how this technology best works within their environments," David Johnston, the NRF's vice president of asset protection and retail operations, said Tuesday. According to the trade group's latest study, "The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024," about 91% of those surveyed say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression compared with 2019, "highlighting why retailers are continuously looking at measures to reduce the threat of violence," Johnson said. TJX, which operates TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, began outfitting security workers with police-type body cameras at some of its locations over the past year, the company said this summer. When somebody walks in, "It's almost like a de-escalation where people are less likely to do something when they're being videotaped," chief financial officer John Klinger told Wall Street analysts in late May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We hope that these body cameras will help us de-escalate incidents, deter crime and demonstrate to our associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously," a TJX spokesperson stated in June. Eye Opener: Update on possible motives in Wisconsin school shooting Texas man fights to reunite with his family after he says they were unexpectedly deported Police say "combination of factors" led student to carry out Wisconsin school shooting BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Some in-store Walmart employees are wearing body cameras as part of a pilot program, according to a company spokesperson. While we dont talk about the specifics of our security measures, we are always looking at new and innovative technology used across the retail industry, the spokesperson said in a statement. The program is still in the early stages and being tested in one market. The spokesperson said Walmart will evaluate the results before making long-term decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether the decision to test out the body cameras on employees was related to theft or employee safety, the spokesperson declined to comment. KNWA/FOX24 reached out to the National Retail Federation regarding the use of body cameras in retail stores. Free app now available for blind and low-vision customers at Walmart Retailers are making every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of their customers, associates and communities. The use of body cameras is still a newer technology being used in retail and individual retailers are finding how this technology best works within their environments, NRF Vice President of Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This pilot program comes after TJ Maxx announced earlier this year that specially-trained loss prevention employees would wear body cameras. TJX, the parent company of TJ Maxx, said the move was made to de-escalate incidents, deter crime, and demonstrate to our Associates and customers that we take safety in our stores seriously. In June, TJX told FOX Business they dont share the footage unless requested by police or through a subpoena. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the days following the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a street in New York City and the arrest of a suspect, Luigi Mangione, several "wanted" posters targeting other health care CEOs went up around the city. Multiple news outlets shared videos and images of the posters (mostly blurred out), while un-blurred images of the posters spread widely on multiple social media platforms, including X, Reddit and Instagram (Snopes is not linking to the latter posts due to reports of ongoing threats against the targeted executives). Many of the posters appeared partially removed or torn. One of the posters included a photo of Thompson with a red "X" through it. "Are these actually real? And if so were they posted before or after," one Reddit user commented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several reputable news outlets have documented visual proof of the posters. We reached out to the New York Police Department, which confirmed it was aware of the posters. A spokesperson wrote to Snopes via email: "We are aware of the posters and are investigating these incidents." As ABC News first reported, the NYPD released a bulletin on Dec. 10, 2024, that mentioned the posters and highlighted social media posts that were "emphasizing that it [each poster] is a hit list and that CEOs should be afraid." While we can confirm the posters exist, and images of them were not fundamentally altered, it is unclear who created them or for what purpose. They're not real in any official capacity the CEOs identified were not actually "wanted" by law enforcement. The small text of the posters included the words "Deny," "Defend" and "Depose," three words engraved on bullet casings left behind after Thompson's killing. "When the rich rob the poor, it's called business. When the poor fight back, it's called violence. FIGHT BACK," each poster read. And below the CEOs' names and positions: "Health care CEOs should not feel safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The words "Deny," "Defend" and "Depose" echo the title of the 2010 book " : Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It." According to the AP, "Delay, deny, defend" is the way some attorneys describe how insurers deny services and payment. The Merriam-Webster definition of "depose" is: "To remove from a throne or other high position." In sum, credible news outlets have documented visual proof of the posters, and the NYPD confirmed that they are aware of them. However, it is unclear, as of this writing, who created the posters and why. Sources: Definition of DEPOSE. 7 Dec. 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depose. Feinman, Jay M. Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do about It. Portfolio, 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Key Details about the Man Accused of Killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO'. AP News, 4 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-brian-thompson-shooting-79a9710978fc7adbb23d3fed4ea2f70d. Newman, Andy, et al. 'Suspect in Health Care C.E.O.'s Killing Charged With Murder'. The New York Times, 9 Dec. 2024. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/10/nyregion/unitedhealthcare-ceo-luigi-mangione. News, A. B. C. 'Executive "hit Lists" and Wanted Posters: NYPD Warns about Threats to Executives'. ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/executive-hit-lists-wanted-posters-nypd-warns-threats/story?id=116662519. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Pastis, Stephen. 'Here's What We Know About CEO "Wanted" Posters Appearing In NYC After UnitedHealthcare MurderAs NYPD Investigates'. Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenpastis/2024/12/12/heres-what-we-know-about-ceo-wanted-posters-appearing-in-nyc-after-unitedhealthcare-murder-as-nypd-investigates/. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Police Investigate NYC "Wanted" Posters of Finance Executives'. Bloomberg.Com, 11 Dec. 2024. www.bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-11/cops-investigate-wanted-posters-of-executives-around-nyc. 'Words on Ammo in CEO Shooting Echo Common Phrase on Insurer Tactics: Delay, Deny, Defend'. AP News, 5 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-shooting-delay-deny-defend-depose-ee73ceb19f361835c654f04a3b88c50c. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csxeBuHx3JU. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAn6V5MoVQs. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnpRKribKA. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024. Updates: This story was updated to remove identifiers of the targeted CEOs due to reports of ongoing threats. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) The calls and emails started coming into NYU Langone Health and Massachusetts General Hospital soon after doctors began experimenting with pig organs in humans. People worried theyll never get a scarce human transplant asked: When could we get a pig kidney? Alex Berrios of Louisville, Kentucky, needs a second transplant but finding another human match is proving impossible. So he's closely watching for a chance at pig kidney research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It may not work, and I have to be OK with that, Berrios said. I think its worth the shot. Now two U.S. companies aim to begin the worlds first clinical trials of xenotransplantation in 2025 using pig kidneys or hearts to try to save human lives. Would-be volunteers are impatient to see if they'll qualify as researchers fine-tune how best to test if the humanized pig organs theyve designed might really work. Anticipation is growing with news that an Alabama woman was faring well after a pig kidney transplant at NYU in late November. Towana Looney is the fifth American to receive a gene-edited pig organ, each case so far an emergency experiment for people out of options. None of the previous recipients two given pig hearts and two kidneys survived more than two months but that hasn't deterred researchers hunting an alternative to the dire shortage of transplantable organs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to have the courage to continue, said University of Maryland transplant surgeon Dr. Bartley Griffith. Patients are driving the quest for pig organ transplants Back in 2022, Griffith had a hard time figuring out how to ask a dying patient if hed consider undergoing the worlds first transplant of a gene-edited pig heart. I was so afraid to mention the word pig heart, Griffith said. He marveled that patient David Bennett responded with a joke about oinking and made clear if the last-ditch attempt failed that maybe youll learn something for others like me. Fast forward to late 2023, when patients at a National Kidney Foundation meeting with FDA officials and pig developers described a life so miserable on dialysis that they, too, would chance an animal organ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why not try? That was really what we took back, said Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis, one of the companies developing organs. It was like we really almost have an obligation to try. The patients pushed us to go ahead, agreed Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, a Mass General surgeon whod been reluctant to even broach the idea but last March, four months after that meeting, gave a longtime patient the first gene-edited pig kidney. Sick and tired from dialysis, patients raise their hands for pig kidneys In Palm Springs, California, Carl McNew emailed NYU to ask about volunteering while hes still fairly healthy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McNew donated a kidney to his husband in 2015 but later his remaining kidney began declining, something very rare in living donors. Medications and intermittent dialysis are helping but McNew knows hell eventually need a transplant. Theres just something about being part of something like that, that is so cutting-edge, said McNew, who spotted news of NYUs xenotransplant research in 2023 and emailed his interest. For Louisvilles Berrios, donor scarcity isnt the only hurdle. Born with a single kidney that failed in his late 20s, a living donor transplant restored his health for 13 years. But it failed in 2020 and he has since developed antibodies that would destroy another human kidney, what doctors call highly sensitized. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Berrios quietly slips out of his home before dawn to spend nearly four hours tethered to a dialysis machine. Getting the grueling treatments at 5 a.m. is the only way the father of two can both stay alive and hold down a fulltime job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But dialysis doesnt fully replace kidney function people slowly get sicker. So even as Berrios tried an experimental therapy to tamp down his problem antibodies, he told NYU he's interested in a pig kidney. Expected soon: Rigorous trials testing pig organ transplants FDA rules require that pig organs be extensively tested in monkeys or baboons before humans. And while researchers have extended those primates survival to a year, sometimes longer, they were desperate for experience with people. After all, the pig organs are genetically altered to be more humanlike, not more baboon-like. At NYU and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, surgeons first tested pig organs in bodies of the recently deceased, donated for scientific research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And patients given pig organs so far have been compassionate use transplants, experiments that FDA allows in select emergency cases for people out of other options. Although the first four didnt survive long, in part because of complications from other diseases, those experiments proved pig organs could work at least for a while and offered other lessons. For example, discovery of a hidden pig virus in the first heart transplant prompted better tests for that risk. Only rigorous studies comparing similarly ill patients will offer a clearer picture of pig organs potential maybe those like Looney. Despite eight years of dialysis, she wasnt nearly as sick as prior xenotransplant recipients but couldnt find a matching donor. Like Berrios, she had a highly sensitized immune response. Looney may be kind of a litmus test for trial candidates, said NYUs Montgomery, who led her transplant with her original surgeon in Alabama, Dr. Jayme Locke. Shes received the transplant at just the right time, before dialysis did too much damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What gene edits produced the best pig organs for human transplant? Scientists have tried animal-to-human transplants for years without success but now they can edit pig genes, trying to bridge the species gap enough to keep the human immune system from immediately attacking the foreign tissue. Still, nobody knows the best gene combination. Revivicor, a United Therapeutics subsidiary, produces kidneys and hearts with 10 gene edits, knocking out pig genes that trigger hyper-rejection and excessive organ growth and adding some human genes to improve compatibility. Maryland used hearts with 10 gene edits in its two xenotransplants. Looney also got a kidney with 10 gene edits, based on Lockes research when she worked in Alabama. While Montgomery is thrilled with Looneys progress, he's done most work using Revivicor pigs with just one gene edit, in a xenotransplant last April and in research with the deceased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our feeling is, you know, less is more, said Montgomery, noting its easier to mass produce pigs with fewer gene alterations. Looneys transplant offers a chance to compare really how much difference those additional gene edits are making. In Boston, eGenesis has still another approach a whopping 69 gene edits. In addition to 10 genetic alterations to improve human compatibility, genes linked to certain pig viruses also are inactivated. Pig organ transplants still have much to prove Researchers feel pressure to show if pig organs can keep people alive much longer than a few months, said eGenesis' Curtis. If not, the question will be do we have the right gene edits? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The balance is choosing participants sick enough to qualify but not so sick they have no chance. Theres a tremendous number of patients who would be very willing, very willing to do this, said Dr. Silke Niederhaus of the University of Maryland, who isnt involved in xenotransplant research but watches it closely. Niederhaus became a kidney transplant surgeon because around her 12th birthday, one saved her life. That kidney lasted three decades. When it failed, it took five years to find another. So she understands the draw of pig research, and urges people to learn their odds of getting a human kidney before volunteering. If theyre younger, healthier or have a living donor, I would probably say go with whats known and whats proven, Niederhaus said. But if theyre older and dialysis is starting to fail, maybe its worth taking the risk. ___ AP video journalist Shelby Lum contributed to this story. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The warrants fee holiday on Monday was a resounding success Pennington County officials said in a news release. The county declared Monday a warrant fee holiday The county waived all warrant fees a person might have if that person turns themselves in. Forty-six people turned themselves in, clearing 70 warrants, according to the news release. This saved a combined $1,750 in fees. Some of the warrants were as old as 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 19-year-old charged in deadly Yankton stabbing County warrants Captain Chris Hislip said in the release, Were happy folks took advantage of the warrants holiday to take care of their legal matters and be able to celebrate the holidays without this hanging over their head. Public safety is improved when people come forward voluntarily to answer their arrest or bench warrants. Although Monday was a warrant fee holiday, the county encourages individuals to turn themselves in weekdays, excluding holidays, at 7:30 a.m. , at the public safety building. They will see the judge the same day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. The Washington County sheriffs office is warning residents about the grandparent scam, in which cons persuade their victims to give money or send money orders to get a relative out of jail. A 79-year-old Afton woman was recently scammed out of $57,000 when a man who identified himself as an employee of a bail bond company called to say her grandchild had been apprehended and needed money for bail, officials said. The man called her three times Dec. 4, and each time the woman went to a Wells Fargo Bank and withdrew $18,000 to $20,000 in cash, said Det. Cooper Valesano of the Washington County Sheriffs Office. The woman went to three Wells Fargo branches per the scammers directions, Valesano said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe one of the scammers went to the womans house or had a courier come to the house to collect the cash. They were on the phone with the woman, and they knew when the car was arriving in her driveway, Valesano said. According to Valesano, the woman began to think more about it and realized it was probably a scam. She called police after the third transaction. On Dec. 3, an 81-year-old May Township man was scammed by a caller who convinced the man that his grandchild was in jail and needed $18,000 to get out. Again in that case, a man came to the victims house to collect. When the scammers contacted the man again last week and said they needed another $18,000 to bail the grandchild out of jail, the man realized he had been scammed and contacted the sheriffs office, Valesano said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two cases are believed to be related based on patterns and commonalities, he said. Similar cons, believed to have been perpetrated by the same group of scammers, were recently reported in Goodhue and Anoka counties, he said. No suspects have been identified. It seems to be a pretty sophisticated operation, Valesano said. We feel horrible for these victims. Bank officials have been increasingly proactive in alerting clients when they detect signs of a scam, such as large cash withdrawals, he said. Anyone who believes they have been a victim of the scam is asked to call the Washington County Sheriffs Office. We want people to report them, Valesano said. The more people who come forward, the more information we have. Theres no need to be embarrassed. These scammers are really good. Theyre preying on peoples emotions. Jury duty scam Meanwhile, authorities in Woodbury are warning residents about a jury duty scam involving callers claiming to be from the Washington County Sheriffs Office telling people there is a warrant out for their arrest for failing to comply with jury service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scammers use a tactic known as spoofing, in which they can make the phone number that shows up on a victims caller ID appear the same as the Washington County Sheriffs Offices non-emergency phone number, said Woodbury police Det. Lucas Rogers. The cons tell people they have missed a court date and need to pay a bond to prevent being arrested, Rogers said. They are given step-by-step instructions to withdraw cash from their bank and deposit it in a nearby crypto kiosk, similar to a cash ATM, he said. EARLIER: Once its gone, theres no getting it back: Scammers sending victims to cryptocurrency ATMs Police are investigating five cases with a total loss of $66,300 that have occurred within city limits since April; the latest was reported Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims include: a 51-year-old Woodbury woman who was scammed out of $8,800 in April, a 66-year-old woman who was scammed out of $9,500 in May, a 63-year-old woman who was scammed out of $9,500 in mid-November, a 53-year-old woman who was scammed out of $18,500 in late November, and a 53-year-old man who was scammed out of $20,000 on Monday night. Related Articles All of the cases appear related. Each involves a suspect emailing or texting the victim copies of fabricated court documents to show that they had missed a court date or a court procedure of some sort, Rogers said. The scammers impersonate an officer with the sheriffs office often using the actual name of a sergeant or commander and tell their victims to verify their identity using Google, Rogers said. They say, Im going to send you emails to show you with your name on it, he said. They see these official documents that further get them to believe its real. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims are then urgently and strongly directed to a local bank branch where they are told to withdraw a fairly large amount of money, he said. Theres a lot of fear and a lot of panic. They say, Theres a warrant out for your arrest. Rogers said all of the victims are upstanding, educated, law-abiding citizens who simply wanted to do the right thing. These are really good people who dont usually have contact with police, he said. My heart breaks for them. They all describe hearing this voice in their head saying, This is uncomfortable, and This doesnt seem right, but they continue to go along with it wanting to comply and solve the problem after feeling so pressured. In some cases, employees of gas stations or grocery stores where the crypto kiosks are located have called police to report they believe a person depositing large sums of cash into the kiosk may be a victim of a crime, Rogers said. RELATED: Tips to avoid being crypto-scammed Theyll see an elderly person on the phone feeding money into this thing, and people are recognizing that this is likely a scam, he said. We hope everyone will call 911 and alert our patrol division to stop additional victimization if they feel a crime is occurring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who receives a scam phone call should hang up and block the number if they are able, Rogers said. Dont answer any repeat calls, he said. If they still have problems, they should call the Woodbury Police Department. Beware of Jury Scams Related Articles Although jury service is an important civic responsibility, Minnesota courts and law enforcement will never call you and demand that you pay a fine for missing jury service. If you receive a call asking you to pay a fine for missing jury service: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do not give out your credit card number or make any payment. Do not share any personal information, such as your Social Security number. Report the call to your local law enforcement agency. Contact your jury office if you have questions. Source: Minnesota Judicial Branch A bronze Marcus Whitman statue in the Washington state Capitol building weighs over 9,000 pounds with its stone base. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Washington state officials are confronting a 5-ton problem: Where to move a more than 9,000-pound Marcus Whitman statue in the state Capitol. Whitman, a doctor and missionary, settled near what is today Walla Walla in the 1830s and was later killed along with his wife and 11 others by members of the Cayuse Tribe. He is one of two Washington figures to have a statue in the U.S. Capitols National Statuary Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, Whitmans legacy has soured and scrutiny has increased over his role in the displacement of Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. State lawmakers in 2021 approved a bill to replace the Whitman statue in the U.S. Capitol and another in the state Capitol building with statues of Billy Frank Jr. Frank was a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe who fought for the protection of salmon and Native American rights. During the 1960s and 1970s, he helped stage fish-ins and other demonstrations that led to a court ruling that protected the rights of tribes to fish without being subject to state regulation. He died in 2014 at the age of 83. Relocating the Whitman statue in Olympia is proving to be a heavy lift. The roughly 11-foot-tall bronze statue, located near the north entrance of the state Capitol building, weighs 9,144 pounds with its stone base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locations on the third floor of the Capitol, outside the House or Senate chambers were considered but deemed infeasible because of difficulties involved in getting the statue up stairs and other concerns, including the need for significant floor reinforcement. Another possibility is moving the statue outside into the buildings south portico. This would require the statue to have periodic waxing to protect it from the elements and additional security measures would be needed as other Whitman statues have been vandalized. This outdoor location could potentially work and the move would cost the state about $115,000, according to an estimate the Department of Enterprise Services presented to the State Capitol Committee on Monday. Another simpler option would be to leave the statue where it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turns out when youve got a nearly 5-ton statue, answers arent easy, said Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, the committees chair. According to Heck, the Frank statue will be about 11 feet tall and is looking at a September 2025 debut in Statuary Hall. Heck was unsure how long it will take to make the second statue that will be on display in Olympia. Its also unclear where it will be placed. The owner of three Washington trucking companies pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to violate Clean Air Act emissions controls and to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief money. Pavel Ivanovich Turlak pleaded guilty Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. From August 2017 through November 2023, Turlak removed the required air pollution control equipment and tampered with federally mandated monitoring devices on diesel trucks. He admitted to fraudulently applying for federal funding and receiving more than $300,000. Mr. Turlak pursued a business of profiting from pollution. By installing emission defeat devices in his own vehicles and the vehicles of others, he sought an illegal competitive advantage and evaded important safeguards designed to protect public health and the environment, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref said in an announcement. Families in Eastern Washington deserve to breathe cleaner air, and I am grateful for our partners on our Environmental Task Force who are committed to protecting our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turlak owns PT Express, Spokane Truck Service and Pauls Trans. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, PT Express employs 15 drivers and has 12 power units, and Pauls Trans has five drivers and five power units. Spokane Truck Service specializes in diesel truck repair. It was there that Turlak used equipment to disable emissions control systems and tamper with pollution monitoring devices on his trucks, as well as customer vehicles, in violation of the Clean Air Act. Ryan Hugh Milliken, owner of Hardaway Solutions, was also charged in the scheme. He was accused of creating and selling delete tune files to Turlak. The files were designed to disable emissions monitoring systems. Milliken entered into a consent agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and agreed to pay a $45,000 civil penalty. Turlak charged customers approximately $3,500 per truck to remove pollution control equipment. He also arranged to take classes taught by Milliken on the tuning software, court records say. Turlak is scheduled for sentencing on April 2. The post Washington trucking companies owner pleads guilty to emissions scheme appeared first on FreightWaves. The Naval Air Station Jacksonville has confirmed reports of a drone recently seen flying its airspace. Officials said it was spotted flying near the base twice over the last week. Base officials said they are aware of similar sightings across the country. Read: Mystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the US. Heres what we know The Naval Air Station Jacksonville says the drones are not a threat, but the base is prepared for potential risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Florida congressman said while this is concerning, he is not surprised by the spike in reports happening now. Read: Is that a drone or a plane? Experts help explain the differences The more we talk about these things, the more people are going to go out and legally fly their drones at night too and, you know, light up the sky. Maybe to get on television, said U.S. Rep. John Rutherford. The congressman said hed like people to make reports that turn out to be nothing instead of failing to report something that could be dangerous. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Watch as Sir Keir Starmer met leaders of Baltic states in Estonia for the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference on Tuesday, 17 December, before visiting British troops serving on Russia's border. The Prime Minister will join leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia, and wider European security. Sir Keir will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When 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. A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed. During his trip to Estonia he will also 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. The company, which specialises in the manufacture of the missiles, already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally. Credit: Social media/Reuters/RIA Novosti It was a typically ingenious strike by Ukraines SBU security service. Just before the sun rose over snow-covered Moscow on Tuesday, a bomb hidden in the handlebars of an electric scooter killed Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, the head of the Kremlins chemical weapons military unit. Leaked security camera footage showed the moment the bomb exploded outside an apartment block off Ryazansky Prospekt, a long, wide boulevard leading out of central Moscow and lined with shops and apartments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the footage, a hire scooter is leaned next to the door of Kirillovs apartment block, the sort of bland high-rise that typically houses Moscows middle class. According to reports, the scooter had been carefully placed there at 4am. The footage then shows him walking out of the block at around 6am, and the bomb exploding. There is a flash, a blast, smoke. Glass breaks, snow slides off cars, alarms sound. Kirillov dies in the snow. Baza, a Telegram channel linked to the Russian security services, said Ukrainian agents had been watching and waiting for him before detonating the remote-controlled bomb. It said: Surveillance could have been carried out from a rented apartment opposite. The entrance was viewed through binoculars. Other theories pointed to a car-share parked in front of the apartment block that had apparently been fitted with a camera placed on the dashboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The camera apparently broadcast the entrance to the apartment block, in real time, back to an SBU control centre where a watching agent detonated the bomb. The aftermath of the explosion in Moscow - Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Police examine the scene outside an apartment block off Ryazansky Prospekt - Anadolu Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A photo of the smashed electric scooter appears to confirm that the bomb was packed into its handlebars or strapped underneath. The scooter lies on its side, mainly intact other than the handlebars, which have been blown clean off. The brand of the scooter is clearly visible on the steering column. According to Russias Tass news agency, the bomb was made up of 300g of explosive, enough to kill Kirillov but small enough to fit inside the handlebars or be strapped innocuously underneath. Experts have said that 300g of explosive is enough to kill a person standing a little more than the length of a broomstick away from the bomb. Credit: Social Media Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This level of precision is the hallmark of the SBU, which has earned a reputation for its daring and accurate assassinations. In April last year, it killed Vladlen Tatarsky, a pro-war propagandist, by presenting him with a bust of himself, filled with explosives, at a book talk in St Petersburg. The bust exploded as Tatarsky inspected it. The SBU also left a simple, indelible message with the assassination of Kirillov. The day before the killing, Ukraine had called him a war criminal for approving the use of tear gas and other chemicals against Ukrainian soldiers, essentially placing him on its hit list. After his assassination, the SBU called Kirillov a legitimate target and then added a footnote that will chill the blood of other Russian officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said: Such an inglorious end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable. 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. After heat records were smashed and a torrent of extreme weather events rocked countless countries in 2023, some climate scientists believed that the waning of the El Nino weather pattern could mean 2024 would be slightly cooler. It didnt happen that way. This year is expected to break 2023s global average temperature record and the effects of the warming more powerful hurricanes, floods, wildfires and suffocating heat have upended lives and livelihoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All year, Associated Press photographers around the globe have captured moments, from the brutality unleashed during extreme weather events to human resilience in the face of hardship, that tell the story of a changing Earth. January: Experiencing a changing world As seas rise, salty ocean water of the Pacific encroaches on Vietnams Mekong Delta, hurting agriculture and the farmers and sellers who rely on it. Life for those on the Mekong now paddling across markets and working and sleeping from houseboats is quickly being altered. In Tahiti, the arrival of the Paris Olympics this year meant giant structures were built on one of their most precious reefs. The reefs sustain the life of sea creatures and in turn, the people of the island. February: Farming against tougher odds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many parts of the world, there were impacts when agriculture intersected with climate change. In Spain and other European countries, farmers were upset over increasing energy and fertilizer costs, cheaper farm imports entering the European Union and pesticide regulations, arguing all these changes could force them out of business. In Kenya, access to water continued to be a struggle for many, while fishers off the Indian coast of Mumbai had to contend with a rapidly warming Arabian Sea. There were bright spots, however, such as the increasing use of natural farming techniques that are more resistant to climate shocks. March: Struggling to get water More than 2 billion people around the world dont have access to safely managed drinking water, according to the United Nations, a grim reality experienced in so many places. In Brazil, some residents collected water as it came down a mountain, while in India others filled up jugs from a street drain. Drinking from such sources can lead to many waterborne illnesses. April: Fighting to thrive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Ojibwe tribe in the United States, spearfishing is an important tradition, one they maintained this year in the face of climate change. At the same time, in other parts of the world the impact of climate change was so severe that simply surviving was the best hope. Such was the case in Kenya, where floods took lives and forced many to evacuate, and in an Indian village where flooding is so constant that residents are constantly displaced. May: Getting forced from home When heavy rains led to massive flooding in Uruguay and Brazil, residents were forced from their homes. In both of these places, most people likely returned and were able to rebuild their lives. In other places, there was no going back. Such was the case for Quinault Indian Nation in the U.S., in the process of being relocated inland as coastal erosion threaten their homes. The Gardi Sugdub island off the coast of Panama faced a similar fate hundreds of families are relocating to the mainland as sea levels rise. June: Suffering from heat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Mexico to Pakistan and beyond, high temperatures hit people hard. Unable to find relief, some sweated profusely while others ended up hospitalized. Many would die, such as in Saudi Arabia, where heat related illnesses killed more than 1,300 during the annual hajj pilgrimage. The heat didn't just impact people, but also oceans and animals, putting at risk some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, such as Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. July: California burning Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts create conditions for more and longer burning wildfires. One of the places that is consistently hard hit is the U.S. state of California. This year was no exception. Wildfires burned more than 1 million acres, chewed through hundreds of homes and led thousands of people to evacuate. As happens in every fire, countless animals also perished or were forced from their habitats. August: Mother nature shining through Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For all the destruction that climate change caused in 2024, mother nature showed off its beauty. That was on display at Churchill, Manitoba, a northern Canadian town that revels in its unofficial title as polar bear capital of the world. Like every year, tourists enjoyed stunning views of the Hudson Bay, watched beluga whales swim and, of course, came into contact with polar bears. September: Raging waters Water is central for humans and animals, but it can also take lives and leave a path of destruction. It did both in 2024. The scenes were shocking: students in India using rope to cross a flooded street, a little girl in Cuba floating in a container and Nigerians wading through floodwaters after a dam collapsed in the wake of heavy rains. October: Experiencing extremes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the year, there was way too much water in some places and not enough in others, increasingly common as climate change alters natural weather patterns. In the Sahara Desert in Morocco, heavy rain left sand dunes with pools of water. By contrast, the Amazon region in South America, normally lush as a largely tropical area, experienced severe drought. November: Astonishing destruction Around the world, numerous storms unleashed powerful winds and dumped large amounts of water. The result: buildings and homes that looked like they had been hit with a wrecking ball, clothes and other household goods caked in mud and scattered on the ground, and residents walking through floodwaters. December: Looking to 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the end of 2024 approached, the arrival of winter in the Northern Hemisphere meant relief from the heat in the form of cold temperatures and idyllic scenes like snow-frosted trees. But there were also reminders that global warming had already altered Earth so much that climate-driven disasters, such as raging wildfires even during winter months, are never far off. While impossible to predict when and where disaster may strike, one thing is all but certain in 2025: the storms, floods, heat waves, droughts and wildfires will continue. ___ 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. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) The Watertown Police Department has identified the toddler that allegedly died under suspicious circumstances earlier in the month. The Watertown PD said that two-year-old Aurora Wiles was found unresponsive just before 11 a.m. Friday, December 6 at 935 State Street. St. Lawrence County woman facing drug charges after traffic stop Further details have not been released at this time as the investigation is still ongoing. No one is in custody at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watertown PD were initially being assisted in the investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, New York State Police, Jefferson County District Attorneys Office, Jefferson County Medical Examiners Office, Onondaga County Medical Examiners Office, Child Advocacy Center of Northern New York and the Jefferson County Department of Social Services. Anyone with information regarding the case can call the Watertown Police Department at 315-782-2233. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, NY (WROC) Temperatures will dip into the 30s for lows this evening. We will start Wednesday morning in the middle 30s. We've already hit 52 this morning (at 3am). That ties this December 17 for 7th warmest high temperature on record in Rochester. pic.twitter.com/LaleFnooPt James Gilbert (@JamesGilbertWX) December 17, 2024 Our next system will arrive on Wednesday as a developing low moves from Kentucky into Pennsylvania and toward Massachusetts. Expect some flakes with this system, but temperatures should be a bit too warm for accumulation. If the system still has moisture left over going into early Thursday, there may be a chance that some snow sticks. Thats unlikely though as it pulls east by 6am Thursday. There may be a better chance for a few tenths of an inch off some lake effect. 8-Day Forecast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colder air will push in from the northwest Friday and Saturday. There could be some snow showers that linger into the weekend and if temperatures are cold enough, the lake response could have an impact around Rochester. Temperatures will remain frigid for the rest of the weekend with temperatures not even reaching the 20s for highs on Sunday. It will sure be a cold way to welcome in the holiday week. Well, so much for this whole "winter" thing. The stretch from Christmas Day to New Year's Eve looks overwhelmingly warm across all of the Lower 48. If you want relative cold, you'll need to hop a flight to northwest Alaska. pic.twitter.com/fcYitoHJz2 Eric Snitil (@EricSnitilWx) December 17, 2024 However, temperatures rebound going into the holiday week. For now, the weather looks to remain on the calmer side at least for the first two days. Temperatures for Christmas Eve will likely be back to around average. However, it seems as though wet weather could return for Christmas Day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An illegal afterhours club on the West Side is being shut down after racking up 171 police incidents over the past two years. Sabor Latino, located at 3415 South Boulevard in the Great Western shopping center, was issued a court order to board up the club for the next year. The site was forcibly closed due to overcrowding in November by the Columbus Division of Fire, one day after reports of a shooting at the same spot, a news release from the city attorneys office said. Sabor Latino was banned from operating, but police found hundreds of cars in the parking lot on Dec. 9. Sabor Latino has been the site of numerous police calls, including reports of rape, assault, drug use, breaking and entering, theft, fights and shots fired. The citys Property Action Team also noted the club does not have a liquor license but continued selling alcohol illegally and afterhours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deer poacher imprisoned, receives largest fine in Ohio history Court documents note that the address for Sabor Latino is not clearly marked, nor is the bars name. Nevertheless, court documents show investigators have tracked the clubs growth with increasing incidents at the premises. In June, officers with the Ohio Investigative Unit purchased alcohol from the bar and observed its operations, despite the club not having a liquor license. Among its 171 incidents in the past two years, many have happened in 2024, including multiple reports of assault, cocaine use and at least one shooting. Columbus does have two other Sabor Latinos, a restaurant and a combination bakery and grocery store. Neither is connected to the illegal club, simply operating under the same name, Sabor Latino, which means Latin flavor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAMASCUS (Reuters) -France raised its flag at its Damascus embassy on Tuesday for the first time in 12 years and European Union officials prepared to engage with the new Syrian leadership, a sign of the growing contacts after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president. Western states are gradually opening channels to the new authorities in Damascus led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, though they continue to designate the group as terrorists. As well as France and Britain, which sent a team to meet Sharaa on Monday, Germany is also planning meetings with the new administration and the European Union said on Tuesday it will also establish contacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine days after Assad was ousted, the new prime minister installed by Sharaa's Islamist HTS group said the government was grappling with very low currency reserves and called for sanctions imposed on the ousted government to be lifted. Sharaa's group was part of al Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016. It had been confined to a northwest corner of Syria for years until this month when the army melted away as it swept into Damascus. France said its raising of the flag did not automatically mean it would reopen its embassy. During his meeting with British officials, Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, called for countries to restore ties and lift sanctions on Syria to help refugees return home, Syria's state news agency SANA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SANA released photos of Sharaa sitting in a suit with an open shirt during the meeting with the British. Sharaa "spoke about the need to build a state of law and institutions, and establishing security," SANA reported. "He also spoke about Britain's important role internationally." Assad's fall, a blow to Syria's longstanding Russian and Iranian allies, could potentially open the way for Western states to reopen contacts with Damascus. But for now at least, that requires manoeuvring around both the terrorism designation imposed on HTS during its days as an al Qaeda affiliate and financial sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad. German diplomats are also planning talks with representatives of HTS in Damascus on Tuesday, the German foreign ministry said. A German foreign ministry spokesperson said the talks would focus on a transitional process for Syria and the protection of minorities. "The possibilities of a diplomatic presence in Damascus are also being explored there," the spokesperson added in a statement, reiterating that Berlin was monitoring HTS closely in light of its roots in al Qaeda ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As far as one can tell, they have acted prudently so far," the spokesperson said. 'THE JUSTICE OF ISLAM' Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, whose country was the biggest backer of rebels during the civil war, said an inclusive administration was now needed in Damascus and called on the European Union to support the return of refugees. In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher, the newly installed Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said the defence ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions and officers who defected from Assad's army. Syria has many ethnic and sectarian minority groups, some of whom have worried about how they might be treated under the rule of groups such as HTS with roots in Sunni Islamist militancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked what he would say to those worried about a single religious or political group dominating Syria, Bashir said: "Those who are afraid...of a religion trend or anything else don't truly understand Islam, the forgiveness of Islam, the justice of Islam." "Syria is for all Syrians," he said. "Everyone is a partner for us building the Syria of the future." Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated government in Idlib province, has said he will remain in office until March. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday the European Union should be ready to ease sanctions on Syria if the country's new leadership takes "positive steps" to establish an inclusive government and respect women's and minority rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.N. humanitarian coordinator Tom Fletcher said he had also met Sharaa, posting on social media: "we have basis for ambitious scaling up of vital humanitarian support" for Syria. The Syrian conflict, which spiralled out of a 2011 uprising against Assad's repressive rule, drove millions of Syrians abroad as refugees, including around 1 million who went to Germany. (Reporting by Rachel More in Berlin, Maya Gebeily in Beirut; Nayera Abdallah and Clauda Tanios in Dubai; Writing by Tom Perry and Angus McDowall Editing by Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan) Wetherspoons chief Sir Tim Martin said he would be having a stern word with the maker of Guinness after pubs were struck by shortages of the Irish stout in the crucial festive run-up. Sir Tim, the founder and chief executive of JD Wetherspoon, called for Diageo to get brewing following weeks of Guinness rationing across Britain. Speaking to the Financial Times, Sir Tim said: Im going to be having a stern word with them and say: Whats happened to your crystal ball? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think someone at Guinness has made a mistake . . . since weve worked with them for so long, we intend to forgive them. It comes weeks after restrictions were put in place for Guinness to ensure Diageo could keep supplying pubs up to Christmas and New Year. The drinks giant is understood to have stressed that it needs to manage supply after surging sales of the Irish stout strained supplies. The recent boom is believed to have been driven by the annual Autumn Internationals rugby fixtures as well as the cold spell of weather. Guinness sales were around 19pc higher in the four weeks through to early November than they were last year, according to figures from industry group CGA. Catherine, Princess of Wales was recently pictured drinking a pint of Guinness during a reception in Dublin - WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe Sir Tim told The Telegraph that he was not concerned about whether this would dampen Christmas trading, with the pub group having not run out of Guinness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he said Wetherspoons had ordered a tad more of everything else to try to offset the crunch in supply, including experimenting with some real stouts. Sir Tim joked that he did, however, have private detectives following Guinness lorries making sure they dont prioritise others. It follows scrutiny over Diageos decision to maintain deliveries of Guinness to pubs in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with a spokesman saying earlier this month that it would make all deliveries to our customers across the island of Ireland, as planned and without disruption. Sir Tim joked that he was brought up in Belfast and [doesnt] believe Guinness are guilty of sectarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supply crunch comes after demand for the Irish stout, which was first brewed in the 18th century in Dublin, has ballooned. Debra Crew, the chief executive of Diageo, said the surge in sales was partly down to more younger women buying the drink, with figures such as Kim Kardashian and Catherine, Princess of Wales boosting its popularity. Ms Crew said the lower-calorie nature of Guinness also was helping sales. A pint of Guinness contains around 210 calories, compared to around 292 calories for a pint of BrewDog Punk IPA. Earlier this month, a spokesman for Diageo said: Over the past month we have seen exceptional consumer demand for Guinness in Great Britain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have maximised supply and we are working proactively with our customers to manage the distribution to trade as efficiently as possible. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The White House said that a law enforcement assessment of the thousands of reported drone sightings in New Jersey and other Northeastern states found no reason for alarm, after President-elect Donald Trump suggested the US government was keeping Americans in suspense over the sightings. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters. 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. Kirby said that of more than 5,000 tips to the FBI in recent weeks, the agency felt the need to follow up on 100 reported incidents. Advanced detection technology and trained visual observers did not find reason for concern, and there are more than a million drones legally registered across the US, Kirby said. But the White House is also planning to call for a new bipartisan task force to examine congestion in the skies and to help set appropriate rules to address the publics concerns, Kirby added. The comments came after Trump said earlier Monday, without citing evidence, that the US military knew where drones took off from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some reason they dont want to comment, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. And I think theyd be better off saying what it is if our military knows and our president knows. And for some reason they want to keep people in suspense. Trump said he cant imagine its the enemy but stoked doubts about it and suggested his property in Bedminster, New Jersey, could be a target. Theyre very close to Bedminster. I think maybe I wont spend the weekend in Bedminster, he said. The Biden administration has said theres no indication of a foreign link to the drone. I want to assure the American public that we are on it, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday on ABCs This Week. The administration has called on Congress to strengthen powers for inter-agency responses to drone sightings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Image: Latin Times A white man has been charged with arson after allegedly setting three fires in one night at an apartment complex in Nashville, Tennessee. The most disturbing part of his alleged crimes is that he tried to get an imaginary Black person to take the fall for one of them. On Saturday (Dec. 14), Joshua Spain, 26, was arrested and charged with arson, disorderly conduct and making a false report per WKRN. On Dec. 5, local firefighters were called to put out two dumpster fires in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Just one hour later, firefighters were called back to the same apartment complex where a structure was also set on fire. Though it took workers hours to fully extinguish the fire, no injuries were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long for a suspect to be reported by the Nashville Fire Department and arrested for questioning. Officials said a man wearing a black cowboy hat and dark clothing was at the scene of the fire as well as the two dumpster fires an hour before at the same location. The suspect, later identified as Spain, reportedly explained to fire investigators that he was responsible for the dumpster fires. However, Spain insisted that the apartment fire was set by a Black man using an antifreeze bottle and a green lighter. Whats even more appalling is that Spain went on to say that he was assaulted by the man when he tried to intervene. Spain also said he called 911 to report what happened, but hung up after he described the alleged suspect. Despite his claims, a man matching Spains description was caught on video surveillance footage where the fires took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators also stated that The footage provided no evidence of any Black male in the area before or during the three fire incidents. Video evidence, witness statements and Spains testimony led police to believe that the suspect [Spain] is responsible for setting the dumpster fires and the fire at the apartment building. Spain is currently being at a local jail on $47,500 bond. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Russell Smith Federal Courthouse. (Tommy Martino, for the Daily Montanan) A Whitefish physician who admitted to defrauding Medicare and other federal government health programs through a telemedicine conspiracy that resulted in more than $31 million in false billing was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months home confinement, and one year of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. According to a Montana U.S. Attorneys Office press release, Ronald David Dean, 64, of Whitefish, pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Dean was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $780,509 restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The case was part of the Justice Departments 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. Every American pays for healthcare fraud, potentially through higher health insurance premiums, exposure to unnecessary medical procedures, and increased taxes Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI said in a statement. Ronald Dean put profit before patients. This case, along with the coordinated nationwide effort, reaffirms the FBIs commitment to investigating fraud, protecting patients, and maintaining the integrity of government funded programs. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Dean, a licensed physician, was paid by a telemedicine company to sign orders for durable medical equipment that patients did not need, and then fraudulently charged Medicare, CHAMPVA and the Railroad Retirement Board programs for telemedicine office visits that didnt occur. CHAMPVA is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The telemedicine company also used Deans information to prescribe unneeded and unnecessary Covid-19 tests to patients. The conspiracy ran from January 2022 to July 2023. Dean billed $31,432,001 to Medicare, the VA and the Railroad Retirement Board, which collectively paid out $13,785,724. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the scheme, Dean relied on information provided by people he did not know, with an unknown amount of training or experience, to prescribe braces for beneficiaries he did not see or evaluate himself. Dean frequently did not even talk to the beneficiaries, and when he did it was merely to tell them the braces were approved, according to the press release. Dean had no idea if those people who received braces actually needed them. With the Covid tests, Dean provided blanket authorization for the telemedicine company to send out tests to anyone and bill Medicare for as many as the company desired. Submitting false claims for medical services that were not provided will not be tolerated, Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector Generals Northwest Field Office said in a statement. Todays sentencing is a testament to VA OIGs dedication to investigating those who commit fraud and seek to benefit improperly from programs that are meant for deserving veterans. The case was part of a strategically coordinated, two-week nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 193 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes that resulted in the submission of over $2.75 billion in alleged false billings. The government, in connection with the enforcement action, seized over $231 million in cash, luxury vehicles, gold, and other assets. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Montana worked with the Departments Criminal Division and the following law enforcement organizations to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the enforcement period: the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Railroad Retirement Board Office of Inspector General and the FBI. Email secretlandlord@telegraph.co.uk with your comments and questions. Ive lost count of the number of selective licensing schemes Ive belonged to over the years. None have ever delivered anything of value, let alone provided me as the fee payer and property owner with any known results in return for parting with substantial sums of money. Ive asked several times for the outcomes, and in fact, at the start of every selective licensing process Im vocal about asking what the KPIs are, but as yet, Ive not been provided with a shred of evidence for any success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It therefore fills me with absolute dread that not only do we have a Labour Government paving the way for a national landlord licensing scheme (a database that will bring together key information for landlords, tenants and councils), but from Dec 23, local authorities in England will no longer be required to obtain permission from the Secretary of State before implementing a selective licensing scheme of any size. Prior to this, local authorities had to seek approval for any selective licensing scheme which would cover more than 20pc of their geographical area, or would affect more than 20pc of privately rented homes. In a nutshell: councils can now ride roughshod through our privately rented housing sector. Given more than four in 10 councils are likely to go bankrupt within the next five years, such powers to introduce landlord licensing schemes without any fear of reprisal is of major concern. Another major concern is the new local government reforms being introduced which appear to be redrawing councils into some sort of super-mega-all-powerful being. In this power play and jostle for money, landlords are going to get caught in the crossfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Norris, of the National Residential Landlords Association, which represents 100,000 landlords, said: It makes no sense that whilst planning to create a national database of private landlords, the Government now wants to make it easier for councils to licence landlords as well. Ministers must clarify how they plan to prevent the two schemes from duplicating each other. A failure to do so risks them becoming nothing more than cash cows. I would go further. Councils and government have long treated private landlords as cash cows. What these new council powers mean is that they can make landlords their political scapegoats. Mark my words, private landlords will be blamed for all of societys ills. Whether its missed rubbish collections, a lack of school places or an elderly care home closing down, it will all be our fault. At a time when two-tier Britain is becoming ever more apparent, it is of huge concern that properties managed or occupied by a public body, a local housing authority or registered social landlord (such as Housing Associations) are exempt. Yet again, we are witnessing the private sector being lumped with extra regulation and costs, and the public sector getting away scot-free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southwark is the largest local authority landlord in London, directly managing over 36,000 properties with another 16,000 leasehold homes. But despite Southwark having the third-highest number of housing Ombudsman complaints in the UK, it is exempt from selective licensing. A few years ago, Southwark council introduced a selective licensing scheme. When I asked why, it replied: To improve the condition and management of the private rented sector in the borough and to try and regulate anti-social behaviour connected to the private rented sector in the borough. Word-for-word that is exactly what they told me. When I challenged them that much of the housing in the area was owned and managed by the council and housing associations and how they would monitor this anti-social behaviour, I was met with silence. I was also met with silence when I said my tenant was working and couldnt comply with their requests to inspect the property no later than 4pm on a weekday and not at weekends. My property was never inspected, and yet my licence was still issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What does this tell you? It tells you the scheme has no guts and no reason for being other than milking cash from landlords to pay for more unnecessary council jobs. A fact I can back up, because at the outset, I asked What are you going to spend the money on? To which they replied: The fees collected pay for the administration and enforcement of the scheme. What worries me most about councils having even more powers to introduce selective licensing is that substandard housing is being hidden in plain sight. Rules have been made but not obeyed and those who are making the rules are those who are evading the rules. It is neither right nor fair that public bodies who control huge swathes of properties across the country are not being held accountable to the same rules they are applying to the private sector. Labour have made their battle between the public and private sector very clear, but this latest move is a step too far. I can only hope someone with more legal nous than me, can challenge the Government on the inequity they are further driving into our housing market. 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. When Texas executed an inmate without media present in 2021, it apologized for the critical error and launched an investigation. The same year, Alabama sparked controversy by only allowing one media witness to an execution, citing the pandemic. But Indiana is scheduled to execute a man with no reporters present this Wednesday, and has no plans to apologize the secrecy surrounding Joseph Corcorans killing is deliberate. More: I watched the execution of a killer so I could tell you about it Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aside from the Texas mistake, itll be the first execution in the U.S. without journalists allowed to attend since 2009, the last time Indiana executed someone. The public will be reliant on official spin from government officials to discern whether Corcorans suffering exceeded the Constitutions tolerance. It very well might. At the 2020 federal execution of William LeCroy in Indiana, media witnesses, including this column's co-author, George Hale, described LeCroys torso jerking and contracting uncontrollably after his lethal injection. Such movements are common in flash pulmonary edema, a condition in which blood rushes into the lungs. Experts compare the pain to drowning or waterboarding. Federal officials mentioned none of this. One executioner later wrote that LeCroy did not appear to be in any sort of distress, discomfort, or pain. LeCroys case was not a one-off discrepancies between official accounts of executions and those of impartial witnesses are common. And yet, the Trump administration allowed journalists access (the Biden administration imposed a moratorium on federal executions). Indiana takes the opposite approach. Corcorans execution, if it proceeds, will exclude journalists pursuant to an anomalous state law delineating those who can attend executions. The press doesnt make the cut. The only other state that doesnt allow reporters at executions is Wyoming, which hasnt executed anyone since 1992. Joseph E. Corcoran was sentenced to death in 1999 for killing four people in Allen County. That gives Indiana the dubious honor of being the national standard bearer for taxpayer-funded secret killings. Officials may claim their hands are tied, but thats a cop-out. Their secrecy isnt limited to what the law purportedly requires the only information the state plans to provide reporters is a single email after the execution is completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need for transparency is heightened because the state plans to kill Corcoran with pentobarbital, known to cause pulmonary edema. A Michigan pathologist who performed an autopsy on one pentobarbital victim testified that his pain was likely among the most excruciating feelings known to man. Hale, this articles coauthor, witnessed the 2021 execution of Corey Johnson, whose autopsy showed extreme pulmonary edema. He also saw Alfred Bourgeois suffering firsthand. Reports described how he heaved uncontrollably and quivered during his federal execution in 2020. Its true that a 1890 Supreme Court case upheld a media ban. But that case, decided on procedural grounds, involved hanging by the neck by no means a humane way to kill, but at least a known one. Executioners werent experimenting with new cost-cutting drugs outside public view. Straps and cuffs are used on a gurney in the Indiana State Prison death chamber in Michigan City. Photo/WSBT These days, experienced reporters know what to look for where IVs are placed, evidence of cut-down procedures, breathing patterns and more. Hales team at Indiana Public Media was working with an anesthesiology expert on a checklist for Corcoran's execution before being denied access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, the Minnesota law the Supreme Court upheld during the Harrison administration would never pass muster today it barred the media from publishing anything about executions. Thats a blatantly unconstitutional prior restraint." Despite its legal obsolescence, that Minnesota law lays bare the motivation behind excluding the press: keeping the public in the dark. That part is timeless. In the days of the guillotine, executioners hid behind masks. This is how they hide in the days of pentobarbital. Also telling is another Indiana law prohibiting disclosure of suppliers of lethal injection drugs, reportedly to shield them from bad press. Fear of criticism is not a reason to operate behind closed doors, and the states track record provides plenty more reasons to question any justifications for secrecy. The federal government and other states execute people in view of the media without issue. That would alleviate any legitimate concerns of Indiana lawmakers and corrections officials, if they were interested in being persuaded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If corrections officials believe their hands are tied by the statute, Gov. Eric Holcomb should step in, even if that delays the execution. Indiana can find a way to do the right thing. If theres nothing to hide, it will. Otherwise, its fair to assume the worst. Seth Stern is the Director of Advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation and a First Amendment lawyer. George Hale covers the federal death penalty for Indiana Public Media and serves on the board of the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana is executing Joseph Corcoran without a media witness | Opinion Just before Mishal Husain signed off from the Today programme for the final time, the BBCs interrogator-in-chief was asked the question to which everybody listening wanted the answer. Did you want to go? probed John Humphrys, wheeled out of retirement to pay tribute to his erstwhile colleague. Husain was characteristically diplomatic with her reply I think it was time for me to do something else but Humphrys gave that short shrift. You know perfectly well you wouldnt get away with that answer if you were asking the questions, the Welshman growled. You know what everyone is saying out there, which is that the bosses made Cue the rest of the Today team and alumni Sarah Montague, Nick Robinson and Justin Webb jumping in to prevent Humphrys finishing his awkward follow-up. It does not take a genius to guess why: BBC executives are widely seen, inside and outside the Corporation, as allowing Husain to slip through their fingers when they should have pulled out all the stops to retain one of their very best broadcasters. Her departure felt genuinely like the end of an era for the programme, as if we were moving from a time of high seriousness to something more informal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some say that if only the BBC had made her the lead anchor of the News at 10, or beaten Laura Kuenssberg to the Sunday morning political slot, then Husain would not have abandoned the BBC for Bloomberg. Im afraid the BBC is run by people who dont care about news and dont understand news, sighs one high-profile former editor. I dont think any of them get it and they are careless about talentIf you want to keep someone at the BBC, you can. They are being absolute idiots. Mishal Husain with her fellow presenters during her final appearance on the Today programme - Jeff Overs/BBC A former senior executive in the news department blames the current bosses Deborah Turness and her deputy, Jonathan Munro for reducing the quality of the BBCs news offering by centralising output and stopping editors of rival programmes vying for the best scoops. This management team has been pretty disastrous for BBC News, he says. You take all the tastiness out of the product and instead you get this boring, repetitive stuff. Its unwatchable now. Mishal would have felt that and valued editors and editorial guidance. Husain was keen to replace Andrew Marr when the Sunday morning programme became available in 2022. There is a lingering sense that Kuenssberg was given the plum post because there was not much else that she would have been able to do after stepping down as political editor in 2022 despite multiple sources saying that Husain gave a very impressive audition and is a superior broadcaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was all pre-ordained. Very rarely is there a [hiring] process in the BBC that isnt fixed, says the former BBC News boss. The obvious thing to do was to give it to Laura; the better thing to do would have been to give it to Mishal. It is not a good show for a Sunday morning, it is very cold. Mishal is a much more credible choice with her interviewing technique. "From me, good morning and goodbye." Listen to @MishalHusain sign off from her last #R4Today programme. We'll miss you! BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) December 17, 2024 Other roles she has been touted for include helming the News at 10 on TV more regularly, as well as election debates and state occasions (one of her most-watched interviews was when she sat down with Prince Harry and Meghan as they announced their engagement in 2017). Husain, 51, is discreet to a fault and even her closest colleagues admit that she has not told them why she has decided to leave now, with one calling her sphinx-like. I think she felt it wasnt so much the presenting of the news which, frankly, would be a step down in this respect, says a colleague. What she wanted, which would be a step up, is to do the big interviews, the royal stuff, the big political set pieces. She felt that, because shed done so well in the debates, she was qualified to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Husain said to be eager to take a step back from the relentless daily news cycle she has often said a decade on Today was long enough and Clive Myrie seemingly preferred as the News at 10 anchor, there would probably not be enough news-adjacent set-piece events to justify a full-time salary. A current BBC News boss expresses exasperation that the narrative about feckless managers unable to hold onto stars has taken hold. Mishal didnt want to do news any more, they say. We would have loved to keep her, but you have got to respect someones decisions. We tried lots of different things. The eldest child of Pakistani immigrant parents her father, Imtiaz, was a urologist and her mother, Shama, worked as a TV producer before becoming a teacher Husain was born in Northampton but grew up in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Mishal Husain with her mother Shama and brother Haider After earning law degrees from Cambridge and the European University Institute in Florence, she moved into journalism. A few years after joining the BBC in 1998, she married Meekal Hashmi, a lawyer, and they have three sons. In the summer she published Broken Threads, a memoir about how the partition of India impacted her four grandparents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the reason Husain arguably the most prominent Muslim broadcaster in the country is said to have been keen to do less daily news is the rumbling conflicts in the Middle East. Most notably, Husain was told on air by David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesman that she ought to be given the pro-Palestinian reporter of the year award for her line of questioning in the summer. The BBC robustly defended Husain at the time, and said that she was asking legitimate and important questions in a professional, fair and courteous manner. Husain hinted that she was frustrated about reporting on Gaza when she accepted the Charles Wheeler Award, a top broadcasting prize, in October. When youre in quite a combative moment, you have to hold your nerve. And the only way, the only thing that gives me courage to hold my nerve is when Im sure enough of my facts, and in the context of the conflict in Gaza at the moment that is made more difficult by not having the access that is normally the case, she said. Even to the hardest of war zones your own colleagues who are, who have been trusted voices in so many different arenas for such a long time who are now in this arena, theres a whole different level of connection that our audiences have and we are missing that in this context. I think it was time for me to do something else: Mishal Husain - David Vintiner / Guardian / eyevine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The riots in the summer appear to have added to this sense of unease. This year I think I have felt racism in a way that I probably havent at any point in my career before and thats in this country, Husain said at the award ceremony. That has been hard, and thats given me pause. BBC executives insist that the break-up has been amicable, and it is telling that Turness personally added a rarely-spotted line in the announcement of her departure: I very much hope the BBC and Mishal will get the chance to work together again one day, she said. Certainly the thing about Husain is her flexibility. She has the intellectual chops and the erudition to follow in the footsteps of arts broadcaster Melvyn Bragg, for example. If her colleagues understand why she felt frustrated at the BBC, there was surprise when she said that she was moving to Bloomberg a former employer to launch a weekend global interview show, given its vastly smaller audiences. However, Husain is expected to double her salary of more than 340,000 when she joins in the new year. If someone has got a better offer and they dont want to do what youve got, its pretty hard to keep them, says the news executive. Turness may have been savvy in keeping the door open for Husain to return at some point in the future. Interviewed on stage at a literature festival two years ago, Webb recalled being courted by Times Radio and asking Husain what she thought of his jumping ship to a much smaller station. Go into your study, talk to yourself for a couple of hours and see how it feels, she counselled. If Husain gets a similar feeling at Bloomberg, she could well end up back at the BBC. 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A downtown Wichita collaboration space is collaborating with a nonprofit. The OnRamp Hub, started by the Department of Defense, shares military technology with the public. The OnRamp Hub in Kansas is moving part of its operations from Wichita State University to Groover Labs. The cofounder of Groover Labs, Tracy Hoover, says the OnRamp Hub is a giant stride for the nonprofit. They want to be here, Groover Labs because they recognize that were an innovation center here in Wichita, and then they bring their own network and partners to the table that we would love to bring into our orbit, said Hoover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOE says it will no longer pursue transmission corridor in Kansas The partnership started last summer. One of our main focuses is, is physical product development; weve been working with several companies individually. We worked with greenfield robotics on improving the electronics on their ag robot, said Hoover. Tracy says Groover Labs were her late husband Curts vision. She says this next step continues his mission to move the lab forward. I feel like having an organization here that is interested in prototyping products and building physical products is really helping, said Hoover. Helping further his desire to develop products here at Groover Labs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curt didnt live to see this partnership, but Tracy says it wouldve completed his vision. Theres nobody like him, said Hoover. Honoring her late husband with a positive next step for what lies ahead. Im really excited about the future for Groover Labs. The Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub will move into Groover Labs in the next few months. The OnRamp Hub has a membership agreement for the next two 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 KSN-TV. HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) The man who was convicted of killing a local community activist in 2022 was sentenced on Tuesday, December 17. Judge Faye Peterson sentenced William Polo Edwards to life in prison for first-degree murder and 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrent. Edwards was found guilty of the charges last week in connection to the death of Better Men Society founder Robert Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats next after William Polo Edwards was found guilty? Edwards was convicted of killing Davis inside Shadow Robinsons Clinton home on May 1, 2022. Robinson said she heard gunshots and saw Davis lying facedown in the hallway of her home. She said she did not see Edwards discharge a weapon and that she only saw sparks. However, Robinson testified that she saw Edwards with a gun and that he was the one who shot Davis. Robinson said Davis was her friend, and they were not romantically involved. William Edwards (Courtesy: MDOC) Robert Davis (WJTV) During the retrial, the state used surveillance video from Funtime Skateland of Clinton and Ring doorbell camera video to illustrate what happened leading up to the death of Davis, as well as the aftermath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shadow Robinson testifies in retrial of William Polo Edwards Edwards was arrested in connection to the case after a chase in New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 3, 2022. He was indicted for murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm in Hinds County. Edwards pled not guilty. Edwards first trial ended with a mistrial in August 2023. He will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) A new early education space just opened at Bay Path University, and a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate. The Willie Ross School for the Deaf and Bay Path University partnered together to bring a new early education center to the college campus. The early education classrooms are located on the first floor of Theinert Hall which is a multi-use residence hall on the campus. Springfield school students gifted books as part of literacy program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new space will benefit students at Bay Path as they will have the opportunity to intern in the classrooms. It will also provide 2 and 3-year-olds with the Willie Ross School for the Deaf with more space to learn and let out all of their energy. There are four classrooms and support rooms for both students and staff. Through this partnership, the school will be able to serve 20 more students. This as the schools early childhood program grew over time which resulted in the need for more space. They are going to have a bigger space, more space to run around and so they need a lot of room to go. We will be able to provide them with a quality experience that is going to help prepare them for the school year when they get to that age, said Willie Ross School for the Deaf President and CEO Bert Carter. Carter says this partnership will help both institutions and their students to continue to succeed moving forward. Bay Path University President Sandra Doran says they look forward to offering the resources and expertise to support the early education work at the Willie Ross School for the Deaf. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) The Wilson County Commission voted Monday night on plans to move for or against the development of an industrial park, which comes after the company appealed the first decision opposing it. After the Planning Commission unanimously voted against the rezoning proposal in June, Texas-based company Hillwood decided to push back and appeal. JUNE 2024: Wilson County Planning Commission votes against industrial park plan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Wilson County residents in the Tucker Crossroads community spoke Monday night in opposition to industrial parks, with some residents even signing petitions as evidence of widespread opposition to the rezoning. Those who oppose the plan say there is an increased risk of dangerous flooding and believe it will hurt agriculture in the community. There is also concern that traffic issues on Interstate 40 East will increase, with no plan to handle the increased traffic. PREVIOUS: Company appealing after Wilson County Planning Commission votes against industrial development We got about four million square feet of unoccupied industrial space right now, one Wilson County resident said. And this developer wants to come in and build another 10.5 million square feet in a place where nobody wants it! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others spoke in support of the development, arguing it would support the community by providing a convenience store and gas station, as well as providing thousands of quality jobs that will help with tax revenue into Wilson County to support schools and road projects. One Wilson County resident has pushed petitions against the park to the mayors office, fighting for the space to remain open. This years Wilson County Tennessee State Fair wins dozens of International Association of Fairs and Expos awards We have right over 1600 petitions that have been signed from the community, the resident said. We got a lot of support everywhere we want to keep as much rural space as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hours of public comment, the Commission voted not to proceed with the plans for the industrial park. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wind and heavy rain is forecast for the next several days in both the mountains and lowlands of Western Washington, causing the Nooksack River to rise toward flood stage. Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Seattle issued a hydrologic outlook on Sunday, warning that flooding is possible from an atmospheric river moving from the Olympics to Whatcom County. Daytime temperatures are expected in the low 50s from Wednesday to Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An atmospheric river storm system will move into the region on Tuesday, lifting a warm front and subsequent cold front across Western Washington mid-week and bringing in heavier precipitation and breezy winds, meteorologist Anna Lindeman said online. Timing and location of the heaviest precipitation was still uncertain, Lindeman said. Rainfall of 5 to 10 inches in 48 hours was possible over the Washington coast and the Olympic Mountains, and higher amounts closer to Whatcom County. South winds gusting to 50 mph were possible Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, especially north of Everett. Wind advisory was issued for western Whatcom County and a gale warning was posted for inland waters. Coastal areas of Whatcom County that should have the strongest winds include Bellingham Bay, Lummi Island, Birch Bay,Point Roberts, Point Whitehorn and Sandy Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The northern half of the Western Washington Cascades could also see significant rain and snow with liquid amounts around 4 to 6 inches, and the lowlands could see rainfall amounts between 1 to 2 inches, Lindeman said. However, the exact details of the evolution of this atmospheric river event remain uncertain and will continue to be monitored. The incoming precipitation will likely cause significant rises to area rivers, with river flooding favored to occur but confidence is low over the (regional) extent and severity. Current estimates from the Northwest River Forecast Center show the Nooksack River rising to several feet below action stage by Thursday, a level about 2 feet below minor flood stage. Another spike in river height was possible just after Christmas because rain remains in the forecast. Because the rainfall forecast is uncertain, Whatcom County officials are watching it closely along with another storm that could hit on the weekend, said Amy Cloud, spokeswoman for the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office Division of Emergency Management. Since weather is dynamic we are constantly monitoring and in regular contact with our partners at the county Public Works Departments River and Flood Division and at the state. Later this week well meet with county partners to assess conditions at that time and to make adjustments for the weekend, if necessary, Cloud told The Bellingham Herald in an email. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) Whenever the Buffalo Bills are playing at Highmark Stadium, hundreds of cars park and tailgate at the Wings Meeting Place on California Road. Its an opportunity to share the mission of giving hope one flight at a time. Thats the biggest thing about here, people learning about what we do, said Joe DeMarco, founder & volunteer pilot with Wings Flight of Hope. I always say every time there is a function here, if we have one person learn about our service, you cant really put a price on that. For 20 years, DeMarco has been in the pilot seat for more than 6,000 flights, helping lift spirits and transport patients and their families who need to travel for medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What people dont realize is if you need an organ in Boston or Pittsburgh, if youre not (within) a three-hour drive, you have to live there, DeMarco said. So you cant live in Buffalo and expect to get a heart, liver, or lungs in Boston. So we let people have as much normalcy as they have being at home. With each journey theres a story to be told. The majority are happy stories, DeMarco said. And when someone passes, at least they did all they could do. Sometimes people go to two, three, four different places to try and find the best care they can get. Wings Flights of Hope has around 16 volunteer pilots who offer air transport for patients of all ages for free. These trips have changed many lives, DeMarco said even his own in a way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It changed my life because I was one of those people that I was miserable if I didnt get enough work done, DeMarco said. Then when you see people who just want to breathe, walk, swallow, the simple things. Theres so many people that just want what you take for granted, so you dont take things for granted anymore. Wings Flights of Hope relies on donations and fundraising. DeMarco owns the Wings Meeting Place located at 3964 California Rd. in Orchard Park where they hold events, weddings and fundraisers, which all helps get the word out about their mission. When the Buffalo Bills play at home, fans can show their support by paying $30 for parking and joining their tailgate. We have the room here. For me, I want to get as many people as we can get here if they learn about what we do, DeMarco said. For anyone who is interested in learning more about requesting a flight, click here. To donate, click here, or for more information on how to become a volunteer pilot, click here. Latest Local News Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. NECEDAH, Wis. (WFRV) Law enforcement in Wisconsin is urging drivers to slow down and stay vigilant near emergency vehicles after a second squad car in seven days was struck. On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a New Lisbon Police Department officer was assisting the Necedah Police Department with traffic control during the annual holiday parade. Green Bay Police Department identifies three persons of interest in shooting threats at East and West High Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While parked at the intersection of State Highway 80 and 14th Street with its emergency lights activated, the officers unoccupied squad car was rear-ended by an SUV. No injuries were reported, but the squad car sustained significant damage and was deemed unfit for patrol. Please remember to slow down and pay close attention for your safety and the safety of others around you, the New Lisbon Police Department posted on social media. Wisconsin man leads police on 9-mile pursuit in a stolen vehicle, arrested for 4th OWI The Juneau County Sheriffs Office echoed the warning, highlighting the back-to-back incidents. This is the second incident involving an emergency vehicle being struck from behind in the last week. Please, for everyones safety, slow down and be observant of what is going on around you, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Necedah Police Department is investigating the crash. No further details are 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. Police in Wisconsin have identified the suspect believed to be responsible for shooting and killing two people, and injuring six more at a small Christian school in Madison on Monday morning. Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old student who also went by the name Samantha, was identified as the suspected shooter at the Abundant Life Christian School, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told a press conference Monday night. Children prepare to board a bus bound for the reunification center where they'll meet their parents after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. December 16, 2024. / REUTERS/Cullen Granzen Rupnow was pronounced dead while being transported to a local hospital. Authorities said they believe she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the official cause of death will be determined by the local medical examiner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting occurred at a mixed-grade study hall at the small school, which serves around 300 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. At an earlier press conference Monday, Barnes said the suspect was attending school that day. The shooter was at school. We have no information that it was some type of breach. Families attend a prayer service to mourn the victims of Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin. / Scott Olson / Scott Olson/Getty Images We are still working to determine a motive. Detectives have talked to her family members this evening, as well as conduct a search of the shooters home here in Madison, Barnes said. The police chief said that the suspects parents were cooperating with investigators, and later said they allowed them to search her room. Barnes also addressed some of the rumors circulating online, including whether the suspect identified as transgender. I dont know whether Natalie was transgender or not. And quite frankly, I dont think thats important at all, he said. The police chief also said they have not been able to determine the authenticity of a manifesto that had been circulating online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barnes also said they were speaking to the suspects father at a police facility: He lost someone as well, and so were not going to rush the information, well take our time and certainly do our due diligence. Students evacuate a church building near the site of a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. / Scott Olson / Scott Olson/Getty Images Authorities said they arrived at the scene moments after receiving a 911 call from a student at Abundant Life. A second grade student called 911 to report a shooting had occurred at the school, Barnes said. Let that soak in for a minute. Officers were dispatched to the school at 10:57 a.m., and arrived just minutes later. At 11:05, officers inside the school alerted people that the shooter was down and that gun had been recovered, Barnes said. None of the officers fired their weapons during the response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police chief said the firearm was a handgun, but also said he has not yet seen it and could not confirm any more details about the weapon. It may still be on property, because you have to be very careful about how you take things from the scene, he added. A sixth grader at the school recounted to CNN hours after the shooting how the events unfolded from his perspective. We heard them [gunshots], and then some people started crying, the Abundant Life student said. We just waited till the police came, and then they escorted us out to the church. Students are escorted from a church next to the Abundant Life Christian School and loaded on busses to be taken to a reunification center. / Scott Olson / Scott Olson/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two peoplea teacher and a studentwere pronounced dead at the scene. Another six people were injured, Barnes confirmed. Two victims, both identified as fellow Abundant Life students, remain in critical condition. Another student and a teacher were hospitalized and are currently in a stable condition. Two more students were discharged from the hospital earlier on Monday. None of the victims identities have been released. MADISON A surge of reports to a Wisconsin tip line for school shootings followed Mondays deadly incident at a Madison school. Trish Kilpin, the director of the Wisconsin Office of School Safety at the state Department of Justice, said at a media briefing with Madison police Monday night that the "Speak Up, Speak Out" tip line has received numerous calls today and that the state is keeping an eye out for copycat crimes in the coming days or weeks. "Today, I have communicated with schools across the state, as well as with (the Department of Public Instruction) about how to manage and handle those tips," she said. "Whether it's an anonymous threat or a threat specific to a student." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kilpin said responses to tips on the "Speak Up, Speak Out" line are rooted in the "scientific body of knowledge of threat assessment, of how to determine if a child poses a threat or has made a threat." The "Speak Up, Speak Out" tip line was created in 2020, and since then has fielded more than 350 tips regarding school attacks, Kilpin said. "We encourage the community at large, students and families to report to SUSO or their local law enforcement or local school officials if they have concerns that somebody is planning a school attack," she said. "Targeted violence is preventable." To report a threat to the Speak Up Speak Out tip line, call 1-800-MY-SUSO-1 or text SUSO to 738477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shootings at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison left a student and a teacher dead. Five other students and another teacher were transported to hospitals for treatment, two with life-threatening injuries. Madison police late Monday identified the shooter as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, a student at the school who died en route to a hospital after a self-inflicted gunshot. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: School shooting tip line sees surge after Madison tragedy JANESVILLE, Wis. (WFRV) A year-long investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old Wisconsin man for reportedly possessing child pornography. According to the Janesville Police Department, at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, the departments S.W.A.T. team executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of Canyon Drive after. Two hospitalized after semi-truck crash on U.S. Highway 14 in Wisconsin Upon arrival, officers discovered concerning living conditions that posed a significant health and safety risk to any potential occupants. The key issues included an accumulation of debris and waste that created unsanitary living conditions inside the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department is collaborating with Janesville Housing Services to address these conditions and violations. No injuries reported after bank robbery in Wisconsin, investigation underway As a result of the search warrant, numerous electronics were collected from the residence. Robert Sharpe III, 32, of Janesville, was arrested for two counts of possession of child pornography and was transported to the Rock County Jail. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. FOX POINT, Wis. (WFRV) A 57-year-old man from Fox Point will serve two years in federal prison for orchestrating an investment fraud scheme that caused over $2.5 million in losses to investors. David Braeger was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman following his conviction for defrauding 27 investors through a fraudulent venture called Blue Star Automotive Fund. Wisconsin man arrested for possession of child pornography, living in horrid conditions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records revealed that Braeger, previously barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) from associating with broker-dealer firms, misused more than $2.5 million of the $5.4 million he raised. Although some funds were used as promised to support an automobile dealership, Braeger spent the rest on personal expenses, including luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, legal fees, and the purchase of the Silver Spring House Restaurant in Glendale. In addition, Braeger misappropriated $100,000 from an investor in a separate venture, claiming the money would fund litigation related to a Ugandan energy company. Instead, he used those funds for personal purposes. Judge Adelman emphasized the emotional and financial harm inflicted on victims, citing Braegers greed and self-interest as driving factors for the crime. In addition to his prison sentence, Braeger was ordered to pay $2,535,103.19 in restitution. Two hospitalized after semi-truck crash on U.S. Highway 14 in Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Braeger used his background and connections to steal millions of dollars from over two dozen victims, said U.S. Attorney Gregory Haanstad. He compounded their financial injuries by attempting to intimidate some victims even as his scheme unraveled. I commend those who worked to ensure accountability and justice for his victims. The FDIC Office of Inspector General also commended the investigative effort, with Special Agent in Charge Vincent Zehme stating, Braegers scheme not only caused significant financial harm to consumers but also undermined trust in the financial system. We remain committed to holding such offenders accountable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (WFRV) The Wisconsin State Patrol expressed gratitude after one of its Lieutenants received a long-awaited transplant for his liver. According to a Facebook post by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Lieutenant Witkiewicz has been living with a chronic liver disease for over a decade. Local nonprofit donates hundreds of care packages to cancer patients The post includes a photo of Lt. Witkiewicz in the hospital bed holding a small pillow shaped like a liver. Thank you to all who have been following in his journey and shown him and his family support, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The woman accused of stowing away on a Delta flight from New York to Paris was arrested again, this time while reportedly trying to get into Canada. Svetlana Dali had been given an ankle monitor with GPS monitoring after her bond hearing in the stowaway case. She'd been ordered not to leave Philadelphia, except to attend court or meet with her lawyer or attend pre-trial services in New York. But Dali allegedly cut off her ankle monitor and was on a bus to Canada when she was arrested again, the New York Times reported. FBI in Buffalo on Monday confirmed Dali had been arrested again and was in custody in Buffalo. Dali was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dali last month had sneaked onto a Delta flight without a boarding pass. Surveillance footage shows Dali at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Nov. 26. According to a criminal complaint, Dali tried to get in a line at the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, but was turned away when she was unable to show a boarding pass. A short time later, she successfully sneaked through after allegedly "entering through a special lane for airline employees masked by a large Air Europa flight crew." On Dec. 4, the TSA noted, "This is the only reported case of unauthorized access when over 18 million passengers were screened at TSA security checkpoints during the busiest Thanksgiving travel season ever. No one has ever fully breached the TSA security screening process." Dali boarded a plane around 10 p.m. on Nov. 26 without presenting a boarding pass. "Delta agents, who were busy helping ticketed passengers board, did not stop her or ask her to present a boarding pass before she boarded the plane," according to the criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta employees realized Dali was on the plane before the flight landed. They notified French law enforcement, who met Dali at the gate at Charles de Gaulle Airport on Nov. 27. They determined Dali didn't have a passport or a boarding pass and detained her. Dali flew back to New York on Dec. 4, and was then taken into custody by authorities in the U.S. During an interview with the FBI, Dali admitted to stowing away and to intentionally evading security officials and Delta employees, according to the criminal complaint. She faces charges of obtaining transportation on an aircraft without consent or permission. Dali is in the U.S. on a green card, according to a person familiar with the incident. The French Ministry of the Interior identified her as a Russian national. 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 COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus police have opened an investigation after a womans body was found in a home on the citys southwest side Monday. Columbus homicide detectives are investigating after the body of Kylene A. Young, 39, was found at approximately 1 p.m. when officers went to a home on the 2000 block of Harrisburg Pike for a well-being check. Police identify victims in south Columbus triple homicide Columbus fire personnel forced their way into the home, where Youngs body was found. Paramedics pronounced her dead at 1:05 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus police did not say what led to Youngs death. There is no further information available at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said a woman was arrested in connection to a murder that took place in Capitol Heights on Dec. 12. PGPD said that at about 11 p.m., officers responded to the 6400 block of Cabin Branch Court for the report of a fight. At the scene, they found a woman, 54-year-old Connie Burns of Capitol Heights, suffering from trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She died there. 17-year-old dies after shooting in Suitland, police offer reward for information The suspect, 35-year-old Erica Terry of Shipman, Va., stayed at the scene and was taken into custody by police. Authorities charged Terry with second-degree murder and related charges. She is in the custody of the Department of Corrections. Police noted that Terry and Burns knew each other and were involved in a physical altercation before the murder, according to a preliminary investigation. Anyone with information on this case who would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective may call 301-516-2512. Tips can also be submitted online here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. A teenage driver convicted of killing three teens in a Lincoln County car wreck in February 2023 is back in court after serving 120 days of shock jail time. Judge Michael Fagras called it justice with tempered mercy at the time. Its hard. Youre trying to still grieve the loss of these people and see justice done but every time you turn around, there is no justice being done, Courtney Capizzi, Emily McNees aunt, said. Shes getting off pretty easy for what she did. Families of 15-year-old Kaeden Tyler, 17-year-old Emily McNees, and 18-year-old William Flickinger waited to see Zenk back in the courtroom after her sentencing in June for killing their loved ones. Hailey Zenk was sentenced to 120 days of shock jail time. Two months after her release, court records show an arrest warrant for Zenk for violating her probation by tampering with her alcohol monitor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was another tampering event that lasted approximately 24 hours. So, both of those instances were quite problematic for the state, Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Mike Wood said. Illinois man records strange lights in the Metro East skies Wood said Zenk turned herself in last week and said his office is still investigating the tampering. The problem we have is that the alcohol that was detected was during a tamper, he said. So, then the question we have to ask ourselves is whether that was intentional or not. Wood said one of the tampering events lasted six hours and the other 24 hours, which is why hes asking for Zenk to be held without bond. Itll be up to a judge if Zenk serves additional jail time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was given mercy back in June and she has violated that mercy and because of that, I think that she should be held accountable, Douglas Meyer, Kaedens stepfather, said. Zenk is set to be back in the courtroom on Thursday for a bond reduction hearing. FOX 2 reached out to her defense attorney, but they declined comment on the case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) -A woman who was branded a Chinese spy by Britain's MI5 has lost her case to sue the domestic spy agency over an alert issued to politicians which said she was an agent working for Beijing, a London tribunal ruled on Tuesday. Lawyer Christine Lee had sued MI5 over the alert issued in January 2022 in which it alleged she was "involved in political interference activities" in the United Kingdom on behalf of China's ruling Communist Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warning was circulated to lawmakers by the House of Commons speaker, who said MI5 had found that Lee had "facilitated financial donations to serving and aspiring parliamentarians on behalf of foreign nationals based in Hong Kong and China". Lee was born in Hong Kong and founded a firm providing consultancy services to Chinese migrants. She helped set up a parliamentary committee, chaired by Barry Gardiner, a lawmaker for the then opposition Labour Party, designed to discuss issues affecting the Chinese community in Britain. Gardiner said he had received hundreds of thousands of pounds in donations from her, and her son had worked in his office. She denied the MI5 allegations and sued the spy agency for unspecified damages, arguing the agency had acted unlawfully and unreasonably by labelling her a risk to the state without any prior finding of guilt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Investigatory Powers Tribunal rejected the claim brought by Lee and her son. It said MI5 was within its rights to issue the Interference Alert (IA) as part of its function to protect parliamentary democracy and that the pair's human rights had not been breached. Lee's lawyer said in a statement that his clients were extremely disappointed and were "considering their options". "Although the Investigatory Powers Tribunal's judgment did not determine whether the espionage allegations made against Christine Lee were factually true or false, we reiterate that Christine Lee has not engaged in such activities," the statement said. In evidence given to the tribunal, Gardiner had queried whether the timing of the alert was to divert attention from former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's admission of an unlawful gathering at Downing Street during the first COVID lockdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's ruling came a day after a Chinese national, described in a ruling by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) as a "close confidant" of Prince Andrew and banned from Britain on national security grounds, waived his right to anonymity. While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to thaw ties with China since taking office in July, London and Beijing have repeatedly traded spying accusations, with British security services warning of Chinese attempts to infiltrate political, business and academic spheres. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar and Ros Russell) BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) A Russian woman who was arrested after she stowed away on a flight from New York City to Paris last month has been arrested again in Buffalo, authorities said. Svetlana Dali, 57, was scheduled to appear Tuesday afternoon in federal court in Buffalo, said Barbara Burns, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney's office for western New York. Authorities say Dali evaded security at John F. Kennedy International Airport and flew to Paris as a stowaway on a Delta Air Lines flight on Nov. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French law enforcement met Dali at the gate and detained her when the plane landed in Paris early on Nov. 27. Dali, a legal U.S. resident, was flown back to New York and was arraigned on Dec. 5 in federal court in Brooklyn on a charge of being a stowaway. At a bail hearing the following day, U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo agreed to release Dali with electronic monitoring and a requirement that she live at the Philadelphia home of a man she met at church functions and submit to a curfew. Federal prosecutors have not released details of her arrest in Buffalo on Monday. A message seeking comment was sent to Michael Schneider, the attorney who represented her in court in Brooklyn. SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) Two women have been arrested after police say they were running a prostitution operation out of a spa in Scrantons north side. It all started on December 12 when county detectives say they received a tip about a website that is frequently used to promote prostitution services. Detectives set up an undercover sting at Harmony Spa, located at 2521 North Main Avenue where the agent called the number listed on the website and arranged an appointment for services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man withdrawing from heroin accused of lakeside mayhem When the undercover agent arrived, they were met by Qiuyu Woo, 67, of Flushing, New York, who led them into a room and agreed to provide the agent with a massage and sexual services in exchange for $40.00, according to court documents. Police say she began the massage and then subsequently performed a sexual act on the undercover agent. Qiuyu Woo, 67 (left) and So Yun Hwang, 69 (right) were arrested on charges of promoting prostitution. Investigators then entered the business and detained Woo and another woman, 69-year-old So Yun Hwang, Scranton,. Both agreed to speak with investigators and Woo admitted to seeing approximately three customers per day, and providing sexual services for one or two of them police said. Police also said Hwang admitted to answering the phone call, arranged the appointment, and acknowledged her role as manager of the business. When investigators searched the property, they say they found a wooden crate covered with pillows and blankets, a large quantity of food and several thousand dollars in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lackawanna County detectives arrested Hwang and Woo on charges of promoting prostitution and other related charges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. This post contains brief mention of rape. A Florida woman was recently arrested and charged for allegedly telling a BlueCross BlueShield insurance agent who denied her claim: "Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next." Since her arrest, women online have expressed outrage at what they see as a double standard of justice, calling out how quickly police arrested this woman for her words while often telling female victims that they cannot make arrests for simple threats. Ivan-balvan / Getty Images Here's what women are saying: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1."I am so confused about this.. I have gotten so many rape and death threats on this website, and even went to the police about particularly serious ones years ago, and they said there was nothing they could do about threats. Are threats only illegal if theyre at corporations?" 2."but ladies dont ever forget that if someone is stalking you and threatening YOU with violence, the police will tell you they simply cannot do anything until he actually rapes or murders you" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3."men threaten women all the time and I don't see them getting charged with a 100k bail" 4."but when women report about threats/stalking its 'no can do until an actual crime has taken place'?" 5."if thats a m*rder threat, then 'your body my choice' is a r*pe threat." 6."this is so hehe haha funny because when I was being stalked, threatened, and harassed the cops told me that they couldn't do anything because I hadn't been physically harmed *yet*." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7."Its just so crazy to me how quickly they respond to this threat but my ex roommates ex bf almost str******* her best we could do was pushed back court cases" 8."My kids dad kicked in my door and wouldn't leave I called the cops he made me out to be crazy I had to leave my house with my 2 kids and the cops then sat outside my parents house watching me!" @cbsmornings via TikTok / Via tiktok.com 9."My ex stalked me everywhere I went and threatened me multiple times in person and on the phone. He didn't even get arrested." @cnn via TikTok / Via tiktok.com 10."when a man threatened me in a email the police said it was 'free speech' and 'nothing they could do.'" @cnn via TikTok / Via tiktok.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 11."but my stalker can threaten to show up to my job and cops can't do anything." @cnn via TikTok / Via tiktok.com Women, what are your thoughts? Have you experienced a similar situation where you were threatened, but the police did not act? Let us know in the comments below or via this anonymous Google form. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website. Jo Denman and Tessa Parry-Wingfield formed a close friendship after they were both diagnosed with a rare form of cancer which resulted in them each having an eye removed The parallels were extraordinary, Parry-Wingfield told U.K. newspaper The Times of their lives being so similar, including living in the same area, both being 46-year-old mothers and having a partner called Mark "Nothing stops you grieving for your real eye. This teaches you a big lesson about whats important," she added to the outlet Two women in England formed a sister-like bond after both having an eye removed after they were diagnosed with the same rare cancer. Jo Denman and Tessa Parry-Wingfield, both 46 and of southwest London, had their eyes removed Denman the right and Parry-Wingfield the left about a year apart after they were both diagnosed with ocular melanoma; a very rare cancer that affects only five out of every million adults, per U.K. newspaper The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, "Ocular melanoma (melanoma in or around the eye) is a type of cancer that develops in the cells that produce pigment. Pigment gives color to your skin, hair and eyes." "Just as you can develop melanoma on your skin, you can also develop it inside your eye or on your conjunctiva. Although it is the most common eye cancer in adults, ocular melanoma is very rare," the AAO added. Cecilie_Arcurs/Getty A photo of two people holding hands A photo of two people holding hands While speaking to The Times, Parry-Wingfield and Denman recalled being put in touch by a mutual friend, just before the latter had her operation. Parry-Wingfield had undergone her surgery exactly a year prior to their meeting in March. The friends have a lot in common; both are parents Denman is mom to a 10-year-old son, while Parry-Wingfield has daughters ages 11 and 13 they both have partners named Mark, they both have cats and they both work in marketing and communications, as well as having the same medical team for their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have two cats, two partners, called Mark, and two eyes, Parry-Wingfield told the outlet, adding that together they "are either an unstoppable force or a walking disaster. When the pair who also live round the corner from one other met, Denman was getting ready for her op following an opticians appointment the month prior in February. She'd noticed a red vein in her right eye and that she was feeling a little "spacey." She'd joked to her husband at the time about finding out if Im going blind." On the morning of her appointment, Denman also "noticed a sinister patch on her iris that had discolored from blue to yellow," per the outlet. The optician said she could see a shadow, Denman said, adding that her optician made an appointment for her at the hospital the following morning. Weeks worth of tests later, she was told the tumor had filled half her eyeball and that it'd be best to have her eye removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denman told the publication, Mark and I both went ah?, expecting the surgeon to say, and put it back again. He didnt." Ivan-balvan/Getty A stock photo of a doctor A stock photo of a doctor Parry-Wingfield had been diagnosed around a year before Denman, telling the outlet it was a scary, fast-moving situation. The whole point was to say to Jo, You can do this, Parry-Wingfield said of meeting Denman. She was in that stage of shock, its just terrifying, and I knew how she felt. The parallels were extraordinary, Parry-Wingfield said of their lives being so similar, adding, It normalizes something thats very abnormal. Im no longer the only one with the one eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems too much of a coincidence, Denman admitted. It feels like there is a bit of fate there that I met Tess at that time. Although both feel lucky, especially for their friendship, Parry-Wingfield told the outlet, Even looking in the mirror was hard ... I would question myself: is this vanity, or is it just horrifically scary, to see yourself for the first time with no eye? And then you have to go outside and face the whole world. Nothing will recreate your eye. People say, You must be so pleased, she added to the publication, referencing their acrylic prosthetic eyes. Its more calm acceptance here. It isnt real and doesnt look the same. Weve lost half our vision." 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. "Nothing stops you grieving for your real eye. This teaches you a big lesson about whats important ... Its different, you feel different, people look at you differently, and it just takes a really long time, Parry-Wingfield added to the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im lucky that Ive got another eye, Denman said. And the cancer was removed without any other treatment. We arent skipping through the fields with great joy because a cancer diagnosis is terrifying. But I like our story, Parry-Wingfield continued, per the publication. Its a story of facing adversity together. Denman did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE. Parry-Wingfield first shared her cancer journey with The Times back in July and called it a "gruelling - but also surprisingly enlightening - ordeal" in a post on her LinkedIn page. She added of sharing her story, "I am very nervous about this. But I am hoping that I can help others, like me, going through a middle-aged cancer diagnosis or any age." Read the original article on People With 57 murders reported so far in 2024, Jacksonville is on track to see the lowest number of murders since at least 1995. It could be the lowest number in modern city history, but the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office says its difficult to compare data before 1995 due to changes in how statistics were collected after that year. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< This years stats reflect a 53% drop compared to last year and a 60% drop compared to 2020 when the city saw a historic peak in murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 144 were reported that year alone. One thing I do like, I love, is you guys, my friends in the media who I love, wont be able to call us the murder capital of Florida anymore, said Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters. Sheriff Waters noted, that while there has been a nationwide decrease in murders, the drop in Jacksonville is significantly larger than the national average. He attributes the success seen here to a multitude of factors. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Perhaps the most significant one is a stronger public trust. Its something Waters said the agency has been working hard to earn through transparency and accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more I tell them about misconduct within the agency, the more I tell them about arrests or investigations that take place, the more trust you earn. The more trust you earn, the more people want to come and talk to you about things that are taking place in the community, said Waters. Waters also argued the work of the Group Violence Intervention unit, more officers on the streets and reworking the zoning map have all also played a role. Think its allowed us to put the manpower in places where we know it needs to be, said Waters. Its not just murders that are down. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The sheriff said violent crime overall has also seen a notable drop this year and total offenses are also down compared to 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking forward, Waters said hes optimistic this is a trend that will hold. I think were in a good position. Im hoping and praying that they stay this way. Were going to do everything we can to make sure they stay this way, said Waters. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) More victims of a contracting scam by the former owner of Wood Construction & Remodeling appear set to receive reimbursement in early 2025, a new federal court filing shows. Eastman among companies sued for alleged decades-long fraud and deception over plastic recycling Leighton Joe Wood has now agreed to pay $1.4 million in restitution, up from $1.2 million, to dozens of homeowners for losses incurred when his company failed to complete home renovations in 2020 and 2021. News Channel 11 broke the story in October 2021 as multiple homeowners began registering complaints about unfinished work after they had provided large deposits and even follow-up payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Attorney General subsequently sued Wood Construction and Joe Wood. Wood and his wife Cameron declared bankruptcy in South Carolina, where theyd moved, shortly after. Filings in the bankruptcy case late last year revealed the presence of a criminal investigation, which culminated in Woods plea agreement on federal wire fraud charges. RELATED: Judge: No bankruptcy shield for Wood Construction owner The new figure is in a modified plea agreement filed late Monday in Woods wire fraud case. A total of 64 victims were set to receive reimbursement this month after one of Joe Woods family members agreed in June to pay $1,194,930.23 of restitution on his behalf. The offer was part of a deal in which Woods maximum jail time would be capped at 10 months. By October, as U.S. attorneys had anticipated in June, that figure had risen to just shy of $1.4 million after identification of an unreported number of additional victims. Mondays agreement calls for $1,402,501.89 to be paid to the U.S. District Court Clerk in Greeneville on or before Dec. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In exchange, the appropriate sentence shall be any lawful term of probation or any term of incarceration of not more than 10 months, followed by any lawful term of supervised release following incarceration, if any. Wood Construction victims: No jail would be bitter pill Wood is now scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 16. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Heavener, who led the prosecution, told victims in conference calls that the sentencing hearing would include an opportunity for victim impact statements. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Philippines was ravaged by the sixth typhoon of the month in November, but no one from the ruling class is putting any meaningful effort into alleviating the disaster for the masses. Instead, they are preoccupied with another storm: the rancorous political fracas between former allies President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. (also known as BBM) and Vice President Sara Duterte. Public insults and threats have been traded between both sides, to the point where the vice president is now being impeached at the whim of the president. Behind these ludicrous theatrics, what does this show about the state of the capitalist crisis in the Philippines? Clash of the dynasties Only two years ago, the Marcos-Duterte ticket was elected to power in a landslide victory. Although BBM is the son of a former dictator of the country and Sara is the daughter of an almost equally murderous former president, the two rode atop a wave of anti-establishment anger emanating from the masses, which carried them into Malacanang Palace. Support from Saras father, Rodrigo Duterte, was key in hoodwinking voters into thinking that the return of a Marcos would mean a continuation of the Keynesian spending pursued during Dutertes presidency, as well as standing up to the US, and curbing the deep chaos in daily life that the Filipino masses feel under capitalism through the brutal crime-fighting measures that Duterte was known for. Support from Saras father, Rodrigo Duterte, was key in hoodwinking voters into thinking that the return of a Marcos would mean a continuation of the Keynesian spending pursued during Dutertes presidency / Image: Presidential Communications Office, Wikimedia Commons On the surface, the union of the two political dynasties seemed natural. Their relations stretch back decades, beginning with Ferdinand Marcos Sr. inviting Vicente Duterte (Rodrigos father) to join his cabinet. Both dynasties have killed countless Filipino workers and toilers. They carry on taking lives as if it was a family tradition. Under Rodrigo Dutertes term from 2016-22, more than 6,200 died from his signature anti-drug raids and extra-judicial killings, the scale of which placed him on the radar of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Meanwhile Bongbong Marcos, only two years into his presidency, continues to rain down police and military terror on the masses. So far he has racked up 175 killings and more than 62,000 people displaced, in the name of internal security. And yet these two families, so similar to one another, soon fell out after coming to power together. The first sign of a serious dispute came in late 2023. Sara Dutertes proposal for 650m (around $11m USD) of the national budget to be spent on her office and the Department of Education (which she also headed) was blocked by the House, which has BBMs cousin and potential heir, Martin Romualdez, at its head. A war of words soon erupted. In January 2024, the Duterte family held a rally in their home base of Davao City. There, Rodrigo Duterte accused BBM of, among other things, trying to consolidate power for himself through amending the constitution (something that Duterte himself tried before), and being a drug addict: Bongbong Marcos was high back then. Now that hes the president, hes still high We have a drug addict for a president! That son of a whore! Days later, Duterte called for Mindanao, one of the three main regions of the country, to secede from the Philippines due to the intolerable governance of BBM. Bongbong Marcos, in turn, accused Duterte of being high on fentanyl when the latter made the incendiary remarks. This Game of Thrones-esque fallout quickly escalated from a war of words to active manoeuvring, with BBM directing the machinery of the state against the vice president. Sara Duterte resigned as education secretary in June. She was then placed under investigation for corruption, and her chief of staff was jailed. BBM even signaled a willingness to cooperate with the ICCs investigation into Rodrigo Duterte. Drama and death threats All this seemed to have pushed Sara Duterte over the edge. On 25 November of this year, Sara launched what is now an infamous threat against the president: This country is going to hell because we are led by a person who doesnt know how to be a president and who is a liar. Dont worry about my safety. I have talked to a person and I said, if I get killed, go kill Bongbong, Liza Araneta (the first lady), and Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke. I said, Do not stop until you kill them and he said yes. The sitting vice president thereby issued death threats against the sitting president, the first lady, and the speaker of the House. The sitting vice president thereby issued death threats against the sitting president, the first lady, and the speaker of the House / Image: Dipolog City Government, Wikimedia Commons One would be forgiven for dismissing such hyperbole as mere political theater, and in most cases that would be true in Filipino bourgeois politics. However, the person issuing these threats is a member of the Duterte family. The family patriarch, Rodrigo, cultivated deep ties with vigilante death squads when he was the mayor of Davao City. When he became president, he then unleashed these upon the whole country, killing thousands. Therefore, when Sara Duterte says she has assassins at her service, one must believe her. The threats do not end there. I wanted to remove [BBMs] head. I realised the relationship was already toxic. Sara Duterte told a press conference. [I] just imagine myself cutting his head, she repeated, gesturing with her hands. She even threatened that she would dig up the president's father and throw him in the sea. With these words, the heads of two of the leading Filipino political dynasties are now caught up in open hostilities that could potentially escalate beyond the halls of power. The Marcoses and their clients represent the northern, Luzon-based ruling class, while the Dutertes, in addition to being the leading dynasty of the southern, Mindanao ruling class, also built up a sizable following of the petty bourgeoisie and lumpenproletariat across the country. Given there is a complete absence of a genuine political alternative for the working class, many Filipino workers, who are steeped in crisis, are understandably sympathetic to Dutertes demagogy. The clash of these two families therefore has the potential to go well beyond the parliamentary arena. In the process they are destabilising the whole of Filipino bourgeois democracy, and in turn pushing the masses towards revolutionary conclusions. But conflicting personal interests are far from sufficient in explaining why the rift exists in the first place. In fact, there is a far more powerful force at play underneath the surface, one that is a defining feature of the present epoch of world capitalist crisis: the rivalry between the US and China. Inter-imperialist rivalry Although it gained formal independence from the United States in 1946, the Philippines remains dominated by US imperialism to this day. Historically, the Philippines was a key part of the US strategy to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War. This was especially the case after the strengthening of the Soviet Union and the success of the Chinese Revolution after World War Two. Historically, the Philippines was a key part of the US strategy to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War / Image: public domain A key pillar of Marcos Sr.s decades-long dictatorship was the backing of the US. Although the Cold War is over, the Philippines remains a key strategic part of the USs efforts to contain its burgeoning competitor on the world stage of capitalism: China. The domination of US imperialism has always been fully supported by the Filipino national bourgeoisie, who like any other national bourgeoisie of a country dependent on imperialism, have material interests in keeping the country in subservience and its population super-exploited. Therefore, although the Philippines is a country brimming with potential, capitalism and imperialism continues to trap it and most of its population in extreme backwardness and poverty. But as US imperialism goes into relative decline and China continues to rise as its imperialist competitor, the ruling class of dominated countries that do business with both could find it beneficial for their own class interests to shift away from the US towards China. Indeed the Philippines, which neighbours China, enjoys growing trade and investment relations with it. Chinese Foreign Direct Investment into the Philippines rose by 514 percent between 2010 and 2018. It is therefore only natural that some segment of the national ruling class would be attracted to pivot away from the USs agenda so as to benefit their own. This policy was carried out under Rodrigo Dutertes presidency. Duterte inaugurated the shift away from the US by publicly telling then US President Obama: I am the president of a sovereign state, and we have long ceased to be a colony. I do not have any masters other than the Filipino people son of a bitch, I will swear at you [Obama] in front of everybody. Thereafter, the Duterte government took big steps in strengthening ties with China. In the process he gained some support for himself by presenting himself as someone who stands up to US imperialism, which is widely reviled by the Filipino masses. Bongbong Marcos, despite being a scion of a US-puppet dictator par excellence, also presented himself during his election campaign as someone who would continue Dutertes policy of strengthening ties with China. This was a key reason why the Marcos and Duterte UniTeam ticket seemed solid at the time, and most commentators of international affairs expected this to be the case once BBM took office. About-face But once in power, BBM made an about-face that surprised everyone by dramatically tilting the Philippines back towards the US. BBM granted four new military bases to the U.S. in the northern Philippines. All of them are close to the sensitive South China Sea, where the Philippines often clashes with the Chinese navy over the disputed territory of the Scarborough Shoals. BBM also upgraded security ties with the US and Japan, directly congratulated Taiwanese President William Lai for his election, and signed many wide-ranging bilateral economic agreements with the Biden administration. Towards China, BBM took an assertive stance against the claim made by Beijing to the disputed waters near north Luzon. He has seemed more than willing to escalate the conflict between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, or as some call it, the West Philippine Sea. Once in power, BBM made an about-face that surprised everyone by dramatically tilting the Philippines back towards the US / Image: public domain In recent months, BBM has been pushing for the idea of a constitutional change that would allow for 100 percent foreign ownership of businesses, including in education. It would not be surprising if American investments were granted preferential treatments to buy up Filipino industries under this scheme. BBMs hard turn back to the old road of selling off the country to the US is at the root of his conflict with the Dutertes, who maintain their call to build ties with China. This is far beyond a difference of opinion between two families. It reflects a general divide within the Filipino ruling class on this question, which has a defining significance for the country and for all of Southeast Asia. The turn towards China as championed by Rodrigo Duterte, although it has a certain basis among a section of the ruling class, remains a minority position amongst the Filipino bourgeoisie. As journalist Marites Vitug explained to the Diplomat, even Rodrigo Dutertes own defence and foreign ministers were largely adversarial towards China. The ease with which BBM turned back towards the US after his election showed that such a move was endorsed by a large section of the ruling class and the state. All this underscores that dependence on the US remains a key characteristic of most of the Filipino ruling class. However, as US imperialisms decline continues, and with the incoming Trump administration turning more towards isolationist policies, the struggle amongst the pro-US and pro-China Filipino capitalists will only continue. The stage is set for a deepening of the political crises in the Philippines, as expressed by the rivalry between BBM and Sara Duterte today. Chaos ahead Amidst the political brawl between the two top political figures, BBM uttered a sentiment keenly felt by the Filipino masses: If it is that easy to threaten the life of a president, how much more [easy is it to threaten] ordinary citizens. This statement illustrates a few points that are painfully true. Firstly, the political situation in the Philippines is in such a mess that politicians feel the need to make crazy threats openly. But they also know they can do so with virtual impunity on account of the weak establishment. For now it would seem that the feud has undermined both BBM and Sara Duterte's popularity, with Sara taking a much bigger hit. The caricature of two squabbling families is not a good look for either of them or for the Filipino ruling class generally especially when a midterm election scheduled for May 2025 is approaching. But now that the cat is out of the bag and the feud has become irreversible, BBM has every incentive to ruin Sara Dutertes political future. This is especially urgent for BBM, given that according to a Pulse Asia poll conducted in April this year, Sara Duterte ranks among the top choices for president in the next general election set to take place in 2028, with 34 percent. Meanwhile, Imee Marcos, BBMs sister and another potential successor, ranks at a distant fourth, with merely five percent of support. Should an impeachment against Sara be carried through, it could mean the end of her political career as an individual. This would be an affront to the Duterte family, who still reign supreme in a large segment of the south of the country and have a layer of rabid followers they can mobilise in the streets. The Dutertes, above all Rodrigo, will not simply take this without recrimination. The politics of the Philippines will only have more chaos ahead. What now for the Filipino working class? Does all this mean that the Filipino working class will hopelessly submit to this system, choosing one kleptocratic bourgeois family over another? Not in the slightest. Although some among the masses held illusions in Dutertes demagogy for a time, there is now a general search for an alternative outside of the Marcos, the Dutertes, and all of the establishment. Many seem to be rallying behind independent senator Raffy Tulfo. Many seem to be rallying behind independent senator Raffy Tulfo / Image: public domain Before entering into politics, Raffy Tulfo was a popular television personality and YouTuber known for his sharp criticisms of the whole of the Filipino establishment. He is especially critical of the establishment for neglecting problems faced by most working-class Filipinos. He enables workers from all walks of life to submit their grievances for him to share on his show, where he tries to help resolve them. Through this, Tulfo gained a whopping 28.7 million subscribers on YouTube, making his the single most subscribed channel in the country. He also handily won a seat in the senate in 2022 as an independent with 23 million votes. Even though Tulfo has explicitly ruled out running for president, at this point he is the only person in the country who could beat Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential election, according to the Pulse Asia poll cited above. Tulfos meteoric rise is not an accident. His stature as a true outsider rather than a part of an establishment dynasty, coupled with his tirade against the whole of Filipino politics, connects with a burning desire in the ranks of society for an alternative that represents their class interests. The very same phenomenon already emerged in many other countries, such as with Pablo Iglesias in Spain (who also began as a television personality), Bernie Sanders in the US, Beppe Grillo and the Five Star Movement in Italy, and so on. Yet as of now Tulfo suffers from the same political weakness that led to all the aforementioned figures eventual downfall. Like them, he only articulates the desires of millions of working-class people for change, but he does not put forward a programme that actually aims to tackle the root of the problem: capitalism. Instead, so far, he limits his criticisms to the bad actors within the system, while accepting capitalism as a whole. We shall see whether a larger social phenomenon or even a movement will crystallise around Raffy Tulfo as the crisis of Filipino capitalism deepens. But the enormous interest in Tulfo, coupled with how the masses react to the latest political drama, all show the masses are looking for a decisive break with the status quo, in order to escape the whirlpool of crisis that is dragging the Philippines down. The only ideas that can fulfil the justified wish of the Filipino masses are the ideas of genuine Marxism. As the capitalist Philippines descends into further crises and is pulled into inter-imperialist conflicts, it is high time for sincere class fighters in the Philippines to join us in the Revolutionary Communist International to build an alternative for the country and the region. Editors note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travels weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay. If you think planes have got fuller and the skies busier over the past year, youd be right especially if you live in either Hong Kong or Taipei. Travel intelligence company OAG has released its annual list of the worlds busiest flight routes and the 105-minute hop between the two has topped the international route board, with nearly 7 million seats on sale in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 6,781,577 seatmates have returned the route to its prepandemic popularity HKG-TPE also topped the board in 2019. It was third last year. Last years list was topped by Singapore-Kuala Lumpur, with a relatively few 4.9 million seats. Second on the 24 list was Cairo-Jeddah, with nearly 5.5 million seats sold. The Egypt-Saudi Arabia route has had an astonishingly swift growth over the past five years, going from ranking 14th in 2019 to second place in 2023 and 2024. Seoul took two of the next spots, with routes to Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai coming in at third and fourth respectively. Singapore Changi airport which had stormed the board in the 2023 rankings took three spots in the top 10, with routes to Kuala Lumpur (fourth), Jakarta (eighth) and Bangkok (ninth). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Middle East, Europe and even the US got a look in too, with Dubai-Riyadh at number six, and New York JFK-London Heathrow rounding out the top 10. Dubai featured several times in the list, with Dubai-Riyadh the busiest route in the Middle East. - Asia-Pacific Images Studio/E+/Getty Images When it comes to domestic routes, the top three globally were all in Asia: Jeju International-Seoul Gimpo, Sapporo New Chitose-Tokyo Haneda, and Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda. Jeju-Seoul has kept the crown of the worlds busiest domestic route, with 14.2 million seats nearly 39,000 per day. Analyzing routes per region, Cairo was Africas hub, with routes out of the Egyptian capital taking the top five spots for routes leaving the continent. London Heathrow dominated European routes, with JFK-LHR taking the top spot, followed by connections with Dubai and Dublin at number two and four respectively. Latin Americas top route was between San Juan and Orlando, followed by Lima-Santiago, while Jeddah-Cairo and Dubai-Riyadh topped the Middle East routes. Jeddah to Riyadh is the fastest growing route in the top 10, with a 10% increase in capacity, year on year, to 8.7 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rankings were compiled by calculating the volume of airline seats available in both directions on each route. The swiftly expanding numbers as well in the year-on-year bounce from 4.9 million to 6.78 million for the top-ranking route, Cairo-Jeddah is up by 1.3 million, and Asia Pacific routes have seen significant growth, according to OAGs press release are less good news for the planet. In 2022, aviation accounted for 2.1% of manmade carbon emissions worldwide, according to the Air Transport Action Group, and 3.5% of planet-warming emissions in total. At the time, Matteo Mirolo from Transport & Environment, which campaigns for cleaner transport, warned that the expanding industry was bad news. If we dont do anything now, in a few years aviation will be one of the most significant contributing factors, he said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We shouldnt look at the snapshot now. We should look at the forecast. Currently, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation, flight emissions represent 2.35%, or 2.87% including upstream emissions associated with jet fuel production. The worlds busiest flight routes for 2024 Hong Kong - Taipei Cairo - Jeddah Seoul Incheon - Tokyo Narita Kuala Lumpur - Singapore Changi Seoul Incheon - Osaka Kansai Dubai - Riyadh Bangkok - Hong Kong Jakarta - Singapore Changi Bangkok - Singapore Changi New York JFK - London Heathrow For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Police in Wyoming, Minnesota are investigating an incident at a middle school where a man tried speaking with a child he did not know at a bus stop on Monday. The incident occurred at a bus stop on Goldman Blvd/268th Street and East Viking Boulevard at around 7 a.m. A student from Forest Lake Area Middle School said he was approached by a man who walked up to the bus stop and asked for his number. The man asked the boy additional questions that made him feel uncomfortable, and the boy slapped the man, causing him to run on foot from the area towards the north on East Viking Boulevard. Bring Me The News The Wyoming and Forest Lake police departments responded after the student reported the incident, and they are currently interviewing other students who may have been in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are asking residents to check external video surveillance cameras to see if they captured the incident. According to the man's description, he is a 40-year-old white man with dirty blonde hair, slightly overweight, wearing a gray jacket, a hood, and black winter boots. Police say no additional information is available now, and the investigation is ongoing. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. Related: Snow dusting for Twin Cities Tuesday; 3-6 inches possible Thursday Towana Looney is the only person in the world living with a functional pig kidney. But her doctor predicts that in less than a decade, pig-to-human organ transplants like hers could become routine. Looney, 53, is from Alabama and had the transplant at NYU Langone Transplant Institute in New York on November 25. Eleven days later, she was able to walk out the door as hospital staffers lined the hall and applauded. Wearing a mask and NYU Langone Health sweats, Looney held two thumbs up high in the air. Doctors announced Tuesday that Looney is doing well and that the kidney seems to be functioning as intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am overjoyed. Im blessed to have received this gift, a second chance at life, Looney said at a news conference on Tuesday. I am full of energy. Got an appetite Ive never had in eight years. And of course, you know, I can go to the bathroom. I havent been going in eight years. Cant get used to that. Asked what she wants to do next, she said, I want to go to Disney World. For now, she lives in an apartment near the hospital so she can get checkups every day. The team of doctors also monitors her health using artificial intelligence and wearable equipment that can keep constant track of her vitals and even potentially detect a problem like an infection before it would make her sick. Looney wont be back in Alabama in time for the holidays, but her doctors say that if all goes well, she could go home in three months where she is eager to resume a normal life and spend quality time with her family and grandchildren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looney has not had a normal life for some time. She was among more than 90,000 people who are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant in the US. If I listened to the negatives and not follow the positives, I wouldnt be here, Looney said. I go by faith. Know where your faith lies, and the rest will follow. Kidney donor becomes kidney patient Even before this surgery, Looney was no stranger to transplants. In 1999, she donated a kidney to her mother to help save her life. But some time later, she became one of the less than 1% of living kidney donors to develop kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. In the last trimester of her pregnancy, Looney developed preeclampsia, a serious condition whose signs include high blood pressure, which damaged her remaining kidney. She also had to have a blood transfusion, and both those factors made it difficult to find a match to a kidney donor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Looney went on dialysis, a procedure to help remove waste and extra fluid from the blood. Dialysis can be helpful in the short term but can do only 10% to 15% of what a healthy kidney does, and people on dialysis face a 50% chance of dying in five years after beginning the treatment, studies show. She has become sensitized to nearly every tissue type in the population, making it nearly impossible for her to find a kidney match, said one of her doctors, Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute. She languished for eight years on the dialysis and was waiting for a one in a million match. She began to develop problems associated with chronic dialysis dependence. Without a pathway to receiving a human kidney, she decided a gene-edited pig kidney was worth a try, and a lot of people rallied around her decision, including her husband and family. Looney went on the waiting list for a kidney in 2017. Her doctors said that she was slowly losing accessible blood vessels to continue dialysis and that it would eventually stop being helpful. Without a donor match, she would die. Looney first heard about the option of a pig kidney transplant from Dr. Jayme Locke, then a professor of surgery and director of the Division of Transplantation at the Heersink School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Locke was recently appointed to a new transplant leadership position at the US Health Resources and Services Administration. The kidney from a gene-edited pig is measured before transplantation. - Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health Locke explained the work she did with xenotransplantation, the term doctors use for transplanting organs from animals to humans. Despite years of study, the field is still in its early stages; Looney is the third person to receive a kidney from a gene-edited pig while alive. But Looney jumped at the chance to try it, saying Locke hadnt even finished asking about the approach before she agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locke explained the odds and asked Looney why she would agree to be a part of an experimental procedure. Looney said she wanted to help people. Locke said Tuesday that Looneys energy, even immediately after the transplant, said so much about what xenotransplantation can do for people. To be in her room immediately post-transplant and to see her husband look at her and to describe her as having a life in her that he hasnt seen, this rosiness in her cheeks, to watch her have FaceTime calls with her family and then see an immediate change, that is the miracle of transplantation, Locke said. It literally restores people to their health before they ever faced dialysis. And she felt it instantly. Her family felt it, and her community has felt it, and I think you saw that today. I tried to make a difference The US Food and Drug Administration allows doctors to transplant organs from pigs into humans under whats commonly known as compassionate use, which permits use of an experimental therapy or procedure if comparable or satisfactory options arent available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pigs organs are similar to humans, and the speed of pigs reproduction means their organs can be procured quickly. Scientists can edit the genes of the pig to reduce the risk that a human body will reject its organ. Among the three people to receive a kidney from a gene-edited pig while alive, shes the first to receive a kidney with 10 gene edits. The gene edits should make the pig organ more human-friendly so that the body does not reject it. United Therapeutics, the company that developed the modified pig kidney, said Tuesday that it plans to submit to the FDA very, very soon so that clinical studies could start with the 10-edit kidney as early as next year. I think that the next goal post is just extending the life of these kidneys and part of that is putting them in healthier people who have a better chance of living longer, Montgomery said. Looney, doctors said, is healthier than the other patients who had pig kidney transplants earlier this year, and that should work to her advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, 52-year-old Rick Slayman, who had end-stage renal failure, received a pig kidney transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital. The kidney worked at first, and he was able to go home after two weeks, but he died about two months later. In April, NYU performed a pig kidney transplant with a mechanical heart pump for 54-year-old Lisa Pisano, who lived nearly three more months. In Looneys case, Locke said, the kidney started working right away, functioning like a kidney from a human donor would. Three weeks out, she is still in good shape. This kidney is remarkable, Locke said. Looneys medical team is hopeful the kidney will continue to function so she can live a long and healthy life. At the news conference, Looney had an IV providing additional medicine to make sure her body does not reject the pig kidney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know anything can happen now, just like in dialysis, but I want to know that I tried. I tried to make a difference, Looney said in a video made by NYU. Overall, Montgomery says hes optimistic about the recent advances in the field. Scientists have been studying xenotransplantation for decades, but in the past couple of years, theyve learned quickly about what may cause the recipients body to reject the organ and how to treat any problems that may be coming. We have learned a tremendous amount from each transplant, Montgomery said. We dont have all the answers. This field is still in its infancy, but our learning curve has been steep and fast. There are still a lot of questions about xenotransplantation. Among them: Scientists dont know how long a pig organ might work. But Montgomery makes a bold prediction that xenotransplantation will become routine in less than 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montgomery said the challenge going forward will be to learn how to support kidneys for longer periods so that they can become a reasonable alternative for this scarce, highly rationed supply of human organs. Patients like Towana are our pioneers who, through their courage, will show us the way, Montgomery said. Having that option could be transformative: About 13 people in the US die each day waiting for a kidney transplant. Dr. Robert Montgomery, at right with Looney's transplant team, expects leaps to be made in the field of xenotransplantation. - Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health Looney said its been wonderful to live without the need to go to dialysis all day. Its like I can feel the blood pumping through my veins. You can put your hand on my fistula and feel it buzzing. I could put my hand on this kidney and feel it buzzing. Its so strong, Looney said. Emotionally, Im overjoyed. CNNs Nadia Kounang contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren on September 25, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) When it comes to the killing of Brian Thompson, the chief executive of health insurance giant UnitedHealthcare, some on the left just cant help themselves. 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, said Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, on Meet the Press this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, Sanders provided all the caveats about how outrageous and unacceptable it was that Thompson was shot dead in cold blood earlier this month in New York. But he is not alone among congressional Democrats in connecting the apparent motive of the alleged shooter, 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, to a public-policy debate progressives want to have. Last week, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said that, while violence is never the answer, one can nonetheless only push people so far and then they start to take matters into their own hands. (Warren later said she should not have suggested Thompsons murder was justified.) And on Sunday, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut released a video on social media in which he said that political leaders need to be a part of the fraught and uncomfortable conversation about health insurance. Listen, Im never going to condone violence. I dont here, Murphy said. What I see happening in this country, though, is a real, visceral anger that the outrage at Brian Thompsons death or the outrage at the death of any powerful person isnt matched by the anger over the thousands of people who die often anonymous deaths every single day in this country at the hands of a health-care industry that mostly doesnt give a shit about people and only cares about profits. Thompsons slaying and the response to it by public officials is the culmination of a disturbing trend of post-facto rationalization of politically coded violence and violent threats. The pattern for those in positions of power is remarkably similar, with practitioners first offering rote condemnation of violence before pivoting to their desired ideological point. The phenomenon is bipartisanand it has been escalating in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was Rep. Paul Gosar, the Arizona Republican, who in 2021 posted on his official Twitter account a parody anime video that depicted a character with his face edited in killing a monster with the face of Democratic Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and leaping to attack an image of President Joe Biden. Gosar, who was censured by the House of Representatives over the post, dismissed the argument that the video was a threat, claiming it was merely a symbolic portrayal of a fight over immigration policy. And there was the reaction of some during the campus protests that followed Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. While attending a protest at Columbia University, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota responded to antisemitic threats from protesters toward Jewish students with a backhanded condemnation of bigotry against Jews, whether they are pro-genocide or anti-genocide. Wink wink, nudge nudge. Or how about Donald Trumps comment, when asked about his supporters threats to hang Mike Pence at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021? Well, the people were very angry, Trump told the journalist Jonathan Karl. That sentiment was echoed remarkably by Elizabeth Warrens own statement following Thompsons killing that you can only push people so far. These sorts of rationalizations have the effect of validating the express motives of violent actors, even when there are reasons to believe that perpetrators are not of sound mind, as may well be the case with Mangione. And politicians seem particularly susceptible to the signals that votersor, as is nearly always the case, the subset of the most passionate and vocal votersare sending that the anger over a particular issue is bubbling over into justified violence. What these powerful people fail to see is the signal they are sending right back. For all the throat-clearing that such action is not the answer to solving a public policy problem or political debate, using an act of violence to jump-start a policy conversation suggests the exact opposite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peter Meijer, the former Republican congressman from Michigan, is familiar with the sort of anger that can boil over into threats of violence or worse. The January 6 riot happened just days into his single term in office, and Meijer was one of the 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump for his role in that days events. Trump supporters turned their ire toward the impeachment 10 but also beyond, flooding the phone lines in Capitol Hill offices and yelling at town-hall meetings even for those Republican members whose only departure from the Trump orthodoxy was not to object to the counting of electoral votes. The threats of violence seem to have affected the decision of at least one of the impeachment 10, Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio, to not run for reelection in 2022. But when Meijer ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Michigans open Senate seat earlier this year, the once-palpable rage over the stolen election and Trump impeachment seems to have subsided, he said. Whether time healed the wounds die-hard Republican voters felt or Trumps own refocus on his 2024 campaign rather than the post-2020-election fights, the rancor settled down. The temperature cant always stay elevated without additional inputs, Meijer told The Dispatch. Theres sort of an entropic leveling of things after a while. A heated and charged political environment can drive disturbed people to violence. In recent years, the list is getting disconcertingly longer: the shootings of Reps. Gabby Giffords and Steve Scalise, the attack at the home of Rep. Nancy Pelosi on her husband, Paul, the thwarted assassination attempt of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and of course the failed assassination of Trump himself earlier this year. In those cases, all but the most fringe elements of political movements denounced the violence without condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its those other moments, when public figures with large microphones offer those additional inputs, that may lead to more attacks, continue to coarsen the political discourse, and undercut the idea that profound public problems in a liberal society can and should never be solved at the barrel of a gun. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) If one Florida state senator can shore up enough support in Tallahassee, political flags will no longer be allowed to be flown in public buildings. The bill has faced backlash in the past with concerns about First Amendment rights. Deja vu? Some may remember this bill from the last session when State leaders David Borrero and Randy Fine introduced the legislation. Although it didnt make the cut, Senator Fine shared with WFLA that hes not giving up before he plans to head to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See also: Senate bill 100: an act relating to the display of flags by governmental entities. Senator Fine posted on X Monday sharing that the bill looks to ban the use of Palestine flags Black Lives Matter flags, and political candidate flags, among others. Whether youre talking about political movements or ideological movements, or advocating for countries that dont exist, thats just not an appropriate thing to be flying a flag for in a government building, said Sen. Fine. When the public shared their thoughts last session, concerns over freedom arose. We need to do everything we can to become a United State, a free state in Florida. Free to express, free to celebrate, free to support the diversity and the equity and inclusive nature of our state, not what our current laws are trying to do, said Thomas Nurse with Equality Florida. Political analysts highlight that the legislature is the voice of the people, and this bill failed to pass in 2024. The Supreme Court has voiced its concern about this in a very famous case called Shurtleff V. Boston and said the government can restrict any voice that they have, but they cant necessarily restrict the voice of the people, and thats certainly true for the house of the people, said Newsom. So far, the bill has only been filed in the Senate. Weve reached out to previous sponsors of the bill in the house to see if a companion bill will also be filed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTHN) A couple from New York State is suing a string of Connecticut fertility clinics and a doctor over three embryos that were apparently accidentally destroyed. Nicole Couture-Gallagher and her husband, Dan Gallagher, had trouble when they started trying to have a family in 2010. They said they decided to visit an Illume Fertility Clinic with four Connecticut locations: Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury and Trumbull. They saw Dr. Mark Leondires, who has done previous interviews with News 8 on fertility topics. Couple suing Connecticut medical company over destroyed embryos Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple said that in 2010, they froze 11 viable embryos. Over time, they implanted eight. They had triplets and later one more child naturally. For years, they believed they had three more frozen embryos waiting. Couture-Gallagher is now 45 and said she had been hoping to grow her family. This spring, the couple says they got a call from Leondires, telling them their three remaining embryos had been accidentally destroyed five years ago, in 2019. They said the doctor blamed a mix-up with patient names. Dr. Leondires dismissed our heartbreak, telling us we probably wouldnt even have used our embryos anyway, a completely false statement, and most importantly, a decision that wasnt his to make, Couture-Gallagher said. How do we even know our embryos were discarded? Dan Gallagher said. How do we know they werent improperly used with another family? We are deeply troubled by the possibility that we could have other children that we dont know about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit names the doctor and Illume Fertility. It does not name a dollar amount. The couple said they are suing to protect other couples who are struggling to have children. News 8 has reached out to Illume Fertility for comment. We have not heard back. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A New York judge refused to throw out President-elect Donald Trumps conviction in his hush money trial on Monday. Trumps attorneys formally asked the court to dismiss the case earlier this month following the Supreme Courts landmark ruling that found presidents are entitled to broad immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office. The president-elects lawyers said the high courts decision meant evidence used in the hush money trial was invalid as it stemmed from Trumps time in office. But in a 41-page decision released Monday, Judge Juan Merchan said the case largely revolved around Trumps actions before he began his first term. Even if evidence in violation of the Supreme Courts findings was admitted in error, such error was harmless, Merchan wrote. The judge added that prosecutors had presented overwhelming evidence of guilt at trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Peoples use of these acts as evidence of the decidedly personal acts of falsifying business records poses no danger of intrusion on the authority and function of the Executive Branch, Merchan said. A spokesman for Trump rejected the ruling later Monday, saying it was in direct violation of the immunity decision. This lawless case should have never been brought, and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed, Steven Cheung told The New York Times. A jury found Trump guilty in May of 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up allegations of an affair with the porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential election. Cheney Orr/Bloomberg via Getty Images Trump has several avenues left to dismiss the charges and will almost certainly appeal Merchans ruling to a higher court. The case could make its way to the Supreme Court, which has a strong 6-3 conservative majority and has found in favor of the president-elect before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers have also argued that the hush money prosecution will impede a smooth transition to a new administration, citing the Presidential Transition Act of 1963. The act was made to promote the orderly transfer of the executive power in connection with the expiration of the term of office of a President and the inauguration of a new President. Manhattan prosecutors have vehemently argued for the conviction to remain and suggested they would freeze the case for the duration of Trumps next term. They have also proposed other ideas, such as closing the matter with the conviction intact while acknowledging Trump was never sentenced due to his immunity protections. Merchans decision will maintain Trumps felony conviction as he prepares for his inauguration, which could see him become the first convicted felon to serve as U.S. president if his remaining appeals are unsuccessful. A jury found Trump guilty in May of 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up allegations of an affair with the porn actor Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the conviction, Trump has called himself an innocent man subject to a political prosecution. Related... Forty-one percent of voters under 30 find the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brain Thompson acceptable, a new poll found . While an overall 68 percent of voters found the actions of Thompsons killer unacceptable, young voters and Democrats broke away from the majority, according to Emerson College Polling. Twenty-two percent of Democrats said the killing was acceptable, compared to 12 percent of Republicans and 16 percent of Independents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said the data underscores shifting societal attitudes among the youngest electorate and within party lines. Forty percent of voters under 30 found the killing unacceptable, a one point difference from those who find it acceptable. This nearly-even split is a marked difference from every other age demographic, where an overwhelming majority find the killing unacceptable. Thompsons suspected assassin, 26-year-old Ivy League grad Luigi Mangione, was arrested in Pennsylvania on Dec. 9 with an alleged manifesto calling healthcare companies parasites. The killing has sparked a national conversation about the flaws in the American healthcare system. A legal defense fund for Mangione has already raised $120,000, though his attorneys said they wouldnt accept the money. The survey was conducted from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 with 1,000 registered voters, and has a margin of error of three points. The Cape Verdean Judicial Police (PJ) announced on December 16 the arrest of 16 individuals in Praia during an operation under the Safe Christmas and New Years Eve campaign. The operation, conducted on Friday in the Varzea area, resulted in the seizure of 107 grams of cocaine, 405,755 escudos (around 3,672), electronic equipment, and other evidence. The suspectsseven women and nine men, aged 21 to 56, all Cape Verdean nationalswere caught in flagrante delicto and face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. Authorities also seized a precision scale with traces of cocaine. The Praia District Court ordered preventive detention for four male suspects, while the others were placed under measures such as regular check-ins and travel bans. The PJ emphasized that this operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure holiday security, with further actions planned. Earlier this week, the PJ arrested two men for attempted murder, seizing one kilogram of cocaine and a firearm. Additionally, Cape Verdean authorities remain active in international anti-drug operations. Earlier this month, six Brazilian crew members were placed under preventive detention after being intercepted at sea with 1.6 tons of cocaine en route from South America to Europe. This major seizure, part of the Trade Winds operation, involved cooperation with the Portuguese Judicial Police, Navy, Brazilian Federal Police, and the Maritime Analysis and Operations Center Narcotics (MAOC-N), based in Lisbon. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown police arrested a man accused of driving a car that had been reported stolen out of Salem, according to reports. Police said Steven Watters was identified as the suspect in the vehicle theft that was reported by the Salem Police Department. Police said they tried to stop Watters in two separate pursuits on Thursday, so they were able to identify him as the suspect due to LEADS. On Monday, officers found Watters around 11:30 a.m. in the vehicle parked at a store in the 3300 block of Mahoning Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said that Watters told police at the time that he did not know that the vehicle was reported as stolen by police. Police said Watters told the police that he had been driving it for a couple of days before changing his story, saying that he had just received the vehicle. Reports said that police found a bag with a substance that Watters said was fentanyl. According to court records, Watters is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (F5), possession of a fentanyl-related compound (F5), and drug paraphernalia misdemeanor offenses (M4). His next court date in Youngstown Municipal Court is at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A 16-year-old boy has been fatally attacked outside a school in Paris, prosecutors in the French capital reported on Tuesday. The boy was found with head wounds and his heart had stopped beating. Attempts to resuscitate him failed. Police found a knife nearby. Prosecutors said the death was one of a series of brawls between youths in the area, the city's 13th district, which had seen eight conflicts of this kind since May. The perpetrator had fled the scene, the Le Parisien newspaper said, citing police sources. Citing Jerome Coumet, the local mayor, the newspaper reported that the youth had not attended the school in front of which he was attacked. LVIV, Ukraine (Reuters) - The possible deployment of foreign peacekeeping troops in Ukraine could be raised at a meeting of European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday. The meeting to discuss support for Ukraine, almost three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, will gather the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and NATO, among others, according to sources. The Ukrainian leader publicly floated the idea of foreign troops being deployed until Ukraine could join NATO during a meeting with a German politician on Dec. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The possibility was first raised by French President Emmanuel Macron in February but no consensus was reached among European leaders on the matter. Answering questions from reporters about it potentially being discussed in Brussels, Zelenskiy said that "everyone who will be there has the right to raise this or that issue". "There could be questions not only about the (foreign) contingent, but also questions that Ukraine will raise," he told a joint press conference with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Lviv. Zelenskiy said the urgent strengthening of Ukraine would be the main thing to discuss. He mentioned long-range defence capabilities, allied investment in Ukrainian weapons production and security guarantees among other topics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting comes at a crucial point as Ukraine urges its allies to bolster it both on the battlefield and diplomatically before any potential talks with Russia. U.S President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to White House in January, has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and said Zelenskiy should be prepared to make a deal to end the war. Tusk reiterated that Poland was not considering sending troops but said his country, one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters, would do everything in its power to make Kyiv's NATO membership a real possibility. "We all need to focus on ensuring that any talks on a ceasefire are not conducted from a position of strength on the Russian side, meaning that the Ukraine can be sure of the full support of all countries involved in helping Ukraine," Tusk said. (Reporting by Andriy Perun in Lviv, Yuliia Dysa in Gdansk, Barbara Erling and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw; Editing by Alison Williams) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has no leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukraine does not need his mediation in potential peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 17. Ukraine is a strong country and has proven it on the battlefield throughout Putin's aggression. Does anyone else in Europe have this experience now? No. Does Orban have such an army? No. How will he put pressure on Putin? With a joke, a smile? Let him keep it, Zelensky said, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine. Hungary has maintained close ties with Moscow despite Russias invasion of Ukraine, frequently criticizing EU sanctions on Russia and blocking military aid to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said that Ukraine needs direct relations with the United States, rejecting Orban's role as an intermediary. Prime Minister Orban... will not succeed. I wont let him or people like him in, he said, clarifying that his remarks were directed at Orban, not the Hungarian people, who he argued overwhelmingly support Ukraine. Zelenskys comments followed escalating tensions after Orbans recent phone call with Putin and his criticism of Zelensky for allegedly rejecting a Christmas ceasefire proposal. Ukrainian officials have dismissed these claims, emphasizing their focus on achieving a just peace through strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations on a sustainable peace will begin only when the enemy does not have the resources to continue the war, Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on Dec. 17, adding that Ukraines victory plan was created to bolster its position. Read also: West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) countries to carry out agreements on the provision of air defence systems in the wake of large-scale Russian strikes. Source: Zelenskyy in a statement, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to Zelenskyy, Russia's mass attack on 13 December is not the last; Russia is planning its next strike, and Ukraine requires a firm assurance of defence against air terror. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We need the full implementation of the agreements on air defense deliveries, particularly those made at the NATO Summit in Washington," he said. Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine recalls being promised a considerable quantity of air defence systems in exchange for the country's incapacity to join the Alliance at the time. "I ask for your help to deliver on this. And frankly, our partners know we need 12-15 more systems, besides these, to fully protect our country from Russian missile strikes. Its doable. The main thing is our partners political will. I am specifically addressing the United States first of all. The United States and Europe of course," Zelenskyy emphasised. The United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden make up the Joint Expeditionary Force. This organisation was formed to respond fast to crises and conduct expeditionary missions. Background: Poland scrambled its aircraft because of a Russian large-scale combined strike on Ukrainian regions on the morning of 13 December. Because of a new Russian large-scale attack on energy infrastructure, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reminded partners about Ukraine's request for at least 20 additional medium-range air defence systems. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the country aspires to start on at least two negotiation clusters of the EU accession process in 2025, with all clusters being the ultimate goal (clusters are thematic blocks within the EU accession process, of which there are six in total). Source: Zelenskyy at the all-Ukrainian Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, writes Interfax-Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy said that Ukraines final goal in European integration for next year is the opening of all negotiation clusters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "During Poland's presidency of the European Union, we want to launch negotiations on at least two clusters... To be honest, we have a really ambitious goal: to open all clusters next year," the president stated. Zelenskyy said that this required determined effort by the Ukrainian Parliament "without pre-election conversations". Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, stated that Ukraine, along with Poland and Denmark who will both chair the EU in 2025 had developed a plan to launch membership negotiations. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- White commercial growers in Zimbabwe said that the government has failed to pay part of $331 million in compensation to farmers for expropriating their land but reimbursed others who werent part of the deal. Most Read from Bloomberg In a joint letter to the finance ministry dated Dec. 10, the Commercial Farmers Union and the Southern African Commercial Alliance asked for urgent talks with the government. The letter said many of their members are now destitute and have had their dignity taken away as result of failure to get reimbursed through the so-called Global Compensation Deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under an accord signed in 2020, the government agreed to compensate about 4,000 White farmers whose land was seized by state-backed militants, but it has repeatedly missed payment deadlines. The government expects the deal to cost $3.5 billion over as many as 10 years. The Harare-based government has defended the land seizures, saying they were meant to address colonial imbalances. The current approach risks eroding trust and undermining the structured dialogue platforms objectives, the unions said in the letter seen seen by Bloomberg and confirmed by the finance ministry. We urge your ministry to prioritize dialogue with the GCD signatories to develop a cohesive, homegrown solution that balance compensation with agricultural recovery. So far 1,300 former white commercial farmers have signed up to receive compensation, according to official data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zimbabwe set aside $35 million in the budget for the year that ended March 31 to begin payments. It set aside $10 million for the current fiscal year. The country has identified at least 439 former land owners as beneficiaries for the financial settlement of $331 million, according to the African Development Bank. The government will continue to make payments to farmers who want to be compensated, said Andrew Bvumbe, the head of debt management in the finance ministry. --With assistance from Desmond Kumbuka. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. GIANYAR, Indonesia (AP) An elephant that lived at the zoo on Indonesias tourist island of Bali was found dead on Tuesday after being swept away by a strong river current. Molly, a 45-year-old female Sumatran elephant was one of two being guided by a mahout to a holding area outside of the zoo grounds through a river on Monday afternoon. The activity was part of their daily routine of mental and physical stimulation. The first elephant had made it across and Molly was in the river when the current suddenly increased due to heavy rain upstream, the zoo said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this situation, Molly lost her balance and was swept away by the current, it said. The mahout was uninjured. A team from Bali Zoo and Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency conducted an intensive search. The dead elephant was found Tuesday morning in Cengceng river in Sukawati subdistrict in Gianyar district, Bali. The entire team at Bali Zoo is deeply saddened by the loss of Molly, a female elephant who has been an important part of our extended family. Molly was known to be a kind and friendly elephant," the zoo said. "This was an unavoidable event, but we are committed to conducting a thorough evaluation of our operational procedures and risk mitigation measures, especially during the rainy season, to ensure the safety of all our animals in the future, said Emma Chandra, the zoo's head of public relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seasonal rains from around October through to March frequently cause flooding and landslides in Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands. Sumatran elephants are a critically endangered species and fewer than 700 remain on Sumatra island. This subspecies of the Asian elephant, one of two species of the largest mammal in the world, is protected under an Indonesian law on the conservation of biological natural resources and their ecosystems. Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Not content with meddling in politics, Elon Musk's next venture is an attempt to reimagine the United States' education system. The South African billionaire is now funding a Texas preschool called Ad Astra, which recently received a state permit to educate up to 21 students. The Montessori private school's website states that it is open to students aged three to nine, however an in-depth report from Bloomberg said that there are no signs of children or teachers yet at the facility. The school is located outside of Bastrop, Texas, which is becoming a hub for Musk-owned businesses. The Boring Co. tunneling business is based close by, as is a production site for SpaceX Starlink satellites. Construction is also happening in the area for a building owned by X, formerly Twitter. Bloomberg noted that Musk has frequently had educational offerings, sometimes with the same Ad Astra name, attached to his businesses, so this new preschool could be meant for the children of his employees. A job posting for an instructor at Ad Astra reads: "While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk was a vocal and financial supporter of Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, and both have made comments disparaging recent diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in education. Under President Joao Lourencos leadership, Angola has assumed a pivotal role as mediator in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, working to foster a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions between the two nations. On Monday, December 16, in Luanda, President Lourenco declared that addressing Sudans crisis will be his top priority when he assumes the presidency of the African Union (AU) in February 2025. Speaking as leader of the ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), Lourenco reaffirmed his commitment to tackling conflicts across Africa, with particular focus on the Great Lakes region, where Angola has emerged as a key diplomatic actor. Highlighting the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda, Lourenco stressed its destabilizing effects on the region, which boasts vast mineral wealth. This conflict undermines economic and social progress in countries that could otherwise thrive in a peaceful environment, he remarked. Angola remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and reconciliation between the two states. However, recent mediation efforts faced hurdles. The Luanda Tripartite Summit, intended to bring together Angola, the DRC, and Rwanda to discuss the violence in eastern Congo, did not proceed as planned on Sunday. While DRC President Felix Tshisekedi attended, Rwandan President Paul Kagames absence led to the summits postponement. Rwanda later cited critical issues to be resolved as the cause for the delay. In a statement, Kigali accused the Congolese authorities of issuing threats and emphasized the need for direct negotiations with the M23 armed group, a key point of contention in finding a political solution for eastern DRC. Despite these setbacks, President Lourenco reiterated his dedication to advancing peace, not only in the Great Lakes but across Africa. As he prepares to take on the African Union presidency, his prioritization of Sudanalongside ongoing regional mediation effortsunderscores Angolas growing influence as a champion of stability and cooperation on the continent. ECOWAS has called on Guinean political parties to prioritize inclusive dialogue to reach a consensus on the timeline for legislative and presidential elections. In a statement released on Monday, December 16, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced plans to send a high-level political mission to Guinea-Bissau. The mission aims to facilitate dialogue among political actors and help establish a clear electoral calendar. This follows the indefinite postponement of early legislative elections initially scheduled for November 24. The decision was part of the conclusions reached at the 66th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Sunday December 15. The meeting was attended by Guinea-Bissaus President Umaro Sissoco Embalo. ECOWAS emphasized the importance of holding a successful electoral process to ensure peace, security, and stability in the country. Tensions have been rising within Guinea-Bissaus political landscape. The opposition insists that legislative and presidential elections must occur in 2024, aligning with the Constitution. They argue that Sissoco Embalos term, which began with his swearing-in on February 27, 2020, ends on February 27, 2025. However, the political crisis escalated after Sissoco Embalo dissolved Parliament in December 2023, a move that the opposition claims violated the Constitutions 12-month minimum timeframe following legislative elections. Embalo subsequently dismissed the government and scheduled early legislative elections for November 24, only to later postpone them indefinitely. The situation has left Guinea-Bissaus governance in disarray. The current government operates under presidential authority, while the parliament remains inactive following Embalos replacement of its president. Compounding the crisis, the National Electoral Commission has reached the end of its term, and the Supreme Court of Justice, which also serves as the Constitutional Court, lacks the quorum needed to functiontwo critical institutions for overseeing the electoral process. ECOWASs intervention seeks to bridge these political divides, urging all parties to cooperate and agree on a viable electoral roadmap. The organization remains committed to supporting Guinea-Bissaus stability and democratic transition. In a landmark decision, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced on Sunday, December 15, the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute crimes committed during Yahya Jammehs dictatorship in Gambia between 1994 and 2017. The tribunal targets at least 70 individuals, including Jammeh himself, who remains in exile in Equatorial Guinea. The charges include atrocities such as the execution of over 240 people. Gambian President Adama Barrow, in a statement from the Ministry of Justice, praised the decision as historic, highlighting that it marks the first time ECOWAS has established a tribunal to address serious crimes within a member state. Barrow expressed his gratitude for what he described as a monumental step toward justice and accountability. The tribunal will comprise both Gambian officials and legal experts from across the West African sub-region. A special prosecutor, expected to be appointed in the coming months, will have the power to bring cases before Gambian courts as necessary. The tribunals mandate stems from the findings of Gambias Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), launched in 2018 to investigate abuses under Jammehs 22-year regime. The commission documented severe human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture, rape, arbitrary imprisonment, and fraudulent medical treatments for AIDS patients. These testimonies prompted Gambian authorities to pursue legal action against 70 officials linked to the regime. Jammeh, who fled to Equatorial Guinea after his 2016 electoral defeat, remains the key figure in these proceedings. The tribunals regional status adds significant weight to its efforts, reflecting the collective will of ECOWAS to hold perpetrators accountable. This unified stance could bolster calls for Equatorial Guinea to extradite Jammeh, despite the absence of a formal extradition treaty between the two nations. The establishment of this tribunal represents a decisive move toward justice for Jammehs victims and underscores ECOWASs commitment to addressing impunity. It also sets a powerful precedent for regional cooperation in tackling grave human rights abuses across West Africa. The European Union's energy policy can significantly help Hungary to make greater use of geothermal energy, Energy Minister Csaba Lantos said on Monday in Brussels before the meeting of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Council. Lantos said geothermal energy currently covers 6pc of Hungary energy consumption and he expressed his hope its share can be doubled within a decade. During Mondays meeting, among other things, energy ministers will be presented a report on the future of geothermal energy, they will hold a discussion on the future of energy policy in view of a genuine energy union and the Commission and the Hungarian presidency will provide follow-up information to the EU action plan on grids. Meanwhile, Lake Tisza undergoes HUF 124m development The Central Tisza Region Water Management Directorate said on Saturday that HUF 124m of domestic funds will be spent on the development and maintenance of Lake Tisza. The project is set to wind up next year and includes improving the conditions for leisure boating on the lake and replacing the tourist information board system. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. On display until 12 Jan 2025. Womens Quota 01 at the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art presents, for the first time, work from its collection by women from several countries. It focuses primarily on the woman artist, the role of women in art history, the female body, and societal roles and expectations. Exhibition curator Krisztina Szipocs graduated as an art historian in 1992, training also in Vienna and New York, and has worked at the Ludwig since 1994. She began as a museologist and is now deputy director and chief curator. I consider the museum my home, having witnessed its development from the beginning to the present, she tells me. The Ludwig decided to make art by women the focus of its 35th anniversary because contemporary art and its institutional framework are deeply connected to pressing current issues including the recurring topic of female quotes in politics, economics, and other aspects of life. In some respects, women were in a better position or, as Szipocs puts it, more emancipated under socialism than in the West. The socialist system encouraged them to work, and nurseries and kindergartens supported this. Women could do jobs traditionally done by men. But they also shouldered the bulk of household responsibilities and childcare. Women were less present in fine arts education than in the study of applied arts. Since the political transition from socialism, women have been more present in the fine arts education system. But, as Szipocs says, Our middle class is shrinking. Art education is inadequate, with almost no focus on contemporary art. Career development is still hindered by invisible labor and the glass ceiling; womens need to divide their time and energy between family responsibilities and their artistic work and career. Although collecting contemporary art seems to me to be booming in this country, the Hungarian art scene is a Western-style, market-driven system. Fortunate Few Those who have regular buyers are very fortunate, but, in my network, even this is often not enough for a secure livelihood, Szipocs says. Only elderly, well-established artists can command prices high enough to not only make a living but also provide a degree of relative comfort. Currently, there are only about five or six artists in this position. As Szipocs explains, The greatest challenge is for a newly graduated artist to continue making work and living from their art. Grant and award systems enable only a few to focus only on creating art. The vast majority must find other sources of income, leaving little or no time to make art. Womens Quota 01 includes work by several significant women artists. Among them are Hungarians Orshi Drozdik (based in New York), Judit Kele, Zsuzsi Ujj, Beata Veszely, Ilona Nemeth and Kriszta Nagy. The work included by Polish artist Katarzyna Kozyra was made in Budapest. Orshi Drozdik, the most important feminist critic in this country in the 1970s, found it difficult to make her way in an institutional system traditionally dominated by men. Her Medical Venus is based on a model of Drozdiks body and depicts her at the mercy of the medical gaze. Artist, film director and set and costume designer Judit Kele places herself in the role of the art object, questioning the position of the Eastern European woman artist, the value of the woman and the female body. Performer Zsuzsi Ujj made a series of black and white self-portraits in the 1980s in which she strips her body and soul down to the bone, to the skeleton painted on her skin. Beata Veszely works with photographs of famous portraits of women from the history of art. She transforms the ideal representations of women by men as biblical, classical and Renaissance nudes by using tiny pinpricks. This turns the photographs into fragile objects similar to needlework or lace and reclaims them for the female gaze. Hidden Cameras Using hidden camera footage in Budapests baths, Katarzyna Kozyras six-channel video installation investigates whether female and male behavior changes in a gender-free environment. First shown in 1997, the installation recalls the work of Ingres, Rubens and Degas and questions the ideal of the perfect female body. Szipocs especially admires the work of Ilona Nemeth, a Hungarian national from Slovakia. Her gynecological chairs evoke images of womens illnesses, pregnancy, sexuality or female vulnerability using velvet, rabbit hair and moss as coverings. Nemeths work addresses questions and issues that go far beyond herself or her art, Szipocs says. If you know anything about art in Hungary, the work that may be most familiar to you is that by Kriszta Nagy. For her 1998 piece I am a Contemporary Painter, she posed in the style of lingerie ads on a billboard in Budapests Lovolde ter. Her aim, she said, was to draw attention to contemporary art; I wanted to communicate that we exist. I also wanted to point out the prejudices that surround artists and make it impossible for us to assert ourselves. Nagys I am a Contemporary Painter is presented as a counterpoint to the nudes painted by men hung on the main wall in the first hall of the exhibition space. Nagys work critiques the traditionally passive role of women in art and their objectification. While women artists in Hungary still face many challenges, theres a growing awareness of the constraints they face in this country and a growth in initiatives aimed at more equal representation and support for women, Szipocs tells me. But substantial progress will likely depend on a shift toward a more inclusive, robust art market and greater advocacy within art institutions. Find out more about Womens Quota 01 at ludwigmuseum.hu. This is the first of a two-part exhibition. Part two will present exciting work by artists who are less familiar to the public. General manager Attila AE Domby talks to the Budapest Business Journal about debuting a new hotel brand not just in the Hungarian capital but in Central and Eastern Europe. BBJ: The hotel had its grand opening party on Sep. 12. What reception have you received? Attila AE Domby: It has been overwhelmingly positive. We extended the celebrations over three days to ensure we could host everyone we wanted to invite, with close to 1,000 guests in total. The events were spectacular, showcasing the Kimpton BEM brands luxury ethos with a touch of playfulness. Highlights included a White Party with DJ Dimitri from Paris to honor the colorful design by Marcel Wanders. Guests have praised the hotels design, which balances elegance and bold creativity, as well as the quality of service, drinks, and meals. Both local and international guests are excited about this fresh, modern take on luxury in Budapest. The feedback has been fantastic, and we look forward to maintaining this momentum. This is the first Kimpton brand hotel in Eastern Europe. Is there greater pressure when you are not just opening a new building but debuting a brand? Absolutely, theres an added layer of responsibility when introducing a luxury lifestyle brand like Kimpton to an entirely new market. Were not just opening a hotel but setting the tone for the Kimpton experience in Budapest, Hungary and Eastern Europe. Its about translating Kimptons ethos (bold design, heartfelt service, and an approachable luxury experience) into a new cultural context. The pressure is there, but its also incredibly exciting to be the ones setting that standard. What brought Kimpton to Budapest, and why now? Budapest has grown as a cultural and tourism hub, attracting diverse travelers, from leisure to business guests. The city has a vibrant energy, and its a destination that blends history, innovation, and creativity, qualities that align well with the Kimpton brand and IHG / Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts. The market is ready for a brand that offers luxury with a personal touch and unique local experiences. Will you cooperate with other IHG hotels in the capital, or is it every brand for itself? While each IHG brand has its unique identity, there is always room for collaboration. We work closely with other IHG properties in Budapest, such as the InterContinental Budapest and Crowne Plaza. I would like to express my gratitude for their continued support in ensuring that we collectively meet the needs of a broad range of travelers. However, Kimptons distinctiveness lies in its personalized service and creative flair, which means our approach to the market will remain unique and tailored. What guest sectors are you targeting? And given that the best hotels become part of their community, what about locals? Were targeting a mix of business, leisure, and bleisure travelers. Budapest is a key business destination, but its also rich in culture, so we anticipate a strong leisure segment as well. Regarding locals, were making a concerted effort to ensure that Kimpton BEM Budapest becomes part of the community. Weve already hosted private events and CEO conferences from the Middle East and Asia and welcomed staycation guests from other parts of Hungary and Budapest. Our restaurant, rooftop bar, and events are open and welcoming to locals, creating a vibrant space that encourages interaction between international guests and Budapest residents. The Kimpton brand is a relative newcomer, founded in 1981, but has a reputation for combining luxury and the avant-garde. What will make the brand stand out in Budapest? Kimptons strength lies in its ability to deliver luxury that is approachable, with a playful, avant-garde twist. In Budapest, we stand out by offering not just a place to stay but a full sensory experience, from Marcel Wanders imaginative designs to our unique culinary offerings and personalized guest services. We are also pet-friendly (very friendly, in fact), which is rare for luxury hotels. This combination of quirky luxury, heartfelt service, and an inclusive atmosphere sets us apart in the market, with a prime location near historic baths and the proximity of Margaret Island. Theres simply no other hotel like it in Budapest! The hotel itself is a restored 19th-century building. What is its history, and did Kimpton pick it for its potential or the rather splendid surroundings? The building holds rich historical significance, which the developer Sandor Scheer recognized as an exciting opportunity for the transformation of the entire area. IHG and Kimpton eagerly embraced this once-in-a-lifetime project, where a top construction company partnered with the brilliant designer Marcel Wanders to create something unique. We are proud of preserving the buildings historic character while incorporating modern, creative elements inspired by Hungarys mythology and history and impeccable service. The result is a stunning blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair right in the heart of Buda. Budapest doesnt just represent Kimptons first steps into the region; it was also the first time the brand had worked with designer Marcel Wanders. How would you describe his approach to this project? It was truly a dream come true. Marcel Wanders is an incredible person and a visionary designer with a breathtaking imagination. I believe IHG, the Kimpton team, and the owners are incredibly proud of the Kimpton BEM Budapest. Sandor Scheer, the owner, is one of the most forward-thinking individuals Ive had the pleasure of working with. The hotel only just opened, but you came on board as pre-opening GM about a year ago, so you must know the building pretty much as well as anyone. Whats your favorite spot, and why? This pre-opening journey has been one of my favorite experiences. Our owner, along with the pre-opening team, the IHG team and the Kimpton BEM Budapest team, were all incredibly forward-thinking and proactive during the process. Managing this project felt like steering a flying dragon. Of course, I became intimately familiar with every concrete wall, bare column, and hidden pipe in the building. My favorite part, however, might be the craftsmanship you dont see but is present throughout the entire Kimpton BEM Budapest. What are your targets for the run-up to Christmas and next year? How will we be able to judge success? The festive season is right around the corner, beginning with Halloween, followed by Christmas parties, Christmas itself, and New Years Eve. Halloween, NYE, and the carnival parties will be fun and vibrant with live DJs. Were also planning a special Christmas tree contest, which we hope will become a Budapest Art moment in the city. Luxury is both an experience and a state of mind, and we measure our success by how much our guests feel seen and how their lives are enriched during their stay at Kimpton BEM Budapest. Source: BBJ On the occasion of the December 17 Revolution Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Tunisian revolution, President Kais Saied announced a special presidential pardon benefiting 1,570 convicts. The pardon will lead to the immediate release of 270 prisoners, while the remaining individuals will benefit from sentence reductions or other leniencies as part of the initiative. The December 17 Revolution Day holds profound symbolic significance for Tunisia, marking the beginning of the 2010-2011 uprising that led to the fall of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and sparked broader movements across the Arab world. The announcement follows a series of reviews conducted by relevant judicial and correctional authorities, who assessed the cases of eligible inmates. The selected individuals include those who have demonstrated good behavior and rehabilitation potential during their incarceration, ensuring that the decision upholds both humanitarian principles and public security concerns. This act of clemency not only serves as a tribute to the sacrifices of the Tunisian people during the revolution but also reaffirms the states commitment to fostering hope, dignity, and second chances for its citizens. President Saieds initiative highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion and reflects the spirit of forgiveness and progress as Tunisia continues to honor its revolutionary legacy. Auto Component Aftermarket: The auto component aftermarket grew by 5 per cent due to an increase in used vehicle parc and formalisation of the repair and maintenance market, according to the findings of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). The aftermarket in the first half (H1) of the financial year (FY) 2024 stood at Rs 45,158 crore (USD 5.5 billion) which grew to Rs 47,416 crore (USD 5.7 billion) in one year, with 5 per cent of the increase. "Auto Component Industry growth over last 10 years driven by robust domestic vehicles sales, strong aftermarket and increasing exports," the ACMA added. The aftermarket refers to the secondary market that deals with the parts, accessories, and services related to vehicles after they have been sold by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). As per the industry body that represents the manufacturers in the Indian auto component industry, the auto component supply to OEMs in H1 FY 2025 stood at Rs 2.83 lakh crore, with a rise of 11.2 per cent. The ACMA report added that the USA has emerged as the key destination for exports while China is a key source of imports for the Indian automobile players. The share of Indian exports to the USA stands at 28 per cent, followed by Germany (8 per cent) Turkey (5 per cent) Brazil (4 per cent), and countries such as UK, Italy, Bangladesh, Thailand, Mexico, and UAE with 3 per cent of export. China accounts for 28 per cent of imports in India, followed by Germany, Japan, S Korea, USA, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, UK and Indonesia. The exports, in the H1FY25, grew by 7 per cent while imports by 4 per cent; a trade surplus of USD 150 million. The finding stated that customers have started to move towards larger and more powerful vehicles across all segments, exhibiting a shift in preference. UVs (Utility Vehicles) in the Passenger Vehicle (PV) category grew by 13 per cent, with UV1 models (length 4000 to 4400 mm, priced under 20 Lakhs) showing a 25 per cent growth. Sales of motorcycles with engine capacities between 350cc and 500cc increased by around 74 per cent. Overall EV sales rose by 22 per cent in H1 FY25 compared to the previous year, with electric two-wheelers (e2W) growing 26 per cent, but electric passenger vehicle (e-PV) sales declined by 19 per cent. The industry saw a 7 per cent growth in exports, contributing to a USD 150 million trade surplus. The auto components sector continued to deliver higher value-added products. These growth percentages are based on Rupee values, and the cost of Li-ion batteries is excluded from component consumption calculations for EVs. New Delhi: 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. New Delhi: Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani and Adani Group founder Gautam Adani, two of India's richest billionaires and Asia's richest people, have dropped out of Bloomberg's $100 billion club for the year, the publication has reported. According to Bloomberg, both Adani and Ambani are out of the company's elite centibillionaires club, which comprises people with wealth exceeding $100 billion. The report added that despite these setbacks, India's top 20 billionaires, including tech mogul Shiv Nadar and steel magnate Savitri Jindal, have collectively added $67.3 billion to their wealth this year. Why was Ambani dropped from Bloomberg's $100 billion club? Ambani's personal wealth has declined due to underperformance in his conglomerate's energy and retail businesses. As of December 13, Ambani's fortune has dropped to $96.7 billion from $120.8 billion in July, when son Anant got married. Investors are concerned about rising debt that has affected Reliance's stock performance, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index (BBI). Why was Adani dropped from Bloomberg's $100 billion club? Adani's conglomerate is facing a threat from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) probe which in November launched an investigation into alleged bribery involving the Adani Group. Adani's net worth has dropped from $122.3 billion in June to $82.1 billion now, as per the BBI. Adani has also been struck hard by the Hindenburg Research investigation and allegations of fraud. Elon Musk's entry in India could threaten India's telecom players Uncertainty brought on by the impending government of US President-elect Donald Trump and the possibility of Elon Musk's Starlink entering the Indian satellite broadband market might also pose a danger to India's telecom companies, according to the research. World's Richest Families With a wealth of $432.4 billion, the Walmart Waltons topped Bloomberg's list of the world's richest families in 2024, surpassing both the Middle Eastern royal families and the wealthiest individual in the world, Elon Musk. From India, the Ambanis and Mistrys of Shapoorji Pallonji made the list at eighth and 23rd spots, respectively. Due to its exclusion of all first-generation riches and single-heir fortunes, Adani was not included in the list. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi along with opposition MPs, on Tuesday, wore a bag that embodied, "Stand Minorities of Bangladeshi," expressing support for minorities in Bangladesh. This gesture came a day after she faced criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it. The message on the bag highlighted concerns over the safety and rights of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly following attacks on Hindus and Christians after the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Priyanka shared the post on social media X with a couplet in Sanskrit. Earlier on Monday, friction erupted between the BJP and Congress over Vadra's 'Palestine' bag and called her "bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi". "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! Make no mistake, Congress is the New Muslim League," in a post X. BJP MP Sambit Patra alsi criticised Vadra's "Palestine" bag in a post on X, captioned "The difference is clear!" He shared a comparison image featuring Priyanka Gandhi with the text "Woh unke hain" and a picture of PM Modi with the text "Main aapka hoon." The tensions that have been simmering in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023 took another drastic turn after the recent coup in Syria that led to the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Following the crisis in Syria, Jordan's King Abdullah, considered a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, is increasingly worried about the potential for rebellion within his own kingdom. The recent coup in Syria has raised concerns that the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) could spread to Jordan. Some think tanks suggest that similar to Syria, domestic unrest in Jordan could be used to facilitate terrorist intervention, paving the way for a coup. If such a coup takes place, it would not only destabilize Jordan but also pose a significant threat to Israel in the Middle East. This looming danger has garbbed the attention of King Abdullah. In response, he has moved to strengthen diplomatic ties and cooperation with Israel. In todays episode of DNA, ZEE News tried to decode the possibility of coup in Jordan. Watch Full Episode Here: In the final week of October, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a rapid offensive, and by the first week of December, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had fledjust 45 days apart. HTS's swift military campaign dramatically changed Syria's political landscape. The key factor in their success was the widespread anger among Syrian citizens against Assad. If we look at the past decade, a similar scenario could unfold in Jordan. King Abdullah, regarded as the 41st descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, first faced public discontent in 2012 when people took to the streets in protest against administrative mismanagement. The discontent resurfaced in 2018 over economic reforms and again in 2023, when the public criticized King Abdullah's role in the Gaza conflict. These incidents have raised concerns that anti-Israel forces may try to exploit domestic unrest in Jordan, creating a situation similar to the one in Syria. The risk of a coup targeting King Abdullah has become more tangible. In response to these growing threats, intelligence officials from both Jordan and Israel have recently held a crucial meeting. The main topic of discussion was establishing communication between Israel and HTS. The meeting also focused on countering terrorist threats in northern Jordan and preventing the smuggling of weapons from Iran. The growing influx of weapons to Hamas and Hezbollah remains a significant point of tension for Israel, while for King Abdullah, protecting northern Jordan from the threat of HTS has become one of his greatest challenges. HTSs military campaign began in Raqqa and quickly expanded southward, taking control of Deir ez-Zor and Homs. From the north, HTS fighters advanced through Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia, eventually reaching Hama and Damascus. If HTS manages to gain control over rural Damascus, their fighters could easily reach Jordans border. This growing threat prompted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit Jordan, where he worked to ensure that the Gaza war would not be used as a tool for fomenting domestic unrest. The aim was to secure Jordan and Israel from the dangers posed by HTS. One Nation One Election In Lok Sabha: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi favoured detailed discussion at every level on the 'one nation, one election' bill and wanted it to be referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament. The remarks made by the Union Home Minister came when the Lok Sabha was hearing objections to the introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill that seeks to usher in simultaneous polls to the Lower House and state assemblies. "When One Nation, One Election bills came up in Cabinet, PM Modi said these should be referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament. There should be a detailed discussion over it at every level," Shah said. The former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief said that DMK member T R Baalu too had favoured referring the bill to a parliamentary committee. Shah stated that the bill can be discussed in greater detail in the Joint Committee of Parliament. The report of the JPC will be approved by the Union Cabinet and the bill can be discussed again in Parliament, he said. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha following a division of votes. The Union Territories Amendment Bill seeks to align the elections to the union territories of Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir with the Lok Sabha polls. The bills were passed by simple majority according to the rulebook. 269 MPs voted in favour and 198 opposed it. The critics of the one nation, one election bill said that the voting in the Lower House shows that the PM Modi-led central government lacks support, and it failed to attain a two-thirds majority. In a post on X, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, "Two-thirds majority (i.e., 307) was needed out of the total 461 votes... but the government secured only 269, while the opposition got 198. The 'One Nation, One Election' proposal failed to gain two-thirds support". He shared a screenshot of the e-voting system along with the post. Two-thirds majority (307) was needed out of the total 461 votes, but the government secured only 263, while the opposition got 198. The One Nation, One Election proposal failed to gain two-thirds support. pic.twitter.com/5GIQQ0qY7r Manickam Tagore (@manickamtagore) December 17, 2024 'One Nation, One Election' Bill To Be Sent To JPC The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024' was formally introduced in Lok Sabha after members voted on it. The bill proposes 'One Nation One Election' or simultaneous elections to both Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the house. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election' and his agreement to sending the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. One Nation-One Election Bill: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday moved the 'one nation, one election' bills in the Lok Sabha, with opposition parties uniting against it. Meghwal proposed the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to facilitate simultaneous polls in the country. The bill will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions after Members' approval. Speaking on the bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that when ONOE bills came up in Cabinet, PM Narendra Modi said this should be referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament. Amid the stiff opposition, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal proposed that the bills should be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. After Members expressed their views, the lower house took up the voting on the bill. The House adopted the bill with 269 votes in support and 198 against the bill. Before voting, some members raised questions on electronic voting methods to which Union Home Minister Shah said that those having issues with electronic voting can vote via ballots. The members willing to correct their votes were also given ballots. Opposition Rejects Bill As soon as the bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha, Congress called with withdrawal of the bills. Congress MP Manish Tewari said that the introduction, and consideration of ONOE bills were beyond legislative competence of this House and urged the government to withdraw it. "One Nation, One Election bills are an assault on basic structure doctrine of Constitution," said Tewari. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the ONOE bill will give 'illegal' powers to the Election Commission to advise the President on holding elections. Supriya Sule of NCP-SP said that either the government should withdraw ONOE bill or refer it to a parliamentary committee. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said that the ONOE bills will indirectly introduce the presidential style of democracy and finish off regional parties. Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Muhammed Basheer said, "I express my very strong opposition to this Bill because this is an attack on the democracy and Constitution and federalism of India. If this Amendment is implemented, some states will have tenure for less than 3 years..." DMK leader T R Baalu urged the government to refer ONOE bills to parliamentary committee. Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee took a jibe at PM Modi saying that the ONOE bills are not election reforms, but just a fulfilment of one gentleman's desire and dream. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav opposed ONOE bills, terming them as an attempt by the BJP to bring in 'dictatorship' in the country. NDA MPs Back Bill Rejecting opposition charges, Law Minister Meghwal said, "There will be no damage to the Constitution via this Bill. There will be no tampering with the basic structure of the Constitution." In a bid to make Indore in Madhya Pradesh free of beggars, the district authorities on Monday said the administration will start registering FIRs from January 1, 2025 against those who give alms. The administration has already issued an order banning begging in Indore, district collector Ashish Singh told reporters. "Our awareness campaign against begging will go on in the city till the end of this month (December). If any person is found giving alms from January 1, a First Information Report (FIR) will also be registered against him/her," he said. "I appeal to all residents of Indore not to become partners in the sin by giving alms to people," the official said. The administration has in the recent months exposed different gangs that make people beg and many of those involved in begging have also been rehabilitated, he said. The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has started a pilot project to make 10 cities of the country beggar-free, which includes Indore. In a dramatic incident that has exposed serious security lapses, Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, a 55-year-old accused in multiple land-grabbing cases, escaped from the custody of the Goa Crime Branch on December 13, 2024. The incident took place at the Ribandar lock-up near Panaji, raising questions about the efficacy of law enforcement protocols. Khan, who had evaded arrest for over four years, was apprehended last month after being linked to several high-profile land-grabbing cases. However, his detention ended abruptly when Amit Naik, a constable from the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB), allegedly facilitated his escape. Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta revealed that Naik unlocked the lock-up, enabling Khan to flee on a motorcycle. Naik himself surrendered to the police in Hubbali, Karnataka, two days after the escape. He has since been dismissed from service, while Khan remains at large. Allegations and Controversy The escape has not only revealed glaring security flaws but has also triggered a political and media frenzy. The Ribandar lock-up, where Khan was being held, is reportedly not authorized to detain undertrials, pointing to procedural negligence. This has led to severe criticism of the Crime Branchs handling of sensitive cases. Further complicating the matter, a video surfaced online featuring Khan. In the video, he alleged that his escape was orchestrated with the help of Crime Branch officers. He also implicated a local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and a senior police officer in his ordeal. Khan claimed that he was escorted out of Goa by two police teams and expressed his willingness to surrender if the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Political Backlash The incident has become a political flashpoint, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to target the BJP-led government in Goa. The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have demanded Chief Minister Pramod Sawants resignation. Opposition leaders have criticized Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, for failing to ensure the basic functioning of the states law enforcement agencies. The release of a land grab accused from the custody of the Crime Branch exposes the failure of @BJP4Goa in upholding justice. Is this the new face of governance where criminals walk free? Goas agricultural, forest, paddy, NDZ lands are under threat under this most corrupt pic.twitter.com/yqcwwiXSYU Amit Patkar (@amitspatkar) December 13, 2024 A joint delegation of opposition leaders met with the Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar, demanding accountability and immediate action. The delegation sought the suspension of SP Rahul Gupta, a full inquiry into the incident, and the release of CCTV footage from the Ribandar lock-up. They also alleged that systemic corruption within the police force may have played a role in Khans escape. Governments Response Chief Minister Sawant has dismissed the allegations made by Khan in his video as an attempts to deflect attention from his crimes. He emphasized that the government would not act on the claims of an absconding accused without substantial evidence. DGP Alok Kumar stated that investigations are ongoing and that no other police officials, apart from Constable Naik, have been implicated thus far. Goa Police is now facing mounting pressure to address the allegations and restore public trust. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: (A) Schematic of superposition of sensory neuron somata and satellite glial cells (SGCs) within the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). (B) Detection of Dbi mRNA expression in human and mouse DRG by reverse transcription (RT) PCR. (CE) Sections of human (C), rat (D), and mouse (E) DRGs with sensory neuron somata identified with Nissl (green) staining; DBI immunofluorescence (red) forms a characteristic pattern consistent with SGC wrapping. (F) Colabeling of mouse DRG sections with DBI (red) and markers of DRG-resident cell types (all in green): TUBB3 (pan-neuronal marker), IBA-1 (macrophages), CD31 (endothelial cells), and FABP7 (SGCs). Bottom middle panel shows confocal orthogonal view of DBI (red) and FABP7 (green) colabeling of SGCs wrapping around a single sensory neuron somata; blue is DAPI. Bottom right panel shows colabeling of DBI immunofluorescence with the Dbi transcript (white) using FISH. All scale bars: 25 m. Credit: Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024). DOI: 10.1172/JCI176227 A major breakthrough in our understanding of pain has been revealed in a collaborative study led by a Leeds scientist, opening the door to new ways of tackling long term pain without harmful and addictive opioids. Professor Nikita Gamper from the University of Leeds's School of Biomedical Sciences and his team has discovered the body can effectively produce its own targeted "sleeping pills"akin to benzodiazepinesdulling signals from a particular nerve and controlling how much pain a person feels. The findings, which build on previous work by Professor Gamper and Professor Xiaona Du at Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, China, could pave the way for a significant breakthrough in treating pain, moving away from strong opioids like morphine or fentanyl. Professor Gamper said, "We understand quite a bit about how a person ends up feeling pain, but we can't do much about it. Despite all the amazing discoveries and textbooks written, opioids are still the gold standard. "Nothing substantially better than opioids has been produced. If you suffer from pain, you will likely end up with either ibuprofen, which is OK for mild pain, but absolutely does nothing for very strong pain or neuropathic pain; or opioids which are very efficacious but dangerous." Benzodiazepines ("benzos") are a class of depressant drugs that are used as sleeping pills and to treat anxiety and seizures. Professor Gamper and his colleagues Professor Du and Dr. Temugin Berta at the University of Cincinnati found that some cells attached to human nerves, residing in structures called spinal ganglia, can release a peptide that works on the same principle as benzos. But because the process is localized to the peripheral nervous system, these peptides do not cause the whole nervous system to "go to sleep"meaning they don't carry the same risks as harmful and addictive opioids. The findings effectively reveal that nerves can "tune out" pain signals or restrict the amount of pain the brain thinks a person is experiencing. Dr. Ganesan Baranidharan, a consultant in pain medicine in Leeds, said the findings could offer some hope to patients trying to manage daily chronic pain. He said, "Chronic pain is one of the health service's biggest problems. In clinics we try to manage pain with 'self management'learning to live with painor we try to help where we can with physiotherapy, injections or surgeries. However, some patients will have persistent pain needing medicines, and long-term use of nerve painkillers and opioids can cause significant side effects such as feeling like a zombie, memory impairment etc. "While some patients do really well on small dose opioids, we need more options to treat chronic pain. The more we can discover, and find appropriate drugs to treat certain conditions, the better for our patients." Professor Nikita's findingspublished in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in June 2024open up the possibility of developing new, targeted medicines that could block pain signals without crossing the blood-brain barrier and affecting other brain functions. For up to a third of the world's population, pain is a daily burden, and despite being the primary reason for doctor visits across the world pain is still poorly treated. Cincinnati's Dr. Berta added, "Millions of people suffer from chronic pain and more than half have trouble finding adequate relief. As pain scientists, we have the opportunity to discover new mechanisms that contribute to the progression of chronic pain and share breakthroughs that may hold promise for new treatment strategies." Professor Gamper's decision to focus his work in this area was strongly influenced by seeing a member of his immediate family suffer with neuropathic pain. He added, "Pain is an interesting phenomenon to study, but ultimately it's not curiosity that drives you, it's the ability or at least opportunity to relieve people from pain." The teams in Leeds and Shijiazhuang worked together from the research's inception, with Dr. Berta in Cincinnati coming on board after the scientists discussed their work at a Society for Neuroscience conference in 2018. Although the scientists had not previously met, they knew each other's work and by sharing knowledge they soon realized they had been working on similar experiments and produced identical results. Dr. Berta believes their work "embodies the collaborative spirit of academic research" and shows how significant advancements in understanding and treating pain can be made when scientists work together. Professor Du said, "I vividly recall the excitement when Nikita informed me that Temo's lab had obtained similar primary results to ours, solidifying our decision to pursue the study further. I hope that our future collaboration will yield even more and better outcomes." More information: Xinmeng Li et al, Peripheral gating of mechanosensation by glial diazepam binding inhibitor, Journal of Clinical Investigation (2024). DOI: 10.1172/JCI176227 Journal information: Journal of Clinical Investigation One Nation One Election Bill: The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and 'the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced on Tuesday in the Lok Sabha after members voted on it. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal formally introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election' and his agreement to send the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election,' or simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Following the introduction in the Lower House, the bill has been sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions and deliberations. On Tuesday, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Om Birla announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the house. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). In September, the Union Cabinet approved the One Nation, One Election proposal, following the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level panel. Following approval from the Union Cabinet, the proposal received support from the NDA allies and some opposition parties, but a total of 15 opposition parties, including Congress, had rejected the proposal. The Central Government needs to secure a majority in both Houses of Parliamentthe Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabhato turn the proposal into law. Numbers In Lok Sabha The BJP and its allies have a total strength of 293 MPs in Lok Sabha. The BJP needs a two-thirds majority364 MPsto get the bill passed in the Lok Sabha. With the support of the Samajwadi Party, the NDA will have 330 MPs in favor, and it will then need 34 more to get the bill passed. Challenges in Rajya Sabha The proposal needs to be passed by both Houses of Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha as well, the NDA needs a two-thirds majority to get the bill passed. Out of the 245 seats in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA holds 112, while the opposition parties control 85. To secure a two-thirds majority, the government will need a minimum of 164 votes. With the support of an independent and six nominated MPs, the NDA has a total of 120 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, not enough to get the bill passed. The 'One Nation, One Election' initiative is a bold step toward streamlining Indias election process, aiming to reduce costs and bring uniformity to governance. However, political opposition and the need for state-level ratification pose significant challenges that the ruling coalition will need to navigate in the coming months. The Union Government today tabled the One Nation One Election Bill in the Lok Sabha amid opposition from rival parties like Congress, TMC and the DMK. Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Law Minister introduced the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha for One Nation, One Election. The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its Members of Parliament to remain present in the house. Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that these are diversionary tactics. "These are just matters to create distraction. Things that should be discussed, people's issues - they do not come on those issues. Neither the Government nor Congress wants to run the House...Who will get food through One Nation, One Election? Who will get jobs? Which farmer issue will be resolved? How will this benefit people?..." she said. The Bill may be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee to build a consensus. The Narendra Modi government has been working to build a consensus among parties for simultaneous Parliamentary and assembly elections in the country. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is also likely to give a reply to the debate on supplementary demands for grants for 2024-25. BJP allies have also issued a whip to all its MPs to remain present in the house. The Shiv Sena has also issued a whip to all its Lok Sabha MPs to be present in the House on Tuesday as some "important legislative business" is scheduled to be discussed, the 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 are requested to compulsorily be present in the House for the entire time tomorrow," Chief Whip of Shiv Sena in Lok Sabha, Shrirang Barne said. The Congress party also issued a three-line whip to all party Lok Sabha MPs, mandating their presence in the House for today's proceedings. 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 on Tuesday 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 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. In September, the Union Cabinet 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. (With IANS inputs) Days after Mahayuti picked Devendra Fadnavis as Chief Minister of Maharashtra after securing a big victory in the assembly election which was held on November 20, Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray along with his son MLAs Aditya Thackeray, Anil Parab and Varun Sardesai meet Fadnavis on Tuesday at Vidhan Bhavan office in Nagpur. Fadnavis, sworn in as Chief Minister of Maharashtra on December 5, had extended invitations to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Shiv Sena (Uddhav faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray to attend the ceremony. However, both leaders were reportedly absent. Reacting to Uddhav's visit, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar said, "It was a polite gesture. When guests arrive, you greet them warmly." "Uddhav Thackeray is the group leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) and a lot of group leaders have called on the speaker and in the same note, he visited the Speaker's office...I have not received any proposal (regarding the LoP of the Maharashtra Assembly) and if any proposal is put up before me, I will consider the same in accordance with the rules and procedures of the state assembly," Narwekar told to ANI. On the other hand, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole defended Uddhav's recent meeting with CM Fadnavis and said, " Devendra Fadnavis is the CM...we also meet him and now he (Uddhav Thackeray) has met him, what is the issue with that?..." Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has warned those violating the law of strict punishment saying that India will be run by Ram's tradition and not that of Babur's. Talking about the Sambhal violence and the Opposition's cry over the issue, Yogi Adityanath said that the opposition parties are misleading the public by hiding facts. CM Adityanath also said that whenever a Hindu process passes through a Muslim-populated area, problems begin. He questioned why there were no issues when a Muharram procession or any Muslim gathering passed through a Hindu locality or in front of a temple, yet problems arose when a Hindu procession passed near a mosque or through a Muslim-majority area. "Cant the saffron flag be raised on Indian soil? If a Muslim procession can pass through a Hindu locality and in front of a temple, why cant a Hindu procession pass through a Muslim locality?" said CM Yogi Adityanath. The Uttar Pradesh CM further said that it is the responsibility of the state government to provide security to 25 crore people. "Any kind of anarchy and stone pelting will be dealt with strictly. Anyone who tries to flout the law by taking the law into his own hands against the orders given by the honourable court will be dealt with strictly, he said. The CM also questioned the opposition's silence on atrocities against Hindus. 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, Adityanath said. Speaking on the issue of 'Jai Shri Ram' slogan, CM Adityanath said that it's not provocative but a reflection of faith. "Saying Jai Shri Ram is not a communal act....If I tell you tomorrow that we don't like the slogan Allah-u-Akbar, will you be okay with that? asked the CM. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday slammed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it saying Uttar Pradesh is sending youth to Israel, while Congress is carrying a bag. Speaking in the assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "A Congress leader was roaming around in the Parliament carrying a bag with Palestine written on it, while we are sending the youth of Uttar Pradesh to Israel. More than 5600 youth of UP have gone to Israel for construction work so far. Every youth is getting free accommodation and food, a salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month and complete security is also guaranteed." A row erupted on Monday when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. The bag had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the BJP-led central government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus. "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. 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. India has 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 the MEA. Delhi Traffic Police Intensifies Vehicle Checks: 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. 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 neighboring districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar under the current GRAP stage. 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. Mumbai: Ananya Panday has once again found herself at the center of a trolling storm after her recent statement about being taken seriously as an actor. In an interview with Grazia, Ananya reflected on how her OTT projects, Call Me Bae and CTRL have brought a shift in how people perceive her acting skills. Call Me Bae marked her OTT debut, where she played an heiress-turned-hustler whose life unravels after she cheats on her husband. In CTRL, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, Ananya played Nella, a social media influencer trapped in the menacing world of AI. Both performances have been praised in certain circles, with some lauding her efforts to explore challenging roles and move beyond conventional Bollywood narratives. However, her assertion that audiences now take her seriously as an actor didnt sit well with many. Social media erupted with memes and sarcastic comments, with netizens accusing her of living in a delusional era. A Reddit post shared this statement of the actress and she faced massive trolling. Comments like Who takes her seriously? and Star kids have their own imaginary fan clubs. Ever since her debut in Student of the Year 2, Ananya has faced harsh scrutiny for what critics describe as her limited acting range. While she has acknowledged the trolling in the past and said it motivates her to improve, this latest backlash highlights the ongoing scepticism surrounding her craft. Despite the trolling, the actress appears undeterred and is fully focused in her career. She will be next seen in Chand Mera Dil along with Lakshya backed by Karan Johar. Mumbai: The music world is mourning the loss of legendary tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who passed away in San Francisco after battling idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. His death has left an irreplaceable void in the world of Indian classical music. Among the many tributes pouring in, celebrated music composer AR Rahman took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief and regret over not collaborating with Zakir Hussain as much as he had hoped. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim . His loss is immeasurable for all of us. I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) December 16, 2024 In his post, Rahman described Ustad Zakir Hussain as a towering figure who brought global recognition to the tabla. He wrote, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun. Zakir Bhai was an inspiration, a towering personality who elevated the tabla to global acclaim. His loss is immeasurable for all of us." Rahman also revealed that the two had planned to work on an album together but, unfortunately, couldnt see it through. He added, I regret not being able to collaborate with him as much as we did decades ago, though we had planned an album together. You shall be truly missed. May his family and his countless students worldwide find the strength to bear this immense loss. #ZakirHussain. Ustad Zakir Hussain was a pioneer in Indian classical music, seamlessly blending traditional tabla rhythms with global music genres. His contributions to both Indian and world music were unparalleled. Known for his collaborations with international musicians like George Harrison, John McLaughlin, and Yo-Yo Ma, he redefined the role of Indian percussion on a global stage. The maestros passing was confirmed by Jon Bleicher of Prospect PR, speaking on behalf of his family. Zakir Hussain had been battling his illness privately, and his death has left the music world in shock. Zakir Hussains career spanned over five decades, during which he earned accolades such as the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his unparalleled contributions to music. He was not only a virtuoso performer but also a mentor to countless students across the globe, inspiring generations of musicians. Mumbai: Actress turned politician Kangana Ranaut has expressed her candid thoughts about the Kapoor familys recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held in honor of Raj Kapoors 100th birth anniversary. Speaking at the Agenda Aaj Tak event, Kangana remarked on the state of the Indian film industry, describing it as orphaned and lacking proper guidance. Addressing why she believes the industry needs leadership, Kangana said, The film industry is a powerful medium, a soft power, yet its underutilised. Without guidance, it becomes susceptible to various agendas, whether its a Jihadi or Palestinian agenda. She alleged that certain individuals in the industry are easily influenced, claiming, You can make them do anything by giving them a little money. Highlighting past controversies, she mentioned, They will go and dance at gangsters parties in Dubai. They feel no one is watching them, which makes them vulnerable to exploitation through hawala, drugs, or other illegal activities. Kangana acknowledged PM Modis effort to engage with Bollywood, saying this could bring much-needed recognition and discipline to the industry. Its a good step that the PM met the Kapoor family. It shows that the Prime Minister values the film industry and considers its contributions. This recognition is important for an industry that often feels isolated from mainstream respect. The outspoken actress also highlighted that, despite being in the industry for over 20 years, she is yet to secure an audience with the Prime Minister, I have requested for one, and I hope I get it soon. She added that she believes the industrys potential to contribute to Indias cultural and economic landscape is immense but remains underappreciated compared to other sectors. Kangana concluded by emphasising the importance of integrating Bollywood into the national mainstream. She said, We generate so much revenue and create numerous films, but we dont get the same respect as other industries. This step [PM Modi meeting the Kapoors] could pave the way for a more structured and respected film industry.. Mumbai: Sonakshi Sinha has issued a strong response to veteran actor Mukesh Khanna, popularly known as Shaktimaan, after he blamed her father, Shatrughan Sinha, for her upbringing over an incident on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) years ago, where Sonakshi struggled to answer a question related to the Ramayana, sparking criticism. Taking to Instagram, Sonakshi addressed Mukesh Khannas recent comments, stating, Dear Sir, Mukesh Khanna ji, I recently read a statement you made saying that its my fathers fault I did not answer a question about the Ramayana correctly on a show I attended many, many years back. Let me remind you, there were two women on the hot seat that day who didnt know the answer, but you choose to keep taking my name, and only my name, for reasons which are quite obvious. Sonakshi defended herself, acknowledging that forgetting the answer was a human tendency, while pointing out Mukesh Khannas failure to embody the values of forgiveness taught by Lord Ram, If Lord Ram can forgive Manthara, Kaikeyi, and even Ravan, surely you can let go of this extremely small thing in comparison not that I need your forgiveness. But yes, I definitely need you to stop bringing up this incident to stay in the news at the expense of me and my family. Sonakshi also slammed the veteran actor for questioning her upbringing, The next time you decide to say anything about the values my father instilled in me, remember that its because of those values that I am responding respectfully after you made such distasteful statements about my upbringing. Mukesh Khanna, in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, had said, Her bungalow is called Luv Kush, yet she doesnt know who Sanjeevani Booti was brought for. Its not Sonakshis fault; its her fathers fault. Why didnt you teach your kids about our culture? Why did you let them become so modern? Mukesh Khanna is known to make controversial statements. 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: Percentage of residents who received antipsychotic medications at time of admission MDS 2.0 assessment in long-term care (n = 83 628 residents; Panel A), percentage of residents where antipsychotic medications were initiated (n = 35 223 residents; Panel B) and discontinued (n = 9 975 residents; Panel C) at time of follow-up MDS 2.0 assessment in long-term care. Credit: Health Services Insights (2024). DOI: 10.1177/11786329241300827 A disproportionately high number of people admitted to long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic's first year were on antipsychotic medications, recently published Brock-led research has found. The newly arrived residents, who mostly came from hospitals and community settings, were also prescribed these drugs without a psychosis diagnosis, says the study's lead author, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences Luke Turcotte. "When a person doesn't have any indications of psychosis, then we consider these medications to be potentially inappropriate for this population," he says. "Because people on antipsychotic medications are at greater risk of falls, stroke and all-cause mortality, these shouldn't be the first line of treatment for persons living with dementia." In their study, "Antipsychotic Medication Use Among Newly Admitted Long-term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada," the research team identified about 84,000 people who were newly admitted to long-term care facilities in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario between March 5, 2018, and March 4, 2021. The study is published in the journal Health Services Insights. New admissions were grouped into categories based on the referral sources, including hospitals, assisted living facilities and private homes, in-patient continuing care and rehabilitation facilities, psychiatric wards and other sources. Using data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the research team compared antipsychotic medication use among people admitted before and during the COVID-19 period who had not been diagnosed with psychosis, as well as where they came from. The rate of "inappropriate prescriptions" for newly admitted residents rose from 22% in 201819 to 27% in 202021, the study says. The researchers also found fewer residents underwent a process called "deprescribing," where patients are taken off medications that may no longer be needed or could be causing harm. Turcotte says antipsychotic medications are often used "off-label" to manage behaviors such as agitation, aggression and resistance to care, which are ways that persons living with dementia may express unmet needs and concerns. "It's unclear why antipsychotic use in hospitals increased," he says. "It's likely that visitor restrictions limited families' ability to support and advocate for their loved ones in the unfamiliar and potentially distressing hospital environment." This latest research follows up on a previous study Turcotte published last year. It examined the impact of the pandemic on numerous measures of quality of care in Canadian long-term care homes and found an increase in antipsychotic drug use was widespread in Canadian long-term care facilities during the first year of the pandemic. The current study, published last month, did a deeper dive on this issue. It revealed that some of this increase was due to people arriving at long-term care facilities already on the antipsychotic medications coupled with a lower deprescribing rate within the first three months of their stay. Turcotte says delirium prevention initiatives, like Ontario Health's Delirium Aware Safer Healthcare (DASH) campaign, are part of the solution. "These medications are often first administered to treat delirium, and their use can persist after the person leaves the hospital," he says. "It's important that we continue to empower health-care professionals to use person-centered approaches that put an emphasis on understanding each person's life story and tailoring care to their individual needs." More information: Luke A Turcotte et al, Antipsychotic Medication Use Among Newly Admitted Long-term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Canada, Health Services Insights (2024). DOI: 10.1177/11786329241300827 Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday extended the deadline for completing the investigation into the crimes against humanity charges filed against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina by two months, a media report said. A three-member bench, led by its Chairman Justice Golam Mortuza Mazumder, passed the order and also extended the deadline until February 18 to complete the investigation in a case filed against Hasina and 45 others, including former ministers, for genocide during the July-August student-led protests, The Daily Star newspaper reported. Hasina, 77, fled to India on August 5 after unprecedented anti-government protests. On August 5, the student-led Monsoon Revolution under the banner of Students Against Discrimination succeeded in toppling Hasinas 16-year regime, propelled by fervent demands for change and accountability. The newspaper said that probe reports for two cases were scheduled for completion today but the investigation agency sought more time, according to the prosecution. Former agriculture minister Abdur Razzaque was shown as arrested in the genocide case on Tuesday besides 15 high profile individuals who were shown arrested in the case earlier. The arrested persons include former law minister Anisul Huq, former industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, former food minister Qamrul Islam, former civil aviation and tourism minister Lt Col (Retd) Faruk Khan, former minister and workers party president Rashed Khan Menon among others. Meanwhile, an inquiry commission set up by the interim government said in a provisional report recently that it has found Hasinas involvement in alleged incidents of enforced disappearance. The Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance estimated that the number of enforced disappearances would be over 3,500. The commission has found evidence of former prime minister Sheikh Hasinas involvement as the instructor in the incidents of enforced disappearance, the press wing of the office of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a statement. Pakistan's telecom watchdog made it clear that no virtual private network (VPNs) was blocked in the country, nor it planned to do so in the future despite having the capability. It was announced by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Hafizur Rehman on Monday while addressing the launch of the regulator's 'Annual Report'. According to the Express Tribune, Rehman made it clear that so far, no VPN had been blocked and there was no such plan for the future. We have said it before, and I repeat it now: we could block VPNs, but we won't. To date, no VPNs have been blocked. The statement comes after news taking rounds for months that the regulator had initiated the process of registering the VPNs. The deadline for the registration was extended beyond November 30. However, a new deadline had not been announced for the VPN suspension. The government had expressed the apprehension that VPN use might be harmful for the people, while accessing immoral contents on social media or other internet platforms. Last week, the government had announced that it was registering VPNs to improve monitoring and control online activities and also expressed confidence that these efforts would lead to improvements in curbing the spread of fake news. Meanwhile, according to the latest PTA data, half of the country's population used two social media platforms Facebook and YouTube. These two platforms remained the most popular among the Pakistani social media users with over 60 million Facebook users and more that 70 million YouTube viewers. The data showed that well over 70 per cent users were males. TikTok is another popular social media platform in Pakistan with 54.4 million users by January 2024; 78 per cent of them male. There were 17.3 million Instagram users 64 per cent males and 36 per cent females, according to the PTA data. The annual report showed that the telecom sector revenues reached a record Rs 955 billion in fiscal year 2023-24, with an average revenue per user (ARPU) of Rs 302 per month in April-June 2024 period. It also stated that the number of telecom subscribers had reached 196 million, among them 142.3 million were broadband subscribers -- 3.6 million fixed broadband and 138.7 million mobile broadband. In yet another shooting incident that is likely to raise a question mark on the US gun laws, a teenage student opened fire with a handgun in a Wisconsin school killing a teacher and another teenager while injuring six others. The shooter girl also died in the incident. Two students are critical after the shooting incident that took place at Abundant Life Christian School. The shooter was a 17-year-old female student. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said that a teacher and three students had been taken to a hospital and are stable while two of them had been released by Monday evening. The incident comes close to Christmas, sending shockwaves across the city with families in mourning. "We have three people who have lost their lives. Two of those people, or persons, were pronounced dead at the scene and one while on the way to the hospital. Of the six injured and taken to local hospitals, two students remain in critical condition. Their injuries are life-threatening. A teacher and three other students were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Two of those victims, two of those survivors, have been released from the hospital," 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 told AP. The police reported that the shooter was found dead from an apparent suicide when officers arrived at the scene. Barnes refrained from providing details about the shooter, citing respect for the family. In Wisconsin, with limited exceptions, it is illegal for a 17-year-old to possess a firearm. Barnes mentioned that investigators might be able to share additional information about the shooter during another press conference scheduled for later on Monday. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, but Barnes said they're talking with the parents of the suspected shooter and they are cooperating. He also said he didn't know if the people shot had been targeted. Investigators believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The incident is the latest in a long string of school shootings across the US, including particularly devastating tragedies in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. These shootings have sparked intense debates over gun control while leaving parents increasingly anxious as their children grow up practising active shooter drills in classrooms. Despite the heightened concerns, school shootings have done little to prompt significant changes to national gun laws. According to KFF, a nonprofit organization focused on healthcare research, firearms were the leading cause of death among children in both 2020 and 2021. Assyrian Syrian Opposition Leader Voices 'Confidence' Gabriel Moushe Gawrieh, head of the Assyrian Democratic Organization in Syria. One of the many Syrians celebrating the fall of the regime of former president Bashar al-Assad is the head of the Assyrian Democratic Organization, Gabriel Moushe Gawrieh. At the same time, Gawrieh, who lives in the northeastern city of Qamishli, is keeping an eye on the rebel group that led the final offensive against Assad and forced the dictator to flee to Moscow earlier this month. Many have expressed concern about what kind of government will replace Assad's, since the rebel group that led the downfall of the tyrannic government is still classified by the US government as a terrorist organization that was once affiliated with al Qaeda. But Gawrieh is confident. He sees the group, Hayat Tahrir al Sham, as responsive to the viewpoints of a highly diverse Syrian population that is enjoying many freedoms -- including freedom of expression -- for the first time in 50-plus years. "We had an experience with Hayat Tahrir al Sham in Idlib itself," Gawrieh told Aleteia. "I don't believe that Hayat Tahrir al Sham will be able to govern the country in the same way that it did in Idlib, which is considered a very conservative community, especially considering that even this conservative community in Idlib was protesting against Hayat Tahrir al Sham for more than a year. "I believe it will be hard for Hayat Tahrir al Sham to apply the same methodology or the same approach to control the whole country, because the Syrian community is a very diverse mixture of nationalities and religions and people from different backgrounds." Showed a lot of respect In Idlib province, a northwestern area of Syria near Aleppo, HTS governed with a mixture of radical Islamic law and tolerance for minorities. Gawrieh was encouraged that when, over the past month, its forces took over Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and ultimately Damascus, HTS "remained committed to protecting the properties and the civilians from any specific violations ... and showed a lot of respect for the minorities, particularly the Christians." Gawrieh, a member of the Syriac Orthodox Church, has been involved in the Syrian opposition for years and was arrested in 2013, in the early days of the Syrian civil war. He spent two years and seven months in prison. He looks back on the Assad years, especially the past 14 years, as a "tough period for all Syrians, including us, because it included a lot of violations against human rights as well as war crimes." The fall of the Assad regime is "a great step towards the unity of Syria as well as towards the formation of a new government for the country," he said, in an interview interpreted by his daughter, Simely. Concern for the future His joy in Assad's fall is tempered by several concerns about what comes next, though. He admitted that one of those concerns is the radical orientation of Hayat Tahrir al Sham. But he observed that HTS has been responsive to public opinion. "Syrians are able to speak up [now] and point out any misconduct," he said, pointing out that HTS raised its flag next to the Syrian flag in Parliament one day, but they "received a lot of complaints from all the Syrians, all over Syria and in the diaspora as well, so they removed it the next day." Another concern is that clashes might erupt between the various Syrian opposition factions. But he is encouraged that various countries are urging Syrians to form an inclusive, non-sectarian government that protects the rights of minorities and women. "All of the political bodies and parties in Syria have a lot of work to do in order to contribute, to build a new Syria," Gawrieh said. "And we will not accept to go back to the previous oppression." This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Holidays are a time for families and friends to gather, but for older people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, it can cause so much stress and confusion that they could be in danger of what experts calls wandering. "I would say around the holiday time is the biggest challenge for people with dementia," said Kim Franklin, senior manager of programs and services at the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. "Schedules are changing, people are traveling, families are coming together and friends are coming over. There's a lot of chaos going on and that can cause a person to wander. They want to get away. It's hard for them to process what's happening." The Alzheimer's Association reports 72% of dementia patients who wander are found alive by the next day. Alerting 911 as soon as the person goes missing is critical. The odds of survival decrease as more time passes. Angel Alonso, president of Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery based in Gwinnett County, said the vast majoritybetween 60% and 70%of the 30 to 40 calls the nonprofit received last year involved people with the disease. The GESAR is a volunteer-driven organization that works with law enforcement to find people who have gone missing, including children, people with Alzheimer's and dementia, and people lost during major disasters. "We get so many Alzheimer's calls," said Vice President John Clark, who is also a volunteer instructor with the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. For caregivers and loved ones, a relative who goes missing is devastating. Two of Clark's grandparents had dementia, so he gravitated to search and rescue to help other families and caregivers keep their loved ones safe. He's consulted with police departments across metro Atlanta on the best ways to find people with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias can cause people to lose their ability to recognize people and places that are familiar. According to the Alzheimer's Association, there are often warning signs that a person might wander. Six in 10 people with dementia will wander during the course of the disease. That includes people returning from a regular walk or drive later than usual. Or they may talk about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work or talk about going home even when they're at home. Sometimes they become restless and pace or make repetitive movements. Clark recounted one call for help when a family reported a missing relative, but they insisted she couldn't have gone far because of a bad knee that limited her to walking no further than the mailbox. Searchers found the missing woman 7 miles from home. Even those who have never shown an interest in wandering might start without warning. Recently, GESAR unveiled a new tool to search for missing people: Maverick. An eight-month-old chocolate Labrador retriever, Maverick, is in training to be part of the GESAR search and research team that will track missing people, including wandering dementia patients in metro Atlanta. In cases involving children and people with dementia, a dog's personality can also be an asset. Labs like Maverick are friendly and affectionate, not imposing or threatening like some other breedsand less likely to scare the person who is lost. Canines can be used in searches in both rural and urban areas. "He's an asset," said Maverick's handler, Carmen Alonso. "His nose can pick up odors and track where a person has been that we might not think to go that direction." At the Cobb County Police Department, Public Information Officer Sgt. Eric Smith said if dogs are needed to search for a wanderer they call the sheriff's department, which has bloodhounds. "They're not apprehensive dogs so there's little or no likelihood of a bite," he said. Technology can also help, Smith said. Searchers can use drones and families can install technology on a person's car to help locate it or use other kinds of trackable devices including on their phone. Most cases they've worked on have had favorable results, according to the Georgia Emergency Search and Recovery organization. No two searches are the same, said Sgt. Jeremy Blake of the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. "When responding to calls for a missing person, the response is different than that of a fleeing suspect," he wrote in an email. "The K-9s that are used to track missing persons are not trained in the apprehension of suspects. Often times, if the K-9 cannot locate the missing person, they can provide officers with a more accurate direction of travel than they may previously had." Nearly 7 million U.S. residents aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer's according to the most recent Facts & Figures report. Of those, more than 188,000 Georgians ages 65 and older also have been diagnosed with the disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association Georgia Chapter. Facts on wandering There is a better chance of being found in urban environments because of a higher probability of a "good Samaritan" stepping in. Wanderers may give no forewarning. Often, those with memory issues wander away during activities they've done safely in the past, such as shopping or sitting on a front porch. Some people who still drive can become disoriented and drive for miles away from home. According to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office, on average, half the calls for missing persons involve the elderly or someone with disabilities. 2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by 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: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Even before COVID turned the world upside down, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified reluctance to take vaccines as one of the 10 biggest threats to global health. According to the WHO, vaccines prevent millions of deaths globally each year. They are one of the most cost-effective ways of controlling global disease. But vaccines could still prevent millions more from dying. Unfortunately, there is a long history of distrust and misinformation concerning vaccinesfrom the notion that the smallpox vaccine was "unchristian" due to its animal origins to the thoroughly debunked myth of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Public health campaigns seek to make people aware of the safety and efficiency of a vaccine. This, however, is an uphill struggle and can sometimes backfire. For instance, research carried out with parents in the US found that reading information about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, its benefits and the dangers of the diseases it prevents, did not increase the parents' likelihood to vaccinate a future child. In fact, the information led to parents who were already hesitant about vaccines becoming even less likely to have their children vaccinated. In a recent study carried out in France, Germany and the UK, my colleagues and I tried to address this problem by enlisting a possibly surprising ally: knowledge of a foreign language. These three countries have differing levels of vaccine hesitancy. It's about twice as high in France as in the UK, with Germany somewhere in the middle. We found that, for people who have English as a second language, reading vaccine information in English made them more likely to get vaccinated than if they read the same information in their native language. The foreign language effect Previous research has shown that people tend to approach hypothetical problems in a more rational and less intuitive fashion when these are presented in a language that is not their native one. And this is particularly the case if their proficiency is comparatively low. This so-called "foreign language effect" may be caused in part by the additional effort of thinking a problem through in a language other than the mother tongue. This may act as a "brake" on fast, intuitive decision-making processes, and promote a rational uptake of information. We decided to part-replicate a previous research study which had investigated how public health information affected people's reluctance to take COVID vaccines. However, we changed the language in which our participants read the information. We recruited 436 people who were native speakers of either English, French or German, and who had learned one of the other two languages in school. We ended up with 156 English native speakers, 109 of who had learned French and 47 had learned German. We also had 131 French and 143 German native speakers, all of whom had English as their second language. All of the participants in the study told us that they had not been vaccinated against COVID. Since vaccines had been widely and freely available in the three countries for many months at the time at which we collected our data in December 2021, this was a good indication of a somewhat skeptical pre-disposition towards vaccines. Our baseline vaccine hesitancy measurea question on when the participant would be willing to take up the offer of a free, safe vaccineconfirmed this. We split the people into two groups. Some read information about the COVID vaccine in their native language, while the other group read it in their second language. After this, they responded to two standardized measures of vaccine hesitancy. An English effect? We found that participants with initially negative attitudes to the vaccine responded more positively on these two measures if they had read the text in their foreign languagebut only if that language was English. For the English native speakers, on the other hand, the negative feelings were higher after reading a text in French or German than for those participants who had read it in English. This finding represents an interesting twist to our understanding of the foreign language effect, particularly if we keep in mind that English is vastly overrepresented in research on language and linguistics in general and foreign language learning in particular. It raises the interesting possibility that the foreign language effect may be more of an English language effect. The prestige English enjoys in science, culture and general communication may lend messages framed in this language more power and credibility, in particular for multilingual speakers. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Towana Looney, 53, who received a gene-edited pig kidney, undergoes medical testing at NYU Langone Health on December 11, 2024 in New York. Towana Looney donated a kidney to her mother in 1999 only for the remaining one to fail years later due to pregnancy complications. Now, the 53-year-old from Alabama has become the latest recipient of a gene-edited pig kidneyand is currently the only living person in the world with an animal organ transplant, New York's NYU Langone hospital announced Tuesday. "I'm overjoyed, I'm blessed to have received this gift, this second chance at life," Looney said during a press conference, held three weeks after the procedure. Xenotransplantation, transplanting organs from one species to another, has long been a tantalizing yet elusive scientific goal. Early experiments on primates faltered, but recent advances in gene editing and immune system management have brought the dream closer to reality. Pigs have emerged as the ideal donors: they grow quickly, produce large litters and are already part of the human food supply. Advocates hope this approach can help address the severe organ shortage in the United States, where more than 100,000 people are waiting for transplants, including over 90,000 in need of kidneys. A last chance Looney had been living with dialysis since December 2016eight grueling years. High blood pressure caused by preeclampsia had taken its toll, leaving her with chronic kidney disease. Despite receiving priority on transplant waiting lists as a living donor, her search for a compatible kidney was a frustrating dead end. Her unusually high levels of harmful antibodies made rejection almost inevitable, and as her body lost viable blood vessels to support dialysis, her health declined. Out of options, Looney applied to join a clinical trial for pig kidney transplants, and finally underwent the seven-hour surgery on November 25. Asked how she felt afterward, Looney's joy was infectious. "I'm full of energy, I've got an appetite... and of course, I can go to the bathroom. I haven't been going in eight years!" she laughed, adding that she plans to celebrate at Disney World. Jayme Locke, a surgeon on the transplant team, described the results with awe. "The kidney functioned essentially exactly like a kidney from a living donor," she said, adding that Looney's husband saw a rosiness in her cheeks for the first time in years. "That is the miracle of transplantation." Cautious optimism Looney's surgery is the third time a gene-edited pig kidney has been transplanted into a human who is not brain dead. Rick Slayman, the first recipient, died in May, two months after his procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital. The second, Lisa Pisano, initially showed signs of recovery following her surgery at NYU Langone, but the organ had to be removed after 47 days, and she passed away in July. Looney, however, was not terminally ill before the transplant, noted Robert Montgomery, who led the surgery. Each case, he emphasized, provides critical lessons for refining the techniques. The kidney was provided by biotech company Revivicor, which breeds genetically modified herds in Virginia. A Massachusetts-based company, eGenesis, provided the kidney for Slayman. Looney's organ has 10 genetic edits to improve compatibility with the human bodyan advance over Revivicor's earlier efforts that used kidneys with a single gene edit and included the pig's thymus gland to help train the host's immune system and prevent rejection. Montgomery, a pioneer in the field who performed the world's first gene-edited pig organ transplant in a brain-dead patient in 2021, said both methods are likely to enter clinical trials "probably by this time next year, or even sooner." "This is a watershed moment for the future of transplantation," said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation. The nonprofit's polling shows that patients and families favor faster clinical trial progress, believing the risk of inaction outweighs the uncertainties of xenotransplantation. Looney was discharged December 6 to a nearby New York City apartment. Though her high antibody levels remain a concern, doctors are monitoring her closely using wearable technology and are trying a novel drug regimen to prevent rejection. Periodic hospital visits may still be required, but the team remains optimistic she can return home in three months. 2024 AFP When Mike Brown was a teenager, hed rush home from school to turn on the television and watch Emergency! Back then, a life like the ones the characters lived seemed out of reach. I thought it was just the coolest thing, and I thought, Well, thats out in California, thatll never happen around here, Brown said. When he was leaving high school, he started to notice how closely aligned local fire departments were with EMS. In 1993, someone suggested he join Triple Community Fire Department in Burke County because hed be able to go to paramedic school without any fees. After that, Brown was hooked. He said Dennis Epley, a training officer for Burke County EMS at the time and the assistant chief of the Triple Community department, helped Brown get his foot in the door at EMS. At that time, there was a waiting list to work for the agency. Brown officially started working for Burke County EMS in 1996. I loved the service, Brown said. I love the job, and I like helping people. I felt like I finally found my place, I guess, in the fire service as well as EMS. Once in a while, you just find something youre good at, or you feel like youre good at. After almost 30 years with EMS, Brown retired in December. He has seen a lot of changes during his time with EMS. Many of those came after 9/11. It just seemed like overnight, peoples mentality kind of changed toward more of a security type, Brown said. Everyone was worried about their personal safety, and it seems like there were so many firefighters and paramedics killed on 9/11, it seemed like we actually started getting a little bit more respect for what we did. He said before 9/11, some people didnt understand the difference between paramedics and other first responders like firefighters. More funding also came in for different specialty programs, including special operations. Brown joined the special operations team early in his career, getting deployed throughout North Carolina for hurricane response over the last 28 years. One of the most memorable was his first deployment for Hurricane Floyd in 1999. During the hurricane, rising water caused some already-buried caskets to rise out of the ground, Brown said. One of his teams tasks during the hurricane was to tie off any caskets found floating in floodwaters to nearby trees. Every day was a constant work and recovery effort, Brown said. It wasnt dissimilar to western North Carolinas experience with Hurricane Helene, Brown said. During Hurricane Helene in late September, Brown was at the countys Jonas Ridge EMS base. He couldnt make it back down N.C. Highway 181 for more than three days, but he had his chainsaw with him and he was ready to respond to calls. The day the hurricane hit, Brown was dispatched to Avery County for what was originally described as a man stuck inside a drainage pipe. Brown thought someone might have flipped over their car trying to drive in the storm and got their arm stuck. It took them an hour to get to the call, cutting trees out of the road with his chainsaw on the way, but the scene the team found when they arrived was dire, Brown said. Thats when we first realized it was a structure collapse, Brown said. A man had been outside on his front porch that morning when a landslide came down the mountain, destroying the porch and carrying the man another 100 feet, by Browns estimate. The man was buried under about 6 feet of rubble, but a drain pipe about 3 feet in diameter gave responders access to the man. The water was rising, mud and debris were rushing into the area. Someone made sure the pipe was kept clear of debris anything from pieces of wood, trees, cinder blocks and lawn furniture now mangled and twisted while Brown talked to the man and tried to keep his airway clear. That continued for several hours while they waited on rescue crews from Linville Central and Burke County to bring the equipment needed to stabilize the structural collapse. Hours later, EMS loaded the man into an ambulance and took him to a hospital in Avery County. Browns actions, both during Helene and throughout his career, were commended by Burke County EMS Director James Robinson at a recent Burke County Board of Commissioners meeting. Mikes unwavering dedication has impacted thousands of lives, from residents to visitors in the Linville Gorge and even those reached through mutual aid to neighboring counties, Robinson said. His service has been marked by humility, courage, and selflessness, often putting others needs ahead of his own. Brown said the job has always kept him on his toes. Its just a constant learning process, Brown said. It evolves all the time, and youre always learning something. But more than that, every day brings an opportunity to save lives, he said. I feel like Ive helped a lot of people over the years, Brown said. A lot of its not immediate. You dont see that save from that cardiac arrest and get immediate gratification but a lot of times a lot of folks dont realize quick, early treatment keeps people from deteriorating to the point of either death or disability. Theres also the opportunity to bring lives into the world. Brown said about 20 years ago, he was working on a truck with Tim Hubbard and Jon Lowdermilk when he helped a woman deliver a baby. It wasnt a smooth delivery. The baby was breech, and the mother had delivered everything but the head when EMS got there. EMS workers helped finish the delivery, but the baby was not breathing on his own. He was premature and EMS didnt have an airway tube small enough to use, Brown said. Brown recalled his sons pediatrician helping at the hospital with CPR and suctioning fluids out of the babys airways. It wasnt clear when Brown left the hospital if the baby would survive. But not long after, Brown ran into the mother at Bojangles. She said the baby was doing well, and coincidentally she had named him Michael. Its really gratifying, later on, whenever someone (thanks you), Brown said. Thats when you know youve made a difference and you know youre in the right field. After finishing his last shift on Dec. 12, Brown said hes hoping to do some traveling. He and his wife, Judy, plan to go on a Gulf Coast tour in their new RV. For those starting a career in EMS, Browns best advice is to take care of yourself. Slow and steady is the way to go, Brown said. Take time for yourself. You will burn out. Find a healthy way to deal with your stress and find a healthy way to occupy your mind in your downtime. Less than six months after being arrested in July and charged with 67 counts of animal neglect, including four that resulted in death, a Muscatine woman is again alleged to have hoarded animals in her residence following an animal neglect investigation. The Muscatine County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant Friday on a mobile home located in the 3100 block of MW, in which Kelly Marie Adams, 44, was residing. During the execution of the search warrant on Friday, Dec. 13, three dogs, three cats, six rats, one bird, five geckos, three snakes, and two bearded dragons were seized. Four animals were found deceased. A filing reported that the animals were in direct contradiction to the courts pretrial release order. Adams was arrested for violation of pretrial release and is being held in the Muscatine County Jail in lieu of a $30,400 bond. Further charges and arrests are possible as the investigation is still ongoing. Over the past few months, the Sheriffs Office has fielded information that Adams had moved to a new residence and new animals had been acquired or were living at that residence with Adams. It was identified that Adams was residing at a new location, that she had not notified the court of her new address, that she was caring for animals, and that a family member residing with Adams had adopted a young female pit bull mix dog. The Muscatine County Attorneys Office is asking that pretrial release be revoked. The filing also said Adams poses a danger to the communitys animals. Adams has filed an application for review of the conditions of her pretrial release, and asked she be released on her own recognizance or that she be allowed to post 10% of her bond. On June 17, the sheriffs office had executed a search warrant on Adams property. At the time 67 animals were recovered, of which four were deceased. A pretrial conference is set for Feb. 11, 2025. As part of an order for conditions of release, as set forth by Muscatine County District Court, Adams was prevented from acquiring, owning, caring for or residing with any animals of any kind or with persons who otherwise own or possess animals. Adams was also required to immediately notify the court if her address, persons residing or the animals located at the residence change. On Friday, It Takes A Village animal shelter reported having an animal welfare emergency. According to a post on the groups Facebook page, it had assisted the sheriffs department with the raid, calling it one of the most shocking cases we have ever seen. We need your help! The post read. The majority of these animals have special needs that we are not currently set up for. Our amazing staff is already hard at work assessing the animals, determining those needs and setting up temporary solutions. If you are able to donate, it is greatly appreciated! ITAV President Meagan Koeller said the best help the community can give the shelter is cash donations. She explained that the need for extra people to come in and take care of special needs of the animals means overtime hours are up. She said many of the species that have been taken in have not been housed at the shelter before. We have reptiles and amphibians this time, she said. Koeller also commented that she couldnt get into the specifics of special need animals because of the ongoing investigation, but said it involved injury and poor health. She also commented that if there is not additional loss of life, there may be loss of limb. As of Monday morning, $1,033 had been collected. The groups Facebook page has links to Venmo, PayPall and Givebutter accounts. Koeller also commented that with the four deceased animals that were located, the death toll of animals that had been in Adams care has raised to 10 in six months. In Iowa we have such massive hurdles when it comes to getting things prosecuted and getting charges to stick and having meaningful consequences, Koeller said. In Iowa when you have two separate cases that result in the death of an animal, that is enough for a felony. That is enough for serious charges. I just hope our judges and our county attorney feel the same way. The government is establishing a committee to review tariffs and benefits under the Social Health Insurance Regulations, aiming to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of the Social Health Authority (SHA). Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai announced that the committee will assess the current system and propose practical solutions to address both immediate and long-term challenges. The committee will review feedback from stakeholders and offer informed recommendations. Its report will focus on both short- and long-term solutions to ensure SHAs sustainability and its responsiveness to the needs of Kenyans, Kimtai explained. The primary goal is to strengthen SHAs capacity to provide comprehensive healthcare services to all Kenyans. Kimtai noted that the SHAs coverage is guided by gazetted tariffs, which outline benefits and ensure equitable access to sustainable healthcare for all. He also clarified that beneficiaries may be required to make co-payments if hospital charges exceed the set limits. This initiative aims to provide every Kenyan with equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare by harnessing the potential of SHA to ensure comprehensive healthcare access, Kimtai stated. He emphasized SHAs proactive approach to addressing emerging challenges such as cancer management, renal care, maternity, and outpatient services, ensuring no barriers exist for beneficiaries seeking essential care. Kimtai urged Kenyans to enroll in SHA and encouraged members of the informal sector to undergo means testing and remit their premiums, which will help ensure continuous service delivery. Employers are encouraged to onboard all their employees onto SHA and promptly remit their monthly premiums, he added. In addition, the government is exploring ways to bolster the healthcare system, including the potential recapitalization of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). This move aims to enhance the flow of essential medical supplies to healthcare facilities, complementing SHAs efforts to provide uninterrupted access to critical healthcare services. A judge has ordered the immediate reopening of Nairobis Central Park, which has remained closed for nearly three years. On Monday, Environment and Land Court Judge Anne Omollo issued temporary orders, directing the Nairobi County government to reopen the park to the public. This ruling follows a legal challenge filed by the Green Belt Movement (GBM) over the prolonged closure of the park. The judge expressed confusion, stating that she could not understand why the park remained closed during the festive season. GBM, an environmental advocacy group, argued that the closure of Central Park and the intermittent opening and closing of Uhuru Park violated the constitutional rights of Nairobi residents to access green spaces. City residents are left with no choice but to resort to unsafe areas like road intersections for relaxation, said Nyaguthie Chege, Chairperson of GBM. This lack of accessible green spaces degrades the dignity of individuals, while the county government fails in its duty to maintain and provide such spaces. The group raised concerns about the ongoing concretisation of Central Park, highlighting that there were no visible signs indicating the parks potential reopening. Despite the significant impact of these closures, we commend the court for recognizing that Central Park remains inaccessible, with no clarity on the county governments intentions, Chege added. GBM also pointed out that Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has failed to fulfill his repeated promises to reopen the park. The organization accused the county government of withholding information about the closure, violating Article 35 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to access information. A declaration that the Respondents have infringed and violated the constitutional rights of Kenyans by failing to provide information within the province of Article 35, which underpinned the prolonged closure of Central Park and the sporadic opening and closing of Uhuru Park, the judge stated. The matter will remain under the courts directive until the full hearing on February 17, 2025. In the interim, Judge Omollo stressed the importance of transparency and accountability from the county government regarding public spaces. Nyamira County and the U.S. State of Minnesota are set to collaborate on socio-economic development initiatives, , spearheaded by Kenyan-born U.S. politician Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley. Momanyi, who recently became the first Kenyan immigrant elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, was welcomed to her home village of Nyamemiso in Kitutu Masaba Constituency on Friday for a celebratory homecoming. Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo described her election as a blessing for the county. Momanyi began her visit with a courtesy call to Governor Nyaribo at his Nyamira Town office before proceeding to Nyambaria Boys High School, where the homecoming event took place. During their meeting, Momanyi pledged to initiate partnerships between Minnesota and Nyamira, with a focus on economic development, healthcare, and cultural exchange. Our government has established policies for fostering relationships with external entities. I am confident we will find a shared path for collaboration with Minnesota to improve lives here at home, Momanyi stated. She emphasized the need for educational and cultural exchange programs to benefit learners and youths, alongside creating opportunities to promote business development. Governor Nyaribo assured Momanyi of his administrations support in facilitating the envisioned partnership. He commended her for her commitment to uplifting her home county. We are grateful to the people of your district for trusting you with leadership. That trust has brightened our development prospects, and we wish you continued success so we can also share in the fruits of your election, Nyaribo said. Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, who also attended the event, encouraged women to embrace leadership roles, highlighting their potential to thrive in governance. This remarkable woman has made the Kisii community and Kenyans proud by winning a political seat in America, Gisairo remarked. The partnership between Nyamira and Minnesota is expected to open new opportunities for socio-economic growth and cultural exchange. Jacktone Odhiambo, convicted of murdering LGBTQ activist Edwin Chiloba, was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday, December 16. The High Court in Eldoret, led by Justice Reuben Nyakundi, found Odhiambo guilty of the brutal killing, describing it as premeditated and aggravated homicide. In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi emphasized that Odhiambo, who was a close and intimate friend of Chiloba, committed the murder with deliberate intent and cruelty. He noted that Odhiambo had shown no remorse for his actions, further aggravating the severity of the crime. The judge also pointed out that, under normal circumstances, Odhiambo would have faced the death penalty. However, due to the constitutional abolition of the death penalty in Kenya, the judge opted for a 50-year prison sentence, acknowledging the profound emotional toll the crime had on Chilobas family. Chiloba, a 25-year-old model and fashion designer, was the only son in his family, and his untimely death ended their legacy, deepening the tragedy. The court also noted that before taking Chilobas life, Odhiambo sexually assaulted him, which intensified the severity of the crime. Prosecutor Mark Mugun led a strong case, presenting testimonies from 23 witnesses. The court concluded that the evidence proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Odhiambo intentionally caused Chilobas death. Justice Nyakundi confirmed that the prosecution had successfully established all legal elements of murder under Section 203 of the Penal Code and violated Article 26(1) of Kenyas Constitution, which protects the right to life. A post-mortem revealed that Chiloba died from suffocation, with a piece of denim tied around his mouth and nose and socks stuffed into his mouth. His mutilated body was found in a metal box about 40 kilometers (25 miles) outside Eldoret, reportedly dumped from a moving car. Despite DNA evidence linking Odhiambo to the crime, he denied killing his housemate. The court found that the two men had an intimate relationship, but it did not determine the motive for the murder. I have looked at the matter and weighed all balances the middle ground between the death penalty and life imprisonment is that you serve 50 years in jail for this offense, ruled Justice Nyakundi. Odhiambo has the option to appeal the 50-year sentence. A significant majority of Kenyans have shown an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissions (IEBC) ability to oversee free and fair elections in 2027. As the reconstitution of the electoral body remains in limbo, an Infotrak poll showed that only 26% of Kenyans expressed confidence in the electoral bodys ability to deliver credible polls. The survey, conducted between November 16 and 30 and released on Monday, revealed that 54% of respondents doubt the IEBCs capacity to ensure fairness in the 2027 elections. Infotrak CEO Angela Ambitho attributed this skepticism to issues such as a lack of transparency, cited by 60% of respondents, corruption (47%), past irregularities (47%), and doubts about the commissions independence (19%). The report highlighted that external interference in institutions like the judiciary and police has further eroded public trust. Such perceptions weaken the credibility of these institutions and undermine confidence in good governance, the report stated. Despite the widespread distrust, a small section of respondents still supports the IEBC. Among those who trust the commission, 48% credited its independence, 42% pointed to improved transparency, and 38% commended its performance in previous elections. The survey, supported by the Electoral Law and Governance Institute in Africa, also flagged voter apathy as a growing concern. Currently standing at 50%, voter apathy could significantly hinder democratic governance if not addressed. During the 2022 general elections, 27% of respondents cited disinterest as their reason for not voting. Another 25% said they were either busy or indisposed on election day, while 25% pointed to a lack of trust in the electoral process. Public opinion on whether elections reflect the popular vote remains divided. While 33% of respondents believe government-preferred candidates always win, 25% expressed confidence that popular candidates can still prevail despite government influence. The report recommended several measures to rebuild public trust in Kenyas electoral processes. Key suggestions included ensuring the independence and impartiality of the IEBC, a priority for 40% of respondents, and guaranteeing free, fair, and transparent elections, supported by 39%. Additionally, 29% emphasized the need for civic education, while 29% called for stricter measures to prevent vote rigging. The survey interviewed 2,400 respondents across all 47 counties, offering a comprehensive view of the publics concerns and priorities. President William Ruto has announced significant changes to Kenyas Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) procurement process, aimed at lowering prices for consumers. During the launch of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Programme for public institutions at Jamhuri High School in Nairobi on Monday, December 16, Ruto revealed that the government would adopt the Open Tender System (OTS) for procuring gas products. This move is also part of ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuel use. Going into the future, we will transition the purchase of gas in Kenya to an open tender mechanism (OTS), Ruto explained. This OTS will support the competitive purchase of gas, ensuring lower prices and leveraging our countrys scale. In addition to the OTS, the President announced that the government would partner with the private sector to establish a common user import facility. This facility, located at Kenya Petroleum Refinery Limited, will help private sector players import gas without the burden of securing storage facilities. Ruto clarified that the new directive would align LPG procurement with the petroleum products tendering system. Until now, OTS had only been used for the importation of petroleum products such as diesel, petrol, and kerosene. With these changes, Ruto aims to enhance competition, improve market efficiency, and reduce LPG prices for consumers across the country. The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has issued a comprehensive security advisory, urging heightened public vigilance as the holiday season begins. Released on Monday, the advisory highlights increased risks of criminal activities during this period and outlines measures to ensure public safety. Authorities warn that crowded locations, including markets, shopping malls, and public transport hubs, are hotspots for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and muggings. Families planning holiday travel have been advised to secure their homes, as burglary rates typically surge during this time. Home burglaries are a growing threat, especially as many households remain unattended while families travel upcountry or to urban centers, the statement emphasized. The Ministry has also flagged car break-ins as an escalating concern and urged motorists to park in secure areas and maintain vigilance. Additionally, a rise in drug distribution and illicit alcohol production during the festive period has prompted security forces to intensify operations targeting manufacturers and distributors of these illegal substances. Traffic-related offenses remain a major safety issue, with drunk driving, speeding, and vehicle overloading frequently cited as contributors to holiday accidents. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has partnered with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to conduct joint road crackdowns aimed at reducing road fatalities. We call on all drivers, passengers, and other road users to comply with traffic rules to prevent accidents and fatalities during the celebrations, IG Kanja stated. He further underscored the need for discipline among motorists, revealing that police officers on leave have been recalled to bolster security operations. Inspector General Kanja emphasized that security and road safety are shared responsibilities, urging the public to report suspicious activities. The advisory also addresses the growing threats of counterfeit goods and cybercrime. Fraudsters often exploit holiday promotions to scam unsuspecting consumers. The Ministry has urged buyers to verify product authenticity and exercise caution when shopping online. Additional concerns include the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly children and victims of gender-based violence. The Ministry has also labeled noise violations from holiday celebrations as a public nuisance that warrants strict regulation. In a bid to enhance security nationwide, the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and Kenya Coast Guard Service have deployed 10,317 officers across the country. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed the activation of multi-agency command centers at regional and county levels to coordinate security efforts. These centers will operate 24/7 to ensure seamless collaboration through the National Multi-Agency Command Centre (NMACC) at Langata Barracks, Omollo explained. Specialized police units have intensified patrols in urban areas, focusing on shopping malls, places of worship, and critical infrastructure. Enhanced ground and aerial surveillance will further strengthen security measures. Undercover officers have also been deployed to discreetly combat crime. Kenyans can reach authorities through police hotlines 999, 112, 911, or the anonymous tip line #FichuakwaDCI at 0800 722 203. These efforts aim to create a safer environment for all during the holiday season. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has initiated the recruitment of teachers on permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms to replace those who have retired, resigned, or passed away. While this appears to be a positive move, it has sparked outrage due to allegations of political influence and favoritism in the process. Whats Raising Eyebrows? Reports suggest that TSC has handed over employment letters for these teaching positions to Members of Parliament (MPs) and other political figures. This practice has left unemployed teachers feeling disillusioned, as it creates a dependency on political connections rather than merit-based hiring. Critics argue that TSC is undermining the integrity of what should be a transparent recruitment process. At the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Annual Delegates Conference in Mombasa, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia outlined the allocation of the 8,707 PnP teaching positions to be filled by January 2025: 5,862 positions for primary school teachers for primary school teachers 2,824 positions for secondary school teachers for secondary school teachers 21 positions for junior secondary schools Dr. Macharia emphasized that these are replacement positions for teachers who left the service and not newly created roles. A Sh2.5 billion budget, allocated in September 2023, supports the recruitment of 6,000 new teachers. However, the lack of public advertisements for these vacancies has raised serious concerns about favoritism and transparency. Allegations of Corruption Accusations against the TSC go beyond favoritism. The process is alleged to favor politicians who influence appointments within their constituencies. Some candidates reportedly paid bribes of up to Sh400,000 to secure teaching positions, leading many to compare this to past recruitment scandals. A notable instance involved former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, who was caught on video distributing teacher employment letters in Kisii Countya move that caused public uproar. Similarly, MPs like Sylvanus Osoro have been accused of using appointment letters as political currency. What About Those Internships? Navigating TSCs requirements involves completing a mandatory one-year internship before being eligible for permanent employment. Though internships offer hands-on classroom experience and career development, they have their challenges, especially for Junior Secondary school interns. These interns earn a modest stipend of Ksh 20,000, which is further reduced by deductions for NHIF, NSSF, and housing levies. On a more positive note, TSC recently converted approximately 46,000 internships into permanent positions, effective January 2025. Additionally, the Commission has recruited 20,000 Junior Secondary school interns, with placements expected to begin in the upcoming school term. Despite these efforts, inconsistencies in the system remain a pressing issue. Unsurprisingly, the public is outraged. The perceived lack of transparency in the recruitment process has left many hardworking educators feeling overlooked. Stakeholders are now urging TSC to address these concerns and restore trust by committing to fair and merit-based hiring practices. The way forward for TSC is critical. Will the Commission take steps to regain public confidence, or will allegations of political interference and corruption overshadow its mission? The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has unveiled a new policy aimed at enabling Kenyan teachers to seek employment opportunities in 17 countries worldwide. These regions span North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, offering a chance to address high teacher unemployment rates by connecting skilled educators with global opportunities. How It Will Work The TSC has introduced a comprehensive policy framework to simplify the application process for interested teachers. This step-by-step guide outlines eligibility criteria and application procedures. According to TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia, research backed by the State Department of Diaspora Affairs highlights a strong demand for Kenyan teachers abroad, particularly those skilled in teaching English. Interestingly, the demand extends beyond English teachers. There is a high need for Kiswahili teachers in countries like South Africa, China, Botswana, and Japan. Additionally, educators specializing in special needs education are sought after in Kuwait, Japan, and the UAE. Qatar has expressed interest in teachers trained in Islamic religious education and sciences. What Youll Need to Qualify Teachers interested in applying must meet the following requirements: Be a Kenyan citizen registered with the TSC. Hold a certificate, diploma, or degree in education from a recognized institution. Fulfill specific requirements of the destination country, such as language proficiency or additional certifications. Successful applicants will participate in an orientation program covering cultural awareness, health, and safety guidelines. BenefitsAnd a Few Trade-Offs The initiative brings various benefits. Teachers will gain exposure to new educational systems and techniques, which can enrich their skills and perspectives. Additionally, international assignments could result in financial gains for the educators and their families, boosting Kenyas economy through remittances. However, there is a trade-off. Teachers currently employed under TSCs permanent and pensionable terms must resign before accepting an overseas position. While this opens up opportunities for unemployed teachers, it potentially risks job security for those returning to Kenya, as they will need to reapply for positions. The program will operate under government-to-government agreements. Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Labour are involved in ensuring fair terms and safe working conditions. A central database will also be established to match applicants with suitable roles and collect feedback for improvements. This policy raises concerns about the ongoing teacher shortage in Kenya. For example, during the October 2023 recruitment drive, TSC received 314,000 applications for only 46,000 available positions. Critics fear this initiative could worsen local educational gaps, especially in areas like junior secondary schools. This is an issue that TSC and policymakers need to address carefully. The policy aligns with Kenyas larger focus on labor migration to combat unemployment. However, past cases of poor working conditions for Kenyan workers abroad highlight the need for robust protection mechanisms. Dr. Macharia has assured that contracts will clearly outline salaries, benefits, working hours, and repatriation clauses. This ambitious strategy might redefine Kenyas approach to managing its teacher workforce. By linking local educators with global opportunities, TSC hopes to create meaningful careers and generate economic benefits. However, balancing global opportunities with local needs remains a critical challenge. If executed thoughtfully, this policy could provide a win-win situation for teachers and the country. The true impact of this initiative will depend on how the TSC navigates potential challenges and criticisms. What are your thoughtscould this initiative help solve Kenyas teacher unemployment crisis, or could it strain the countrys education system further? Emorys AI.Data Lab program began two years ago as a small, department-specific experiential learning program with around 10 students. This semester, an impressive 80 students participated in the university-wide program, conducting data science and artificial intelligence research to address themes like food insecurity, local business development and bias in art. On the evening of Dec. 10, student teams assembled among peers, faculty, staff and project sponsors to present the results of their work at the AI.Data Lab Research Showcase. Following individual team presentations, attendees enjoyed a reception and poster exhibition. Originally conceived by Kevin McAlister, director of undergraduate research and assistant teaching professor in the Department of Quantitative Theory and Methods, AI.Data Lab is now co-directed by him under the auspices of Emorys Center for AI Learning, where it has expanded significantly. Using datasets provided by Invest Atlanta, TechBridge, The Carter Center and the Michael C. Carlos Museum, students applied a variety of programming and data science methodology to solve specific challenges for their sponsor organization. Our project partners supplied the data and the problems that needed to be solved, and the students were given complete freedom to set their research direction and come up with strategies on how to meet their goals. These teams really exceeded our expectations with their initiative and creativity, said Tommy Ottolin, who co-directs the program with McAlister and is the assistant director of programs for the Center for AI Learning. There were more than 140 applicants for this semesters program, and Ottolin is looking forward to serving more students in next semesters cohort. Starting next spring, undergraduate participants can elect to receive Experience and Application (XA) General Education Requirement credit for their participation. Applications are now open for the spring semester AI.Data Lab. Interested students can apply here or contact Tommy Ottolin for details. More than 150 years after the first United States census to include the names of African Americans, 14 descendants of enslaved people who are essential to the story of Emorys history gathered on the Oxford College campus to learn more about genealogical research and how it can strengthen their connections with the lives of their ancestors. The October meeting was the latest from Emorys Twin Memorials project honoring the enslaved persons who were part of the universitys history. Descendants met with two genealogists; members of the Oxford College Library staff; and the Hood Design Studio, which shared the latest conceptual developments for the memorials that will be built on Emorys Atlanta and Oxford campuses. On a parallel track, Gabrielle Dudley an archivist and interim co-director of Emorys Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library is leading a project to uncover the names of enslaved people whose labor had a direct or indirect impact on Emory in its early years of founding at the present-day Oxford campus. That, she said, is necessary archival work, whether it takes place in the library or at someones kitchen table doing their own family history. From the Rose Librarys perspective, and from an archival perspective, its important for us to [share] the names of these individuals, Dudley said. I think it humanizes them and makes the story real. I think it helps us to understand the longer history of how weve gotten to this moment as Emory University. Planting family trees Anderson Wright has been attending the Twin Memorials meetings since the process began in 2021. He was born and raised in Oxford, Georgia. In 2022, he shared his personal story as part of the Oxford/Covington Community Oral History Project for the Emory University Archives. Its important for me [to be a part of this] because Im representing my ancestors, Wright said. Most of my family worked at the college. Wright, though, is no stranger to genealogical research. With the starting point of ancestor Augustus Charles Wright, born in 1855, hes been able to fill out hundreds of names on his family tree, including extended family. On his mothers side, he can trace back to 1839. One of my favorite [parts of research] is knowing something that I didnt know, he said specifically, uncovering details like who was in the military or involved in church. For those less accustomed to ancestry research, Ellen Neufeld, director of the Oxford College Library, said descendants could set up appointments with librarians, who could help them scan and preserve personal documents. The Oxford College Library is also your library, Neufeld told the group. Wright is president of the Oxford Historical Cemetery Society and has also helped others learn more about their forebears. Part of the reason he is able to do that is because the Oxford Historical Cemetery less than a mile from the Oxford College campus is well-kept and the headstones are visible. This wasnt always the case. The cemetery, which was created in 1839, remained segregated until 1963. In the fall of 1994, J.P. Godfrey Jr., a former Oxford City Council member, went to look for his parents graves. He found the segregated section of the cemetery reserved for African Americans unkept and overgrown with weeds, while the white section was neat and well maintained. Godfrey led a local campaign to clean up the cemetery and was recognized for his efforts at the opening ceremony of Emorys 2002 King Week celebration. He remained connected with the university on finding ways to honor contributions of enslaved individuals until his death in 2020. His widow, Mary Godfrey, has been a consistent voice in the Twin Memorials descendant meetings and was happy to learn more about genealogical research. I think its exceptionally important for African Americans in this town and Georgia in particular and for our kids to know something about their ancestors, she said. Not just the bad side. There was a bad side, and they need to know that, too. But I need [the kids] to know what honorable and hardworking people they were. Dudley hopes these efforts both from the descendants and the eventual completion of the Twin Memorials will lead to more research. The doors to Rose Library, she said, are always open. One thing Ill say about genealogy and individual families doing work in the archives: I hope the Twin Memorials project will encourage more people to do this kind of investigation, Dudley said. Its a really great opportunity for families that might be curious to now go into the archives, whether thats here at Emory or somewhere local, to start to do this type of research. You just never know where those ties will lead them. On the horizon: Twin Memorials design concepts In spring 2024, Hood Design Studio held an Emerging Ideas Showcase that featured 29 model concepts, or provocations, for the memorials. The Hood team workshopped ideas with descendants of the enslaved, administrators, faculty, students, staff, alumni and community partners including dozens of meetings across these groups in the build-up to the Emerging Ideas Showcase. Since the showcase, the design team has been incorporating the feedback gathered from descendants and community members to develop a preliminary design concept. After the genealogy portion of the meeting, Hood and his team shared design progress updates with the descendants. Im very excited about it, Godfrey said. There isnt a moment, especially here today, that I didnt wish J.P. was sitting here to see this and see some honor given to people who deserve so much more. Hes shouting all over heaven right now. Photos by Kay Hinton, Emory Photo/Video The minister made this statement during his address at the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum held in New Delhi on Monday which was joined by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Highlighting the historical and robust economic ties between the two nations, Goyal expressed optimism about the shared prosperity that can be achieved through deeper cooperation. Speaking at the forum, which was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the minister underlined the importance of fostering mutual understanding and trust to drive economic growth and cultural exchanges. In a social media post, Goyal said, "Delighted to address the @FollowCII India-Sri Lanka Business Forum alongside the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. @AnuraDisanayake. Highlighted the historic and robust economic ties between our nations and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced economic and cultural exchanges for shared prosperity." The forum served as a platform for leaders from both countries to discuss opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and cultural engagement, further strengthening the enduring partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi also 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. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Delhi on Sunday for his three-day state visit to India. This is the first bilateral visit of Sri Lankan President Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. (ANI) Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said that satellite spectrum cannot be auctioned due to technical and operational reasons. His statement came in response to allegations made by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who accused the Modi government of favouring administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite-based communication services. Some existing telecom operators have also opposed the administrative allocation of spectrum for satellite-based services, on the ground that it will not be a level playing field for them. Spectrum for telecom services were allocated through auctions. In a social media post Jairam Ramesh claimed that, "A parliamentary question has confirmed that the Modi government has decided to assign spectrum for satellite-based communications administratively, without auctions, despite demands from many sections". To the allegations, Minister Scindia replied in a social media post and explained the fundamental difference between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. He pointed out that for terrestrial networks, spectrum operates at much lower frequencies, allowing it to be allocated to a single entity. "From an engineering and physics standpoint, this spectrum can be auctioned because once assigned to a particular entity, no one else can use that frequency," he said. However, satellite spectrum--such as those used in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO)--functions differently. Scindia noted that satellite spectrum operates at higher altitudes and frequencies, making it inherently shareable. "This spectrum cannot be assigned to a single person or entity. It is shared by its very nature," he clarified. The minister highlighted that this distinction is codified in Schedule 1 of the new Telecommunications Act, 2023. He added that satellite spectrum in the Ku band (around 14 GHz) and Ka-band (27.1 to 31 GHz) is inherently shareable, making auctions both unfeasible and undesirable. Scindia also pointed out that the satellite spectrum remains highly under-utilized, and failing to assign it could result in significant disadvantages. These include potential loss of government revenue and missed opportunities to leverage technology to bridge the digital divide. He further emphasized that no country in the world currently auctions satellite spectrum, underscoring the global standard. Responding to Congress's criticism, Scindia accused the opposition of politicizing the issue. He recalled that during the UPA era, spectrum was allocated through an opaque first-come, first-served policy, leading to scams and financial losses. In contrast, he said, "The Modi government prioritizes transparency and public interest, ensuring that mobile telephony spectrum is auctioned fairly." The minister also criticized Congress for its historical failures, alleging that the party prioritized its own interests over public welfare. He stated that the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently aimed to maximize governance while the Congress relied on "manufacturing consent" to further its agenda. (ANI) BusinessWire India Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 17: Frost & Sullivan hosted two prestigious awards ceremonies, the India Manufacturing Excellence Awards (IMEA) and the Sustainability 4.0 Awards, on December 13, 2024, at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE. These events recognized industry leaders for their trailblazing achievements in manufacturing innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable development. The awards aim to set industry benchmarks, encouraging organizations to adopt advanced digital technologies and sustainability-focused strategies that create long-term value for stakeholders and communities. Driving Manufacturing Excellence: Highlights from the India Manufacturing Excellence Awards (IMEA) Celebrating its milestone 20th year, IMEA recognized companies across multiple categories, reflecting their commitment to innovation and future readiness. The awards highlighted achievements in optimizing manufacturing processes, leveraging digital tools, and advancing supply chain capabilities. Key Winners: * Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited was awarded the Indian Corporate of the Year Award. Hindalco Industries Limited won the 1st runner up and Vedanta Limited - Aluminium Business winning the 2nd runner up of the Award.* ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division bagged the coveted Indian Manufacturer of the Year Award.* ABB India Limited - Smart Power Division also won the Smart Factory of the Year Award. Hindalco Industries Limited - Mahan Aluminium won 1st runner up of the Award the first for their exemplary adoption of futuristic manufacturing practices. IMEA, the country's longest-running and most respected assessment-based manufacturing awards program, has been instrumental in advancing operational excellence across industries such as automotive, engineering, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and metals. Promoting Sustainability Leadership: Highlights from the Sustainability 4.0 Awards The 15th edition of the Sustainability 4.0 Awards celebrated organizations for embedding sustainability principles into their business strategies. These awards emphasized the integration of purpose, people, planet, and partnership to achieve holistic, sustainable growth. Key Winners: * Genpact India Pvt Limited was the winner of the Sustainable Corporate of the Year Award in the service sector.* Mondelez India Foods Private Limited was awarded the Sustainable Corporate of the Year Award in the manufacturing sector and also the Consistency Platinum Award.* Royal Enfield (A Unit of Eicher Motors Ltd.) was recognized as Sustainable Factory of the Year Award. The Sustainability 4.0 program focuses on helping organizations align their strategies with the triple bottom line: social, environmental, and financial performance. It encourages companies to innovate and adopt practices that ensure long-term value creation and resilience in a rapidly evolving market. Aroop Zutshi, Global Managing Partner and Executive Board Member, Frost & Sullivan, said, "The manufacturing sector is at a critical moment of transformation, driven by advancements in industrial AI, the rise of the industrial metaverse, and a renewed focus on business innovation. As we move beyond resilience and flexibility, innovation will define the success of B2B industries. The IMEA and S4.0 Awards celebrate organizations that are leading this shift, embracing emerging paradigms like AI-infused applications, software-defined automation, open ecosystems and OPEX-based engagement tools to set new industry benchmarks." Rahul Sharma, Vice President & Global Head, Digital Transformation & Sustainability, Frost & Sullivan, said, "These awards recognize the exemplary efforts of companies that are setting new benchmarks in manufacturing and sustainability. By seamlessly integrating digital transformation initiatives with sustainability strategies, they are redefining operational efficiency, enhancing resilience, and driving long-term value creation. Their success stories inspire the industry to embrace innovation and foster sustainable growth." Frost & Sullivan's awards programs have consistently driven industry growth by fostering innovation and recognizing excellence. Over the years, IMEA and the Sustainability 4.0 Awards have become the most respected platforms for celebrating achievements in operational excellence and sustainable development. The events were supported by Dassault Systemes as Technology Partner, Bosch as Digital Solution Partner, Maxbyte Technologies as Smart & Sustainable Manufacturing Transformation Partner, MSME CCII as Sector Alliance Partner for MSME Industry, GREXPO as Strategic Alliance Partner for Large Enterprises, UAQ FTZ as Strategic Growth Partner and Manav Energy as Innovation Partner in Renewable Energy & Electrical Reliability. MOTORINDIA and EV Tech News were the official media partners. For more information on the 2025 edition, visit: * India Manufacturing Excellence Awards: https://frost.ly/822* Sustainability 4.0 Awards: https://frost.ly/9e0 (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) A day after the commerce ministry released trade data for November showing the highest-ever trade deficit of USD 37.8 billion. The Ministry of Finance highlighted the various initiatives taken by the ministry this year to boost trade with other countries. The ministry stated that this year it gave approval to the 'Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC Countries 2024-27' on June 19, 2024. This framework marks a significant step towards enhancing economic cooperation and financial stability within the South Asian region. In a social media post, the ministry said "Currency Swap Arrangement is designed to strengthen economic ties and provide financial stability within the SAARC region, helping member countries manage their foreign exchange needs more effectively". The newly approved framework replaces the earlier 'Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC Countries 2019-22', which had been in place to support short-term foreign exchange requirements of SAARC nations. The ministry also noted that the key feature of the new arrangement is the introduction of a dedicated INR Swap Window worth Rs 25,000 crore. This is in addition to the existing USD/Euro Swap Window of USD 2 billion, providing SAARC nations the option to access funding in Indian Rupees. The move is aimed at promoting the internationalisation of the Indian Rupee and encouraging greater usage of Indian Rupees in regional trade and financial transactions. The SAARC Currency Swap Framework, which was first established in 2012, plays an essential role in providing short-term liquidity support to member countries during times of economic stress. Recognised as part of the Global Financial Safety Net, the arrangement reflects India's commitment to strengthening economic ties with SAARC nations and promoting regional integration and interdependence. The Finance Ministry emphasised that the new framework will not only help SAARC nations meet their foreign exchange requirements but also reinforce India's position as a key partner in the region. By offering both Indian Rupees and foreign currency swap options, the initiative is expected to boost trade and financial cooperation among SAARC countries while further solidifying India's economic leadership in South Asia. (ANI) Tamil Nadu [India], December 17: During the Pongal Festival of 2024, Maharaja Textile demonstrated its profound commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement by organising a remarkable photography competition that celebrated the traditional spirit of Jallikattu. Building upon the legacy of the previous year's Vetri Tamilar Awards, which honoured local farmers, the organisation initiated a photography contest that attracted an impressive participation of over 5,000 individuals. The photography competition, designed to promote and preserve the traditional sport of Jallikattu for future generations, offered substantial incentives to participants. Every participant received a coupon valued at Rs. 150, while the prize structure was particularly attractive. The first prize was set at Rs. 10,000, the third prize at Rs. 7,000, with additional awards totalling Rs. 5,000. The culmination of this initiative was a felicitation ceremony held on January 26th, 2024, where winners were honoured and celebrated. Tracing its origins to 1936 in Kalavai, Maharaja Textile has evolved from a modest 500-square-foot store to a comprehensive textile enterprise spanning six direct stores and covering more than 300,000 square feet. The organisation has strategically expanded its presence to significant urban centres, including Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Ramanathapuram, and Thiruvarur. Under the visionary leadership of Hajee M. M. Shahul Hameed, the enterprise instituted a core philosophy of maintaining alignment with customer preferences and cultural sensibilities. This approach ensured the organisation remained dynamically responsive to market demands while maintaining a deep connection with local traditions. Central to Maharaja Textile's enduring success has been its commitment to delivering reliable quality, maintaining trustworthiness, demonstrating dedication, and fostering customer loyalty. These principles have been meticulously embedded within the organisational culture. The Seematti showroom's inauguration in Thiruvarur in 2018 marked a significant milestone, distinguishing itself through customer service, extensive product offerings, curated design collections, and authentic brand selections. The Pongal Festival photography competition exemplified the brand's innovative approach to community engagement, seamlessly blending cultural celebration with creative expression. By providing a platform for local talent and preserving traditional sporting heritage, Maharaja Textile reinforced its commitment to cultural preservation and community development. (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) According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the initiative, aligned with GeM's inclusivity pillar, aimed to address challenges faced by Uttarakhand-based sellers and encourage wider adoption of the digital procurement platform. The event saw the enthusiastic participation of over 60 sellers and service providers from the region. Comprehensive training sessions were organized to familiarize stakeholders with the platform's features, functionalities, and digital capabilities. Key milestones in the seller journey were highlighted, and a dedicated Q&A session resolved queries in real-time. A GeM helpdesk was operational during the event to provide immediate support, and a registration drive successfully onboarded new sellers and service providers to the platform. Uttarakhand boasts nearly 20,000 sellers and service providers registered on GeM, including over 10,500 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and more than 1,900 women-led enterprises. These sellers have fulfilled orders worth over Rs8,950 crore for government buyers nationwide as of December 11, 2024. Notably, ~5 per cent of this business is contributed by the state's MSEs, underscoring their critical role in the ecosystem. The Seller Samvad focused on expanding GeM's outreach and enhancing capacity-building measures in Uttarakhand. AV Muralidharan, Chief Buyer Officer (State), highlighted the importance of such initiatives, stating, "Such initiatives are pertinent in spreading awareness and bolstering the digital capabilities of the region's sellers & service providers." Through such initiatives, GeM aims to eliminate traditional procurement barriers, empowering local entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge required to leverage tech-driven infrastructure for business-to-government opportunities. Established in 2016 as part of the Prime Minister's vision for Minimum Government, Maximum Governance, the Government e-Marketplace is a unified digital platform enabling the seamless procurement of goods and services for central ministries, state departments, public sector enterprises, panchayats, and cooperatives. GeM continues to revolutionize public procurement by fostering transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity in the process. (ANI) The government is ready to collaborate with the industry to address challenges that could hinder achieving the target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, the Minister of New and Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi stated on Tuesday.Delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of 5th CII International Energy Conference and Exhibition, Joshi assured industry that he would work towards resolving RE industry issues, like transmission, through regular interactions. "Whatever you have to do we will work out," he said.India has added 15 GW of renewable energy capacity during April to November 2024 period which is almost double of last year's addition of 7.54 GW, he said. Notably, 2.3 GW was added in November alone which is a 14 per cent year-on-year growth. India's total installed renewable energy capacity now stands at 214 GW. "India added 15 GW of renewable energy from Apr-Nov 2024, doubling last year's 7.54 GW. Notably, 2.3 GW was added in November alone. With 14 per cent year-on-year growth, India's total renewable energy installed capacity now stands at 214 GW," the Union Minister stated. Joshi further emphasised that India is on track to meet its Paris Accord commitments, having achieved a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels, well on its way to meeting the 2030 target of 45 per cent, while also fulfilling the growing energy demands of a rapidly aspiring nation. Marking the success of the PM Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojna, Joshi announced that the scheme had achieved over 6.3 lakh installations within just five months of its inception. However, he also stressed the need for greater engagement among stakeholders, particularly the industry, while reiterating the critical role of states in this endeavour. "PM Surya Ghar Yojna achieved 6.3 lakh installations within 5 months since inception. Greater engagement among stakeholders, especially industry, is needed, while states continue to play a pivotal role," Joshi stated. The two-day exhibition and conference have been organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry in collaboration with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. (ANI) Press Release December 16, 2024 Explanation of "No" Vote of Senator Risa Hontiveros Senate ratification of bicam report on 2025 GAB December 16, 2024 Dear colleagues, please allow me to explain my "No" vote to the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of House Bill 10800 or the 2025 General Appropriations Bill. I voted "Yes" to the Senate version of the 2025 national budget because I was confident that this budget would provide sufficient funding for our most critical and life-saving programs. However, the bicam version of the national budget is deeply concerning because it drastically reduces funding for essential sectors like public health and education. One of the most alarming changes in the bicam version is the "zero state subsidy" in 2025 for PhilHealth. I understand that PhilHealth has been mismanaged, but eliminating the state subsidy entirely is not the solution. Instead of abandoning our responsibility to millions of indirect contributors - including poor families, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable individuals - we should focus on replacing the incompetent management. This move is blatantly inconsistent with current laws: the Universal Health Care Act explicitly mandates an annual premium subsidy for indirect contributors in the General Appropriations Act, and the Sin Tax Reform Act requires annual allocations to the National Health Insurance Program from sin tax revenues. These legal obligations cannot be disregarded simply because PhilHealth has excess or reserve funds. Without the state subsidy, PhilHealth may operate at a net loss, which will undoubtedly affect benefit payments and compromise its capacity to provide financial protection and support to Filipinos in times of need. The Php600 billion in reserve funds is not an underspent amount and it is unavailable - it's a legally required reserve, particularly important considering the administration's plans to increase the value of benefit packages. Ultimately, removing the government's contribution raises the question of who will bear the cost of indirect contributors' premiums. Will it fall on ordinary workers who already have their salaries deducted for PhilHealth each month? And, considering that the subsidy should come from sin tax revenues, where then should these revenues go? Sadly, the budget cuts extend beyond PhilHealth. The Department of Health's budget was also slashed by Php37.59 billion in the bicam version. This raises a critical question: why are we defunding programs that directly save lives and improve the health of our citizens? Similarly, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which supports the poorest of the poor, faced a Php50 billion reduction after the bicam. This decision leaves us in the dark about who is responsible for these significant budget changes. This lack of transparency also extends to the removal of 41 well-planned foreign-assisted projects, which were inexplicably delisted, defunded, and placed in the unprogrammed category. The bicam version also significantly reduces the budgets for education: the Department of Education lost Php15.17 billion, and the Commission on Higher Education lost Php11.77 billion. These cuts are particularly concerning in the midst of a learning crisis and raise another pressing question: why are we sacrificing education and the future of our students? Even good governance measures were not spared. For instance, the bicam version rejected the Anti-Red Tape Authority's request to fund regional offices next year, a request that the Senate had previously granted. It's incredibly ironic that while slashing funding for essential programs like health, social protection, and education, the bicam version simultaneously expands unprogrammed funds to Php531.6 billion, higher by 373B compared to the NEP. This raises serious questions about the purpose of these unprogrammed funds and their potential for misuse. The bicam version of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill is crippled by misplaced priorities at the expense of our people's health and our children's education. For these reasons, I cannot, in good conscience, vote to ratify this version of our national budget. Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), India's leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by producing two million vehicles in single calendar year. According to Maruti Suzuki, this feat makes Maruti Suzuki the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in India to reach this landmark and the first among Suzuki Motor Corporation's global facilities to achieve such a scale. The 2 millionth vehicle, an Ertiga, rolled out from Maruti Suzuki's state-of-the-art facility in Manesar, Haryana. Out of the total production, 60 per cent came from the company's Haryana plants, while the remaining 40 per cent was contributed by the Gujarat facility. Baleno, Fronx, Ertiga, WagonR, and Brezza emerged as the top models manufactured during 2024. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, "The 2 million production milestone is a testament to India's manufacturing potential and our dedication to 'Make in India' initiative. This achievement reflects our commitment, alongside our supplier and dealer partners, to driving economic growth, supporting nation building, and making India's automobile industry self-reliant and globally competitive." He added, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, and value chain partners for their continued support and for being an integral part of this historic journey." Maruti Suzuki's production milestone comes at a time of strong growth in the Indian and global automobile markets. The company currently operates three manufacturing facilities--two in Haryana (Gurgaon and Manesar) and one in Gujarat (Hansalpur)--with a combined annual production capacity of 2.35 million units. To meet rising demand, Maruti Suzuki is establishing a greenfield manufacturing facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana, which is expected to commence operations in 2025 with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units. Once fully operational, the Kharkhoda facility will add 1 million units annually to Maruti Suzuki's capacity. Additionally, plans are underway for another greenfield facility with an annual capacity of one million units, with the company in the process of finalizing its location. Maruti Suzuki has consistently championed the 'Make in India' initiative, contributing nearly 40 per cent of India's total passenger vehicle exports. Over the past three years, the company has been India's top passenger vehicle exporter, shipping 17 models, including the Fronx, Jimny, Baleno, Dzire, and Swift, to around 100 countries worldwide. (ANI) SMPL Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 17: VueNow has officially inaugurated two new Edge Data Centers in Uttar Pradesh's Malihabad and Ambedkarnagar. The ceremony was led by Nitin Agarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for excise and prohibition. Special guests at the event included Anil Kumar Sagar, IAS Secretary of IT and Electronics, and Neha Jain, Special Secretary. In September 2021, VueNow signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh Government, under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to develop a network of 750 Edge Data Centres across the state. Currently, Edge Data Centres are operational in Ghaziabad and Raebareli, with plans to launch additional centers in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Gorakhpur. The land acquisition process for these upcoming centers has been completed, and their launch is expected soon. 750 Edge Data Centres: A Transformative Project for Uttar Pradesh VueNow, with support from the Uttar Pradesh Government, is working towards setting up 750 Edge Data Centres by 2028, making this the largest and densest Edge Data Centre network in the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, these centers will function as an information superhighway, boosting the state's technological development and realizing the vision of an 'Advanced Uttar Pradesh.' The introduction of these Edge Data Centres will help reduce data latency, making services more efficient and reliable. These centers are designed to meet the increasing demand for computing power and will play a significant role in simplifying everyday life for residents and contributing to the state's overall progress. Quantum Security: A First in India VueNow has also conducted a quantum security trial at its data centres, making use of cutting-edge quantum-based network security for the first time in India. In partnership with C-DOT Bengaluru, VueNow has introduced this advanced technology to strengthen cybersecurity. The company has initiated the second phase of its quantum security trial, marking a significant milestone in India's digital infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh: Emerging as an IT Hub Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India and the third-largest economy in the country, is rapidly becoming the IT hub of North India. VueNow's 750 new Edge Data Centres will focus on enhancing the state's infrastructure, human capital, and policy implementation. This will lead to a significant transformation in the region's digital landscape and position Uttar Pradesh as a key player in India's IT sector. VueNow's Vision for the Future VueNow is committed to delivering robust IT infrastructure while minimizing data latency to enhance the reliability and quality of services. The company's work on the 750 Edge Data Centres will not only accelerate the state's development but also contribute to building a digitally advanced Uttar Pradesh. For More information visit: https://vuenowonline.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is leading a senior industry delegation to the United Kingdom (UK) on December 18, 2024, to engage with key stakeholders and strengthen bilateral economic ties, the CII said in a release. The delegation is being led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Past President, CII and Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, alongside other prominent senior business leaders from India. The visit underscores the longstanding economic relationship between India and the UK, which continues to thrive with total bilateral trade reaching 39 billion in 2023, marking a 4.8 per cent increase from the previous year. During the visit, the CII delegation will meet with The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Hon'ble Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Important high-level engagements are also scheduled with Sir Clive Alderton, Private Secretary to HRH King Charles III; The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade; The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Minister of State for Trade Policy; The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer; The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; Mr Matt Collins, Deputy National Security Adviser, besides others. Discussions will focus on reviving negotiations for the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), resolving taxation and ease of doing business issues, and exploring collaboration in key sectors like energy and climate, pharmaceuticals, technology, AI, security, skilling, and academia linkages. Highlighting the importance of the visit, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, "India-UK ties are set to strengthen further, fostering mutual business growth and unlocking new opportunities for innovation and investments. For over 42 years, CII through its London office has been the voice of Indian businesses in the UK, spearheading the UK India Business Forum alongside India-headquartered companies. We have established key MoUs with UK regions, academic institutions, and industry bodies while maintaining close collaboration with diplomatic networks on both sides. We are thrilled to lead this business delegation to the UK, an annual initiative to enhance collaboration between Indian and UK companies. Going forward our focus will be on skill development, technology and renewable energy sectors, among others. We look forward to the guidance of The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Hon'ble Prime Minister of the UK to make the collaborations stronger in the near future." Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE, Leader of the Delegation and Past President, CII, added, "This business delegation comes at a pivotal moment, as India stands as the fastest-growing major economy and is on track to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2027." Mittal said that the India-UK free trade agreement negotiations, initiated under the ambitious "Roadmap 2030" by the Prime Ministers of both nations, present significant opportunities for mutual growth and collaboration. Over time, India-UK relations have developed into a robust, multifaceted partnership built on historical ties, economic synergy, and increasing geopolitical alignment, he said. "We are optimistic that this delegation will pave the way for numerous successful business collaborations," he added. We shall seek guidance from The Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Prime Minister of UK on the sectors that may exhibit better collaboration opportunities." The delegation seeks to advance discussions that will pave the way for greater bilateral investments, enhanced trade partnerships and strengthened ties in areas of shared interest. CII's continued efforts in fostering economic collaboration are aimed at realizing the full potential of the India-UK relationship and driving sustainable growth for both economies.(ANI) Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15, Sunday. The death of the legendary artist has shocked the entire country. People from all walks of life are mourning his loss and offering condolences to his family. From Bollywood celebrities to Indian cabinet ministers, everyone paid their heartfelt tribute to the tabla maestro. The 'Shaktimaan' fame actor Mukesh Khanna offered his condolences to the family of Zakir Hussain. While speaking to ANI, the actor recalled the ever-smiling face of Zakir Hussain and called it the best quality of the artist. He said, "Sangeet ke duniya ka ek aur Surya ast ho gya hah (The music world has lost its Sun today.) After Lata Mangeshkar, our famous tabla maestro who was globally renowned, Zakir Hussain passed away. May his soul rest in peace." Mukesh further regretted his lack of interactions with Zakir. "I never got the opportunity to meet him but whenever I saw his performance, I witnessed a miracle in him. His father Alla Rakha who collaborated with Ravi Shankar on many occasions was a sight to watch." added Mukesh. Remembering his ever-present smile, Mukesh said, "Now whenever I watch his son, Zakir Hussain, the only thing which remains with me till now is his smiling face. He always smiled whenever he used to meet anyone. The art of a person always reflects on the face. He was always smiling and I never saw a tension on his face. He was also an artist. People have seen them in a Waah Ustaad advertisement. It is deeply saddening that he left at the age of 73. The demise was very unexpected. The music world has lost a big name and it has left a void. There are very less who possess the same level of skill as Zakir Hussain. The music industry has lost a diamond. May god bless his soul." The legendary tabla virtuoso, renowned for his unparalleled mastery of Indian classical music and his global collaborations, died on December 15, Sunday, in San Francisco at the age of 73. The cause of 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. Ustad Zakir Hussain's passing marks the end of an era for world music. His extraordinary career spanned almost six decades, during which he elevated the tabla from a supporting instrument in Indian classical music to a central figure in performances worldwide. Known for his virtuosity and emotive expression, Hussain was not just a performer, but a cultural ambassador who bridged the gap between traditional Indian rhythms and global musical genres. Born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai, India, Zakir Hussain was the son of the iconic tabla Ustad Alla Rakha. From a young age, he displayed a remarkable affinity for the tabla, quickly gaining recognition for his exceptional talent. By the time he was a teenager, Zakir was already performing alongside some of the greatest Indian classical musicians. Throughout his career, Ustad Zakir Hussain collaborated with some of the most iconic names in both traditional Indian and global music scenes. He worked with legends such as Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan and was a key figure in creating international fusion bands like Shakti with guitarist John McLaughlin and Planet Drum with Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart. His collaboration on the Planet Drum album also earned him a Grammy Award. (ANI) Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar usually garners headlines for his philanthropic works. In his latest social media post, the actor announced that he fed over 1,250 monkeys in Ayodhya with the help of his team and Anjaneya Seva Trust. Taking to Instagram, Akshay highlighted the issue of the increasing population of monkeys in the holy city of Ayodhya. In the video shared by the actor, a bunch of monkeys were seen wandering around the temple premises and the surrounding areas. The actor partnered with Anjaneya Seva Trust to lead the initiative of feeding monkeys in Ayodhya. Under this initiative, the 'Khiladi' fame star claimed that the monkeys in Ayodhya are fed clean and nutritious food daily. Safety and hygiene are their two top priorities in of this movement. In the video, a van was seen with a trunk full of bananas. The actor also paid a tribute to his parents and father-in-law Rajesh Khanna, by having their names written on the feeding van. To keep waste management at a minimum, the team of Akshay Kumar collects the peels discarded by the monkeys after eating the bananas. They are then fed to the cows whose dung are then used as manure for the plantation of banana trees. Akshay called it a 'chhoti si koshish (a small effort)' while sharing the video on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDqpmfkN-ba/ Earlier this year, the actor donated Rs 1 crore to feed the monkeys in Ayodhya. As per the information shared by Akshay's team, Akshay not only donated Rs 1 crore to feed the monkeys in Ayodhya, the land of Lord Ram, ahead of Diwali but also paid tribute to his parents and his father-in-law, late veteran star Rajesh Khanna by having their names written on the feeding van. This initiative is spearheaded by the Anjaneya Sewa Trust, under the guidance of Jagatguru Swami Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj. Founder-trustee of Anjaneya Sewa Trust, Priya Gupta said they will ensure that people are not inconvenienced. Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar recently revealed the release date for his mu8ch-anticipated horror-comedy 'BHooth Bangla'. The film, which marks his reunion with veteran director Priyadarshan, will be released on April 2, 2026. The actor shared the exciting news on his official Instagram account, alongside a new poster for the movie, which has already sparked a wave of enthusiasm among fans. (ANI) Madonna has fans buzzing with excitement as she teases the arrival of new music, set for release in 2025. In a recent Instagram post shared on December 16, the 'Queen of Pop' shared a video montage that showed her hard at work in the studio with long-time collaborator Stuart Price, known for his work on her 2005 album 'Confessions on a Dance Floor'. The clip features Madonna and Price dancing, writing, and vibing together in the studio, while her boyfriend Akeem Morris, manager Guy Oseary, and twin daughters Stella and Estere join the creative process. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDpfxnmS0_G/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=44d32ae4-0435-4b8d-88b7-17722fde478c Captioning the video, Madonna, 66, expressed how deeply fulfilling the experience has been. "Working on new music with Stuart Price these past few months has been medicine for my SOUL," she wrote, adding, "Songwriting and making music is the one area where I don't need to ask anyone for their permission.. I'm so excited to share it with you." Madonna then posed a question to her followers: "Who wants to hear new music in 2025!" accompanied by festive emojis, signalling her enthusiasm about the upcoming project. Fans were quick to express their excitement in the comments, with many praising the announcement. One fan wrote, "A reunion of greatness! This is the best "Holiday" gift ever! " Another follower shared their joy about Madonna's collaboration with Price, calling it "a dream come true" and adding, "Finally something to look forward to in 2025!" A third fan wrote, "Christmas is coming." This isn't the first time Madonna has hinted at new music this year. Back in September 2023, she shared a video from the studio with Price, captioning it, "London Calling... Back in the Stu with Stuart Price.!" Madonna's last album, Madame X, was released in 2019. Following that, she embarked on her 'Celebration Tour' in October 2023, performing across North America, the UK, and Europe. The tour culminated in a record-breaking performance in May 2024 at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, where Madonna performed for 1.6 million fans, making it the largest concert for a solo artist in history, as per People magazine. (ANI) Actress Florence Pugh recently discussed the challenges of being a woman in Hollywood, expressing how exhausting it can be to constantly navigate industry expectations and beauty standards. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star of 'We Live in Time' spoke out about her decision to go against the grain and defy stereotypes imposed on women, in a recent interview. "I'm not nasty -- I hope people think I'm kind. But there are fine lines women have to stay within, otherwise they are called a diva, demanding, problematic," Pugh shared, adding, "And I don't want to fit into stereotypes made by others. It is really exhausting for a young woman to just be in this industry, and actually other industries. But I've always been encouraged to have a voice," as per The Hollywood Reporter, Having been in the industry for a decade, Pugh reflected on the early years of her career and the way women in Hollywood are often ridiculed for their appearance. She recalled how, early on, headlines about fellow actress Keira Knightley would often focus on her physical appearance, diminishing her accomplishments. "Look, not everybody has legs that go on for days. I remember watching this industry and feeling that I wasn't represented. I remember godawful headlines about how Keira Knightley isn't thin anymore, or watching women getting torn apart despite being talented and beautiful. The only thing people want to talk about is some useless crap about how they look," she said, as per The Hollywood Reporter. For Pugh, challenging beauty standards has been an important part of her journey. "I wasn't trying to challenge. I just wanted to be there, to make space for a version of a person that isn't all the things they used to have to be," she explained. Throughout her career, Pugh has consistently broken away from the expectations of how women should look and behave in the spotlight be it cutting her hair short or wearing bold fashion choices like a see-through dress on the red carpet. "I'm proud I've stuck by myself and look the way I look," she stated, adding, "I'm 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 where they weren't before," as per The Hollywood Reporter. Pugh has also been outspoken about her body image, rejecting society's unrealistic expectations. As per The Hollywood Reporter, in a 2023 interview, she emphasized her decision to embrace her body as it is. "I speak the way I do about my body because I'm not trying to hide the cellulite on my thigh or the squidge in between my arm and my boob: I would much rather lay it all out. I think the scariest thing for me are the instances where people have been upset that I've shown 'too much' of myself," she said. The actress recalled how wearing a sheer Valentino dress at an event triggered an online backlash. "When everything went down with the Valentino pink dress a year ago, my ni**les were on display through a piece of fabric, and it really wound people up. It's the freedom that people are scared of; the fact I'm comfortable and happy," as per The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile on the work front, currently, she is starring alongside Andrew Garfield in 'We Live in Time' and is set to appear in 'Thunderbolts'. Additionally, Pugh has been announced for a seven-episode limited series based on John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden' for Netflix. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP-actor Hema Malini recently bumped into veteran lyricist Gulzar while the two were en route to Delhi. The two bonded over good old moments spent on the sets of films such as Meera, Khushboo and Kinara. Taking to Instagram, Hema Malini shared pictures from her "pleasant meeting" with Gulzar. "Had such a pleasant, surprise meeting on my flt to Delhi! My travel companion was Gulzar ji who I met after so many years. It was lovely catching up with him all those years plus recalling the wonderful movies we had made together - Meera, Khushboo, Kinara etc. We had so much to talk about that we were still discussing when we landed in Delhi," she wrote. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDr7l2joJOK/?hl=en&img_index=1 In one of the images, the duo can be seen engrossed in their chit-chat. As soon as Hema Malini dropped this post, fans chimed in the comment section and reacted to the pictures with heartfelt comments. "You both created some of the iconic films together!! Legendary!," a social media user wrote. "Beautiful pictures," another user commented. Meanwhile, recently, Hema Malini participated in ISKCON's Rath Yatra in Mathura. During the yatra, she spoke with media and said, "Krishna bhakts have taken out this Rath Yatra. Devotees from across the world are participating in this Rath Yatra...I pray for healthy and prosperous lives of everyone..." She also shared her insights on the growth of the Braj Raj Utsav, an annual 10-day cultural festival in Uttar Pradesh that has evolved into a major celebration of the region's art, spirituality, and craftsmanship. (ANI) Several law students protested outside the Delhi University Law Faculty in the early hours of Tuesday demanding the exams be extended by 10 days. The students allegedly blocked the exit barring faculty and other staff from exiting from the gate, following which the Delhi Police had to escort the dean and other officials. The protestors alleged that the classes were only held for 60 days, which they say is less than the mandatory requirement, because of which the syllabus has not been completed and subsequently demanded the exams to be extended. Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Delhi Police, Raja Banthia, interacted with protesting law students and informed them that the exams have been put on hold for now and revised dates will be announced. He said that police reached out upon being called by the DU administration and Proctor Law Faculty. "We received a request from DU administration and Proctor Law Faculty that they (faculty and other staff) are not allowed to go out as students had blocked the exit. Police reached there - created a corridor and helped them (faculty and staff including the Dean) to go out - students are angry about this and protesting," the DCP said. "As per the information I have, exam dates that were announced earlier - to be held from December 26 have been put on hold and now a committee will be formed to decide about the dates of exams," he added. Earlier, a law student said they were holding peaceful protests... "It is the rule that in one semester there should be classes for 90 days but classes have not been held even for 60 days. Guest faculty was appointed after two months but the syllabus has not been completed. The classes are being taken at a rapid pace and students are not able to follow." "Our request to the dean was that the exam, supposed to be conducted from December 26 be held from January 10. We put a memorandum and she had agreed earlier," he added. Another student protestor alleged that police carried out lathi charge and fired tear gas shells at them. "Whenever there is a protest the dean goes on leave and she is not concerned about the students. We requested the dean that till the time fresh notice is issued, she would not leave. There are 9000 students here. Police have entered the campus doing a lathi charge and firing tear gas shells. We are not criminals," he said.(ANI) Thimphu [Bhutan], December 17: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay attended a business event hosted by the Assam Government on 'Advantage Assam 2.0- Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025', an release stated. In his keynote address at the La Meridian Hotel in Thimphu, CM 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. Starting the roadshow from Bhutan is a testament to Assam and Bhutan's enduring bond, a relationship nurtured over centuries through cultural, historical and economic exchanges, the Chief Minister added. Referring to the 117th National Day of Bhutan on December 17, 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 release stated. The visit of Bhutan's PM 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. He said that he is delighted to announce that Assam is hosting Advantage Assam 2.0: Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025 on February 25-26 in Guwahati. This pivotal event, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, aims at catalyzing investments and fostering partnerships across South Asia. CM Sarma further said that Assam is grateful to Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for his gracious presence at the last edition of Advantage Assam. He also extended his 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 India, the Chief Minister said that Assam 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 CM said. Healthcare Assam's extensive Cancer Care Network, one of the largest in South Asia, is open to serving Bhutanese patients, ensuring timely and quality medical interventions. Mutually beneficial cooperation in this area can play a pivotal role in fostering a healthy population across borders. 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 specialized programs for Bhutanese students in Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery (ANM) and GNM training. These opportunities will empower Bhutanese youth with world-class skills and knowledge. He added that the burgeoning ethanol and agro-industrial sectors in Assam present opportunities for Bhutan's agricultural products, including maize and bamboo. State government also encourages Bhutanese enterprises to explore Assam's markets in sectors like food and beverages, poultry and minerals. CM Sarma said that Assam's admiration for Bhutan's visionary leadership and its socio-economic reforms, serve as a beacon for regional progress. The forthcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 Summit is poised to become a transformative platform for forging stronger ties and exploring untapped opportunities for collaboration, the release added. The Chief Minister, on this occasion, warmly invited Bhutanese leaders, business stakeholders and visionaries to join the Summit in February. The cabinet ministers of Bhutan, India's Ambassador to Bhutan Sudhakar Dalela, business delegates from Bhutan, stakeholders and a host of others were present on the occasion. (ANI) Press Release December 17, 2024 CHIZ: PBBM CAN AUGMENT DEPED'S BUDGET FROM ITS BILLIONS IN UNUSED FUNDS FOR COMPUTERIZATION PROGRAM The Department of Education (DepEd) has over 36 billion in unused funds that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. can tap to augment the agency's budget after the bicameral conference committee of Congress moved to remove its 10 billion request for computerization program. This was pointed out on Tuesday by Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero, who said that "the President has the power augment any item in the budget from savings or unspent items in the budget; this way he need not veto other line items in the GAA (General Appropriations Act) in order to provide the DepEd additional funds." "There are several unspent items in the (DepEd) budget that can be used, particularly from the funds allocated for DepEd's computerization program from 2022 to 2024," Escudero said, citing figures from the submissions of the education department to Congress during the budget hearing. Over the last three years beginning in 2022, DepEd has over 36 billion in unused funds from its computerization program. In 2022, some 13.068 billion had been allocated to the education department for its computerization program, and yet about 10.03 billion had remained unobligated. Last year, DepEd only spent 50 percent of its 20.4 billion allocation under the 2023 GAA. Under the current budget, the agency has yet to spend 15.9 billion of its 18.08 billion earmarked for computerization. "That is a total of 36.13 billion of unspent funds over the past three years, more than thrice the 10 billion that DepEd would like to be restored in its 2025 budget. So may pondo naman na pwedeng i-tap si Presidente," Escudero said. The senator from Bicol lamented, however, that due to the failure of DepEd to fully use its 2022 computerization budget, the 10.034 B in unobligated funds will revert to the National Treasury by the end of 2024. "Education has many champions in both chambers of Congress, and we are all committed to providing our public schools with the support they require. Pero kailangan din masigurado ng DepEd na magagamit ang pondo nito ng maayos. These allocations for education will not help anyone unless the DepEd properly spends them on the projects they are intended for," Escudero said. He added: "From 2022 to 2024, 70 percent of the 51.5 billion allotted for the DepEd computerization program were unspent. So one can see why Congress has to be circumspect with regard to budget allocations. Tinitingnan natin hindi lang 'yung purpose ng pondo, kundi ang kakayahan at kapasidad ng ahensya gamitin ang pondo nila. All these factors are taken into consideration." "Parang lumabas kayo ng kaibigan mo at nagyaya s'ya sa buffet, sagot mo. Nakita mo, mahina pala kumain. Kung magayaya 'yan uli lumabas, malamang 'di mo na dadalhin sa buffet 'yun, sa may mga set meal na lang kasi sayang ang gastos. In this situation ang pagiging takaw mata can result in a few hundred pesos wasted; in government we are talking about billions of pesos," said Escudero to illustrate his point. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha invited investors to consider setting up projects in Tripura and assured them that the state government would provide all necessary support. Addressing the Northeast Trade and Investment Roadshow in Mumbai's Colaba on Monday, CM Saha expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) for providing a platform to enhance investment and business opportunities in the Northeast. The Chief Minister highlighted that the handover of the Ministry of DoNER has significantly contributed to showcasing business and investment opportunities in the region. "Due to historical reasons, this region has lagged in many aspects of development," he noted. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always regarded the Northeast as 'Ashtalakshmi' and given prime importance to its development through the Act East Policy. Tripura, with its unique geography and socio-economic landscape, stands at the crossroads of growth and opportunity. Tripura is the most peaceful state in the country and the Northeast region. The state has vast reserves of natural gas, making it power surplus. Tripura's economy, primarily based on agriculture and related industries, continues to drive the state's growth," he added. CM Saha 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 utilize the state's capacities and resources. The state government is adding new dimensions to industrial and basic infrastructure improvement across the state. PM Modi's HIRA model, focusing on Highways, the Internet, Railways, and Airways, has transformed connectivity. The Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport has been upgraded, making it the second-busiest airport in the region," Saha said. He further mentioned that the state government has established a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Sabroom under the South District, which has already attracted significant interest from investors. "There is an 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," he said. He said that Tripura boasts 21 species of bamboo and has launched a comprehensive bamboo policy. "Tripura is renowned for its horticultural crops, such as the Queen Pineapple, which has been declared the state fruit and received a GI tag. The tourism sector also holds significant potential and is growing steadily. There is scope for a Northeast tourist circuit, potentially involving neighbouring countries. Tripura hosts the third internet gateway in the country and has launched initiatives like e-offices and an e-Cabinet," Saha concluded. Union DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and others were present at the event. (ANI) A man killed down his wife's lover after he found the two together in his house, Delhi Police said on Monday. The accused, identified as Ajmat has been apprehended by the police. Information was received at Shastri Park police station after which the police team reached the spot. The victim was taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital and after a check-up was referred to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. He was not in a position to provide any statement at that time. Later, the Shastri Park police station was informed that Ritik Verma had succumbed to his injuries. The accused's wife was allegedly having an affair with deceased Ritik Verma for the last couple of months When the accused reached home, he found his wife with the deceased. Following this, Ajmat lost his temper and beat his wife and deceased unsparingly, police said. The deceased has been identified as Ritik Verma (21). He had a blunt wound on the forehead. Subsequently, sections of 103 (1) Bharat Nyay Sanhita were added to the case registered at Shatri Park police station and the probe has been initiated, the police said. "Today information was received at PS Shastri Park when the team reached the spot, they found the injured was taken to hospital by the relatives, the team reached JPC Hospital where the patient Ritik Verma (aged 21 years) was under treatment and after check-up, he was referred to Higher Centre i.e. GTB Hospital. The patient was not in a position to provide any statement," the police said. "The patient was not in a position to provide any statement. At around 9:00 pm, information from GTB Hospital was received at PS Shastri Park that the patient Ritik Verma had succumbed to his injuries," it added. According to police, the motive behind the murder was 'revenge'. Further investigation is underway in the case. (ANI) Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Inspector General (IG) of Border Security Force (BSF), took over the charge of IG BSF Tripura here on Monday. On arrival at Tripura Frontier Headquarters, IG BSF Sharma was welcomed by officers and given a guard of honour. "Ashwani Kumar Sharma, IG, BSF, on 16th December 2024 assumed the charge of Inspector General of BSF Tripura. He was given a guard of honour. He paid homage to martyrs, interacted with officers & reviewed the present security scenario across the Tripura border," BSF Tripura said on X. https://x.com/BSF_Tripura/status/1868609947774353516 Sharma, a 1987 batch BSF officer, previously served at the BSF Training Centre in Indore. He has extensive experience in both Eastern and Western Commands, and his expertise includes counter-insurgency and anti-naxal operations. Additionally, he has served on deputations with the National Security Guard (NSG) and the United Nations Mission. Notably, he has also worked in Tripura in the past, as per an official release. Later in the day,he paid a courtesy visit to the Additional Director General of Police for Tripura and discussed the current security scenario across the Tripura border. https://x.com/BSF_Tripura/status/1868648699469197517 "Today, on December 16, 2024, Sh Ashwani Kumar Sharma, IG, BSF, Tripura Frontier, paid a courtesy visit to Shri Anurag, IPS, Additional Director General of Police Tripura & discussed the present security scenario across the Tripura Border," BSF Tripura said on X. (ANI) The BSF, which is the largest border guarding force in the world with a strength of nearly 2.65 lakh personnel, celebrates its Raising Day every year on December 1. Mandated to guard the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, the BSF is the only force of the nation with a distinctly defined wartime as well as peace-time role. The force has successfully proved its mettle in accomplishing every task assigned to it in times of war and peace situation while ensuring peace and tranquility on the border. (ANI) People gathered for morning prayers at the Shiv-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, which reopened on December 14 after remaining closed since 1978. The temple was rediscovered during an anti-encroachment drive led by local district police and administration. The drive was conducted to clear illegal encroachments in the area. Visuals show security personnel were deployed outside to ensure safety as the reopening marked a significant moment for the community. On Monday, following its reopening, the temple premises were cleaned, and electricity connections were restored with the installation of CCTV cameras for security purposes. Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, confirmed that the temple had remained closed for 46 years, largely due to the absence of a resident priest. 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. Three idols were found near a well close to the temple during the restoration process. The idols are now being preserved as part of the efforts to bring back the temple's original splendor. Sambhal Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra said, "These are broken idols that were found during the digging of the well. There is an idol of Lord Ganesh. The other one seems to be of Lord Kartikeya, more details are being sought. There was debris and soil in the well. The idols were discovered when it was dug...The area has been secured so that excavation can be done smoothly." Sambhal's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra stated that the encroachment clearance operation had focused solely on structures encroaching on public property, and emphasized plans to restore the temple to its former glory. "The temple premises have been cleaned, and electricity arrangements have been made. CCTVs are being installed for security. The anti-encroachment drive targeted only structures built on public property. We will restore the temple to its original structure." said SDM Mishra. On Monday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed the previous Samajwadi Party government, accusing them of preventing the reopening of the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for over four decades. Speaking in the state assembly, CM Yogi said, "Since 1978 they (Samajwadi Party) never allowed to open the temple, which is being opened now..." (ANI) According to the President's Secretariat, during this visit, the President will stay at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, On December 17, President Murmu will attend and grace the convocation ceremony of AIIMS in Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, the release mentioned. On December 18, she will inaugurate/lay the foundation of various initiatives at Rashtrapati Nilayam, Bolarum, Secunderabad, as per the release. On December 20, President Murmu will present the President's Colours to the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. On the same evening, she will host an At Home Reception at Rashtrapati Nilayam for the dignitaries of the State, leading citizens, academics, etc, it added. Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari earlier held a meeting with senior officials on the ensuing visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the state from December 17. The Chief Secretary informed that President Murmu will be in Hyderabad from December 17 to 21 of this month as part of the sojourn visit to the city. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari instructed the officials to work in close coordination and make elaborate arrangements in a befitting manner to ensure that the visit of the President is handled effectively in a satisfactory manner. Earlier on Monday, President Murmu met a parliamentary delegation from Armenia on Tuesday, during which she emphasised the role of regular parliamentary dialogue in deepening bilateral partnership. A parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Armenia, led by Alen Simonyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an official release said. The President said that regular parliamentary dialogue plays an important role in enhancing understanding of each other's systems of governance and laws, and further deepening bilateral partnership. (ANI) Several opposition leaders, including Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) MPs, on Tuesday expressed their opposition to the "One Nation, One Election" Bill, which aims to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh rejected the bill, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy. "The Congress party firmly, totally, comprehensively rejects the One Nation, One Election Bill. We will oppose the introduction. We will demand its reference to a Joint Parliamentary Committee," he said. Ramesh further slammed the bill, asserting, "We believe it''s unconstitutional. We believe it goes against the basic structure and it is meant to throttle democracy and accountability in this country." The Congress leader also highlighted the party''s long-standing objections to the idea. "Mallikarjun Kharge had written to former President Ramnath Kovind on January 17 on why the Congress party is objecting to the very idea of one nation, one election." According to Ramesh, the bill is part of a broader agenda to replace India''s Constitution. "The One Nation, One Election Bill is only the first milestone; the real objective is to bring a new constitution. Amending the Constitution is one thing, but bringing a new Constitution is the real objective of the RSS and PM Modi," he claimed. Ramesh also stated that the RSS has historically opposed the Indian Constitution, saying it does not draw inspiration from Manusmriti. "They rejected this Constitution on 30th November 1949, saying that it doesn''t derive inspiration from the values of Manusmriti and so on... That''s what we are opposing." Meanwhile, Supriya Sule, an NCP-SCP MP, also expressed concerns, calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to discuss the bill. "We are demanding that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC ) should be done and discussions should take place. Our party is demanding the JPC," Sule told ANI. Pramod Tiwari, another Congress MP, questioned the government''s approach. "It would have been better if an all-party meeting had been called where there should have been discussions regarding this. But the government has brought this issue to divert attention from other important ones. They clearly know that to make constitutional changes, they neither have a majority in the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha," Tiwari said. Congress MP K Suresh also raised similar concerns, stressing the bill''s alleged threat to India''s democracy. "The Congress party is not accepting this bill; we are strongly opposing this bill. This is against the interest of Indian democracy and our federal system. That is why we are going to strongly oppose it. The entire opposition is going to oppose it," he said, adding, "I think NDA allies, TDP and JD(U) may not openly oppose it, but they don''t want this bill." Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also criticized the bill, stating, "Our party will oppose it because it is against all sections of the Constitution." Earlier in the day, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted a formal notice to oppose the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. "My objections to the proposed bill are based on serious concerns regarding constitutionalism and constitutionality," he stated. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said it was a historic day for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan on Tuesday as an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) of Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) project's Nadi Jodo Abhiyan was going to be signed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also highlighted that with this rivers linking project, 11 districts in MP and 13 districts in Rajasthan would be benefitted and would be able to get drinking water and water for irrigation. "Today will be a historic day for MP and Rajasthan. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an MoU of Parvati-Chambal-Kalisindh (PKC) project's 'Nadi Jodo Abhiyan' is going to be signed. Under this project, the Indian government will provide Rs 17,000 crores to MP and Rajasthan to provide drinking water and water for irrigation to 11 districts in MP and 13 districts in Rajasthan," CM Yadav told ANI. The CM further said that the agreement for the project between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh was delayed for 20 years by the Congress government. "Water is the mercy of God, but if water is used properly through the government, then it is in the interest of society. The project was a big decision and the agreement between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh was kept delayed for 20 years by the Congress government for some reasons. It is quite sad to say that we have wasted this very long time, but now the time of change has arrived in which we have made the decision," the CM said. Additionally, he also mentioned the districts going to benefit from the project which includes Sheopur, Morena, Shivpuri, Guna, Ashok Nagar along with western MP containing Agar, Indore, Ujjain, Shajapur, Rajgarh, etc regions will get proper drinking water and for irrigation. The chief minister also extended greetings to everyone on the occasion. (ANI) Press Release December 17, 2024 Bicameral Conference Committee Report Manifestation | S.B. No. 2568 Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency & Accreditation Program Sen. Joel Villanueva | December 11, 2024 Mr. President and distinguished colleagues: As the lead conferee of the Senate panel, this representation is honored to submit for the ratification of this august chamber a copy of the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Disagreeing Provisions of Senate Bill No. 2568 and House Bill No. 9015, otherwise known as the "Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency & Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act." First and foremost, we thank Senate President Chiz Escudero, who heard the bill at the level of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and delivered the sponsorship speech for the measure, for trusting us to champion this measure to the finish line. We also thank our colleagues - the authors, co-authors and co-sponsors of this important piece of legislation, as well as those who introduced amendments to the bill: Senators Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Win Gatchalian, Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Villar, Raffy Tulfo, Bong Go, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Mark Villar, Bong Revilla, and former Senator now DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara. We also thank our fellow conferees - Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Win Gatchalian, Sen. Nancy Binay, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Ginoong Pangulo, marami po sa ating mga kababayan ay napipilitang huminto sa pag-aaral at magtrabaho muna dahil sa iba't ibang rason - sa termino ng kasalukuyang henerasyon, "adulting." We still have much to do to ensure that our learners never stop schooling. But we will continue to create educational pathways and equivalencies for our people - this is one of those pathways, Mr. President. The ETEEAP Act, at its very core, concretizes both concepts of lifelong learning and recognition of prior learning, both of which are advocacies close to this representation's heart. Through the ETEEAP, we recognize that learning never stops - whether in school, in the workplace, at home, in training centers, and other places. Thus, the ETEEAP is an important education assessment program, especially for our brothers and sisters who, for any reason, were unable to obtain college degrees but are now working professionals. The ETEEAP sets the qualifications for ETEEAP learners, including at least five years of aggregate work experience in the industry related to the academic degree program where equivalency of learning is sought. Likewise, it clarifies and delineates the powers between CHED and higher education institutions, both of which play crucial roles in realizing the objectives of the ETEEAP. CHED, as the lead implementing agency, will be tasked to set policies, standards, and guidelines, for the implementation and continuous monitoring of the Program, aiming for its expanded accessibility while ensuring its quality and integrity. Likewise, ETEEAP accessibility will be expanded by deputizing higher education institutions recognized with at least a Level II accreditation or equivalent recognition, and with programs or disciplines considered as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development will be deputized to offer ETEEAP. By setting these standards, there will be a potential increase in the number of institutions offering the ETEEAP Program, from 110 public and private institutions to 472 institutions. Sa kasalukuyan, halos 3,000 graduates kada taon ang nakakatapos ng ETEEAP. Our vision is to reach more Filipinos seeking to obtain their college degrees. We want to give opportunities to more Filipinos, such as: Mr. Victor Alcuaz, who finished his ETEEAP Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (BS-HRIM) after his 30-year hospitality experience in different companies, and is now a Vice President of Hotel Solutions Partnership Limited; and Ms. Jeanne Rivero, who finished her Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in English, after working for 10 years in a call center and as an ESL teacher (English as a Secondary Language). Mr. President, it has been a privilege to sponsor a measure that brings to life the dreams of our fellow citizens. The comprehensive details of the disagreeing provisions are reflected in the Joint Explanatory Statement. With the permission of the Body, I move that the said Joint Explanatory Statement on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2568 and House Bill No. 9015 be read in toto into the Record, and that the Bicameral Conference Committee Report be ratified. Maraming salamat at pagpalain tayo ng Diyos. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid his respects to PP Madhavan, the longtime personal secretary to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, at his residence. Madhavan passed away on December 16 at the age of 73 due to a cardiac arrest. Congress MP and General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal also paid his final respects to Madhavan, describing his demise as a significant loss for the party. Speaking to ANI, Venugopal said, "He was with our party leadership with great integrity and sincerity for more than four decades. He was carrying strong Congress elements in his mind. It's a great loss for the party and the family. This is a sudden demise. My sincere condolence to the family, relatives and well-wishers." On Monday in a post on X, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said, "It is with deep sorrow and pain that we announce the tragic demise of Sh. PP Madhavan ji, a long-term personal aide to CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji. He served the Party selflessly for decades, including with Sh. Rajiv Gandhi ji, and will always be remembered for his service and dedication. The Congress conveys its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Madhavan ji. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti," Venugopal said on X. Congess Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananathapuram, Shashi Tharoor took to X to post " I am deeply saddened by the passing of Shri P. P. Madhavan, long-serving aide to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi, yesterday." "The quintessential trusted right-hand man, he served the Gandhi family from 1984 and was an essential interlocutor for all who wished to be in touch with the Chairperson. Quiet, discreet and yet candid in private, Madhavan-ji was the "go-to man" for matters personal and political at 10 Janpath." Tharoor said. The Congress leader further said, "He will be widely and deeply missed. I have extended my profound condolences to his family members and to Soniaji at this time of grief." (ANI) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party on Tuesday protested at the Telangana Legislative Council, demanding justice for the arrested Lagcherla farmers. As part of the demonstration, BRS Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), including K Kavitha, wore black clothes as a mark of protest. Additionally, BRS Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) protested in the Telangana Assembly dressed in black and wearing handcuffs as a mark of protest demanding justice for the arrested Lagcherla farmers. On Monday also, BRS MLAs, including Working President KT Rama Rao and MLA Harish Rao, staged a protest in the Assembly premises with placards and slogans, condemning the arrest of farmers from Lagcherla village. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao criticized the Chief Minister Revanth Reddy-led Telangana government for jailing 40 farmers and demanded their immediate release and the withdrawal of all charges against them. "What is happening is that for the last 40 days in the CM's constituency, more than 40 farmers have been jailed because the CM's ego has been bruised. I want to tell the CM that tourism cannot be more important when 40 farmers have been jailed. We are demanding that cases against farmers should be withdrawn and farmers should be released," Rao said. In response, TPCC Chief and Congress MLC Mahesh Kumar Goud slammed the BRS leaders, saying that the BRS party had ruined the state's infrastructure over the last 10 years. "Lagcherla Pharma city is a closed chapter. CM has already instructed to develop an industrial infrastructure centre there. Kodangal is a backward constituency and the CM represents it. Some development activities are coming there. In the last 10 years, the BRS party and the government could not uplift any industrial infrastructure. They have ruined the state. They have no right to talk about the upcoming developments," Goud said. In November, several people were arrested for allegedly assaulting authorities after some villagers in Lagacharla protested against the proposed acquisition of their lands for pharmaceutical companies. (ANI) Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the blast was heard around 3 am but there was no damage and nobody was hurt. Meanwhile, people have claimed responsibility on social media and the police have verified claims. "Our sentry heard the noise around 3 am-3.15 am. He saw that the was no damage. People claimed responsibility on social media. We verified those claims," Bhullar said. The police informed that several such incidents have been reported in the past few days in the state. The police have arrested 12 people in relation to these blasts, while the search for 2-3 suspects is still going on. "We had nabbed 10 people from a module earlier, two brothers were also nabbed - one of them is a juvenile. Another man is Aman Khokhar. 2-3 others are on our target and they will be nabbed soon. Old incidents have been traded and we are verifying this incident as to what has been used here," Bhullar said. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Delhi Police have confirmed that some schools in Delhi received bomb threats this morning. Indian Public School in South Delhi and a school located in Saraswati Vihar, North West Delhi, were targeted. Upon receiving the threat, police, fire brigade, and bomb squad teams swiftly arrived at the locations. The school premises were immediately evacuated as a safety precaution. Authorities are now conducting thorough investigations to determine the origin and credibility of the threats. "After receiving the information, police, fire brigade, and bomb squad were sent to the school. The school premises have been evacuated, and an investigation is being carried out," Delhi Police stated This is not an isolated incident as several schools in Delhi received bomb threats via e-mail demanding a ransom of USD 30,000. This email came on December 8 at around 11:38 pm. On December 14, Delhi Police Special Cell identified a private school student as being responsible for sending a bomb threat email to a school in Paschim Vihar. According to police, the student had sent the threat email to his own school, and after tracing the IP address, the police team traced his home. Upon questioning, the child admitted to the act and was later counselled. He was let off with a warning to his parents to keep a watch on his behaviour. The threatening emails raised concerns among parents and staff, though the police assured that investigations are ongoing and safety remains their priority. No explosives or hazardous materials have been found in any of the schools so far. Meanwhile, South East Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ravi Kumar Singh said that as many as 30 schools across Delhi received hoax bomb threat emails on December 13. The DCP said that the investigation into the fake threats revealed that the e-mails sent to the schools had been generated outside the country. Upon receiving the information, schools were evacuated and the Bomb Disposal Squad carried out checks at the locations. "We received an alert around 5:30 AM that some schools have received bomb threats via emails in our district. Schools have been evacuated and the Bomb Disposal Squad checked the places. So far the investigation has revealed that it was a hoax call. 30 schools across Delhi including 3 from our district have received such emails," DCP told ANI. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Jaipur to participate in the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' programme, organised to mark the completion of one year of BJP government in Rajasthan. The visuals showed PM Modi with Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma arriving at the venue as the crowd cheered and raised slogans of "Modi! Modi!" According to Prime Minister's Office, the PM will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for at least 24 projects worth over Rs 46,300 crore during the event. The projects that will be inaugurated today in Jaipur cover the energy, road, railway, and water sectors. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate nine projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore, which include seven central government projects and two state government projects. He will also 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 release mentioned. As per the release, 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 up to the junction with SH-37A). These projects will help provide an easy commute for people and fulfil the energy needs of the state, in line with the Prime Minister's vision of green energy. Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the construction of Ramgarh Barrage and Mahalpur Barrage and for the system to transfer water from Navnera Barrage to Bisalpur Dam and Isarda Dam through an aqueduct on the Chambal River at a cost of over Rs 9,400 crore, it read. During the event, PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for the installation of rooftop solar plants on government office buildings, the development of a 2000 megawatts (MW) solar park and two phases of 1000 megawatts (MW) solar parks in Poogal (Bikaner), and the drinking water transmission line from Saipau (Dholpur) to Bharatpur-Deeg-Kumher-Nagar-Kaman-Pahari and Chambal-Dholpur-Bharatpur retrofitting work. Foundation stones will also be laid for works related to the Luni-Samdari-Bhildi Double Line, Ajmer-Chanderiya Double Line, and Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur Double Line railway projects, as well as other energy transmission-related projects, the release added. (ANI) Several Opposition MPs including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gathered inside the Parliament premises to voice their concerns over the alleged atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The MPs carried placards and tote bags emblazoned with messages calling for justice and condemning the persecution of minorities across the border. Among the protesters was Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who carried a tote bag with the slogan "Bangladesh ke Hindu aur Isaayion ke saath khadey ho" (Stand with Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh). The MPs raised slogans such as "We want Justice" and "Bharat Sarkar Jawab Do," demanding the Indian government take immediate action on the issue. The protest marks a significant shift in the Opposition's approach to minority issues, particularly when it comes to the persecution of Hindus. The Opposition, which has typically expressed concern over the treatment of Muslims in India and abroad, took a clear stand for Hindus, signalling a broader concern for all minorities. Following the protest, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar responded to the demonstration, expressing his surprise. He remarked, "I am surprised to see this. Our Opposition has always been concerned about only Muslims. In India, the meaning of 'minority' has changed. Congress and our rivals changed it to Muslims. They are now agitating for Hindus, so this is a major change. Perhaps this is Modi magic." On Monday, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." 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. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the demise of environmentalist and Padma Awardee Tulsi Gowda, saying her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Smt Tulsi Gowda Ji, a revered environmentalist from Karnataka and Padma Awardee. She dedicated her life to nurturing nature, planting thousands of saplings, and conserving our environment. She will remain a guiding light for environmental conservation. Her work will continue to inspire generations to protect our planet. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti." Gowda an environmentalist from Karnataka planted more than 30,000 saplings and has been involved in environmental conservation activities for the past six decades. She was conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2021. Gowda belongs to the Halakki Tribal in Karnataka and is also known as the 'Encyclopedia of Forest' due to her vast knowledge of diverse species of plants and herbs. (ANI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that the high-level committee that was formed to suggest reform of the National Testing Agency (NTA) has submitted its report, and the same has been submitted before the Supreme Court. Addressing a press conference, Pradhan noted that 91.8% of India's schools have now electricity. Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said, "...For the reform of NTA, a high-level committee was formed. The committee has submitted its reports. Under the Action Taken Report, it has been submitted before the Supreme Court. I will share a few main pointers of the report with you. It will come into the public domain today...By academic 2023-24 we have more schools than we had in 2013-14. Earlier, 53% of the schools had electricity, but now 91.8% of schools have electricity." Pradhan further said that NCERT is planning to publish 15 crore quality and affordable books to meet the demands of students. "In the next academic year, NCERT will publish 15 crore quality and affordable books... There will be no financial burden on students in the next academic year; rather, it will be reduced in some classes, Pradhan added. He said that NCERT has signed an MoU with Amazon and Flipkart to sell its books at MRP on these platforms. "As of 4th December 2024, a huge sample size of 23 lakhs, more than 87 thousand schools have been surveyed under NAS. Another survey at the district level will be conducted under NAS, which will help us understand their learning outcome and academic status," Pradhan further added. Notably, the NEET UG 2024 examination, held on May 5, has been embroiled in controversy following allegations of paper leaks, irregularities, and time losses during the exam. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) was held for more than 24 lakh candidates at 4750 different Centres located in 571 Cities throughout the country including 14 Cities outside India on 05 May 2024 (Sunday). The re-examination of the NEET (UG) 2024 was conducted on 23 June 2024 for 1563 candidates who had experienced time loss during the originally scheduled examination on 05 May 2024. (ANI) Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved to introduce the Constitution (129 Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, paving the way for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The proposal aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country. In addition, the law minister also sought to introduce bills 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, as per the day's schedule. These bills aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari, opposing the Union Minister's move, said, "Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House." Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also opposed the bill, saying, "I am standing to oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution. I cannot understand how, just two days ago, no stone was left unturned to uphold the glorious tradition of saving the Constitution. Within two days, this Constitution Amendment Bill has been brought to undermine the basic spirit and structure of the Constitution. I agree with Manish Tewari, and on behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I have no hesitation in saying that there was no one more learned than the makers of our Constitution at that time. Even in this House, there is no one more learned. I have no hesitation in saying this..." In September, the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations of a High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee's report outlined the implementation of simultaneous polls in two phases: holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections together in the first phase and conducting local body elections (panchayat and municipal polls) within 100 days of the general elections. The panel also recommended a common electoral roll for all elections. However, several opposition leaders, including Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) MPs, expressed their strong opposition to the "One Nation, One Election" bill. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh rejected the bill, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to democracy. "The Congress party firmly, totally, comprehensively rejects the One Nation, One Election Bill. We will oppose the introduction. We will demand its reference to a Joint Parliamentary Committee," he said. Ramesh further slammed the bill, asserting, "We believe it's unconstitutional. We believe it goes against the basic structure, and it is meant to throttle democracy and accountability in this country." He also referred to the party's long-standing objections to the idea, citing a letter written by Mallikarjun Kharge to former President Ramnath Kovind on January 17, outlining why the Congress party objects to the very idea of 'One Nation, One Election.' According to Ramesh, the bill is part of a broader agenda to replace India's Constitution. "The One Nation, One Election Bill is only the first milestone; the real objective is to bring a new constitution. Amending the Constitution is one thing, but bringing a new Constitution is the real objective of the RSS and PM Modi," he claimed. Ramesh also stated that the RSS has historically opposed the Indian Constitution, as it does not draw inspiration from the Manusmriti. "They rejected this Constitution on 30th November 1949, saying that it doesn't derive inspiration from the values of Manusmriti and so on... That's what we are opposing." NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, expressed concerns, calling for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to discuss the bill. "We are demanding that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) should be done, and discussions should take place. Our party is demanding the JPC," Sule told ANI. Pramod Tiwari, another Congress MP, questioned the government's approach, saying, "It would have been better if an all-party meeting had been called where there should have been discussions regarding this. But the government has brought this issue to divert attention from other important ones. They clearly know that to make constitutional changes, they neither have a majority in the Lok Sabha nor the Rajya Sabha," Tiwari said. Congress MP K Suresh also raised similar concerns, stressing the bill's alleged threat to India's democracy. "The Congress party is not accepting this bill; we are strongly opposing it. This is against the interest of Indian democracy and our federal system. That is why we are going to strongly oppose it. The entire opposition is going to oppose it," he said, adding, "I think NDA allies, TDP and JD(U) may not openly oppose it, but they don't want this bill." Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav also slammed the bill, stating, "Our party will oppose it because it is against all sections of the Constitution." Earlier in the day, Congress MP Tewari submitted a formal notice to oppose the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha. "My objections to the proposed bill are based on serious concerns regarding constitutionalism and constitutionality," he stated. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the work done by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led BJP government in Rajasthan and said that the BJP's double engine government is becoming a symbol of good governance. Addressing the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' programme organised to mark the completion of one year of the BJP government in Rajasthan, PM Modi highlighted the increasing faith of people in the BJP's government, noting the recent victories of party Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly election and Lok Sabha election. "BJP's double-engine government is becoming the symbol of good governance. Today the people of country are saying that the BJP is the guarantee of good governance and that's why the BJP is getting so much support in states. In Lok Sabha, BJP got the opportunity to serve the people third time in a row. This has not happened in the past 60 years. A few days earlier, BJP formed government in Maharashtra for the second time in a row and if you look at the election result, this is the third time that BJP has received the majority in elections. In Haryana we made for the third time in a row, receiving more seats that the previous election. This signifies people's trust in BJP," PM Modi said. PM Modi further lauded CM Bhajanlal Sharma for "giving new momentum and direction to Rajasthan's development". PM Modi inaugurated and foundation stones projects worth more than Rs 45,000-50,000 crores and said that these projects will solve several issues in Rajasthan. "This first year has, in a way, become a strong foundation for the coming years. Today's celebration is not limited to the completion of one year of the government, it is also a celebration of the spreading light of Rajasthan, it is also a celebration of Rajasthan's development. Just a few days ago, I came to Rajasthan for the Investment Summit. Big investors from the country and around the world had gathered here. Today, projects worth more than Rs 45,000-50,000 crores have been inaugurated and foundation stones have been laid. These projects will provide a permanent solution to the water challenge in Rajasthan. This project will make Rajasthan one of the most connected states in the country. This will strengthen investment in Rajasthan and will present employment opportunities. Rajsathan's tourism, youth and farmers will be benefited a lot," PM Modi said. PM Modi further slammed the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in the state, accusing them of making paper leaks and recruitment frauds as "Rajasthan's identity." "The previous government did injustice with Rajasthan youth. Paper leaks and fraud in recruitment had become Rajasthan's identity. The BJP government started an investigation and arrested many people. Additionally, BJP government has done recruitment. Earlier, people of Rajasthan had to buy petrol and diesel on high prices, BJP government has provided relief to the people," PM Modi said. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding for the modified Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal project was signed between the Rajasthan Government and the Madhya Pradesh Government in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav exchanged the MoUs. (ANI) Press Release December 17, 2024 Sponsorship Speech Sen. Joel Villanueva Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25, Concurrent Resolution Granting Consent to Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III to Accept the Badge For Cooperation Conferred Upon Him by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation 17 December 2024 Mr. President, dear colleagues: It is with great pride and honor that I sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 25 granting consent to our esteemed colleague, dear friend, and our Minority Leader, Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, to accept the Badge for Cooperation conferred upon him by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The Badge for Cooperation is an award conferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to distinguished individuals from different countries for their remarkable contributions in fortifying diplomatic and friendly relations with Russia and forwarding shared interests in various fields. Senator Pimentel has undertaken significant efforts to strengthen the friendship between the Philippines and the Russian Federation. These include authoring a bill declaring the 2ndof June of every year as a special day for the Commemoration of our friendship with Russia and engaging in meaningful discussions with the delegation from the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation during the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum which we hosted here in 2023. Senator Pimentel is the President of the Philippines-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Association in the Senate for this Congress. In the 18th Congress, as then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Senator Pimentel sponsored two important treaties that strengthen our bilateral relationship with Russia - these are 1) Adopted Resolution No. 35, Concurring in the Ratification of the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; and 2) Adopted Resolution No. 34, Concurring in the Ratification of the Treaty on Extradition. In his capacity as Senate President during the 17th Congress, he led the Philippine Inter-Parliamentary Union Congressional Delegation to the 137th IPU Assembly and related meetings in St. Petersburg. In the same year, he accompanied Russian Senator Andrey Klimov in Malacanang to discuss enhanced direct contacts between parliaments, cooperation on cyber security, and cultural relations, among others. Senator Pimentel's efforts went beyond the political arena to other equally important aspects of cooperation. He even went as far as coordinating with the City of Manila in the search for the graves of five Russian sailors who died in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 to 1905. Underscoring the importance of cultural cooperation, Senator Pimentel delivered a beautiful speech last June, celebrating the life of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin on the occasion of the literary giant's 225th birthday and Russian Language Day. Romans 13:7 teaches us to give honor to whom honor is due. Today, we not only give consent to Senator Pimentel to accept the Badge for Cooperation, but we also honor his unwavering dedication and efforts so that our 48 years of relations with Russia will further deepen and flourish. This representation may not be as well-versed as Senator Pimentel in Russian literature. Still, please allow me to quote one of the greatest Russian writers: in the widely celebrated book War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy said, "For us, with the rule of right and wrong given us by Christ, there is nothing for which we have no standard. And there is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth." Senator Koko possesses all these three noble virtues - modesty, goodness, and a steadfast spirit to fight for the truth. Our dear friend Senator Koko exudes the greatness that Tolstoy described, as evidenced by the recognition that he is about to accept from the Russian Federation. Thus, I urge our esteemed colleagues to adopt this concurrent resolution granting consent to Senator Pimentel to accept the Badge for Cooperation conferred upon him by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, pursuant to Article 9-B, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 47 or Republic Act No. 8491 or the "Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines." Congratulations, Senator Pimentel! Thank you, Mr. President, and may God bless us all. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, claiming it is an 'unashamed' attack on democracy. In a post on X, the TMC General Secretary stated the bill that presses for simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies seeks to rob the people of their fundamental right to vote regularly. "The BJP's brazen attempt to introduce a constitutional amendment bill today, while the constitution debate is still underway in Parliament, is nothing short of an unashamed attack on democracy. The One Nation One Election bill seeks to rob the people of their fundamental right to vote regularly, Banerjee wrote in his post. He termed voting rights as power that holds governments accountable and prevents unchecked power and claimed that the bill is rather a direct 'assault' on the very foundation of India's democracy. "A right that holds governments accountable and prevents unchecked power. This is not just a bill; rather, it is a direct assault on the very foundation of our democracy built through the sacrifices of our founding fathers," he added in the same post. He said that West Bengal will not sit silently and will fight tooth and nail to protect the soul of India and crush this anti-democratic agenda. Meanwhile, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved to introduce the Constitution (129 Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, paving the way for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The proposal aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country. In addition, the law minister also sought to introduce bills 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, as per the day's schedule. These bills aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. Earlier, Congress MP Manish Tewari, opposing the Union Minister's move, said, "Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House." (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minster Pushkar Singh Dhami handed over appointment letters to 45 newly selected candidates under the Home and Provincial Guard Force Department at an event in Dehradun on Tuesday. The selected candidates included 11 lab assistants under the Home Department and 34 regional youth welfare officers under the Provincial Guard Force Department. CM Dhami congratulated all the newly selected candidates. He said that today a new beginning of your life is taking place. CM Dhami expressed hope that all the selected candidates will work with full dedication and honesty in their field of work. "If we start work with a regular routine, every path is easy. He said that to fulfil the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop India by 2047, everyone will have to make a special contribution in their field of work," Dhami added. CM Dhami said that in the last three and a half years, appointments have been provided to more than 19 thousand posts in government services in the state. "The recruitment process for many posts is slow. After the implementation of strict anti-copying laws in the state, all the recruitment examinations have been completed on time with complete transparency," Dhami said. Earlier on Monday, CM Dhami inaugurated the Kanda Mahotsav. On this occasion, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of 11 schemes worth Rs 83 crore and inaugurated a scheme worth Rs 1.80 crore in Bageshwar district. The Chief Minister also made several announcements to further accelerate the development of the district, according to a release. Describing the Kanda Mahotsav as a priceless heritage of the state, the Chief Minister said that this festival has played a major role in preserving the state's rich traditions and making a unique contribution in passing them on to future generations. This festival provides a platform for our small traders, artisans and farmers to display and sell their products. The Chief Minister said that our folk culture is our basic identity and wherever we are in life or wherever we go in the world, our first identity is that we are residents of Uttarakhand. We should always be proud of the culture of Uttarakhand, the attire of Uttarakhand and the food of Uttarakhand, said the release. He said that it is because of such events that our folk culture becomes even stronger. He also praised the efforts of the organizers for doing a wonderful job of preserving our cultural heritage and taking it to the new generation. (ANI) National Democratic Alliance leaders on Tuesday extended their support for 'One Nation. One Election' bill, highlighting the key aspects of the bill such as the lack of "time-wasting" by holding the elections at the same time every five years. Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayanade noted that the continuous elections "waste" the country's time and money and emphasised on the necessity of One Nation, One Election. "Continuous elections waste our country's time and money. To be free from this, One Nation One Election is necessary," she said. Additionally, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu also extended his party's support, calling the bill a "pro-development Bill." "We are supporting this One Nation One Election Bill because it is a pro-development Bill. This Bill will help in good governance in the country. Whenever there is a discussion on development, a discussion on good governance, Chandrababu Naidu is always at the forefront, he has always supported everything in these two aspects. In the same way, we are supporting this One Nation One Election Bill," Devarayalu said. Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant suggested that One Nation One Election will be "good" for the country. "It will be good for the country. It was PM Modi's commitment to implement it. We are with him," Sawant said. Meanwhile, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal questioned the opposition for opposing the bill. "Why are they (the opposition) outright rejecting without debating something that was initiated with the creation of the Constitution and implemented for the next 20 years?" he said. Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (129 Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, paving the way for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The proposal aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country. In addition, the law minister also introduced bills 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, as per the day's schedule. These bills aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. (ANI) The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has set up a security camp in Gundam village, a region previously known as a Naxal stronghold. This camp, which includes a medical facility, is providing essential healthcare services to the local villagers. The medical camp has proven to be a lifeline for the community, offering much-needed medical support in an area long deprived of healthcare services. Before its establishment, villagers faced significant challenges in accessing treatment for various illnesses due to the absence of nearby hospitals. Speaking to ANI, Kumar Sani, a CRPF jawan undergoing treatment for Malaria, said, "The facility is free for both CRPF jawans and villagers. In emergencies, villagers are brought here by ambulance. Malaria treatment is most common." He further explained, "People often suffer from fever for 2-3 days without knowing the cause. After medical check-ups, they realize they have Malaria. Even in emergency cases, like deliveries, the doctor arrives promptly. We handle 3-4 such cases daily, and all medicines and treatments are free of charge for CRPF jawans." Karti Nanda, a Gundam village resident being treated for Malaria, said, "I've been here for three days. The medicines are effective, and all costs are covered by the CRPF." Dr Adil Aziz, a CRPF doctor treating patients from surrounding villages, said, "The medical facilities are available to both civilians and jawans. Since we started this hospital, every camp has included a hospital and a field hospital. Civilians have greatly benefited. We admit, treat, and care for their nutrition. The villagers have expressed positive feedback since the opening of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Gundam. People, young and old, come here for treatment," Dr Aziz also explained, "We often see skin infections. Regular visits allow patients to benefit from CRPF medical services. This area was once a Naxal stronghold, but since the camp opened, the Naxals have retreated, and locals have begun coming forward for help. We've almost covered all the villages, providing essential services, including medicines." "Malaria, a common ailment here, has been a significant concern. People had no access to treatment before, but now we are making strides in nearly eliminating it. However, since it remains an epidemic, full eradication will take time," he added. The medical camp has become vital for treating Malaria and other common ailments, which had previously gone untreated, often leading to severe health complications. Now, villagers receive prompt treatment and proper diagnoses, improving their quality of life significantly. The CRPF's initiative in Gundam addresses a critical gap in healthcare, offering timely services. The camp demonstrates how the security forces are not only combatting insurgency but also earning the trust of the local population through humanitarian efforts. This initiative, part of a broader strategy, reflects the government's multi-pronged approach to tackling both security and development issues in Chhattisgarh's Naxal-affected areas. On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the FOB at Gundam, reaffirming the government's commitment to addressing Naxalism and enhancing life in these regions. Gundam, once a Naxal training hub, has been under CRPF control since February 14 this year, marking a significant victory in the battle against insurgency. Gundam is located just 10 kilometres from Puwarti, the hometown of Maoist leader Madvi Hidma. Hidma, the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) central committee, has been linked to several deadly attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada massacre and the 2017 Sukma attack. Despite a Rs 1 crore bounty on his head, he remains at large. The establishment of the CRPF camp in Gundam signifies a strategic effort to reclaim territory and rebuild trust with the local population. Through initiatives like the medical camp, the security forces aim to win the hearts of the people while weakening the influence of Naxal groups in the region.(ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday slammed Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it saying Uttar Pradesh is sending youth to Israel, while Congress is carrying a bag. Speaking in the assembly, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "A Congress leader was roaming around in the Parliament carrying a bag with Palestine written on it, while we are sending the youth of Uttar Pradesh to Israel. More than 5600 youth of UP have gone to Israel for construction work so far. Every youth is getting free accommodation and food, a salary of Rs 1.5 lakh per month and complete security is also guaranteed." A row erupted on Monday when Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying the bag during a Parliament session. The bag had "Palestine" written on it and several emblems embedded in it, including a watermelon, a symbol which is often associated with Palestinian solidarity. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday slammed BJP remarks on her carrying a bag with "Palestine" written on it, terming them "useless things." Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the BJP-led central government should take some steps regarding the atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus. "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. 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. India has 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 the MEA. (ANI) Congress MP Rajiv Shukla on Tuesday stated that the 'One Nation One Election' bill has many shortcomings, adding that the bill needs detailed discussions. "On the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill sent to JPC, Congress MP Rajiv Shukla says, "It is good that the Bill was sent to JPC. We were also demanding the same. There should be detailed discussions of the bill in the JPC. There are many shortcomings in the bill," Shukla told ANI. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, called the bill unconstitutional and said that the Congress had opposed it. "The government is arguing that crores of rupees are being spent in organizing elections and it is trying to save money. To conduct a Lok Sabha election, Rs 3700 crores is spent, this figure was given by ECI during the 2024 LS elections. Rs 3,700 crores is 0.02% of the annual budget. To save the 0.02% expenditure of the annual budget, they want to end the entire federal structure of India and give more power to the ECI. The ECI where there is no role of the Supreme Court in the election of its Commissioner. We have opposed this unconstitutional bill today...BJP could only get through the introduction of the Bill by a margin of only 65 votes. The entire NDA could not gather a 2/3rd majority to pass the Bill," he said. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and 'the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced in Lok Sabha after members voted on it. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election,' or simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the house. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election' and his agreement to send the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, "When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the law minister is willing to send the bill to JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end." Meghwal also introduced a bill 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, as per the day's schedule. These amendments aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' bill stating that One Nation One Election will create a balance between speed of work and finances. He also dismissed opposition protests over the bill saying that Congress opposes every good initiative, that's their only agenda. Speaking to mediapersons, the Haryana Chief Minister said, "Continuous elections cost a lot and slow down development and progress. One Nation One Election will create a balance between speed of work and finances. This bill should be passed. Congress opposes every good initiative, that's their only agenda." Earlier today, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024' was formally introduced in Lok Sabha after members voted on it. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election' or simultaneous elections to both Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the House. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election' and his agreement to send the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah said, "When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the Law Minister is willing to send the bill to JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end." Meghwal also introduced a bill 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, as per the day's schedule. These amendments aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. (ANI) Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing, "Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House." DMK MP TR Baalu opposed the bill, stating, "I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024. As my leader M.K. Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years, and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections." Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav, echoing sentiments expressed by other INDIA bloc members, said, "I am standing to oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution. I cannot understand how, just two days ago, no stone was left unturned to uphold the glorious tradition of saving the Constitution. Within two days, this Constitution Amendment Bill has been brought to undermine the basic spirit and structure of the Constitution. I agree with Manish Tewari, and on behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I have no hesitation in saying that there was no one more learned than the makers of our Constitution at that time. Even in this House, there is no one more learned. I have no hesitation in saying this." (ANI) The management committees of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms, the two major participants of the famed ''Thrissur Pooram'' have approached the Supreme Court challenging Kerala High Court''s guidelines for the elephant parade. The management committee said that if the guidelines of High Court is implemented it will bring the two-century-old festival and a celebration of the state''s rich heritage to a "grinding halt". The High Court had issued two orders on November 13 and 28 directing temples to strictly adhere to the restrictions imposed on the elephant parade. The order mandated a minimum distance of three metres between two elephants during parade, a minimum distance of five metres from the elephant and the flambeau (fire pole) or any other source of fire, a minimum distance of eight metres from the elephant to the public, and any percussion display. "The spatial restriction imposed by the High Court, mandating a minimum distance of three meters between elephants, brings the historic Thrissur Pooram to a grinding halt, as the thousand-year-old venue, the Vadakkumnathan Temple, integral to Thrissur Pooram, cannot accommodate such constraints," stated the appeal against High Court order filed through advocate Abhilash AR. It added, "This venue, with its traditional layout, has been the epicenter of the Pooram for centuries and the direction by the High Court disregards the significance of the historic and UNESCO recognised tradition." The petitioners -- two major Devaswoms, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, and principal organisers of the event with eight other temples, submitted that guidelines issued by the High court were broad and sweeping, and caused last minute confusion and disruption in the festival''s planning. "The directives requiring exact distances and crowd control measures were difficult to implement given the scale of the festival and the massive crowd exceeding 5 lakh people. Implementing these directives within the limited timeframe placed an enormous burden on the petitioners, who had to manage coordination between multiple agencies while ensuring the festival''s sanctity and smooth conduct," said the petition. Advocate Abhilash said High Court prematurely relying on the findings in Sabarimala Temple case of Supreme Court, has overstepped its jurisdiction and rendered a conclusion that is not only inconsistent with the question pending adjudication before the apex court, but also fails to recognise the deeply rooted cultural and religious significance of the festivities associated with Thrissur Pooram. The Supreme Court in 2020 had decided to examine the scope and ambit of the fundamental right to freedom of religion vis-a-vis other rights to citizens, arising out of a 2018 judgement which allowed entry of all-age women to Kerala''s Sabarimala temple. The Devaswoms further stated, "High Court''s conclusion disregards the fact that the parading of elephants has been an integral part of the religious traditions of the Devasoms for centuries, and its status as an essential religious practice cannot be arbitrarily denied based on a judgment whose findings are still under judicial scrutiny." The petitioners sought quashing of November 13 and 28 orders and in the interim they sought a stay on the High Court guidelines and a direction to the State government not to place reliance on these orders while framing new rules, if any, during the pendency of the appeal. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) inter-state river linking project between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. PM Modi participated in the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' programme organised in Jaipur to mark the completion of one year of the BJP government in Rajasthan. During the event, the MoU for the project was signed in the presence of both state governments. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav exchanged the MoUs. "I am happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has scripted a new history today. An MoU has been signed for the three-river linking project of Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and the project has now been initiated. The project will provide drinking water as well as water for industries to eleven districts in Madhya Pradesh and several districts in Rajasthan," CM Yadav said. He added, "The project will act like oxygen for Rajasthan. I thank PM Modi for making time for this initiative. Under his leadership, both state governments have worked together, and as a result, the central government is providing Rs 70,000 crore for the project." CM Yadav further highlighted that PM Modi, in his address, urged other states to take this collaboration as an example of working together to serve the public. "PM Modi has also mentioned in his speech that other states should learn from this initiative. To serve the common people, state governments must collaborate to maximise the benefits of natural resources, especially water. I extend my gratitude to PM Modi, Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma," he said. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu officially handed over the adoption of one of the 'Children of the State,' Aryan (a fictitious name), to his adoptive mother at Shishu Grih Tutikandi, Shimla, on Tuesday. He congratulated Aryan's adoptive mother and extended his best wishes for the child's bright and prosperous future. On the occasion, the Chief Minister appealed to affluent members of society to come forward and adopt children growing up in Shishu Grih and orphanages. He said the state government was making all possible efforts for the welfare of underprivileged sections of society and implementing schemes in this regard. He added that the government had assumed the role of 'mother and father' to 4,000 helpless children, officially recognised as 'Children of the State.' The government bears their educational and other expenses, preparing them to face future challenges. The Chief Minister highlighted the 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh-Aashray Yojana,' launched to support vulnerable children. Under this scheme, 49 Bal-Balika Ashrams are currently being supported across Himachal Pradesh. He noted 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 plays a pivotal role in providing essential support for the education and future of these children. Additionally, he spoke about the 'Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana,' launched to ensure the overall development and well-being of children in the state. The scheme focuses on improving education, health, and nutrition for children aged 0-27 years from families of widows, or parents who are abandoned, divorced, or disabled. General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Child Welfare Council, Mohan Dutt Sharma, and District Programme Officer (Shimla), Mamta Paul, were present on the occasion. (ANI) Commentary: Why the four red lines are critical to China-U.S. ties Xinhua) 08:12, December 17, 2024 BEIJING, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- When meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital of Lima, Chinese President Xi Jinping listed China's four red lines on bilateral relations. They must not be challenged. These red lines, namely the Taiwan question, democracy and human rights, China's path and system, and China's development right, not only highlight China's steadfast resolve to protect its core interests, but also serve as the most crucial guard rails and safety nets for the two sides to properly manage differences and maintain stability of bilateral ties. As two major countries, differences and disagreements are unavoidable. However, they must not undermine each other's core interests or escalate into confrontation. History has shown that the primary cause of disruptions in China-U.S. relations is U.S. provocations on China's core interests. Such actions once pushed bilateral ties to historic lows. Those lessons must not be ignored. As the United States is undergoing a transition of power, it is imperative that the four red lines be respected so as to preserve the hard-won momentum of stability in bilateral ties and lay a solid foundation for future interactions. The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations. The one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques are the political foundation of China-U.S. relations. On the Taiwan question, China has no room for compromise or concession. Should the United States truly aim to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, it must recognize the separatist nature of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party and handle the issue with utmost caution. It must explicitly reject "Taiwan independence" and support China's peaceful reunification. Any crossing of this red line will come at a cost. On the issue of democracy and human rights, the two countries can engage in discussions to address their differences through equal dialogue. However, it is unacceptable to use narratives like "democracy versus authoritarianism" to stir up division or interfere in others' domestic affairs under the pretext of human rights. Regarding development paths and political systems, the two nations should respect each other's chosen path, refraining from any attempt to change or even overthrow the other's system. Neither side can fundamentally change the other. As for the Chinese people's right to development, it cannot be deprived or ignored. The United States should view China's growth with an objective and rational perspective. Trade wars, technological blockades, or forced "decoupling" are only counterproductive, harming others without benefitting the United States itself. China's development represents an opportunity, not a threat, for the United States and the world. These four red lines stand as a reminder to the United States not to misjudge China's resolve. While China remains committed to fostering stable, healthy, and sustainable relations with the United States, it will not compromise on its core interests. As Xi reiterated in the meeting with Biden, China's position of resolutely safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged. Meanwhile, viewing China as a primary strategic competitor and the most consequential geopolitical challenge is seriously misguided and will only lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Any form of conflict -- be it cold or hot, economic or technological -- would inflict harm not only on both nations but also on the broader world, with consequences too grave for anyone to bear. During the meeting, Biden said that the United States does not seek a new Cold War, it does not seek to change China's system, its alliances are not targeted against China, it does not support "Taiwan independence," it does not seek conflict with China, and it does not see its Taiwan policy as a way to compete with China. These commitments are conducive to bilateral ties, but the crux of the matter is to translate them into actions. Both nations must avoid the historical pitfalls of great power conflicts and should instead show true leadership by fostering global stability and driving positive momentum. Looking forward, it is essential that the United States remains firmly committed to respecting these four red lines, and joins China in choosing dialogue and cooperation over confrontation and conflict, so as to keep bilateral ties moving ahead on the right track. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Press Release December 17, 2024 SENATE NOD ON TURNING NEDA INTO A DEPARTMENT A TRIUMPH FOR THE COUNTRY, SAYS ZUBIRI Sen. Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri hailed the Senate's third reading approval of the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, which elevates the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into a full-fledged department under the name Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev). Zubiri, who has championed the measure as chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, underscored the bill's significance beyond organizational restructuring, calling it a victory for the nation. "Our friends at the NEDA have been waiting for this for a long time, but truthfully this is not a win for the NEDA - this is a win for the country," Zubiri said during his manifestation on the floor . With DEPDev at the helm, Zubiri explained, Filipinos can expect more efficient economic planning and implementation that will lead to tangible benefits. "We can look forward to better economic planning and implementation, which will translate to more jobs, more income, and more development from the ground up," he emphasized . The bill institutionalizes DEPDev as the government's primary economic policy and planning agency, tasked with aligning national development strategies across all levels of governance. It also formalizes the department's oversight role in crafting and managing the country's public investment program, ensuring economic growth is inclusive and sustainable. Zubiri expressed gratitude to the leadership of NEDA, led by Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, for their critical role in shaping the measure. "I thank Sec. Arci Balisacan and the whole NEDA team who worked with us in steering this bill through the Senate," Zubiri said, recognizing their technical expertise and commitment to national development . The former Senate President also lauded his colleagues for their unified support in passing the measure. "I thank our colleagues for being one with us in our push for the DEPDev," Zubiri added, noting the broad consensus that economic planning deserves a stronger institutional foundation . The creation of DEPDev reflects the increasing complexity of economic challenges that require cohesive and strategic policymaking. Zubiri stressed that the new department will play a pivotal role in addressing issues such as job generation, income inequality and infrastructure development. He further highlighted that elevating NEDA to department status is timely, given the country's ambitious development goals and ongoing post-pandemic recovery efforts. "This ensures that our economic plans are not just well-crafted but also effectively implemented to benefit every Filipino," he said. The proposed DEPDev will also strengthen the Philippines' position in the global arena, enabling it to interface more effectively with international economic organizations and potential investors as a full-fledged department. "This is about equipping the agency with the power and resources it needs to drive real economic progress for the Filipino people." With the bill now moving closer to enactment, Zubiri urged continued collaboration across sectors to ensure DEPDev fulfills its mandate. "We can't stop here. DEPDev will need the full support of all government stakeholders as it leads our economic growth strategies moving forward," he said. Zubiri expressed confidence that the creation of DEPDev will mark a turning point in the Philippines' economic development trajectory. "This is the beginning of a new chapter for our country's economic planning. Let us work together to make this vision a reality," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday called for elections to be held using ballot papers if people have doubts about the process and suggested that the Election Commissioner should also be elected by the people. "The issue of 'One Nation, One Election' should come later. First, the election of the Election Commissioner should be conducted. If the President can be elected, why not the Election Commissioner? If people have doubts about EVMs, those doubts must be addressed. Let voting happen using ballot papers once. If the same majority is achieved, no one will question it again," Uddhav Thackeray said during a press conference in Nagpur. On reports of a few Mahayuti leaders being unhappy over not being inducted into the newly formed Maharashtra Government, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said, "Let them run the government, they will find out. Whatever was said about me earlier is now being exposed. People can see what is being said about them (the Maharashtra Government). Chhagan Bhujbal is not in touch with me regarding this matter, but he is always in touch with me," Uddhav added. Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that the party had presented several demonstrations highlighting the possibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) being hacked, but the election body did not accept them. The Congress party raised concerns about EVMs following its losses in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party even met the Election Commission to express doubts about the electoral process in Maharashtra. In the elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory by winning 235 seats. The results marked a significant milestone for the BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party with 132 seats. The Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also made notable gains, winning 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback, with Congress securing just 16 seats. Its alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT), won 20 seats, while the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) managed only 10 seats. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, stated that the Government of India has taken significant steps for the "training, capacity building, and modernisation of coastal police" in the country. Rai mentioned that the Central government has established the National Academy of Coastal Policing (NACP) in Gujarat's Dwarka district. So far, 1,725 personnel from coastal police, customs, BSF, and CISF have been trained in various courses at the academy. The Minister provided this information in response to a question from BJP Lok Sabha MPs Dilip Saikia and Kamlesh Jangde regarding the government's initiatives for training and capacity building of coastal police in coastal states and Union Territories, along with details on their modernisation efforts. He further stated that Coastal Police personnel are also trained at the Coast Guard Training Centre in Kochi and Coast Guard District Headquarters across all coastal states and Union Territories. To date, 13,879 Coastal Police personnel have been trained at these centres. Rai highlighted that coastal security exercises such as "Sagar Kavach" and coastal security drills like "Sajag" are conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), with the participation of Coastal Police. These exercises and drills aim to enhance inter-agency coordination and establish a robust coastal security mechanism. Coastal Police personnel also receive specialised training from the Indian Navy at naval establishments in areas such as seamanship, navigation, and boat handling. Over 3,000 personnel have been trained in these areas to date. The ICG has additionally conducted Joint Coastal Patrolling (JCP) with the Coastal Police, with 3,374 JCP sorties and the embarkation of 8,122 personnel undertaken since the initiative began in August 2020. To bolster coastal security, the central government has implemented the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) in two phases. Under this scheme, 204 Coastal Police Stations have been operationalised. Furthermore, the government has provided 204 boats, 37 jetties, 284 four-wheelers, 554 two-wheelers, 97 check-posts, 58 out-posts, and 30 barracks to coastal states and Union Territories. Six Marine Police Operation Centres (MPOC) have also been constructed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On modernisation efforts, Rai emphasised that it is an ongoing process, with states continuously striving to upgrade and equip their police forces under the "Assistance to States & UTs for Modernisation of Police" scheme. Under this initiative, the central government has provided Rs 63.35 crore in assistance to nine coastal states and four Union Territories over the past two years and the current financial year. (ANI) The "Flavours of India Conclave" recently brought together the nation's most influential figures from the food industry, politics, and the music industry, celebrating the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine and culture. Various ministers addressed the event, praising India's rich heritage and aiming to make it a Viksit Bharat. The conclave was curated by BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, influencer Himani Arora, and the SRSF Foundation, where Poonawalla also held panel discussions with his thought-provoking questions with leading restaurateurs of the country like Sagar Daryani, Zorawar Kalra, and Aseem Grover. YourSay Network was the official social media partner of the event. Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, honoured some of India's greatest restaurateurs, recognising their unparalleled contributions to the country's gastronomic heritage. "Bharat is a land of diversities, which makes it even more beautiful, which is our biggest power. Diverse food, taste, music, clothes, and style keep the country united," said the Union Minister while speaking to ANI. The evening was filled with soulful music as the Queen of Folk music, Malini Awasthi, mesmerised the audience with a melodious performance as she sang a number of folk songs while explaining their meaning and relevance. The session was hosted by Chief Editor of ANI, Smita Prakash, adding an insightful cultural dimension to the conclave. Speaking about the event, Awasthi said, "The diverse colours of Bharat have gathered at a single platform. Every region, every state in our country has its own beauty. I believe every state should conduct such an event where food, music, and style come together under a wide umbrella to celebrate our rich heritage." The family of Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan was represented by Ayaan Ali Khan, who spoke soulfully about Ustaad Zakir Hussain and the great loss to Indian music. Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, also added a special flavour to the conclave by delighting the audience with a soulful rendition of a Rajasthani folk song. His performance was a perfect reflection of the event's celebration of Indian culture and traditions. While speaking to ANI, the minister said, "Our aim is to make the country a Viksit Bharat, and to fulfil this goal we will have to work on the qualities of Bharat and its famous things so that the export also increases, which will make it a Viksit Bharat." The conclave was so graced by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. "India's culture and diversity are gaining respect among other countries, and a new identity is being created for Bharat. Under the leadership of honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, India's development has gained the attention of all around the world. This conclave has brought India's food, style, music, and our rich culture and heritage to the fore, and this should be made into an international conclave," he added. Leading designers and whose who of the fashion industry were also in attendance. Sunil Sethi, Ammit Aggarwal, Monicka Shah, and others were part of an engaging panel discussion. Awards were presented across various genres to industry leaders, acknowledging their immense contributions to the food, hospitality, and culinary sectors. Various artists, like music maestro Ayaan Ali Khan, were awarded, and a heartfelt tribute was paid to Jiggs Kalra, Czar of Indian Cuisine. The event also saw special virtual messages from the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, and Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, underlining the importance of culinary heritage in shaping India's cultural identity and praising the efforts. (ANI) After centuries-old Shiva temple was uncovered in Varanasi, the concerned department is taking swift action. This comes a week after three idols were recovered from a well near the ancient Shiva-Hanuman Temple in Sambhal following the temple's reopening. "Whatever action has to be taken, has to be done by the Police. I can't make a comment in this regard...Concerned department is taking action...," said Municipal Commissioner of Varanasi, Akshat Verma. Earlier today locked structure, appearing to be a temple, found in a residential area of Varanasi. Police personnel deployed around the temple. Meanwhile, in Sambhal district, the reopened Shiv-Hanuman Temple hosted prayers and rites on Monday. The temple closed since 1978, was reopened on December 14 during an encroachment clearance operation conducted by the local administration and police. During the process, three idols were discovered in a well near the old shrine. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shrish Chandra told ANI, "These are broken idols that were found during the digging of the well. There is an idol of Lord Ganesh. The other one seems to be of Lord Kartikeya, more details are being sought. There was debris and soil in the well. The idols were discovered when it was dug. The area has been secured so that excavation can be done smoothly." On Monday, devotees painted 'Om Namah Shivaya' and 'Har Har Mahadeva' slogans on the walls of the newly discovered temple, he added. Vishnu Sharan Rastogi, patron of the Nagar Hindu Sabha, noted that the temple had been reopened after 46 years. He explained that it had remained closed due to the absence of a resident priest. Sambhal Sub-Divisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra announced plans to restore the original structure of the temple. She stated, "The temple premises have been cleaned, and electricity arrangements have been made. CCTVs are being installed for security. The anti-encroachment drive targeted only structures built on public property. We will restore the temple to its original structure." She added, "We have written to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)... Police will be deployed near the temple." (ANI) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, provided details on the Mahila Battalion, the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Rai stated that the strength of the Mahila Reserve Battalion is 1,025 personnel, led by a Senior Mahila Commandant, and that the battalion has been designed to fulfil the operational requirements of women in security roles, including duties at airports, Delhi Metro, government buildings, and public sector undertakings. Additionally, it will perform other duties as assigned by the Central Government. "The strength of Mahila Reserve Battalion is 1025 of different ranks headed by Senior Mahila Commandant. The Mahila Reserve Battalion would cater to the operational requirement of women for security duties at Airports, Delhi Metro, Government Building security, Public Sector undertaking etc. Increase in Women's representation in the Force. To perform such other duties as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government," the reply read. The Minister provided this information in response to a question from BJP Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao on the salient features of the first all-women battalion of the CISF and the details of the training programs and the recruitment process for the battalion. Regarding the training programs, Rai explained that the duration and syllabus for different ranks in the CISF are developed according to approved norms. Recruitment to various ranks in the Mahila Battalion is carried out in accordance with the recruitment rules, through either direct recruitment or promotion. "The training programs, the duration and syllabus of different ranks of CISF personnel are done as per approved norms. Recruitment of different ranks of Mahila battalion is done as per their recruitment rules through direct recruitment or promotion," the reply added. (ANI) A group of Students Federation of India (SFI) activists, the students' wing of the ruling CPI(M), staged a protest against Governor Arif Mohammed Khan while he was attending a seminar at the Kerala university in the state capital on Tuesday. The protesters created a ruckus at the university premises after they broke through police security to storm the campus at Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident took place after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who also serves as the Chancellor of the university, participated in an international Sanskrit seminar titled "Global Issues and the Sanskrit Knowledge System", in the Senate Hall of the university's Palayam campus. Despite intense security protocols laid by police, the SFI activists forcefully opened the closed gates of the campus and ran towards the Senate Hall where the governor was participating in the seminar. The SFI activists later staged a sit-in at the portals of the Senate Hall. They held a protest march through the campus and went out through the main gate, breaking into a scuffle with the police officials. Police also used water canons on SFI members marching towards Kerala University for the protest. Governor Khan, who came out after inaugurating the three-day-long seminar organised by the Sanskrit Department, lashed out at the reporters when they asked questions about the SFI protest. When asked why the protesters were not arrested, Governor Khan said, "What is my role in it? Why are you asking this question to me? Go and ask the police commissioner. How do I know? I am addressing a meeting." The Kerala University had already been bracing for the protests ahead of Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's scheduled visit to the institution for the first time in two years. His visit came amid ongoing disputes with the state government and left-wing organisations over vice-chancellor appointments. The event, organised by the university's Sanskrit Department saw protests from left-wing groups, particularly the CPM, who have been critical of the Governor's approach to VC appointments. These organisations allege that the Governor has made unilateral decisions regarding university leadership. Earlier on Monday, Manoj, a syndicate member representing the Left, alleged that the statutory procedures of the university were violated while planning the seminar. Speaking to ANI, he stated, "We are not against the event, nor are we against the international seminar. However, it has been organised without consulting the syndicate, which is a violation of university statutes," he said. According to Manoj, the university's statute mandates that any proposal for a seminar or program be presented to the VC and then forwarded to the Finance Standing Committee for approval. He pointed out that this procedure had not been followed. "There should have been an organising committee for this event, but such a committee was never formed. Additionally, no regular Senate or academic council meetings have been held for the past year. This reflects a broader issue we are concerned about, with a saffronisation agenda being pushed in Kerala University and other state universities, which contradicts the state's higher education policy," Manoj added. When asked about potential protests during the Governor's visit, Manoj clarified, "The syndicate is not such a body to organize such agitation. We have not yet decided our next step." In November this year, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan issued orders appointing interim vice-chancellors for the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (KUDSIT) and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) pending regular appointments, according to a statement from the Raj Bhavan. Kerala Minister of Higher Education R Bindu criticised the Governor for appointing Ciza Thomas as Vice-Chancellor of Kerala Digital University, alleging the decision contravenes a Kerala High Court verdict. "The Governor's decision to reappoint Ciza Thomas as the Vice-Chancellor of Digital University violates the High Court verdict and the University Act. This appointment was made unilaterally, without consulting the government. The Chancellor is exceeding his authority and advancing the central government's agenda through these actions," Bindu told reporters. "The state government will pursue legal measures. This appointment appears to reflect the Chancellor's personal preferences. The Governor is acting in a biased manner, metaphorically stabbing the state in the back. Despite the availability of qualified individuals, the Chancellor brings in controversial figures to play roles in these dramatic appointments. By disregarding court directives, the Chancellor is acting defiantly," she added. (ANI) Union Minister of Jal Shakti, CR Paatil, on Tuesday said that the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) Link project would resolve the water issue in Rajasthan and that it would provide sufficient water for drinking, industrial use, agriculture, and livestock there. This came following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) inter-state river linking project between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh earlier today. He said that the project aims to address the water shortage faced by Rajasthan. "The water problem that Rajasthan had been facing, this project will help fulfil the shortage of water there. Because of this they will get adequate water for drinking, industry, agriculture, and livestock. The water issue will also be resolved soon because of this project," Paatil said. Earlier today, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the signing of the MoU for the PKC inter-state river linking project between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. PM Modi participated in the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' programme organised in Jaipur to mark the completion of one year of the BJP government in Rajasthan. During the event, the MoU for the project was signed in the presence of both state governments. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav exchanged the MoUs. "I am happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has scripted a new history today. An MoU has been signed for the three-river linking project of Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and the project has now been initiated. The project will provide drinking water as well as water for industries to eleven districts in Madhya Pradesh and several districts in Rajasthan," CM Yadav said. "The project will act like oxygen for Rajasthan. I thank PM Modi for making time for this initiative. Under his leadership, both state governments have worked together, and as a result, the central government is providing Rs 70,000 crore for the project," he added. Speaking on the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, Paatil stated that the bill is essential for the country, underscoring its importance for streamlining the electoral process. "It is necessary for the country," the Union Minister of Jal Shakti said. Earlier today, 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024' were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha after members voted on it. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election,' or simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberations. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the results of the vote on the introduction of the bill. The vote recorded 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off six forensic lab vehicles under the Home Department at his residence here on Tuesday. Each forensic lab vehicle costing Rs 65 lakh has a drug deduction kit, explosive kit, fingerprint kit, footprint kit, DNA kit, fridge, generator, cybersecurity-related software, video camera and other facilities. Through these forensic lab vehicles, primary testing of any criminal incident will be possible on the spot. In the first phase, these forensic lab vehicles are sent to Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Almora and Srinagar. Later this arrangement will be made for all the districts. The state has received an amount of Rs 3.92 crore from the Central Government for these vehicles. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, The Chief Minister also handed over appointment letters to 45 newly selected candidates under the Home and Provincial Guard Force Department at an event in Dehradun. The selected candidates included 11 lab assistants under the Home Department and 34 regional youth welfare officers under the Provincial Guard Force Department. CM Dhami congratulated all the newly selected candidates. He said that today a new beginning of your life is taking place. CM Dhami expressed hope that all the selected candidates will work with full dedication and honesty in their field of work. "If we start work with a regular routine, every path is easy. He said that to fulfil the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop India by 2047, everyone will have to make a special contribution in their field of work," Dhami added. CM Dhami said that in the last three and a half years, appointments have been provided to more than 19 thousand posts in government services in the state. "The recruitment process for many posts is slow. After the implementation of strict anti-copying laws in the state, all the recruitment examinations have been completed on time with complete transparency," Dhami said. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' bill calling it a "historic day." He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he's proud of him for taking this step, which will bring more stability to the country. "It is a historic day...Should there always be elections in the country? I am proud of my Prime Minister...It is a welcome step and this will bring more stability to the country," he said. BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Tuesday hailed the introduction of the "One Nation, One Election" bill in Parliament expressing his dream of simultaneous elections, which he believes is also the aspiration of the people. "A historic day. The bill has been introduced in the Parliament and has been sent to the JPC. This decision of the government and the Prime Minister is something that politically I had been dreaming of. That has been the dream of the people of the country," he said. Congress MP Rajiv Shukla on Tuesday stated that the 'One Nation One Election' bill has many shortcomings, adding that the bill needs detailed discussions. "On the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill sent to JPC, Congress MP Rajiv Shukla says, "It is good that the Bill was sent to JPC. We were also demanding the same. There should be detailed discussions of the bill in the JPC. There are many shortcomings in the bill," Shukla told ANI. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi called the bill unconstitutional and said that Congress had opposed it. "The government is arguing that crores of rupees are being spent in organizing elections and it is trying to save money. To conduct a Lok Sabha election, Rs 3700 crores is spent, this figure was given by ECI during the 2024 LS elections. Rs 3,700 crores is 0.02% of the annual budget. To save the 0.02% expenditure of the annual budget, they want to end the entire federal structure of India and give more power to the ECI. The ECI where there is no role of the Supreme Court in the election of its Commissioner. We have opposed this unconstitutional bill today...BJP could only get through the introduction of the Bill by a margin of only 65 votes. The entire NDA could not gather a 2/3rd majority to pass the Bill," he said. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and 'the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced in Lok Sabha after members voted on it. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election,' or simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. On Tuesday, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the result of the vote on the introduction of the bill in the House. The vote showed 269 members in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal's formal introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election' and his agreement to send the bill to a JPC in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement. Meghwal also introduced a bill 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, as per the day's schedule. These amendments aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections. (ANI) During the review of the land certificates submitted by the schools, the board sent the documents to the issuing authorities for verification. It was discovered that the land certificates had not been issued by the relevant authorities. Manava Bhawna Public School is located on Nathupura Main Road in Burari, Delhi, while Sat Saheb Public School is situated at 101 C-Block, Som Bazar, Uttam Nagar. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) classifies schools into various categories to effectively manage and conduct public examinations for students enrolled in affiliated institutions. According to a CBSE press release issued on Tuesday, each category has specific requirements that schools must meet to ensure a standardised and fair examination process. The board grants affiliation to schools only after they successfully fulfil all mandatory requirements and any additional conditions outlined in the Affiliation Bye-Laws established in 2018. These regulations cover various aspects, including infrastructure, faculty qualifications, curriculum standards, and administrative procedures, ensuring that affiliated schools maintain the quality and integrity expected by the board. By enforcing these standards, CBSE aims to provide a consistent educational experience for students across its affiliated schools. During the evaluation of applications, the board rigorously examines all essential documents submitted by schools. To verify their authenticity, these documents are also cross-checked with the issuing authorities. (ANI) Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers and students staged a protest in Jammu, blocking the Tawi Bridge to demand the inclusion of Dogri and other regional languages in the list of languages for government job posts. The protestors voiced concerns over the exclusion of these languages, which they argue are vital to the region's identity. The protest was sparked by the recent announcement of job vacancies where only Urdu, Persian, and a few other languages were considered, leaving out Dogri, a key language spoken by a significant portion of the Jammu region's population. Speaking at the protest, a student said, "The lecturer posts that have come out, in that, there is no post for Hindi and Sanskrit. First month, we made a memorandum and spoke to them but to no avail, our demands were not fulfilled so we had to come out on the streets. Dogri is being ignored. They have preferred the languages that are common in Kashmir but in the languages in Jammu, like Hindi, Dogri and Sanskrit, there is not a single post." Visuals from the protest show police lathi-charged the students at the site. The ABVP members held posters with the caption, "Videshi ka virodh, Swadeshi ka samman" (Opposition to foreign, respect for Indigenous). Earlier on Monday, a delegation of the ABVP submitted a memorandum to the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, highlighting key issues related to higher education and students, including demands for an increase in 'Fellowship' and centralization of Common University Entrance Test (CUET), according to an official press release. The memorandum focused on crucial matters such as scholarships, fellowships, entrance examinations, commercialization of education, student union elections, and administrative reforms in universities. The ABVP urged the UGC to implement the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) as a centralized admission process across all universities, ensuring uniform application fees. It also called for the regularization of the academic calendars for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs and controlling the rising application fees for admission tests. Highlighting concerns over commercialization, corruption, and monopolization in private universities, ABVP demanded the introduction of central legislation to curb these practices. It also appealed for a halt to the annual hikes in tuition fees by central universities and the rollback of the financial autonomy granted under the guise of "graded autonomy." ABVP advocated for direct elections for student unions in educational institutions and stressed the need for a National Students' Union Act to streamline the conduct of student unions and their elections. It further demanded student representation on academic and administrative councils of universities. According to the release, the UGC responded positively, acknowledging ABVP's suggestions as student-centric and assuring swift action. The Commission committed to expediting the release of post-doctoral fellowships, increasing the number of fellowships, and simplifying administrative processes. It also emphasized strengthening the CUET process and implementing a common admission process soon. (ANI) Members of the OBC community staged a protest against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Deputy Ajit Pawar outside the District Collector's Office in Pune, expressing discontent over the exclusion of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal from the newly formed Mahayuti cabinet. Chhagan Bhujbal, former Maharashtra minister, was left out of the Cabinet expansion. On Monday, Chhagan Bhujbal said that it would 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. Reacting to the reports of a few Mahayuti leaders being unhappy over not being inducted into the newly formed Maharashtra Government, the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said, "Let them run the government, they will find out. Whatever was said about me earlier is now being exposed. People can see what is being said about them (the Maharashtra Government). Chhagan Bhujbal is not in touch with me regarding this matter, but he is always in touch with me," Uddhav added. 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) Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, saying that frequent elections hinder the country's development and prevent governments from making long-term decisions. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing the "One Nation, One Election" Bill, calling it a revolutionary move. "I thank PM Modi for taking this revolutionary decision. The continuous cycle of elections hampers the development of the country and public welfare projects, while also preventing governments from making long-term decisions," the Union Minister said. Chouhan stressed that national political parties spend most of their time preparing for elections, leaving little time for governance. "The national political parties in our country are occupied with elections for 12 months a year, throughout the five-year term. The PM, Union Ministers, MLAs, MPs, and workers are always in the election field. For example, I am the Agriculture Minister, but I have to stop my work and campaign in other states as a party worker. New developmental projects cannot be announced because the Model Code of Conduct is imposed. Officials are also engaged in election administration. The biggest drawback is that long-term planning becomes impossible. Elections were held simultaneously until 1966, but Congress stopped it for its political interests," Chouhan said. Criticising the Opposition for calling the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill "unconstitutional," the Union Minister accused them of opposing it for political gains. "How is it undemocratic? The bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. There will be a discussion, and it has been sent to the JPC. The Parliament has the right to amend the Constitution. They are opposing it for political interests. I appeal to Congress and all Opposition parties to support 'One Nation, One Election' in the national interest," he said. Chouhan also criticised Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for carrying tote bags with messages urging the government to ensure justice for minorities in Bangladesh, accusing Congress of indulging in political theatrics. "Then why did they oppose the CAA? Why did they not remember the (Bangladeshi) minorities then? It is Congress's nature to indulge in drama for political gains. They say one thing and do another, but the people see the truth," he said. Priyanka Gandhi and others carried cloth bags bearing the words, "Bangladesh ke Hindu aur Isaaiyon ke saath khadey ho" (Stand with Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh). Meanwhile, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha after members voted in favour. The bill proposes 'One Nation, One Election,' or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. (ANI) Preparing for future warfare, the Indian defence forces are aiming to expand their assets in space and bolster the strength of the agencies responsible for these tasks. A detailed presentation was recently made by the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) to senior Defence Ministry functionaries in the presence of service chiefs and key stakeholders from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Government officials told ANI that the defence forces are focusing on enhancing the number of space-based assets and the necessary ground infrastructure to support them. Plans to strengthen the Defence Space Agency and other related organisations come shortly after the government approved the space-based surveillance project, under which 52 satellites will be launched for surveillance, communication, and other strategic objectives. Both government and private sector agencies will play a role in this initiative. The DMA, led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), oversees the Defence Space Agency, which will manage these new responsibilities as preparations intensify for space-centric warfare. The Defence Space Agency is also tasked with increasing the number of assets in space while ensuring their protection from all types of threats. Enhanced satellite surveillance coverage will significantly improve India's monitoring capabilities, particularly in areas of interest along the Line of Actual Control with China and borders with Pakistan. To carry out the increased roles and responsibilities, the forces are now looking to significantly expand the strength of the DSA and other related agencies working in this domain. The CCS had approved two agencies for working in the field of space for creating all types of defensive and offensive capabilities. Recently, CDS Gen Anil Chauhan underscored the growing importance of space, describing it as increasingly "congested, contested, competitive, and commercial." He urged military leadership to secure national interests in space by fostering innovation and developing cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art systems in collaboration with all stakeholders. (ANI) Minister of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in response to a Lok Sabha question outlined the government's ongoing efforts to complete the remaining work on fencing along the India-Bangladesh border and the proactive approach in engaging with state administrations and construction agencies to address land availability issues and expedite the project's completion. Nityanand Rai was responding to a Lok Sabha unstarred question from BJP MP from Telangana's Chevella constituency Konda Vishweshwar Reddy. Reddy in a written question said, "Will the Minister of Home Affairs be pleased to state the stops being taken by the Government to complete the remaining work of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border, aimed at curtailing illegal infiltration, smuggling and addressing security concerns." He further asked, "In light of challenges such as difficult terrain, local objections regarding relocation and compensation and compliance with the Land Boundary Agreement of 2015 that restricts construction within 150 yards of the zero line the measures that are being implemented by the Government to resolve these issues and ensure timely completion of the project?" To this, Nityanand Rai responded, "The Government has been persistent in its efforts to complete the remaining work of fencing along the India-Bangladesh border by engaging with State administration for land availability and construction agencies for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DRs) and executing the sanctioned projects on these stretches." "All efforts are being made to resolve the pending land acquisition cases in close coordination with the respective State Governments and regular dialogues are held between the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh regarding objections raised by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) through bilateral institutional mechanisms such as Director General- Level Talks between Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Joint Working Group on Security and Border Management to ensure implementation of security fencing within 150 yards of the International Border," said Nityanand Rai reply to Lok Sabha. Earlier in the day, Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, provided details on the Mahila Battalion, the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Rai stated that the strength of the Mahila Reserve Battalion is 1,025 personnel, led by a Senior Mahila Commandant and that the battalion has been designed to fulfil the operational requirements of women in security roles, including duties at airports, Delhi Metro, government buildings, and public sector undertakings. Additionally, it will perform other duties as assigned by the Central Government. The Minister provided this information in response to a question from BJP Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao on the salient features of the first all-women battalion of the CISF and the details of the training programs and the recruitment process for the battalion. (ANI) Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, in a sharp response to the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, expressed his opposition to the government's proposal, citing concerns about the bill's impact on India's federal structure. The Congress MP said that to save the 0.02 per cent expenditure of the annual budget, the government wants to "end the entire federal structure of India" and give more power to the ECI. He noted that the government justifies the bill by claiming that it would save money by reducing the frequency of elections. Gogoi argued that the cost of conducting elections, such as the Rs 3,700 crores spent on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections--representing only 0.02 per cent of the annual budget--is negligible compared to the far-reaching implications of the bill. "The government is arguing that crores of rupees are being spent in organizing elections and it is trying to save money. To conduct a Lok Sabha election, Rs 3700 crores is spent, this figure was given by ECI during the 2024 LS elections. Rs 3,700 crores is 0.02 per cent of the annual budget. To save the 0.02 per cent expenditure of the annual budget, they want to end the entire federal structure of India and give more power to the ECI," said Gogoi. He described the bill as unconstitutional and expressed discontent over its introduction in Parliament. "We have opposed this unconstitutional bill today," Gogoi stated. He also highlighted the narrow margin by which the BJP managed to introduce the bill, revealing that the NDA could not muster a two-thirds majority to pass it. "BJP could only get through the introduction of the Bill by a margin of only 65 votes. The entire NDA could not gather a 2/3rd majority to pass the bill," he said. Meanwhile, Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala also called the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, unconstitutional and called for its reintroduction before being sent to the JPC. "The bill is unconstitutional. The people of the nation have to understand that we have a federal structure and the state governments which are working on the independent clause will be affected. We want the bill to be discussed even before it is referred to JPC," said Chamala. TMC MP Saugata Roy also reacted to the One Election bill and said, "We opposed the bill. We want the bill to be withdrawn." Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to issue notices to over 20 of its MPs who were absent during the division for the introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill in the Lok Sabha today, according to the sources. The party had issued a three-line whip for the presence of its MPs stating that some important legislative agenda is on the agenda. Opposition members had opposed the introduction of the bill. In the division, 269 members voted in favour of the introduction of the bill and 196 voted against it. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024', which propose simultaneous elections for both Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was introduced in the lower house today. The bills were introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The bills will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberations. Home Minister Amit Shah said that when the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. (ANI) Suresh Singh Rawat, Minister of Water Resources Planning of Rajasthan, on Tuesday expressed his deepest gratitude, and stated that the people of Rajasthan will forever be thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering support and commitment to the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP). He hailed the progress on the Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) as a 'significant step forward' in resolving a long-pending issue between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. "I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the honourable Prime Minister of our country. The people of Rajasthan will always be indebted to him. Today, in the presence of the Prime Minister, along with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal of Rajasthan and Chief Minister Mohan Lal of Madhya Pradesh, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the two states. This marks a significant step forward in resolving an issue that has been pending for years. The first tender for the East Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), has been released. We have issued a work order and are swiftly proceeding with land acquisition efforts. We are committed to completing this work ahead of schedule, demonstrating that this scheme will serve as a lifeline for all of Rajasthan. With this initiative, our farmers will receive irrigation water, and the community will have access to drinking water. Additionally, we have made provisions to supply water to industries to encourage industrial growth," he said. Notably in October 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to implement the Modified PKC-ERCP river link project as part of the Government of India's National Perspective Plan (NPP) for the interlinking of rivers (ILR). The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (PKC-ERCP) Link Project is an inter-state project that merges the PKC link with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). This integration addresses issues like water sharing, cost-benefit distribution, and water exchange between the concerned states. On the One Nation One Election bill, Rawat stated that the initiative is essential for the nation's development. "One nation one election is very important for our country because you see that sometimes Gram Panchayat, sometimes Zila Council, Panchayat committee, sometimes assembly, Lok Sabha, municipal corporation, market elections. We are always engaged in elections. So if all the elections are held once in five years, then there will be time left. They will invest in development because the code of conduct continues for half the time the code of conduct continues. With this, our officials are also busy and public representatives are also engaged in elections so one one-on-one election was necessary for the development of our country. I would like to thank the Prime Minister of our country for doing all the work which is necessary for the country's development and the Congress blocked it," he said. Meanwhile, Addressing the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' program organized to mark the completion of one year of the BJP government in Rajasthan, PM Modi highlighted the increasing faith of people in the BJP's government, noting the recent victories of party Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly election and Lok Sabha election. "In the last one year, Bhajanlal Sharma and his entire team have worked very hard to give new momentum and direction to Rajasthan's development. This first year has, in a way, become a strong foundation for the coming years. Today's celebration is not limited to the completion of one year of the government, it is also a celebration of the spreading light of Rajasthan, it is also a celebration of Rajasthan's development. Just a few days ago, I came to Rajasthan for the Investment Summit. Big investors from the country and around the world had gathered here. Today, projects worth more than Rs 45,000-50,000 crores have been inaugurated and foundation stones have been laid. These projects will provide a permanent solution to the water challenge in Rajasthan," PM Modi said. (ANI) Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader and MLC K Kavitha on Tuesday questioned the Telangana government over the cost of the proposed beautification project to revive the Musi River. She criticized the government for applying for a loan of Rs 4,000 crore without proper details about the project. Kavitha also alleged state government demolished the houses of locals residing near the Musi River without providing any compensation. "The Congress government in Telangana is taking up a project to clean river Musi for Rs 1.5-lakh crore. When we look at the project for cleaning River Ganga, it has cost Rs 42,000 crore till now. Similarly, projects for cleaning rivers Sabarmati and Narmada. Here, Congress govt has given no details of the project and suddenly applied for a Rs 4000 crore loan from the World Bank," she said. "Today, we have exposed this non-transparent attitude of the Congress govt both in Council and Assembly. In the name of Musi River cleaning, they (the Telangana govt) are damaging the houses of people in the local area there and also giving no compensation. BRS stands with the poor people living near the Musi River," Kavitha added. Earlier in September, CM Revanth Reddy announced plans to develop historic buildings located along the Musi River as a famous tourist spot. The CM said that the government is committed to promoting the tourism sector along with making Telangana a welfare state. The State Tourism Department signed an agreement with CII for the restoration of several ancient Stepwells in Hyderabad. Speaking on this occasion, CM Revanth Reddy said, "The government has taken up the Musi Riverfront development project ambitiously." The CM criticised the previous government for neglecting the numerous historical buildings, which have reached dilapidated conditions in the city. CM Revanth Reddy said, "The state government has taken up the renovation of the old assembly building and the state legislative council will be shifted to the renovated buildings soon. The famous Jubilee Hall, which is the house of the Legislative Council, has historical significance." (ANI) Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, calling it a step towards realising the foundational principles of India's Constitution and asserting that it aims to strengthen the country's democratic structure. Describing the initiative as a significant move, Kumar said it aligns with the core values of India's Constitution. "We have taken one step forward with the introduction of 'One Nation, One Election.' Ye Constitution ki 'moolavdharana' hai (This is the fundamental essence of the Constitution)," said Indresh Kumar. He added, "The 'One Nation, One Election' bill will be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for discussions and suggestions. The bill will be revised and amended before being reintroduced for formal deliberations and approval in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha." Highlighting its intent, Kumar noted that the initiative aims to strengthen democratic processes and streamline electoral practices in line with the vision laid out in the Constitution. Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed sharp opposition to the proposal, raising concerns about its potential impact on India's federal structure. "The government wants to end the entire federal structure of India just to save 0.02 per cent of the annual budget," said Gogoi, adding that the bill would concentrate more power in the Election Commission of India (ECI). He argued that the government justifies the bill by citing cost savings achieved through reduced election frequency. In a related development, sources revealed that the BJP is likely to issue notices to over 20 MPs who were absent during the division vote on the bill's introduction in the Lok Sabha. The party had earlier issued a three-line whip, directing all MPs to be present, citing an important legislative agenda. During the division, 269 members voted in favour of introducing the bill, while 196 voted against it. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. These bills propose simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Home Minister Amit Shah stated that when the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal was discussed in the cabinet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the bill should be sent to the JPC for detailed deliberation. Following its introduction, the bills will now be reviewed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further examination and suggestions. The 'One Nation, One Election' proposal seeks to streamline electoral processes, reduce costs, and ensure simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. (ANI) In the wake of the attack at the Islamabad Police Station in Amritsar, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav visited the city on Tuesday. He directed officials to ensure professional policing and take strict action against the perpetrators, a release said. The incident took place at around 3 am on Tuesday. According to the Punjab Information and Public Relations Department, the DGP Punjab, chairing a high-level meeting, emphasized the need for officers to use both technical and human intelligence to detect and apprehend those responsible for the attack. He asked the officers to identify common trends and patterns in such heinous crimes and conduct investigations in a scientific manner, utilising all the technical and forensic tools for the detection of crimes to ensure the convictions of accused persons. The meeting was attended by Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ferozepur Range Ranjit Singh Dhillon, DIG Border Range Satinder Singh and SSP Amritsar Rural Charanjit Singh. DGP Gaurav Yadav has also reviewed the law and order situation of the border districts and taken stock of the progress achieved in previous attacks on police establishments. "All the previous cases of attacks on the Police establishments including IED implant at Ajnala Police Station and hand grenade attack at Police Post Asron in Nawanshahr have been solved successfully and accused persons have been arrested," he said. In a separate meeting, the DGP addressed all the Superintendents of Police (SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) from border districts including Commissionerate Police Amritsar, Amritsar Rural, Batala and Tarn Taran to brief them about the top priorities of the Punjab Police. He directed the officers to intensify the fight against counter-terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, and street crime. He also asked them to tackle such crimes professionally and ensure prompt registration of FIRs in such cases. He also encouraged police officers to act promptly on tips received via the newly launched Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline '9779100200'. This helpline allows citizens to report drug traffickers anonymously. The DGP also joined the 'Bada Khana' lunch organized by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, which provided an opportunity for officers of all ranks to interact with the Head of the Police Force and exchange ideas, thereby strengthening the bond that is essential for effective teamwork in the field. Later, DGP Gaurav Yadav also visited Jalandhar and held a similar meeting with senior officers including CP Jalandhar Swapan Sharma, DIG Jalandhar Range Naveen Singla, SSP Jalandhar Rural Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, SSP Hoshiarpur Surendra Lamba, SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora and other gazetted officers and SHOs of the Jalandhar Commissionerate and Jalandhar range to review law and order situation. The DGP also participated in a brainstorming session organised for the officers at the cutting-edge level in which experience sharing and crime solutions adopted by various Police Stations were discussed. During the session, the model adopted by the Police Station Aur in district SBS Nagar to combat drug trafficking at the point of sale by utilising public cooperation was discussed. He applauded the various crime solution techniques being used by the different districts including crime mapping in Jalandhar city, the use of appropriate Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections for organised crime in district Hoshiarpur, extensive use of CCTVs and establishment of sub-divisional control rooms in district Kapurthala and focused attention of professional policing in district Jalandhar Rural, where campaigns to arrest persons involved in heinous offences, traffic enforcement drive with special focus on two-wheelers. (ANI) The event, led by Cyberabad Commissioner Avinash Mohanty, was held at the Cyberabad Commissionerate Office's main conference hall. Speaking to ANI, Avinash Mohanty said, "The aim of this programme is to reach as many people as possible physically, including eateries, metro stations, bus stops, offices, and malls." "We are aiming to reach one million people by the end of this programme," he added. The commissioner also highlighted that the awareness program is also spread though the general social media with the help of influencers who make informative videos about the programs which can be circulated at different forums. (ANI) The Cyberabad Commissioner Avinash Mohanty also highlighted that the program has been volunteered by many members of the Cyber Security Council as well as different students from Educational Institutions. "Other volunteers like police officers have also volunteered for the awareness program and we are trying to get as many people on board as possible," he added. (ANI) This unique camp, aimed at fostering unity and national integration among the youth, brought together NCC cadets from across the country to celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of India. During the visit, the GOC interacted with the cadets, commending their discipline, enthusiasm, and commitment to national integration. Addressing the gathering, the GOC emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping the future of the nation and lauded the NCC's contribution to nurturing leadership, character, and a spirit of service among young citizens, added the statement. As part of the visit, the GOC also inaugurated the Nagaland State Day celebrations at the camp. The event showcased the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland, featuring traditional dances, music, and exhibitions that highlighted the state's unique identity and contributions to the nation, read the statement further. The vibrant celebrations provided an opportunity for the cadets to experience and appreciate the diversity of India's North-eastern region. The event was graced by senior officers of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, NCC officials, civil dignitaries, ex-servicemen and local community leaders, who expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the NCC in promoting national unity and cultural exchange. The Special National Integration Camp at Wokha stands as a testament to the NCC's enduring mission of instilling a sense of pride and unity in the youth, fostering a stronger and more inclusive India. (ANI) "Swavlambi villages through social service" is the vision for Bharat, said RSS Sarkaryawah Dattatreya Hosabale. He was speaking at the dedication ceremony of the Pazhassi Raja Cultural Center at Ealakkuzhi in Kerala's Kannur district on Tuesday. He emphasised that every village should achieve self-sufficiency in all sectors. Chinese traveller Xuanzang, who visited Bharat thousands of years ago, documented the self-reliant villages of ancient Bharat. "Our aim is to achieve holistic progress for society through community cooperation without profit motives. Such villages are the soul of Bharat, and they have survived through centuries of sustained efforts. The development of villages should not be solely dependent on government financial aid. Governments should provide guidance, but continuous reliance on aid weakens villages. Development should transcend mere material growth and encompass spiritual and mental advancement," he said. As Bharat celebrates 75 years of independence and embarks on the journey of Amrit Kaal (the golden era), challenges such as natural disasters and pandemics have arisen. "During such times, swayamsevaks have actively and consistently served in rural areas, instilling confidence in society. The selfless service and sacrifice of Swayamsevaks embody what Swami Vivekanand identified as the essence of Bharat," he said. "Traveling through the rural areas of northern Kerala, one can witness these vigilant and tireless service efforts. Although numerous obstacles have been encountered in such activities, we have overcome them with firm resolve and continued forward," he added. The event was presided over by RSS Uttara Kerala Prant Sanghchalak KK Balaram, Swami Amrita Kripanandapuri, head of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, Kannur, delivered a benedictory address. Other attendees included Vibhag Sanghchalak CK Sreenivasan, District Sanghchalak CP Ramachandran, and Khand Sanghchalak M Ashokan. Pazhassi Raja Cultural Committee Chairman Biju Ealakkuzhi delivered the welcome address, and KP Sajith proposed the vote of thanks. (ANI) Delhi Police conducts a mega drug destruction event on Tuesday in the Jahangirpuri area. Delhi LG and CP Delhi attended the Mega Drug Destruction event, where the Delhi LG officiated the flag-off ceremony. According to Delhi Police, as of Dec 15, 2024, 1,714 NDPS cases were registered, and 2,169 drug traffickers were arrested. Assets worth Rs 3.13 crore were seized, Rs 3 crore more in the final stages of forfeiture. Moreover, action under PITNDPS has been initiated against 07 drug traffickers, with proceedings ongoing against 37 others. In line with its steadfast mission to achieve a "Drug-Free Delhi by the Year 2027," as guided by Hon'ble LG Delhi, the Delhi Police organized a Mega Drug Destruction. This significant initiative underscores the department's unwavering resolve to combat drug abuse and ensure a safer, healthier capital for all citizens. The event witnessed the august presence of the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of Delhi along with the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, symbolizing the administration's collective commitment to eradicating the menace of drugs. In compliance with the Hon'ble Supreme Court's orders, committees were formed by the Delhi Police to oversee the destruction of drugs seized from traffickers. These committees compiled a list of confiscated drugs from cases between 1969 and 2024 that had received disposal orders from the Courts. The event emphasizes the goal of drug destruction for a "Drug-Free Delhi by the Year 2027" campaign. A pilot project, running from December 1 to December 31, aims to destroy approximately 6,370.7 kilograms of narcotics-related to the Crime Branch. This includes Cannabis (3,498.8 kg), Hashish (188 kg), Heroin (219 kg), Cocaine (1.3 kg), LSD (13 grams), MDMA (92 grams), Poppy straw (1,635 kg), Doda post (418 kg), Ketamine (1 kg), 13,975 narcotic injections, and 152 kilograms of other psychotropic substances. The international market value of these drugs is estimated at Rs 1182 crore. Besides this, a total of 1569.5 Kgs of illegal Drugs from the New Delhi District and a total of 104.5 kgs of illegal Drugs from the North West District were also destroyed today. Additionally, approximately 2,556 kgs of illegal drugs from Districts such as West, South-East, and Central have also been destroyed since February 20. Accordingly, the total weight of the drugs destroyed to date from the last destruction i.e. February 20, is 10,601.1 kilograms, with an estimated international market value of Rs 1682 crore. In previous initiatives under the "Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan," Delhi Police destroyed approximately 2,888 kilograms of illegal drugs in December 2022, 15,700 kilograms on 26th June 2023, and 10,631 kilograms on 20th February 2024, with a combined market value of around Rs 4300 crore. The Mega Drug Destruction event served as a powerful statement against the proliferation and abuse of narcotics in the city. By safely disposing of confiscated drugs, the Delhi Police aims to raise awareness and send a clear message of zero tolerance towards illicit substances. This initiative is part of a broader campaign spearheaded by the Delhi Police to rid the city of drugs and associated criminal activities. The active collaboration of citizens, law enforcement, and governing authorities remains essential in achieving the vision of a drug-free Delhi. Raids were conducted across 650 establishments, including hostels, schools, colleges, shops, and hotels, as part of an anti-narcotics drive; random checks on auto and taxi drivers were also undertaken. Delhi LG has also announced cash rewards for the general public for providing information on drug trafficking with the assurance of keeping the name secret and emphasized mass awareness through print, social media, radio, and public transport platforms. It is also emphasized that this fight against drug abuse is not against users but against drug traffickers. Hon'ble also complemented Delhi Police's remarkable achievement of conducting 04 mega drug destruction events within 02 years. Delhi Police is rigorously implanting the Govt. Of India's Commitment of Nasha Mukt Bharat. "Today also we have destroyed drug of around 10,600 kg, this is happening for 4th time in two years, the pace at which we are working, we will be successful in achieving the goal of making Delhi drug-free within 3 years. This is not just the job of the Police but also of the public, each and everyone should join us in this campaign...," he said. In its unwavering commitment to creating a "Drug-Free Delhi by 2027, Delhi Police urges everyone to stay vigilant and united in their commitment to making Delhi a safer, healthier, and drug-free city. (ANI) After the Lok Sabha on Tuesday introduced the bill on 'One Nation, One Election,' the proposal met strong resistance from Opposition parties, who voiced concerns about its potential impact on democracy. Despite the backing from the ruling BJP-led alliance, the proposal sparked a wave of opposition from several political parties, who have criticized it as an attack on federalism and democratic principles. The Opposition raised concerns that the change could disproportionately benefit the ruling party, giving it undue influence over the electoral process in states, and could undermine the autonomy of regional parties. Opposition members opposed the bill's introduction. In the division, 269 members voted in favour of the bill's introduction, and 196 voted against it. The bills will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberations. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal tabled two crucial Bills: the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill) 2024. These Bills, which were approved by the Cabinet last week, seek to pave the way for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India. Congress leaders Manish Tewari and Gaurav Gogoi strongly opposed the introduction of the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha and demanded its immediate withdrawal. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, in a sharp response to the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, expressed his opposition to the government's proposal, citing concerns about the bill's impact on India's federal structure. The Congress MP said that to save the 0.02 per cent expenditure of the annual budget, the government wants to "end the entire federal structure of India" and give more power to the ECI. Gogoi argued that the cost of conducting elections, such as the Rs 3,700 crores spent on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections--representing only 0.02 per cent of the annual budget--is negligible compared to the far-reaching implications of the bill. He described the bill as unconstitutional and expressed discontent over its introduction in Parliament. "We have opposed this unconstitutional bill today," Gogoi stated. Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala also called the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, unconstitutional and called for its reintroduction before being sent to the JPC. "The bill is unconstitutional. The people of the nation have to understand that we have a federal structure and the state governments which are working on the independent clause will be affected. We want the bill to be discussed even before it is referred to JPC," said Chamala. Independent MP Pappu Yadav also spoke on the same and said, "You take up any issue, you will understand that in any situation they (NDA government) have only two issues. First divide and rule... Second, ignore all important issues. There is no issue on which they are serious. They just mislead the people of the country on every issue. If you want to save money then give the election campaign budget to the Election Commission. They should learn from Germany, and Europe. (This bill) will harm the parties of Eknath Shinde, Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu the most." TMC MP Saugata Roy also reacted to the One Election bill and said, "We opposed the bill. We want the bill to be withdrawn." Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the central government, stating that passing the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill as a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority, which the BJP does not possess. "Undoubtedly, the government has larger numbers on its side than us. In the JPC, they may even have a majority in terms of its composition. However, to pass it as a constitutional amendment, you need a two-thirds majority, which they very clearly don't have. It's obvious that they should not persist too long with this," Tharoor told ANI. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday said that the 'One Nation, One Election' bill hits at the basic structure of the Constitution and alleged that the government wants to change the constitutional structure. He said there is an attempt to move towards a presidential form of government in the country. In contrast, Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, calling it a step towards realising the foundational principles of India's Constitution and asserting that it aims to strengthen the country's democratic structure. Describing the initiative as a significant move, Kumar said it aligns with the core values of India's Constitution. "We have taken one step forward with the introduction of 'One Nation, One Election.' Ye Constitution ki 'moolavdharana' hai (This is the fundamental essence of the Constitution)," said Indresh Kumar. Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora welcomed the introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill on Tuesday, emphasizing that the initiative was the need of the hour as it would help streamline India's electoral process. Deora noted that holding all elections simultaneously, as practised in the past, would significantly reduce the financial burden on taxpayers and allow the government to better concentrate on governance and policy-making. Earlier in the day, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, saying that frequent elections hinder the country's development and prevent governments from making long-term decisions. Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to issue notices to over 20 of its MPs who were absent during the division for the introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill in the Lok Sabha today, according to the sources. The party had issued a three-line whip for the presence of its MPs stating that some important legislative agenda is on the agenda. Opposition members had opposed the introduction of the bill. In the division, 269 members voted in favour of the introduction of the bill and 196 voted against it. Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia and CR Patil were among nearly 20 BJP MPs absent during the division for the introduction of the 'One Nation, One Election' bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, according to the sources. Sources said Shantanu Thakur, Jagdambika Pal, BY Raghavendra, Vijay Baghel, Udayraje Bhonsale, Jagannath Sarkar, Jayant Kumar Roy, V Somanna, Chintamani Maharaj were also among those not present in the House. The sources said it is not clear yet if those not present had informed the party about their absence due to prior engagement or any other reason. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024', which propose simultaneous elections for both Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was introduced in the lower house today. The bills were introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The bills will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberations. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that when the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. (ANI) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his speech in the Parliament claiming that his remarks were "far from truth." Attacking the Home Minister further, Kharge said that Amit Shah had come to Parliament only to praise PM Modi and alleged that BJP is trying to divert people's attention. Speaking to ANI, Kharge said, "Today whatever Home Minister said is far from truth, it's lie, he said nothing truthful for example Ambedkar statue, was it built during their (BJP) tenure?... Everything is a lie. Every day, they abuse the Gandhi family. They are trying to divert people through lies and it won't go for long. He came to the Parliament just to praise PM Modi." Reacting to the introduction of the bill on 'One Nation, One Election' in the Lok Sabha, he said that its advantages and drawbacks have to be discussed. "When the bill comes for discussion then we will talk about its advantages and drawbacks. It has to be discussed after meeting with everyone. Everyone has opted together for the introduction, we will speak about it in the parliament," he added. Amit Shah spoke at the conclusion of the debate in Rajya Sabha on 75 years of the Constitution on Tuesday, during which he lashed out at the Congress party accusing it of vote bank politics. He further criticised the Congress party over some of the amendments made in the Constitution during its rule, noting that the amendments made by the BJP governments are meant to empower citizens. The Home Minister also targeted Rahul Gandhi over his "Mohabbat ki Dukan (shop of love)" slogan, saying that love and affection are not something to be sold in a shop. "We have also listened to speeches of those talking of opening 'Mohabbat ki dukan' in every village. Love is not something to be sold, it has to be spread. It is a feeling, to be evoked in heart, it is a moment to be evoked in others," he said. He said Congress amended the Constitution 77 times in its 55 years of rule whereas the BJP in 16 years made 22 changes. "In our Constitution, the Constitution has never been considered immutable... Article 368 has a provision to amend the Constitution... The 54-year-old leader who calls himself 'yuva', keeps roaming around with the Constitution claiming that we would change the Constitution. I want to tell that the provision to amend the Constitution is within the Constitution... BJP has ruled for 16 years and we made 22 changes to the Constitution... Congress ruled for 55 years and made 77 changes," Shah said. He attacked Congress over some amendments made when Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were Prime Ministers. "The first amendment was made on June 18, 1951... After the formation of the Constitution, Congress did not have enough patience to wait for the Lok Sabha elections before going to power... Article 19 A was added to curtail the freedom of speech... And Jawahar Lal Nehru was the Prime Minister at that time. The first amendment was to curtail the freedom of expion by former PM Jawahar Lal Nehru. The 24th Amendment was brought by his daughter Indira Gandhi. On November 24, 1971, the Parliament was given the right to reduce the fundamental rights of the citizens," the senior BJP leader said. (ANI) The meeting lasted for almost two hours in the BJP headquarters late at Monday night. "BJP National President Shri @JPNadda presided over a meeting with BJP National General Secretaries at BJP Headquarters in New Delhi," the BJP stated in a post on X. https://x.com/BJP4India/status/1869070200186040727 According to sources, discussions were held on Delhi Assembly Elections, BJP's organization elections and some other issues. BJP's first list of Delhi assembly elections will be released soon, sources said. In view of its organizational elections, parliamentary board member K Laxman was appointed as the National Election Officer. National Election Officer K Laxman and Joint in-charge Sambit Patra also attended the meeting. The Good Governance Day program to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on December 25, and Veer Bal Diwas were also discussed in the meeting, sources said. Organisational General Secretary BL Santosh, General Secretary Tarun Chugh, Dushyant Gautam, Radha Mohan Agrawal, BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, and Arun Singh were present in the meeting. The Assembly polls in Delhi are expected to be held in early 2025. The Aam Aadmi Party has already released the list of all 70 candidates for the Delhi assembly polls. After winning 67 out of 70 seats in 2015, AAP again won 62 seats in the 2020 assembly elections. While BJP took its tally from three to eight seats, Congress failed to open its account for the second straight time. (ANI) In a post on X, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said, "A parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Armenia, led by H.E. Mr Alen Simonyan, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan." "The President said that regular parliamentary dialogue plays an important role in enhancing understanding of each other's systems of governance and laws, and further deepening bilateral partnership," it added. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1868620753404666288 Last week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received the Ambassador of Armenia to India Vahagn Afyan in New Delhi. Jaishankar said that the two discussed about deepening the India-Armenia cooperation. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "Glad to receive Ambassador of Armenia Vahagn Afyan in New Delhi today. Spoke about deepening the long-standing India-Armenia cooperation." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1867549497213251963 The second India-Iran-Armenia trilateral consultation was held on Thursday, where the three sides discussed a wide range of matters, including connectivity initiatives, engagement in multilateral fora, and regional developments, the Ministry of External Affairs press release stated. The discussion in the trilateral consultations was led by Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran Division JP Singh from the Indian side, along with delegations from Iran and Armenia. From Iran, the Director General of the South Asia Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Hashem Ashja' Zadeh, led the discussion; meanwhile, Armenia was represented by the Head of the Asia-Pacific Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Anahit Karapetyan. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1867242682331869265 "The 2nd India-Iran-Armenia Trilateral Consultations took place in New Delhi today. Discussions covered connectivity initiatives, multilateral engagement & regional developments. Emphasis was placed on enhancing trade, tourism, cultural exchanges & strengthening people-to-people ties," the MEA stated in a post in X. (ANI) US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken during his official visit to the Middle East following the overthrow of the al-Assad regime, affirmed that the US wants Syria to 'succeed', the State Department said. Blinken during his visit from December 11-14 travelled to Turkiye; and Iraq. "Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we are prepared to help them do so," US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said in a press briefing on Monday (local time). He said that Secy Blinken discussed the principles that call for a "Syrian-led and Syrian-owned" transition which paves the way for an inclusive and representative government. Miller also emphasised that the rights of everyone including women minorities must be protected, "The Secretary returned this weekend from his latest trip to the Middle East, where he discussed the principles that he outlined early last week as essential for delivering on the aspirations of the Syrian people after the fall of the brutal dictator, Bashar al-Assad," Miller said. "Those principles include that the transition process should be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned and produce an inclusive and representative government; that the rights of all Syrians, including women and minorities, should be respected; that humanitarian aid should be able to reach people who need it; that Syria should not be used as a base of- for terrorist groups and should have peaceful relations with its neighbours; and that chemical weapons stockpiles should be secured and safely destroyed," he added. The State Department spokesperson further said that the US will continue to engage with actors on the ground in Syria. "In a joint statement issued after the meeting of foreign ministers that the Secretary attended in Aqaba, Jordan on Saturday, those principles were endorsed by a number of our partners in the region as well as a number of countries in Europe and the European Union. Over the coming days, we will continue to engage with actors on the ground in Syria about the importance of adherence to those principles as well as with our partners in the region and around the world about what they can do to advance those principles as well," Miller said. Opposition forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a strong offensive from the northwestern province of Idlib last month. They reached Damascus in the early hours of December 8 and announced the end of more than 50 years of the al-Assad family's iron-fist rule over Syria. (ANI) US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) condemned the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin. Calling the incident "shocking and unconscionable," Biden said it is "unacceptable that we are unable to protect our children" from this "scourge of gun violence." "Today, families in Madison, Wisconsin, are grieving the loss of those who were killed and wounded at Abundant Life Christian School. It's shocking and unconscionable. We need Congress to act. Now," the statement released by the White House read. "From Newtown to Uvalde, Parkland to Madison, to so many other shootings that don't 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. 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," the statement added. 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. President Biden expressed gratitude to the first responders and the FBI for supporting the local law enforcement efforts. "At my direction, my team has reached out to local officials to offer further support as needed," he added. The outgoing president further asserted that his administration took "aggressive action" to combat the "gun violence epidemic." He added that it's not enough and US Congress must pass commonsense gun safety laws. "My administration has taken aggressive action to combat the gun violence epidemic. We passed the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years, I have taken more executive action to reduce gun violence than any other President in history, and I created the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. But 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 President stated. "We can never accept senseless violence that traumatizes children, their families, and tears entire communities apart," it added. The school shooter was 17 years old, CNN reported citing a law enforcement source. It is believed the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Barnes confirmed earlier today that the suspected shooter was a student at the school. Police have declined to provide any other identifying details about the suspected shooter, but one law enforcement source told CNN the person was a female. (ANI) According to the MND, of the 10 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, four crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the country's northern, central and southwestern air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said, " 10 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1868823428708376805 Chinese activity spiked around Taiwan. On Monday, Taiwan reported five Chinese aircraft and six naval vessels near its territory. In a post on X, the Taiwanese MND said, "5 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 of the aircraft crossed the extension of median line of the Taiwan Strait. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1868461043468427327 This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. 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. (ANI) Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener expressed confidence in the India-Norway ties and spoke about the scope for expanding business opportunities between the two countries. She delivered the remarks on the sidelines of the premiere of the documentary 'All I Want for Christmas' in New Delhi. Discussing about the film based on refugees from Ukraine into Norway post the Russia Ukraine conflict, Ambassador Stener told that Norway had received 85,000 Ukrainian refugees who have been "welcomed with open arms because in Norway we support Ukraine in their fight for freedom against the full-scale invasion from Russia". She expressed support for the 10-point peace plan and said that India is contributing towards conflict resolution just like Norway. "When there is a war like this, we always hope for a resolution and we also always hope for a quick resolution for Norway...India is also trying to contribute like Norway is in the same way..." In an interview with ANI, on being asked about the ties between India and Norway, Ambassador Stener said, "Norway-India relations are at their very best and they are growing. This year has been a very important year. On 10 March this year, together with the other EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries, we signed the Trade and Economic Partnership agreement. And that has caused a lot of interest from Norwegian businesses to look to India. So that is a very important marker". Earlier this year on March 10, member states of the EFTA- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland signed a comprehensive Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with India. As per the factsheet by the EFTA, it was noted that with the entry into force of the agreement, the EFTA states will commit to maintaining the elimination of all customs duties on imports of industrial products, as well as fish and other marine products, originating in India. Reciprocally, India will reduce and eliminate customs duties on a significant share of industrial products originating in and currently exported from an EFTA State. The Agreement will lead to elimination of duties on most industrial goods currently exported to India by EFTA companies, such as for example pharmaceutical products, machinery, watches, fertilizers, medicines, chemical products, minerals, as well as fish. Speaking about the ratification of the EFTA, Ambassador Stener said, that the agreement hasn't been ratified yet, but will be done in the next few weeks in Norway. "I'm also hearing that it will be ratified in Switzerland in the next few months, so we expect the treaty to enter into force next year", she added. As noted in the Preamble of the TEPA, the common intention between the member states is to strengthen links, establish close and lasting relations and pursue the objective of sustainable development. She also said, "We are also looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi next year in Oslo for the Nordic India summit". The second India-Nordic Summit took place in May 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Summit provided an opportunity to review the progress of the India-Nordic relations since the 1st India-Nordic Summit, which was held in 2018 in Stockholm. Discussions were held on multilateral cooperation in post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, sustainable development, innovation, digitalization, and green and clean growth, the Ministry of External Affairs had noted in a press statement. (ANI) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake landed in Bihar earlier today and paid a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya. Upon his arrival, he was received by senior government officials at the Gaya Airport. The Sri Lankan President was warmly received by Buddhist monks as he went inside the Temple premises. The Mahabodhi Temple, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site holds great importance for the followers of Buddhism. As per the website of Bihar Tourism, the temple is an ancient Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. In a special briefing on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to India marks a pivotal moment in furthering the already robust partnership between the two nations. He emphasized that this visit, being Dissanayake's first foreign trip to India after assuming office, underscores the strong and multifaceted ties between the two nations. During a special briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the visit of President Dissanayake's visi, Misri said, "The visit aims to expand this very robust partnership and take its frontiers even further. President Dissanayake thanked India for its instrumental role in finalising debt restructuring, and the provision of grant assistance to undertake development projects in Sri Lanka. In particular, he thanked India for USD 20.66 million as grant assistance to settle the payments related to seven completed lines of credit projects in Sri Lanka." The Foreign Secretary further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's economic stabilisation efforts. Earlier on Monday, the Sri Lankan President Dissanayake thanked Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu for the warm hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan delegation. "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. 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", he wrote on X. https://x.com/anuradisanayake/status/1868630044421296161 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) US President-elect Donald Trump took a dig at the troubles in the Canadian ruling party after the resignation of Canadian Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland . In a post on Truth Social the President elect once again dubbed Candian PM Justin Trudeau as the Governor of Canada and said that Freeland's behaviour had not been conducive towards making good decisions for the Canadian citizens. In a post on his social media platform, Truth, Donald Trump wrote, "The Great State of Canada is stunned as the Finance Minister resigns, or was fired, from her position by Governor Justin Trudeau. 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!!!" The statement by Donald Trump comes after on Monday, hours before the statement on Canada's economy, Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from the Cabinet. Notably, Freeland was scheduled to present the 2024 Fall Economic Statement on Monday. In her resignation letter, Freeland had expressed that Canada faces a grave challenge from the incoming Trump administration. The letter said, "Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs. 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." "That means pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring. That means working in good faith and humility with the Premiers of the provinces and territories of our great and diverse country and building a true Team Canada response. I know Canadians would recognize and respect such an approach. They 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. But how we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Canada will win if we are strong, smart, and united," the letter added. "That means pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring...But how we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Canada will win if we are strong, smart, and united," the letter added. (ANI) NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh on Monday urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "to resign." He stated that "all options" were on the table when asked whether he would back a non-confidence motion, Canada-based Global News reported. He made the remarks hours after Chrystia Freeland resigned as Canada's Finance Minister. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Singh said Canadians were facing various economic issues, ranging from expensive groceries to high home prices and the threat of tariffs as US President-elect Donald Trump will assume office next year. Jagmeet Singh said, "Instead of focusing on these issues, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are focused on themselves. They're fighting themselves instead of fighting for Canadians. And for that reason, today, I'm calling on Justin Trudeau to resign," Global News reported. He said, "He has to go." The NDP's support has helped minority Liberals to survive recent tests of confidence. Conservatives during the question period on Monday repeatedly called on the government to either test the confidence of the House of Commons, or go to Rideau Hall and ask the governor general for a snap election. In his remarks outside the House of Commons just before question period, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said, "Justin Trudeau has lost control and yet he clings to power." He further said, "We cannot accept this kind of chaos, division, weakness while we're staring down the barrel of a 25 per cent tariff from our biggest trading partner and closest ally." He stated that US President-elect Donald Trump "can spot weakness from a mile away." He stressed that Trudeau has been able to remain in office due to Jagmeet Singh's support. Meanwhile, Leader of the government in the House of Commons, Karina Gould, said the government has been able to get the confidence of the House of Commons in multiple confidence votes conducted recently. An Ipsos poll released on Tuesday showed that Liberal support has reduced by 5 points, down to 21 per cent since September, putting them tied with the New Democratic Party, which witnessed a rise in decided voters by five per cent in the same period, according to Global News report. Speaking to Global News, Ipsos Global Public Affairs CEO Darrel Bricker said, "What we're seeing here is that progressive voters are starting to make a decision to maybe reconsider the NDP. We do know that one of the largest voter blocs in the Canadian population these days continues to be Liberal-NDP switchers." Earlier in September, the federal New Democrats withdrew their support from the supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberal government. The move puts the Liberal minority government at risk of falling at any time in the coming weeks or months if it fails to obtain confidence votes, which could cause snap election as soon as this fall, the report said. A federal election must be held no later than October 2025 under fixed election laws. (ANI) At the premiere of the documentary 'All I Want for Christmas', the Ambassador of Ukraine to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk highlighted that India can play a crucial role in the peacebuilding process in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and expressed hopes from Prime Minister Modi's leadership. Discussing about the film based on refugees from Ukraine taking refuge into Norway post the Russia Ukraine cronflict, Ukainian Ambassador Polishchuk said, "It's very personal for me because I've been separated from my family for more than two years and I had a chance to see my son who was actually three years old only for a couple of hours... This story is absolutely a fairy tale story because it shows that the people who actually escaped from Ukraine have very great support from our partners". He expressed thanks to countries like Norway and Finland who have given space to Ukrainian refugees. Speaking to ANI, the Ambassador said, "I hope that India can play the leader role in this (peacebuilding) process. I hope that Narendra Modi ji with his leadership can give the chance to Ukrainians to live in a peaceful environment". He said, "It is the ambition of India to be the great power and great leader in the world. We are looking to India great support for the peace building process in Ukraine. I couldn't encourage all of the Indian politicians to be in solidarity with Ukraine, but we have the great historical tie between two of our countries. So I hope that India can play the more crucial role in this process. So that is why we are looking for the Indian involvement in the peace building process in Ukraine". The Ambassador added, "This film actually shows that everything is possible. It's not just a fairy tale." In his concluding remarks Ambassador Polishchuk hoped to implement the political will which we have from the Indian side and from the Ukrainian side and have increased political interaction between two countries with the aim to increase the stability and the peace in the world. (ANI) Finnish Ambassador to India, Kimmo Lahdevirta hoped that India would put in its weight for the efforts towards peace between Russia and Ukraine and also spoke about the growing India-Finland ties. Ambassador Lahdevirta delivered the remarks on the sidelines of the premiere of the documentary 'All I Want for Christmas', in New Delhi. Speaking about the film based on Ukrainian refugees finding shelter in Norway, the Finnish Ambassador said, "I think it really is a remarkable film and of course the circumstances are tragic and people have had to flee from their own country because of the war (Russia-Ukraine). But, I think it also shows that there is hope and certainly Christmas is one of those times of year when hope, friendliness and positive things can change people's lives.. So I think it gives a very good balance on how things can go badly but also how they can go better". In a conversation with ANI on the progress of the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ambassador Lahdevirta said, "It's very difficult to predict how war goes. And I certainly hope that we can achieve a solution that is acceptable to the Ukrainian people soon. But difficult really to predict anything. War always is very unpredictable by its nature". He added, "We hope certainly that India also puts its weight for the efforts towards peace. I think that's very important indeed". Speaking about India-Finland ties, he said that 2024 marks the celebration of "75 years of friendship between our countries". "The relationship between Finland and India has progressed very nicely, and I think trade and other exchanges have developed very well in the last few years", he noted. Elaborating on how the two countries can benefit from eachother, the Ambassador remarked, "We (Finland) need skilled people from India and I believe also Indians need opportunities to study and work also abroad.". On being asked about the EU India Free Trade Agreement, he agreed that it has taken a long time but said Finland hoped that the trade negotiations can be concluded quickly. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has said that the call for civil disobedience issued by party founder Imran Khan has not been withdrawn, The Express Tribune reported. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House on Monday, Gohar Ali Khan stated that the call for civil disobedience was made by Imran Khan and will remain in place. He said that PTI parliamentary committee and people fully back any call made by former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had talked about the possibility of negotiations with PTI and mentioned that no message had been received from Imran Khan's party so far, The Express Tribune reported. He suggested PTI leadership to soften their approach if they wanted to hold talks. He warned that negotiations would not be taken seriously if such adjustments are not made. Khawaja Asif said only Imran Khan held significant influence in PTI and advised party founder to that the initiate direct negotiations with the government. Last week, 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 seniormost 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." (ANI) In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of Dalai Lama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, the Voluntary Tibet Advocacy Group (V-TAG) in Switzerland organised a meaningful Tibet awareness campaign in Zurich. As per a press release by the Central Tibetan Administration, the event aimed to raise global awareness about Tibet's ongoing struggles and highlight Dalai Lama's enduring message of peace, compassion, and nonviolence. The campaign sought to engage and educate the younger generation of Tibetans, fostering a deeper understanding of the critical issues facing Tibet today. V-TAG members organised a variety of interactive activities, including a quiz and a colouring competition, to promote creativity while sparking critical conversations about Tibet's current political and cultural challenges. These activities allowed participants to reflect on the importance of preserving Tibetan identity and culture amidst the ongoing repression. In addition, books and images reflecting the teachings of the Dalai Lama were distributed throughout the event. Beyond raising awareness, the event highlighted the vital role of V-TAG in amplifying Tibet's cause on the global stage. As a grassroots organisation, V-TAG has been instrumental in rallying international support for Tibet, advocating for human rights, freedom, and the preservation of Tibet's cultural heritage. According to the press release,the day served not only as a reflection on the Dalai Lama's Nobel laureateship but also as an opportunity to engage with the Tibetan diaspora, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to advocate for Tibet's future. The Tibet-China issue revolves around the status of Tibet, its political autonomy, and its cultural and religious rights. Tibet was historically an independent region, with occasional interactions with China, but it was incorporated into the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1951. Since then, Tibetans have sought greater autonomy, citing concerns over the erosion of their culture, religion, and political freedoms under Chinese rule. Central to the issue is the role of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising. China views Tibet as an integral part of its territory, while many Tibetans, both in Tibet and in exile, advocate for "genuine autonomy" or even full independence. Human rights abuses, religious repression, and the influx of Han Chinese settlers into Tibet further fuel the conflict. Despite international concerns and support for Tibet's cultural preservation, China's economic and political influence has made the issue difficult to resolve. The Dalai Lama continues to call for peaceful dialogue, though the situation remains a deeply contentious and unresolved dispute. (ANI) The US reiterated its call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as a solution towards ending the conflict between the two warring parties. The remarks were delivered by Matthew Miller, Spokesperson of the US Department of State during the Daily Press Briefing. Answering the questions, Miller spoke about the hostage negotiations in Gaza, civilian casualties, need for a ceasefire and aid in Gaza amongst other significant issues in other countries of West Asia too such as Syria. On being asked about the latest update on the hostage negotiations in Gaza, Miller said that there is a "lot of optimism". "Negotiations have been productive in recent days. We have continued to try to work with the other mediators to narrow the differences. We have been down this road so many times before, though, it's hard to stand here and say we're optimistic about it, because we are very much realistic about how difficult it has been to reach a deal", he said. "There are a very small number of differences that remain between the parties, and we continue to believe that those differences can be bridged", he added. On being asked about how the journalists can be protected in Gaza as the causalities have risen to 196, Miller said, "Journalists in Gaza absolutely need to be protected... Ultimately the answer to this is to get a ceasefire, which is why we continue to push for a ceasefire. The journalists that are operating in Gaza are doing so with incredible heroism. The U.S. doesn't have any personnel on the ground to verify reports, so we rely on journalists to bring that information forward, and we rely on the work that they do. But as long as it is an active conflict zone, journalists are going to be at risk the same way other civilians are going to be at risk, which is why we believe the ultimate answer to this question is to reach a ceasefire and why we continue to use all of the diplomatic muscle that we can bring to bear to try to get one over the line". Speaking on the deaths of civilians in Gaza, Miller said, "There continue to be unspeakable tragedies happening in Gaza every day, not just the death of civilians, the maiming of civilians, the people who find it difficult to get enough to eat, the people that find it difficult to get access to medical care. It is an ongoing tragedy, and the answer to stopping that tragedy is to reach a ceasefire, which doesn't just require acquiescence by Israel; it requires acquiescence by Hamas". Miller refused to offer comments on a report by Israeli Maariv Newspaper which said that Egypt has reached on an agreement with the Hamas that a transitional committee which is not Hamas could run Gaza and look after things. Miller said, "I'm not going to speak to that report. I'm not aware of it. But I can tell you we have been having conversations with a number of parties in the region for some time about what the post-conflict period ought to look like in Gaza, including what governance ought to look like. We have made clear that the status quo as it existed before October 7th cannot continue. Gaza cannot continue to be governed by Hamas. But as to what the governance looks like, it's not something I can speak to today". Speaking on the access of aid into Gaza, Miller said that despite the challenges there have been improvements. He reiterated that for overcoming the situation, the need for reaching a ceasefire is critical. (ANI) The US has said that North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Russia's Kursk region are "legitimate targets" for the Ukrainian military. Addressing a press briefing on Monday (local time), the US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said that North Korean soldiers entered a war and as such they are "legitimate targets" for the Ukrainian military. When asked about Ukraine's statement on North Korean soldiers casualty in Kursk and whether they are becoming legitimate targets, Miller said, "So, in our view, the North Korean soldiers who were deployed to Kursk are already legitimate targets. They entered a war, and they are, as such, combatants and are legitimate targets for the Ukrainian military." "We have seen North Korean soldiers who have been killed in action on the battlefield inside Russia. And if they were to cross the border into Ukraine, that would be yet another escalation by the Government of Russia and also an escalation by the Government of North Korean to send North Korean troops to prosecute a war of aggression against an independent, sovereign nation inside that nation's borders. That would absolutely be an escalation by the Government of North Korea," he added. Miller's statement comes after Ukraine said on Monday that North Korean soldiers fighting along with Russian soldiers suffered heavy losses during fighting in Russia's Kursk region at the weekend. Matthew Miller noted that US imposed additional sanctions to disrupt military cooperation between Russia and North Korea and vowed to continue taking appropriate measures to address US' concerns with that cooperation. When asked about US' response to North Korea and Russia's military cooperation, Matthew Miller responded, "So, you have seen the United States just today impose additional sanctions to disrupt military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia. We also, in recent days, issued a foreign ministerial joint statement with the G7, and we will continue to take appropriate measures to address our concerns with that unprecedented cooperation." North Korean units that arrived in Kursk in November were involved in assaults near three villages during the weekend, according to Ukraine's defense intelligence service, CNN reported. It further said that some 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured in the fighting and three went missing during clashes near Plekhovo, Vorozhba and Martynovka villages close to the border. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder said on Monday that North Korean soldiers had suffered casualites in Kursk, according to CNN report. Ryder said, "We do assess that North Korean soldiers have engaged in combat in Kursk, with Russia, alongside Russian forces." He stated, "We do have indications that they have suffered casualties, both killed and wounded." He refused to reveal details regarding the number of casualties but added that they have been integrated into Russian units and are primarily being used "in an infantry role." He said that North Korean troops started actively fighting alongside Russia a little over a week ago. Pat Ryder further said, "As we've said all along, those forces are legitimate military targets for the Ukrainians given that they are engaged in active combat ops." Separately, a Ukrainian frontline drone unit shared a video on Sunday to show the bodies of over 20 North Korean soldiers lined up in an icy field, according to CNN report. The quality of the video was not good enough to confirm their identity. (ANI) Islamabad District and Sessions Court has extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case 2.0 case until January 7, The Express Tribune reported. The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad extended the interim bails of Imran Khan and his wife in the case until January 7 and adjourned the hearing. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Mujoka conducted the hearing of bail petitions. In the court hearing, junior lawyers appeared on behalf of the accused. The junior lawyer said that the senior lawyer was busy with another case in Central Jail Adiala and could not attend the hearing today. Last week, a trial court had indicted PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a case related to alleged violation of the state gift repository - Toshakhana - rules when he served as Pakistan's Prime Minister to obtain a precious jewelry set, according to The Express Tribune report. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand read out the chargesheet against Imran Khan and his wife in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, where PTI founder has been detained for over one year. Imran Khan and his wife, who were present in the court, denied the allegations. Later, the court adjoured till December 18. At the next hearing, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will present the first four of its 28 witnesses. The Toshakhana 2.0 case involves allegations against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The couple is accused of illegally obtaining a Bulgari jewelry set gifted to them during a visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2021, The Express Tribune reported. The Bulgari jewelry set, which included a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings, was valued at approximately Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 75.7 million. However, Imran Khan and his wife undervalued the jewelry set, causing a loss of PKR 32.9 million to the national treasury, the report said. An investigation into the matter has revealed the former Pakistan PM and his wife violated Section 9 and Subsections 3, 4, 6, and 12 of the NAB Ordinance 1999. The investigation has found that Imran Khan and his wife had failed to deposit the jewelry set into the national treasury in accordance with the law. (ANI) The High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court on Tuesday partially annulled the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution and reinstated the non-partisan, neutral caretaker government system, the lawyers said. The High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury gave the verdict. The main part of the judgment was read by Senior Justice Farah Mahbub. Observing the judgment, the court said that the caretaker government was based on political consensus. That is why it has become the fundamental basis of the constitution. The High Court, in its observation, said that the basic structure of the constitution was destroyed by the Fifteenth Amendment. But the Fifteenth Amendment will not be completely repealed. The court also said that the basic structure of the constitution is democracy. Only fair and acceptable elections can establish democracy. The beauty of the constitution is the empowerment of the people, the people are the source of all power. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh ruled to abolish the caretaker government system by the Fifteenth amendment of the constitution of Bangladesh in 2011. On December 16, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said that Bangladesh's next general elections could be scheduled between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. He made the statement during his address to the nation on Victory Day, marking Bangladesh's victory in the 1971 Liberation War. 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. He further said, "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 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. (ANI) Calling the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership "powerless", Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the talks with the party cannot begin until a clear message is received from PTI founder Imran Khan, Geo News reported. Speaking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said, "Current PTI leadership has nothing in their hands [lack of decision-making powers]." Earlier this month, the PTI founder warned the government of starting a "civil disobedience" movement if his demands, including the judicial probe into the crackdown on PTI supporters are not met. He also constituted a negotiation committee to hold talks with the government. Raising questions over the possibility of negotiations with Imran Khan's party, Asif said that PTI's present leadership was not on the same page, adding that there were differences within the ranks of the embattled party. He said, "They all are giving statements against each other," Geo News reported. He emphasised the need for a "clear message" from the incarcerated PTI founder to allow the party members to hold talks with the government. He said, "They all [PTI leaders] receive instruction from the PTI founder." In response to another question, Asif said Pakistan has just one issue with Afghanistan, which is that the soil should not be used by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). As per reports, the outlawed TTP has been using Afghan soil for carrying out cross-border attacks in Pakistan since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terror attacks on security forces and civilians, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban took over Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces in 2021. As per a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), a rise in fatalities of terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns was witnessed between July - September this year, with a 90 per cent increase in violence, Geo News reported. As many as 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were injured in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed India's solidarity with France following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi conveyed his condolences and affirmed India's readiness to assist. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I am confident that under President Emmanuel Macron's leadership, France will overcome this tragedy with resilience and resolve. India stands in solidarity with France and is ready to extend all possible assistance," he said. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1868968246575271942 Cyclone Chido, reported as the most severe storm to hit Mayotte, has left widespread destruction in its wake. The archipelago, located in the Indian Ocean, suffered winds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph), which caused significant damage to homes, hospitals, and government buildings. The cyclone's unprecedented intensity caught authorities off guard. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou remarked, "Everyone understands that this was a cyclone that was unexpectedly violent," during an inter-ministerial meeting. The cyclone's toll has been staggering, with officials fearing that fatalities could be in the thousands. According to Prefect Francois-Xavier Bieuville, "I think there will definitely be several hundred, perhaps we will come close to a thousand or even several thousand" deaths, as reported by broadcaster Mayotte la Premiere. Initial reports confirmed at least 11 deaths, but the numbers are expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. Prefect Bieuville admitted that accurately accounting for victims remains challenging, as burials in the predominantly Muslim region occur within 24 hours, further complicating death toll estimations. European Union President Ursula von der Leyen also extended her support to France in the wake of the tragedy. In her post on X, she stated, "Our hearts go out to France following the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. Europe stands alongside the people of Mayotte in this terrible ordeal. We are ready to provide support in the coming days." Mayotte, a French territory nearly 8,000 km from Paris, has long grappled with poverty and social unrest. The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido underscores the challenges faced by the region, even as rescue efforts intensify. French authorities have rushed emergency personnel and supplies to Mayotte, while the storm's impact continues to be assessed. (ANI) Families of six individuals who have been subjected to enforced disappearances in the Aapsar area of Turbat, Kech district, Balochistan, held a press conference on Monday at the Turbat Press Club, demanding the immediate recovery of their loved ones, The Balochistan Post reported. The families issued a two-day ultimatum to the authorities, warning that they would stage a protest sit-in if their relatives were not located and released within the set timeframe. During the press conference, one family shared the distressing account of three brothers--Ehsan Manzoor, Ittifaq Afzal Manzoor, and Hamid Manzoor--who were detained by Pakistani forces on December 10. The family explained that after being taken, the brothers were transported to an unknown location and have not been seen or heard from since. Another woman shared her ongoing ordeal, recounting how three members of her family were forcibly disappeared. She explained that her relative, Shamsuddin, was taken by Pakistani authorities four years ago. More recently, two others, Shahab and Abdul Wahab, were also detained. Shahab went missing 18 days ago, while Abdul Wahab was taken just five days ago, leaving the family in a state of anguish and uncertainty, reported The Balochistan Post. The families expressed their frustration and distress over the disappearances, describing the severe emotional and psychological toll these incidents have taken. They demanded fair treatment for their loved ones, emphasising, "If our relatives are accused of any crime, they should be presented in a court of law for a fair trial." The families said this would help end the ongoing mental and emotional suffering they are experiencing. In a stern warning to the district authorities, the relatives stated that if their demands are not met within the two-day deadline, they would organise a protest sit-in at a significant location. They cautioned that such action could disrupt operations, including those related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The families asserted that any further escalation or disruption would be the responsibility of the district administration and authorities involved, The Balochistan Post reported. The demands of these families highlight the growing concern over enforced disappearances in the region. Their call for justice underscores a pressing issue that has yet to see a resolution from the authorities. (ANI) Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Tuesday expressed his government's desire to foster good relations with China and India, as well as the US, UK, and Russia and said that as an island nation, Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of building strong relationships with other countries. Speaking at the India Foundation Program, "As a new government, we hope to have a good relationship with China also. Not only India but also China and all other countries, even US Russia Cuba and North Korea. There is no difference, as an island we have to build up a relationship with all other countries." Highlighting his next visit to China, he said, "Our first visit to India was a state visit. Our next visit to visit to China. Next month, myself and our delegation will visit to China also. We have been continuing with India and China, the US and Russia, all countries, that is our foreign policy but we are following a win-win policy that is the base of our diplomatic releases." Further, the diplomat emphasised the strong historical bonds between Sri Lanka and India, which date back over 2,500 years, adding that he also noted that India had introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, leading to a flourishing Buddhist civilization on the island. "India-Sri Lanka relations are founded on historical, civilizational, religious and cultural bonds. These bonds go back to time immemorial definitely more than 2500 years the least. India had given us the gift of Buddhism which gave rise to a flourishing Buddhist civilization on the island more than two millennia ago," Herath said. "The influence of Hinduism was built into our socio-cultural fabric over the centuries of the movement of people and interactions. Our Sri Lankan heritage therefore essentially has links to India. Our contemporary relationship is very cordial. We have excellent diplomatic ties. Interactions between our leaders have been extremely close. And the people-to-people contacts between our two countries have always been vibrant," he added. Hailing ties between India and Sri Lanka, Herath said that the current visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Delhi symbolises the "close-knit" bilateral ties. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan President is currently on a state visit to India. On Monday the president met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi. Both nations signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, PM Modi said, "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." Notably, this is the first foreign visit of Dissanayake after assuming office in September. (ANI) At least 29 children have lost their lives in Pakistan's Kurram district due to a severe shortage of medicines and healthcare services, exacerbated by prolonged road closures, as reported by The News International. Further, the medical superintendent of District Headquarters Hospital Parachinar, Syed Mir Hassan Jan, said that since October 1, the hospital has been unable to provide adequate treatment due to a lack of medicines and basic facilities. In addition to the 29 child fatalities, several other patients have died due to the unavailability of surgical services, raising alarming concerns about a potential healthcare crisis in the region. The hospital did receive a partial supply of medicines from the Health Directorate in Peshawar, but the quantity was insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand, as per The News International. The ongoing clashes in the area have severely depleted stockpiles of medicines and surgical supplies, while the closure of key roads has further worsened the situation. The Thall-Parachinar Road, which has been blocked for 69 days, has disrupted the delivery of essential supplies, leaving the hospital without critical resources. Beyond the healthcare crisis, the continued blockade of the Thall-Parachinar Road has also cut off access to food, fuel, cooking gas, and other necessities, plunging the local population into severe hardship. The further sealing of the Afghan border has intensified these shortages, leaving residents in a state of deep desperation. Social activist Asadullah has warned that, without immediate intervention, the region could face a large-scale humanitarian disaster. He emphasized the urgent need to reopen the roads and provide essential food aid to affected communities. According to reports, local authorities are making efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue, with plans to reconvene a grand jirga that had been postponed in Kohat to discuss reopening the main highways and addressing the emergency. However, time is running out, and without swift action, the region could face even more devastating consequences. (ANI) Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, provided an update on the country's strategic efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, which has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years due to the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis. Speaking at the India Foundation Program, Herath stated, "We too had such a big tourism before the Easter Sunday attack, 2018. We got (the) highest amounts of tourists. And at that time, according to my memory, we earned four billion (dollars)." On Easter Sunday, Sri Lankan citizens who pledged allegiance to ISIS detonated backpack suicide bombs in four hotels and three churches in the greater Colombo area and Batticaloa, killing more than 260 people, including five Americans. Herath pointed out the compounding challenges Sri Lanka faced due to these crises: "After the Easter Sunday attack, there was a COVID-19 situation. After that, the economic crisis was there. Because of those three factors, we faced so many difficulties. The first one was the Easter Sunday attack. The second one was COVID-19. The third one was the economic crisis. Now, all those factors are not there," he explained, adding that these barriers are no longer present. Looking forward, the Minister expressed hope for boosting tourism, particularly from India: "We can increase our tourism industry. And we hope to open our hands to India. And we hope the Indian tourists will come." A key part of the strategy to boost tourism involves a policy change set for January 2024. Herath revealed, "At the beginning of next January, we will pass some cassette notification in the parliament. In that cassette notification, we will give free visas to 39 countries." This move is expected to make it easier for tourists, including those from India, to visit Sri Lanka. Additionally, Herath made an appeal regarding travel facilities for Sri Lankans to India, stating, "Then the most of the Indians, not only Indians but also so 39 other countries, tourists can visit us easily. And apart from that, I feel from your country, you asked also for that facility. India has not given that facility yet. Therefore, please inform your government to give that facility to Sri Lankans." (ANI) Moscow recently hosted the XV India-Russia Business Dialogue, an event aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia. Over 700 business representatives attended the event to discuss new opportunities for collaboration in trade, high-tech industries, and other sectors. The forum also focused on increasing bilateral trade and fostering cultural exchanges. TV BRICS was the official media partner of the event. The plenary session featured prominent figures, including Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Moscow City Government and Head of the Business Council for Cooperation with India; Vinay Kumar, Ambassador of India to Russia; Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; and Vladimir Platonov, President of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI). Together, they addressed several critical topics, such as expanding trade ties, advancing cooperation in science and technology, and improving infrastructure, education, and cultural exchanges. Cheremin highlighted that 2024 has been a productive year for the bilateral relationship between Moscow and New Delhi, particularly in high-tech industries such as pharmaceuticals, microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and transport infrastructure. He said, "2024 was a busy year for bilateral relations," emphasising the importance of continued collaboration in these areas to enhance mutual growth and innovation. Ambassador Kumar, in his address, pointed to India's strong economic performance, noting the country's GDP growth of 7.58 per cent and its position among the top three global economies in terms of purchasing power parity, reported TV BRICS. He also praised the successful implementation of joint investment projects, especially in the transport sector, and stressed the importance of "the development of banking channels and payment options to facilitate settlements in national currencies" as a vital stabilising factor for bilateral trade. Volvach, Russia's Deputy Minister of Economic Development, shared that trade turnover between the two countries reached USD 46.5 billion in the first nine months of 2024, a 15 per cent increase over the same period last year. He reaffirmed the target to reach USD 100 billion in trade by 2030, underscoring the role of the International North-South Transport Corridor and simplified customs procedures in supporting this growth. A notable highlight was the growing tourism sector. Volvach announced an 86 per cent increase in the number of Indian tourists visiting Russia this year. He also highlighted the introduction of electronic visas for Indian citizens, which has further boosted tourism between the two nations. The forum featured thematic sessions on finance, healthcare, biotechnology, and investment cooperation. The discussions centred on improving commodity flows, human resource development, and innovation. The event concluded with a series of B2B meetings designed to foster new business relationships between India and Russia, TV BRICS reported. The XV India-Russia Business Dialogue was organised by the Indian Business Alliance with support from the Business Council for Cooperation with India, the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, and the Roscongress Foundation. (ANI) The Academy Staff Association of Karakoram International University (KIU) in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan has raised serious concerns over administrative irregularities and the non-implementation of critical policies. In a recent statement, the association announced plans to boycott services unless their long-standing grievances are addressed. Staff members have highlighted systemic issues within the university's administration, with particular focus on the lack of a transparent and fair management system. Staff members pointed out that administrative appointments and assignments are being made through a "pick and choose" approach, rather than a structured and impartial rotation policy. Furthermore, some employees have been burdened with multiple portfolios, sometimes up to three, creating an overwhelming workload and disrupting the functioning of the university. Muhammad Ismail, President of the Academy Staff Association, emphasised the urgency of addressing these issues, stating, "Our first demand is the implementation of the 2008 Order, which has been ignored at KIU for many years. Our second demand is the full and transparent application of the rotation policy. Every employee, whether administrative or management staff, should be rotated or promoted according to a fair and systematic process, but instead, it is being carried out based on favouritism." Locals have voiced concerns over the need for transparent governance and fair policy implementation in regional institutions. Despite these repeated calls, progress has been minimal, with many feeling that the lack of reforms is hindering the university's ability to function effectively and equitably. The Academy Staff Association's call for change underscores the growing dissatisfaction with the current administration and its failure to address the needs of its employees. Education in Pakistan-occupied areas faces a variety of serious challenges that hinder its development. There is a lack of sufficient investment in the education sector, leading to shortages of schools, teachers, and essential educational resources. The teacher-student ratio is often high, and the quality of education suffers as a result. While there are schools and colleges, many of them are underfunded and lack modern teaching tools, technology, and libraries. Another significant issue is gender inequality in education. In some parts of these areas, cultural and societal norms prevent girls from receiving proper education. (ANI) Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman has vowed to take the issue of the Madrassa Registration Bill to the streets, criticizing the delay in its official recognition, The Express Tribune reported. Although the bill has been passed by both houses of parliament, it remains in limbo after President Arif Alvi raised objections, halting its formal passage. Speaking during a National Assembly session on Tuesday, Fazl emphasised that the bill, having addressed the president's objections, had already become an act. He stressed that any attempt to reintroduce the bill without recognising its status as an act would be unconstitutional. "The madrassa bill has already passed and become an act after the objections, raised by the president, were addressed and the NA speaker made the necessary corrections. The bill has become law, though there is still an issue regarding the Gazette notification," said Fazl, firmly stating his position. Fazl referred to a legal precedent set by former President Arif Alvi, who did not sign a bill but allowed it to automatically become law after 10 days. He pointed out that once the 10-day period expired, the president lost the power to prevent the bill's passage. "The president no longer has the power to stop the bill once the 10-day period has passed," Fazl added, asserting the bill's current status. The JUI-F chief also critiqued the government for obstructing the registration of madrassas, accusing it of undermining the constitutional rights of religious institutions. "For the last 24 years, madrassas have operated in accordance with the law and the constitution. We have never opposed modern education," he said. Fazl dismissed the notion of categorising seminaries as "religious" versus "modern" institutions, emphasising that madrassa students have excelled in national exams, reflecting the quality of their education, reported The Express Tribune. Fazl also accused the bureaucracy and the establishment of undermining the credibility of religious education. "Attempts to interfere with our curriculum will not be tolerated," he warned, reinforcing his position that madrassas would continue operating regardless of registration. "Whether we register or not, our institutions will continue to operate," Fazl declared. Responding to Fazl's remarks, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar emphasised the importance of the president's signature for the completion of any legislation. He clarified that no bill could be considered fully passed without the president's approval, as stated in Article 75 of the Constitution. "No legislation is complete without the President's signature," Tarar remarked, stressing that the president had ten days to either approve or send back the bill for reconsideration. While the madrassa bill remains in limbo, the Ittehad-e-Tanzeemat-e-Madaris, a key alliance of religious schools, has demanded the immediate issuance of a Gazette notification to finalise the bill, The Express Tribune reported. The group maintains that the bill, having already been passed by parliament, should not face further delays. After a meeting in Islamabad, Rehman, along with notable religious scholars, called for the swift recognition of the bill, which he argued was not controversial and had already received parliamentary approval. (ANI) The All-Parties Alliance in Pakistan's Gwadar has intensified its protest on Marine Drive, entering its second day of demonstration, as reported by The Balochistan Post. Protesters voiced their strong opposition to restrictions on border trade, which they claim is the primary source of livelihood for the local population. The demonstrators have strongly criticised the introduction of a token system at Kantani Hor, a key border trade hub, arguing that it has severely curtailed employment opportunities and increased unemployment in the region, The Balochistan Post reported. They are demanding the immediate abolition of this token system and the restoration of unrestricted border trade. Protesters also highlighted the widespread deprivation of basic facilities in Gwadar. Despite the city's pivotal role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), residents still lack access to essential services like electricity, clean drinking water, and other fundamental necessities. The protesters described this situation as a grave injustice to the local population, whose basic rights remain unmet, as reported by The Balochistan Post. In addition to these issues, demonstrators condemned the actions of the Pakistan Coast Guard, accusing them of blocking local vehicles engaged in the oil trade at the Talaar checkpoint. Protesters claimed that these vehicles are often forced to remain idle on the main highway for weeks, severely disrupting their livelihoods. Speakers at the protest expressed deep concern about the dire state of human rights and living conditions in Gwadar, stating that the local population is being driven into poverty and desperation. They warned that if the government continues to neglect the needs of Gwadar's residents, it could not only worsen their suffering but also undermine the future success of CPEC and its associated development projects, The Balochistan Post reported. The protesters have vowed to continue their sit-in until their demands for basic needs such as electricity, water, employment, and the freedom to engage in border trade are addressed. They emphasized that resolving these issues is crucial for both the well-being of Gwadar's residents and the long-term success of regional development initiatives. (ANI) The Indian Hindu pilgrims will visit the temples from December 19 to 25. https://x.com/pakinindia/status/1869017748678098958?s=46 "@PakinIndia has issued 84 visas to a group of Indian Pilgrims for their visit to the sacred Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in Chakwal district of Punjab scheduled to take place from 19-25 December 2024," Pakistan High Commission India said in a post on X on Tuesday. Expressing his views on the occasion, Charge d' Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich, wished the pilgrims a spiritually rewarding yatra and a fulfilling journey. Last year, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 112 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit Shree Katas Raj Temples. Katas Raj is considered one of the holiest places for the Hindu community in Pakistan. The temples form a complex surrounding a pond named Katas -- which is regarded as sacred by the devotees. According to the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, each year thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals and occasions, the statement said. The issuance of pilgrimage visas to them is in line with the Pakistani government's efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines and promote interfaith harmony. (ANI) The 11 Indian nationals who died in an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, Georgia due to carbon monoxide poisoning are mostly from the state of Punjab, the sources said the embassy is working to repatriate the mortal remains at the earliest. "The Indian embassy in Georgia is in touch with the families and is working with local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains at the earliest," according to sources. On Monday the embassy confirmed the deaths of 11 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia, and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families. In a press release posted on X, the Indian Embassy in Georgia wrote, "The Embassy of India in Tbilisi is saddened to learn of the unfortunate passing of eleven 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 press release added. Earlier, Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the bodies were found on the second floor of the Indian restaurant, adding that during the inspection, no signs of body injuries or signs of violence were detected. Georgia's Internal Affairs Ministry said in a statement, "The employees of Mtskheta-Mtianeti Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in connection with the accident that took place in Gudauri, as a result of which 12 people died, started an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies negligent manslaughter." "In the resting area on the second floor of the Indian restaurant located in Gudauri, the bodies of 12 people employed in the same facility were found. At the initial inspection, no signs of body injuries or signs of violence were detected. According to the preliminary information of the investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area, closed space near the bedrooms, which was turned on yesterday, probably after the power supply was turned off," the statement added. The statement further said that out of 12 deceased individuals, 11 are citizens of foreign countries, and one is a citizen of Georgia. "In connection with this fact, investigative actions are actively being carried out, forensic-criminalistics are working on the spot, and 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," Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said. Notably, the incident, which occurred in an Indian restaurant in Gudauri, is under investigation. (ANI) The India-Nepal Startup Summit 2024 has commenced in Kathmandu today, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to foster collaboration and innovation between the two nations. This summit aims to create a platform for startups to network, pitch their ideas, and explore opportunities for growth and investment. The event organised by Startup Network (Nepal) in collaboration with the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and PHDCCI (India- Nepal Center) brought experts from various fields to one platform. The summit featured keynotes, panel discussions, startup pitching sessions, and networking opportunities to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and connections they need to scale their ventures. "Nepal as a developing nation faces various challenges such as unemployment, dependence on foreign aid and trade deficit. Startups however are the beacons of hope in addressing these challenges. It creates jobs, generates revenues and diversifies the economy. For individuals, it pursues innovative ideas and launches businesses, which contribute to GDP growth and help reduce our reliance on traditional industries and agriculture," Kamlesh Jain, the Co-Chair of India-Nepal Center PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his remarks. The summit was organised with the aim of bridging the gap between local startups and international investors, attracting significant investment into Nepal's burgeoning startup scene. The organisation plays a pivotal role in connecting startups with investors, mentors, and resources, thus supporting Nepal's emerging entrepreneurs and innovators. "Nepal is a country of about 30 million people, the median age is less than 25 years which is even younger than India and we believe that Nepal's dream to transform itself economically will be anchored on its youths, entrepreneurship- that we saw entrepreneurship from Meesa-Pasa. Youths here really want to take their ideas forward; Nepal's startups are coming out of age. Kathmandu may be a well place where it can be the startup capital of the Himalayas; when you see a Nepali shark tank on TV you would know that startups are the public discourse," Suman Shekhar, First Secretary- Commerce at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said. Through its comprehensive incubation program, the Startup Network is already making waves in the entrepreneurial landscape. This bi-monthly initiative supports startups from the inception of an idea to the creation of a compelling pitch deck. Entrepreneurs benefit from personalized mentorship provided by a dedicated team of successful startup mentors and entrepreneurs, who guide them through the critical stages of idea validation, business model development, and market entry strategies. In addition to its incubation activities, The Startup Network is establishing its venture fund to further support startup growth. This fund will provide crucial financial backing to promising startups, enabling them to scale and succeed in competitive markets. "As you grow these startup eco-systems in Nepal, please make a note that we started formally in 2016 with the Prime Minister announcing Startup India and its entire concept which has grown and become the third startup ecosystem in the world in terms of startups. There is complementarity, we need to work and leverage it. The embassy will do it on its own but you need to do it yourself- reach out to your friends with whom you got into university together, reach out to your colleagues who are known to you from families, reach out to the companies who're working on these and names you've read out in the global newspapers, reach out to them. They in India also need to be aware of what you can do, just as you need to think of them as partners who can help you in your greater goal which might be India or overseas or United States or wherever in the world," Manjeev Singh Puri, Chairman of India-Nepal Center, PHDCCI and also the former Indian Ambassador to Nepal highlighted while addressing the inaugural session. The Startup Summit Nepal 2024 served as a launch pad for some of the ambitious plans, showcasing Nepal's vibrant entrepreneurial spirit to a global audience and positioning the country as a key player in the global startup ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders attended the Startup Network at Startup Summit Nepal 2024 to explore the future of innovation, forge meaningful connections, and drive the next wave of entrepreneurial success in Nepal and beyond. (ANI) At the invitation of the Government of Bhutan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is undertaking a four-day official visit to the kingdom, met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday and discussed on strengthening the historical ties between Assam and Bhutan and advancing collaborative efforts between the two regions. The discussion also focussed on fostering Bhutan's development, enhancing the welfare of its people, and promoting broader regional economic development. The Assam Chief Minister in another meeting held over lunch with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Togbay also discussed issues addressing matters of mutual interest and exploring avenues to fortify trade partnerships between the two regions. He noted that Assam and Bhutan have historically maintained connectivity through seven established trade routes, underscoring the enduring nature of their economic ties. In the course of their discussions, he assured the Bhutanese leadership of the Assam Government's steadfast commitment and cooperation to bolstering trade infrastructure along the Assam-Bhutan border. He emphasised the creation of additional trade routes to facilitate trade and commerce in line with the needs of Bhutanese traders. He also highlighted Assam's efforts under the Asom Mala initiative to strengthen road connectivity, particularly between Kokrajhar and Gelephu. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KK Dwivedi was also present during the meeting. In a moment of historical and cultural significance, the Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, attended the 117th National Day celebrations of Bhutan on Tuesday. The festivities, held at the picturesque and scenic Changlimithang Grounds in Thimphu, left an indelible impression on Sarma, who described the experience as uniquely moving. The Chief Minister conveyed his appreciation and joy of being present at the splendid and enchanting setting of Bhutan's National Day celebrations. As a part of the celebrations, the Government of Bhutan extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to both Sarma and his wife. Notably, Bhutan's National Day commemorates the coronation of the country's first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, in 1907. This historic event marked the beginning of the Wangchuck dynasty, which has ruled Bhutan ever since. The celebrations provide an opportunity to honour Bhutan's cultural heritage, reflect on the sacrifices of its forefathers, and reaffirm the citizens' devotion to the country's enduring peace, prosperity, and happiness. Later, Sarma, accompanied by his wife, partook in a solemn moment of reverence at the Kuenrey Hall in Thimphu, where they lit a lamp before the statue of Lord Gautam Buddha, offering their prayers. (ANI) The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) latest military exercises near Taiwan have raised concerns over Beijing's evolving strategy, with experts speculating on the motives and implications of these unannounced war games, Taipei Times reported. Unlike previous drills, these exercises were launched without any clear provocation or pretext, marking a potential shift in tactics by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Both US and Taiwanese officials offered differing explanations for the events, adding to the ambiguity. Historically, the CCP has tied military manoeuvres to incidents that could justify their actions. For example, the large-scale war games following then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022 were widely seen as a reaction to her trip. Such exercises are typically pre-planned, leveraging specific events to assign blame to others for "provoking" Beijing. However, the recent drills deviated from this pattern, drawing parallels to a June 2023 exercise that lacked an immediate trigger but was later linked to a confidential meeting in Taipei involving US officials and foreign diplomats. The sudden nature of the latest drills suggests that Beijing may be signalling something not yet publicly disclosed, reported Taipei Times. Taiwanese officials and analysts have floated several theories about the exercises' timing. Some believe they were intended as a response to President William Lai's recent Pacific tour, which included stops in Hawaii, Guam, and meetings with Taiwan's diplomatic allies. Others speculate that the manoeuvres were aimed at sending a message to the incoming US administration, though the timing--weeks ahead of the presidential inauguration--makes this less likely. Notably, Beijing refrained from issuing the usual propaganda blitz that typically accompanies such actions, leaving their intent unclear. A Taiwanese security official described the situation as "drills that dare not speak their name." China's Ministry of National Defence remained tight-lipped about the drills. Spokesperson Wu Qian said: "As water has no constant form, there are in warfare no constant conditions. The PLA will decide whether and when to conduct military exercises in accordance with its needs and the situation on the ground." The quote, drawn from Sun Tzu's Art of War, reflects the CCP's perception of itself as perpetually at war, albeit in unconventional forms. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Sun Li-fang noted that the scale of Chinese naval activity was the largest seen since the 1996 military exercises conducted ahead of Taiwan's presidential elections. The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) offered a different assessment, describing the drills as part of an ongoing trend. "The elevated activity in the East China Sea and South China Sea follows a broader increase in the PLA's military posture and military exercises over the last several years. With that said, we do not see this wider activity as a response to President Lai's transit," AIT stated, carefully emphasising phrases such as "wider activity" and "broader increase" to highlight the gradual escalation. The exercises have raised alarms over their broader strategic objectives. Lieutenant General Hsieh Jih-sheng suggested that the drills were designed to simulate a blockade around Taiwan while extending PLA forces outward to achieve anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) goals. By forming two naval "walls" east of Taiwan, the PLA appeared to be delivering a message of transforming the Taiwan Strait into an "inland sea," aiming to erode vigilance among Taiwan's defence forces. Observers have identified three potential shifts in the PLA's strategy. The first involves the normalisation of unannounced drills, a tactic Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Kuan-ting described as entering "the mid-stage of normalisation." This approach could condition Taiwan and the region to expect such exercises regularly, reducing their perceived significance over time. Secondly, the sudden and silent nature of these exercises adds an element of psychological warfare, increasing unpredictability and keeping Taiwan's military and public on edge. Some Chinese military officials have even hinted at turning these drills into actual combat scenarios depending on circumstances, further amplifying the uncertainty. The third possibility points to an expansion of the PLA's objectives beyond Taiwan. The geographic scale of recent exercises suggests preparation for engaging multiple nations simultaneously, with potential targets including the Senkaku Islands (referred to as Diaoyutai in Taiwan) or even the Ryukyu Islands. During the exercises, the state-run Global Times published a piece stating that "Japan 'doesn't need to be nervous' about PLA warships' Miyako Strait transit," a statement widely interpreted as the opposite, Taipei Times reported. The latest PLA drills highlight a potential strategic evolution, shifting toward unpredictability and regional intimidation. By maintaining silence on their motives and employing larger-scale manoeuvres, Beijing seems to be crafting a new "normal" that poses challenges not only for Taiwan but also for the broader Indo-Pacific region. (ANI) Dubai [UAE], December 17 (ANI/WAM): The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reviewed the UAE's labour market legislation and policies and their impact on enhancing competitiveness, creating a system that safeguards and balances the rights of both parties in the employment relationship, and providing a social protection umbrella for the workforce in the country. This came during a meeting held in Dubai, attended by Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a delegation from the International Labour Organisation led by Gilbert Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO. Also participating in the meeting were Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE; Maqsoud Kruse, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI); Shaima Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary for Communications and International Relations at MoHRE, and several Ministry officials, in addition to representatives and from the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) - members of the ILO representing employers, as well as representatives - ILO members from UAE labour organisations. The ILO delegation comprised Ruba Jaradat, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Arab States, and Faouzi Gsouma, Senior Advisor to the Director-General of the ILO. During the meeting, Abdulrahman Al Awar affirmed the Ministry's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the ILO. He highlighted the UAE's commitment to continuously updating and developing its labour market policies and legislation to align with international standards. He also shed light on the progress made by the UAE in improving labour market governance, whether in terms of legislative and social protection measures for workers or enhancing labour market flexibility, competitiveness, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving global economic landscape. He noted that over the past two years, the UAE labour market has undergone strategic transformations due to significant amendments to its legislation and policies. This comprehensive vision aims to make the UAE market globally competitive, empowering Emirati talent and attracting international expertise to meet the country's ambitious future vision. The UAE labour market hosts millions of workers from diverse cultures and over 200 nationalities, positioning it among the world's most flexible, dynamic, and opportunities-rich labour markets. For his part, the ILO Director-General praised the legislation and policies implemented in the UAE's labour market, commending the nation's efforts to create a world-class framework that balances the interests of both sides of the employment relationship. He also lauded the innovative policies and programmes recently adopted by the UAE to enhance social protection for workers. Houngbo expressed the ILO's readiness to provide support and technical expertise to enhance the Ministry's human resource capabilities, particularly in areas of inspection, monitoring, and improving the work environment. He stressed the importance of raising the competitiveness of the national workforce through training and capacity building to meet market needs. He also expressed appreciation for the UAE's announcement to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice, launched by the ILO Director-General and approved by the UAE Cabinet in January this year. The meeting included a presentation on the UAE's thriving labour market, showcasing its growth rates and competitiveness amidst global challenges, in addition to key national initiatives and legislation contributing to the UAE Centennial 2071 goals and strategies. The UAE labour market recorded a 14.5 per cent growth in companies and a 9 per cent increase in the workforce, while also leading in several global competitiveness indicators related to labour fields. The meeting further discussed policies supporting women's participation in the labour market, as well as strategies to enhance its flexibility, stability, and attractiveness. Both sides also discussed other areas of mutual interest, labour market updates, challenges, and opportunities, as well as the UAE's critical role in supporting global humanitarian initiatives, fostering dialogue, and offering support to partners to achieve progress in labour market-related fields. The meeting addressed the UAE's pioneering initiatives in improving the work environment, enhancing labour market flexibility, and reviewing the country's experience in implementing localisation programmes and empowering national talent. On the sidelines of the meeting, the ILO Director-General also held bilateral meetings with representatives of the tripartite working group. He met with ILO employer representatives, including Humaid Ben Salem, Secretary-General of the FCCI, Ahmed Juma Al Qizi, Assistant Secretary-General of the FCCI, and Hind Bin Sulaiman, Vice Chair of the ILO Governing Body. He also engaged in a bilateral meeting with representatives from UAE labour organisations, including Zayed Al Shamsi, Mohammed Al Hammadi, Mohammed Butti Al Shamsi, Hessa Al Tunaiji, and Salah Al Hosani, all representatives of the Coordination Association for Professional Societies. (ANI/WAM) Ahead of meeting National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that both India and China have agreed to work in bringing the bilateral relationship back to the track of stable development. While addressing the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Wang Yi said that Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth important propositions on improving China-India relations during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS Summit in Kaza, Russia. "China is having more trust and less suspicion with major countries in this region. When meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Xi Jinping put forth important propositions on improving China-India relations, which received positive response from Prime Minister Modi," Wang said. "The two sides agreed to step up strategic communication, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, and strive to bring the bilateral relationship back to the track of stable development at an early date," he added. The Chinese Foreign Minister added that Beijing is working with New Delhi to find the right and bright path for big, neighbouring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side "China will be a firm force for unity in the face of division and confrontation. We support the holding of the second China-Central Asia Summit and will work for the signing and implementation of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol. We have properly handled differences and are working with India to find the right and bright path for big, neighbouring countries to live in harmony and develop side by side," he said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) in Beijing on December 18 with Wang Yi. 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 Ministry of External Affairs stated. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Parliament last week, that the disengagement has been fully achieved in Eastern Ladakh through a step-by-step process, culminating in Depsang and Demchok. He also stressed that the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is a prerequisite for the development of India-China ties. In October this year, India and China 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. During the meeting of Prime Minister Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit held in Russia's Kazan, PM Modi had said that maintaining peace and stability on the border should remain the priority of the two countries and mutual trust should remain the basis of bilateral ties. (ANI) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE is the senior director of special initiatives at the New Lines Institute 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. The Delaware State Senate selected the first members of the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board at a special session in Dover Monday. The board was established in June when Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 350 into law. Seven of the eight board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The board members will serve a two or three-year term initially, before locking into staggered four-year terms. Carney selected five people who came to the Senate floor on Monday, Dec. 16, for a confirmation vote. They were interrogated in front of the Senate Executive Committee and ultimately passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their appointments were confirmed on party lines. Senate Republicans did not vote on the members, citing issues with the partial appointments, transition and the concept of the board itself. Why are people divided over the board's creation? The intention behind the board's creation is to add some oversight into Delaware's healthcare costs by reviewing the budgets of hospitals statewide and having the power to approve or revise them. Forbes found that Delawareans can spend, on average, around $1,900 on premiums and deductibles. Healthcare in the First State has inflated so much that Carney added nearly $200 million into the budget for fiscal year 2024 to address the rising costs. Delaware Healthcare Association CEO Brian Frazee will serve on the board as a non-voting member. He agreed that healthcare costs are too high in Delaware and that more needs to be done to lower them. But, he is opposed to the board's power to approve and adjust hospital costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also concerned about Carney appointing members to the board at the buzzer of his gubernatorial term. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer will take the reins as governor in January, and Carney will become Wilmington's next mayor at the same time. Return Day dignitaries at the Return Day celebration included, from left, Gov. John Carney, Georgetown Mayor Bill West and wife, Sen.-elect Lisa Blunt Rochester, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and Gov.-elect Matt Meyer on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. "It's clear that the final shape of whatever this is going to look like will occur in 2025," Frazee said, "So our preference would be to avoid confusion, and given the evolving nature of this issue, why not wait for the next administration to make the appointments." Board creation facing active lawsuit Another holdup for some legislators is an active lawsuit filed by ChristianaCare against the legislation, which establishes the board, and Carney himself. The statewide healthcare giant argued the formation of the board violates corporate law and is unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit is necessary to preserve and ensure independence in clinical decision-making and patient care, critically necessary hospital services and resources, non-profit board autonomy, and a strong health care delivery system in this community for generations to come, said Lolita Lopez, chair of ChristianaCares Health Services Board, in a statement about the lawsuit in July. At the confirmation, Sen. Gerald Hocker, a Republican from Sussex County, said despite the impressive resumes of Carney's picks, he will not vote to confirm anyone on the board until Meyer takes office and the ChristianaCare case is over. Sen. Gerald Hocker did not cast a vote during the special session to appoint members to the newly created hospital board. "They should have the privilege of governing their own facilities," he said before the confirmation votes. More: ChristianaCare files lawsuit over controversial health care cost oversight law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Darius Brown, a Democrat from Wilmington, said his vote for approval is a follow-up of his original support for the legislation. He said the board appointments were part of a constant government process. It's the ongoing work of the legislature," Brown said. "The legislation is a joint effort and partnership between both chambers of the legislature and the administration. Who was confirmed to the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board? The people who were confirmed are: Richard Geisenberger, the current Secretary of Finance for Delaware Heath Chasanov, CEO of Kent-Sussex Industries, which assists people with disabilities Thomas Brown, a former Nanticoke Healthcare executive David Singleton, the former Chief of Staff in Wilmington, state Secretary of Finance, CAO of New Castle County and Vice President of the University of Delaware Devona Williams, the President, CEO, and Founder of Goeins Williams Associates consulting firm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two seats on the board remain vacant, possibly for Meyer to select when he takes office. More appointments in the Senate Bonnie David will take over as a vice chancellor of the Court of Chancery in Sussex County, the state's judicial branch that handles corporate affairs and business law. Because of the high prestige and amount of businesses incorporated in Delaware, the court often deals with high-profile legal battles. The University of Pennsylvania graduate has worked in the court as a magistrate since Jan. 2023 and has worked in law for over a decade. "I think we're simply trying to get the law right and trying to get the facts right, regardless of how high profile any matter is," she said at her confirmation. "I think everyone again that comes before our court deserves justice, deserves equal care and attention." Joseph Spagnolo was appointed to the Justice of the Peace Court in New Castle County, which presides over civil cases with debts and trespasses of less than $25,000. Spagnolo served as the assistant director of training with the Delaware State Police for almost 40 years. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware hospital cost review board sees 5 appointments from governor 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 During his two-month residency in Beijing in late autumn and early winter, French artist Gaspar Willmann found inspiration in the city's quiet details mingling hues of fallen leaves and the charm of the hutong (alleyways). These moments became the foundation of success for Willmann, a 2023 Yishu 8 French Young Artist Award winner. On Dec 7, his solo exhibition Compression was unveiled at Yishu 8, an art platform providing residencies for artists from France and China. The venue is located inside the historical building of the former Sino-French University in Beijing. The show presents eight paintings created during Willmann's time in the capital, offering a glimpse into his vivid impressions of the city. The exhibition runs until Jan 17. Christine Cayol, founder of Yishu 8, describes Willmann as an artist who transcends binary thinking to explore contemporary themes. "He moves seamlessly between digital tools and traditional brushes. During his two-month residency in Beijing, he brought a sharp, inquisitive perspective, countless questions and a unique approach to painting," she says. "Willmann's work embodies the essence of painting a quiet, contemplative pause in a world hurtling toward virtualization," Cayol adds. Willmann, born in 1995 and a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, lives and works in Paris. In recent years, his solo exhibitions have been held in Paris, Marseille and Basel. His practice, spanning painting and video, delves into the processes of editing and transformation. His work examines how people consume and share images and explores the emotional and collective meanings embedded within them. The exhibition reflects a concept central to Willmann's creative process. He explains that he is drawn to the idea of packing as much information, memory or emotion as possible into a single square, compressing it into a cohesive whole. "In the digital world, compression transforms data into something shorter and more efficient without losing its essence. It's like storing memories in a coded form for later. I like that idea," he says. Willmann describes himself as something of an image collector. "There are two types of images I'm drawn to: those from search engines, often the top results, which evoke a sense of deja vu and carry collective meaning," he explains. "And then there are images from my daily life, captured on my smartphone more intimate, serving as witnesses to fleeting memories or moments." His artistic process begins with images layered in Photoshop, where one obscures the next in a series of overlapping compositions. This approach creates a visual complexity that makes the original sources nearly impossible to discern. Once the digital composition is printed onto canvas, Willmann transitions to traditional techniques, using a paintbrush to reinterpret the imagery. For him, painting is a way to pause, reflect and reconnect with the images, breathing new life into them. Amid the dynamic, chaotic brushstrokes, new landscapes emerge. His residency in Beijing became a rich source of inspiration, captured using this same method. "I particularly liked this season in Beijing, especially for the quantity of leaves scattered in shades of green and yellow. It sometimes looked like an infinity of pixels that would compose foliage," he says. The eight works on display, whether horizontal or vertical, share a consistent size a deliberate choice by Willmann. He explains that the dimensions mirror the windows in his Paris studio. "The history of windows is fascinating, as it weaves through both the evolution of art and the advancement of technology," he notes. Nicolas Pillerel, minister counselor for culture, education and scientific affairs at the French embassy in China, highlighted the significance of the exhibition, describing it as a key cultural event in Beijing commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. He also thanked the gallery and its founder "for their unwavering dedication over the past decade, fostering communication and creation among young artists from both countries", he says. Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Western industrialized nations blasted North Korea's military Monday for cooperating with Russia in Ukraine, calling it a "dangerous expansion of the conflict," as Ukraine claimed dozens of DPRK troops have been killed in the fighting. The foreign ministers of the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, the European Union, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea issued a joint statement, "condemning in the strongest possible terms the increasing military cooperation between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 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," according to the statement issued by the U.S. State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence, or GUR, claimed at least 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or injured over the weekend in Russia's western Kursk region. The GUR also said at least three North Korean service members were missing. "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 GUR wrote. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un (L) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Russia=North Korea Summit in September 2023 at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur region, Russia. On Monday, Western industrialized nations blasted North Korea's military for cooperating with Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, calling it a "dangerous expansion of the conflict," as Ukraine claimed dozens of DPRK troops have been killed in the fighting. File Pool Photo by Kremlin/UPI Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to "defend ourselves, including against these North Koreans. And we will continue to act in coordination with all our partners to stop this war -- to stop it decisively, with guaranteed peace." Last month, the United States confirmed North Korean solders had begun fighting Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un departs on train from Pyongyang Station heading to Russia to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2023, in Pyongyang, North Korea. File Pool Photo by KCNA/UPI "I can confirm that over 10,000 DPRK soldiers have been sent to eastern Russia and most of them have moved to the far western Kursk Oblast, where they have begun engaging in combat operations with Russian forces, State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said Nov. 12, during a press briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One week later, Zelensky warned that North Korea could deploy up to 100,000 troops to help Russia in its war. "Now Putin has brought 11,000 North Korean troops to Ukraine's borders," Zelensky warned. "This contingent may grow to 100,000." In addition to military cooperation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with the leader of a Russian delegation in Pyongyang last month, to call for deeper economic and scientific ties. "It is necessary to mutually and powerfully propel the co-prosperity and development of the two countries by further promoting the inter-governmental trade, economic, scientific and technological exchange and cooperation in a more extensive and diversified way," Kim said, according to state media KCNA, while calling it a "new strategic level." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate State Department announcement Monday, the United States provided evidence and designated 11 individuals and eight entities for "enabling the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its support to Russia." "On Oct. 31, the DPRK conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test, the first since December 2023. Subsequently, on Nov. 5, the DPRK continued its series of provocations by firing at least seven short-range ballistic missiles off the eastern coast of the peninsula. These tests reflect the DPRK's increasingly hostile global military posturing and needlessly raise tensions while destabilizing peace and security in the region," according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. "The DPRK has also sent soldiers to Russia, where they have been integrated with Russian forces. The DPRK has provided Russia with military equipment, munitions, ballistic missile launchers and ballistic missiles. The DPRK continues to prioritize revenue generation to support the development of its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs, using foreign-based workers, state-owned entities and financial institutions to access the international financial system," Miller added, before listing the DPRK nationals involved. "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 foreign ministers warned Monday, adding that the DPRK's export of weapons to Russia violates a number of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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." "Together, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to support Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity," the foreign ministers reiterated in the joint statement. "We urge the DPRK to cease immediately all assistance for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, including by withdrawing its troops." Toyama, Dec 17 (News On Japan) - A woman who has come forward under her real name to accuse her father of sexual abuse criticized his not guilty plea during the first hearing, stating, "What daughter in the world would accept sexual acts from her father?" The Toyama District Court held the initial hearing on Monday for Hiroharu Daimon, 53, who stands accused of quasi-rape involving his biological daughter when she was 16 years old. Daimon admitted to engaging in sexual acts with his daughter but argued, "It is true that we had sexual relations, but she was not in a position where she could not resist," maintaining his innocence. The daughter, Riho Fukuyama, 24, responded strongly, saying, "Even here in this courtroom, my father has failed to take responsibility as a father, an adult, or a human being. What daughter in the world would accept sexual acts from her father? I sincerely pray that my father will be judged strictly so that children currently suffering and those who have suffered abuse can take a courageous step forward." Fukuyama is scheduled to testify as a witness on January 23rd. Previously: Man pleads not guilty at Japan court of sexually abusing daughter MIAMI, Dec 17 (News On Japan) - SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son has announced a $100 billion investment in the United States, equivalent to approximately 15 trillion yen, following a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at Trumps Florida residence on December 16. The investment is expected to create 100,000 jobs over the next four years. At a joint press conference, Trump described the pledge as a "historic investment" that reflects significant confidence in Americas future. He praised Son, saying, "Masa [Son] has a deeper understanding of emerging technologies than anyone else. Its an honor." Although details were sparse, the investment is believed to focus on AI-related projects, including data centers for artificial intelligence development. This marks a doubling of Sons previous pledge made in December 2016, when he promised $50 billion in investments and 50,000 jobs after Trumps election victory. Son explained the increase, stating, "Confidence in the U.S. economy has doubled, so the investment amount has doubled as well." During the press conference, Trump urged Son to expand the investment further to $200 billion, to which Son replied, "I want to make it happen. President Trump is an exceptional negotiator." This significant announcement underscores Sons confidence in U.S. economic prospects and highlights SoftBanks continued commitment to advancing cutting-edge technologies. Source: TBS TOKYO, Dec 17 (News On Japan) - Keidanren has decided to appoint Yoshinobu Tsutsui, chairman of Nippon Life Insurance, as the successor to current chairman Masakazu Tokura, who will retire in May 2025. This marks the first time a leader from a financial institution has been selected to head Keidanren. The organization plans to present the proposal to make Tsutsui the next chairman during a meeting of its chairman and vice-chairmen scheduled for January 2024. The formal decision is expected to be made at the general meeting in May 2024. Traditionally, Keidanren chairmen have been chosen from executives in the manufacturing sector. However, Tokura stated in May this year that "it is no longer necessary to limit the selection to those from manufacturing. We want to make the best choice regardless of the industry." Since July this year, Tsutsui has served as the inaugural president of the GX (Green Transformation) Promotion Agency, focusing on facilitating investments toward decarbonization. Source: BIZ Kitakyushu, Dec 18 (News On Japan) - The mourning ceremony for 15-year-old Nakashima Saya, who was fatally stabbed at a fast-food restaurant in Kitakyushu City, was held on Tuesday. The attack, which took place four days ago, left Nakashima dead and a male student seriously injured with a deep wound near his waist. Police continue to search for the suspect, who fled the scene immediately after the attack. Investigators revealed that the suspect entered the restaurant, walked to the end of the queue, and stood behind the victims before stabbing Nakashima and then the male student. Surveillance footage showed the attack lasted less than 30 seconds. The suspect, described as around 40 years old, 170 centimeters tall, and wearing a gray jacket with yellow sandals, fled northward. However, nearby security cameras did not capture his escape, leading police to believe he may have passed through a residential area behind the scene. The incident has deeply unsettled the local community. The Kitakyushu City Board of Education reported that approximately 4,200 students were absent from school on October 16th due to fear and anxiety. Schools in the area remain on high alert. At a parents' meeting on the evening of October 17th, attendees expressed both concern and a desire for stronger safety measures, with many now accompanying their children even for short trips outside. Flowers continued to be laid at the site, as grief spread beyond Kitakyushu. A family visiting from outside the city described how their daughter, also a third-year junior high school student, struggles to attend school and refuses to go out alone. With private school entrance exams approaching, parents are working to maintain normalcy while grappling with fear. Police are continuing their investigation, hoping to reassure residents and bring closure to a community shaken by the tragedy. Previously: Manhunt Continues Following Brutal Kitakyushu Stabbings Source: ANN Nuuk, Dec 18 (News On Japan) - Paul Watson, founder of the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, who had been detained in Greenland, a Danish territory, has been released after Danish authorities rejected Japan's extradition request. Watson, 74, was taken into custody on July 21st in Greenland under an international warrant issued by Japan. He was accused of instructing his associates in 2010 to obstruct the navigation of Japan's research whaling vessels. On June 17th, Denmark's Ministry of Justice announced its decision not to approve Japan's request for Watson's extradition. The ministry cited the significant passage of time since the incident, which occurred 14 years ago, and the uncertainty over whether Watson's detention period in Greenland would be subtracted from any potential sentence in Japan. Following the decision, Watson was released from a prison in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, where he had been held. Source: ANN By George Oshogwe Ogbolu A former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has penned an open letter to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, urging him to lead efforts in uniting opposition leaders to form a new political party capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general elections. Lukman referenced a December 8 interview where Obasanjo reportedly stated that a leader made by Satan is bound to fail, while Gods chosen one will thrive. In response, Lukman emphasized the need for Nigeria to produce leaders with what he termed Godly genotypes and called on Obasanjo, alongside other former leaders like Generals Yakubu Gowon, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan, to take moral responsibility in facilitating this process. In his letter, Lukman urged collective action to address the nations leadership challenges. He asserted that the failure of past leaders to assert their moral authority could pave the way for another term of what he described as failed leadership under Tinubu and the APC. He lamented that political and governance systems in the country have devolved into platforms for impunity and self-serving interests. Lukman argued that without significant reforms, new political parties could end up being replicas of the APC and PDP. He stressed the urgency of creating a functional political platform to foster leadership grounded in moral principles, warning that the failure to unite opposition leaders could result in even worse outcomes in 2027. He also highlighted resistance among some opposition leaders to unification efforts, citing personal ambitions and regional interests as barriers. Lukman accused some individuals of playing divisive games, forming regional democratic bodies, and strategizing for personal gains rather than the collective good. He warned that these actions could lead to the emergence of another generation of Satanic leaders. According to Lukman, the APC capitalized on the oppositions division during the 2023 elections, which he described as a significant factor in the partys victory. He expressed concerns that similar divisions could ensure the APCs dominance in 2027 unless opposition leaders come together. Lukman concluded by criticizing those unwilling to collaborate for the greater good, accusing them of indirectly aiding the APC. He warned that some of these individuals, driven by personal ambitions, could afford to act recklessly due to their privileged positions or dual citizenships, which insulate them from the consequences of their actions on Nigerias future. By Enioluwa Adeniyi The House of Representatives has demanded the immediate release of Bello Badejo from unlawful detention by the Nigerian Army and summoned top military officials to appear before its committees. The resolution was passed during plenary on Tuesday following a motion moved by Hon. Mansur Soro, who decried the violation of Badejos fundamental human rights. The summoned officials include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oloyede; and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion. They are expected to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, December 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. The lawmakers further directed the military to issue a formal apology to Badejo for infringing on his constitutionally guaranteed rights. The continued detention of Bello Badejo without formal charges violates Sections 34, 35, and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Soro stated while moving the motion. According to Soro, On December 9, 2024, Bello Badejo was arrested in Maliya town, Nasarawa State, in a commando-style operation by officers of the 177 Battalion of the Nigerian Army without prior invitation or a court injunction. He explained that the arrest was allegedly linked to a misunderstanding between a retired military general and some members of the Maliya community. However, Soro expressed concern that one week after the arrest, Badejo is yet to be arraigned before a competent court of jurisdiction, as required by extant laws. The Green Chamber emphasized that the militarys actions amount to a blatant disregard for constitutional provisions that safeguard the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens. The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers, with many calling for accountability and the protection of citizens rights against arbitrary detention by security agencies. No institution, including the military, is above the law. The constitution must be respected, and the rule of law upheld, one lawmaker asserted during the debate. The House reiterated that it would not tolerate any violation of human rights and vowed to hold the military accountable should it fail to comply with the directives. The House resolved as follows: Condemn the attempt by the officers of the 177 Battalion to usurp the role of the Nigerian Police and the courts in resolving disputes between citizens. Call on the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff to order the immediate release of Alhaji Bello Badejo from unlawful detention and to apologise to him for infringing on his constitutionally-guaranteed fundamental human rights. Invite the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and the Commanding Officer of the 177 Battalion to appear before the House Committees on Army, Human Rights, and Justice on Thursday, 20th December 2024, at 3:00 p.m. to explain why officers under their command violated the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. DR Congo on Tuesday filed a criminal case against European subsidiaries of tech giant Apple, accusing them of illegally using blood minerals in its supply chain. The Democratic Republic of the Congo alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the countrys conflict-racked east and Rwanda, zones in which the materials are alleged to be mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices. Apples French and Belgian units also deployed deceptive commercial practices to persuade consumers that its supply chains were clean, according to a statement from lawyers representing the DRC. AFP has learned that complaints against Apple have been lodged in Paris and Brussels with the allegations encompassing war crimes, laundering, forgery and deception. Last April, the legal team asked Apple CEO Tim Cook, along with Apple subsidiaries in France, about the potential inclusion of pillaged minerals in the companys supply chain but did not receive substantive responses. The DRCs Washington-based lawyer Robert Amsterdam described the case as constituting a first salvo of judicial actions. Color Apple red, and not green. It is a trillion-dollar company that must be assumed to know the consequences of its actions. Enough with denials of accountability and hiding behind the false narrative of supply chain defenses!, he said. Endless enrichment Paris-based lawyer William Bourdon said the criminal complaints constitute a first step towards making one of the biggest players in tech accountable for its policy of endless enrichment at the cost of the most serious of crimes staining African supply chains. Brussels lawyer Christophe Marchand added that these complaints filed against Apple are a matter of great public interest at a time when European countries, consumers and non-governmental organizations are increasing their scrutiny of international supply chains. Computer chips and tech devices require a wide array of minerals and specialty metals. The lawyers said that the scale and duration of the alleged activities have caused unfathomable harm and suffering for civilians, fuelling violence and conflict by financing militias and terrorist groups and contributing to forced child labour and environmental devastation. They also cited investigations by the United Nations, the US State Department and international NGOs such as Global Witness to document the scale of the problem. The lawyers said they have written to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to inform her of the criminal complaints and to request a dialogue on the EUs role in working towards accountability and an end to armed violence in sub-Saharan Africas mineral supply chains. Apple last year said it had no reasonable basis for concluding its products contain illegally exported minerals from conflict-hit zones. The tech giant has insisted it carefully verifies the origin of materials in its output. Rwanda has also dismissed the allegations as unfounded. This is just the latest blow by the DRC government, which is constantly seeking to divert attention to Rwanda with false accusations, Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told AFP. DR Congos mineral-rich east has been racked by violence since the 1990s, with tensions worsening since a renewed offensive in late 2021 of Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in the DRC province of North Kivu. Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of using M23 to take control of resource-rich eastern DRC. Internationally renowned kung fu megastar Donnie Yen takes on a new role in "The Prosecutor," an innovative blend of procedural drama and high-energy action. Based on a true legal case, the film sees Yen fulfilling the roles of star, executive producer and director. A still from "The Prosecutor." [Photo courtesy of Huace Pictures] The film follows Fok Chi Ho, a shrewd prosecutor played by Donnie Yen, as he takes on the case of a young man framed for drug trafficking and pressured into a dubious plea deal. Convinced of the young man's innocence, Fok uncovers a deep-rooted conspiracy that stretches from a notorious crime syndicate to the city's halls of power. In order to expose the truth and bring the real perpetrator to justice, Fok risks his life and career to exonerate the wrongfully charged man. The cast also includes Julian Cheung, Michael Hui, Francis Ng and MC Cheung Tin-fu. While legal dramas are common, "The Prosecutor" stands out with having Yen's involvement. The role of the Hong Kong prosecutor was written with a strong backstory, presenting Fok as a former police special forces operator to justify the character's exceptional martial arts skills, aligning perfectly with Yen's expertise and contributing to the inclusion of several adrenaline-pumping action scenes that are likely to leave a lasting legacy in kung fu cinema history. When first presented with this project's screenplay by fellow filmmaker and producer Raymond Wong, a longtime collaborator on the classic kung fu franchise "Ip Man," Yen was hesitant to join. He felt unfamiliar with the law-and-order genre and doubted he could do justice to a story about a miscarriage of justice based on a true legal case in Hong Kong. Yen first turned the offer down. However, after Wong's persistent persuasion over two months, he eventually agreed. A still from "The Prosecutor." [Photo courtesy of Huace Pictures] At the film's premiere in Beijing on Dec. 15, Yen explained that he finally agreed to join the project because he felt action films were often pigeonholed. He hopes this film will show audiences that action films have more possibilities than typically assumed. Yen also noted that actors in action films are often perceived in a certain way. "I've always pushed myself to break free from those labels, and I hope this opportunity will allow the audience to see another side of me," he added. Yen also felt it was his responsibility to revive Hong Kong cinema. "In recent years, the mood surrounding Hong Kong films has been somewhat disappointing. I hope that through this film, the audience can see that we are a group of filmmakers working hard to bring something new." With 42 years in the film industry, including contributing to many action films, Yen has achieved exceptional success as a kung fu movie star and producer. However, directing is a rare role for him. With "The Prosecutor," Yen wore three hats star, director and producer , working closely with the cast and crew to dive deep into the filmmaking process for over a year. "From the beginning, I told everyone that this genre has been explored many times, both in TV series and movies. Recently, director Zhang Yimou also made a similar film called 'Article 20,' so we wanted to tell this story using a different approach and a fresh perspective," Yen explained, also emphasizing that they wanted to deliver a message of justice. "Sometimes we, as humans, misjudge. I want the audience, after watching this film, to return to an original sense of justice, reigniting a fire in their hearts." Cast and crew pose for a photo at the premiere of "The Prosecutor" in Beijing, Dec. 15, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Wishart Communication] With an official release date scheduled for Dec. 27 on the Chinese mainland and Dec. 21 in Hong Kong, this legal action thriller has already generated rave reviews and created a buzz online, drawing moviegoers to cinemas for advance screenings. By Monday, the film had grossed over 60 million yuan from advanced screenings and ticket pre-sales. Besides being released in the Chinese film market, "The Prosecutor" has been acquired for the North American market by Well Go USA and will be screened in theaters across North America on Jan. 10, 2025. By arming civilians who are poorly trained and have little to no respect for human rights, Burkina Fasos junta-led government has brought the West African nation that once prided itself on tolerance and peaceful interethnic relations to the brink of civil war, says a latest report by The New York Times (NYT). A West Africa correspondent for The New York Times, based in Dakar, Senegal, traveled across northern Ivory Coast to document the violence faced by nearly 150,000 people who fled neighboring Burkina Faso that, as he reports, is now home to one of the deadliest conflicts in West Africa. Since seizing power in a coup in 2022, the junta leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traore, has escalated a war against Islamist insurgents that has seen tens of thousands of people killed and nearly three million others displaced. To strengthen the countrys embattled military, the junta-led government recruited tens of thousands of men into a civilian militia, known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, who are tasked with protecting communities against the insurgents. According to the NYT report, under Captain Traore, the civilian militia has spread unchecked violence and pitted local populations against each other, with minority ethnic groups being brutally targeted in what some analysts fear will lead to a civil war. Data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project show that acts of violence against local populations involving militiamen have more than doubled since Traores coup. The militiamen are accused of having carried out executions, forced disappearances or looting every six days on average, the data shows. Burkina Fasos government did not respond to a request for comment. The China-U.S. economic working group has held its seventh meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, China's Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a statement on Monday. The meeting was co-chaired by China's Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min and Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury Jay Shambaugh. According to the MOF statement, the two sides had candid, in-depth and constructive communication on issues including the macroeconomic situations and policies in the two countries, joint efforts to assist low-income countries in addressing liquidity challenges, and governance and reform of multilateral development banks. The Chinese side clarified its stance on relevant economic and trade matters and expressed concern over recent U.S. trade and economic restrictions against China, the statement read. Barbaric attacks in two locations along Nigers border with Burkina Faso have killed 39 people, including children, Niameys defense ministry has said, blaming criminals for massacring defenseless civilian populations. The two latest attacks occurred in the borderlands between Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali that have long been home to armed insurgents linked to the Al-Qaeda and Islamic State group who have waged a war against the junta-led government. According to the Niameys defense ministry, the barbaric acts saw 21 people killed in Libiri and 18 in Kokorou communities located in the Tera border region, which has been subjected to particularly bloody jihadist attacks in recent days. Cornered by constant operations by defense and security forces, which took place from 12-14 December, the criminals launched attacks on defenseless civilian populations, the defense ministry said in a statement. In one of the latest attacks, gunmen killed 21 civilians in an assault on a goods convoy, AFP reported. In another one, the RFI and BBC reported 90 soldiers and over 40 civilians killed by jihadists in Teras Chatoumane. But Nigers military government dismissed these reports of the attack and deaths as baseless assertions and a campaign of intoxication and suspended BBC radio for three months. A source familiar with Libyas oil sector has alleged that the National Oil Corporation (NOC) is publishing inflated production figures to evade accountability for the utilization of a 60 billion Libyan dinar budget allocated to increase oil output. According to the source, OPECs monthly report, released on December 13, 2024, stated that Libyas crude oil production from October 24 to November 24 averaged 1.238 million barrels per day, excluding condensates and other additions. This contrasts with the NOCs claim of 1.4 million barrels per day, which includes condensates. The source noted that actual production increases over the past two years amounted to just 20,000 barrels per day, despite significant budget allocations. The target of 1.3 million barrels per day for 2024 has not been achieved, and the source indicated it is unlikely to be met in 2025. This discrepancy, according to the source, appears designed to obscure transparency around the spending of funds earmarked for increasing production capacity. The NOC has not yet commented on the allegations. Libya, an OPEC member, relies heavily on oil revenues for its economy, making production figures and budget accountability critical for both domestic and international stakeholders. Fifteen member states of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), including Morocco, have unveiled a strategic multilateral initiative aimed at promoting online content integrity, which was announced during the United Nations Internet Governance Forum, taking place December 15-19 in Saudi Arabia. Morocco is represented at the forum by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Minister in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, who also participated in the DCOs Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News in Riyadh. In her address, Seghrouchni highlighted the pressing issue of fake news and its growing complexity amid rapid digital transformation and technological innovation, reaffirming Moroccos commitment to addressing this challenge, citing the severe repercussions of disinformation across various domains. Morocco is working to foster a healthy digital ecosystem that safeguards individual rights and privacy, she said. She emphasized that collaboration within the DCO and the sharing of best practices among member states would be instrumental in combating fake news and mitigating its impact. On the sidelines of the forum, Morocco and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster cooperation in the field of government digital transition. This partnership aims to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two parties, through support for research and innovation, adoption of new technologies in the field of E-government, sharing of best practices, and enshrining specialized skills. Under the theme Ministerial Dialogue on Fake News: Toward a Unified Strategy, the forum brought together several ministers from DCO member states to discuss coordinated approaches to the issue. On the sidelines of the forum, the Saudi-based DCO announced the official launch of the initiative to enhance online content integrity. The initiative was formalized through a joint declaration signed by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and Rwanda. In a statement to the media, DCO Secretary-General, Deemah AlYahya, emphasized the urgency of tackling disinformation, citing surveys conducted across 46 countries, which revealed that more than 59% of respondents are deeply concerned about the difficulty of distinguishing real content from fake content online. Disinformation is no longer a peripheral issue but a digital pandemic that demands immediate and collective action, Al-Yahya stated, further warning that studies suggest disinformation could disrupt elections in several countries over the next two years, potentially threatening global stability. The UN Internet Governance Forum has drawn over 10,000 participants from 170 countries, alongside 1,000 international speakers. The event featured around 300 thematic sessions and workshops to explore global trends and policies in Internet governance. The forum provided a platform for exchanging expertise, sharing information, and showcasing best practices, aiming to identify emerging digital challenges and foster collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations. The vice-president has a big decision to make on next steps. Photo: Will Oliver/Bloomberg/Getty Images For a while, every major presidential loser becomes one of the front-runners for the next cycle. There was talk in Democratic circles of Gore 04, Kerry 08 and yes, even Clinton 20. So unsurprisingly, Kamala Harriss name comes up frequently when battered and bruised Democrats plot a comeback. When voters were asked to identify their preferred 2028 Democratic candidates in a recent Emerson College poll, Harris was the choice of 37 percent, with 15 rivals registering in the single digits (Harriss fellow Californian Gavin Newsom was second with 7 percent). There are, however, reasons Harris might truly be more viable going forward than previous presidential losers were. By all accounts, she was handed an extremely unusual and difficult task when her boss, Joe Biden, terminated his candidacy in July and endorsed her as his successor. The Biden-Harris ticket was pretty clearly in deep trouble after the 46th presidents poor performance in his one debate with Donald Trump, and inevitably the freshly minted candidate inherited a campaign structure, personnel, record in office, and agenda over which she had relatively limited control. If nothing else, she gave Democrats fresh hope heading toward the 2024 endgame, generating historic levels of financial support and keeping her party fully united. Her defeat, moreover, was arguably attributable to handicaps that would not be relevant to a future presidential race, particularly her struggle to project a change message while serving as sitting vice-president of the United States, compounded by a sour public mood and widespread amnesia about her opponents actual record. So the idea of Harris 28 isnt just a chimera based on rapidly fading memories of the best parts of the campaign just completed. But there is a very crowded Democratic bench of politicians less associated with past defeats and carrying less baggage than the 2024 nominee (including unpopular issue positions she took in her unsuccessful 2020 presidential candidacy). Most of them are currently serving in high elected office and thus have built-in ways to remain in the public eye as Trump 2.0 unfolds. There has been discussion of an interim political step for Harris: the governorship of her home state of California, which will open up in 2026. Her longtime ally and rival Newsom is term-limited and is almost universally assumed to be preparing his own 2028 presidential bid, a project that has been underway for decades. Harris has won three statewide elections in the Golden State after holding a series of prosecutorial positions in the Bay Area that made her a political and even a social celebrity. Multiple politicians have been eyeing the governorship (notably two-term lieutenant governor Eleni Kounalakis, the early 2026 front-runner; two-term state controller Betty Yee; two-term superintendent of public instruction Tony Thurmond; and former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa), but the conventional wisdom is that a Harris candidacy might clear the Democratic field pretty quickly. The key question is whether Harris really wants to go back to Sacramento after her stint in national politics and whether that might compromise or even eliminate future prospects for a second presidential run. Her advisers are reportedly split on what she should do, as CNN reports: Some believe a repeat run, after quickly improving her reputation and raising more than $1 billion over her surprise 100-day race, should be hers for the taking. Others worry that in a longer campaign, against some of the other major Democratic contenders who already sat out 2024 in deference first to Joe Biden and then to her, Harris might fizzle out and follow her loss to Donald Trump with the humiliation of being rejected by her own party. The governors race, meanwhile, looks like a layup: Harris was elected statewide three times and served 10 years combined as state attorney general and U.S. senator, and when asked by CNN, several major candidates made clear either directly or through aides that they would likely step aside if she got in. Its reasonably clear that signing on to one of the countrys most demanding nonfederal offices would make a quick presidential comeback difficult if not impossible. So if Harris still has the presidential itch but wants to run for governor in 2026, shes likely taking a White House bid off the table until 2032. At that point, shell be 68 years old, six years younger than Trump was this year. Its also possible there will be a Democratic incumbent already in the White House that year or, conversely, that an unsuccessful Newsom candidacy in 2028 will sour national Democrats on Californians. The Sacramento Scenario for Harris will draw comparisons to Richard Nixons decision to run for governor of California in 1962, two years after his own narrow presidential loss to John F. Kennedy. Nixon lost to incumbent Democratic governor Pat Brown (father of Jerry Brown) in an upset, trashing his presidential ambitions even in his own eyes (as evidenced by his Election Night last press conference). But of course, he did eventually win the White House after a long and difficult comeback. Given Californias current Democratic leanings, a 2026 Harris bid looks less politically perilous than Nixons, though she would be judged on a curve against recent Democratic landslides in the state and she likely hasnt forgotten a near-loss to a Republican in her first statewide race back in 2010. Perhaps the most important question for Harris in mulling a gubernatorial run is whether she actually wants the job given Californias recent fiscal problems and the likelihood that the state is entering a period of perpetual political and legal warfare with the Trump administration. She can certainly find other ways to remain in the national political conversation if thats her real goal. Returning to her stomping grounds out west makes sense as a career capstone, rather than as a way station to the presidency. 40 items in this article 12 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers My partner and I live in a one-bedroom apartment thats just under 700 square feet. Most of the time its really all the space we need for two people. But every so often, a friend or family member comes to visit and suddenly Im scrambling to make my living room feel like an adequate sleep space for a guest. Im certainly not the first person, or the last, who doesnt have a room that sits empty, just waiting for guests to arrive. I also dont have an office, or a finished basement, or any other extra place that can temporarily serve as a guest room. So with the holiday season upon us, I spoke to three experts on hosting and interior design in small spaces to find out how to be the best host possible in a home the size of a shoebox. Not only did they give me some great tips about how to set up my home for visitors (spoiler: Im about to buy a luggage rack, and Im now convinced my next couch should be a sleeper sofa), they also shared plenty of cheap or free things that hosts can do to make their guests comfortable. Gestures as small as making sure your guests can easily charge their phones, and giving them a light source near their bed, can make a big impact. I realized that the best way to be a good host is to step into my guests shoes to preemptively avoid any situations that might feel frustrating or awkward for them. Just showing you considered their needs will go a long way; read on for a play-by-play of what to think about before they arrive. Making the actual bed The first question, naturally, is Where will they sleep? The main options are usually an air mattress or a piece of furniture that doubles as a bed, whether thats a sleeper sofa, a daybed, a trundle, a futon, or a Murphy bed. If youre using an air mattress, buy a taller model Englander Air Mattress w/ Built in Pump - Queen $115 $115 If new furniture isnt in your budget or you simply dont have the time or desire to redecorate your living room a trusty air mattress will get the job done. Interior designer Shamika Lynch from Maximizing Tiny advises picking a taller model, around 18 inches high, so your guests will feel more like they are sleeping on a real bed. She also recommends setting it up on a cushioned surface if possible. A good rug with a nice tuft or with a rug pad underneath is good to have in your living room anyway, Lynch says. And as long as you have the floor space, spring for a full or queen size that way you can accommodate single people, couples, kids, or any other guests who come your way. This is our favorite extra-tall air mattress, at 20 inches high. When I tested it, I was impressed by how high it sits off the floor; the height makes it feel much more dignified to sleep on, plus its much easier to get onto and off of. It has an internal pump, so all you have to do is plug it in, twist open the valve, and flip a switch to inflate it. $115 at Amazon Buy $115 at Amazon Buy If you can afford it, get a sleeper sofa If you are in one of those spaces where youre not going to materialize any space overnight, your choices in your furniture selections are key, says Kaelyn Guerin of interior-design company Haus Guerin. For her, the key is a good sleeper sofa; compared to an air mattress, it will be a big jump up in comfort for your guests, plus it can be a more integral part of your living space as an everyday couch. (She prefers a sleeper sofa over a Murphy bed for this reason, since Murphy beds take up a lot of wall space but typically arent as functional when they arent in use.) You want the flexibility in how the space operates day to day, because out of 365 days, youre maybe hosting a guest three nights, Guerin says. Article Vati Buckler Ivory Sofa Bed $1,799 $1,799 This big comfy couch from Article is our best-in-class sleeper sofa. Its a pull-out style with a memory-foam mattress, which writers Erin Schwartz and Jeremy Rellosa (who both tested it in the Strategist office) say is supportive, has a pleasant firmness, and is thick enough that they couldnt feel the metal bars through it. Schwartz also says its quite comfortable to sit on when its in couch mode. Most important of all, Schwartz appreciates that it does not look like a sleeper sofa. $1,799 at Article Buy American Leather Bentley Comfort Sleeper Sofa From $3,699 From $3,699 If you have a bigger budget, Schwartz says American Leather is the brand that most furniture sellers will point you toward. (Not all its sofas are leather, though it does have an excellent leather selection.) What really makes its sleeper sofas stand out is the companys patented conversion mechanism, which makes it especially easy to pull out the mattress (Schwartz says they did it with one hand!) and removes the potential of feeling metal bars under your back when sleeping. From $3,699 at Urban Natural Buy From $4,499 at Scott Jordan Furniture Buy Softline Duet Daybed $1,545 Alternatively, If you can fit a little daybed in your room or the kids room or something, then thats an extra bed, says blogger and small-space consultant Alison Mazurek. Set it up against the wall with a bunch of cushions to use it like a couch on a day-to-day basis, then lay it out flat as a bed when guests come over. She recommends Softline for daybeds, which are made with memory foam for comfort while sitting or sleeping. $1,545 at Design Within Reach Buy No matter what kind of bed you give your guests, put some nice bedding on it Dressing a temporary guest bed with excellent bedding is an easy enhancement. If you have the space to store them, Lynch recommends having a dedicated set of guest sheets, because a matching set that complements your home decor will feel more intentional than pulling out random pieces of extra bedding and will show your guests that you thought of them ahead of time, Lynch says. For the top layer, Guerin suggests a few light blankets or quilts instead of a big fluffy comforter or duvet. Not only are thinner pieces easier for you to store and clean, but guests can add or remove layers as needed to maintain a comfortable sleep temperature. To top it all off, dont forget to give your guests a quality pillow, which can make or break the comfort of a bed. Beckham Hotel Collection Down Alternative Pillow - 2-Pack $60 for 2 $80 now 25% off $60 for 2 This two-pack of Beckham Hotel pillows is a longtime Strategist best seller, and deservedly so. The pillows have a fluffy, hotel-pillow feel but, crucially, provide actual neck support. They can work for multiple sleeping positions back-, side-, and stomach-sleeping Strategist staffers have all tested and liked them and are often on sale. Plus, they are fully machine washable, so you can pop them in the laundry between guests visits without any worry. $60 for 2 at Amazon Buy From $50 for 2 at Walmart Buy If you dont have space for extra bedding, its all about repurposing what you already have. Mazurek uses a complementary mix of white and neutral sheets in her house, so when she make a bed for a guest, their bedding looks cohesive. She also recommends finding creative ways to keep extra items around; for example, Mazurek has two pillows on each of her kids beds so that she can occasionally pull one off for a guest to use without having to store them. If you dont have an inch of space to spare, Mazurek advises phoning a friend someone you know probably has an extra that you could borrow for a few nights. Arranging the space After a literal place to sleep, making a space inviting and cozy can be as simple as making your guests feel considered. Find (or make) room for your guests luggage and possessions Its easy to forget that even people who travel light still show up with stuff and theyll need a place to keep that stuff during their stay. Even a single, emptied-out dresser drawer or a bit of closet space can help. Lynch also advises taking a nod from hotels and investing in a luggage rack: They fold up for easy storage when not in use and give guests a place other than the floor where they can open their bag or suitcase. Dont forget a set of clean towels Guerin advises leaving a stack of fresh towels where your guests can easily find them, either on their bed or with any extra bedding youve got laid out for them. Whatever you do, dont wait until they are ready to shower to start rummaging around for clean washcloths and bath sheets. Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel $37 $46 now 20% off $37 As with bedding, its nice to have a dedicated set of guest bath towels if you can swing it. Frontgates towels are our favorite affordable towels; Ro owns them in white and reports that still look nice after three years of near constant use. $37 at Frontgate Buy I also recommend adding some basic hand towels and washcloths. Be sure they have a nightstand, even if its makeshift one If you have the luxury of time and forethought, you should invest in versatile furniture like a multifunctional set of nesting tables or stools that can double as nightstands when needed. If you dont, youll need to get creative with what you already have, say, by clearing off a coffee table or an end table and placing it next to the bed youve set up. Bambloom Nesting Tables $49 $56 now 13% off $49 Lynch is a big advocate of using nesting tables to instantly add extra surface space where guests can set things down without feeling like they are disrupting your home. The largest table in a set may even work as a luggage rack, while the smallest becomes a bedside table. $49 at Amazon Buy $49 at Amazon Buy Lynch also recommends storage ottomans as a way to give guests a spot for some of their stuff (or as a place to keep the guest bedding) and serve as an extra seat too. Sundays Field Stool $270 $270 Speaking of extra seats, Mazurek typically uses a couple Field Stools from Sundays as side tables but clears them off to use as stools when company comes. They could just as easily become nightstands when its time for bed. $270 at Sundays Buy Even if you are especially short on floor space, a big, sturdy tray on a couch or chair near to your guests bed can be a workable nightstand and will be much more preferable than putting their stuff on the floor or trying to find a stable spot for their phone or a glass or water. Provide easy access to power outlets and a lamp Guests dont want to feel like an inconvenience to their host, so think ahead about what they might need and do your best to make it readily available. Make sure your outlets are visible and accessible, because no one wants to be moving furniture just to charge their phone. If your outlets arent obvious or easy to get to, plug in an extra-long charger or extension cord before your guests arrive. In addition to outlets, make sure guests have easy access to a lamp. Even if theyve been there a number of times, most people dont know how to navigate your house in the dark, Guerin says. Bonus points for one thats portable so they can move it around as needed. Audo Carrie Portable LED Lamp $310 $310 Mazurek uses this portable light for her overnight guests. You can carry it around like a lantern, so if they need to get around in your house, its really nice, she says. It has three settings, so they can toggle the brightness. $310 at Audo Buy Nice extras These expert-recommended finishing touches will make them feel as welcome and as comfortable as possible, no matter how small your home is. Make it easy to get a drink of water IKEA Pitcher with Lid $15 $15 Mazurek and Guerin both recommend setting out a carafe of water and glasses so your guests can get a drink at night without having to search your kitchen cabinets in the dark. $15 at Ikea Buy Set out a few little luxuries If possible, Guerin recommends emulating a high-end hotel by providing luxuries like a bathrobe or slippers for your guests to use, along with a basket of goodies they might have forgotten, like extra toiletries or a sleep mask. She often saves sample-size beauty products to give to her friends when they visit as a little travel pick-me-up. Quince Organic Turkish Waffle Robe $50 $50 A waffle robe, like this one from Quince, will be smaller to store than a big, fluffy one if you decide to buy a dedicated guest robe. $50 at Quince Buy For extra privacy, add a screen Smaller homes tend to lack privacy and often have only one bathroom so Guerin advises adding a folding screen or room divider: If you dont want to come out of your bedroom and immediately look at your friend in a stage of undress, the screen is nice, she says. Options range from pricey antique finds on eBay or Chairish to inexpensive versions from big-box retailers, so theres lots of flexibility with price and style. If you dont have a full-time need for the screen when you arent hosting, Guerin suggests folding it up and sliding it behind or under couch or bed or sticking it in the back of a closet. Be a good host, no matter the size of your home When youre hosting in a small space, its easy to focus on what you cant provide to your guests. But the experts I spoke to all emphasized focusing on what you can give them. You want to make sure that youre thinking about them beyond the night into the morning and making sure everybody feels like they can operate in the space without making a mess, Guerin says. That could include picking up some fruit or pastries or bagels to set out for an easy breakfast if your guests wake up earlier than you. Or ensuring that coffee and tea are accessible (and showing your guests how to use your coffee-maker). Mazurek, who lives in Vancouver, advises taking full advantage of where you live to show your guests a good time. If your home is on the smaller side, odds are youre in a large, high-cost of living area which comes with its own advantages. We can run out in the morning and get the best pastry or the best coffee theyve had in a long time, Mazurek says. Its just reminding people that maybe we dont have a perfect room for you, but we have these other great things to offer and that we are showing them what we love about the city. Above all, Lynch adds, dont put too much pressure on yourself, and remember that most guests wont be expecting a high-end hotel experience in your living room. People arent coming to your home to see what you have. Theyre coming to your home to see you, she says. get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface 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. OSHA Cites Contractor After Workers Death During Underwater Test Coastal Gunite Construction faces four serious violations and $40,329 in proposed penalties. OSHA has cited Coastal Gunite Construction Co. for multiple safety violations following the death of a 47-year-old diver at North Carolinas Manns Harbor Bridge in June 2024. According to a recent release, a four-member dive team employed by the Maryland-based contractor was conducting an underwater test on the workers first day on the job. Shortly after descending to about 19 feet, the diver became unresponsive. Team members quickly retrieved the diver from the water and performed CPR until emergency services arrived. Despite their efforts, the worker could not be revived. OSHA investigators determined Coastal Gunite failed to evaluate the divers physical fitness for the job, a key safety requirement in commercial diving. First aid supplies and a manual resuscitator were also not readily available at the worksite. The agency found that Coastal Gunite improperly positioned the air intake, failed to conduct regular air purity tests on compressor systems and did not perform annual air hose pressure tests. Ensuring employees are physically fit for commercial diving is a fundamental part of workplace safety, OSHA Area Office Director Kim Morton in Raleigh, North Carolina, said in a statement. Employers have a duty to protect their workers by implementing strict safety protocols and thorough pre-employment evaluations, particularly in high-risk industries like commercial diving. This tragic incident could have been prevented. OSHA cited Coastal Gunite for four serious violations and proposed $40,329 in penalties, the maximum allowable under federal law. The company has 15 business days to comply, contest the findings, or request an informal conference with OSHA. U.S. shale is the biggest source of oil and gas output growth on a global scale. Its in every forecast and projection that sees continued depression in oil prices. But that role as a growth driver might be coming to an end due to natural processes. Well productivity and efficiency improvements have been in the spotlight of U.S. shale oil and gas discourse ever since the industry served up a massive surprise to analysts by reducing the total rig count but boosting production by 1 million bpd last year. The unexpected jump in output was attributed to efficiency gains that made it possible for drillers to extract more oil at lower cost, driving the substantial increase in 2023 overall production of hydrocarbons. Now, the Energy Information Administration has predicted that productivity improvements and efficiency gains would continue driving output higher. The question, as usual, is just how high. In its latest Shot-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA forecast that total U.S. oil production next year would hit 13.5 million barrels daily. That would be up from an estimated 13.2 million barrels daily this year. The estimated 2024 average itself was an increase from 12.9 million bpd for 2023. In other words, over the past two years, total U.S. production of crude oil has increased at a rate of 300,000 barrels daily. Yet shale specifically boomedbut this is about to end. Related: What Does The Fall Of Assads Syria Mean To The Key Players In The Middle East? Well productivity in the Permian, the star shale play in the U.S. unconventional oil and gas industry, has declined by 15% since 2020, according to data from Enverus. However, at the same time, producers are drilling longer wells, and they are doing it more efficiently than before, squeezing ever more oil and creating a perception that there are no limits to the technological advancements that can keep that oil flowing. As usual, there is a but. In this case, it goes like this: U.S. shale drillersand, more specifically, drilling service providershave done wonders of efficiency, but there are limits to all technological advancements. More importantly, there are also natural limits to shale reservoirs. Weve tripled oil production in the last 15 years and we have doubled natural gas production. But theres not a lot of gas left in the tank, the chief executive of Quantum Energy Partners, Wil VanLoh, told Bloomberg back in September. The US shale revolution has run its course, VanLoh also said at the time, echoing warnings that some investors have been voicing for years, namely, that the pace of production growth that the U.S. shale industry has been keeping is unsustainable over a longer term. Yet this doesnt mean that growth is over for good. For one thing, AI has entered the oil patch and is helping drive additional efficiency gains, which has lowered breakeven costs in some parts of the patch, motivating higher production. According to Evercore ISI, AI and other tech could bring costs in the shale patch down by double digits as soon as this year. Therell be significant cost savings, at a minimum double digits, but probably in the 25% to 50% of cost savings in certain scenarios, one analyst from KPMG, which compiled a report on the topic, told Bloomberg earlier this year. There is also the factor of resilient demand for oilperhaps more resilient than some forecasters would like it to be. This is, in fact, the strongest motivator for production growth anywhere. If there is demand for oil, there will be supply to respond to that demandespecially if producers can get the oil out of the ground more cheaply than before. This is precisely whats happening in much of the shale patch. In the Permian specifically, output from newly drilled wells has increased from some 350,000 bpd back in 2019 to over 450,000 bpd this year, per a recent report by the Energy Information Administration looking into the effects of improved efficiency in well output among 34 public oil companies. In evidence of the constraints that the industry faces, these same 34 public companies are currently producing as much oil as they were producing at the start of 2020despite all the efficiency improvements, productivity gains, and lower costs. Some would explain this with weakening demand, even though the oil demand growth trajectory remains on an upward curve despite apocalyptic predictions. A more likely reason for the EIA databesides the devastating impact of pandemic lockdowns on demandis natural depletion in some fields that offset stronger-than-expected growth in others. U.S. shale producers are doing more with less, which has become something of their modus operandi in the past few years. Yet natural depletion is one fact of life that no one can change, and this fact of life means that as drillers run out of prime acreage and move on to relatively lower-quality reservoirs, production growth peak is on the horizon, as oilfield veteran David Messler wrote for Oilprice last year. Efficiency gains are certainly importantespecially for investors who expect a steady stream of returnsbut like everything else, these cant last forever. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com German Chancellor Scholz loses confidence vote, snap elections to follow Xinhua) 08:16, December 17, 2024 This photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows the German Bundestag in Berlin, Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost in a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Monday. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) The move would dissolve Scholz's minority coalition government and trigger a process that would lead to early federal elections. BERLIN, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost in a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Monday. The move would dissolve Scholz's minority coalition government and trigger a process that would lead to early federal elections. The confidence vote saw 207 parliament members expressing confidence in Scholz, with 394 voting against him and 116 abstaining. Such a vote has not taken place in Germany for almost two decades. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on July 24, 2024. Scholz on Wednesday expressed his willingness to run for a second term in the 2025 national elections. His official nomination by the Social Democratic Party (SPD) remains pending, however. (Xinhua/Li Hanlin) Scholz had requested the confidence vote last week, invoking Article 68 of the Basic Law, as the currently only viable way to trigger early elections. Major opposition parties have long been calling for this. Although theoretically, Scholz could have continued in office without a majority, it would have been politically untenable as the Bundestag would have been unable to pass legislation. Concerns had arisen that Scholz could unexpectedly win the vote. This scenario could have materialized if members of Scholz's SPD and the Greens voted in favor, while the AfD voted to support him to create chaos. To prevent this possibility of unintended support from the AfD's 76 members potentially pushing Scholz over the required 367 votes, the Green party leadership advised its members to abstain. This photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows the German Bundestag in Berlin, Germany. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost in a vote of confidence in the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, on Monday. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) The regular federal elections were originally scheduled for September next year. However, the so-called "traffic light coalition" of the SPD, Greens, and FDP failed to agree on a joint budget for 2025. Disagreements arose over tax allocation, economic stimulus measures, and funding for investment. At the height of the dispute, Chancellor Scholz dismissed FDP's Finance Minister Christian Lindner; subsequently, other FDP ministers resigned from the government to withdraw from the ruling coalition. After losing the confidence vote, Scholz went to meet with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, recommending the dissolution of the Bundestag. Steinmeier has 21 days to decide whether to dissolve the parliament. He had previously stated that he would likely do so. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) welcomes German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Athens, Greece, on Oct. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) If the Bundestag is dissolved, new elections must be held within 60 days. The SPD and CDU/CSU have proposed February 23 as the date for the election. Steinmeier will ultimately decide the final date. Even after the dissolution of the Bundestag, the parliament remains functional. The Federal Chancellor, the government, and its ministers will also remain in office until the new Bundestag elects a new Chancellor next year. Previously, there had been five times in the history of Germany that a vote of confidence was called. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Chinese shopping app Temu was once again the most downloaded free app in the United States in 2024, according to a list of top apps and games across the U.S. App Store released by Apple on Monday. Temu moved to the No. 1 position last year, replacing TikTok, which held the title in 2022. TikTok this year made the list at No. 3 behind Meta's Instagram Threads, which moved up to the No. 2 spot after being the No. 3 most downloaded app in 2023. This year ChatGPT ranked as the fourth-most downloaded app in the U.S. App Store, just ahead of Google's Search app. Meta's apps are still present in 2024's overall most-downloaded list but have been dropping in ranks in recent years. Instagram and WhatsApp came in at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively, followed by CapCut, which is also owned by TikTok parent ByteDance, then YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, and then Facebook at No. 13. The rest of the top 20 are Telegram, Snapchat, Cash App, Spotify, Max, McDonald's, and Amazon. Oil prices are under pressure ahead of the next Federal Reserve meeting, with demand concerns continuing to weigh on both WTI and Brent. - The huge price volatility of the past couple of months has made European natural gas futures one of the favorite trading instruments of hedge funds as TTF futures continue to trade above 40 per MWh. - The combination of rapidly depleting European gas inventories and a still unclear outlook for Russian pipeline gas into Europe next year have lifted total long positions of institutional investors to almost 500 million MWh equivalent. - Whilst the short-term outlook of European gas remains bullish, the risk remains that after the winter scare prices could collapse as hedge funds start to unwind their positions, particularly on the back of new LNG supply into 2026. - For comparison, net positioning in Henry Hub US gas futures remains overwhelmingly bearish, with the net shortcoming in just below 80,000 contracts in the week to December 10, the 22nd consecutive week of hedge funds shorting gas. Market Movers - US oil firm Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS) has reportedly withdrawn from making an offer for fellow Africa-focused producer Tullow Oil, aggravating the latters decline as its shares fell 44% this year. - US refining giant Phillips66 (NYSE:PSX) announced it would sell its 25% stake in the Gulf Coast Express Pipeline to ArcLight Capital Partners for $865 million, setting it on course to exceed its asset sale target. - QatarEnergy has boosted its presence in Namibia by farming into Chevrons (NYSE:CVX) operated license PEL90, acquiring a 27.5% non-operated stake as it already co-owns blocks containing the giant Venus and Graff discoveries. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 ICE Brent continues to trade within a narrow range of $72-74 per barrel as the previous weeks slightly bullish sentiment, coming mostly from US and EU sanctions on Russia, has hit another roadblock. Its China again souring the demand outlook, with November data for industrial output and retail sales both coming in below expectations, so its only the Fed that can add some upside now. Trump to Roll Back Bidens EV Policies. According to a Reuters report, the incoming administration of Donald Trump is suggesting the elimination of Bidens $7,500 tax credit on EVs, easing tailpipe pollution mandates and imposing tariffs on all battery materials globally to kickstart US production. Chinese Coal Production Hits New Record. Chinas coal production rose to an average daily rate of 14.27 million tonnes in November, the highest pace on record a whopping 7% month-over-month increase, as state-controlled producers ramped up output ahead of winter heating demand. Worlds Top Trader Weighed Down by Fraud. Global trading house Trafigura saw a steep decline in its 2024 earnings on the heels of its billion-dollar fraud scheme in Mongolia, posting a 60% year-over-year decline to $2.8 billion even as its traded oil and fuel oil volumes rose to 6.8 million b/d. China Builds Up Crude Inventories. As November data for Chinese imports and refinery runs trickled in, China has imported and produced 1.77 million b/d more than it consumed last month, and even accounting for some lacking information this seems to suggest a huge stock build across the country. UAE Vows to Export Less Oil. In line with OPEC+s push for stronger discipline in meeting joint production targets, the UAEs state oil firm ADNOC has pledged to cut exported volumes by up to 230,000 b/d in Q1 2025, mostly cutting flows of light Murban and medium sour Upper Zakum. Venture Global Starts Up Plaquemines. Venture Global LNG produced its first commercial LNG from its 20 mtpa Plaquemines plant, the first new US site to produce the super-chilled gas in two years, reaching first production after a mere 30 months since the project was given the go-ahead. Libyas Key Refinery Damaged by Gunfire. Libyas state oil company NOC declared force majeure at its 120,000 b/d Zawia refinery after several storage tanks were severely damaged and caught fire after direct hits coming from nearby armed clashes, halting operations two months after it was fully repaired. US to Sanctions Serbias Only Refinery. Serbian authorities said the White House will be slapping sanctions on Serbias oil company NIS because of its Russian ownership, potentially disrupting oil flows to the 96,000 b/d Pancevo refinery that is fed through the Croatian port of Omisalj. Gallium Prices Soar to 13-Year High. Prices for gallium, a rare metal used mostly in semiconductors and radar equipment, have jumped to their highest since 2011 on the back of Chinas tightening of export restrictions, selling at $595 per kg, as Beijing still controls 98% of global output. Russian Oil Spill Pollutes Black Sea. A Russian oil tanker carrying several thousand tonnes of fuel oil in the Kerch Strait of the Black Sea split apart after running aground, with the 136-metre tanker triggering an oil spill amidst a heavy winter storm that rendered environmental mitigation difficult. Oman Woos Investors for Next LNG Project. Oman is set to start talks with key investors BP, Shell, and TotalEnergies about whether they could commit gas supplies for a mulled 3.8 mtpa fourth train at the Oman LNG site, seeking to expand the nations LNG production capacity to 15.2 mtpa. Southeast Asia Sees Biofuels Bonanza. Malaysias state-owned oil firm Petronas and Italian oil major ENI (BIT:ENI) awarded a $1 billion contract to Korean engineering firm Samsung to build a 650,000 mtpa biorefinery in Johor, Malaysia, focusing mostly on production of SAF and HVO. US Drillers Test Fluid Coke Instead of Sand. US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) announced that it had developed a drilling process to use fluid petroleum coke instead of sand as a proppant for hydraulic fracturing, with the refinery product allegedly improving recovery by up to 15%. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Ecuador and its state-run oil firm Petroecuador are losing millions of U.S. dollars as organized crime groups are increasingly targeting fuel pipelines to tap and steal gasoline and diesel to support drug trafficking and production. The number of instances in which illegal homemade valves are being used to tap Ecuadors pipelines has surged in recent years, from around three dozen back in 2022 to more than 770 this year through October, a Reuters investigation has found. All these illegal taps have cost Petroecuador more than $215 million in losses between 2022 and October 2024, representatives of the state oil company have told Reuters. Fuel theft by organized criminal gangs is reducing the revenues for Petroecuador and, consequently, for the state. Apart from inflicting financial losses for the country, the more frequent fuel theft is increasing the risk of spills from the pipelines. Police and authorities in Ecuador acknowledge the problem with fuel theft, but say that finding and removing the illegal homemade taps is expensive and takes a lot of time and man-hours. Fuel theft is a growing security issue for the state, not only for the Ecuadorean oil industry. Ecuador was a member of OPEC between 1973 and 1992, then it rejoined the organization in 2007, but decided to quit the cartel once again in January 2020. The last time Ecuador left OPEC, the cartel and its allies in the OPEC+ agreement were already three years into the so-called OPEC+ agreements to manage production that continue to this day. But Ecuador was eager to increase its oil production, which it couldnt do under the OPEC+ pact. Ecuadors production boomed between 2006 and 2014 but the country has struggled to lift output in the late 2010s and early 2020s, even after it left OPEC. Production peaked at 557,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2014, but had slumped to 473,000 bpd by 2021the lowest level since 2003. A string of political crises, as well as endemic corruption, anti-oil industry protests, corroded infrastructure, and falling investment from foreign companies have all combined to drag Ecuadors oil production down. All these are now compounded by increased theft of fuels used by drug traffickers to ship their product out or to smuggle gasoline into neighboring Colombiagasoline which is then used in the production of cocaine in makeshift laboratories in the jungle. The use of gasoline in industrial-sized metal drums to soak coca leaves to extract coca is a commonly used early stage of cocaine production. The fuel stolen from Ecuadors pipelines is also used by the boats that the drug traffickers use to ship drugs north to Mexico and the United States. Yet another use of the stolen fuel is for organized crime groups to smuggle it to Peru, Ecuadors neighbor to the south, where the fuel is being used in illegal mining operations, according to the Reuters investigation. Ecuadors oil fields are not spared from criminal enterprises, either, although theft there is limited (so far) to equipment and copper wiring, often combined with extortion of the workers at the oilfields. The surge in organized crime in Ecuador in recent years is undermining efforts to revive the most important legal industry in the countrythe oil industry. Ecuadors crude oil production, for example, remains the countrys most important export, accounting for more than one-fourth of the value of all Ecuadorean exports. Political unrest and drug-related crimes and violence have been unsettling the country and its oil industry. Once one of the more peaceful countries in South America, especially compared to Colombia, Ecuador has gained notoriety in recent years. This now threatens its most important industry. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The EU is considering suspending visas for Georgian diplomats due to concerns over human rights and fundamental freedoms. Montenegro is making significant progress in EU accession talks, while Serbia's progress is blocked due to its stance on Russia and failure to meet benchmarks. The EU summit will reaffirm support for Ukraine, but no major decisions are expected, while the bloc's response to Georgia's crackdown on protests is in focus. Normally, the week leading up to the winter holiday in the European Union is the busiest, with thorny decisions to be made before the year ends. Just look at last year, when EU leaders eventually gave Moldova and Ukraine the green light to start accession talks, granted Georgia candidate status, and approved a rather wide-ranging sanctions package on Russia. They also agreed to channel some previously frozen funds for Hungary while controversially failing to get Budapest's thumbs up for a 50 billion euro ($53 billion) package for Ukraine. (That package was eventually approved by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in February). This year's pre-holidays agenda looks rather uneventful in comparison. A new, puny sanctions package on Moscow was agreed to by EU ambassadors already on December 11, but it was more significant for the derogations -- EU speak for the various exemptions -- that came with it. On Ukraine, It's Business As Usual Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will attend the EU summit on December 19, but there is no big decision to be made on Kyiv. Compare the jubilant scenes in Tbilisi a year ago when Georgia received candidate status to what's happening now when the Georgian authorities are cracking down on people protesting the government's decision to halt EU talks. In fact, the way Brussels reacts to the increasingly hard-line leadership in Georgia will be one of the few things to look out for this week. For Ukraine, the latest draft EU summit conclusions, seen by RFE/RL, "reconfirms the European Union's unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail." This is the line the bloc has stuck to for the entire year, and while there has been talk of negotiations with Moscow in the new year, the EU seems to be sticking to its "business as usual" approach to Kyiv. While there was plenty of Hungarian intransigence on financially supporting Kyiv last time around, everything is already set for 2025, as Budapest agreed in November to the G7-EU initiative of leveraging frozen Russian assets in the West to channel a 45 billion euro ($47 billion) loan to Kyiv. On top of that, another 12.5 billion euros will be coming directly from the EU's budget. My understanding is that, during the summit, Zelenskiy will also push EU member states to ramp up defense production, preferably in direct cooperation with Ukraine's defense industry, and to provide Kyiv with air defense systems and drone interception capabilities. On sanctions, the summit conclusions draft simply notes that "the European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions." Early next year, the European Commission will most likely come up with a proposal for a new package, the 16th since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This will come as Poland assumes the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the EU on January 1, and Warsaw has signaled its intention to prioritize more restrictive measures against Moscow. By looking at the most recently approved 15th package, the signs are not particularly encouraging. No new sectors of the Russian economy were targeted; instead, Slovakia got a derogation to continue to import Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline for another six months. The biggest fight around this package was Latvia and Lithuania pushing France, Germany, and Italy to disinvest quicker from the Russian market. However, nothing was agreed on this and there is only a reference in the latest sanctions package that it is risky doing business in Russia and that it's time to wind down EU companies working there. For Albania And Montenegro, The Race Is On... The special EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels on December 18 -- between the leaders of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia and their EU counterparts -- isn't likely to be particularly eventful. The draft declaration, seen by RFE/RL, contains no new elements, with EU officials telling me that the main "deliverable" is largely symbolic, simply consisting of the fact that the region's leaders are meeting EU officials ahead of the regular EU summit. The "Balkan Six" already had dinner with the new president of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the freshly appointed EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, earlier in December. That the pair had only just started their new roles is an indication of the high priority that has been given to the region in Brussels. The key day, for at least some of the Western Balkan countries, will instead be a few days before the summit. On December 17, the EU member states' Europe ministers will approve the annual EU enlargement conclusions and participate in a couple of Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs). Albania will participate in one of those meetings, during which it will open two EU accession chapters related to foreign policy. Tirana already opened negotiations on five chapters in October and has real momentum behind its membership bid. The other IGC, which took place on December 16, was for Montenegro. Montenegro has already opened negotiations on all 33 policy chapters, but, for the first time since 2017, Podgorica closed three chapters -- on information society, industrial policy, and intellectual property. This means that EU laws in these spheres have now been transposed into Montenegrin law. Given that, in 12 years of negotiations with Brussels, Montenegro has only managed to close three other chapters, this step is rather significant. EU diplomats have been hinting recently that Montenegro could potentially join the bloc this decade. ...While Serbia Is Blocked There was a big push to have a third IGC this week and to open a number of negotiation chapters with Serbia as well. This push came mainly from Budapest, big EU member states such as France and Italy, as well as the European Commission, which has suggested that Belgrade is ready to proceed with its EU integration ever since its annual enlargement report in October. However, the three Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, blocked the process due to Belgrade's continued nonalignment with the EU's sanctions policy on Russia. Additionally, the Netherlands withheld approval, citing Serbia's failure to meet benchmarks on some of the chapters they were supposed to open. The issue of Serbia's progress is likely to resurface in the first half of 2025, and, by then, it might very well be linked to the opening of negotiating chapters with Ukraine and Moldova. Kyiv and Chisinau are expected to officially start the EU accession process under the Polish presidency, even though Hungary has indicated that it may not give its consent to Ukraine, arguing that the ethnic Hungarian minority in the country is still being discriminated against. Don't be surprised to see a grand bargain in 2025 where both Serbia and Ukraine get the green light. Addressing The Crisis In Georgia The situation in Georgia will feature prominently this week. The draft EU summit conclusions on the South Caucasus republic are rather weak, simply noting that the European Council "reiterates its serious concerns regarding the course of action taken by the Georgian government, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the European Union is founded." The commission also "regrets" the Georgian government's decision to suspend the country's EU accession process until 2028. There is also strong condemnation of the recent violence against Georgians protesting the government's decision to put EU accession on ice, with the text making clear that "the Georgian authorities must respect the right of freedom of assembly and of expression and refrain from using force. All acts of violence must be investigated and those responsible held accountable." The text isn't harsher due to both Hungary and Slovakia not wanting to take a hard line against the leadership of Georgia, who both countries see as their ally. This support for the ruling Georgian Dream party also suggests that any EU sanctions against the Georgian leadership -- including against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party chairman and deeply influential billionaire -- are likely to be ruled out, following the measures taken by Estonia and Lithuania earlier in December Don't rule out, though, that more individual EU member states will follow Estonia and Lithuania and take their own measures. There has been some discussion in Brussels about the possibility of suspending visa liberalization for some Georgian passport holders -- notably those holding diplomatic passports. That would be largely a symbolic move, as most officials have "normal" passports as well. But the proposal is being considered for two reasons. Firstly, you don't need unanimity to impose this measure. Instead, a qualified majority of 55 percent of the EU member states, representing 65 percent of the bloc's total population, is all that's required. Secondly, such a proposal is seen as much "fairer" than going for a general visa liberalization suspension, which would impact the entire Georgian population. The issue of suspending visas for Georgian diplomats was discussed at length back when the bloc's foreign ministers met in Brussels on October 16. No real decision was made, but the European Commission, which would initiate the whole suspension process, received political guidance from member states to look into the matter more closely and come back with a proposal -- something that can happen later this week. The European Commission has actually already opened up the pathway for visa suspension, when, on December 6, it published its annual report on the visa suspension mechanism. This report covers what the countries enjoying visa liberalization in the Western Balkans, as well as Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, are doing in the area of justice, home affairs, and fundamental rights in order to maintain their status. And it is fair to say that Georgia received the worst review of all countries assessed this year. The report notes that "there are ongoing reflections on the possible activation of the visa suspension mechanism in relation to certain categories of persons" and adds that "[Georgia] needs to take further urgent action to address the Commission's recommendations, particularly in the area of the protection of fundamental rights." The report refers especially to Georgia's controversial "foreign agent" law and anti-LGBT measures, stating that they both "infringe upon human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of association, expression, and privacy." But that is far from the only complaint, even though it is the most serious one. The report also says that Georgia made no progress on visa policy alignment with the EU, instead agreeing to a visa-waiver agreement with China earlier in 2024. It also bemoans the lack of a national anti-corruption strategy or action plan and Georgia's failure to set up an asset recovery office. Looking Ahead There is an interesting ruling coming up in an EU court on December 18. The Moldovan fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor and his colleague Marina Tauber are challenging the bloc's sanctions imposed on them in 2023 for undermining the sovereignty and political stability of Moldova. The case is worth watching because the court in October ruled against the same type of sanctions that were targeting Vlad Plahotniuc, another Moldovan oligarch. (Plahotniuc does, however, remain sanctioned by the bloc, as the ruling concerned an older sanctions period, and the EU prolonged the restrictive measures before the court ruling.) But a win for Shor and Tauber would make another Moldova sanctions rollover in 2025 more complicated. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chevron has signed a deal with Alcoa, the aluminum major, to supply it with 130 petajoules of natural gas beginning in 2028, for a period of 10 years, the U.S. major said today. The gas will come from Chevrons Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects, which have a combined production capacity of 530 petajoules, Chevron noted in its news release. Alcoa will use the gas for its alumina refineries in Western Australia, the company said. Our significant investment in WAs natural gas sector, including our share of the more than A$80 billion invested in Gorgon and Wheatstone, has powered the development of WAs resources industry and continues to enable the long-term supply of reliable energy to the state, Chevron Australias managing director, Mark Hartfield, said. The deal follows three earlier ones, inked back in 2020, for natural gas supply to Alvoas alumina refineries in Western Australia, to begin this year. One of these was with Chevron again, the other two signed with Exxon and Warrego Energy. Earlier this year, Alcoas chief executive predicted a bright future for aluminum demand thanks to the energy transition, noting its growing role as a substitute for copper. As we look forward, demand growth will be driven by this energy transition, William Oplinger said in late October, as quoted by Reuters. Couple that with some supply changes in the industry, for instance the Chinese sticking to a mandatory cap they have put in place ... that shapes up to a much stronger aluminium market globally, he added. Chevron, meanwhile, eyes a boost in natural gas operations at home, thanks to the proliferation of data centers for artificial intelligence. The company has been in talks to secure the power supply of such data centers, generated from natural gas. It would be a new growth area for the supermajor and its peer Exxon, which has identical plans to take advantage of the AI boom that is driving electricity demand in the U.S. higher. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Equinor has made an oil and gas discovery next to the giant Troll field in the North Sea and will continue to explore the area for further potential resources close to existing infrastructure. The discovery, provisionally named Ringand, is currently estimated to contain between 2 and 12 million barrels of oil equivalent and is only 10 miles (17 kilometers) west of the Troll field, Equinor said on Tuesday. It's a small discovery, but in an interesting area that we plan to further explore with much existing infrastructure, said Geir Srtveit, Equinor's senior vice president for Exploration & Production West on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). If more discoveries are made, it may be relevant to combine these to ensure good resource utilisation and the best possible economy. Discoveries close to existing infrastructure are important for keeping oil and gas output in Norway, the biggest hydrocarbon producer in Western Europe. The Norwegian offshore energy authorities and the government are also urging the industry to explore in frontier regions such as the Barents Sea, where a large part of undiscovered resources are thought to be. Last week, Equinor said that the start-up of the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea in the Arctic has been postponed to January or February 2025 from an initial launch date by the end of this year, due to bad weather conditions. The field will produce for 30 years, and at its peak, Johan Castberg will be able to produce 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, Equinor says. Norway expects its oil liquids production to rise by 5.2% next year from 2024, also thanks to Johan Castberg. Yet, further exploration efforts and new discoveries would be crucial to slowing the expected decline in Norways oil and gas production in the 2030s, the authorities of Western Europes largest oil and gas producer have said in recent years. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Solar power installations increased by just 4% this year from 2023, down from 40-50% annual growth in the three prior years, as grid bottlenecks are holding back expansion, industry association SolarPower Europe told Reuters. In 2024, the EU installed a total of 65.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity. While thats a record-high amount of installed solar capacity in a year, it is only 4% higher compared to 2023, according to the data SolarPower Europe shared exclusively with Reuters. To compare, growth in solar installations hit 40% in each of 2021 and 2022 and surged by 50% last year compared to the previous year. The slower pace of solar growth is raising concerns that the EU may fall short of its solar installation targets. The EU will need to install 70 GW of solar each year through 2030 to meet its capacity goals. However, the surge in solar installations in recent years hasnt been accompanied by a similar increase in grid transmission and flexibility. Solar projects have to queue for grid connections and at times are paid to curtail output to prevent overwhelming the grids. The growth is substantially slowing down, SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger told Reuters, commenting on the figures for the 2024 capacity installations. What we see more and more in different countries, all over Europe, is that we're running into grid bottlenecks, Hemetsberger noted. Unlike in Europe, China continues to see strong growth in solar power capacity additions. New installations are set to reach between 230 and 260 GW this year, with the growth sizable in spite of Chinas recent struggles with profitability and excess inventory and production capacity. Countering these problems is support for utility-scale solar development in the deserts, growth in rooftop solar proliferation, and grid expansion, which has made it possible for more solar power to reach consumers instead of getting wasted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indias second-largest fuel retailer, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), plans to raise its refining capacity by 10 million tons per year by 2028, as the biggest Indian refiners consider a massive expansion to processing capacity to meet growing demand. State-controlled BPCL expects to raise its total refining capacity to 45 million tons per year by 2028 from the current 35.3 million tons per year, BPCLs head of refining Sanjay Khanna said on Tuesday, as carried by Reuters. The increase in refining capacity is expected to come from higher capacity at the companys refineries at Mumbai, Bina, and Kochi, the refiners executive said at an industry event. Reports emerged earlier this year that BPCL is in talks with major local banks to secure a loan of about $3.8 billion which it will use to expand the capacity of one of its refineries, Bina. BPCL is looking to raise around $3.8 billion (320 billion Indian rupees) from lenders to boost the capacity of its Bina refinery in the Madhya Pradesh state in central India. Separately, state-held Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the biggest oil and gas explorer in India, is assessing plans for an $8.3-billion refinery plus petrochemicals project in the most populous Indian state to take advantage of growing fuel demand, sources with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg in September. India aims to be a refining hub in Asia as it is boosting refining capacity and expects to continue relying on fossil fuels until at least 2040, according to Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Our existing refineries will increase in terms of capacity and they will also become regional hubs in terms of providing to other countries, the minister told Reuters last month. India will drive up to 35% of global energy demand growth over the next 20 years, Puri said at the Gastech conference in Houston earlier this year. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Sometimes, no deal is better than a bad oneor so Kosmos Energy seems to think. The U.S. oil and gas firm abruptly called it quits on its potential takeover of West Africa-focused Tullow Oil, sending Tullows shares into a 10% tailspin on Tuesday. Kosmos didnt offer up a reason, but challenging seems to be the word of the day: operational overlaps, debt-heavy balance sheets, and the ever-delicate dance with the Ghanaian government likely threw a wrench in the works. Had the two companies tied the knot, the combined entity wouldve boasted a production forecast north of 130,000 barrels per day across Ghana, Mauritania, Senegal, and Equatorial Guineanot to mention Kosmos solid presence in the Gulf of Mexico. On paper, this wasnt a terrible idea. Analysts even pointed out that their shared assets in Ghana made for some tidy synergy potential. But, as Shore Capitals James Hosie put it, Kosmos may have seen Tullows boardroom vacancya pending CEO changeand smelled opportunism instead of opportunity. Kosmos shareholders clearly appreciated the decision to stay single; the stock surged 13% in pre-market trading. Tullow, meanwhile, played the ever-dignified jilted partner, insisting its standalone future remains bright. After all, its still looking to optimize its capital structure, even with its growing pile of debt and shaky demand projections. Of course, Kosmos reserved the right to reconsider under certain conditionsa classic corporate maybe later. But for now, the message is clear: when it comes to West African oil deals, Kosmos is swiping left. Tullow Oil has had its share of setbacks in its development plans in East Africa, where the Kenyan government rejected the companys plan to develop the South Lokichar project in Kenya this summer. But this year, Tullow Oil was able to more than double its profit after tax for the first half of 2024 amid higher oil and gas production and increased crude oil realizations. Tullow Oil said it expects a significant free cash flow uplift in the second half of 2024. Full-year free cash flow guidance was reiterated at $200 million -$300 million at $80 per barrel oil price. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kazakhstan is taking steps to address desertification through tree planting initiatives and international collaboration, but a comprehensive and binding plan is still needed. The Aral Sea region, severely affected by desertification, is a source of dust and salt storms, impacting the environment and public health. The UN climate conference, COP29, held in Baku in November garnered plenty of global attention. But another, lower-profile UN-sponsored COP, shorthand for conference of parties, convened earlier in December in Saudi Arabia. That COP tackled another global warming-related challenge the spread of desertification. Barron Joseph Orr, the lead scientist for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), cautioned at the COP about a knock-on effect in which warming-caused loss of agricultural land can cause the loss of biodiversity, reduce living standards, and spur migration from rural communities to urban areas. You can move along for a while and not notice the impact. But when you cross a threshold, then you are not going to turn back, he said, referring to the ability to reverse the damage done by land degradation. Kazakhstan was a prominent participant at the UNCCD-sponsored COP. Almost a quarter of the country's vast territory is steppe. Around Baikonur, on the north side of the Syr Darya river, it stretches in a seemingly endless expanse of yellow-brown scrubland populated with herds of camels, cows, and free-roaming, speedy Adaev horses. The country encompasses roughly 272 million hectares (672 million acres), almost two-thirds of which is considered pastureland. Up to 90 million hectares (222 million acres) of Kazakh territory is classified as eroded or erosion-prone land, according to the latest national development plan. More than 75 percent of agricultural land is subject to degradation, and 62.5 percent of arable soils are low in essential nutrients. Major causes of erosion are poor crop rotation and lack of fertilizer, especially organic. Climate change and anthropogenic factors are also driving the process. Desertification is a serious problem in seven of the country's 17 regions. In western Kazakh regions, rising temperatures and reduced rainfall are the chief causes. In the northern regions of Kostanay and Akmola, the trend is exacerbated by intensive agricultural and livestock farming practices. In Kyzylorda, around the depleted Aral Sea, the creeping desert is particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors and climatic stress. Aralkum, one of the worlds youngest arid zones, is a massive generator of dust and salt storms. Between 1960 and 1984, it spewed up to 75 million tons of salt and other toxic pollutants every year. Kazakhstan has now teamed up with Uzbekistan to draw up a roadmap to combat drought as well as sand and dust storms in the Aral Sea region, Maria Zadneprovskaya of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea told Eurasianet. As of October, the bilateral working group has met three times, with more meetings planned. Their cooperation is part of the ERAS II environmental restoration effort, Zadneprovskaya added. The initiative includes representatives from the Kazakh Ministry of Ecology and the Uzbek Ministry of Water Resources, among others. All land use in Kazakhstan agricultural, commercial, and industrial is based on functional zones as established in the country's land code. These zones are defined according to the quality of the land, its ecological condition, its intended function, as well as special regulations. What the current zoning does not take into account is a landscape approach, Talgat Kerteshev of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University told Eurasianet. Landscape planning means treating the ecosystem as a whole and creating a framework for its sustainable use, said Kerteshev, who previously worked with the United Nations Development Programme. This holistic approach involves looking at climate, vegetation, wildlife, community needs, and the contours of the land. The latter is particularly important in the foothills near Kyrgyzstan, where mudslides are common. Another challenge is the unsustainable use of grazing land. Kazakhstan has 180 million hectares (444 million acres) of pasture, of which only about one-third is in regular use. But most of the cattle graze around the auls [villages]. The kind of nomadic herding that our ancestors used to do is no longer there, Kerteshev said. Decades ago, the rotation system gave the pastures time to recover, especially in spring. Now the land is overworked and quickly falls into disuse. The total area of severely and moderately run-down pastureland is 26.6 million hectares (66 million acres) and growing. In 2017, Astana pledged to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030, a target set under the auspices of the UN. The country also adopted strategic goals to combat desertification. However, the document is non-binding and remains largely recommendatory. Kazakhstan has launched a plan to plant 2 billion trees by 2025, many of them in the Aral Sea region, but many ecologists say the focus should be on survival rates and retention rather than numbers. The country also boasts a strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. However, a viable, binding, and detailed implementation plan for tackling desertification is yet to be seen. Kerteshev believes that an essential part of any sustainable plan is a detailed and multi-dimensional land map: You cant work with your eyes closed. An incentive for creating digital agricultural maps was announced in September. They will build on the land monitoring of the State Institute for Land Surveying (GIPROZem), the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture said. Kerteshev is convinced that environmental planning in Kazakhstan needs to make greater use of satellite imagery and datasets from Landsat and ASTER. With the desertification indicators, we have developed a method to determine the level of land degradation using space sensing, he said. Without a systematic approach, no progress can be made. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com "Suzhou is an exciting city to live in, and Wujiang is my favorite part," said Brad Kuhl, who co-founded Twin Tails Brewing Company with fellow American Andrew Crooks. Their brewery was highlighted during a Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security media tour last week as an example of successful foreign entrepreneurship in China. Brad, a Miami native, met his wife Viola, a Suzhou native, while teaching at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. He and his friend Andrew Crooks, who shared a passion for craft beer, launched Twin Tails Brewing Company in the summer of 2019. Their first location in Wujiang district drew local customers with craft beer brewed on site and Western cuisine, including brick-oven pizza and burgers. The success led to a second location in Suzhou Industrial Park. The interior of Twin Tails Brewing Company in Wujiang, Suzhou, Dec. 11, 2024. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn] The company name "Twin Tails" reflects both founders' shared Chinese zodiac sign the Dog representing their collaborative spirit. "In many aspects of business, such as interior design, food, beer and product development, we integrate design, craftsmanship, and creative thinking, allowing us to fully utilize the skills we've accumulated over the years in the field of art," Crooks said. Since opening, Twin Tails has cultivated a loyal following among Chinese and international customers in the greater Suzhou area, with its unique cuisine and craft beer. "We have established a reputation in Suzhou city and also promote our beer nationally," Viola noted. Co-founders Brad Kuhl, right, and Andrew Crooks at their Twin Tail Beer Company in Wujiang, Suzhou, Dec. 11, 2024. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn] The company's growth in Suzhou is closely tied to local government support. "From the start of our business, the local government has been actively involved, providing us with professional feedback and guidance to help us structure and organize the company more smoothly than we expected," Brad said. "I think the government is supportive in helping us get our visas. They also provided useful guidance on kitchen safety, laying a solid foundation for our business operations," Andrew added. Brad Kuhl and his wife Viola at Twin Tail Beer Company in Wujiang, Suzhou, Dec. 11, 2024. [Photo by Yang Chuanli/China.org.cn] Brad and Viola have two daughters who are being educated in Suzhou. Brad often takes the children for walks in Suzhou's various parks, saying the waterfront scenery reminds him of his hometown, Miami. As a cross-cultural family, Brad and Viola sometimes encounter differences in business operations due to cultural differences. Viola added: "These are just normal discussions at work, and we reconcile quickly. Growing up in the multicultural environment of Miami, Brad always hoped our children would become bilingual and appreciate the charm of different cultures. My family has also embraced Brad with an inclusive attitude, creating a warm family atmosphere." Twin Tails' success in Suzhou demonstrates the city's openness to international business ventures and cross-cultural partnerships. Bayern Munich midfielder James Rodriguez is confident that the German champions can eliminate Liverpool from the Champions League. The two teams meet in the first knockout round at Anfield on 19 February before a return tie in Bavaria on 13 March. Jurgen Klopps side made it all the way to the final last season before falling to Real Madrid, and have been the pace-setters in the Premier League this season, while Bayern are five points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund. However, the Colombia international, who is in the second season of a two-year loan move from Real Madrid, is feeling positive after a 3-1 league win over Schalke 04 over the weekend. Im very much looking forward to facing Liverpool, he revealed. You cant make mistakes in these games, but I think we can cause Liverpool problems. We have a team thats good enough to go through if it goes well. He added: I think I had a good game against Schalke. Im feeling better all the time. I was out for nearly three months. Im providing more quality with each game, but I can still play better. Evangelical support for US President Donald Trump is back in the spotlight after the resignation of a leading journalist for Christian Post magazine. Journalist Napp Nazworths departure follows an op-ed from another Christian outlet calling for Mr Trumps removal. The ensuing outcry has served as a proxy war among US evangelists over Mr Trumps largely unchallenged grip on the religious right. He has claimed overwhelming evangelical support since taking office. So what is behind this conflict and what are the consequences for the president? How did this controversy begin? Last week, after the US House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr Trump, Christianity Today published an editorial by editor-in-chief Mark Galli urging the presidents removal. Deriding Mr Trumps grossly immoral character, Mr Galli described the presidents expulsion from office as a Christian imperative: Not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of the Ten Commandments. Mr Trump attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the presidents political opponents, Mr Galli wrote. That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral. And the magazine founded by one of the most influential preachers of the 20th Century, Billy Graham went even further, pointing the finger at evangelicals who have remained devoted to the president in spite of his blackened moral record. Remember who you are and whom you serve, Mr Galli wrote. Why is this significant? Since Mr Trump became president, he has laid claim to resounding support from evangelical Christians bolstered by his selection of evangelical Mike Pence as his vice-president. In the 2016 presidential election, 80% of self-identified white, born-again or evangelical Christians a category that includes Protestants voted for Mr Trump, according to analysis by Pew Research Center. Mr Trumps success among evangelicals follows a political pattern in the US: in every presidential election since 2004, white, born-again and evangelical Christians have, on the whole, voted for the Republican nominee. But the presidents support among evangelicals cannot be explained merely by party affiliation. Indeed, the famously brazen US president managed to match or exceed the support among this demographic won by President George W. Bush in 2004, and presidential candidates John McCain in 2008 and Mitt Romney in 2012. And since Mr Trumps move to the White House, he has kept a series of promises to his religious voters. He nominated two reliable conservatives, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, to the Supreme Court. Add to that the loosening of government mandates that health-insurance plans include free contraceptive coverage. Mr Trump also eased restrictions on political activities by religious organisations. And he increased restrictions on government support for international organisations that provided family planning and abortion counselling. And, in an apparent snub to what some see as an unofficial ban on the traditional Christmas greeting, the president has said: Were saying Merry Christmas again. Such promises have paid off. While support among some US Christians has dipped, an NPR-PBS NewsHour-Marist poll from earlier this month found 75% of white evangelical Christians approve of Mr Trump, compared with 42% of US adults overall. This support is critical to Mr Trump: a victory in the 2020 election will rely on another win among social conservatives, evangelical Christians included. Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has sustained his battle to ward off political persecution since he left office in 2019. The former governor has without delay appealed the judgement of a Lagos High court which struck out a suit seeking to restrain the State House of Assembly from probing him on the procurement of 820 buses acquired for public transportation in the State. The presiding judge, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, in his judgement on Thursday on the interlocutory suit filed by Ambode struck out the suit on the ground that it was premature and not justiceable. The Judge said the Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate Ambode is a fact-finding committee, noting that an investigation is not an indictment. The Lagos house of Assembly had suspended the probe after Ambode secured a court order which directed parties to the suit to maintain status quo. Meanwhile, Ambode in the notice of appeal filed by his counsel, Tayo Oyetibo SAN, before the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal, prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the Lagos State High Court and grant the appeal. The former governor also prayed the appellate court to remit the matter back to the high court to allow the Chief Judge of the state to reassign case to another judge of the High Court for trial. ALSO READ: Probe: Ex-Gov. Ambode has no where to run, gets disappointing court ruling against his application Respondents in the appeal are the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the Clerk of the House, A.A Sanni. Others include Fatai Mojeed, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee set up by the House to probe the procurement of the buses and eight members of the Committee. On the four grounds of appeal, Ambode argued that the trial court erred in law when it held that the suit was not mature. According to him, any person who assumes that his right is being infringed upon or likely to be infringed has the right to invoke the jurisdiction of the court to seek legal protection, which the court has a duty to entertain. He argued further that the court below erred in law when it held that Section 36 (1) of the 1999 constitution does not apply to the exercise of the powers of the defendants under Section 128 of the constitution. He argued that Section 128 (1) of the constitution provides that the exercise of the powers of the House of Assembly is subject to the provisions of the 1999 constitution. He submitted that the trial court erred in law when it held that the Claimant action does not disclose a reasonable cause of action. According to him, his action is a declarative action, which pleaded the facts of the allegations against him, which were not denied by the defendants. He finally submitted that the trial judge erred in law when it held that the defendants objection was properly taken without the defendants filing a statement of defence. PV: 0 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: Das et al. After dominating the electronics industry for decades, conventional silicon-based transistors are gradually approaching their limits, which is preventing engineers from further reducing their size without affecting their performance. To continue advancing portable computers, smart phones and other devices, researchers have thus been exploring the potential of transistors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials. Researchers at Penn State University (PSU) led by Dr. Saptarshi Das, Ackley Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics have developed high performance p-type field effect transistors (FETs) based on 2D materials. These transistors, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, were created via a fabrication strategy that leverages the doping and thickness control of two 2D materials, namely molybdenum diselenide (MoSe 2 ) and tungsten diselenide (WSe 2 ). "To overcome the limitations of silicon-based semiconductors and sustain progress, the industry must transition to alternative, sustainable semiconductors," Mayukh Das, first author of the paper, told Phys.org. "One promising candidate is 2D transition metal chalcogenides (TMDs), which offer the potential for achieving high computational efficiency while maintaining low energy consumption." Silicon has highly tunable properties, which are particularly advantageous for the development of electronics. By introducing impurities, a process known as doping, transistors based on silicon can be made electron-deficient (p-type) or electron-rich (n-type), enabling the creation of complementary logic circuits. "Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), form the backbone of modern computing through complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology," said Das. "However, replicating CMOS logic using 2D TMDs presents a significant challenge: the absence of good p-type 2D MOSFET comparable to their n-type counterparts. Unlike silicon, which can be chemically tailored through doping, 2D TMDs inherently exhibit either n-type or p-type characteristics in their pristine form owing to pinning of metal Fermi level near the conduction or valance band edge." Although engineers have developed various highly performing n-type transistors based on 2D TMDs, p-type transistors based on these materials have not yet achieved comparable performances. This discrepancy in performance has so far hindered the large-scale use of these transistors for developing microelectronic devices. "Addressing this challenge is critical to enabling the transition from silicon to 2D TMDs, meeting the demand for power-efficient, high-performance computation in an era increasingly driven by artificial intelligence (AI)," said Das. "This pressing need motivated our research. Instead of waiting for the discovery of a high-performing p-type 2D TMD, we pursued a practical design strategy by employing substitutional dopinga proven method for enhancing electrical performance." The team adapted doping-based design strategies, applying them to the fabrication of p-type FETs based on 2D materials. To boost the performance of their p-type FETs, the researchers reduced a parameter known as the contact resistance (R C ), which is known to degrade the current in the transistors while they are in the ON state. "A strategy of degenerate substitutional doping selectively near the contacts has been commonly implemented in Si-based transistors to cut down on R C ," explained Das. "The comparatively undoped or less doped body of the Si device helped to attain good electrostatic control, i.e. good ON/OFF ratio. However, the method of spatially doping certain regions in the transistor channel is possible only in bulk Si devices." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Spatially doping some regions of channels in transistors based on TMDs is challenging. As compared to silicon, these materials are comprised of stacked layers of atoms. To create their transistors, the researchers first tried to devise a new strategy that would allow them to do this. "In our high-performance p-type MOSFETs (Metal-oxide-semiconductor FETs), we circumvent these challenges using a uniformly doped 2D TMD channel (Nb-doped MoSe 2 crystal) and by tuning up its doping efficacy near the channel-contact interfaces in comparison to the mid-channel region," said Das. "The high effective doping near the contacts allows easy carrier injection into the channel, resulting in high ON current in the transistor, while the less effective doping in between the contacts maintains good electrostatic control in the 2D MOSFET device." As a result of their underlying design, the MOSFETs fabricated by the researchers have a high ON current and can also be switched ON and OFF easily. The channel in the transistors is made of multilayered Nb-doped MoSe 2 , a 2D semiconducting TMD. "Multilayered TMDs are uniquely different from their bulk form in the aspect that there are no true chemical bonds (out of plane) between two adjacent atomic layers," said Das. "Instead, two adjacent layers are held together by weak van der Waals forces which allow seamless stacking of multiple monolayer films on top of each other." Credit: Das et al. To implement their new design strategy, the researchers leveraged a phenomenon known as quantum confinement. This effect typically reduces the efficacy of dopants in multilayer TMDs with few stacked atomic layers (i.e., 13), compared to the same material with more stacked layers (i.e., 46). "This phenomenon was substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) simulation of MoSe 2 energy band structure when it is degenerately doped with p-type dopant Nb," said Das. "Based on the understanding from these simulations, we proposed our unique MOSFET design which has thick (46 layers) channel regions beneath the contacts for reduced contact resistance and thin (13 layers) channel regions in between the source and drain contacts for a reduced doping effect." The approach utilized by this team of researchers not only reduces R C but also boosts their transistors' electrostatic gate control, which translates into the good ON/OFF and high ON currents observed. The Nb-doped MoSe 2 layers in their transistors were grown via a method known chemical vapor transport (CVT) method, which was developed by the team's collaborator Dr. Sofar Zdenek at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. "To fabricate these devices, we exfoliated thick crystals (46 layers) of these Nb-doped MoSe 2 on a back gate substrate with 50nm Al 2 O 3 as the dielectric," said Das. "After defining the contacts by e-beam lithography, we deposited Pd contact metal on the doped MoSe 2 by E-beam evaporation to form the devices. The devices were then exposed to mild oxygen plasma treatment to oxidize the topmost MoSe 2 layer to MoO X an oxide of Mo which is soluble in water." The region under the contacts in the transistors was protected from the plasma treatment and thus did not become oxidized. The researchers then washed away the remaining MoO X in their device by rinsing it in deionized water. "This step of oxygen plasma treatment followed by DI water was repeated several times to thin down the mid channel region and achieve our proposed MOSFET structure," explained Das. "Note that each oxygen plasma treatment step selectively removed only one atomic layer of the TMD channel. Using this strategy, we were able to achieve an On-current of 85 A/um with an ON/OFF ratio of 104." The team combined the new design strategy they developed with well-known methods to boost the performance of the devices. For instance, they scaled the channels in the transistor's combined dual-gate geometry and work function engineering. This allowed them to achieve an even higher ON-current of 212 A/um, which is among the largest reported number for 2D p-type FETs. "This involved fabricating a 50nm scaled channel device on a 25nm Al 2 O 3 back gate oxide followed by oxygen plasma treatments to implement our design of thicker contact regions and thinner mid-channel regions," said Das. "Further fabrication steps involving ALD deposition of 20nm Al 2 O 3 as a top gate dielectric and E-beam evaporation of Ni to form the top gate contacts. The top gate contact metal Ni and back gate contact metal Pt were chosen because of their high work function." When applied to 2D TMDs, the new doping strategy used by this team of researchers overcomes the limitations of previously introduced and well-established doping methods. Ultimately, it enables a good carrier injection and greater electrostatic control over the materials. "A unique aspect of our design strategy is that this can be implemented to fabricate both high performing n-FETs as well not just p-FETs," said Dipanjan Sen, co-first author of the paper. "Just switching the p-type dopant Nb with a n-type dopant atom in the same device architecture will result in a high-performance n-type MOSFET. The fabrication process, including the mid-channel layer reduction oxygen plasma step, is simple and has enough merits in realizing circuit level demonstrations of complementary n- and p-type MOSFETs." The transistor design and doping strategy introduced by the team could contribute to the development of faster and more energy-efficient electronic circuits based on 2D semiconductors. The p-type MOSFETs created using their approach have already achieved a remarkable ON-current value of 212 A/um at an ON/OFF ratio of 104, which could be further improved in the future. "Our work also upholds the importance of considering multilayered 2D TMD films as a channel material for future 2D material-based electronics as a counter alternative to monolayered TMD materials," said Sen. "In the future, it could also encourage more research towards growth of doped 2D TMD large area films by advanced growth methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD)." In their next studies, the researchers also plan further improvement of the scalability of their transistors. For instance, they could use large area CVD-grown multilayered 2D TMD materials, as opposed to exfoliated flakes. "These future efforts would help us make circuits using these p-type MOSFETs," added Das. "There is a challenge of the extent of dopant incorporation in the 2D TMD lattice during large area CVD growth which requires substantial optimization. Other challenges such as threshold engineering, device to device variation invite substantial efforts from device research. Minimizing device to device variation could also help to achieve logic circuit demonstrations using these transistors." More information: Mayukh Das et al, High-performance p-type field-effect transistors using substitutional doping and thickness control of two-dimensional materials, Nature Electronics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-024-01265-2. Journal information: Nature Electronics 2024 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Optimistic advocates for AI say this environmentally costly technology will become more sustainable with time. We can use AI more efficiently, and explore less energy-intensive designs inspired by the human brain. We can build data centers more sustainably, using wood or low-carbon concrete and steel. The heat from the data centers can warm homes in the local area. Of course, if we start using AI systems too widely (including where we don't really need them), the growth might outweigh any of these potential gains in efficiency. But recently, I've been hearing another argument: that AI itself is tackling climate change. AI can help to model wildfires, optimize energy consumption to stabilize the grid, accelerate the development of low-carbon materials, and much more. My research team recently published a report that digs into these claimsand found some cause for concern. As it turns out, it's difficult to compare the environmental impacts of asking AI to carry out a task versus asking people. Take writing and making art. One study says that it is much more environmentally friendly for AI to do these creative tasks than humans. But one of its methods for investigating this is to allocate a slice of the carbon footprint from all human activities (eating cows, catching planes and so on) to the creative activity. By this logic, there would be the same carbon emissions from an hour's work by an artist, a dairy farmer, a billionaire CEO, or an ecologist restoring a wetland. A related paper acknowledges the simplification and instead allocates carbon just for the electricity a human consumes. The authors say this is a practical approach to carbon accounting. Establishing a fair comparison between human and AI work is hard because the tasks may look alike, but their underlying processes are fundamentally different. What about the current total carbon impact of AI? Another paper, partly funded by Microsoft, mentioned that AI is today responsible for just 0.01% of global carbon emissions. When we looked closer we found this figure was based on the emissions of one year's AI server sales by Nvidiathe biggest manufacturer of such hardwareas estimated in one analysis. This prediction hasn't been verified, and if it is accurate, it wouldn't include AI being run on servers installed in previous years. When contacted for comment, some of the authors said that this estimate wasn't the article's main focus. Assessing the climate impacts of AI is complicated because we don't know how future AI models will be built, operated and used, they added. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Another study reviewing AI's sustainability benefits cited several other articles that, in our view, appeared to feature mistakeslike referring to studies to back up their claims which did not contain relevant information. AI systems sometimes make mistakesknown as "hallucinations"like when Microsoft Copilot accused a journalist of committing the crimes he had reported on. So we asked the authors if they had used an AI to write the article. They dismissed this idea and stood by the integrity of their review. They agreed that not all of the AI sustainability solutions their review referred to can be supported by existing studies. But they said that they had also included predictions about what AI might one day be capable of, based on their own expert judgment, which they said was standard practice. The authors also pointed out that their work has been widely shared without complaint. But the fact that articles can be read widely without eliciting alarm is exactly the issue. Would every reader assume that the article was predicting what AI might one day do, rather than explaining what AI can already do? Overall, how reliable is current research on AI and sustainability? We're not sure. We haven't yet had the chance to conduct a more comprehensive investigation. But assessing AI's future potential requires a clear understanding of its achievements to date. Such an investigation is urgently needed. Questions to ask about AI Meanwhile, we should avoid lumping all kinds of AI together. There are in fact diverse forms of AI: big, small, discriminative, generative, machine learning, symbolic and more. I can be excited about an AI that excels at counting carrots, and helps farmers to plant them more effectively, without offering a blanket endorsement of all AI systems. There are different types of climate action too. Climate mitigation is about getting carbon emissions down to net zero to stop global warming. Climate adaptation is about learning to live and thrive in a warmer world. We need both. AI for climate adaptation is very welcome indeed (say, helping us to increase carrot yields, despite more volatile weather). But it doesn't simply offset the carbon cost of AI. It would be like comparing apples with oranges (or carrots). It's a tricky calculation to make, one with political and ethical dimensions. Whenever AI is celebrated for amazing achievements, let's remember that it had some human help. What time, effort, energy and other resources were invested in the project? Could similar results have been achieved using more traditional data collection and analysis, potentially at a lower environmental cost? The authors of our report have mixed views on AI. None of us are against it, or against using it to solve environmental problems. But to properly govern AI's net impact on the climate, its benefits must not be overstated. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The shape of Australia's school system is undergoing a significant change. Enrollments in independent schools are growing, while fewer students are going to public schools. Why are more families choosing an independent or Catholic school, when they could send their children to a free public option? And what does this mean for the system overall? More families choosing private Due to a growing population, the past two decades have seen increasing numbers of students in Australian schools overall. But the number of students attending independent schools has grown faster than the number attending public schools, particularly in high school. In 2006, around 13% of Australian students were enrolled in independent schools. In 2023, this proportion had increased to 16%. Enrollments at Catholic schools have remained at just under 20%, although absolute numbers have increased from 680,000 in 2006 to 806,000 in 2023. According to 2023 data, public schools still enroll the majority of students in primary (around 1.5 million students) and secondary (slightly more than one million students). Despite this, the proportion of students in public schools has been steadily declining. In 1996, 74% of primary students were in public schools, declining to 71% in 2006, and 69% in 2023. For high schools, the proportion of students in public schools has declined more quickly from 66% in 1996, to 62% in 2006 and 58% in 2023. Across the same time period, the proportion of students attending independent high schools jumped from 13.5% to 20%. Why are we seeing these shifts? There is very little current research looking at why more families are choosing private schools. But there are several clues. One reason may be policy changes that allowed the establishment of new independent schools in Australia. In the 1990s, the Howard government changed a policy to allow funding for the establishment of new schools, even in areas that already had adequate capacity in existing schools. There were 131 more independent schools in 2023 compared with 2006, and 90 fewer public schools. New independent schools tend to charge lower fees than established elite schools, making them more accessible to middle-income families. According to Independent Schools Australia, the largest growth in enrollments is in schools charging fees of around A$5,000 per year. In some cases, state governments have also been slow to build new schools in growing metropolitan suburbs. New South Wales Education Minister Prue Car has spoken about this issue for her own son, who attends an independent primary school: "We were in one of the suburbs where the government didn't build a school." While evidence shows private schools do not necessarily mean students do better academically, there is a public perception that they are better for a students' grades. This may not be helped by frequent headlines about academic and behavioral problems in the public system. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. More than one reason It is also important to recognize school decisions can be influenced by multiple factors. A 2016 Australian Institute of Family Studies report on primary school choice found parents consider local knowledge about schools in their area, opinions of family and friends, their own school experiences, and the interests and needs of their children. Parents may also emphasize different things for primary and high school. For example, they might choose their local primary school for convenience, but choose a high school for its academic reputation or extracurricular offerings. Twenty years ago, the Australian Council for Educational Research conducted a small study of 609 families asking "Why parents choose public or private schools?" A key finding was that parents chose schools that aligned with their values. There was also a perception (right or wrong) that values differed between schools in different sectors. For example, parents with children in public schools valued the social and cultural security of the school as well as proximity to their home. Parents with children in independent schools valued discipline, religious values and school traditions. Why is this an issue? Compared to other countries, Australian schools have a high level of "socioeconomic segregation." This means different types of schools tend to have students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The increase in students going to fee-paying private schools (even when the fees are not at the eye-watering level often publicized in the media), means we are seeing increasing segregation in our school system. Public schools continue to educate the majority of children in regional and remote locations, those with high needs, learning disabilities and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Independent schools enroll increasing proportions of students from the most advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. We still have questions We are seeing a significant shift in the way our school system is working. But we need more research to tell us why. This includes whether the reasons for choosing an independent, Catholic or public school for a child have changed in the last two decades. And if we are seeing more middle and lower income families send their children to private schools. Parents will naturally choose what they perceive to be the best school for their children. But of course not all families have a choice. This may be because there is only one school in their area, or they cannot afford the fees for a private school. Meanwhile, these trends in enrolments raise bigger questions about how equitable our school system is, and what might be done to ensure all Australian children can access educational opportunities that allow them to succeed. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The number of mutation sites per transcript is shown by circles. (bg) Mutation sites of candidate resistance genes are shown with different amino acids. "Susceptible" refers to the susceptible strain sequenced in this study and Clec2.1 (pre-existing genome sequence of bed bugs). Gene IDs are indicated by 'g' followed by a number, and transcript variations are denoted by 't' followed by a number. In (b), two mutated sites corresponded to the sites of 925 in housefly Musca domestica. Credit: Kouhei Toga/Hiroshima University Scientists mapped near-gap-free and near-error-free genomes of a susceptible bed bug strain and a superstrain around 20,000 times more insecticide-resistant, offering the broadest look yet at the full scope of their resistance mutations. Their findings were published in the journal Insects. Although there is no evidence that bed bugs transmit diseases to humans, their bites can cause itchy rashes and secondary skin infections. Widespread use of insecticides, including the now-banned DDT, nearly wiped out populations of these blood-sucking insects by the 1960s, making infestations rare. But over the past 20 years, the world has witnessed their resurgence, partly due to resistance mutations they developed against these insecticides. Resistance can occur through different mechanisms, such as by producing enzymes that detoxify the insecticides (metabolic resistance) or developing thicker outer layers to block the chemicals (penetration resistance). Past studies have identified some of the mutations and gene expressions linked to insecticide resistance. However, the full extent of mutations driving resistance remains unknown as no research has sequenced the whole genome of insecticide-resistant strains. A research team led by Hidemasa Bono, professor at Hiroshima University's (HU) Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, mapped genomes of susceptible and resistant bed bug strains from Japan to address this gap. They obtained susceptible strains descended from wild bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) collected 68 years ago in fields at Isahaya City, Nagasaki. Meanwhile, the resistant strains were bred from specimens collected from a Hiroshima City hotel in 2010. Their tests revealed that the resistant samples had 19,859-fold stronger resistance to pyrethroidsthe most commonly used insecticide for bed bug controlexceeding levels seen in many previously identified superstrains. All the specimens were provided by Fumakilla Limited, a Japan-based chemical manufacturing company. Piecing together the genome puzzle Sequencing a genome is like assembling a massive jigsaw puzzle, spanning anywhere from about 160,000 to 160 billion pieces. To map the most complete bed bug genomes to date, researchers used the breakthrough method of long-read sequencing, which captures longer stretches of DNAakin to having entire sections of puzzle pieces put together. Traditional short-read sequencing, by contrast, only covers tiny snippets, often leading to frustrating gaps. The researchers assembled a near-total picture of the two genomes with just about every piece precisely where it belonged, achieving 97.8% completeness and quality value (QV) of 57.0 for the susceptible strain and 94.9% completeness and QV of 56.9 for the resistant strain. A QV above 30 indicates high-quality sequences with less than a 0.1% error rate. Both also surpassed the N50 value of the existing C. lectularius reference genome, Clec2.1, from a previous sequencing effort, meaning there were fewer gaps and more complete sections of the genome puzzle. Known, new resistance mutations uncovered After fully sequencing the genomes, the team identified protein-coding genes, determined their functions, and assessed if they were active through transcriptional analysis. They uncovered 3,938 transcripts with amino acid mismatches. Of these, 729 mutated transcripts were linked to insecticide resistance. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "We determined the genome sequence of insecticide-resistant bed bugs, which exhibited 20,000-fold greater resistance compared to susceptible bed bugs. By comparing the amino acid sequences between the susceptible and resistant bed bugs, we identified 729 transcripts with resistance-specific mutations," said study first author Kouhei Toga, postdoctoral researcher at the Laboratory of Genome Informatics of HU's Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life. "These transcripts included genes related to DNA damage response, cell cycle regulation, insulin metabolism, and lysosome functions. This suggests that these molecular pathways may play a role in the development of pyrethroid resistance in bed bugs." By drawing on previous insect studies, the researchers confirmed known resistance mutations and discovered new ones that could inform more targeted and effective pest control strategies. "We identified a large number of genes likely involved in insecticide resistance, many of which have not been previously reported as being associated with resistance in bedbugs. Genome editing of these genes could provide valuable insights into the evolution and mechanisms of insecticide resistance," Toga said. "Additionally, this study expands the pool of target genes for monitoring allele distribution and frequency changes, which could contribute significantly to assessing resistance levels in wild populations. This work highlights the potential of genome-wide approaches in understanding insecticide resistance in bed bugs." Other research team members include Fumiko Kimoto and Hiroki Fujii. More information: Kouhei Toga et al, Genome-Wide Search for Gene Mutations Likely Conferring Insecticide Resistance in the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius, Insects (2024). DOI: 10.3390/insects15100737 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: Bacteria-infected tilapia prefer warmth. Credit: Luying Wang A team of life scientists at East China Normal University has found that at least one type of cold-blooded animal uses behaviorally-induced fever to battle infections. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes how they put Nile tilapia, a type of fish, in tanks with a heat gradient, infected them with a bacterium and then watched how they behavedand what they learned by doing so. Warm-blooded animals use fever to help rid themselves of infections. Raising the core body temperature not only makes life more difficult for infectors but also boosts the immune system. In this new effort, the research team wondered if cold-blooded creatures induce fevers to help them ward off infections. Since cold-blooded creatures cannot warm their core body temperatures internally, their only choice is to do it externallyby lying in the sun, for example, or moving to warmer water in the case of fish. To find out if that might be the case, the researchers collected a large number of Nile tilapia and brought them back to their lab for study. Back in their lab, the researchers exposed the fish to Edwardsiella piscicida, a type of bacteria that can lead to epidemics in fish, particularly on fish farms. Each fish was then placed in a special type of tank that allowed for a temperature gradient, ranging from 28C to 34C. At first, before the fish felt sick, they swam in the cooler end of the tanks, the researchers found. After they became visibly ill, however, they moved to the warmer end of the tank, suggesting the use of a behaviorally-induced fever to fight off their infections. In taking a closer look, the research team found that, after infection, the fish demonstrated a loss of appetite, which in turn set off a moderate degree of autophagy, where the process of cleaning up damaged cells was stepped upone sign of a boosted immune response, and more evidence that the fish were boosting their immune system through behavioral activity. The researchers also found evidence of behaviorally-induced fever boosting the expression of genes related to T cell longevity, which suggests a longer-term immune response. The researchers conclude by suggesting their experiments show that at least one type of cold-blooded creature uses behaviorally-induced fever to battle infections. More information: Haiyou Gao et al, Cold-blooded vertebrate utilizes behavioral fever to alleviate T cell apoptosis and optimize antimicrobial immunity, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408969121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2024 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Orbital polarized edge currents in a quantum Hall system. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.146301 The quantum Hall effect, a fundamental effect in quantum mechanics, not only generates an electric but also a magnetic current. It arises from the motion of electrons on an orbit around the nuclei of atoms. This has been demonstrated by the calculations of a team from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), which are now published in the journal Physical Review Letters. These results can potentially be used to develop new types of inexpensive and energy-efficient devices. Electricity flows through all types of electronic devices, be it mobile phones or computers. However, this generates heat, which means that energy is lost. It also means that conventional computer chips cannot be infinitely scaled down. In the field of spin-orbitronics, researchers are looking for alternatives for storing and processing information without the loss of energy. The basic idea is to utilize not only an electron's charge, but also its spin and orbital moment when processing information. Spin is the intrinsic angular momentum of an electron, and the orbital moment arises from the motion of the electrons around atomic nuclei. "Combining both effects would allow us to design new devices that are more powerful and efficient," says physicist Professor Ingrid Mertig at MLU. The basis for the new study is the quantum Hall effect. Klaus von Klitzing received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1985 for its detection. The effect is observed when electrons are subjected to a very strong magnetic field at extremely low temperatures. "The quantum Hall effect is special because the electric currents that are generated only flow at the edges of a sample. Furthermore, the associated electrical resistance can only take on specific values," explains Dr. Borge Gobel. Even though scientists have been aware of the effect for several decades, the team's calculations have provided a new insight: The edge currents also have magnetic properties due to the orbital moment of the electrons. "In the future, they could be used to transport additional information and to operate electrical devices more efficiently," says Gobel. Remarkably, the new effect occurs in addition to the quantum Hall effect and is not tied to rare and expensive materials, as is often the case in spintronics. Gobel and Mertig are already continuing their research as part of the international research project "Orbital Engineering for Innovative Electronics" (Obelix). The goal is to find new, marketable technologies. To this end, Mertig and Gobel are collaborating with research institutions in Germany, France and Sweden. Mertig and Gobel are also contributing their expertise in the field of spin-orbitronics by participating in the planned "Center for Chiral Electronics." More information: Borge Gobel et al, Orbital Hall Effect Accompanying Quantum Hall Effect: Landau Levels Cause Orbital Polarized Edge Currents, Physical Review Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.146301 Journal information: Physical Review Letters This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In the UK, early pregnancy endings are defined as pregnancies that end before 24 weeks' gestation. These include miscarriages, abortions (sometimes called terminations), ectopic pregnancies where an embryo implants outside of the womb, and molar pregnancies where an embryo is non-viable. These are very commonand sometimes traumaticexperiences, so they are issues that all employers should be thinking about. Best estimates suggest that, for every three live births (of which there were 591,072 in England and Wales in 2023), there is approximately one abortion and one miscarriage. Despite their frequency, these endings are still a taboo subject in the workplace. There are only a handful of academic publications on miscarriage as a workplace issue. Even fewer focus on abortion: we have found only one example, a large survey from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Although some UK employers offer paid leave for pregnancy endings, this entitlement is not widespread practice and usually only covers miscarriages. In the UK, clothes retailer ASOS, broadcaster Channel 4 and online bank Monzo are among the rare examples whose policies cover abortions as well. Compared with pregnancies ending without a live birth from 24 weeks onwards, there is little statutory protection in the case of early pregnancy endings. Yet research shows these experiences can have significant effects on those who carry the pregnancy in particular. One study of women who had a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy found that 29% had PTSD symptoms a month afterwards, with 18% continuing to meet the same diagnostic criteria eight months later. Depression and anxiety were also relatively common among this group. From the small body of research, we know early pregnancy endings can be especially challenging to talk about at work. Our research highlights the importance of considering their impact beyond physical recovery, as psychological and emotional well-being can be affected too. Importantly though, it also indicates that not all early pregnancy endings are experienced emotionally as losses, whichever category they fall into. Our work also covers new ground, including a focus on endings during the first two trimestersencompassing all ways a pregnancy can endand the recognition that not everyone who has a pregnancy ending identifies as a woman. Such endings affect partners across genders as well. We spoke to people who experienced early pregnancy endings (including the partner who was not pregnant) and professionals who support people through these. We also ran a survey for women from a wide range of workplaces and working situations. In the resulting report, produced with our co-researchers Victoria Newton, Katy Schnitzler and Aimee Middlemiss, we identified four key themes. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. First, there is not enough awareness or training around pregnancy endings in workplaces across the UK. For example, one respondent who had miscarried twice said that after the first miscarriage, she experienced a total absence of HR knowledge, policy or understanding. The second time, she didn't bother to tell anyone. Unsurprisingly, her performance at work was badly affected. Second, there were profound concerns about disclosing at work that a pregnancy had ended, as well as worries about confidentiality and requesting support. The number of people disclosing abortions was considerably lower than those who disclosed miscarriageswe believe because of fear of judgment from others. Third, when people did disclose that a pregnancy had ended, responses varied significantly, as did the support that was offered. Another respondent told us that when she returned to work, very little had been done to cover her workload in the interim: "It did make me feel quite bitter that I was wanting to support my team and my work, but when I needed them, the office wasn't there for me. I wasn't supported by them." Finally, where our respondents took leave because of their pregnancy ending, 65% used sick leave, 8% used annual leave, and 6% took unpaid leavecompared with a mere 1% who were able to use leave under a specific pregnancy-ending policy. About a third of our participants needed to take leave for their emotional recovery. What employers can do We have compiled a list of best-practice principles for employers, line managers and HR professionals. These should help them in supporting staff affected by an early pregnancy ending. First, we argue for improved workplace awareness of the issuesthis can be done by sharing information and training. Evidence-based policies and guidance are also vital. Our research emphasizes the importance of personalized support for employees, which takes in both their physical and emotional well-being. Moreover, policies and procedures must safeguard confidentiality, avoid stigmatizing language, and be led by the employee's preferences for the terms to describe their experiences. Consistent and fair treatmentregardless of the type of pregnancy endingis also crucial, as is providing support to everyone who has been affected. There has been growing interest in reproductive health more generally in UK workplaces, as evidenced in academia, organizational initiatives and government policy. Our Supporting Early Pregnancy Endings in the Workplace initiative offers advice and training to organizations, which we hope will lead to much more focus on the important workplace issue of early pregnancy endings. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Colorado air-quality regulators this week will tackle one of the more complicated rules the state has drafted, ordering about 40 natural gas companies to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions or pay into a system designed to help businesses lower their carbon output. The Colorado Air Quality Control Commission is set to create the new regulation during what's expected to be a grueling three-day hearing starting Wednesday, at which air regulators will try to follow state law, preserve the state's oil and gas economy and satisfy environmentalists who want to slow climate change and improve public health. "This rule is very, very hard," said Christy Woodward, regulatory affairs adviser for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. "It's going to be tough for everybody." The Air Quality Control Commission was tasked by the state legislature through 2021's Environmental Justice Act to force natural gas companies to reduce their greenhouse-gas emissions, particularly in communities where the pollution is concentrated. The commission also must figure out how to roll those companies into a developing carbon credit trading system through which those that are successful in reducing emissions can sell credits to those unable to meet reduction goals. Under the new rule, midstream natural gas operatorsthere are about 40 in Coloradowould need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 20.5% below a 2015 baseline by 2030. Overall greenhouse gas emissions in the state would be reduced by 1 million metric tons if the goal is met. Greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane and other substances that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to the climate change that leads to more intense wildfires, hurricanes and other disasters. They also impact human health, especially for children, the elderly and those who suffer from lung diseases. Each company will be given an individual cap on emissions, based on its track record since 2015, and then be expected to hit that goal. If companies exceed their goals, they will earn credits that can be sold on a trading market, which the state is creating and will be operational in 2025. Companies that do not meet their goals will be able to buy credits to offset their shortcomings. Midstream natural gas operators do not extract gas from underground but instead run the systems that help push natural gas to end-line users, including manufacturers who need it to fire boilers and other equipment, and to homeowners who use it for heat. The companies also extract other chemicals such as propane from the natural gas and send it to other suppliers. The midstream companies use big engines in compressors and turbines as well as boilers, heaters and other equipment that run off fossil fuels to get the gas to where it's needed. Most of the companies are located in Weld, Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, although there is a smattering in other parts of the state. 'Historic' rulemaking hearing this week The state has been working on the proposed rule for two years and created an advisory board of industry representatives to help. The impacted companies have filed extensive reports with data on their equipment and current emissions levels. Michael Ogletree, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Air Pollution Control Division, said in a statement to The Denver Post that his team has been preparing for a "historic" rulemaking hearing. "We worked hard to develop a proposal that puts communities first while still being cost-effective," he said. "We've been engaging with impacted community members, industry and more on this topic for over two years. At every step of the way, we've done as much as possible to help answer questions and listen to feedback from anyone interested in the upcoming hearing." But criticism on the proposed rule exists on both sides. Woodward, of the oil and gas association, said the midstream operators will need to invest millions of dollars to comply. That's because they will have to convert equipment that now runs on natural gas to electricity. Companies that operate in more rural areas will need to spend millions more to run electrical lines to their sites. "This is probably the most expensive rulemaking I've ever been a part ofand I've been a part of a lot of them," she said. The state's largest midstream companies, including Phillips 66, Rocky Mountain Midstream and Western Midstream, process about 65% of the natural gas extracted in the state, Woodward said. They are more able to afford the equipment upgrades than smaller companies. A carbon credit trading system is already underway in Colorado, but so far only steel and concrete manufacturers and about 18 other industrial facilities fall under the rules that govern it. A trading program for natural gas operators would allow companies that meet their goals faster to sell credits to smaller, more rural companies that might have challenges, Woodward said. But those credits also are likely to be costly, although prices later will be determined by the market. And new companies that want to start doing business in Colorado would have to buy carbon credits to enter the marketplace, she said. "We're optimistic and we're hopeful, but this rule still doesn't work for everyone," she said. "There's a lot of inequity in it and it's definitely going to be hard for smaller companies and companies in rural areas to comply." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 'Feels like they are really missing the mark' On the environmental side, there is pushback on how the state is choosing to incentivize companies to reduce emissions in communities where people who are largely Latino and Indigenous and often have income levels lower than the state average breathe dirtier air than those who live in other parts of the state. As part of the proposal, the Air Pollution Control Division created a map that encompasses the nine-county Front Range region and will incentivize companies to make cutting emissions in that zone a priority. However, GreenLatinos, an environmental advocacy group, is critical of the map, saying it doesn't put a focus on the disproportionately impacted communities that breathe the dirtiest air. Only 28% of the Front Range is considered disproportionately impacted, so the map leaves out Latinos and others who breathe dirty air in Pueblo or on the Western Slope, said Patricia Garcia-Nelson, who works on fossil fuel issues for GreenLatinos. "When we go back and look at the Environmental Justice Act, this feels like they are really missing the mark and they are not prioritizing disproportionately impacted communities," Garcia-Nelson said. But state officials wanted to encourage reductions in the Front Range because the region is in severe violation of federal air quality standards and is being penalized by the Environmental Protection Agency until it lowers ozone pollution. And reducing carbon emissions from natural gas operators will help that problem. The Environmental Defense Fund submitted its recommendations for how the emissions should be cut with a focus on whether or not the plan will be as successful as the state is predicting. Katie Schneer, a senior climate analyst with the fund, said the 20.5% reduction does not align with Gov. Jared Polis's goals in his Greenhouse Gas Roadmap, which outlines how the state will eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. The roadmap predicts industrial emissions will fall at a much faster rate than 20.5% by 2030, Schneer said. The roadmap calls for all greenhouse-gas emissions across various economic sectors to be reduced by 50% by 2030. "There's a stark gap between the pollution standards the state has proposed in this rule and the much rosier reductions they are taking credit for in the roadmap," Schneer said. The Environmental Defense Fund will propose the Air Quality Control Commission set a date to revisit the progress, and if the state's greenhouse gas emissions are not falling as quickly as predicted, it should update the program, Schneer said. "It's not clear if this rule proposal will drive any further progress on cutting pollution compared to the status quo," she said. But Colorado officials insist the state is on track to meet its roadmap and that air regulators are putting together one of the most progressive plans in the United States to help slow climate change. "Colorado has long been a national and world leader in climate policy, especially when it comes to creating innovative policies that address emissions from the oil and gas industry," Ogletree said. "This hearing is an incredible opportunity for us to continue that groundbreaking work." 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by 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: A male and female Purple-crowned Fairy-wren pair. Credit: P Barden/Wikimedia Commons A new report from Deakin University researchers in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for NatureAustralia (WWFAustralia) outlines the concerning reality facing Australia's wildlife as global temperatures continue to rise. The report uses analysis by Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Carla Archibald with support from Professor Brett Bryan, both from Deakin's School of Life and Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Kita Ashman from WWFAustralia and a Deakin alumni. In a warming climate, flora and fauna come under stress, particularly those that are already threatened like the striking purple-crowned fairy-wren. Beautiful but vulnerable Weighing in at between 9 and 13 grams, the tiny purple-crowned fairy-wren is lighter than a 50-cent piece. It can be identified by the distinctive purple circle of crown feathers sported by breeding males. Modeling shows that if the global temperature increases by 2C, 62% of the river-fringing vegetation in parts of northern Australia that the birds call home will be lost to climate change, threatening their entire existence. An increase of that magnitude could also mean Queensland's rainforest ringtail possums such as the green ringtail and lemuroid ringtail, found in cool, moist, high-altitude "cloud forests," would face extinction. Challenging climate commitments While current commitments under the UN Paris Agreement aim to limit global warming to a 2C increase, this new analysis shows that Australia must commit to a more ambitious climate targeting of a 1.5C increase limit to avoid a "catastrophic tipping point" for some of our iconic Australian species. "Modeling shows that fractions of a degree in warming can make an enormous difference to many species. For the species we looked at, stabilizing warming to 1.5C, rather than letting it hit 2C, would retain more suitable habitat," says Dr. Archibald. "More habitat means a better chance to persist, especially as species will also face additional threats such as land use change, invasive species and other challenges." A way forward There's an opportunity for Australia to commit to a more ambitious 1.5C target in the upcoming 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement, due in February 2025. Existing climate science shows that in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Australia would also need to cease approvals of any new fossil fuels and wind down existing infrastructure earlier than planned to continue a positive trajectory. While an increase in global average warming at this rate would still have wide-reaching detrimental effects, there would be hope of returning the climate to a stable state by 2100. It would also mean a brighter outlook for the purple-crowned fairy-wrens and the many other furry and feathered friends that call Australia home. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The Battle of Zama by Cornelis Cort (circa 1600). Credit: Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts "Gladiator II" opens with a Roman fleet brutally laying siege to a city in the north African kingdom of Numidia. On the big screen we see ships set ablaze by pots of burning oil and defenders impaled by man-sized iron bolts. The so-called barbarian inhabitants are eventually enslaved and carted off back to Rome. Upon his victory, General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) declares, "I claim this city for the glory of Rome, Numidia is no more." But, historically, by AD200 Numidia had been a thoroughly integrated part of the Roman empire for over 250 years. First as part of the province of Africa Nova, and later as a province in its own right. The twin emperors depicted in the film, Caracalla and Geta (Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn), were themselves of north African descent. Numidia was once a vast kingdom, stretching from the east of modern-day Morocco into Algeria, Tunisia and the west of Libya. The first king to unite Numidia was the Berber chieftain Massinissa (circa 238148BC), who lived until the age of 90 and was said to have fathered 46 sons. He allied himself with the Roman general Scipio Africanus against Hannibal during the second Punic war. Massinissa was instrumental in the ultimate destruction of Carthage at the hands of the Roman Republic. Afterwards, he began to Hellenise the kingdom, building in the style of Greece, commissioning Greek-style sculptures and artworks and generally engaging with the wider Greek world. So great is Massinissa's legacy that his tomb stands on a windy hilltop overlooking the city of Constantinehis former capital of Cirtain eastern Algeria. He also appears on the 500 dinar note. Numidia's defeat Massinissa's descendants ruled Numidia until 46BC, when his great-great-grandson Juba I found himself on the wrong side of the Roman civil warallied to Pompey against Julius Caesar. Upon his defeat, Juba committed suicide, leaving his kingdom to be annexed by Rome to form the province of Africa Nova. His son Juba II was taken captive. His son was something of a success story for Roman multiculturalism. He was raised as part of the imperial household in Rome before returning to rule the North African kingdom of Mauretania, which he rebuilt in Rome's image, theaters, baths and all. He was succeeded by his own son, Ptolemy of Mauretania, who met a thoroughly Roman end of his own. He was executed for treason by his cousin, the emperor Caligula. The site of his execution was the Amphitheater of the Three Gauls in Lugdunum, modern-day Lyona scene that wouldn't look out of place in Gladiator II. Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia remain home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins anywhere in the world. The wealth and importance of the provincesometimes described as the bread basket of the empireis apparent in the richness of the artifacts found at sites such as Constantine, Timgad and Hippo Regius, as well as extraordinarily beautiful mosaics. Some of this archaeological treasure can be found in the museums of Europe (a legacy of colonialism) but much more remains in the region itself. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Roman Africans North Africa was integrated not just into the economy of Rome, but also the politics of the empire. The emperor Septimius Severus (father of Caracalla and Geta) was born in Leptis Magna in modern-day Libya. His wife, the fearsome matriarch Julia Domna, was Syrian, speaking to the hugely varied ethnic makeup of the empire by the 3rd century AD. The producers of Gladiator II neatly dodge any question of ethnicity by having both Quinn and Hechinger plastered in white makeup throughout the film. Contemporary paintings that depicted the imperial family had no compunction showing Severus with dark skin. Caracalla's brief successor Macrinuscamply played in Gladiator II by Denzel Washingtonwas also North African. He was born in Caesarea, modern-day Cherchell, in Algeria. But rather than being an ex-slave, as the film suggests, he was a member of the Roman ruling classes. This again speaks to how thoroughly integrated the North African provinces were with the Roman empire. Macrinus is played by Denzel Washington in Gladiator II. None of this is to say that Roman North Africa was a peaceful place, as a series of uprisings and revolts by Berber tribesmen throughout the first century AD shows. Most famous of these was Tacfarinas' revolt. It embroiled huge swathes of north Africa in a decades-long guerrilla war. Tacfarinas rose to be the chieftain of a tribe called the Musulamians, but before his revolutionary turn he had served as an auxiliary in the Roman army on the Rhine frontier. There he learned the legion's tactics. His insurgency continued for the best part of a decade, raiding towns and fortresses with impunity before retreating into the mountains and desert. Multiple legions and generals attempted to bring him down before Tacfarinas was eventually caught by the Roman commander Cornelius Dolabella and his uprising ended. While it is easy to poke holes in the historical accuracy of "Gladiator II," there is no denying the spectacle and thrill of the movie. But, as always, history itself is even more thrilling and intriguing than a Hollywood epic. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Timo McGregor. Credit: Elif Krankaya When discussing enslavement, attention often focuses on Africans forcibly shipped to South America. Researcher Timo McGregor's new Veni research sheds light on a lesser-known method, whereby indigenous populations were enslaved through the households of colonizers. Officially, the indigenous populations of most colonies were exempt from slavery. It could be inconvenient and potentially dangerous to antagonize the original inhabitants. Many colonial rulers therefore established that these populations should retain their freedom. However, recent research increasingly reveals this was largely a paper reality. "It is becoming increasingly clear that the enslavement of indigenous populations occurred on a large scale, especially in the early seventeenth century," McGregor explains. "Using indigenous labor was essential for the early development of these small and nascent colonies." Increased attention The precise employment relationship was often concealed in official documents. "They were, for instance, described as domestic workers," says McGregor. "This was supposedly a free labor relationship, but often concealed a form of forced labor." Indigenous workers were placed in households to settle a debt or as punishment for a political offense. It was also common for the labor relationship to initially appear voluntary but gradually shift towards slavery. "Recently, increasing attention has been paid to such patterns," explains McGregor, who previously investigated the Surinamese form of this slavery during his doctoral research. "We know these occurred globally, but we still lack a comprehensive understanding of how legal and social ideas supported the process of enslavement. I aim to map this for both South America and the Moluccas." McGregor published an article based on this research in Past & Present. Who had power over whom? McGregor focuses on legal archives. "These contain various everyday conflicts between people," he explains. "Such as the punishment of a servant or people moving between households." Underlying these conflicts is always the same fundamental question: who had power over whom? "In the seventeenth century, throughout the world, the head of the household had significant legal authority over household members, from family to servants," McGregor states. "This made it easy to translate this principle across cultural boundaries. In the colonies, people readily accepted a household head's authority. This created a widely accepted pattern suitable for comparative analysis: how did the legal development of slavery occur, and what are the similarities and differences between various cultures of slavery and forced labor?" More information: Lauren Benton et al, A Sea of Households: Ordering Violence and Mobility in the Inter-Imperial Caribbean, Past & Present (2024). DOI: 10.1093/pastj/gtae024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain 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. The lake's 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 region's ecosystems and industries. "The lakes have a memory. And we're 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 NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. During last year's 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 city's 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, NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information says. Besides the unusually mild winter, this year's 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 the drop happened later this year, in November, which is consistent with shorter winters. Even recent cold fronts might take some time to cool the lakes down, especially if the spells are short-lived. "These are huge lake systems, gigantic bodies of water," Mroczka said. "It's 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 Michigan's surface temperatures averaged 53.7 degrees, more than 3 degrees above the normal of 50.6. The lake's 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 it's 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 countryincluding the Midwest and other parts of the Great Lakes regioncould have contributed to higher temperatures. In January 2013, Lake Michigan water levels also hit a record low. While many high annual average surface temperatures have occurred in the last 10 to 15 years, Mroczka said, the records don't 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 Michigan's surface have also followed long-term warming trends over the last three decadesat a slower but still consistent ratein connection with shortened winter seasons. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. A world of difference Over the 4 years, the most visible change 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. In July 2020, Lake Michigan nearly broke its record high. This year, Lake Michigan's water levels dropped below their long-term averages for the first time in a decade. It's 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. Warmer waterseven by a few degreescan 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 you're 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 shouldn't 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. 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 couldn't 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 that's not the case anymore." Even though climate change plays out in eons or geologic time, Brammeier said, it's concerning that humans are experiencing its effects in the span of one person's lifetime. "The Great Lakes are not an old ecosystem. They were formed between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. So, geologically, they're not old," he said. "But compared to how fast the impacts of climate change are moving, the Great Lakes might as well be ancient," he added. "That's what's 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." 2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by 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: Illustration of how to go from a schematic description of a biological system (left), to a mathematical model (middle), which can be simulated to understand how a biological system works (right). Credit: https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/83730 Sebastian Persson uses mathematical models as a complement to experiments to study biological systems in his doctoral thesis. He has also developed software to more efficiently work with dynamic models. Cell biological systems are complex, with many different components influencing their behavior. To understand from experiments alone how these systems are regulated is hard, but with the help of mathematical tools it is possible to build models to analyze how cell systems work. Persson has collaborated with experimentalists in Germany and together they have explored how cellular components regulate their size and have come up with a good description that matches experimental data. "Size regulation of cellular components occurs in most cells, and if this process does not work as planned, the risk of several diseases and premature aging increases. We wanted to understand the different strategies that the cells use to size-regulate cell structures, and modeling was needed since it is so difficult to reason about these processes. The final aim is that medicines should be able to be developed based on knowledge about size regulation." New software to handle different kinds of models To be able to simulate biological dynamic models, computers are needed. Since every model built is a hypothesis and the initial hypotheses are usually wrong, there is a need to work with and simulate many different models. So, the faster you can validate if a model works, the faster you can conduct your research. To make it easier to work with dynamic models, Sebastian has developed new software. The criteria were that it should be fast, and that it should be flexible. Flexibility is important to be able to explore new research areas. For example, either mechanistic or data-driven models are used today, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. The idea with Persson's software is that it should be possible to combine both kinds of models in the same system, to compensate for the shortcomings with each approach. The software PEtab.jl and SBMLImporter.jl have been published as open source since the spring of 2023 and are being used more and more, both by academia and industry, and are continuously being built upon. Researchfrustrating and satisfying Persson has always liked mathematics but wanted to see an application for it and therefore studied a civil engineering program with a focus on biotechnology. During his bachelor's degree he realized that experiments were not his thing and did his bachelor's thesis in the systems biology group of Marija Cvijovic. There, he later started his doctoral position the week after he defended his master's thesis. Having both mathematics and biology with him has been very useful in being able to communicate with experimentalists, and in understanding the literature for the systems that he studies. "Overall, it has been a lot of fun doing a doctorate, but also very exhausting. School is so well defined, research something else entirely and when I started, I did not think much about how tricky it can be when there are no ready answers. You have to fail many times to realize what does not work, and that can be frustrating, but also very satisfying when it works, and you make new discoveries." Now, a well-needed break awaits before Persson moves to London in March for a four-year postdoctoral position at The Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research center. There, he will explore hybrid models of precisely mechanistic and data-driven models to study the cell cycle and try to understand how it is regulated by its surrounding cellular environment. It is still fundamental systems biology research, with the aim that it will lead to better medical treatments in the future. More information: Enabling mechanistic understanding of cellular dynamics through mathematical modelling and development of efficient methods. gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/83730 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A digital rendering of the Starlab, which includes a large habitation and laboratory module with a smaller service module for power and propulsion. Credit: Starlab A NASA-funded commercial space station, Starlab, recently completed four key developmental milestones, marking substantial progress in the station's design and operational readiness. The four milestones are part of a NASA Space Act Agreement awarded in 2021 and focused on reviews of the habitat structural test article preliminary design, systems integration, integrated operations, and a habitat structural test plan. "These milestone achievements are great indicators to reflect Starlab's commitment to the continued efforts and advancements of their commercial destination," said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA's Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program. "As we look forward to the future of low Earth orbit, every successful milestone is one step closer to creating a dynamic and robust commercialized low Earth orbit." The commercial space station is designed to launch on a single flight and includes a large habitation and laboratory module with a smaller service module for power and propulsion. Earlier this year, Starlab Space completed a structural test article preliminary design review, supported by NASA. The structural test article is an engineering development unit of the station's habitation module, which is where astronauts will spend most of their time living and working aboard the future commercial destination. An engineering development unit is a physical model that is used to test and verify the design of a project, such as a space station. A digital rendering of the Starlab free-flying commercial destination, which continues to be developed as part of a Space Act Agreement with NASA Credit: Starlab Starlab also recently shared a test plan for the structural test article, which included defining qualification tests of the development unit from welding verifications to proof pressure and static load testing, among others. During proof pressure tests, a spacecraft component or system is pressurized to a significantly higher than normal operating pressure to verify its structural integrity, and a static load test measures the response of a component or system under an applied load. In addition, Starlab completed integration operations and systems integration reviews. These reviews included updates on system and station architecture, segment interfaces, and program goals, as well as a comprehensive look into the program's requirements. Starlab also is set to complete a preliminary design review and phase 1 safety review by the end of the year. This review is meant to demonstrate that the station's design meets system requirements, including human spaceflight verification, with acceptable risk. The safety review will summarize the current design and general safety approach for the destination. NASA is supporting the design and development of multiple commercial space stations, including Starlab, through funded and unfunded agreements. The current design and development phase will be followed by the procurement of services from one or more companies, where NASA aims to be one of many customers for low Earth orbit destinations. NASA's low Earth orbit microgravity strategy builds on the agency's extensive human spaceflight experience to advance future scientific and exploration goals. As the International Space Station nears the end of operations, NASA plans to transition to a new low Earth orbit model to continue leveraging microgravity benefits. Through commercial partnerships, NASA aims to maintain its leadership in microgravity research and ensure continued benefits for humanity. Provided by NASA This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Most people will know someone who talks a big game at work, but when it comes down to it, isn't as competent as they pretend to be. These "organizational charlatans" or "false performers" exist in every kind of organization, and their behaviors can negatively impact the work they are meant to be doing, and the colleagues they work with. New research from the University of Birmingham, Bournemouth University and the University of Worcester, has examined what people think of false performers and argues that HR departments need to be more aware of these behaviors and find ways to deal with them. The paper has been published in Behavioural Sciences. Dr. Marie Dunnion, Research Fellow in Psychology at the University of Birmingham, and lead author of the study, said, "I am sure that most people can think of at least one colleague they have encountered over their working life when they hear the term 'false performer.' Someone who knows all the right things to say to the bosses but can't actually do the job. "But despite us all knowing someone who fits the bill, often HR departments aren't equipped to deal with these people. This is especially the case in the public sector, where key performance indicators and targets can be less stringent than in corporate settings. We wanted to talk to people about this behavior to understand their experiences and perceptions of it. These false performers know that they are out of their depth at work and so will use a variety of tactics to hide this fact. "Taking credit for work that they didn't do, hyping themselves up to management, and being performative at work can all help to divert attention away from the fact they can't do their job. Because of this, it can be hard for people to raise concerns, or for managers to see the truth of the matter." The researchers spoke to 51 public sector employees, half management and half non-management level, about their experiences of false performers. They discussed false performers in the workplace, and in job interviews or performance appraisals. Examples of false performance in the workplace, which emerged in group discussions, fell into three main categories: Claiming credit for others' work. Bosses over-delegating to subordinates to mask their own incompetence. Shifting the blame to other people or factors to hide their mistakes. Examples from interviews and appraisals were also split into three categories: Exaggerating or lying about their qualifications. Over-talking as a smoke screen to prevent detection of false performance. Claiming credit for other's work in 121 settings with managers/bosses. Dr. Dunnion explained, "These false performers know that they are out of their depth at work and so will use a variety of tactics to hide this fact. Taking credit for work that they didn't do, hyping themselves up to management, and being performative at work can all help to divert attention away from the fact they can't do their job. Because of this it can hard for people to raise concerns, or for mangers to see the truth of the matter. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "In our groups, people said that they were scared to report false performers to a manager, and that competent co-workers felt demoralized due to false performers 'doing well' at work, and in some cases even getting promoted." The paper argues that there are steps that HR departments can take in order to try and reduce instances of false performance. Developing training for the detection and management of false performers for managers in interviews and then in work, could help senior leaders spot potential problems earlier on. Operating a 360-degree appraisal policy to gain multiple co-worker and stakeholder views and feedback could make it easier to get the real picture of someone's performance, rather than relying on complaints or false performers coming clean. While these are two starting points, the researchers say that HR departments should be aware of false performing employees deliberately inputting information which might co-contaminate the process, which is meant to help identify and deal with false performers. Dr. Dunnion concluded, "Job interviews are the first chance that many of us have to make a good first impression on a potential employer, so talking about our strengths is to be expected. But for some, it goes much further than that. And our research suggests that once a false performer is in post, there is little that can be done to try and fix the problem. "Often these scenarios are delicate and can feel personal, so it is a thorny issue to deal with. But, if HR departments don't do anything, the negative effects on the wider team could cause even more harm than having a difficult conversation and improving false performer prevention. False performance behavior could even become contagious among the workforce. It is important that managers and HR teams have methods in place to deal with incompetent people pretending to be otherwise, often at the expense of others." More information: Marie Frances Dunnion et al, The Illusion of Competence: A Qualitative Deep Dive into Workplace False Performance, Behavioral Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.3390/bs14110985 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Countries that earn a lot of money from oil, coal, minerals and other natural capital by no means invest it wisely. A lot of money flows away into corruption and unsustainable investments. Investing more sustainably in education, health and infrastructure would benefit not only current, but also future generations within these countries. Charan van Krevel investigated why things still often go wrong. His Ph.D. defense at Radboud University takes place on 21 December. Van Krevel's research shows that in countries with abundant natural capital that make poor investments, there is not "just" apathy or aversion towards sustainable development, but that there are systematic, economic and institutional factors causing this policy failure. It sounds very logical: using your country's resource profits to help the entire population move forward not just in the short term, but in the long term. Yet it often fails to happen this way. Well-known are the stories of corruption and missing money in poor countries in Asia, South America and Africa, as well as scenarios where rich Western companies make off with the profits. But there is more to it, the economist outlines. Van Krevel used data from more than 140 countries for his research, to understand how they spend their natural capital, and which investments were most effective in the long run. "What you often see is countries that are already developing sustainably continue to do so even as new natural capital is mined," Van Krevel explains. Corruption In his research, Van Krevel looks at the causes of the lack of investment in the future. He finds evidence that (international) companies are skimming off profits so that there is little left to invest with. So corruption is not only at government level, but also in deals with business. There is simply not enough left over to invest. The economist made an extensive study of Indonesia: "It has numerous natural resources, including palm oil, gas, coal and more. That's given the country a lot: incomes have risen, but there have not been enough investments that contribute to the long-term welfare of its people. But it also has some interesting governance quirks: in Indonesia, the local government is responsible for sustainable investments and often does it better than national governments would. In the Netherlands, if not The Hague but Groningen had spent the money from gas, investment choices would probably have been more sustainable.'" "Furthermore, data doesn't paint the full picture. Look at Cambodia, for example. That country signed contracts with China to mine limestone. On paper, you see big investments by China in infrastructure in the country. But in practice, this then turns out to be, for example, a highway from the capital to a coastal town, where many politicians and other rich residents have second homes." Norway and Botswana: A better way? Van Krevel says, "There are examples of things working out better, of course. Norway set up a fund with profits from natural capital that politicians have little or no access to. Its interest is invested in free education, good libraries and more things that benefit the population. Botswana also made good investments with money from mining, and has become relatively quite prosperous. The political climate and aversion to the colonial past made for smart choices." Although Van Krevel's research focuses mainly on fossil fuel profits, he says there are plenty of lessons for countries like Congo that are sitting on a lot of other natural capital: minerals like lithium and cobalt, important for many of the tech we use every day. "Those countries have an opportunity to learn. Make sure your property rights are well organized, and not just vested in the elite or Western parties. With democratic control, you significantly increase the chances of sustainable development." 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: Belle Isle Marsh, Bostons last remaining salt marsh, provides suitable habitat for fish nursery and recreational services for nearby communities. Credit: Alena Kuzub/Northeastern University Salt marshes are among coastal habitats endangered by both rising sea levels and urban development. Preserving and restoring salt marshes is essential not only for wildlife protection and natural flood mitigation, but also for the numerous ecosystem servicessuch as carbon storage, bird watching and fishingthey provide to urban dwellers. This is the case a group of Northeastern University scientists is making in a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Management that predicts how New England salt marshes might look by 2100 due to rising sea levels, using the example of Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, Boston's last remaining salt marsh. The scientists suggest potential actionable solutions that can help preserve the marsh. "I don't think it's too late to act," says Jahson Alemu I, who led the study and worked closely with municipalities and communities that border the marsh as a postdoctoral fellow of the Coastal Sustainability Institute, a joint program between the Marine Science Center at Northeastern and the Nature Conservancy, a global environmental nonprofit. "But with thoughtful planning, like making spaces for marshes to migrate inland as sea levels rise or being mindful with where we build along the coast, these can help preserve these ecosystems for future generations," Alemu says. Salt marshes are grassy coastal wetlands with deep mud or peat that are flooded and drained by tidal salt water daily. The study tested a spatio-temporal model at Belle Isle Marsh that measured and described how the marsh will change over time in its ability to store carbon (to fight climate change) and nitrogen (to mitigate harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion) in the Boston Harbor. It also examined how the marsh provides suitable habitat for fish nursery and recreational services, such as boardwalks, trail systems and saltmarsh sparrow viewing, for nearby communities. "Cities like Boston are a biodiversity desert, and the Belle Isle Marsh is the largest green space within the entire city. It's an oasis within an urban desert," Alemu says. Belle Isle Marsh is a unique research site both within Massachusetts and nationwide, says Randall Hughes, professor of marine environmental sciences, due to its size and its urban setting. "At the same time, the same plant species and habitats occur from New England along the East Coast all the way through the Gulf of Mexico," she says. "So there's a lot of potential to take what we learn on one site and try and apply it in another for marsh restoration." While many studies incorporate ecosystem services into risk assessments, they often overlook long-term impacts from rising sea levels and urbanization on these services. This study addresses those gaps by modeling how salt marsh ecosystem services might respond to future climate conditions, offering insights for better adaptation strategies. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Belle Isle Marsh Reservation supports approximately 266 acres of salt marsh wetland and transitional marsh habitat. The marsh is surrounded by the low-lying, densely developed communities of East Boston, Revere and Winthrop. Using the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model, or SLAMM, in collaboration with environmental engineers from Woods Hole Group Inc., the researchers modeled what different habitats might exist in Belle Isle Marsh at different intervals, including in 2030, 2050, 2070 and 2100. The ecosystem services will change in time in this space as well, Alemu says. "So we'll see some trade-offs, and depending on what we think is important, without intervention, we could lose much more than the benefits that these marshes provide," he says. The researchers expect high marsh areas to decline dramatically, shrinking by 94% from 2020 levels. This loss will begin after 2030, Hughes says, and accelerate between 2050 and 2100. Low marsh areas will temporarily expand, peaking by 2070, but will shrink again by century's end. Mudflats will first decline, then expand by 137%, while open water areas will increase significantly due to persistent flooding, replacing marsh habitats. Habitat shifts will vary across different marsh areas. In the northern region, high marsh will decrease by over 90%, while mudflats and open water will expand. The southeast will see an 85% decline in high marsh, with low marsh expanding until 2070 before retreating. The southwest will experience similar high marsh losses, with a 70% reduction by 2100. These changes will have mixed effects on ecosystem services the marsh provides overall. The temporary growth of low marsh and mudflats will enhance fish nursery and nitrogen storage services early in the century but reduce carbon storage and wildlife habitats tied to high marsh. By 2100, many benefits will be lost as habitats convert to open water, limiting future provision of ecosystem services. "That points to the need for a longer time horizon for planning and management because we wouldn't have seen that shift if we hadn't looked out that far," Hughes says. Managing these challenges will require adaptive strategies. The study suggests potential solutions such as adding sediment to marshes or creating buffer zones that can help marshes migrate and reduce habitat loss. "That is a technique that has been done in a number of marshes in Rhode Island," Hughes says. "We do have data to suggest that it's effective." Managed retreat, though difficult, may balance urban development and marsh preservation. Urban planners and coastal managers must prioritize high-elevation marshes for restoration, researchers say, to maintain key services, such as carbon storage and fish habitats. Boston has a people-centric approach to climate change preparation, Alemu says. Amplifying conversations about the benefits of ecosystem services and the impact of salt marshes on the safety, economy and quality of life of Boston residents can encourage greater investment in preservation and restoration projects. These efforts ultimately represent an investment in the community's future. "That leaves me with some optimism, because there's an appetite for it," he says. The Northeastern research contributed to the Belle Isle Marsh climate vulnerability assessment conducted by Woods Hole Group for the town of Winthrop. It informed discussions among stakeholders, including representatives from Winthrop, Boston, Revere, state agencies, the Mystic River Watershed Association and Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. More information: Jahson B. Alemu I et al, Evaluating ecosystem services in urban salt marshes: Assessing vulnerability to sea-level rise and implications for coastal management, Journal of Environmental Management (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123065 Journal information: Journal of Environmental Management This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In a span of about 20 hours, SpaceX could manage three rocket launches and one landing of a Dragon spacecraft. It flew a Department of Defense mission from Cape Canaveral on Monday night and on Tuesday knocked out a National Reconnaissance Office mission from California and the landing of the latest cargo Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Florida. The topper will be a launch from Kennedy Space Center that would mark 90 spaceflight missions among all providers on the Space Coast in 2024. That launch would see a Falcon 9 on the mPower-E mission launching from KSC's Launch Pad 39-A during a one-hour, 27-minute window that opens at 3:59 p.m. EST with backup during the same window on Dec. 18. The payload is a pair of satellites for Luxembourg-based communications company SES headed to medium-Earth orbit. With one hour before the opening of the window, the countdown was paused for weather, and a new T-0 is pending. Space Launch Delta 45's weather squadron forecasts a 55% chance for good launch conditions, that would improve to 65% in the event of a 24-hour delay. High winds at the launch site and concerns for booster recovery delayed launch attempts for both Space Coast missions over the weekend. When it does fly, this would be the first launch of the first-stage booster that will aim for a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic. Already on Tuesday, a SpaceX cargo Dragon spacecraft made a successful splashdown off the coast of Florida to complete the CRS-31 mission. The Dragon had arrived at the International Space Station with 6,000 pounds of resupply payloads back on Nov. 5 after launching from the Space Coast, and returned with thousands of pounds of supplies and science experiments. Earlier Tuesday, the company flew the NROL-149, a National Space Security Launch mission, from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base. The busy schedule began on Monday night, with what had been a secretive mission leading up to the launch. That one was a Falcon 9 that lifted off on the RRT-1 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 7:52 p.m. This was the fourth launch of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas. After launch, the Space Force revealed in a press release that RRT stood for "Rapid Response Trailblazer," and its payload was a GPS III satellite flying under a National Security Space Launch contract that had switched from United Launch Alliance to SpaceX. It touted the launch as "a new level of readiness and resilience" for its Space Systems Command and Space Operations Command, as it took less than five months to turn around the mission from its inception to launch. Normally, this sort of NSSL mission would take 24 months to execute. The pre-launch processing timeline was also sped up from a normal six-month turnaround to only three months. It took an existing satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin from storage, sped up its integration and readiness for launch. The mission was originally tapped to fly on a ULA Vulcan rocket, but had been delayed because Vulcan has yet to be certified by the Space Force. "This launch was a remarkable achievement that highlights the Space Force's ability to execute high priority launches of major space systems on a significantly reduced timescale," said Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader of Launch Execution for the Space Force's Assured Access to Space program. "As an added benefit, it also demonstrates flexibility to adjust our manifest to minimize the impact of Vulcan delays." The GPS satellite, which was nicknamed "Sally Ride," joins 31 others already active in orbit, along with seven backup satellites and three more awaiting launch. "Over six billion people use GPS on a daily basis, and we are always eager to update the global capability we provide by getting some new technology on orbit," said Col. Andrew Menschner, Space Force Delta 31 mission commander, who acted as the space vehicle lead for the first time. 2024 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by 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: Rijkswaterstaat. Credit: Bart van Eyck Historical observations and model computations point to the Rhine system having crossed a tipping point. Since extreme peak flows in the 1990s, the Waal has gradually attracted more water at the Pannerdense Kop bifurcation. This is shown in research by TU Delft, Leiden University, Utrecht University, and Rijkswaterstaat published in Geophysical Research Letters. Right downstream of where the Rhine crosses the border between the Netherlands and Germany, the river splits into the Waal and the Pannerdensch Kanaal. Water discharge via the Waal continues to increase, at the expense of the northern branch, the Pannerdensch Kanaal (which then splits into the Nederrijn-Lek and the IJssel). Based on measured data and model computations, researchers Astrid Blom and Ralph Schielen conclude that the Rhine system may have reached a tipping point. However, there is no absolute certainty. "After all, a river is not a flume in a laboratory in which we can examine the effect of a single modified condition. Nevertheless, we think it is important to draw attention to this now. These changes can have consequences for both flood safety and shipping," says Blom, associate professor at TU Delft. A peak flow sequence triggered tipping Due to the peak flows in 1993, 1995 and possibly 1998, a significant quantity of sand and gravel transported over the river bed reached the Pannerdense Kop bifurcation. This led to sudden changes in the Rhine system around the Pannerdense Kop bifurcation in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Credit: Delft University of Technology Nearly half a meter of sediment was deposited in the Pannerdensch Kanaal, which subsequently has gradually increased the water discharge through the other branch, the Waal. "As a result, the Waal continues to erode," explains Blom. So the peak flows of the 1990s caused a sudden change, which triggered a gradual adaptation of the river system. The system now seems to be moving towards a new stable situation, with an increasing share of river discharge flowing through the Waal. "It is not obvious if and how this change can be reversed, as back-tipping is not trivial," says Blom. Flood safety It is crucial that water managers keep a close eye on this redistribution of water discharge over the branches to keep the Netherlands safe, to stabilize the river bed, and to include this in future plans, such as the Program Room for the River 2.0 (formerly Integrated River Basin Management, IRM). The discharge increase in the Waal implies a reduced water discharge via the Pannerdensch Kanaal and, as a result, the IJssel. When making future plans, we should not only consider peak flow conditions, Blom emphasizes. "During drought conditions, the observed changes will increase pressure on the freshwater supply to the IJsselmeer. We need to be prepared and prepare the system in a timely manner for these changes." More information: Astrid Blom et al, Indications of Ongoing NoiseTipping of a Bifurcating River System, Geophysical Research Letters (2024). DOI: 10.1029/2024GL111846 Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters OCEAN CITY On Friday night, police recruit Thomas Mendez-Ocampo met some members of the community he will soon serve, introduced as the citys first full-time officer who is fluent in Spanish. Mendez was born in Atlantic City to Mexican parents, and as he told a gathering of about 35 people in the citys rec building at Eighth Street and Haven Avenue, he picked blueberries in Hammonton when he was young. Now, he attends the Cape May County Police Academy and is set to start with the Ocean City Police Department in the new year. Mendez will graduate from the academy Jan. 10. He also will take over the community meetings like the one Friday, gatherings with the citys growing Spanish speaking population and police officers, which typically include talks, advice and plenty of pizza. Next year, it will be tamales for everyone, Mendez joked. Dont you guys like pizza? responded Sgt. Brendan Gheen, who started the meetings more than 10 years ago as outreach to a community that was often overlooked, and whose members were often reluctant to communicate with police, even after a crime. There was an incident on Christmas Eve, I believe in 2007, where there was a first-degree armed robbery, he said. Through the investigation, we found that this population wasnt reporting crimes because they didnt think they could because of their immigration status. Victims of crimes will not be questioned about their immigration status, he said, a message that was later reiterated to the residents. In some cases, people have hired immigrant workers and then did not pay them, or paid less than had been agreed, possibly with the idea that an undocumented worker would have little legal recourse. Ocean City police reach out to Spanish-speaking residents OCEAN CITY Few of those gathered at the building at Eighth Street and Haven Avenue on Wedn The Ocean City programs have helped build bridges between the community and police, and covered other topics as well. Gheen encouraged people to reach out not only in cases of violent crimes, but for quality-of-life issues like noise complaints. The program also covered civil matters such as rent increases. Landlords can only increase rents by 10% a year in New Jersey, he said, but he acknowledged the difficulty of finding someplace affordable in Ocean City, winter or summer. In 2000, census data showed Ocean Citys Latino and Hispanic population was just under 2% of the total population. More recent data indicates the number at 9.3% of a year-round population of 11,242. The percentage is higher within the citys school district, with a reported 12% of the student population identified as Hispanic or Latino. As used by the U.S. Census, those terms do not relate to race but instead refer to cultural identity, and one that does not necessarily mean someone speaks Spanish primarily, or even at all. Most of Ocean Citys Spanish speaking population is from Mexico, many from the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero in the south on the Pacific coast. At first, the community meetings were held about every six months, Gheen said, but later they took place about once a year. Residents said they appeared to be working well, with one man telling Gheen the reason there were few questions at the end of the meeting Friday was because he had done such a good job answering them. In 2018, meeting in the same building, some community members said at the time that undocumented workers were afraid to go to the police about any issue for fear of deportation, making an already marginalized population more vulnerable. With a promise from President-elect Donald Trump to begin mass deportations soon after inauguration in January, the community gathered Friday did not seem concerned, agreeing to be photographed for a news story. Upper Township celebrates first responders who aided parkway birth, bus fire and more Water rescues, car crashes and a roadside birth were among the stories as Upper Township celebrated a years worth of rescues this week. Karla Corona, who lives in Pleasantville and is active in a Spanish language church in Ocean City, helped Gheen organize the gathering. She said she has not seen any sign that people are worried, regardless of their immigration status. They trust the Police Department now. They trust the city, she said. Araceli Serrano, who also helped organize the gathering, said it has had a big impact. The immigrant community had been reluctant to go to the police, she said. They might think that theyd be deported or something, she said. Since we started, if they see something wrong, something going on, they report it. Shes part of Iglesia el Tabernaculo, a Spanish-language church that meets at St. John Lutheran Church on Central Avenue. There are other Spanish services in Ocean City, and the Catholic parish offers Mass in Spanish and programs for English as a second language. Gheen is not quite ready to retire, but he said it will happen soon, and he wanted to introduce Mendez to the community. Hes going to be taking the program over, because Im going to retire in a year or two, Gheen said. Serrano presented Gheen with a plaque in recognition of his efforts. With Mendez translating his comments into Spanish, and a comment from the crowd into English, that Gheen would not be forgotten. Well, Ill never forget you guys, Gheen said. This has been, probably, the highlight of my career. I want to thank you for your support. He said people should give all of the support they gave him to Mendez. Gheen, a Marine veteran, joined the Police Department in 2005. He told those gathered Friday hes had enough of wearing a uniform and carrying a gun. No mas, he said. Gheen said his father was a Spanish teacher, and he knows a little of the language, but does not have the fluency of Mendez. The event included talk of New Jerseys court system and the difference between criminal and civil matters, as well as places where someone can get assistance in Spanish. There also was an update and an appeal for information on the disappearance of Dulce Maria Alavez, who disappeared from a city park in Bridgeton in September 2019. The Black Hills are full of hundreds of creative Native artists working on projects of all shapes and sizes, traditional and contemporary. Historically, clothing and accessories have been a way for Oceti Sakowi (Lakota, Nakota and Dakota) people to express their creativity and personality. Those traditions still carry through to today, where artists express themselves through a blend of traditional and new modern styles and patterns. For those looking to shop small this holiday season, here are five Lakota artists you can shop from and indigenize your gifts under the tree. Emily Little Hoop Since she was 11 years old, Emily Little Hoop has been sewing and beading. Sewing is my biggest passion, Little Hoop said. Inspired by her Oglala/Sicangu Lakota and Dine ancestors, Little Hoop creates a mixture of traditional and contemporary designs. The generations before me really inspire me, she said. It felt like it was up to me to bring it (our art) back. Little Hoop is known for her detailed Lakota-style womens traditional t-dresses and pleated ribbon skirts. Her work shines trade cloth dresses adorned with circular rows of elk teeth and dentillium accents. These designs pay homage to clothing worn by Lakota women in the generations before her. Little Hoops beadwork reflects the same heritage; her pieces tell stories passed down through generations but also comical modern stories. Every single piece I put a lot of love and effort into, Little Hoop said. I make it for you but its up to you (the buyer) to make the story of the piece for yourself. One of her newest pieces is a beaded lariat with a white buffalo motif called Wally's World a term she and her mother use to refer to Walmart. The piece references that the buffalo is like the Walmart of Lakota people. As Lakotas, we use every part of the Tatanka, Little Hoop said in a Facebook post. Absolutely nothing goes to waste. From food to clothing, bags to tools, and blankets to shelter; it was basically like our own Walmart. Within the next year she plans to launch more skirt sales, but for now is focusing on her beadwork. Little Hoop will be launching her winter collection on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Her designs are available through her Facebook, Emily Little Hoop, and Instagram, @chankhahu. Tulley Quilts On the west side of Rapid City, Glenabah Tulley and her wife, Tonya Tulley, have launched their own business, Tulley Quilts LLC, out of their apartment to provide star quilts at an affordable rate. The couples designs showcase a fusion of Glenabahs Dine/Navajo and Lakota heritage. The front features shimmering satin fabric comprising the namesake star and the back features soft Navajo-print fabric, sourced from local business Lil Gails. The two have created hundreds of unique quilts for honoring, graduations and more all at affordable prices. Tulley is a self-taught quilter, learning how to sew just two years ago. She began making quilts in her spare time for friends and family who needed one and soon realized that there was a need for quality satin quilts at an affordable price. Affordability and uniqueness in designs is what we have become known for, Glenabah Tulley said. The best part about having the business is helping others. Everyone deserves to have a star quilt. The two have been told that their prices are too low, Tonya Tulley said, with the average large, adult-size, star quilt selling for $400-$600 depending on the size and intricacy. In September 2024, the two found out theyd been selected for a grant from NDN Collective. The grant allowed them to purchase a long-arm quilting machine significantly speeding up the design process. Before this, theyd hand quilted. One of the couples most popular designs is that of a star-quilt between an array of bandanas, backed of course with soft Navajo-print fabric. Right now Tulleys Quilts is a second job for the couple. After work, they come home and create. The quilting business has completely taken over their home. Several sewing machines, an embroidery machine, and of course the long arm take up an entire room in their home. Tulleys Quilts can be purchased via Facebook on the Tulley Quilts Facebook page or by calling or texting 605-929-4735. Matt Horn Cloud On the Pine Ridge Reservation, artist Matt Horn Cloud is a wild card when it comes to traditional and contemporary art. The Oglala Lakota man creates a variety of beadwork, star quilts, ribbon skirts and regalia all of which are distinctly Lakota designs. Its embedded in me, Horn Cloud said. Horn Cloud specializes in intricate traditional plains-style symmetrical geometric beadwork and was inspired to create when looking at old art created by his Lakota ancestors. Those are things our ancestors left for us, he said. When I thought about that, I thought, Maybe Ill be that ancestor someday. This will be all thats left of me and my existence one day. All of his work is personal, Horn Cloud said. The artist spends a lot of time crafting each piece on his own terms. Horn Clouds largest piece, a buckskin womens traditional dress with a fully beaded top piece was worn by his niece Shawntay Iron Horse during the 2024 Miss He Sapa Win contest at the Black Hills Powwow. The dress took several years to finish and it reflects their family history, Horn Cloud said. The artist primarily sells work on his Facebook page, Matt Horn Cloud, and his Instagram page @_mahpiyahe. Legacy Lashes Sammi Seidel creates a different type of art, unique eyelashes. While many people may not initially think of beauty as a form of art, it is. Seidel painstakingly places each lash on her customers by hand, working to find a style and fit that boosts and highlights her client's features. The Oglala Lakota woman owns her own business in Rapid City, Legacy Lashes located at 1764 Centre St., Suite 3. After graduating from high school, Seidel enrolled in beauty school and found a passion for entrepreneurship, she said. Owning her own business gave her the power to create her own hours and avoid commission fees or needing to rent out space at a salon. She also found a passion for lashes. I realized the power of lashing when I got them done on myself, Seidel said. Those werent the only two things Seidel discovered she was passionate about; she also found a desire to make people feel good about themselves the same way she felt good about herself the first time she got her eyelashes done. I have met some of the greatest people through lashing, she said. My business has given me life-long friends and clients. Ive even gotten the opportunity to meet people from different countries. Through her work, Seidel said she can see a noticeable difference in the confidence of her clients. Many of them travel all the way from Pine Ridge and other reservations just to see her. Her salon offers three styles of eyelash extensions as well as eyelash lifts, tints and eyebrow waxing. Legacy Lashes also offers gift cards, something that would fit perfectly in a loved one's stocking this Christmas. Wowacintanka Creations In 2021, Alexandra Boyd decided she wanted to find a way to give back to her aunt who had been creating ribbon skirts for her. Boyd studied her aunts designs and from there began sewing. She started off small, making a skirt for herself, and once she was confident enough she gifted her aunt a skirt. Three years later, Boyd is an award-winning Sicangu Lakota ribbon skirt artist based in Rapid City. I like the calmness that comes with it, Boyd said. Theres peace in being able to connect with my culture in that way. At just 23 years old, Boyd is already making waves with her designs and has placed twice in an international ribbon skirt contest. In 2023, Boyd won Shelbz Tourangeaus international ribbon skirt contest with a black satin skirt featuring an array of blue, green and purple ribbons topped with a butterfly lace overlay. Then, in 2024, Boyd placed in the top 10 out of 300 entries with her teal sparkly ribbon skirt featuring dragonfly applique. Boyd named her business Wowacitaka Creations after her Lakota name, Wowacitaka Wi. Since 2021, shes immersed herself in sewing. She designs out of her home on the north side of Rapid City her room is filled with dozens of high-quality ribbon rolls and yards upon yards of fabric. I started buying a lot of ribbon in 2021 and then built from there, Boyd said. I started with 25 yards then went up to 50 and 100. Boyd loves to design with earth tones and neutral colors, aiming to create an ombre effect seamlessly blending each color into the next. It definitely started as a hobby, but Id like to turn it into a job where I have my own shop, she said. Boyd sells primarily on her Facebook page Wowacintanka Creations and Instagram page @wowacintanka.creations. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition is seeking approval for funding from the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust. Program Coordinator Debra Smith and Project Director Gabrielle Coffee from the Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition came before commissioners on Dec. 9 to discuss prevention efforts and how funding from Ravalli Countys cut of the Opioid Abatement Trust could add momentum to their mission. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition has been striving to prevent at risk behavior in Ravalli County teens for over two years. During their meeting with Ravalli County Commissioners, Smith and Coffee routinely emphasized their efforts already being employed in the community and their readiness to effectively expand. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition has been unifying prevention efforts in Ravalli County for almost two years, with combined prevention efforts of over two decades. Our purpose is to reduce youth substance use, reads their website. What if we could follow the lead of other coalitions and actually impact the kids before they start down that path? Smith asked commissioners. Bitterroot Cares has already started that. The coalition works in partnership with other local prevention organizations like Tobacco Free Ravalli, Western Montana Mental Health Clinic, S.A.F.E. and Ravalli County Head Start, to name a few. Smith and Coffee presented their potential budget to the board of commissioners and discussed their application for $163,320 from the Montana Opioid Abatement Trust. Ravalli County formed a governance structure in September tasked with overseeing distribution of Montana Opioid Abatement Trust (MOAT) funding. $332,161.37 was approved for Ravalli County for 2024-2025 and the county still has an additional $320,963.27 available, according to Montana Opioid Abatement Trust (MOAT). The only funding approved so far was $11,198.10 for the Ravalli County Sheriff Offices Wellness Program. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition told commissioners at their Dec. 9 meeting that they were seeking $163,320 to fund multiple methods of service expansion. We read the requirements (for MOAT funding) and we realized what we were attempting to do, continuing to do, aligns perfectly with what the trust was made to address, Smith told the Ravalli Republic. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition told commissioners that funding would better allow them to work in conjunction with other substance abuse prevention and support groups in Montana, bolster boots on the ground services and conduct more extensive research to better inform their efforts. Once of our goals as a coalition is to bring in people from the community that are interested in this field or are already working in it so that we dont have this land of redundancy where were all doing exactly the same thing and then in four years weve made huge headways in one area but we havent addressed any of these other needs, Smith said. With MOAT funding, Bitterroot Cares hopes to uniformly address issues in the community and maintain connectivity between prevention groups and assign their efforts to the best suited areas. We are going to continue making sure all of the local organizations are at the same table, Smith said. In addition to improved collaboration, Smith and Coffee told commissioners that MOAT funding would improve their boots on the ground operations by letting them hire more people and administer more training to teachers and parents. We are already working with the schools and with opioid money we would be able to hire more people and have a bigger impact within the schools, Smith said. Bitterroot Cares is basing some of their analysis of the current youth risk climate off of a 2023 Youth Behavior Risk survey. One of the surveys that we got was a 2023 Youth Risk Behavior survey, said Smith to the Ravalli Republic. It showed some fairly alarming things. Smith said that the self-administered survey, which asked high school students from 43 schools across Montana to answer questions about drug abuse, sexual history and mental health inspired Bitterroot Cares to start paying close attention to evidence of youth behavior risk and acting accordingly. During the meeting, Smith and Coffee emphasized the success that the coalition has already seen evidence of in the valley. The way we know how things are really working is when we give kids surveys, Smith said. Smith explained to commissioners that Bitterroot Cares can infer their positive impact by using evidence provided in students survey responses, looking at analytics from Youth Court and listening to testimony from parents and counselors. Both Smith and Coffee expressed an interest in collecting more data, another expenditure that could be supported by MOAT funding. A big part of the coalition in general, besides boots on the ground programming, is bolstering evidence-based prevention practices in our community, Coffee told commissioners. That looks like trainings through coalition meetings, trainings for other organizations and bringing strategies so that were all following the strategic preventative framework. Ravalli County Commissioners posed skeptical questions to the coalition members, expressing their concerns about redundancy in funding and failures to sufficiently address the issue. One of my concerns with it is that it kind of seems just like another umbrella organization, said commissioner Jeff Burrows. Thats actually exactly what it is, responded Coffee. In order to reduce redundancy and make sure that everyone is having the same conversation around these things, we are the prevention umbrella and the organizations doing prevention already are under our umbrella. The coalitions approval process has just begun and conversations with county officials will evolve in the coming months. The Bitterroot Cares Prevention Coalition submitted a proposal to MOAT on Dec. 16, according to Smith, and will be reviewed by county commissioners in January. Their proposal could potentially bounce around between the trust and the Ravalli County governance structure a few times before a decision is ultimately made. Were really hoping that this process will allow the commissioners to get an idea of what the actual needs are in the community, Smith said. And through that and working collaboratively with everyone we hope we will be approved. Flash This photo taken on April 9, 2024, shows the city view of Juba, South Sudan. [Photo/Xinhua] China on Monday donated nearly 1,000 tonnes of emergency food assistance to South Sudan to support displaced persons due to floods, and Sudanese refugees and returnees who recently fled the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan. The Chinese government donated food aid in the form of rice and wheat, which will be distributed in the 10 states and three administrative areas, and some will go to orphanages in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. During a ceremony in Juba, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan Ma Qiang said the East African country's economic development and improvement of people's livelihoods are facing serious challenges due to the impact of floods, disruption of oil production, and severe food insecurity. Part of the rice and wheat donated by the Chinese government will be distributed to these affected households and returnees from neighboring countries to meet their urgent needs, which will help alleviate the current food shortages and rising food prices in South Sudan. "Today, China officially hands over nearly 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian emergency food aid to South Sudan, expecting to bring hope and safety to our friends," Ma said, adding that China has been actively supporting the peace process and socio-economic development of South Sudan by building facilities such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and airports, providing humanitarian assistance, compiling textbooks for primary and middle school students, providing teaching supplies, and supporting the youth and women capacity building. South Sudanese Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Albino Akol Atak said 60 percent of the consignment comprising 500 tonnes of wheat and 480 tonnes of rice will go to the 10 states, 25 percent to the returnees in Central Equatoria State, and 15 percent to the orphanages and other vulnerable groups in Juba. "Today, we are receiving this consignment as another support to our vulnerable people, and this time we are targeting 1.4 million people affected by floods across South Sudan. This also will support those who are arriving from Sudan. We have now reached almost a million people," he said. The minister said Juba earlier this year received a consignment of tents from China that supported vulnerable people, especially those who have been displaced internally, and those who have been returning due to the conflict that erupted in Sudan in 2023. Deputy Chairperson of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Santino Bol Muoter said the food assistance has come at a critical moment when the country is grappling with the worst humanitarian crisis due to a combination of climatic shocks, conflicts, and flooding. "We acknowledge that this support always comes at the right time to help our people. South Sudan has been hit hard, and our level of food insecurity stands at 57 percent of the population. We have also received an influx of over 800,000 people forced out of Sudan, both refugees and South Sudanese, who were hosted in Sudan and are now being hosted in various states. These people need our support, and this food assistance has come at a critical time," Muoter said. Muoter noted that this is the eighth consecutive year that China has supported vulnerable people in South Sudan. A Massachusetts firm thats developing a demonstration model to show it can produce energy by nuclear fusion plans to build the worlds first commercial nuclear fusion plant in Chesterfield County, with some help from the state and county. Commonwealth Fusion Systems said the project is to be located next to Dominion Energys Chesterfield power plant off Coxendale Road, where the utility also hopes to build a controversial gas-fired generating station. The new development is expected to generate about 400 megawatts of zero-emissions electricity, which it said is enough to power about 150,000 homes. The company expects the plant to go online in the early 2030s. Virginia is providing a $1 million grant for the project, matched with a $1 million grant from Chesterfield County. The company expects its Massachusetts demonstration plant, which is halfway completed, to begin producing energy in 2026. When completed, Commonwealth Fusion expects it would be the first such commercial design that produces more power than it uses. How the technology works Nuclear fusion generates energy by forcing hydrogen atoms together until they form helium atoms; the same process that powers the sun. So far, most efforts to replicate that on Earth require more energy going in than coming out. But two years ago, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratorys National Ignition Facility generated a pulse of more heat energy than its lasers directed at a small target of heavy isotopes a gain of energy equivalent to about 0.3 kilowatt-hours of electricity, or enough to power a lightbulb for most of a day. Lawrence Livermore noted that the energy produced by the fusion reaction is far less than the energy required to operate the facilitys 192 powerful laser beams themselves. The energy consumed by the NIF laser facility is typically 100 times larger than the laser energy delivered to the target, the lab said in a Physical Review Letters article in February. That, in turn, is larger than the gain in energy between the energy directed at the hydrogen target and what fusion of the atoms yielded, which was on the order of about 1.5 times. Fusion is pretty hard, but its not easy to get a project like this over the line, Bob Mumgaard, chief executive officer and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, told a gathering of state and county officials at the Patrick Henry Building on Capitol Square. A pioneering step Mumgaard said the Chesterfield plant will represent an investment of multiple billions and create hundreds of jobs. In the early 2030s, all eyes will be on the Richmond region and more specifically Chesterfield County, Virginia, as the birthplace of commercial fusion energy, Mumgaard said. Mumgaard has a doctorate in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he contributed to the design of several small superconducting tokamaks machines that use high-powered magnets to hold a mix of gaseous ions, electrons and atoms in a doughnut shape. They are used for particle physics research. Fusion researchers say they are a central piece of equipment for fusion reactions. The engineering needed for fusion reactions is cutting edge, said Gov. Glenn Youngkin. We are here to celebrate not a project, but we are here to celebrate a pioneering, groundbreaking step to change the way we think about power generation This may be the last energy innovation that we might ever need, Youngkin said. When we launched the All American all the above energy and power plans in Virginia, I said that the core to our energy and power future is not a resource, its not a plant, not wires, its innovation. And we as Americans and Virginians have an abundance of the capacity to innovate, he added. Youngkin, describing himself as a retired engineer, said fusion is the direct opposite of the fission process thats the heart of current nuclear power plants, such as Dominion Energys Surry and North Anna stations, or the reactors that power the aircraft carriers and submarines built at Newport News Shipbuilding. While fusion energy comes from bringing the lightest atoms together to create slightly heavier ones, fission generates energy by splitting some of the heaviest, and radioactive, atoms. He said fusion has been proved safe, and that fusion reactions emit no carbon-based compounds the greenhouse gases that drive climate change. Dominion Energy Virginia is helping by providing development and technical expertise as well as leasing the site. Commonwealth Fusion Systems is the clear industry leader in advancing the exciting energy potential of fusion, said Edward H. Baine, president of Dominion Energy Virginia. Youngkin said the cost of plant would not be passed on to Dominion customers, since Commonwealth Fusion is interested in supplying power directly to large users. Increased demand for power is being driven by electric vehicle usage and a proliferation of data centers, which last year consumed a quarter of electricity in Virginia, according to a Electric Power Research Institute report. This is a monumental day for Virginias economy, said Barry DuVal, president and chief executive officer at the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Commonwealth Fusion Systems decision to build this fusion power plant in Chesterfield County demonstrates that Virginia is a leader in fostering innovation and cutting-edge technology. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a 10-year strategy to speed development of nuclear fusion energy, with a focus on closing gaps in the science and technology needed to operate a commercial plant. In October, it awarded a total of $49 million in funding for 19 projects at various national laboratories, focusing mainly on the materials used to contain fusion reactions and modeling those reactions. (Image: Bloomberg) Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has proposed abolishing flat rate interest for personal financing, including Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) arrangements. In a draft exposure released on Monday, the central bank is seeking feedback on new requirements that would prohibit personal financing products where interest or profit charges are calculated using the flat rate method under the Rule of 78 method. Under the proposed rules, BNM plans to classify certain home financing arrangements as personal financing. This includes additional financing obtained beyond the existing loan amount when refinancing a home loan, further financing after a borrower has fully repaid their original home loan, and financing secured against a property that has no existing mortgage. The draft rules also specify that, prior to granting a BNPL facility, financial service providers (FSPs) must assess the borrowers ability to repay the loan without creating financial hardship. At a minimum, this assessment requires reviewing the borrowers repayment history on any existing credit facilities. If a borrower has no credit history, the FSP should consider repayment records for other regular payments, such as utility or phone bills. Additionally, the draft rules prohibit offering BNPL products to consumers who have been declared bankrupt. BNM is also clarifying its expectations regarding the maximum tenure for personal financing products, which is currently set at ten years. The central bank is seeking views on the feasibility of reducing this maximum term and is requesting input on what the lowest appropriate threshold might be. In other jurisdictions, such as Australia and Singapore, the maximum tenure for personal financing products is limited to seven years, which is shorter than the ten-year term currently allowed in Malaysia. This proposal is aimed at fostering more responsible lending practices. BNM has also expressed concerns about the risks to financial stability arising from high household debt levels. As at the end of 2023, aggregate household debt in Malaysia stood at RM1.53 trillion, with 12.6% attributed to personal financing. Personal financing has also been identified as one of the leading contributors to bankruptcy, accounting for 46.26% of total bankruptcy cases in 2023. Furthermore, as at the end of April 2024, 32.8% of loan facilities enrolled in the Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredits Debt Management Programme comprised personal financing products. Feedback on the draft exposure must be submitted electronically to BNM by 14 February 2025. (Source: NST) 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE Authorities arrest pair caught smuggling goods on Costa Maya highway Costa Maya, Q.R. Costa Maya highway patrol has arrested two men for smuggling. The pair were taken into custody Monday after police found them transporting illegal items. While traveling behind a semi, a box fell out of the back. Police realized the spilled box was illegal cigarettes. Police caught up with the semi on Avenida Mexico, a section of highway outside the city of Chetumal. During the stop, three men got out of the vehicle. One ran into the trees in a successful escape. The other two were arrested. The Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) reported that authorities confirmed a shipment of illegal cigarettes. Hundreds of boxes were confiscated from the back of the unit. Kevin Kennet N and Rigoberto N were taken into custody for smuggling. In a statement, the Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana (SCC) said during surveillance tours, elements of the Secretariat of Citizen Security noticed a Torton type vehicle that was traveling at high speed. From the back door, a brown box fell, which broke and from which several black packages with the legend Gentori Dorado came out. They were caught up with on Avenida Mexico in the direction of the Chetumal-Bacalar federal highway where upon seeing the officers, three men got out of the vehicle and one of them went into the bush. The corresponding inspection was carried out in which they confiscated 602 boxes of cigarettes. Of the boxes, 572 are of the Marshal brand and 30 of the Gentori brand. They also detained the vehicle, a white Torton truck with cargo license plates. The vehicle was handed over to the Attorney Generals Office. The SSC have said both Kevin Kennet N and Rigoberto N were arrested, allegedly involved in the crime comparable to smuggling and/or benefiting from it. Chetumal taxi carrying passengers found on its roof Chetumal, Q.R. A Chetumal taxi carrying passengers flipped onto its roof Tuesday. The cab was traveling in the area of Los Rapidos when the driver lost control. Passing motorists along the federal 307 notified emergency services of the overturned cab. By the time paramedics arrived, everyone from inside was out of the vehicle. Red Cross paramedics were at the scene of the accident providing first aid to the passengers who suffered only minor bumps and bruises. Authorities arrived to ask questions and start an investigation into the overturning of the public transport car. The driver of the Chetumal taxi and his passengers were not seriously injured. Police have not commented on why the cab overturned. Citizen extortion: Cancun officer being investigated by Internal Affairs after video goes viral Cancun, Q.R. A city police officer is being investigated for extorting a citizen. The internal investigation was started Monday after a weekend video of the officer inside a banks ATM area went viral. The Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Transit of Benito Juarez announced the start of the investigation against an officer allegedly involved in an act of extortion inside a bank on Avenida Jose Lopez Portillo. The Internal Affairs Directorate opened file SMSPT/DAI/344/12/2024 into the incident. In a statement released Monday, Cancun Police confirmed the internal investigation and its zero tolerance policy regarding police conduct that violates the law. In light of the video circulating on social media, we have initiated the corresponding investigation through Internal Affairs of the Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Traffic. We reiterate our commitment to transparency and legality, Policia de Cancun posted in a statement. The investigation was started after the viral video shows a Cancun city officer escorting a citizen to an ATM allegedly to extort him. Both are seen inside the ATM area of the bank while a second officer waits outside. The Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Transit reported that the Internal Affairs Directorate immediately opened a file to conduct an exhaustive investigation to determine the facts and responsibilities. The unidentified officer is accused of extorting a citizen. Photo: December 15, 2024. In the two-minute recording from Sunday night, a municipal police officer and a young man can be seen inside an ATM while another officer waits outside in a patrol unit. The young man is in front of the ATM machine and at one point tries to escape, but is held back by the officer, who remains at the door keeping watch. Flash Syrians fleeing Syria are stuck at the border with Lebanon in the Masnaa border crossing area on Dec. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] More than 880,000 people have been displaced since the latest escalation of hostilities in Syria, UN humanitarians said Monday. UN partners estimated that around 6 percent of the displaced are living with at least one form of disability. "Return movements remain dynamic, with partners recording more than 220,000 returnees yesterday (Sunday)," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "Additionally, over 40,000 displaced people are staying in around 250 collective centers across northeast Syria." The office said the United Nations and partners continue to support the response by supplying food, water, cash, tents, and blankets. The world body is also deploying medical teams and supplies. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross, in collaboration with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), conducted a joint mission to the Tishreen Dam's facility in Syria's Aleppo governorate on Friday for urgent and critical repairs. UNICEF also secured fuel to power the backup generator, enabling the safe drainage of the dam and safeguarding water supplies. Hostilities near the dam last week led to an extended electricity outage and disrupted water and other key services, affecting millions of people in the area. On Monday, Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, met Syrian transitional authorities in Damascus to discuss the relief response. "At a time of such rapid changes and long-standing needs in the region, Fletcher's trip will also include stopovers in Lebanon, Turkiye and Jordan," OCHA said of his one-week Middle East visit. Authorities also reported a complicated flow of displaced people across the Lebanon-Syria border. OCHA said that since Dec. 8, Lebanese authorities recorded less than 10,000 Syrian refugees returning from Lebanon to Syria. Meanwhile, the UN Refugee Agency reported that Lebanese authorities estimated around 30,000 displaced people returned as of Friday from Syria to Lebanon, including mostly Syrians but also Lebanese nationals, since the Nov. 27 cessation of hostilities announcement for Lebanon. The International Organization for Migration reported a fluid situation with fluctuating movements continuing daily through both formal and informal border crossings. Humanitarians reported earlier that Syrian border officials abandoned their posts following the Damascus takeover. Two high ranking officials charged in Cancun prisoner escape Cancun, Q.R. Two high ranking officials inside the Cancun prison have been charged in relation to a prisoner escape. Jose Armando N and Sergio Javier N are both facing charges after the October 19, 2024 escape of Gilberto N. Gilberto N October 11, 2024. Gilberto N was arrested for physically and sexually assaulting a two year old boy which lead to his death, and for the assault of his six year old brother, who was hospitalized on October 9. Police caught up with Gilberto N on October 11 after a two day manhunt. He was admitted into the Cancun prison and escaped on October 19. Local authorities began an internal investigation into the escape, which lead to the immediate dismissal of Jose Armando N and Sergio Javier N. On Monday, the State Attorney General (FGE) reported that both men, former Directors of the Cancun prison, have been charged in the escape. According to an FGE statement, Jose Armando N and Sergio Javier N, both in their capacity as directors of the Benito Juarez Cereso, have been charged. Jose Armando N is facing charges of negligence in the performance of his duties, while Sergio Javier N has been charged with prisoner escape, the agency said. The FGE says a Cancun judge has ordered both male persons to trial, allegedly related to the escape of an inmate from the Social Reintegration Center (Cereso). An internal investigation into the prisoner escape began the following day. The incident for which they were linked occurred on October 19 of this year, when an inmate of the Cereso, identified as Gilberto N escaped, being under the precautionary measure of preventive detention for his alleged participation in the crimes of qualified homicide, rape and qualified injuries to the detriment of two minor victims. Both Jose Armando N and Sergio Javier N have been ordered to post bail, refrain from leaving the state and sign in every 30 days. The whereabouts of Gilberto N since his October escape remains unknown. Local authorities continue their search. U.S. returns stolen 17th century sculpture to Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Mexico and the United States have recovered a 17th century sculpture stolen in 2007. The piece, the sculpture of Saint Rose of Lima, was stolen from the chapel of Santa Monica, in Epazoyucan, Hidalgo. The stolen piece was located in the U.S. after missing 17 years. Photo: INAH Almost 17 years later, the sculpture of Santa Rosa de Lima was recovered, one of the six religious images that were stolen. During its recent recovery, it was presented along with six other repatriated pre-Hispanic pieces Authorites from Mexico and the U.S. met at the Templo Mayor Museum. Representing the Secretary of Culture of the Government of Mexico, Claudia Curiel de Icaza and the head of International Exhibitions and Multilateral Cooperation, Irais Aviles Garcia, stated that from the Mexican perspective, cultural heritage does not constitute an asset of commercial value or collection value, on the contrary, it is the bearer of identities, of peoples, their history and their future. We express our satisfaction that culture continues to serve as a bridge for dialogue and collaboration between our nations. What brings us together here today is to continue this cooperation that has led to the recovery of a total of 10,375 cultural assets. On behalf of the Director General of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), Diego Prieto Hernandez, technical secretary Jose Luis Perea Gonzalez, said the INAH helped in the investigation that finally lead to its recovery. With the restitution of the cultural heritage owned by the nation, the validity of the Treaty of Cooperation between the United Mexican States and the United States of America, which provides for the Recovery and Return of Stolen Archaeological, Historical and Cultural Goods, signed more than 50 years ago, is strengthened. Congratulations on Mexicos cultural heritage, said Perea Gonzalez. In his speech, the United States ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, highlighted the professionalism of the embassy team, made up of 3,400 workers, 2,100 of them Mexicans, who, day after day, strengthen the ties between both countries. An example of this is the return of this devotional piece and six pre-Hispanic figurines, because what is stolen must be returned. The history, heritage and greatness of Mexico belong here. In their statement, authorities did not say how the piece was discovered or where in the U.S. it was found. In light of Dr. Edwards passing on December 12, we should take a moment to reflect on all he contributed to the fight for liberty and virtueand against the baleful effects of raw ideology. Dr. Lee Edwards, historian of the American conservative movement and self-professed admirer of the Acton Institute and its important work, passed away last week at the age of 92. Edwards was more than a scholar of the conservative movement: He was a pivotal person in it. He was present in Sharon, Connecticut, in 1960 for the writing of the Sharon Statement and helped to found Young Americans for Freedom. In The Liberal Imagination, published in 1950, Lionel Trilling wrote: The conservative impulse and the reactionary impulse do not, with some isolated and some ecclesiastical exceptions, express themselves in ideas but only in action or in irritable mental gestures which seek to resemble ideas. This might be better than John Stuart Mills calling conservatives the stupid party, but not by much. Three years after Trillings book, Russell Kirk responded with the groundbreaking and well-received The Conservative Mind, an intellectual history of conservative thought beginning with the great British statesman Edmund Burke. Emulating Walter Bagehot, Kirk used the phrase reflective conservatism to describe Burkes call for using the moral imagination to preserve civilization against ideologues who sought a radical remaking of society. Edwards was just such a reflective conservative. He also was a devout Catholic who earned his Ph.D. in politics from the Catholic University of America. His Catholic faith shaped his defense of liberty and commitment to the inviolable dignity of the human person. This commitment to human dignity was the lens through which he viewed, and chronicled as an author or editor of 25 books, human events. Witnessing the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 inspired his lifelong opposition to communism, including his role as founding chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. There were other important lessons Edwards learned from studying communism and the American political and intellectual leaders who opposed it. One was the necessity of a strong U.S. military as a deterrence, which he traced to Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. Edwards was director of communications for Goldwaters 1964 campaign. According to Edwards, Goldwater was not a libertarian but a fusionist who successfully melded the conservative and libertarian ideas. Another lesson Edwards drew from his historical studies was the necessity of American leadership, which he sought to apply after the unilateral annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014: If you talk to people in Poland or Hungary or the Baltics, they are very concerned about Putin and how he will use his power, because he is an authoritarian, so they look to the United States to exert leadership. So, does this mean Edwards was a neoconservative in the way that term is pejoratively used today? No. For one thing, he was raised in a deeply anti-communist, conservative family. He grew up fully aware of reality and had no need to be mugged by it. Neither did he count himself a libertarian. Edwards was a fusionist who rejected ideology precisely because he was conservative. Ideology, he told an audience at the Acton Institute in 2017, is the enemy. Im a Russell Kirk traditionalist, and I reject ideology because it is rigid and because it is monolithic and because it is arrogant and thinks it has all the answers. Ideologues do not engage in debate, are uninterested in the pursuit of truth, and treat politics as war that demands total victory in every contest. Edwards, on the other hand, believed that we should be willing to listen to the other side. We should be willing to try to persuade them to take our position and not to demand that they do so and to reject them if they dont agree with us. Compromise, Edwards knew, is not the same as surrender. Like Kirk, he recognized that, in the pursuit of liberty, the prudent and reflective conservative must be willing to take the 70% now and come back for the other 30% later. Edwards recognized that the same problems plaguing American political discourse generally were responsible for shattering the fusion he had helped to bring about. He singled out the demand for instant analysis by social media and the 24-hour news cycle. In his view, this prevented deep exploration of ideas and thereby limited the potential to score real policy wins by passing important legislation. Edwards also lamented the decline in civility, erudition, and magnanimity in American political discourse. Ideas have consequences, and it turns out that how you promote those ideas also has cultural and policy consequences. I met Lee Edwards only once, when I interviewed him in 2010 for a radio program about his newly published book William F. Buckley Jr.: The Maker of a Movement. We had a pleasant, hour-long conversation about the American conservative movement. Lee emphasized the eclectic mix of talented thinkers and writers Buckley gathered at National Review in the 1950s and 60s, as well as Buckleys formative role in uniting a fragmented right into a conservative movement. In addition to all these accomplishments, and perhaps most important of all, Lee Edwards will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and humble man. To the last, he continued to encourage conservative-minded Americans and libertarians to think about their fundamental commonalities rather than what separates them. In the quest for a free and virtuous society, I think that is great advice from a great conservative. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Expedition 70 Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub from Roscosmos is pictured during a spacewalk to inspect a backup radiator, deploy a nanosatellite, and install communications hardware on the International Space Stations Nauka science module. Credit: NASA NASA will provide live coverage as two Roscosmos cosmonauts conduct a spacewalk outside of the International Space Station on Thursday, Dec. 19. NASA's live coverage begins at 9:45 a.m. EST, Thursday on NASA+. The spacewalk is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:10 a.m. and last about six and a half hours. Expedition 72 crewmates Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner will venture outside the station's Poisk module to install an experiment package designed to monitor celestial X-ray sources and new electrical connector patch panels and remove several experiments for disposal. The two cosmonauts also will relocate a control panel for the European robotic arm, which is attached to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexsandr Gorbunov will operate the arm during the spacewalk from inside the station. Roscosmos spacewalk 63 will be the second for Ovchinin and the first for Vagner. Ovchinin will wear an Orlan spacesuit with red stripes, and Vagner will wear a spacesuit with blue stripes. It will be the 272nd spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades. Provided by NASA How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, My wife and I have been married for about a year, and were both fairly sexually inexperienced prior to marriage. Our sex life is about as good as you might expect from newlyweds. I think shes perfect in and out of bed, and I gather she thinks Im pretty OK, too. My wife doesnt really experience much in the way of spontaneous desire, but reliably experiences responsive desire with enough emotional intimacy, foreplay, and especially foot massages. The issue is my wife has never had an orgasm (in a sexual context, at least) in her entire life. She has never really masturbated (when she has tried in the past, she says she got bored), and didnt orgasm with her previous partner either. Im happy to give her oral sex, and she tells me that she appreciates it and enjoys the intimacy, but it never goes anywhere for her and she eventually just tells me when I can stop. She has no health problems and takes no medications. I certainly dont think that she cant orgasm, particularly because she can give herself what she describes as little orgasms by doing exercises like leg lifts, which Ive seen referred to as a coregasm. Interestingly, what my wife really enjoys is foot massages. Massaging hers seems to be just about the most pleasurable I can do for her. So much so that she jokingly calls her feet her two giant clits. She also asks that I press/squeeze them hard. When she demonstrated it on me, I found it legitimately painful (and not in any kind of good way)! Ive read that it is possible for people to orgasm from foot stimulation alone, but that doesnt seem to be whats happening in her case: She doesnt reach any kind of climax, she just enjoys it for as long as she feels like, tells me when I can stop (or until my hands tire out), and then shes typically down to have sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We both recognize that orgasm should not/need not be the goal of sex, and Im not the macho type of guy who needs to have my own sexual prowess validated by making my partner come, but it is something I would definitely like to help my wife experience just because I love her. For her part, she says she would love to experience orgasm if possible, but its not something she prioritizes. I imagine that at least some of your response might include advice like appreciate what youve got and If its not a problem for her, its not a problem, and Im happy to continue squeezing the heck out of her feet, but I worry that as time goes on and we are out of our current honeymoon phase, she might become (justifiably) resentful of an ever-widening orgasm gap. Help! Blessed? Dear Blessed, Advertisement Im going to skip the appreciate what youve got language youre expecting, because you clearly already do. Instead, lets proceed to another wise phrase: Dont borrow trouble. Yes, you want to keep an eye on your wifes happiness and satisfaction as your relationship unfolds. But right now the two of you have a good balance of giving each other pleasure. Make sure you spend plenty of time enjoying the pleasure you give and receive. Try to be present where you are instead of thinking about what might happen when the honeymoon phase ends. One thing you dont mention having tried is vibrators, and those are often the thing that works for women who dont otherwise orgasm. Id start with something fairly casualany lipstick-style vibe will do. Then move through the category known as clit-suckers, and then give the magic wand a try if all else fails. Do give your wife the foot-squeezing warm-up beforehand, along with any other foreplay she enjoys. Advertisement Get sex 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 How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, Im a woman in my late 30s and I met a guy who lives across the country earlier this year. We hooked up a few times while he was in town. Weve kept in touch, and hes planning to come back out to visit in a few months and wants to hook up again. Hes great! He has all the fun qualities you want in a casual partner youll see a couple of times a year: Hes handsome, funny, kind, attentive, and great in bed. Advertisement During a recent sexting session, he mentioned a strap-on. Ive never done anything with a strap-on, and I have no idea where to start. Im a little bit submissive, so Im used to my partners taking the reins and not being in a position where Im the one doing the dominant actions. Im not even sure that Im into the idea, but Im willing to try it out at least once. I told him so, and he seemed happy that I was willing. Advertisement Advertisement I know rule number one is lots of lube, but beyond that, where should I go to find the right one with the right fit? What should I look for in finding the right fit: one that fits up against my lower mons pubis, or against my stomach, or something else? Where would I have the most control? Should I ask him about size, or just shoot for an average-sized dildo? Should I go for fleshy-feeling or straight-up hard? Id like to start the search and find the right one to practice with before he arrives so I can figure out if I even like the idea to begin with. If I do, maybe I can wow him with my expertise at using one by the time he gets here. Strap-On Where Dear Strap-On Where, Advertisement Advertisement I see that youre drawing a link between wielding a strap-on and being dominant, but you didnt give any indication that this dude asked to be dominated. So, first, lets unstack being the active partner, being the penetrator, and being dominant. These are not synonymous. You can engage in one or two of these dynamics without engaging in all three. For example, there are power bottoms, which is a term that originated in the queer community used to describe someone who likes to be penetrated but remains dominant. You might do some digging through the resource I link to and elsewhere online to get a feel for what that can look like in practice. But ultimately, the most important next move is to ask him a few of the questions you pose here. Advertisement Ask your partner, either during a sexting session or outside of that context, whether getting pegged comes with a desire to feel submission, and go from there. Also, yes, ask him about both the size and texture hed prefer for the dildo. If he isnt sure, round down and err on the side of something softer. If prostate stimulation is part of the appeal for him, consider dongs with an upward curve for greater ease in putting pressure on that gland. Advertisement Youll have an easier time thrusting with a harness that mounts the phallus near your pubic bone. You can check out porn of both strap-on use and penetration by cis men to get an idea of the motions people tend to use. It may help to think of it as a crunch leading with your pubic bone instead of your shoulders. Speaking of crunches, some ab and glute exercises over the next few weeks will set you up to have greater stamina. As for harnesses, your best bet is to head to your local sex shop and try some on. Advertisement Help us keep giving the advice you crave every week. Slate Plus members get additional How to Do It columns each week. Sign up for Slate Plus now. Advertisement Advertisement Dear How to Do It, Ive been married for eight years, and we have one kid, whos almost 2. Our sex life, and physical affection, seem to have plummeted in the last two years, and Id like to get it back on track. Since I got pregnant my husband has touched me a lot less. Hugs are perfunctory and rather loose-armed. Im usually the one who initiates kisses. Cuddling doesnt happen unless I initiate it, and usually, he asks me to let him go after five to 10 minutes. Advertisement Sex is sporadic. Maybe once a month if Im lucky. Hes more interested in quickies. (Im cool with that!) But hes noticed I dont orgasm with them like I used to, and it bothers him. It takes a bit more effort now than it used to but all sorts of things can change with your body after having a kid, and as I understand it, this is relatively normal. Ive talked to him about it, explained that it even takes me longer to get myself off now, and told him point blank that I enjoy sex with him whether I orgasm or not. I genuinely do! Physical affection is super important to me, it makes me feel rejuvenated in a way nothing else does. So sex with someone I love is awesome with or without an orgasm. And he knows all of this. Advertisement When we do have more than a quickie, and hes into it, its amazing. Sometimes hes not that into it, and I can tell. He manages to barely touch me, even during sex. He hasnt given me oral for more than 30 seconds since before our kid was born. There is zero post-sex cuddling. Ive asked him for more physical affection multiple times and hes agreed to try but it lasts a week or two. Ive asked why hes not interested in physical affection and hes given me different answers every time. Hes depressed, hes stressed, hes uncomfortable in his body. I still need affection, and Im not sure what to try anymore. I want to address this with him (again) in a way thats positive and productive. But how? Theres a part of me that worries hes not attracted to me anymore. Is there a way to have this conversation about physical affection again without sounding like Im nagging? Starved for Affection Dear Starved for Affection, Advertisement Advertisement Be honest with him. Tell your husband that youre worried he isnt attracted to you anymore, and then give him space to process what youve said. While youre at it, you might as well start the conversation by expressing your worry that itll sound like youre nagging. He might need a few minutes or even a few days to seriously consider whats going on and be able to give you a thorough and complete answer. Advertisement Advertisement Its possible that he is in fact, feeling depressed, stressed, and uncomfortable in his body all at once, and isnt able to see that whole tangle for what it is. Youre both fairly new parents, which is a major adjustment for both of you. Its well-documented that parents often experience a bit of a dip in their sex life when the baby is bornand dads can experience perinatal depression. You might try to have a bigger conversation beyond the sex talk about how hes feeling generally these days. If depression is at work, he might need help from a therapist and medication to get back on track. Youll have to thread the needle carefully to make it clear to your husband that this need of yours is going unmet, without overwhelming him with one more thing to stress about. Good luck. Jessica More Advice From Slate I (she/her) am a queer cis woman in my 30s, in a long-term relationship with a gentle, thoughtful, sensitive woman. I came out in my teens, even though my environment wasnt very friendly to it because it was basically impossible for me to hide. Ive had an average-to-higher-than-average number of shitty homophobic experiences, but I always told myself it was worth it to be who I am. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. As President-elect Donald Trump readies his return to the White House, courts will be one of the few conceivable checks on his actions. The U.S. Supreme Court, with the power to declare presidential actions unlawful, will likely get much of the attention. But another type of court will also play an important role during the second Trump administration: state courts. Unlike federal courts, state courts generally cannot issue orders to the president. Nevertheless, their power to check the actions of state and local officials could meaningfully influence the next Trump presidency. Thats becausefor both legal and practical reasonsTrump will inevitably ask state officials to volunteer to help implement his agenda. Legally, the U.S. Constitution generally prohibits the federal government from compelling states to administer federal programs. So, generally speaking, state and local officials do not violate federal law by declining to voluntarily assist the federal government. Practically, there are far more state and local law enforcement officers than federal officers, which means that Trump and his surrogates will want state help to implement their agenda. They already have indicated they want help carrying out mass deportations. They want help policing dissent. And more is sure to come. As Trump conjures new enemies, he will need more help pursuing them. But state courts can, and should, have something to say about that. In particular, they will have to decide whether doing what the federal government asks would violate the state constitution or state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Democrats Have a Pod Save America Problem Read More State supreme courts have the final say on the meaning of their states constitutions and laws. And those documents, in turn, often provide protections exceeding those of federal law. For example, some state constitutional provisions set forth rightssuch as the right to a public education or the right to a clean and healthy environmentthat have no explicit federal constitutional analogs. Other state constitutional provisions do have federal counterpartslike due process, free expression, or search-and-seizure rightsbut have been interpreted more broadly due to the state constitutions particular text, structure, history, or underlying values. Indeed, state courts often lead the way in protecting civil rights and civil liberties, from recognizing same-sex marriage to protecting cellphone location data. As the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court explains, this freedom to interpret state constitutional rights more broadly than federal constitutional rights is fundamental to the vigor of our Federal system of government. Advertisement Indeed, given Trumps sustained disregard for the law, his administration seems especially likely to ask state officials to take actions that would violate their own state constitutions and other laws. It will be up to state courts to hold that line. Although the precise direction of Trump 2.0 is impossible to predict, Trumps attempt to enlist state officials seems especially likely to trigger state court litigation in three areas: immigration, criminal law, and equal protection. Advertisement On immigration, incoming border czar Thomas Homan wants states to be willing to help with large-scale deportations. But state law may limit that help. For example, the federal government regularly issues detainers asking state officials to detain noncitizens for up to 48 hours so that federal authorities can take them into custody. The first Trump administration conceded that these detainers are merely requests, and some state courts indicated that state and local officials cannot fulfill them. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, for example, explained that Massachusetts law provides no authority for its officers to arrest and hold an individual solely on the basis of a Federal civil immigration detainer. State courts might reach similar conclusions about whatever requests for state assistance that Homan might cook up during Trump 2.0. Advertisement Advertisement In the criminal law context, the Trump administration may seek to investigate or punish activities that states treat as civil rights. For example, some states, including seven this past election cycle, have enshrined abortion rights in their constitutions or laws. Officials in those states may be prohibited from helping the Trump administration undermine those rights. In fact, violating that prohibition might amount to a crime under state civil rights laws. Advertisement Advertisement In another context, many states in recent years have decriminalized marijuana possession despite it remaining illegal under federal law. Yet, state courts have largely responded by holding that decriminalization prohibits state officers from targeting marijuana-related conduct that the state has decriminalizedlike searching a backpack or car for cannabis. The federal marijuana prohibition does not alter that conclusion, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has explained, because when state voters decriminalize marijuana possession, they also curtail police authority to enforce the Federal prohibition. Finally, state equality provisions, as construed by state courts, might sweep more broadly than federal law when it comes to Trump policies that discriminate based on nationality, religion, or other characteristics. During the first Trump administration, the U.S. Supreme Courts refusal to strike down the Muslim ban appeared to signal a reluctance to enforce federal antidiscrimination norms against Trump. But state courts are not bound by that reluctance. Instead, state supreme courts have repeatedly held that their state equality provisions can, and sometimes do, provide more extensive safeguards, protecting their residents, as the Supreme Court of Vermont explained, however the philosophy of the United States Supreme Court may ebb and flow. Although it might seem surprising that state courts could play an important role during Trump 2.0, that role is an essential part of our federal system. Nearly 50 years ago, former Supreme Court Justice William Brennan Jr. wrote that state courts no less than federal are and ought to be the guardians of our liberties. With a second Trump administration on the way, that guardianship is more important than ever. Update, Dec. 17, 2024, at 12:12 p.m.: On Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lost the vote to be the ranking Democrat of the House Oversight Committee to Rep. Gerry Connolly, whoas Axios put itwithstood a generational revolt. The original argument for putting Ocasio-Cortez in the position is printed below. A late-December contest among the minority party in the House is rarely a headline-grabbing affair. But the Democratic Party is currently split over a committee position that is quite symbolic over its internal warring about the future. It involveswho else?Nancy Pelosi and AOC. After Novembers drubbing, House Democrats signaled that they were prepared to accept a changing of the guard atop some of the important House committees. It began with Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, age 61, convincing Judiciary Committee ranking member New York Rep. Jerry Nadler, age 74, to step down from the post so Raskin could succeed him. Shortly after that, 60-year-old Jared Huffman of California convinced 76-year-old Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva to step down from the top Dem spot on the Natural Resources Committee. In both of these cases, septuagenarians passed the torch to sexagenarians. But when it came time to replace Raskin on the important Oversight Committee, an actual young person made a play for the role: 35-year-old New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Almost overnight it seemed that AOC had the job sewn up: She secured the support of the majority of the Democratic members on Oversight and was talking to the press about her hopes for the role. But the position is not awarded by a vote of committee members. Its voted on by the entirety of the House Democratic Caucus. Thats where the trouble started. Not one to let a young person ascend quietly, Nancy Pelosi entered the fray. The patron saint of Democratic gerontocracy, 84-year-old Nancy Pelosi is supposedly retired from leadership, but this month, she actively threw her weight behind 74-year-old Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, who was just diagnosed with throat cancer. Now, Pelosi is whipping votes for Connolly, whose potential promotion would cap off this changing of the guard by replacing a 61-year-old with a guy in his mid-70s. And because Pelosi suffered a fall in Luxembourg and had to have her hip replaced, shes essentially whipping votes from a hospital bed.* Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once Pelosi backed Connolly and began making calls on his behalf, the moderate New Democratic Caucus announced it was formally backing Connolly as well. Not to be outdone, the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced it was formally backing Ocasio-Cortez. And the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in a rare move, threw its weight behind Ocasio-Cortez, too. It looks like a classic battle along ideological lines for Democratsprogressives versus moderates. But it isnt that. Ocasio-Cortez is indeed one of the best-known progressives in the country, but shes also, importantly, one of the best-known Democrats period. The most charitable line on those Democrats backing Connolly is that some centrist members are nervous about making AOC such a major face of the party. And lawmakers in their 60s, who have spent a long time waiting their own turns in line, dont want to see the seniority system completely scrapped. If you trawl through C-SPAN clips youll also find that Connolly can be an animated messengerhes a self-proclaimed Irish fighterand he definitely has a cool mustache. And yet, on the merits and optics, its a very, very difficult case to make. During a second Trump presidency, Oversight will be one of the most important bully pulpits to expose and interrogate the incoming administrations flagrant corruption, to hold corporate executives feet to the fire, and more. AOC has been on Oversight for years and has done her time there; its a committee that the old House leadership shunted numerous progressives to in the past. Those viral clips of AOC dressing down a corporate executive or, say, Trumps deportation czar Tom Homan? A lot of those come from Oversight. Advertisement Advertisement With Trump in office, the role of Oversight will be extremely important, especially for a party that is begging voters to believe that they are well positioned to tackle corruption. AOC is objectively a more skilled communicator and narrative shaper than just about anyone in her party, and certainly more than Connolly. Her ability as an explainer is top-notch, and her penchant for conveying outrage and injustice is sorely lacking in the partys upper echelons. Advertisement Connolly is an Oversight lifer, having served on the committee since he arrived in Congress in 2009. By all accounts, hes adept and seasoned in the role. He won a positive reputation for his work beating back Republican witch hunts during the Barack Obama years, experience which will likely serve well in the upcoming administration. But as Democrats try to shine a light on wanton corruption in the Republican Party and in the economy broadly, its pretty obvious which one of these representatives has a bigger megaphone to explain whats going on. Ocasio-Cortez has 8.1 million followers. Connolly has 4,600. On the optics, its even harder to justify. Pelosi, who is undergoing hip replacement surgery, is well, a stalwart member of the oldest guard who now appears to be score-settling over a feud with Ocasio-Cortez that is six years old. Pelosis penchant for backroom sabotage was easy to cheer when she was pushing fellow octogenarian and likely loser Joe Biden out of the presidential race; its harder to justify when an eminently qualified rising starwho, whether Pelosi likes it personally or not, is widely known to be a cornerstone of the partys futurepushes for a simple promotion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez has spent the past few years being a good Democratic soldier. When she first arrived in Washington, this wasnt necessarily the case. In late 2020, when she ran for a position on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries seemingly retaliated for her perceived lack of loyalty by sabotaging her campaign, blocking her rise in favor of Kathleen Rice, who had been in Congress longer than AOC but lacked even the official support of her own states delegation. Who, you might ask, is Kathleen Rice? Exactly. Shes not even in Congress anymore. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Retired prosecutor Ralph Petty had a secret during his career in Midland County, Texas. While seeking convictions, he simultaneously worked behind the scenes as a law clerk for the judges presiding over his cases, giving him special influence. Sometimes, Petty even wrote court orders resolving motions from opposing counsel. He argued from one side of the bench, then slipped to the other side and advised judges how to rule. As a moonlighting prosecutor, Petty sent at least one man to death row. A federal appeals court panel has referred to the arrangement as a dodgy side hustle and an utterly bonkers violation of the right to a fair trial. Other federal judges have called it a DEFCON 1 legal scandal. Defense attorneys would have been furious if they had known Petty was on the judges payroll. But Midlands court, county government, and district attorneys office kept the moonlighting to themselves and got away with it for nearly 20 years. Now the U.S. Supreme Court has a chance to intervene. Erma Wilson, a certified nursing assistant and mother, is leading the charge for accountability. She sued when she learned about the uneven playing field, years after suffering the humiliation of a minor drug conviction. Officers arrested Wilson in 2000 after claiming they found cocaine on the ground near where she had been standing. She said the contraband was not hers and tried to have the evidence suppressed in court. But the judge denied the motion, and Wilson was convicted. County records show that prosecutor Petty was paid for work on Wilsons case as a law clerk to the presiding judge during this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson never served time, and she maintains her innocence. But the conviction was enough to derail her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Now she wants justice for the misdeeds of Petty and his accomplices. Our public interest law firm, the Institute for Justice, represents Wilson. Advertisement Getting to trial should be simple. The U.S. legal system promises access for everyone, and Congress passed a federal law, known as Section 1983, guaranteeing accountability for federal constitutional violations by state actors. But lower court judges have refused to let Wilsons civil suit proceed. On Sept. 13, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit held that Wilson must first have her conviction invalidated by the very state court system that violated her rights before she can sue in federal court. That limitation on the ability of federal courts to vindicate federal constitutional rights is part of a matrix of overlapping legal doctrines that shield government employees from liability when they violate the Constitutioneven when they do so egregiously, as the appeals court acknowledged in Wilsons case. The Supreme Court can now right that wrong. A petition, which Wilson filed on Thursday, will give the justices a chance to weigh in on a legal question that has divided the nations federal courts of appeals: Should government officials who violate the Constitution be liable to injured parties who already have completed their sentences? Advertisement Heck v. Humphrey, a 1994 case out of Indiana, held that a state prisoner cannot bring a federal damages case that would necessarily imply the invalidity of his conviction without first invalidating that conviction, which federal law permits by way of a habeas corpus suit. Advertisement But that federal habeas corpus remedy is only available to individuals in state custody. And the Supreme Court has never addressed whether a person who never had access to that remedybecause they were only fined or because they discovered the constitutional violation after their sentence expiredis also barred from the federal damages remedy. Advertisement Wilsons case presents an opportunity to answer this question. It boils down to whether Petty and his accomplices should benefit from the fact that they did such a good job of concealing their misdeeds for so long. The question left unanswered by Heck has teed up spirited lower-court debates. About half of the federal courts of appeals would let Wilsons case proceed and about half wouldnt, leaving access to justice dependent on geography. Even within the 5th Circuit, Wilsons appeal produced a 126 split. The half-dozen judges in the minority would have welcomed a chance to ensure that victims like Wilson get their day in court. Regrettably, we have squandered that opportunity, the minority wrote in their dissent. The legal wrangling frustrates Wilson, who frames her case in simpler terms. I didnt get a fair trial because Ralph Petty was working with the judge and the prosecutor on my case, she says. All she wants from the Supreme Court is permission to argue her case on the merits. This should be the minimum for the victim of a DEFCON 1 legal scandal. The taste of customers has changed. Marasi Situngkir told me this one night, while he and I sat together in his coffee shop. Hes waiting for visitors to stop by, and Im watching the cars drive by off the side of the highway in Medan City. Marasi is middle-aged, and his coffee shop is called Gerobak Kopi City+. He keeps it open from early in the morning until late at following the habits of his customers. Seven years ago, in 2017 or so, this coffee shop became one of the coolest spots for coffee lovers in Medan, the capital and largest city of North Sumatraits 2.5 million people puts it right between Houston and Chicago in terms of population. At Kopi City, Situngkir brews exclusively Sumatran coffee from several single estates, such as Lintong and Mandailing coffee from North Sumatra, and Gayo coffee from Takengon, Central Aceh. Most of the coffees are processed by the wet grinding method, and some of them are processed in a style known locally as wine coffeea style of processing fermentation that produces a rich taste, with sweet, sour, and acidic flavors all present in a cup. Back in 2017, third wave coffee was trending in a huge way across Medan. V60 brewing was all the rage, and coffee bars like Gerobak Kopi City enjoyed exploding popularity. But now trends are changing. V60 coffee connoisseurs are not coming as much as they used to, the cafe owner tells me. Coffee drinkers, especially young people, prefer to drink mixed coffees, such as iced milk coffee, or hot milk coffee, or coffee with a mixture of (liquid) palm sugar and chocolate. Coffee bar owners across the planet just nodded their heads in recognition. As in Northern Sumatra, so goes the world. The above excerpt leads the latest story by Indonesian journalist Tonggo Simangunsong on Sprudge Special Projects, a hub for long-form original journalism and select archival features on Sprudge. Since 2009, Sprudge has been the worlds premier home for thought-provoking coffee journalism, evocative photo essays, design deep-dives, and cultural narratives. Special Projects Desk continues this tradition in 2024 and beyond, platforming exceptional works from the field of coffee journalism. Special Projects Desk is supported by La Marzocco, handcrafting espresso machines in Florence, Italy since 1927. Their mission is to support the growth of specialty coffee; they believe that increasing knowledge and understanding is the best way to develop a thriving future for the coffee industry. Sprudge is actively seeking pitches for long-form coffee writingfrom both established and emerging journalistswithout language or experience prerequisites. For more information, contact us. Explore the complete archives of Sprudge Special Projects here. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/ex-pentagon-analyst-kirillovs-murder-linked-to-exposure-of-us-ukraine-bio-research-1121200952.html Ex-Pentagon Analyst: Kirillovs Murder Linked to Exposure of US-Ukraine Bio Research Ex-Pentagon Analyst: Kirillovs Murder Linked to Exposure of US-Ukraine Bio Research Sputnik International The assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense, is definitely an act of terror, Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik. 2024-12-17T17:49+0000 2024-12-17T17:49+0000 2024-12-17T17:49+0000 russia michael maloof russia ukraine us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0c/11/1121200783_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6e37311f91eed85c43c52954ac783a34.jpg The assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense, is definitely an act of terror, Michael Maloof, a former senior security policy analyst in the Office of the US Secretary of Defense, told Sputnik.[The perpetrators] plant the bomb in a scooter, put it outside of his apartment and then detonated. That's terrorism, he said.The fact that the attack took place in Moscow and that the perpetrators knew where Kirillov lived, suggests significant planning and coordination, raising questions about the possible involvement of Ukrainian operatives or Russian individuals working on Ukraine's behalf.Maloof said Kirillovs role in revealing Ukraines involvement in US-backed chemical and biological research made him a target.And I know it was very sensitive because Victoria Nuland, in testimony before Congress last year, I believe it was, said that it would it would not be good if Russia was able to take over some of the sites because of what the sites contain, he added.What is it that the United States is doing in those research labs that that when she was a member of the Biden administration, did not want revealed? Maloof asked. Kirillov was the one who exposed this that chemical, biological research was ongoing in those labs. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241217/key-revelations-slain-gen-kirillov-exposed-about-pentagons-biolabs-scheme-1121196381.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, lieutenant general igor kirillov, head of russia's troops of radiological, chemical, and biological defense, us-ukraine bio-research, maloof